you audition for season one of stranger things, originally reading for the role of eleven. after callbacks, the duffers ask you to send in a separate tape for a character named stella. a few weeks later, you find out you got the part.
during season one, you grow close with the entire cast, but you especially bond with millie. by season two, sadie joins the show, and the three of you quickly become inseparable since you’re the only girls around the same age.
you also become very close with caleb while filming, since stella is written as his character’s love interest. (much to finn’s annoyance).
once season one wraps, you audition for IT chapter one alongside finn. after several callbacks, you’re cast as michelle, one of the losers, meaning you and finn will be filming it and stranger things season two almost back to back.
because of the overlapping schedules, you and finn spend nearly all of your time together, traveling, filming, and doing press side by side. your friendship deepens quickly, becoming comfortable and effortless.
during season three of stranger things, as you’re both older and more mature, your feelings for each other begin to shift from friendship into something more. neither of you says anything at first, but the tension is obvious.
the casts of both stranger things and IT constantly tease you, saying you’d be perfect together and that it’s only a matter of time before something happens.
it’s painfully obvious to everyone close to you that you like each other, but most fans overlook it. instead, they continue shipping you with caleb and finn with millie. (which makes both of you jealous).
near the end of filming season three, finn finally works up the courage to ask you out. you say yes, but the two of you decide to take things slow and don’t officially start dating until a few months later.
when you do start dating, you keep the relationship mostly secret, with only close friends, family, and a few castmates knowing.
during filming for season five, you both begin subtly hinting at your relationship online through matching posts, shared jokes, and quiet appearances together. still, most fans don’t notice and continue to associate you romantically with caleb.
you and finn finally hard launch your relationship at the season five premiere, showing up together and confirming everything at once. the internet immediately goes wild.
even after going public, you and finn remain extremely private, choosing to keep the most important parts of your relationship just between the two of you.
somewhere between the end of filming season 3 and before calpurnia breaks up in the end of 2019, you disguise yourself at the venue to see finn perform with his band in vancouver
off the record au masterlist
it was probably a bad idea to go knowing you'd be surrounded by a bunch of 16-year-old fangirls, but finn basically begged you to come after saying he was coming back to vancouver for a night to perform, and when he begged it was hard to say no to him. you would make it fun though and linger near the back where no one would really recognize you, plus hearing finn perform was always your favorite, especially with his whole band.
you've only seen him sing with his full band once and that was when they first started. he insisted they've grown and gotten better since their first performances two years ago.
you got to the venue early because finn wanted to spend time with you for a few hours before he had to go on. you two hadn't seen much of each other the last few weeks because he was busy doing his small tour and you were constantly between home and LA doing photoshoots for american eagle and pacsun before having to leave again next week for the filming of the newest movie you were the lead in. it was some young romcom with jaden martell playing your love interest. you were excited because you and him were close friends.
the two of you were comfortable on the small couch in his dressing room. finn was tuning his guitar, occasionally humming a small melody while he listened to what sounded off and fixing it. you were envious of how easily he could detect the wrong cord and know it was wrong.
"so how are you?" he asked, meeting your gaze with his soft one. even though you'd been dating for a few months now, you still got all blushy when he looked at you like that. "i'm good. how are you?"
"i'm good too. better now that i get to see you," he flirted and your stomach did that flip it always did when he said something cute and mushy.
"you're so cheesy. are you nervous for tonight?" you asked and he shrugged. finn never got nervous before he performed on stage and that was another thing you envied. he always had so much confidence up there and absorbed all of the attention from the fans cheering him on. "not anymore nervous than when i have to walk the red carpet," he chuckled.
"what's worse? that or this?"
"probably the red carpet because there's so many more people and i have annoying flashes going off in my face," he said.
you actually adored moments like these with finn because for a second, you two could just forget that you were actually famous actors who fans screamed over and just live in the moment where you sat with him in his little dressing room before his show like this was the normal and not being on a red carpet for an insanely famous show. it kind of made it feel like you two were just normal teenagers and you were dating a boy who was in an indie rock band and loved guitars.
"how did your photoshoots go? when do those come out?" he changed the subject to you, meeting your gaze again.
"it went well. they're probably coming out soon? it's for the fall line," you said and didn't miss how finn sported a cheesy grin, "i can't wait to walk around and see you plastered over every billboard again."
your blush was hard to hide. "i always feel so weird seeing myself like that. it feels like unreal," you admitted.
"well, you are unreal in the best way possible. it's like i get to have you everywhere i go, even when we're apart," finn cheesed. you've learned he was quite the romantic after getting together and definitely had a way with words and making your cheeks tomato red every five minutes.
he finally finished tuning his guitar and set it down on the stand which meant you had his full attention now. you watched how he pulled his hand through his curls. his purple/redish dye was slowly growing out ever since he dyed it after filming and his roots were growing back in and honestly it was your favorite look of his.
"when do you leave for LA again?" he bumped his knees with yours.
"next week on tuesday."
"fuck. i get back on wednesday," he groaned and you frowned.
"one day short. i'll only be gone for like a month though before we move back to vancouver to the film the rest, so i'll see you more then?" you tried looking on the bright side.
"a month is so long though. i haven't even seen you in two," he pretended to pout which made you shift closer to him so he could hold you. his arms were comforting as you got comfortable and rested your head on his chest. "i know. we're so busy. you're gonna be gone for ghostbusters though," you hummed.
it was so rewarding that you both had so many opportunities lined up, but it was hard not seeing each other like ever even though you lived in the same city.
"ghostbusters, stranger things press, tour, more interviews. it never ends," finn huffed. "hey, at least i can see you now and we don't need to leave until tomorrow afternoon, so i can have you all tonight and tomorrow morning," he held you tighter and pressed little kisses to the top of your head. you blushed for probably the hundredth time.
"i can't wait to see you perform. i'm so used to acoustic trailer performances," you giggled.
"oh, you're gonna love this then. we've definitely upped our game since 2017," the boy also laughed.
someone knocked on the door and you both sat up a little bit more when it slowly opened. jack, finn's bandmate, stuck his head in. he smiled when he saw you, "oh, hi y/n. finn, we're gonna do sound check in like 5."
"okay, i'll be out," finn said as the door closed again.
"you can come watch if you want," your boyfriend looked at you and you agreed.
he led you through the venue to the stage where their instruments were getting set up and some of the crew was taping down markers for microphones and playing with different lighting. you stood down in the pit, flashing a somewhat corny thumbs up when finn got to the front of the stage.
"what do you wanna hear?" he asked you.
"uh, i don't know. whatever you wanna play," you chuckled.
finn thought for a moment while his band waited for him to choose. it was like a lightbulb went off above his head because he immediately smiled and looked back at everyone else like they would just know when he started singing. you had no idea what he was going to do so you just smiled and waited.
when he started whistling you were confused until the whistling had a very specific tune and his band quickly understood what he was singing and matched the tune. you blushed a bright red knowing this was one of the songs he liked singing a lot to you and even sometimes get you to join in.
finn quickly motioned you onto the stage as he started the first verse. the other crew grinned, pushing you towards the stage as well. you climbed up where finn took your hand and pulled you to the mic to sing. you were not a singer by any means, or at least it was only a small hobby that you kept to yourself.
"man, oh man, you're my best friend i scream into the nothingness there ain't nothing that i need," you sang, smiling when finn continued.
when you got to the chorus, he pulled you in again and ayla and jack joined in for background vocals. it'd been awhile since you sang, especially into a real microphone, so you were caught off guard with your voice echoing through the building. it sounded good though and whatever the crew was doing to make it sound good was impressive.
"i'll follow you into the park through the jungle, through the dark girl, i never loved one like you," finn went into the 2nd verse and he winked at the last part.
you got into a steady rhythm and it took you back to being in his trailer late at night and you’d just starting singing this song after he strummed a few other songs on his guitar. those nights were so clear in your mind because it was only you two and it was pretty obvious you were both falling for each other back then.
“ah home, let me go home home is wherever i’m with you ah, home, let me go home home is where i’m alone with you,” the two of you finished together and finn didn’t take his eyes off of you as everyone around you cheered and praised how well your voice sounded for someone who didn’t really sing.
your heart was beating rapidly against your chest, flushing as your boyfriend pulled you into his chest and placed another kiss to your cheek. “isn’t that so much cooler with a full sound system?” he mused and you nodded.
“that was pretty cool. i’m in for a treat then later,” you chuckled and got back off the stage so they could finish sound check and make sure nothing sounded off or broken.
when they were done finn had you back in his dressing room and gushing about how you needed to sing more because you had an incredible voice. it wasn’t your thing though and you’d much rather sit and watch him sing instead.
when it was time to head out and find your spot in the back, finn dressed you in clothes that hopefully were unrecognizable to all the fans pouring into the venue. you had your hat pulled far over your head and your hair hidden underneath your jean jacket. you honestly looked pretty unsuspecting as long as no one looked at you too hard.
finn smiled and kissed you. “very convincing. i’ll look for you,” he said.
“those girls are gonna start wondering who you’re looking at if you look too hard,” you teased, adjusting your hat.
“i’ll let them wonder. see you back here after?” he asked and you nodded.
you snuck out the back way and through a side hallway that was hopefully not too noticeable as you joined the crowds trying to get a good spot.
a lot of the girls there were pretty busy taking photos and getting a good spot in the pit to really notice you or look hard at your appearance. your phone buzzed in your pocket.
finn
i love you ❤️
you look good in my jacket
tell me if anyone bothers you i have the crew keeping an eye too
you smiled at his texts. he was always so sweet and worrisome when it came to you and your comfort level. it was endearing knowing he cared so much because honestly a lot of guys didn’t. you quickly texted back before stuffing your phone back into your pocket.
it was a bit funny to see all of the girls lining barricade with signs just so finn would notice them. sometimes he’d have fun and entertain them, and not that you were extremely jealous or anything, but there were times you wished you could be front row like that and show everyone who finn actually was dating.
your secret, private relationship was thrilling though and honestly if people knew, that’d make things even more crazier.
the band came out thirty minutes later and the crowd went crazy. the only sound was probably the screams of all the teenage girls in the audience. you chuckled, sticking near the back like you said. finn was all smiley and looking his confident self whenever he was on stage.
they opened with their first debut song city boy and as finn sang he kept continuously making eye contact with you in the back. it was like he was singing directly to you and he probably was. you smiled, glad that it was dark enough to conceal your blush.
finn jumped around on stage with jack and you couldn’t help your little giggles seeing him look so carefree up there. you even started dancing around too with some of the girls in the back and good thing it was too dark to clearly see your face as you swung around with them.
in between their own songs, they added in some covers which also made the girls in the audience go crazy. finn smiled at their posters and waved into their cameras. he truly was a natural up there.
“alright, so we’re gonna slow this one down a little bit. for anyone who has a special someone here or back home, this one’s for you guys,” finn looked directly at you. you flushed while the girls up front cheered and probably wondered who he could be talking about.
with the first few cords on the guitar, you also immediately knew which song he was playing and the fans also picked up on it quickly. they screamed, trying to reach for finn or one of other band members, but all finn was looking at was you as he started with the lyrics from jason mraz.
you knew these definitely weren’t the songs finn usually sang or were even into, but he still sang them for you and it was probably one of the most romantic things he could do at a concert.
“well, you done, done me in, you belt i felt it i tried to be chill, but you’re so hot that i melted i fell right through the cracks now i’m trying to get back.”
finn’s gaze never left yours from where you stood in the back gently swaying to the song and blushing from inside out. the other fans had brought up their flashlights and you quickly got your phone out to capture a photo of the moment.
you definitely knew people would be online later posting these videos and wondering who he was staring at and singing about, but right now you couldn’t care because you had a boy singing his heart out on stage all for you.
when finn made it to the 2nd verse people started joining in and the whole entire venue was singing not even minutes later. you couldn’t help yourself as you sang and let the girls around you swing you around and pretend to slow dance.
“so please don’t, please don’t, please don’t there’s no need to complicate ‘cause our time is short this, oh, this, oh, this is our fate i’m yours,” finn finished and the crowd cheered. you cheered yourself too and finn sent a quick wink in your direction before getting back into the rest of the concert.
when the band took their final bow an hour later you snuck through the back hallway where finn quickly collected you into his arms, a warm, excited smile on his lips. he kissed you, adrenaline high like it always was after he finished a concert. “that was so good. thanks for the song,” you cheered.
“of course. i gotta do something when you’re in the crowd,” he kept his hand around your waist as you walked back to the dressing rooms with everyone. you finally shed your disguise now that you weren’t hiding from fans. “did anyone recognize you?” finn asked and you shook your head.
“actually, no. i even danced with some of the girls in the back and they had no idea,” you giggled.
“i saw. that’s quite surprising actually,” the boy chuckled too as he also changed into a different shirt after getting sweaty in the one he was originally wearing.
“i know, but it was pretty dark back there and i think they were just too excited to even really know who i was. it was fun though. invite me again sometime,” you cheesed. finn pinched your chin, a soft smile on his lips as he kissed you, “you could come to calgary with us tomorrow.”
“tempting, but i’m booked the rest of the week,” it was worth the ask though. finn sighed but hugged you before packing his stuff up to load into their van. “mom said she has food back at the house for us if we’re hungry,” you read your texts.
“your mom is an angel,” your boyfriend grinned and you laughed.
he got the last of his things together and you helped the band get their stuff into their van. you hugged ayla, jack, and malcom tight while congratulating them on a good show. they wished finn goodnight and took off to the hotel while finn went with you back to your house.
it was a quiet, but peaceful ride out of the city and into the suburbs of vancouver. your mom always waited up for you and she grinned when you and finn walked through the door.
“hi finny, it’s good to see you again,” she always called him finny. he hugged her. “hi thanks for letting me crash tonight.”
“of course. you’re always welcome. i have food in the kitchen,” she said and you thanked her as you and finn went to see what it was.
“so you’d definitely come again?” finn asked from across the counter as you reheated the soup.
“definitely. that was really fun and i felt special knowing i was the one you were singing to,” you smiled.
finn flushed, “i wonder if anyone’s saying anything online.”
he pulled out his phone to probably look at twitter. you peeked over his shoulder as he scrolled his feed. most of it was just praise upon praise over the awesome performance and how good their stage presence was. you got to a video of finn singing “i’m yours.”
“some are wondering who i was singing to,” he chuckled as he scrolled the comments.
“do any of them have an idea?” you asked.
“not really. some are just thinking i had a special girl hiding in the audience which is true. i did,” finn met your gaze and you blushed, hiding your face in his arm.
“they really love you,” you hummed. finn put his phone down and turned you into his arms, tilting your gaze up to his again.
everyone saying finn wolfhard’s music is bad but i’m lowk convinced it’s just not reaching the right audience— like ofc his straight fangirls don’t want to listen to his mopey bedroom indie midwest emo ahh songs
The Ides of March, painted in 1883 by the British artist Sir Edward John Poynter, is a dramatic history painting that captures the chilling tension of Act II, Scene II from William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. The scene is set in a grand, dimly lit Roman palace on the eve of Caesar’s assassination. In the foreground, Julius Caesar and his wife Calpurnia stand with their backs to the viewer; Calpurnia is shown in a state of distress, urgently gesturing toward the dark, stormy sky where a bright comet streaks across the horizon—a celestial omen that she believes foretells her husband's death.
Poynter masterfully uses light and shadow to heighten the sense of impending doom. To the left, a bust of Caesar is illuminated from below, casting a towering, ghostly shadow against the wall that visually mimics his imminent downfall. The architectural precision of the polished marble floors and massive columns creates a sense of cold, imperial weight, contrasting with the vulnerability of the two figures. This masterpiece, currently held at the Manchester Art Gallery, serves as a powerful visual representation of the intersection between political power, supernatural warnings, and personal tragedy.
