#will is oblivious. and if he let himself realize what mike is doing and actually face it he would put mike on the spot about it.

[bylertruther-moved]

will says that el has a book of letters from him because he’s just pointing out that they kept in contact regularly whereas he and mike didn’t but somehow mike interprets that as if will was implying there should be something romantic between them too and it stumps will bc that’s not what he meant at all and he doesn’t realize yet why mike is actually so mad or who he’s mad at, and while we clown mike for being oblivious i think will is oblivious too bc this isn’t the first time mike’s done that and yet. will doesn’t question it. he never does and they never talk about it. he just continues with what he’s saying about how they used to be best friends. they never talk about the fact that when will fights to salvage their friendship mike talks about it as if it was more than what it was and as if continuing as they were would get between his relationship with eleven. which implies that he himself feels that their relationship is inappropriate if he wants to date eleven concurrently and explains why it’s the only friendship within the party that seriously falls apart and why will is the only party member that he completely changes his behavior n actions towards and why he’s the only party member that he no longer touches once he dates eleven. which again also explains why after they start dating it’s only when eleven isn’t around that he allows a softer, more open and present mike to reappear around will. it’s just like. why would he do any of that if he’s not projecting? will is literally the one with a canonically confirmed interest in him and yet he’s mad at the roller rink because will is ignoring him [or so he thought at that point]. he’s not mad that eleven lied. he’s not mad at what those bullies did to her. he’s mad that will didn’t talk to him. he’s so mad and hurt by will that he doesn’t even console his girlfriend who was encircled, taunted, and had a milkshake thrown on her all on tape. he stays by will’s side despite everything, even when she’s fidgeting and crying to the side of them. to top it off he even makes a passive aggressive bitchy little comment at dinner afterward because he’s still. mad. at. will. will is the one that ruined his day. not those bullies being cruel to el, but will. it clouds his vision so much that he can’t even pretend or begin to attempt to entertain the idea of being there for her when she so clearly needs him. how does anyone fucking watch any of that and not get what’s going on. HOW????

#byler #YOUR GIRL JUST GOT BULLIED SEVERELY AND YET YOU'RE MAD AT THE BOY WHO USED TO BE YOUR BEST FRIEND? #WILL IS SAYING THAT YOU NEVER TALKED TO HIM AND SOMEHOW YOU THINK HE'S SAYING YOU NEED TO TREAT HIM LIKE #YOU TREAT ELEVEN? SOMEHOW YOU THINK HE'S TALKING ABOUT WANTING MORE THAN JUST FRIENDSHIP? #WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THINKING IT YOURSELF... WHEN WILL HAS NEVER ONCE MADE A MOVE ON HIM #OR ANYTHING OF THE SORT......... #MAKE IT MAKE HETEROSEXUAL SENSE IT JUST DOESN'T IT DOESN'T IT DOESN'T IT DOESN'T 🤯🤯 #will NEVER implies anything romantic between them he NEVER does and yet MIKE the one with a girlfriend is the one that ALWAYS #ALWAYS ALWAYS MAKES THAT THE TOPIC OF THEIR CONVERSATION! he's the one that brings it up! he's the one that rejects will #when will isn't even making any kind of offer!!!!!!!!! #why would he do that if that isn't something that he feels! that he thinks about! that he's projecting onto will! #this is such a clusterfuck this is liek . this shit is more complicated than the fucking vecna plot at this point tbh #none of them know where the other is they're literally all in different fucking worlds my GODDDDDDDD #will is oblivious. and if he let himself realize what mike is doing and actually face it he would put mike on the spot about it. #mike's friendship is more than enough for will. it's enough to just have mike in his life. meanwhile mike is the one that refuses to see it. #he refuses to let himself even consider it which is why he puts that onto will and refuses to face the world around him. #he doesn't want things to change. we knew that in season three and we ESPECIALLY know that now. jesus christ.. #so much is happening in this show. #it's just insane to me tht mike has such a big heart and he cares abt the people he loves nd would protect them with his everything #and when el gets bullied like that.... he just... he's focused on will. because of-fucking-course he is. he's angry at will because #he doesn't want things to change but will's existence in his life will himself is enough to bring forth change in mike that he's scared #to accept. for whatever reason. because why is he constantly doing that? making things romantic? it's not will. it's HIM. #why can't you be his friend and continue to date eleven when you can do the same with everyone else? why is it JUST will? #why do you think that he's propositioning you whenever he talks to you about your friendship? #i'm telling you: it makes no heterosexual sense. #my thoughts #my posts

[queerxqueen]

unpacking the 4x08 van scene script

[The Full Van Scene]

Alrighty, let's break down all the bits and pieces we've got!

First we get this bit about Will wanting to play D and D and Nintendo for the rest of their lives. We then see him immediately catch himself with Uh... and when Mike is unexcited, it's described as "awkward, like embarrassingly so."

Then we get Will's internal, self-deprecating "What are you, like 12-years-old still dude?"

This is 1000% from Will's POV still, not Mike - I don't know why people think otherwise, but this is Will, being hard on himself for being childish, thinking that that is why Mike is not engaging when clearly his head is somewhere else.

This is probably the most interesting bit to me: Will senses the change in vibe; although oblivious to the actual motive behind the change.

Once again we get confirmation that we are only seeing from Will's perspective and that Mike's actions are meant to be a mystery to us. The vibe changes, not because Mike is judging him for wanting to play D&D, not even because Mike is worried about El as Will suspects next--but for some other reason unknown to Will and, at this point, the audience.

Then Mike tentatively goes into his talk about El not needing him. I think it's interesting they used the word "contemplatively" when he first talks about it. It makes it seem like this has been on his mind for a while, like there's in fact a lot on his mind regarding El not needing him.

This is really interesting too--"We've been over this before." Because... have they really? They've talked a bit about El previously, on the car after burying Hero Secret Agent Man, and in Will's room when they talk in 4x04, and Will offered comfort in regards to El. But they certainly haven't quite been over this before. If anything, it's interesting that Will feels that they have. Does Will feel like their conversations are going in circles when it comes to talking about Eleven?

Then Mike launches into his little tangent and Will--doesn't quite get it. He tries to understand but doesn't, not at first, with this awkward encounter, Mike apologizing, before Will shows that he does "get it" with the line: You're scared of losing her.

They lock eyes. A BEAT. I love when scripts specify they lock eyes, because it's so rarely necessary to do so that when they do, I can't help but think of the implications. The writers at this moment are trying to show the understanding passing between them.

I don't need to break down Mike's response: It's stunning. "His face can light up a room." Y'all, consider how down Mike was not two seconds ago, thinking he's worthless, talking down on himself. One look at Will's art, and his face can light up a room.

Will patiently waiting for approval and then being overwhelmed with relief--this is superbly acted by Noah, because that's exactly what we read his facial expressions as to begin with.

Then, of course, the moment he realizes or decides to lie: Act cool. No! Don't look at him. Focus on your words.

I love the line, no! Don't look at him! Like looking Mike in the eye right then, seeing his face--lighting up the van with his happiness over the painting--would make Will want to tell the truth instead of his lie.

This is also the only moment that Jonathan's POV is written into the script where he watches through the rearview mirror--and it happens right as Will tells his first lie, as if to signify that he's lying, to show us once again that Will is our unreliable narrator.

Will "nudges closer" just as he begins to explain the painting, showing how he is taking that first step, being brave, inching closer to the truth.

Then--

I think it's so interesting that it draws emphasis on "Mike turns his attention to Will" just after the first mention of "heart." As if somehow this word draws his attention in a way that's notable. I talked about this particular line having an impact on Mike in my microexpression analysis where again, the word heart seems to take Mike aback, and I think we're seeing that here as well, subtly, with the way it draws our eyes to Mike's attention.

We also get "Will retreats. His body follows." Which neatly contrasts the earlier "Will angles to Mike and nudges closer." Just as before he was being brave, taking a step, now--in turning the conversation back to El--he is doing the opposite. Taking a step back. Retreating, body and soul.

Skipping over the "being different" and "I hate who I am" because it's already been analyzed to death since yesterday and also it's too immensely painful...

Will launches into his El monologue and we get---now it's Mike who doesn't get it. And jesus christ, someone please help these poor boys communicate. Will is saying all these things that don't quite match up to El's actions, and he's clearly getting emotional, but Mike just doesn't get it. He doesn't understand what Will is really saying, doesn't understand that he's talking in code.

Last, I want to mention something that could be significant - the version of the script sent out to donors is missing the line "Thanks, I needed that," which was the only line from Mike's perspective in the preview of the script that 8flix posted on Twitter. Why was this line cut from the donor scripts? What other lines might have been cut, and why?

I actually asked 8flix Nick about this and will let you know if/when he updates, because it's a pretty big inconsistency in my opinion.

That's all for now. More analysis incoming, I'm sure. <3

#byler script #st4 scripts #byler #byler analysis #mine #1k+

[pinkdaiisies]

Falling (in love) Eddie Munson x fem!reader

summary: eddie is tired of hiding his feelings for you, but when you mention another guy asking you out he gets jealous. you’re mad at eddie until he taps on your window later that night.

warnings: language, mutual pining, bestfriends to lovers, jealous eddie

word count: 1,662

notes: the guy that asks you out is chance, one of the background friends in the basketball scenes! look him up before you read… he is so cute lmao. also i’m really proud of this so i hope you enjoy!

in eddies mind, you were the most beautiful girl to ever walk the face of the planet. he would do anything to show that he loves you… well except tell you.

you have been eddie’s best friend since 7th grade. around freshman year is when eddie first started to realize he liked you much more than just friends. but eddie was too afraid of rejection to ever tell you. i mean why would you want eddie when almost every guy that saw you did a double take? eddie thought you deserved someone better than him.

little did he know that you have been crushing on him since the summer before freshman year. seeing him and his buzz cut at that awkward stage of growing out made your heart flutter. you’ve always tried to flirt with him that summer, but you thought that he didn’t feel the same and he didn’t want to make it awkward so he just ignored it. in reality, eddie was quite oblivious to your flirting that summer.

eddie was getting tired of seeing other guys look at you in the hallway and you smiling back at them. he wanted you to look at him that way. his only solution was to finally express his feelings for you. he found out it’s easier said then done.

“well when i told suzie i liked her she took it very well! it wasn’t awkward at all!” eddie was so desperate for help he went to dustin.

“yeah well suzie is a 14 year old girl and you guys haven’t known eachother SINCE MIDDLE SCHOOL!” dustin did not understand why it was so hard for eddie to just tell you how he felt. it was so obvious that you liked him too!

dustin, lucas, and mike actually thought you two were dating when they first joined hellfire club. they had to ask gareth and jeff if you two were a thing. your guys constant flirting did not go unmisssd by the club.

“listen im like 99% sure she’s in love with you too, so please stop worrying!” dustin tried to reassure the metalhead.

“ok but the one percent! we don’t know for sure!”

“you are the most oblivious man in the world eddie munson.” dustin argued.

-

eddie could not reel his head around the fact that you could possibly have romantic feelings for him. sure you guys were always together, and you let him call you all sorts of names like sweetheart and m’lady, and you guys always went out to the diner on friday evenings, but that’s just what good friends do… right?

eddie was overthinking. he was pacing around his room like a madman thinking about you. so he did what he always did to calm him down. he reached in his bedside drawer and took out the note you gave him sophomore year.

hey dork,

after class do you wanna go eat at the diner? it’s friday and i’m extremely bored

♡

that note started the tradition of going out to eat every friday. eddie felt so silly that he kept that note for so long. you probably didn’t even remember writing it! but still eddie looks at the heart on the bottom of the note, convincing himself that you meant something more.

he kept everything you gave him. whether it be a note you passed him during class, a pen you lent him, or a cd you recommended him. eddie was just so smitten with you. reading the note and looking through his polaroids of you two, calmed his nerves.

his mind was set on confessing to you tomorrow.

-

eddie was not so sure about confessing to you the next day.

“hi eds!” you said climbing into his van.

“hello y/n, how are you this fine morning?” eddie said with a smirk.

“pretty good actually! you’ll never guess who called this morning!”

“who?” eddie said curiously.

“chance! the one from the basketball team.”

eddie’s heart stopped beating for a second. what the hell could he want with you? eddie thought.

“he asked if i wanted to watch a movie with him tonight. and before you say anything i said no. friday’s are strictly reserved for us.”

the color returned to eddie’s face. he felt reassured. you did seem unusually happy about chance though… maybe you felt obligated to be with eddie, like he was a burden? eddie’s insecure thoughts returned.

“how do you even know him?” eddie asked.

“he’s in my chem class. we actually kinda talk sometimes. he’s not as bad as the other basketball freaks…” you said defending chance.

sure chance was cute and all, but he wasn’t eddie. no highschool boy could ever compare to eddie. when sharing about the call to him, he almost seemed… nervous. but when you said that you had declined his date offer he suddenly seemed more relaxed.

“your seriously not defending him y/n, are you? he’s literally bestfriends with jason carver!”

“i know! i know! but trust me he’s not like jason at all.”

“god y/n if you really wanna go out with him that bad just say it, and we don’t have to go to the diner tonight!”

you’ve never seen eddie this mad before. yea sure, chance hung around with a bad crowd, but it’s not like you two were besties, you would have the occasional conversation in class!

“okay now you’re just putting words into my mouth eddie! i never said that. if i wanted to go on a date with him i would’ve. but i’m not. i told him no so i could hang out with you and now you’re mad at me!?” you really liked eddie, but man was he acting like a jerk right now.

eddie sighed, and stayed silent the rest of the drive knowing that if he said anything else he would just make the situation worse. man, did he feel guilty. he let his jealousy out, and now you’re mad at him.

once the car was parked, you got out as fast as you could and slammed the door. rushing to find robin. eddie stayed in the silence of his car for a minute before he got out.

at lunch, the first thing eddie did was try to look for you, because he noticed you weren’t in your usual seat right next to him. but instead you were sat with robin buckley at a table in the corner of the cafeteria.

he did the same thing once the final bell rang, and he saw you get into the back of steve harringtons car with robin in the passenger seat.

eddie, sadly, got into his car and drove to his home. he should be driving you to the diner right now. but no! you have to be such a fucking dick, don’t you! eddie mentally cursed himself.

-

later that evening you sat on your bed listening to a record. i should be at eddie’s trailer right now watching a movie… it was odd how upset eddie had gotten. you had the right to talk to who ever you wanted. it was almost as if he was jealous.

suddenly you heard a tapping noise on your window. you picked up your head and noticed a messy head of brown hair. eddie. you opened your window to let him in.

“hi.” eddie said not making eye contact.

“hey…”

“listen i’m sorry about this morning. i was being a dick, and i had literally no reason to be.” he looked down at you. “does the princess forgive my foolish actions?” you giggled at his words.

“i guess the princess accepts your apology. i just don’t understand why you got so mad eddie.” you said, hoping he’d elaborate on his dumb emotions.

you looked into eddie’s eyes, as he looked into yours. god, you could get lost in his eyes forever.

“it doesn’t matter… it’s dumb.” eddie looked down, fidgeting with his rings. you could tell he was nervous whenever he did that.

“eddie if it got you this upset, then it’s not dumb. you can tell me anything.” you assured him.

“i love you.” he said it so quietly under his breath. you wouldn’t have been able to hear it if you two weren’t standing so close to each other.

oh my god, why did i say that? i couldnt just make up a stupid lie to tell her? now our friendship is ruined. she’s never gonna be able to look me in the eye ag- eddie’s inner monologue was interrupted when he heard you giggle. eddie’s eyes shot back to your face and saw you smiling at him.

“eddie, do you remember the summer before freshman year?” he nodded. “do you remember when we went to the fair, and i held your hand?” he nodded again. “eddie that whole entire summer i was flirting with you like crazy, but you never flirted back. not once! i assumed you didn’t like me. but i’ve loved you ever since.” confessing made you feel lighter. a secret you’ve kept from him for years was finally out in the open.

eddie looked at you with the cutest lovesick smile on his face. it was contagious.

“can i kiss you y/n?” eddie asked.

instead of answering, you leaned your face towards his. you felt a hand rest along your cheek as he pulled you closer to him. your lips met, it felt like all the miscommunication throughout the years was being made up for in this moment. eddie kissed you like his life depended on it, but eventually you both pulled apart.

“well i know it’s late but we better get to the diner before it closes.” eddie said. “but this time i’m making it an official date!” he looked at you with a smile.

“you have no idea how long i’ve wanted to hear those words eddie.”

~~

omg thank you so much for reading! my requests are open so feel free to leave one!! xoxo

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #stranger things #stranger things fanfiction #eddie x fem!reader #jealous!eddie munson #best friends to lovers #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson fanfic #i love eddie munson #eddie munson mutual pining #pinkdaiisies #pinkdaiisies works

[artiststarme]

My Happy Fics

Here is my ever-growing list of humorous/fluff/happy fics. These should make you laugh and cry happy tears, ideally. Please leave your thoughts in the comments!

-"Get in the van, Steve."

A short, one shot fic about Steve getting accidentally kidnapped. No harm, no foul, am I right?

-"A Little Fruity"

A short, one shot fic about Eddie coming out to Uncle Wayne by accident. (Everything turns out fine).

-Ex-fucking-cuse You

Steve has a hard time vocalizing his thoughts and feelings. But all of that changes when Eddie enters his life. He makes him try and do better.

-It's Fucking Cold

Eddie loves traveling with Steve but the one thing that he can't get behind are the cold-ass hotel rooms.

-Wayne's Unspoken Shovel Talk

Wayne didn't think he needed to give Steve the shovel talk on behalf of his nephew. It was implied and he meant what he meant.

-Van Vandalism

When the people of Hawkins keep vandalizing Eddie's van after Spring Break, Steve takes matters into his own hands.

-A cute little addition/ending to the story (Part 2)

-Oblivious Eddie

Steve realizes that he's bi and immediately starts flirting with Eddie. Now if only Eddie could be more observant and start flirting back!

-Sunflowers

A soft fic about Eddie not thinking he's a good boyfriend and Steve not thinking he deserves Eddie but then they both realize that they're perfect for each other.

-Eddie Hates Drinking Water

Eddie doesn't hate a lot of things but he's never been able to get behind drinking water. Until Steve tricks him into liking it when they start dating.

-When Life Gives You Lemons...

Eddie has a unique way of dealing with anxiety but you know what they say, when life gives you lemons....

-... You Make Lemonade

Part 2 of the series where Eddie makes up his own idioms and accidentally comes out to Steve in a play on words.

-April Fool's

Just a short story on how I think Steve and Eddie would handle April Fool's Day. Chaos, Romance, and Misunderstandings, oh my!

-Intrusive Thoughts

Eddie is prone to voicing his intrusive thoughts and he accidentally gaslights Steve into thinking they're his when he doesn't remember. Cue panic, protective best friends, and name-calling!

-No Steves Allowed!

Eddie has one firm rule in Hellfire; Steve Harrington is not to be mentioned under any circumstances. It works until it doesn't.

-Steve Has a Minor Fear of Spiders

Everyone is afraid of something. It just so happens that Steve has a debilitating fear of spiders and Eddie has to find out the hard way.

-College is for me but only if it’s us

Eddie and Steve make plans to go to college together. The Party learns some surprising news.

-Strike!

Hopper goes to pick up Steve for a family bowling outing and gets more than he bargained for.

-Goddamn Wheelers!

Hopper is the biggest supporter of LGBT+ as long as it keeps the Wheeler family out of his life. Steve dating Eddie Munson? Fine. El breaking up with Mike Wheeler? Absolutely fantastic! Will dating Mike instead? WHY???

-A Date Gone Wrong

Eddie was never going to let Steve plan an outing for their date again. First hiking, now squirrels? Absolutely not.

-Utter Chaos

Steve would do anything to protect his Platonic with a capital P soulmate... Like outing himself to cover for her.

-Highway to Hell

Steve is a really bad driver in actuality and when Eddie tries to tell people, no one will believe him!

-A Sleepwalking Surprise

A sleepy Steve outs him and Eddie to the kids. Luckily for them, they escape the ensuing chaos.

-Interested or Not?

It takes Steve way longer to realize Eddie is into him than it should. Luckily for him, it all works out.

-Wayne Deserves Way More Credit

Wayne loves Steve for his nephew and he'll do his best to keep them together despite Eddie's stupid decisions.

-A Zoom Call Gone Wrong...

A modern Steddie AU where Eddie interrupts Steve's college course zoom call in the worst way possible.

-Shakespeare? Gay as Hell

The reason Eddie keeps failing English is because he keeps making his essays gay. Wayne approves and Mrs. O'Donnell definitely does not. Based on this post!

-Hellfire Adopts Steve

Hellfire adopts Steve in high school after the fall of King Steve.

-From Alibi to Reality

Steve acts as Eddie's alibi for the cops to clear his name. It only escalates from there.

-Happy Halloween!

Halloween of 1986 is the best day of Eddie Munson's life and he attributes most of that to Steve.

-Baby, it's cold outside

Eddie only likes Winter when he has Steve there to warm him up.

-Unnamed thus far

Will comes out to Steve and Steve just can't figure out why. Things become clearer with time.

#stranger things #my works #my fanfic list #steddie #(they're all steddie) #my happy fics

[byler-4-life]

Okay, my take on the Noah's comments today.

So Noah said that the Mike and Will were going to have a conversation in Episode 8, and that it was "pretty sad". This tracks with what Noah said in an interview before Volume 1 came out that Will's "saddest moment" would be in this Season. This is likely the moment he's talking about.

I've seen others theorizing that this might be Vecna related, or somebody dying. But I don't really think so, because the comment today was a direct answer to a question asking if the show was going to explore Mike and Will's developing relationship more. That means the answer should be directly related to that topic.

Guys, we might have to brace ourselves for some sort of rejection. Now, I don't think it will be nasty or intentionally hurtful on Mike's part. He would never do that to Will. But you have to consider what we know about Mike's character. Characters in the show, and Finn himself in interviews, have both said multiple times that Mike is completely oblivious.

Mike has no idea that Will has romantic feelings for him. However I think at this point, Mike is conscious of his own romantic feelings for Will, and is actively trying to combat them, by putting on a front for himself and everyone else that he is super into his girlfriend, etc. Mike never dreamed Will would think about him in this way. Mike is planning on hiding his own feelings for Will forever.

So if he's suddenly put in a situation that triggers him or threatens to expose him, he might freak out a little. For example, if Will gives him the painting in Ep8, and it's of the first time they met, and Mike suddenly realizes that Will actually heard what Mike said to him in the shed in Season 2. Will actually heard Mike say that it was the best thing he's ever done. And Will is staring at him, waiting for an response...

Mike's first reaction might be "oh shit, Will knows about me" rather than "maybe Will feels the same way". He might be a bit abrupt and not give the painting the praise it deserves. Maybe a short thank you and then he tries to get out of there before he's exposed.

We know that Will poured his heart and soul into this painting for Mike. If it just gets a token acknowledgement, this could be the sadness that Noah is referring to. This could even lead to the coming out moment if Jonathan notices that the convo didn't go well.

So yes, brace yourself for a little hurt. But I'm even more excited that Noah said "In Ep9....you'll just have to wait and see." So I'm guessing after the awkwardness in Ep8 happens, Mike makes it right in Ep9. He might realize he hurt Will with his reaction, and as nervous as he is about being found out himself, he won't let that get in the way of comforting Will. Maybe not full on requited out loud, but enough that we viewers can see it clearly.

tl;dr - Misunderstanding/awkwardness/potentially sad Will in Ep8. Beautiful byler scene in Ep9.

#byler #sorry for rambling #i had so much to say about this lol

[and-stir-the-stars]

You mentioned in a post that Saffron Evan eventually becomes somewhat protective of Mike. How would he respond if someone harmed Mike after that point?

(Obviously there might be a different response to different levels of assholery, so answer whatever type(s) interest(s) you.)

I think Evan’s overprotective phase happens relatively early in his and Mike's post-capture relationship; Evan generally acts very spiteful and hateful (partly to cover up the inherent fear of Mike he still has ingrained in him, but also because his whole world has been turned upside down and he's scared and has no one else but Mike around to blame) for six months at the very least. Evan finds Mike's old letters and his faith in William gets shattered, thus shattering Evan’s world once more; Evan is more angry and lost than ever before, and he doesn't know what to do with the hope that maybe Mike did-- does-- care about him after all. There's another month or two of Evan, like, equal parts lashing out AND reaching out to Mike through the trauma, before it suddenly occurs to Evan "hey, Mike knew that William was dangerous and would try to use me and just left me there anyway." Cue even more lashing out before Mike finally has his speech that makes Evan realize oh, Mike was just a scared kid back then and I didn't help matters very much; aka, the realization that Mike is just a person and not Big Brother Who Was Supposed to Care About Me and nothing else.

This realization is what sparks Evan’s overprotectiveness in the first place. It's, like, equal parts guilt over the hand he played in doing this to Mike and fear because Mike has finally started to care about him and care FOR him and he doesn't know what he'll do if something bad happens to Mike. And there's a big element of, like, Evan can tell now how badly Mike actually treats himself and Ev finds it unnerving.

Annnnnd, now for the purpose of that whole recap: Evan’s overprotective phase happens while he and Mike are still reclusive and very much isolated from society; Mike hasn't even met Jeremy yet at this point. So, there's not actually a lot of opportunity for Evan to catch someone doing something to hurt Mike. It would probably have to happen during a trip to the store or a fast food restaurant, or one of the times when Mike brings Ev to the parlor he's taking an apprenticeship at or to one of the side jobs he's working at.

So, now I'm imagining some absolute jerk going off at Mike when they're at a store or at one of Mikey’s jobs. It would probably be an adult going off at Mike, and adults still heavily trigger Evan’s anxiety and ptsd (both because William conditioned Evan to stay wary of adults-- little kid Evan can't let anything slip to an adult if he's too afraid to talk to them, right?-- and William just Being Abusive has made Evan wary of adults, especially adult men). Because of this, I doubt Evan would, like, directly go after the adult insulting/humiliating Mike; he's not going to say anything to the person, and definitely won't scream or try to physically overpower the adult. but I can see him doing something "pranky."

Except Evan would be awful at pranks. There's actually this one scene in Scrubs where a guy named JD pranks this girl by dumping a bucket of cold water while she's in the shower, and JD narrates that the girl isn't so good at pranks before the camera cuts to the girl obliviously throwing a raccoon in with JD while *he's* in the shower and he comes out with soooo many scratches, lmao. Anyway, I am now imagining that Evan has his raccoon with him in the store, maybe snuck in his jacket or a bag or smth, and Evan follows the jerk into the bathroom before shoving the raccoon under the stall with the person and listens happily to the person's screams of pain and terror :)

That's probably a bit extreme for Evan, though. I can see him stealing the person's shopping cart while they're distracted and rolling it away, maybe tipping it over or rolling it into some shelves. He tries hiding behind Mike when the person turns their anger on him, and Mike just grabs Evan and bolts out of there. He wants to be mad at Evan, especially because Evan is very specifically not supposed to be calling attention to himself or doing anything to trigger his ptsd, but like... that was pretty funny and he's kinda proud of his little bro.

If it's a younger teen or a little kid somehow insulting/hurting Mike, then Evan might try snapping at them or getting physical, but then again, Evan also has ptsd and trauma from all the kids he killed and let be killed when he was with William, so maybe Evan wouldn't try anything directly. Not really sure.

Anyway, like I said, Evan’s overprotectiveness is a result of that Realization about Mike being an Actual Person; it's a very intense and rather unhealthy overprotectiveness, and while it's good that Evan is starting to actually care about things outside of William again, his overprotectiveness is something he has to work on in his therapy sessions. He has to both get it down to healthy level and learn that the ways he's trying to protect Mike aren't altogether healthy on their own. Like, there doesn't actually need to be a whole story about someone being a jerk to Mike in the store to make Ev lash out; Evan will growl and try tugging Mike away if someone so much as says hello to Mike or tries asking what aisle the cereal is in.

Though, just because Evan works on the overprotectiveness in therapy doesn't mean it goes away entirely. It crops back up when Evan is stressed and when Ev can tell Mike is overly stressed, too. I'd imagine that if/when Henry comes back into the picture post-capture, Mike’s stress about the situation once again triggers Evan’s overprotectiveness.

#I'd go more into how henry affects things but i really don't know yet #Saffron pawn au #evan afton support center #evan afton #I am open to any thoughts you guys have on how henry might fit into the au btw

[oddree13]

Six Kids and a Winnebago - Chapter 1

(Read on AO3) (Chapter 2)

Summer has come to Hawkins and the kids begged and pleaded to be driven to the lake to swim. Eddie agreed to take the second car full of gremlins which is how he finds himself sitting in the shade with Robin while the kids splash around the lakeshore. Almost immediately upon arrival, Steve began to set up a sandwich station for lunch with Nancy offering her assistance, leaving the pair to gossip and chat.

Eddie scans the scene before him and takes in the sight of Harrington and Wheeler making sandwich after sandwich, while the teenagers start a game of chicken. It’s almost too domestic for his taste but reminds him of something he’s been meaning to ask Robin. “So tell me, how much shit have you given Harrington for his six kids and a Winnebago comment?”

“I gave him a decent amount before we even left the Upside-Down. Then it reemerges every single time we wind up on an outing like this, naturally. And yourself? Does he get just as pissy when you tease him?” she laughs, clearly finding Eddie’s question amusing as she too takes in the tableau before them. Eddie knows Robin’s looking for trouble because while they were individually smart, they were collectively, undeniably dumb. So leaving them without some form of supervision in a lake wasn’t exactly the best idea.

Eddie has to admit that the way he riles Steve up is different from Robin. It's funny to make the other man squirm because Eddie can tell he's not used to the kind of flirty teasing Eddie dishes out. "Oh he does, but I have yet to breach that particular line of jesting. I just don't see how he thinks he's going to find a mate that wants to have six kids. Like that's insane," he whistles. In some ways, the King of Hawkins still has a mighty opinion of himself, especially for a beta.

“I mean, he kinda already ended up with way more than six,” she gestures, using her coke can to point at the kids now taking turns at dunking each other under the water as the girls laugh at them. “And to be fair, I don’t think he’d actually put himself through having that many. I think it was more like, a dumb kid's dream. Like, I wanted to be a pop star but also a lawyer with seventeen pups and a yacht. But for argument’s sake what’s not an insane number? In your opinion.”

"I think four is good. After two you both start to be outnumbered which is always a problem, but I get the interest in a proper pack," Eddie answers before realizing what Robin started her ramble with. "Wait, wait back up Buckley. You said put himself through that. By that you meant like he wouldn't actually ask his mate for six kids or..." he pauses because he feels like someone's about to pull the rug out from under him.

“I mean that he would be the idiot carrying them. And we’ve all seen how dramatic he gets when he’s ill. Imagine nine months of that? No thank you.” She shakes her head as she replays that scenario letting her sunglasses fall over her eyes.

“Hey! Idiots! Stop doing that,” she warns, turning Eddie’s attention from his miniature crisis to look as Mike Wheeler attempts to climb a tree to jump into the water be thwarted. The teen freezes at Robin's stern warning, and he finds it amusing how readily the young Wheeler listens to Robin but ignores Steve almost entirely nowadays. But even with the distraction, the information bomb Robin just gave him has him looking a bit wide-eyed - Steve Harrington is an omega.

“Why do you look like you’ve just been told the sky is purple?”

"I, uh, thought Harrington was a beta or alpha...so does that make Nance...?" he wonders, his brain stuttering.

“Nance is an alpha. All the Wheeler kids are,” Robin supplies him with what she clearly sees as obvious information, eyes drifting back to the kids to make sure Mike has actually gotten down.

“Did you really not know any of this? Where is your head, Munson? Under a rock? Buried in the sand? Jeez.” It’s not news that Eddie could be oblivious at times, but the way Robin is looking at him it seems like this is common knowledge and not something subtler he should have been cued into. In retrospect, it should have been painfully obvious, especially when one look at Steve being followed by a small pack of pups he essentially “mothers” would tell you exactly what you wanted to know.

"Clearly not paying attention to the school gossip,” he mutters. “I dunno I just thought with all his popularity he'd be I dunno, not be an omega. Not that there's anything wrong with that!" he adds looking at Robin with concern.

“Hey, chill. Reign in that panic yelling tone you get. I know you’re not an Alpha dickhead, no need to tell me there’s nothing wrong with him being an Alpha. But to explain, Steve was a late bloomer, people assumed he’d be an alpha so he got the little title of ‘king’ and it just stuck. As did all the popularity, especially with alpha women,” she grumbles, and Eddie can’t tell if it’s from frustration that Steve gets more women hitting on him than her or if she’d appreciate fewer distractions at work.  

Eddie's never been a secondary gender guy, more focused on liking men in general. But this new information is something he feels conflicted about learning. He glances across the way to where Nancy is taking the pickle jar from Steve who’s been trying to open it for a few minutes now. "Well the two of them make sense now. And these kids really do seem to be Harrington's practice run."

“Yeah, they did make sense. Until they didn’t.”

The way Robin talks about them was as if they were in the past tense, and aren’t actively in front of them making sandwiches for their pseudo-children. "So he and Wheeler didn't get back together after their tension-filled Upside-Down adventure?" He asks finally looking at Robin who looks too amused at Eddie's confusion and questions.

“Yeah no, I mean, no. I think they figured out they were better of as friends. They didn’t really get the chance after the last breakup to chat it out, right? I mean, you weren’t there to really see it, obviously, and neither was I obviously,” she recalls, looking confused as she tries to tell Eddie two years worth of Stancy drama. “Let’s just say between last summer and this spring Steve tried it with every girl that walked into work but didn’t get his closure until a few months ago.”

The best part about having Robin be the keeper of the Tome of Harrington is that her propensity to word vomit gives him a bit more information every time. Bless her.

“So how do you think he’s doing on his practice run at kids?” she queries, trying for a slight pivot in conversation.

"I'd say if it weren't for Stevie being a horrible patient I'd trust him to raise a bus full of kids."

“That’s a very nice way to put it. But a bus full of kids would make his beautiful hair fall out and he’d lose all of his powers.”

"True. Harrington losing his hair would be a grave tragedy as that is certainly something to be passed on," he nods, looking over to see Steve call Max over to reapply sunscreen. "Frankly if that man breeds too much the next generation will be helpless against his offspring. Too much charm in Hawkins would make it explode."

“I mean, Hawkins could do with a little bit more charm. Don’t you think?” she posits.“Or maybe if he mates with someone with a little less conventional charm. It would maybe even out the charm to average.”

Eddie looks away from the shore when Robin's hint smacks him. He needs to stop drooling. It's not like he really looked at Steve before like that. I mean other than the normal amount that people looked at Steve Harrington.

“But as I said, I don’t think he’d have six. I think he’d have three at most. Considering he’s already got all of these to deal with too, right?”

"Well, I'm sure he'll find someone soon enough. And honestly, if anyone is going to have a pack it's going to be Henderson with his Mormon girlfriend."

“Oh, god. I didn’t even think about that! He’s gonna have loads, a little army of nerds. You and Steve will have your hands full with that,” Robin snorts as her eyes find Dustin in the water.

"Whoa whoa wait, why am I suddenly dealing with Henderson's litter? I think I've done enough babysitting in the last few months to be absolved of that. Besides, do you think Suzie would let me near her and Dusty Buns' precious pups," he giggles, his voice pitching up to imitate the sweet voice they've all heard through the radio.

“You’re like, Dustin’s idol. He totally talks about you to Suzie-poo,” she lilts. “And she loves pretty much everything about Dustin, including his occasional bad grades and weird father figures. That’s you and Steve by the way. Weird and fatherly to him. So naturally, you’ll be dealing with them. In fact, I’m sure Dustin would make them call you both grandpa just to mess with you, man. You’ve met the kid. You’ve met the kid’s attitude.”

Eddie can't help but grin at the idea that Henderson would fight to include him in his life even after he grows up. "I think I could at least escape with an Uncle Eddie, not grandpa. I'm not that much older than Henderson.

“Grunkle Eddie,” Robin mumbles under her breath, making Eddie roll his eyes.

“Steve would definitely be entrusted to be like a godfather or whatever for Henderson’s kids. Harrington is going to have the strangest extended family his poor mate."

“Steve is going to have the weirdest extended family, we all are. Here’s your auntie, she has superpowers. And your uncle, he’s been to the upside-down. Oh, and that’s Mike,” she jokes, pushing her shades up to look pointedly at Eddie. “But if you ask me, I wouldn’t be surprised if Steve hasn’t already met the one who’ll get him closer to his Winnebago dreams.”

That statement makes Eddie’s stomach twist. He doesn't want to think about Steve already meeting the one . It's probably some pretty alpha his parents approve of who would look good in an oil painting over the family mantle.

Eddie looks over and watches Steve and Nancy work in a comfortable pattern - Steve whacking the sandwiches together in an unnecessary rushed manner, while Nancy, ever the perfectionist, fixes them before cutting them into triangles.

Eddie realizes he’s staring into the middle distance because it’s only when Steve whistles for the kids to come in and eat that he snaps out of it. "Should we head over? I'll carry your parasol m'lady."

“Aren’t you a gentleman!”

Eddie stands and takes the umbrella he and Robin have been camping out under to avoid the sun. Eddie's in a cut-off black tank and jean shorts, having explained to everyone several times that no he doesn't own a bathing suit. He strolls over with Robin, arms linked with her, and lowers her on the blankets Nancy has spread out. It earns him a thank you Sir Edward, and as soon as her attention is on Nancy he stakes the umbrella back into the ground and chances the rays to get food.

He walks over to Steve who's in charge, making sure the kids get their own sandwiches, watching for allergies and weird food preferences. Steve looks somewhat stressed as he sorts through each of the sandwiches whilst simultaneously dealing with their attitudes.

“Look, see, you just have to give me like, a whole second to sort it out Henderson I can give you your food, calm down” Steve huffs, handing off the last of the plates to the kids, exasperation lacing his movements. There are only two plates left on the table he packed for the day, and Eddie is about to reach out to get one when Steve stops his hand and patiently waits in case Steve needs a second.

“Eddie, that one is yours. Thanks for not telling me to hurry things up,” he says, glaring at the kids.

Eddie takes his plate, giving a disappointed look to Mayfield and Henderson for antagonizing Steve. "Nah I'm just grateful to be fed. Ooh, ham & cheese with pickles, thanks Stevie," he smiles, pleased that his sandwich order from last time was remembered.

"Did you make yourself something or did you forget again?”

“Yeah, of course, I made myself one. I’m not an idiot.” Eddie would later find out that Steve had in fact forgotten to make himself something until Nancy pointed it out.

"I didn't say you were an idiot Harrington don't get snippy," he pokes, looking around for a place to sit.

“I’m not. I’m not getting snippy.” Steve states in a very snippy tone as he moves to sit down on a fallen tree trunk,

“You know they're all old enough to feed themselves right?" It’s an argument that’s been rehashed and rehashed between them all because everyone agrees that unless checked Steve will overextend himself.

“I know, I know. But picture how many ingredients they’d use on their sandwiches, man. It would be a nightmare. It’s way easier this way,” he reasons, moving around the table to find an empty spot to eat.

"And again they are teens they can self-regulate their condiments." Eddie looks around and sees everyone settled in and trying drying off, finally noticing that Steve is still bone dry. "No water for you?"

“I’m going to. After my sandwich has settled.”

"Of course, you're going to wait the recommended amount of time post-meal to swim." Eddie has a sneaking suspicion that the kids will be made to wait too. It’s clear Steve got too caught up in making sure everything was okay with the kids, that they were using sunscreen and their lunch ready, that Steve had forgotten to enjoy himself.

“Obviously. It’s obviously recommended for a reason, why would I not wait? It would be silly, Munson,” Steve tells him so matter of factly before digging into his sandwich that Eddie has to laugh.

“And you're worried about me being dry when you’re not exactly dressed for a swim. No water for you, either?”

"Nah not going to swim. I've actually got a secret Harrington," he whispers, leaning into the other man. "I can't swim for shit. Like at all."

Eddie is leveled with a shocked expression and watches as Steve swallows a mouth full of food before talking. Eddie's amused by how much Steve adheres to his manners. The man would rather choke than speak with his mouth full. “You’re kidding”.

"Nah not joking. That night we crossed through Watergate? Well, I partially hesitated because I can't swim. But with all the shit happening I figured drowning wasn't the worst way to go if I couldn't sink and kick enough. But seeing as I survived, I'm not looking for a repeat performance."

“So you literally just sank your way into the upside-down? I just thought you looked frazzled because of the whole alien world and bats.” It’s clear Steve couldn’t quite believe it, and he looks at Eddie as if trying to figure out how someone in Hawkins with all the lakes and quarries hadn’t learned how to swim.

“Well, most of the water you can stand in. You at least have to get your feet wet. And I’m a registered lifeguard, you know? So it’ll be fine”.

"I don't have to do anything of the sort. Your lifeguard line might work on the ladies but not me pretty boy," he insists, shaking his head because he's not getting near that lake, even with the promise of Beach Barbie Steve. "Besides I'm keeping Robin company by engaging her in sparkling conversation and dazzling her with my wit and showmanship."

“And by that, you mean that both of you totally sat there gossiping and bullying us all, huh? That’s what you mean by sparkling conversation?” Steve has experienced firsthand the power that was the combination of those two and their words. Enough to make a grown man cry. Luckily for him, he was used to it. As were they all.

"Steven! Are you implying that Robin and I are no better than a pair of gossiping hens," he gasps, clutching his chest in mock offense. "Tsk tsk, Harrington. Besides its not gossip if it's true." He moves just in time out of Steve's shoving rang, laughing as Steve swipes for him.

“I mean, yeah. That’s literally exactly what I’m implying, Eddie. And what’s it about the water that won’t let you put your feet in? You could stand and kick water at the kids. That’s pretty fun and super not a drowning risk.”

Eddie shakes his head. “No, no, no. See it starts with ‘dip your toes in, kick the kids.’ Then it's let me show you how to float. Next thing I know the little gremlins are tackling me and I'm swallowing lake water."

“I mean, it is so easy to float you know? But I wouldn’t push your boundaries. Not today at least. And I’d also be in the water, you know? Kids would tackle me not you. And nothing wrong with a little lake water.”

Eddie rolls his eyes and looks over at Steve explains further why he should be in the water. "You know if you wanted to see my shirtless all you have to do is ask, big boy. No need to offer me lessons," he teases, figuring his forwardness would get Steve to give up like every jock that's come before him. It seems to work when Steve flushes, but Harrington is always one to push on.

“When we get back, you can do lessons at my place. Until then, all I ask is your feet in the water. To get the full experience of our day out. And you don’t even need to strip down to do that!” he argues before finishing off his sandwich. “And don’t use Robin as a crutch, I will be throwing her in the lake in thirty minutes.”

"Does that mean I don't have to go in for another thirty minutes too since I've just eaten? Swim cramps are very serious Steven," he mocks, imitating Steve's concerned face, even going so far as to put his hands on his hips.

“Yes. Mainly because if you go in and I try and get the kids to wait, they’re going to tell me to fuck off. Besides, I think we all need a little time to relax.”

"And I think you should save your swim lesson energy for your next date. You need to make sure your mate knows how to swim so the whole Harrington brood can be aquatic prodigies."

Steve steps over Eddie’s comment and barrels forward. “No, I need to make sure you know how to swim. Because it’s important. So shut it about me using it as a dating tactic. If you’re really worried about people thinking me teaching you how to swim is a date, I’ll get Robin to teach you instead. And she’s mean.”

Eddie really does enjoy riling Steve up. Mainly because Steve doesn't get worked up over normal things. No Steve Harrington gets worked up about safety, improper footwear, and whether the kids are home before midnight. "Harrington, I don't think I'd be the one worried about a dating rumor. You're the one with the very shiny reputation. I'd hate to taint that."

Steve frowns and Eddie would pay money to know what he’s thinking. It’s quiet for too long and Eddie is about to say something to break the tension when Steve mutters, “I don’t care about my reputation like that.”

He doesn't meet Steve's eyes when the omega says that because he doesn't want to know how sincere the comment is. This group has taken him in and Eddie's convinced he's somewhere in a coma imagining it all. Sighing dramatically, he throws his hands up. "Fine I'll dip my toes in and I'll consider dropping by your place for lessons if you can fit me in between your busy dating and work schedule. Does that sound like a deal?"

“That sounds like a deal. We’ll figure out the schedule when we get back.” Steve stands, collecting their plates, and walks over to throw them out, only to come back with a can of beer for each of them.

"My my Mister Harrington, careful with the little ones running about."

“Like those idiots would be able to drink a beer without gagging,” he stated quite simply as pops his beer open. “Besides, one beer won’t hurt. We only brought a four-pack for the adults.”

"I think Wheeler the younger would chug it just to spite you. It's kind of funny how he has it out for you. Which means I've got one of them who likes me more than you." He clinks his can against Steve's and absently wonders if Steve would mate with someone just as responsible as himself.

“Ugh, I have no idea why he’s got it out for me. Like, his sister was the one who technically broke up with me. It’s not like I was mean to her, you know?” He lets out a big sigh before taking a few long sips. “And congratulations. Mike is shockingly hard to have favorites. And I mean, Dustin idolizes you. Even Erica thinks you’re cool, though she won’t say it to your face ever.”

"I think he thinks you two are going to get back together. I mean all the kids do," he mutters, looking out at the gaggle. "Henderson is always trying to set you up with Robin. It's kind of sweet how they're determined to get you a date.”

“For fucks sake that’s not going to happen,” Steve insists. “I’m kinda getting sick of telling them all that. But if that’s the case, then why is Mike being a little dick to me twenty-four seven? And I don’t know how many times I need to tell Henderson that Robin and I are just friends. Like, friends. Plat-”

“Yes, yes, platonic with a capital P I know. I mean I thought you two would make a great couple until Buckley read me the riot act. Didn't get what her type was and now I know it is definitely not you," he chuckles. "But you don't help your cause you know. Fucking six kids and a Winnebago, Harrington."

“She’s good at reading the riot act. Or screaming it, I guess. Countless topics I’ve had that read against me.” Steve groans at the mention of his apocalyptic confession. “Ugh, not you too. Did she tell you to say that? And what do you mean it doesn’t help my cause?”

"No Harrington she didn't. I might have been in the back of that RV but we all heard your dream. For the record, I think it's sweet that you think of the future like that. But the kids probably see it as a challenge to find you the person willing to handle six Harrington pups." He leaves out the part where he just learned today about Steve's socially acceptable breeding kink with that number.

“I said it was my dream. It had been my dream, what I thought about when Nancy and I were together. But that was high school. I think you guys can cut me some slack.” Steve argues and looks off, staring out onto the lakeshore, his hands twitching against his beer can “You know, I’m starting to think that’s just not for me. Finding a mate, you know? Not that I’m implying you can’t find a mate. That’s not what I meant by ‘y'know’ y'know?”

Eddie feels his stomach drop at the way Steve sounds. "What makes you think you can't find a mate? I get that these past few years haven't exactly been prime dating conditions but a lot of women in Hawkins would probably kill each other, battle royal style for the chance to go out with you."

“Yeah. Date. Not mate. Massive difference.” Steve shifts as he glances over to the kids as they started to finish up. “I mean, I’m not desperate to settle down or anything. But no one seems interested past the dating stage. And most get frightened off by the kids.”

"By these kids?" Eddie exclaims and is now offended on Steve's behalf. "Then fuck then. If someone is going to turn you down because this group scares them they don't fucking deserve you. Do they realize how fucking lucky they'd be to be accepted into this group? Like talk about ideal in-laws. Sure they'd drive you crazy but how many people have one person willing to shatter knees for them let alone more than ten. I agree, no date is worth your time in that case."

Steve just robotically nods along as Eddie rants. “Yeah. Yeah, I usually cut them off as soon as they make even a hint of a comment about you guys. You’re all way too important to me. No chance in hell would I risk you guys, you know? And then there’s my dad who’s been trying to get me to come around to just arranging a marriage. Not like an official arrangement. Just that his business partners have suitable Alphas my age. Or a little older. But I could never.”

"I don't think stuffy business alpha that's a carbon copy of your parents would suit you from what I've learned about you. But if it makes you feel better I'll never get a mate either. Innocent or not, murder suspect does wonders on an alpha's mating potential."

“Yeah, but that’s silly. You were a suspect and you were cleared of it. You didn’t murder anyone. Like, not even close.” Steve rolls his eyes at the idiocy of the town they lived in.

Eddie just laughs wryly and holds out his beer can for Steve to toast. "To being single and watching these kids grow up.".

“To being single and watching them grow up.”

#steddie #steve x eddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #omegaverse #steddie fics #stranger things #stranger things fic #robin buckley #nancy wheeler #ronance #the party #dustin henderson #lucas sinclair #max mayfield #will byers #mike wheeler #el hopper #myfics #Six Kids and a Winnebago

[onstoryladders]

Do you know those early 2000s to mid 2010s shows with 26 episodes per season and full of filler eps where one of the characters like, learns to play soccer or whatever, just for that to never be brought up again for the whole of the show?

If stranger things was one of those shows, what filler episodes would you write?

(originally sent this to foodiewithdahoodie but it was so great I'd love to see more answers now)

THIS IS SUCH A COOL ASK GDBDJDBDNDGDG

Alright so I would definitely use those filler eps to explore different relationships and dynamics! I would hate to let them go nowhere tho 😭

These ideas are mostly funny, with a 2000s sitcom/Disney Channel show vibe gdvdudbsb

❀ THE OBLIGATORY SPOOKY EPISODE

This could be set on a Halloween night, but whatever works! The kids find themselves in a spooky situation, maybe they decide to explore an abandoned house or get stuck somewhere and get scared because they think there are ghosts or something gfbrkfbdy this would be the kind of episode where the audience sees unlikely pairings working together after being separated from the others (imagine Madwheeler... it'd be hilarious!).

The ending would be left ambiguous. Are there ghosts in the house? Who knows 👀

❀ OBLIGATORY VALENTINE'S DAY EPISODE

Will works on a mysterious paintings for Valentine's Day and Mike is seething with jealousy... until he realizes that the painting is actually for him. But of course Will gives him some bullshit excuse like "I wanted to celebrate our friendship because that's love too!" (valid sentiment in general but not for THEM) and good ol' oblivious Mike doesn't suspect a thing.

The others realize it's bullshit immediately.

ALTERNATIVELY Mike is used to Will and himself not receiving anything for Valentine's Day, so he decides to leave an anonymous message/some chocolates in Will's locker, but then he realizes Will's actually already received some... because we all know Will pulls a lot of bitches 🙌🏻 so he's sad and jealous. And then Will leaves an anonymous message for him too! And maybe something makes Mike realize who the sender is and so he smiles to himself as he reads... 🥰

❀ THE JOB HUNT

Steve decides to quit his job and needs the help of his friends to find a new one. Disasters ensue, and in the end he begs his previous employer to get him back – absolutely nothing changes lmao

❀ THE FUNDRAISER

This is a must. The Party needs to get money for something important, and they come up with a ridiculous way to do it, potentially against the older teens' will gdbdbdhd I can imagine them doing something really dumb and Nancy and the others having to fix their mess before any of the adults find out. Siblings bonding episode!

❀ THROUGH HOLLY'S EYES

An entire episodes narrated through Holly's eyes! Through her interactions and the things she sees and hears in the Wheeler house. Byler crumbs 👀

❀ THE SECRET

A character has a secret and does whatever they can to keep the others from finding out, but one of their friends find out and they have to promise not to spill the tea and to help them. Lucas, Max and Dustin as a focus for this one would be great!

❀ THE BABYSITTER

Someone is stuck working as a babysitter and chaos ensues. I imagine Steve as a character who does 54747473 different jobs like Miss Rabbit from Peppa Pig 💀 and he just ends up at the Wheeler house because Mike's parents don't trust him. So of course Mike has to find a way to get out of Steve's sight, and well... The Party is just waiting for an excuse to wreak havoc anyway 😈

They get in trouble and have to work together of course, so when the Wheelers get home they find all Mike's friends there and Steve like 🧍🏻‍♂️

❀ SCHOOL HEIST

Max and Will have a very bad grade in a subject at school, and an important test is coming up, but neither of them are confident in their knowledge and so Will proposes to steal the answers!

Bonus points if they're not just doing it for the good grade, but also because they made a bet with the others that they wouldn't fail it lmao

Also it'd be hilarious if they got stuck somewhere and had to ask for help 🤣 and El finds them but she wants to tell the truth and so in the end Max and Will have to buy her silence lmao

❀ THE MAKEOVER

El gets asked out on a date but she has no idea what to do and Max isn't there. Luckily Nancy decides to help and gives her a makeover, but she also help her understan what she really wants and also that she doesn't have to go on a date if she doesn't want to!

So in the end they stay home and watch a movie or something gsgvdg and maybe there's a scene where El does Nancy's hair in a cute style 🥰

THIS WAS SUPER FUN TO WRITE THANKS!

#mail 💌 #byler #st sitcom edition

[jadeylovesmarvelxo]

So this is an ask kinda similar to Only Eyes For You, but more angsty I guess. Eddie starts doing deals with Chrissy and then Chrissy breaks up with Jason. She's all over Eddie who is still oblivious and head over heels for the reader. Chrissy doesn't really like the reader, and since she's the queen of Hawkins she's used to getting what she wants. Now she wants Eddie. All the Hellfire boys are suspicious and they keep telling Eddie he needs to be careful around Chrissy if he wants to keep his relationship. They've noticed some passive aggressive things that Chrissy does to the reader, like cutting her off in discussions, shoulder bumping her in the hallway, inviting herself to hangouts but making them all about her. The reader wants to watch Hellraiser, but Chrissy is afraid of scary movies so she wants to watch Grease. Even though every week is someone in the groups week to choose a movie. The reader notices Chrissy being a little too touchy and that Eddie looks uncomfortable. The reader privately talks to Chrissy telling her to knock it off, and Chrissy tears into the reader maybe she even lies and says that she and Eddie are sneaking around behind the readers back (they're not Eddie would never) Though what Chrissy and the Reader didn't know is Gareth and Dustin overheard everything and they're livid. They bump into a very confused Lucas and Mike and they tell them everything. All four of them are livid so they barrel into the drama room where Eddie and Chrissy are setting up for Hellfire. They're laughing and having fun and the boys believe it. They ask Eddie if he was satisfied with himself, and Eddie who doesn't have a clue what's going on is like, "...I guess?". They give them a nasty look then leave to comfort the reader. Eddie's sitting there like, "where are they going? I am kinda satisfied with the new figures I painted.."Then the next day Eddie's late because Chrissy needed him to pick her up because her car battery died, and the reader already left because Dustin asked Steve to pick her up. Chrissy kisses Eddie's cheek and runs to her friends and the looks the hellfire guys give could kill. Eddie's trying to figure out why he is actually Eddie the Banished now, even his own girlfriend is giving him the cold shoulder. Eddie is sad and goes to meet Chrissy for a deal, and Chrissy thinks this is a great moment to make her move and tries to kiss Eddie. Eddie's jumping around like she has cooties wondering what the hell is happening. Chrissy admits her feelings and Eddie reminds her he's in a relationship. Chrissy says they'd make a better couple, and says that everyone already thinks they're together anyways. Eddie hears a record scratch and looks at her wondering what the hell she's talking about. Eddie realizes everyone thinks he cheated so he books it to the drama room, where Dustin is Dming in rebellion because they're mad at Eddie. Eddie ends up crying asking if everyone thought he cheated, and Dustin and Gareth tell him that they heard Chrissy tell the reader that they were sneaking around behind their back. He looks at the reader who nods, and asks why he couldn't just break up with them. He explains because he never wants to lose them, and he would never cheat. He's sorry for being stupid and so oblivious and wants to work through this and make it up to the reader. Chrissy followed Eddie and says that she broke up with Jason for him, and that she's willing to ruin her reputation for him. Eddie's just like 'that's cool, don't let the door hit ya on the way out.'

Ooh, I love this. All the drama. Will need to write it asap 👀😍😍😍

[lunar-years]

Honestly I enjoyed that the Jonathan and Will scene was left more subtle, with Jonathan opening the door for Will to come out to him and just trying to let him know he’ll be there whenever Will wants to walk through. (Jonathan clearly already knows, after that conversation especially I think Will realizes that Jonathan knows, but he still isn’t ready to say it plainly and that’s okay!! Actually it makes a lot of sense given the day Will’s had and Mike’s sheer obliviousness in the van as he was sobbing and his utterly gut wrenching “sometimes I feel like a mistake” confession. Will is struggling so much with this. It’s heartbreaking but kind of understandable that he’s not ready for a big coming out scene, even with a person he trusts absolutely.)

However, now that I’ve seen a frightening number of comments on here/twitter ranging from “what’s with the plot hole of making a big deal about will and his painting when el literally just commissioned it for Mike” to “I have no idea why Will was crying in the van scene” I can absolutely see where the “let Will say he is gay and in love with Mike” crowd is coming from… It’s just so baffling to me that anyone could watch this season and still say “what do you mean Will is gay?” but then, I forget that some of us are clearly watching different shows…

My point being. For those who may not have realized, Will was talking about himself in that scene and using El as a conduit to confess his feelings to Mike because he was too scared to tell him directly. El didn’t commission the painting, Will painted it with his own perception of Mike in mind. That’s not a headcannon or a plot hole, that’s literally just the plot.

#stranger things spoilers #stranger things #this isn’t even supposed to be a dig at fans who didn’t know. #honestly I kind of forget st has a fandom that leans on the younger side #and they haven’t built up the same level of media comprehension #but like. I need everyone to know. #yes will is gay yes he’s pining over Mike. #it shouldn’t need to be spelled out #but the comments I’ve seen definitely make me think it should’ve been spelled out. #will byers #byler

[will80sbyers]

Do not feel 'sad' or 'nervous' if people act like we are going against the majority. Because it is actually nice to have different takes when it is about something non-confirmed. Mike can be both bi, gay, or unlabelled/just queer without a necessary label. I personally am on the 'the writers will never confirm or label Mike's sexuality' opinion, I think he is written to be as 'queer' without any specific label.

I also want to say that I am actually on the most unpopular side of the fandom in this case, because my readings are more unpopular than your readings even. I do not think Mike is realizing anything, I think he is specifically written to be oblivious as being the center of the love triangle in this. Even in S4, I do not think he was realizing his feelings for Will or was confused.

In my understanding, Mike was scared that he lost Will as a friend and that is why he could not hug Will at the airport. I do not think it was about his secret romantic feelings. I think Hermione-Ron parallels do not hold in this case bc the situations are vastly different when it comes to these characters' emotional states. I believe Mike is 100% telling the truth in the things he said. Him not hugging Will was about him thinking he lost Will as a friend, he addresses this when he apologizes. Him not being able to say ily to El was because he was insecure and thought El would not need him anymore, and was scared of losing El if that day came. I believe he is 100% telling the truth in the van scene and during the monologue scene.

What I think is happening in this arc is that, Mike does not realize that he is not loving El as he is supposed to. He does not realize that he does not love El romantically. El is the one who realizes this, and she's the one who realizes that she does not love Mike romantically which is why I believe she will be the one to break up with Mike. He addresses that he does not see himself as nothing special, and El is a superhero in Mike's eyes. That makes them incompitable. Mike has a complex in wanting to be special . It makes their relationship incompitable. El has accepted herself as just a girl, not a monster or a superhero. The way Mike sees her as a superhero does go against El's emotional arc.

I think the moment El breaks up with him, El will say that she does not believe Mike loves him romantically, and this will push Mike to think what love does actually mean etc. (Btw I think the painting reveal will not trigger this, I think the painting reveal will be solved later on instead of it being the thing that triggers Mike's realization or something).

Anyways sorry for the long ask, I just like talking about this with someone who at least shares similar opinions to mine. So, let me what you think if you have time! And have a nice day.

I don't agree with this take that he's completely unaware because I can't explain some scenes and parallels if Mike doesn't already feel at least a bit different for Will, like the triple take in the desert for example or other stuff... But it's an interesting take, it could be!

personally I think he is beginning to understand his feelings for Will in season 4 but he's scared and wants to avoid avoid avoid and "keep the status quo" and keep being El's boyfriend

I definitely agree with some of the things you wrote, I do believe he's being very honest and saying the truth both to Will and El, I believe El is the one that realized she doesn't love Mike this season and will be the one breaking up with him... I also believe it's possible he will know his feelings for Will before knowing about the painting, I'm not sure on how they will handle that, they could do it in a lot of different ways!

and honestly what I care about is just that all the arcs make sense and that they end up together and happy

I'm good with Mike being unlabeled in the show, I don't know if they confirm that he's bi or not but I personally will keep thinking he's bisexual if they leave him unlabeled because I see his crush on El as genuine... unless they make him say he never was attracted to her I will still keep seeing the crush when I watch the show 🤔

#byler #will byers #mike wheeler #ask

[aceofspades-sml]

Jomike rant because I can

Also because @gayspaceagebachelor I promised you my thoughts on this a while ago so here you go

Tw mention of religious trauma and maybe internalized homophobia (my Jojo is angsty what did you expect)

I put it under the cut cause boy I wrote way more than I was supposed to

They are definitely the cute/soft boy ship

Like you want happy and heartwarming vibes ? You go for them

Of course they have their hard times but to me they are the easiest ship to write pure fluff for

Bc in my opinion both of them are the absolute sweetest. Jojo is always pretty cheerful and optimistic while Mike is the kind of person who always has a smile on. Also both of their smiles are contagious so that's why

Also remember when I said they were both gay disasters but with an opposite energy let me elaborate

We all know that Jojo has been raised by nuns, right ? So I know it's like almost canon at this point but I'll say it again, he is really not comfortable with being gay

As in he was taught that it's bad, even though all his friend tell him it's not. He is fine with his friend being queer, but when it comes to himself and romance he loses all his self-confidence

So most of the time he is like so happy and cheerful because he doesn't think about it and when he actually starts thinking about it he'll most likely panic because he was taught loving guys is bad and he'll think he doesn't deserve people to love him

Okay I went a little far from the heartwarming stuff I talked about but I needed to establish that

So anyway my point was, Jojo being jojo will be pretty oblivious when it comes to love and yeah sometimes it's cute but sometimes it can get angsty

ANYWAY

Now onto Mike, I like picturing him as the guy who acts cool and flirty all the time. As in he'll always be joking/messing around and pretending to flirt with everyone, friends and strangers

Sells a lot of papes that way

"So hotshot anyone ever told you you have really pretty eyes"

"You better run."

Except our boy is actually an hopeless romantic inside so the second someone he likes flirts back he becomes completely useless. He will blush a lot, probably stutter and most likely say something stupid that he will overthink after

So um yeah they are chaotic disasters

Anyway now that's established let's get into their actual dynamic

Remember when I said one of my favorite tropes for them was mutual pinning ? I just think this one as a lot of potential because they are both pretty dumb and oblivious

Y'know the "A fell first and B fell harder trope ?" Yeah you can forget it Mike fell first and hard

One day he just looks at his best friend and realizes he is in love with him

Then he starts pinning like an absolute dumbass, at times he'll just stare into Jojo's eyes and get all flustered because he suddenly forgot how to speak

Don't wanna bring in the usual scene with one guy burrying his face in a pillow because how can I be so fucking dumb while another guy is just dying of laughter next to him but this happened at least once with Ike

Except Jojo doesn't even think much about it he'll just brush it off like it's normal

Takes a lot of time for them to stop being idiots

At first Jojo is super scared about dating so there is a lot of angst in the beginning

Meanwhile Mike will try his hardest to make Jojo understand he is loved and has the right to be happy

When Jojo starts getting more confident about it he goes back to his cheerful self. I think he would totally be the type of guy who makes flirty comments at his boyfriend all the time to mess with him

Actually it's more like Mike says something flirty to tease him -> Jojo answers something flirty because he knows exactly what he is doing -> at that point you have lost Mike he became a blushing mess

So sometimes he'll say something really cute in Spanish and Mike has no idea what it is but he understands the way Jojo said it so he gets all flustered

Jojo actually loves making Mike blush by saying he really likes him or stuff like that except at that point he is still scared of expressing his feelings out loud

Jojo is the shy/scared one so at first he is scared to hold hands in public or show any PDA in front of their friends

Also their first kiss omg-

Actually one day Mike just leaned in impulsively and brushed his lips past Jojo's but pulled away almost immediately because he got scared of how the other boy would react and he was pretty sure he had done smth stupid

They both stared at each other wide-eyed for a solid minute before actually leaning in again

Anyway it was really sweet and innocent because Mike could feel Jojo was kinda scared and inexperienced so he was very gentle

Ahem anyway-

But once again when he gains confidence he'll often try to be as close to Mike as he can

I picture them as really touchy bfs they would always be holding hands, brushing against each other's shoulder or cuddling

And when they are holding hands guess who starts blushing yeah it's Mike

He is really happy about it though because he gets to see his boyfriend happy and be the one who made him that happy

They are 100% the kind of couple who would always do romantic stuff like cute dates, looking at the stars or dancing together

Anyway think about them just grinning stupidly when they're around each other and ahjfhakjfhj

Ok I need to go but I might add to this post later with specific modern Era headcanons

#me starting the post : let's keep it short shall we #also me after each paragraph : OH AND ALSO THEY DO THAT #anyway take my phone way from me pls #also i am in the middle of writing smth about them i can't tell you how much i love them #yeah the fic is a request from like 3 weeks ago what do you wanna do about it #okay i really need to stop talking at some point #newsies #jojo newsies #mike newsies #jomike newsies

[wheelercore]

I feel like much of the wheeler family's issues stems from Karen and Ted never actually loving each other yet marrying and having children out of obligation and convenience. It really isn't enough to just pretend because the cracks start to show eventually. I mean, from personal experience as someone who had parents who didn't really love each other it's so familiar that I honestly applaude the writers for capturing it so well. There's that build up of resentment + the pressure to pretend for who knows how long that causes people to act in such a way that is pretty unhealthy.

It's realistic that Nancy and Mike kind of have this distant yet caring relationship. It's hard after years of growing up in such an environment to be emotionally vulnerable like in the way Jonathan is with Will and vise versa. It can be even painful at some points to show that you care because there is a lot of history of rejection and fear there whether it was directly influenced by a parental figure or not. And really when you grow up in an household where everything can be okay at one moment and then the emotions can turn sour at a drop of a hat you start to find comfort in being apathetic, snarky, dismissive, and lashing out. You are, after all, just protecting yourself because all your life your feelings either have been dismissed, laughed at, ignored, or, worst of all, used against you. But you do badly want a relationship like Jonathan and Will's with your siblings. It's just hard to get over that initial reaction of defensiveness and fear.

It's super interesting that we see Karen try so hard to be there for her kids though. She often is there to comfort them. What gets in her way however is that Nancy and Mike themselves often hesitate to open up to her. She gives them momentary comfort, yes, but we rarely ever see them actually tell her about their problems, opening up for a deeper emotional connection. Karen could do much more, but really there is only so much you can do when your children chose not to reciprocate without unintentionally driving them away.

I believe this is intrinsically tied to Karen's own arc of independence. The 80s was a time of sexual revolution (Billy) and a feminist wave. And I love m*leven parallels and I do genuinely believe El and Karen are meant to parallel each other in very similar ways: they're realizing that they don't need their respective partners anymore to get on. Rather than like in s1 letting Ted just tell her to "let [Mike] go" she is going to now try harder to contect emotionally to her children and understand them.

And because we consistently see Karen at least try (even in s1) I do believe the source of a lot of the Wheelers emotional dysfunction is Ted. He's emotionally unavailable but with a veneer of comic relief 80s dad on top of it. It makes it quirky and funny in the stereotype of the useless lazy oblivious dad way. But really, when children don't have good emotional coping skills modeled to them growing up they may have a stunted ability to process or be open with how they feel- which is definitely the case with Mike and Nancy. We see the real effects of Ted's emotional neglect on his children contrasted with how Ted is presented showing how often these cliches that we take for granted are actually harmful in real life- which in turn *gestures vaguely at all the Mike-Ted parallels in s3 and s4* give us insight into Ted himself because they clearly want us to see Mike is similarly perpetuating the cycle under certain stressors in his life ("I don't think my parents ever loved each other" contrasted with Mike struggling to tell El her loves her because he doesn't).

#honestly at this point im just going to assume that they want me to think that whatever is wrong with mike is also wrong with ted #so... depression? *looks at them* checks out these bitches are depressed #its a nice subversion on the 80s dad cliche ill tell you thatt #i so badly want to explore mike-ted parallels more bc they fascinate me beyond reason #but i shall wait for s5 bc thats when ill be fed #mike wheeler #stranger things #karen wheeler #nancy wheeler #ted wheeler

[beepboop358]

How I think the characters will react to Byler when it is officially officially confirmed in the show:

El: once El realizes she doesn't romantically love Mike, she will become an avid byler protector.

El is a badass independent woman with a pure heart of gold. She cares deeply for Mike because he was the first person to show her any sort of compassion, so she will want him to be happy, and after she grows closer to Will, she will want Will to be happy too. El won't understand the societal stigmas around Mike and Will liking each other, since she was raised in a lab away from society and then lived isolated in Hopper's cabin, she has no knowledge of what society deems right from wrong surrounding sexuality and love. She will think other people thinking Mike and Will's relationship is 'wrong' or 'unnatural' is utter bullshit and completely stupid, as she should!

Jonathan: he will be 100% supportive. He knows how Lonnie tormented Will and made homophobic remarks about Will being gay when he was younger. He has always encouraged Will to be himself and ignore what others say, especially what Lonnie says. Jonathan will also be a byler protector.

Jonathan knows Will isn't "normal", he even said Will was "good at hiding" in s1 which has several meanings, and he probably already knows Will likes Mike because of how he immediately turns to look at Will after Mike blurts out he loves El in s3 in Hopper's cabin.

s1 ep. 2: "He's trying to force you to like normal things, and you shouldn't like things because people tell you you're supposed too."

s2 ep. 1: "No I'm serious. You're a freak. But what? Do you want to be normal? Do you wanna be just like everybody else? Being a freak is the best. I'm a freak. Who would you rather be friends with? Bowie or Kenny Rogers? Exactly. It's no contest. The thing is, nobody normal ever accomplished anything meaningful in this world. You got it?"

------(Some subtle queer coding there with the Bowie reference; David Bowie was a bisexual musician, and he also sings the original version of the song "Heroes" that plays after Will's fake body is found in s1, and the lines that play while Mike cries and hugs his Mom are extremely queer coded: "And we kiss as though nothing could fall. And the shame.")

Nancy: It's implied Nancy and Mike are pretty close, and honestly I think she has always suspected that Mike has a little thing for Will. From the look on Nancy’s face when he blurts out he loves El, it kind of reads as like she doesn’t believe him, because she knows something.

s1 ep.7: "I knew you were acting weird, I just, I thought it was beause of Will"

Joyce: will be 100% supportive, and a protective mama bear of Will as always, but also for Mike. Joyce will join the club of avid byler protectors along with Jonathan and El.

Dustin: avid byler supporter. I think he's picked up on how much Mike cares for Will, how Will cares for Mike, and has probably suspected at least something this whole time. Dustin doesn't care about being considered cool he cares about doing what he likes and being true to himself, and that belief for sure translates into how he views his friends as well. He will absolutely support Mike and Will and treat them normally.

s3 ep.3: "Instead of dating somebody because you think it's gonna make you cooler, why not date somebody you actually enjoy being around?" s1 ep.6: "Sometimes your total obliviousness just blows my mind"

Max: She seems pretty perceptive, so she's probably picked up on Mike and Will's 'special dynamics' by now, and we know she's definitely sick of how Mike treated El. She will be supportive of Will and Mike, but mostly she will just be glad Mike isn't with El anymore LOL.

Lucas: I think he definitely notices Mike seems to reallllyyyy care for Will, and that Mike doesn't act the same about El, although he claims too. I think Lucas sees through Mike's bullshit. Look at his smirking face and crossed arms when Mike frantically asks where Will is in s2:

and how he reacts the same way to Mike blurting out he loves El and "can't lose her again" in s3:

Hopper: he will probably want to kill Mike again.

"wait what?! so.. let me get this straight...all that time you were making out with my daughter, you were just...pretending to love her? You lied to her the whole time you two 'dated' yeah? And now you're dating your best friend. Oh god wait, I watched you tell him that asking him to be your friend was the best thing you ever did that night in the shed... Oh you little asshole!"

I can't imagine Hopper being homophobic towards Will and Mike, but I don't see him jumping up and down for them either. He will mainly be upset that Mike dated El when he was actually in love with Will, and not care so much that Mike is in love with another boy, just another person. But once he processes that El is actually okay, he will be fine with it.

Lonnie: is the literal scum of the earth! Obviously Lonnie will hate that Will is gay and dating another man. He will probably make some comments about how he "always knew it" and call Will and Mike homophobic slurs, probably at Will's birthday.

s1 ep.1: "He used to say he was queer, called him a f*g"

Steve: "Oh you two little shits are dating now? But I thought he was into the psionic chick? No? Okay, alright cool. Uh hey have you guys met Robin yet? I think you would get along, you know what I'll introduce you." Steve was so accepting of Robin coming out to him, there's no way he won't have the same kind of reaction for Mike and Will.

Robin: once she gets to actually know them and spend time with them, she will adopt Mike and Will as her gay sons and inspire them to be themselves and help them out whenever they need it. She will also pick up on the fact that they like each other immediately. If we don't get this pairing in s4 because of location logistics, I really hope we get it in s5!!!

Erica: she won't be homophobic, but she just won't care too much.

Karen: will encourage Mike to follow his heart, and like whoever he likes, because a relationship needs real love to survive, and she knows all too well what it is like to be stuck in a relationship with no love, and she doesn't want that for her kids, she wants better for them. She wants Mike to be truly happy no matter what, and she doesn't want to see him repeat her mistakes. Karen will be very supportive of Mike, and probably defend him to Ted.

s1 ep.2: "All this that’s been going on with Will, I can’t imagine what it’s been like for you. I just…I want you to feel like you can talk to me. I never want you to feel like you have to hide anything from me. I’m here for you okay?”

Ted: he won't be as much of an asshole as Lonnie will be about it, but he will probably make some snarky comments.

s1 ep.7: “our son with a girl? *scoffing*”

#byler #byler rights #byler is real #byler is canon #byler obsessed #byler is endgame #byler analysis #byler depression #byler proof #byler theory #byeler #strangers things #stranger things 4 #stranger things four #stranger things obsessed #stranger things speculation #st4 #st4 speculation #st4 theory #byler meta #stranger things meta #byler speculation #byler forever #will byers #mike wheeler #joyce byers #jonathan byers #eleven #lonnie byers #karen wheeler

[fanmoose12]

take me out (on a date)

Hange decides to set Levi up on some dates.

It doesn't go as well as she hopes.

"Levi!"

Hange bursts into his office, not waiting for an invitation to come in. Levi wouldn't have given it to her, but when Hange has ever listened to him?

The door bangs thunderously as she throws it closed, and then she moves further into the room, grabbing a chair and twisting it backwards to sit down. The grin on her face is positively mental, and at the back of his mind Levi wonders what exactly is wrong with him, because that smile doesn't faze him in slightest.

"I'm working, four-eyes," he grumbles, closing a tab with a video analysis of some movie he had never seen. "I don't have time for your shit."

"You'll want to hear it, Levi!" her voice is several octaves higher than Levi can tolerate, but Hange promptly ignores his angry scowl. "It will change your life!"

Last time Hange decided to change his life, his eyebrows got bleached.

Understandably, he isn't looking forward to another life changing experience, especially if it'll orchestrated by Hange.

But she doesn't seem to care if he's looking forward to it or not. She shoots up, almost sending poor chair tumbling to the floor, and starts pacing around the room.

"So! I must admit this thought had come to me completely out of sudden. I was in the middle of breakfast, you see, or, no- Wait! I was talking to Nifa! Or watching that new tv-show, you know the one where—"

"Four-eyes," Levi grits when his head starts spinning after watching her move back and forth across the room. "Get to the fucking point."

Hange stops for a second, to flash him an amused smile. "A little impatient, are we? I can understand it, yes... After all, what I'm offering—"

"Four-eyes!"

"Alright, alright!" Hange throws her hands into the air and resumes her pacing. Absentmindedly, Levi wonders how much coffee she has already consumed this morning.

"I guess, what I was doing doesn't really matter. What matters is what I've been thinking about. And I've been thinking about you."

Oh. This gets Levi's attention. It grips it tightly and doesn't let go. Here he thought Hange was going on about another experiment of hers or some other, equally annoying shit, but she has been thinking about him... Levi straightens his back and leans in, watching Hange more intently now.

"So I started thinking about you and it got me thinking, you know, about other people and stuff. And I know what you're going to say!" she furrows her eyebrows in expression Levi guesses should resemble his. Hange does a very poor job, though. He is almost sure he doesn't look that ridiculous. "I'm not people's person, four-eyes, I don't care about them," she says in as low voice as she can manage.

Levi is inclined to agree. He's not a people's person. He is however, a person's person. And his person is currently measuring his office with quick, jerky steps.

"But I think you're a bit wrong. Maybe, you don't like other people, but there are people who like you, so I thought, well, everyone deserve love, and you deserve it above everyone else, because you're so kind and very sweet, and really, really handsome, so I thought, well..." Hange turns to look at him, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

Levi takes a sharp breath. This is it, he realizes. Hange is going to confess to him, a completely not pathetic crush that he was harboring for almost a decade now is finally going to be reciprocated.

His own office isn't the place he thought it was going to happen, but it's fine, he can work with that. He's having feelings for the craziest person he knows, so, really, a little bit of oddity is more than expected.

Levi is already thinking how should he answer that confession - should he tell Hange he feels the same or would a simple kiss suffice, when Hange moves to his desk. She places her hands onto the wooden surface and looms over him with a wide, excited smile. Levi's lips pull in a smile of his own.

"That's why, Levi," she says. "I will help you to find your love! Or, well," Hange adds, while Levi is too busy having a goddamn stroke because why was he, oh why, was he so naive in thinking that Hange would act normal for once? That she would stop being so oblivious and dumb? That she would clean those stupid glasses of hers and finally see what she's doing to him? But Hange doesn't see, even now, she's too blinded by her new, thrilling idea to notice his disappointed, fallen face. "If that doesn't work, at least, it’ll help you to get laid! That stick up your ass, it got so deep, I don't think it's healthy."

Hange starts laughing, too amused by her own stupid joke, and Levi thinks, if that's who you've fallen for? Then you've fallen so low, Levi...

But what can he do? He's fallen and he doesn't think he will be able to get up.

But with a help of someone else, with a strong, steady hand he'll be able to get up from the bottom he's currently buried at.

The idea is as stupid as Hange is, and it's as hopeless as his crush on her, but what he has to lose now?

***

That's how he finds himself in a small Chinese restaurant with Hange sitting across from him. He'd enjoy his evening, he'd entertain the idea that it almost looks like a date, if Hange wasn't wearing such serious expression, her eyes scanning him up and down as though he's a new mouse she decides to experiment at.

"Alright," she declares, turning around to get her backpack. She pulls out a notebook, and with a sense of growing dread, Levi sees her open it at the page that is already full with notes.

"After our little conversation, I asked around a bit..." she mutters, not looking up from a notebook. "I found a couple of friends who are single, but let's start with someone we both know for now..."

The feeling of dread is almost overwhelming now, because Levi is sure what will follow is going to be one of the worst conversations in his life.

"So! Let's start, shall we?" she grips the pen in her fingers tightly and turns the entirety of her attention to him. "What do you think about Mike?"

Levi chokes on a soup he was eating.

"What the fuck, four-eyes?" he hisses. "He's huge!"

Hange pouts. "You don't have to take it straight to bed, you know…"

His face burns and, as the images of him and that giant together enters his mind, Levi wants nothing more than to gag. He kicks Hange under the table in retaliation, making her yelp and rub her ankle.

"He's twice my height, you perverted dipshit. I would look like a brat next to him."

"Not one for daddy's kink, eh?" Hange mutters with that insufferable grin of hers, and Levi kicks her again. "Fine, fine, could have just said no. Mike was actually weirded out by my offer too, I just asked to see if he's your type or not."

"He's not," Levi grits, furious, because his type is sitting right across him in ridiculous oversized shirt and dirty glasses. How low has he fallen...

"I guess I can cross Erwin out as well. Alright!" Hange chirps. "What about Moblit?"

At that, Levi's mood almost lifts. It's good to know his feelings are not the only ones that completely go over Hange's head.

He can just imagine it too, both of them - he and Moblit - getting drunk in some shitty bar, united by their shared infatuation with irritating, absurdly oblivious four-eyed weirdo.

The image conjured by his mind is so pathetic, it almost sends him into a feat of self-pity.

"No," he tells Hange curtly, and she crosses another name.

"Alright, what about Gelgar?"

"He's a drunkard. Pass."

"Nanaba?"

"I've known her since childhood, she’s like a sister. Pass."

"Lynn?"

He doesn't remember who the fuck Lynn is, and so hesitates to give an answer. Hange takes it a sign of agreement, and giggles, writing something down in the notebook. "Got it... What about Gunter?"

"He's my subordinate," Levi reminds.

"And engaged," Hange winks. "But that wasn't what stopped you? Ah, you're naughty one, Ackerman."

And then, to his horror, Hange adds another note.

"And, last but not the least... What do you think about Nifa?"

"Um..."

"So another hit, eh?" Hange smiles so earnestly and brightly, Levi can't just find it in himself to disappoint her.

"Thank you for your cooperation," Hange winks again, closing the noteboor. "I'll analyze the data and set you up on a perfect date. Don't worry, Levi," Hange leans over the small table and covers his hand with hers. You've got to be kidding me, Levi thinks furiously, as his heart starts doing lambada in his ribcage. "I'll find someone you would like."

Look in the mirror, idiot, Levi wants to say, but lets out only a short annoyed grunt.

***

The next day, Erwin and Mike join him at lunch.

"Heard Hange decided to set you up on some dates," Erwin says, his head tilted and eyes curious.

Levi takes a mouthful of salad he brought from home, and nods.

"It's tough, man," Mike remarks.

"Yeah," Levi agrees, because, really, what else is there to say?

"It's interesting," Erwin declares, intrigued like he's reading about some obscure phenomenon or watches a discovery channel, and not observes the confusing relationship between two of his friends. "Something good may come out of it. Come, Mike," he stands up and Mike follows. "There is an urgent matter we need to discuss."

"Ah," Mike grins rather enigmatically. He shots Levi a sly look. "Don't let me down, Levi," he salutes him and then both of them are gone.

Levi's lunch is peaceful and uneventful for another minute.

And then Hange shows up and his chances at peace and quiet are promptly thrown out of the window.

***

The first person Hange sets him up with is Lynn. Levi still doesn't remember her, but decides to just roll with it. He knows her name and Hange had vaguely described her in the midst of her gushing and her reassurances that Levi would like her so much.

On the night of the supposed date, however, Hange shuffles inside his apartment, completely crestfallen. Levi entertains a thought - maybe, Hange had realized what a mistake she's doing, but then she falls on his coach, hand over face, and announces, "Lynn canceled your date. Apparently she didn't really know who you are," well, that makes two of them. "And today she saw you and she said you're not really her type," she sniffles, mumbling, "I'm so sorry, Levi..."

"It's fine," he says, and really, it is. He's actually relieved that the date is no longer happening.

Hange has a different opinion, of course.

"But Levi! I ruined your evening! You got all dressed up and now I've ruined it all." Hange shoots up to her feet, her face determined. "I'll make it better," she vows. "C'mon," she tugs at his arm. "I'll take you to the movies!"

*** Evening with Hange is so much better than a date with some Lynn could ever be.

They go to the dinner, eat horrible, greasy fries and down it all with disgustingly sweet milkshakes. They head to the movies next and Hange picks some dumb, action movie that Levi hates and she loves.

It’s quite boring, that movie, so Levi entertains himself by keeping his hand in a popcorn bucket, waiting for his and Hange's fingers to brush.

His heart races every time they do.

It’s almost a perfect evening, the only grievance Levi has is that the movie ends before he could throw his arm over Hange's shoulders.

But this little shortcoming is all but forgotten, when Hange offers to walk him home and then wraps her jacket over him.

Levi thinks about kissing her, about standing on his tiptoes and pressing his lips to her, when Hange declares, rather happily, "I found you another date, Levi! This one will show up, don't you worry!"

And the she bounces away, crushing all of his hopes and dreams.

***

His first real date is a man Hange describes as her university friend.

"Onyakopon is great!" she says. "He is getting his master's degree in aerodynamics and he's so funny! Handsome, too!"

"That's why you're undressing me right now?" Levi points out to her hands that pop open one, then another button on his shirt. Not that he minds, really, he wouldn't say no to Hange undressing him, but not before he has to go on a date with another person.

"You dress like an old man, Levi," she shakes her head, smoothing down the fine fabric. "You need to show them you're not just pretty face, but a rocking bod as well!"

Levi's face catches fire as Hange winks at him, and not for the first time, he wonders why the hell Hange has come up with this whole setting him up with someone shit, if she thinks he looks hot. Is his personality that repulsive to her? But then why she constantly hangs out with him?

Sometimes Hange is as easy to read as a children's book. And sometimes he can't understand her at all.

"Go get him, tiger!" she ruffles his hair and wishes him luck.

Sighing, Levi leaves his apartment.

***

At first, everything is awkward.

Onyakopon asks him questions - what is he doing for a living, what are his hobbies, and Levi gives him short, concrete answers, adding a weak "and you?".

Things pick up after Levi asks what Onyakopon is studying, and the evening is saved from being a complete disaster, when Onyakopon launches into a tale of why he loves aerodynamics so much.

He's handsome, Hange wasn't wrong with that. And he's passionate - his eyes are burning and his hands are flying around as he explains to Levi one concept or the other. Levi understands why Hange is friends with him, they're united by love for knowledge, although Onyakopon is lacking all of Hange's eccentricities.

The conversation shifts after Onyakopon asks him how he knows Hange.

"Co-workers," Levi mumbles, and adds a reluctant, "And you?"

Onyakopon's face breaks into a smile that is even brighter than the one he was sporting while talking about his studies. He starts talking about his and Hange's time in college, how much fun they were having in the lab, and Levi realizes that Onyakopon is yet another member of the pitiful I have a crush on Hange Zoe club and yet another victim of her obliviousness.

"Sorry," Onyakopon chuckles, hand on his neck. "I've got... carried away."

"No problem," Levi answers. "I understand."

"Hange is really one of a kind, right?"

"Unfortunately," Levi says, and both of them share a long, knowing look.

Onyakopon, all in all, isn't that bad. But when they say their goodbyes, there is no promise of another date. There is not even a vague "let's do this again sometime". But if Levi would ever find himself in too deep, when his stupid crush would make him go nearly insane, he knows just the guy to call and get drunk at a shitty bar. Onyakopon would be a great addition to Levi's and Moblit's pity party.

***

Hange is saddened when he tells her that there won't be a second date, but she is not yet ready to give up.

So she sets him up with a person who is very different from Onyakopon. Hange must have forgotten about his rule of no giant blondes because it's the perfect description of Yelena, who is, well, a giant blonde. She also looks like a psycho and even Hange warns him to be more careful with that one.

Ah, well. At least, she isn't in love with Hange. Quite the opposite, actually.

"Hange dated my ex," Yelena explains, skipping hellos, how are yous and other pleasantries. She is too straightforward even for Levi. She’s also incredibly intense. And not in an inspiring way like Erwin is or charming way how Hange is. Yelena is intense in a scary, uncomfortable way. Like a serial killer. "Now I want to date hers."

"I'm not Hange's ex," Levi frowns, wondering where Hange had found that weirdo. "What kind of person sets their ex up on a date?" he adds, feeling that it should be voiced out.

"I don't know," Yelena shrugs. "Probably the one who doesn't really care about that sort of thing. So you're not her ex?" she asks once again.

"No."

"Oh, alright. Good evening then," she raises up from a table, towering over Levi. "Fist steak here is really delicious," she says. "You should try it."

And then she is gone.

Levi stays and orders a steak. It really is good.

Just as he finishes it, he texts Hange,

this one was a psycho. she left after first five minutes

Hange replies with a crying emoji and vows to do better.

***

His next date is with Nifa, and somehow, probably because they already know each other, this date is the most enjoyable yet.

Nifa feeds him gossips about each member of their office, and some of them are actually funny enough to get a chuckle out of him. And when she tells him about that time when Erwin got his pants ripped right at his ass and Nifa walked in on Mike trying to sew them together, Levi loses it to the point of choking on his drink.

When he walks Nifa home, she gives him a tight hug.

"I had so much fun today..." she says, fumbling with the straps of her bag.

"But?" Levi softly prompts.

"But I actually agreed to this date because Hange had asked me. You see we have this little thing with Moblit..."

Ah. So even Moblit is moving on? Lucky bastard.

"I wish you the best then," he murmurs.

"Thank you," Nifa raises on her tiptoes, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "And Levi? Hange will get around."

He doubts she will, but he’s thankful for the kind words all the same.

***

What follows after that is the worst date of Levi's life.

Zeke is the guy Hange dated in college. The relationship lasted for no more than two weeks, yet Zeke seems immensely proud of his little achievement, mentioning it at every opportunity.

If that wasn't irritating enough, Zeke turns out to be arrogant, pompous and sneering jerk.

Levi accidentally pours his wine at Zeke's white shirt, and Zeke retaliates by kicking Levi's sheen when he goes to the bathroom, almost sending him face-first into the restaurant's carpet floor.

This almost leads to a fistfight that quickly gets resolved by Hange who appears out of nowhere. She calls Zeke a moron and sends him home. She turns to Levi then, apologizing for Zeke and promises to make it up to him. Levi doesn't really need it, just watching Zeke get scolded like that was more than enough to right any grievance he could have had, but then Hange offers to order takeout and watch movie at her place, and Levi thinks he's allowed to feel a little slighted.

The evening ends with Hange fast asleep on a couch and tucked into his side, and Levi wonders if he should agree to another date with Zeke, just so Hange could make it up to him again.

***

"She's cute, isn't she?" Hange shows him a picture of dark-haired, smiling woman, and Levi nods, absentmindedly. The woman is objectively pretty, but her appearance stirs up nothing inside him. "It's Pieck, she's great! Do you like her?"

"She's fine," he mutters, his attention more on the papers in front of him than on that Pieck and their upcoming date. The name is vaguely familiar, but Levi puts that thought aside, deciding to tackle it some other time.

"Then I'll tell her you're free on Saturday!" Hange announces and after swiftly ruffling his hair, she's out of the office, as spontaneously as she came.

*** Pieck Finger is even prettier in person. She has long dark hair and deep big eyes. She uses a walking stick and she's dressed in a colorful sundress.

They're slowly making their way through a museum, and Pieck quietly tells him about different parts of exhibition.

They've walked through two rooms, when Pieck apologizes and asks if they can sit down for a while. Levi leads her to the nearest bench and Pieck shoots him a grateful smile before sitting down.

"Pieck," she offers him her hand. "Hange's ex."

Ah, so that's how he knows her name.

Levi takes her hand in his, squeezing it just a little too tight. He doesn't know Pieck, never talked to her before their date, but she's Hange's ex. Levi can't help but dislike her just for that.

"Levi," he answers, letting go of her hand.

"Oh, I know," Pieck grins, whipping her hair. "Hange told me about you. A lot."

"Oh, right. Before our date."

Pieck chuckles at that, and then turns to the painting in front of them.

"Are you an artist?" Levi asks, taking note of the way her eyes trace every bit of the painting.

"Not really," she says. "But coming here calms me down. Do you have something like that, Levi? Something that calms you down?"

Cleaning, he wants to say. A good cup of tea, he wants to add. But then he remembers his last date, the hot rage he felt just by looking at Zeke. Tea didn't help him then. Neither did cleaning. It was Hange who came and conquered the storm inside him.

The revelation shouldn't be a revelation at all, he knows Hange for a decade now, he also knows just how important she is to him. Yet this discovery still gives him a pause, and it takes him some time to come back to his senses.

"Hange is something else, isn't she?" Pieck's gentle voice brings him back to reality. "She's like... an exquisite painting. She has the same uncanny ability to just draw people in."

Levi doesn't quite know what to say to this, but Pieck doesn't seem to expect an answer.

"But like some paintings, she can be really chaotic. She's too bright, she always feels too much... Don't fault her for having troubles with sorting it all out."

"I don't—" he wants to protest, but Pieck's knowing look silences him.

"We've dated for almost a year," Pieck says. "It's been fun and I was in love. I was also the one who broke up with her. Do you know why?"

Levi shakes his head. Hange never told him.

"And about me? Has she ever talked about me?"

"No," Levi answers. "She did not."

"Huh," Pieck hums, gripping her stick to slowly stand up. Levi thinks he offended her, but when Pieck looks at him again, there is a soft smile on her lips. She reaches out, lays a hand on his shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze.

"And yet, she used to talk my ears off about you."

She leaves a second later, and Levi is too stunned to follow after her and ask what did her words mean.

***

The next date will be the last one, Levi decides. He's getting tired of pretending that he does it in attempt to move on from Hange, because it clearly isn't working.

"That's Petra," Hange explains as she shows him yet another photo. The girl in picture is attractive, and, what's more important, not even vaguely familiar, and that is certainly relieving. Maybe, this one isn't Hange's ex. "She's my cousin," Hange continues, confirming his guess. "Well, she's a very, very distant one, but cousin all the same. She was at my last year's birthday party, do you remember her?"

"Not really," he confesses. All he remembers about that day is being drunk on wine and on feeling of Hange's arm around his shoulders, as she dragged him from one guest to another.

"I don't really remember if I introduced the two of you, but she likes you. She was staring at you during the whole party, she says," she was? Levi didn't notice. Then again, he most probably was too busy staring at the cousin of Hange's cousin to see anyone else. "So, yeah, Petra is, um, excited about this date."

Hange doesn't look him in the eyes as she speaks and she fiddles with sleeve of her shirt almost anxiously. It makes Levi wonder - if Petra likes him so, why haven't Hange introduced them earlier?

"You will like her, I think," Hange says, strangely quiet. "I gave her your number, she'll call you in the evening. Em," she stands up from the desk and pats his shoulders. "Good luck, I guess," she gives him a smile that seems forced and doesn't reach her eyes.

Hange leaves his office quietly without looking back even once.

***

They go to the park. They walk around and Petra gathers flowers as she talks about her hobbies and life. Levi learns that she is a school teacher and she's good at violin. She tends to her old father and she dreams of going to Paris.

She is ridiculously adorable - petite and soft-spoken, she looks like a disney princess, the type that attracts butterflies on her fingers and joins in on birds' songs every morning.

Levi likes her, he thinks. Well, he certainly doesn't dislike her, which already makes Petra stand out from all of his previous dates. And he can work with that, has to work with that, because otherwise he'd have to admit his defeat, he'd have to surrender to the knowledge that he'll be in love with Hange Zoe until the end of his pitiful life.

Levi isn't ready to wave the white flag just yet, so he asks Petra on another date, and then another.

It's going well, he tells Hange and expects squeals, smug looks or, at least, sincere congratulations.

Instead Hange mumbles, "I'm happy for you, Levi," and doesn't ask about Petra again.

Levi tries not to think about it, tries not to think about Hange, because he has someone else now, he has Petra and he has to commit to her now. Maybe, it will help him get over Hange.

And yet, his heart still aches for her and her only.

Still, Levi doesn't give up.

***

Every weekend, he asks Petra on a date, inviting her to a new place each time.

He makes sure that every place they visit is not a place he had ever visited with Hange. It proves to be a hard task very quickly, during their many years of friendship Hange has dragged him to almost every curious place in their city, but Levi manages.

He searches online and asks his friends and coworkers.

"What the fuck, Levi?" Mike looks almost angry as Levi asks him if he knows a good restaurant he can take Petra to. "Don't you and—"

Erwin stops him before he lets out whatever he wanted to say.

He gives Levi a tight-lipped smile and promises to send a few suggestions after work.

However, despite all his efforts, most probably, because he really is a hopeless fool, Levi just can't seem to stop thinking about Hange.

They go to a theater, and as Petra gushes about superb acting, intricate story parallels and other little things Levi doesn't quite see, he can't get rid of Hange's voice in his head that picks up every silly detail and makes a devastating joke about it.

They attend a concert of some local indie group and their songs are just horrible enough to make him miss Hange's weird music taste.

They visit the city's aquarium, Petra is dressed in a lovely blue skirt and sea green top, but Levi doesn't even notice. As he wanders around the aquarium, watching dolphins, sharks and medusas, all he can think about is damn, four-eyes would have loved it here.

*** It's their fifth date and Levi walks Petra home. The night chill is in the air and the winds blows smoothly, ruffling Petra's auburn hair and making her huff adorably as she fruitlessly tries to keep her haircut in order.

Levi wonders if he should lend her his jacket and remembers the time Hange did the same for him. That starts a new chain of thought - his interactions with Hange in the recent weeks, or, rather a disappointing lack of them. Hange doesn't come to disturb his quiet lunches anymore and she doesn't drape herself over his table, pestering him with stupid jokes and annoying puns.

Perhaps, it is for the best. Perhaps, it will make moving on even easier, but Levi doesn't want easier. He wants his best friend back. Even if she doesn't share his feelings.

"Levi?" Petra's voice pulls him out of his thoughts. It's gentle and quiet, like a summer breeze. It's drastically different from Hange's loud, booming one that resembles a thunder. Levi winces as soon the comparison enters his mind.

You're trying to move on, you idiot.

"Levi," Petra repeats, clutching the sleeve of his jacket to stir him away from a sidewalk. "I think we need to talk."

Oh, Levi knows that tone. It's a tone that says there is nothing wrong with you, but…

It's a tone that says it's their fifth and last date.

"I'm sorry," he tells Petra as soon as she seats them at a nearby bench. He really is sorry. He's sorry for wanting but not actually trying hard enough to move on. Petra deserves better than that. Deserves someone who will love her for who she is and not as a replacement for someone he can never have.

"It's alright," Petra smiles, because she's amazing like that. Because she's a kind person Levi never deserved. "I understand. There is someone else, right?" she gingerly lays her hand on his chest, right above his heart. "Someone that lives here."

Levi nods jerkily, moving his eyes to stare at the dark street. The sympathy in Petra's eyes is almost too much to bear.

"I should have known..." Petra chuckles, shakes her head. "When I first saw you, at that party, I was instantly taken away. You looked so handsome, with that sharp jaw and piercing eyes, I couldn't stop staring. I kept trying to catch your gaze, wishing that you would look back and be just as struck by me as I was of you. But you had eyes only for one person, right?"

There is no judgement, no anger in her voice. Petra sounds rather wistful, and Levi thinks that he'd rather endure her bitterness than have her kindness.

"Petra, I'm sorry, I—"

"Don't be," she says, placing a hand on his cheek. She caresses his skin, turning his face to look at her. She's smiling, so sweet and breathtakingly pretty. "It wasn't fair of me, to wish for something that wasn't mine. I saw the two of you, only a blind wouldn't see how devoted you are to my cousin...” and yet, Levi can’t help, but think bitterly, there is someone who still doesn’t see. “Hange is so brilliant, so smart, but sometimes she doesn't notice what's right in front of her. You have to show her, Levi, give a little push in the right direction," Petra pauses, presses her lips to his cheek. "Just don't give up yet. I want you both to be happy."

"Petra..." he touches her hand on his cheek, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you for everything."

"I have my fair share of fun," she giggles. Petra stands up, smoothing her skirt. She turns to look at him, "By the way, Levi, do you have a brother?"

He chuckles, shaking his head. "Only a balding, annoying uncle who is twice your age."

"Ah," Petra's face falls. "Guess the world isn't lucky enough to have another one of you. But who knows?" she grins. "Maybe, I'll find someone even better."

As Levi watches her walk away, skipping between cars and people with an easy spring in her step, he wishes that Petra - the girl who looks just like a disney princess - will find her prince and get her happily ever after.

***

Levi pushes the door of his apartment complex, feeling spent and exhausted, with Petra's words still weighing heavily over his head.

Maybe, he should take her advice? Maybe, he should tell Hange how he feels, just to let it out of his chest.

He contemplates if he should call her or send her a text.

hey, hange, your cousin just broke up with me, because i'm hopelessly in love with you. i have beer and leftover pizza. want to hang out?

He quickly pushes the idea away. It'd be too pathetic even for him.

Besides, what if Hange isn't at home? What if she isn't alone and is on another date or already in someone else's arms?

Levi doesn't think he can take it. At least, not today.

As he shuffles up the stairs, he looks up to see the familiar hallway that leads to his apartment. Everything is as it always is - fluorescent light that flicks on and off, large trashcan littered with cigarette buts, a window that stands broken for almost a month now, and a body sitting by his doorstep.

Levi stops.

The body is definitely a new addition.

Tall, lanky and adorned with a mop of messy hair, Levi recognizes it instantly.

He quickens his step, worry seizing his throat.

What Hange is doing here? Is she ill? Is she—

"Leviii! Here you are!"

Lopsided grin, unfocused gaze and glasses that are steadily slipping down her nose, Levi doesn't need to see a bottle of wine clutched in her hand to know that Hange is drunk.

"The fuck you're doing here, four-eyes?" he grunts, taking the bottle away.

"I came to see you," she slurs, and it's a testament of how far he is gone, because even now, he finds Hange incredibly endearing.

"Why?" he pinches the bridge of his nose, an almost overwhelming feeling of I can't fucking do this right now washing over him.

"I wanted to—" Hange falters, and her grin disappears. "Doesn't matter," she mutters and attempts to stand up. "I should go."

She sways on her feet and trips, almost falls, but Levi doesn't let her. He catches her in the very last moment, putting his arms around her waist.

Hange's hands are around his neck, and she doesn't look him in the eyes. She stares at his left cheek instead.

"You really like her, huh?" she murmurs. "I'm happy, Levi."

Hange doesn't look happy at all. Her lips are pressed together, tightly, and there are tears in her eyes.

Levi doesn't understand.

He presses a hand to his cheek, to the spot Hange was looking at.

His fingers come away red.

Oh, it hits him. Petra's lipstick.

Was that the thing that upset Hange?

"C'mon," he pushes Hange upwards, despite her feeble protests. He doesn't have the energy to deal with it right now, but he can't just leave Hange here or let her go home by herself. "Let's get you inside."

"No, Levi," Hange fruitlessly attempts to push him away, but Levi just tightens his hold on her and presses her to his side.

"Don't squirm so much," he admonishes, struggling to get to his key. "Where did you get so drunk anyway?"

During their many years of friendship, Levi has seen drunk Hange more times that he could count. But he had never seen her like this. Drunk Hange can be loud, vulgar, batshit insane. But she's not a sad drunk, never were. And the things she just said, the melancholy that accompanied them... Levi doesn't know what to make of it.

He decides not to acknowledge it, after all, Hange is drunk, even if she acts more strangely than usual, and so he focuses on getting her inside his apartment without letting her fall down or hit the wall.

It proves to be a more complicated task than anticipated because Hange keeps trying to get away from him.

Levi mutters a curse. As if he would let her.

After they finally pass the threshold, a tougher battle ensues. He leans Hange against the wall and gets on his knees, attempting to take off her shoes while simultaneously keeping her from falling on her ass.

After that is finally done, he drags Hange in the living room and deposits her on a couch.

"Are you sober enough to take a shower?" he asks, already knowing the answer.

Hange confirms it by shaking her head.

On one hand, Levi can always shower her himself, he has done it before. On the other... he's not drunk enough to do it.

"What a mess," he sighs and goes to bring her a blanket and a glass of water.

"So?" he drapes the blanket over her and crouches next to her face. "What happened?"

"I was out with Nanaba..." she begins, hand thrown over her face. "And then Mike and Erwin showed up..."

Ah, so that's who he needs to blame for all of it.

"And they asked me where you were and I told them about your date and Petra and..." Hange lets out a sound, something between a sniffle and sob. "And then they ambushed me! Mike said that I'm an idiot, Erwin told that I acted surprisingly unwise, which is... Have you ever noticed that sometimes Erwin talks like he's a character from Jane Austen's novels? Like he's Darcy or some other shit? It's irritating, I bet he does it on purpose, to appear more... more sophisticated."

"Hange," he flicks her forehead lightly, chucking to himself. "Get to the point."

"Right, right," she nods. "And then Nanaba... Nanaba smacked my head! She called me all sorts of names—" Hange raised her fingers, counting. "A moron, a fool, simpleton, dummy, an oblivious ass and a jerk. She then said I'm blind and unobservant."

Well... Nanaba wasn't wrong. Levi needs to thank her for that speech of hers. He couldn't have said it better.

"I'm not any of these things, am I, Levi?"

Hange turns to look at him now, her large eyes pulling him in, drowning him in their endless depth. She moves her hand, laying her palm on his cheek. The gesture reminds him of his conversation with Petra, but his feelings are different now. With Petra he felt ashamed and guilty.

With Hange, he feels confused and enamored.

She's drunk, he reminds himself. She doesn't know what she's doing, you're taking advantage of her.

He needs to leave her alone, to keep his distance before Hange gets her wits back.

"She's so orderly, huh?" Hange whispers, caressing his cheek. "It's your fifth date, and she only kisses you on a cheek."

Levi breathes out her name, unsure of everything now. What Hange is talking about can't possibly be true.

"She's so good, right? Petra is pretty and sweet, and she's not crazy like me. She doesn't annoy you like I do, and she's—"

She's not you, Levi wants to say. Instead he presses a hand over her mouth, silencing Hange before another stupid thing comes out.

"Stop this, four-eyes. You don't know what you're talking about. You're drunk."

"I am," Hange agrees. "Do you want to know why? Because I fucked up. Because I lost you and it's my fault that I did. Because the thought of you with someone else is so painful that I decided to drink until I forget," she chuckles, a broken, hollow sound, and raises her head to stare at the ceiling. "And now here we are."

Here they are...

"Nanaba was right," Levi curtly declares. "You're an idiot, Hange, the biggest one I had seen."

"Eh?"

"Do you know why it didn't work out with all the people you set me up with? Why it didn't work out with Petra? Why it wouldn't work out with anyone else?"

Hange opens her mouth, but Levi silences her once again.

"I'll let you think about it. You can tell me your answer in the morning."

Before Hange can protest, he plucks off her glasses and wraps the blanket tighter around her.

"Water is on a coffee table," he tells and heads to the bed.

It was one hell of a day. And something tells him - another horrible one is already waiting for him.

***

When he wakes up in the morning, it's to the pleasant smell of fried eggs and freshly brewed tea.

Cautiously, with last night’s events still fresh in his mind, he gets up and follows the smell to his kitchen.

There, he finds Hange with her hair still wet from a shower and dressed in his t-shirt and shorts.

Levi takes a second to take it all in - the sight of Hange in his clothes, the ease with which she moves around his kitchen, as though she belongs here, in his home. It's a sight he would never forget, and a sight he longs to see every morning, until the end of his days.

Hange notices him a moment later. She waves at him, grinning, and beckons him to take a seat.

"Good morning," she sings, far too cheerful for a person who was too drunk to stand last night.

She sets two plates and two cups on a table, and sits down next to him.

"How did you sleep?" she asks through a mouthful of her breakfast. "Good, I hope?"

"It was fine," he shrugs, attempting to mask his unease. Hange looks at him... strangely. "And you?"

"Mm, just a few hours and then I couldn't really sleep," ah, that explains it all then. Levi guesses Hange's cup isn't filled with tea. He wonders how much coffee she had already consumed. "I did something, by the way, to thank you for letting me crush at your place."

"You mean breakfast?"

"Well, that too, but no, another thing." Hange straightens out suddenly, shooting him a rueful grin. Her eyes, however, are nervous. "I've found you another date!"

Levi's face falls, but Hange either doesn't notice or doesn't care. She keeps on talking.

"She's something, Levi, super smart, downright hilarious and is extremely, unbelievably sexy. What's better, she's completely crazy about you. Like, it's actually embarrassing how much she likes you. Talks and thinks about you all the time, considers you the best thing in her life, well, like I said, she's crazy. She will lose it completely if you agree."

For a long moment, Levi is silent. He pushes the food around the plate, keeping his face down. And his smile away from Hange's eyes.

Then, when he physically can feel Hange's nervousness, he finally speaks.

"I guess, I can go on a date or two. See if we're compatible or not."

"Mm, I think you're quite compatible."

"I think so too."

It gets quiet for a moment, and then, because Hange is the biggest idiot he had ever met, she leans close to him and whispers, "I was talking about myself. You realized it, right? I'm asking you on a date. Just you know, I don't want you to misunderstand something or—"

Hange is insufferable. Impossible. Infuriating. Absolutely breathtaking, even in the moments of her greatest stupidity.

And kissing before the first date is unseemly. Outrageous, as Erwin would have put it. Levi’s mother didn’t raise him like that.

But Levi does it anyway, because, as he finds out - it's the best way to shut Hange up.

The kiss is quick, chaste, just a momentary touch to the corner of her lips.

Luckily, it’s enough to make her halt mid-sentence, her mouth hanging open slightly.

Levi rather likes her dazed expression.

“I have one condition,” he remarks casually, returning to his breakfast.

“Anything,” Hange promises, and Levi smirks at the slight breathlessness in her voice.

“No more setting me up with other people.”

“Oh,” she laughs, and because she’s utterly impossible he presses a kiss to his lips too. “Yeah, I can definitely work with that.”

Well, Levi can work with that too.

#levihan

[joezworld]

📁

Specifically, any headcanons of the Sodor Engines interacting with the internet, or the internet in general?

For some reason, I’d imagine that podcasts and the like are popular among vehicles in general.

That is a question that I've been working on for some time - because I'm workshopping my own Tornado headcanon (and boy oh boy does she use the internet a lot) - but I have some ideas for the Sodor engines as well: 

Henry is probably the most "plugged in" engine on the island, weirdly enough. One of his drivers gave him an iPod back in the early 2000s, and kindly preloaded it with a bunch of torrented music.

 BTW, that works because all the engines are now equipped with automatic train warning systems, and the little on-board computer has a USB port - as a nice side effect it allows music players to work with the engines in the same way as bone-conducting headphones do. The computer also acts as some kind of computer interface, which I am not going to explain how that works because Jesus Christ I don’t know how it does either.  

 Henry has managed to upgrade his iPod a few times since thanks to hand-me-down units from NWR staff, so he eventually got his buffers on a wifi-enabled iPod Touch and now downloads new music from the station wifi. He does listen to podcasts, but as every other engine will tell you, you could show Henry ten thousand new and exciting songs from the best artists in the world, and his top ten played songs are still going to be Genesis, Phil Collins, and Yes. Bear considers it a win that he managed to convince Henry to regularly listen to Rush after a mere twenty years of convincing. 

 Mavis and Daisy listen to a very interesting program called The News, because as stated elsewhere, they invest a shitload of money and need to be on top of things. Thomas and Percy wish that Daisy would use headphones or something similar to that, instead of listening to Bloomberg TV at loud volumes in the middle of the night. Toby frankly doesn’t mind, as it’s very nice to be kept up-to-date on the outside world.  

In a move that surprises no-one, Bill and Ben have a podcast where they talk about whatever they think about at that moment - usually horse-racing, investing, and clay mining. As such, they have a wide audience, almost none of whom know that they’re that Bill and Ben, as their podcast is audio-only.  

 In an also unsurprising move, Edward and BoCo have been made very much aware that Bill and Ben have a podcast, but are still unsure as to what the hell a podcast is, despite being frequent guests on it.  

Of the main line diesels, only Bear has shown any real interest in the internet, and was immediately put in charge of the Amazon Alexa when a unit was installed in the diesel shed. He also has an iPod that he got for Christmas a few years back. (The NWR has a very good personal  electronics recycling program called give it to Henry, he’ll make use it.)  

Bear does listen to podcasts as well as music, but his choices are so insufferably boring that even Henry refuses to listen to them. (I don’t really listen to podcasts - despite making one - so insert the most boring podcast you can think of here.) 

 As for other internet uses... 

Gordon is very up-to-date on the newest social media trends - somehow - but only really cares when he is involved. He won’t admit it, but he’s been trying to figure out how to work a camera/selfie stick for some time so he can start up his own Instagram account. So far he has been unsuccessful, but one day he will manage it. 

 James has had an ongoing feud with his own Wikipedia page for about a decade now. The article sourced most of its information about his construction off of some out-of-print book about the L&Y. The book in question is accurate about James’ class, but not James himself - as he was a prototype engine. There’s no other primary sources available, so the very dedicated Wikipedia mod who created the page won’t change it - no matter how much James complains that he was there! He knows what happened! 

Every now and again a TTTE fan blog/tumblr will make a post about hypothetical “ships” of the Sodor engines. Most of the time it’s shipping the core characters like Gordon and Henry, much to Gordon’s bafflement and Henry’s amusement! 

Only one blog (a ttte fan tumblr by the curious name of @mean-scarlet-deceiver  ) has gotten it right. Henry actually reached out to congratulate this blogger, but was unfortunately mistaken for a very dedicated roleplay account.  

James is very annoyed by these blogs, as they have never once correctly guessed who he is “shipped” with! He has tried several times to be seen in public with Delta, but these events have never gone as planned - the “best” instance is when Edward rolled by at exactly the wrong moment, leading to months of speculation that JamesxEdward was the ship to look out for! 

Thomas, being a generally oblivious sort of engine, was totally unaware of the online fan community around the TV show until he started getting actively harassed by vloggers and Instagrammers in the early 2010s. He’s fine with it now, but it was a deeply unusual experience for most of 2012.  

Toby has developed an unexpectedly popular following on social media following his collab with Stormzy. His official twitter is huge now, with over a million followers, even if he has no idea what to do with it. He posts rarely, but usually manages to make an incredible post when he does.

No-one is sure who told Oliver what a “fan-production” is, but if you manage to get ahold of him for any period of time and ask him nicely, he will lend his voice to your TTTE fan-project, so long as it isn’t about [INSERT TERRIBLE SOCIAL/POLITICAL VIEW(S) HERE]. This means that he has 100% voiced dramatic readings of NSFW Fanfics before, which is always an absolute riot to spring on people unannounced.

There is a series of slice-of-life TTTE fanfics on Ao3 that have been written with such accuracy and innate railway knowledge that people are sure it was written by a Sodor engine, but nobody knows which one.

The Culdee Fell Railway has very active Instagram, Twitter and YouTube accounts, with all of the engines and coaches showing up regularly. It’s about the closest any of the railways on Sodor have come to what those outside the UK would call “normal locomotive social media”.

The Skarloey Railway has social media accounts too, but they don’t really feature the engines in any meaningful way, instead being used as a normal service announcements page.  

 The SR is a real working railway that doesn’t rely on tourism money as much as the others do, so they get a bit of a pass here.  

 The Arlesdale Railway has Twitter and YouTube, which didn’t usually get a lot of hits until 2020, when Ivan and Amanda Farrier started badgering the staff to make some videos just to alleviate some boredom. So far the most popular videos on the channel are a front-mounted camera video of the entire line slow-tv style, Bert explaining how steam engines work, and a video of Mike complaining about Justin Bieber for a solid half-hour.  

 That’s about it as far as Sodor goes, but before we’re done, I want to take a moment to talk about Tornado, because I have some fun ideas for her... 

First of all, we need to establish that Tornado is very young. Her construction only started in late 90′s, and she was steamed to life in 2000, putting her firmly into the “Zoomer” category. Add in the fact that she was built by a bunch of old men who didn’t really know how to treat a new engine, and she was raised much more like a human than a locomotive - I’ll get to this much more in the proper Tornado Headcanon post, but what this means here is that when social media started being a thing in the mid-to-late 2000′s, the people at the A1 Trust decided that they needed a young person to run things like Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace... and, well, Tornado was the youngest person in the trust by a large margin.

I should state here that in the rest of the world, locomotives are on the internet at roughly the same level as humans are, so there’s plenty of equipment to connect a phone/computer/camera to an engine - being English, the A1 Trust didn’t know how common it was, but they managed to get it up and running just the same.

 So Tornado has very quickly become attuned to the internet, just like any other teenager would. (yes, let’s let that settle into our minds for a moment - Tornado is barely old enough to drink in the US!) Quite naturally that means that she knows social media inside and out, and is actually quite a proficient social media manager for the trust, managing all of their social pages. More than one person who has complained about the trust on twitter has unknowingly been complaining to Tornado herself! 

 “On the internet, nobody knows that you’re a dog Engine”. 

 Tornado has her own personal social media accounts too, but most/all of the time she gets mistaken for a very dedicated role-player, as the general perception of British Locomotives is that they don’t tweet. This has resulted in some amazing reactions from podcast hosts (because, as you might expect, Tornado is very knowledgeable about steam traction in the 21st century, and tweets about it often, so train podcasts want to talk to her) when she gets invited onto video calls, turns on her webcam, and is met with screams from people who suddenly realize that her profile picture is accurate.  

 By far the best instance of this is when she was invited onto a video call with a railfan podcast. She was at the NRM at the time and managed to convince them to let her use their Skype setup. A wide-angle lens was needed because she was on the turntable in the Great Hall, so that podcast quickly got sidetracked when her webcam was turned on and revealed Tornado, with Mallard, Evening Star, City of Truro, and Green Arrow visible behind her. Whatever the original topic was quickly got thrown out in favor of a 2-hour Q&A with some of the most famous engines in the UK. 

#ask response #the internet #ttte thomas #ttte toby #ttte bill and ben #ttte gordon #ttte daisy #ttte mavis #ttte henry #ttte bear #ttte oliver #tornado #nrm #trains using the internet #ttte #sodor #sodor shenangians #the formatting on this one is super fucked up and i can't figure out how to fix it - sorry