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nellasbookplanet · 3 months

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Book recs: the evil fungi did it

We all know of The Last of Us, but that franchise isn't the only example of fungal invasions. We've got zombies and apocalypses, we've got gothic horror, we've got fantasy, we've got romance, we've got space - no genre is safe from having their characters become the home of fungal organisms.

For more details on the books, continue under the readmore. Titles marked with * are my personal favorites. And as always, feel free to share your own recs in the notes!

If you want more book recs, check out my masterpost of rec lists!

The Girl with all the Gifts (The Girl with All the Gifts series) by M.R. Carey

Want another fungal zombie apocalypse? Then I come bearing great news! The Girl with All the Gifts is a post apocalyptic novel following a group of characters fleeing across an infested wasteland, trying to stay alive and hoping to find a cure. One of the characters is Melanie, a young girl who carries the contagion inside of her and hungers for flesh, but like many children of the apocalypse has kept her humanity. Is she and children like her the answer to the cure we are looking for? Or are they the start of something entirely new? This book has also been adapted as a movie!

Cold Storage by David Koepp*

Years ago, a quickly growing fungal organism capable of wiping out humanity came dangerously close to spreading. It was contained and kept in cold storage underneath a military repository. Since then, a larger storage facility has been built on top, the dangers on the lower floor being largely forgotten. That is, until it makes a new attempt at escape. Now, two unsuspecting security guards might be all that stands in the way of complete extermination. This book is both funny and genuine in its characters, and genuinely creepy in its portrayal of body horror.

Salvaged by Madeline Roux

Rosalyn Devar is on the run from her famous family, and has run so far she ended up in space. Now she works as a "space janitor", being sent off to clean up the remains of failed research expeditions. But in trying to cope with her problems, she has fucked up on her job multiple times, and is now close to losing her position. Her last chance is the Brigantine: a research vessel gone silent, all crew presumed dead. But when she arrives to salvage it, Rosalyn discovers the crew isn't as dead as presumed. But are they still human - and will Rosalyn be able to keep her own humanity?

The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed

Novella. Reid is a young woman living in a small community after a climate collapse. Resources are scarce, but Reid's biggest problem is Cad, a mind-altering fungal parasite that lives inside her body. When she is offered a rare chance at attending a far-away university in a secluded dome community, Reid must decide whether to leave or stay to help support her community.

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia*

Noemí Taboada is a glamorous and well-off young woman, but when she receives a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin, Noemí must leave her glamorous life and travel to find out what is wrong. As she arrives at High Place, a mansion on the Mexican countryside, Noemí is met with mysteries and her cousin's new English family. As she tries to find out the truth behind High Place and its inhabitants, Noemí's only ally is the youngest son of the family. But will she be able to find out what so scared her cousin before it's too late for all of them?

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

A young pregnant woman flees a cult that left her body strange and changing in terrifying ways. Hiding from both a world wanting to oppress her and the cult seeking to force her back, she does her best to raise her children while trying to find out the truth of the cult and being pursued by a hunter in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Bleak and scary, Sorrowland is a book that will creep under your skin with horrors both fantastical and very, very real.

What Moves the Dead (Sworn Soldier duology) by T. Kingfisher

Novella. Alex Easton, retired soldier, travels to visit their childhood friends, siblings Madeline and Roderick Usher, after finding out that Madeline is dying. In the siblings' rural, ancestral home, Madeline walks in her sleep and looks to be fading away, while around it wildlife seems to be possessed by a strange force. With the help of a mycologist and an American doctor, Alex attempts to save Madeline and reveal the truth of her illness.

Wanderers (Wanderers duology) by Chuck Wendig

A strange illness has struck the United States: with no warning, random people with seemingly no connection simply get up and start walking. They do not eat, do not sleep, do not communicate, and they do not stop - and if you try to force them, they literally explode from the inside. Teenaged Shana isn't one of these sleepwalkers, but her little sister is. Unwilling to leave her sister on her own, Shana accompanies the growing flock of walkers, protecting them as one of many "shepherds". And this protection proves necessary, as the sleepwalkers is only the first step toward what might very well be the extinction of the human race. An 800 page epic, Wanderers is a slowburn apocalypse story with a multitude pov characters and plot threads, from fungal pandemics and all-knowing AI to the all too real portrayal of radicalization and bigotry.

The Dawnhounds (The Endsong series) by Sascha Stronach

The Dawnhounds is a book where you just kind of have to let the story and the world wash over you. It skirts the line of scifi and fantasy, with a futuristic world of environmentally friendly mushroom houses and deadly fungi bio weapons next to literally god-given superpowers and near-immortality. It’s really cool and unlike anything else I’ve ever read, but also a bit confusing. Bonus: it’s also sapphic!

Agents of Dreamland (Tinfoil Dossier trilogy) by Caitlín R. Kiernan

Novella. A government agent known only as the Signalman; a cult preying on the young and vulnerable, promising to usher in a new age; a woman who exists outside of time, searching for a way to save humanity. Agents of Dreamland is short, but includes many spooky elements, among them an alien and possibly world-ending fungi. The narrative is non-linear and a bit strange, but also fascinating.

The Genius Plague by David Walton

Soon after landing his dream job at the NSA, things get weird for Neil Johns. His brother Paul, a mycologist, returns from a trip to the Amazon, carrying a nearly lethal fungal infection and a strangely sharpened mind. At work, Neil starts picking up mysterious messages originating out of South America, where cases similar to that of Paul starts occurring. And strangest of all: all the infected seem to be working towards the same goal. Recommended with the caveat that, while the fungal stuff is really cool, The Genius Plague is also happy to idolize American intelligent agencies and demonize environmentalism and anti-imperialism.

Little Mushroom: Judgement Day (Little Mushroom duology) by Shisi

An Zhe isn’t human. He’s a mushroom who absorbed the DNA of a dying man, allowing him to take on human guise and leave the wilderness. Entering one of the last human bases, a place struggling to keep out the mutated and dangerous creatures of the wilds, An Zhe must keep his identity secret as he searches for something which was taken from him. While not my cup of tea (frankly, I need more female characters), Little Mushroom is an undeniably unique m/m romance novel.

Bonus AKA these don't technically involve any fungi but have similar vibes of parasites and nature corrupting the human

Parasite (Parasitology trilogy) by Mira Grant*

In the near future, a great leap in medical science has improved human health by leaps and bounds: a genetically engineered tape worm. Within a few years, almost every human has their own personal parasite implanted. But now, something is happening to the parasites - they want more, whether their hosts want to share or not.

Annihilation (Southern Reach trilogy) by Jeff Vandermeer

For decades, Area X has been completely cut off from humanity. The only ones to enter are small organized expeditions, many of which never return, or return... wrong. We follow the latest expedition, its participants known only as the anthropologist, the psychologist, the surveyor, and our narrator, the biologist. As they enter into Area X to try to find out its secrets, only one thing is for sure: they will never be the same again.

Wilder Girls by Rory Power

Young adult. Over a year ago, the Raxter School for Girls was hit by the Tox, a strange disease that killed off many and left the survivors' bodies slowly changing in terrifying ways. The island the school is on has been in quarantine since then, and the girls dare not leave the school grounds lest they become victims of wild animals changed by the Tox. But as they wait for the promised cure, one of the girls goes missing, and her friends are willing to do anything to find her. Unsettling, spooky, and sapphic, this is a unique read featuring body horror and messy, dangerous girls.

(Second) Bonus AKA I haven't read these yet but they seem really cool

City of Saints and Madmen (Ambergris trilogy) by Jeff Vandermeer

Ambergris, a city created by a mushroom-like people, is now the home of humans, but the original inhabitants are still there, residing beneath the city.

Creatures of Want and Ruin (Diabolist's Library series) by Molly Tanzer

It’s the prohibition era, and while Ellie does fishing during the day, at night she bootlegs moonshine in Long Island. But unbeknownst to Ellie, some of the booze she smuggles has a strange source: distilled from mushrooms by a cult, it causes those who drink it to see terrible things, such as the the destruction of Long Island.

Bloom by Wil McCarthy

The inner solar system has been overtaken by fast-reproducing, fast-mutating technogenic life. Humanity has fled to the outer solar system, hiding beneath the ice of Jupiter's moon, but even here they aren't safe from possible incursion of mycospores, which lead to deadly blooms. Now a group of astronauts venture back to an infected Earth.

#the girl with all the gifts #cold storage #salvaged #the annual migration of clouds #mexican gothic #sorrowland #what moves the dead #wanderers #the dawnhounds #agents of dreamland #the genius plague #little mushroom #parasitology #annihilation #wilder girls #nella talks books

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goryhorroor · 6 months

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some of these are from reddit and aren’t my ideas but the first one is mine. mine would be a guy can see how long someone has to live then one day sees a person with 500 years (is he a vampire? is he taking people’s life forces? who knows)

reblog your own horror ideas

#horror #horror movies #idk I’m bored and I like polls #polls

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wolfythewitch · 1 year

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Of course grian is the one who is not afraid of some messed up teen with zombie dad

Such a guy

I saw an ask about this so I'm just gonna answer it here too

Here's some zombie apocalypse grian lore

Grian is a scientist who's been separated from his friends/coworkers (the rest of the boatem crew) so he was on his way to meet up with them. He's one of the people kind of in charge of studying the zombies/trying to find a cure, before their lab got broken into and invaded. On his way to a meetup point, he sees a zombie lingering past the edge of a door. Which is strange in itself, because most zombies would have charged at him by now, but this zombie only stares at him, groaning softly. So grian, against his better judgement, comes closer. He has his hands over the barrel of his revolver, ready to draw in case everything goes south, but the zombie only backs up, as if he knows not to startle him. That's strange. He'll have to note that down later, look into it. But what catches his eye is the kid passed out on the floor, so pale he almost assumed he was dead, if not for the shallow rise and fall of his chest. He looks up again at the zombie, who continues to stare at him, hollowed eyes almost pleading. He reaches a hand out to the boy, pulling back once he makes contact with burning skin. He looks again at the zombie, before pulling out his own first aid kid. He'll have to do some more research on that anomaly later, but for now, he'll prioritize keeping this kid's brain from frying.

#wolfy tedtalks #anon #zombie au

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strangerquinns · 1 year

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Deadly Reunion | Chapter 1

Eddie Munson x female!reader

summary: You and Eddie have been best friends since childhood. But when the outbreak happened five years ago, you were torn from one another in the chaos. but now you're left alone, after your group was killed by another radical crew, leaving you to seek out what was once home.

warnings: angst + adult themes w/ descriptions of violence, blood, torture + other zombie apocalypse related issues

word count: 2K+

next chapter ➵ | stranger things masterlist

Your eyes scanned along the shelves and grabbed a few supplies you were able to locate. Band-aids, tweezers, a few sticks of beef jerky that were kicked under a shelf, a bottle of rubbing alcohol, and lastly a box of tampons.

“You find anything?” a voice called from the end of the aisle behind you.

Turning around quickly you watched as your friend Wendy walked toward her. Her curly dark hair was pulled loosely from her face into a bun, tendrils falling in front of her face. Blood dotted across her face and blended with the freckles that seemed to kiss her skin more this time of year. The sun is not being gentle even more with the sunburn showing on her shoulders already. You could already hear her higher pitched voice wining about the pain.

“Just a few things, more so for Judy and adding to her medkit.” You shrugged, before tossing your finds into your backpack. “You?”

“Nothing. This place is pretty cleared out. Randall and the other moved to the building next door hoping to find something.”

You scoffed “He needs to stop leaving without everyone accounted for. That’s how we get killed.”

Wendy shrugged rolling her eyes slightly, “He’s a jackass. Come on, we gotta hurry and catch up.”

She playfully bumped your shoulder as she passed you and headed back to the front of the store. Your eyes did a quick sweep to make sure nothing else was missed, before following right behind her. The two of you moved with ease as you jumped back through the window you’d come in from before. Your eyes squinting as the harsh sun came back into your view.

“How much longer do you think we’re gonna be out here? It’s not like we’re find anything.” Wendy asked, “It’s been weeks since our last good search.”

“I don’t know.” You sighed heavily “My mom’s starting to get worried, keeps talking of heading north back to our hometown.”

Wendy’s eyebrows shoot up, “That’s nearly a two-day travel.”

“I know. But all our sources seem to be out here. And she’s got it made up in her head that Hawkins would be better.” You shrugged. “A part of me wants to go back too, see what we can find. We left so much behind when everything was happening.”

As you spoke your hand moved up to the faded and worn down red and black pic that swung from the silver chain around your neck.

“Well…maybe I’ll come with you.” Wendy smiled, swinging her shoulder to wrap and rest around yours. “Not like I have anything holding me here.”

You frowned at her flippant comment.

It had been two years since Wendy’s brother and father died from a mob and her mother dying at the beginning. Leaving her alone, till she’d join the group a few months back. The two of you gravitated toward one another becoming more than best friends.

Wendy was like a sister.

“I would really like that, Wen.” You spoke softly. “I’ll talk to my mom more, convince her on leaving.”

Wendy’s face lit up with a smile that spready across her face and caused her brown eyes to shine.

The familiar sound of a growl snapped you awake and ripped you away from the dream that had clouded your mind. It was rare that you were able to fall asleep without the dark clouds of your nightmares fogging them. You were welcomed with smiles last night instead of screams.

Your head moved from side to side as you tried to find the source of the sound, scrambling to look over the edge of the building you were able to find refuge in. You’d learned quickly while being on your own it was smarter to camp up high, instead of chancing it down below. The sun was barely peaking out from behind the clouds as the morning started to switch back from night. Your heart jumped again when the growl from before sounded louder and multiplied.

The sound a Flayed was enough to churn your stomach with the deepest of dread.

You grabbed your gun from the back of your pants and checked to make sure it was loaded with the safety off. When your gaze returned to the streets below, you saw the movement of them. Shuffling across the overgrown lawn of the business that was across from where you stayed. The blackened veins beneath their skin are dark enough for you to see even at your distance. One’s face nearly decayed back enough that the bone beneath showed.

“Fuck,” You cursed, before moving to line up your shot. You knew the chances of you getting down and past them were slim.

A Flayed’s hearing was something one didn’t want to bet with.

You always came out on the losing side.

Your first shot hit its target.

Its head knocked back from the force of the bullet before the body fell to the ground like dead weight. But the loud cracking sound of the gun alerted the other quickly to your location. Its head snapping with its dead eye seeming to look right at you. The speed that it broke off into was something that one could never get used to. A flayed moved slowly with no motivation till the possibility of a kill presented itself. Then it became the monster it created to be. It’ broke across the street in what felt like mere seconds.

But you were ready, finger pressed against the trigger, before sending a second bullet out. You missed slightly by hitting it on the shoulder. But it was enough to slow it down before you aimed again and sent one through its skull.

You breathed a silent prayer of thanks before letting your body relax. But only for a moment. Knowing the sound of gunshots were only going to bring attention to your location.

You rolled your sleeping bag up tightly and tied it back beneath your bag before looking around and double checking that you’d left nothing else. Once you were satisfied, you moved quickly, climbing back down from the ladder of the fire escape.

You gave no second thought as you walked by the dead bodies of the Flayed before walking down the main road of the familiar small town you were in.

-x-

“It’s been a couple of days since we came across a Flayed.” Robin spoke softly, Steve and Nancy a few paces in front of her. “Think they’ll lesson patrols?”

“The last thing that Hopper is going to want to do is to lesson patrols. That man is more paranoid than ever lately.” Steve shook his head, his grip tight on the bat that rested on his shoulder, nails sticking out of it every direction. The wood is worn and stained from months of use.

“Can you blame him? Sarah only died a few months ago,” Eddie spoke with a heavy sadness in his voice.

His head swiveled slowly as his eyes scanned over the forest that surrounded him. The only thing that could be heard amongst the group was the sound of their shoes against the dead leaves at their feet.

This was Eddie’s second patrol in a couple of days, and it was already starting to ware on him. His shoulders ached from the clearing they’d done from the night before. All he wanted was a shower and his bed but knew that was hours away. But he knew that being out of the camp was better than staying behind and lingering with his guilt. It was getting harder each day to see Hopper as he walked through the halls or sitting at the head table in the meetings.

Hopper had told Eddie that it wasn’t his fault that Sarah was gone.

But his guilt said otherwise.

And hearing her screams in his sleep was enough to make sure that guilt didn’t leave any time soon.

Just as Eddie’s thought almost ran away down the dark hole he was too familiar with lately, the cracking sound of a gunshot cut through the silence. Everyone stopped the moment the sound was heard, their heads turning in the direction of the source.

“That’s coming from downtown,” Nancy said, sliding her knife into her small waist sheath, before reaching back for her Smith & Wesson.

“Wasn’t that cleared four days ago?” Robin asked. “Who else could be this close to town already?”

“Sadly, we’re gonna have to go and find out.” Steve sighed before starting off toward the direction of Downtown Hawkins.

The four of them moved quickly and effortlessly through the forest that was quickly overtaking the small town that once existed. As they grew closer and closer to the city limits the more the old town came to life. But just as they were a couple miles out, Steve froze and threw up two fingers, causing the others to stop with him. Eddie listened closely and soon able to hear what had caught Steve’s attention.

The sound of feet moving through the woods, from the light sound of it, it was only one.

“Nancy and I will take the north,” Steve instructed “You two head in the south and hopefully we corner them. No shots unless needed, we don’t need Flayed and Crawlers coming this way if they are close.”

Eddie nodded his head quickly and stiffly before moving in the opposite direction of Nancy and Steve. He used the fallen trees and bushes as cover unsure of what they were all going to come across in the woods. Flayed was their top concern, but lately strangers were becoming just as dangerous.

“Munson,” Robin whispered harshly, causing Eddie to turn and look in the same direction she was.

His eyes caught movement of a dark form through the trees a few feet in front of them. Already he knew it wasn’t Nancy nor Steve.

“It’s a transient.” Eddie said.

“Think they are from the group last time?” Robin asked, her tone faltering as it shook with worry.

Flashes from the few months before played through Eddie’s mind quickly with flashes of Sarah’s blood warming his hands.

“If it is, we end it now,” Eddie spoke angrily.

AN: please leave or message me your thoughts, would love to know what you think. I'm nervous about this one since it's been a moment since I posted. But it's a nervous & excited feeling.

reblog + like if you enjoyed

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#eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x female reader #eddie munson fanfiction #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson fic #stranger things x female reader #stranger things x y/n #stranger things x you #stranger things fic #stranger things x reader #joseph quinn x reader #joseph quinn fic

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eightmakesonebraincell · 10 months

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[fic rec mlist] ao3 | member x reader | member x member

main mlist | prev (smau)

only general themes and tags are listed - please read through the author's specific tags and warnings

both sfw and nsfw fics are included. minors please dni with nsfw fics and respect the age restrictions put into place by the writers (suggestive, smut, and trigger warnings are highlighted in red)

🩶 favourites

raise, protect, and hope | SinisterSound 🩶

pairing: ot8 x afab!oc

genre: hitmen!au, found family, angst, fluff, hurt/comfort, trigger warnings

length: 3/3 chapters [completed] - 49.5k

a little girl, no more than eight stood there. “are you seonghwa?” she asked, words slurred as they passed through her missing front tooth. “the one who helps people?” one would not usually label a paid assassin as a “helper”. she struggled with her purse for a moment, reaching in with uncoordinated hands that grabbed everything inside of it. two small hands held up a pile of two dollar bills, three quarters, a penny, and a lollipop wrapper. “I need your help.” ~~~~ a little girl shows up on seonghwa’s doorstep, asking for him to take her stepdad away. seonghwa always did go above and beyond.

the house of eden | faerbloom

pairing: ot8 x reader

genre: apothecary!au, fantasy, romance, fluff

length: oneshot - 9.1k

supposedly, working in an apothecary with your lovers can't be as hectic as it seems; as you're surrounding by the calming entities in the kingdom. then again, it's the people inside who make it what you love.

in this uneasy mist | inexperiencedandconfused8

pairing: platonic!ot8, seonghwa x ot8, hongjoong x seonghwa, ft. yunho x mingi, ft. san x wooyoung, ft. yeosang x jongho

genre: pirate!au, enemies to lovers, found family, hurt/comfort, angst, trigger warnings

length: 20/20 chapters [completed] - 206.2k

park seonghwa had been a prisoner at sea for the past two years ever since he was snatched off the streets. when a battle with a rival pirate crew leads to his capture, he is merely moved from one prison to another. he doesn't realize it at first, but this new prison is different. against everything he knows, he slowly finds himself warming up to the crew members he had sworn to hate. park seonghwa promised himself he would never feel again. emotions only got people killed. captain kim hongjoong had never felt an ounce of remorse for anyone outside of his crew. if they weren't with him, they were against him. but when they bring a prisoner on board for information, hongjoong watches as his crew members warm up to him despite their orders not to engage. as their attachment grows, hongjoong's hate for the prisoner swells. kim hongjoong promised himself he would protect his crew. emotions only got people killed.

rebirth; a new age | Roserosierosy

pairing: platonic!ot8, seonghwa x ot8, hongjoong x seonghwa, yunho x mingi, san x wooyoung, yeosang x jongho

genre: apocalypse!au, found family, slow burn, enemies to lovers, angst, fluff, suggestive, smut, trigger warnings

length: 20/20 chapters [completed] - 257.9k

the warning was there, they had time to make it out. when the power went out without a moment’s notice followed by the water disappearing shortly after, seonghwa knew that his screaming instincts weren’t to be ignored like his roommate told him. the portable radio they used only screamed static except for the occasional alarming words that no one believed because it was april 1st and it was all supposedly a big prank. that’s all it was, right? some big prank? that’s what seonghwa’s roommate told him at least, but look where his roommate was now. or: seonghwa attempts to survive during a zombie apocalypse and ends up meeting six loyal men and one incredibly cold-hearted leader to keep him company as they try to make it out alive.

it's okay, we're safe now | Roserosierosy

pairing: ot8, jongho x ot8

genre: mafia!au, fluff, angst, trigger warnings

length: 6/6 chapters [completed] - 28.9k

jongho thought back to what wooyoung had told him many years ago, that it was important to be able to detach yourself from anyone in their company. if he was honest, jongho really had never accepted the reality that any of them could die at any time. but what they had here was something special. jongho knew that each of them were so attached to each other in such a way that heaven forbid something terrible happened, the others may not recover from it. they each had broken the number one rule of being in a mafia and were heavily paying the price because of it. or: jongho becomes part of the mafia under strange conditions and it turns his life around 180 degrees in more ways than one.

finding forever | aambass 🩶

pairing: ot8

genre: hybrid!au, penguin hybrid mingi, leopard hybrid san, bear hybrid jongho, found family, hurt/comfort, fluff, trigger warnings

length: 3/3 chapters [completed] - 19.2k

mingi had already given up on finding a family to adopt him and was about to move away from seoul to join his birth colony at the penguin sanctuary up north when jongho and san arrived at the shelter, scared and clinging to one another. the three of them bonded almost immediately, and mingi is determined to find them a safe and loving home before he leaves. it’s hard finding a family who is willing to put in the care and effort that the two require as exotic hybrids — looking after an asian black bear and snow leopard is no easy feat — but the kim family has been promising…so far. little does he know, hongjoong, seonghwa, yunho, yeosang, and wooyoung don’t just want to adopt jongho and san. it was mingi they saw first, and the five of them are determined to provide a forever home for all three hybrids. together.

playing nice | sa_honey

pairing: seonghwa x reader

genre: fake relationship au, enemies to lovers, fluff, angst, smut

length: 6/6 chapters [completed] - 24.3k

when your date for your sister’s wedding cancels at the last minute you’re left desperate for a replacement. an unlikely volunteer steps up and offers to fill the place.

I found | 20181024

pairing: san x reader

genre: post-apocalypse!au, fluff, angst, smut

length: 8/8 chapters [completed] - 24.4k

when you get separated from your group, a handsome loner named san helps you find your way home.

poor boys with rich hearts | SinisterSound

pairing: hongjoong x seonghwa, ft. yeosang x wooyoung

genre: rich college au, ouran!au, fluff, angst

length: 7/7 chapters [completed] - 106.1k

hongjoong had a plan. 1) get into a good university. 2) survive. 3) graduate and get a good job. 4) pay back his mom for everything she did for him. nowhere on that list did he account for friends. nor did he account for a blindingly kind and gentle popular boy on campus looking at hongjoong with eyes that were much too warm and genuine, and a personality that seemed too good to be true. all he knew was that he would not be some rich kid’s plaything. no matter how warm his smile was.

guns 'n roses | SinisterSound 🩶

pairing: hongjoong x seonghwa, ft. yeosang x wooyoung

genre: gangleader!seonghwa, florist!hongjoong, fluff, angst, trigger warnings

length: 4/4 chapters [completed] - 75.3k

one day, hongjoong is watering his roses and subtly flirting with the cute guy waiting at the café. the next... he’s loving seonghwa and making carefully calculated adjustments to his moral compass. one day, seonghwa is an impenetrable wall of fear as he leads the largest gang in seoul. the next... he’s falling to his knees before a simple florist and realizing that being weak and having a weakness are two different things. flowers are hongjoong’s love language. protection is seonghwa’s.

save one for me | SinisterSound

pairing: hongjoong x seonghwa, ft. yeosang x wooyoung

genre: bakery!au, baker!seonghwa x producer!hongjoong, fluff

length: oneshot - 12.1k

seonghwa tried to remember everyone who came into his bakery. hongjoong always enters in the same manner each time: he sprints up to the door, catches his breath, enters with a smile and a wave, and promptly steals seonghwa’s heart. he just wants a chocolate croissant.

instinct | SinisterSound

pairing: hongjoong x seonghwa, ft. yeosang x wooyoung

genre: abo!au, alpha!seonghwa x omega!hongjoong, hurt/comfort, angst, smut, trigger warnings

length: 6/6 chapters [completed] - 81.9k

to protect and ensure the safety of his pack, hongjoong would give anything- including himself to whichever pack promises the most protection. seonghwa is suddenly faced with an omega that is nothing he ever expected and everything he never realized he needed. two packs attempt to be one, two people attempt to be more, and two wolves attempt to ensure that each of them is the last one standing. the battles never cease, and in the end, all you have to rely on is instinct.

just trust me | ScarlettSiren

pairing: hongjoong x seonghwa

genre: idol!hongjoong x bodyguard!seonghwa, strangers to lovers, hurt/comfort, angst, smut, trigger warnings

length: 3/3 chapters [completed] - 27.4k

seonghwa was previously a member of the presidential security service and a former black beret. now he’s working as a bodyguard in the private sector. it doesn’t carry the same kind of prestige as guarding the nation’s highest-ranking officials, but it’s all he feels he’s worthy of anymore. the first time hongjoong sees him, he’s convinced someone that pretty is no more an actual bodyguard than ji changwook or kevin costner were. he looked more suited to being a model or an actor than someone who was paid to protect someone else. given that, hongjoong has his doubts about him. at least at first.

get loud | wo_osan

pairing: san x wooyoung

genre: college!au, friends to lovers, fluff, angst, mutual pining, smut

length: 10/10 chapters [completed] - 53.5k

“this is wooyoung, he’s my best friend.” san turns to wooyoung, leaning in far closer than he would while sober and grabbing wooyoung by the shoulders. they’re basically the same height so it’s oddly jarring to suddenly be so close, noses almost touching. “you know that, right?” san says seriously. “uh, yeah,” wooyoung says. his tongue feels heavy, the words not quite slurred but not quite clear. the world has gone fuzzy around the edges, san’s face is the only thing in focus. “my best friend. I love you so much, dude. seriously. I love you, man. I love you.” or: the college boys no-homo-bro-but-im-in-love-with-you au we all needed

feverish | wo_osan 🩶

pairing: san x wooyoung

genre: abo!au, alpha!san x omega!wooyoung, friends to lovers, fluff, angst, mutual pining, smut

length: 8/8 chapters [completed] - 36.4k

“I think it’s great that we’ve been able to prove alphas and omegas can be just friends and nothing more,” wooyoung says, cringing a little at his own words. “yeah,” san replies, tone flat, not looking up from his phone. “it’s great.” or: abo woosan with tons of mutual pining and wooyoung unexpectedly going into heat in the middle of campus.

get your kicks | ScarlettSiren

pairing: san x wooyoung, ft. hongjoong x seonghwa, ft. yunho x mingi

genre: taekwondo teacher!san x dancer!wooyoung, strangers to lovers, hurt/comfort, trigger warnings, smut

length: 3/3 chapters [completed] - 24.9k

san runs the taekwondo studio his father left to him after a career-ending injury forced him to retire years before. he enjoys it… he’s always been dedicated to martial arts, ever since he was young. he’s also great with even the most troublesome kids, which makes him popular with the parents for sure. it’s a fulfilling, but pretty uneventful life… that is, until a gorgeous stranger bursts into his studio one night begging for his help.

my constellation is a fragment of the sun | celestialwishes 🩶

pairing: san x wooyoung, ft. hongjoong x seonghwa, ft. yunho x mingi, ft. yeosang x jongho

genre: abo!au, royal!au, alpha!san x omega!wooyoung, enemies to lovers, fluff, suggestive

length: 8/10 chapters [ongoing] - 111.7k

“and may I ask what exactly you are doing, kind sir?” the voice causes wooyoung to freeze, and of course it’s after the sound of it reaches him that he realizes the scent of milk chocolate and sea salt enveloping his senses, causing a weight of dread to settle within him. slowly, he looks down to meet glittering brown eyes shining with wariness and curiosity back up at him. an awkward silence fills the space between them. “I understand that this may look rather suspicious.” wooyoung began, laughing nervously as he tightens his grip around the thick vine. prince choi san simply quirks an eyebrow up, head tilting as he observed the panicking omega. “quite.” - all jung wooyoung wanted to do was spend his christmas drinking hot chocolate and drawing by the fire. that all changes after the jung family is invited to the castle for ardendall’s royal christmas ball. being sent out as representation for the jung pack, wooyoung is stuck in the palace for a month. but wooyoung knows that the ball is just an excuse for the crown prince to choose his mate. and he has no desire in becoming that person.

as you feel inclined | ScarlettSiren 🩶

pairing: yunho x mingi

genre: office!au, ceo!yunho x employee!mingi, romance, smut

length: oneshot - 8.7k

“do you know why I called you in here this evening?” yunho asks. mingi presses his lips together guiltily, glancing sidelong toward the impressive array of photos lining the wall. “because I accidentally sent you a dick pic?” yunho pauses and turns back to him, two wine glasses in his hand, and stops pouring. “accidentally?”

last updated: 12 july 2023

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enderlaithdraws · 9 months

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Zombie Apocalypse with The Crew! Charlie is done!

TW: bl--d

It's not as good as Wilbur admittedly but I can still be happy with it. Normally when I end up ruining a piece, it's because I kept grinding away at every imperfection and it just comes out wrong. I think that it still fits the piece and my vision, even if it's not top notch work, we can't be good all the time. More post tomorrow, please reblog so more people can see my hard work and have a good 24 hours :D

#digital art #zombie apocalypse with the crew #zombie apocalypse au #charlie slimesicle fanart #charlie slimecicle #slimecicle

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jacks347 · 2 months

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Would the listeners survive a zombie apocalypse? (In my slightly sarcastic, completely subjective opinion)

Idk man, I'm bored and got time to kill in church so here we are

(Tagging this is going to be a nightmare-)

(Edit from the future: It was. It really was.)

Redacted:

For sake of my sanity this isn't all the listeners, just the ones I'm still actively keeping up with (I'll get to the others...eventually)

Angel - Solid maybe. Out of all the unempowereds, definitely has one of the highest chances. But it would take an extreme streak of luck.

Babe - No...I'm sorry but no. Would be like one of those extras that you see eaten in the first minute of a horror movie.

Sweetheart - Probably. Can a zombie detect someone invisible? Sweetheart is smart enough to survive, they'll be fine.

Darlin - Yes if they have Sam to hold them back from sacrificing themself for the "greater good". No if they're left completely to their own devices.

Lovely - Depends on the version. Pre Adam, no. Pre Inversion, maybe? Post Inversion, definitely. Hard to die to a zombie apocalypse when you're a) already dead and b) literally immortal.

Treasure - Okay, I know Treasure is the newest addition to the roster and we haven't had a lot of time to see their personality develop but as of now? Yeah...no.

Freelancer - They'll do it on -3 hours of sleep simply out of spite. Freelancer has been through enough, they're just tired. They'd survive but begrudgingly.

Honey - Honey would survive out of spite and spite alone. Would definitely have that baseball bat from The Walking Dead.

GBA:

Guardian - ...you're kidding, right?

Darling - Yeah...no. Soft bby would never.

Faithful - Possibly? That stubborn attitude and medical abilities would help but has absolutely no combat training so ehhhhh, it depends.

Paradise - If she can break a pirate crew out of space Fort Knox and wrangle Yargwynn, a zombie apocalypse is pocket change. Paradise would own an apocalypse.

Partner - I swear I'll stop bullying the new additions. Once they're worth not bullying. The man made the zombie apocalypse, I guess we're gonna find out if he survives won't we? I'm not hopeful though.

Escaped:

Asset - No one in ATW even knows how to do basic math, the only way any of them survive is through sheer force of which they might actually be successful. So maybe.

Raven - Yes but she would have a mental breakdown about it so she would not be the same on the other side.

Slash - ...seriously?

Guest - Hm, a trained vampire slayer in a zombie apocalypse, I wonder what would happen! Obviously she'd be fine.

Intern - Entirely dependent on who they're trying to keep alive. If it's just them, probably. If it's them and the rest of their merry band of misfits, no.

Future Wife - You're funny. RIP my girl, no one will know her husband broke the fuckin timeline for some pancakes.

Agent Schäfer - Once the shock and panic wore off, yeah she'd be fine. Hope she doesn't get eaten during that freeze.

("Where's Lass?" When Desmond returns for more than five minutes, come talk to me about listening to Blue Infinity)

Nomad:

Pack Mom - Definitely. We already know she's a deadly shot and wasn't afraid to shoot a living person, a dead one would be fine. She will be perfectly fine.

Lass - Yes. Not with as much overwhelming power as Pack Mom but she'd get through it. I mean...she has formal sword training, I think she'd do okay.

Little One - Probably not. Out of the original Frosthaven romances, they are the least likely to survive. They'd put up a good fight though.

Lamb - Yes and no. Physically, she'd be just fine. Mentally, I don't know if she could do it. Slipping back into that killer mindset might just drag her under.

Chester's mate - Probably not. Out of all the new Frosthaven romances, they're the most average. They'd try though.

Harlow's roommate - No. I love them but no. Not our slightly stupid boat captain.

Caltraxus' TA - Yes and they'd hate it every step of the way. Would survive completely hungover if that was an option.

The Doctor - Probably? If not by her own merit then definitely through someone else cause everyone needs a doctor in the apocalypse.

Beau's mate - Yes. Literally fought a bear once. She will be just fine.

(The lack of fandom names for Nomad's listeners saddens me greatly. And also makes my work so much harder)

This was so dumb but I had fun so :P

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sussusamogus47 · 11 months

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I just wanted to call to attention the board games in the final puzzle room, bc I haven't really seen anyone talk about them all that much.

I genuinely can't tell if they were all deliberately chosen for what they are, or if instead it was a case of what the set designers (of Genloss, not Showfall) could get their hands on, but the relative obscurity/odd choice of games makes me think that for the most part it was deliberate.

Lemme explain, starting with the most interesting one first.

Game One: My 2 Homes

This game is most notable because it's the one boardgame that Ranboo actually calls out by name, and one of two (if i remember right) that they ever interact with. What's clever though is how it could easily be written off -- Jerma asks the three of them for examples of things in the room, and he provides one. End of story right?

But consider first that the mind control over them has been getting stronger and stronger, and the past few rooms we've been seeing them become more NPC-like, interacting with things less and less, taking less of an interest in other things.

What makes it more interesting in my opinion though, is the fact that the game is meant to help children "communicate and process their feelings about divorce".

What does this mean though?

Well, looking at the verb definitions of divorce, there's two ways it can be taken:

You could make an argument for the first definition, sure. But just look at that second definition. Separate or dissociate something from something else. Aka Ranboo and reality.

Suddenly Ranboo's calling out of the game looks more like a call for help. To use the game for its intended purpose and say "I'm still here, please help me. I don't want this to continue."

I could be stretching here. But the subtly of it is really good, and imo wouldn't be out of place.

Game Two: Maul of America

The pun in this one is actually what made me notice the oddity of some of the choices of these board games. For those who mightn't know, the Mall of America is one of the largest malls in the United States.

The premise of this game is simple: You're in a mall during the zombie apocalypse, and have to fight your way out. One player controls all of the zombies, and each other player controls themselves, obviously.

The parallels here alone are honestly astounding lol

But wait, there's more!! Upon rewatching this entire section, I believe this is the only other board game that Ranboo ever interacts with. Even more interestingly, I believe this might be the only game in the room that has its pieces outside of the box and partially set up.

For reference:

Here's an image of the board + some of the pieces, courtesy of boardgamegeek.com

And here's the closest, best shot I could get of the board:

Notice the standing pieces, the flipped over ones, and their positions relative to one another. Red is flipped, blue and orange are standing up. One zombie is standing, the rest are flipped. Blue is by red, and orange is by a zombie.

Now I'm sure you know, but for Dramatic Effect ™ I'd like to point out the primary colours of each person's outfit in this room:

Red

Blue

Orange

So then, Ranboo, Sneeg, and Austin are obviously intended to be the players here, with either Showfall (or the founder) controlling the zombies. Sneeg's blue token is likely closer to Ran's red one to indicate that they know each other, which supports some of the other theories around that.

But then why's Ranboo's token flipped? And what's with the zombie?

Well this is where we pull into Speculation Station, because I'm honestly not too sure. I'd like to say that the flipped token indicates Ranboo's mind controlled state, but then why isn't Sneeg's flipped too? After all, we all saw him get forcefully controlled by the Showfall Crew. My only other guess is that it hints at the ending, where somehow Austin and Sneeg survive and escape Showfall where Ranboo doesn't, but I feel like that's shaky at best so idrk.

Similar problems occur with the zombie, too. You could say it's Ranboo being mind controlled by the zombie player, but then Sneeg should have one too if that's the case. It can't really be Jerma bc he's well, dead by this point. It could maybe be the camera operator? But we also see the rats behind the curtain so wouldn't they have one too?

I really don't know honestly. But I've been going on about this one for a while lol so I should probably move on.

Game Three: Anti-Monopoly

This one is basically what it says on the tin: Anti-Monopoly, or a trust busting game where players have to go around dismantling large corporations. Depending on the size of the company, (oligopoly, trust, or monopoly) you need one to three tokens respectively to take them down.

I'd imagine that Showfall is a pretty large corporation, so my guess is that the symbolism here is meant to be Hetch's (or even Ranboo's) intention to dismantle the company. If the former, it could maybe mean that Hetch isn't here to actually help Ranboo, but is instead using him for in order to dismantle Showfall, which would be a twist for sure.

Game Four: Twister Moves

This seems like a version of Twister with maybe a musical chair-esque aspect to it. Someone plays as the DJ and plays music, and calls out moves to the other players.

If I had to guess, this is meant to symbolize Showfall's control over people, and how they tell them what to do.

Miscellaneous Games

These ones I don't really have much (or anything) for, honestly. I'm mostly putting them here in case anyone has any ideas, or in case they're somehow relevant.

I also have to stop adding images unfortunately bc I've hit the app's limit :(

Battleground: Crossbows and Catapults

Interestingly enough I had this as a kid lol. Used to play with just the lil plastic castles and guys a lot, not really playing the game. Anyway, the premise is you use the rubber-band powered disc launchers on top of the castles to knock down the other team's guys. Apparently hitting their flag gets you bonus lives or something, so maybe that's relevant?

Star Wars 100 Piece Puzzle (1996)

I.. actually really doubt this one's relevant. It seems a bit too mainstream for it to be, and it's also a puzzle. The date could maybe be relevant? Piece count? Or somehow the characters on it (Luke, Leia, Vader) are, but I just can't think of anything that'd work here, so my best guess is it's a red herring.

Classico (??)

I literally couldn't find anything on this one that matched the box, so I'm at a total loss.

Closing Remarks

Well, I hope that was all comprehendable :D I spent the past two hours or so putting it all together, and honestly in the process of doing so found wayy more to it than I initially thought.

And with that, I bid you adieu!

#genloss #generation loss #genloss spoilers #genloss theory #gl!ranboo #gl!austin #gl!sneegsnag #generation loss theory

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beanghostprincess · 3 months

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The ASL brothers actually have the perfect plot and dynamic for a Zombie AU. They meet when they're young. On their own. In the middle of an apocalypse. Sabo sacrifices himself for them while they're running away from some zombies and they assume he got bitten and died. Luffy and Ace spend years mourning the loss of their brother and meeting new people. They part ways because Ace wants to do his own thing and join the Whitebeard Pirates (or, y'know, that's still how they call themselves. Don't think too much about it) and try to find more survivors while Luffy starts meeting new people (the Strawhats, ofc). Each of them has their own missions and people they've lost to the virus, but the thing they have in common is that they want to find a cure. Yadda yadda yadda. And then Ace dies saving Luffy's life. And it's not even because he gets bitten, he just protected him from some bastards that were trying to kill him. Not long after, he finds Sabo again because they find survivors who have made a pretty solid civilization and stable place to live in. You know that scene from TLOU where they say "so, communism" / "Nah, it ain't like that" / "This is a commune. We're communists"? Well, that's the crew meeting Sabo.

#if i tell you it's actually judge's doing what? what then #i just looove making everything about sanji and his trauma don't i #anyway i just think asl has the best dynamic for this bc they won't stop dying #same thing with uta honestly lmao #one piece #portgas d. ace #revolutionary sabo #monkey d. luffy #asl brothers

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kkpwnall · 6 months

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if it wasn’t for bad luck i wouldn’t have luck at all

part two | rated t | 4k words [ part one ]

all my thanks and love for @fragilecapric0rnn for beta reading again. thanks for your help, and for kindly correcting my silly mistakes 💜

Eddie catches all the not-so-subtle winks Dustin throws him every time one of the kids wheedles details about the next campaign out of him, or Robin gets him going on government conspiracy theories, or Steve cracks him up with a bitchy remark.

The kid’s about as subtle as a train full of cowbells crashing into a packed clown car.

But he makes it seem so easy, to just… be their friend. Too easy. As if Eddie doesn’t have a lifetime of reasons not to.

Against his better judgment, slowly but surely, they’re eroding his finely-honed walls. Growing like moss, like ivy between the cracks.

The kids barge in one day arguing at full volume. Steve trudges in behind them and drops into the crummy plastic chair closest to Eddie’s bed, the one usually occupied by Wayne or Dustin. Well, when Dustin’s not going toe to broken toe with his friends over—

“We can’t split the party under these conditions!”

[ keep reading below, or read on ao3 ]

Steve heaves a ragged sigh, and Eddie watches as if entranced by the complicated movements of Steve’s fingers as he alternates pinching the bridge of his nose and massaging over his eyes.

He looks wrung out. When was the last time he got a decent night’s sleep?

“So someone has to pull double duty. We’ll draw straws and rotate every week,” Mike says, like he’s being the pinnacle of reasonableness. Whatever it is, Eddie’s sure he isn’t.

“That’s not fair! We should just pull someone off and make them exempt. Like Nancy or El, someone we need on more useful things.”

“What the hell are you little gargoyles arguing about?” Eddie reaches for his DM baritone and comes up short. Maybe his diaphragm got rearranged with all the rest of his guts.

It still works to cut through the kids’ argument though. Steve shoots him a grateful look.

“We’re trying to decide what everyone in the party would do in the inevitable zombie apocalypse,” Mike hurries to explain.

“Inevitable..?” Eddie glances out the window he can just barely see from his position on the bed.

It’s been weeks since they wasted Vecna, with no sign of his sorry ass returning. No blood and ash raining from the sky, no earthquakes splitting the town apart, and definitely no zombies.

“Yeah, ‘cause see, if we’ve got El on recon, Nancy and Lucas take point with ranged weapons. Argyle’s in charge of foraging and cooking—”

Steve groans and slumps back in the seat as the kids pick up steam again. He’s so dramatic, Eddie can’t help a snort of laughter he covers with a cough. Steve’s got a hand splayed over his face, from his jaw up into his hairline, like he can block out the whole world. Or at least this one conversation.

With hands like that, maybe he can...

“But someone’s gotta stay back and guard the base! And you can’t have one person on watch, what if they fall asleep or get attacked or—”

A stupid little smile curls over Eddie’s lips as he watches Steve out of the corner of his eye while the kids keep arguing.

“We’re thirteen people now, Mike! There’s no way to divide watch shifts evenly between thirteen people and twenty-four hours in a day! Even Holly can do that math!”

Eddie whips around as reality drops on him like a load of every perfidious brick this group has worn down over the past couple weeks.

“What did you just say?”

Dustin gives him a disappointed look, “C’mon, Eddie, I know you of all people can do this math. Thirteen—”

No way. Absolutely not. That cannot possibly be correct. It has to be a mistake. It has to.

Eddie does a headcount, checking them off on his fingers hidden under the thin hospital sheets to double check their math. Someone got counted twice or not at all.

His three Hellfire gremlins plus Lady Applejack and Red. Nancy and Robin and Steve round out the Hawkins crew. Add in Supergirl and Zombie Boy with their whole “saving the world” schtick for an even ten, and now he’s really starting to sweat. Then there’s Jonathan and that guy Argyle. Plus Eddie makes…

“Oh my god, I’ll do it! I’ll be the designated hitter,” Steve half-shouts. The kids just stare at him blankly, and he sighs dramatically, rolling his eyes so hard Eddie’s surprised he doesn’t black out from it. “I’ll take the double shifts in your make believe zombie apocalypse. Happy?”

Steve’s hand, the one that was covering his face, sits warm and heavy over the sheet covering Eddie’s trembling hand. Eddie has no idea how or when it got there, or if Steve even really registers where it’s landed. Not exactly holding his hand, not with the sheet between them, but definitely there. Something to focus on that’s not how he already died and he’s still being fucking haunted by the spectre of his birth.

So no, he’s not happy, and neither are the gremlins. They immediately start shouting over each other to argue with him.

“Out!” Steve starts to rise from the chair, leaning his weight on Eddie’s hand and points at the door with a snap. “Get out! Go bother Max and Lucas with this shit, or I’m not driving your sorry asses back here tomorrow.”

And just like that, Dustin ushers them out, still grumbling and arguing. He shoots Steve a look, but Steve glares him down with a hand on his hip.

The door slams behind them and it’s finally, blissfully quiet.

“Jesus Christ with those kids,” Steve mutters as he reclaims his seat, “It’s like they can’t shut up for five minutes.”

Eddie is silent next to him in the bed, and he’s pretty sure if Steve’s hand wasn’t on his, it’d be shaking. The rest of him is. This clawing, aching, tingling vibration just under his skin. The tremor is coming from inside the house.

He knows better than this, he knows better, what the hell is he thinking.

He needs to stop fooling around and get his act together, or with his luck, there really will be a zombie apocalypse and all of these people will be casualties of it. All because of him.

“Sorry,” Steve says, sheepishly. “This is like, your room. I shouldn’t’ve kicked them out if you wanted them here. You just... you looked like you needed a break.”

“Yeah, I— yeah, it’s fine,” Eddie says on a rough exhale. Takes a steadying inhale. And judging by the bags under Steve’s eyes, “Looks like you could use a break yourself, man.”

“They’ve just been arguing about that stupid zombie apocalypse shit for hours!” Steve throws himself back in the chair and launches into his own rant.

One hand gestures wildly, digging through his hair and underscoring his words, while the other stays where it’s been planted, gently covering Eddie’s. Twitching and flexing occasionally.

He lets Eddie catch his breath. He gives him enough space that Eddie could slip his hand free, could pull away without making a big deal out of it. He has to feel Eddie’s hand by now, he has to. But he doesn’t move away.

Eddie doesn’t move away either.

He doesn’t have a good reason not to. In fact, he’s got nothing but good reasons to pull his hand back and let them both pretend like none of this ever happened.

But Steve’s hand is warm and solid over his, even through the sheet. And where would he put his hand anyway? Where would it go, untethered? If anything, it’d interrupt Steve’s flow, and it really seems like he needs to get all this off his beautifully hairy chest.

“—And they’re acting like it’s such a problem we’ve got an uneven number now!“

“Well they’ve kinda got a point. I mean, with thirteen…” Eddie interjects.

Steve flashes him a broad, cocky smile. “Hey, thirteen’s my lucky number.”

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Eddie mumbles, mostly to himself.

Steve hears him anyway. “No, I’m serious! It’s been my jersey number since I was a kid. Like even way back when I was just playing tee ball. Oh, and get this! Somehow, all through grade school, I was number thirteen on the roll call list. Every year! I mean, that’s crazy, right?”

No, crazy is being pulled out of hell itself by the sheer force of will and determination of a guy whose lucky number is thirteen.

This is just too ironic for words. It’s bordering on absurd.

But Wayne’s always tried to tell him truth is stranger than fiction.

Eddie keeps his mouth shut with gritted teeth, holding back a laugh. Or maybe a scream. Either would land him in the loony bin, because once he started, he wouldn’t ever stop.

“And anyway, the way I see it, our luck’s never been better.”

That unsticks Eddie’s mouth.

“What?” he sputters. “Steve, three people are dead, Red and Henderson both have broken bones, and you got chewed on by fucking demon bats!”

Steve shrugs his shoulder loosely, like it’s just the price of doing business. “Yeah, but we actually figured out who’s behind all this shit. I mean like, everything, since ‘83. Since Will went missing and Barb... We finally got answers. And we closed all the gates now, for good. He’s gone. It’s over. And we’re all still here.”

Steve’s eyes slowly trace over Eddie’s own slightly mangled body. Over the tubes and wires snaking out between the bandages wrapped around his arms. Over the one taped across his cheek, until he meets Eddie’s eyes through his lashes. “We couldn’t’ve done it without you.”

Eddie doesn’t have a clue what to say to that. To any of it. The only thing he brings to the table are nerdy references and loud music and a penchant for getting anyone close to him killed.

But Steve makes all that sound like a good thing. Like Eddie is a good thing.

If he keeps this up, Eddie might almost start to believe him.

Steve clears his throat and releases Eddie from the trap of his honeyed hazel gaze, but not before Eddie sees the rosy pink color starting to tint his cheeks. The same heat rising over his own face.

“Sorry man, we’re doing a terrible job of letting you get any rest today. The kids came in here arguing, and then I just went off like that. I can go, if you want some peace and quiet,” Steve pushes the chair back, and Eddie’s fingers twitch under his hand.

Yes. “No, you… you can stay. If you want.” Eddie grabs the remote with his free hand and waggles it at him, plasters on a smile. “Let’s just watch some tv. Put on whatever you want.”

Steve doesn’t look quite convinced, but he does scootch his chair back closer to the bed. “No no no, it’s your tv, man. I know Dustin’s always stealing the remote.”

“C’mon, seriously…” Eddie thinks for a moment until he lands on, “What did you watch when you were home sick as a kid?”

“Uh no, absolutely not.”

“It can’t be that bad.”

“You’re gonna laugh...”

“Cross my heart,” Eddie says, with all the sincerity he can muster.

Steve raises an eyebrow at him, before he blows out an aggrieved sigh. “Alright, look… when I was little, like real little, like younger than the kids, my mom would set me up on the couch with a big blanket with a hot water bottle… And she’d put on General Hospital.”

Eddie presses his lips shut tight to contain his snort of laughter. It still blows his cheeks out though, and there’s a smile he can’t quite keep in.

Steve glares at him, but there’s no heat behind it.

Eddie shakes his head, grinning, “General Hospital it is.”

They surf the channels for a while but can’t find it playing anywhere. Instead, Eddie lands one of Wayne’s old favorite spaghetti westerns, and starts outlining all the tropes of the genre. But it turns out Steve’s grandpa was just as big a fan, and Steve matches him beat for beat as they roast the stilted dialogue.

Eventually, Steve’s eyelids start to droop. His head drops a few times, before he jerks back up, blinking hard. Eddie keeps talking to him, but softer now. Slower. More and more space between each sentence.

Steve’s breath slows and evens out, his chin tucks into his chest and one arm wraps around his stomach. He falls asleep in that uncomfortable hospital chair with his hand still over Eddie’s.

It’s release day.

It’s finally, finally release day. Marked on his calendar and circled in red. Or it would be, if Eddie had a calendar. He’s never been good at keeping up with those kind of things.

The point is, he’s been counting down to this day for weeks. Weeks. But this is it, today’s the day.

He’s already been denied twice thanks to the government goons.

The first time, he was so out of it on painkillers, he didn’t even realize that maybe he should be taking their questions seriously. That one’s on him for answering everything in character as Samwise Gamgee.

The second time though, he’d bet his remaining guitar on petty revenge. All because he wouldn’t sign their stupid NDA without reading it thoroughly first. Or it could have been his demand for more than a pat on the back from Uncle Sam. Eddie wasn’t about to walk away from this all shit empty handed.

But all that’s settled now. He and Wayne got a modest farmhouse with some land, ready and waiting for them just outside of town. His name’s been cleared and the yokels bought the cover story, hook, line, and sinker. And there’s a stipend coming to a bank account with his name on it every month, as long as he keeps his trap shut. It’s enough that Wayne won’t have to work unless he really wants to.

All the doc has to do is sign his release form, and he’s gone. Eddie is leaving today or so help him—

But it’s not the doctor that comes through the door, or even Wayne.

It’s Steve.

With a “knock knock”, out loud, even as he knocks on the door, peeking around it, and beaming when he sees Eddie.

“Wayne sent me ahead with this,” he drops a hefty duffel bag on the foot of Eddie’s bed. “He and Dustin are just finishing up at the house, they’ll be here any minute.”

Eddie balks a little at that, but Steve chuckles knowingly.

“Don’t worry, Henderson’s leaving with me. I had to bribe him with a trip to the comic book store, but at least it’ll give you and Wayne some time to get settled at the new place.”

“Is it good?” Eddie can’t help but ask. Hates how small it comes out. There’s always a chance the suits decided to screw them over.

Steve answers with one of those soft smiles of his. “Yeah, man. It’s great. You’re gonna love it.”

“Good, good,” Eddie says absentmindedly. He has to tear his eyes away and grab the bag, start rifling through it. All the while trying not to wonder who picked out these clothes and who packed them up and—

“I’ll uh, give you some privacy,” Steve says as Eddie pulls out a heavy red plaid and a pair of sweats.

He pulls the curtain around Eddie’s bed between them, but he doesn’t leave. Instead he asks if Eddie wants the latest (and hopefully last) hospital gossip.

“Uh, duh! I gotta know if Luellen’s made a move yet.”

Eddie wrangles his arms inside the hospital gown and pulls it roughly over his head to throw it in a heap in the corner. Ooo-ing and gasping at all the right moments during Steve’s tales of intrigue.

He has to move slower than he wants to, has to take his time and sit on the edge of the bed, dangling his legs to the floor to shimmy into the sweatpants.

And whoever picked the flannel deserves a goddamn Nobel prize. He’s able to slip it on easily without agitating his remaining stitches or lifting his arms above his head. And once he’s got the buttons done up, it’s loose enough not to snag or cling.

Eddie digs around in the bag again and fishes out a pair of slip-on shoes. They’re not his, not his usual style, and definitely don’t go with this getup. But the worn leather is soft, and at least he doesn’t have to deal with the whole mess of bending over to tie them. Or— god forbid— ask Steve to come over and tie them for him.

That’s an ordeal he’s not sure he’d survive.

Whoever packed this bag is getting a fruit basket.

In a soft purple crown royal bag tucked in on the side, he finds his rings and his necklace, and it makes something in his heart clench. Something slots into place, just by sliding the rings back on his fingers, the pick over his head. Whole, in a way he hasn’t felt in a long time.

Screw the fruit basket, they’re getting a whole goddamn orchard.

Eddie’s been quiet for a long moment, not quite keeping up his end of the storytelling experience.

Steve’s gone quiet too, and Eddie’s not sure how long it’s been since either of them said anything.

On the other side of the curtain, Steve clears his throat, and his sneakers squeak on the tile as he shifts his weight from foot to foot.

“Are you decent?”

Eddie snorts out a laugh. “I’m dressed if that’s what you’re asking.”

He catches the tail end of Steve’s eye roll as he pulls back the curtain. He looks Eddie up and down as he comes around. Smiles softly and gets comfortable on the foot of the bed, one leg folded underneath him.

“Ready to go?”

“You have no idea,” and Eddie has to fight the urge not to throw himself back dramatically on the bed. Damn the stitches.

“Yeah, I don’t blame ya. My longest stay wasn’t even half as long as they’ve kept you, and I was climbing the walls by the end of it.” He rubs unconsciously at the scar running through the edge of his eyebrow.

Eddie does not take his hand and pull it away to soothe the aching memory himself. He doesn’t even think about it, really. Definitely doesn’t have to distract himself with an old habit like sliding his rings off and on his fingers.

“What, unseasoned hospital food doesn’t appease your refined palette?” he teases in a haughty voice.

“If I had to eat one more piece of dry, rubbery chicken…” Steve threatens.

“No way, man, the pork chops are way worse.”

They argue back and forth, ranking the rest of the limited hospital menu on a scale of pudding cups to sawdust, and it’s good, it’s easy.

Until there’s a lull in the conversation, and Steve clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair. Sits up a little straighter, squaring his shoulders like he’s psyching himself up.

“Hey so I was thinking… Maybe once you’re all cleared, I can take you out for dinner sometime? I promise it’ll be better than any of this crap.”

Steve looks so earnest, so hopeful, with that confident damn smile curving his lips and his heavy lidded eyes watching Eddie. His hands flex like he wants to reach for him. But he stays still and gives Eddie his space. Must somehow know Eddie would be even more likely to run if he did.

A tight knot of want and can’t claws roughly up Eddie’s throat and he’s pretty sure he stops breathing.

He has to tell him. Knowing Eddie, being friends with Eddie, it’s dangerous. It always has been. He’s let himself indulge in this fantasy for way too long. He has to put a stop to it, now.

It’s more dangerous than Dustin, than Wayne, than Chrissy. Not just a friend but something— someone more.

“Steve…” who Eddie cannot even begin to think about being anything. He won’t.

Eddie Munson is nobody’s happy ending.

“You don’t want— this,” he chickens out at the last second.

Steve’s smile slowly fades and he blinks a few times. His tongue darts out to wet his lips as his head tilts to the side, considering for a moment. “I think you should let me decide what I want.”

And Eddie wants to scream.

This isn’t about you!

But of course, it is. It’s about him, and every single person that’s come before him, and every one that’s sure to come after him, and everything that has and will go wrong.

The words catch in Eddie’s throat, and he can’t say any of them. So he just sits there, frozen and silent and begging Steve to understand.

Steve looks away and lets out a long breath. Not quite a sigh as he shakes his head. He stands and starts heading towards the door.

He turns back before he gets there though, catching Eddie again in his earnest gaze.

“The real question: is what do you want, Eddie?”

And nobody’s asked him that in such a long time. Every day since he woke up in the hospital has been the same. All of his meals are pre-planned and brought at the exact same time, whether he’s hungry or not, whether he likes the food or can even keep it down or not. His schedule, from when to sleep to when to take his meds to when he does physical therapy, has been out of his hands. And then Dustin shows up with whoever he decides to bring with him that day.

Eddie’s been resurrected, but what choice has he really had?

Part of him, this new part of him born from his death and a second chance at life, is just daring him to see how far he can push his newfound luck. To prove once and for all if the curse really is broken.

Eddie’s never said no to a dare.

Steve turns to leave, one hand reaching for the door, and Eddie scrambles to his feet. Takes a few shaky stiff, baby deer steps forward as he calls him back, “Steve—”

He holds Steve’s gaze for an impossibly long moment, tracing the swirls and whorls and questions in his hazel eyes, his freckles and moles and scars.

Go big and go home.

“How about a kiss?” Eddie asks. “For luck?”

Steve’s face morphs through several expressions so fast, Eddie can’t keep track of all of them. He lands on something incredulous, his lips curving upwards in a smirk even as his eyebrows fall and pinch in the middle at the sheer audacity—

But he crosses the room in two swift strides to stand in front of Eddie. Throws a quick glance at the still-shut door, at his mouth, before meeting his eyes again. Eddie barely starts to nod, and Steve’s lips are on his.

His gentle strong hand around Eddie’s elbow reels him in, pulls him closer. Eddie’s lands on his bicep, and the flex of muscle ignites a frisson of sparks under his palm to race through his bloodstream.

Steve’s other hand caresses Eddie’s unblemished cheek. Like he’s something precious. Something to hold onto, something dear.

As far as kisses go, it’s Eddie’s first.

Soft, sure and confident, the kiss is everything Eddie could have ever dreamed of. Hurried— not as in frenzied. Hurried as in greedy. Desperate to steal the breath from his lungs before he’s even noticed it’s missing.

Eddie kisses Steve back with equal fervor, trying to pour everything he has, everything he wants, everything he fears into the movement of his lips, the sweep of his tongue.

Eddie’s hand joins Steve’s on his cheek, keeping him close. An anchor in the tsunami flooding his senses with everything Steve. Cherry lip balm and hairspray, fresh laundry, and the musky hint of sweat underneath it all. It’s intoxicating. Incomparable. Incredible.

And Eddie’s just gonna blame the weeks-long hospital stay for how fast he goes weak at the knees.

Steve’s sure, steady hand in the small of Eddie’s back guides him slowly backwards until his thighs hit the bed again, and he sits hard, breaking the kiss with a gasp.

Eddie reaches for him, eyes wide and staring up at Steve through his lashes, hooking his fingers through his belt loops. Two steps away is too far but Steve wastes no time crowding closer to stand between Eddie’s legs. He gently tips Eddie’s face up with a featherlight touch and kisses him deeply while Eddie holds him firmly by his hips.

Consuming and consumed, devouring and devoured. Wanting and wanted.

When they come up for air, Steve swoops back in, once, twice, and a lingering third time, like he’s reluctant to stop. And Eddie strains his neck to meet him kiss for kiss.

Steve finally pulls away just far enough to sigh breathlessly against his lips, “Is that all you want, Eddie?” His eyes screwed shut tight.

No. Eddie wants everything. For now though, he’ll settle for– “Somebody said something about dinner and movie?”

“Oh so now there’s a movie, huh?” Steve says, but he’s smiling and nudges his nose against Eddie’s.

“Don’t go thinking I’m a cheap date now, sweetheart,” and Eddie’s smiling too. Smiling too much for more than quick kisses that skate across their lips.

With each peck, Eddie schemes how to get Steve’s lips on his again. How to keep him. Keep him safe.

They break apart when the sharp clack-clack of heels echoes down the corridor from Eddie’s room, heralding the doctor’s arrival.

Eddie was born under a bad sign. But maybe here, in this new life, he can make his own luck.

[ also on ao3 ]

#steddie #steve x eddie #stranger things #steveddie #steddie fic #steddie fanfic #stranger things fanfic #stranger things fic #stranger things steve #stranger things eddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #friday the 13th fic #bad luck fic #kk writes

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