athena. ݁₊ ⊹

Sumerry: Being Garrett's sister came with about all the problems that one might expect, but one problem you never expected was his best friend's animosity towards you.

Warnings: MDNI 18+, story contains sexual material

Word count: 6.1k

Note: this was so fun to write I hope you guys enjoy it, enemies to lovers will always be one of my favorite tropes

Since the first day Logan laid eyes on me…

He acted like a massive dick

Very first interaction between us and he just completely ignored me, Garrett introduced me to him and when I extended my hand to him he just looked at my hand, then back at me and he fucking walked away, he didnt excuse himself, he didnt say a single word… he just left to talk to one of his teammates. Garrett told me that I shouldn't feel offended by it, that he was just like that but I knew that was bullshit. Logan hated me for some reason that's truly unbeknownst to me… so I did what any rational person would do. He wanted to hate me so I would give him reasons to actually hate me.

It started off simple really, he couldn't avoid me no matter how hard he tried and god did he try, me and Garrett had always been close, that was the whole reason he introduced me to Logan to begin with, Garrett had hoped that his new little best friend and i could get along so that hang outs between all of us could go smoother. But that of course wasn't the outcome. I could tell Logan didn't like it when I came around, every time I appeared he would suddenly get quieter, suddenly he had no more remarks to make unless they were little jabs at me, that i so kindly thanked him for by doing the exact same thing back.

He wanted to act like i was a burden so i decided that i was gonna show him how much of an actual burden i could be, everytime i would meet up with Garrett i would make sure that Logan was there, i waited until i knew it would be just the two of them and then boom i would appear, Logan really didn't appreciate that but what he really didn't appreciate was when i started pulling my little pranks on him. I still remember the first time I put salt in his coffee instead of sugar, he was actually really grateful for the coffee… until he sipped it. Logan was no saint either though, after I started doing the prank, he didn't stop being an asshat, he actually doubled down on his assholeness and started doing pranks on me too. The pranks became a kind of game between the two of us. A stupid, never-ending game. I hid his car keys in places that should've been physically impossible to reach. He changed my phone's autocorrect so every time I typed "okay," it corrected to "I miss Logan." I replaced the batteries in his TV remote with dead ones. He covered my car in sticky notes that read Warning: she cant drive for shit

Garrett had stopped trying to intervene at this point, he was already far too exhausted to even try to understand the dynamic between Logan and I

"You two are exhausting," he'd sigh, rubbing his temples while Hannah laughed beside him.

The worst part was that we'd gotten... good at it. Logan knew exactly which comments would get under my skin, and I knew precisely how to make that stupid little vein in his forehead pop whenever he was annoyed. It became routine. If I walked into a room and Logan was there, one of us was guaranteed to leave the other irritated before the night was over.

3 years had passed like that. Three whole years of sarcastic comments, sabotage, eye rolls, and Garrett constantly questioning why the universe insisted on making his two favorite people incapable of coexisting

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------—

"Are you wearing that?"

I looked up from where I was sitting cross-legged on Allie's bed.

"What?" I asked, looking down at my outfit. "What's wrong with it?"

Allie blinked at me from across the room, mascara wand frozen halfway to her face. "It's... simple."

Hannah snorted from her spot in front of the mirror. "That's a nice way of saying that you should dress up more"

I rolled my eyes

"You own dresses."

"I do."

"You own skirts."

"I do."

"You own clothes that don't scream 'don't perceive me” so why are you wearing jeans and an oversized sweater?"

I shrugged "wasn't feeling in much of a party mood."

Hannah exchanged a look with Allie

"What?"

"Nothing," Hannah said a little bit too fast

"You're doing the look." I say

"What look?" she replies

"You guys are doing that weird communicating telepathically bullshit, don't think I don't notice"

"Were not–"

"Oh yes you are."

Allie laughed, tossing a hair tie onto the bed "Fine," she admitted. "We were just wondering if maybe your outfit choice has something to do with who's going to be there tonight."

I frowned "What does that even mean?"

Hannah tried and failed to hide her smile "I ran into Garrett this morning."

"...Okay and?"

"He mentioned Logan's coming tonight."

I groaned so dramatically I actually fell backward onto Allie's comforter "Guys don’t start"

"Nope."

I covered my face with a pillow. "I don't have the energy for this today."

Hannah leaned against her dresser, arms crossed, "You know..." she started carefully, "I've known you for a while now."

"And?"

"And in this whole time...I've never actually figured out why you two hate each other."

I lowered the pillow just enough to stare at her "What?"

"I'm serious," Hannah continued. "Every story Garrett tells starts with one of you annoying the other."

"That's because his mere existence annoys me."

"And according to Logan," Allie chimed in, "you exist to annoy him."

"Good im glad i make him miserable"

They shared that look again and I narrowed my eyes.

"There it is again."

"What?"

"You guys are like telepathically judging me."

Allie sighed dramatically "Its not that.. We just think tha–”

"No."

"I didn't even finish."

"I already know where this is going."

Hannah smiled "We think maybe..."

"No."

"...you two don't actually hate each other."

I stared at them and then I laughed, "Oh, that's funny."

Neither of them laughed back, "We're just saying," Allie said, "people who genuinely hate each other don't spend years finding creative ways to get the other person's attention."

"My attention?"

"You literally started showing up every time Garrett and Logan hung out."

"To inconvenience him."

"Mhm, i feel like thats completely normal behavior honestly"

"And he keeps coming to things even though he knows you'll be there," Hannah added.

"Because Garrett invited him." I answer back quickly

"Sure."

"And Garrett invites you."

"Well i mean he is my brother"

Another look. I wanted to throw something at both of them at this point

"You know what I think?" I said.

"What?"

"I think you're both delusional."

Allie burst out laughing.

"I'm serious!"

Hannah held up her hands "Okay, answer me this. If Logan walked into this room right now–"

"I'd leave."

"You'd argue with him."

"I'd leave after arguing with him."

Both of them grinned.

"Oh my God," I groaned, dragging my hands down my face. "You two are insufferable."

"No," Allie corrected with a smirk, "We just think the line between sexual tension and attempted murder is getting blurrier by the day. I think you wanna jump his bones"

I pointed at her. "I need you to know that if I commit homicide tonight, it'll be against you for even saying that”

Hannah laughed so hard she nearly dropped her eyeliner.

"I am never," I declared, standing up and grabbing my jacket, "under any circumstances, ever being attracted to Logan."

The words had barely left my mouth before there was a knock at the dorm door.

Allie glanced toward it "That'll be Garrett."

"Perfect."

She swung the door open.

Garrett stood there with his usual easy smile. And right beside him—Logan.

Of course. Timing had always hated me, before we left Allie gave me a more fitted shirt and told me to put it on, even though i was determined on my look, seeing at how the nights direction is looking i thought it best to look more presentable so i quickly changed into the corset style shirt allie had given me.

I quickly stepped outside where everyone was waiting for me, “Lets go losers”

—--------------------------------------------———————————————————————

Music pounded through the fraternity house, the bass vibrating through the floors hard enough that I could feel it in my chest. The place was packed with people yelling over the music, cups raised in the air, colored lights flashing across faces that blurred together.

Garrett led us through the crowd, "There they are," he shouted over the music.

Dean was the first to notice us, lifting his drink in greeting before Tucker turned around with a grin.

"There she is!" Tucker said, pulling me into a quick hug. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming."

"Oh well dont cream your pants im here"

Dean hugged me next.

"Glad you're here."

I caught Allie looking between Dean and herself before she shot me a ridiculously obvious smirk. Without saying a word, she casually drifted until she was standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Dean.

Very subtle miss allie

The six of us and Logan (unfortunately) wandered over to the makeshift bar where someone handed us drinks. For a while it was... surprisingly normal. Garrett was telling some story that had Tucker nearly choking on his drink while Hannah corrected every exaggerated detail. Dean kept throwing in comments that made Allie laugh so hard she had to grab onto his arm.

Even Logan contributed every now and then but it was mostly sarcastic remarks. Mostly directed at me. asshole

Then a familiar song blasted through the speakers.

"Oh, this is jam!" Tucker announced before immediately spotting a brunette across the room. "Wish me luck." Without waiting for permission, he disappeared into the crowd.

"I'll give him thirty seconds," Dean said.

"Twenty," Logan answered.

The girl smiled at Tucker before he'd even reached her.

Dean sighed "...Never mind."

Garrett held out his hand toward Hannah "Dance?"

She smiled immediately "I thought you'd never ask."

They disappeared into the growing crowd.

Dean looked over at Allie "You wanna?"

"I was wondering how long it'd take you." She slipped her hand into his, shooting me one last look over her shoulder.

It was another one of those looks. The don't kill each other look.

Just like that...It was only me and Logan. Silence settled between us. Well As much silence as was possible inside a frat house. I took a sip of my drink, pretending to be fascinated by literally anything else. My eyes drifted toward him anyway. Unfortunately.

Logan had clearly put actual effort into tonight. His dark hair was slightly messy, like he'd run a hand through it. He used a fitted black button-up that was rolled to his forearms, the sleeves exposing strong, tanned arms dusted with veins that became more noticeable every time he adjusted the red plastic cup in his hand. The top two buttons were undone just enough to reveal the sharp line of his collarbone The dim party lights caught against the silver chain resting around his neck every time he turned his head.

And then there was his face.

It was genuinely irritating how unfair it was, A sharp jawline, straight nose, thick brows, and eyes that sparkled. It should've been illegal for someone with that personality to look like that. I hate how attractive he is Almost as much as I hated the fact that I'd just spent a solid thirty seconds staring at him.

"...See something you like?"

I blinked.

His eyes met mine.

Shit, "I was actually trying to figure out why you keep look so emotionally constipated tonght."

The corner of his mouth lifted.

"Cute."

"It's true."

"I caught you staring."

"Oh please I was zoning out."

"Mhmm, You just happened to be standing where I was looking."

"Dont get your panties in a twist John, i was zoned out "

He took one slow sip of his drink without breaking eye contact "I don't blame you."

I frowned "For what?"

"For staring."

I laughed, "Oh, your ego is unbelievable."

"I'm just acknowledging reality."

"And what reality are you living in exactly"

"The reality where you looked away the second I caught you."

"I looked away because you started talking and that's never a good sign you know"

"So you admit you were staring."

"I admit nothing."

"You've got a terrible poker face."

"And you've got an inflated sense of self-worth."

"I've been told confidence is attractive."

"Yeah confidence not delusion"

He placed a hand dramatically over his chest "Ouch."

"I was aiming for worse."

Before he could answer, someone squeezed between us. A blonde girl wearing a blue dress smiled brightly at Logan "Hey," she said, touching his arm. "You wanna dance?"

I looked away before he answered. Not because I cared. Obviously.

Logan glanced toward me for half a second before looking back at her "...Sure."

The girl smiled wider, taking his hand and pulling him toward the dance floor. He looked back once, flashing me an annoyingly smug grin.

"Try not to miss me too much."

I snorted "fuck off"

Then he disappeared into the crowd. Finally.

I leaned against the wall, absentmindedly watching everyone dance. Garrett had Hannah spinning underneath his arm while she laughed. Dean and Allie were hopelessly wrapped up in each other, barely paying attention to anyone else. Tucker... Somehow already had the brunette laughing hard enough that she was hiding her face against his shoulder.

I smiled to myself, I'm glad everyone else is having a good time even though tonight's been a bit of a snooze for me. My gaze shifted toward Allie. She caught me watching. With a grin, she subtly pointed somewhere behind me. Confused, I glanced over my shoulder. A guy was standing a few feet away and he was looking at me. The second our eyes met, he smiled.

I smiled back politely.That seemed to be all the encouragement he needed cuz he walked over, stopping in front of me.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"I've been trying to work up the courage to come over for like... ten minutes."

I laughed "That long?"

"I kept chickening out."

"Well," I teased, "I'm glad you finally didn't."

He smiled.

"I'm Patrick"

I introduced myself, shaking his hand.

He nodded toward the dance floor "So...Would you wanna dance with me?"

I glanced toward the crowd for only a second. Then I smiled, "Yeah."

"I'd like that."

Patrick led me onto the dance floor, weaving us through the crowd until we found an empty spot. Well… As empty as a fraternity dance floor could be.The music was loud enough that conversation was impossible, so he simply smiled before resting one hand lightly against my waist.

I smiled back politely and my eyes wandered. It didn't take long to find him. Logan stood on the opposite side of the room. The blonde had closed the distance between them considerably, her arms looped loosely around his shoulders while his hands rested at her waist. She laughed at something he said, leaning in close enough that anyone watching would've assumed they already knew each other.

As I was watching him His head lifted and His eyes found mine almost instantly. Like they'd been looking for me. his gaze shifted to Patrick standing in front of me, he lifted one eye brow at me as to tell me Really?

I narrowed my eyes back. Yes Really.

He looked down at the hand resting on my waist before looking back at me. Something about the expression on his face irritated me more than it should have. I glanced at the blonde. It's like every opportunity she had she'd move even closer to him.I mean for godstake her forehead nearly brushed his when she laughed, and i know for a fact he's not funny enough to be generating that much genuine laughter from her

A strange feeling twisted somewhere in my stomach. Jealousy. ...No. That can't be right. Why would I be jealous? I didn't even like him. The realization annoyed me almost as much as the feeling itself.

Patrick gently pulled me closer as the song slowed, "You okay?" he asked, leaning down so I could hear him.

"Hm?"

"You seem distracted."

"Oh."

I forced another smile "I'm okay."

He nodded, apparently satisfied, and continued dancing.

I wasn't paying attention, Not really Because Logan still hadn't looked away.and right now all I could see was him.

And he knew it, he looked too amused.

That irritated me. But fine If that's how he wanted to play this...I stepped closer to Ptrick until barely any space remained between us. His hands instinctively settled more confidently against my waist.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Logan notice, His jaw tightened Just slightly and without breaking eye contact with me...He slid one hand farther around the blonde's waist, pulling her against him.She smiled, completely unaware that she had somehow become collateral damage in whatever ridiculous silent argument was happening across the dance floor.

I felt something hot settle in my chest, is he Serious? Fine, I'm not losing whatever this is.

I rested my hands higher against Patrick's shoulders, letting him spin me before ending up even closer than before.

Logan's expression didn't change but I caught the slight clench in his jaw again. His fingers tightened at the blonde's waist.

And yet neither of us looked away.

The music swelled before finally fading into something else, Patrick stepped back first. Across the room, Logan did the same.

Neither of us broke eye contact.For one long moment we simply stood there, breathing a little harder than before, staring at one another from opposite ends of the room. But Then I looked away. I couldn't do it anymore.

"I–I need another drink," I muttered to Patrick

"Oh, yeah. Sure."

I was already walking before he finished answering. I didn't notice Patrick watching me leave.I also didn't notice Logan watching me from where he'd remained standing.

I leaned against the kitchen counter with a fresh drink, staring down into the cup like it held the answers to whatever the fuck just happened and why i felt the way i did.

Why had seeing him with someone else bothered me?

Why had I cared enough to... compete? It was ridiculous. It was Logan. The same Logan I'd been trying to make miserable. The same Logan who returned the favor every chance he got. So why did watching another girl smile at him leave such an unpleasant feeling sitting in my chest?

I drained the rest of my drink. I needed to leave. I fresh air and sleep, just Anything that wasn't... whatever this was.

After weaving through the crowd for several minutes, I finally found everyone gathered near one of the walls.

Allie noticed me first, "Everything okay?"

"Yeah." I forced a small smile. "I'm just tired."

"So early?" Garrett asked.

"I've had a long week."

Hannah studied my face for a second, like she knew there was more to it, but she didn't press.

"You want one of us to walk you back?" Dean asked.

I shook my head. "My dorm's only a few minutes away."

"You sure?" Allie asked.

"I'm sure."

She pulled me into a quick hug “Text us when you get there."

"I will."

“Be careful out there, have my number on speedile until you get to your room” Garrett tells me as he gives me a hug

I waved goodbye to everyone before making my way toward the front door, eager to escape everything.

The cool night air hit my face the moment I stepped outside.

Back Inside, on the dance floor, Logan's attention drifted toward the entrance just in time to catch sight of me slipping out the front door alone. His conversation stopped mid-sentence.

The blonde frowned.

"Logan?"

He barely heard her. His eyes remained fixed on the door that had just closed behind me.

—-----------------------------------------------------———————————————————-

The walk back to my dorm should've cleared my head. Every step only replayed the same stupid scene over and over again.

Logan.

The blonde.

By the time I unlocked my dorm room, I was more confused than when I'd left the party. I kicked off my shoes, tossed my jacket over the desk chair, and collapsed onto my bed with a groan.

"This is so stupid," I muttered to the empty room.

My phone buzzed.Garrett.

I answered almost immediately.

"Hey."

"You make it back?"

"Yeah."

"You didn't get kidnapped?"

"I think I'd know if I got kidnapped, Garrett."

"You'd be surprised."

I laughed despite myself "I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

There was a brief pause "...You left kinda suddenly."

"I was tired."

"Mhm."

"You don't believe me."

"I believe you're tired."

"...You're annoying."

"I learned from the best."

I rolled my eyes "Tell Hannah I made it home."

"I will."

Before he could say anything else-

Knock. Knock.Knock.

I frowned "Hang on," I told Garrett.

Another knock

"I think someone's at my door."

"At this hour?"

"No idea."

I pulled the phone away "I'll call you back." Before Garrett could object, I hung up. I unlocked the door and pulled it open and i could feel my stomach drop to my ass

“...You've got to be kidding me."

Logan leaned casually against the doorframe with both hands tucked into his pockets.His hair was messier than it had been earlier, probably from dancing, and the top button of his shirt had come undone somewhere during the night.He looked... unfairly good. fuck

"What do you want?" I asked flatly.

He looked me up and down once "I was worried."

I blinked "...About?"

"You."

I stared at him.

Then snorted "That's a good one."

"I thought so."

I started closing the door.

He caught it with one hand before it could shut "Oh, come on."

"No."

"You aren't even going to invite me in?"

"I'd rather invite a raccoon into my room… oh and not a normal raccoon a raccoon with rabies"

He let out a quiet laugh "Harsh…there she is."

"Who is?"

"The girl who's always gotta be a smartass"

"I was wondering when you'd stop pretending to be nice."

"I was never pretending."

"Oh, please."

I folded my arms "You walked all the way over here for what? To bother me one last time before bed?"

"Maybe."

"You seriously need a hobby."

"I have one."

"Oh?"

"You."

I rolled my eyes so hard it almost hurt "That's the creepiest thing you've ever said John."

"And yet..." He tilted his head. "You smiled."

"I absolutely did not."

"The corner of your mouth disagrees."

"It twitched"

"Mhm."

I sighed dramatically "If you're done being insufferable, I'd like to go to sleep."

He was quiet, For the first time since opening the door...Something shifted in his expression The teasing disappeared.

"Cut the shit."

I frowned "...Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

His voice wasn't playful anymore "What happened tonight and you're really gonna act like you dont know why im here"

Every muscle in my body tensed "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Really?"

"Nope."

He took one slow step forward.

I moved back and he moved inside the room

"Logan–"

"You spent half the night staring at me."

Heat rushed into my face "I did not."

"You did."

"I was looking around the room."

"You were looking at me."

"I wasn't."

He smiled and you knew that smile was because he knew you were lying.

"You got jealous."

I laughed. Too quickly."That's actually hilarious."

"Is it?"

"Very."

"So you weren't jealous."

"No."

"Not even a little."

"No."

"Then why'd you start dancing closer to that guy the second you saw me with her?"

"I didn't."

"You did."

"It was just dancing."

"Mhm "

He took another step close enough now that I had to tilt my head slightly to keep looking at him. My heartbeat suddenly felt much louder, the space between us was limited and i would be lying if having him this wasn't affecting me

"I don't know what you're trying to prove," I said.

"You know exactly what I'm trying to prove."

"I really don't."

"You do honey"

I looked away. I looked towards the floor. I just needed to stare at anything that wasn't him and he noticed. Of course he noticed.

A finger slipped gently beneath my chin. He wasn't rough. Barely even touching me. Just enough to guide my face back toward his.

"Hey." His voice had dropped. "You know exactly what I mean."

I swallowed "I..."

He was close. Too close. Close enough that I could see the tiny flecks of green hidden in his hazel eyes. Close enough that I could feel the warmth coming off him, close enough that I wanted that distance to go away, I wanted him on me.

In a moment of what I can only describe as total insanity I closed the tiny distance between the two, it lasted about 3 seconds before the reality of what I had done snuck in, but the second I pulled away he immediately pulled me back in.

I moaned slightly in surprise when I felt his hands on my waist, he pulled me in and lowered his head towards my face, he wasted no time in kissing me, and I immediately kissed back. Having him be this close to me was intoxicating in a way I’ve never felt before in my whole life. I’ve had good kisses before but no man has ever managed to make me feel this way before with just a simple kiss.

Everything about him was captivating, his cologne was clogging my senses, all I could breathe in was him.

His hands drifted from my waist lower into my body, one of his hands touched my sides gently and his other hand was placed firmly on my ass.

He swiftly removed his hands from my waist and closed the door behind him. He looked at me and the intent was clear in his eyes. He wanted me, he needed me and I needed him.

I looked at him and with one look he knew it was on. He was instantly on me. He pulled me in close again, this time his hands traveling with much less carefulness than it had before.

He tugged on my shirt lightly and I immediately pulled it off revealing my exposed chest

“Oh fuck, I’ve been dreaming of those for so long” his hands immediately met my breast, he fundled them delicately, the warm contact of his hands made me shiver. My nipples hardened and he took notice of this immediately. His fingers immediately found their way to where I needed it the most and it felt so good to be touched by him.

His touch made me body feel like it was up in flames, I couldn’t contain myself anymore, I let the moans I was holding back release and that only motivated Logan more

“I love the way you moan for me baby” his voice was sultry as he spoke and it immediately made me weak.

He got down on his knees and I looked down at him, his eyes sparked and he looked incredibly handsome. He moved his hands to the waistband of my jeans, I move my head up and down gently and immediately takes off my jeans leaving me only in my underwear… that he quickly removed as well

I felt vulnerable being in front of him in this way but my insecurity was quickly reduced when he placed a trail of soft kisses down my exposed body. His lips on my skin felt like heaven

“Can you get on the bed for me honey”

I did as I was told immediately and he immediately got on his knees again in front of the bed, I laid down and he placed his hands on my feet, he moved my legs slowly and his face crept closer to my pussy. My legs were now open and I was bare for him to take.

He starts to leave sloppy kisses on my skin and I can feel my skin getting warmer, I was already so wet and his teasing is increasingly becoming harder and harder to tolerate. When he finally gave in and I felt like I was going to implode

“Already so wet for me, you’re such a good girl” he said against my skin

“Please… I need more”

With this he started to devour me, he licked and sucked on me as if he were starving. The pleasure feels overwhelming like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I grabbed his hair and grinned on his face, he groaned out against me.

“So needy” he whispered before kissing my pussy

“Logan please I can’t take it anymore” I begged, I needed him to fuck me relentlessly, I needed to know what his cock would feel like inside of me, I needed him more than I’ve ever needed anything else

“Do you need my cock baby?” He asked, the teasingness in his voice so evident but I’m much to horny to care

“Please John”

“It’s always turned me on the way you say my name” he says, placing one last kiss on my thighs before getting up and taking off his clothes. When he took off his pants his cock sprinted out and a gasp escaped my lips. He was big, and not only that but everything about him was just… perfect.

He stroke himself once’s and then grabbed my legs putting me closer to the edge of the bed "spread your legs for me baby” he said

As soon as I did, he slid the tip of his cock up and down my slit, I moaned loudly, this teasing is gonna be the end of me “fuck me Logan”

“Your wish is my command angel”

He didn’t waste any time after that, he inserted himself into me swiftly, he went in slowly at first but after my moans got louder he couldn’t help himself. He’s fucking me so hard and fast that I feel like I could cum at any moment

“You feel so fucking good baby, your pussy was made for me”

“Oh god, I’m gonna cum Logan I can’t take it anymore”

“Good, cum for me baby” as he said this I could feel his own thrust becoming sloppier and more intense. He loves this just as much as I am and I can’t wait to have him fill me up. A few seconds later we both came undone.

——————————————

Logan lay on his back, one arm tucked behind his head while the other rested loosely around my waist. I was turned toward him, tracing absentminded circles over the fabric of his shirt, still trying to convince myself that the last 2 hours had actually happened. After he was done he did amazing aftercare, cleaned me and himself up, he made me feel so cared for.

A comfortable silence sat in the air.

I broke the silence first "So..."

He looked over at me "So."

"I hate you."

A slow grin spread across his face "Sure you do."

I smiled despite myself "I really thought you were the most insufferable person I'd ever met."

"Were?"

"Oh, don't get ahead of yourself. You still are."

"I'll take it."

Another comfortable silence settled between us.

I sighed "I don't understand."

"What?"

"When did this happen?"

He laughed quietly "I was actually hoping you could tell me."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

He turned to his side to face me completely "I think..." He hesitated. "I think I stopped hating seeing you around a long time ago."

"How long?"

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly "...Maybe a few months after Garrett introduced us."

My eyes widened. "What?"

"I know."

"You still kept pranking me."

"You kept pranking me."

"Because you were impossible."

"You filled my room with rubber ducks."

"You deserved that"

He laughed "I probably did."

I shook my head in disbelief "So this whole time..."

"You thought I hated you."

"I was convinced." i said

"I was trying to convince myself too."

That made me pause "You were?"

He nodded once "It was easier."

"Easier than what?"

"...Admitting that every time Garrett said you weren't coming, I was disappointed."

I stared at him "You looked miserable every time I walked into a room."

"I was."

My eyebrows shot up "Because I liked you." He groaned, covering his face with one hand "You're never letting me live this down."

"No, I am not."

He laughed into his hand "I'd spend all day thinking I'd finally gotten over whatever this thing was between us."

"And then I'd show up."

"And then you'd show up."

He lowered his hand and looked at me "What about you?"

I looked away for a moment and I smiled "I think..." I admitted quietly, "...I kept finding excuses to be wherever Garrett and you were."

"I noticed."

"I know you noticed."

"I thought you were trying to torture me."

"I was."

"Were you?"

"...At first."

"And after?"

I sighed "After...", I laughed at myself, "I just wanted to see you."

Neither of us spoke for a few seconds, It sounded ridiculous when said out loud.

Logan reached over and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear "We're kind of idiots."

"The biggest."

I moved closer without really thinking about it, resting my head against his chest. His heartbeat was steady beneath my cheek. His arm wrapped around me instinctively.

"...Goodnight," I mumbled.

"Goodnight."

Within minutes, exhaustion caught up to both of us.

The next morning...

A knock echoed through the dorm. No answer.

Garrett balanced a cardboard drink tray in one hand and a paper bag full of breakfast sandwiches in the other, "I told you she'd still be asleep," Hannah whispered.

Dean knocked again, "Rise and shine!"

Silence.

Allie, who had insisted on coming along after Garrett mentioned bringing breakfast, smirked, "I have a spare key."

Garrett raised an eyebrow "Why do you have a spare key?"

"Because she locked herself out twice in one month."

"...Fair."

Allie unlocked the door as quietly as she could. The four of them stepped inside. Dean had already opened his mouth to call my name.

Instead… He stopped, Garrett froze beside him and Hannah covered her mouth.

Then Allie made a triumphant little gasp. There we were. Still asleep. Curled up together in the middle of the bed. My head rested against Logan's chest while one of his arms was securely around my waist. At some point during the night, I'd tangled my legs with his, and judging by how tightly he was holding me, neither of us had any intention of moving.

Garrett slowly turned toward Hannah, "I..."

He pointed toward the bed, "...I won the bet bitches."

"How much did you bet again?"

"Twenty."

"I said they'd get together before the end of the semester." Garrett pointed proudly at the sleeping pair."Pay up."

Dean leaned closer, grinning "This is adorable."

"This is blackmail material," Allie corrected.

She quietly pulled out her phone.

Garrett immediately reached over and lowered it.

"No."

"Aww."

"No pictures."

"One picture."

"No."

"You're ruining my fun."

Before anyone could argue further… I shifted in my sleep. Logan's arm tightened around me automatically, pulling me even closer.

Dean let out a wheezing laugh "Oh my God."

Garrett just shook his head "I cannot wait to remind them how many times they swore they hated each other."

Logan blinked awake first. He frowned at the unexpected audience gathered around the bed "...Why are all of you in here?"

The room went completely silent for one beat. Then Garrett broke into the widest grin "Morning."

I stirred at the sound of his voice, blinking sleepily before realizing exactly where I was. My eyes landed on Garrett. Then Hannah. Then Dean. Then Allie. All four of them were staring. Still standing in the doorway.

I looked up at Logan, Then down at the arm wrapped tightly around my waist "...Oh."

"Oh?" Dean repeated.

"'Oh' is all you've got?" Hannah asked.

Garrett couldn't hold it in anymore

Allie pointed accusingly at both of us "So... are we finally allowed to say 'we told you so'?"

I buried my face back into Logan's chest with a groan "No."

Logan, despite the situation, just smiled "I don't think we're ever going to hear the end of this."

Summary: You've had a crush on Logan since the start of your freshman year but you knew the reputation he carried, and it wasn't a good one. You didn't want to be just another conquest but now that Hannah and Allie were both dating two of his teammates it was impossible not seeing him more often, and now that you're forced to see him almost everyday that little crush is quickly turning into way more… if only he could stop flaunting every single woman in your face.

Warnings: Suggestive content but no smut

Word count: 5.3k

Authors note: Hiii, Im lowkey obsessed with Logan from off campus so I decided to write a little somethinggg im also reading the books so i definitely feel like i went for a mix between book him and him from the show. If anyone's interested in a part 2 with smut I would be so down. Hope you guys enjoy it

John fucking Logan, the vain of my existence, ever since i first laid eyes on him on my freshman year i knew i was fucked. He looked straight out of a magazine… or maybe like he had escaped olympus itself. Ever since we got assigned partners for our bio lab together in freshman year my feelings grew. But it didn't take long for me to realize the type of man that Logan actually was, he wasn't the type of man that could just be approached, this wasn't your average classmate, he was on the way to becoming “campus royalty” and I wasn't the only girl who noticed either. Soon enough it became impossible to even get a hold of him for the important things in the class, every time I even tried to approach him it was like every woman in the room started having a race to see who gets there first. It felt like geniene torture i ended up having to do all the damn work by myself. The only brightside of that shitshow of a class was that after all my work Logan was extremely grateful, so grateful that he actually declared us friends from that moment on… yeah the friendzone hurt but I moved on from it…ish..

I never actually got over it but my feelings were easy to forget because even tho he had said we were friends, since I wasn't one of his team mates and I wasn't one of his hookups that meant that the only time he could ever actually hang out was the rare 30 minute lunch break and the monthly catch up that usually involved the both of us going out to eat at Malone's while we bitch to each other about whatever was bothering us for that month. It was always nice, and of course I loved the time we got to spend together but it was just the right amount to keep my feelings at bay. Everything was perfect.

Until Hannah and Allie decided to start dating both of his fucking teammates

our almost never encounters became an almost everyday thing. Our friend groups slowly merged together and now even the holidays were shared together. I wish I could say that this played out like a rom com and that now that i was in his life frequently that he would realize that he had some feelings for me and we would ride off into the sunset together but no, that never happened, in fact i feel like im deeper into the friendzone now. Every weekend he brings a different girl around and then when he's about to break it off he asks me for advice on how he should do it. I really don't know how much more of this I can actually take.

There's a party tonight that's supposed to be the best in the semester. Allie and Dean's been begging me to go all week but right now I know Logan and I can't bear going to the party having to be his wingwomen. I'm on the way to our dorm and I just know the second I come through Allie and Dean were gonna ambush me.

Dean was sprawled across the couch with one arm hanging over the back cushion. Allie sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by outfit options. Both of them looked up at the exact same time.

"No," I said immediately, dropping my backpack by the door.

Dean frowned. "I didn't even say anything."

"You don't need too, i can see it in your face "

"The only thing you can see in this face is beauty"

"No you have an I need a favor face."

Allie grinned. "She's got you there."

Dean pointed at her

"What do you want?" I sighed.

"The hottest party of the semester," Allie announced dramatically. "And you're coming."

"Nope."

"You didn't even think about it."

"I don't have to."

Dean leaned forward. "Come on. Everyone's going."

"I know."

"So?"

"So I don't want to."

Allie narrowed her eyes. "This is about Logan."

"It is not." im just straight up lying to her face

"Liar," Dean sang.

I looked up. "It's self-preservation."

"Oh, that's dramatic."

"No, what's dramatic is spending an entire night watching Logan collect phone numbers like Pokémon."

Dean barked out a laugh.

"I mean it," I continued. "He's single again."

"So?" Allie asked.

"So," I repeated slowly, "that means he'll spend the whole night asking me to be his wingwoman."

Dean looked genuinely confused.

"And?"

I stared at him.

"And?" I echoed.

"Yeah."

"Dean."

"What?"

"You've seen him."

"I have."

"You've seen him flirt."

"I have."

"You've seen women practically throw themselves at him."

"I've definitely seen that."

"And somehow you're asking why I don't want a front-row seat?"

Dean exchanged a look with Allie before rolling his eyes so dramatically I thought they might get stuck.

"You know he's only asking you because he likes having you around."

I laughed "Oh, that's funny."

"I'm serious," he said.

"No, you're delusional."

Allie stood and crossed her arms. "He's right."

I blinked "You too?"

She nodded without hesitation "Logan likes you."

I snorted "No, he doesn't."

"He does."

"He really doesn't."

"He really does."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Guys, I've watched him hook up with half the campus”

Dean shrugged.

"So?"

"So?"

"That doesn't mean anything."

"It means everything, he’s never even joked about hooking up with me."

"It means he's an idiot," Dean corrected. "Not that he doesn't like you."

I stared at him "You can't honestly believe that."

Dean looked almost offended "I live with the guy."

"And?"

"And I've watched him spend more time pretending not to look at you than he spends actually talking to women."

They can't be serious, why on God's green earth would he like me after flaunting women in my face for so long.

Allie grabs my hands while looking at me intently "you're coming to this party no matter what, ill drag you if i have to”

“No”

“Yes”

“No”

—-------------------------------------------- 7 hours later —------------------------------------------------

I cant believe Allie dragged me to this party, i really thought i could stand my own against her this time. The second Allie parked outside the Sigma Phi house, I already wanted to turn around. There was music pounding through the walls hard enough that I could feel the bass in my chest before we even reached the front door. The front lawn was packed, people spilling onto the porch with red cups in hand while someone yelled from an upstairs window.

"This is going to be fun," Allie said, linking her arm through mine.

"For you."

"For you too."

"Doubtful."

Dean walked backward in front of us with a grin. "Smile."

The familiar scent of beer, cheap cologne, and whatever sticky drink had been spilled on the floor hit me immediately. I followed Allie through the crowded living room, weaving between dancing bodies until I spotted them gathered near the kitchen.

Garrett with Hannah tucked comfortably against his side, then there was Tucker who was already looking for a girl to dance with

And to his side stood...

Logan.

My stomach dropped to my ass. He was in the middle of laughing at something Garrett had said, head tilted back slightly, one hand wrapped around a beer bottle. Then his eyes landed on me, His smile changed instantly into something warmer.

"There she is."

Before I could even process what was happening, he was crossing the room.

"Hey."

His voice was softer than I'd expected over the music.

"Hi."

I barely got the word out before his arms wrapped around me.

My brain felt like it did a backflip. Logan hugged people. Yeah whatever no big deal i know that but he usually gives Quick side hugs after games or An arm around a shoulder even a playful squeeze. but this hug wasn't that. He settled one arm around my waist while the other came around my shoulders, pulling me flush against his chest.

"Oh."

The word escaped before I could stop it.

He laughed quietly, "I haven't seen you in almost a week."

"It...it's only been six days."

"You counted?"

My face burned. "No." im genuinely such a loser

"Liar."

His chin brushed lightly against the top of my head as he chuckled.

I could smell his cologne, Feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing. My heart was pounding so loudly I was convinced he could hear it.

"You good?" he murmured.

"Mhm."

"You sure?"

"Mhm."

"You seem tense."

"I wonder why."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

He finally let me go.

Well… Mostly. One of his hands stayed resting lightly against my arm. I looked up at him to find that he was already looking at me.It lasted about maybe three seconds. Maybe thirty. I honestly couldn't tell.

"Ahem."

Garrett.

The two of us blinked at the same time. Suddenly I remembered there were other people standing around us.

Hannah was smiling into her drink, Dean looked like he was seconds away from laughing. Allie had the most infuriatingly smug expression I'd ever seen. Tucker glanced between us before quietly muttering, "Well..."

"...I think," Garrett said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I'm gonna...uh..."

He looked around the room "...check if the beer's still cold."

Dean stared at him "The beer...that's in your hand?"

Garrett looked down"...Yeah."

A beat of silence

"Good point."

Hannah covered her mouth to hide a laugh "I'll go with him," she said far too quickly "For...quality control."

Garrett nodded enthusiastically "Exactly."

"The beer quality."

"So important."

They disappeared toward the kitchen.

Dean looked after them "I should probably..."

He gestured vaguely toward absolutely nothing "...do something."

"What something?" I asked.

"You know."

"I really don't."

Dean snapped his fingers "I promised someone I'd help carry..."

He glanced around "...chairs."

I frowned "To a party?"

"Party chairs."

"There aren't any chairs."

"There could be."

Without another word, he practically sprinted away.

I looked at Allie and she smiled sweetly "Oh! Hannah wanted to show me something."

"She literally just left."

"I should catch her."

"You don't even know where she–"

Too late, She was already gone.

That left Tucker. Bless Tucker. He looked genuinely uncomfortable.

"I guess..." he said slowly, "...I'll… His eyes landed on the bowl of chips sitting on the counter "...refill those."

I blinked "They're literally full Tucker."

He stared at the chips for a long second and put a lot of them in his mouth "..They need a refill now"

Then he walked away.

Logan watched every single one of them leave before looking back at me "...Did they just abandon us?"

I laughed before I could stop myself "I think they did."

He shook his head, amused "They're terrible at being subtle."

"You noticed too huh"

"Babe," he said with a grin, "Garrett tried to inspect the beer he was already drinking."

I laughed harder "And Tucker's chips?"

"The chip's excuse was just shitty craftsmanship."

I nodded.

There was a comfortable silence.

The music faded into the background as Logan looked down at me again.

"So..."

"So?"

"I'm glad you came."

The words were simple but something about the way he said them made my chest tighten.

"I almost didn't."

His eyebrows pulled together.

"Why?"

I hesitated. I can't just tell him because watching you flirt with half the campus sounds like a miserable way to spend my Friday. But instead of saying all that, I shrugged.

"I just wasn't really in the mood for a party."

His gaze lingered on me for a moment, like he knew I wasn't telling him the whole truth.

"Well," he said, his smile returning, "I'm selfishly glad Allie convinced you."

The upbeat song that was playing faded into something slower, heavier. The bass rolled through the room while the singer's low voice filled the air.

Logan looked at me with a crooked grin "Dance with me."

He reached for my hand. "Come on."

Before I could come up with an excuse, he was already pulling me toward the center of the packed living room.

The dance floor was overflowing. Bodies swayed shoulder to shoulder, everyone moving together beneath flashing lights. The sweat and heat radiating from the bodies around you was intoxicating.

Logan stopped once we found a small opening.

"You nervous?" he asked.

"A little."

"Don't be."

Easy for him to say, He looked unfairly comfortable everywhere he went.

His hands settled lightly on my waist.

"You can tell me to back off."

"I know."

"But you're not."

"No."

His smile widened.

"No?"

I rolled my eyes. "No."

The music wrapped around us. At first we just swayed, laughing whenever someone bumped into us. Then the crowd shifted closer. Someone behind me accidentally nudged me forward until I was nearly pressed against Logan's chest.

"Sorry," I muttered.

"What are you apologizing for?"

I looked up.

"We're kind of..."

"Close?"

I nodded.

"I don't mind."

Neither did I. Which was the problem. My hands found his shoulders as we fell into the rhythm of the song.

The beat slowed, inviting everyone around us to move together. Without really thinking about it, I let my hips follow the music. Logan mirrored the movement effortlessly. Every so often our eyes met. His hands had wandered lower on my waist, every brush of his fingertips sent another wave of butterflies through my stomach. The closeness didn't help either, we had gone from dancing politely to borderline dirty dancing. I could feel the heat radiating from him, his scent overstimulated my senses, the feelings of my hips colliding with his body

"You look really pretty tonight."

The compliment caught me completely off guard "...Really?"

He frowned "Why do you sound surprised?"

I shrugged.

"I don't know."

"Well, don't be."His thumb absentmindedly brushed against my side "I've been trying not to stare all night."

Heat rushed to my face "You have?"

"Mhm."

I couldn't stop smiling. Maybe...Maybe Dean and Allie weren't completely delusional. Maybe there really was something here. Maybe every lingering glance, every hug, every excuse to stand next to me… Maybe I'd been reading it wrong.

The song came to an end far too quickly.

Logan looked down at the empty bottle in his hand "Damn."

"You need another?"

"I probably should."

With that I made my way towards the kitchen without wasting any time in letting him know, I already know what he drinks so i can easily get him what he liked

Maybe tonight was different. It took nearly five minutes to fight my way through the line for drinks. By the time I had two fresh beers balanced in my hands, the music had changed again. Another crowd had gathered on the dance floor.

I smiled to myself as I searched for Logan. It only took a second to find him but as soon as I saw him my smile disappeared. He wasn't where I'd left him. He was several feet away. With another girl.

And she was beautiful. Long blonde hair. Tiny black dress. She had both arms looped around his neck while they danced impossibly close together.

I froze just a few minutes ago he was dancing with me and now he had another girl wrapped around him. The blonde laughed at something he said, closing the distance between them until there wasn't an inch of space left. Logan leaned down. His lips brushed against the side of her neck. She tilted her head back with a smile.

My chest tightened so suddenly I forgot how to breathe and one of the beers slipped in my grip but I was not about to have a dramatic fit right now. I quickly moved my arm and caught it just before it hit the floor. They still hadn't noticed me, no ones noticed me.

The girl reached up, tangled her fingers in his hair, and pulled him toward her. His mouth crashed against hers.

I just stood there for a second just watching. The music now feels irritating to me, everything feels too loud and everyone's too close, I feel every stupid little hope I'd built over the last half hour crumble into nothing. And Of course this happened. This was Logan. This was exactly who he'd always been. The guy who flirted with everyone. The guy who left every party with someone new. The guy I'd been stupid enough to believe might be looking at me differently.

I swallowed hard. Don't cry.

I turned around before either of them could see me. The beers suddenly felt impossibly heavy in my hands. I shoved through the crowd as quickly as I could, blinking hard against the tears burning behind my eyes. I just needed to leave. Fresh air. Anywhere but here.

I wasn't paying attention when I slammed into someone.

"Oh!"

Strong hands steadied me before the drinks spilled.

"Whoa," Garrett said. "Easy."

I looked up to see Garrett, Dean, Hannah and Allie.

All four of them were staring at me.

Allie's smile vanished instantly "...Hey."

"You okay?" Hannah asked softly.

I opened my mouth but Nothing came out.

Dean frowned "What happened?"

"I'm fine."

"You've been crying."

"No, I haven't."

"Youre literally crying right now," Garrett said gently.

I laughed once "I'm okay."

Allie stepped closer."What happened?"

I couldn't say it, I would sound too pathetic coming out of my mouth so instead, I slowly lifted one hand and pointed toward the dance floor.

The four of them turned and they found Logan almost immediately, He was of course still kissing the blonde.

One of his hands rested against the small of her back as she smiled into the kiss.

Dean's jaw tightened.

Garrett muttered something under his breath.

Hannah looked horrified.

Allie simply stared "...Oh my God," she whispered.

"I told you," I said quietly. My voice cracked on the last word.

No one answered. Because there was nothing they could say.

I let out a shaky laugh, wiping quickly at the tear that escaped despite my best efforts.

"I think..."

I forced another smile that felt like complete shit"...I just want to go home."

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the time we reached my dorm, I had stopped crying. There were still tears threatening to spill every few minutes, but now they came with an overwhelming sense of embarrassment.

"I can't believe I cried over him."

"You didn't cry over him," Hannah said as she unlocked the door. "You cried because you thought someone liked you and then watched them kiss someone else."

"That's...different," I mumbled.

"It is different," she insisted.

Allie disappeared into the tiny kitchenette without saying a word.

A cabinet door opened. Another one then she emerged triumphantly holding a family-sized bag above her head.

"I knew these would come in handy."

I blinked “your Hot Cheetos"

"The cure for emotional devastation."

Despite everything, I laughed

Hannah smiled "There she is."

Allie tossed the bag into my lap before disappearing again, She returned with three cans of soda and an armful of blankets.

"No one is leaving until we've talked about this."

"I don't really want to"

"We're talking." She spread blankets across the floor while Hannah climbed onto my bed, patting the space beside her.

"Come here."

I curled up next to her while Allie settled on the rug with the Hot Cheetos between us. For a few minutes, nobody spoke. The only sounds were the crinkling of the chip bag and the faint music drifting in through the dorm window from the party across campus.

Finally, I sighed "I knew this would happen."

"No," Allie said immediately.

"He danced with me and not normal dancing. We were like reaching dirty dancing levels and then, not even ten minutes later he was kissing someone else."

Hannah reached over and squeezed my hand.

"I let myself believe there was something there."

"There was," Allie insisted.

"No."

"There was."

I shook my head again "If there was, he wouldn't have done that."

Neither of them had an answer.

—--------------------------------Back at the party—---------------------------------------------

Dean was in a terrible mood and Garrett wasn't much better. Neither of them spoke as they crossed the crowded room. They found Logan leaning against the kitchen counter.The blonde he'd been dancing with laughed at something he said before giving him one last kiss on the cheek.

"I'll text you."

"Sounds good."

She disappeared into the crowd and the second she was gone, Dean stepped in front of Logan.

Logan frowned "...What's with you?"

Dean didn't answer and Garrett folded his arms.

Logan glanced between them "Seriously. Why are you both looking at me like that?"

Dean let out a slow breath "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Logan blinked "...Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."

Dean laughed once and It wasn't in amusement "You spend the entire night wrapped around her."

Confusion crossed Logan's face "...Her?"

"You know exactly who I'm talking about."

Realization flickered across Logan's features. His expression softened. "Oh."

Dean's jaw clenched."You flirted with her."

"And then," Garrett cuts in, "the second she walks away for five minutes, you're making out with another girl."

Logan's smile disappeared "...She saw that?"

Dean stared at him "Are you kidding me?"

Logan immediately straightened "Where is she?"

Dean ignored the question "I thought you liked her."

Color instantly rushed into Logan's face "What?"

"I thought." "You." "Liked." "Her."

Logan rubbed the back of his neck "I..." He looked away "I never said that."

"You didn't have to," Garrett replied.

"The whole damn hockey team can tell."

Logan looked horrified. "They can?"

Dean threw both hands in the air "Oh my God."

"You are unbelievable."

Logan frowned "I didn't lead her on."

Dean actually laughed "You hugged her for like 5 mins straight."

"So?"

"You grinded on her."

"So?"

"Im going to smack you."

Logan's ears turned bright red "I wasn't–"

"You were."

"I wasn't trying to–"

"You absolutely were."

Logan groaned, covering his face with both hands "I screwed this up, didn't I?"

Dean stared at him.

"I mean i dont even know why i did that, she just suddenly left and i assumed she just got tired of being around me… idk"

"She went to get you another beer."

Logan froze.

"...What?"

"You heard me."

Garrett continued quietly "She came back carrying drinks for both of you."

Logan's face lost all color.

"And instead," Dean said, "she found you kissing someone else."

Complete silence, Logan looked sick.

"I..." His voice barely came out "I didn't know."

Dean rolled his eyes.

"Clearly."

"I thought..." Logan swallowed hard. "I thought she was done talking to me."

Garrett frowned "Why would you think that?"

"Because...Look at me."

Neither of them answered.

He shook his head "She'd never go for a guy like me."

Dean blinked "What?"

"I mean..." Logan looked genuinely embarrassed "She's...her."

"And I'm..."

Dean stared at him for several seconds.

Then rubbed both hands over his face "You are the dumbest person I've ever met."

"he meant that affectionately," Garrett added.

"But...yeah."

Logan frowned. "You don't get it."

"No," Dean snapped.

"You don't get it." Logan says

"She has been in love with you since freshman year." Garrett answers

Logan's head jerked up "...What?"

Dean nodded "That's why she was devastated tonight."

Logan looked like someone had punched him in the stomach.

"She..."

His voice cracked "...Liked me?"

Garrett gave him a flat look "Congratulations, You've officially broken the heart of the girl who's been quietly in love with you for almost two years."

Logan closed his eyes "...Shit."

Dean pointed toward the door "You have exactly one chance to fix this."

"If you actually care about her..."

Logan didn't hesitate. He set his untouched beer on the counter and was already weaving through the crowd before Dean had even finished speaking.

Garrett watched him disappear. "You think we're too late?"

Dean sighed. "I honestly don't know."

The three of them left the party and headed across campus toward the girls' dorm

—---------------------------back in the dorm —-------------------------------------------

A soft knock echoed through the dorm.

"I'll get it," Allie said.

I barely paid attention, reaching for another handful of Hot Cheetos.

Then I heard her inhale sharply "...Well."

She looked over her shoulder "Hey."

I frowned "What?"

"Come here."

"...Why?"

"Just..." She gave me a small, encouraging smile "...Come here."

Slowly, I climbed off the couch and walked toward the doorway.

The second I looked past Allie...

My heart stopped. Logan. He stood awkwardly in the hallway with Garrett and Dean behind him.

His hair was messy from the party.His hockey jacket hung open. And for the first time since I'd met him...He looked nervous.

Our eyes met but neither of us spoke.

"I..." he started quietly "I'm sorry."

Before I could answer, Allie slipped on her shoes and Hannah did the same.

The two of them exchanged a quick glance. "Well," Allie said loudly "I think..."

She looked toward Dean"...someone owes me a walk back." Garrett caught on immediately. "Definitely." "And I should probably go too," Garret added. Hannah bit back a smile as she hugged me "I'll text you later."

I gave her a confused look "You're leaving?"

"Mhm."

"Right now?"

"Mhm."

She squeezed my shoulder before joining Garrett.

Dean clapped Logan once on the back as he walked past "Don't screw this up."

Then they were gone, The hallway suddenly felt impossibly quiet.

I folded my arms across my chest "...What do you want?"

Logan shoved both hands into his pockets "I just wanted to make sure you got home."

"I did."

"I can see that."

"So..."

"So..."

Neither of us moved.

He cleared his throat "You have a nice dorm."

I blinked "...Seriously?"

"What?"

"That's what you came here to say?"

"No."

"Then why are we talking about my dorm?"

"I don't know."

He rubbed the back of his neck "I'm nervous."

"You?"

"Very."

A humorless laugh escaped me "I find that hard to believe."

His smile faded when he noticed the expression on my face "...You're really mad."

"What gave it away?"

"I deserve that."

"Yeah."

Another silence settled between us.

Finally, he sighed "I'm sorry."

I didn't answer.

"I mean it."

Still nothing.

"I screwed up."

The nerve of him to come by and act like he did nothing wrong after ive been crying for the past hour because of his shitty actions. "You did." I said annoyance dripping off my tone

"I wasn't thinking."

"No."

"I hurt you."

I looked up at him intensely. "You did."

The guilt on his face made something tighten painfully in my chest.

"I never wanted to hurt you."

"But you did."

"I know." His voice cracked."And I'd take it back if I could."

I shook my head. "You can't."

"I know."

Another long silence.

"I don't know how to fix this."

"You probably can't."

His face fell. "I've been telling myself for almost two years that I was being ridiculous". My voice came out quieter than I intended. "I watched you leave parties with different girls, watched girls leave your room, I watched you flirt with practically everyone and I kept telling myself don't be stupid, Don't let yourself fall for someone like Logan."

His eyes widened.

"But I did anyway." I swallowed hard. "I liked you."

The words finally escaped "No." I shook my head “That's a lie becaused what i felt for you was stronger than just like, i felt like i was falling more and more in love with you, and i know how stupid that sounds but fuck…”

His brow furrowed at the confession that hung in the air

"I tried so hard not to let myself feel all this but still I couldn't convince myself to get over you because what I felt for you was just too much to bury” . Tears blurred my vision again "And tonight...For a few minutes I actually thought..."

My voice broke."...I thought maybe you liked me too."

Logan looked devastated. "I do."

I shook my head immediately "No."

"I do."

"You don't."

"I swear to God, I do."

I wiped at my eyes "Logan..."

"I danced with you because I wanted to show you i care"

"You dance with everyone."

"I've never looked at anyone the way I look at you."

"Yeah you’re saying all of this but let’s not forget what you did tonight, you kissed some girl after leading me on."

He shut his eyes "I know." His shoulders slumped.

"I saw you walk away and i.. I dont know i thought you were done speaking with me"

His voice was thick with regret.

"What?" I asked

"I convinced myself I'd imagined everything, I figured there was no way someone like you would ever want someone like me."

I frowned "...What?"

He shrugged helplessly "You're kind, you actually care about people, you have your life together and even when you don't you're always there for others. You're so beautiful in an effortless way. I think that youre so high above me, youre so fucking perfect and im just… I'm the guy everyone warns girls about."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You honestly think I care about your reputation?"

"I thought you should."

"I didn't think I was worth the trouble."

“I.. I just can't believe this whole thing.”

“I know…” He stopped close enough that I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. He lifted one hand slowly, giving me every chance to pull away. When I didn't, his fingertips brushed gently against my cheek. He leaned forward and he closed the distance carefully. His lips met mine in a slow, tentative kiss, he was afraid that I would pull back, but I could never pull away from something ive been yearning for this badly

When I didn't pull away, his hand settled lightly against my jaw. The kiss deepened only slightly before he rested his forehead against mine.

"I am so sorry," he whispered, I know saying it doesn't erase tonight but i feel so fucking much for you.. Im just im so sorry"

Instead of responding I smashed my lips against his again, he wasted no time in pulling me into his arms, we were so close together, even more than when we were dancing. I could feel his hands on my skin and it felt so good to be able to have something that I've fantasized about become a reality. He quickly got into the room and closed the door behind him.

I moved slightly giving him space and he looked me up and down, his eyes were filled with lust and just him staring was starting to make me feel weak in the knees. He approached me slowly and with one move it was on, he was on me today, his lips kissed me again but this time it was quick. He placed a lot of tiny kisses on my face, making me smile up at him.

It was clear he was dying to touch me but he stayed respectful and I loved that he did so, but fortunate for him, I had every intention of fulfilling that need that's hidden in his eyes

Sweetest taste - vampire!Steve Harrington x f!reader

Summary: After the encounter with the demobats in the Watergate incident Steve had been acting strange, he's barely talking to anyone and the times he does show up it's only at night. You were becoming increasingly worried for him and your questions were beginning to pile up, so in an attempt to get the answers you so desperately crave you sneak into Steve's house.

Warnings: 18+ content, no sex but talks of explicit material, there's BLOOD, wound

Word count: 2.8k

a/n: this one is definitely on the kinkier side but oh my goddddddd it was fun to write, I definitely would have done it more explicit but the request didn’t specify it so I wanted to give some heat but nothing too crazy. I hope I did justice for what was expected 🖤

Steve's encounter with the demobats had left him wounded and weak though that's something he didn't allow others to see, I still noticed. He acted strong and brave until the very end, it wasn't until after things had gone back to “normal” or at least as normal as things could be in Hawkins, that he started to change, he quit his job and stopped meeting up with people during the daytime. As his best friend I was of course the first person to notice this shift but it wasn't long before everyone else caught on as well.

The first ones to notice how weird he was being were Robin and Dustin, this was unsurprising since they love being up Stevs ass, Robin was distraught when he quit their job and Dustin had been getting beyond annoyed at the lack of time he had been getting with Steve. After that everyone kinda started noticing the change but no one was brave enough to just be straight up and ask him “Steve what the fuck is wrong with you” but i wasnt going to keep letting him rot away, i dont care if he gets pissed, im finding out whats wrong with him one way or another.

Now is my idea the best? God no

He's definitely gonna get pissy with me… but I can't keep going like this, without knowing what's wrong with him. Steve and I haven't been friends from childhood or any of that sappy shit but that didn't mean our bond wasn't as strong as people who have known each other for decades. Him and I got close when this whole shit show happened with Will disappearing, after that we kinda just stuck with each other and i didnt mind that one bit, one could argue that were trauma bounded but hey, don't all great relationships start that way… maybe not

My feelings for Steve were obvious, well obvious to anyone but him I suppose. Robin had been on my ass to confess to him because she swears up and down that he feels the same and honestly for a second I thought so too. Before this whole shift happened I could have sworn that we were flirting and I was going to confess but then this whole thing happened and now I feel like I'm losing him completely, I won't allow that to happen.

So this is why I'm here, at 1PM sneaking into Steve's house… is this a master plan? No. It was actually quite stupid but im determined so thats why i need to climb through his window and harass him until he finally spits it out, im sure whatever it is cant be that bad.

The window slid open with an obnoxious little creak that sounded ten times louder in the silence.

Of course it did.

I swung my legs over the windowsill and dropped into what I assumed was the kitchen. My sneakers hit the floor with a soft thud. For a moment I stayed perfectly still, listening to see if i heard anything coming from anywhere around the house but i was saddened to find absolutely 0 noise

Nothing. No television. No music. No Steve yelling from another room about how I was insane for climbing through his window. There was just an eerie silence.

"Steve?" I called, my voice echoed through the house.

There was no answer.

"Okay. Cool. Great. Break into someone's house and they don't even have the decency to be home."

The kitchen looked normal at first glance. Clean countertops. A coffee maker. Dishes drying beside the sink. Then I noticed the windows. Every single one of them was covered not with blinds. With thick, heavy curtains. Not a single crack of sunlight could have slipped through them. Actually, scratch that, there wasn't any sunlight at all. The house felt sealed off from the outside world.

A chill crawled up my spine. "Definitely not creepy."

I moved farther into the house, The living room wasn't any better. More curtains. More darkness. Only a few lamps scattered around the room provided any light, casting long shadows across the walls. The bulbs glowed weakly

I wandered toward a bookshelf, Something caught my eye. A stack of books shoved carelessly onto one of the lower shelves, not exactly Steve's style. The Steve I knew barely read instruction manuals. Curious, I crouched down and pulled one free.

Blood Rituals and Folklore.

"What."

I grabbed another one

Nocturnal Predators

Another.

Legends of the Undead.

A laugh escaped me, what the fuck is steve doing reading all this

"Right. Sure. Harrington suddenly develops a passion for vampire literature."

I stared at the books and opened them to see if there was anything marked down, imagine my surprise when every single thing that talked about vampires or blood sucking demons had a book mark on it, there was a specific passage in the urban legends one that he even put highlighter on

“Vampires are beings that cross the lines between life and death, only being able to feast on the blood that keeps others alive”

Then I remembered the bites on his necks, the ones he'd gotten from the demobats, the ones that never seemed to heal properly.

The smile I had on my face was far gone, I set the book down and continued searching the house

I looked inside the fridge. The moment I opened it, I nearly slammed it shut again. It was empty. No leftovers. No milk. No soda. Nothing…except for several dark glass bottles lined up neatly on the top shelf. Slowly, I picked one up and there was no label or expiration date. Just the dark red liquid.

A thought immediately formed in my mind.

"Nope."

I put it back.

"Nope. Not doing that."

I took three steps backward then immediately walked forward again.

“Fuck it”

I grabbed the bottle once more and unscrewed the cap. The metallic scent hit me instantly.

I knew that smell, I'd smelled it enough times after injuries.

Blood.

The bottle slipped from my fingers and hit the counter with a loud clack. Every muscle in my body locked.

A floorboard creaked somewhere behind me.

I turned around slowly and standing in the doorway was Steve. His expression was unreadable, His eyes were fixed on the bottle in my shaking hand.

For a long moment neither of us spoke, Then he sighed. "You know," he said quietly, "most people just knock."

Steve looked almost the same. If I hadn't known him for years, maybe I wouldn't have noticed. But I did, His skin was noticeably paler than before, almost unnaturally smooth beneath the dim lighting. The bruises and cuts that used to linger after our endless encounters with monsters were gone and somehow he looked stronger, Not necessarily bigger but he looked much more toned

It was unfair, honestly. The guy disappears for weeks and somehow he looks even better than before, he looked so good that it almost distracted me from the blood that's currently covering my sneakers

My gaze dropped to the shattered glass and dark liquid spreading across the floor. "Sorry," I blurted out awkwardly. "I dropped your... uh..."

I glanced at the bottle.

"...juice."

Steve's eyebrow twitched.

"Juice?"

"Very conspicuous juice."

For a second, I thought I saw the corner of his mouth lift but it vanished just as fast as it came

His eyes drifted back to the liquid on the floor. The expression on his face tightened; it wasn't anger, it was something else.

I crossed my arms "Okay, enough. What's going on with you?"

Silence.

"Steve."

Still nothing.

"You've been avoiding everybody."

His jaw clenched "No, I haven't."

I stared at him and he stared at the floor.

"That's your defense really? Dude you've been ghost with everyone, you even quit your job "

"I've been busy."

"Busy doing what? Becoming a cave creature? Like seriously whys there no sunlight in this house"

That earned a dry laugh.

His gaze remained fixed on the spilled liquid "I just needed some space."

"From everyone?"

His throat moved as he swallowed "Yeah."

I didn't believe that for a second, the Steve Harrington I knew wasn't the type to disappear.

I sighed "You're a terrible liar Harrington."

His eyes flickered toward me, For a moment something almost guilty crossed his face, Then it disappeared.

"I know."

The honesty caught me off guard, then I looked down at the broken glass "Well, before your weird juice permanently stains the floor..." I crouched down.

"Wait—"

The second I reached for one of the larger pieces of glass that was laying on the floor, the edge sliced across my palm.

A gasp escaped me. "Ow"

Blood immediately welled from the cut a lot more than I expected. Bright red droplets splashed against the floor adding even more blood to the suspected pile on the floor

Steve was beside me instantly; it wasn't even fast. It was in an instant, one second he was standing several feet away, The next he was kneeling in front of me.

My breath caught as his hand wrapped around my wrist carefully.

"Let me see." His voice sounded different.

I stared at him.

He was staring at the blood, not the wound, His entire body looked rigid Like every muscle had locked into place.

"Steve?"

He blinked and his eyes snapped up to mine. For a split second I thought I'd imagined it. The strange intensity, the hunger, it was gone. Hidden beneath concern.

"It's deep," he muttered. His grip tightened before immediately loosening again, Like he was consciously forcing himself to be gentle.

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not." His voice came out sharper than intended.

A flash of frustration crossed his face and then His eyes dropped to the blood again.

I watched his throat move. Once. Twice. Like he was struggling to swallow.

"Steve…."

He closed his eyes briefly and took a slow breath. When he opened them again, he looked exhausted. "I need you to stop bleeding."

I let out a nervous laugh "Pretty sure that's not something I can control."

His jaw tightened, For a moment he simply stared at the crimson running across my skin. Then he looked away completely. As if forcing himself not to look.

The room was unbearably quiet. Steve still had a loose grip around my wrist, but his eyes remained fixed somewhere over my shoulder. Anywhere except the blood. Anywhere except me.

I studied his face, The tension in his jaw. The way he seemed to be holding himself together through sheer force of will.

And suddenly something inside me cracked. I was tired of all the worrying and being ignored by him, tired of pretending none of this hurt.

"You know," I said softly, "everyone misses you."

His expression flickered.

"Robin won't stop talking about you."

A tiny smile appeared, Just for a second.

I continued.

"Dustin keeps making excuses for you."

The smile vanished.

"And me?"

Steve finally looked at me.

"I miss you too."

The words hung between us. Neither of us moved, and we didn't look away. His eyes softened

"I thought..." I laughed nervously. "I thought maybe we had something."

The confession sounded ridiculous the moment it left my mouth "Before all this." I gestured vaguely toward the dark house.

I pressed forward before I could lose my nerve. "There was something there."

My heart pounded "At least I thought there was."

I looked down briefly “Maybe I imagined it."

For a moment Steve didn't answer. Then he shook his head. "No."

I looked back up, his gaze was fixed entirely on me now "You didn't imagine it."

The vulnerability in his voice hit harder than I'd expected "I felt it too."

Steve's eyes dropped to the floor "I've felt it for a while."

Something warm bloomed inside my chest. Only for it to immediately be replaced by frustration "Then why?, why disappear?"

His entire expression darkened "Because things are different now."

I stared at him. Then glanced around the room, At the curtains, The books, The bottles. The darkness.

"Steve."

He looked up.

"I know."

His brow furrowed "Know what?"

I gestured around us "Come on” the books alone were enough "I saw your little vampire library."

His eyes widened slightly.

"And honestly?"

I shrugged."After monsters from another dimension, government conspiracies"

I let out a laugh "A vampire barely makes the top five weirdest things I've dealt with."

For the first time all night, Steve looked stunned. "You aren't scared?"

"Should I be?"

His gaze dropped "Probably."

I shook my head "No." The answer came easily.

His voice became quieter. "You don't understand."

"Then explain it."

"I can't."

"You won't."

His jaw tightened."I don't trust myself anymore."

Without thinking, I reached out my injured hand brushing lightly against his face.

Steve immediately froze. His eyes dropped to wound in my palm Then back to me. He closed his eyes lightly, I could see him actively resisting his urges

“Im trying my best here, please i dont know how much longer i can contain myself” He pleads but my mind is made up on what i want, he needed blood, and i needed him.

“Dont contain yourself then” i say voice low and firm

He looked me in my eyes, I could see his restraint, he looked so pained having to hold back. I move my hand from his face and place a finger covered in blood on his lips, he moaned slightly as he liked his lips and I could tell that he could no longer restrain himself

“It’s okay, I want you to taste me” I saw voice low now, a part of me felt a bit of fear but mostly if I’m being honest with myself I was feeling lustful. There was something about him needing to feast on me so badly that I couldn’t resist.

His eyes were slightly darkened but there’s this sense of neediness behind them, this yearning that makes my stomach turn with knots. He takes my hand and brings it closer to his mouth, his eyes linger on the crimson in my hand and then his lips gently touch my skin.

He was gentle at first licking the blood, but the more he tasted the less he could contain himself, I couldn’t help but moan at the sensation of his mouth sucking on my wound. It hurt slightly but it was a sensation I had never felt before, I couldn’t help but feel a building feeling of lust take over with the way he was feeding on me.

He was lost in me, his eyes were closed and his mouth was a mess of crimson, he didn’t care he was beyond the point of caring, his slight moans as he tasted me were starting to get to me.

He patted his lips from my hand and looked into my eyes deeply, we were both slightly out of breath and I would be lying if I said that he wasn’t a sight for sore eyes. I never thought of myself as someone who would be into things like this but… here I am

“You’re the best thing I’ve ever tasted” he said, his voice low and sultry

He looked me in the eyes and with one swift movement his hand was positioned on my waste, he brought me In closer until I was sat on his lap, I straddled him immediately, looked him in the eyes, and I kissed him

He immediately reciprocated the kiss, I could taste my own blood in his mouth and I didn’t care because all I could feel was how consumed I was by him. If he was a drug I never wanted to quit it, he was intoxicating and I needed him just as much as he needed me.

He broke the kiss and breathed slightly, his forehead pressing against mine, “You’re so fucking perfect” he whispered

I smiled and gave him a soft peck, I hugged him and he hugged me back. “Don’t ever disappear again”

I’m finally on my break from college, so I’m accepting and welcoming requests! 💕 plsss feel free to reach out

Sumerry: You and Steve were college friends since freshmen year, now that you were both seniors the two of you were pretty close but you never allowed yourself to become best friends with him because of your intense attraction towards him, but as your end of college soon approaches you decide to play with fire a bit and throw a few hints towards Steve's way

Warnings: 18+MDNI, modern day college AU, dom steve, use of the word “daddy”, p in v, use of social media

Word count: 4.0k

A/N: i actually got this inspo from this tiktok trend of the ig notes and stories… idk if anyone else has seen them but i was like wait thats kinda cute

Spoilers: None

You were sprawled across your bed, pillows propped behind your back, your room lit only by the warm glow of the fairy lights, Your phone hovered inches from your face you were, once again, deep in the trenches of staring at Steve Harrington’s profile.

A picture of him at Family Video.

A blurry group shot from a party.

One where he was laughing, head tilted back, hair falling perfectly into place, Your thumb paused over a photo from last summer. Steve in sunglasses, leaning against his BMW, grin crooked enough to be criminal. Across the room, Robin’s voice interrupted briefly your train of thought “And then Keith actually had the nerve to say I alphabetized the tapes wrong, which, first of all, no the fuck i didnt, and second of all, are you even listening to me?”

“Mhm,” you hummed absently, not bothering to look up at her

Robin went silent.

A second later, your phone was snatched clean out of your hands “Hey!” You sat upright, staring daggers at her

Robin stood at the foot of your bed holding your phone above her head, She squinted at the screen, then groaned dramatically.

“Oh my God. Again? Steve’s instagram? Seriously?”

Heat rushed to your face. “What, give it back.”

“No.” She dropped onto your bed, crossing her legs. “I am tired, emotionally exhausted, spiritually depleted, of watching you stalk Steve Harrington like he’s some rare bird that might fly away if approached.”

“I do not stalk him.”

Robin raised a brow. “You liked a photo from 2 years ago last week.”

Your mouth dropped open. “That was an accident”

“That,” Robin declared, pointing at you “is exactly my point. You spend half your life staring at his face and the other half chickening out every time he walks into the same room as you”

You buried your face in a pillow. “I can’t help it. He’s just… so hot.”

Robin let out a dramatic sigh, then flopped beside you

“Listen,” she said, softer now but with her usual bite of humor, “Steve Harrington is not some untouchable Greek god.”

“He kind of is.”

“He’s a dork,” Robin corrected. “A very attractive dork but still a dork. And trust me, I know for a fact he's already interested in you.”

You turned your head so fast it nearly gave you whiplash. “What?”

Robin grinned, “The guy asks about you constantly. If you’re coming into work, what music you like, whether you’re going to any campus parties. He literally pretended not to know where the library was just so that would take him there.”

Your stomach did a nervous flip “He did?”

“He’s pathetic,” Robin said, her eyes gleaming with sudden inspiration. “Which means we’re done with the pining olympics.”

Before you could ask what that meant, Robin was already yanking open your closet.

“Robin.”

“Nope. I'm going to prove to you, that he wants you”

Twenty minutes later, your room looked like a mess of makeup and Robin had done your makeup with surprising skill for someone who barely does it on herself. Now she stood back to admire her work,Your lips glossed just enough to shine. Your lashes darker, longer, And the top Robin had forced you into was definitely more revealing than anything you’d usually wear, hugging you in all the right places.

Robin pressed a hand to her chest dramatically. “God you're sexy.”

You laughed nervously. “I do look pretty damn good.”

“Now” she grabbed your phone, “were gonna do a little experiment”

She positioned you against the pillows, tilting your chin and fluffing your hair “Okay, give me nonchalant, pretend like you don't even know im taking this, candid stuff always looks better”

After she took about 30 photos Robin looked at the phone and gasped.

“Oh, Steve is done for .”

She shoved the phone into your hands. The picture was… unfairly good, like you could never had managed to get a photo of yourself that made you look that good before You looked confident. Flirty. Utterly magnetic

Robin wiggled her brows. “Post it on your story”

“What if he doesn’t like the story, I'm gonna feel so stupid”

Robin smiled at you. “Sweetheart, if he doesn’t like it, then first of all he would have no taste.. And secondly if he doesn't I’ll be more than happy to put hair removal in his shampoo and third and not least it doesnt matter if he doesnt like it because you look good as fuck and you should flaunt it”

Despite the nerves twisting in your stomach, you laughed. Then, with Robin hovering over your shoulder you post the story. The second the story was posted Robin took your phone “Wait,” she said, eyes narrowing “A story is good, but we need to make a bigger move”

You blinked. “bigger?”

Robin held up your phone looking at it intensely in thought until she suddenly got up “notes, everyone always uses that shit to throw hints”

You stared at her. “That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“And yet,” she said, already tapping your profile, “it’s exactly what we need right now.”

Before you could protest, Robin shoved the phone back into your hands and pointed at the notes section.

“Put something flirty, don't make it too specific though”

You bit your lip, thumb hovering over the keyboard.

“What do I even say Robin?”

Robin dropped onto your bed, she was determined to get you this man so she started brainstormed “Something like…” she put on an exaggerated dreamy voice, “‘Some people should stop being so attractive, it’s distracting.”

You burst out laughing. “That’s awful.”

“Yeah… that wasn't good, my bad”

Still smiling, you typed out something more you:

wish certain people would just hurry up and make a move already 🙄

Robin slapped your arm excitedly. “YES. My girls all grown up. That was casual enough to be deniable but like if he's into you he would be stupid if he doesn't react to that.”

You posted the note before you could overthink it. And then came the waiting. You and Robin lay side by side on your bed, shoulders touching, your phone balanced between you

One notification.

Then another.

A couple girls from college liked it.

Vickie.

A random old classmate.

Someone you barely remembered from chemistry.

Robin narrated each notification “And in comes Tammy Thompson with absolutely no relevance to the current situation…”

You groaned, pressing your hands over your face. “This was such a bad idea.”

“No,” Robin said, sitting up straighter, “I make bad choices all the time so I can tell you with certainty that this is not one of those moments, I'm like 90% sure.”

“What about the other 10 percent”

Before Robin could answer back another buzz from the phone interrupted the both of you

You looked and for a split second, your brain refused to process it.

Steve Harrington liked your photo.

“Oh my God!” you shrieked.

Robin screamed louder than you did, grabbing both your shoulders and shaking you “I FUCKING TOLD YOU!” she yelled. “I KNEW HE WOULD FOLD.”

Your face felt impossibly hot, “He liked it,” you repeated breathlessly, like saying it out loud might make it more real.

Robin flopped backward onto the bed, kicking her legs in the air. “He wants you bad.”

Your pulse was still racing when another thought struck you.

“The note.”

Robin sat bolt upright so fast it was almost frightening.

“The note!”

You scrambled into Instagram again, fingers suddenly clumsy, and clicked over to the notes.

And there it was.

Steve had posted one.

Your breath caught.

I might just have to make a move tonight ;)

Robin made a sound somewhere between a gasp and a wounded animal cry.

“That’s about you,” she said instantly.

Your heart leapt so hard it nearly hurt but then your eyes flicked downward and you see that there was another notes posted at around the same time as yours

From Nancy.

Her note read:

Tonights gonna be real interesting

Robin slowly leaned closer to the screen “…Okay,” she said carefully, "They're either talking again or this is the worst coincidence in recorded history… i really hope they're not talking again though shes so hot”

“Mind you i was already irritated, i know shes hot i have eyes” you say your annoyance dying down after hearing robin laugh at your reaction

You stared at Steve’s note again trying to make sense of it, surely he wouldn't like your story if he was already talking to someone else

I might just have to make a move tonight ;)

It had seemed so obvious a second ago but now you were even more confused then before, you felt doubt crept in “What if it’s about her?” you whispered.

Robin’s expression twisted into suspicion, then determination.

“Nope. We are not spiraling yet. Not without knowing if they're talking again for sure.” She pointed at the phone like it had personally offended her “were getting you an answer, lets stalk steves page again”

“Oh im already ahead of you” you said, already tapping into Steve’s profile again.

His page loaded And there it was, A new story. You clicked on it instantly

Steve appeared on screen, slightly sweaty, hair looking perfect as usual, music blasting in the background “Uh–hey,” he said, a little awkward, scratching the back of his neck. “My frat’s throwing a party tonight. Starts at nine. So… yeah. Show up.” He pointed at the camera and then then the video cut.

You blinked and Robin leaned over your shoulder. “Oh were so going”

You turned to her slowly. “ughhhhhhh”

Robin grabbed both your hands. “We’re going.”

“We are not going.”

“We’re going.”

“Robin-”

“We're going, end of discussion. I don't make the rules.”

“You literally do make the rules.”

“And tonight, the rule is: hot girls go to parties and get answers.”

You hesitated.

Robin squinted at you. “Do you want to know if that note was about you?”

“…Yes.”

“Then put on that damn miniskirt and get your ass ready”

Time skip – 10:07 PM

You pushed your way through the front door, immediately hit with loud music, flashing lights, and the smell of alcohol

Robin leaned into your ear. “Okay, eagle eye mode on.”

You both scanned the room.

And there you spotted Steve.

On one side of the room, laughing with some guys.

And on the opposite side Nancy.

You froze and Robin followed your gaze. “She looks good tonight”

“Dude not helping” you say to her

“Reflax i got you”

Before you could even react, Robin grabbed your wrist.

“Stay here.”

“Wha-”

Too late.

She was already marching straight toward Nancy, You watched in disbelief as Robin tapped Nancy on the shoulder, said something, and then Nancy smiled And took her hand. Your jaw was almost on the floor, robin had some sport of lesbian magic, every women she approached she could get

Robin glanced over Nancy’s shoulder and gave you a wink. Then she spun Nancy into the crowd like they’d planned this all week.

You stood there for half a second longer as you took a breath and then headed toward the dance floor Close to Steve. You hadn’t even fully reached him when he noticed you and immediately started walking your way.

Your heart jumped in your chest as you saw him getting closer, He stopped right in front of you, grinning.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” you said, trying to act casual

He looked you up and down quickly, he tried to be subtle but it didn't work. “You came.”

You crossed your arms, smirking a little. “You told me to.”

Steve laughed. “Yeah, I was kinda hoping you’d take that seriously.”

You raised a brow. “So you were talking to me.”

“Depends,” he said, stepping a little closer. “Did you need a sign?”

You tried not to smile. “Maybe.”

“Good,” he said. “Then I guess I posted at the right time.”

Your stomach flipped at his words and you could hear the music shifted to something louder, bass heavier.

Steve tilted his head toward the dance floor. “Dance with me?”

You pretended to think about it for half a second. “I don’t know…”

He reached for your hand anyway. “Too late.”

You laughed as he pulled you in.

At first it was casual there was a nervous energy between the two of you but that was short lived because the second His hand found your waist and You stepped closer, Your hands slid up to his shoulders. The little space that was once there has completely disappeared, you could feel him pressed against you and you loved the way his body felt so close to yours

“Careful,” you said, teasing. “You’re getting real comfy.”

Steve smirked. “Well.. you did post about wanting someone to make a move.”

You froze for a second “Oh lord,” you muttered, half embarrassed.

He laughed softly. “Relax. I liked it.”

“Did you.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Felt like a pretty big hint”

You tilted your head. “And did you take it?”

Instead of answering, he pulled you a little closer.

You could feel your breath hitch slightly

“I think I’m still taking it,” he said.

The song shifted again, slower this time and neither of you moved apart. If anything, you got closer if that was even possible. Your hands were sliding slightly, his grip was tightening just enough to notice nothing about this was subtle anymore.

When the song finally ended, you both just stood there for a second, still too close.

Steve glanced upstairs, then back at you. “Hey,” he said, a little quieter now. “You wanna… go somewhere less loud?”

You raised a brow. “Less loud?”

“Yeah,” he said, scratching the back of his neck again. “My room’s upstairs.”

You could feel your heart beating out of your chest but you knew that before you accepted his offer you first had to tell robin so you glanced across the room And when you found her, You almost choked at what you saw

Nancy was very close to her. Like, very.

Robin’s face was bright red, hands over Nancy in a way that was provocative but still respectful for a public area. Nancy said something in her ear that made Robin freeze completely.

Then Robin noticed you looking at her, she locked eyes with you and gave you a thumbs up. Followed by the most flustered shrug you’d ever seen in your life. You knew Robin had a little thing for nancy but you didnt expect nancy to be so reciprocate in that feeling

You bit back a laugh Then gave her a thumbs up right back.

“Everything okay?” Steve asked, glancing where you were looking.

You turned back to him, smiling.

“Yeah,” you said. “More than okay.”

He smiled a little wider. “So… upstairs?”

You pretended to think about it and then nodded.

“Yeah,” you said. “Lead the way Harrington.”

He guided you through the crowd and in no time you were upstairs and into his room. His bed was unmade, dark sheets twisted and half falling off one corner. A denim jacket was tossed over his desk chair, and a couple of records leaned in uneven stacks beside an old turntable near the window. The lamp in the corner gave the room a low glow, bright enough to show some scattered Polaroids pinned above his desk.

You spotted photos of his friends, Robin making a weird face in one that he took at their job together, A guy who you knew to be eddie by Robins rants about him, throwing up devil horns in another, and one of the group of kids that Robin and him would hangout with

The room smelled faintly like his cologne mixed with laundry detergent and something clean, Steve shut the door behind you, The click of it closing made the air shift.

For a second, neither of you said anything.

The music from downstairs was muffled now, just a distant bass through the floorboards, leaving the space between you suddenly quieter and feeling much smaller. Steve turned toward you, still close enough that your heart started racing all over again.

“So,” he said, hands slipping into the pockets of his jeans, suddenly looking almost shy, “less loud.”

You laughed softly, glancing around the room again. “You really sold the whole ‘peace and quiet’ thing.”

He smiled, stepping closer. “I had other motivations.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He was close now, close enough for you to see the little shift in his expression, the teasing grin fading into something softer. His eyes dropped to your lips for half a second before meeting your gaze again.

And that was it.

In a matter of seconds your lips touched and it felt like electricity was cursing between the two of you. His lips felt soft and warm, he tasted sweet in a way and slightly of fruit from what he had been drinking during the night. His body was pressed against yours with every intent of getting to feel you. You felt his muscle, his skin and the way his bulge was already noticeable, and that was only off kissing you.

He put one hand on your waist and the other on your ass giving you a firm squeeze that made you moan in surprise

“Fuck you sound so good” he whispered lowly, you could feel his warm breath on your skin and there was a certain sense of intoxication that you felt feeling him this close to you.

He suddenly shifted the both of you more towards the bed causing the both of you to fall in the soft mattress, he fell on top of you and you could feel his breath on your skin. The short skirt you had on came in handy about now since it offers you no real coverage in this position and the g-string was barely covering anything. With a simple movement of his hands the soft fabric that was giving you slight modesty was pushed aside and now you laid there bare with his eyes on you.

The tension was killing you, you couldn’t handle it anymore. “Please Steve” you begged and with that he couldn’t keep his composure

He positioned himself between your legs grabbed onto your thighs making your legs fold allowing him to grab onto you giving him all the access he would need for anything he wants

And that was something he Immediately took advantage of

“Hold your legs up for me baby” he said as he pulled himself out of the bed.

You did as you were told as you saw him take his pants off leaving him in only his boxers. His body was amazing, that was really the only way to explain it. He was fit, not in a way that was overly there but in a way where you could tell he took care of himself without depriving himself either.

The next thing you noticed was the unmistakable print of his cock, the underwear really did nothing to hide how big he is.

“Fuck” you murmured under your breath when you saw him

“Do you like what you see” he says his voice laced with excitement for you that was too much to contain, he made himself between your legs again, he makes sure that you're staring for when he takes his cock out, the way it sprinted out made you clench yourself and he hadn't even you hed you yet.

“Ill be as gentle as i can be honey” As he says this he slowly takes his hand and grabs his cock firmly, he aligns his tip with your entrance and slides his tip up and down your entrance making you moan at the sudden touch

“Youre moaning and I haven't even put it in yet baby” Steve exclaims with as much arrogance as he can muster up

“Oh shut up, don't flatter your-” your sentence is suddenly interrupted by your own breath, Steve had shoved half of his cock in you, the feeling was sudden but God did it feel good

“Oh what was that, I couldn't hear you” He teases as he starts to slowly trust into you gently

“Fuck off” you spit out as best as you could, your mind was clouded and you could barely think, the only thing you knew right now is how good it felt to be stretched out by him right now

He chuckles at this but then suddenly stops mid thrust

“W-what why did you stop” you ask desperation seeking in quickly at the lack of movement

“Say sorry and i,ll fuck you so good you wont be able to walk afterwards… but you need to be nice if you want to get that treatment, understood?” his voice was teasing but dominating enough that you knew he meant it, you had never expected him to be the dominant type in bed but you would be lying if you said this wasn't making you like him even more. You needed him badly, so what if you had to play into his game to get what you wanted, he wanted you to be nice so you were gonna be as sweet as sugar.

“Im sorry daddy i dont know what got into me” you say your voice low and seductive, you knew exactly what would get to him and you were high enough on adrenalin to do it

He chuckles again this time a bit more breathless “ You really are something”

As soon as he says this his grip on your legs loosens and he pulls himself out of you, he quickly gets up the bed and looks down at you “ get on the edge of the bed and lay on your stomach”

You do as your told quickly, you put your feet on the floor and arch yourself slightly as you put your upper body on the bed completely bending down in front of him

“Youre being so good, im gonna have to reward you” he says as he grabs your hips with one hand with the other he positioned his cock up with your entrance again

This time he didn't waste time teasing you, he shoved himself in fully and started slowly thrusting into you, you felt like you were about to explode from all the sensations you're experiencing right now.

You had never felt better in your life, the way his cock inside you and stretched you out perfectly, it was too much to handle you were a moaning mess and every moan you let out was an invitation for him to go faster and harder into you

“Oh fuck, Im so close” you breathe out

With this he didnt hold back, he fucked you senselessly and when you told him you were about to cum he quickened and just as you reached your orgasm he reached his in you.

“I really do like you yk… like outside of tonight i've had a crush on you since like freshman year” Steve says from beside you on his bed, the both of you had gotten comfy after a quick shower, he gave you one of his shirts. The party downstairs had ended by now.

“That's interesting… I perchance feel the same…” you say as you bury your face slightly in his chest

Sumerry: After you found out that your now ex Harry Osborn cheated on you, you go to the only person you feel like you can count on, your best friend Peter Parker.

Warning: 18+ MDNI, P in V, use of the word “princess”, jealousy and pinning, oral sex (female receiving)

Authors note: So i got cheated on by the man ive been involved with since i was 16, and let me tell you its been such an emotional moment for me but when someone so carelessly hurts you and lies to you for months the best thing i figured i can do is just try and not dwell on the past and move on, find myself again and focus on my studies, my profession and what makes me happy, so I decided to write this. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Word count: (5.9k)

6 years wasted on someone who could not give less of a fuck about you

How could you have been so stupid, how could you have been so blind. All the reg flags you decided to ignore simply because you thought your love was stronger than what it actually was. Truly how stupid could you be

The thoughts felt overbearing like a waterfall of emotions that wouldn't cease no matter how hard you tried. And god knows you tried, it had been months of bullshit, stupid fights, him throwing things directly at you, him telling you all the things you feared could ever come out of his mouth. The abuse was subtle at first, it was tame. Until it wasn't. Yet you stayed because after every comment and every fight he still promised he would change and you being the naive lover you were of course believed him.

After every threat came the “im so sorry, i didnt mean it” after everytime you would find a new incriminating piece of his affairs the gaslighting would hit and of course your love for him was blinding, too blinding for your own good.

So when you would find hairs of different lengths and colors in his car you just assumed it was his assistants, when you found texts message coming in different hours from different women and he would tell you they were just coworkers you just let it slide, and when you found hearts drawn on his windshields it must have been some obsessed fangirls

But no, it wasn't any of that, he was just an abusive manipulative cheating asshole and you were getting played the whole time.

You felt like the stupidest woman ever, how could you have been so ignorant. This was your worst nightmare and unbeknownst to you, you had already been living it for months. All the times he had held you, hugged you, kissed you, fucked you. It was all a lie from him.

It took him completely fucking you over and disseparing for a whole day with another women for you to finally see this man for who he was, a piece of shit.

So after he came back and tried to hit you with the same lame excuse you didn't take it this time, you packed your things and you left. You blocked him on everything and you didn't look back

This was a big moment for you, it was the moment you finally stood up for yourself, you wouldn't take it anymore. You felt alone and scared so you went to the only place that you knew you wouldn't be alone. You went over to Peters. The cab barely had time to pull away before you were climbing the familiar steps to Peter’s apartment, your fingers were trembling so hard you nearly dropped your bags.

The city buzzed around you, but it all sounded muffled. Every thought in your head was still Harry. His voice. His lies. The way he’d looked at you like you were the problem when you finally called him out all you could feel was a feeling of hate creeping itself in

By the time you reached Peter’s door, your vision had gone blurry. You knocked once. Then twice by the third knock the door swung open.

Peter stood there in gray sweatpants and an old Midtown Science hoodie, his hair wrecked and His brows pulled together the second he saw your face.

“Hey, hey, what happened?” His voice dropped instantly

That was it. The sound of his voice cracked the small compotere you’d been holding together all night.

A broken sob tore out of you before you could stop it and Peter’s whole face changed, panic and fury flashing at once. His eyes dropped to the bag in your hand, then back to your tear-streaked face.

“Did he do something?” he asked, already knowing the answer. His jaw tightened so hard you could see the muscle tick. “Did Harry lay hands on you?”

Your lips parted, but no words came. You just shook your head, tears spilling faster.

Peter stepped aside immediately. “Come in. Come here.”

The second you crossed the door, he shut the door behind you and turned back just in time for you to collapse into him.

His arms wrapped around you, warm and strong, pulling you against his chest while your hands fisted in the back of his hoodie. The scent of laundry detergent and Peter's cologne hit you, and suddenly this was the first place all night that felt safe.

“I left him,” you choked out into his chest. “Peter, I finally left him.”

For a moment he just held you tighter. A strange mix of relief and heartbreak for you surged through him. Relief because you were here, because you were finally away from Harry. Heartbreak because he hated that it took Harry destroying you completely to bring you back to his door.

“You did the right thing,” he murmured into your hair, one hand cradling the back of your head.

A shaky breath left you. “I feel so stupid.”

Peter pulled back just enough to look at you, his hands settling gently on your shoulders. “No.” His voice sharpened, “Don’t do that. Don’t let him manipulate you.”

Fresh tears welled in your eyes.

“I should’ve seen it,” you whispered. “The cheating, the lying, the way he talked to me, the way he’d throw things when he got mad. I just kept thinking if I loved him harder he’d become the person he promised he was.”

Peter’s expression cracked; there was a certain dark and protectiveness that showed itself. “He doesn’t deserve another second in your head,” Peter said quietly, though the anger simmering beneath every word was impossible to miss. “Not after what he put you through.”

You stared at him, breathing unevenly.

Peter’s thumb brushed beneath your eye, catching a tear before it fell.

“I need you to hear me,” he said, softer now. “None of this makes you stupid. It makes him cruel and a fucking idiot for what hes done for you.”

The tenderness in his voice nearly broke you all over again “Stay here tonight,” he added. “Stay as long as you need. I mean it, if you want to move in there's more than enough room you can use my guest room, make it your own.”

For the first time in months, you felt like you could breathe and it wouldn't have happened without peter

What you didn't know was that Peter, had loved you silently since he was a teenager, looked at the girl he’d spent years pretending not to ache for you all because of Harry Osborn who if he ever came near you again, Peter would make sure he could never do so again.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------

Nine months later, Peter’s apartment no longer felt like a place you had crashed into, you had taken his offer to be roommates and you would be lying if you said it didn't feel like home.

Your romance books were stacked on the coffee table beside his physics journals. Your throw blanket was permanently draped over the couch, tangled with the one Peter always used during movie nights. Your shampoo sat in the shower next to his, your shoes lined the front door

The apartment was no longer just Peters, it was yours too and he loved it. The sleepy good mornings when you’d shuffle into the kitchen, The late-night takeout containers spread across the floor while the two of you argued over movies. The way you always waited up for him, even on the nights he came home bruised and exhausted from patrol, your hands gentle as you pressed antiseptic to the cuts on his face.

He loved all of it, maybe a little too much. Because the truth Peter refused to touch directly was this: living with you felt every fantasy he's ever had with you

The first month had been brutal.

There had been nights where your crying scared him, where your body shook so hard in his arms he thought your heart might actually break. Nights where he sat beside you on the bathroom floor while you threw up from panic and grief, your body wrung dry from tears until he was pushing glasses of water into your trembling hands and threatening, in the gentlest way possible, to carry you to the hospital himself.

He remembered every second of it. The hollow look in your eyes. The way you whispered, Why wasn’t I enough? And every single time Peter answered the same way.

“Because Harry was a disgusting broken man, It has nothing to do with you and everything to do with him.”

Therapy helped and so did Time But Peter was the thing that really helped you through it, The way he always made sure the apartment felt safe. The way he never let you apologize for taking up space. And little by little, the grief that was consuming you disappeared.

Now, on a warm Friday evening, you stood in front of the hallway mirror fixing your hair, a smile playing at your lips that Peter hadn’t seen in a long time.

Peter leaned against the kitchen counter, trying and failing to look casual as he watched you.

“You look nice,” he said.

You turned, grinning. “Thanks.”

Then came the sentence that made something ugly and jealous twist in his stomach

“So… I’m going on a date tonight.”

For half a second the whole apartment seemed to hold its breath.

Peter’s expression stayed smooth, but inside, his thoughts were going insane: A date? With who? How long had this been happening?

Was this some random guy from work?

Did he know how you liked your coffee?

Did he know you still woke up from nightmares sometimes?

Did he know what Harry had done?

Most importantly, did he deserve to know you at all?

Peter swallowed hard.

“That’s great,” he said, aiming for supportive

Your smile softened. “You really think so?”

Peter looked at you.

Really looked.

The brightness in your face, the confidence returning to your posture, the absence of that haunted sadness that had followed you for months.

This was what healing looked like.

And Peter hated how much it hurt.

“Yeah,” he said quietly. “I do.”

He pushed himself off the counter and crossed the room, stopping in front of you “Just…” His hands slid into the pockets of his sweatpants, holding himself back from doing something reckless, like touching your waist, fixing a strand of your hair, begging you not to go. “Be careful, okay?”

A small laugh left you. “Peter, it’s just dinner.”

“I know.” His jaw flexed. “I just mean… if he does anything that makes you uncomfortable, anything at all, you call me.”

The protective edge in his voice made your chest warm.

“I can handle myself.”

He let out a breath through his nose, something halfway between a laugh and a sigh, stepping closer “I know you can,” he said softly. “Trust me, I know exactly how capable you are.”

His gaze dropped for the briefest moment, lingering on your lips before lifting again.

“But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna like the idea of some guy putting his hands on you.”

There it was again, that strange heat that had been building in the apartment for weeks, something hidden inside all the casual touches and late-night glances.

Your voice came out lighter than your thoughts. “Are you jealous?”

Peter let out a short laugh, glancing away.

The truth sat hot in his head. Always.

He dragged his tongue over his bottom lip, then looked back at you with an expression that made your stomach tighten.

“I just know what happened last time,” he said, quieter now,

Peter’s eyes met yours again, filled with things he knew he shouldn't say but he couldn't contain himself

You took a slow step closer, your voice gentler, almost coaxing. “This isn’t Harry.”

Peter’s eyes locked onto yours. There were too many things in them. Too much worry. Too much want. Too much of everything he had spent years swallowing down.

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he murmured.

Your brows knit together. “What does that mean?”

Peter exhaled slowly. “It means,” he said, his voice dropping lower, “I don’t trust some random guy to know what you deserve.”

The tension in the room sharpened “I don’t trust him to notice when you’re nervous even though you’re smiling.” His eyes flicked over your face “I don’t trust him to know you hate crowded restaurants when you’re already anxious. I don’t trust him to walk you home and make sure you get inside safe.”

Your breath hitched and Peter’s hand lifted, fingers brushing a strand of hair back from your face in a gentle touch.

“And I definitely don’t trust him if he thinks he gets to kiss you goodnight just because he bought you dinner.”

your heart was beating far too fast.

“So you are jealous,” you whispered, unable to hide the teasing smile tugging at your mouth.

Peter looked his eyes onto you “oh please” he teased

Before you could answer, your phone buzzed in your hand. Your date’s name lit up the screen. Peter’s gaze dropped instantly, his expression tightening at the sight of some guy he’d never met.

Some guy who, in Peter’s very objective and definitely not jealous opinion, was already suspicious. You grabbed your bag, suddenly feeling far less excited than you had ten seconds ago.

“I’ll be back later?” you said, though now it sounded more like a question than a statement.

Peter nodded “Yeah,” he said. “I’ll be here.”

And that was the problem, really.

He was always here. Waiting. Waiting for you, Loving you in the quiet silence

As the door shut behind you, Peter stood alone in the apartment Then, under his breath, with a bitter little laugh, he muttered to the empty room:

“If he hurts her, I’m throwing him into the Hudson.”

Hours had passed and the apartment was too quiet.

Peter had checked the clock so many times the red numbers were burning brighter, taunting him

11:07.

11:32.

11:48.

11:57.

Midnight was beginning to creep and still no sign of you.Peter sat on the couch, elbows on his knees, his phone gripped so tightly in his hand his knuckles had gone pale. He had told himself an hour ago that he was being ridiculous. You were an adult. It was one date. You were allowed to stay out late.

But that didn’t stop the unease crawling up his spine. It didn’t stop the ugly little voice in his head whispering what if something happened?

He’d already texted you twice.

No answer.

His mind had started pulling up every worst-case scenario: A bad guy. A dark alley. A drunk creep who didn’t know when to stop. Your date turning out to be a creep

By 12:14, Peter was pacing.

By 12:21, he was halfway to his room, already reaching for the hidden compartment where he kept the suit.

Then the front door lock clicked. The door swung open and there you were. Hair a little messy, heels angling from one hand, your cheeks kissed pink from alcohol and the cool night air.

Tipsy. Very clearly tipsy.

Relief hit Peter first, so sharp it nearly made his knees weak. Then came the annoyance fed by hours of worry, by the image of you stumbling through the city alone, by the fact that some random guy had let you come home like this.

“Peter!” you said, your voice brighter and looser than usual.

A smile bloomed across your face the second you saw him, and before he could say anything, you crossed the room and threw your arms toward him.

Peter stepped back just enough for the hug to miss full contact.

The shift in your face was instant, Your smile fell. Your brows pinched.

“Seriously?” you slurred lightly, offended. “You dodged me.”

Peter crossed his arms. “You’re drunk.”

“I’m tipsy,” you corrected, “Huge difference.”

Peter stared at you, unimpressed.

“You didn’t answer your phone.”

The annoyance in his voice cut sharper than he meant it to making Your own irritation spark immediately.

“Because I was on a date, Peter.”

“A date that ended with you stumbling home alone after midnight?”

Your eyes narrowed “I said I’m fine.”

“And I’m saying you shouldn’t have been walking around New York like this by yourself.”

The protective edge in his tone only made your moodier side flare. “Why do you care so much?” you shot back, dropping your shoes by the door with a clatter. “I was out having fun.”

Peter let out a humorless laugh “Fun? You can barely stand up straight.”

You folded your arms, glaring at him. “You don’t get to lecture me.”

Peter let out a sharp breath, raking a hand through his already messy hair so hard it stood up worse than before. “Lecture you?” he repeated, the frustration finally cracking through. “I was up all night worried sick, okay? I was this close to going out looking for you.”

His voice was low and tight, Something shifted in your face. For a second, the haze in your head thinned just enough for the truth of it to settle in your chest. He had really been waiting. Really pacing this apartment, imagining every horrible possibility. And you would be lying if you said that him showing this side of him wasn't turning you on.

But before you could keep dwelling on that insatiable attraction your defensiveness came through

Your chin lifted stubbornly. “Well, I’m here now, so stop acting like my dad.”

His jaw clenched, eyes narrowing as he took a slow step closer. You think that’s what this is?” he asked, voice dropping

“What else am I supposed to think?” you shot back, even as your breath caught at how close he was. “You’re acting like I committed a crime because I stayed out late drinking.”

Peter gave a humorless laugh, his eyes flicking over your flushed cheeks,“No,” he said, quieter now, the jealousy leaking into every syllable. “I’m acting like some asshole let you walk home half-drunk after midnight and somehow thought that was acceptable.”

The sharp protectiveness in his tone was impossible to miss

Your brows pinched. “Maybe I wanted to stay out.”

“Maybe he should’ve known better.”

You hated how much you loved the way his anger was dripping out of him

“Oh my god,” you muttered, half annoyed, half breathless. “Why are you so worked up about this?”

Peter stared at you, his expression taut with things he clearly didn’t trust himself to say. Then he muttered, bitterly, “Because I know how this city works. I know how men work.”

His eyes dragged over you again, this time his gaze looking over your body slowly “And I know what happens when pretty girls come home alone looking like that.”

You should have been more offended than you were, really i mean who did he think he is, you were allowed to do what you wanted but god did the way he looked at you made you feel weak in the knees and in other places too

You crossed your arms tighter, almost to steady yourself. “I can take care of myself.”

Peter stepped even closer.

“I know,” he said, voice rougher now. “That’s not the point.”

“Then what is the point?”

For a second, it looked like he might say it. That he hated the thought of someone else touching you. That he’d been sitting here imagining another guy making you laugh, leaning too close, walking you home. Instead, Peter’s mouth pressed into a thin line.

“Fine,” he muttered, yanking it over his head. “If you’re gonna come home drunk and bite my head off, I’m gonna go out. Maybe hit a bar myself.” The words should have sounded casual.

You blinked, suddenly more bothered by the idea of him going out, you were never foolish to his looks, you knew he was incredibly attractive and you knew he had no problem getting women. The image of Peter in some crowded bar, girls looking at him, someone touching his arm, someone making him laugh the way you usually did, sent an ugly little twist through your chest. That thought made you sick

Your jealous sharpened instantly. “Oh, so that’s okay?” you snapped, taking a step after him. “You can go out, but I can’t?”

Peter turned back, eyes flashing “That’s not what I said.”

“Oh but it's only okay when you do it.”

His gaze locked with yours, both of you breathing harder now, the argument turning into something harder to name. He looked down at you intensely but he pulled away and went to grab his coat

You were going to let him go out, it wasn't your business what he did. It didn't matter to you, nope not even in the slightest bu the second Peter reached for the doorknob, you couldn't just let him go out

“Wait.”

Your voice came out smaller than before making Peter stop but he didn't turn right away, like he was bracing himself.

You crossed the room quickly, a little unsteady, and grabbed his hand.Your fingers curled around his like it was instinct “Please don’t leave.”

Peter turned back, the irritation still lingering in his expression until it caught on the look in your eyes. All that attitude from before… gone. You looked fragile again, too honest.

His grip on your hand tightened without him realizing “Why?” he asked, quieter now, but still rough around the edges. “Thought you were having so much fun.”

Your gaze dropped to where your fingers were tangled with his, your thumb brushing slowly over his knuckles “Because tonight was awful.”

Peter frowned, confusion flickering through the jealousy still simmering in his chest. “You said it was fine.”

A small, shaky laugh left you “I lied.”

Peter’s eyes searched your face, Your voice dropped, softer now, “The whole date…” you murmured, stepping a little closer, your grip on his hand tightening just slightly. “All I could think about was you.”

Peter stilled completely “What?” he breathed.

You shook your head lightly, almost embarrassed, “He was nice,” you admitted. “Sweet, even.” Your eyes lifted to his again, searching, almost frustrated. “But every time he talked, I kept comparing him to you.”

Peter’s jaw tightened “Comparing how?” he asked,

“The way you make me tea when I can’t sleep,” you said softly. “The way you wait up for me, even when you pretend you’re not worried.” A small breath. “The way you look at me”

Peter’s chest rose slowly, “And him?” he pressed, unable to stop himself. “What, he didn’t measure up?”

There it was that jealousy that had your panties almost flooding

You huffed out a tipsy laugh. “Not even close.”

Something satisfied flickered in Peter’s eyes before he could hide it.

“You were all I could think about,” you admitted, your voice trembling now, the truth spilling out. “And I hated it. Because I didn’t understand why.”

Peter took a step closer. Now there was almost no space between you.

“You don’t mean that,” he said, but his voice had lost its certainty

Your breath brushed against his lips. “Yes, I do.”

Peter’s eyes dropped to your mouth. His hand shifted, sliding from yours to your wrist, then higher, like he didn’t trust himself but couldn’t stop either.

“You’re tipsy,” he murmured, like he was trying to convince himself more than you. “You don’t–”

“Peter,” you cut him off softly. Your fingers curled into the front of his shirt, pulling him just a little closer “I’ve wanted to do this all night.”

That snapped whatever thread of restraint he had left. For a second, he just looked at you.

Then you closed the distance

The kiss was soft at first you could feel the anticipation of the kiss you had been dying to get, his lips were soft and he tasted sweet, though your attraction for him had always been there it wasn't until after you and harry had broken up that real feelings started to develop with Peter, for the past 4 months your mind was filled with ideas of him, fantasies of him and only him, he consumed your every thought and desire having him here this close to you right now made you feel drunk on him.

You deepened the kiss bringing your body so close that you were pressed on him, he moaned at the feeling of being able to feel your pressed body on him, with one swift motion he picked you up effortlessly because of his strength and you quickly put your legs on his waist.

His hands swished your ass and his touch felt like magic on your skin, the short dress you had decided to wear came in handy right now leaving your ass bare for him to grab

The kiss was deepened, what was once a sweet kiss had now turned heated, you felt the rush and need culminating all in this one moment. You parted your lips gently allowing him more access, he quickly delivered he passed his tongue through your lower lip before crashing his lips fully into you, he moved you slowly up and down letting you be able to feel the top of his clothed erection as you were on top of him

You couldn't help but moan at this, that made him stop right on his tracks, he broke the kiss in a breathless escape and he leaned backwards allowing him to see your flushed face.

“Im sorry i got too carried away” he said face flushed and breath unsteady

“I want you Peter, all of you, I can't wait any longer” you say as you lean into him berrying your face in the crock of his neck and putting your hands around his shoulders

“Are you sure, I don't want to pressure yo–” his sentence was cut by your lips nibbling the tender skin in his neck, you sucked and kissed him gently, hard enough to leave a hickey but not enough to hurt. Peter felt like he was in a trance

“Fuck it” you heard him grunt before feeling as he moved the both of you to a different spot in the house, you noticed that he had taken you to his bedroom. He dropped you off in his bed and you could feel the excitement run through your veins, you hadn't had sex in 10 months and that alone was making you crazy but the fact that it was Peter Parker that had you in between his sheets was pushing you through the edge

You were attracted to Harry sure but you had never needed Harry the way you need Peter right now. You had never felt this much desire for anyone in your life, just the idea of him wanting you had gotten you wet earlier, right now you felt beyond needy. You needed him the way you needed oxygen, if he was a drug you wouldn't mind overdosing about now

You layed down with your shoulders propping up your head so that you could still look at him, you could see his eyes filled with lust staring down at you and you could barely contain yourself, and he knew that, he knew the affect he had on you and it was only making you more and more appealing

You were his dream girl, the only woman he's ever wanted. Right now he's thinking of every single night he spend with his hands on his cock, pumping himself up and down, the only thing in his mind fantasies of you, what you sound like and what your pussy would feel like throbbing on his cock.

He doesn't need to imagine it anymore, he's gonna learn exactly what makes you tick

You feel yourself being yanked towards the edge of the bed and before you could process what's happening you see Peters head get closer to the area where you needed him the most

“Can i take your panties off princess” Peter asks

Between the unexpected nickname and the way you can feel his breathe on your clothes cunt you can barely form syllables, the only thing you can manage to do is give a slight nod as to give him permission and that's all it took for your panties to be off in a manner of second only leaving you in your dress that barely did anything to cover your breast or ass to begin with

Before you could analyze the situation he was already spreading you gently with his fingers, the sensation alone made you grip on nothing for some sense of friction and this did not go unnoticed by him, he gently touched your folds, the sensation should be small, it shouldn't feel so good but you were so desperate for him that something that little felt like a whirlpool of pleasure

“Fuck” you moaned out

Your moans sounded angelic to him, not even in his most fulfilling fantasies did he imagine you sounding so good. He couldn't contain himself any longer, he brought his face closer to your spread out pussy and took one long lick leaving you unable to so anything else but to lay down and take it, after the first taste he couldn't leave your pussy alone

He spread you out and put himself fully into you, you could feel your wetness spreading to your thighs and yet he didn't stop he liked you until your legs shook and when you thought it couldn't get better he introduced a finger into your pussy giving you the friction that you so desperately needed. You felt so good but it still wasn't enough you needed more, you needed to feel him, every inch of him.

“Please baby, i need you, i n-need to feel you” you say with all the energy you had left in you

When Peter heard this he quickly pulled his head out of your thighs feeling you sticky and cold without his tongue in you.

“Are you sure?” he asks his eyes staring intently at yours, his bulge was beyond noticeable he needed this, he needed you, but he wanted you to be 100% this is what you wanted

“Please Pete” you say eyes melting into his soul

With this he knows that it's time to give you what he's been wanting to give you for years, he slid off his pants and then came his boxers, as soon as he took them off his dick sprinted out and slapped his stomach, his cock was a lot bigger than you had imagined, his tip was already pink with anticipation from how long he's been hard, the veins being noticeable along his thick length

“ Peter you're so big” you say, the sentence leaving your lips only above a whisper

“Ill try and be gentle with you baby” he says as he strokes himself a bit

He janks you even further and you on instincts let your legs up on the air, he grabs his cock and gently rubs it against your clit and folds

“F-fuck” he says as he feels your dripping cunt

You grind slightly against him slightly indicating that you need more

“Youre that needy for me huh, i guess I can't have the princess waiting” he says in between groans

With this he pushes himself into you gently and you could swear you can see stars, you've never felt so good in your whole life. His cock filled you perfectly, he was stretching you out in ways you never knew could feel so good and he was going deeper than you thought was possible

The both of you were a moaning mess, He's never felt better than he has right now, years of fantasies could have never prepared him for this moment, the way your pussy gripped on him and the way you felt so warm and wet had him in a trance, he never knew he could feel this good until now.

“Oh god, im close” you breathe out

With this his grip on your waist gets stronger and he starts thrusting into you harder and faster than before, this new sensation drives the both of you to the edge, his cock was hitting you right where you needed it and you both came undone on each other.

He slowly pulled out and grabbed a towel carefully cleaning you off and then himself

You made yourself comfortable in his bed, sinking into the mattress that smelled like old books, and Peters cologne. He climbed in beside you a second later, careful and almost shy now, and pulled the blanket over both of you until you were wrapped in the same warmth. Your bodies were turned toward each other, faces only inches apart, the city lights painted through the curtains in soft shadows

Peter’s hand found yours beneath the blanket, fingers threading together “I should’ve told you sooner,” he murmured.

Your brows knit softly. “Told me what?”

Peter let out a quiet breath, “That I’ve been in love with you since we were teenagers, Since the first time you came to one of my science fairs and pretended to understand my rambling” he admitted with a small smile.

A sleepy laugh escaped you and Peter smiled too

“I think a part of me always knew,” he said. “Even when you were with Harry. Even when I told myself I needed to move on.” His fingers tightened around yours. “It was always you.”

You shifted closer beneath the blanket until your forehead brushed his “For the past four months,” you whispered, “I’ve been falling in love with you too, It started in the little things,” you confessed. “The way you stayed with me during the worst nights. The way you never made me feel stupid for feeling what i did. The way this place started feeling more like it was our home”

Peter’s eyes softened and He leaned in and kissed your forehead, slow and lingering, all the heat from before transformed into affection, Peter shifted, pulling you carefully against his chest. Your head rested just beneath his chin, his arm wrapping around your waist under the blanket while your fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.

Sumerry: The last few years had been a romantic massacre, deception after deception seemed to follow you and your best friend Robin, so when you woke up with the shocking realization that the both of you had drunkenly submitted a tape for one of the biggest dating shows currently out there its safe to say the both of you were mortified… until both of you got casted. And now the both of you were getting ready to unbark on this new adventure together. What connections could you make, and who could you meet along the way.

Warning: slight 18 and up content, involving heavy making out and sexual tension

Author's note: this was definitely a ride to make, I don’t know how I feel about it but I really hope you guys enjoy it. I haven’t been too active lately cuz college is genuinely killing me but I loveeeee writing so I hope that even though I’m tired my writing doesn’t reflect it. If you guys would want another fic with this plot but maybe make it spicier I would be so down for it. Hope you guys enjoy 🖤

Word count: (13k)

Heaven's Love Paradise is a fictional reality tv love show, in this show we start off with 6 (slowly bring it more) contestants and each one is looking for love, each contestant must be 21 and up and they have to be prepared to partake in challenges and be subjected for votings. The public can vote and interfere/ break up couples if they don't like the pairings that have formed.

The van doors slide open and the villa looks like something ripped out of a dream someone rich had after watching too many dating shows. White stone. Glass walls. A pool shaped like a lazy heart. Fairy lights tangled through palm trees Above the entrance, the gold script sign reads:

Heaven’s Love Paradise.

Somewhere, a camera drone hums making You squeeze your suitcase handle tighter.

“Okay,” you mutter, “if I trip on the first step, just push me into the ocean and tell my mom I died, I rather die than have that be my reputation.”

Beside you, Robin snorts. “Please. If you fall im narrating that shit as if i was a sports comentator’”

“Robin.”

“tragically y/n has taken a career ending injury"

You laugh, nerves loosening, you can see the front doors swing open. Inside, five strangers look up at once and suddenly it’s very real. Cameras. Microphones. The smell of citrus candles.

A girl with sharp eyes and perfectly controlled posture steps forward first “Hi,” she says, offering a hand. “Nancy.”

Her smile is warm but assessing, like she’s already writing an article in her head.

Nancy Wheeler- Journalist, 24, new york city

You she’s robins hand. “I’m robin and this is y/n, we’re from NY, this is already forming to be a great day i cant believe we ran into someone attractive straight away”

Nancy laughs, quick but genuine. Robin immediately lights up looking at nancy laugh at her joke

Then you notice him.

Leaning against the kitchen island, holding a beer muscle flexing under his shirt like greek god, hes tall with broad shoulders and soft eyes, it was obvious he was trying very hard to look confident.

He straightens when he notices you staring

“Oh. Uh. Hi. I’m Steve.”

He gestures awkwardly to himself

“Steve Harrington” he says a bit awkwardly

Steve Harrington, 25, gym teacher and baseball coach for middle and high schoolers, New jersey

There’s something slightly boyish about him must have been from what he's dedicated his life too

“Baseball coach,” he adds quickly. “Which sounds cooler than it is. It’s mostly yelling ‘run!’ at children and praying the motivational speech was corny enough to do some type of work on them.”

You grin. “Truly heroic work.”

He points at you with finger guns. “Thank you. Finally, someone respects the profession.”

Your eyes linger half a second too long.

He notices and his face turns pink slightly.

He was cute. Too cute for you to be able to just ignore it

Next to him, a quiet guy with a camera already slung around his neck gives you a small wave.

“Jonathan,” he says softly.

Jonathan Byers.- 24, photographer, california

“And I’m Chrissy!” a bubbly voice chirps. A blonde girl practically bounces over and hugs you like you’re old friends.

Chrissy Cunningham- 24, Indiana, professional dancer

“I’m so glad none of you are scary. I thought this was gonna be, like, hot people Hunger Games.”

Robin leans toward you. “Give it time.”

Everyone laughs.

Later on the day, you’re all sitting cross-legged in a circle on the living room floor, drinks sweating in your hands. Music hums low. The ocean sighs outside the glass doors.

Stories spill out easy. Jonathan talks about photographing sunsets in California. Nancy vents about editors ruining her headlines and Chrissy rambling about missing her dog. Robin was now the one talking she was animatedly describing a disastrous NYU presentation that somehow involved a kazoo.

Steve bumps your knee with his. “Careful,” he murmurs. “If you laugh too hard, they’ll edit us into a rom-com montage.”

“Would that be so bad?”

He tilts his head. “Depends. How's the light hitting me right now?”

“Youre bathing in natural sunlight, you literally look like some greek go-”

The words slip out and if you had the option of having the ground open up and shallow you whole, you would take it about now

You both freeze but he then smiles slowly “Well,” he says quietly, “that’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all day.”

Your stomach does a small backflip. Good you hadn't completely humiliate yourself

Across the circle, Robin is leaning closer and closer to Nancy, their shoulders brushing. Nancy keeps smirking at everything Robin says

Jonathan watches them slightly

The energy shifts. Warmer. Looser.

Chrissy suddenly claps.

“Okay, okay. We HAVE to play Never Have I Ever.”

A mix of ground and cheers broke out

“Never have I ever…” Nancy starts, eyes glittering, “dated two people at the same time.”

Robin and Jonathan both drink.

Nancy laughs. “Interesting.”

Robin points. “Never have I ever had a one night stand”

Chrissy drinks.

Everyone screams and laughs surprised she had done that

Steve leans toward you. “This is where it gets starts getting real fun”

Your turn.

You clear your throat. “Never have I ever… had a crush on someone in this room already

Steve drinks.

You drink.

Robin howls, and then takes a sip of her drink looking at nancy

On the other side sat Jonathan who also sipped his drink looking at nancy

Nancy just stared at the both of them, smiling slightly to herself, Nancy raises an eyebrow at both of them a chuckle escaping her lips.

You can feel heat crawling up your neck as Steve whispers, “Well. Guess we’re honest drunks.”

“Apparently,” you whisper back.

Then suddenly the lights dim and a spotlight appears by the stairs. A tall, sharply dressed man steps down like he rehearsed it in a mirror.

The host

“Good evening, lovers,” he says smoothly. “Welcome to your first night in Heaven’s Love Paradise.”

The name hangs in the air a little heavy

“Tonight, you must choose a sleeping partner. Tomorrow you'll all be joining an afternoon brunch. And trust me… you’ll want to be well rested.”

He winks and just like that he’s gone, leaving before anyone could even really ask about tomorows

All of you broke into awkward giggles and quick side glances.

The Choices you all make suddenly feel much heavier

Nancy clears her throat and looks at Jonathan. “Hey… want to room together?”

He smiles like he hoped she’d ask. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

Robin watches them for half a second too long. Then she snaps back to cheerful. “Chrissy, sleepover vibes? I snore but like…trust me its part of my charm.”

Chrissy gasps. “Yes! We can braid each other’s hair!”

And just like that, it’s decided.

Which leaves you.

And Steve.

Standing in the hallway, just the two of you

He rubs the back of his neck. “So… uh… rooming buddies?”

You smile. “Yeah. rooming buddies"

The room was stunning but the sheets were already calling your and steves name, the both of you quietly got into your pajamas and turned the lights off.

Moonlight spills across the bed like silver paint. You’re both on top of the covers, inches apart, facing each other.

Talking about nothing and somehow everything all at once.

You both talked about your Favorite movies. Bad dates. How weird it is being watched all the time.

His voice gets softer as the night deepens.

“You’re easy to talk to,” he says.

“You too.”

A beat.

“I’m glad it’s you,” he adds.

His voice was honest as he said this

Your shoulders brush and neither of you dares to move away.

Outside, the ocean could be heard, the wavez crashing gently against the shore could be heard

The both of you drift off to sleep. Excited for what's to come

———-———————————————————————————————————————

Morning in the villa arrives softly, the Sunlight spills through the glass windows in warm honey stripes, painting the walls a light shade of gold. For a second you forget where you are. But Then it hits you.

Cameras. Strangers. Steve.

You turn your head looking for Steve but you're only greeted by an empty pillow, you turn your head slightly checking the room for any sign of him but you have no such luck But then you notice the nightstand.

A folded note.

His handwriting is big and slightly crooked, like he pressed too hard.

making breakfast. come to the kitchen sleepyhead.

There’s a little badly drawn smiley face at the bottom.

You laugh into the pillow you could feel the butterflies in your stomach

You shuffle down the hall in socks, an oversized tee slipping off one shoulder. The villa is already alive with soft clanking and low voices.

The kitchen smells like cinnamon and butter.

Steve and Jonathan, side by side at the stove like an oddly wholesome cooking show.

Jonathan flips pancakes with quiet focus while Steve is aggressively losing a battle with a spatula.

“Why is it sticking?” Steve mutters. “It’s literally bread. How do you mess up bread?”

“Because you’re using too much heat,” Jonathan says calmly.

You lean on the counter. “Morning, Gordon Ramsays.”

Steve looks up.

And just stops. His smile spreads slow and soft.

“Hey,” he says, voice rough with morning. “You’re up.”

There’s something intimate about it. Your stomach flutters again. Annoying persistent.

At the table, Nancy, Robin, and Chrissy are already deep in conversation, heads close together

Robin waves wildly. “Sleeping Beauty's finally awake !”

Chrissy gasps. “We were about to send a search party!”

Nancy smirks. “Or assume Steve finally murdered someone with all the toxins those 3 pieces of burnt toast have let out.”

“RUDE,” Steve calls without turning around.

You sit down with them, chin in your hand. “So. Reports. How was last night?”

Chrissy beams. “Robin and I talked about life and skincare and we ranked all our celebrity crushes”

Robin nods. “Purely platonic. Zero romance. Ten out of ten friendship sleepover” She says it lightly, but her eyes flick to Nancy when she says it, no sense of subtlety

Nancy’s composure cracks just a little. A blush creeps up her cheeks.

“Oh,” she says casually, way too casually. “Yeah. My night was… good.”

Robin raises a brow. “Good good? Or just good?”

Nancy tilts her head. “Let’s just say… I’m still keeping my options open.”

She’s looking right at Robin when she says it.

Robin nearly chokes on her juice.

Jonathan watches the exchange from where he's at in the kitchen.

Then all three of them swivel toward you.

“And you?” Robin asks, wiggling her eyebrows. “Details. Gossip.”

You shrug. “Honestly? We just… talked. Like, all night. We talked about movies, our childhood, dumb stories. It didn’t feel weird or forced or anything.”

Nancy smiles softly. “Im sensing a growing romance”

Right then, a plate slides in front of you. Golden French toast. Powdered sugar and strawberries on the side.

Steve sits beside you, knee brushing yours.

“I remembered you said this was your favorite,” he says, trying to sound casual and failing spectacularly.

“You remembered that?”

He shrugs. “Of course I liked hearing you speak yesterday”

You stab a bite to avoid combusting.

“You trying to bribe me into being your sleeping buddy again tonight?” you tease.

He leans closer. “Is it working?”

“Mhhh maybe.”

“Nice.”

You bump shoulders. He bumps back. The air between you practically sparks like two wires touching.

Robin watches from across the table and mouths, oh my god, dramatically.

You kick her under the table.

She kicks back.

Later, the pool water was glittered like blue glass.

Steve cannonballs in first, absolutely soaking everyone.

“You’re evil!” Chrissy shrieks.

“Worth it!” he yells.

You slide in after him, water cool against your skin. Soon it’s just you two floating near the deep end. Your conversations come easy.

You can talk about anything, Favorite songs, childhood dreams. It didn’t matter as long as you’re both just with each other

He asks questions and he expects answers, he loved hearing the sound of your voice

You tease him about his “soccer mom coaching voice.”

He splashes you.

You splash back.

He laughs, head thrown back, and it feels like summer bottled into his voice. You realize you haven’t stopped smiling for like twenty minutes. Being around him made you so happy

Across the pool, tension could be cut with a damn knife, Nancy and Jonathan talked quietly while Robin floated nearby, pretending not to watch.

Nancy would drift closer to Robin while Jonathan drifts away.

That love triangle was bound to get ugly

Then suddenly–

Speakers hidden somewhere in the villa hum to life. All of you freeze. A smooth voice fills the air.

“Good morning, contestants. In one hour, please gather in the garden wearing evening attire. this event will change everything.”

Static then filled the villa leaving a strange silence in the air that was charged with energy

Steve blinks at you. “Evening clothes? At, like… noon?”

Robin groans. “I just got chlorine in my eye and now I have to be glamorous?”

Nancy’s already calculating. “Im kinda stressed .”

Chrissy whispers, “That did sound ominous.”

You glance at Steve.

He grins. “Guess we’ve got a date with destiny,” he says.

You nudge him with your foot underwater “God you're so chessy” you smile at him

“Better not ditch me, sleepyhead.”

You hook ur pinky with his.

“I wouldn't dream of it”

After the announcement the villa felt like backstage at a theater production, there were Doors slamming Hair dryers whining loudly and Robin shouting “WHO STOLE MY OTHER SHOE” like it’s a crime documentary.

You stand in front of the mirror, smoothing down your outfit for the tenth time.

Robin pokes her head in, eyeliner slightly uneven.

“If I die tonight,” she says gravely, “delete my browser history.”

“You don’t even have a laptop here and why would you be in a life or death situation here.”

“Bitch my anxiety is killing me right now, if i die burn the villa down.”

You laugh and loop arms with her.

“C’mon, drama queen.”

The lawn looked unreal. Lanterns hanging from trees. White tablecloths fluttering. Roses and lilies piled into two centerpieces, and at the center:

The host's perfect smile never faltering.

Behind him, two chairs at separate tables.

Two men were already seated their Backs turned. Broad shoulders. Dark suits. Still as statues.

Everyone gathers in a half circle.

Steve stands close enough that your fingers almost brush.

And You notice.

Neither of you moves away.

The host claps once.

“Good evening, lovers. I see that you've all brought your A game and that's great because tonight, your little paradise grows.”

Dramatic pause. “Please welcome our first bombshells.”

Robin mutters, “I hate that word so much.”

The host gestures grandly.

“These two new arrivals each get one immediate dinner date. They may choose anyone they like. No restrictions”

Steve stiffens beside you.

“Those not selected,” the host continues sweetly, “will watch from the terrace.”

Chrissy whispers, “oh shit”

“Gentlemen,” the host says, “turn around.”

Their Chairs scrape.

They turn.

And you feel like youre about to have a stoke “No way.”

Robin gasps beside you.

“NO WAY.”

You’re already moving before you think. You run across the lawn Straight into him.

Black curls. Rings.

You crash into Eddie

Eddie Munson 27, musician, new york

“EDDIE?!”

He laughs, startled, arms wrapping around you tight. “Hey, sweetheart!”

You squeeze him “What are you doing here?! Weren’t you– weren’t you with–?”

He rubs the back of his neck, suddenly shy. “Yeah… we broke up a few months ago. Kinda messy. I, uh… panic-applied to this show at three in the morning.”

You blink. “You what?”

“They called me back the next day. I thought it was a prank.” He shrugs, crooked smile. “Guess not.”

There’s a nervousness in him you rarely see, it makes you soften instantly.

Robin rushes over and tackles him too. “YOU DIDN’T TELL US!”

“Surprise?” he wheezes.

The others approach, curiosity evident

Nancy folds her arms. “Friend of yours?”

Robin nods proudly. “One of our best friends. Like… this guy has been there with us through thick and thin. This dude is the funniest man ever, he's such a dumbass.” Robin teased

“Rude,” Eddie says.

“Eh, it's accurate,” you add.

He clutches his chest. “Betrayed by my own people.”

Everyone laughs, Everyone except Steve.

You can feel a slight shift in the air almost like the temperature dropped two degrees.

You glance back at Steve and you notice that he was watching the two of you closely, his jaw clenched slightly and arms crossed, his eyes stuck on Eddie’s hand still resting casually on your waist.

The second guy steps forward.“Jason,” he says smoothly. “Jason Carver.” He looks like he was built in a lab for cologne commercials.

Jason Carver, 26, semi pro athlete, indiana

Chrissy nearly chokes on air. “Wait… Jason from highschool is that you??”

He grins at her like they share history.

The host claps again.

“Gentlemen. Time to choose your dates.”

Silence stretches thin.

Steve steps closer to you

Eddie glances around until his eyes settle between you and Chrissy, His expression softens in that familiar way. The way he used to look at you during late night diner runs and terrible horror movies.

“You mind if I steal you for dinner?” he asks quietly.

He learned in close to you Like no one else exists and you could swear you felt Your heart stumble.

Before you can even process it, he says clearly:

“I pick Y/N.”

Boom. Like a stone dropped in water. Ripples everywhere.

Robin’s eyes go wide. Nancy smirks. Jonathan hums softly.

And Steve?

Steve goes still a little bit Too still to be considered normal

Jason points next. “Chrissy.”

She looks torn but nods, walking over.

The host beams. “Perfect. Dates begin now.”

As people start moving, Steve steps into your path.

“That friend of yours, huh?” he asks.

His tone was light but his eyes they told a different story

“Yeah,” you say gently. “We go way back.”

“How far back?”

You blink. “Summer before college started”

He nods once.

“Oh. Cool. Cool cool cool.”

Then he forces a smile “Have fun.”

Behind you, Eddie watches Steve and Steve watches Eddie.

And for a second it feels like they might say something until Eddie steps closer, offering his arm dramatically. “Ready, milady?”

Steve’s jaw ticks and you could tell he was about to pop

You almost laugh nervously from the tension alone.

“This is so weird,” you whisper to Eddie.

“Yeah,” he murmurs. “But hey its kinda fun.”

As you walk away, you sneak one glance back and you notice that Steve’s still staring.He has his Hands in his pockets and hes Trying to look unaffected. Hes Failing spectacularly.

If jealousy had a shape, it would be him standing there under the lantern light, watching you disappear with someone else.

The two small tables sit apart from the rest of the lawn, tucked beneath climbing roses an intimate in that suspiciously curated reality-TV way. The kind of setup that whispers kiss here for better ratings.

A waiter glides in and places plates down a gentle ease. He put down a creamy alfredo shrimp pasta. Steam rising with Two glasses of red wine catching the light like liquid rubies.

Across from you, Eddie slouches into his chair like he’s trying to look casual but failing adorably.

He tugs at his collar. “This is the fanciest meal I’ve had in, like… ever.”

“You look fine… dont worry”

“Yeah?”

“You clean up suspiciously well. It’s unsettling, I'm unsettled”

He grins. “Don’t say that. I have a reputation to maintain.”

You laugh, twirling pasta around your fork.

For a moment everything's easy. Familiar. You remembered all the Late night diner booths. With Sticky tables while it was just the two of you sharing fries. Just you and Eddie against all odds.

“So,” you say softly, “tell me everything. How did you even end up here?”

He shrugs. “Breakup spiral. Three a.m. application. Figured nothing would happen because I mean hello this is like one of America's biggest shows right now but clearly I was wrong.”

You tilt your head. He on the other hand didnt notice your look he was too focused on cutting his shrimp.

“Yeah. It… ended bad.”

“How bad is bad?”

He hesitates and gives you a look, and You know that look. So you lean forward, gentler.

“Hey. We’re best friends. We tell each other everything, remember?I'm here for you.”

He exhales through his nose. “Yeah. Yeah, okay.”

His fingers tap the table once. Twice. Then:

“She thought… there was something going on between us.”

You blink. “Between us?”

He nods and then sighs “She was jealous. Of you.”

You felt like your world was spinning “Jealous… of me?”

“Yeah,” he says quietly. “Said I talked about you too much. Texted you too much. Cared too much.”

Your heart does something strange. Not quite a skip. Not quite a fall. More like stepping off a curb it was Warm. Confusing and… Dangerous.

“I told her she was being ridiculous,” he continues, softer. “But she didn’t buy it.”

His eyes lift to yours.

“And maybe… I didn’t argue hard enough.”

Your face goes hot, You immediately shove a forkful of pasta into your mouth. Carbs. Yes. Focus on carbs.

Eddie watches you with a slow, knowing smirk.

“Oh my god,” he teases lightly. “Are you blushing l/n?”

“No,” you mumble through noodles.

“You totally are.”

“Am not.”

“You look like a lobster.”

You kick him under the table and he laughs, low and warm.

“Relax,” he says, softer now. “I’m not trying to make it weird.”

“Good,” you say quickly.“but it is a little weird.”

“Yeah,” he agrees.

The air shifts.And He leans back, studying you.

“You know,” he says, playful but quieter, “if I’d known reality TV meant candlelight pasta dates with you, I would’ve signed up years ago.”

You swallow.

“Careful. That almost sounded smooth.”

“Don’t accuse me of that. I have an image remember.”

You smile but your eyes drift up toward the terrace.

And you notice him there, his arms braced on the railing, he was Watching you

Your stomach twists.

-Steve POV

From up here the garden looks almost faked, everything felt weird but maybe it fekt that way because he couldn't focus on much minus you, you were the only thing that mattered to him in that moment, you were like a star you looked radiant laughing.

Leaning in close to Eddie.

Steve grips the railing harder than he means to “Relax,” he mutters to himself. “They’re just friends. Friends. Totally normal. Chill.”

You laugh at something Eddie says. Eddie reaches across the table and he fucking Touches your hand.

Steve’s brain immediately goes into panic mode: sirens

He straightens and Jonathan sidles up beside him quietly.

“You good?” Jonathan asks.

“Yep,” Steve says immediately. Too fast to sound convincing

“Super good. Love watching my… friend… on a romantic pasta date with a guy who looks like he bangs models for fun”

Jonathan raises an eyebrow. “You’re jealous.”

“I’m not jealous.”

“You’re literally crushing the railing.”

Steve looks down.

“okay maybe a little jealous.”

-Your POV-

Eddie notices your gaze drifting upward. He follows it slightly and he notices Steve and he Sees the way Steve’s staring at you

He looks back at you and there's Something flickering in his expression. He didn't know what it was, maybe it was protectiveness or an intense instinct, maybe it was just plain old jealousy, he didn't know what he felt but he knew he didn't feel strongly about Steve.

“So,” he says casually, swirling his wine, “baseball boy seems intense.”

You nearly choke. “Don’t call him that.”

“Oh. Defensive already.”

“We just met.”

“Sure.”

He leans forward, voice low and teasing.

“You like him?”

Your fork pauses midair.

“maybe.”

Eddie studies you he Then glances at Steve again. “You deserve someone good,” Eddie says quietly.

“I know.”

“And if he’s not…”

He shrugs, smirking.

“I’ll steal you back. Very dramatic. Probably involve a motorcycle ill put his ass to shame”

You laugh. “You don’t own a motorcycle.”

“Ill buy one.”

The intercom crackles again, sudden and sharp, scaring both you and eddie “Dates are now concluded. Please return to the terrace.”

Eddie sighs dramatically and raises his wine.

“To almost being classy.”

You clink glasses. “You did great. Very gentleman. Minimal table manners violations.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

The terrace fills with footsteps. Chrissy and Jason return mid-laugh. Eddie walks beside you, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets, shoulders brushing yours occasionally like it’s accidental. To everyone else it might have seemed that way but it wasn't

And Steve notices how the both of you slightly collide with each other

Before the silence can get awkward, Nancy claps her hands once.

“Okay, this is weirdly tense and I hate it,” she declares. “Champagne. Fireplace. Group bonding before we all kill each other.”

“Seconded,” Robin says immediately.

Within minutes, you’re all gathered around the outdoor fireplace. The flames flicker gold and orange lightly in the air making the now sunset sky look even more captivating, Someone pops champagne and Glasses begin being passed around.

It almost feels normal.

Everyone sits in a loose circle on cushioned chairs and blankets. You end up between Steve and Eddie. Which to be honest felt like the universe was setting you up for failure, Robin across from you. Nancy beside her. Jonathan next to Nancy. Chrissy and Jason on the other side.

The air smells slightly of smoke and citrus, it was something electric.

Nancy raises her glass. “Let’s start simple. Introductions for the new guys. Age, job, basic stats”

Jason goes first.

“Jason. 25. Semi pro athlete. Indiana.” He flashes a movie-star smile.

Chrissy claps politely.

Eddie salutes lazily. “Eddie. 27. Musician, new york”

Nancy points. “Y/N?”

You give yours. Then Steve. Then Robin. Then the rest.

The conversation was flowing naturally

For about three minutes.

Nancy leans forward “Okay. Now the messy stuff.”

Robin groans. “Oh no. She’s hosting.”

Nancy grins. “Jason. First question. Who here are you interested in?”

Jason doesn’t even hesitate.

“Chrissy,” he says warmly.

She blushes slightly from next to him

“And,” he adds, eyes sliding toward you, “Y/N.”

You nearly inhale champagne wrong you can feel Steve go still beside you.

Jason shrugs. “What? I have eyes.”

Steve mutters under his breath, “Yeah ok, congrats.”

Nancy smirks. “Bold. Okay. Eddie. Your turn.”

Everyone looks at Eddie with anticipation, He scratches the back of his neck.

“Uh… Chrissy seems sweet.”

Chrissy beams at his words “But…”

His eyes flicker to you gently, it was for a second but you noticed it immediately with your eyes meeting each other

It wasn't long enough but you felt your stomach flip at his sudden eye contact and you felt even worse knowing you had steves expecting eyes next to you

“…yeah,” he finishes casually. “Still figuring it out.”

Steve shifts in his seat, turning slightly toward Eddie.

“So,” he says, too casual, “you and Y/N go way back, huh?”

Eddie smirks. “Yeah. Ancient history. Like flip phones and bad eyeliner days.”

You groan. “Don’t expose that.”

“How’d you meet?” Steve asks.

“Summer before college started,” Eddie says. “We met at one of my shows, we had a karaoke type activity and she was the only person who signed up to sign with us”

“ I was so nervous that day, literally almost vomited”

“Thank god you didn't, it would have been a real pitch perfect moment for you .”

Steve smiles thinly. “Cute.”

He didn't think it was cute. He genuinely experienced love at first sight when he talked to you and now here comes this loser with some fame thinking all the past history between the two of you could win you over. Eddie clearly had a thing for you and it wasn't fair he had years to have you and he didn't.

“So you’re like… best friends?” Steve presses.

“Pretty much,” Eddie says. “Ride or die.”

Steve nods once. “Must be nice. Having so much history, so much time spent together, so many opportunities .”

Eddie tilts his head. “Yeah. It is.”

The air felt tight

“Guess you wouldn’t get that yet,” Eddie adds lightly.

Oh no.

Steve laughs once. “Yeah, well. Don’t really need history to connect with someone, thats just an excuse people use”

“Sure,” Eddie says. “Sometimes you just click fast.”

“Yeah,” Steve replies. “Sometimes you do.”

They’re both smiling but it’s all teeth. Clearly there was no real warmth behind the smiles

Robin leans toward you and whispers, “Are they about to arm wrestle or kiss? I can’t tell.”

“Stop,” you whisper back.

Across the circle, another drama brews and this one involves your best friend

Robin scoots closer to Nancy

“So, Nance,” she says, playful, “hypothetically, if you had to rank who youre most attracted to who would be on your list”

Nancy laughs. “Trying to collect data on me?”

“Always.”

“Well you're pretty charming yourself,” Nancy says softly.

Robin feels like her heart is about to beat out of her chest, Jonathan’s jaw tightens almost imperceptibly. He stared into the firepit clearly annoyed

Nancy keeps leaning toward Robin. Shoulders brushing and Robin practically glows.

Jonathan finally mutters, “Oh please you call that flirting ”

Nancy looks back. “Jealous, Jonathan?”

“No,” he says too fast.

Robin grins. “He sounds jealous.”

“I’m not jealous,” he repeats, clearly jealous.

Chrissy whispers to Jason, “its better in person than throught the tv.”

Jason nods. “Oh i know the shippers going crazy”

Back on your side, Steve leans forward, elbows on his knees.

“So what exactly do you do, Eddie?”

“Exist,” Eddie replies.

Steve waits.

“And like ive mentioned i own a bad, were called corroded coffin i play the guitar and serve lead vocals. I also have a D&D club along with freelance odd jobs.”

Steve nods. “Cool.”

Pause.

Then: “You serious about finding love, or just here to put your name out?”

The question lands heavy.

You glance at Steve and then at Eddie noticing Eddie’s eyes sharpen just slightly.

“Serious,” he says. “Im here for what everyone is here for. love, wouldn't be here for any other reason”

Their gazes lock the Fireplace snapping between them

Steve smiles tight. “Good. Wouldn’t want anyone wasting her time.”

Eddie leans back, matching the energy.

“Trust me,” he says softly, "I'm never a waste of time.”

Silence breaks out after that and everyone feels it.

Robin stage-whispers, “Okay someone separate the boyfriends.”

“We are n-” both Steve and Eddie start at the same time.

Your heart is feels like its raising Because the way the two very different boys are looked at you made you feel like you could bust any second from all the emotion

—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two weeks in the villa don’t pass like normal time, it somehow sprinted but also felt like an eternity. Things in the villa felt like a mix of reality and a complete fantasy because of the isolation from the outside world. Only having the people in the villa as your company was a challenge but its caused all of you to become weirdly close. The Days would blur into sunburnt afternoons and slow, nights. Laughter was an evident thing all through the villa, the laughter would echo off the pool tiles. The villa was filled with small moments that mixed together into a whole new level of sentiment, Stolen snacks at 2 a.m. Conversations that start as jokes and end as confessions.

Your attention was divided quite a lot currently

When you were with Robin and Eddie, it felt like a constant vacation, The three of you would steal floaties. Dared each other to jump off the rocks in the ocean pear

“Observe,” she whispers dramatically, pointing at you and Eddie wrestling over a pool noodle, “the rare aquatic worm in their natural habitat.”

Eddie splashes her.

She screams loudly and you laugh so hard you inhale water.

Being with them felt like a piece of home followed you to the villa, it was old sneakers, Familiar jokes and The kind of friendship that was too precious to break

When you were With Steve it was different it was softer, more delicate and felt like something entirely new

He would always bring you coffee before you even ask. He would remember the tiny things, stuff you had only mentioned once. He would always listen to you, he would really listen.

Sometimes you catch yourself looking at him and thinking, How do I already feel this safe with him? It was like you’ve known him forever. Like he was always meant to be in your life and now he had finally arrived.

He cared for you and he made that clear not only with his small actions but with how he treated you as well, He would tuck your hair behind your ear without thinking. He had his own pet names for you that he would only use on you, like when he would call you “sleepyhead.”

He would smile at you like you’re the only person in the room

It’s unfair, honestly nobody should be that naturally gentle and perfect

But it wasn't always paradise with Steve because the second he saw you and Eddie, the jealous monster would take over him, and you and Eddie would spend a considerable amount of time together too.

And that in itself was complicated for you too, because it had always been yours since the second you met. It wasnt a romantic possession, it was just… well there

He was your Best friend. yours.

The two of you have shared a lot of things in all the years you've known him, the two of you would share everything from fries to Three a.m. panic calls.

But now there’s this strange current under everything that feels like its slightly dragging the both of you in, its one that you both reject to even name. It started off with a brush of hands that lingers too long. Inside jokes that now sounded even heavier and lingering eyes that sometimes hold yours a second too long before darting away.

Before his ex, that tension used to exist. But then she came around and it just…vanished but now its back

And neither of you says anything about it, but it hums its low and constant.

Meanwhile, Eddie’s also been spending time with Chrissy. She was sweet, gentle and easy to be around

And they looked cute together, everyone thought so well minus Jason of course. This whole Chrissy and Eddie ordeal was driving Jason insane. Jason keeps swooping in everytime he notices eddie and chrissy spending too much time together, he would interrupt them for the most mundane or stupid things

He would see her and just break to convo to say “Chrissy, want to train later?” or “Chrissy, want a smoothie?”

Eddie would just watch in intrigue

Jason watches Eddie like he’s plotting a duel at dawn. It’s ridiculous. You love it.

And don’t even get started on Nancy's love triangle

Because Nancy had successfully manufactured the perfect love triangle and she refuses to acknowledge it. She flirts with Robin then she flirts with Jonathan. Robin turns into a flustered disaster while Jonathan turns into a quiet suffering poet. Nancy would just sip her drink like she didn’t cause three emotional earthquakes before noon. She didn't do it out of malice but she was as confused as ever.

The villa is basically a soap opera. By the time week 3 rolls around, everyone’s sleep deprived and drinking way more than we should. Which is exactly what the production wanted.

It's Breakfast hour and the Sunlights light on your skin, your Pancakes are warm and fluffy and your Coffee is scorching. You’re sitting between Steve and Eddie again, because apparently fate has a sense of humor.

Robin’s stealing fruit from your plate that decide her while Steve’s nudging your knee under the table.

Eddie’s telling a story about getting banned from a mall in ’09

Everyone talking over each other and for the first time in days it felt completely drama free

Then- CRACKLE. The damn speakers.

Every single person freezes as The host’s silky voice pours down from nowhere.

“Good morning, contestants. The public has been voting.”

Theres a Collective groan. “That’s never good,” Robin mutters.

“For today’s challenge,” the voice continues, “you will be participating in… Sexy Charades.”

Chrissy nearly chokes on orange juice.

Jason pumps his fist. “Let’s go.”

Nancy looks intrigued. “Oh this is going to be messy.”

“Pairings,” the voice says, “have been decided by the audience.”

Your stomach drops. Oh no.

“First pair: Steve and Nancy.”

You whip your head toward Steve.

He blinks. “Wait. What?”

Nancy blinks. “Huh.”

Robin makes a scandalized noise. “Oh you have to be fucking me.”

Jonathan’s smile dies instantly

The voice continued “Jason and Chrissy.”

Jason grins like he just won the lottery while Chrissy gives Eddie an apologetic little look.

Eddie shrugs but his jaw tightens.

“Robin and Jonathan.”

Robin turns slowly. “Well this is going to be the most awkward team up ive ever been a part in”

Jonathan sighs. “Yeah…”

And then the last pairing.

“Eddie and Y/N.”

Silence until Robin screams. “OH MY GOD.”

Steve goes very, very still. Beside you, Eddie looks at you and You look at him.

Same thought- Of course Of course the public did this. Because apparently millions of strangers looked at the tension between you two and went Yes. Let’s light that on fire.

Eddie grins slowly.

“Well,” he says, low and teasing, “guess we’re putting on a show, sweetheart.”

Your face heats instantly.

Across the table, Steve forces a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Yeah,” he says. “Should be… fun.”

And just like that, breakfast suddenly tasted like shit. By the time you all drift toward the firepit, the sky has turned that dusky lavender that makes everything feel unreal, flames crackle low and steady fairy lights blink lazily in the trees.

A bowl sits in the center, filled with folded cards, the host stands beside it and when he sees we're all there he starts to speak “Welcome, lovers,” he says smoothly. “Tonight’s challenge is simple. A little game of sexy charades.”

Robin groans immediately. “I hate every word in that sentence.”

The host gestures to the bowl. “Inside are prompts. Positions. Situations. Interpret them however you like. Fully clothed, of course. Participation is optional…” He pauses, smiling. “…but those who sit out will be excluded from the reward.”

Everyone straightens at this, they knew they had the option to not do anything but not doing it would mean trouble for sure no one wants to be excluded and especially with a reward on the line

Beside you, Steve glances between you and Eddie he says casually “So I guess the best friends won’t be playing then, huh?”

It lands sharp and everyone knows Steve hated the idea of you and Eddie partaking in this together.

From beside you Eddie snorts before you can even react “Oh, you thought wrong, Stevie.”

Steve’s jaw ticks at the nickname but eddie doesn't care “We’re in it to win it,” Eddie says, bumping your shoulder. “Y/N and I never back down from a challenge.”

You grin. “Unfortunately true.”

Steve looked beyond annoyed and he was ready to argue in fact he wanted to argue. But before he can, music slides out of the speakers. The music was Slow and Sultry, they were clearly trying to set the mode it was ridiculous.

The host claps. “Let the game begin!”

The first names called out by the host are Jason and Chrissy.

Jason pulled a card. He read it and immediately he smirked towards chrissy causing her to peek and immediately turn pink.

“Ok ok i can definitely do that one.”

She starts pretending to hold a phone, flipping her hair, posing dramatically like she’s taking selfies, first the angles the imaginary phone down low where the only thing visible would be her tits, Beside Chrissy, Jason pretends to type with exaggerated swagger. By the time she angled the imaginary phone to her ass it was clear what she was acting out.

Nancy squinted at them slightly “Sexting?”

“Correct”

Everyone laughs. Chrissy hides her face in Jason’s shoulder.

Next up was Robin and Jonathan, They both look like they’re walking to execution it was evident neither was pleased to be doing this

Robin unfolds the card.

“I want to go home.”

Jonathan rubs his face. “We can’t skip, can we?”

“We can but we can kiss whatever the reward is goodbye”

Jonathan sighs and they both trudge to the center

Robin suddenly mimes riding something like a mechanical bull, bouncing dramatically and Jonathan, after a long sigh, awkwardly mirrors her.

Everyone stares at them “What is happening?” Jason asks.

Nancy: “Horse riding? I really have no idea”

Robin leans toward you and whispers, “Moo.”

You shoot your hand up. “Reverse cowgirl!”

They both point at you like you saved their lives.

“THANK YOU,” Robin hisses, sprinting back to her seat.

Then: “Nancy and Steve.”

Your stomach tightens at that

They step forward and Nancy looks curious while Steve looks… tense.

He pulls the card.

His eyes flick down, then up.

And Something shifts in his expression

Nancy leans in. “What is it?” He shows her and She raises an eyebrow.

The word: Make out.

Nancy steps closer.

Steve leans in…and kisses her.

The kiss wasn't playful or dull, it was lustful, eager, a real kiss, his hands were on her waist. With an Intent, one would have expected the kiss to last a few seconds but the kiss was long and you could swear you heard The fire pops growing louder

Nobody speaks

Jonathan’s face goes tight.

Robin’s mouth drops open.

And you-

You can't stop your chest from aching, you try to look neutral, you try to smile. But your eyes give you away instantly.

And Eddie notices immediately, He leans closer to you and whispers “You okay?”

You nod too fast. “Yeah. Fine.” you don’t even dare to look at him.

He watches Steve a second longer, jaw tightening.

“Guess Harrington’s showing his true colors,” he mutters.

Steve pulls away from Nancy and scoffs. “It’s a game, man.”

“Sure,” Eddie says flatly.

Tension crackles and the host noticed so he called out“Next pair,”

“Eddie and Y/N.”

You and Eddie step forward together. You were both too aware of each other and even more aware of the eyes of others on you

He reaches into the bowl, unfolds the card, reads it… then freezes.

“Oh you’ve gotta be kidding me,” he mutters.

“What?” you whisper.

He shows you.

Lap dance.

Eddie leans closer, voice low. “Okay, rockstar… how are we playing this? Comedy? Bit? We can just decide not to participate”

You glance past him.

At the circle.

At Nancy whos still flushed from her round and then at Steve

He had his arms crossed, his facial expression hard to read but it was clear he was still riding the high of that very real kiss.And he dared to look at you like he expects you to back out. Like you’ll play it safe.

In your head: So that’s how we’re playing? Fine. If Steve wants to pull a move like that…

Then you're not holding back either.

“Sit,” you tell Eddie quietly. “Right there. A little distance.”

He blinks. “Wait, you’re actually–”

“Trust me.”

He sits down and for the first time since hes been here he looked actually nervous. He had his hands on his knees almost like he didn't know how to relax

It’s weirdly adorable.

The song that was playing during nancy and steves kiss end and “Streets” by Doja Cat stars

Your pulse starts drumming in your ears in time with it.

You take one slow step forward, then another, a little sway of your hips, subtle at first. Testing the water.

The group immediately starts screaming.

“OH MY GOD–” Robin yells.

Chrissy hides behind her hands. “I can’t watch”

Nancy is laughing, shocked. “This has to be a bit”

You don’t break eye contact with Eddie not even onces when you reach him you let your hands land lightly on his shoulders, Just your fingertips, A teasing glide.

He inhales sharply.

You lean in close enough for him to feel your breath, then pull back at the last second.

You circle him slowly, hips swaying with the beat, fingers dragging along the back of his chair. He turns his head to follow you like his unable to look at anything else.

His ears are red and his breath slightly heavy “Jesus Christ,” he mutters under his breath.

You smirk as you step between his knees. Slow and deliberate.

You were close enough that his hands twitch like he doesn’t know where they’re allowed to go.

“You good?” you whisper.

He swallows. “Nope. Not even a little.”

You laugh softly.

“Im going to get clouser to your lap, okay?

“O-okay” he says face even more flushed than before

You slowly get your ass closer to his crotch and you roll your hips just enough to match the rhythm, it was controlled and smooth but you can feel the effects it had on Eddie already. Feeling your best friend semi hard under your touch should disgust you, but it didnt. Quite the opposite actually, you enjoyed knowing he was like that because of you

The group was absolutely loosing it.

Robin was screaming like it’s the Super Bowl.

Jason shouting “BRO” like its the only word he knows

Nancy fanning herself dramatically.

But Eddie doesn’t hear any of it.

He’s only focused on one thing. You

It was like the rest of the world disappeared and For a second, it stops feeling like a challenge, there was a shifts. His teasing grin fades and gets replaced with more intimate And that—that’s what gets you.

“Thats one hell of a lap dance” jonathan jokes loudly

“Correct!” you scream

Cheers explode.

You step back and Eddie runs a hand through his hair “Holy hell,” he breathes, staring at the ground. “What the actual fuck was that.”

And across the fire—

Steve was not laughing, he wasn't doing anything that wasn't just Just staring his Jaw tight and shoulders stiff.

And suddenly this dumb little party game doesn’t feel like a game anymore

You and Eddie walk back to your seats.

Your pulse is still sprinting from the dance, Your skin still warm. Your brain still replaying the way he looked at you.

In your seat you can feel Eyes on you burning daggers straight through your soul

You glance up to look at whos staring you down and you werent shocked to see Steve.

Eddie notices too and instead of looking away…like a normal person he stares back.

Then Steve says, flat and sharp,”real intimate for people who are supposed to be just friends.”

Robin mutters, “Here we go…”

Eddie scoffs, leaning back in his chair like he’s bored.

“Oh, come on,” he says, voice lazy but eyes glaring “It’s just a game, man. Don’t you remember?” the Same words Steve used earlier.

Steve’s jaw tightens. “Yeah. Didn’t look like just a game.”

Eddie tilts his head. “You kissed Nancy.”

“That was different.”

“Oh?” Eddie smirks. “How’s that?”

The air goes brittle You open your mouth to stop it but-

The host’s voice interrupts everything

“Well well well… what a show.”

Everyone groans but He continues, delighted “During that entire challenge, our lovely viewers were watching… and voting.”

Robin throws her hands up. “Can they stop voting on our emotional stability for five minutes?”

“For you see,” the host says, pacing slowly, “this show loves to keep you on your toes.” He gestures grandly “And since no one backed down from today’s challenge… the fans decided you all deserve a reward.”

Pause.

“…or perhaps a punishment…You’re all going on a sleepover. Separate villas. Tonight.”

Chaos erupts between the small group

Chrissy gasps. “Wait, that's kinda cute!”

Jason: “Let’s go”

Robin: “If I get trapped with Jonathan again I'm suing.”

Jonathan already looks exhausted.

You glance between Steve and Eddie.

“There are three villas. The fans voted on who they want grouped together.”

Oh no.

“Group one: Jason and Chrissy. You’ll be heading to the Sweet Dreams Villa.”

Chrissy claps excitedly. Jason fist pumps. Eddie watches them but not in the same jealous way he had been doing this time it seemed like he didn't care

“Group two: Robin, Jonathan, and Nancy. You’ll be going to the Love Villa.”

Robin immediately: “Throuple therapy trip, that's great.”

Nancy laughs. Jonathan sighs like

The host now looks directly at you and you can feel your stomach drop to your feet.

“Finally… group three.”

You feel both of them look at you at the same time.

“Y/N… Steve… and Eddie…”

Nobody breathes.

“…you’ll be going to the Passion Villa.”

“NO WAY,” Robin screams.

Nancy’s jaw drops.

Jonathan mutters, “That’s diabolical.”

You felt like your barin was gonna melt, this had to be some joke to these people. Passion. really?

They literally named it Passion.

Eddie lets out a soft, disbelieving laugh. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

Steve rubs his face. “This is insane.”

The host claps happily.

“Pack your bags! You leave in thirty minutes!”

Just like that, the host walked out happily while he left half of you suffering, Everyone started talking at once onces the host left

Robin grabbing your shoulders. “YOU’RE IN WAR ZONE.”

“I’m going to die,” you whisper.

“Probably but hey at least you're not with Jonathan.”

“Your beef with jonathan has to stop, you need to be honest with nancy about your feelings”

“I suppose… well see how tonight goes for both of us” with this she kisses your cheek and runs off to pack.

Steve finally exhales. “So… this is happening.”

Eddie smirks slightly. “Yup, try not to get too jealous, Harrington.”

Steve shoots back instantly, “Oh please you look like a walmart version of slash.”

You step between them before eddie throws a chair at him “Guys. Please. It’s one night.”

They both look at you softening instantly.

Two different boys and you were stuck in the middle.

About to spend the night in something called the Passion Villa.

Great.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The drive to the other villa was quiet and it wasnt the peaceful kind either, it was the kind where three people sit in a car pretending to look out the window while they bottle up their emotions as if one wrong word could lead to a spiral of conflict. The tension was horrible, it was still no match for Eddie who keeps tossing little comments your way, asking about the music on the radio, nudging your arm when he spots something funny outside.

You would answer him. You laugh with him and all that while very intentionally not looking at Steve.

Not even once.

By the time the car pulls up to the villa, the tension could probably power a small city. The Passion Villa is smaller than the main house but still gorgeous. It had Warm lights draped across the balcony. Plants spilling over the railings. Inside, you immediately start exploring.

There’s a living room with soft couches and big windows. A kitchen absolutely stuffed with snacks. Two bathrooms. Two bedrooms, The first bedroom has three full-sized beds lined up side by side while the second bedroom…

You push the door open to find a massive king-sized bed. The room had soft lighting. Candles. It was literally a room build to be fucked in.

“Wow,” Eddie whistles from behind you. “That room looks like a fun time”

You roll your eyes. “We are not fighting over that bed.”

Behind you, Steve mutters, “Wasn’t planning on it.”

You pretend not to hear him again.

Which makes his jaw tighten.

The backyard is what really steals your breath away. There was a medium-sized hot tub sitting under hanging lantern lights. Plants curl around the edges like a tiny jungle. The water glows soft blue under the night sky.

“Oh my god,” you say immediately. “I’m getting into that. Right now”

Eddie grins. “Knew you’d say that.”

You disappear into the bedroom to change. And you choose your most revealing bathing suit. It hugs every curve, perfectly fitted and it makes you feel confident. The bikini was by all means a borderline lingerie practically made for easy access but you didnt care If tonight is going to be catastrophic, you might as well look amazing doing it.

When you step outside again, the warm air brushes your skin. And both boys are already in the hot tub. Steve on one side, Eddie on the other their in Opposite ends.

They both look up when you appear.

And for a moment…they both forget how to speak. The lantern light catches your skin. The water reflects in your eyes. You look like you belong here, like this place was designed around you.

Steve is the first to recover “You look… amazing,” he says quietly.

Eddie just stares his cheeks pink and eyes wide.

You smile politely then step into the water. The warm bubbles curl around your legs as you slide in and without hesitation…You swim straight to Eddie. Leaving Steve alone on the other side. The silence that follows is sharp.

Eddie leans back against the edge of the tub beside you, long arms draped along the tile. His hair is damp and pushed away from his face, curls clinging to the sides of his neck. He’s grinning at something you said about the lights in the backyard.

You bump your shoulder into his, laughing softly.

Across the water Steve is staring. Not subtle about it either.

One arm hooked over the edge of the tub, jaw tight, eyes fixed on the way your body leans into Eddie. On the way you barely even glance in his direction. The water ripples with your movements as you slide a little closer to Eddie. Close enough that your knee brushes his thigh beneath the surface.

Eddie’s grin falters for half a second and color creeps up his neck.

And Steve notices. Of course he notices.

He exhales sharply through his nose. Steve lasts about thirty seconds without saying something

“What?” you ask coolly.

His mouth tightens “This.” He gestures between you and Eddie. “You’re just going to pretend I don’t exist all night?”

You shrug lightly and Eddie lets out a quiet laugh beside you.

That does not help.

Steve’s jaw clenches harder “Unbelievable,” he mutters.

You turn back to Eddie again like the conversation is over.

“So anyway,” you say sweetly, “I think tomorrow we should steal all the snacks from the kitchen. I saw a few we don't have in the main villa.”

Eddie is trying so hard not to laugh now but Steve? Steve is done.

“Are you serious right now?” he says sharply.

Before you can answer Eddie speaks.

“Maybe,” Eddie says lazily, stretching his arms along the edge of the tub, “if you hadn’t fucked everything up by kissing Nancy earlier… you wouldn’t be in this situation.”

The words land like a dropped brick and Steve’s head snaps toward him “What did you just say?”

Eddie shrugs, though there’s a spark in his eyes now.

“You heard me, man.”

Steve lets out a disbelieving laugh.

“Oh, that’s rich. That’s really rich coming from you.”

Eddie tilts his head “Meaning?”

Steve gestures between the two of you again “Meaning since when are you the relationship expert?” he shoots back. “You’ve been glued to her side practically since day one.”

Eddie scoffs “Relax, Harrington. It’s a game. Remember that? Thought you were the one preaching that earlier.”

Steve shakes his head “Yeah, funny how that works.”

Eddie’s eyes narrow slightly “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Steve leans forward more, voice sharper now “It means I’m tired of pretending this whole thing is innocent.”

Your stomach twists.

Eddie frowns “Dude, what are you talking about?”

Steve points straight at him “You.”

Then he gestures at you “And her.”

Eddie blinks “Okay you’ve officially lost it.”

Steve lets out a harsh laugh “Oh please. Don’t act like I’m stupid.” he breathes and continues “You have a thing for her,” Steve says bluntly.

Eddie freezes.

“And I’m tired of you both acting like you don’t.”

The words echo in the quiet backyard.

Eddie shakes his head immediately “That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it?” Steve fires back.

“Yes.”

Steve leans back slightly, folding his arms “Alright then.”

His eyes flick to you then back to Eddie.

“Look her in the eyes right now and tell her you feel absolutely nothing.”

Eddie laughs nervously “Dude–”

“Go on,” Steve presses.

Eddie turns toward you and Your eyes meet suddenly the air feels different. The teasing, The jokes, The comfortable banter you always had with Eddie shifts. His expression softens. His usual cocky grin disappears. His eyes search your face like he’s trying to find words that won’t come.

“Tell her,” Steve says quietly.

Eddie opens his mouth… but nothing comes out. His ears turn red and His gaze drops for a second before lifting back to yours again.

Steve slams his hand against the water.

“I knew it!”

“Steve–” Eddie starts.

“No, don’t,” Steve cuts in. “Don’t even try to deny it now.”

That’s when you’ve had enough you scream “Stop!” Your voice cutting through both of them.

The water sloshes as you shift upright, glaring at the two of them “Both of you!”

They fall silent and You look between them, frustration burning in your chest. “Do you seriously think this is some kind of game?”

Neither of them answer.

Your gaze locks on Steve.“You made your choice,” you say, voice tight. “The second you decided to kiss Nancy.” The hurt in your tone lands harder than any shout.

You turn, starting to climb out of the hot tub. Water drips from your arms as you push yourself up but Steve grabs your wrist.

“Wait.”

You freeze. His grip loosens slightly, but he doesn’t let go of you

“That kiss meant nothing.”

You turn slowly.

“Really?”

His expression softens in a way you haven’t seen all night “I was mad,” he admits. “I saw you and Eddie earlier and I… I lost it.”

Your brows knit together “What does that have to do with anything?”

Steve runs a hand through his wet hair “Because I wanted you to feel what I felt.”

Eddie lets out a quiet, incredulous laugh “That’s your defense?”

Steve ignores him. His eyes stay locked on yours.

“I was jealous.”

The word hangs heavy in the air.

Steve exhales slowly “You’re the woman I’ve been waiting for my whole life,every single fantasy ive ever had about a “perfect women” fits you completely, you're amazing…” he says, voice rough. “And I panicked.”

Your heart stumbles.

He glances briefly toward Eddie.

“I knew he liked you.”

Your eyes flick to Eddie instinctively and Steve continues.

“I know he does because he looks at you the same way I do.”

Now you’re really staring at Eddie. His face is bright red.

He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.

You frown “Well?” you ask quietly. “You’re just going to sit there?”

Eddie laughs nervously “You want me to defend myself?”

“Yes.”

He exhales, shoulders dropping slightly “No,” he says finally.

Steve lifts his brows.

Eddie shakes his head “Because he’s right.”

Your breath catches and Eddie finally looks at you fully again.

“When I got here,” he says slowly, “I tried to focus on Chrissy. I really did.”

His fingers trail through the water absentmindedly “But something changed.”

Your heart pounds harder.

“I don’t even know when it happened,” he admits. “One day we were joking around and the next…” He meets your eyes again “You were all I could think about.”

Steve shifts slightly closer on your other side.

Eddie continues quietly.

“I tried to ignore it. Tried to convince myself it wasn’t real.”

He lets out a soft, embarrassed laugh “Didn’t work.”

Your pulse roars in your ears.

“I can’t get you out of my head,” he says.

And now he’s closer.

Not touching but close enough that you can feel the warmth of him beside you.Steve moves closer too Now both of them are next to you One on each side. Two confessions. Two sets of eyes fixed on you.

They were Both close enough that the heat from their shoulders mixes with the steam rising from the water. Both watching you like the next word out of your mouth might change everything.

“Say something,” Steve murmurs.

You blink hard, suddenly overwhelmed, and push away from the edge of the tub “Are you serious right now?” The words spill out sharper than you meant.

Both of them tense and You stand in the water now, running your hands through your damp hair, pacing the small space of the hot tub like a caged animal.

“This isn’t fair.”

Eddie frowns. “What?”

“You can’t just–” you gesture wildly between them “drop something like that on me and expect me to just… be okay with it”

Steve sits up straighter. “We’re not asking you to be okay–”

“Yes you are” you cut him off “You’re both sitting here staring at me like I’m supposed to choose something”

The word choice hangs heavy in the air and neither of them answer that silence makes your chest tighten even more. You laugh once, but it comes out shaky “How the hell am I supposed to do that?”

Steve opens his mouth and closes it again.Eddie rubs the back of his neck, looking suddenly unsure for the first time tonight. You point at him first.

“Eddie, you’re my best friend. You’ve been my best friend for years.”

His eyes soften.

“And you,” you say, turning to Steve, “you’re the guy I’ve been falling for since this stupid show started.”

Steve’s gaze drops for a moment, something vulnerable flickering across his face. You shake your head, frustration boiling over “So what exactly do you want from me here?”

The truth is already clawing its way up your throat before you can stop it “I love Eddie.”

Eddie freezes.

Your voice cracks slightly as you keep going.

“I know I do. I’ve known him forever. He’s… he’s home to me.”

Eddie looks at you

“And I’m in love with you too,” you say to Steve.

Now it’s Steve’s turn to freeze and you cant help but laugh again, this time almost hysterically “Great, right? Perfect situation.”

The hot tub water ripples as you climb out quickly, grabbing a towel from the chair nearby and wrapping it around yourself “This is insane.”

Neither of them moves for a moment and you start walking toward the house “i can’t do this.”

Steve stands abruptly.

“Wait–”

But you’re already heading inside, sliding the door shut behind you. Inside the villa, everything feels too quiet. The warm lights. The cozy couch. The kitchen stocked with snacks like this is just some fun vacation but your heart is still pounding as you walk down the hallway toward the bedroom, the single one where your bag is currently laid. You grab your bag and start throwing things into it.

“This was a mistake,” you mutter to yourself.

You came here for fun not to ruin two of the most important relationships in your life. First one of your best friends and then the only person you've ever felt an instant spark with just down the drain like it meant nothing, you were so upset you couldn't fathom how things got this bad. You felt like you could drown yourself in your own sorrows until the bedroom door swings open suddenly distracting you from your self pity. As the door opens Steve and Eddie step in almost at the same time.

Both of them were still damp from the hot tub just as you were and they both looked panicked.

“Whoa, whoa– what are you doing?” Eddie asks quickly.

You don’t look at him.

“Packing.”

Steve steps further into the room.

“Why?”

You zip the bag harder than necessary “Because this whole thing is a mess.”

Eddie moves closer “You’re leaving?”

“Yes.”

“No,” Steve says immediately.

You finally look up at him “No?”

“No,” he repeats, softer this time. “You can’t just disappear.”

You laugh bitterly “Watch me.”

You try to walk past them with the bag but Eddie steps in front of you “Please don’t go.” His voice is quieter now.

“Eddie–”

“We didn’t say all that to scare you off,” he says and Steve nods quickly

“We said it because it’s the truth, it's just how we feel.”

Your chest tightens again “That doesn’t make it easier”

“I know,” Steve says And he actually looks like he means it, He runs a hand through his hair, pacing once across the room before stopping in front of you again “But running away isn’t going to fix it.”

You clutch the strap of your bag tighter “What do you want me to do then?”

Eddie speaks this time “Stay.”

You look at him and he shrugs awkwardly, but there’s something sincere in his eyes.

“Just… stay”

Steve nods “Stay here with us, please”

You stare at the both of them, “what is this, suddenly the both of you get along? What's going on”

Steve and Eddie both look at each other, clearly something went on that you weren't aware of and you had no idea where this was going but you would be lying if you said that it didn't intrigue you.

Steves the first one to break the tension “We just… we had a heart to heart” Steve says voice slightly going up

Eddie immediately chims in after “yeah we just.. we um came to an agreement” he says voice nervous just like Steve

You raise your eyebrows at him “An agreement?, and what exactly does that Intel? You stare at the both of them

Now you’ve ever been in a situation like this before but you weren’t naive either. Suddenly everyone makes a love confession and now they wanna play nice?

You stared at them with confusing seeking through your eyes, and they just started back, their expressions unreadable.

“You’re both being weird, either tell me what’s going on or im leaving” you say annoyed

“Okay okay calm down buttercup… look Steve and I just want to make it up to you” Eddie says as he makes his way over to your back. He moved slowly and steadily. You barely noticed it before you felt how close he was to you.

Steve looked at Eddie and then back at you “we know we’ve put you in a rough spot… we don’t want you to choose” Steve says now equally as close as Eddie. Now you had Eddie on your back and Steve in your front all while your borderline lingerie was the only thing covering you. A minute ago you wanted nothing but to leave so desperately that you hadn’t even considered changing but now that you found yourself pancaked in between Eddie and Steve you suddenly didn’t feel in a rush to leave.

“I-I don’t know what you mean” you say your voice soft almost coming out as a whisper

“Oh come on y/n you’re not naive you know what I mean” Eddie whispers from beside you

“Let us make it up to you, let us show you this can work” Steve says leaning in as well. You could feel both their breath on your skin and it was leaving you feeling ill. Their scents were intoxicating and you couldn’t help but feel inclined to agree to every single thing they said.

You tried to speak but nothing came out, only shuttered breaths falling heavy on your lips. Steve looked at Eddie and Eddie gave him small nod. With that Steve closed the distance between your lips.

A surprised gasp escapes your lips and Steve quickly stoped but the fuck me eyes you were giving him notified him that the permission was there to go further. You leaned in and fully embraced the feeling of Steve’s lips on yours. His lips were soft and he tasted sweet, it felt cheesy to say but it felt like fireworks went out when it finally happened. Unbeknownst to you that feeling would only get stronger when you feel Eddie's soft lips kiss the back of your neck.

Immediately you lean, you press your lower half on to Eddie and you press your arms on Steve’s chest. Eddie immediately responds by grabbing your ass while Steve gently cubs your breast.

You let out a quick moan and both men respond positively to it, they bring their body even closer until the both three of you were left pressed together breathing heavy and lustful tension filling the room.

“Jesus I… I can’t believe this is happening” you breathe out

“We can’t let you go” Eddie whispers from behind you

“If sharing you is what it takes to get you then I guess I can play nice with mister rockstar” Steve says leaving a wet kiss on your collarbone.

Both Eddie and Steve look at each other, tension was heavy in their stare towards each other, a month of bickering between the two watches over them now transformed into a common interest, you. And they both needed you desperately, they looked at you as if you were their prey and you were something they needed to concur.

You could feel it, you felt the way they needed you and with the thin fabrics barely covering all of you it was hard trying to resist the both of them… You had been tired of these games that they were playing, it was time you start a game of your own.

You break yourself out of their hold and you make your way to the bed sitting down in a corner of the bed, they both look at you and quickly they sit down next to each other in front of you on the bed. Steve and Eddie sit side by side across from you, shoulders almost touching. They both look at you like the answer to a question they’ve been asking for years Their eyes were expecting and you would be lying if you said you weren’t exited about this, but if they wanted you they would have to work a little harder, if they really wanted this they needed to show you their full extent of their need. The camera crew had long gone after they catched on the tension so now it was the 3 of you alone.

“So… boys I know you both say you want this but how can I really know this isn’t just… a spare of the moment decision?” You ask raising your eyebrows slowly at the both boys in front of you

“Sweetheart we promise you this is real, we would never hurt you this way” Eddie says reassuringly

“You’re the perfect woman, we would be idiots to do otherwise. You’re the prize” Steve says shifting looks between you and Eddie

“I see… but I need more concrete proof” you say

Steve’s brows knit together. Eddie lets out a small breath through his nose.

“What kind of proof?” Steve asks.

A slow smile creeps onto your face “If you two are really serious about this,” you say, voice calm but eyes challenging“then prove your loyalty.”

They both lean forward slightly.

“How?” Eddie asks.

You nod toward them “Kiss each other.”

Silence and then Steve blinks. Eddie turns his head toward him slowly. Their shoulders brush now “You’re serious?” Eddie mutters, half laughing.

You shrug lightly “You said you’d do anything. Unless that was just… a spare of the moment decision.”

Steve glances back at you. Your expression is innocent, but your eyes are daring him. He exhales “Well,” he says quietly, looking back at Eddie, “we did say anything.”

Eddie’s lips curl into a crooked grin, though there’s a flicker of nerves behind it.

“Guess we did, Harrington.”

For a moment neither of them moves. They’re close enough now that they can feel each other breathing. The tension is heavy in the air, their eyes meet again as it did many times before for this past month but it was a different type of tension now. Steve reaches out first, almost hesitant, resting a hand lightly on Eddie’s shoulder.

Eddie’s grin fades now being replaced by nervousness “Okay,” Eddie murmurs. “Okay.”

They lean in at the same time, a little clumsy about it, noses brushing as they figure out the angle. The first contact is brief. Barely a kiss at all. Just lips touching, uncertain and quick

They pull back an inch.

You raise an eyebrow.

“That’s it?”

Steve huffs a quiet laugh under his breath.

Eddie shakes his head slightly. “She’s gonna make us do it right.”

Steve glances at him again, and something shifts. The nerves melt into determination “Yeah,” he says. “Yeah, she is.”

This time when they lean in, it’s slower. Their lips meet again, softer but more certain. Steve’s hand slides up to the back of Eddie’s neck without thinking, fingers curling lightly in the curls there. Eddie lets out a small surprised breath against Steve’s mouth, and the kiss deepens just slightly, not rushed, not needy. Just… real.

It lasts longer than either of them expected. Long enough for the tension to now fully be at boiling point. When they finally pull apart, they stay close, foreheads almost touching, both of them breathing a little heavier.

Then they remember you and Both heads turn toward you at the same time.

You’re watching them with a satisfied little smile, you would be lying if seeing the both of them kiss didn’t leave you with a wet reminder of what just happened.

“Well,” you say softly, crossing one leg over the other “That’s a start.”

“Never again” they both say almost identically

Steve and Eddie are still sitting close together on the bed, both of them looking slightly stunned, You watch them for a moment, clearly pleased.

“Well,” you say softly, clapping your hands once like a satisfied director. “That was… impressive.”

Steve drags a hand through his hair, still trying to gather himself. Eddie glances at him and then quickly looks back at you.

“So…” Eddie says slowly, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “Does that mean we passed your little test”

You tilt your head, considering “Oh, I would say you’ve both definitely passed.”

The relief on both of their faces is almost comical “But,” you continue, holding up a finger, “I didn’t say that would be the only proof I need.”

Steve groans quietly. “You’re killing me here.”

You slide off the bed and stand, smoothing your hands over your lap“I appreciate the effort,” you say sweetly. “Really. Loyalty like that deserves a reward.”

Both their heads snap up immediately “A reward?” Eddie repeats, eyes lighting up.

“Eventually,” you add quickly, walking toward the bedroom door.

Their excitement freezes midair “Eventually?” Steve adds

You open the door and turn back to face them, leaning casually against the frame “But right now,” you say, pointing down the hallway, “both of you need to leave because I need my sleep.”

Eddie drops his head back dramatically. “You cannot be serious.”

“Oh, I’m very serious baby”

Steve stands up now, walking a few steps toward you with that determined little frown he gets when he’s being stubborn “Hold on,” he says. “You make us prove ourselves, we do exactly what you ask, and now you’re sending us to bed?”

“Correct,” you reply calmly.

Eddie joins him at the door, crossing his arms “That feels a little cruel, sweetheart.”

You grin innocently “Cruel? I just promised you a reward come on guys keep up.”

“Yeah,” Steve says, leaning a shoulder against the doorframe, lowering his voice. “Some other time.”

“Anticipation builds character,” you answer.

Both of them stare at you like they are trying very hard not to argue and lose whatever progress they’ve made but they can’t hide their disappointment. You sigh theatrically after seeing their apparent disappointment

“Fine,” you say. “Come here.”

They both step closer instantly, You look between them, amused by their eagerness.

“Honestly,” you murmur, shaking your head. “You two are hopeless.”

You reach up first toward Eddie, catching the front of his shirt lightly and pulling him down just enough to press a quick kiss to his lips. It’s only a peck but it lingers for longer than necessary

Eddie blinks when you pull away, clearly wishing it had lasted a lot longer.

But before he can say anything, you turn to Steve and grab the front of his shirt the same way.

He barely has time to react before your lips brush his. Another quick kiss but it still remained soft and playful. Charged with just enough passion to take his breath away

You step back immediately.

“There,” you say brightly.

Steve stares at you with need and Eddie lets out a quiet, disbelieving laugh.

“You’re the devil” Eddie says

“Goodnight, boys.”

And before either of them can protest, you step back into the room and swing the door closed

Steve and Eddie stand there for a moment, staring at the door like it might reopen out of pure mercy. It doesn’t.

Eddie exhales and rubs his face “Well,” he mutters.

Steve shakes his head slowly, still half smiling.

“She’s enjoying this way too much.”

Eddie glances down the hallway toward their rooms, then back at the closed door “You think she meant that reward thing?”

Steve sighs “Oh, she absolutely did.”

“Fuck how am I suppose to sleep with this hard on” Steve says sighting slightly

“I’m sure you’ll live buddy” Eddie replies back

“Oh fuck off” Steve replies laughing slightly

Summery: You and Steve are childhood friends, the two of you have a tradition of being camp counselors together, but what happens when Steve decides to break that tradition, and you find yourself embracing this difficult change with someone else by your side, will Steve step up o let you get away  Warnings: 18+MDNI, dirty talk, slight sub and dom, dom Steve, sub Eddie and reader, penetrative sex, kinky sex, threesome. Iffley tower, MODERN DAY AU- No show plot Word count: (11.8k) A/N: this is the longest fanfic I’ve ever written but I’m so excited for you guys to read it, I was SOOO tempted to make a challengers reference… 😭😭

Every year, like clockwork, you and Steve packed the same two duffel bags and got on the road together, it was ritualistic and the same dumb argument always between the two of you. 

“You’re overpacking,” Steve said, leaning against your bedroom doorframe, sunglasses already on like he was going somewhere of importance instead of your mom’s wheezy sedan.

“I need options,” you shot back, stuffing in a third hoodie in your already overpacked backpack. “What if there’s a cold night? What if there’s a theme dance? What if I decide to reinvent myself?”

“You reinvent yourself every summer. Last year you tried to be ‘moody and mysterious'"

“I wrote two whole haikus.”

“They were about hot dogs Y/n.”

“They were emotional...I was very upset when we ran out of mustard for the summer”

He laughed, a warm laugh that always made everyday feel like summer, it could be  January and that laugh could send warmth and golden glow to your core. 

It had always been you and Steve. Just Sticky popsicles,  Sunburns,  Campfires and Inside jokes older than most of the campers.

Hawkins Summer Camp wasn’t just a place. It was yours. A second home that followed you each year time after time since the both of you were barely old enough to understand what life was really about. 

So when he said-

“I’m not going this year.”

It didn’t even register at first. You blinked trying to rid yourself of this tasteless joke “Very funny.”

“I’m serious.” He rubbed the back of his neck, eyes not quite meeting yours.

“There’s this… college summer program for what I'm studying. Business classes. Mom keeps pushing. I figured maybe it’s time I try something different.”

Different. The words landed strange and you hated the way this was making you feel “But we always go,” you said softly.

“I know.”

“You said we’d be those weird thirty-year-old counselors still yelling at kids to put on sunscreen.”

“I remember.”

“And now you’re just… not?”

Steve stepped closer, voice gentler. “It’s just one summer okay? I promise ill come back next year ”

One summer, Funny how that sounded small but felt enormous but you forced a smile anyway. Because that’s what best friends do. 

You swallow the lump. Nodding You say:

“Yeah. Yeah, of course. Go be all smart and college-y even though it's summer, I'll manage.”

He studied you, he knew you were lying but didn’t know how to fix it so he pulled you into a hug. It was tight. Familiar. His chin resting on your head.

“Text me every day,” he murmured.

“Only if you text back.”

“Deal.”

But when you drove to camp alone that year, the empty passenger seat felt like it was mocking you, this was your thing, the thing the both of you would always do, but now you would have to go through it alone. You wanted nothing more but to be with Steve right now but you supposed that the moment that every grownup had warned you about had come. Everyone said that once you got further on in college things would change, now being in your 20s you could see that though you had hoped Steve and you would be the exception…you might just be the rule.  This sudden change had caused a newfound insecurity to grow in you. 

Once you got to the camp you realized that it was still the same, the air smelled the same, Pine trees. Sunscreen. Burnt marshmallows. But this time it was different because Steve wasn't beside you, it felt like walking into your childhood home after the furniture’s been rearranged.

Wrong and quiet… until 

“HEY, LONER! YOU SURVIVED THE DRIVE!”

A blur of denim shorts and chaotic energy slammed into you. Robin wrapped you in a hug that nearly cracked your ribs.

“You look emotionally fragile without harrington,” she announced. 

You laughed despite yourself. “Hi to you too.”

From the picnic tables, Nancy waved with a clipboard already in hand, hyper-organized as always, while Jonathan lifted his camera in a shy little greeting.

And then–

Messy, loud, and unapologetic.

You turned and saw on top of one of the tables, boots planted wide like he was performing at Madison Square Garden instead of next to a juice cooler, stood Eddie. Hair wild. Sleeves rolled. Grinning

He finished a dramatic riff and bowed.

“Ladies and gentlemen ,” he announced, “your favorite person has returned.”

Robin clapped. “Get down before you break something again!”

“No promises!”

His eyes landed on you as he tilted his head.

“Ohhh,” he said, pointing. “You’re Harrington’s shadow, right?”

“Excuse me?”

“You two used to walk around like a buy-one-get-one-free deal.”

“That’s rude.”

“Mhhh,, I would say it's accurate.”

He hopped down, offering a hand 

“Eddie. Camp’s resident guitar hero legend, and occasional arts-and-crafts master, we've always seen each other and hanged around the same group but never really spoken ”

You took his hand. His grip was warm and his hands were soft 

“Y/N. Former hot dog poet and camp export, I've noticed you too… i have a feeling well be able to talk a lot more this summer”

He blinked. “I’m sorry. Former what?”

“It's a long story...”

“I already like you.”

Something about the way he said it made your stomach do a small flip, not butterflies yet but a pretty damn big spark

Robin leaned toward you and whispered, “Careful. He bites.”

“I do not bite,” Eddie said. “I nibble. Respectfully.”

You laughed. Really laughed and for the first time since Steve said he wasn’t coming…

the ache eased. Just a little.

Across the lake, kids were already shouting. Canoes bumping the dock. Sun flashing on the water like scattered coins. And you could see your favorite regulars around the lake. 

Summer had started.

Even if it didn’t look like the one you planned and you were ready to face it. 

Counselors zigzagged across the field with clipboards.  Kids sprinted past you carrying sleeping bags twice their size. Somewhere, a whistle blew, You stood outside the main lodge, clutching your folder of assignments. Every year, this moment was muscle memory.

You’d look down and see 

Counselor Team: Y/N + S. Harrington 

But this year the page read 

Counselor Team: Y/N + E. Munson

“Don’t tell me you’re already mourning Harrington”

You turned.

Eddie's sleeves cut off, chains clinking softly when he moved, holding his own clipboard upside down.

“You’re reading it wrong,” you said.

He squinted and you Flipped it. “Oh. That explains a lot.”

You snorted.

He nudged your shoulder. “Looks like you’re stuck with me, counselor.”

“Tragic.”

“I know. I'll cry about it every night”

Before you could reply, Nancy’s voice cut through the air “Group assignments are posted! If your kids set anything on fire this year, you’re financially responsible!”

Robin leaned toward you. “I’m transferring immediately.”

You found your group by the old picnic tables and your heart did that soft, fond squeeze.

“Y/N!”

A blur tackled you.

Dustin nearly knocked the wind out of you.

“I CALLED IT,” he yelled to the others. “I SAID WE’D GET HER AGAIN!”

“You’re going to break her spine,” said Max, but she was smiling when she hugged you next.

Then came the rest like a familiar parade:

Will  with his soft grin, Lucas pretending not to care but clearly happy, Mike was mid-argument about something already And Jane or Eleven as she liked to be called slipped her hand into yours quietly.

“Hi,” she said softly.

“Hi, superhero.”

It felt like coming home until Dustin squinted behind you.

“Wait.” He pointed dramatically.

“Where’s Harrington?”

The group collectively gasped like he'd just announced a death.

“You replaced him?!” Max said.

“Did he get fired?” asked Will

“Did he finally go bald… i knew all that hair stray would get him at some point” Mike commentated grimly 

“He does use a lot of hair spray,” Lucas muttered.

You laughed nervously. “He’s just doing summer classes. College stuff.”

They all booed. “BOOOO EDUCATION,” Dustin yelled.

Then Eddie stepped forward, hands raised “Children, children. Please. I know it’s devastating. But fear not. You have been upgraded.”

“Downgraded,” Max corrected putting her hand up in front of Jane who immediately high fived her 

“What she said” replied Jane sassily 

“Rude.” 

Dustin squinted at him. “Wait… you’re our new counselor?”

“That’s right, Henderson. Eddie ‘Cooler Than Steve’ Munson at your service.”

The kids all looked at each other.

Then, like a hive mind- “OHHHHHHH.”

Your stomach dropped.

Mike grinned. “So you guys are dating now?”

You choked. “WHAT?”

Lucas pointed between you and Eddie. “Yeah. Replacement boyfriend. Makes sense.”

Max smirked. “Fast rebound. Respect.”

Will whispered, “That was quick.. Last summer they were inseparable"

Jane just tilted her head, curious. “Boyfriend?”

“I AM NOT—” you sputtered. “It’s not like that!”

Dustin waggled his eyebrows. “You and Steve weren’t fooling anyone last year either.”

“Yeah,” Max added. “You guys acted like an old married couple.”

“You shared snacks,” Lucas said accusingly.

“That’s intimacy,” Dustin nodded seriously.

“It was Twixlers!”

Eddie watched clearly assumed “So,” he said casually, “I’m replacing the hair guy who was clearly a beloved member. Tough shoes to fill.”

“You could never,” you muttered, flustered.

The kids cackled “Ooooooo,” Mike said. “She’s defensive.”

“I hate all of you.”

“Group hug!” Dustin yelled.

They swarmed you again as Eddie just leaned back against the table, arms crossed, smiling at you 

Later, after you’d handed out schedules and sent the kids toward archery like overexcited ducks, the day finally quieted.

You exhaled.

“Man,” you muttered. “They’re savages.”

“Tiny gremlins,” Eddie agreed, stepping beside you. “Adorable. Violent. Smell faintly smell of sunscreen.”

You laughed and  you noticed him studying you.

“So,” he said lightly, kicking a rock, “what’s the vibe with you and Harrington?”

Your heart started beating a little bit faster at that “What do you mean?”

“You two got history. The whole childhood friends romcom vibe,  figured there had to be… something.”

“There isn’t,” you said quickly, a little bit too quickly.

He raised an eyebrow. “That fast denial feels suspicious.”

“We’re just friends. Always have been.”

He watched your face a second longer and then something in his shoulders relaxed.

“Cool.”

“Cool?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “Good news for me.”

Your brain stalled. “Why?”

He stepped closer. Not touching. Just close enough that you could smell his cologne “Because,” he said, softer now, “that means I get to know you worry free”

Your breath caught “I– what?”

He grinned, but it wasn’t teasing this time. It was shy. Almost.

“Figured I’d like to try being your favorite counselor partner.”

NOW you felt the Butterflies a full swarm of them.

“You just met me,” you said weakly.

“Yeah,” he said. “And you already threatened a kid with a pool noodle and bribed another with fruit snacks. That’s attractive leadership… one I've noticed for a while now, since i first came here i noticed that”

You laughed, hiding your face. “Stop.”

“I’m serious.”

He bumped your shoulder gently.

“Plus,” he added, “you laugh at my jokes. That’s rare and valuable.”

Your heart was doing a whole dance now

Somewhere in the distance, a whistle blew, the both of you looked at each other tension clear in the air. Maybe Steve being here wouldn't be so bad

The first 2 weeks came fast and hard

By Wednesday, your voice was already half gone from yelling “HYDRATE OR YOU DIE,” which Eddie insisted was “deeply threatening but inspiring.”

By Thursday, you had grass stains permanently tattooed onto your knees. And by Friday, the kids weren’t just campers anymore they were yours. You had been with this group for the last 3 years now and you never got tired of them, they had gone from little children to growing teenagers and as so happens when kids start to grow up  came in the questions and situations that you were dreading 

“Okay,” you said, sitting cross-legged on the dock, counselor mode fully activated. “Romantic crisis hour. Who’s first?”

“THIS ISN’T A THING,” Mike  protested.

“It’s absolutely a thing,” Eddie said, plopping beside you with a stolen juice box. “Love is… complicated. We are licensed managers of that.”

“We are not licensed,” you muttered.

“Were licensed in spirit.”

Mike gestured wildly at Jane. “I just don’t get why it’s weird now! We've literally been friends since we were 11!”

Jane blinked at him. “You act… strange now.”

“I act normal, ,just normal Mike”

“You fell out of a canoe because I held your hand,” Jane said dryly.

“I WAS DISTRACTED BY A BABY OTTER.”

Eddie leaned toward him  “Buddy. You’re not distracted. You’re down, horrendously for El, I bet there wasn't even a baby otter there.”

“EDDIE,” you hissed.

“What? I speak fluent teen, I'm helping them.”

Jane looked at them and then at you. “What do I do?”

You smiled softly. “Just talk to him. He already likes you. Like… a lot a lot El.”

Mike turned so red he looked like a tomato 

Next followed from across the dock, Lucas and Dustin were they were both trying very hard to casually sit near Max. 

“She smiled at me,” Lucas whispered.

“She smiled at everyone,” Dustin shot back.

“Yeah, but mine was different.”

“You’re delusional.”

“You’re just jealous.”

“I am NOT.”

Max yelled without looking up from her comic, “I can hear both of you, idiots.”

They immediately straightened like soldiers.

You and Eddie dissolved into laughter… yeah this was gonna be an interesting summer 

Later, while the kids argued over who cheated at capture the flag, you and Eddie leaned against the snack shack.

“You’re really good at this,” he said.

“At what?”

“The whole… caring for kids thing.”

You bumped his arm. “You helped Will build a birdhouse yesterday, you did so good at that.”

“It had structural integrity, he's a smart kid” he defended. 

“You’re such a dork.”

“Your favorite dork.”

You opened your mouth to argue but you didn't, because… yeah maybe he had become someone you could potentially see yourself with. 

He flicked a sunflower seed at you. “Bet Harrington never gave this good of love advice.”

“He once told Dustin to ‘just use more hair products and confidence,’” you said.

“See? I’m already superior.”

You laughed, shoulders brushing and neither of you moved away,  when he smiled at you, slow and soft your stomach did that rollercoaster again.

–Later That Night- Steve pov –

The dorm hallway smelled like cleaning supplies and regret, Steve sat on his narrow bed, textbook open, highlighter uncapped.

He’d been staring at the same sentence for ten minutes, something about ‘introductory economics’ . He knew he should be thinking about his classes but the only thing his mind could conjure up was you.  

And as if a miracle had hit him suddenly His phone buzzed.

Your name lit up the screen and he could feel himself instantly smile, he always did when he thought about you, or texted you… or saw you, Just anything regarding you would lighten up his whole vibe

You: WE WON CAPTURE THE FLAG EDDIE TRIPPED OVER A COOLER AND FACEPLANTED 10/10 DAY

Steve laughed under his breath.

He typed back.

Steve: Wish I saw that. Please tell me someone recorded it.

Another buzz this time a  photo.

Eddie lying dramatically on the grass while the kids pointed and laughed.

You had drawn devil horns on his head.

Steve smiled.

Then another text.

You: We did relationship advice hour today 😭 Mike is so in love with Jane it hurts

He could picture it perfectly. The dock. The kids. You are sitting cross-legged, animated hands, sunshine in your hair. He missed it, he missed you. 

Buzz.

You:  Also eddie is actually really funny??? like annoyingly funny He helped will build this birdhouse and it was really sweet and cute, I never thought he could be so kind

Steve’s thumb hovered, he felt his stomach droop slightly, Why was Eddie Munson making you feel all this all of a sudden. 

He typed slower.

Steve: Didn’t know Munson had that in him.

Three dots appeared.

Disappeared and then came back.

You: Yeah. we’ve been hanging out a lot since we’re partners,  it’s actually been really nice we kinda just click

Click, what the fuck did that mean 

He swallowed, He imagined you laughing at something Eddie said, Shoulders touching, Inside jokes already forming.

Inside jokes that weren’t his… that he wasn't a part off

His chest tightened, he told himself you were allowed to have friends that was Obvious

Buzz.

Another text.

You: you’d like him, he reminds me of you a little just… louder lol

That should’ve helped but it didn't, in fact it only made it worse.

Because someone else reminding you of him meant…Someone else standing where he used to stand.

He stared at the ceiling for the first time since he said he wouldn’t go to camp, the decision felt heavy. Like he’d traded something priceless for a stack of boring textbooks.

He typed: I miss the summer camp 

Sent… and then immediately another text 

Steve: I miss you.

He set the phone down after that because his jealousy is quiet. It just sits beside him like a shadow and whispers, what if you’re not her person anymore? And Steve hated that voice and he was going to find a way to make it disappear 

The next day he went over to his counselor, he quickly dropped out during the class changes period, he didn't think twice about it. He went home, called the camp and notified he would return that year as a concealer. He wasn't going to let you slip away so easily.  

The weekend came around and the weekends meant absolute rebellion from the kids, the weekends were their “I rule the day” time. The camp had their opportunity to let the children show authority over their own schedule with this leaving room for them to learn autoregulation and decision making skills. The kids had decided to start the day off in the lake so that's where you and Eddie found yourselves in. 

The lake glittered, kids were already shrieking before breakfast, cannonballs detonating like tiny bombs. You stood knee-deep in the water, shorts soaked, hair tied up, counting heads for the fifth time.

“Okay!” you yelled. “Nobody drowns, nobody reenacts Titanic and no one swims past the established line. Those are the rules!”

“I CALL JACK!” Dustin shouted, climbing onto the dock.

“You’re too short to be Jack!” Lucas yelled back.

“I'M THE ONLY ONE WITH THE ACTING SKILLS TO PULL THIS OFF!”

Beside you, Eddie cupped his hands around his mouth.

“WHOEVER SPLASHES ME OWES ME!”

A cannonball immediately exploded next to him.

He gasped dramatically. “BETRAYAL.”

You laughed so hard you snorted.

Across the shore, Max and Jane were stretched out on towels, they both had sunglasses on and with a lazy tone Max said “We’re supervising.”

“You’re tanning,” you called.

“Same thing.”

Jane waved lazily from next to Max “We are lifeguards… in spirit."

Meanwhile Will, Mike, Lucas, and Dustin were taking turns launching themselves off the dock like human torpedoes. 

“RATE THAT ONE!” Mike yelled midair.

“FORM: TERRIBLE,” Eddie shouted. “COMMITMENT: RESPECTABLE.”

You bumped his shoulder. “You’re so mean to them.”

“I’m building character.”

“You’re building lawsuits against us.”

He grinned at you. That slow, sideways grin, You two had gotten… comfortable, Too comfortable maybe. The two of you had Inside jokes. Shared looks. Brushing hands like it was nothing, almost like you’d known him forever.

He flicked water at you.

You splashed him back.

Soon it devolved into a full splash war, both of you laughing like idiots while the kids cheered 

“COUNSELOR FIGHT!” Dustin screamed.

“I’VE GOT FIVE DOLLARS ON Y/N!” Max yelled.

“You traitors!” Eddie clutched his heart.

Then From across the shore

“Y/N!”

You turned.

Two familiar figures jogging down the path.

Robin waving both arms like and  Nancy  clutching a clipboard

You squinted. “Uh oh. Clipboard energy. That’s never good.”

Eddie groaned. “If this is about the dodgeball incident, I maintain it was self-defense.”

“You hit him first.” answered back Nancy 

“They looked threatening!”

“He was 10!” said robin laughing from decide Nancy 

They reached the water’s edge, slightly out of breath.

Robin pointed dramatically at you. “Don’t freak out.”

“I’m already freaking out why would that be your opening line”

Nancy adjusted her papers. “Admin decided to add another counselor to your group. We’re short staffed.”

Your eye twitched “Another one?” you said. “We literally just got into a rhythm.”

Eddie muttered, “Watch it be some forty-year-old named Greg who says ‘rad’ unironically.”

“I will quit,” you whispered.

Robin grinned. “Relax. It’s not Greg.”

You heard footsteps behind them so you moved slightly looking behind them and the world sort of… stuttered.

Because walking down that path, hands shoved in his pockets, hair already too perfect for 9 a.m., was-

Steve 

For a second your brain didn’t compute “Steve?” you breathed.

He smiled. Soft.

“Hey.”

And then you were moving before thinking,  water splashing your feet. Heart sprinting.

You crashed into him like gravity “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” you yelled into his shirt, hugging him tight.

He laughed, wrapping his arms around you just as tight. “Can’t breathe. Hi to you too.”

“You said you weren’t coming!”

“I know, I know, but I just… I couldn’t miss it. Miss you. Miss this.”

That word again. Miss.

“You idiot,” you muttered, smiling against him. “You absolute idiot.”

“Yeah,” he said softly. “I know.”

For a second it felt like every summer had folded back into place. Like the universe went:there, that’s better.

Behind you, the kids were losing their minds.

“STEVE!” Dustin screamed, sprinting toward him 

“THE HAIR RETURNS!” Lucas yelled.

Mike pointed. “I KNEW HE’D COME BACK!”

Even Max sat up. “Okay, that was kinda sweet.”

Jane smiled softly and looked at you. “Youre happy.”

You were extremely happy, glowing even, you didn’t notice Eddie at first, you didn’t notice how quiet he’d gotten.

But when you turned you noticed he was watching you two, he was just… reading the room, seeing how the both of you interacted. 

Steve stepped forward, hand out. “Munson, right? Thanks for, uh… filling in for me.”

Eddie shook it and he gripped his hand a little too firm.

“Yeah. Someone had to keep your seat warm, pretty boy.”

Steve smiled way too bright to be his usual smile, the fakeness was evident 

“Appreciate it. Must’ve been tough.”

“Actually,” Eddie said lightly, “we’ve been killing it.”

You felt it,the shift in energy, the way it started to feel like once again this summer wasn't going to be what you thought at all it would. 

Steve draped an arm over your shoulder automatically, it felt like muscle memory, that physical touch wasn't uncommon for the both of you, your hands were constantly finding ways to maintain touch. 

“So,” he said, “what’d I miss?”

Eddie crossed his arms. “Everything.”

Steve’s eyebrow twitched. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.youve missed the most important parts of summer camp, i mean shit we got our own little inside jokes now. It’s a whole thing.”

“Oh, I’m sure,” Steve said. “But me and this camp go way back… and me and her too”

“Ancient history,” Eddie replied sweetly. “I’m more of a present guy.”

You looked between them.

“Why do I feel like I’m watching a cockfight right in front of me?”

Robin leaned over to Nancy. “Ten bucks says they arm wrestle by lunch.”

Nancy didn’t look up. “Twenty says it turns into a canoe race.”

The boys were already puffing up, subtle little challenges flying like darts.

“Need help with the kids?” Steve asked you.

“I’ve got it,” Eddie said at the same time.

They would both pause. Smile at each other a little bit too brightly and then get as far away from each other as they could be while still being next to you. 

Summer just got complicated once again 

By July, the camp felt less like a wholesome summer brochure and more like a nature documentary. The tame little remarks had turned into full on attacks and neither Eddie or Steve was gonna hide how badly they disliked one another. 

You used to wake up to the sound of birds, now you wake up to “Back off, Munson.” and “Make me, Harrington.”

Every. Single. Morning, it was something new. 

You were standing near the craft tables, helping Will untangle a mess of yarn that looked like it had lost a fight with a raccoon.

“Okay,” you said gently, “we can save it. It just needs patience”

“I GOT IT.”

“I’VE GOT IT.”

Two voices say at the same time You had no choice but to close your eyes in frustration because of course, here they come onces again. 

On your left: Steve, already rolling up his sleeves like yarn detangling required strength .

On your right: Eddie, cracking his knuckles like he was about to fistfight the string.

Will blinked between them. “I… just needed scissors…”

“I’m great with crafts,” Steve said quickly. “Used to help my mom with decorations.”

Eddie scoffed. “Please. I untangled Christmas lights for twelve straight years. This is like my average weekday.”

Steve shot back, “Oh really you're just constantly detangling yarn, quite the weird activity for munson the supposed rockstart .”

You pinched the bridge of your nose. “Guys.”

They both looked at you instantly.

“Yes?”

“Yeah?”

you pointed. “Both of you. leave”

They immediately stepped back like scolded puppies.

Will leaned toward you and whispered, “Are they… fighting over you?”

“No, they just really wanted to help you,” you whispered back.

More situations like this continued to happen, that same week they almost knocked out Dustin accidentally

“Counselor! Counselor!”

Dustin waved frantically. “I need help opening this pickle jar!”

“I got it!” Steve called.

“NO, I GOT IT,” Eddie yelled, They both reached Dustin at the same time.

They grabbed the jar and locked eyes.

“Let go,” Steve said.

“You let go.”

“It’s a pickle jar.”

They did that for 3 minutes until eventually they almost hit Dustin with the pickle jar and accidentally dropped it. Breaking the jar and contaminating all the pickles inside 

“NOOO MY PICKLES” dustin yelled

He would continue to be pissed for the rest of the day. 

The situation between the two of them had gotten exhausting fast, all their little petty macho bullshit was becoming too much to bare but nothing could come close to how bad it got when another male counselor talked to you.

God help them.

Poor Alex from archery made the mistake once.

It was one interaction  and that was already enough for him, He’d tried to approach you with a suave approach. He leaned against a tree, smiling a little bit too much at you. “Hey, Y/N, you wanna join our staff lunch later?”

Before you could even answer-

Steve appeared,  “She’s busy.”

Eddie slid in from the other side. “Super busy. Stuff with our group of kids you know”

Alex blinked. “It’s just an hour lunch break, you guys have to take it too, they're giving out sandwiches later from the special sub place”

“We don't really like sandwiches,” Steve said.

“I actually despise them,” Eddie added.

You stared at them. “I literally saw both of you eat like three yesterday.”

“Different sandwiches,” Steve said quickly.

“Yeah they were like special sandwiches, not really that irrelevant sub place  ,” Eddie nodded.

“We’re definitely gonna try does sandwiches later” Eddie whispered to you lowly

Alex slowly backed away, after that no man dared approach you and it was getting to a point where everyone around you could easily see the tension between the two of them. 

You were handing out popsicles when Max  walked up, watching the boys argue near the cooler.

“They’re doing it again,” she said.

“Doing what?”

“competing”

Lucas nodded. “It’s like the discovery channel.”

Mike added, “I’m pretty sure Steve tried to bench press a canoe earlier.”

“He did,” said Jane calmly. “He said it was ‘for upper body strength”

Dustin slurped his popsicle. “Eddie tried to one-up him by doing push-ups. He only did four but he was really loud while doing them so they felt longer than what they were”

Will looked at you gently. “Are you okay?”

You stared at the two grown men currently arguing over who could carry more life jackets.

“Yeah honey dont worry”

By the afternoon of that day everyone had had enough of Steve's and Eddie's bickering, Everyone was cranky and tired. 

You were trying your best to relax while drinking your water, feeling like you needed something stronger to get through the day. You were lost in thought when you accidentally dropped your water bottle.

Before it even hit the ground

“I got it—”

“I GOT IT—”

They both went down at the same time, their heads collide leaving two full-grown men groaning and grabbing their heads in pain

You stared at them, they were being so ridiculous it almost made you want to smack some sense into them. Eddie you could understand but Steve? You had absolutely no idea what could be making him act up this badly about Eddie. Steve and you have been friends since birth almost, if he had any type of feeling towards you, you were certain you would have caught on by now. You spend all of high school absolutely in love with him, you had made it obvious back then and he never did anything, 

Robin, passed by and muttered, “This is the dumbest love triangle I’ve ever witnessed.”

Nancy didn’t look up from her clipboard. “I’m documenting it, I want to see if it plays out how Jonathan and i bet it would”

“This isn't a love triangle, y/n and i are just friends. Thats all we are and test all well ever be” Steve said almost immediately after Nancy finished talking 

You stared up at him and examined his face, for the first time in the day he wasn't staring at you, his face was now only focused on Nancy and Robin. You felt your heart sink a little at Steves words, you hadn't expected hearing him say that to have an affect on you but it did. 

And Eddie noticed it, in fact everyone did minus Steve that is 

Suddenly there was a quiet tension that filled the atmosphere, a tension that was becoming hard to dissipate until-

“You know, I think us concealers have been working too hard… i think its time we have our little mid july party” Robin says putting an arm around Nancy looks at her and then back at you, she pulls the clipboard close to her chest. 

“I think… Today's the perfect day for our party. The kids have to all be in their rooms by 8 we can meet up in our cabin at 8:30” 

“Great ill make sure to go by and get some buzz” Jonathan says from beside Nancy 

“Munson do you have it” Robin asks moving towards Eddie 

“Oh please, the fact that you even asked me offends me. Of course i have it” He answers back 

“Oh were getting fucked up tonight” Robin says in a sing song voice while mimicking building a joint 

You smile up at her, maybe a party is what you all need, it can't go that badly…

Right? 

 By 8:30 the sky had turned that syrupy indigo color, the kind that feels like the day exhaled and handed night all the responsibilities

You shoved your hands into your hoodie pockets as you followed the dirt path toward the girls’ cabin, music already thumping faintly through the trees. Laughter spilled into the dark like glitter.

These parties were tradition. There were no campers. No rules. Just counselors being in their twenties being  stupid and feeling alive. A little drinking. A little smoking. And dancing like nobody was watching even though everyone absolutely was.

Usually? It was smooth sailing.

But tonight? Who knew 

You pushed the door open.

Warm air hit you first, smell of  like cheap perfume, soda, and weed was evident inside the cabin 

Robin  was on the table pretending to DJ speaking to Vickie 

Nancy  was trying and failing to keep a neat snack station while Jonathan was taking pictures of her 

A couple other counselors were already half tipsy, arguing about Uno, And leaning against the wall, 

There with his red Solo cup in hand was Eddie. His face lit up when he saw you.

“Well, well,” he said, pushing off the wall, “look who decided to bless this disaster with her presence.”

You laughed. “You’re so dramatic.”

“It’s a burden I carry”

He held out a cup for you. “Pre-made. Questionable taste, keep away from the fireplace there's so much liquor in that it's definitely flammable.”

“Perfect.”

Your fingers brushed when you took it you felt that tiny spark again.

God.

“So,” he said, leaning closer so you could hear him over the music, “you surviving the Counselors project X party?”

“Barely. Steve and you almost fist-fighting over a water bottle soured my mood earlier” your sentence came out teasing slightly playful but you felt your whole energy change once you noticed him 

Across the room by the window, there he sat, Steve 

And he was talking to another girl. A pretty girl. 

He was laughing and enjoying his night but it wasn't with you, he wasn't even looking at you, he didn't even notice you were here. 

You waited, he must have noticed you at some point. He'd usually wave or at least smile at you… but he did nothing, he ignored you completely like you didn't matter. 

Your chest sank a little, this must be some type of game that he's playing at maybe he didn't see you 

So you waved just a small one wave and he looked at you but instead of responding He grabbed another drink and stepped outside.

He was avoiding you and it stung more than you expected.

Eddie noticed your gaze drift.

“You good?” he asked softly.

“Yeah,” you lied automatically. “Totally.”

He studied you like he didn’t buy it.

But he didn’t push, he just nudged your shoulder. “C’mon. If you're gonna emotionally spiral, we’re doing it while dancing.”

Ten minutes later you were spinning around the cabin with Nancy and Robin, music blasting 

Robin was air-guitaring with a broom.

Nancy, slightly tipsy, was actually smiling looking carefree, You were laughing, drink warm in your veins, trying not to look toward the window.

Trying not to notice Steve still not looking at you.

Robin grabbed your hands and twirled you. “Okay you're doing a little frownie face when you look out the window, what's wrong”

“I am not.”

“You are,” Nancy said, very direct. “Your eyebrows are doing that little sad thing you do”

“My eyebrows don’t–”

“They do,” Robin said. “It’s like two tiny depressed caterpillars.”

You groaned. “Steve’s just… acting weird.”

Nancy tilted her head. “Weird how?”

“He’s been avoiding me all day. Won’t talk to me. Won’t even look at me.”

Robin and Nancy exchanged a look.

The kind of look that said: ohhhhh.

Robin leaned closer. “Girl.”

“What?”

“He’s jealous.”

“Of what?”

Both of them deadpanned

“Eddie.”

You nearly choked. “No he’s not.”

Nancy raised an eyebrow. “He almost drowned trying to beat Eddie at swimming this afternoon, like genuinely I thought I would have to give him CPR.”

Robin nodded. “And earlier he called Eddie ‘wannabe rockstar’ under his breath, that’s not normal Steve behavior.”

You glanced toward the window again, Steves laughing at something that girl said.

He Didn’t look your way.

Your chest squeezed.

“I hate this,” you muttered. “I feel like I did something wrong.”

Robin immediately softened. “Hey. No. None of that.”

Nancy squeezed your hand. “You didn’t do anything. Boys are just… emotionally constipated.”

“That’s the grossest and most accurate thing you’ve ever said,” Robin added.

You laughed weakly.

Then Robin’s eyes sparked.

“Oh. I know exactly what we need.”

“That tone scares me,” you said.

Nancy smirked. “Game time.”

“What game time?”

They both said, way too cheerfully, “Truth or dare.”

You stared. “Absolutely not.”

Robin was already climbing onto a chair. “ATTENTION LOSERS!”

The room groaned in response “We're playing TRUTH OR DARE!”

Nancy clapped once. “Circle up!”

You looked toward the door and you saw Steve glance over then from the corner of your eye you saw Eddie look between you and him.

Fantastic.

Nothing bad ever happens during Truth or Dare.

The game started soft, the way these games usually start its harmless. Everyone was  crammed onto the cabin floor in a messy circle, backs against couches, legs tangled, half the lights off except for a single crooked lamp that made everything look like a sleepover confession booth.

Music hummed low in the background. Someone passed around a bottle that tasted like regret and synthetic strawberry.

“Truth or dare?”

“Dare.” “Eat a spoonful of mustard.” “Gross.” “Do it.”

You sat cross-legged between Robin  and Nancy, shoulders warm from their bodies, drink sloshing lazily in your cup.

Across the circle, Eddie kept tossing you little side glances and smirks. Near the couch, a little separated from everyone else, sat Steve.With her. 

Some girl from the lifeguards unite in the camp. Blonde. Laughing too loud at everything he said. You were so tired of her, the whole night Steve and her have been attached to the hip. It made you feel queasy. You noticed her hand on his arm. You told yourself it didn’t bother you, you wanted to gaslight yourself into believing it to be true, but you couldn't deny the pain you felt each time you looked at them together. 

A few rounds passed.

Someone had to howl like a wolf, others  confessed to stealing camp pudding cups and two counselors disappeared into the hallway giggling.

The circle shrank, the air got heavier. The game was starting to change its original friendly demeanor. The truths got sharper and the dares got… more intimate. 

Robin leaned over and whispered, “We’ve entered dangerous territory here”

Nancy nodded. “ This is when bad decisions happen.”

“Cool,” you muttered. “Love that for us.”

Then as if the universe was pulling some sick joke on you, Billy sprawled back on his elbows like the devil he was, he grinned lazily at you and you noticed his eyes scanning the circle.

“Alright,” he drawled. “Truth or dare, lifeguard Barbie.”

He pointed at the girl next to Steve. 

She giggled. “Dare.”

Billy didn’t even hesitate. “I dare you to kiss Harrington.”

The circle erupted in shouts “OHHHHHH—”

Your stomach dropped straight through the floor.

The girl squealed. “Easy i've been dying to do it the whole night”

And before your brain could catch up, she grabbed Steve’s shirt and kissed him, it wasn't a quick or awkward kiss, this was a full on makeout, Her hands were in his hair, and she was moving ever so slightly more and more over Steve to the point she was almost on him. Everyone was howling and clapping, acting like they've never seen two damn people kiss before. 

And Steve…

Steve kissed her back just as passionately, he wanted it to happen, he wanted to kiss her, he wanted her.

Your chest folded in on itself like someone squeezed your heart in their fist. You didn’t even realize you stopped breathing until Nancy’s hand squeezed yours.

Robin leaned close. “Hey. Hey. It's okay, don't give him the satisfaction of a reaction”

“I won't," you whispered.

It wasn’t jealousy exactly or at least you thought it wasn't but right now you only had one big world in your mind that described how you felt and that word is abandoned and replaced. 

Robin gave you a soft, reassuring smile.

Nancy mouthed, you okay?

You nodded it was a lie but you didn't feel in the mood to be treated like a special case, at the end of the day Steve was just your friend so it shouldn't bother you. But it did

Across the circle, Eddie wasn’t laughing, he wasn't looking at the kiss, he was too busy looking at you. Reading your face, seeing the pain that formed on your pretty features. His jaw tightened and he leaned forward, his voice coming out sharp.

“Harrington.”

Steve pulled away, slightly breathless. “Yeah?”

“Truth or dare.”

The room quieted.

Steve shrugged. “Truth.”

Eddie tilted his head any sign of a Smile gone from his face 

“Why do you like leading people on?”

The Silence that followed was heavy, it left a thick tension in the air, one that everyone noticed immediately. 

Steve blinked. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what it means.”

“Dude, it’s a game.”

“Yeah,” Eddie said, eyes flicking toward you for half a second, “and I asked a question.”

Steve scoffed. “Maybe ask something that isn’t psychoanalysis, Munson.”

“Maybe don’t act like a massive fuckboy”

“Oh, screw you.”

“Touchy,” Eddie muttered. “Why? Did I hit a nerve?”

Steve stood up fast. “You don’t get to talk about things you don’t understand, leave her out of this”

Eddie stood too they were close now, way too close to comfort they stood chest to chest 

“Oh I understand plenty, pretty boy.”

“Back off Munson or I'm going to make you, i knew you were a piece of shit, this is why I didn't want her close to you.”

“Why you so mad, Stevie?” Eddie snapped, voice low and angry. “Thought you said you two were just good friends, You suddenly wanna act like you're this protective friend when you've been ignoring her all night”

The word friends hit like a slap and Steve felt it, Steve’s face changed there was Something raw cracking through.

“Shut up,” he growled.

“Then stop acting like you own her.”

“I dont–”

“Then why are you kissing random girls and glaring every time she laughs with me?”

The room had gone dead quiet.

Nobody moved, nobody said anything and suddenly you couldn’t do it anymore. You Couldn’t sit there and be used as a prop for their pissing contest. 

“Stop,” you said.

They didn’t.

“STOP.”

Still too busy staring each other down. Something inside you felt like it snapped.

“Forget it.”

You stood up so fast your cup tipped over, Nobody stopped you though robin and nancy looked with concern you couldn't be bothered right now, you needed to get out of there you just grabbed your hoodie and stormed out the door.

Cool night air hit your face and in the comfort of the loneliness you allowed yourself to cry, your eyes felt like they burned from the tears that were falling so carelessly from your face. 

This whole thing is Stupid. Why did this hurt so much? Did it hurt because of Steve or did it hurt because of Eddie, You couldn't deny what you felt for Eddie, but you also felt this intense pain when you saw Steve with someone else,what was happening, why did they both make your heart beat without any caution. The way they would both look at you, the way they smelled how good it felt when both of them would help you and support you. They had both infiltrated your mind and you didn't know which one more. 

You had been walking aimlessly into the woods letting your thoughts guide you, your thoughtflow was interrupted by footsteps behind you.

Two sets you noticed 

Of course.

“Y/N, wait–”

“Hold on–”

You spun around so fast they almost crashed into you.

“Stop following me” 

Both of them froze immediately, you werent one for being seriesly so they knew they had both rowaly fucked up. Their face was full of guilt It would’ve been funny if your chest didn’t feel like it was splitting open.

“Just” your voice cracked, “just leave me alone for five seconds. Please.”

They both started talking at the same time.

“I’m sorry—” “Look, I didn’t mean—”

“STOP.”

Silence dropped even heavier, You hadn’t even realized you were still crying until you wiped your cheek and your hand came back wet.

Great. Crying. In front of both of them.

Fantastic.

“I can’t do this,” you said, voice shaking. “I can’t keep being stuck in the middle of whatever this is.”

Steve took a half step forward. “You’re not–”

“Yes, I am!”

Your voice came out louder than you meant it too

“You both keep… pulling me back and forth like I’m some toy you’re trying to win or something.”

“No,” Eddie said quickly.

“YES YOU ARE” you snapped, your hands were shaking now you tried to cross your arms to hide it.

“Steve,” you said, looking at him first, “do you have any idea how much that hurt?”

His brow furrowed. “What?”

“Watching you kiss her, I know it was a dare, but you didn’t even hesitate. You just-” you gestured helplessly, “went for it like I wasn’t even there like you were dying to kiss her”

His face drained of color.

“And Eddie,” you turned, “you asking that question tonight? Throwing my name around just to get under his skin like im something you can just throw around without any consequences? Like I’m some weapon you can use to hurt each other?”

Eddie flinched at your words 

“I’m not a fucking toy or a piece of meat,” you whispered. “I’m not something you fight over. I’m a person. And you both keep hurting me and I don’t even think you realize it.”

The tears wouldn’t stop now you felt completely hopeless “I don’t even know what’s happening anymore,” you said. “You’re my best friend,” you told Steve. “You’re… you’re my everything, you’ve always been there, and then suddenly you’re avoiding me and kissing other girls and acting like I don’t matter.”

Steve looked like he might actually crumble.

“And you,” you told Eddie softly, “you make me feel safe and seen and then you go and turn me into some rivalry.”

Your voice broke “I’m just… so confused.”

The word hung there until they both started apologizing at once.

“I’m sorry–”

“No, I’m sorry–”

You almost laughed through the tears, Of course they’d sync up now, it's like your life is some shitty romance book that can't even get an offer. 

Steve ran a hand through his hair, pacing once like he didn’t know what to do with himself.

“I’m an idiot,” he said. “I’m actually such an idiot.”

“Steve”

“No, let me talk, please.”

He looked at you and his voice cracked in a way you’d maybe heard twice in your entire life “I thought coming back would fix everything. Like we’d just go back to normal. But then you and Eddie were already… you had your jokes, your thing, your– I don’t know, your rhythm.”

He swallowed hard.

“And every time you laughed at something he said, it felt like someone was punching me in the gut.”

Your breath hitched.

“I hated it,” he admitted. “I hated how jealous I felt... I felt like I wanted to disappear watching you two together. Like I’d missed my shot”

He looked down at his shoes.

“So yeah. I kissed her. And it was stupid. And I didn’t even want to. I just… I don’t know. I was trying to prove I didn’t care.”

A hollow laugh “Turns out I care way too much.”

Then Eddie exhaled.

“Cool,” he muttered. “Guess we’re just putting it all out there,  my turn.”

Despite everything, you almost smiled. He stepped closer.

“I’ve been jealous too,” he said quietly. “Like disgustingly jealous.”

He kicked a rock. Wouldn’t meet Steve’s eyes.

“You two have history. Years. Inside jokes from when you were, like, five. How the hell am I supposed to compete with that?”

You blinked.

“I kept thinking,” he went on, “no matter what I do, she’s gonna pick Harrington. Golden boy. Childhood best friend. Perfect hair. Whole backstory out of a romcom.”

Steve scoffed softly but didn’t interrupt.

“So yeah,” Eddie said, voice rough, “I took cheap shots. I pushed buttons. I tried to make him mad. Because if I couldn’t beat him… maybe I could at least knock him down a little.”

He finally looked at you.

“I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that. None of it.”

The three of you just stood there. The Night air thick around all of you

Steve and Eddie glanced at each other. Not angry like before, they just stared, they knew they both wanted you, and now it's all in the open. 

And you?

You were no longer crying, you were just… stunned. Because they’d both said it. Out loud. They were jealous because of you.

Your brain felt like static.

“I don’t know what to do,” you whispered.

They both looked at you instantly.

“I care about you,” you said to Steve. “You’re my home. You always have been.”

His eyes softened.

“And I care about you,” you said to Eddie. “Being with you feels easy. And new. And exciting and terrifying in a good way.”

Eddie’s lips parted slightly.

You laughed weakly, shaking your head.

“I can’t pick. I don’t even know how I’m supposed to pick.”

The truth sat between you like an open wound “I’m just… confused.” 

And neither of them argued. Neither of them pushed. They just stood there with you. The Summer god had , apparently,  decided to set everything on fire and it came burning down tonight.   

Steve rubbed the back of his neck, The way he always did when he was nervous You’d seen that gesture a thousand times growing up.

“I hate seeing you cry,” he said softly.

“I think that’s my least favorite thing in the world.”

Your chest squeezed.

He stepped closer, slow, like approaching a scared animal.

“Can I…?” he asked quietly, gesturing toward you.

You nodded.

He pulled you into a hug, you felt your whole body get warm from his touch, it felt so nice to be held by him 

“I’m sorry,” he murmured into your hair. “I never wanted to be the reason you felt like that. Ever.”

Your fingers curled into the back of his shirt.

“I know,” you whispered.

Then a voice, quieter than you’d ever heard it.

“Hey. Don’t hog her, man.”

You half-laughed through the leftover tears.

Steve loosened his grip but didn’t step away completely.

 Eddie stepped closer.

You reached out first and you grabbed his hand, pulling him in slightly, he now stands close to you and Steve, He reaches out and cubs your face, you look up at him puppy eyes in full display. 

Steve watches as Eddie steps closer, he studies the way he's looking at you, he can see the gentleness in eddies eyes as he looks down at you, and for the first time since he got there he didn't feel jealousy as eddie being so close to you, he felt something else entirely. He didn't know if it was the heat of the moment or maybe the alcohol in his system but he felt himself feel attraction seeing how you looked pressed up with both of them practically sandwishing you in the middle. 

Eddie looked up at Steve, his hand still on your face and the both of them stared at each other, they were silent but it was evident they were having a whole conversation with their eyes alone, speaking a language only they knew how to decipher.

Steve clears his throat gently, Eddie looks up slightly and he tilts his head intrigued by how Steve was gonna manage this situation, The both of you were so close, feelings high, and intense, energy cursing through all of you. 

“You don't have to decide between the two of us” Steve said voice soft with a hint of something else

You look up in confusion at Steve, Eddie just stares up at Steve, slightly impressed that he had the balls to actually say something, if this was going in the direction that Eddie thought it was going he never expected Harrington to be the one to say it. 

“What do you mean” You ask as you looked between the two men that surrounded you so closely, and in that moment you had realized how close the 3 of you actually were next to one another, you had suddenly become hyper aware of the way that steve had his hands slightly rested on your waist as he held you slightly from behind and you felt the way Eddie was pressed in front of you chests touching. 

“I think what Harrington here is trying to tell you is that we can explore… other options that don't involve you necessarily having to choose only one… of us” Eddie said voice gentle but filled with no hidden desire 

If you weren't aware of their presence then, now you surely were, you had both men on you and by the looks of it they both seemed to want to put an end to this rivalry, in an unusual way. They both wanted you and you would be lying if you said you didn't want them too. You felt hotness rush through your whole body at Eddie's words. You looked at him and then at Steve you needed to make sure this wasn't just a fantasy. 

“A-Are you both being serious” you question, face red from the thought alone of having both these men want you so desperately. 

Eddie looked up at Steve, and Steve took it as an invitation to reassure you 

“We would never joke about that honey, right Eddie?” 

“Yeah sweetheart, we would never toy with you that way” Eddie answered now being so close that you were pressed in the front by Eddie and pressed in the back by Steve. 

When Steve noticed how delicate you looked and the growing blush in your face he couldn't contain himself, he leaned down and left a soft kiss on your neck, the second you felt his lips on your hot skin you let out a moan in slight surprise. Steve and you were constantly hugging and you could admit that at times your closeness was almost too much for just friends, but the physicality had never passed into kiss territory. 

feeling his warm breath against your skin was enough to get the goosebumps rising, eddie was quick to catch on your reaction and he couldn't let steve have all the fun. 

Eddie gently pressed former on your face, he rubbed his thumb over your lips, moving his finger ever so slightly as he caressed you, as if on instinct you parted your lips gently giving him access to put his finger in your month 

“What's wrong sweetheart, do you want to suck on my finger” he said, voice low and hot on your skin, your eyes that once held tears now hold nothing but lust in them. 

You gently grab his hand with both of your hands, you looked up at him eyes filled with desire, and you sucked on his finger, never breaking eye contact once while his finger was in your mouth, you made a pop sound with your mouth when you released his fingers 

He groaned a little and looked at Steve for approval. Steve grins smile reaching his lips, he had never done this before, don't get him wrong he's had plenty of sex, but he had never tried a threesome before and much less with another man in the equation, but something about this situation made his cock rock hard, he had the women he had fantaze about since he was a teenager and on her side stood eddie who tough he didnt want to fuck he had to admit knowing Eddie was looking at him for permission, Eddies pleasure was Steves choice, and that power made steve feel in ecstasy. 

“Youre such a dirty girl, letting us do this to you, why don't you kiss her Munson, show her what she's been missing” Steve said his voice making the hair on the back of your neck stand up 

That was all the permission Eddie needed, he closed the distance between the two of you, when your lips finally met you felt like fireworks went off but right before you could get used to how eddies lisps felt on yours, steve moved your head slightly and moved his head towards you allowing your lips to meet. 

Your knees went soft, you were about to go down but eddies hands quickly found their way towards your waist. Steve kissed you and it was like the world was gonna melt. The person you've spent years pinning for was finally yours to have. It was all becoming too much for you to handle. 

When Steve broke the kiss all you could feel was how your senses were completely engulfed in him. The smell or his and Eddie's colon mixing causing a deathly mix, you felt you needed them. Desperately. 

“W-we should head back to your guys cabin” you say breathe hitching slightly as you spoke 

“Are you sure honey” Steve asked now moving so that you were facing both of them now 

“Yeah we don't need to do anything if you don't want too, we move at your pace” Eddie said from beside Steve 

You stare at both of them, faces flustered and tinted checks meeting your eyes from part of both of them. 

“I think… that you should both accompany me to my room” you tell them, voice soft but filled with suggestiveness. “Please” you say shifting your gaze from Eddie to Steve, puppy dog eyes on full display for them. 

Eddie grows slightly clearly desperate to tell me yes, he looks over at steve eyes almost pleading 

Steve moved his gaze from Eddie to you, and he spoke calmly “lead the way baby” and with that you didn't need anymore confirmation, you took both their hands and lead them straight to where your cabin was located, you had lucked out when it came to cabins, your bunkmates Vickie but since her and Robin where hooking up she was always over at Nancy's cabin, today was no exception. And you planned to take it into full advantage. 

Once the door in the cabin closed, the tension was palpable, you stared at them, eyes going back and forth between the two men in front of you. 

You take a seat in your bed and you wait to see what their next move is. Eddie and Steve stare at each other than you, it's clear none of you had ever done this before, tensions were high. Eddie stood desperate and needy needing some sense of direction, and Steve after accessing the situation was more than happy to provide that. 

“Heres what we're going to do” Steve says taking a breath before continuing “Eddie you're going to sit there and watch while I fuck her so good that she cums all over my cock” 

“Whar, no thats unfair, what about me” Eddie protests 

Seeing this side of Eddie was something you deeply enjoyed, his usual sarcastic demeanor felt drastically different from the eddie thats in front of you practically begging steve to let him touch you 

“All good things come to those who wait Munson, and I assure you I'll let you get a taste, just sit back and watch” Steve said with a casual wink at Eddie, his voice stern and final, no room for protest. 

Eddie just nodded enthusiastically and made himself comfortable sitting on a chair that points directly towards your bed. 

They eyed you up eagerly desperation seeking through their longing stare 

You felt vulnerable and exposed, you were nothing but mere rabbit in the line of sight of predators, you were their prey. And that exited you. 

“Lay down for me honey” Steve commanded you, and you obliged immediately 

The hoodie you had once on was draped over Eddie's chair, the only thing that adored your body was your  short dress, something that didn't go unnoticed by either man.  

You laid your head on your pillow anticipating building in between your thighs, you saw as Steve got on the bed, you opened your legs on instinct making space for him between your legs. He gladly took that opportunity to put himself between you. He stared you down in the area where you were most vulnerable 

You knew you had a growing wet spot in your panties, and Steve was staring at it right now.

Steve sat down on the other end of the bed, making himself comfortable as he manspred, he placed his hands on his thighs and looked at you with an intensity you've never seen in him before. He tilted his head slightly and said “Come here, in between my thighs, I want you to face Eddie” 

You stared between the two men, each one looked at you with the same lust yet each one separately evoked a different reaction, the care that you bare for both of them though different, it's very strong. Steve symbolized every fantasy you've ever had rolled into one man while Eddie you felt that novelty feeling, he was someone new and he was extremely captivating. He challenged you and he made you laugh. Both men made you feel an ocean of feelings, it was overwhelming. 

“Go ahead sweetheart, do what you're told” Eddie said from his chair his voice coming it slow and deliberate, even through his black jeans his boner was clearly visible, this made you weak to your core, he had barely kissed you and already his cock was aching for you 

You crawled your way over to steves placing yourself between him, you tried to close your legs as best as you could to keep Eddie from being able to see your arousal. 

“Open your legs baby. Show Eddie how excited you are to have both of us here” Steve instructed from behind you, his hands were making themselves comfortable by running up and down your sides, making your already short dress start riding up, leaving you more and more exposed by the second 

By the time you actually got the courage to be able to open your legs your dress was no longer covering anything– it was halfway off you. So naturally steve thought it best to just completely take it off, 

Now you were bare, the only thing keeping you from being fully nude being a thin thong that was there mostly for a tiny sense of modesty. Your face was completely red, you could feel the vulnerability of having these two men's eyes on you  start to get to you 

But before your insecurity could get to you one of Steve's hands started caressing one of your breasts while his other hand was sinking and caressing your inner thigh dangerously close to your pussy. This sent you into immediately pleasure, he wasn't even touching your pussy yet and you were already so turned on 

Eddie looked at the scene in front of him with a shocked need, seeing you in such a compromising position all flustered and it exposed it made blood shot straight to his cock and it was too much for him to bare, so he gently unzipped his pants and took them off leaving him in his underwear, he slightly readjusted himself allowing his cock to sprint out. He was fully erect and it was big 

He stroked his big cock as he looked at you, his eyes only being able to fix on the growing wet spot in between your legs. 

Once Steve noticed Eddie was stoking himself desperately in his chair he couldn't deny that it turned him on, knowing Eddie was so desperately turned on by them that he had to take out his cock right then and there 

So he decided to give Eddie his show, and give you the treatment he's been fantasizing about giving you for years now. 

His fingers met the place you had been needing release from since this whole thing started, he pressed a finger slightly up and down over your underwear, his other hand on your breast pitching your hardened nipple 

“Those are the prettiest sounds i've ever heard, isn't she the cutest Munson” Steve said as he pushed your– wet by now– panties to the side, he inserted a finger in you making you now fully moan out in pleasure 

“F-fuck, youre so fucking stunning” Eddie pants out from his seat   

You were too lost in your own pleasure to even fully think about anything right now, you felt drugged up in their presence. You try to move yourself further on Steve to get some type of friction to happen between the two of you. 

Steve catches on to this and quickly so he repositions you slightly so that you were on top of his lap slightly 

“Since you want to feel my cock so desperately then come on, go ahead” he says as he removes his hands from you and puts them behind his neck, he was so goddamn cocky in bed. It was incredibly attractive 

You huff slightly but you don't let this stop you in fact it only motivated you to use him as your very own toy. You moved yourself further on his lap and started grinding down slightly on his clothed cock. 

Steve couldn't believe you were actually dry humping him, he thought surely that you would settle down after that, he thought he could teach you a quiet lesson but he had assumed you to be more submissive, of course you would do this, he should have seen it coming. 

His cock was getting to the point where it was hard enough to cause discomfort, he can't keep containing himself especially not with you grinding your pretty little ass and pussy on him like this, he was going to have to teach you a lesson. 

“You want to feel my cock that hard huh y/n” he signed unzipping his pants  “im gonna give you what you want so desperately” with this he realigned your position again, you were now pressed on your knees and elbow with steve behind you touching your back signaling you to bend for him 

You do as you're guided and he wastes no time in going feral, there was no longer any restraint from his part, he guided his cock on your entrance first, he teased you with the head of his cock, going up and down with his tip on your slit, and ten without any warning at all, you felt him completely slide into you. 

You scream out in a mix of pleasure and slight pain from his massive length 

Eddie's underwear was now no longer to be seen, his dick was now proudly out fully and he could barely contain himself, he has had to edge himself around 4 times already, seeing you get pounded so intensely and hearing your pretty moans was starting to become too much for him to bare 

“S-steve it feels so good” you moan out 

And this felt like steves breaking point 

“Eddie com here, y/n baby why dont we give eddie some pleasure now?, how about you suck him off while i keep ponding this tight little pussy of yours” Steve purred, all you could muster up to do was nod slightly, your body already feeling like it was nearing a breaking point 

Eddie didn't waste any time he quickly got on the other side of the bed, you were now prepared up on your hands with Eddie's cock in front of you. Steve was behind you pounding into you and eddie was eventually face fucking you.

Your limits have gone beyond being tested, your pussy was clenching on Steve desperately– orgasm begging for release, while your throat was getting hit over and over again by Eddie's big cock. You could barely breathe the only thing you could smell was arousal 

Eddie and steve were a moaning mess, both giving it to you as hard as they can from opposite directions, Steve was going in and out fast and hard, it felt like he was increasingly getting more and more desperate 

“Oh god baby, I'm gonna cum in you okay?” steve panted out, eddie released you of his hold and you give him a small nod Steve doesn't hold back, he keeps going until he can't anymore, his moans were loud and desperate towards the end, his face was covered in a light blush 

“Munson, your turn” steve says as he changes positions, now Steve was beside you while Eddie stood behind you, looking at your pussy like it was something sacred 

“Are you sure you can take more sweetie” Eddie asked with concern in his voice

You press yourself slightly against him, “i want to feel your cock in me Eds” 

Steve laughs lowly at this, “You really are something else aren't you” 

You smile at him but your smile is quickly replaced by a moan as Eddie starts putting his cock inside you. His cock felt different from Steve's, it wasn't as big as Steve's but it was still really big and slightly thicker than Steve's so you felt like you were getting stretched out all over again. 

You press your hands hard against the mattress and steve gently pats your hair, looking at you intently 

“Youre so pretty, all cock drunk on us” steve says softly 

Your body feels like its about to collapse and when you feel eddies pace start quickening and become sloppier you took that opportunity to impulse yourself against him so that you could give him some extra force as he pounds into you, this makes his cock reach even further into you, leaving you in complete ecstasy  

“I c-cant take it anymore” you say as you can feel that tight pitch in your abdomen form 

“Cum for me baby” Ediie pants out 

“Come for him y/n” steve whispers into your ear 

And with this both you and eddie cum on the same thing, both of you came with an intense cry, your body collapsed on the mattress and steve gets up so that he can lay you down properly, while he does that eddies getting a towel ready to clean up the mess they've made as their cum drips out of you. 

Car troubles- steve harrington x f!reader