#1.9k

[newvehiclefees]

[laverte]

Shadows of Hawkins: Initialed in Ink and Blood

— Nancy Wheeler has been claiming you since 1979. You’re just now noticing.

Pairing: Nancy Wheeler x gn!Reader (slow-burn, ultra-possessive!Nancy, oblivious!Reader, heavy mutual pining) Word Count: 1,900 Warnings: canon-typical violence/gore, blood, injury, possessive jealousy, near-death experiences, grief, season 1–4 spoilers, no smut, no full confession (but it’s razor-thin) Summary: You’ve been Nancy’s since she wrote her initials on your wrist in seventh grade. Robin and Max are here to make sure you finally read the contract. A/N: Second-person, 100 % canon-compliant timeline + you in the Party from S1. Max lives, Robin is the chaotic translator, Nancy is a walking “touch them and die” sign. No beta, we die like Barb.

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You meet Nancy Wheeler in September 1979, seventh-grade art class at Hawkins Middle. She catches you pocketing her cerulean crayon and, instead of snitching, grabs your left wrist, uncaps a black Sharpie with her teeth, and scrawls N.W. in perfect block letters across the inside of your forearm. “Mine now,” she says, blowing on the ink to dry it. The teacher calls it defacement. You wear long sleeves for a week until the letters fade to gray ghosts. Nancy redraws them every Monday before homeroom. You think it’s a game. It’s not.

Eighth grade, fall 1980. You eat lunch under the bleachers, trading her mom’s lemon bars for your peanut-butter crackers. When Tommy H. tries to sit on your free side, Nancy slides her tray over and plants her knee against yours. “Taken,” she says, voice sweet, eyes sharp. Barb Holland joins in October, red hair and dry wit. The three of you become a unit, but Nancy’s hand always finds yours first. Sleepovers start in November: you on the floor, Nancy on the bed, her blanket draped over you both by morning. “You kicked,” she mumbles when you wake tangled together. You grin, oblivious.

November 6, 1983 – freshman year, Will Byers vanishes after D&D at the Wheeler house. Mike drags you into the AV club the next day because “Nancy says you can pick any lock with a paperclip.” You’re in the Wheeler basement at midnight on November 7, mapping Mirkwood on graph paper. Nancy’s fingers bruise your wrist when the lights flicker. “Stay where I can see you.” The Demogorgon crashes through the Byers’ wall on November 12. You swing a metal lunch tray; Nancy unloads Jonathan’s .38. Blood spatters your faces. In the Wheeler bathroom she scrubs it off your cheek with a washcloth, knuckles white. “Never again,” she whispers. You blame the adrenaline.

December 10, 1983 – the Snow Ball. Steve Harrington spins Nancy under the gym lights. You stand by the punch bowl pretending the cup is fascinating. She ditches him at 9:47 p.m., finds you on the curb, coat half-zipped. “Dance with me.” “We’re outside.” “Then dance outside.” Snow falls; her mittened hands clutch your jacket like lifelines. Carol Perkins whispers “Wheeler’s guard dog.” Nancy hears. Carol transfers schools in January.

October 31, 1984 – sophomore year, the Mind Flayer possesses Will. You’re on dart-tranq duty in the Byers’ living room on November 3, syringe full of horse sedative. Billy Hargrove corners you in the hallway, breath hot with cologne. “Wheeler’s little shadow—” Nancy appears, nail bat raised. “Touch them and I’ll cave your skull in.” Billy smirks but retreats. Max Mayfield—new stepsister, skateboard, attitude—watches from the kitchen. “Your girlfriend’s intense,” she mutters. You choke on air. That night demodogs swarm the junkyard. Nancy shoves you behind the bus, body shielding yours. “Mine,” she growls into your ear. You blame the cold.

June 28, 1985 – junior year, Starcourt Mall opens. Scoops Ahoy is HQ by July 1. Robin Buckley decodes the Russian transmission; you keep Dustin from licking the tape. Nancy’s eyes track every time Robin’s hand brushes yours. When Robin high-fives you after cracking the code, Nancy wedges herself between you. “Strategy meeting.” Robin salutes. “Yes, Chief.” July 3, the hospital basement: a flayed rat explodes, claw raking your forearm. Nancy drags you behind a gurney, rips her cardigan into strips, ties the tourniquet so tight you see stars. “You don’t bleed for anyone but me,” she hisses. Max skates up, pale. “Is this normal?” Nancy’s glare silences her.

July 4, 1985 – the roof. Fireworks bloom; Nancy’s head on your shoulder. Robin and Steve bet twenty bucks on when Nancy will snap. Max, bandaged from Billy’s possession, leans over. “She’s gonna tattoo her name on you.” Nancy’s fingers dig into your hip hard enough to bruise.

March 21, 1986 – senior year, Vecna. Chrissy Cunningham dies in Eddie Munson’s trailer. Max is target two—nosebleeds, headaches, Dear Billy letter by March 22. You’re with her at the cemetery on March 24 when the first vision hits. Nancy bursts through the gate, shotgun cocked. “Step back.” Max, gasping, wheezes, “She’s talking to the demon, not me.” March 25, the attic bait plan: you volunteer your favorite song. Nancy loses it. “Over my dead body.” She shoves you behind her, shotgun trembling. “You don’t sacrifice for Max, for Eddie, for anyone.” Max, plugged into Kate Bush, mutters, “She’s scarier than Vecna.”

March 27, 1986 – Reefer Rick’s boathouse. You bring Eddie Pop-Tarts and play Master of Puppets to calm him. Nancy walks in on you laughing at his air-guitar. Temperature drops. “We’re leaving.” She drags you by the belt loop. Eddie whistles. “Territorial much?” Max, guarding the door, snorts. “Understatement.” March 29, the War Zone: Nancy loads your shotgun first, fingers lingering on every shell. “Eyes on me.” Robin pretends to gag. “Get a room, Wheeler.” Nancy flips her off without looking.

March 30, 1986 – Creel house attic. Vines snare your ankle. Nancy saws through them with a hunting knife, screaming your name like a war cry. Max’s heart stops at 9:17 p.m. Nancy tackles you to the floor, sobbing into your chest. “Don’t you dare leave me.” Robin hauls you both up, muttering, “Codependent much?”

April 1, 1986 – Hawkins splits. The Party camps in the high-school gym. Max claims the cot beside yours; Nancy appears with an air mattress and wedges it between. “She needs rest,” she says. Max smirks. “Sure, mom.” Robin stages an intervention at 2 a.m. with stolen Jell-O. “Nancy’s one step from branding you. Talk to her.” You blink. “We’re best friends.” Robin and Max exchange looks that could curdle milk.

That night Nancy crawls into your sleeping bag without asking. “Nightmare.” You let her. She traces every scar—demodog claw, Russian blade, Vecna vine. “These are mine,” she whispers. “You’re mine.” You fall asleep to her heartbeat against your spine. Robin takes polaroids. Max labels them Evidence.

May 24, 1986 – Lover’s Lake picnic, senior skip day. Steve grills; Robin DJs. Max challenges you to chicken fights. You win. She tackles you in celebration. Nancy’s there in a flash, hauling you out by the waist. “Careful,” she snaps. Max grins. “Relax, she’s not porcelain.” Nancy’s grip bruises. Robin yells, “Twenty bucks says murder!”

May 30, 1986 – graduation eve, the quarry. You’re skipping rocks when Nancy finds you in her cap and gown, curls escaping her mortarboard. “Seventh grade,” she says. “I wrote my name on you.” “Still there in Sharpie scars.” She steps close, lake wind whipping her hair. “I’m done pretending.” Your heart slams. “Nance—” “I’ve watched you bleed for Max, laugh with Eddie, let Robin hug you—and I’m done sharing.” Her hands fist your shirt. “You’ve been mine since art class. Say it.”

You swallow. “I’ve been yours since art class.”

She kisses you like the world’s ending—because it might be. Teeth clash, breath mingles, four years of mine igniting. When you break apart, breathless, she rests her forehead against yours. “About damn time,” Max whoops from the shore. Robin wolf-whistles. Nancy flips them both off without breaking eye contact. “Mine,” she whispers again, softer. You laugh into her mouth. The Upside Down can wait.

---

Authors Note:

So I tried a slightly different writing style, do lmk if yall like this or want me to try something different. 🩷

[asmilinghopelessromantic]

Colin, smugly sitting backwards on his son's future study's chair: so you fell in love with two people who are actually the same person?

Benedict, deadpan: you hated Lady Whistle-

Colin: MOVING ON

Colin: as I was saying, I do have some experience with this type of situation

Benedict: you moped and brooded so much that I thought Anthony came back early

Colin: AS I WAS SAYING

Penelope, writing in the corner: nice one, Benedict

Colin, glared at his wife with no real heat behind his eyes: while I didn't react well-

Penelope: understatement of the century

Colin: DAMNIT, PEN, DO HAVE ADVICE FOR HIM

Penelope: in fact, I do, because you spent too long rubbing into your brother's face, I'll be happy to get the point as time is a bit of the essence

Penelope: Benedict, you feel betrayed but imagine your life without her

Benedict: I can't. She is engrained in my soul.

Penelope: then I suggest you hightail out of here to go get your wife. Talk with her, listen to her, and she'll listen to you.

*Benedict scrambles to the study door*

Penelope: wait, one last thing. She doesn't need someone to save her, just love and support her

Benedict, giving Penelope a kiss on her cheek: thank you, sister

Benedict after Colin clears his throat: thank you, Penelope's husband

[glumbugg]

this post brought to u by aether's arms

[myonlyangel13]

This is unbelievable and so satisfying. Thanks a lot mwah

[collectivecloseness]

Imagen being in like a abandoned place with Steve and a demodog is running after him and you're nowhere near that and you just hear Steve scream your name so you try as fast as possible to get to him and you straight up just tackle it to the ground ans somehow kill it (I don't remember how they did that) and just go "are you okay?" And Steve is in complete shock and is like wdym am I okay are YOU okay

Steve Harrington x reader

Steve used to not call for anyone’s help. He didn’t think anyone would, or should, care for Steve specifically enough. He wasn’t anyone’s main priority. That they shouldn’t waste effort, when he deserved some pain. Not when it could risk others getting hurt. Even though, in his heart, he knew his friends would be fine, even if they did risk some to come help him. Because his friends were strong, better than him in a lot of aspects. Mostly, Steve Harrington just didn’t think he was worth it.

But now he has you. You changed all of that for him.

“Y/N!” Steve screamed, yelling as he lay helplessly under the demodog, one thick piece of bark, a branch the monster had smashed off of a tree while trying to attack Steve, wedged between its teeth of its awful split open face, that Steve was holding with all his strength. His arms trembling as he tried to hold the beast at arms length, and it kept ravaging through the wood.

Steve was trying to kick it from below, but it was only making it angrier. Steve couldn’t go anywhere, it’d already chased him down. He was stuck on the floor, landing a kick to its stomach, but only making the sounds from above his face more traumatising. As it’s disgusting drool, and blood from who knows what, dripped down Steve’s neck, agonisingly slowly.

Steve could feel in his throat like he was crying, but no tears ever came. Blood from other gashes of the night seared, as Steve thrashed against the floor. It’s rows of teeth gnashed against the side of Steve’s wrist, as he forced the bark into its mouth, Steve’s heart pounding in his ears, too loudly for him to hear any other monsters around.

“Y/N!!!” Steve screamed again. Loudly yelling for you. Feeling that pain in his throat once more. It was the only thing Steve could think to say. Now he knew to call you for help. He knew that you’d come help him. And a feared groan left his lips, as he tried kicking at the beast one more time. His body position awkward, arms strained and wobbling, and the monster further up his body, clawed feet right by Steve’s chest, and pushing down on that stick harder, as a sob shot out Steve’s throat. All his muscles tensed, his body still fighting, thrashing, those few seconds after he’d screamed your name.

The beasts face was right over Steve’s the entire time, who was sunk on the floor. And then, it’s head just got bigger. As it’s face exploded somehow more, a chilling shriek roared through it, while Steve yelled in terror, right under the demodog’s body.

Suddenly, a foot was under the demodog’s ‘jaw’, and kicking strongly upwards. The creature was shot to the floor, stick lodged in its mouth, leaving Steve vulnerable.

Until that same dark boot, stomped on the demodogs neck. A sickening crunch was heard, as the creature became limp, twitching. Steve looked up, as he saw you stomp yet again on the things neck, twisting your foot until the crunching sound was stomach churning. And until it’s neck, became just as limp, as it’s lifeless body.

As Steve managed to sit up, panting, he just stared at you. You were sweating, panting hair away from the edges of your face. Your chest heaving, as you gave a kick to the things body, a gruff blowing past your lips... and exuding power.

When you see Steve on the floor, you entire demeanour changes. And worry floods through your face, and body. You run over to him, crouching by his side, your hands reaching out for Steve’s at the same time his do.

“Are you okay?!” You help him up by his hand, holding his wrist as you get Steve steady on his feet. As soon as he was up, as Steve was in front of you, alive, your mind overran with anxiety and relief at the same time. You checked Steve’s face by cupping it, feeling his heated cheeks beneath your hands, covered in a sticky layer of sweat. As he just stared at you, eyes so soft. Your boy so soft, still.

Your hands cupped his neck, then raced to lay over his chest, where you could feel his heart beating strongly against it. Holding his ribs, his waist. Your eyes checking his body all over for any new injuries, his face for emotional pain, while your free hand supported his back. Both finally resting over his shoulders when Steve placed his on yours, and you heard your boyfriend finally speak up, alright.

Steve was breathless. Having to catch up on what happened, what he’d just seen. What he’d seen you do, after you came to save him. His eyes were wild, blinking madly. “Are you okay?!?” He repeated. Unsure how you even could be after... after that!

“Yeah.” You panted, nodding as you sucked a quick breath in, having to swallow before you could speak again. But both of you slightly more natural now you knew each other was safe, in your hands. “I was just with Nancy and Robin and- I heard you so I came. What happened? Did it bite you? Are you okay?” You were still worriedly checking over him, just a little less frantically this time. You saw the new small mark on his wrist, but Steve took both of your wrists up into his hands before you could react. “Yeah I’m okay. Promise.” Steve brought your hands up to his face, kissing them.

Only then could you breathe. The touch doing amazing things to calm you. As well as looking into Steve eyes, properly. Not just a check, not looking at the corpse of some upside down monster you just murdered, but looking straight into your loves, always warm, eyes.

Clearly what was on your mind was on his too, because you both reached to hug each other at the same time. Steve held you tight, and you gripped onto him like you never wanted to let go again. What a stupid idea to split up, you hated Steve’s ideas, you’d never let him have an idea again! You hugged him closer.

For just a few seconds, Steve could feel you grasping onto him with all your might, as if you’d never leave his side again. Not just out of desperation, and love, but strength, and protection. Safe, because you were holding onto him. And Steve could rest his face against yours. Breathing you in. Breathing, because of you, in so many ways. Just drinking in your scent, and feeling your head bob his own with your heavy breath, your skin so hot under his, as he squeezed his arms just that much tighter around you, arms still shaking from effort. One dry tear finally slipped.

When Steve pulled back, his face had grown unsure again, ever constantly worried. His fingers reached over to flick some hair over your shoulder, his hands still staying securely around you though. “Are you sure? No weapon or anything. I mean, you just used your foot.” Steve could not comprehend how you’d just kicked that monstrous’s creatures jaw, somehow finding ‘it’ with a face like that, and broken its neck, and somehow that plan worked, and you were totally fine? Steve was often scared the universe would never let you be fine, if only to punish him.

“Yeah maybe I should’ve,” brought a weapon in case, you meant, “but I just acted fast! And I guess that was good enough this time.” You couldn’t bring yourself to smile, but you nodded supportively. A tilt to your head accompanying your higher pitched voice as you half shrugged to your boyfriend, pleading eyes almost for him to just agree with you in this case. “At least it was a little one!”

“A- a little one!” Steve was shocked.

Your face drained. “Not that I’m saying you were-!”

“No no I get that. But babe, don’t undersell yourself.” Steve gripped your shoulders differently this time, and god were you glad to feel some of his strength coming back into him. And see that rush on his face that you were sure yours was beginning to match. “That was- a literal monster!”

You laugh, it just bursts out your lungs. You weren’t even sure you were gonna do it, but a wide smile was cracking on your face, and a laugh shot out of Steve too, and- oh. Had your heart been going that fast this entire time?

But then a screech permeated the air, and both your heads shot into the small woods behind you, in the clearing of picnic benches you stood at.

Your heads turned from behind, to each other, both pairs of hands still holding biceps and shoulders from your hug. Steve looked at you, and that worry was clear again. Something much deeper under his brown eyes, as you both took in what the sound of that screech meant, and you knew you’d need to handle it. Looking at him this way, knowing he was going straight into battle without a show of fear, but from that look in his eyes when that shriek rang out, you knew you’d definitely be talking about his traumas with him once this was all over.

Steve pulled you in closer, one arm bringing you in front of his chest, as his eyes flickered between the source of the sound, and the dead creature that could have been him a few feet away. “C’mon. We need to get back to Robin and Nance, make sure they’re okay.” He planned out, rubbing your shoulder up and down, even though it wasn’t a particularly cold evening.

You agreed, taking Steve’s hand, mostly to give and share some comfort, as he pulled you in close. Both of you hurrying towards where you’d left Robin and Nancy, keeping an eye out for any movement in the clearing as you did so.

You picked up one not heavy enough to be cumbersome, but possibly useful, rock, and Steve kept a look out for anything else. Even though that branch had been from a body slam of a demodog, and even it had barely detered the creature, he could do with something in his hands, so he could protect you, and himself. At least until he got back to his trusty bat, which he’s sure Robin or Nancy must’ve found by now.

But Steve looked at you, almost flexing that rock like a weight, your eyes so focused, yet still holding his hand, as you both traipsed back to your meeting point. And as Steve recalled the memory of you clearing that demodog... Steve suddenly realised why you’d once joked he looked sexy sweating and covered in blood. The power definitely wowed him.

And, even though Steve would never put you in harms way first, he also wouldn’t mind seeing it again. At least he knew, like you’d told him so many times, and like he was yet again assured as you kept his hand entwined and close, that he could count on screaming at the top of his lungs, and calling you for help. That you’d be there for him. Always.

And that you’d annihilate anything that tried to harm Steve with your bare fucking teeth if given the chance.

[babeydollx]

1.9k Followers

omg guys, I cannot believe I am this close to 2k followers! this is just honestly so fucking crazy to me, I never thought I would ever make it this far. I am so thankful for all of you and I have no idea how I would've got here without all of you. I am planning something special for 2k so stay tuned! <3

I love you guys sm! <3

[samwinchestercaps]