Summary: On your first day of orientation at Pennbrooke, an old friend helps you out of the unwanted attention of Crazy Luther.
It was your first official day at Pennbrooke and you couldn’t have been more excited. You’d found a great apartment within walking distance from the campus after running into a former classmate at John Adams High a couple days before orientation. Even though Topanga was a year younger than you, you'd always managed to have a couple classes together every year before your parents moved to New York your junior year. You knew it had to have been fate to run into her right after she’d run into Jack, Shawn’s long lost brother who was in the need for some new roommates.
Even though there was apparently a lot of drama going on between the two brothers, Shawn had agreed to be the fourth roommate and you were excited to live with at least one friendly face.
You expected to see more former classmates at orientation, since the campus was so close to your former high school, but found yourself disappointed when you didn’t recognize a single person.
You did, however, attract the attention of one student. He’d introduced himself as Luther, but a friendly girl pulled you aside after and warned you that the guy had a bad reputation and even a nickname already.
Determined to give everyone the benefit of the doubt (plus you had to admit, the guy was handsome), you quickly found yourself less and less flattered as he continued to become more forward in his flirting. He was grabby and possessive in a way that made your bad vibes bat signal go off. You’d been in a bad relationship before - you knew the signs. But he wasn’t backing off.
“Come on, sweetheart,” he coo’d, following you as you walked through the quad. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
“I can’t. I already have plans with my roommates,” you replied, thanking God that you actually did have these plans. Jack had promised tonight would be the first official roommate dinner and you were finally going to meet the illusive third roommate that you’d still managed to not run into.
“Skip it! Come on, doll. I’ll take you to places you’ve never been,” he grabbed your arm to stop you from walking, pulling you closer toward him as his grip grew stronger.
Out of instinct, you pushed him away, “Get off!”
“What’s your problem? You got a boyfriend or somethin’?” He continued to walk toward you, taking up more of your space than you were comfortable with.
As if out of desperation, you began to look around to see if there was anyone, anyone who could save you.
Low and behold, the first friendly face you’d manage to see from your former school appeared in the window of the student center to your left.
“As a matter of fact,” you said sternly, giving Luther your attention, “I do. And he’s right in there, so if you’ll excuse me.”
You pushed past him and walked through the student center doors, heading straight for the guy you hadn’t seen in two years as he sat by himself on a bench near the back reading a magazine. Out of the corner of your eye, you could see Luther still standing by the doorway, watching you. So you knew you had to make this look convincing.
“Eric Matthews,” you said softly, standing in front of him to try and block his face from the doorway.
Eric looked up at you, his brow rising in both confusion and something else you didn’t quite recognize as he took you in. For a second, you feared that he didn’t remember you and your heart began to beat even faster than you thought possible.
When he finally greeted you in kind by saying your first and last name, your heart began to race for another reason. “What are you—“
“No time,” you stopped him, grabbing the magazine from his hands and settling down in his lap. You lightly caressed his cheek as he continued to peer up at you, and you weren’t sure if his face was purely surprised or if there was a small hint of awe in them. You whispered “play along” as you leaned in closely, his eyes flitting to your lips as you did before you dove in.
Cradling his face and pulling it to yours, you poured yourself in a deep kiss that was meant to convince Luther that this was your boyfriend. Eric jumped slightly at first from your abrupt action, then grew stiff, as if he were doing something wrong. But you were surprised to feel him very quickly give in to whatever it was you were doing here as he wrapped his arms around you and adjusted you onto his lap more comfortably, his left hand gripping at your back and the other on your hip. Deepening the kiss, your hands moved up toward the nape of his neck and moved up, diving into the silky soft curtain of hair that you’d always fantasized about in high school. A soft moan left his throat as your finger nails took on a mind of their own against his scalp and you felt yourself whimper at the sound, melting into his kiss. It was a perfect mixture of tender but demanding, controlled but completely fueled by reckless abandon.
The sound of someone clearing their throat harshly caused you both to jump, finally pulling away from each other to face the intruder. You were annoyed to see that it was still Luther. This guy just could not take a hint.
“So this the boyfriend, huh? I give it a week and you’ll be beggin’ me to take you out. See ya around, sweetheart.”
You groaned as he finally walked out of the room, feeling your body limp at the obvious defeat you felt.
“Boyfriend?” Eric’s voice brought you back as you felt yourself stiffen, realizing that you were still seated very snuggly in the lap of your high school crush.
But his arms hadn’t moved. In fact, you realized that you’d felt them tighten a little more around you when Luther had confronted you.
“Um yeah,” you said timidly, knowing that your cheeks had to be the brightest shade of red humanly imaginable. “That was Luther. Apparently he’s also known as Crazy Luther.”
His brow creased seriously, “Crazy Luther? Who sells the stereo products at low prices?”
You chuckled, shaking your head. “No, according to the rumors he chewed the fingers off his own brother.”
“Well he’s never gonna sell stereos with that kind of reputation.” He smiled at you in that all too familiar Eric smile and you felt your heart contract against your will.
You thought you’d gotten over your crush back when you were a junior and he was a senior, trying desperately to tutor him so he wouldn’t have to repeat his senior year. But he was just so charming and funny and so damn insightful when he wanted to be, you couldn’t help but fall for him.
And here you were, two years later, giving in to that damn smile once more.
You realized again that he hadn’t moved his arms or tried to push you off of him, though you didn’t necessarily feel trapped. It felt comfortable, actually, and that feeling made you jump off his lap immediately and try to find your words again.
All the emotions finally caught up with you: violated by Luther’s disregard for you saying no; anger that he only begrudgingly respected your choice because of another man’s power; guilt over doing nearly the exact same thing to a former friend by pushing yourself on him; and complete and total embarrassment because holy shit you just made out with Eric Matthews.
“I’m so sorry,” you finally said, slightly pacing. “He just wouldn’t back off and take no for an answer. Finally he asked if I had a boyfriend and I saw you in the window and I don’t know what came over me. But I saw an easy out and I took it and I’m just so sorry again for doing that to you.”
Eric chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck as he shook his head. “Hey, yeah, no need to be sorry. I’m happy to help. Just to be safe, you should stay for a few minutes though until he’s left the area for good. Don’t want him thinking you made out with some stranger just to get away from him.”
“Heaven forbid,” you mocked, chuckling with him as you sat next to him on the bench.
A few minutes easily turned into hours as you and Eric caught up. He told you about his year off after graduation. You told him about your time in New York. He was teasing you about not going to college in the big apple when your watch beeped.
“Damn,” you cursed, realizing how late it’d gotten. “I’m sorry, Eric. I’ve gotta go to this thing—“
“Oh, yeah it’s no problem!” he said reassuringly, lifting up with you as he looked at his own watch. “I’ve gotta run too actually. But, this was fun.”
“The assault or the conversation?” you joked, a blush rising to your cheeks at the mention of the kiss.
He chuckled as you both began to walk out of the student center, running his hand through his hair. It was shorter than it’s been when you left John Adams, but it still looked just as luxurious. “Both, actually. I’ll see ya around?”
“Definitely,” you confirmed, sending him a smile as you parted ways. Quickly, you raced across the campus to the apartment building, disappointed to have cut your time with Eric short but ready to finally sit down with all your roommates. This was going to be your year — you could feel it!
Bill is 95 and I’m…now I’m 93. How about that? Unbelievable. Can I ask you guys. What do you think the key to 71 years of marriage is? Billy you know the answer to that. Well Respect and Honest communication. -Danielle Fishel,
Bill Daniels, And Bonnie Bartlett
Being Shawn Hunter’s twin meant you were apart of the iconic trio that recked havoc on Mr Feenys class, every grade for your entire school life. You were able to join in on the master pranks. Or travel to Pittsburgh with Topanga when her parents moved. It also meant the Matthews were very aware of you tight knit friendship.
Amy adored you, almost as her own child. Seeing as you and your twin had half a father and your mother picked and chose when she would stay home. You went to Amy for most thing. First dates. Periods. Or when Mr Turner and Shawn were unbarable after he took them in.
Her favourite one however, was your first crush. It was amusing when Amy noticed how one day you would arrive with curled hair, the next with darken eyebrows. How you would show up to “ask Cory to hang out.” Playing dumb when Alan explained Cory was with Shawn. But of course you knew that. It was clear when you would stay for dinner and laugh just the littlest louder when Eric would joke.
So it was no shock when you told Amy. She explained it would fade. ‘It was just a 6th grade crush” That lasted until 8tj grade. When the Hunters bacame known for their flirting and two week relationships. The crush was pushed to the back of your memory.
That was until college rolled around and life got stressful. Shawn was a loose cannon corpanga we’re now legalising their wedding. And the Matthews were having a baby. The biggest change was the death of your father. It rocked Shawn and Jack a lot more than you. Yet you had Amy keeping you sane.
A week after you dad and passed. Shawn and Cory were road tripping, Jack was a mess, and you wanted to keep busy. So you babysat. You offered to supervise Morgan and a few of her friends while her parents went to their ultrasound for the newest member. She was In her room, while you were in the kitchen catching up on some of Feenys papers. He had assured there was no rush, but you needed to keep busy.
“Feen-eh!” You beard from the garden. You knew it was Eric. Deciding to answer Eric’s calls you appeared at the back door, smiling lightly. “He’s not home.” You cut of his next attempt of the ‘Feeny call.’
He whipped around, “Jack and Rachel kissed.” He smiled but it wasn’t a happy one like he tried to hold, so you nodded for him to follow, and sat on the edge of the kitchen table. “I lost.” He shrugged.
You mimicked him. “So. You’re Eric Matthews. You’ll move on.” You recalled the days he had a new girl every week. He sighed leaning against the island.
“Why is it every girl I want. Doesn’t want me?” He moped. You laughed at him.
“It happens to all of us.” His head shot up and scoffed at you. “It’s true.” You smiled.
“Oh yeah. You know you’re gorgeous.” It made your heart flutter. Never having heard such a compliment.
“You think so?”
“Yeah! Everyone knows the Hunter Twins are hot.”
Oh.
-
After that encounter, you wanted to be known more than a Hunter twin. You wanted Eric to notice you as more than that. So you hung around more. You sat with him while Josh was at the hospital. You helped him move out of his apartment after Jack and Rachel became a couple.
You got closer. Tommy now expected you as well as Eric. No one ever saw Eric without a smile. So you weren’t either.
“Are you going to adopt me? Or not?” Tommy asked softly, and you lowered you pizza shocked by his question, you sat with Eric and his parents while they argued what was wrong or right. “See YN understands.” And you did. You loved Tommy just as much. But the family could give him more.
So you sat on the couch listening to Eric break not only his heart. But Tommy’s too. You walked him out after he closed the door gently. Leading him to his car. When all he did was sigh you glanced at him to see him with a sad smile.
“He doesn’t like me,” You wrapped my arm around his shoulder and smiled.
“If it helps I like you.” A lot. You said, he laughed and thanked you. “You’ll find someone, a lovely girl and you’ll settle and have all the kids you want, and one day Tommy.” You nodded to the building. “Will thank you.” You tried to be supportive but it was a strange thing comforting Eric. Who rarely had anything less than a smile.
“I have to get a girl first.” He joked. Still fiddling with his fingers.
“You will!” He laughed and looked at you. Yet you weren’t looking back. He watched as you smiled and fixed your hair. Not listening to what you were saying just looking. “I mean sixth grade me tonight you were everything. If only we were the same age.” You joked. He looked shocked and amused.
“Really?” You nodded. “Huh? I never knew.”
“It was just a 6th grade crush.” You laughed.
It became quiet, you glanced around. Unaware of the eyes on you. Eric knew you were pretty. Heck the whole of Philly did! Yet right then you were more than pretty. Your hair was messy but perfects, your eyes tired. Probably from school and the stress of having half a brother, and had your smile always made your eyes sparkle like that? He couldn’t help but admire his brother best friend. It seemed wrong.
When your head finally turned and wow, those eyes - “Have you always been this beautiful?” He spouted out. You were closer now. He could feel your breath fan his face when you laughed at his outburst. “No, seriously.” Your heart quickened when his hand reached up to cup your cheek.
He was not one to hesitate, but you had him doubting everything. “Can I-“ you beat him too it, planting you lips onto his for no more than 2 seconds. Pulling back worried of misreading the situation. “Shawn and Cory are gonna kill me.” He mumbled before leaning in for another. Laughing into eachothers mouths.
I heard you told my parents you thought I was smart. Just knowing you said that was worth a thousand SATs points.
WILL FRIEDLE AS ERIC MATTHEWS
BOY MEETS WORLD (1993-2000)
I think Ben would probably tell you I was not his first kiss….It was most certainly my first kiss. I had never kissed anybody…We had not rehearsed the kiss throughout the week. We had rehearsed what was going to happen….We were filming it in front of the live studio audience so we had never rehearsed the actual kiss. And I was the most nervous… -Danielle
I remember being there looking at the monitor on tape night. Being so thrilled with that scene and I felt it again watching it now 29 years later. -Rider
I was so cool. And the way I put my hand on my hip…I look so self assured. -Danielle
And of course Ben’s expression is one of just like one of the most iconic things. -Rider
Our lips didn’t really ever touch….Yeah he was very nervous to kiss me….So was I so was I. -Danielle
Fandom: Boy Meets World
Pairing: Eric Matthews x Reader
Warnings: None
Notes: Why do I always write for characters that absolutely no one requested / no one cares to read about? 😂 Anyway, Eric is one of my top comfort characters, my favorite 90′s heartthrob, and my favorite himbo ever. I’m rewatching BMW for the thousandth time so I felt an uncontrollable urge to write about him, especially considering there are almost zero fics about him on here.
“Hey man, what are you doing tomorrow morning? My boss just called and said I need to be at work in the morning, and Shawn has a class, but my sister needs a ride here from the airport.”
Eric choked on his cereal when Jack’s words registered in his brain. Jack had mentioned about a month ago that his sister was transferring colleges to be closer to her brothers – but Eric had completely forgotten about it. Well, if he was being honest with himself, it wasn’t so much that he’d forgotten about it as much as it was that he’d forced himself to not think about it.
My brain: Eric Matthews watched his best and closest friend Jack get chosen over him by his other good friend Rachel, felt he needed to leave his apartment and basically become homeless (in the middle of college, mind you) because he couldn’t handle the heartbreak of that but also loved them too much to intrude on their happiness, had his new little brother arrive too early and almost die after a good few scary days in the hospital (that he didn’t properly process to take care of/protect Tommy), and had to give up Tommy, the kid he pretty much would have adopted on the spot if he was a bit older, despite it literally feeling like having a piece of himself ripped away from him, all in the span of maybe a few weeks’ time.
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