#And Eddie doesn't care!! He's down for either way!! And guess what so is Steve

[jadewritesficshere]

Dream A Little Dream of Me

Steddie. Contains: wet dreams, arguments, makeouts. 18+only

Eddie groaned, hands running down someone's spine before grabbing their hips.

"You're so fucking perfect," He gasped out. The lewd sound of skin slapping skin filled the air intermingled with moans. "Harder," the person gasps, reaching a hand back. Eddie moves his hand to hold the hand of the person. He glances up to the face peering back at him, into Steve-

Eddie jolts awake with a gasp. His heart beats fast as he tries to catch his breath. His skin is soaked in sweat and realizes that his boxers are soaked with his own release. Which, what's more embarrassing, waking up after coming or having a wet dream about your best friend?

Eddie shakes his head to try and get rid of his thoughts. He runs a hand over his head pushing his hair back as he exhales. "Damn," Eddie mumbles," Just a dream." He slowly gets up to handle the situation in his boxers, unsure if he's disappointed that it wasn't real.

~~~~~~

Eddie isn't a stranger to sexy dreams. He's, to put it plainly, horny. It isn't like he's had much experience, just the guy or girl who has sucked him off in the bathroom at the bar.

So- horny. Eddie knows that can fuel dreams. He once dreamt he was making out with the news anchor on the local news. He dreamt he fucked a fruit once, which almost tempted him to try it.

But point is, Eddie's had dreams like this before. He's been able to brush them off.

But this dream about Steve...

All Eddie can see now is Steve beneath him. Mouth around him. Eddie in him. Every position is running rampant in Eddie's brain.

He feels like everything Steve does now is obscene. The way Steve's muscles flex in his bicep as he puts movies away. The way he moves his hips as he shimmies dancing with Robin. The curl of his lip as he snarls and bitches about customers, just begging to have Eddie's own lips pressed against them. The curls of chest hair peeking out over his shirt, taunting Eddie to run a hand through it. The moles and freckles dancing across his skin, begging Eddie to trace them with his tongue.

Eddie thinks he's losing his mind. He also thinks Steve has to know, and is doing things on purpose just to drive him insane. What ever happened to squatting down to pick up something off the ground? Now Steve is just bending at the waist, ass pressed all up against those jeans, taunting him.

Eddie's emotions are everywhere. One minute he wants to confess his love like for Steve. The next he wants to throttle Steve for making him feel this way. One minute he's jerking off, gasping and moaning as euphoria hits. The next he feels insanely guilty for thinking about his best friend that way.

It gets worse when Steve notices.

Well, Eddie thinks he notices. Steve's eyes seem to stay on him a bit too long. Steve's hands grip his shoulder and squeeze too much. Eddie can't survive this torture. Those beautiful eyes peering into his own, Eddie knows one glimpse and Steve could see his entire being.

Eddie just has to ignore it. If he can ignore it, things can go back to normal. He can deal with it dwelling in the back of his mind. He has for years, ever since seeing Steve on the swimming team- which, great now he's remembering those short trunks on his muscular thighs and-

Eddie screams into a pillow, cursing a few times for added emphasis. Why does Steve have to be so hot? So good? So Steve. Eddie bites the pillow, glaring at the wall over the top of it. Just ignore it, push it back down. But as his cock hardens, he can't help his hand reaching down and thinking, just one more time.

~~~~~~

"Okay, enough!" Steve glares, hands on his hips. Eddie has to try to restrain himself from looking at Steve's hips, his crotch. "What?" Eddie bites back, arms crossing.

Steve huffs and shakes his head," What is with this attitude? If you didn't want to hang out you didn't have to come over!"

Eddie's eyes narrow at the tone. Steve's voice has the same angry bitchy tone he uses when talking about the Worst Customers. Steve is using that voice talking about him.

"I don't have a fucking attitude princess! Maybe watch your damn tone." Eddie throws his hands up and leans back into the couch further. "My tone!? My tone!?" Steve barks out a laugh," What about yours?"

"I don't have a fucking tone!" Eddie glares. Okay, maybe he does. But how's a man supposed to act when their crush answered the door shirtless? Letting his eyes wander down his chest to his happy trail to-

"You've been a sarcastic little bitch all evening!" Steve steps forward, finger pointing against Eddie's chest," You're glaring, you're pouting, rolling your eyes. You're in a fucking mood, don't take it out on me! I didn't do anything!" With each word, Steve jabs his finger against Eddie's chest.

Eddie snatches Steve's wrist, emotions bubbling over as he yells," Yes, you did!"

Steve's eyes widen and his jaw drops slightly. The fire in his eyes dies out. "Oh," Steve pauses," I didn't..." Steve tries to remove his hand from Eddie's grasp, causing him to panic and tighten his hold.

"I'm sor-" "Fuck, Steve. I didn't mean it like that." Eddie sighs," You're just...you." "If this is the whole "it's not you it's me" speech I don't want to-" "You're beautiful."

Steve freezes at Eddie's words. Eddie can't help but continue," You're fucking gorgeous man. Your arms, your legs, you know your ass looks good. (Steve hums in agreement) A person who looks that good should have a terrible personality. But you don't! You're kind, protective, selfless. I could go on, I just, damn man. You're the total package and I can't stop thinking about you.

When I go to bed I'm thinking of you, when I wake up I imagine waking up next to you. Hell, even my dreams are full of you! So, yes, I do have a mood Steve. Because I know you could never be with a guy like me."

"Says who?"

Eddie freezes. That's...no, he must be suffering from some form of hearing loss cause there's no way-

"Says who?" Steve implores, hand on Eddie's jaw, lifting his face so Eddie's staring into Steve's. "Uh..." Eddie blinks a few times. His tongue darts out to wet his lips and he watches as Steve's eyes trace the movement.

Steve's eyes who, a minute ago had lost all fire, was alight with flames again. Steve's thumb lightly traces Eddie's lower lip, causing a shiver to go down his spine.

Eddie parts his lips, letting Steve's thumb rest against them. He hesitantly licks the tip, giving him a chance to pull away. But Steve doesn't, no, he pushes his thumb harder against Eddie's mouth, causing Eddie to open further.

Eddie wraps his mouth around Steve's finger and sucks lightly. "Fuck," Steve steps closer," You should have said something sooner. You're on my mind too Eddie."

Eddie's eyes flutter closed as his tongue circles Steve's thumb. He can feel himself start to harden against his already tight jeans. Steve pulls his thumb out of Eddie's mouth with a pop. Eddie starts to let out a whine when Steve straddles his lap.

Which- Eddie thinks he's dead. Because Steve hasn't even done anything except sit in his lap and he thinks he's in Heaven. Eddie's hands automatically grasp Steve's hips.

Steve shifts forward slightly, both men holding back moans as their bulges grind against each other. Steve wraps his arms around Eddie's neck, leaning forward.

Their noses brush before their lips touch. Eddie can't help but sigh. Steve's lips are as soft as he thought they'd be. Eddie hopes it's good for Steve, cursing himself for not putting chapstick on recently. All sense of time is lost as their lips move in tandem. It could be five seconds or five minutes of them kissing, and Eddie never wants it to end.

They break apart, panting as Steve helps Eddie take his shirt off. As soon as his arms are free, Eddie grabs Steve's ass, a nice handful. He can't wait to worship it later. Steve sheds his own shirt, leaning back to kiss Eddie.

Steve's chest hair rubs against Eddie's sparse own. Steve rubs his hands up and down Eddie's front, pausing a moment to roll one of Eddie's nipples. Eddie whimpers as pleasure licks down his spine.

Steve rolls his hips into Eddie's, causing him to gasp. Steve deepens the kiss, licking into his mouth without hesitation. With each movement of Steve's hips, his clothed cock hits Eddie's just right. Eddie can't hold back the moan that escapes him.

Steve pulls back, a wicked grin on his face. Eddie knows he must look a sight. He can feel his face is flushed, lips slightly swollen from kissing. His cock feels harder then a diamond. A wet spot formed on the inside of his boxers where precum has leaked.

Eddie recalls his dream. How Steve was splayed out in front of him. But as Steve goes to unbutton Eddie's pants, Eddie can't help but imagine he may have gotten it wrong. Maybe Eddie is the one who's gonna be laid out in front of Steve.

[strangersteddierthings]

"What's wrong?" Robin asks, bumping her arm against his as she joins him leaning against the counter, staring out the front door of Family Video.

Steve doesn't bother to lie. Robin would know, she always does. "I'm not sure wrong is the right word, but it's, it's something."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Yeah," he says, taking a quick glance around. It's just after 11pm on Saturday. They've got another hour of work before they can officially close, but Hawkins closes down at 9. The store is empty currently, and since they're facing the door, they'll know if someone comes in. "I just don't know- I don't-"

"Gather your words. Speak when you're ready. I'm not going anywhere," Robin says, and it speaks volumes that she didn't call him dingus. Steve's never upset by the nickname, not really, but sometimes, when the conversation is heavy, he can't deal with nicknames. Especially not ones that are meant teasingly now but started as an insult.

"I feel- I feel ungrateful and, like, selfish, because I'm... I'm not happy with Eddie," Steve says, then immediately frowns because that's not right. It's not wrong, either, but it's. "I'm not unhappy with Eddie. I love him. I love him so much, Robin."

"I know you do. It's disgusting."

"And I got into this relationship knowing what Eddie's like. I love him 'cause of those things, not in spite of-"

"You don't have to convince me you love him."

"Right. Right. It's just. It's like, I thought, I don't know, that I wouldn't have to always be the guy?" Steve says, and it's followed by such a long pause that he looks over. It startles a laugh out of him at how much Robin looks like him right now. Confused, brow furrowed and mouth slightly open. That's his perplexed expression, and it's mirrored on Robin's face now.

Well. Not now because he laughed so she's glaring at him.

"Sorry. It was like looking into a mirror for a moment there."

She wrinkles her nose at him and says, "What do you mean 'always be the guy'?"

He lets out a sigh. "I just mean- Eddie's the first guy I've ever dated. And there was, like, unwritten rules when dating girls. Don't give me that face, I already know the rant about straights and their het-ro-norman-whatever-"

"Heteronormativity."

"Yes, that. I know it's bad, working on unlearning it, etcetera, etcetera. Can I just get through this using the words I do have?"

"Yes. Sorry."

He waves off her apology and continues, "So, the unwritten but absolute rules of straight dating. The guy asks. The guy plans the date. He pays, if it's something that requires money. He gets the door, offers his jacket if it's cold, gives the flowers and chocolates on Valentines Day and- sorry. The guy does all that. I do all that. And I just. I want to not, not have to?"

Robin's eyes soften and she gives a sad smile. "Eddie doesn't do those things?"

Steve frowns. "Not- he's done some of those things but it's not... It's never been romantic. Never felt... intentionally romantic. Which is why I feel so ungrateful and selfish. 'Cause Eddie's not a romantic. Not like I am. And I shouldn't expect him to be!"

She frowns. "But you don't expect him to be."

"I mean, yeah. I don't. Which just makes this worse, right? Because Eddie tries. In his own way. And I'm still..."

"What does Eddie do to try?"

"He loans me jackets when I'm cold. And it's- it's like a throwback to the upside down. He'll fold it all nice and then throw it at me full force. Like with the battle vest," Steve smiles at the memory, despite his sour mood.

"That doesn't sound very romantic. That sounds like an inside joke. He could do that same thing while not dating you and it wouldn't be weird."

"Can't an inside joke be romantic?"

Robin nods as she turns, back to the counter so she can hop up on it. "Can be. And I guess if you find get pelted in the face by jackets romantic, that's your kink."

"Why do I talk to you?" Steve groans, and Robin shrugs. "Anyway, I guess I just... I want to be the one taken care of, sometimes, but not just when- God, I'm so selfish, aren't I?" He paces away from the counter, running a hand through his hair.

Eddie's a good boyfriend. He listens when Steve rambles about sports and stats, asking questions and actually engages in conversation. He takes care of Steve when a migraine leaves him all but useless; gets him his meds and water and combs his fingers through Steve's hair softly until it lulls Steve to sleep. Eddie pays attention enough to know the little things about Steve that he doesn't say out loud.

"Not just when?" Robin prompts, and Steve realizes he quit talking.

"Not just when I'm hurt. I want doors held for me, and for him to plan a romantic night, either out or in! And I- I want him to give me his jacket by wrapping it around my shoulders like I do for him."

"I'm going to say something, and you aren't allowed to be upset by it."

Steve nods.

"You have to tell him. Eddie's not gonna know you want these things unless you say so."

He nods again, because he knows that. He does. It's just... "I got with him knowing he wasn't a romantic person. I don't want- I don't know how to say it without making it sound like I want him to change. Or make him feel like he's not enough, or that he's a bad boyfriend for not having done this and-"

"Steve! Jesus, now who's the mirror? It's Eddie. He loves you. He'll listen. Even as you fumble your way through an explanation. A conversation is not the make or break of this relationship."

Steve swallows even though it feels like there's stones piling up in his stomach. A single conversation broke his last relationship, but Eddie's not Nancy.

"Yeah. You're right. I think I'm just... I'm afraid of making Eddie feel that same way Nancy made me feel, when she called us bullshit. I was blinded-sided by it all and I don't, I can't do that to Eddie."

"You won't. 'Cause this situation is different. You love Eddie, and Eddie loves you, and that's real and true. I think it would hurt Eddie more to think there's this whole other category of shit he could be doing for you, but isn't, 'cause he doesn't even know you'd like it, much less want it."

Steve nods as she speaks. It's all true, and he feels less like there are stones in his stomach. "Thanks, Bobbin. I don't- I might give it a few days before I talk to Eddie about it, but I will."

"You better, dingus," she hopes off the counter and looks at the clock, groaning when she sees it's still not midnight. "Think Keith will kill us if we close early?"

"No way. He'd have to cover all our shifts until he can hire replacements. We're too valuable to him to die."

-

@i-less-than-three-you @nburkhardt @skepsiss @afewproblems

[luveline]

Hi Jade! I absolutely love your writing, especially when you write for Eddie or Steve. Love these two. I was wondering if you could write about an insucure reader who has been rejected a lot and doesn't believe it when someone actually starts loving her for who she is. I'd love this with either Eddie or Steve . You can choose who you want to write for. If you don't wanna write something like this, that's fine too. Just know that I love your writing!

ty for requesting!! —you have a hard time believing eddie loves you, but he does. fem, 1.1k

“Oh my god.�� 

Eddie freaks you out when he talks like that. His voice turns hoarse, almost grainy, like he’s in shock, or he can’t get a grip. 

“That’s what you’re wearing?” he asks. 

“It’s not alright?” you ask, looking down at your outfit. It’s just jeans and a chunky cardigan. He sounds like he loves it, but your brain goes straight to worry anyhow. 

“No, not alright.” He leans back against your pillows, his arms behind his head and his biceps doing something cruel against his shirt sleeves. “Not alright at all. Do a spin?” 

You shake your head severely. 

“Doll,” he says, pouting gently. “Please?” 

“No, if it looks bad, I’ll change,” you say. 

“It doesn’t look bad! I’m kidding. You look the opposite of bad, so do a spin!” 

You love his voice and the way he talks, and you love him —though of course he doesn’t know it— so you end up doing a slow spin for him in your bedroom. You’ve buttoned the top button of your cardigan and it’s a very static movement, but he oohs, ahs, and sits up quickly. 

“Yeah, you look fucking beautiful.” 

“Boo,” you mumble. 

“Just as I suspected you would.” He gestures you forward. “Wait, come over here a second.” 

Eddie says wait as an act of persuasion, or a white lie; he makes it sound as though there’s something urgent afoot, but there never is. He grabs your arm when you’re close enough, then your back, looking up into your face imploringly. “I just wanted to look at you.” Being held like this warms you from the inside out. His hand scrunches your cardigan and shirt, the other bringing your arm to his chest. “But you guessed that.” 

“No, I…” You smile in a flat line. “You’re sure I look good?” 

“Of course I am. I was kidding,” he says, softer now. “You know? I was being sarcastic, because you look that good it’s crazy to imply you look bad. I promise.” 

You sit down on the bed beside him. 

“You look so pretty,” he says. 

You nod as a strange ache blossoms in your throat. “Sorry,” you say, wishing you could explain it to him. You weren’t always scared of what people are thinking, but past dismissal has left you off kilter, and now he’s paying the price. 

“For what, angel?” he asks, though he’s not waiting for an answer. “You’re…you do look beautiful, you do, I’m not messing around. Well, I was. But I’m not now, so don’t be sorry, and don’t worry. I love this stuff, I fucking love the jeans, you have nice thighs,” —he laughs at your tired sigh— “and I love buttons. These buttons are great.” 

You let your cheek rest gently on his arm, still laughing. He’s such a sweetheart when he wants to be, but he’s not half as cool as he thinks he is. He’s too earnest to be a bad boy. “Thank you.” 

“I love you.” 

You shake your head. Eddie’s wrapping his arms around you, pulling you closer, face encouraged into his neck. “I do,” he says gently. “I’ve told you before, haven’t I?” 

“Yes.” 

He brings his hand to the back of your neck. “Mm. And have I given you any reason to think I’m lying?” 

“I don’t think you’re lying, I just think that… that I… you know.”

“I know. Doesn’t make it true.” He sounds a peculiar mixture of sad and happy at once. Find concern, perhaps, or loving derision. “I love you, and I’d love it if you walked around in bobbly sweaters and clogs. I don’t care what you wear, ‘cos it’s you.” 

“There’s nothing even that good about me to feel that way for.” 

“You don’t think so, but I do.” He turns his face down to you and presses the bridge of his nose to your temple. 

His t-shirt smells like clary soap. You curl your hand into the front of it, the soft wall of his abdomen underneath a familiar comfort. He hugs you tighter still. Eddie’s told you he loves you a few times, and you’d thought that when a guy finally felt the same way about you, everything would be fixed, you could say it back and live happily ever after, but it hasn’t worked out that way so far. Every time he tells you he loves you, you’re paralysed by the idea that he can’t. But then he holds you like this and you start to wonder if he’s telling the truth. 

He kisses the side of your face. “You okay?” he asks, kissing you again to punctuate. 

“Yes. Yeah.” You work your arms behind his back and squeeze him. 

Eddie encourages your head back carefully. He meets your eyes; all you can see is his irises, deeply brown, and his long lashes where they tent together. You’re too close to see his lips, but you can sense that he’s smiling from the warmth in his eyes and the slight droop of his eyelids. 

“Kiss?” he murmurs. 

You hum a yes. Eddie nudges your nose with his until there’s space to kiss you, your lips pressed tight and then less so, a dance of sweet kisses. You relax under his touch, the physical evidence of his affection, so totally that your back clicks. He smiles into your mouth but pulls away, too tempted by the opportunity to make a joke. 

“You need a masseuse,” he says, bringing his hand to your cheek. 

“No, I don’t.” You can practically see the steam radiating off of your cheeks. 

“You totally do. I could give you a massage, babe. I’m really good.” 

“No… we’re going to the movies.” 

“See, that sounds like you do want one. I can give you one later.” 

You look at him for too long, his brows pulling together in concern, but it’s nothing he has to worry about. “Love you,” you say quickly, wrapping your arms around his neck to pull him in for another hug. 

His arm stutters at your side. “I love you,” you correct. The ‘I’ is important, especially when he’s never heard it from you before. It’s easy to love someone so patient, and so funny. 

He hugs you tight and sudden. “Yeah,” he says, “I love you too.” His watch digs into your spine. You don’t tell him. It’ll probably bruise, but you just don’t care. It’s nice to be loved fiercely. 

[steviewashere]

CW: Infertility (Coming from my own experience just...with a uterus.)

Thinking right now about Steve who wants his own family really bad, but finds out he's 100% infertile.

He only finds out after a failed marriage. His first marriage. Has a beautiful, wonderful, just absolutely incredible wife who accepts everything about his past—stuff he won't talk about and otherwise. Yet, the one thing they knew for certain was a definite in their relationship was children. However, for some reason (that I don't have), his wife rejects the idea of adopting children. So they try. They try and try and try.

Eventually, they get their eggs and sperm analyzed. Her eggs are healthy, her uterus is fine, no complications associated with her ovaries.

Steve, in his next visit, finds out he's infertile. It's not genetically caused. His parents were very fertile, just decided to have only one child. And—maybe due to some Upside Down bullshit; bat bites being untreated, injuries being too traumatic—his sperm production and his sperm vitality are completely destroyed.

He's devastated, of course he is. Brings it up to his wife. They agree to go their separate ways because this was something they both wanted, but now can't have.

And then he just floats about for a while. Quiet and disheartened.

He goes back to Hawkins and bumps into Eddie. Now, I'm thinking, personally, that this isn't some romance story. They're strictly platonic in this scenario (for now).

They get to talking and somewhere in the conversation, Steve's infertility comes up. Eddie tries to gently explain to him that there's other options to have children. "Foster care," he says, "it's where I was for a while. You can adopt from an orphanage, from a hospital. There's always the option for surrogacy, y'know. A lot of different"—

"Eds," Steve interrupts, "I appreciate this, but I...I don't want to talk about it anymore. It hurts too much to think about."

"Sorry," Eddie apologizes.

Steve just shakes his head, resigned. "It's not your fault," he murmurs, "guess I'm just upset that my body doesn't work the way it's supposed to."

"Not everybody's works the way it's supposed to, Steve."

"Yeah," he whispers, "but I was sorta hoping my own would."

There's a lull in the conversation. A long while of just silence and a cigarette being passed and the gentle rustle of trees around them. Outside, in the Forest Hills trailer park, staring down a set of rusted swings.

"How do you think I should handle this, Eddie?"

"Hm?"

"This...this body issue. What am I supposed to do about it? I'm, like...like grieving over nothing."

"You grieve, Steve," Eddie answer simply, "you get angry and you cry. That's all you can really do."

"I don't want to be angry, though. I want...I want to be happy. I want my dream to come true! I want"—he sighs and swallows and looks on ahead of him. To a place he once visited constantly when he still lived full-time in Hawkins, not just passing through. Out on a town that he once called home, a place where he couldn't be the person he wanted to be. Couldn't get what he needed.—"I want to love my kid in a way I never got."

And Eddie looks to him. To his profile. Shuffles closer, cigarette out on the porch. Arm wrapping over Steve's shoulders, tugging him in. "I know," Eddie whispers, "I'm sorry, Steve. I'm really, really sorry."

"It's not your fault, Eds."

"It's not yours either."

He keeps staring out. To a place that was hopeful. Where his dreams bared new. When things seemed reasonable and he could face everything head-on and knew exactly what he wanted for himself. A future of laughter and soft lullabies and hugs warm enough to soothe the world.

There'll be other chances. But not now. Not when he's like this.

"I know," he merely mutters, "I know."

[fastcardotmp3]

Steve is the first person Robin ever comes out to.

And it's good, it goes better than she ever could have hoped, it goes miraculously well considering just how reckless she had been about it in hindsight, how nearly accidental and vaguely self-destructive a choice it had been to wield Tammy Thompson's name like that in front of a boy she'd learned to trust within the past six hours.

The thing is, it's good, but she realizes later on that she never actually says the word. The big one, the identifying one, the one that gets thrown around as a slur as often as queer or dyke do towards any girl who dares not present in a specifically feminine way.

It's a bad word, a scary word, a word that drips off tongues like acid and drips drips drips a corrosive hole in Robin's chest every single time because if it's being said in her vicinity that means-- just at any moment-- anyone could figure out--

Robin doesn't care for the act of coming out either in theory or in practice. She believes that anyone she trusts enough to know gets to learn from context clues and anyone she doesn't trust will just never get to know her fully and that's good enough for her.

She doesn't sit her parents down and say, "Mom. Dad. I'm a--"

She doesn't sit her little apocalypse posse down and say, "Just thought you guys should know I'm a--"

She didn't tell Steve.

She doesn't say the word.

Because as much as she's able to accept who she is, it's so hard to claim a word that has been used like a weapon her whole life. Because as much as even her parents and her friends love her for who she is, there is something about saying it like that that makes her wonder if it could sully the support.

As if they'd realize oh, you meant like that...? and change their minds.

It's not until IUPUI, a little house in Indy with Steve, and a little record shop next door to the deli where Eddie got a job slicing meat that she starts seeing that word, feeling it anew.

There are zines at this shop, the ones behind the counter that she's offered after a few visits and a few conversations that she later recognizes as coded and questioning in nature.

There are stories and art and poetry and that word is all over them.

And the thing is? The thing that has Steve finding her crying in their living room one afternoon as she reads through the stack like it holds the answers to the universe?

Is that it is written and spoken and displayed like the most beautiful word in the world.

It's a compliment and a blessing and a brag. It's a little bit of magic and a great deal of history.

It's her, in the end. It's her and it belongs in her mouth, deserves to be spoken, because too many people are out there misusing it like a disgusting thing when it is divine, fucking love incarnate.

Robin tucks into Steve's embrace, his instinct to hold her even as he tries to understand what has her sobbing in the middle of the day, whether or not he needs to fight anyone about it.

He holds her and she holds him back and it only feels right that it happen like this when she takes his face in her hands, shaky but oh, so certain.

Steve was the first person she ever came out to.

If she's going to let the scary word become her favorite the way it is for the people writing it out so proudly, this is probably the place to start.

"Steve Harrington," she beams at the furrow in his brow, those big concerned eyes that she knows will be confused about this, but she knows will only hold her tighter once she explains. "Steve. Stevie. Guess what?"

"What's up?" he laughs, gathering the joy in her tears like she knew he would, and Robin feels something click in the moment before she says it to him.

Out loud and real.

Very nearly holy.

"I'm a fucking lesbian."

[writer-in-theory]

A Cat Named Eddie — part one

part one part two part three

--

Steve didn't mean to adopt a cat.

The little guy was sitting on the back patio by the pool, just staring. He was a black cat, perched on the ledge of the pool.

"Where did you come from?" Steve asked when the cat didn't spook. It just watched him, head tilting to the side a little when he got closer. There was no collar on it, nothing to signify that he belonged to anyone. He was dirty enough to suggest he was a stray and too thin around his middle. "Do you have anyone to take care of you?"

The cat blinked.

"Yeah, me either," Steve chuckled gently, reaching out to pet his head. The cat was apprehensive at first, pulling his head back and staring at Steve with wide yellow eyes. "Right, we gotta get to know each other first. Well come on, it's warmer inside, and I have food."

Steve wasn't sure if the cat would listen, but he seemed okay enough with the idea to follow Steve inside the house after all. He stayed close by Steve's ankles, not quite touching. "Food, food," Steve hissed, beginning to open up every cabinet for something that might be cat-friendly. "Oh! Cats eat fish, right? You want some tuna?"

Another blink.

"That looks like a yes to me, big guy," Steve laughed, decided to plate up a portion of a can of tuna.

The cat dug in immediately, even being so enthusiastic about the food that he let Steve sit down beside him and pet along his back. After the food was gone, the cat walked over and plopped down on the ground beside Steve, paw reaching out to grab onto his hand.

"Oh, more love?" Steve obliged, scratching at the cat's ear until he heard a gentle purr coming from it. "See, it's not so bad. You can trust me."

This was silly. What he should be doing is taking it to the nearest shelter, letting them know that it was sitting outside without any sign of belonging to anyone. He shouldn't be feeding it, petting it, oh, letting its sweet little head rest on his thigh while it slept—

"Guess I better get some supplies tomorrow, huh? You wanna stick around here?" Steve sighed, a smile worming its way onto his face as the cat relaxed against him. "You can stay. We'll take care of each other. Now you just need a name."

--

Eddie's pretty sure he's going crazy.

It starts with pretty innocuous questions from the kids when Steve comes to pick them up from D&D night. "Hey, how's Eddie doing?" Max asked when Steve got out of his car, standing by the open driver's side door as if to signal he needed to take off quickly.

It's odd that Max would ask Steve that when Eddie was standing right there, but he doesn't question it.

"Steve! Is Eddie settling in okay?" That's Dustin. It's been weird after the Upside Down, having been cleared of the murder charges but still not welcomed back into the hearts of the Hawkins people (though he's not sure he ever really had a spot there to begin with). It's nice for the kids to be worried about him, but again, Steve Harrington doesn't really seem like the most knowledgeable party in the room. Sometimes, though, it's easier not to ask questions and go with it, especially with this band of hooligans.

"Did you see Steve with Eddie yesterday? He was dancing around with him, it was the sweetest thing."

Eddie didn't know if Nancy saw something that he didn't, but he's fairly certain he did not get to dance with Steve yesterday. The thought alone had him curling a bit of his hair around his finger, eyes staring at the table distractedly. The thought of having that strong body pressed against his, so close he could feel Steve's heart beating as quickly as his own, hands wrapped up in each other as they swung to whatever gentle music Steve liked to play when everyone was around.

He wished.

But it's the day he walks into Family Video and overhears Robin's conversation with Steve that does it.

"Have you gotten Eddie to sit in your lap yet?"

What.

Eddie ducks behind one of the shelves before they can see him, determined to hear what Steve has to say about it. He wouldn't call it eavesdropping, per say, especially since the conversation is about him. He has a right to hear!

"No, he'll always sit right next to me instead," Steve sighs dramatically, and Eddie can practically envision the way Steve must be draped over the center counter. "I tried to pick him up yesterday and the little fucker bit me."

Now there's a thought. Eddie could think of a few things he'd like to bite o—

"But he did sleep in bed with me! Slept right on my chest until I fell asleep. I call that progress."

Now that's just cruel. Did Steve know how many nights he'd idly thought about the same thing? How many times he'd laid on his thin pillow and wished it was Steve's fucking ex-jock pecs holding him up? Was it all some joke, a way to tease Eddie after finding out about his crush on him?

Shit, that was it. Steve wouldn't do that, right?

Except.

Except Eddie can vividly remember the day when Carol Perkins and Tommy Hagan got together, and Steve had been so relentless in his teasing that even Eddie felt some amount of sympathy for the pair. That ended the second the two turned their anger toward the freaks and geeks of the school, of course, but it had existed for a brief moment if only because of Steve Harrington's ability to hurt when he wanted to.

Well two could play at that game. If Steve thought this was funny, spreading rumors and rubbing it in Eddie's face that he couldn't have him, well, he'd show him just what he was missing.

Eddie's heart races as he grabs the nearest movie case, sidling up to the counter and trying to act like he wasn't bothered by anything he'd heard.

"Hey, Harrington," Eddie smirks, dropping the case onto the counter in a move that he hopes screamed cool, cool, cool.

Steve raises an eyebrow, grabbing the movie and beginning to process of letting him rent it. "Can't Buy Me Love? Didn't think you were the RomCom kind of guy."

"I'm not," Eddie laughs. This could not be more perfect. He hasn't seen the movie, but he's overheard Nancy telling the plot of it to Robin in an attempt to get a date out of her. The universe must be on his side for once, urging him to remind Steve that he wasn't the only person who knew how to hurt. "My date insisted. I don't really get it though. Why Dempsey would give up everything for the pretty popular one is above me."

"It's a cheesy movie, but the plot has some p—"

"I mean they're all the same anyway. Perfect little airheads using daddy's money to make friends. Sure Amanda Peterson's character has the looks, but what else does she have, really?"

Steve stands stock-still, hazel eyes focused intently on the movie case. He seems so unbothered by the whole thing, carrying on with grabbing the cash Eddie'd slid over the counter.

"I mean, she's a perfect representation of all those sporty types, isn't she? She expects any freak out there to just want her because she's cool, like we can't all see right through the bullshit." That one felt like shards on Eddie's tongue, remembering the night Steve had told him about the Halloween party, about the public humiliation he's suffered and all the heartbreak that came after. Still, nothing could hurt quite so bad as hearing Steve mocking him, telling everyone they knew that Eddie was doing all of these things he could only dream of doing. It was a sick joke, one that deserved only the best retaliation.

Eddie could only relish in the shocked look on Steve's face, one he's sure matched his own when he heard Eddie and lap in the same sentence. "I'm sure it'll still be a decent movie though," Eddie finishes with a little smile, picking the case back up.

Steve hadn't stopped staring. His lips finally close back together, eyebrows drawn tightly as he considers Eddie. "Have a fun date then, Munson," Steve says, and Eddie nods his agreeance.

"Have a fun night too, Harrington."

He doesn't stop at Robin's loud shout of indignation. He doesn't stop for anything, continuing to his van until he can no longer see Steve's face.

--

( i'm so sorry part two coming soon )

[ashwhowrites]

Harrington!reader, Steve’s little sister. Popular, a cheerleader, first time senior and Chrissy’s best friend. But she has a secret that only her best friend knows. She’s had a crush on Eddie Munson since middle school. She’s afraid to tell him, thinking there’s no way he’d be into her. Until one day in the cafeteria, Jason Carver calls Eddie a freak. She confronts him, and punches him in the face, breaking or spraining her hand/wrist. Guess her little secret is out, and she may never be popular again.

I feel like I wrote a fic like this, but I couldn't find it, so here we go! I hope this is what you were looking for and you like it <3

Never proofread

Liking the freak

Y/N Harrington was a popular cheerleader, her status even higher than her older brother's. A status that everyone knew. She tried to be a lot nicer than how Steve was. She didn't want to be popular for being an asshole.

The worst part about being popular was knowing people disliked her because of it. And there was someone she was always worried hated her, Eddie Munson. He was known to hate the popular crowd and she couldn't blame him. They made his life hell day in and day out.

But she always had a soft spot for him, ever since middle school. She was embarrassed to admit she had a crush on him since, but she didn't believe for a second that he would like her back. She doesn't think there's one bone in his body that would like her. She wasn't mean to him, but she never helped him out either. Just stood in the back and tried to avoid problems everywhere.

Chrissy knew, her best friend, and Chrissy thought she should go for it. But Chrissy also knew her boyfriend, Jason, would turn on Y/N in seconds. Chrissy also understood Y/N's fear of Eddie not liking her back. Their crowds just didn't mix well.

Jason was on another rant about who knows during lunch. Y/N got good at drowning him out, picking at her lunch as she admired Eddie from across the room. She could tell he was mocking Jason and she found herself laughing, even though she couldn't hear him. But then he looked up, his brown eyes meeting hers. He lifted his eyebrow, almost to ask "What are you doing looking at me?" But she found herself frozen, not looking away.

"YO, FREAK. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT HER FOR?" Jason yelled, immediately grabbing everyone's attention. Y/N snapped out of her daydream and glared at Jason. Now the whole room was staring at their table, trying to see who the freak was looking at.

Eddie rolled his eyes and stood up, "SHE WAS LOOKING AT ME!" he yelled back. He told the truth, but of course, Jason wouldn't believe that.

Jason scoffed and looked back at Y/N, "Dude, a girl like that would never look at you unless she was making fun of you." For once, Y/N was involved in the problem and she figured this would be the time.

She stood up, ignoring Chrissy's pleas for her to sit back down.

"I was staring. It's not his fault. Leave him alone." Y/N confessed, giving Eddie a small smile as an apology. But Jason kept going.

"For what? Don't tell me you like the freak?" Jason accused her, she was stunned for a second. Not thinking Jason would go immediately think of that.

But what was the point of lying?

"I think he's attractive and I'd like to get to know him." She said, crossing her arms as she stood confidently. Trying to ignore the way everyone gasped like it was that serious. Eddie looked stunned, his table looking between her and him a thousand times. Dustin smiled and went for a high-five, but Eddie smacked his hand down with a glare.

"You can't do that!" Jason tried but Y/N didn't care. "Why? Because you say so? Like I'm going to listen to you." Y/N grabbed her backpack and was heading toward Eddie to prove her point.

"Fine, go with the freak Harrington! Just like your loser brother. But don't come crawling back when you realize he's just as much trash as his deadbeat dad." Jason thought he won when she froze. Her back to him as she stared at Eddie. He looked embarrassed and almost looked like he agreed with Jason. Y/N knew what it was like to struggle with parents, she had Steve at least, but Eddie didn't have anyone.

Y/N did the first thing that came to mind, she turned around, knuckles clenched as she punched him straight across the face. Chrissy gasped and checked on Jason, but had a proud look on her face.

Jason was knocked to the floor, caught off guard as he stared at her. Screaming started and teachers were rushing to her. Before she knew it, she was being grabbed by teachers and thrown out of the cafeteria. But as she was dragged out she caught Eddie's eye. He winked and sent her a smirk.

Maybe the Harringtons weren't as bad as Eddie thought.

Tags!

@bmunson86 @mxcheese @ladymunson @michaelfuckinglangdon @z0mbie-blah @biittersweet @mirrorsstuff @somethingvicked @micheledawn1975 @ago-godance @magnificantmermaid @tlclick73 @hargrovesswifee @cityofidek @manyfandomsfanvergentreblogs @silky-luxe @lokiofasgard616 @loving-and-dreaming @eddiemunsonsbitch69 @thegemaqua @ashlynnkennedy @strangerthingsstories5255 @harringt8ns @pleasinghellfire @whoscamila @stusdollface93

[solarmorrigan]

I was looking for prompt lists from your tumblr only to stumble upon the newest ask game lol Anyway "Don't trust me" for anything/any pairing you want <3

It's kind of funny that for all we talk about Steve n' Eddie, this is the only prompt so far I've filled that doesn't involve any romance between them. Anyway, SEE WHAT ANGST YOU HAVE HELPED ME WREAK. Or something <3

[No major warnings, but you'd probably call this one hurt/no comfort]

Angsty-ish Prompt List

-

Eddie blinks at Steve, apparently startled to find him on his doorstep at seven o’clock on a Tuesday evening.

“…hey,” Steve says after a long moment of awkward silence.

“Hey,” Eddie replies automatically, then scrunches his eyes shut and shakes his head; when he opens them again, he grins at Steve. “Yeah, hey, sorry. To what do I owe the honor of this unexpected royal visit?”

Eddie still hasn’t stopped making references to Steve’s stupid high school nickname, despite Steve’s admission that he no longer cares for it. It’s starting to feel a bit pointed, but Steve reminds himself that it’s also possible that he’s just being sensitive. Eddie’s a hard guy to get a read on, but Steve knows that he likes to tease, so he shoulders past the comment and carries on.

“I brought food,” Steve says, holding up the foil-covered pan in his hands, as if there’s any way to have missed it.

And now Eddie’s back to staring at Steve like he’s never seen him before. “O-kay,” he says slowly. “Well, I’ll never turn my nose up at free food, but, uh – why?”

Steve quirks an eyebrow at Eddie. “I promised Wayne I would, remember? Like, last week.”

Eddie still seems confused. “Wayne’s not even here.”

“What?” Steve frowns. “It’s Tuesday, isn’t it? He said Tuesdays were his nights off.”

“It is, indeed, Tuesday,” Eddie says slowly, like he’s trying to explain the concept of a calendar week to Steve. “But Thursdays are Wayne’s nights off.”

“Shit.” Steve’s heart sinks a little; he knew he should have written that down. “Well – shit, I mixed that up. But I’m not just gonna sit on this until Thursday, so you should still take it. I mean, it’s for you guys, either way, so…”

“Uh… I guess, sure.” Eddie shrugs before stepping back from the doorway and beckoning Steve over the threshold. “Come on in.”

Steve follows Eddie through to the kitchen, placing the pan on the counter when directed. He’s still a little disappointed that it won’t be eaten immediately, but guesses it’ll still be pretty good as leftovers.

When Wayne had heard Dustin pestering Steve about his chicken parmesan recipe last week (his mom has been sideways asking for Steve to bring it to dinner soon), he’d mentioned that it was a dish he enjoyed, and Steve had been happy to offer to bring some. Of course, he’d hoped Wayne and Eddie would both get to try it fresh, but as long as it gets eaten, it’s fine.

“So, you said you talked to Wayne about this last week, but I really can’t say I recall this conversation,” Eddie says.

“Dude, you were standing right there,” Steve tells him. “It was when he invited me in after I dropped the kids off for your game.”

Wayne is always the one to invite Steve in, if he happens to be around; Eddie tends to wave briefly from the doorstep, or only invite Steve in if it can’t be avoided.

Honestly, Steve has the feeling that Wayne likes him more than Eddie does.

Eddie blinks at him. “Wait, you were being serious?”

“Uh, yeah?”

“Shit, I thought you were being sarcastic, or that it was a joke or something!”

“Why would I sarcastically offer to bring you and your uncle dinner?” Steve asks, baffled.

“Because you,” Eddie emphasizes with a little laugh, “do not cook.”

“O-kay, except clearly,” Steve pointedly taps the foil cover of the pan, “I do.”

“Since when?” Eddie scoffs.

“Since whe– I don’t know, a while!” Steve shrugs, throwing his hands up. “Since I was twelve or thirteen, I don’t know.”

“Uh huh,” Eddie says flatly.

“What,” Steve says back, just as flat.

“Just, I dunno. In my experience, guys like you don’t really cook.” Eddie shrugs.

Steve crosses his arms over his chest, cocking an eyebrow at Eddie. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean, y’know, you play sports, you chase skirts, you don’t cook. Like, you’re rich, what do you even need to cook for?” Eddie insists, as if all of this should be perfectly clear.

Steve clenches his jaw, trying to keep a hold of his desire to snap right back. “I need to cook because I didn’t want to keep living off of boxed mac and cheese and takeout pizza when I was a kid,” he grits out. “Since I was kind of fending for myself–”

“Oh, yeah, I’m sure that was real hard, up in that big house,” Eddie cuts in, rolling his eyes.

Steve loses his hold. “Okay, what the hell is your problem with me, Eddie?” he barks.

“Well right now, my problem is that you’re standing in my own kitchen, yelling at me,” Eddie snarks back.

“I brought you dinner! That’s literally all I came here to do!” Steve gestures sharply to the pan sitting on the counter. “And you’re basically throwing it in my face, man, so again: what the hell?”

“I didn’t ask you to bring me dinner. It isn’t my fault you can’t keep your days straight,” Eddie huffs.

“Okay, fuck you,” Steve snaps. “I’ve been trying and fucking trying to be nice, to be your friend–”

“And it’s been fucking weird! I didn’t ask you to be my friend, either!” Eddie says, his volume rising to match Steve’s.

“But I still don’t get what the hell I did to you!” Steve insists. “You’re acting like you’re waiting for me to snap and threaten you with a swirlie or some shit.”

“You know what? Kind of, yeah!” Eddie tosses his arms up.

The premise is so ridiculous that Steve actually lets out a laugh. Eddie doesn’t even crack a smile.

“You’re… serious,” Steve says slowly.

“Not about the swirlie specifically, but the basic concept, yeah.” Eddie crosses his arms over his chest, chin jutting forward defiantly.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Steve asks. “You think I’m still like that. You think I’d still– what happened to ‘actually a pretty good dude,’ huh?”

Eddie shrugs, looking for a moment satisfyingly uncomfortable. “Under certain circumstances, sure. And it’s nothing, like, personal, okay?” he says, and Steve wants to laugh again. “I just don’t really trust that anyone can really change that much.”

The admission—the verbalization of one of the ideas that Steve worries about the most—douses Steve like cold water, and he can’t help the venom that seeps into his tone as the chill sinks in.

“Jesus Christ, what the fuck more could I possibly do to convince you? You think I stopped hanging out with all my old friends because – what, I got bored of them? Couldn’t possibly have been because I realized they were all turning into people that I didn’t want to be. Definitely not,” he sneers.

Eddie scoffs. “Bare minimum, congrats for not hanging out with douchebags anymore.”

“And you think I got the shit beat out of me more than once, why? Because I thought it was a cool thing to do? Because memory problems and migraines are all the fucking rage right now?” Steve presses. “Or do you think maybe it was because I got my priorities in order and put the safety of the people I care about at the goddamn top?”

That does give Eddie a moment of pause. “Okay, I didn’t know you had, like, memory shit–”

“Because I don’t talk about it,” Steve cuts in. “Because I don’t want the kids to feel bad if they get it into their heads that it happened because of them! Because, you know what? I like having them around! They’re huge pains in the ass, every single one of them, and I would actually fucking die for them. Does that sound very King Steve to you, Eddie?”

Eddie sets his jaw, arms still crossed in front of his chest. “Fine, but it’s not like you have a monopoly on getting yourself injured for their sake.”

“You’re right,” Steve says quietly. “You’re right, I don’t. And while you were in the hospital, and they were all worried about you, I drove them up there any time they asked. I had other shit to do, I had my own injuries, but I made sure they got there and they got to stay as long as they wanted.” It feels shitty, laying it out like that, like he’s trying to make himself sound good – it’ll probably only prove Eddie’s point, but Steve can’t think of any other way to make him see that Steve really has been trying. “I even got to talk to your uncle while you were unconscious, too, y’know? I mean, why do you think he keeps inviting me inside when you clearly don’t want me here?”

Eddie shrugs, silent in his frustrated uncertainty.

“I seriously don’t know what would convince you at this point. I’ve been trying to do better, I’ve been trying to be better. You told me that you care about Dustin’s opinion, and you told me what he thinks of me; your own uncle seems to like me just fine, but–” Steve sighs, running out of steam. “But fine. Don’t trust me. Don’t trust that I’ve changed, whatever, man. I can’t give a shit about this anymore.”

“Why did you decide to give a shit in the first place?” Eddie demands, looking a little lost. “Last I knew you, you wouldn’t have wanted to hang out with the likes of me, so what the hell changed your mind?”

“I fucking met you!” Steve snaps, finding some extra well of irritation to tap into. “Dustin and Mike and even Lucas have spent the last year talking about how goddamn cool you are, and how you stick up for them, and honestly? I hated it at first, but then I met you and I thought– maybe they know something I don’t, maybe they’re right about you being cool, because yeah, circumstances were shit, but… I thought the guy I got to know over those fucked up few days seemed kinda great. And then, talking to Wayne, listening to him talk about you, I thought – yeah, this guy seems cool. Like a genuinely good person, or something. Like someone I’d want to be friends with.”

It doesn’t seem like Eddie has anything to say to that, staring at Steve in quiet startlement, but Steve has no problem filling the silence.

“My mistake. Apparently, people really don’t change,” he says, and then he turns to leave.

He hears one low call of his name from behind him as he reaches the door, but he doesn’t turn back. He’s wasted enough energy over the years on people who don’t want him; he likes to think he’s finally learned when enough is enough.

[augustjustice]

Wiggly Wednesday 🧠🪱

I've been a disaster for the last month and a half and kept forgetting to post my wiggly Wednesday thoughts, but I am FINALLY getting around to it today!

Thank so much for the tag this week @tinytalkingtina and all the lovely folks who have tagged me before!!🖤💛Consider this a tag back to share those wonderful brainworms (if you'd like to):

@ataliagold @penny00dreadful @soaringornithopter @steddie-island

Because of a comment @theohohmoment made on a gif set of Eddie Kaspbrak saying it gave huge Steve de-aged by Upside Down nonsense vibes (which, I completely see the vision), the idea of Steve having to deal with being de-aged has had me in a chokehold for a couple of days now.

My brain defaulted to Steve finding Dustin first--and though he's curious at heart and more than accustomed to the weirdness of the world at this point, it still takes some effort for Steve to convince him that it's actually him. Secret handshakes and hair care secrets have to be divulged before Dustin is gasping, "Steve?!" in disbelief while Steve rolls his eyes, one hand on his hip as he deadpans, "Yeah, dude, it's really me."

"But you're...you're..."

"A pipsqueak? Kinda already had that part figured out, Henderson, thanks for that."

Dustin hums, thoughtfully, before his face breaks into a wide grin. "Technically speaking, does this make you my little brother now?"

"Not mentally!"

Dustin rallies the troops (the party) and then takes Steve to Robin and Eddie for help--maybe they were already on the lookout for him, if he hadn't shown up to pick Robin up or meet Eddie for their customary afternoon hangout session of smoking a joint and relaxing. After the initial confusion of assuming Steve must be a friend the kids have taken into their fold, it actually doesn't take nearly as much convincing as it did with Dustin to get the two to recognize him, since, well...

Robin and Eddie--they're Steve's peers, give-or-take a grade on either side. They remember Steve at this age, but with the lens of having been kids themselves. And, sure, the high school hierarchy hadn't yet been established, but Steve was still a sporty kid, a rich kid, still popular by 13 year old standards. So they know who they're staring at, once Dustin gives the whole spiel rapid fire. Realizing that Steve is now all awkward, gangly limbs and chipmunk cheeks, thought--that's a real shock, and a delightful one at that.

"Guess I can't call you big boy, anymore," Eddie comments wryly, earning him Steve's most fearsome scowl.

Even after the initial surprise of things passes, the pair of them can't stop cooing at him, pinching his face and ruffling his hair, prompting Steve to pout and grumble and tell them to fuck off about a thousand times over.

It's not much better with the kids. They aren't teasing and fussing over Steve the same way, sure, since age-wise he's landed himself right smack dab in the middle between them and Erica. But they barely listened to him before, the little hellions, and though Steve still defaults to playing babysitter, pretty much any and all authority he had has been totally lost.

By the third or fourth time they've pulled the we're older card to overrule him, Steve's had enough.

"You don't pull this shit with Erica! And she's way younger than you!"

Dustin scoffs. "Uh, yeah, that's cuz Erica could kick all our asses."

Mike and even Lucas simply nod sagely in agreement while Erica looks triumphant in the background. Even Steve can't argue that particular point, although he does huff back, "Oh, what, so you're saying I can't?"

Dustin ruffles his hair--God, but Steve really does not appreciate being on the other side of that one--and simply says, "Steve, little buddy...even before there's no way you could have."

It takes Eddie himself to break up the (mostly playful) wrestling match that ensues immediately afterwards.

It's not all bad, though. Even though at 19 Steve lets himself be a bit of a goofball, he's still used to being the "one in charge" when the party is around, at times the literal grown up in an emergency and worrying over making sure everyone is okay. That instinct is still there, of course, but...lessened when the entire situation opens up possibilities of just being a kid, even for a little while. Eddie and Robin both are only all too happy to encourage and indulge that, knowing that the general absence of Steve's parents forced him to grow up a bit too fast, and the last several years of monster hunting haven't exactly helped with things.

It's Eddie often egging Steve on to take the final step--try to win enough tickets at the arcade to claim the largest stuffed animal hanging on the wall, betting Steve he can't swing himself over the top of the swingset at the park--with a teasing, "Come on, Harrington, you know you want to."

And the thing is, Steve does, and for the first time in a long while he feels free enough that he can.

"You know, it's probably a good thing this happened now, and not, like...senior year," Steve muses, peering at Eddie where he's settled in the other swing, their shoes dragging gently through the smooth pebbles under their feet.

Eddie frowns, trying to follow his logic. "Gonna need you to walk me through that one, Harrington."

"Well, these days, I've got you and Rob."

"What, to help you figure things out?" Eddie isn't sure how much of a boon he really is for that part--Robin, sure, braniac that she was. The odds probably would have been in Steve's favor even before, though, given what mini-geniuses Dustin and the rest of the party turned out to be, especially when it came to Upside Down shenanigans.

"So I'd have a reason to even want to figure things out," Steve murmurs quietly.

Eddie's head whips to stare at him, blinking owlishly, expression a mixture of confusion and alarm.

"Stevie, I don't--what do you--?"

He shrugs one shoulder, smile sheepish, the self-deprecating shine of his eyes jarring in a face still soft with baby fat.

"I mean..." Steve starts to count off on his fingers, "I'd just barely managed to survive my second round with all this bullshit. Nancy and I broke up. School was shit. Tommy and Carol--not like I could talk to them, or would even want to, after everything that happened. And Hargrove totally had it out for my ass. The only thing I really had going for me at the time was, you know. Looking after those little hellions."

"Sure, not being able to drive, that shit sucks, but...I'm just saying, back then, staying thirteen would have looked a lot more tempting. Plus, it'd be kinda nice to just--I don't know. Get a chance at a do-over." Pressing his face the chain of the swingset, his big, hazel eyes peeking out around it, Steve adds in an undertone, "Maybe not be such a jackass the second time around."

Eddie feels a pang in his chest. He can't resist the urge to walk his swing over so he can lay a hand on Steve's shoulder and squeeze--less forceful, more careful than he usually is. "We've all got shit we'd change, if we got another shot. Christ, I sure as hell would--you're talking to a third year senior here, after all. But, I think you're being way too fucking hard on yourself, man. You did just fine the first go-around, no retcon necessary."

Steve smiles, a soft, hesitant thing. "...Thanks, Eds."

"Anytime, Stevie."

And then, of course, from there Robin and the kids use their big brain power to break whatever curse Steve's been placed under, and Eddie helps him learn to still embrace all his silly, childish indulgences even now that he's back to being one of the 'big kids.'

[resident-gay-bitch]

part one of this can be found here :) it has little steddie

"subtle." steve said, leaning up against the backside of the rv they'd stolen, folding his arms over his chest as he looked on at eddie.

eddie flinched back, almost dropping his cigarette, "shit." he gasped and then relaxed when he saw it was steve standing there, "yeah, well... it's better than getting another lecture about lung cancer from baby sinclare."

steve chuckled softly to walk over and crouch on the grass beside him, "care to share?"

"he rhymes!" eddie said with a little dramatic flare as he passed the smoke over to steve.

steve grinned as he inhaled and they settled into a comfortable silence. they passed the smoke back and forth a few times. he looked at eddie in the silence, playing a thousand different possible conversations over in his mind.

"you'll protect dustin, right?" steve asked.

eddie blinked at him, pressing the smoke between his lips, "what?"

"down there." steve said, like it was simple, "when you're... you'll keep him safe?"

eddie sighed and looked back out at the treeline, "i'd give my life to make sure that kids safe, man."

steve sighed too, a heavy one, a weight being lifted off his shoulders, "yeah..." he looked back at eddie, "me too."

eddie looked over to him, blowing out the last puff of the cigarette before he stubbed it in the grass. they locked eyes, staring at eachother with a heavy weight pushing down on their shoulders. eddie let his head fall back and thump against the rv slumping down until he was comfortably sat. steve mimicked his movements.

they shared a look, one with so much weight and pain, and they both knew what it meant. they didn't have to say it out loud to know that one of them probably wasn't going to make it back out of this alive.

eddie gave him a small smile.

steve nodded his head, "shit."

eddie laughed, and it was pained, but a laugh no less, "i'm gonna need a-fuckin-nother cigarette man."

"we have bigger problems than lung cancer to worry about right now." steve said, holding his hand out as eddie fumbled with his pack of camels.

he huffed a laugh and placed a cigarette between steves long fingers, "damn right."

steve watched with a small smile as eddie searched for his lighter and quickly lit it as steve inahled. eddie's hand lingered, holding the lighter without a flame at the end of the cigarette as steve held his breath. his eyes fixed on steves lips as he drew the smoke away and blew. he only snapped out of it and pulled back when the smoke drifted to his face.

steve handed him the cigarette.

"did you have a good life, at least?"

eddie shrugged, "ah... i wouldn't say good, but... not bad either, y'know?"

"yeah." steve sighed, "same here."

"really?" eddie hummed around the cigarette, "you got that big house and girls fawning over you and you wouldn't call that a good life?"

steve furrowed his brow and looked at eddie, and if that sentance was said any other way, steve probably would have taken offence to it. but eddie said it with such genuine curiosity that it lead steve to feel a little bad. eddie didn't have a big house, and steve had seen the way that girls would look at him, heard the way they'd talk about him. to steve, those two things seemed so pointless and stupid these days, they couldn't make a good life. but to someone like eddie, those thinks might have been gold.

"yeah..." steve said with a small shrug, "i guess those things are okay... i mean, i've got a big house but it's always so empty. and those girls man? its great in theory, but they all just come and go, only there for one thing. kinda shitty when you think about it."

"oh." eddie said, looking deeply at steve as he tapped the ash off the smoke before handing it to steve, "wheelers the only one that meant somethin, huh?"

steve scoffed and laughed, "yeah..." he took a smoke, "s'bullshit though."

eddie nodded and looked back out to the trees, "i'd give anything for a big house like yours... wayne doesn't even have his own room in our trailer."

"it's so lonely, man." steve shrugged, "maybe if my parents were around more than like... two weeks in a year, or i had a sibling or something, but..."

"oh." eddie swallowed, "didn't know you had shitty parents."

"don't tell many people."

eddie sighed, "i know how you feel... mum overdosed when i was ten, and dad..."

"taught you how to hotwire a car." steve nodded and thumped his head back against the rv, "you needn't say much more."

eddie laughed quietly, "yeah."

"but the good stuff?"

"well... i got my boys, you know, the band-"

"corroded coffin, right?" steve asked and handed the cigarette back. he ignored the way his stomach flipped at eddie's bright smile and the fresh glow in his eyes at the fact that steve remembered- no, that he knew, "dustin doesn't shut up about you, man... he's- he's been begging me to take him to one of your shows because the bar wont let him in alone."

eddie smiled so brightly, bashfully, "really?" he scrunched up his nose, and steve thought he was beautiful.

"yeah... but i kept saying no, cause, like... why would i want to go see eddie, the freak, munsons metal band play in some dodgy dive bar on a random tuesday, you know?" he laughed, and eddie did too, thankfully not offended. steve wasn't trying to offend him, afterall, it was just a fact, "wish i had now."

"don't dwell on the past, stevie." eddie sighed, puffing a thin cloud of smoke out to the sky.

steves heart skipped a beat at the nickname.

"for dustins sake, man..." he gave eddie small smile, "now i'll never get to take him to one of your shows."

"probably." eddie insisted, giving steve a stern glare with an arch of his eyebrow, "not definitely... you need to try your best to make it back to him."

"you too." steve smiled.

"i need to make it back to wayne..." he sighed, "that man, he... he took me in and gave up his whole life to look after me, ya know? it's not fair of me to just... die on the spot."

steve nodded, "same with robin."

"steve..." eddie said, his eyes sinking as he turned his head towards him.

"yeah?"

"promise me..." eddie swallowed, "promise me, if you get out of here... if i don't... tell him thanks? tell him that i love him, and thankyou... for everything?"

"yeah, eddie." steve smiled, his hand reaching out to rest over eddies on the cool grass below them. he gave it a little squeeze, "i promise- but only if you promise to say the same to robin for me?"

"can't you tell her yourself?" eddie huffed, passing the smoke back to steve with his free hand, that wasn't trapped by steves warm one.

"she wont let me." he laughed softly and pulled the cigarette to his pretty lips, "i don't blame her."

"then, yeah." eddie smiled and flipped his hand upwards under steves so their palms connected, and so he could slot their fingers together to hold, "yeah, i promise."

they both looked out at the treeline, watching a pair of birds dance around together in the distance, feeling the cool breeze that came with the slow beginning of the sunset as they shared the end of eddies cigarette. once it was done and stubbed out in the grass, they still didn't let go of one anothers hands, they just watch the sky turn a dusky shade of pink and purple.

"tell me a secret." eddie said quietly, not looking at the other man as he spoke, but he let a soft smile creep onto his lips as he said it, "something no one else knows."

"a secret?" steve asked.

"yeah." eddie looked at him with that same soft smile, "it can be anything... your deepst darkest desire, your biggest fear, the thing that keeps you up at night... or, something super fucking embaressing that you thought you'd never tell anyone."

steve giggled softly and looked over at eddie with a pink splatter in his cheeks, "you wanna know a secret?"

"yes." eddie said with a proud smile and a nod.

"why?" steve asked.

"because... i wanna know something about steve almighty that no one else does- not even buckley!" eddie squeezed steves hand, "i think that would be an awesome power move... you know? eddie the freak, harboring something burried deep in the vault of harrington... plus, if i die, then it dies with me, no one else could ever know. if you die, then you'll be getting it off your chest. win, win."

steve squinted his eyes and smiled, "will you tell me one too?"

"only if you ask nicely." eddie hummed, gazing at steve a little dreamily, honestly.

"okay..." steve laughed, nervous under eddie's gaze, "please tell me a secret in return."

"i promise." eddie smiled.

steve grinned and looked back out at the trees, thinking of something to tell eddie. something no one else knew. something eddie could appreciate.

"okay, robin has seen this, but she doesn't know why." steve peaked at him out of the corner of his eye, and he smiled softly, eddie got rather excited, "i have a ken and a gi joe doll sitting next to eachother on the shelf in my wardrobe holding hands."

eddie burst out with laughter, "what?"

steve laughed too, "get it... cause they're... they're in the closet."

eddie looked at him blankly for a moment, and steve tried to hold back his smile. it wasn't working. he could feel his cheeks burning red and his laughter begging to break out as eddie just looked at him, dead serious.

and then they both broke, laughing loudly to the point of tears.

"i can't believe you have a closeted ken and gi joe doll in your bedroom."

"it has sentimental meaning, okay?" steve scoffed, sending a bittersweet smile to eddie.

"a double entendre, maybe?" he asked with a hopeful glint in his eye.

"yeah." steve sighed, leaning back against the rv again with a saddened smile, "robbie doesn't know about that either."

"i can't believe you remember." is what eddie said next, and it made steve blush.

"it was you." he said simply, looking over at eddie softly.

"hmm." he nodded, "i can't believe i was the start of steve harringtons sexuality crisis."

steve cracked a smile, "don't get an ego, now."

"too late." eddie sighed with a click of his tongue. he grinned wildly at steve, "already got one, big boy."

steve blushed and rolled his eyes, "come on... what's your secret?"

eddie looked at him with a soft smile now. steves skin prickled as eddie started to softly soothe the back of his palm with his calloused thumb. steve looked at him, waiting patiently for eddie's reveal. eddie turned a little pink, and steve found him adorable.

"i'm twenty one and still haven't had my first kiss."

steves eyes widened and his mouth gaped open, "what?"

eddie laughed softly, "i haven't had my-"

"i heard you..." steve muttered with a disbelieving shake of his head, "why not?"

"well, it's not as easy when you're a freak, stevie." he hummed and wiggled their combined hands, looking down at them as he spoke his next words, "plus... this real pretty boy promised to take it when i was nine."

his eyes flicked back up to steve, big, dark, baby cow eyes that steve could stare so deeply into. he swallowed, and eddie did too, and they looked at eachother for a moment.

"he's still the prettiest boy ive ever seen." eddie said, his voice almost a whisper as he just looked at steve.

steve felt himself blushing from the tips of his ears down to his stomach. sure, he was called hot and attractive all the time. but never like this. no one called him pretty, and looked at him with such genuinity and care. no one made his stomach flip like eddie did. not even nancy.

steve hopped they'd both make it out of this alive.

"you know..." steve muttered low, his eyes flickering between eddies pretty pink lips and his beautiful eyes, "i thought this from that day, and every day since... but you're the prettiest boy i've ever seen too."

eddie smiled softly, "you're not gonna let me go without having my first kiss, right?"

steve scrunched up his nose with a little giggle, and eddie laughed, "no... obviously not."

eddie smiled and licked his lips, "i don't know what i'm doing."

"luckily, i do." steve said with a grin, and it made eddie blush again, "i've never kissed a guy before, though."

eddie smiled, "good."

steve rolled his eyes and grinned, tugging on eddies hand to pull him a little closer.

eddie leant over, his other hand landing on steves thigh for support and oh, the way his face turned bright red at the action made steves stomach flip.

"s- sorry." eddie swallowed and pulled his hand away from his thigh.

steve took his hand gently and placed it back there, "its okay, don't be sorry."

"o-okay." eddie laughed a little breathlessly, clearly very fucking nervous.

steve was nervous too.

"you don't have that cough this time?" eddie asked, and it made steve giggle and shake his head.

"definitely not."

eddie grinned.

steve cupped his jaw gently, caressing his stubble ridden skin with a tenderness that seemed to make eddie melt. eddie hadn't been touched with such care before, such gentleness. he'd never had someone want to kiss him, especially not like this. steve pulled him in, and with the first brush of their lips, eddie sighed.

his eyes fluttered shut, and steve held him close as their lips pressed together a little flrmer. he let steve take the lead, because he was clueless, and they kissed for a while.

kissing eddie was good. it was sweet and a little smoky from the cigarette, and his plushy lips were just as soft as steve had imagined. kissing eddie was much better than steve thought it could ever be.

kissing steve was heaven.

when they pulled apart, eddie lifted his hand to brush some hair from steves pretty eyes, to caress his flushed cheek and thumb at his kiss swollen lip. eddie looked over him with a tenderness in his eyes, carving steves name into his heart and hoping the stone would stay that way.

"make it back..." he whispered, his eyes lifting to steves for a moment, a wetness welling up behind them, "come back to me?"

steve sucked in a breath and ran his hand through eddie's knotty curls, "you too..." steve kissed him again, "i need you to make it back too, eddie. promise me."

"okay." eddie whispered and kissed him some more, "i promise."

"i promise too." steve nudged their noses together.

they both ignored the tears that crept their way into the next kiss, knowing that unlike the last, this promise probably wouldn't stay true.

**

tags: @grtwdsmwhr @every-aj-needs-an-angel :) <3

[steddie-there]

Steve's got his hands on his hips, a scowl on his face, and Eddie's leaning in the door to the kitchen, arms crossed tight over his chest and glare directed at the table. The table with a neat stack of notebooks and pile of dice and clump of miniatures all standing in rows. The table where, yesterday, he had notebooks spread open, drawings and notes for different campaign ideas paired with miniatures and sets of dice, visual cues for the plans and stories.

"I just don't get why you're so upset," Steve bitches. "All I did was clean!"

Eddie rolls his eyes. "I'm upset because now I can't find any of my shit." It's a lot more growly than he intends, but it also sounds how he feels so he rolls with it.

Thump

"Not exactly sure how you could find any of it before," Steve gripes, ignoring the thumping noise from the living room. "Our table looked like a bomb had been dropped on it."

Thump

Steve ignored the thumping sound, so Eddie does, too, even though it's gotten closer and louder. "Oh, well excuuuuse me for having a system," he says, flinging his arms out, his volume increasing by the second. "I knew where everything was and how it all went together. Now I have to figure it all out again. You think you'd relate, the way the bathroom looks. But you don't see me moving your hair shit around, do you? So this? This was bullshit."

THUMP

Steve's eyes widen and he jerks back and Eddie knows he shouldn't have used that word, he knows, but he's just pissed enough not to care.

"Oh, that's bullshit? Really? You know what's actually bullshit? There was trash in that pile, Eddie. Literal, actual trash. On our kitchen table. And you couldn't be bothered to clean it up, so I did." And now Steve's tone has moved out of bitchy territory into something scathing, something a lot like actual anger, matching Eddie's volume.

It makes Eddie's hands start to shake, makes Steve's breath hitch in his throat because, sure, they've fought before, a little, sniping back and forth about something petty, but it's never been like this. Never to the point of actual yelling. This is starting to feel big and loud in a way their fights never have, and now there's fear laced through the anger, but it doesn't help, only makes everything worse and

THUMPTHUMPTHUMP

This time the thumping is right next to them and they can't ignore it and, in tandem, look down to the floor between them just in time to see Paul thump his back foot again and stare at them with an expression that, if there was just a little less tension between them right now, Eddie would laughingly tell Steve looks exactly like his bitchy babysitter face.

They glance back at each other, then down to their rabbit again, who thumps his foot once more, still glaring up at them

"...I guess someone doesn't like that we're fighting," Eddie says, arms still tight across his chest.

"Yeah," Steve huffs. There's a beat of silence. Then he sighs, his shoulders lowering, running a hand through his hair. "I don't like it, either." His voice is barely more than a whisper.

Eddie bites his lip, dropping his arms a little. "Same," he admits, voice just as soft.

They stand there for a minute, the quiet ringing between them, all the fight draining from their bodies, before Steve steps closer, plucks at the hem of Eddie's shirt, as if he wants to touch but isn't sure it would be welcome.

"I'm sorry, Eds. I shouldn't have moved your things. I was frustrated with the food wrappers and cans on the table and instead of talking to you, I just got mad. You're right, I should understand. The bathroom sink is always a mess, but everything is right where I want it, and you never touch any of it but if you did I'd probably -"

"Hey," Eddie interrupts, gentle, tucking a strand of hair behind Steve's ear, cupping his cheek. "I'm sorry, too. I let it build up really badly and I shouldn't be leaving trash out like that."

Steve leans into the touch with a soft sound, lets his hands rise to circle Eddie's waist, leans their foreheads together. "Still. I should have talked to you."

"Yeah," Eddie agrees, but presses a kiss to Steve's forehead because they're talking now and it's gonna be okay and now they know a little bit more. And he wraps his arms tight around Steve's back, tugs him in close.

"I promise I won't move your things anymore. I'll clean around them. And I'll talk to you if something frustrates me," Steve says into Eddie's neck, nuzzling his face into the warmth there, his arms sliding around Eddie's waist.

Eddie tucks a hand into Steve's hair, runs the strands through his fingers. "And I'll be better about throwing the wrappers and cans away so it doesn't get so bad in the first place."

For a long moment, they simply stand, wrapped up in each other, in soft hands and gentle kisses and forgiveness. Then a thought occurs to Eddie and he pulls back just far enough to peer down at Paul, who is now happily flopped against their feet.

"Hey, Stevie... did our rabbit just bully us into communicating like actual adults?"

"...I think he did, yeah," he giggles and after everything, all Eddie wants is to taste Steve's laughter, to feel it in his own mouth, so he leans in for a kiss, grins against Steve's lips.

"Guess we're lucky he's such a smart little bastard, then," he smirks, never more grateful for that day at the petshop than he is right now as they swallow each other's laughter like water after a drought.

---

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 6, Part 7

ao3: And Rabbit Makes Three

[xoxoladyaz]

Steddie Bigbang #177: Infernally Yours is HERE!

Finally, after months of work I am SO HAPPY to start publishing my contribution to @steddiebang, a post-Season 3 AU in which Hopper doesn't go to Russia, the Byers family stays in Hawkins, and Steve Harrington finally agrees to play DnD with Hellfire. Chapters 1 and 2 are up today, chapters 3 and 4 will go up on the 9th, and the last two chapters (and the epilogue) will be posted on the 16th.

Here's the link to the story on Ao3 and a preview below :) I can't wait to see what you all think!

Listen. Steve Harrington knew that he had some sins to pay for, okay? He was kind of a stuck-up shit for most of high school and while he didn’t go out of his way to, like, ruin anybody’s day – cough, cough, Tommy Hagan – he also didn’t really reach out to anyone who needed help either. He’d led on a lot of girls before Nance, too, and if judging by the fact that the only girls he dated these days wanted a good time and not a long time, well, he had some work to do on the whole “relationship” and “finding everlasting love” front. But he’s done the work to be better! Granted, a lot of the work consisted of him getting beaten up and/or tortured by other people while protecting a group of unthankful little shitheads, but it’s still progress. And, not to brag, but he got Robin Buckley as a best friend out of the whole thing, so really, Steve Harrington’s not doing so bad on the whole “redemption” thing, thank you.

So why, why does the universe continue to torment him?

“ – and that’s when Lorcan Fairwood used Horde Breaker to fire into the pack of gnolls, dealing five points of damage to Kazar, the gnoll pack leader, and then Eddie said - ”

“Dingus,” Robin hissed, knocking her elbow into Steve’s and dislodging him from his thoughts. “Get Dingus Junior to knock-it-off with this dork talk before I knock him into the recent returns.”

Groaning, Steve rubbed his palms against his dry eyes and braced for impact. “We got it, Henderson, Munson’s the best thing to ever happen to Dorks and Demons - ”

“ – Dungeons and Dragons, Steve, I know that you know that’s what it’s called - ”

“ – and as much as I like hanging out with you, dude, these multi-hour play-by-plays aren’t convincing me that this nerd shit is, like, fun or whatever,” he finished with a sigh. Robin shot him an exasperated but grateful look and then slid her newest stack of freshly rewound returns his way.

“Shelving time, doinkus.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Steve rolled his eyes and reached for the stack.

Dustin snorted and kicked at the front of his desk, which, the attitude on this kid, seriously. “Guess Eddie was right.” 

Steve froze. What the hell does that mean?

“What the hell does that mean?”

Dustin snorted again before spinning to face Steve, his hands falling to his hips. “Eddie said says that jocks only care about other jocks. And jock stuff.”

“Hey, okay, first of all, there’s only one of us that’s actually saved your life multiple times and it’s not Eddie Munson, so jot that down,” Steve snapped, dropping the tapes back onto the counter (and ignoring Robin’s yelp as they tumbled everywhere). “And second, just because we don’t have the same interests doesn’t mean I don’t care about you, man. That’s a shit thing to say.”

Henderson folded inward, his eyes dropping towards the ground and voice losing its normal intensity. “Sorry, Steve.”

“And third – look, Henderson,” Steve sighed at Dustin’s drooping. (Look, he was a little shithead with the biggest ego in every room, but he was Steve’s little shithead and he hated to see him upset – even when it was his own fault.) “Maybe it isn’t like, totally boring in the moment or whatever, but getting a two-hour play by play after your game every Saturday isn’t doing a whole lot to convince me, man.”

“Well,” Dustin perked up slightly and cleared his throat, “we’re always looking for new members - ”

“Nope, no way.”

“Steve,” Henderson’s whining was out in full force now, “it would be so much fun! You wouldn’t even have to do that much work; I could help you get started and - ”

“No.”

“ – seriously, I can make you a character sheet so fast, and our party could really use another fighter anyways - ”

“No, Henderson!”

“ – besides, we haven’t gotten to hang out with you as much now that school started, and you know that Will’s having a hard time because everyone keeps calling him ‘Zombie Boy’ and he would be so excited to have you playing with us - ”

Shit, he’s pulling out the Zombie Boy card. Shit, shit, shit.

“Henderson - ”

“ – and, you know, I totally believe you and everything but Mike is pretty convinced that you’re still an asshole, especially with everything Eddie’s said, and this could be your chance to prove him wrong!” Dustin finished emphatically, his chest puffing with exertion.

Steve shot an exasperated look over the top of the Horror section towards Robin, who was pouting in mock-agreement with Dustin.

Traitor.

Sighing, Steve shoved Friday the 13th onto the shelf and dropped his gaze towards Dustin. “One game.”

Dustin let out a loud whoop, hopping in place and punching wildly at the air. “YES!”

“Just one game, Henderson, that’s it.”

“I’LL TAKE IT!” Letting out an even louder victory cry, Dustin raced for the door. “I’m going to get working on your character sheet right now – Wednesday, 3:30 in the drama room,” Dustin said, whirling around to point at Steve. “You’ll be there?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be there.”

“YES! Don’t worry Steve, you won’t regret this!” Dustin beamed and then he was out the door, disappearing into the October sun.

[funnylittlelad]

So, I've been thinking about Appalachian!Eddie and Steve meeting as kids when Eddie's mom cleans Steve's house

disclaimer here: i grew up in the very northern bit of Appalachia and i went with my mother to clean houses growing up so this may have been a little thing just for me at first

wc: 2.3k

steddie masterlist

Eddie’s childhood was spent in grandiose houses with giant yards and more facilities than a home could ever need. Not because he lived in them, but because his mother cleaned them. She worked for a private cleaning business that would send her, and therefore Eddie, in her shitty little Chrysler at least forty minutes into the middle of the state. To where all the miserable people lived. 

That's what his mother called the people who lived in those grandiose houses. She'd tell him that their houses may be nice, but they're miserable because they have to work so much to pay for it that they never get to enjoy it. He supposed she must be right. No one was ever around when they were, after all. As he got older he couldn't help wondering if those people were miserable then what was his family? Damned, he guessed.

There was one house at the start of one summer, a little further than normal that Eddie remembers better than the rest. They would visit his Uncle Wayne who lived nearby whenever they were there. It had a ruby red door despite an otherwise drab exterior. Eddie remembers this particular mini mansion because someone was home. A boy, around Eddie’s age with fluffy looking hair and cautious caramel eyes. Eddie was enamored instantly. Those eyes and the moles dotted around tanned skin shot Eddie through the heart with a harpoon. His parents were never around. It was always just him and the nanny. 

The first time Eddie walked into the house it was a lot like all the others. Towering ceilings, giant stairs, and all the makings of someone’s wildest American dreams. The boy didn't really talk to him in the beginning. In fact, Eddie tries to say hello when the boy walks past him and his mom, but to no avail. The boy continued on as if he wasn't there. Fifteen minutes later he was sent into the kitchen to find extra clorox. His mom didn't grab some like she thought. When he reaches the side entrance, he hears them.

“Why does it matter?” The boy asks petulantly. It’s Eddie's first time hearing his chime-like voice, “They're just cleaners.”

The nanny sighs and shakes her head. She levels him with a disappointed stare.

“The people who work for you are still people, Steven. Just because your parents are-,” another sigh, “Your parents may not act like it, but the people who take care of you and your home deserve to be respected too. If that's how you're going to treat them, that's the same as treating me that way.”

Eddie expects to hear the boy fight back. He expects some kind of tantrum he’s grown to accept as normal from people who live in places like this. Nothing like that ever comes.

“I’m sorry,” he says softly.

“It’s okay, Steven,” she replies gently, “With your parents… it's no wonder.”

Eddie isn't sure what that means. He doesn't get too long to think about it either. His mother calls his name from down the hall. It jolts him into movement. Silently, he enters the kitchen but keeps his eyes ahead of him. He begins to scan the doors of all the cabinets. It's an overwhelming amount. Way more than the four they have at home. 

“Do you need help finding something?” The boy’s voice asks from behind Eddie.

With a start, he spins around. The boy is smiling at him. It’s small, but it's there and it's friendly. It strikes Eddie that, even at the ripe age of ten, this boy is pretty. Almost like those porcelain dolls his grandma used to hoard. 

“My Ma needs the bleach,” he replies slowly.

The boy's smile grows ever so slightly. He nods and goes to the cabinet beneath the sink. It's a strange place for cleaning supplies, Eddie thinks, but he’s noticed a fair amount of the miserable people do it. His mother always kept the chemicals high and out of his reach. 

“Don't you usually bring your own?” The boy asks, seemingly to be genuinely curious as he hands over the blue spray bottle.

“Reckon she thought she’d brung’it in her poke, but came up empty,” Eddie shrugs.

The boy blinks at Eddie as if he’d suddenly grown a second head. 

“What?” The boy asks, a laugh teetering on the edge of his lips.

Eddie’s defenses go up instantly. The boy must be able to tell because he holds out his hands to assure Eddie all’s fine. 

“Sorry- Just-” The boy shakes his head a little, “I didn’t understand like… any of that.”

Eddie regards him, trying to decide if he’s messing with him or just that stupid.

“What part?”

“Well, what’s a poke?”

“Y’don't know what a poke is?”

The boy shakes his head. Eddie scoffs a bit and looks around for help, but they're alone. How could this kid not know something so simple?

“Like what groceries go in,” he tells him.

The boy's head cocks to the side.

“Oh, you mean a bag?”

“That's what I said,” Eddie states annoyed, “A poke.”

The boy is blinking again. 

“Where are you from?” He asks suddenly.

“Not from this neck. We moved from the Cumbies out t’ward the state line,” Eddie answers.

“The Cumbies?”

“Yeah, the Cumberland Mountains.”

The boy let out a fascinated huh. Eddie nods awkwardly. His mother says his name from the doorway. His eyes shoot to her. She wears a slightly amused yet scolding smile. He offers her a sheepish smile in return. 

“What’d I tell you about talkin’ when we’re places like this?” She questions knowingly.

“To use my proper people words,” Eddie drones.

“That's right. Now c’mon, we don't want anyone put out.”

Eddie nods and hands his mother the bleach. He goes to follow her back to the bathroom she’s cleaning. 

“Wait,” the boy says.

Both Eddie and his mom look over their shoulders. They’re almost the same image. The boy flushes at the sudden attention.

“You can keep the bleach,” he tells them weakly. 

“Thank you,” Eddie’s mother smiles.

Steven and Eddie hold eye contact for another moment. It feels like Steven wants to say something else, but he doesn't. Eddie drags his eyes away to follow his mother. He doesn't see Steven again that day. 

Eddie’s mom doesn't get that house to clean again until a month later. Steven and his nanny are once again the only ones home. This time Steven never ignores Eddie. He finds Eddie and his mom in the living room. Eddie is curled up on an armchair with a rather thick looking book while his mother vacuums. Steven comes up behind the chair and taps Eddie on the shoulder. Eddie’s deep brown eyes fly to Steven curiously. 

“Wanna play outside?��� He asks.

Eddie considers him for a moment before closing his book and nodding. His mother smiles at him as they dart out of the room. When they get to the backyard Eddie comes to a stop. He looks around and his nose crinkles. It's pavement and pool as far as the eye can see. 

“You call this a yard?” Eddie scoffs.

Steven pouts as he takes in his own yard with fresh eyes. He shrugs.

“Yeah, what would you call it?”

Eddie picks up a half deflated beach ball and looks at Steven with a deadpan stare.

“Sad.”

“Well, what's yours look like?”

Eddie flashes a toothy grin.

“Back home we had a lotta land. I could get through those woods with my eyes closed,” he answers, his words sounding thought out and intentional.

Steven frowns a tad. Where’s the quick talking hard to understand boy from last time? 

“There are woods,” he points to the thin cropping of trees beyond the fence.

Eddie snorts.

“No, those are some trees. I’m talkin’ woods.” 

Steven leads them to some pool chairs while Eddie describes the woods back home. He goes into great detail about the green of the trees, the thickness of the trunks, the solitude of being out there, and the animals he's learned to interact with. Steve hangs onto every word, but something is bothering him. Eddie is still talking in that measured way that sounds nothing like the last time.

“Why are you talking like that?” He blurts out while Eddie is telling him about a nearby stream.

It was the way that Eddie hesitated and struggled with the word stream that prompted his outburst. Eddie narrows his eyes at Steve.

“Like what?”

“I dunno, you’re not talking like you did last time,” Steve shrugs insecurely. 

“I’m… s’pose to be learning how to talk more proper,” Eddie sighs, looking down at his hands.

“Why? What's wrong with how you talk?”

Eddie’s wide deep brown eyes shoot back up to Steve curiously.

“It makes people think I’m stupid,” he answers.

Steve’s face scrunches in a way that makes Eddie smile a little.

“I don't think it makes you sound stupid. You can talk normally around me,” Steve tells him.

Eddie blinks for a moment. Steve’s words latch right onto his heart. You can talk normally. No one outside of where they're from has ever made Eddie feel anything less than weird, or an outsider. Here Steve sits in front of him calling how he talks normal.

“Y’sure?” He checks, his smile growing.

A grin starts crawling across Steve’s face as he hears the startings of a twang. He really likes the way Eddie talks. He sounds so much different than anyone else Steve has talked to. It grabs Steve and makes him want to solve every sentence like a puzzle.

“I’m sure.”

The rest of the time Steve spends trying to guess what Eddie is saying. Eddie, the little shit, isn't making it easy for him. He just smiles more and more mischievously each time Steve fumbles. By the time Eddie’s mom is done with the house they're chasing each other around the backyard giggling like mad. She feels bad for breaking it up. It's not often she gets to see Eddie playing so care free with another kid. He hasn't had it easy since moving to Indiana. 

She starts taking Steve’s house more. Eddie and Steve quickly become best friends. When they’re together they're completely wrapped up in each other. Eddie’s mom finds it a little funny, but figures boys will be boys. Steve never stops encouraging Eddie to talk how he normally does around him. Eddie never stops complying, reveling in the feeling of being normal. 

One day they're there a little later than usual. Steve’s parents left a mess from hosting a bunch of fancy guests. The sun slowly dips below the horizon, orange hues drench the sky. Crickets chirp and the high pitch trills of gray tree frogs fill the air. Steve and Eddie had been trying to skip rocks across the pool, but have since transitioned into sitting with their feet in the water. Steve doesn't need to guess or fumble anymore, he’s officially fluent in Eddie. As the summer winds down the impending school year looms over them. Eddie won't be going with his mom to work anymore and Steve won't be around if he does. 

“Maybe you can come over on the weekend,” Steve suggests hopefully.

“I dunno, Stevie. My Ma has to carry us pert near an ahr to get to these parts.” 

Steve frowns. He didn't know they drove close to an hour every time they came here. 

“Maybe I can come to your house then,” he switches gears.

He doesn't want to give up Eddie yet. Eddie doesn't expect Steve to be anything other than who he is. Steve wants to desperately cling to that as long as he can. Everyone in his life wants him to be something else, even at ten. 

“No,” Eddie shakes his head vehemently, “Y’don’t want that. My dad… Well, he gets het up easy. He’s ill.”

“Like he’s sick?”

Eddie sighs. Not because Steve doesn't fully get it, but because he has to talk about this at all.

“He’s gotta bad temper.”

Steve simply nods. He gets that more than Eddie knows.

“You’ll be around next summer, right?” Steve checks.

Eddie smiles widely.

“You betcha!”

“You promise you won't forget me?”

A funny expression takes over Eddie’s round features. His eyebrows furrow, his nose gets a crinkle, and his mouth quirks into an amused smirk.

“Ain't no way I’m forgettin’ you, Stevie.”

They spend their last evening together not worrying about the eyes and opinions of other people. When with each other they only have to worry about Steve and Eddie. It's a reprieve that they both miss come the school year. Eddie gets distracted by bullies, his mother passing suddenly, his father deciding he’s man enough to help provide now, and attempting to teach himself guitar. Steve spent the whole school year waiting. 

The first week of the next summer Steve waits, vibrating with anticipation. When the day the cleaners usually come swings around, he’s all but bouncing off the walls. His nanny even scolds him a few times for his restlessness. The sound of the doorbell has him speeding to answer the front door. He swings it open with a wide grin ready to greet Eddie and his mother. 

Steve’s heart falls flat on the floor and his smile drops. Waiting to be let in isn't Eddie or his mom. It’s some older woman in the same shirt Eddie's mom always wore. That tells Steve his parents didn't change companies, but Eddie still isn't here. He decides maybe it's a fluke. Maybe something happened so they couldn’t come this week. They're nearly an hour away, after all.

The next week Steve repeats the same process. And the week after that. And the week after that. Until he finally gives up on the idea of Eddie altogether. Steve spends that summer locked away in his room mostly. He wallows in his loneliness while all his friends from school are on lavish vacations with their families. He spends his summer in Hawkins alone missing the only friend he really felt himself around. Meanwhile, Eddie spends the summer lifting cars with his dad to afford to continue living in their house after his mother’s death. Every day, his thoughts wander to Steve and how much he wishes he had a way to tell him he didn't forget. He'd never forget. 

part 2? | steddie masterlist

[tartarusknight]

What you need to know :)

Hello darling readers <3 I'm TartarusKnight or Knight of Tartarus! (they switch depending on availably honestly)

I'm here to chat, read, and write. That being said~~~~ come and message me anytime <3 questions, requests, and kind words make my day

This is an overview of my work just in case anyone is bored and wants something to read <3 (My Stranger Things work, honestly. I've also got some Marvel, Criminal Minds, and Teen Wolf but ST is my hyper fixation now soooo)

We're Not Perfect

This is a 4 part series in which Steve and Eddie knew each other before Steve ever got with Nancy Wheeler and before he learned about the Upside Down. It's heavily inspired by music <3 (Total Words 300,395) With Playlists because I can't stop <3 This story is my baby

Part 1 - It's the Start of Our Journey?

Pre-season 1 Steve Harrington and Eddie Munson are paired together in class and they learn they work well together. (Words 22,869)

Part 2 - I just want to go home

Set during Seasons 1-3, changing canon but the overarching story doesn't change too much. (Words 85,678)

Part 3 - say you'll live for me

Set in season 4, diverting from canon almost completely but with all the same characters. (Words 63,885)

Part 4 - I'll follow the beat of your heart

And the end. The final battle with Vecna and the epilogue aka season 5 <3 (Words 127,963)

Fool

Based on the song Fool by Djo.

Steve and Nancy get annoyed at Robin and Eddie for ignoring them when they're with their band. They decide to prove that they know music better than either Eddie or Robin thought. (Words 1,488)

I know you've been hurtin'

Based on the song Better Days by Dermot Kennedy and fanart by @babysitterpng

Steve has a plan. It involves a skirt, confidence, Nancy Wheeler's ability to do make-up, the party's anxiety, his parents, and Jason Carver's temper.

And well, Steve's pretty sure he has it in the bag. He might not be smart but he knows people and there's no way he's read any of them wrong. But maybe he'll learn more about himself as the plan unfolds (Words 7,205)

This dream isn't feeling sweet, we're reeling through the midnight streets

7 things that changed about Steve and Robin after Starcourt and 1 time they explained why. (Words 11,837)

I'm just gonna swim until you love me

Five times Steve had to prove he was worth love and One time someone just loved him without needing him to. (Words 8,612)

But when I touch her I feel like I'm cheating on you

Eddie is getting overwhelmed by the party just barging into his life without any warning after Spring Break. So, he makes a plan with an old friend of his. It works... in a way. (Words 1,932)

you're losing your memory now

Robin Buckley wasn't prepared for Steve to crash, but he had been pushing his limits for too long. He had a plan, but he never thought to tell her. He didn't want to worry her. Too bad she'll always worry about him... Especially when he collapses at work. (Words 17,784)

But Now We're Stressed Out

Eddie Munson knew he wasn't the smartest person. He never planned on college but he never planned for the Party either.

Title based on Twenty One Pilots - Stressed Out (Words 2,021)

I don't know what you're hunting. It's not me, it's something else

Steve looks over her face, “I'm not having any of you at my place. Did you see the map, no way?” He states and it's one part of his reasoning but not the main reason. “Then come stay with one of us,” Robin says and it feels more like a plead than anything.

He shakes his head and she looks angry now. “Stop whatever the fuck this is! We care about you! Let us in! We're safer in groups.” The words don't hurt as much as he thinks they should. “Not that much safer.” He spits back out and she blinks. “Max is as good as dead. Eddie is dead. And guess what! We were in groups!” The shouting makes his throat burn but he can't calm down.

A Halloween Special!!! Happy Horror season <3 (Words 22,620)

WIP - The Fallen King and the King of the Freak

Steve has to deal with the fallout of Season 2.

New nightmares, losing Nancy, kids who he's willing to die for, and Billy's new hatred towards him. He went from the top to the bottom in the school and he doesn't know how bad it is until Eddie Munson is the one that steps in to help him. And maybe he wants the help and maybe even some friends. (Words 150k and climbing <3)

[stranger-masters]

Don't Touch Him! (S.T)

Don't Touch Him! (Pt. 1) **********************************************************************

Summary: Dustin doesn't want people bad-mouthing Eddie. He's tired of it, because Eddie's a nice guy. It only takes one chance encounter with Jason to last forever, though.

Warnings: Bullying; name-calling; protective Eddie; Protective Steve; hurt Dustin; feelings of being sad; feelings of guilt; Upside Down/Demobats trauma mentioned/talked about??

Third Person POV

Dustin Henderson had a lot of friends, he liked to think. He had Babysitter Steve, Mad Max, Lucas, El, Mike, Nancy,. Robin, Will, Erica, Chrissy, and Eddie. It was a pretty big group, and he loved them. He was in Hellfire, a D&D club at school, too. Eddie was the DM, and Dustin loved it that way. Eddie had a way of telling stories, making them seem more interesting than they were.

Unfortunately, not everyone was as accepting as Dustin and Hellfire were. They said things, things that made Dustin mad: he was worshipping the Devil, he was corrupting kids, he'd tried to kidnap people, he cursed them...and that he'd tried to kill Chrissy Cunningham. That was the newest rumor, and it was killing Eddie. He'd tried explaining to the cops, when they caught him (before Hopper came back) that he hadn't touched her, and she had even agreed, telling them about her situation and why she was buying drugs from him in the first place.

Not that they believed either teen.

Now, back at school, Dustin was ready to explode. People still whispered in the halls, not caring if Eddie was within earshot anymore or not. And it was pissing Dustin off. He wanted to punch every single one of them and make them realize how sweet Eddie was.

Eddie, of course, was adamant that Dustin not do anything. "I can handle myself, kid." He told him one day during their movie night. "They don't scare me anymore. I mean, I've seen bad shit, but they're human, at least." He'd laughed, and Dustin had tried to laugh, too, hoping it didn't come out too forced. But he snapped today.

Dustin had woken up almost an hour late after his alarm, had broken one of his shells that he kept on the window from the time Eddie, Steve, Nancy, Robin, and Chrissy had gone to Myrtle Beach. It was one of his favorites: a pretty, twisted "Astraea heliotropium" shell. Then, above all, he'd been trying to shove his shoes on and his foot slid, kicking his table, and his figurine for D7D had fallen and shattered on the ground. Then his mom yelled at him for getting up late--the list could go on, but it was not Dustin's day today, unluckily for Jason Carver.

Jason Carver, as usual, was spouting bullshit about "Eddie did this," "Eddie did that," and his other jock friends were laughing and saying more things. Dustin swore to Eddie that he wouldn't retaliate, but it all went out the window when he heard Jason ask his friend, Andy, "Did you know he almost killed that Mayfield girl? I guess he really liked her, he asked her out, she said no, so he tried to kill her." Dustin turned, eyes like shards of ice. "What did you just say?" He snarled.

"Did I say something bad?" Jason mocked, glaring at Dustin, who was slowly moving closer to said jock. "Eddie didn't hurt Max." Dustin snapped, and Jason raised his hands in mock terror. "Oh, no, my bad! Little freak doesn't want me talking about that fag--" Dustin really doesn't remember swinging. He just felt rage, hot and incontrollable, in his chest, and then he moved, quickly, and Jason was groaning, holding his bloody nose. Dustin blinked, taken aback, and Jason stood, tall and menacing, glaring at Dustin. "You're lucky we're in school, you fat fuck." He spit, stalking off, with Andy glaring at him the whole time. Dustin felt sick. He'd just antagonized the guy who had no problem shoving a gun in Lucas's face or tormenting Nancy when they'd gotten the guns from War Zone. And now, just maybe, he'd use a gun on Dustin next, and that sent cold spikes down his spine, making him shudder.

Of course, nothing happened...until Friday.

Dustin threw the trash in the can, turning to his house, when he was grabbed. Squawking, he flailed his arms, freezing when the cold barrel of a revolver, Jason's gun, poked the back of his neck. He stood still as Jason whispered, "Come with me, slowly." He had no choice. He had to go. Jason was going to kill him.

[andvys]

Love will tear us apart // The snow ball (prequel)

Warnings: fluff, alcohol consumption 

Pairing: Eddie Munson x fem!reader

*this is not a new chapter, just a flashback scene (set in s2)

series masterlist 

-

Eddie doesn't know how he, out of all people got here but Mr Clarke, who was still one of the only teachers that he liked, approached him after school yesterday and asked if the school could borrow his music equipment for the snow ball since the school’s stereo equipment broke right before the ball. 

Eddie was surprised that Mr Clarke even remembered him and his band in the first place and Eddie couldn't say no to one of his old teachers, one of the only ones who was always nice to him, despite his chaotic nature. 

Now, Eddie didn't have to be here but there's no way that he would’ve let anyone else touch his equipment. Even if that means that he has to play horrible music all night and watch a bunch of middle schoolers have more luck in love than him. 

He isn't the only high schooler in this place tonight, both Nancy Wheeler and Jonathan Byers are here. The smiles they share aren’t subtle in any way and Nancy even kissed him openly. His guess was correct, Steve and Nancy did break up. Now, he didn't care about either of them or their relationship but what he cares about is you. Does their break up mean, that you are with him now? 

He doesn't try to dwell on it. The thought of you and him together, feels wrong. 

He leans back in his chair, rolling his eyes at the next song time after time by Cindy Lauper came on and Eddie could just groan from annoyance. He looks around the room, eying the decorations and the smiling kids. He never went to the snow ball, back in middle school.

His eyes fall on, you? Eddie straightens his back, looking at you with wide eyes. You are standing next Nancy, laughing at something she said. You, look so beautiful. 

Curls frame your pretty face, half of your is up in a bun. The color of your dress matching the new scrunchie in your hair. It must be new, you gave him yours a while back and he never gave it back to you. 

Suddenly, this night isn't as boring as it was just a few minutes ago. A smile tugs at his lips as he watches you smile, waving at someone on the dance floor. You whisper something to Nancy before you walk off. 

He watches you in curiosity, eyes following your frame. You stop in front of a group of kids, greeting them with a big smile. You reach your hand out to touch one of the boy’s hair after he presented it to you, proudly.

Something tugs at his heartstrings as he watches you walk towards the dance floor with Jonathan’s little brother, Will as the next song starts playing. 

The little boy smiles happily as you begin to dance and Eddie can’t help but smile as well. His heart skips a beat as your smile widens. You are cute, so goddamn cute and Eddie knows, he's just gone. 

“Hey.” 

Startled, Eddie turns around and finds Jonathan standing there, looking at him with somewhat of a teasing smile on his face. 

“Hey, man.” Eddie mumbles, trying to act cool. Like he hasn't been caught staring at you. 

“Didn't think I’d see you here.” Jonathan says, sitting down on the free chair next to him. 

Eddie and Jonathan weren't exactly friends but they did get along and would talk every now and then. 

“Yeah well, I thought it’d be really cool to hang out with a bunch of kids.” Eddie shrugs.

Jonathan snorts “I think you’re having more fun watching y/n.” he says, pointing to you and Will. 

“W-What?” Eddie exclaims with big eyes, feeling caught. His cheeks are flushed and he shakes his head at Jonathan’s words “I-I’m not watching her!”

“Sure.” Jonathan chuckles “and you also, totally don’t sit next to her in class after seeing Billy mess with her. You should've seen his face when you stole his seat.” 

Eddie scoffs and again, shakes his head. 

Jonathan is right. Eddie did steal Billy’s seat. After witnessing how uncomfortable he made you feel and after you told him that he would always sit down next to you to flirt, Eddie took it upon himself to.. protect you. In a way. 

“Do you like her?” Jonathan asks. 

Eddie furrows his brows at the question. He turns towards him for a moment, no trace of amusement left in his eyes, it’s just a genuine question. There also something else lingering in his eyes, knowing. 

He turns his head and looks at you again. Does he like you? The answer is quite obvious, deep down. But is he ready to say it out loud? Is he ready to say ‘yeah, I like her, I have always liked her.’? 

“Uh- does it matter?” he asks. 

Jonathan scrunches his face up in confusion “does it matter? Of course it matters!” 

“No it doesn't! She likes someone else!” 

Jonathan looks at him with raised brows, he is your best friend, something Eddie doesn't seem to be aware of. He knows you don't like anyone else. You like Eddie. 

“Someone else?” 

“Yeah.” Eddie mumbles “saw her getting cozy with King Steve.” he says, rolling his eyes. 

“What?” Jonathan laughs. He has never once heard you talk about Steve a non platonic way. You were just friends, he’s sure of that. Not something he is quite fond of, he never truly liked him, even after he has supposedly changed.

“Yeah. After the halloween party and countless times after that.” 

Just a few days back, he saw the two of you on the school’s parking lot, sitting on the hood of his car, you were talking to him about something when he saw Steve leaning closer to you and you let him, you didn't move away, like he had hoped you would. 

But, he didn't stay long enough to see you move away from Steve, he didn't see how you turned to look at Eddie. 

“I know they’re just f-”

“Hey.” you interrupt Jonathan, avoiding Eddie’s eyes “Nancy’s looking for you.” 

“Oh! Okay.” he mumbles, he turns towards Eddie and gives him a tight lipped smile “I’ll come back later.” 

Eddie nods at his words and gives him a small smile before he looks back at you. You are still not looking at him and instead watch Jonathan leave. 

You have avoided Eddie since the night at the halloween party. His rude behavior took you aback and you would be lying to yourself if you said that his words didn't hurt. 

Without looking at him once, you go to leave but to your surprise he stops you, mumbling out a shy “hey.” 

Crossing your arms over your chest, you turn towards him, looking at him with a confused expression “hi?” 

Eddie shifts in his seat, uncomfortably. Suddenly not knowing what else to say as his eyes lock with yours. 

“I-I see, you and Nancy made up?” 

“We were never fighting?” you mumble. 

So, he still believed that you were the reason for Nancy’s and Steve’s breakup. He still saw you as this, horrible person. 

“Right.” he mumbles, awkwardly. 

He knows you’re about to turn away and walk off. The look in your eyes represents nothing but annoyance, he gets it. The last time you actually talked, he was.. mean. 

“Y-You uh, you look pretty.” he stammers with a blush on his cheeks. 

With wide eyes and parted lips, you look at him in shock. Did he really just say that? 

“T-Thank you.” you mumble. 

His brown eyes hold something, something that you can’t read. Why, is he so hard to read sometimes? 

“Do you wanna sit down?” he asks, pointing to the chair next to him. 

“Uh.. sure.” 

As if you would ever say no to him. 

You sit down, laying your palms on your lap, you turn towards Eddie, who still stares at you. He angles his body towards you and leans his elbow on the table, when the song suddenly stops playing “oh, shit. Gotta change the tape, hold on.” 

You watch him, rummage through his backpack, trying to find the right tape. He has a concentrated look on his face, tongue poking out between his lips as he eyes two tapes that he picked out. They have no cover on them and neither of them are titled “shit.” he mumbles “this better be the right one.” he chuckles, nervously. 

He pulls the tape out and inserting the new one. He pushes the ‘play’ button and turns towards you again when suddenly Metallica’s Creeping Death starts blaring through the speakers. 

You slap your hand over your mouth, a loud laugh escapes your lips at the horrified look in Eddie’s eyes. 

“Oh shit! Oh fuck!” Eddie exclaims as he looks around the room. The kids all looking around in shock, some of them even holding their hands over their ears. One of the teachers gives him a disapproving look, motioning for him to turn off the music and you, you are looking at him with amusement in your eyes, still laughing. 

As embarrassing as this is, at least he got you to laugh.

“Mr Munson! Eddie!” Mr Clarke comes rushing towards him “I’m sure you are enjoying this music but the kids aren't!” he says, pointing to the kids. 

“Right, right. Sorry.” he rambles as he quickly turns off the music, changing the tape as quickly as he can, pressing play. This time, forever young by Alphaville starts playing and Eddie sighs in relief as he leans back in his chair, grinning at Mr Clarke, who gives him a thumbs up. 

You are still giggling, the stressed look on Eddie’s face makes the situation even funnier. 

Eddie turns towards you with both annoyance and amusement in his eyes “oh, you think this is funny huh?” 

You nod, biting your lip to stop yourself from laughing “did you expect them to start headbanging?” you laugh, pointing to the kids. 

Eddie shakes his head “they should've!” he exclaims, throwing his hands up “this stressed me out, I’ll never be the dj again.” he mumbles, reaching for something in his backpack, he looks around before pulling out a flask.

You gasp “you brought alcohol?” 

“How else am I supposed to survive these depressing songs?” 

“H-How are you gonna drive home?” you ask in concern as you watch him drink from the flask, quickly.

“Aw, are you worried about me, y/n?” he teases, smirking at you “you want some?” he asks, offering the flask to you. 

You ignore his first question. Of course, you worry about him but he doesn't need to know. 

You look into his eyes and without a word, you reach for the flask and look around to make sure that no one’s watching before drinking from the flask. Scrunching your face up at the taste of vodka, you give him back the flask. 

He chuckles and takes it back. His fingers brush yours for a moment and he feels that unfamiliar feeling in his chest again. You look at each other for a moment. His brown eyes are burning into yours, his lashes fluttering as he looks down at your lips and then at your neck, eying the necklace around your neck. 

Clearing your throat, you lean back in your seat and look away from him. Suddenly, feeling too flustered to keep your eyes on him. 

Your cheeks feel hot and you can’t help but blush, still able to feel his eyes on you. 

“Are you seriously gonna drive home after drinking?” you ask, still not looking at him. 

“Not like I’m getting drunk.” Eddie mumbles.

“Still, you shouldn't do that.” you say, turning to look at him. 

“What about you?”

You shrug “I’ll walk.”

“You'll walk? At night? That’s dangerous, y/n.” 

You laugh at the expression on his face. If he just knew what kind of dangerous you’ve encountered already. You weren't even safe in your own bedroom when that thing came for you, so, you can't really run from danger. 

“I like going on walks at night, it’s peaceful.” 

“You shouldn't take walks at night, y/n, it’s not safe.” 

“Aw, are you worried about me, Eddie?” you ask, mimicking him. 

Eddie only scoffs, shaking his head at you. Without a reply, he only leans back in his seat. And suddenly it’s silent between the two of you. It's not an awkward silence, it’s actually a comfortable one but you find yourself missing his voice. 

“T-The song is actually good.” you stammer, trying to fill the silence between the two fo you. 

“Is it?” he asks. 

“Yeah.” you nod “I also wanna be forever young.” you chuckle. You don’t what comes over you and why you feel the need to tell him this, out of all people but before you can stop yourself, you open your mouth and let those words fall from your lips “I- I always kinda thought that, I’d die young” you say as you turn back to him. Eddie, he watches you with furrowed brows, lips set in a frown. 

“Why would you say that?” he asks, not trace of humor in his voice. It almost sounds as though he takes offense to your words. 

You shrug, “just a feeling, I don't know.” 

After the hell, you’ve been dragged into, it would just be a matter of time until something or someone would get you. The gate is closed, now. But there's this lingering feeling in your chest, that it isn't over and that it will never be over. 

“Maybe, I'll make it to graduation at least.” 

Eddie eyes you. He can see the broken look in your eyes, the sadness that you try to push back so desperately. Trying to keep it a secret from the world and from everyone around you but he can see it, he can see you. 

“Sweetheart, you have a whole future ahead of you.” he says with a slight, soft smile on his lips. 

“Oh, yeah?” you snort “what future do you see for me?” 

Eddie tilts his head and stares at you, squinting his eyes. He’d want to say something like ‘you’ll get out of here, you’ll get to live your dream life- whatever that may be. You’ll meet your person and live a long and happy life’ but he is too bitter to even think of you with some, person. And he can’t be too open now can he? He can’t show you how much he may care for you when he knows that there's someone else lingering in the back of your mind. He can’t be vulnerable with you. 

“Well, your parents are rich aren't they?” he mumbles, with distaste in his voice “means they'll send you off to some elite university and the moment you graduate, they’ll pressure you into marrying some rich dude, probably Harrington or some other business man douchebag from Hawkins. Then, he’s gonna pressure you into having babies but you’re not gonna want them because you’ll realize that you don't even love your husband- in reality, you’re in love with the mechanic that fixes your husband’s car, also the one you've been fucking behind his back.”

You blink, staring at him perplexed, he raises the flask to his lips after his rambling.

“Are you gonna be the mechanic?” 

Eddie’s eyes widen, almost choking on the vodka. He pulls the flask away and stares at you with big eyes and parted lips “m-me?”

You chuckle and shrug as you reach for the flask, eying his ringed fingers “bet you're good with your hands.” 

You can see the redness on his face, how flustered he’d gotten and, you love it. For the first time, it’s you, who left him speechless, not the other way around. 

Keeping eye contact with him, you drink again before pushing the flask back into his hand. A smirk tugs at your lips “anyways, I gotta go.” 

You get up, almost chuckling at the look on his face. You lean towards him one last time “I’d never marry the rich douchebag in the first place. I’d marry the mechanic.” 

And with that you walk away, leaving a very stunned Eddie who’s eyes follow you. 

“What the hell?”