#[ saturday : starters ]

[that-scorpio]

Blue looks good on me 💙

[lazypoetsociety]

autumn sentence starters // happy saturday! i went for a fluffy vibe. i hope you enjoy!

— "trick or treat!"

— "i know a spooky story."

— "i'm too comfy to move."

— "candy corn is disgusting..."

— "what's your favorite soup?"

— "you crunched all the leaves!"

— "the library has a crochet class."

— "you hate the cold." "but i love fall."

— "you're never too old to trick or treat!"

— "any more candles is a safety hazard."

— "if you get too cold, there is a fireplace."

— "no, no, and no. i hate haunted houses."

— "finally you're awake—" "i smell cookies."

— "this pumpkin's so ugly... we need to get it."

— "you don't even like pumpkin pie." "but it's fall!"

— "should've known you drink pumpkin spice lattes."

— "i don't think sugar cookies should be this sugary..."

— "someone has to be the adult and rake the leaves..."

— "that is the least scary pumpkin in our neighborhood."

— "hot chocolate, extra marshmallows. just how you like it."

— "i understand the fall 'aesthetic,' but i refuse to forage for mushrooms."

— "we should get matching sweaters! or knit matching scarves! or—"

— "we can either watch a spooky horror movie or a cheesy hallmark movie."

— "you look comfy, reading under a tree." "leaves keep falling in my book."

[sky-neverending]

@steddiemas Day 16: Angst Themed Sentence Starters

Just leave already. You obviously don’t want to be here.

Tags: Established Relationship, Ficlet, Angst, Angst with a happy ending, Steve Harrington needs a hug, Good Boyfriend Eddie Munson

WC: 655 | Rating: Teen

“Just leave already. You obviously don’t want to be here.”

Those are the last words Steve said to Eddie on Christmas Eve. Two sentences, two small sentences that hurt more than any injury either of them had endured over their lives.

“Fine,” Eddie had grumbled, grabbing his bag from the living room couch. “If that’s what you want, I'll go.” And then he had left, slamming the front door behind him at exactly 6:35 P.M.

The argument that led up to him leaving was beyond stupid. It was silly, the way that one meaningless comment had caught in Steve’s already panic riddled mind.

“This is my first Christmas Eve in forever without Wayne,” he said as the two snuggled up on the couch. “After I moved in, he always promised to be home before midnight. I think he wanted me to know he was there, no matter what.” His voice was soft, distant.

It made Steve tense. “You don’t have to be here.”

Eddie had twisted his neck to look at him. “What?”

“You don’t have to be here,” Steve repeated. “It obviously means a lot to you to spend it with him, so you can go home if you want.”

“Why would I want that?” Eddie sat up. “I said I was spending it with you, Stevie.”

“Yeah well,” Steve paused. There was a tension growing in the air, and out of pure panic that Eddie didn’t want to be there, he kept pushing. “It’s not like I'm used to having anyone here on holidays anyway. So go hang out with Wayne.”

Eddie was standing now, fidgeting with his hands. “I don’t want to go hang out with Wanye! I want to be here with you!”

“You obviously don’t,” Steve muttered under his breath, standing as well.

“What?” Eddie asked. He sounded like all the air in his lungs had been knocked out of him. “Steve, why would you think-”

And Steve lost it. He didn’t want to look up at Eddie, didn’t want to see the face of someone he was about to push away because of his own childish worries. “Just leave already. You obviously don’t want to be here.”

Silence filled the space around them. “Fine,” Eddie muttered, and then he was gone.

As soon as the engine of Eddie’s van roared to life, Steve broke. He fell back down onto the couch, hands in his hair as sobs ripped through his chest. He had just driven one of the most important people in his life away. All because he couldn’t accept that maybe, just maybe, someone wanted to be with him for once.

He thought back to his parents. To the empty halls on Christmas, to the dark windows of the Harrington house, the only one on the street without a tree. His parents were never there to get one, to take care of one. Never there to take care of him either. Never there. Why would anyone else want to be there? Obviously he was worthless, unlovable, pathetic. No one would or should ever care about him. It was impossible.

The front door clattered back open, and Steve jumped. The collar of his sweater was soaked with tears.

“Steve,” said Eddie sadly. “Steve, fuck. I’m not going anywhere.”

Steve’s response came out through broken cries. “Go away.”

“No.” Eddie walked toward him and wrapped him in his arms. “I love you, Steve Harrington. And just because you think you aren’t worthy of love, doesn’t change the fact that I do.”

Steve said nothing. He just sobbed, sobbed into Eddie’s vest as the other man ran fingers through his hair. After a little while, he finally spoke up.

“I’ve ruined everything,” he mumbled. “I’ve made it all a mess.”

“Nah,” was Eddie’s response. “I think it’s perfect just the way it is. You wanna know why?”

“Why?”

“Because I have you. And I'm not planning on going anywhere.”

[runninriot]

written for the @steddiemas 2023 Holiday Challenge | prompt: Angsty Themed Sentence Starters

Day 16

“Can I ever just feel… | words: 3260 | rated: t | cw: brief depiction of bad childhood/neglectful parents, mention of excessive drinking | tags: Eddie Munson is bad at feelings, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, they both need a hug

Holiday Blues

   “Talk to me, Eddie. What's going on? You’ve been shutting yourself off for days and- Look, I’m sorry I lied to get you here but you’ve been so irritated and distant lately… we just wanted to surprise you. I don’t understand why you’re so mad at us for trying to cheer you up.”

   “Can I ever just feel what I feel without you making it a big deal?”

   “What?”

   “Why do I always have to explain myself? Why can’t I just be mad without you trying to make it better?”

Eddie needs to get out, doesn’t need Steve’s pity or to be vilified for the way he acted back there. He is pissed and he feels invalidated. Like his own feelings don’t matter. Like his sole purpose is to do stuff they want him to do. Like his own opinion doesn’t count.

   “Because we care about you and we want you to be happy.”

   “Just- LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!” Eddie shouts, doesn’t care who hears.

He’s about to reach for the door handle but makes the mistake of turning back to look over his shoulder once more and his heart drops.

Steve looks at him like he just slapped him across the face - eyes widened in shock, mouth hanging open like he can’t quite process the fact that Eddie yelled at him.

And Eddie still thinks he’s in the right but-

That wasn’t Eddie’s intention at all. It wasn’t his intention to raise his voice and throw a fit but he couldn’t hold it in anymore and now Steve looks hurt and Eddie just wants to take it all back.

   “I’m sorry, Eddie. I just- We thought it’d be nice to.... nevermind. It’s okay. I won’t- I’m sorry,” Steve stutters.

He looks away, head tilted down, eyes locked on his own hands that fiddle nervously with his sleeves. Steve looks so unsure of himself, nothing like the strong-willed, cocky brat he usually is. Always with a snarky remark on his lips, ready to call anyone out on their bullshit. The Steve standing before him right now looks like he’s lost, a little ashamed maybe, and sad. So fucking sad.

   “Steve. Please, don’t- I, I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. I’m sorry. You didn’t-“ Eddie’s finger itch to reach out but he forces the urge down, feels overwhelmed by the mix of anger and guilt flooding his insides.

   “N-no. It’s- it’s okay, Eds. You’re right. I was being pushy. You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.” His words are hushed but Eddie thinks he can hear the wobble in his voice.

Steve turns, trying to make his way back to the others but Eddie can’t let him go. His hand moves on its own account when he grabs Steve by his wrist to hold him back.

Sure, Eddie wanted to leave and be left alone but not like this. Not with Steve looking so... defeated. It’d be different if he were mad at Eddie. If he told him to suck it or maybe yelled back at him. He should be mad at him. Because Eddie fucked it all up over something so stupid, something so inane and not at all worth fighting over.

Steve didn’t even do anything wrong. Not really. None of them did. It’s just that Eddie’s head is fucked-up. He is fucked-up because it’s that time of the year. And he shouldn’t be angry at them, isn’t really. He’s angry at himself or letting memories of the past overpower every rational thought once again. Same shit, different year. You’d think he’d grown out of it; that at 20 he should’ve and could’ve learned to cope with these feelings.

With the haunting images of a little boy crying himself to sleep, a mother passed out in the next room. Shattered remains of an empty bottle of Jack, shards and a puddle of dark liquid staining the rug. A silent night turned into a silent morning. No lights, no presents under no tree. No laughter. Just dead eyes and deep frowns. One broken home, two broken hearts.

He's not a kid anymore, he should be fine but every year he can feel it bubbling up inside him. Every year these memories drag him down into a dark hole.

They should've just let him wait it out on his own, like he always does but they didn't listen.

The kids had been begging him to come to their little pre-Christmas get together for days. Told him all about the Christmas traditions they’ve created in the past. They were so excited, didn’t stop bombarding him with ideas and what to do’s, talking over each other like they always do. Any other given time, Eddie would have been infected by their smiles and laughter. Not this time though.

He made up some bullshit excuse about having to help out Wayne with important stuff, said he won’t have much time the week before Christmas. Told them not to bother about him, to have fun and that he’ll see them after the holidays.

He’s pretty sure it was Dustin’s idea to have Steve call him over under false pretences, knowing Eddie could never say No to Steve; that he would always drop everything if he needed him, no matter how small or big the request.

They coaxed him into coming over to Steve's place by the man himself calling and asking him for help with some apparent car problem. Only his car was fine and when Eddie arrived, he was greeted by Dustin’s shit-eating grin, acting like nothing was going on.

Eddie didn't even have time to process it all, just got dragged into the kitchen where Erica and El were busy placing cut-out cookies on a baking tray under Robin’s watchful eyes. Through the open door into the living room he saw Mike and Lucas struggling with the tangled chain of lights for the tree Max and Will were helping Steve to put up.

And then Dustin reached for a bag and pulled out the ugliest Christmas sweater Eddie had ever seen in his life, only then realising they were all wearing one. Dustin looked so proud when he told him to put it on, not even asking if he wanted to.

Eddie couldn’t take it.

He didn’t escape hell to be forced to wear some ugly ass knitwear and sit down and watch stupid Christmas movies or listen to this godawful music. He didn’t even want to be here in the first place.

***

    “Yeah, nice try Dustin. I’m gonna pass. I don’t- have time for that.”

    “See, I told you he wouldn’t wear it! Eddie’s way too cool for that.”

   “Shut up, Mike. That's stupid. Steve wears one, too. He never complains.”

   “Yeah, duh! It’s Steve, Dustin. He’s-”

   “Hey butthead! If you want your present later, you’ll better be nice to me!”

   “Sorry Steve.”

   “Riiight. Well, imma head out. You guys have a nice party.”

   “Oh come one, Eddie! You’re already here now and it’s gonna be fun. You don’t even have to wear the thing just-“

   “I said NO, Dustin! Stop trying to force me to be part of your stupid- whatever childish shit this is.”

   “What’s your problem, man? You’ve been stressed all week and we just wanted to-”

   “Yeah well, sorry for dampening your jolly fucking good mood. I’ll be out of your hair so you won’t have to listen to me complain.”

***

On his way out of the kitchen and into the hallway to make his escape, Eddie tried his best to forcefully ignore the way El’s face crumpled – her expressions changing from cheerful to sad at his words. He tried not to cower when Erica looked at him like she was ready to fight him, ready to actually kick his ass for bad-mouthing their group’s Christmas celebrations. Tried to ignore Dustin calling after him, begging him to stay.

Eddie needed some space, needed room to breathe but then Steve had to follow him to the front door, had to stop him from leaving only to keep pushing.

    “Because we care about you…”

That really hurt. Hit him right where his heart was already cracked and vulnerable, causing emotions to well up inside he wasn’t ready to show.

And now he's here, standing face to face with Steve, both hurt but in so very different ways.

   “Don’t! Please don’t go. I really am sorry.” Eddie hates how his own voice cracks; how small he feels when Steve finally turns around to look at him.

Steve’s hand drops to his side when Eddie unfurls his fingers and for a moment, they just look at each other.

Eddie shouldn’t have-

What he said earlier was unfair. But Eddie can’t deal with them right now when all he wants to do is wallow in self-pity and be angry at the world.

It has nothing to do with them using a little white lie to get him here or the goddamn sweater. As if Eddie really had something against hot chocolate and cookies and spending time with his friends. He’s just-

But they don’t know that. It’s their first Christmas together. He never told them about how much this time of the year messes him up, why he’s been in a bad mood for days. Why he just wants to lock himself up at home and wait for the festivities to be over and done with.

They wouldn’t understand why he’d rather be home alone than having to fake a smile and put on a face that isn’t his. They’d just try to cheer him up; above all Steve with his way of constantly fussing over everyone, including Eddie. Always trying to make their lives easier, better. Always there to help, always trying to make everyone happy.

But even he can’t make things better. Eddie hates this fucking time of the year. Fucking Christmas with all its pretentious joy and happiness. It’s just another fucking day like the rest of ‘em. Another reminder of his fucked-up past.

    Santa doesn’t come to your home when you’re poor.

    Struggling mothers don’t stop struggling just because it’s Christmas.

    Shitty dads are still shit regardless of the time of year.

Steve wouldn’t understand because his memories of Christmas must be filled with love and laughter.

Eddie imagines a little boy being all excited at the nicely decorated house, the air filled with the smell of freshly baked goods he probably helped his mom make. He imagines colourful Christmas lights, a delicious family dinner, warm hugs. He imagines big, hazel eyes catching sight of all the presents he wished for, placed neatly under a huge Christmas tree.

He gets why Steve is so into all this stuff. Why he’s inviting everyone over. Why he goes out of his way for the kids to have the best pre-Christmas party ever. Why they’re all so full of joy and excitement.

And who could deny them their happiness? They deserve to have a fun time after everything they’ve been through. They deserve to have the best goddamn Christmas for saving the world more than once. Eddie just doesn’t want to be part of it. Not this time.

He is beyond grateful to call this group of weirdos his friends. He will never be able to repay them for coming to his rescue when everything went to shit and quite literally for saving his life.

They’re the best thing that could’ve happened to him, beside Wayne. He’s never had friends like them, never felt like he truly belonged.

He’s never had this many people worry about him and it’s still hard sometimes to wrap his head around the fact that they actually care.

Eddie isn’t used to talk about the things that bother him. To have someone listen, wanting to know what’s going on inside his head.

It’s silly, he knows it is. But it’s hard to just-

   “Steve I...”

Eddie takes a deep breath, tries not to falter under Steve’s gaze.

   “I didn’t want to make anyone sad or angry. I shouldn’t have said what I said. I am grateful for you guys wanting me here but- Look, man. Christmas isn’t my favourite holiday, never was. I just don’t want to ruin your party with my bad mood.”

Something in Steve’s eyes shifts. Sadness and disappointment making way for something that’s not quite pity, more like... understanding. He looks at him fondly, almost hopeful, and that does something to Eddie’s heart he can’t name.

   “I get it, man. I hate Christmas,” Steve says through a wary smile and Eddie thinks he’s misheard.

   “What?”

   “I hate Christmas. Or I used to. Until those little shits came into my life. We started this little tradition two years ago. Ugly Christmas sweaters and all. They convinced me to have a party at my place because, y’know ‘Your house is always empty and your parents are never home anyway. It’s perfect, Steve.’” He chuckles as he unmistakably recites Dustin, but his voice has a sadness in it that rattles at Eddie’s brain.

How could he have been so blind? He’s heard enough about them to know what kind of people Steve’s parents are. They didn’t even care about their son being in the hospital after everything was finally over. They didn’t once come to visit him. And then they just left. Left him the house and a shitload of money as compensation for leaving him behind without even a proper goodbye.

How could Eddie have thought that they’d ever been any different. That they’d ever cared.

   “My parents had barely ever been home for Christmas since i was about 10. They thought it’s enough to shower me in gifts I didn’t ask for to make up for everything. It might sound petty because I know there’s kids that have it way worse but- waking up Christmas morning to find dozens of store-wrapped presents under an oversized, abundantly decorated tree with no one around to share the joy with? Yeah, no. Made me realise Christmas is just like any other day, not special enough to make my parents want to spend time with me. Made me hate that fucking holiday and everything that comes with it.”

Eddie looks down, shoulders dropping in shame. He had it all wrong, assumed things without knowing the truth. Without asking first. He could’ve known had he talked to him. Had he not been too busy pushing it all down only to be eaten up by it from the inside out.

   “My dad left on Christmas eve. Without a warning. Said he was going to go to the store and never came back. I was 7. My mom couldn’t deal with it. They were struggling but she loved him. And when she realised, he’d gone for good, she got drunk. Passed out on the living room floor and left me to deal with it all by myself. I never believed in Santa for as long as I can remember. Never believed in God either. But that night I prayed for Santa to be real. For him to give me this one gift. Promised I’ll never ask for anything ever again, that I’ll never misbehave again if he could just make my dad be there in the morning. He wasn’t, of course. Everything went downhill from there on.”

   “I’m so sorry, Eddie. That must’ve been hard.”

   “When I moved in with Wayne, he- he tried to make it better. Make knew memories. But it’s just something that stuck with me. Makes me fucking angry and sad.”

   “That’s nothing to be ashamed of. Some things just stay with us. They’re hard to shake off and forget but it can get better, y’now.”

The certainty in Steve’s voice sparks a flame in his chest. Just a tiny flicker of hope.

   “How?”

Steve’s eyes light up. There’s this sparkle in them Eddie has become so fond of over the past months.

   “You just have to accept that you’re not alone anymore. That there are people that care about you and will never let you down like your parents have. You’ve got the kids, Eddie. They love you so much it’s actually annoying sometimes. Robin will always have your back. She’d fight anyone that dared to hurt you. And you have me. We want to be there for you when you’re feeling down, you don’t have to hide away.”

Steve steps closer, takes both of Eddie’s hands in his.

   “I know I can be a little too much sometimes. I know I can be pushy but- please believe me I’m only doing this because you’re important to me. I can’t stand to see you sad. I want you to be happy and I’ll do anything to see you smile.”

Eddie feels dizzy, like he’s having trouble getting enough air in his lungs. He feels tears prickling in the corners of his eyes, wants turn away and hide but Steve’s hands are warm and he doesn’t let go, holds him there.

   “Thank you, Steve.”

It barely comes out as a whisper because if he dared to speak any louder, Steve would recognize the wetness in his voice.

Two arms wrap around his shoulders and suddenly he finds himself enveloped in Steve, held tight against the other man’s body. Eddie feels himself falter, feels his body slump down within Steve’s tight embrace and it’s then he realises that his tears have already started to fall. A steady stream rolling over his cheeks and down to Steve’s shoulder, soaking his sweater where Eddie’s face is buried in the crook of his neck.

He wants to return the touch, wants to dig his fingers into Steve's sides to keep himself from falling. But his body refuses to function and so he just lets himself be held, listening to Steve’s gentle voice as he quietly tells him ‘It’s okay, Eddie. I’ve got you.’

Minutes pass but Steve doesn’t let go, just keeps rubbing soothing lines along Eddie’s back until the sobbing quiets down. Eddie sniffles, feels the remnants of burning tears on his face when he finally pulls himself up, leaning back just enough to look at Steve.

Steve’s eyes are little red and puffy, like he too has shed some tears. Maybe for Eddie. Maybe for himself. Maybe just because it’s good to let it all out sometimes.

From the living room they can hear the gleeful laughter of their friends and Eddie is grateful for them not to see him like that. Grateful for them letting him have this moment with Steve.

Steve, whose lips curl up into a soft, beautiful smile as he takes Eddie’s face in his hands and wipes his thumbs softly over the wetness on Eddie’s cheeks.

   “Feeling better?”

Eddie nods, means it, believes it. Because how could he not, when Steve looks at him with so much kindness in his eyes. When the hands on his face feels so comforting.

   “Thank you. For everything.”

   “I’ll always be there for you, Eddie. You couldn’t get rid of me if you wanted to.”

   “That a promise, Harrington?”

Eddie wants to say so much more but fears he’ll just cause another breakdown if he lets the words spill from his heart to his tongue.

For now, this is enough.

To know that there are people he can count on. To know that he’s wanted. That he’s loved even when he’s at his worst.

Maybe he can allow himself to be happy. And maybe, just maybe he’ll even wear the damn sweater if it makes them happy too.

[cementcornfield]

Mike and Charlie being back on the field is ALSO good news!!

[warriorled]

you know the drill, like this post for a short starter. might be a one - liner, might be a short para, but will definitely be something short and simple that can always evolve into something longer later.

[stevebuscemieyes]

Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2

March 26, 2024

Dir. Rhys Frake-Waterfield

[kiissme]

in the words of steve harrington —

[storiesofthenight]

Introducing Aragorn, well there's no real intro needed I think? Find his verses [here], and if we're mutuals, feel free to like this for a starter.

[despiterage]

like this post and i will take a song lyric from one of my muse playlists and use it to generate a starter for one of the following:

asmee gill

peter parker

harry osborn

efren piñeda

audrey dema

please specify muse(s) in the replies!

[ixchelish]

>picture perfect aquarium

>light goes out

>deprimiert.png

[luminescenc1e]

press the little ♡ for a short/one liner starter [regardless if we are already writing together] from any of my muses  𓈉 

[katierosefun]

brain being weird . . .. time to go outside time to be in the sun time to DO SOMETHING . . ..

[sasouken]

beep boop here is a starter call. pls specify muse or there will be no starter

[hellgiven]

" i hate that every store around is sold out of the little debbie christmas tree cakes. . . "

[that-scorpio]

Only picture I could get of last night