#(BUT BACK TO THE FUNNY PART eddie suddenly being in so much pain & steve being like ‘i feel like i can frolic’ is so fucking funny)

[theha1r]

this is for a body swap au for s.teddie & i am cackling so hard absolutely l o s i n g my shit rn

but it’s also a good look into steve’s chronic pain that he deals w pretty much daily but is just constantly like 🤷🤷🤷 i’m gucci abt - (minus the needing glasses bit)

[imfinereallyy]

#38 "i was eavesdropping and i heard something i can’t scrub from my memory" sounds like it could be very funny, especially from a kid's perspective!

you read my mind, it 100% needs be a kid POV, sorry this one is a bit shorter than my usual but it was fun to write. *it actually ended up being longer than I thought cause I have a problem with not knowing when enough is enough lol* ♡

find the request game here

Lucas was going to throw up. He liked to think he had a strong stomach, he really truly did, but this was too much even for him.

“What the hell is your problem?” Max asked him as he came back to Steve’s living room.

“Yea you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Will pipes up, head leaning on his knee.

Lucas swallowed dryly, he had to phrase this carefully. “Well I was eavesdropping…”

Max snorted from her seat on the couch. “You Lucas Sinclair was eavesdropping? Didn’t think I’d ever see the day. What about the whole ‘respect people’s boundaries’ thing you rave about?”

“And I still stand by that! It’s just I didn’t want to interrupt and…” Lucas thought back to a few minutes ago. He had gone into the kitchen to grab Max an ice pack; she was having a bad hip day. When he had reached the door, he had heard Steve and Eddie talking, and it had sounded serious. Lucas felt bad about interrupting, but he also couldn’t go back to Max without the ice pack. They had been good for months now, and he didn’t want to risk it. (He knew this was ridiculous considering they weren’t really that dysfunctional, and she loved him, a reluctant secret smile confession on her end. But there was this deep part of Lucas who was terrified of disappointing her). So he was content with waiting outside the door until they were done.

Lucas really should have turned around and left.

“What if they don’t…want to be around us Stevie?” Eddie whispered.

“Baby they are just kids. They are good kids. They are our friends. They won’t be upset.” Steve murmured back.

This was the point Lucas should have turned around, but he was confused and wanted to understand.

“You aren’t even the slightest bit worried, that maybe they won’t be accepting? I don’t think any of them have been exposed to gay culture, let alone two men dating?”

Oh. Oh no. This was really private. Lucas should have really turned around but at that point, his feet were glued to the ground.

“I mean yea a little bit…they are shitheads. Especially Mike—“ Lucas had to hold back a snort, “—but they are good. It’s why we are friends with them. As much as it pains me to admit we are friends with children.”

Lucas wished he could see their faces.

“What if…what if they are more than shitheads this time?” Lucas had never heard Eddie’s voice sound so small.

“…do you want to wait a little longer?” Steve’s voice asked gently, with no anger.

“If that’s okay. I just…want to live in our bubble a little longer. Well our bubble plus Robin.” Lucas imagined Eddie biting his hair in that moment.

“Yea baby. We take this at the pace you need. And Robin already knows, which is pretty much the only person I can’t keep a secret from. And I like our little bubble too.” Lucas heard shuffling around, like fabric reaching around itself.

“Yea?”

“Yea. I think I can go a little longer without the twerps making gagging noises every time we kiss. We can wait to tell them we’re together.”

“Hmmmm should we do a practice show right now, to prepare for when we need to freak them out?” Eddie’s voice turned suddenly flirty.

“I like the way you think.” This was the last words Lucas heard before the sounds of the two of them clearly heavily making out came through the doorway. It was at the first moan that Lucas ran away.

Lucas was brought back to reality when Max snapped her fingers in his face. “Want to share with the class loser?”

Oh god, Lucas was gonna throw up at the memory.

It wasn’t the fact that they were men and that they were dating. Lucas was, in fact, really happy for them. He had never thought about it, but in a weird way, it made sense. He wanted them to be happy. And if he was really being honest with himself, he was hoping maybe this would get Max to stop staring at Steve when he doesn’t have a shirt on (a few months later, Lucas would be horribly proven wrong of this theory).

It wasn’t this kissing that made him want to vomit either. Sure, the idea of his older brother figure making out with his dungeon master wasn’t a pleasant thought, but he had witness Mike make out with El, so he was pretty immune to grossness.

No, the problem was Lucas realized with great certainty he was going to have to keep a secret.

He gagged at the thought.

Sure, he could keep a whole other dimension and government conspiracy theory a secret from his parents (and, ya know, the world), but he caved relatively quickly when it came to Max. And Max could tell whenever he was lying. But Lucas wasn’t stupid; he knew you couldn’t just tell other people that someone you know is gay. He didn't know the word for it, maybe there wasn’t one, but Lucas knew what it was like to be different. He didn’t want to make Steve and Eddie feel bad, or cause others to be mean to them. He didn’t think the rest of the party would care about the gay? Bisexual? Queer?—wait, that’s a bad word, Lucas thought—it didn’t matter what specifically, but he didn’t think they would care about the gay stuff—more like Lucas knew his friends. El and Max would have a million, invasive questions. Mike would be a dick, but not for serious reasons. More like “I have weird insecurities” reasons. It would probably be good for Will (again, Lucas isn’t stupid). And Dustin, holy shit, he would most definitely either be pissed he didn’t know sooner, or would rub it in everyone’s face that he made it happen. Both of which Lucas knew would be horrible reactions.

God, he was going to throw up. He was going to lie to his friends. His girlfriend. He couldn’t just share this secret. It would go horrible if he told, it’s not his secret! His stupid, stupid friends (not El and Max) would blow up if it came from him first. And then Eddie and Steve would be upset, he told, and they would think that the party hated them for something out of their control, even though they love them no matter what! And oh god, he’s gonna have to lie so much—

He was spiraling, he needed to calm down.

“Lucas?” Max’s face suddenly softened, like she knew he was having a hard time getting the words together. Lucas looked at her face, and took a couple of seconds to count her freckles but lost track quickly. He didn’t mind; he would to start again later. He followed the laugh lines around her eyes that weren’t there last year, and thought about trying to make her laugh.

Max said nothing as he stared, even as the guys pressed him to answer. It was strange, he was terrified of lying to Max, but he knew deep down she would understand. That she would know he was lying but wouldn’t call him out on it.

“I was eavesdropping and I heard something I can’t erase from my memory. I almost walked in on Steve giving sex advice to Eddie, so I walked away before it got gross. I forgot your ice pack; I’m sorry.” Lucas apologized; he did genuinely feel bad he didn’t succeed on his mission.

The guys started chattering behind him, asking questions and yelling out in disgust, but Max stayed quiet for a second, then said, “It’s okay, stalker. Didn’t have high hopes for you anyway. You always get distracted.”

Lucas sent her a grateful smile, and pretended to be offended. “Are you saying I don’t finish what I’ve started? You should know better, Max.”

Max threw her head back, and full body laughed. She scooped Lucas’ hand and wove her pale fingers between his. “That’s me being nice, Lucas. Don’t go around telling people that. Or I’ll have to up the ante.”

Lucas kissed the back of her hand and whispered, “Maybe I like it when you’re a little mean.”

Max blushed and looked to check if the guys were paying attention (they weren’t; they were still arguing over sex they weren’t having), and leaned over to give him a soft kiss on the cheek. Max didn’t ask any questions even though Lucas knew she knew he was lying.

Lucas didn’t let go of her hand, and quietly hoped that Eddie made Steve feel the way Max made him feel.

He deserved something special like that.

**

I need you guys to know that I had to keep backtracking to correct boys into guys, cause I’m so used to writing from an older persons perspective. But I wanted some steddie and lumax mixed together. And Lucas! Deserves! More! Attention!!!

thank you so much for the ask I had so much fun with this one.

[justmeinadaze]

Head Filled With Demons Part 3 (Steddie X You)

A/N with Warnings: Demon Steddie and Human Fem Reader.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Read my warning and heed what I'm telling you. This chapter (kind of like the others) deals a lot with grief. With Eddie in part 2 it was grief of a partner and in this one its the grief of a parent. The guys do give her memories of her and her parents and reader does talk about her pain of losing her father. Yes he dad passes. I dont want you going in blind to that.

A lot of her feelings in the beginning are based off of my own when my dad passed away.

If this triggers you (which I completely understand) DO NOT read further. It is only in the beginning but still.

SMUT (DP, Steddie gets intimate, dom qualities seep through especially between them, choking, scolding, I think that's it), Angst, I am me so there is all the angst, Besides the mentions above there is talk about the grief of losing their realm (their home) , Steve talks a lot about feeling lonely and his guilt over not being able to protect his friends, Eddie talks about feeling their predicament is his fault. A war from their world is talked about and a vision is shown about how Steve saved Eddie <3, there is a cliffhanger ending so enjoy that :)

Fluff of course, they care about her and vise versa. There is also a lot of love mentioned and expanding on between these two demons.

ENTER WITH CAUTION! THIS WILL MAKE YOU FEEL!

Word Count: 7976

“Y/N. Y/N, sweetie. Wake up.”

You grumble at the sound of your father’s voice before fully sitting up. “Dad. Oh my goodness. Are you ok?”

“Yes, baby. I’m fine. I haven’t felt this good in a long time actually.”, he chuckles as his finger brushes your hair behind your ear like he always did when you were little. “Come here. I want to show you something.”

Without waiting, he exits your room as you throw off your blankets. Suddenly remembering where you were the night prior, your hands flew down expecting to feel the silky red fabric but you breathed a sigh of relief when you saw your pajama shorts and tank top.

When you entered the living room, you found your dad staring out the front window. Once again, Hawkins was engulfed in flames but this time it didn’t frighten you. You had come to see this sight so many times that you were beginning to feel numb to it. 

“I asked them to look after you for me; your friends.”

“Dad, they aren’t going to be here for too long.”

He smiles as he turns away from the glass and takes your hand in his. “Your mom used to say that about you. ‘Honey, you have to enjoy the kid years because they aren’t here for too long. Soon she’ll be off to college and married.’” 

When his gaze shifted, you reached to bring it back to yours. 

“Dad, I don’t blame you for how my life is. This isn’t your fault. I love seeing you every day and spending time with you.”

He nods, grasping your other hand. “I guess this task you have to complete is the last time you’ll be taking care of someone. Funny it would be the whole world.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Promise me, Y/N, when this is over that you’ll finally live your life for you and be happy.”

“When what is over? Dad? Wait…”

After kissing your forehead, he released you from his hold and started heading for the kitchen where your mother was waiting with a smile of her own. 

“Don’t be too hard on them, Y/N. This isn’t their fault.”

“What isn’t?! No! Come back! Don’t leave me here alone!”

As they walk down the hallway, sunlight blinds you as you fall to your knees.”

Your eyes shoot open and you promptly jump out of bed to run to your father’s room. 

“Honey, hang on a minute—” Steve tries to stop you as you push him out of the way. His head hangs as Eddie glares towards the opposite end of the house. He closes his eyes as they hear you scream and listen to you sob.

***

“Miss Y/L/N?”, Detective Hopper said your name with so much delicacy as he kneeled in front of you from your place on the couch. “I…I know how hard this is for you right now but I want you to know if you need anything, of course, feel free to come by the station. We have, uh, services that can help you and you’re not alone.”

You nodded without saying a word causing him to sigh as he stood up and headed out the door. Once everyone was gone, you headed for your father’s bedroom and laid down on his mattress, inhaling his smell. Steve’s hand caressed your leg but you barely felt it; you couldn’t feel anything.

Eddie sits in front of you and music suddenly fills the area. Glancing his way, you notice a guitar in his hands as he gently began plucking the strings. His soothing voice began to sing and you feel your body practically melt into the mattress as your soul calmed and your eyes closed. 

“You're just too good to be true Can't take my eyes off of you You'd be like Heaven to touch I wanna hold you so much.”

Your mother gathers her things and jacket as she heads out of the dressing room door.

“Um excuse me. I…”, your fathers words trailed off as she stopped to face him. “I just, um, I… oh shit!”, the man cursed as he tripped over his feet and fell onto the ground right in front of the beautiful ballerina. 

“Oh no. Are you alright?”, she giggles as she helps him up.

“Yeah, um, I guess I’m not as graceful as you are with your feet.” Her grin grows as a happy sigh leaves his lips at the sight. “I just wanted to tell you that I think you did great out there. You dance very, uh, very well.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes scan his as he nervously nods, scolding himself as he turns to walk the other way and leave her alone to hide from the shame. “Hey, I was going to grab some food. Would you like to join me?”

“At long last, love has arrived And I thank God I'm alive You're just too good to be true Can't take my eyes off of you.”

Your father sings those lyrics to your mother as they dance together in their wedding wardrobe. 

“You’re such a goofball.”

“Yeah, but I’m YOUR goofball.”, he smiles wide as he spins her and her dress twirls. 

“Till death do us part.” She leans forward to kiss him, giggling when he lifts her off the ground.

Guests clap as they join them on the dance floor and begin swaying to the music. 

“When do you think we should spring the news on them about the baby?”

“I love you, baby And if it's quite alright I need you, baby To warm the lonely night I love you, baby Trust in me when I say.”

“Daddy!”, six-year-old you cries as you run into the house. 

“Oh no, sweetheart. What happened?” Your father meets you halfway lifting you up onto the counter. 

“I fell.” He makes a small hm noise as he inspects your bloody knee. 

“That’s ok, my love. We can make it all better.” Reaching above you, your dad grabs the band aids and rag that he quickly wets before coming back to you to clean you up. 

“You know, mommy falls all the time when she’s practicing.” He poses like a ballerina, making you giggle. “But she gets right back up and keeps dancing.” After placing the bandage over your cut, he leans in to kiss the top before kissing your forehead. “Alright, go get back out there and keep playing!”

“Oh, pretty baby Don't bring me down, I pray Oh, pretty baby Now that I've found you, stay And let me love you, baby Let me love you.”

“My daughter; the high school graduate. I’m so proud!” 

You roll your eyes playfully as your dad snaps another picture.  

“Dad, it’s not a big deal.”

“It is! You worked hard to get here and I know your mom is smiling down from heaven agreeing with me. I heard our song on the radio this morning so I know. ‘I love you, baby. Trust in me when I say.’” You grin as he sings and tries to dance with you before he begins to cough. “No, no. I’m fine. It’s fine.”, he shoos as you rub his back.

“This is your day, honey. Come on. Let this old man take you to dinner and then I’ll set you free to hang out with your friends.”

The music stopped as your eyes opened to both demon’s looking down at you tenderly. Eddie’s hand reached out to touch your cheek and you immediately broke as you sobbed. Falling to his back, he pulled you to his side and held you tightly to him as Steve laid behind you, wrapping his arms around you to do the same.

#############

“Y/N, sweetheart.” Eddie tries to pet your head but you shuffle away from him as you roll over in bed. 

“Honey, we don’t want to push you but we’re on week two here. You have to kill another person.” 

They both sigh aggressively as you pull the blankets over your head. Abruptly the covers disappear and you find yourself standing in the bathroom in front of the mirror with them on either side of you. 

“Maybe we can go for a walk outside, get some sun, find a victim. You know, fun stuff.”

“Stop it.”, you scold Steve as you try and leave but he blocks you with his body. 

“Y/N, you have to do this.”

“Fuck off, Steven.”, you sneered. It took all of his energy to hold down his temper as his eyes met your own. 

“I know you’re in an immense amount of pain, Y/N. I’m really fucking sorry about that. If there was anything we could have done, I swear we would have. That being said, you still have a responsibility to save the world.”

“Why?” His eyebrows furrowed together at your question. “My world is gone. Why should I help all these fucking assholes especially the assholes in this stupid, greedy fucking town! Fuck them! Let them suffer.”

“That’s not what your parents would have wanted.”

“Oh, fuck you, Eddie! You both didn’t know my mom and you met my dad once! You have no idea what the fuck they wanted!”

“How quick you forget, little one. We can see into your soul. We may not have been there but we saw and felt everything because you did.” His ring lace palm lands on your chest. “They were both good people like you and wanted what’s best for you. They would not have wanted you to die burning with the world.”

You exhale heavily as you push down the urge to cry again. “Fine. I’ll go for a fucking walk.”

***

You stroll with your head down in no particular direction and since they succeeded in at least getting you out of the house your demons don’t pester you but remain close behind. It isn’t until you hear the gravel under your feet that one of them finally speaks. 

“What is the point of a high school?” Pausing you turn to glance at them, finding their eyes looking at the building behind you as Steve continues. “I mean, you guys have the little kid school and a middle one but then you have a high one? It feels excessive.” 

“Demons don’t have schools?”

“Uh, not exactly. I mean, we have training or Steve and I did rather. It kind of depends on what you plan to do.”

“So you’re telling me you two planned to be killers?”

They blinked as their gaze shifted back to you. “Again…not exactly.”

You walked over to one of the side doors, huffing when you find it locked. With a quick snap, they open and the three of you wonder inside. 

“My father wasn’t royalty like the king but he was respected. He was kind of like humans version of a general or captain. The princess’s father told him where he wanted us and he made sure things got done. He wanted me to be just like him.”

“Which is ironic because I don’t think your dad ever killed one thing a day in his long miserable life.”, Eddie muses as he touches some of the assignments hanging along the school walls. “Who needs this stuff? Fucking quadratic formula?” He grins when he notices you smile. 

“You didn’t want that, Steve?”

“I don’t know what I wanted. Honestly, I don’t really think I had a choice.”

“What about you, Eddie?”

“I like singing and playing my instrument. That’s what I wanted to do with my existence but… I mean you do what you have to do.”

“Why did you have to hurt people?”

“Demons and creatures. Not people, sweetheart. We don’t usually play here in this realm, not our kind anyway. Um, so my father was I guess what you would call a deserter. There was a big war in our realm a LONG time ago and he, uh, he ran. Demons like Steve found him and brought him back. He, as far as I know, is still being tortured in a king’s cell. I offered to take his place in the army; youngest demon to do so.”

“That must have been hard. Your mom didn’t protest?”

“Kind of like yours, princess, mine died awhile back.”

You turn to Steve who softly smiles. “Mine did everything and anything my dad wanted so what I did or wanted didn’t really matter.”

You guys enter the cafeteria and they marvel at the simplicity of it.

“When did you two meet?”

“When he volunteered, I kept an eye on him. No offense, buddy, but in the beginning, you weren’t the fighter type.”

“That’s fair.”, Eddie giggles as he hops onto a table and walks along it. 

“Out on the field he sacrificed himself to protect one of the younger ones and was about to die before I saved him.”

The metalhead looking demon clasped his hands together dramatically. “My hero.”

Steve playfully scrunches his nose at him as they both grin.

“Can I see it?”

“Are you sure you want to? There’s some violence. You hated that last time.”

“It’s ok. I want to see.”

He nods at your request and as soon as he snaps his fingers you find yourself on a red stained battlefield. Something screeched above your head and you ducked down nearly missing the winged creature that soared by. Off in the distance, you saw a young boy with a sword fighting a demon twice his size. He was doing alright until you noticed someone sneaking up behind him. 

“Kid, look out!”, you screamed but you voice had an echo. Someone else had shouted the same thing at the same time. Before you could fully register what was happening Eddie swished past you and his sword blocked the other demon’s from hurting the young boy. 

The kid continued to fight the being in front of him as Eddie fell backwards, his weapon keeping the other from penetrating his body. 

“Eddie! Hang on, man. I’m coming.”

“No…rush…Dustin. Take your time.”, he hissed through gritted teeth. Suddenly, the demon above him grunted before collapsing to the side. Steve spit on the ground beside him before tugging his weapon out of the thing’s skull and extending his hand to his new friend. 

“That was brave. Stupid but brave.”

“Thank you? You always have a way with words, Steven.” Eddie points towards the boy who finally slays his monster and beams over at them with pride. “Aren’t you their protector?”

“Yes, but this one keeps ignoring my advice.”

“Oh, come on. You’re not that mad at me.”

“I miss that little fucker.”, Eddie sighs as you guys head towards the hallway.

“What happened to him?”

“He’s still there in our realm. When we left, he was just starting a little family of his own.”, Steve smiled but you could see the pain behind it.

“So, it really has just been you two for all this time.” They nod but notice you make a thinking face as you enter the front office.

“What was that there? What are you thinking about, sweetheart?” 

“I’ve been meaning to ask you guys something but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

Their eyes narrow in your direction as they take a seat in the chairs in front of the principal’s desk and cross their legs. 

“Well, have at it, little one.”

“You won’t disappear?”

“Scouts honor.”, Steve chuckles as he crosses his heart. 

You grin as you sit in the comfy chair across from them. “When we were together last time, I, um, I thought I saw you two kissing and touching each other.”

Neither moves nor do they take their eyes off you.

“What’s your question, honey?”

“Is what I saw…real?”

Their heads tilt at the same time and you cross your own legs to suffocate the ache the sight gives you. 

“When you spend…a millennia alone with one other being…things happen.” You can tell Eddie is choosing his words carefully but so were you so you couldn’t be annoyed about it. This past week had been one of the worst weeks of your life. You felt so numb and was desperate to feel something, anything. Even if that was them getting angry with you.

“Do you two fuck each other?”, you ask bluntly. 

“Yes.” You’d be lying if you said you weren’t surprised by Steve’s equally blunt honesty. 

“Do you enjoy it?”

“Yes.”, Eddie answers. 

“Were you always intimate? Even in your realm.”

“No.”

“Answer me.”

“We did.”, Steve growls but it wasn’t exactly an angry growl. You had heard that before from them. This was protective; like with Eddie’s memories of his princess, for them this was personal. 

“Do you trust me?”, you ask and they shift their gaze to each other. 

“You don’t understand, Y/N.”

“Help me to, Ed.” 

“Honey, do you know the last time we were out like this? 1932. Before that? 1885.”

“Maybe you can use some of that math you learned from high school to find out how much time Steve and I spend alone.”

“Even then, we meet you people and it’s never for long. Eddie and I are each other’s constant. We understand each other and what we’ve been through…what we are STILL going through.”

“What can you show me?”

Steve snickers at your question. “Nothing because it’s none of your damn business, little girl.”

“Why?”, Eddie asks causing his friend to whip his head in his direction. “Why do you want to see it? To get off?”

Without hesitation you shake your head. “I want to understand. I want to help if I can.”

Both their eyes soften at your confession. “We’re here for you, sweetheart, you don’t need to help us.”

“Ok. No, I understand. I just want you to know that if…if you two want to be together when you…when we…I don’t mind.” You smile at them as you stand up and exit the principal’s office. As soon as you walk through the doorway, however, you look around to realize you’re in the hall of your home. 

Two hands grip your shoulders as fingers snap and images flash in front of your eyes. Since they can’t show you within the stone and where they stay, all you are able to see are flashes of small intimate moments like the one you experienced with them but with other beings who had summoned them. 

“Fuck…” This was different than the other visions they gave you. This was like when they fucked you and you felt your soul leave your body before your climax brought you back to earth. “Why…oh… oh my…feel…”

You felt the feelings heighten as your core warmed between your legs. Steve’s voice cut through your euphoria but he sounded so far away. 

“Because this is us. The way we feel about each other…is the way we feel about you, baby. Can you see it? The love we have for each other?”

A woman in a long fancy thirties style gown drops to her knees, taking his cock into her mouth. Eddie removes the demon’s jacket, throwing it to the side before leaning his forehead on Steve’s back and wraps his arms around to his chest. 

“Fuck, yes, honey.”, he groans as the demon places tender kisses along his back. 

Eddie pushes the man over the end of the bed and roughly thrusts into him. As his eyes close, Steve turns his friend’s head and kisses his lips as their tongues mingle together. Their hands caress each other’s face before pulling away as he pumps into him harder.

The pressure builds in your stomach as you feel the coil beginning to wind. 

As you sleep, they lay on either side of you, gently caressing you before Steve reaches out to touch Eddie’s cheek. 

“Are you ok? I know it’s been a while since you’ve talked about her.”

“Yeah, I’m okay. I’m just thinking about Y/N. I don’t want to leave her, Steve. She actually fucking cares about us. It’s been so long since I felt that.”

The demon leans over and places a kiss on his lips. 

“I know. I don’t want to either but…no matter what happens…you’ll have me.”

The ball in your belly explodes as you begin to scream but it’s muffled by a palm as you blink back into reality. They were both standing in front of you with Steve’s hand in your jeans as his fingers continued to thrust you through your climax. 

“Atta girl. Come back, sweetheart. Come back to us.”, Eddie cooed as he removed his own hand from your mouth. 

Your panicked eyes began to look around as you pushed them both out of the way and ran to the living room. The metalhead looking demon appeared suddenly in front of you and captured you in his arms. 

“Y/N, it’s ok, baby. You’re ok. Calm down.”

You turned around and smacked him, startling him as he dropped you to the ground. Your hair blocked your face as you pushed up on your hands and knees, heaving as you tried to catch your breath. 

“Y/N, baby girl. Breathe. Talk to me. What’s happening?”, Steve asked in a stern protector filled voice. “I know this may be a bit of a shock but you’re scaring us.”

The room suddenly goes silent before your exasperated laugh fills the area. Falling to your side, he pushed your hair out of the way. 

“Yeah? That’s funny?”, the demon smiles. “We’ve never shown anyone that before. What happened? Was it too much?”

“Do you two…recognize that it’s more…than love?”

Eddie slides down the to the floor, handing you a glass of water that you thanked him for. 

“What do you mean, princess?”

You shakily sat up, their hands shooting out to help you. “I didn’t just feel the affection. I felt…the pain of being lonely…missing home. Of no one understanding you and what you went through. As…as I saw the later years, I felt the need and wanting to be left alone. I felt Steve’s anger at feeling out of control and your guilt, Eddie, over feeling like him being here was your fault.”

You started to cry again as you continued. “Then I felt how you feel about me. Please…please don’t love me. I don’t want you to hurt like that again.”

Steve almost aggressively pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly to his chest. All Eddie could do was stare as he watched you shake in his friend’s embrace. A week ago, you had just lost someone who meant the world to you. Someone you had cared for most of your adult life. Within under 2 weeks, you needed to kill two more people, something you never meant to do or become to save humanity. You had been used for your kindness by so many people, yet you were still so empathetic and willing to help. 

You had every reason to become bitter and angry, yet even now you weren’t thinking about how after the timer ends, they would disappear from your life to. You were worried about how that was going to destroy them. They had never met demons or creatures from what you humans referred to as hell but looking at you now he was pretty sure he was in love with an angel from heaven. 

###########

“Thank you.”

Both their eyes shifted up to from their place at the dining room table to look at you. After they calmed you down, they were finally able to get you to sit and eat something even though you protested the entire time insisting you weren’t hungry. 

“Thank you for trusting me enough to show me that. Like I said, I don’t mind if you two—”

“You’re welcome.”, Steve cut you off with a tight smile.

You understood without him needing to explain. You felt how important that bond with his friend was. Their current lives revolved around serving people and this was something that was theirs; something no one could take from them. 

“Can I ask you one more question and I promise to leave you alone for tonight?”

They nod, preparing themselves for whatever was about to come. 

“Did my dad ask you to watch over me?” Eddie heavily sighed as Steve nodded again. “C-can I…?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’ve been through so much tonight already.”

“Please, Edward. Please.”, you beg. His eyes lock with yours at the sound of his name. He blinks as a tear escapes them and you notice his irises are no longer brown but his red demon eyes. “I’m sorry. Are you…are you angry?”

He adamantly shakes his head. “No, baby, I’m not angry. I just don’t want to see you hurt anymore.” 

You rise from your seat and find home in his lap as you keen into his neck, wrapping your arms around him. 

His hand tenderly pets your head, running his fingers through your hair as he holds you close. 

“Steve.”

The sound of him snapping echoes from behind you and as you look up towards the other end of the table, you see your father coughing as you run towards the bedroom to get his medicine. 

His palm reaches out to grip Steve’s arm and the demon covers it with his own hand comfortingly. 

“My daughter must…like you two if she…brought you home. Since I got sick, people stopped… coming by.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. You two are amazing people.”

He grins at Eddie’s compliment. “Look after her for me…please. She deserves to be loved and cared for the way she does with everyone else.”

Steve nods as he leans closer to him. “Everything’s going to be alright, sir. I promise.”

Your father starts to cough again as you reappear with his medication. 

“Ok, let’s get you to bed and then tomorrow we can go back out to look for lucky person number 2.”

“I have to go back to work tomorrow.”

“Even better. Definitely likely to find someone in that shitty environment.”, Eddie softly smiles down at you as he lifts you up and brings you to your bedroom.

“Can we—”

“No. Not tonight.”, Steve cuts you off again, this time with a bit more anger.

“I don’t care if it’s my way or the demon way. I just want you both. Please Steven. Please…”

An aggressively angry growl came up from his stomach making you jump as you hid behind Eddie’s shoulder. They both exchanged a look that seemed to make the other demon angrier. 

“No, Eddie.”

“Steve, it’s ok.”

“It’s not fucking ok!” He abruptly disappeared until you heard frustrated grunts in the kitchen. “Goddamn it, Edward! Fucking stop!”

Eddie sighed as he calmly grabbed your hand and walked with you back out towards the area.

“She’s not even asking for that! Didn’t we show her enough?!” Steve tries to leave again and you watch as he blips from the kitchen into the living room. The demon turns around to face his friend, stalking towards him, and grabbing his throat as he shoves him against the nearby wall. 

“Steve, Eddie stop! It’s ok.”

Eddie raises his palm in your direction, silencing you as he stares at the other demon. 

“What are afraid of, Steve? Hm?” His nose brushes against the tip of his. “Come on, baby, tell me.”

“Y/N…you felt it…you’ve seen it. EVERYTHING we’ve been through.”, he shakily exhales. “What you didn’t see were the angry nights when the cabin fever sets in. The nightmares of home and memories of things we no longer have. Those nights where I just feel so out of fucking control. This demon, my friend, he keeps me sane. He holds me on those days I can’t stop shaking from just wanting to tear our fucking environment to the ground. The first time we were together…it was the first time in a long while I felt safe.” Steve chuckles as he leans back and lets Eddie go. 

“It’s kind of funny, huh? A demon being scared and lonely.” He glances your way before shifting to his feet. “I’m afraid of that changing. I don’t want that safe feeling he gives me to go away.”

You tackle him into your arms, squeezing him tightly to you. “I would never do that. I would never change what you two have. You’re safe with me to, Steven. I promise.” 

The two demon’s eyes meet, continuing to stare at each other as Eddie takes your hand and places it on his groin. 

“Go ahead, sweetheart. Get us started and we’ll do the rest.”

As you sink to your knees, their clothes disappear as their cocks come into view in front of your face. 

“Y/N.”, Eddie says your name sternly as he quickly grips your wrist. “We may lose control here in the sense of keeping up our appearances. If you get scared or you feel unsafe, I want you to say ‘red’, okay?” Their eyes remain focused on one another but you notice Steve’s chest deflate as he exhales. 

“Yes, sir. Say red if I get scared or feel unsafe.”

“Good girl, princess.” With that the demon releases his hold on you, capturing his friend’s cheeks and bringing his lips to his own. 

Gripping both of them you stroke and suck their lengths as they groan above you. When your eyes glance at them, their tongues mingle together as Eddie takes hold of the other demon’s throat. Their cocks get harder in your hands at the action.

“Since when do you shove me against a wall and tell me what to do? Huh, little boy?”, Eddie murmurs roughly against his lips. “I may have given you too much control up here.”

“Fuck-- I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”

Eddie whispered something in his ear that you couldn’t hear but whatever it was made Steve growl like he did before in the forest. He nodded before abruptly leaning down to lift you into his arms and carry you to the couch. After tearing off your clothes, he places you vertically before sinking down on his knees and pushing your legs wide open as his tongue licked a few stripes between your folds. 

“Oh, Steve!”

The demon promptly sat up straight as his palm shot out to slap you before roughly grabbing your cheeks. 

“You’ve been saying my name properly all fucking day with an attitude or with that pathetic little pout. Now when I’m between your legs making you feel good you suddenly don’t feel the need?!”

“I’m sorry, Steven. I won’t do it again. Please, don’t stop.”

Without a word, his lips wrap around your clit as he sucks and flicks at the little bud. Eddie lowers himself behind him, pulling his hips flush with his own as he kisses up Steve’s back. His arms wrap around to his chest as he trusts forward making the other demon moan loudly into your cunt. 

You tried to keep your eyes open as you watched Eddie pump into him, your fingers threading through his hair as his head pushed up into the feeling. 

“Come on, Steven. Make our pretty girl—mmm—make her cum. Make her cum and I’ll allow you to, my good boy.”

Steve pushed his mouth deeper into you like a man possessed. With every grunt and flick, he had you coming undone. 

“Yes, Steven! I’m gonna…” Your body trembled as you came. As the aftershocks coursed through you, you opened your eyes noticing his head was hung as Eddie thrust into him harder. Sliding to the floor between his arms, you placed his head in the nook of your neck as you ran your fingers through his hair. 

You felt it as soon as his forehead touched your flesh, his demon skin mixed with sweat. Your nails ran down his back as the other demon leaned back on his knees, holding his waist as he groaned. His eyes locked with yours as he felt Steve tighten around him as he came, you pressing his face into your throat as he panted.

Eddie carefully pulled out and collapsed on top of him as he reached beneath him to massage his chest. 

“Good boy, Steven. Very good. You feel so fucking good when you cum. Come on. We aren’t done yet.”

Without looking at you, Steve got up to sit on the couch beside you and lift you onto his lap. “Hold-hold open your ass for me, honey, and lean forward a bit.”

“You promise you’ll go slow?”

One of his palms lightly wrap around your throat as he tugs you against him where his lips are waiting. “I promise.”, he whispers and you nod before doing what he asked.

Gripping the base of his cock, he gradually pushes the tip into you causing you both to hiss; him more than you.

“It’s ok, Y/N. You’re doing good, sweetheart. Look at me.” A loud, deep snarl from behind startles you and on instinct you try to turn around but Eddie quickly cups your face in his hands. “No, no. I said look at me not him.”

“Fuck. Is he ok?”

“Yeah, baby girl. He’s fine. Maybe a little overstimulated but…”, he grins. “How does he feel?”

“B-big.”

“You’re not wrong.”, Eddie chuckles as he caresses your face, watching you carefully as his friend finally bottoms out. You whine at the fullness as he bends towards you to kiss your lips. “I know, princess. I know. Let me know when you��re ready for me, okay?”

“Don’t move her to much, Eddie. She’s—mmm—she’s so fucking tight.”

“Lean back, little one, but keep your eyes on me.”, he murmurs in a gentle tone as you do what he says. His arm forcefully shoots out to grab the boys face. “What’s my name, Steven?”

“Edward.”

“And who’s in charge right now, little boy?”

Eddie had leaned past you to scold the other demon but you kept your eyes in front of you for fear of that wrath being turned on you. At that moment, his palm was holding your head as you keened into his touch. You wanted him to keep gently praising you whether it be with his words or his hands. 

“You are, Edward.”, he responded through clenched teeth. 

When he came back to face you, his eyes were that red color you were beginning to get used to. Being in control again, having you both submit and beg reminded him of the glory days back home. Ironically, however, having this kind of control was making him lose control of his mask as the demon side of him was pushing through. It was the same for Steve. He may be vulnerable for Eddie but in moments like this it reminded him he was safe. 

The protector just needed someone to take care of him for once and he found that in moments like this. 

Your thumb ran under his eyes, giving him pause. 

“Is this okay? It’s not frightening you, is it?” When you shook your head, he softly smiled. “Good. Full disclosure, Steve’s having a harder time than me so just keep those beautiful eyes on me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Eddie’s palm took hold of your thigh as he scooted closer to you both between your legs. Even with just his tip, you felt full of them both. The demon’s fingers continued to caress your cheek and lips as he slowly pushed forward. 

“Good girl, sweetheart. Fuck, you feel so fucking good.”

His last couple of words came out deeper than what you were used to causing your pussy to flutter around him. His growl was low at the feeling, almost like a warning that just turned you on more. Steve’s palms looped around to firmly knead your tits as his fingers played with your nipples. 

“Steven, ca-can I—mmm—can I kiss you?”

Tenderly, he tilted your head and placed his lips on yours. When his tongue slid into your mouth, a tiny gasp escapes you at how different it felt. The many times he had kissed you previously, he had a normal tongue, a human tongue. This time it felt longer, thicker, and tasted different…better. It tasted like Steve. When he tried to pull away, your hand shot out to the back of his neck holding him where he was.

The grunt that left him was guttural, coming straight from his stomach making you whimper at the sound. Fingers roughly grabbed your cheek and forced you to face forward. 

“Y/N…”, Eddie warned. “You’re playing with fire, little one.”

With him being fully sheathed inside of you now, he was a lot closer to your face than he was previously. 

“Can I taste you to?” He started to bring his lips to your own but you pulled back slightly before he could reach you. “I want to taste you, Edward.”

Slowly, he tilted his head to kiss you and you willingly opened your mouth to invite him in. When his tongue caressed your own, your whole body came alive and you relished the feeling. Sensing the change, he began to lean away but you hastily grabbed his chin.

“No, no, please. It’s not you. I just…all week I’ve been…having trouble feeling anything. It’s nice feeling this.”

Eddie heavily sighed, his breath warming your face as his forehead landed on your own. Hesitantly, you tried kissing him again and he allow it, tangling his fingers in your hair as they both thrust their hips. You mewled as he held your head to his, Steve groaning and whimpering behind you.

Guiding you back, Eddie laid your head on his friend’s shoulder as they both gripped your hips and slammed into you. You wanted to keep your eyes open but the euphoria of them working together this way was too much. You felt the sudden shifts against your skin as they struggled to keep up their appearances. Rough material grazed you every now and then and the sounds they made were deep like a predator asserting dominance.

You wanted to become accustomed to them…who they really were underneath the illusion they displayed for you. You tried your best to cling to the demon skin but it was too harsh on your sensitive human tissue. A ringed palm grabbed your throat as another came from behind to circle your clit.

“F-fuck… cum, pretty girl. You deserve it. Come on, baby.”, Eddie chanted as they both thrust into you harder. 

In that moment, you opened your eyes to find his red ones watching you intently.

“You’re both…both so beautiful.”

He chuckled as he leaned closer to you. “Not as beautiful as you, princess.”

“Don’t take…your eyes…off me.” The demon nodded and your eyes remained locked with his as your body shook, screaming as you came.

The sight was almost too much for Eddie as his hips pounded into your own, growling as he released his seed inside of your cunt. 

“I know. I know. It feels so fucking good. Thank you. Thank you.”, you cooed as your thumb ran along his bottom lip. Leaning back, you met Steve’s own red eyes as your arm circle around his neck to run your fingers through his hair. “Cum Steven. Fill me up to. Please. I need it.”

His limbs wrapped around you tightly and he thrust up into you roughly a few more times before you felt his seed warm your insides. Nobody moved as they panted against you. 

“Eddie. Steve. Something is hurting me.”

Your protector’s head immediately comes to attention as he quickly scans you over. “Shit. Shit, shit, shit, honey. I’m sorry.” Both demons carefully pull out of you and you wince as Eddie lifts you his arms as they head for the bathroom. 

Looking into the mirror, you notice some cuts along your back that were bleeding.

After turning on your shower, they guide you in as Steve begins to take care of you. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think when I held you to me. My skin is a lot tougher than yours.”

“Why is that?”, you ask trying to distract yourself from the slight pain.

“I mean…different realm, different environment and climate, constant fighting and war…take your pick.”, Eddie laughs. “Your skin protects you against the sun and your earths elements, right? Same thing essentially.”

“Thank you…for this past week…for being there.” You don’t see but they both exchange a look. 

“I wish we could do more.”, Steve sighs as he turns off the water and they dry you off before leading you back to your bedroom. “These aren’t deep. They should heal in a few days.”

As you wonder around your room getting ready for bed, you notice they are both now fully clothed again as they sit on your mattress waiting for you. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Eddie rub his back before he tenderly kisses his shoulder. 

“I wish I could do more for you.” They blink in confusion as their gaze shifts to you. “I know you said it’s not a prison but you both don’t seem happy. I wish I could set you free or something.”

They both look away as you turn off the light and crawl into bed between them, resting your head on your pillow. Eddie’s fingers play with your hair as they watch you close your eyes and scoot as close to them as possible. 

“Princess, can we ask you something?” You responded with a small hm as you waited. “You said you felt the love we have for you?”

“Mhmm.”

“Did you feel that it’s real? How much we genuinely care about you?”

“Hmm…mhmm…”, you respond sleepily.

Steve laid flat on his side as his eyes scanned your face before reaching over to hold your hand which you immediately snuggled to your chest.

“I love you, Y/N.”, he whispered.

Eddie’s arm reached out to lay across both your hips as he kissed the back of your head. 

“I love you to, sweetheart.”

Assuming you had fallen asleep, they laid silently thinking about everything that had transpired. They had tried so many times before to stay in this realm but everything they did failed. As soon as the task was completed, no matter where they were or what they did they were put back into their area until the stone summoned them again. 

The worst part about going back was the silence which was ironically deafening. Coming from a loud world full of energy to nothing but them was its own kind of torture. There were so many times they considered running to Oblivion thinking it couldn’t be much worse. When they were alone, like you had mentioned, Eddie did constantly blame himself. Even though he didn’t kill Chrissy, he had still been on the run and it was Steve’s job to find him. If he had stayed where he was and took the punishment at least his friend would still be in their realm and happy.

What he didn’t know was that Steve wouldn’t have been happy. The princess was his friend to and if he had gotten taken in Steve would have no one he felt close to. Once again, he would be alone to fight endless battles day in and day out until really did become like his father. Running with Eddie was a no brainer for him but what he hated was that they had to run at all. He couldn’t convince the king to hear his friend out and just like Eddie felt that he failed to protect them both. He couldn’t even convince the other solider not to kill him, having to murder him so they could get away. 

Steve desperately wanted them to have a new home but every place they settled into they ended up running again, hiding in a new realm to start over. When they found that stone and spoke to the woman that put them there, he begged her to take him instead of them both but she refused. 

One night, Eddie watched as his once strong friend broke screaming and breakdown as he broke things in their makeshift house. That was the night he kissed him, passionately pushing him against the wall and giving Steve everything he had.

“I’m sorry, Edward. I keep failing you.”, he cried as he fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around his waist. 

Eddie sighed, trying to keep his own emotions in check as he lightly tugged on Steve’s hair, forcing him to look up at him. 

“Listen to me. You didn’t fail me, okay? If anything, this is my fault. No. Don’t talk.”, he shooshed the demon as he began to open his mouth to fight back. “At least here we’re safe and I know no one is going to take you away from me. It’s just us now.”

“I love you to.”, you mumble causing their heads to snap in your direction. Their hopeful eyes glance at each other as they pull you in closer, clinging to you and the moment. 

#############

“I still think you should kill Carol.”  You smirk to yourself at Eddie’s comment as you continue to fold the inventory in front of you at work. 

“Or Dick, your boss. Just a lovely man that one.”, Steve follows grinning at you from his spot on the counter. 

Off to the side you notice a tall, blond-haired gentleman glancing at things against the wall as if they were amusing. Disconnecting from your pestering defenders, you head towards the man and flash him your best customer service smile. 

“Do you think if I steal these rings, the stone will let me keep them?”, the demon inquires to his friend as they wait for you to come back. 

“Something’s wrong.” Eddie’s head turns to look at Steve who is now fully alert. “Something’s wrong. Something’s off.”

“What is?”

“Someone doesn’t belong here.”

“Can I help you find something, sir?”

When his piercing blue eyes meet yours, it takes your breath away as he grins back. 

“What are these things for?”, he picks up a hat and places it on his head. “Are they just for style or do they serve a purpose?”

“A little bit of both, I think. It doesn’t hurt to look good while doing your day to day.”

The man’s head tilts as he chuckles, placing it back on the rack in front of him. “I swear, humans are so creative especially when they are trying to hide how miserable they actually are under falsities like a new hat.”

Your eyes widen at the word “human” as you slowly back away.

His grin grows as he extends his hand for you to shake. “Where are my manners? I’m Henry.”

You know that name. Where do you know that name?

Strong hands tug you back as both your demons place themselves protectively in front of you. 

“How did you get here, Henry?”

The demon cackled as he leaned against the wall behind him. 

“You weren’t the only one who knew how to hop realms, Steven. Truth be told I’ve been doing it for a while. I got myself a gig of my own that just so happened to lead me here.”

“Hm. Prince like you doesn’t have anything better to do?”

“Not after my princess was murdered.”

Eddie didn’t even try to hide his anger as his eyes glowed and he stepped forward before being stopped by his friend. 

“Y/N?” You quickly turned your head, meeting your co workers concerned gaze. “Are you alright? You look…scared.”

The observation made Henry smile wider. 

“Um, no. I’m alright…just not feeling well. I’ll be ok. Thank you.”

She hesitates for a moment before nodding and heading back to her section. 

“Let’s go somewhere we can all talk without being interrupted.” The evil demon snapped his fingers as the four of you disappeared. 

########

@tlclick73 @iaminlovewithdilfs @tiannamortis @steeldaisies

@goodhappyfriday @paleidiot @fireeyes-on-teller-dixon-grimes

@strangerthings64 @howlingco @hellfire--cult @unfocused81

[patchworkgargoyle]

Editor Eddie

Did I write this solely because of the pun? Yes. It was, however, inspired by me wearing my Hellfire shirt and getting ready to sit down and beta a Steddie fic, as well as @inairbinad's Petals in a Storm (which people should go read).

Anyway, here's some extremely fluffy and domestic older!Steddie, with Eddie as a genre fiction/horror editor, in 735 words! Extremely brief and vague mention of a monster eating something's guts.

---

Red-marked pages lay scattered everywhere, solely illuminated by the hulking, faintly buzzing computer monitor that took up a good half of Eddie’s desk. Lips pursed and eyes narrowed, he held up a sheaf of papers with one hand, the other holding his pen to his mouth while he gnawed on the end. He distantly thought that if he kept chewing the pen might break and he’d look much like the monster currently being described in the chapter before him, red dripping down its chin. It was the third time the author had used the word ‘viscera’ in the same paragraph, and while pens didn’t have guts he knew that the ink would probably taste just as bad as that would. But as the monster was, apparently, ‘gleefully gorging’ on the aforementioned viscera, it probably wouldn’t agree.

He put the pages back down on the pile in front of him and scribbled out a few notes – “less viscera, more… entrails, gore, innards perhaps!” – then hunched over the words to continue reading about how the creature turned its horrifying visage towards the protagonist.

Editing was, mostly, the best job Eddie's ever had. Sure, it could be a slog to wade through a sea of purple literary prose or a desert of adjective-less, action-less nonfiction. Those were part of the job (though he’d grown enough to admit that sometimes he found gems even outside his beloved genre fiction tastes), and something he had to endure before he could climb his way to the fiction department. This, though, a carnage-filled horror romp? This was his bread and butter, his home away from home, his shit. Hell, it had been his life once upon a time. Getting to help up-and-coming authors improve their craft with his own love of storytelling and his lived, horrific experiences was awesome. It was one of the things that made March of ‘86 worth the terror and pain and scars.

Eddie was still slouched over the chapter, making note of a few misspellings, and so fully absorbed in his work that he didn’t hear the door to the office creak open. Hadn’t even heard the knock that preceded it. What he did notice was the plate being slid directly on top of the paper, a flaky croissant placed right in the centre, and Eddie suddenly realised he was really fucking hungry.

“How’s my favourite Eddie-tor doing?” Steve asked.

Eddie’s head fell back with the weight of the agony the pun caused and heard a few vertebrae pop. Glaring, he said, “That pun wasn’t funny the first fifty times you said it, sweetheart.”

“I haven’t said it that much.” Despite his defensiveness, Steve still looked entirely too amused at himself, smirking down at Eddie. The hallway light backlit him, casting him in a near halo of soft warmth, contrasted by the pale glare of the computer screen that highlighted his face and caught on the few grey hairs beginning to show. 

Steve was gorgeous still, maybe even more so after over two decades together. Worry lines and laugh lines alike brought a kind of charm and dignity to his face, and just the sight of those silvery strands in his hair always got Eddie feeling emotional. They were proof they’d survived. That it was over. That they could grow old, safely and with each other. He called them mithril just to see Steve’s nose scrunch and eyes roll at his references. 

“Okay,” Eddie conceded, “maybe just forty times.”

Though he scoffed, Steve stepped closer and wrapped his arm around Eddie’s shoulders, leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead. “You’ve been locked away in here for five hours, babe, you should get up and stretch. Or at least turn on the light.”

“But overhead lights are the work of the devil, Steve, you know this. I can’t work under those conditions.” Eddie gave a shit-eating grin as Steve, with a deadpan expression, flicked on his desk lamp. “Oh yeah. Forgot that was there.” He had. Really.

“You’re so annoying,” Steve sighed, but Eddie saw the smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“You love it.”

The smile spread like the affection in Eddie’s chest at the sight. Steve bent down again, this time capturing Eddie’s lips in a sweet, slow, familiar kiss that made his toes curl just as much as any hungry, needy kiss would. Barely pulling back, Steve whispered, “Yeah. I do.”

[ieatfanficforbrunch]

Unfinished Business

Trigger warning:

Death, Angst/Fluff, mentions of blood, mentions of Grieving.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

________________________________________________________

 He woke up.

That’s funny considering the fact that he died.

He stands, confused as to how he returned to Hawkins. Why didn’t he hurt?

He looks around, He’s outside his trailer. He looks at his hands, they aren’t stained from blood but the callouses from a lifetime of guitar playing still remain. He runs his fingers through his hair. Why was he here?

The air was cool and crisp, it felt that way even in the summer. Like he was stuck in the cold of the UpsideDown. He remembers that night, the burn on his fingertips as he played each chord. He remembers the sweat on his forehead and the racing of his heart. More importantly, he remembers being ripped to pieces. Why was he still in one piece?

It had been months since he woke up and he had yet to talk to a single person. Whenever he tried, they walked through him as if he were nothing. It hurt to see so many people he knew walk right past him. He tried to talk to Uncle Wayne only to be met with silence, without a glance. He watched his former friends mourn his loss, watched as Dustin ran Hellfire. He watched as Max recovered and Steve delt with the mental burden of his loss.

He died a hero and yet he caused so much pain.

Today he wandered the halls of Hawkins High, searching for something to do. That’s when he saw her.

She was a short girl with big brown eyes, and her unruly curly brown hair fell on her face. She wore a leather jacket and ripped jeans, her combat boots looked old and nearly destroyed. She pushes her hair from her forehead, the shaved side revealing a long scar she had no part in making. She was thin, really thin.

He’s staring at her but suddenly his heart drops to her chest.

“Is there a reason you’re staring at me...?” Her voice was low, accusatory, and anxious. “Y-you…you can see me?” His voice was barely above a whisper. “Are you on crack? Of course, I can see you.” She looks him up and down. “Holy shit! Holy shit you really can see me! And you can hear me!” His voice is so excited. She looks at him again, “I know you from somewhere…” He looks at her confused, “I don’t think so, but I’d be happy to talk more! I know just the place!” He quickly runs off.

She needs to follow him, she’s not sure why but she needs to.

She runs after him, quickly, following him all the way to the old Hellfire room. She looks around it in confusion. He smiles as he jumps onto the table as if he weighs nothing. “Who are you...?” her voice is barely above a whisper. “My name’s Eddie,” he says quietly, trying and failing to pick up the dice on the table.

She watches as his hands pass through the items, her face pale.

“What are you?” She’s staring at him. “That’s a good question,” he replies. She keeps staring at him.

He wears ripped jeans and a black leather jacket, a jean jacket on top of that. She notices his hellfire shirt underneath the layers.

“Y-you… You’re Eddie Munson.” She says it so quietly he almost doesn’t hear. “I am! How’d you know?” He’s still trying to pick up the dice. She stumbles back from him, “You…Holy shit. I’m talking to a ghost.” His face drops. “Please don’t be scared! Please.” She looks into his puppy dog eyes and knows that he needs her.

“You’re the only one who can see me… Please don’t leave.” His voice is quiet. She smiles as he reaches for her hand, only for him to pass right through her.

The months following are filled with love and happiness for Eddie. He’s so happy to have someone who he can talk to, so happy that he doesn't notice how thin she’s gotten or how sick she looks. Her hair is thinner, her body all skin and bone, and yet he is so happy he doesn’t even realize it.

They sit on the beach; she’s enjoying the waves on her feet as the wind blows her black dress. Her once life-filled skin is now pale as she looks at the water.

“Eds…?” Her voice is small. He smiles at her, “What is it, Princess?” She looks down, “I don’t…feel well.” He raises an eyebrow. “Why not, love? What’s wrong?” He sounds worried.

He watches as she sways slightly.

He quickly reaches out, knowing he won’t be able to stop her fall but wanting to comfort her. He feels his body go stiff as she lands in his arms, her body hitting the sand.

Her skin is pale, but her body is no longer thin and weak, she no longer looks sick. She looks healthy.

He feels like his heart is falling.

“Eddie?” Her voice is smooth and happy, She’s better now. “Yes, Love, I’m here.” His voice is sweet, understanding even. “You’re warm,” she smiles. He can’t help the smile on his face or the tear that escaped his cheek.

“Why are you crying?” She sits up, hugging him close. “Princess…” he’s cut off by a blinding white light, just down the beach. “Do you see that?” she whispers. He nods. “Are you ready to go, my love?” She nods. He picks her up in his arms, walking forward into the warmth of a light he’s longed for.

[eddieandbird]

Part 3 - Dove

Part 2 | Eddie & Bird | Part 4

Robin groaned and shook her fingers through her messy brown hair in frustration. She knew that this wasn’t going to be an easy thing to explain to the boys. She hated how vulnerable she had to be in this moment, but she took a deep breath and began speaking.

“She’s my older sister, Dove. She moved out of the house because she wanted to become a famous model or actress or something and my parents refused to help her get to Hollywood. Now she’s living in some shitty little house right outside of Indianapolis working a 9 to 5 in the city,”

Robin kept her eyes away, staring outside the car window as she thought about Dove. She loved her sister, but things were very strained after Dove decided to leave.

It was the summer of Robin’s sophomore year, Dove had just graduated. They were sitting side to side on Robin’s twin bed, Forever Young by Alphaville played on her radio. Dove’s arm was reached over Robin’s shoulder, rubbing her arm. Robin’s body was stiff against her sister's touch as she clutched onto a decorative throw pillow.

“Why would you do this? How could you leave me?” Robin sobbed.

“Rob, please don’t say that, you know I am not trying to hurt you,” Dove cooed as she wiped the tears off of her face. “I just want to follow my dreams. Don’t you want me to be happy?”

“You don’t get to say that shit okay! What you’re doing is absolutely unfair, you realize that? I’m going to spend the rest of high school alone, I’ll probably never find a girlfriend, and I won’t go out of the house unless it’s for a stupid band concert,” Robin shot up from the bed and faced Dove. Her hands were balled up into fists and her face was red from all her crying. “And for what to be the next Molly Ringwald or some shit? News flash, Bird, we’re not movie stars, we’re Buckleys. Poor, hand-me-down wearing, no pennies to their name Buckleys. It’s a pipe dream to think you’ll ever make it out there!-“ Robin’s rambling suddenly halted when she saw Dove crying. She got back down on the bed to hold her hand. “Bird… Bird I’m so sorry. That was so so so stupid to say. Bird please don’t cr-“

“It’s okay, Robin. I get it,” Dove said flatly, trying to fight back her tears. “It’s okay, cuz I’m sorry too… I’m sorry because I’m still going,” she let out a harsh chuckle. “You wanna know what’s funny. I knew Mom and Dad were going to be mad about this, but I thought you of all people would be supportive Rob, I-“ Dove noticed her breathing, watching her chest puff up and down from how worked up she was getting.

“C’mon Birdy. It’s okay, calm down,” Robin reached out to hug Dove but she pulled away.

“I’m fine Robin. I’m going to bed,” Dove slammed the door behind her and stomped off to her room.

Robin and Dove hardly spoke a word to each other after that. A month went by and Dove left the house in silence. She shoved all the belongings she could into her car, drove off and never came back. With the lack of closure, Robin’s feelings came in waves. One day she would hate Dove and secretly blame her for every pain she went through, the next she would miss her so much she would actually pray to any higher being out there for her sister to return. 

“Earth to Robin, you there?” Steve snapped in her face

“Huh? Yeah, I’m fine,” Robin fidgeted in her seat. 

“Okay I’ll go grab Eddie from inside. Be right back,” Dustin hardly waited for Steve to bring the car to a full stop before he ran into the house.

There was a thick silence inside the car between Steve and Robin, before Steve finally asked “Hey are you alright?”

“Hm? Me? Yeah, I’m good, why? I don’t seem good?” Robin answered defensively.

“How come you never told me about your sister? I thought we agreed, no secrets,” Steve’s eyes looked down on Robin in disappointment. 

“I don’t like talking about her. We’re like not on the best terms,” She snapped at Steve, rubbing her forehead.

“So then how do you know if she’ll even let Munson bunk with her?” Steve groaned as he smacked the steering wheel.

“I don’t know, dude! We’ll figure it out. We needed a quick plan and this was the best I could do on short notice,” Robin cheeks flushed red in anger.

“Hey Harrington!” The two whipped their heads around to see Eddie walking up to the car, sticking his tongue out and playing air guitar.

“Could you be any louder?” Steve replied, his frustration clear in his voice. “We are trying to be lowkey, Munson,”

“Ah, missed you too bud,” Eddie grunted as he and Dustin got into the car. “So where are we off to, gang?”

[eddienbird]

Part 3 - Dove

Eddie & Bird [photo] Part 3

Robin groaned and shook her fingers through her messy brown hair in frustration. She knew that this wasn’t going to be an easy thing to explain to the boys. She hated how vulnerable she had to be in this moment, but she took a deep breath and began speaking.

“She’s my older sister, Dove. She moved out of the house because she wanted to become a famous model or actress or something and my parents refused to help her get to Hollywood. Now she’s living in some shitty little house right outside of Indianapolis working a 9 to 5 in the city,”

Robin kept her eyes away, staring outside the car window as she thought about Dove. She loved her sister, but things were very strained after Dove decided to leave.

It was the summer of Robin’s sophomore year, Dove had just graduated. They were sitting side to side on Robin’s twin bed, Forever Young by Alphaville played on her radio. Dove’s arm was reached over Robin’s shoulder, rubbing her arm. Robin’s body was stiff against her sister's touch as she clutched onto a decorative throw pillow.

“Why would you do this? How could you leave me?” Robin sobbed.

“Rob, please don’t say that, you know I am not trying to hurt you,” Dove cooed as she wiped the tears off of her face. “I just want to follow my dreams. Don’t you want me to be happy?”

“You don’t get to say that shit okay! What you’re doing is absolutely unfair, you realize that? I’m going to spend the rest of high school alone, I’ll probably never find a girlfriend, and I won’t go out of the house unless it’s for a stupid band concert,” Robin shot up from the bed and faced Dove. Her hands were balled up into fists and her face was red from all her crying. “And for what to be the next Molly Ringwald or some shit? News flash, Bird, we’re not movie stars, we’re Buckleys. Poor, hand-me-down wearing, no pennies to their name Buckleys. It’s a pipe dream to think you’ll ever make it out there!-“ Robin’s rambling suddenly halted when she saw Dove crying. She got back down on the bed to hold her hand. “Bird… Bird I’m so sorry. That was so so so stupid to say. Bird please don’t cr-“

“It’s okay, Robin. I get it,” Dove said flatly, trying to fight back her tears. “It’s okay, cuz I’m sorry too… I’m sorry because I’m still going,” she let out a harsh chuckle. “You wanna know what’s funny. I knew Mom and Dad were going to be mad about this, but I thought you of all people would be supportive Rob, I-“ Dove noticed her breathing, watching her chest puff up and down from how worked up she was getting.

“C’mon Birdy. It’s okay, calm down,” Robin reached out to hug Dove but she pulled away.

“I’m fine Robin. I’m going to bed,” Dove slammed the door behind her and stomped off to her room.

Robin and Dove hardly spoke a word to each other after that. A month went by and Dove left the house in silence. She shoved all the belongings she could into her car, drove off and never came back. With the lack of closure, Robin’s feelings came in waves. One day she would hate Dove and secretly blame her for every pain she went through, the next she would miss her so much she would actually pray to any higher being out there for her sister to return. 

“Earth to Robin, you there?” Steve snapped in her face

“Huh? Yeah, I’m fine,” Robin fidgeted in her seat. 

“Okay I’ll go grab Eddie from inside. Be right back,” Dustin hardly waited for Steve to bring the car to a full stop before he ran into the house.

There was a thick silence inside the car between Steve and Robin, before Steve finally asked “Hey are you alright?”

“Hm? Me? Yeah, I’m good, why? I don’t seem good?” Robin answered defensively.

“How come you never told me about your sister? I thought we agreed, no secrets,” Steve’s eyes looked down on Robin in disappointment. 

“I don’t like talking about her. We’re like not on the best terms,” She snapped at Steve, rubbing her forehead.

“So then how do you know if she’ll even let Munson bunk with her?” Steve groaned as he smacked the steering wheel.

“I don’t know, dude! We’ll figure it out. We needed a quick plan and this was the best I could do on short notice,” Robin cheeks flushed red in anger.

“Hey Harrington!” The two whipped their heads around to see Eddie walking up to the car, sticking his tongue out and playing air guitar.

“Could you be any louder?” Steve replied, his frustration clear in his voice. “We are trying to be lowkey, Munson,”

“Ah, missed you too bud,” Eddie grunted as he and Dustin got into the car. “So where are we off to, gang?”

[nancythebisexualslutwheeler]

I’m Coming Home to You

Please read this and validate me.. I wrote this monster in like three hours. XX T 

Part One  Part Two 

He texts Eddie probably too soon. He’s barely folded himself into an uncomfortable seat to wait for the airplane and he only forces himself to send a text to Sarah, before he sends one to Eddie.

From your number: One step closer to home man!

His phone chirps nearly instantly,

From Edward Kaspbrak: I’m glad. Are you in pain?

Physical? Absolutely not. Mental anguish that Eddie thinks he’s playing a game with him because he couldn’t man up and kiss him back? Um, yes.

From your number: I’m fine. Can’t wait to get back home and hit the booze though.

From Edward Kaspbrak: No plane drinking for you?

From your number: And end up crying into the lap of a random stranger? No thanks.

From Edward Kaspbrak: I offered to go with you. You played yourself.

He sends the shrugging emoji and Richie bursts into laughter.

From your number: I’m scared.

From Edward Kaspbrak: I know. Doesn’t mean I love you any less.

Richie’s heart pounds. This is what he means. He can’t do this, he can’t. Their chance is over. They could have had so much, everything. High school and college and they could have gotten married dammit. But nope. Now he’s middle aged and the thought of Eddie saying those words directly to his face, makes him want to vomit.

He puts Eddie on do not disturb, thinks better of it and then powers down the entire phone. He’s having difficulty breathing, and he’s convinced it’s not all entirely his lung.

Richie takes three weeks off to recover, reschedules eight shows and loses about ten grand. His ankle is healed, as well as his head but his lung still hurts if he moves too quickly and he still has this disgusting scar on his face. That’s gonna cost a pretty penny to fix.

He flies out to New York to see Sarah for a few days, and he’s been keeping regular contact with the Losers.

Him and Eddie are.. well. They talk on the phone. Every night. Eddie’s healing up, back to work- analyzing risks- or whatever that bullshit meant. Plugging along with his divorce from Myra. Begging Richie to see him.

Richie avoided it at all costs, terrified of seeing him. So he rambled about his day, his new set, everything.

Richie’s a touch nervous about his show. He’s been laying lower than low since his accident, making extremely sure no one saw him before he was damn well ready.

And apparently that time was gone because he’d no more than ordered his iced latte when some teenager who in all reality is a little too young to be watching his sets, asks for a picture.

It takes him over an hour to get out of the small coffee shop, and that’s only because a manager comes out, pissed.

He doesn’t even want his watered down latte any longer. He angrily throws the coffee into a nearby garbage can and rests heavily against the wall of the building. If even that little interaction was too much, how was he going to get through an entire set tonight?

His phone rings and he has every intention of letting it go to voicemail, until he sees it’s his manager, Steve.

“Hey-o.”

“Rich man, what the fuck were you thinking?! You want to get attacked or something?!”

“I’m barely famous,” Richie says flippantly, hoping he’s not going to get actually yelled at because he can not handle that right now.

“You’re a fucking bum from Maine who somehow got signed with the top comedian company and was promised two back to back tours before you even took pen to paper. Not to mention you nearly died Richie.”

He’s getting sick of hearing those words come out of Steve, and his wife’s mouth. The first entire week he’d been back, he’d stayed with them. He’d gained like fifteen pounds from all the home cooked meals. He’d taken a bubble bath. With epsom salt. So he knows how Steve feels about his accident, he does.

“I just wanted to be normal. For once.” Richie admits quietly.

Steve laughs lightly,

“Me too. Maybe if you were normal, it wouldn’t be so hard being your manager.”

Richie knows it’s a joke, but the sudden thought that Steve wouldn’t want to manage him anymore. His wife is Christian, they have a daughter for Christ’s sake... they don’t need Richie being a bad influence. God, he was just going to get up there and make jokes without any care for anyone else. Not Steve. Not.. he who must not be named. (Okay this isn’t fucking Harry Potter, pull it together Rich.)

“Hey Steve?”

“Yes o favorite client of mine.”

“I made a new set.”

“I know. I am thrilled.”

“Well you may want to taper that back a little.”

“Rich? Is this one of your moments? Do I need to amp you up? Do we need to play Beyoncé?”

Richie is going to kill him. He doesn’t know how to do this. Come out. This is a problem for thirteen year old girls who realized they liked the taste of their best friends lip gloss during practice kissing rather than a boy’s bad breath during real kissing.

“Um, some of my jokes revolve around a guy.”

“Oh cool. You know, you’re not as ugly as you think, but the crowd does go wild for that self hate shit, mainly because your photo of you shirtless at the pool on Instagram got flagged as inappropriate content because people kept commenting “daddy” under it. It’s funny Rich.”

Richie had forgotten about that. He’d thought it was a joke, and he’d sat up drinking beer and eating pizza with his beard Natalie as she insisted, no, he was daddy material. Natalie was a twenty seven year old  from fucking Wisconsin of all places and played a ditzy granddaughter on a soap opera that Richie, being the terrible boyfriend he is, has never seen. She wouldn’t know daddy material if it slapped her in the face. She insists she does. But it’s kind of like the way she insists she's slept with Liam Hemsworth. Her beautiful blue eyes beg you to believe her, but she can’t keep the smirk off of her lips.

“No, I mean. Fuck Steve, you know you’re like a brother to me,”

Steve cackles,

“Damn, this is how you treat your family?”

“Ask my sister because the answer most definitely is yes. Anyway, the joke is about me liking a guy.”

There’s a pause,

“Um, Rich my dude. There’s a word for that and it’s called homophobia.”

Richie grunts and balls his free fist at his side,

“No like, I like a guy. For real.”

There’s a pause,

“Is something wrong with Natalie?”

“No, no no! Oh god Natalie. I have to tell her. Oh god, I can’t go on tonight. I can’t.” He says pathetically. Desperately.

“I understand this is a crisis situation, I do, but we’ve got a baby on the way, and this show is raking in like a quarter of a mill so, you’re going on.”

“A baby? Oh wow!”

Something Richie will never have. Wait. Where did that come from? Does he want kids?

“Richie, shut up. Okay, I’m only going to ask once, are you sure this is what you want to do?”

Richie hesitates. He wonders if Natalie will still want to be friends.

“If you think this will ruin her career, we’re not doing it.”

“Other than that?”

Richie presses his thumbs against his eyelids in concentration.

“Yes.”

It’s barely a whisper.

“I’ll take care of everything.”

“Steve-“

“Everything. Be at the studio at 5.”

“But I don’t go on til 8.”

“Richie, be there on time I swear to god.”

Richie shows up around 6:30. He hasn’t heard from Natalie or Steve, so they can’t be too pissed.

He’d had to shower twice. He’d talked to Mike on the phone. He’d texted Eddie about twice before he got nervous. He’s tired and crabby and this is not the way he’s supposed to be starting his first show back. Not by a long shot.

So the first thing he does is ask the first person he sees for some scotch. Steve might kill him but he needs to be at least tipsy to make it through this one.

He’d thought he was ready, but maybe he wasn’t. He’s not ready to face Steve’s inevitable wrath, or at least annoyance, so he ducks into the dressing room.

To his dismay, Natalie is in there, talking to his hairstylist Maggie. She stands up immediately and she’s got her wide smile on and she hugs him tightly and kisses his cheek instead of his lips,

“You’re late.”

“Sue me.”

She snorts, “I have a lot of reasons too, so I’d shut up. Anyway, I have dinner for you.”

“Dinner?”

“I’m not just a pretty face you know.” And she hands him a Tupperware container.

He hasn’t seen Tupperware in like 15 years. He laughs and she rolls her eyes,

“Come on, there’s a microwave over here.”

She places her hand on the small of his back, perhaps more out of muscle memory and she leads him into the small kitchenette, taking back the Tupperware before heating the food.

“So? This is interesting.”

“You can’t be.. surprised.” He says, even though that’s a straight lie.

“I assumed all men in their forties had issues getting it up, even when a pair of perfect tits in their face.”

He knows she’s kidding. He does, and it’s not even the first time she’d given it back as good as she got but he suddenly feels like crying. She must sense this immediately because Natalie is amazing like that, and she’s wrapping her arms around him. He cries into her chest like a fucking child. They only pull away after the microwave beeps for like the millionth time.

“Oh honey. It’s going to be okay.”

“How are you going to be?”

“Oh you’re cutting me a check. Steve promised.”

“You should be cutting me a check princess. I know your contract just got renewed.”

“You’re making nearly 25k... tonight.”

“Snooping are we?”

She shoves the Tupperware at him,

“Eat your dinner.”

“Natalie, are we still, gonna be friends I mean?” He asks sheepishly.

She made him chicken, potatoes and green beans. He knows everything is homemade. She hated the chemicals in the fake meat he ate. Hey, he was gonna die for a lot of other shit, and probably first. The environment was worth it. Okay not time for a fucking rant right now.

“Honey, we’re family.”

There’s a knock on the door,

“Rich? I’ve got the fucking liquor you ordered.” Steve says, handing him the bottle. “Do not get too wasted.”

Richie gets like.. half a shot too wasted. He’s buzzing. He’s flushed and warm and his hands are sweaty and Natalie isn’t fawning all over him like she usually does and he is stressed. He’s alone. He wants to message Eddie but he pussies out.

When he goes out, the screams are deafening. Once he gets the mic in his hand, he’s flying. He goes on about the nasty gash on his face, hobbling around with a twisted rib and how his crazy, lazy, halfway drunk ass is going to be an uncle. The jokes flow easily, even if he didn’t plan on saying it, and suddenly he has the terrible thought, shrugs and hopes that Sarah has already told her baby daddy.

And then he gets into it.

“So I know you’re all dying to know what the hell happened. I wish I could say that it was some badass like, car robbery. But it was just a straight up mugging. The thing is that I was with my friends, right? I know that’s shocking, hardy har har. But I’m with some friends, and I have this one friend. Her name is Bev, she’s gorgeous, and a bad ass through and through, strongest person I know, my bad, I’m exposing myself a bit too much, I am a heartless prick, I promise.

“But we’re at a bar, and some skeeze, no a real dick, I mean it. Takes her purse. Is this fucking 1992? Who steals a purse? Now, I’ve got a shit ton of liquor in me, but suddenly I’m running. And it’s cold, we’re in Maine and it’s winter And I’m freezing my balls off. And I’ve almost got him, I did track in high school, yeah yeah I don’t look like I can run from here to backstage, I get it.”

The crowd roars.

“The point is, I’m almost on him. This motherfucker pulls out a knife. Now, I know this doesn’t sound funny but  listen, number one, Bev is a fucking receptionist at a dental office, she’s not even raking in the dollars. Trust me, I’ve paid her rent a few times,” he straight up hasn’t and even though he thinks it’s funny ,he shouts out a quick, “love you Bev!”

“Anyway, the guy pulls out a knife and goes insane. I thought this beer belly would protect me, but alas,” his voice is getting sad, so he pulls it together, “Anyway. The first of my friends to find me is someone I’m close to right. My first love. And I’m bleeding out on the cold cement, for real, Natalie, though she could have given me some tips on how to handle it so beautifully, but my first love’s in front of me and I’m pretty sure I’m going to die.

“So I’m going on and on and throwing around big words that my man child ass doesn’t know the meaning of, like love and forever, and he’s staring at me like the idiot I am, and I promise there’s a point to this joke, and the joke is that once again, Richie fumbled. Good old Rich just lost it. So the fuck up you see right here, it turns out I’m actually this way in real life. So please remember what an absolute goof I am, especially next time you want to stalk  me at fucking Dunn Brothers, and fuck up my oat milk latte, which is an extra ninety cents by the way, please remember that I’m a big dork,”

Suddenly there’s a commotion in the crowd and some guy is standing on his chair and Richie’s never wanted to die more,

“Did you say a guy?” He shouts.

It’s silent, before he nods slightly,

“Yes I did. I’m a big ol-“ he doesn’t even know what fucked up thing he’s going to say, when the crowd erupts into applause.

And he’s sure that some people left, or there’s comments, but the applause is all he needs. He is a slut for validation after all. Thank you love language quiz. Words of affirmation baby!

The rest of the set goes great and he’s still properly buzzed when he steps off stage. Steve is clapping him on the shoulder, even though he’s on the phone and then Richie’s rushed backstage and handed water and there’s. He squeezes the water bottle too tight and it explodes all over him. It’s freezing, even though he feels warm and before he’s thinking about it, he’s yanking off his shirts and suddenly someone’s handing him a towel and he hears a dog whistle. He’s about to tell Natalie to fuck off, when he sees who she’s standing by.

There. In the flesh, is Eddie Kaspbrak. He looks good, dammit. A maroon sweater and tight black jeans. His cheeks are flushed and he’s holding his black jacket in his arms.

“No one took his coat?” Richie yanks it out of his hands and throws it somewhere. “Where’s everybody else?”

He looks confused,

“What do you mean?”

“Impromptu Loser’s trip to my show. Is Bev pissed about the rent thing because I swear-“

Natalie sips at some cocktail awkwardly and Eddie swallows hard,

“Um, it’s just me.”

Richie halts. He sees someone off the scene - he knows these people’s names- he swears, it’s just dark. But he gestures for the booze again. Eddie came to see him. For his first show. Oh god. Eddie heard him go on about his jawline for Christ’s sake and now. He looks like a deer in headlights. The scotch is thrust into his hands and he takes three long pulls before doing anything.

The worst part is Eddie is just chilling. Kicking it, while Richie has this internal meltdown which he knows is showing on his face. He doesn’t know what to do so he all but thrusts the liquor at Eddie, grabs Natalie’s arm and storms off.

“What am I gonna do? Shit he’s here, he’s here.”

“You knew he was gonna hear the sketch anyway, why does it matter?”

“Because I’m drunk. I acted like a lovesick fool. My dad bod is exposed. What am I gonna do?! And be serious. There’s only room for one funny one in this relationship.”

She smiles,

“Good thing it’s me, my darling. Talk to him. He seems cool.”

“You talked to him?!”

“Uh yeah. He’s been back here since about half way through the set. Barged right back here. Lucky I recognized the name.”

He stares and she sighs,

“You’ve been saying his name in your sleep. Ever since the accident.”

“Oh god. You probably think I’m pathetic.”

“Not pathetic, in love.”

“In love? But I’m, we don’t know each other. We haven’t kept in touch in years.”

“Love doesn’t fade with age sweetie.”

“Oh stop being reasonable! I understand you just got a new gay best friend, but be logical.”

She snorts,

“Trust me, no one wants to go shopping with you. I am being logical. That man is head over heels for you. And you’re head over heels for him. Now do something about it before I kick your ass.”

“Your shoes are too expensive.”

“What am I gonna do? Talk about my feelings?”

She shakes her head quickly,

“Oh god no. Who knows what would come out. Just, ya know, go seduce him, with all of this.”

If it were anyone else he’d think they were kidding, but the have had sex dozens of times and so he knows she can’t be joking too much. His insecure ass isn’t that desperate so he keeps his mouth shut. She touches his shoulder,

“Go out there and kiss him. Just kiss him.”

He stares and she whacks his arm,

“And keep your mouth shut. No jokes.”

“What if he tries to slip in a little tongue?” He wags his eyebrows.

“You’re not nearly as charming as you think you are.”

“Eddie thinks so,” he says quickly, before he can stop himself.

Natalie grins,

“By the grace of god he does. Now go kiss him dammit!”

He strides out of the room, not paying any attention to if she’s following him, but he bets she is, as if she’d miss this. Eddie is looking flushed and cradling the scotch bottle like a pacifier and all Richie does is take it out of his hand and set it down quickly. Eddie stares. Eddie’s here. Eddie came here. To California. To see his set. He’d paid to see Richie. He remembers to ask Steve about a refund, vaguely of course, before he’s fitting a hand around Eddie’s jaw, Eddie’s beautiful jaw and ducking in to kiss him.

There’s no symphony or choir that starts singing but his heart does feel about three sizes too big like that Dr.Seuss book, and Eddie kisses him back so softly, as if he’s going to break. More likely that he’ll pull away, but Richie can’t imagine. Pulling away from this magical kiss. Eddie’s tongue licks tentatively at his lips and Richie opens his mouth immediately in a grin.

He hears a dog whistle and an “Atta boy!” And wow he hates his team so much. They’re getting fired, the whole lot of them.

Things must get a little heated because he hears the sharp clearing of a throat,

“I can get you out the back way,” says Steve, sheepishly.

Except Steve, Steve can stay.

Richie is being handed a clean, dry shirt from someone, he’d forgotten, that wouldn’t be a good look, and then he takes Eddie’s hand. Firmly. It’s a good hand.

“You ready to get out of here?”

“After you,” Eddie says, squeezing back.

“Why not after you? You’re the one with the ass that won’t quit.”

“You’re the one paying for this Lyft so you’re going first.”

“Hm, expensive date. Am I going to get into your pants later at least?”

Eddie scoffs,

“Do you ever stop?”

Richie halts,

“Actually no. Is that a deal breaker, because-“

Eddie shakes his head quickly,

“No. No. I love it. I love you.”

Richie’s head swirls,

“Um. I’m not ready.”

He knows he’d brought this up. His secret had started it, but, the last person he’d said I love you to was Sarah. And he most certainly was not in love with Sarah.

“It’s okay. I just don’t want there to be any confusion on how I feel. I love you Richie.”

Eddie squeezes his hand as a black car pulls up in front of them.

“Damn that was fast.”

“Oh Edward, bold of you to assume I don’t have my own car.”

“Don’t call me that! God, you really are famous.”

“A little bit,” he says in a singsong voice, opening the door for Eddie.

“Shut up dick.”

“Hey, your face will look good in paper print, I think.”

Richie slides in the car next to Eddie,

“Your face would look good-

“Where Eddie?” He dares, “where?”

“You know what, your... mom. It’s unfair, I haven’t worked on my insults in thirty years, you’re over here being a professional cornball.”

Richie snorts,

“Not my problem. Cause I can go all night baby.”

Eddie raises an eyebrow,

“Can you now?”

There’s a cough from the front seat,

“Sorry Carl. I’ll tell my friend to simmer down, there are innocents around.”

“You know I can hear you starting it Richie. Right?”

“Carl, you wound me. How can you think that I would have such a dirty mind?”

“Where are we going sir?”

He makes a puking noise,

“Sir.. gross. Just home.”

“Sounds good sir,” Carl says once more to be a dick.

“I like the sound of that,” Eddie teases, “Sir.”

“Oh hell no. First of all, fuck off. Second of all, you’d be referring to me as sir under entirely different circumstances.”

Eddie’s face flames,

“Natalie didn’t say you were this insane.”

“Natalie, Angel, light of my life, would never betray me like that. What did she tell you?”

Eddie mimes zipping his lips,

“Secrets, secrets.”

“I don’t think you’re meant to be friends with my ex.”

Eddie pales slightly at that and Richie wonders if he made it too weird.

“I mean, she’s my best friend too so,”

“No no, it’s fine, I just never thought of it like that. Oh god? That’s my competition? Teenie bopper soap star with a great rack?”

Richie stiffens at hearing Natalie being reduced to that, but he hears what Eddie is saying,

“There’s no competition Eds. Never been one.”

Eddie looks up at him and smiles softly. Richie leans in for a kiss. It gets a little heated and Richie tries to stretch out so Eddie can lay beside him, but Eddie kicks Carl’s chair and there’s a very judgmental  stare coming from the rear view mirror,

“Mr.Tozier, there’s a reason I don’t drive preteens anymore.”

“Fine, fine, can you speed up then?”

“I am happily going the five over the speed limit you usually request.”

“If I pay you extra can you make it ten?”

He hesitates like he wouldn’t do it for free, before grinning,

“3%?”

“Done.”

The car speeds a little faster and luckily Eddie’s short enough to crunch his legs up on the seat so that he can lay on Richie’s chest. He feels good. He feels real. He feels promised.