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sea-lanterns · 6 months

Text

SAW

synopsis: (slasher! AU) as a devoted follower, you would do anything to please your master.

featuring: arlecchino (columbina mentioned at the end)

rating: 18+ smut (men and minors dni)

warnings: sub! afab fem reader, mentions of death, death traps, brief mentions of child traffi.cking, sadism, master x follower dynamic, praise, pet names (she calls you doll, babydoll, etc.) mockery, lap se.x, thigh riding, strap on, biting, hickies, rough se.x, spa.nking, manhandling, mentions of th.ree.some, implied th.ree.some at the end.

art credits: junji ito's "house of marionettes"

Fastening on the metal bear trap onto an unconscious victim’s head, you hummed an eerie tune to yourself knowing your beloved master was watching you from above. It didn’t matter that you were currently sitting in a padlocked room with a man about to die right in front of you, you just wanted to please your master by any means necessary. Even if it meant killing all these people by sending them into death traps.

You tightened a certain screw on the trap before smiling to yourself and leaning back. The man in front of you was no innocent man, he was a criminal, a monster, and he deserved this fate whether he liked it or not, causing you to smile in sadistic pleasure for the upcoming end of his life.

“Tight as a button.” You hum to yourself, looking up at the security camera located in the far right corner of the room. You knew your beloved master was watching, and you couldn’t help but give it a little wave to show that you had completed the task she assigned you. “I did it…” You exclaim softly, smiling at the flashing red light on the camera. “I’m gonna head up now, okay?”

You stood up and paid no mind to the unconscious man you just doomed to suffer a fate worse than death. Humming all too nonchalantly before leaving the room and locking it shut, ensnaring the man to leave him dead before making your way down the hall with a skip in your step. Various screams of terror and pain rang out from the other death traps as you made your way over to a secret door. The sounds of torture like a song to your ears while you pushed the passcode buttons to unlock a passage to a room.

“What an awful melody…” you murmured to yourself, glancing back at the trap rooms to listen to one more scream of terror. “It’s beautiful.”

The door to the secret passageway popped open and you moved inside with ease, your body slipping through as you maneuvered through the narrow hallways of the abandoned building. “Abandoned” as it appeared to the public, people unaware of the multiple deaths coinciding within its walls for the police have failed to track down the mastermind behind these deaths.

The mastermind to which you served and dedicated your entire life to.

Navigating your way towards another hidden door, you pushed it open to see a tall woman sitting idly in front of a bunch of security cameras, her lean figure illuminated by the many monitors and making her seem like a god of some sort. A pleasant shiver runs down your spine when you see her, and you immediately take a bow and keep your head down low.

“Master, the player in room 14 is ready to begin his game.” You say with grace, glancing up at the taller woman in hopes of pleasing her. The woman doesn’t move for a moment, but her chair creaks slightly as she slowly turns around to face you. There she was. Your savior, your master, your goddess. The one behind the torture games, the mastermind behind all the killings…

Arlecchino, the Jigsaw killer.

“Come, sit.” She says calmly, staring at you with those X-shaped pupils of hers that had you pressing your thighs together. “On my lap, come on sweet girl…”

She points down at her legs and you immediately walk over to plant yourself on her lap. Arlecchino wrapped her clawed hands around your waist before leaning forward to take a deep inhale of the scent in your hair. “Did my doll tighten the trap like I asked…?” She whispers into your ear, exhaling with a small groan as she squeezed your hips tighter with her hands.

“I did. I followed everything you taught me to, master,” you say obediently, looking up at her with the brightest of smiles. “Did I do good? Are you proud of me?” If you had a tail it would for sure be wagging…

Arlecchino chuckled huskily before leaning down to kiss your neck. “You did wonderful, pet…” she says in a dark tone, running one of her nails over the bare expanse of your neck. “The drug should be wearing off soon. Would you like to watch his game with me?” She asks in a polite tone, almost mocking with the way she smiled at you so tenderly.

“Am I allowed to?” You ask softly, staring up at her with wide, doe-like eyes. Arlecchino groaned at the sight and had to keep herself from just shoving you onto her desk and fucking you raw right there, but she had enough restraint and took a deep breath.

“Do you have to be cute, my doll?” Arlecchino husks, staring up at you with those crimson eyes of hers. “You make it impossible not to devour you…”

Your cheeks flushed at the compliment and you couldn’t help but glance away shyly. “Sorry, master…” you say softly, causing Arlecchino to scoff before smiling. “Don’t apologize, I was merely teasing…”

She pinches your cheek with her fingers before tilting your chin over to look at the monitor in front of you. “Let’s watch his prolonged suffering together, my pet. It looks like he’s starting to awaken…”

Adjusting comfortably on Arlecchino’s lap, she kept a firm hold on your waist before watching the man in the room start to awaken. He looked dazed, clearly confused why he woke up in a green-tiled room with a metal contraption stuck to his neck. He had no idea that he was about to die if he didn’t meet the requirements for Arlecchino’s game, and the thought slightly amused you as you watched him groggily stumble around the room in delusion.

The metal contraption attached to the man’s neck was Arlecchino’s infamous “bear trap.” A simple, yet deadly death trap designed to enclose multiple spikes into a person’s head if they did not complete the challenge on time. It was one of Arlecchino’s favorite traps, as it was a trap designed to kill instantly, yet instill tremendous amounts of fear into the person, as the idea of being Iron Maiden-ed in the face was too scary not to think about…

“Ah…perhaps it’s time we give him a call,” Arlecchino hums, giving your cheek a sensual kiss. “Don’t forget your mask, my pet. The adorable marionette one that makes you look simply stunning…”

You nod obediently and grab the porcelain mask on the table, Arlecchino grabbing her own rubber mask that mimicked a slack-jaw puppet. It was so kind of your master to make you a mask of your own, one that was the perfect complementary pair to match hers so that it looked like you were a couple.

You were, but it was hidden under the facade of a master and follower cover.

“Let’s give him a wake up call, shall we?” Arlecchino grins, turning on the camera and setting up the voice distorter. When the man looks up at the TV in the room, he sees two masked people, you and Arlecchino staring back at him with the creepy and unsettling puppet masks that sent shivers down his spine. It was unsettling with the way you two presented yourselves, and he immediately began shouting at the screen for answers.

“Quiet down, will you?” Arlecchino’s voice ran through the mic, gripping your waist tighter before covering your ears. “You are disturbing my precious doll with your foul words…”

The man refuses to shut up, causing Arlecchino to glare at him through the holes of her mask. She pushes a certain button and the wires of the bear trap suddenly inch closer to the man’s face, causing him to scream.

“That’s better.” She smiles sadistically, removing her hands from your ears so you could hear. “As I was saying before you rudely interrupted me with your incompetence…”

She begins explaining the rules of the “game” giving the man a chance to escape before the inevitable closure of his death.

“You were put in this room for becoming involved in a child trafficking ring. To escape, you must find the key to the exit behind one of the tiles in this room. You have ten minutes to complete this task, failure to finish it before the intended time limit will result in the bear trap around your neck closing.”

The man’s eyes widened and you had to keep yourself from chuckling out loud.

“Your time begins now.”

Arlecchino then clicked off the camera and pulled off her mask, watching as the man began scrambling to search for all the tiles. There had to be at least a thousand tiles in that room, as every square inch of the walls and floor were covered in small, marble tiles. Ten minutes was being generous, but even within that extended time limit, you knew it was almost impossible to find the key as each tile was carefully adjusted to look normal and not out of place.

“So, what should we do while we wait for his ten minutes to be up?” Arlecchino hums, pushing her nose against your neck. She seemed to be implying she wants something intimate with you, but being the obedient follower that you are, you looked up innocently and tilted your head.

“What does master want to do?” You ask in a gentle tone, Arlecchino smirking with the most intimidating gaze.

“I want to do something sinful, my dear…” she says in a gravelly tone, practically growling into your ear before tugging at your pants. “Indulge in your master, will you?”

Another scream rips through the monitor and you couldn’t help but grow a little wet at the way Arlecchino was keen on fucking you in the middle of a game. She slowly moved her hand up your thigh and you could feel just how sharp and strong her fingers were as they squeezed the ball of flesh above your jeans. The way she could so easily kill you had you on a rush, and Arlecchino groaned at the way you started to warm up against her lap with how wet you were.

“Doll, you’re just begging for me to touch you, hmm?” She chuckles into your ear. “Need my cock in you that bad, huh? You’re lucky I decided to wear it today…”

Her hand moves down to unzip her trousers, revealing a thick strap on that you knew you could take easily with some prep. “You…You were wearing that the whole time?” You exclaim with surprise, a surge of heat pulsing through your core. “I was sitting on it the whole time…?”

She throws her head back to laugh at your stupidity. It was so endearing with how innocent you were when it came to these sorts of things. “I’m surprised you didn’t feel it,” she chuckles through her amusement. “It’s a girthy thing, almost too big if I do say so myself.”

“It’s not big…!” You quickly retort back, pouting at your master before holding onto her shoulders. “I can take it. I can take it all.”

“I don’t doubt it one bit, sweet girl,” Arlecchino grins amusedly. “However, you do need quite a bit of prep work to take such a stretch. Fortunately, you’re already semi-wet, but…” She gives you a wolfish grin before toying with the belt loop of your jeans. “I’ll need that cunt of yours dripping more if you’re gonna take me now…”

You let out a small groan before unzipping your jeans to begin kicking them off, the eagerness of getting her strap inside you too obvious not to notice, as Arlecchino found it difficult to keep a straight face. “Easy there, dollface…” Arlecchino purrs lightly, squeezing your cheeks together with her hand so your lips form a small pout. “I’m in no rush, and neither should you.”

You let out a small noise of complaint at this, before obeying her words and going at a much more leisurely pace. Once your pants and underwear were off, you sat back down on Arlecchino’s lap and whimpered at the feeling of her rough trousers against your aching hole.

“Mmm…quite a delicious sight already…” Arlecchino husks, wrapping her arms around your waist once more. “But not quite wet enough. I think it’s best if you grind against my thigh for a bit, hm?”

She stares up at you with that incredibly intimidating —yet sexy— look, rows of sharpened teeth glimmering at you under the lamplight air of the room. You had no idea how such a hot woman would be the face behind the infamous Jigsaw killer, but you weren’t complaining. She was yours and you were hers.

“Yes, master.” You respond in a soft tone, beginning to shift your hips so that you could start grinding against her pants, panting slightly from how stimulated you already were from her dirty talk.

Arlecchino chuckles and leans back, relaxing in her chair as she watches you grind and ride her thighs with resolve. The sight of you trying so desperately to appease her was such a turn on, and for a moment she forgot that she was currently overseeing a man’s death just rooms away from where you two were sitting. “That’s my good girl…” Arlecchino murmurs, unable to contain her groans as she fixes the shaft of her strap so it sits upright. “Just a little more and you can ride me silly.”

At her encouragement, you only grind harder, whimpering at the pleasurable feeling of her trousers providing friction to your already sensitive clit. There was a pulsing sensation that you could not deny, and as you kept grinding your hips on her leg, you felt yourself growing more wet.

“Goodness…you soaked a spot right on me,” your master smirks almost predatorily, “I think you’re ready to take me, sweet girl…”

As an extra precaution, Arlecchino grabs a bottle of lube from the corner of the table and squeezes a helping of it onto the impressive girth of her cock. The clear liquid drips down her shaft slowly, and Arlecchino gives the length a few shallow pumps before angling it so you could move.

“Come on, just like we practiced.” Arlecchino hums, thumbing the tip of the shaft before watching you hover over the head with a bit of hesitance. “I’ll go slow, don’t worry…”

You grip the edge of her shoulders before slowly sinking down onto the head of her cock, the wide tip slowly spearing you open before you whimper and start to feel resistance.

“Ugh…fuck…” Arlecchino grit her teeth and had to resist the primal urge to slam you down and start thrusting into you. She knew she promised you to be gentle and wanted to keep her promise no matter how tempting it may be to break.

“Easy there, easy…” she grunts and slowly eases her hips to help you adjust, watching as you slowly inch down bit by bit. “Master…” you whimper out softly, biting your lip before taking a deep breath. “I think I need more lube…”

“No, you’re fine. This is enough.” Arlecchino groans, shifting your hips with her hands before kissing your neck reassuringly. “Just need to find the right…angle…”

You let out a yelp when you suddenly sink down all the way, your hips meeting hers as all of her shaft had somehow fit into you with one swift motion.

God you severely underestimated the size. It didn’t look that long, and it wasn’t. But oh lord was it thick. The girth of it enough to stretch you wide open and have you squirming in her lap to adjust, letting out pathetic whimpers as you’ve never felt so stretched open before.

“M-Master…” you gasp, the breath knocked out of your lungs as you feel Arlecchino’s teeth graze your neck. “Too big…”

“What?” Arlecchino practically laughs sadistically in your face, X-shaped pupils almost glowing with amusement. “Didn’t you say you could take it all? That it wasn’t too big?”

You whimpered when you were reminded of your confident words.

“It’s not too big, babydoll. You said it yourself.” A sudden shift in her tone had you fearful for a moment as you suddenly felt a sharp thrust pulsate against your inner walls.

“Ah—!” You start to let out breathless pants and gasps when Arlecchino begins to thrust madly.

“You were so confident earlier, what happened to wanting to take it all immediately?” She mocks, grinning with pleasure as you writhe in her grip. If there was one thing you learned while working under Arlecchino, it was that the woman was a lot stronger than she looked under that lean muscle. Practically pinning you down until you couldn’t move, before making you bounce up and down her lap till the tip of her cock was all you could feel.

“Don’t tell me my doll is defying orders now.” Arlecchino growls, slamming you back down until your pussy practically wraps itself around her length, gripping it for all that it was worth, while you lolled your head back in absolute bliss. “N-Nngh…master…” you moaned out pathetically, the stretch burning you wonderfully while you cling to Arlecchino for sanity. “Slower…please…”

Arlecchino scoffs at that and gives your rear a tiny spank, laughing at the way you recoiled in surprise.

“Slower? You want me to go slower?” She was mocking you again, the sadism evident in her voice. “Babydoll, I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

She spanks your read once more and bites your neck rather aggressively, a dark hickey beginning to form at the base while she continues ramming her girth into your cunt. The way you were holding onto her so tightly —and pathetically— gave Arlecchino a power strike of ecstasy, the woman animalistic with her ruts as she digs her claws even further against your ass.

“You’re dripping so much, my sweet girl,” she groans into your throat, “Such a mess, I’ll need you to clean everything up for me later, right?”

She sneers at the way you whine at her words before shaking your head in obedience.

“Yes, master!”

“Good fucking girl.”

She suddenly lifts you up and places you on her desk, the bright blue monitors illuminating your body like a heavenly light while Arlecchino thrusts more brutally into your flesh. Rough hands prying your legs further apart as she pushes you down to deliver a passionate kiss. With one final push, you feel your body twitch before a squeal leaves your lips and cum drips down your thighs, your climax reaching a beautiful finale, as the monitor above you plays the sound of the man screaming to death in his room. The trap had closed around his head and ensnared his head in a casket of spikes, leaving him to bleed out in the tiled room of door 14.

“Hah…hah…looks like he didn’t make it.” Arlecchino pants, grinning all too wildly before kissing your neck affectionately. “Good girl. I knew I could count on you…”

As she nuzzles your neck with her face, you hear the door behind her suddenly creak open before gentle humming fills the room. Arlecchino turns back to see who had entered, before smiling at the sight of the other person.

“My, my, I see you’ve had your fun with her already.” Came a familiar, feminine voice. You looked up to see a shorter woman wearing a pig mask shutting the door, lithe hands reaching up to pull off the atrocious mask, and revealing a petite, yet beautiful woman you recognized as Columbina. One of Arlecchino’s most dutiful proxies.

“Goodness, she’s certainly soaked your pants, Arlecchino.” Columbina tuts with faux astonishment. “I can’t believe you two started without me.”

“You were taking too long,” Arlecchino chuckles back, caressing your cheek with a clawed nail. “You should’ve been faster.”

“Ah, I was too busy setting up the victims for the next few games,” the pigheaded woman sighs, strutting over to pinch your cheek playfully. “Looks like this little one will have to make it up to me now…”

You instinctively melted under Columbina’s touch, nuzzling your face into the soft, sweet palm of her hand. She cooes affectionately at the sight, before giving your head a little puppy-like pat. “Good girl…”

“She is, isn’t she?” Arlecchino grins, picking you up once more to sit on her lap while she rests on her chair. “I think this sweet thing can spare us one more round. For Columbina’s sake, right?” She lifts your chin with a finger, staring at you as if almost daring you to say no.

“Of course, master…” you say obediently, arousal starting to drip down your thighs once more at the possibility of a threesome.

“Atta girl…” Columbina giggles, pressing up behind you and kissing the back of your ear. “Just the perfect doll for us to share…”

You only bucked back your hips at that, ready to give whatever these two women wanted from you.

#arlecchino smut #arlecchino x reader #arlecchino x you #slasher au #genshin smut #genshin x reader #genshin women smut #genshin women x reader #genshin imagines

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cal-kestis · 2 years

Photo

HOW TO: Make an Animated Google Search Overlay

A few people have asked how I did the effect in my pinned post and this set. So, in this tutorial, I’ll show you how to do this typing animation and give you a download to a template I made for the overlay! Disclaimer: This tutorial uses Video Timeline and assumes you have a basic understanding of gif-making in Photoshop.

PHASE 1: THE BASE GIF

I’m not going to show how I made this gif, but if you need any tips on basic gif-making, I have my full gif tutorial here. Instead, here are some tips for making a gif with this effect:

1.1 – Make your gif 540px width, especially if you’re using my template. My gif is 540x400. 1.2 – Use more frames. If you have a lot of characters in your search bar text, you’ll want to make a longer gif (i.e. one with more frames). The gif I made above was only 50-ish frames, so I doubled them and reversed the duplicates so it would play like a boomerang. That gif is a total of 98 frames 😅 1.3 – Have a “feature color” aka choose one color to make pop and make it the same as the overlay. Also, lots of contrast is especially ideal when you have an overlay set to Difference/Exclusion. (Check out the color tutorials on @usergif if you need help making your colors pop!)

PHASE 2: THE OVERLAY

2.1 – Download my template if you’re doing this layout I made this template myself, so all I ask is that you don’t claim it as your own and that you give me proper credit if you decide to use it! Get the PSD with the transparent background here!

2.2 – Download the font Karla (optional) The font I used for the search bar is Karla, a Google Font. It’s not THE Google Font, but I like the way it looks — which is more important to me than accuracy for this part. Here’s the Google Font link. 2.3 – Import the overlay You can either drag the whole folder onto your gif from tab to tab or right-click the folder, select Duplicate Group, and select your gif as the destination document. Just make sure this overlay group is above your base gif! 2.4 – Set the overlay blending options If you’re using my .psd, all the settings are already in place! If not, to get the metallic color effect, simply set the overlay to Difference:

Then, add a gradient overlay that matches your base gif feature color. Here are my settings:

PHASE 3: THE TYPING ANIMATION

*Anakin Skywalker voice* This is where the tedious stuff fun begins...

3.1 – Add your full text Create a text layer with the full text you want in the search bar! Here are my text settings: — Font: Karla Bold — Size: 26 pt — Letter Spacing: 25

3.2 – Create a layer mask This is how we’re going to create the typing effect without typing a new layer each time. You can add a layer mask to your text layer, use the Marquee tool to create a box around all but the first letter of your text, then fill the box with black to erase it. Now, all you can see is the first letter ‘t’

Btw the reason we wouldn’t use keyframes for something like this is because we want each letter to appear in a flash, not with a smooth, sliding reveal like a fade transition. 3.3 – UNLINK THE LAYER MASK This is super important so you can freely move the layer mask with each letter. Just click that chain so it disappears!

3.4 – Trim the text clip SEVERAL times When I say several times... I’m not joking lmao:

Btw, you can click these images to view them at full size and zoom! Now, this part is a little tricky for me to break down into steps, but here are some key tips: TIP A – Trim, Move Layer Mask, Repeat To make it as easy as possible on yourself, the best method is this: — Start with your original text layer (pre-trim) with the layer mask only exposing 1 letter — Move the playhead (red vertical line with the blue arrow) to the spot you want to trim (see Tip B) and click the scissor icon to split the clip — On the copied layer, move the layer mask (white box in the layer panel) to the right to expose another letter. Make sure your layer mask is unlinked (See Step 3.3)! You can see my layer mask moving by the dotted lines in the gif below. — Move the playhead the same amount of spaces as before and trim again: you should now have the original trimmed clip (first letter) and a second trimmed clip (second letter) — Repeat until you’ve done all the letters AND the spaces

TIP B – Make your trimmed clips about 0.03 seconds long. I’ve found this works well for me, especially because I’m working in Video Timeline. It reduces the amount of duplicate frames I get because, for whatever reason, Timeline pauses every 0.03 seconds (at least for me when I click the forward button). In the section above the pink line (image below), you can see I started with my full text clip. Then, under the pink line, you can see how I used the scissor/trim tool to clip them each to a duration of 00:03.

↑ Note: That screenshot is zoomed into the Timeline 100%. The other screenshots are zoomed out which is why the clips look bigger here. TIP C – Your text shouldn’t start at the very beginning. Give yourself some space to let the cursor blink a few times, just like when you pause while typing on a computer. Where you start your typing animation is up to you! In the image below, you can see the first small purple block starts about 1.06 seconds into the gif:

TIP D – Backspace I’m sure you’ve probably figured this out already, but to get the backspace effect I have in my gif, you just move the layer mask to the left to cover the letters you want to “delete.” Then once they appear “deleted,” just edit your next text layer clip with the new word you want to replace it with! (In my gif, I deleted “nik” and replaced it with “@sith-maul.”) Here’s what the gif looks like without the blinking cursor animation:

Now that’s all explained, you basically do a similar thing with the blinking cursor! But no layer masks are involved :)

PHASE 4: THE TEXT CURSOR ANIMATION

4.1 – Create a text layer with just a vertical line like this one → | I’m using the same Karla typeface as before, but thinner. Here are the settings: — Font: Karla ExtraLight — Size: 26 pt

4.2 – Trim, Move, Repeat (Letter Version) This step will be super easy because each cursor clip that follows a letter will be the exact same duration as the letters you’ve already done: 0.03 seconds long. Take a look:

For each letter you reveal, move the text cursor so it’s slightly to the right of the letter, like this:

Do this for all the letters and even the spaces! 4.3 – Trim, Move, Repeat (Blinking Version) This type of text cursor is slightly different because: — These clips are “slower.” The reason is that the Letter Version cursor goes too fast for the Blinking Version. So I doubled the duration of the blinking cursor to 0.06 seconds! — There are spaces between these clips that are the same duration as the clips themselves: 0.06 seconds. — This text cursor starts at the very beginning of the gif and continues after the text is finished “typing,” directly after the last Letter Version cursor. Just add however many blinking cursors you want to the beginning and end of your gif, skipping over the parts where you already did the Letter Version! Here’s how it looks in the Timeline at the beginning of my gif:

Here’s how it looks in the Timeline at the end of my gif (note: it continues directly after the last Letter Version cursor):

Here’s how the blinking cursor would look at the same speed (0.03) as the letter version:

Here’s how the blinking cursor looks at double the duration (0.06):

PHASE 5: EXPORT

That’s it!! Just convert from Timeline back to Frames and export your gif! As always, I recommend checking your frames when you convert from Video Timeline back to Frame Animation — just in case you may have gotten any duplicate frames. Again, if you want to know more about that process, my full gif tutorial is here! And ta-da, here’s the final gif!

And that’s it! I really hope this makes sense because I’m not really sure it does 😅 But if you have any specific questions, my ask box and DMs are open! <3 Also, check out these gorgeous recreations of this effect from @steverobin (Keke Palmer set) and @jakeyp (Jake Peralta set)!

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ghosttotheparty · 1 year

Text

part 1 // part 3 also on ao3

It seems to happen overnight.

King Steve and the Freak.

The students at school see them in the hallways, standing together and laughing, looking at each other with the stars in their eyes, and it doesn’t make any real sense. Steve with his pressed polos, tucked into his jeans, Eddie with his frizzy, overgrown curls and his metal chains and rings.

They talk. Exchange greetings in the hallways. And nobody knows when or how it happened.

They might be friends, but nobody says it. Like it might be a curse, a jinx. Like saying it out loud will change something that’s gone unspoken.

Steve snaps at Tommy Hagan when he refers to Eddie as a fucking freak. Eddie isn’t even around to hear it, but Steve looks angry in a way no one’s seen before, his cheeks red as he says, “I don’t give a fuck what you think he looks like, don’t fucking talk about him like that.” And it’s jarring, especially as Tommy H and Steve have been known best friends since sixth grade, and maybe because it’s so jarring, it works. Tommy H never talks badly about Eddie again (in front of Steve).

People see them talking in the parking lot before and after school, laughing and bantering before they part ways to go with their separate friend groups, all of whom stare and watch in confusion. None of them question it though, not when they just stare in response to the curious looks. The stares are almost scary, intense and daring. Firm What?s that deter anyone that wants to say something.

People see them at parties, disappearing behind doors to make deals, sitting in the kitchen and serving each other drinks before they go their separate ways.

Word spreads about them skipping detention together. Someone saw them leaning close together and writing on a piece of paper, laughing into their arms to keep quiet until Eddie noticed that the teacher had fallen asleep. Eddie had barely even hesitated before he got up to leave even though there was a little less than an hour left, and then he’d paused in the doorway, turning back to give Steve a look before Steve followed. And then people are concerned, because Eddie Munson is anything but a good influence.

But when Carol Perkins tries to talk to Steve about it, nothing hostile or anything, just a gentle question about if being friends with Munson is a good idea, Steve shuts her down with the same look he’s been giving everyone. But Carol is Carol, and she persists. She only stops when Steve says firmly, “You don’t know him, Carol. Just drop it.”

“I’m just saying, Steve, he is not a good influence—”

“And you guys are?”

And he’s met with a moment of silence as Tommy and Carol stare at him.

“Tommy gets through half his classes by paying other kids off for their homework and you’ve picked like three fights in the past week, Carol, don’t act like you’re some angel. Eddie’s just…” He shrugs, glancing away, across the cafeteria where Eddie is sitting with his legs up on the table even though he’s been scolded for it several times. “Eccentric. He’s harmless.”

“He’s a Satanist,” Tommy insists.

“I don’t think you know what Satanism is, Tommy.”

“I know what Satanism is—”

“Pass your history class by yourself and maybe I’ll give your word more credit, how ‘bout that?”

“Alright, asshole.”

Eddie graduates, and no one seems to see it coming except Steve, who goes to the ceremony. No one really questions it; underclassmen and juniors often go to graduations to support their friends, and Steve knows a few seniors this year. But then Steve is cheering louder than anyone when Edward Munson is called, and Eddie is beaming brighter than anyone’s ever seen, and as he crosses the stage he squints out into the crowd, smiling and smiling and smiling, and he waves. And it’s the most well-behaved he’s ever been, even as he begrudgingly shakes Principal Higgins’s hand and takes the diploma.

People stop talking about Steve and Eddie.

They still talk about Steve, of course, always the King. His parties, his hair. The shallow things. He doesn’t hang out as much with Tommy H and Carol anymore, but no one really knows why. Most people just assume Steve finally realized how shitty they are. And maybe he has.

Eddie doesn’t come up much anymore unless people are talking about where to get the best weed. People go to the mechanic that’s just outside town just to see him, to make deals while he’s on his lunch break or after he gets off work. (Which is funny just by itself: Eddie Munson with a job. Who would have thought?) But his reputation at school fades into someone that used to make shitty, loud jokes and talk shit about the popular crowd.

Until he shows up at Steve’s graduation. No one in Steve’s graduating class notices him until the end of the ceremony, when everyone is outside the theater the ceremony took place in, as everyone is taking pictures and laughing and smiling and celebrating, and Steve is just… waiting. He’s not talking to anyone, or taking pictures with anyone, and he and Tommy H seem to just ignore each other completely, but he doesn’t seem to be sulking or lonely. He’s leaning against the wall, holding his cap in his hands, eyes scanning the parking lot. Until a white van pulls up, a little close to the grass lawn outside the theater, and Eddie Munson steps out, his hair too long and loose and curly. He’s grinning as he looks around at everyone until his eyes catch on Steve, who’s beaming now.

And he’s running at him, and Eddie catches him in his arms, hugging him tightly as he spins him around, Steve’s graduation gown billowing in the air. Now people are looking, watching, seeing, some of the curious, some of them aghast, murmuring amongst themselves.

Is that… Eddie Munson?

Hugging Steve Harrington?

Are they friends?

Neither of them seems to notice everyone looking, laughing as they hug each other tightly, and when they part, Steve is beaming brightly at Eddie as Eddie touches his face, saying something quietly that no one can hear.

Steve nods excitedly, and Eddie takes his cap, bopping him on the head with it before they go to Eddie’s van. Steve strips the gown off, bunching it up in his hands and tossing it into the back as he climbs into the passenger seat. Eddie climbs into the driver’s seat and smacks Steve in the face with the cap, and Steve just laughs, glaring at him, snatching the cap and hitting him back before he tosses it in the back without looking. And they drive off.

Some people laugh because it’s so absurd. King Steve and the Freak. Most others just move on, too focussed on celebrating to care much.

That’s the last time anyone sees them or hears from them.

The Harringtons come back to Hawkins a few weeks later, and soon after, word spreads that Steve just left. Left Hawkins, left his parents, left his childhood home. He didn’t tell them where he went, just that he was safe. Not to worry. That he’ll be fine. He’ll be happy.

And slowly, across town, realization strikes each individual person that witnessed it happen: Steve and Eddie running away together. It explains the van, it explains the hug, the joy, the giddy excitement. And people talk about it.

King Steve and the Freak.

They ran away together.

And then

They skipped town.

They took off.

And then

They escaped.

Then the rumors aren’t as fun anymore. It’s not a fun bit of gossip or something to speculate about, but something to think about, to daydream about. What it would be like to leave Hawkins, to have no obligation to come back. That doesn’t happen in towns like this. People don’t just leave. People go to college. People come back. People get married to their high school sweetheart, and people have two and a half kids, and people get a dog or maybe a cat, and people stay here. That's what happens.

But Steve and Eddie left. That apparently wasn't the life for them. And it makes people wonder if it's the life for any of them. Some of them stay awake at night, looking up at their ceiling in the dark and wondering what's outside of Hawkins. What's in the big cities, what's in the seas. What isn't in the movies. Some of them look at the sky at night. Here in Hawkins, in the middle of nowhere, Indiana, every star glows brightly, like the universe is making up for the city lights they've never seen.

Some people are angry about it. How dare they leave? How dare they act like they’re better than Hawkins? Like this town isn’t enough for them?

Some don’t care. Hawkins is all they know. There’s no point in thinking about anything else, about dreaming about “escaping.”

And of course there are more rumors that spread alongside the runaway rumors. Why did they go together? Why did they hug like that? Why did Eddie touch his face like that? What are they doing?

And even as they all skirt around it, as they avoid certain words, because they would never want to taint the image of the King, they all know it.

They didn’t just run away together. They ran away together.

It angers some people even more. People who can’t think outside the limits of their own front lawn.

The rumors spread throughout town, just escaping the ears of Mr and Mrs Harrington (because nobody wants to anger them), through the high school to the middle school. King Steve and the Freak. They left together. And the rumors shift, mold like clay, altered by every mouth that touches them. They were holding hands. Eddie was touching his leg when they drove off. Steve kissed his cheek.

And the rumors find the ears of a young boy. A boy that sits alone in classes that his friends don’t share with him, fiddling with a pair of dice under his desk, hiding them so they don’t get confiscated, drawing in a notebook. A boy that tilts his head when he hears another boy’s voice say the words.

My brother said they ran away together.

Like… together, together?

I mean, he implied it. He said someone saw them holding hands.

What the fuck?

Followed by stifled laughter, because of course it’s the most absurd thing they’ve ever heard. But this boy, sitting in the back of the classroom, wearing his brother’s handed-down flannel and sketching his best friend’s eyes, looks out the window. At the sky.

The classroom he’s in is on the top floor of the main building, and he can see almost half of town from where he sits by the window. Just past town, there’s a road leading off into the world, and he wonders if that’s the road they took when they left. He wonders if the sun was setting when they left, if they followed it into the sky. He wonders if they held hands as they passed the LEAVING HAWKINS COME AGAIN SOON sign, if they kissed across the center console of the car. He wonders a lot of things.

He wonders if he could do it. Someday.

If he might leave the day he graduates, if he might get away from the children that call him fairy and fag, if he might escape the claustrophobic walls of the town, the square lawns and bullet-riddled tin cans, the brown and beige and grey. If he might get away from their voices. If he might escape too.

He sighs, listening to the boys’ laughter again. The sky is blue in between the grey clouds that are threatening rain over town. He follows the road with his eyes, follows it out of town, out of sight.

And he looks down at his desk, lifting a hand, and rolling the dice.

❧ buy me a coffee // check out my commissions ☙

#i loved writing this os much #i read the ending to my best friend over a voice note #im so #im fine #steddie #steddie fanfic #steve harrington #steve harrington fanfic #eddie munson #eddie munson fanfic #will byers #will byers fanfic

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delusionalmultifandomwriter · 3 months

Note

Please do a fic where adult jason todd gets comforted under/hidden in Batman’s cape!! the softer the better

your wish is my command (i missed the topic a little but it is super soft so i hope you like it anyways)

requested?: yes (i am so excited about this, ahh!)

words: 1848

Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne, Joker, Orphan

Oneshot, angst, hurt/comfort

TW: throwing up, violence, implicite self-harm urges (this got a lot darker than i planned it to be)

credits: the dialogue parts of the italic are from Batman: A Death in the Family

Have fun, thank you so much for requesting!

Ressurection is not exactly healthy. Which is not too surprising but still. The Lazarus Pit healed Jason's body, the scars were still there but very pale and barely visible anymore.

But the inner scars stayed, even after Jason and Bruce figured themselves out and came to terms with eachother again. Jason suffered from PTSD, who wouldn't after getting beaten up with a crowbar? The nightterrors and the coldness that randomly appeared every now and then were the worst.

This week started off with a night terror. Nothing uncommon, it happened all the time to almost all off them. Jason was at his own place where he was alone. Maybe he woke up his neighbours but at least not his family. He didn't like them worrying about him.

"What hurts more? A? Or B? Forehand? Or backhand? The crazy laugh echoed through the hall. Robin helplessly tried to craw away, his hands restrained behind his back. His breath whistled as he spit out some blood and mumbled a curse. The Joker chuckled evil and leaned down. A little louder, lamb chop. I think you may have a collapsed lung. That always impedes the oratory. Robin leaned up and spit the Joker into his face. The clown smashed Robin's head into the floor, his senses got flooded with the distant metallic feeling of a concussion. Nausea instantly hit him.

Jason shrieked awake. Nausea instantly hit him. He jumped up and nearly got tangled into his blanket. He stumbled into his bathroom and fell to his knees in front of the toilet.

Jason hated throwing up. Especially after a night terror when his mind was already full of thoughts. He leaned against the shower glass still sitting next to the toilet and waiting for the nausea to pass. After a few minutes he slowly got up and scooped some water from the washbasin into his mouth. Jason winced, his throat was raw and still shut tight.

He shivered, the bathroom floor was cold. Jason stumbled back into his bedroom. He grabbed the blanket from the floor and slowly made his way into the living room. He sat down against the heater with the blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He fell asleep exhausted on his carpet floor.

He was drowning. Breath. He needed air. Needed his lungs fill with oxygen. Cloth. There was cloth over his face. His mouth was dry. The sweet smell of death. He ripped the cloth from his face and threw up green, stale water. Flight! Where was he? He turned around and ran off. People. He took them out. The moves where in his muscles. He pressed his thumbs into the eyes of one of them. A tunnel. A cave. Darkness. Away.

The Joker escaping Arkham was nothing new to Gotham. Nothing new to the Batfam and nothing new to Jason. It happened a million times before but it still put Jason on edge ever since that night in Sarajevo.

He thought he was better. He thought he could conquer the Joker and arrest him again. It was a simple mission. A simple task. Then he met him in a warehouse in the Bowery. The green hair was brushed back, the purple suit dirty with some blood stains on it. The clown turned around and laughed at Red Hood hysterically.

And, hey, please tell the big man I said… "hello".

Jason saw red. He lunged at him and slammed the Joker into the wall, punched him in the face, once, twice. He could break him. He was not Robin anymore. He was taller than the clown now. Stronger. He could give back all the pain. He would give back all the pain. He slammed his knee into the Joker's ribs, a sharp crack echoed through the warehouse.

"Wow, that looked like it really hurt." Jason growled deeply as he lifted the Joker up a little and pinned him against the wall. He pulled him away and smashed him against the wall, the Joker's head lulled foreward a little as he coughed.

"Whoa, now, hang on. That looked like it hurt a lot more." Jason shouted angrily as he threw the Joker on the floor. "Now let's try and find out what hurts more?"

"A?" He kicked the Joker into the stomach. "Or B?" He striked out again.

"Red Hood!" Batman. Jason's head snapped around. "Orphan, stay here until the GCPD arrives." Batman ordered, Orphan appeared from the shadows behind the older man.

Jason finally snapped out of his murderous frenzy. His eyes went wide as he saw what he did. The Joker layed in a puddle of blood, his nose was broken pretty obviously and he was coughing and whincing weakly. Jason backed down when the clown started to laugh madly. Red Hood turned around, pushed past Batman and flea from the area.

The thoughts were flooding over Jason as he ran over the roofs. He was out of breath but he kept running and running until he fell to his knees. He leaned against a brick wall and ripped his mask off of his head. His face was wet with hot tears, smeared over his cheeks and neck. He wrapped his arms around his knees and tried to calm his breath.

He needed to get air into his lungs but his whole body blocked against taking a deep breath. Jason panicked. What had he done?! He disappointed Batman, he promised to be better than the Joker. He wanted to be better. His family would abandom him, what else should they do? He was supposed to be a hero. He sobbed violently, black spots started to dance over his vision. He couldn't breath. Jason felt like he would die here, alone on some roof, alone in this world.

Jason felt someone shake his body. "Jason." A deep but very calm voice called out to him. Jason panted desperatly as his lungs filled with air. Not enough to live but enough to survive.

He was lifted up a little and after that leaned against a soft wall. Soft wall. There are no soft walls, at least none that Jason was aware off but he was too close to fainting to truly bother about the existence of soft walls. Jason started sobbing again.

"Jay, come on. Breath." The voice said desperate. A strong hand was harshly rubbing his back. Jason inhaled the air shaky, his body was trembling.

"There you go chum, okay." Bruce. It was Bruce. Noone ever called Jason chum before. Jason was suddenly embarassed and violently tried to dry his tears up, rubbing on his skin roughly with his gloved hands. Bruce gently took his hands in his and Jason's head slupped against Bruce's chest.

Then Jason started babbling. "I'm sorry, i didn't mean to... he... i, i couldn't." He sobbed again. "The memories, they come back... the Joker... i can't stop it." Jason needed to hurt, he needed to feel something. He tried to pull his hands from Bruce' grip but he held them tightly.

"Jason, look at me." Bruce growled deeply. Jason looked up and as their eyes met, he couldn't find any angryness, not even disappointment. He looked back into his lap and sobbed quietly but his breath, although shaky, evened out a little.

"There you go. You are fine, Jay." Bruce said. "You can breath, you are okay." Bruce always was repetitive with his comforting but it didn't really matter to Jason because he was there, he held Jason in his arms and he was not angry. Jason could stay with his family, he could come back.

"You called me chum." Jason mumbled weakly, his voice was still filled with silent crying. Bruce chuckled deeply. "I guess that is true." Jason felt the hand on his back, he shivered a little as the cold hit his body. "Cold?" Bruce asked. Jason nodded softly.

Bruce leaned up a little and deattached his cape from his shoulders. He wrapped the thick, black fabric around Jason and bundeled him up tightly. Jason exhaled shaky. The bone aching cold disappeared from his body and the shivering slowly but surely passed. His muscles were burning, feeling weak like he could not move anything. Jason blinked drowsily. His sobs died down and just like that, his eyes closed.

Gotham City was no place for a kid. Not even a well-trained and resilient kid like Jason Todd. It was raining tonight, the wind whistled through the city. Robin sat under Batman's cape like an owl baby, as they observed the Iceberg Lounge. They had been sitting there for hours but Robin wasn't cold. He was warm. Wet from the rain but warm. He would totally catch a cold but not tonight. Not right now. Right now he was warm, close to Batman and sucking up his body heat. Nothing bad has happened to him yet.

When Jason jolted awake, he was no longer on the roof. He inhaled sharply, as he felt a hand on his back. "Hey, you are safe. It was just a nightmare." Jason turned around to see Bruce, leaning against the head of the bed with his laptop on the nightstand. The older man gave him a worried look. Jason looked around confused. This wasn't his bedroom. It was Bruce'. The kingsize bed spoke for itself.

Jason looked down at himself, he was wearing a black t-shirt and red and black sweatpants not in his Red Hood suit. "I'm fine?" He mumbled. Bruce smiled at him, it was weird to see him so relaxed. "Yes, you are." Jason nodded slowly. Bruce leaned down to the floor and put something heavy on his lap.

"Here, Tim got you this. You looked like you liked the cape a lot." Jason lifted the heavy thing up, it was a weighted blanket. He wrapped it around his shoulders. "Did i fall asleep?" He asked confused. "Right after i wrapped the cape around you. Dr. Thompkins said you where hypothermic and severly sleep deprived. What the hell happened?" Bruce asked concerned

Jason shrugged and layed back down on his stomach with the heavy blanket around him. He was still tired, his body was grounded now and he wanted to sleep. Bruce sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Sleep, we can later talk about you not reaching out for help" He finally said. Jason rolled his eyes. "As if you are better." He grumbled.

Bruce nudged Jason playfully. He gently rubbed the younger boys back. Jason sighed as he moved a little closer. Bruce pulled the other blanket over him a little and Jason was finally warm. "You scared the living hell out of me." Bruce said while he layed down next to Jason. The younger boy moved a little closer and Bruce continued to gently rub his back.

"M sorry." Jason mumbled sleepily. "Didn't mean to." He looked at Bruce with half open eyes. He buried his head into one of the pillows and Bruce smiled as he watched how relaxed and content Jason looked. He leaned over to kiss Jason's hair.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it. Sleep tight, chum."

-----

Same shit on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/55397161

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bexleyfix · 2 months

Text

Ending Our Friendship

(Stranger Things AU)

Prom photos are posted at the end of the story!

WARNINGS AND TRIGGERS: 18+ ONLY (ABSOLUTELY NO MINORS) NSFW... Mature sexual content, suggestive situations and discussions, smut, pining, angst, fluff, swearing, smoking, drinking, mentions of drug use.

RELATIONSHIPS: Eddie Munson x Y/n ♡ friends to lovers; Gareth, Jeff, Doug, Dustin, Mike, Steve, Robin, Nancy, Jonathan, Max, Lucas, and El are side characters.

Copying, translating, or posting my work as your own is expressly forbidden. I do not give my permission. Reports with credit to me are encouraged.

°°°°°🤘°°°°°

What can I say about Eddie Munson? Well... he's eccentric, erratic, rambunctious, sarcastic, definitely an attention whore... irritable, obnoxious, unruly... long story short, he's kind of a dick. A menace to society whose name, behavior, interests, and all-around heavy metal image have earned him the reputation of 'Town Freak'. But it's an erroneous label born out of prejudice and arrogance, and one he most certainly doesn't deserve.

I'm not exactly a favorite among my peers either. My thrifty style, music taste, and shy demeanor make me an easy target for the ignorant fucks who dominate the high school hierarchy, and so does my association with The Hellfire Club. And since Eddie's a close friend of mine, I'm empathetic. I don't blame him for his behavior, 'cause I know it's a defense mechanism, a way of taking the torment bestowed upon him by the oppressors of Hawkins and turning it into some whimsical public attraction to hide his internal suffering and keep people on edge.

In any case, Munson's a pest. A huge, irritating, aggravating pest... a giant, perverted, flamboyant...... oh... who the fuck am I kidding? Whatever he is... I want him. I want him like a fat kid wants cake. I want him so goddamn bad that every time I lay eyes on him, hear his melodic, raspy voice, or even catch wind of his name, I feel like I wanna hurl. Fuck butterflies, that sexy son of a bitch makes me feel like I have a full-blown professional wrestling match ensuing in my gut. But could I tell him? Of course not. He doesn't see me as relationship material. I'm just 'one of the guys', permanently embedded in the friend zone, and if he ever found out my true feelings it would have grave repercussions on the whole dynamic of our collective friendships. So, I'm forced to put on a face, pretend that I'm immune to his charm, bottle up my feelings, and let them eat away at my insides.

In the four years I've attended Hawkins High not a day has gone by where Eddie Munson hasn't invaded my every thought, innocent or otherwise. Even when our interactions were non-existent, or nothing more than a hello here and there, I haven't been able to escape that scrumptious motherfucker's temptation no matter how hard I try. Ok... so I don't actually try that hard. Fuck it... I don't try at all... but I pretend to.

Eddie makes it a point to bother anyone he damn well pleases, but I seem to be his favorite prey, and I'll be damned if he doesn't get some sick perverse pleasure from incessantly teasing me. It's normal for he and I to playfully flirt and sexually tease each other. He knows he can get a rise out of me without the added contempt he gets from everyone else, but it's a game to him, just a game, one that I secretly love to play, but recently it's gotten a lot worse, and it was becoming unbearable.

Robin Buckley's the only one who knows my true feelings. She's been my best friend since we met in band freshman year. Being a bit of a loner herself, she and I just clicked. She too can't seem to find the courage to approach her respective love interest (our bandmate, Vickie), but Robin's reasons are more justified. Even still, we both live each day in a loop of self-induced torture. Robin at least gets a weekend reprieve, but not me. Sharing the same friends as Eddie, my torture is continuous, resuming every weekday morning in first-period art class, and today was another typical Friday. At least... that's how it started.

~~~~~

"Alright, guys. Today, I'm gonna meet with you all individually to see how you're doing on your projects for the year-end show. And for those of you who've decided to procrastinate... Mr. Munson, I'm looking at you... I need to ok your idea and make sure you have ample time to complete your work, and that your subject matter is appropriate."

"Aww, come on Mrs. S. You know I always finish my work on time." Eddie flashed the teacher a debonair smile.

"You better... if you finally wanna graduate. But your last project wasn't exactly school-friendly." She smiled back in jest.

I remember that project. The perfect example of Eddie's outlandish shenanigans. He'd drawn a Boris-style rendering of himself all but slaughtering his least favorite jock dipshit. But Mrs. Schwagert's one of the coolest teachers in this school, and unlike most, she's not quick to judge her students, including Eddie. She has a way of connecting with all of us.

Eddie scoffed playfully before spouting off an equally playful retort. "That hurts, Mrs. S. I thought you of all people would understand that I took an avant-garde approach, conceptualizing the fight against tyranny in today's society."

"Well, be that as it may, Mr. Munson, your tactless display of violence toward another student won't be tolerated, so I'd like to meet with you first."

I smiled to myself as Eddie exchanged playful banter with our art teacher, gawking at him like I do most of the day until their meeting was concluded, and like clockwork, he resumed his position right up my ass.

"Hi, there!" He proclaimed in his best baritone imitation of Freddy 'Boom Boom' Washington from 'Welcome Back Kotter'.

I closed my sketch pad and looked up. "Now, the Sweathog part I get, but Washington? I don't see it."

"Ok, how 'bout Barbarino?"

He started shimmying back and forth in proper Barbarino fashion and I burst into laughter.

"Um... the hair, maybe, but you're not exactly a chick magnet. You're more of a mashup between Epstein and Horshack. Quick-witted, but super annoying."

"Fair enough." He plopped into the open seat next to me. "So... does that make you Hotsy Totsy, my little... Bunny?"

Oh yeah... every day Eddie makes it a point to devise a new moniker for me that starts with the next sequential letter of the alphabet. Today we were back to B.

"Not quite. I don't have a kid or moonlight as a stripper." I gave him a cheeky smile.

"You sure about that? You look like you belong on a street corner in that outfit."

I scoffed. "It's not that bad."

I looked down at my clothes. Ok, the v-neck crop top and fish nets, sure, but my skirt covered my waist and it wasn't that short. Suddenly feeling self-conscious I wrapped my sweater around myself, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Whatever you say. I'm certainly not complaining."

He looked me up and down with a Cheshire grin, and I rolled my eyes.

"Don't you have someone else you can pester? I'm busy."

"Doing what? More doodles that you refuse to share with me? What do you draw in there anyway? Is it your secret crush? Ooo! Is it me?"

He could not be more spot on. My sketch pad was filled with doodles of his mouthwatering, metalhead physique, as well as some more risqué renderings that I may or may not imagine him doing to me like... all the time. So of course, I lied.

"You wish, Munson."

"Oh, I do, Bunny. But if it's not me, then who is it? That Ian Astbury guy, or uh... what's his face... that wrestler? The one who looks like a roided up Tom Selek, um..." he snapped his fingers in recognition, "oh, Scott Hall? Wait!... It's Harrington isn't it? I know you two are chummy, and I wouldn't blame you. He's a dreamy hunk of hairy beast, but I'd have no problem being your dirty little sidepiece."

Eddie cocked his head to the side, flashed me a suave smile, and wiggled his eyebrows. He was such a dork, but he was right... about the chummy part anyway. Steve Harrington is my friend, which is a fucking miracle in its own right seeing that before he and Robin started working together, I never got a second glance from the 'King' of Hawkins High, but it turns out he's a gentle soul, and not the egotistical, jock douche we thought he was. But Robin puts it best, our friendship with Steve is platonic with a capital P.

"Hmm, as tempting as that sounds... I think I'll pass."

"Ok, suit yourself. Gareth would kill me if I tried to lay a hand on you anyway. Sisters are off limits."

I wasn't actually Gareth's sister, but I've lived next door to him since we were kids, and our families are super close. I do love that dumbass like a brother, but like most brothers, he's an annoying shit with a big mouth, so he has no idea how I feel about Eddie.

"Speaking of your lovable, surrogate little brother, you comin' to watch us practice tonight?"

"I wouldn't exactly call what you guys do, practice. All you do is fuck around and rip on each other the whole time."

"True, but you keep us in check, so you have to come over."

"Oh, I have to, huh? What if I don't feel like it?"

"Well, then I'll be forced to wait 'til Tuesday to waste my sexual prowess on girls who won't give me the time of day, resulting in me crying myself to sleep, again."

He popped out his bottom lip and gave me puppy dog eyes. Goddammit!

"Uh-huh. And... why do you suppose that is?"

"Well, probably because they don't know how to handle my natural charisma and raw animal magnetism. If they knew what they were missing, they'd be all over me."

"Is that right?" I leaned toward him provocatively, making sure to flaunt my cleavage. "And uh, what exactly are they missing?"

He was visibly frazzled, just how I wanted him. He swallowed hard, trying to make eye contact but unable to peel his gaze from my tits.

"Um... let's just say, that when it comes to the utmost in sexual pleasure... I'm your guy."

"Mmm... that good, are ya?"

"Oh, Bunny. I'm first-rate."

"And you think I... would be able to handle you?"

"Maybe..." He swallowed again. "There's only one way to know for sure."

"Is that so?" I looked him over seductively. "Sounds like that'd be one hell of a time."

"You have no idea."

I nodded slowly and smiled, our faces separated by mere inches.

"I suppose I don't." I stared at his lips, watching him squirm uncomfortably in his chair, and I went in for the kill. "Well, Mr. Fantastic, how could I refuse an offer like that?"

I leaned closer as if going in for a kiss and SMACKED him square in the forehead.

"OW, SHIT! SON OF A..."

I sat back in my chair as he pressed the butt of his hand to his forehead.

"I've gotta hand it to ya, Munson, I didn't think your persistence could be any more annoying, but you proved me wrong."

"Ok, I get it. No sexy time from Bunny. Way to crush my ego."

"I thought you'd be used to it by now. You can keep laying it on as thick as you want. I'm not sleeping with you."

"Y/l/n! I'll meet with you now. Get back to work, Mr. Munson."

"Yes, ma'am!" Eddie gave Mrs. S. a salute.

"Saved by scholastic decree. Catch you on the flip side, Fabio."

I smiled slyly, grabbed my sketchbook, and made my way to Mrs. S's desk as Eddie yelled after me.

"Let me know if you change your mind."

"I won't."

Without turning around I gave him the finger. I caught the faint sound of his chuckle and smiled to myself.

~~~~~

With my Walkman blaring, I navigated my way toward the cafeteria through the crowded hallways of Hawkins High, trying not to get knocked around like a pinball when Robin came running up to me in true motormouth fashion.

"Hey-gotta skip lunch to finish my history assignment-try to find a date for prom-meet up with you later-love you-bye!"

And like that, she disappeared into the sea of students before I could get a word in. This meant I'd have to sit with the Hellfire Club today, so I took a detour and headed to their table.

"What's the haps, nerds? Mind if I sit?"

I got lazy waves from the older boys, but Dustin and Mike immediately perked up and flashed me bashful smiles and enthusiastic waves, which I returned in kind.

"I've got a seat for you right here."

Eddie patted his lap. I smiled seductively, walked toward him, and squatted as if about to sit. The look on his face was priceless, but just before my ass made contact with his lap, I straightened up and crushed his dreams.

"Ooo... fat chance, fucker. Scoot over bro."

I nudged Gareth, plopping down in the seat between him and Eddie.

"Well, played, Bunny."

"Bunny? Are you still playing that stupid letter game?" Gareth asked.

"Unfortunately."

"You know you love it."

I flashed Eddie an unamused smile and started digging into my lunch bag.

"No Buckley today?" Gareth asked receiving a shake of my head as confirmation. "Hey, that girl Becky from band asked me to Prom."

I had a mouth full of food. "Mm, I like her. She's super sweet."

"Prom? You're actually gonna attend that monstrosity?"

"Why wouldn't I? Becky's hot. Just 'cause no one will go with you doesn't mean I have to sit at home with my thumb up my ass."

"Oh, sweet burn."

Mike gave Gareth a high five, and I couldn't hold back a laugh at Eddie's expense.

"Wheeler, it's not wise to upset your Dungeon Master."

Eddie flashed Mike an evil grin and Mike's face fell. He quickly turned his attention back to Gareth.

"El and I are going too. Do you guys wanna ride with us? We're getting a limo."

"Thanks, man, but we're hitching a ride with Buckley, Harrington, and Y/n."

"You're going too?"

Eddie looked at me somewhat perplexed.

"Mm-hm." I continued to eat nonchalantly, watching Eddie laugh in disbelief.

"With who?"

I furrowed my brow. Was that a hint of jealousy in his tone? Nah, couldn't be.

"Myself... and..." I waved my finger in a circle around the table to indicate everyone sitting there.

"You're all going?"

"Yes, killjoy. Nothing is stopping you from coming with us. It's a Masquerade theme this year. It'll be fun."

"Fun?! Bunny, I have no desire to attend the masquerade of forced conformity." He smiled smugly.

"Well, we do. So shut your face."

Still sensing the piercing glare of a pair of deep brown eyes, I lifted my head slowly to see Eddie smiling at me, elbow on the table and chin in hand.

"Yes?" I droned.

"Whatcha listenin' to?"

"Music," I retorted, jerking back when Eddie tried to steal my headphones.

"Why so secretive? Isn't she secretive?" Eddie addressed the younger boys of the group.

"Eddie, she probably just wants to eat her lunch in peace," Dustin answered.

"Pshh, then she's at the wrong table," Mike joked.

I shot them a friendly wink.

"Who's side are you guys on? You gotta crush on her or something? Well, you can both stop kissing her ass 'cause she's too old for you."

"I don't. I have the sweetest girlfriend in the world, and she's a genius."

"She's not very smart if she's dating you."

"Shut up, Jeff." Dustin threw a carrot at Jeff and Eddie chucked a pretzel at Dustin and Mike.

"Jesus, you guys are such dicks. Stop tormenting them. Dusty, is Susie coming?"

"I wish. Her dad'll never let that happen. I'm goin' stag... again."

"Don't worry, I'll save you a dance." He smiled bashfully.

"Jesus, this is torment. I'm surprised you're not going with Harrington." Eddie addressed me before turning to Dustin. "You know she draws erotic pictures of him in her sketchbook, right?"

"What?!" The whole table exclaimed.

"I do not." I shoved the side of Eddie's head.

"Do you really?"

"Of course not, Dusty. Eddie just refuses to let go of his nonconformist pride and have a little fun, so he's taking his frustration out on me. You know Steve and I are JUST FRIENDS!" I emphasized, staring daggers at Eddie before turning back to my food.

"Then show me the sketchbook."

"Fuck off, Munson... hey, what the..." Before I could react Eddie swiped my headphones and put them on. "Give 'em back, asshole!"

"Goddamn! This is some heavy shit. What is this?"

"It's your face meeting my fist if you don't give 'em back."

He held me at arm's length as I tried, and failed, to reclaim my headphones, but I soon gave up, crossing my arms over my chest in a huff.

"Ok, fine! It's 'The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny'."

"Hahaha! WHAT?"

"It's a demo. The band's called Mr. Bungle. They're from Eureka."

"Well, isn't that fortuitous, 'cause my little Bunny is definitely raging and wrathful today."

He screwed up his face, mocking me. I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Where did you get this?"

"I'm a tape trader, remember?"

"No. I'd definitely remember you telling me something like that."

"Well, maybe if you weren't so busy running your mouth all the time, you'd actually hear what other people have to say."

"This... this is fuckin' brutal. It's like, black metal meets speed."

Eddie was in his own little world. I threw my hands up in disbelief and shook my head.

"See. Didn't hear a damn thing I just said."

"You gotta make me a copy of this."

"You know, you're awfully demanding today."

He shot me a wink and handed over my headphones. I swiped them out of his hand giving him the evil eye.

"I figured you'd be listening to that goth or glam bullshit. What other cool stuff you got?"

"I've got a lotta cool shit. I got this in my most recent haul along with a demo from Guns 'N' Roses, and one from Faster Pussycat. But they're both glam bullshit," I emphasized sarcastically.

"Glam. Gay L.A. music, you mean."

"Oh, whatever, asshole. Axel Rose has some killer pipes. And Kelly Nickels, the bassist from Faster Pussycat... total YUM! He was actually in the running to be the bassist for W.A.S.P. Bet you didn't know that, did ya? UGHH! I swear, what I would give to be the center of a Blackie Lawless and Kelly Nickels sandwich." I scanned the horrified faces at the table and froze. "Um... sorry... I forgot I'm not sitting with Robin." I took a huge chug of my drink and averted my gaze, dying of embarrassment.

"Isn't Kelly Nickels that guy you said looks like Munson?"

I choked on my beverage, hacking, and coughing, leaving no room for subtlety. Stealing a glance at Eddie I saw his smug grin. I had to think fast.

"Uh, I did not say that, Gareth."

"I'm pretty sure you did."

"Well, you're wrong." I smacked his arm, wanting to crawl into a deep dark hole and die.

"Uh-huh... I knew it. You do wanna fuck me."

"Ugg! Munson, get over yourself." I stood up and collected my shit.

"Aw, come on. Where you goin'?"

"I've lost my appetite." I spat at Eddie. "Catch you later, losers." I turned to Dustin and Mike. "Not you two. You guys will always be my little cuties."

I scrunched my nose, kissed Dustin's head, and mussed Mike's hair, smiling at their giddy expressions, then I waved at Jeff and Doug, stuck my tongue out at Gareth, gave Eddie the finger, and left. I could still hear him laughing as I walked away.

Eddie's eyes followed you as you walked away. "Dude, you're gonna bore a hole in her back if you stare at her any harder."

"Hmph, she totally wants me," Eddie said smugly to no one in particular.

"Munson, just ask her out already and put us all out of our misery."

"That would negate the sister rule, Gareth."

"She's not my sister, so if you wanna give it a shot, be my guest. But you gotta stop comin' at her guns blazing, or she's gonna kick your ass."

"Now that I'd love to see."

"Jeff, if I want your opinion, I'll beat it outta you."

"Whatever, Munson, but Gareth's right. If this is your idea of playing it cool, it's not working. You need to stop being so rash... with all of us. She sees right through it, and it looks like it's starting to get to her."

Eddie thought about it for a moment. Maybe they're right. He loved his little sheep, and picking on you was his favorite pastime, but he was being an inconsiderate ass.

You've consumed Eddie's thoughts since the day Corroded Coffin started practicing at Gareth's house. He knew who you were. Being a year older than Gareth you'd already attended Hawkins High for a year, but you never actually spoke to one another until that fateful day in the fall of '83. You heard the commotion in the garage and decided to stroll over. That's when you two were formally introduced, and you permanently imprinted on his mind and his heart. It was the first day of the rest of his life, but you weren't yet 16, and he'd just turned 18 and he was not gonna open that can of worms. It didn't stop him from playfully pestering you every day. And when you turned 18 a few months back he bumped it up a notch, but lately, he's noticed that you've been on edge and not as receptive to his teasing. Was it losing its luster for you? Were you genuinely annoyed? He couldn't let that happen. You were too important to him, but there was only one way to find out, and he knew exactly where you'd be.

~~~~~

I entered the clearing in the woods and hopped onto the picnic table, hoping to spare myself any more embarrassment or harassment by finishing a cigarette before Eddie showed up.

I wasn't pissed at him, just pissy in general. He's been making it so much harder to mask my feelings and my sexual frustration with blatant denial, and I was starting to lash out, which made me feel incredibly guilty. I could try asking him to stop, but then he'd know something was up, so suffer I will. But it was evident as Eddie came strolling into the clearing that luck was not on my side today.

"Ah, shit... can't I have a moment's peace?"

"You're not escaping my sexy mug that easily, Bunny."

I smiled sarcastically, arms draped lazily over my knees. I watched Eddie park his ass next to me, pull a soft pack of Camels from his vest pocket, shake one out, and trap it between his lips. (Jesus, why when it comes to this man does my mind turn something so innocent into filth?) He flicked his Zippo shut and took a drag. Resting his forearms on his knees and clasping his hands together, he studied my face.

"What, do I have something in my teeth?" I started rubbing them with my finger.

"No."

"Then why are you staring at me?"

"'Cause you're sexy." He smiled slyly, taking another drag.

I exhaled heavily, leaning my forehead on my palms, visibly irritated.

"Ok, ok. I'll stop. I was actually wondering what you're doing for Schwag's class."

I whipped my head around, confusion written all over my face. Was I just transported into a parallel universe? Not only did Eddie stop teasing me on his own accord, but he's making small talk.

"What?"

"What are you doing for Schwagert's class?"

He flashed me a sweet smile, which is so unlike him. It was strange but refreshing, and it was stirring something inside me. I suddenly felt nervous, and uneasy... and kinda horny.

"Hey, you ok? You look like you're having some kinda... internal struggle. I promise I won't laugh if that's what you're worried about. I'm genuinely curious."

I was staring at him like he had three heads.

"Um, no... I um... I'm gonna do a portrait series."

"Self-portraits?"

"No, I hate self-portraits. I was actually considering drawing you if you wanna sit for me... and if you can keep your trap shut for a few hours."

His face fell. "You... you wanna draw me?"

"Yeah. Emphasis on the 'shut trap'." I took a drag from my cigarette as an embarrassing thought occurred to me, followed by more word vomit. "I mean, n-not like nude or anything." His smug ass perked right back up.

"Well, I'm not opposed," he said looking rather assuming.

"Dude, seriously."

He just kept laughing. "Ok, ok... but why me?"

"I don't know. You just have this... look." My eyes finally met his.

"I have a look?"

"Mm-hm."

I looked away sucking on my cigarette. Eddie was seemingly deep in thought and started playing with his rings.

"Um... what kinda look?"

"Not a bad look."

His head snapped up and he smiled mischievously.

"Really?"

I rolled my eyes. "Slow your roll, Munson... but yes. Your look, it's... well, it's distinctive and commanding. Good or bad, you can't deny that you have this... charisma... that makes you impossible to ignore. I wanna capture that." I was expecting some perverted retort, but it never came.

"Well, uh... that's... extremely flattering. I um... I didn't realize you saw me that way."

I couldn't read his expression, but the wrestlers in my stomach were at it again, powerbomb after powerbomb, and I felt the need to cover my tracks.

"I do. I mean, n-not like in that way. I can ignore you if I want to. You don't make it easy... b-but I can..." I rested my elbows on my knees, held my fingertips to my forehead, and sighed. "You just... your look is particular, that's all I'm saying." Shit, this was so embarrassing.

"Uh... o-kay?"

"So... will you do it?" I still couldn't look up.

"Absolutely! Just tell me when and where."

My head shot up. "Wow, um... ok, great... w-we could do it tonight if you want?"

I screwed up my face, immediately wanting to shove my foot in my mouth.

"Bunny, we can do it on this goddamn table, right here right now." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"Jesus, I set myself up for that one. You know I didn't mean it like that."

He was giggling like an idiot. "Sorry, I couldn't pass up that opportunity."

Sorry? He never apologizes for his behavior.

"Ok, what the hell is up with you?"

"Whatta you mean?"

"I mean, you're being relatively polite, and making small talk. It's not like you. Did we transport to Bizarro World or something?"

He chuckled. "Just call me Eidde." He smiled bashfully. "I don't know. Maybe I'm trying to turn over a new leaf."

"Ok?" I shot him a sideways glance, but he just sat there, smoking his cigarette, smiling. "Well, we can start tonight at Gareth's." He nodded in agreement. "So what're you gonna do? Did you think of more ingenious ways to flaunt your hatred for Carver?"

He let out a huge belly laugh. "Um, no... Mrs. S. shot down my idea for a sequel. I'm probably gonna do an installation so I can incorporate my music."

"Oh! I like that idea. It's a shame about the sequel though. I was impressed with the original, but I'm biased. Carver's a douche with a capital bag."

We chuckled staring at each other for a moment.

"Yeah, well, it's nice to know someone appreciates my artistic talent."

Eddie placed his hand on my knee and gave it a little squeeze, but instead of shirking it off, I patted it, but he pulled away rather quickly, looking like he didn't know what he should do with his hand.

"So, you're really agreeing to help me?"

"Yep."

"Just like that? No... proposition or outrageous demands in return?"

"Well, since you suggested it..." His smile was wicked.

"Jesus, why the hell do I keep opening my big mouth?"

His grin widened. "Since your big mouth is already open, how 'bout a big sloppy blowjob... or I'll settle for a big wet kiss... or... we can cut right to the chase and finally fuck." He nudged my shoulder.

"Jesus, you're hopeless. Is that all? Do you want my first born too?" (Fuck! I did it again!)

"Well, I can cum inside you when we're fuckin'."

I shoved him so hard, I knocked his giggling ass off the table, but I welcomed the distraction of his laughing fit because the thought of him cumming inside me made my cheeks flush and my thighs clench involuntarily. If spontaneous combustion is truly a thing, consider me Spinal Tap drummer number seven. Luckily the position in which he fell and the time it took him to climb back onto the table was enough for me to collect myself.

"You're a fucking pervert."

"I know, I can't help it."

"Well, try." He nodded. "Why don't you agree to come to prom with all of us instead?"

"Um... that doesn't exactly benefit me. So, no... it has to be option 1, 2, or 3."

"Ok, then I guess I'll pick option 4, none of the above."

"Then you can't draw me."

His expression was serious. I didn't know how to react until he snickered and cracked a smile before erupting into full-on laughter. I smacked him upside the head and he yelped.

"You're such a dick, Munson."

He was still rolling, trying to catch his breath. "Ha! Uh ha, hmm... ok, fine, you can still draw me, but prom? That's really not my thing."

"You're missin' out."

"On what? Shitty music and jock scrutiny? No thanks. But I do wanna ask you something."

We locked eyes. His expression was foreign. He's never looked at me like this before. It was like... adoration mixed with worry. Was he nervous? He looked nervous. Or was I nervous?

"Does um... does my behavior bother you?"

I looked at him quizzically. Why would he care what I thought?

"Um... no. I mean, you definitely know how to push my buttons... and sometimes I just wanna strangle you... but you're one of my best friends. I understand your humor. But you do need to lay off the boys."

He looked only partially relieved. "Fair enough. I just... well, you're a cool girl... and I really enjoy our banter, but you seem a little on edge lately, so I just wanted to make sure. I've never had a female friend as accepting as you, so I don't wanna push you away."

I stared at him in shock, like maybe his three heads would sprout horns. He seemed genuinely worried about upsetting me.

"Ok, is this like, a reverse invasion of the body snatchers or something? Who are you?"

We both laughed. His smile was huge, and so fucking gorgeous. Then I saw it. The subtle movement of his eyes falling to my lips. Did I just see that, or did I imagine it? I felt lightheaded and my heart was pounding as he slid closer, smiling as he scanned my face. (Headlock, shoot off, drop down, leapfrog, hip toss, cover, and 1... 2... 3... wrestler pinned... insert pyro explosion here)

I think I stopped breathing, and then... (Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrringggggggg) Our heads swiveled toward the school. Ugg! That fucking bell. We turned our attention back to each other. Eddie let out a heavy breath, suddenly bashful, and awkwardly backed away, and I finally took a breath.

"Um... we... we should probably..."

"Yeah, um... I'll... I'll walk you back."

~~~~~

We walked through the hall in silence, still smiling, occasionally stealing glances at each other. I had no idea how to process what just happened. What did just happen? Was it even anything? I looked at Eddie. His smile was so bashful, almost innocent. It was so fucking CUTE I wanted to hug him, squeeze him, and call him George.

That's it... we were definitely in Bizarro World.

~~~~~

Sitting on the couch in Gareth's garage, my pencil flowed over the pages of my sketchbook with ease. Eddie was my fucking muse. It's amazing what I can accomplish when I'm drawing a willing participant. But when 'practice' was over, I had the misfortune of being a part of the most fucked up conversation in the history of conversations.

"Is that the latest Hustler? Ooo, toss that over here." Eddie wasted no time flipping through the pages.

"Jesus, you guys have a one-track mind."

"That's the pot calling the kettle black. I know for a fact you like to read those cheesy smut books."

I threw an empty beer can at Gareth. "Way to sell me out, asshole."

"Smut books, huh? A bit of a dirty bird aren't ya, Bunny?"

"This coming from the man who has a pile of nudie mags under his bed. And don't give me that 'I read the articles' excuse."

"I do read the articles."

"I'm not talking about letters to Penthouse." I smiled cheekily.

"She's got you there, Munson," Gareth said.

"Ok, my deviance is a surprise to no one, but this little dirty bird seems to be hiding more than just doodles. So, Bunny... what're your other guilty pleasures?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

I flashed him an irritated look. "Eddie, if you think I'm gonna tell you that you're outta your goddamn mind."

"Awww... come on. Don't be a prude."

Gareth, Jeff, and Doug turned their attention to Eddie, probably expecting me to kick his ass. I turned to look at him and sighed. He wasn't gonna let this go, so I figured I'd have a little fun with him.

"Alright... you really wanna know?"

Sitting on the edge of the couch, nodding like an idiot, a stupid grin spread across his face, Eddie anxiously awaited my reply.

"I wanna know."

"Me too."

Jeff and Doug, my peanut gallery.

"I'm not sure I do."

"SHHH! Shut up, Gareth. No one cares what you think."

Eddie was too preoccupied to notice Gareth giving him the finger.

"Ok... fine. If you really wanna know, I'll tell you."

Eddie took a sip of his beer. I could see the excitement in his eyes, so I exhaled heavily.

"Yes, I like smut novels. I draw a lot of erotic pictures, and I too read Letters to Penthouse. I also enjoy watching porn."

All four of them were frozen in place, Eddie in mid-swig and the other three with their jaws on the floor. Eddie swallowed hard before speaking.

"Like, what kinda porn?" He asked sheepishly.

All four boys were waiting impatiently with bated breath.

"Ok, um... well, the softcore, romantic stuff is my favorite, but I do enjoy a bit of hardcore." I gauged Eddie's reaction. He was mesmerized, eyes glued to my face as he took another sip of his beer. "I occasionally enjoy some girl-on-girl. Threesomes are so hot. Two girls and one guy, one girl and two guys, it doesn't matter. Like I said, I'm down for a Blackie/Kelly sandwich. Oh, and voyeurism. I love the thought of watching people fuck while I touch myself... really gets me goin'."

Eddie spit out a mouthful of beer and the others were all in a daze, mouths agape, processing everything I just said, but it was Eddie who broke the silence.

"And... how exactly did you pick up these little... hobbies?"

"Dude, I'm a shy, introvert, outcast... we're as freaky as they come."

"It's always the quiet ones," Doug said in disbelief.

"Mm-hm. Well... now that the cat's outta the bag, I have a date with my VCR and a naughty VHS. Later, losers."

(Suck it, Munson!) I gave a triumphant smile, winked at Eddie, turned on my heels, and headed to my garage making sure to shake my hips as I left.

Eddie sat staring at the ground. "I don't know about you guys, but I need a cold shower after that one."

"Me, too."

"Me three."

Eddie looked at his friends, who were all still in shock. "Do... do you think she's serious?"

He jumped off the couch and bolted after you.

"Hey, Munson, wait... MUNSON!" Gareth sprinted after Eddie and grabbed his arm before he could make it to your house. "Dude! Seriously? She was just fucking with you."

Eddie bowed his head in defeat and followed Gareth back to his garage. He sat down and resumed staring at the ground adjusting his crotch uncomfortably as Jeff and Doug grabbed their gear.

"You guys outta here?" Gareth asked.

"Yep. We'll see you tomorrow."

They waved goodbye and made their way to Jeff's car. Gareth turned his attention to Eddie, noticing his frustration.

"Munson, just fuckin' tell her."

Eddie threw his head back against the couch and rubbed his hands over his face, groaning.

"Come on, Gareth. You know I can't."

"Why?"

"'Cause we've got a good thing going. If I confess my love and she doesn't feel the same I'll lose her forever, or at the very least things'll just be incredibly awkward. But I can't stop fucking thinking about her." Eddie looked toward your house. "You know her better than I do. What should I do?"

"Ok, here's what I do know. If she's willing to take your shit... there's gotta be somethin' else there. No one's crazy enough to tolerate your dumb ass unless they want to, but if she does have feelings for you, she'll never make the first move, so I think you should approach her. I also know that she was lying at lunch. She can deny it all she wants but she really does think you look like that Kelly Nickels guy. That's gotta count for something."

Eddie smiled to himself. "Maybe."

"Well, either you tell her, or I will, 'cause all this pining shit... it's really fucking irritating. And swallow your pride, man. Ask her to prom. You know you'll have fun with her. Go ask her now. She's probably sitting in her garage."

Eddie let out a huge sigh. "Alright, man, but the whole feelings thing... let me test the water... if she seems receptive then I'll spill my guts."

"Good luck, dude."

Eddie gave Gareth a bro handshake, grabbed a couple of beers, and shuffled toward your garage. When he got close enough he heard you talking, probably on the phone. He knew he shouldn't listen but the devil on his shoulder convinced him otherwise, so he leaned against the corner of your garage just out of sight.

~~~~~

"Oh, come on, Robin. He was asking for it."

"Yes but when you do that it only riles him up more."

"Him? What about me? The flirting and teasing have only gotten worse. I can't fucking take it anymore."

"Exactly. You know how he is. If you keep egging him on you're only making things worse for you. Just tell him how you feel."

"Robin... you know I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because... he's my friend."

"And?"

"And... if he rejects me... things'll be super awkward. And if he still wants to be my friend I'll be forced to suppress my feelings just to maintain some sort of normalcy around him, and I'll be no better off."

"Did you at least ask him to the dance?"

"Not exactly. I suggested he come with all of us, but you know how he is. He's too proud to 'give in to the masquerade of forced conformity'." I said in my best Eddie voice.

"Well, I don't know what to tell you. Just keep dropping hints. Maybe he'll get the message."

"I hope so. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. I want to be with him so fucking bad, but I don't wanna lose him."

"I understand, trust me I do."

"I know. Well, I'm gonna go watch my movie, take my mind off shit. Tell Steve I said hi."

"Hey, Dingus! Y/n says hi! He's waving at you."

"Nice."

"Well, we love you girly."

"Love you guys too."

I hung up the phone and stared at my open sketch pad, utterly lost in Eddie's image.

Eddie's eyes were wide with shock. He could only hear your side of the conversation, but he had no doubt who you were talking about. Jesus H. Christ! You have feelings... for him. You pretend you don't but you do! This... this changes everything! So why was this dread still lingering in his chest? Nerves maybe? He had to say something, but he didn't want to come on too strong. Act casual... yeah. That's what he'll do... just... act casual. After silently syking himself up he took a few deep breaths and decided to make his move.

"BOO!"

"JESUS CHRIST!" I jumped out of my skin, nearly falling off of my stool. "You think you're funny, asshole?"

Eddie was doubled over with laughter as I sat there clutching my chest.

"Hahahahaha! Ohhhh, no... I think I'm adorable."

"Ugg! I hate you so much, Munson."

"Awww, come on now. You know that's not true. May I come in?"

I released a heavy sigh. "Sure... whatever."

"Here, a peace offering."

He handed me a beer.

"Thanks."

We sat in silence for a moment as he checked out all the drawings hanging above my desk.

"Jesus, you're amazing. I love your style. The way you see the world, it's just... incredible."

"Thanks." I smiled bashfully.

He motioned to my open sketch pad.

"May I?"

"Sure." Ahhhhhhh! His smile makes my fucking insides liquefy.

"Oh, Bunny... these are fantastic! I've never looked so good." He flashed a cheeky smile and flipped to the front of the book.

"Nice try. You won't find anything. This sketchbook is strictly for school projects."

He let out a breathy laugh. "You caught me. I wish you'd show me your personal drawings. You're so passionate about your work. Like I am with my music."

"Maybe someday, Munson." I flashed him a sweet smile.

"Um, you mind if I turn on some tunes?"

"No, go ahead."

He started fiddling with the record player.

"Looks like your old man was listening to Clapton. I'll just leave that on."

"Works for me."

He positioned the record player needle and shuffled back to his chair.

"So... what's on your agenda for this evening... besides hardcore porn... and me?"

He smiled wickedly, pulled his smokes from his vest pocket, and went through his routine.

"Not fucking you, Munson."

I loved hearing him laugh, or talk... or move... or fucking breathe. Whatever the hell he was doing... I loved it.

"So, do you actually watch all that stuff, or were you just fuckin' with me?"

"Uh..." I eyeballed him hesitantly, but his expression was calm, and not flirtatious, so I gave him this one. "Yeah... I do."

He raised his brow and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Well... that's um... that's hot. I was just gonna head home, get high, and play guitar, but now... I think I'm gonna have to rub one out. Care to turn it into phone sex? Preferably while you're still watching porn?"

(JESUS CHRIST! I know what I'm drawing tonight) I rolled my eyes. "Dude! What is with you? You've been so lewd lately. Like, more than usual." He smiled cheekily and stared at me. "No! No phone sex, no fucking, just... no!"

His whole body shook with laughter. "Ok, then I guess I'm goin' solo. So, if you're not gonna watch porn, what are you gonna do?"

I shook my head. "I'm gonna watch 'Help'."

"Can't say I've seen it."

"Really? It's a super corny Beatles movie."

"Oh, I know what it is, I just haven't seen it. Is it good?"

"I love it. It's one of my favorites. I watch it with my mom all the time."

"Speaking of the lovely Mrs. Y/l/n, where are your folks?"

"They're visiting my grandma this weekend."

"Well, that's a shame. I'll just have to schmooze your mom next time. So... was tonight's session enough to do your project, or do you need me to sit for you again?"

(Ok, what the fuck?) "Alright dude, what's going on? You're doing it again."

"What?"

"Oh, come on. For the past few months, you've been... I don't know... a lot more perverted, but today you're trying to incorporate small talk and some semblance of courtesy. So what's going on?"

"I don't know. Maybe I want you to see a different side of me, so I'm talking about things that aren't strictly sex oriented."

"Yeah, but why?"

"Well... maybe I like you."

"HA! Hyeah, right. If you don't wanna tell me the real reason, just say so. You don't need to make shit up."

"Who says I'm making shit up?"

I tried to play it cool, not letting on that the instant those words left his lips Hulk Hogan leg dropped King Kong Bundy.

"Uh... I am."

"Why? Is it so hard to believe that I could see you as more than just a friend?"

I scoffed. "Yeah, a fuck buddy, maybe."

Jesus, it felt like an Alien was about to punch through my chest. I reached for my smokes and lit up trying to thwart my anxiety.

Eddie nodded solemnly, but when 'Wonderful Tonight' started to play, he set down his beer and held out his hand.

"Wanna dance?"

I must've looked like a deer in headlights.

"What?"

"Come on... dance with me."

I snuffed out my cigarette looking at him hesitantly. He grabbed my hands and pulled me up, threw my arms around his neck, wrapped his around my waist, and pulled me close. He started swaying us back and forth, his head nestled next to mine, but when the chorus hit I got ballsy. Knowing this wasn't bound to last, I decided to live in the moment. I leaned my head on his shoulder, squeezed my arms tighter, closed my eyes, and started playing with his hair, but to my shock and delight, he tightened his grip around my waist and leaned his head against mine, grazing my back with his fingertips. We embraced silently for several minutes, and all I could think was that I could die happy at this very moment... and then he had to go and fucking ruin it.

"Go to prom with me?"

His voice was so faint I wasn't sure I heard him correctly. I lifted my head, our eyes lingering on each other's faces, and I scowled, about to lose my shit.

"What? Ok, now I know you're joking."

"I'm not joking."

"Eddie, stop it. This isn't funny."

I broke away and went to shut off the record player, ready to scream. We just held each other so fucking tight, and there was something about the way he touched me. Probably just wishful thinking, but it seemed like we had a moment.

"Al-alright fine. Don't believe me."

"Why should I when you've been shitting on the idea all day?"

He was silent. I slumped my shoulders, released a sigh, and faced him. "Ok, fine, don't answer me. I'm gonna go watch my movie."

Eddie was chewing on his thumbnail, his other hand in his pocket, and he was staring at the ground nodding. He actually looked disappointed, and I had to admit, I felt kinda guilty. I didn't want him to leave, but this charade had to stop.

"Hey, um... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. You don't have to go. I just... I want the nonsense to stop, ok? If you want you can watch 'Help' with me."

His head shot up so fast I thought he'd have whiplash.

"Um, yeah, ok. Your parents won't mind?"

"No, they know you. It's not like we're fuckin' or anything."

"Well..."

"DON'T... say it."

Signature Munson, never missing a beat. Jesus, my emotions were bouncing back and forth like a game of Pong.

~~~~~

We were on the couch in my basement, which also doubled as my bedroom. It was a pretty sweet setup if I say so myself.

"You're right. This is a really weird movie. Not as trippy as 'Tommy', but still pretty bad."

He pulled his arms up to shield himself from my slap but was unsuccessful.

"Oh, shut up. It's awesome and you know it. And so is 'Tommy'."

"No, you're right. I do like 'Tommy'. Ann Margaret's hot." His smile was so goofy.

"So is Roger Daltrey," I smirked. "Ooo, I love this part. Paul using the girl as a guitar."

"Ooo, that looks like fun. Come 'ere."

"What?" He reached for my arm and pulled me across the couch. "What... what're you...? Hey! Hahaha!"

"Come on, sit on my lap. Put your hand on your hip, hold the other arm out... there we go. Now... I play."

I was dying of laughter as Eddie played my arms like a guitar and started singing along to 'Another Girl'.

🎶For I have got, another girl

Another girl who will love me till the end

Through thick and thin, she will always be my friend

I don't wanna say that I've been unhappy with you

But as from today, well, I've seen somebody that's new

I ain't no fool and I don't take what I don't want

For I have got, another girl🎶

Eddie stopped playing, wrapped his arms around me, and pulled my giggling ass against his chest, continuing to rock me in time with the music, only this time, when the song ended, I stayed put.

"I thought you didn't like The Beatles."

"I never said that. I just said I never saw this movie, but my mom used to listen to them too."

I smiled, taking the opportunity to rest my head back against his shoulder and wrap my arms around his. I felt his hair tickle my neck, so I looked up and found him smiling at me. Our faces were so fucking close. I smiled back and he leaned down and kissed my cheek.

"W-what was that for?"

"Just felt like it. I'm having a good time."

"M-me too."

There was that look again. The same one from this afternoon at the picnic table. That look of adoration, but this time with a little something extra. And there was no bell. Nothing to break the trance. I couldn't look away as he scanned my face and brushed some stray hair behind my ear, his hand now resting on my cheek. A flash of eyes to lips, and then...

NOTHING!

He returned his arm to my waist and turned back to the TV.

(Mother... Shhhh... Jesu... what the... oh... SON OF A BITCH!!!) I couldn't even think a coherent sentence, so I turned my attention back to the movie. I must've been squirming too much because Eddie pulled my legs across his lap, which was a way more comfortable position, and I allowed myself to cuddle into his chest. I was so tired I should've passed out, but I couldn't shut off my brain.

"I love this song so much."

I started singing along with John Lennon to 'You've Got to Hide Your Love Away'. Eddie joined in, and we smiled at each other as we sang, and again he rocked me to the music.

🎶How can I even try?

I can never win

Hearing them, seeing them

In the state I'm in

How could she say to me

"Love will find a way"?

Gather 'round, all you clowns

Let me hear you say

Hey, you've got to hide your love away

Hey, you've got to hide your love away🎶

We couldn't peel our eyes off each other.

"You're voice is beautiful."

"Thanks," I whispered.

We stared a few moments longer before my nerves got the better of me, and I returned my head to his chest.

"You know, this whole album is like... a metaphor for our entire relationship."

What? Did he really mean that? Most of the songs were about want, need, and... love. I didn't know how to respond, so I didn't. I just buried myself deeper into his chest in reply, and again his arms tightened around me.

By the time the movie was over I could no longer keep my eyes open. The warmth of his body and his musky scent were so comforting.

"Hey, Bunny... you sleepy? You want me to leave?"

Without opening my eyes I shook my head, clutched onto his shirt, and whispered, "No... please don't go."

I have no idea where my newfound boldness was coming from, but Eddie didn't protest. Instead, he enveloped me in his arms and rested his cheek on my head.

"I won't, Bunny."

I smiled to myself as Eddie shifted us so we were lying down facing each other, my head still buried in his chest and his arms still wrapped tightly around me. I managed to open my eyes and look up. He was smiling, watching me, and like a moth to a flame, my hand found his face, my fingertips lightly grazing his features as my eyes followed their trek... his pale cheek, covered by little grains of stubble... his plush, pink lips, which parted slightly at my touch. He closed his eyes and leaned into it until my fingertips trailed to his cute, button nose, his forehead, and back through his hair, where I buried them behind his neck giving him a little scratch.

"Mmm, that's... that's nice."

He released a faint moan and slowly opened his eyes. They were glossy, wanton, and... unsure. His lips formed a sincere smile, and he started repeating my previous motions. His fingers explored my face, eyes following suit.

"Go to prom with me, Bunny."

His voice was so low, commanding even.

"Eddie, why?"

"Because I wanna spend time with you."

"You already spend time with me."

"I know, but... I just wanna go with you. Please say yes."

I sensed nothing but sincerity in his gorgeous eyes, and his voice, so I willed myself to whisper, "Ok... I'll go with you."

"Yeah?" His smile was enormous.

"Yeah."

He cuddled closer and kissed my head. (Flying elbow drop, off the top rope, straight to the gut) When I looked at him we were nose to nose. He nuzzled mine, lips parted. It was almost like a silent plea, begging me to close the gap, to finally let him taste my lips for the very first time, but I was frozen. His lips ghosted mine. I was practically cross-eyed staring at them, but he wouldn't take the plunge. I felt like I was trying to will him with a Jedi mind trick to just do it already, but the force is not strong with me, and he just lingered... the fucking tease.

"Have sex with me," he whispered, smiling playfully.

"What? No." I poked him in the gut, and he giggled.

"Come on. I know you want it as much as I do... and I think it's time we do something about it."

My brow furrowed, eyes darting back and forth in disbelief across Eddie's face. Who does this mother fucker think he is? I mean, I do in fact wanna fuck him, but that's not the point. It's the principle of the thing. I pushed his chest hard and got off the couch ready to lay into him.

"Hey, what---?"

"That's all I am to you, huh? Some... perverted game or prized sexual conquest? Do you have any respect?"

"What? N-no, that's..." he stood up and gripped my arms, "it's not like that at all."

"Then why do you keep pushing this?! I can't..."

I started to cry, unable to finish my sentence. I wanted to smack him, kick him outta my house, just... anything to make the pain stop, but I was so exhausted from this charade and all the mind games that I didn't have the strength to fight him anymore, so when he pulled me into a tight hug and kissed the top of my head I didn't fight him. I just let him hold me as I balled into his shirt.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I'm just... not very good at this, so I'm going about it the only way I know how, and... well, I'm failing miserably, and um... Jesus, I don't know how the hell to do this."

"Do what?" I mumbled.

He pulled me back so he could look at my face, and caress my cheek. His expression immediately softened, but he looked uncertain and extremely nervous.

"Um, hhhhh... something I should've done a long time ago. I wasn't lying earlier. I like you... a lot... but it's more than that... I'm uh..."

"Eddie... what're you doing?"

There was a brief silence. And then... it happened...

"I'm ending our friendship."

And just like that, he closed the gap and encased my lips with his. The sweet pressure of it, the subtle transition of tongue against tongue, the soft, gentle strokes of his thumbs against my face. It was perfect. I couldn't speak, but I needed reassurance. I slowly broke the kiss.

"Hyou... you're serious... aren't you? You're not just saying all this so I'll sleep with you?"

Now he looked like he wanted to cry.

"Y/n, no... you know me better than that. I'm just... a big oaf, but I would never take advantage of you. I just... I wanna be with you. And yes, I... I really wanna fuck you... but not as a buddy. I want you to be my girl. We don't have to do a damn thing. I'd be elated to just hold you for five minutes, but I need you to know this. I--I'm in love with you."

(DDT into a flying body press, followed by a sit-down drop to the gut) I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to stop the onset of tears. Oh my God... oh my God, oh my God, oh my God... oh my FUCKING God! I opened my eyes slowly. We were nose to nose. He flicked his tongue lightly against my lips, and the bastard fucking smiled.

"Munson... hyou-- you're fucking evil." The words came out with my breath.

"I know..."

He cupped his hand under my knee, wrapping my thigh around his hip, and with an arm around my back, he pulled me flush against him. HOOOLY FUCKING SHIT! I could feel how hard he was as he ground his bulge against my aching cunt. My fucking eyes rolled into the back of my head and my breathing hitched. Jesus, Fuck! He was playing so dirty. I wanted to curse him out, spew every obscenity known to man and then some. When I opened my eyes, he was smiling devilishly.

"But you still wanna fuck me... don't you?"

I nodded involuntarily, as if I no longer had control of my body, and Eddie's tongue shot into my mouth. His kiss was hurried, and vivacious, our faces smashed so close together it hurt... but I didn't care. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, and without parting he hiked me up by my thighs and carried me to my bed.

He fell onto the mattress with me on top of him, shifting his body under my weight, continuing to breathe new life into me. His hands found my ass, greedily squeezing before gliding gently up my sides, lifting my shirt. The touch of his hands on my bare skin sent shockwaves up my spine. I broke away just long enough to grab the bunched fabric and rip it over my head throwing it to the floor. Like he couldn't function without them, he found my lips again.

"Mmm, mhh, hhhh... Bunny, I know I joke, but I'm not fuckin' around. Are you sure you want this?" He smoothed back my hair and searched my eyes.

I smiled brightly, tears flowing freely. "Eddie, I want this. I want you."

"Yeah?" He asked, just to be sure.

When I nodded he crashed his lips to mine, drinking them in, savoring them as I've wanted him to for so fucking long.

He rolled me onto my back, trailing hot, wet kisses down my neck, licking softly between my breasts. The heat of his breath was like fire on my skin, and it burned so good. He gently tugged at the front of my bra freeing my perky tits, stopping to admire me.

"Jesus H. Christ... you're so beautiful."

When he finally took a hard peak into his mouth, my back arched, my brow creased, my teeth clenched, and I sucked in a breath of praise, shaking from the stimulation.

"Mmm... Jesus, you're nipples are sensitive. Have they always been like that?"

"N-no... hoh--only when I'm... really turned on. And I-- I've been waiting... so long... for you to touch me like this."

I gasped as he gently flicked my nipple with the tip of his tongue, trailing it up my neck. He placed a chaste kiss on my lips, cupped my cheek, and kissed my forehead tenderly before leaning his on mine.

"My sweet, beautiful Bunny. I've been dreaming of touching you like this for ages, and I wanna take my time with you... to make our first time together last, but I don't think either one of us is gonna make it." He let out a breathy laugh. "Just seeing you, hearing you... knowing how you make me feel, and... knowing how you feel about me..."

He was shaking with urgency, lip quivering, running his hands through my hair, brushing my face with his fingertips... he was manic... and it was beautiful.

"Eddie... I know... there'll be time for all that. I just wanna be with you now."

He exhaled, eyes still shut tight, and he nodded before claiming my lips in a passionate kiss.

"Mhhhh... you're sure about this? About me?"

I gave him a sweet pout, cupped his face, and pulled his forehead to mine.

"Eddie... I want everything with you... and only you."

His whimper was resounding, muffled by my own as we kissed feverishly.

"Mmhhh, Y/n... are you safe? Can-can I take you raw?"

His expression was sweet. He was watching, waiting, yearning as he searched my face.

"Eddie, yes... I love you."

The instant the words left my lips he ravished mine. I ripped off his shirt and tossed it away, quickly locking lips again as he rushed to undo his belt. Without parting we both fumbled with his jeans only bothering to push them just past his hips, and in seconds he was pushing himself inside me. I sucked in a sharp breath, and he was shaking, mouth agape, eyes shut tight as he buried himself to the hilt.

"Ohhhhhsweet... Jeeesus!" He stilled, little broken moans reverberating throughout his chest as we got used to each other.

"Eddie, it's ok... I'm-I'm ok, uuh! Hyou--you can move."

He exhaled heavily and slowly started thrusting, adjusting to the tight space.

"GodDAMN! Hyou, mgghh... you feel better than anything I could've imagined. So soft, so warm... so fucking tight! Jesus, you're perfect."

He leaned his forehead to the crook of my neck as he picked up his pace. I was moaning like a harlot, my eyes rolling into the back of my head. It was pure fucking bliss. I wrapped my legs around his hips, holding him so close.

"I... I couldn't take it anymore." He breathed out. "I--I've been in love with you... since the day we met. Needed this... needed you... so fucking bad. Haww, uhhhh, FUCK!"

My heart skipped a beat. His thrusts were steady, almost prolonged, like he didn't want to consider the notion of this moment ending.

"Eddie, mhhh... I-- I've been dying to hear you say those words."

He lifted his head to look at me, and he was beaming, smoothing my hair back.

"Mhh, my angel. You... you doin' ok? You feel good? Uhhhh."

UGGGG! He was so fucking sweet.

"Eddie..." I ground my hips into him, coaxing from him a delicious guttural moan. He closed his eyes and lowered his head, but I grabbed his face and forced him to look at me. "I'm loving this. We're finally together. Please... don't stop until you make me yours."

He stared at me as if he wasn't sure I was telling the truth. I placed a small kiss of reassurance on his lips, and they turned up into a huge smile. If I didn't know any better I'd say he was about to cry. He immediately claimed my lips, wrapped his arms around my back, and started to move faster. His movements, his touch, his eyes... they said so much, and nothing at all. He made me feel so goddamn good I began to come undone.

"Eddie... I'm-I'm close."

"Uhhh, that's my girl." He immediately rolled us over so he was on his back. "Fuck me, Bunny. Make yourself feel good, ungghh, mhhh yeah, just like that. Hoh, oh fuck! Cum... cum for me, Bunny."

I pressed my hands, to his chest, spread my thighs wide, and fucked him hard until all I could do was throw my head back and scream his name.

"Eddie, oh, ohfuck, FUCK! EDDIE!!!"

I came hard on his thick cock. His body tensed, and I knew he was done for, but I continued to grind and swirl my hips.

"Eddie, I wanna hear you, feel you. Cum inside me, baby. Please... cum for me."

I have never heard a more beautiful sound in my life. He pulled me down, rolled us over, laced our fingers together, and held them above my head, as he ground his hips into mine.

"Mm-Y/n, I'm-I'm gonna fill you up... make you mine. Uhhhhh, fuck... FUCK!"

He gave one more powerful thrust, and his body shuddered. Making the most lewd, yet seductive sound I ever had the pleasure of witnessing, he pumped me full of his seed. Once he was finished he collapsed onto his side, his chest heaving, covered in a sheen of sweat.

"Uhhh... mhhh, h-holy shit..."

He smiled, met my blitzed-out gaze, and started laughing. I placed my hand on his cheek, and he closed his eyes, leaning into my touch. When he opened them he let out a content sigh. He reached for me, wrapped his arm around my waist, and pulled me into the spoon position. Looking down at me, he tilted my chin with his finger so he could see my face. He smiled brightly as an equally giddy smile crossed my lips, and he kissed me, squeezing me tight. I couldn't describe the happiness I felt.

"Eddie?"

"Yeah, Bunny?"

"How did you know?"

He chuckled. "I heard you talking to Robin earlier."

"You were eves dropping?"

"Guilty as charged. I knew it was wrong, but I'm glad I did it."

"Hmm, me too. Do you really wanna go to prom?"

"Not particularly. But I'm not about to let you guys have all the fun without me, so I'm willing to damage my hard-earned rep for you. I just wanna be with you, Bunny."

He placed sweet, wet kisses on my bare shoulder.

"Well, you're one hell of a dancer. Surprised the shit outta me." Mhh, those fucking giggles.

"I know a thing or two." He took his arm from around my waist, laced our fingers together, and held them close to my chest. "I also knew I'd get you to fuck me."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Eddie Munson... you're such an ass... but don't ever change." I turned my head to look at his smiling face, and he kissed me passionately. "Mmm, so... why didn't you tell me you liked me? I was on the verge of imploding."

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I asked you first."

"Hmm, m-hm, hmm! Well, I wanted to. Gareth was my number one cheerleader... but I was too chicken shit. I couldn't stand the thought of losing you if you didn't feel the same way. But when I heard you talking to Robin... it was like... a weight lifted from my shoulders. I love you, Y/n... so fucking much. I fell in love with you the moment we were introduced... but you were so young. So when you turned 18, I just..."

"You started laying it on thick. Jesus, I can't believe I didn't put two and two together."

"Yeah, well... it seemed to have the opposite effect I was going for. Apparently I came off a lot more irritating than charming, so Gareth and Jeff told me to dial it back, and that's when the small talk started."

"I can't believe I was so blind."

"You and me both, Bunny, but now it's your turn, so fess up."

"Hmm, then let me up. I need to show you something."

"Do I have to?"

"Yes, just for a moment. I promise."

Eddie kissed my knuckles and reluctantly let me up. I retrieved a stack of sketchbooks and made my way back to the bed. I plopped down and placed the books in front of him.

"Go ahead."

He rolled onto his side, and I watched as he opened them and scanned the pages in disbelief.

"Are-are these for the project?"

"No. Look at the dates."

He checked them all, page after page, book after book.

"You... you've been drawing me since freshman year?"

"Yeah. That's why I never let you see anything. I know that's kinda creepy, but I just..."

"Uh... this one's far from creepy. We are definitely doing this later."

He pointed to one of my more risqué drawings, smiling mischievously, and I blushed.

"Anyway..." I exaggerated, "I couldn't keep my eyes off you. I've been crazy about you since my first day of school. And when we finally started hanging out, and you began teasing me all the time, I fell for you... hard, but by that point I was deep in the friend zone, and it seemed like you only thought of me as one of the guys. I didn't wanna jeopardize our friendship either, so... I hid my feelings. I thought if you knew the truth... that our banter, the flirting... everything... would all end, so I played along. But when the teasing got worse it became excruciating, so I started lashing out. But I love you, Eddie... with all my heart, and after what we just shared... I've fallen even harder."

I was balling like a baby, and when Eddie trapped me in his arms I melted into him.

"Hey, don't cry, Bunny."

I chuckled through sobs. "They're happy tears, Eddie. Just years of pent-up emotion and sexual frustration finally being expelled. And I really dig the name Bunny. You can call me that one all the time."

"Done. My sweet... soft... beautiful... raging... wrathful Bunny." He kissed my lips between every word. "Mmm, mhh. Can I spend the night?"

"What? Oh, fuck no! Get your shit and go. I got what I wanted." I smiled playfully.

"Hey now, there's only room in this relationship for one asshole."

"I beg to differ."

He wiggled out of his jeans, pulled me down with him and we held each other close. It took mere minutes for us to succumb to the exhaustion. It was the best night's sleep I've had in a long time.

~~~~~

Prom night had finally come. My house was abuzz as all the girls gathered here to get ready while our parents socialized. I was a ball of nerves waiting to see what Eddie had in store for me.

"Alright, look up and hold still... now close your eyes." Nancy lifted my chin and proceeded to apply my eye eyeliner.

"Thanks for doing this, Nancy. Robin and I aren't really make-up girls."

"Don't mention it. You're much less fidgety than Robin."

Nancy was such a sweet girl. Another perk of being friends with Mike and Steve.

"There we go. Hand me your lipstick."

I did as she asked, and she proceeded to apply.

"So... how are you and Munson dealing at school? Blot."

I opened my mouth and clamped my lips down on the piece of toilet paper Nancy was holding.

"Well, we had our fair share of jock harassment on Monday, but I nipped that one in the bud."

"Yeah, Jonathan and I dealt with that crap too. Just let it roll off your shoulder. People eventually get bored. And how about prom? I never thought I'd see the day when Munson would attend."

"Yeah, he feels like he's going against everything he stands for, but if you ask me, I think he's secretly enjoying himself. He won't tell me a damn thing about his outfit, just that I needed to wear black and red. Steve took him shopping, but Eddie swore him to secrecy. All Steve would say is that once he showed Eddie that he could look good and keep his metalhead flair he was very receptive. Steve was proud of him."

Nancy flashed a sweet smile.

"Nancy! Y/n! Get your asses up here! The boys will be here any minute!"

"Keep your panties on Robin, we're comin'!" I took a deep breath as Nancy put the finishing touches on my make-up.

"Ok, all done."

I took one last look at myself in the mirror. My hair was huge, but it fit the theme, and my make-up looked amazing.

"Nancy, you're a miracle worker. I appreciate it!"

"No problem. I love these colors on you. Too dark for my taste, but they suit you."

We smiled at each other, put on our masks, wrapped an arm around each other, and squeezed each other's shoulders.

"Well... you ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

Nancy took my hand and we headed upstairs.

~~~~~

"AHHHHH!!! You... look... amazing. Eddie's gonna flip his shit."

"Thanks, Robin."

"Alright girls, get together. I want some pictures. Make sure you have your masks."

"Mom, wait. Where's Max and El."

"We're right here!" Max yelled, dragging El behind her.

We all gathered in my living room in front of the fireplace, pushing and shoving, trying to get situated.

"Alright, girls. Everyone look this way. One... two... three!"

"Cheeeeeeese!" We all chimed in unison.

We appeased our parents with several photos and that's when we heard the horns.

"Ooo! They're here. Come on let's go!"

Robin grabbed my hand and yanked me toward the front door. Standing in the driveway we watched as two limos pulled up the street. Girls and mothers alike joined the reprise or 'ooo's' and 'ahh's' and 'wows' as the boys piled out of the limos dressed to the nine. They were all so handsome.

"I don't see Eddie."

As soon as the words left my lips it was like the parting of the Red Sea. All the boys moved to the side to reveal Eddie in a devil mask wearing all black save for the red paisley vest and the trim that lined his leather waistcoat. It was gothic steampunk meets metalhead pirate. When he removed his mask he was smiling.

"Someone catch me, I think I'm gonna faint."

Robin grabbed my arm. It was like time stopped, save for Eddie and me. I stood there with my jaw on the ground, eyeballing him up and down as the boys made their way toward us. It was like watching a slow-motion male model montage. When Eddie was finally in front of me he pulled a single long-stemmed rose from behind his back and presented it to me.

"My lady."

I took it hesitantly, unable to speak. I just gawked trying to find my voice.

"You um... ha! Good God you look... so goddamn fuckable," I managed to whisper.

He chuckled. "Hmm, later. I see you followed my instructions. You look absolutely gorgeous. And the bunny mask? Excellent touch."

"I like yours too. Is that your way of protesting your participation in the forced social conformity?"

He chuckled and nodded. "I thought you'd appreciate that."

He claimed my lips with so much passion I forgot we were surrounded by a giant group of people, including my parents.

"Alright, alright. Break it up you two."

We broke apart in protest. Eddie looked at the ground sheepishly, and I pawed at my face, making sure my make-up wasn't a mess.

"Um, sorry Dad."

"Yeah, I'm sorry Mr. Y/l/n. She's just..." Eddie turned to look at me, "so beautiful."

"Mm-hm, she's also my little girl, so mind your manners." My dad held out his hand to Eddie, which he shook happily and with much relief. "You clean up nice, Eddie."

"Thanks, Mr. Y/l/n." They smiled before my dad clapped Eddie's shoulder in approval.

"Oh, get outta the way. Let me take a look at you, Eddie." My mom cupped his cheeks and gave him a once-over. "You look so handsome."

She trapped him in a hug, kissed him on the cheek, pulled back, and smiled.

"Thank you, Mrs. Y/l/n."

He kissed my mom's hand, making her blush, and then she ran to her next victim.

"Gareth Emerson, get your butt over here! Ooo, and who is this pretty lady?"

My mom's voice trailed off and Eddie and I laughed, focusing on each other. After several minutes of socializing and more pictures, I reminded my parents that we were all spending the night at Steve's, and then we finally made our way inside the limos and headed to Hawkins Hall.

~~~~~

The prying eyes were everywhere, but to our surprise, they were out of delight and not hatred.

"Bunny, is it just me, or have the jocks backed off lately?"

"Yeah, I may've had something to do with that."

"Oh? How's that?"

"Well, Monday was the last straw, so I told Carver that if he doesn't shut his dick licker and leave us and the other outcasts alone, the whole school would find out what he and his goons do in the locker room when they think no one's looking."

"Hahaha! What?! Are you serious?"

"Mm-hm."

"And how, pray tell, did you come across that juicy bit of gossip?"

"Well, it pays to have an ex-jock as a friend."

"Wha... Harrington told you this?!"

"That I did, my good man." Steve appeared out of nowhere and clapped Eddie on the shoulder. "Y/n came to the video store a few months back practically in tears, and I was pissed. I can't stand those assholes either, so... I figured that information might come in handy."

"Harrington, I could kiss you."

"Please don't."

They both smiled, and with a chuckle, Eddie patted Steve on the back.

"Thanks for the help, man. You're alright."

Steve gave Eddie's shoulder another pat and proceeded to escort Robin into the building. ~~~~~

I'm surprised none of us passed out from exhaustion. We sat only to eat. The rest of the time we were on the dance floor regaling each other with our moves.

Lucas was a break dancing and moonwalk prodigy. Dustin is a master at the worm. Max and El can replicate any Madonna move known to man. It was a fucking riot. We were cracking each other up with the more ridiculous dances, like me catching Eddie with the fishing pole, Steve and Robin doing the sprinkler, Steve, Eddie, Jonathan, Robin, me, and Nancy doing the library dance from 'The Breakfast Club', all the younger boys doing the Robot, and the lot of us doing the running man. Eddie even had a chance to flaunt his usual shenanigans, which meant dancing on top of a table. That was until Mrs. S. came over and made him get down. And me being a closet disco nerd was forced by Robin to do John Travolta's dance from Saturday Night Fever. I was so fucking nervous, but the cheers, and accompaniment of several other students who also knew the dance, including Robin and Chrissy Cunningham, helped my fear to dissipate. And of course, the majority of the student body performed Michael Jackson's Thriller. At the end of the night, to no one's surprise, Jason and Chrissy were crowned prom king and queen.

It was almost surreal. For the first time in... well, ever... there was no anger or animosity. Everyone in the building was getting along, and when it came time to leave, Chrissy made sure to find me and tell me how much fun she had dancing with me. She gave me a sincere smile and a big hug, but the strangest thing of all was when Jason confronted Eddie, but instead of disdain he offered a handshake thanking him for the entertainment. Eddie accepted his hand and congratulated him on winning prom king, and they actually smiled at each other. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed it.

When it came time for the after-party at Steve's house, Eddie and I took the opportunity to slip away and head back to his trailer so we could be alone.

~~~~~

We devoured each other like animals as we made our way through his trailer to his room. Feverish, sloppy kisses, lips and chins and necks, back to lips, until he pulled away, revealing a malevolent smile.

"As gorgeous as you are in this dress... I've been waiting all night to get you out of it. Off... now."

I did as he commanded, slowly peeled off my dress, and let it fall to the floor. My black lace bra and panties, stalkings, and garter belt were all that remained.

"Jesus Christ, you're stunning, Bunny."

Eddie stared at me with a carnal desire, drinking in the sight of my body, removing his clothing until he was shirtless. He advanced toward me slowly and started running his hands gently up my sides, and around my shoulders so he could unclasp my bra. I stood completely still as he dropped the flimsy article to the floor. He backed away slowly, his eyes glued to my tits. When he met my gaze I made a show of removing my panties, but when I tried to remove my stalkings he grabbed my hands.

"No... leave 'em on. The garter belt too. You're perfect just like this."

Eddie was breathing heavily, blackness consuming his eyes. He leaned forward to trap my nipple between his lips, sucking, licking, teasing each one in turn as I cradled his head, my needy whines and mewells filling the room.

"Mrrmm, Eddie... hyou-you're gonna make me cum."

"Mhhhh..." He released my nipple with a pop and straightened up. "Not yet, Bunny. I wanna taste you first." He gently cupped my tits and licked at my lips until I took his tongue into my mouth. "Hmmm... can I taste you?" He whispered his words, his hot breath sweeping across my face.

"Hhhhyes."

Before I knew it I was on my back, and Eddie was licking a slow, soft trail down my stomach. He latched his lips to the tender flesh of my waistline and sucked a deep purple mark into my skin.

"Mmm... you're mine now, Bunny. I can finally take my time with you."

All I could do was moan at his words. He kissed his mark, knelt on the floor in front of me, and pulled me to the edge of his bed. I could feel his hands, the cool metal of his rings, smoothing gently over my inner thighs, spreading them. I caught the sound of an inhale and felt his warm breath against my wet heat when he exhaled.

"Oh, Bunny, your scent... I need it all over me. On my fingers... my face... hmmm, my tongue. Look at me." I lifted my head long enough for his eyes to silently ask for permission. I gave him a shy nod, but instead of diving in like I figured he would, he lingered, took a quick taste with a flick of his tongue, and savored.

"Mgghh, Christ, that's so sweet."

The instant I felt his fingers slip into my folds I shrieked. His touch was gentle, massaging my thigh with one hand as his fingers barely grazed my inner lips and my clit. It was at that moment I knew that he was hell-bent on torturing me, teasing me, prolonging my pleasure until I was ready to burst. He wasn't going to give me what I so desperately wanted, not until I was begging for it, for him... and I would. I would do anything this man asked of me if it pleased him. When I felt the tip of his finger trace light circles over my clit I wanted to cry. I had a moment's reprieve when he stopped to lick his fingers clean.

"Mmmm, hhhhhh, Bunny, you taste like heaven... but if you don't stop squirming I'm gonna have to pin you down."

"Eddie... wh-why are you being so cruel?"

"Oh, Bunny... I've only just begun."

He blew a light stream of air on my clit until I whined, then he licked me gently from my dripping hole to my hard bud. I was thrashing around, trying to quell the sensation, only to have my thighs pinned to the mattress, by his strong, unyielding grip. Using the tip of his tongue he lightly teased the sensitive skin of my lips, and toyed with my swollen clit until I was sobbing from the pleasure. I tried to touch my sensitive nipples, to rush my release, but he reached up, locked his hands around my wrists, and held them at my sides so he could use his forearms to pin my thighs, then he flattened his tongue and licked from my ass to my clit. I screamed in frustration.

"Eddie, for fuck sake, please! Please let me cum."

He ignored my plea, continuing to fuck me with his tongue until he was ravenous. His pace not letting up as he devoured my pussy like he was starving.

"Holy fucking shit, Munson! Stop... please, just, just fucking stop!"

He halted immediately, breathing heavily. When he took a hand from my wrist to wipe his face, I made my move, twisting violently until I was free of his agonizing hold. I got to my knees, grabbed him by his belt, and pulled him roughly onto the bed, pushing him onto his back. I crawled up his body, straddled his head, and sank my cunt onto his waiting mouth. He dug his fingers into my thighs, the pain shooting through me, but I didn't care. I could finally get what I wanted.

"Mhhhh, Eddie... Yes, YES!" He moaned at my praise, sending chills up my spine. Fuck! The things this man can do with his mouth. I tangled my fingers tightly into his hair and fucked his face. "Munson... hoh... shit, SHIT!!! Hyou... you're gonna tell me... every dirty detail... about how you learned to do this... so fucking well! Fuck, I wanna cum for you!"

He moaned into my pussy. I could hardly control my breathing as small high-pitched whimpers escaped my lips. I was so close to the edge.

"Mhhhhhh..."

The vibrations of his moans, his caressing lips, and the flick of his tongue against my clit were making me buck even harder as his painful grip on my thighs held me steady. I've never felt pleasure like this. He was too good, I could feel a sensation so incredibly earth-shattering building inside me. He must've felt it too 'cause he reached up to tease my nipples, as he feasted, lapped, licked, and sucked at my dripping pussy. My whimpers were loud, shameless, and FUCK were they warranted. I was plunged into a realm of pleasure and bliss, and Eddie was the cause. I let go of his hair, cupped his hands over my tits, and ground my pussy against his face as I experienced the most intense orgasm in the history of sex.

"OhhhhhhFUCK!!! Oh... GOD!... Eddie, EDDIE... Holy SHIT!!!"

"Mmmm, that's it, Bunny. Mhhhhhh."

I continued screaming his name as he greedily sucked and lapped at the sticky mess that poured from my pussy.

"Mmmmm! Fuck! You're taste... it's so goddamn satisfying! Hhhmm!"

He lapped once more at my overstimulated clit. I tried to steady my breathing as I climbed off of him, collapsing onto my back. Breathing heavily he turned his head to look at me, rolled onto his side, and propped himself on his elbow so he could stare at me. His eyes trailed up and down my body, so I decided to tease him. He was in the perfect position to watch. I put my knees up and spread them wide, dipping a finger into my still-dripping folds. I coated it with my slick juices and ran a trail of cum up the middle of my body before raising my finger to his lips. He let out an adorable whimper before sucking it clean.

"Mmmmm... Jesus Christ... you're fucking intoxicating."

He shifted his body, hovering above me so he could trace the trail of cum with his tongue, then he pressed his weight against me, kissing me deeply, passionately before he got to his knees to unbuckled his belt. He undid his pants and pushed them off. Once they were on the floor with the rest of our discarded clothing, he leaned over me, the head of his throbbing cock pushing against my heat. He took my hard peaks into his mouth once more gently teasing my sensitive nipples with the tip of his tongue. The soft tickles were too much to bear, and I almost came, only to be denied. He sat back on his heels, his knees spread wide so his massive erection was standing at attention between my legs, but before he could pull me toward him I quickly got on all fours facing him and wrapped my lips around his swollen head.

"Ohhhhhhhhh..." he breathed out.

He started convulsing as I used my tongue to toy with his slit. I sucked his head into my mouth and slowly swallowed him whole until my nose was touching his coarse, dark pubes. He brushed his fingers through my hair, holding it back so he could watch as I took him in and out of my mouth.

"Oh, Bunny... uhhhhyeah... suck me, beautiful... just like that... ohhhhhh."

Still sitting on his heels he leaned back, braced himself on his hands, and spread his knees wider. I pulled all the way off of him before sucking him into the back of my throat.

"OH!! God...DAMMIT!!!"

I swallowed hard around him, releasing him to catch my breath, and sank again, slurping and gagging as he used one hand to hold my head, and I loved every second of it. When he let me surface for air his chest was heaving. I grabbed the base of his cock and squeezed as I vigorously sucked his tip. He sucked in a hiss, his breath catching in his throat, chest heaving as I started to work him faster. His vocals just made me more feral.

"Oh...SWEET JESUS!!! You're... you're fucking phenomenal... Uhhnnggg..."

My strokes and his breathing became more erratic.

"Oh, oh, fuck! That's my good girl, my good Bunny, mhhhhh... keep-keep going. Take me deep. OhhhhhhFuck! YES!"

With his fingers clenched in my hair and his cock lodged deep in my throat, I sucked his soul through his dick. His body was shuddering, jolt after jolt of sexual electricity, until he pulled my head up.

"Jesus Christ! That-that's so fucking good, hhmhh... but I don't wanna cum yet..... HOH! GODDAMN!"

His whole body tensed as I licked him from balls to tip, sucking his sensitive head one last time. When he opened his eyes he caught my smug smile, threw his head back, and started laughing.

"That was payback, you teasing fuck."

His laugh morphed into a heady moan as I trailed my tongue through his pubes, over the wiry muscles of his stomach until I was on my knees, teasing his hard nipple with my tongue. He caressed my head tenderly as I suckled before he forced it up and shoved his tongue down my throat.

"MmmHmmm... hhhhhhh. O-ok, I get it. I've met my match. Now lie back baby girl."

With his knees under my thighs and my hot wet cunt begging to be filled, we made eye contact.

"Oh, Bunny... you're so gorgeous it hurts. Are you ready for me?"

"Munson, if you don't put your dick inside me, like yesterday, I'm never speaking to you again... now fuck me!"

I threw my head back and whimpered as Eddie grasped my thighs and plunged his cock deep inside me.

"Oh, FUCK! Munson! PLEASE!"

I stared at him through half-lidded eyes, mouth agape as I rubbed my tits. With every powerful thrust I became more and more excited... and so very close to another intense orgasm. He used a thumb to tease my sensitive clit. I arched my back, my tits moving up and down with every heavy breath. He dug his fingers into my thigh, still teasing my clit as he continued to pound into me, willing me to scream his name.

"Oh... FUCK! EDDIE!!! Oh my God. I'm gonna cum!!!"

"That's it Bunny... take my cock. Wanna, MRRGGG! Wanna watch your sweet pussy gush from what I do to you. I want it all over me."

"Oh, that fucking mouth, Munson!"

"You mean this mouth?"

He wrapped his arms around the small of my back, leaning down to lick and kiss my navel, then he lifted me upright so he could claim my tits again, licking and sucking as he held me close, his course hair rubbing against my clit as he fucked up into me. My walls started to clench around him, so he laid me down and ran his hand from my tits back to my clit.

"Scream for me, Bunny... scream my fucking name!"

He commanded me, letting his head fall back as he fucked me and continued to rub circles around my clit with his thumb.

"Oh... holy shit, Eddie! EDDIE! Oh my GOD!"

Screaming, I clenched the sheets and a burst of liquid sprayed all over his abdomen.

"YES! OHHHHHHFUCK!!! I'm-I'm gonna bust. C-can I come inside you?"

"Yes! Do it!"

He slammed into me one last time and his whole body tensed.

"Ohhhhh, Fuck!!! God.... DAMMIT!!! HOHHHH, ohhh my gorgeous girl."

His fingers dug into my waist until he rode out his release and collapsed on top of me. I threw my limbs around him as he poured all of his emotion into our kiss. I was on the verge of tears.

"Munson... I love you. I love you so much." We hugged each other so tight. "Hyou... you can do that to me forever if you like."

He looked up, still breathing hard, and smiled. Staring into my eyes with all the love in the world, he brushed some hair from my face, placed one more passionate kiss on my smiling lips, rolled us onto our sides, and pulled me tightly to his chest.

"Hmm, my beautiful, raging... wrathful, Bunny. I love you more than life itself. Ending our friendship was the best decision we ever made."

•••••❤️❤️•••••

Thank you for reading! Be excellent to each other, and get your Munson on!

🤘

Freddy 'Boom Boom' Washington from 'Welcome Back Kotter'... Hi there!

Vinnie Barbarino from 'Welcome Back Kotter'

The Beatles 'Another Girl' video from the movie 'Help'

Your prom dress and mask.

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ohdearlingwhathappened · 4 months

Text

Failed Plans

A/n: Merry Christmas, @quinloki !! I was your Secret Santa this year. Sorry this is a little late, but I hope your Christmas has been wonderful, and I hope you enjoy this fic!

This is not what you had planned.

Well, not entirely.

The plan was simple- sneak off the Victoria Punk, raid the assholes who shot at the ship and damaged her hull, and get back to the ship before Kid or Killer notice you were ever missing; thus far, you have been able to get about two thirds of the way through the plan, but you may or may not have forgotten to calculate how to get off the enemy’s ship.

Perhaps calling this a plan may have been giving you a little too much credit because now here you sat with a bag full of gold, maps, and anything else that looked marginally valuable- in a dark, damp corner hiding from the pirates who managed to shoot a hole through your thigh only minutes prior. Thankfully, your pant leg soaked up the immediate blood pretty well, but now that you’re sitting, the blood seeping out of the wound is beginning to drip down to the floor. And when feeling around your thigh, you come to the realization that the exit wound you were hoping for, is nowhere to be found. Meaning Hip was most likely going to be scolding you while fishing around for the bullet stuck in your leg.

“Damn it.”

This is definitely not going at all how you planned.

Any minute now, it is going to become very apparent to both Kid and Killer that a small yet usually persistent presence is unusually quiet- leading them to discovering you left the ship when they docked for repairs. Meaning it won’t be very long before Killer figures out where you are and even less time before Kid starts tearing through whatever is in his way to find you. The red-head is caring- just in his own chaotic, violent ways.

Footsteps racing down the hall outside of the ship going just past the room you have hidden yourself in. The shuffle of their boots could be heard once and then after a pause, twice- giving the imagery of an indecisive mind trying to determine where the thief has possibly gone. A couple of more cautious steps going this way and that sound out before the footsteps go down the hall once more.

One problem gone, the primary problem still resides. Knocking your head against the wall behind you, you take the hem where the sleeve meets the rest of your shirt and yank hard, splitting the fabrics away from each other. While your sleeve may not be the best tourniquet, it’ll do in a pinch. Wrapping it around your thigh, you test its stability and after determining it stable enough to run with- or at least hobble- you grab the bag and make your way out into the hallway, keeping an ear and eye out for any suspicious movement or sounds.

“This was stupid and they are totally going to kill me if I survive this.”

Heading towards the stairs leading to the main deck, you look into any room you pass, hoping to find one with a porthole you might be able to squeeze through, but from what you’ve seen here, all this ship was built with was holes so small you could barely see the snow falling outside. It wasn’t long before reaching the bottom of the stairs and after letting out a muted groan, you steel yourself before slowly and quietly creeping up the steps. But before making it even halfway up, the entire ship shakes and sways to one side, a loud booming noise accompanying the movement.

Looks like they figured it out a little sooner than you expected.

Finishing the trek up the stairs, you poke your head out of the door that separates you from the underside of the ship and the nippy temperatures outside where you see a frankly shitty patch job on the Victoria Punk and what anyone can tell to be a pissed of Eustass Kid on the bow, slinging large pieces of scrap metal at anyone he can see. If you weren’t in the dire situation of being at risk of death from not only the people on this ship, but also one of your temperamental lovers flinging metal around, you might laugh at his ridiculous hair standing out so proudly in the falling snow. Like your own little, angry lighthouse leading you back home. But now was hardly the time.

Running as best as you can, you make your way to the side of the ship, dodging any strikes thrown your way by those who aren’t busy dealing with Kid’s barrage of attacks as he gets closer. Of course, due to your decreased mobility, courtesy of the bullet stuck in your leg, more attacks were landing than they normally would. By the time you reach the railing, you were feeling and looking worse for wear- there seems to be no limb that has gone unscathed.

Thankfully, at that point, your crew begins making their advance and you’re quickly picked up from your place leaning heavily on the railing. Before throwing your elbow into whoever’s chin, you see the familiar blue and white striped mask and messy mane of blond hair and immediately relax and lean into his chest.

“Thank you… I’m sorry.” Your speech is slightly slurred, the exhaustion from your wounds and the adrenaline running throughout your body makes your eyelids flutter. Killer says nothing, but he squeezes you ever so slightly closer to him, trying to be conscious of your wounds. Lifting your arm, you cup where his cheek would be, “Even with that mask, you look so pretty in the snow, Kil.”

And then it goes black.

* * * * *

“I’m going to kill them. How could they have been so fucking stupid?”

“Like you haven’t rushed into situations where your ass needed saving?”

“Shut it, Killer. I’m not the one lying knocked out in the med bay with a countless number of cuts, bruises, and bullet wounds. They are!”

What a wonderful way to wake up- to both of your boyfriends arguing. Granted, it was because you went to an enemy ship, robbed them, got caught while robbing them, and needed to be saved because you had been well in over your head.

“I reckon I’m still better looking than you, Kid.” It didn’t come out as strong as you may have wanted- more of a croak than anything- but both Kid and Killer whip around to look at you as you sit up with a wince. You expect Kid to start yelling, shouting at you for not thinking, or even Killer to say something- ask how you were feeling maybe. But they were just silent. The crooked grin on your face falls, and the shame starts to build.

“Do you have any idea…” Kid starts. He’s not yelling, and that makes it all that much more humiliating. You feel like a child and you can feel the tears begin to well in your eyes, so you move your head to look away from both of them. Resulting in hearing Kid’s thundering footsteps approach the bed and for his hand to grab your chin to pull your face back to him, “...how worried we were?”

And so the dams break- large tears roll down your cheeks as you take a hold of the hand that held your chin and move it to your cheek to relax into his hold. Killer sits on the bed behind you and rubs your back, pressing his mask into your hair.

“I’m sorry!” Your breath is stuttered, nose sniffling and body trembling. “I didn’t- I didn’t mean for all of this to happen.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“Kid.”

Despite everything, they’re talking as if you hadn't just caused a bunch of chaos with your silly decision. It left you confused, to say the least. Why aren't they scolding you? Why Is your usually fiery captain so quiet?

“Why aren't you angry with me?”

Kid snorts, “Oh, I'm furious.”

“We're more happy that you're here with us alive.” Killer takes a shuttering breath- one of the only signs that he was shaken by any of thjs- you feel it escaping through the holes in his mask. “We'll talk about things later.”

You nod, leaning back against him and looking up at Kid, “Could we go back to our room? I don't want to stay in the medbay alone.”

“Not a chance in Hell. You're staying in this bed until you're all healed up, mouse.” With that, he gets up, dropping his hand from your cheek and heading for the door. The drop in your shoulders was visible and you couldn't quite believe he was just going to leave.

Kid gets to the door and shoves a cart of medical supplies out into the hallway before closing the door, locking it, turning off the light before going back to the bed. Gently lifting your body, Kid lies down with you comfortably on his chest and after settling the both of you, he pulls Killer down to join you both. It was a bit of a squeeze between Killer and Kid, but once Killer adjusted to be on his side and wrapped his arm around you, it was quite comfortable.

“Thank you both.” And even though you had woken up just a little while ago, it was easy to fall back asleep in your lovers’ arms.

#one piece #eustass kid #eustass x reader x killer #fanfic writing #one peiece x reader #one piece fanfic #hurt/comfort #secret santa

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a1307s · 5 months

Text

Take Me From You #3

(Jason Todd)

[Art is not mine! Credit to Naijarski]

Requested by: ynight14 and RavenMoore7799

Keys:

Y/N: Your Name

Word Count: 2,814

Warnings and/or Pre-notes:

Gets a little heated at the end

———————————————————————

I can hear the blood beating against the veins in my ears, drowning out the sound of Y/N and Bruce yelling at each other. The scene is almost funny. A hysterical Batman screams at Y/N to not kill as Y/N yells at him for being a murderer. A poor drug dealer sitting between the two screaming adults, confusion and fear on his face. I can feel the laughter brewing in my throat from the scene in front of me.

Even with the mask covering a good chunk of her face, Y/N is as beautiful as she was the last time I saw her. Though she's more filled out than she was when we were fifteen, that only makes her prettier and is expected. She's not going to look the same as she did four years ago. Honestly, she could be in a flour bag, and I would still think she's the most perfect person in the room.

Despite the funny scene in front of me, my heart races. I haven't seen her in years. I didn't even know if she was still in Gotham, let alone still in contact with Bruce. Given, it doesn't seem like good or willing contact, but it's still contact.

Y/N's hair bounces around as she yells, making my fingers ache with the want to run them through it. The want to touch her, hold her, and hear her voice is overwhelming. Well, hear her talk to me in a normal tone at least, but I'm happy to hear her in any way, even if she is yelling. At Bruce, of all people.

"I'm done. I'm done with you, you're helpless!" Bruce yells, throwing his hands up as he parades himself in a little circle. Y/N must have been a big hell-raiser over the years to get a response like that. The bat grabs the drug dealer, dragging him away as he mumbles to himself.

I watch as Y/N turns on her heels, tilting her head back and forth as she uses her hand as a puppet, mimicking Bruce's meltdown as she walks away. It's good to see that she still has her humor. Good to see that Bruce hasn't managed to get her killed yet either.

I follow after her, staying hidden as she walks away. I should talk to her, tell her I'm back. Maybe she knows though. I mean Bruce and Dick know so I would assume Y/N and Alfred know too. Though, if Bruce and her are fighting like this all the time I wouldn't be surprised if Bruce 'forgot' to mention my revival. It's a petty move that would be right up his way.

Y/N turns down an alley, so I wait a second, just in case. The sound of metal scratching concert fills the night. It's quickly replaced by soft clicks of boots against metal. I poke my head around the corner, watching as she climbs up the fire escape. I slide forward, grabbing a hold of the latter before it slides back into place.

I don't know why I feel the need to stay hidden as I watch her slide open a window and crawl in. Well, I kind of know. I don't know if it's best for me to just pop back into her life. Maybe she has a boyfriend or a husband. Maybe she has a whole family. If she has settled in life, what gives me the right to tear that up?

I know it's selfish of me to hope her life ended when I died. What kind of shitty person hopes that? Me. I hope for that. Given, I also hope she's had a fulfilling life since my passing, I just hope it wasn't with another man.

As I climb up the fire exit, ideas of how to kill Y/N's imaginary boyfriend circle my head. Maybe Bruce is right, maybe I am crazy. I try my best to be silent as I follow Y/N's path. Once I'm on her floor level, I push myself against the brick wall, not wanting to startle her. Well, I'm doing it mostly to catch a breather and prepare for the worst.

It takes a second, but once my courage is built up, I move, looking into her window, only to be met with a gun barrel in my face. "What the fuck Y/N?!" I yell, raising my hands in a sign of surrender. It would be pretty shitty to come back to life just for my girlfriend - ex-girlfriend? - to blow my head off.

My eyes scan over her maskless face, taking in her bright eyes, her cheekbones, and her lips. God her lips. It might just be the horn-dog in me, but I've missed her kissing me the most. Well... I can think of other parts of her I missed more. Off-topic, very off-topic thoughts. My... Y/N is holding a gun to my face and my identity is still very much hidden in my helmet. I need to stay on topic.

"Who the fuck are you?" She yells, her finger featherily light on the trigger. Her body shifts some, causing a small clinking sound.

My eyes drop down to her neck, the direction the sound came from. Wrapped around her neck and resting on her chest is a black chain with two rings strung on it. One is a basic black ring, with a red band through it. Even from here, I can make out the words on it. Curved on the inner side of the band are the words 'Come home to me' with Y/N's name next to it.

The other band is a copy of the first but with a small ruby held in the middle. 'Be safe for me' is curved into this one, my name next to the wording. It's the first thing I ever bought Y/N. I bought it when we were thirteen, the cheesy words curved into them being enough to back that up. It took three weeks of pickpocketing to afford, but it was worth every penny.

"Who. The fuck. Are you?" Y/N repeats, empathizing her words more.

"Um... Jason... Todd..."

Y/N's face shifts to confusion and then anger. "Last time I checked, Jason Todd is buried in a box in the Gotham Graveyard. So, try again asshole."

"Bruce buried me in the fucking public graveyard? Didn't even cross his mind to bury me in the Wayne Graveyard? What the fuck?" I say before I can stop myself.

"What is going on?" Y/N murmurs, shaking her head some as her eyes widen. "Go... go away murderer," she says, pointing the gun down before slamming the window shut.

Murderer? Like she wasn't just fighting with Bruce over her wanting to murder someone. I stand still, hands still in the air as I watch Y/N march around her apartment, panic-cleaning as she talks to herself. Her head keeps shifting around like she's trying to erase what just happened. Hopefully, this isn't how she would react if a different murderer appeared outside her window.

Once my head is on straight again, I push the window open, the wood of it yelling in discomfort as it moves. Y/N keeps pacing around, muttering to herself about crazy people and leaving Gotham. I carefully crawl in, making sure not to knock into anything.

I let myself rest against the windowsill, watching her pace around the small apartment. How has she lived this long if this is her response to a stalker? Maybe I caused her a mental breakdown.

A small smile rests on my face as I tug off my helmet and set it on the side table placed next to the window. It's littered with loose change and bullets. Good to see she still has a careless air to her. I always found it cute when we were younger. It made me feel needed, knowing she wouldn't pay attention to the small details even if it would make her life easier. I liked doing those things for her, I like her needing me to do those small things, even if it's not things that need to be done.

I snap my mask off as well, placing it next to my helmet. Y/N continues to mutter and pace, occasionally throwing a phrase or two at me as she works her thoughts out. I look around her space. There's not much of it, which I'm not surprised about. It is an apartment in Gotham after all. Her living space is filled with bookcases, all of them filled to the seams with books and movies. There's a big, overstuffed couch across from a pricey television, probably an apology gift from Bruce. He's good at replacing emotions with money, which is easy to do when you have enough for ten lifetimes.

Y/N's kitchen is littered with recipe books, loose papers, random dishes, and spices all over the counters. Her fridge is littered with pictures and more papers. Her bathroom and bedroom doors are swung open, unsurprisingly. She sucks at closing doors.

Just like Y/N's kitchen, her bathroom counters are littered with makeup. Her bedspread is a mess, but besides that, her room is pretty straight and tidy. Even the nightstand by her bed is item less besides a lone alarm clock. That's not usual for her, maybe Y/N does have a boyfriend. A boyfriend who doesn't mind taking care of the small details for her, just like I used to do.

From here, I can see the edge of a small table, a deep green cloth drooping off of it, that's tucked into a corner of her room. I let my curiosity get the better of me and push myself off the windowsill, making sure to close it behind me or else it'll be left open for the next two to three weeks.

I walk into the room, expecting a hidden mess, but there's none to be found. I let my gaze settle on the mystery table that's not so much a mystery anymore.

In the middle of the table is a picture of me. Well, a picture of us. It's from our first date night at the manor. I'm stretched out on the couch, my head in Y/N's lap and her hands tangled in my hair as we both smile at the camera.

On either side of the picture is a candle; A white one for peace and a pink one for love. Each is held in a gold candle holder. In front of the picture is a few things. One is a bowl of Skittles, my favorite candy. To the left is a small, blue, empty bowl, and to the right is a full, red bowl.

In the full bowl is the jewelry I use to wear; my dog tags Bruce gave me, the pocket watch I got from Alfred, the matching Robin bracelet from Dick, and my family cross I got from my mother.

"So... you are alive," Y/N says, pulling my attention from the altar to her, standing in the doorway. She keeps shifting her weight and her fingers tap against the wood. It would only be more obvious that she's nervous if the word was stamped onto her forehead.

"So, you made me an altar," I tease, trying to help Y/N calm down and loosen up some.

"Of course, I made you an altar, Jay. You're Hispanic, it's part of your culture. Just because Bruce won't respect it doesn't mean I won't," Her words come out hot and fast, like she's embarrassed that I saw her memorial of me. "Dumb, stupid, ginger ass, Hispanic boy," she mumbles, walking into the room.

"Not my fault a Hispanic woman fell in love with an Irish man," I shoot back, watching as she slides onto her bed, her eyes looking everywhere but me.

"I know," she mutters, lying back on her bed. "So... you must have one hell of a story to tell me."

————————————

Ever since my lap around the Lazarus pit, it's been weird waking up. Mostly because my body doesn't remember it's alive yet, and partly because my subconscious has the same feeling, which means it takes a second to remember to breathe in the morning.

Just like every morning, it takes me a second to remember how to breathe along with taking some time to remember I'm not in a box in the ground. I can feel pressure on my chest. It isn't dirt, it's just my mind playing tricks on me. Just a PTSD attack. It'll clear up any second now.

Except, it doesn't clear up. I debate on whether I should open my eyes or not. Sometimes opening my eyes makes the attack worse. I don't want to take that chance. There's nothing on my chest, I'm fine. I repeat the thought as I slide my head over my chest. Instead of coming in contact with myself, my fingers slide into a bundle of hair. Well, that's not dirt but the sure as shit is something or someone on top of me.

I slowly open my eyes, being met with the sight of Y/N curled up on top of me. I can feel the smile crossing my face as I look down at her. She looks so peaceful, fast asleep, softy breathing as she clings to me. I've missed these peaceful moments with Y/N. Most days memories like these were the only thing keeping me going.

I shift a bit, peaking at the alarm clock on her nightstand; Five sixteen. I didn't plan on spending the night, but there was a lot to talk about, and a lot of time to make up for. Most of the time was spent with me explaining everything from the past four years, my death, the Lazarus pit, my service in the League of Assassins, my reappearance in Gotham, and the newly forming hatred between Bruce and me.

I guess we ended up falling asleep on accident, especially since my boots are still on. That, and Y/N is still in her spandex suit.

I shift again, flexing my arm and fingers to try and shake the static feeling out of the arm Y/N's head is on. Despite my efforts to not wake her, Y/N stirs, shifting around on top of me. She whines a bit, her body scooting down my body as she moves. It feels nice having her weight on me, feeling her body heat crashing into me. "Good morning," I whisper, rubbing my hand through her hair.

"Good morning," She whispers back, pressing a sloppy kiss into my chest. It's sweet, but I wish my shirt was off, I wish I could feel her lips against my bare skin. "You're alive," she adds, sleep still very evident in her voice.

"I'm alive," I repeat, wrapping my free hand around her back. I pull her up my body, her legs squeezing my sides as her head tucks into my neck. I struggle with being alive again, a lot. It's hard dealing with Bruce. It was hard being in debt to Ra's Al Ghul. Despite that all, in this very moment, it's so worth being alive.

I flip us over, Y/N's hold still strong on me as I do so. I prop myself up with my knee, not wanting to crush her under me. "I missed you so much," I murmur, sliding my hands under her shirt, the spandex clinging to both of us now.

"I missed you too," Y/N answers, sliding her hands into my hair, her fingers twirling the strands around themselves. I push her shirt up, laying kisses across the newly exposed skin. It's been so long since I've seen her, smelt her, touched her. After four long years of nothing but my thoughts of her, I can finally play out all my fantasies. I mean, there's no better way to start the day than with a bang.

Soft mewls fall from her, only encouraging me more. If I had my way, I would keep her locked away in this apartment. Just her and me, and my longing for her. Nothing but her begging for me and me answering her every beck and call.

"Y/N?" I hum against the skin of her stomach. She tugs softly on my hair, letting me know she's listening. "We're going to stay right here, all week. Maybe even two weeks."

"I... I can't. I have work."

"Not anymore. You're not leaving this apartment until we play out every last thought I've had of you. All four years' worth." Her legs tighten around me, an easy sign of her getting needy, an easy sign of me getting my way. I smirk to myself, dipping my hands down to her thighs. "After all, making you feel good is the least I could do after letting Bruce take me from you." Y/N lets out a breathy moan, letting me know I won.

———————————————————————

#young justice #young justice oneshot #jason todd oneshot #jason todd x reader #jason todd #redhood oneshot #redhood x reader #redhood

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livwritesstuff · 5 months

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More steddie dads content I really want some Eddie centered like teaching the girls guitar or dnd especially since Robbie is like him I think that they’d bind over a shared interest and he’d teach her stuff from when he was younger!

lol yeah the last few have def been more steve-centric (and also kind of a bummer) so let's switch up the vibe a bit

So, yes, Robbie is Eddie's daughter through and through.

She's stubborn and brazen and loud in her opinions and beliefs. She can be a little flippant about other peoples' feelings when she's not careful, and sometimes struggles to acknowledge the validity in other experiences outside of her own - in other words, she's Eddie to a T. She's even got the same big curly hair (though it's way more well-maintained than Eddie's had been thanks to Steve).

As for hobbies, Robbie is the only one out of Eddie and Steve's three daughters to really take an interest in music.

Eddie is thrilled about this, especially in the early days when Robbie is seven or eight and dying to try out any instrument they put in front of her. She has a natural proclivity for nearly all of them, which is fucking wild to Eddie, but the violin is the one she takes a particular shining towards.

Eddie can't say he'd ever had a resounding interest in classical music, but he wants to support Robbie so he dives into it right along with her.

That shit...

is metal as hell.

Seriously rad.

Eddie anxiously waits for her to be old enough to try out his old electric guitar. He waits until she's fifteen years old - the same age he'd been when he'd gotten his first electric - and then he digs it out of storage and bestows it upon her like the exquisite treasure it truly is.

In true teenager fashion, Robbie is...unimpressed.

She humors him for a bit, and to her credit, she does seem at least a bit intrigued by the almost forty-year-old guitar, but when Eddie offers to show her how to play, she only shrugs.

"I don't want to mess with my technique," she tells him, as if she's not shattering his heart into a bazillion tiny pieces.

"What does that even mean?"

"I dunno," she shrugs again.

Later, once the guitar has been safely put away, Eddie recounts the exchange to Steve.

"I just don't get it," he laments, "She'd be so good at it! I don't get why she won't just give it one chance."

"She's you, my love," Steve tells him, "Are you forgetting all the years you spent rejecting everything outside of what you deemed acceptable. You grew out of it. She will too."

So Eddie resigns himself to waiting it out. Robbie ends up deciding she wants make a career out of playing the violin, and she goes to New York to get her bachelors in music.

Just as Steve had predicted, once she hits college and grows up a little bit, she starts seeing the value in the world outside of the small corner of it she occupies. She comes home from her first semester regaling them with all the things she'd learned, and she catches Eddie by surprise when she asks him to bring out his old electric guitar.

Eddie and Robbie jam in the basement for like five hours before Steve insists they go the fuck to bed, and that "Hazel has school in the morning, in case you lunatics forgot."

(As for dnd, looking at it from the perspective of teenage girls, Steve and Eddie's kids absolutely do not want to think about their dad DM-ing. Eddie can't even breathe the wrong way without his daughters calling him out for being cringe or whatever, never mind executing a whole campaign. They'd die of embarrassment - guaranteed.

Robbie does get super into MTG in college, which Eddie absolutely takes as a personal F-You from his daughter. He gets his revenge by refusing her offers to teach him to play, even though it honestly sounds like a fuckin' blast, but that's a hill he's willing to die on)

#the universe said “here's you in smart-ass teenage-girl form best of luck”#steve actually has a way harder time parenting her than eddie does but that's a conversation for another day #steddie #liv’s steddie dads verse #steddie dads #eddie munson #steve harrington

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gunilslaugh · 5 months

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hi! i just followed you and love your writing so so much!! can i perhaps request a story on how XH members would do as y/n husband?

Thank you so so much! I hope you enjoy your request.

All members ∞ * _ * ∞

Summary: How Xdinary Heroes are as husbands

WC:1k

Warning:none

photo not mine credit to owner.

Gunil

Gunil is such a caring and doting husband. Makes it his mission to treat you the absolute best for the rest of his life. He loves calling and introducing himself as your husband. He says it with so much pride, as if being your husband is the highest title in the world.

“Hello, nice to meet you I’m y/n’s husband,” he introduces himself proudly, with one arm sturdily wrapped around your waist. A shy smile makes its way onto your face.

“His name is Gunil,” you added.

“Yes, I’m Gunil, your husband,” he says, making sure to emphasize the word husband.

He’s the type of husband that makes others jealous. “Why don’t you treat me like that?”, “I wish my husband treated me like that.”, “If my future husband doesn’t treat me like that then I don’t want him.” are some of the things others would say. He will also randomly princess carry you from room to room at your twos’ house just because he can.

Jungsu

Jungsu was already an amazing boyfriend and somehow he is an even better husband. He’s so loving and kind. He is ever so giddy when you two are newlyweds because he’s just so happy that you two belong to one another. Not that you two didn’t before, but marriage is clearly different from dating, so being married makes Jungsu feel even more bonded to you. Likes to subtly show off that you guys are married. For instance when he grabs drink orders he grabs them with his left hand to show off his wedding ring.

“Y/n, love, look these are the flowers we had at our wedding,” he stated a bit louder than needed, so the other people around heard what he said too.

He’s just so happy to be your husband and it shows. A radiating smile that shows he is going to love you for the rest of his life.

Gaon/Jiseok

People thought that maybe would become a bit more serious now that he has gotten married, but they were wrong. He is the same old playful Jiseok that you fell in love with. The only thing that is different is that he has upgraded from being your boyfriend to being your husband. He likes to hold your hand in his lap and fiddle with your wedding ring. Sometimes he can’t believe that you said yes to marrying him and are now married. It feels like a dream to him, but as he feels the metal of your wedding ring beneath his finger he is reminded that this is real.

You don’t know this, but whenever Jiseok is out working late with others he’s always the first to leave.

“Alright I’m heading back to my beloved now,” Jiseok announces gathering his belongings.

“Jiseok we are not done ye-”

“Don’t care. I’ll finish my part in the morning. My beloved is at home and it’s late. I need to be with them goodbye.” With that me rushes home to you.

O.de/Seungmin

You and Seungmin already acted like a married couple when you were dating, so now that you are actually married nothing is really that different. Your friends are kinda sad that they can’t make jokes about you two acting like a married couple now. Your married life with Seungmin is so domestic. He never misses the chance to give you a back hug while you're doing something. You both will cook and dishes together. Whenever you both go out together he is always holding you in some way. Whether it be your hand, arm around your waist, linked arms, or sometimes even just holding on to the hem of your sleeve or shirt. It makes him feel comfortable having you right there, so if something were to happen he’s right there ready to protect you. Seungmin is not afraid to brag about you to others. If there is a way to slip you into the conversation he will.

“My y/n is the best.”

Junhan/Hyeongjun

Hyeongjun is such an adorable husband. It takes him some time to adjust to the fact that you two are really married. The first instance where he is able to introduce himself as your husband he is a bit shy, but so happy at the same time.

“Hello I’m Hyeongjun, y/n’s husband,” he says with a smile, hoping that his pink cheeks aren’t noticeable. Over time he gets used to it and it becomes a casual thing for him to say. He even becomes a bit like Gunil and is so proud to say that he is your husband. Hyeongjun loves to cook with you and for you. Trying out new recipes together and laughing if they turn out as a failure or celebrating if they turn out deliciously. For your birthday he would always make you a cake or whatever dessert you like. There is no one else he would rather have by his side for the rest of his life.

Jooyeon

Jooyeon becomes like an excited child after the two of you get married. Once you got home after your wedding he took both of your hands in his, jumping up and down.

“We’re married! We’re married! We’re married!” he repeatedly yelled. He is so excited to be your husband. He likes to flaunt his wedding ring in public, to show that he is taken by the love of his life. The type of husband that when he gets asked a question he always brings you up even if you're not relevant to what the question was.

“Jooyeon, how many times do I have to tell you to face the toilet paper the other way.”

“It’s toilet paper. Why does it matter what way it faces?”

“Because it’s better this way.” Jooyeon suddenly burst out into giggles. “What?” you asked annoyed.

“We’re arguing over toilet paper,” he chuckles. His statement makes you chuckle too. You’re the only person he wants to argue with about toilet paper.

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munsonfamilyband · 1 year

Text

I’m having random thoughts again so here are some thoughts on the Fruity Four

Despite her squeamishness after the Russians Ordeal, Robin is an avid fan of unsolved mysteries/true crime. This includes but is not limited to: cryptids, serial killers, unsolved murders, haunted houses. Her and Nancy get close because Nancy loves a good mystery, and they start a book club where it’s just them and they only read Agatha Christie.

People assume that when the Fruity Four are together Robin and Eddie are the chaotic ones, and that is sometimes true but only on days where Steve has a headache or is in some other pain. If Steve is feeling okay then it’s either he and Eddie being chaos children or all three of them and Nancy acts like a disappointed parent while also encouraging Robin to make the boys do crazier things.

Eddie fully corrupts Nancy, even if she doesn’t dress like it. He gets her into Metal and on Stobin Sleepover nights they go out and commit crimes and usually get picked up by Hopper who lets them off with a warning. On the rare occasions that he doesn’t find them, they end up having to call Joyce to come get them because they know that Steve and Robin have been drinking since 2 in the afternoon and physically cannot drive.

Eddie has ADHD and so weighted blankets are his favorite thing, but even better than a blanket is Steve. Steve is touch starved and loves feeling needed. This combines into them laying on the couch during movie nights with Steve fully on top of Eddie.

When the four of them, or six if they can get Jonathan and Argyle to join, all hang out they always end up in a big cuddle pile. The only sleeping position that never changes is Robin spooned up behind Steve. In the future, when she learns that it’s called Jetpacking when a smaller person is the big spoon she gets way too excited about it.

Robin nearly collapses the first time Nancy comes to one of Eddie’s shows actually dressed for the event. She had lost a bet with Steve and she had to let Eddie give her a full make over. Think Sandy’s pants from the end of Grease with one of Eddie’s old shirts cut to all hell and a denim jacket.

Steve and Robin, at their sleepovers, get unbelievably drunk. Depending on the week they had it varies but the go to is wine - Steve hadn’t had wine before Robin that he liked and it makes him giggly, he’d had liquor for a long time but he associates it with his parties from school. If they had a really shitty week they break out tequila and Robin makes margaritas. They each pick a movie that they think will make the other person laugh (half the time Robin picks a stoner comedy and it never fails). By the time they’ve finished the movies they’re very drunk and then the oversharing begins. Steve tells her all about his sex life, Robin tells him all about hers, they share fantasies and plan out how to make them happen together.

Robin gave Steve a music education after Starcourt and Eddie hates it because her education included more pop music, he will credit her for her knowledge of so many female artists though. Before Robin Steve listened to Pat Benetar, Springsteen, maybe some Bon Jovi. After Robin he listened to them too, but he mixed in Blondie, Heart, ABBA, and some Joan Jett. Eddie complains about it, but he still learns how to play Steve’s favorites on guitar and he manages to get the guys to do a metal cover of some of them.

Dustin was so excited when he found out about them dating, most of the kids were (except for Mike because he thinks he’s been cursed to have Steve date people in his life). Dustin is especially excited because he likes to take credit for getting them together, which Robin very vocally disagrees with because she put in a lot of work. The children are soon very not happy about it because they’re disgustingly in love and they have learned too much about their sex life (Robin always laughs when they say this and offers to clarify things because they really know nothing).

When everyone eventually leaves Hawkins the four of them get an apartment together wherever they go. Probably Boston so Nancy can go to Emerson, Robin gets into another Boston college, Steve starts off working at a coffee shop but eventually gets a job at a daycare, and Eddie works at a game store while working on making a name for the band. The job at the daycare is what leads Steve to go back to school, after one of the other teachers comments on how good he is and asks if he had ever considered being a teacher. He starts at a community college and then gets into a full time college after that to get his teaching certificate.

When living together they have strict weekend schedules. Saturdays are bar hopping, usually among the gay bars. Fridays are movie nights where they cuddle up on the couch and get take out and usually get drunk and/or high and just enjoy being together

Eddie and Nancy complain about how they can’t keep any parts of their relationships secret because Robin and Steve have no secrets from each other. (For example, Steve found out that Eddie got a Prince Albert piercing before he could even show him because Robin found out and told him, Nancy tried to surprise Robin with some lingerie and a fancy date night but Steve found out and spoiled it)((secretly they love sharing the SteveRobin megabeing but sometimes it can be annoying having partners that share a brain)

#stranger things #steve harrington #steddie #eddie munson #platonic stobin #ronance #fruity four #posting drafts at 2am ayo #obsessed with criminal duo eddie and nancy while robin and steve day drink like the real housewives

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darkdemeter · 2 months

Text

— TEASER —

Material is subject to change in post editing.

“SIREN, BE BOUND TO ME III”

Now posted here!

A/N: Here's a little sneaky peek at the final part of SBBTM. And may I just say... over 700 notes on the first part?! WHAT??? THAT'S INSANE TO ME! Like wow, to see soooo many people enjoying it, it just blows my mind. I also just wanna do a quick taglist test run, if you could just either confirm that you get tagged properly or not, that would be awesome. For this test, I have typed out the users, but a few needed the copy and paste because it wouldn't show up in the list.

(Dark) Pirate! Bucky Barnes x Siren! Female Reader

— READER DISCRETION —

— Pirate (dark). Bucky. — possessive, slightly horny Bucky — pet names ("Siren") — minor profanity — I think that's it?

Enjoy the excerpt!

—- not my gif, credit to original poster! -—

A dark and foreboding structure from behind, his lower half is pressed against your back, your lungs jump at the contact, lips parting with a startled gasp that now tremble slightly. Your eyes become wide, held captive by his lustful glare. The song plays quietly, tickling the back of your mind, its presence more ghostly than before, slowly succumbing to silence. Its tune haunts you with longing to be found before time escapes it.

His flesh hand runs over the column of your throat, able to feel every gulped breath and the quickened pulse of your heartbeat under his touch.

“I have something for you,” he says deeply, stirring you. “Been meaning to have my name on you for some time.”

Your brows form into a puzzled arch. From the leather strap of his belt, your captain’s metal fingers meet a cord of silver. The matching metal coin adorning the chain sways as he lifts it into view, and obediently, you sweep aside any lingering locks of hair and angle your chin. It’s cold against your skin, and in comparison to size, the coin nestles low between the valley of your breasts and down against the bottom of your sternum, covered barely by your robe that loosely sits around your shoulders.

“Fuck, you look so beautiful with my name ‘round your neck,” he groans, hand returning to caress your throat. His eyes admire the way your chest rises and falls, the engraved head of a snarling wolf reflecting in the soft candlelight.

You stare, eyes wide in your admirable study of the piece yourself, seeing how it… fits you, coldly and harshly and yet so rightly. “I do?”

“Aye,” he says with a grin. “And since I got a piece of you, may as well match.”

Your fingers toy with the medallion, thumb rolling over the engraved markings on the side that kisses your skin.

J. A. M. E. S.

B. A. R. N. E. S

Each letter is one taught and now known to you. One by one, you pronounce them internally, spelling the name of your beloved captain, a man whose name you’ve never once said aloud. Nor has he ever said yours. Does he even know yours?

The tone of his growl betrays the cool of his demeanour, giving away the hunger of seeing you with your hair like it is, it has an unruly affect on him only he can understand. Could you do it now? Lure him in, satiate his carnal desires and take the necklace?

TREEHOUSE TAGLIST

@identity2212 @sebastianstansqueen @openup-yourmind @kandis-mom @calwitch @cjand10 @ashdoctor @missmarvelophilic @mostlymarvelgirl @daddy-bucky @thegirlwholoveslivesfanfiction @armystay89 @oscarissac2099

#female reader #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes #pirate au #siren reader #pirate bucky #james bucky buchanan barnes #dark bucky x reader #dark bucky barnes #bucky barnes x female reader

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fandomwritingbit · 5 days

Text

Battered and Bruised pt.2

William Afton x (fem) employee reader

synop: It's your first shift back after the clusterfuck that was last time, but it's not ever going to be smooth sailing.

warnings: bad language, inappropriate relationships, violence, and the joys of customer service.

link to pt.1 - here.

Henry pulled some strings for you, moved your rota around so that you had a few days off post the ‘incident’, which you are thankful for. You kept yourself in your flat, only leaving to do a food shop which was bad enough with all the looks you received. The bruising on your face seemed to be taking it's time in clearing up and your arm was no where near fixed, though at least you can hide that.

It's an odd feeling to be off work knowing the trouble you caused, but still, when you’re putting your work uniform on an odd sense of relief washes over you. Finally, some normality and some delicious social interaction, both of which you’re in dire need of.

...

The walk to work was nicely familiar and by the time you’re breezing through the back door to the club you’re whistling under your breath. You make it to the staff area, after having said hello to nearly everyone on shift, and chuck your bag in your locker, turning the lock and sliding the key into your pocket. Then you head for the offices to find your manager and your role for the night. A large part of you is hoping it's William you’ll catch first though you don’t really know why. Maybe you want to apologise, maybe you just want to see if he looks more banged up than you. It isn’t though, rather it’s Henry that you meet the moment you enter the corridor.

“Hiya, Henry.” You greet him chipper enough, but that same part of you is a little disappointed.

He smiles at you and runs his eyes over your form in the sleazy way he normally does. “Hey, sweetheart. You’re looking much better since the last time I saw you. You feeling better?” He’s standing next to you in a heartbeat, a little too close to be appropriate and it pulls your lips into a small smile.

You narrow your brows at the question, you weren’t exactly off sick, you just had some scrapes, so you’re pretty much feeling exactly the fucking same. Despite that thought, you keep your words pleasant, “Yeah, thanks. Glad to be back if I’m honest.”

Your boss looks more than a bit surprised by that, no one is ever glad to be here. “Good good.” He says, like you keeping his true thoughts to himself. “Now, I was hoping to try you on the door tonight… but if you’re not up for it that’s okay.”

Your eyes go wide with hesitation but sensing that you don’t really have a choice you go for, “No, I’m happy to give it a go.”

…

Now, when you said that you did assume that you’d have a buddy with you. Preferably one of the big scary guys, but no. No, you’re standing at the entrance to the club on your lonesome, with a tin of pepper spray on your hip and a metal detecting wand in your hands. To Henry’s credit, he did give you some instructions before pissing off, something along the lines of ‘Scan them, if they have anything that can hurt someone; bag it and tag it. ID people who look under 25. If they give you lip, send them away.” It sounds alright, it’s relatively inside your skill set but like all customer service roles it’s never going to be as simple as it sounds.

To be fair, most people were decent, happy enough to let you scan them, telling you that the beeping is their belt or a risque piercing, whichever applies. You had some kiddos mouthing off when you ask for ID, half the group is just 18 and one of them has the shoddiest fake ID you’ve ever seen, so you send the lot of them packing. Apart from that, the shift was going well… until it wasn’t.

It wasn’t overly busy after midnight, it tends to be a quiet spell until 1 or 2am when people flock from other establishments, so you’re enjoying the break. The only thing you’d change was having your cigarettes in your pocket rather than languishing in your locker. It’s as you’re thinking about how nice a smoke would be right now that a couple walks over to you. Mid twenties you’d guess; a lady looking brilliant in a figure-hugging white dress and a bloke wearing an armani shirt you’ve seen at least four times tonight already. Something about the swagger of that man told you he was going to be a twat long before he stood in front of you.

“Hi, you alright?” You greet the two, pleasant but firm as you’ve learnt tends to work best here.

The lad nods in acknowledgement and the woman smiles, there’s a restlessness in her stance that shows how eager she is to get inside and have a good time.

“Right, if it’s okay, I’m going to give yous a quick scan. Just for security, you know.” You explain whilst gesturing with the wand, the words are becoming very natural off your tongue after saying them for the umpteenth time. “If you’ve got anything metal in your pockets you can pop it on the side.” Spiel over, you gesture to the metallic slab beside you and the woman puts her handbag on there, the man sighs before overdramatically reaching into his pocket and pulling out his wallet, phone and rather disturbingly, a swiss army knife, all placed noisily on the surface.

You frown automatically, here we go. Not commencing with the scan, you address the gentleman, “Right. Unfortunately, I can’t let you go in with the uh knife. But I’m happy to put it in a bag for you and take your name so you can grab it on the way out?”

You expected this guy to complain, maybe make a bit of a fuss but eventually agree or simply piss off out your sight. Instead the man scoffed before bluntly saying, “It’s not a knife.”

It’s this moment William chooses to step outside for a fag, well, that’s what he told Henry. Truth be told he nearly hit the ceiling when he was told you’re on door duty, on your own, with no fucking training. So he was popping out for a look, to see how you’re getting on. What he wanted to see was this couple going inside after a moment’s chat, instead he seems to be witnessing some kind of standoff.

Visibally buffering, you try to understand what the fuck that’s supposed to mean, ‘It’s not a knife’, you blink uncertainly before taking it upon yourself to explain again. You point at the weapon, “You can’t take the knife inside.”

Rolling his eyes, the man snatches the object from the surface, flicking it open with angry theatrics. It’s enough for William to come over, face instantly stern. “It’s not a fucking knife. It’s a comb and nail file for fuck’s sake.” The man says, the complaint spat at you and you stare dumbfounded. Yes, there is a comb and file on it. But this prick neglects to mention the fuck-off blade glinting in the low light. You glance at your boss ,then at the woman, as if to say, ‘are yous hearing this?’ The latter looks increasingly mortified and your boss looks irritated.

“Listen, mate.” You try to be cordial but a disbelieving chuckle escapes you, “I’m not worried you’re going to go in there and open a fucking beauticians, okay? That is a weapon and they are prohibited from this club.” How many times does this guy need to hear the same thing, you internally question, hoping that the tall imposing presence of your boss would let the words sink in his thick skull.

The bloke flicks his eyes to the new presence, the grave expression on William’s face is seemingly enough to make him resign. He shoves the knife in his pocket again, before grabbing the rest of his belongings on the surface. Muttering under his breath the whole time, “Fucking ridiculous. Stupid fucking-” He gives you a venemous look, forcing you to hold back the amusement that was tugging at your lips, before turning to his date, “Don’t just stand there, come on then, we’ll go somewhere else.”

The woman frowns at being snapped at, and that’s enough for you to want to ruin this bastard’s night completely. So you put your attention on the lady, “You don’t have to go, love.” You grin at the way the man freezes in your peripheral vision, doubling down on your plan. “There's a good crowd in there, good music tonight… In fact, to make up for all this trouble, why don’t you go in there and tell Carlo on the bar that I sent you, get your first drink on me.”

At the word ‘trouble’ you nod towards her date and it makes the lady smile. She takes a moment to think about it, before glancing at the man and simply saying, “Sorry, Jay. I can’t refuse that.” You step back and grab the door for the lady to go inside, she thanks you under her breath and you hope you’ve saved her a night of pain.

You flash the guy a somewhat mean smirk, and send him on his way with, “Have a good night, mate.” He lingers for a second taut with indignation before walking away in a huff.

When he’s a great distance away you turn to William with raised eyebrows. “As if it took you here for him to get the message, ridiculous.”

Your boss sniggers, finally getting about lighting the cigarette he came out here for. He can’t stop himself from smirking a fair bit, there’s something about you that is inherently funny, a true lack of giving a shit that drips off all your actions. Still snickering he says, “You make a habit of stealing people’s girls?”

That has you smiling, “Only when they’re complete arseholes. I’d take her home to prove the point.” You look at him nonchalantly, a glint in your eye suggesting that you're only half joking.

Though he’s amused, something about the casual delivery of that makes arousal lay her hot hands on him. It’s inappropriate and he lightly chides himself for it, but the internal disapproval is outweighed by wondering why the image of you and that lass together has almost instantly given him a semi. He’s not complaining, but it’s odd.

The silence is short but unable to sit in it you pipe up. “Are you out here checking I haven't started another fight, then?” You watch the man to see if any trace of that handsome smirk remains, but his face is unreadable as he takes a drag of his cigarette. The exhaled smoke in front of you has your fingers tapping against your side, that stalemate must’ve stressed you out more than you initially thought.

“Pretty much.” He says stoically, the dryness of the words making your grin freeze awkwardly on your face. He must register that because he continues, the words more mumbled than before, “Henry having you out here on your own makes a certain word spring to mind, one of my least favourite fucking words.”

Okay, you’ll bite. “And what’s that?”

William can’t help the crooked smile that spreads, unwanted, across his face. “Negligence.”

You're glad of your blameless status in that, but can’t resist standing up for yourself and your other boss. Or more likely, you can’t resist poking a little more. “Maybe he just thinks I’m capable.”

Smoke leaves him as he snickers, “Capable or not doesn’t matter. Daft fuck has no idea what it’s like to stand out here talking to angry pissheads all night.”

You smile, fingers still rhythmic and frequent against your thigh. That confirms one of your suspicions, your employers are like chalk and cheese and one of them definitely only seems to be concerned with the lighthearted side of running a club. The other seems to be a bit too wrapped up in the heavy side of it though. The two owners’ dynamic is all the talk of the lowly employees like you and you must admit, it’s entertaining as hell.

A silence comes over the two of you and you struggle to think of anything to say to fill it over your growing need for a smoke, stoked beyond belief by the man beside you. He notices your agitation and the restless movement of your hands, his attention fully on your body language, searching for any inclination as to why you’re on edge.

Feeling his gaze, you’re pushed to explain yourself, “I wasn’t going to ask but uh- is there any chance I can borrow a cig?” All blasé-ness is dropped and you ask honestly.

William raises his eyebrows at you and for a brief moment you feel stupid for even having the nerve to ask. How unprofessional. But he puts you at rest. “Yeah, alright.” He reaches for his pocket where a box of fags must be stowed away, and you smile, remembering the old adage of don’t ask don’t get, you’ve been quoted at since you were a kid.

The box is crumpled with use, the fold dog-eared, clearly always in and out the man’s pocket, your own look very similar. He hands you the cigarette through a pinched finger and thumb and you’re more than glad to take it.

“Thanks, William. Really thanks.” You flash a self-deprecating smile, quickly putting the instrument between your lips, leaving your hand open for the lighter you assume he’s going to pass you. Instead, your boss brings the lighter to you, opting to light it for you. It forces you to step a little closer to him to meet him halfway, it’s a bit personal and it pushes your mind back to the last time you were in his space, the lack of pain on his face when you cleaned up his injuries making your core tense.

He catches a flame on the first flick of the rollerball, something you can never bloody do, and you thank him again as the end flickers into life. They’re cheap cigs but it’s exactly what you need. William watches you draw on the cigarette, you make it look good, too good really; god there’s something wrong with him tonight.

So to distract himself he asks, “How’s your arm?”

“Same as my face.” You grin, “Fading but still there.” Your delivery is riddled with self-consciousness, but at least you’re still smiling, that’s all you can do after all.

The cigarette sits between your lips as you roll your sleeve up to show your boss the damage. Not nearly as bad as it was the day of, but the wicked scratches still make him frown, what a wanker that guy was, he hopes the man is still bed-bound. That’s the thing about fighting, even if you’re relatively okay, the evidence of it is written on your skin and the shame is often enough to keep you away from others. William is still wearing the proof of his role now, but at least he doesn’t have to explain it to his ex-wife anymore.

“It looks much better.” Your boss pulls his gaze off your arm to see that mischievous look on your face.

“Yeah.” You pause for a second, weighing up if you’re really about to say the thought banging around in your head, you shouldn’t but yeah, yeah you’re going to. You gesture to the injuries on his face, the dulling bruises and the scabbed over split brow fighting for dominance, “You’re looking better too… maybe don’t hang around here though, you’ll be scaring people away.”

Your risk pays off because his facade cracks, “Charming.” A small smile finds its way on his face and he shakes his head, he must be going soft because if anyone else had said that to him he certainly wouldn’t be smiling.

Unable to resist explaining yourself, you continue, “I’m only kidding, you know you wear it well.” You probably shouldn’t have said that, you’re all but saying that you think he’s fit, and true or not it’s not really a good thing to say to your boss. This is proved by him catching your gaze, a stern look back on his face which makes your body go rigid, yep you should not have said that.

A heavy beat of silence washes over the two of you, his poker face is too good, you’ve no idea if you’ve pissed him off or not so you just bite your tongue.

Which was probably for the best, if you’d continued down that line, he has no idea what he’d have done.

William eventually puts an end to the awkwardness, flicking his dog-end down on the floor, snuffing it out with his shoe. "I'm going to get someone out here with you, hopefully it'll keep the knobheads in check."

You give him a wry smile, "Yeah, that's probably for the best."

He nods in response, already moving past you to go through the main entrance, a sudden urge seizes hold of you and you stick your hand out to catch the crook of his arm. Your boss's head flicks around quick, judgement heavy in the way he's looking at you.

"Here." You take a moment to really think about your phrasing here, you want to reflect how genuine you really are. "I just want to make sure that you know I'm grateful for you stepping in the other night."

His brows raise briefly, "I know. You said thank you. A lot." His words are so dry you have no idea if he's happy or angry about what happens. You just can't get an accurate reading.

You laugh uncertainly, muttering, "Yeah but you haven't said if I'm welcome to it or not."

He hears, and before slipping inside tilts his head down a little. "I haven't decided if you are yet."

#fnaf #william afton #william afton x reader #william afton smut #fnaf smut #william afton x you #fnaf william afton #steve raglan x reader #fnaf movie #henry emily

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itsdrawingmen · 3 months

Text

Crack!

Metal separates from metal, and a faint fizzing comes from inside the can. A satisfying little sound. Zen quickly puts the can to his lips and takes a big swig. It makes his nose a little itchy, but the feeling is pleasant.

Or maybe it’s just habitual. He’s not sure.

He leans onto the counter as he puts the can on top of it. His head is heavy. His mind is a mess. He takes a little glance again at the pack of cigarettes and the lighter. Should he go for another one?

He decides to wait a little more.

Maybe another beer will finally make him sleepy.

Zen pinches the bridge of his nose, then drags his hand down his face with a sigh.

Then takes a wistful look at the kitchen.

It’s a little messy: dishes in the sink that Yoosung's been too busy to wash, although it’s his turn; some snacks scattered on the countertop; a mug of water left on the table. It’s become a welcome sight. Yoosung’s presence has made this kitchen feel less beige and sterile. But right now, in the dim light of the small lamp under the cabinets, Zen feels his loneliness and messiness here that much more jarringly.

He can’t imagine life without Yoosung anymore.

He’s not sure how he feels about the life with him, either.

He has to give Yoosung credit, though, he’s been nothing but delicate. After the botched first kiss and the exchange of confessions (Zen tries not to think about what he has said, because if he does, he immediately feels his face heat up with embarrassment) — after that, Yoosung has been such a sweet soul.

When hasn’t he been.

Zen sighs again, runs his hand across his face one more time. Takes another swig of beer.

It’s still doing nothing for him.

Fuck.

Shouldn’t have developed such a tolerance.

Damn this.

His thoughts are wandering. All of his life — or most of it, anyway — he has been alone in this world. Alone against his parents; alone against all the people wanting to touch him, pet him, squish him, like a little decorative animal; alone against the gangs, the men older and stronger than him who looked at him and saw something they could use; alone against the brutal competition in the musical theatre industry; alone in this beige disaster of a flat, full of nothing but echo and beer cans. The few times he has thought he has had something going for him, he has just remained heartbroken and that much more alone.

His brother. He licks his teeth.

Then mouthes a different name. Yes, it still tastes bitter on his tongue.

He takes a swig of beer to wash down the feeling.

Rika, too. He grins to himself.

They all left. Some took things with them. His trust in people, his hopes for the best. Everything that was soft and vulnerable within him.

His virginity. He smiles bitterly. Such a dumb story, but who'd listen. The name is bitter in his mouth. The void is nagging in his chest. He drinks again.

What makes this time any different?

And why the fuck does it have to be a guy again, he thinks. I promised myself it wouldn’t happen. I wasn’t even a good friend to him.

Or was he?

He thinks back to the hours he has spent googling for recipes to get him to eat. To holding his hand, listening to all the ways he has thought of going out. To changing his bedsheets, to taking out his trash.

To hugging him so tightly and kissing him on the forehead.

To washing his hair. To helping him bleach.

To writing to none else than Jumin Han for the contacts of the clinic.

Why was he doing all that?

Why has he suggested he move in here? Just to split the rent?

He drinks again.

The fuck does it matter.

Now he’s here, they're both here, and among them there’s a guy who doesn’t want to let Zen slip back into his habitual loneliness.

He hears soft footsteps and turns automatically in their direction.

‘Hey…’

Yoosung stops in the doorway, sends him a little, pale smile. It’s warm. Zen raises his beer can to him. Cheers.

‘Hey,’ he replies, then takes a swig.

He has already noticed that little look, running over the cigarettes, the lighter, the beer can. Over Zen’s figure, slouched against the counter. Reading the clues. In the months living together, it has become some sort of a ritual. If one of them can’t sleep, he probably needs a hug.

He prays silently to all the powers he doesn’t believe in that Yoosung doesn’t go for it.

‘Not sleepy?’ he hears the soft voice ask. Yoosung passes by him and settles at the kitchen table, sideways on the chair, pulling his one knee up. They’re face to face now.

At a comfortable distance.

Zen thanks Yoosung’s delicacy as he puts down the can.

‘Nah,’ he replies. ‘Which sucks, really, I have the final rehearsal tomorrow. The dress rehearsal. Before the premiere.’

Yoosung smiles a little wider.

‘Yeah, the premiere. I’ll be there.’

‘Sure you aren’t gonna be bringing a plus one?’

Yoosung glances down, his expression bleakening.

‘Oh, no, I don’t think. One of the guys has a birthday party over at the dorm, and everyone is going.’

‘They didn’t invite you?’

‘They did but…’ he grimaces a little. ‘I’m not really friends with the guy. He’s… kinda terrible.’

Zen nods understandingly.

‘How come you aren’t sleeping? Been gaming?’

Yoosung lowers his chin to his raised knee. His face is now dejected.

‘Still not up for it?’

He shakes his head.

‘I’m kinda nervous to go back. After the last… several times.’

Zen purses up his lips, inclines his head to the side.

‘Assholes. So what’s keeping you up then?’

Yoosung licks his lips.

‘Well, I was getting together with those three girls recently, to study together, you remember, I told you? They were always staying a bit late in the library, and I kind of… invited myself to join, and they didn’t mind. Well, we’ve been doing that for some time, and they’ve been really cool. They asked at first, you know, about the eye… I thought they’d be weird about it, but they were really sweet. And I thought we should hang out, well, outside of uni. And I invited them for boba for this weekend, and they were down, and we just figured out the details and stayed a little too late chatting…’

His smile is warm as he is studying the tiles behind Zen’s back. What a relief, Zen thinks. He’s hanging out with girls now. He’ll be smooching one of them in no time, and we will just gather together right here, talk about it, and agree that we both got kinda carried away and that we’d just forget about all that’s happened. Wow, problem solved.

He doesn’t feel relieved at all.

His heart becomes even heavier.

‘You’re not inviting them to the premiere?’

Yoosung chuckles, shakes his head.

‘Aw, no. They said musicals are cringe.’

‘They have no taste.’

‘Tell me about it. They’ve simply just never heard of Zen, my favourite actor.’

As he looks up at Zen, straightening, his smile is so sunny. Zen tries to give one back, but it feels feeble and insincere.

‘Go get dressed,’ he says, gesturing vaguely to Yoosung’s thin tee. ‘It’s kinda cold here.’

‘I’m fine.’

Zen sighs.

‘You want me to give you mine, or what?’

He’s wearing a warm cardigan, and it’s so cozy, but Yoosung only has to ask for it, and he can have it.

‘I’m fine, really.’

‘Suit yourself.’

Yoosung reaches out for the mug of water on the table, glances into it skeptically.

‘How long has this been here?’

‘All day, probably,’ Zen shrugs.

He watches as Yoosung goes off to the sink, pours the dusty water out, and fills himself a new cup.

The nagging in his chest is becoming more unbearable by the moment.

I could use another cig, he thinks.

‘Are your new friends pretty?’

‘Huh?’

‘Are they pretty? The girls you’re going for boba with.’

Yoosung looks away, as if he hasn’t thought about it.

‘I guess? Yeah, I mean, yeah! One of them, Eunju, actually has a pretty distinctive style. She has this haircut, like… like this,’ he tries to make an approximation out of his messy hair.

‘A mullet?’

‘Yeah, I think it’s called. Messy, with highlights. Green. Yeah, and she always has all sorts of buttons and pins, she let me see some of her collection, and she’s even into LOLOL! Well, I… kind of told her I don’t play anymore.’

‘Aw,’ Zen drops half-heartedly. ‘Shame.’

‘Yeah… But, I mean… yeah, I guess they’re very pretty. Probably what caught my eye was that they seemed… nice. Like nice people.’

Zen holds a straight face as he takes another swig of beer. Being an actor has a lot of perks. One of them being, you always know perfectly well how to hide what you really feel.

‘Mind if I make myself tea?’ Yoosung asks from the direction of the stove. ‘Or do you want to drink in peace?’

‘Nah, by all means,’ Zen makes a vague gesture with the beer can. ‘Help yourself. I’m fine.’

He watches Yoosung pour the electric kettle and turn it on, then rummage through tea bags, smelling them, picking a flavour. At last, satisfied, he drops a bag into a huge mug. It is made to look like a fat smiling panda.

Yoosung glances at him around his shoulder.

‘Sorry, I didn’t ask… you want some?’

Zen raises the beer can. It’s feeling very light now. Yoosung nods.

For a little while, they wait in silence. Yoosung’s on his phone. Then, the water boils, and Yoosung pours his tea. He returns to the table, puts his mug and some chocolate bars on it, and settles on the chair again, pulling his other knee up now.

‘You have no concern whatsoever for your health,’ Zen drops.

‘Said the pot to the kettle.’

Zen doesn’t have any objections to that. He steals a glance as Yoosung opens a candy and sinks his teeth in, staring at his phone. His presence doesn’t feel intrusive. He doesn’t look like he’s waiting for anything. His thumb taps away at the screen.

Now that he’s not looking, and has turned his blind side to him, Zen takes liberty to stare. He studies the mess of bleached wavy hair, the moles on the roundish cheek, the oversized tee hanging from his small frame. Yoosung has a serious look on his face, but it’s all because he knits his eyebrows and squints to see better. He’s so adorable like this, though. Zen recalls the feeling of Yoosung on his lips: his forehead, his hair. His tensed up mouth.

You’re so down bad, Zen Ryu, he thinks.

And then thinks, fuck.

‘I’m feeling like shit,’ he confesses into thin air.

Yoosung puts down his phone. He isn’t turning to Zen, but he reaches out for his mug and brings it to his lips.

He’s listening.

It’s such a habitual little thing between them by now. Someone needs to talk. And the other lends an ear. And sometimes also a shoulder.

Zen lets out a broken sigh.

‘Everything’s just so weird today. I’m feeling weird. Fucked.’

‘Looks like not the kind that a beer could fix?’

Zen shakes his head.

‘Not the kind. And not the kind you can sleep off, or smoke off. Listen, I was thinking. How come you even came to care for me?’

Yoosung turns to face him, settling on the chair sideways again. He studies Zen’s face for a moment.

‘Well, you've always been beautiful, so here’s that,’ he smiles. Then pauses.

Normally, a compliment like this would make Zen feel better. Now it just rings hollow to him.

Yoosung sighs.

‘I don’t know,’ he says. ‘It all just… happened little by little, I guess. We got acquainted, I wanted to get to know you. You felt… nice, you know. Like a nice person.’

Zen smiles bitterly under his breath. Isn’t that what your girls feel like, Yoosungie.

‘You’re a great friend to me,’ Yoosung says. ‘Someone I can lean on. Someone who cares. It was… a nice surprise, honestly, to find out. You’re not, like… taking pleasure in ego-tripping at my expense.’

‘Who’d a thunk.’

‘Helping people is a good thing,’ Yoosung continues, unfazed. ‘An act of love. That’s what I think, anyway. But a lot of people don’t do it out of love. Don’t do it for the other. They just do it to feel better about themselves. And it’s just humiliating and patronizing.’

Humiliating and patronizing.

Emasculating.

Zen looks at him carefully.

‘Do you feel that way often?’

Yoosung nods, purses his lips.

‘Kind of. Not with you, though. Not these days. Not when you stayed with me back then.’

Zen huffs a breath before downing the leftover beer.

‘It was no fun without you. I just wanted my friend back, thankyouverymuch.’

Yoosung tilts his head to the side, looking away. Zen can’t help thinking that he sees right through him, all of his half-truths and half-assed lies.

‘Okay, maybe I just hated to see you… like that,’ he relents. ‘Hated the thought of you. You know. Gone.’

‘You were so patient with me.’

‘That’s what it took. Look, Yoosungie. I’m just. Gonna say it like I think it. You don’t need to return any favours. I did it because I wanted to. And you shouldn’t feel like you owe me something for it.’

‘Like what?’

Zen sighs.

‘I mean. Who am I? To you. When you look at me, who do you see?’

Yoosung looks at him. The stare of his different eyes is soft, intent.

‘I see Zen,’ he says. ‘My best friend. The friend I love.’

‘Why?’

‘Why what?’

‘Why do you… love?’

Yoosung sighs.

‘I don’t think it really works like that.’

‘But something made you look at me that way. Was it because I helped you? Because I was there, bless me, taking care of you, feeding you, I don’t know what else?’

Yoosung looks away.

‘Look. It’s true. It felt… good. Safe. Leaning on you. But now that I’m… doing better, I think I’m enjoying this way more, you know. Now that I can talk to you more as an equal. You’re… really cool. That’s mostly all there is to it. Yeah, I’m grateful, of course… but it’s mostly that you’re just cool. Through all of that stuff, I’ve really learned how cool you are.’

Zen pulls a little face, looks away.

‘Okay, fine, let’s hear it. What do you think is so cool about me? Mentioning this face is cheating, you know.’

‘You’re determined,’ Yoosung says simply. ‘This is probably the best word I can pick. You’re determined in pursuing your dream. In pulling your friend out of a black pit. In carving out a better life for yourself. Otherwise you would have stayed a gangster and a delinquent, wouldn’t you?’

Zen bites onto his tongue.

‘I guess.’

‘You’re determined and you never give up or despair. I often despair. But you… you always see the light. And you’re so fiery about it, too. It's beautiful. It’s contagious.’

‘Is it?’

Yoosung shrugs, looking down.

‘I may not always look it…’

‘Oh well.’

‘Yeah…’

They’re silent for a little while.

‘I love the energy you’re radiating,’ Yoosung says, at last, quietly. ‘It’s so deliberate, you know? You know what you stand for, and you... emanate it.’

‘What do I emanate?’

‘Inner strength. Determination. Passion. But also kindness. A very sincere and no-nonsense sort of kindness.’

Zen winces.

‘Yeah, figures.’

Why does he have to sound so honest, so sincere? Why does he have to be such a great guy, why does he have to make Zen’s heart melt like butter?

And why has Zen expected anything else from him?

Yoosung looks down.

‘You probably hear that a lot. But, well. That’s just what I’m thinking. Do you think it’s cheesy?’

Zen crumples the empty beer can in his hand at last. He opens the cabinet under the sink to throw it away, then takes a new one out of the fridge. He cracks it open and immediately takes a big swig. Yoosung watches him quietly, then sips his tea.

‘I wish you’d just admit that you see me as some kinda mama ducky,’ Zen says at last. ‘Or as some kind of guy you feel like you owe something to.’

‘I don’t think that.’

Zen huffs, gulps down beer in huge mouthfuls, almost painful to swallow.

‘You should be out there wooing that girl with a mullet,’ he mutters under his breath. Then toks the can on the counter and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. His voice is shaky and disobedient.

Yoosung huffs out as he rises. He crosses the kitchen, and then Zen suddenly feels him so close, and his arms wrap softly around Zen’s waist, and then he nestles comfortably against his side.

‘I’d much rather stay right here,’ he says.

His hands are now locked together, resting on Zen’s hip. The cloud of hair tickles his nose. Zen chokes up.

I wanted to get sleepy, he thinks. Not sentimental. What’s this bullshit.

And then he drapes his arm softly around Yoosung’s shoulders, nudging him even closer. He closes his eyes and breathes him in: a faint smell of the tee that needs a wash, of fresh hair, of scented tea and chocolate. His lips find Yoosung’s temple almost past his will. He presses a kiss into tender skin.

He can’t believe he has almost managed to convince himself he doesn’t want this.

‘I should be in bed,’ he mutters into Yoosung’s hair.

Another little kiss comes naturally: just lips brushing past skin, they’re so close anyway.

‘Wanna go now?’

Zen takes another deep breath.

‘Yeah, just a little bit more.’

‘Just tell me when you wanna go.’

Zen’s fingers brush Yoosung’s arm absently.

‘You sure you’re not cold?’

‘Nah.’

‘Climb under the cardigan, if you wanna.’

‘It’s comfy here.’

Maybe it’s for the better, Zen thinks. Maybe he’s just telling himself he worries for him. Maybe it’s the wolf speaking. Maybe he should just let go, and not risk tainting this beautiful person with whatever he himself is tainted with, or cutting him on the spiky constructions built around whatever is still left vulnerable in him.

‘Just a few more minutes,’ he mutters.

‘As long as you want,’ Yoosung says quietly. ‘I’m not going anywhere.'

#zensung #yoozen #mysmes #mystic messenger #yoosung kim #hyun ryu #zen mystic messenger #the boys are hugginggggggggg

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