sip sip

🌙 Victor really enjoys warm things. You jokingly call him a cat, but it's not surprising to find him sitting in the sun's rays through the windows or holding you close to sap your warmth. Imagine his surprise when you suddenly upturn a batch of freshly dried laundry onto him when he was laying on your bed, but once he realized he was encased in clean smelling warmth, he melted a bit inside.

🌙 Speaking of clothes, finding clothes that fit Victor can be really hard. You understood why he rarely wore shirts; Everything was just really small on him. Whoever made him picked out the longest parts they could've considering he's 6 foot 9 inches tall. You do manage to find him some clothes, though, and it really touches him that you care so much about him.

🌙 Victor is pretty self conscious about his body. Who wouldn't be if the were stitched up from pieces of different corpses you couldn't identify? He may not seem like he listens to you when you try to console him, but that's just how he thinks and takes in information; He sulks and broods in darkness.

🌙 Speaking of his body, I hope you have a spare table you aren't using, because Victor is taking it hostage for his notes. He's so fucking desperate to find out who he's made out of that he'll take any hint or clue too literally. It unfortunately means that he sometimes comes back to your apartment smelling like a sewer much to your displeasure.

🌙 He's in a lot of chronic pain, and it's a pain that can't be measured. You do everything in your power to help him; Letting out some of the tighter stitches, heating pads, a hell of a lot of over the counter pain relievers, soft massages. Victor often feels like he's a burden when you do all of this for him, but you quickly shut him up with a soft kiss on his cold lips.

🌙 He runs cold. Not cold like a corpse on ice, but way cooler than a human body should be. It feels really nice on hot summer days, you get to kick off the sheets and just cling to him. It's a win-win for Victor.

🌙 He doesn't like letting touch his bolts or the wire he sometimes has to keep wrapped around his left arm to keep it on right. They often spark dangerously with little lightning bolts and he doesn't want you getting zapped. The last thing Victor would want to do is hurt you and it's probably stapled itself (pun not intended) as his worst fear.

🌙 Speaking of lightning, sometimes when you kiss him and swap spit, you can feel an odd little tingle on your tongue when you pull away from Victor. It's oddly addicting and you can never seem to get enough of it.

🌙 He doesn't like going out in public much. People tend to stare at the near seven foot tall walking body made up of different parts. He'll often stay inside your home, really only going out when he actually has something to wear or if it's dark outside.

🌙 He doesn't like you going out at night. If you have to go out, even for groceries, he's coming with you. During his travels, he's seen so many evil things lurk in the night; Vampires, werewolves, gangs, all sorts of horrors. He'll be damned if someone fucks with the only thing in the world that he care about.

🌙 He really likes having his scalp scratched, oddly. Victor didn't think he'd like it, thinking that it would somehow cause him more pain, but he was utterly shocked when he found himself completely calm and actually starting to drift off in your lap as you idly groomed your fingers through his inky hair.

🌙 When Victor isn't chasing leads, he's doing his best to keep your home clean. He can't cook for shit, but he'll at the very least clean your whole kitchen and put some wildflowers in a vase for you on your kitchen counter. He doesn't like sitting idly, especially when you work so hard at your job.

🌙 He really likes small animals; Cats specifically. A lot of the cats on the street somehow flock to Victor if you both are on a nightly stroll and they follow him back to your place. It becomes a habit of Victor feeding all of strays. It just gets a little awkward when the cats accidentaly scratch at his stitches.

🌙 If you have a cat? Forget it. It's his cat now. That cat will be curled up with him in the sun, both of them fast asleep. The three of you will take cat naps on your bed together. It will follow him around the entire place with its tail straight in the air and crawl all over him.

🌙 Victor gets most of his ideas of romance from observing others, mostly through tv and movies that play when you're gone. Victor took up slow dancing lessons one time and you came back home to see him dancing with a mop for practice. You don't let him live it down.

🌙 It honestly shocks him (again, pun not intended) how small you are compared to him. Not just your height, but your hands and everything else. Victor doesn't think you're fragile, no, but he sees you as something delicate that needs to protect.

🌙 It really touches him when you come on local trips around your city to help him look for clues. Just your presense alone makes it a lot more calm as he digs up a grave while you keep watch. Even if he finds nothing, it still means the world to him.

🌙 Victor doesn't like to deny or tease you for long. There won't be anything held out of your reach, he won't stand up taller when you want him to bend over for a kiss. Victor doesn't like making you upset.

𝔼𝕢𝕦𝕒𝕝 :: Is Gareth more dominant or submissive in his relationship?

⟢ Gareth has a loud, abrasive personality in public, but in personal spaces, he is the subbiest sub who ever subbed. His aggressive attitude was a survival skill when he was growing up, fending off two bossy little sisters and trying to hold his ground against the bullying jocks, and it evolved into a stage persona that serves him and the band dynamic very well. But when it’s just the two of you, what Gareth wants most is to curl up in your lap while you play with his hair and call him your good boy.

𝔽𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 :: What is it like when Gareth and his partner argue?

⟢ Oh god. Gareth can get a little… dramatic. Lots of passion in that boy, and sometimes a little raincloud can blow up into a whole monsoon. If you’re the type to respond in kind, arguments can become screaming matches quickly if no one intervenes. The good news is that they blow over just as fast as they blow up, and it’s not long before the two of you are making up (and hearing his bandmates grumble ‘get a room, jesus’). But that’s another alphabet….

𝔾𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕥𝕦𝕕𝕖 :: Does Gareth acknowledge how much his partner does for him?

⟢ I won’t lie, he’s not the best about it. It’s not out of malice or anything, but he can fall into a bit of a routine, where all your gestures and contributions become rote standard, and he gets so used to them being there that they become just part of the scenery, so to speak. However, if you were to confront him about it and express your frustrations, he would be so quick to apologize and try to make it up to you, taking you out and reminding you (and himself) how important you are to him.

ℍ𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕪 :: Does Gareth keep secrets from his partner or does he share everything?

⟢ Out of all the CC boys, Gareth can be the most secretive. He doesn’t lie to you, but he might not volunteer the entire truth either. He might try to hide a hangover from you, or not tell you how much he had to drink last weekend, or say that Eugene’s birthday boys’ night was great and just not mention the stripper to you.

𝕀𝕟𝕤𝕡𝕚𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 :: Has Gareth’s partner inspired him to grow or change in any way?

⟢ Like with Jeff, it’s not a specific change that can be pinpointed, but it’s definitely there. Being with you leads to a maturity he didn’t have before you, and more conscientiousness of other people and their feelings. (The first time he goes to grab a drink from the kitchen and comes back with one for Eugene too without being asked, the guys think he’s coming down with something.)

𝕁𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕪 :: How does Gareth handle jealousy in his relationship?

⟢ Not well. Going back up to Fight, he tends to blow up over it. If you’re the one feeling jealous toward him and his interactions, he’ll tell you flat-out that you’re being ridiculous—but when it’s him jealous of you, that’s a legitimate emotion. But these are some of the quickest arguments to blow over, usually ending with one of you pinned to the nearest flat surface, joined at the mouth.

𝕂𝕚𝕤𝕤 :: Is Gareth a good kisser?

⟢ Yeah, he is. Before Jeff’s braces come off and Eddie gets trained in what his partner likes, Gareth is probably the best kisser in the band. He’s pretty damn good with his mouth in general. Kissing, talking, singing… other alphabetical shenanigans….

𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕗𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟 :: How does Gareth confess his love to his partner?

⟢ Look, I know this is a fluff alphabet, but the first time Gareth drops the L-bomb is during the act, when he’s so caught up in feeling and sensation that his speech filter is just fully switched off and he’s got a stream-of-consciousness babble happening. He doesn’t even realize he’s said it until you either return it in the moment or bring it up afterward. He freezes for a moment, but slowly realizes that… yeah. Yeah, he meant it.

𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕚𝕒𝕘𝕖 :: Would Gareth want to marry his partner?

⟢ Gareth is indifferent to the idea of marriage. If it’s something you want, sure. If you’re not bothered about it, he’s fine living in sin. (His mother will bring it up every single time you see her, though. She wants grandbabies, dammit!) If marriage is your thing, be prepared to be the one in charge of basically all the planning, though; Gareth would be perfectly fine with a Chapel o’ Love elopement.

ℕ𝕚𝕔𝕜𝕟𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕤 :: What does Gareth call his partner?

⟢ Babe and baby are his go-to pet names, and a diminutive of your actual name. He could also hit you with a pretty boy/girl if it suits you.

𝕆𝕟 ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕕 ℕ𝕚𝕟𝕖 :: What is Gareth like when he’s in love?

⟢ Distracted as fuck. He is fully checked out of conversations, he’s losing his place in the music during rehearsals, Jeff manages to beat his ass at Mortal Kombat II… all because the only thing he can think about is you.

ℙ𝔻𝔸 :: Does Gareth openly share affection with his partner, or is he more private?

⟢ Gareth will happily stick his tongue down your throat any time, anywhere. He’s not at all shy about PDA, and if you don’t mind it, sometimes he’ll even push things a hair past decent just to repulse Jeff and Eugene (but Eddie couldn’t care less). The only exception to this is if the two of you don’t pass as a straight couple during the decades when homophobic violence runs rampant and goes unpunished; if you’re a noticeably queer couple, Gareth does know how to read the room and will behave himself to keep you both safe.

ℚ𝕦𝕚𝕣𝕜 :: What’s a random action Gareth performs for his partner?

⟢ Gareth is a bit of a resource hoarder. It’s another survival skill he developed from growing up with two little sisters who had a knack for getting their way. He used to have to swipe his favorite snacks from the pantry and hide them before his sisters got to them, or stow his new crayons in his sock drawer so Claire and Lily wouldn’t find them and wear them down to nubs. Stemming from this, your favorite things become part of his hoarding as well, nabbing your favorite chocolates from the communal variety bag before Eddie can inhale them while he’s stoned, hiding your preferred drink brand at the very back of the fridge behind the spoiled milk that no one’s touched in three months….

ℝ𝕠𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖 :: How romantic is Gareth?

⟢ Okay, so, here’s the thing. Gareth’s got that ‘overgrown teenager’ thing going on, and I can see why you might assume he’s not much for the overt displays of love. But Gareth loves you. And when it comes to showing you that, he pulls out all the stops. Don’t forget, he’s a dramatic motherfucker too, which means his grand gestures can get big. Buying out the restaurant so your anniversary dinner is completely private and free of interruptions by autograph seekers? Done. Romantic ‘vacation’ to the penthouse suite of the highest rated hotel in six counties? Oh yeah. Hell, fucking flash mob?? Wouldn’t put it past him!

𝕊𝕦𝕡𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥 :: How does Gareth help his partner achieve their goals?

⟢ He helps you by helping you. If you’re trying to get your degree, he will help you study, either by drilling you with test questions or making sure you have a quiet place to work alone with minimal distractions. If you’re angling for a promotion at work, hell yeah he can get your boss’s kids that exclusive CC merch, and hey, how about floor tickets with backstage passes too? Are you trying to get started in the music industry? He’ll invite CC’s production manager over for a Super Smash Bros tournament and jumpstart your network.

𝕋𝕙𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕝 :: Does Gareth like to experiment and try new things, or does he prefer familiarity?

⟢ Oh this boy is down to try anything, in any facet. New restaurants, new foods (bonus points if he can make Jeff gag), new set lists, new tour destinations, new bedroom activities…. Gareth wants to experience it all.

𝕌𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 :: How well does Gareth know his partner?

⟢ Like the back of his hand. Gareth doesn’t do anything by half measures, and he’s practically obsessed with you. There’s not a single subject anyone could bring up that he can’t relate back to a fact or trivium about you.

𝕍𝕒𝕝𝕦𝕖 :: How important is Gareth’s relationship to him?

⟢ Damn important. He loves you, he loves showing you off, he loves how you fit in with his bandmates and their partners. You make him happy.

𝕎𝕚𝕝𝕕 ℂ𝕒𝕣𝕕 :: A random fluffy headcanon.

⟢ Ever since he was a kid, an expression of Gareth’s love has been in the gifting of tiny trinkets, like a courting magpie. While he definitely gives bigger, more typical gifts as well, damn near every time you see him, he gifts you a tiny little object. They’re nothing special or fancy, it might be a neat rock, or a pretty leaf, or a perfect acorn, or a wheatback penny, or a simple piece of origami.

𝕏𝕆𝕏𝕆 :: Does Gareth like to be affectionate with his partner?

⟢ Oh my god, yes. Gareth lives for affection. He would be snuggling on top of you 24/7 if it were at all feasible.

𝕐𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 :: How does Gareth cope when he’s missing his partner?

⟢ Oh he’s a sulky bitch. When you’re apart, he gets crabby and cranky so much more easily. If you couldn’t join CC on tour, the other guys try to make sure Gareth gets a break in the schedule every day to call home and talk to you, if only to stop him becoming unbearable to work with.

ℤ𝕖𝕒𝕝 :: To what lengths would Gareth go for his relationship?

⟢ He might walk off a tour to see you instead, or at least cancel a show or two. He’d argue to bring you along on the tour bus with the rest of the band, and if the guys don’t go for that, then they can go on without him, he’ll get his own transportation—with you—to each city, thanks very much.

Eddie’s miserable. When did this happen? How did this even happen?

Last night, Steve and Nancy were all over each other. Eddie knows this to be fact since he saw them together at that party he wasn’t invited to as a guest, but to work because the popular kids always need a fix and he needs to make a living if he’s ever going to leave this shithole town. Anyway, that’s when Eddie saw the “it” couple and yet, now Nancy is nowhere to be seen and you’re snuggling into Harrington.

“I hate this fucking school,” Eddie repeats, sticking his fork into today’s cafeteria lunch. “Everyone is so two-faced and fake. No one has any integrity.”

The guys don’t need to follow his line of sight because they know very well who and what the metal-head is talking about.

“Maybe if you just talked to her, then you wouldn’t be so miserable today.” Jeff notes without looking up from his homework. “Plus, I overheard Charmaine tell Julie that Harrington is continuing to hold a candle for Nancy. This thing over there, that you’re obsessing over, is just friends being friends.”

“Doesn’t look like just friends to me,” Eddie grumbles, then looks at Jeff. “And I tried talking to her. It’s just, every time I do, my mind goes blank.”

Gareth rolls his eyes. “Dude, she’s not some superbeing. She’s a girl from our school. You’ve got no problem talking to other girls?”

Eddie doesn’t say anything because how does he go about explaining to his friends that to him, you’re more than a girl from school. It’s embarrassing enough how he’s never talked to you and yet, you occupy his entire mind and soul. The guys think it’s just another crush. Eddie knows it’s not. He can’t tell them though because they’ll laugh him out of it. Eddie the freak Munson is very much pining after a girl who doesn’t know he exists. Pathetic.

So, as any respectable guy in his situation would, Eddie continues to wallow in his own self-pity. 

He stares at you throughout the remainder of the lunch break, narrowly avoiding your gaze here and there by simply looking away. His downcast humour continues throughout the rest of the day. Since he doesn’t often engage in class anyway, the teachers pay him no mind. Although, their reasons are different: a quiet Eddie Munson is better than one who causes various disturbances. After the final bell ring, he hurries out of the building and blares music the entire drive home, to fizz out his thoughts.

Called into work. Here’s some cash. Go to the diner. 

Wayne

Eddie sighs. The one thing he was hoping for were his uncle's words of wisdom, although it seems that will also have to wait. Eddie slides the note into the pocket of his denim jeans and he is out the door again.

The diner is about thirty minutes away from the trailer, by foot. The metal-head decided to walk it anyway, hoping the fresh air would knock some sense into him because he’s got no business feeling this emotionally shattered. 

Maybe if he wasn’t such a bitch boy around you, things would be different. Unfortunately, for some reason, ever since he first laid eyes on you, Eddie’s default is shy.

Okay, maybe you and Harrington are a thing now, so what? Eddie’s got no claim on you, unspoken or otherwise. You can date whoever, even if it’s Steve the asshole. It’s also not like you and Nancy are friends. Everyone at school knows you two run in different circles, meaning no girl-code is being broken. There is also the possibility of what Jeff overheard from Charmaine and Julie being true: you and Harrington are nothing but friends. Very friendly friends. Touchy, feely. And Eddie would have noticed earlier if it were simply the case of friendship, therefore, he concludes that you are in fact dating Steve the douche Harrington and he somehow has to come to terms with it.

Eddie pushes the door open and makes a beeline for an empty booth. He orders a burger with fries and a soda from the middle-aged waitress, then whips out a notebook from his backpack while he waits. The only one he carries and it’s not for any schoolwork. The numbers scribbled hastily in the margins are easily mistaken for maths, but that’s just business. He focuses instead on the latest D&D campaign he’s working on.

For a moment, the metal-head forgets about today's events. He gets lost in the fictional world he’s creating. The made up monsters replace any harboured thoughts of you with Steve the turd, although one closely resembles Harrington's famous head of hair and he smirks, proud of himself for the immaturity. He figures if girls can write about their demons in journals, he can bring them into D&D. Bring them, then kill them.

He’s just about finished marking a big cross over the doodle of monster Steve when a figure steps in front of the light, creating a shadow over his notebook. Eddie sighs, foot tapping underneath the table in frustration. He’s about to make a rude remark, but when he looks up to meet the eyes of the perpetrator, he’s met with your wide gaze and naturally, he freezes.

“I like your drawings,” you say.

“Uhm, t-thanks,” he fumbles.

“You’re Eddie, right?”

All he can do is nod in response and you smile. Small and charming. Enough to make the brunette’s head spin and pinch his leg because he can’t believe this is happening. Surely, this must be a dream of some sort. He came home and passed out on the sofa. The only logical explanation for why you would be talking to him, complementing his stupid little doodles. The only logical explanation for why you know his fucking name.

“We’ve never officially met,” you begin and reach out your hand. 

Eddie glances at it and without really thinking, he utters, “I know who you are.”

It comes out a little more mean than he intends it to, he knows because you retreat your hand as if you’ve been burned. Eddie’s heart stings. Now he knows it’s real since only he’d be stupid enough to ruin a good thing before it even began. He’s an asshole.

“Sorry,” he mumbles quickly, then straightens in his seat. “Do you wanna sit? I-I have fries.”

He chews on the inside of his cheek for how incredibly pathetic that sounded; fries. You however, don’t notice and you’re also kind enough not to point out how he’s stumbling about his words like a little schoolkid.

“I love french fries.”

And with that, you’re sliding into the booth, across from him.

Eddie watches in disbelief as you help yourself to his food, not just the potato side, as if the two of you have been friends a lifetime. Then, probably to confuse him even more, you start telling him about how your parents locked you out and how it’s nice to see a familiar face, while he’s sitting there in silence, taking it all in, wondering whether perhaps this was some cruel joke Harrington and his band of losers were playing on him.

He wants to ask. Save himself the embarrassment if this does end up being a prank and tomorrow’s gossip: Eddie the freak Munson thought he had a chance. You keep talking, only taking small pauses to take bites out of his food or a sip of his soda, and to Eddie’s surprise nothing happens. No one jumps out screaming, laughing, pointing at him. This is really happening and he is truly baffled.

“Can we get another burger meal and the same soda?” You order from the waitress when she comes around to check the tables and afterwards, turn to look at Eddie, smile ever present. “Kinda ate most of yours.”

“It’s fine,” he manages to say.

For the first time since you sat down, it’s quiet. Now you’re the one staring at him, head tilted slightly to the one side. The smile on your face transforms into something more thoughtful, as if you were trying to read his mind — which is exactly the same thing Eddie was trying to do to you.

“So,” you begin again, “What were you scribbling intently before I crashed the party?”

“Just some stuff for an afterschool thing,” Eddie answers with a shrug, voice a little shaky.

“Mysterious.”

The sparkle in your eyes screams that you want to know more, but the metal-head is hesitant to share. Even though this wasn’t part of some scheme by Hawkins’ finest, it didn’t mean there wasn’t a different underlying reason as to why you were taking interest in him and he didn’t like when people made a fool of him.

Eddie clears his throat.

“Did your parents really lock you out?” He questions.

A brow goes up, it seems you are surprised at his push back. 

“Yes,” you say matter-of-factly, then add, “They do this sort of thing from time to time. They’re big hippies, so it’s not like neglect or anything. It’s weed. They don’t want me home when they’re high because they think it would make me undermine their authority.”

Eddie smirks and you tell him it’s not funny, but he can’t help the chuckle leave his throat. When you throw a fry at him across the table, smiling wide, he’s no longer feeling the nervous bubble. In fact, he’s suddenly quite relaxed.

“I’m sorry that I’m a good daughter. Next time I’ll be sure to pick a less judgemental table” you say dramatically, although the grin doesn’t leave your features.

The brunette lifts his hands in front of his chest in a defence motion.

“No judgement here. My social status requires me to second guess reasons people have for talking to me. I had to make sure your boyfriend wasn’t going to jump me the second we stepped outside.”

“Boyfriend?” You seem genuinely taken aback by the assumption.

“Harrington,” he clarifies, although he’s not sure why he should be.

Until you laugh. It’s soft and tender, but it’s a laugh nonetheless.

“Steve’s not my boyfriend,” you state in between giggles, “He’s madly in love with Wheeler. God, does the whole school think we’re dating? He’s gonna hate that. Poor Nancy.”

Eddie blinks. Seems Julie’s information was correct, but it still doesn’t explain the closeness and the banter the entire cafeteria was witness to. He feels weird for letting this bother him so much and even though he usually has difficulties keeping his big mouth shut, he doesn’t want you thinking he’s some sort of pervert, so he doesn't say anything, simply bops his head.

Although, his silence doesn’t seem to deter you.

“I noticed you staring,” you admit, half a decibel lower. 

A fresh burger and fries land on the table, followed by a large Coca-Cola. The waitress mutters something along the lines of enjoy, then walks away to tend to another table.

Eddie doesn’t know what to do next: admit or deny. He’d rather go back to fifteen minutes ago when you were eating his food and he wasn’t talking. Therefore, he slides the burger closer to himself and in one swift motion, lifts it to his lips, taking a bite too big for his mouth. He doesn’t care what he looks like at the moment, he just needs to keep himself quiet before saying something else he’s going to regret.

Across the table, you’re all smiley again.

“Do you think, when you’re done eating, you could walk me home?” You ask, offering him a napkin. 

As he nods, he reaches for the paper cloth and his fingers brush yours delicately. There’s a zap of electricity, but if you feel it, you don’t react. Eddie’s continuing with the shyness, so he looks down at the burger in his hand and pretends nothing happened to him either.

It’s not until you lean over the table, index finger stretched and inching forward to touch his face, wiping leftover ketchup from the corner of his mouth, that the metal-head thinks maybe, just maybe, you feel some type of way about him too because that’s not what a person does for someone they only officially met minutes before.

Afterwards, you say, “I’ll tell you all about how I’ve been watching you too.”, and Eddie nearly chokes on his food.