Would anyone be interested in a Steddie x reader fic?? I've been dying to write one but I fear it might be too long of a series for Tumblr. I'd probably post it to Wattpad or AO3 (probably both lol)
Summary- Steve, Eddie, and Reader have a sleepover. Reader wakes up to find Eddie crying after a nightmare. Reader and Steve do their best to make Eddie feel comfy and safe. Established poly relationship.
Warnings- Mentions of nightmares and anxiety. Let me know if I missed anything else.
My eyes fluttered open, greeted by nothing but pitch black. I blinked a few times as I sat up. What time was it? How long did I have left to sleep?
Those thoughts vanished when I notice the silhouette of someone sitting on the edge of my bed. I could hear the shaky breaths the person was taking. I furrowed my eyebrows as I tried to make out who it was.
"Eddie?"
"H-hey, princess. Did I wake you?"
"No. What are you doing up?"
"Had a-a nightmare again."
"Why didn't you wake either of us up?" I moved to sit behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist.
"You guys had long days at work. Didn't wanna both yous."
"Oh, Eddie. You could never bother us. How about you come here and tell me about the dream?"
"Mhm." I scooted back to my previous spot.
Eddie rested his head on my chest as his hands held onto my sides. I began softly rubbing his back to ease some of his anxiety. I nudged Steve's arm a few times until he groggily came to.
"Are you guys seriously cuddling without me," he laughed as he scooted closer to us.
"Yeah, we don't like you," Eddie tried to joke.
"Nightmare again," Steve asked as he soothed down Eddie's hair.
All Eddie could do was nod. I could tell by his breathing that he was trying his best not to cry. "Sit up, babe, so we could all talk," Steve gently suggested. Eddie carefully maneuvered himself off of me. His hands found ours as we sat in a close circle.
Steve turned on the nightstand lamp so we all could see each other. Eddie's gaze never met ours. I could see how red his eyes were. He must have been up crying for a while before I woke up. It broke my heart to think he thought he could be a bother to us.
"You wanna tell us what the nightmare was about," Steve asked, gently rubbing his thumb over the back of Eddie's hand.
"I-I was back in the Upside Down. I was all alone again. I could feel everything. I could feel how cold it was and how hungry I was. The bats showed up again while I was walking around outside of the trailer. I ran up the steps to hurry inside. As soon as I opened the door, I ran into a wall. The door was completely covered up. I couldn't get in no matter what I tried, windows and everything. I was attacked by them all over again. I could feel every single bite. I woke up thinking it somehow wasn't a dream even though I was here. I could see you both asleep but my mind couldn't process it. I checked my entire body over again to see if there were any new bites cause of how real everything felt. It's-it's like sometimes when I sleep it feels like I never left the Upside Down. Being awake with you both is my saving grace.
"I really wish you would have woken us up. You shouldn't have gone through that alone," Steve sighed.
'I didn't want to bother you guys. You both said how tired you were."
"It doesn't matter what happened during our day, we'll always be there for you. But hey, just remember you're never ever going to end up back there. Everything with the Upside Down is long over," I assured.
He leaned into my touch as I tucked a piece of hair behind his ear.
"I keep trying to tell myself that. It doesn't really seem to work. The dreams and memories never stop haunting me."
"What you went through was very traumatic. It's gonna take some time to heal. Baby, I don't want you to ever feel like you're going to bother us. Wake us up or call us anytime," I explained.
"I will."
"Seriously, Eds. We want nothing more but to help you," Steve said. "Now, before we go back to bed, do you need anything?"
"No. I just need t-to be held," Eddie shyly replied.
Steve turned off the light once the 3 of us got comfy. Eddie laid in the middle of Steve and I. It felt weird to not be in the middle. I was so used to having my boys on either side of me. Tonight was all about Eddie so I could definitely deal with it for one night.
Eddie's head now rested on Steve's chest. Steve's arms were protectively wrapped around Eddie's waist. I smiled at the sight of my two boys.
I loved these boys more than anything in the world. Knowing they could be in pain made my heart break. I wanted nothing more but for them to be happy.
I went back to softly rubbing Eddie's back.
"I love you boys," I mumbled as I sat up to kiss both of their cheeks.
"I love you guys too," Steve whispered with a smirk on his face.
"I love you guys more."
"Oh, here we go again," I joked as the 3 of us broke out into laughter.
Summary- It's been nearly a month after Vecna. Reader and Eddie get into a fight about him shutting them out. He confesses why he's scared to let them in. Angst to fluff.
Warnings- fighting, swearing, mentions of injuries.
I stood in the shower as the hot water washed away the day. It’s been a stressful last couple of weeks. I was exhausted. If I wasn’t fighting off nightmares, I was taking care of Eddie. I didn’t mind taking care of him whatsoever. I liked taking care of him.
Well, he only let me do certain things. I couldn’t change his bandages or help him shower or even get dressed. He was still weird about me seeing his injuries or even the bandages. My mom had to do all the changing and cleaning since she was a nurse. I didn’t fight him on it, he would eventually come around.
I turned off the water, wanting to save some hot water for Eddie. I sighed as I grabbed the towel off the rack. I wrapped it around my body after drying off. I wiped off the mirror only to be met with tired eyes. I slipped into my clean clothes, throwing my dirty ones in the basket.
The hair on my arms stood up as I walked into the hallway. I smiled crept on my face as I looked down the stairs. Eddie sat on the couch with my dog. Well at this point, it’s our dog. She had her head in his lap as she peacefully slept. I loved seeing those 2 together.
I slowly walked down the steps, not wanting to wake her. Unfortunately, I did. Her tail wagged as she watched me. Her head still rested on his lap. I sat down on the couch across from them.
“Shower’s all yours. I saved some hot water for you.”
“Thanks.” He started to carefully get up.
“You want help?”
“No, I got it.”
“You sure, I don’t mind.” I started to get up.
“I said I got it,” he snapped.
I could feel both of my parent's stares. My mom sat at the table doing some work and my dad was peering over her shoulder, seeing what she was doing. But now they were both watching us.
“Someone has to help you. You know you shouldn’t be doing it alone.”
“I’ve done alone before.”
“Yeah and remember what happened?”
“We’ve talked about this before.”
“I know we have. I’m trying to help you, babe. I’m trying not to push you about anything.”
“Well you aren’t trying hard enough then.”
“Here’s the thing with that, you need to be pushed. If I don’t push you, you’re gonna hide from me the rest of your life.”
“Oh so you’re in my head now,” he questioned as he started walking up the stairs.
“Hey, I’m not done with this conversation.”
“I am, I’m going to take a shower.”
“Do not walk away from me.”
“What do you possibly need to talk about right now?”
“We’re in the middle of a conversation about your health and safety. I can’t have you popping a stitch or I dunno.”
“Are we really having this stupid conversation about me or you?”
“Both. We have a lot to talk about, Edward. You’re- you’re just shutting me out of your life.”
“What the fuck? How am I shutting you out of my life? I’m literally staying at your house! We still spend every waking second together!”
“You’re missing the picture here. I want to help with you everything. I’m sick of getting you water and shit. I want to be the one to change your bandages when they need it or help you wash your hair. I want you to know you can talk to me about everything that happened. I ask you about a nightmare you had and you just shut down. Eddie, you won’t even let me hold you anymore. You’re leaving me out of the biggest part of your life!”
“I’m just not ready!”
“I know but when are you gonna be ready? It’s almost gonna be a month, Eddie.”
“You don’t have to remind me!”
“I’m not trying to. I’m just trying to figure you out.”
“What’s there to figure out?”
“Well, I’m trying to figure out how Steve let me change his bandages when we were over like a week ago. He tells me all about his dreams and how he feels. I know everything about him and nothing about you. It doesn’t make sense to me how you aren’t letting me in even after we’ve been dating for a year and best friends for even longer.”
“Why don’t you go fucking date Harrington then if you think you’re closer to him than you are to me.”
“What kind of answer is that? I don’t want Steve. This doesn’t even have to do with him. I'm just…trying to process everything." I glanced at the floor and then back to his big brown eyes. "Eddie, I just want to help you. I just want to make you feel better. You need to space, I get that. You’ll be ready when you’re ready.” We both stared at each other for a moment.
“I’m just not ready…” He shyly stared at the ground.
“Ready for what? The look on your face is trying to tell me something else.” His eyes flickered up to mine.
They were full of worry and anxiety. They started to gloss over as I stepped closer to him. He lowered his head to look at the ground.
“I-I’m just not ready for you to…fall out of love with me.”
“W-what?”
“I dunno.”
“You do know. Baby, why do you think I'd do that?” He didn’t answer.
I took a few steps closer to him. I took his hands into mine. He still wasn’t looking at me.
“Eddie, why do you think that?”
“These scars. They cover my body. There’s even one on my face. They’re…ugly.”
“They’re not ugly, they’re metal. So fucking metal.”
“You’re just saying that,” he looked up at me with a pink flush to his cheeks.
“I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true. I’m gonna love you no matter what.”
“Really?”
“Of course, Eddie. If you haven’t noticed, you’re the only one for me.” I tried to blink away to the tears.
“You’re the only one for me too,” his voice quivered.
I pulled him into a tight hug. Not tight enough to hurt him.
“C-can you help me,” he nervously stuttered.
“Are you sure?”
“Now or never, right,” he tried to give me a smile.
“I’m gonna go help him shower so he doesn't hurt himself,” I announced to my parents.
They were both still staring at us with wide eyes. They’ve never really heard us fight. They’ve heard us bicker once or twice but never this. I mean we’ve been friends forever so they’ve heard just about everything.
Including the gross stuff that comes out of Eddie’s mouth when he thinks no one is around.
I followed Eddie up to the bathroom. I softly closed the door behind us. I followed his lead. I could see the vulnerability all over his face as he stripped down to his underwear.
“Before we go any further, do you want to me see this?”
“Mhm. Just scared.”
“I know. Go at your own pace, babe. If you wanna back out you can, I won't be mad.” He nodded as he reached for the bandage on his jaw first.
I helped him pick off the more difficult ones. There were a lot of tears and reassurances. He looked at me with his big brown eyes.
“Y-you’re not gonna leave, right?”
“Never.”
“Am I still metal?”
“Even more metal than before.” He smiled as he leaned his forehead against mine.
I safely got him showered, dried and dressed. There was some bickering, playful and not. “Why don’t you find a show for us to watch while I get us some water?” He nodded as he walked to my room.
As soon as I got into the kitchen, I broke down. My heart broke for that boy. He was in so much pain. It hurt seeing him like this. The boy I was in love with was hurting so bad. I could barely take it anymore. I wanted to scoop him up and protect him from all things bad.
My mom hugged me as I cried.
“He’s okay,” she assured.
“He’s in so much pain.”
“He’s gonna be okay. He’s making progress already.”
“He is. He’s gonna be okay, we’re gonna be okay. We always figure things out.”
“You guys always do.” I wiped my eyes as I pulled away.
I got us bottles of water before heading upstairs. Eddie laid on his back, staring at the ceiling. I put the water bottles on the side of the bed before joining him. He held his arms out to me. I carefully laid on his chest. He was always so warm. His heartbeat was already lulling me to sleep.
His hands were softly rubbing my back as my hands were softly rubbing his sides.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Eddie, more than anything in the world.”
“You’re too good to me.”
“I love taking care of you.”
“I know and I love taking care of you.” I could feel his smile as he kissed the top of my head.
reminder that you're sexy and cool and your fav character wants you so bad. they're literally simping over you rn. they write fanfic about you, it's 100% true they told me.
Masterlist
Requested by Anonymous: Blurb of Eddie x fem reader on her period. I’m on mine right now and my cramps are killing me. I just know Eddie would be clueless about it, but he’s so sweet and I’m sure he would be willing to learn and help the reader feel better.
TW/CW: Fluffy comfort fic with Eddie being a sweet boy, descriptions of blood, period symptoms, and Eddie touching reader's stomach.
"Shit," You cussed a little too loudly from Eddie's bathroom, sighing as you slipped off your underwear. You felt the cramps start up when you got to Eddie's, but swore you had another couple of days before your period would hit.
The bright red puddle in your underwear said differently.
You thought fast, quickly running some water in the bathtub to try and wash out the spot before it stained.
You heard a light knock on the door, followed by Eddie's gentle voice asking if you were okay.
"Yeah!" You called quickly, realizing you were half-naked, slumped over your boyfriend's tub while trying to wash blood out of your undies.
"Can you bring me my bag and just, uh... Leave it by the door?" You asked as you turned the tap off, ringing out the excess water. Now they were soaked and you wouldn't be able to wear them. You really hadn't thought this through.
A few moments later, you heard another knock and Eddie's nervous voice carrying through the door.
"Got your bag. Are you sure you're alright?" He asked kindly, sweet eyes looking at you curiously as you cracked the door to take the satchel from him.
"Yeah... Just had a bit of a female emergency," you said with a sigh. Eddie's eyes grew wide as he realized what you meant. He pursed his lips as he shifted back and forth on his feet.
"Could I maybe wear a pair of your boxers?" You asked timidly, hoping it wouldn't be too weird.
Eddie's face changed quickly from concern to pure kindness as he rushed back toward his bedroom. "Yeah! Yeah, of course," he said quickly as he returned with a pair of checkered shorts, handing them through the gap in the door.
You smiled sweetly as you shut the door to finish cleaning up, retrieving your period supplies from your bag and slipping on Eddie's boxers. They were so much comfier than the jean shorts you'd worn over.
When you opened the door, Eddie was waiting just down the hall with a bottle of water and some tylenol.
"I don't know a whole lot about this but you're probably having cramps, right?" He asked with a puzzled look, offering you the medicine. You smile, taking them from him before looking back into the bathroom where you'd folded up your soiled garments.
"I'll have to take those home and wash them, do you have like a plastic bag or anything?" You asked awkwardly.
Eddie stepped closer to you, sweetly pressing a kiss to your forehead.
"Better. I have a washing machine," he said with a small smirk, gently moving you out of the way with his hands on your waist before collecting the clothes and taking them into the kitchen where they kept the laundry.
"Go lay down, babe," he called over his shoulder as you watched him start the machine and grab some laundry detergent. It was sexy watching him be so assertive and caring, you had to admit.
You smiled to yourself as you headed into his bedroom, feeling another wave of pain spreading through your groin. You groaned softly as you curled up in Eddie's sheets, your brows furrowing as you fought the cramps.
Eddie returned a few minutes later, turning the lights down as he put on one of his softer rock records before he began to undress. He got down to his boxers and Dio t-shirt before he approached the bed, kneeling down to brush your hair from your twisted up face.
"Sorry, baby," he said softly as his eyes scanned over you. "Anything I can do to help?"
You forced your eyes open to look up at him as he propped his head on the mattress, impossibly soft eyes gazing into yours now. The mattress squished his face in the cutest way, making you smile despite the pain you were feeling in your belly.
"Just hold me?" you asked as you reached out to stroke his cheek.
"Now that I can do," he said with a handsome smile as he hopped up, carefully climbing over you to take his big-spoon position behind you. He pulled the blankets over you both, gently tucking them around you as he scooted against your backside timidly.
"This okay?" He asked as he laid a bit rigidly, unsure of how much pressure to put and very aware of your state, not wanting to hurt you.
You reached behind you, pulling his arm over and wrapping it around your middle. You sighed as he melted against you, reassured that you liked the weight.
"It's perfect," you whispered as he nuzzled against your neck, pressing soft kisses into your hair. You already felt better as his warmth spread over your body, soothing your aches and pains. "You have healing hands, you know that?"
He chuckled against your shoulder as he began to rub your stomach with just enough pressure, slowly easing the cramps with each wave of his hand.
"Sorry I kinda ruined our plans today. Didn't expect to be all laid up with aunt flow," you muttered sleepily.
"Yeah, 'cause you totally did it on purpose. How dare you, princess?" He chuckled as you let out a small laugh. "Love holding you. Could do it all day. Now hush and let me take care of you, 'kay?"
You smiled as you felt him reach over and grab something from the night stand, clearing his throat as you heard the familiar sound of book pages turning.
You nestled back into his chest as he began to softly read The Hobbit, picking up where you'd last left off together.
"May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks..."
----
End.
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I just saw your taking request and I’m so excited!! Love your work so much so could I request :
Rick Grimes x Dixon!Sister Reader
Era: Prison / Governor
Y/N Dixon is the middle child of the Dixon clan. She, like Daryl, loves her oldest brother and knows that kin is most important in the ZA, however.. Merle can be a little much sometimes. When Merle shows back up, working for the governor, he knows he won’t be able to return with his siblings to the prison- knowing he’s not welcome. Y/N has been dating Rick since the Farm once he found out about the affair and Y/N has become somewhat of a mom after loris death. Now with her oldest sibling thrown back into the equation, she’s forced to make a decorative: leave with her kin or stay with her family. (You choose her fate! ;))
Sorry if it’s too detailed- got excited lmaooo ;)
Sorry this took so long! I was having trouble deciding her fate😂
Choices
It was quiet for so long. We thought we had found a home for ourselves. We didn’t know we moved into the devil’s backyard.
This morning a woman showed up on the other side of our gates with a basket of formula. The formula that Glenn and Maggie went out to get hours prior. The woman watched as a man from Woodbury, the town a few miles away, took them.
She had no idea why he took them but he did. She didn’t know anything more. We quickly made a plan to go get them. We couldn’t leave them there any longer than they had to be. They were probably in an immense amount of trouble.
We had just broken in when gunshots came inside the wall. Something was going on that the citizens were unaware of. We followed the gunshots to a warehouse. Glenn and Maggie were there, minutes away from death. We saved their lives just in time.
Turns out, my older brother, Merle, was behind this. He was the one that captured Glenn and Maggie. He was the one that beat the shit out of Glenn. He was the one that brought Maggie to the Governor. He was the Governor's right hand man. Daryl and I pleaded with Rick to let us talk to Merle. Of course, he was against it. I think I was too pissed to even look at Merle. How could he do something like this?
Almost all of us made it out alive. Oscar was shot as he was trying to escape. Daryl also didn’t make it out. He was captured by the Governor and his men. Of course, nothing could just go as planned. By the time we made it back to the car, the sun was starting to rise.
We had to get Daryl back. We had no idea how to go about this. We didn’t know where to go or what to do. All we knew was that we weren’t going home without Daryl. They would kill him in there. We couldn’t have that. I couldn’t have that.
After making the plan of going back in, I walked away from the group. I needed a minute to regroup myself. I couldn’t let my emotions get in the way of this. I couldn’t let my emotions distract me.
Rick wandered over to me. He put a hand on my cheek. “Hey, everything will be fine. We’ll get Daryl back.” I nodded as I tried to get my eyes to stop watering. His assurance only made me feel slightly better. They probably knew we were coming back for Daryl. They were probably going to hit back harder.
Rick and I have been together since the farm. It’s only been about a year or so since we got together. It seems like much much longer than that. Rick and I have always had this extremely close bond. We’re alike in so many different ways. It does become difficult from time to time but we always manage to make it work.
By the time we got back inside, Merle and Daryl were in a different warehouse. There was a group of people watching and cheering in a circle. Merle and Daryl were in that circle fighting off walkers. I didn’t understand the point of this. They were fighting off walkers together as people cheered? Was this some kind of sick sport?
Maggie and I began taking shots from up top. We aimed for the walkers and the giant lights. We wanted to get Daryl and get the hell out. Once we saw Merle and Daryl make it out, we rejoined the others.
Now here we are, bickering on the side of the road. No one wanted Merle to come back with us. I guess I didn’t blame them. He shot the woman and did horrible things to both Maggie and Glenn. If I were them, I wouldn’t want them with us either.
I had to make a choice, go with Merle and Daryl or stay at the prison. It was a hard, horrible choice to make. I paced around as everyone waited for my answer. I couldn’t not leave with my brothers. They were everything to me. They were there for me all those years ago when I needed them.
I also couldn’t leave the family I made at the prison. I couldn’t leave Carl or Judith. I couldn’t leave Rick. The tightness in my chest only got worse as time went on. I couldn’t do this. I didn’t want to do this. There had to be another way.
It took me almost an entire hour to think of an answer. To make things easier, I should have just flipped a coin. I stood up from the tree I was sitting under. I took a shaky breath as I walked over to the group.
“Rick is right. We started something last night. We need every possible person protecting the prison. I can’t leave Carl and Judith at a time like this. They need me. The group needs me. Daryl, I’m so sorry.” I wiped my eyes as I waited for an answer from anyone.
“Your choice. Ain’t gonna be mad at ya. I can’t be mad at ya. Yer doin’ what ya think is the right thing. Right?”
“Of course.”
“Alright.” He popped open the trunk of the car to grab his last minute things.
He silently shut the door as he was done grabbing his things. He and I looked at each other for a minute. We pulled each other into the tightest hug ever. This might be the last time we speak or see each other. Who knows, we might see each other sooner than we think. In this world, anything can happen.
I wiped my eyes as I watched both of them walk away. I backed up towards the car as I continued to watch them. They got smaller and smaller as they walked further away from me. Smaller as they walked further out of my life. The tightness in my chest never left for the entire ride home back to the prison. I didn’t know if it would ever go away.
Don't get me wrong, I love Merle to death. But something about him leaving this time didn't affect me. I guess I just got so used to seeing him leave. Daryl and I, on the other hand, were attached at the hip. Watching him go was one of the hardest things ever. I never thought the day would come when we couldn’t be together.
An entire day passed, since Daryl left. The cellblock seemed almost empty. I didn't have to poke fun at or pal around with. I would turn to tell him something and the space next to me would be empty. It was going to be hard not to have him around.
I did try to occupy myself by preparing for the Governor to show up. We all were waiting for him to roll up to our gates. We needed to be ready for anything. We spent a lot of time gathering bullets and cleaning guns.
It was weird that we had to worry about people coming for us and not walkers. You’d think by this time, everyone would be done trying to kill each other. You’d think people would try to be helping each other.
As usual, I was trying to make myself busying. I was on the catwalk, setting up thick boards to use as a shield. It was out in the open but such a good spot to shoot from. Rick placed a few more by the door.
I looked over at him with a smile. He smiled back as he walked closer to me. I could tell he feels bad about this. He didn’t want me to have to make a choice. There was really no other way.
The night they left, he held me so tight I could barely breathe. It was like he thought I was going to break if he let go in the slightest. Carl was very happy that I didn’t leave. Carl played a big part in this too. I didn’t want him to have to go through another loss. He’s so young that I don’t want the world to already weigh him down.
Rick placed a hand on the small of my back.
“How are you doing?”
“As good as I can be. I miss Daryl.”
“I’m surprised you stayed.”
“Me too. I thought for sure I would be going with them. I just listed everything that meant something to me at the prison. The relationships I made with everyone, the kids…you. I didn’t see how leaving at a time like this would benefit anyone. Plus I’d have a stable roof over my head and a bed to sleep in.”
“Also beats listening to Merle ramble about nothing.”
“Very true. I was grateful that you knocked him unconscious.” We both laughed before looking at each other. “Rick, my blood is here. My blood is with you and everyone that is in this prison.”
To my late night scrollers, the ones that are just like me, looking for comfort and love, acceptance and a way to escape.
We all have the thing that helps us, for many of us on this site it's fanfiction. Whether it be hurt/comfort, noncon, a/b/o, friends to lovers or even the one bed trope, everyone has the fics that help us through, with the characters we dream about that make us feel loved, appreciated, wanted.
They're here, waiting for you, ready to see what adventures they're in for tonight. Ready to be your comfort, your friend, your shoulder to cry on. What will you two do tonight? They're so excited, maybe they're waiting with bated breath, ready to meet you all over again, to fall for you again, ready to relive that favorite story, you're happiest moments.
They're there, arms open, smile wide, ready for you. You're their favorite character, their favorite part of the day.
I hope you're scrolling tonight goes well, that you get what you need. I hope that tomorrow is better then today and that at some point, you wake up and don't need the comfort as much, that it's not a need anymore.
From the girl on Tumblr who wishes she could give every single one of you the love and comfort you deserve. Remember, your comfort character believes in you, and so do I.
I was 9 years old when my 3 brothers were sent off to war. At that age, I didn't understand a lot about war. I didn't know why the war began or when they were going to come back. The only thing I did understand was they might not come back. Thank god I didn't have much time to ponder it. I had to help my Aunt Polly and my older sister, Ada, run the betting business. Sure the betting as technically illegal, we needed to make money somehow.
Even with the war going on, business was still doing well. I was no longer playing with my friends, going to school or wearing dresses. I was running the books and wearing pantsuits. I felt like an adult. I was treated as an adult. I guess I didn't mind growing up fast.
My younger brother, Finn, was still off doing god knows what. He had no interest in running the business. I don't even think he could sit still to do anything here. As time went on, my brothers and I wrote to each other as much as we could. Of course, they kept all the bad things out of the letters. They wanted me to have my innocence as long as they could. I did steal Aunt Polly's letters to see what was really going on which was never anything good.
By the time I was 13, the war was officially over. The boys were coming back to us in one piece like I hoped they would. They weren't the same as they were when they left. They were tired, numb and slow. Aunt Polly warned Finn and I of this days before. They left their old selves at bootcamp.
Thomas is the most changed. His once bright blue eyes are now dull and damaged. He wore a stone expression. I could tell how he changed from his letter. In the beginning, he would write funny things or memories to make me smile. As the war went on, those diminished. His letters only reminded me that he was alive.
John's smile still remained bright even if it is fake. He still cracks jokes and has the same laugh. He is now going to have much more responsibility. His wife, Martha, died while he was away. He now has to care for his kids full time. We aren't sure if he has the patience for that.
Arthur is quiet which was unusual. His loud voice isn't echoing throughout the house anymore. He only talked when he had to. I found myself asking him questions or trying to get him to at least say something. He was desperately trying to hold onto the confident man he used to be.
Ada slowly started to back out of the business when the boys came back. She had her own ideas of her own. She was off doing her own thing. Even if it was with Tommy's now enemy. Finn was still being a kid, not noticing a difference in anything or anyone. He was 10 so what did he know?
Of course, Aunt Polly is still in charge of everyone. I don't know how that force of nature raised the 6 of us for the last 10 years. She is also still helping the boys run things around here. She's slowing easing them back into the life they once had. So far, she's doing an amazing job.
As for me, I still want to be apart of this business. I helped run it for 4 years and will continue to do so. I thought of myself as a successful business woman. At least, that's who I saw in the mirror.
