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thecameronchronicles · 1 year

Text

5 Minutes Or Less

TW: Public Sex. Smut. Degrading Language.

Kook!Reader x JJ Maybank.

Enemies x Lovers.

SUMMARY: JJ’s eavesdropping ends in your pleasure…

WORD COUNT: 1700

*ORIGINAL CONCEPT*

5 Minutes or Less

You couldn’t even fathom why he would even be here. It wasn’t as if he was the life of the party as he may have been on his side of the island, on The Cut. Yet, he was shameless to indulge in what was offered to you and your fellow friends by the lead Kook who arranged this weekly gathering of drinking and drugs to quell his own vices. But as others were too focused on the imminent high or approaching intoxication, he just kept his eyes narrowed to you. Even if you shouldn’t have been surprised as this seemed to be his go-to interaction you shared as tensions from across any room in which you were together, for some reason tonight it had put you further on edge than normal. Perhaps it was because he was without his other pogues. Or perhaps it was even the way his eyes didn’t waver from you for even a second. Not as he took a sip. Not as he was bullied by your friends. And not as you could no longer take the heat of his iced focus.

“Maybe something is just broken in me…” You confessed to Sarah as she bent over the vanity of the bathroom, applying another line of gloss over her lips.

“You just haven’t had the right guy. I’m telling you, high school guys have no idea what the hell they’re doing…” She confessed. “Which is why I don’t waste my time anymore.” You slowly nodded, the details of the conversation rather vulgar despite the fact they echoed well into the hallway.

“Sorry to hear about your predicament, princess…” JJ’s voice stilled you in place as Sarah continued down the steps and you turned to find him leaning against the wall of the bathroom, dimples on exposure as he was quite proud of himself.

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re not above eavesdropping…” You shot in his direction before attempting to slip away back in the trail of your friend. But once again, his words were a means to stay. But not because they were welcomed by your heart, but because they were a further fan to the hatred that burned for him beneath your otherwise soft exterior.

“I know what your problem is…”

“Oh really?” You asked with a roll of your eyes before he now blocked the path you could have made to escape these tensions.

“You just haven’t had the right person is all…I mean…it shouldn’t take too long-”

“And what would YOU know about it?” You spat as he scoffed.

“Only that I could do it faster than even yourself.” Your brow raised, the need to prove him wrong having caused any lines of morality and reason to blur.

“Like I’d ever let you touch me to find out…”

“I always knew you were entitled and materialistic…but I never took you as a coward.” Your jaw clenched, “I’d even give you the benefit here…Let’s say…Five minutes or less…”

“You think you can make me come in less than five minutes with nothing else but your fingers?”

“It would be even shorter with my tongue, but yeah…definitely…” You clenched your jaw at the thought, having now been at rest at the wall between the steps and the bathroom as he had set you this way throughout the conversation.

“Fine then…” He smirked, drawing his fingers to his smirk and sucking them into a drip, before moving closer to your shorts.

“I hope you taste sweeter than you are because you can be such a brat-”

“You aren’t any-” Your words were silenced by his fingers making contact directly at your sex. The way he was able to keep you almost in a trance just by his own gaze had proven itself once again as you had been moved in such a way without learning of his fingers as they moved stealthily to you.

“Is that all it took to shut you up after all this time?” Your eyes narrowed as you were stubborn, not allowing even a second of satisfaction to read across your face, even if his touch was enough to want to ride to your release. You’d had other fingers between those lower lips, but none that felt like his and you couldn't understand why. He wasn’t even allowing pleasure in longevity or depth as he was strictly teasing you, but perhaps this was what made you force those tremors into reserve. Because he was teetering around that satisfaction,well aware if he were to move a hairline over to your clit or a degree lower, he would have you belting out his name and renouncing your Kook citizenship, simply to come. And you loathed how he had this effect over you. The same effect that made you need to prove him wrong to such a degree that left any remaining virtues at your feet as he grinned widely at your reactions.

“Oh look at that face…you’re not going to come already are you? More desperate than I thought…” He berated as your grip tightened around his wrist as you rode further into his ringed fingers, a second now in attendance as his thumb made broad circles over your clit.

“Oh you want to, I can feel it…" But as you could no longer fight him, the expiration of time still well out of reach, he would lengthen your torment.

"Just how desperate are you, sweetheart?"

"JJ-" You spoke through clenched teeth, your tone aggressive, as your eyes pleaded with him.

"Bet you'd let me fuck you right now…"

"Yes! Please!" His face suddenly read in pure bewilderment that quickly shifted to amusement until your hand wrapped around the back of his neck. Maybe it was the fact it was forbidden as far as social standards were concerned. Or maybe even the fact you had always been curious for his touch. Either way, you were desperate to know it. But that grip wrapped at his soin would drive his lips to yours, a single collision that left you willing to do whatever was necessary to keep the connection.

His kiss was sweet, a contrast to his vulgar words and even more aggressive touch. But you craved it. You wanted to know all the ways your body would respond to him alkaot ad much as he wanted. Almost. But all he needed was the confirmation of your submission before he turned you towards the wall, fingers remaining to pleasure you, as his second hand pulled you back at an angle to kiss him.

"You ARE desperate for me…wanting me to fuck you like this…where anyone can see you.. " You were too lost in the pleasure to care. You didn't care how it would appear. Nobody had ever made you feel like this and you were certain nobody ever could again. Nobody but him at least.

"You wanna come?"

"Please JJ!"

"Then beg like a good little slut begging for this pogue cock…"

"I want it…" You mewled as he continuously edged you.

"Why don't we beg a bit more? Sounds so pretty, princess. So desperate for me-"

"Please…JJ…."

"Hasn't even been three minutes…" He scoffed, taunting you for your inability to exercise even a moment's patience.

"I'd bet you'd also suck me dry just to keep my fingers like this…"

"Please, JJ! Please!" You pulled him back into a kiss as he was left in consideration. But the way you pressed against him and moaned before him was too much to bear. And so, in seconds, you were exposed from the waist down as the sound of his belt and joint buckle would be enough to inform you he joined in the vulnerability.

"Yes!" You cursed aloud as he pounded into you, his dominant hand kept at your sex as the other was stationed at the wall for support. Your body was taken into an angle and then thrust into the wall in repetition as you moaned for him.

"Has anybody else even ever been inside you, you're squeezing me like a fucking virgin!" He nearly growled into your ear as you validated you were experienced, but not enough to know how to make yourself come as he threatened to make you. Your eyes rolled at the thought.

"Just never been fucked right, is that it? They're probably soft with you, telling you all those pretty words…but you need the dirty ones to make you come…"

"J-"

"Like how you're a whore dressing where I can tell you like to wear thongs? Or how about how I know you've made yourself come thinking about me…but it doest feel like this does it, sweetheart?"

"No…." You confessed.

"You're gonna let me come inside you, right? Enough to drip down your thighs as you try to walk back to your little friends? I bet you won't make it another hour before needing me again…just needing my tongue because you'll be too sore for my cock again…"

"Please!"

"Tell me what you want. I don't think I've made you any stupider than you are…But if it is making it hard to say it.." His hand moved from your clit and to your neck. "Then scream it."

"Fuck me!"

Your body was suddenly unleashed. Never before this moment had an orgasm charged through you to this degree. Only pleasure surged as conduits beyond each nerve as you felt him find his own release behind you. But even if he would have caused pain by how stuffed he left you, nothing could counter the effect he left behind. Your skin almost buzzed and your eyes were unable to see anything but remnants of the stars he forced to form behind compressed eyes.

You would never admit it. But you didn't have to. He knew he was the best you'd had. And just as you wouldn't offer that confession, neither would he.

"Guess I won…" He smirked into your ear as you savored your tremors. Like sparks from a live wire, the desire remained. But just like the safety of such danger, it faded as he descended the steps, leaving you unsure of what would transpire if you were to see each other again. But you hoped you would.

Taglist: @hopebaker @iovdrew @penny4yourthoughts @magnificantmermaid @pickingviolets @lovedetlost @trikigirl271 @maybankslover @slut4starkey @slvtherinseeker @obxiskewl @bluesongbird @slut-era @ailee-celeste @camilynn @sweetestdesire @onmykneesforrafe @drews1love @pankhoeforlife @pankowperfection

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justallihere · 2 months

Note

Question, I’ve been wondering about this, but feel free not to answer (or answer publicly) if it would spoil anything for SITQ. I’ve been reading on vibes enjoying the slow burn and haven’t put any thought into Violet’s second signet there—I know if I went back and did a re-read I could probably find the hints you said you’ve dropped but I’m just cruising for now, so I won’t 😂

But I was wondering what your thoughts were on *that* scene in IF, Ch52 I think it is, where Vi goes to bed while Xaden’s away for the week and then wakes the next night apparently cuddled up next to him, but then he ‘returns’ six days later?

Editing mistake, or signet foreshadowing? Because I’m 90% that it’s an editing mistake 👀 Open to being proven wrong of course, haha, but I was just curious as to your thoughts?

Just reading on vibes is so ME. I feel that so hard

I think it’s just an editing mistake. The whole book is kind of a mess in terms of pacing and editing anyway. I’ll be honest with you, I’ve only read IF all the way through once, and I read quickly, so I didn’t even clock that one until people started pointing it out and coming up with all these insane theories. In the most respectful way possible, people are giving RY too much credit 💀 I love these books but she hasn’t done anything yet to make me think that she’s putting the same amount of thought into powers and signets and such that all the fans are. I have a whole post sitting in my drafts about Violet’s second signet that I’m gonna post after this next chapter and yeah. . . Maybe I’m just a hater but I think we all should tone down our expectations lmao

The main thing ✨I✨ got from IF is that Violet needs information to be grounded and feel like herself. I think her signet will be related to that

#iron flame #iron flame spoilers

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eddiernunson · 11 months

Text

Trapped | Eddie Munson | Part 11

Prev Part | Master List | Epilogue

Pairing: Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 11.6k

Next and final chapter will be an Epilogue.

Warnings: It's the last two episodes of ST4...so you get the gist. A large talk of grief at the end with a slight tw for EDs (food restriction due to depression). I don't put all three story lines from Hawkins in. This one has 90% of only what the reader experiences. At the end there's a gap filler for what happens for her over the two days later bullshit that we all had to just...sit through.

Authors Note: Fun fact, as I make this draft it was a year ago that I published the first Part. Man I didn't think I would follow through for the full thing at times but I'm happy to have proven myself wrong.

Chapter Eight: Papa

Stagnant relief made a startling switch into action as the stakes reached into space. A fire is lit under your ass into Eddie’s bedroom, attempting the hopeless task to find any sense of music both Nancy and Eddie would own.

As someone who resided and listened to his music with him, the task was daunting to see if he had any of that Madonna he was once accused of singing in the shower after you had just gotten together. Your eyes switch to Max’s trailer next door, wondering if you could just snatch a tape from her collection. However, it was clear from the yelling and the chaos that there wasn’t enough time for that.

Erica bursts into the room after being on Upside Down watch claiming, “Steve says you need to hurry!”

“Yeah? No shit!” Dustin yelled, on the verge of a rampage.

“We’re trying. We can’t find anything.” Max yells, having gone through half of Eddie’s music yet finding nothing she could use.

“What is all this shit?” Robin yells out, clutching a handful of tapes of artists she’s never even heard of.

“What are you even looking for?” Eddie barks out, this point annoyed his tape collection has been made a mess of.

“Madonna, Blondie, Bowie, Beatles? Music! We need music!”

Eddie grabs a tape from her, pissed off. “This is music!”

“Okay.” You interject, attempting to de-escalate the already high tense situation. “Okay, Max lives right down the road, why don’t two of us go and grab one that would—”

“Guys!” A loud bark from down the hall comes from Steve, calling out. The collective group makes their way over to see what he was yelling about, met with the sight of Nancy scared yet still alive.

As Steve and Nancy both climbed the rope to make their way back, Dustin peers at you with a particular look on his face. “You know, that’s not a bad idea.”

“What?”

“Max’s house, when they get back, we’ll go meet over there so Vecna can’t eavesdrop as much.”

“That wasn’t—” You started, but realized there wasn’t much of a point. “Alright.”

Once Steve lands on the landing pad with a stupid amount of grace Dustin lets him know the plans. Steve rolls his eyes, implying they weren’t going to be able to stay with the gate being so close, anyway.

The plan is shared, and you make yourself comfortable at Max’s, while Nancy tells the story of what she had seen.

As it turns out, Vecna was Henry Creel, son of Victor Creel. He was the one who tormented and murdered his family and Chrissy, Fred, and Patrick. Apparently as an Orderly he murdered dozens more in the Labs when there were more numbers than Eleven. In fact, he was One.

Nancy explains everything she saw, and she starts to stammer when she reaches towards the end. Throughout her discussion, she is withdrawn and factual, an armour for her fear.

“He showed me things that haven’t happened yet. The most awful things.” She whispered, continuing her explanation. “I saw a dark cloud spreading over Hawkins. Downtown on fire. Dead soldiers. And this…giant creature with… a gaping mouth. And this creature wasn’t alone.” Her words rung out in a dead silence, no one even daring to breathe. It was truly a higher stake than any of you have ever faced, and it was terrifying. “There were so many monsters. An army. And they were coming into Hawkins. Into our neighborhoods. Our homes. And then… he showed me my mom,” Nancy chokes out, a tear running down her face. “And Holly. Mike. And they…they were all…” She can’t even finish her sentence, and she didn’t have to.

Steve, sitting to your right on the couch as you sat on the floor attempts to defuse the tension risen in the air. “Okay, but… he’s just trying to scare you, Nance.” He says, looking at his lap. You barely believed him and wondered if he believed himself. “Right? I mean…I mean it’s not real.”

“Not yet.” Nancy answers, not accepting his attempt. “But there… there was something else. He showed me gates. Four gates. Spreading across Hawkins. And these gates, they looked like the one outside of Eddie’s trailer, but…they didn’t stop growing. And this wasn’t the Upside Down Hawkins. This was our Hawkins. Our home.”

“Four chimes.” Max speaks up. Your eyes all flutter to her, as she stands leant up against the doorway. “Vecna’s clock. It always chimes four times. Four exactly.”

Nancy gulps. “I heard them too.” You switch your glance back to Nancy, and to say you were a fan of this connection would be a lie.

The air hangs heavy in Max’s house, your pulse racing despite you sitting completely still.

“He’s been telling us his plan this whole time.” Max says.

“Four kills.” Lucas adds, doing the math. “Four gates. End of the world.”

“If that’s true…” Dustin chimes in, hands on his hips and at a loss for words, “he’s only one kill away.”

Eddie speaks up for the first time in a while, and you love him even more for what he says. “Oh Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ.” He grumbles into his hands, his hair dishevelled and his body tensing up.

“Try ‘em again. Try ‘em again.” Steve urges Max, referring to the many calls attempted to get a hold of the Buyers before Nancy started explaining what she had saw.

Max does so, running to her phone to give it another ring. She barely holds it before she hangs it up again.

“Anything?” Dustin asks her.

“No. Rang a few times, then went to a busy signal.”

“Maybe you punched it wrong. Try again.” Steve tells her, momentarily taking his hands off his face for it.

“I didn’t punch it in wrong.”

“Well, I don’t know.”

“I think she knows how to use a phone” Dustin interjects, sticking up for Max.

“I’m just saying, she could’ve typed it in wrong.” Steve argues.

Max punches in the phone again, hanging it up even louder after a few seconds. “Same shit.”

“How is that possible?” Lucas asks, his hands on his hips.

“Joyce has this telemarketer job. She’s always on the phone.” Dustin answers. “Mike won’t stop whining about it.”

“Yeah but his phone’s been busy for, what, three days now? That’s not Joyce. No way. Something’s wrong.” Max argues, and despite the telemarketing job being logical, she has a point.

“She’s right.” Nancy agrees. “It can’t be just coincidence. It can’t be.” She gets up, staring out the window. “Whatever’s happening in Lenora is connected to all of this. I’m sure of it. But Vecna can’t hurt them. Not if he’s dead. We have to back in there. Back to the Upside Down.” Nancy announces, and she’s almost an entirely different person after these last five minutes. There’s a conviction in her voice that didn’t feel earned.

The following response is simultaneous.

“Whoa, no, no, no. What?” Steve asks in his most incredulous voice. (And as you know, there are levels)

“Nope. Nope.” Eddie dismisses out of hand, waving his hands to demonstrate his exact disdain for her plan.

“The place we just spent 12 hours trying to escape?” You ask her, hoping she wasn’t serious. Because surely she’s not.

“Let’s think this through.” Steve argues, getting up off the couch to get to Nance.

“What is there to think through?” Nancy interrupts him, confronting him.

“We barely made it out of there in once piece.” Steve argues back.

“That’s what I’m saying.” You mutter, agreeing with him. You look up at your boyfriend as he continues to rub his face in pure stress. You sit up on the couch next to him, rubbing his hand in comfort. He indulges, placing his head into your neck.

“Yeah, because we weren’t prepared. But this time, we will be. We’ll get weapons and protection. We’ll go through the gate, we’ll find his lair, and we’ll kill him.” Nancy answers him, listing it off as if it were so simple.

“Or he’ll kill us.” Steve bites back. “The only reason you survived is because he wanted you to. He’s not scared of us.”

“And for good reason.” Robin pipes up for the first time in a while. “We were wrong about Vecna. Henry. One.” She stammers, losing her point. “Sorry. What are we calling him now?”

“One.”

“Vecna.”

“One.”

“Henry.”

“Right. We’ve learned something new about Vecna slash Henry slash One. He’s a number like Eleven, only a sick, evil, male, child-murdering version of her with really bad skin. But my…my point is, he’s super powerful. He could turn us inside out with a snap of his fingers. It’s not a fair fight.”

“Then why fight fair?” Dustin asks, his mind reeling. “You’re right. He’s like Eleven. But that gives us an upper hand. We know Eleven’s strengths. And weaknesses.”

“Weaknesses?” Erica asks pointedly.

“When El remote-travels, she goes into this sort of trance-like state. I bet the same is true of Vecna.” Dustin explains.

“That would explain what he was doing in that attic.” Lucas understands.

“Exactly. When he attacks his next victim, I’ll bet you he’s back in that attic, physical body defenseless.”

“Defenseless?” Steve bites out. “What about the army of bats?” He says, pointing to his neck to where he was strangled.

“Right. We’ll have to find a way past them. Distract them somehow.” Dustin admits to a flaw in his ever-growing plan.

“And, uh, how do we do that, exactly?” Eddie bites out, standing up.

“No idea.” Dustin admits, and Eddie sits right back down. What was brewing in that mind of his? “But once they’re gone, he doesn’t stand a chance. It’ll be like slaying sleeping Dracula in his coffin.”

“That all sounds great,” you say, standing up from the couch, “in theory.” You finish. “We don’t know when or who he’s going even attack next.”

“Yeah, we do.” Max whispers out. “I can still feel him. I’m still marked. Cursed. I ditch Kate Bush; I draw his focus back to me.”

“Max.” Lucas whispers. “You can’t. He’ll kill you.”

“I survived before.” She gulps, nodding her head. “I can survive again. I just need to keep him busy long enough so that you guys can get into that attic. Then you can chop his head off. Stab him in the heart. Blow him up with some explosive Dustin cooks up. I honestly really don’t care how you put this asshole into his grave. Just…whatever it is…whatever you do…try not to miss.”

The air hangs heavy, again.

But something about how a 15-year-old girl basically offers herself up for a potential sacrifice in the name of destroying the villain does that.

“Check this out. The War Zone.” Eddie says as he taps the ad with his index finger. You stand in-between him and Robin, staring down at the open phone book. “I’ve been there once. It’s huge. They’ve got everything you need for uh…well…” He pauses, catching your eye. “Killing things, basically.”

“You think fake Rambo has enough guns there?” Robin asks, commenting on the ad. “Is that a grenade? I mean, how is any of this legal?”

“Well, lucky for us, it is, so… This… This place is just far enough outside of Hawkins. As long as we steer clear of main roads, we oughta be able to avoid cops and uh, angry hicks.”

“If we’re trying to avoid angry hicks, maybe we shouldn’t go to some store called the War Zone.” Erica points out.

“Normally, I’d agree but we need the weapons. So I think it’s worth the risk.” Nancy states, crossing her arms.

“Me too.” Lucas agrees.

“But is it worth the time?” Dustin asks. “It’ll take all day to bike there and back.”

“Who said anything about bikes?” Eddie asks him, and his voice sounded…cocky?

“You uh, got some car I don’t know about?” You ask, your voice a bit flirtier than you had intended it to.

“It’s…not exactly a car, there sweetheart.” He says, flirting right back. Oh, how you missed this. “And it’s not exactly mine, but uh…it’ll do.” Before you have a minute to revel in how normal your boyfriend seemed, he turns around towards Max. “Hey, Red, uh, you got a ski mask or a bandana, something like that?”

Max smirks, an old favourite making its way to the forefront of her mind.

Eddie’s gleeful smile when she hands over the Michael Meyers mask brings out a certain twinkle in his eyes you missed more than words could say.

He leads the entire group across the grassy fields that maintained a permanent home in the park up against one of his neighbour’s homes. He clutches onto a small grey bag you’ve noticed in a messy corner of his room once or twice, grinning at you maniacally when you have an unsaid question on your face. He scopes around the corner, giving a go a head when it’s all clear. The whole group follows him, all looking over your shoulders as Eddie flies across the grass to a specific trailer his fingers have itched for.

He leads across their front yard, the trailer’s inhabitants distracted by something on the radio. He sneaks around the back to a window he very specifically scoped out and opens and climbs in without a second to spare.

If your heart wasn’t racing so much from trying not to get caught you it would’ve been racing by how surprisingly turned on you were.

As soon as Eddie lands on the couch the Michael Meyers mask is unceremoniously ripped off, “That was suffocating.”

With help from Steve, you climb in, internally swearing at Eddie for making it look way easier than it was. As you get to the front, you sit in passenger seat, drawing the window curtain closed. Steve was right behind you, watching curiously as you were as Eddie made rewiring a vehicle look like idle work for idle hands.

“Where’d you learn how do this?” Steve asks him, paying more attention to the actual rewiring process than Eddie was.

“Well, when the other dads were teaching their kids how to fish or play ball, my dad was teaching me how to hot wire. Now, I swore to myself I wouldn’t wind up like he did, but now I’m wanted for murder, and soon, grand theft auto. So, uh, I’m really living up to that Munson name.” He jokes, giving you a saucy wink as he does.

“Eddie, I’m not sure I love the idea of you driving.” Robin admits timidly.

Eddie smirks, a glint in his eye. “Oh, I’m just startin’ this sucker. Harrington’s got her.” Eddie leans into him, teasing. “Don’t ya, big boy?” Eddie turns and starts the engine, causing a backfire.

The inhabitants of the trailer scramble to their feet upon the backfire. “Hey!”

The door right behind you shakes. “They looked the door!”

Eddie smirks to you, a wild look in his eye. He looks back to Steve, moving to his feet.

For the last two days it felt as if you haven’t seen Eddie experience anything but stress. But here, now, the sounds of the trailer’s true owners yelling after them while they make a quick getaway, he was goddamn thriving.

Steve swears loudly, and before he could even tell Eddie to leave his spot he was already bumping into Steve to the back of the bus. You go right behind him, letting Nancy take the passenger seat.

“It’s just a car.” Steve mutters mostly to himself. “Everybody, hang on to something!”

“Oh my God! Let’s go! Let’s go!” Lucas practically panics.

“Drive, Steve! Drive!” Dustin urges him, mostly everyone having found a spot by now.

Steve drives, and the amount of pure chaos that surrounds both the outside and the inside of the van is at the very least, entertaining.

The radio turned on one of Eddie’s favourite joyride songs, a perfect fit. While the rest of the crowd is on edge and anxious, you are thriving in watching him headbang during one of the most inconvenient times.

The motor home turns the corners of the trailer park hard, yanking your body every which way as everyone seems to simultaneously be yelling at once. The inhabitants’ voices eventually fade, and Steve turns onto the main road.

Mission: Grand Theft Auto was officially successful.

Along for the ride into the War Zone, you found yourself sandwiched next to Eddie near the back of the motor home. The two of you sat in comfortable silence, his hand tracing yours absentmindedly. There was an aura of a calm before the storm in the motor home. As soon as the weapons were in your arsenal it was about making them and preparing for the final battle.

The blueprint to which you are still not the happiest about, but you weren’t given much choice in the matter.

“You don’t talk much about him.” You started, allowing your eyes to look up at your boyfriend.

He glances down to you, his face unreadable. “Not much to say. He taught me how to steal cars and how to be freakishly good at pickpocketing.” He looks off, scratching at the stubble starting to form. “He’s not my dad, though.” He says, leaning into you.

You don’t say anything, just silently encourage him to keep talking.

“My dad is Wayne. I’ve never called him that, and only when he’s truly worried or upset does he ever call me son, but I know. He’s my dad. Sure, the man on my birth certificate is currently serving 25 years in prison for a multitude of things, but thanks to Wayne I have a head on my shoulders and I’m not out stealing cars for money. If my old man wasn’t caught, I don’t think he would’ve let me go passed freshman year.” He gulps, shaking his head. Something was clearly on his mind.

“What?” You ask him.

“Say we get through this. We defeat Vecna, the Upside Down is done, whatever.” You nod your head, listening. “How are we still going to prove my innocence? No offence but if I walk in with the same group of people who ran away from the police, I don’t think my case would be helped much.”

“Can I tell you a secret?” You ask him leaning in.

Eddie nods, eager for the distraction.

“Do you think we covered our own tracks the whole time?” You ask him, your voice border lining on skeptical. Eddie’s brow furrows curiously. “God no. The FBI is scary good at covering these tracks. Every time in the aftermath I get guided away by people in FBI jackets who take over the jurisdiction and make sure no wrongly accused get thrown away for the crimes of people in lab coats ten years ago.”

“So, you think the FBI will clear me?” He asks, and there’s just this sliver of hope.

“I will fight someone if they don’t.” You say in all seriousness, and he laughs at your willingness to protect him.

Eddie kisses your head, leaning his chin onto it. Lucas passes you, going to talk to Max one on one, and you turn away out of respect.

“So, how much of your history with this secret dimension do I not know about?” He asks you, an eyebrow quirked.

“Considering this is my fourth encounter, a bit.” You reply, unfazed.

“Can you tell me about it?” He asks, leaning onto one of his biceps to get comfortable.

“Ok.” You answer, and honestly you thought it might take more than that to get it out of you. “But promise me one thing.” Eddie nods rapidly. “When I get to the Russians, try not to get emotional. If I think too hard about it, I can’t even tell the story.”

Eddie gulps, wondering what possibly could’ve happened to require such a disclaimer. “Rule number 3.” He says, and you roll your eyes and start telling him anyway.

From the very beginning.

As Steve pulls up to the War Zone, it is immediately known that your rag-tag band of misfits weren’t the only ones who wanted weapons. He stands up from his seat, stretching his arms out before looking to the crowd in the motor home. “Alright. We go in. We get what we need, we get out. Make it quick, we have a wanted fugitive who we cannot risk being seen in this crowd.”

Everyone nods their heads in agreement, and all but you, Lucas, Dustin, and of course, Eddie make their way to the front of the motor home.

“Hey, Harrington!” Eddie calls to him, and Steve lifts his brows to acknowledge him. “Could you, uh, get me some spare uh…” he drifts off, aware of an audience.

Steve nods in understanding and gives Nancy the go ahead to open the door.

As the motor home became less crowded you sat next to Eddie under his arm, watching as they disappear around the corner to the main entrance. Eddie is tracing your hand slowly, and it’s so soothing you nearly let your head fall onto his shoulder. You hear him inhale and look to him with a questioning look on your face. He shakes his head, mouthing the words It’s nothing.

You don’t accept his answer, wordlessly caressing his cheek. He melts into it, and you want to freeze time in this moment and never leave. “Tell me.”

“When this is over, we’re going far from this town as we can get. I’m taking you on a road trip, we’re going to go the beach.” He says, looking off wistfully.

“The beach?” You ask, a smile on your face.

“Hell yeah. I need to see you in a bikini and know that everyone wants you but you’re all mine.” He says casually, his thumb rubbing your shoulder as he talks softly to you. “I would pack us a picnic for the ride, and mindlessly drool while you eat some watermelon. I would purposefully forget napkins but its ok, because I can help lick the juice off.”

“You…you put a lot of thought into this.” You whisper to him, dreaming of hot days on the beach a few thousand miles away from Hawkins.

“Well, I had a lot of time.” Eddie admits.

“I just want to lie down with you.” You admitted, knowing you weren’t even hopeful enough to want the beach you had just wanted to be with him. “I want to fall asleep, with you, and wake up with college being my biggest stressor.”

He gulps, the smile on his face slightly faded. “God, I would’ve followed—”

You interrupt him, shaking your head. “No. Don’t. We’re planning. What are you going to do?”

Eddie smiles softly, biting back laughter. “Sweetheart it don’t matter, you already know.”

You nodded shakily, beaming at him. He grabs your face into a fierce kiss, and there’s a part of you wondering of the salt water you tasted were his tears or your own. You separate, brushing your hands against his cheeks. He pulls you in for a hug, and you giggle involuntarily as he squeezes you so tightly.

Behind you, a cough. It was loud and firm.

“Hmm?”

“You’re cute n’ all but—” Dustin gags, pretending to throw up. “Too much.”

“I expected less of this when we were partnered up, you know? Just a moment of peace?”

Dustin shoots a toothy grin, shaking his head. “Nah.”

Eddie shrugs, knowing better than to expect such from him.

Lucas’ attention seems far from this conversation. “They should’ve been back by now.”

“When did they go in?” Eddie asks, his face growing serious again.

“Ten minutes ago.” Lucas answers, suspicion thick in his voice.

“Shit.” Dustin swears, getting up to pace.

Dustin and Lucas go back and forth on reasons they could be taking longer as the time continues to pass. Dustin checks his watch for the umpteenth time asking, “What the hell is taking so long?”

On cue, Steve bursts through the door, tossing a bag to Eddie promptly.

“What happened?” Lucas asks.

“Gotta go.” Steve answers, sitting directly into his seat.

Erica bursts through, holding a big brown bag. “Your old friends are here.” She answers, staring directly to Lucas.

“Shit!” Lucas swears.

Robin, Nancy, and Max run into the motor home, and before everyone was sat down Steve was being urged by several people to start driving. He shouts back, “I’m going, I’m going! Sit down!”

Eddie puffs his cheeks out in a big breath of “Oh, shit.”

On your way out Jason Carver stares off in frustration, ignoring the large motor home that near misses them on the way out of the parking lot.

Somewhere down the road between the War Zone and Hawkins Steve took a turn off to stay out of sight but have the open space required to make the weapons. Hammers, gasoline, a shot gun with a saw, sticks to tie to dazzlingly sharp knives all emptied out of the brown paper grocery bags.

Not to mention several axes and two stolen garbage can lids.

As all the crap was scattered about, jobs were naturally delegated two at a time, having teams partner up to create each specific firearm. Lucas and Erica sat to make the spears for Eddie and Dustin. Eddie and Dustin make armed shields out of nails and metal garbage lids. Nancy with the help of Max, set up a place to saw off the long end of a shot gun. Lastly, Robin, you, and Steve sit in front of the motor home to create the literal fire on demand.

Any possible ‘seats’ you could’ve used were in the form of crates the motor home’s cluster of random junk they assorted. It wasn’t the most comfortable, but it still beat the itchiness of the tall grass in front of you.

As you sat down with Robin and Steve, both working on dowsing the gasoline cloths together, and you find yourself all too distracted. You watch absentmindedly as Eddie rough houses into Dustin, enjoying the smile you’ve seen back on his face. As much as Dustin tries to get Eddie on the ground, Eddie’s strength proves mighty in comparison.

You finally glance away from them, starting to prepare the other gasoline cans for battle. As you sit there, Robin and Steve finally tell you a piece of gossip they’ve been looking for a moment to share with you.

Steve didn’t seem to wrap his mind around Vickie being in a relationship with a boy, he was so convinced that her pause on Fast Times was evidence that she was also into girls.

You thought it was the way she dressed that gave it away, but Steve was unconvinced.

“It just doesn’t make sense.” Steve continues his train of thought from earlier, having picked up different conversations since then.

“What doesn’t make sense?” Robin asks, not caught up with him.

“That was Dan Shelter. He graduated, like, two years ago.”

“So?” Robin prompts him.

“So, he’s in college. Which means he was visiting on spring break. Fast Times was returned, like, I don’t know, a week ago? Right? Unless she’s got some horndog brother we don’t know about. Which is possible.” As Steve continues to ramble on to himself Robin keeps to herself, and Robin letting Steve ramble is not a common occurrence. “Or she’s just really into Judge Reinhold?”

“Steve.” Robin interrupts him, having enough.

“Nah…” he drifts off, then realizes Robin called out for him.

“I don’t care. I don’t understand why do either with everything that’s going on. Honestly, this feels like a perfect time for that little pull of the rug because…”

As Robin continues talking, a gut feeling that’s been sitting in the pit of your stomach comes to the forefront.

“…in the face of the world ending, the stakes of my love life feels spectacularly low.”

“Yeah, I mean, I get you there, but… I still have hope.” Steve responds, somewhat optimistic, it seems.

“Not everything has a happy ending.” Robin tells him, adding a new bottle to the growing collection. You hand over a bottle to Steve as he grabs for it, him acknowledging you as he does.

“Yeah, yeah, believe me, I know.” He says, somewhat bitter about his own.

With everything prepared for them, you sit cross legged by Steve’s legs, the only one out of the bunch who opted to sit in the tall grass.

“Y/N?” Robin asks, seeing the pinch between your brows.

You sigh, lifting your legs so they’re held up by your elbows with your hands clasped in front of you. “Robin?”

“Care to help me out?”

“She’s not talking about failed romance, Steve.” You answer, and Robin knows you’re on the same wavelength. You turn your head to look back at Eddie and Dustin play fighting in the field. “I can’t speak for anyone else, here, but I’ve been having this, terrible, mind numbing feeling that…” you gulp, you can’t even say it out loud.

“It might work out for us this time.” Robin finished your sentence, brave enough to admit what you couldn’t even find it in yourself to think.

“You guys think we shouldn’t be doing this?” Steve asks, his voice hosting a level of doubt you don’t often hear.

“We’re absolutely bonkers.” You add, and it felt like Robin admitting what you were afraid to outloud had created a tight anxiety in your chest.

“We’re mad. The lot of us.” Robin agrees, also looking out. “But…if we don’t stop them, who will?” She asks, and unfortunately that is the caveat. If you, the only crowd of misfits that has any idea what is behind all of this are the only ones who can stop him, how could you not? “We have to try, right?”

“Yeah.” You turn around to face them. “To killing Vecna,” Steve toasts.

“Slash Henry.” Robin adds, also holding a bottle.

“Hey.” You nudge, reaching for one across them. Robin hands you one, and you insert a bottle in. “Slash One.”

By the time Eddie finishes roughing it with Dustin, he’s a damn mess, covered in sweat. It might’ve been hot if he had showered in the last few days. Who’s kidding, it was hot regardless.

This brought up a question you had. “Uh, are we going into battle wearing the same thing we have been wearing for the last two days?” You ask out loud.

“Funny you should mention that.” Steve answers, and he runs into the Motor home to grab a last bag he had, something he asked Erica to help him with, Battlefield clothes.

It felt odd getting dressed because it meant you were really going into another battle. It sucked, because none of those times did you know it was the final battle, but this felt…final.

An air was just different in the motor home. Any jokes, any attempts to fuse the tension have long gone home. The weight of how much was riding on you to win and beat him is a stupidly large dark cloud over looming everyone.

Never necessarily felt like the end of the world before, just Hawkins.

This is world ending.

High stakes, higher risks.

No one says a damn word.

You pull up to the Creel House so Erica, Lucas, and Max can jump out. Max doesn’t even say a word as she turns to shut the door, and there’s a part of you that wished you didn’t see the worry on her face as you pulled away.

Your throat felt tight as you started the drive to Eddie’s trailer, and you look over your shoulder to catch his eye.

He glances at you, his eyes torn from Dustin’s face of utter worry. I love you, you mouth to him, Eddie blinks slowly at you, tilting his head. I love you, he mouths back.

You turn around, facing forward to see that they had arrived right behind Eddie’s trailer park.

Great.

Chapter Nine: The Piggyback

As the Motor home is placed into park, Nancy gets up by the door to go over the plan once more. There’s a small temptation to roll your eyes at it, but anything to procrastinate leaving the false safety net that is the trailer.

“Okay. I wanna run through it one more time.” Nancy starts to pace through the trailer. “Phase one.”

“We meet Erica at the playground.” Robin answers her. “She’ll signal Max and Lucas when we’re ready.”

“Phase two.”

“Max baits Vecna. He’ll go after her, which’ll put him in his trance.” Steve answers.

“Phase three?”

“Me and Eddie draw the bats away.” Dustin answers, and Eddie clutches onto Dustin’s shoulder fondly.

“Phase four.”

“We head into Vecna’s bat-free lair, and…we light him up.” You answer, your breath hitching. “Though I still don’t see why I—”

“You’re going with them.” Eddies interrupts you, jolting your attention to his soft eyes. “You’ve already argued this to death. Sorry, I know. But it makes most sense for you to go with them...two shields n’ all.”

You sigh, defeated.

“Nobody moves on to the next phase until we’ve all copied.” She continues like you hadn’t even spoken. “Nobody deviates from the plan, no matter what. Got it?”

“Got it.” You all answer, moving your way out the door one by one.

Your footsteps running to Eddie’s trailer were all light and fast, the last thing you needed was to be seen by one of his neighbours. As you walk into Eddie’s trailer, the rope still hanging, Steve is already getting ready to pull off somewhat of an acrobatic move.

“Be careful.” Dustin pleads, no ounce of sarcasm in his voice.

“Thanks buddy.” Steve says, patting him lightly. He hops to the rope, starting a climb. “Here goes nothing.” He sighs, mentally preparing himself.

As Steve reaches the threshold to the Upside Down, he pauses, taking a few deep breaths and using the gravity his body was in to lurch into a summersault. He lands gracefully, looking up to say ta da.

You stood by Nancy and Robin, all watching his pose. Robin leans into you both, asking “Wow, what does he want us to do, applaud?”

Steve pulls the mattress over in record time for a landing pad, no time to waste. “All right.” He calls out. “Let’s go.”

Yay. You get to go back in again. On purpose.

Nancy starts, taking her backpack off and Robin allows her to use her knee as a stepping stool. Nancy doesn’t waste much time, the climb fast and the drop sudden. You take off your bag, and Robin puts it to the side. “What, no stepping stool?” You ask her, and Robin rolls her eyes.

“Here.” Eddie offers, and you gladly take the offer.

Your climb is much faster this time, and the lurch onto the landing pad isn’t as new, but it still felt fucking weird.

Steve offers a hand up, and you’re only standing for a half a second when yours, Nancy’s, Steve’s, and Robin’s bags make their way across as well.

Eddie comes next, lurching himself into the Upside Down with as much force as he did last time, the wind visibly knocked out of him. He’s barely given a chance to recollect himself Steve offers a hand.

Eddie’s shield is sent, Robin decidedly coming next. As she lands after a quick climb, you and Eddie extend your hands to her, and she accepts.

Dustin is left to send one bag and the two makeshift spears before he makes the trip for the first time. As someone who’s greatest strengths aren’t exactly in athleticism it took him a minute to climb and get across, but as soon as he does, he sits up quickly to catch his breath.

No one gives him that moment, yanking him by the grey sweater to get off his ass.

All the gear is moved around appropriately, Nancy putting the gun on her back, Eddie taking some wires out of your bag, etc. As soon as everyone goes through a quick check list Nancy opens the door back into the red lightning, determined as ever. You follow behind Steve, a pit in your stomach as you know the moment is seconds away.

Eddie and Dustin follow behind, the door slamming behind them.

“Hey, guys, listen.” Steve starts, nearly stumbling into you as he turns around. You accept his apology and drift off to side to let him do his thing. “If things here start to go south, I mean, at all, you abort.” You nod next to him, your face serious. Eddie’s eyes drift to yours for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Okay? Draw the attention of the bats. Keep ‘em busy for a minute or two. We’ll take care of Vecna.” Dustin rolls his eyes at the dramatics, used to it by now.

“Don’t try to be cute or be a hero or something. Okay? You guys are just—”

“Decoys.” Dustin finishes the sentence with him, exasperated. “Don’t worry. You can be the hero, Steve.”

“Absolutely.” Eddie agrees, humour in his voice. “I mean, look at us. We are not heroes.” Eddie says, glancing next to him.

Steve accepts it, but you didn’t.

“Hey.” You say, pulling focus and ignoring your audience for a moment. “Listen. Don’t be a hero.” You emphasize to Eddie, swallowing the emotions that threaten to pour out to him.

Eddie nods like he already understood what you meant.

“No. I know you, Munson. You come back to me.”

Eddie gulps, his face losing any sense of humour it just had. You gulp as well, following as Nancy and Robin are starting to lead the group the other way.

You start to when Eddie calls, “Hey Steve?”

Steve turns around, and you can’t find it in yourself to face him again and still follow them.

“Make him pay.” Eddie says, and Steve doesn’t respond, but you could feel the tension from the nuance of what he had just said.

Their pace picks up and you’re right behind them when your body can’t seem to take another step with out doing one last thing. Nancy notices you’ve stopped walking, and when she’s about to ask you’ve already dropped the bag and the flashlight in your hand to sprint to him.

Eddie already knew what you were doing, as soon as you turned around he dropped his shield, preparing himself to catch you.

He does, effortlessly. You breathe him in as his arms engulf you, and this just made it ten times worse but all worth the while. “I love you.” You tell him, just loud enough that you’re not even sure he heard you.

“I love you.” He says it like a promise.

You couldn’t help yourself despite the inappropriateness of it. You kissed him. Just one taste. Just something. He kissed you just as fiercely.

As you separate, he opens his mouth to say something, but you don’t even let him.

No goodbyes.

You walk away from him, starting into a half jog when Steve is ushering you to hurry up. You fling your bag back on and pick up the flashlight, now matching the pace next to Steve as you make your way to the Creel House.

As you wonder through the forest towards the Creel House things are eerily quiet until Robin finally speaks up.

“Uh…I don’t mean to freak anyone out, but I swear we’ve seen this tree before.” She claims, pointing to specifically curvy little tree.

“That’s impossible.” Nancy answers her.

“That would suck, right?” Robin asks, rhetorical. “If Vecna destroyed the world because…’cause we got lost in the woods?”

“We’re not lost, Robin.” You tell her, and she bites out a sarcastic laugh. She starts running ahead, and you follow behind her.

“Robin, hey.” Nancy starts. “Watch out for the vines, guys! Hive mind! Remember?”

“Thank you!” Robin answers, and you follow just behind her to make sure she doesn’t lose her mind.

You end up following her, your lungs giving you shit for it. “Robin, slow down!” You call out to her. “Aren’t you supposed to be the clutzy one? How are you running this fast?”

“Fear.” She responds without missing a beat. “Mostly just the fear of being lost in the woods before we can save the world that keeps eating my brain.” She sounds out of breath, but she keeps trekking.

“Ugh!” You grunt in frustration but follow her anyway, despite a part of you begging to give your lungs a break.

Robin lets out a shout of accomplishment, and you see her coming back just as fast. “Found it!” She declares and passes right by you to run to Steve and Nancy.

You stop, finally, catching your breath. What the hell did you wind yourself before you got to the battle for? Hopefully Vecna wasn’t gunning for a on-foot chase.

“Hey guys!” You hear her voice echo. “You guys! Awesome news! Looks like we weren’t going the wrong way after all.”

You don’t a hear a response, and there’s a beat before Robin ushers them to follow her.

“Okay, jeez!” Robin starts running back towards you, and how is she not out of breath? “Ro…Show down! Ro…Robin!” Steve calls out to her as she starts to pass you.

As soon as she reaches you, you start walking again, having spent the last three minutes trying to catch your breath with your hands on your knees. Before long you’re navigating through some low and very prickly branches to view the Creel House in all it’s Upside Down glory. Damn, did those bats give you the chills.

Steve and Robin scanned the scene, looking for a specific orange glow. They spot it on the rocket on the outdoor playground. “Erica.”

Signal you give Erica is immediately met with a flashing signal. Feels like forever when Lucas finally signals back the message is copied.

“Okay, the lovebirds have copied, Max is Moving into phase two: Distracting Vecna.” Erica’s voice echoes.

“So far, so smooth.” Robin comments.

“Yeah, we’re not even at the hard part yet.” Steve adds on.

Nancy is busy like she has for the last ten minutes, dead focused on the Creel House. “Take the bait, you son of a bitch.” She urges quietly. “Take. The bait.”

It’s not like Vecna could particularly hear her, but it felt necessary.

It’s a waiting game. Max barely survived her last encounter with Vecna and this time she’s going in full throttle.

This is the worst thing to wait for.

“Okay, she’s in. Initiate phase three.” Erica’s voice echoes out of nowhere.

“She’s in. Move on to phase three.” Robin walkies not one second after Erica copies.

“Copy that. Initiating phase three.” Dustin’s voice answers on the walkie.

Less than a minute later you can vaguely hear a guitar rocking out in the distance.

You remain crouched down right by the play set, waiting for a hint of the idea that phase 3 is working.

“Damn, is….is that Master of Puppets?” Steve asks you, his brow furrowed.

You had a bit of a knowledge of Heavy Metal bands by now, but you could barely tell just from the guitar riff alone. “If it is, that’s definitely his sense of humour.” You mutter, listening with a half smile. “He plays a lot to himself, but I haven’t had a chance to see him at the Hideout yet.”

“Haven’t had a chance?” Steve asks, incredulous.

You shrug, not having an excuse. “We didn’t get out much.” You admit, and it suddenly makes sense why Eddie insisted you go to the beach.

A shrill sound suddenly catches your attention, no less than a few hundred demo-bats flying over you to protect against the source of the sound.

“Okay, it’s working.” Nancy mutters. “Let’s go.”

Nancy leads the march into the Creel House, your heart beating out of your chest in sheer anticipation. Whatever Eddie and Dustin were continuing to do after the sounds of the guitar faded seemed to work, not a demo-bat in sight as you open the door to a house riddled in Vecna’s vines. When you thought Eddie’s trailer looked bad, this seemed like nothing in comparison.

You, Robin, Nancy, and Steve go one by one up the stairs to Vecna, a sense of purpose in each step as you aim for the wood between the vines. Steve offers his hand as each one of you make the top of the stairs after him over a particularly wide vine. At long last, the weapons are coming out to play. Robin hands you a bottle and her lighter, Steve grabs his axe, and Nancy holds her incomplete shotgun.

As you attempt to move forward an earthquake rumbles, this one bigger than ever, causing all four of you to huddle up, clutching on to one another so none of you end up falling over, and God forbid, onto one of the vines.

There’s a moment of relief, looking at one another as it passed.

The moment is too short, Robin looking down to a vine slowly making its way around her foot. She barely gets any time to respond, the vine tripping her. She lands onto it, yelping and it pulls her up against the wall. She was up there, too.

The vines continue moving around her, pinning her extremities down and around her neck. Robin calls out, voice full of panic. “Nancy!”

Your attempt at running to her aide is cut short, despite her not necessarily calling out to you. Nancy leans in, beating the vines with the butt of her gun, and before you could even attack it one by your foot gets a hold of you, dragging you on the front of your stomach and legs across the hall and strapping you up against the wall directly facing Robin.

“Oh shi—” you call out, the breath stolen from your lungs. You couldn’t even finish, a vine wrapping itself around your mouth to prevent any yelling…or breathing.

Steve turns quickly to your aide, attempting to use his axe against the vine that attacked you. A vine retaliates by grabbing at it, causing a tug of war between Steve and the vine. The axe is yanked out of his grasp, and three of the vines forcefully tug Steve five feet off the ground by the neck and waist.

Nancy hears Steve’s struggle, turning up in horror as Steve is dragged up to the wall. The floor is stolen right from under Nancy, the vine yanking her by one foot, as she barely manages to escape another one slithers down and across her stomach, yanking her up by the wall at an angle.

Each one of you is now pinned hopelessly against the wall, the vines wrapping themselves to immobilize the four of you. As the vine wrapped around your mouth slowly suffocates you, you can only hear Robin, Nancy, and Steve audibly choking.

Is…is this it?

It only takes a few seconds.

From going up the stairs deliberately, to pinned against the wall with no oxygen to speak of, it only takes a few seconds.

It only takes a few seconds.

From running to safety to chopping his only way out, it only takes a few seconds.

Eddie ignored every call for him to stop from Dustin. He ignored the echoes of your voice telling him not to be a hero. He ignored the gnawing feeling at the back of his mind…

He looks up to Dustin’s distressed face, picking up the shield and his weapon. “I’m buying more time.” He says, and runs head first into the swarm.

He picks up the bike he once dropped and starts on it, peddling as fast as his legs would let him. He gets a good minute of biking in, looking back and letting out his war cry.

Dustin uses all his strength to come after Eddie, severely injuring his left leg in the process.

His bike loses its footing. Eddie scrambles to his feet, one hundred percent bent on making his way back.

Back to you.

Then…

I didn’t know what to do, so I… I… I ran away.

I just ran, and I left her there.

I mean, look at us. We are not heroes.

He couldn’t run away. Not again. Not when for once in his life he could confront it, head on.

He breathes, mentally preparing himself. It…only takes a second.

His shield is pounded by his spear rhythmically, egging the bats on.

They charge after him. It’s not long before they surround him in a tornado, and he watched in awe, his heart painfully and eerily still. A few dive in after him, and he successfully thwarts them.

It only takes a second before one gets its tail around his neck. Others follow suit, grabbing arms…and legs.

Others dive in for his torso.

Dustin yells out after him, watching the scene unfold.

As his flesh tears, Eddie can only yell in pain.

It only took a second.

As your vision started to blur the vines around your neck suddenly loosen, letting the four of you fall to your knees. You blink as oxygen returns to you, the other three coughing from the vines being wrapped around their necks. You watch in awe as the vines retreat.

“I don’t believe in a higher power or divine intervention. But that was a miracle.” Robin breathes out, her breathing wheezy from the constant choking.

“Then we better not waste it.” Nancy declares, determined as ever now that you somehow escaped the clutches of Vecna’s vines. She cocks her shotgun.

“Phase four.” Steve manages out, still catching his breath.

“We light him up.” You finish, grabbing one of the bottles from Robin.

You approach Vecna’s room, seeing him held up by his vines and in a trance, completely vulnerable. You hold up the bottle to Steve, he grabs it from you and you ignite it with the lighter you grabbed earlier. Steve throws the bottle to Vecna, it lands perfectly on his chest as his whole-body catches fire. Vecna screams aloud, and he falls directly to the floor amid these new flames.

Vecna only writhes for a fraction of a second before standing up and facing you head on, somehow intimidating while simultaneously burning alive. You passed the lighter to Robin, allowing her to light up a new bottle and thrust another one to his chest. He falters back, and while you watch him charge forward, Nancy takes the moment to step forward herself, gun aimed.

She shoots, the barrel hitting his shoulder.

She cocks it and she shoots again without hesitation, hitting his lower stomach and causing him to fall back. Nancy shoots again, and again.

Vecna attempts to come at her, but he falters back as the weight of the fire, Hop’s sword wielding, and Nancy’s shots all in one. He lets out a howl, something from the depths of hell.

Nancy lets nothing about it falter her. She snarls her upper lip, letting Vecna know he can go where to back he came from.

Her finger pulls the trigger a final time and it causes Vecna to fall backwards through the wooden panels up against the window to the attic. She lowers the gun, turning back to face all three as you attempt to catch your breath.

You all run to where he supposedly fell, seeing nothing but ash and an empty space where Vecna should’ve been.

What now?

I think it’s my hear, Henderson.

I think it’s finally my year.

I love you, man.

It’s silent. None of you know any of what’s happening…neither Dustin, Eddie, nor Erica are copying back on the walkie.

The clock chimes from in the Creel House, and you catch up to it on it’s last and fourth chime. “Four chimes.” Nancy breathes, and the air is sucked right out of your lungs when you understand. “Max.”

You, Robin, and Steve stare at one another with bug eyes, wondering if its real life when the ground shakes under your feet violently. It’s not just the Upside Down, this time.

Eddie’s trailer, the roadside, the lake, and Vecna’s house are all ripped apart, the earth falling into it from several feet away. The only thing you can do is hang on to the bottom of the stair well, shaking around like beads in a damn maraca.

After God knows how long the ground finally ceases.

You get grab a hold of the banister and start running as fast as your legs could carry you through the forest.

Vecna had disappeared, but had apparently succeeded in his mission to kill four people, to kill Max. These were important details, but none compared to the most important.

The mission failed, time to regroup, assess damages and go from there.

Namely, time to regroup.

They all called after you, following behind by a few feet as you ignored them. They finally realized where you were headed, the path clear to them.

As you reached the park, you head straight for the trailer but someone calling your name stops you.

It wasn’t Robin, Nancy, or Steve from behind you.

It wasn’t Eddie either.

You look to the source, facing Dustin hobbling slowly towards you, with what appears to be an injured leg. Your concern for the injury fades into the back of your mind when you see his face. The glossy eyes, the runny nose.

Panic is already invaded your chest.

“I’m sorry.” Dustin chokes out, his voice thick with tears.

“Where is he?” You ask, needing the proof yourself.

“There was nothing I could do.” He continues, attempting to keep you from taking a step further.

Your teeth clench like your life depends on it. You stride to where Dustin was hobbling from and the glimpse of what you see when you go around the corner unmistakably shatters you.

Steve runs up to you, now catching wind to the situation as soon as the broken sob escapes your throat. You attempt to run to him, but Steve holds you back, and the pain is so sharp you can’t even tell what he’s saying to you.

You fight him off, tears flowing down your cheeks like a water fall and you’re crying so hard you can’t breathe.

You find yourself on your knees, bent over, clutching your chest as someone, you don’t know who, attempted to give you comfort despite this being one of the worst times to break down like this.

You don’t recall actually saying much, but the word No seemed to run through your head like a damn mantra. You had half a mind to push Dustin and demand what happened and why did he let him do something so stupid, but the only thing that escapes you is more full throttle chest sobs.

He can’t be gone.

He was just here.

Your friends wished they could’ve said they let you calm down when they finally managed to escort you from the Upside Down.

Given they didn’t exactly have the privilege, nor was time theirs to give for the moment, Steve tugs you up and lets you sob into his shoulder as he walks you over to what is less of a snack-size gate. You crawl your way through the gaping hole of what used to be his trailer. It was all too much, seeing his home ripped to shreds.

As your blinders go down, you saw the entire town engulfed in flames. Your sobs became hiccups, the pain still unbearable but there was no room for your grief when so much of your down is absolutely ruined.

Steve uses the motor home to drive you and the rest of the team to their respective houses, the only thing to do was to go home, get changed and figure out what came next.

On the way to your house, Steve keeps looking at you in the rear view, and you barely notice as you watch the outside in shock. He pulls up to your house first, despite passing Robin’s on the way.

Steve gets up and walks to you, and takes a deep breath in. “He died a hero. He saved most of the town. That’s what you tell her.” He states, knowing whether he was gentle wouldn’t make a difference to your mood.

Not that you particularly cared for his tone for the moment. You look up at him, your eyes shrouded over in grief. “This town hat—” you manage out, your words barely leaving your mouth through the thickness of your voice. You just nod, tears leaving the pair of eyes that already hurt from crying so hard.

You get up from your seat, mindlessly walking to the door and down the steps.

You make your way up the path, refusing to let any memories of him bubble to the surface, despite him the only thing on your mind. Steve asked if you were gonna be ok, but you barely registered it.

Before your hand reaches the door knob your mom opens the door. And before she could even ask what was wrong, another broken sob leaves your chest as lurch into her arms.

You cried for an hour before she could even get a word in, edgewise.

The police eventually reach your door, stopping by for rounds to make sure your family was ok for supplies and then told its not mandated but it is suggested to leave town. As you walk around the corner from grabbing a piece of toast just to stop your stomach from begging for more food, the officer at the door takes note of your presence.

“Oh, Miss. L/N! We’ve been attempting to get a hold of you to ask whether whereabouts of your current boyfriend, but we have not been able to get a hold of you.” He asks casually, like he wasn’t going to go arrest him.

You gulp, looking him dead in the eyes and say, “He died. In the earthquake.”

“Oh, sorry to hear that.”

“Mmhm.” You mutter, and your body somehow carries itself upstairs.

Your body spends time either in full pain mode or none. You refused to sleep in your own room, it was filled to the brim of memories of him that you didn’t need a reminding of. You had even attempted to spend all your time watching whatever your father had chosen to watch, but the words ‘Munson Murders’ on the news sent you seeing red as you stomped up the stairs.

After lying in the spare bed for a good portion of the day your doorbell rings.

Your mom calls your name after answering. You didn’t even bother responding.

There’s a knock on the door the door opened after the third one, Steve and Robin walking right in with Dustin on their tail.

Dustin couldn’t even come through the door, and there’s a shred of empathy that understands how guilty he must’ve felt.

“Hey. We’re going to the school to drop off and help with donations. Come with us.” Steve says, walking over to bend to your level.

You squint at him through your watery eyes. You sniffed. “I don’t think I’m the best person to be volunteering for the affected, Steve.”

Robin comes up to the side as well. “We know you lost him. And that- there’s no words to describe how much it sucks. But there are a lot of people in Hawkins who lost everything.”

“Are you telling me that people have it worse, so I should just get over it?”

“That’s the opposite of what we’re saying.” Steve claims. “we’re saying they’ll understand loss. There are other people who died in this earthquake you won’t be the only one mourning.”

“It wasn’t an earthquake.” You whisper, going underneath your blanket. You almost don’t make it under your covers to hide the violet sob that threatened to leave your lips.

They let you breathe for a moment.

The blanket is ripped off you, Robin yanking you out of bed.

She places some clothes on the bed. “Put these on, meet us outside.”

If you could’ve, you would’ve laughed. As they leave, you request they send in Dustin.

Dustin walks in with the help of a cane. He doesn’t look you in the eye, only the floorboards.

“I don’t blame you.” You whisper, shaking your head. “At first, maybe. I don’t even remember you telling me what happened, but I do know. He chopped it and ran, yeah?” Dustin nods shakily. “That was his choice. His stupid, fucking choice that he made about his own life. Not yours. I don’t blame you.” Dustin shoots you smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “You don’t blame yourself either, right?” You ask him. “Cause it’s not your fault.”

A tear falls down Dustin’s face and he wipes it away hastily.

“Dustin. It’s not your fault.”

Dustin gulps awkwardly and tells you he’ll meet you outside. Somehow, the interaction with Dustin convinced you to go with them. You nodded, implying you’ll be right there. Before he leaves, he turns around awkwardly. “Uh, thank you. I needed that.”

You nod in response, slowly shutting the door.

You turn to face the clothes Robin has picked out for you, a pair of jeans with one of his shirts. You appreciated the sentiment but threw his shirt holding your breath to refuse the smell as you walk into your room to grab a different one.

You weren’t quite there yet.

As you run down the stairs you tell your mom you’re going to help at the High School. Steve and Robin promised you were only going to the gym and would be avoiding the real building for you at any cost.

On the way Dustin mentioned that El, Mike, Will, Johnathan and some buy named Argyle were in town, having made a long two-day trip from the middle of the desert. You gulped, watching outside as Steve drove to the school. You ask how Max was, having received the news from your mom after you had finally calmed down enough to talk.

You still hadn’t seen her, the guilt cutting through you like a knife. Not that you didn’t care about her, you just wanted to be able to stand for five minutes without the mere thought of him eating you from the outside.

She wasn’t any better or worse…which is good, you guessed.

You finally pull in and open the trunk to three boxes. Dustin attempts to carry one, but you take it from him instead, refusing his protests.

As shitty as you felt, seeing the gym filled to the brim with cots and people seeking necessities actually did put things into perspective for you. As long as you grieved, at least you grieved him in the privacy of your home. You see the missing persons reports posted, your throat tightening when you catch a glimpse of the graffiti on his.

You didn’t have it in you to take it down. Didn’t want to make a scene.

There were people in a med bay on oxygen, for Christ’ sake.

Robin greeted the volunteer kindly, pointing out each box and its respective belongings.

When the volunteer offers a tax receipt, Robin politely declines and in turn, offers the four of you for volunteer work. You’re ushered away into giving water with Dustin, Steve to the clothes, and Robin is making sandwiches.

As Dustin is making his rounds, he notices someone pull up to his poster and switch out the graffitied one for a new one. You’re talking with one of the affected about something when he calls out to you, nodding to him.

A pang hits your chest as you see Wayne holding a whole file of missing posters for him.

“I’m sorry, I just see someone I know.” You tell her, and she gracefully lets you go, seeing the gloss appear in your eyes as you do. As much as you didn’t tell her, she could tell you had lost something as well.

Dustin hesitates in approaching him, but you help cross the threshold for him. “W-Wayne?” You stumble out.

He recognises your voice, turning to face you as soon as your voice hits his ears. “Oh, bless the Lord.” He mutters as he pulled you into a hug.

You grit your teeth to stop a sob from leaving, a tear falling down each cheek as you involuntarily breathe in his cologne.

You are breathing heavy when he lets go, and he notices your disposition. “What’s wrong?” He asks you apprehensively.

You gulp, the words can’t even escape your lips. “Where is he?” He asks you, and the tears falling down your face is an answer in itself. He pulls you in again, this time you hear sniffles coming from him as well, the heat of his tears hitting your shoulders. This was someone who raised the person you have loved for five months. His pain must’ve been…unimaginable. “What-what happened?” He asks, pulling a way from you..

“He…” you gulp, “he died in the earthquake. I wasn’t with him.”

“I was.” Dustin chokes out, holding out the chain for him. “I’m…I’m so sorry.”

Oh. That’s why Dustin refused.

Of course, you fucking narcissist.

Wayne sits down on one of the cots, clutching onto the chain like his life depended on it, attempting to hide his grief in a sea of people that believed his nephew was responsible for the problem to begin with.

Dustin manages to hobble right beside Wayne on the cot. “I…I wish everyone had gotten to know him. Really know him. Because they would’ve loved him, Mr. Munson. They would’ve loved him. Even in the end… he never stopped being Eddie.” That was the first time you heard his name in over 48 hours. You wouldn’t even allow yourself to think it. “Despite everything. I never even saw him get mad.” Your brow admittedly quirked at this, because could name five times you’ve seen him get mad in his last two days off by heart. The memories seem to cut through like a knife.

“He could’ve run. He could’ve saved himself. But he fought. He fought and died to protect this town. This town that… hated him.” A detail that still gets your anger phase of your grief revved up until you start crying in anger again, but you had to let it slide because this wasn’t technically about your grief. “He isn’t just innocent… Mr. Munson he’s… he’s a hero.”

A choked-out sob leaves your lips, same as Wayne. Your hand slaps across your mouth to mute it, trying not to draw any attention to yourself. Dustin leaves Wayne alone, letting him sit in his own grief.

After about five minutes Wayne wraps you in a tighter hug than before, and he whispers, “Thank you. You gave my boy life.”

By extension, by bringing him to Upside Down…did it mean…you took it away, as well?

You didn’t let out that part, let the tears fall as he continually embraced you. “Can I help with anything? You have a place to stay?”

Wayne shakes his head, refusing your help. You had a feeling he would, but knew he appreciated the offer regardless. “Sunshine?”

You turn around from where you were walking back for another volunteer position.

“Please call me every now and then, yeah? I need to know that you’re okay.” He asks, and you nod shakily.

Maybe you’ll break out an old t-shirt of his.

Funny how losing someone as close as he was does the end of the world compare.

However, the phone call you had received that night was enough to get you to drive a half a mile out of town and to phone call’s origin.

The cabin opens with El standing in the doorway, her hair all buzzed off and a smile sitting on her face. You walk in, the cabin crowded. Suddenly you felt foolish as you realized how much you were missing.

Hop was…there. Living, breathing. Thinner.

He looks like he went through hell to get back, but he was grinning on the couch, arm around Joyce.

When Joyce sees you, her face lights up. She gets up immediately, throwing her arms around you. Felt warm.

“Oh my sweet girl. I’m so sorry about him.” Her eyes full of sincerity as she looks into yours.

Tears come back, and you breathe through them. “I missed you.” You admit, and Joyce lets out a chuckle as she hugs you again.

“So is anyone gonna tell me how—” you point to Hopper.

“Long story.” About four or five people chirp out. Well, you’ll find out one day.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t come sooner.” You tell Joyce, noting everyone has already made their way back to sit down and enjoy the company of the Byers and the extras that came with them.

“Oh, sweetheart.” You gulp at the nickname. “It’s so okay. It’s only been two days. As far as I see it you’re so strong.”

God it was nice to have her back.

“Family Video is caput.” Robin says as you walk up to them.

“We seriously need to find new jobs?” You ask her, your eyebrow raised.

“I don’t know about that.”

“Are you going to be okay?” Steve asks as you scooch in-between them.

“If you asked me yesterday, I would’ve said no.” You admit, watching the grainy tv set in front of you. You look around at the people who all risked their lives to get to the point where Vecna was burning right in front of you.

“And now?”

“Still no. But it’s nice to have some company.”

Thanks for reading! Remember reblogging and commenting really means the world to me I read every single one <3

taglist: @emturtles @yourthebrokengirl @steeldaisies @skrzydlak @thirddeadlysin @sammararaven @bebe07011 @prettylovley

#eddie munson x you #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson fanfiction #stranger things #eddie munson

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possiamo-andare · 2 years

Text

Love Is A Dangerous Game: Rafe Cameron (part 2)

Rafe Cameron x Y/N

MASTERLIST

word count: 10.9k

part one

warnings: smut, swearing, and lots of fluff

a/n: i am seriously so impressed with myself with this one! i really enjoyed writing it, especially since i was playing taylor swift's evermore while writing it lol. it took awhile and i apologize, i was sick and then i had exams and life just got in the way. anyways, happy reading!

When you’re nineteen, lying in your bedroom with damp eyes and heavy breaths, all you want is to be loved. You lie awake at night, wondering why love hasn’t found you yet. Y/N was not immune to this and she too would stay awake long after everyone else was asleep, wondering why love hadn’t swung her way.

Y/N’s mother, along with her other pieces of advice, told her daughter that young love was false hope and anguish. And although she tried to remember that, she still craved to be wanted. Yearned for. Every nineteen-year-old does, especially nineteen-year-old girls. She yearned for her name on someone else’s lips and spoke softly into her ear.

But she knew the reality. She knew how vast the void was between her want and the truth, and that terrified her down to her bones. Silence can become deafening, haunting thoughts, filled with her fears. The idea that she would never be wanted. That she won’t find someone who will unconditionally love her. That she may never feel reciprocated love.

Y/N used to sit there, in shades of grey, and pray that one day her thoughts would be proven wrong. She had waited a long time, even after Daniel arrived, and dreamt of endless fantasies of how it could be.

And then, Rafe Cameron kissed her. She had looked like a mess and she hadn’t brushed her teeth that day but he had kissed her. Devoured her. And then, just then, she realized what it meant to be yearned for. As he held her close, his lips devouring her own, she felt her heart burst.

So, this is what it feels like to be yearned for.

Although that was her first inkling of Rafe’s feelings, and their confessions at the college party were the second, tonight was the third. Tonight, was a night she’d remember forever. Just three weeks after their first kiss, Rafe had said something that made everything so much more real.

“I love you.”

Two hours earlier, Y/N was getting ready for a party. It was a start-of-summer party, which was something celebrated by all of the teenagers in Outer Banks in celebration of school finally ending. The teenagers in Outer Banks really knew how to throw a party. Specifically, the start-of-summer parties. These parties, usually thrown in the house of the richest Kook, were the most extravagant parties in the town and very exclusive. This meant you had to be invited, and that usually meant no Pogues allowed. Fortunately, Y/N had been invited. She was dating Outer Banks’s richest guy after all. Secretly, of course. She hadn’t found the guts to tell her brother, or anyone, that she had been dating Rafe Cameron for three weeks.

“Ready to go?” Oliver asked, leaning against the threshold of Y/N’s bedroom door. He had his sneakers on and his keys jingled in his hands.

Y/N rolled her eyes, spraying some setting mist to set her makeup before looking at her brother. The night had just started and he was already bothering her. “I still can’t believe you’re going.”

Oliver gave her an incredulous look. “Are you embarrassed of me or something?”

Y/N smirked. “Uh, yeah. I don’t wanna be associated with you tonight.”

The real reason she didn’t want Oliver to go was because Rafe was going and she knew she’d be sneaking off early to be with him. They had spent every waking second together since she arrived back in OBX, and she hoped tonight would be no different.

“Why? Are you trying to impress someone?” Oliver teased, following after Y/N as she exited her room.

Y/N blushed, hiding her face from her brother. “What? No.”

Oliver chuckled. “Please, I haven’t seen you get ready for a party since your first homecoming with Daniel. Either you’re excited to see someone tonight, or you’re having a manic episode. Those are the only two instances where you put on this much makeup.”

Y/N hated how well he knew her. He was right, after all. This had been the first party she would be attending since her night at the frat house with Rafe and she wanted to impress him. Although Rafe had never dated anyone, she knew the girls he slept with were all so pretty. She wasn’t exactly jealous, but she did want him to feel proud to be with her. Rafe never seemed to care if she wore makeup or not, his eyes always seemed glued on her.

“Not having a manic episode, but I might if you don’t stop bothering me.” Y/N replies, opening the passenger’s side door of Oliver’s car. It was a janky old thing, dust coating every inch of the car. She almost felt embarrassed showing up in this car, but she didn’t want to walk and it was the only one they had.

Oliver laughed, his keys in the ignition. “Well, whoever he is, I’m sure he’ll love the look.”

Y/N faked a gag, overselling her annoyance. “Shut up.”

Oliver dropped it, changing the conversation once his favourite song came on, but Y/N’s mind stayed on Rafe. Her thoughts seemed to be consumed by him, especially since they started dating. She had always thought of him -- of how his lips would feel against her own or how it would feel to hug him -- but now that she knew those answers, it was all she could think about. Even worse, she got the answers to questions she never even thought to ask. She felt the vibration in his chest as he laughed, and she became familiar with how his eyes twinkled whenever she spoke. She found herself looking back on many of their interactions when they were kids and she realized he had always been looking at her like this. What she mistook for annoyance, he was really just showing his adoration. She felt stupid for not seeing all of the signs. For being so blind. But she saw him now, and she liked what she saw.

When they finally arrived at Rafe’s home, the party was in full swing. There were people diving into his pool and people dancing on his roof. The music was loud; she had heard it as Oliver turned the corner on their street and as they exited his car. It vibrated against her body as they passed the threshold of his home, making their way deeper and deeper into the Cameron household. There were people everywhere. It seemed as though the entirety of OBX was here. Y/N and Oliver squeezed past a hoard of people, dodging sweaty bodies and drunk teens. This party was like a walking hazard; drunk teens and expensive decor everywhere. But no one seemed to care, and Y/N cared a lot less when her eyes landed on Rafe.

He looked divine. She almost gasped. He had on these tight black jeans, the ones she remembered drooling over only a couple months ago when she thought he hated her. He had paired those dangerous jeans with an equally dangerous white button up. Except, he had unbuttoned a number of buttons at his collar so his chest was on full display. It was a hot night so she figured he had done it less for style and more because he was drunk and hot, but she wasn’t complaining. His chest, sweaty and muscular, was on display and now all she could do was ogle him.

Finally, her eyes returned to his face and she realized he was approaching her. There was a devious smirk on his lips, telling her he had seen what she was doing and she better prepared for a lot of teasing. Y/N glanced at Oliver, who had seemed oblivious, which made her breathe a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn’t have to endure his teasing.

When Rafe finally approached them, he hugged Oliver first. Y/N wasn’t offended. It had been her idea to wait to tell Oliver. She was unsure on how to broach the topic and Rafe, being the supportive boyfriend, had agreed. Y/N had to admit, for someone who never had a girlfriend, he was really good at being a boyfriend.

“How’s it going, dude?” Oliver yelled, pulling away from his friend.

Rafe smiled, shrugging. “Not too bad. Did you guys just get here?” His eyes didn’t move to Y/N, not even for a moment, which was more than Y/N could say. Her eyes had never left him.

Oliver looked to Y/N, nodding slightly. “Literally like two seconds ago.”

Rafe nodded, glancing at Y/N for a moment. His eyes seemed emotionless, almost as if he could care less if she was here or not. He seemed to be able to control himself more than she could. At least he wasn’t drooling at the sight of her. It only made her a bit self-conscious, considering how much time she had put into her outfit. She was wearing a mini floral white dress, stopping right above her knees with her white sneakers. She had bought this dress just for tonight, something she hadn’t even done for Daniel. She felt a little stupid now, considering how nonchalant Rafe seemed.

“Hey.” Rafe finally spoke, his eyes on her. He seemed completely emotionless, his face calm.

“Hi.” Y/N squeaked out, finally looking away and at Oliver. “I have to use the bathroom. I’ll be back.”

Oliver shrugged. “Rafe and I gotta find our friends anyways. Text me if you need me.”

Y/N rolled her eyes. “I think I’ll be fine.”

In truth, she wasn’t. Her throat felt dry and even as she left, she couldn’t even look at Rafe. It was all too much; the secrets and hiding her feelings. She knew this would have to end. She would have to tell Oliver soon, but she was nervous. She felt like she knew Oliver like the back of her hand, but she had no idea how he’d react to this. She was weighing her own happiness with her brother’s but she already knew which would win. She couldn’t live without Rafe. It was almost unbearable at this point.

She travelled up the stairs, passing drunk couples making out on the steps and friends giggling to each other. As she entered the bathroom, locking the door behind her, she looked at the messages on her phone. Some of her friends who were also at this party had been texting her and asking her where she was. She texted them back, saying she was in the bathroom and she’d find them soon. She didn’t want to put on a brave face and lie to them again tonight but she hoped it would be the last time. Maybe she will tell Oliver tomorrow. She’d sit him down and just tell him, and hopefully he’d be okay with it. It scared her beyond belief but she wasn’t about to risk her relationship with Rafe just to save her brother’s feelings. She wasn’t the same little girl she had been when she first met Rafe. She was different now and she could decide who she spent her time with. Oliver would just have to come to terms with that.

Suddenly, as she washed her hands, there was a knock on the door. It wasn’t a loud knock, but a soft one. She almost thought she didn’t hear it since it wasn’t much louder than the water running out the facet. She rolled her eyes slightly, thinking it was just another drunk teen in need of the bathroom.

“Just one second!” She yelled. Although the music was quieter upstairs, she knew the person on the other side wouldn’t be able to hear her.

Suddenly, someone hammered their fist against the door, startling Y/N. The person, whoever they were, seemed impatient and in a rush, which only annoyed Y/N more. She responded and had been polite, could they not just wait? Suddenly, they banged on the door again and this time Y/N yanked the door open, ready to tell off whoever it was on the other side.

With her face burning with anger, she screamed. “Who the fuck -”

When her eyes met his, her voice halted at the back of her throat. Rafe Cameron stood on the other side of the door. The man she had greeted downstairs seemed to be a completely different person than the one that was standing in front of her now. His chest rose and fell rapidly as if he was out of breath. His eyes were narrowed as if he was on a mission and she was the target. Her eyes glanced down at his chest and when her eyes returned to his, there was a small smirk on his lips.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Rafe breathed, almost exasperated.

Y/N frowned, confused for a moment. “What?”

Rafe stepped over the threshold of the door, slamming the door closed. Before Y/N could process any of his movements, his hands grabbed the sides of her face and he pulled her to his lips. Although she loved any kiss Rafe gave her, a small part of her secretly desired these types of kisses the most. Whenever it got heated between the two, he would kiss her like this. He would devour her. He seemed possessed, his heavy breaths signalling to her that he would fall apart at any moment. Although she often took charge when kissing him, these kisses were reserved for him. When he kissed her like this, she let him win. She let him have the power when he kissed her like this.

Y/N heard the click of the door locking but she could care less, her mind focused on Rafe. She had no idea where this came from but she indulged in it and hoped he’d never stop. She had to almost stifle a moan when he lightly bit onto her bottom lip and carefully tugged on it. She couldn’t help it and she almost instinctively ground her hips onto him. When he kissed her like this, her body reacted before her brain did.

Rafe pulled away for a moment, his mouth still against her. “What are you doing to me?”

Y/N smirked, her arms coming to wrap themselves around his neck. “I have no idea what you mean.”

Rafe rolled his eyes. While one hand rested on her backside, the other came to play at the hem of her dress. “Are you trying to kill me?”

Y/N shrugged. “Maybe.”

Rafe chuckled. “Well, I’ll die a happy man.”

Y/N giggled, standing on her toes to kiss his cheek. Her lips remained in the same place, even as she spoke. “I could say the same for you.”

Rafe pulled away to see her face and he had a smirk on his lips again. “Oh, I could tell. You’re not really good at hiding your emotions, stalker.”

The nickname no longer hurt her but it continued to make her blush. “Not my fault my boyfriend looks so beautiful.”

Rafe chuckled, throwing his head back slightly before looking back at Y/N. “You’re kidding me, right? I had to basically stare at Olly because I was scared, he’d see my mouth falling open.”

Y/N, feeling very bold, stepped back from Rafe and sat her bum on the flat surface right beside the sink. Without thinking, she uncrossed her legs, revealing the white underwear she had worn in hopes that Rafe would see them. “Why don’t you put that mouth to good use, Cameron.”

Rafe instantly dropped to his knees; his eyes trained on her core. Rafe Cameron had not eaten out many women, mostly because he was a shy lover. He frequently found himself blushing when he was with a girl, his cheeks turning red at the smallest action. Although the same could be said when he was with Y/N, it was also completely different. He felt confident when he was with her. She held his heart in her hands and that turned him on beyond belief. He’d do anything she asked, but she rarely had to request him to touch her pussy. Rafe did it because he wanted to. Because he loved every second of it.

Rafe’s fingers looped around the band of her underwear, roughly tugging them off. The second he had seen her that night, he had wanted her. It took all the self-control he had not to kiss her when he first greeted her. He couldn’t wait until they could kiss in public. Although Rafe despised PDA when it concerned any other couple, it didn’t include him. He remembers finding himself disgusted with couples before he was with Y/N. He had thought what they were doing was absurd but now that he was with her, he understood the appeal all too well. To kiss Y/N whenever he pleased was something he had been waiting his entire life for.

Rafe kissed the inner skin of Y/N’s thigh, his eyes looking up at her. “You’re gonna fucking kill me.”

Y/N smirked, one hand coming to Rafe’s hair and tugging on it slightly. “Rafe, please…”

Rafe smirked, kissing closer and closer to her core. “You have me wrapped around your fucking finger, darling.” He lifted her dress up higher and kissed her hip bone this time, teasing her. “You got me on my fucking knees, and still, you’re begging me for more.”

Y/N giggled, a bemused grin across her lips. She gave him a teasing stare, her eyes just as playful as his. “Wrapped around your finger, huh? Wonder what I could make you do?”

“I’d do anything.”

Although there was a lightness in his tone, it never reached his eyes. Instead, his eyes bore into Y/N’s with such intensity and sincerity that Y/N’s breath fell short for a moment. All that could be heard for a few moments was the heaviness of each of their breaths. Rafe’s eyes finally trailed down her body to her legs once more, his intense gaze never relenting.

If he was serious about his confession, Y/N already knew what she’d ask of him.

Y/N moaned breathlessly, her hip lifting to meet Rafe’s lips. “Please… I need you.”

Rafe smirked. “Need me to what?”

Y/N pouted, rolling her eyes. “I need your mouth on me.”

Rafe’s eyes darkened, his smirk remaining. His eyes never left hers, even as his tongue explored her core. Y/N was a mumbling mess, her fingers holding onto Rafe’s hair for dear life. She threw her head back against the mirror, a low moan starting in the back of her throat. She closed her eyes for a moment, the feeling of Rafe’s mouth against her core seemed to be the only thing she could focus on. Although she was usually in control, it all vanished from her when he did this. She got lost in how he made her feel, usually the only words being able to escape her mouth were soft whispers of his name.

But just her legs began to shake and she felt the rise of her orgasm, Rafe pulled away completely and stood back up. He positioned himself in between her legs, a small smirk on his lips. Y/N frowned for a moment, her core unbelievably sensitive and not used to being left unfinished. Even as Rafe pulled her in for a kiss, she pouted against his lips.

“Rafe…” She whined as he pulled away.

While her fingers played with the loops of his jeans, Rafe’s hands rested against the sides of her face. Rafe chuckled at her whines, her desperation only fuelling his desire. Sometimes he got nervous but it helped to know she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

“Shut up, stalker. I can’t believe you’re so obsessed with me.” It was only a small joke but it made Y/N blush nonetheless. It only turned Rafe on more though.

“Says the man that was just on his knees for me.” Y/N chided, pulling Rafe closer to her chest by the loops of his belt.

Rafe gave Y/N a chaste kiss, his eyes focusing on the heat radiating off her cheeks. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?”

“No, not nearly enough.” She giggled, her hair falling in front of her face as she spoke.

“Hm.” He remarked, brushing the hair from her face. “I could say it all the time and it still wouldn’t be enough.”

Y/N rolled her eyes, the same blush remaining on her cheeks. “You’re whipped, Rafe Cameron.”

Rafe smirked, knowing she was right but too embarrassed to admit it. “Just shut up and kiss me.”

Y/N smirked, finally giving in and kissing Rafe forcefully. Surprisingly, Y/N was the more dominant one in the relationship. Before she began dating Rafe, she just assumed he had always been the dominant one in his relationships. He certainly presented himself as this cocky asshole, who she assumed loved bossing his girlfriends around. She had believed this for many reasons.

Firstly, he had teased her relentlessly the entire time they had known each other and she had interpreted this as harshness rather than flirting. Secondly, he was a complete jock in high school. He had been on their school’s swim team and had been one of their school’s best rugby players. Girls flocked to him, anxious to even get a wink from him in their general direction. It had always made Y/N jealous, and it didn’t help that he seemed to relish in the attention many girls gave him. It was one of the reasons she was against showing him any affection. The one time she had when they were younger, he had laughed in her face. Y/N had grown up thinking Rafe was this macho womanizer, incapable of compassion.

The reality was much different. Although it was true that Rafe could be proud, he was much more than that. She had now seen another side of him, especially when they slept together. If anything, he was the exact opposite when it came to sex. Although he was always eager have sex, he was definitely the less dominant one and thought of Y/N’s pleasure more than his own. If she wanted him to do something, he was more than willing to. Rafe might be dominant in OBX’s social circle, but he was completely submissive when it came to Y/N.

Rafe whined, the feeling of Y/N’s hands clinging onto his belt loops making the ache in his stomach grow. “Baby, please…”

Y/N chuckled, pulling away from Rafe slightly to smile. “What?”

Rafe frowned, kissing her lips softly before he spoke again. “Let me fucking feel you.”

Y/N smirked, this time moving her hands away from his belt and instead undoing the button on his jeans. “Want me that badly?”

Rafe kisses her again, moaning softly as he feels her hands against his boxers. “You already know the answer to that.”

Y/N continued to smirk, her heart fluttering at Rafe’s words. No one had ever been this passionate towards her before and she’d be lying if it didn’t make her love Rafe even more.

Love.

There was that word again. She had caught herself thinking it so many times before and she had to physically stop herself from saying it aloud. She could never say it with Daniel and they had been dating far much longer than she was dating Rafe. Yet, she felt it so strongly. She tried to remember her mother’s words about the anguish and false hope of young love but with each growing day, she felt her love for Rafe grow. Although she had only been dating him for a month, she had known him for far longer and the word love had echoed in her mind since she first laid eyes on him. Most of the time, she could control herself and refrain from speaking it aloud, but this time it stumbled from her mouth as if her lips had decided to say it before her brain did.

“I love you.” It came out as a giggle, passing her lips so quickly she had almost believed she never spoke it at all.

But when Rafe pulled away, shock and awe on his face, she knew he had heard her. She can see the colour drain from his face and she’s aware that she is mirroring him. She’s just as shocked as him. She had never said this to a friend before, let alone a boyfriend. There’s a moment where she can physically feel her blood pumping in her veins and she’s sure that means she’s about to have a heart attack. Especially since Rafe has yet to say anything either. His mouth is slightly agape, the usual blush on his cheek nowhere to be found.

“What?” He whispers, and although the music is loud, she can hear him clear as day.

Y/N gulps, her throat dry. She can feel the tears in the back of her eyes and she tries to blink them away. “Uh, I’m sorry.” She knows she can’t deny what she’s said, that would be a mistake. Instead, she begins apologizing. “I didn’t mean -”

“Y/N…” Rafe begins, his hands coming up to the sides of Y/N’s face to soothe her.

It’s no use though, because Y/N is spiraling and she can’t hear a word he’s saying. “It’s way too soon, and it was a mistake. I’m such an idiot --”

But before Y/N can even finish her sentence, Rafe’s hands pull her face closer to his and he kisses her. At first, he’s just pressing their lips together to shut her up, but when she finally realizes what he’s trying to do, she deepens the kiss. She’s too flustered to kiss him properly so she gladly lets him take charge. He’s kissing her passionately, and soon, as their kiss comes to a close, she realizes his lips are trembling. Then, when they pull a part and she gets a proper look at his face, she realizes his eyes are welling with tears. Rafe Cameron is about to cry.

“Rafe -” She begins, unsure of what to say. At first, she thought he would be disturbed at her premature confession of love, but now she’s not so sure. He seems to be holding back tears and she thinks that may be a good thing. “Are you okay?”

“Okay?” He laughs, his hands dropping to her waist as he blinks away tears. “Are you kidding?”

Y/N frowns, unsure of what to say. She did not think he would react this way. She thought, if anything, he’d joke with her and be his usual cocky self. Now, she’s not so sure. “You’re not weirded out?”

Rafe smirks. “Weirded out? Why would I be weirded out?”

Y/N shrugs, feeling a little silly now that she knows his reaction wasn’t what she thought. “I don’t know. I wasn’t sure if you felt the same way.”

Rafe rolled his eyes, shaking his head slightly. “Ya know, for a smartass, you can be so dumb.”

Y/N smirked, more than happy he was teasing her again. She knew that had to be a good sign. “What do you mean?”

“Have the years of pining not shown you how much I love you?” Rafe chuckled.

Y/N blushed, her eyes moving from his face to her hands. She was slightly embarrassed, to say the least. In all the times Rafe had spoken about his crush on her, he had never used the word pining. Pining seemed a bit dramatic. When her eyes returned to his face, there was a look of devotion in his eyes so strong it made her heart pound in her chest.

“You have no idea how much I’ve thought about you. How many times I’ve dreamt --” he pauses, taking a breath and reaching out to play with the ends of her short sleeve, “how many times I’ve dreamt about being this close to you.”

The smile on Y/N’s face is brighter than ever. Her arms reach around his body and pull him into a hug. She can’t believe this is her life now. For so long, she thought she would never feel this way for anyone, let alone her brother’s best friend. Yet, here she was, in love with the prince of OBX.

When Rafe and Y/N finally emerge from the bathroom, forty minutes have passed. Neither of them seem to care though as they kiss one last time before parting for the night. The top floor is deserted by this time so they feel more comfortable sharing a short kiss in this hallway. Y/N figures she won’t see him for the rest of the night so she kisses him for longer than she usually does. She knows she’ll miss him. Although she’ll be with her friends and she loves them dearly, she will still miss Rafe. Hopefully, she won’t have to conceal their relationship for much longer. She promises herself that she will tell Oliver tomorrow. This confession of love they shared has forever changed her. She loves Rafe and she won’t sacrifice that for anything.

When they pull apart, there’s a gleam in Rafe’s eyes and she’s not exactly sure what it means.

“Rafe.” she sighs, her eyes teasing him.

“Yeah, baby?”

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Because I’m obsessed with you.” Rafe smirks, kissing her forehead quickly.

Y/N smirks, a giggle falling from her lips. “You don’t say?”

Rafe shrugs, finally letting go of Y/N. His body instantly yearns for her touch again but he knows he has to find his friends before they come looking for him. “I’ll see you later, stalker.”

Y/N blushes. “If you’re lucky.”

When Y/N finally meets up with her friends, they have a million questions. They ask her where she’s been and who she was with, and although she doesn’t answer them, they all seem to know that a certain someone was keeping her away from her friends. Y/N doesn’t tell them about Rafe just yet. She knows she will have to eventually, but she wants Oliver to be the first person she tells. Not only because he’s her brother, but also because she doesn’t want someone to accidentally tell him before she even gets the chance.

“Hey guys!” Y/N exclaims as she enters the circle her friends have created. She knows from the texts in their group chat that they’ve been standing in a circle for over an hour, talking and drinking, so it wasn’t too hard to find them. Most of Y/N’s friends were not the dancing type.

“Nice of you to finally join us!” Joey, one of her close friends, exclaims. "What have you been up to?"

Y/N shrugs, the heat from her cheeks growing stronger. “Nothing, just with Olly.”

Some of Y/N’s friends share a look, and Y/N knows that they don’t believe her. Y/N is incredibly nervous from lying. She knows how bad she is at it, so she looks to Joey for support. Joey has always stuck up for her, especially when Y/N needed to get away with a lie. This time though, some of her friends were smirking at her.

Joey takes a slow sip from her drink before speaking, a sly smirk still present on her lips. “Hm, that’s interesting because we saw Olly five minutes ago and he was asking where you were. Apparently, he hadn’t seen you all night.”

Y/N’s face drops. “That’s, uh, weird.” Y/N hadn’t thought up a good enough lie so she opted to just stand there baffled for a moment. She knew her friends could tell she was lying, but none of them decided to speak first.

Finally, Joey lifts her gaze back to Y/N. “Could Y/N, perhaps, have been with a boy?”

All of Y/N’s friends laugh, exchanging knowing glances. They obviously have no idea she was with Rafe Cameron, and Y/N’s sure she’d never hear the end of it if they knew, but they do know she had to have been with someone. Girls don’t tend to sneak off for one hour without letting their friends know where they are. Unless, that is, they’re sneaking off to see a romantic interest. Y/N’s smiles, trying to hide the blush on her cheeks. She wishes her friends weren’t so astute sometimes. It’d be easier to lie, that’s for sure.

“But seriously,” One of Y/N’s friends says as the rest of the group’s laughter quiets down, “where were you?”

Y/N cheeks are growing hotter and hotter by the minute. “Ah, nothing. I’ll tell you guys tomorrow.”

Just as Y/N finishes speaking, she feels someone place their hand on her shoulder. The hand is warm and somehow familiar but she jumps slightly. Although she’s not at all drunk, the adrenaline in her body from her encounter with Rafe has made her slightly jittery. Her eyes move away from her friends and glance down at the hand that is firmly placed on her shoulder. As she looks up, meeting the eyes of the person that scared her, relief floods her body.

It’s Olly and he’s wearing his signature goofy smirk. He seems a bit tipsy and maybe a little high but his eyes aren’t glassy so he’s sobered enough. Although Oliver seemed like the annoying jock who gets trashed every weekend, Y/N knows better than anyone that appearances can be deceiving. Oliver enjoyed having fun without substances most of the time, only drinking or smoking if he was particularly daring. Oliver didn’t need alcohol to have a good time. Most of the time, Oliver had the most fun just being his sober self.

“Where the hell have you been?” Oliver hangs his left arm around Y/N’s neck, momentarily bringing her in for a hug before pulling away. “I’ve been looking all over for you!”

The music is loud but Oliver is just close enough for Y/N to hear. “Oh, uh, I’ve been around.” Y/N awkwardly smiles, her eyes shifting from Oliver to her group of friends. They’re watching her interaction with Oliver intently. Some of them are even giggling at her response since it is obvious, she’s lying.

Oliver rolls his eyes, flicking Y/N’s cheek in an attempt to annoy her. “Who is he?”

Y/N gulps, her heart beating in her ears. This was not how she wanted to tell Oliver. “Uh, what?”

“Or is it a she?” Oliver smirked, shrugging slightly. “They?”

Y/N shook her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Oliver nodded; his eyes still gleaming. “Hey, I don’t judge. As long as you’re happy.”

Y/N rolled her eyes this time, getting annoyed with how playful he was being. “Shut up. I’ll tell you later.” That wasn’t technically a lie. She was going to eventually tell him, maybe even tomorrow.

This only encouraged Oliver. “Oh? So, there is something to tell?”

Y/N’s eyes glanced to the front door, which had remained open all night. It suddenly became her beacon, her lighthouse -- almost as if it was calling for her. She wanted to escape this uncomfortable conversation and she knew the only way to do so was to distract Oliver with the option to leave. During a party, if Oliver ever wanted to go home, he’d usually go bother Y/N. Tonight was no different. He was bothering her not because he actually wanted to know where she was, but because he was secretly hoping she would propose to leave.

Y/N eyes finally returned to Oliver, who had the same smug smirk on his lips. “Wanna go home?”

Oliver rolled his eyes, trying to look annoyed but Y/N could tell he was relieved at her suggestion. “Great job at changing the subject.”

Y/N rolled her eyes this time, her nerves calming as she sensed Oliver falling for the bait. “Yeah, yeah, let’s go.” She waved him away, turning to her friends and bidding them farewell. They had plans to meet up in a few days but they hugged each other as if this were the last time, they’d see one another.

As Y/N and Oliver began making their way throughout the Cameron household, relief washed over Y/N. She hoped that this would be the last time she would have to dodge Oliver’s questions. No matter what happened, she promised herself to tell him everything tomorrow. It was all becoming too much -- the secrets and half lies. Oliver had been nothing but a supportive, kind sibling to her. Yes, he could be annoying but that was only because he cared for her. She had heard horror stories from her friends about their brothers and it made her grateful to have a sibling like Oliver.

Just as they reached the threshold of the door, moments away from exiting the house and leaving this night behind him, a figure appeared in Y/N’s peripheral vision. At first, she ignored the figure, thinking it was just another teenager looking to party in this huge house. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Just as Y/N and Oliver reach the front door, Rafe Cameron steps out from the crowd and blocks the exit. There’s a beer in his hand, but Y/N knows it’s for show. Rafe actually hates beer and usually holds the bottle just for appearance. She knows he’s not drunk because she saw him thirty minutes ago when he confessed to her that he wouldn’t be drinking tonight. Besides, when she was kissing him, he had tasted like mint gum and citrus; a combination that drove her crazy.

“You guys are leaving already?”

His eyes only focus on Y/N for a moment and his face is calm as ever, not even seeming to register the fact that Y/N is in front of him. Y/N is baffled at how good he is at hiding his emotions. She wishes her emotions weren’t so evident, so noticeable. She could feel her eyes widen as she made eye contact with Rafe and she was unable to control herself. He just looked so good, if not better than when she saw him last. His hair, which was usually combed back, was now pushed to the front of his face and tousled at the top of his head. It looked as if someone had taken their hand and ran it through his hair, which she knew was the case. They hadn’t exactly looked in the mirror before they parted and now, she was beginning to regret it.

“Uh…” Y/N gulped; her words stuck in the back of her throat. She couldn’t stop looking at Rafe and his gorgeous hair.

“Yeah, we are.” Oliver said, glancing over at Y/N for a moment before continuing. “Y/N here is ready to go home. You know how she is.”

Rafe’s eyes finally meet hers again, a small smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I certainly do.”

Y/N has to force herself to look away, a small blush beginning to show on her cheeks. “Very funny.”

Although Y/N’s eyes remain on Oliver, her ears are perked at the sound of Rafe speaking once again. “Oh, well, I’ll walk you guys to your car.”

Oliver frowns a bit, clearly confused at the gesture. Y/N glances at Rafe for a moment but his eyes remain trained on Oliver. “You sure?”

Rafe shrugs, playing it cool. “Yeah, sure. I haven’t seen much of you tonight, Olly.”

Oliver nods, his frown slowly turning into a smile. He seems a little skeptical but he turns back towards the door anyways. Rafe follows after him and Y/N watches nervously as they both exit Rafe’s house. Soon, Y/N follows after the two of them, almost shocked at their entire conversation. She heaves a sigh of relief and for a moment, believing they’re in the clear. Rafe and Olly walk slower than Y/N, both of them in a conversation and too busy with themselves to notice Y/N walking past them quickly. As they walk further down the street and towards Oliver’s car, Y/N can’t help but listen in on their conversation as she leads the way.

“Where’s Sarah?” Oliver asks. Y/N can hear him digging around in his pockets for his keys, but Y/N doesn’t look behind her to see if he needs any help. She doesn’t want to give away the fact that she’s listening in on their conversation.

“Somewhere with John B, probably. Haven’t seen her all night.” Rafe replies, and Y/N almost snickers at the annoyance in Rafe’s voice.

She knows Rafe’s feelings towards Sarah’s boyfriend. John B and Rafe got along well, but now that he was dating Rafe’s sister, their relationship was tense. This only made Y/N frown, knowing full well Oliver could have the same reaction to Rafe and Y/N dating. She hoped that wouldn’t be the case but there was always that possibility.

“Speaking of which, where were you all night, bud?” Oliver questions Rafe calmly. For Oliver, that question should have a simple answer but the truth was way less simple.

“Oh, uh, you know. Around.” Rafe mumbles, and Y/N can almost hear the wheels turning in Rafe’s head as he tries to think of a good lie.

“Around?” Oliver snickers. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Again, Oliver is joking and his line of questioning is completely harmless but the more questions he asks, the more tense Rafe and Y/N become. Y/N wants to turn around and change the subject but she knows doing that will only raise suspicion. Instead, she walks in front of Oliver and Rafe, the only sound being heard from her is her sneakers hitting the pavement. She promises not to speak, even if she really wants to. But then, before she can even register her misstep, Y/N tumbles forward and lets out a shriek. She’s tripped over her own laces and her promise of not making a sound has been broken. Thankfully, she doesn’t fall on her face and quickly regains her footing before she could embarrass herself any further.

“Y/N? You okay?” Oliver asks, dashing to her side.

“Oh, uh yeah.” Y/N sighs, her feet stopping for a moment to regain her breath. She had been so shocked from her slip that her breath had been caught in her throat.

“You sure?” Rafe asks, his hand reaching out for her. Y/N shudders at the contact of his hand against her elbow, the action alone calming her down.

She looks up at Rafe and for a moment, everything and everyone else disappears. “Uh, yeah. It’s just my shoelace. It came undone.”

Both Oliver and Rafe look down at the shoe on her right foot to see that it indeed was her shoelace that made her trip. While Oliver smirks at his sister’s clumsiness, Rafe bends down almost instinctively. Before Y/N can even object, he’s on his knees in front of her and he’s delicately tying her shoelace. For a moment, Y/N’s heart soars at the gesture and she wants to kiss him for being so cute. Even when they’re supposed to be pretending to not like each other, he still is willing to help her. She could’ve easily tied her shoelace herself, but Rafe doesn’t even let her consider doing it herself. His mind is consumed with Y/N, tying her shoelace is just another way he can show her how much he is willing to do for her.

When Rafe is done, he stays on his knees for a moment longer, looking up at Y/N with a sweet smile on his face. Y/N smiles back down at him, her cheeks growing hotter by the second. Rafe’s hand reaches out to touch her ankle, squeezing it slightly before pulling away and standing back up.

He towers over her, his eyes never leaving her face as he speaks. “There you go.”

Y/N bites her lip, completely forgetting that Oliver is watching their interaction. “Thanks.”

Y/N can see Rafe is about to say something else, but before he can even open his mouth again, Oliver interrupts them and their moment is shattered.

“What the fuck was that?”

Suddenly, the reality of what just happened came crashing down on Rafe and Y/N. They both turned their heads, watching in horror as Oliver’s face twists in disgust. Y/N heart jumps in her chest and she pulls away from Rafe quickly, her face hot with embarrassment. She can’t believe how reckless she just was. She had been so caught up in the moment, she had completely forgotten Oliver had a front row seat to their flirting. She tries to look Oliver in the eyes, hoping she can discern whether or not he truly understands what he just saw. Unfortunately, Oliver is staring straight at Rafe, his eyes never even glancing at Y/N.

“Olly, I -” Rafe begins. Y/N can tell he’s had the same realization as she just did, but it’s too late. Oliver has just witnessed them flirting and is starting to piece everything together. Before Rafe can even begin to speak, Oliver cuts him off.

“Why the fuck did you just do that?” Oliver is slightly tipsy but his anger and confusion is sobering him up greatly. Suddenly, his eyes flick up to Rafe’s hair and then his eyes finally glance at Y/N. “What the fuck is going on?”

“N-nothing!” Y/N shouts much too quickly.

“Really? Nothing?” Oliver rolls his eyes and Y/N can tell he’s starting to get pissed off. “Then what the fuck was that?”

“What do you mean?” Y/N asks, trying to be as innocent as possible.

“What do I mean?” Oliver repeats, his voice getting a bit louder as he continues. “Why are you blushing like a schoolgirl,” Oliver looks at Rafe, “and why are you looking at her like that?”

Y/N looks at Rafe for a moment and catches a glimpse of what Oliver means. Rafe is watching her like she’s the only person in the world. His eyes are glued to her and Y/N can basically see the hearts in his eyes. When Oliver points it out though, Rafe’s expression suddenly changes to a more embarrassed expression.

“I’m not.” Rafe denies, folding his arms over his chest.

“Olly -” Y/N begins, feeling her throat go tight at the mere thought of confessing everything to him. This was definitely not how she wanted to do it.

“Y/N, what the fuck?” Oliver is spiraling, his eyes shifting between Rafe and Y/N. “You both have been gone the entire night,” Oliver begins, thinking out loud to the two of them. “But I never -” He cuts himself off, realizing that he was about to lie. He had somewhat seen this coming.

Although he felt stupid for not realizing it sooner, he also knew Rafe had a small crush on Y/N years ago. He had a serious conversation with Rafe back then, laying down the law and making it clear nothing could ever happen between them. If they dated, they would eventually break up and Oliver would choose Y/N. He never wanted to make that choice between his best friend and sister, but he knew if he had to, he would choose Y/N. He never felt like he had to worry though. To Oliver, Y/N always seemed so disinterested in anything to do with Rafe. She always seemed annoyed at his very presence. Well, up until now. Now, Oliver was piecing the night together, starting with the fact that the two of them had not been seen by anyone the entire night.

“Olly, please.” Y/N began, her eyes stinging with tears. She willed herself not to cry, even though she felt beyond overwhelmed. “Just let me explain.”

“Are you two going out?” Oliver questions, his tone more surprised than irritated.

Y/N looked to Rafe for a moment, who wore a bewildered expression. This was not how he imagined their conversation going, and he was willing to agree with whatever Y/N said, even if she decided to lie about their relationship. Y/N knew she couldn’t do that though. She had lied to Oliver much too often these past months and she was so sick of it. Before she had begun dating Rafe, she always felt like she could confide in Oliver. Now, there were so many secrets between them that it felt as if their relationship was crumbling. She wouldn’t allow for that to happen so she knew what she had to do.

“Yeah, we are.” Y/N nodded, watching Oliver’s reaction carefully.

Maybe it was because of the alcohol in his system or the environment in which he found out, but Y/N could see the disgust written across his face. She knew that if he found out a different way, in a better and calmer environment, he definitely wouldn’t have had this reaction. Her heart sank, Oliver’s disgusted reaction telling her that this wouldn’t be easy.

“It’s basically incest!” Oliver cried, running his fingers in his hair. This was something he did when he was particularly distressed so Y/N knew this wasn’t a good sign. On the other hand, he was making a joke, however terrible it was, so that might have been a good sign too.

“What? No, it’s not.” Rafe argued, pulling his brows together in confusion.

“Uh, yeah. It kinda is.” Oliver argued. “We all grew up together, we’re basically related!”

“Except we’re not related.” Rafe frowned, taking a step closer to Oliver. He seemed like he was reaching out for Oliver, trying to calm down his friend. “Olly -”

Oliver pushed Rafe’s hand away, his eyes narrowing at his friend. “No, don’t you dare try to make me feel better. We had an entire fucking conversation about this and I was pretty clear my sister was off limits.”

Rafe sighed, nodding slightly. “I know.”

Oliver scoffed. “I don’t have many rules, dude, but I specifically remember saying that you couldn’t date my sister.”

Rafe looks to his feet, nodding again. “I know.”

“Like, dude,” Oliver continues to whine, “she’s basically a child.”

Although Y/N had been quiet during their entire argument, this comment riled something up in her. She was not a child, and she would not be treated like one. She could make her own decisions, and she didn’t need her brother to approve every single relationship she was in. Finally, as Rafe and Oliver continue to argue, Y/N steps in between them and finally glares up at her brother.

“Olly, this is not the nineteenth century. I don’t need your approval to date someone.” Her tone is harsh and it surprises Oliver a great deal.

“Y/N -” Oliver begins, but Y/N’s too pissed to let him continue.

“And I’m not a child. I’m old enough to decide who I like and I want to be with Rafe. It’s kinda fucked up that you made him promise not to go out with me anyways.” Y/N argues, her eyes never leaving the surprised expression of Oliver’s face.

“That’s fucked up? What about the fact that you’re fucking my best friend?” Oliver raises his voice, his surprised expression turning to one of anger.

“Whoa, Olly.” Rafe steps in between the siblings, a little annoyed at how crude Oliver is being right now. He’s trying to understand where Oliver is coming from so, he’s trying to be extra patient but he knows if anyone else was talking to Y/N like this, Rafe would be beating the shit out of them. “I know you’re upset, but don’t.”

Oliver rolls his eyes, laughing bitterly. “Upset? Yeah, you could say that. I’m fucking pissed that the two most important people in my life kept such a huge thing from me for, what, months?”

Oliver turns to walk away, feeling as though he needs some fresh air even though he’s already outside. He knows if he stays any longer, he’ll say something he’ll regret. Y/N wants to stop him and continue their conversation, no matter how brutal it is. Oliver has never been this mad at her before, and she knows it has to do with the fact that he’s scared to lose them. Y/N knows how loyal Oliver is and she knows he would always stay by her side, even if Y/N and Rafe were to break up. She knows he would sacrifice his relationship with Rafe for Y/N and it would devastate him. But Y/N also knows that her relationship with Rafe is stronger than ever and that it would never come to that. She just has to make him see it.

“Olly, where are you going?” Y/N yells, watching as her brother storms off.

“I need some space!” Oliver screams, looking back at Rafe and Y/N one last time before heading further and further down the street.

Y/N turns back to Rafe, suddenly feeling a few tears fall down her face. Rafe embraces her, feeling just as overwhelmed by their entire conversation. He wants to take on this burden himself and shield Y/N from all this confusion and pain, but he knows he can’t do that. Oliver is right in how he feels, even though Rafe doesn’t agree with him. Rafe rubs Y/N backs, trying to soothe her as she cries.

“What are we gonna do?” Y/N asks, looking up at Rafe.

Rafe uses his thumb to carefully wipe away some of the tears on Y/N’s cheek. “Don’t worry, I have an idea. But I have to do it alone.”

Oliver always brought Rafe to Figure 8’s beach whenever they had to have a hard conversation. They usually had them later in the evening, when the sun was setting, so Oliver could see the sunset and remain calm. When Oliver made Rafe promise not to date Y/N, they had that conversation at the same beach. Rafe still remembers it vividly, mostly because his heart never stopped beating through the entire conversation. He remembers gripping the coarse sand between his fingers, pressing his fingers further into the sand the more Oliver spoke. He could barely look at his friend throughout the entire conversation, only stealing glances when he was sure Oliver wasn’t looking. He still remembers the first thing Oliver said that night.

He had been uncharacteristically quiet when they met up with their other friends that night. It had been the same night Y/N had her first homecoming with Daniel. Rafe still remembers how he felt when he saw her in that beautiful green dress. He felt light-headed; like he was high off the sight of her. She had barely looked at him; almost as if she was making a conscious effort not to. He felt invisible to her, but he was almost glad she wouldn’t look at him. He remembers noticing the lack of material on her back. He gulped, realizing the green dress was backless. His eyes ghosted down the expanse of her back, lower and lower, until he saw her back dip into -

He remembers forcing himself to look away, counting to ten and thinking of a weak insult to throw her way. He tried to sound confident as he hurled it her way, but Oliver even noticed how pathetic his voice sounded. He almost seemed to be pleading with her. Pleading to end his suffering and just reject him so he could move on.

In reality, his suffering had only begun.

“Y/N looked nice tonight, don’t ya think?” Oliver had asked on the same beach years ago on the same night of Y/N’s homecoming.

Rafe instantly looked up, gulping at what seemed to be an innocent question. Unfortunately, Rafe knew his friend and he knew Oliver never spoke about his sister. “Uh, I guess.” He guessed. Rafe wanted to scream. He more than guessed she looked nice. She looked more than nice.

“Listen Rafe,” Oliver had begun, and it had instantly made Rafe’s heartbeat skyrocket. “I’m not blind. I see what’s going on with you. You’re my best friend, don’t think I don’t see what’s going on.”

Rafe never looked at him, he was too scared. He remembers bracing for Oliver’s fist but Oliver never punched him. He just sighed, continuing on with his speech when he realized Rafe was going to make no effort to defend himself.

“And I know that you can’t control who you like, but she’s my sister and you’re my friend. If you guys start anything, you’ll break up and I’ll choose her side over you. I’ll always choose her. So, please, don’t make me choose.”

Rafe clutched onto the sand, her anxiety bubbling over and his body shaking slightly. This had been the first time he had ever been called out for his feelings, by his best friend no less. All Rafe could do was nod along, his heart shattering slightly.

“I promise,” Rafe vows, “I’ll never make you choose.”

He had acted so coldly to Y/N that night she had returned from homecoming and he had thought he had been doing the noble thing. He pushed her away, just like he should’ve done, but his pushing had only pulled her closer to him. Every time he watched her or looked into her beautiful eyes; he fell harder. And soon enough, not even his promise to Oliver was enough.

As Rafe finally approached the same familiar beach, his eyes searching for his friend, a wave of nostalgia swelled within him. He had been here a dozen times with Oliver, but this time was different. Rafe and Oliver always made their way to this beach but tonight, Rafe was here alone to search for his angered friend. He had dropped Y/N off at her home and promised her to make everything right. She had been rightfully upset over how Oliver had found out about them and Rafe intended to make it right. He blamed himself, really. If he had just controlled himself for a moment, none of this would be happening.

It wasn’t that hard to find Oliver. The sun was rising in the west and Rafe quickly spotted him sitting on the sand, watching the sky as it turned a dark orange. Rafe waited for a moment, hesitating as he saw the sky. He had seen it many times before but this time was different. This time, the sun was rising with Oliver and Rafe’s friendship on the brink of disaster.

Rafe finally began moving again, finally approaching Oliver carefully. When he was five feet away, Oliver turned quickly with a deep scowl on his face. When he saw Rafe, it only deepened, which scared Rafe beyond belief. Oliver and Rafe had never fought, never disagreed, so Rafe was out of his element here. He didn’t know how to broach the subject, especially since Oliver was throwing daggers at him.

“Hey.” Rafe waved slightly, standing uncomfortably in front of Oliver. He didn’t know whether he should sit or stand. Depending on how angry Oliver was, Rafe might need to take a step back in a hurry.

“What?” Oliver frowns, looking back to the sea in front of him. The water was calm, barely moving even though there was a breeze. “Did Y/N tell you to come?”

Rafe shook his head. “No, I wanted to.”

Oliver cupped some sand in his hand and played with it slightly. Rafe watched his friend’s hands begin to shake and suddenly, Oliver spoke. “Why?”

There was no anger in his voice, only pain and in turn, it pained Rafe too. “I love her, Olly.”

Oliver chuckled, shaking his head. “God, I know that. Even Daniel knew that. I’m surprised my sister only recently figured it out.”

Rafe gave Oliver a confused look, watching Oliver’s head stare up at his friend. Rafe took a chance, sitting down beside his friend and letting the sand cushion him. “I’m sorry. I know I promised I wouldn’t make you choose, but I can’t keep pretending.”

Oliver shook his head. “You know what really sucks? If we hadn’t been friends, I would’ve loved for you to date her. I can tell you really care for her, and you deserve love, Rafe. You deserve it all, man. But not with her. Not with my sister.”

Rafe shook his head, indignant to Oliver’s comment. “What you don’t understand, Olly, is that I’ll never have it if it’s not with her. I’ll never find love if it’s not with her.”

Oliver finally looks at his friend, his eyes glassy. “You promised me you wouldn’t make me choose.”

Rafe nodded. “Maybe you won’t have to.”

Oliver rolled his eyes. “What? You gonna marry her?”

Rafe blushed, his mind flashing with images of Y/N in a white dress and his heart leaped to his throat. Rafe was young and rarely thought of marriage but whenever he did, the same girl was always his bride. “I don’t know.” Rafe answered honestly. “But I’ll tell you this; I’ve known Y/N for five years and I have yet to get tired of her. We’ve been together for three weeks and they’ve been the best weeks of my life. I can’t see myself without her. I’ll be here until she gets tired of me.”

Oliver’s features lift, his expression changing from anger to shock. Rafe continues to stare at his friend, at the guy who has changed his life. Not only by being his best friend, but by also introducing him to Y/N. “I’m not trying to be an asshole. I’m not some controlling maniac.”

Rafe nods, smiling a little. “I know. You’re just looking out for your sister.”

Oliver smiles back and this eases Rafe’s nerves. “I kinda always knew it, in a way.”

Rafe frowns, confused slightly. “Knew what?”

Oliver smirks. “That you guys would get together. Knew it the second you came over to my house for the first time.”

Rafe smirked. “Why? Because of how I was watching her?”

Rafe tries to remember that far back and he does. He remembers entering Oliver’s living room and seeing Y/N sitting on the couch, reading some book. He remembers watching her eyes glance over the words on the page and he remembers thinking that he had never seen someone make something so mundane look so beautiful.

Oliver shakes his head. “Nah, because she couldn’t keep her eyes off you.”

Rafe’s heart swelled. He wondered if this was truly real, if he was actually lucky enough to be loved by her. Rafe had not been lucky concerning many things in his life, but he felt like the luckiest man in that moment.

She's in his boxers, her clothes thrown mindlessly on the floor of his room. She'll leave behind an accessory and it will never leave his room again. It's a necklace, one she got from a farmers market. Its home will now be with him, because it's just another reminder that she was here. At some point, she was here and she wanted him. When he finally picks it up off the floor, he'll wear it around his neck, his fingers toying with the pendant whenever his thoughts drift to her. It wasn't an important necklace and she didn't even know it was missing. It was her necklace at one point and that was all he cared about.

He'll think it's rather pathetic. To hold onto something, she thinks is so meaningless. But he can't help it. Just like he can't help buying her extra chapsticks from the same company she likes so much and stuffing it in her pockets and purses, just so she always has one handy. In these small moments, as he secretly places another chapstick in the back pocket of her jeans, he realizes his dreams have turned into a reality. He loves her. He knows it to be true. He knows it when he hears her footsteps behind him, and his chest swells with joy at the mere notion she's nearby. He knows it when he catches a whiff of her scent, his cheeks turning red at the thought of her smooth skin. He knows it's premature, as young love tends to be. It's young and quick, like a momentary spark of light coming from a match. His brain pictures it as an ice cream sundae; a creamy and rich vanilla flavour topped with hot fudge. He can't get enough. He devours it, not even letting himself enjoy the taste before he has another mouthful. He craves more and more. And just when he thinks he's full, he asks for more.

So, when she looks at him and asks him what he's afraid of, he mumbles out the first thing he can think of. "Loving you too hard and regretting the quickness of it when I don’t have anything left of you.” He loves until he's nauseous because he loves her.

She only smiles at him, shaking her head at his ridiculousness. Doesn’t he know? “You’ll never lose me, silly. I’ll always be here.”

They shared loving smiles and Rafe felt as though his heart might explode out of his chest. He had never felt so in love before her, but to be honest, there had never been such a thing. There had never been a before with Y/N. He met her and that was it for him.

It all felt too good to be true. But here she was, in his arms, where she belonged.

tagging: @gillybear17 @pogueslandia @itsalexwin @goldenjo @totallynotkaibiased @whores-ocean @lokisthvr @fangirlfree @c0untryclub @tumblin-theworldaway @lovelyxtom

#rafe cameron #rafe x you #rafe fluff #rafe imagine #rafe cameron x reader #rafe cameron x you #rafe cameron imagine #outer banks #obx #obx s2 #rafe x reader #outer banks rafe #rafe cameron outer banks #rafe cameron smut #rafe cameron angst #rafe cameron fic #rafe cameron fluff

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louvay · 5 months

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Since we are talking about braids! Fee, braiding Arthur 3 lines~

“Almost finished up here Artie,” the pegasus knight proclaimed, excited to show off the braids she entwined within her partner’s ever so long hair. Arthur grumbled at the nickname she gave him yet had to keep himself seated still otherwise his initial worries would be proven correct. “You sure know how to tend to hair despite yours being short,” he stated to her sincerely, hoping she wouldn’t take it the wrong way. “Do you give braids to Annand as well?”

“Oh nah. Pegasi have sensitive manes so you’d be bothering them if you try to pull it in anyway. And besides… I actually used to have mine long too,” Fee responded rather awkwardly and could’ve swore Arthur chocked up from shock after she revealed that fact. “Really?” he asked as Fee hummed. “It was a long time ago, back when I was a page. See, me and the other trainees used to spar with each other as part of our training routine and I’d always trip up when my hair used to swing sideways, getting me off balance when holding a lance. Used to even cry too when I hit the ground,” she sighed, remembering the rougher parts of her adolescence. “So one day, I decided to shorten it down to where I’d look no different than Cedsy and boy did it work! Sure my mother got the jitters when she saw me like that at practice but I managed to graduate into becoming a cadet in no time. Never regretted it ever since,” she spoke with an aura of pride in her words and Arthur was impressed hearing such an act of resolve from her. “Huh, I guess you were quite the different person back then, eh Fee?”

“You can say that much but what about you? Did you always have hair that long or is it just a fashion statement you picked up?” Fee asked in return. “Oh… well…” Arthur cleared his throat before explaining himself. “I used to have short hair, it kinda looked a bit like Scathach’s now that think about it. But I didn’t know anything about maintaining it since well, someone else would do it for me…” Fee was about to assure to him that he shouldn’t continue speaking if it would bother him but Arthur tried to lighten up the mood in his own way. “Heh… it’s funny. You’d think having loose hair that covers most of your shoulders would make for some poor camouflage in the snow but it seemed to work fine for me back then. Might’ve been because of the color of it…” he stated that much as he laughed faintly. “Yeah… maybe it would. But hey, at least you’ve come a long way from that, right?” Fee remarked to him with a gentle yet peppy smile. The pat on the back from her was this time appreciated by Arthur. “I guess so. We’ve both come quite far from where we were haven’t we?” Arthur responded, this time more livelier now, as he pointed towards the rack where Fee had hung her Falcon knight armor on. Her aunt and mother would no doubt be proud of her. “Yup, we sure have!”

#fe4 #flashfic #arthur #fee

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thewertsearch · 2 years

Text

Yeah, I think what each individual Aspect ‘means’ is being left intentionally vague. Hell, the closest thing we ever got to a Title explanation came from Jaspers, which says it all, really.

Let’s take a quick look at the kids’ four Aspects, through the lens of the Players who embody them.

Breath is not a traditional element. Wind is, but Hussie chose Breath, which feels very deliberate.

I think this is evidence that we’re supposed to be looking at Aspects symbolically, because Breath is highly unlikely to be literal. I really don’t think John has powers that relate directly to people’s lungs - although that would be pretty funny, so I kind of want to be proven wrong.

Anyway, John has (maybe) done one thing with his Aspect - he (possibly) created a gust of wind. Not much to work with, but that, plus the name of his Land, does imply that this is indeed the Wind-substitute element. There’s definitely more going on with Breath, though - because, again, it could have just been called Wind.

Rose ‘likes’ LOLAR, but she’s generally more into shadows. Why did the game assign her the Aspect that seems like her natural opposite?

Jaspers, uh, tries to explain, but it’s all sort of mixed up.

JASPERSPRITE: [...] you are what some people around here call the Seer of Light. JASPERSPRITE: And you dont know what that means but you will see its all tied together! JASPERSPRITE: All the life in the ocean and all the shiny rain and the songs in your head and the letters they make. JASPERSPRITE: A beam of light i think is like a drop of rain or a long piece of yarn that dances around when you play with it and make it look enticing! JASPERSPRITE: And the way that it shakes is the same as what makes notes in a song! JASPERSPRITE: And a song i think can be written down as letters. JASPERSPRITE: So if you play the right song and it makes all the right letters then those letters could be all the letters that make life possible.

So Light is... music? It’s vibration? Thought? String? Language? DNA?

There’s a throughline here of information, but that’s clearly riffing on Rose’s role as a Seer, a role which revolves around information. None of this really explains Light - if anything, it sounds like Jaspers is struggling to relate Rose’s Quest to her Aspect, and I’m no clearer on what it really means.

It might not mean anything, or - and this is a possibility I’ve been considering for a while - it might mean whatever its Player thinks it means. Players shape the Medium through their prototypings, so maybe they shape their own elemental system the same way, and Jaspers is deliberately being vague so that Rose can make her own judgement about what Light ‘is’.

Anyway, this one is weird, because I think Jaspers is talking about Rose’s Class as well as her Aspect, and I can’t untangle the two yet. I think I’ll table the Rose Light Analysis until we get another Light Player, and we can compare and contrast.

Time seems pretty cut-and-dry - it symbolizes time. Dave’s a Time Player, so he’s the time traveler of the group, he’s the one messing with timelines, and he’s the one who’s going to have the most time duplicates floating around. If Time is more than that, we haven’t seen it.

Dave's settled into his Aspect better than anyone - although it is notable that he doesn’t seem to have any time powers, as such - he’s just using an item.

If Time is straightforward, then Space should be too, right? But Jade’s Aspect seems like the complete opposite of what her deal is, even more so than Rose. Jade was literally the team seer for a thousand pages - she was all about Time, and hasn’t really done anything that relates to space.

Rose is the one with an observatory, and John is the one with a telescope. Maybe Jade will get a teleportation item during her alchemy binge, and we’ll see the Witch of Space start to put her Aspect to use.

#asks #full liveblog #act 5 #classpect #homestuck liveblog #theories

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genesic-archives · 2 months

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Nunnally's Halloween Ch 3-3: Trick or Treat!

This is the third section of the third chapter of 'Nunnally's Halloween'. This chapter shows the group peeling apart the reasoning of the pumpkin monster holding them all within this magical place.

Previous Section - Next Section - All Story Sections

We continue the story right where we left off, with the Jack O' Lantern growling in rage as Nunnally gasps in shock.

Lelouch: Okay, all conditions have been cleared. Our strategy moves the final phase.

Al: It looks like it's about to start getting wild…!

Hong Yu: As expected. That’s exactly what Lelouch predicted!

We then fade to black into a flashback to the meeting they had regarding their Halloween party.

Lelouch: Since it was Jack O’ Lantern that summoned us, I suppose the simplest way for us to return to our original world is to satisfy its desires. And in order to satisfy that desire, as I see it… We need to do all the mischief that he wants.

Gigi: Okay? What does that mean?

Lelouch: The party is just the means to an end. The Jack O’ Lantern just wants a playmate for Halloween. That’s probably because… It’s not that they want sweets, it's that they want to play a prank.

Hong Yu: What makes you say that?

Lelouch: With the way the ghosts exist in this space, their behavior can be explained if they’re all fragments that reflect the Jack O’ Lantern’s mental state.

Liu Ki: Oh. Well, that explains why they’re so mischievous…

Lelouch: That’s not all. Their intentions are too uniform. Even though there’s so many of them, their nature is too unified.

Al: I see. When we were gathering party members, we were trying to see if the spirits of the ghosts and Jack O’ Lantern were connected.

Lelouch: Exactly. As a result, it was proven that the ghosts are not individuals, but merely fragments of the Jack O’ Lantern themselves.

Liu Ki: When it’s proven, what will this tell us?

Lelouch: Think about it. How did we deal with the ghost’s pranks?

Liu Ki: Well, we prevented pumpkins from flying away…

Hong Yu: We also prevented people from scribbling all over the place. I get it, so we got in the way of a prank?

Al: If we stop the ghost fragments from doing pranks, then that means we stop Jack O’ Lantern from doing pranks.

Gigi: In other words, we need to frustrate them?

Nunnally sighs in contempt as we fade back into the argument iwth the massive floating pumpkin.

Al: We put up with the pranks by getting the ghosts on the terminal to play pranks on me.

Gigi: But Lelouch’s instructions got in the way of that, so they became more and more dissatisfied.

Liu Ki: This party kept getting more and more exciting, but I guess the desire to play pranks has reached its limit.

Hong Yu: In that case, if we let the ghost pumpkin do all the mischief it can, we can get out of here too!

The Jack O' Lantern reels back in shock.

Lelouch: However, we haven’t reached the point of outburst yet. We just need one more push…

Al: Lelouch! When it comes to this, you can use your geass..!

Lelouch: No, I’m not going to use geass on them. I never even planned on using geass on this thing.

Al: Then how do we do it?

Lelouch: Did you forget? This is a Halloween party. There must be another suitable word for it. Hey, what’s wrong, Jack O’ Lantern? If you’re a ghost too, you’ve got a bit to explain.

The Jack O' Lantern looks back in confusion.

Nunnally: Brother, could it be that…

Jack O’ Lantern: -Trick or Treat.

Hong Yu: What the-? The speech of the ghost pumpkin…

Liu Ki: Yeah, I heard it too.

Al: Why are we able to hear the voice too…

Gigi: It said more than that!

Nunnally: Yeah, ‘Trick or Treat’.

Lelouch: That’s right, you could say that. I was waiting for your words however, even with this… That’s too bad. I used up all the ingredients from Hong Yu’s cooking earlier. Unfortunately I don’t have any sweets for you. So, what will you do, Jack O’ Lantern?

The Jack O' Lantern is left speechless for a moment.

Al: Seems like we got ‘em!

Jack O’ Lantern: -IF YOU DONT GIVE ME SWEETS, I'LL PLAY A PRANK ON YOU!!

Right after the jack O Lantern screamed out his last statement, the sight of it vanishes from the room as it destroys everything within the banquet at lighting speed and loud clashes filling the air.

Lelouch: Yes, that’s it.

Al: CAREFUL! EVERYONE, LOOK OUT!

Gigi: Nunna-chan, if you’ll excuse me~!

Nunnally: Wa…!?

Gigi quickly whisked Nunnally away as the Jack O' Lantern finally came back into view, presumably crashing down from the ceiling.

Hong Yu: Don’t tell me, is this just the prank…!?

Lelouch: His pranks destroy those around him. That’s why they weren’t able to enjoy it from the bottom of their heart.

Al: The party was a restraint, which you took away with your words.

Lelouch: That’s how it has been. The rest is simple. Can you accomplish it?

Hong Yu: Yeah! Thanks Lelouch! Now I will finally show you all my true potential.

Liu Ki: Mr. Jack O’ Lantern’s ultimate prank… I will do my best to support you all as well!

Al: Everyone, let’s start!

#code geass #genesic re;code #コードギアス #stories #nunnally's halloween #side story #translations

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trinoxtrinox · 2 years

Text

Drowning in Knowledge

Ectoberhaunt 2022, Side Chaos. Prompt: Drown

Summary: Despite having so much raw data about the Ghost Zone thanks to the Ghost Portal, Jack and Maddie are stumped for they don’t know what to do with it and how everything connects. What is it that they’re missing? What part of the information is useful and what is useless?

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

“Hey Jack, do you know what to do with all of these readings?” Maddie asked while handing him a paper with a bunch of numbers spread all over it. That was some data measured from around the city of Amity Park, it was mainly about the different levels of ectoplasm that surrounds the city, or at least, it was supposed to be that way.

“... I’m not sure Mads, it reads to me that there was some interference somewhere, but it doesn’t say where,” he left behind what he was doing in order to read over those numbers once again, “It’s very rare for the numbers to differ so much from the norm after all, and we haven’t had any ghost invasion to explain it either.”

“Yeah, that’s what worries me, and that’s not all.” At this she turned around and picked up some other papers, “I’ve been checking on previous readings and comparing them to the new ones that we’ve collected thus far, and all of them show different levels when compared to the past”

“The levels of ectoplasm differ in different places and that doesn’t show any kind of pattern, the natural portal formation showed signs of a clear decline before yet it just got a spike and now it’s in decline again, blob ghost population has changed numbers so fast we can’t ave an accurate model of their ‘communities’, their properties change depending on so many factors it’s impossible to categorize how they each affect without having a secondary factor to take into account, and there are many more numbers that have never been consistent.”

“Honestly, the only thing that has proven to be consistent all this time is the amount of times the city is attacked by a ghost each week.”

“That’s true, but what does that mean? We know that most of our equipment is working as intended at least, save perhaps for the sensors spread around the city that we’ll have to go check now.”

“Mmmhhh, maybe we’re thinking about this the wrong way.”

“How so Mads?”

“Maybe this is all true information, however we’re working with the equivalent of white noise.”

“You’re suggesting that all the data we’ve collected thus far is useless, that we’ve been working with the background data of everything.”

“Not everything, I’m sure a lot of the data we’ve collected thus far is legitimate after all, but we’ll most likely have to filter through a lot of the data we’ve had thus far.”

“The thing is now we’d have to filter the data we’ve collected in order to determine what’s the white noise and what’s the sample we want to collect, but how do we make a blank with everything given that various variables from different experiments ca’n’t be controlled?”

“Exactly, and I have an idea on where to start with that so we can at least have the blank undiluted”

“Maddie, what do you mean by that?”

“By that I mean-” she talked as she walked towards the Specter Speeder, “-that we take this baby for a walk and collect as much data as possible, and then dilute some of the pure ectoplasm here in order to make a proper blank of a lot of our instruments.”

“Mads you’re a GENIUS!” Jack exclaimed as he dropped all the papers and went inside the vehicle instantly, putting himself in the passenger seat and waited for his wife.

“Calm down Jack, we have to make sure we have all of the equipment and emergency packs full before we go into the Ghost Zone, would you mind helping me with that dear?”

“Of course Mads, now let’s begin this so we can go to the Ghost Zone soon.” With that the pair began looking around the Speeder, making sure that everything was in optimal condition, and checking down the places where food was stored in order to make sure that everything was well, same with all the batteries that the Fentons use in their weapons.

Once everything was accounted for, the pair put on their seatbelts and began the countdown to enter the Ghost Zone. Finally it reached zero and the Fenton parents dove right into the depths of the Ghost Zone, instantly activating all of their ectoplasm collection instruments, hoping that having them out from the beginning would allow them to have as much material as needed.

Once the threshold was crossed, all of the instruments that were inside and outside of the ship began collecting as much data as possible, checking the levels of ambient ectoplasm, the concentration of it, checking how they identify in the Infrared and UltraViolet cameras, measuring the resistance it has with the help of the hull, the refraction of light with the help of an astronomical laser pointer modified to be colored red instead of green, and collecting as many samples as possible so as to make more experiments in the future.

“Mads, there’s so much raw data coming in, take a look at the numbers flying on the computer!”

“Ectoplasm with refraction index of 2.3, wait, 2.3!? That means that ectoplasm refracts more light than Oils and Diamonds!”

“Check out the concentrations of the Ambient Ectoplasm as well, somehow it’s extremely low despite us being in the Ghost Zone. Does that mean that Ectoplasm here is in a gaseous form?”

“The Specter Speeder is currently going at 25 Kilometers per Hour, and usually with the current strength of the motor we would be going at 35 Kilometers per Hour, which means that Ectoplasm has a higher resistance to air yet a smaller resistance than water.”

“Ok, we just collected a lot of data that we’ll have to comb through back at Fenton Works, we should turn back and begin filtering the measurements we got with the ones obtained from Amity.”

“Good idea Jack, do you want to be the one to drive us home now?”

“Sure thing Mads! Be ready Ghost Zone because Jack Fenton will drive through you like there’s no tomorrow!” And with that he took the wheel of the ship, turn around, and step on the gas pedal with full power, ramming through any ghost that was unlucky enough to be in his way (*cough* Johnny 13 *cough*)

#Ectoberhaunt22 #EH Chaos #Day 11 #Drown #Danny Phantom #Jack Fenton #Maddie Fenton #Ghost Zone #Infinite Realms #Ectoplams

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jacquelinemerritt · 1 year

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Dragon Ball Z: Abridged Episode 37 Review

Originally posted January 24th, 2016

Without Goku, Team Four Star focuses on their interesting characters.

Last week I spent a paragraph (justifiably) complaining about Toriyama’s decision to take Goku out of the fight with a bullshit plot contrivance, yet I praised Team Four Star for doing their best to tie the contrivance to character driven humor. I still stand by what I said, of course, but “Catch Me If You Can-droid” has shown me that my complaints may only need to be applied to the plot of the source material, as even without Goku, Team Four Star1 is more comfortable telling their story than ever.

Now, perhaps you could chalk this up to “Can-droid” finally providing the payoff for the androids being ridiculously underpowered, and while that’s certainly a part of it, as all of the tension in the episode comes from whether or not Gero can get away from our protagonists or not, with it immediately fizzling when he is discovered by Gohan, I’d argue that it’s also the result of Team Four Star being relieved at not having to deal with their most uninteresting character and all his associated plot contrivances.

That’s an odd thing to say in an episode that intentionally destroys all of its tension for its other characters, but that lack of tension is earned, as it’s been slowly established over the past few episodes that the androids they’ve been fighting haven’t been nearly the threat Trunks made them out to be.

Goku’s presence, on the other hand, automatically removes any semblance of tension, as the show has now proven twice that he’s guaranteed victory, even in circumstances where by all account he should be dead (see: Muffin Button).2 Not having Goku around means that they’re free to focus on the characters who have to work to achieve the power they do; they’re free to focus on humans instead of a demigod.

And since they’re focusing on humans, Trunks’ arrival and declaration that they’ve been fighting the wrong androids is a gut punch, as the last two episodes have let our protagonists (and us by extension) feel deservedly overpowered only to discover that they didn’t “over train for this,” as they’ve yet to encounter the enemies that are an actual threat. The stakes are immediately reestablished, and it’s at this perfect moment that Gero shows his power is due to his cleverness, as he takes this perfect opportunity to escape and potentially kill Bulma, Yajirobe, and Baby Trunks. Now that Goku is out of the way, shit can finally get real.

Rating: 4.5/5

If you enjoyed this review, consider supporting me on Patreon.

Stray Observations

1It’s feels odd to call Team Four Star a singular entity, especially as we get further into the series, as I know that Scott “KaiserNeko” Frerichs is responsible for more of the writing, recording, and editing workload than anyone else (I feel decently comfortable saying he’s their equivalent to a showrunner from season 3 onward), but there aren’t any particular credits listed on the episodes, so I can’t really give credit where it’s specifically due.

2Again, not criticizing Team Four Star here, especially since as I mentioned before, they managed to actually imbue tension in Goku’s fight with Freeza. I’m criticizing Toriyama for writing a completely unbeatable character whose victories come by ancient prophecy and plot contrivance, rather than actual developed effort. I am also aware of the end of the Cell Saga, and yes, Toriyama deserves credit for ending it the way he did.

Vegeta: “When a goddamn Super Saiyan asks you for a Senzu you say ‘How many?’”

Vegeta: “Energy sensing is bullshit.”

Vegeta: “Get out here and fight me blindly like a man!”

Piccolo: “Call me the can opener, because I’m about to bust open your metal ass.” Vegeta: “Yeah, how about we leave the one liners to me?”

Domo Arigato is the song playing over the radio in Bulma’s car. I am pleased.

Bulma: “Did you know I never even saw Freeza? Not even once?” Yajirobe: “I’m pretty sure no one ever complained about not meeting Hitler.”

Yajirobe: “Have you ever seen what an all Senzu bean diet does to a man?” Bulma: “What?” Yajirobe: “Korin likes it.”

Piccolo: “That’s the android.” Trunks: “No, it’s not.” Gero: “Yes, I am.”

#dragon ball z abridged #dragon ball z #team four star #tfs #dbza #film criticism #dbza ep37 #i find it really interesting to read this review now #because i have grown to understand and appreciate shounen a lot more in the intervening years #so much of shounen is about putting all of your cast in the spotlight #you set up good moments for every character #and try your best to give them all moments to shine #so that even though the biggest part of the conflict comes down to your main protagonist vs your antagonist #the entire journey feels satisfying and rewarding #since you see this wide cast all getting cool moments #benching goku in dbz is a very good way to accomplish this #and downright necessary due to his incredible strength #does other shounen do it more gracefully than dragon ball z?#definitely #i mean one piece is the king of making sure every character gets to show off #but even when dbz flounders at this somewhat #it still is very good at utilizing a lot of its cast #especially in the cell saga

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thelonesomequeen · 1 year

Note

I hate when you guys say shit like their relationship doesn’t affect your personal life so you don’t care about it and we should leave them alone yet have been running a whole blog on his life and bashed his other relationships for years. This is by far his most problematic relationship and arguably the only one that needs to be side eyed. I’ve seen you guys even defend it.

I’m obviously not saying that you should be affected by it. No one should be but, the lack of calling out the situation it’s a bit bizarre especially in contrast with how you treated his other relationships.

This is NOT by far his his most problematic relationship IMO. People don’t like the age gap and that’s fine. Feel however you want about that. But as we’ve said before, they aren’t doing anything wrong or illegal. How you morally feel about it may be a different story. I think it was a much bigger problem when he was dating someone who was posting sexist things, transphobic things, body shamed others, amongst other things (that came with receipts).

Did we drag Jenny? Yeah. We did. Because she did and said some pretty awful things we didn’t agree with. And those things were able to be tangibly proven. Over a majority of the hate Alba is getting is based off of assumptions people are making about her. People will claim she’s done things, but don’t back it up with receipts. And here’s the thing. If I saw something I felt was worth mentioning and getting worked up over, I would do it the same as I have others. The difference is, I haven’t seen those things. I don’t think age alone is enough to drag her over. That’s honestly more of an issue with Chris than it is HER, anyway. Am I supposed to be mad she can speak other languages and does yoga? Because the world is full of thousands of other bigger issues to be upset over.

And here’s the other piece of the puzzle. We’ve just grown to be better people over the last few years. This isn’t the first time I’ve said it here, and I’ll say it again, while I wasn’t a mod here at the time, I do regret some of the things I said about Minka on forums based on assumptions when some the things I dragged her for seemed to be Chris. Hindsight can really kick your ass sometimes. There’s also been times when we’ve felt bad about some comments we’ve seen people say to Jenny because we’ve felt responsible for the fandom’s hateful reaction to her because we were the ones digging up the receipts on her at the time. I still don’t like her based on her own actions and words, that’s something I stand by. But there IS such a thing as dragging that can go too far.

Do I care for this relationship? Not really. The rollout was tacky as hell and incredibly questionable. But why do I have to sit here and constantly drag people left and right for my opinion to be valid in this fandom? I could sit here annoyed on the internet or go out and live my life and live unbothered and that’s what I’ve chosen to do. Overall, it’s simply called growing and trying to be a better person than you were yesterday. 🦎

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wench-and-jezebel · 1 year

Text

Dark Angel Reaction: Art Attack

Jezebel (@typicalopposite) reacts [with occasional asides by Wench (@scripted-downfall)

We had spare time before this episode, so have fun with our bonus content! Link available here!

– – –

["Must be a guy thing" Ah, yes, women don't exercise] Or a decent person thing, ya know

[OH YEAH THERE'S APPARENTLY A FAMILIAR FACE IN THIS! @witchy-writer-lady told me abt it]

The circles that have been talked in this scene [Ma'am calling him out on circular sentences like she doesn't do that constantly]

There is plenty more romantic. Weddings are so overrated and expensive ☠️☠️🤣

“Why not?” OC!

🤣🤣🤣 This woman deserves to have her dress stolen if she didn’t notice it gone from two feet away [asdfkjalfdkj you're not wrong] She’s blind as hell with both eyes intact ☠️☠️☠️

Oh Sketch noooooo

Get ‘em OC [No "Get 'em Normal"?] HES SO MEANNNN ☠️☠️☠️☠️ [You do realize NoBody there does Any work right alkdsjf] That’s true 🤣🤣 [Not even Alec, love him as I do alskdfj] Oooooof [He legit just sits there chatting with Normal about boxing the whole time. Or delivering single packages]

Oh! Hello Logan!

NORMAL 🤣🤣🤣

His little “hm she’s aight” look

[This was me earlier today!!! I understand his aversion to public speaking aslkdfj] ☠️☠️☠️ Moood

Oh Buddy

[His look at her alskdfj] Their little exchange was cute tho ['sigh' This is true]

Poor Normal [I knowwww! Will the hostage situations never stop?] Right?!?

[An actual coherent monologue alkdsjfa]

Loooool I thought the brother was Palmer (Ducky’s Assistant you haven’t met yet) [idk for sure but that's not the pertinent one… Watch for Daphne]

Poor Max done got put in her feelings

Le gasp [Oh, last name drop! I forgot Max's last name was on screen. I don't think Alec's is]

Ooop! We get more jam pony

He said ten bucks [tbf, they are in an economic depression] True 🤣🤣

[Normal be lying abt the bip-bip-bip-ing] ☠️☠️☠️☠️

Poor buddy can’t have a good family! Oooof

Was that SPN Mary? [Yup!] Le gasp

Oooooof jealousy

[That was a painfully fake smile, Max]

[Also this be the plot to your Nomral fic. But more guns. And less love life. And Normal's in a leather jacket and not a bathrobe] ☠️☠️☠️☠️

Oh boy: Logan done put his foot in his mouth

[I'm cringing in preparation for this ep btw. Heads-up] Oh noooo

– – –

Jezebel: Midpoint!

Wench: Bravo! Ma'am remembered better than I… do go on!

Jezebel: Ok so first off it’s a Jam Pony ep which has proven to be some of my favorites! And I swear I love a “I don’t like this person but I don’t hate this person so I’ll help” storyline

Wench: Poor Normal alskdjf

Jezebel: Yusss. Alsoooo POOOR LOGANNNNNN! BUT MAX TAKING UP FOR HIM WAS ADORABLE, IM SORRYYYY!! But then here comes Mary-

Wench: Daphne

Jezebel: I know 🤣

Wench: Hmph

Jezebel: -and just threw a wrench right in it

Wench: And finally the jump I paused it on ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️ In that dress… Just…. Wot ☠️🤣🤣☠️☠️

Wench: Apparently we have lots of photos to give y’all this time alskdfj On we go!

– – –

I swear ☠️ The dress makes the jumps look so bad ☠️☠️☠️☠️

Oooof

Mood max

[Okay but he lost his job because of the messenger service so-] ☠️☠️☠️☠️

Buddy she’s no angel

Bruh CAN NO ONE KEEP UP WITH SHIT [I mean. Technically she just. Decided to leave with it] FAIR

[Remember when I said I was. preemptively cringing.] ☠️☠️☠️☠️oh shit the second hand embarrassment

[Poor Normal expecting to get killed tho] Ooop Normal reality check on being a good person lol [Let it be known, btw, that Normal in s2 has very good moments and very BAD moments. I recognize this. But for now I'm enjoying his minorly-asshole-ish-but-no-worse bits.]

This man and his bitch slaps

I love "defenstration"... it's one of my favorite words

Poooor Normal

[Have fun. I'm. Not watching btw. Tell me when the speech is over plz. I'm. I have it muted.] I have it turned down☠️ I’m still cringing at the faces

This. Is Tony coming out of Logan

Max coming through again [Okay, now you're uber-whacked; technically she only came through because she caused the problem in the first place by not handing the paper back] Fair [This is the one non-anti-Max comment you've made that I don't agree with] 🤣🤣🤣

[This. Is an NCIS episode.] ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️ ["I've got a military vessel heading out to-"]

A ghostttt [Max disappearing: Cas-coded]

Oooooop- [Plz let DaphMary be a lesbian] SBC… If not OC GON make her one

[This whole dress thing is so ridiculously unrealistic. It's pulling me out of the story. She definitely smells like trash and yet no one seems to notice; she's bound to have it all dirty, stained, and ripped, and yet she's acting like she's gonna return it... just wot]

OOOOF THAT WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TODAY

[Showing off her powers again 'sigh']

☠️☠️☠️☠️ [She (Max) annoys me] Fair

Oh boy

OC 🤣🤣 [Um. DaphMary looking like she was heading over to OC as soon as she caught the bouquet.] RIGHT

[Um. UM. THEY ACTUALLY DID THAT!!! DAPHMARY I FREAKING LOVE YOU] Oooooop! Dean’s getting a new momma. [Well, he always seems to lose one, so he needs two] Oooof ☠️☠️☠️☠️

Ooop- Somethings missing on miss presses neck 🙂

“You first” Heart eyes

[I. I think we found out why she dumped him… Lickity-chicks] ☠️☠️☠️☠️ Logan’s not clueless I love it [This is true!]

Dawwwww! Genuine smile! [I will give you that Max/Logan are good in this scene]

Another dawwwww

Le gasp

Buddy HOW BOUT YOU NOT [HE WAS TESTING IT] “My feet work again… Lemme break em”

– – –

Jezebel: Ok! End point! 🙃 Jam pony still are my all time favorites! Like you said it’s the Normal fic but make the girl a painting ☠️☠️ and the depression is his, you know, will to live.

Wench: lkjlkj;lkj oof

Jezebel: Also Logan was adorable in this one. Very Tony-esque. And his family sucks.

Wench: All true

Jezebel: But DAPHNE(MARY) 😮‍💨💕 love herrrr!

Wench: I KNOW! I FORGOT THEY DID THAT AND JUST. GOLD

Jezebel: OC really just be coming in and swooping up all the ladies. Also, Max was annoying but her taking the necklace made me happy. So *sigh* 😤 I’m conflicted

Wench: This is fair! To be honest, she’s not as bad in s1 as she is in s2. It’s her dynamic there that causes the issue.

Jezebel: Ending note. Catlike jumping in leather = meh, goofy but believable / catlike jumping in fancy schmancy dress = the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen

#dark angel #dark angel reactions #reactions #episode reactions #s01e11 #art attack #max guevara #logan cale #normal #original cindy #herbal thought #sketchy #jezebel (pr)

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kariachi · 1 year

Text

Some fic I started last night! Kevin, Ben hanging out shortly into Kevin’s retirement.

The last thing Kevin remembered was forcing his way through a book, then the next thing he knew he was waking up to Ben sat on his legs and one of the fucking Sumo Slammers tv shows on his television.

“The fuck, man?”

“Oh, so you are alive.”

“Unfortunately, get that shit off my screen.”

“And you call yourself a Sumo Slammers fan.”

“The games are good, the movies are good, the shows suck ass.”

“And you’ve eaten enough of it to recognize the signs?”

“Damn right, shut it off.” Blowing a raspberry his way, Ben did as asked, tossing the remote onto the coffeetable.

“Enjoy your nap?”

“It was sleep,” Kevin said, sitting up with a stretch and beginning the search for his book. It was quickly located, sat on the coffeetable with a bookmark in place. “Thanks, Benji.” If he’d been tired enough to conk out he sure as fuck hadn’t done that himself.

“No problem, man.” Stretching as well, with a yawn, Ben flopped back against the couch. “Figured I’d stop by, see if the quiet had driven you completely batshit yet.”

“Not yet.” Snorting a laugh, Kevin draped an arm over the back of the couch and relaxed against it. “Pretty nice, actually. Don’t have the looming worry I’ll have to drop whatever I’m doing at a critical moment for an emergency, have only reopened a wound once, and there’ve been no ‘falling asleep behind the wheel’ incidents.”

“It was only the two times,” Ben teased, and got his arm swatted for the trouble.

“Having to pull over so you fuckers could drive once would’ve been more than enough, thanks.”

“I am glad to hear you aren’t driving that tired anymore though,” Ben continued. “We were all a lot more worried about that than having to drive ourselves.” Huffing, Kevin rolled his eyes.

“There’s easier ways to die,” he said, ignoring the look Ben gave him. “Besides, I only did it in the first place because we kept having shit that needed doing. Somebody calls and says a town’s gonna get wiped off the map if you can’t handle shit within two hours, the fact you haven’t slept in two days doesn’t really enter into things.” With a small cringe, Ben nodded.

“Yeah, sorry about that. If we’d known just how bad your shit can be-”

“Nothing woulda changed. I’d have gotten the same million solutions I’d already tried before shoved at me, and the same nagging about ‘did you sleep last night’ after being called out to give you fuckers a ride.” Kevin knew that for a fact, after dealing with them so long. It’d taken them ages to work past the idea that they had all the answers, even after being repeatedly proven wrong, and they still tended to forget to consider other people’s ends of things in their plans. “Coming to terms with it, like you bastards anyway.”

Properly coming to terms with it too, not just forgiving them out of hand because he was a busted mess whose brain had been fucked with one too many times. His relationships with the Tennysons were a whole subsection of his therapy, and included a whole mini-file titled ‘Good People Can Still Be Assholes’. It referenced back to a larger file titled ‘People Mistreating Me is Not My Fault’, and both referenced to a book on setting boundaries his shrink had gotten him. Both also included papers he’d repeatedly written these and surrounding concepts on, in an attempt to lodge them into his broken brain.

“Thank fuck, I’d hate to see if you decided you didn’t like us anymore.” He flashed Ben a grin that was easily returned.

“Yeah, you guys’d never see my ass again.”

“Not even at Argit’s?”

“Most of that bastard’s murders were for me, you think he won’t abandon a business and political career if I ask?” He wouldn’t even have to ask, he’d just have to say he was skipping out and Argit’d immediately be whining about having to pack on no notice. Ben chuckled, shaking his head with a soft fondness to his expression.

“Glad to hear you’re doing good,” he said. “We’ve been half expecting you to go stir crazy and have no idea what it would do to you.”

“Benji,” Kevin snorted, “I’m not used to getting to just chill enough to go stir crazy yet. Even if I was, trust me I’ve got enough projects that have been building in my head to keep myself plenty busy.”

“If you say so.”

“Worst comes to worst, I’ll think of something to keep myself out of trouble.” Chuckling, Ben nodded.

“Hey,” he said, “did you have any plans for this afternoon? Because I’ve got nothing.”

“Not really-” Kevin had wanted to get through that book, but well. And he didn’t have shit to read that Ben would be into. “-make it a gaming day?” Generally a good option, and true to form Ben lit up at the idea.

“Sounds good to me,” he said, lifting himself up enough Kevin could pull his legs free without sending him toppling. “Host’s choice first.” The smile Kevin flashed him as he stood was full of teeth.

“Gran Turismo it is then.” Ben’s responding groan was half-hearted at best.

“Okay, but it’s Sumo World League after or I’m going the fuck home-”

#fanfic

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icy-writes · 1 year

Text

Books I’ve read this year that made an impact

1. Orphans of the Tide by Struan Murray

I’d read the description, thinking I’d know what I was getting into, and I didn’t. It’s well crafted and part of a series — I haven’t had the chance to pick up the others yet, but it was highly enjoyable.

I don’t know how to explain this book other than: A boy washes up inside a whale and he’s the key to understanding why the world is not only flooded, but he’s the only one who won’t judge Ellie for her deepest, darkest secret.

2. Lobizona by Romina Garber

3. Cazadora by Romina Garber

I barely skimmed the summary for Lobizona and I decided I wanted to read it. A girl who’s mother gets taken away by ICE? It sounded like a compelling story just from that.

I wasn’t expecting werewolves and witches. And I’m glad I didn’t. It would have completely ruined my surprise and delight in reading it for the first time.

The duology was a delight that just kept giving. Breaking gender roles? Check! Magical boarding school? Check! Super fun sport? Check! Queer representation? Check! Breaking traditional values just to prove that you are your own person and have the basic right to live? Check!

They’re great. Please, if you are looking for something for 2023, pick these up. You’ll enjoy them.

4. The Watchers by A. M. Shine

I thought this was going to be about some weird zombie thing, but I was proven so wrong and I’m happy about it.

I can’t give much away without giving out the best of the plot twists.

Just… you know the line from “Waterfalls” by TLC? “Please stick to the rivers and lakes that you’re used to”? Yeah, bet the main characters followed that advice.

5. Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch

I’m a sucker for a married couple getting into hijinks.

And by hijinks I mean: The wife of said married couple has been pretending that she and her husband — agreed to a rather platonic relationship — have had two children and now, for the wife’s uncles birthday party, they suddenly have to produce the two said children to finally meet the rest of the family. You can guess where this is going to go.

It’s fun, silly, and there’s unrequited love. Sort of. It’s actually mutual pining but they’re both dumb.

6. The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice by Lisa DeSelm

Who doesn’t like a dark retelling of Pinocchio?

I actually didn’t know what to expect when I picked this up. This was another one that I barely skimmed the summary and was pleasantly enjoyed with.

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nathanxcline · 1 year

Text

@renanxcarvalho

Nathan must have known EXACTLY what that flex would do to Renan because now the damn client stood there trying hard to hide the smirk that was growing at the sight of the others muscles before him. He took in a breath, holding it for a moment, slowly letting it out as his eyes tried desperately to focus back on his, but damn how could he not sneak a peak of those muscles that were put on quick display for him? He let out an appreciative hum, “i’ll have to be the judge of that one. Use them enough and they start losing their magic, so who’s to say you haven’t lost some of your touch?” He asked, challenging the other though he knew he would be proven wrong ten times over (and he was entirely alright with that). “Now that you’re around though, I can admit that my time here just got a bit more exciting.” He’d be stupid to not call upon this mans services, and he didn’t just mean for rub downs and sore muscles. He wanted EVERYTHING he could get from the other because after so many times having to hide a damn boner after he walked out of the office after a session when his hands were working against his skin? He was more than going to make up for all those times that he had to take care of himself back home afterwards.

“I’m sure once the word gets out about just how good those hands of yours are you’ll hardly have free blocks in your schedule, so I guess i’ll just have to call and make sure i’m penciled in here and there.” He wouldn’t blame the clients for jumping at the opportunity to have Nathan’s hands all over them, but he just hoped that he too could get in on the action eventually. He looked to what the other was holding and nodded, “yeah, we definitely don’t need that abomination tagging along,” not that the uniform would look bad once it was on him, but Renan definitely preferred what he was already wearing tonight. “Lead the way, handsome, but just one more thing-” he closed the distance between them, his hand coming to rest on the others chest as he looked to his lips, slowly bringing them together with his own because the damn client couldn’t stand having to wait any longer for a kiss. It was a slow kiss, one that left him already wanting more, and yet he was at least satisfied that he’d gotten a small piece of what he wanted all those times he went to his appointments. “Let’s go, love, before I get anymore adventurous.”

Renan was very, very good at stroking his ego and he couldn't complain. He hadn't even started work yet and already all this praise. It was enough to make any boy blush. "I assure you that the more I use my hands, the more magical they become." Nathan winked, getting settled into his flirty side the longer Renan looked at him like that. There was very clearly some unspoken feelings they never got around to addressing when they worked together the first time. Nathan absoultely had to take a break after their appointments to cool down. The surfer just did things to him that he tried to hide because he was supposed to be a professional. And when clients wanted a little more from him, they were usually pretty forward about it. Renan, for all his charm and beauty, had been just as professional during their appointments. Which led to a total stalemate that no longer existed in this setting. In the Haus, this kind of thing was completely fair game. "Don't worry, I'll make sure to open up time whenever you want to come by."

Nathan chuckled at the comment about his uniform. It was a pretty standard masseuse uniform, not the sexiest thing, other than the fact he was required to wear a jock strap with it. "Awesome. I'll just drop it really quick..." Before he could finish his thought, Renan leaned into him and kissed him. Nathan was a little surprised, but that didn't stop him naturally pressing back into it. His own hand found Renan's waist for the moment their lips were connected, slow and sensual. It made every nerve in his body stand to attention. "You know what..." Nathan stepped back, pushed the massage room door open, and tossed his uniform on the counter. "I'll just come back for it in the morning." He said as he closed the door again. No reason to waste time going back to the staff rooms. Renan's eagerness was absolutely infectious. "Now you lead the way and I'll follow wherever you go. Adventurous or not."

#renanxcarvalho

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