The Excitement Is Real!

This is the single greatest gift ever. Gifted to me by my partner in front of my mother! Also my Canolli's were a hit. Sonny would be proud.

Sonny Carisi question

Does Sonny speak Italian? We know he speaks Spanish we've heard that. Sonny is Italian-American so I want to assume he does. I'm working on my Barba x Reader, the reader is Carisi's youngest sister and I was thinking I would have them have little secret sibling conversations in Italian. I speak fluent Italian, French and Spanish so incorporating it would be no issue I just don't want to use it if Sonny doesn't speak Italian.

Meeting the Firefam

Eddie x reader

~1600 words

Warnings: epileptic reader. Hopefully accurately portrayed.

You parked in front of the station and turned off the ignition. Taking one final deep breath, you pushed the door open and stepped out. You didn't know why you were so nervous. Meeting Eddie’s coworkers shouldn't seem so frightening.

What if they hated you? What if they told him to break up with you? You knew they were more like family to him than just coworkers. Their opinions mattered a lot. You had only been dating him a little over a month but you had fallen hard. You really couldn't imagine your life without him and Chris and even Carla.

You needed them to like you.

Making your way inside, you quickly spotted Eddie as he approached. You greeted him with a kiss before he pulled you into a hug.

“Hey, you. How was traffic?” He asked.

You shrugged. “Normal. Slow.” Eddie knew it was your least favorite part about LA.

“I think lunch is almost ready. You ready to meet everyone?”

“No.” You wrapped your hands around his bicep as he started walking toward the trucks.

He leaned over and kissed your temple. “I told you they’re going to love you. You have nothing to worry about.” He pulled you along with him towards Buck and another firefighter beside the truck.

Buck smiled when he spotted you. “Hey, Y/N. Glad you finally decided to come have lunch with us.”

“Hi, Buck. Someone has been persistent.” You looked at Eddie just in time to catch his shrug.

“Y/N, this is Ravi.” Eddie introduced.

Ravi lifted his hand for you to shake. “Nice to finally meet you.”

“You too.”

Eddie pulled you away towards the stairs that led to the loft. You couldn't help but look around at everything. “This is a beautiful building.”

Eddie nodded. “I agree. It's my favorite station in the city.”

You had barely made it to the top of the stairs before you were being engulfed in hugs. “Oh, uh, hi.”

Eddie chuckled. “This is Hen and Chimney.”

“We are so excited to finally meet you. Eddie here won't shut up about you,” Chimney said.

You glanced at Eddie, catching him trying to hide his blush. “I don't talk about her that much,” he argued.

“Constantly,” Hen mouthed at you with a grin.

Next, Eddie led you over to the kitchen. “And this is Cap.”

The man in front of the stove wiped his hands on a dish towel before reaching out for a handshake. “It's Bobby.”

“Nice to meet you. It smells amazing in here.”

Bobby smiled. “Well, thank you. This will be done in a few minutes. Eddie, can you grab everyone down stairs?”

“On it.” Eddie pointed to the couches. “You can make yourself comfortable over there.”

Within ten minutes, everyone was getting settled at the table. Eddie took your hand to pull you up from the couch. As he pulled out a chair for you, you suddenly felt your left arm go numb.

“Oh no.” You mumbled. You reached out towards Eddie as your knees buckled and the world around you disappeared.

Eddie was quick to catch you before you could hit the ground. “Woah. Y/N?” When you didn't open your eyes he slowly lowered you to the floor. Seconds later you were convulsing violently. Eddie couldn't help but to just stare at you in shock.

Chim was on the floor beside Eddie a second later. “Eddie, we got her.”

“I'll grab a med kit,” Hen announced as she ran for the stairs.

Chimney kept you rolled on your side. Bobby stepped closer to pull Eddie away. “They need room to work.”

Eddie tried to resist. “I should help.”

Buck stepped beside his best friend to keep him out of the way.

Bobby stepped towards you and grabbed your foot, pulling off your shoe. “Medical alert. Epilepsy.” He pointed at the shoelace tag as he looked towards Eddie.

Eddie shook his head. “I didn't know. Why didn't she tell me?”

Hen returned with a monitor and med kit and Chim filled her in. “Epilepsy. Let's just give it a minute.”

Eddie pushes past Buck and sat down on the ground by your head. He whispered soft reassurances in case you could hear him.

Chim pulled a pulse ox monitor out of the med kit and clipped it on your finger.

“She's barely breathing,” Eddie pointed out. He knew that was common with seizures but still couldn't help the mild panic he felt.

“That's normal,” Hen reminded him. She started to attach an oxygen mask to the tank she’d carried upstairs just in case.

Next, Chim started to attach cardiac leads to your chest. Once he'd finished, they waited for the seizure to stop.

“That's five minutes,” Bobby pointed out.

Hen and Chim sighed as they locked eyes with each other. “Alright, let's push Ativan,” Chim said.

“I'll start an IV,” Hen announced. “Eddie can you hold her arm?” He did as asked, trying to hold your arm as still as possible without hurting you. “I'm in.”

Chim pushed the meds he'd drawn up as soon as IV was secured. It took about another twenty seconds for the seizure to finally stop.

Everyone let out a relieved breath. Eddie pushed some hair back behind your ear.

“Let's get her loaded up and to the hospital,” Chimney broke the momentary silence.

Hen nodded. “I'll go radio dispatch and get ready.”

Within five minutes you were loaded into the ambulance with Eddie and Chim beside you as Hen shifted into drive.

“Ugh.” You groaned a few minutes later. “N-no hospital,” you mumbled out fighting your grogginess.

Eddie ran his hand over your head. “Yes, hospital.”

You huffed, frustrated you can't get the words out to explain. “E-epi–”

“We know about your epilepsy, we found your alert tag,” Eddie interrupted. “Sweetheart, your seizure lasted almost six minutes. Hen and Chim had to push meds to stop it. You have to go in.”

Your eyebrows rose in surprise. Suddenly you were glad you'd been with them for lunch and not alone at home. You knew he was right and allowed yourself to relax. “Tired.”

Eddie pressed a kiss to your knuckles. “That's the medicine. You can sleep.”

You nodded as your eyes drifted closed. You weren't sure you could have stayed awake even if you'd tried.

A few hours later, you were finally settled into a room after being poked and prodded. They had run all kinds of tests trying to figure out what might have caused the long seizure.

“Anything I can get for you?” the nurse asked.

You shook your head as you shifted in an attempt to find a comfortable position. Every muscle was sore.

“Okay. I'll let your visitors know they can come in now, if that's alright with you,” the nurse says as she walks toward the door.

“Visitors? Plural?” You ask surprised.

“You have a whole herd of firefighters waiting out there for you,” she explains.

“Oh, wow. Could you just send Eddie in for now?”

She smiles kindly. “Of course, honey.”

Eddie pushes the door open not five minutes later. He pulls up a chair and takes your hand in his, careful to avoid your IV line.

“Hi,” you greeted

“Hi. How ya feeling?” He asked.

“Kinda like someone put me through a blender.”

He chuckled and nodded. “You scared me. I'm just glad Bobby noticed your medical alert tag.”

“I'm sorry,” you sighed. “This is definitely not how I planned to tell you about my epilepsy.”

He locks eyes with you. “So you were planning to tell me.” He looks annoyed or maybe hurt that you hadn't already told him.

“Eventually.” You drop your gaze to the bed. “It's not exactly an easy conversation. It's caused a few break ups over the years.”

“What do you mean?” He looks genuinely confused.

“I'm too much to deal with. No one wants to deal with seizures,” you try to explain. “And you already have to deal with sick people all day at work. I'm sure the last thing you want to do is deal with the same at home.” You sniffle. “I'll understand if you want out now.”

“Y/N,” Eddie said, placing a finger under your chin to make you look at him. “I love you. This could never change that. Any guy who dumped you because of this is an asshole.”

Tears rolled down your face before you were suddenly sobbing, relief washing over you in waves.

Eddie moved quickly to sit beside you on the bed. Pulling you into his side and shishing you softly.

You had been so worried about telling him for so long. “I-I'm sorry. I should have told you.” You sniffled harshly. “I should have known you'd accept this part of me.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. I know now. That's all that matters.”

Eventually you calmed down but you were beyond exhausted. “Hey, isn't everyone still out there waiting?”

“Yeah.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I'll text them that you're okay and let them know they can head home.”

Placing a hand over his screen, you shook your head. “No. I want to see them.”

“You need to rest,” he argued. “They can come back tomorrow or we can go to the station if you're discharged.”

“Just a quick visit. Please? Fifteen minutes.”

Sighing, he stood from where he was still perched on the bed. “Ten.”

“Deal.”

A Well Kept Secret

Spencer Reid x fem!reader

1.3k word count

Summary You and Spencer have been in a secret relationship for a year. When you unexpectedly become pregnant it becomes harder to keep that secret.

fluff

Warnings none

Part 2

The suffocating fluorescent lights of the apartment were a welcome change from the sterile white of the doctor's office. Relief washed over You as you closed the door behind you, the positive pregnancy test clutched tight in your sweaty hand. Today was the day you'd tell Spencer.

Your little secret – the apartment you shared just a few blocks from the office – felt like the perfect place to break the news. Stepping into the dimly lit haven, you called out, "Honey, I'm home!"

The sounds of rustling papers filtered from the living room. Spencer emerged; a pair of reading glasses perched precariously on his nose. A tired smile spread across his face as he saw you. "Y/N! You're back early."

"Yeah," you said, you voice uncharacteristically small. "There's something I need to tell you."

Spencer's brow furrowed. He set his papers down and walked towards you, his concern evident. You took a deep breath, you heart pounding a frantic rhythm against your ribs.

"So, remember how I wasn't feeling well and left work early yesterday?" you started, your gaze flickering around the room before settling back on him.

"Of course," Spencer said, his brow furrowing further. "Everything okay?"

"The doctor figured out why I've been feeling so..." you hesitated, a shy smile playing on your lips.

Spencer reached out, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from your cheek. "So? Why have you been feeling so...?"

"We're going to be parents, Spence," You blurted out, the words tumbling over each other in a rush.

Spencer froze, his glasses slipping down his nose slightly. The colour drained from his face, replaced by a mixture of shock and something that looked suspiciously like fear.

"Pregnant?" he finally managed, his voice barely a whisper.

You reached out, taking his hand in yours. It was cold and clammy. "Yeah," you said softly. "A month and a half."

Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. You could almost hear Spencer's mind racing, cataloguing the implications, the potential career consequences.

"But... but what about work?" he finally choked out. "No one knows we live together, let alone..."

You squeezed his hand gently. "I know, Spence. But they don't need to know everything, do they? We can figure this out, together."

A flicker of hope ignited in Spencer's eyes. He looked at you, a hesitant smile gracing his lips. "Together?"

"Of course," You said, a warmth spreading through your chest. "We're in this together, you and me. We always have been, even if no one else knows it."

Spencer pulled you into a tight embrace, burying his face in your hair. Relief and a touch of nervous excitement mingled in the air of your secret haven. The future was uncertain, but for now, you had each other, and that was all that truly mattered.

The morning commute was a blur. You sat beside Spencer in the passenger seat, the weight of the previous night's conversation heavy in the silence. You stole a glance at him. His brow was furrowed in concentration, fingers drumming a nervous rhythm on the steering wheel.

You knew his reservations stemmed from your hidden relationship, the unspoken pact you'd made to navigate the professional world without letting your personal lives interfere. Now, the carefully constructed barrier threatened to crumble with the news of your baby.

"You okay, Spence?" you finally asked, your voice breaking the tense silence.

Spencer startled, then let out a shaky breath. "Yeah, just thinking." He shot you a quick, worried smile. "About everything, I guess."

You understood. This wasn't just about a baby; it was about a complete overhaul of your carefully constructed world. Your secret apartment, your stolen moments of normalcy, all of it would have to be re-evaluated.

"We'll figure it out," you said, reaching out to squeeze his hand. The touch seemed to ground him, a silent reassurance in the face of the unknown.

He offered a small smile back, his grip tightening on yours for a brief moment before he focused back on the road.

The rest of the ride was filled with a comfortable silence. As you pulled up to the familiar brick facade of the FBI headquarters, You couldn't help but feel a pang of apprehension. Today wasn't just any day at the office; it was the day your carefully constructed world would begin to shift, one way or another.

Stepping into the bullpen, a familiar buzz of activity greeted them. Morgan was already at his desk, barking into a phone, while JJ, Garcia and Emily chatted by the coffee pot. You offered weak smiles, your mind preoccupied with how to navigate the coming day.

Settling into your own workspace, you found yourself lost in a case file, the words blurring before your eyes. Every few minutes, you'd glance up at Spencer, who sat across from you, his brow furrowed in concentration as he worked on a profile. Your usual comfortable silence felt strained now, laden with unspoken anxieties.

Just as you were about to reach out to Spencer, the bullpen door swung open, and Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner entered. His sharp gaze swept across the room, landing on you for a brief moment before moving on. You felt a familiar knot of tension tighten in your stomach. Telling Hotch about the baby, even without revealing Spencer's involvement, was another hurdle you needed to overcome.

"Sir, could I speak with you for a moment?" You requested standing from your desk.

Hotch nodded, gesturing for you to follow him into his office. Briefly explaining the situation and your concerns about inter-office relationships, you felt a weight lift off your shoulders when Hotch confirmed it wasn't against protocol as long as you remained discreet.

“Why do you ask? Are you seeing someone in the office I should know about?” Hotch asked arching an eyebrow.

“Oh no Hotch but I did loose a bet with Spencer so thank you for that” You smirked at him.

“Let it be a lesson never to place a bet with Spencer” Hotch chuckled.

Elated, you returned to Spencer, a grin plastered on your face. "Hotch says we can be together, as long as we keep things private."

Spencer, however, remained apprehensive. "You told him?"

"No, I just asked about the dating rules," You clarified. "But I will have to tell him about the baby”

"I know" Spencer sighed. "And for now, let's keep me out of it."

You, understanding his reservations, agreed. You returned to Hotch’s office this time revealing your pregnancy but withholding the father's identity. Hotch, to your surprise, offered congratulations and even a hug.

"Does this have anything to do with the question you asked earlier?" he inquired, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“Uh no not at all” You giggled at the awkwardness of the situation.

“So whose the lucky guy?” He chuckled.

"He wants to keep it quiet for now," You explained.

"Fair enough," Hotch said, a playful smirk crossing his face. "Just as long as it's not Morgan or Rossi."

"Definitely not!" You chuckled. "Wait, so you'd be okay if it was Reid?"

"He's intelligent and dedicated," Hotch admitted. "Besides, Morgan wouldn't settle down, and Rossi's a little past his prime."

"What about you?" You teased.

Hotch chuckled. "We wouldn’t be having this conversation."

Returning to the bullpen, you announced you pregnancy to you colleagues. While everyone showered you with congratulations, they were naturally curious about the father. They had never heard of you seeing anyone and they knew you weren’t the type to just sleep around.

"His name is Spencer, but don't worry, it's not our Spencer," You assured them with a wink.

"Well, whoever he is, we'll have to meet him," Rossi declared, a glint in his eyes.

"Why?" You questioned.

"Just to make sure the newest member of the BAU family is being well looked after," Rossi winked.

The day continued with a new case, and although You was relegated to paperwork due to your condition, a warm feeling bloomed within you. You had a supportive team, a loving partner, and a future filled with exciting possibilities.

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Ladies and Gentlemen my firefighter, Captain Bobby obsessed 4 year old 😆 #parentingwinorfail #911onabc #bobbynash911 #fyp

My little captain Bobby fan.

Chaos Controlling Masterlist

All my works are link below so no need to scroll through my entire page to find what your looking for.

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I write for Stranger Things, Law and Order SVU, CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, 9-1-1, The Rookie, Criminal Minds and Supernatural. Happy to other shows, movies, musicians, actors and YouTubers assuming I know who they are.

Stranger Things

Eddie Munson

I Want To Ruin Our Friendship Part 1 / Part 2

Stranger Things Guys

The Dating Odyssey Part 1 / Steve / Eddie / Jim / Billy / Jonathan

Supernatural

Dean Winchester

Supernatural, Hunting, Living and Love (Revisited) (Complete)

(Most unserious banner for the most unserious show)

911

50 Ways to Say Goodbye

Evan 'Buck' Buckley

After the Fire

Edmundo 'Eddie' Diaz

Through the Dark

Criminal Minds

Spencer Reid

A Well Kept Secret Part 2 Part 3

Law and Order SVU

Rafael Barba

Objection!

Dominick 'Sonny' Carisi Jr.

Cannoli's and Carisi's

The amount of awkward I feel cannot be accurately quantified right now. I'm currently sitting on a bus travelling to the next town over with a bunch of school kids. Behind me is 2 girls that I'm guessing are about 15/16. Apparently, they have been spying on my phone and text messages and they saw I was talking to my finance whose saved in my phone as 'My Man's' and ask me if the guy in the pink hoodie on my home screen is my boyfriend because his cute.....MY HOMESCREENS FRICKEN OLIVER STARK. Like girls in my dreams.

The homescreen photo in question.

Do you ever read such an amazing reader insert fan fic that when you are done you’re sad for a few days because it’s not your real life?

No? Just me?

I’ll see my way out.

Objection! Part 3

Rafael Barba x fem!Carisi!reader

1k word count

Summary All you wanted was to be a lawyer like your big brother Sonny. So what happens when you get a job working under the famous ADA Rafael Barba

slow-burn, colleague to friends to lovers

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

Coffees and food in hand, I made my way back to the district attorney's office. As I walked through the door, I heard a familiar voice call out behind me.

"Y/N, Rafa is really putting you to work, isn’t he?" Olivia smiled as she caught up and fell into step with me.

"Lieutenant Benson, hardly. This is just a thank you for everything, and something to tide us over while we look over a case together," I smiled back at her.

"Oh, please, call me Liv," she laughed. "I hope my team didn’t scare you off."

"No, they're wonderful! If anything, I’m mad that Sonny didn’t introduce us all earlier."

"If it makes you feel any better, we all thought he only had one sister until Fin overheard him talking with Rafa about getting you a job. Then he tells us he has four sisters!" Olivia laughed, holding open Rafael's office door for me.

Rafael looked up from his desk, raising an eyebrow when he saw us all smiles and laughter.

"Getting along well, I see," Rafael remarked, keeping his face neutral.

"Yeah, just talking about Sonny," I smiled, placing a coffee and a sandwich in front of him. "This is a thank you for saving me at the courthouse earlier."

"Oh, no thanks needed. We all get lost there our first day," Rafael smiled. "Now, Liv, what can I help you with?" He turned his attention to her.

"The guy we arrested yesterday wants to make a deal. He’ll give us all the other guys he knows who are holding girls in exchange for a reduced sentence and protective custody," Olivia quickly switched to business mode.

"Tell him I’ll be in to discuss a deal first thing in the morning," Rafael sighed.

"Great, I’ll leave you two to whatever it is ADAs do," Olivia smiled, walking out of the office.

Rafael waved a hand at her as she left, then picked up a pile of papers from his desk and brought them over to a coffee table on the other side of the room. He motioned for me to sit down on the lounge next to the coffee table before retrieving his coffee and sandwich. He handed me some paperwork from the pile and directed me to read while he ate. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him trying to eat in manageable bites while fighting the urge to just devour the entire sandwich. It was clear this was his first meal of the day—or at least since breakfast. I felt a pang of guilt for not getting something more substantial. Mental note: find a good takeout place nearby to keep this man fed. Sonny would probably know a few spots.

I turned my attention back to the paperwork, my heart sinking as I read the case summary and saw who the defense attorney was.

"You're in for one hell of a fight here, Barba," I looked over at him.

"You got all that from just reading the case outline?" Rafael asked, taking the final bite of his sandwich.

"That, and the fact that the defense attorney is Buchanan. It's glaringly obvious from the outline what tactics he'll try to use," I sighed.

"So, you know about Buchanan?" Rafael smirked.

"And you, Cabot, Novak, Langan, Calhoun, Ellis... If they’ve worked in New York, I’ve likely studied them," I admitted, a little embarrassed.

"Know thine enemy," Rafael chuckled. "So walk me through it."

I nodded and began breaking down the case for Rafael. If Buchanan wasn’t the defense attorney, I’d say it was open and shut. But with the victim being a prostitute, it was a given that Buchanan would try to use that as a justification. Clearly, Rafael had already anticipated this, as there was an in-depth criminal record for the defendant and even evidence to make the victim look more like a saint. It was a strong case, and I told Rafael so—the real hurdle was Buchanan. We spent hours going over every piece of evidence, discussing everything, every possible defense, every argument that could be made. By the time we finished, the city outside was lit up with its nightlife. The clock on the wall read 9:30. Rafael had a massive smile on his face.

"You're every bit as good as Carisi said you would be," he smiled.

"I have to be," I replied with a small smile.

I could tell he wanted to press on my answer but held back, choosing to nod instead.

"So, you're happy to keep working for me?" Rafael asked.

"It would be my pleasure," I smiled.

"Great. I'll see you tomorrow at 8 at the 16th because, for every bit of good you are, you somehow managed to forget to pick up the files I asked for," Rafael smirked, my eyes widening in realization.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! I completely forgot! Sonny is still working; I can run over to the 16th now and grab the files," I rushed to grab my phone, but before Rafael could speak, it rang. "Speak of the devil. Sonny, I was just about to call you."

"Great minds think alike. You still burning the midnight oil with Barba?" he chuckled.

"Yeah, I’m here with Barba. Why?" I asked, glancing at Rafael.

"Great! We’re all taking a break for dinner and wanted to see if you wanted to join us at Forlini’s?"

"That actually sounds amazing! We were just wrapping up here, so we’ll meet you there. Also, Sonny, could you bring along any cases you need us to look over? Please? I completely forgot to pick them up earlier," I added, feeling sheepish.

"Uh oh, first-day foul," Sonny laughed. "But yes, I can be an awesome big brother and bring them with me."

"Thank you, I owe you one," I hung up the phone and turned back to Barba. "The team is headed to Forlini’s for dinner and asked us to join."

"Sounds great to me," Rafael smiled.

We began packing up all the paperwork, slotting it back into the various files they had come from. Once everything was returned to its place, Rafael placed the files into a cabinet by his desk, grabbed his jacket, and slid it on while holding the office door open for me. I walked out as Rafael grabbed his briefcase and fell into step beside me, chatting about how, if he hadn’t been asked out for dinner with the team, he likely would have gone home and crashed without eating. I had to laugh and agree that I would have done the same.

I’d never been to Forlini’s, but Sonny had brought me food from there a few times, so I was looking forward to actually eating there for once. Rafael waved down a cab and told the driver where to go. When we pulled up in front of Forlini’s, Rafael had his wallet out and paid for the cab before I could protest. He climbed out first, holding the door open for me. My heart raced—he really was a gentleman.

Forlini’s was crowded, and Rafael placed his hand on the small of my back to guide me through the crowd. He said something about knowing where to find the others, but I couldn’t hear him over the noise. We came to a stop in front of a group of tables in the far back corner where Sonny, Fin, Amanda, Nick, and Olivia were already sitting, drinks in hand, laughing away.

"Should you be drinking if you’re still working?" Rafael chuckled, taking a seat and motioning for me to sit next to him.

"The only one here still working is Water Boy over there," Fin smirked, pointing at Sonny.

"Yeah, someone’s been neglecting their paperwork," Amanda laughed.

Sonny gave them a "stuff off" look before turning to me.

“Come è andato il primo giorno?” Sonny asked, leaning back in his chair. (How did the first day go?)

“È stato fantastico, perché?” I replied with a smile. (it was great, why?)

“Volevo solo assicurarmi che Barba ci andasse piano con te,” he said, a hint of concern in his voice. (I just wanted to make sure Barba went easy on you.)

“Ti preoccupi troppo,” I giggled, reaching for a menu in the middle of the table. (You worry too much)

It was at that point I noticed the entire table had fallen silent. Everyone was looking at Sonny and me with wide eyes, and Rafael looked like he was about to have an aneurysm. Clearly, Sonny hadn’t mentioned to anyone that he knew Italian.

“You speak Italian too?” Rafael was the first to break the silence.

“Uh, yes. Sonny never told any of you he could speak Italian?” I asked, looking around the table.

“No, he didn’t,” Olivia said, turning to Sonny. “What does Rafael mean by ‘you speak Italian too’?”

“Oh, I also speak Spanish,” I shrugged casually.

“Wow, Carisi, your sister’s amazing,” Nick smiled. “Veo que nos vamos a llevar bien, señorita.” (I can see we’re going to get along well, missy.)

“Hey, Amaro, eyes off my sister, alright?” Sonny pointed a finger at him, half-joking.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the two of them, and the rest of the table joined in. Rafael, however, seemed to be glaring at Nick. I decided it would be best to wait until it was just Rafael and me before asking what his problem with Nick was. I joined the conversation at the table, and the whole team treated me like I’d been working with them for years. I felt at ease with them faster than I had with anyone else. For the first time, I felt like I’d found where I belonged.

When dinner was over, Sonny handed the files I had left behind to Rafael and excused himself to return to the office. The others wandered off to their various homes, and Rafael offered to see me home, even though it meant traveling further than his own place. He hailed us another cab and held the door open while I climbed in. I gave the driver my address before turning to Rafael.

“Okay, spill it,” I said, watching him.

“What?” Rafael looked at me, caught off guard.

“You don’t like Nick. Why?” I asked directly.

“He’s a playboy. Ever since his wife divorced him, he’s been running through women like he needs them to breathe,” Rafael said, looking out the cab window. “I just don’t want to see him do the same to you. He’s already slept with Amanda and half the female officers in the 16th, so I wouldn’t put it past him to target you next.”

“I can take care of myself, but thank you for your concern,” I smiled, appreciating his protective nature.

The cab came to a stop in front of mine and Sonny’s apartment building. I wished Rafael goodnight before making my way inside, desperate for sleep before I had to be at the 16th at 8 a.m.

The Dating Odyssey: Jim

Eddie Munson/Billy Hargrove/Steve Harrington/Jim Hopper/Jonathan Byers x fem!reader

2.7k word count

fluff, idiot reader, reader who can't say no, choose your own adventure-ish

Part 1 / Steve's Ending / Eddie's Ending / Billy's Ending / Jonathan's Ending

Out of all the dates you'd been on one stood out to you. You knew Jim was older then you. 25 years your senior but something felt right. After the romantic dinner, every moment feels overshadowed by the memory of that evening. The restaurant had been perfect, a quiet, dimly lit corner of the world that seemed to exist solely for the two of you. There was something about the way the candlelight flickered in his eyes, casting a warm glow that made him seem almost ethereal. The conversation flowed as smoothly as the wine, with laughter punctuating the night, creating a melody that you wish could play on repeat.

Now, days later, you find yourself unable to shake the memory of that dinner from your mind. It's in the quiet moments, when the world slows down, that your thoughts drift back to Jim. You replay conversations, dissecting every word, every glance, and every smile, as if trying to decode a deeper meaning. The taste of the wine, the sound of his laughter, the warmth of his gaze—it all haunts you in the most bittersweet way.

You try to focus on daily tasks, but mundane moments become filled with flashes of that night. A song on the radio brings you back to the moment he mentioned his favourite band, and suddenly you're standing in the restaurant again, hanging on his every word. The scent of your morning coffee reminds you of the way they described his love for espresso, and you're left wondering if Jim's thinking of you too.

The realisation hits you in waves—the way your heart seems to beat a little faster when you remember the softness of his voice, or how a simple memory can bring an involuntary smile to your face. You find yourself picking up your phone more often than usual, half hoping, half fearing he might reach out. Or any of your dates for that matter.

It's not just the memory of the dinner that captivates you; it's the possibility of what might come next. The uncertainty is thrilling yet terrifying, a delicate balance between wanting to dive headfirst into this budding connection and the fear of rushing into the unknown.

You start to notice how the anticipation of seeing Jim again fills you with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The thought of replicating the magic of that night, of finding new ways to connect and deepen your understanding of one another, becomes a constant companion in your thoughts.

As you lie awake at night, replaying the events of the dinner in your mind, you realize that this is more than just a lingering memory—it's the beginning of something profound. The realization that you're perhaps on the precipice of falling deeply for someone based on one night of shared laughter, confessions, and connection is both exhilarating and daunting.

The romantic dinner has become a turning point, a before and after in your life, marking the moment you became utterly captivated by someone who now occupies your every thought. And as you navigate through this haze of longing and anticipation, you can't help but wonder if his feeling the same way, if you're as unforgettable to him as he is to you.

Driving past the Police Station became part of your daily routine. Yet you never dared to enter the station for fear of Jim having changed his mind about you. You had already told the others you weren't interested in any further dates with them which was met with both anger and sadness. Still you couldn't bring yourself to walk through the Police Station stairs.

After driving past the station today you decided to go check out Benny's burgers. For all the time you'd spent in Hawkins you were yet to check out the burger place. Apparently it had the best burger around or at least that it was Jim had said on your date. Actually Eddie and Steve had said the same thing.

You step into Benny's Burgers, the scent of sizzling beef and melted cheese enveloping you as you take in the cozy atmosphere of the diner. Red vinyl booths line the walls, each illuminated by the soft glow of pendant lamps hanging overhead. The sound of classic rock tunes fills the air, adding to the nostalgic charm of the place.

Making your way through the bustling crowd of patrons, you find solace in a booth tucked away in the far corner. The worn leather upholstery invites you to sink into its embrace as you peruse the menu, each item tempting you with promises of savoury delights.

Caught in the throes of indecision, you're suddenly interrupted by the unmistakable presence of the sheriff. His imposing figure cuts through the crowd with confidence, his eyes locking onto yours with a knowing glint. With a nod of recognition, he makes his way over to your booth, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Mind if I join you?" he asks, already sliding into the seat across from you before you can muster a response. "I couldn't help but notice you're struggling with the menu. Let me make a recommendation."

Before you can protest, he's already flagging down a waitress and ordering Benny's Famous Beef Burger and two large milkshakes without missing a beat. "Trust me," he says with a wink, "it's the best in the country."

As you wait for your meal, the sheriff engages you in conversation, effortlessly steering the topic towards the romantic dinner you had recently. His words are laced with genuine warmth as he reminisces about the evening, recounting moments shared and laughter exchanged.

Despite the unexpectedness of his presence and the surrealness of the situation, you find yourself drawn in by his easy charm and genuine interest. In the dimly lit booth of Benny's Burgers, surrounded by the comforting hum of conversation and the tantalising aroma of food, you realise that sometimes the most memorable moments happen when you least expect them.

As the waitress sets down the burgers in front of you, the enticing aroma of grilled beef and melted cheese fills the air, making your mouth water in anticipation. You take a moment to admire the masterpiece before you, the golden-brown bun glistening with condensation, the lettuce and tomato peeking out from beneath the perfectly cooked patty.

With a sense of eager anticipation, you take a bite, and the flavors explode on your taste buds in a symphony of deliciousness. The beef is juicy and flavorful, the cheese oozing out with each bite, and the fresh toppings adding a delightful crunch. It's everything the sheriff promised and more—a culinary masterpiece that leaves you speechless.

Glancing up at the sheriff, you find him watching you with a satisfied grin, as if he knew all along that you would be blown away by Benny's Famous Beef Burger. "Well?" he prompts, raising an eyebrow in amusement.

"It's amazing," you admit, unable to suppress a smile of pure delight. "You were right, Hop. This burger is truly something else."

He nods in satisfaction, taking a bite of his own burger with evident relish. "Told you," he says between mouthfuls. "Benny's never disappoints."

As you both savour the delicious meal, the conversation flows effortlessly between you. It's as if the shared enjoyment of the burgers has forged a bond between you, breaking down barriers and allowing for genuine connection. In the warmth of the diner booth, surrounded by the comforting presence of good food and good company, you can't help but feel grateful for this unexpected moment of camaraderie with the sheriff.

And as you continue to enjoy the meal together, you realise that sometimes the best experiences in life are the ones that catch you off guard, the ones that remind you to savour the simple pleasures and appreciate the people who make them possible. With each bite of the delicious burger, you find yourself feeling more at ease, more content, and more grateful for the serendipitous twists and turns that life has to offer.

“So does this count as a second date?” You hesitantly asked Jim

“Only if you want it to” Jim smiled at you

You take a moment to study his features, the lines etched around his eyes hinting at a lifetime of experience, while the warmth in his gaze speaks of a youthful spirit that refuses to be tamed by time.

"Can I ask you something, Sheriff?" you venture, your voice laced with curiosity.

He arches an eyebrow, a silent invitation for you to continue.

"It's about... us," you begin, gesturing vaguely between the two of you. "The age difference, I mean. Does it... bother you?"

The sheriff's expression softens, and he sets down his burger, his gaze meeting yours with unwavering sincerity. "Honestly? At first, maybe a little. But then I realised something." He pauses, as if carefully considering his words. "Age is just a number. What really matters is the connection we share, the understanding, the... chemistry, if you will."

You nod slowly, digesting his words. "I suppose you're right. It's just... unconventional, you know? People might talk."

He chuckles softly, a sound that resonates with warmth and reassurance. "Let them talk. What we have is special, and anyone who can't see that... well, that's their loss."

There's a quiet determination in his voice that leaves you feeling oddly comforted. It's as if he's offering you a lifeline, a reminder that love knows no boundaries, no rules, no constraints. In that moment, you realise that age is just one small facet of the complex tapestry that makes up your connection with the sheriff—a connection that transcends time and defies societal norms.

And as you sit there, enveloped in the cozy ambience of Benny's Burgers, surrounded by the lingering scent of grilled beef and the soft hum of conversation, you find yourself grateful for this unexpected bond that has blossomed between you and the sheriff. It's a reminder that love knows no age, no limits, no boundaries—a truth that you're more than willing to embrace.

As the conversation flows between you and the sheriff, a shadow of uncertainty crosses your mind. What would his ex-girlfriend, Joyce, think of his burgeoning relationship with someone much younger? The thought lingers, unspoken yet palpable in the air between you.

"I can't help but wonder... what would Joyce think?" you venture cautiously, your voice tinged with apprehension.

The sheriff's expression shifts, his features softening with a hint of nostalgia. "Joyce..." he murmurs, trailing off as memories of their past together surface.

"She's a strong woman," he continues after a moment, his tone tinged with fondness. "We may not always see eye to eye, but I'd like to think she wants me to be happy."

You nod, understanding dawning in your eyes. "And does she know about us?" you ask, unable to suppress a note of curiosity.

The sheriff hesitates, his gaze dropping momentarily before meeting yours once more. "Not yet," he admits, his voice tinged with reluctance. "I wanted to be sure... before telling her."

You nod in understanding, sensing the complexity of the situation. Joyce had been a significant part of his life, and breaking the news of his new relationship would undoubtedly be a delicate matter.

"It's... complicated," he continues, his words heavy with unspoken emotions. "But ultimately, what matters is how we feel about each other."

There's a quiet resolve in his voice, a sense of determination that leaves you feeling reassured. Despite the potential challenges that lay ahead, you find solace in the sheriff's unwavering belief in the connection you share.

And as you sit there, surrounded by the warmth of Benny's Burgers and the comforting presence of the sheriff by your side, you realise that whatever the future may hold, you're ready to face it together. With each passing moment, your bond grows stronger, fortified by trust, understanding, and the unshakeable belief that love knows no bounds.

You decide that now is a good a time as any to tell Jim about the other dates. The confession hangs heavy in the air, the weight of your words palpable as you reveal the truth to the sheriff. His expression remains unreadable, a mask of stoicism that belies the storm of emotions swirling beneath the surface.

"You... went on dates with Steve, Billy, Eddie, and Jonathan?" he repeats, his voice betraying a hint of disbelief.

You nod, your gaze fixed on the table as you struggle to meet his eyes. "I know it sounds... complicated," you begin, your voice trembling slightly. "But I wanted to be honest with you, Jim. I didn't want to keep secrets, especially not from someone as important to me as you are."

The sheriff remains silent for a moment, his jaw clenched as he processes your words. When he finally speaks, his voice is calm yet tinged with a hint of sadness. "I appreciate your honesty," he says quietly, his eyes finally meeting yours. "But I won't lie, it's a lot to take in."

You nod in understanding, the weight of your confession hanging heavy between you. "I understand if you need time," you say softly, the words catching in your throat. "I just... I didn't want to hurt you, Jim. You mean so much to me, and I would never want to jeopardize what we have."

The sheriff's expression softens, a flicker of vulnerability shining through the facade of strength. "I know," he murmurs, reaching across the table to gently grasp your hand. "And I appreciate your honesty, I really do. It's just... a lot to process."

You squeeze his hand reassuringly, offering him a small smile of gratitude. "I'm here for you, Jim," you say earnestly. "Whatever you need, whatever you decide, I'll understand. And no matter what happens, I hope we can still be friends."

The sheriff returns your smile, a glimmer of warmth in his eyes. "Thank you," he says softly. "That means a lot to me."

And as you sit there, the weight of your confession hanging heavy in the air, you find solace in the knowledge that no matter what the future may hold, your bond with the sheriff runs deeper than any romantic entanglement. With honesty, understanding, and a shared sense of respect, you know that together, you can weather any storm that comes your way.

As the weight of the conversation begins to ease, you and the sheriff share a silent understanding, a mutual acknowledgement of the complexities of your situation. With a final squeeze of his hand, you both rise from the booth, the lingering scent of burgers and shared confessions lingering in the air.

Stepping out into the cool night air, you find comfort in the familiar surroundings of the parking lot. The neon glow of Benny's Burgers casts long shadows across the asphalt, illuminating the space with a soft, golden light. In the quiet solitude of the night, you and the sheriff stand side by side, the air crackling with unspoken tension.

With a gentle touch, the sheriff reaches out to brush a stray strand of hair from your face, his touch sending a shiver down your spine. Locking eyes with him, you find a silent understanding reflected in his gaze—a shared moment of vulnerability and connection that transcends words.

Without a word, he leans in, his lips meeting yours in a tender kiss that speaks volumes of the emotions swirling between you. In that fleeting moment, the world falls away, leaving only the two of you in a cocoon of shared intimacy and affection.

Pulling back slightly, the sheriff meets your gaze with a soft smile, his eyes filled with warmth and sincerity. "I'll meet you after my shift," he says, his voice a gentle promise. "We'll continue our conversation over drinks, if your up for it?"

You nod, a surge of anticipation coursing through your veins. "I'll be waiting," you reply, your voice filled with a quiet certainty.

With one final glance, you and the sheriff part ways, each step carrying you closer to the inevitable reunion that awaits. And as you walk away, you can't help but feel a sense of hope blossoming within you—a hope that, despite the challenges that lie ahead, love will always find a way to prevail.