#second chances

[incognitopolls]

We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.

#polls #incognito polls #anonymous #tumblr polls #tumblr users #questions #polls about people #second chances #time travel #life #redo

[hairmetal666]

Steve has this bar he loves in Chicago. It's a little bit dive-y, a little bit dirty, but it's quiet. A good place for when he needs to clear his head.

Only, tonight, the place is packed. Music pounding from the jukebox, no space at the bar, patrons at the dartboard and pool table. In three years he's never seen it like this.

He has a second to wonder what's going on before he sees exactly who is going on, and for him to catch Steve looking.

"Stevie!" Eddie Munson cries. He leaps from the bar top, the people below scrambling away from the stomp of his big black boots.

He hasn't seen Eddie in years. Can't actually remember the last time. Max and Lucas's wedding? Robin and Nancy's baby shower?

Steve considers booking it out of there, escaping in the crush of the crowd. By the time he has the thought, though, Eddie's already pulling him into a hug.

He's excited to see his friend. He is! Really. He loves Eddie. But that's kind of the problem.

Steve fell in love and Eddie left town.

Well, maybe it wasn't so dramatic as all that. It wasn't until six months after they packed the last box in the back of Eddie's van that Steve could name his feelings for what they were. And by then, Corroded Coffin were building buzz and Eddie had a huge whole life outside of the people he saved the world with.

Over the years, as Eddie's fame grew, he came around less and now they hardly see each other. They still talk from time to time, Steve still buys all the band's records, and Eddie's still close with all the kids, Nancy and Robin too.

Eddie releases him, those big eyes bright, a pure and genuine smile stretching his face. Steve's stomach twists, heart skipping a beat.

"Gotta be honest with you, man. Never expected to see Steve Harrington in a place like this."

Steve snorts. "There's lots of place I go you wouldn't expect."

Eddie's smile wobbles, Steve thinks. It's gone in a blink, though, and Eddie laughs. "I'm sure you do, sweetheart. Have time for a drink with me?"

Eddie navigates to the bar, returns with two beers in hand. He presses his palm to the small of Steve's back, directing him to the single empty table in the corner as far from the jukebox as possible.

"How's life treating you, Stevie?" Eddie asks after a sip. "Nance told me the store is doing really well."

"It's good, yeah. Finally turning a profit. Wasn't sure about Dustin having us add a game section, but he was right. It's really taken off."

"Oh, he told me," Eddie smirks.

Steve rolls his eyes. "I'm sure that he did. He hasn't let me hear the end of it."

"That tone," Eddie says, voice soft.

"What brings you to Chicago?" He asks to hide the way all the fucking love he feels for this man is bleeding out of him.

"Not really supposed to be," he laughs. "Flight got diverted to O'Hare, can't get another one until tomorrow. Have to make it to LA in time to play a show."

They both know Eddie loves it; the rush, the adrenaline, that comes with performing, to making it to shows at the very last minute. It's how they got here in the first place.

"Working on new music?"

Eddie leans back, dimples popping with the pleased lift of his lips. "Oh, Harrington, you don't even know what we have in store." He leans over the table and launches into tales of rehearsals and writing. Steve drinks his beer and can't take his eyes off his friend, Eddie the sun Steve orbits around, helpless to his gravitational pull.

"So, Stevie," Eddie says, once there's no more to tell about music. "You seeing anyone?"

Steve hides his cringe with a chuckle. Picks up his beer to buy time and finds it empty. "Not anyone of note."

"C'mon, how is that possible? You're easily the hottest guy in this place."

He grimaces. "That's a low bar."

"Oooh, still bitchy after all these years." Eddie snickers, takes a swig from his bottle.

"Shut-up."

"Seems like it's been a while since you dated."

"You interrogating my love life now, Munson?"

"No, not at all. Just curious."

"Okay, who are you dating? Still that guy from People?"

"Gossip," Eddie frowns.

"Anyone else you got your eye on?"

"No one new," Eddie says. He stares at Steve hard for a second, like he wants to dig into his brain, like it holds the answer to all life's question.

"There is someone, then." Steve tries to ignore the jealousy licking down his spine. Eddie isn't his and never will be.

Eddie picks at the label on his now empty beer. "Not--not really." He licks his lips, leaning over the table again. "Is there a reason you don't seem to date anymore, man? It's just--you wouldn't hurt for options, right?"

Steve freezes, trying to figure out a way to answer that won't end up breaking his own heart. "Ah, it's--you know, things got busy with opening the store and everything. Stopped being a priority."

"Are you lonely?"

"Are you?" He snaps before he can stop himself. "Sorry, I'm--sorry."

"Yeah, man. I'm lonely as hell." Eddie answers as though Steve didn't give him an out.

"I--you ever have someone where the timing is always wrong?"

"Think it's a hazard of my profession. Who's yours?"

"What?" Steve clunks his bottle too hard against the table.

"The one that got away?"

"It's--it--I--it doesn't matter."

Eddie's smile is all jagged edges. "Nancy?"

"God, no. Nance and I are good with being friends. No lingering feelings there. Who's yours?"

"Ahh," Eddie sits back a little, eyes glittering with an emotion Steve can't place. "The best boy I ever met. Can't get over him, can't forget him. I think they guys are going to start banning my 'pathetic gay yearning songs'. Gareth's words."

Something in Steve's chest crumbles to dust. There's someone. Has always been someone. Of course. Eddie is beautiful and hot and charismatic and fucking famous. And Steve is--just a guy who runs a struggling bookstore with a couple of his best friends.

"That's--I'm sorry it didn't work out." He's trying to stop his voice from breaking, from giving Eddie any hint of what he's feeling, just knows he has to get out. "Listen, man, thanks for the beer. Great to catch up. You should hit up Robin and Nancy the next time you're in town. I gotta get going."

"Wait, Steve--"

"See you around."

He doesn't wait. He pushes through the people, and races out the door, into the crisp Chicago fall air. He squeezes his eyes closed, practices his breathing exercises, tries to relax the clench of his teeth, ease the screaming in his lungs.

Three steps away from the building is as far as he gets before he hears, "Steve, please wait." A hand catches his hip, holding him in place.

"Eddie, I don't--"

"It's you," Eddie says. His face is pale, stricken. "You're the one who got away, Steve."

"What?"

"I've never been able to work up the nerve to confess. I've been trying for years, but. Too afraid of losing you to tell the truth."

"Years?" Steve's brain is trying to wrap around what's happening. That Eddie has feelings for him? That he's the source of the pathetic gay yearning?

"God, since 1986, at least."

Steve doesn't know what to say; what to do. He's been waiting for this moment so long, and his brain goes on pause.

"It's okay if you don't feel the same," Eddie rambles. "Hell, I'd be surprised if you did, but--"

"You're mine too," the words tumble out.

"What?"

"You're the one who got away. For me. You're mine."

"Steve," Eddie breathes. "Is this--are you serious?"

"Pathetic gay yearning and all."

Eddie's laugh is a bright spot in the darkness, relief and happiness mixed with the hope of what's next.

Steve can't help but giggle. "We're so dumb," he says.

Eddie looks at him with a raised eyebrow before bursting into giggles of his own. "So dumb, Steve, oh my god."

"It's been a decade!"

"Fuck," Eddie cackles.

They collapse against each other, chests heaving with their mirth. As they catch their breath, Steve nuzzles against Eddie's neck, relishing the closeness. It's easy for him to change the angle so their lips meet in a kiss frantic with ten years of longing.

"Your place or mine?" Eddie asks once they part.

Steve laughs. "You think I'm that easy, Munson?"

"Oh, Steve," Eddie smirks. "I know it."

"Asshole." Steve presses a kiss to his jaw. "How many songs did you write about me?"

Eddie smiles so hard his dimples pop. "All of them, baby. Every single one."

Steve rests their foreheads together, body fizzing like freshly uncorked champagne, "Take me home, Ed."

#steddie #steve x eddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #ficlet #oneshot #angst #friends to lovers #angst with a happy ending #idiots in love #mutual pining #famous eddie munson #rockstar eddie munson #regular guy steve harrington #pathetic gay yearning #fluff #the one that got away #second chances #getting together

[zephyra-in-the-house]

Chapter 1 Summary for Second Chances

(Art Credit: @elirastudio )

Several months after LBD's defeat, Macaque remains in Megapolis despite his better judgment. One afternoon while lounging in his submarine, he gets a visit from the Monkey King who has brought him food.

While unexpected, Macaque finds himself reminded of a time a hundred years ago when Wukong and him got into a fight only for Wukong to take him back to Flower Fruit Mountain to nurse him back to health.

In the present, Wukong makes an irresistible offer. A chance to train MK again. Macaque initially thinks it's a joke. When he realizes it isn't, he outright refuses the offer. Wukong chases after him and asks him to reconsider but Macaque still says no.

(End Summary)

My duuuudes look at the fuckin artwork!! Holy shit man I am so excited to share this project with you guys! As some of you may know, I have been working on chapter summaries for Second Chances for a little while now and, just a few weeks ago, Elira came and suggested we do a collab and I said absolutely!! And I am so glad I did because Elira's artwork is absolutely stunning~ I mean just look at that!

So, give all of your love and support to Elira and we shall have more for you guys in the future!

#lego monkie kid #second chances #shadowpeach #lego macaque #lego sun wukong #fanfic #lmk macaque #lmk sun wukong #lego mk

[indecisive-capricorn]

Weekend Mornings || Miguel O'Hara x Pregnant Wife Reader:

WARNINGS: Fluff and a worried Mama O'Hara but nothing bad happens!

SUMMARY: After waking up, you got a little worried when you couldn't find Miguel beside you.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is my first imagine in a really long time, so there might not be a lot of details but I do hope you like it either way! Also, I apologize if the translations are wrong and please feel free to correct me if they are wrong.

MASTERLIST: Feel free to check out my other works! :)

"Morning, mi vida," you hear your husband speak gently behind you, before he kisses your shoulder. His hand slips underneath the warm blanket protecting your body from the cold air, gently caressing your swollen belly.

You hum back softly in response, your eyes remaining firmly shut as you refuse to open them just yet, still feeling quite sleepy.

Throughout your pregnancy, you are the type of person who loves to sleep in until nine o'clock in the morning during the weekends, but you can't say the same about your husband who always wake up at dawn. It becomes a small routine for the two of you. As soon as Miguel wakes up, he immediately pulls you into his embrace— if not already or if you had unintentionally moved away from him during your sleep —and spends some time cuddling you while he admires your baby bump. Sometimes, Miguel will even start talking to the baby if he feels them kicking.

As always, you find yourself drifting back to sleep in Miguel's embrace. You're not a heavy sleeper, but the calm silence and Miguel's comforting touch lull you into a peaceful slumber within a few minutes into the cuddle. There is just something about being wrapped in his strong arms that makes you feel utterly safe and content, as if nothing in the world could disturb it.

After an hour of cuddling and making sure you're not on the very edge of the bed out of a fear that you might fall off it because it has happened once and Miguel wouldn't leave you alone for weeks after that accident, Miguel gets out of bed. Knowing you'll still be asleep for a few more hours, he quietly gathers his belongings and prepares to head to the gym but not before pressing a kiss to your forehead.

Miguel slipped out of the bedroom after that, careful not to wake you up with too much noise, gym bag in hand.

. . . .

Your eyes slowly flutter open as you stretch your arms to the side, instinctively reaching for your husband, only to furrow your eyebrows when you don't feel his touch and look over to find it empty.

Assuming Miguel was still at the gym, you dismiss the worries of his absence. However, as you take your phone from the bedside table, you realize it was past nine o'clock, a sense of unease appears in your stomach. It was unusual for Miguel to be at the gym for so long since he is always consistent with his routine on returning back home by half past eight. Peeling the blanket from your body, you carefully slide out of bed, a hand cradling your eight-month-old stomach protectively.

Your heart was racing with concern as you quickly check the empty bathroom, finding no sign of Miguel there. You hurriedly went out of the bedroom and down the stairs, your footsteps making loud noises. Hurriedly, you dart out of the bedroom and descend the stairs, your footsteps echoing loudly in the house. As you enter the living room, your senses are greeted by the scent of pancakes and the sound of sizzling from the kitchen.

Instantly, a wave of relief washes over you, calming your worried heart. Despite the scent and the sounds coming from the kitchen, you feel the need to see Miguel for yourself, to reassure yourself of the love of your life's safety. Hurrying to the kitchen, you find him there, flipping one of the pancakes over with a spatula, and a sense of peace settles over you as you realize he's safe and sound.

Miguel looks over to you with a frown. "Mi vida, ¿qué te dije de bajar corriendo las escaleras? Hay tantos casos de gente que se cae por las escaleras y—" he begins in a scolding and worried tone, but it fades into silence as you approach and envelop him in a tight hug. Although confused, Miguel senses your need for reassurance and wraps his arms around you, holding you close and soothing away any lingering worries with his touch.

"I thought something happened to you," you sniffle in the hug and Miguel's grip on you tighten slightly as he immediately understand the reason for your worries.

In the third trimester of your pregnancy, Miguel made sure to minimize his missions, only going on them to assist the trainees or if there was any emergencies when necessary. Despite being relieved of the measures he has taken for you and the baby, the fear of something happening to him during his duties as head of the Spider Society lingers in your mind. You understand and respect his role as a hero, but the mere thought of him sustaining any injury on a mission fills you with dread. A single wound is enough to disrupt your sleep for days, as the concern for his safety weighs heavily on your mind.

"Nothing will happen to me, mi vida," Miguel speaks gently, his voice laced with reassurance as he lovingly strokes your cheek, wiping away the few tears that have escaped down your cheeks. "I promise to do everything in my power to keep us safe and to return to you, always." He swears to you, his gaze unwavering as he looks down at you with a determined yet assuring expression.

You sniffle again, finding solace in Miguel's words. It has a calming effect on your heart, and your breathing gradually turning back to normal. Resting your head on his chest, bask in the peaceful silence that surrounds the two of you. There's no need for words to fill the air as the simple touches between you and Miguel speak loud enough for both of you to understand.

The sweet moment is abruptly interrupted by a burning smell that filled the kitchen. "¡Ay, coño!" Miguel cursed under his breath, remembering about the forgotten pancakes, swiftly moves to turn off the stove before the food has a chance to catch fire.

Grimacing at the sight of the burnt pancakes, Miguel turns to you with a sheepish expression. "Eggs and bacon?" he offers as an alternative since it's one of the quickest meal he can whip up for you.

You hum and nod, liking the idea of eggs and bacon. "And orange juice?" you question, your stomach grumbling in hunger at the thought of the delicious meal.

Your cheeks turn pink in embarrassment, but Miguel just chuckles, finding your reaction endearing. "Anything for mi reina." He replies back affectionately, planting a kiss on your cheek before heading to the fridge to retrieve the eggs and raw bacon.

Translations:

Mi vida, ¿qué te dije de bajar corriendo las escaleras? Hay tantos casos de gente que se cae por las escaleras y— = My love, what have I told you about falling down the stairs? There are so many cases of people who fall down the stairs and—

Mi vida = my life

Mi reina = my queen

#spiderman #marvel #spiderman 99 #miguel ohara x reader #miguel x reader #miguel spiderman #miguel ohara #miguel o'hara #atsv miguel #miguel spiderverse #might delete later #atsv x reader #spiderman x reader #pregnant reader #pregnant #pregnancy #breakfast #fluff #imagines #atsv imagine #spiderman atsv #second chances

[artofalassa]

Since Rebirth's out and zines are long gone at this point, I figured I could make an actual post with this, instead of just dropping it in an ask answer. <3

Some of these I never posted outside of patreon, so there’s link to them! (mostly just jokes which aren’t that important to the story)

TIMELINE

YEAR - EVENT

0002 - September - The Visit

0006 - Day Off

The Succulent (ptrn)

0010 - The Ending of Advent Children

0011 - The Lost Friend

0012 - The Hidden Lab

The Report

The Coordinates

0013 - February - Zack found

The Reunion

The Letters

Beans

The Earring

Campfire

The Gardens

The Truth

The Showoff

Itchy (ptrn)

The Victory

The Gift

The Arguments

0013 - July - Rooftop 

Angry Spooning

The Delivery

To Do List (ptrn)

On the House 

Epilogue - The Dawn

#zakkura #zack fair #cloud strife #ff7 #zack lives au #second chances #it only took me two years or so to make this post lol #but yeah #all of my zack lives au relevant comics i posted online are are here!

[brandyschillace]

Tonight I will watch the animated Christmas Carol. It’s an annual tradition every Christmas Eve for my partner and I—we even eat plum pudding! It’s meaningful to us because Dickens’ tale of second chances performed its own Christmas miracle at a time in our lives when we both—independently and together—most needed it. On this present Christmas Eve, I wish you all the joy of finding you can start again… and that making a start can never come too late. Start that journey, begin that novel, take the first steps of that return trek. Tis the season.

And a special Merry Christmas Eve, by the way, to Molly Oldfield and @neil-gaiman for a rare opportunity to hear A Christmas Carol the way Dickens himself would have wanted.

May the magic continue!

#a christmas carol #christmas carol #christmas eve #neil gaiman #second chances #ebenezer scrooge #charles dickens #magic #christmas magic

[xspeter]

soon :)

#joe keery x reader #joe keery #steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #childhood friends #neighbors #book store au #second chances #second chance romance #exes to lovers #past angst #xspeter #fluff #angst #stranger things #stranger things x reader #steve harrington x you #eddie munson #robin buckley #no upside down au

[gaypplshallarise]

I'd like to think peaches are like their symbol of friendship

Remember their fight when Wukong was sealed under the mountain? It ended up with Macaque crushes that peach and leaving Wukong

And in ss4, Wukong offered this peach popsicle to Macaque, which officially means that Wukong is offering Macaque a second chance. And he accepted it. HOW DID I JUST NOTICE THAT

#shadowpeach #lmk brainrot #why isn't that a tag #gay monkeys #somewhat #show analysis #lego monkie kid sun wukong #lego monkey kid macaque #wukong x macaque #peaches #plums #second chances

[blackcherryvelvet0909]

Silent Reverence (Rollo x GN!Reader)

Content Warning: Mild injury, light angst (arguing), Glorious Masquerade event mentioned Note: Can you spot the two movie references in this fic?

“Irk!” 

Your heart jumped at the sudden sound, then sank when you realized it was one of pain. “Do you need me to walk slower?” you asked, stalling your pace for a moment. 

The man, whose arm was slung around your shoulder for support, practically hopping on one foot with you as his crutch, scoffed the suggestion. “You think me too weak to keep up such a undermanding pace?” 

“That’s not what I-”

“I do not require such coddling.” Those dark, cold eyes stared ahead as he took one clumsy step - hop - forward. “Come - we are close to a seat.” 

He said it as though he were the one leading you. Honestly, when did his audacity end? You kept your frustrations to yourself as you guided him along, right up to an empty bench near the pool. Thankfully the area there was shaded, or the concrete below your feet would have scalded both your heels by now. With zero grace, you both slumped onto the long bench; a sigh released from you two as the weight of the other was lifted as you separated. For a brief minute, you simply sat there and caught your breath. Before that respite was even over, however, you rolled your head to the side to look at the one beside you. 

“Rollo,” he hazarded you a glance as you spoke, “do you want some water? You can sip on it while I go get some bandages; I don’t want you to get dehydrated.”

There was a flicker of irritation in those gray orbs, but he didn’t voice it for the time being. He just sighed as he leaned his head back against the wall behind the bench, sun hat now slumped to one side, and answered with, “If you would.” 

Though your legs protested as you stood, you went out in search of the refreshing beverage. While you had to shell out eight madol for the small bottles of water, you didn’t complain. Instead, you quickly went back to Rollo and handed him one of the plastic bottles. He opened his eyes to greet you, and gave a small nod in what you supposed was thanks as he took it from you. You watched him hastily, yet elegantly open the bottle and take three big gulps. Just like that, half the water was gone - a third of yours was to follow as you drank from your bottle. After a deep exhale, you closed your bottle and spoke to Rollo again. 

“I’m going to go to the lobby and ask the receptionist if they can lend me a first aid kit. I’ll be right back - don’t move.” 

“Tch,” Rollo clicked his tongue with a roll of his eye. “As if I were fit to do anything more.” 

So, off you went to get those medical supplies - all whilst trying to suppress the irritation that grew within you. 

***

“Ah!” Rollo’s sharp yelp was followed by a hiss as he glared down at you. “That hurts!” 

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt if you’d stay still!” you shot back, tone just as cutting. 

Rollo’s face morphed into a scowled as he practically growled in anger. “Well, you and those you call housewardens should have kept a closer eye on your students. If you had, I would not be in this predicament!” 

It took all your strength not to throw the roll of bandages in his face. “You were the one running around the edge of the pool, where a ‘No Running’ sign was plastered on every wall. Riddle was just about to take care of Ace, and I Grim, when you came stomping over. As the president of your school’s student council, I thought you would pay more attention to bright white signs with big black letters and a slipping stick figure on them.”

Just as you were about to finish the tie on Rollo’s bandage, he suddenly stood. His hands were balled into fists, teeth grit so hard you thought they might crack. Despite that angry look, his tone was level, authoritative - he spoke to you as if you were some child. “I have had quite enough of you. Step aside - I will seek care else-”

Before he could finish his sentence, you shot up in front of him, face mere inches from his. Your eyes were like knives as they bore into him, pierced his very soul. So, too, was your voice level and demanding, though it came with a pointed edge that, if you were calm enough, would shock even you. “Sit down and shut up.” Rollo’s scowl melted into a stunned look, likely because no one had spoken to him in such a way before. He said not a word as he kept your stern gaze and slowly lowered himself back onto the bench. You followed him down, and when you knelt before him again, you threatened, “Move out of that seat, speak to me like that again, and I’ll give you something worse than a sprained ankle.”

There was a long silence between the two of you after that. In that time, you finished wrapping Rollo’s ankle, which had now begun to bruise. You were tempted to tie the knot a little tighter than what was required, just to get back at him, but you refrained. Despite how he spoke to you, Rollo was injured - you couldn’t be too petty. When you made sure the knot was secure, you quietly packed the bandages and pain relief ointment back into the little bag the receptionist had given you. As you closed the bag with the snap, you said, “Your ankle will probably swell a bit for a few days. Just keep off of it as much as you can; if it gets too painful, or if the bruise becomes worse than normal, you might want to see a doctor.” 

You didn’t even look up to see if Rollo heard you; his eyes had been upon you since he sat down, so you knew you had his full attention. As you stood from your spot on the ground and dusted off your knees, you added, “I’ll tell you vice president and assistant where you are. You said they were by the lazy river?” 

“...yes.” Rollo’s voice was hushed, as though he were hesitant to answer. 

“It shouldn’t take them too long to get here and help you up then.” You still refused to look at him as you turned to leave. “Hope your ankle heals soon.” You took a step away from the bench -

“[Y/n].” 

You froze at the sound of your name - of Rollo calling you by name. In the past, he only called you Prefect, or some other formal title you couldn’t recall. Sometimes you even wondered if he knew your name; his utterance of it just answered your suspicions. For the first time in the past several minutes, you glanced over at him. His expression appeared monotone, the usual for him, but there was a distinct…softness about it. In those dark gray orbs was a plea for forgiveness - a hidden respect. Well, that was something you never expected, especially in your direction. 

“Thank you,” his gaze flicked down to his ankle, “for your care.” 

You pushed the surprise to the back of your mind as you gave a shrug of your shoulders. “There was a possibility no one else would, at least when it comes to the ones from NRC. While you did apologize at the end of the masquerade, there are many who don’t hold you in a high regard.” Your eyes narrowed in a show of warning. “Unless you start treating the students like you would your own, instead of dogs or, as you put it, ‘heathens’, that opinion will never change.”

“If you will permit me to ask,” your gazes locked once more as he questioned, “why is your opinion any different?” 

You thought it over for a moment… “Honestly, I don’t know,” you admitted. A light chuckle fluttered at the edge of your words as you suggested, “Maybe I’m a sucker for punishment? It would fit for all things I’ve put up with since enrolling at the college - since I got there.” Although some of that previous frustration still lingered within you, a smile twitched at your lips. “Or maybe because, like me, everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves. You said you would repent for your mistakes, right?” 

“That is my intention,” Rollo affirmed with a small nod of his head. 

“Well, you have your chance.” You turned to leave, but not without a final warning. “Don’t screw it up with your ego.” 

Then you walked away without another word. Rollo also remained silent, though you could feel his eyes follow you until you disappeared back into the hotel. They did not cut into your back like a knife, as they had many times before; instead, you felt as though it was out of something else. You couldn’t say what, however. For now, you simply let it slip from your mind as you went to inform Rollo’s cohorts of his accident. Maybe, just maybe, you could also convince Ace and Grim not to gossip about Rollo’s fall. 

***

“Henchmen!” Grim called out from beside the door to your hotel room. “There’s a lady here - she’s got something for you.” 

Your face scrunched in confusion as you approached the door. A bit of dread lingered in your heart as well. You really hoped it wouldn’t be something from Crowley, likely asking you to take on some task while you were supposed to be vacationing with the others. This was a school-wide trip, after all, and that included you. You swore, if this was yet another chore, you’d-!

“Can I help you?” you asked the lady at the door, in the most polite way despite the plots of doom that swirled in your head. 

“These are for you.” The lady, one you recognized from the hotel lobby, presented a bouquet of flowers with a smile. It was huge! To prevent it from falling to the ground, you had to cradle it like a baby! 

“U-Um…thank you?” You felt a little awkward at the whole situation. “Why am I receiving these?” 

“A young man asked for them to be delivered to you,” she replied. “You can check the notecard in the flowers.” She gave you a small bow before she turned to depart. “Have a good day!” 

“Y-You too.” You had to kick the door to close it - you didn’t want to risk dropping the flowers. Thankfully, Grim stepped out of your way as you headed to your bed, but he followed close behind.

“Why would someone send you flowers?” Those big blue eyes narrowed as he placed his paws on his hips. “What did you do?” 

“No idea,” you answered to both his questions. Now sitting on the bed, you examined the bouquet closely. There were various types of flowers: pink roses, lavender, blue hyacinths, lily of the valley, white tulips, forget-me-nots. This was certainly an expensive bouquet, a well-crafted one as well. You were sure there was some meaning to them; not too long ago, Rook had expressed to you the language of flowers. You made a note to visit him later for an analysis. You plucked the notecard the lady had mentioned before and added, “But we’re about to find out.” 

Grim hopped up onto the bed and took a seat next to you. You could feel him peek around you to try and get a look at the card - the one that now had your mouth agape. “What? What is it?!” Grim struggled to get a better look. “Let me see!” 

His words were like whispers in the wind. The message was not exactly what froze you on the spot - it was the signature below it. The identity of the sender of this generous, meticulously crafted bouquet, specially made for you. 

I hope this bouquet is not ill gotten by you; that it is sent at an inopportune time. I pray it finds you in good health, that it may express my gratitude for your service the day prior - and my deepest apologies for my behavior. I realize you are not one to be taken lightly…not one I should look down upon. These flowers are ones I grow in a garden back on my campus. Let them spell out the words I am unable to utter in your presence. Pray, too, that they are to your liking. May the rest of your days on this trip be filled with respite and peace. 

-Rollo Flamm

#Twisted Wonderland: Beach Episode Mini Series #my work #twisted wonderland #gender neutral reader #twst #twst x reader #twst rollo #rollo flamm #twst rollo x reader #rollo flamm x reader #twst grim #twst ace #ace trappola #riddle rosehearts #twst riddle #glorious masquerade mentioned #arguing #mild injury #enemies to friends to lovers #second chances #developing crushes #respect #language of flowers #bouquet #mild angst

[thetypewriterdaily]

it’s safe to let love in ♥️🚪✨

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#journaling #art journal #journal #poems #poetry #mental health #quotes #words #spilled ink #healing #second chances #mine #creative journaling #creativer writing

[creatingnikki]

This time I'll fill my apartment with furniture and books and wine glasses. I'll buy fresh flowers weekly and cook only breakfast and on the weekends. I'll go for walks and wake up and mediate in the am. I'll put on soft music after lunch and nap. I'll buy that ice sphere mold for my iced coffee and marble coasters and a full length mirror. I'll lie on the floor and have the sun shine on me. I'll lie on my stomach and read and annotate books for new friends. This time when my friend comes down to the city, I'll invite her over. I'll cook her a home cooked meal the way she did for me in a city I was struggling to feel at home. This time I will not deny myself of basic necessities and even luxuries because why else do I subscribe to the nine to five rat race but to also benefit from capitalism. In whatever marginal way I can. This time I will buy an oven and go to the cake materials store and buy everything I need to make cakes and brownies and bread. I will allow myself to fail at the first and second and even third attempt. This time I will have a bed and a bedside table. This time I will make nooks and corners. This time I will buy a rug. This time I will decide to stay. This time I will not fear uncertainty. This time I will make a writing space for myself. I will fix my typewriter. I will go for ukulele lessons. I will find a pool and a park and a pizza place. I will step out. This time I will rely on myself while building a support circle to also reach out to. This time I will not cry alone. This time I will not make love with my misery. I will not marinate in my intrusive thoughts. This time I will allow home to hold space for me. For those I love. For those I want to get to know. This time I will make it mine.

#notes to self #writerscreed #poeticstories #poetryportal #abstractcommunity #writers on tumblr #poets on tumblr #adulting #living alone #future house #home #hopeful #hope #spilled ink #second chances #self improvement #self growth #creatingnikki

[hairmetal666]

Steddie She's All That au????

Steve pulls up to the Munson's trailer, a secondhand acoustic across the backseat. Can't believe he's here; that he's actually doing this. He shouldn't. Absolutely should not; knows he let his still-simmering animosity with Billy Hargrove push him to this, to trying to date Eddie Munson, to proving that he's still popular enough to win prom king with the Freak on his arm.

Munson doesn't deserve it, is the thing. For all his weirdness, his off-putting behavior, Steve thinks he might be nice. Or kind, maybe? Steve's noticed how he gathers the freshman who have no one else, gives them understanding, a place to belong. And those kids, they remind him of Dustin, Will, Mike, Lucas, and he can't help but feel something warm towards the Freak, some kind of kinship.

He puts the car in reverse, can't go through with pretending to like this guy who did nothing wrong but be too much himself.

Before he gets his foot on the gas a head pokes out the front door.

"You came," Eddie shouts.

"Said I was." Steve surrenders to his fate and puts the car in park. Eddie watches him as he grabs the guitar case, hauls it up the stairs, only moving to step out of the way.

Steve's eyes scan the living room and kitchen, something in his chest loosening as he does. There are mugs and hats covering the walls, a worn sofa, clutter on every surface. It's home in a way Steve has never experienced. He loves it.

"Alright, let it out, Harrington. I'm poor, etc."

"No!" Steve startles; hadn't realized he'd been staring so obviously. "I like it."

Eddie makes a face, but offers him a beer and guides him to sit on the couch.

"How much do you know?" Eddie asks without preamble.

He strums a couple of notes, things he picked up at summer camp ages ago. Munson nods. "Better than I expected."

Eddie runs through notes and chords, helps Steve get his fingering right. He's patient, almost kind, and he laughs softly as he gently corrects Steve's mistakes.

And Steve's fingers, they won't behave, keep slipping off the strings. Eddie arranges himself to drape around his shoulders, fits their hands together. He's warm, fingers long and callused, his rings slightly colder than Steve's skin.

"Like this, Harrington." And he and Steve strum in tandem, and Steve is caught by the light glinting in his curls, the softness of his dark brown eyes, the fullness of his pink lips. He wonders how soft they are, what they taste like, if Eddie would cling to him or take control.

"You with me, Steve?" Eddie asks, shocking him back to the present.

"Yeah, yes, right here. Sorry." He throws himself into learning, but can't stop stealing little looks at the man teaching him.

And Steve, he knows it's not a bet anymore. He'll tell Hagan and Hargrove he's out, take whatever shit they give him, and Eddie never has to know.

---

A month in, Steve walks into the trailer and sees those little figurines, like the kids have for their game, scattered on the coffee table; sheets of paper with scrawled writing and doodles lining the floor; one of those weird manual things that Dustin always lugs around sitting open on the couch.

"Fuck, Stevie, I'm sorry. Lost track of time." Eddie's face turns pink as he gathers the looseleaf and slams the book closed.

"You play that dragon game?" He asks. He picks up one of the figures, studies the meticulous paint. It does something weird to his heart.

"What did you think Hellfire--Wait." Eddie pauses. "Why do you--Steve Harrington--know about dnd?"

"The kids I babysit play."

Eddie stares at him openmouthed. "Shit, sweetheart. You've been holding out on me. You ever join them?"

"Nah. To tell you the truth, they're pretty intimidating about it."

Eddie laughs, drawing Steve's eyes to his slender neck. "You scared of children, Stevie?"

"You haven't met them, man. They're terrifying."

"You know," Eddie's eyelashes flicker. "I run a campaign with Hellfire after school every Friday. You could--if you wanted--you could come. You're probably busy, I know, but if you find some free time and you wan--

"Eddie!" Steve laughs. "I wouldn't miss it."

"Really?"

"Promise."

---

He shows up that first Friday to some mixed reactions from most of the Hellfire members, and Eddie's shy, pleased smile. They make eye contact and Steve's stomach swoops.

"You came," Eddie says when they get a second alone.

"I told you I would." Steve laughs.

"C'mon, you're going to tell me this isn't a hopelessly lame way for King Steve to spend a Friday night?"

"Maybe." Steve nudges Eddie's chest. "And maybe I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Steve watches them play and is transfixed. He's never seen Eddie totally in his element. His voice goes deep and rumbly, doing accents, shouting, jumping around, banging on the table. Steve can't pull his eyes away, doesn't want to, can't stop smiling.

"What'd you think?" Eddie asks when the session is over and they're alone. His hands shuffle through his notebook, eyes fixed firmly on the table.

Steve grabs his wrists, soft, careful. "Amazing, Eddie," he says. "You were amazing."

"Really?" Eddie's throat bobs. He finally looks up, meets Steve's eyes.

"Never seen anything like you." His eyes drift to Eddie's mouth. The space between them shrinks.

"Eddie?"

"Yeah?" his voice waivers.

"Can I kiss you?"

He thinks Eddie might pull away, freeze up, but instead his eyelashes flutter, his lips shaping into a gentle smile. "I'd be disappointed if you didn't."

Steve laughs, slips his fingers through Eddie's hair, closes the distance between them. It starts sweet and soft, until Eddie's tongue brushes his bottom lip and Steve opens for him, lets him take control, as easy as anything. For the first time, he lets someone else lead, sinks into it, into Eddie. It's perfect.

---

Prom court nominations come out with Steve number one on the ballot for king. The other nominees are Billy, Tommy, and some weirdo religious zealot junior Steve barely knows, Jason Carver.

He doesn't think much of it, having slipped so easily into a version of himself that sits at the Hellfire table at lunch, spends evenings at the Munson trailer and nights in Eddie's bed. Sure, he catches Hargrove glaring at him throughout the day, but pays it no mind. Billy Hargrove's always pissed about something, anyway.

So, he's unprepared when Hargrove and Hagan corner him that afternoon as he's waiting for Eddie to finish up a deal. There's a kick in his stomach, a swirl of nausea, at their presence. He didn't ever tell Eddie about the bet, figured it didn't matter since they were together, since they both started falling.

"Think you're hot shit, Harrington?" Hargrove asks. Hagan laughs like he's never heard a real joke before.

"I'm out," he says in way of answer. "Bet's over."

"Stevie-Boy, I don't think you understand," Hagan says.

"Nah, I'm not doing it." Worry prickles at his scalp. Eddie will be done soon, and he needs Billy and Tommy gone.

Hargrove pinches Steve's chin in his grip. "We made a bet, and you're seeing it through."

"Hey, hey, hey," the last voice Steve wants to hear right now shouts. "What the fuck is going on here? Get the fuck off him, Hargrove."

Billy's wrenched away, but he's laughing, and Steve is frozen at the train wreck unfolding in front of him.

"Harrington tell you about the bet?" Billy asks.

"Bet?" Eddie's nose wrinkles in the cute way Steve loves and he's terrified of what comes next.

"Uh-huh. Hagan and I bet Harrington here that he couldn't date the biggest dud in school and still wind up prom king. Little did we know, I guess."

Steve watches as the words hit Eddie, as he processes them, as his face falls. His gut twists as he watches his boyfriend go tense.

"What?" Eddie's eyes widen with panic.

Tommy's face contorts into a cruel smile."You didn't think Harrington was actually into you, did you?"

Eddie doesn't respond, won't look at any of them, draws into himself.

Hargrove snickers. "That's what I thought. Have a good night." He gives them a pageant queen wave as he walks away.

Steve's crosses to Eddie as soon as the other two are gone, but Eddie flinches, stopping him in his tracks.

"Was I bet, Steve?" He asks. His voice cracks.

"It wasn't like that, Ed, I swear. I swear." He grabs Eddie's shoulders, and again, he's pushed away.

"You didn't answer the question."

"It was real for me," Steve babbles. "It was all real for me. I promise."

"Answer me!" Tears limn his eyes. "Was I a bet?"

"It wasn't like--"

"Was I a fucking bet?" He yells and Steve can't take it. Can't take the hurt all over Eddie's face, the betrayal. Wants to erase it, to make everything okay, to get back to where they were last night, wrapped in Eddie's bedsheets, giggling.

"It started as a bet, okay? It did. I messed up by not telling you. I know I did. But I like you so much. I--I--" Steve loves him. He knows without any doubt, but he can't say it not now, not for this.

"Fuck you, Harrington," Eddie says. His voice is even but his face is a wreck.

"Please, Eddie." Steve begs. "Please. Give me a chance to explain. You're everything."

Eddie doesn't respond. He climbs into his van, drives away without a second glance.

---

He tries to apologize.

He tries to apologize, but Eddie isn't at school, not at first, and the death glare he gets from the Hellfire guys lets him know he's no longer welcome. When Eddie does come back he won't so much as look at Steve.

He goes to the trailer park where Wayne--Wayne who he watched sports with, Wayne who liked him--stands on the steps and says, "I don't think you have any business here anymore, kid. Not if you know what's good for you." And Steve nods and goes home and cries.

---

Steve stands on the stairs of the Munson trailer in his tux with a bouquet of flowers that are so purple they're almost black and a self-recorded tape in his hands. Prom is tonight but he has no interest in going to the dance that started all this bullshit.

Music pounds from inside; Judas Priest, he thinks. Eddie's van is in the driveway and Wayne's car is not.

The music quiets at his knock, and his heart pounds in the silence. Eddie frowns when he opens the door, but it morphs into something infinitely sadder when he sees Steve.

"Aren't you supposed to be at a dance?" Eddie asks.

"No, I--I didn't want to go. I wanted to say--Eddie, I'm sorry. I should've told you the truth from the beginning. I was afraid of losing you, and you learned the truth in the worst possible way."

Eddie doesn't speak or move, so Steve barrels on.

"I--uh--I ordered these for you. Before we broke up. And I just thought--you should still have them. That you would like them."

Eddie takes the flowers like he's in a daze.

"And uh, this too," Steve places the cassette in Eddie's hand. "It's um, stupid, probably? But I miss you and I'm sorry and just--take it."

---

Steve's been at the quarry for two hours, staring up at the stars from the hood of his car. He should go, probably. Eddie clearly isn't going to show. But he can't make himself. If he stays here, looking at the sky, losing Eddie won't be real.

He's dozing off, almost asleep, when the shine of headlights has him blinking alert. A familiar van trundles to a stop next to him, and Eddie climbs out. He's wearing a snug black button-down with a deep purple rose pinned to his chest, tight black jeans, and shining black boots.

"You came." Steve scrambles off his car, graceless in his relief, his gratitude.

Eddie nods. "Wasn't sure if I should but--" he shrugs.

"I'm glad you did. Thank you. I--" he swallows. "Eddie, I'm so sorry. I'll do anything, anything if it means you'll forgive me."

"Anything?" Eddie's mouth turns up at the corner.

Steve nods, firm. "I promise."

"You learned 'Rainbow in the Dark' for me."

"I did."

"That's a really hard song." Eddie smiles but tears track down his cheeks.

Steve laughs. "It's so hard."

Somehow, without Steve noticing, their fingers are entwined. Eddie lifts their joined hands, studying them. "Oh, baby, your calluses."

"Yeah." Steve blushes. "It was important I got it right."

Eddie's mouth drops as he stares, studying Steve's eyes.

"I know it took you a lot to trust me," Steve says. "And I know I broke that, but please, please try to believe me when I say that it was real for me. From the beginning. It was all real."

Eddie clears his throat. "When did you know?"

Steve's smile is soft. "That first guitar lesson. You arranged my fingers and you just--you were so beautiful."

"Oh," Eddie breathes.

"I was an idiot, Ed. I fell in love with you, and thought I could back out of the bet, that you never had to know. I never meant to hurt you."

"Wait...love me?"

Steve freezes. He hadn't meant to say that, not yet, not when things are so tenuous. "Yeah. I--yeah, I love you, Eddie."

"That's funny, sweetheart. Cause I love you too, and four hours ago I thought falling for you was the worst mistake I've ever made."

Steve's smile matches Eddie's now. "Dance with me?" he asks.

There's no music; just the whirr of early spring insects, the rustle of leaves, but Eddie still smirks, and pulls Steve close. They sway against each other, beaming, glowing, brighter than the stars.

"You're missing your prom, Stevie," Eddie says.

"Nah. I'm not missing anything. I have you."

#steddie #steve x eddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #ficlet #oneshot #she's all that au #angst #angst with a happy ending #mutual pining #fake relationship #fake dating #bet #prom king steve harrington #eddie gives steve guitar lessons #falling in love #first kiss #breakup #getting back together #second chances #steve is an idiot #billy and tommy are assholes #i wrote this because I couldn't stop thinking of Eddie saying “am I bet? Am I bet? Am I fucking bet???”

[zephyra-in-the-house]

Happy Angst Day 🎉

"Everyone has their breaking point."

"I just never expected His"

"To be the Death of Me."

Hehehehe 🤭

#lego monkie kid #second chances #shadowpeach #lego macaque #lego sun wukong #fanfic #lmk macaque #lmk sun wukong

[theafterglow83]

“…And I lost you

The one I was dancin' with

In New York, no shoes

Looked up at the sky and it was maroon…”

#Taylor Swift : you can’t sing those words without closing your eyes and choking up - it means you’re not over her and you never will be.

So pick up your damn phone…text, call, FaceTime -send flowers and your plane - do what you gotta do and figure out how to get a second chance.

Show up at her party, James.

Put up a fight for what you love

#karlie kloss #kaylor #taylor swift #do over #second chances

[artofalassa]

Arguments

Some things need to be said aka Zack vents. 

To make things perfectly clear - I LOVE Tifa and I think she works really well with Cloud, but this is a ZC story and I just want to pay her respects by not excluding her. <3

#zakkura #clack #zack fair #cloud strife #ffviicc #ffviir #final fantasy 7 #final fantasy vii #tifa lockhart #zack lives au #second chances #las!art

[temptingfatetakingnames]

The Wings and the Roots Part 1

1992 Hawkins

The air was hot in the squad car and Steve just wanted the day to be over. He was idling back from the road on the edge of Hawkins in a place where young drivers and out-of-towners liked to test the speed limit. The windows were down but the breeze did nothing to alleviate the heat. He glanced at his watch and groaned. Time always seemed to move slower in the summer. He only had another half hour left of his patrol, but the minutes were dragging by, and he was sweating in the stifling heat. All of his thoughts were focused on the cold beer that was waiting for him in his fridge.

“That was Alive by Pearl Jam,” the radio DJ announced. “Next on the lineup is Blood Runs by Corroded Coff-”

Steve quickly changed the station as a car sped past him in a red blur. He threw on his lights and pulled out of his hiding spot in pursuit. The car noticed him quickly and signaled that it was going to pull over to the side of the road. Steve slowed down behind it and parked. It wasn’t a car he recognized so probably someone from out of town trying to drive through Hawkins as quickly as possible. Steve couldn’t blame them. Didn’t mean they were getting out of the ticket though.

He grabbed his notebook and pushed his sunglasses into his hair as he got out of his car. He sauntered up to the rolled down window of the vehicle he had pulled over and was greeted with the wildly grinning face of Eddie Munson. The grin quickly faded as recognition sparked in his eyes.

“Har - Harrington!” Eddie stuttered. Steve was briefly pleased by the shocked look on Eddie’s face, but following that pleasure was an emotion he did not know how to describe other than it felt like something was curdling in his stomach. Eddie looked good, his curly hair wild and framing his face. A hint of black eye-liner smudged around his dark eyes. His arm rested on the window of his car, showing off a beautiful sleeve of tattoos. The opposite of Steve in every noticeable way.

“Munson,” Steve acknowledged outwardly calm. Internally his brain was screaming at him that it was EddieEddieEddieEddie. “It’s been a long time. What brings you back to Hawkins?” The only way Steve was going to get through this interaction without having a nervous breakdown was to pretend that Eddie was an old acquaintance. An old friend from his past just passing through town.

“Yeah, it has,” Eddie replied, “I’m visiting my uncle for a couple weeks.”

“You were driving really fast there but I suppose I can let it go for the Rockstar that put Hawkins on the map.”

Eddie blinked sheepishly up at him. “Thanks man, but you don’t have to do that. I’ve never felt like a Rockstar when I’m in Hawkins.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but Steve needed to end this as quickly as possible.

Steve shrugged. “It was good to see you. Say hi to Wayne for me.” He turned and started walking back to his car. “And slow down!”

He watched as Eddie drove away and swore to himself that this time, he would be fine. He didn’t care about Eddie Munson. He hoped that if he kept telling himself that he didn’t care, one day it would be true.

---

Eddie’s heart was still beating quickly when he pulled into his uncle’s driveway. He sat for a moment trying to collect himself. Seeing Steve again truly rattled him. He was as beautiful as ever. And that uniform… it suited him. Eddie needed to calm down. He slapped his cheeks and grabbed his bag from the passenger seat. The house he had bought for Wayne was a small bungalow on the outskirts of Hawkins. He could have afforded to get him something nicer, but Wayne was stubborn and getting him to accept this house had taken a lot of convincing. Something grander would have been refused outright.

As he approached the door was flung open, and Wayne grabbed him in a tight embrace.

“M’boy,” Wayne mumbled into his shoulder.

Eddie gripped the man back just as tight. It had been too long since he had been back. Hawkins had forgotten that they had accused him of running a murder cult when he got famous, but Eddie would never forgive. He tried to visit as little as possible. But he wanted to spend time with Wayne now that his tour was over and the man refused to come to L.A.

“Heya pops,” Eddie smiled. “How have you been?” They held each other in the doorway for a long moment before Wayne pulled him inside.

“Good.” Wayne grabbed Eddie’s bag and led him further into the house. He dropped it onto the kitchen table and grabbed a couple of beers from the fridge. Popping the tops, he handed one to Eddie and took a long sip of his own. “Come sit and tell me how things are going in L.A.”

Eddie sat and told him about the sold-out tour he and the band had just finished. They had played in twenty cities across the States and had just signed a contract for another album that he would get started on as soon as he was back. The years had been good for Eddie; he was living his dream. Playing his music to the masses, hopefully giving the outcasts of the world something that made them feel not so alone. Someone to look up to that was like them. His hands were flying as he spoke, and he probably had a manic grin on his face, but Wayne just sat and listened, nodding along to everything Eddie said.

“I ran into Harrington on the way here. Well, he ran into me. Pulled me over just outside Hawkins, didn’t even see the cop car!” Eddie said. “He wanted me to say hi for him. Do you see him often? How long has he been a cop?” He tried to be nonchalant, but he usually avoided talking about Steve with his uncle.

“Steve comes over every now and then. He cooks, and we watch the game and have a few drinks. Been a cop for a few years now.” Eddie was absolutely gob smacked by this information. Why would Steve spend time with his uncle? What did they even talk about? Him? Probably not him. Maybe him? Definitely not him. Why hadn’t Wayne told him?

“Why!?” Eddie shrieked.

Wayne gave him a long dry look. “We spent weeks together at the hospital when you were in a coma. Boy never left your side. We got to talkin’ a little, he was scared shitless of me at first. But I could tell he cared about you. Gotta say, didn’t expect a Harrington could be such a good man. He keeps up with you, ya know?”

Eddie did not know. He did not know any of that. After how they had left things, he wouldn’t have expected Steve to stay in touch with Wayne or keep up with Eddie’s career. Knowing that Steve asked about him softened Eddie’s heart, but guilt quickly swamped the warm feeling. Wayne could see the conflicting emotions on Eddie’s face. He had never been able to hide how he felt.

“Why didn’t you tell me you saw him so often?” Eddie asked.

“Didn’t seem like ya wanted to hear about him,” his uncle replied. “You should talk to him.”

Eddie immediately began shaking his head. He had run six years ago, and even if some things were different now, Eddie was still – and always would be – a coward. He had his reasons for leaving Hawkins like he did, and Steve Goddamn Harrington was one of them. Being accused of running a satanic murder cult was another but who was counting? What the hell would he even say to Steve? That he was sorry? That he missed him? That he thought about him so often it made his heart ache? No. There was no talking to Steve.

“It’s been long enough. He asks about you every time I see him even though it always looks like it hurts him to do it. Eddie… You didn’t see him when you left. You should tell him what really happened.”

Eddie never wanted Steve to know what really happened the last night he was in Hawkins. He didn’t want any of them to know. It was bad enough that his uncle saw him in the aftermath. It still shamed him to think about it, and the last thing he wanted was more pity.

“He’s not going to want to talk to me, Wayne.”

“How do you know? It’s not too late to be friends, especially after what you went through together.”

Eddie couldn’t meet his uncle’s eyes. Friends. He didn’t think it would be possible. Pining after Steve Harrington has been one of the only constant things in Eddie’s life and it had always worked better from a distance. He had learned that lesson the hard way.

“I’ll think about it,” Eddie said.

---

Eddie Munson was everywhere. Steve ran into him at the grocery store, saw him cruising the streets in his fancy car, watched baristas flirt with him when trying to get a coffee. Steve was losing. His. Mind. Eddie had visited a few times since leaving, but by fate or design they had always managed to avoid each other. This felt like the universe purposefully messing with him, throwing the man in his path as often as possible. Steve always gave him a polite nod and then continued on his way as fast as possible. Eddie always had this earnest look on his face like he wanted to talk but Steve resolutely refused to give him a chance to.

Steve was sitting in his squad car outside the coffee shop, slowly taking sips and trying to wake up when Blood Runs started playing on the radio. It was one of Corroded Coffins’ most popular songs and played on most stations. Steve usually changed it when it came on but he felt like punishing himself a little today so he listened.

I broke my own heart Like branches off a tree Made wings out of the debris And flew so fast and far My blood has always wanted to run You were collateral damage Didn’t know how to make you mine Instead you stayed right there Looking so pretty with roots in your hair

That was enough for him…There was only so much of Eddie’s raspy voice caressing his ears that Steve could take. He turned off the radio and sat in the silent heat for a moment. Steve had always been somewhat vain and over-confident, even if he considered himself a better person now. But he wasn’t being boastful when he thought about Blood Runs being about him and Eddie. Most of Corroded Coffin’s songs were subtler, but some weren’t even trying to be about anything other than Steve. The kids brought it up often enough, always trying to coax the story of what happened out of him. He tried very hard not to think about it; The uncertainty of his feelings, the confused longing, the endless flirting. And then the kiss - Nope. Steve started his car and pulled away from the curb. Hopefully he could find some kind of public disturbance to take his mind of Eddie Munson

Unfortunately, Hawkins refused to cooperate. It was a peaceful and beautiful day. Which was usually a good thing, but today it just made Steve angry. Having Eddie in town changed something in the air, brought a tension that he wasn’t used to feeling anymore. Hawkins was safe, predictable… At least it had been for the last few years. Steve made sure of it. After hours of slowly driving through town with nothing happening to occupy his thoughts, Steve found himself unconsciously heading to Sattler Quarry.

It wasn’t a place he visited often anymore. When he was younger it was a good place to think, and he had a lot of thinking to do back then. Realizing that he wasn’t a good person in high school had been a tough pill to swallow. Between The Upside Down and his friendship with Dustin and Robin and Max, Steve had finally grown the fuck up. He liked to think that he had made up for ‘King Steve’ in some ways. He had helped to save the world after all. But another part of him felt like he still had something to make up for. That the weight of his past mistakes would hang over him forever.

He parked his car in the shade and started walking towards the stone outcrop that overlooked the water. Flies buzzed around his head and cicadas screamed in the trees and the sun played peek-a-boo through the canopy. Steve let his mind drift as he walked, tried not to think about Eddie. Couldn’t help but think about Eddie – just another person to regret. Another missed opportunity caused by Steve’s bullshit. He sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face and threw his hair.

By the time he emerged through the trees he had worked up quite a sweat. The sun shone on the water and a nice breeze lifted his hair and cooled his skin. It was perfect and beautiful, and it made Steve want to scream. So, he did. Loudly. His throat was hoarse by the time he was done. But he felt better. With that out of his system, he decided to head back to the office to catch up on some paperwork. He usually put it off as long as he could, but figured it was something he could get finished today. Something that would keep his mind busy. He looked at the water and breathed calmly for a few minutes before turning back. Eddie would be gone soon, and everything would go back to normal.

---

Steve Harrington was everywhere! Eddie watched cashiers flirt with him at the grocery store, saw him patrolling the streets in his squad car, ran into him sleepily grabbing coffee in the mornings. Eddie was losing his mind! Steve still had no business looking that good in a police uniform. Eddie hated the police! As Steve left the coffee shop with a brief nod to Eddie, he tried and failed not to stare at his ass. God, those pants hugged him in all the right places. Thank you, Hawkins P.D. Lyrics suddenly popped into Eddie’s mind.

It doesn’t always Have to be a fight But you’re just a Big Boy Swinging a bigger bat How dare you leave Looking like that?

Oh, that was good. With some tweaking, it could make a good chorus to a song. Eddie needed a napkin. Oh Stevie, my muse! Wouldn’t be the first time Eddie had written about Steve, wouldn’t be the last either. It wouldn’t be a very subtle song; Steve would know it was about him. A Big Boy swinging a bat was the most obvious reference to the man Eddie could make. Fuck it. Subtlety had never been his strength. 

“Eddie!” yelled the barista. He turned quickly, his cheeks feeling warm and red. “Here’s your coffee.”

She smiled and held out the cup. When he went to grab it, she held on a little longer than necessary, smiling at Eddie and blushing. She had been flirting with him since he got to town. Eddie had come out publicly when he first started to get noticed. He refused to hide who he was anymore and being a famous queer metal-head who was once accused of satanic murder just helped his growing fame and notoriety. Women still flirted with him, and he usually flirted harmlessly back but he didn’t want to give anyone in Hawkins ideas.

“Thanks! Could I get a napkin?” he asked the barista as he started patting the pockets on his vest. He usually kept a pen on him. You never knew when inspiration would strike. And inspiration struck often with Steve Harrington around.

She handed him a napkin and he grabbed it quickly and started scribbling on the counter. She tried to peak but even if she could read upside down there was no way she could decipher Eddie’s chicken scratch handwriting. When he was done, he shoved the napkin into his back pocket and ran out of the café with a “see ya,” thrown behind him.

He was meeting up with Dustin and didn’t want to be late. He was back from school for the summer and the timing worked out perfectly for a visit. They didn’t talk often but stayed in touch as often as their busy lives allowed. Eddie finished his coffee as he drove to the Henderson’s.

When he slipped out of the car the door was already open and the stout fuzzy haired young man flung himself down the stairs and grabbed Eddie in a crushing hug.

“Eddie!” Dustin beamed up at him and Eddie grinned back. God, he missed him.

“Henderson!”

They held on to each other tightly. Dustin was still shorter than Eddie so he had his face tucked into his shoulder. He didn’t speak, there would be time for that. He just wanted to enjoy the feeling of hugging Dustin; alive and happy and here. There was a unique bond that would always tie them together and he was forever grateful to have Dustin in his life.

Family had always been a difficult thing for Eddie. Being disowned by his parents early in his life had scarred him to the idea of unconditional love for a long time. He knew Wayne loved him but it had taken them a while to be comfortable with each other and openly showing affection was still pretty new. Dustin was a revelation of what family could be – easy affection, complete understanding, fierce protectiveness. Eddie loved him.

He didn’t want the hug to end, but they slowly pulled away from each other.

“Let’s go for a walk, my mom is driving me insane,” Dustin said as he started dragging Eddie down the street.

“How are things at school?” Eddie asked.

“Amazing! I really enjoy my classes and it’s a great feeling to be challenged. Still giving my teachers a hard time though. This one professor was giving a lecture on astrophysics and gave the wrong data for one of the calculations we were supposed to be doing. When I questioned him, he said he would have to look it up. Next class he started by saying I had been right!”

Eddie laughed and shook his head. “Don’t ever change, Henderson.” Dustin smiled.

“How about you? How was the tour?”

Eddie took a deep breath. “So good. Super exhausting and living on a bus with the guys was interesting but the music and the crowds - nothing like it, man! You feel like a God up there, with thousands of people screaming your own words back at you.”

“I’m still bummed I couldn’t make it to the Boston show. Next time I’ll be there, exams be damned!” 

The conversation continued as they walked. Dustin mentioned a new DnD campaign his school friends had started. Eddie missed the game, didn’t have time for the care and detail he put into his own campaigns and wasn’t interested in being a player at the moment. They talked about books and movies, catching up on the little details of each other’s lives that they had missed. 

“I was talking to Steve the other day and – oh, sorry.” Dustin cut himself off.

“It’s fine, I’ve actually been running into him a bunch.”

“Have you talked to him?”

Eddie sighed.

“Not really… We mostly just nod that we acknowledge each other’s existence. I’ve tried to start a conversation a couple of times, but he always runs out. He doesn’t want to talk to me.”

“Steve doesn’t hold grudges, Eddie. He’s still good friends with Nancy and Jonathan, right? I don’t know what happened because you won’t talk about it, but it can’t be that bad. And besides, he knows what it’s like to regret past mistakes,” Dustin said earnestly, “just talk to him.”

Eddie blew raspberries and then bit his lip.

“Alright, alright! I’ll talk to him tomorrow just to get you and Wayne off my back. And when he resoundingly refuses my offer of friendship I can say I told you so and we can go back to nodding politely at each other for the rest of our lives!”

“When will you learn that I’m always right?” Dustin grinned as Eddie wacked his arm.

--

After another long day of patrolling the quiet and uneventful streets of Hawkins, Steve was finally home for the night. He was about to crash on the couch when someone knocked on his door. Sighing, he went to answer it. He was shocked to find Eddie standing outside, arm raised as if to knock again. He looked as good as he had the day before. Curly hair framing his face, a faded band T-shirt and ripped black jeans on even in the heat. It hurt to look at him, standing in the sunshine as if years hadn’t passed and they weren’t practically strangers now. Steve plastered a smile onto his face, knowing it probably looked off but not knowing what else to do.

“Munson? What are you doing here?” Steve asked.

Eddie glanced around nervously, bouncing a little on his feet. “Hey Harrington. Can I come in?”

After a moment of hesitation Steve stepped aside and gestured for Eddie to enter. He led him into the kitchen and nodded for him to take a seat at the table. Eddie was too busy looking around the room to notice. Steve tried to see it through his eyes, it was nothing like the Harrington residence he grew up in. He refused to live in a museum; this was his home. The fridge was covered in photos and letters from his family. The walls full to bursting with framed pictures and smiling faces. Beside the fridge was a corkboard with newspaper clippings and articles cut out and pinned up. Eddie gravitated toward it.

“Accomplishments,” Steve said. “There’s an article about Nancy winning an award for her journalism. She won it the year after she graduated. A local newspaper wrote a story on Will’s art exhibit. You’re up there of course.” Steve reached up and moved a clipping out of the way showing a school paper with Henderson’s name in the corner and giant red B.

“This one’s my favourite I think,” Steve pointed to it with a smile. “This was Dustin’s first and only paper to ever receive anything other than an A at MIT. Whenever he’s over he puts someone else’s article on top of it.”

“Kid always needed something to check his ego!” Eddie laughed.

He continued to stare at the board, a look of almost wonder on his face that made Steve’s stomach flip. There was more, so much more. A Hawkins Post article about Hopper coming back from the dead. A newer one with Hopper shaking Steve’s hand. A university paper showcasing Lucas’s game winning shot. And Eddie and Corroded Coffin were everywhere. Steve almost felt embarrassed, but Eddie belonged up there with everyone else that he cared about; with everyone that survived and went on to live such big and beautiful lives.

Steve cleared his throat. “So, why are you here?” Steve asked just as the phone rang. Eddie shook his hands at Steve in a ‘go for it’ gesture.

Steve walked to the phone and answered, “Steve speaking.”

“Steve!” Max screamed into his ear.

“Hey, sweetheart.” Steve smiled. “You coming soon?”

“Yup! One more paper to finish and I’ll be back for the summer. Thought I could wrap it up quick but it’s more difficult than I thought it would be.”

“Take your time. Dustin’s the only one whose made it back so far. You’re good though? Getting enough sleep?” Steve could feel her rolling her eyes at him. They both still had nightmares, but Max would only call him when a particularly bad one hit.

“Yes, Mom! I can take care of myself, go babysit someone else!” Brat.

Steve laughed. “Love ya, kiddo.”

“Yeah, yeah, bye Steve!” Hanging up the phone, Steve turned back to Eddie.

“Max.” Steve explained.

“How is she?” He asked.

“She’s great.” Steve smiled. “She’s at school in Indianapolis. I’m glad she stayed close. She was going to come home this weekend but has a paper she needs to finish first.” He shrugged.

“Home? She lives with you?” Eddie asked.

Steve’s smile got bigger. “Yeah. She’s uh – well she’s my daughter, sort of? Adopted her a few months after Vecna. Her mom couldn’t do all the doctor visits and physiotherapy and the wheelchair really didn’t work in the trailer park. Gave me custody and then took off.”

Steve thought back to how Max was when she first got out of the hospital. Broken arms and broken legs, barely able to see. Her mom wholly unequipped to deal with the trauma and the healing that still had to take place. All Steve wanted to do was help. He started driving Max to her appointments, trying to coax her out of the quiet stupor she had fallen into. She was so strong. But she needed someone to be soft with, and Steve didn’t know why she chose him, but she did. She never let the others see how much she was hurting, but she showed him.

Maybe because they were so similar. They had parents that didn’t act like parents. They grew up too fast and had to learn to take care of themselves. It was difficult for Steve to let others take care of him, too. Max letting him in, being vulnerable with him helped him to be vulnerable back. It helped him to let Joyce and Hopper in. Made him realize that he didn’t always have to be useful to be wanted. To be loved.

When Susan had pulled Steve aside and told him that she was leaving, Steve did the only thing that made sense. He told Max that he could just be her legal guardian for the next few years until she was old enough to be on her own. But in a moment that would probably live in Steve’s mind as the best day of his life, Max had told him she wanted him to be her Dad. It was the one and only time she had called him that, but it didn’t matter because Steve knew how she felt. Brat still called him Mom in that annoyed but fond tone when he did anything to show how much he cared about her, but Steve would take what he could get.

Eddie was looking at him softly. “You seem really happy, Steve.”

Happy… Steve was happy. The happiest he had ever been. He had a beautiful family that loved him and a job that he actually gave a shit about it. But there was something missing. Something that had been missing for years despite his best efforts to find it again. The realization made him a little angry. Because the reason for this missing piece was standing in his kitchen looking at him with beautiful soft eyes like he cared.

“Why are you here, Eddie?”

Now that the moment had come Eddie looked nervous, his fingers tapping his sides and his feet bouncing with energy. He opened and closed his mouth a few times seemingly trying to find a place to start. He pulled his hair in front of his face.

“I was hoping we could talk?” Eddie coughed.

“Talk? Now you wanna talk?”

Eddie winced. “Har – Steve. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for how I left. Running has always been my go-to move. The one and only time I didn’t I got swarmed by Demobats and almost died!” Eddie said, trying for a bit of humour. Steve didn’t laugh, just looked at Eddie, waiting.

“86 was supposed to be my year. I was going to graduate and get the hell out of Hawkins and do something with my life. Then Chrissy died in my trailer, and I was thrust into the Upside Down and I learned that monsters are real. When I went to distract the Demobats away from Dustin, I - I didn’t really expect to survive it. But I did, and I didn’t know what to do with that. I didn’t graduate, couldn’t find a job and despite what Hopper did, Hawkins wouldn’t let me forget what they thought of me, and I could never forget what they thought of me either.”

Eddie started pacing back and forth across the kitchen, running his hands through his hair. “I couldn’t just go back to how things were. I didn’t know how. And with how we left things, I didn’t think you would care. I just thought it would be best for everyone if I started over somewhere else. Clean slate.” Eddie said.

“Jesus Eddie, it wasn’t just that you left. I do understand why Hawkins wasn’t going to work for you anymore. It’s how you left, without a word. Without talking to me," Steve said and took a breath. "Without letting me explain.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t think I could hurt you. After I kissed you and you-”

“Don’t. Please.” Steve cut him off, he couldn’t let Eddie say it.

“I really thought you liked me,” Eddie said with naked vulnerability on his face.

“I did,” Steve said without hesitation, “like you.”

At the time, he was still figuring things out and he had reacted badly when Eddie kissed him. He could admit now that what he had felt for Eddie then was so much more than just liking him. He had longed for him, wanted him, needed him. No one saw Steve the way Eddie had. It had been good and beautiful and fragile… And Steve ruined it like an ignorant child who didn’t know what he had been given. But then Eddie had gone and ruined it worse.

Eddie was looking at him in shock, eyes wide.

“You did? But…”

“I was scared, Eddie. I needed time. I went to the trailer park the next day and Wayne said you had left and weren’t coming back. That you didn’t want to see or hear from me. From any of us.”

Eddie winced. Opened his mouth to speak. Closed it. Shook his head. They had both made mistakes and he couldn’t deny that as hard as it was having Eddie around, Steve wanted to see him. He wanted them to be able to talk like they used to. He missed him.

“I’m sorry, too. I wasn’t ready and I – I didn’t know what to do… So I panicked and I hurt you. I’m so sorry, Eddie.”

Eddie was looking at him, eyes full of remorse or regret and Steve couldn’t take it anymore. He walked up to the other man, hesitated a little, and grabbed him in an embrace. Eddie stiffened briefly before collapsing into Steve’s arms.

“So, where does this leave us?” Steve asked into the mess of Eddie’s hair that was tickling his face.

“I’d like to be friends, if you think…” Eddie trailed off and pulled himself away from Steve so he could look at his face.

“Friends." Steve nodded. “Friends sounds good.”

Part 2

#steddie #stranger things #steve harrington #steve x eddie #eddie munson #second chances #rockstar eddie munson