#she’s just flat out MEAN to one of the guys in our group- he thinks she hates him and he’s a genuinely kind guy | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

princess-of-the-corner · 28 days

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Amnesia!Dabi

Once again, the ask has forsaken me- (Edit:and then this got away from me, holy shit-)

so like, the “half-baked plan to leave”-

Dabi, by this point, has spent - god, I don’t know how old he is - let’s say sixish years? essentially homeless, mostly without memory, and hiding as best he can from the law. And like, yeah, he wants to know who the hell he is, but he’s out of options, and by the time he joins the LoV … I won’t say he’s given up, but he’s getting real damn tired of not knowing things. It’s not like he’s investigated all of Japan, but he’s starting to wonder if that’s even where he’s from. Or even if maybe he should stop looking so hard, find somewhere he can hunker down, maybe see a therapist? Someone who could help him unravel all the blankness in his head, anyway. But, like, it’s not a concrete PLAN, so much as a thought experiment, at this point.

then he joins the LoV, meets Himiko, and goes “oh. huh. maybe this won’t be so bad?” Like, he’s under no illusions that these are the bad guys, but like. He’s remembered more bits and pieces hanging out with Himiko than literally anything else he’s ever tried. I doubt he’d trust the league as a whole with his memory loss, but if he says “yeah, I’m trying to track down someone, it’s sort of important and means a lot to me”, I imagine they’d all be pretty on board? Like, the League are all fairly nice people, really, so it’s going ok. Yeah, there are a few things that make him a bit uncomfortable, and he’s quickly becoming protective of Himiko (and worried, is she supposed to have random fevers?) but Dabi’s thinking maybe they CAN help him figure this out.

But he also isn’t a moron. He knows this kind of group could easily screw him over, so now he’s seriously considering back-up plans. Even if the group DOES screw him over, he’s met a few people now, made some of his own connections. He could pretty easily get papers to get himself out of country if he needs to. He’s also making plans to find a hospital or something to take Himiko to, because she’s starting to seriously worry him. I’m basing this mostly on myself, honestly - I have a pretty severe Iron deficiency - and before we figured out that was the problem, I would have dizzy spells, migraines, nausea with no explanation, my immune system wasn’t great so I’d keep getting sick, etc, So this is what’s happening to Himiko. And like, the rest of the League isn’t indifferent to Himiko clearly being sick, but as far as they know, this might be normal for her. Dabi’s the one really getting worried and starting to look at treatment. But this is still mostly theoretical. He doesn’t have a solid plan.

But then- then we have the Forest Training Camp, and Kidnapping Katsuki. And that’s our first big stumbling block, cause like. Dabi is not okay with hurting kids. Not at all. In any way, shape, or form. He’s taking solace in the fact that this isn’t, like, the goal - they’re just here to recruit, right? Only, wow, so many kids ALMOST DIE, this is NOT OKAY. Honestly, he might have dipped during the fight itself , except then he sees Shouto, and “Surprise!” he’s remembering baby Shouto, “Just one more, T****-n**!”, wait, what, who? What was that??? The whole thing makes him seriously disoriented and it’s all he can do to make it back to the hideout without passing out. Which, ya know, he does the moment he has a flat, safe surface on which to do so.

So he wakes up, all confused - he knows the Peppermint kid? Maybe? - and he’s thinking of a plan, walks out into the main room … and sees Katsuki chained up. And muzzled.

Oh. Hell. No.

Yeah, fuck that, fuck this, Dabi does not want to be a part of whatever bullshit this is. He’s honestly preparing to set the place on fire, when All Might shows up, everything quickly goes to shit, and we probably have some awesome back-to-back dueling going on, as Dabi tries to keep Himiko and Katsuki out of the line of fire.

Now, the moment Katsuki gets rescued, Dabi is grabbing Himiko and bolting. He might cover their retreat, might create some theatrical distraction, but then he is LEAVING. He is NOT sticking around to watch All Might punch the thousand year old man. And he does get away, but now-

Well, I would imagine during the fight, Himiko got hurt. And maybe if she was completely healthy, it wouldn’t matter so much, but Himiko (as we have stated, but I feel the need to reiterate) has spent twelve years being STARVED. So she’s hurt, probably already sick, and not doing too great. Dabi is, at this point, a wanted criminal. He doesn’t have a lot of money, he just betrayed what allies he had, and watched the boss of those guys throw down with the best hero ever born. He has NOTHING to work with.

Except …

He remembers Shouto. He remembers Shouto as a kid, a little kid, a memory that’s clearer than any he has. Shouto goes to U.A., where they have Recovery Girl, and are pretty outspoken about Quirk Discrimination and how they won’t tolerate it. One of their teachers even has a blood based Quirk. Yes, Dabi participated in helping kidnap one of their students, but he also helped that student then escape. If it was just his memory, or just Himiko being sick and hurt, Dabi might not have done it. He might have figured something else out. Laid low, or found an underground hospital.

But together?

Yeah, he’s taking that risk.

YEAH ITS

so re: the Timeline if we’re going with the Chaos Children timeline where he ‘died’ at 19 and he’s 23 when 1-A’s first year starts so it’s closer to just the three years depending on how long he was in coma-town(in CC it’s still a bit so he hasn’t been ‘awake’ for /too/ long, enough to get some bearings and to be manipulated, but in this AU we could have the coma being really short which is part of why he escapes.)

But even so the three years is enough for him to start looking into things and being incredibly frustrated.

Actually using the CC timeline might make things worse because it’s harder for him to figure out how old he is as he’s already a grown adult. Like still a young adult obvs he has some maturing to do still, but in terms of physicality he’s pretty indistinguishable and any other features that would be used to guess his age are obscured by the burns.

I think the rest of the League would notice and care about Himiko’s health, but it’s. None of them trust AfO’s doctor because the fucker’s playing frankenstein and taking her to a /real/ doctor would result in her (and whoever is escorting her) getting arrested. Like yeah she can shapeshift and disguise herself doctors /really/ need to know your real self to get a diagnosis and to prescribe meds so she can’t really just walk in as a rando even with fake paperwork.

So they try to help her as best they can with things they can get at a pharmacy(either over the counter meds or stuff they rob from behind the counter when the otc stuff doesn’t work). And Himiko kinda waving them off because she’s ‘always like this’ and ‘just needs to manage herself better’ doesn’t help. Because they don’t know the cause is because of her Quirk and being starved for 12 years, and even though she’s getting a decent supply of blood now (sometimes from them letting her have a bite of them, sometimes through whoever is the target of the day), it’s not enough to really make up for the years of neglect. But again: they don’t entirely know all of these details so when she says she’s used to feeling bad like that, they start to assume some kind of like chronic illness type of thing that yes she genuinely needs a doctor for.

But again that loops back to the above issue of getting her to a doctor without being thrown in jail. Doubly so because they doubt she’d really get proper treatment in jail either.

I think the thing that keeps Dabi from taking Himiko and jumping ship earlier is mostly just Himiko herself. Because she doesn’t want to risk it and it’s pretty impossible to force her. And even on the days when she does feel awful enough to debate risking trying to go to a doctor, Himiko still hesitates because she’s grown friendly with the other LoV members and this might endanger them but also she’d never be able to see them again.

And then yeah the kidnapping thing happens and it’s. It’s a final push but even then Dabi might’ve hesitated more if Himiko hadn’t been hurt. And while he could patch her up on his own both of them REALLY need an actual doctor. so he takes the risk.

Himiko is probably mad at him for a while. Sure, she understands, so she’s not too mad and she’s not going to stay mad at him forever. But she’s at least gonna cry about it for a while.

#submission #amnesia!dabi

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pxrxcxa · 1 year

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Opposite Ends

Chapter 13 | Together

C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 | C6 | C7 | C8 | C9 | C10 | C11 | C12 | C13 pt 1 |

Chapter 14 is out now - enjoy Sweet peas, P. x 🌿

Pairing | Eddie x Female reader 18+. Steve x Robin x Female reader platonic friendship

Series summary | Dustins older sister got brought into the group during the events of Starcourt mall, 3 months on she's in her senior year and the kids are starting high school. After everything that went down she feels that she has to keep them safe at all costs, that includes keeping them way from the charismatic 'freak' Eddie Munson that runs a club based on their favourite game. They've both hated each other since freshman year -with good reason-, but when keeping distance between the kids and Eddie means putting herself in the firing line, boundaries get blurred, intentions get lost & the heart speaks louder than the brain.

The story is told from both Y/N & Eddies point of view.

What to expect | Slow burn enemies to lovers, Angst - with a happy ending, fluff & smut (in the later chapters). 18+ to read this story.

Series Warnings | Mentions of abuse, drug use, 18+ smut content

Chapter word count | 6.5k word count

Chapter warnings | Mention of physical abuse, violent descriptions

Any & All comments/reblogs are most appreciated - Love, P. x 🌿

Authors Note | Here is the other half of the chapter :( 🖤 Okay I've got my laptop back (finally 😫👩🏼‍💻) only 2 more chapters to go until the end. I am PUMPED. Let's do this.

Eddie | March 1986

It was well and truly dark, eery shadows moving in the spaces between the trees that our flash lights didn’t meet. Y/n had shot me a look as I shoved branches out of our way and nodded up to where Dustin was slipping further into the darkness, pleading with me in her eyes as I nodded to show her that I understood.

The pitch black engulfed me as I sped up after him, flinching as the branches of new saplings scratched at my face.

“Somethings happening.” He muttered as he glanced down at his compass clasped between his hands excitedly, tearing off again as I broke free of the tree line.

“Dustin? Can you slow down? Dustin?” My feet shuffled uncertainly as I swung my head around, my stomach rolled as the gnawing feeling of not being able to deny that I recognised where we were headed, ate at me.

“I think we’re getting close.” Dustin turned to look at me over his shoulder with a satisfied grin as the moonlight reflected off the flat surface, I shot forward just as he moved to take a step into the lakes edge.

“Watch your step, big guy.” I gripped the handle of his backpack to jerk him away from it, slapping his chest as the others filed out besides us.

“Oh man.” Steve caved over as he tried to catch his breath, swearing as he gripped his hips and tossed his head back. “You gotta be shitting me.”

“Yeah.” I sighed as the croaking of frogs and birds screeching, cut me off. “I thought these woods were familiar.” Henderson moved to my side as her eyes glimmered, leaning over the water’s edge as she glanced in the direction of Ricks place, hidden behind the thick tufts of trees that curved around us.

“Lover’s lake.” Robin whispered as the gentle swells lapped at our feet.

“This is confounding.” Dustin shook his head in disbelief as everyone else grimaced in the same show of shock.

“There’s a gate in lovers lake?” Max glanced at Dustin and I screwed up my face to remember what y/n had told me that first night they came to the boat house. In between all of the other supernatural shit like fleshy monsters and an upside-down world, gates hadn’t seemed as bad in comparison.

“Whenever the Demogorgon attacked, it always left an opening. Maybe Vecna’s the same way?” Nancy’s voice was loud across the lakes surface as she spun to face y/n.

“Yeah, only one way to find out.” Y/n pointed her hand at the boat that was washed up on the shoreline a few paces from where we all huddled, three flashlight beams swivelled to outline the metal panelling.

Steve clapped me on the shoulder as he raised his brows at me, nodding for me to follow as he jumped down onto the bank of dirt. Y/n shot me a panicked look as I passed her, grinning with false confidence as I let the backs of our hands brush against each other.

My face dropped as I followed the mustard outline of Harrington’s back and reached down to clasp the edge of the boat.

“On three. One. Two. Three.” Steve huffed and blew out his cheeks as the metal groaned and we uprooted it, dropping it further into the water as the droplets splashed onto our jeans.

“Easy. I…I said easy, man” I rolled my eyes at his whining voice as I felt the mass of warm bodies step up behind us.

“Sorry, dude.” I scoffed, not surprised that King Harrington would be upset over some damp clothes.

“Here you go.” He reached out behind us to take Robin’s hand, I grunted as I felt her fingers twist at the top of my hair as she pushed down against both mine and Steve’s head, ignoring his offer of help.

“Yeah, I’m just gonna do that. Thankyou.” I lurched to the side as she slipped between us, the boat rocking under her weight as y/n laughed silently behind me.

“Yeah, that works to.” Steve sighed

I jumped in lightly straight after Robin so I could help y/n into the boat. She jolted in surprise with a small smile as I held my arm out for her and bowed my head, my chest warming at the blush that flared across her cheeks, so strongly I could almost feel the heat from her.

Wheeler slid in straight after her, breaking Robin’s glare as it flickered between y/n and I, a toothy grin spreading across her face as y/n dropped my hand and scrambled to find a seat.

“Hey, hey, hey, you trying to sink us?” I shoved the front of Dustin’s cap as I watched his clunky shoe lift into the boat, snapping his head back as his face dropped in surprise. “This thing holds three people tops, okay?” He glanced back at his sister for support but she just shook her head.

“It’s better this way, okay? You guys stay here with Max.” Her eyes slid from Little Henderson’s to mine as I crouched along the seat beside her, reaching into my pocket for my pack of smokes.

“Keep an eye out for trouble.” Nancy drew herself to her full height and faced Dustin.

“You keep an eye out.” He glowered, his face screwing up in betrayal. He leant back in mock surprise, taunting her. “It’s my Goddamn theory.” Y/n’s eyes slithered dangerously at his tone but Robin beat her to it.

“You heard her.” Robin jeered.

“Who put her in charge?” Dustin pointed in outrage at her as he looked between me and Steve for help, sighing as I grinned and held my hands up hopelessly.

“I did.” Robin shot back, shrugging with confidence.

“Compass.” The boat shook as Nancy took a step forward, holding her hand out expectantly as y/n laughed.

“Hey! There you go.” Steve tossed his backpack at Dustin’s chest, sending him hurtling back a few paces as he grunted and pushed the boat out from the bank, barely missing the water as he jumped into it at the last second.

“Ow.” Dustin cried out as Robin handed me an oar and started paddling with her own. “You said three.” Dustin accused, holding his hand in the air angrily as Max shook her head beside him.

“Sorry.” Steve whispered, waving half-heartedly as we propelled out into deeper waters.

“Bed time at nine Kiddo’s, miss you already.” Robin stood up to wave at their figures being swallowed up by the distance as Dustin held up the finger at her, grinning as she plopped back down and nudged y/n’s shoulder.

“Hot enough for you?” She grinned, y/n had her eyes on my arms as I grunted, pushing the oar against the still waters. She flinched as Robin’s words sunk in, spinning away from me like she’d been caught doing something wrong.

“Uh what?” She blustered, clasping her hands together in her lap.

“The temperature.” Robin grinned like a wild woman as Steve shook his head and Nancy peered down at Dustin’s compass, biting back her own smile.

“It’s hot as shit, I’m sweating. Might need to take a swim.” Her short curls bounced as she leaned over the edge, staring into the black depths as y/n regained her composure and sat up straight, her own stare sweeping over the streaks of moonlight quivering on the surface.

“I know you think you’re being funny, but if Dustin’s right, that might be exactly what we have to do.”

Robin groaned as her arms dropped, her oar knocking against the side of the boat and after an hour of rowing, I didn’t blame her either.

“Woah, woah, woah, woah slow down, guys.” Steve’s flashlight blinded us as he swung around and Nancy called out, a slight whirring sound emitting from the compass as she held it out for all of us to see. The wood dropped against the floor with a plank as we pulled the oars out of the water, spraying splotches over everyone as we piled them between our feet.

“Woah.” The indents on the metal disappeared from view as Steve pushed the light right up against it. Y/n bent her head close to mine as we all lent in to look at what Nancy was pointing out, swaying as the boat rocked beneath us.

Robin jumped as the static on the walkie crackled and Dustin’s voice rang through it.

Guys, what’s going on? Come on guys, talk to me what going on?

Robin tugged the antenna upwards as she brought the radio to her lips, peering down at the dial spinning manically as y/n sat back and huffed, pressing her hand into her face.

“Compass has gone all wonky.” Robin groaned into the walkie to press the importance of her meaning. I gripped the side of the boat behind y/n’s back and reached down to grab the flashlight that Steve had dropped, shining it on him as he tugged off his shoes and peeled away his socks.

“Steve, what are you doing?” Nancy’s voice harboured a warning as it built up on the preface of an argument.

“Somebody’s gotta go down and check this thing out.” Steve’s voice was breathy as he snapped back with his reasoning.

“Unless one of you four can top being a Hawkins High swim co-captain, and a certified life guard for three years, then.... It’s gotta be me, no complaints, alright?” Steve raised his brows in my direction like he was in danger of receiving a rebuff from me, leaning up over the side of the boat as y/n groaned at his subtle brag.

“Hey, I’m not complaining, I do not wanna go down there.” I dipped my hand into my pocket to grab the plastic bag I’d saved, dumping the rolling papers and my lighter on the floor as I wrapped it around the flashlight.

Robin and y/n shared a sly grin as we all watched Nancy’s eyes glue to Harrington’s hairy chest as he tugged his sweater over his head.

“Hey. Goodluck.” I glanced at y/n’s smirk to make sure she didn’t have her eyes on Steve’s nudity, palming the flashlight into his hand as he mumbled a thanks and tossed his jumper into my arms. He didn’t see me roll my eyes as I fished a lone cigarette from my pocket.

“Gross.” I glared in light anger as Robin pinched it from between my lips, angling her arm back to toss it into the water before y/n’s hand shot out to steal it from between her fingers, bringing it to her own mouth as she arched a brow cheekily and lit it up for herself, handing it back to me as it blazed in the dark.

“Steve. Be careful.” Nancy’s eyes dipped as Steve’s met hers, and Y/n’s eyes met mine over the smoke as we both glanced away, embarrassed, feeling privy to a moment that was not meant for our eyes.

Steve nodded and took a deep breath, bending his knees before he glided through the air and launched himself into the cold water, splashing us loudly as the boat rocked dangerously and he disappeared under its depths.

I felt her warm finger tips as she wrapped them around my wrist, sliding along the seat as she pressed her knee against mine and pouted for the cigarette, I gave it up with a smile, unable to resist her charm as she took a deep drag, tracing the outline of her soft features as she let the smoke hiss through her teeth.

“Where are we at Wheeler?” Robin’s anxious voice snapped me out of my distraction as I reluctantly tore my eyes away from y/n’s lips wrapped around the smoke.

“Closing in on a minuet.” Nancy’s tone was hard as her eyes squinted at her watch, her voice barely keeping back her own waves of fear.

An uncomfortable silence settled around us, only filled by our short breaths and the slight waves lapping at the edge of the boat as we all watched the water. Each second that the surface stayed still, the the glassy top of it settling from Steve’s departure, riddle the tension with anxiety.

“Christ.” The water gushed loudly, drowning out my scream so that it was barely audible, the water frothed with angry white bubbles as Steve broke through it, gasping for air as he shook his hair out of his eyes, the wet strands plastered to the side of his face.

“I found it” He gasped.

“You found it?” Nancy gripped the ledge as she leaned towards Steve, watching him swim closer.

“Yeah, I found it.” He nodded, reaching out to the side of the boat for support as he gulped to get his breath back. Y/n shot up from the seat next to me to crouch beside Nancy, clenching her jaw as her as reached out to rub Steve’s arm.

The touch sent a white hot flash of fire through me, freezing me to the spot as I tried to breathe through my jealously, having to remind myself that they were just friends -good friends- no matter my opinion of him. I flinched as Robin bent over and fiddled with something between our legs, her hands shaking as she yelled into the walkie

“Dustin you are a goddamn Einstein. Steve found the gate –“ Her eyes flashed up to mine in confusion as there was a burst of static and the line dropped out.

“It’s pretty wild. It’s more a snack size gate than the mama gate, but still, it’s pretty damn big.” Steve’s head turned between Nancy’s and y/n’s, his face smacked with shock as he shook away the water that rolled over his lips, pushing his hair back from his face.

We all clamoured towards him, practically piling on top of each other as the boat dipped, dragging Harrington under the water for a split second as his knuckles strained against his hold on the side of it.

The world fell silent for a moment as he reappeared, looking at all of us in shock before he glanced slowly over his shoulder, his muted scream dying as he disappeared beneath the darkness once more and did not resurface.

“Steve!” The solidness beneath our feet rolled dangerously as the girls curled over the side, their hands dipping into the water without success as their cries mixed together.

“Nancy what happened?” Robin flailed her hands around as Nancy stood up, hovering over the side, breathing heavily as she paused.

“What the hell was that man?” I yelled, turning side to side aimlessly until y/n gripped my knee, her eyes widening as she leant me some of her strength through her firm touch.

“Wait, wait wait you’re not going in there are you?” The boat rocked again as Nancy lifted her leg up against the side of it, and my hand shot out to stop her.

“Just wait here.” Nancy spat through her teeth as her muscles tensed, jumping into the water smoother than Steve had.

“Goddamit.” I growled as my eyes flashed up to y/n’s, the look on her face made my chest tighten as her eyes swept the water, her brows knotting together. Robin moved out of the corner of my eye, sliding up the edge backwards as she chewed on her tongue.

“Nonononono, what are you doing? She said wait.” I blinked with each no, raising my shaking hand between us.

“Yeah I heard her.” She scoffed, her eyes sliding behind me towards y/n.

“She’s in charge.” I pointed to the waves circling out from where Nancy had just dived into.

“Are you kidding me? I made that shit up.” Robin’s scowled up with me juvenile surprise as she blocked her nose and tumbled back out of the boat.

“Don’t you go. Don’t –“ I reached out pointlessly as her legs skimmed the water, kicking up great splashes of freezing cold water towards us.

As soon as Robin’s boots disappeared under the water she shot up from the floor of the boat, it swayed under her weight as the beginning of one of my outbursts echoed into the air.

“Goddamnit, lying, son-of-a-bitch.” My yell died on my lips as she dropped her jacket off her shoulders, grasping the edge of the boat with a fierce look on her face.

“No, you are not going in there.” My voice dropped as my hand wrapped around her wrist, locking her in my grasp as I tossed my head, angry heat zapped between our touch as she glared at me and shook me off.

“Eddie I’m not arguing with you. They helped me save you. It’s our time to save them.” She didn’t look back as she dived under the black waters, trusting and knowing that I would always follow her to the ends of the earth, even to some under water gate to another hellish dimension to save King Harrington.

“This is so stupid, so stupid, shit shit – “ I slammed Steve’s jumper down as I paced the length of the boat, swearing as I tumbled instead of dived into the freezing water, following the dark outline of y/n’s legs as she swam deeper towards the bottom of the lake.

Y/N | March 1986

The red glow burned around me as I kicked through the slimy membrane layer of the gate, screwing up my face as it sucked in against my skin. The pressure of the water threatened to send me spiralling back up to the surface as my hand shot up through the gate, an unnatural shiver trembling through my body as my fingers were met by cold air.

Two sets of hands gripped onto my arm and tugged, suddenly the pressure switched directions as I was practically hurtled through the gate, the sinking feeling of being airborne before I crashed against the ground. I coughed water from my lungs as I curled over and gasped for the air what was knocked from me, squinting through my eyes as a drenched Nancy and Robin pulled me to my feet.

Eddie’s hand shot through straight after me, his rings biting into his skin as he gripped the sides trying to find purchase. I dropped to my knees at the gate’s edge, reaching back down through it to rip at his leather jacket, grunting as I pulled him through, Robin rushed to my side and with our combined strength – and a move that defied gravity – Eddie tumbled through the opening as his sneakers kicked him free of the mushy casing.

Eddie fell against my chest as he swiped at his jacket, breathing heavily as he swept away the slimy pieces that clung to him like they were spider webs. His jaw slackened and his eyes blew wide as a groaning crack of thunder, almost animal like, battled overhead, a blood red flash of lightening danced behind the clouds as it doused everything around us in the same angry glow as the gate.

The Upside Down

An alternate dimension that mirrors our world — or at least our world if it was a toxic hellscape overrun with creepy, moving vines, filled with murderous creatures linked together in a hive mind system, and was riddled with electrical storms.

It was a barren landscape filled with dangerous flora and fauna that thrived in the upside down, peppered with toxic vines and crawling with monsters. It was a damaged image of our world, containing the same locations and infrastructures as 1986 Hawkins, but much darker, colder and obscured by an omnipresent fog, while ash-like spores drifted through the air around us. It harboured the kind of silence that told me it was devoid of human life, instead being overrun by ropy, root-like vines, tendrils and biological membranes that covered practically every surface that I could see.

Nancy jumped over a thick pile of writhing vines that curled in on themselves like snakes, running without stopping to take a breath as Steve’s screams cut out over the thunder.

The fear set in as dark, sharp shapes dipped and dived through the air, one of its long tails shot out and wrapped around Steve’s neck, jerking him onto his back as the duplicate oar he was swinging around as a weapon, slipped through his fingers.

We were close enough now, hurtling over the cracked floor of Lover’s lake, to hear the wet, fleshy sounds as two more of the airborne creatures landed besides Steve and tore into the sides of his stomach, a row of hundreds of razor sharp teeth flashed in the dim light as they opened their wide mouths and buried themselves against him, dancing out of the way from his smacks that grew feebler, his strength slipping away as the sharp tail tightened around his neck.

Nancy’s scream of no mixed in with Steve’s gasps as his lips turned blue, swiping up the oar and slamming it against the creature – now that I was up close, grabbing my own wooden weapon, it resembled some kind of deformed bat, it’s mouth eerily similar to Demogorgon.

The Demobat squealed like a kicked dog as it flew away, narrowly avoiding Nancy second hit as she smashed the other one still chewing away at Steve’s flesh.

“Y/n quick hold it!” I slammed my foot down against the tail wrapped around his neck, paralysing fear shooting through me as his lips turned blue and everyone’s screams mixed together. I leant back as it’s needles for teeth narrowly missed my leg, Robin hurtled to my side as she slammed her flashlight against it, yelling for it to get off as Nancy pummelled it with her oar.

Eddie voice strangled as he yelled out a chant of ‘Kill it Kill it’, trailing off as the sky roared overhead and he spun around, lifting his weapon up as the sky darkened and more deathly shapes appeared hurtling straight for us.

“Eddie no.” My shout bit off into a scream as Eddie’s yell of warning fell on deaf ears. I was knocked to the ground as bat blindsided me, clawing onto my back and pinning it down with its weight as it’s hot breath growled into my ear, wet slim dripped down my spine as Robin screamed manically, grabbing a hold of it with her bare hands and pulling me with the creature as she tried to trip it off my skin.

I screamed out for Eddie as a bat flew down, it’s claws outstretched and angled for him as he barely spun around in time, his oar connecting with it in a wet crunch as the wood splintered into shards. He swore as he tried to reach for me, another screeching creature flying between us until he impaled it on the sharp end of the stick he held, stabbing it against the ground until it’s wings crumpled and it stopped flailing.

I watched through tears as Steve chomped down on the bat with its tail still wrapped around his neck, crying as the one ripping shreds into my back took what felt like a thousand strands of hair with it as Nancy grabbed a hold of it with Robin and pulled it from me, slamming it against the ground as it struggled to fly away before Nancy put her oar straight through the belly of it.

I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air as squeals pounded down beside me. Steve slammed the bat against the cracked, dry lake bed as the bones of the creature shattered, blood spurted across my face, drenching my already wet hair as Steve stomped on the bat, pinning it to the ground as he pulled its tail with all of his strength, tearing it in two.

Eddie tossed what remained of his weapon away, yelling every swear word he knew as Nancy rushed to Steve’s side, a red bolt of lightning cracked overhead as he tossed the bat’s body away.

“Jesus H. Christ.” Eddie stomped his feet in a classic tantrum before he noticed me curled over, speeding to my side as I wrapped my arm around my middle and couched up a stream of blood. His soft hands wrapped around my elbow as he pulled me to my feet, cupping the sides of my face as his eyes searched mine.

“What?” I spluttered in surprise as he bit back a small smile.

“Nothing baby… you just look… uh really metal.” I felt the blood of the bat drip over my parted lip as it curled into a grin, the raw wounds on my back stinging brought tears to my eyes.

“Are you okay?” Nancy voice was breathless and urgent as her hands rested lightly on Steve’s shoulder.

“Well they took about a pound of flesh.” He turned so we could all see the gaping, ragged red holes edged in the shape of the bats teeth.

“But other than that, yeah, never better.” Steve shook his head as I hobbled over to him, letting Eddie take most of my weight as he slung my arm over his shoulder.

“It’s okay Harrington, I’m sure the ladies will really dig those scars.” I lightly punched him on his arm as Nancy dropped her eyes, spinning away as I smiled and squeezed Steve, pulling him in for a bloodied hug as I mumbled that I was glad he was okay.

“Uh, do you guys think these bats have, like, rabies?” Robins flashlight shook as her hand trembled, prodding at the open body of the bat that Steve had demolished.

“What?” Steve shook his incuriously as the Nancy and I sighed, Eddie’s face flashed in worry like he completely agreed with Robins fear.

“Robin I think we have bigger problems than Rabies right now.” I snapped, gripping Eddie’s arm as my head swam.

“It’s just that rabies are, like my number one greatest fear. And I think we should get you to a doctor soon because once the symptoms set in, it’s too late. You’re already dead.” The short wet strands of her hair twisted around the base of her neck as she cocked her brows questioningly.

There was a beat of heavy silence, mostly picking at Robins naiveness before we all flinched. A handful of bats fluttered to the ground as Robin shot to my side and Eddie’s arm tightened around me, unconsciously moving closer together as the creatures snapped their mouths at us.

“Alright. There’s not that many.” The bats screeched in union, laughing at Steve’s words.

“We can take them.” We all shot Steve a doubtful look.

The chittering chorus of a hundred more creatures like the few we had barely survived fighting off, screeched in the near off distance as a flash of red illuminated the heavy swarm of them flying straight for us.

“You were saying?” Robin scoffed.

“The woods, come on.” Nancy pawed at Steve’s arm, turning towards the dead forest at the edge of the drained lake bed.

We didn’t stop to talk before we gasped and took off, Eddie linked his fingers through mine as Nancy sped in the lead and Robin sighed, muttering something about ‘more running’.

Our pace was slower as we jumped and side stepped the black tendrils that curled around our feet, bringing our shirts up to cover our faces as the white, toxic spores billowed around us, filling our throats as we choked on the air we couldn't avoid.

The combined screaming was deafening as the swarm roared overhead, the bats slamming into each other as the red lightening ducked and weaved between them, listening to the chittering of their teeth that was strong enough to tear through human flesh. I clutched Eddie’s arm tighter to me as the clap of thunder had all five of us, everyone with the same look of fear on our faces, cowering back against the safety of the upside down version of Skull rock.

“Oh… okay. That was close.” Robin stumbled to her feet as the mass of bats disappeared into the clouds, my eardrums throbbing as a certain silence fell around us again.

“Yeah, too close.” Eddie’s voice broke as he reached back to me, helping me to my feet as I brushed the dirt away from my jeans.

“Oh sh… shit.” Steve’s arm scraped against the rock face as he collapsed against it.

“Steve? Jesus.” Nancy rushed to his side before any of us could, Steve’s face paled as he gasped for air, swallowing his pain with a grimace.

“I’m fine.” He argued, waving Nancy off as her hands fluttered effortlessly around him.

“No, no, no. You’re not. You’re losing blood. Come on, sit okay?” She held onto his shoulders as Steve collapsed to his knees, cringing in agony as both Robin and I crouched besides Nancy, Eddie hovered behind us, wringing his hands as Steve cried out.

We all bit back groans as Steve’s hands moved away from the haggard wounds at his sides, his hands coming away bloody.

“Uh okay, so that good news is I’m pretty sure wooziness is not a common symptom of rabies.” Robin started rattling off at lightning speed, as she always did when she panicked.

“But um, if you start having hallucinations or muscle spasms or you start feeling really aggressive like you wanna punch me, let me know.” Steve’s eyes met mine as we shared a smile over her usual antics.

“Robin, I love you. But shut up.” I raised my brows at her as I nodded at where Steve had thrown his head back, groaning.

“Robin?” Steve grunted, panting as he opened his eyes at her.

“Yeah?” She sighed, gripping onto Steve’s arm as she waited.

“I kind of wanna punch you.” I laughed along with Robin as I turned to Nancy, helping her tear away at her pants as she ripped shreds from them to form makeshifts bandages.

“Sense of humours still intact. That’s a good sign.” Robin grinned, shaking her head. I held the fabric taught for Nancy as she tore the rest of it out from behind her, holding it up to Steve.

“You ready?” Her glance was apologetic as he leant up from his heels. Robin pinched at my elbow, tugging me to my feet as we gave them some space.

“Yeah. Just do it.” Steve bit back a cry as she wrapped it around the wounds, the blood seeping through it almost instantly as he tossed his head back, running his hands through his hair as his chest shuddered.

“Too tight?” Nancy asked, glancing up at him shyly.

“No, that’s good.” Steve shook his head.

Robin caught my eye as we watched the tension fly between the two ex-lovers and I had to hide my smile, my own confused thoughts reflecting in her face as Eddie stood between us, his face screwed up as I noticed and pulled him away before he could say something that would embarrass all of us.

“All right.” Nancy sighed, tying the strips of cloth together.

“Thanks” Steve breathed.

Eddie’s brows raised at me in a question, a smirk playing around the corner of his lips.

“Don’t ask.” I whispered, bringing my hand around the nape of his neck as I pulled him in close to me, burying my head against his chest. Eddie hissed a beath between his teeth as my hands moved up under his jacket, slipping against something wet and I pulled back to look at him accusingly.

“Take your shirt off.” Robin shot me a wild look as she kicked rocks, Eddie laughed as he looked around embarrassed.

“Right now? In front of everyone?” His eyes gleamed, waiting for me to laugh but I just shook my head. I shoved him over towards the rocks across from us as I jogged back over to Nancy.

“Can I use some of this?” I waved down at the pile of cloth bundled between her and Steve, she nodded and didn’t look up at me, lost in their own world.

Robins eyes followed us as I herded Eddie around the rock formation, holding my grumpy expression in place as I tugged at the hem of his shirt. Eddie slipped his jacket off as he tried to keep his face calm, his eyes on mine as I bit back to rise in my throat. He had deep claw marks just below his clavicle, not as deep as Steve’s but still enough to make my stomach roll.

“Why didn’t you say something?” I snapped, glancing up at his guarded eyes as he watched me work away at his wounds, pinching away the embedded fabric as I chewed down on my cheek, hating every gasp of pain that escaped him.

“You got hurt as well, you weren’t complaining.” He glanced away as I paused, staring up at his jaw.

Eddie was trying to be brave

My heart clenched with the need to protect him, not wanting him to be in a situation where he felt like he had to be brave. I shrugged his words off, being gentler as I wrapped the bandage around his back.

“I lost a chunk of hair and got a knock to the head. The scratches on my back aren’t anywhere as bad as this, must have been a smaller one that came after me.” I smiled as Eddie wrapped his hand around my wrist, holding my hand against his beating heart as its pace picked up. Warmth swirled around us as his eyes dropped to my lips, his own curling up into a smirk.

“I didn’t think we’d be back in this position so soon.” He nodded to the natural rock seat I had him pressed against, his grip tightening around me as my thoughts flashed to this morning when he’d had me bent over it.

“Behave.” I grinned, unable to keep my voice steady as he ducked his head, glancing up at me through his lashes.

“Thank you for taking care of me.” He lurched forward to press his lips against my forehead as Robin’s voice rang out, annoyance clouding it.

“Yo love birds, I don’t want a repeat of earlier so cut it out or I will find a hose.” Her face was serious as Eddie slid his shirt back on and we walked back out into the open, meeting Nancy and Steve halfway. Eddie disappeared from my side as he climbed the angled rock, pressing his hands on his hips as he reached the top and straightened up to stare out into the forest of dead trees.

“So uh, this place is like Hawkins, but with monsters and nasty shit?” Dark shadows bounced along the lines of Eddie’s face as he slowly turned to face us.

“Pretty much.” I nodded, crossing my arms over myself as I glanced around.

“Wait watch out for the vines. It’s all a hive mind.” Nancy dropped her grip around Steve, letting him slouch against the boulder as she shot forward, holding her hand out towards Eddie as he froze.

“It’s all a what?” Eddie gulped, flexing his fingers as he glanced down in panic at his feet.

“All the creepy crawlies around here, dude. They’re like one or something. You step on a vine, you’re stepping on a bat, you’re stepping on Vecna.” Steve grunted as he waved his hands around at all the decaying, moving parts of the Upside down around us. Every single part of it apart of Vecna.

“Shit.” Eddie swallowed hard as he took careful steps back down the rock, waving a cluster of white spores away from his face.

“But everything from our world is still here right? Except, people, obviously?” Robins curious glanced fluttered between Nancy and Steve’s faces as I waited for Eddie at the bottom of the rock, reaching out to steady him as he jumped the last few steps.

“As far as I understand it, yeah.” Nancy nodded.

“So, theoretically, we could go to the police station and steal guns and grenades and whatever we need to blow up those bat things that are guarding the gate.” Robin pointed around at us in earnest.

“I highly doubt that the Hawkins PD has grenades, Robin. But uh guns, yeah sure.” Steve rolled his eyes but I dropped my hand from around Eddie’s arm, spinning back to face them.

“No, that’s actually not a bad idea.” Robin smiled at my support as my eyes slid to Nancy’s.

“Well, we don’t have to go all the way downtown for guns. I have guns, in my bedroom.” Nancy looked abashed for the first time as we all stared at her incredulity, Eddie scoffed beside me as his jaw slackened.

“You, Nancy Wheeler, have guns, plural. In your bedroom?” Eddie’s eyes bulged in his skull, staring without shame at Nancy as she sighed.

“Full of surprises isn’t she?” Robin nodded, clasping her hands together as she bounced on the balls of her feet.

“A Russian Makarov and a revolver.” Nancy clarified, sensing that Eddie didn’t believe her.

“Yeah, you almost shot me with that one.” Steve slid up beside her, looking at a little better as he bent closer to Nancy and grinned.

“You almost deserved it.” Even I dropped my eyes at her sultry tone, glancing back up as Eddie’s arms jostled beside me as he pegged his vest at Steve’s chest, sending him hurtling back a few paces.

“For your modesty dude.” Eddie cocked his head and Robin and I shared a laugh, glad that Eddie was up fed up with their flirting the same as we were.

The ground split apart beneath our feet, shaking into our bones as an earthquake thundered beneath us. I grunted as Robin tumbled into me, sending us both flying into Eddie’s open arms as we fell to the ground, holding onto each other for dear life. The dead branches snapped from hollow tree trunks as the air around us blurred, rumbling so violently that it rattled my teeth together.

Chipped rocks clattered around as the ground froze, our heavy breaths panted together as Eddie wrapped his arms around me, holding both Robin and I to his chest as we sat up, peering around as we shivered around in fear and the baying of some hidden monstrosities screeched around us, sending goosebumps along my skin.

“Yeah, so guns seem like a pretty good idea to me.” Eddie’s pupils were blown so wide his eyes were almost entirely black, I nodded as I glanced up at him from where I was pressed against his shoulder.

“Yeah, me to.” I gasped. The ground settled as everyone caught their breath, Eddie rubbed at his knees from where he’d fallen onto sharp rocks, shaking his head with a small smile as I reached for it with a pout on my lips.

“So, what are we waiting for?” Steve slid Eddie’s vest on, clicking on the flashlight that he’d somehow managed to keep a hold of, strutting past us as we scrambled to our feet.

➢ Eddie Tag List } @dotslabyrinth @chanaaaannel @lem0nb0iii @xcarabear @projectcampbell @munchabunch @grungegrrrl @sammararaven @ches-86 @alinepichi @halbhohehalluzination @kalalikalas @thetrashqueen23 @bruh-tato-chap @sagittariughs @c0rroded-coffin @averagemisfit03 @eddiesgffff @churchmuffins @mrsdollardog @ms1oftheboys @pearlsyeaaa @hanahkatexo @bex-tk1 @thatonecluelessbitch @briasnow-blog @aftermidnightwriting @blue-eyed-lion @@figmentofquinn @brittanyyydamnit @edsforehead @ick90 @hesvoid34 @notyuralycat @nevermore66 @readsalot73

#opposite ends #slow burn #enemies to lovers #slow burn enemies to lovers #Eddie slow burn #Eddie Munson #Eddie imagine #Eddie x fem reader #Eddie x y/n #eddie munson fan fiction #eddie fic #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson headcanon #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson one shot #eddie stranger things #eddie x you

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bronzetomatoes · 29 days

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Sorry I would like a second opinion on a personal issue from people who had no involvement in the situation so. Sorta long post ahead

Ermm so there's this girl in my band class. And like at our school that means we've all been in the same class with the same 20-some people for both band and English for 2-3 years now, so we're a pretty close group as far as full high school classes go. But yeah there's this girl I've sorta known in passing the past couple years

When we got to school for the new year in September, this girl (gonna call her Alice, not her real name) had just come out as trans, started growing her hair out, was very skittish and socially awkward. Last year she had a friend group, this year none of them seemed to be talking to her. After chatting with us for a day in October, she asked if she could start hanging out with us at school more often. We all sorta went 👍 ofc you can

We really did not have anything in common, but we could tell she needed friends and like. It's fine, ofc, and our band teacher spoke to us privately about how great it was to see Alice have friends + the impact she could see it having on Alice.

After like a month or two, the early awkwardness and stilted conversations had... not gone away. But like I thought That's okay, being socially awkward isn't a crime, not everyone is good w that shit. We still very much did not have Any common interests, and honestly? We didn't even seem to enjoy each other's company that much, she just sorta hung around us bc she needed friends. We didn't find each other funny either, which sorry if that seems stupid but like thats kind of a big deal for me and my friends

One thing I started to notice was that she seemed... overly familiar? Like she started laying on pretty thick with flirting and sexual jokes in a way that kind of just fell flat. I kinda pinned it as social awkwardness + not taking hints, but my friends and I had known each other for YEARS before we started that shit, not. 3 months. And like it wouldn't have been a problem if Alice would like, stop when we asked her to.

On the one hand, I feel like some of my friends were a little harsh in the way they started icing her out, but on the other hand I had been fighting off a Bad Gut Feeling for months at that point and didn't much feel like going to bat for Alice? But anyway

I missed a lot of lunch hours for extracurriculars, which is when most of this shit goes down, so apparently Alice had kept on full sending it w the heavy flirting and sexual comments. Literally asked one of the more reserved guys if he was circumcised out of fucking no where. Asked one guy out, found out he had a gf, immediately moved onto another guy. Asked someone if his friend was single, guy said "no, but I don't think he's looking for anything rn," Alice replied "lmk if he gets better," kept making weird ass fucking jokes (including an incest joke about her REAL LIFE LITTLE BROTHER) until it was just like. This shit has gotta stop

And THEN. Alice's old friends told us that the reason they all fucking dropped her was bc she a) wouldn't quit it w invasive questions abt their sex lives (non-existent) (we're in high school band get real), b) went to someone's house to hang out and READ THEIR DIARY. And c) wrote. self-insert porn about herself and one of their friends and then showed it to them. ANYWAYYYYY we had had ENOUGHH but I feel really bad bc she really and truly got dropped by like 20 people all at once. And like some of us had a free period together so it was like we had been chatting for an hour a day from October to February and we all kinda just dropped her. But on the other hand what the actual fuck

And the thing is, we did give her a chance to apologize. We explained everything that had been making us uncomfortable and asked her to stop, and rather than, idk, deciding to stop hitting on all our friends, she tried to explain why she should be allowed to do it 😭😭 and like at that point I couldn't keep giving her the benefit of the doubt. It ain't misreading social cues if you're being told directly and you refuse to change your behaviour

This all went down like a couple weeks ago but I had to get it off my chest. Don't blame the band teacher or anything her heart is always in the right place but WOO BOY was it misguided 💀

#look anika's talking!

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pjsk-writin · 1 year

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fourth one!! ik the past ones have been fluffy but after that one event i wanna do smth with an angst so. hope u guys like this!! <3

◇ INFERIORITY - An Shiraishi x Akito Shinonome

Akito knew something was wrong the moment An excused herself from the cafe.

She was always so friendly, always cheering the entire group on no matter what circumstances they faced, and yet he didn't miss the way her face fell as she walked past him.

He gave a half-hearted excuse as he went to follow her, but everyone could tell that he was clearly worried about her.

"Hey." An flinched from where she was sitting against the wall, immediately turning her face away from him. "What happened?"

"Nothing. Go away." Even her usually teasing tone was flat, a tremble obvious in her voice as she looked down.

Akito simply sighed, sitting down beside her. She didn't shy away when he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer.

"C'mon, don't give that shit." She gave him a look, and he rolled his eyes, gently squeezing her. "You know you can tell me anything."

"...It's stupid." He rose a brow silently, and she sighed, looking down at her hands. "I've never felt like this before, y'know? I've never..."

"Never what?" His voice was uncharacteristically soft, and she wanted nothing more than to melt into his embrace.

"I mean, come on, I'm An Shiraishi! I'm the daughter of KEN, I've been working for our cafe ever since I could. I've been around so much talent, and yet..." She let out a sigh of exasperation.

"I...I don't feel like I'm enough. I feel like I'm worse compared to you and everyone else, and I don't know what to do with it-"

She's cut off by him wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace, and despite everything within her saying not to, she clinged onto him tight, tears slipping.

"You do realize I've struggled with that ever since we started this whole thing, right?" An could only blink in surprise, giving him a wide-eyes look. "...Really?"

"Yeah, why the hell do you think I try so hard? I'm always trying to keep up with you guys." He confessed without hesitation, and she could only look at him completely dumbfounded.

"...How do you deal with this? It feels so crushing-" She mumbled into his shoulder, and he sighed softly, pulling back a bit to look her in the eyes.

"It's a process, for sure. But...you work through it bit by bit, like anything else." He smiled, leaning forward to kiss her forehead, "I'll be here, alright? Just tell me if you ever need to talk."

"...Okay." Her eyes were shining with tears, but she wiped them away as she hugged him tightly. "Thank you..."

He hugged her just as tightly in return, a smile playing on his lips.

"Of course. We're partners, right?" "...Do you mean in the group or?-" "An. We're dating." "I'm just checking!-"

#project sekai #pjsk #akian #an shiraishi #shiraishi an #akito shinonome #shinonome akito

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georgeweasleyslostearhq · 2 years

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RIGHT HERE

Pairings: Eddie munson x Plus Size!Fem!reader

Summary: when you think no one would ever like you, it surprises you to find out that your brothers best friend is in love you

Warnings: mention of SH! Insecure!reader, Swearing, bullying, Knife like weapon

Note: if you feel uncomfortable reading this or if it triggers you, feel free to skip. I felt like there needed to be more plus size readers! Reader is a Henderson!

I want you to k own that if you struggle with any of these topics, that you are not alone, I am basing this off my own experience and have done and gone through most of these things and no way whatsoever am I trying to romanticize this. It is a serious matter and if you want to talk, my Dms are always open.

What was wrong with you?

Were you made from a broken mold?

Why you?

Why do you have to be like this? Look like this?

All these questions flooded your mind as you stared at yourself in your full body mirror.

You hated to the way you looked.

Your stomach was practically bulging out of your jeans and the top that covered your large chest looked so tight and stretched on you.

You had no thigh gap like the rest of the girls, you didn't have a the perfect button nose, your chest wasn't flat like the other girls, the complete opposite of small. And not only that but you had to stick your tongue on the roof of your mouth to hide the double chin of yours. You looked nothing like any if the girls at school or in Hawkins. You looked hideous in your eyes

You are at yourself while tears slipped from your eyes, making your face red.

You face was covered in make up because your friend once said to you that you needed it and that you needed to make up for your body in some way. But the make up did you no justice

"Y/n! Come on, hurry up. What's taking so long" your brother yelled out to you.

"Coming" you wiped a tear away. You slipped on a big hoodie and grabbed your bag, running out of your room and getting your keys. Meeting Dustin in front of your car.

"Finally" he sighed.

"Sorry" you muttered

"Oh, hey Y/n" one of your friends noticed you from afar.

"Hey guys" you smiled at them sweetly

"We were just talking about going to the local pool tomorrow after school, you wanna come?" One of them asked. You thought about it for a second, but then realised you didn't own a bathing suit, you had thrown that all out because they were too small for you

"No thanks" you shook you head

"Oh, alright" they said and went back to talking

"Y/n!" You heard you name being called out from the other side of the hall

"Yeah?" You saw your curly headed brother running up to you

"Eddie's coming over to ours tonight, since mum is out" he announced at went off to his class

You didn't really like Eddie, but he wasn't the worst of guys in your school, he never bullied you like every other guys, but then again, he never really looked at you, I mean sure, he would see you coming and just walk the other way. You just assumed he didn't like you

"Eddie? Eddie munson?" You friend asked

"I dont know, probably" you shrugged. Acting dumb, you didn't want another reason to be bullied, you didn't want people to tease you because the towns freak was in your home

"I would never be caught dead in the same house as him" she rolled her eyes

---

You always felt the need to hide your stomach in front of large groups, whether it was putting your hand on your belly or sucking in.

So when you were going to your table after getting your food, you usually go past all the cheerleaders and jocks but you didn't want to have to do that right now, so you went the long way, circling around the cafeteria, past the hellfire club.

"Hey, Y/n!" Dustin beamed at you as he saw you. You looked at him quickly, noticing all the other guys attention going to you, you felt their stares and felt weak, judged and anxious. You smiled awkwardly and quickly rushed past them, going to the girls

"Hi guys" you sat down eagerly and put your bad down at your feet.

"Hey, Y/n"

You took one of the fries off your tray and stuck it in your mouth.

U didn't have a problem eating in front of people, it was more of how much you were eating.

So when you ate half of your food on the tray, which was an apple, fries and really soggy coleslaw which made you lose most of your appetite

"Are you going to eat all of that?" One of them asked.

And you suddenly just stopped chewing on your food, looking up at them all staring at your in some sort of disgust

"Its not that much" you swallowed your fries and removed your hands from the table, putting them to your lap and subconsciously fiddling with your fingers

"Yeah but, I would never eat that much, especially if I was you, not to be rude or anything but, you know" she scrunched her nose, looking down at the food that was left on your tray

"Right, yeah. I should probably stop, I'm full anyway" you pushed the tray away from you, fighting the urge to leave the table and go somewhere else

You had that problem a lot. They would say something so rude to you and you would just put up with it, never leaving or standing up to yourself, you just took it out on yourself later.

"Have you ever worked out? There's a gym at the mall, you should try it" she suggested

You had tried, nothing ever worked. You tried everything, not eating, working out, eating less, starvation, which led to a iron deficiency.

"Yeah? I'll try" you smiled tightly

"Mhm, you should, and until then you can't sit with us" the 'leader' of the group announced

"What?"

"Y/n, in order for us to be popular, you have to be gone, no offense but your not like us, and you're ruining our chances. And not to mention, your make up makes you look like a whore" she admitted

You nodded your head slowly, taking in what she had said, no one of the others disagreed, they all looked at you agreeing with her. And you nodded your head faster, realizing you weren't wanted by them, by anyone.

"Sorry" you muttered and quickly stumbled out of your seat, grabbing your bag and almost tripping as you sped out of the cafeteria.

---

You had locked yourself in the bathroom for the rest of the day, not turning up to your classes, no one would notice anyway. You weren't wanted so who would notice you weren't there?

So when the bell went, you were the first out the door, and in your car, driving off without waiting for Dusty.

You had just drove with tears blurring your vision, making you lose focus on the road.

Once you had gotten home, you face planted into your bed, covering your face in your soft white pillow, making it dirty with the load of make up that was now smudged and ruined.

You looked over at your desk tiredly, noticing the little black box next to your jewelry box. You got up and opened it, noticing the small little razor. taking it in your hands, you looked down at your wrists.

---

You stay there crying, looking at the new scars that we spread out on your arms in lines. You hated yourself for doing it, but in your mind, you thought it was helping you.

You knew Dustin would've found a way home and would probably be here soon, and might've been with Eddie, so you quickly pulled your sleeves down and walked out the back door, just in case you ran into them, and wondered to the forest a few minutes away from your house.

You had taken your makeup off once you did the harmful act and just felt so exhausted and embarrassed

How could you let this happen?

You got home at 9 at night. Eddie didn't seem to be there anymore so you walked in without a problem. The house was quiet, all the lights were off and the only light was the moon, shining through the window of the living room, but you managed to get to your room without making a sound.

---

Fridays. The day you usually look forward to is now something you despise. Who were you going to sit with? Hang out with?

Don't get me wrong, you could sit in the library, but that's pretty sad, and the bathroom isn't that sanitary, not that you were going to sit there anyway, but that would be your last option.

You didn't have makeup on, it was all natural, if it made you look like a whore than why bother?

It was a slow day. It's only 2nd period and you can't bare it anymore, not to mention the growing feeling of being stared at, you had felt someone's eyes on you for ages, ever since you got to school and you didn't want to have to deal with it today.

"Mr munson, pay attention" the teacher tells out to him, it's a miracle he's even in the class right now, he's usually ditching his classes and never shows up.

He muttered a small apology and looks down at his desk, nothing in front him, no book, no pen, just a vandalized desk with gum stuck to the bottom.

---

Lunch.

It shouldn't be a problem. You didn't really have money for food because you didn't want any and you didn't bother to bring some. So you walked to the corner of the room and got your Walkman out. Playing your Beatles 'Abbey Road'. And just sad down. Pulling out a book as 'here comes the sun' came on.

But your peace was then ruined as a handful of chips were thrown at you, some hitting your face, some at your chest, falling onto your lap. You looked up and saw Jason laughing,

You ignored him and went back to your book but that didn't last long either as a milkshake was thrown at you, ruining the book that your teacher had given out for her class, more specific, to study for her class. The light pink of the milkshake covering your body, covering one of your eyes and half of your hair as it spilled down your body. Your Walkman stopped playing the music and went to static noises before going silent.

He broke them.

You got up and walked out. Trying your best to block out the stares and laughing throughout the whole crowd in the room.

You threw your Walkman to the floor, it wasn't worth keeping it if it was broken, so you just left in on the floor as you rushed to the bathroom, wiping the pink liquid off you the best you should with only your hands, which wasn't really doing that well, and with your luck, while, turning a corner, you had bumped into someone, making their shirt dirty with the milkshake

"I'm sorry" you sobbed, getting out of their way and walking past them

"Hey, wait" they grabbed your wrist, making you hiss in pain of the contact of the marks and their fingers

"Y/n" you didn't recognize the voice that much so your only option was to wipe the shake out of your eyes and face, still blurry but you could make out who it was

"Leave me alone" you shrugged his hand away from yours and tried walking away

"Hey, it's ok, it's gonna be ok" he tried comforting you, but you didn't want it

"Go away, Dustin" you said and choked up on your words

"Where were you last night?" He questioned

"It doesn't matter Dustin"

"Eddie was asking about you, he was wanting to talk and see you" he told you and had a pleasing look on his face

"I don't want to talk to him" you sniffled and tried walking away again

"Why not?" He asked

"Because" you turned around to look at your younger brother and he just looked at you silently, nodding his head before walking away

You sighed and turned back around, stumbling into someone else, this time a taller figure.

Eddie

He wrapped his arms around you, securing you in his arms, pulling you as close as he could

"Go away" you tried pushing him away, but he was a pretty strong fella so he didn't go anywhere.

"Why do you hate me so much?" He quizzed pleadingly

"Why do you care?" you grumbled, more tears flowing out of your eyes and down your face, you hated the way you were sensitive, in both mental and physical sense.

"Because I care about you" he admitted

"No you don't, you never have, no one ever has" you yelled, trying your best to out of his grip, he told you to stop trying for get away from him

"That's not true" he shook his head

"Yes it is! I'm always left out, always last to everybody, because look at me, I'm not like Chrissy, or Megan, or lily, no one ever cared, I mean look at me! I have no friends, because they left me! They didn't want me! So why would you!?" You yelled at him

"Well I don't give a fuck about your 'friends', I'm right here, and yes, look around, I'm the only one who hasn't walked out on you" he yells back at you,

"You did walk out, you left me when I gained weight, you didn't like me cause I'm fat, that's what everybody says, everybody, even my friends" you managed to get out of his grip, going away from him

"I dont give a fuck about them. I'm right here, you walked out on me! I wouldn't be right here if I didn't like you!" He shouted at you from afar

You did leave him, you just convinced yourself it was the other way around, 2 years prior, when you got bigger, you felt like you weren't enough for him, to be his friend, so, when you usually sat with them, you didn't, you never did again, and when he had the chance, Eddie asked you why and you told him you didn't want to be friends with him and he took that as you calling him a freak, but it was worse, because not only were you his friend, but he was in love with you. He didn't care about your body, you cared about you

"I did it before you would" you walked back over to him

"What does that mean? I was never going to leave you, you're none of those things you think you are, or the things they say you are, your beautiful, amazing, talented and I- you're really cool" he pulls at his hair in frustration. You could barely feel your face anymore, and your hands had become sticky from the milkshake and sweat.

"And why would you think that?"

"Because I'm In love with you. You need to stop playing pretend for your judgemental friends who ain't really your friends at all, I don't get why you're trying to fit in here because these people don't appreciate what's real and beautiful, it's like I don't even know you anymore, where is she? Because I want her, you've been swept by the tide that doesn't even like you. So if you've got a moment to spare I got something to say" he rambled

You couldn't speak, you had a lump in your throat and couldn't care to swallow it down, you've been choked up

"Stop lying, it's not funny anymore and I'm sick of everybody acting like they like me, so just leave me alone" you pushed him away and walked out of the school. He didn't bother catching or calling you. He just left you to walk away from him, but you didn't care.

--------------------------

I'm sorry if any of this has ever happened to you, I can tell you you're not alone, I've gone through a lot of this myself and if you want to talk again. My dms are open

#eddie munson #eddie munson x fem!reader #stranger things #eddie munson x henderson!reader #fanfic #joseph quinn #eddie munson x shy!reader #eddie munson imagine #tv shows #bullying #imagines #eddie munson st #eddie the hero #eddie the banished #hawkins #stranger things fan #stranger things 4

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edenshiba · 11 months

Note

Thank you for writing my request! It turned out amazing! I hope you don’t me doing another? Could you do a Tsuji x Reader? Reader is the younger sister of 9. Reader and Tsuji have been talking for a long time when Tsuji confesses to her. Reader has no idea who to respond and gets interrupted by her brother picking her up from them hanging out. Tsuji kisses her cheek before they leave and tells her to think about it. 9 just looks confused and before telling them you can’t date you know that right

(I don’t think being 9’s younger sister would give much of a social life or romantic life)

(Tsuji helped Reader when some students from another school tried to jump her)

Character: Tsuji x Fem! Reader

Note: I forgot to update..... Sorry. SOMEBODY PLEASE DO MORE OF TSUJI AND SHIBA 😭. also @mrskenpachizaraki this is for you 😊

The bell ring loudly as the whole students packing their bag without caring of the teacher’s words. You sat there, zoning out since while looking at the athletes training at the field.

“Remember class, I need your parents to sign the form or else you can’t participate in the field trip.” The teacher said.

You put on your headphones before playing the One Ok Rock song. You are a big fan of that band since you entered high school. Thanks to your former best friend.

Since she passed away, you didn’t socialize anymore. Only wake up, go to school, come back, play the guitar and finish your homework and sleep.

The routine oy change if you brother remember to come home, otherwise you will do it every day. Anyway, you can just forge your brother’s signature. 9 never home so it's not a big of a deal.

While walking to the bus stop, you saw several girls with a different uniform than you. You went to Seiho All Girls School and the uniform there are brown. Those girls wear blue.

Ah, must be from the rich school

You tried to ignored them but the one with the pony tails stops and push you.

' Fucking bitch. You thought.

The melon bread that you were eating laying flat on the ground before one of them stepped on it.

That was supposed to be your dinner.

“So this is the girl that Keiji like?” You stared at her before trying to remember the name.

Who the hell is Keiji?

“I don’t know that people from Seiho is are this shameless.” Their accusations making you felt dizzy.

First of all, who are they? And second of all, since when you talk to people?

The last person you ever communicates with was your homeroom teacher. She said your grades are good enough to be accepted to the top Universities in Japan.

“ Who do you think you are, huh? Taking another girl’s boyfriend. Are you that shameless?”

Ah, now you understand.

Despite being a loner, you are quite popular among other people. Since you are the president for the chess club and the top student of the school, people talks about you a lot.

But of course, nasty rumours do spread around.

You give them an annoyed look. Do these girls thinks that you are THAT cheap?

“Ah, him? Sorry but he’s the one who like me. I can’t do anything about it girl.” You replied.

If they wanted to act like a mean girl, then you can also do the same.

You saw how her hand almost touching your face until a big veiny hand appear. You opened up you eyes after not feeling anything, only to see two stranger. One with the red hair was holding her hand and one with the blonde hair covered your body from them.

“ Five versus one? My, you guys really that pathetic huh?” The girl tried to snatch her hand back but the man’s grip tighten.

“ Mind your own business!” The girl says.

She tried to act tough even though you see how her leg shakes. You did felt a tinge of pity but then you chose to forget it.

“How can this not be our business? How can an elite group came here? Didn’t you guys too far from home?”

The girls were to stunned by their words. The red head finally let go of the girl’s hand. She wince at the pain before covering the wrist. Her white skin turns red.

“This is not over yet!” She yelled before walking away with her group of friends.

You waved at her before looking tried to walk away.

“Thanks for your help but I can protect myself.” You said before disappearing from their sight.

You put on your headphones back before turning on the music. Well, that will be the first and last time you see them.

Meanwhile, Tsuji and Shibaman were stunned by your reply.

“Nee Tsuji, we shouldn’t help her you know.”

Tsuji scratch the back of his head before looking at his partner.

“Well, it’s not wrong to help her. Besides, she’s cute ya know?” Tsuji smirked before walking away.

Shiba followed him but still puzzled at his words. There is no way in seven hell Tsuji like that girl.

The next day, you put on the headphone as soon as the class is over. The field trip talk is unnecessary. You brother did came back last night to give you the monthly allowance before going back to his usual work.

You didn’t care, as long as he gave you enough money to survive then you are okay.

Your instinct told you to take off the headphone and you did. A big figure towering over you, making you tilted your head a bit.

It is him, the guy from yesterday.

“ You shouldn't walk while listening to the music. Somebody might jumped on you .” He said before taking the headphone off your head.

“ What are you? Stalker?” You said before snatching the headphone back.

You walk past him but before you could put on the headphone again, he grab it and put it around his neck. You glared at him before trying to get it back.

“U, uh. I’m taking this.” He said.

You groaned at his actions. How old is this guy anyway?

“ I’m Tsuji by the way. Nice to meet you.” He said.

“Fuck off.”

Several months went by and you and Tsuji has a pretty good friendship. If he didn’t hang out with his Oya High friends he would hang out with you. Depending on his mood, usually he would walk you home and have a dinner with you.

Surprisingly he can cook.

“Hey.” You raises your head, just Tsuji and Shibaman is nowhere to be seen.

“Where is Shiba?”

“Well, his sister wants to meet him. What are you listening to?”

Tsuji took your left earbud before putting it on his ear. You play the song to let him hear it.

“It’s cool. Who’s the artist?”

“Halsey.” He nodded.

Without him knowing, you blush slightly. You find it hard to push him away lately. Both of you have been seeing each other everyday and sometimes he even walk with you to school despite Oya High is on the other side of the town.

“So, are you free tonight? We can watch the star.” He asked while opening the café door for you.

“My brother is coming tonight. Sorry.” You apologize but the man just smile.

“It’s fine. Let me order the drinks” You watch him walking to the counter.

Your heart beats faster than usual. Oh my god you are in love with this guy.

You can’t deny it, Tsuji is a good guy. He walks you home, he bought flower whenever he visited you at your apartment, he accompany you whenever you study at the library despite him just watching without doing anything.

You can’t help but like him. Well, this tiny little crush will never be known by him of course.

He can’t know. You have a reputation to uphold.

“Hey they run out of (f/f) smoothie. Is coffee fine?” He said worriedly.

“ It’s fine.” You said before taking the cup.

Good bye to your sleep.

You took out your exercise book and your notes. Tsuji just watching you solve the math questions. After several minutes, you change to the other book.

“Do Seiho always gives their students lots of homework?” He asked while sipping his coffee.

You look up before putting the pen down. You just realized that you got another three subject to finish by tomorrow.

“Oh this? Well, English and Math from three weeks ago and Physics and Chemistry is from last week. Yeah the Japanese need to be submit by next week.” Tsuji scratches the back of his head.

You chuckled at his actions. Well, Oya wasn’t known for their intelligence. You don’t really blame him.

“Don’t study too much. You might go crazy.” He said before switching his focus to his phone.

“ Ok dad.” You rolled your eyes before continues to finish the whole essay. Tsuji smiled at your words.

He don't really paying too much attention on his phone. He has been staring at you secretly. He loves it whenever you bit your lower lips whenever you didn't know the answer.

The sun already set by the time you finish the Chemistry homework. You put all the pens and pencils inside your pencil case before putting it in your bag. You saw Tsuji just got back from the toilet.

“You done?”

“Yeah my brother will fetch me so you can just go home.” You said before sipping the remaining coffee.

“ Don’t be stupid. Let me walk with you.” He said before taking your bag and sling it on his shoulder. He grabbed you by the hand before both of you leaving the café.

You blush at the gesture. Thank god he didn’t see it.

The walk to the bus stop is quite. You didn’t know what to say or what to do. The way he holds your hand say it all but you don’t want to put your hopes too high.

Does he like you?

“The moon is beautiful right?” You heart skipped a beat.

Wait, what?

He suddenly stop before looking at you. Your eyes met his and he smile.

“ (y/n), I like you.”

You aren’t dreaming right?

Did he just, confessed his love to you?

“I, I....”

A loud honk shocked you. You look at the car, shit!

“Your brother?”

“Yeah.” Tsuji chuckled. He patted your head before kisses your right cheek.

“ I don’t need the answer tonight. Feel free to tell me when you are ready.” He said before wave good bye.

You still at the froze at your spot. He kissed you.

YOUR CRUSH KISS YOU!

You will never wash your face after this. Oh my god!

Before your brother loses his patience, you quickly went to his car and sat at the passenger sit. 9 gave you a weird look.

“Is that your boyfriend?" He gave you a confused look.

How come he never see that guy. Are you dating without him knowing?

"You know you can't date right? What will happen to your study if you got pregnant? Oh my god you got the entrance exam this year!"

You gave him an annoyed look. This is why you and him never in a good relationship.

Too overprotective. It’s suffocating.

“Shut up and drive old man. I want to eat sukiyaki.” You said.

Sleep well pretty. I’ll walk you to school tomorrow.

You smiled at the message. Ah, love is great.

“ I’ll send you to cram school if your grades drop. Also quit smiling like an idiot.” 9 can’t accept this.

You’re growing too fast.

“ I know okay.” You grumble.

Café date tomorrow?

Alright.

You grinned.

“I told you to stop smiling already!”

“Shut up old man!”

#high&low #high&low the worst #high&low the worst x #oya high #tsujifromhighandlow #tsujixreader

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batboyblog · 6 months

Note

Is ok for me to vent here?

I’m frustrated, Israel has the right to exist as much as other fucked up countries like the USA. You can hate BiBi as much as you can hate Biden or even more I don’t give a fuck. Israel has the right to exist and the right to defend itself. Hamas is a fucking terrorist group stop supporting a fucking terrorist group. Members of the LBGTQ community that support Hamas as the dumbest people ever. Even dumber then flat earthers. Sorry for the vent I’m just pissed

Israel is the only country we seem to have this "debate" about, the only country where there's a sizable movement to not just dissolve its government and end its statehood, you could say that is true of Taiwan or North Korea as well, but to depopulate it of its citizens "by any means" is a phrase that gets thrown around.

people can feel however they want about 1948, or the whole Zionist project from the 1880s through to 1947, but it happened and they're not Dr. Who they can't go back and change history, you can only go forward.

Hamas' attack didn't free Palestine, in fact it made Israel more resolved. I was just reading about how 3,000 Haredi who are traditionally anti-zionist/non-zionist signed up to the IDF when they normally don't serve at all. Think about that for a second a traditionally non-Zionist Jewish community signing up for the IDF on mass, real win there guys. Indeed there are lots of stories of suffering an heroism from Israel's Arabs not just Druze traditional allies of the state but Muslims as well, I think of the bus driver who still can't sleep because he spend hours under the bodies of the old folks he was driving to the beach that day, every time he lays down he feels like he's there again. Or the Bedouin cabby who packed people into his van at the music festival. A popular Israeli Palestinian blogger put out a long post about his own complicated history with his identity and how for years he's been saying "Palestinian Israeli" but was now going to switch it to Israeli Palestinian, because Hamas showed him he has no other home than Israel. Sorry to ramble but my point is these attacks have brought everyone even groups normally ambivalent or even hostile to the Zionist project into the Israeli community. So kind of an own goal if you want to "free Palestine" to get Palestinians in Israel to feel more Israeli than ever.

It's been a long hard 2 weeks to be Jewish um yeah lots of pain lots of frustration. not much to say past that, Israel is a country its going to keep being a country for the rest of all our lives, no one who's really pro-Palestinian (rather than just antisemitic) should want Hamas in charge of Gaza they're violent against their own people, they steal from them, no good, and a "us or them" struggle between the Israelis and Palestinians.. no pro-Palestinian should want that, there are 2 million Palestinians in Israel, citizens of Israel, many of whom were murdered on Oct 7, shot down, they murdered a woman in a Hijab, does any one think they thought she was a Jew? whats more if you really make it "one or the other" just thats not a pro-Palestinian point of view, just gets more people killed.

#this will get me hate mail

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crystalninjaphoenix · 8 months

Text

Halloween Birthday Bash

Paranormal Preteens AU: Episode Fifteen

A JSE Fanfic

Eeeee we're getting stakes in the story, guys! And that's all I'll say because I don't want to spoil anything :)c It's Halloween, which means it's Marvin and JJ's birthday. They invite all the others—Chase, Schneep, Jackie, and Stacy—over to their house for a party. And it's not quite what the others expect. Even before things take a sharp turn downhill. And yeah. Happy reading ;)

++++++++++++++++++++

Chase had been to a lot of other kids’ houses before, but they were usually all in the same sort of neighborhood. The suburbs, as Mom told him they were called. Marvin and JJ lived much closer to the center of town, at the end of a street called Riverview Place. The houses here were all tall and narrow, with flat, sloping roofs instead of pointed ones, their walls all connected in rows. It was hard to tell them apart.

“Okay, number 55, here we are,” Mom said, pulling to the side of the road. “Hey, isn’t that Jackie’s car?”

“Mm-hmm.” Chase nodded. “They invited him, too. And Stacy.”

“Ah, right.” Mom smiled. “I’m so glad you guys have met someone new. It’s good to have a girl’s perspective sometimes.”

“It is? On what?” Chase asked, genuinely confused.

“You’ll see.”

Chase turned around to look at Schneep in the backseat, silently asking if he knew what Mom was talking about. But Schneep wasn’t really paying attention. He had his face pressed up to the car window, staring out at the house. “Will there be enough room for all of us inside?” he asked. “It is a... skinny house.”

“This design of house is called a townhouse,” Mom explained. “And I think you’ll be fine.” She parked the car and looked at the boys. “Alright. I’ll pick you up at five, but if you want to leave early, just call me. We can go trick-or-treating afterwards. I managed to convince some of our neighbors to try it out for Henrik’s first real Halloween.”

Schneep smiled wide, excited; Chase had been hyping up Halloween all month. “That is great! So we go back home and put on the costumes?”

“You got it!” Mom said. “Now, do you want me to walk you two up to the door? I’d like to have a brief chat with Marvin and Jameson’s parents.”

“Sure, Mom.” Chase opened the car door. “C’mon, Sch—Henrik!”

“Yes, yes! Ah, will you help with the gifts?”

“Yeah, of course!”

The two of them got the presents from the back seat and practically ran up to the front door, Mom trailing behind them. Chase had been so curious about Marvin and JJ’s house after Marvin had asked the whole friend group to come over for their birthday. And now, seeing how different it was, he was even more curious. It did throw him off a bit. But that happened whenever you visited someone else’s house. Knowing the place where they lived was weird, though not in a bad way. Just in a different way.

Chase rang the doorbell. A few seconds later, it was answered by an old woman, her gray hair cut into a bob. She looked at the boys, blinked, then smiled. “Ah, more of JJ and Marvin’s friends, are ye?” she asked. “And their mam, by t’look of it. Good to meet you.”

“Hi.” Chase waved. “I’m Chase. This is my cousin, Henrik.”

“Ah, of course ye are. They’ve been talkin’ up a storm about when you’d get here.” The woman chuckled. “I’m the boys’ grandmother, I’m in town for the next couple o’months. My name’s Saoirse, but you can call me Granmam Molloy, if you want. Come in, come in. You too, young lady.”

Mom smiled, clearly flattered by being called ‘young lady.’ “Thank you. Are Emma and Robert here or is it just you?”

“They’re here, in the kitchen actin’ the maggot. Go on in t’ere if you want t’talk to them.”

Chase and Schneep walked into the house, finding themselves in a small entrance hall with white and blue wallpaper. A narrow hallway extended forward, made even narrower by the upwards staircase taking up half the space. Chase leaned back against the bannister to let Mom and Granmam pass by.

“What a strange staircase,” Schneep muttered. “Why does the handle curve at the end like that?”

“Huh?” Chase turned back around to look at the bannister he was leaning on. “Oh yeah. That’s weird, I’ve never seen a staircase, uhhhh, bannister do that. It’s blocking off, like, a third of the stairs. Do you have to scootch around it to go up and down?”

“You’re here!”

The two of them turned back around and saw Marvin running down the hallway towards them, skidding to a halt only a foot away. “I thought you weren’t coming!” he said. “I mean, of course you were coming, it sounds dumb when I say it like that, but you’re the last ones here so I was getting worried. You were looking at the stairs of doom, right? I mean, the staircase? Upstairs is just the bedrooms and the bathroom, yeah the only bathroom is on the second floor, it’s weird. Everyone else is in the living room, though! Well, Mam and Dad are in the kitchen, that’s through this doorway here, but what I’m saying is we’re all hanging out down here.”

Chase laughed. He hadn’t realized how much he missed Marvin talking so fast until these past few weeks of unusual silence from him. “Yeah, bro, of course we were coming! I think Mom got lost driving for a while.”

“Dad always says it’s easy to miss the turn onto the street.” Marvin nodded seriously. Then he gasped. “You brought presents!”

“They are from both of us,” Schneep said, lifting up the wrapped box he was holding. Chase had the other one pressed to his chest. “We would have gotten you both one from each of us, but Aunt Jess said this would be fine.”

“It totally is, don’t fucking worry about it!” Marvin turned around. “Well, c’mon!” He headed back down the hallway. Chase and Schneep quickly followed.

Chase’s first impression of the living room was that it was... weirdly nice. He wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was because the place was so clean and tidy. Apart from the presents stacked on the coffee table, there wasn’t a mess anywhere. The L-shaped sofa and single armchair looked basically new, without a lot of the wear that furniture gets when it’s used for a couple years. A boxy television sat on top of a cabinet with closed doors that probably held all the movies and such. The walls were covered in more wallpaper, this time white-and-green striped. One wall had a bunch of framed photographs hanging on it in neat rows.

JJ, Jackie, and Stacy were all in here. Stacy was sitting in the armchair, looking a bit awkward perched on the edge, while Jackie and JJ were sitting on the sofa, where Jackie seemed to be showing JJ his camera. He looked up as Marvin, Chase, and Schneep walked in. “Hey, it’s the rest of the guys!” He smiled. “Glad you could make it.”

“Yeah, great to be here!” Chase said, smiling back. He walked around the sofa and put the present down with the others already there. “Whoa, you have a lot of presents. Nice.”

They’re mostly clothes, JJ said.

“How do you know that?”

JJ shrugged. Mam and Dad always use the same type of boxes for clothes. Look at all the flat rectangles.

Schneep also put his present down and looked around the room. “You have a nice house.”

“It’s a bit cramped with you all in here, so that sucks, but yeah, it’s alright,” Marvin said.

“Hi Chase, hi Schneep.” Stacy gave a little wave.

“Hi Stacy.” Chase waved back. “So your parents let you come?”

“Yeah. It’s, uh...” She glanced around. “...really different from girl birthday parties. You guys don’t have any decorations? Or cake?”

“We have cake,” Marvin said defensively. “It’s in the kitchen with Mam and Dad. And we’ve never really had people over for birthdays, so like, there’s never really been a need to decorate stuff, you know?”

“My parents still get balloons even when I’m not having friends over,” Stacy said.

Marvin blinked, looking surprised. “Really?”

I’d like balloons, JJ said. It’s a bit too late now, but maybe next year.

A moment passed in silence. “Well, uh, now that everyone’s here we can get the party started!” Jackie said cheerfully. “What do you guys want to do? JJ, Marvin? It’s your party. You want to open presents first?”

“Oh! We can play video games!” Marvin said, walking over to the TV. He slid open a door in the cabinet, revealing, as Chase suspected, a row of DVD and game cases. “We just have a Wii, nothing exciting like at Chase’s house, and we only have four remotes but we can take turns! We have a lot of ‘party games.’”

“Cool, I’ve never used a Wii before.” Chase jumped over the back of the sofa and landed in the corner of the L shape.

JJ flinched. Don’t do that when Dad can see, he’s really particular about the furniture.

“Really? Oh. Sorry.” Chase shifted in his seat. “I was excited. Excited to play games with you guys on your birthday! Happy birthday, by the way! And happy Halloween!” He looked to the side. “Schneep, wish them happy birthday!”

Schneep was still standing, looking at the wall of photographs. His eyes were narrowed as he examined them all. “Was?” He turned back around. “Oh, yes. Happy birthday Marvin! Happy birthday JJ!”

At that moment, Mom peered into the room from the hallway, with Granmam behind her. “Chase? Henrik? I’m heading out now,” she said. “Have fun!”

“Alright, Mom!” Chase said.

“Goodbye, Aunt Jess.” Schneep waved.

“Goodbye.” Mom waved back. “I’ll be back at five.” And with that, she turned and left.

Granmam took her place staring into the room. “Ah, a full house, I see.” She chuckled. “Do you boys want me t’leave you to it?”

“Uhhh, yeah, I think so?” Marvin glanced at JJ, who nodded. “Yeah. Thanks, Granmam!”

“Not a problem, lad. I’ll be in the dinin’ room wit’ your parents if you need me.” And she disappeared.

Marvin beamed. “Alright! Thanks again!” He then turned back to the TV cabinet. “Okay, what do you guys want to do?”

They ended up playing party games for a while, with everyone taking turns. Chase found the Wii remotes strange, but apparently Schneep and Stacy really clicked with the different controllers because they ended up playing more than Jackie and Chase did.

“Ach! Nicht fair!” Schneep shouted. “This game is—is broken! Why do you get all the high dice rolls?!”

“There’s a trick to it, I swear,” Stacy says. “It’s something about the timing.”

“Timing? Time to get your face out of my face.” Schneep grumbled, leaning back against the sofa and stretching his legs across the floor. He held up the remote for Chase to take. “Here. You do this part.”

“Oh I’m so glad you gave me the controller for the worst minigame,” Chase muttered, taking it anyway.

“I like this minigame,” Marvin said.

“It’s all luck!”

“Yeah, that’s why I like it. It evens the playing field.”

“The game has already—already—ah!” Schneep snapped his fingers a couple times, looking for the word. “Already leveled the playing field! With bombs!”

Jackie chuckled. “It’s demolished the playing field.” He settled back into the sofa cushions.

“If I knew you guys had a game system I would’ve got you guys a game for it,” Stacy muttered.

I’m sure whatever you got was great, JJ assured her.

Stacy sighed. “I should’ve actually asked you guys what you wanted.”

JJ shrugged. I’m never sure what I want for presents, only what I don’t want. Like clothes.

“I’ve wanted the same thing for ages,” Marvin said. “I want a pet.”

“A pet?” Chase asked, glancing away from the screen.

“Yeah! I know we don’t have room for a dog because they need a lot of space, but we could have a cat! I’ve asked every birthday and Christmas for a cat, but I’d be fine with anything. Like, we could have a hamster in our room. Or even a fucking fish. I really want a tiny, cute-ass animal in our house. I’ll take care of it and everything, I’ve read so much about cat care—well, and a bit about taking care of other pets. Like I said, I’d take anything.” Marvin paused. “But I really want a cat.”

“Pets are a lot of responsibility,” Jackie said. “I once pet-sitted for my aunt, it was so much to take care of her dog for just two days.”

“Yeah, I know.” Marvin shrugged. “I’ll take care of it. I’ve checked out a bunch of books from the library—Oh for the love of god!”

Chase laughed. “Do you still like this minigame, bro?”

Marvin threw his hands in the air. “I’m in last fucking place now! Dick!”

Chase just laughed harder. “Here, Schneep, take your controller again.” He held it down for Schneep to grab, but he wasn’t paying attention. “Hey. Schneep.” He followed Schneep’s line of sight. “Why are you staring at the pictures on the wall again?”

Schneep jumped a little. “Sorry.” He took the remote again, then looked at JJ and Marvin. “I-I hope you do not mind.”

“Course not,” Marvin said absentmindedly, paying more attention to the game. JJ just shrugged.

“Can I... ask you something?” Schneep asked. “Why... Are... A lot of the pictures just have one of you in them. That is... Do you two... Does one of you not like taking pictures?”

“Mam and Dad have more pictures,” Marvin said, still not looking away from the TV screen.

JJ sighed. They’re mostly of me, he said, looking up at the ceiling.

“...oh.” Schneep blinked. “That is... strange.”

The schools like to hand out awards for being very good at things, I’ve won a fair amount. Mam and Dad like to take photographs to remember the occasion. JJ jerked his head over to the wall of pictures. You’ll notice a lot of them have me or one of them holding up a piece of paper. That’s what that’s about.

Schneep narrowed his eyes. “That is not all of the pictures with just one of—”

JJ reached down and nudged him. It’s your turn again.

“Ah, so soon?” Schneep looked back at the TV.

The short conversation hadn’t gone unnoticed. Pretty much everyone else had heard and seen it, though Stacy was a bit confused on some of the words JJ signed. Jackie looked the most uneasy out of the group. He kept glancing back towards the hallway, towards the mentioned dining room. The only one who hadn’t really reacted was Marvin. He hadn’t turned away from the television the whole time. As if it wasn’t important enough to look away from the video game to listen.

“Weird,” Chase muttered, deciding to move on.

“Yeah, weird, huh, Chase Brody?” Stacy said in a suddenly pointed tone.

“Huh?” Chase looked over at her. She was still sitting in the armchair, basically in a straight line across the room from him.

“A lot of things are weird,” she said, eyes latched onto him from behind her pink-rimmed glasses. “But like, sometimes you shouldn’t use that word. People might not care for it.”

“Oh. Oh! Right.” Chase cringed. He hadn’t forgotten about apologizing to Marvin for the whole ‘magic weirdo’ incident. He just... hadn’t been able to. They were all so busy with school, and the Jacksons were in a different year so it was harder to see them around, and the group hadn’t met up much outside of school until now...

But this was a birthday party. This was supposed to be fun. Though, if Marvin thought Chase didn’t like him, that would get in the way of the fun. But also, what if Marvin had moved past it? He didn’t seem... different. Like how he’d been different recently. But also also, that could have been because Marvin also didn’t want to kill the fun mood. God, why was having friends so hard? It wasn’t supposed to be hard.

Chase was a bit quiet as they finished up the game, trying to think of a way to do this. As they wrapped up (JJ won), he decided it would probably be best to get right to it. “Hey, uh, Marvin? Can I talk to you... in the hallway?”

“Huh?” Marvin looked at him, confused. “Uh... sure.” He stood up. “Don’t pick a game without us, guys.”

“Everything okay, you two?” Jackie asked, concerned.

“Yeah, uh... I just want to talk about some stuff.” Chase glanced at Stacy. She gave him a smug little smile that made him want to change his mind about this. But whatever.

“Alright, c’mon.” Marvin walked into the hallway, and Chase followed him.

The two of them stopped halfway between the living room and the dining room doorway. It wasn’t too far, but Chase didn’t want the adults hearing this, that would be weird. As long as they spoke quietly, it should be fine. “So, uh...” Chase kicked at the carpet. “I, uh... Stacy told me that I’d said something mean.”

“She did?” Marvin’s face was hard to read.

“Yeah. I mean, it’s not like I didn’t—I didn’t mean it when I said it, I just... wasn’t really thinking... uh.” Chase took a deep breath. “Anyway. When we were in the planetarium basement, Stacy and I were talking, and I said that I didn’t want people to know I was hanging out with ‘magic weirdos.’”

Marvin stiffened slightly. Chase wouldn’t have noticed that before, but now he was paying attention. “Yeah?”

“I, uh... didn’t realize you... heard that,” Chase said slowly. “A-and it’s not what I meant! I wasn’t calling you o-or anyone else a weirdo, I just... I-I was trying to say that’s what other kids would say. Not me. But, uh, Stacy and Schneep pointed out that it was still calling you guys names, and I’m sorry. I-I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

Marvin tilted his head. “Really?”

“Uh... yeah.” Chase wasn’t expecting that flat tone. “I’m sorry. You’re not weird.”

“Really?” Marvin narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Yeah.”

“I’m wearing a fucking cape.” He twirled said cape around. “That’s not weird?”

“I mean... it is.” Chase instantly regretted that. “But that’s not a bad thing!” he hurried to add. “I mean, it’s great! You’re great. I-I still like you. And... and I never want to make you feel bad. So... I’m sorry.”

Marvin was silent for a moment. Chase shifted on his feet uncomfortably. He didn’t realize until now that Marvin rarely looked directly at people. The way he was staring at Chase now. Just as Chase was about to break the quiet, Marvin nodded. “Okay. Yeah.”

“We’re... good?” Chase asked hesitantly.

“Yeah. Apology accepted.” Marvin turned around. “Let’s go back to the party now.”

Chase watched him walk back down the hallway. He couldn’t help but feel that this wasn’t really over... But he followed him back into the living room anyway. Maybe he could ask about it again later.

It might have just been because of that conversation, but Chase felt like there was a weird mood in the air after that. The group played another game, shouting and laughing like they’d been doing before. Stacy talked a lot about how this was different from what she usually did with friends. Jackie took pictures with his camera. Marvin and JJ got really competitive playing. It all seemed fine on the surface. And yet, he could have sworn there was this... this tension below all that.

After only half an hour, the grown-ups walked into the room. Granmam, and a man and woman who were clearly the twins’ parents. The woman had short blonde hair and blue eyes, while the man had darker brown hair and a thick beard. “Alright boys!” Mr. Jackson clapped his hands for attention. “It’s time to open gifts.”

“Aw, hell yeah.” Marvin paused the game and put down the remote. “Jackie, scoot over, I have to sit next to JJ for this.”

“Here, you just take the spot.” Jackie stood up. “I don’t mind standing.”

Everyone scrambled to make room. Luckily, the adults had the idea to bring in chairs from the kitchen and put them down in front of the television (which they turned off without powering off the Wii.) It ended up with Chase, Schneep, and Stacy crowded onto the long part of the sofa’s L while the twins sat on the short part. The grown-ups sat in the kitchen chairs while Jackie took the armchair, where he now sat with his camera out for pictures. “Why don’ you open the gifts from all your friends first, boys?” Granmam suggested.

“Oh! Open ours!” Chase shouted. “That one’s for Marvin, and that one’s for JJ, right there, in the green wrapping paper.”

“Cool, it’s big!” Marvin said, excitedly picking up his present. “JJ, same time?”

Same time, JJ agreed, and the two of them started unwrapping, with Marvin tearing off the paper and JJ carefully undoing the tape.

“Henrik insisted on getting at least one book,” Chase said. “I don’t really get it, but I think you’ll like it. And, uh, they didn’t have the sort of magic that you like, Marvin, so I hope that’s fine—”

Marvin gasped. “It’s perfect!” He’d unwrapped a box that turned out to be a magic trick kit. “Magnificent Magic? Oh, that’s cool. I’m gonna learn how to do all the fucking card tricks.”

As one, the kids glanced towards Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, all of them expecting some reaction to Marvin’s swearing. But the two parents seemed fine. Mrs. Jackson was taking pictures just like Jackie was, smiling gently. “What did you get, Jameson?” Mr. Jackson asked. “Hold it up for the camera.”

JJ held up his present and automatically smiled for the picture. It was a book about filming techniques in old Hollywood. Chase hadn’t understood why Schneep insisted JJ would like it, but clearly Schneep had been right, because after the photo JJ turned to them and excitedly signed, Thank you so so much! It’s amazing! I’ve never had a book like this!

“You are welcome,” Schneep mumbled, grinning and ducking his head in embarrassment.

“You guys should do mine next,” Stacy said, pointing to a pair of identical white-and-gold presents.

Oooo the paper is so nice, JJ said, and picked one up.

“Yeah, we have really nice paper.” Stacy paused as the twins unwrapped the gifts. “I didn’t really know what to get you guys, because everyone I asked about presents for boys suggested sports stuff or car stuff, and I don’t think you guys care about either of those. So I gave up and got you the same thing I would’ve got a girl friend I didn’t know too well.”

“What is it?” Marvin opened up the thin book and looked at the pages inside. The cover was blue with a pattern of clouds. JJ held a book that was exactly the same, but with a pattern of stars.

“Diaries. Or, uh, journals, if ‘diary’ is too girly for you,” Stacy explained. “I think everyone should write stuff down.”

That’s such a great idea, JJ said, smiling. He and Marvin looked at each other and, after a second, swapped journals, apparently deciding they liked the other cover better.

“Hold it up for the picture!” Mrs. Jackson said, taking a photograph. “Oooo, they have little locks on them, how cute.”

“It’s just Jackie’s left now, right?” Marvin asked.

“Yeah.” Jackie chuckled. “I hope you’re not too disappointed. They’re those two gift bags right there.”

The twins picked up the bags and pulled out the tissue paper to look at the contents inside. What is this? JJ asked.

“It’s for your video camera. If you put the case on it, it’s supposed to protect it from being dropped. I hope it fits. I wanted to get a tripod, but I wasn’t sure if you already had one, or if I could find one you could use. Be hard to wrap, anyway.”

Marvin gasped as he looked at what he had. “Witchy socks!” He pulled out a bunch of striped and patterned socks in a variety of colors, all themed around black cats and broomsticks and other witch-like stuff. “That’s so fucking cool! I’ve never had fun socks before! Thank you!”

“Picture, boys!” Mrs. Jackson trilled, snapping another photo even though Marvin wasn’t looking at the camera. “Now it’s time for the gifts from family!”

“Ah, don’ rush ‘em, dear,” Granmam said. “The gifts’ll still be t’ere in five minutes. Here, boys.” She leaned forward, holding out a pair of envelopes. “I’m sure ye know what’s in t’ese.”

The family gifts started with money from Granmam, fifty in cash for each of the twins, which they both looked very excited for. The rest of the presents were from their parents. As JJ had suspected, a lot of the flat, rectangular packages were boxes of clothes. Every time he opened one, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson gushed about how nice he would look in that shirt, or those pants. He clearly got sick of it very quickly, but he kept smiling every time his mom prompted him for a picture. Marvin, meanwhile, abandoned all sense of order and began tearing open presents.

“Dude, slow down,” Chase said. “You’re not even checking the labels.”

Marvin snorted and rolled his eyes. “They don’t have labels. We’re twins. It’s always for both of us.”

That sort of made sense. But also... neither of the twins looked particularly excited about the presents from their parents. All of them were rather boring. Clothes, books, school supplies. The most exciting it got was a pair of white teddy bears, identical except for the bow ties around their necks (red and blue.) Where was all the fun stuff? If you were going to buy stuff that both of the twins would enjoy, wouldn’t you buy things that both of them liked? Instead of things that neither of them did?

Mr. and Mrs. Jackson didn’t seem to notice their kids’ lackluster reactions. They kept saying things like, “Isn’t it great?” and “That’ll be so helpful!” and “You’ll get a lot of use out of t’at!” Chase found himself quickly getting annoyed by these comments, but he had to be nice. They were Marvin and JJ’s parents, after all, and this was their house.

He also noticed Jackie had put away his camera a while ago, and was now leaning back in the armchair not reacting to much. Schneep was staring at the parents and frowning, but saying nothing. Stacy still looked like she was paying attention to the present-opening, but Chase recognized the way eyes began to glaze over when someone was bored. It usually happened to him in math class.

Eventually, it was over. Or—was it?

“Alright, everyone stay right here!” Mrs. Jackson stood up. “We have one last special gift t’is year!”

Mr. Jackson also nodded and stood up. “We’ll be right back.”

The two of them left, leaving Marvin and JJ exchanging curious looks. Granmam beamed at them. “You two will love t’is, boys,” she said. “I’ve helped out a bit wit’ the costs and the... well. Everyt’ing else you’ll need.”

The parents soon returned carrying a large box between them, wrapped but with a circular hole in one side. Unlike all the other presents, this one had a label on the top, though Chase couldn’t see what it was since there was also a large red ribbon. “Alright, here you go,” Mr. Jackson said as the two of them set it down on the sofa between the twins.

Marvin and JJ leaned over, looking at the label. They looked up at each other. JJ grimaced slightly, and Marvin leaned back, playing with the edge of his cape. “Come on, open it!” Mrs. Jackson said, sitting down and picking up the camera. “Marvin, help your brother.”

“No, I’m fine,” Marvin said shortly. “Go ahead, JJ.”

JJ’s grimace deepened, but he quickly schooled his expression into pleasant neutrality. Are you sure? he asked.

“Yeah.”

JJ nodded slowly. He began unwrapping the large box. Was it just in Chase’s imagination, or was the box... wiggling?

The paper fell away to reveal a big cardboard box. JJ opened the flaps on the top, and—

Something inside squeaked out a small mew.

The room fell silent. Chase stared at Marvin, who was looking into the box with wide eyes as a small gray head peeked over the edge. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson smiled. “Whoo!” Mrs. Jackson said. “Do you like it, Jameson?”

“Emma, the kitten is a present for both of them,” Granmam said, frowning in clear disapproval.

“We just thought that Jameson has been doing so well this year that he deserved a little extra reward,” Mr. Jackson explained. “Marvin can help take care of it, too, of course. We don’t play favorites.”

Marvin abruptly stood up. “I have to go to the bathroom,” he said, and hurried out of the room.

“Marvin!” Jackie gasped. He also stood and followed Marvin out of there.

“Um...” Stacy’s head darted around the room. Out of everyone, she was the most uncomfortable. “Is it... cute?” she asked awkwardly.

JJ reached into the box, prompting a couple more squeaky meows. He pulled out a tiny gray kitten, gently holding it in two hands. It wriggled a bit, and he carefully lowered it back into the box. He nodded.

“Alright, I suppose it’s time for cake, t’en,” Mrs. Jackson said.

JJ violently shook his head. I’m not blowing out the candles without Marvin, he said.

“He’ll just be a minute, Jameson—” Mr. Jackson started.

“Listen to the lad, will you?!” Granmam snapped. “He wants his brother t’ere, and you shoul’ too!” She stood up and left the room.

Mrs. Jackson sighed. “It’s alright, Bobby, we can wait,” she said. “Let’s go get everyt’ing ready in the kitchen, sure?”

Mr. Jackson nodded, and the two of them left the room.

The four remaining kids sat in silence for a long time. JJ’s eyes were fixed on the kitten in the box.

“Are you two... okay?” Schneep whispered.

JJ sighed. It’s fine.

“It is not.”

I know, but... JJ trailed off.

“You two can come over to our house whenever you want,” Schneep said quietly. “Ja, Chase?”

“Ja—Yes.” Chase nodded.

JJ gave them a small smile. Thank you. He sat up straight. I don’t think Marvin will be back for a while. I hope you weren’t expecting cake any time soon. While we wait, can you all help me sort these presents out? We’ll just stack them on top of the table again.

The others mumbled agreement and quietly went to work. Chase glanced up towards the second floor, where Marvin had mentioned the bathroom was. Everything would be fine, right?

++++++++++++++++++++

Knock knock knock. “Marvin?”

Marvin started, his breath catching in his throat. He looked towards the closed bathroom door but didn’t stand up from where he was sitting in the bathtub. In fact, he curled up tighter, pulling his knees closer to his chest and burying his face in them.

“Marvin?” Jackie called again. “Are you okay?”

He wasn’t. But that didn’t matter, did it? It never. Fucking. Mattered. A sob clawed at his throat but he choked it back. Not while Jackie could hear.

“Everyone’s waiting downstairs,” Jackie said gently. “I... I know you’re upset. It... That was some bullshit back there. But... we... we’re here for you. JJ is, too.”

JJ was always there for him. Marvin had always been so... so happy that he was. It would be easy for him to leave his twin behind, but that wasn’t how it was between them. Did that make it worse? That he clearly didn’t want this, but it kept happening?

Another soft knock on the door. “Marvin?” It was Granmam this time. “I talked t’your parents. They shouldn’ have done t’at, the kitten is a gift for both of ye. I’m sorry.” She paused. “When you come out, we can have cake. It’s butter yellow, wit’ chocolate frosting. You can blow out the candles when you’re ready.”

Marvin swallowed the lump in his throat. “Mm-hmm,” he said. It was the most he could muster up.

He heard quiet voices. And then footsteps. The creak of the staircase. Granmam had probably convinced Jackie to leave. She knew that sometimes he just needed his space.

The moment they were out of earshot, the crying started in earnest. Marvin clutched his hair, rocking back and forth. Why? Why was this his life? Why was it always so hard? Why couldn’t he just have been normal? This was who he was. He couldn’t change it no matter how hard he tried. And he did try. When he was little, he tried to be quiet like Jameson, thinking that maybe his parents just didn’t like loud noises. But that wasn’t how it worked. That wasn’t how he worked. So he tried leaning into it. Maybe he could be impossible to forget about. And yet.

He didn’t understand. He never understood. And not just at home, either. Everyone else was the same. But it was the opposite there, wasn’t it? They never forgot him. They never forgot about how he broke the stupid rules that all the other kids seemed to just know! Why didn’t he know the rules?! What was wrong with wearing a cape to school? It didn’t break the dress code, and he liked how it felt, isn’t that all that should matter? Did they think he didn’t notice how they all looked away quickly? How not a single person ever talked with him if they didn’t need to?

Apparently they didn’t. Chase didn’t even realize that he’d hurt his feelings until Stacy told him. Shouldn’t it be fucking obvious?! Was he not doing it right?! How was he supposed to be upset the right way?! It shouldn’t matter! None of this should matter!

But it did.

“I’m sorry. You’re not weird.”

Chase was trying to be nice, but it didn’t work. Marvin knew he was different. He’d always known.

“But I still like you.”

‘Still.’ Like Marvin’s personality was something Chase had to... put up with. Was that always it? Was he always something to be put up with, and nothing more?

That was it, wasn’t it?

Marvin’s throat was starting to hurt from the sobs clawing at it. His pants had grown wet with tears and snot where he’d pressed his face into his legs. He couldn’t stay here. They were all waiting for him. Couldn’t keep up with the twins’ birthday if one half of the twins was missing.

Slowly, he raised his head. He wiped his face on his arm. “Stop it,” he said to himself. “Stop it, stop it.” He never understood how people stayed calm when it had all been so much. “Stop it, damn it.”

He got to his feet and stepped out of the bathtub, walking over to stand in front of the sink. His eyes were terribly red, and his lips were trembling. “Stop it,” he said to his reflection. Tears gathered in the reflection’s eyes, and he gritted his teeth. “Fucking stop it. You’re fourteen now. You can’t keep acting like a kid.”

His chest heaved with the effort of controlling his shaking breaths. He turned on the sink and splashed some cold water on his face. That seemed to shock his system enough for him to grab control again. He took several deep breaths just to prove he could. Then turned to the bathroom door, grabbed the handle, and slowly pushed it open.

The upstairs hallway was pretty quiet. Marvin couldn’t hear any noise from downstairs. He stepped out of the bathroom and walked over towards the staircase, pausing at the top. Now he could hear voices. Were they having a good time?

“Hey.”

“What the f—?!” Marvin spun around. That voice had come from right behind him.

And it was clear why. Standing mere inches from him... was Anti. Grinning. Marvin blinked, disoriented. He looked so... real. There wasn’t a hint of transparency to his body, though most of it was still black as shadow. The slash across his throat oozed blood, and Marvin could smell the metallic tang from it.

“Happy birthday,” Anti said.

And then he pushed.

Marvin screamed—mostly in surprise—he hadn’t seen the shove with how close they were—and then in pain. The world became colors—brown and white and blue—as he crashed down the stairs. His bones jolted with each impact. His arms and legs flailed.

And then his head cracked against something and it all went dark.

++++++++++++++++++++

Jameson’s head snapped up at the sound of the scream. He was running before the clattering sound even began. The others were frozen for a split second before they all ran after him, going right past the grown-ups also hurrying towards the sound.

Another scream. A lot like the other one. The kids all jolted in surprise; they hadn’t realized Jameson could scream. But he could. And he did. The reason why was clear.

Marvin was splayed at the bottom of the stairs. His body a tangled heap. Jameson collapsed to his knees next to him and started shaking his shoulder. When that didn’t work, he pulled him closer, cradling Marvin’s head in his arms as he started to cry. There was a smear of blood on the hardwood floor.

“Holy fuckin’ god!” Granmam gasped. “Mary and Joseph! Emma, call the fuckin’ hospital!”

Mrs. Jackson nodded, clearly in shock, and ran back into the dining room.

“I-is he okay?” Chase asked in a hushed voice. “What... what happened?”

Jackie put a hand on his shoulder. “He must’ve fallen down the stairs. He’ll... he’ll be fine.” Though Chase appreciated the comfort, he heard the shaking doubt in Jackie’s voice.

Schneep ran forward, kneeling next to Jameson. “You need to check pulses in the neck,” he said hurriedly, reaching out to feel for a heartbeat. “But sometimes i-it is hard to find, so you—you check the mouth with a mirror for breath. But! I-I can feel it. He is... okay, Jameson.”

Jameson shook his head. Things were not okay. Marvin was not okay.

++++++++++++++++++++

Chase had never been to the hospital before. He’d been to the doctor, but not to the hospital. It was different here. Brighter. The fluorescent lights lit up the white walls in a blinding way. Everyone who worked here wore blue or green shirts and pants. Things smelled... different. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Stacy’s parents had already come to pick her up. She looked at the rest of them sadly, said, “Tell Marvin I said hi when he wakes up, a-and I hope he gets better,” then left with them. Chase and Schneep were still here. Sitting on a hard, square sofa in the middle of the hallway. A few doors down, JJ and his parents were inside a hospital room with Marvin, who still hadn’t woken up.

Mom was here, too. Schneep asked Chase to call her soon after Mrs. Jackson announced an ambulance was on the way, so that she could drive them to the hospital, too. Chase agreed. Neither of them wanted to leave. Mom understood, and was now waiting with them. Her foot kept tapping on the tiled floor while she stood there. She was worried. When she noticed Chase staring at her, she gave him a quick smile, to show that she was not worried.

The door to the room opened. A man wearing a white coat and those same blue clothes stepped out, followed shortly by Mr. Jackson, then Mrs. Jackson, who was holding Jameson tightly by the hand. The man glanced down at where Chase and Schneep were sitting, then went back into the room. The Jacksons saw them too, and walked over.

“How are things?” Mom asked, taking immediate charge of the situation.

“He’ll be fine,” Mr. Jackson said. “The fall just knocked him out and gave him a concussion. He’s awake now, but it hurts, so they gave him something for the pain. They want to keep him here for a night to monitor things.”

“Is it... okay that he was out for so long?” Mom asked cautiously.

“That’s what they’re watching for,” Mr. Jackson explained.

Chase and Schneep looked at JJ. His eyes were distant, staring forward at nothing. But he noticed them looking and managed to focus. Yanking his hand free of his mom’s grip, he signed, He was really confused and couldn’t really talk but the doctor said that was normal and he might actually be lucky considering his head hit the bannister.

“Can we go see him?” Chase asked.

“Sorry, kids, it’s family only right now,” Mrs. Jackson said sympathetically.

“But you are not still in there.” Schneep stared at the Jackson parents, his expression intense, but hard to read.

“Unfortunately, we can’t stay all day,” Mrs. Jackson continued. “We have work tomorrow, and Jameson is too young to stay on his own.”

Schneep nodded, but Chase saw his hands clench into shaking fists. And he realized what that intense expression meant: Schneep was angry.

JJ turned around, looking over his shoulder at the door to the room. His mom grabbed his hand again. “We’ll be right back here tomorrow,” she said to him. “Eight am sharp, promise.” He looked at her and nodded, his eyes going distant again before he looked back at the closed door.

There was some more talk between the adults, and then Mom sighed and said, “Alright, sweets. I know it sucks, but we have to go home now. We’ll come back tomorrow. Public visiting hours start at nine, and we’ll be right here for that. I promise.” Her voice softened into a whisper. “Marvin’s going to be fine.”

Chase and Schneep stared at each other. “I guess... we have to go,” Chase said.

Schneep nodded reluctantly.

The two of them stood up and followed Mom out of the hospital. The heavy air choked out all words, and the car ride back home was silent.

This wasn’t how today was supposed to go.

++++++++++++++++++++

Something was wrong.

Marvin had tried to explain it to Jameson when he woke up, but something was off. The words weren’t coming out, it was only mumbled sounds. The clearest thing he could manage was “Th’ shadow... wasn’... a sh’doh...” And that was no good. Did Jameson understand?

He’d never felt pain like this before. There was lightning in his head, racing down his face and neck with every heartbeat. A woman in blue clothes—scrubs. That’s what they were called. She put a needle in his arm and said it would help.

Mam and Dad left. They took Jameson with them. He saw the tears forming in his eyes, and he started crying as well. “Don’ leef...!” he tried to say.

His head was full of water, too, now. The ceiling tiles were starting to become one as the separating lines blurred together. This wasn’t... normal. This was... wrong.

He knew the doctor’s voice.

“Don’t worry, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, your son will be fine.”

Where did he know the voice from? The last time he’d been to the hospital was years ago, and he didn’t remember much of that visit. Why would he remember this voice?

The doctor was talking to the woman in blue scrubs now. The door to the room was closed but they were still mumbling. He had... he had to listen. But... they were talking underwater.

“...bit of a risk...” “They won’t... remember the first... years ago?” “Alri... move him? Tonight?” “...o’clock, when the shift...”

Why... was he so sleepy? He didn’t... need a nap. He never...

A shadow formed on the ceiling. It looked like... a person. And it... said something. He struggled against the sudden... sudden tiredness, and just before he fell asleep... he heard...

“I think you’ll like your present.”

#jacksepticeye #jacksepticeye fanfiction #jacksepticegos #septic egos #septic egos au #jacksepticeye au #brigid writes fanfiction #chase brody #dr schneeplestein #marvin the magnificent #jameson jackson #jackieboy man #antisepticeye #pnptau

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sunnyie-eve · 1 month

Text

9 | Just Worried

Series: Heinous

Paring: Billy Loomis x OFC ! Stu Macher x OFC ! Mickey Altieri x OFC

Word Count: 1.8k

Warnings: none

| MASTERLIST |

I sit down to watch and Mickey sits next to me closely. "Smile." He points his camera at me.

"Not the time Mickey." I sigh reaching out to lower his hand then turn back around.

"Sorry." He pulls me back into his chest as we watch.

"Hello, girls. Enjoying yourselves?" Lois, Murphy, and a few of their sisters come up to us.

"Hello, Sister Lois, Sister Murphy." Hallie smiles at them.

"Hello, pledges. Hi, Sidney. Hi, Riley." Murphy smiles so we just say hey back. "This must be flat-out hell for you both. How are you girls holding up?" She asks us.

"We manage." Sidney tells her.

"It's really weird, isn't it? To think this fuss is because of you two." She laughs and Mickey rubs my shoulders. "I mean, not directly, but in fine six-degrees-of-Kevin Bacon way." She smiles.

I look at Mickey, who was staring at them then looks at Derek. We all had the same look on our faces about them. "Now, Hallie, Lia, are you gonna bring your friends to our little martini mixer tonight?" Lois asks. Both girls say we'll all be there.

"You gonna start to dress like that once you get in?" Derek asks Sidney.

"That's not gonna happen." She tells him.

"The Delta Lambda are the biggest bunch of fuckin-," Mickey starts but Hallie cuts in.

"Hey, I'm pledging Delta Lambda, thank you." The guys share a look.

"Same here. But I could care less what you say about them just don't include me when I get in." Lia says then leaves the group.

"Oh my god." Sidney says and I see who she was looking at.

I jump up and run over to Dewey. "Dewey!" I make him turn around and open his arms for me to run into.

"What are you doing here?" Sidney rushed over and he hugs both of us.

"I was worried about you girls. I heard about what happened and I was on the next plane. Can we talk?" He asks and we say yeah and all go sitting in a gazebo. "Are you guys okay?" He asks.

"We were fine. Things were okay until now." Sidney tells him. "Theater's going great." She adds.

"And Flim for me. Oh and Sidney got her first starring role. They open in two days." I add making him congratulate her.

"We got great friends. I'm seeing someone. Nice guy. Premed, no apparent psychic tendencies." Sidney chuckles some.

"And I'm single still." I smile.

"Oh please. You might as well say you're in one if you and Mickey keep flirting and hooking up." She smiles at me and I roll my eyes at her.

"I was just worried. Look, if there is some freaked-out psycho trying to follow in Billy Loomis' footsteps, you probably already know him. Or her... or them. They're probably already in your life. They get off on that. Or it's possible they're not dead." Dewey tells us.

"They're dead because they would've been back by now. I know Billy wanted me dead so he would have tried by now." Sidney tells him.

"I just want you two to be careful." He adds making her stand up.

"You think we don't know that, Dewey? But what are we supposed to do? Just cut everybody off? Crawl under a rock? What?" She asks as I walk over to her side.

"Just watch out. Keep an eye out. Watch each other. I'm gonna talk to Chief Hartley and local police. I'm gonna just hang around. I wanna make sure you're both safe, it that's all right with y'all." He tells us so we nod our heads.

As he leaves the group comes up to us. Derek asks if Sidney is okay and asked who Dewey was so she tells him. "Deputy Dewey. Woodsboro's finest. What's he doing here?" Randy asks.

"He's worried. Our surrogate big brother." I tell him.

"Nothing like a funeral to bring the family together. I'm gonna go say hi." Randy leaves again.

"Chief Hartley said the girl was stabbed seven times. And with the knife wounds they know the killer is left handed." Mickey tells us.

"You're left handed aren't you?" Derek looks at him making him laugh.

"Yes, I am. But look, Hallie is also left handed." Mickey points out.

"Dynamic duo." Derek looks at Hallie as she glares at them.

"Yes, but you don't wanna leave out the other 10% of the student population." Mickey tells him. "Also-," Mickey starts again.

"Drop it." Derek tells him.

"Hello Sidney, Allison. How are you?" We turn around to see Gale.

"Hi. What do you want, Gale?" I speak before Sidney.

"Well, I was hoping I might get just a few words with you both. Mostly Sidney." She says and has Cotton step up.

"Cotton." Sidney said and I look at her.

"Hi, Sid." He tells her.

"Here we are at Windsor College where Sidney Prescott has just been reunited with Cotton Weary for the first time since she wrongly accused him of murdering her mother and Riley Elsher's father." Gale says while her cameraman films.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sidney snaps at her.

"We want to know how you feel. Tell us everything that's happened, looking back on the last two years." Gale says then Cotton talks to Sidney. "Have any comments?" Gale asks her.

"Bitch." Sidney steps forward making Derek get her.

"Oh Sidney share with us." I back hand Gale for Sidney because Derek was holding her.

"I'll share with you!" Mickey jumps in pulling me back now too.

"Did you get that on film?" Hallie asks the guy.

"Yes, I got that in film." He says as we walk away.

"Wish I got that on film." Mickey said letting me go and I flip him off walking away from the group. "Allison. Allie." Mickey follows me.

"Mickey, I just wanna go back to my room and be alone." I sigh.

"Sure you don't want company?" He smiles pointing his camera at me.

"I'm sure. I'll see you tonight at the martini mixer." I say in a pretty dumb tone.

"You aren't gonna join them right?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Do I look dumb?" I do the same as him.

"Well..." He gives me a playful smile causing me to hit him.

"Fuck you, Mickey Altieri. If I'm dumb you're psychotic." I stick my tongue out at him.

"Why do you say that?" He smirks making me feel weird but I laugh at it.

"Well for one you have a fascination with murderers and how the media affects them." I say the main thing that stands out.

"What? People can't have something that's creepy to like? What about you? What's your creepy thing?" He puts the camera down stepping closer to me.

"I find certain psychotic killers attractive. Movie and tv characters, let me make that clear." I say making him smile.

"Someone is a little fucked up." He pats the top of my head.

"I've been told that twice by two psychotic guys." I don't get realized what I said.

"They wanted you, right? Kill everyone but you." Mickey asks me.

"Yeah... Their final girl, their girl... but their plan fail." I force a laugh.

"You don't have to worry about them anymore because they're dead." He grabs my hand.

"Now I have to worry about this new guy, girl, or two people working together." I sigh.

"I'll make sure you don't get hurt." He kisses the top of my head.

"Maybe I do want a little company for a little while... till Lia comes home." I say nervous wanting someone to be with. "

"Of course." He follows me inside and into the room. "If you don't wanna talk about it it's okay... but what do you think this killers motive is?" Mickey asks me laying down next to me on my bed.

"A copycat looking for fun... Someone, who knows, wanting revenge... I don't know." I sigh and notice Mickey filming me again. "You and that damn camera." I laugh putting my hand out to cover the lease.

"Stop, we love you." Mickey sits up as I glare at him through the camera. "Smile while you give me that look." He says making me laugh and I try to keep the glare but can't.

"What are you doing?" I ask and he set the camera down facing us.

"I love when you smile and laugh so." He starts to tickle me.

When I couldn't take it anymore I grab his face and kiss him making him stop. "I love that too." He smiles in the kiss but we stop as the phone rings.

"Hello?" I answer it.

"I heard what happened." Billy speaks up and I stay quiet. I then realize I need to not be odd because Mickey was watching me. "It wasn't us. We're still at the vacation house in California." He tells me.

"That makes me scared because I don't know anything about this one." I look over at the door as Lia come in and glares at Mickey.

"Promise me you will be safe. If you get the chance kill him before he kills you." He tells me.

"No shit. I gotta go." I hang up.

"Who's that?" Lia asks.

"An old friend from home. Just checking up on me." I tell her the truth.

"I'll get going now. I was only here keeping her company till you got back." Mickey tells her going to the door. "See you later." Mickey leaves.

"So what are you wearing tonight?" Lia asks me.

"Jeans with a top. Oh can't forgot the shoes." I mess with her.

"I hate you. Try to look good." She says making me laugh.

"Yes, ma'am. I can't embarrass a pledge!" I salute to her.

"How often do you let Mickey in our room when I'm not here? You know I don't trust him. He's creepy." Lia says going through her closet.

"As I said I get you are looking out for me but..." She cuts me off.

"A campus full of hot guys and you pick that thing? Fuck, I'd pick Randy before Mickey." She says disgusted.

"Well I'm not you. Lia, I trust Mickey. He's never made me fell off." I explain to her.

"Did Billy and Stu ever make you feel off?" She crosses her arms at me and I don't respond. I'm mean they did once everything started but never before it. "Exactly my point." She says as someone knocks on the door. "What?" She opens it.

"I forgot my camera on the dresser." Mickey comes over and picks it up.

"You and that damn camera." Lia rolls her eyes.

"I'm a film student so... bye again Allison." He leaves the room.

#ghostface #billy loomis #stu macher #sidney prescott #dewey riley #randy meeks #scream franchise #scream #scream 2 #scream ff #scream fanfic #mickey altieri

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house-of-slayterr · 1 year

Note

Dwayne. And Michael. Just chilling with each other and getting high.

The other boys had insisted on going out to the boardwalk today. But Dwayne was getting tired of the same old same old. He knew the terror twins would cause some chaos, and either he or David would have to step in to get them out of trouble. It was exhausting. Almost like having two vampire toddlers with you at all times. So he asked to stay behind. Of course Paul called him lame for it, but David understood and bid him farewell for the night.

Micheal however, was bored out of his mind. When he spotted David on the board walk, her thought perhaps he’s see what the vampire was up to.

“Good evening Micheal” David said in a fake formal voice.

Micheal rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses.

“You do know the sun is nowhere in sight, right fledgling?” David mocked.

“Yeah Yeah. What are you guys up to?” Micheal asked.

“Paul’s off somewhere making out with some Bloke, Marko found a midnight snack, and I’m waiting for Star and Laddie to bring back soda.” David puffed out a plume of smoke.

“Hmm, you didn’t mention Dwayne.” Micheal observed.

It wasn’t meant to be loud enough, but of course David heard it. He was a vampire after all.

“Dwayne’s back at the cave, wanted a rest day.” David shrugged.

David watched as Micheal stumbled int he direction of the cave, his choice clear. He was amused who used to everything Micheal was getting, not longer freaking out by the whole vampire thing.

Dwayne was shocked when he heard footsteps, not expecting the boys to be back yet. He was even more surprised when he saw Micheal.

“What are you doing up here fledgling?”

It’s something he’d taken to calling the younger half vampire. With his flat tone it sounded more like an insult, but it’s as intended to be endearing. Micheal was David’s, but that didn’t mean the other boys weren’t allowed to have affections for the boy.

“Bored.” He hummed mindlessly.

Dwayne let out a rare, breathy chuckle. Something light and airy, a feeling he normally only got around the youngest pack member. Dwayne Patted the couch next to him.

“And Paul and Marko couldn’t help you with that?” He asked amused.

“Paul was sucking face, while Marko was sucking neck.”

Another short laugh.

“Still avoiding blood I see. Star’s not much better.” The Vamprie commented. “It’s not that scary you know. You’re first kill. Actually gives you quite the rush.”

“Some of us still have our humanity” Micheal mumbled.

It was amusing. Dwayne was perhaps the most human in the group. Still sharing affections the others had long forgotten. Still with a shred of morality outside basic survival instinct. But even he didn’t mind killing all that much. He only ate people who deserved it. He saw how tense the boy was.

“You need to relax Micheal.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“Let me help you.”

“Why?”

“Because I like you fledgling, I’m routing for you.”

Dwayne was up from the couch in a heart beat. Searching his way through Paul’s little cove for the thing he needed. It wasn’t hard to find, Paul bought the best weed California has to offer. There were a few rolled blunts already made and Dwayne was sure Paul wouldn’t mind. He came back to the couch and offered one to Micheal.

“Come on, live a little.” Dwayne smirked.

Micheal accepted the contraband. Dwayne lit it with one of the many lighters David had lying around, then lighting his own. The boys smoked in silence for a few mins, just letting the sensation was over them. Micheal was the first to speak.

“Do you think I have a chance with her?” He asked.

“Who?” Dwayne knew who he was talking about, he just wanted to hear the younger boy say it.

“Star. She just so, so- gorgeous. And pretty, and like a- like a STAR!” Micheal put emphasis on the last word.

It was cute, how excited he got. And all it took was a little Pot to calm his nerves and get him to talk.

“I mean I don’t want to mess things up with David, but I really like her man. Imagine- imagine if we turned together. Wouldn’t that be hot.”

Dwayne’s face flushed a little at the thought of Star and Micheal feeding off the same poor victim. Seeing their full vampire faces for the first time, watching them grow into their strength. It was exhilarating. He remembered when he was turned, what it felt like.

“Yeah, and who would you pick?”

Micheal laughed, thinking it over.

“One of those No food Surf Nazi’s that’s always trying to flirt with her. They’ve got no respect. None!”

“Maybe you should tell Star.”

“Yeah right. ‘He Star, you know what guy that’s been bothering you, want to bite into his neck and feed on him until his heart stops?’ So romantic.”

Dwayne laughed.

“We’ll when you put it like that- any vampire would be crazy to decline your offer.” He gave the kid a big grin.

They were similar in age, technically. But his vampire years made him much older than the boy sat next to him. It was like being a mentor. A Senior trying to help out the Freshman.

“What if i don’t even do it right.”

Now he let out a real laugh, almost choking. Poor Micheal, worried about performance issues. It was almost comical.

“Bitings real easy Micheal.” He scotched closer to the boy. “You just gotta get in close, flirt a little, scare them maybe. Whatever you’re into”

Micheal looked him in the eyes as the vampire moved closer.

“Corner them.” Dwayne put both hands on either side of Micheal trapping him on the couch. The boys locked eyes as a grin grew on Dwayne’ face.

“And when they start begging, you block them out. Lean in close right here” he tapped the boys jugular vein.

Micheal swallowed thickly. He’d never been bitten before. Maybe knowing what it felt like would make him less anxious, it couldn’t be that bad could it.

“And when you feel their heart beat speed up, you sink in”

A small pinch was felt on Micheal’s neck as a surge of electricity went through him. Dwayne’s legs we in between his own, pinning them open and he was pinned to the couch. He leaned his head back, giving the older vampire more access. It felt… good? Did all victims feel this way? Perhaps the bite was a gift, not torture. That would ease Star’s mind if he told her right? Then they could be together forever.

A small groan left his mouth at the thought, the pleasure of the bite mixing in with it. He felt the vibrations of a chuckle from Dwyane’s lips. Dwayne pulled away, leaving Micheal’s neck cold.

“Somebodies excited.”

“That’s not fair. How do you expect me to concentrate when I’m stoned out of my mind right now.”

“That’s the best part. You taste better this way anyways.”

Dwayne leaned down and bit into the other wide of the boys neck. It wasn’t often vampires would feed from other vampires, or even halflings. But Dwayne couldn’t help himself. Something about Micheal was just so… Tasty. He had to have a bite, and once he tasted him, he couldn’t stop. He was getting more high from the weed in Micheal’s system and it felt heavenly.

Neither of the boys noticed other footsteps arrive.

“Well, well, well, what do we have hear?” David’s snug voice rang out.

Dwayne froze, pulling back from Micheal’s neck. We wiped the dribble of blood that slipped from his lips. Paul was next to him in an instant, pulling the joy into a kiss and licking the remaining blood off his tongue. Marko groaned.

“No fair Paul! I wanted to try too!” He whined.

David rolled his eyes at their antics. He knew both boys had fed tonight. Why they were being so needy is beyond him. But it was amusing.

“So Micheal, how are you feeling?” David asked, sitting next to him.

Of course he was jealous Dwayne touched what was his. But he couldn’t blame the vampire, Micheal did smell delicious. Micheal tried to hide his blush. Laddie had ran over to the boys and asked to be held by Dwayne, and Star didn’t even seem remotely phased by the whole thing. David beckoned her forward, and she obliged like she always did. He instructed her to sit on Micheal’s lap.

David looked at the two of them like they were the prettiest thing in the world.

“Maybe Dwayne had the right idea. The two of you are so nervous, why don’t you practice on each other first?” He suggested.

He tried to sound sweet, but everyone else knew he had devious intentions. Of course he wanted to watch the two fledglings feed on each other, devour each other. Who wouldn’t? The two lovebirds Blushed furiously, but it didn’t seem like it was that bad of an idea.

“Practice?” Star asked Micheal.

“Practice.” He confirmed.

An: if you saw this because I accidentally posted before I finished, no the fuck you didn’t 😂

#dwayne the lost boys #micheal emerson #the Lost boys #the Lost boys imagine #Dwayne x Micheal #send asks #i’m bored

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antisocialwritingx · 2 years

Text

Rocks for Brains

Pairing: Frat boy!Bucky Barnes x Nerdy! Reader

Summary: Bucky had everything a college guy could dream of: the presidency of his fraternity, the captain position on the football team, and the perfect friend group. There was only one problem though, the girl of his absolute dreams, didn’t want him back. Well, at least that’s what he assumes.

Warning(s): Fluff, the reader is mean sometimes but it’s just the way the reader acts, Bucky being clueless, reader being clueless, Sam, Steve, and Natasha are all tired of y’all.

A/N: The frat boy and nerd trope is just one that I fall for every time. I hope y’all enjoy this! I included some stuff from Chris’s interviews so I hope it’s all correct 😭 My memory sucks sometimes so I apologize if I’m not accurate. Also, I have been thinking about doing a little get to know the author kind of post but I don’t know if any of y’all want that so please let me know if you’d like a get to know the author post! But without further ado please enjoy! <3

Word Count: 2.57 K

𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘺: @firefly-graphics

Sometimes you wanted to smash your head into a wall. Being best friends with Bucky was a blessing and a curse because god, why did the people above have to make him so cute and handsome and loveable.

How did tutoring Bucky your freshman year lead to you two becoming best friends you’ll never know but you’re thankful.

Of course you were close with all your friends, but there was just a pull towards Bucky for you.

He was perfect to you, and apparently he was perfect to every single thing with legs and a brain.

“God can you two like not.” Natasha asked, sitting down on her bed while Sam and Steve made gagging noises.

Currently you guys were in your shared room with Natasha which really didn’t make sense because the guys had a whole ass apartment to themselves, but you gave up on asking.

Sam and Steve were on bean bags while Natasha was on her bed and you were on your bed with a sluggish Bucky resting his head on your chest.

Scoffing, Bucky rolls his eyes while he curls up closer to you, his arms wrapping tighter around your waist.

“There’s nothing wrong with her playing with my hair. Besides, she plays with everyone’s hair, ask Steve.” Bucky rattles out, pointing his foot in the area Steve was in.

“Okay but she was doing that to help with my headache.” Steve defended, “Besides, we can’t even get her to play with our hair when we’re all together because you practically kidnap the poor girl every time.”

“Yeah you don’t kidnap me for cuddles when we’re all together.” Sam joked, a small laughter breaking out within the group when Bucky sent him a death glare.

“That's because you’re just an ass and you’re hard as a rock.” Bucky retorted.

“Yeah and all the ladies love a solid man.” Sam smirked.

“Oh yeah sure they do.” You chimed, a sarcastic tone in your voice.

Sam stuck his tongue out at you while Bucky gave you with a small smile before Natasha stole your attention.

“Okay, but for real let's get back to the real topic at hand. What are we dressing up as for Loki’s Halloween party?” She questioned.

Every year since freshman year your whole group dressed up together. Two years ago you guys went as power ranger and last year you guys went at the mean girls, the guys and Nat being the girls while you dressed up as Regina’s boyfriend.

“Actually we were thinking we could go as something and you and Y/N could go as something together.” Steve suggested, a cautious smile resting on his face.

You froze slightly at the idea, not really enjoying the fact that you wouldn’t be one big group for Halloween.

“Yeah okay that’s fine,” Natasha says, “What are you guys planning to dress up as?”

“Well,” Sam started, sitting up straighter, “We were thinking of going as hot criminals, or hot devils.”

“Or just something but hot.” Steve finished.

You and Natasha made eye contact before looking at those two with dead resting faces.

“Seriously? You just want to look hot?” You ask, monotone and face flat.

Bucky looks up at you and then looks at the boys with a ‘I told you’ face.

Steve looks at you while rubbing the back of his neck.

“We just wanna, ya know, get some girls.”

“Yeah,” Sam reaffirmed, “Plus every time we dress with you guys, no offence at all, but Nat scares them away.”

Natasha scoffs and you join with her, rolling your eyes as Bucky cuddles up closer to you.

“I told them it was a bad idea. Besides if the girls really wanted them they wouldn’t be scared of Nat.” Bucky mumbled, his eyes closed as you continued to play with his hair.

Before you could respond to him Natasha spoke up.

“Fine you guys go right ahead with dressing up together. Just know that once Y/N and I have our idea you can’t join us, it’ll be boys vs. girls for best costumes.”

“What?” Bucky exclaimed, opening his eyes before looking at her, “But I didn’t decide this idea! I like our group costumes, if anything punish them, not me!”

“Sorry Bucko, you have to join us now that Nat just made this a contest.” Sam said, sitting up with a smirk on his face.

A pout made its way onto Bucky’s face before he turned to look at you.

“Birdie, do something? Please?” He asked, but all you could do was shrug.

“I’m sorry B, I can’t change Nat or the guys’ mind about a competition.” You tell him, a small frown on your face.

Sighing, Bucky flips the boys and Natasha off and lays his head on your chest again.

“Aw c’mon Buck it’ll be fun! Besides, competition is always fun.” Sam told Bucky, well, he tried but Bucky just ignored him and pouted.

“Yeah, plus you can do what the guys said and ‘get some girls’ as if they’ll want Steve and his cry baby self.” Nat jokes, earning a glare from Steve.

“Okay I cried one time during sex and that was when I lost my virginity! I told you guys that because I trusted you to not be mean about it!” Steve exclaimed, a red embarrassed blush making its way onto his face.

“Aww don’t cry Stevie, I’m sure any girl would love to have you crying on their shoulder.” Bucky teased, laughter breaking out among the group while Steve sent everyone a glare.

You guys hung out some more before everyone parted ways, Steve and Sam heading to the gym and Natasha to meet up with her younger sister while Bucky decided to stay with you for a cuddle session and movie night.

Setting up your laptop while Bucky orders the food, you open your third drawer to grab a pair of Bucky’s sweatpants. Being Bucky’s best friend he tends to stay over at yours and Natasha’s place and vice versa, so you both have a drawer for each other, one at his place for you, and one at your place for him.

Setting his phone down you hand Bucky his sweatpants and he thanks you softly, kissing your head before going off to the bathroom to change.

Being friends with Bucky wasn’t easy, especially because of your feelings for him. You have to see him kiss other girls and be all lovey dovey with them and it sucked, but you weren’t going to lose your friendship over it.

Changing into a pair of sleep shorts you get yourself comfy on the bed, leaving enough room for Bucky to cuddle with you because knowing him, he’s going to want to cuddle with you and lay his head down on your chest.

Hearing the bathroom door open, you turn your head to see Bucky walk out with a tired smile on his face. Not many people would notice, but the bags under his eyes were darker than ever before.

Giving him a sad smile, you open your arms, gesturing for him to come cuddle.

“God, you have no idea how much I needed this birdie.” Bucky sighed, laying down and resting himself against you, head in the crook of your neck.

Humming, you kiss his forehead, a happy hum leaving his lips.

“Why aren’t you sleeping B? What’s going on?” You ask, your heart breaking seeing him so tired lately.

You knew that Bucky had insomnia sometimes, but you’ve never seen it this bad.

“I just have a lot on my mind right now birdie. But nothing some lovin’ from you and movies can’t fix.” He tells you and you smile softly, giving him another kiss on the head before clicking start on your computer.

Weeks had gone by and now Halloween was only three days away.

You and Natasha had worked out the best costumes and from what they guys have been boasting about, apparently theirs was great too.

The guys, mainly Steve and Sam, have been trying their hardest to find out what you and Natasha were going to be, to the point where Nat had to ban Bucky from seeing you until the night of the party.

“What do you mean you’re banning me from seeing Birdie?! She’s my best friend and I should be allowed to see her!” He exclaimed, hands on his hips as Natasha stopped him in the doorway.

“No way Bucko, I don’t know if the guys are sending you here to get info out of Y/N and I’m not risking it.” She muttered, a serious tone set in her voice.

Bucky scoffed before looking over her shoulder to look at you, but before he could even open his mouth Natasha stopped him.

“Nu uh no way mister. No speaking to her, this is a conversation between me and you.” She said, moving her head to block his view of you.

“Nat this involves her! She should be allowed to say whether or not she wants to speak to me!” Bucky spoke, annoyance in his voice at the fact that he couldn’t see his Birdie.

“With her soft spot for you? Yeah not happening. You’ll see her at the party and you can talk to her then. Plus it’s only three days Buck, you can survive I promise.” Natasha said, not standing down about this.

“I can’t survive with my best friend,” Bucky whined, “Plus it’s just a silly competition, who cares who wins?”

“We do, now bu-bye Bucky.” Natasha finishes, shutting the door before Bucky could respond.

“Hey!” Bucky called out, fist banging on the door, “I’m not done here!”

“Go away metal man!” Natasha yelled.

You looked at her with amusement, finding it funny how serious everyone was taking this.

“Fine! Bye butt brains! Bye Birdie I love you! Call me if she’s holding you hostage!”

Natasha laughed before sitting on the edge of your bed.

You were currently working on some homework for one of your classes and didn’t have the energy to argue with her.

“Why aren’t you and metal man dating?” She asked, causing you to look up from your laptop.

She knew you had feelings for him and that he had feelings for you but she couldn’t figure why you guys weren’t together.

“You know why Nat.” You tell her, voice slightly quiet over the subject.

Natasha’s face dropped slightly before scooting closer to you, pulling you away from studying to hug you close.

You wrapped your arms around her, resting your head on her shoulder.

“Well let me tell you this, if Bucky doesn’t feel the same, (Even though he did) then he’s got rocks for brains.” She tells you, a small laughter breaking through your lips.

“I love you Nat.”

“And I love you to Солнышко (Little sun), now we have to look like bad bitches for Halloween okay? So no more being sad over metal man.”

The night of the party had finally arrived and you and Natasha decided to go all out.

Natasha wanted you to make sure you both would win and so you guys went and got your nails done, glammed out on hair and makeup, and bought the perfect pair of heels for your outfits.

Bucky had been trying to contact you all the time but Natasha took the phone and messaged him to leave you alone, mainly so that she could win the contest for costumes.

Putting on your final touches, both you and Natasha made your way towards Loki’s house, telling the guys to meet you at the front.

Walking a bit more you see the guys straight ahead, Sam and Steve waving you two down while Bucky stood frozen.

“Well, I guess it seems you guys went all out.” Sam said, looking at your outfits.

You and Natasha decided to go as goddesses, your makeup and hair to the nines and clearly you looked good because everyone that was walking past you and Natasha turned their heads.

“Well we had to dress up as what we actually are, so we’re goddesses. What in the hell are you guys?” Natasha asked, confused as to what the guys were.

Bucky still hadn’t moved as he just looked at you with a look of awe. Steve, Natasha, and Sam all shared the same look as they witnessed you and Bucky stare at each other with love eyes.

“We’re three out of the seven deadly sins. I’m greed that's why I got money on my clothes, Sam is Lust so he’s shirtless, and Bucky is Anger so he’s in red.” Steve ticked off, pointing out each person’s outfit.

Bucky completely ignored everyone as he finally broke out of his trance, striding up to you and grabbing your hand to spin you around.

“You look stunning Birdie. Absolutely fucking stunning.” Bucky spoke in aw, a blush breaking out onto your face as he pulled you close to him.

You rest your hands on the open part of his red shit, your fingers automatically going for his chain as you look up at him. Even with heels on, Bucky was still so much taller than you.

“You look really good B.” You tell him, a smile painted on your face.

Before he could respond Natasha broke the silence.

“Okay you guys should have dressed Bucky up as Lust because by god these two either need to get together or fucking stop.”

You both freeze. You can feel your heart racing at Natasha’s words. Before either one of you could respond Steve pipes up too.

“Yeah I mean c’mon Buck you’ve liked her since freshman year but are still too chicken to ask her out. Maybe Y/N needs to do that.”

“You look up at Bucky in shock but he doesn’t meet your eyes, instead choosing to focus on playing with your dress.

Grabbing his chin you lift his head up to look at you, a look of guilt resting on his face.

“Is that true B? You like me?�� You ask, voice small.

“Of course I like you Birdie. Hell, I might just love you.”

At his words you feel your face warming up, feeling shy all of a sudden.

“Bucky man if you don’t kiss her right now I’ll kiss her instead.” Sam teasingly taunts, earning a death glare from Bucky.

Before you could tell Sam to leave Bucky alone, you feel a soft pair of lips rest against yours, your eyes fluttering shut as you let yourself go in the kiss.

Pulling back softly, Bucky looks down at you with a boyish grin, causing you to groan in shyness and hide your face in his chest.

Everyone around you laughs at your reaction, happy to see that you two finally admitted feelings for each other.

“God if I knew it took rock brains here to see her in a goddess outfit for him to admit his feelings I would’ve done this a long time ago.” Nat exclaims.

Completely ignoring your friends, Bucky kisses your head softly, whispering six words only you can hear.

“Will you be my girlfriend Birdie?”

You smile, pulling him down for another soft kiss. This one was more passionate than the first one, both of you getting lost in the kiss.

Pulling away with a bright smile, you look up at Bucky to see him mirroring your smile.

“Yes. Yes I’ll be your girlfriend B.”

#sebstian stan #bucky barnes #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes one shot #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes fanfiction

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mmvalentine · 2 years

Text

Lover Like Me pt 13 | Feysand

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 ** Part 14

In the end, I don’t go with him. None of us do, even though there’s a whole group discussion about it during the week.

“Don’t go.” Mor is cold and certain. For someone who is usually so warm, it shocks me how flat and unforgiving her eyes are. I am reminded that Mor, and only Mor, has already met Rhys’s father.

We’re sitting in Rhys’s living room like usual, but the boxes of pizza are growing cold and somehow I don’t think there’s going to be a Disney movie tonight. Mor had been relaxing next to Cassian on the couch, but since Rhys told them about the call from the hospital, she’s gone stiff and hasn’t moved. Azriel is leaning against the wall, and I’m perched on the kitchen counter next to Rhys. I slide my fingers under the hem of his t-shirt, and don’t say anything. I just watch Mor, and the fury in the straightness of her spine.

“I mean he has to go, right?” Cassian, on the other hand, is all open handed and frank faced. I think I will always love him, for that. “I never met my dad and I hope he’s miserable out there. But if I had the chance, to meet him just once…”

“It’s not the same,” Mor hisses back. “The worst your dad did was fuck off. The worst this guy has done…” she trails off. I notice how white her knuckles have gone around her mug, and I don’t think I want to hear the end of the sentence.

“What are you thinking, Rhys?” Azriel, as ever, keeps his own opinion to himself. Rhys just rubs his face in his hands.

“I don’t know,” he confesses. “This is likely the last time the decision will be mine.”

Rhys’s pizza is untouched, and in the ensuing silence I pick up a piece and hold it to his lips. He gives me a small smile and takes a bite, to humour me. He hasn’t eaten all day, and there’s a mug of tea gone cold on his bench top. My slice is only nibbled, but Rhys is bigger than me and I’m convinced he needs the nourishment more than I do.

Cassian is having no such trouble.

“So we’ll all come with you,” he says, his mouth full. That’s his natural state. Rhys shakes his head.

“No,” he says slowly. “I think… I think I want to go alone.”

“So you’re going, then,” Azriel says, after a moment.

There’s another heavy pause, and then Rhys nods. I look at Mor, and her face is stony as I’ve ever seen it, but she says nothing.

And that’s that.

The others go home after dinner, and I put the uneaten pizza in the fridge while Rhys has a long shower. I wash up his mug and a few other bits and pieces in the sink, and then sit on his bed on my phone until he comes out.

“Do you want me to leave?” I ask quietly, when Rhys sits down heavily on the bed. He blinks at me in confusion.

“Why would I want that?”

“I thought maybe you’d want some time to yourself…”

But Rhys pulls me under the blankets and buries his face in my neck. “Stay,” he says, and so I do.

Rhys’s skin is warm from the shower, his hair is damp and clean and smells like his shampoo. It’s quickly become the most comforting scent to me and I’d start using it myself, just so I can smell it around me when he’s not there, if he hadn’t told me how much he likes my shampoo, too.

I turn the lights out, and we make love without words but with many silent things passed between our mouths that mean more than the things we could say out loud.

Rhys doesn’t go the next day, or the day after. On one of the nights, I come home after work and I can hear him and Mor arguing loudly in his apartment. It’s not something I feel I have a part in, so I don’t go in, but even from my house I can hear Mor shouting. And after a while, a third, murmuring voice. When she finally storms out, I look out my window and see Azriel follow her quietly to her place.

Rhys walks through my door a little while after that, and I hand him a bowl of pasta. We don’t talk about their fight.

On Thursday night he makes up his mind, and on Friday morning he’s up early like usual so all I tell him is “good luck,” and he kisses my mouth before he leaves.

When I wake up an hour after that, I go to work and all day I keep checking my phone for updates. None come. I send a few texts early on- “how are you feeling?” “Text me when you get there,” “I’m here to talk if you need to call”- but get no response. It’s unreasonable for me to wait for them; I imagine he’s driving for the most part and not feeling chatty the rest. But I still do, and when the message comes, hours later, it’s not from Rhys. It’s Azriel.

Azriel: He’s back. He’s at work.

I tap out my reply fast.

Feyre: He’s at work? He’s not taking the rest of the day off?

I quickly do the math in my head- if Rhys is back by now, he must have spent less than an hour at the hospital. Did that mean things went well, or very badly?

“Guess not,” is all Azriel says. Then he sends me the address of the auto shop, and a quick Google tells me a bus will get me there in twenty. I make my excuses to my coworker, and she waves me off. I’m grateful the store is quiet, but I’d have left even if it wasn’t.

When I get to the shop, I see Cassian, Mor and Azriel all standing in a knot by the door.

“Hey, Feyre,” Cassian greets me.

It’s a bright sunny day and the three of them are in dark blue jumpsuits that have the shop’s logo embroidered on the chest. Cassian has his hair bundled on top of his head, and he gives me a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“How is he?”

Rhys’s friends just glance at each other, and they look as worried as I feel. It’s not reassuring.

“Hard to say,” Cassian tells me. “He hasn’t said anything, he just turned up and started working. We didn’t expect him in today at all.”

“He shouldn’t have fucking gone,” Mor says. “I told him not to go. Nothing good happens when that man is in Rhys’s life.”

I look from one to the other. Mor’s blonde ponytail swings as she shakes her head. She’s wearing a stained white tank top under her jumpsuit, with the buttons are undone and the sleeves pushed up to the elbows. Even in my harried state I manage to notice she looks incredible even in greasy work clothes. I realise that I’ve never been to Rhys’s work place, even though this is where my friends all spend most of their day.

“We’ve been trying to check on him, but I don’t think he wants to talk,” Cassian says, breaking me out of my rambling reverie. I notice I’m chewing on my thumb nail, and pull it out of my mouth.

“What should I do?” I ask him. He shrugs.

“Maybe he’ll talk to you.”

“It’s worth a try,” Mor says. “We’re mostly done for the day, but we can stick around and try to help…” She glances at Cassian, and I can feel how helpless they’re feeling.

“No it’s okay, you guys go. I’ll talk to him.”

Cassian clasps my shoulder on his way out, and Mor throws me a look that is part sympathetic, and part grateful. I think, don’t thank me yet. I don’t know what I can do for Rhys that his friends couldn’t.

And then only Azriel is left, leaning against the door frame.

“Thanks for texting me,” I say to him. Azriel just looks at me, with that unreadable stare of his.

“I thought you’d want to be here,” he says. “But… there’s some things you should know about Rhys. I know you’ve been spending a lot of time together. I’m sure you’ve gotten to know him pretty well.”

I wait. Azriel sighs.

“He’s not… himself right now,” he tells me.

I cock my head and gaze back at Rhys’s friend. I wonder who he’s trying to protect right now- me, or Rhys. I think he’s sweet either way.

“There are three levels of Rhys being upset,” I say, matter-of-factly. “Level one, he’s grumpy but you can fix him with a cup of tea and a sleeve of cookies. Level two, he’s mad, but he's distractable and it’s usually a good idea to get his… heart rate up.” A hint of a smile warms Azriel’s face. “Level three, things have gone very wrong. At this level, Rhys likes... hurt.”

There’s a sharp intake of breath, and the warmth disappears.

“I know I’ve only known Rhys for a few months, but my tactic is to work my way up the list until of one those things sticks. Did I miss anything?”

Azriel says nothing for a moment, and then eventually shakes his head. “No,” he says. “That is correct.” He pauses again. “And you still want to go in there?”

“I do.”

Azriel still doesn’t move. I soften, and think that maybe Azriel is usually the one who takes on Rhys at level three. I can see Mor and Cassian putting the kettle on and sparring but Azriel… I look at my feet, then take a step closer. I make the confession under my breath.

“Sometimes, I like hurt, too.”

I look up at him, and he’s reassessing. I don’t know what conclusion he draws, but he pushes off the door and walks away.

I’m surprised when I feel the squeeze of his hand on mine, just briefly, as he goes.

I pass through the front office and into the shop out the back. The room opens up into a huge space with bright fluorescent lights and concrete walls. There are a large number of tools and other objects I can’t identify on hooks and shelves, and two cars up near the ceiling. I can’t see Rhys, but I can hear the clink of metal on metal echoing through the space.

I walk around, taking in my surroundings for a while. I make sure my footsteps make noise, so that Rhys knows I’m here, and my eyes run over the stacks of tyres, the red and black pillars of the hoists, and the strangeness of having several tonnes of vehicle suspended above head height. I even find what I assume is Rhys’s motorcycle, tucked against a far wall. I walk toward the clinking instead.

“They’ve all gone, have they?” Rhys asks. I still can’t see him.

“Yes,” I tell him. “It’s just me.”

There’s a tension hanging heavy in the atmosphere, another fume in the oily air. I can taste it coating my tongue, and I can see why I found his friends all standing outside. Bad, then. Things went badly, with his father.

“Good,” Rhys comments. “They were annoying me.”

There’s a loud clang as he drops his tool into a box nearby, and then he steps out from behind the car he was working on. He’s wiping his hands on a rag, and I just stand and wait. Rhys has the arms of his jumpsuit tied around his waist, and he’s in one of his black singlets. There’s a faint sheen of sweat on his bare arms, and a stray curl is falling in his eyes. On the surface he looks calm, but there’s something beneath that, something that my brain doesn’t have a name for but my body is responding to. Run, it’s saying, but it’s not clarifying in which direction. I keep standing still.

“Aren’t you going to ask me how it went?” he says. His voice is flat and cold.

“Only if you want to tell me,” I respond. Rhys throws the rag on a table, and sighs.

“Can I tell you about it later?”

“Of course.”

“Do you know what I actually feeling like doing right now?”

“Tell me.”

“I feel like tying you to this hoist and fucking you till you scream.”

The air goes out of my lungs so fast.

My head empties, my toes curl, and I just think, Is that all it takes, with us? I shouldn't be surprised, by now.

I blush at the thought of anyone else possibly overhearing us, I know the guys have gone but I don’t know if anyone else works here, or if his boss is somewhere out of sight or…. But I’m looking at Rhys and he’s looking at me and he shares none of my concerns.

I take one step to the left, my knees only just holding me up, and put my hand on one of the black pillars. I look at it; the painted surface is shiny and cold under my fingers. I was never too good with words, anyway.

“This one?” I ask, much more casually than I feel.

“Well the other two are holding cars up.” Rhys starts walking toward me- stalking is more like it, he’s got that predatory look in his eye that makes me convinced that any second he’s going to sprout wings and fangs. My heart thunders in my ears.

“I guess that’s true.”

There a primal instinct somewhere in my brain that has me backing away, even though I know I look ridiculous hiding behind the post.

“Where are you going?” he asks. His voice has dropped to that low place that sends skitters up my spine. I step again, rounding the pillar, but he keeps coming.

“Just… admiring the machinery. Never been in a garage before.”

Rhys is standing right in front of me now, but there’s a red metal arm between us, jutting out from the post about the height of my waist. He leans his forearm against the pillar, right by my head, and leans in close.

“Put your hands on the bar, Feyre.”

I do it, and grip it so that Rhys can’t see the tremor. I’m not afraid of him, it’s just that my adrenalin spikes when he gets like this and… the anticipation is as potent as fear itself.

“Stay there.”

Rhys steps away and returns with a length of strap. He winds it around my wrists and binds me to the red bar. Then he walks behind me, and when I can’t see him my heartrate kicks even higher. I don’t know how close he is to me until I feel his breath on my ear.

“Good girl,” he croons. I shiver.

I’m convinced he’s going to bend me over just like this, but then there’s just silence and cold air. I’ve just started to wonder where he’s gone, when I’m startled by a loud noise. It’s a sort of grinding sound, and before I can guess what it might be, the bar under my hands starts to move. I whip my head around, and find Rhys several paces away with his thumb on a green button and his eyes watching me like I’m his next meal.

I watch him back at first, but then I look back toward the red bar because it’s risen to eye height. I’m leaning against it still, because my legs are jelly. But the bar keeps rising, and my arms are lifted above my head. I’m stretched out, I’m on my tiptoes. Just before I’m lifted clean off my feet, the grinding noise stops, and everything is still again. I can just barely put weight in the balls of my feet.

“Rhys…”

He comes back to stand before me, hands behind his back and something taunting in the corner of his mouth.

“Comfortable, Feyre darling?”

No. I stick my chin out. “Very,” I say coolly, and he chuckles.

“Good.”

At that moment, there’s the bright ding of a desk bell, and I realise that Azriel hadn’t turned the Open sign around when he left. Rhys looks toward the sound.

“Don’t go anywhere,” he says, and gives me a cruel smile. Prick.

Rhys walks out to the office, and I’m just left there to hang.

He’s gone for what must be a few minutes but feels like an age, and I can hear muted voices in the adjoining room. A laugh, even, and I’m a little scandalised that Rhys can put on his friendly customer-service voice while I’m tied up in the shop only meters away. For a second, I have the mortifying thought that he might bring someone through while I’m suspended here, but I quickly banish it. Rhys wouldn’t humiliate me like that. Would he?

Finally he returns, and as he walks toward me he pulls another strap off the wall and slings it over his shoulder.

“Now,” he says, inches from my face. He slides his hands into his pockets. “Where were we?”

“Hope you’re not turning down business on my account,” I say. It’s all bravado, of course, but the last thing Rhys needs is to think I’m scared of him.

“I told him to come back tomorrow,” Rhys replies. “But I can call him back if you really want.” He leans in close. “If you’re not satisfied with just one of me.”

I just shrug- or I try to, but my shoulders are already up by my ears and starting to ache. Rhys laughs at me. He steps back, and begins to walk around me again. When he can’t see my face, I quietly blow a breath out. I’m trying to remain calm, but I’m so completely out of my depth. I’m strung up, pushing up on my tiptoes to relieve the pressure on my wrists, and he’s circling me with eyes that devour. I still can’t see him, but suddenly there’s a breath on the back of my neck. His hand lands on the side of my throat, thumb in the base of my skull and a long forefinger over my windpipe. He puts his teeth on the join of my shoulder, and he’s hard against my backside.

“Mmm I like you like this,” he murmurs, and the rumble in his voice has me arching against him. He’s finally touching me, and it’s not enough. I shudder, and he squeezes my throat before letting go and I’m cold all over.

Next thing I know, his lips touch the nape of my neck, and his hands are sliding up the sides of my thighs. They’re so warm against my skin, under my dress, and then brushing over my stomach. My hands twitch but of course I can’t touch him back. He hooks his fingers into the band of my underwear and then tugs them down; threads my feet through to get them off me. They go into the pocket of his jumpsuit.

Next, Rhys walks around in front of me again, but he’s not looking at my face. He slowly starts to undo the buttons down the front of my dress, enough to get his hands over my bra, and exhales through his teeth when he squeezes my breasts.

“Yeah,” he says, “I should have gotten you in here ages ago.”

“You can walk circles around me at home,” I shoot back, and I’m just mad because he isn’t kissing me. Rhys’s eyes darken.

“I had a few other things planned,” he tells me, and then he rips my dress the rest of the way open so buttons clatter to the floor.

“I liked this dress,” I hiss. I’m goading him and I know it. Come on, I think. I can take it.

“I like it better this way.”

He gathers the two sides up in his hands and ties them in a knot at my stomach.

“You’ll pay for a new one,” I say.

“And you’ll pay for giving me lip.” The strap slides from his shoulder and into his hands.

“Do it,” I spit. And quicker than I thought possible, the strap lashes out and strikes across my lower belly. I gasp at the sudden pain, but it settles into a heat somewhere behind my navel. I shouldn’t be surprised by now that it feels good. Rhys laughs darkly, and begins to circle again.

“Want another one?” he purrs. I grit my teeth.

“Yes,” I choke out.

The strap lands again, this time against my bare ass. Electricity snaps hot over my skin. I cry out, and then bite my lip against it. When he whips me again, I hold the sound behind my teeth.

“Oh come now,” Rhys says. He grips my throat again, and pulls me back against his body. “Don’t be a spoil-sport.” His voice sinks low. “Moan for me.” And then he drops the strap and smacks me with his hand. My jaw drops open and I didn’t need his instruction- the moan is involuntary.

“Good girl,” he says at my ear, and the next slap stings near the join at the top of my leg. I moan again, as every hair on my body stands on end, and I’m rewarded with soothing circles rubbed over the reddened skin. It lasts only a few seconds before I’m spanked a fifth time, and this time when he does it his teeth sink into my shoulder. He rubs over the sore spot again.

“So fucking good,” he praises, and his thumb strokes the side of my neck in time with his hand on my ass. “You like being spanked like that?” he asks. I don’t respond, but his fingers move over my hip and between my legs and he finds his answer.

“Fuck Feyre,” he growls. “If I’d known I could get you so wet by smacking your ass…”

His hand leaves my throat so he can spank me again on the other cheek, a fresh pain, while the other hand starts to move where it is. I moan louder now, and hope to god he’s locked the front office up. He strokes over my clit while he squeezes my backside where he hit me, and I’m turning to liquid under his touch.

“Do you even know what you do to me?” Rhys mutters. I’m losing coherence and he’s talking about what I’m doing to him? He grips my hip and grinds into my ass while he touches me, the solid line of him pushing against me hard enough to bruise. Point made.

“I have some idea,” I tease, but it comes out breathy. His fingers speed up on my clit, and I lose my legs entirely. The strap cuts into my wrists but I barely feel it.

“Doubtful,” is all he says, and his hand moves lower. His fingers push inside me but the heel of his palm keeps contact with my clit. There's a soft groan from behind me as he slides in to his knuckles. He’s rubbing his cock against my ass as his fingers move in and out, and then his teeth and tongue are roving over the back of my neck.

“Shit Rhys,” I gasp, and I can hear his breathing labour, too.

“Wanna fuck you so bad, Feyre,” he says. And I fucking wish he would but I can’t string the words together to tell him. Then he spanks me again as he curls his fingers inside me, and suddenly I’m right on the edge. “If I keep doing that will you come?” he asks me. My mouth moves but nothing comes out. “Shall I do it and find out?”

He hits me again and I feel it all the way up my spine. My head falls back against his shoulder and his lips move against my ear.

“Shall I count how many it takes?” My toes clench in my shoes. "How many are we up to now?" he muses. The next word is a growl. “Six.”

The slap lands across the low part of my ass, and all the while his other hand keeps moving between my legs. I cry out, and he kisses me gently on the side of my throat.

“Seven.”

The sharp of the pain bleeds into a heat that suffuses through to my belly, and the more I feel the more the world fades away, and it’s just him and me and the tightening spiral in my core.

“Eight.”

My breaths are short and shallow, and when my mouth opens again I’m barely making a sound. His fingers are speeding up, and my skin is getting raw, but I’m pushing my toes into the ground to arch up toward the next slap.

“Nine.”

This one stings so much my eyes are watering, and yet the sharper the feeling under his hand the stronger feeling between my legs, and I'm shivering, I’m clenching around his fingers as they move in and out of me.

“Ten-” And that’s the one. I’m coming hard, I’m crying and the sobs compete with the moans in my throat. I’m shaking so much Rhys has wrapped an arm around my middle to take some of my weight since I can’t put my feet flat on the ground, and it feels like he’s the only thing holding me together.

“That’s my fucking girl,” Rhys is mumbling, but I can barely hear him because I’m pretty sure I’m floating outside of my body somewhere near the ceiling.

I don’t know how long it takes me to come back down, but when I do Rhys is still holding me up and he’s pressing soft kisses over my neck and my ears. When I’m able to lift my head and look at him, he catches my mouth with his and licks my tongue and my teeth as he kisses me.

Eventually Rhys lets me go, slowly so as not to jar my shoulders, and my arms ache again when I’m holding my own weight. But it’s only for a second, because he steps round to face me and wraps my legs around his waist. He holds me up again and kisses me, lush and slow. Does it for so long that before I know it, I’m rolling my hips into him and the kiss gets dirtier, hungrier, toothier. I want to touch him so badly, to wrap my arms around his neck and get my fingers in his hair. To get him out of that gods-damned jumpsuit. All I can do is whine like a tied-up pet.

Fortunately, Rhys is as wound up as I am.

He lets go of me long enough to shove the front of his pants down, but he’s still got my weight because my ankles are crossed behind his back. He pulls himself out but then just rubs me with his fingers again, and it’s not what I want. I grip harder with my legs, trying to get his hips closer, and he seems to understand. Lines his cock up to my entrance and then gets his hands back on my ass and pushes me down on to himself.

“Christ Feyre…”

I share the sentiment. Rhys’s head drops down onto my shoulder as he sinks into me, all the way in. We just stay like that for a moment, breathing hard against each other, and then he’s pulling out and pushing back in. We both moan as he lands again, and he palms my breast under my ruined dress as he does it.

“Fuck you look good tied up like this,” he says.

He moves his hands back down so he can pull me onto himself by my ass.

“More,” I tell him on the exhale, and he snarls in reply and starts fucking me in earnest.

And as much as I’m frustrated that I can’t get my hands on him, the feeling of being at his mercy and letting him take exactly what he needs is strangely freeing. I have no thoughts toward what I should be doing because I can’t do anything, and all I have to do is take and feel and glory in the way that he moves.

Rhys shifts his hold so he’s got one arm cradling me, and with his free hand he grips the bar above my head. Now that he’s got more purchase, he’s pounding harder into me and I’m still helpless in his hold.

“I should keep you down here,” he says, but his words are slurring together. “Should bind you up so you can’t go anywhere, and I’ll fuck you just like this whenever I want…”

When he’s buried this deep inside me, I can’t say I’m opposed to the idea.

His hand slides down my spine and his fingers find the seam of my backside. I can feel the spread of his handprint holding me to him, and I can barely get a breath in when he's fucking me like this. He gets his mouth on mine and his kiss is as raw and obliterating as the sex.

“Fuck baby, I’m gonna come,” he says on my lips. I just tighten the grip of my legs and keep kissing him. “I want one more from you first,” he growls, but I shake my head and bite his lip. He starts to slow down but I keep moving my hips.

“Don’t you dare,” I grind out, and with a groan he picks up his pace again. He lets go of the bar and fists his fingers in my hair instead, and my breath catches as my head is pulled back.

“Please,” I whisper. “Please come, please I…”

Rhys lets out a snarl that rips through his teeth, and his hips snap forward so fast I can’t keep up. A bead of sweat runs cold between my breasts, I’m not sure if it’s from me or from him. His fingers dig into me and I only exist where he’s touching me, and then he’s roaring as he hits his climax and shudders hard into me.

I squeeze down on the bar under my hands as the waves of his pleasure rock through me, and I can’t breathe for how tightly he’s holding me. When he lets go of my hair I let my head fall onto his chest, and I can feel the beat of his heart under his tattoos. He kisses me, soft again, on the mouth and then with his tongue on my nipple and then in a line down my sternum. Gets on his knees, pulls my thighs over his shoulders so he’s still got my weight, and then kisses me right over my clit. I shiver, way too sensitive and tender from being fucked. He just chuckles and does it again.

“Rhys I can’t…”

He licks it this time and doesn’t seem to mind that I’ve still got his cum dripping out of me.

“I told you,” he says. “I want one more from you.”

And then he sucks my clit into his mouth and his tongue is relentless. He flicks it over and over me where I need it, and it only takes a few minutes before I’m coming again, my legs wrapped around his head and his hands curled around my thighs.

When I’ve finally stopped shaking, Rhys stands carefully and settles my legs around his hips again. He unties my hands, and my arms drop heavily around his neck. Completely boneless, I’m carried to a work bench and set down on it, before he finds a clean rag and gently wipes me off.

"You okay, sweetheart?"

I nod wearily, and give him a tired but true smile.

He gives me a spare jumpsuit to wear, since he’s ruined my dress, and then kisses my forehead.

“You were so, so good,” he murmurs. I just lean into him and let him hug me, while I breathe in the smell of grease and metal and Rhys. He lifts me again, and carries me to his car. Buckles me in, locks up the shop, and then holds my hand while he drives us home.

Hours later, after Rhys has put me in the shower and cooked me dinner and wrapped himself around me in his bed, he tells me.

“You can ask me, now,” he says. It takes me a moment, but I understand.

“How did it go?” I ask in the dark. He sighs.

“He’s dead.”

I turn around to face him, and he tangles our legs together. I hardly know what to say.

“Your dad died?”

“Yeah.”

I brush a curl from his forehead, and the words I’m sorry form in my mouth but I don’t know if they’d be right.

“Did you get to talk to him at all?”

“Sort of. He was pretty much gone by the time I got there, just pale and full of tubes. They said they were just keeping him breathing until I got there. So I said my goodbyes, and then he went.”’

“Did you get to tell him what you wanted to?”

Rhys shrugs. “I didn’t really plan what to say. The whole drive there I tried to, but I haven’t had anything to say to him in thirteen years. As much as I tried, I couldn’t come up with anything. Just figured… once I saw him, I might know. Or, he might say something, and then I’d have a response…”

“I’m sorry, Rhys.” I say it now, because I don’t know what else to say. The words never sound like enough, when someone is dead.

“I said, ‘You were a rotten father, and you couldn’t even stick around for me to tell it to you.’ Was that too harsh?”

Now it’s my turn to shrug. “It sounds like it was true.”

“And then they gave me a letter.”

“A letter?”

“A note, really. And his will.”

“What did the note say?”

“It said, ‘My son. I’ll be of more use to you dead than I was alive, but I’m sure you thought that anyway.’ And in the will he left me everything.”

“What?”

“I don’t know much about how he lived his last few years but I know he came from money. And there’s a massive house that I’m going to sell. So my dad is dead and suddenly I have more money than I know what to do with.”

“Rhys…”

“That’s a lot of conflicting things to feel, isn’t it?”

I bark a laugh. “It’s a few things.”

We lie in silence for a while, digesting the news. I think Rhys has been digesting all day.

“I’m buying the shop,” Rhys says. “For ma. And the others.”

“And here I thought I was going to buy it for you someday,” I tease.

“Well maybe I’ll give you the proceeds from the manor, in payment for my painting, and then you can buy the shop.” He gives me a sad smile, and I give him one back.

“And I’m going to get a house,” he says. “A real one, not a shit box. For me. And for you. If you’ll come with me. I know it's too soon, but it'll months from now anyway, maybe more..”

I put my hands on his face.

“I’d live with you in a shit box,” I say.

“You’ll never have to again,” he tells me, and then he kisses me so sweetly that I forgive him for keeping my underwear in his jumpsuit pocket.

****

The truth is, it didn't take me 2 months to write chapter 12 it took me this long to write this. It was in my head for so long and I just didn't have the juice to get it out, so I hope I did these babies justice. We're almost at the end, I just have to tell you the epilogue x

MASTERLIST

TAGLIST: @ghostlyrose2 @highladysith @stardelia @feysand-loml @tillyrubes10 @ratabrasileira @live-the-fangirl-life @maybekindasortaace @annejulianneh111 @thebonecarver @rowaelinismyotp @loosingdreams @pitrsattabhaadmeinjao @achernarlight @swankii-art-teacher @sjmships @courtofjurdan @teddytdr @positivewitch @thalia-2-rose @darling-archeron @rapunzel1523 @fairchildjace @hopefulacademia @story-scribbler @fandomstalker27 @realbookloverproblems @dealfea @s-tormwitch @cretaceous-therapod @whenyadoesntcutit @scatterbrainedgirl @whoever-you-choose-to-love @endlessdaydream @elentiya-whitethorn @rarephloxes @timesconvert @mis-lil-red @alerialumina

#feysand #feysand fic #acotar #it is SO LONG #like the longest chapter ive ever written #for the longest fic ive ever written #i think i'm just delirious at this point

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changingplumbob · 5 months

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Nishidake Household: Chapter 4, Part 2

Kaori and Charlie may not be sure where to start as mountain guardians but they know sims are watching over them.

In this part the two have a dinner to catch up with flatmates and discuss why they're not planning on growing their family with humans any time soon. Also I make myself tear up (I'm emotional okay) by having Charlie discuss the timeless save with Allie but she is alive for this whole part.

The women reach the end of their hike. Up a few stone staircases set into the mountain they find it, the mountain shrine. A memorial to all those who came before, Kaori's ancestors. It's time to let them know that these women are here to stay, and look after Mt Komorebi.

The prayers are cast into the tunnel and the Nishidake's listen for the echo to tell them they've been heard.

Kaori: We did it

Charlie: That was more draining than I expected

Kaori: You know what cheers me up

Charlie: Woohoo

Kaori: Yes! But also food. Let's go get dinner. Catch up with some friends

Dinner time with the old flat crew, minus their kids

Host: Hello and welcome to 5-3-1 Shinrinyoku. This restaurant was built by the gallery's own KA0260

Kaori: Okay can we-

Host: Can I just say... Hi

Kaori: Ah, hi

Host: Don't be thrown by my looks, I'm also tender and loving

Kaori: Excuse me

Luna: Is he actually

Rahul: Just wait, she's got this

Charlie: Do I get a hi? Being my wife's wife

Host: Ah, of course

Kaori: Table for 6

Host: Yes, this way

Devin: No one leads me anywhere

Luna: He's doing his job

Devin: Sure he is

Host: Call me if you need anything

Charlie: We won't

Kaori: Bye

Charlie: Do you two have to deal with nonsense like that

Devin: No but none of my fans are creeps, by definition of being my fans

Cassandra: Henford is pretty quiet

Rahul: I don't think we've encountered any paparazzi yet

Luna: You mean friends with cameras

Charlie: Oh you do not

Devin: It's a nice way to refer to them

Cassandra: Don't you worry about the boys

Luna: What about them

Rahul: I don't think we'd be comfortable with pictures of our kids in the papers

Luna: Most of them understand not to take pictures of the boys

Charlie: If any don't, just let me know

Waitress: Ready to order?

The group order and Cassandra has to excuse herself to go search for a bathroom.

Charlie: It honestly sounds like hell

Luna: I mean, it's not hell

Kaori: Spending 9 months growing kids only to not be happy at the end sounds like hell

Luna: I'm happyish now

Rahul: Well there you go

Charlie: Huh

Luna: I wouldn't change having them just to avoid the postpartum stuff

Charlie: So glad I'm never having kids

Devin: Wait, never

Charlie: I certainly don't plan on getting pregnant Devin

Kaori: And it would be hard to scale the mountain with nausea

Luna: So you wouldn't get pregnant either

Cassandra: Food's here, what did I miss

Charlie: It's not that big a deal, plenty of people don't get pregnant

Rahul: So you don't have a mum bugging you for grandkids

Cassandra: That's just you big guy

Devin: Pa bugged us for a while

Charlie: We're only... how old are we

Kaori: 26 Charlie: Thanks

Charlie: I mean, maybe we could adopt eventually

Kaori: Maybe. We're not in a rush

Luna: Life can be shorter than we think

Kaori: Not when you can throw chopsticks like this it's not

Charlie: Thanks for coming to us guys

Rahul: No problem

Devin: It's good to get out of the valley

Kaori: I bet

Allie: *barks* remember not to rush the door, they hate that

Clover: *barks* why

Allie: *barks* they only have 2 legs to balance on

Charlie: Say, want to go not make a baby

Kaori: I'd love to go not make a baby

Charlie: Knew it

So the two have some baby free fun.

Winter is officially begun! With it, food coma day! Kaori begins making a grand breakfast while Charlie works on fixing a few things.

Kaori: Are you sure you don't want me to do that

Charlie: You're busy

Kaori: And you hate handiness

Charlie: I promise not to electrocute myself

Kaori: You better not

Kaori: Cuteness alert! And breakfast!

Charlie: Aww, I'm here K

Kaori: You really don't mind not having kids

Charlie: I mean, if they're blood relatives to you... could they end up tied to the mountain as well

Kaori: I think they would

Charlie: Is that fair to them, they might want to live elsewhere

Kaori: I don't want to have kids just to trap them either

Charlie: But we'll probably need someone to take this role after us

Kaori: Maybe adopted kids down the road could be guardians without...

Charlie: Risking death

Kaori: Yeah

Charlie: We'll be here for a long time yet

Kaori: I know

Charlie wanted to take Allie for another proper jog so Kaori sorted out the garden for the day, with Clover's help of course. 2pm rolls around and it's time for Charlie to head to work. Kaori got a request from her publicity to make a fishing video so time to try find a fishing hole.

Here we are. The only fishing spot in the whole of Mt Komorebi. One big mountain, one tiny fishing pier. Kaori examines the water and sees a bunch of fish swimming around. She probably should have invited father in law Harvey along to help identify them.

The afternoon doesn't go terribly. While the drone has battery Kaori manages a few catches. She gets a minnow, a talking llama toy and an infamous cowplant berry. The drone can only last so long however so after a few hours she has to pack it up and head home.

Kaori: Where's the best co editor known to man or dog

Allie: *barks*

Kaori: There you are!

With Allie's watchful eye Kaori uploads the footage and begins the editing process. She ads a few effects, and smooth transitions, and gets a great video. The publicity agent is delighted.

Another food coma day tradition is baking! Charlie gets home while Kaori is still busy so settles on the couch with Allie.

Charlie: How are you doing girl

Allie: *barks*

Charlie: You know you have lived a wonderful life darling. The timeless save will be lucky to have you

Allie: *whines*

Charlie: Not this second of course

Allie: *barks*

Charlie: But when it happens don't be scared okay. You'll see Kaori's grandparents again. And probably your mum. And I'll be there eventually

Allie: *whines*

Charlie: Oh it won't seem like a long time for you, I promise my darling, be brave my girl

Allie may be tired, but she hasn't finished training Clover. She can't rest yet. She'll give it another day if she can, for Charlie. Allie hopes she's right about the timeless save.

Charlie: Thank the watcher she's still here

Kaori: She is

Charlie: I don't have work today, should we do some guardianship stuff

Kaori: I wanted to go rock climbing, the conditions are perfect. I'm sure the mountain wont fall down in a day

Charlie: Fair enough, how's our gear

Kaori: Still good

They two do some stretching before starting, don't want anyone getting hurt. They're both only level 3 rock climbing so have a lot to learn before they can try for the summit. They just have to remember to keep practicing to boost their abilities. Kaori dreams of the summit view.

And some bonus climbing pictures because I was having fun. Kaori did fall once but still managed to improve her rock climbing to level 4. Oh and Kaori is a neat sim after cleaning up some more stuff this morning.

Previous Part ... Next Part

#sims 4 #the sims #the sims 4 #rotation7 #ChangingPlumbobStorytime #NishidakeHousehold #KaoriNishidake #CharlieNishidake #DevinVillareal #LunaVillareal #CassandraChopra #RahulChopra #R0709

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gamesception · 9 months

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Sception Reads Cass Cain #7

So there are like a bunch of issues in a row where Cassandra shows up for just a panel or two each. Not really enough to make a full post on, and in the future I'll probably skip appearances like this unless there's something particularly noteworthy about them, but since there are this many in a row, and taken together they illustrate a point I've harped on in other posts, let's take a quick look.

Detective Comics #738 pencils by Mat Broome

There's a big explosion! So big that all these people around the city hear/feel it. Including Cass, who looks fine, but why does penguin get a full column and Cass has to share her column with, what, is that Bullock? like from the cartoon show? Eh, it's fine.

...

Detective Comics #739 pencils by Damion Scott

Hey, it's our guy Scott, with his signature cartoony expressive rubbery style. This a big issue for Harvey Dent, Jim Gordon, and Renee Montoya, and Scott really goes all out to get their emotions onto the page. But we're here for our girl, and here she is in the group shot. Proportions are a touch wonky, but if there's one artist we can trust to give us a recognizable Cass, even in costume, even with only a single panel group shot to do it, it's Scott. And yeah, she looks good - the pose gives her a bit of a cocky attitude, and the shadows on her mask give you a sense of her face, or at least the impression that there is a face - maybe too small in this group shot to really make out her expression too well, but at least she doesn't read as faceless here.

Patricia Mulvihill did the colors for this issue, and gives us a non-cannon variant color scheme for Cass's costume - Navy blue for the cape and cowl and dark grey for the body suit instead of the usual black for both, with solid black reserved for the inside of the bat symbol outline on her chest making it pop out more. Honestly I kind of prefer this? But I generally prefer the grey and navy bat suits over flat black on Bruce as well.

...

Robin #70 pencils by Gordon Purcell

See, the monochrome black suits are a bit flat and boring by comparison, and a lot of colorists don't know how to render them in a way that they don't just look grey or blue instead of black anyway, at which point why not just embrace it and make them grey & blue to begin with?

But anyway, Cass shows up with Bruce at the end of this issue in her aspect as Batman's Shadow / Silent Enforcer, and you know I'm not a huge fan of that characterization. Visually though... she looks off here, imo. Wrong proportions, too tall / head too small. Doesn't read as a teenager, imo. Something weird going on with her cape. But she's only barely there in the background and largely obscured by Bruce or dialog bubbles, so it's not like the artist had a lot of room to work with here.

....

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #124 pencils by Rafael Kayanan

I'm... not sure what's going on in that one panel... Is she standing on the crossbow? Ninja or not, I'm pretty sure he would have noticed that and also not been able to support it. Is she just landing on it to knock it off aim? Then why is there so little sense of motion? Weird panel. The kick is fine, though.

Perfectly serviceable art for Cass in costume here. No particular notes or complaints from me. I especially like the way Kayanan does billowing scalloped bat capes. We also have Cass in her canon black next to Bruce in my preferred blue and grey, from a colorist who can definitely show the difference between the three. Oh, what could have been!

......

Batman: Shadow of the Bat #93 pencils by Paul Ryan

Busy issue with tons of characters and a lot going on. Batman's mostly made up with Gordon at this point, they're getting together for some planning and mission assignments. Still Cass as the silent shadow, but for once Cass is shadowing Azrael instead of Batman.

They get a mission here that will play out in tomorrow's post.

In the mean time, I don't think the artist did a particularly great job with Cass here, but it's not bad at all. Plus these are a couple small and crowded panels in an issue with just so many different characters so I'm inclined to cut them some slack.

......

Here we have five different extremely brief appearances for Cass across five different comic issues with different artists. The quality imo varies - I'm not a big fan of Purcell's Cass/Batgirl, I think Kayanan's is cool as heck, etc - but what I really want to call attention to, pulling back a bit from the slightly more positive note I ended up on last time, is that in of all of these brief, background/group shot appearances, imo her individual personality and identity really only comes across in Damion Scott's art.

In that panel I see the cocky teenager who's having fun, because being Batgirl is fun to her! Yes, she can at times be as broody as any Gotham hero. Yes she struggles with guilt and trauma. But she loves being Batgirl. The enjoyment she gets out of the role is a core part of her struggles with guilt, and the whole internal conflict falls apart if being Batgirl is just a labor, just a burden for her to bear.

If you look at all the non-Scott panels here, the ones I like the art for and the ones I don't, in all of them Batgirl is a faceless shadow, a generic silent ninja. She's a cypher, reserved and unknowable. And not only is that Not Cass, it's also just kind of boring and generic? Not only are there a million characters like that in comic books, those characters are mostly nameless mooks and henchmen.

When other heroes show up for similar one off group shot, background panel type appearances, they can still emote somewhat since their faces aren't fully covered. They can still throw out a quippy little comment since they aren't mute. The interpersonal family dynamics of Batman's found family are built on those little moments every bit as much as the big ones, and Cass's conceptual gimmicks excluder from them. Is it any wonder that so many writers and editors never really treated her as part of the family?

#sception reads cassandra cain #batgirl #cassandra cain

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yourkimjaejin · 1 year

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NCT AG at MAMA 2022

Even though NCT Dream did not attend MAMA, Aurora went with AG after the girls flew to Japan joining Doyoung at their concert

AG walked the red carpet to B.O.Y. Their arms were linked together, Hannah and Moxy on the ends. All the girls wore blazer dresses. Juno wore a crushed velvet one in black. Aurora’s dress was black houndstooth. Hannah’s was half black linen and half black sequins. Lastly, Moxy’s was a black linen one with a cape in the back.

Even though the girls walked the red carpet, they weren’t actually at the show for the first day. AG was busy with last minute rehearsals for their performance

Moxy sits on the ground resting her back on the padding lining the walls of the gym they’re using for AG’s MAMA rehearsal.

“It’s 4 am. We just finished rehearsals for Mama tomorrow. Just to give you an idea of the timeline. Myself, Hannah and Juno flew out for Dream’s show in Yokohama. It was actually Doyoung’s idea for us to join him. He was already planning on going and said ‘You guys should just come early! That way you can all fly out together.’ I think he just wanted company.”

Moxy pauses to answer a question from her manager.

Where was I…….Oh Yeah! From there we flew out after the last concert to be here in Osaka. We’ve been in rehearsal alllll day until a couple of hours ago when we got dressed, walked the carpet, said hello to some of our friends and now we’re here. Practicing our performance. Immediately after the show tomorrow Aurora has to fly out for Dream’s show in…….Fukuoka!”

Moxy’s looks past the camera with a blank look in face.

“Jesus, I’m tired”

The girls posted a ton of videos of themselves backstage at day two of MAMA. They filmed with NewJeans, Treasure, and Felix and I.N from SKZ.

It was a Queendom reunion backstage. Moxy and Juno posted a picture with the girls from Kepler. Hannah filmed the #BOYChallenge with Hyolyn and Xiaoting.

AG sat upfront between Stray Kids and Treasure. Fans were treated to interactions between all three groups. Moxy, Han, Lee Know and Changbin took a selfie together. Juno walked over to talk with Hyunjin during a commercial break. Netizens were shocked to learn Doyoung from Treasure and Aurora were friendly with each other. As they talked, Aurora would sometimes blush to great joy from Doyoung.

During NewJeans performance, AG like everyone else was dancing to Hype Boy. This has been the closest fans have gotten to the members doing the Hype Boy challenge for tiktok.

Aurora and Juno were both singing along to Future Perfect by Enhypen. Cameras caught Juno miming doing the dance along with the boys on stage.

All the girls were rocking out to Treasure’s performance just like everyone else in the crowd, fan and idol alike. Camera’s caught Haruto hugging Juno which is weird because the two haven’t interacted before.

AG’s performance was second to last, right before J-Hope. Their stage was called BOY, Hit The Lights! When the stage is announced. The lights and screens began to glitch out and flicker on and off. Everything shuts down, launching the arena into darkness. Suddenly the screens say Transmission interrupted.

A VCR played with the girls in a control room. The coordinates in the corner of the screen read The Flat, The Center of Kwangya. While the other three girls do miscellaneous tasks around the room, Moxy types away on a huge computer screen. All of a sudden, an alert goes off. The three girls run over to where Moxy has pulled up where the alert is coming from. On the top of the room, the words blinking say DREAM DISRUPTED.

“Where's the alert coming from?” Aurora asks.

“Someplace called….MAMA??” Moxy questions exactly what MAMA even means. “It says it's in Osaka though.”

Hannah claps her hands together, “Well what are we waiting for, we have a dream to set right.” All four girls turn around and jump into a large tunnel in the middle of the floor. The VCR ends with Juno winking at the camera as she falls back into the tunnel.

In the Arena a large crash echos in the arena. White light shines on the girls from above. Juno is the first to stand up. “Woah, guys. I don't think the computer told us that MAMA was an AWARD SHOW. Look! It's filled with people.” All the girls look out into the crowd with surprised faces.

“I bet this is another prank from Naevis. Making us answer a fake alert only to plop us in front of a bunch of screaming people. Well, I for one am not sticking around for this. NAEVIS BEAM US UP!”

“WAIT WAIT WAIT!!!” Hannah interrupts. “We can’t just leave them empty handed. It looks like someone was supposed to perform during this part. We should at least give them a show. What do you say ladies?” Moxy and Juno agree but Hannah has to elbow Aurora in the ribs to get her to agree, “Oww, FINE!”

Moxy turns to the audience, “Alright, do you guys wanna help us out!” The crowd screams in agreement. Moxy breaks character, taken aback by the response. “Okay, okay. All we ask is that you make. Some. NOISE!!” The crowd’s screams fill the arena as the light shuts off again.

When they come back on, The girls start singing B.O.Y. A single spotlight shines on each member as they sing the opening verse. At the chorus, the lights in the arena come back to life and the stage fills with dancers. The skip straight to the bridge and final chorus of the song before Aurora steps up and asks the crowd, “YOU GUYS WANT ONE MORE SONG?!” At the crowd agreement, the dancers crowd around the girls and when they disperse, the girls are in completely different outfits before they start the last song.

At MAMA, AG lets the world get a preview of the Repackage title track, Am to Pm. The repackage had been announced to release the second of december but the girls decided to debut the song for MAMA. On the stage the girls dance around the main stage, even going around to the side of the crowd where the observing idols sat.

The girls walk back to the Main stage during the bridge. This version of the song, created for MAMA, has a dance break where the girls dance in the bed of ford trucks. The girls jump off the truck into the waiting arms of dancers. The dancers carry the members to center stage to finish the song, fireworks exploding from the stage as the fans cheer. In one last flash of light, AG disappeared from the stage leaving everything as it was before they began glitching.

In terms of awards, tonight was a milestone for AG. On the first day, AG won Worldwide Fan’s Choice Top 10 once again. But that's not what I’m talking about. On this night, AG and Nctzen’s finally broke AG’s MAMA curse with the girls winning Best Dance Performance - Female Group for Do It Like This.

The girls were so shocked, they sat in their seats for what felt like hours before making their way to the stage on shaky legs. By the time they made it to the microphone, all the members were in tears. Aurora handled the speech in Korean and Moxy gave the thank you’s in english.

“Thanks to everyone at SM for their continued support. To our families, thank you for encouraging us to chase our dreams and make them reality. T-Thank you to our members. Many of y-you didn’t know any of us but you— you still opened your arms to us and brought us into the family you’ve built around yourselves. You showed us there was room for the four of us and we are forever grateful for that. Finally, CZENNIE!!!……you’ve stood by us. You’ve cheered for us. You’ve cried with us. You’ve been by our sides from the beginning and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you for giving us your time, your energy and your love. We, AG, promise to return it back one hundred fold. Thank you!”

Backstage, AG’s managers got footage of the girls crying together after accepting their award. They posted it the AG instagram story for the fans to see with a simple ‘thank you nctzen’ as the caption

AG did a vlive once they got back to their hotel and it was memorable. The girls couldn’t stop crying over the memories of their time together. Some would argue that winning best dance performance isn’t an award worth sobbing over. But for AG and AGzens it’s years of work finally paying off

The girls took time to each give an ending message, once again leaving the girls in tears. Needless to say this video was used in every edit congratulating the group on Twitter.

#NCT AG #NCT AG.Writing #NCT AG.Schedule #nct female unit #nct female addition #nct female member #nct female subunit #nct female oc #kpop fake group #kpop female member #kpop!au #kpop addition #kpop!fakegroup #kpop!oc #kpop!addition

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