#single handed sailing

[a-solitary-sea-rover-backup]

Excitement mounts for Cole Brauer (USA) as she will be the second finisher of the 2023-24 Global Solo Challenge in A Coruna, Spain. The young talented American sailor is getting plenty of attention from US media as she’s poised to become the first American female to complete a solo nonstop circumnavigation by the three great capes and becoming the 18th women to ever achieve this goal.

With Forbes, People Magazine, the NY Times, NBC News, and many other media outlets warming up the crowds for her arrival, there are dozens of American citizens who took time off to make a trip to A Coruna and see her much awaited arrival. Her current expected time of arrival, depending on simulations, forecasts and performance, ranges from March 6th afternoon to March 7th midday.

The weather forecast suggests she should try to come in as early as possible due to a low pressure system that will be chasing her and, just as I would have expected, she seems to have put her foot on the gas which will mean she’ll be expected to arrive ahead of the developing depression. She will certainly do all she can to avoid arriving in boat breaking conditions which created the scenic setting for the arrival of the winner, Philippe Delamare on February 24.

Unfortunately, the Global Solo Challenge doesn’t just have moments of triumph and glee; it is a test of determination with huge emotional demands on skippers who must remain in control whether things go well or take a turn for the worse.

#cole brauer #Global Solo Challenge #circumnavigation #single handed sailing #sailing

[flashhwing]

if you think that Flint is in love with Silver is that really shipping or is that just media literacy

#okay I feel like an argument could be made either way re: whether flint is in love or not #but I also feel like there is enough evidence for that it’s just. it’s textual. he’s in love #silver on the other hand. I don’t think he’s in love with flint #I think he could’ve been. but I think #okay okay my opinions on romance are nuanced and I have to explain them to really get into this #people say that you can’t choose in relation to whom you fall in love #I say that’s half true #you can’t choose in relation to whom you form a connection #but whether that connection can be nurtured to love? that is a choice #in order to fall in love you have to let yourself. sometimes this is subconscious. #sometimes it feels like it isn’t a choice because you can’t remember choosing it #but the thing about love is it’s not a single choice. it’s a series of choices made again and again and again #and I think flint and silver had that connection. and I think flint chose to nurture that to love. and silver did not #*romantic love. that is. I would not argue that silver doesn’t love flint #but not in the same way. you know #damn check out that tags essay. anyway #this has been a post #black sails

[hwaitham]

luckie clover for each of my dear pals . .

#𓈒 ۫ 𝓹𝓾𝓹𝓹𝓲𝓮 𐂯 𝓹𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮𝓼 ₊⠀ೀ #permission 2 be sappy for a rllie quick moment ?? #it is just ! such a gift to know u all ! ! muties n regular non - nons n quiet frens on here alike . . #i miss each of you every single day n im so grateful that we get to spend time together on this spiritual plane < 3 #u all each shine a light in my life in ur own individual precious ways n i am so ! ! starstruck ! #so in awe ! that the universe gave us the privilege of getting to experience each other ! ! 🥺 #u mean the absolute world to me n i kno i say it a lot but i rllie do love u ! ! ! #ur love n friendship n kindness is what keeps me smiling n i hope mine cn do the same for u in return :< #keep radiating U ! ! ! i cant wait for us to meet again in future lifetimes ♡ #Sorrie for this silly post buuuut . . it is js so bright outside n im sitting on the balcony n can see ppl sailing on the lake n like ! #im Alive ! Weee are alive ! ! together ! walking hand in hand under the same sky ! #no matter what the sun will alwys come again to shine down on us :-D

[starbuck]

dec it is important to me that you know i'm finishing up my fourth black sails rewatch now and every time i watch this damn show i flip my lid at the appearance of someone wearing green. because of you.

this is me thanking you, to be clear.

I’M SO GLAD!!!!!!!!!!

In retrospect, I feel like my Black Sails clothing color analysis was extremely unhinged, but that doesn’t mean I was WRONG.

Green is truly just SUCH a color in Black Sails. A surefire sign that something is Wrong, though what that thing is may not be immediately obvious. It is a warning of bad things to come (Miranda in her green dress being the most on-the-nose example, but there are many, many others). An ill omen.

… in other words, it’s a LOT of fun!!!!!

#when Madi gets her final green shirt 😭😭😭😭😭 #RIGHT AFTER ELEANOR’S GREEN DRESS OF DEATH #like. Nooooooooooooooo :(((((((((((( #terrible #(i love it) #gotta find that green outfit gifset i made again #every SINGLE frame of it was colored by hand - it was insane to make #and it came out REALLY good i’m so proud of it!! #but ANYWAYS - so glad you’re having fun! #(as much fun as it’s possible to have at the END of a black sails rewatch 😭😭) #feel free to share any other Thoughts you’re having - if you want!!

[p00sy-d3stro7er]

I love how accidentally fruity (bcs i'm pretty sure it wasnt on purpose) Black Sails' Israel Hands turned out.

Like, his whole arc about Blackbeard, how he is at the same time extremely bitter about him and still somehow sentimental totally looks like an unrequited crush. He is furious at Ed for how he treated him but at the same time he still cant bring himself to hate him entirely. Becouse He remembers their good times, how dear Blackbeard was to him and perhaps this makes him even more bitter.

I'm also convinced that Israel had prepared a whole Independent woman, "i dont need you" ,"you're the Man but i got the power" type of speech when he found out that he will have to meet Blackbeard & was unpleased about the news about his death, becouse all his effort was wasted. And this is canon. Argue with the wall.

AND HIM WITH SILVER. Its fucking hillarious how he tries to sabotage Johns relationship with Flint whenever he has a chance with absolutely no reason exluding: "How dare they be in actual love when i was pining for my captain for 472828282 years and the only thing i got was a kick in my ass! 😠😠 I am not happy so neither should they! 🤬🤬" (I know Silver and Flint are everything but happy but you get my point)

And he is serving cunt honestly. With his whole girl bestie, "dump him" attitude to Silver, while being an old fuck with the greasiest most crusty dusty hair imaginable, and overall looking like this:

And when he doesnt sabotage gay relationships, he takes out his anger on John, constantly beating the shit out of him (which is totally deserved btw).

Oh and of course i have to mention his silly little moves with his silly little hammer. He is such an icon honestly.

#black sails #james flint #israel hands #john silver #captain flint #character study #kind of #i love izzy sm and i hate how underrated he is #like literally i have never seen a single post about him #also i dont want to be that person since im *not a fan* of ofmd #but the jokes about him being an old bitter prick sabotaging gay relationships #and at the same time pining for a certain Edward in every universe are writing themselves #also disclaimer before some of you come to me!! i dont think blackbeard liked him back #anyway. stan Izzy yall!!

[queerofthedagger]

coming crawling out of black sails s3e1

#black sails #i wrote a whole essay on like. messaging in the gc losing my mind but idk if anyone on here wants to read it #the like. just. the way the show frames that change from flint's hope to be able to *somehow* negotiate/find a solution #to his single-minded rage #and how i am OBSESSED IN LOVE SO GRATEFUL for it not having this immediate heavy-handed condemnation of it #how the narrative isn't even only sympathetic but like. downright approving at times? like #i mean. obviously we know how this story ends even without spoilers irt england. spain. piracy. colonialism. etc etc #but like. yeah. yeah. not repeating this in the tags of all places but might clean it up and post it tomorrow #idk idk losing my mind going insane chewing through a brickwall just !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[takiniteasynightcoreremix]

i'm almost kinda talking myself into shipping toki/abigail. i like to think they stayed in touch after dsr and abigail keeps thinking she needs to cut toki off entirely so she can focus on her own healing and not let the two of them get bogged down in their trauma but it never works and they end up periodically taking weekend getaways where they just rent a cabin somewhere and lie in bed all day holding each other shaking like nervous chihuahuas and talking about their captivity. and then they both say goodbye on monday and vow to quit doing this because they really need to move on and heal but at the end of the day the only thing that gave them any comfort during the ordeal was their ability to hold each other and when the flashbacks come it's still a source of comfort and so when abigail texts toki that he should meet her at a cabin in upstate NY for the weekend neither of them are going to put up a fight, even though abigail really does need to cut him off and focus on her own healing and not get bogged down in the trauma (she tells herself as they enter their tenth hour of cuddling)

#i have such a weakness for traumabonded characters its a problem its a huge problem #anyways yeah they arent romantic or platonic but a secret third thing (spent several months in hell hugging and cant move on from that) #fuck this is so rambly but i have so many thoughts about them.... i will sail this ship single-handed if i have to #i don't know that anyone in the history of ever has ever been as nice to toki as abigail was. that has to mean something

[hildegardladyofbones]

I don't think about this show at all anymore (they fucked up the beginning of s4 and I dropped it immediately) but god damn the showrunners knew what they were doing by establishing that John has a low pain tolerance and then amputating his leg few seasons over. The girlies were screaming, they were going wild and opening on ao3 in the next tab

#black sails #willing to elaborate what exactly ticked me off but that wasnt important to the post so i didnt do it in the post yk #john silver #ok yeah ill elaborate #did not like that they immediately dropped him in a m/f relationship #nothing against madi i think shes a great character #in fact i think they did her a disservice by making her kiss the mc immediately #but i think there was amato/heteronormativity at play here because we were barely introduced to her #they barely touched hands and bam! now theyre kissing whereas flint and silver had known eachother since ep1 #let my boy be single #besides their relationship was just average compared to the visceral hatred of silverflint #again- because they had SO MUCH HISTORY TOGETHER #had madi been there way earlier i wouldve been more fine but that wouldnt have made sense in the story #if i got some info wrong kill me now but in my defense it has been almost a year since i watched it #oh god oh no THAT WAS THE SHOW THAT GOT ME INTO COUNTRY MUSIC i had repressed that #anyway 👍 #oh btw lived for anne bonny and whatever her mans name was #like they did it right #that is how you write a compelling m/f relationship

[a-solitary-sea-rover-backup]

Cole Brauer made history as the first American woman to sail nonstop around the world by herself. 

The 29-year-old, who came in second in the Global Solo Challenge, is an East Hampton native. Her teachers at East Hampton High School watched her heavily documented journey with awe.

"It brings pride to the whole school and whole community,” said principal Sarah Smith.

"All the same things we are seeing with her now,” said video production teacher Jeremy Quitko, “Is what I saw in the classroom where she was on camera and also edited her own videos.”

…

Brauer's 130-day journey was treacherous at times, facing 30-foot waves and hurricane-force winds. Cameras at one point showed how rough seas threw her across the boat, injuring her rib. Another time she was so dehydrated, she needed an IV, which she inserted herself.

…

Adam Fine, the superintendent of East Hampton schools, used to be Cole’s principal and remembers a time when she stopped to help a stranger who got into a car accident.

“It was really indicative of her personality — there was no fear, somebody involved in the accident, she went over to help,” said Fine. “So when I watch videos of her putting in her own IV, I know she can handle these sorts of things.”

For current students who watched her journey, Cole is an inspiration.

“She obviously has the motivation and determination,” said sophomore Maya Taveras. “It’s nice to see her accomplish her goal.”

“It shows even if you come from a small town you can make a big impact on the world,” said Ryleigh O’Donnell, a senior, “Get your name out there and make a big difference.”

(Okay, so I worked it out, it seems we went to the same Kindergarten in Springs a year apart and then because my family moved a few towns over after that, I was probably at the same track meets as her in Middle and High School. IDK if she ran the 800 and the mile, though. THIS IS CRAZY.)

#cole brauer #female sailors #circumnavigation #single handed sailing #link #news

[jaynovz]

Found a little sign at the thrift store to add to the Cupcakes AU doll area hehehhe

[image id: two knitted dolls of Flint and Silver sit propped on a dresser underneath a sakura lamp. Flint is dressed as a baker and wears a bandana with a little golden skull and crossbones. Silver is wearing a fedora and red cowboy boots, he has a knitted guitar and a knitted great green macaw beside him. A tray of tiny clay cupcakes with a rolling pin sits in front of a sign next to them, it reads: "Keep Calm and Eat Cupcakes" /end id]

#thoughts #personal #gf cupcakes are a love language u homeless asshole #friend makes things!! #silverflint #black sails mod au #cupcakes au #Brinn made these dolls by hand every single element go commission them or just kiss them on the mouth

[kingsshilling]

#bits and bobs #bedwyr #éamonn #i cant say for sure whether the attempted single handed sailing actually happens or not #(well double handed sailing but bedwyr's never been on more than a rowboat before i dunno how much help he'd be.) #i'm not in control of them anymore. i never was. i can't stop them from doing stupid things

[gibbearish]

(random words bolded for ease of reading)

the best protip i could ever give to fellow adhders (but also applies to everyone) is to always keep an eye out in conversation for people who start to say something then get talked over, and once the current conversation thread ends, swing back around to them and go "what were you about to say?"

benefits:

- that person knows they were heard and feels validated and supported

- the person who interrupted them realizes they did so in a way that doesn't publically call them out, allowing them to process it on their own without shame clogging the pipes

- you yourself are less likely to interrupt others, and the times you do are more likely to be easily forgiven bc the other person knows it wasnt because you thought what you had to say was more important, but just because Mouth Move Faster Than Brain Sometimes

- there's automatically a new topic of conversation waiting in reserve

- professional environments see this as "attention to detail" and "mindfulness" and "teambuilding skills"

- helps combat subconscious bigotries/power dynamics that lead to certain people getting talked over more than others (eg misogyny/racism/homophobia/transphobia/etc)

- ^ again may help you be more mindful of those patterns in yourself and work to unlearn them

- people who like you will want to emulate the behaviors of yours they see as good

- i know people will say "create a positive space around yourself and itll domino effect" all the time and it sounds like wishy washy hippie bullshit but genuinely i cannot emphasize enough that it really does work

- like ive watched it happen in real time, i don't think i have a single friend now that hasn't picked this up from me because They Like When I Do It, It Makes Them Feel Good

- nobody likes being interrupted and everybody gets interrupted All The Goddamn Time. like i need to really drive it home that im not exaggerting when i say you'll be a sorely needed reprieve if you make an effort to do this

- and they really will start doing it in return, likely without you even having to ask if that stresses you out

- it's a small and easy way to make the world a bit kinder for everyone

- godspeed my beloveds~

#actually adhd #adhd #origibberish #long post #/long post #and dont worry if it takes a while for you to get good at it like. #even if you only notice once every few weeks at the start thats still better than nothing #because every single time you do notice makes it easier to pick it up the next time #when i was in physical therapy my therapist asked if i had been doing my massages in the shower #and i said ''no but the last two showers i have gotten out of and immediately gone 'AW FUCK' so progress'' #and she was like !!!! hell yeah thats progress! #because it is! remembering i forgot after and going aw fuck literally is progress! #because once that happens enough times itll eventually get to the point you cant not remember beforehand because that just #Becomes your association with it #and it worked! the next shower i remembered to grab my stuff beforehand and do the massage! #when youre trying to develop a new habit you have to remember that forgetting and then remembering it too late is progress. #because it means youre noticing it happening in the first place #its not just sailing right by with nary a clue #you just gotta build up the right muscles over time to let you notice it more often! and that includes rewarding yourself when you #make progress #and adhd = brains reward centers broke so you gotta do it yourself. hype yourself up like a puppy that just did a trick #like unironically be like 'eyyyy good job lets go boyss we got this hell yeah gg ez clap' or w/e and get a lil treat #even if its just like. a handful of dry cereal #protip winco has cookie bites in massive bags for pretty cheap and you can just. out a bunch in a ziploc bag and carry it around. #and just have tiny cookies on hand literally all the time #anyways yeah try to watch out for interrupting and people will like you more. cookies. 👍

[glassesandpassion]

😙

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

• Send 😙 for my muse’s reaction to yours being super affectionate. [ for Hikari, of course 💖]

Hikari's displays of affection always came unexpectedly. This time, Miyako was slicing potatoes for a very basic curry recipe when she felt her girlfriend's arms wrap around her waist from behind. The sudden touch was enough for her to yelp and drop the knife to the ground, only an inch away from Hikari's foot.

- Hi-Hikari-chan!! Tell me before doing this, y-yeah? I could've hurt you!!

But the younger woman just snuggled against her nape, humming something unintelligible. Convincing Hikari to care about her own safety had always been a pointless effort, anyone who knew her long enough was aware of that. But Miyako, unlike the others (and much to their chagrin), never really took to herself to insist on the girl's safety.

More than trusting, Miyako was selfish: once the shock dissipated, she always found herself enjoying Hikari's rare bursts of boldness. It was like peeking through the curtains and witnessing a sight meant for her eyes only. Entrancing. Endlessly fascinating. She wondered why that side of her was often repressed, her Light constantly snuffed out before it even had the chance to shine.

And as much of a fool Miyako could be at times, she knew how to appreciate what was right in front of her. With an overly exaggerated sigh, she threw her head back for a kiss, the now empty hand rising to touch Hikari's cheek.

- ...guess we're having takeout tonight, huh? - she muttered, focusing her half-lidded gaze on the other. Rare occurrences should always be properly enjoyed, after all. They could save the curry for another, less eventful evening.

#I'll Grab Your Hands~ | Hikari Yagami #Even If I Sleep In Infinity | miyakari #A Panicking Yamato Nadeshiko | Adult Verse #Chosen Children LET'S ROLL!! | In Character #digitalworid #[...happy last day of femslash february 💖] #[istg these were supposed to be single sentences silly things] #[but..... my ship......... it keeps sailing.......]

[cannotfly]

tags; verses

*❈ ‣ you sigh before your window and gaze upon the town — ( v: canon. )  

*❈ ‣ had no way to guide you so i sang day in‚ day out. i thought i'd drop and still i sang. — ( v: foggs. ) 

*❈ ‣ and we’ll sail the world and see its wonders‚ from the pearls of spain to the rubies of tibet — ( v: post. ) 

*❈ ‣ isn’t that her dainty footstep on the stair? yes‚ isn’t that her shadow on the wall? — ( v: alternate. )  

*❈ ‣ how i would like to have wings – blue ones – how i would like to open them and raise — ( v: modern. )

*❈ ‣ if we lay a strong enough foundation‚ we’ll pass it on to you. we’ll give the world to you. — ( v: single mother. )

*❈ ‣ she's been living in her white-bread world as long as anyone with hot blood can — ( v. hawkins )  

*❈ ‣ don’t need a ring for my finger just need a steady hand to hold — ( v: main. feat. heygutlcss )    

*❈ ‣ chasing our heart’s desire but we go on pretending stories like ours have happy endings — ( v: affair. feat. heygutlcss ) 

*❈ ‣ i believed i had a choice til the music in her voice turned my whole world around — ( v: singer. feat. heygutlcss )    

*❈ ‣ i know you‚ you know me. one thing i can tell you is you got to be free — ( v: feat. honorhearted )

*❈ ‣ the world was my oyster but where was the pearl? who dreamed i could find it? — ( v: feat. iocaneimmune )  

*❈ ‣ if you love me tell me that you love me. if you don't just tell me that you do. — ( v: workhouse. feat. heygutlcss ) 

*❈ ‣ and even if the dream were not impossible‚ i know too well the ending would be sad — ( v: feat. gamblecity. )  

*❈ ‣ for somebody i thought was my savior‚ you sure make me do a whole lot of labor — ( v: feat. whenjet )  

*❈ ‣ i had this feeling as i was falling the sound across the bay was the sound of you calling — ( v: great gatsby. feat. playboths )

*❈ ‣ only we know what we’ve both been through‚ if i save you will you save me too? — ( v: main. feat. playboths ) 

*❈ ‣ this was an escape plan‚ carefully timed it‚ so let me go and dive into the waves below — ( v: panem. )

#*❈ ‣ you sigh before your window and gaze upon the town — ( v: canon. ) #*❈ ‣ had no way to guide you so i sang day in‚ day out. i thought i'd drop and still i sang. — ( v: foggs. ) #*❈ ‣ and we’ll sail the world and see its wonders‚ from the pearls of spain to the rubies of tibet — ( v: post. ) #*❈ ‣ isn’t that her dainty footstep on the stair? yes‚ isn’t that her shadow on the wall? — ( v: alternate. ) #*❈ ‣ how i would like to have wings – blue ones – how i would like to open them and raise — ( v: modern. ) #*❈ ‣ if we lay a strong enough foundation‚ we’ll pass it on to you. we’ll give the world to you. — ( v: single mother. ) #*❈ ‣ she's been living in her white-bread world as long as anyone with hot blood can — ( v: hawkins. ) #*❈ ‣ don’t need a ring for my finger just need a steady hand to hold — ( v: main. feat. heygutlcss ) #*❈ ‣ i know you‚ you know me. one thing i can tell you is you got to be free — ( v: feat. honorhearted ) #*❈ ‣ the world was my oyster but where was the pearl? who dreamed i could find it? — ( v: feat. iocaneimmune ) #*❈ ‣ yesterday love was such an easy game to play; now i need a place to hide away — ( v: feat. soldwrecked ) #*❈ ‣ only we know what we’ve both been through‚ if i save you will you save me too? — ( v: great gatsby. feat. soldwrecked ) #*❈ ‣ if you love me tell me that you love me. if you don't just tell me that you do. — ( v: workhouse. feat. heygutlcss ) #*❈ ‣ and even if the dream were not impossible‚ i know too well the ending would be sad — ( v: feat. gamblecity. ) #*❈ ‣ for somebody i thought was my savior‚ you sure make me do a whole lot of labor — ( v: feat. whenjet ) #*❈ ‣ i feel like putting my arms around my knees and squeezing tight as possible and flying away — ( v: great comet. ) #*❈ ‣ i had this feeling as i was falling the sound across the bay was the sound of you calling — ( v: great gatsby. feat. playboths ) #*❈ ‣ this was an escape plan‚ carefully timed it‚ so let me go and dive into the waves below — ( v: panem. )

[love-fireflysong]

God, so I've been playing the Assassin's Creed Rogue remaster recently (mostly cause I haven't played it since I beat to original back in like 2016 lol) and I keep getting constantly reminded that while this one and Black Flag are nowhere near my fav AC games, they certainly did shine in one particular aspect for me: the modern day conflict that constantly runs in the background.

I know it's such a controversial opinion, but honestly one of my fav parts of the series has always been the modern day war between the Templar and Assassin orders. Like I love it so much you have no idea. I always get so excited in the older games when you got shunted out of the animus and got to wander around and talk to your companions and read emails or found little voice files that hint towards all the other shit that's taking place while you have your little adventure in the past. I'm obsessed with it frankly. It's why I love the comics so much but have read so little of the novelizations: the latter spends absolutely no time delving into that clusterfuck. (The game novelizations that is, the novels based in the AC world are another thing entirely and I've enjoyed each of them immensely).

Like I need you to understand, I was fucking *devastated* when they removed it almost entirely from Unity and Syndicate, it was only the fact that I still got *some* hints from the databases and whatever video footage they showed that placated me. And yeah I know they made an extremely minor return in Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, but only being able to explore like two or three time with basically no new information honestly means that I wonder why they were even included sometimes. That coupled with the fact that they removed the database entries *entirely* was pretty much a kick in the teeth for me. Sure they have the discovery tours now but that's really not the same thing. The history nerd in me loved loved LOVED anytime I went somewhere new and I got that ping of a new entry to read.

But I digress.

And I get it. I really do. Some people absolutely *hated* the modern day story line while the select few like me adore every scrap of information we can get for it. Hell, fucking Ubisoft's even come out and said that it's literally impossible for them to please everyone. One side will complain about being outside of the animus for a even a single moment while my camp will complain about there not being nearly enough of it. There is legitimately no middle ground to reach for our two camps. And I get that. That's why they made the choice that they're starting to move all of the modern conflict to online so those of us who do love it can seek it out on our own time, while the other can ignore it entirely.

It just sucks for me that while the newer games have a much more polished gameplay and are admittedly funner to play, it's the older ones that have, in my opinion, the best overarching story lines and beats.

#assassins creed #and yes i do stand by what i said regarding black flag #like don't get me wrong it's a fun game and all #i just think that it's a phenomenal 'pirate' game #but a lackluster ac entry #like edward was barely even an assassin #he was a pirate first and an assassin an *extremely*distant second #hell im pretty sure that the ac bit of the storyline doesn't even kick in until the last like fifth of the game! #like the pirating aspects of the game were super fun don't get me wrong #but the assassin bits? #the numerous small locations with only a handful of activites and one or two collectables in each one #made travelling to every single one and completing them a chore when for most you could finish them in half the time it took to sail there #and yes this is my same gripe with rogue #but at least that one revolves around an assassin/templar conflict the entire time #so it doesn't feel like im playing a pirate game with the ac name slapped on last minute to try and sell more copies

[steddiealltheway]

Steve sighs as Robin cackles and opens the door to the break room to add yet another tally to the “You Suck” side of her whiteboard. He hopes she lingers for a bit so he can get a break from the constant reminder that yes, he does suck. But the stupid hat and sailor uniform is enough of a reminder already.

And okay, maybe he enjoys Robin’s company a little bit, so maybe he doesn’t want her to linger for too long.

But he’ll never tell her that. Not in a million years.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spots someone walk into the entrance and he turns to give his “ahoy there” speech that Robin refuses to utter a single word of. Only, he gets a little choked up when he realizes he knows the person.

Well, not exactly knows him. But it’s hard not to know of Eddie “The Freak” Munson. Especially if you go to high school with him and happen to be a jock, god forbid. Not that Steve ever disagreed with the things he said, although some of it went right over his head - okay, most of it did. But! All things said, Eddie had a habit of making himself known to people.

“Ahoy there!” Steve announces louder than intended. “Would you like to set sail on this ocean of flavor with me? I’ll be your captain.” He leaves out his name because what’s the point? It’s not like Eddie isn’t aware of his existence or at least his last name which sometimes made a feature in his tabletop speeches.

“Steve Harrington,” Eddie says for him, apparently knowing his first name. “I didn’t expect to see you here.” Surprisingly, it’s not said in complete distaste. In fact, Eddie is smiling widely at him, eyes roaming over the uniform and landing on the hat.

Steve sighs, “Trust me, I know. So, what can I get for you today?”

Eddie smiles wickedly and asks, “Why don’t we set sail on this ocean of flavor and you can show me around, captain?”

A blush creeps its way up Steve’s neck and begins to burn at his cheeks. Probably from the humiliation. Nevertheless, he points out each different flavor and goes into detail about what’s in each since Eddie seems to be enjoying the humiliation, but Steve doesn’t mind it too much since he feels like he’s getting his undivided attention. And something about that makes Steve feel… less sucky.

He glances up at the end of his speech about the last flavor and catches Eddie staring at him with a small smile on his face, more genuine than before.

“What?” Steve can’t help but ask.

Eddie shakes his head. “Nothing,” he says, but the lie is clear to both of them. “I’ll get the USS Butterscotch.”

Something about the flavor makes Steve hesitate.

“What?” Eddie asks this time, slightly defensive.

“Nothing,” Steve says with a shake of his head. “Cup or cone?”

Eddie laughs, “Come on, you can’t do that.”

“Do what?”

Eddie gestures at him. “Make that face and then pretend like you weren’t thinking anything.”

Steve raises his eyebrows at him. “And you can?”

Eddie’s mouth opens and closes a few times before he leans across the top of the glass dramatically and puts his head in his hands. “I’ll get a cone please.”

Something about the image makes Steve laugh as he grabs a cone and scoop, making the order for Eddie. "You know." he says, wishing the ice cream was the slightest bit softer, "I was expecting you to get something like death by chocolate or coffee."

"Why's that?" Eddie asks curiously.

Steve glances up at him and shrugs. “Those flavors are more…” he struggles to find the right word.

“Metal?” Eddie asks, sounding almost hopeful.

“Exactly.”

The smile on his face grows. “Well, I’m glad you see me as someone metal, Steve. But what, just because you’re a jock, I’m supposed to expect you to like some gross flavor like bubblegum?”

Steve frowns. “I like bubblegum ice cream.”

Eddie sighs and runs his hands over his face. “Of course you do.” He takes a moment to look over Steve again. “But looking at you now, I’d assume your favorite flavor would be the USS butterscotch.”

“Because of the stupid hat, right?” Steve asks as he drizzles extra caramel on the top of the cone.

“I think the hat is cute,” Eddie replies.

The comment sends Steve’s heart into a bit of a frenzy for a moment before he collects himself and hands the cone over in exchange for the bill in Eddie’s hand. He counts the change two times, trying to make sure he doesn’t make a mistake as a bunch of panicky thoughts go through his head. He hands the change over quickly but hesitates when Eddie stares at it and frowns. “Something wrong?” Steve asks.

Eddie glances up at the menu, down at his change, and takes a moment before saying, “Sorry, you just charged me for a single scoop when this is a double with an extra topping.”

Steve frowns and looks at the cone. “The topping is on the house, but that’s a single scoop.”

Eddie glances up at him and raises his eyebrows.

“A generous single scoop,” Steve corrects himself.

There’s a pause before Eddie’s smile widens, and the corners of his eyes crinkle up cutely. “I think i just found my new favorite ice cream place.”

Steve laughs, “Better than Linda’s Ice Cream Parlor?”

“Linda would call this a triple scoop and wouldn’t give me a topping but she would still make me pay the extra just for asking,” Eddie complains with a smile.

“Well, I would never do that to you.”

“Is that so?” Eddie asks, leaning forward a bit.

Steve’s eyes glance down at Eddie’s lips momentarily as he tries to come up with a response.

“Hey dingus, there was a horrible delivery you missed…” Robin trails off as she looks between the two, effectively ruining the moment.

“See you around, Harrington,” Eddie says with a wink, tongue darting out and gathering up a bit of white ice cream and letting it disappear into his mouth.

Steve feels a familiar heat in the pit of his stomach and nearly groans. Instead he hurriedly tells Robin, “I’m taking my break!” And effectively ignores the look she’s giving him.

Back in the break room, Steve walks up to the board and stares at it, glancing at the “You Rule” column and whispering, “Almost,” before sighing and putting his head in his hands.

He can’t believe that Eddie Munson is sending him into a sexuality crisis. Yet, he hopes he comes back often the rest of summer. And maybe he’ll finally be able to get that “You Rule” tally.

#steddie #steddie ficlet #eddie munson #steve harrington #stranger things #scoops ahoy #season three steddie #scoops ahoy steve