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“SHIT,” you and Peter yell simultaneously as your proton streams nearly cross. The ghost you were chasing now was being a bit more difficult than you had expected. There were actually three, and the five of you had gone into three groups to search for the three spirits, with you and Peter together, Winston and Ray together, and Egon by himself. As you and Peter were still trying your best to keep the ghost trapped in your streams, you heard faint maniacal laughter drifting closer and closer to you from behind.
“Peter? Can you see what’s making that noise?” You yell over the sound of the machines in your grip. From your peripheral, you spot Peter attempting to turn his head as much as he can without risking his and your safety with the proton stream.
“I can’t see anything! But it’s getting louder, so I have a feeling we’re gonna find out soon!” Less than a minute after he said that the laughter had grown so loud that you both flinch and suddenly after a strange and sudden pressure erupts in your back, you find yourself on the floor, covered in goop.
“Shit, are you two okay?” You hear a panicked voice come from the doorway of the room in the museum that you and Peter were assigned to. Before you responded, you heard Peter scoff from beside you.
“Does it look like we’re okay? We got slimed!” You turn your attention to your partner, who was wallowing on the floor, wiping slime off his face. A hand comes into view to help you up and you accept it, realizing its Ray.
“Oh geez, guys, I’m sorry that happened. We had no clue that you two were going to be right here, and we just started chasing him! He got out of reach before we could pull our proton packs out on him and he’s just so fast we didn’t have a choice but to chase after him until he stopped.” Ray had a very apologetic pout on his face, and you had no choice but to forgive him, obviously. Luckily for Winston, he also had the grace to look a bit shameful for not giving you a warning beforehand either. You were willing to forgive them both, but based on the look on Peter’s face, he wasn’t as willing.
He looks like he’s about to release a snarky comment or two before you hear more hollering coming from the opposite side of the hallway that the other two had just emerged from. You and the other three luckily had enough sense to duck and brace for what was possibly about to happen. The third ghost, along with a very flustered Egon, shot from around the corner, and the ghost had just barely breezed over your head.
Standing, you and the now four boys watch as the three ghosts start wreaking havoc in the center of the room. After they start picking up pieces of exhibits and smashing them, you turn towards the other four ghostbusters. “What the hell do we do now? We couldn’t stop them before when they were separated, how are we going to stop them now that they’re together?!”
They all make eye contact with each other before Peter, Ray, and Winston shrug. Egon looks like he’s trying to think, but you don’t have much time for contemplating, as you spot one of the ghosts rearing back to launch a vase at Egon’s head. You’re able to pull him down just in time, but the force of the pull causes his glasses to nearly fall off his face. You push them back up for him in an innocent gesture, missing the pink tint that spreads itself on his cheeks.
“I think we’ll have to try communication with them. See what they want or try to trick them into separating again or doing something that would make them more vulnerable,” you speak as confidently as you can muster, despite not having much confidence in the plan. “What do you guys think?”
They all seem to be contemplating it before Ray nods. “I mean, I think it could work. It’s at least worth a try.”
Winston nods his head along with Ray. “Yeah, I think it’s a better shot than taking them on alone.”
“I think that at the very least, it’ll distract them long enough for us to come up with a different plan,” Egon agreed. He was flattering the group by saying “us” rather than “me”, as you all knew he’d probably be the only one thinking rational enough to come up with something while having antiques lobbed at your heads. “Good plan, Y/N.”
You resist getting flustered and clear the slight tension building in your throat before turning to Peter. “Well, Venkman?”
He shrugged and turned towards the ghosts. Oh god, he’s the one that’s going to talk to them? You hadn’t even talked about that yet! You huff but turn with him, knowing he won’t be able to be stopped now. At least he agrees with the plan, you think to yourself.
“Hey! You three!” The three ghosts turn toward Peter, varying looks being thrown towards him, but curiosity underlying in all of them. “Yeah, Stretch, Fatso, Stinky. I’m talking to you!”
You can’t help but giggle at the comparison to the trio from the Casper franchise, and you can see slightly amused looks arise from the concerned and anxious looks that the other boys had been sporting. The three ghosts float a bit closer and squint their eyes, almost like they’re analyzing Peter and the rest of you. You shrink back a little under their scrutinizing gaze, still a bit skeptical of your own plan, and you feel a comforting hand on your shoulder. You look back and make eye contact with Egon, who gives you a small smile and reassuring nod. Who would’ve thought that that was all you needed? You stood with a bit more confidence in your stance after his support.
Peter continues on antagonizing them. “What do you want? How do we get you to knock it off? You’re breaking a lot of valuable objects you know!” You roll your eyes at the last part of Peter's statement. Of course, they know, that’s why they’re doing it.
The ghost in the middle looks at the other two, before tossing his head in one direction, signaling to the other two that they should follow him. Based off of what you’ve seen so far, he seems to be the ringleader of the three, as they seemed to have been following his lead from the first time you had seen them together. You all eyed them as they seemed to be talking in harsh whispers, waiting for them to stop talking. Once they finally had, they all turned around and the leader came a bit more forward than the other two had.
“We have agreed that in order for us to give you a chance, we must be able to create chaos once more.” You looked at Winston with a raised brow and he shook his head and shrugged like he was just as confused.
“Okay, then. What do you want to break?”
Once the smug smile appeared on the ghost’s face, you knew it wouldn’t be good. “You.”
Peter scoffed in surprise from next to you. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Well, these two have the ability to read minds. What we want, from you, is to let us wreak emotional chaos by revealing your biggest secrets and leaving you vulnerable in front of those closest to you.” Out of all of you, Peter and Winston looked the least mortified, and you were sure that you are Ray were at least tied for most if you could see the look on your face now. You didn’t even bother hiding the fear that you realized would come from this. Especially considering Peter seemed to be taking control of the situation, and he didn’t often consult as to whether or not he should continue on with the deal.
“Well, what would we get in return? Are you going to split up again, just to come back to how you are now? That seems unfair, doesn’t it?”
“Actually, we’d go willingly. Well, maybe a little fight because it’s in our nature to create a mess, but we’d respect the deal. Do you need time to consider?”
“Nope,” Peter shook his head. Just as you’d guessed. If it’s up to me, he’s never taking the lead on the ghostly negotiations again.“I think we’ve got a solid deal on our hands.”
The ghost grinned and materialized a hand strong enough for Peter to shake. Once Peter swallowed the remaining pride he had left and shook the ghost’s hand, the ghost flew back towards the others. “Now, who should go first? Any volunteers?”
You all looked at each other with some degree of fear shining in your eyes. Sure, you were best friends, but that didn’t mean you knew everything about each other. Frankly, between the four of them, there was some stuff you knew you didn’t want to know. Ultimately, the ghost realized none of you were going to subject yourselves willingly, so it nodded to Peter. “You seem to have made the decision for everyone so you should go first, it’s only fair.”
Peter tenses as he waits for what he said. To be fair, he can be a bit of a douche, so nobody would’ve been too surprised if his secret had to do with his behavior. The ghost lets you all stew in the anticipation for a bit, with sweaty palms and foreheads. Depending on Peter's secret, everyone else could get a good gauge as to how bad the secrets were. Finally, the ghost opens his mouth and you all tense up even more than you had been.
“Peter, your biggest secret is that you’re the one that cleans up after everyone and makes sure they’re all taken care of. You pretend like you don’t care, but you do. Just as much as the others, if not more than some of them, actually.”
You and the other three drop your jaws and look at him. With a smile breaching your face immediately, you run up to him and wrap him in a hard and tight, borderline violent, hug. “Aww, Petey you care about us? How sweet!” You plant a big kiss on the side of his cheek in a teasing manner, knowing he’d get embarrassed.
“Alright, alright, knock it off,” Peter grumbles, pushing you away with a very red tint to his face. Chuckling, you fall back into place between Egon and Winston. Because of where he was standing, Ray seemed to be next in order for the ghost. Ray's smile from the interaction between you and Peter was wiped off his face instantly and replaced with scrunched brows and an anxious pout. Poor Ray, I just know his secret won’t be as good.
“Raymond, I do believe your biggest secret is that you have been the one pranking everyone, and you’re angry that nobody thinks you’re capable of something like that. You’re angry that nobody suspected you, and that’s why the pranks have gotten progressively more aggressive since they started.” You all gasp and look at each other before looking at Ray. The upset look on his face says it all.
“Oh Ray, we’re so sorry! We should’ve known you were capable. Honestly, we knew you were capable, we just didn’t think you’d want to do something like that! I’m sorry, honey.” You wrap your arms around the dejected man, who hugs you back.
“It’s okay, I get it,” He shrugged after letting you go and you turn to glare at the boys. With a stern look on your face, you motion towards Ray, hoping that they’d catch on and apologize. After seeing the look on your face, which is pretty intimidating to be completely honest, they all stutter out an apology. Then, the ghost turns to Winston.
“Yours… isn’t that bad actually. I’m wondering why it’s your biggest secret to completely honest, it doesn’t seem dramatic at all,” seeing the confused expression on everyone’s faces, he continues. “You’re the one that eats the Twinkies? And you have been the one to eat the remaining ones for some time.”
It became very apparent why it was Winston’s biggest secret within seconds. Egon’s brows shot up and he shot Winston an incredulous look. Uh oh. “YOU?! YOU’VE BEEN EATING MY TWINKIES?”
Winston flinched in response. Egon doesn’t often physically express his anger, but you could see it rolling off of him in waves. You place a hand on his forearm in an effort to calm him down, but shoot Winston a look. Before Winston has the chance to apologize, the ghost turns to you. Oh, shit.
“I’d say that you have the juiciest secret of all, dear,” Fuck. The other four all turn to you, not expecting you to have the biggest secret amongst them all. You wince at their inquisitive expressions and remain focused on the ghost. “However, I’m willing to give you the chance to speak up for yourself.”
Because they were all watching you, the others missed the ghost’s glance at Egon and then the way his smile spread wider at the thought of what would soon occur, as well as the dread building in your heart. You decide to try to save yourself from the inevitable hurt by bringing up something you think could be more humiliating. “Uh, I uh… I-I peed myself? As a grown adult?”
The ghost shook its head and chuckled. “While that is humiliating, I wouldn’t say that’s the most embarrassing.”
Peter made a loud scoffing noise. “That’s not the most embarrassing secret? Y/N, what the hell do you have hidden from us?”
Shooting Peter a look, you started shuffling your feet and looked down at them in shame. There was absolutely no way you’d be able to make it out of this without being embarrassed either way, so you might as well get it out of the way now. You mumbled the answer you knew the ghost was looking for, and he cupped his transparent ear and leaned towards you dramatically.
“What was that? I didn’t hear you. You’re going to have to speak up!” You huffed and straightened out. Here goes nothing.
“I’m in love with Egon, okay?” You refuse to look in his direction, realizing just how unlucky it was that you had chosen to stand by him. You continue to stare at your feet, hoping the ghost would grant you a bit of mercy and move on to him so that some pressure is taken off of the situation, as it all seemed heavily imbalanced at the moment. Unfortunately for you, however, the ghost waited another minute or two to respond.
“Hmm, yes, I do believe that’s the response we were looking for. Now!” He clapped his hands together; although not much sound came out. “Egon, is it? I do believe it’s your turn.”
After a moment with nothing being said, you look up at the ghost. Instead of looking at Egon like you would’ve expected, he was switching between the two of you. You look over at Egon, just to find him gaping at you, still seemingly in shock. You nudge your head in the direction of the ghost, silently pleading that he’ll spill his secret so you can get this over with as soon as possible so that you can go home and drown yourself in the firehouse shower room.
“I’m in love with you, too.” He mumbles. You would’ve missed it, had you not been looking at his face at that moment. Despite seeing and hearing what he said, it doesn’t register at first.
“W-what? What did you say?”
“I said, I’m in love with you too. I have been for at least four years now. I could give you an exact countdown, but I don’t believe now is the time.” You stand there for a solid minute, gaping at him. Finally gaining your senses, you clear your throat and turn to the ghost, leaving the confession and sappy moment for later, when you’re not standing in front of three of the worst ghosts you’ve dealt with.
“Aww, love. Isn’t it wonderful?” The lead ghost wraps one hand around the other and cartoonishly swoons in the most melodramatic fashion it could muster while the other two snicker from behind him. You all just stand there, with your proton packs charged, staring at him. He huffs, realizing his time is up. “Okay, okay fine. I’ll go. I think we caused enough trouble.”
You all wrap up the case and get in the car, practically dragging your feet with how exhausted you all are. To your surprise, Egon doesn’t seem to mind sitting in the back of ECTO-1 and slides right in next to you while the passenger seat remains unclaimed. You raise your eyebrow in response and turn to him, but before you could get a word out, his lips are pushed onto yours in a firm but sweet kiss. You make a surprised noise before kissing him back for a second, allowing him to pull away before spotting the big grin on his face. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”
You giggle and tangle your fingers together, watching the others slide into their seats, Peter sitting next to the both of you in the back. He rolls his eyes and makes a gagging noise, but before he can be snarky you interrupt him. “Oh I’m sorry, are you not happy for two people that you care so deeply for, Dr. Venkman?”
He remains mostly smug, but you can see the red spread throughout his cheeks as he mumbles a soft “Shut up.”
Giggling, you put your head on Egon’s shoulder, happy to know that something good can come from even the worst cases, and content with the knowledge that the man you love loves you back.