imaginary-eddie

[imaginary-eddie]

by alenie

Steve’s walking to his car when Eddie runs out of the woods and straight into him.

Words: 2007, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: M/M

Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Billy Hargrove

Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson

Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Pre-Slash, Panic Attacks, Pre-Season/Series 03

[imaginary-eddie]

babygirl spotted in the wild

[imaginary-eddie]

i’m on my period so i gave light yagami period cramps to make me feel better

[imaginary-eddie]

Modern Steddie where Eddie keeps trying to propose to Steve but something always goes wrong and fucks up his plans.

Eddie tries planning a super cute date for their three-year anniversary, at Steve’s favorite restaurant, and ends up drenched in wine when the drunk man at the table close to theirs has an angry fit out of nowhere and pushes one of the waiters.

He tries to take Steve on a trip to the mountains, just the two of them. The place is beautiful, there are waterfalls, and the air is crisp in the mornings and Eddie plans on proposing under the moonlight, when they go stargazing. On their first day there, Steve slips when they are visiting one of the waterfalls, twists his ankle and they have to go back because the closest doctor lives eighteen miles away from their Airbnb.

Then Eddie decides to forget all about big plans. He’s gonna play it safe; he’s gonna surprise Steve with a romantic dinner at home. Eddie asks for Nancy’s help with that one because he can cook fine enough but he’s not the best at that décor stuff. Nancy is more than happy to assist Eddie on this special mission. Everything goes smoothly and well until Steve’s phone rings and they have to rush to the police station to bail Robin out of prison.

That’s Eddie’s last straw. They are waiting at the station for Robin to be let out when Eddie thinks fuck that, he’s not gonna let the night go to waste. So he takes the black velvet box out of his pocket, goes on one knee right there, in the middle of the police station, and just fucking asks before anything else can happen to interrupt them again.

Robin makes sure to add this story to her best woman’s speech.

[imaginary-eddie]

huntrix <3333

[imaginary-eddie]

steve must not be paying attention on the highway, because in the right lane he accidentally slams into the back of this random’s truck.

the truck is a beast and takes almost no damage, but the front of steve’s expensive car his dad bought him is nearly totaled.

they both get out, and some metal head was driving the van. he takes a long drag of his cigarette.

“damage on mine isn’t too bad,” he says, ignoring the scratches on the back. “i don’t need your insurance.”

and steve is thankful because he can’t imagine how mad his dad would be if he had to pay for his car AND damages of another guy’s. and the guy reaches over and gives steve his number. steve’s heart drops.

“i thought you said you didn’t want my insurance” he says

“i dont,” he says. “i just think you’re cute. i’m eddie, by the way”

[imaginary-eddie]

The Set Up (AITAH Steddie AU)

Here we go again! It's time for the guys to finally talk. We'll see how that goes...

Part One, Part Five (you are here)

Also on Ao3

He calls Jeff.

He thinks about having Freak set it up, he’s offered to more than once, but he told Jeff he would call, and he never did. Jeff had apologized, said almost all the right things, and if he’s going to talk to either of them, Jeff is his best bet. Gareth is a grumpy, grudge-holding son of a bitch, and any phone call with him is liable to end in hurtful words and someone hanging up.

“Eddie?” Jeff answers before the second ring is finished.

“Yeah, man, it’s me.” Talking to Jeff has never been awkward before. He hates that it has to be this way. But he’s not losing hope that this phone call will be a turning point.

“Good to hear from you. How you been? How’s Steve?” He asks, all in one big breath.

“It’s good. We’re good,” he says. Emphasizing the we. He and Steve are a unit. That hasn’t changed and if Eddie has anything to say about it, it never will.

“That’s good,” Jeff says. There’s a beat of silence, neither one of them knowing how to address the elephant in the room.

Eddie takes a breath. Time to bite the bullet. “I want to meet, talk. To you and Gareth both. With Steve, too.” There, solid. Good. Firm.

A beat. “You know I’m all for it, dude.” Pause. “Might take some convincing for Gareth,” he says, purposefully careful with his wording.

He feels it physically as his anger rises. White hot and turning his stomach. He just doesn’t get it. “What’s his fucking deal”? What’s so –” He makes himself stop. Three or four years ago, he wouldn’t have, would have barreled through his anger and cussed Jeff out and hung up the phone. He would have either had to call him back and be the one begging forgiveness or let them both ignore it and let it be one more thing settled on their friendship.

A big part of growing up for him has been learning when and how to redirect the anger.

“You know what? Whatever, it’s not you. I’ll ask him myself.” He takes a breath. “Can you guys meet on Friday? After work, at the garage.” The garage, meaning Jeff’s garage, where they have practice. They talked about having the talk at Eddie’s place, giving them the home advantage, but ultimately, they didn’t want to taint their space with any bad memories.

“Yeah, Ok. I’ll ask him.” A sigh. “And if he’s being a dick, I’ll get him there anyway.” Looks like Gareth wasn’t going to be as amiable as he’d hoped. 

“Thanks, man,” Eddie says. He wants to reach out more, though. It doesn’t feel like enough. For all that he felt betrayed by Jeff, he had apologized, even if he hadn’t given him the answers he really wanted yet. “I missed you.” It’s easier to admit than he thought it would be.

“Missed you too, Eddie.” For all the drama, he’s glad they can still say it. That two out of three of his closest friends are still with him.

“See you Friday,” he says, and hangs up.

—---

They take Steve’s car. It would make more sense for Eddie to drive them since he knows the way, but he thinks Steve could use the sense of control.

Eddie’s quiet directions are the only thing to break the silence.

The garage is closed when they get there, which never happens. If it’s daylight, that door is always open, waiting for one of the guys to show up and make themselves at home. Eddie has always been their leader, but Jeff is their center. The place where they all seek refuge. A closed garage isn’t a good sign.

But he has Steve here. And Steve to focus on. And answers he needs.

Steve puts the car in park. Eddie reaches for his hand where it’s clutching the gear shift. He takes it on both of his, turning his body so he can look Steve in the and he places a lingering kiss on his knuckles.

He gets to watch Steve’s breath hitch and his eyes go soft. What a gift his friends have given him in their cruelty. “You and me, baby. We got this,” he says into the soft skin of his hand.

Steve turns his palm, cupping Eddie’s cheek. He presses a kiss to the top of his head, and for a moment, Eddie seriously considers getting Steve to turn them around so they can spend another lazy day in bed. The kind where Steve puts on a record and lets Eddie just stare at him for hours.

But they have things to do. “We got this,” Steve echoes, before turning around and opening the door.

With the car door closed, he leads them through the side. Normally, he likes opening the door for Steve to have an excuse to put a possessive and shameless hand on the small of his back, but this time, he goes first.

It’s tense, he can feel it as soon as he puts a foot through. Jeff looks contrite, like he really isn’t looking forward to this interaction. Gareth looks pissed, and then downright disgusted when Steve comes in behind him.

Not a good start. Eddie’s blood pressure is already through the roof.

They all just kind of…stand there for a minute. Steve following Eddie’s lead, Eddie waiting for one of the responsible parties to take the first step, Jeff feeling awkward, and Gareth being a petulant brat, if you asked Eddie.

It’s Jeff who breaks the stalemate. He crosses to Eddie, pulling him into one of those firm, emotionally competent dude hugs. The kind that makes Eddie haul him in and squeeze him hard enough to pop a rib when Jeff thumps him hard on the back.

“It’s good to see you, man,” Jeff says, pulling away to clap him on the shoulder. God, he missed Jeff.

Jeff turns to Steve, stalling for a second before stepping up. “It’s nice to actually meet you, Steve. Sorry it had to be like this.” Steve’s eyes widen a little, but he takes the hand offered to him, not saying anything. He just lets the moment pass. It’s a good sign. It means, hopefully, that Steve isn’t just going to say things are ok if they aren't.

Jeff accepts the silence with grace, giving Steve a nod before moving back to his previous position. He saddles up to Gareth, shoulder checking him none too gently toward the couple. He scoffs, but can’t resist the step forward.

“Gareth,” Eddie says, coming up to his full height. He feels defensive, and he knows he’s not doing anything to hide it. He crosses his arms and looks down his nose, trying to make Gareth feel small on purpose.

He expects a blow up. He’s doing it, in part, to get a blow up. He knows it’s counterproductive to their purpose, but sometimes that’s the only way to get Gareth to tell you what the hell is going on.

But there’s nothing. Not a peep. Just more glaring. The blood pressure is through the roof now.

“Gareth,” Jeff hisses.

“Are we seriously doing this again? You know why we’re here, I know Jeff told you. We want answers, none of this half baked ‘get me out of a rut’ bull shit,” he prods. No response, again. He’s so tense he can feel the tips of his fingertips wanting to cramp. "And a fucking apology." It chaffes to have to ask for it.

Steve reaches out, twining their fingers together. It’s innocuous, a small gesture to help Eddie calm down. It was one of the things they talked about before they agreed to call Jeff, Eddie’s history with anger. How it can help to be reminded that someone is in his corner, that it’s not him against the entire world.

It works.

And then it doesn’t.

Gareth homes in on the movement and scoffs.

The sound makes that old beast in the back of his head rear up, but before it can take control, the sound of Gareth’s voice shocks it into stillness.

“I have nothing to say with him here,” he spits, and then turns around and heads into the house, slamming the door behind him.

He’s pretty sure his blood is boiling now. He goes to follow him inside, ready to chew him out and leave him in the dust. He’s angry enough that he can’t feel the premature grief of his loss, the only thing that stopped him the first time.

“Wait, wait, wait, Eddie, just let him go, let him go,” Jeff says, holding his arms out to stop him in his tracks.

“Seriously, Jeff, you’re gonna let him get away with that shit?” Eddie is fuming. He’s so over this. If Gareth wants to be a child and a bully, Eddie has no issue cutting him off. Not anymore.

He’s about to push his way through when a hand at his back reminds him of the most important thing. Steve, who just got insulted to his face by his friends for the second time. He pushes off Jeff, leaning back into Steve’s arm until it’s wrapped around his waist, returning the gesture himself.

“It’s ok, hear him out,” Steve says. It’s not alright, but this is about Steve and what he needs, too. Not just Eddie’s anger.

He gives Jeff a pointed look, silently telling him to get talking. Jeff shifts from foot to foot, uncharacteristically hesitant, looking back and forth between the both of them. Eddie refuses to acknowledge what Jeff is silently asking for. It’s ridiculous and he won’t have it.

But Steve will.

He squeezes Eddie’s waist and presses a kiss to his cheek, pulling away. Eddie tries to keep him close, but Steve slips away with one last squeeze to his hand.

“I need a cigarette. I’ll be outside.” Eddie watches him go out the same way they came in. There’s a little strip of lawn out there, the same place Eddie takes his smoke breaks during long practices. He wants to go with him. To hold him close and reassure him that there’s nothing wrong with him.

But Steve is strong, and despite the insecurities that plague him, he knows his worth.

“What can you say to me that you can’t say in front of Steve, huh? That was the entire point of coming here. Not that it matters anymore,” he says. Jeff was supposed to be the easy one today.

Jeff rubs his hands together the way he’s done since they were kids when he was nervous. He won’t look Eddie in the eye, which just serves to feed the flames. “It’s not really my place to say–” Eddie doesn’t let him finish

“No, nope,” he says, crossing one arm across his stomach while the other cuts through the air. Done. “You made a whole thing about getting Steve to leave, and now you’re gonna do this? And don’t think I didn’t notice you never answered! Why the fuck are we letting Gareth get away with that passive shit?” He says.

“Look man, I’m sorry. You know I’m sorry. It was some stupid shit that got us here and it’s some stupid shit happening today, but if you want answers, you got to talk to Gareth. One on one. It’s not going to help to have Steve there,” he says. 

“Why? WHY?” He’s mad now. There’s no containing it. “Everyone keeps telling me I need to talk to Gareth. Go talk to Gareth. Gareth has the answers!” Freak has said it, Eddie’s thought it, and now Jeff is hammering it home. Gareth, one of his best friends and brothers, at the center of this stupid mess.

“Well, Gareth isn’t talking to me, and I’m not the one who fucked up. I’m not going to chase him down and beg him to just tell me what the fuck his deal is! So what is it? Somebody just GOD DAMN TELL ME!” Steve can probably hear him outside, the boom of his voice shaking the flimsy window.

It’s enough to shake an answer out of Jeff, too.

“Gareth is in love with you!”

------

Some of you guessed it, but if you didn't, there it is! Lots more drama to come 😉. I'm not thrilled with how this chapter turned out, but I'm excited for the next few installments, which are already partially fleshed out.

Tag List

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[imaginary-eddie]

Eddie Munson was a normal sight to see at Hawkins parties. Hell, he went to about as many as Steve did, if not more, and his presence alone could usually indicate if the party was successful or not.

Eddie Munson, leaning heavily on Varsity cheerleader Chrissy Cunningham while Rhonda Vermillian sort of half helped, half herded him forward while he slurred on about Star Something or Other was significantly less familiar.

"Steve!" Chrissy called out, the second she spotted him, and oh shit, he knew that tone.

Knew what the look she sent him meant, too.

"Ladies." He said, beelining right over as Munson wobbled to a stop, head lolling loosely. "Munson."

Eddie's head rolled the other way as he squinted dramatically. "Hell~ooooo, Captain Kirk." He said nonsensically, leering at Steve. "Wanna beam me up?"

"Can you-?" Rhonda asked her fellow cheerleader quietly, and then she and Chrissy had one of those girl conversations, that involved a lot of affirming noises but not a lot of actual words. The result was that Chrissy ended up leaning herself and Munson both against a wall while Rhonda shot forward, right at Steve.

She planted her hand on his chest, leaning up so she could whisper in his ear, and as always Steve knew it was intentionally flirty, a cover for the words about to be whispered in his ear.

"Billy got the team to drug him." She spoke low, and Steve bent his head to hear better, keeping his eyes and Chrissy and Munson both. "Tina said that Jannette said they were planning on taking him out in the woods later."

in a far more urgent tone, she continued, "They kept making these weird jokes and I don't know what it meant but--"

"Nothing good." Steve finished for her.

Fucking Hargrove.

Who the hell drugged the goddamn drug dealer?

"Give him here." He quietly ordered as Rhonda slide away, turning to keep an eye on the kitchen door (and the men in the living room past it.) He knew his popularity was sinking--everyone knew it--but he hadn't thought about how that might effect this kind of shit.

That Hargrove might encourage it, when Steve had done his best to make it clear it wasn't tolerated.

Steve wasn't stupid. He'd gotten his crown many ways, some worse than others, but it wasn't just his looks that kept him as the local champion of the ladies.

He hadn't had to do it in a while but there was an established routine here, an unspoken promise made between him and whoever was asking for his help.

Unlike those times, Chrissy hesitated.

"You'll handle it?" She asked, teething worrying her bottom lip. "Even though..."

'It's Eddie,' was implied. So was the fact that Eddie was a guy--and this hadn't happened with a guy.

"I'll handle it." He affirmed, and then maneuvered so he could take Munson's weight off Chrissy's smaller frame. "Promise."

"Like Scouts honor?" Eddie giggled, seeming far more happy to be leaning on Steve than Chrissy.

"I'm gonna get him out of here. Why don't you two find Carol?" He said, as Munson jammed his nose in the crook of Steve's neck, still giggling.

"We will." Chrissy promised, Rhonda grabbing her hand to do just that.

"Tell her to call me if I need to come back." He added as he started getting himself and Munson both out the back door.

Carol might no longer be his friend, but she knew the game just as well as Steve did.

If shit kept going sideways, she'd call.

"It's cold." Eddie whined as they made it to the patio, dead-weighting just enough to actually make it difficult to move him.

Silenty, Steve cursed him.

"Come on man." He encouraged, not wanting to get caught by Hargrove and whoever was stupid enough to pull this stunt.

Getting pinned in the back yard wasn't going to go well for him or Munson.

He tried to encourage Munson forward. "Let's get you home."

"I don't wanna go home." Eddie complained. "I have to get...I have..." His nose scrunched up, eyebrows furrowing. "I'm missing something."

For the first time in his life, Steve mentally thanked Dustin for making him watch those damn nerdy star movies. "I'll get it later. Come on, I have a lightsaber in my car."

"What!?" Eddie shrieked, and frantically Steve shushed him as they came around to the front of the house. "No shit!?"

"No shit." Steve confirmed. "Guess what color it is."

(Because the colors meant something. What he didn't recall, but he figured Munson would know.

Which Eddie did.

Because Eddie spent the rest of the walk to the Beemer babbling loudly about it before excitedly screaming "Knew it!" The second Steve handed him a purple toy saber.

Steve determinedly squashed all thoughts of that being cute, and replaced them with vague thoughts of feeding Hargrove to a demodog instead.)

[imaginary-eddie]

Eddie: You... no... No!

[imaginary-eddie]

Make Me Choose | @noahwylle asked Steddie or Ronance

[imaginary-eddie]

(Late to) steddie summer! ☀️♥️

[imaginary-eddie]

Eddie, working in a coffee shop, has this regular that does not tick a single box of his, and yet he's lowkey obsessed with him. Like, the guy should be way too preppy and boring to do anything for Eddie 'The Freak' Munson, and yet...

He knows the guy works in some kind of sales because he's overheard a conversation or two with his lesbian friend who comes in with him. He knows the guy wears glasses but only if he's doing paperwork. He knows the guy likes chocolate chocolate chip muffins and makes a mess when he eats.

But he still can't figure out why he gives a shit. The guy is literally wearing a sweater vest for fuck's sake.

"Excuse me," Eddie hears above him.

He pops up from restocking the drip filters to find the guy smiling at him. "Yeah? What's up? I mean, how can I help you?"

His smile goes a bit wider. "I was wondering if I could use your phone. It'll just be a second."

"Uhh, sure. Yeah, over here." He shows the guy over to the shop phone, giving him a wan smile when he gives his thanks.

Like, yeah the guy is cute or whatever but nothing about him is even remotely interesting to Eddie, so why are his palms so sweaty after one non-coffee related interaction?

He doesn't even bother not listening to the phone conversation, just stands at the counter with a rag, wiping.

"Hey Cara, it's me, can you patch me through to Amanda? What, why? What do you mean he- I just left, I told him not to- Exactly! That's exactly what I told him. Yeah, patch me through. Of course, I'll let you know. Thanks."

Eddie has to take a customer's order but he doesn't think he missed much, by the time he's back the guy is calmly asking, "Did you think I wouldn't find out? I've got eyes and ears all over that office, Doug. The Miller account is mine. I worked hard on that account and I'm not letting you take the credit while I'm gone. No. No, we're not sharing. Because you sat on your ass and did nothing while I wined and dined them, you flaccid excuse of a man."

Eddie's ears are as perked as they can possibly be.

"Go ahead and try, and then after Hank calls me into his office and we get done talking shit about you, maybe I call your wife and take her up on that offer to go skiing. No, I'm pretty sure it was a real offer considering where her hand was when she made it."

Holy shit, this is better than daytime television.

"Oh yeah? Well how about this? After I get done fucking your wife, I fuck your son next."

Eddie drops an empty mug on the floor. When he looks up, the guy has his hand over the receiver and whispers, "He's in college," like that's what Eddie was worried about. "I'm not threatening him, I'm threatening you. Only threat he's under is having a good time. He got all Pam's good looks, it wouldn't be a hardship. You know what, think I'll keep them both on retainer. How's that?" He shoots Eddie a wink. Because Eddie is still staring. Fuck. "Go ahead. Yeah, I dare you. Tell him everything. And then ask him about what happened to the last guy who tried to snipe my accounts. You're new, I'll cut you some slack this time, just keep your greedy little hands off my accounts and I'll keep my hands off your family. Sound good?" He smiles like the cat that got the canary while the guy can be heard shouting down the line. "Don't be a sore loser, Doug. Tell Pam and Cory I said hi."

With that he hangs up; the confidence oozing off of him nearly chokes Eddie.

"I get it now," Eddie whispers in bewilderment.

The guy smirks. "What?"

"You're insane. That's why I'm obsessed with you."

"You're obsessed with me?" He asks, hands jammed into his pockets, like he might say 'Golly gee willickers' next.

"Completely."

The guy creeps forward, all sweetness, leans in and says, "So, you wanna make me an offer? I'm a popular guy you know. Cory is pre-med." Butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, the absolute bastard.

"I'll blow you, right here, right now. Cory ain't got nothin' on a nerd like me who's had to work for it."

The guy takes one hand out of his pocket and runs a finger across Eddie's collarbone. "I don't know... Pam looks like she got pretty wild back in the day..."

"I don't have a gag reflex."

"Sold."

Eddie turns and shouts, "Bev, I'm taking my 15!"

"15? I guess if you don't want me to reciprocate..."

"Bev, I'm sick, I'm going home for the day!"

[imaginary-eddie]

first tumblr post kinda nervous…

shout out the beige pillow fr

[imaginary-eddie]

Okay so like we don’t see Steve and Hopper interact at all. But with the concept of pre canon steddie and the whole Eddie being a little punk ass shithead drug dealer and Hopper always being the one to arrest him (and then also get him out of shit)

What if Hopper finds out about Steve and Eddie dating but Steve and Eddie do not know that. Then Steve and Eddie break up before s1, which Hopper doesnt know, but theres obviously still some unresolved feelings between them. So like when Hopper comes back at the end of s4 he briefly overhears about Eddie being involved and asks “where’s your boyfriend, Steve?” Knowing no one else is listening, and he has that kind and warm father like smile of his face. Steve’s face drops when it all sorta hits him that no truthful answer to that question is good or comforting or not heart breaking. Hopper notices immediately and pulls Steve into a bear hug. Steve was a parent to the kids for the last few years, and he’s finally getting something of comfort from someone that always treated him better than his own dad. Especially about something he could never talk about with anyone

[imaginary-eddie]

Steddie but they actually don't fall in love after the upside down and everything, they aren't even friends, everything returns to being kinda the same. They don't really talk.

BUT THEN,

Two or so years after everything happened, they're both still sticking around town. Eddie still plays with his band but he's a mechanic at his Uncles shop; Steve is still dealing with the damn kids, even though their almost adults, as disgusting as that is, he's working at family video with Robin still.

Eddie, just finished a show at the hideout, and goes to the bar for a drink before he's gonna head out with his band, and probably, honestly get baked. That's where he sees Steve Harrington, a flush across his cheeks, a drink in his hand, as he drunkenly hums along to a song quietly playing on the radio at the bar.

Eddie hadn't ever, one, actually seen Steve drunk, and two, heard this song before. It sounded... Like the kind of thing Eddie hated, but he couldn't help the sudden chuckle that bubbled out of him at the sight.

"I wanna d-dance with somebody-" Steve would hiccup, a dopey grin on his face. The drunk then noticed Eddie staring at him, and tilted his head like a confused dog. "Munson? Ah, damn, hey there." Eddie wasn't sure if he made up the way Steve's eyes darted down him, but it made him feel hot. "Hey..." Eddie trailed off, a smirk quirking at his mouth, "You feeling alright there, Harrington?" He'd question, noting the drunken sway, the flush across his cheek, and the less than ideal babbling.

"I'm... wonderful, at the moment, though I think Robin might've abandoned me for a pretty lady a while ago? I'm not too sure! And I found a new favorite song." Steve would rant enthusiastically. Who knew he was such a... Chipper drunk. Eddie would scoff slightly, "Oh, well that's just peachy." He glanced at the bartender, then suddenly decided he... Didn't want a drink.

"Do you have a way home?" Eddie found himself asking, strangely worried about him. Maybe it was his dopey smile, or the way his hair was slightly tousled, or the sweet ramblings, but Eddie felt a tug in his gut he couldn't ignore. "U-Uhuh! My car's out front-" "You're not driving." Eddie cut him off, shaking head. Steve paused, surprised by the interruption, and then pouted. "Aw, what? I can drive! I'm a g-great driver!" As adorable as that was, with his little hiccups, Eddie wouldn't be agreeing.

"I bet you are, but y'know, maybe I just want to spend some time with you, out of the goodness of my heart?" Eddie suggested, wondering if Steve was tipsy enough to fall for that. By the way he smiled, he absolutely was. "Oh? Aw, really? That's- Good! Okay." He agreed so quickly it kind of hurt Eddie's heart, a bit.

After the fifteen minute struggle of fishing Steve's keys out of his pocket, explaining to the band what he was doing, and dragging Steve to his passenger seat. Eddie sighed, and sat in the front seat, starting up the car, and began to Harringtons house. He remembered where it was, he'd sold a few kids weed at his old parties. He managed to sneak in a few times.

Steve was... Staring at the ceiling of the car, thinking of whatever pretty boys do when they're drunk off their ass. "I wanna dance..." He'd mumble, "With somebody!" He'd declare, and Eddie just had to fight to keep from laughing. "With... You. You seem good." Steve's head lulled to the side, looking at Eddie with dilated pupils that made his jeans feel tight. "Is that right?" Eddie teased, cocking a brow but keeping his eyes on the road out of fear of what would happen if he looked directly into those doe eyes.

"Yes! It is! You're being nice to me, you gotta love me a little, right? Just a smidge?" Steve would hiccup after asking, his head jolting, a strand of that sickeningly perfect hair falling in his face. Eddie let out a nervous chuckle, man this guy must've had a horrible day to drink this much. "You're... Different, when you're drunk." Eddie would admit, turning into the Harrington's driveway. "Your hair looks like a dirty mop." Steve would snort, a lax grin on his face. Eddie sighed, undoing his seatbelt. "Thank you."

After what felt like an eternity of struggle, he got Steve up to his room and got him to drink at least a little water, so, success. Steve had finally collapsed on his bed, but he was still staring at Eddie. "You're gonna leave now aren't you?" He mumbled, turning onto his side to stare at Eddie, who stood by his door. "They always leave, the pretty ones." Eddie felt a small tug of sadness, but he also knew this wasn't the right way to go about things.

"When you're sober, we can definitely plan this another time, Harrington." Eddie took out a crumpled receipt from his pocket, and took a pen off of Steve's nightstand, and scribbled something down on it. He walked over to Steve and put it in his hand, gently. "Just rest now, okay? Don't die." Eddie would joke lightly, stepping back.

As he closed the door, he was there for just long enough to hear the tired drunk mumble, "Call me Steve..." Eddie felt a strange flutter in his chest. The same one he'd felt a few years ago in that boat when Steve ripped his shirt off and dived in the lake. Definitely not related.

Steve was very confused and concerned when he woke up the next morning, tucked into bed, with a receipt that said:

"Dance with me another time. Eddie Munson." With a number attached.

[imaginary-eddie]

Relatively new Rockstar Eddie gets invited for a TV talkshow/interview thing and before he knows it, he gets forced by his manager Chrissy in front of a massive mirror to "have his makeup done". He complains loudly about not wanting to look like a clown, "this is stupid, Chrissy, I don't even wear makeup for my shows, I hate how it feels, they'll turn me into even a bigger freak than I already am-"

And then he gets rudely interrupted by a bitchy and bored voice. "Chrissy, can you shut him up? I can't gag him and do his makeup at the same time, there'd be lines in his foundation."

Eddie spins around to the sound of Chrissy's giggling to see most handsome (and hairy!) guy he's ever met. His hair is magnificent and he's wearing lipgloss. Shit.

By his satisfied smirk, he knows way too well that Eddie likes what he's seeing. Prick.

Eddie clears his throat and thinks, two can play this game. He knows he has charisma, he can be charming, and most of all, he likes a challenge. "I don't take well to orders, but flattery and/or bribery work on me", he bats his eyelashes at the hot guy. "Maybe start there?"

That earns him a condescending snort, which shouldn't be hot, except it is. Eddie is used to people being nervous or fake around him, but this guy isn't even going for moderate politeness. Eddie also finally manages to take a peek at his name tag when the guy reaches for his makeup brushes - Steve.

"How about threats?" Steve asks and starts going through his makeup kit. "Let me powder your face, or you'll glisten like a freshly peeled hard-boiled egg in all those lights. You'll also blind our camerawoman who is a friend of mine, and then I'll have to listen to her moaning about the glare from your nose. I'll be forced to duel you for the honor of her insulted eyesight. In the end, we both die, stabbed through the heart for nothing. Or," he adds, loose powder and powder brush in his hand, "you can let me apply some very light and moisturizing make-up, powder your face, save our lives, and get a forehead kiss for your trouble afterwards. Your choice."

He winks at Eddie and licks his lips. Then re-applies the gloss and that's it, Eddie's lost the battle of wills.

Sighing, Eddie leans back in the chair and closes his eyes. "Add your number to the reward list and you've got yourself a deal, pretty boy."

[imaginary-eddie]

"The eyes are windows to the soul"

Wednesday's windows are wide open and there are no curtains