#robin if youre reading this i appreciate your existence

[ghost-proofbaby]

twenty four hours (modern!eddie munson x fem!reader)

→ tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, slow burn

→ warnings: strong language, smut (oral, f receiving), overload of cheesiness, upside down does not exist, minors dni

→ wc: 11.8k+

→ a/n: this might be the cheesiest, fluffiest thing i've ever written, and i can't even be bothered to care. it might be unrealistic. it might be too much. i do not care. this has been a long time coming and i think we all deserve all the cheese after this story.

i don't even know what to say besides thank you. thank you to everyone who followed along from the beginning, to those of you joined the journey along the way, to those of you who are reading as we finish it up. thank you for all the support and love you guys have shown this fic. i will always, always, appreciate it more than i know how to say. i love these idiots, and i love you all.

if you would like to see this story continued through small blurbs, my ask box is officially open to requests from this universe. i will also probably be posting some "beyond the hours" content over the next few weeks.

thank you. i love you.

without further ado...

masterlist.

spotify playlist.

EPILOGUE: A BET

TWO MONTHS LATER

“Why are there so many fuckin’ options?” 

Eddie stares at the line up of smartphones before him, all different models and different physical sizes, different colors and different memory amounts. 

“There’s not that many,” you murmur, wrapping your arms around him from behind as you rest your chin on his shoulder. It’s a bit of a stretch, making you lean up onto your tippy toes, “Besides, isn’t having options a good thing?” 

He scoffs as he brings a hand up subconsciously to where your arms overlap on his torso, grip gentle as he runs a thumb over your skin and gives a squeeze, “Sure, options are great. But there’s at least twenty different iPhones on display here, sweetheart.” 

The last few months had been interesting, to say the least. A new and exciting journey initially, but also a fairly stressful ordeal given all the hoops you two had been jumping through. You’re both busy people, having to suddenly figure out how to carve out a specific space for each other amongst bustling lives. It wasn’t the same as making time for friends or a weekly night out; it was figuring out times for dates, times for lazy afternoons, times for just you and just Eddie.

And, occasionally, time to take Eddie shopping for a new phone. Finally.

“Well, better pick one fast,” your fingers dig into his side playful, and he blows out an annoyed breath as he side-eyes you. You only retaliate in a fast peck to his cheek before whispering in his ear, “We’re gonna be late if you keep taking all day.” 

It was Argyle’s birthday party tonight. His actual birthday wasn’t for another week, but he’d be venturing back home to California for that. And so the group elected to throw him a preemptive party at one of the group’s favorite bars. 

Which — fine. Awesome. You were excited, you really were: you loved Argyle, you loved your friends, you even found yourself warming back up to parties.

But your friends didn’t know. 

Two whole months, and neither you nor Eddie had told a single soul of what had become between you two. Not even Steve. Not even Nancy. 

At first the excuse was to give this time to grow, to find your footing before you brought your lovable yet rambunctious group of friends into the equation. But then you two had found your footing, and you’d worried what they would say. Eddie had nearly made himself sick with anxiety over Nancy finding out he’d kept this relationship from her. They’d support you two — that wasn’t a worry. They’d proven that since the first time the entire group had hung out after the bet.

“So,” Robin started, narrowing her eyes at you and Eddie sitting on opposite ends of her and Steve’s couch. Neither of you had said a word to each other yet (Plenty had already been said that morning as you’d snuck him out of your dorm), “You two really aren’t together?” 

“Why is everyone so adamant that the bet has to end with us getting together?” you jeered.

Eddie didn’t help the cause when he was quick to take your side, “Exactly! The bet’s over. We lasted twenty four hours. We’re friends now — isn’t that what you guys wanted?” 

“I actually wanted to help you dudes plan a winter wedding,” Argyle chimed from the kitchen where he was retrieving a coke, “So I’m gonna side with Birdie on this one.” 

“Of course you are,” you muttered beneath your breath. 

Everything in you ached to be sitting next to Eddie rather than so far. You ached for his arm around you, his lips pressed to your temple. Just to share body heat, even — innocent thighs brushing with layers of denim between would have been enough.  

“It’ll happen eventually,” Nancy mused from her seat on the kitchen counter, Jonathan beside her and matching her confident energy with a sly grin, “Just give them time.” 

What they hadn’t realized is that it already did happen. The moment Eddie showed up to your dorm and the two of you said to Hell with space, it was inevitable. 

Now, it was just the challenge of letting your friends in on the secret.

“What about the red one?” Eddie asks you as you finally unravel from him.

“Of course you’re choosing the red one.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he scowls, no malice behind it as you step up to occupy the space next to him, brushing shoulders for only a moment before his hand is grabbing yours, intertwining fingers like second nature. 

You recall that moment on his balcony, where he had once been so nervous and hesitant to hold your hand. 

“Nothing,” you shake your head, smiling to yourself as you look at the specific model he was talking about, “You’re just getting a little bit predictable, Munson.” 

He opens his mouth to argue, to nip back at what you always offer him, when one of the salesmen approach you two.

“Hi folks! Can I help you with anything today?”

Eddie squeezes your hand, no doubt in an effort to withhold his laughter at the man’s overly chirpy tone. You squeeze back, if for nothing more than to let him know you felt him.

Despite Eddie’s previous claim to a decision, he still chooses to entertain the man. Asking questions about different models, inquiring for recommendations as if they’d change his mind. They go back and forth, both polite enough, but the conversation easily bores you. In five seconds flat, your mind has officially wandered off.

You two hadn’t really discussed the specific details of the night to come. Whether you’d ride with Eddie there, how you’d navigate Eddie’s natural born clinginess once he got a few drinks in him, if tonight might be the night to finally tell your friends. 

The last one felt a bit obvious. It was Argyle’s night — you didn’t want to snatch the attention from him for even a second. 

But there were layers to your anxiety. Because it was more than just how to navigate how you two would display yourselves to your friends on nights out. 

It had been two months, and you still hadn’t said those three little words back to Eddie.

He didn’t pressure you. He never once brought it back up, never once pressured you. But just because he wasn’t constantly reminding you vocally that he loved you didn’t mean you didn’t feel it. You’d felt it, impossible to miss, when all those lazy morning fantasies became reality. You felt it during movie marathons and you felt it every time he’d worship your body. It was there — in the late nights, in the early mornings, in the dull afternoons. A wild thing unleashed in your gardens, all those vines you’d worked so hard to see flourish threatened to be torn up by impatient claws at the feeling growing rapidly in your chest every time you looked at him.

And slowly, surely, you knew that there was only so much longer that like could suffice in describing your feelings for Eddie. 

You were falling, whether he was aware or not. You just needed to figure out the right moment for those three little words to unstick, to go from hot honey on your tongue to easy breaths between you two. He’s given you time, he’d filled the months you’d awarded him with making up for every previously bitter exchange, and yet you still couldn’t give him this. And you’re starting to believe maybe that’s why you couldn’t imagine telling your friends yet. 

You sort of hated yourself for it.

You’re pulled back to reality once the salesman departs, no doubt into the back to grab Eddie’s choice of phone. You don’t even have to ask; you know he got the red one.

“Hey,” Eddie fully turns to you, bringing your knuckles to his lips in chaste kisses. Your stomach still kicks with flutters, your heart still warms at the gesture. Eddie’s affection has yet to lose novelty, “Where’d you go?”

“What do you mean?” you twist your face, “I was here the entire tim-“

“Not where’d you physically go,” he clarifies, letting your conjoined hands drop back to the sliver of space between your bodies, “Mentally. Where’d your mind just go?”

 You hadn’t thought he’d notice your drifting.

“Nowhere,” you shrug off.

“Nowhere? So you’re really just that interested in the newest iPhone model?” 

He pointedly looks up at the widescreen display you don’t doubt you’d been blankly staring at the entirety of his conversation with the man who had yet to return.

“Oh, absolutely. You know me so well.” 

All bark, no bite. These days, all the previous venom that had infected exchanges with Eddie prior to the bet had finally been sucked clean from the wound, long gone to make room for all the genuine affection to seep into its place. You still argued — or perhaps bantered was a better word for it — but you didn’t fight. You both still grated on one another’s nerves and managed to slither beneath the other’s skin, but not in an unwelcome way. 

It was a nice change.

It made you hate yourself even more for not saying those three little words. 

Eddie seemingly reads your mind, “Are you nervous for tonight?”

“I-“ you consider lying to him and saying it hadn’t even crossed your mind, but the look he gives you warns against it, “We just haven’t… discussed it.” 

“What’s there to discuss?” 

You hold up your interlocked hands for emphasis, raising your eyebrows at Eddie.

His mouth falls open softly, eyes widening, “Oh. Are you- Are you wanting to tell them tonight?” 

No, your gut screams, absolutely not tonight.

“Is Argyle’s birthday party really the best time to explode their minds?” 

You try to keep your tone teasing as you sense Eddie’s own nerves creeping up. Sometimes it was fun, standing in a room with everyone and pretending to be more akin to strangers than lovers. But sometimes, it was just plain painful. Sometimes, the entire group would be laughing at something, and you craved nothing more than to be pressed into Eddie’s side and feel the vibrations of his shared joy rather than just having to listen to it from across the room. 

It’s not that you wanted to tell your friends and cause a scene — you just didn’t want to have to hide anymore. And maybe you wouldn’t have to, if you’d just tell him how you felt.

“Probably not,” Eddie murmurs, “I mean, it’s his night. We can always tell them the next time we all get together.”

The issue is that’s what the two of you always say. You always brush it off for the next time. 

You can only sigh in defeat as you see the salesman finally bounding back out from the back room, a small box holding Eddie’s purchase in his grip, “Yeah. Next time.” 

You can’t even be mad at next time. It’s the same thing you tell yourself every time you felt those words on the tip of your tongue, so close yet so far from revealing the most terrifying truth you’d discovered yet to Eddie.

You let go of his hand long enough for him to check out, hardly overhearing when he questions how they can transfer all the data from his current flip phone. When he seems particularly worried about pictures transferring, you don’t think anything of it.

—

STEVE-O: do i need to pick you up tonight? 

You don’t see the text. You’re a bit busy with something when it comes through.

Something is currently still between your legs, curls threaded between your fingers as your back arches off his mattress and his name starts to come out as a desperate whimper rather than a chant. 

STEVE-O: ???

The initial buzz of your phone on his nightstand doesn’t phase either of you. Eddie’s tongue still works you eagerly, circling your clit as you tug particularly harshly at his roots. Each flick sends white hot pleasure through your bones, nearly making you see stars.

“Fuck,” you gasp out when he brings his fingers into the mix. You can feel his smile against you as he curls his fingers inside of you, mimicking a come hither motion and relishing in your little pants as your thighs tighten around his shoulders, “Oh, fuck. Right there, Eddie. I- Eddie.” 

The way you’re moaning his name only encourages him as he slips in a second finger, stretching you further. You feel cool metal bumping your entrance, sending shocks up your spine as his lips suction against you and he sucks hard.

He hadn’t even taken the time to remove his rings when the two of you had gotten home. He had been too eager, dragging you to his bedroom with his lips attached to your neck from the moment he’d shut the front door behind the two of you until he’d thrown you down on his bed.

“That’s right, baby,” his voice vibrates against your clit, “Say my name. Tell everyone who’s making you feel this goo-“

STEVE-O: helllooooo????

“Okay, who the fuck keeps texting you?” Eddie finally pulls back when he realizes you’re slipping out of that bubble he’d created, your head having turned towards the nightstand in curiosity, “Let me guess, it’s your other boyfriend?” 

Your head is still spinning and your chest continues to heave from that lingering pleasure he’d been offering so generously to you. He sounds annoyed, but you can guarantee you’re even more irked. 

“I don’t have another boyfriend,” you blandly reply, not taking his bait.

It only makes him wrap his hands around your thighs on his shoulder, giving a playful squeeze as you reach out for your phone. 

“You sure?” 

You squint at the notifications, but don’t properly read them, only rolling your eyes at both the fact that Steve’s the one interrupting this precious moment and at Eddie’s valiant teasing.

You slam the phone back down, eyes trailing down to his, “I am, but I can certainly find another boyfriend if you don’t get your mouth back on me in the next three seconds-“ 

He doesn’t need a second warning. In an instant, the warmth of his tongue is back on you, lapping at all the spots he’s come to memorize as of recently. That pleasure comes back into reach, edging your vision with feathery black as your eyes flutter shut and the coil in your stomach tightens.

You throw your head back into one of his pillows, one that has started to smell like your shampoo now rather than his, and let a drawn out whine escape your lips.

“You were saying?” he teases, grinning wickedly. He takes that brief moment to come up for air, turning and sinking his teeth into the soft flesh of your thigh beside his cheek. Not hard enough to draw blood, and probably not hard enough to leave indents. But it is enough to have you preening once more as your heels dig into his bare back and you try to lift your hips, desperate for his mouth again.

He was edging you. Without even meaning to, he was repeatedly bringing you to the edge only to leave you teetering. 

With your focus back on him, you can admire how pretty he looks. Mouth slick with you, pupils blown out, hair an absolute mess. You like him best this way, you think, when he looks so absolutely devoted to you. When he’s looking at you with a hunger you almost can’t place. It makes you want to scream from the rooftops about how you’ve fallen for him. How you feel so much more than like for your boy. 

STEVE-O: seriously. if you don’t respond, you can just walk. you have five minutes.

At the buzz of the phone, your hands leave Eddie’s hair to form fists, pounding them into the mattress at your side in a brief tantrum. He ceases all actions, pulling his lips away from you again, and it only makes you pout more. 

“Baby,” he coos, fingers trailing up the sides of your thighs before he reaches out to hold your fists down, “Maybe you should answer him. Tell him to fuck off-“

Eddie’s interrupted as your phone fully bursts to life with your ringtone.

You were going to kill Steve Harrington. 

“On second thought, let me answer it,” Eddie groans as you reach out and grab it once more, “Give the fucker a piece of my mind.”

“Shut up,” you hiss as you realize it’s Robin calling. You turn the screen so he can see, and his eyebrows lift in surprise.

He makes no move to remove himself from between your legs, though. He stays face to face with your aching core.

“Hello?” you snap after swiping to answer.

“Finally! My God, Steve’s been texting you-“

“I didn’t see the texts.”

“Do you need a ride?”

“Nope.” 

You’ve never been so short with your friends. 

But that pleasure is slipping from you, the flames of your impending orgasm dying down to nothing more than embers. It’s enough to piss anyone off. 

“Are you sure?” Robin asks, sounding genuinely concerned, “It’s kind of a far walk-“

“I’m running late,” you sigh, realizing that you were going to have to come up with a lie to get off the hook. Another thing you hated about the hiding — it led to your friendships being littered with dishonesty. Always a new excuse as to why you weren’t available, always feigning reasons as to why you didn’t reply to texts as timely as you used to. “With getting ready. I could- I don’t know, do you think Eddie might pick me up? Isn’t my dorm along the way to the bar from his place?” 

At the mention of his name, he perks up. His cheek settles against the exact spot he had bit just moments before, nearly nuzzling into you as your free hand comes down to gently push back his bangs. On instinct, you find yourself soothingly pressing your fingertips in slow circles against his scalp. You’re nearly melting beneath his soft gaze, those big and wide eyes locked on you with bated breath.

“You want Eddie to pick you up?” you suddenly hear Steve exclaim in the background.

Your face scrunches up, a wrinkle forming across the bridge of your nose and between your brows. It’s so damn cute to Eddie that he can’t help but press a quick kiss to the skin he continues to lay into, beginning to smile as your absent-minded head massage continues. 

So much more than like.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know I was on speaker.” 

“Why do you want Munson to pick you up?” Steve ignores your sarcasm, voice sounding closer to the phone now, “He drives a motorcycle, you know. That’s dangerous.” 

Eddie must be able to catch some of Steve’s shrill exclamation, his eyebrows raising ever so slightly. You feel his curious hum against your skin and you don’t hesitate putting your own pesky friends on speaker. 

“Motorcycles are not that dangerous,” you retort, and it makes Eddie have to hide a slight scoff into your thigh in an effort to stay silent. It was ironic that they cared about how safe it would be for you to ride with Eddie on his bike now, after that allegedly dangerous vehicle had been your main source of transportation for nearly two months now, “He has a helmet, right?” 

“Isn’t your dorm the opposite direction of the bar from his place?” Robin questions, “I mean, I’m all for you asking lover boy if he’ll give you a ride but-”

Steve interrupts her flatly, “It’s making him go out of his way. Besides, he might have already left for the bar by now.” 

You don’t know what to silently laugh at first. The assumption they were making that couldn’t be further from the truth, or Robin’s new nickname for Eddie. 

Lover boy is fitting for him in this current position. He’s still latching onto your leg, cuddling you in every way he could from where he laid, staring at you and hanging onto your every last word. The poster boy for pathetically in love, he gives your leg another kiss, starting a fiery trail with his lips until he reaches your knee. It pangs in your chest, wondering if he can see your feelings also painted so obviously across your face. 

“Steve,” you murmur, breath catching in your throat as Eddie’s lips linger in the ditch of your knee. It takes a second to remember you’re on the phone, “No offense, but Eddie hasn’t been on time to a single get together the entire time I’ve known him.” 

Eddie reacts in real time to your insult, forcing an over-exaggerated offended look before he bites you again. This time, his teeth do leave an imprint from his nip, and it makes you slap a hand over your mouth to avoid yelping. 

Don’t bite me, you mouth at him. 

Don’t be mean, he answers right back, silent as ever. 

“Technically we’re all already late,” Steve points out. It makes you sit up quickly, startling Eddie in the process. You squint at the clock across the room and- fuck. Steve was right, “Nancy just texted me that she and Jon are there, Argyle’s on his way. She said she tried texting Eddie but didn’t get any response,” there’s a long pause as you motion wildly for Eddie to get up with you, the boy watching as you fling yourself off his mattress and carry the phone with you to his dresser, “Have… you heard from him recently?” 

“Why are you saying it like that?” you jab, throwing open one of the drawers Eddie had cleared out for you to keep some clothes here in his apartment. At this point, a good chunk of the tuition you paid was going to waste considering the fact you rarely spent the night at your dorm. You were already half moved into Eddie’s space. 

You try not to think too hard about it, because just last week, you’d had a panic attack at the revelation. 

You were afraid of smothering him, even if he was the one always insisting you could leave more of your things here. He was always the one conning you into spending another night, promising soft murmurs of giving you a ride to class the next morning if you did. You rarely ever had much of the choice in the matter; once he’d wrap his arms around your waist, curl his body flush against yours, it was always game over.

Practically living together, and you still hadn’t said those words back to him. 

“I’m not saying it like anything!” Steve defends himself, “I’m just asking an innocent question!” Eddie’s snort this time is audible, and you freeze as Steve clearly mistakes it for your laughter, “Shut up. It’s a reasonable question. You guys are friends now, remember?” 

Friends. Of course, because all your friends jumped at the chance to bury their mouths against your cunt and make you cum repeatedly until you had tears streaming down your cheeks. Because you let all your friends sleep in the same bed as you, and wake you up by burying deep within you as they bite your shoulder with a moan. You and Eddie were friends. 

“Trust me,” you glance over your shoulder in your haste, looking at Eddie as he stretches out on his side and props himself up on his elbow, “I remember.” 

He gives you a knowing smile, squinting his eyes at you in entertainment. 

“Babe, it really would just be easier for you to ride with us,” Robin’s voice sounds again as you tug a shirt out of the drawer, something casual and comfortable that you could style for the night, “Unless you’re just hellbent on having alone time with Eddie for some reason-”

“I’m not hellbent on being alone with him, Robs.” 

Another lie. I definitely am. But not in the context you think. 

“You just sound like you are.”

“Well, I’m not,” you yank a pair of black jeans free from the drawer and slam it shut, standing and turning to Eddie. 

He hardly has time to react before you’re tossing your phone down on the mattress in front of him, the small device bouncing and hitting his chest. He winces and throws himself back dramatically, letting out a small oof that you pray neither Robin or Steve pick up on. 

As you dress, throwing on the random t-shirt and shimmying on your jeans, Robins laughs, “Denial isn’t a good look on you.” 

Eddie watches you, never moving to get ready himself. All he does is stare as you button up the pants. 

When you give him an expectant look, he merely mouths, bra? 

You shake your head. You don’t know where Eddie had flung your undergarment, and you’re not in the mood to frantically search for it. You’ve gone without a bra before – you can survive one night out without one. 

Eddie’s entire face and chest immediately flushes pink. Cute.  

“Now you guys are just being assholes,” you scowl despite the fact that only Eddie can see it, waving your hands to motion for him to get up and also get dressed, “I’m texting Eddie. If he has already left, I’ll just walk. Fuck you guys.” 

“Tell lover boy I said hi,” Robin teases. 

“Even if he’s already parked at the fucking bar at this point, we both know he’d jump right back on his bike and come pick you up,” Steve’s voice grumbles over the line. 

It almost makes you smile.  “Someone sounds jealous.” 

“Not jealous, just annoyed,” Steve corrects as Eddie finally stands from the bed, “When are you two going to get your shit together?”

“What do you mean?” you play dumb.

You’ve had this conversation with your friends multiple times. They were truly going to have your head once they realized what you’d been keeping from them for months now. 

“Don’t you have a 4.0 GPA?” Robin inserts herself back into the conversation, “You can’t possibly be this stupid.” 

Eddie pauses in his fumbling with pulling his jeans from the pile he’d left his clothes in at the end of the beg, face scrunching in silent laughter. You almost walk over and smack his bare back angled towards you. 

“First of all, no. I don’t have a 4.0 GPA. Thanks for the reminder,” you grab your phone back off of the bed and decide to leave Eddie behind in the room, heading into the bathroom to finish getting ready. You hate to admit it, but if you have to keep watching him giggle so cutely to himself, you’ll also probably break. And you aren’t in the mood for any further interrogation from Robin and Steve, “Second of all, I’m hanging up now. I’m going to call Eddie. At least he won’t be such a dick to me.” 

“Oh, you must see the irony there-” 

You cut Steve off, “Bye! See you in… like, ten minutes.” 

Once you’ve hung up, you put your phone down on the bathroom counter and look up into the mirror. Your hair is a mess, wild and tangled from all the writhing you had been doing before being so rudely interrupted. You give it your best effort, trying to tame it a little bit to look more presentable, but it’s a lost cause at this point. Fuck it. 

Eddie appears in the doorway behind you, fully dressed and his hair pulled back into a bun, leaning into the door frame with his arms crossed and an impish grin on display, “Oh, you’re going to call me now, sweetheart?” 

You glare at him in a jocosely manner through the reflection, “Don’t look so proud of yourself.” 

He pushes off the frame and comes up behind you, still locking his eyes only through the reflection as he leans his chin over your shoulder, “And what if I don’t want to give you a ride? You have been awfully mean – insulting my punctuality, throwing your phone at me, teasing me by going without a bra. The list goes on and on.” 

Something deep within you stirs, those embers that still ache to burst into a forest fire. You hate that you could easily spend the entire night here with him, letting him take you every which way between his sheets. And even without sinful actions involved, you would be plenty content with just his presence tonight. As a matter of fact, you might be more content with that outcome rather than heading out to see your friends.

Sorry Argyle, you think guiltily. 

“I’m teasing you?” you question just as his hands land on your hips, moving so that he was pressed firmly against the curve of your ass. Making sure you could feel how hard he was against the seam of his jeans’ zipper, “You didn’t even make me cum.” 

“Seems like we’ll both be spending the night frustrated, then,” he smiles, almost gleefully, almost devilishly, “Besides, that was technically Harrington’s fault, not mine. We both know I usually have no problems making you cum on my tongue – without interruptions, of course.”

He rolls his hips ever so slightly into you, and your mouth falls open, eyes going glossy as you continue to stare him down through the mirror.  The stirring in your abdomen is persistent now as your heart hammers against your ribs, mind melting and completely forgetting the obligation at hand. 

And Eddie knows this. He’s well aware of the effect he’s having on you, and it’s deliberate. 

Suddenly, his body completely pulls away from yours, “I’ll meet you downstairs. Don’t want to keep them waiting any longer, do we, sweetheart?” 

Damn him. Damn him, and damn his dimples, and damn how good his legs look in those jeans as he’s walking away from me right now.

You linger in the apartment, alone, for a few extra minutes to compose yourself. Trying to quelch the heat between your hips that had slowly spread across your entire body, threatening to consume you. You even go as far as to splash cool water across your cheeks, giving yourself a few smacks for good measure as you try to prepare yourself to go into public and put on the usual act. And beneath it all, you also hush the animal in your chest, the one that claws at you to tell him. The one that wails everytime you simply tell him you like him, the one that roars when you let another moment slip you by. It has to quiet, just as your flames need to settle, all for the sake of the act.

You deserve a goddamn Oscar at this point. 

After deciding that touching up your makeup would take up far too many precious seconds, you’re darting out of Eddie’s apartment, locking up behind yourself before you head down to where he’s waiting. He’s already straddling his parked bike, the engine roaring to life like the animal inside you as you exit the main doors of the building and his hands extend his only helmet. You don’t fight him on who’s going to wear it – that’s a battle, you’ve learned, you will always lose. 

We really need to just buy a second helmet. 

The thought makes you smile as you hold the clunky thing. Buying a second helmet. Something Eddie had never done before, because he had never had a regular passenger before. He had never had someone glued to his side as you had become, not even Nancy. It sounds terribly domestic; perusing aisles with him, debating which helmet fits your style best. He’d probably make a joke about your head being big. He’d probably tease you for looking at the ridiculously expensive ones and tell you to opt for a cheaper one. You’d probably end up with a pricier one in the cart regardless, and Eddie would probably refuse to let you pay for it. 

Domesticity. The image of it doesn’t ache like it had that night all those months ago. This isn’t something you yearn for hopelessly, smoke and mirrors that dissipate when you dare to reach out for it. It’s something finally in your grasp. Something tangible and something bound to happen, all you’d have to do is say the word and Eddie would comply eagerly. 

Anything to keep my girl safe, as he would tell you any time you pointed out how dangerous it was for him to go without a helmet. He’d gotten creative in saying his own version of those three little words. 

“M’lady,” he hums, nodding for you to put the helmet on before sweeping a hand over the empty space in the seat behind him, “Your chariot awaits.” 

You don’t have a snarky quip to throw back at him, only grinning at the ground as you flip the helmet around a few times to prepare to put it on. All those embers aren’t just desire for him – there’s a warmth there that always exists. A candle on the windowsill of the home you had finally found. 

You raise the clunky thing and tilt your head when Eddie suddenly says, “Oh, and babe?” 

Immediately, you lower it, eyes wide in curiosity, “What?” 

“That’s my shirt.” 

“What?” 

He motions to the t-shirt tucked carefully into your jeans, “That fine shirt you are currently wearing is mine.” 

You look down, and he’s right. It’s too late to go back inside to change, and you know he’s aware of this when you catch his amused smirk. He probably noticed the moment you had put it on, and had deliberately waited until it was too late for you to do anything about it to inform you. 

Bastard. 

“I-” you pinch the fabric between your fingers, looking between it and Eddie wildly for a second before your shoulders slumped in defeat, “It’s fine. I doubt they’ll even notice.” 

—

You were wrong. They do notice. 

Everyone is already waiting inside for the two of you, nestled around a table in the bar in a similar arrangement to the very first night you’d been introduced to the group. There’s only two empty seats left conveniently, right next to each other. You don’t miss that mischievous look of success on Robin’s face as she looks overly proud of herself.

They’d set it up so we’d sit next to each other. 

You’re grateful for your friends’ antics until you go to take the empty seat next to Steve.

“Is that Eddie’s shirt?” 

Robin is leaning around Steve eagerly as she says it, ridiculing the shirt intensely. 

“What?” you laugh nervously, looking down and tugging at the fabric. 

Lie. Make up a lie. Make it good. 

“That is Eddie’s shirt,” Nancy looks surprised across the table, looking up at the two of you questioningly. 

“What?” you repeat yourself. Eddie has already taken his seat, and is avoiding the stares of everyone, “No, it’s not.” 

“He has one just like it,” Jonathan adds fuel to the fire, “He literally wore it - what? Two days ago?” 

In a pathetic attempt of an excuse, you plop down in your seat and force an offended look, “People can own the same shirt. He’s not the gatekeeper of-” you look down, and nearly erupt in embarrassment when you see what the shirt is. “Deftones.” 

Ah, fuck. 

It’s not just the embarrassment of being on the verge of getting caught in your lie – it’s the memories that flood back. You, on Eddie’s lap. Your mouth and his becoming one. Steve calling, and you sucking so innocently on Eddie’s neck. 

Fuck. 

You really wish Steve and Robin hadn’t interrupted earlier. 

“It’s not like I got it at a show,” Eddie shrugs, and you wonder for a moment if he’s lying, “They’ve gotten more popular lately. I’ve seen their shit in Target.” 

“Exactly!” you exclaim a little too loudly, a little too quick to defend yourself, “Exactly. I just thought it looked cool at Target. Besides, tonight is about Argyle.”

You smile at the birthday boy, and he returns the joy as he waves a little at you. The reminder is all it takes for everyone’s attention to return to the focus of the night – everyone’s attention but Nancy’s. 

You can feel her eyes on you as conversation sparks up and debates of ordering shots begin. Everyone is busy asking Argyle what his plans for next weekend are – which are mostly composed of normal family gatherings, probably a homemade cake, etc. – but Nancy is watching you and Eddie like a hawk. In the peripheral of your eye, you watch the way she leans back so casually into Jonathan's around her shoulder, looking like she knows. You’re probably just being paranoid. You’re definitely just being paranoid. 

You try to ignore it, and instead let yourself just enjoy the moment. All your friends gathered, a group in which you finally feel like you belong to, jokes being made and laughter being exchanged that has you feeling a bit giddy. It’s nice. Even between the smoke of the room and the flickering lights overhead, murmuring chatter of nearby patrons mingling right in with your group’s noise, it’s homely. The smell of drunken cigars and fruity cocktails should be overwhelming, but you just let it wrap you up instead. 

And when you turn your head, inhaling deeply the smell of cinnamon and musk rather than all those other foreign anomalies, you find Eddie already looking at you. Soft eyes, bitten grin, a few loose curls framing his cheeks as his bangs curl up into his forehead. Even in the shoddy lighting, he takes your breath away. 

He’s looking at you. Just like that first night. Dozens of other people in this room at this moment, and he only has eyes for one – he only has eyes for you.

“So!” Argyle announces, “I think, my dudes, instead of doing what Birdie had so… excitedly suggested,” and oh, he was being generous and calling Robin suggesting he took twenty three shots for his twenty third birthday just her being excited rather than foolish, “We should just take the twenty three shots and split them up amongst the group.” 

Steve and Jonathan immediately groan, protesting how they’re driving, and Eddie only shakes his head with a chuckle. So far, he’d only ordered and been nursing on a plain coke, no whiskey. 

Somehow, sitting beside him with the group is worse than keeping distance. 

When he’d taken off his jacket, you’d silently begged for him to rest an arm across the back of your chair just as Jonathan was doing to Nancy. And he had, almost too naturally before he’d caught himself. It would have been easier to play off cooly, probably would have gone unnoticed, but your boy had practically jumped out of his bones as he’d flinched and tucked his arm back into himself suddenly. He’d even bumped his elbow against his own seat in his haste.

And Nancy had noticed. 

“That’s only three shots per person!” Argyle defends, “Four for me, since you know – birthday boy.” 

While Eddie may be avoiding alcohol tonight, you aren’t. Not unusual, but it had been odd when Eddie had told the waitress your order of an amaretto sour rather than you telling her yourself. 

Another strike. Another thing Nancy had noticed with her watchful eye.

“I’m down,” you shrug, “Hell, I’ll even take an extra shot if those two dumbasses won’t.” 

“Is that a good idea?” 

You wish Eddie had been drinking to excuse his idiocracy. Because all it takes is him saying that, not with malice but with concern, and the look on Nancy’s face told you she was officially catching on.

He hadn’t said it with the concern of a friend prepared to warn against drinking yourself sick. He’d said it with the concern of someone who would be taking care of you by the end of the night, of someone who would be dealing with the aftermath of that many shots. 

You two were bombing this whole secrecy, to put it lightly. 

You try to save the moment but laughing it off, turning to him slightly and teasing, “What, are you my keeper now?” 

Despite your best efforts, the statement doesn’t come across as friendly banter. It’s not quite fighting either. It’s a dare, you dangling something in Eddie’s face that no one else at this table quite sees. A stupid, idiotic continuation of your flirtatious game of cat and mouse from earlier in the apartment, when he’d deliberately gotten you hot and bothered. When he’d deliberately let you leave in his shirt. His palm is warm when he shifts ever so slightly, placing it on your thigh beneath the table. Out of sight from everyone else. Fueling and fanning all your growing flames. 

You two were toeing a very dangerous line tonight. 

His eyes darken a bit, and you pray no one else notices in the dim bar lighting, “I don’t know, am I?” 

Everyone is distracted enough with your idea. Steve and Jonathan were agreeing, saying they could take one shot and then others in the group could shoulder the extras. Robin was quick to also say she’ll take an extra one. But Nancy is silent, watching your quiet exchange with Eddie. 

“I don’t think you are, Munson.”

Except he is. Without a single doubt in your bones, you know that he is. 

Your playful smile betrays you. It tugs up the corners of your mouth and it’s clear to any outsider this wasn’t a brewing argument. The game was obvious if anyone was watching close enough. And Nancy, ever the smart one, was watching close enough. 

She’s playing her cards right, you realize, when she waits until the group has ordered the round of shots to say anything. 

“So, Eddie,” she begins, drawing the entire group’s attention to her best friend, “Do anything fun today?” 

He nearly chokes on his coke subtly. “I- Um-” 

“You just didn’t answer any of my texts today,” she continues on, “Must have been busy, yeah?” 

Eddie retracts his hand from your thigh, far more elusive in this action than he had been about removing his arm from your chair, before he fiddles with his hands in his lap. “Yeah – no, yeah. Sorry about that, Nance.” 

He pulls his phone from his pocket for no apparent reason. The shiny new smartphone, having not even bought a case or screen protector yet. You’d already yelled at him for that, claiming out of everyone, you trust him the least to not break the phone on the first day. He’d only laughed and shut you up with a kiss. 

His new phone is placed face down on the table, cherry red glinting, “I just had to go to the mall and-”

“Is that a new phone?” Argyle interrupts him, catching sight of the movement and the glinting, “Oh, holy shit, my dude! That’s a new phone! That is an iPhone if I’ve ever seen one!” 

Everyone – Robin, Steve, Jonathan – are rapidly leaning to catch sight of it as if they can’t believe it. Eddie continues to shrink at being the center of attention suddenly. 

“It is,” Steve laughs in disbelief, “Never thought I’d see the day, Munson.” 

Robin scrunches her face, “Does this mean we have to add him to the group chat?” 

You let out a giggle at that, lips pressed to try and contain some of that smile breaking through as you look at him and wiggle your brows. He immediately rolls his eyes, but picks up the phone regardless to give everyone a better look. 

“Yes, yes. I’ve finally joined the dark side,” he teases everyone just as the waitress returns with the tray of shots. Jonathan is the only one with enough sense to look away from Eddie’s spectacle, thanking her kindly, “Feast your eyes, my friends, for this is where my five hundred dollars went-” 

“Holy shit.” 

Nancy’s sudden whisper of an exclamation has everyone freezing. Eddie stops spinning and flipping the phone to show it off, staring at her with nothing but concerned, “What? What happen-” 

Nancy shares a look with Robin as they both grin.

Oh no. 

“Eddie,” Nancy says slowly, turning her head back his way slowly. 

“What?” Eddie frowns, eyes flitting back and forth between Nancy and Robin.

Robin is the one to ask the question rather than Nancy, “What exactly is your lockscreen?” 

Eddie goes pale. You’re confused, looking at the phone he’s currently cradling with the screen against his palm. 

Did he even change it? Wouldn’t it just be one of the default ones? 

“Guys,” you decide to come to his rescue, still impossibly confused, “It’s probably just some default screen, don’t tease him.” 

“That was not a default screen,” Nancy laughs out. 

Argyle looks around at everyone. Nancy and Robin, both with mischievous glints in their eyes. Eddie, still ghostly white as if he’s been caught red-handed. Steve and Jonathan, both just shrugging at each other. “Uh…. Why do I feel like I’m missing something here?”

“Show the class your lock screen, Eds.”

“Fuck off, Nancy.” 

“Oh my God,” Robin coos, leaning across Steve and pressing you back gently to catch sight of Eddie, who’s dipping his face down, “He’s blushing!” 

“Guys, leave him alone,” Steve insists, sharing a look with you now. But you have no clue what’s going on.

You have no clue what his lockscreen is. 

“Edward Munson, show us that lockscreen right now, or I’m Venmo-requesting five hundred dollars from you,” Robin continues to threaten. 

You look away from Steve and at Eddie immediately, leaning in closer to his space. He looks at you, clearly focusing on your presence more than everyone else’s, and smiles like a child trying to get out of trouble. 

“Eddie,” you say quietly, almost impossible for your friends to hear, “What the fuck is your lockscreen?” 

He slowly and carefully turns the screen towards you, making sure only your eyes can see it, and- oh.

It’s a low quality photo. Clearly taken on his flip phone. Details just a little fuzzy, and the darkness of the photo wasn’t helping. But you can see it clearly. You can make out exactly what it was that had Nancy and Robin losing their minds. 

It’s a picture of you and Eddie, with your head on Eddie’s chest.

For a moment, everyone else at the table doesn’t exist. You hadn’t been insane that night – he had taken a photo. A snapshot of the moment where everything had changed. The moment in which you had given up the fight and completely succumbed to just how much Eddie meant to you, how badly you pined for him and how deeply you liked him. 

“I was going to make it the one of you at Betty’s,” he whispers, “But, I just- I really liked this photo.” 

He’s still tense, as if he expects you to be upset with him. 

You’re the farthest thing from upset at him. 

“You made me your lockscreen?” you breathe out, a slow-growing smile beginning to stretch your lips. 

You’re not upset at him. As a matter of fact, you’re in love with him. You want to scream it from every rooftop, shout it to every stranger on the street – you are in love with Eddie Munson.

And you have been for a while. You just hadn’t found a way to tell him yet.

“Yeah,” he loosens up a little when he realizes you’re happy, enamored with the fact, “Yeah, of course I did. Who else am I going to make it besides my favorite…. Enemy?” 

He says it loud enough for everyone to hear clearly. All of Nancy’s teasing has come to a halt, Robin has settled back into her chair, and Steve is finally looking too curious for his own good. 

“As birthday boy,” Argyle breaks the moment, shatters away the bubble you and Eddie always seemed to end up in, “I am demanding I get to see this lockscreen.” 

Eddie doesn’t make any move to show the screen to any other person, only watching you for approval. 

Well, so much for next time. 

You give him a little nod. 

Eddie makes a dramatic show of it, sighing heavily before he very slowly turns his lockscreen to face everyone else. But even in his dramatics, you can see that weight lifting off his chest.

This, as a matter of fact, changes everything. 

No more hiding, no more lying. One simple flash of his phone screen, of a photo he had taken on a night that no one has even been gifted the details of yet, and all your friends suddenly know.

The reactions all vary. 

Argyle leans forward and squints before his face breaks out into pure joy for the two of you, “Oh, fuck yes! Best birthday gift ever. Pay up, my dudes!” 

Jonathan leans backward, digging out his wallet as he murmurs, “Son of a bitch.” 

Steve only smiles and shakes his head, also digging for his wallet as he seemingly chastizes himself, “I should have fucking known.” 

“Hold on,” you look between everyone as Jonathan digs out a couple twenties, “Wait, did you guys fucking bet on this?” 

“We did,” Robin answers you, holding up a hand to make Jonathan and Steve pause their retrieval of cash, “What do you take us for? Idiots? Now, gentlemen, before either of you payout, we’ve gotta ask the most important question,” she shoves a palm against Steve’s chest so that he’s out of line of sight, gaze set on you and Eddie, “When did this happen?” 

You don’t have any time to be mad at your friends. Because when Robin asks you this, suddenly you’re back to two months ago. You’re outside your dorm with Eddie, kissing him as if tomorrow would never be promised, and you’re home. 

You pulled back from Eddie finally, both of you gasping for breath as he held you steady. Your exchange from moments before still hung heavy in the air. 

You liked him, you liked him, you liked him. 

And the feeling was mutual. 

You’d already known, but it was nice to hear. It was nice to be reminded that this, what had happened between you two, was so very real. 

“I don’t wanna start over,” the words tumbled from your tongue before you could consider them, upheaving from your chest, desperate for Eddie to heard them, “I- I don’t need to start over. I like our story, okay? You had been right – it wasn’t all bad, and… and I don’t want to start over. I never want you to be a stranger again, and I know that sounds stupid-” 

“It’s not stupid,” he interrupted you, forehead meeting yours, “So very not stupid.” 

“I don’t care if you were a dick,” you continued on, carefully, “I was, too. We were both… shitty. I forgive you. I’ll forgive you a thousand times over, as long as you keep trying to make it up to me.” 

“Make it up to you?” he grinned playfully, “And just how do you suggest I start making it up to you?” 

“Ask me out,” his eyebrows raised in surprise, and you knew you must have looked like a wild idiot to everyone else, but you didn’t care, “To dinner, to a movie, to just hang around your apartment with you for another twenty four hours – I don’t care. Just… Just please, Munson, ask me out.” 

And so he had. A first date, a second date, a third. You two had gone through the entire ordeal of every cliche relationship despite the unconventional beginning. You’d gone to dinner, you’d gone to a movie, and you had done plenty of hanging out around his apartment and more. 

“The night of the bet,” Eddie answers as he finally brings an arm up around your shoulders, just as he had wanted to earlier. 

Immediately, both Robin and Argyle let out their own curses, pulling out their wallets just as Steve and Jonathan had. 

You look between them, all the annoyance you should feel just being run over with adoration for these idiots. Your eyes land on Nancy, and when you realize she’s the only one at the table not coughing up any cash, you ask her, “I’m assuming you guessed correctly?” 

“I did,” she nods, looking proud of herself. 

“How’d you know?” 

Nancy raises a threatening finger, before suddenly pointing it right in Eddie’s direction, “That idiot has always been down bad for you-”

“Okay, okay,” Eddie stops her, “I’ve already told her the nitty gritty details. No need to embarrass me.” 

“No need to embarrass you?” Nancy asks in disbelief, “Good God, just how many times did I have to sit and listen to you pine for her? No, no – I have earned this, Munson.” 

You look at Eddie, a glint in your eye, “You only told me about the first time.”

“I only remembered the first time,” he counters, blushing under yellow and faded lights, “I was usually dru-”

“Don’t lie,” Nancy stops him, “There were plenty of rants where you were dead sober.” 

Everyone only smiles at Eddie, a few teasing comments made his way, but none of them matter as you lean into his side, your shoulder bumping his to the best of your ability with his arm still around you.

“Aw, babe,” you coo, warm all over for the man beside you, “You had a crush on me? That’s cute.” 

His chin lowers, eyes boring into yours with unlimited affection. For a moment, it’s just you and Eddie. The guise of you two having your own bubble of a moment. 

His head tilts further, his ears brushing your ear as he whispers for just you to hear, “So did you, if I’m not mistaken.” 

“Not mistaken,” you whisper back. Money is now being exchanged, tossed across the table with grumbles that hold no heat. 

Yeah, you did have a crush on Eddie. You still do. You don’t think you’ll ever stop having a crush on him, even as he’s surrendered himself as yours. Especially not when his thumb is stroking your shoulder as it is now. 

Just like that very first night. The smoky bar fades to nothingness, your tunnel vision focused on Eddie. You know jokes are being made about the two of you by your friends, but it’s all white noise when he’s looking at you like this. Like you’re everything to him, like he’s just returned home after a long week. 

You’d really like to be his home to return to after every long week, for the rest of your lives, but there’ll be time to ponder on that later. For now, you two have time. 

The voice inside your head suddenly comes to life as it recognizes that this is your moment. You can tell him. Now that you’ve told everyone else, you can tell him those three words. Finally get them off your chest. Make it real. 

“Hey, Munson,” you say, still quiet enough for the words to only reach his ears. He perks up, eager to drink your next words. You have all his attention. You always have all his attention, “I-” and then you choke. He stares curiously for a few seconds, and the words just won’t come out. You want to scream – you wonder if it would work if you screeched the three words at the top of your lungs. Probably not, “I’m just really glad you didn’t really hate me,” a pathetic excuse at a coverup,  “And… I’m really glad they made that first bet.” 

He smiles so softly, it strikes you right in the center of your chest. Right amongst your garden that not only had you tended for him, but that he had also had a hand in watering these last few months. 

You should have told him. You love him, and you should have told him. 

“I’m really glad I didn’t hate you, too,” he remarks, squeezing your shoulder a little tighter, “Actually, I’m glad you don’t hate me. Not anymore, at least.” 

“I never really did.”

“You definitely sort of did. You tried to take me out with a glass, remember?” 

You burst into secluded laughter, hearing your friends beginning to pass around the shots but paying them no mind. 

Eddie can’t help it. He pulls you in close, placing an impulsive kiss to your temple and letting his lips linger there. Just pressed against you, breathing in the scent of you. 

That kiss sends shivers down your spine, warmth through the center of your bones. You love him. 

You love him, you love him, you love him. 

So why can’t you just tell him that?

“Aw!” Robin pulls the two out of your bubble, “Aren’t they just adorable?”

“Yes, yes,” Steve passes two shot glasses down to your end of the table, “Absolutely adorable. It’s nauseating. Also, I’d like to go on record – I totally knew the entire time. I was just giving them the benefit of the doubt.” 

“Playing the Devil’s advocate?” Argyle asks, lining up his multiple shots, “I dig it. Even though you’re totally lying right now.” 

“You’re so lucky it’s your birthday, dude,” Steve rolls his eyes, clearly holding back an insult. 

Eddie’s arm stays heavy on you, a welcome weight as you sit up straighter to take your own several shots. 

These were your friends. Somewhere you belonged, filled with people you loved and a boy you could come home to after all your long weeks. A certain happiness that is rare, and impossible to place, and can nearly bring you to tears overwhelms you as you grab that first shot. 

“Also-” Steve turns to you and Eddie, “I knew that was Munson’s shirt. The day he got it, all he did was brag about what a rare find it was. Fuck off with your Target bullshit.” 

Eddie’s hand leaves your shoulder long enough to reach out and thump Steve, laughter booming and vibrating against you, “Sure you did, Stevie.” 

“Target has some nice things,” Nancy offers with a shrug, now holding her own shot glass. 

The seven of you all hold up the first of what will probably be too many shots tonight, the beginning of a night that will probably be remembered through killer hangovers tomorrow and possibly even captured on camera by the likes of Jonathan, Steve, and Eddie. 

“To Argyle,” you take the lead on the cheers, jittery and anxious as all the love you continue to withhold buzzes in your chest, lifting your small glass in his direction, “The most lovable twenty three year old I know.” 

Everyone moves to drink, but Argyle immediately shakes his head, “Nah, fuck that. It’s not even my birthday yet – I demand a new toast.” 

He lifts his brows, staring you down and silently adding, you know what to do. 

And yeah, you did know what to do. 

“Fine,” you sigh dramatically, leaning further forward, Eddie’s arm following. You relish in the tense silence as everyone waits for what you’re about to say instead. Even Eddie is waiting with bated breath, watching your every move, a contrasting yet easy smile on his face, “To bets.” 

A booming applause from your group. Glasses tapping against the wooden table before shots are downed. Groans of disgust as the tequila hits everyones’ tongues. 

Eddie hardly waits before you’ve both swallowed to remove his arm and grab your face, turning your cheek so that his lips can capture yours. Everyone only cheers louder, Steve letting out an obnoxious whistle as Argyle claps. You’re surely going to get kicked out of the bar at this rate. But you really don’t care as you kiss your boy back. 

Next time. You have to tell him next time. 

—

The night ends in more of a whisper than a bang, surprisingly. 

Everyone has suddenly become a happy drunk, probably from all the love and good news passed around throughout the night. It’s all warm feelings and warm hugs, tequila on the breath and love on the mind. 

You don’t even get kicked out of the bar. Your waitress only smiles at your rowdy table from time to time, and you figure that all the good vibes must be rubbing off on her. 

Steve is the first to call it quits. Robin has drank enough to give herself the hiccups, and he says that after that, she almost always gets viciously nauseous. He wants to get in the car and home before she gets to the point, for the sake of his car’s interior not getting covered in puke.

It’s a domino effect from there.

Argyle quickly agrees, Jonathan offers a guiding arm to Nancy, and Eddie’s arm only tightens around you. The group closes out the tab, putting off worries of everyone paying Jonathan back until tomorrow. Quick, simple, painless. 

Until you all get outside. And goodbyes are exchanged – that’s not the part that gets to you – with promises of seeing each other throughout the week. Everyone congratulates you and Eddie one more time for good measure, Nancy and Steve looking the most proud of you two as Argyle and Robin giggle like children about it. And it’s fine – you laugh along and it’s all good. You let them get in all their I told you so’s and know it’s all in good fun. 

It’s all fine. Until you two branch off from the group, Eddie’s bike across the lot from everyone else’s cars. 

The moment you two are alone, you can’t tell if it’s the alcohol or if it’s the levity of suddenly having a moment that only belongs to you. Your mind wastes no time of reminding you of your pathetic cop out: I’m just really glad you didn’t really hate me. None of those words even sound akin to the real ones you should have said.

I love you. 

It’s not because your friends have found out. You know it’s not that, because just last week, right after your breakdown about whether you were smothering Eddie by half-living in his apartment, you’d had a breakdown because you realized you wanted to fully live in his apartment. You’d had a breakdown because you hadn’t grown tired of him yet, hadn’t satisfied the need to see his face every morning when you first wake up yet. You hadn’t gotten bored with all his lingering affectionate touches. You hadn’t gotten used to the way he’d kiss you in the middle of sentences. He was still taking your breath away, two months later, and you had a breakdown because you realized it wasn’t novelty or a pathetic crush making you feel this way.

You had a breakdown because you love Eddie. 

You love him, ardently so, and you still can’t find the right moment to say those words to him. He deserves to know – the entire foundation of this relationship was honesty.

It’s all you can think about as his hand finds yours and he’s walking up to his bike, practically dragging you up to his bike as your legs forget how to work amongst nerves. 

“So, I was thinking,” he carries on conversation so casually, “You want to spend the night at my place? I know you said you don’t have any class-“ 

Now. Not later, not next time. Now. 

“Hey, Eddie?” you interrupt him, stopping the two of you a few paces away from his bike. 

His face is impossibly concerned as he looks down at you, clearly reading the worry on your face, “What’s up, babe?” 

Here goes nothing – be brave.

“I-” 

Why is this so hard? 

It shouldn’t be this hard, because loving Eddie is easy. 

It’s easy when he’s looking at you like this, like he always does. It’s easy when he wakes up after you, and he comes into the kitchen to just wrap himself around you as you make him coffee, no matter what time of day it might be. It’s easy when he catches your eye from across the room during outings, sometimes winking once he knows you’ve found his gaze, just to see you laugh. It’s easy when he tries to distract you from homework when you’ve been spending far too many hours hunched over your laptop on his couch, coming and bugging you, laying his head on your lap and insisting his girl needs a break. It’s easy when he kisses you and everything just feels right. 

It’s easy. He loves you – you love him.  It isn’t hard. You’re making this hard, when it never was. 

“I love you,” you admit quietly, voice shaking as the words leave you easily. 

Loving Eddie is easy. 

“I love you,” you say more surely, voice raising in volume as you find the willpower to look into his eyes, “I love you so fucking much, Eddie.” 

Each time you say it, you gain confidence in it. It’s true – you love him. You love him so much, it encompasses every inch of your being. It entirely consumes you. You love him. 

His face falls slowly, mouth agape and eyes boring into yours.

You don’t wait for his response. You already have it – in the way he’s still holding your hand, in the way he holds you at the end of each night, in the way he knows both your orders at bars and coffee shops. In the way he will always put himself between you and the street when walking down the sidewalk, in the way when he roughly stops his bike at stop lights that his hand always flies back to hold onto you. In every soft touch and every expression of devotion he has offered you for not just two months, but for over a year. 

“You love me?” he softly asks, finally beginning to come back to life. 

You nod without hesitation, “I love you, Eddie.” 

Now that you’ve started saying it, you can’t stop it. And each time, it’s still heavy and sweet like honey, even as the confession comes as easy as breathing. It’s pouring from every crevice, filling up the night air around you. 

He takes you off guard with a harsh kiss. His teeth colliding with yours, his breath stealing yours, his entire being molded with yours. 

“Say it again,” he begs in a murmur as he pulls you in even closer, desperate as you break into a smile, “God, please say it again, sweetheart.” 

“I love you,” your cheeks begin to ache, the kiss no longer even to be a considered a kiss as you two are just mindlessly pressing your smiles together, “I love you, I love you, I love you,” with each repeat of the sentiment, Eddie drinks it in, “I’m so fucking in love with you, Eddie Munson. You and your stupid lockscreen and-”

“You do not think my lockscreen is stupid,” he pulls away, raising his eyebrows as his palms squish your cheeks, “I saw the way you looked at me. You were eating that shit up.” 

You bite your lip, trying to pull further away from him, but he won’t let you, “I was not-”

“You were,” he cheekily teases, eyes bright as he looks at you, “You were, and it was the best thing ever. Totally worth stealing Argyle’s spotlight.” 

“We didn’t steal Argyle’s spotlight,” you try to defend yourself. 

“We so did.”

You shake your head to the best of your abilities, face still between his hands, “We… Okay, we sort of did.”

He grins like a young boy, all his youth and all his love on show for you as he leans down, pausing right before pressing another kiss to your lips, “We definitely did. And it’s fair, because they fucking bet on us.” 

“They did,” you agree, not even feeling guilty anymore, too consumed by the love for the man right in front of you, “They tend to do that a lot, don’t they?” 

“They do.” 

He finally surges forward, lips sealing against yours one last time. It’s less messy this time, more meaningful. A bit more patient as he takes the time to fit his lips into yours, just as they should be. 

You have an audience. You’re completely oblivious until you hear the cheering from across the parking lot, snapping apart to both glance at where Argyle and Robin are jumping up and down, screaming their heads off. 

“Hell yeah, my dudes!” Argyle’s voice booms as Robin only produces incoherent coos to echo. 

Nancy, Steve, and Jonathan are all just watching silently, shaking their heads, but you can also see their grins. Almost as radiant as you felt.

Steve finally cups his hands around his mouth, sending his voice to you over Argyle’s continuing whooping, “Get a room!” 

Perfectly in sync, you and Eddie both throw up a hand with your middle fingers raised in their direction, still half tangled in each other. 

Your eyes find Nancy. She’s looking at you two with overwhelming pride, a certain satisfaction that breathes out the relief of finally. This may be a weight off not only your chest but Eddie’s as well, yet you can’t help but imagine just how she feels. How many nights she had stomached Eddie’s rambles about you leading up to this very moment. The pay off must be unimaginable. 

Finally. 

“Congrats on finally getting the girl, Munson!” she calls out, but her eyes are on you, winking. 

You see it now. Why they’re best friends. How all her best parts and Eddie’s best parts overlap and compliment one another perfectly. 

Jonathan is the final one to yell across the parking lot at you two, one arm slung around Nancy as the other moves to unlock his car, even his usually grumpy face showing signs of elation in that timid smile, “Now take your girl, home, dude. Spare the rest of us the gory details.” 

Eddie’s laugh reverberates against you physically from how he holds you, also making its way to burrow deep within your chest where all that liquid bliss belongs, as he throws his entire head back and makes you finally focus on just him again. Home. Not just his apartment, but him. You realize now that it’s simply wherever he goes. Where he leads, you’ll follow. It could be a shitty dorm room with a mattress that leaves your back aching, it could be a comforting apartment that holds you ‘hostage’ for twenty four hours straight – it doesn’t really matter. Wherever he is, home is. He’s your home; you love him, he knows you love him, and he’s your home. 

When his laughter finally fades, and he’s looking at you again, his dimples are prominent as ever through his whisper, “Just in case you’ve forgotten – I’m very much in love with you, too, sweetheart.” 

His lips meet yours for good measure. 

It’s been the longest week of your life, the longest year, but you’re finally home.

taglist: @catherinnn @haylaansmi @gaysludge @paprikaquinn @manda-panda-monium @audhd-dragonaut @blushingquincy @hellkaisersangel @eddieslittlewh0re @ajkamins @prettyboy200 @munsonzzgf @blue-eyed-lion @digwhatudug @madaboutjoe @wickedslashdivine @sweet-villain @somespicystuff @big-ope-vibes @jadequeen88 @sylviin @emma77645 @notbeforelong @lolalanaie @lo-siento-ama @happy-and-alone @micheledawn1975 @aysheashea @moon-huny @munsonswrld @bambipowerblueaddition @averagestudent03 @bakugouswh0r3 @mattefic @mxcheese @bietchz @nativity-in-black @stezzil @vngelis @coley0823 @folklorebau @luvmunson86 @theherothesavior @keene200213 @hargrovesswifee @m-chmcl-rmnc @cherrymedicine13 @iunaelumen777

#twenty four hours #eddie munson #my writing #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson fic #i cannot believe it's over holy shit #holy fucking shit #told y'all the photo would make a reappearance! #im resisting the urge to be so so sappy jesus christ

[punkeropercyjackson]

Genuine advice for people who joined the Batfam fandom because of fan content and are too scared to get into actual comics or not sure where to start:Please don't buy a single word 'Fuck canon!' people tell you about ANY Batfam member and i do mean ANY.They're lying to you to get you to sanatize them and deprive you of deserving to know what they're actually like because their peabrains can't process multilayered characters and relathionships in favor of bigoted stereotypes and writing that's insanely insulting to them and if you're a minor especially,they're lying to you about whatever they say about shipping the male members with eachother not being in*cest or ped0 too-Bruce has been Dick's adoptive dad since Dick's debut issue,he legally adopted Jason and Duke too,Damian's his bio kid and with Tim it's a bit more complicated but it's very much canon that they see eachother as father and son and Tim has lived at Wayne Manor at several points in canon and would be brothers regardless of anything else due to this but they also use that exact word to describe their dynamic and so does everybody else

This applies to Cass being their sister too because Bruce adopted her after they formed a dad-daughter bond a while into her being Batgirl but as Stephanie has a mom she lives with and has never seen Bruce as a parental figure nor he her as one of his kids,you're freegame to ship her with Tim or Cass and in fact i highly encourage doing both.Batfanon stans are once again doing mass lying(damn they should get a different hobby)by saying the four male Robins are the 'core' ones.Stephanie has been included in Robin stuff for a long time now and Duke dosen't get the same treatment due to antiblackness so THAT'S an actual 'Fuck canon!' moment so you should make it six Robins and know that the intention with only four is always misogyny and whitewashing(also just saying but those fanarts are always ugly anyway,they make them look like shitty anime boys instead of themselves)

Dick is an almost perfect eldest sibling and the other Batkids deeply appreciate him for it,he was Tim's Robin and him and Cass are his favorite siblings,Duke is Jason's favorite brother and vice versa but he's also extremely close to Cass,none of them make Damian go through 'normal youngest sibling treatment' because none of them are normal so they grew a sense of basic decency and Damian's closest to Dick and Stephanie and Stephanie's a canon csa victim so kindly keep your paws off her with your 'date all of your s/os siblings' jokes because she has self-worth and class,thanks

Ignore the original Red Hood and The Outlaws run and anything to do with Jason and Roy friendship in fandom and read the original Teen Titans run,New Teen Titans,Arsenal 1998,The Titans 1999,Green Arrow 2001 and Outsiders 2003 if you want to understand Roy too or at least ask around blogs centered on him for context.Ignore Tom Taylor's Nightwing run and Teen Titans 2003 and Batgirl of Burnside and anything by Devin Grayson(she's quite literally done irreperable damage to Batman lore and i wish i was kidding).Read Robin 1993,90s Young Justice,Batgirl 2000,Batgirl 2009,Red Robin,Son of Batman and literally everything Duke's in which i can provide a reading list for instead and i'm working on a megapost of all the Jason media that's actually good so new fans don't waste their time.I'm genuinely saying this to be helpful because 'fandom isn't activism' is a puratical priviliged phrase that should've never existed just like Batfanon shouldn't either

#batfanon slander #batfam #the batkids #dick grayson #jason todd #tim drake #cassandra cain #duke thomas #damian wayne #stephanie brown #bruce wayne #battinson supremacy #anti batcest #timsteph #stephcass #black jason todd #latino jason todd #afrolatino jason supremacy #blasian stephanie brown #trans 4 trans and autistic 4 autistic found family realness #💌 #summerposting #pic is me peacefully autisming after letting out my rage /lh

[sanjisblackasswife]

How OP Men Ask to Be Your Valentines (SFW/Fuff)

Some are short and some are long. Also they all read poems.

Sanji, Zoro, Luffy, Usopp, Ace

Black Fem Reader in Mind

Luffy

Wellll….he didn’t even know that day existed.

He seen Sanji decorate the deck the day before with heart shaped tapestries and making love theme foods and he explained.

When sanji realized that Luffy didn’t know he then asked if he asked you to be his Valentines and he obviously said no after a following “what is that.”🧍🏽

Needless to say after some yelling Luffy went to go find you

It wasn’t the most traditional way, but Lord help him he tried.

He stole some cupcakes and cookies and even a balloon Sanji had put up in the kitchen and rushed over to you.

Unfortunately none of the sweets survived except half a cookie, but you still had a balloon though!

“Y/N! Tomorrow be my Valentines! Okay?”

Before you could say yes or no he shoves the cookie in your mouth and hands you the balloon. He’s so proud of his declaration you couldn’t be upset.

“Oh wait! Sanji said i need to tell you a poem!”

“Violets are red, Roses are blue, please be my Valentines or else…”

“….or else what.”

He just chuckles at you while squishing your cheeks.

You don’t know if he was actually threatening you or didn’t remember the poem.

Honestly you haven’t been more warmed in your tummy to see the slight blush in his face when you nod in agreement and kiss his chubby cheeks

9/10 would love to see again.

Zoro

Only knows about it because of how much you talk about the special love day.

Yet

Still manages to nearly forget to ask you.

All day you been hinting on him asking

“Sanji asked all the girls to be his valentines…”

“Pathetic.”

“…You don’t think it’s cute he asked them?…y’know…seems pretty cute.”

“He made a fool of himself.”

It irked you he didn’t even have a light bulb moment and just ask right then and there and ask. You would have appreciated it, but no.

Forgot.

It wasn’t until Robin and Sanji asked what did Zoro gift you to ask to be your Valentines and nearly smacked himself on the head for it.

“THAT’S WHY SHE WAS ASKING ME THOSE QUESTIONS?! WHY DIDN’T SHE TELL ME!?”

“CUZ IT’S YOUR JOB DUMBASS!”

Luckily Robin was going out to a floral shop and Zoro tagged along. She assisted him on what flowers to give you and even a card with a pretty gold necklace (he now is in debt from nami again)

You were in your room pouting up until you seen Zoro awkwardly walk towards you with something behind his back and plop the flowers and gifts on your side.

He then plops HIMSELF on your lap and buries himself in your tummy while wrapping his arms around you

“Read the card.”

And you do so

“Blood is red. My shirt is blue. Be my Valentines, but either way I’ll screw you.”

….

….

“I’mma beat yo ass, Zo.”

“WHAT! That is IS A WONDERFUL POE—OW!”

Usopp

Poor boy is a nervous wreck asking you (his crush) to be his Valentines.

All week he has been drawing you. You both took a picture together a few weeks prior and since then he has been struggling to draw you the perfect Valentines Day Card

Of course he draws you beautifully but that doesn’t stop him from being a little scardey cat about it

“Hey! Y/N! Uh…can i give you something!?”

You smile and nod. “Of course. You made a another contraption?”

He smiles timidly and shakes his head no before he got lost in thought.

You see a rose inside a pretty pink card and it says on the front “Please open!”

You do and its a small drawing of you, Usopp, and the Going Merry and it says:

“Just as I am brave and smart, you’re even more with your sweet, kind heart. It would be my honor to be your Valentines, and if that goes well will you eventually be mine(s)?”

It was written so funny so you chuckle a little, but you then gasp to see the art he done for you. It was so detailed and gorgeous in contrast to the tiny doodle he did inside the card

“Us….WAIT USOPP!”

Poor boy ran before you could answer

Luckily you caught him and let him know of course you can be his Valentines

And a little more too…because you felt the same way about him.

Sanji

Genuinely surprised why his birthday isn’t on Valentines Day but we move

Obviously Mr. Prince wouldn’t dare NOT to ask you for your hand in being his Valentines, especially since you’re his girlfriend.

He plans out the entire 2 weeks of spoiling you (more than usual).

He acts like youre ganna say no somehow when everybody knows youre not

Zoro absolutely cannot stand him all two week

Everything is heart shaped

The food

The snacks

The desserts

Everything all for you and everybody has to endure it

You swear his eyes are a Crimson pink now this entire month.

And by February 13th he takes you on the deck after dinner and hands you MORE gifts

“Ji! You can’t keep giving me—“

“Just read it.”

The night was perfect, he was wearing a beautiful blue and black suit lighting up his cigarette with one hand as his other was still filled with another gift. He even got you the dress you’re wearing. You felt spoiled rotten. And you were. And Sanji knew that but he didn’t care.

He’d give you the world if you asked it

You open the pretty card and rose petals fall out and it says:

“My love for you cannot be compared. My love for you cannot be tested. My love for you cannot be measured. Even until the end of time my love for you shall never perish. You bring me light, you bring me joy, you are what I think about when I need remembrance of what I am fighting for. You are the calm in my chaos. You are my escape. My love. My Mademoiselle. I love you. -Your Prince, Sanji”

By the time you look up he is putting his hand out to you with warm cheeks and a smile,

“Be-“

“Yes! Sorry…i just..YES I wanna be your Valentines!”

You were overjoyed kissing your now bloodied nose man on the cheek and he hands you one last gift.

It’s a fake flower.

“I’ll stop loving you when that flower dies.”

Fuck he was corny but so romantic with it.

#sanji #sanjionepiece #one piece #black reader #one piece x female reader #female reader #black foot sanji #x female reader #one piece headcanons #sanji imagine #sanji x black reader #sanji x reader #one piece x black!reader #zoro headcanons #one piece scenario #zoro hcs #luffy headcanons #ronoroa zoro #luffy #one piece zoro #luffy x reader #zoro x reader #usopp #usopp headcanons #luffy fluff #usopp fluff #one piece fluff #zoro fluff #sanji fluff #one piece imagine

[oxittocin]

Yo! I heard you were a Nico Robin simp well so am I , I don't know if you have watched Enies lobby ( I bet you have ) but I was wondering if you could write Robin on the bridge of justice ( I forgot the name sorry ) and how she was being beat by spandam and boom !! A male reader ( if possible ) could come save her before she reaches the gates of justice , ( badass intro ) and Robin is like surprised but happy to see that her that friends ( nakama ) kept their promise . torture spandam a little cause he deserves it ( he really does ) and finally remember when like the buster call happens and Robin has a panic attack and starts hugging her knees ? Well could the male reader like comfort her,hug her a little speech just to make her feel strong again ( she deserves it ) ... And then time skip to gallila family hotel were everything is fine now but Robin can't help but think about the moment were male reader helped her feel better with his words ,the way he felt against his hands his words....just fluff and stuff...

It will be greatly appreciated from you I know I can count on you and continue the Robin- chawn stuff your doing great.

Adios -🕊️ Anonymous 🕊️

three squeezes (nico robin x reader)

nico robin masterlist

for my fellow nico robin simp. nico robin has pretty hands, i just know it.

cw: gn!reader, all my homies hate spandam

Nico Robin’s hands were her deadliest weapons.

The Hana Hana no Mi that she had eaten granted her the ability to sprout her limbs on any surface - a trick that was particularly useful in submission moves. A quick flick of her wrists can render opponents helpless to her chokeholds. Falling to their knees, with necks twisted at odd angles. Caught off guard up till the final breath that they take.

A perfect assassination.

All without getting blood on her pretty hands.

———————————————

“Do all the hands you sprout make you more proficient in sign language?” You asked one afternoon while you and Robin lounged on the deck. It was, by all means, a stupid question, but she had been silent for the past 10 minutes and you were just dying to break the ice.

If she had thought you were stupid, she was kind enough not to show it. Letting out a thoughtful hum, she responded semi-seriously, “I imagine the extra hands might make it a little confusing, no?”

“Right.” You said, embarrassed. Turning your head away from her so that she doesn’t catch the pink hues on your cheek, you continued, “Well, there are certain universal signs that transcend language.”

“Like what?” She asked, quizzically, turning to face you with raised eyebrows.

You reached your palm out towards her, beckoning her to place her hand in yours. She wore a look of confusion, but obliged nonetheless.

With her soft hand interlocked with yours, you held her hand gently and gave her three soft squeezes.

“Are you sure this is universal?” She asked, sounding even more confused than before, “What does it mean?”

Giving her a cheeky smile, you shrugged as you playfully responded, evading her question, “Yeah, it’s universal. I read it in a book.”

———————————————

Spandam’s hands were delicate, but not in a good way. It was delicate in the way where you knew that this man never had to raise a finger in his life to get to where he was today. In other words, he was a leech.

Still, every slap on her face and every yank of her hair still pained Robin. Not because it hurt physically, but because each touch and each glance was laced with so much hatred and degradation that she can’t help but feel the weight of her existence latching onto her back.

For a moment, she believed that she deserved Spandam’s assault. If she didn’t exist, then perhaps the Strawhats wouldn’t have been in this predicament. If she didn’t exist, then perhaps her mother might have still been alive. Perhaps it is only with her death can the world finally be at peace, she thought.

It rendered her immobile, helpless to the weak man in front of her, raining blows all over her being.

Suddenly, she was 8 again. Stranded and helpless, unable to cry yet overwhelmed with bottled up pain in her core that had no where to go. Tears welling in her eyes as she choked on each sharp gasp of air that she took - the Devil Child the Marines feared so greatly, reduced to a picture of a feeble child struggling to stop crying.

“How pitiful.” Spandam mocked in glee, raising his hand, aiming for yet another smack on her face.

———————————————

It is hard to tell the passage of time when you’re having a panic attack.

Curled up in fetal position on the floor, shivering in fear as she hugged her legs close to her chest, Nico Robin never felt more pathetic.

In fact, she couldn’t remember much of what happened. She heard the cannons from a distance - a sign of the beginning of the apocalypse. Then, all she remembered were Spandam’s hands - yanking at her hair, dragging her body against the rough floor, slapping her across the face whenever she tried to resist. She had long accepted her fate before she realised that the beatings had stopped.

Ha, perhaps it is better this way, she thought, as least they didn’t have to see me like this.

When she closed her eyes, she fully expected it to be the last time - Ohara was gone, and all she could do now was to join them.

What she didn’t expect, was to feel your palms wrapped around her pinky finger, tugging at her, giving her three soft squeezes.

The warmth from your palms felt like the ambrosia to her pain. A certain surge of hope coursed through her body as opened her eyes. Seeing your worried face, she gave you a faint smile. Weak hands cupping your face affectionately, she whispered in disbelief, “You came.”

“Took the trash out too.” You returned her smile with a smug one of your own, pointing towards an injured Spandam, lying lifelessly on the ground.

As you carried her weakened body in your arms, desperate to bring her to safety, she said softly to you, “I found out what it meant. The three squeezes.”

You hoped she didn’t notice the faint blush on your cheeks - you tell yourself it’s from the exhaustion of the day’s events, and not because you had the woman of your dreams in your arms.

“Ah, did you?” You chuckled, keeping your eyes on the path as you skilfully avoided the debris and Marines chasing after the two of you. The same way you tried to evade any further questions from Robin.

She nodded, wrapping her arms around your neck as she leaned against your chest, knowing that she was finally safe in your embrace.

———————————————

You couldn’t keep your hands off her, and she could tell.

You’ve gotten a little bolder since you carried her out of Enies Lobby, she thinks.

She could tell by the way your hand hovers around her waist in case she loses her footing. She could tell by the way your touch lingers when you tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ears. She could tell when you rest the back of your hand against hers as you sat beside her in comfortable silence.

She didn’t hate it.

In fact, she found your shyness sweet. The roundabout way you confessed your adoration for her to be…

How would she describe it?

It was non-imposing in a puppy-like ‘I’ll wait for you’ kind of way. Every time she so much as glances at you, you’d light up wearing a cheeky smile on your face. If you had been a puppy, she could imagine your tail wagging excitedly.

“What are you laughing at?” Noticing her smiling to herself, you opted to join her, taking a seat beside her.

“Puppies.” She hummed, cryptic smile on her face as she turned to face you.

Perhaps it was because you were too lost in her smile, that you didn’t notice that she had slyly intertwined her fingers with yours.

It was true what they say - that Nico Robin’s hands were her deadliest weapon, because you swore your heart almost stopped when you felt her squeezing your hand gently, four times.

#nico robin x reader #nico robin #one piece #one piece x reader #one piece robin #nico robin x y/n #nico robin x you #x reader #talking shit

[trashmouth-richie]

TWIN FLAMES

Eddie Munson x female!reader

“You and I we are embers from the same fire, dust from the same star, echoes of the same love.” -Craig Crippen

Summary: Your boyfriend Steve is everything you’ve ever wanted. Handsome, kind, a great lover. Nothing could ever stray you away from him. Or is there?

<w/c> 5.7k (1/??)

Pairing: Steve Harrington x y/n female!reader Eddie Munson x y/n female!reader Vickie x Robin

Warnings: underage alcohol use, drug use, fighting, mentions of child abuse, mentions of murder.

A/N: happy saturday, this is a first ever fic for me! Like everyone on the planet, I am obsessed with Eddie Munson, I’m nervous very nervous to be posting this! But feedback is greatly appreciated! Also shout/out to @boomhauer for reading this and giving me advice ❤️‍🔥

knock knock no vecna here ❗️his crusty ass does not exist in this fic and will never

masterlist

———————————————————————————

You and Steve Harrington have been dating since freshman year. Both of your dads went to Harvard together and you had known Steve since you were infants. Always together during the holidays and weekend trips to Indianapolis, your friendship blossomed into something more. He wasn’t always big hair and a cute ass in jeans, he was once a pimply preteen with a puberty voice and braces. But it didn’t matter, you loved him then and loved him now. Going into your senior year you couldn’t wait to graduate high school and leave Indiana behind with Steve by your side. You had both already talked about going to Harvard to follow in your parents footsteps. It was the perfect, ideal life you had always wanted. It was a safe option, And you were smitten.

Living in Bridgeport which is east of Hawkins about 15 miles and an even smaller town than Hawkins, you didn’t really know anyone besides Steve’s friends that went to Hawkins High. So when he picked you up on that hot July night to go to a party at some farm in Hawkins, you didn’t expect to meet anyone in particular.

“Steve can you please slow down, I’m going to poke my fucking eye out back here!” Robin yells from the backseat, Robin had been trying to achieve the perfect smoky eye look for the last 10 miles.

“Oh piss off Robin, Vickie will be too busy staring at your boobies to notice whether or not your eyeliner is even” Steve shoots back.

You stifle a giggle, their banter is something you miss during the school months when you’re dealing with the assholes at your school. Steve squeezes your thigh and gives you a wink before turning up the radio and singing along to REO Speedwagon.

“Hey did you guys hear that Susie and her family are moving to Hawkins?! I thought Dustin was going to lose his voice when he told me he was screaming so loud” you added through the car.

Steve turns the radio down and agrees, “yeah he was pretty excited, honestly I am too it’ll be nice to actually meet her instead of listening to him talk about her 24/7”.

“Fucking finally!” Robin says as Steve pulls up to the large nearly run down barn. Usually the parties you accompany Steve to are at his house but, both of your parents were there throwing a “Wine Club” party for the Hawkins elite. So Tommy Johnson, who must have been a senior like Steve, decided to have the pre holiday celebration at his parents abandoned barn. It made you feel a little uncomfortable drinking somewhere you’ve never been before. Both Steve and Robin assured you it was cool, Tommy’s parents were friends with the Hawkins Police and they never bothered to even check in.

Robin is the first out of the car before it’s even in park, she grabs her bottle of Boonesfarm from the trunk and makes her way over to where Vickie is dancing along to Michael Jackson. Before you can even unbuckle your seatbelt, Robin and Vickie are all over each other. You clear your throat to Steve pointing out Robin and Vickie. Steve rolls his eyes and laughs.

“She deserves to be happy, it took her a long time to find someone who wasn’t just using her for a one time experience”. A single tear wells up in his eyes and you can see how incredibly happy he is for his closest friend.

Robin truly is one of a kind. Taller than most girls and uniquely her own, Robin was sweet and your first friend from Hawkins outside of Steve. In the 4 years you’ve known her, she has never forgotten your birthday or your and Steve’s anniversary. You had heard of the awful things people would say to her knowing that she was different, the popular girls even accused her of staring and taking pictures of them in the locker rooms while changing for P.E. She was the town pariah until Vickie showed up, saving Robin in ways no one else could.

Slamming the door shut to the car and making your way over to Steve, you smile up at him as he wraps his arm around your waist walking into the Christmas light lit barn.

A mixture of gravel and loose dirt grating beneath your shoes is muffled as music begins pounding through your ears. The barn is crowded and sweltering, sweaty bodies are bopping along to the music. Beer is spilled all over the wooden splintered floor becoming puddled in places the old floor has been warped from use. Looking up seeing Steve wave to some familiar faces, you start to recognize a few people who are regulars at Steve’s parties.

Nancy and El are opposite Jonathan and Mike; a long makeshift table between them. The closer you get you notice the “table” is a door, ripped off its hinges and sitting atop two sawhorses. Red plastic cups filled to the brim with warm cheap beer are set in a triangle in front of the girls, only two cups missing. Across the table, four cups are arranged in no particular pattern in front of Jonathan and Mike. Clearly the girls are whooping their asses in beer pong.

“El! No powers, it's not fair!!” Mike yells removing another cup as Johnathan chugs one previously removed. El wipes her nose and high fives Nancy.

“Balls back bitches!” Nancy squeals, jumping up and down. You wave politely to the crew and they all hoot and holler back at you and Steve. Max and Lucas are standing hip to hip in a small crowd watching Max’s brother Billy do a keg stand and cheering and counting along,

“25, 26, 27….”

“That’s a fucking record Hargrove!” a tall red haired teen shouts holding his hands up to his mouth imitating a megaphone, a cigarette staggering between his fingers and ashes falling like snow to the ground.

The teens holding Billy’s legs set him down as he throws both arms up in the air like a boxer being announced champion. He leans his head back, hair sticky with sweat, eyes glossed over clearly the effects of another stimulant. He puckers his mouth as if to whistle but instead spits beer in the air towards the crowd. You watch as the girls in the crowd open their mouths to catch any fallen drips of beer from the atmosphere as if Billy is the second coming of Christ himself.

Steve gives you a look of disgust and rubs on your back and guides you both towards a beat up green patterned couch. You know Steve is not Billy’s biggest fan, only tolerating him because of Max, calling him an outright unhinged psycho. He frequented Steve’s parties and made his presence known by doing the infamous keg stands. Girls flocked to him, hoping to become his flavor of the night like he was a goddamn celebrity.

Careful not to sit on the exposed springs on the beat to shit couch, you scoot to the end of the couch, leaning against the side taking in the smells of dusty hay, weed, and spilled alcohol. Steve grabs you a beer before plopping down next to you throwing his arm around your shoulder. He leans into you and whispers “you’re the prettiest girl here y/n” in your ear before kissing your temple and blowing a raspberry into your ear. You squeal and dig your maroon painted fingers into his armpit knowing that’s his most ticklish spot. You both laugh and share a kiss, cuddled up as you watch the party and giggle as people start dancing terribly to ‘Thriller’.

“Oh shit, hey babe I’m gonna go talk to Tommy really quick, you okay here for a bit?” Steve whispers into your ear. You nod and he gets up, leaning down to give you a quick kiss on your lips.

“Be right back!” He says, as he saunters off through the crowd.

Tapping your foot along to the music, you take some long swigs of your beer. letting your mind wander. It's crazy to you how close you are to being a senior and how not soon after that you will be going to college with Steve. Both of your mothers had talked you both into getting senior pictures done together last month. It was a perfect cool June morning that day and you and Steve had on slightly matching outfits, light faded jeans with white button ups. Your mother was tearing up behind the photographer as Steve’s mother clung to her wiping her nose. You can’t believe how lucky you were to have Steve in your life. He was your first everything, boyfriend, kiss, you both were virgins before each other. It was perfect. You couldn’t wait to spend the rest of your life with Steve and to become Y/n Y/m/n Harrington.

Soon your beer is gone and Steve has left the sixer in the trunk. Looking around you spot another keg opposite where the one Billy and his cronies were. You get up making your way across the party lightly bumping into peoples shoulders and squeezing your way around a couple making out. Nobody is around the keg when you finally spot it. Eyeing a plastic cup you place the nozzle into it and begin pumping the tap on the keg— nothing happens. A small trickle of cream foam makes its way out of the nozzle falling into the cup like molasses. Well that settles why no one is around the keg.

Standing on a nearby crate you look around the barn for Steve. Shouldn’t be too hard, just need to find that perfect suave head of his, he isn’t called “the hair” because he uses Irish spring as shampoo. But to no avail, Steve is nowhere in site. You climb down from the crate and begin pushing your way back to the other keg Billy has claimed for himself. Walking through a dense cloud of weed smoke you hear someone singing “Free Bird” and two other voices giggling. Coughing a bit and nearing the keg, you hear Billy shouting at someone.

“Hey watch it dick!” Billy is now wearing a pink sweater? No wait, that’s a girl wrapped around him like a leech, her mouth still attached to his neck as he yells.

“What the fuck did you say to me Hargrove?” a guy in a green letterman jacket yells back.

“I said, watch where you’re throwing that tic tac you call dick around before I knock your ass out” Billy grunts pushing the girl off of him and stepping towards the other guy so that they are nose to nose. He is sweating profusely and wearing a big purple hickey where the human sucker fish girl was previously.

They are both staring at each other with looks that could kill. “Oh real—" the comeback is cut short by Billy as he leans back and throws a hard punch right into the other guy's jaw.

The guy stumbles backwards into his friends as he caresses his jaw. He stands to his full height and shoves Billy backwards. Everyone starts yelling and you realize you are in a compromised position. You aren’t sure how it happens but you are caught in the mix of the fight and before you know it, you get knocked backward, hard.

Your head connects with a loud thwack as it hits a wooden post extending upwards to support the old barn. Almost immediately you can feel the headache pumping through your eyeballs. Sitting up as the room begins to spin and touching the side of your head, you can feel a warm thick liquid beginning to pool on your shoulder. The cut feels small but since you have been drinking the blood comes quickly. Before you can even understand how to get out of the barn or to find Steve, arms come behind you and under your arms, helping you stand up and ushering you towards the door to outside.

“Move! Get the fuck out of the way!” The voice behind you says. You’re fading in and out. You suddenly feel the lightness of your body floating. A bed? No, a cloud has wrapped around you and is carrying you higher and higher to the sky. The sensation is comforting and you can hear someone talking to you in a sweet angelic voice. When you finally open your eyes, a pair of warm rough hands are holding your face, a slight sting to them.

You look up to see a pair of melted hershey's kiss eyes staring back at you.

But they aren’t the usual brown eyes you are used to seeing. These eyes are so brown they could fill a naughty kid’s stocking at Christmas. The ones you always see are lighter�� like little pots of honey. The shape is different too, these are big, almost doe like. The outline of a face finally comes into view. It’s not one you recognize. You blink repeatedly trying to focus your vision on who is in front of you.

———————-

“FUCK JULY!” Eddie shouts to anyone who will listen. “It’s hot, sticky, fuck— how the hell am I supposed to wear a leather jacket if it’s 110 degrees out here?!”

“Simple, you don’t” Jeff says wiping his brow. “But if you would shut the hell up we could get done faster”

“Why the fuck did you want to do this outside?!” Gareth whines.

Tonight was the night any small town drug dealer waits all year for. All the jock bastards and their girlfriends and their older brothers and sisters are home for the 4th of July holiday and the only thing they are looking for is to get high. And since Reefer Rick was locked up since April.. Eddie is the main attraction.

Instead of Eddie’s usual lunch box he toted around for quick deals, he turned the back of the van into a full blown operation. The three teens have been rolling joints and blunts since sun up this morning. The morning was a decent 75° but once the wind died down it was game over for the metal heads. Gareth had seriously been thinking of cutting off his jeans into a daisy duke type outfit. Eddie, refusing to do anything not metal, was full clad in jeans, leather jacket and shaggy curly hair. Jeff had retired his shirt and tied it around his head in a makeshift bandana.

The thing about Forest Hills trailer park is that there is next to zero shade. So there they were, huffing it out in the back of Eddie’s van, arms coated in sweat and hair stuck to the back of their necks. Each getting more and more irritated as the day goes on.

“Alright boys let’s split these up into bags: 5 to a bag on the left and 10 to a bag on the right.” Eddie directs.

Jason Carver had been the one to make the call to Eddie and specifically ask for weed and coke for Johnson’s party tonight. That white powdery shit is a BIG payday for Eddie and as much as he hates carrying it, never having even touched it himself… Okay fine! There was that one time where Rick and Sal had convinced Eddie to snort a pixy stick, and it turns out they traded the sugary colored powdered candy out for coke. Yeah hilarious. Since then, Eddie hasn’t touched the shit, but knowing it was a “rich man’s” drug he really couldn’t resist the extra cash. And if it would take all day to arrange the drugs to make a big sale, he would do it.

With everything set up and ready to go Eddie stands to his feet hitting his head with a thud on the roof of the van.

“Jesus H Christ!” He grunts, rubbing his thick, tangled and sweaty hair against his head.

“Alright boys,” Eddie says now leaning forward and ducking out of the van, “I’m gonna take a shower and I suggest you both do the same if you plan on trying to get laid tonight.”

Jeff lets out a laugh wiping his face with his bandana shirt combo and hopping out of the van, “what time you picking us up Eddie?”

“Yeah no shit, I still have to get Mark to buy us some booze” Gareth chimes in.

“Ehh 9:30 and not a minute later, here’s $20 for my beer.”

Eddie says handing Gareth the money. He slips it into his pocket and they disappear in Jeff’s car, a cloud of dust trailing behind them out of the trailer park.

Eddie stretches the cramps out of his long legs and climbs the steps up to the trailer. The blast of lukewarm air hits his face and the relief enters his pores and begins the cooling sensation all over his body.

After taking a longer than normal cold shower only getting out after hearing Uncle Wayne pounding on the door, “Damn son, you better have all of your laundry in there washing it by hand with how long your skinny ass has been in there for wasting that water!” Eddie emerges from the bathroom with a towel hung low on his hips.

“Sorry” he chuckles to Wayne. “It’s just fucking hot out today”

“Listen I don’t want to know what you’re doing in there just try to cut it short alright” Wayne says tussling Eddie’s wet hair giving him a grin through parted lips a cigarette hanging between them.

—————————————————————————

Finally getting ready and picking up the boys, Gareth, Eddie and Jeff made it to Johnson’s barn and are shotgunning cool beers in celebration. Suds run down Eddie’s chin and he wipes them away with the back of his hand. The deal between Eddie and Jason has been dealt with and all that was left in the van were a couple of joints.

Gareth is hunkered down in the back of the van doing smoke tricks trying hard to impress some junior girls. Eddie looks back and gives his friend a thumbs up and a shit eating grin. Jealousy is something that comes quickly to Eddie. Not that he was jealous of Gareth, hell no. He just was jealous that a girl was paying attention to him in that way, well any sort of way.

Eddie always thought of himself as not only a lost sheep but a black sheep as well. “Stealing, dealing, Victor Creelin’” that was the ‘Munson men’ mantra that was engraved in his brain since he was 7 years old. And as badass as that sounded, he just didn’t fit the bill.

Instead of stealing whatever was valuable and doing shady deals and killing whoever got in the way like his dad, Eddie started working full time at only thirteen years old in the summer time for Jimmy at his garage in town. Begging Jimmy and promising he wouldn’t turn out like his old man, Eddie was a natural at learning the ins and outs of the cars that came through the bays. Jimmy taught him everything he knew from airing up a tire to repairing motors, he took Eddie under his wing and showed him the ropes. Giving Eddie some pride for the first time in his life from someone other than his uncle Wayne.

After being tossed in juvy at eight years old for being an accomplice to a string of gas station robberies and even the murder of one of the clerks and naive enough to think that his dad would take the blame only to pin it all on Eddie: he vowed to never take anything his dad said seriously again. The county finally pulled their heads out of their asses and Eddie was released.

He even gathered enough courage to tell his dad to fuck off when he asked for Eddie’s help one week after his 6 month stay in juvy for one more job, earning him a black eye that the whole town turned their heads at.

But not towards him to see that he was being abused at home, but away from him, regarding him as trailer trash and that whatever happened he probably deserved it. Wayne stepped in after that, being awarded full guardianship over Eddie since his dad was locked up and would be for life.

That was twelve years ago, and Eddie hadn’t seen his dad since. Wayne and Eddie moved on from the past trying like hell to change the “Munson men Mantra”. Wayne was rough around the edges, skin like leather, voice gruff but he was honest, hard working and showed Eddie how to make an honest man’s wage. As grateful as Eddie was for Wayne, there was always something missing. He knew Wayne cared for him but what Eddie yearned for was someone to love him in a way Wayne could not. He wanted to love someone like in those cheesy romcom movies he caught Wayne sometimes watching.

The daydreaming gaze in Eddie’s eyes is lost at the sight of Dustin Henderson and Will Byers double fisting some beer. “Ah, good sirs, what have we here?”

“Eddie! Man I didn’t think you would show up to this party! Mike, Will and I begged Nancy to drag us along. Mike told her that he would tell their mom if she didn’t bring us with! Pretty cool right?!” Dustin brags. Eddie can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous they both look. His Hellfire crew, his little lost sheep that he had a brotherly love for. He would die for these kids and they all knew it.

“Yeah, give me one of those,” Eddie says, grabbing a beer from both of them.

“Hey Eddie I was wondering if I could—” Will stammered.

“Nope you know my rule, I don’t deal to under class-men especially ones whose brothers already buy from me.”

He stops Will before he can even get started. Will hangs his head and pushes around some dirt around with the toe of his shoe.

“Sorry man, I just can’t bring myself to do that. I don’t have many rules but what kind of man would I be if I didn’t have at least one?” Eddie reaches up to ruffle Will’s stick straight bowl cut a bit and gives him a toothy grin.

Jeff takes another long pull of his beer and is dragged by Dustin out into the clearing to have a stick fight.

“Loser has to do the other's homework for a week!” Dustin yells behind him to Jeff.

Gareth and his lady friends have made their way into the barn laughing and swaying along singing “Freebird” leaving Eddie and Will behind the van.

“‘scuse me Will, I gotta drain the main vein” Eddie says crushing the finished beer in his hand and tossing it behind him. Eddie walks to the front of the van setting the cold can from Dustin on the dented, paint faded hood.

“cause I’m as freeeeee as a birrrrrd nowwwww” Eddie sings to himself, unzipping his pants and baring his birthday suit to the blackness around him. Trying to write “Eddie” in cursive in the dirt below him, Eddie hears what could only mean one thing.

“FIIIGHT!” Is screamed from inside the barn, yanking up his pants careful to not zip up his manhood, Eddie runs inside to see what’s going on. Billy Hargrove and some other asshat are punching each other both piss drunk. He’s about to walk out of the barn, when something catches his eye, and that’s when he sees you. Leaned up against a post with blood dripping down your face. Pushing his way through the crowded, drunk, yelling assholes in the barn, he manages to get behind you yanking you up, yelling at everyone to move out of the way so he can get you out of the chaos, your body goes limp and Eddie starts carrying you bridal style to the van. He fishes in his pockets for his keys and tosses them to Will who is still standing beside the van. “Unlock it!” Eddie instructs.

“Oh shit! What happened?!” Will screams. Eddie sets you down in the back of the van holding your head in his hands. “She got knocked out in that fight, here help me, do you know her name?” He asks Will as he leans you up against one of the amps. He gently slaps your cheeks trying to wake you up.

“No, I have no idea who she is,” Will says frantically.

“Come on come on!” Eddie repeats, Your eyes start to flutter open and you look up at him. In that moment Eddie felt as if his entire life meant nothing until this very second. He had never seen anyone quite like you before. But that’s not what kept him staring.

—————————————————————————

Fireworks. You swore there were fireworks in those eyes staring deep into your soul. The guy looking back at you was someone you have never seen before, yet it felt like you have known him for years.

He had long curly brown hair, surprisingly plump lips, and those eyes… wow.

“A-are you okay? How many fingers am I holding up?”

He takes his hands off of your face and holds up 3 ring adorned fingers. Without your eyes leaving him you manage to stutter out, “th-three”.

“Ah, she speaks” he coos with a toothy grin.

His veiny arms fall to his sides and you take in the rest of him. He has broad shoulders and a slender waist. Tattoos peek out from the collar of his shirt and his sleeves decorating his alabaster skin. He’s wearing a Black Sabbath shirt with black jeans and converse.

“Do you remember what happened sweetheart?” He asks, concern in his eyes.

“I uh.. I think I fell over and hit my head” you stumble over your words.

Your tongue feels like thick and heavy and your mouth is suddenly dry. His hands are on your chin turning it gently to the side to assess your head injury. His fingers feel like a lightning strike against your skin, it’s electric, burning, but oddly comforting.

“I don’t think you need stitches, but here, hold this so it will stop bleeding.” He hands you a wadded up shirt, lightly grabbing your hand and placing it at the site of your cut.

“Will, run to the house and find whatever you can to get this thing cleaned, bandaids, peroxide some water probably to clean her up.”

You didn’t even notice that there was a boy standing beside him. The younger but taller boy runs off towards the house. You aren’t sure if it’s because you hit your head that you didn’t see the other boy or simply because your eyes haven’t left the dark chocolate ones staring into yours since your eyes opened. Your stomach is doing flips and your heart is racing.

“What's your name sweetheart?” he grins at you.

“Y/n” you reply in barely a whisper, mouth still feeling dry.

“I’m uh, I’m Eddie” he stammers out a light shade of blush tickling his cheeks and ears.

Eddie? Hmmm… the name doesn’t ring a bell. But why do you feel like you’ve known him before?

“Are you from Bridgeport?” You blurt out the annoying feeling of knowing someone but can’t remember where taking over.

You couldn’t explain it but there is no way this is your first time meeting him. You feel a powerful unearth like connection to him. Something past the soul, deeper than any ocean, seeing him fills you with a comfort you never knew was missing from your life and suddenly you feel complete.

“No, I’ve lived in Hawkins all my life.” Eddie replies, chuckling lightly. “But it's odd I feel that way too, like I’ve met you before but I can’t understand where.”

Eddie doesn’t know much about science or the Earth’s gravitational pull but this definitely feels like some sort of scientific reasoning as to why he feels this way. He can’t take his eyes off of you. You are both new to him but also recognizable. He’s certain he has never seen you before, he would have surely talked to you if he had. But the loud thumping in his chest is telling him that he knows you. Maybe on a different planet, a different plane. A spiritual one. He doesn’t know and doesn’t care, all he knows is that you’re the one his soul has been searching for. The love he wants to give and reciprocate is right in front of him, in a twist of fate.

You shiver under his gaze realizing how crazy this situation is. But you have yet to look away from him. You can see yourself in his eyes. Like someone is holding a mirror up and you are him, he is you. How can that be? How can you feel this way towards someone you quite literally are just meeting for the first time?

“So you’re not from Hawkins?” Eddie asks, licking his lips and squeezing into the van beside you. He crosses his long legs into a crisscross pretzel situation and you turn facing him. He searches his pocket for a lighter and grabs one of the joints from the baggies on the floor of the van. He holds the joint to his lips, keeping eye contact with you the entire time. He flicks the lighter and you watch as the end of the joint turns crimson and he inhales deeply, holding it in for a few seconds before rocking on his side to lean out of the open van doors, throwing his head back and exhaling into the open midnight sky.

If sex was a physical person to would be him. You have never seen anyone like him in your entire existence. You forget he asked you a question so he asks again.

“Ohh, s-sorry, no I’m uh— hah —- I’m from Bridgeport.” you stutter out. Mesmerized by his good looks.

Eddie blushes again looking at you, he thought for sure a couple hits from the joint would make him relax enough to stop staring or fumbling his words.

“Okay I’m sorry,” he blurts out, “I want to figure this out because it’s bothering me…how— how does it feel like I’ve known you my entire life? Where the hell did you come from? I’ve never seen you before but I also feel like I was meant to meet you.” Eddie says all in one giant breath.

“Y-yeah, me too, I think I know what you’re saying” you sit up on your knees leaning closer into him. “I’m going to ask some questions so we can figure this out”

“Let's do it,” Eddie says, clapping his hands together and rubbing them like a homeless man over a barrel of fire.

“Are you a senior?”

“Yes, third times the charm”

“Me too, only this is my first time, where do you work?”

“Jimmy’s Garage since I was 13, you? Sweetheart, don’t tell me you’re secretly Robert under there and you’re gonna Scooby Doo unzip yourself and scare the shit outta me!”

“No! Oh my God” you say laughing, Eddie is also laughing, his dimples poking out as he smiles. “I work at the Bridgeport pool, kinda a ‘if you can’t beat ‘em join em’ situation I didn’t learn to swim until I was almost 13, I almost drowned once” you admit.

“No way! No fucking way! I also almost drowned but I was a little younger and didn’t learn to swim until I was 12.” Eddie’s face lights up as he looks at you and he leans in a little closer.

Going back and forth for a few minutes you find out that he is in a band and plays at the Hideout, a small dive bar in south Hawkins. You tell him all about your life in Bridgeport, along with being a lifeguard you sometimes babysit on weekends.

So far, outside of the weird coincidences of both being afraid of dogs, and both having birthmarks on your inner elbows. Nothing is adding up. You have never been to the Hideout, nor did you even know that Hawkins had a mechanic shop. Eddie had been to Bridgeport once with his dad as a kid, but that was more than ten years ago. Again that rush of electricity is pounding in your chest, this is too weird, the similarities, the feeling of comfortability with him. Your heart is soaring, you have never felt this way about anyone in your life. It’s like you’re on the same page of a book that only you two have copies of.

Everything about him is drawing you closer to him, he smells like cheap cologne and muted cigarettes. He pulls the hand that’s holding the shirt to your head away to see if it’s still bleeding. His touch is gentle but fierce. Digging around in the back of the van he finds a water bottle and dumps it on the clean side of the shirt.

“I’m not sure if Will is crawling to the house and back but Uhh, hold still I’m gonna attempt some doctor shit” Eddie says giving you a wicked smile.

He cleans the blood away from your face, down your neck, and in your hair. The water is cold and feels good, you can feel his breath in your neck as he wipes it clean.

Your stomach starts to flutter as your mind wanders watching his tongue peek out from his lips in concentration. He is comforting like a warm blanket right out of the dryer. Eddie places his hands on either side of you leaning in, “there, good as new pretty girl” he says with a wink. You blush from his compliment and turn your face away. Eddie grabs your chin forcing you to look at him.

“I don’t know what kind of magnetic pull the universe is doing right now princess, I’ve been fighting this since the moment I laid eyes on you,and —fuck I can’t fight it anymore.” Eddie whispers.

Eddie grabs your face with both hands, his hands warm and the cold stinging of his rings bite at your cheeks, leaving a static currant pulsing from him to you. You feel almost animalistic in the way your body is responding to him. Like you don’t even have to think of what to do your body is ready for his next move. Without missing a beat you wet your lips and lean into him. Your consciousness is screaming a name into your head. But it’s muffled and you can’t make it out. Feeling Eddie’s lips on yours the name finally rings clear.

Steve

———————————————————————————

Taglist: @inourtownofhawkins 🫡🫡 @gathered-moss 🫡🫡

#eddie munson #stranger things #steve stranger things #eddie x fem!reader #eddie x you smut #eddie x you #eddie x you fluff #eddie x y/n fluff #eddie munson boyfriend #eddie munson smut #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson fanfic

[inamindfarfaraway]

So I saw your post here [https://www.tumblr.com/inamindfarfaraway/690058488775327745/batfamily-fanworks-that-purport-to-be-set-in-the] and oh my gosh YOU ARE SO RIGHT!

As much as I enjoy it, Hush is definitely to blame for this as it is held as THE end-all-be-all of all BatFam stories yet Cass (who an acclaimed ongoing series as Batgirl around the same time) was suspiciously missing from it along with Steph. Yet we only ever get flashbacks to Bab's time as Batgirl so that storyline also ended up cementing Bab's legacy as "the one and only Batgirl". Methinks a certain editor in charge at the time mandated for Cass and Steph to not appear in Hush because they-according to him-"were way too toxic" for said storyline. Because you see, as soon as he became a leading editor, his number one priority was getting rid of Steph and stripping Cass of her Batgirl role.

And so the age of darkness began...

First, there was War Games that solely existed to torture Steph in the most vile, most voyeuristic ways before killing her off. Then there was Robin: One Year Later, one of the worst, horrific character-assassination storylines since Spider-Man's One More Day, where Cass was suddenly turned into an over-the-top Saturday Morning cartoon villain obsessed with killing everyone, giving long-winded "together we can rule the world" speeches and being able to speak and write in fluent Navajo. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT LANGUAGES IN THE WORLD. Then there was Redemption Road which, despite its good moments and happy ending, did even more damage to Cass's character. And finally, we have Battle For The Cowl which ended up pushing Cass and Steph so far into the background, they were basically erased from the BatFamily altogether.

Yet despite Steph's well-received run as Batgirl, DC's poor marketing and the lead up to the New 52 prevented the series from becoming a proper bestseller and it was cancelled without any fanfare whatsoever. Still, all those horrible decisions and storylines (like War Games and Robin: One Year Later) did such massive, long term damage to the characters that, even despite all the small good things (Steph's Batgirl series to the excellent Gates Of Gotham mini-series starring Cass), they were buried from public consciousness. As for Duke (another character, I'm a fan of), I think its just a case of him being a very recent character, a lack of marketing and higher-ups not knowing what to do with him.

As for the asshole editor who everything to burry the Batgirls, he was eventually fired for creating an "unsafe working environment". And yes, his name rhymes with "Ban Video".

As for the people who keep erasing Cass, Steph and Duke from fan works, I know it sounds depressing but hear me out: Fandom, be it comics, video games, films, cartoons, TV shows, ect, has an unconscious bias of white male favouritism. (Yes, I know Dick is Romani, Damien half-Arabic/Asian yet they're still quite white-passing)

YES! THANK YOU! ALL OF THIS!

It is so sad and frustrating that these bias persist even in communities that are meant to be about joy and love; but of course the Batfam fandom has issues with sexism and racism when the canon also has for so long. I'm sure most fans don't try to be prejudiced, but male and white-passing characters are so much more popular than others. The unfair treatment of Steph as Robin and both her and Barbara in making Babs Batgirl again for no reason is one of the things I wrote Robins: The Musical to vent about, and that's only the tip of the iceberg.

Thanks for the explanation! I was already familiar with most of the context you generously provided, but I still really appreciate it as a specific comics shame/recommendation guide and education for others. I wasn't aware of Gates of Gotham and will read it! Black Bat my beloved. Dan Didio when I catch you...

(My original post is here)

#batfam #batfamily #batfam fandom #dc comics #dc #dc fandom #cassandra cain #batgirl #black bat #stephanie brown #spoiler #duke thomas #the signal #comics history

[batrachised]

and so we come to the end of Jane of Lantern Hill!

Before I get into the somewhat wincingly bad ending, I'd like to mull over my personal journey with the book out loud, because what is tumblr for if not for navel gazing.

It sounds odd, but for all I've read this book a thousand times before, I had actually never picked up on a lot of what the book club has discussed. I found this book at an age I don't remember, but it was young, and I was glued to it after that and reread it so many times with that first framing. If you had asked me to describe Lantern Hill before the book club, I would have immediately pointed to those chapters in the middle where Jane is thriving, happy with a dad who understands her, her foot on her native heath. In all honesty, I barely registered the existence of Robin. I had my problems with her, but was fairly neutral on her overall because to me the book was so entirely about Jane's experience on PEI. While I knew the book had this disparity between intent and execution in some places, they were in the places I never really looked at twice.

Reading this book so slowly this time around with so many different perspectives was very entertaining lol, most especially because there were so many wildly different opinions, and often on things I had never thought through deeply myself. Robin is the best example of that. And honestly, it's changed my love for the book-not in a way that dampens it, but in a way that gives me a new appreciation. I remember thinking of Jane as a very simple book when I read it over a decade ago for the first time; it's only now with the book club that I'm grasping how truly complex it, and its characters, are. In many ways, there aren't easy answers here.

In the end, I really like a line from a review I read the other day: this is a book whose heart does not lie in the ending. That reflects my personal reaction to the novel perfectly. To me, this book was always about Jane finding her spot on PEI, probably because of the age I first read it. Jane's adventures in homemaking are cozy and satisfying and heartwarming, and they made me want to have a little kitchen and struggle with donuts and learn how to garden.

That being said, the overarching plot and its sad clown honk of an ending can't be ignored. I actually think Robin and Andrew rushing back into each other's arms makes sense for the characters, even if it's very rushed because they're insane. However, it's also emblematic of all the problems they had before, and indicates these problems will continue. LMM does set up them up for success in that (1) Andrew apologizes and overcomes his pride (2) Robin stands up to the grandmother. However, it's more than a little slapdash. Then there's the ultimate parentification of Jane, albeit self-parentification. I do think Jane thinking she'd communicate for her parents is Jane's potentially flawed reading...but I don't think LMM meant it to be flawed sklsksl. This is where I say for me, the book ends with the chapter before, because for me, the book is about Jane's emotional arc. While I do like that the parents get back together, I don't think LMM earns this ending.

All of the discussion from the book club has been delightful, and a dream come true. There are some points raised that I'm still thinking over, and will still be thinking over for a while. so i'll end this post by thanking everyone who participated by posting and sharing posts - it was a ball, and all of ya'll know your onions <3

#the ultimate compliment i promise #as for the ending -the line about robin and andrew being young lovers again...girlie is that a GOOD thing?? #we know what they were like as young lovers #i do like the ending if I squint at it but the problem is lmm squinted at it too #lantern hill book club

[jasontoddssuper]

Afro-dominican Jason Todd headcanons

I politely ask that people who adhere to the first three Robins and Damian being 'the core Batkids' trope,age gap shippers-with aus included-and people who're overly s*xual about Jason dni with this post.I would not appreciate your support and would rather you just block me,sorry!

Both sets of his grandparents were inmigrants who made sure to teach their kids their culture and Bruce,Talia and Alfred did research so he could still grow up in it after he was adopted so he's not disconnected from his heritage like you'd expect

Is darkskinned with a big nose,full lips,green eyes and shoulder length black dreads with one of them being white from the Lazarus Pit.As Robin,he wore his hair short and natural(By which i mean his classic curls but even thicker)

Dosen't speak spanish super often but still enough that it's a consistent part of his speech patterns and dosen't really have an accent since he's so good at both it and english

90s/2000s anime kid but specifically watched the eps/read the mangas in latino spanish whenever he could(Definitely a merch collector too!!Not anything weird though,i feel the need to say that,he just loves buying volumes and figures and replicas of weapons and plushies-That last one is a secret though)

Has his pre-reboot Robin characterization but got a bad rep and victim blamed anyway because of antiblackness and xenophobia

Bullying Tim for being a gringo is one of his favorite hobby's

Duke and him compare their similar yet different experiences with blackness and got along even quicker than canon in solidarity

Since i have him be a mentor to my verse's Damian Teen Titans generation,he's closest to Nell out of all the members(other than Damian obvs)

Takes great care of his hair and will sometimes wear red beads-He actually has a couple of sets in different shades!!

Says his favorite color is red because it represents blood on his country's flag and nobody can tell wether he's joking or not

Sometimes feels guilty for 'being a stereotype' due to the whole born to poor parents who were also addicts and being a rude asshole with anger issues and thrist for violence but rarely lets it get to him because he thinks he's coolest mf to ever exist(But we all know he's actually a boyloser)

Not a huge aave user but he does say 'deadass' fairly often and enjoys euphemisms from it

Love his country's cuisine-especially flan,it's tied with neapolitan ice cream as his favorite dessert-but his favorite type of latino food is mexican!Tres Leches cake and tacos and burritos and mexican hot chocolate and all that make his mouth water like Atlantis

Wears traditional festive clothes for special events and if he can't,he'll just refuse to go("I'm not going out in public in that!" "It's literally a tux???" "You call that a tux?It dosen't even have shoulder pads!Don't patronize me,Dickald.")

An alt music kinda guy but does love bachata for nostalgia reasons and has some songs memorized

Adores dominican folklore and uses it's horror myths for inspo as Red Hood

Thinks 'Showing affection means you aren't tough!' is gringo nonsense so he's pretty open about it if he likes someone,be it platonic or romantic

The only thing him and Kyle can agree on is that latinos are superior

This last one isn't a headcanon but a fun coincidence-His birthday is the same day as Dominican Restoration Day!!

I'd love reblogs on this because i hardly ever see latino Jason content that's not racist but don't feel obliaged if you don't want to!!♡

#jason todd #black jason todd #latino jason todd #afrolatino jason supremacy #robin #red hood #star sapphire jason #batfam #ntt #ditf #lost days #utrh #rhato #the outlaws #wfa #wfa spoilers #batman:urban legends #tiny titans #teen titans:damian edition #dead sidekicks force #the anomalies #team dual #i'm black tag #latina tag #dominican tag #letters from summer #spider mutant jason

[soleminisanction]

Hi! I love your blog and I love Tim’s character in the Batfam. I keep on getting Tim Drake hate on my dash and you are right the fandom is mean to him. Like I think the reason why the fandom hates him so much is because he started out normal. Like No intriguing backstory or trauma like the rest of his siblings but he was a kid who cared and got involved. But over Tim he got traumatized and yes, it did change him but that’s what’s interesting. He is relatable because he is normal like the rest of us. He could have had a normal life (though debatable. Also I sort of compare him to Peter Parker) He got involved because he did not like the fact that Batman was destroying Gotham in his grief so someone had to step up. And that person is Tim. The only person who could do something and come out in the end despite trials and tribulations. The person who do not know when to quit. Sorry I decided to do some Tim Drake Appreciation in this blog! This is way I play Gotham knight because that was the Tim I grew up with.

Heh, no worries, I appreciate the ramble. I'm the same way! I was so excited to play GK precisely because I could play as my favorite boy and the game delivered full-tilt.

Honestly though, I don't think normalcy has anything to do with the hate Tim gets. You didn't use to see vitriol like this aimed towards him during my first run in the fandom, during the 00s. Nah, the vitriol stems from the way that "Robin" has been twisted in the eyes of fandom to be treated less as a job or a specific narrative role and more like a golden apple with "to the bestest character" written on it.

It started with Steph's publicity-stunt, when DC made it such a big deal that "OMG this one has BOOBS" that it wound up biting them in the ass, since it made the whole storyline more important than they'd ever been intending to treat it (or her). That planted the seeds, which then started to spread thanks to the rise of standom and their tendency to refuse to allow their blorbos to ever be in the wrong or have negative traits.

So when Jason and Damian started their respective in-universe rivalries with Tim, instead of reading them as intended (as external expressions of Jason's struggle to deal with the world moving on after his death and Damian's insecurities about securing his father's affections, respectively), the stans twisted it into, "My blorbo can't possibly be wrong! So clearly the problem is with him!"

It is extremely annoying but, all you can really do about it is block frequently and curate your own happy little corner of the internet where those people just don't exist.

#tim drake #my blorbo #dc comics asks #tim drake defense squad #standom critical

[gatheringfiki]

GatheringFiKi Interest Survey 2023 - Results

Hi folks,

First of all, huge thank you to those who took the time to fill in our recent survey. We have now reviewed the results and have a couple of points we’d like to share.

1) The Headcount:

The first, biggest and most welcome surprise from the Survey is that there are so MANY of you! And most of you are new faces, which I think is just wonderful! Welcome, welcome, one and all!

The total of 23 people took part in the Survey (admittedly some of whom I have never seen take part in any events, but I have high hopes).

When I was leaving for my travels in September 2022, a similar Interest Survey presented a bleak picture, very different to today, with a number of people having clearly moved on (though not all!). Personally, I think it was the right call to accept and acknowledge that, re-subscribe those truly interested today, and re-focus my efforts and events targetting where it's actually wanted.

Please remember that if you ARE interested in taking part in our events, you can always ask to have personal notifications delivered to you whenever one is running - just message @linane-art

Of course, I am fully aware and very grateful that, apart from the folks taking part, there are also quite a few of you who consume the new content, read, watch, like, comment, reblog or just silently marvel and enjoy their (guilty?) pleasure. I love and appreciate you all.

2) Your Favourite Existing Events:

12 Days of Christmas - 18 votes

FiKi Week - 14 votes

Trick or Treat - 12 votes

Drabble Challenges - 11 votes

Durin's Day Gift Exchange - 11 votes

Kink Bingo - 9 votes

H/C Bingo - 8 votes

AUpocalypse - 7 votes

Fandom Raffle Exchange - 5 votes

Show Some Love - 5 votes

Fic of a Fic - 4 votes

Fanfic Rec Bingo - 2 votes

Secret Admirers - 1 vote

Round Robins - 0 votes

No surprises near the top: 12 Days has just ran and is beloved by everyone and FiKi Week is like THE Gatheringfiki event.

Trick or Treat also ran recently, but I think you also have a particular penchant for everything spooky/autumny.

Drabble Challenges are quick and easy, and I think a natural choice for a 'top up' event next to the big ones. I wonder if those of you who haven't experienced the speed and the 'write off all your other weekend plans'-ness of this event will think of it. :D

DDGE surprises a little, because it's a big commitment of an event, but I guess maybe because we're not running the Raffle regularly any more, and it's a similar enough thing? Or like a Big Bang? And there's nothing else that promotes actual collaborations. Intriguing.

The Bingos - always heat up the temperature in the room. I think those of you who want them, want them like burning. I also think (looking at hit counts), that there are also many more of you who, ah, enjoy the fruits of our labours, but like... anonymously and silently :D So long as those are not ran too often, I think they're a blast, and it's been 2 years.

AUpocalypse juuuust about makes it, but I think it has a special place, as it's the one event where artists can participate easily and have a fully free reign of what they create.

Please remember that if you are an artist and you're not sure how you can take part, we have this here handy guide for you.

Raffle is probably too big for the headcount we have, rec-type-events have not been popular for a few years now, Secret Admirers still out of favour (why???) and nobody liked Round Robins - fair enough.

3) Other Comments we got / possible New Events:

'A Dead Dove Event' - what is it, I've never comes accross it? Please message me on priv ;)

'Bring-A-Friend Event' - The incest thing will make some people uncomfortable, and those that check us out 'as a courtesy' are unlikely to actually get hooked. I think, by all means, spread the word if you know folks who might enjoy our fandom, but mostly it needs to be discovered on your own. Awareness of GF is the key.

'FiKi Bingo' - We already run 2 bingo-type events and a FiKi Week. I think that ticks both the desired format and desired content boxes.

'Valentine's Day Event' - there is nothing like that per se, but it is no coincidence that the Kink and H/C Bingos usually run around the time when everyone is feeling loved-up ;)

'I don't feel comfortable sharing my own content' - that is perfectly okay and your own choice. Nobody is going to try and push you. But I will say that if you have a supportive fandom, feedback can do wonders for your self-esteem and practice makes perfect. Otherwise, thank you just as much for your silent support.

'Discord Server' - I thought about it, but I think it'll be more of a problem than help. I don't know how to set it up, don't have the capacity to moderate it, only some people would be interested and many people will resist change. We've always said that Tumblr is our native platform and on Tumblr we will remain - don't want to dilute the fandom accorss multiple platforms, sorry.

'October Advent Calendar' - I'm sorry, I don't quite see how it would be different/better than Trick or Treat, except longer? Plus, 12 Days, which runs right after, has that element of 'something new to discover' every day ;)

'FiKi Mad Libs and Frankenstory' - see: Round Robins Event. And it scored 0 points, the poor thing :(

'Visual / phrase / poem / porny inspiration' - visual is addressed by 12 Days. Phrase/poem will be addressed by FiKi Week ;) Porny will be blocked by Tumblr :(

'Reblog-focussed Events' - Yes, agreed, but in the competition for calendar availability, all our rec-type events consistently lose out to out content-creating events. So we resort to caveating all our summary posts with pleas for reblogging and commenting. :/

I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the wonderful and humbling words of encouragement I’ve received. I do what I do because of the people in this fandom and I will continue doing so for as long as there is interest in it. It’s what being in a fandom means to me, and hopefully it inspires some of you too :)

A Calendar of Events for 2024 will follow in a separate post.

Wishing you all a cracking New Year, filled with inspiration, joy, passion and feels, hopefully all whipped up by those problematic 2 little a$$holes...

~gatheringfiki

#Fili/Kili #FiKi #Durincest #the Hobbit #Mitchers #Britchell #DarkHawk #GatheringFiKi #Interest Survey

[zahri-melitor]

Newish Comics:

Taking a break from ploughing through Santa appearances for the week’s comics.

Batman & Robin #3: ahahahaha “dedicated instructors who showed me the deep knowledge of the world”.

Damian. Sweetheart. You were TEN. I have no doubt you learnt a lot of complex things but also firstly you didn’t synthesise everything and secondly you simply didn’t have the TIME to learn ‘everything’.

That done, Bruce please explain socialisation and ‘working on a civilian cover’ to Damian, so he will go to school. Remember civilian covers? And secret identities?

Ooh Man-Bats! (I’m sorry, I’m here in this book for the Bruce and Damian moments, but I don’t actually mind the concept of Shush and White Rabbit? I like that White Rabbit is leaning into the Japanese aesthetics that Damian uses for his art)

Outsiders #1: I hate to say it, but my back is already up. Luke Fox, describing Kate Kane's background as "we both trained under one of the most brilliant tactical minds to ever exist" - are we talking about Jacob Kane? Because I wouldn't call him that. And I wouldn't say that Kate trained under Bruce Wayne.

Also the wig? That was originally Jacob's choice and to help with concealing her identity. If Kate actually had issues with it she would have ditched it years ago.

Not knowing fundamental basics like this about Kate is worrying me (unless there's been some retcon I haven't read yet?)

On the other hand... JENNY SPARKS SIGHTING!!! (Well, her skeleton. Apparently) JENNY MY SWEETHEART.

...I'm going to give this a go, since it's Kate and since it's MY FAVOURITE JENNY. I'm being cautious though.

Speed Force #1: oh this however is just fun vibes. I think it's our new light-hearted Flash book, with Si Spurrier doing more complex things over in Flash proper.

The Vigil #6: Ram V landed this. I still feel like all of the characters are specific commentary on other DC characters, but watching the team pull together and Castle explain what had been missed was very satisfying in that ‘heist film’ sort of scene where they flip the board and suddenly reveal what was going on.

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #2: as this is the first Rossmo title I've seriously read, I am appreciating his art and I think getting used to it on a title where I don't have strong feelings about the characters involved will stand me in good stead.

World's Finest: Teen Titans #5: I’ve got to say, I love that the cover is a scene only tangentially related to the plot. Classic silver age vibes. This scene does not occur.

Wally! Love your snark, kid.

Garth! Surfing on/in Wally’s speed wake!

Also Dick finally decided reveal his ID.

Warlord #26: this week in Travis Morgan's adventures... DEIMOS IS BACK! Hello, Deimos! Planning to slink around evilly, are you?

Excitingly, Travis gets to fight a two-headed snake necked dragon this issue. Unfortunately this does not result in any bondage. Missed opportunity there, Grell!

This issue we are in a hidden maze temple, where they have to break apart an amulet and fit the pieces into rock niches to illuminate the way via the light bouncing. It is a VERY gaming dungeon sort of plot. However as each piece is fitted, a vision occurs. Travis is directed in how this works by a talking parrot. (A normal one, not an anthropomorphic one)

Travis sees visions of Tara but she's blaming him for betraying her, and given she was staring into a river and sighing over how much she loved and missed him last issue I think we can safely say this is a false vision. (All the visions say nasty things that mostly are guilt nightmares)

Once the maze is complete, Travis is offered the chance to gain his 'heart's desire' by stepping into the light (which has been causing all the terrible visions)

And Travis' wants to start over...so he gets transported back in time (to what looks like Neanderthal times but this IS Skartaris, it could just be last Tuesday)

#z canon read throughs #newish comics

[wwinterwitch]

the right girl - robin buckley x fem!reader

summary: robin tries to keep it cool around you to hide her feelings for you, but that's until she thinks you're dating someone else

pairing: robin buckley x fem!reader

word count: 3,610

warnings/what to expect: angst and fluff, steve being the supportive friend he always is, awkward robin (she's a gay mess around you!), miscommunication, sharing feelings, a bit of crying

a/n: this was requested by a lovely anon so thanks to them for this wonderful idea <3

a reblog and/or comment is always appreciated

– gif is not mine, it belongs to @wlwsource (!)

masterlist | AO3

Robin instantly froze when she saw you walking over to the door of the Family Video, walking inside and flashing a smile to her and Steve before starting to look around for a new movie to watch. To be completely fair, you didn't visit the Family Video so often just because you love movies. It has more to do with the girl standing behind the counter that works there. This particular detail was very much obvious to Steve, but no matter how hard he tried to convince Robin about it, she'd always find another answer as to why you seem to visit the store so much.

"I'm sure she's just really into movies," Robin had commented once right after you left the store.

"Really into movies?" Steve repeated in disbelief. "She's here every week, always asks what you think of the movies she picks, and quite honestly it's like I don't even exist!" he added. "Robin, this girl clearly likes you."

"No, you don't know that. You're just theorizing!" she snapped back, visibly freaking out over the topic of conversation. "Stop doing that before you give me false hope!"

"Okay, whatever. I get that you're not ready to make a move on her and all...but you need to at least read the signs!"

"There's no signs, Steve," she insisted. "Please, just forget it."

And Steve did. He never once mentioned it again, much to Robin's dislike. It freaked her out how awfully quiet he was about the subject and, to be honest, she liked hearing all of Steve's theories, even if they only encouraged Robin to create even more fake scenarios in her head. Pretending you actually like her and you guys are together. That you'd walk in one day to the Family Video and confess your love for her.

But that never happened, so Robin continued to suffer in silence because she couldn't have you, and Steve watched the two of you with nothing but frustration. It was so incredibly obvious you had a thing for each other, he practically had to hold himself back from screaming at the two of you to get together already. He hates to see Robin so hurt over you and not being able to make her see what he sees every single time you're at the store with them.

As soon as you walked inside the Family Video, Robin turned to look at Steve who immediately pretended to write something down on a notepad. "Hey, dingus," she called, titling her head towards you. "We have a customer."

"Yeah, I know. Can you go see if they need something?" he asked, showing her the notepad. "I have to write some stuff down for...inventory."

"No, you don't."

"Fine, I don't. But I already attended every customer that came in today which means it's your turn."

"You have no idea how much I hate you, Steve Harrington."

Steve smiled after her last comment. "No, you don't," he copied her.

Robin sighed and fixed her uniform jacket before making her way towards you. Steve visibly frowned at her behaviour, watching her walk incredibly stiff to where you were standing. He really needs to start giving Robin more advice on how to approach a girl.

"H-Hi," was the only thing Robin was able to say, already feeling her palms sweaty and her heart about to jump out of her chest.

You looked over at her, once again smiling, and Robin swore she was going to pass out right there on the floor. How is it possible another human being could be this beautiful? That was a question she still couldn't find an answer to.

"Hi, Robin! How are you?"

"Uh, fine, yeah...fine," she stutters, clearing her throat shortly after. "And you?"

"Fine. I just finished the essay we had for english class next week, so...figured I could watch a new movie."

"Oh, that sounds nice," Robin replied, trying to make her sentences as short as possible. She was super self-aware and she knew once she opened her mouth, there was no way of shutting up. Her brain would move faster than her mouth (or the other way around) and she would end up embarrassing herself in front of you and completely ruining her chances of ever becoming at least your friend. She couldn't risk that to happen. "And, uh...you have anything in mind?"

You shrugged, "not for now," was your answer. "Though if I need something, I'll make sure to call you."

The way you smiled at her and the sound of your voice were enough to make Robin's mind go blank. No words, no sentences, no possible stuff to say. Nothing. It was just you and your gorgeous face and your breath-taking smile and...

Shit. It's happening. Everything she won't allow herself to blurt out loud is running round and round inside her head. Her mind wasn't blank, it was so filled with thoughts it was impossible for her to distinguish between each of them.

But she knew she had to say something quick before she continues to stand there like an idiot, so all she could come up with at the moment was, "Oh, okay. Grool."

What the fuck is grool? As soon as that left her mouth she wanted to instantly disappear and never come back. She wanted to say "great" but her mind was thinking about "cool" and she couldn't seem to choose one of them before the two came out together. Grool.

Steve was by the counter hearing all of this feeling absolutely sorry for Robin. He knew it was hard for her to interact with people, especially if she has a crush on them. She always tried her best, but more often than not things go badly for her. However, and much to his and Robin's disbelief, you laughed. Not like a laugh that showed you were laughing at Robin for messing it up, but with Robin.

"You're funny," you commented right before focusing back on the tapes in front of you.

Robin didn't fully understand what just happened, but decided to go back to the counter to avoid saying more stupid things. Steve looked at her with a confused expression and Robin immediately put both of her hands up, as if saying "I honestly don't know how I made it out of there alive".

And she clung onto what you said to her that day for the rest of the week, and the week after that because you didn't visit the Family Video. It was crazy how something so seemingly insignificant has light up a fire inside of her that she's not sure how to stop from spreading all across her body every time she thinks about that moment.

You truly mean the absolute world to her, you are her world, yet you've never exchanged more than a few words because Robin wouldn't allow herself to get so comfortable. That would mean bombarding you with half-coherent sentences and just a bunch of information no human being will ever be able to process.  She's weird, she's a nobody, she talks way too fast and always screw things up. You're the complete opposite. There's no way you would ever settle for her.

But after that day she started to get a little more comfortable. If you were willing to talk to her after what happened and didn't show any signs that you considered her a freak or anything remotely close to that, she began thinking that maybe there's a chance. Perhaps you do like girls in the same way as she does, and hopefully she can make you feel just as good as you make her feel if you give her a chance.

She talked to Steve about it and he quickly encouraged her to do it. To talk to you just a little bit more and see where things go from there. She was afraid you would be the wrong girl, that her secret would come out to everyone around town, but at that time she didn't see what she's starting to see now.

Her heart almost skipped a beat when she saw you walking out of your car after you parked just outside the Family Video. It's been almost two weeks since your last encounter, and Robin was already planning what she could say to you to start a (hopefully) normal conversation. However, the smile on her face faded and her heart shattered into a million pieces when she saw a guy exiting the car. But that didn't mean anything, right? It didn't mean what her mind immediately wanted her to believe.

That is, until she saw you laughing about something the guy just said as he pulls you into his arms, leaving a kiss at the top of your head. The gesture didn't look friendly at all, and there was no way Robin could save herself from the terrible truth: that is most likely your boyfriend.

She was awfully quiet watching the two of you, and it didn't take Steve too long to notice what she was seeing. "Robin-" he started, but couldn't finish because Robin quickly ran to the back of the store, trying very hard to hold back her tears.

You walked inside just in time to see her storming to the back of the store, which to you seemed kind of weird because of how unexpected that was. Whatever had happened to her, it quickly made you visibly concerned, walking over to Steve who was still by the counter, debating whether or not to go after his friend.

"Hi," you greeted him. "Is Robin okay back there?"

"Uh, hi. Yeah, she's...I think she was feeling a bit sick earlier," he lied, trying not to give it too much importance.

"Oh, would you tell her I hope she feels better?"

"Of course. I'll go see if she's okay real quick, but if you need anything let me know."

"Thanks, Steve," you replied, walking back to where your friend was so the two of you could select a movie.

While you were doing that, Steve rushed to the back of the store and knocked on the closed door before walking inside. He heard a faint, "come in," from Robin and that's when he opened the door. He immediately noticed her sitting by Keith's desk, her arms resting on the metal table with her hands covering her face. She was...well, heartbroken.

"I'm so sorry about that," he says in a soft voice, not wanting to upset her. "I shouldn't have put ideas inside your head."

"It's not your fault, Steve. I let you get ideas inside my head. That's on me," she replied, her voice a little more raspy than usual because she was still holding back her tears. "It's me the one getting my hopes up when I knew there was zero chances of her liking me back."

Steve really didn't know what to do, so all he thought about doing at that moment was walking towards her and put a hand on her shoulder as a way to comfort her. Robin truly appreciated the gesture, a weak smile momentarily appearing on her face when he touched her shoulder.

"Thank you, Steve."

He immediately shakes his head, letting her know that wasn't necessary. "Do you want me to stay?"

"No, no. It's fine," she quickly said. "I really don't want this to ruin my day." Shortly after that, she sat straight on the chair, sighing heavily. "How do I look? Too miserable?"

"You look as beautiful as always, Robin," he says as a way to cheer her up even further.

Robin playfully rolled her eyes at him before Steve opened the door to go back to where you and your friend were already waiting to rent a movie. He wasn't going to force Robin to interact with you if she wasn't ready, so he decided to attend the two of you.

As soon as Robin walked out of the back of the store, you walked towards her. "Hey, are you feeling any better? Steve told us you were feeling kinda sick."

"Oh, yeah...much better," she replied, barely being able to make eye contact with you.

"That's nice to hear," you said, reaching out to gently touch Robin's arm, smiling at her. Of course you didn't mean it to do that on purpose to torture her, but Robin couldn't help but feel absolutely defeated by the fact that you were touching her upper arm and she can't pretend that it means anything at all. It was all just in her head. A fantasy. "I couldn't help myself and I had to rent The Shinning again. I know you said I've watched way too many times, but...well, it's amazing!"

Robin tried to act as normal as she possibly could. Like things didn't just completely change between the two of you. "Why does that doesn't surprise me?" was her attempt of a joke. She definitely sounded less cheerful than usual, but you figured it was because she was still feeling a little sick. "So, are you...uh, is it movie date tonight?" she dared to ask, looking over at the guy you were with who was currently talking about something with Steve. She didn't care about whatever he was talking about. She doesn't care about his existence at all. As childish as it sounds, Robin already hated the guy.

"What? Oh, no...jeez, no," you chuckled. "We're just friends."

"Oh, I thought..."

"I just don't..."

Both of you shut up when you realized you spoke at the same time. "Sorry," both of you said simultaneously.

"You go," Robin says, mentally cursing herself for the way she was acting.

"I was gonna say I don't see him in that way," you finished your sentence. "I don't feel that way for any guy, actually."

That was your way of subtly throwing a hint at Robin, and by the way she was looking at you you really couldn't tell if she understood or not. That was slowly killing you, because you seriously don't know how long you can pretend that you don't show up almost every week to this place just to see her. You need to know if she has noticed, or if she at least feels the same way as you do.

"Oh..." was all you got out of her.

There was a brief silence, just the two of you standing next to each other. You noticed your friend was already with the movie inside a bag Steve gave him, waiting for you to finish your conversation. "I should...I should go."

"Yeah..."

The situation was weird. You've never felt awkward while talking to Robin until today. It was so awkward in fact, that you didn't even say goodbye as you joined your friend to walk outside of the store. While Robin watched you go, you debated whether or not you should just tell her how you feel.

I mean, maybe she's into you too? Why else would she ask if you were dating your friend? It was unclear to you if you were giving too much meaning to random things, or this could really be your chance to get closer to her.

And maybe it was that, or it could also be the fact that you're just tired of keeping your feelings to yourself, that before you could get in the car you said to your friend, "Is it okay if I go back? I kinda need to do something."

"No, go ahead. I can wait here in the car."

"Thanks," you quickly replied, walking back to the Family Video.

As you were about to walk inside, you noticed Robin was also heading towards the door, both of you standing there with the glass separating you, staring at each other with nothing but fear in your eyes. You were both scared of talking. But the situation has reached a point when neither of can pretend there's nothing going on.

You slowly walked inside the store again, looking more frightened than ever. "I...uh, I need to talk to you."

"Talk to me?" Robin asked in disbelief, her heart racing. "I- I was just about to go tell you the same thing." There was another pause before Robin spoke. "We can talk back there, maybe?"

"Yeah, that'd be great."

The two of you walked back to where Robin previously was while Steve tried his best to seem busy with the computer, like he wasn't invested in what was going on in front of him. Robin shut the door behind her to avoid Steve from hearing the two of you, not wanting her friend to hear in case she she gets rejected.

"So, uh, why- why did you ask that...that date thing?"

"I- I don't know," Robin shrugged. "I mean, I just thought that maybe you guys were together since you were hugging out there, and that's why that question just came to mind and I felt like asking."

"Yeah, but why?" you insisted. "Why would you care if I was dating someone or not?"

Robin tried to find an appropriate answer, but couldn't really find one. She evidently panicked at the lack of help she was getting from her own brain.

And so the mess began.

"Okay, look, I know that sounded weird. And I know that I have been weird with you because I always walk like a robot around you and say the most random stuff just to seem cool, but truth is I am nothing like that! My legs work half of the time and I have absolutely zero social skills. Like, I'm absolutely the worst at talking to people. That's why my only friend is Steve, because he's the only one who actually wants to put up with me and my- my weirdness. And it's totally okay if you don't want to talk to me ever again or if you think I'm a complete weirdo for asking questions I should be asking, but it's just...I asked that because...because..."

You took a step forward, one of your hands moving up to her face so you could clean the tears that were falling down her cheeks. She didn't even notice the moment the started crying, totally overtook by the thought that this will most definitely be the last time you'll ever want to talk to her.

"I don't think you're weird, Robin," you quickly reassured her. "I actually think you're the coolest person I've ever met. Well, the groolest."

That comment made Robin laugh, her eyes light up when they look back into your own. "Really?"

"Yeah," you replied with a smile. "Do you really think I come by almost every week just to rent movies?"

"Wait, I don't...I don't understand."

"Promise me you won't think different about me after this," your voice showed how concerned you were, which was mind blowing for Robin. You were worried about what she would think about you?

"Promise."

"Okay, so...I said I didn't feel a certain way about guys because...well, I don't. I have no interest in guys whatsoever, if you know what I mean."

Robin was about to jump up and down in excitement after what you just confessed, hoping and praying this was going somewhere. "I think I understand?"

"I like girls, Robin," you finally let it out of your chest, trying to see if that confession created a positive or negative impact. She didn't look disgusted or anything, so you decided to continue. "And I just...I think you're really nice and funny, and for as long as I can remember I've had this huge crush on you."

You noticed her eyes filled with tears again. "You- wait, you like me?"

"Yeah, I...I'm sorry, I know this is weird. It's okay if you don't feel the same-"

"I like you too," she interrupted, still unable to believe this was actually happen. "I've liked you for the longest time."

It was clear to you that all she wanted to do was cry, so you allowed her to do so as you move closer to wrap your arms around her. As soon as you hugged her, she broke down in happy tears as she hugs you back, never wanting this moment to end.

It was real. You were there, hugging her, telling her that you like her. You don't find her weird, you don't have a boyfriend, she didn't mess things up. You like her.

You hugged for as long as she needed until she calmed down. You knew she was overwhelmed and rightfully so, because things like this just doesn't happen to people like you and Robin. All you see around you is that girls who like other girls doesn't deserve to be happy. They don't deserve their feelings to be reciprocated or having the chance to love someone else. Yet there you were, confessing your feelings for each other.

"Sorry, I wasn't expecting that to happen," she said when she was feeling better, moving back from you as she cleaned the last few tears off her face.

"I know, me neither. And I would love to stay here with you and talk more about this, but my friend is sort of waiting for me outside, so..."

"No, it's fine. I think we've said enough."

You laughed shortly at her comment. "We sure did. Maybe we can talk more about it later? I can come pick you up after work and we can hang out."

"Yeah, that'd be great. Uh...my shift ends at 5."

"I'll be here at 5, then."

You leaned to give Robin a quick kiss on her cheek, watching as she instantly blushed at the gesture as she looked away with the most adorable smile you've ever seen. You mentally reminded yourself to do that later when you pick her up just to see that reaction again.

She opened the door for the two of you. Steve immediately turns back to act like he was using the computer instead of trying to listen what you two were talking about. You said a quick goodbye to him before joining your friend outside.

Steve was obviously dying to know what was that all about. "Well?"

Robin couldn't stop smiling. "She's picking me up at 5."

"Wait, so does this mean, like..."

"It means she is the right girl."

#robin buckley x reader #robin buckley #robin buckley fluff #robin buckley x fem!reader #stranger things x reader #stranger things season four #stranger things fic #robin buckley fic #stranger things

[butyoumakemesohot]

i actually wrote a second part for a fic of mine and i don't hate it?? anyways, you could totally read this on its own, but if you see this and you haven't read part 1, i would really appreciate it if you did!

pairing: ro/nance

word count: 2.3k

warnings: lots of buildup, fingering (f receiving), mess, na/ncy has the knk, you could probably argue that ro/bin does too but that's up to the reader honestly :) MINORS DNI!!!!!

Nancy doesn’t get sick - prides herself on the fact that, despite having two younger siblings and a knack for winding up in uncanny situations, at least her immune system never seems to fail her. Which is why, when she wakes up a couple days later with an uncomfortable pressure lodged in her sinuses, all she can do is groan dramatically, tenting her arm over her face.

“Shhh.” Robin’s arms slip around Nancy’s waist, her chin nestled up against her shoulder. Her voice is still delightfully plugged up, half-hoarse from sleep and all the recent coughing. “I’mb tryi’g to sleep.”

“Sorry,” Nancy whispers. Her throat is dry. “I… don’t think I feel very well.”

Silence. Robin’s arms recoil from her waist; Nancy doesn’t have to look at her to know that she’s feeling guilty about it. She finds her hand under the mess of blankets on the bed, giving it a rough squeeze.

“‘S’okay,” she murmurs. “It’s just my head.”

“For n’dow.” Robin sniffles. It’s a wet, congested sound - one that makes Nancy lower her arm from her face so she can eye her girlfriend’s poor, chapped nose as inconspicuously as possible. “Just wait ud’til you start sdeezi’g as mbuch as mbe.”

Nancy fights the urge to smile. On second thought, she doesn’t exactly hate the sound of that.

Unfortunately, the only thing that seems to progress as the day wears on is her headache. She doesn’t actually feel it until later that night - that never-ending, thin trickle of mucus that only seems to exist to tickle and torment one side of her nose. She tries to snuffle it back to no avail.

“Hhhhh… Hehh’ngxt!” She pinches her nostrils together, blinking back the tears that have sprung into her eyes. Each sneeze seems to double the amount of pressure that’s been building in her head all day. “H’gxxtch! *snff* Hn’GTchh! Guh. Excuse mbe… H’ngktt!”

Robin rubs her girlfriend’s shoulder, pouting sympathetically. “Bless you.”

“Thagks,” she mumbles, rubbing her nose miserably. Being Robin’s spectator these past few days has been so riveting that she stupidly forgot the strong likelihood of getting sick herself.

“Poor thi’g. You already sound so stuffed up.”

Some of Robin’s consonants are returning as her nose has begun to unclog throughout the day. Luckily for Nancy, she’s still just as sneezy, her pert nose a captivating shade of red from days of constantly wiping and blowing it.

“Oh, shit, mby turn.” Nancy watches in awe as her girlfriend falls victim to yet another round of sneezing. Robin’s eyes flutter shut, her jaw slacked in anticipation. “H-Hang on, it’s - hH’ESCHhh! There it is. Huh! Hihh-! hih’ITSCHh! ‘tsSHHiew!”

She emits a series of loud, soupy sniffles that make Nancy fight to keep from squirming in her seat. However, her thoughts are quickly interrupted by a second tickling sensation deep in her own sinuses, twice as harsh as the one before. She clamps her wrist firmly against her nose.

“Hn’nkgt! Ihh’Gktch! *snfff* ih‘MPtch!”

“Bless -”

“Ng’xtchh! Sorry.” Nancy sniffles wetly, the sleeve covering her wrist becoming increasingly damp. She inhales sharply, her nostrils still quivering. Stifling only serves to make her nose even more tickly, she's just now realizing. “Hnn’ktch! Hih’NGtt!”

“- you,” Robin finishes, sounding a little amused.

“Guhhh… *snrrf* Okay, I thigk I’b dode.”

Her eyes are still squeezed shut from sneezing when she feels warm, gentle fingers tenting a fresh bundle of tissues over her nose.

“Blow your ndose, Nd’ance. It’s okay.”

Nancy’s almost sure her eyes double in size. She sniffles defiantly, letting her nose run into the cotton. “Robid, you dod’t have to.”

“This is like… what you’re indto, right?” There’s nothing teasing or taunting in her voice - just a spark of curiosity lighting up her features as she tightens the tissues around Nancy’s nostrils. The corners of her mouth lift encouragingly. “Go ahead. *snrf!* It’s okay, babe.”

Nancy gives a slight nod, her embarrassed flush fading as she starts to blow her nose. Robin pinches one nostril shut, allowing Nancy to clear one side of her nose before switching to the other, using the tips of her fingers to massage away any lingering tickles in her girlfriend’s sinuses. The tissues practically soaked through, Robin tells her to give one final blow before tenderly wiping the remaining mess away from her face, offering her another bashful smile.

“How’s that?” Robin asks, adding the tissues to the abundant pile on her nightstand. “I mbean… Was that good?”

All Nancy can do is nod again, taking an experimental breath through her nose. She knows she doesn’t have much longer before the congestion returns, so she takes the opportunity to give Robin a much deserved kiss. Her cheek is a feverish flame under Nancy’s hand as she cradles her face, pulling her in deeper.

Robin’s smile widens once she breaks away. “So it was good.”

“So good,” Nancy agrees, fervent desire rising from her stomach to her chest as Robin lays on her back, allowing her to straddle her waist. She rubs her thumb against a shiny spot on Robin’s lower lip. “But you kn’dow - *snff* - what I’b really idto, right?”

Robin nods, staring up at Nancy as she runs a delicate finger down the bridge of her nose, careful not to irritate the tip where it’s chapped and tender. She brings Nancy back in for another kiss, sincere in the way she sucks at her top lip, tasting like something familiar and sweet.

“I think I’ve got mbore thad a few sdeezes left in mbe,” she whispers. Nancy tries not to let it slip that it’s the hottest thing anybody’s ever told her.

That’s good to hear, she means to say instead, but then Robin’s kissing her again, slow and deliberate in her movements. She decides to let her take the reign this time, fatigued from her new cold and her simple desire to be touched. Robin obliges, weaving her fingers through Nancy’s hair while Nancy lowers the weight of her torso against Robin’s chest.

“H-Hang od,” Robin suddenly says. She doesn’t pull away at all this time, her breath coming out in desperate spurts before she unleashes a round of heavy, wet sneezes inches away from Nancy’s face. “IHhschhiew! hh’TCHHh! Hih-! ih’HHShew!”

“I - Bless you,” Nancy stammers.

“You don’t really m’bean that,” Robin says, grinning.

“Just ‘cause I like heari’g you sdeeze,” she pauses, pressing a quick kiss against the tip of Robin’s nose, “doesd’t m’bead I wad’t you to get possessed by the devil. *snffg!*”

Robin giggles. “Dork.”

They only manage to kiss for another ten seconds or so when her nose starts twitching yet again. Nancy eagerly brings her hand back up to Robin’s face, brushing her thumb over a smattering of freckles right by her left nostril as she starts to sneeze.

“Ihh’CHHhiew! ehh’SCHHhoo! ‘TSCHHh’uhh!”

“God bless you, baby,” Nancy whispers, involuntarily grinding her hips down onto Robin’s. The other girl is too much a sniffling mess to notice, her nose all red and glistening as a stream of clear mucus makes its way onto her upper lip.

She goes to wipe it away, but Nancy’s already got a fresh tissue in her hand, tending to her nose as gently as possible. She folds the tissue in half, bringing it back to Robin’s nostrils with a firm squeeze.

“Blow,” she instructs.

Robin obliges, displaying none of her girlfriend’s initial reluctance at the idea of blowing her nose into her hand. She settles her hands against Nancy’s thighs once she discards the tissue, tracing small circles over her skin with the pads of her thumbs.

“Do you…” Robin’s features flicker with hesitancy. She swallows, peering up at Nancy with soft eyes. “Do you want mbe to help mbake you sdeeze?”

Nancy blinks, a fresh wave of heat quickly settling in her cheeks. “Robid, you really dod’t -”

“Yeah, I know I dod’t have to, but I…” she pauses, gliding her hands towards the inner part of Nancy’s thighs, her slender fingers working the skin right next to her heat. God, she’s a menace. “I wad’t to.”

“Robid -”

“You’re so stuffed up. It could help.” She smiles, looking so pretty it hurts. “Just… let me try somethi’g. Please?”

Before Nancy can even verbalize an answer, one of Robin’s hands lifts up to cup her face, the tips of her fingers ghosting the skin surrounding her nose. Nancy’s not sure how, but somehow she’s able to find the exact area where her sinuses are the most inflamed, a spot that’s swollen and tender to the touch.

“Aw, ad’gel,” Robin coos. “N’do wonder you’ve got a headache.”

Nancy lets her eyes fall closed, focused completely on the movement of Robin’s fingers, pinching and loosening some of the pressure around her nose. She doesn’t realize her other hand has crept even further up the length of her thigh until the heat of her hand is radiating against the front of Nancy’s underwear, her oversized t-shirt having been hiked up several moments ago.

“Is this okay?” she asks. 

Nancy nods meekly, relishing in the feeling of one side of her nose loosening up enough to let a bit of air pass through. She sniffles thickly, tilting her head back.

“That feels incredible,” she rasps. 

Robin moves to the other side of her nose, applying small amounts of pressure to her lower sinuses with some gentle massages. “How’s that?”

“Perfect. Thagk you.”

“I guess I shouldn’t feel too bad.” Robin slips her free hand through the fabric of Nancy’s underwear, expertly palming her bare heat. “That I got you sick.”

“Dot at all. *snrrf!* Trust mbe.”

One of her fingers passes through Nancy’s folds, causing her to gasp in pleasure. There’s a satisfied smirk on Robin’s face that somehow makes her even more enticing, all at once surprised and inquisitive in her ability to consistently fulfill all of Nancy’s needs.

“Are you goi’g to sdeeze soon?” she says softly. “Dod’t hold back, baby.”

Robin presses down on Nancy’s sinuses one final time before her airways are clear enough to allow a thin, watery trickle to escape the thick congestion in the upper parts of her nose. Robin manages to lower her hand from her face before a set of rapid, powerful sneezes explode out of her.

“ehhSSHH’uhh!” She doesn’t stifle at all this time, letting out a small gasp when Robin digs another finger past her folds, knuckles curling at the perfect angle inside of her. “ahh’TCHHHhiew! ‘KSHHHhew! … Hahh - ISCHHhh’uh! Sorry, I cad’t - ASCHHHIEW! - cad’t stop - hh’ESCHHHH!”

“Do you wad’t me to keep goi’g?” Robin asks, looking slightly panicked. 

Nancy suddenly realizes how aroused she’s gotten in such a short amount of time, leaking hot and heavy onto her girlfriend’s fingers as continues to pump them in and out of her entrance.

“Y-Yes - ehhSCHHHOO! - please… *snuurf* ‘TSCHHHhew! hh’TSCHHH’uh!”

Nancy sucks in a deep breath, using the gap in her sneezing as an opportunity to wipe her streaming nose against the back of her hand. It isn’t long before she notices Robin’s gone uncharacteristically quiet. Through her sickly tears, Nancy can see her face twisting familiarly. Holy hell.

“hihh’SCHHew! Shit. *snffg* hh’PSCHH! eh’ESCHhew!”

“Fuck, Rob,” Nancy breathes, letting out a tiny giggle. 

Robin smiles up at her, looking blissful despite the mess on her face. Nancy leans down and kisses her, ignoring the salty taste on her tongue, the way Robin’s lips initially twitch in protest before melting against hers. Her fingers pick up the pace inside of her, working her clit until all she can hear is the gurgling of Robin’s soft sniffles, her head thrown back as she quietly falls apart.

Nancy sits frozen like that for a while, jaw hung and thighs trembling while Robin diligently brushes a tissue across her skin, mopping up any slickness she can find. When she comes back down to earth, Robin’s still smiling, brushing her lips over Nancy’s knuckles with a tenderness that feels infinite.

“Come here,” she says.

Nancy lets herself fall into her side, sniffling her bright red nose while Robin drops a smattering of kisses along the top of her head.

“That was…” Nancy begins, her vocabulary coming up short. She doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to articulate how she feels right now.

“Yeah. It was.” Robin agrees, squeezing her tight around her shoulders. “Hhh… hh’ehhSCHH!”

“Bless y-you… eh’SSHHHOO! *snrfg!*”

Robin laughs. “Back at you, baby.”

They room goes quiet again, Robin’s hand absently stroking the damp skin at Nancy’s navel while Nancy presses the side of her face into her chest. She feels wide awake now, Robin’s gentle touch still registering as wild sparks of heat. She’s never felt so perfectly pleased in her entire life.

“So…” Robin says, clearing her throat. “Would you wad’t to… do that agai’d later?”

Even after everything, Nancy still blushes, taking her bottom lip between her teeth. “I mbead… I ab still pretty stuffed up.”

Her voice lights up with clarity. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” 

Nancy lifts her chin, kissing her for the hundredth time tonight. Kissing her in a way that she hopes communicates how happy she feels right now. Robin laughs again, winding her arm around Nancy’s waist as she tucks her face into her neck. 

Now that she truly knows how to push all of Nancys’ buttons, Nancy can’t wait to figure out how to push all of hers.

#all of this poured out of me at like 3am last night so i'm sorry if there's any typos #! #ro/nance #st/ranger th/ings #sneeze fic #snzfic #sneezefic #snz kink #snzfucker #snzblr #snz #my fics

[opbackgrounds]

So if kinda of a long question and I will really appreciate if to hear your take on this , I started watching and reading one piece not that long ago and robin became my fevorite character in the series , because her story and character is so interesting and complex and I do believe that him the final saga she will be one of the most important characters in it, but then I remember that she started as a villain and was working with crocodile to destroy an entire kingdom and she didn’t seem to have a problem with it ,and that was forgiven easily and was not brought up again in the plot, and now I have a problem with liking because it’s hard for me to know that she didn’t care about letting innocent people get hurt despite she has experienced in the past and I feel like until i will not see a redemption arc or at least for her that ties directly with what she did in alabsta , or at least an apology for what she did there to vivi once she will meet her again , I will have a hard time to like and relate to her character again. I know that you also like robin and that she is also your favorite character in the series and that you understand her character better then I ever will , so my point is how does that not bother you to like her character even though what she did in alabsta and that ? Because I dont want that bother me as well because now every time that I see her in the anime or in the manga I am reminded that she Helped to almost ruining a peaceful kingdom and and harming a lot of Innocent people and she didn’t care about it, i know that because of her past she didn’t care about the world but that still bother’s me.

Well, mostly it’s because Alabasta isn’t a real place and the people who suffered don’t exist. There’s nothing wrong with liking a character whose done bad things and don’t regret it —some of my favorite characters in all of fiction are absolute shitbags with no redeeming qualities. Fiction exists as a safe place to engage with scenarios that would be unpleasant or taboo in real life, and to me how the story handles those kinds of subjects is much more important than fretting whether or not they’re problematic or bad in the first place. I wouldn’t like it if the narrative pretended that Robin did nothing wrong, but the story itself does not care. Maybe someday if Vivi reunites with the crew we might get something between her and Robin, but not even she the princess whose country was nearly ruined by Robin’s actions is upset that she’s traveling with the crew. One Piece is not a series that concerns itself with right and wrong. They’re pirates. It literally does not matter.

But for the sake of argument, let’s take a minute to think about what might have driven Robin to that place to begin with. Because she did try to lead a normal life as a kid, even after getting her bounty. And every time she tried, the people around her tried to have her arrested or killed because they were too afraid or too tempted by the price on her head. She had no choice but to turn to a life of of crime, and that life led her to Crocodile.

Why should someone who had been mistreated their entire life give a flying fuck about the lives of people who would kill her if given half a chance? Because, sure, maybe if Robin ended up at King Cobra’s doorstep as a kid he might have protected her, but probably not. Just like his citizens would have turned over an eight year old to the marines to be executed. It’s simple, bloody arithmetic: kill or be killed. After twenty years, no wonder Robin stopped caring about the people she was hurting to achieve her goals. The entire world literally wanted her dead.

Instead of getting into the morality of what someone in those desperate circumstances might do, One Piece is a story about how you can grow past that with the help of people who truly care about you. That’s just as important as any good vs evil story out there, because there are a lot of people like Robin in the world who deserve just as much empathy and kindness even if they’ve done terrible things in their past.

Even if none of that was true and Robin was just sort of an asshole who didn’t mind the fact that she nearly destroyed a country, it doesn’t matter. She’d probably still be my favorite because I latched onto her as a kid like a baby duck and declared her mine. Sometimes that’s all there is to it, and that’s okay. Bad people can be interesting characters. Maybe I wouldn’t want to go out to get lunch, but reading about them is fun, and at the end of the day reading *should* be fun.

#sarc talks #long post

[arzuera]

Challenge! 20 Questions for Writers

Thanks for the tag @tathartiel!

1. How many works do you have on Ao3?

22. Though It would be 38 if you included all the individual one-shots in the two one-shot booklets.

2. What's your total A03 word count?

729,435 words. Which is a lot more than I was expecting! I never looked that up before.

3. What fandoms do you write for?

At the moment, DPxDC mainly. I used to write for Undertale and I have written for the Rune Factory series.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Robin's Egg with 14,291 kudos. It's, by far, my most popular on AO3. Though if we bring other Fanfic websites then The Call of a Mute Heart will be the top.

Summary: While out on nightly patrol, Robin finds a very injured Danny Phantom who is about to be forced back into his core. Now that the ghost boy is entirely defenseless, how is Damien going to protect the core from others? And even harder… how is going to keep Phantom's existence unknown to his family?

"Safe" House with 4767 kudos. This is surprising to me because this is just a 2 shot that I wrote on a whim. I didn't realize it was so popular.

Summary: Tim and Damian help Jason move safe houses. What was that in the backroom?

Rehoming with 2,607 kudos. Again, this is surprising. This is basically a one shot since I haven't finished part 2 yet.

Summary: Justice League cherry picks the Fenton research on ghosts and treats them like semi-'sentient' beings.

So Many Stars with 1,626 kudos. This one is my one shot booklet so this isn't so surprising.

An Envoy for a Night with 1,570 kudos. This is also a one shot and the first time I wrote an anger management fic.

Summary: Jazz attends a Justice League party as Danny's envoy. Chaos ensues.

5. Do you respond to comments!

I do try but it's hard. Robin's Egg gets a lot of comments and I love every single one! I'm constantly refreshing to see anything new in my inbox! But considering it can get a few hundred every chapter, it's hard to respond to every single one individually. But I do read them all and I appreciate all the love you give the fics I write.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Hmmm.... I guess, since it is currently on hiatus, Stay. It's literally about a suicidal main character who is trying to find themself in a new world with humans and monsters.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

That has to be either "Safe" House or That's How the Story Goes. Most of the stories I write end happy. So I'm rating on HOW happy.

8. Do You Get Hate on Fics?

Yes, I do! For a while, there was an anon that was trolling the dpxdc fics that a lot of my fellow authors deemed the 'fetish' Anon. They would go to dpxdc fics and write a hate comment about how the author was fetishizing something or other in the fic when, if they read the fic, it never happened. This was the one I received on Robin's Egg:

Of course, none of this actually happened in the fic but it was just general trolling hate. Then there were the 4-5 anons who trolled me on AO3 AND Tumblr by demanding I write something the way they wanted too. Then the classic, YOU DIDNT WRITE THAT CHARACTER WELL!

It's been pretty calm for a while (knocks on wood. throws salt over her shoulder) but I have certainly seen my fair share of hate.

9. Do You Write Smut? If So, What Kind?

I do but none of you will see it~

I do not have that kind of courage.

10. Do You Write Crossovers? If So, What's The Craziest One You've Written?

The only crossover is DPxDC for me. I read a lot of crossovers, at least when I was more active in the Undertale fandom. Writing? DPXDC is the only one.

11. Have You Ever Had A Fic Stolen?

I have actually. My fic The Call of A Mute Heart, when it was still in the process of being written, was stolen a total of 5 times across various fanfic websites. Lemme tell you, it was hard trying to get it taken down on the websites I didn't have accounts on. I had to prove that I had the older files and everything x.x

12. Have You Ever Co-Written A Fic Before?

Yes! It's called Contractual Obligations and I was teamed up with @tathartiel for Invisobang. It was a lot of fun! Despite our different writing styles, we were really in sync in what we wanted to do and how we wanted to write it. Its a DPxDC fic where Ghost King Danny finds out he is the son of John Constantine by a demon trying to claim his soul via a soul contract. So now Danny has to make this thing void or else the Infinite Realms is in danger.

I will co-author with Tathy as many times as she wishes because it was so much fun working with her and we are already joined up to write a fic for another event.

13. What's Your All-Time Favorite Ship?

I don't really have a favorite but I do like a good Anger Management fic. I like to read lots of different ships though because its all in how its written, for me, if i will like it or not.

14. What's A Wip You Want to Finish But Doubt You Ever Will?

Anything on my Undertale list that's unfinished. I've tried going back to them. I really have but the spark isn't there anymore, unfortunately.

15. What Are Your Writing Strengths?

Mmmmm I guess my ability to make a conversation last for an entire chapter without it getting boring or repetitive. At least, from what I have been told. Sometimes exposition needs to happen but if done wrong it can bore or turn off a reader. Yet, I've only ever heard good things for the chapters that involve them.

16. What Are Your Writing Weaknesses?

Smut. No further elaborations~

17. First Fandom You Wrote For?

Technically, it was FairyTail but my true immersion into fandom was Undertale. I'd never been actively apart of a fandom until then and I still have fond memories of writing The Call of a Mute Heart every week, waiting for people to read it.

18. Favorite Fic You've Written?

You would think I would say my two biggest fics Robin's Egg or The Call of a Mute Heart but my favorite fic is It's a Case! for Rune Factory 4. I had so much fun writing it and tried my hardest to make it feel like a cutscene from the game and from the people who read it, I think I succeeded.

Now who should I tag... hmmmmmmmm.... @gilbirda and @susiron i would love to learn about you two :3

#fanfiction #dpxdc #fanfic #tag game

[library-of-ohara]

"This is a bit of a sensitive request and it might be triggering for some. please I don't want you guys hurt by me being selfish. hello, could I please request some comforting.. anything really.. lots of cuddles, hugs, touches, supportive, hand holding just something to make someone feel good again. Maybe they find s/o crying in secret, or notices them being 'numb and not wanting to exist but not wanting to die. If I could request Luffy, Law, and/or Robin I would really really appreciate it. I'm so sorry if this request causes anyone any trouble. It really wasn't my intention…. im sorry" - Anonymous

anon my love my dear my darling, i get what you're feeling. most of us in the library do and i'd be more than happy to fulfill your request my lovely. i picked luffy and robin for this one, hope you don't mind! stay safe my sweetheart! - star (@ztarvokwrites)

TW; thoughts of not wanting to exist, reader feeling numb

Luffy stopped dead in his tracks when he heard someone crying coming from one of the rooms above deck, his grin faltering into a frown. Ignoring the questions from Usopp and Chopper, whom he was previously playing with, he walked towards the room the sound was coming from, waving his friends away so he could press his ear to the door. His frown deepened once he recognised the voice behind the sobs and sniffles, immediately opening the door and stepping in without a second thought.

In the middle of the room, you jolted, turning to face whoever intruded your mourning. When you saw Luffy standing there, a serious expression on his face as be stared at you, you just broke down even more. He frowned, gently closing the door behind him and embracing you, one arm wrapped around your waist and a hand cupping the back of your head, stroking your hair - holding you the way you liked to be held as he let you sob into his chest. Luffy didn't need to ask you what was wrong, as you had already babbled it out.

"I'm just so tired! I don't know why or what to do!! Everytime I try to be happy or have fun, I just... I just..." You sobbed, stopping as Luffy gently hushed you.

"It's okay now," He mumbled, using his powers to wrap you up and push you snug against him, your head on his chest. "I'm here."

Instead of being his usual, energetic self and taking you outside, he stayed inside with you, holding you and cradling you as you let it all out until you eventually calmed down, his hands gently rubbing your skin as Luffy gently presses kisses to the crown of your head. He hadn't realised you had stopped crying until you wriggled your hand free to rub at your eyes. Luffy cupped your face, kissing all your features before softly kissing your lips.

"You okay now?" He softly asked, smiling once you nodded a little.

"Yeah... I guess I just needed to let it out for a bit... Thank you, Luf."

"Not a problem. Hungry? Sanji's cooking meat!" He exclaimed with a sunny grin and his stomach growling. You giggled, making him smile wider.

"You're only asking because you're hungry."

"Nuh-uh!!"

Robin was very quick to notice just how... unusually quiet you have gotten as of recently. Ever since you had all escaped from Enies Lobby and left Water 7, it seemed like you had been... numb.

Eventually, Robin had found you in the library, reading a cute little fairytale book to try to get things out of your mind, yet the frown on your face convinced Robin that it wasn't working. She cleared her throat, gaining your attention.

"O-Oh. Hey, Robin."

"Are you alright, Y/N? You've been acting different ever since we set sail a week ago." Robin asked, sitting next to you. You could only shrug, scooting away a little bit as your eyes glossed over. She hummed at your reaction, watching as your bottom lip trembled.

"Dear, what is it?" Robin softly asked again, placing a gentle hand on your knee. That's when you broke, spilling everything on your mind to the woman there and then.

"I just don't wanna... Be here anymore. Like, I don't want to die but I don't wanna exist either... All that's happened recently has just made me so... Tired and stressed." You exhaled, tears pooling at your eyes as you calmly explained how you were feeling to the woman next to you.

Robin frowned a little before bringing you into a hug, forming hands to gently caress you.

"I know exactly how you feel," she began before continuing, a soft smile on her face. "But we have strong and sweet friends that can help us through anything. I'm always here for you, too." Robin reassured you, planting a soft kiss to your forehead, making you blush. Leaning into her, you hummed, letting the tears fall down your face as you two sat there in each other's embrace.

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