People complaining about how “privileged” Eloise is and using it to imply that she doesn’t have a reason to complain about misogyny really frustrate me. Yes Eloise is a privileged woman in society but that doesn’t give her an escape from misogyny. In season one we literally see Daphne, her sister, nearly forced to marry a man she doesn’t want.
Her privilege doesn’t make men see her or any other woman in a similar position to her in a less misogynistic way.
So yes Eloise is privileged. But that doesn’t mean she cannot complain about how men treat women. Plus we literally see Eloise growing and wanting to learn more about the world.
the thing is, you should be on eloise's side. even if the show doesnt really want you to be a lot of the time, you should be on her side, everything she mentions is a genuine issue. its insane not to be. its insane to think she should just get married, that theres anything romantic about eloise marrying, that eloise becoming a mother is an interesting or useful storyline
something that this season does really well though is show how utterly isolated eloise is.
her family doesn't understand her. her sisters have moved on from her, including now little hyacinth. her brothers have left her behind, too, even benedict. her mother can't even take a moment to see past her sarcasm and discomfort to realize her daughter is desperately lonely. and her friends have experiences she does not yet know, leaving her utterly abandoned along with self conscious for not wanting those things.
then you have this fandom, which belittle and disparage eloise for wanting a different life while being a very very normal teen and then young woman about it: her youthful arrogance, entitlement, passion, impulsiveness, and ability to see the world as it is rather than how she might wish it to be must be seen along side the fact that she is also very sheltered and privileged, but these things do not negate her views, either. she's learning, and growing, and wants a challenge because she is herself a challenge.
honestly, her storyline this season so far has been the most heartbreaking to me. you really see eloise retreat into herself with every moment we have of her on screen. she's disappearing into her own head and it's so hard to see, because she loves her family so much even with how they treat her.
genuinely crazy to think about how bridgerton wrote itself into a wall with eloise. you chose to change her character from the books, you chose to make her the independent anti-marriage feminist when you know the only way out of being a bridgerton main character is to succumb to big monogamy and you know you can't follow the book plot at all anymore. my suggestion is simply never give her a season, just let her be, show her thriving in the background and give her some non-romantic subplots every season. you would think not making her the main character would make her fans angry but i think you would be saving her from a horrible fate
I’d be more annoyed if they gave her a season w a man, like Benedict and Francesca get their lil gay storylines, WHY BOT ELOISE. she’s literally one of the most queer coded characters on that show!
"they are not as privileged as her" THAT IS HER SISTER.. THEY ARE FROM THE SAME RICH ASS FAMILY...
"she cant just take that out on other girls just doing their best to find happiness" the show has pointed out several times in the last 4 seasons that being a tradwife is something that's indoctrinated in women since they're little girls.. that's a whole other thing from simply "finding happiness"... not to mention not one woman on there has respected eloise's views/choices BE FOR REAL?
"woman-hating attitude" and it's her pointing out systemic misogyny okay!
gentle reminder that eloise expressing her dislike about "feminine" things like embroidery and flower arranging doesn't stem from the activities themselves, but because of HOW it was being enforced on younger women back then, everyone who make this argument keep forgetting.
this. isnt. the. modern. era. this. is. REGENCY.
they don't have the privilege of "choosing" to love it like we do right now, they get trained/conditioned to love it.
they don't have other options to "choose" from. It was their only option. it was seen as their "duty"
were eloise and penelope not condemned for reading in the early seasons bc it wasnt a "woman" thing?? even their hobbies were categorised into "acceptable for women" and "not acceptable for women" boxes
Yess, I’m so sick of people calling her a woman hater, or a ‘white feminist’ whilst yes— to modern society, she would bode as a rich, white feminist, but she’s not modern, she’s from the regency era, i just wish people would stop projecting their idea of modern feminism onto her
see what's misogynistic about how they wrote eloise is that they DELIBERATELY changed her from the books, made her a feminist, not in the hopes of giving her a unique storyline, but to "reform" "punish" and "humble" her. they could've just chose to keep her the same way as she is in the books, but they didn't.
they tore away her plotline (that had a whole lot of build up, mind you, they have a whole ass video on their "story") about a working class man who she genuinely liked also as a punishment.
but they have no problem giving benedict what he wants, a unique, unconventional story line, when they went out of their way to make beneloise the "black sheep" duo in the family, when they BOTH expressed wanting something different.
eloise wanting to be a spinster, and childless is framed as something that she needs to "mature" and "humble herself" from. how sick.
bend some more historic accuracy rules and find a way to send her to uni I BEG
I’m already sick of the heart update; everyone just waits around leaving like two people to get the hearts. you lazy arseholes, help do it, the faster it’s complete the more money everyone gets. it’s soo annoying
summary - becoming vecna’s next victim (replacing max) and the only thing getting you to escape is the memories of your ex boyfriend steve.
use of y/n, angst, steve still being in love with you / still being in love with him, going into vecna’s mind!!
masterlist
word count - 4k !!
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“Hey, You okay?” Steve softly murmured just for you to hear even though you were the only two conscious people in the room, furrowing his eyebrows and holding a reassuring hand to your back.
The others have all dozed off, Dustin’s arms snuggled into a pillow whilst his head was falling onto Lucas’ shoulder as Max cuddled up against his other side — even though she’d totally deny it when she woke up — , and the faint sounds of Kate Bushes “running up that hill” echoing from her walkman, throughout the walls of Mike Wheeler’s dingy old basement.
“Yeah, Fine. I-I mean, as fine as someone who's hurtling towards a slow and gruesome death can really be.” You remarked, eyes reverting to the wooden floor and messed up pillow fort as you felt Steve’s eyes bore right into you.
“Don’t say that. I’m never going to let that happen to you, ever.” He warned, combing a hand through his hair and absentmindedly rubbing soft circles on your back that all felt too familiar.
You laughed, a real laugh, the first one you had done in months at his ridiculously huge ego. “What are you gonna try and do? Try and kill him with your ‘Farrah Fawcett’ hair spray?”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking actually, but maybe a hair flick could maybe do the job too.” He grinned, loving to see he made a genuine smile appear on your face.
“I’ve missed that.”
“Missed what?” You asked, glancing over to see Max shift even closer to Lucas in her sleep, finding a tangible enough spot in the crook of his neck and settling there.
“Your laugh.” He smiled, softly.
“Oh.” You mumbled, staring back at his beautiful face, the same one you had broken up with six months ago.
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You could feel their eyes attached to the back of your head like moths to an open flame.
You sat at the basement's piddly little desk, the small light illuminating the paper as it flickered every couple of minutes as if on queue, and using a crappy almost ran out black pen to write letters to everyone.
Will, Max, Dustin, El, Mike, Lucas, and Steve.
Each letter was individually written, pouring your heart out with ink because it was much easier than to say in person.
They were just “failsafes”, if this all didn’t somehow miraculously work out. Which was very likely.
Steve’s letter was longer than everyone else’s, and signed with a small cursive heart.
You had filled up all of the space, explained apologizes and ‘i love you’s’ scattered along the paragraphs, saying how much he had helped you and how stupid you were to foolishly break his heart how you did. You hoped he understood.
“I know you're all staring at me.” You announced, getting up and heading to the couch where Dustin, Lucas and Max were all suddenly reading x-men comic books, upside down and looking very interested, whilst Steve bounced an old baseball up and down, avoiding eye contact at all costs.
“What?” Dustin stammered awkwardly.
“You said you needed something?” Lucas mumbled, voice cracking.
“We’re not.” Max lied, pretending to point something out to lucas on one of the pages.
“Just hanging out.” Steve coughed out.
‘You can all look at me now, y'know.” You sighed, seeing all their eyes return to you.
“Sorry.” They all hummed, as if being scolded by their own mother.
“For you.” You began, reaching over to give an envelope to Dustin.
“For you.” You stated, doing the same to Lucas and Max.
“And for you.” You spoke, handing the last letter to Steve.
“Uh, and please give these to Mike, El and Will, I mean if you ever see them again.” You acknowledged, passing the rest of them to Lucas and he wordlessly nodded.
You watched as they all glared at the brown envelopes, as they started to unravel them.
“Hey, Hey what are you doing? They’re not for now! Just please don't open them.” You blurted frantically.
“Don’t…? O-Okay.” Dustin mumbled, sealing the letter back up.
“I’m sorry, but what is this?” Max asked, in a curious tone and playing with the jammed zipper on her turquoise jacket.
“It’s um, it’s a failsafe. For y’know if all this vecna shit doesn't work out.” You stammered nervously, getting sick to your stomach as all of their expressions dropped.
“Y/n I told you it’s not gonna happen, things are gonna work out.” Steve sighed, looking at Dustin for reassurance as he nodded.
“No, I don’t need reassuring Steve, this fucking asshole has chosen to curse me and i’m going to have to deal with it okay? So just don't, just don’t.” You snapped, crossing your arms and trying to fight back tears but failing.
“Hey, hey it’s okay,” Steve gasped, embracing you in a tight grasp, and not daring to let go.
“Shh, it’s okay, I’m right here, we’re right here.” He hummed, cradling your head and letting you sob into his neck, glancing to see Dustin with his mouth wide open, and a very confused Lucas and an even more confused Max.
“Aren’t they…?” Max whispered, to where Lucas nodded.
“Dude.” Dustin hissed, nudging Lucas in the elbow and tilting his head to you both canoodling like a old married couple.

“I have eyes Dustin.” Lucas whispered back, watching the two of you both not moving an inch as the crying slowly faltered.
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“So….We gonna talk about it?” Dustin asked, interrupting the silence that had started after you had gone to get something to eat in the kitchen – and totally not to hide away from the embarrassment of crying in front of everyone.
“Huh? Sorry, talk about what?" Steve mused, still thinking about how fragile and terrified you looked in his arms.
“Your temporary insanity when you practically threw yourself at y/n?” Dustin questioned, knitting his eyebrows together.
“Okay, first off, that's not what happened.”
“Pretty sure that's what happened.”
“She needed me Dustin. The look in her eyes, gosh I–I she looked so scared, and I had to help her. Not to mention, the fact that this vecna monster guy is actively trying to infiltrate her brain and snap her like he did with Chrissy.” Steve admitted, letting out a breath he didn't even know he was holding.
“So you're telling me you're still in love with her?” Dustin grinned, with victory.
“There’s not a day that goes by when I’m not.”
“Holy shit. Dude, why haven't you said anything?”
“Because she needs time for herself, to heal and to get away from me for a while.” Steve sighed, remembering the night vividly.
“Steve, I saw her face when you comforted her, I think she feels the same way.” Lucas butted in, twirling one of Max's braids and she smacked his hand away.
“Sinclair, stop. It's her decision and I need to learn to accept that and not step in and fool around with her feelings like a dickhead.” Steve lectured, knowing he needed to let you figure yourself out and understanding that.
“Steve. She is definitely still in love, the whole ‘i need to be alone’ bullshit is a trap for you to try and win her back, trust me i’ve done it to lucas countless times.” Max commented, letting out a small giggle as she played with Luca’s hands.
‘It’s true.” Luca mumbled.
“You guys don't know her like I do okay? So don't think you have a right to downgrade her emotions into thinking she wants to date me again, there's bigger problems at hand like maybe this creeps plan to kill her so i’d rather we focus on that instead of my love live understood?” Steve snapped, silencing them all.
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The wheeler's kitchen consisted of sticky maple syrupy counters and the smell of coffee beans, but it was somewhat comforting. It took your mind off things for a minute, like Steve.
The way he didn't hesitate to embrace you into his arms and whisper sweet nothings in your ear to calm you down.
It made you realise how much you missed his touch, or him altogether.
You said you needed time to heal from all the shit that went down in the summer, like your mother being one of the starcourt mall casualties that got killed to form into the mind flayer or the trauma of being drugged by russian guards still keeping you up at night.
Steve understood, he gave you space and time, never stepping over a boundary, or even looking another woman since.
“Sorry about what happened down there.” A voice spoke.
You turned around to see Steve, giving you a small smile and readjusting the collar of his shirt.
“It’s fine, sorry for being so emotional.” You spoke, gazing into his rich brown eyes.
“It’s not your fault you're such an easy target.”
Your browns scrunched, what did he mean by that?
“Excuse me?”
“I said it’s not your fault you're such an easy target.” He grinned, as if telling you a hilarious joke.
What had gotten into him?
“So helpless, without your mother, pushing everyone away, including me.” He interjected with a smirk, getting closer to you with each passing second.
“What is wrong with you?” You choked, pushing his heavy chest away from you with force.
“So scared of another loved one getting hurt, but never ever thinking it could happen to you.” He voiced, not sounding anything like himself.
“Hiding your true self away, and falling deep into a hole, a hole you can never crawl out of.” He said, mouth twisting upwards.
“No matter how hard you try.” He continued, his voice changing into a deep distorted growl.
This wasn’t Steve.
This was Vecna.
“This isn’t real.” You screamed, seeing how Steve's hands changed into veiny red vines with huge lengthy claws.
“Oh but it is.” Vecna declared, Steve’s once beautiful face being replaced by the flayed monster.
You had to find a way out of here.
You picked up an empty beer bottle that was in reach and smacked it into his head, causing him to growl in pain, the glass spilling everywhere as you pushed his slimy body away.
You ran to the Wheelers front door, unlocking it with shaky hands and opening it swiftly.
You didn’t see trees, or their front yard.
This was somewhere completely different.
The snowball dance.
Your first dance with Steve.
And the happiest you ever were.
Except there weren't people dancing, or obnoxious music playing, not even Mr Clark trying to flirt with one of the students' mothers.
It was empty.
The only thing moving, being the shimmering disco ball.
This was terrifying, there was no way out besides a small exit door on the other side of the abandoned gym.
“Remind you of anything y/n?” His voice laughed, a low rumble.
“Go away!” You yelled, searching every corner to see where this dipshit would suddenly appear.
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“I’m going to check up on her, make sure she’s okay.” Steve mentioned, heading up the basement stairs as Dustin and Lucas made kissing sounds and Max told them to shut up.
“Goodluck Stevie!” Lucas teased, using the nickname he only allowed you to once say.
“Sinclair cut it out.” He retorted, flipping him off before opening the door leading to the rest of the house.
He could see you, back facing him, standing still on the kitchen tiles.
“Hey.” He uttered.
You didn't respond, were you mad at him?
“Look I’m sorry about what I did, if it upset you in any way, it wasn't my plan. I just couldn't help seeing you so helpless.” He admitted, trying to get you to talk to him.
“Y/n?” He choked out seeing you not move a muscle, nor even seem to hear him.
He strided over, and grabbed your shoulder, turning you around and seeing your bloodshot eyes twitch and go to the back of your head.
“GUYS! GET UP HERE NOW!” He screamed, trying to alert the others.
Why did he let you go up here alone?
They all ran up the stairs, hearing the urgency in Steve’s voice.
“What’s wrong…?” Dustin trailed off, seeing you unconscious as Steve held onto your hand and held up your face with his hands.
“Holy Shit!” Max yelled, running over to your side and trying to help.
“Oh my god.” Lucas screamed, almost slipping on the kitchen tiles trying to get to you.
“She’s in Vecna's mind, his haze, we need to get her out.” Dustin stated, checking your pulse as you remained frozen in place.
“How the fuck do we get her out of it Henderson?” Steve cried, his voice cracking.
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“Eager are we?” Vecna spoke, appearing out of thin air on the opposite side of the gym.
“Let me go!” You screeched.
“Your time has come.” He snarled, using his hand to maneuver a chair to fling it your way.
You luckily dodged, the loud clang of the chair hitting the floor only fueled his anger more.
“You're going to join us y/n.” He growled, holding up his hand and pushing you to the back of the gym wall, the decorating falling onto your head.
“No. I will never.” You trembled, using all of your power to stand up and trying to ignore the pounding ache in your head.
“You underestimate me.” He hissed.
“Remember this place?” All of the memories? The good memories?” He laughed, tilting his head and twitching his arm.
“Fuck off! Leave me alone!” You cried out as you made a run for it, using all the force left in your weak body to open the gym door.
You were transported to starcourt mall, the place that had way too many bad memories.
You saw yourself, in scoops ahoy behind the counter, flirting with Steve as he was swooning you over, in his silly sailor hat the manager forced him to wear that you used to think was the cutest thing in the world.
It was all too much, but you could help but watch.
You were laughing at his stupid joke, as he gave you a slow kiss that you melted into.
What you would do to feel his soft lips against yours once last time, at least before your tragic death.
“Enjoying this?” A deep voice began.
You knew this wouldn't last long.
Vecna was ruthless.
“Leave me alone you piece of shit!” You hiccuped, looking to see where he would appear from.
“You were scared, scared he’d find who you really were. Just like your mother and father.” He murmured.
You couldn't keep running forever.
Maybe he was right.
Maybe this was your way out.
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“We need music. What’s her favourite song?” Dustin asked frantically, glancing at steve who didn't hesitate.
“Time After Time, by Cyndi Lauper.” Steve stammered, body shaking and head pounding seeing you like this.
“I have my walkman.” Max chimed in, holding up her walkman with the stringy headphones attached.
“I still carry it around, just in case. It’s in my bag downstairs, someone get it. Now!” Steve demanded as Lucas ran back downstairs at lightning speed.
“My girl, you’re gonna be okay. Just please hang in there.” Steve whispered, cradling your jaw in his hands and tracing it with his fingertips.
Lucas came back, sprinting up the stairs, tape in hand and breath heavy.
“Here.” He panted, handing the tape to Max who inserted it into her walkman and then passed it to a now sobbing Steve.
Steve snatched it, and put the earphones on your head, hitting play on the recording.
“Wake up sweetheart, please, for me.”
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“Nobody will mourn you y/n. The world will forget you ever existed.” Vecna said, emerging with red smoke as you entered his mind, remains of a house floating in the air as vines surrounded your feet.
“You’re lying. You’re a liar!” You faltered, hearing familiar voices.
“Wake up sweetheart, please, for me.”
Was that Steve?
“We can’t lose you y/n.” You heard Dustin cry as the melody of Time After Time began to play.
A portal began to appear, showing you being back in the Wheelers kitchen, Max, Lucas, Dustin and Steve all circling you, as Steve stroked your jaw as tears flooded down his cheeks.
You had to keep running.
For them.
For Steve.
“Think you can get away that easily?” Vecna groaned, trapping a vine under your foot and dragging you further away for your way out.
“Fuck you.” You spat, squirming in place trying to grab onto anything that could hold you.
You glided across the wet floor until you got shoved against a huge root, the vines attaching themselves to your arms and wrapping around your neck.
“They can’t help you.” He vowed, bringing his claw up to your face and tilting his head to the side.
“It’s time for your suffering to end.” He divulged.
His clawy hand covered your view, besides a small spot where you could see them all surround you, watching you with terror in their eyes.
You shut your eyes tightly as the bridge started to play.
If you're lost, you look and you will find me.
Time after Time.
A memory came flooding through your mind, of steve and you.
“Y’know dustin’s practically in love with you, ever since you told him you knew planck comment.” Steve laughed, laying on your bed and cuddling your pink teddy bear he had gotten you for valentine’s day.
“Oh really, What did you tell him?” You smiled.
“I told him that’s my beautiful girlfriend and that he needs to find his own.” He cheesed.
You remembered that day. You always will.
“You look beautiful baby.” He smiled, as you came out of the shower and entered his room, towel wrapped around your waist and hair dripping from the hot water.
“You always say that.” You blushed.
“Because it’s always true.”
You had to get out of here.
You had to tell him how you felt.
The memories came pacing through your brain, helping you not give in to vecna’s thoughts.
“I love you.” Steve whispered, in the back rooms of scoops ahoy, giving you his puppy dog eyes look and continuing to crash his lips against yours.
“I love you too idiot.” You laughed, as Robin bursted in.
“Can you stop this lovers quarrel and get back to work Steven?” She groaned as you both glanced at eachother and laughed.
The memories wouldn’t stop.
“Hello, m’lady, care for a dance?” He grinned, wearing his crimson sweater and seeing you awkwardly stand at the back of the gym.
“I’d be honoured.” You giggled as he led you on to the dance floor despite all the looks from the jealous teenagers.
Tears were streaming down your cheeks and you clenched your eyes even tighter.
“I don’t think theres another person in this world fit for me more than you.” He spoke, as you knotted your fingers through his hair.
“Like a soulmate?” You asked.
“Yeah, that. You’re my soulmate and you always will be.” He smiled.
This was all getting too much.
“You did so well honey.” Steve sighed, pulling the blanket to your neck, and cuddling up against your bare body, kissing your warm shoulder.
“My girl did so well f’me.” He smiled, shutting his eyes and using you as his teddy bear.
They just kept on coming.
“If I die in the russian base I want you to know I have loved you ever since I met you.” He grinned, seeing the way your cheeks flushed.
“Well, if I die in the russian base I want you to know I had knew I was going to marry you ever since you told me I reminded you of the bears from star wars.
“Sweetheart it’s called a ewok.” He chuckled.
“You’re such a dork!” You giggled,
“I’m your dork.” He smiled.
You couldn’t die. Not like this.
“You seriously think Marty Mcfly’s cute baby?” Steve sighed, letting you lean your head againest his shoulder and steal his popcorn as back to the future played on the big screen.
“Not as cute as you Stevie.”
Steve was your lifeline. Why did you ever let him go?
“I love you, never forget that sweetheart. I will never stop loving you. And I understand you need time, but i’ll always be here.” He cried, as you told him you needed a break.
“You’re my lifeline, my girl.” He sobbed dropping a hard kiss to your forehead.
That was your breaking point.
You opened your eyes, anger fueling into your senses as you ripped out a vine from vecna’s neck.
You let out a moan as the vines dropped from your throat and arms, and began to run.
Not bothering to look behind you.
You just needed to get out.
The sounds of Cyndi Lauper still blessed your ears as the portal remained floating.
You were running for your life.
An object fell from the sky, making you fall down but you knew you had to get back up again.
You just had to keep running.
Your life was so close you couldn’t just stop now.
The portal was right there.
Everything stopped for a moment.
There was no more vecna.
No more steve.
Just darkness.
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“Sweetheart, c’mon I know you’re in there.” Steve pleaded as the others observed silently.
You opened your eye like clockwork, your chest going up and down from all the heavy breathing you were doing.
“Oh my— fuck, you’re back.” Steve cried, hugging you so tight you’d think vecna reattached his vines.
You were speechless.
But you were back, in the good old Wheeler’s kitchen.
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