#ej writer

[hargrove-mayfields]

Disabled Billy and Steve Week

Day 3- special interests

My prompt: Harringrove- Shared Special Interest

-•-•-•-

One month. Billy and Steve have been living together for one month.

In that time they’ve discovered a lot about each other, things they never expected. Things like Steve hanging his jackets and sweaters in rainbow order in the closet, or Billy placing the cups in diagonal lines in the cabinet.

Only one thing had caused a disagreement, and that was about furniture covers. Billy’s ocd wanted them to avoid touching “sofa stank ass,” but Steve’s autism hated the texture of sitting on fabric on top of fabric.

Their solution was two separate chairs instead of one couch. Close enough to hold hands constantly, but separate enough to enforce their individual boundaries. Sure, it means cuddles are limited to their bed, but Billy’s on bedrest with full body aches and bouts of fibro fog usually once a week, so it works.

However, by far the most exciting tidbit they’d discovered was that they share a special interest. Games.

Video games, board games, sports- they’ve both explored the history, researched the best strategies, and played thousands upon thousands of games. DND had brought them together through mutual friendship with Eddie, while Super Mario kept their relationship on its toes.

Tonight, their choice was a little unconventional for them, a big dusty box fished from the very back of the closet. An inherited, smoke stained edition of Scrabble. If either of them and their dyslexia had realized that making a goal to play every game in the house would mean playing a spelling game, they might not have made that promise.

But, Steve already was dead set on doing it, and his dedication was not to be messed with. They were going to play that game, no matter how long it took.

Currently almost two hours and half a bag of letter chips in, it’s Steve’s turn again.

“Uhhh, I’ll spell… sunset! S-U-N.. S-E-T.”

Every chip is placed carefully, and they both double check it with the help of their Scrabble approved dictionary. At first, he’d placed them in the wrong spot, connected to a D instead of the S on the end that he meant to use, but they fixed it quickly instead of dwelling on the mistake. Billy knows Steve might cry of embarrassment if they keep the focus on his mistake for too long.

But now it’s time for Billy to have yet another go, as Steve reminds him in case he forgot again, “Your turn, Bubs! Got anything good?”

“Honestly? I have no ideas. These letters suck.” Billy grumbles, pushing the small tray that holds the letter chips away.

“You can look it up.” Steve suggests, the only way they ever agreed to go along with this game being shortcuts and technical cheats.

But Billy shakes his head, in deep concentration, “No. No, I wanna do it on my own.”

Steve gives an encouraging smile, “Take your time. I’m watching the TV over your shoulder.”

Something about the way Billy snorts says he doesn’t see that as encouragement, but instead sounds hurt, “I’m that boring, huh?”

Regretting the way he’d put it so bluntly, Steve makes sure to promise kindly, “Nope! I just like the game shows!”

It’s true too. He likes learning new words in a way that doesn’t make his brain feel like it’s on fire. And watching other people fail and struggle, even the best of the best, makes him feel a lot better about playing mostly two or three lettered words in this here game of Scrabble.

Billy’s shoulders relax with ease, satisfied that Steve isn’t annoyed with him. He does, however, quip sarcastically, “We’re so old.”

“Thirty isn’t old.” Steve hums, actually happy to be growing older instead of being trapped in the misery of his teens forever.

Growing up meant growing out of his intense self-deprecation, after leaving behind all the pain and the tragedy he’d gone through. Now in California, playing board games with the love of his life, nothing else matters.

Billy clarifies his meaning, showing to Steve that he feels the same way, and was just using an expression, “I’m not talking about literally, baby. And stop rounding up, I’m only 26.”

It’s lighthearted and they both smile, but something keeps nagging in Steve’s head. One of those old fears of his rising up despite his insistence that they don’t bother him anymore.

“We can do young people stuff.” He offers, sounding kind of upset though he doesn’t mean to let it show, “I mean, I just thought this was fun...”

Even though they’ve got a game set up, Billy leans over the small table on his elbows, and holds Steve’s hands, “Stevie. It’s great. I love these slow days with you. They make me happier than anything. I was just kidding.”

Instant relief floods Steve’s nervously twisted stomach, but just in case he asks, “You’re sure? ‘Cause we can do something else.”

It’s his fault they’re doing this. He said it would be okay. Fun even. He said they can do anything they want.

“I want to keep playing.” Billy promises, and then a real pleased look crosses his face, “I just thought of a word even.”

“What is it?” Steve brightens up immediately, leaning forward in interest.

Billy uses an ‘O’ chip already on the board to spell- “Love.”

Picking up from the look on Billy’s face, it’s not a coincidence that he’s taken to flirting through a board game. Steve blushes like they haven’t already been together for eight years. These slow times between them can be relaxing, but they’re usually days where they check in on their romance too. Rekindling the passion over a goddamn spelling game, that should, by all means, have caused Steve to panic ages ago.

It’s sweet, and it only gets better.

An adjacent ‘S’ in line with Billy’s ‘O’ and an ‘M’ further down the board makes it so Steve can spell the biggest word he’s ever played in this game, “Oh! I can use that to spell Soulmate!!”

“You got that right. I’m yours, and you’re mine.” Billy says all suavely. Steve’s literally giggling and kicking his feet, only to be shown once again through the next move just how much of a romantic Billy is.

“Matter of fact, I can use that new M to spell- Marry.”

For a moment, Steve just stares.

He’s not sure if it’s genuine or just a strategy, until Billy produces a tiny box from his pocket. It’s wooden, looks hand carved. Inside is a ring with a small ruby in a heart shape attached to a band, one he recognizes as being Billy’s mothers.

“Billy-“ He chokes. The words he’d been doing so good at freeze up. He’s used his brain so much today and now it’s failing him?

Billy is patient though, leaving the box propped open on the table so he doesn’t have to hold it and lock his wrist up, “Stevie.”

Steve swallows down his nerves as best he can, and starts to ask, “Are you..?”

“I am.” Billy finishes for him, so Steve doesn’t get too frustrated. It’s then that he starts to look nervous too. He chews his lip, a stim Steve recognizes as being an anxious one. Like he’s done something wrong by asking for something so big, “Do you want to?”

But this, this couldn’t be more perfect. A proposal through their shared special interest, a lifelong passion channeled into their love. Of course Steve wants that too. Really, he’s wanted it ever since they were teenagers, but now that they’re in their twenties, they’re finally ready for that dream to become a reality.

“Yes! Of course I’ll marry you!”

~~~~~~

For todays disability organization spotlight, let’s talk about the National Fibromyalgia Association.

The NFA is a site which provides health information and resources about Fibromyalgia, a condition that is under researched and often disregarded by medical professionals as not even existing.

The information on their site ranges from self care guides, science explaining chronic pain, COVID precautions for our disorder, medication and treatment suggestions, and emotional assistance for fibromyalgia patients, among other things.

Run by doctors and fibromyalgia patients alike, the websites main goal is to spread awareness and make research accessible for everyone. When I finally received my diagnosis, I spent a lot of time here learning about little things I could do for myself to manage my symptoms. Now I use mobility aids and am in physical therapy, and my symptoms are much more managed than before.

Because fibromyalgia is such a disregarded disability, so are our foundations. The NFA is currently asking for donations, either direct monetary donations or through buying their merchandise in the online shop.

If you would like to learn more about this organization or access their information guides, you can click here to visit the site.

#disabledbillyandsteveweek #harringrove #billy hargrove #billy x steve #autistic billy hargrove #autistic steve harrington #dyslexic billy hargrove #dyslexic steve harrington #billy Hargrove has fibromyalgia #my writing #ej writer

[akechi-if-he-slayed]

people died..lives were changed..the universe aligned..etc etc!

#feeling a particular longing for s1 caswen today #them. #i miss their s1 selves so bad it’s crazy #neurotic + insane ej willing to commit crimes and betray others without a second thought..come back #now the writers just bully him for mere AMUSEMENT!!! #stupid stupid bisexual dumbass ricky..i will always love you #caswen #hsmtmts

[sparklyseblos]

i find it so sad how in s2 when ej was falling for gina he was scared to make a move with her bc he had a fear of being rejected like he had been with nini and the whole “i wonder if he’ll ever learn to love anyone after belle” yet he decided to take the risk and ask gina out.

and then in s3 he does get rejected again and in pretty much the same way with gina running to ricky just like nini did. LIKE THATS SO HEARTBREAKING?!?!? 😭

anyways i’ve said it once and i will say it again JUSTICE FOR EJ CASWELL.

#hsmtmts #ej caswell #portwell #he deserves sm better #writers make ej happy in s4 challenge #ej caswell protection squad

[happy-mimin]

Np I love sending you thirsts I’m honey 24/7 and you’re my fav creepy pasta writer on here💞

I wanna talk about bully eyeless jack now since I saw your Drabble you made for him

he’s sooooo mean to you and you don’t know why too every time he walks pass you he always bumps into your shoulder on purpose saying the meanest shit under his breath :( but in private jerks off to you imaging your pretty lips around his big thick cock

When you actually confronted him all he did was laugh in your face and you ended up in his room being held by him making you go up and down on his cock since he’s so big and tall after all those cute little pleads made him go even faster

even after he came inside you he still kept thrusting his cock inside of you just to make sure it would stick 💓

I love you too bebe 😩😩, feeding me very well but now imma feed into this brain rot nghhhhhhh

TW. (perverted Ej, Use of fem!reader, reader is riding, slight degradation.)

Bully!eyeless Jack is gonna make you work sis, you want him to stop bullying you? put in this vibrator.

Poor y/n using her wobbling legs to get around from class to class while Ej was grinning his ass off behind her. Everyone was looking at them and this was just the most embarrassing she could ever feel.

Finally when you make it to the end of the day, he pulls you into a abandoned classroom and pushes you against the broad door, which he then continues to say the following words which made your eyes pop.

“You took it out?” He would say with an sadistic smile, while you almost was having an heart attack. How did he know you took the vibrater out? Did he follow you to the girls bathroom? It’s not like any of that matter now, Jack already knew what type of punishment he had in store for you.

“J-Jack…m’ legs-“ Your words were soft, but your voice hoarse from the onslaught of screaming from earlier events. Your poor thighs wasn’t able to have support for your upper body for much longer, and his thick girth that was splitting you open didn’t do much justice either.

Jack groaned in annoyance, he lifted his head from off the chair to look at you and your deplorable condition right now. In all truth he couldn’t deny how sexy you looked on top of him, you’re small frame shaking from trying to keep up. “What…? Is the little girl growing some balls with me?

“No, no! Jack please..!” A sharp squeal left her throat, y/n throwing herself onto his warm chest as jack just decided to plant his feet onto the floor and start fucking her senseless. “Jack please what? You want me to go faster baby..fuck, make this pussy cream?”

He knew you couldn’t answer back, only moan mantras of his name and small curses before doing exactly what his taunting words were saying. And my god did this make him almost nut.

“Thaaaat’s right, cmon, make a mess on your bully’s dick.”

#creepypasta smut #creepypasta #mimi's bebes!!💕 #black writers #eyeless jack #Ej ⚫️ - ⚫️ #creepypasta headcanon #headcannons #jeff the killer #x black reader #slenderman #ticci toby

[itwontbethesameasitwasanymore]

I am so overwhelmed, why did I have to be the one that fell so hard?

-ej

#unrequited love #heart break #my thoughts #excerpt from a book i'll never write #writers on tumblr #my poerty #poetry #-ej #scream poetry #web weaving

[ejudes]

I AM EMPATHETIC TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THINGS. keys, phone, people, sanity. The world is vast, so When I am lost will who I belong to come looking for me?

#art #artists on tumblr #collage #mixed media #art journal #traditional art #collage art #ejs #design #diy #short poem #poets on tumblr #writers and poets #poetry #poetic #poems #poems on tumblr #angst

[rvoulte]

heheheh feeling a little silly :3

#✦⠀﹕⠀ the lady of seraphs speaks. #it’s gonna take a while bc im a very slow writer #so pls be patient with me 😭😭 #may add ej too.. #js maybe.. #i’ll probably delete this later idkk #creepypasta #ticci toby #ticci toby x reader #toby rogers #toby rogers x reader

[aroundthewaygirlao3]

Hello friends!

So, looking ahead from here...

I'm not going anywhere just yet, I have a few more stories I want to tell. But now that HSMTMTS has come to an end, I can see that my time writing fanfic in this Fandom will, too.

That being said...

I've been so energized as a writer thanks to all of you, and I'm determined to stay writing! And pursue to idea of being a traditional or indie published author.

I am currently working on transforming a couple of my Portwell stories to true original fiction, and have plans to draft a completely original piece during November for NaNoWriMo.

So I'm wondering if anyone here would like to beta read for me? I would love to share chapters and get feedback, especially from those of you who know my writing style and have a sense of what to expect.

As a content warning, the new versions of these stories are 🌶🌶🌶 compared to the fanfic versions. They are intended to be adult romance novels so some of what's closed door in the original version is depicted on the page. So please be an adult to read!

If you're interested, let me know!

#portwell #ej x gina #gina x ej #gina and ej #ej and gina #portwell fanfic #portwell fanfiction #aroundthewaygirl on ao3 #aroundthewaygirl on a03 #fanfic writer problems #fanfiction writer #fanfic writing #fanfiction #fanfic #original fiction #nanowrimo #seeking beta readers #new adult romance

[palilious]

"He wants to kiss them"

Fanart for one of my favorite Redacted fic writers @ejunkiet ! This is from their David x Angel fic "Shut Up and Dance with Me!" which you can find here

#this ship makes me so soft #especially with how EJ writes them are you kidding #I'm really happy with how the black light glow looks #they're in love your honor #please go bother ej about how good of a writer she is cause god knows I have #redacted asmr #redacted david #redacted angel #fic art #sketches #kiss art #first kiss #Pali draws Redacted #redacted audio

[haven-of-dusk]

At some point I may need to write out a whole essay about how EJ's arc and the arc they wrote for Ricky in S4 flow in opposite directions and almost contradict each other, and also how in writing Ricky that way, Tim regressed his character just to give more Rina emphasis that he didn't even need to give them.

Also the more I think about EJ's arc, the more I'm convinced nobody in the writers' room realized they had struck gold with him and hence made the asinine decision to skip the climax of his arc and relegate him to guest star status.

#hsmtmts #ej caswell #ricky bowen #and still I see attempted claims that S4 is the best written season #also gotta love how the Rina centered season made decisions to make me acrively root against them #great job there writers #*actively root against them #don't even know how autocorrect screwed THAT one up

[hargrove-mayfields]

It’s Disabled Billy and Steve Week

Day 1- Music

My prompt: Harringrove- Dancing to music at their wedding

-•-•-•-

In 1996, Billy and Steve get married.

They didn’t want to wait an unknown amount of time just for a legal certificate that wouldn’t mean much anyways, so they each picked a ring from one another’s jewelry boxes, bought some thrifted suit jackets, and set the date.

Mrs. Byers was more than happy to lend her back yard to the event, as long as her kids agreed to help her with the load of work setting up and decorating would create. They got help from their friends, and through the grapevine that led to Carol, a now professional interior designer, getting her hands on the theme and decorations. Control, drama, whatever, it’s all in Carol's wheelhouse, but Billy’s just grateful she involved Steve in choosing the theme.

Steve had had a stroke and lost 90% of his eyesight in the aftermath of the Starcourt attacks. In the years since it’s never returned, the old nurse's promises of magic recovery all hollow attempts at making him feel better, so it meant a lot when Carol went out of her way to get tactile decorations for Steve to enjoy in his own right.

Massive fake flowers, braille signs and table settings, even the cake is textured with sugar pearls and rolled chocolate to give Steve something to touch, a way to build his own image of his special day. The cake came courtesy of Jonathan and Tommy, a more than unlikely duo who came together for their friends, and because of their mutual artistic interests.

Nobody expected Tommy to become a baker of all things, but damn if he doesn’t make the best tres leches cake any of them had ever tried. Though to be fair, the majority of their Midwestern friend group couldn’t say they had tried one before. Argyle and Billy had bragging rights on culinary experiences growing up in a more culturally diverse region.

Jonathan on the other hand had become a painter, and done the decorations for Tommy’s cake. After all the monster encounters, flashing lights and loud sounds weren’t really his thing. Photography just wasn’t his passion anymore. Art was still a big interest of his though, and it was actually Heather who introduced painting, since she took lessons as a little kid.

Heather, who is the stand-in bridezilla. Both Billy and Steve are calm about their wedding, caring more about what it means to each other than the actual event. That isn’t that case for miss Heather Ernestine Holloway-Buckley. She wants everything to be perfect. Absolutely. Everything.

From the tablecloths being the same color as Billy’s white and gold suit jacket, to the flower petals scattered in the neatly trimmed grass matching the crown of flowers in Steve’s hair. She demands everyone get matching dresses or suits depending on their preference, so the pictures will turn out perfect. In Jonathan’s place, El takes the photos, taught by her older brother about the craft and determined to capture as many memories as possible.

The rest of the smaller details are kept secret from the boys. Things like who will officiate, the food, how the backyard will be set up, and the music are all a total surprise to keep things exciting.

With everything in place, all they need is to be there. To say their vows and dedicate the rest of their lives to the one they consider their soulmate.

But Steve is terrified. Having nightmares every night leading up to the wedding because he’s scared his blindness is going to ruin something. Even Robin, who has been with him every step of the way, has been warning him numerous times to be careful on that night.

The wedding will be by daylight, made even brighter by small candles on the tables, and fairy lights strung in the trees, but that only means Steve can see basic, blurry silhouettes. If he trips, or runs into something, or someone, on his wedding day, he’ll never live down the embarrassment.

There’s only one day left until the ceremony when he brings it up to Billy, trying to be subtle about it and failing hugely.

At the breakfast table, over pre-game chocolate chip pancakes as Billy called them, Steve asks him, “Are you nervous?”

Even at this stage, Billy gets grumpy in the mornings. He cooked breakfast, sure, but he might as well still be asleep until noon. Usually, thanks to his pain meds, he might take a few half hour power naps up until then. Still, his answer and its gravelly delivery are playful and unserious, “Nah. I’m just eager for the honeymoon stage.”

Only, Steve’s nerves are so wound up, he can’t find it charming like usual. A simple, quiet, “Oh.” is his only response.

Right away, he can tell from the shift in his partner's energy that Billy knows what that means. Some part of Steve is glad he can’t look into Billy’s face and see the pain in his features, from knowing Steve isn’t perfectly alright.

That’s something Steve forgets sometimes, that just because he can’t see someone, doesn’t mean they can’t see him. Every emotion he feels is expressed freely in the look on his face, revealing the anxiety, and the bubbling uncertainty that makes this so hard.

Billy encourages him to talk about it, “Come on, Stevie. Spill. What’s goin’ on in that head of yours?”

Something tells Steve to lie. Maybe it’s the pressure of the wedding being just a little over twenty four hours away at this point. Probably that. His entire life he grew up thinking there was nothing more important than marriage, and now that he has the chance, he’s terrified of things going poorly. So he assures Billy, “Nothing! I get to marry you! What could be wrong?”

“Darling. I see those gears turning. You’re thinking something.” Billy sees through it. Of course he does or he wouldn’t have ever broken down Steve’s mask personality enough to one day become his husband. Billy must worry that he hasn’t done exactly that, because he asks, softer and more quivery than his other words, “Getting cold feet?”

“No! Oh, god Billy no. Never ever.” Steve promises passionately, reaching over to the spot where Billy is for his hand, the responsibility of actually placing their hands together and sharing touch placed onto Billy. Squeezing it gently so he knows he feels him, Steve tries to explain his feelings, “I just. I feel wiggly.”

“Can you tell me what wiggly means?” Billy asks, always asking questions to make sure he understands Steve’s needs enough to help. It’s no mystery why he loves him so much.

That said, it takes a moment of thinking for Steve to put it into words, “Like everything’s shaky and bad. And I’m scared and nervous. And kinda shy. But the bad kind of shy.”

“All that about the wedding?” Billy’s definitely worried about him. Scared that maybe marriage, even if it’s not technically official, is possibly too much pressure for him.

Steve eases that quiet nagging with his response, and takes the blame too, “More like about messing up the wedding.”

Trying to soothe what little tension there has become, Billy softly comforts Steve, “Honey, you’re not going to mess up. There’s no right way to get married.”

“But not everyone who gets married is blind.” Steve mumbles, and Billy realizes it’s that kind of wiggly.

Ever since losing his sight, Steve’s been a bit more quiet. It’s not like he changed, but Billy had a suspicion there was something brewing under the surface. Now that it’s been confirmed that Steves worries come from that, and since fear of the changes disability brought to their lives is something Billy is familiar with himself, he thinks he knows how to help.

“I'm in a wheelchair maybe four days a week, and the others I’m in bed. That’s not exactly typical either.” Is his choice of words.

It seems to work for a moment, since Steve relaxes a bit, but then his mind starts going again and he fishes up a new fear to bring to Billy.

“But you have special braces and stuff if you want to stand up for pictures and dancing.. I can’t just put in a new pair of eyes.” He sounds almost sad.

Billy wants to make sure he knows he doesn’t have to feel that way.

He asks, “Is that what you’re worried about? Dancing?”

Steve shrugs, still physically expressive as a habit despite his inability to see those mannerisms, and says quietly, “A little.”

Billy seems to think that’s a fixable issue, even offering up a quick solution, “Chrissy did cheer for her whole life and she’s married to a paraplegic. She can totally help us with a dance.”

“She’s also very pregnant. I don’t wanna bother-“ Steve denies right away, but Billy’s already wheeling over to the phone before he can really stop him.

“Too bad. I’m already calling her.” Billy’s tone of voice just sounds like he’s smiling mischievously, which has Steve rolling his eyes without meaning anything by it, especially when Billy greets their friend by saying, “Hey, Chris! Got a second, toots?”

•-•-•-•-•

Before Steve knows it, it’s the next day, and the time for practice is over.

Instead of a wedding march, the soft strum of an electric guitar signals Steve to come down the aisle, which is really just a bolt of soft fabric rolled out over the grass and weighed down by dollar tree candles.

He’s not sure who’s playing, but it’s sweet, the soft version of a Cinderella song Billy and Steve both love. It brings a smile to his face, but doesn’t cancel out the clammy feeling he gets when he realizes it’s time to step forward and actually walk down the aisle.

It’s only the officiant at the other end, Billy still inside getting ready for his entrance after Steve’s, so he’s not sure why he’s so scared. With Dustin and Claudia on either side of him, and a hand on the harness his guide dog wears, he should feel stable and supported.

But every step forward makes that intensity of the butterflies in his stomach only grow stronger.

Until something cuts through, the voice of the officiant;

“And here we have Groom number one. Led by the one and only, Miss Peanut Butter Cup the Beagle. She’s feisty, she’ll bite your ass, and she loves to cuddle. Sounds like a great honeymoon.”

Talking like an infomercial, or some kind of weird radio announcer, Murray fucking Bauman is the man who will marry Steve to the love of his life. At least half of his fears dissolve on the spot. This isn’t some all serious, super tense event like his biological parents would have planned for him.

This is a celebration, and all of his friends and family are going to stumble their way through it, so why shouldn’t he?

Him and his Henderson entourage keep walking to the makeshift altar, and Murray keeps talking, “Oh yeah. And the rest. You all know him, you all love him, it’s Dustin! Here to impart his uninvited wisdom unto the newlyweds. And what’s this? A Jewish mom who will adopt any roughian street kid she sees? That’s right folks, it’s Claudia Henderson, and with her she has- her newest adoptee!”

“Stefan Harrington! And today is his big day. Everybody give him a hand. He can’t see your stupid cheeseburger smiles. Give him the entrance you’d give the president if he walked past.” Murray laughs at himself in the midst of the lengthy introduction, “Actually, no. Please don’t do that. Just clap for him.”

All of this makes Steve giggle his way down the aisle, largely forgetting about his fears of ruining the ceremony. After all, with Murray in charge, there are no rules to abide by.

When he makes it to his spot, and Dustin and Claudia step away, Steve has a one-on-one with Murray, “How you doing, kid?”

Recognizing there’s no time to dive into the nuances, Steve says simply, “I’m okay.”

“Just okay? This is the real deal! You gotta be pumped!” Murray encourages him, which makes Steve remember that there’s something holding him back.

“I’m too wiggly.” He sounds defensive.

Murray on the other hand just sounds happy, and eternally positive, as he suggests, “Shake out those wiggles. C’mon, I’ll do it with you.”

Together the two of them shake and flap and wiggle, a moment that never would’ve happened without the support Steve has gotten from his family. There was a time when, although he wasn’t very good at masking, he’d have been too ashamed to openly stim in front of an entire wedding party of the most important people in his life. Now though, by the end of this, he’s giggling and smiling and having the time of his life.

Checking in again, Murray asks him, “That better?”

“A little.” Steve shrugs, struggling to assign any qualities to the big big feelings he has. Feelings are so hard right now.

He’s getting married.

“C’mon, what can I do to make it best?” Murray keeps trying, something of another parent to Steve. Even making another joke, “I mean, I can start taking my clothes off, but I don’t think Joyce would be too happy.”

A little bit haunted by that mental image, but mostly amused, Steve shakes his head, and gives his best response, “Just, can you read slowly? And not tease me so much during the real thing?”

Instantly Murray agrees lightheartedly, “A deals a deal. Smack me in the head if I screw it up, alright. This is the only time I’ll ever tell you that because I am perfect otherwise.”

It’s the guitar melody rising up that cuts off their conversation, and suddenly Steve’s heart rate is picking up again. This is really happening.

Murray puts it not so gracefully, “Oops. I’ll stop running my mouth now. Looks like your other half is coming.”

Since Steve can’t see what’s happening, Murray goes back into his narration mode, which Steve appreciates a lot.

“Coming up next folks is our half off sale. That’s right, now you can get two for the price of one. Just add a wedding band- Sold separately.” Murray jokes, earning a little scoff from Joyce, which makes Steve laugh softly.

He’s grateful for the dry, cheesy sense of humor Murray has, otherwise he might be totally panicking right now.

“What’s this? We have a flower girl, people. Leading the way is miss Chrissy with her lovely paper flower petals. Behind her, to match her developing appreciation for all things butch, Heather does not have flowers. Oh no. She has seashells. Imported from the fine beaches of the dollar store they were purchased at.”

It’s probably rude, but Steve loves the mental image it gives him. He can imagine Heather in her suit, and Chrissy in her flowy dress, decorating the aisle with delicate little pieces of Billy and Steve’s love. The best part is he can hear them laughing at the jokes about themselves, so he can imagine the smiles on their faces.

His favorite part is the next introduction, the one that refers to his culture most, “Last but not least, Jane brought some sea glass, since there will be no stomping of any glass until our two grooms get some functioning body parts. Since that will never happen, join me in telling the Jewish ancestors to suck it and deal. But not groom number two. He’s too catholic.”

The trio of groomsmaids stand off to the side, their shoes crunching on the grass, and Steve knows what that means. It means Billy is coming.

“Speaking of, and without further ado- escorted by his creepy little sibling Max, here he is. Come on down William.”

The walk is slow, with Billy using his limb braces and forearm crutches instead of his wheelchair for this special moment. Steve can be patient. He’s wanted this to happen since his third date with Billy, when he brought training treats for Peanut Butter Cup and a sensory necklace for Steve. What’s a few more minutes?

The pacing does however warrant more Murray monologuing, which is something of a treat anyways.

“Ooh, not too shabby for a man with no usable limbs. Speaking of, why exactly did we just turn the aisle into a safety hazard? Oh well. At least if he falls on his ass, he’ll look good doing it.”

The comment must remind him to give a description of Billy for his sightless groom to be, “A diamond earring, tons of mascara, way too much hairspray in that fluffy perm- I’m starting to feel underdressed.”

And then he’s there. Steve can feel his energy, the radiant, sunshiney happiness Billy always produces. Since there are no rules, he decides to reach out his palms, the sign that means he wants to hold Billy’s hands. The weight and warmth of the touch when Billy obliges adds more butterflies to Steve’s chest.

He’s smiling like an idiot, and if he had to guess, he’d say Billy probably is too.

After a few moments, they’re interrupted by Murray clearing his throat, “That’s it? No hello?”

Steve can practically hear the eye roll Billy gives as he speaks, “Hi Murray. Don’t forget this is my wedding.”

“Ohhh. And here I thought this was a bat mitzvah. Don’t panic, but I think I grabbed the wrong book.” Murray pretend-whispers, letting the imaginary tension build before he pats them both on the back, and assures, “Kidding. Sure I was the worst choice for this, I don’t know shit about romance and never will, but I can do my job.”

The guitar music ends, and the residual chattering and laughing stops too. It’s time. Steve’s hands are shaking. Billy squeezes them once reassuringly.

“Once upon a time, William Reuben Hargrove met Stefan Mihai Carson Harrington; They fought, they fucked, blah blah blah, they caught feelings- and a monster possession- Oh, whatever. Point is, they’re getting married now! Two souls united and all that jazz. So are you ready to say ‘I do?’” Murray rushes through a fake service, earning groans from much of the audience.

And from Steve, who whines, “Murrayyy!”

“Fine, fine. But you're gonna pay me after this, right? I’m a licensed therapist now. My services aren’t free anymore.” Murray snarks, totally playful and unserious.

He’s not the only one who can do sarcasm, since the entire wedding party starts to boo. Steve is pretty sure he hears Carol, his strongest advocate since they were kids, shout the loudest to, “Get on with it!”

•-•-•-•-•-•

An hour later, they were married. Mister and mister Hargrove.

In the style of a picnic of sorts, everyone had brought food to share. From Claudia’s mac n cheese, to Heather and Robins take on a vegan sushi, their newest cooking experiment, to Sue Sinclairs potato salad that she sent with Lucas even though she couldn’t be there herself- there was a little something for everyone. Steve personally loved the Zeytoon Parvardeh that Joyce had made from an old family recipe. Billy preferred the ceviche Argyle brought, so he’d fed Steve all his olives, a nice romantic moment that had Steve blushing.

By now the actual party aspect of the day has begun, after the cake had been cut and the wine poured. Joyce limited the amount of alcohol allowed to be served to two bottles, one white and one red, to respect the boundaries of those like Billy recovering among them. Tommy and Robin probably have drunk the majority of that portion, and the two of them are tipsy, pestering Eddie over at his makeshift music booth.

While all the noise and everything started picking up, Steve had settled into a little corner by himself to stay calm. He hears someone approaching by the sound of footsteps, and turns his head their way, to make sure he can hear them properly.

Turns out it’s Joyce, who enthusiastically says, “Congratulations, sweetie!”

Steve thanks her, and reaches for her hand, to make a connection that will make communication easier, “Thank you, Mrs. Byers.”

Joyce rubs his knuckles, her tone soft and kind, “I hope Murray didn’t ruin your ceremony. Would you believe me if I said that was the toned down version of his original plan?”

Steve brushes it off in stride, “Somehow, yes, but we loved it, Mrs B. Billy hasn’t laughed like that in a while.”

“I’m glad. This was your day. All about you!” Joyce enthuses, sounding a little relieved to hear her friend hadn’t messed anything up, “I bet you feel so happy!”

Steve just nods, and flaps his free hand, the words escaping him but the physicality of happiness easy to express.

“Can I hug you, sweetie?” Joyce asks, delighted by Steve’s own happiness.

Now, Steve isn’t the most hug friendly person, but today, a nice tight embrace from Joyce Byers sounds like a much needed break. A respite and a safe place.

He tells her, “Yes please.”

And so she wraps her arms around him and squeezes the life out of him, gushing, “Oooh, I’m so so proud of you! You’ve come so far!”

All Steve can say is a bashful, “Thank you, Mrs. B.”

The hug lasts maybe a few minutes, of Steve taking deep breaths of perfume and cuddling soft brown hair, just savoring the whole thing and the therapeutic effect it has on him.

But all too soon, his worst fear is reality- It’s time for his first dance with Billy.

Eddie announces it, since he’s something of the coordinator now, “Looks like it’s time for a sloooow dance. Where are my two grooms?”

Joyce sounds thrilled on the other hand, “Are you ready, dear?”

Steve physically winces, “Actually…”

“Don’t worry, sweetie. You’ll do just fine. Just breathe.” Joyce puts her hand on his back and helps him catch his breath for a second, before offering sympathetically, “He’s waiting for you, sweetie. Do you want me to walk you to him?”

Nervously, Steve nods. Earlier today, he married the love of his life. That was the easy part. Dancing in front of literally everyone he’s ever cared about is not easy.

Joyce is kind enough to walk him to Billy, leaving Peanut Butter Cup asleep under Steve’s chair. Letting him do it himself would’ve probably ended in him knocking Billy over, since his braces are all that’s holding him up. Instead he gets to settle into Billy’s embrace, with Joyce’s help to sturdy them both.

His head rested on Billy’s shoulder, and Billy’s arms around his waist, toes together, they started to get into the music.

Their dance song is fitting, a song Billy had learned marching in the streets for the rights of the disabled like them. On Being Special by Sue Napolitano. A beautiful poem all about family and love.

It sets a rhythm good for swaying, and soft little shuffles. Getting lost in it, Steve closes his eyes, blocking out what little light gets through, and lets his husband guide him. Billy knows the song by heart, and, pressing his lips to give a gentle kiss to Steve’s forehead, he mumbles the lyrics against his skin.

Even though there’s a lot of their friends there, in that moment it’s just them. Center stage, dancing on scrap lauan in Mrs. Byers’ backyard to the gentle crackling and crooning of a beat up old stereo, since Eddie and the band didn’t think they could do it justice.

Not even the thunking and clacking of Billy’s hardware is enough to take anyone out of the moment. This is them. Their reality.

Their disabled love story.

Steve is thankful he had Murray and Joyce and Chrissy and Billy to ease him through the nerves that led to this very moment. He did it. He had his first dance, with the love of his life, on his wedding day. Steve is maybe crying happy tears by the time it’s over, but he can hear from the general sniffles that a few other people are too.

When the song ends, there’s a beat of silence where nobody really knows what to do next. Steve can tell just from the energy shift that they’re wondering if they should help the newlyweds off the dance floor. But Steve doesn’t want to let go yet, and since they don’t move, that must be a cue for some folks to join them in dancing.

Or, that’s what Tommy interprets it to mean, because he’s stomping over towards them and shouting, “Let’s fucking goooo!!”

Steve guesses he dragged Carol along too, because she’s shriek-laughing his name, “Tomàs!!”

Their boldness inspires other couples to join in. Jonathan and Argyle, Chrissy and Eddie and their little two year old, Heather and Robin, even Hopper and Joyce, after a little coercion to get the grumpy old cop off his ass to have some fun too. The kids all come up together, leaving just a few stragglers, one being Murray. His dance partner of choice happens to be miss Peanut Butter Cup, bribed with a few blueberries he’d grabbed from the snack table.

They’re all together, and they’re all happy. So fucking happy.

•-•-•

A few songs in, Billy taps on Steve’s cheek, after giving him a small little kiss, to alert him to a conversation.

He asks softly, “Sweetheart, Patrick is dancing all by himself. Haven’t talked to him in a good while either. D’you think I could-“

But Steve doesn’t even make him finish that justification. He’s overdue for a break, and loves their friends just as much as Billy, so he’d actually prefer it if he did go to Patrick for a bit.

He tells his husband, “You don’t have to ask, babe. Go see your friend.”

“You’re sure?” Billy checks in again.

Steve nods, and gives him another small kiss to seal the deal, “I need a rest anyways. Big feelings.”

It’s still hesitantly that Billy pulls away, and only after a tight embrace, but he lets Steve go get his dog off of Murray and take his seat back in the corner. On his way away, he hears Billy call playfully, “Hey, McKinney! Get your ass over here!”

•-•-•-•-•

Out of nowhere, Steve hears the tapping of little feet running right towards him.

He’s already deduced who it is, based on the fact that there’s only one little tyke here, but the bubbly excited voice that falls to him gives it away even more, “Teevee!!”

Little Jackson is an outgoing boy, his enthusiasm curbed by nothing. Except maybe bumble bees, since he’s afraid of those, but there’s no buzzing demons around, so he’s all giggles as he pulls on Steve’s jacket sleeve.

On instinct, Steve picks him up, and blows a raspberry on the toddlers chubby little cheek, “Jackie!! There’s my favorite little groomsman!”

Jackson kicks his legs as Steve tips him onto his back, tickling his tummy and laughing along with him. Chrissy tells him he’s not as open with other people, but Steve has always been good with kids, so maybe it’s true.

Something about their pure hearts reminds him of who he’s always wanted to be. Their wonder and their fascination with everything just lifts his heart up. And at the moment, gives him the courage to get back on his feet and have some more fun.

Together with little Jackson, he twirls and spins, earning an endless stream of giggles from his friends’ baby boy.

“Wheee, you like to dance, huh?” Steve asks him, and immediately gets a very enthusiastic response.

“Yah!!!” Jackson even claps his little hands, a stim he’s clearly picked up from Eddie. Their little one is autistic and has adhd just like his dad, which probably also has to do with why he loves Steve so much.

And also why he has an abrupt energy crash and falls asleep without warning, his curly head laying on Steve’s shoulder, drooling down his back. They got their pictures already, so he doesn’t mind the mess. He just quietly takes Jackson back to a seat and cradles him softly, listening to the ongoing party and reveling in that bliss.

At some point, Billy snuck up on him, announcing his presence with a soft pet name, “Sweetheart.”

“Yes, my love?” Steve hums, turning his head in the general direction of Billy.

He’s not expecting what Billy is about to say.

“What’s the next step after marriage?”

Because of how random it seems, Steve has to think about what he’s asking, taking a moment before he remembers the old rhyme from childhood, “Uh-uh. No baby carriages yet, bubs. Give it at least a week.”

Billy is persistent, if only playfully, suggesting, “There’s always the honeymoon.”

Patting little Jackson’s back, Steve just responds vaguely, “We’ll see.”

All of it is lighthearted teasing, and a little bit of their classic pigtail pulling. They’ll talk about their future seriously when they’re ready.

That’s something Steve loves the most about Billy. He always considers him first, not societal conventions or outrageous expectations. Just Steve, and what he wants or feels comfortable with. Soulmates, he’d decided.

After all, internalized ableism be damned, what could be better than marrying his soulmate?

~~~~~~~~

Hi all! If you’ve read this far, please don’t click off!

As both mod and contributor to this event, Ive been inspired to use my fics to boost charities that aid the disabled community!

For this day, I’ve chosen the Friends of Disabled Adults and Children.

This is a charity that has a mission of “[assisting] individuals with disabilities… [by providing] free or low-cost wheelchairs and other home medical equipment.” This includes cars, tubs, power chairs, stairlifts, and more.

While founded as a religious organization, they serve all disabled community members with no limitations, and have a board of 35 members that work together to provide the best care.

They accept online donations, mail-in checks, purchases from their thrift store, or donations of gently used mobility equipment.

Friends of Disabled Adults and Children is based in Tucker, Georgia and can provide assistance to disabled individuals within a 25 mile radius of their facility. On their website, you can find statewide partners of FODAC for more resources.

Here is a link to their site: https://fodac.org

#disabledbillyandsteveweek #harringrove #billy x steve #billy hargrove #disabled steve harrington #disabled billy hargrove #jewish steve harrington #there’s so many other characters I’m not gonna tag them all but know it features lots of background ships and characters #my writing #ej writer

[timelessbibliophile]

if portwell had a possibility to get back together would you want that?

So this is a fascinating question because it depends on how they develop it. If they do the right steps, and take the right time to get them back together, I'd love that. If they were to do a cheap plot to get them back together, then I'd rather that they don't do it.

I've always thought that portwell was a couple worth respecting. If I didn't, I wouldn't have been so mad with the season 3 finale; I believe they deserve something better than what they got. So naturally, I'd want the same if they were to get back together.

We know EJ just tried to do what was best for the play, for the Disney+ show, for everyone involved, and especially for his friend. He tried to do everything right, and yes, he did fail in many aspects, and that led to a slippery slope of miscommunication and misunderstandings. Eventually, Gina and EJ broke up because he was (in Gina's eyes) neglecting her. However, I think most of us in the portwell community agree that it was a misunderstanding that could've been easily solved with a conversation on the pressure of directing a show, and taking care of a cast, while also trying to enjoy his last year at camp (and by extension, his last year being a kid). He neglected Gina a couple of times, but it was understandable given the amount of pressure he was under, so if portwell were to get back together, I would need Gina to acknowledge that. I'd love it if she admitted that she might've been projecting some of her insecurities onto him, which leads me to the next problem to be solved.

When Gina broke up with EJ, she said she "couldn't be a maybe anymore", but she was not a maybe. Sure, EJ might not have been there for her 24/7 (which we already established was not right), but that doesn't mean he doubted his feelings for her. She needed something stable, she explains that her whole life has been about change, but now needed something stable, which is completely understandable, but there wasn't much evidence for her to believe EJ couldn't be that. So far, what we had seen, and what Gina had seen, was EJ showing up for her every time, even when they were just friends. Instead of trying to talk to him on why this time he was failing in that area, she went straight to breaking up, accusing him of being unsure of their relationship. Why? My interpretation is that in some level she was projecting her own insecurity on their relationship. When they started dating, she's very clear about how nervous she is to be someone's girlfriend, how she wants to be the perfect girlfriend. She was putting this pressure on herself and the relationship to be perfect, and when it wasn't that, she started panicking. Along comes Ricky, who doesn't come with an insane amount of pressure. He's just... Ricky. Someone she has always been able to talk to, someone who was her first friend, someone who genuinely cared about her. Even though they agreed to start again, there was obviously still a lingering uncertain air of something that didn't get closure because she had moved on. While her relationship with EJ was going sideways because he was too busy, Ricky was right there, being present, making up for all the times that he wasn't. She started doubting her relationship with EJ, and when the climactic moment of their breakup came, she told him he thought she was a maybe, when it actually might've been the other way around. It becomes even clearer when she confesses to Ricky in the last scene and uses the same wording, even though Ricky doesn't know (like us) what it means. She says, "I don't have maybe feelings about you. You aren't a maybe, you're a yes." Unless that was the way SHE felt for EJ, the line is worded wrong. If the truth was that she felt like she was being neglected before, and now she isn't, she would have said "I don't feel like a maybe when I'm with you," or something along those lines. If they got back together in season 4, Gina would have to admit to EJ that she was insecure, and projected all of that onto him.

Part of the reason for their breakup was the pressure they both felt. EJ felt pressure from the outside, the world, his dad, his own expectations for himself, but not inside the relationship. Gina felt pressure coming from herself IN the relationship, if that makes sense. Gina's appeal to Ricky in season 3, like a mentioned, was partly because she didn't feel so much pressure with him. She didn't have to be "the girlfriend", she could just be herself. If Portwell were to get back together, I would love a friendship arc to be built again, based on a friendship without pressure. Season 2's development of them was great because of that. They didn't feel pressure from their relationship with each other, Gina was unsure of her future, but not her future with him, and EJ was the same. Their friendship would have to go back to that, and since now they know that that's what affected their relationship, be intentional to make it translate into a proper relationship.

However (and this is the last thing I want to talk about since this post is already long enough), for EJ and Gina to get back together, Gina and Ricky would have to break up. As much as I dislike Rina as a romantic couple, I still want their relationship to be respected since hundreds of people enjoy it, and also the characters themselves deserve to be respected. If they were to break up, I would like it to be because they realized they're better off as friends than lovers. Make it a them thing, and not get EJ involved until they're broken up, which is why getting portwell back together would only work until season 5. If they got together in season 4, after Rina JUST broke up, it would be disrespectful to the fans who love it and the ship itself. This is why portwell shippers were so mad with the ending of season 3. It was so rushed, so clearly fan service to keep the rina shippers happy, that it completely ruined portwell's chance to mourn their recently broken relationship (and the fans who also had to suffer through it). As a portwell shipper myself, I wouldn't want to wish that on anyone, not even rina shippers (even tho they've been mean to me before lol). Season 4 to build their relationship back up, and season 5 to get back together.

After all of this, my answer to your question anon, is no. I already went through everything that I think needs to be solved in order for it to be a clean make up, and knowing these writers, they won't do that. So if they won't do it, I won't like it.

Basing off of the way they've handled the other relationships on the show, if they wanted portwell back together it would probably go like: Ricky and Gina have a couple great episodes! They're laughing, they're kissing, they're loving each other... but, oh, no, Ricky screws up, and guess who's there? EJ. He apologizes for being a jerk to Gina in season 3, says that he really cares about her and only wants to be her friend. Gina accepts his apology, and tells him everything that has been going on with Ricky. They start getting closer and closer, and Gina and Ricky just keep going down. They eventually have this big, emotional, dramatic moment in which they break up and agree they just aren't meant to be. Gina has like a week to mourn until she realizes that her true love was EJ all along. Ricky also gets a new love interest, probably.

#however this is probably not gonna happen #bc the writers for some reason just hate ej so much #it would be a crime if they made him happy #portwell #hsmtmts #ask kitty #anti rina #i don't think i'm saying bad things about rina #but just in case anyone decides i said something offensive lol

[sparklyseblos]

the writers were coming after us portwells this season bc tell me what we have done to them to deserve the lines:

“ej, we literally never had risotto”

“she was happy, so i moved on”

“losing gina hurt like hell”

BRO THIS HURTS LIKE HELL!!

#pls we’ve been through enough already leave us alone 😭 #this season played with my portwell heart too many times #like what do you MEAN they never had risotto? #the writers are out to get us i swear #at least we got supportive ex!ej #i mean he could’ve had a reputation era (which i would support) however we stan a mature king! #portwell

[someforeignband]

believe it or not: smut does not actually write itself

#boy i sure wish it did #again #smut writers #you are so impressive #and i am so jealous #and generally unsexy always #ej writes occasionally #ej writes !! #ej speaks !! #wlw steddie #desire i want to turn into you series

[itwontbethesameasitwasanymore]

And i'll scream your name over and over again until my mouth runs dry. but you still wouldn't care, right?

-ej

#unrequited love #heart break #my thoughts #excerpt from a book i'll never write #writers on tumblr #my poerty #-ej #scream poetry #web weaving #poetry #prose #dark acamedia #wise words #falling apart #i miss him #spilled ink #sad quotes #letting go #love poetry #sayings #book quotations #heartbreak #moving on

[akechi-if-he-slayed]

ok but ej refusing to even be upset at all about ricky and gina during the premiere was so heart wrenching and honest (he called ricky his BROTHER) only for them to start sucking face the second he leaves LMAO

#so high school of them #but so hilarious #matt did something to the writers because they just did not give a single fuck about ej’s feelings last season #what horrors are in store for ej this season! #ej caswell #ricky bowen #gina porter #hsmtmts