#nerdplay

Something had felt familiar about the man, but Angelina couldn’t place where she knew that face from. He was tall, with soft looking brunet hair, pretty eyes, and cute glasses. She knew she’d seen him- but where? He didn’t seem to recognize her, which definitely helped narrow it down some.

A band? She tilted her head a bit, reaching up to tuck a ginger curl behind her ear. She did frequent The Hideaway- whenever she had time off and didn’t have work to worry about the next day. She liked the local music they showed- everything from sad cowboy music to heavy metal. Angelina almost never checked ahead, that way she was always treated to something unexpected.

The moment he said Keys, it clicked. Angelina’s expression lit up. “Oh! I remember you, now!” She bounced on the balls of her feet a little, giddy. “You play the keyboard! Bumble Starnight!” She said with full confidence, beaming up at her taller companion.

The scent of coffee washes over her comfortingly, Beck already eager to feel the worn pages of her favorite book on its countless reread between her fingers while tucked away in her favorite corner for the majority of the day. But New York had a way of altering plans for better or for worse… Beck pleasantly surprised to run into Keys at the counter, a little tongue-tied and wishing she’d taken more care with her appearance if she’d know she’d be seeing him today. Her mind blanked on ordering, making her chuckle embarrassingly, relieved smile dazzling hearing Keys is usually worse.

He’s busy — not just now, but in life — she’s well aware of that, noted when listening to his story during the short minutes they’d had in the few times they’ve met, New York again having a hand in their chance meetings. ❛ Can I get you a drink? ❜ Right — the reason why she’s here. ❝ Yes! Can I get… a cappuccino? ❞ She readjusts the straps of her purse hanging off her shoulder, a habit more than a need.

There’s no line behind her but… Beck also knows Keys has his job to do, no matter how much she wants to keep talking to him. ❝ Maybe… we can get something a little stronger sometime? ❞ Here she was shooting her shot, credit card out and ready.

    SHE PRIDED HERSELF ON BEING a great gift-giver, so when Abigail’s birthday was coming up, she knew EXACTLY where she would find the PERFECT gift for the woman who LOVED reading everything Discworld, yet was also interested in the scientific side of things. She had made sure that Abigail didn’t already own the book she was looking for, having made William her little helper in searching the bookshelves in their house. When she got the confirmation that The Science of Discworld III: Darwin’s Watch was nowhere to be found, she immediately set out to buy a copy.

@nerdplay said: 🤝 Reach for my muse’s hand to hold it

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ☪︎ . *. ⋆ HE KNEW THEY WERE TRYING TO take it slow. whatever this was that had begun to form between the two of them, whatever mutual feelings they'd been operating on ... at least for jonathan, the realization of them had been surprising, and a little SCARY. he was just beginning to discover this part of himself — the one that liked other guys in a romantic manner — and he didn't know what it could mean for him, for the people he loved, for keys.

but whatever this feeling was he had with keys in private ... it wasn't something he ever wanted to give up. the more he discovered about himself, the more FASCINATED he became, the greater his appreciation of his mind and body grew. he was ... happier. because of keys, and how he helped him see himself.

although part of him ached at the prospect of hiding this, what was growing between the two of them, it still meant they could have these quiet moments of SOLACE together, eyes meeting dark eyes as one hand reaches for the other's. and it kind of made jonathan's heart do a bunch of funny little jumps in his chest, the feeling of keys' hand on his, goosebumps beginning to break out along his flushed skin. and he wasn't doing a very good job at hiding how FLUSTERED he was; he kept a straight face, but he was certain he was burning a thousand shades of red right now.

“when’s the last time you ate?”

He supposed it was a fair enough question, though it was definitely weird to hear it coming from someone else who was checking in on him, especially when that someone looked just like him. It was like the universe had decided to send a human version of his conscience to keep him in check or some shit, especially since Steve was so used to putting his own struggles on the back burner to take care of everyone else in his life. Which was probably why Keys had posed the question, all things considered.

"Uhhhhhhhh." He had to think about that one. Steve often felt like he had one brain cell as it was sometimes, and that brain cell typically wasn't focused on when he had or hadn't eaten. It was focused on making sure the kiddos were squared away and safe. Making sure Robin felt supported and unjudged. Focused on his own love life, or lack of one nowadays. Not food.

"Well. I. Hm. I mean. I last ate...when....I ate." He nodded, thinking that was definitely absolutely a solid enough answer.

Millie couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth wash over her as she looked at Keys. She had always been grateful for the friendship they shared, but lately she had started to feel something more. Combined with how casually she had touched him; the rose blush that dusted his cheeks for a few moments after she had carried out the small action of gently rubbing her lipstick from his cheek.

"You look great, Keys," Millie finally responded a small smile tugged at her lips, her eyes taking in every detail of his outfit. "I mean, you always look good, but tonight you look extra sharp." There was something about him tonight that was making her heart race. Maybe it was the way his shirt hugged his broad shoulders, or the way that his hair was styled just so.

Eddie had been excited to run into Steve, jogging right up to him and wrapping his arms tightly around the other man. When he didn’t hug back, a little alarm went off in his mind. When he’d leaned back to look at the other, his eyes went wide. Oh shit I just hugged a stranger-

His hands raising in defensive as he immediately backed up, apologizing. Dude looked so much like Steve it was uncanny, but looking closer… glasses, his posture, the lack of that easy swagger Steve always seemed to carry. It was obvious now, looking more closely at the man: this definitely wasn’t their party leader.

He looked the other man over, eyebrows raised. “Steve? Steve Harrington- Mr. Popular? King Steve, Steve-The Hair-Harrington?” Big Boy, Pretty Boy, Princess? his mind added, amusement sparking in his eyes.

“Nothin’, really? Heh, you must be new to Hawkins,” Eddie hummed a moment. “Steve’s cool,” he stuffed his hands in his pockets, shifting his weight between his feet to keep moving. “Trust me when I say this: you’re like, the spitting image of him,” he replied, a little grin tugging at his lips as he dropped his hands. “’Cept the glasses. Cute, by the way.” He tapped his temple, mirroring where the other’s glasses were.