AudacityofBluejays

tagged by @arimakes. my receiptify stats.

Its a little all over the place 🤷🏻‍♀️

I regret nothing.

If you want to do this consider this me tagging you ❤️

Stommy

It happened so fast. They were kids, barely ten, and Tommy wasn't thinking. He was new in town and his friendship with Steve was still fresh but he loved spending time with him. They were playing in the woods behind Steve's house and had found a tree that Steve declared was the perfect one for climbing.

As they attempted to scale the large oak, shouting out plans for a tree house they could build someday, Steve got distracted and slipped. His hand scraped on the bark as he fell down. He landed on his feet for a second before falling flat on his rear. Tommy hopped down from where he was hanging on to a low branch and made his way over to his friend. Steve sat there silent and dumbfounded, tears welling in his eyes as he stared down at his palms. "Please don't tell anyone I cried," he pleaded as Tommy crouched beside him and took his scraped palm in his own to look it over. It's what his mom would do when him or his brothers got hurt. Check for bleeding and press a kiss to the would for healing. So, that's what Tommy did. He wasn't thinking. It was just what felt right to do at the time. He hadn't looked up at Steve yet as he said, "There. All better." As he lifted his head and met his friends eyes, all Tommy saw was awe and surprise and he realized that maybe that's something only his mom did for his family and maybe he shouldn't have-

"You won't tell anyone I cried? My dad says I shouldn't-"

"Of course not, Steve. You're my best friend. I cry when I fall all the time. It hurts."

Steve wiped a tear from his face with the back of his hand as he chuckled. Then he brushed himself off and hopped up and went back to the tree.

"So, if you can get some tools and wood from your garage, I was thinking we could build our fort on this branch here."

"Great idea. We can start this weekend."

Steve beamed at Tommy and he beamed right back.

Fifteen years later and their friendship had seen more scrapes and scars, some invisible. Steve and Tommy's friendship fell apart in high school only to reconnect at their ten year reunion. Tommy didn't think Steve would talk to him and he was scared of the confrontation that it could incite as he walked over, but something about Steve aways helped him feel brave.

"Hagan?"

"Harrington! Hey! So, I was an asshole. I'm sorry, man."

And then Steve smiled that sideaways smile and extended his hand out to him.

"Me too. I'm sorry, too. We were kids. What the hell did we know?"

"Not a damn thing."

They laughed together. Laughing turned into talking.

They talked for hours that night. Rehashing memories from their youth, catching each other up on their lives now. Twenty minutes into their conversation they realized they were both living in Chicago now so they decided to try to revisit their friendship again. They started at meeting at bars on Sundays to watch a game or catch up after the week. Then they started calling eachother every day and it was as if they picked up where they left off as teenagers.

Inseperable again.

Another familiar feeling creeped into Tommy's gut. The same familiar feeling when he realized at fifteen that he felt things deeper than friendship for his closest friend. He tried to push it down, not wanting to screw up the friendship he just got back. Even when there were moments where he caught Steve's look lingering or his expression seeming to mirror his own feelings. But it had to be in his head. There was no way Steve shared Tommy's feelings and crush. A crush? Steve couldn't possibly and Tommy shouldn't either. Even if that was what was happening, weren't they a little old for crushes? So, no. Tommy needed to not feel this way. It was giving him ideas and putting thoughts of possibilities that were not probable in his head that risked ruining a friendship he was so glad and relieved to have back.

"So, I was thinking we could head over to that place on Clark to watch that Cubs Pirates game Thursday night." Steve is putting his own groceries away as he talks with his back to Tommy who's moving magazines around on the coffee table just to have something to do with his hands.

"Yeah. That works for me. Wanna meet after work and get dinner there or— Shit!"

One of the cardboard inserts in one of the magazines knicks the inside of Tommy's hand between his thumb and index finger.

The expletive seems to pull Steve from his task as he moves the two and a half strides from his fridge to his living room, brow furrowed in curiosity.

"What is it? You okay?"

"Yeah, no. It's fine. Just a stupid paper cut."

He lifts his hand up to show his friend the cut that's barely present but throbs like a son of a bitch. Tommy tries to keep a brave face on while it stings. Maybe a joke will difuse the situation and distract himself from the pain.

"Betrayed by Sports Illustrated, yet again."

Steve lets loose a soft laugh as he closes the space between them to stand directly in front of Tommy and grabs the wounded hand in his own.

"Let me see."

As Tommy offers his hand to his friend he hopes the other man doesn't hear his breathe hitch in his throat that happens as an involuntary reaction to the touch.

Steve meets his eyes as he lifts their hands up to press a kiss onto Tommy's palm.

"There. All better."

Tommy can't help but look on with wonder. This can't be happening. He feels like he's hurtling in space. Moving at warp speed to a long lost memory from their youth while simultaneously moving at warp speed through every sensation, sound and happening occuring in that space they share in that moment they're sharing in Steve's apartment.

All he can do is cock his head to the side in question but he knows there must be hope written all over his face.

Steve drops Tommy's hand and lunges forward to grab the side of his face instead, pulling him into a bruising kiss. Tommy melts into it and kisses back into Steve, head spinning.

As they pull away to catch their breathe, Steve whispers in the space between them, slightly brushing his lips to Tommy's as he speaks.

"When did Sports Illustrated betray you the first time?"

STARB!

It's a sunny lazy Sunday and all Barb wants to do is stretch out on her couch like a cat in a sunspot. Her boyfriend must have had the same idea because he makes his way to the living room in their three bedroom place they share with Robin.

Steve is sleep rumpled and handsome. Even handsomer still because he has two mugs of coffee in hand as he offers her her favorite mug, an old clunky ceramic thing with green and pink polka dots. He looks down at her and gives her the same look he's given her for what feels like a million times and yet she still hasn't gotten used to it. Something warm and soft. It's intense and awestruck.

She doesn't know if she's ready to admit to herself what it probably is. It's too early to be love, though. Right?

Once her coffee is in hand, he takes a sip of his own cup, sets it down on the coffee table and then proceeds to crawl onto the couch so he can lay across Barb and set his head into the cradle of her collarbone. She looks down at him fondly before reaching her cup out to him in an unspoken request for help. He takes it from her and sets it beside his own and then takes the opportunity to lift himself up and hover above her, bracketing her between his strong arms. She hooks the side of her index finger under his chin to bring him down towards her. The ease in which he follows the ever so slight direction of her hand is a gravitational pull. His expression as they close the gap between them takes her breath away.

Just then, Robin's door opens—as the knob turning is any indication and she starts talking outloud to noone. Everyone. Anyone in ear shot to hear. In this instance it's the couple on the couch. Even with being preoccupied, this is a normal occurance so they're able to multi task and take in what their friend is saying even when melting into each other. Robin's going on about how she's going to the farmer's market in town so if they want anything "say something now or forever hold your peace."

And how her library book had a page torn out of it. "It was just some random page, too. In the second to the last chapter. I'm not even sure if I can find another copy. I'm beyond irritated."

And how there was a news story she read yesterday about a family of cows wandering off from their farm a few towns over that she hopes are having a nice adventure.

And other assorted topics that she's bouncing back and forth from rapidly. All while moving about their kitchen with her back to them.

"—So, I told Keith that unless he's giving me a pay increase I don't really care how much of an honor it is to be night manager, I don't want i— Oh my god, you two! Can you come up for air for a second? It's not even ten in the morning. You know if you hadn't stolen my best friend we could maybe go to the farmer's market together, but noooo. You'd rather suck face on our communal couch."

Barb laughs into Steve's mouth as they pull away, roll their eyes at Robin's tantrum, and speak at the same time.

"Who?"

"Which one of us?"

That seems to add fuel to her annoyance's fire and a sigh that goes on for far too long leaves Robin before she responds.

"Both of you!"

And then there's a rustling of her keys off the hook by the door followed by the sound of the door being yanked open and slammed shut. Steve lifts himself up to straddle Barb's lap, kneeling around her legs. He looks toward the front door shaking his head.

"Dramatic."

Barb laughs lightly and lifts herself up, leaning back on her elbows.

"She doesn't mean it. She's just pissed at Keith lately and I bet she just feels like we're ignoring her. She hates not feeling heard. And I get that."

Steve cocks his head to the side like he's thinking about it. "Maybe we need to make more of an effort, huh?"

She matches his expression and pose tilting her head in mirrored curiousity.

"I think so. We'll talk to her after she cools off. But she isn't here now, so—" Her gaze darkens. Steve seemingly catches the glimmer in her eye because he dives back in to her, pressing his lips to hers. Barb licks into her boyfriend's mouth, letting her tongue lightly brush across the seam there. He follows her lead, kissing and biting softly at her bottom lip before pulling away again.

He looks down at her exasperated. Barb loves the way his hair flops to the side, so who's to stop her from looking up and admiring the view while they contemplate the ridiculousness of their roommate? She smiles softly at him. She can't help it.

Steve looks curious as he continues. "It's just a little bit of an over reaction though. Don't you think? Even for Robin."

Barb opens her mouth to respond and the front door creaks open followed by Robin's soft apologetic voice.

"Guys, I think I overreacted."

The couple break out into soft laughter as Barb's hand fists the front of Steve's shirt to pull him back into her. Unable to stop their laughter, their teeth slightly clink together as their mouths meet. Neither of them caring because they're both lost to the humor of it all.

Robin continues on waxing poetic about how she actually thinks she hit the best friend lottery and how it makes sense that two of her favorite people could enjoy each other as much as they do because she thinks the sun shines out of both of their asses but also could they both put on pants so they can come with her to peruse the produce and flowers at the park down the street. "Please?"

They take their laughter and coffee to go, linking each of their arms through Robin's on either side to set off to spend their shared Sunday together at the farmer's market gathering ingredients for their dinner and flowers for their table.

Buckingham!

They've played this game before. There have been a handful of times Chrissy has leaned over while Robin is mid sentence and mid rant, and pressed her index finger to Robin's face. Smile beaming and blue eyes bright she'll say, "Eyelash. Quick. Make a wish."

It never fails to pull Robin out of her head and into the present moment, which not a lot of things do, especially when she really gets going on what has been affectionately coined a Robin Ramble.

They've played this game before, so Robin knows when she sees a stray lash on Chrissy's cheek that the other girl will play along. She knows what her next move will be if Robin plucks it and presents it for Chrissy to wish upon. Robin isn't the one to ever initiate this game. Not really. She's never been the wish demander, only the wisher, but she still knows what Chrissy will do. Chrissy was pretty adamant that Robin was wishing wrong the first time they played like this. Which quite frankly is ridiculous. How does one wish wrong? It's a wish. Who cares? Well, Chrissy, that's who.

Chrissy had stamped her fingerprint onto to side of Robin's face and then brought it within Robin's line of vision to blow it away and make a wish. Robin had looked straight at Chrissy's manicured finger and pursed her lips to blow. Before she had a chance to take any breathe to prepare her lungs for the task, Chrissy pulled her hand away and shook her head back and forth.

"No, wait! That's not how you do it. You need to close your eyes."

"Why? How can I see if I actually blow it away or not if I'm not looking at it?"

Chrissy's smile was all mischief then.

"You don't. But I will and I'll tell you if you need to try again."

Chrissy took her opposite hand and slid her palm over Robin's face to close her eyes for her. It was electric. Robin's nerves felt like a live wire, her stomach a cage for a dozen butterflies, and a handful of other cliches— cliches that Robin rolled her eyes at until she felt them all and realized why they're cliches in the first place.

That was ten wishes ago, but Robin still remembers it like it was yesterday and she's been waiting for an opportunity to play back, it just hasn't happened, until now—And honestly Robin was starting to wonder if this was just another way Chrissy was perfect because it just never happened. Every hair in its place and every eyelash where it was meant to be and not a stray on a cheek bone to be found. Robin was starting to think it would never happen, until it did. It was finals week. They were in their University library studying side by side at a table. It was crowded and there was an energy in the air from all the stressed and focused college kids trying to absorb and retain as much as they could before their exams by any means necessary. A copper haired freshman two tables over was making the most noise in the room rustling their notes. A girl with dark hair had two books opened flat on her table as she cross referenced one and then the other bouncing back and forth as she shushed the freshman. Someone in a hoodie was lying their head on the stack of books in front of them. Osmosis was also a choice.

There was a lot happening around them but the table both girls sat at may as well have been an island. Robin's attention kept getting pulled back to her crush turned friend turned even more intense crush sitting next to her. The other people in the room nor her Dialects of Lost Civilizations textbook held her attention as much.

That's when it happened.

Chrissy was looking down at her book, Robin was looking at Chrissy. She leaned in close and brushed Chrissy's face to sweep up the lash. Chrissy turned her head fully and beamed at Robin, then immediately closed her eyes, took in a quick inhale to prepare to make a wish and blew. Robin wasn't sure what came over her but she felt pulled in by Chrissy Cunningham's gravitational pull and leaned forward to gently press her lips to Chrissy's right eye lid. Rather than release her exhale in a pursed lip blow, Chrissy sighed and relaxed further into her seat. Robin pulled away just as Chrissy's smile deepened and she opened her eyes to look down at the eyelash still on Robin's index finger and then up to meet her gaze.

Chrissy whispered into the space between them,"Pretty magical how a wish can be granted before it's even made. Don't you think, Robin?"

"Well, you're pretty magical, so I'm not even surprised."

I made a playlist for @katdeerly 's "you remind me of someone (it's probably you)"

https://archiveofourown.org/works/47525299/chapters/119772661

I heard one of these songs a week back and it immediately made me think of this fic. I immediately dmd Kat because I'm an obnoxious fan girl for her and this fic. So when this challenge came up I was 1 song down 10 to go lol. ( I edited because I forgot I added the darkness in the final hour leaving the final count to 11)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0lcRXDhncarVQce0Ot4um4?si=X8wYbO17TRebZmEn56aIng&pi=TkJfAQIfR-uaq

Someone new- Hozier

Steve coded. This universe Steve coded. That's all I'll say. Vibes vibes vibes and Steve.

Up all night- the boomtown rats

This is the song that screamed at me. It's Steve. It's ho. Wandering the city with insomnia. I can see it like a movie and if this fic had a soundtrack this being on it would be incredible to me.

Family line - Conan Gray

This felt very Eddie in this fic coded to me. The family dynamic he struggles with and how he relates and doesn't is so poignant in this fic and a big part of what I love about it. The theme woven in this fic about belonging resonated with me deep and is a big reason why I love it so much.

Why am I like this?- orla gartland

Steve coded but I think both characters in this fic struggle in ways that make this song resonate with me in the lens of his fic. It felt very much in line with Steve's inner monologue on page and potentially off page with what's happening around him. Feeling conflicted about the predicaments he found himself and the patterns he falls into having the bleeding heart he does.

Softness as a weapon - kindness

This felt like the moments Steve and Eddie come together and in moments of friendship, authenticity and vulnerability they show parts of themselves to each other and those are the cracks where the love spills out and the fall for one another.

TRY- Madison McFerrin

Again. More vibes. The way their friendship evolves with a love under the surface under a veil of secrecy and a lie. I can't explain it but it fit in my mind in some way and I loved it for this and them.

Sometimes - mannequin pussy

"And why'd you go and take your life

And try to fit it into mine?

I know that it's not right for us

To stay

But sometimes

Oh, sometimes

(Come and leave your lonesome ways behind)

Oh, sometimes"

It's them, your honor. I won't take any questions at this time.

Don't delete the kisses- wolf alice

Oh God, this one. Ok so the whole foundation of Steve in this one is he falls in love with everyone he meets so easily. He's everything to everyone as he puts together the puzzle pieces of a found family together after his own family of origin slipping away.

Parts of the song feels like that and how his friendship with Eddie and the Wheelers evolves ... And then when conflict arises ... It all comes crashing down-

"what. If. It's. Not. Meant. For. Me? Love. "

Big black car- Gregory Alan isakov

I hate to say this again but don't say I didn't warn you... This song just felt the way this fic felt. So again. My redundant ass says, vibes.

These days- Nico

After the conflict but before the resolution vibes. Steve wandering the city evolving in the "after".

I believe in a thing called love - the darkness

Last chapter resolution vibes. I also feel like it's end credits magic. ( I know I can't help it, I moviefied it again, I'm sorry. ) And besides that, I thought it was a fun way to end the playlist.

The @st-loveconfessions is doing a kindness week and I felt inspired to do today's challenge. Two fics cross my mind often when I'm bopping along to my playlist on shuffle so I made a mini playlist for each of them. First up, @arimakes fic, fill my lungs with sweetness

https://archiveofourown.org/works/58766857/chapters/149761072

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2HqeHe5nNf9eG5o1DxpxQu?si=h6D-0aPqR4GIe4C1PNQbfA&pi=zzFGVNqTSGuA9

Here's a little playlist for wabisabipapi and their hanahaki apocalypse fic. A lot of them are just vibes but I'm gonna write below the reasonings behind my choices as well as the song title and artist.

I hope this silly little playlist does the the fic justice because it truly is wonderful and beautiful.

We'll become silhouettes - postal service

Mainly vibes. A lot of them are just vibes but it reminded me of Eddie's time in his home / bomb shelter and then their shared time there.

Don't panic- Coldplay

This mainly was vibes but the irony of Eddie being afraid of the world they lived in and it being seen as a beautiful world by either of them felt like the back and forth of Steve cracking Eddie's hard exterior. Steve trying to encourage Eddie go out into the world and those who are left are there to lean on one another.

Come into my arms- november ultra

This reminded me Eddie and his mom and all he internalized about her and how he missed her and how they translated to how he inevitably opened up and closed off to Steve

Surface tension- Genevieve Stokes

This felt like Eddie vibes to me. Denying himself what he doesn't think he can have.

Silhouettes- colony house

Again vibes. This felt vibes of the both of them during their time together and the very end.

Tourniquet - Jeremy messersmith

This felt like a Steve to Eddie song. That he would have been there for him no matter what after the time they spent together no matter what the unreliable narrator in Eddie's head told him. No matter what Eddie's fear told him.

Under my bed- provoker

This felt like Eddie's fear in a song. There's a part when all feels lost and Eddie is consumed by his fear which is just a surrender to the fear he already has on the surface all along.

Gilded lily- cults

Another Eddie song around being consumed by the fear of dying and being consumed by unrequited love and all he sacrificed unknowingly because of his fathers choices and then eventually having glimmers of hope that he may be wrong about Steve coming back for him.

Into my arms- nick cave and the bad seeds

Again vibes. I'm sorry. But this felt very much like vibes for the end of the story to me.

Bloom- paper kites