— TASTE

when mfs bring up the outsiders and now shawty know u a nerd 😞

— CINNAMON GIRL ⁷

written by mina leigh ୨ৎ , keith matthews 𝔁 f! reader | wc 1000

summary. two - bit’s perspective on y/n, highlighting her ability to see through his jokester persona and remind him of his worth. through two-bit’s eyes, we see how y/n’s kindness and understanding make her an irreplaceable part of their makeshift family.

labels. two - bit’s point of view.

warnings. lighthearted tone with underlying mentions of insecurity, two - bit’s reflections on his role in the group, and his deep admiration for y/n.

‧₊˚ ୨୧ mina speaks. second to last chapter! thank you everyone for reading all the way to this point! reblogs are very much appreciated! lots of love ♡

most people think i’m all jokes and no depth. and hey, i get it. it’s easier that way — crack a joke, lighten the mood, and nobody asks too many questions. but y/n? she never fell for that act.

she sees right through me, every damn time.

i think the first time i realized how much y/n mattered to me was when we were all hanging out at the curtis house. soda and steve were arguing over some car part, pony was reading, and darry was working on god - knows - what in the kitchen. i was sitting there, flipping through a comic, when y/n came in with her brothers, charlie and matteo.

the second she walked through the door, the whole place felt … brighter. not in a cheesy, lovey-dovey way, ok maybe .. but like she just brought this energy with her that made everything a little better.

❝two-bit,❞ she said, smiling at me. ❝you’re not causing trouble, are you?❞

❝me? trouble?❞ i grinned, holding up my hands. ❝i’m an angel, y/n. pure as the driven snow.❞

she laughed, shaking her head. ❝sure you are.❞

that laugh, man. it’s the kind of laugh that makes you feel like you’ve done something right, even if you’ve been screwing up all day.

y/n gets my humor in a way not many people do. most folks think i’m just trying to be funny for the sake of it, but she knows there’s more to it than that.

one time, i was sitting on the curb outside the dx, cracking jokes with soda while we waited for steve to get off work. y/n showed up, carrying a bag of snacks for her brothers, and sat down next to me.

❝what’s so funny?❞ she asked, tilting her head.

❝just telling soda about the time darry tried to fix that leaky faucet and flooded the kitchen,❞ i said, grinning.

she chuckled, but then her expression softened. ❝you always know how to make people laugh, two-bit. it’s a good thing.❞

i shrugged, leaning back on my hands. ❝somebody’s gotta do it. keeps things from getting too heavy, you know?❞

she didn’t say anything for a minute, just looked at me like she was trying to figure something out.

here she goes again.

❝you know it’s okay to let things be heavy sometimes, right?❞ she said finally, her voice quiet.

i didn’t know how to respond to that, so i just nodded, my throat feeling tighter than it should have.

y/n’s got this way of grounding me, even when i don’t realize i need it. it’s not like she tells me what to do or anything — she just … reminds me that i’m more than the jokes i make.

like the time i got into a fight with some socs. it wasn’t a big deal or anything, but i ended up with a busted lip and a bruise on my cheek. when i showed up at the curtis house, trying to laugh it off, y/n wasn’t having it.

❝two-bit, what happened?❞ she asked, her brow furrowing as she stepped closer.

❝nothing,❞ i said, waving her off. ❝just had a little disagreement with some rich boys, that’s all.❞

she didn’t buy it for a second.

❝sit down,❞ she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

i sat, mostly because it was y/n and not darry telling me what to do. she grabbed a washcloth and started cleaning up the cut on my lip, her touch gentle but firm.

❝you don’t have to act like it doesn’t hurt, you know,❞ she said after a moment.

❝i’m fine,❞ i muttered, but the way she looked at me made me feel like maybe i wasn’t.

the thing about y/n is, she’s not just kind — she’s smart, too. she knows when to push and when to back off, and she always seems to know exactly what to say.

like the time i was feeling like i didn’t really belong in the group. everyone else had their thing — darry was the leader, soda was the charmer, pony was the brains, and even johnny had this quiet strength about him. me? i was just the guy who made everyone laugh.

i was sitting on the porch, nursing a beer and feeling sorry for myself, when y/n came out and sat down next to me.

❝what’s got you so quiet?❞ she asked, nudging me with her shoulder.

❝nothing,❞ i said, taking a sip of my drink.

❝doesn’t sound like nothing,❞ she replied, her tone light but probing.

i sighed, staring at the ground. ❝sometimes i feel like … i don’t know. like i’m just the clown of the group, you know? like i’m not really good for anything else.❞

she was quiet for a moment, and i braced myself for some kind of pitying response.

❝you know that’s not true, right?❞ she said finally. ❝you’re the heart of this group, two-bit. you keep us all together, even when things get rough.❞

her words hit me harder than i expected, and for once, i didn’t have a joke to make.

❝thanks, y/n,❞ i said quietly, my voice rough.

❝anytime,❞ she replied, her smile soft and genuine.

if you ask me, y/n’s the glue that holds us all together. she’s always there, always making sure we’re okay, even when she’s got her own stuff to deal with.

she’s not just a friend — she’s family. and i’d do anything to make sure she knows that.

© MINA LEIGH 2024 - 2025

. . . prologue darry curtis sodapop curtis ponyboy curtis

dallas winston johnny cade steve randle you’re here! final

are people still into the outsiders …

💜₊˚⊹ — igual que un ángel

parring : the gang ( separately ) x f!reader

summary : the gang’s opinions on angelic spirited reader, who has received undeserved treatment.

warnings : intoxication, toxic relationships, blood, harsh language, etc.

age of parring : 17 - 19

extra : credits to @cafekitsune for borders!

d. curtis ↳ ❝ you should’ve seen the way she looked, just like an angel. ❞

darrel has noticed you, but only from a distance.

but then again that doesn’t deny that you stood out from any crowd.

the way the slight breeze in tulsa entangled your hair, the way your eyes would shine when you would look up at the setting sun.

god, when he catch you reading a silly romance novel and giggle, your bright smile blinding him. just causing him getting distracting from roofing.

he didn’t know you were so capable of being happy that you made his day, by purely just existing.

he felt that you should’ve never, ever, deserved what has happened to you.

k. matthews (two-bit) ↳ ❝ they just can't reach her, an unreachable princess. ❞

just like darry, he has seen you around.

more often than not, two is always everywhere, anytime, totally not to look for you!

regardless if his intentions were to see you or not, he could tell you were extremely social.

too bad you were unaware of how much bad people you happened to befriend.

two - bit may be dumb but he and for sure connect the dots and put 2 to 2 together.

you had no idea how much two wanted to talk to you and be only one of not so many of the good people.

your mesmerizing presence makes it much more desirable for not only him but anyone to approach you.

but at the same time, he felt that he couldn’t breathe the same air or else you would suffocate.

d. winston ↳ ❝ her heart was broken, but they never lost themselves, oh! ❞

dally has met and talked to many girls before, but to him, they never stood out to him at all.

i mean the more he practically surrounds himself with them while at tim’s, all there for their odd desires and intentions.

there was this one time he had about enough of the growing headache that was present in the house and he decided he needed fresh air.

dallas kicked the door open, making it creak but not loud enough for you to hear.

he took a couple steps forward and took out his pack of cigarettes and grabbed the last one, lighting it as he throws the box on the ground.

❝ listen y/n, i don’t think i can deal with you anymore.❞ your partner said calmly, as if it was gonna stop you from tearing up.

❝ look you seemed perfect, trust me you really did but if anythin’ being with you just got borin’ , yknow? ❞

you only listened in disbelief, sniffing and covering your mouth with your palm.

you leaned against a wall, as your now ex partner, walked away. dallas had to admit your tears made your face look so beautiful under the moonlight.

s. randel ↳ ❝ but she wants calm, not to harm her soul. ❞

steve has met and interacted with y/n’s many ex partners at DX, and to say the least, they didn’t deserve her.

honestly he only knew you as the pretty angel lady, nickname more like code name given to you by soda.

steve was working at the cash register, looking at the window as he watched new or frequent visitors passing by to fill up their tank.

he recognized one of the cars, a nice one at that, drive in and with the tinted windows rolled down he saw a girl, immediately standing up and fixing his uniform.

you stepped out and your partner grabbed your wrist, only making your turn back and kissed them and stepped out craving a pepsi.

little did steve know that not even five minutes ago, a argument between you and your partner had ensued.

you walked in turning to steve, greeting him with a small gloomy smile as he blushed and looked at you walking to the drink isle.

i have no idea why, but right then and there you began to cry silently as you grabbed what you were looking for.

small hiccups escaped from your tinted lips in a pout as you placed your items on the counter, steve hesitant pushed your things toward you.

❝ uhh, it’s on the house. ❞ you looked up in surprise as the both of you never spoke.

he made eye contact with your glossy teared eyes, his heart only sinking as you left and bidding a thank you and a goodbye.

sp. curtis ↳ ❝ they promised her love and failed her. ❞

when closing up shop for the day, soda was wiping down the counter where magazines, packs of gum, and the cash register sat. as steve went to retrieve keys to lock the gas station store.

steve wanted to tell his best friend what had occurred a couple days prior, but never had gotten the chance to bring it up, or either he had forgotten.

once they locked up and started walking on the breezy streets of the east side of tulsa, steve said something that would piqued soda’s attention.

❝ hey soda, yknow that pretty angel lady? ❞ steve asked almost in a whisper as if you would show up.

soda turned to face him as they stopped at a alleyway, confused on why he brought you up only nodded in response.

❝ well while i assume you were fillin’ up that tuff red car, she had walked in the store cryin, can’t you believe that?❞

❝ really? she seemed fine when i saw er’ come out❞ steve only hummed and waited to see if he would say something, anything, else.

soda sighed sadly as he explained that your, he presumed ex partner, began to mock you and brag how they would constantly successfully gaslight you.

❝ it pissed me off so much steve, it’s crazy how he played the victim after i called em out! how could they do that to her?❞

they finished the conversation, vowing that either of them will one day make you feel like you were wanted.

j. cade ↳ ❝ but she doesn’t give up, smiles even when it hurts. ❞

when johnny would be banished from his own home, he would walk around cautiously not looking for any trouble with douchebag socs.

as he walked getting closer to the curtis household, he heard your voice.

your voice was very distinctive and soft, like small animals would fall asleep to it.

johnny heard multiple footsteps getting louder and louder significantly meaning they were getting closer. quickly hiding pressing his body against the wall.

❝ may you please stop followin’ me? ❞ you said almost pleading for your wellbeing.

they were greaser girls, they pressed up all against you leaving you to gulp wondering what was wrong.

❝ has the wittle angel run out of little fans to fall in love with? ❞ said one presumably the leader.

you looked away, feeling upset and knowing that people only dated you for the publicity.

another girl grabbed you by the hair and was inches away from your face and whispered in your ear, ❝ here’s what girls like you get for thinkin’ they’re all that! ❞

the girl had socked you in the face, pushing you down to the ground and scoffing as you grabbed your face feeling blood dripping down your nose.

you gasped feeling the drops of blood dropping to your exposed knees.

johnny only watched, not even thinking to come up to you, fearing the girls would come back for whatever reason.

you fixed yourself up, whipping your nose and standing and wiping your scraped knees and you walked putting a smile on your face and said hi to johnny as if nothing happened.

pb. curtis ↳ ❝ because people like her are rare. ❞

pony only knew of your existence because of all the older boys.

they would constantly bring you up, usually sympathizing with you and wishing you would notice them.

thats when he realized that you had an effect on the gang, including his own brothers.

❝ yea man, i just left right then and there. she could’ve thought i was gonna attack her.❞

dally re - telling the story once again for one millionth time on how he encountered the sense of your ex breaking up.

thats when ponyboy realized that he had to meet you somehow.

୨⎯ 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 ⎯୧

— LEIGHBAYE’S RULES ™

all rights reserved. no part of this work and others with the tags, #minaleigh & #leighbaye, may be translated, used, or reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the author. unauthorized use, distribution, or claiming ownership of this work is strictly prohibited.

© MINA LEIGH 2023 - 2024

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🖤 ₊˚⊹ — draco & harry falling love with a prince would be like..

parring ➵ d.malfoy & h.potter x m!reader

summary ➵ both boys are undeniably in love with you, they are aware of your fondness for the both of them. which arose another rivalry between the boys.

age of parring ➵ 15 - 16

warnings ➵ n/a

extra ➵ credits to @cafekitsune for banners! this is lowkey self - indulgent. hope any of you recognize where the last name(s) is from :)) house neutral.

what a dashing young man you were, truly. that statement alone was what all students who have been attending hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry were thinking.

you were born into a royal family, many of whom happened to be absorbed into the remedy called magic.

a prince, if you will. y/n hanover - stuart fox.

you step off the gleaming hogwarts express, your arrival greeted with a mixture of curiosity and awe. as an american prince, your presence is already a subject of fascination, but being part of the most powerful magical family in the world adds an aura of mystique around you. your handsome features, kind demeanor, and humble nature quickly win over your peers, and soon, you become one of the most popular students at hogwarts.

from the moment you set foot in the castle, you catch the attention of two notable boys: draco malfoy and harry potter. both are drawn to your charisma and power, each wanting you on their side for different reasons. draco, with his aristocratic upbringing, sees in you a kindred spirit, someone who understands the burdens of legacy. harry, on the other hand, sees in you a beacon of hope and strength, someone who could be an ally in his fight against darkness.

despite their initial intentions, both boys find themselves genuinely drawn to you. draco’s haughty demeanor softens when he’s around you, revealing a vulnerable side he seldom shows. harry’s wariness fades, replaced by a deep admiration and affection. as you navigate the halls of hogwarts, you find yourself forming bonds with both of them, enjoying their company and the unique qualities each brings into your life.

draco invites you to the slytherin common room, where you sit by the fire, discussing pureblood traditions and magical theory. bis eyes often linger on you, a mixture of envy and desire clear in his gaze. he’s captivated by your strength and poise, finding himself falling deeper each day.

harry, meanwhile, introduces you to his world of adventure and camaraderie. you join him in gryffindor’s lively common room, surrounded by warmth and laughter. his friends, ron and hermione, quickly accept you into their circle. Harry’s eyes light up whenever you’re near, his admiration for you evident in every glance and smile.

as time passes, both boys become increasingly aware of their feelings for you and the fact that you hold them both in high regard. this realization sparks a new rivalry between them, each vying for your attention and affection. draco’s subtle gestures of care and protection become more pronounced, while harry’s moments of bravery and loyalty shine even brighter in your presence.

one evening, after a particularly intense quidditch match where both boys played spectacularly, they each confide in their closest friends. draco, in the slytherin common room, speaks quietly to pansy and blaise, his voice tinged with frustration and longing. harry, in the gryffindor dormitory, shares his feelings with ron and hermione, his expression a mixture of hope and anxiety.

finally, the day comes when they can no longer keep their emotions bottled up. you find yourself in a quiet corner of the library, surrounded by towering bookshelves and the faint scent of parchment. draco and harry approach you together, their faces set with determination yet softened by their undeniable affection for you.

“can we talk?” draco begins, his usual confidence faltering as he glances at harry, then back at you.

harry nods, his green eyes earnest and pleading. “we both need to tell you something,” he says, his voice steady but filled with emotion.

you listen intently as they each pour out their hearts, confessing their love for you with a vulnerability that touches you deeply. draco’s usual arrogance is replaced by a raw honesty, while harry’s bravery shines through his nervousness. Both boys look at you with pleading eyes, desperately seeking your attention, affection, and perhaps even a relationship.

standing between them, you feel the weight of their feelings and the intensity of their emotions. you know that your response will shape the path ahead, not only for you but for them as well. with a deep breath, you prepare to speak, your heart open to the possibilities that lie before you.

“i always liked - no, loved the both of you so much.”

୨⎯ 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡 ⎯୧

— HOUSE OF BALLOONS

written by mina leigh 𝜗᭪ , elliot fike 𝔁 m! reader | wc 2750

summary. you’re over at elliot’s house, alone without your sister & jules. he explains the complicated situation between the trio and as you vent out your pent up frustration about the revelation, elliot comes up with a way to calm you down, not that you were imposed.

labels. bennett reader, elliot’s kinda horny, he also gets touchy, mentions of reader nicotine smoking, angry makeouts, praising, hair pulling from both parties, angst, dubcon. VIEWERS DISCRETION ADVISED.

‧₊˚ ୨୧ mina speaks. i just needed to write something with elliot & male reader after remembering elliot admitted he fucked ❝ 4 to 3 ❞ guys when jules was interrogating him

you were in elliot’s bed, staring up at the ceiling, fingers fumbling with the buckle on your belt as elliot leaned back, reaching for your vape. the room was dimly lit, curtains drawn tight, suffocating any light that dared creep in. there was a weird tension between the two of you — not new, not entirely unfamiliar, but more pronounced now that it was just the two of you. no jules. no rue. just the silence, punctuated by the quiet hiss of the vape and the soft hum of a playlist neither of you really cared about.

elliot took a drag, his lips pressing against the cool metal, and exhaled slowly. the faint scent of nicotine and something sweeter hung in the air. he glanced at you, as you were still fidgeting with your belt but not really looking at him. elliot ran his tongue over his lower lip, hesitating for a moment before finally breaking the silence.

❝ hey, uh ... can i tell you something? but you gotta promise not to get mad alright? ❞ his voice was calm, lazy, but there was an undercurrent of something more. guilt, maybe.

you paused, your hands stilling on the belt, eyebrows knitting together. ❝ depends on what it is.? ❞

elliot took another drag, stalling. ❝ it's about rue.? ❞

the room seemed to grow colder instantly. your grip on the belt tightened instantly.

❝ what about rue? ❞

elliot sighed, sitting up straighter, letting the vape roll between his fingers. ❝ me, rue, and jules ... it's ... complicated. ❞ he glanced at you, observing your reaction, then pressed on. ❝ i mean, we've all kind of been messing around, you know? it's not exactly a secret.? ❞

you sat up too, your body suddenly tense, reaching into your pocket for your own vape. placing it on your lips, taking a long dab before exhaling sharply. ❝ what the fuck are you talking about, elliot? ❞ your voice was strained, irritation bubbling just under the surface.

elliot bit his lip, trying to figure out how to phrase it without making things worse.

❝ look, man, rue's your sister, i know that, but she's... she's been in a weird place, and jules — ❞

❝ jules? ❞ you cut him off, voice rising ❝ what the fuck does jules have to do with this? ❞

elliot looked away for a second, rubbing the back of his neck. ❝ it's not like ... like we planned it or anything. shit just happened. but ... they've been together, kinda ... and i've been there too.? ❞

you coughed, choking on nic, eyes wide with disbelief, ❝ are you fucking serious right now?? ❞

elliot leaned back, avoiding your gaze. ❝ i didn't mean for you to find out like this.? ❞

you then felt a surge of anger rush through you, your heart pounding in your chest as you reached out and grabbed elliot by the collar of his sweater, yanking him forward.

❝ so what, you just ... what the fuck, elliot? ❞

elliot didn't resist, didn't pull back. in fact, a slow, almost smug smirk spread across his lips. it was the kind of smirk that made your blood boil even more. elliot's eyes darkened, and he tilted his head, his voice low and teasing. ❝ you mad at me, y/n? ❞

you grit your teeth, pushing elliot back onto the bed. but elliot's smirk didn't fade. instead, it grew, like he'd just come up with the most brilliant idea. before you could even process what was happening, elliot surged forward, crashing your lips together in a heated, messy kiss. tasting strawberry ice gelato melting in your mouth.

for a second, you froze, caught off guard by the suddenness of it. but then, something snapped inside you, and you kissed elliot back with a fury that surprised even himself. elliot wasted no time, using the momentum to flip you both over so he was straddling your hips. his hands were everywhere — running up your sides, tangling in his hair, tugging just hard enough to make your breath hitch.

❝ fuck, ❞ you muttered against elliot's lips, your hands trailing finding their way under elliot's shirt, feeling the warm skin beneath. your mind was racing, anger and confusion mixing with something else, something you didn't want to name.

elliot's hands moved lower, toying with your belt buckle like it was some kind of game, his fingers brushing against your skin in a way that made you shiver. ❝ you're so tense, ❞ elliot whispered, his breath hot against your ear. ❝ you need to relax. ❞

you responded with a low growl, your hands gripping elliot's hips, pulling him down harder against you. the kiss grew more frantic, more desperate, and before you knew it, your fingers were tangling in elliot's hair, tugging hard enough to make elliot gasp into his mouth.

❝ you think you can fuck with my head like that and get away with it?? ❞ you muttered, your voice rough and low. elliot's smirk returned, but this time it was more breathless, more eager.

❝ is that what you think i'm doing? ❞ elliot's voice was teasing, but there was a challenge in his eyes.

you didn't bother answering. instead, you tugged elliot's hair again, harder this time, earning a low moan from him. you felt a strange sense of satisfaction at the sound, the power shifting between you, and for a moment, everything else seemed to disappear. the anger, the confusion, the betrayal - it all faded into the background as you lost yourself in the heat of the moment.

elliot's fingers fumbled with your belt buckle again, teasing, but you weren’t in the mood for games. you flipped him over once more, pinning elliot beneath you, your hands gripping the sides of elliot's face as you kissed him fiercely. you didn't feel the need to care about being careful or gentle — you just needed to feel something, anything, to drown out the whirlwind of emotions in his chest.

elliot's hands slid up your back, pulling you closer, and for a while, it was just you both. no words, no thoughts, just the raw, messy collision of your bodies and mostly your anger.

but then, just as suddenly as it had begun, it stopped. you pulled back almost forcefully, your chest heaving, your mind catching up with what had just happened. you stared down at elliot, who was lying beneath you, his lips swollen, his hair a mess from where you had pulled at it.

❝ fuck, ❞ you muttered, scrambling off the bed and running a hand through your own hair. what the hell had you just fucking done?

elliot sat up slowly, watching you with a curious, almost amused expression. ❝ you alright dude.? ❞

❝ no, i'm not fucking alright, ❞ you snapped, grabbing your jacket from the floor and shoving your vapes back in your front pockets, with trembling hands. ❝ i gotta get out of here.❞

before elliot could say anything else, you were already out the door, the sound of it slamming shut echoing in the empty house.

you didn't stop walking until you were outside, the cool night air hitting your face as you leaned against the side of the building, trying to steady your breathing. biting your now swollen lips almost making them bleed. still smelling elliot’s god damn attractive scent lingering around you. it was just so unfortunately intoxicating.

© MINA LEIGH 2023 - 2024

guys what the fuck should i write help me

I JUST READ YOUR BEN'S BUNKER FIC AND IT WAS SO YUMMY! I'm not sure if it's your writing style or the way the Reader was depicted but I'm in love!! I haven't explored your blog for requesting rules or anything yet, but I'd love if you would write something similar to that fic for the losers! \(⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)/

— QUARRY PARADISE

written by mina leigh ୨ৎ , the losers 𝔁 f! reader | wc 2700

summary. it was the hottest derry, maine has been. after a quick trip for ice cream, you convince the losers to take a small dip in the quarry. you all meet up later that day prepared and bike the way there, ready to feel the refreshing water coating your skin.

labels. girly girl reader, happy go lucky, sweet & shy reader, hyper feminine reader, no definite description of reader, reader goes by y/n, she/her pronouns, closest with richie toizer & eddie kaspbrak.

warnings. possible language, mentions of fear/anxiety, minor physical teasing (all in good fun).

‧₊˚ ୨୧ mina speaks. i’m so happy you enjoyed it! i really didn’t think it would appeal to anyone but i really appreciate it babes! lots of love, this one - shot goes specifically to you. ♡

the sun was relentless, beating down on derry like it was trying to burn the small town into nothing. the ice cream in your hand had already melted half down your wrist, and you watched as the losers struggled to finish theirs before it became a complete disaster.

you couldn’t help but laugh as richie dramatically groaned, holding out his cone. ❝ i swear, if this thing gets any messier, i’m throwing it in the trash. ❞

❝ you wouldn’t dare, ❞ you teased, knowing full well richie would probably shove it in someone’s face before wasting it.

you sat on the curb of the ice cream shop, legs tucked beneath you as you felt the heat radiate off the sidewalk. derry wasn’t usually this hot, but today was different, and your friends were all trying to keep cool with their sticky, melting treats.

eddie sat beside you, carefully licking at his cone like it was a mission he had to complete without any error. his eyes darted over to richie. ❝ you do realize you’re supposed to eat it, right? not just complain about it? ❞

richie grinned, messy and smug. ❝ oh, eds, you know me so well. ❞

you wiped the drips of ice cream from your wrist, turning to look at the group. ❝ it’s too hot to sit here, ❞ you sighed, squinting against the sunlight. ❝ we should do something fun. ❞

stan raised an eyebrow, always the practical one. ❝ like what? the pool’s too crowded. ❞

you huffed.

❝ the quarry, ❞ you suggested, the idea hitting you like a breath of fresh air. ❝ it’s perfect! we can cool off, and it won’t be packed with people like the pool. ❞

there was a brief silence as everyone considered it. bill was the first to nod, his face already flushed from the heat. ❝ sounds good to m-m-me, ❞ he agreed, looking around to gauge the others.

you squealed, kissing his cheek all in good fun. ❝ thank you, thank you, thank you bill! i knew you would agree. ❞

he smilled softy placing his hand where your lips touched his face gently.

ben smiled softly, wiping sweat from his forehead. ❝ yeah, i’m in. we just have to be careful. ❞

❝ oh, come on, ben, ❞ richie groaned. ❝ it’s not like we’re jumping off cliffs. we’re just gonna swim. ❞

❝ actually, that’s exactly what the quarry is, ❞ eddie corrected, looking mildly horrified at the thought of jumping into the water.

you nudged him lightly with your elbow. ❝ it’ll be fun, eddie. we’ll just float around in the water, i promise. ❞

❝ if they do end up doing so, i’ll just accompany you regardless! ❞

he sighed, but there was a tiny smile tugging at the corners of his lips. ❝ fine, but if i get an infection, i’m blaming you. ❞

you laughed, standing up and dusting off your shorts. ❝ deal. let’s meet back up later. we can bike there together. ❞

later that day, you found yourself biking down the familiar path to the quarry, the warm air rushing past as you pedaled alongside your friends. richie rode beside you, tossing out jokes every few seconds, his glasses slipping down his nose as the wind whipped through his hair.

❝ so, y/n, ❞ he said, leaning closer with a smirk, ❝ if eddie starts panicking, you’re on distraction duty. ❞

he didn’t have to tell you twice.

you grinned, swerving playfully to avoid a rock in the path. ❝ oh, don’t worry. i’ve got it covered. ❞

you arrived at the quarry, parking your bikes in the usual spot. the shimmering water below looked so inviting, and the heat of the day made the idea of jumping in even more appealing. you quickly peeled off your shoes, giggling as the others did the same, some more enthusiastically than others.

you were sporting a cute red gingham ruffled swimsuit underneath a pair of old jean shorts.

eddie lingered by the edge, eyeing the water nervously. ❝ this … looks a lot higher than i remember. ❞

richie rolled his eyes, already halfway to the ledge. ❝ that’s because you’re standing up here like a loser. come on, eddie, don’t be a wuss. ❞

you shot richie a quick look, gently tugging eddie toward the water. ❝ ignore him. he’s just showing off. we’ll take it slow, alright? ❞

eddie nodded, still not convinced, but trusting you enough to step closer.

ben, stan, and bill were already easing into the water from a lower point, avoiding the jump. you followed suit, dipping your toes in and shivering as the coolness spread up your legs. it was freezing at first, but the relief was immediate, making you sigh in contentment.

❝ oh my god, this feels amazing, ❞ you murmured, wading in deeper.

eddie, with your help, finally stepped in, wincing as the cold water hit his skin. ❝ it’s so cold! ❞

❝ don’t worry eds, you’ll get used to it, ❞ you assured him, giving him a small splash. ❝ just float, and you’ll forget all about it. ❞

as soon as everyone was in the water, it turned into a game of splashes and laughter. richie, of course, was the loudest, egging everyone on as he swam circles around you and eddie, trying to start a splash war.

❝ you guys are no fun, ❞ he teased, pushing his glasses up as he slicked back his hair.

you giggled, splashing him lightly. ❝ maybe we just don’t want to get our hair wet, ❞ you shot back playfully.

richie scoffed, clutching his chest dramatically. ❝ y/n, you wound me. ❞

the rest of the afternoon passed in easy joy, the cool water providing the perfect escape from the oppressive heat. you floated on your back at one point, letting the sun warm your face while the water kept the rest of you cool. you could hear the others splashing and joking around nearby, the sound of your friends’ voices mixing with the soft ripple of the quarry.

eddie floated beside you, eyes closed and content. ❝ thanks for making me come. ❞ he said quietly, barely audible over the splashes.

you smiled softly, turning your head toward him. ❝ anytime, eds. ❞

as the sun began to dip lower in the sky, you all reluctantly made your way out of the water, the air now feeling cool against your wet skin. you wrapped yourself in the towel you’d brought, sitting on the rocks to dry off as the others did the same.

richie flopped down beside you, shaking his wet hair like a dog. ❝ so, y/n, think you could survive a summer in derry without us? ❞

you glanced over at him, grinning. ❝ not a chance. ❞

you reached for beverly’s hand, accepting your touch of affection returned the favor and giggled along with you.

to turned to the losers and furrowed your eyebrows and smiled a bit as a small amount of heat rushed through your face. flustered.

❝ thanks for coming with me guys, i love you all so much. ❞

© MINA LEIGH 2023 - 2024

— SIGN YOUR NAME ACROSS MY HEART

written by mina leigh 𝜗᭪ , mike wheeler 𝔁 f! reader | wc 1325

summary. mike wheeler , member of the notorious hellfire club, has a hopelessly hopeful crush on you. it takes the simplest thing, a yearbook signature, for him to realize the feeling is indeed mutual.

labels. no definite description of reader, cheerleader reader, friendly & extroverted reader, introvert ­ mike, basically loser boy + popular girl trope.

‧₊˚ ୨୧ mina speaks. hope you guys enjoy some mike wheeler! i just really miss stranger things right now.

should i just leave right here, right now? mike asked himself, clearly internally monologuing.

his frail legs shaking slightly under his black skinny jeans, wiping his sweaty palms on them, switching one hand to wipe while the other holds his yearbook.

i should just turn the balls of my feet the other direction and walk off, i mean y/n wouldn’t notice, right?

his thoughts of escaping running through his poor head were abruptly interrupted as another body jostled against him, laughing unapologetically as they, too, headed towards the object of mike’s affection.

It was whoever they were, along with at least three of y/n’s cheerleading teammates, and no less than eight screaming boys and girls (consisting of at least two teammates from lucas’s basketball team, if mike’s memory served him correctly) all holding their yearbooks out as if y/n were some hollywood star in california.

she could be one, mike mused. she certainly has the looks for it. and maybe mike might even feel better if it were just that. if it was just that y/n was practically aphrodite’s incarnate and people couldn’t take their eyes off her.

but, she’s just so good. she’s beautiful and athletic, yes, but she’s also caring and whip-smart and bright in every sense of the word. she constantly does volunteer work and has a ridiculously high gpa and smiles at everyone she sees, including himself, just because.

everyone loves her, and of course they do. how could mike blame them for seeing exactly what he sees?

a pang of something courses through him. it’s probably a bit of jealousy, a bit of uncharacteristic obstinacy, and a bit of (characteristic, dreadful) hope. if mike were less of a romantic, he might be able to see this for what it is: a fantasy.

he’s standing here, waiting his turn, as if the living, breathing portrait of goodness would choose him out of everyone. and, even worse, he can’t even muster fear within himself, because it’s y/n.

it takes mike a moment to register that everyone else has cleared out, and it’s just him and the person who plays the role of the sun in his universe standing face to face. mike just hopes that the blush he can feel starting at his pale neck reaching to the tips of his ears don’t show up where y/n can see it.

❝ hi ❞ y/n says. her voice is soft, much softer than mike is used to, only ever hearing it up close when she’s yelling out supporting words to the basketball team, and he wonders if that’s how y/n always talks to people one-on-one.

he also wonders if that’s how y/n ever talked to lucas, a memory of him feeling the most uncomfortable he’s ever felt after seeing her talk to him making each other laugh and acting casually with each other seeing y/n playfully smack his shoulder clouded his thoughts. its not everyday you see your crush talking to one of you best friends like, since forever. well not that i’d know, he internally chastises himself.

y/n is smiling and her eyes crinkle at the corners and mike doesn’t have it within himself to look away, even as he abruptly pushes his yearbook out in front of him and holds it there. mike’s heart skips a beat as y/n grasps it carefully, as her gorgeous eyes skip over his face again, as she uncaps a pen to start writing.

without a yearbook to hold on to, mike is left waiting with shaky hands and trembling legs, trying to grab on to just a fragment of a thought so he doesn’t float away. unsurprisingly, the first one he can seize is still distantly about y/n. it’s dustin’s voice, echoing once again in his head, just as it recurrently had since they last talked. about life, about love, about y/n.

❝ you need to go for it mike ❞ dustin had urged, his face unusually grim and serious. ❝ you need to let yourself have things, at least once. ❞

mike takes a breath, remembering all of his years - long longing and misery and idealism, and tries. he opens his mouth to say something, anything. if he can stomach it, he’ll ask for y/n’s number or, at least, say something that y/n could respond to.

he can give himself one conversation. he can give himself one syllable so he can at least say that he gave it an honest shot, so the flavor of regret he’s bound to taste will wash away faster.

but y/n closes the yearbook, and mike closes his mouth.

y/n holds the book out away from her, the same way mike had. like there was something burning inside it that she needed to let go of.

❝ here you go ❞ y/n says, closer to a whisper than anything mike’s ever heard.

something seems off. and mike can’t tell if it’s just that he feels caught out, with y/n looking at him as he was thinking about his irrepressible crush, or if it’s really right there in front of him. y/n is still smiling, but it’s small and a bit strained. her lips are pressed together and she looks… red? there’s a tinge of pink across her cheeks, coating her perfect features. She looks exerted.

of course she does, she just finished her cheer practice, you lovesick idiot. mike barely stops himself from covering his face in embarrassment. this is what he gets for trying, for thinking too hard and making himself look like a total and utter imbecile.

so, he overcompensates.

❝ wow uh thank you, so much, y/n really, ❞ mike replies, rushed and vaguely fearful. the adrenaline has worn off and he’s starting to feel the comedown of this prolonged period of stress.

he can’t tell if he wants to say more or if he merely, momentarily, considers it, but it doesn’t end up mattering. his traitorous legs betray him and spin him around, pushing him onward in the opposite direction.

now mike can feel the flush of deep, burrowing shame rising to the surface. he cringes and keeps walking.

once he’s far enough away, mike decides to open his yearbook and take a look at y/n’s signature before he inevitably throws up on it and renders it illegible.

mike doesn’t have to look long. he knows y/n’s handwriting, just like everything else even tangentially related to her, by heart. and he’s relatively certain that he’ll see what y/n has left behind in seemingly every other yearbook: a simple ❝ y/n ^_^ ❞ that evokes the image of her toothy, genuine grin without fail.

what he finds, though, leaves him frozen in the middle of the hallway. he is so taken aback that his limbs don’t even shake. It’s just his heart—his foolish, faithful heart—that does a little dance.

he gets stuck on his own name, ❝ mike ❞ in y/n’s charming scrawl. he never told y/n his name. he didn’t even dare to dream that y/n remembered his face.

mike reads on and lets a little gasp of laughter escape. he can’t tamp down his uncontrollable smile as his eyes trek across the words over and over and over again, as he quickly closes the book and opens it again to make sure the words haven’t somehow flown away.

he grins, wider than he can ever remember, before closing the yearbook again with finality and hugging it tightly to his chest. y/n’s words cycle through his mind, becoming new fragments for mike to grab on to. he doesn’t need to open his yearbook to be able to re - read the words that traveled straight to his heart. to be honest, he could probably recite the message word for word, letter for letter, with his eyes closed:

mike,

i think you’re cute

if you also think i’m cute

maybe we can do something about it ^_^

xxx xxx xxxx

have a summer as beautiful as you

y/n ♡

© MINA LEIGH 2023 - 2024