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I Know What You Want From Me / Eddie Munson x fem!reader

Summary: Song fic of 18 by Anarbor, your parents kick you out when you tell them you can't be with Jason because you're already dating Eddie...except that you aren't. So now you have to go to Eddie after not speaking for years and ask to not only live with him, but pretend to date you too. What could possibly go wrong there?

Warnings: 18+, explicit sexual content, fingering, oral (f receiving), p in v sex, semi-public sex (they're in the woods), squirting, unprotected sex (reader on pill, but not stated until after), cream pie, choking, spanking, protective reader (Jason gets his shit rocked), angst with a happy ending, fluff, protective Eddie, reader's parents are awful

Words: 9746 (oops?)

a/n: I feel like I've been working on this forever and a day. With the finale, I had to stop because angst wasn't something I could handle just yet. But the fluff and ending makes the angst worth it. Requests are still open.

Master list

Part 2

Not my gif!! Credit to the lovely @msmischief101

It’s been a long time since you’ve pulled into Forest Hills Trailer Park. A really long fucking time. Part of you wants to turn around, just get on the highway and never look back at this godforsaken town and their prejudiced beliefs. That having money and a pristine lifestyle makes you worth something. It’s bullshit. And you fucking hate it. And you want out. Hell, your bags are already packed in the backseat behind you.

You’re eighteen, legally, if you really wanted to, you could run. Run as far away from not only Hawkins, but Indiana in general. Now that you’re eighteen, you have a sizable trust fund. Your father wanted to rescind your rights to it. Change it to where you’d only see a penny once you were twenty-one. Or worse; married. Somehow your mother convinced him not to do that, that you’d be able to use the money for college. 

You’re not even sure you want to do that either. 

But there was one person in your life who told you that no matter what you did, they’d always stick beside you. While that statement hasn’t held true these last six years or so, it was far from it being his fault. No, you shamefully hold that crown. 

Once you started to rise up the social ladder in school and your father got a big time promotion at work, your parents forced the social debutant bullshit on you. You hated every single second of it. Every one of those dumb parties they dragged you to. The dinners and get-togethers. They all sucked. And everyone there was so vapid and full of themselves, you wanted to scream. 

Now that you’re eighteen and “supposed” to be looking at prestigious colleges for some job you’ll never want, your parents did the worst thing imaginable. They tried to set you up. Quite literally wanted to give you an arranged marriage. God, the look your father gave you like it was supposed to be some wonderful gift you should be grateful for. As if being pawned off to someone like Jason Carver is to be coveted. 

Fuck that. 

So you did something really stupid. Like, really stupid. You told them that you couldn’t be with Jason because you were already with someone else. You’d hoped it would just be enough to make them drop the issue. It wasn’t. They poked and prodded until you gave them a name. You told them the only person in Hawkins you could even remotely think of. 

Eddie Munson. 

The conversation with your parents was pretty short after that. Being told to pack your bags and not come back if you wanted to align yourself with “someone like him.” That if you were grown up enough to make your choices, to go live with him and see how long it lasts, and not to come crying to them when you wind up pregnant. 

You did exactly that. Grabbed everything you felt couldn’t be replaced and left. But for some reason, instead of just driving towards the town limit and getting the fuck out of dodge, you found yourself on your way to the trailer you used to spend a good chunk of your childhood in. 

Because you grew up there. You were once neighbors- something your parents try very hard to forget- and childhood best friends. You used to be on a first name basis with Wayne. And despite what everyone says about him, that he’s a freak or the satanist propaganda, you know Eddie. Knew Eddie. So maybe there was some small part of you that hoped Eddie was still that sweet kid at heart and would let you crash for a few months until graduation and then you could leave Hawkins for good. 

It was a stupid idea from the start. One not fully formulated or even properly processed. 

But here you are, pulling up to the familiar, yet foreign trailer with Eddie’s van parked right out front. And of course it’s pouring rain. The day your life goes to shit wouldn’t be a nice, calm evening. No. When have you ever been that lucky? When is anyone that lucky? 

Turning the engine off, you sit and listen to the rain patter against the roof of your car. Contemplating leaving again. Maybe the real reason you came here was so that you would be convinced to stay. Eddie has never been one to run from his problems. The bloody nose he gave Jason a year ago for taking a swing on him is proof of that. So maybe you really want someone to tell you to man the fuck up and grab life by the balls or some shit. 

Just some strange words that manage to sound inspiring because they’re coming from Eddie’s goofy grin. 

“Fuck it,” you grind your teeth, shoving your door open and stepping out into the storm, wincing when the freezing water sinks into your skin. “Shit, shit, shit,” you jog up to his front door, thankful for the awning over the porch. Not letting yourself be talked out of this, you pound on the door to be heard over Shout at the Devil being blasted from Eddie’s room. 

“Henderson, I already told you-” Eddie’s yelling as he yanks open the front door, “-you’re not Henderson.” 

“No,” you shiver, hands rubbing your arms. How did you possibly get drenched in the ten steps it took you to get from the car to his door? Eddie’s features are guarded and you can’t help but shiver again. From the cold or his stare, you’re not really sure. Maybe you should just leave. The highway is sounding more and more tempting. “I should just-” you trail off, gesturing back towards your car.

Eddie finally takes a look at your state and his eyes widen, furrowed eyebrows losing their tension, “no, come in,” he opens the door further. “I-I’ll get you a towel,” Eddie runs off. 

Shaky bones carry you over the threshold, goosebumps only getting angrier at the warmth of the trailer. It looks exactly like it did the last time you were here. Except maybe a few more hats have joined the collection on the wall. Eddie comes back with two towels, placing one on the couch and offering you the other. “Thanks,” you take it, toweling your hair before wrapping it around your shoulders, sitting on the one he’d set down for you. “I’m sorry to just barge in like this,” your eyes begin to burn with tears. 

“What happened? Are you okay?” Eddie sits beside you and you can practically feel his warmth radiating off of him. That's how cold you are. 

“I did something really stupid,” you admit, shaking your head, wanting to curl up in a hole. “My parents want to hand me over to Jason. Pretty bow and everything,” you choke out a laugh. “Like I’m some prized trophy wife or some shit.” 

“Jesus Christ,” Eddie nearly shouts. You laugh sarcastically, nodding your head. His face twists, “but hang on, that’s a stupid thing they did. What stupid thing did you do?”

You fiddle with the fraying corner of the towel, dropping your gaze to your lap, “I told them that I couldn’t be with Jason.”

“That doesn’t seem stu-”

“Because I’m in a relationship with you,” you pull your head back up, meeting deer in the headlight brown eyes and a slack jaw. Nerves make your tongue ramble, “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I told them that. You were the first person that came to mind when they wouldn’t stop asking me who could be more important than Jason. And I just- I didn’t know what to do. So I just thought- I don’t know what I thought. But w-we used to be best friends once, I-”

“Yeah, once,” Eddie tongue in cheek scoffs, “then you got popular and I didn’t matter anymore. So, what? You thought you would just come here and I would live up to this fantasy relationship? Because it’s you?”

Your head drops again, “they told me if I wanted to be with you that badly that I should go live with you. That they didn’t recognize their daughter anymore. They kicked me out, or maybe I just ran. I don’t know, Eddie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drag you into this.” Tears spill from your eyes, when you look back up at him, “I’ll just get back in the car and leave town like I should’ve done in the first place. I’m sorry,” you take the towel off your shoulders and place it in his lap, getting up off the couch. 

You make it all of three steps until Eddie’s hand wraps around your wrist, “wait.” He sighs as you turn to face him. “Let me get this straight, you told your parents you were dating me because I was the only person you could think of that was better than Jason?” 

Rolling your eyes, you scoff, “well, duh.” It might have been instinct that made you say it, doesn’t make it any less true. Jason doesn’t hold a candle to Eddie in any situation. Not to you. Years of separation be damned. 

“And you now have nowhere to live?” You shake your head no. Eddie sighs again, “I’ll do it.” 

“W-what?” You ask. Because surely you heard him wrong. Eddie doesn’t owe you a fucking thing. “What do you mean you’ll do it?” 

“I’ll help you keep this facade that we’re dating for the sake of your parents and Jason,” he sneers at the name. “Move in here with me, Wayne won’t mind. He still asks about you from time to time, I’m sure he’d love the idea. And then, when you graduate, you’re free to do whatever you want.”

Blinking rapidly, you nearly stumble backwards. Shocked that Eddie would do this. “Why?”

“Your parents are assholes,” Eddie laughs and you do too. He’s far from wrong. “Pissing them off by pretending to date you and giving you a safe place to live? Fuck yeah, I’ll do it. Besides, I’m sure if they told you about it, Jason already knows. Which means I get to make that asshole jealous. It’s a win-win.” He laughs again, softer this time along with his smile. “And you’re right. We were best friends once, maybe we could be again.” 

“I really don’t give a fuck what Jason or my parents think, Eddie. I’m just sick of them thinking that they can control me,” you tell him. “But if giving them the finger is enough incentive for you, then I appreciate it. For what it’s worth, I really miss having you as my best friend.” 

“Me too,” he smiles, pulling you into a hug. “How about you go take a shower and I’ll make you some hot chocolate. Booze free this time,” Eddie chuckles.

You laugh, remembering when you were younger and neither of you thought Wayne would notice the vodka two twelve year olds put in their drinks. “Honestly, I probably wouldn’t mind it this time around,” you pull away. 

“Comin' right up,” Eddie grins, heading into the kitchen while you go down the hallway. 

Stopping at the bathroom you poke your head around the corner, “hey, Eds.” He stops humming, milk hoovering the pot, quirking an eyebrow at you. “Thank you,” you smile, tucking into the bathroom to shower off before he can answer. 

—

At school the next day, you’re not really sure what to expect. Eddie drove you in his van and you were given more than a few looks from people you don’t even know. Which were thankfully easy enough to ignore. Somehow you’re also lucky enough that all of your classes before lunch didn’t have a single one of your “friends” either. Friends meaning Jason’s friends who were nice to you because you had money and a pretty face. 

But your actual lunch period? Practically the entire basketball team shared the same block as you. And the second you walk out of the lunch line, Jason immediately finds you. You’re wearing darker clothes and have certainly kept your head down. How the fuck did he find you so fast? 

“Hey, I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” he smiles with too much teeth. Voice so sweet it’s sickening. 

“Should’ve hid better,” you mumble, clutching your tray to your chest to keep a barrier between the two of you. “Did you need something?” You ask, eyes scanning the room to find literally anyone you could run to to save you from this. You find Eddie’s friends from Hellfire all around the table, but no sign of Eddie himself. You know their names thanks to Eddie telling you about them last night. But you don’t really think you can just go up to them for help. 

“Well, I was talking to your parents the other day,” he pushes his hands farther into his letterman jacket pockets, ducking his head to appear coy. “I was hoping you’d like to go on a date with-”

An arm snakes around your waist and you nearly jump out of your skin, until you hear, “there you are, babe.” Eddie curls you close to him, kissing the side of your head, “you ready to go sit?” 

You turn to him with a grateful smile, ready to answer, but someone else’s words come out. 

“What the fuck is this?” Jason snaps. 

“I’m sure you know Eddie,” you smile sweetly, fighting the eye roll at the jock before you. “My boyfriend,” you state, loving the way Jason’s eyes are ready to bulge out of his head. Eddie chuckles smugly beside you, his grip tightening only just. You’re actually glad he’s getting something out of this too. Even if it’s just shoving it in Jason’s face. Makes it feel like you’re not using him.

“I thought they were joking!” Jason seethes, “you’re seriously with this freak? You chose him over me? A freak?” 

“Eds, could you hold this please?” You extend your tray towards him, which he takes with a confused expression. “Thanks,” you kiss his cheek, turning your attention back to the blonde. “One, no, it’s not a fucking joke. Two, he’s not a freak. And three,” you slap Jason right across the cheek with a resounding crack, silencing the cafeteria. “If I hear you say some shit like that about him again, you’ll be lucky a slap is all you get. Fuck off, Jason.” 

“Holy shit,” Eddie sputters a laugh, “that was fucking awesome!” Wrapping an arm around your shoulder, Eddie walks you towards the Hellfire table, neither of you caring about the grumbling jock behind you. Or the hushed chatter that’s fallen over the cafeteria. “And here I thought I was the one coming to your rescue,” he teases, placing your tray on the table surrounded by his wide eyed friends. “Come here,” Eddie sits down, his arms locking around your waist to pull you into his lap. “Thank you.”

“I’m your girlfriend, Eddie,” you remind him. Though it’s just for show, it doesn't mean that you’re not going to act the way a proper girlfriend should. Defending your boyfriend from an asshole definitely fits the bill. “I’m not going to stand by and let someone talk about you like that.” 

“So I definitely heard that right?” Dustin, if you remember correctly, stares at you two. “You two are dating? Since when?” He shrieks. 

You freeze for a second, you hadn’t thought that through. 

“For a few months now,” Eddie offers, his thumb rubbing reassuring circles on your waist. “Her parents are pretty strict," he rests his chin on your shoulder, humming in contemplation, "so we’ve been keeping it quiet for a bit. But, she was ready to go public with it.” 

“Slapping Carver in front of the whole cafeteria is pretty public,” Jeff laughs, “and pretty sick!” He offers his fist to you. 

You can’t help but laugh, feeling welcome at their table as you reciprocate the fist bump. It’s actually really nice. 

“My girl doesn’t mess around,” Eddie turns, kissing your neck. 

Maybe you two should’ve gone over some boundaries. Because that felt a lot better than it should’ve and you two aren’t even technically together. But then you remember that everyone is supposed to believe this so that Jason and your parents leave you alone. If even anyone suspects it’s not and word gets out that this isn’t real- you shiver at the very thought. And the way Eddie said ‘my girl’ sent a whole different kind of tremor down your spine. 

What have you gotten yourself into?

—

Somehow you managed to survive the first two weeks of publicly “dating” Eddie. Jason for the most part has left you alone and you haven’t seen or heard from your parents either. It’s so freeing. It makes you wish that you had stuck to your guns when you guys had moved out of the trailer park and kept Eddie in your life. Even listening to them and doing everything they wanted, they still turned around and did the worst thing imaginable. So what else could they have really done if you’d stuck by Eddie’s side the whole time? 

It’s too late to know now, but at least you can make up for the lost time by being here now. Eddie doesn’t seem to mind it. The dinners you share while Wayne is at work. The hasty breakfasts the three of you share in the mornings before school. The weekends though, the weekends are your favorite. Because unless Corroded Coffin has a gig, you and Eddie just hang out at the trailer together. 

“What did you wanna do today?” You ask, flopping down on the couch beside Eddie and throwing your legs on his lap. 

Rubbing your exposed calves, he purses his lips, “I was thinking I should probably take you on a date.” Eddie leans his head on the backrest of the couch to look at you. “You’ve been living here for two weeks now. While it’s all good and well that we’ve been annoying the living hell out of Jason at school, you know how people in this town love to gossip.” 

“Okay,” you draw out the word, furrowing your brows. Not really understanding why Eddie is willingly wanting to be with you romantically outside of school. That would make this feel real. You’d definitely feel like you were using him if you did that. 

“If people see us walking around town together, I’m sure word would get back to your parents.” Eddie pats your leg, “Jason isn’t the only one we’re supposed to be convincing, right?” 

He’s got a point. If your parents get a whiff of this relationship’s fallacies, they’ll drag you back home kicking and screaming. “What’d you have in mind?” You ask, warming up to the idea quickly. 

“There’s a double-feature of Nightmare on Elm Street at the theater tonight,” he shrugs, tracing shapeless designs on your skin. “We could do that and then walk around town with ice cream or some shit. That’s a couple-y thing to do, right?” 

You smile brightly, basking in his shyness. “That sounds really nice, Eds,’ you nudge him with your foot. “Most girls would swoon over a date like that. Well, they’d fight for some romantic movie. But I’m so down for Freddy. When does it start?” 

“About an hour.” 

“I’ll go get ready!” You hop up from the couch, practically running out of the living room, leaving Eddie chuckling on the couch. 

“Thank you,” you hear Eddie say, grabbing your ice cream cones from the girl behind the window of the cute little ice cream shop in town. “M’Lady,” he offers you your chocolate peanut butter scoops, holding his now free hand out for you to hold while you walk back to the van. He’d left it parked by the theater so you could have the whole ‘experience’ of a date. Eddie is just as serious as you are about making this seem real.

He’d even apologized to you for the neck kiss and you sitting in his lap. Explaining to you that he’s a pretty tactile person, that he’s only acting how he would if he was actually dating someone. He was adamant in you telling him if he makes you uncomfortable- he doesn't. Your heart throbbed painfully in your chest that you’re keeping some girl from being in an amazing relationship with such a sweet guy. Even more so when there’s an even worse pang at the thought that you don’t have this for real for yourself either. That this thing you have going with Eddie is fake. 

There’s this small part of you wondering if this could be real. 

“Thanks,” you smile, taking his hand, licking the creamy goodness. Eddie laughs a little at you while you’re walking and eating your desserts. “What?” You ask, licking your lips. 

“You got a little-” Eddie gestures towards your face. A group of girls walk past you arm in arm and Eddie smiles, “here, let me.” He leans in and kisses you, tongue brushing along your bottom lip for the smallest of seconds. Enough to send a shiver down your spine that certainly can’t be explained by the ice cream when his mouth is so warm. “Better,” he grins again, dragging his thumb from the corner of your mouth. 

There’s a blush violently burning your cheeks as you blink rapidly. You don’t even know what to say, so you turn your head, biting away a smile and reclaiming his hand to walk down the road again. “Thank you for tonight,” you say, tossing your napkin in the trash as you pass it. “It-” you pause, thinking you heard someone call your name. Shaking it off you try again, “it was really nice. So, thank you.” 

“Of course,” he drops your hand to wrap his arm around your shoulder, pulling you close to his side. Kissing the side of your head, Eddie says, “I’m glad you had a good time. Enough people are out tonight so-”

“Y/N!” 

You definitely heard it that time. Eddie did too. Whipping around, you see your parents stalking their way towards the two of you. Speak of the devil, right? “Fuck,” you curse under your breath, anxiety stowing only just at the protective way Eddie tightens his hold around you. 

“Say the word and we run, okay?” He whispers in your ear, "I've got you." 

All you can do is nod as your parents come to a halt in front of you. Your father barely even looking at you, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Your mom on the other hand can’t decide who to set her daggers for eyes on, you or Eddie. 

“Mrs-”

“Don’t.” Your mother holds her finger up at him, “you don’t get to talk.”

“Excuse me?” You sputter out.

“And you,” she sets her fury on you now, “it’s time for you to come home young lady. Enough playing house with him,” you mom can’t even say his name, yet the word holds the same amount of venom. “This isn’t you. Please, just come home and all will be forgiven.” 

Anger boils inside of you. Not asking how you are or caring if you’re happy. Just more of them telling you that you’re ‘not yourself’ and you’re so over it. “Fuck that,” you snap. “I’m not going anywhere with you. My home is with Eddie. Yeah, he has a name, mom,” you lace the word with as much disdain as she’d offered him. Shocking her to her core not only from your language, but your behavior. Good. You finally feel like yourself.

“Then we’ll cut you off,” your dad’s stern voice cuts in. “See how long it takes you to come crawling back with no money.” 

“First of all,” you square your shoulders, “both Eddie and Wayne make money. Second,” you chuckle dryly, “you’re really going to love this. I went to the bank. I’m eighteen now in case you forgot. I transferred everything into my own account. That money is mine. But if it means more to you than your own daughter, I’ll gladly give it back. I can very easily get a job. I don’t need anything from you.” 

Your father puffs his chest, “listen here-”

“No, I think it’s time you listen,” Eddie cuts him off. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with her or how she chooses to live her life. She is fucking incredible! And there's definitely no thanks to you fucking assholes. She’s an adult and capable of making her own decisions. And unlike you, I’d never hurt her or force her to do something she doesn’t want to. You want to stay with me, right?” He looks over at you.

It’s rhetorical, you're almost certain. But you answer it anyway, “absolutely.” 

“There is it,” Eddie grins widely, opening his arms at your parents. “She’s made her choice.”

“Let’s get out of here,” you pull gently on Eddie’s jacket, trying to coax him away. Eddie death glares at your father, but starts moving with you, only turning once you’ve yanked a little harder. 

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Your father snaps, his hand grabbing your arm tight enough to hurt. 

You whip your head around to face him, seething, “let go of me.” Eddie looks furious, ready to punch him in the face and honestly, you’d probably let him. But that’s more of a scene than you’re willing to cause right now. You won’t let Eddie get in trouble over you. When your dad makes no move to let go of you, you say, “let me go or I’ll scream.” 

He drops your arm as though it’d burned him, whispering your name with hurt eyes. 

“Come on, princess,” Eddie’s arm curls back around your shoulders, keeping you close. No longer face to face with your parents, your chest tightens and your eyes burn. Not because you miss them, but all of your emotions have boiled over, demanding release through tears. “Wait just a minute more,” Eddie rubs his nose in your hair, “don’t give them the satisfaction.” He opens the passenger door for you and you crawl inside. 

The second he’s settled in his seat, the tears fall freely. “I’m sorry they said that to you,” you sob, chest constricting. 

“Why are you apologizing to me?” He stares at you wide eyed, speaking softly. “I should’ve punched him in the face for what he said to you, are you kidding?” Eddie reaches over, cupping your face and wiping your tears with his thumbs. “No one should talk about you like that. Especially not your parents.” 

“Can we just go home please?” You ask, hoping sheer willpower will make your tears cease. Your eyes already feel sore. 

“Of course,” he rubs your cheeks again, leaning closer to kiss your forehead. “Here,” Eddie pulls his leather jacket off, handing it to you, “you’re shaking.” 

You smile softly, sliding your arms through the sleeves, the scent of Eddie so close calming you down enough that the tears well up, but don’t fall. It’s one thing to defend Eddie from some dickhead jock like Jason. Watching him stand up for you to your own parents, treating you vastly better than they ever have? Heartwarming doesn’t even come close.

—

“Do you need anything?” Eddie asks after you’ve showered and are just sitting up in bed, he’s changed into sweats now and a faded Metallica shirt. 

“Not unless you have something that can make my mind be quiet long enough to let me sleep,” you answer, curling your legs to your chest and holding them. 

Eddie purses his lips, “I could roll us a joint,” he offers. “I usually smoke before going to sleep. It could help. Only if you want to.” 

“I’ve never smoked before,” you whisper, embarrassed by the fact that you’re ‘dating’ a drug dealer, yet have never done any yourself. “But I trust you,” you try to smile, but it falls flat. Still a little too upset over earlier. “I’m willing to try if you think it will help.” 

“Best sleep you’ve had in a while,” Eddie smiles, walking over to his dresser, grabbing a wooden box from the drawer. “Are you sure?” He asks one more time, sitting down beside you, “I don’t want you to think I’m pressuring you or anything.” 

“You’re not,” your smile is genuine this time, “I’m sure.” You stare at his fingers while Eddie pinches the weed into the thin paper. If you weren’t so upset, your brain would probably short circuit at the way his tongue glides along the edge. That shouldn’t be allowed to look like that. 

After he takes two puffs of his own, he hands the joint to you, blowing the smoke out. “You might want to take small hits,” Eddie suggests when you bring the rolled paper to your lips. “Small hits,” he repeats, hopping up from the bed, “I’m gonna get us a drink real quick. Small,” Eddie enunciates. 

You don’t really know what’s considered a small hit, so you inhale maybe halfway, doing your best to hold the smoke in your lungs before letting it out. A cough bubbles in your chest that burns nearly as much as the weed. Eddie comes back just in time with a can of soda for you. Cracking it open with a fond smile on his lips, he tosses some snacks on the bed beside you. “Not as bad as I thought,” you say after taking a sip. You take another hit, handing it back to Eddie once he’s seated. 

“Are you going to be okay?” He asks, squinting around the smoke trying to go in his eyes. 

With a heavy sigh, you prop yourself on the wall beside the bed, “I think so? I’m not even sure why I cried to be honest. They suck and I don’t know why I expected them to react any differently than that. I’m more angry about the way they treated you.” You take the joint back from him, Eddie scooting over until your thighs and arms are pressed together. Pulling the smoke into your lungs, you appreciate it not burning as badly as the first time around. Enough to take a bigger hit, “this is definitely helping. So are you,” you whisper. 

Eddie nudges you with his arm, “happy to help. You’re my best friend and I’m always going to be here to take care of you. Until you get sick of me that is,” he teases.

Laughter bubbles in your chest, your cheeks hurting from how much you're smiling. Whether that’s the weed or just Eddie in general doesn’t really matter to you. “Aww,” you coo, absolutely certain that your newfound confidence is from the drug, “I don’t think I could get sick of you, Eddie.” You tell him, playing with a lock of his hair, surprised when he doesn’t tell you to stop. “I’m really grateful for everything you’re doing. And I meant it, I don’t expect you and Wayne to take care of me for free. I’ll get a job if it comes down to it.” 

“Please,” he snickers, handing the roach to you to finish off, “Wayne is overjoyed that you’re here.” Eddie wraps his arm around your shoulder and you tuck your head into his neck. “If there was mention of you leaving, he’d probably pay you to stay. He really did miss having you around. I think he secretly always wanted a daughter.” He takes the almost burnt paper and places it in the ashtray by the bed. 

“But he got the metal head outcast with a heart of gold instead,” you smile though he can’t see it. “Just-” you huff a small breath, “thank you, Eddie. For everything.” 

Eddie kisses the side of your head, “of course, princess.” Too high to care, you giggle at the name shooting warmth throughout your system, but it’s broken off with a loud yawn. “Looks like I’ve done my job,” he chuckles softly, “I’ll let you get some sleep.”

You lay down on the pillow, pulling the blanket over you, but when Eddie tries to get up, you reach out and grab his hand. “Eddie?” 

“Yeah?” He whispers, soft eyes looking over your tired face. 

“Could you-” you swallow the barrier in your throat in the form of nerves. “Will you stay with me? I don’t really want to be alone right now,” your voice barely above a whisper. 

Eddie smiles softly, his thumb brushing along your knuckles, “yeah. Yeah, I can do that.” He lets go of your hand so you can move over to give him some room to lay down beside you. The moment his back touches the bed, you curl up to him, resting your head on his chest. A contented sigh sounding off listening to his heartbeat in your ear, along with a dopey smile on your face. “Better?” He teases, though his arms wrap around you, one hand rubbing your back while the other plays with your hair. 

“Thank you,” you mumble, already falling asleep. 

—

Controlling your emotions seems to get harder and harder the longer this plays out. Having Eddie back in your life is honestly the best thing that’s ever happened to you. And you couldn’t be more grateful for him. Not just for having him as your best friend again. But over the last month and half, your heart thought it would be a really good idea to evacuate your chest and take home inside his. Graduation was supposed to be the light at the end of the tunnel. Now it just seems like an ominous deadline.

The day you lose Eddie. 

You’re far from ready for that. In fact, being with Eddie, actually being with Eddie, doesn’t seem like all that bad of an idea. But this was supposed to be temporary, even for him. How in the hell are you supposed to propose that? It’s not like Eddie has shown you any hint that he’d want this to be anything but an act. At home, he’s just your friend. Aside from getting high together, he sleeps on the couch so that you can have the bed. 

What you should be focusing on is the book in your hands while the group plays through their session. But your eyes keep trailing back to the head of the table. Eddie, Dungeon Master himself, sitting on his throne while having the time of his life. He truly is a novelty to watch like this. Carefree and enjoying himself. It’s amazing. 

“NO!” Dustin yells, startling Pet Semetery right out of your hands. 

Usually you’re better at not jumping from their antics, but the teen does not sound happy. Meanwhile Eddie is cackling and knocks a piece off the board. Flicking your eyes around the table, you notice it was the last piece standing aside from the one indicating the monster the group had been fighting. They lost. 

“Another ruthless, unbeatable campaign?” You muse, looking at your thrilled ‘boyfriend’ while everyone gathers their things to leave.

“Always, princess,” Eddie bounds over to you, leaning on the armrests of your chair, “always.” The doors close, leaving you two alone. “Don’t act like you didn’t help.” 

Narrowing your eyes playfully, you look up at him, “yeah, I thought they’d at least have a chance though.” 

“You’re far too devious for anyone to stand a chance,” Eddie closes the distance and kisses you. 

Instinct and pure want for him, you kiss back for a moment. Pulling away with immense effort, speaking with a small voice, “no one’s here, Eds,” you whisper. “You don’t have to act like you want to kiss me,” you say, trying to gauge how he might feel about the situation. He just kissed you after you both heard the doors close. But you also don’t want to get your hopes up too high either. That there could be a reality where Eddie wants to be with you for real too. 

“Yeah,” he clears his throat, his face unreadable, “you’re right. Sorry,” he clears his throat again, “let’s go home.” 

When you grab your book and stand up, Eddie heads for the door, keeping a step or two of distance between you. Is this just how he would act if you guys weren’t pretending to be together? Because when you’re alone, he’s not this cold. Silent. Or did what you say upset him?

Even when you make it to his van and he opens the door for you and you mutter, “thanks,” all Eddie does is offer a pinched smile. 

His silence continues the entire drive home. Eddie doesn’t even sing along to the music he plays. Nor does he drum his hands on the steering wheel. It’s putting you on edge and you want to say something so badly. But you also don’t want to risk actually pissing him off either. So, you follow his lead. Not saying a word while he drives you both home. 

Things don’t get much brighter from then on either. Eddie follows you into the bedroom, grabs his acoustic guitar, and goes right back into the living room. You are absolutely not going to sit in bed and cry about change in behavior. Not at all. You’re going to do it in the shower so there’s no chance of Eddie hearing you, like a smart person. 

Smart, right. 

If you were so smart you’d tell Eddie how you really feel. 

—

“Are you coming to band practice today?” Eddie asks you while you’re putting some mascara on in the bathroom. “You don’t have to, if you don’t want to,” he scratches the back of his head, “the guys do love it when you come though.” 

“Just the guys?” The teased question spills from your lips before you’d even had a chance to filter them out. But it’s out in the air now.

Eddie grins for the smallest of seconds, “I like when you watch us too. You actually give us honest opinions. Will you come?” 

“Can you give me two more minutes?” You ask, waving the mascara brush around, “I’m almost done.” 

“Take your time,” he smiles, jabbing a thumb over his shoulder, “I’ll be out in the van.” 

Quickly, you finish your makeup and go back into the room to get your shoes on. Not wanting to wear a bra, you find one of Eddie’s hoodies and throw it on over your thin shirt. You’ve never seen him wear it, but his spicy cologne rests on the fabric. You allow yourself a moment to bring to sleeves that barely let your fingers peek out of it to your nose to breathe him in. The cologne, the smoke, the very essence of Eddie. Pretending that his arms are wrapped around you instead of his clothes. 

Not wanting to take too long, you snatch the book off the bed and run out the trailer to meet Eddie in the van. 

You sit through the covers of Iron Maiden and Motley Crue while you read your book. They’re actually really good and you do enjoy listening to them. It’s always nice to see Eddie in his element. Happy and perfectly himself. It isn’t until he mentions something about playing a new one that you start to pay attention a little more. It’s different from what they usually play, and has to be an original because you don’t recognize it either and can’t imagine any other voice than Eddie’s singing it. 

Then the chorus hits, and they have your full attention.

“So if you wanna piss off your parents, date me to scare them, show them you’re all grown up,” Eddie sings, his words the night you ran to him echoing in your head alongside the lyrics. “If long hair and tattoos are what attract you, baby, then you’re in luck.” 

Eddie wrote a song about you. Eddie wrote a fucking song about you! But your eyebrows furrow, because it doesn’t sound all that nice, to be honest. Like he’s letting his frustration out through it. You told him you didn’t care about what your parents thought, assuming that was just the incentive for him going through with this.

“You know, I’m broke, so you pulled out your Daddy’s card,” he continues with the song. The memory of you two grocery shopping together flickering in your brain. 

You had wanted to make dinner for him one night as a thank you, but couldn’t find much in his kitchen. He’d told you Wayne didn’t get paid until the weekend and that all his money from dealing went to take out. You promptly dragged him to the store and bought enough food to stock the entire kitchen. Yes, you even made sure he- and you when you chose to partake- had plenty of munchies around too. 

“Should’ve seen this coming from a mile away,” Eddie hasn’t looked at you once the entire time he sings. The rest of the guys just seem to be jamming out. Except Gareth, his face starts to twist, something mixed with confusion and understanding, his drumsticks almost falter. “I’ll play your game. I know what you want from me.” 

But this- this isn’t a game to you. Eddie isn’t a game to you. In its bones, it’s a great song. But your eyes are burning. Blurring with tears as the song goes on. Every lyric a knife to your heart. 

“And I know it’s just a phase, you’re not in love with me,” Eddie finally looks at you as a tear falls from your eye. You quickly wipe it away, seeing the same pain reflected in his big, brown eyes. “And I know it’s just a phase, you’re not in love with me. You wanna piss off your parents, baby. Piss off your parents, that’s alright with me.” 

The song ends and you hastily wipe the rest of your tears away, ducking your head back into your book so the rest of the guys don’t notice them. It’s bad enough that Eddie saw them. You knew you should’ve said something to him last night when he kissed you. You fucking knew it. And now you’ve hurt him. Hurt Eddie enough that he wrote a song to express himself. You feel like the biggest jerk there is. 

—

Something told you that you needed to drive yourself to school today. Eddie didn’t question it. You guys had another silent night at home. Didn’t talk about the song or confess your love to him. But you did decide that you will be doing that today. You just needed to have a moment to sort the words in your head into cohesive sentences. 

Then lunch rolled around and Eddie mentioned he’d be meeting Jason in the woods after school to sell to him. That sounded really fucking weird to you, he just waved off your concerns. But you also heard about Chrissy buying from Eddie too, so you didn’t think anything of it if he didn’t either. It wasn’t until you were walking to your last class that you happened to pass Jason in the halls talking to his friends about how they were going to jump Eddie when they met up that it all made sense. 

Why you wanted to bring your car. Why the whole concept of Jason buying drugs didn’t sit right with you. You skipped your last class to wait near the spot they’d meet. Your baseball bat sitting in your passenger seat. You’re not about to just let Jason hurt Eddie. But you’re also not an idiot. You watch from your hiding spot while Eddie sits on the bench waiting for the unknown threat to show up. 

He can take care of himself against Jason, that’s been proven. But you don’t want to see what would happen if it was three or more guys. When Jason first shows up with three other guys whose names you could care less to remember, your nerves light up. Eddie’s too because he rises from the picnic bench with his arms raised. Grabbing your bat, you get out of the car, careful to stay out of view. 

Inching closer, Jason’s voice finally makes it through, “she’d never actually want to be with a freak like you. No way. She wants to be with me, just like her parents want her to. Maybe if you let her go, we won’t hurt you.” 

Yeah, fuck that. Clenching your hand around the bat, you step into view, “back off, Carver,” you command. Swaying the wood back and forth. “I warned you once already.” 

“Princess,” Eddie warns, but you don’t want to hear it. He might have pieced together why Jason is here, but you’re not backing down. Never again. Not since the moment you stepped foot in his trailer what feels like ages ago.

“Can’t you see he’s corrupting you? Just come with me so that I can take care of you,” Jason yells back, looking honest to god perplexed. “This isn’t you. He’s messing with your head.” 

“He’s letting me live!” You shout, tired of everyone trying to tell you what’s best for you. Like you’re incapable of figuring that out for yourself. One thing’s for certain, it isn’t fucking Jason. And it isn’t your fucking parents either. “He takes care of me better than anyone else ever has! Eddie makes me happy!” 

“Aww, princess,” Eddie coos softly, making your heart swell. 

“Don’t make me say it again, Carver,” you swing the back at your side again.

“Grab him!” Jason snaps and two of the guys grab each of Eddie’s arms, pinning them behind his back. You hadn’t even noticed they were getting closer to him, you were so focused on making sure Jason didn’t do something stupid. Eddie struggles in their grip, loosening their hold, only to be forced still. 

Looks like Jason did do something stupid afterall. “I warned you, Jason,” you spit, swinging the bat, hitting him in the face with a satisfying thwack. He stumbles to the dirt, clutching his split, bleeding cheek. The remaining jock, not holding Eddie, helps Jason to his feet. Whipping your head to the others, “let. Him. Go,” you growl while Eddie stares at you with literal heart eyes. The boys keep their hold, flicking their gaze to their captain who's whining. Good. “Fine,” you huff, swinging the bat again, connecting with one of their legs. 

Eddie stumbles as they release him, the one you’d hit falling to the forest floor, yelling in pain. His partner in crime helps him up and you aim your bat again, a crystal clear warning. One that even Jason pays attention to and all four jocks limp away. Once they’re out of view, the bat thumps to the ground and you face Eddie. 

“Are you crazy?” He asks, pulling you close, staring in your eyes waiting for an answer.

“Don’t ever tell me again that I don’t love you, Eddie Munson, do you understand me,” you rush out, crashing your lips to his. A soft moan combined with an absolute sigh of relief pushes past your lips when he holds you tighter, pulls you even closer, and returns the kiss. 

“Why would you do that?” He breaks the kiss, holding you by the small of your back. “Where did you even get a bat from?” 

“That dick led you out here just to jump you. I heard him in the halls. I wasn’t going to just let him,” you roll your eyes, brushing his bangs from his eyes. “I told you it felt weird.” 

“And the bat?” Eddie repeats, looking where it's laying on the ground. 

“I’m a girl in a small town,” you state like it should be obvious. “It’s called self defense.” 

He snorts, “hot.” You playfully punch his chest, making him laugh. He quickly grabs your hand, bringing it to his mouth to kiss our knuckles. “So, I make you happy, huh?” Eddie grins slyly, cocking an eyebrow at you. 

“Very,” you smile back, leaning in to kiss him again. Hard. Pressing into him until he’s backed against a tree, groaning into your mouth. “I’ve been wanting to tell you for weeks,” you admit, pulling at his bottom lip with your teeth. Lovingly swiping it with your tongue at his hiss from the action. 

Suddenly your back is against the tree and Eddie’s hips are digging into yours, the bulge in his jeans leaving nothing to the imagination as to whether or not he’s believing and enjoying your words. “I told you I wanted to marry you when we were kids,” he rasps in the small space between your mouths. “You coming to me soaked and asking for help, even as a ploy I’d accept it if it meant you being in my life again. I never stopped wanting you, princess. Ever.” 

“Good,” you reply, claiming his mouth again, Eddie’s hands gripping your hips. You moan when he kisses down your neck, biting at the crook and your eyes roll back. “Eddie,” you whine, trying to spread your legs for more friction. He shifts, his thigh pressing between your legs, rubbing beautifully against your clothed pussy. It’s not enough and you whine again, “Eddie, please.” Every pent up feeling you’ve had for the last month ready to burst at the seams. 

He chuckles against what’s surely a purple mark on your neck, “right here?” Eddie teases, licking your abused flesh, nipping his way back up. “Can’t let me take you home first?”

“No,” you say once his blown, brown eyes fall on your face, “I can’t. I need you, Eddie, please,” you gasp. Breathing becomes harder the longer his thigh digs into you, sparking flames deep in your core. 

“Right here in the woods, huh?” He asks, a shit eating grin plastered on his face. “Maybe Jason was right,” Eddie chuckles, cupping you where it aches, “maybe I did corrupt you.” 

“Good,” you moan, grinding against his hand, “I’m yours to corrupt, Eddie.”

Eddie’s eyes darken further, pupils widening and getting hazy, “that’s my girl.” His fingers undo your button and zipper before yanking you to him, pulling you back towards the picnic table. Pushing you down face first onto the wooden surface, he drags your pants and underwear down in one swift motion. “Look at you,” he tries to coo, but it’s so full of lust that it’s raspy and thick, “so wet for me already, princess.” Eddie kisses your spine, making you shiver, “last chance,” his hands rub your ass. 

“Please,” you croak, eyes burning, needing him inside of you right now. Groaning a guttural, “fuck,” when his tongue dips inside your dripping cunt. “Eddie,” you gasp, him eating you out better than you’ve ever felt before. The long licks and the way he pushes his tongue as far as it will go to tease at your clit. It’s intoxicating and before you can beg for more, two fingers push inside you and you keen. Hips bucking at the pressure against the bundle of nerves deep inside. 

Your moans turn to a mewl, Eddie nipping at the back of your thighs, his hand cracking over your ass. The sting shoots white hot jolts of electricity through you, an orgasm beginning to warm you from the inside out at a startling rate. Kissing your ass, you feel Eddie smile, “you taste so fucking good princess. So fucking good. God,” he groans, “and you’re all fucking mine. Aren’t you?” His fingers move faster and all you can do is moan and nod, thighs shaking with the need to come. “Aren’t you?” Eddie repeats with another slap to your ass, wanting an actual answer. 

Like he isn’t taking away your ability to form proper thoughts let alone understandable words. Huffing your breath, trying desperately to speak, “y-yes, yours,” your gasp, his tongue joining his fingers, flying you over the edge. Wave after beautiful wave slamming into you in quick succession. Had Eddie not had his fingers inside of you, you’d have slumped right off the table. “I’m yours, Eddie,” you groan when he removes his fingers, half hearing him undo his own belt and the slide of his pants. 

“Good girl,” he soothes the spot he’d smacked with loving strokes of his palm, spitting into his other hand. A whine escapes your lips feeling the head of his cock glide against your pussy. “Ready, princess?” Eddie asks, tapping your cunt with his dick. You think you say yes, you’re almost certain the word came out of your mouth. All you really care about is that Eddie heard your consent and his dick slams into you completely. “Fuck, you’re so tight, baby.” 

A groan shifts to a whine when he slowly drags himself out of you to the tip, sliding back at the same pace. “Eddie,” you whine again, trying to push your hips back to make him move faster. The heat in your core burns at a dizzying rate from the surprising intensity of the leisurely roll of his hips. But his grip on you is sure, you’re completely at his mercy.

“Look at that,” he gasps out, doing it over and over. You can only imagine that he’s just watching himself disappear inside of you and enjoying it immensely. “So pretty,” Eddie moans, thrusting harder, but only just. Still pulling out till just the tip of his cock is left inside you and ramming himself forward. The pace punches moans from your chest and has your eyes roll back with every deliberate jab to that sweet spot. 

“Ed- fuck!” You cry out, his control of teasing you or keeping up with his own pleasure snaps along with his hips. Eddie holds your hips hard and rails into you harder. Thrusting with abandon and the coil inside of you winds tightly. Threatening to break at any given moment. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” you moan repeatedly, eyes blurring with lust. 

Eddie fists his hand in the back of your hair, yanking you up to his chest, “that’s right, let it all out, princess.” He wraps a hand around your middle, trailing his fingers down to circle around your clit. “I wanna hear how good I make you feel,” Eddie bites at your neck, sucking what has to be a constellation of marks on your skin, his thrusts not once faltering. “Come for me, pretty girl.” 

His words, his hands, his cock, him. Eddie flies you right over the edge of your orgasm. The coil snapping so hard you feel your pussy spasm around him and do something it’s never done before, even when you’ve played with yourself. You cry out, screaming a moaned, “Eddie,” as your cunt gushes around him. A tear falls from your eye, overwhelmed with sensation but Eddie holds you close, keeping you grounded with an orgasm infused smile on your face. 

He doesn’t gentle you through it, his fingers never ceasing their toying with your clit, “you’re gonna come for me again,” Eddie moans in your ear. You’re nearly overstimulated, but oh so addicted to the feeling of his dick inside of you that you couldn’t care less. You’d come as many times as he’d get you to. “Then I’m gonna come inside my pussy, understand?” 

“Please, please Eddie, fuck,” you moan, your cunt clenching around him with a vice grip. You want to meet his thrusts, but you’re too lost in the perfect pace he’s set that you hadn’t even noticed the all too familiar tingle creeping up on you. Thighs shaking, you hold his arm, the hand in your hair snaking around to a light hold on your throat. Another grunted moan in your ear from Eddie is all it took for you to fall apart again. A breathless scream as your pussy squirts around his cock once more. 

“That’s my girl,” Eddie’s grip tightens around your throat. His fingers finally leave your sensitive clit alone to hold you steady, thrusting a few more times until he shoves himself inside. Eddie lets out a moan, spilling himself deep inside, warming you from the inside out. “Fucking hell, I love you,” he pants, peppering your neck with sweet kisses. He carefully helps you back onto the table top, your hands propping you because your legs are far from stable. 

Your mind is blissfully quiet, only caring about being in the moment with Eddie. You’ll deal with the thought of doing this in the middle of the woods later. Right now, you just want him. Eddie pulls out from your sore pussy as gently as he can and gingerly pulls your pants back up. Kind of pointless considering they’re pretty much instantly soaked from his come leaking out of you. But that’s okay too, you like the feeling. You turn to face him, finding he’s already got his pants pulled up too. 

Reaching out to hug him, Eddie does you one better, scooping you up into his arms in a bridal carry. “You okay, princess?” He asks, kissing the top of your head when you tuck into his neck. 

“I’m okay. Some water would be great right now though,” you mumble, the pure scent of Eddie mixing with the woods around you is better than any aromatherapy out there. “And food. God, and a bath.” 

Eddie chuckles, bending to grab your bat from the ground, “good thing I have a cooler and some snacks in the van. Think that’ll be enough till we get home and I can make you something?” 

“‘S perfect, Eds,” you smile against his skin, curling your fingers in the ends of his hair as he carries you to his van. “Will my car be okay?” 

“I’ll have Gareth or Jeff come get it for you.” Eddie stops in his tracks, “uh,” he chuckles. “Do we need to stop at the pharmacy?” 

Lifting your tired head, you ask, ”why,” heavy lidded eyes barely focusing on him. 

“We didn’t use a condom,” he states, “and I definitely didn’t pull out.” 

You laugh, thumping your head back into his neck, “Eddie, my parents controlled every aspect of my life, you really think they wouldn’t put me on the pill?” You resume playing with his hair and he begins walking again. “I would’ve stopped you otherwise,” tugging his hair lightly you giggle, “it’s more than okay, Eddie. Just get me home so we can eat and take a bath together.”

“Coming right up, princess,” his smile is evident in his tone and he kisses your hair again. 

Part 2

Israel wipes out entire families, this is not self defense. This is genocide of the highest degree.

This is *chefs kiss* 🤌 good content!💕 read part one and two, theyre just as amazing as part three.

Disastrous Wedding: Part 3/3

Summary: you have to attend your sister’s wedding and things go wrong, as usual…

Warning: Unwanted touching (nothing explicit), unedited (sorry for any errors)

Word count: 7,267

“You know, if I had to choose between eating an entire jean jacket or being your sibling, I’d choose the jacket.”

“What the hell does that even mean?”

“It means you’re infuriating to be related to. You’re so selfish, you couldn’t even remember when I told you earlier that I did ask him nicely to stop!”

“Then you shouldn’t have said anything about it! You could’ve just kept your damn mouth shut and-“

“And let him touch me?!” You yelled, shocked at what your sister was saying.

“Yes! It’s my wedding, goddammit!” She stomped her foot like a child throwing a tantrum. “It’s my day, it shouldn’t be about you!”

You were silent for a long while after that. Flabbergasted that she would say such a thing, although you shouldn’t be, she’s always been selfish.

But you had hoped she would be on your side someday.

‘Oh, I see now. My hope in her was the joke.’

You had hoped.

But not anymore.

You had to take a step back, her words piercing your chest.

‘Why am I so surprised? I knew this was how she is.’

'Because she’s family, so it stings just a bit more than it would were she a stranger.’

“You make everything about you, you haven’t changed these past nine years.” She snarled, staring daggers at you.

You scoffed. “I do believe you’re projecting a bit, dear sister. As You said earlier: it’s your wedding; your day.”

“And you’re trying to take it from me!” She stomped her foot again. “You can’t let me have one day-”

“What are you talking about? I just wanted to get through your wedding with my sanity intact.”

“Then tell me why it had to be today. Why you had to make a big deal today.”

“Are you serious? I didn’t plan for this to happen today, or ever, for that matter.”

“Oh, yeah. Sure.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Your head started pounding, dealing with your sister always left you with a nasty headache.

'Why does she have to be so difficult all the time?’

'She is our parents’ daughter…’

'True…’

“Why would I plan for some stranger to put his hands on me?”

“As I said before: you wanted the attention on you today. I don’t know why, but you won’t succeed.”

You threw your hands up in frustration. “You caught me! My evil plan has been foiled, now what am I left to do?”

“I’m being serious!”

“I know you are, and I don’t know if I should feel sorry for you or-”

There was a knock on the door.

“They’re waiting on you two to return so they can continue the speeches.” Your mother’s voice came from the other side. “We don’t have all day, so finish your discussion quickly.”

You sighed, not wanting to deal with this event any longer, especially if you’re going to be accused of something you didn’t even plan.

Who would plan something so stupid anyway?

If you really wanted to disrupt the wedding and get the attention of the guests then you would’ve shown up with Molotov cocktails…

That plan sounded more fun anyways.

'How annoying.’

'We could fake our death…’

'Doesn’t sound half bad right now…’

"We’ll be right there, mother.” Your sister said, turning to you. “Be on your best behavior and try to keep your mouth shut.”

She straightened her dress, “it’s my day…it’s my day…”

She mumbled that to herself on your walk back into the reception hall.

You caught Eric grinning ear to ear at you when you returned to your seat, making you shudder in disgust.

“What are you doing?” You asked him.

“What do you mean?”

You pointed at him, “that…thing you’re doing with your face.”

He tilted his head, confused.

“The thing with your face that makes you look happy…cut it out, it’s making me feel nauseated.”

The confused look was replaced with an angry one. “Your mouth is-”

“Gonna get me in trouble, yadda yadda.” You waved him off.

He blew air out of his flared nostrils. “Watch it, you-”

“Let me take a wild guess…I won’t like you when you’re angry?”

“You’re insufferable, you know that, right?”

You smiled, remembering the time you called Leon the same thing. “I learned from the best.”

Your eyes sought Leon out, finding him a few minutes later. He had a worried look on his face, probably wondering why your sister dragged you out of the room. Nodding your head at him, you mouthed “I’m fine.”

He nodded in return, smiling in relief.

He was probably going to go look for you if you hadn’t come back when you did. He’s always been protective of you. Not in an overbearing way, he always wanted you to fight your own battles, glad to support you from the sidelines. But if you were ever in any real danger then he would be at your side as quickly as he could, ready to kick ass.

You squirmed in your seat a little, thinking about Leon always had that effect on you. There was something about him…

'That turned you into a dick sucking whore?’

'Only Leon’s whore though…’

'We’re on the same page for once.’

'It’s kind of scary.’

You felt eyes burning into the side of your face, you looked over at your sister.

“Have I done something already?” You asked sarcastically, feigning confusion.

Your stomach started aching, but you decided to ignore it.

You’d ache too if you had to deal with your sister more than you have.

“I told you that Eric is Brandon’s best friend and the best man, you need to be on your best behavior. Keep your comments to yourself and be nice.”

“I would rather take a bath with my toaster-”

“Y/N. behave.”

'Remind me to steal all her charging blocks from her house.’

'Take her tv remote too.’

'Noted.’

“Alright, everyone. It’s time for the parents of the groom to give their speech, then we’ll move onto the maid of honor and the best man.”

You froze.

‘The what now?’

Then you quickly spun to face your sister, panic clearly written on your face.

“I have to give a speech?” You asked, voice shaking. Your stomach was in your throat now.

Your sister gave you a mean smile, “yeah, did I forget to mention that?”

You narrowed your eyes; it was obvious now. She knew that you hated public speaking ever since you were a kid. Your parents made you give a speech at your aunt’s funeral when you were eight. You barely knew your aunt, she was always in another state with her husband, living as hard as they could. Then one day she was diagnosed with lung cancer, years of smoking cigarettes not helping her case.

The funeral had a lot of people, mostly distant family members that you’ve never met before. Your mother had expected you and your sister to give individual speeches in your aunt’s honor, although you begged her not to make you.

She did.

Your sister went before you. She had just turned eleven years old, her speech clear and concise. Going on and on about having ‘quality time’ with your aunt that obviously didn’t happen, she just wanted everyone to think she was closer to your aunt than she really was.

Your mother nodded at you to step up to the podium once your sister was done.

You stood up, visibly shaking as you made your way to the step stool behind the podium. You tried so hard not to stare at everyone’s eyes, having learned to imagine the audience as potatoes to help ease your nerves. You only got a few strangled words out before you lost consciousness.

Once you woke up, you noticed you had been brought back to the car you arrived in, vomit staining the front of your dress.

“I can’t believe you did that!” Your sister was laughing in your face, holding no sympathy for you.

“What did I do?” You asked her, clearly confused.

“You mean you don’t remember?” She started laughing harder. “You said 'hello’, then threw up on our grandma!”

Heat gathered to your face, embarrassment making your stomach turn in circles.

“Then you fainted and hit your head on the podium! Oh, I hope they got that on camera!” Her laughs turned into guttural cries, “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe!”

Your face was still burning when your parents entered the car, your father staring daggers at you.

“You have embarrassed us once more, Y/N.” Your mother gritted out, sitting in the passenger seat.

“I didn’t mean to, mother, I-”

You were too busy looking down, you didn’t notice how your mother quickly turned in her seat to reach back and slap you across your face.

“Save your apologies.” She straightened back in her seat as your father started driving. “Honestly, Y/N, why can’t you be like your sister? Her speech was divine.”

Your sister beamed, “thank you mother.”

You haven’t given a speech ever since that day, your fear of public speaking was still as present as it was back then.

“It’ll be just like Aunt Cathy’s funeral. You do remember that, don’t you, Y/N?” Your sister smiled sweetly at you. Her fake sweetness brought back memories from when you both were kids. She would act so kind to you, so sweet and innocent. She definitely had you fooled at the time, because behind that fake façade of sweetness lies a selfish, bitter center.

But you weren’t kids anymore.

You knew she was setting you up to embarrass yourself in front of all these people. Why? Probably to make herself look like the better child, the more refined adult that your parents always wanted. She was elegant and well spoken.

And you couldn’t even give a speech.

'Is it bad luck to strangle the bride on her wedding day?’

'No, I think it would be poetic.’

“Excuse me for a moment, I’m going to run to the restroom.” You told her.

“Don’t take too long, you’re up next.”

You didn’t even push your chair in after standing up, you just briskly walked to the women’s restroom, heading straight for the sink. Splashing water on your face as you tried to take deep breaths.

'Don’t pass out, your sister would love for you to embarrass yourself so she doesn’t have to lift a finger.’

'What the hell am I going to do?’

'Do you want to try and fake your death now?’

'With how fast my heart rate is, I don’t think I’ll have to fake it.’

Your chest was hurting, pressure from your racing heart making it hard to breathe. You could hear your blood in your ears, making you nauseated. Your head started to feel light, everything moving slowly around you, like you were stuck in slow motion.

'Get it together, Y/N, at this rate you’re going to faint.’

You didn’t even have a rebuttal for your thoughts, trying not to drown in your panic.

But you were drowning.

You didn’t even hear the bathroom door open.

You had your eyes closed until you felt arms wrapped around you, a distant voice calling your name. The person pulled you into their strong chest and you easily curled your fingers into their shirt, not caring that you would wrinkle the delicate fabric.

A hand started rubbing circles against your back, deep breathing in your ear.

“That’s it, Y/N. Deep breaths.” They said.

You followed their instructions until your breaths matched theirs, your head starting to feel normal again. Your feeling much lighter than before.

“That’s my good girl, you’re doing great.”

You opened your eyes, head craning up to look at the person holding you.

Leon.

“How are you feeling now?” He asked, worry evident in his tone.

“So much better.” You murmured, “but how did you-”

“I saw you jump up in a panic, half-walking half-jogging out of the reception hall. So, I was worried and wanted to check on you.” He kissed your head, “what made you have an attack?”

You smiled and tightened your grip around his torso, you really were an open book to him.

“My sister just informed me that I would be giving a speech.”

“Even after last time?”

You had told Leon about your embarrassing failure of a speech on your second date together, trying to out embarrass each other. He was winning until you told him that you threw up on your grandmother and fainted. You were worried when he went silent, scared that he would never want to see you again. Then he asked you if everything turned out okay, and if you were okay after the traumatic event.

He was the first one to ask you if you were okay about what happened. No one else cared enough to worry what you had thought, how you had felt, how it affected you in the long run.

You were so touched by his question that you started crying. He immediately pulled you out of the restaurant you two were in and took you to his apartment, cuddling you the rest of the night while you clung onto him like a koala to a tree.

You woke the next morning extremely embarrassed, but you explained why you had cried. He smiled at you, rubbing your back and kissing your cheeks.

“You had me worried for a minute there, sweetheart. I thought I said something stupid.”

He stuck with you through everything, listened to your life’s stories, hugged you when you were overwhelmed, took care of you when you got sick, making you laugh when you felt like crying, cheered you on through college, supported you when you interviewed for your dream job, inspired you to create art again, motivated you to achieve your goals, listened to you when you told him your deepest fears, celebrated when you got a job in your dream career.

He really was the best thing to happen to you.

He never tried to baby you or belittle you. He wanted you to succeed by your own merit and wanted you to celebrate those accomplishments. He wanted you to live loud and love your life. He wanted to support you through everything that came your way. He wanted to love you and be yours until the end.

And you wanted to do the same for him.

You pulled his face closer to yours, kissing him. He deepened the kiss, pushing past your lips to battle your tongue for dominance. His grip on your arms tightened and you were sure there will be bruises on them tomorrow.

But you didn’t mind.

You loved it when he left marks.

He stepped away from you after you moaned into the kiss.

“If we keep that up then you won’t be able to make your speech.”

“Can’t give a speech if my mouth is too busy with something else.” You teased him.

He groaned, pulling you close again to put his forehead against yours, breathing heavily.

“The things you do to me…”

You sighed, bring his hands up to your mouth to kiss each knuckle with tender love.

“Are you going to go through with it?” He asked, looking into your eyes.

“I guess I have to, don’t want to embarrass myself in front of all these people.”

“If you want, I can go up with you and be your support.”

Your eyes widened, heart skipping a beat.

“You’d do that for me?” You asked, astonished.

“Of course. I would do anything to help you, Y/N, you know that.”

The smile he gave you made you feel so safe, so loved.

Then you remembered: you could go through anything with Leon by your side.

You couldn’t hold back the dazzling smile you gave him, heart feeling lighter than when you had first entered this restroom.

“Thank you so much, Leon.”

You stood on your tippy toes, giving him a loving kiss, putting all your affection in the gesture.

You finally pulled away, grabbing his hand. “We better go before my sister goes on a manhunt for me.”

He nodded as you pulled him out of the restroom and back into the reception hall. You both stood at the back of the room, not too far away from your sister.

“Thank you both for your beautiful speeches.” The announcer clapped the backs of the groom’s parents as they walked off the stage. “Now, we need the maid of honor to come give her speech.”

Your chest tightened when you saw people looking around for you, eyes finding you instantly. Your breathing starting to become shallow and panicked once again.

You felt the hand you were holding tighten around yours, grounding you.

Looking at Leon, you took a deep breath, reminding yourself that you weren’t going to be alone.

He would be there with you.

By your side.

Like he always was.

And you would be damned before you let your sister embarrass you.

The short walk to the stage gave you plenty of time to think of what you were going to say. You took extra care to be mindful of where you were stepping and how you stepped, not wanting to fall. You were pulling Leon with you by your linked hands, gripping tighter when you finally stood on stage.

You walked up to the microphone, Leon at your side. The audience chuckled as you lowered the stand to your height.

Taking a deep breath and looking around the room, you tried to feign calmness.

‘Fake it ‘til you make it, right?’

“Family, friends, thank you so much for coming, I know I speak for us all when I say that today is such a wonderful day for a wedding.” You started, putting a sweet smile on that matched your sister’s. You had plenty of time to learn how to fake a smile while growing up.

You swear the microphone could pick up the sound of your beating heart. Your voice would falter every once in a while, but you sounded clear regardless.

And that’s all that mattered.

“To be honest, I didn’t think my sister would ever get married. I didn’t think any man would be good enough for my sister, but I was wrong.”

“Brandon, when you came into my sister’s life, you changed it for the better, the best even.”

You had no idea, of course. Not having contact with your sister at the time she and Brandon started dating, but the audience didn’t need to know that.

“She smiles so brightly now that you’re in her life. And I’ve seen how she makes you feel, you’ve been smiling all day.”

You looked at your sister, she was smiling at you, but you could tell it was as real as yours.

'She was hoping I’d make a fool of myself.’

‘Probably betting on it, actually.’

Leon let go of your hand, surprising you momentarily before he wrapped his arm around your waist and pulled you closer to him, fingers massaging your side as you released a deep breath, stomach in knots.

“I’m so happy for you both. Glad that you were able to find each other in this world. And I’m glad we get to celebrate you both today, as you join as man and wife. May you have many long, happy years of marriage ahead.”

The room erupted in polite cheers, like after every other speech that was given today. Leon tugged on your hand, pulling you off the stage.

He walked you over to your seat, leaning into your ear after you sat down.

“You did amazing, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”

You smiled up at him, “thank you.”

He reluctantly let go of your hand, walking back to his seat.

“That was beautiful, I didn’t know you had it in you.” Your sister muttered, annoyed.

“Thank you.”

You didn’t want to deal with her right now, your heart still reeling from Leon’s words.

Eric’s speech was next, but you didn’t pay any attention to him.

You were too busy biting your lip, thinking about Leon, when you started to feel uncomfortably hot.

Your breathing shallowed, coming in quick bursts as you looked down to your trembling hands in confusion.

‘I thought I did a pretty good job, so why is my body acting like this?’

Beads of sweat gathered on your forehead as you swiped at them, the pressure in your chest returning.

It didn’t make sense to you. It was mid-autumn; the days didn’t get above 80 degrees. You never really had a problem with heat, being cold natured made you love the warmth that summer would bring. You and heat got along together like old friends, reuniting after being apart for half the year.

So why were you burning up?

'What the hell is going on?’

'Your guess is as good as mine.’

You excused yourself to the restroom once more, not able to walk straight anymore. You shook your head, immediately regretting it when the world started spinning and you had to hold onto the wall for support.

'I think I’m going to be sick.’

You used the wall to guide you to the restroom, heading to the sink to splash water on your face, just like earlier. You looked up at your reflection as it stared back. Your reflection began shifting slightly as you looked into your eyes, eyes that stared back at you in confusion and worry.

'Did I hit my head or something?’

'Not that I can recall.’

You were getting tired, needing to rest. Leaving the bathroom, you headed toward one of the other doors, there were more empty rooms in this hall, and you didn’t care which one you went to, as long as it had something you can sit on.

'I guess Leon’s face isn’t an option…’

'Not exactly the time.’

You went through the second door down from the restroom, closing it as you looked around, spotting a couch in the middle of the room.

You staggered over to it, sweat running down from your hairline to your neck. You were almost to the couch when you were suddenly on the floor, even more confused.

You looked back and saw a short coffee table that stood in front of the couch, you didn’t even notice it on your way in. You scooted yourself back until your back rested against the bottom of the couch, resting your head back onto the seat of it.

'What am I going to do?’

'Rest for the moment, then see if you can find Leon.’

You nodded to yourself.

'Yeah, he should know what to do.’

Your breathing stayed shallow regardless of the deep breaths you tried to take, heart pounding in your ears.

'I should’ve kept my phone on me, then I could just call him.’

'It’s in one of these rooms, right?’

'Yeah…’

You had set your belongings down in the spare room you got ready in when you arrived at the venue. Your dress didn’t have any pockets, so you left your phone with your bag. The room you got ready in didn’t have a couch in it, though. It only had chairs and accent tables.

Your head was spinning as you closed your eyes.

You didn’t know how much time had passed since you left the reception hall, perhaps your sister would come looking for you. She would find you leaning against a couch, then start yelling at you for not being in your seat at the table. The maid of honor was supposed to sit next to the bride, after all.

What a joke.

You shouldn’t have come today. Shouldn’t have been so scared that your parents would do something to you if you didn’t show. You should’ve stayed in bed all day today, snuggling with Leon on one of his rare days off.

But you did come to the wedding, you were afraid of your parents, and you did drag Leon to this stupid wedding on his day off.

“Oh, dear. Are you feeling all right?”

You looked up quickly, the world spinning faster.

“I’m fine,” you squinted at the person, not sure who had entered the room with you. “Just needed a rest, is all.”

You could see them getting closer, walking around the coffee table you tripped over earlier.

“Are you sure you don’t need anything?”

The voice was trembling, trying not to sound excited. They wanted to put up a concerned front to mask whatever intentions they had.

The knowledge of this made your blood run cold.

“I don’t mind assisting you…” They rubbed your shoulder slowly.

When did they get so close?

Your heartbeat thundered in your ears, head aching from the day’s events. You shook your head, “No, I should be getting back, actually. The bride will kill me if I’m away for too long.”

You pushed yourself up to your feet just as a hand dragged you back down to the floor.

“No need to be in a hurry…” The person gripped your arm so hard you were sure they would leave bruises.

“She is expecting me. I’m sure the speeches are all done by now and she’ll want me there when the cake gets cut.” You muttered, “it wouldn’t leave a good impression on the guests if the maid of honor wasn’t there to support the bride.”

“She’ll be fine without you.”

“Let me go or I’ll set you on fire.” You threatened, although you didn’t have the materials to go through with the threat.

“You know, you have been threatening to kill me all evening, but you’re not so scary when you’re like this.” They said, chuckling.

There was only one person who annoyed you enough today to threaten them repeatedly.

'Eric.’

“What do you want, Eric?” You asked, trying to pull your arm away from his grip.

“I want to help you.”

“Oh really? Because I have a funny feeling that your definition of ‘help’ and my definition of ‘help’ don’t exactly line up.”

“I’ve come to be honest with you, then.” He began, “I have been harder than a rock ever since I first laid eyes on you when we were taking pictures.”

'What a terrible day to have ears.’

He pulled you closer, burying his head in your neck, inhaling your scent.

'Definitely going to be sick.’

Your eyes frantically scanned the room, looking for anything to help you, but you couldn’t focus them on any one thing.

“I’m going to enjoy this.”

Eric kissed your neck before biting down, hard.

He was determined to leave a mark.

'Remind me to kill this fucker when we get out of this.’

'I didn’t have murder on my calendar today, but I can definitely make some time for it.’

You looked around the room again, spotting a vase just out of reach of your foot. You must have knocked it off the coffee table when you tripped over it.

'I don’t want to hear anyone say anything about my clumsiness ever again.’

You carefully maneuvered your foot to pull the vase closer so you could reach it. Your quick breaths masking the sound of the glass being kicked around a tile floor.

“You taste so good, Y/N.”

You had to swallow the bile that rose, focusing instead on getting the vase into your hand. You let out a sigh when you finally got a hold of the vase with your middle and pointer finger, gently pushing it into the rest of your hand.

You had just tucked the vase securely against your leg when Eric pulled back, admiring his work.

“You’re being awfully quiet, what are you thinking about?”

You looked at his face, finding where you would aim the vase. Fluttering your lashes to look innocent, lifting your left hand up to his cheek and running your thumb across his jaw.

“I’ve been thinking…” You began, “about how the world would’ve been like…”

He licked his lips while staring at yours.

“Like what?”

You pulled his face closer to yours, noses just inches apart.

“How the world would’ve been like if your dad had pulled out.”

His aroused look was replaced with anger within a blink of an eye, but you didn’t give him time to act.

You smashed the vase as close to his temple as you could, jumping to your feet once he let go of you.

You stumbled around the coffee table, not wanting to trip on it again. You heard Eric fall to the floor behind you, groaning.

“You’re fucking crazy.”

“Yeah, well, people like you are the reason I’m on medication.”

You began to panic when you heard movement behind you, he was getting up.

“You’ll pay for that, you bitch!”

“Put it on my tab.”

You grabbed the handle of the door, throwing yourself through, you stumbled down the hallway as fast as you could toward the reception hall.

“What is going on here?”

You spotted your sister walking down the hall toward you, and you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding.

“Keep him away from me!” You shouted at her, pointing behind you.

You stopped right next to her, your head trying to catch up with your quick movements as your hands trembled against the wall.

“What do you mean?” Your sister asked, tilting her head at you. “He’s not doing anything to you.”

Your eyes widened, fear sending shivers down your spine.

“He’s chasing me, he-he was trying to throw himself on me!”

Your sister looked back toward the reception hall, then turned back to you.

“Keep your voice down, don’t want to cause a scene.”

“No, I’m pretty sure I definitely want to cause a scene.”

“Don’t you dare.”

Eric finally caught up with you, looking at your sister. “Do you see what she did to me?”

Blood ran down the side of his head, hidden within his hair.

“She smashed a fucking vase into my head.”

Your sister looked at you in anger, slapping you across the face.

“What the hell were you thinking?”

“I was thinking I didn’t want this asshole to kiss my neck.”

“You could’ve seriously injured him!”

“That was the plan.” You muttered.

“Eric, take Y/N to one of the spare rooms so she can calm down. Please stay with her, I’m worried she’ll hurt herself in her condition.”

'My condition?’

“How do you know about my condition.”

She smiled at you. “Who do you think gave you the drugs?”

“Drugs?”

“The ones I put in the wine, of course.”

'But the only wine I’ve had was from…’

Eric.

“Although, they told me you shouldn’t be able to move after taking it. I guess you didn’t drink both doses…”

You only had one glass of wine earlier.

So the full cup that sat on the table in front of your chair had also been drugged.

'She orchestrated this whole thing.’

'I’ll add her to the hit list.’

“Why?” You asked, feeling Eric clamp down on your arm.

“I have an agreement with Eric to uphold. You were apart of that.”

Agreement?

She…

“She sold you to me…” Eric whispered in your ear, biting down on your earlobe.

“Do make sure he gets repaid in full.”

“I’ll kill you!” You jumped at your sister, but Eric pulled you back before you could get a hold of her.

She laughed, walking away. “Have fun, you two!”

Eric started pulling you back down to the spare rooms, while you grabbed onto random doorknobs, holding tightly.

“Somebody, help me!” You shouted out, Eric covering your mouth as quickly as he could.

Anger boiled in your chest, replacing the pressure that had previously occupied it.

Anger at yourself for accepting a drink from a stranger you didn’t even know.

Anger at your sister for drugging you.

Anger at this piece of shit who thought he could have his way with you.

Once you felt his chest against your back, you pushed your elbow forward, then ramming it back as hard as you could into his ribs.

He hunched over in pain, hissing.

“Leon!” You shouted, pushing him off you.

You only got a few steps away when your legs were kicked out from under you, making you fall to the floor, hard.

“Leon!”

“Leo-“

Eric crouched down and shut your screams by punching you in the face, stunning you.

“Stop your incessant screams, no one can hear you over the crowd.”

Your jaw throbbed, making your head ache so much that you were sure you would pass out from it. But you were also sure that if you pass out, something bad will happen to you. You fought against the dark spots that dotted your vision, you were panicking again.

But who could blame you in this situation?

You stared daggers into Eric, hatred clear in your eyes.

“Why are you glaring at me so hard?” He laughed.

“I’m hoping you’ll spontaneously burst into flames.” You spat.

He straightened, using his foot to push you down until your stomach was pressed against the floor. Then he lifted his leg, pulling it back to deliver a swift kick to your side.

Stars danced in your vision as you tried to curl into a ball, but Eric didn’t let you. He stepped down on your back, adding more pressure every time you tried to move.

“I told you that mouth of yours would get you in trouble.”

“Trouble…seems to be my middle name.” You gasped out, trying to catch your breath.

“With all the trouble you’ve given me today, you better be a good time.”

“Oh, I’ll show you a good time…” You muttered.

‘If only I had some gasoline…and a blowtorch. Then I would be able to show this bastard a good time…’

He roughly pushed down on your back before taking his foot off.

He grabbed your arm and pulled you to your feet, dragging you closer to the rooms, and you knew you were running out of time. You didn’t think another vase would fall from the sky to aid in your escape.

You had to think.

And fast.

You kicked the back of his knee as hard as you could, forcing him to the ground grunting in pain.

“You bitch!”

“And the sky is blue, what’s new?”

He reached for your leg but only grasped air as you pulled your leg back as far as you could before kicking him in the side of his head. You kicked him again and again and-

“Y/N? What do you think you’re doing?”

You looked over to your mother, briskly walking toward you.

“Hey, did you bring a blowtorch with you today?” You asked her.

“What in the world are you doing to him, Y/N?!”

You looked down at Eric, he was unconscious, blood seeping from his mouth. He must’ve bitten his tongue while you were kicking him.

Good.

“Well, I wanted to show him a good time, but I need a blowtorch for that.”

She reached out and slapped you, hard.

You stared at her wide-eyed, then narrowed your eyes.

‘I’m tired of everyone thinking they can hit me whenever they want.’

“Enough of the sarcasm, just tell me what the hell is going on here?”  

“This…disgusting bastard,” You gritted, gesturing to Eric, “tried to have his way with me, so I did what I had to do, even though I should’ve done much more.”

“He…tried to force you to…”

“Yes.”

Your mother opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

“Apparently, your favorite daughter sold me to him in some kind of agreement they made.”

You placed your hand on the wall for support, head still spinning.

“…Did…did he…?” She couldn’t even get the words out.

“No.” You whispered.

You looked at you for a moment, running her eyes up and down your person, checking for something. You leaned back, leaning against the wall before sliding down to the floor.

“My head is still a bit fuzzy. I’m just glad I was able to do what I did.” You let out a breath.

Leon had been training you in self-defense, but you haven’t gotten very far as of late. Your training sessions always got…steamy, which took most of the time away from the session.

But you weren’t complaining.

Eric groaned, waking up and slowly looking around.

“What happened?”

You held your head in your hand. “You got your ass beat. Or should I say head?”

“You fucking bitch.” He spat. “Making jokes even at a time like this.”

“Where was the joke?”

“I should’ve-“

“Learn how to take no for an answer?” You offered, “I agree.”

“Eric, tell me what happened.” Your mother looked at him.

“Y/N wasn’t feeling well, so I thought I would take her to rest in one of the spare rooms.” He pushed up to a sitting position, glaring daggers at you while rubbing his bleeding head. “But I guess she didn’t want to go, a simple ‘no’ would’ve sufficed.”

You whipped your head around at him, making your vision dance while you glared back at him.

“You have ten fingers now, don’t you?” You asked, tilting your head. “Wouldn’t you like to keep it that way?”

“You see how violent she is towards me?”

“If she isn’t then I will be.”

You smiled, feeling a weight lift from your shoulders. You didn’t have to be on the defense, waiting for Eric to make a move against you anymore.

You were safe now.

Leon crouched down next to you, eyeing your bruising cheek.

“Who did this to you?” He gently brushed his fingers over the splotchy red and purple of the bruise.

You grabbed his hand and held it to your face, leaning into his palm.

You recounted everything that happened to him, watching how his eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared. He moved your hair out of the way to get a better look at your neck, teeth gritting while his eyes glared at each mark he saw. He turned to look at your mother.

“Call the police and tell them to come here quickly.”

“Yes.” She said and ran off.

You’ve never seen your mother run before.

“Do we really need the police?” Eric asked him.

Leon cracked his knuckles, “you will want them here.”

“Oh, will I?”

“You’ll want them to come pull me off you before I make you die a slow and painful death.”

Eric’s eyes widened at Leon’s look of murderous intent.

“Did you want a headstone? Because I was thinking of tying cinder blocks to you and throwing you in the ocean…” Leon turned to you, giving you a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be right back, stay here.” He growled out.

‘I’m definitely sucking his dick later.’

‘You and me both.’

Leon stood, grabbing Eric by his collar and dragging him into the nearest room. He slammed the door shut and you heard the lock click.

‘He’s going to make what I did to Eric look like child’s play.’

You didn’t hear anything coming from the room for a few minutes.

“I didn’t, I-I swear I-“

Those were the last coherent words you heard from that room; his screams filled the silence. You shook your head, trying to shake away the fuzziness. You were slowly getting over the drug in your system, you were glad you didn’t drink from both glasses.

Who knows what could’ve happened to you if you had.

“What the hell is going on down here?!”

Your sister was running down the hall with a pissed off look on her face.

She must’ve heard Eric screaming.

“Bonding.”

“who’s in there with Eric?”

“Leon.”

She ran up to the door and started pounding on it.

“What is your crazy boyfriend doing to him?!”

“Hopefully crazy things.” You spat, pushing yourself to a standing position.

You walked over to your sister, putting your hand on her shoulder. She slowly turned to face you as you punched her as hard as you could. Satisfied when she fell to the ground.

She was always so fragile, never could take a punch or even a slap.

“We were supposed to be family,” you shook your hand, glaring at her. “I know we had a shitty relationship before this, but to do…to plan something like this?”

“This was beyond fucked up.” You crouched down and grabbed her cheeks, squishing them together harshly. “You’re lucky I don’t fucking end you. But that would be a mercy, so you’re going to continue to live but I’ll see to it you rot away in prison.”

Her eyes widened in fear.

“And if you don’t rot in prison…”

You slammed the back of her head into the floor. “Then you better hope I never find you.”

The police came shortly after you confronted your sister. They had to kick the door down and have three men pull Leon off Eric.

You gave them your statement and watched as they arrested Eric…well, you thought it was Eric anyways, Leon had beat him until he was unrecognizable.

They arrested your sister too and took the second cup of wine in to test what drug was used. They asked if you wanted them to escort you to the hospital, but you declined.

Other than a few scrapes and bruises, you were fine.

Eric had told Leon the agreement he had with your sister. Apparently, he and your sister met up the other day, to talk business. Your sister had gone into bankruptcy and needed financial help. Eric was hesitant to help, until your sister offered you as the cherry on top.

“He met up with her as a favor to Brandon, stalling her long enough so Brandon could have a go with his other woman, and he didn’t your sister to walk in on them.” Leon told you, shaking his head in disgust.

Two weeks later:

You were reading an article about your sisters’ arrest. Her mug shot looked like an excellent gift for her next birthday, you’ll have to go shopping for a frame.

Brandon decided to file a divorce against your sister after hearing about her bankruptcy. Apparently, cheating is okay but losing all your money is a step too far.

You haven’t heard much from your parents. Your father wasn’t a very emotional man, so he pretty much brushed it under the rug. Your mother looked more worried, which shocked the hell out of you. She never showed any concern for you before, only anger and hatred. You didn’t try to reach out to them, glad to go back to no contact.

Eric was awaiting his trial, but you didn’t think he would get a long sentence, predators like him usually didn’t. But you had sent a letter to him, informing him to never seek you out, or he would wish Leon had sunk him in the ocean that day.

You looked at the time on the computer and smiled. Leon should be getting home soon after a week-long mission. He was hesitant to leave you so soon after what happened, but you assured him you were fine.

And you were.

You had been lucky that things didn’t go as far as Eric wanted them to. You had to count your blessings where you could.

You shut off the computer and spun around in the office chair. You missed Leon and can’t wait to shower him in kisses once he walked through the door of your shared apartment.

Although you couldn’t remember much from the wedding due to the drugs and your anxiety, you would always remember it as a disastrous wedding.

Innocent Birdcage

(more like visualized Bloodnight Blaze to me UwU)

Yemen asked the West to stop aiding in the genocide of the Palestinian people and uphold international law. The West said no.

Then Yemen conducted sanctions and blockaded a sea bordering their nation to prevent the illegal sail of those funding and abetting genocide and did so nonviolently while upholding the very international law that West refused to uphold. The West bombed them.

Yeah.