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( it makes eddie sick, just thinking about it. he knows steve wouldn't hesitate to give himself up if it meant everyone else got to live. and he knows he can't voice that concern in front of the others, because in this reality, he and steve haven't known each other long enough to trust each other that explicitly.
instead, he tries to focus on the positive spin steve is trying to put on this. while he is skeptical this will all work out in the end, he has to hope. he can't have another outcome like with the captain, where no matter what they do the end result is always the same. they have an advantage, and eddie intends to exploit it. )
Well, we know what went wrong with Dustin and me, at least. ( he pauses, as he considers their options. ) What if you stayed back with us at the trailer? Do you think Nancy and Robin would be fine on their own? ( it would certainly be a way to make sure they both lived through this. when steve takes his hand, he smiles down at it, sliding his fingers through steve's and squeezing tightly. )
I'm holding you to that. I will find a way to bring you back just to kill you again if the worst should end up happening. ( or maybe they both would die. at least then they'd be together, hopefully somewhere better than that cruise ship. )
instead, he tries to focus on the positive spin steve is trying to put on this. while he is skeptical this will all work out in the end, he has to hope. he can't have another outcome like with the captain, where no matter what they do the end result is always the same. they have an advantage, and eddie intends to exploit it. )
Well, we know what went wrong with Dustin and me, at least. ( he pauses, as he considers their options. ) What if you stayed back with us at the trailer? Do you think Nancy and Robin would be fine on their own? ( it would certainly be a way to make sure they both lived through this. when steve takes his hand, he smiles down at it, sliding his fingers through steve's and squeezing tightly. )
I'm holding you to that. I will find a way to bring you back just to kill you again if the worst should end up happening. ( or maybe they both would die. at least then they'd be together, hopefully somewhere better than that cruise ship. )
( and so steve finds himself with something of a virmire situation on his hands (not that he knows, or will ever know, what that means) as he considers eddie's idea. he could stay behind at the trailer, make sure eddie and dustin make it out okay, but then what if nancy and robin don't? he couldn't live with himself if something happened to either of them, but he can't let anything happen to eddie or dustin either.
as he thinks about it he's overcome with a strange, terrible feeling. it's like his ribs are squeezing harder and harder, growing so tight it pushes the air right out of his lungs and threatens to stop the hammering of his heart completely.
he doesn't want eddie to know he's going through whatever this is, though, so he does his best to disguise his nervous, shallow breaths as normal ones, and tries to keep a steady hand as eddie laces their fingers together. )
Maybe we can change up the plan, ( he suggests, and his voice sounds strange and thick to his own ears. ) Like, I don't know, maybe you don't have to be the distraction, you know? We can figure it out.
( a beat, then: )
Nobody's going to die.
( he hopes he sounds like he believes it. he's not really sure that he does. )
as he thinks about it he's overcome with a strange, terrible feeling. it's like his ribs are squeezing harder and harder, growing so tight it pushes the air right out of his lungs and threatens to stop the hammering of his heart completely.
he doesn't want eddie to know he's going through whatever this is, though, so he does his best to disguise his nervous, shallow breaths as normal ones, and tries to keep a steady hand as eddie laces their fingers together. )
Maybe we can change up the plan, ( he suggests, and his voice sounds strange and thick to his own ears. ) Like, I don't know, maybe you don't have to be the distraction, you know? We can figure it out.
( a beat, then: )
Nobody's going to die.
( he hopes he sounds like he believes it. he's not really sure that he does. )
I'm insisting. You're going to have plenty of other things on your plate, no need to add laundry.
Speaking of, college is when alcoholism rears it's ugly little head, so - I can't believe I'm saying this - but fun in moderation, okay? You can only have so many embarrassing videos on the internet before it stops being funny. Trust me on this one.
Speaking of, college is when alcoholism rears it's ugly little head, so - I can't believe I'm saying this - but fun in moderation, okay? You can only have so many embarrassing videos on the internet before it stops being funny. Trust me on this one.
Yeah...can't really argue with that logic. Kind of dreading the sharp uptick in homework assignments, not gonna lie. ( It's not even the homework or the amount of it -- it's balancing that with keeping the city safe. Keeping up with everything...it already feels like it's going to be a lot. )
Dude. ( Okay, yeah, Tony does have kind of a point, but it's still suspect coming from him. ) I know, I know, don't drink and drive. Or swing. I'll be fine, really.
Dude. ( Okay, yeah, Tony does have kind of a point, but it's still suspect coming from him. ) I know, I know, don't drink and drive. Or swing. I'll be fine, really.
( eddie senses that something is wrong. he knows steve well enough by now -- or at least he thinks he does -- that something feels off with steve. but what that something is, he cannot put a finger on.
maybe he's just as scared as eddie is, that this won't work out. that this is just another way for the captain to torture them. as if giving them a taste of their world, but reminding them that they'll never be fully free.
to which eddie says fuck that. he will find a way to defy the odds if it's the last thing he does.
the last time they did this, eddie was only worried about giving steve more time, and making sure dustin would make it out alive. now he has more reason than ever for everyone to live, himself included. )
You think Nance will go for that? You know her better than I do, but she seems pretty stubborn.
( still, if anyone could change her mind, he likes to think it's probably steve. )
What if -- ( eddie blinks as he struggles to remember the one thing he had hoped he never would have to remember - that feeling of being torn apart. being torn apart, and then suddenly...nothing. suddenly the bats all dropped dead. ) What if it's not the plan that needs to change, but the timing? I swear, I remember Dustin limping over to me and the bats just falling out of the air like something had killed them.
maybe he's just as scared as eddie is, that this won't work out. that this is just another way for the captain to torture them. as if giving them a taste of their world, but reminding them that they'll never be fully free.
to which eddie says fuck that. he will find a way to defy the odds if it's the last thing he does.
the last time they did this, eddie was only worried about giving steve more time, and making sure dustin would make it out alive. now he has more reason than ever for everyone to live, himself included. )
You think Nance will go for that? You know her better than I do, but she seems pretty stubborn.
( still, if anyone could change her mind, he likes to think it's probably steve. )
What if -- ( eddie blinks as he struggles to remember the one thing he had hoped he never would have to remember - that feeling of being torn apart. being torn apart, and then suddenly...nothing. suddenly the bats all dropped dead. ) What if it's not the plan that needs to change, but the timing? I swear, I remember Dustin limping over to me and the bats just falling out of the air like something had killed them.
I know. You're a better kid than I ever was.[ And that's the truth. Steve is a better kid than he has any right to be. It's why Tony trusts him. It's why he made him his own suit. Why he plans on paving the way for any college he chooses. He's an investment in the future by the futurist. Unmined potential.
So what if Tony also feels a certain responsibility for him? Superheroes have to look out for their own. ] Remember to have some fun. All work and no play makes Steve a nerd. Well, you know, more of a nerd.
So what if Tony also feels a certain responsibility for him? Superheroes have to look out for their own. ] Remember to have some fun. All work and no play makes Steve a nerd. Well, you know, more of a nerd.
( Steve wants to protest. Wants to remind Tony that he wasn't always like this, that he made some grave mistakes when he was starting out. But he doesn't have the heart to shatter the illusion. Besides, he's more than made up for all of those mistakes, pouring his heart and soul in making sure nobody ever has to give up their life in the face of impossible world-ending situations. )
Hey! I resent that. ( Okay, yeah, Steve has definitely embraced his inner nerd now more than ever. There had maybe been a time when being called a nerd would have brought out a harsher side to Steve. Now, though, he can't help but grin. Some of his best friends are much bigger nerds, after all. ) For you, I'll make sure to have plenty of fun.
Hey! I resent that. ( Okay, yeah, Steve has definitely embraced his inner nerd now more than ever. There had maybe been a time when being called a nerd would have brought out a harsher side to Steve. Now, though, he can't help but grin. Some of his best friends are much bigger nerds, after all. ) For you, I'll make sure to have plenty of fun.
Radovid hears about it almost entirely by chance.
He might very well be the new king of Redania (all hail, long live, etc etc), but they tell him very little. He's a figurehead at best, a puppet at worst, and neither of these parts require actual knowledge of what goes on in his new kingdom. He realizes that, he thinks, better than Vizimir ever did, how little power he actually has, despite his name being on the banners and the treaties. Philippa and Dijkstra hold the reins and they allow him to live, stern-faced on the paintings and smiling at court, and alone, alone, always alone, as long as he doesn't give them any trouble. He's been much too scared to step out of line so far, the memory of his brother's blood dripping from the crown and into his hair too fresh in his memory. But today, he will.
He hears about it because Philippa and Dijkstra are away for a few days, brokering whatever arrangement they feel is necessary at the Northern border of Redania. They didn't need him to be there and left him at the castle, to wander the halls and listen in on guards talking excitedly about a skirmish that happened in the forest. The witcher, they say, and it certainly gets Radovid's attention. The white wolf. He escaped, but we got his bard. Keeping him in the dungeon. He might know something, Dijkstra'll want to see him.
Radovid can barely stop himself from running all the way back up to his rooms, standing in front of the fire with his fists clenched tightly. Jaskier. A prisoner in his castle. A shiver of cool dread goes down his spine, making his stomach knot and his throat close up. He's too aware of how, exactly, Dijkstra gets information from people. To let Jaskier suffer through that, is unthinkable. He's also aware that doing what he's about to do will most likely get him into a lot of trouble.
At nightfall, he slips out of his rooms. He has to wait until the guard there leaves to have his dinner, soon to be replaced by another. While they both chat and joke on the stairs there is a minute when the corridor is empty, and Radovid knows that this is his window. He's never done this before, but he's certainly thought about it. From there, he knows the castle well-enough to make his way to the dungeons undetected, keeping to the shadows, the less-used corridors. It helps that all the guards are staring anxiously at the southern border of the city (they say that's where Emhyr will attack, when he does), and not actually at the inside of the castle.
He stole a set of keys for most of the locks in the castle a while ago and clutches them tightly as he goes down, down, and down to the basement of the dungeon, where the cells are. Most of them are empty and he has to make his way to the very back before he finds one that's closed. On the table next to it is Jaskier's lute, a little worse for wear, and a blue doublet that's seen better days.
"Jaskier?" he whispers, as loud as he dares. In the dim light he's only a backlit hooded figure, golden hair tucked behind his ears, eyes sharp in the gloom.
He might very well be the new king of Redania (all hail, long live, etc etc), but they tell him very little. He's a figurehead at best, a puppet at worst, and neither of these parts require actual knowledge of what goes on in his new kingdom. He realizes that, he thinks, better than Vizimir ever did, how little power he actually has, despite his name being on the banners and the treaties. Philippa and Dijkstra hold the reins and they allow him to live, stern-faced on the paintings and smiling at court, and alone, alone, always alone, as long as he doesn't give them any trouble. He's been much too scared to step out of line so far, the memory of his brother's blood dripping from the crown and into his hair too fresh in his memory. But today, he will.
He hears about it because Philippa and Dijkstra are away for a few days, brokering whatever arrangement they feel is necessary at the Northern border of Redania. They didn't need him to be there and left him at the castle, to wander the halls and listen in on guards talking excitedly about a skirmish that happened in the forest. The witcher, they say, and it certainly gets Radovid's attention. The white wolf. He escaped, but we got his bard. Keeping him in the dungeon. He might know something, Dijkstra'll want to see him.
Radovid can barely stop himself from running all the way back up to his rooms, standing in front of the fire with his fists clenched tightly. Jaskier. A prisoner in his castle. A shiver of cool dread goes down his spine, making his stomach knot and his throat close up. He's too aware of how, exactly, Dijkstra gets information from people. To let Jaskier suffer through that, is unthinkable. He's also aware that doing what he's about to do will most likely get him into a lot of trouble.
At nightfall, he slips out of his rooms. He has to wait until the guard there leaves to have his dinner, soon to be replaced by another. While they both chat and joke on the stairs there is a minute when the corridor is empty, and Radovid knows that this is his window. He's never done this before, but he's certainly thought about it. From there, he knows the castle well-enough to make his way to the dungeons undetected, keeping to the shadows, the less-used corridors. It helps that all the guards are staring anxiously at the southern border of the city (they say that's where Emhyr will attack, when he does), and not actually at the inside of the castle.
He stole a set of keys for most of the locks in the castle a while ago and clutches them tightly as he goes down, down, and down to the basement of the dungeon, where the cells are. Most of them are empty and he has to make his way to the very back before he finds one that's closed. On the table next to it is Jaskier's lute, a little worse for wear, and a blue doublet that's seen better days.
"Jaskier?" he whispers, as loud as he dares. In the dim light he's only a backlit hooded figure, golden hair tucked behind his ears, eyes sharp in the gloom.
Edited 2023-08-08 21:50 (UTC)
Jaskier really should have known his luck would run out eventually. Since he had started traveling with Geralt more and more, it did put a target on all of their backs. It certainly didn't help that Geralt's first and foremost concern would always be Ciri, though the bard could hardly blame him. Besides, it was gratifying seeing him care for someone so deeply after his initial attempts at ignoring his child surprise.
In the end, Jaskier blames Philippa more than anyone else. He knew going into their little arrangement that trusting the sorceress was dangerous business. He recalls the way Yennefer had treated him during the little djinn incident, but after being left to his own devices following the dragon hunt, it had left Jaskier with a gaping hole in his heart that he had desperately tried to fill with any little thing. He might never be Geralt of Rivia, but maybe he could do some good in this world.
Of course, now that seems to have backfired, as he wallows in his cell, deep in the bowels of Redania. They had taken his precious lute, leaving him naught but the sound of his voice to keep him entertained. Frankly, he did not expect Geralt to abandon his journey to Nilfgaard to see if it truly is Ciri they've managed to capture. He half-expects to rot in here for all eternity, or until the war reaches this far north. It's bound to eventually.
What he doesn't expect is for someone else to take up the challenge. In the darkness, he can hardly pinpoint who it is that's come down to find him. Rience, he was reassured by Geralt, is dead, and yet he cannot stop his heart from sinking into his stomach.
That is, until he hears his name. And while he still can't quite make out Radovid from underneath the hood, he thinks he recognizes that voice. Torn between slipping into a defensive position and jumping at the chance of being rescued, he opts to play it safe. Besides, he reminds himself, Radovid had tried to take advantage of circumstances to get a hold of Ciri. Now that he's apparently been crowned king, who says that he isn't still up to no good?
"Who goes there?" he rasps back, wishing very much that he had even half as much of Geralt's resolve right about now.
In the end, Jaskier blames Philippa more than anyone else. He knew going into their little arrangement that trusting the sorceress was dangerous business. He recalls the way Yennefer had treated him during the little djinn incident, but after being left to his own devices following the dragon hunt, it had left Jaskier with a gaping hole in his heart that he had desperately tried to fill with any little thing. He might never be Geralt of Rivia, but maybe he could do some good in this world.
Of course, now that seems to have backfired, as he wallows in his cell, deep in the bowels of Redania. They had taken his precious lute, leaving him naught but the sound of his voice to keep him entertained. Frankly, he did not expect Geralt to abandon his journey to Nilfgaard to see if it truly is Ciri they've managed to capture. He half-expects to rot in here for all eternity, or until the war reaches this far north. It's bound to eventually.
What he doesn't expect is for someone else to take up the challenge. In the darkness, he can hardly pinpoint who it is that's come down to find him. Rience, he was reassured by Geralt, is dead, and yet he cannot stop his heart from sinking into his stomach.
That is, until he hears his name. And while he still can't quite make out Radovid from underneath the hood, he thinks he recognizes that voice. Torn between slipping into a defensive position and jumping at the chance of being rescued, he opts to play it safe. Besides, he reminds himself, Radovid had tried to take advantage of circumstances to get a hold of Ciri. Now that he's apparently been crowned king, who says that he isn't still up to no good?
"Who goes there?" he rasps back, wishing very much that he had even half as much of Geralt's resolve right about now.
"It's me," he says quietly, struck by the huskiness of Jaskier's voice. He should have brought water, he didn't think of it. "Radovid." Comma, King, he doesn't add, because he doesn't really want to joke about this. He pulls his hood back so Jaskier can see for himself, his blond hair curling against his cheeks. Radovid looks tired, dark shadows deep under his worried eyes.
"Jaskier, are you hurt?" he whispers urgently, stepping closer so he can slip his arm through the bars of the cell, reaching into the darkness for Jaskier's hand. Perhaps it is unwise, he realizes, to come so close to a man backed into a desperate corner. Jaskier could hurt him. He has before, though only with his words, not with his hands. He persists still, his other hand coming to rest against the bars, the keys he's holding clinking against the metal.
"Jaskier, are you hurt?" he whispers urgently, stepping closer so he can slip his arm through the bars of the cell, reaching into the darkness for Jaskier's hand. Perhaps it is unwise, he realizes, to come so close to a man backed into a desperate corner. Jaskier could hurt him. He has before, though only with his words, not with his hands. He persists still, his other hand coming to rest against the bars, the keys he's holding clinking against the metal.
"Radovid?!" Jaskier's voice boomed with disbelief, echoing off the dungeon's walls. He wasn't sure who to expect to approach his cell, but admittedly Radovid was so far down the list he found himself sputtering as he struggled to get his brain to catch up. And sure enough, it was Radovid standing in front of him, plain as day. He wasn't sure if he was wholly glad to see him or just happy that it wasn't someone worse than Rience.
"Am I hurt, he asks?" Jaskier scoffed, dusting himself off dramatically, because even in distress he could not help it. It was in his nature to deflect, so as not to show any weakness. It was the only strength he had, the ability to perform, so he might as well put it to good use, right? "I shall live. I have not been interrogated yet, thankfully." Even though the fire fucker was no longer a concern, the association would be enough to fill him with enough fear to freeze up. He could not afford it, if Redanian intelligence should try to pry Ciri's whereabouts out of him.
"What in Melitele's tits are you even doing here?" he asked as he struggled to keep his expression neutral, even though memories of their time spent together started to rise to the surface, begging him to be a little softer.
"Am I hurt, he asks?" Jaskier scoffed, dusting himself off dramatically, because even in distress he could not help it. It was in his nature to deflect, so as not to show any weakness. It was the only strength he had, the ability to perform, so he might as well put it to good use, right? "I shall live. I have not been interrogated yet, thankfully." Even though the fire fucker was no longer a concern, the association would be enough to fill him with enough fear to freeze up. He could not afford it, if Redanian intelligence should try to pry Ciri's whereabouts out of him.
"What in Melitele's tits are you even doing here?" he asked as he struggled to keep his expression neutral, even though memories of their time spent together started to rise to the surface, begging him to be a little softer.
Good. Or I'll have to move Happy into your dorm room with you to make sure and he won't be happy about that.
All right. I/m going to be out of the country for a few weeks. Call Happy or Pepper if you need anything. Call me if it's an emergency. I mean it.
All right. I/m going to be out of the country for a few weeks. Call Happy or Pepper if you need anything. Call me if it's an emergency. I mean it.
"Shhhh," Radovid shushed in return, eyebrows going up in worry, extending his arm into the cell further to placate Jaskier pleadingly. He glanced towards the end of the corridor anxiously, where the guards would no doubt be back very soon. "Please, not so loud. No-one knows I'm here," he added quietly, a little apologetic at the way he had just shushed Jaskier.
He straightened up at Jaskier's scoffing answer, squaring his shoulders to take it better, nodding. "No, I-" He answered, swallowing but meeting Jaskier's eyes. "I told them to wait until Philippa and Dijkstra were back." An easy enough order, as the guards would much rather wait until the true masters of the castle came back to take any kind of decision.
"I'm going to break you out," Radovid announced, pulling his hand back once it was clear Jaskier wasn't going to take it, holding up the keys instead. "I have the keys, I am kind of, um. The King?" That sounds almost like an apology, too. "They won't let me free you, but I've lived in this castle all my life. I know how to get in undetected, and how to get out."
He straightened up at Jaskier's scoffing answer, squaring his shoulders to take it better, nodding. "No, I-" He answered, swallowing but meeting Jaskier's eyes. "I told them to wait until Philippa and Dijkstra were back." An easy enough order, as the guards would much rather wait until the true masters of the castle came back to take any kind of decision.
"I'm going to break you out," Radovid announced, pulling his hand back once it was clear Jaskier wasn't going to take it, holding up the keys instead. "I have the keys, I am kind of, um. The King?" That sounds almost like an apology, too. "They won't let me free you, but I've lived in this castle all my life. I know how to get in undetected, and how to get out."
Yeah, uh, that would make two of us.
Wait...would he if you asked him to? ( He's not sure he wants an answer to that question, come to think of it. )
Oh? I hope it's for a good reason and not, you know, a universe-ending one. The last one really sucked.
Wait...would he if you asked him to? ( He's not sure he wants an answer to that question, come to think of it. )
Oh? I hope it's for a good reason and not, you know, a universe-ending one. The last one really sucked.
( steve's only sort of half-listening to eddie, caught up as he is in his own freak out, or whatever the hell is happening to him. he absentmindedly uses his free hand to toy with one of the pins on the vest he's wearing, wondering distantly if the others will think to grab him some actual clothes while they're in there.
he's a million miles away, until something eddie says catches his attention and drags him back to reality with a start. a light frown furrows his brow as he blinks, mouth flattening into a tight line. )
Timing? ( he echoes, thoughtful. eddie could really be onto something with that, but... god. steve feels as if he's been plunked down in the center of a maze in the dead of night, blindfolded. he doesn't know what happens next. he has no idea how a change in timing could or would apply to any of it.
it's still enough to make him feel — well, not good, but better. he feels less like his chest is caving in on itself, anyway. ) Okay. So, like... maybe we took too long at the house, right? If me and Robin and Nancy move a little faster... because if the bats died, Vecna probably did, too. Or we distracted him enough to make him, I don't know, forget about the hivemind or something.
( is that how a hivemind works? he has no idea. )
If whatever we did happens sooner, you and Dustin are home free.
he's a million miles away, until something eddie says catches his attention and drags him back to reality with a start. a light frown furrows his brow as he blinks, mouth flattening into a tight line. )
Timing? ( he echoes, thoughtful. eddie could really be onto something with that, but... god. steve feels as if he's been plunked down in the center of a maze in the dead of night, blindfolded. he doesn't know what happens next. he has no idea how a change in timing could or would apply to any of it.
it's still enough to make him feel — well, not good, but better. he feels less like his chest is caving in on itself, anyway. ) Okay. So, like... maybe we took too long at the house, right? If me and Robin and Nancy move a little faster... because if the bats died, Vecna probably did, too. Or we distracted him enough to make him, I don't know, forget about the hivemind or something.
( is that how a hivemind works? he has no idea. )
If whatever we did happens sooner, you and Dustin are home free.
Happy is a very loyal and dedicated employee, not to mention a personal friend. I think we both know the answer to that question.
Yeah, just your normal corporate piratism, no space pirates or universe ending involved this time.
I mean it, Steve. Hang up the mask and be a kid for omce. Friday's going to be tracking your instagram. I better see some irresponsible behavior.
Yeah, just your normal corporate piratism, no space pirates or universe ending involved this time.
I mean it, Steve. Hang up the mask and be a kid for omce. Friday's going to be tracking your instagram. I better see some irresponsible behavior.
( it's a damn shame eddie doesn't know what happened in that house. he feels like he's missing a piece of the puzzle. while it would have been nice for steve to have that information, he knows deep down he wouldn't change a thing about how this all worked out. if the price to pay for knowing he will live is a different steve who didn't experience what they both went through on the cruise ship...eddie is willing to take this risk, dammit. life just wouldn't be worth living without a steve who knows the hell he went through to get here.
he considers steve's ideas that he's spitballing. )
What if he knows we're coming? Maybe the problem is the hivemind. The distraction didn't work how we wanted it to, the bats started to come in, so Dustin and I aborted, right? But the bats were retreating, so the attention would return to you guys. Maybe...Henderson and I need to reinforce the van better so they can't get in through the vents. We keep all eyes off that house for as long as fucking possible so you guys can finish him off.
( it's probably the best plan they have without knowing all the pieces in play. without knowing what the fuck is going on in russia and california, it's their best chance at getting it right this time. )
he considers steve's ideas that he's spitballing. )
What if he knows we're coming? Maybe the problem is the hivemind. The distraction didn't work how we wanted it to, the bats started to come in, so Dustin and I aborted, right? But the bats were retreating, so the attention would return to you guys. Maybe...Henderson and I need to reinforce the van better so they can't get in through the vents. We keep all eyes off that house for as long as fucking possible so you guys can finish him off.
( it's probably the best plan they have without knowing all the pieces in play. without knowing what the fuck is going on in russia and california, it's their best chance at getting it right this time. )
Yeah, I don't know why I even bothered asking.
I don't know whether to be relieved or disappointed. I'm gonna go with relieved because I think I could use a very, very long vacation from superhero-ing for a while.
Me and irresponsible. That's a good one. Though I guess with Eddie back, that's actually a possibility again.
I don't know whether to be relieved or disappointed. I'm gonna go with relieved because I think I could use a very, very long vacation from superhero-ing for a while.
Me and irresponsible. That's a good one. Though I guess with Eddie back, that's actually a possibility again.
It's our best bet.
( if steve sounds grim it's because he still doesn't love the idea of eddie and dustin being left in a vulnerable spot just waiting for history to repeat itself, but it really is the best they have to work with right now. if they can reinforce the trailer even just a fraction better than whatever they did last time then they might just have a chance at making it out of this shit alive.
the others have been inside long enough now that steve knows they're pushing their luck here. at any moment they'll be bursting back into the winnebago. he and eddie can't be caught holding hands and practically cuddling. even if the others somehow didn't freak out about the, uh, social implications... well, it would be impossible to explain how he and eddie got so close in the span of an hour. )
We should probably... ( he trails off as he shoots a quick glance at the door. when he turns back to eddie, it's with a wry, rueful twist of his lips. he doesn't want to go back up front. ) I mean, the other guys— they'll be back any minute.
( if steve sounds grim it's because he still doesn't love the idea of eddie and dustin being left in a vulnerable spot just waiting for history to repeat itself, but it really is the best they have to work with right now. if they can reinforce the trailer even just a fraction better than whatever they did last time then they might just have a chance at making it out of this shit alive.
the others have been inside long enough now that steve knows they're pushing their luck here. at any moment they'll be bursting back into the winnebago. he and eddie can't be caught holding hands and practically cuddling. even if the others somehow didn't freak out about the, uh, social implications... well, it would be impossible to explain how he and eddie got so close in the span of an hour. )
We should probably... ( he trails off as he shoots a quick glance at the door. when he turns back to eddie, it's with a wry, rueful twist of his lips. he doesn't want to go back up front. ) I mean, the other guys— they'll be back any minute.
( this plan is definitely not foolproof, but what choice do they have? convincing nancy of doing anything else will be impossible without explaining how they know what they know. all eddie can hope for at this point is that they get lucky that this somehow works.
in the meantime, though...
he pulls reluctantly away, a frown forming as he follows steve's gaze toward the door. )
Yeah. You'd better...
( he sighs as he rubs a hand across his face. this will work, he tells himself. and when it does and they're home free, then they can spend as much time together as they want. )
When this is all over, I expect to be wined and dined, Harrington, ( he adds, bouncing back with a cheesy grin. )
in the meantime, though...
he pulls reluctantly away, a frown forming as he follows steve's gaze toward the door. )
Yeah. You'd better...
( he sighs as he rubs a hand across his face. this will work, he tells himself. and when it does and they're home free, then they can spend as much time together as they want. )
When this is all over, I expect to be wined and dined, Harrington, ( he adds, bouncing back with a cheesy grin. )
Good. If you can't be irresponsible, at least you'll have a friend that can do it for you.
Irresponsible within reason. You've still got a bright future ahead of you, don't throw it away on advice from a superhero. No matter how impressive or devastatingly handsome he is.
Okay, good talk. Night.
Irresponsible within reason. You've still got a bright future ahead of you, don't throw it away on advice from a superhero. No matter how impressive or devastatingly handsome he is.
Okay, good talk. Night.
Yeah, if there's one thing he's good at? It's that.
Which, I guess it's up to me to make sure he doesn't cross any lines, either. I think he's still getting used to the whole, you know, finding out I'm Spider-Man and all that jazz. ( Not pictured here: Steve shaking his head fondly on the damn ego on this guy. And he thought Henderson was bad. )
Good night, Mr. Stark.
Which, I guess it's up to me to make sure he doesn't cross any lines, either. I think he's still getting used to the whole, you know, finding out I'm Spider-Man and all that jazz. ( Not pictured here: Steve shaking his head fondly on the damn ego on this guy. And he thought Henderson was bad. )
Good night, Mr. Stark.
( that grin is enough to ease steve into a sort of calm, at least in the moment. his lips curve into a flirtatious smirk and for a moment he just looks like steve harrington, heartbreaker, and not steve harrington, survivor of horrors beyond your wildest imagination. )
Are you kidding me? I can't remember the last time I had a decent date in Hawkins. You'd better believe I'm pulling out all the stops, Munson. ( tick tock, yeah, he knows. he needs to head up front, like, five seconds ago. ) Just tell me what you want and I'll make damn sure it happens.
Are you kidding me? I can't remember the last time I had a decent date in Hawkins. You'd better believe I'm pulling out all the stops, Munson. ( tick tock, yeah, he knows. he needs to head up front, like, five seconds ago. ) Just tell me what you want and I'll make damn sure it happens.
( eddie might have been on the receiving end of that smirk before, but there was something different about it this time. maybe it's the knowledge that this could be it for them. as much as he wants to be an optimist, this is their only chance, and they could very well blow it.
both of them could end up kicking the bucket, for all he knew. )
I haven't had a decent meal that wasn't cruise food in god knows how long. Hell, I'll even take diner food at this point. Just something so long as it's not... ( he trails off, gesturing wildly as if he expects steve to know what he means. )
Shit, I think they're back -- ( but that doesn't stop eddie from getting in one last kiss before gently nudging steve towards the front. ) Vamos!
both of them could end up kicking the bucket, for all he knew. )
I haven't had a decent meal that wasn't cruise food in god knows how long. Hell, I'll even take diner food at this point. Just something so long as it's not... ( he trails off, gesturing wildly as if he expects steve to know what he means. )
Shit, I think they're back -- ( but that doesn't stop eddie from getting in one last kiss before gently nudging steve towards the front. ) Vamos!
( it was an opportunity that eddie couldn't pass up. getting out of hawkins was his number one priority since he was old enough to realize the rest of the folk in this place would love to see him fail. maybe waiting on tables for the rich and famous wasn't the most metal career path in the world, but it paid absurdly well, and there were enough chances for eddie to stretch his musical fingers and hope that maybe, one day, someone will notice him.
plus, this meant getting out of america for a bit. only wayne knows where he is, which means no impromptu calls from his old man. the language barrier does mean that it's a little more challenging to make friends with the locals, but not impossible. he's even learned a few essential phrases in thai — enough to get him in good graces with shopkeepers and bartenders where eddie spends most of his off-time.
the white lotus. so long as eddie does all his assigned duties and nails his scheduled performance, fabian doesn't give a shit what he does on his aforementioned off-time. another boat full of guests has just arrived, and eddie puts on his most charming smile, hoping whatever guest family he's being whored off to this week is closer in age to him. fabian must have it out for him, based on the number of older bridge partners and families with small children who end up on eddie's list. he stands up straight, trying to nonchalantly get a glimpse at the next family when he hears fabian say his name. ah, another family...but with a son around his age. said son looks bored out of his mind, but that could just be eddie's imagination. given how much of a pain in the ass it is for anyone to get to this hellhole of a resort, he can't exactly blame the guy for looking so miserable. it's no problem for eddie, he'll just have to —
before he can even open his mouth, the man (his father?) addresses eddie in a manner that makes eddie's blood run cold. not that eddie should be so surprised. he knows this guy's type all too well. old money: anyone in the service industry is automatically beneath him.
this is going to be a long week... )
plus, this meant getting out of america for a bit. only wayne knows where he is, which means no impromptu calls from his old man. the language barrier does mean that it's a little more challenging to make friends with the locals, but not impossible. he's even learned a few essential phrases in thai — enough to get him in good graces with shopkeepers and bartenders where eddie spends most of his off-time.
the white lotus. so long as eddie does all his assigned duties and nails his scheduled performance, fabian doesn't give a shit what he does on his aforementioned off-time. another boat full of guests has just arrived, and eddie puts on his most charming smile, hoping whatever guest family he's being whored off to this week is closer in age to him. fabian must have it out for him, based on the number of older bridge partners and families with small children who end up on eddie's list. he stands up straight, trying to nonchalantly get a glimpse at the next family when he hears fabian say his name. ah, another family...but with a son around his age. said son looks bored out of his mind, but that could just be eddie's imagination. given how much of a pain in the ass it is for anyone to get to this hellhole of a resort, he can't exactly blame the guy for looking so miserable. it's no problem for eddie, he'll just have to —
before he can even open his mouth, the man (his father?) addresses eddie in a manner that makes eddie's blood run cold. not that eddie should be so surprised. he knows this guy's type all too well. old money: anyone in the service industry is automatically beneath him.
this is going to be a long week... )
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