Reminder To Boycott Stranger Things Season Five!!

where is the fake dating au where like Steve is like well Eddie couldn't have killed Chrissy because he was with me that night. we were together :) until he had to go home and find the body :) and everyone is like uh and he's like having sex btw :) and the cops are like yeah man. I fucking guess he was? bc who is going to fucking lie about being gay in hawkins indiana 1986

like just imagine fake dating to establish an alibi and also eddie was not consulted on this beforehand suddenly steve is in the interrogation room like its going to be okay baby I love you so much and eddie is like YEAH. COOL. what is happening rn

If you buy e-sims for Gaza and or donate to other charities and fundraisers to aid the Palestinian people, especially fundraisers to get Palestinian families to safety, I will doodle you a beetle or moth of your choice! They'll look something like this only digital:

And if you donate any amount of $50+ I'll draw you a linework portrait, be it favorite characters, oc's, celebs, etc. My portrait work looks like this:

Just send e-sim receipts and proof of donation to @/izzy.nero11@gmail.com

Heres a guide on how to purchase e-sims

Here's a fundraiser to get a 5 year old girl out of Gaza to reunite with her mother

Heres a fundraiser for a Palestinian family in need as well as it being a direct link to Ahmed's blog where you can find links to help him and his family as well

And heres a short list of smaller charities and resources to find more families donate to

I do want to let it be known that any piece you get from me are for personal use only. It's cool if you want to use them for your personal social media accounts as avatars or headers though, just have the usual courtesy to credit.

Oh the heartbreak and tears, oh our forgotten wounds, and the world that saw and heard felt our pain a little, where are you, humanity?

https://gofund.me/af1ec021

researcher!satoru whose field is theoretical physics and talks about quantum mechanics and cosmology like it's the most common thing in the world

researcher!satoru who, despite his young age, is absolutely brilliant at his job and is fascinated by boundaries (or the lack of them) and is known for making sarcastic remarks in high-level conferences and sassing other scientists for fun by proving them wrong in the most dramatic way possible

researcher!satoru whose recent work involves quantum signatures on black holes and is invited to the annual summit on theoretical astrophysics and quantum mechanics as a prestigious exhibitor and doesn't have any particular interest besides exposing his research and then leaving

researcher!satoru who met you while you were posing with your first poster ever about anisotropic signal and black holes activity, which was your undergraduate thesis work and your first publication of your rising career as a scientist

researcher!satoru who immediately thought of you as someone particularly too cute for your own good, all nervous and still in that university hall in between all the other thesis students presenting their papers

researcher!satoru who accidentally stumbles to take a look at your poster, his six feet tall bending over to read with luxury of detail every line and graph, not bothering to occupy his space and make his presence seen

researcher!satoru who chuckles at your evident nervousness and looks at you through his tinted glasses, your bambi eyes betraying how wrecked you were for talking about your research to THE satoru gojo

researcher!satoru who, despite his usual genius demeanor, this time actually listens, asks questions about your thesis, and even seems impressed at how well you manage the topic. from seeing him from afar like someone who scared anyone with his doubts and remarks, suddenly he didn't seem so appalling, but appealing instead

researcher!satoru who subtly takes mental notes of your name and contact info on your poster and stalks you shamelessly when he's finally alone in the coziness of his fancy hotel room, craving to know more about his intriguing soon-to-be-colleague

researcher!satoru who reaches out to you and sends lots of emails with questions, suggestions, and even contacts that, according to him, might help you in the future. all of that just to have something to talk about and keep you entertained in his orbit

researcher!satoru who's so obsessed with you that for the next big conference, finds out you'd show up again-- this time with an oral presentation of your increasingly refined thesis—, and with that being an opportunity that couldn't be missed, he flew all across the country just to see you (his own attendance lowering to second-grade importance compared to the desire to meeting you again)

researcher!satoru who claims you and takes you with him as soon as he sees you, not wanting you to talk to anyone besides him. why would you need all those people? you have plenty of time to chat with them later, but god knows when you will see each other again, can't you see?

researcher!satoru who pities you when you admitted you were on the border of a nervous crisis for having to, basically, lecture renowned scientists about their literal research field, but with totally new knowledge because it was something you brought into the world

researcher!satoru who swears has a secret to release your nerves and dispel any anxiety or discomfort before public speaking and convinces you to accompany him

researcher!satoru who subtly takes your hand in his and takes you to the restrooms of the building, making you wonder what type of secret he was talking about

researcher!satoru who put the door on the latch after making sure you two were alone and now is so dangerously close to you that he admits how crazy you're driving him for finally having you all to himself

researcher!satoru who kindly asks if you'd let him show him how much he wants you and his eyes sparkle when you consent because you know you want him too and you want him bad

researcher!satoru who takes you by the strap of your credential, bringing you closer and closing his soft lips with yours, exploring your silhouette with his hands with smitten eagerness

researcher!satoru who pins you against the nearest wall and lowers one of his hands to make contact with your crotch, slowly teasing the hem of your undies and parting your folds slenderly while he is getting even more nervous to make you feel good. did he really get more nervous than you were at first?

researcher!satoru who whispers in your ear how good he's going to fuck the nervousness away from you, promising it'll work

researcher!satoru who spreads your legs a bit wider so he can pump his fingers in and out of you, your arousal and muffled whimpers making him groan into your mouth, giving you tender kisses on your cheeks, forehead, lips, neck, and everywhere he could reach.

researcher!satoru who lets you hold onto his broad shoulders while he quickly makes you cum on his fingers, adrenaline rushing through your blood because what would happen if someone tried to open the door right now?

researcher!satoru who helps you adjust your clothes before you go back to the main hall, just in time for your presentation, winking at you right before letting you leave the bathroom

researcher!satoru who follows after you to see your pitch, and kindly congratulates you on his social media after your oral presentation saying how you nailed it and how promising your line of work was (something he never did)

researcher!satoru who insists on keeping in touch because there was definitely something else happening in between and he wanted to do something about his feelings (and is the happiest when you reciprocate)

researcher!satoru who, hours after, absolutely denies the possibility of stealing your panties when you told him you lost them after your meeting at the restroom (while secretly saving them under his pillow to play with at night)

researcher!satoru who, the next day, invites you to collaborate on a research project with him and you just know he'll be the death to you anytime soon

went to this congress the other day and had this silly vision :3 Y'ALL HEAR ME OUT

andie's wips for gaza — ˖˚˳⊹

hi all! i'm not sure if this is something anyone would be interested in but i'm giving it a shot. i have a little capacity to contribute to fics for gaza's option to sponsor a wip. below are a couple of my wips i think i can realistically deliver all or most of before end of year, divided into current wips + a few smutty one shots i hope you might be interested in. if any more of my time clears up i can add more & let y'all know!!

i'm setting the threshold at the standard rate of $1 donation per 100 words, any extra would be sooo incredibly appreciated but obviously not at all required! notes on how this will all work below my wips.

current wips — ˖˚˳⊹

something in the water : todoroki shouto x reader

As a future marine biologist, you’ve scored big on your final internship: a summer in the tropics, researching the waters off the coast of a lush, sunny island. But what you thought would be all beach days and piña coladas turns out to be the revelation of a lifetime when you haul in a handsome merprince, and discover not everything in these waters is quite as it seems. — estimated remaining wc: 3 chapters @ 3k each (9,000 total words) — donated wc: 9,000/9,000 words fully sponsored! — progress tracker: 3,800/9,000 words

ready or knot : todoroki shouto x reader

Todoroki Shouto is so unsettlingly beautiful, you’re certain he has to be an omega. That is, until a chance encounter with a pushy alpha reveals you were incredibly mistaken—and the surprises don’t stop there. Shouto's suddenly mystifying behavior adds another layer of complexity to an already confusing inter-agency investigation. It would be so much easier to figure things out—and suppress your growing feelings—if only Shouto would stop being so strangely attentive to you... — estimated remaining wc: 5 chapters @ 2.5k each (12,500 words) — donated wc: 10,600/12,500 words — progress tracker: 0/12,500 words

new wips (smutty one shots) — ˖˚˳⊹

title tbd : midoriya izuku x reader

When your pro hero boyfriend comes home to find you studying, he suddenly takes a great interest in helping out. You find his methods... questionable. contents: nsft, hysterical literature (reading out loud while sexually stimulated), pro hero deku, slight intelligence kink, gn + afab reader, cunnilingus, established relationship, fluff — estimated wc: 2,500 words — donated wc: 2,500/2,500 words fully sponsored! — progress tracker: 0/2,500 words

loads of fun : todoroki shouto x reader

After moving into your first apartment together, Shouto seems more amorous than ever. You're not sure why—but when he catches you doing a load of laundry, more than your clothes are about to get tumbled. contents: nsft, pro hero au, domesticity kink, gn + afab reader established relationship, fluff, emotional sex — estimated wc: 2,500 words — donated wc: 2,500/2,500 words fully sponsored! — progress tracker: 0/2,500 words

filling in : bakugou katsuki x reader

A production assistant for an erotic arts studio, you think you've seen every ridiculous plot line under the sun. But not even porn tropes can compare to the absurd reality you find yourself in when the on-screen talent goes missing, and you're asked to fill in opposite the studio's number one star Bakugou Katsuki. contents: thee classic oh-no-the-porn-talent-has-gone-missing-let's-sub-a-rando-in trope, no quirks au, pornstar bakugou, soft dom bakugou, gn + afab reader, unrequited-requited crush — estimated wc: 3,000 words — donated wc: 3,000/3,000 words fully sponsored! — progress tracker: 100/3,000 words

last updated: 5/24/2024

notes — ˖˚˳⊹

rate: $1 (USD) donation per 100 words, any extra would be sooo incredibly appreciated but obviously not at all required!

how it works (you): send me an ask with the wip you're donating towards and a screenshot of your donation to any fund from this list, a charity of your choice (please make sure it's verified), or my preferred one here! please do not send the same screenshot to multiple authors, and please make sure any personal information is scrubbed from your screenshot as i will be supplying @ficsforgaza with the proof of your donation!! i will aim to update the donated wc section of each wip in this post so there's not overlap in what people are donating for.

how it works (me): i will log my progress below each wip (the progress tracker section of each) & will commit to updating that count weekly. i will work in the rough order of donations received, by adding that number of words to each wip. this also means that for $5 i could add 500 words but not publish until the chapter or oneshot is completed, so please be aware of that!! my goal is to at least publish every single word people have donated for by end of year, but obviously things can happen & i will provide updates if anything gets in the way of that!

if you have any further questions please let me know!! i've never done something like this and it's very probable i've left something unclear lol.

lastly i'd like to thank you in advance for helping out if you can, but no worries if not! i also know times are tough and money is tight, and i'd encourage you to check out the other writers on @ficsforgaza's list of participants when published to see if you'd rather spend your money on one of their wips (or their custom requests!) before selecting mine!! the money goes towards a good cause either way.

Reblog to make it die faster

TO THE HATERS:

Leave dark content writers alone.

You may not like dark content, but you have to respect the people who write it.

Trying to bully to satisfy your low ego will only humiliate you.

Dark content writers don't really like this kind of thing. All our writing is just fiction, we don't bring it to real life.

And we can't abandon what we want to write, just to fit in with you. It's not a rosy world.

We put long, emphatic warnings on our posts for those who are already traumatized. And if you still read it and feel uncomfortable, that's your problem.

And if the author's writing offends you too much, block them. You won't come across it again.

BTW, if you insult the author, believe me, you are not being cool, you are humiliating yourself.

Mama Ricci Knows Best

Part 1 Part 2 AO3

Eddie doesn't know what he'd been expecting. At this point, he knows more about Steve than should probably be allowed. Knows that his favorite color is yellow, that he's terrible with spicy food but always goes for it anyways. Eddie knows that Steve is working towards an education degree out of the city with his best friend (platonic soulmate? whatever that means), should be graduating next year. He's a great swimmer, a huge partier, and apparently an amazing cook.

And really, Steve sounds like an amazing guy, Mama Ricci has done her very best to give the impression that he's as perfect as perfection can be. But that's exactly what makes Eddie skeptical, because, yes Steve sounds great in theory, but it's his grandmother speaking, how accurate can the depiction really be?

Plus if he's being honest, finding a stable relationship is at the bottom of his priority list right now. He's content with his day-to-day routine and social life as it is, doesn't really need more than his hand and the occassional hookup. The single life is pretty chill right now actually.

So yeah, Eddie doesn't care enough to form an expectation, could watch any guy close enough to Mama Ricci's description walk in, and be neither pleased nor disappointed to learn that they're Steve. Surely that kind of open mind would prepare him for whoever he might have to eventually turn down if they happen to be interested. After all, He's too much of a coward to outwardly tell sweet ol' Mama Ricci herself to let up on her matchmaking.

That being said, nothing could have prepared him for the real deal.

For Steve Harrington in the flesh.

"Fuck Chrissy, he's beautiful."

Eddie's eyes are glued onto the hardwood floor, one hand hanging loosely off the side of the couch.

"Like actually gorgeous. I'm talking Vogue cover type shit."

There's a moment of silence that fills the small apartment living room. Then Eddie turns his head and screams–yet again– into the fluffy throw pillow. The sound is muffled but still has enough impact for its intended effect. At least judging by the snort he hears from the kitchen.

"Then quit being a big baby about it and just ask him out. You already have his grandmother's blessing, that's like what? rolling with advantage?"

And as much as Eddie appreciates the cleverly inputed DnD reference– it pleases him more than anything to know Chrissy retains at least some of his out of party campaign rambles– he finds it hard to agree.

"Um. Not necessarily?" Eddie says as he sits up and helps himself to one of the fruit platters Chrissy places on the center table as she drops onto the carpeted floor.

"I mean even if Mama Ricci did tell him all about me, doesn't mean he'd actually be interested yknow? It's his grandma for Christ sake! Guy probably doesn't think much of it."

Chrissy grabs an apple off the platter, bites down on it gracefully like she does everything, a stark contrast to Eddie who is the walking definition of a catastrophe.

"Well? Did he seem interested when he saw you?"

Eddie thinks back to their awfully brief meeting. The smile he'd been greeted with was dazzling, all pearly whites, long lashes over soft brown eyes and tanned features dotted with the prettiest freckles. As much as he loves to imagine that the cheerful greeting was anything more than a polite customer service obligation, it's hard to fully do so when the rest of his stay was met with a standoffish demeanor and a solid poker face.

There had been that one second where he swore he'd seen the guy flush– Eddie can't remember what he'd said though cause his brain had officially logged out of the conversation at that point– but that could easily have been all in his head.

Then again, the moment Eddie had gotten his order, he'd practically scarfed down the meal and ran out. Was it a panicked decision? Yes. But nothing triggers his fight or flight response more than someone that attractive. Like seriously, that shit totally snuck up on him. Thank goodness for his highschool improv classes and fake-it-till-you-make-it mentality, otherwise, he might have walked right back out the moment he'd seen the guy.

"Hard to say." Eddie settles for, and Chrissy hums thoughtfully. He thinks maybe she'll offer some solid advice. Some life changing shit that'll ring true and somehow provide the magical answers he needs to his rather pathetic problems ( it's honestly not that rare of an occurence with her), instead all Chrissy does is shrug and grab another apple slice.

"Whatever happened to 'I know Mama Ricci is sweet Chrissy, but I'm not gonna date her grandson cause of it. That's not how this shit works." Her voice is a lower pitch, meant to imitate Eddie as she throws his own words back at him.

Eddie feels something dangerously close to embarrassment boil at the pit of his stomach from the clear irony. He narrows his eyes at her, debates smacking the back of her head with the pillow, but debunks the idea once he realizes just how comfortable it feels pressed against his cheek.

"Yknow what? I liked you better when you didn't know you were allowed to have a personality."

Chrissy laughs, unaffected by the playful jab–a normalcy for them– at the days she'd spent being nothing more than a dress up doll for her mother.

"Yeah okay freak." She answers and this time fully earns the pillow smack.

Since Chrissy is completely and utterly useless (he's not just going to walk up to a dude that looks like a fucking greek god and ask him out), Eddie chooses to approach the whole thing as casually as possible.

Or in other words, decides not to approach it at all.

Eddie likes to think he can be a pretty smooth dude when he wants to be, but that's only a result of years of bullshitting his way through most of his life. He knows for a fact that if he does that now, he just might–as in definitely will–make an absolute fool of himself.

So Eddie's next few visits are brief, and he spends only a fraction of his usual time conversing with the staff before disappearing.

It's especially easy to keep his visits brief since true to Mama Ricci's words, the restaurant does get busier. There are still the occasional slow days, but the hectic ones are just as frequent now.

Eddie can see that Mama Ricci disapproves of his quicker departures. Even when she's swamped, swerving through a maze of filled tables, she always finds the time to stop by, to place one of her air kisses at the side of his cheek before diving back into the crowd of fussy customers. There's always a little frown on her face whenever he pays and instantly gets up to leave.

But it's good for Eddie because his interactions with Steve are limited to quick professional exchanges– which he definitely does not spend oggling those broad shoulders, pouty lips and that maddeningly perky ass.

Sometimes Steve isn't around and it's just the main 3 and the new handful of summer employers (which fair, the guy probably has a social life outside of the restaurant), and on those days Eddie tries not to appear too disappointed, though he always ends up leaving even earlier.

He thinks he's at least being subtle about it, until the afternoon Max slides him a plate of polenta and apologizes for the absence of Steve on their menu that day. The little brat.

Needless to say, Eddie tries to be more careful with his staring after that. (Especially when he catches one of Mama Ricci's knowing glances while looking around–not for Steve of course..)

But it's a good little routine of avoidance, and things stay that way for a bit.

At least until Mama Ricci intervenes yet again.

It's one of those rare days that start off busy but trickles off as evening approaches. Since the Corroded Coffin gig had been cancelled last minute, Eddie'd figured he'd hop in for a quick meal and be out as quickly as always.

He greets one of the summer employees on their way out, and finds the store empty when he walks in. Max is by one of the window seats scrolling through her phone with her headphones in. She looks up to regard him with a nod but doesn't bother coming over to take his order.

There's Italian bickering from the kitchen, a little muffled behind the curtains, but that's something Eddie's used to hearing at this point. Mrs. Mayfield peeks out, eyes widening slightly when she sees Eddie.

"I thought I heard the bell. Max! Don't just sit th-" But Max isn't listening, still bobbing her head in the corner. Mrs. Mayfield stops mid-sentence, sighs and pulls out her notepad with a weary smile.

"What can I get you Eds?" She asks and Eddie raises a brow as the bickering rises in volume and there's something like a door slam.

"Oh don't mind them." Mrs. Mayfield says. "Those two are always like that. Close but in that way where they'll bicker over literally anything. It's actually scarier when they're in agreement." She explains. Eddie pictures the sharp reprimands he's seen Mama Ricci give some of her workers on occasion, pictures the scowl he'd seen Steve send to a particularly rude customer once. Somehow he can picture how the two as a joined force would be quite intimidating.

"Ah, makes sense." Eddie says, then places his order.

Mama Ricci is the one to serve him, and it's almost amazing how fast the frown on her face morphs into a wide grin when she sees him. He honestly loves her so much.

Eddie doesn't see Steve through his meal, even tries to eat slower so he gets a chance. It's more than a little disappointing when he's done and still doesn't catch a glimpse.

He's tucking his wallet into his back pocket and getting ready to leave. That's when he hears the loud grunt.

Mama Ricci has one hand braced against the wall behind the counter, bending forward slightly. She's massaging her back with slow movements and there's a black bag leaning against her leg. Instantly Eddie frowns and moves forward. He swears he hears Mrs. Mayfield mumble something under her breath behind him, but can't quite make it out.

"Everything okay?" Eddie asks from across the counter and is answered with another quiet groan.

"It's these old bones of mine Eddie." Mama Ricci complains "Can't move around like I used to." Her fingers gesture slightly towards the garbage bag at her feet and Eddie does the only right thing to do in the situation.

He's barely done asking if he can help before Mama Ricci is thanking him, motioning for him to join her behind the counter.

"There's another one inside by the sink. The bin is right outside, just go through the back door and it's on your right." She points through the kitchen and Eddie nods in understanding. He grabs both bags as instructed, and since the space is relatively small, the back door is hard to miss.

It's not exactly the first time Eddie has lended Mama Ricci a hand, but usually the older woman is more opposed to hand outs of any kind. So it feels kind of good– a little odd, but good–that she easily accepts the help this time.

Eddie's swinging the door open with his leg when he sees the sharp jerk of movement. He reels back in surprise, wide eyes snapping up to face equally startled ones.

It's Steve, looking positively cornered as he hides an arm behind his back, lips pressing together for only a second before peeling apart instantly to let out a series of deep coughs. The wave of smoke that leaves with the sound is an instant giveaway.

Eddie waits through the coughs, mostly frozen in place because he definitely had not been prepared for this interaction.

"Shit." He's honestly a little surprised to find that the curse isn't from his own lips.

A few more coughs and Steve finally pulls his arm out to reveal the cigarette stick in his hand.

"Sorry I thought you were my grandma" He explains, pausing momentarily before waving the small burning stick in his hand. "I huh..was gonna quit."

Eddie blinks and finally realizes that being frozen in place probably isn't a great look, no matter how pretty Steve looks with his hair tousled like that and those pink lips curling again around the depleting cigarette.

"I see." Eddie says after clearing his throat. It's his cue to finally lug the two garbage bags out, letting the door shut loudly behind him. He pretends he doesn't feel the way Steve's eyes follow him as he finds the bin in the distance and tosses each bag in.

Eddie doesn't know why he expects Steve to avert his gaze when he turns around, but those brown eyes are still on him when he does.

Steve's leaning against the wall now, cigarette smothered and forgotten, and his expression doesn't betray anything. Considering the fact that it's their first interaction outside of the restaurant, Eddie thinks he's dying a little.

Okay, fuck that. He's dying a lot.

"So." Steve starts, angling his position against the wall so they're fully facing each other. Eddie summons every last bit of false courage he can to sound just as casual when he repeats the word. "So?"

Steve's blank expression doesn't budge, but his full attention is nothing if not overwhelming.

"The famous Eddie Munson."

Eddie grins, looks down at his feet and pushes away the tirade of 'oh my god, oh my god, it's happening.' in his mind. His voice comes out calm enough when he looks back up and leans against the wall opposite Steve.

"You've heard of me?" Eddie asks, voice laced with feigned surprise. He wonders if it's something they'll just skirt around, the clear signs that Mama Ricci wants more for them than just to meet and get along.

"Heard of you is one way of putting it. You've been her favorite sales pitch for like, months now." There's something like exasperation in Steve's tone, but it's exaggerated in a way that makes it playful.

"Trust me. I could say the same. " Eddie answers with a smile that touches on genuine. It shifts to teasing, tilting unevenly to one side in a half smirk as a memory slides to the forefront of his mind.

"Did you really crawl backward as a baby?"

And it's the right thing to ask because Steve stands up straighter, looking positively mortified as a faint flush reaches his ears. It shouldn't feel nearly as good as it does to finally pull a clear reaction out of the guy.

"Christ she told you that?" Steve groans, bringing his hands up to cover his face. Eddie laughs and he feels his nerves calm ever so slightly at the small but significant win.

"Amongst other things."

Steve drops his hands to his side instantly, seems to debate on something before letting out a tired huff. "Y'know what? I don't even wanna know."

And Eddie thinks that's where the conversation will end. They've met now, could probably move up to slightly longer hellos whenever he visits. That counts doe something.

He's pushing himself off the wall to reach for the door when Steve says. "You're nothing like I imagined."

Eddie retracts his hand, wills his heart to relax cause fuck they were still talking. Okay. That's cool. Still talking is good.

"Yeah? What were you imagining?"

Steve seems thoughtful as he crosses his arms across his chest, stature so solid that Eddie has to banish away all thoughts of breaking it down.

"I don't know. She described you like the picture perfect suburban husband. Tucked in shirt, tie, suitcase and everything." Eddie feels an eyebrow quirk, the word husband echoing into the air between them with a weight that makes him stare down at his feet again, heat spreading to his cheek because really, why'd Steve have to say it like that?

He hears Chrissy cackling at the back of his mind, mocking him yet again with a snarky 'I thought you were against the whole settling down bullshit.' which 'fuck you Chrissy', he'd kiss the guy senseless, doesn't mean he wants to marry him. Why is he even having this pointless mental argument again??

"Y'know, works hard but has a big heart, great with kids, always ready to help even when she asks him not to." Steve continues, checking each item off a finger as he recounts it. He's so casual too, as if every compliment doesn't punch at the part of Eddie that is shit at accepting it. "Caring, handsome, the day-to-day kinda superman yknow?"

"Handsome?" Eddie blurts before he can stop himself, having failed to remember that this was just the guy quoting his grandmother. There's a look of amusement on Steve's face, and when his neutral face shifts into a teasing smile Eddie wants to punch something. It has to be illegal to look that good.

"That's seriously all you got outta that?"

Fuck. Eddie curses internally, feels the corner of his confident mask twitch because there's only so much improv he can do, and he definitely did not rehearse for this shit.

He takes the easy way out by waving aside the comment, focuses on the crunch of gravel under his boots as he speaks.

"Well you're right. Wholesome as the description sounds, I'd probably break into hives if I get within a meter of a suit, much less a cubicle. Truly sorry to disappoint though." It's said as a joke, so Eddie doesn't expect the seriousness that settles on Steve's face. A second passes before the guy shrugs.

"I'm not"

Eddie frowns, isn't quite sure what the statement is supposed to mean.

"Disappointed I mean. I'm not disappointed."

And as Steve clarifies, those brown pools track up and down once, soaking in Eddie in a way that's a little too focused to be anything but intense. Something like understanding clicks into place and oh. Oh.

Eddie can feel his smile stretch on its own, knows for sure that he's safe to move in now, to push further. He's envisioning his next words already, something low and suggestive reaching the back of his throat as he takes a step forward.

There's a clack directly behind the door.

It's not loud but it's quiet enough in the back alley to reach their ears.

Both he and Steve snap their heads to the side, brows raising in mirrored surprise before dipping into confusion.

It's Steve who opens the door, and over his shoulder Eddie sees Max first. She's bent over slightly, observing an onion in her hand with too much interest as she..strokes it? Mrs. Mayfield is whisking in a bowl by her side, but Eddie's pretty sure there's nothing in it judging from the metallic sound it's making. And Mama Ricci herself, closest to the door and off to the opposite side, is squinting at her nailbed, but the angle of her body is just a little too awkward for the gesture to appear natural.

The weird moment is interrupted by Steve saying something in Italian. Something that makes Mama Ricci glare up instantly and forces Mrs. Mayfield to look away with shame. Max coughs and walks out of the room wordlessly.

Another second passes then Mama Ricci claps suddenly, sweet smile returning along with a chirpy tone.

"Thank you so much for your help Eddie." She says, entirely ignoring whatever the hell just happened. At his side, Eddie hears Steve scoff.

He's not dumb, Eddie knows they'd all been eavesdropping, watches as Mama Ricci easily lifts a box onto a kitchen counter, old bones seemingly forgotten.

It takes everything in him not to laugh, especially with how thoroughly embarrassed Steve looks staring blankly off into the distance with the reddest flush on his cheeks.

Eddie knows now that he might have a shot, so might as well end the guy's current suffering.

"No worries. I'll be on my way then."

Mama Ricci hugs him once, lets the gesture linger a little longer than usual. There's something like satisfaction on her face when she pulls away.

The moment he steps out of the kitchen, the Italian bickering erupts. Eddie wonders if they know curtains aren't doors, but either way feels completely elated.

He finds Max behind the counter, her old spot now occupied by a small group that's whispering quietly amongst themselves (probably the last customers of the day since they close in less than half an hour).

She gives him a knowing look but doesn't say anything, and when Eddie winks she simply rolls her eyes before turning back down to whatever she's doing on her phone.

Eddie can't help but notice the onion sitting awkwardly by her side, and it's the sight that finally does it for him.

Eddie's still laughing by the time he starts his van.

God he can't wait to tell Chrissy.

_________________________________________

Yeah yeah 3 parts turned into 4. But it's pretty much done so its definitely 4 parts I swear!!! I ended up tagging more people cause im a pushover like that (and yall were too sweet sjsj) but its on A03 now so if you want to be notifed when its updated just subscribe there. I really wont be tagging anyone new on the last part.

@maya-custodios-dionach @newtstabber @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @electrick-marionnett @trikigirl271 @yes-im-your-mom @justanothergirlwithobsessions @mars-the-witch @moviebuff90 @misguideadghosts @raisedbylibrarians @henderdads @gay-stranger-things @kozuuji @gregre369 @trikigirl271 @vampireinthesun @goodolefashionedloverboi @commonxsenss @m-owo-n @adaed5 @iwouldsail @original-cypher @estrellami-1 @punctualhowell @straight4joekeery

EMERGENCY PALESTINIAN GFM

Hey everyone I'm making more Palestinian gfm list that has contacted me who have medical emergency or needed fund to evacuated ASAP.

Sandy and Ahmed.

1k/70k

Sereen and her children have Hepatitis and Stomach infections. Sereen have eye infection because of the smoke of the flames and Ahmed hair turns white. Not to mention the condition of the tents along the bugs invasion that could kill them any time. They needed the funds for medical recovery.

gofundme.com

Donate to Help Sereen & her children survive a genocide &evacuate Gaza, organized by Doaa Musleh

My name is Sereen Dawoud, married to Hatem and mother of two … Doaa Musleh needs your support for Help Sereen & her children survive a genoc

Mohammad Almanasra

5k/40k

Mohammed have Asthma that needed expensive meds to survives. Him and his 3 children need to go back and forth from the hospital because of the deadly insect bite.

gofundme.com

Donate to Save Mohammad family and children to escape from the Gaza, organized by Mohammed Almanasra

I am Mohammed Almanasra, 32 years old, married, and a fath… Mohammed Almanasra needs your support for Save Mohammad family and children t

Hala's Family

9k/50k

Hala struggle to find water, foods, baby formula and diapers for her 3 year old child. She needed money for evacuations.

https://gofund.me/da3cc66a

Sally and Ala.

254/30k

5k/50k

Sally and Ala is sisters. Ala have twin boys while Sally have 3 childrens and have lost their incomes while living in a tents that lack of basic necessities such as medicine and food. Recently Sally's house has got bombed that taken her husband's family life. Her son Hassan haven't got vaccine yet. They needed the funds for basic necessities.

gofundme.com

Donate to Help me to save my family., organized by Sahar Alhalabi

Hello My name's Sahar .I launched this campaign to help my sister Sally and her family. … Sahar Alhalabi needs your support for Help me

gofundme.com

Donate to Donate for my twins to escape from war in Palestine, organized by Sahar Alhalabi

Hello,my name is Sahar l live in Berlin; l set up this… Sahar Alhalabi needs your support for Donate for my twins to escape fro

Sahar's Family

16k/50k

Sahar is 14 year old child with 8 family member. They lost their house and the gym they owned, they have live in a tent since then. They needed the funds to evacuates asap.

gofundme.com

Donate to Help Sahar and Her Family to Evacuate Gaza, organized by Ahmed Shamia

My name is Sahar Shehab. I am 14 years old from Gaza . I ask you for urgent h… Ahmed Shamia needs your support for Help Sahar and Her Famil

Siraj's Family

1k/82k

Siraj and her children house got bombed. Right now she lived in a very small tent that lack of basic necessities. She needed the funds to rebuild their house and for basic necessities.

gofundme.com

Donate to Support Siraj's Family in Rebuilding Their Home, organized by Ahmad Abudayeh

hi, my name is ahmad and I'm raising a fund for my cousin Siraj and thi… Ahmad Abudayeh needs your support for Support Siraj's Family in Reb

Nozha.

2k/18k

Nozha study at pharmacy unfortunately her university has been destroyed and she unable to gain her bachelor degree. She also lost her job and needed the fund to evacuated to egypt.

gofundme.com

Donate to Support Nozha to finish Pharmacy School beyond Gaza, organized by Sina Malin Kleeberg

Hello everyone I'm Nozha Emad from Gaza and I'm 23 year… Sina Malin Kleeberg needs your support for Support Nozha to finish Pharmacy