#I like to think they were watching a movie of Eddie’s like some horror shit and Steve just made some stupid comment | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

loveinhawkins · 2 years ago

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When Eddie’s terrified, he feels cold—and it’s not a mild thing, not just goosebumps on his arms. It’s violent shivers: his breath catching as ice forms in his lungs, crystallising up his throat until he can barely talk.

It was bad at the middle school talent show: stuck in the wings with fellow students pressed up against him, all jostling for space. He should’ve been sweating.

And technically he was, but it was as if his brain hadn’t checked in with his body or maybe the other way round, and he kept biting down hard on his tongue as his teeth chattered.

A teacher noticed and even asked if he was feeling sick, if he wanted to be sent home.

He shook his head, felt his legs shaking; Jeff had to speak for him until it was finally the band’s turn on stage, and the ice thankfully thawed enough for him to sing.

But right now he thinks the ice is here to stay.

He’s sat back in the boat, the tarp tangled up by his feet; he can’t stop one knee from bouncing up and down erratically. He knows he isn’t really shaking because of the literal cold, but it doesn’t exactly help that it’s damp as hell in here.

He’s not alone—he’s still surrounded by quite possibly the most random group of people in history. Dustin’s leading the conversation, which has devolved into Max teasing him about some girl called Suzie.

Eddie suspects the change of tone is deliberate, that these kids who are somehow well-versed in a literal fucking war have an admirable intuition; have sensed that he needs a cool down after learning about an evil alternate dimension. Kinda like what he does if he watches a horror movie late at night—makes sure to read some light-hearted crap before he goes to sleep, so the scary shit isn’t the last thing on his mind.

Eddie appreciates the thought. If he wasn’t still repressing shivers, he might even find it sweet.

But the chatter isn’t helping.

He can’t grab a hold of it, the sounds slipping away before he can make sense of them; his mind keeps drifting away, and he’s suddenly stuck on the thought that he can’t remember what Chrissy’s last words to him were. He can hardly even recall what her laugh sounded like in the woods—like everything about her has been trapped underwater, stifled beyond all recognition.

He let her die, and he can’t even manage the decency of remembering her. What the fuck is wrong with him?

He exhales shakily. Neither Max or Dustin seem to notice, which both relieves him and sets his teeth on edge.

His lungs are tight, but he still feels a sudden urge to talk—for once wishes that he’d just bite his tongue instead.

Something’s cracking deep inside him.

He’d thought his breaking point had been reached long ago, but it keeps getting worse; as the kids talk, he can’t avoid the fact that they’ve already watched him profoundly lose it, and shame spreads from the pit of his stomach—merges with the ice, culminating in a bitter wave of self-loathing.

Leave me alone, he desperately wants to say, but he knows it’ll just come out in a scream, knows it’ll sound like he’s furious. That’s always been the way of things, at least for him: deep-seated fear hiding underneath anger.

He opens his mouth. His teeth are clacking together.

He manages to temper the feeling right at the brink so that all he says is, “D-don’t you assholes have a bed time?”

“Oh, that’s cute,” Dustin says, over the sound of Max scoffing.

Please go, just fucking go, I’m gonna fall apart and I don’t want you to see it, not again.

“Yeah, well I have a bedtime, so let’s get outta here, dickheads,” Steve says.

He sounds dry, borderline snippy. But his eyes fleetingly meet Eddie’s as he speaks, like he’s heard him somehow. Like he understands.

Dustin stands with some customary grumbling, pulling Max up with him.

“Night, Eddie. It’ll be okay,” he says, so optimistic—with an unshakeable courage that Eddie has never once possessed.

Eddie attempts a smile. Has no idea if he succeeds.

Robin’s already standing, walking off behind Dustin and Max—but then she spins, doubles back on herself; Eddie jumps at the sudden movement.

“Water!” she says, “I’ve got some in the car, you should—hang on, Eddie.”

“I’m—I’m fine, I don’t need…” Eddie’s voice is hoarse, fades out on him. He coughs, tries again, slightly louder, “I said I don’t need it!”

But Robin’s already too far away to hear him.

The quiet rustle of a jacket: Steve is still here.

Eddie lunges forward as quick as he can. His hand clasps around Steve’s wrist.

“Harrington, seriously, tell her not to bother, man. I’ll—” He swallows. “I’ll just throw it back up.”

It’s almost too dark to see, but Eddie swears Steve’s eyes are flickering over his face. He doesn’t know what he’s seeing. Doesn’t think he wants to know the answer.

“Dude, you need to drink, at least,” Steve says finally. He gently tugs himself free—stepping back with an apologetic air, slowly enough that Eddie doesn’t startle. “Gimme a sec.”

He’s back in under a minute, passing Eddie a bottle of water with the cap already off.

Eddie drinks. Despite his protesting, he knows it’s for the best; his head is pounding. He spills the water more than once; his hand is trembling.

Steve doesn’t mention it.

“I can get you some food,” he says.

Eddie shakes his head. “I ate before. Not hungry.”

He’s telling the truth, although he can’t remember what he ate. Can’t remember much of anything.

Steve doesn’t look very happy with that response. His frown is audible when he asks, “Don’t you have a blanket or something?”

Eddie laughs, horribly false. “Why, Harrington? Wanna tuck me in?”

Steve doesn’t answer.

Eddie wants him to retaliate with what he deserves: cutting words. Wants Steve to throw out something cruel, then leave him be.

No. That’s not…

He wants… he wants…

“Don’t move,” Steve says. “I’ll be right back.”

Eddie laughs again—a little more genuine. “Can’t exactly go anywhere.”

He doesn’t know how long Steve takes. He loses track of time after the sound of the car reversing fades away; the darkness stretches out before him, and his fingers flex, tremulous, and he almost starts to believe that no-one’s found him after all, that he’s alone, that he’ll always be—

The soft crunch of tires rolling over gravel. The twin clunks of a car door being opened then closed, not too loudly, followed by even footsteps. Slow. Safe. And Eddie hears Steve singing, quiet enough that he can’t really decipher the lyrics.

He doesn’t know why he recognises it, why it’s so familiar. But he understands why Steve is doing it, the realisation burning in his throat: that Steve is signalling his approach, so Eddie knows it’s him.

“Hey,” Steve says, and there’s a gentle kind of thud—something being dropped by Eddie’s feet. Then the soft press of fabric behind him: a pillow.

Eddie manages to shift his feet a bit. More fabric. It’s a blanket.

“I just thought, like, two layers, y’know?” Steve is saying. “Not ideal with the tarp, but it should trap more heat compared to…” Eddie’s throat tightens even more. It’s so… so fucking kind.

“Thanks,” he manages.

“Hey,” Steve says again, softer—a hand lands on Eddie’s knee; his palm is warm. “You’re okay.”

Eddie realises belatedly that he’s crying again. For a little while, it just feels automatic, as if he’s detached from the tears; Steve gives him space, working around him.

And Steve’s not tucking him in really, just sort of shaking out the blanket, but he lets it fall with intention—smoothes out the creases when it gathers around Eddie’s knees.

Eddie doesn’t know what changes, just knows that he’s abruptly aware of the silent tears building into something more. There’s a false jagged sensation of something getting caught in his chest as he swallows, and he gasps, inhales sharply—once, twice; feels that panicked stutter to his breath, like when he was a kid failing at treading water.

Steve crouches by the side of the boat.

“You’re okay,” he repeats. He’s rubbing his throat ever so slightly while he says it—doesn’t seem aware that he’s doing it.

“I’m s—” Eddie chokes on the words again, a distressed hum cutting through instead. “I’m s-sorry.”

“Eddie, it’s—”

Eddie points to Steve’s throat. “C-could’ve—mm, mm. Could’ve been bad.”

He remembers the feeling of Steve’s skin against the shard of glass, remembers his stupid shaking hands—so close, too close to blood being spilled.

Just a hair’s breadth away from…

It could’ve happened so easily. Two deaths on his conscience.

“Eddie,” Steve says calmly. “It’s fine. I wouldn’t have let you.”

It’s not a threat. It’s a reassurance.

His hand falls away from his neck, as if making a point.

Eddie stares and stares—and it’s definitely too dark to tell if there’s a bead of blood on Steve’s skin, but his mind does the work for him.

Vivid, wet. It wouldn’t stop. Chrissy. Her eyes…

The ice freezes over completely, stops up his throat.

Eddie can’t breathe.

“Yeah, you can,” someone’s saying, “hey, it’s gonna pass, it’s gonna pass, okay? I’m just gonna…”

A snap.

Eddie flinches, cries out with a wordless noise of anguish.

Through the roaring in his ears, he hears, “Shit,” before a contrite whisper of, “Sorry, sorry.”

Steve. Steve’s here, guiding his hands until they’re cupped around something.

Something warm.

It starts the thaw, draws air back into Eddie’s lungs. His head clears a little. He knows where he is. Wishes he wasn’t…

He wants someone to tell him that Chrissy didn’t suffer, that she didn’t feel anything.

No.

He wants someone to wake him up, to tell him it was just a nightmare, that he can go home; he wants the universe to rearrange itself so that Chrissy never even met him—that the only trouble she ever has to deal with is which shoes to wear with her graduation robes.

“I want,” he gets out, “I want—”

“I know,” Steve says.

His hands are still wrapped around Eddie’s.

And Eddie senses the source of the heat now, a packet of some kind.

A hand-warmer.

He manages to take a proper breath, deep enough that he can smell the pillow Steve has given him; it doesn’t smell of the detergent Wayne uses, but it smells like a home at least. The dip in the middle makes him suspect that Steve’s brought the pillow from his own bed.

Eddie breathes in again. Out.

“There you go,” Steve murmurs.

Gradually the warmth against Eddie’s palms brings about a repeatedly suppressed, bone-deep tiredness. His eyes are stinging with it, and he feels like the boat’s been pushed out onto the lake; he sways forward without meaning to.

“Sorry,” he says, tongue thick.

He lifts his head to find Steve looking at him intently, brow furrowed.

“You should lie down,” Steve says quietly. “You look exhausted.”

Eddie does, turns onto his side so he can still just about see over the side of the boat. But…

“I won’t sleep,” he tells Steve through a sigh. He’s not arguing the point; it just seems inevitable.

Steve shrugs. “Just shutting your eyes is better than nothing,” he says casually enough, but it sounds too knowing, like he’s speaking from experience.

Eddie wonders what Steve sees when he falls asleep.

Steve stands up slowly. Hesitant.

“I’m—um. I’m sorry,” he says. “I’d stay, believe me, but I just—I don’t want the car here too long in case someone…”

“Go, Harrington,” Eddie says, hopes it comes out as gentle as he means it to be. “You’re the taxi service.”

Steve smiles. “We’ll be back,” he says. “Tomorrow, okay? I promise. We’ll bring food.”

“Tomorrow,” Eddie echoes. Tries and fails to push down a yawn. “Food.”

It’s not so bad, listening to Steve walking away. Eddie’s eyes close, burn with relief; in his head he follows along with the sound of Steve’s footsteps as they get more and more distant.

Car door opening. Closing. Seems farther away than before. His head is heavy.

He doesn’t expect to fall asleep. But he does his best to keep his thoughts on something light anyway. Maybe the continual warmth between his hands helps, ensures he doesn’t spiral back down to… to…

It comes to him fuzzily: why he recognised Steve singing in the first place.

Last summer, going to the mall to catch a movie, walking past an ice-cream parlor and hearing…

It was an unselfconscious kind of singing—no tension in the high notes. The sort usually done alone.

And do you feel scared? I do. But I won't stop and falter.

Eddie glanced over. Steve had been mopping, head down, but he looked up suddenly—for a moment, Eddie worried that he had been spotted. But then he watched the surreal sight of a group of children walking all over the wet floor, Steve beckoning them onward with fond exasperation.

He tapped at his wrist. “You’re cutting it fine tonight. Through the back, round the—”

“We know,” came an already distant chorus.

Steve rolled his eyes.

“And if anyone hears about this—”

“We’re dead!”

A door shut—alone again, Steve shook his head to himself. Smiled.

And if we threw it all away. Things can only get better.

Eddie remembers thinking that his voice wasn’t all that bad. It was nice.

It was…

Eddie wakes up warm.

The sight of the tarp disorients him for a few seconds—but he’s too sleepy to be panicked. The blanket against his jeans feels perfectly heavy. Keeps him still. Keeps him…

He thinks he must unintentionally drift off again; when he comes to, he feels that the hand-warmer he’s holding has gone cold. His feet knock against something, and he opens his eyes enough to see that Steve’s left more pouches. He takes one, hums when he cracks it so he doesn’t hear the…

It’s another day. He’s still here, damp wood against his back. A pillow beneath his head.

He knows the nightmare hasn’t stopped; Chrissy is still dead.

But there’s things he can touch, hold onto—evidence that he’s not been left alone, not really. He knows that Steve will come back. They all will.

His hands are warm.

And that’s something.

#this is my first ‘the boathouse�� fic! ❤️#pre steddie #steddie #steddie fic #steddie ficlet #steve harrington #eddie munson #steve x eddie #steve and the party

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stevethehairington · 3 months ago

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okay but fic that takes place pre-jinx, pre-eddie making it known that he Does Not Believe in jinxes and curses and witches and ghosts and supernatural shit, and chris is at a sleepover or his abuela's house or something for the night so it's just eddie and buck for their usual friday night movie night, which means they don't have to watch something kid friendly lol. so buck chooses some ghost horror movie and eddie. well, eddie is only a man. and he is so into buck that it makes him STUPID (what's new?), and so he agrees to the movie and proceeds to pretend to get scared by it, solely so he can get buck to comfort him (because of course buck would). cue buck curling his arm around eddie's shoulders and letting eddie hide his face in his chest and maybe even holding his hand (because HE is just as STUPID about how much he likes eddie).

and so that keeps happening. every time they get the chance to watch something just the two of them they pick something scary and eddie pretends to be scared so buck will comfort him. every time!!

and then. and then The Truth comes out. jinx happens or the 118 are just talking about curses and ghosts and shit and eddie scoffs and goes thats all bullshit you know. and he FORGETS. he TOTALLY FORGETS. and so there buck is, a couch cushion away, staring at eddie with the most confused look ever because eddie? you don't believe in ghosts?? but— but you were so scared when we watched [insert horror movie here]?? and eddies freezes before turning slowly towards buck bc f u c k he forgot. and he has to go uhhhhhhh hah. about that. i uhhhh i wasn't? actually? and buck just goes but why did you act like you were then? and eddie just stares at him with big big eyes, imploring buck to Understand without him having to spell it out loud for him — this is mortifying enough already in front of all their coworkers who HAVE clearly already Gotten It. and then bucks eyes go wide as he Realizes and he turns pinkpinkpinkkkkk and gets this dopey little smile on his face and is like oh. (cue hen and chim making overdramatic retching noises behind them bc they're children and think this is the most disgustingly cute, yet totally ridiculous thing ever).

#buddie #911 #evan buckley #eddie diaz

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ashwhowrites · 1 year ago

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Okay, hear me out!

So reader and Eddie go to a horror movie on a date right? Except Eddie thought it was a slasher, not like paranormal shit and that really scares him. Soooo, he has to call reader at like 1 am cause he keeps thinking that he sees something or hears something and can't sleep. 💋💋💋💋

I just wanna see poor baby Eddie all scared and get the cuddles he deserves.

I think we need to have some date nights where we watch paranormal movies 💋💋💋💋

Y/N and Eddie were both freaks about Halloween. They loved it, and they loved all the dates that October would bring. They've done the haunted houses, hay rides, and pumpkin patches. They saw every horror film that hit the theaters.

And tonight, Y/N found another film for them to watch. Eddie agreed, not bothering to ask what it was. He can handle horror movies, and they always picked slasher films, so he wasn't worried.

Eddie wrapped his arm around Y/N as they settled in their seats. The popcorn was in his lap while they held their candy.

"What are we seeing anyway?' He asked, throwing a handful of popcorn in his mouth. He threw his feet on the seat in front of him.

"Some paranormal thingy," Y/N said, shrugging as they didn't give the movie much thought. But Eddie froze as he went to take a sip of his drink.

"as in demons and shit?" He asked, his voice was shaky which caused them to look up at him. They took in his nervous eyes and shaking foot.

"A little bit. I don't think it's much possession, just scary shit happening without an explanation." They tried to hide her smirk as he looked even more nervous.

The lights dimmed and Eddie gripped their shoulder.

~~~

Y/N didn't know a single thing that happened in the movie, and they were fine with that. They spent the whole time watching Eddie jump and hide at every jump scare. He even hid during parts that weren't meant to be scary. They have never seen Eddie so terrified. He'd watch murder with wide eyes and volume on a hundred. But now he had popcorn all over his lap and the floor, his eyes behind his jacket.

"So what did you think?" They teased, Eddie's hand gripping theirs. He was shuffling his feet close to them, not letting them get an inch ahead.

"It was dumb! If some demon was throwing my shit around, I'd be pissed." Eddie said, shaking his head. Y/N laughed and jumped in the van.

Eddie ranted about the film the whole way to Y/N's house. They laughed behind their hand at his lies. He declared that he'd show the demon who was in charge and that he'd never let a demon run him out of his own house.

"Sure you would, babe." They said, pecking his lips. They waved bye as they went into their house.

~~~

Y/N wasn't sure what time it was when Eddie called, they rubbed their eyes and reached for the phone.

"Hello?"

"There's a demon in my room!" Eddie whispered, his eyes looking around every corner of his room. He could feel his heart racing as another crack landed against his window.

"Eddie, there's nothing there. Demons aren't out to get you." They sighed.

"I can hear it whispering! Then it pounds on my window.....I'm scared." Eddie whispered

"Baby, it's okay. There's nothing there. I'm sure it's just the wind." They said through a yawn.

"And you know who said that? Tracy and she died!" Eddie panicked, and he slowly crept towards his window. He stood up slowly and looked out the window.

"That was fake! You're okay, and you're safe." Y/N said softly, "You have a big tree outside your window, I'm sure the branch is hitting it."

Eddie felt relief fill him when the branch smacked against the window, the sound the same as before.

"You're right. Thank you, baby." He sighed, hanging up the phone. He shook his head and got back in bed. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, then snapped them open. He quickly turned on his lamp. The extra light gave him comfort as he closed his eyes again.

~~~

Eddie threw the covers over his head as he heard sounds everywhere. The sound of feet walking on the gravel, the footsteps creaking on the stairs leading to his trailer, and the doorknob wiggling. He swore he could hear the sound of his front door creeping open, the squeak of the hinges.

"Eddie, Eddieeeeee?" A voice called out in a whisper

"Please let me live," Eddie said out loud, still buried underneath his blankets.

Eddie let out a high-pitched scream when the blanket was pulled from his head, his eyes shut as he screamed over and over.

"BABY ITS ME!" Y/N screamed, standing right next to the lamp.

Eddie snapped open his eyes and closed his mouth as he saw Y/N standing there. His heart racing as he smacked their arm

"YOU SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF ME!" He yelled, giving them a glare

Y/N crossed their arms and gave Eddie a look, "I'm sorry. But drop the glare or I'll go right back home and let the demon get you."

Eddie quickly softened his eyes and grabbed Y/N. Yanking them on the bed as he hid in their neck. Y/N laughed but wrapped their arms around him. They placed a soft kiss on his head and rubbed his back.

"See, you're safe," Y/N said, looking down at their adorable terrified boyfriend.

"Don't leave," Eddie muttered against their skin.

"Never would"

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 @gretavankleep37

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson #eddie munson fanfic #eddie stranger things #eddie munson request #eddie munson fluff x reader #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson x gender neutral reader #eddie munson x gn!reader #eddie munson halloween #halloween blurb #ashwhowrites

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tlbodine · 12 days ago

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Fae Horrors: Huldra

This week's double-header features a Scandinavian folklore creature, huldra (or hulder, for a collective of them, I think?) -- generally described as a seductive forest spirit or guardian, a beautiful woman with an animal tail and/or a spine like a hollow tree stump. I've read that they can be friend or foe to people who venture into the woods, and a common thread seems to be that they can seduce and manipulate men into doing all kinds of things.

I'm not personally familiar with the myths, so I'm not sure which things I've read on the internet are historically accurate. Maybe one of you lovely followers can fill me in?

Anyway, the films this week were Thale (2012) and Huldra: Lady of the Forest (2016). They are, to my knowledge, the only two movies about hulder. They also could not be more different from each other, beginning with the fact that one of them is quite good and the other is a steaming pile of hot garbage that had me screaming at the television.

First, the good one. Thale is a Norwegian film written and directed by Aleksander L. Nordaas. It's about two guys, Elvis and Leo, who work as crime scene clean-up guys. While cleaning up the very messy remains of an old man ("wild animals" got at him, tearing him to pieces and scattering him around the property) they find his hidden basement, where he had seemingly imprisoned a young woman.

The girl, naked and mute and somewhat inhuman, turns out to actually be very inhuman in the sense that she's not a person at all but a hulder who had been taken into captivity and experimented on. The old man in the cottage had worked at the laboratory, smuggled her out, and raised her here as a father figure, but continued to experiment on her. We figure out some backstory courtesy of some convenient fae-creature telepathy, and the story builds from there because the girl (the eponymous Thale) has family still in the forest, and also the military is looking for her.

I won't spoil anything further. It's a very simple story, one that leaves a lot of questions unanswered. But I don't mind that ambiguity. In form, it reminds me quite a bit of an episode of Trevor Henderson's podcast, The Mayfair Watcher's Society: Two normal blokes stumble into an uncanny situation, see some crazy shit, and get on with their lives without explanation or context. If you like that type of storytelling (and I do), this is worth the watch.

The entire movie was filmed on a budget of $10,000, with Nordaas acting as writer, director, editor, set designer, and so forth. Most of the film was shot in his dad's basement.

And honestly? Mad props. I have nothing but respect for a micro-budget film that understands its limitations and leans into them. The creature effects are excellent. Like, the CGI is a little rough, but the design itself is A+ and it delivered a proper scare at one point.

The greatest strength of the film imo is the on-screen chemistry between the two leads. We don't really know what the relationship between Elvis and Leo is, whether they're friends or brothers or what, but they manage to communicate a great deal without saying a word, and it's easy to believe they've known each other a very long time. They're drift compatible, in other words, and they have very different personalities (Leo is utterly unflappable, Elvis can't get through a job without puking several times) that make it fun to watch them grapple with being in over their heads. Props to Erlend Nervold and Jon Sigve Skard. And props too to Silje Reinåmo, who has to spend most of the movie naked and do most of her acting with her eyes. Good stuff all around.

Which leads us....sigh....

Huldra: Lady of the Forest is a Swedish film directed by Ove Valeskog, with writing credit to Valeskog, Eddie Boschek, and Björn Boström. I believe it is Valeskog's first feature film, and I don't know what the budget on it was for sure but IMDB estimates it at $75,000. It certainly looks and feels much cheaper than Thale, probably because of the terrible script.

Okay. Ugh. Basically: A lady boxer is invited out on a camping trip with a bunch of guys she went to school with, and they all go party in the woods and engage in various...activities?...at some kind of former hippie commune turned hunting resort attraction camp....thing? The hippie who runs the place has a "daughter" who they spy bathing naked in a lake and who (spoiler?) is a huldra.

I guess (???) the main point is that the hippie guy lures people out to his commune to sacrifice them (???) to the huldra, who also apparently has the ability to make people go crazy and turn on each other, which is seemingly how the hippie guy got here in the first place. The story keeps cutting between the present-day group and the original hippie group, and we see both of them becoming paranoid and turning on each other until only one dude is left standing to take care of the huldra?

It's convoluted. And, frustratingly, there are the bones of a really good story in it. I actually really like the idea of a forest creature who uses her faerie wiles to psychologically fuck with a group of tourists and make them turn on each other. It's like Evil Dead with a faerie and I'm here for it!

Unfortunately, the movie is two hours long and agonizingly boring to get through. It's paced like a slow-burn psychological thriller, except none of the characters are actually fleshed out or given any depth at all. You're forced to watch scene after agonizing scene of rambling, pointless naturalistic dialogue as a bunch of annoying frat guys get drunk, argue, act misogynistic, and make small talk, without any clear idea of why anyone is doing anything. Also most of the film's dialogue is in English (owing I guess to their multinational friend group) but it seems like English is not the primary language of any of the actors so all of the line delivery is also kind of weird? Like inflections are in odd places, stiff tone, just....everything is weird, man. And most of the violence is off-screen and there are no cool creature effects so we don't even get the pleasure of seeing these people eviscerated for our trouble :(

I could have put up with all of this, maybe. I could have dealt with the frankly nonsensical storytelling (which was SO CLOSE to being good but then shit the bed), the bad acting, the wobbly erratic camera that bounces around for no reason, the poor editing....all of it. I could have shrugged it off as a "meh." Until the end of the movie.

At the outset, we see our heroine playing with her baby niece, and her sister telling her that having babies is great, actually, and that she needs to get laid, and maybe if she acted more feminine people would stop assuming she was a lesbian. and we think, ok, fine, sister is kind of annoying but whatever.

So then the heroine goes into the woods with all these dudes and tries to rekindle with a childhood crush. They have sex, then he pushes her away because he's married, and then gets all up in his feelings about it and it's stupid but ANYWAY....he dies, and then later she nearly drowns, but she has a vision of his stupid dead face telling her she HAS TO LIVE because there is a BABY INSIDE HER and this gives her the strength!!! to survive!!!! and then there's a flash forward a couple years later and we see her baby running around on the beach with his cousin and her boxing coach tells her, "You finally have achieved real balance! but why did you quit boxing?" and she's like "I don't need it anymore because MY LIFE IS COMPLETE with the power of LOVE! I love being a mommy soooooo much" I'm not even exaggerating this is almost exactly how the scene plays out and oh my god it is so stupid and cheesy and terrible.

You are allowed to be a shitty movie, and you are allowed to be surprise twist birther propaganda, but you don't get to be both.

Ew, ew, ew.

Anyway. Ugh. I don't know where or how this film ended up on my list -- it doesn't have much footprint online, there's only one review on the IMDB page and no Wikipedia, there's no Rotten Tomatoes score, only two reviews on Amazon. So maybe it's mean to hate this much on a tiny obscure random movie. But dear god. If you have two spare hours and a Tubi account, spend that precious time on something else because this movie is a big stinker.

Onward and (hopefully) upward next week.

#fae horrors #horror movies #thale #huldra #huldra: lady of the forest #movie reviews

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batty4steddie · 1 year ago

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Can I Keep It?

Chapter 1: Have You Ever Been Arrested?

Robin had the night off. Band practice or some shit. Steve was so bored. It had been dead in Family Video all day until finally, finally someone remotely attractive came into the store: Christina Kelly, a blue-eyed, bright blonde-haired Hawkins High cheerleader. On some girls, the uniform looked frumpy, but on her, the shortness of it skirted nicely over her ass. Steve’s eyes roamed up her mile-long tan legs and settled on it. She was drop-dead gorgeous. He licked his lips and continued to watch her browse the shelves for a minute. She must’ve come from practice or a game. Steve remembered her instantly. Hard to forget a face and body like that. Damn, sometimes he really missed high school, even if it was just for the eye candy. Once he got a good, long look, he approached her with a warm smile. He welcomed her to the store and introduced himself. While he remembered her, she didn’t remember him at all. Even after he told her he was on the basketball team, the one she had cheered for all three years they had gone to school together.

Whatever.

The bell above the door tinkled as Eddie swaggered in. It was 6 P.M., and he was fully prepared for the campaign on Friday night, so he figured he would rent a few flicks to watch while he struggled through his trig homework due tomorrow. You know, be a responsible student. Maybe some entertainment with his studies would deter him from giving up and smoking the superb grass Rick had supplied him earlier that week. Eddie had already sampled more than he was technically allotted. It was just too good to keep his sticky fingers out of. Nobody was at the front counter to greet him, but Eddie spotted a tuft of styled brown hair bobbing by one of the shelves and a blonde ponytail with a green scrunchie he recognized as belonging to one of the Hawkins High cheerleaders. Steve was thrilled—not only to have someone to talk to, but he was still trying to find the one, and Christina? She could be it. Smoking hot and unsure of what she was looking for, damn if she hadn’t come to the right place. Steve turned the charm up to eleven by taking the liberty of showing her around the store. The sections of the store were clearly labeled, but he still guided her, asking if she liked comedies, romances, or thrillers. Not pegging her as a horror fan. Eddie rolled his eyes with a smirk. He had half a mind to jump in and yell BOO! to interrupt whatever heterosexual mating ritual was happening between the romance and action movies. Instead, he headed towards the horror section one aisle away from the pair, gaze flitting over the titles. When one caught his interest, he picked up the empty case and turned it over to read the premise.

Night of the Creeps, where alien space slugs turned people into sorority girl-eating zombies? That sounded pretty metal. For every suggestion Steve made, Christina took a video off the shelf to consider it. That made him think that she was totally into him. By his last suggestion, The Legend of Billie Jean, she had an arm full of tapes. He went into a brief synopsis, explaining it was about a brother and sister on the run from the police, which prompted a sly question. He paired it with his most devilish smile.

“Have you ever been arrested? ‘Cause it’s gotta be illegal to look this good.”

The voice of none other than Steve Harrington nearly made Eddie choke on his spit. He hastily reshelved the movie. How had he not recognized that famous hair? Eddie’s fingers clamped onto the top of the shelf as he stealthily peeked over it. He felt a giggle bubbling up in his chest at the schmoozy smile plastered on Steve’s face. The cheerleader backed up a step, expression twisting. “Ew, I have a boyfriend.” She dropped the movies from her arms, shoving past Steve towards the exit. “Creep.”

Eddie covered his grinning mouth with his hand, rings clacking against each other gently. Steve Harrington had zero skill when it came to the babes. Eddie always figured he tossed his hair, and they flocked to him. What a pleasant surprise.

Christina’s reaction was so bad. There wasn’t even a laugh at the fun cheesiness of it. Of course she had a fucking boyfriend. How many times was Steve going to go barking up the wrong tree? He groaned when the tapes hit the floor, and his smile instantly dropped. His concern was more about damage to the tapes that Keith would take out of his pay if they were broken than his bruised ego from Christina calling him a creep. Which hardly was the truth. The bell jingled as the door closed. In the ensuing silence, a giggle finally escaped. Eddie quickly ducked out of view when Steve turned in his direction. He poked his head around the corner before coming out, starting a slow clap. “Wow. That was epic, man.”

Steve was just about to bend down to pick up the tapes when he heard a laugh. The fucking laugh he wanted Christina to laugh. He hissed and flushed briefly with embarrassment, of course, because what was worse than striking out? Having a certified freak witness it. “Yeah, well, I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a chick on your arm, Eddie. Can’t blame me for trying, man. I’m just not her type.”

Because she had a fucking boyfriend. Steve was beyond annoyed—he was humiliated, and the tapes were still on the floor. He sighed softly and bent down to scoop them up.

“You wouldn’t,” Eddie replied, not missing a beat. “My arm is for me only. I keep all my foxy ladies back at my sweet, sweet bachelor pad.”

From Steve’s bent position over the videotape, a piece of hair had fallen into his eyes as he looked up at Eddie. His brow furrowed, but he didn’t say anything. Just looked completely puzzled by the comment.

He knew Eddie was poor and lived in a trailer at the trailer park, but even he could get chicks to hang out with him there? Or was he keeping some women there against their will? Eddie wouldn’t admit that to him, would he? Even if he was a freak like everybody said.

Steve shook his head and huffed inaudibly. He wasn’t sure if that was the truth, but still, he didn’t like hearing when other people were successful in their romantic pursuits.

The last time Eddie had a chick on his arm was in nineteen-seventy-eight at a Burger King birthday party when Jeremy Jenkins dared Heather Drew to kiss him. She’d tasted like ketchup and strawberry Lip Smacker. Eddie had spent the entire excruciatingly long three-second kiss staring at the cardboard cutout of the king standing behind her. Eddie’s grin widened when he spotted the red on Steve’s cheeks. He held back from further mocking purely for Dustin and the other kids’ sake. According to his little sheep, Steve might as well have hung the fucking moon, but Eddie still saw him for what he was: a bully. Plain and simple. The guy who would call Eddie names in the hallways along with his dumb jock friends. Eddie's back was well acquainted with bruises from being shoved against lockers, and his face had taken many a beating by the dumpsters. It might never have been Steve’s particular fist in his face, and Eddie had never taken anything lying down (fuck no), but he knew Steve’s kind. And he wasn’t a Harrington groupie.

“You could help,” Steve griped when he saw one of the tapes had gone as far as three feet, right where Eddie was standing.

Eddie toed the movie closest to him with his sneaker. Molly Ringwald’s pouty face stared up at him from the cover, which was cracked right down the middle. Eddie crouched on his knees to grab it, his pants pulling uncomfortably tight from the stretch.

While leather looked punk rock as hell, it wasn't the most forgiving fabric, especially when it was actually cheap pleather.

Steve stood up with the tapes and set them on the counter while Eddie picked up the last one.

“Yeah, this one is busted,” Eddie said, popping open the case to reveal an identical crack down the tape, one of the inner reels poking through.

Steve winced. That hurt. “God damn it,” he said softly, coming over to take it from him and looking it over himself. Yeah, it was broken.

“Sorry, Molly, but if it's any consolation, your movie was probably shitty anyway.”

“Actually, it’s a pretty good movie, man. It was really popular, too. We just got it back from being rented for a while. I’m going to get questions about it all week. Who knows when we can get another copy.” Steve walked it over to the trash and threw it away. “I think you might’ve liked it. It isn’t all about her. She’s kinda annoying in it, but there’s a guy, Bender, who kind of has… your fashion sense and disposition.”

Steve chuckled as he discreetly checked out what Eddie was wearing. Eddie’s leather jacket and jewelry were pretty similar to that character’s. Steve returned to the counter and looked over the rest of the tapes. Luckily, they were fine.

Eddie rocked back on his heels in surprise, starting a slow walk around the circumference of the counters as he eyeballed Steve. He hadn’t expected the guy to keep talking to him. Still, here he was, going on about Eddie's fashion sense, his disposition? Was that an insult? Eddie didn’t know what to do with this. Why was previously reigning King Jock giving him the time of day? Why wasn’t he busy admiring his reflection in the window? God, this job must’ve been boring as hell for him to actually do it.

“Were you looking for something specific? Seriously doubt you came to witness me striking out with Christina Kelly. You just got lucky.”

It was kinda funny now. It got Steve smiling and shaking his head at himself.

The store was still empty, and he was still lonely, so he could at least do his job and help Eddie find a movie since that was his reason for coming to the store. “Um…” Eddie crossed his arms. Uncrossed them. “Nothing specific. Something to keep me from faceplanting from boredom into my homework.” Or lighting up and spending the rest of the night floating like ash on the wind.

“Definitely don’t miss homework,” Steve replied while he took the tapes off the counter and started putting them back on the shelves where they belonged. As Eddie continued to walk around, Steve noticed a little jingle from his wallet chain as he paced the store.

“Something spooky, maybe?” Eddie wiggled his fingers with a playful smile to cover his discomfort. This unexpected turn of events piqued his curiosity, so he didn’t mention he had already found a movie.

“Something spooky, huh?” Steve asked with a playful smirk, though he was turned toward the shelves so Eddie couldn’t see it.

Of course the freak was into horror. That wasn't a surprise. Family Video had a stellar horror collection. While the last couple of years had been horrific in Hawkins, Steve still enjoyed the fictional movie version sometimes. Most of the horror movies he had seen triggered his memory in a good way when it came to making weapons and fighting off Demogorgons with them winning. “Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got lots of horror here. Although, if you’re a fan… which is safe to assume?” Steve asked Eddie when he turned back to face him, raising his eyebrows. He knew it was true, so he smiled when Eddie nodded a bit. “Alright, we’ve got Fright Night, Day of the Dead, Return of the Living Dead, A Nightmare on Elm Street two and Friday the 13th, part five.”

Surely, one of those Eddie hadn’t seen. Eddie met Steve back at the horror section, popping his hip against a shelf as Steve read the newest releases. You’ve come to the right place, Steve said. Had he come to the right place, or was he actually in an alternate reality where a jock didn’t tell him to return to the Hellfire he came from? Why did Harrington keep smiling at him?

And why did he smell so good? Was that coconut? He should have smelled like old pizza and dirty gym socks like most guys their age. Eddie knew he was rocking cigarette smoke and not much else, himself. It would be very unchill of him to lean in and get a bigger whiff of that coconutty paradise.

To Steve, horror movies weren’t all that bad. A lot of them were funny and cheesy. Totally entertaining enough that doing homework during them was probably possible.

Horror movies made him adamant that the group stay together and stay put instead of getting involved, but no one ever listened to him. They wanted to go, get involved and split up, which were the worst horror movie tropes. Their lives had become just like the people in every horror movie he’d ever seen. There was no convincing his babysitting crew of that, though, so he took the lead every time. “Vampire, zombie, deranged burn victim with knife fingers, murderous goaltender…” Eddie went through the list. “What flavor monster goes best with trigonometry?” Eddie pinched his chin with his fingers as he pondered it. “I wasn’t too thrilled with the first four Fridays. Not much to those plots. Not nearly enough razzle-dazzle." He graced Steve with jazz hands this time instead of spooky fingers. “Elm Street had a lot more going for it. Maybe I’ll take the sequel. Thoughts? Got a favorite?” If Steve had even watched any of them. Though Eddie was a fan of most things horror - the more outlandish, the better - he didn’t watch them all that often. He didn’t have the patience to sit and focus for a long time without help from his favorite herb. It was good background noise, mostly.

At least with D&D, he was actively participating. He didn’t have to sit still. He could move around, and he got to use his wickedly colorful ideas, feeding off of other people’s imagination and making a story come alive.

Some things, like math homework, were so fucking stifling he wanted to shoot himself.

It was hard for Steve not to notice Eddie’s jazzy hands. His fingers were adorned with a plethora of shiny rings. He was talking animatedly with them about the different movies. The shininess of the rings caught his eye, especially with the extra movements.

Steve hadn’t been into movies before he got this job. (Robin was the one who really got it for him, talking Keith into it somehow.) Back then, he could only name two movies: Animal House and Fast Times. He’d come a long way since then and had a lot of downtime in the store since they were only busy on evenings and weekends.

When he and Robin worked together, they always put a movie on or had one going. They’d gone through most of the horror. He’d entertained Robin to no end when he’d talk back to the TV, putting his hands on his hips and yelling, “No. No, don’t go in there! What are you doing? No!”

Steve looked down at his watch. Still an hour and a half was left of his shift. Also, the closest thing to jewelry he wore was his watch, but Eddie’s rings did seem… dare he say… cool. Maybe he could pull off a ring or two.

“I agree they should’ve stopped with the first Friday.” He didn’t really have a favorite. “They’re all pretty good for what they are, but I think you should go with the sequel, yeah. You already have an idea of the characters, so you don’t have to pay too close attention and can get your homework done.”

While Steve was checking his watch and probably wishing for his shift to be over, Eddie was dragging his heels. He was surprised to find he would’ve been okay hearing Steve talk more about movies. He didn’t sound particularly passionate about horror. It made Eddie wonder what he did like. Probably some predictable slapstick with lots of boobs, like Porky’s.

“Joy,” he replied, thinking of his homework waiting for him and almost letting out a whine.

Steve grabbed the movie off the shelf and headed towards the counter so he could get Eddie checked out.

“Guess that’s that,” Eddie added in a mutter Steve couldn’t hear. Eddie followed him, drumming his hands on the countertop as Steve pulled up his account and started typing away.

It was best that Eddie left before he decided to do something like lean in and smell the guy on purpose this time. While he waited, he sifted through the snack selections, unsettling all the organized displays. He stuck his hand in one of the round glass jars, dislodging the loosest ring from his finger as he rifled through it for a fistful of fizzy candies. The ring fell to the bottom of the jar, unnoticed by Eddie, who slapped the sweets on the counter. He also grabbed a box of Nerds, a bag of Skittles, and a Big Hunk bar on impulse. Steve smiled a bit because usually, it was only bratty kids begging their moms for candy that got it from them. Steve didn’t mind that Eddie was getting more than the movie. When he saw everything he was getting, though, he couldn’t help but judge some of it. Most of it was the real sugary stuff. The Big Hunk bar was the only thing he could get behind.

“These are addicting,” Steve said about the Big Hunk bar. He could feel his mouth starting to water just looking at it.

Likes Big Hunk bars. Eddie filed that information away in his head without really knowing why. It wasn't like he’d need to use it later.

“I'm gonna need a bag,” he informed Steve. These pants did not have usable pockets.

“Of course.” Steve nodded, swallowing his spit as he started bagging everything up.

He wondered if Eddie was high. All this candy made him think that he had the munchies or was going to later. Most of the kids at school got their weed from him, so it wasn’t a stretch.

Ah, he could remember the last time he got caught getting high. His dad had accused him of being on drugs. He could remember just saying he wasn’t and that marijuana wasn’t drugs. That hadn’t gone over well.

Once everything was rung up, Steve told Eddie the amount, took the cash and got him his change. He handed over the bills and coins and pushed the bag of candy and movie toward him. “Enjoy...”

“Thanks, big boy,” Eddie said, grabbing the bag with a tongue click and a wink.

He left the store, mouthing big boy? to himself in a split second of internal embarrassment before he shrugged it off and hopped in his van, taking off down the road towards the trailer park.

Steve’s eyebrows rose and then furrowed. A shiver ran through his body like an electric shock, unsure what that was about or what caused that reaction in him.

Slowly, he realized. Maybe there was a reason he’d never seen a girl on Eddie’s arm.

Steve stood there for a few minutes, perplexed by what had happened, until he snapped out of it and started straightening up the store. There probably wouldn’t be any more customers tonight. While Steve was re-organizing the candy Eddie had disheveled, he saw that one of the jars was low, nearing empty. He grabbed some candy to refill it when something shiny caught his eye.

He reached in and pulled out a large skull ring. Eddie must’ve left it behind by accident.

Only when Eddie was settled in for the night with his homework open, the movie on, and his candy pile rapidly dwindling did he notice one of his rings missing.

“Shit,” he swore, looking at his naked finger where a fanged skull used to be. That one had been his favorite.

He looked around inside the trailer and outside of it with his uncle’s flashlight, but nothing shiny turned up in the beam.

Steve thought about calling Eddie up and letting him know he could come get his ring, but then he put it on and looked it over, smiling. He could totally pull off a ring like this.

He’d try it out for a day or two, then give it to Dustin to give it back to Eddie when he saw him next. They were good friends now, to Steve's dismay. He wasn't jealous of anything.

Eddie didn't seem too bad... for a freak.

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #steve x eddie #steddiebang23 #steddie fic #fic #writing #vampires #zombies #bats #stranger things #stranger things fic

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sabbathbloodysabbeth · 2 years ago

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Title: “big boy” (ftm steve harrington)

Summary: Steve Harrington has never asked someone out successfully, unless you count Nancy without them turning him down because he’s trans. Tonight during his last week at family video before it closes, a certain Eddie Munson asks him out and it goes a lot better then what he thought it would

Tags: #transsteve #suggestivejoking (rest down below)

Word count: 1502

Ships: Steve Harrington x Eddie Munson

Square and prompt: B1, trans steve

@steveharringtonbingo

Steve lazily keeps his head propped up on family videos counter as he stares up at the small tv currently plying a old Clint Eastwood movie. No matter what he did he always found himself staring at the screen and trying to take notes about how the character held himself. Shoulders back, chest out and standing as tall as possible. Chin raised up a bit as if the character was looking down at everyone. Steve knew who used to do that, thought it would be the only way he could convince everyone he was passing. Biting his lip he moves twirling a strand of hair around a finger before stopping when he catches his reflection in the mirror. He needed a haircut, and bad. The ends were starting to grow dead, and he felt like the feminine parts of his face was starting to pop out more. He scratches at his thigh, the itchiness from where he did his shot agitating his skin. He doesn’t think about it to long as he quickly straightens his back as he hears the bell of the door ring. Relaxing a little when he realizes it’s not one of the older women who liked commenting about everything.

The person, he recognizes as Eddie Munson. A boy that was a frequent visitor. Steve moves his head back onto his hand and starts watching the movie again. Waiting patiently for the other to come to him and check out. Knowing already that the movie was probably going to be some horribly produced horror movie from the eighties. He bounces his leg up and down anxiously as he waits and waits. Ten minutes of the movie passes before a tape is being placed on the counter. A awkward cough is made as Eddie Munson tightly smiles at Steve. Who smiles awkwardly in return as he flips the tape over. Scanning it and looking at the screen as a big red error sign pops up on the screen. Groaning he rolls his chair to get closer to the computer. Typing away before shaking his head, “it says you haven’t returned the last two movies you borrowed?” Steve asks raising a eyebrow looking at the other. Who shifts on his right foot before his left. Groaning after a pause and picking up the tape to go put the case back on the shelf.

Steve sighs waving his hand for the other to come to him. “We’re closing permanently in like a month, so I don’t really give a shit. You mind as well keep the other movies as well. Not like we aren’t going to do a big sale at the end of the month with them anyway.” He chuckles as he moves handing the tape to the other. Before leaning back in the Rollie chair and propping his shoes up on the counter. Trying to get back to the movie before he realizes the other was still standing in front of him. Wearing a denim vest over a band t shirt. If Steve looked closer he was sure that it was a Ozzy shirt. A small pin with different shades of blue like a flag almost, was currently on the right pocket of the denim vest. He’s about to ask whether or not the other had a staring problem or not before the others quickly moving up to the counter. Breathing a bit heavily, it was a tad creepy at how heavy the other was breathing.

“Doyoupossiblywanttogooutonadatewithme.” Eddie spits out. No pause for air as he stares at Steve through his bangs. Once again, wearing a equally outdated hair cut along with the denim vest. The guy looked like he wanted to live in the eighties. Who the hell wanted that was beyond the point. What was strange was that he was asking Steve of all people out. He thought it was painfully obvious that he wasn’t a real guy, and here - an obviously gay guy was asking him out. Gender euphoria fills him first, before dread comes second. Almost like a after thought. Steve tenses a little as he makes fists on his side. Growing anxious as he stutters a little, not a coherent word coming out. He understood what the other had said shockingly. He’s never been asked out before, it had always been him who done the asking. Each time he would have to clarify that he was trans so that the other wouldn’t break his heart later on when they realized he didn’t have a dick. Now, this felt as if he had to come out. Something he hadn’t mentally hyped himself up for.

He’s trying to figure out how to work his mouth for a second before he takes a deep breath. Face a bit pink, stomach doing flips and heart aching. “Well- that depends.” He says softly. Awkwardly crossing his arms over his chest, feeling the outline of his binder that had been digging into his sides since he got here. In a rush to get to work he had tossed it on immediately after shower, causing the material to stick to his skin more then what it should have been. That and a part of his brain believes that his chest has gotten bigger, when in reality his shoulders have gotten broader.

“Depends on what?” Eddie stumbles over his words. Staring at the other with hope and excitement. Moving as he sets the movie on the counter and leans forward a bit. The careful not to get in the others space, never breaking eye contact as he does. His eyes are soft, and welcoming which was convincing Steve that he could trust him. But he’s met the hugest Allie’s of the LGBTQ+ community who have changed completely when they find out he’s trans.

“Well, if you’re okay going out with a dude that literally doesn’t have balls… unless you count the ones on my chest.” Steve says bitterly. He wasn’t good at coming out, this was just proving to himself further that he didn’t know how to do this at all. He never stops looking at the other, wants to watch every reaction the other has. Doesn’t want to miss this, so he can teach himself a lesson. Remember the next time that someone asks him out, to just say no. What he doesn’t expect is Eddie to pull back with a relieved look. Before tapping at the pin on his chest. Specifically the white stripe.

“White part is for trans guys and those in between Stevie, now what time am I picking you up at?” Eddie grins before he’s frowning. “Wait- no. What time are you picking me up?” He says with a smirk. Leaning his head on his hand as he grins at Steve who is completely baffled and close to falling on his face from the chair he was on. He was a flustered mess, and he felt like Clint Eastwood was taunting him for not being manly. Though at the moment he doesn’t give a shit as he moves pulling out his phone. Setting it carefully on the counter and sliding it over to the other after unlocking it.

“Well, that’s something we have to figure out Hm?” Steve says making a attempt at acting cool. Inside his whole body was on fire as Eddie pulls the phone and typed in his number. “Though how do I know this isn’t your way of trying to get free movies next week when we start to sell them?” He jokes playfully, causing the others head to toss back. Laughter filling the store as Eddie shakes his head.

“Hm- you don’t.” He giggles. “That’s the best part.” He grins. Sliding the phone over back to Steve. “Now I have to go, but you better text me ASAP big boy. I need to be wooed before a date, and I want to see some of that Harrington charm so I don’t cum in my pants on our very first date.” He jokes. Wide grin on his face as its Steve’s turn to toss his head back with laughter. Playfully saluting him.

“Yes sir,” he laughs as he watches the other twirl his hair. Stepping back as he hides his face for a second. Before turning on his heel to leave the store. Steve’s shaking his head before realizing the other forgot his movie. Snorting he messages the other, which is read almost immediately. Followed with a certain Eddie Munson running in awkwardly. Cursing under his breath as his face is a light pink. Nearly falling on his face when Steve winks at him.

“Keep looking at me like that Harrington, I might just let you use my strap on me.” He spits out without thinking before he’s covering his mouth. Looking at a stunned Steve who, at that very point had expected to never be able to top in any relationship with the lack of equipment. Steve lets himself fall out of his chair when the other lets the door click behind him.

#modern au #trans steve harrington #steddie #stranger things #steve x eddie #eddie munson #steve harrington #bxb #steveharrington #steveddie #eddie stranger things #steve and eddie #Steve is still learning the social standards of being a guy #Eddie doesn’t give a shit #Steve’s a pretty boy and Eddie loves pretty boys

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steveisagay · 2 years ago

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American Pie

Steve Harrington x M!Reader

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Omg this took me longer (idk how long maybe a week) than expected, also I hope I didn't disapoint

Warnings: Male reader, internalized homophobia, slight cliff hanger, wrote this on my phone this time so I apologize if it didn't format well

Steve had watched Y/N and Eddie for weeks now, they didn't seem any different after he had found out that Y/N was gay. But maybe that's how they were, not everyone likes pda and that shit, especially in a small town like Hawkins. The two were bickering about a movie, Steve felt a pang, the same pang he felt everytime he saw them together. The smiles they shared, the gleam in Eddie's eye when he found a movie he wanted, just to immediately get shut down.

Steve let out a sigh, a loud sigh. He shifted from leaning on one elbow to the other.

"What's up with you?" Robin asked, lifting up a box of movies that needed to get back out on the floor.

"Nothing, all good here," He commented with a wave of dismissal, "Still have a problem with guys kissing guys apparently."

This time Robin let out a sigh, taking Fast times and some horror movie she'd never heard of out of the return. "Listen dingus, I really don't think that you of all people have a problem with that, like I've been saying this whole time," she took three more tapes out, "maybe you have some feelings you're just not ready to face..."

Her tone was almost condescending as she drifted off, Steve wasn't gay. Y/N was his friend and he just didn't want him around the drug dealer of Hawkins. Eddie was a good guy, barely surviving hell and back with him, but he wasn't for Y/N. Sweet, handsome, beautiful, Y/N. The only times he ever thought of him in that way was one day after gym in the locker rooms, but that was normal, he felt that way about almost all the dudes, Tommy, Billy, but that wasn't gay. Girls thought that steamy, wet guys were hot all the time, so it was universal. Atleast it should've been, if all of the looks he got throughout the years were a sign of anything.

There was one other time where Steve had seen Y/N in a less than friend-like way, when he was dancing around with Eddie. He knew Eddie was the touchy type, he knew you were always so nice with your friends, but that didn't mean he wanted to see it.

"How are you so oblivious?!" Robin let out, exasperated and almost too loud. Steve shot her a confused look. What was he being oblivious about?

Steve asked and asked but that was the end of it. Apparently he was the only person not in on this, maybe Robin was just fucking with him. She'd messed with him before, but not like this. What the hell was she hiding? Steve was never the smartest, he'd be the first to admit that, but he had thought about every possibility of why he felt like this. He'd also thought about if he was gay, he wasn't, if he was he'd know.

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The last thing you expect when you're the town outcast is your phone to be ringing at 6 in the goddamn morning, but here Eddie was. He had been debating on whether or not to answer, if it was some highschool dickhead he didn't wanna seem like an idiot or something like that. But what if it was Uncle Wayne's work? What if something went wrong while he was at work?

He picked it up to hear a faint voice on the other side.

"Eddie?"

"Yeah, who's this?"

"Oh, uh yeah, it's Steve," He seemed almost fearful, what the hell did the former king of Hawkins high have to be scared of. The thought bounced around his brain a moment, what if it was something with the upside down. "Do you think we could meet up at all, just to talk about something?"

Suddenly it was his turn to feel fearful, he'd already survived hell and in no way was he going back, "Yeah sure, swing by anytime," he quickly said, pretending like his mind wasn't swirling.

About an hour later Steve got there, he seemed fine, a little nervous but fine. Meanwhile Eddie was pacing the length of the trailer ever since the two got off the phone.

"What's wrong? Is it something with the upside down? Is that Vecna creep back?" He forced out of his mouth before he could think. Why the hell would it take a whole hour for Steve to get there if it was that important?

"No, no, there's no more upside down," Steve drifted off, whatever was bugging him had to be worth losing sleep over, because under his hair routine and polo the eye bags were too noticable from this close. "It's just... do you think we could go inside for this?"

"Yeah, sure sure," He couldn't stop trying to guess what was up. Was it Nancy? Was something up with the kids? Was he struggling with the effects of literal hell?

He didn't miss the way his bones seemed to sink into the couch cushion. "Sooo, what's bugging ya, king Steve?"

His eyes darted around the room anxiously, "Well, uh, how'd you know you..." His throat seemed to close up, stopping any of the words from falling out, "you..."

"Are you trying to ask how I knew I was gay?" Eddie assumed correctly. "Oh my god, king Steve is gay, who could've know?" He fell on the couch next to Steve, throwing his hands up dramatically.

"I'm not gay, it's just..." He paused, wanting to leave, get out, stop talking about any of this. He wasn't supposed to be like this. "Guys are hot, everyone thinks guys are hot so I just need to know what the difference is so I know that I'm not," he left the last part unspoken, his voice was hurried and he sounded almost terrified.

Eddie had to stop himself from laughing, "not everyone thinks guys are hot, Robin doesn't think guys are hot. Jeez you really must have spent too much time in the locker room back when you were on the team."

"So, does that mean I'm gay?" His eyes were wide, way too wide.

"I can't be the one to tell you that, have you found guys, well, emotionally hot?" He let out a chuckle at that one.

"I guess," he stopped to think about it, "but why do I always feel like shit when I see you and Y/N together?"

"Wait wait wait, what?!?!?!?" This time Eddie's eyes were wide as the moon. "Have you been jealous of me and Y/N?"

"What? I'm not jealous, what do you mean?" He almost seemed offended.

"If you find a guy hot, feel like shit when you seem him having a good time with another guy, it means you're jealous and have feelings for said guy," he shot him a smirk, "Atleast last time I checked."

He opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out, it did make sense. It made a lot of sense. Jesus Christ he was gay.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And that was how Stephen Harrington found himself standing outside the same door he'd entered time and time before. Only this time with the anxiety of not just finding out he was gay, but finding out that he had feelings for the guy who helped him get over Nancy. Maybe he did get attached to him after having her stomp on his heart and call everything they ever had bullshit. He fiddled with the fabric of his polo as he waited for Y/N to answer the door.

He knocked, waited, knocked again and then waited. The lights were on, his car was in the driveway. Steve was almost positive they left on good terms last time, did he still not want to see him?

His attention was immediately grabbed again when the door finally opened. "Hey Stevie, what're you doing here?" Y/N said with a small chuckle. God he was pretty, he'd always been pretty, maybe Steve was just blind, or an idiot.

His words closed up in his throat. He never expected to fall in love with his bestfriend, let alone get this far. "Yeah, uhm, yeah I had something I wanted to talk about,"

"Okay..? What's up?" Him and Y/N stood there. Before the seconds could stretch to minutes could stretch to hours, Steve leaned in. It was rushed and more nervously delivered than any other kiss he'd ever given. What happened to the king, well, apparently the other guy he was kissing did.

Y/N's hands first met his forearms, moving up to his shoulders and then to the small hairs on the back of Steve's neck. The higher he went the deeper the kiss became. Soon the brunette's tounge was exploring his mouth with a sort of hurried reckless abandon. It was almost like Steve was scared he'd push away, or that he'd wake up just to find out that it was a dream.

He then suddenly broke the kiss suddenly. Y/N seemed confused and enamored. Steve finally answered his question from before, "I love you," his eyes shone with those words before second guessing himself, "At least I'm pretty sure."

I GOT IT DONE

My (platonic) loves: @justaholycorpse @sad1st1c-wh0re

#stranger things #steve harrington x reader #steve stranger things #steve x male reader #steve harrington #steve harrington x male reader #steve harrington stranger things

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strangerthingslover69 · 2 years ago

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A trip to the movies

Dmitri + female reader (reader in twenties!)

An weekly trip to the movies turns into something much more fun with Dmitri

18+ minors do not read!

warnings ~ Smut and swearing

Saturday night and it was yours and Hoppers turn to take the kids out to the movies. You did love the role of baby sitter even though you wouldn’t admit that to them. Every week two of you would take them all to the movies. Sometimes you and Steve sometimes you and Nancy. Today you and Hopper. You wore something cute wanting to look good for any cute boys you see there. You wear a long sleeved black top that’s tucked into your ruby red skirt with knee high sock and chunky black boots. You knock on the Byers/Hopper residence and wait for an answer. You hear shuffling behind before you see Joyce welcoming you. ‘Hey sweetie, how are you?’ She says welcoming you in. ‘I’m good thanks! You okay?’ You reply taking a seat in the kitchen. ‘I’m good, the kids are excited to see the movie’ she says whilst making what you think is soup. ‘Aw good, you making some soup?’ You reply. ‘My famous chicken soup. Helping Hopper feel better. He’s come down with the flu’ she says stirring the pot. ‘Oh, that’s not good bless him.’ You reply sadly, you didn’t really wanna take the kids on your own. Sure you loved them and enjoyed it but you preferred it when you had someone with you. ‘Don’t worry though sweetie you won’t be going alone.’ Joyce says leaving the soup and sitting next to you. ‘No? Whose coming?’ You ask curiously since you already know Steve had a date, Robin had to work, Eddie was at the hideout and Nancy and Johnathan were having a quiet night in. Just like that your question was answered when Dmitri walks in. ‘I believe I am the extra baby sitter tonight Y/N’ he said with a warm smile. Shit. You were done for. Since meeting Hoppers new Russian friend you have harboured the biggest crush on him. No one knew of course, he was a fair amount older than you and anytime he was around you found it hard to talk to him. You gulped nervously. ‘Hi Dmitri, good to see you.’ You are surprised you could form a sentence with how good he looks. He’s in jeans, that fit him very nicely, a shirt that was undone and with a black T-shirt under it. As he walked to the fridge to get a bottle of water you couldn’t help but look at him. You didn’t realise you bit your lip as he began drinking the water. You wanted to imagine how those lips would feel all over you. You watched how his hand that gripped the bottle, you wanted him to grip your neck whilst he fucked you. ‘Hello?’ Dmitri said bringing you back into the room. Shit. ‘S-sorry, what do you say?’ You try to reply as if you weren’t caught checking him out. If he noticed he didn’t say anything. He did notice though. What you didn’t realise is how Dmitri looked at you. As soon as he saw you in that cute red skirt he was done for. Those thoughts needed to be put to the side though. You were a fair amount younger than him and he wasn’t sure how the others would feel. ‘I said are you ready? The children are’ he says walking up to you. You stand ‘yup all ready, see you later Joyce. Hope Hop feels better’ you say giving her a hug. ‘Thanks sweetie, have a great time’ she says with a little glint in her eye looking at you and then Dmitri. Shit. Did she see you looking too? You need to calm down. As you walk to the living room to greet the kids Dmitri grabs the keys, ‘you guys ready to go?’ You ask. ‘Yeah!’ They reply in union. Luckily the Byers got a new car and there’s plenty of seats. Mike, Will and El sit in the back. Lucas, Erica and Max sit in the middle. You and Dmitri sit at the front. ‘Son of a bitch. Really the trunk again?’ Dustin says with a sigh as he gets in.

The kids talk about how excited they are to see the movie, a new horror one you can’t remember the name of. You however are not. Horrors are not your thing at all. ‘Y/N you sure you’re not gonna be too scared?’ Mike asks you sarcastically. You turn to answer him, ‘I’ll be fine thank you Michael. I think it’s you who we should be worried about, at least you’ve got El to hold your hand when you get scared’ the others all burst out laughing and that soon shuts him up. They continue their conversation as Dmitri talks to you, ‘not a big scary movie fan?’ ‘Not really, I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to them.‘ you say playing with your fingers. ‘Well it’s a good job I’m here, no? I can protect you from scary parts’ Dmitri says with a smirk as he reaches his hand across and put it on top of your calming your nerves. You look up and smile unsure how to respond. You can’t be certain but you think he’s just flirted with you. Dmitri parks up and everyone scrambles out the car. Dmitri kindly pays for the tickets and the snacks after your protests he still does. Mike and El order a large popcorn and a large coke. Dustin gets a hotdog, popcorn and coke. Max, Lucas and Erica decide to share a large popcorn but order thee separate drinks. Will just settles for some candy and a coke. ‘Do you wanna share?’ Dmitri turns asking you. ‘Sure, I can not eat all that popcorn by myself’ you responds. So he orders a large popcorn and a large coke for you both. It’s fairly busy in the movie theatre. The kids manage to all find a row of empty seats so they can sit together. You and Dmitri sit behind them. You get comfortable in your seat trying not to focus on how close you and Dmitri are. You sit with your legs crossed making your skirt lift higher on your thigh, you don’t notice but Dmitri sure does. As it gets dark and the movie begins playing you offer the popcorn tub to Dmitri whilst you take a sip of the drink. Dmitri watched as your lips go around the straw looking so plump and kissable. You put the drink down and lean over to take a handful of popcorn. You make eye contact with Dmitri and smile at one another before popping some in your mouth and returning to the opening of the movie.

You’re only 20 minutes in and you hate it. It’s scary, creepy and gory. You try not to show that you are scared but it’s hard when you can’t sit still trying to look away. Dmitri leans over to you and whispers in your ear, ‘you okay?’ You turn to look at him, god he’s beautiful. He’s so close to your face. You feel his breath on your neck. He smells like popcorn. Unable to speak you just nod. He moves back into his seat and you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. On the screen all of a sudden the ghost appears and kills the woman. You hold in your squeal but flinch. Your heart is racing. You regret agreeing to this. But you feel a warm hand in your thigh. You look at it and then follow the arm. Dmitri is looking at you with a warm smile that makes you melt. He gives a gentle squeeze and keeps his hand there. It makes you feel safe. But it also makes you feel tingly. You feel more at ease with the comfort of Dmitri’s hand for all about five minutes before another stupid jump scare. Dmitri leans in to you, ‘you don’t look okay Y/N, come here’ he moves his hand off you leg and moves his arm around your shoulder bringing you into him. He rubs your shoulder soothingly. You nuzzle into his chest, partly because your terrified and partly because you wanted to be closer to him. You can’t help but inhale his scent. He smells damn good. He smells like cigarettes, body wash and something else you can’t quite put your finger on. He holds up a piece of popcorn in between his fingers and offers it to you. Thinking you’ll take it with your hand but instead you lean slightly forward and pop it in your mouth. His fingers brushing your lips. He mumbled something you don’t understand as he feels your wet lips graze his fingers. You notice him shift a little bit causing you to look up at him from his chest. He looks down at you with a smile. You smile back. You hear screams from the movie but you don’t look all your look at is Dmitri. You can’t take your eyes off one another. Feeling brave you move your hand into his thigh resting it casually there. You break the eye contact and turn back to the movie, your hand still resting on Dmitri’s thigh. Your heart is racing not just from the movie now. Another jump scare - Jesus how many does this movie have - you squeeze Dmitri’s thigh as you watch someone being murdered. Causing him to make a groan which he covers with a cough. You look up at him but his eyes are trained on the screen, if he looks at you again he’ll break. You sit up to whisper in his ear, your hand moving up his leg with you, ‘you okay?’ He answers, ‘yep’ and nods. ‘Are you sure? You seem a little….tense’ you say squeezing right next to his groin. He flinches but doesn’t answer you. You have a plan. You move off Dmitri and lean forward so your skirt definitely lifts up showing off your ass. You whisper to the Will, ‘just going to the toilet’ he nods and Mike shushes you making you roll your eyes. You turn back to Dmitri placing your hand in his chest, ‘just going to the toilet. Feeling all hot and flustered all of a sudden’ you whisper into his ear. You walk of smirking to yourself.

You make your way to the toilet when you open the door you feel someone shoving you in the stall locking the door behind you. You gasp at their actions but you do not shout or scream as you know who it is and you know your plan worked. Dmitri pushes you up against the door. ‘You-you did that on purpose’ he says quietly to you. ‘I don’t ever know what you mean’ you say back. Before anymore words are said his lips come crashing onto yours. A hot and needy kiss. After months of wondering it’s finally happening. He tastes like mint, cigarettes and popcorn all in one. You feel his hand roaming all over you until they stop at your thighs. He pushes his tongue into your mouth you give him full access. You suck on his tongue causing him to let out a whimper. One of his hands moves up and feels your soaking wet panties. ‘Блядь (fuck) so wet for me Y/N. You are a naughty girl.’ He says breaking the kiss and moving down your jaw planting small kisses. His kisses down your neck, finding the special place behind your ear causing you hips to buck up. Wanting to feel him on you. ‘Please, I need you’ you moan to him. ‘How can I say no when you ask so nicely ангел (angel)’ with that you feel him moving your panties to the side and moving his middle finger straight into your aching hole. You moan loudly, he quickly covers your mouth with his other hand, ‘no one can hear those pretty noises now, you’ve got to be quiet’ he says as he pumps his finger in out of you. You nod biting your lip. He removes his hand and goes back to kissing down your neck, sucking on a tender piece of skin. He mouths wonders down to your chest, you pull your top over your head dropping it to the ground. Dmitri stares at your chest covered by your black lacey bra, ‘ты совершенен’ (you are perfect) he says before he kisses the top of your breasts. As he bites down on your skin he adds another finger into your pussy. He moves in and out slowly making you want it more. ‘God Dmitri, you tease’ you moan pulling his hair as he pulls down your bra to expose a breast. ‘And you are красивый‘ (beautiful) You have no idea what he’s saying but my god it turns you on so much you clench around his fingers. He licks your nipple all around and then puts his lips around it sucking on it hard, biting it slightly. ‘F-fuck I’m soooo close’ you whine. ‘Cum for me Y/N’ Dmitri tells you as his fingers move more quickly in and out. You can hear how wet you are from him. You’ve never been so turned on. It’s breaking point when you feel his thumb rubbing you clit. ‘Dmit-!’ You begin to shout but he quickly covers your mouth. Your orgasm comes crashing down, you cum all over Dmitri’s fingers. He slows down as your orgasm stops, carefully moving his fingers out of you and taking his hand off your mouth. Looking directly at you he puts his fingers in his mouth and sucks them clean. ‘I can not wait to taste her properly’ he says leaning into a passionate kiss. ‘Dmitri, fuck me’ you moan into his mouth. He stops the kiss and looks at you, ‘are you sure? Here?’ He asks. You answer by taking your thong off completely and undoing his belt and zip. ‘I need you to fuck me daddy’ you say pulling down his boxers and trousers in one. You admire his cock. It’s the biggest you’d ever taken you were sure of that.

‘You like to look at daddy’s cock?’ He asks lifting you up by the back of your legs and pushing you against the door. Lining up his cock to your wet hole he slowly puts himself in you until he’s all in. You both moan together as he fills you up. ‘трахаться так туго’ (fuck so tight) Dmitri says into you ear, hearing his native language turns you on and you clench around him. ‘Please Dmitri, fuck me’ you say looking right into his eyes. You didn’t need to say anything else. He started moving in and out of you starting off slowly to stretch you a bit more then picking up the speed as you grew use to his size. It was hot knowing you could have been caught at anytime. It turned you on even more. Dmitri held you tight your legs and he fucked your pussy. You had your arms around his neck pulling him in for a sloppy kiss. ‘Y/N? You okay?’ You hear Max’s voice. You look up at Dmitri and he mouths, ‘reply.’ ‘I-I’m fine Max t-thanks. My tummy feels a bit funny. W-won’t be long’ you struggle to reply as Dmitri hasn’t stopped fucking you. ‘Okay, erm Dmitri is gone. Lucas checked the toilet and he’s not there.’ Max replies sounding slightly concerned. ‘I-I’m here Max. I was going to the toilet but Y/N was outside the door. She was going to be sick. So I’m just looking at her’ Dmitri replied quite easily. You were surprised he did considering his cock was deep inside of you. ‘Oh, well that’s okay then. We we’re just worried. I’ll see you guys in a bit. Feel better Y/N’ Max says leaving the bathroom. ‘Why did you say you was here?!’ You asked in surprise. ‘I panicked! She sounded worried. Sorry, now be a good girl and cum on daddy’s cock’ Dmitri said slamming into you hard. ‘Fuck!’ You moaned. He was fucking you hard and fast in case you got disrupted again. His cock buried deep in your pussy going in and out at a fast pace. You feel your orgasm slowly approaching and so does he, ‘rub yourself малыш (baby)’ Dmitri tells you. You listen and move your fingers down to meet your clit. You move them at a fast pace as Dmitri pumps in and out. ‘F-Fuck Dmitri, I’m I’ m cumming!’ You moan as you finally cum all over his dick. Dmitri is not far behind, ‘where can I cum?’ He asks breathlessly. ‘In me please daddy!’ You moan. With your words you feel Dmitri explode his load inside of you. As he finishes he slowly pulls out of you plopping you back down. You feel him leaking out of your legs already. You feel Dmitri’s fingers collect his cum and push it back up inside your hole causing you to moan. ‘You keep that in there. You keep daddy’s cum nice and warm in your perfect pussy’ Dmitri says as he kisses you on the lips. Not as needy but still as passionate. Dmitri takes his fingers out and helps your get redressed. He pulls up his trousers and boxers sorting his belt. You both just stand there for a minute looking at one another.

‘That was fun’ you say breaking the silence. Dmitri steps closer bringing his hand to your cheek. ‘It was. I hope we can do it more?’ He asks. You bite your lip and nod, ‘I’d like that a lot’ you bring him in for a kiss and exit the bathroom. To your surprise the kids are all waiting outside if for you. ‘Movie finished so we just waited for you’ Will states. ‘Oh okay, sorry missed it guys. Wasn’t too well’ you say rubbing your stomach. ‘You feeling better now?’ El asks. You nod. ‘Movie good?’ You ask them all. They all nod and don’t really say anything. They all look at you and Dmitri suspiciously then at each other smiling. ‘What?’ You ask. ‘It it’s just erm, dude your zippers down. Y/N. Your neck?’ Dustin says bluntly pointing to your neck. Dmitri turns to do up his zipper and turns back looking rather red. You rub your neck. Shit that where he was biting you. ‘Well it’s good to know you’re feeling better’ Mike says sarcastically and they all start to walk to the car. You and Dmitri walk slowly behind. You feel Dmitri put his hand in yours, you look down and smile. ‘So since they know, this okay?’ He asks referring to your hands. ‘It’s perfect’ you reply. You smile walking back. The kids didn’t say anything bad or wrong about the both of you. You weren’t sure what the others reactions was gonna be like but you didn’t care. You were feeling very happy

#dmitri antonov fanfic #dmitri x reader #dmitri antonov x reader #dmitri stranger things #dmitri antonov #stranger things smut #stranger things #smut #enzo stranger things #enzo x reader

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lesvegas · 3 months ago

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ritchie’s🎃💀 ABCs of Horror Movie Marathon!! 💀🎃

Horror movie challenge prompted by @quintsmachete

Day Four - D is for The Descent (2005)

I was originally planning on watching Drag Me to Hell (2009) on the basis that it's a Sam Raimi movie, but I ended up picking a new D movie after both my partner and @ed-e told me it kinda sucks (mostly on the basis that it's really racist). Eddie listed off other D movies I hadn't seen and determined that The Descent was the best of the bunch, and I don't plan on having an edible for another hour or two so a movie that might genuinely freak me out should be fine.

Caves already freak me the fuck out. I knew very little about this movie going in besides the fact that there's cave diving, and I honestly would have found it just as scary with or without the uhh. Ghouls. Gollums. Falmer. I know they're [spoiler] but look at them crawl around and tell me they don't look like a type of Gollum. Actually, seeing more of them made me less scared because I found them funny when they were just crawling around; the first two sightings scared the shit out of me though. As did the usual caving shenanigans. Everything leading up to the Gollums was more or less what I expected from a cave-diving horror, which I also enjoyed.

Alright in case you haven't figured it out, all the text above the readmore line is written before I watch a movie. Everything after is what I write after I watch a movie. And as soon as the movie was over I had a brownie and it's starting to hit so this review might be a little less comprehensible than usual. To be fair, I think most of my reviews are a little incomprehensible.

Anyway. The acting was solid, but even by the end I didn't feel particularly attached to any of the characters. I do really like how they're an all-women group of friends that seem to actually like eachother even though there's some believable tension between them. I'm paraphrasing what Eddie said here because I agree with them. Also if someone did to me what Juno did to them all I'd fucking smash their head in with a rock Jesus Christ.

The sets and lighting were fucking spectacular and looked and felt like real caves. The pacing was good, order of events was good. I'm running out of steam here and don't know what else to say but like trust me this movie was great and I loved it.

Oh I hated the ending though. I think it should've ended with Sara just like. Driving away. I understand why the ending is the way it is and this is more of a personal preference.

I give this movie four out of five climbing women 🧗‍♀️🧗‍♀️🧗‍♀️🧗‍♀️🗌

#abcs of horror 2024

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therosebunpost · 1 year ago

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Rudolph The Red Nose Demon

Apparently, you and Eddie are regulars at this thrift store.

CW: Reader has the nickname Bunny, but otherwise is un-named. This is from Steve’s POV, and there is mention of demonic singing reindeer. Reader uses Fem pronouns, is mute, has a distinct fashion style, but otherwise is as inclusive as possible!

————

Apparently, you and Eddie are regulars at this thrift store. You two come in nearly every week. Sometimes just to buy something you need, other times it’s like you two are on some kind of date.

Those days always make Steve’s heart hurt the most.

It’s just awful watching the two of you galavanting around, showing each other all the weird shit Hawkins had to offer. It’s not like either one of you are disruptive, well you weren’t, but it just made him sick watching how sweet you both were to each other. How you just relished in the strange.

There was one time Steve was stuck watching Eddie come up behind you, holding a stuffed animal version of that claymation reindeer he’s seen during Christmas. With a flourish, Eddie presses the button on the toy and the most demonic version of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer plays. All garbled, and tinny. The ending notes make him think of those music boxes in horror movies.

You love it. Your smile lights up the entire store and Steve is blindsided by it. You play the toy for him when you come up to check out, and Steve can’t help the smile on his lips. Still fucked up, but…maybe it was kind of cute. Maybe you both were kind of cute.

It wasn’t just you Steve was watching, though. He found himself paying more attention to Eddie as well. At the way the metalhead treated you with such love and tenderness. At the way he grinned when he found something he liked, or something you’d like. While you were a technicolor oddity, from your clothes to the little notepads you carried with you, Eddie was your achromatic counterpart. His clothes may not have been the most colorful, but he glimmered silver and sometimes the jingle of his chains reminded Steve of bells.

“Steve, are you gonna help me put these hangers away, or are you just going to moon over Munson and his girlfriend?”

"Im not- Im not mooning." Steve huffs, turning towards her and grabbing the pile of hangers from the register beside him. "They just draw attention, hard not to stare."

"Well yeah, I mean Munson's girlfriend is gorgeous but we have work to do.” Robin shot back, jabbing him in the arm with a hanger. “Cari is coming in soon, so you want to start putting away those hard lines with me? Maybe you’ll run into them.”

Grabbing a few board games and craft supplies, Steve cautiously moved through the isles. He got stopped a few times, people wanting to find certain items or asking what the sale was for that day.

“Harrington!”

Jumping at Eddie’s yell, Steve swung around and nearly dropped the items in his arms. You approached him, gesturing with your hand before messily scribbling in your notepad. It was macaroni themed, and it matched the macaroni and the pasta noodle necklace combo you had wrapped around your wrists and throat.

‘Sorry to scare you!’

Steve shook his head, and placed the stack on the shelf. “It’s alright, what’s up? Looking for more macaroni?” He jokes, which brings a smile to your lips and your shoulders shake a little with what he hopes is laughter.

“Close. We’re actually hoping to snatch that box of dice and wooden beads from you.” Eddie says, reaching over and grabbing the two items. “Hey, do you guys ever sell those tiny screw-in pins?”

Steve starts putting the rest of the games away, “Maybe? I’d check the hardware section. What are they for?” Briefly he wondered if it was for that game Dustin raved about. “Are you like, using the beads as rocks to throw at people in your game?” He turns to look over at them, momentarily taken aback by the surprise in Eddie’s eyes. The metalhead is quick to recover, tossing the packet in the air and catching it on the other side of Steve.

“Thanks for the idea Sunshine, but nah. My sweetheart’s got the great idea to make another dice belt. This time fruit themed.” The nickname flusters you, and Steve’s heart flutters at the sight of your bashful smile. “So, you make all the things you wear?”

For a moment Steve is bold. He reaches out, his fingers gently nudging your macaroni earrings. The clack they make is loud in the bustling store. You look up at him, eyes wide. For a moment Steve thinks he’s just blown it all, but your written words soothe him.

‘We do! Do you want to join us sometime?’ The hope in your eyes wares at his uncertainty. Steve bites the inside of his cheek, the slow bloom of a migraine rising in his skull. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, he did, but well…

“I don’t know, I don’t think I’m all that good at that kind of stuff? I mean, I haven’t done any art classes since elementary school…” Surrounded by smart, creative people really highlighted how much of that Steve lacked in that department. Hell, he didn’t even make his bat. It was Jonathan’s first that he just adopted.

You and Eddie are quick to disagree though. “Steve, my stuff looked like shit when I first made it. The first thing that I liked was this.” Eddie reaches into his shirt to pull out a guitar pick on a chain. “And well, now look at me.” He makes a dramatic turn around for Steve, showing off the things he’s made. He even shoves off his vest, only hesitating for a moment before tossing it to Steve. “See how fucked the stitching is over there?” He points to the edge of his Dio back patch. “I was high as a kite, nearly jabbed my fingers off, but it worked. It’s on there.”

Steve let his fingers run along the edge of the denim. “….Is that…floss?” He blinked, poking at the thick, white thread holding one of the patches together. He looked up at Eddie, who snorted. “Yeah. The thread I was using kinda sucked, so this one,” he made a proud gesture towards you, “suggested we could try some floss. That shit is strong.”

You hold up your notepad, grinning. ‘I got the idea from a friend of mine who’s into Punk stuff. She showed me how she put patches on her bag with it.’

Steve hummed, and handed the jacket back over to Eddie. “I wouldn’t even know what to make. I’d just be sitting there. Besides, I might make it and then never wear it."

'You don't need to wear it,' you scribble with determination, 'it's just for fun, you know? Something for us to do! We really want to hang out with you, Steve. :)'

Steve liked the way you wrote his name. The curve of your writing, the smiley face right next to it. Eddie chuckles next to him, and Steve's cheeks burn with heat.

"Maybe you can invite Buckley too? Think she might be interested?"

"Interested in what, Munson? In knowing why your holding up my co-worker when he's supposed to be helping me? Yeah, I'd say so."

The three of you jump at Robin's words. You end up laughing again, turning towards her and scribbling into your book. Robin breaks out in a smile. "Yeah, I'd love too! Did you manage to convince Steve?"

You pout, shaking your head and looking over at him with big, soulful eyes. He makes a show of hiding himself behind a hand. "Oh thats not fair-"

"She does it to me too, dude. It's a weapon." Eddie chimes in and you make a shooing motion at him, which only prompts him to catch your hand and kiss the back of it. A goofy grin on his lips. "Didn't mean to upset you, m'lady~"

Robin groans and Steve suppresses his yearning.

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Taglist: @ali-r3n

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#thebunspeaks #stranger things #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington #eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #fluffybunnycorner #stranger things hc #eddie stranger things #steve stranger things #Funnfact #the Rudolph doll is a real thing that I bought #I love him so much #I even have a video of it playing if you guys wanna hear a cursed rendition of Rudolf The Rednosed Reindeer 👀#the 🌻x🐰x🦇 verse

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moonchildreads · 2 years ago

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small town

Chapter 10 - That's What Friends Are For

IN THIS CHAPTER: Hellfire gets ditched, a cheesy misunderstanding, and Eddie bribes the Yearbook Club [7.5k]

WARNINGS: weed I guess? small mention of the "starcourt fire"

masterlist - prev - next | playlist

Keep smiling and keep shining Knowing you can always count on me, for sure

Friday, May 2nd - 1986

Before third period started on Friday, the male Hellfire seniors had congregated around Eddie’s and Gareth’s lockers, talking animatedly about going to see Poltergeist II: The Other Side in just a few weeks. Gareth, the biggest horror enthusiast of the group, was a huge fan of the first movie and had talked his friends into seeing the second installment on opening night, May 23rd. He was very much excited about having already secured four tickets from Kimberly, one of his sister Gretchen’s old high school friends that manned the ticket booth at the local theater. They were so engaged in their chatter that only Donny, who was resting his back against the lockers as they talked, caught sight of the short girl bounding down the hallway towards their direction, bright acrylic daisies dangling from her ears.

“Hey, I know those earrings!” he commented with a knowing grin as soon as she was within hearing range.

“They are my new faves,” Dottie shook her head lightly to show them off. “Besides, if I’m gonna wear this bad boy I thought I’d go all out.”

She opened her jacket intending to show him her matching yellow cardigan with small daisies cross-stitched around the neck, but a much more important piece of clothing peeked through the top of her black denim overalls. There, hiding underneath all the pastels and flowery patterns, a very familiar t-shirt was hardly on display, but there was no way they could have missed it; not when all four of them had been wearing the exact same shirt every Friday for the past few years.

“You’re wearing the shirt!” Gareth exclaimed, pulling her cardigan open to see the text at the top and confirm they were, in fact, matching.

“It’s Hellfire day, of course I’m wearing the shirt,” she waved him off like it was obvious. The bell rang signaling they should be getting to class if they didn’t want to be late and she locked arms with Jeff, pulling him away from the group towards Mrs. Click’s World History classroom. “See you around!”

“Well, time to go run over some cones,” Gareth said, a mischievous smile on his face as he left to attend his Drivers Education class.

Donny watched Eddie’s face for a few beats while everyone walked away, barely contained laughter at the sight that was his friend’s flustered expression. His pining was getting ridiculous at this point, and Donny was greatly enjoying seeing the events unfold, fully aware that the rest of their friends were a few steps behind in their observations about their rugged leader. Sometimes it pays off to have three sisters. He snorted as he saw Eddie pull a Latin-English dictionary from his locker and the taller boy turned to look at him when he heard the sound, having completely forgotten he was there.

“You might wanna close your mouth there, bud. Don’t think she’s gonna want to kiss you if you start swallowing flies,” he said, and hurried off towards his Physics lesson before his friend could punch his arm.

“You piece of shit!” Eddie yelled at him in fake anger, but the blush tinting his cheeks couldn’t have been more real even if he had tried.

“I just know he’s planning something big and it’s making me so nervous,” Chrissy said, watching Eddie light up the joint he had just rolled.

“Wha, ’s your anniversary or sumthin?” he asked, the joint between his lips as he took his first hit of the day.

Eddie and Chrissy were hanging out in the woods after school, enjoying a bit of a breather in between the end of the school day and the start of their extracurricular activities: cheerleading practice for her and The Hellfire Club for him. He offered the lit blunt to her and she took it gladly, hoping it would chase away the uneasy feeling she’d been carrying at the base of her stomach all day. If anyone had told either of them two months ago that they would be sharing weed in the woods, they both would have told you to get your brain checked, but now, at the beginning of May, they were both comfortable enough admitting that the secret drug deals and shy smiles had led them towards a surprising yet pleasant friendship.

“No,” she paused, letting the smoke fill her lungs. “Prom’s coming up and I’m on the planning committee so Jason feels like he has to do a huge promposal. I think he’s getting the girls to help him out, they all stare and get really quiet around me lately.”

“But why does he have to ask? He’s your boyfriend, everyone already knows you’re gonna go with him to prom.”

“You think that’d be enough, but if he doesn’t pull a big event for everyone to see how much he loves me, then he might as well be publicly dumping me.”

“That’s… I’m sorry, Chrissy, but that’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard all day,” he chuckled, taking the joint back from her. “You’re gonna have to explain this whole… popular people bullshit to me.”

“It’s not bullshit just because you don’t get it, Eddie.”

“You’ve been literally complaining about it for ten minutes,” he exhaled the smoke through his nose feeling like a dragon. “I feel like that’s the definition of bullshit, y’know? Shit that pisses you off?”

Chrissy looked at the boy sitting on top of the table next to her leaning back onto his arms, his metal lunchbox open at his feet on the bench seat. She fiddled with the gold ‘86 pendant hanging from her necklace, pondering on just how much she wanted to share with him. She knew by now that she could be sincere here; Eddie was not big on divulging secrets, and even if he was, this unlikely relationship she’d struck with him was not something anyone in school would believe if he talked about it in public. She felt safe in the woods with him, their own personal bubble where they could admit to each other the things they feared saying out loud to everyone else.

“The promposal is not the problem,” she said, not looking at anything in particular as she spoke, her voice soft. “The problem is that I know he’s planning to do it in front of the entire school and I don’t want that.”

“What d’you want, then?”

“Huh?”

“You just said you don’t wanna be promposed to like that,” he wiggled his fingers at her, pulling a smile from her lips. “How would you want him to do it?”

“You know Marianne? She’s a cheerleader too,” Chrissy extended her hand to ask for the blunt; he gave it to her wordlessly.

“Uh…”

“She’s in your Sociology class?” Looking at his confused face, she sighed. “Bubblegum pink eye-”

“Bubblegum pink eyeshadow! Yes, okay, I know Marianne. What about her?”

“She’s dating Greyson McIntyre from the track team, right? He promposed last week after we announced this year’s theme.”

“Red Carpet? Really? Who pitched that one?”

“Kyle Foster,” she gave the joint back to him and waved in that familiar way that told him she didn’t want to smoke anymore. Oh well, more for him.

“That asshole owes me 20 bucks and keeps dodging me in the hallways.”

“Don’t expect those back any time soon,” Chrissy giggled.

“I’ll charge him more next time he sends one of his buddies to buy. But you were saying something about Marianne?”

“Oh, right. Well, Greyson took her out on a date and wrote “Open the glove box” inside the sun visor and waited for her to see it when she checked her makeup. When she opened the glove box it was full of flowers.”

“That’s so dumb, what if she hadn’t seen it? All those flowers would’ve dried up in there.”

“You’re not getting it,” she shook her head. “He did it because he knew she was gonna notice. She always checks her makeup when she gets in a car, he pays enough attention to her to know that.”

“So what you are saying is that you want Jason to pay enough attention to you to know you don’t want a huge promposal?”

“Yes. No. I-,” she leaned forward, her head on her hands, elbows resting on her knees. “I don’t even know what I want. I mean, my boyfriend wants everyone to know he loves me and here I am, complaining that he loves me. You’re right, it is dumb.”

Eddie got up from his place at the table, the burning joint still in his hand as he paced in front of her. He was deep in thought, like he was trying to find the right way to comfort her and couldn’t. Words were something that came easy to Eddie, except when they involved feelings and complex emotions. He understood what it was like to have people around you thinking that they knew what you wanted or desired, seeing you as nothing more than a stereotype or a puppet they could move around to fit into their scenarios and fantasies. The wannabe groupie that wanted a story to brag to her friends about after a gig, the guy that bought him a beer and then threatened to out him if he told anyone what they’d done in the back of his van. His own dad putting a broken coat hanger in his hand and forcing him to open a car window when he was barely six. Eddie had dealt with what Chrissy was feeling his whole life, and he couldn’t help but think that they were two sides of the same coin. She was desperate to not be seen as a trophy anymore while he wanted someone to show him off like he was worthy of being paraded.

He leaned against a tree in front of the table and crossed his arms, smoking the last bit of the blunt before it began burning his fingers.

“It’s not dumb,” he said, making her look up. “I think I get it.”

“You think?” Chrissy smiled lightly.

“It’s like… It’s nice that he wants everyone to know that he loves you but you want him to love you when no one’s watching too.”

“Yeah,” she nodded. “Yeah, exactly. You get it.”

“Can I level with you, Chris?” he threw her a pointed grin. “High school guys are dumb as hell. We are dumb as hell. Jason is no exception. Actually, I’d say he’s even more dumb because of all that macho thing the basketball team has going on. It melts their brains,” she scoffed but he continued. “So if you want that guy to know what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours, you gotta speak up, okay? Because I can promise you all he’s thinking about is playing with balls.”

“Eddie!” she laughed loudly. It was a real laugh, probably her first of the day.

“As much as I hate your boyfriend, you are actually a pretty good friend and I want you to be happy. Just tell him how you feel. And if he still doesn’t get it, then kick his ass.”

“When did you become so smart?” she teased, storing his advice to think about later when she was in the comfort of her own bedroom.

“I don’t know, I think it might be the weed,” he said conspiratorially, making her laugh again. He liked when she laughed.

“Yeah? Well, how about you start using your own advice, Romeo?”

“I’m working on it,” Eddie beamed. “I think I’m making progress.”

“Did you ask her out?”

“Yes! Well. No, not exactly.”

“What does that mean?”

“We’re going out for pizza tonight. Just the two of us.”

“But it’s not a date?” Chrissy narrowed her eyes at him.

“It’s a study date.”

“A… study date. On a Friday night.”

“I asked her to help me graduate so we’re studying together every day until finals week. But! Hear me out on this, because I think it’s pretty damn smart,” looking at her raised eyebrows, he continued. “I’m gonna get my grades up, get my diploma and that’s gonna tell her that I’ve got my shit together, right? And then I’m gonna ask her out, like, actually ask her out after the ceremony.”

“Okay,” she said, the gears turning in her head. “And how does the date that isn’t a date fit into your gameplan?”

“Trial run. I get to figure things out before it’s official and show her that I’d be a decent boyfriend. Plant the seeds in her brain, y’know?”

“You’ve really been thinking about this a lot, haven’t you?” he shrugged, the corners of his lips twitching upwards. Chrissy smiled at him, a proper smile, all toothy and warm and kind. “I think it’s very sweet that you are taking things slow and putting in the effort. And you know, you’re actually a good friend too and I also want you to be happy, so I hope everything works out for you two.”

“Thanks,” he scratched his neck, weirdly emotional at the fact that Chrissy had so much faith in him to not fuck this up. “Also thanks for the, uh, sizing help? She’s wearing the shirt today so…”

“I’m glad I could help! It was a great idea, I’m sure she feels like things are a bit more official now. Kinda sad she’s not gonna be in the yearbook with you guys.”

“Wait, what? Why not?”

“They already took the club pictures back in February, remember? They’re gonna start printing the yearbooks next week.”

He didn’t even register that Chrissy was still talking as the thought popped into his head and refused to go away. Dottie wasn’t gonna be in their yearbook photo. No one would ever know that she’d been part of The Hellfire Club, except those who had been there with her. She had the shirt to advertise to the entire school that she belonged with them now, but shirts got old and holey and one day she was gonna have to stop wearing it and there would be no proof anywhere that she’d once slayed hordes of pixies, helped throw a dragon egg hatching ritual, and freed enslaved half-orcs with her friends. No one would ever grab the Hawkins High School Class of ‘86 yearbook and think that she’d been happy with them. She’d be just another face in the senior class section, an unassuming picture taken a month after she moved to Hawkins and was still spending her lunch periods alone in the library or at the back of the cafeteria with her headphones on.

Without so much as a glance at his friend, Eddie rushed to the table and started gathering his things into his arms, frantically searching through his lunchbox for a little bag of weed that was already packed and prepared to be sold. Chrissy looked at him like he’d suddenly lost his mind, the previously quiet and introspective boy now full of nervous energy. He shoved the baggie into his right front pocket and bolted out of the woods, movements rough, long legs trying to catch up with his torso.

“Eddie! Eddie! What’s wrong?” she called after him, watching his back get further away from her as he ran back towards the school grounds.

“Gotta catch someone before he leaves, sorry! See you around, okay? Have fun at your cheer thing!”

“Thanks!” said Chrissy to the wind, still sitting on the wooden picnic table.

She looked at her wristwatch, a gift from her grandparents when she turned 18. Realizing she still had 10 minutes to spare before anyone would start wondering where she was, she relaxed into her seat, enjoying the particular kind of high that sharing a joint with Eddie in the woods always brought to her. Maybe he’s right, Chrissy thought, lowering her back onto the surface and looking at the fluffy clouds above her. Maybe I do need to start speaking up. Just gotta figure out what I want to say first.

“Foster! Long time no see, bud,” Eddie grinned at the brunet boy walking out of the Yearbook Club room.

“What do you want, Munson?” he replied, his eyes shifting back and forth from the older boy to the bathroom doors at the end of the hallway.

“You know what I want.”

“I’ve already told you that you’re wrong, I don’t owe you shit,” the boy’s voice dropped to a harsh whisper.

Kyle Foster was a lanky boy with brown floppy hair and blue eyes that was sufficiently popular to get himself a spot in the prom planning committee, but not popular enough to be welcomed into the upper echelon of Hawkins High. He was used to being on the sidelines and, as a part of the Yearbook Club, he was privy to all kinds of gossip, making him a very valuable person to keep in your back pocket if you were looking to climb the social ladder.

He also happened to be a terrible customer, having gone through at least three different dealers before Eddie took pity on him and agreed to sell to him on the condition that he always paid him back within two weeks. For a while, their arrangement worked, even if Kyle took the liberty of paying in installments through the vents of Eddie’s locker. Things would change, however, during a particularly crowded party back in December where the super senior had gotten an influx of new customers around his van looking for a way to disappoint their parents and have fun with friends, allowing Kyle to slip away unnoticed without coughing up the twenty bucks for his preferred illicit substance.

“Is that why you keep sending your friends to buy from me instead of asking me yourself? Because you don’t owe me shit?” he looked at the younger boy while holding his head high, his narrowed eyes dangerous in the shitty school lighting. Kyle swallowed nervously. “Lucky for you, I’m willing to forget this whole thing ever happened if you do me a favor.”

“What kind of favor?”

“I need you to replace a picture for me in the Yearbook before you send it off for printing.”

“You’re insane,” Kyle shook his head. “I’m not getting into trouble for a few bucks.”

“Look, I’m gonna be honest with you, Foster. I’m not planning a fucking prank here, okay? I just need you to update the Hellfire Club’s photo before you print the damn yearbooks. You’d be making two sweet girls very happy if you did.”

“What girls?” he squinted at Eddie, fully believing that everything that was coming out of his mouth was a lie.

“Come to Hellfire today to take the new photos and you’ll find out. Hell, I’ll even throw one of these in if you keep our deal quiet,” Eddie pulled out the small weed baggie from his pocket and shook it above his head, making Kyle instantly whip around to see if anyone was nearby to witness and snitch on their conversation.

“Put that shit away, Munson, goddamnit!”

“Do we have a deal or not?”

“Fine, fine, I’ll do it. Just swap the old photo for the new one, right? And no one besides your little cult finds out?”

“And add some names to the list of members. We’ve had a few changes in the last month.”

“Alright. I’ll… I’ll borrow a camera from someone in the Photography Club and be there in thirty. You tell anyone about this and I’m throwing you to the wolves.”

“Always knew you were a reasonable man, Foster,” Eddie patted his shoulder a few times and felt the boy flinch under his heavy touch. He slipped the baggie into his jean pocket again and grinned. “You’ll get this after I see the requested changes made it into the yearbook. Pleasure doing business with you.”

Dottie hurried along the deserted hallways, feeling extremely guilty that she was running late for Hellfire for the first time since she joined the club. She was only five minutes behind schedule, but she was so used to being there at least half an hour early to help Eddie and Dustin set everything up that she felt like she was extra late. Out of breath, she pushed open the doors, apologies burning her tongue while she took in the scene before her.

“There she is!” Gareth exclaimed, taking her folder and backpack into his arms and throwing everything onto a chair.

“Come on, hurry up!” Dustin said, putting his hands on her shoulders and pushing her towards the wall where everyone else was lined up, round Hellfire plate hanging high above their heads.

“W-what’s going on?” she asked, dumbfounded.

“Yearbook photos!” Donny explained excitedly, pulling her to his side to pose to the camera.

“But I thought they already took them back in February,” Dottie said.

“I asked for new ones,” Eddie admitted, looking sheepish. “I wanted you and Erica in the yearbook with us, wouldn’t have felt right if you weren’t there.”

“Aw, Eddie, you didn’t hav-”

“Yeah, yeah, you can make eyes at each other later. Are we gonna take these photos now so we can finally play or are we gonna keep standing here like we’re waiting in line at the bank?” Erica said, impatient as ever.

“Alright, let’s huddle up,” Kyle made a hand gesture to settle everyone down. “On my count, say cheese… or whatever.”

Kyle counted down to three and with two quick flashes, it was over. The Hellfire Club had a new picture to show off in the ‘86 yearbook. He frowned as he lowered the camera, looking at the strange group in front of him. This was going above and beyond what he’d bargained for in his deal with Eddie but the perfectionist side of him won the battle in his brain; the Yearbook was a labor of love and he wasn’t about to ruin it with a shitty half-assed photo.

“Can we take another one that doesn’t look like I’m holding everyone at gunpoint?” he lifted an eyebrow pointedly.

“Sure, man, we can, uh… We can borrow some chairs like we did last year,” said Eddie, looking at Jeff who was standing to his side.

“Or we can use props maybe?” the boy supplied, brainstorming on the spot. “Our books and stuff?”

“Jesus Christ,” Kyle muttered under his breath. “Alright, just… Hold this for me, kid?” he shoved the borrowed camera into Dustin’s hands and spinned around the props room, eyes narrow as he searched for what he was looking for. “Let’s move that chair under the sign,” he instructed, pointing to Eddie’s throne.

Mike and Eddie immediately sprung to action, moving the throne to his desired place. Kyle busied himself with throwing various props into Gareth’s outstretched arms: an old pair of plastic swords, a crown, a jester’s cap, a red cape. He began moving people around like they were his own personal Barbie dolls, telling them to sit or stand in a particular place and giving them things to hold or wear. There was a low buzz around the room, like everyone was on the same page for once and in agreement that a boring photo would never do for their particular club. Once he was done, he grabbed the camera from Dustin’s careful hands and stepped back to observe his creation.

Eddie sat on his throne, a dark hooded cape on his shoulders and a plastic skull that had seen better times during a Hamlet production in his heavily ringed left hand. To his left stood Mike, holding matching swords with Jeff who stood to Eddie’s right. Between Eddie’s open legs, sitting on the floor was Dustin, wearing a blue, white and yellow jester’s cap with bells, and a friendly grin that could light up the entire room. Near Mike was Erica, a school flag tied around her neck like a superhero cape and a dainty tiara on her head, and Gareth, holding a knight’s helmet under his arm like it was a basketball. To Jeff’s right was Donny looking like he was having the time of his life with his red cape with furry white trim and a golden scepter. Dottie stood between them to the front, a gorgeous silver crown with red plastic jewels on top of her curls and a crystal orb between her two hands. Kyle lifted up the camera to his face.

“Okay everyone, huddle up again please!” he waited for everyone to get in position and snapped a picture. “One more, look dramatic! Alright, last one, go wild!”

At his command, Dustin contorted on the floor like a puppet on strings, Mike and Gareth lifted Erica up like she was a princess being carried by her loyal subjects, and Jeff and Donny pretended to be in a fierce fight, sword and scepter crossed in the air between them. Dottie looked at Eddie who was locked in a staring competition with his skull friend and acted quickly before her sudden burst of confidence disappeared, letting herself drop on the arm of his throne and holding her orb up with two hands, one on top and one on the bottom like she was about to divinate someone’s future. Eddie glanced at her completely-in-character wicked grin, and immediately schooled his features to look more like hers, let his right arm curl around her hip and draped himself on the chair like a king drunk on power. Two more quick flashes and Kyle lowered the borrowed camera, smiling with the knowledge of someone who is aware has done a great job.

While everyone busied themselves putting the props back in their places, Eddie gave Kyle a list with the names of the club’s new members to replace the previous one and walked him out with a grin on his face. When he returned, everyone was already in their seats, waiting for the week’s adventure to commence. Eddie lowered himself back on his throne and noticed that Dottie, sitting to his right as she always did during Hellfire, had taken off her pale yellow cardigan and was now fully matching with everyone else at the table. He looked down at his notes, took a deep breath and began his performance.

“We left off last week with Mozikith, Seebo and Tharivol trying to lie their way into a secret fight ring to track down Dedlock, Orfuel’s last known drug dealer and former fling,” he narrated, watching Mike, Dustin and Jeff sit up at their character names being mentioned.

“Mozikith, I believe you were about to snort a mysterious powder to prove yourself as trustworthy to her bouncers, is that correct?”

“Yes,” said Mike, locking eyes with his DM.

“Wait, hold on, is this really the best choice we have?” Dustin said, watching Eddie’s eyes glinting with barely concealed anticipation.

“Do you or Tharivol have resistance to poison? I didn’t think so. I’m snorting it.”

“That’s not how it works! Green dragonborns have resistance to poison damage, not advantage against getting the condition,” Jeff argued.

“I want to snort the powder,” Mike stood from his chair, putting an end to the debate.

“Alright then. Mozikith, you lower your snout to the table, sniffing the thin line of red powder in front of you and immediately you feel your nostrils start to burn, your eyes tear up, your muscles tense… your magic feels stronger, wilder, bursting to get out,” Eddie smirked at his player. “You just did a bump of high quality R. Cane, your attack spells get an extra 1d6 for the next hour.”

“Holy shit, that’s awesome!”

“You also have to roll a d20 every time you cast a spell for a Wild Magic Surge. If you land anywhere from 1 to 5, something unexpected will happen to you or those around you.”

“YOU ASSHOLE!” Mike screeched while everyone around him dissolved into a fit of giggles, setting the scene perfectly for the intense session that lay ahead of them.

“Can’t believe you got me poisoned because you couldn’t say no to drugs!” Dustin was yelling at Mike while they walked through Hawkins High’s hallways.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t see anyone else snorting the R. Cane so we could get into the basement! How is it my fault you failed your Con save?”

“I told you it was a bad idea! The only reason I had to do a Con save in the first place was because you failed your Wild Magic Surge roll!”

“For fuck’s sake, stop arguing about it, it’s been literal hours!” Jeff complained, trailing behind them.

“I don’t know, man, I’d be pissed if I was unconscious for like half the session,” Gareth said, backing up Dustin’s rage. “He’d still be poisoned if Erica hadn’t saved a spell slot to Lay on Hands him.”

“Thank you, Gareth, exactly my point!”

The sun was beginning to set as they trickled out onto the parking lot, the heated argument between childhood best friends bouncing off the cold pavement at their feet. Mike and Dustin continued bickering all the way towards their chained bikes, and Erica, absolutely certain that they’d keep it up all the way to their homes, hung back with the rest of the group in an attempt to put some healthy distance between herself and the younger teens for the sake of her eardrums.

“Hey, you need a ride?” Donny offered to Dottie while pulling a cigarette out of his pocket. She was standing next to him, unusually quiet, a box of props and figurines in her arms.

“It’s okay, Eddie’s got me,” she said.

“You sure? I’m dropping Jeff and Gareth off too, it’s not a big deal.”

“Yeah, I’m not going home anyways, don’t worry.”

Before anyone could ask where she was heading to on a Friday evening after Hellfire, the school’s front double doors burst open with a loud metallic bang and Eddie jogged up to them, sliding his arms underneath the cardboard box Dottie was holding and propping it on his right hip like a mother would with a toddler.

“Thanks, darling. Thought I was gonna piss myself in there for a second,” he joked, letting his friends know the reason he had stayed behind for a few minutes while everyone else hurried to leave.

“Ew,” she giggled, fishing his keys from her coat pocket and giving them back to their rightful owner. “Ready to bounce?”

“Yup. What are we thinking, pepperoni or sausage?”

“Oh, sausage, always. Can we get half without olives though?”

“Just pick them out and I’ll eat them,” he started guiding her towards his van with a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“Wait, wait, wait, hold on,” Gareth said, eyes narrowing. “You guys are getting pizza without us?”

“Yeah,” Eddie smiled, offering no other explanation to his inquiry.

“Is this supposed to be a date?” Erica asked, her eyebrows rising.

“Eddie’s buying me pizza in exchange for my tutoring services,” Dottie clarified quickly. It was bad enough that her Dad had caught onto her newly discovered crush before she even knew it existed; she didn’t need all her friends knowing about it too. “We’re getting ready for finals week.”

“You’re gonna study on a Friday night,” Gareth deadpanned. “Are you two okay? Didn’t you get enough yesterday?”

“We have a schedule, man, every day until finals start. Even on weekends,” Eddie said.

“On the weekends?”

“Yes, Gareth, that’s exactly what I said. You got any problems with me trying to actually graduate this year?”

“What’s gonna happen to band practice?”

“Are we still on for Wednesday’s study group?” Jeff asked.

“Everything is still on!” Dottie assured them. “We’re just clocking in a few extra hours, really, don’t worry about it, guys. We’re not gonna disappear for the rest of the month and nothing’s changing, I promise.”

“Can we go now? I really wanna eat before she has me reading up on genetics all night.”

“Didn’t know they called it reading up on genetics these days,” Donny muttered, flicking the ash on his cigarette onto the parking lot concrete.

“Ha, ha, very funny,” Eddie deadpanned, fighting the heat that was rising steadily up his throat.

“If we’re still on for study group, do you guys need help?” Jeff offered. “I can take over Bio and Sociology for you, I’m in those classes with him anyways,” he looked at Dottie with a friendly smile.

“I’ve got Sociology covered but if you can help him with Bio, that’d be great. I’m… terrible at Science.”

“I’ll bring my notes then.”

“God, you’re a saint,” Dottie hugged him goodbye before trailing behind Eddie towards the van. “See you guys Monday!”

“Thanks, man,” Eddie said to Jeff, who raised his hand in acknowledgment. “Bye, children!”

They watched the pair get into the van and leave, Dottie waving at their friends through the window as they peeled out of the parking lot. Gareth and Jeff headed to Donny’s car, arguing over whose turn it was to ride shotgun, leaving Donny and Erica standing near the doors, both deep in contemplation. They could still hear Mike and Dustin talking about the session farther away near the bike rack.

“Eddie likes Dottie, right?” Erica asked, eyes never leaving the street in front of them.

“Yup,” Donny said, taking another drag of his cig.

“And he hasn’t told her yet?”

“Nope.”

“And she also hasn’t told him she likes him?”

“She’s harder to read than he is. I’m not sure if she likes him or if she’s just incredibly friendly. Saw a guy hit on her at the video store the other day and she didn’t even react.”

“Oh, she likes him, alright,” the younger girl said, a smirk on her face. Donny turned to look at her. “Just the facts. I’m a girl, I can tell.”

“If you say so,” he laughed, throwing his cigarette butt to the ground and stepping on it. “Don’t tell anyone, though. Let them figure it out on their own.”

“Who do you think I am? Cupid?” she laughed back, heading towards the bikes. “Let me know if anything juicy happens!”

“Yes, ma’am,” Donny saluted her as she walked away.

He watched how she finally wrangled the bickering 15 year olds onto their bikes and got in his car, Gareth already seated happily in his passenger seat. Donny smiled to himself as the engine roared to life, perfectly content in keeping their friends in the dark as long as he and Erica got to gossip about it soon. He couldn’t wait until Monday.

Eddie drove like a maniac. This was a well known fact to his friends and the general Hawkins population; he liked his van to go fast and his music to play loud. The boys were used to hanging on tight when he flew over potholes or barely slowed down at deserted corners on their way back from The Hideout, and his neighbors didn’t complain anymore when he pulled into the trailer park at odd hours, metal music making their window panes rattle in the dark of the night. And yet, whenever Dottie was sitting prettily to his right, her backpack between her feet on the floor and the seatbelts he hardly ever used when she wasn’t there clicked on safely, Eddie found himself slowing down at every intersection and keeping his favorite songs down to a low rumble. He hadn’t noticed his preferred style of driving could be fear-inducing until the first time he drove her home.

Dottie’s dad picked Gareth up every morning on their way to school, and the two teens took the bus together at the end of the day to go home. Gareth got off first, and three stops later, Dottie only had to walk only half a block to reach her own house. It had been pouring that day, the kind of rain that drenched your jeans and ruined your sneakers if you dared to stand outside for more than a few seconds. Eddie hurried both friends into the safety of his van before they could even argue about waiting for the bus, and in the short blocks between dropping Gareth off and pulling up to Dottie’s driveway, he saw her white knuckles holding onto the worn fabric of the seat, her wide eyes fixated on the wet road in front of them. She had trembled a little when she got out, and while he didn’t know if it was because of the cold or if she was trying to shake off the intense fear of death he had instilled in her with his need for speed, Eddie had never again driven like that with her sitting next to him. Gareth had made fun of him for it once: called him a Grandma, said he was getting soft. Eddie was just thankful she had trusted him enough to get in his van again after that terrible first ride.

He liked driving her around. He liked taking his time through the streets, pointing stuff out to her, telling her stories about various places around town. He liked answering her questions, hearing her little comments like how she loved when houses painted their front doors in bright colors like red or yellow, or catching her gasps whenever they stopped at a traffic light and the car next to them had a dog inside, all furry, tongue out and tail wagging at her through two layers of glass. Eddie liked how she pretended she wasn’t flustered when he put his hand behind her headrest while he backed his van into a parallel parking spot, just like he was doing at that moment outside the pizza parlor.

“Come on, princess, cheese awaits,” he said, helping Dottie jump off her seat as an excuse to hold her hand for a few seconds.

“Thank you, kind sir,” she played along, always happy to indulge him.

“You been here before?”

Dottie took in the bright neon sign above them, colorful letters spelling New York Pizza and warm light spilling out of the big windows at the front of the building. She shook her head, all smiley and cozy, her hand tightening on his as she trailed behind him and into the shop. Eddie allowed her a few seconds of marvel before tugging her into an empty booth away from the few families enjoying their Friday night out.

“I didn’t even know this place was here, we always order in from Domino’s or go to Donny’s,” she said, tugging her jacket off and setting it on top of her backpack.

“Don’t get me wrong, Domino’s is great, but this place has better cheese and it’s cheaper than Donny’s. It’s a shame they don’t have delivery,” he explained, pushing the menu across the table. “It opened last year at the mall but they moved here when it burned down.”

“Oh, yeah, I heard about that. Dustin said they were inside Starcourt when that happened.”

“Yeah, I don’t really know the whole story. Mike doesn’t like talking about it. I think they knew some of the people that died in there.”

“That’s… Jesus, that’s terrible,” she shook her head like she was trying to get an awful mental image out of her brain. It didn’t go away. “Poor kids. I’m glad it didn’t really affect them, they seem so… carefree, I guess?”

“A lot of weird stuff has happened in Hawkins in the past few years, I think most of us just don’t think about it anymore,” he tapped on the menu in her hand. “What are you drinking?”

“We should buy a big bottle at the gas station, it’d be cheaper than getting individual cans here.”

“Don’t think they’ll let us bring our own drinks in, princess,” he chuckled.

“I thought…,” she trailed off. “Didn’t know we were eating here.”

“You wanna go home?”

Eddie hadn’t thought of the possibility of her not wanting to go out with him for such a simple thing as pizza and now his hands were sweating so badly he was sure that if he wiped them on his jeans, his thighs would feel damp. Of course she doesn’t wanna be here, he thought. That lady in the corner has been staring since we sat down, she must think I kidnapped Dot or something. As soon as she heard his unsure tone, her eyes snapped from the menu up to his, finding them wide open like a deer’s seconds before tragedy struck.

“No, no, it’s okay!” Dottie hurried to erase his apparent panic. “I just thought we were gonna buy the pizza and go back to yours, have dinner with your Uncle, y’know?”

“Oh,” he looked confused. “Wayne’s not home, he has his union meetings on Fridays before work. But we can leave if you’re uncomfortable, we don’t-”

“Eddie,” she extended her arm across the table, resting it between them. “I’m not uncomfortable, I just thought we were including Wayne in our pizza night. I wanna stay. This place is great, thank you for inviting me here.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah,” he finally smiled back.

A tired-looking middle aged lady with a tag that read “Margot” came by their table to take their order (“A medium sized sausage pizza, one Sprite and one Coke, please.”), and they settled into companionable silence, watching their pizza dough being tossed around through the long kitchen window behind the counter. They talked about the still fresh D&D session until warm food finally arrived at the table, Dottie complained about a jock in her AP Spanish class asking stupid questions he definitely should have asked weeks ago and not now when they were so close to the final exam while picking out olives from her slice and piling them onto Eddie’s, they argued about who was gonna pay and settled on splitting the bill even though he had definitely eaten more slices than she had, and Eddie admitted that he had been taking naps during the free periods he didn’t share with her on the drive to his trailer.

They sheltered themselves from the cold by camping out in his living room and sitting side by side on the couch, books and notes spread out all around them. Dottie decided that Biology was too hard to tackle without Jeff and they proceeded to spend a good chunk of the night going through a bunch of wrinkled Calc worksheets Eddie had found at the back of his locker that he probably should have submitted a while ago. She fell asleep reading her World History textbook, her sock-covered feet resting on Eddie’s lap while he sketched out a bowl of imaginary fruit for his Drawing class final portfolio, the radio on in the background tuned into Wayne’s favorite oldies station.

A few minutes before midnight, Eddie helped a sleepy Dottie into his van to take her home, her backpack on the floor tucked between her legs and an old knitted blanket around her shoulders. When he pulled out of the trailer park, music low, speed gentle, seatbelts on, he risked a glance at her snoozing form only to find that she was wide awake and looking at him.

“Why did you think I was uncomfortable at the pizza place?” her voice was almost a whisper.

“Dunno,” he admitted. “We’ve never done that before. Go out to eat by ourselves, I mean.”

“So?”

“People were staring. Didn’t want you to feel weird.”

“Don’t care.”

“Huh?” he slowed down at the corner of Maple Street and turned to look at her. She was still looking right at him.

“I don’t care if people stare. I know what Hawkins thinks of Hellfire, and it’s dumb. This shirt’s cool.”

“It’s not about Hellfire or the shirt. It’s about me,” he said, more serious than she had ever seen him. “This is what it’s like being around me. I’m the good-for-nothing Munson boy, and people stare.”

“Don’t care,” Dottie shuffled in her seat and tucked her knees under her chin, turning her body towards him. “They’re dumb and you’re cool. Their loss if they can’t see that.”

Eddie continued driving in silence, music barely audible, never going above minimum speed. He pulled into her driveway quietly, busied himself folding the blanket she left behind as she hopped out and rounded the van searching for her keys in her backpack’s front pocket. She stopped at his window, motioning for him to roll it down.

“We should do this again,” she said. “Next Friday?”

“Yeah? I know a place on Mulberry that has tacos,” his voice was soft, kind. Vulnerable. Happy.

“Oh, I love tacos.”

“I know.”

“Good. Tacos next Friday then.”

“Tacos next Friday. Until tomorrow after lunch, princess.”

“See you tomorrow,” she pulled her sleeves over her hands as she walked to her front door, and Eddie heard her muttering to herself after a big yawn. “Can’t believe he thought I would ever be uncomfy with him. Dumbass.”

He waited until she was safely inside to drive away, let out the biggest sigh of his life at the first stop sign he encountered, and finally drifted off to sleep after smoking a joint, all wrapped up in the cozy blanket that had kept her warm in his van, old thick yarn keeping away the cold spilling into his room from the open window. And if Wayne found his sleeping nephew still tangled in that same blanket when he came back home after work, no one had to know.

taglist (let me know if you wanna be tagged!): @munsonology

#bunny writes #small town fic #eddie munson x female character #eddie munson x oc #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson fic #eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #hellfire club #gareth stranger things #jeff stranger things #dustin henderson #mike wheeler #erica sinclair #chrissy cunningham #stranger things 4 #joseph quinn #eddie munson fluff #baby's first fic

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complicatedchelsea · 1 year ago

Text

Fallen Through Time For You

Chapter Twelve: Built This House of Memories

Masterlist:

(gif not mine)

(Sydney's POV)

Halloween 1986

“Are you sure we can’t talk you into going, Stevie?” Eddie teased as we waited for Robin to come out of Steve’s house. It was Halloween and Robin insisted she had to get ready at Steve’s because her parents couldn’t know that she was going to party and what she chose to wear would give her mother a ‘heart attack’.

Steve crossed his arms from where he was leaning against the doorway, the sound of the younger ones yelling from the TV room was very prominent. “And leave the kids alone in my house? I think not.”

“Mom doesn’t want to go trick or treating this year?” I teased as I peered through the doorway to see them bickering over a movie.

They had all decided they were too old to go trick or treating, but too young to get any invites to a high school party. With one look from Dustin and Max, Steve had offered up his house for a horror movie marathon, refusing to go to a high school party when Robin offered. Eddie jumped at the suggestion saying that parties were a great place to make some cash and talked me into going because I had never gone to any. Plus spending the night with a potentially drunk Robin? What could possibly happen?

“Fuck off,” Steve laughed as he nudged me. “Those kids in there couldn’t pay me to go trick or treating with them.” He looked Eddie and I up and down. “I’m surprised he managed to talk you into going.”

“More like she wasn’t going to let me go by myself,” Eddie said as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Do you like our costumes? Sid picked them out.”

“She is right here, thank you very much.” I said with a laugh as Eddie twirled me away from him, dress flaring out. “I couldn’t resist.”

“Are they being gross again?” Robin asked as she made her way towards the door, fixing a generic witch hat over her hair. “I won’t be able to put up with it tonight.”

I stuck my tongue out at her. “You’re just jealous because you didn’t ask Vickie to go with you.”

Robin rolled her eyes with a smile. “Can we talk about your costumes instead? What made you think it was a good idea?”

“You saying I can’t pull off white, Buckley?” Eddie asked as he let go of me to sweep his arms out.

Eddie let me have full reign over our costumes this year and I just couldn’t resist the duo. After all the shit that happened back in September and being harassed in public (which thankfully had come to almost a complete stop), I had decided that Eddie should be the opposite of what everyone thought he was. Especially if half of the school was going to try and buy from him tonight, I wanted them to work for it.

I dressed Eddie as an angel. A white, blowy shirt that we definitely took from a pirate's costume, white-tight jeans that showed off his great ass, his white Reeboks that took way too long to clean, and some cheap angel wings we found when we went shopping with Robin. He put his hair up in a loose bun and the whole costume had me flushed since he first walked out of his bedroom with it on.

Since he was an angel, he insisted on me dressing as the devil. A red colored lace dress, fishnets tucked into a pair of Robin’s boots, fake horns on top of my head, and we topped it all off with one of those plastic pitchforks. Robin thought the matching costumes were hilarious, Steve just shook his head with a sigh claiming he put up with our antics enough during the rest of the year.

“You are going to be the talk of Hawkins High tomorrow,” Robin said as she hugged Steve and started towards the van. “I can’t wait to watch the jocks squirm tonight.”

“Call me if there are any problems?” Steve asked us before we left. “I’ll come straight over.”

“Don’t worry,” Eddie said as he clasped Steve’s shoulder. “No one is going to piss off the drug dealer at a party and risk getting thrown out.” Eddie shook his metal lunchbox. “Plus I’ve got my own personal devil watching over me tonight, what could go wrong?”

The party was in full swing when we arrived. Eddie parked further up the block, but we could still hear the music when we got out of the van.

“I’m getting drunk tonight,” Robin said as she put her arm through mine and pulled me towards the house. “I can’t believe this is going to be my last highschool party.”

“Poor Steve is going to have his hands full with you.” Eddie said as he appeared beside me. “You’re not drinking, are you?”

I shook my head. “Even if I liked alcohol, I wouldn’t drink at a highschool party. But no, I’m staying completely sober tonight.”

“I won’t make you drive the van back to Steve’s,” Eddie said as got to the doorway. “If you really wanted to let loose.”

I shrugged. “Alcohol just makes me tired, plus I really don’t fancy my first time getting drunk at a highschool party. Have you seen what they do to the punch? No thank you.”

Eddie just smiled and pushed us through the door. The party was in full swing, music blaring and party-goers dancing around the house. We were barely three steps into the house when one of the Hellfire guy’s caught Eddie.

“Eddie!” He yelled and went in for a hug, punch sloshing out of his cup that Eddie had to avoid. “You made it!”

Eddie laughed and patted him on the shoulder before using that arm to pull me closer. “Wouldn’t miss it. The rest of the boys here?”

He nodded his head towards the back of the house. “Jeff and Gareth have already set a spot on the back porch for you.” Grant nodded our way. “Robin and Sydney! Looking good!”

Robin rolled her eyes with a smile, “I bet you're telling everything lucky lady that tonight.” She looked past them and waved to someone further down the hall. “That is my cue. Find me in a bit?”

Eddie shook his head. “No need. Sweetheart,” Eddie jerked his head towards me. “Keep an eye on that one for me? Come find me in a while, maybe we can scare one of the jocks?”

Eddie wiggled his eyebrows but laughed as Grant started pulling him towards the back of the house and leaving Robin and I to our own devices. I heard Grant give Eddie some shit about his costume and I watched Eddie just shrug his shoulders with a laugh.

“So alcohol?” Robin asked as she took my hand and led me towards the kitchen. We pushed past plenty of sweaty people, a few that Robin knew and a few that sent me some dirty looks. In the kitchen, there were a handful of people surrounding an orange looking punch bowl, and with one swing from a cup I could see the disgust on Robin’s face.

“I told you so, babe.” I said, trying to hold back a laugh. “Was it worth it?”

“Shut up,” Robin muttered as she poured herself another cup. “Let’s go have some fun.”

Robin’s definition of fun was to find the rest of her band friends and proceed to get tipsy as they played different card games. After losing UNO to Vickie again, I left Robin at her side and decided it was time to find Eddie. I hadn't heard anything come from the back of the house, but I missed him. I was expecting a bit more of his presence tonight and possibly getting a few kisses by the angel before the night was over.

When I pulled the sliding door and stepped onto the back deck, I could see the Hellfire boys rough-housing in the yard. Turning to my left, I could see Eddie in all of his “angel” glory sitting on the railing, metal lunchbox sitting next to him as some girl dressed as a cheerleader was handing him some cash.

“Are you sure I can’t get a discount?” I heard her ask as I walked over. “Surely with how you are dressed tonight you can’t be a little gracious?”

I humphed as I got closer to the pair, making myself and my disgust to the statement known.

Eddie smiled widely and held out a hand as I passed the girl to help me up on the railing next to him. I intertwined our fingers and used my other hand to wave at the girl. “Are we done here?”

She crossed her arms, pom-poms swishing with the motion. “And who do you think you are?”

I let my smile turn a little sharper and crossed my legs. “Ever heard of the phrase “angel on your shoulder”? Well I’m the “devil of this railing” and I suggest you’d pay the angel or move on.”

“He doesn’t belong to you,” She snarled. “He can do whatever he likes. If he wants to give me a discount, he can give me a discount.”

I laughed and turned to look at Eddie. “Do you not belong to me, baby?”

Eddie leaned forward,a manic grin on his face as he pressed his lips to mine in what I’d call a very possessive gesture. When he pulled back, his hand tugged me closer so I was pressed up against him, his hand falling to squeeze my thigh. “It’s written right here on my wrist, so I’d say I belong to her. Now are you going to pay full price or not?”

She gave him the money with a huff, making her way back inside and slamming the sliding door back closed. Eddie chuckled and tossed the money into his lunchbox before turning his attention back towards me.

“Having fun?”

I shrugged. “I missed you. There’s only so much I can take from drunk nerds and their card games.”

Eddie laughed and leaned forward to press his face into my neck, his nose rubbing against me. “I missed you too, sweetheart. I’ve been so lonely without my other half tonight.”

“Anyone give you any trouble?” I asked as he sat back up, a loving smile on his face as he looked at me.

“Just you,” he said as he closed the lunchbox. “I think I’ve sold enough for the night. Gotta keep enough for my regular’s tomorrow.”

A yell from the yard drew our attention as we watched Grant and Jeff try to dog pile on top of Gareth. They landed in a pile, resounding groans coming from them as the rest of the party goers continued around them.

“So,” Eddie started to get my attention. I watched him check his watch, “We have almost two hours before we said we’d get Robin home. Do you wanna check on her and maybe find an empty room and give you the full party experience?”

“Edward Munson,” I gasped mockingly and pressed my free hand to my chest. “How easy do you think I am?”

Eddie’s face turned red and he gently shoved me as he jumped down. “It’s your mind that went to the gutter! I was suggesting getting high-my true party experience bu-”

I leaned forward to kiss him and stop whatever train of thought that was about to come out of his mouth.

“How about this?” I asked as I pulled back to see the dopey look on his face. I flushed slightly at the thought that I was the one to pull that expression out of him. “Let’s go check on Robin and just maybe you can show me some of the highlights of a highschool party?”

Three hours later we had finally gotten a drunk Robin back to Steve’s. Eddie helped me drag her to the couch and I took off her boots as Eddie went to collect the rest of her stuff from the van.

“I thought you were going to watch her!” Steve said as he pulled a blanket over her. Robin smiled drunkenly from the couch, going on about something Vickie and one of the other girls did in the one hour that Eddie and I was missing.

“We did! It’s not my fault she got talked into shots the one hour that I was occupied!”

“Occupied?” Steve asked with his signature hands-on-his-hips pose. “What could you have possibly been doing?”

When I didn’t answer, Eddie decided it was the perfect moment to enter the room. He was tying his hair back up, exposing all the work I did to his neck.

“What’s all the yelling about?”

Steve took one look at me and how my hair was hiding my neck and to Eddie, his neck now proudly showing off what we got up to in that hour.

“You two,” Steve pointed between us. “Are taking the guest bedroom tonight. If you make any noise to wake me, I will not be happy. Got it?”

“Steve!” I exclaimed as Eddie laughed.

“Don’t worry Stevie,” Robin slurred from the couch. “Vickie talked me into it, just a little bit of Vodka!”

Steve groaned and pressed the palms of hands to his eyes. “This is what’s going to finally kill me.”

Thanksgiving 1986

“Wayne, are you sure there isn’t anything I can do?” I asked from the table. Wayne was stirring a pot on the stove; he had been in the kitchen all day excited to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for the group that was coming tonight. Well, a group that consisted of Max and Steve. After I found out that Steve was going to be alone for Thanksgiving, it didn’t take much to persuade Wayne to invite him over. Same deal with Max, her mom was working the late shift for extra cash and I couldn’t just leave her across the street. Wayne always understood when I made requests like this; taking in Eddie when he had no one else. Wayne knew what it was like to have a mismatched family.

“I could at least-”

Wanye didn’t hesitate to send me the look that I had been well acquainted with over the last few months. I thought Eddie was stubborn? Wayne put the man to shame. I had been trying to barter with him all day, to let me do something to help out. But Wayne dug his heels in, claiming that what I made for dessert was going to be good enough. Dinner wasn’t going to be ready for at least another hour, but Steve had already called and said he was on his way, bringing over a movie that he claimed he always watched at this time when he was a kid. Max was already over, sitting in front of the TV with Eddie watching an episode of Scooby-Doo and the both of them were already in their PJ’s. It was a Munson tradition to wear PJ’s for the major holidays; Eddie said it was because of the shifts that Wayne used to work when he was younger. Eddie just getting up and Wayne getting ready to go to bed.

“Sweetheart,” Eddie said as he outstretched a hand in my direction. “Please come sit with us. I promise it won’t kill you.”

“I just might if you get gross,” Max said from his side.

“What about you and Lucas?” I asked as I rolled my eyes and left Wayne to his devices to sit with them. I took Eddie’s outstretched hand and he pulled into his lap without warning. Max made a sound of protest and rolled her eyes, but didn’t say anything else as she shared the blanket with the two of us.

“What are you going to do when Steve gets here?” Max asked. “Can four people really fit on this small couch?”

Eddie sent me a mischievous look. “Well he can just sit on your lap then!”

Max snorted. “In your dreams.”

I laughed and Eddie just sighed dramatically and dropped his head to the back of the couch. “I guess he’ll just have to sit on top of you, sweetheart. It’ll be like a Steve and Eddie sandwich.”

I shook my head, the ridiculous image coming to mine. “Please don’t, the couch would just break under our weight.”

Max laughed and tugged on the blanket a bit in warning. “Here comes the good part.”

It was weird, watching an episode of Scooby-Doo a week after it came out when I had seen it from my time, way ahead of its actual air time. There was one week when Eddie was watching Saturday cartoons that I had spoiled the episode by accident because it was one that I had repeatedly seen in my time, but in this present time it was just airing. Eddie had pouted the whole day, refusing to forgive me until I had kissed it out of him later that night.

Eddie was sitting mostly still, one hand rubbing up and down my back and the other messing with my fingers in my lap. I could tell he was excited. This was the first year that Wayne was actually here for the day of the holiday and he had more family over. He had woken me up so excited that morning, kissing every inch of my face as he rattled off all that he had planned. After dinner we were going to go over to the Byers-Hopper house (which came to a shock to no one when El showed up to invite everyone) for dessert, and Eddie had something planned for all the freshmen that he wouldn’t even tell me about.

It wasn’t too much later that there was a knock on the door before the door opened and Steve peered into the living room. “Happy Thanksgiving!”

Max echoed the sentiment with her eyes still glued to the TV as Steve sent the both of us a smile as he shut the door and hung his jacket by the door. “Scooby-Doo again?”

“How many times do I have to tell you, Harrignton?” Eddie mocked as he moved me off his lap to stand up. “If you are going to hate on Scooby-Doo, you won’t be allowed back in this house.”

Wayne made a noise in the kitchen. “Stop terrorizing our house guests! Steve, do you mind helping me with something for a minute?”

My mouth fell open in betrayal as Steve made his way into the kitchen, passing Eddie the movie he brought with him. Max scooted closer to me, laying her head on my shoulder and threading her arm through mine. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“Of course, squirt,” I said as I rested my head on hers. “I wasn’t going to leave all alone next door. You guys are the first family I’ve had in a long time.”

“Me too,” Max admitted to me, but she didn’t dare move her eyes away from the screen. “Since everything, Eddie’s made a point to check in with me, but since you’ve been here it’s like I have an older sister across the road. It’s been nice having someone else to rely on.”

I moved to pull Max into a side-hug. “You’re like the sister I never knew I needed, Max. Anytime you need me, just come straight over. I need you guys just as much as you need me.”

Max didn’t reply verbally, just chose to cuddle closer to me as we watched the episode progress. It wasn’t too much later before Wayne called for dinner, all five of us deciding to sit around the coffee table in the small space.

“So,” Wayne started as he settled into his recliner angled towards the coffee table. He placed his coffee down and set his plate in his lap. “Eds and I have this tradition where we like to say one thing that we are thankful for that happened this year. I’d like to do that this year if everyone is alright with it?”

When none of us complained, Wayne smiled and picked his mug up. “While I have a lot to be thankful for this year, I’m thankful for the health of my nephew. I know that whatever happened during Spring Break was drastic, but I’m eternally grateful that he gets to sit here with me today.”

Wayne smiled at all of us. “Eds?”

Eddie cleared his throat, his face flushing slightly as he looked around the table and his gaze settled on me. He reached his hand over to grasp mine. “I’m thankful that I finally got to meet you this year, sweetheart. While it wasn’t the best circumstances, I’m so glad that I was able to have you in life. Even though you’ve only been here a few months, these have been the best months I’ve ever had.”

I squeezed his hand back. “I’m thankful that I was able to be with you, too. For whatever that brought me here, I have to be thankful that they brought me to you. My life was so boring without you, Eddie. And now I can’t imagine a day without you. You’ve given me a better family than I’ve ever had.”

Eddie sent a wide smile.

Max cleared her throat. “Can I go now?”

It was two hours later that we found ourselves at the Byers-Hopper house. Wayne chose to stay back, wanting to watch the game and turn in early before his shift. He looked so happy as he hugged us bye, making us promise that we would bring him a piece of pie back.

He stopped me just before I walked out, everyone already waiting in Steve’s car with Max arguing over the radio. “I wanted you to know that I’m thankful for you too, Sydney. With you being here, I’ve never seen Eddie so happy. You’re a part of this family now and for every future holiday.”

“Wayne,” I said as I felt my throat get thick with emotion. “You’re my family too. I’m so thankful that you took one look at me and decided I would be a part of your family.”

I was now sitting on the porch swing like I did my very first night, but this time I was watching through the window as most of everyone was laughing in the living room, some movie that Will put in was playing on the TV. Eddie had his journal in hand, Will and Jonanthan at his side as he made gestures to some conversation I couldn’t hear. I was okay with sitting out here to watch them for a bit, the love I was feeling making my chest feel full.

“Sydney?” I turned to see El standing at the doorway. “Can I join you?”

I patted the seat next to me as El joined me on the swing, spreading a blanket over us that I didn’t see her bring out. “What are you doing out here?”

“I just needed a moment,” I said as I started to push us, El curling up beside me. “This is the first happy Thanksgiving I’ve had in a long time. No fighting, no passive-aggressive comments. I just needed a moment to soak it all in out here.”

“This is the first Thanksgiving I’ve had with everyone together,” El said. “Last year we were in California and while it was nice being with Joyce and Jonathan and Will, I missed Dad so much. I keep waiting for something to happen.”

“Me too, kiddo.” I said as I moved an arm to bring her into a side hug. “Nothing’s going to happen to us, all those people in that room would lie down their lives for you.”

“You too,” El argued. “You are just as important. We are all important to each other.”

I didn’t bother to argue with her and just kept swinging us. El was quiet for a few moments, following my gaze through the window. Joyce and Hopper had made their way into the living room, Hopper’s arm around Joyce as she laughed at something Steve said.

“Dad says that he’s your guardian now, like he’s mine.” El said as she peered up at me.

I nodded. “Murray had to have a paper trail follow me here. The only way that he could do that is if he had me “placed” in Hopper’s care. Are you okay with it?”

El’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

I shrugged. “I’m used to people not wanting me.”

El sighed. “Well we both now have people that want us. Does that make you scared?”

“It does.” I paused. “There are some days that I am scared that I will wake up back in my old life and have no way to get back to Eddie.”

El shook her head. “I’d never let that happen. I’d find you anywhere that you’d go to.”

I hugged her closer to me. “I know you would.”

El sat up, determination etched into her face. “I don’t think you do, that’s why you are sitting out here. Away from everyone. You are a part of this family, Sydney. You are my sister just like Hopper is my dad. We are not related by blood, but that doesn’t matter.”

I pulled El into a strong hug, her arms coming around me to hold me just as tough. I let her break the hug, pulling back to wipe some of the tears that gathered under her eyes.

“If I wanted to have a family dinner, would you come?” El asked. “Just us and Dad?”

“You could make it a weekly thing and I’d be there.” I said as El smiled and tugged me off the swing.

I followed her into the house with no complaints, only being stopped as Hopper pulled the both of us into a hug. Eddie was waiting for me on the couch, arms wide as I sat in his lap.

“Are you okay?” He asked me quietly so no one else would hear.

I looked around at the group in the living room. Steve and Robin taking the other end of the couch and throwing popcorn at each other, Dustin and Lucas arguing on the floor in front of the TV, and Joyce and Hopper sharing a mug between them.

“I feel really loved,” I answered as I snuggled closer to him. “Thank you for letting me be a part of this.”

Eddie pressed a kiss against my cheek in response and just tightened his arms around me. “Thank you for wanting to be a part of it.”

Christmas 1986

When I came to, it was to Eddie’s humming and the soft touch of his hands down my back. I laid there for a moment, soaking it in and wondering how I got so lucky that I could wake up to this now. That Eddie shared his touch so easily with me, like we couldn’t survive without each other. When I opened my eyes, I became aware of our placement. Sometime during the night, Eddie had ended up on his back, myself draped over him and curled to his chest. Eddie’s head was leaned back on to his pillow with his eyes closed but looking completely content in the moment.

His eyes peaked open and glanced down at me. When he saw that I was awake, his humming abruptly stopped as a wide smile stretched across his lips. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

I couldn’t help but grin back. “Happy first Christmas, baby.”

His eyes brightened in excitement. “Shit, it is our first Christmas. How does it feel?”

“Just waking up with you is making it number one for me,” I enjoyed the way Eddie’s face flushed.

He groaned and his arms moved from around me to cover his eyes. “Do you have to be so sweet in the morning?”

I moved to straddle his lap and pouted at him. “You won’t let me be sweet on you at Christmas?”

Eddie peaked his eyes out of his arms. “Are you really asking me that, sweetheart?”

Before I could process, Eddie had flipped us, me underneath him as he straddled me now, moving his hands to my hips as he leaned down to kiss at my face, his curly hair tickling my neck. I laughed as he squeezed at my sides, legs kickin to get him off of me.

“Eddie” I laughed out. “Get off of me!”

“That’s not my name, sweetheart.” Eddie sang as his kisses became more sloppy and moved down to my neck.

“Baby,” I relented as I pushed my hands into his hair, still giggling. “Please!”

Eddie’s hands stopped and slid up to cup my face. “Was that so hard?”

I shoved at him before he caught my hands and held them over my head as he leaned down to give me a proper kiss. I sank back into the pillows, too occupied with his mouth to form a smartass remark.

A banging on the bedroom door broke us apart, Eddie’s face hiding in my neck as I felt the heat that came off his cheek from his embarrassment.

“Kiddos! I made breakfast!” Wayne shouted from the other side of the door. “Come out so we can celebrate Christmas!”

I giggled quietly as Eddie groaned in my neck before he sat up in my lap. I raised myself onto my elbows as he stretched his arms over his head before looking down at me. I felt myself flush under his gaze. “What?”

He smiled before rolling off of me and standing next to the bed to help me up. “Just looking at you, sweetheart. Just looking at you.”

Similar to their Thanksgiving traditions, the Munson’s had their fair share of Christmas traditions. Wayne made a huge real breakfast in the morning, pancakes from scratch that barely took any begging from Eddie to have chocolate chips in them. Eddie turned the TV to a channel that was showing kid’s cartoons, claiming that when Wayne worked the night shift he would come home and watch a few cartoons with Eddie before opening gifts and heading to bed. Some Scooby-Doo episode played on the TV as Eddie made sure I was comfortable before heading to help Wayne in the kitchen. I couldn’t even complain before Eddie was throwing a blanket on top of me and giving me a mug of hot chocolate with a look that said not to move.

When breakfast was finished, Eddie returned with two plates stacked high with pancakes and just downed in syrup. “Are you trying to give me diabetes?”

Wayne laughed as he dropped into the recliner next to me, his plate stacked just as high but missing the sugary syrup. “I don’t know how he doesn’t have it already with all the sugar he eats.”

I pouted as Edddie sat next to me, fixing the blanket in my lap and moving my mug to the coffee table.”You eat all this sugar but won’t let me be sweet on you?”

Wayne let out a gruff laugh as Eddie’s face turned red and instead of replying he just shoved a bag of pancake in his mouth.

Eddie could barely wait for Wayne and I to finish breakfast, bouncing on the touch and taking the plates to the kitchen to soak while Wayne sat up with a groan and headed towards the tiny tree in the corner of the living room. It was a whole event to get the Christmas tree up. I had never had a real Christmas tree before with my father being allergic, and Wayne had just pulled the most offended face and we went that day to get one. When Wayne had left for work that night, Eddie and I spent hours decorating the TV and different parts of the trailer with Metallic playing on low. Eddie had demanded that we spent the night watching Christmas movies and combating the coldness of the trailer.

Now, in the present watching Wayne open the gift that the kids picked out, it felt like my first real Christmas. No being forcibly woken up to cook breakfast or either being given the cold shoulder because the gift wasn’t deemed “expensive” enough. But now, watching Eddie as he pulled out another Garfield mug to add to the collection, this felt like an actual Christmas.

“Now,” Wayne started as he put the rest of the wrapping paper in a trash bag. “I have one more gift for you, kiddo. It’s not anything special, but I just wanted you to have it.”

Wayne reached into the tree and pulled out a tiny wrapped box. He handed it to me silently, choosing to take a seat on the coffee table in front of me. With a questioning glance at Eddie and one sent back at me, I unwrapped it to find a very tiny white box.

“Wayne-” I started.

“Sydney, just open it.”

Inside the box was a golden key.

“Now I know that you have lived here for months,” Wayne started as I stared down at the key. Is this what I thought it was? “And you’ve been a part of this family since the moment Eddie brought you through that door. But you deserve a key because this is your home and I need you to feel like you are welcome here. No matter what happens kiddo, you always will have a home in this trailer.”

I felt my throat get thick with emotion and tears blurred my vision as I looked at Wayne.

“Are you sure?”

Wayne let out a gruff chuckle and pulled me forward into a tight hug. I wrapped my arms tight around him in return, my new house key pressing harshly into my palm. “Kiddo, there is nothing more I want than you having a place here.”

I laughed wetly and felt Eddie wrap his arms around me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. I was surrounded by my new family, one that I didn’t know how I got so lucky to belong to.

Several hours later, Eddie offered the idea of going on a walk before the sunset and the temperature got too low outside. We left Wayne inside to a sports game and I got to lock the trailer door with my new key, Eddie laughing at my excitement.

Bundled in several layers to ward off the cold, Eddie walked us around until we reached a rusted out playground on the other side of the trailer park. He wasted no time pulling me over to the iced over swings, taking off one his layers to place on the swing before forcing me to sit and push me gently. It started to snow softly around us, the sun becoming more and more amber in the sky, creating a beautiful sunset in the midst of the cold in Hawkins.

“How does this Christmas rank now, sweetheart?” Eddie asked me from behind. His hands gently pushed my upper back, my feet making trails in the packed snow below me. “Is it number one?”

I planted my feet to stop the swinging, making Eddie pause for a moment before his hands left my shoulder and then he was kneeling in front of me. His beautiful brown eyes were glowing in the setting sun, his cheeks rosy against the harsh cold. I moved to take a glove off, wanting to touch his rosy skin with my hands.

“Just waking up with you this morning already made it number one.” I confessed, my breathing coming out in a cloud of fog between us, his breath matching mine. “But I don’t think I’ve ever felt as loved as I have today.”

Eddie smiled widely, biting at his lip as he rested his arms on my dangling legs. “Really?”

In this moment, in front me, Eddie looked so perfect. With the snow gently falling around us and landing in his beautiful curls, to the way he looked at me. An emotion so great swelled in my chest, one that had been slowly building since I woke up here all those months ago. It was burning in my veins, feeling up every inch of me on the inside; fighting to get out and to be known to him.

“I think I’m falling in love with you.” I confessed to him, my quiet voice carrying across the frozen wonderland.

Eddie’s face didn’t change for a moment. His eyes searched mine before his cheeks flushed even more and his smile won out against him biting his lip. He leaned up at me to kiss me so softly, his gloved hands cradling my face like I was the most precious thing he had ever held in his life. The moment was so tender, so sweet, that I felt tears start to swell in my eyes. I had never been held this tenderly, kissed with this much emotion that I could feel it being passed back to me through the mark.

“Sydney.” Eddie breathed as he pulled back and moved his hands from my face. He tore his gloves off in a hurry, his hand searching for my wrist and running his fingers over our mark. “Falling? Sweetheart, I fell for you the moment I saw my name on your wrist. I’ve been in love with you for all of my life, I just hadn’t met you yet. But I can wait for you to catch up, to be completely in love with me. I’ve waited lifetimes for you, what’s a little more?”

For a second time that day, I cried. I leaned down to meet him halfway again, kissing him with what I hoped was every ounce of love I had in my body. Eddie sighed quietly, and the adoration that he felt for me, I could feel that tenfold through the mark. He only pulled back when he needed to breathe and with a mischievous smile, he pulled me down into the snow next to him. Our laughter lighting up the snow-filled sky.

1987

“So no vodka for you,” Steve said as he snatched the bottle out of Robin’s hand and replaced it with a wine glass that I believe was filled with a softer liquor. “I am not having a repeat of Halloween.”

Robin protested at Steve as he sat down next to her on the pool lounger, tugging his bottle of beer closer to his chest.

I felt Eddie’s chest shake into my back as he wrapped his arms tighter around me, grabbing at the blanket that Steve threw overtop of us when he took all of us out here. It was a last minute decision to have a New Year’s Eve party at his house, but Steve wanted to be able to celebrate the new year with the people he loved. Even if that included all the underage ones in the house, watching the ball drop with cups of apple cider that they liked to pretend was alcohol.

Steve, Robin, Nancy, Jonathan, Eddie, and I were all camped out by the pool, drinks in hand as the year was counting down. Nancy talking about how excited she was to be able to graduate and attend Emerson, Robin choosing to take a gap-year to figure out exactly what she wanted to do, and Eddie determined to make ‘87 his year and finally get done with Hawkins High.

“Did you accomplish any of your new year resolutions?” Nancy asked me. “Do you have any in mind for next year?”

I smiled as I cuddled closer to Eddie, feeling his arms tighten around me in return and a kiss being pressed to the back of my head. “As corny as it might sound, I actually think I did. I, ah, I said that I was finally gonna get out there and find people of my own. I was going to try and move out from under my parents and become my own person.” I turned my head to look up at Eddie. “I kind of did all of that in one day, didn’t I?”

Eddie smiled sweetly down at me. “What are you gonna set for this year?”

“Ah, ah.” I said as I waved a finger at him. “I don’t think I should tell you, you might try to steal mine.”

Eddie gasped dramatically and pulled me closer to him, teetering us over the side of the chair. “The betrayal!”

I laughed and heard the sound of groans around us. Nancy cleared her throat and when I looked at her, she was smiling. “As happy as it makes us that you two are happy, I might just wish for a little less PDA this year.”

Steve raised his beer in agreement and Eddie’s mouth dropped open. “We aren’t that bad!”

Jonathan snorted into his cup and Eddie had the audacity to look shocked.

“Baby,” I said as drew his attention towards me. “We are kind of clingy.”

“Clingy?” Eddie repeated and scoffed. “If they think this is clingy then they haven’t seen anything yet.”

Before Nancy could argue, the backdoor slid open with El and Will standing in the doorway. El was bouncing with excitement. “It’s about to start! Come in so you can do the countdown with us.”

Jonathan laughed and pulled Nancy up with him as they started towards the door. With a ruffle of Will’s hair, the three of them disappeared into the doorway. Steve pushed Robin off the chair with a laugh and the two of them bickered as Robin threw an arm around El and they made their way into the house. As I stood up to take Eddie with me, he stopped me.

“Do you think we could stay out here for this?” He asked me as I sat back down in front of him, his hand already reaching for mine. “I want to be able to kiss you and not hear any complaints from there.”

“You know they were just teasing us, right?” I asked him as I let him take my hand. I don’t think there would ever be a day that I wouldn’t not let him take it. “But if you want to stay out here, that’s fine with me.”

Eddie smiled and his cheeks flushed. “No, I know. I just want to be with you for the countdown. Bring the year in together, just us?”

I laughed and leaned into his space to kiss his cheek. “That’s fine with me.”

Eddie settled back against the chair and with grabbing motion towards me, I let him pull me back against his chest. He moved us forward just a bit so he could pull the blanket back over us, and then sighed as he settled down behind me.

“So,” Eddie started, his fingers tracing shapes around my mark. No matter where we were, or where he was touching me, Eddie’s hands always seemed drawn to my mark. “I have to make sure before the new year comes ringing in. I’m your boyfriend, right?”

I let out a surprised laugh but stopped when I realized that Eddie had froze behind me. I moved forward in his lap so I could turn to face him. “Wait, you’re not serious are you? Of course you are, Eddie.”

Eddie’s gaze moved to his lap, his fingers twisting around each other. “It’s just, I didn’t think I asked you?”

“Why wouldn’t you be?” I asked him. “We are soulmates, aren’t we?”

Eddie groaned and pushed his palms against his eyes. “I just got nervous about asking you! I just wanted to make sure that we were going into 1987 being on the same page!”

“Baby,” I sighed softly and moved so I could take his hands away from his eyes and intertwine them with my own. “What’s going on?”

Eddie took a moment to look up at me. “You’ve been here about three months, right?”

I nodded and squeezed his hands. “And?”

Eddie shrugged. “I was just thinking about the future today. It’s about to be the new year. New year means that things are going to be changing. Are you going to go through these changes with me?”

“Baby,” I said as I moved forward to be completely in his lap. “Wherever you go, I go. Whatever we decide to get up to this year, I’m going to be right beside you.”

“Are you scared?” Eddie asked me.

“Not since the day I met you,” I told him and I meant it. Sure, I was worried and had a minor freakout about my predicament. But being with Eddie felt right, being here in 1986 with him I felt more at home than I ever had.

Eddie smiled and we could hear the start of the countdown from inside the house. He wrapped his arms around me, drawing me closer to him with our chests brushing against each other. I felt his warm breath hit my face and the cold air around us seemed to disappear.

“To making ’87 our year,” Eddie murmured against my lips as loud cheers reached our ears. He surged forward to bring his lips completely against mine, kissing me passionately as I heard the noise of some fireworks going off in the distance. When I pulled back, I could see the lights reflecting off his beautiful face.

“I love you,” I breathed into the air between us.

Eddie’s eyes searched mine, his chest rising and falling harshly against mine. When he found what he was looking for, a love-sick smile made its way across his face

“I know,” Eddie muttered.

It took me a moment to process his response before I reared back, leaning as much as I could out of his space with his arms around me. “I know? Eddie, did you just quote fucking Star Wars to me?”

Eddie’s mouth dropped open in amusement and I just pushed against him trying to get out of his lap. “I take it back.”

“Wait!” Eddie laughed as I stood up and wrapped the blanket around me. “Sydney! Don’t walk away! I’m sorry, sweetheart!.”

“It’s too late!” I said dramatically as I pushed away his arm as he tried to stand up. “I can’t believe you quoted Star Wars to me the first time I said I loved you!”

Eddie fell off the chair and grabbed at my ankle as I went to walk towards the house.

“Sweetheart!” Eddie laughed and I could barely keep my laughter in. He knew I wasn’t mad at him, he could feel the adoration I had for him through the mark. “I love you! Please!”

Valentines Day 1987

“Steve!” Robin groaned. “Do not start this now!”

“I’m just saying,” Steve argued back at Robin. “Eddie has the advantage that Sydney is literally his soulmate, she has to like his flirting. That aside, I don’t think Eddie is that good at flirting!”

Currently Eddie and I had gone into Family Video to rent a movie and were sucked into an argument that Steve and Robin were currently having. Steve was laminating about his lack of dates for Valentine’s Day while Robin had blamed it on his horrible flirting.

I snorted and Steve sent me an annoyed look. “I’m sorry Steve. Objectively, I am not going to be able to help with your argument. I can hardly tell when Eddie is flirting half the time.”

Eddie’s mouth dropped open. “I flirt with you all the time!”

I waved my hand. “Point made. Social cues, not really my thing. If Eddie’s name wasn’t on my wrist, I don’t think I would have realized he was it for me until he literally had to spell it out in front of me.”

Eddie gawked at me while Robin tried to hide her laughter behind her hand. “Do you think you could do any better?”

I raised my eyebrows at Eddie. “Is that a challenge?”

Eddie moved to lean his back against the counter, elbows bent and resting there. I moved to step in front of him, Steve and Robin taking a step back from the counter to watch us. I took a moment to gather my thoughts before I let a small smile paint my lips.

“Eddie, baby. Can I hold your hand?”

I heard Steve scoff from behind Eddie, but I paid it no mind as I stepped into Eddie’s space and held my out for him to place his in. Eddie’s eyes were wide, but gave nothing away as he gently placed his hand in mine. I made a point to gently trace a finger around his palm before I flipped his hand over and traced at his knuckles.

“As nice as your hand feels in mine,” I started as I gazed up at him under my lashes trying to hood my eyes. “I think it might feel better wrapped around my neck.”

Eddie sucked in a shocked breath, his face turning very red. I heard Steve sputter and Robin bust into laughter.

“I-uh.” Eddie tried to say as he stood up from his slouched position, but making sure his hand stayed in mine. “Sweetheart?”

Steve threw his hands up and I couldn’t help but giggle as I leaned closer to Eddie.

“Didn’t mean to fluster you, baby.” I said as I dropped his hand and moved to push a rouge hair from his ponytail behind his ear. “Just had to let you see how well I can dish it out.”

Eddie’s other hand came up to rest against his chest, his face still beet red. “You can’t say things like that to me in public, sweetheart.”

Steve slapped a case down on the counter behind Eddie. “That is so not fair. I can’t just say that to a girl!”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Maybe to the ones you are chasing. But the right one? You’ll have her melting in her seat.”

Robin had finally quieted down before reaching forward with her hand above Eddie’s shoulder. I slapped her open palm for a high-five while Eddie just rolled his eyes with a smile. “You gotta teach me how to flirt with girls like that. Steve is no help at all!”

Steve sputtered again. “Robin!”

“It’s okay, Stevie.” I teased as I moved around Eddie to pat his hand. “You know how to flirt with some girls. I might just help Robin with the rest.”

Steve just took a deep breath as he stared at the ceiling. We all gave him a moment, fighting smiles as Steve had to reel himself in. He cleared his throat. “To change topics, what is everyone doing for Valentine’s Day?”

Robin shuffled some cases around. “Vickie and I might be going to see a movie?”

“Robin!” I exclaimed excitedly. “Look at you!”

Robin shrugged. “I don’t know if it’s a date. How do you see if it’s a date without giving it away that you want it to be a date?”

Steve shrugged. “You’ll know.”

Robin groaned and lowered her head into her hands. “That’s literally no help.”

“I’ve got something planned,” Eddie butted in. He sent me a wink. “Something that you’ll definitely enjoy.”

“You’re not going to share with the class?” I asked with a smile as I leaned into his side. “You know I don’t like surprises.”

“Oh, I know.” Eddie chuckled as his arm wrapped around my shoulders to keep me there. “But you won’t know until than.”

That’s all Eddie gave me, and I had to wait days to find out. Valentines Day fell on friday, which meant Eddie still had to go to school and our plans had to wait until after. Before I headed to Steve’s for the day, I stuck an obnoxious card in his lunchbox for him to find during the day. When school ended and I tagged along with Steve for Robin pickup, Eddie was sitting at the back of his van with both doors thrown open. He didn’t waste any time throwing the passenger door open and pulling me from Steve’s car, twirling me in a circle.

“Eddie!” I laughed as I lost my balance and fell into his chest.

“Sydney,” Eddie said as his arms wrapped around my waist. “You can’t just leave cards for me to find like that. I might think you’re in love with me.”

My face flushed as I peered up at him. “I love you.”

Eddie groaned and his head fell back. “You can’t just say things like that!”

I laughed and moved out of the way so Robin could get in the passenger seat. “Have fun!”

Robin gave me thumbs up as Steve drove off and it just left Eddie and I in the parking lot. “C’mon,” Eddie said as he tugged me towards the van. “We have to go back to the trailer to change and then we will be on our way.”

To my surprise, when we got back to the trailer Eddie insisted that we change into some PJ’s. Giving me a hoodie of his to wear, he sent me off the bathroom to change with a promise of dinner. Once we were both changed, we got into the van and Eddie started driving in the direction of town. No matter how much I pleaded, the man would not give any answers.

When Eddie parked next to the diner that we usually go to, I sent him a questioning glance as he told me to stay put and raced to the doors. He came back a few minutes later with a bag full of takeout boxes that he put in the back and would not let me peek. After we were driving a few minutes, I realized that the area around us was getting more and more wooded.

“Where exactly are we going?” I asked him as he turned off onto a dirt road.

Eddie groaned but sent me a smile as he turned the music down. “I guess I can’t really ruin the surprise since we are already here. I figured I would take you to Lover’s Lake to enjoy a picnic and watch the stars once it got dark. I thought that everywhere else in town would be busy, and I know that you would be more comfortable out here.”

I reached over to grasp his hand. “That sounds perfect.”

Once we got to the lake, Eddie parked with the back doors to the lake. He jumped out to get the back situated and I was surprised to see the amount of blankets and pillows stashed at the back of the van.

“Are we having a sleepover?” I teased as I crawled between the seats instead of getting out and going around. “Is that why we are in our PJ’s?”

Eddie shrugged with a smile. “Since someone has a habit of falling asleep against me, I figured we might want to be comfortable. Plus, it’s going to get chilly later and I hate for you to get cold.”

Eddie was right. Once we had finished dinner and laid out to watch the sky darken, it was so peaceful I could fall asleep right against him. He was so warm, laying against all the pillows in the back of the van, the cool air blowing through the open doors. His voice was gentle and with the tone he was using to tell me about the latest campaign, I felt so at peace with him here.

“Sweetheart,” Eddie nudged me as the sky got completely dark and the stars were shining brightly in the sky. “Can I give you my gift?”

I let him sit me up as he reached for something behind the driver seat. I moved to my bag, pulling out a small wrapped box as well.

“Can I go first?” I asked him as he moved to sit with his legs dangling out of the van.

Eddie smiled and held out his hand for the small gift. He didn’t open it, motioning for me to continue. “I really didn’t know what to get you for Valentine’s Day. Sure, I could get you some material items, but I wanted to get you something special.”

When I motioned towards the box, Eddie ripped open the wrapping paper and moved to take the cover off the box to see a ring sitting in the middle of the box. I felt my face flush a bit. “I know that you already have all these rings, but I came across this when Robin, Max, and I went shopping a few weeks ago. I know that you already have my name on your wrist, but I wanted to see something else of mine on you too.”

The ring was simple. It had a thick band, colored dark gray, and had a small moth etched into the top of the ring. When Eddie turned it over, he could see that I had our initials engraved inside the band of the ring. With another glance at me, Eddie slid it onto his ring finger, sitting proudly with the others of that hand.

“Sweetheart,” Eddie said as he cupped my face to kiss me. The rings cool against my cheeks. “I love it.”

“It doesn’t have to mean anything!” I rushed out to say it because of the load of anxiety that washed over me. “I just wanted you to have something else to look down on and remind you of me. Also, it seemed like a really cool vintage ring and this one you don’t have to tape to fit your fingers!”

“Sydney” Eddie laughed softly as his hands tightened on my face. “I know and one day it just might mean something else. But for right now, I know what it is.”

I know that I was smiling love-sick at him, but I couldn’t care. Not with the emotions that I felt in my chest and pulsing at my wrist. “I love you.”

Eddie dropped his hands to thrust his gift at me. “Open it.”

I took the box gently, carefully opening it to see his guitar pick necklace sitting there. “Eddie?”

“I love you, sweetheart.” Eddie started as he reached forward to get the chain out. In that moment when he leaned over, I noticed for the first time that I didn’t see that chain wrapped around his neck. “I had a similar thought. I know that my name is etched into your skin and just seeing it some days brings me so much joy. But I couldn’t resist giving you the necklace. Now when you have your wrist covered, everyone will be able to see that necklace and see that you are mine.”

For the first time in a while, I felt pressure behind my eyes as I willed myself not to cry. Eddie moved to clasp the necklace around my neck, leaning back to let it fall against my chest as it seemed to catch some of the light from the stars above. “Hey,” Eddie cooed softly as he reached forward to brush at my cheeks. “What’s wrong, pretty girl?”

I sniffled and moved to place one of my hands against his. “Nothing. I just didn’t think I would ever be here with someone like you.”

“Yeah?” Eddie asked me with a smile.

“I love you so much,” I told him. “And there are days that I just look at you and I can feel it tenfold back through the mark and I just wonder about how I got so lucky. I literally fell into your lap.” I laughed wetly. “And giving me this means so much to me. You wear this everyday, aren’t you going to miss it?”

“I have something else to wear now,” Eddie said as he wiggled his hand at me. “But I love you too, sweetheart. I will never have to doubt anything because there are days for me too that I just look at you and I can feel all of it.”

Eddie dropped his hand and with a wave of his fingers, I followed his movements so I was laying against him in the back of the van. We could still see some of the stars that were further out in the distance; but here now with Eddie, it felt like we were the only ones in our little world. With his arms wrapped around me and the feeling of Eddie tracing shapes into my back, I felt perfectly at peace.

“Happy first Valentine's Day, sweetheart.” Eddie said and I felt a kiss at the top of my head.

“How are you going to top this one next year?” I asked him.

Eddie laughed and I could feel his body shaking against mine. “That’s all on you sweetheart.” A pause. “But you know what would make this better right now?”

“What?” I asked him as I looked up at him, my chin resting against his chest.

“If you kissed me. Kissed me alot, actually.” Eddie said with a mischievous smile.

The first time I leaned up to kiss him, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face which barely made it a kiss at all. But when Eddie rolled us over so he was hovering above me, the kiss was definitely more passionate.

And it was no one’s business if we ended up falling asleep out there under the stars.

Only for us to be rudely awakened by our bladders several hours later.

Sydney’s First Birthday in the Past

“Happy birthday to you,” someone was singing in my ear quietly as I was roused from sleep. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

I groaned and opened my eyes to see Eddie laying on his side beside me, a tired smile on his face. “What?” I asked, still on the edge of sleep.

Eddie reached forward to tuck some hair behind my ear, biting his lip at me. “It’s your birthday, Sydney.”

I blinked a few more times before I was fully awake. “It’s my birthday?”

Eddie laughed and shuffled closer so he was laying against me, an arm wrapped around me and his forehead coming to rest against mine. “Well that’s what the government paperwork says. Is it true?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “What would you do if it was?”

Eddie pulled back a little to look at me. “Do you not like your birthday?”

I shrugged again. “It was always a mute point when I was younger. It always fell on a weekday so I had to go to school and my parents refused to do something for me when they got home for work. My brother, though? They would pull him out of school for the day and always take him out to dinner.” I tried not to show how much it bothered me. Eddie has already done so much, I didn’t want him to feel like he had to go all out for this too. “It just became another one of those things.”

“Well,” Eddie said as placed a kiss on my forehead and then trailed them from my cheeks to my chin. “We celebrate all holidays and birthdays in the Munson household. Sorry, sweetheart. You are just going to have to tough it out this year.”

I tried to pout at him, but his smile was so infectious that I couldn’t help at the one that tugged at my lips. “So Dungeon Master, what do you have planned?”

Eddie laughed and moved to sit up, pulling me along with him. He grabbed one of my hands in his, the other moving to trace lines against the back of it. “Wayne made you a special breakfast.”

I groaned in protest. “Please don’t tell me you dragged Wayne into this.”

A gruff chuckle tore my attention to the doorway to see Wayne standing there, sleeves of his flannel rolled up with a smile on his face. “All the boy had to do was mention that your birthday was coming up.”

I sent him a small smile. “Morning Wayne.”

Wayne nodded his head. “There are fresh cinnamon rolls in the kitchen if you are interested.”

“You made me fresh cinnamon rolls?” I asked excitedly. “No one has ever made them for me!”

Eddie chuckled beside me. “So get your ass in gear and get some while they are still warm.”

I threw the blanket off and followed Wayne into the kitchen. It smelled so great in there I couldn’t help but melt when Wayne placed a plate in front of me at the table. One bite and I was trying to hold back a moan. “Oh my god, Wayne. These are so good.”

Wayne laughed into this coffee mug, placing the comics he was reading from the newspaper back onto the table. “Don’t butter me up.”

“I’m serious!” I laughed and took another bite. “This is the best thing anyone has ever made for me.”

In one second Eddie appeared behind me, smelling strongly of his body wash and leaned forward to take the bite off my fork. I turned to look at him, betrayed as he swallowed.

“Go get ready, sweetheart.” Eddie said as he took my hand and helped me up from the table. “You’ve got a day ahead of you.”

I frowned. “Eddie, I don’t wa-”

Eddie held up his hand. “I already know you don’t want me skipping school. So I’ve made other plans for you.”

A threw a nervous glance at Wayne and he just took a drink of his coffee. “All I know is that we are meeting up later for dinner.”

I narrowed my eyes at Eddie. “What do you have planned?”

He winked at me and took another bite of my cinnamon roll. “Go get changed and you might just find out.”

I ran and took a quick shower, towel drying my hair as I grabbed one of Eddie’s sweatshirts to put on. It clearly was a P.E. sweatshirt, but the arms had been drawn all over with designs that looked similar to what was on Eddie’s D&D notebook.

When I got back into the kitchen, Wayne was already in his recliner watching some morning TV while Eddie was on the phone. When he saw me, he abruptly got off the phone before making his way to me.

“Comfy?” He asked as he leaned down to kiss my forehead.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “What did you do?”

Eddie just smiled mischievously at me and motioned towards the door. There was no Max waiting for us at the van, and Eddie shrugged like he didn’t know who took her to school. I let him keep up his charades as we started the familiar path towards town, only slightly surprised when we pulled up to the police station.

Hopper and Joyce were leaning against her car in the parking lot, their faces lighting up when they saw us pull in. I had only just gotten out of the van when Joyce had wrapped me in a tight hug.

“Happy birthday!” She said really loud as she pulled back to look at me. “Do you feel any older?”

I rolled my eyes in amusement as Hopper stepped around her to pull me into a quick side -hug. “Happy birthday, kiddo.”

I smiled at both of them and felt when Eddie joined my side. “So what is the plan for today? Eddie won’t tell me anything.”

Joyce shrugged, but the smile on her face said otherwise. “I thought you and I could have a girls day. Give you a treat for your birthday.”

“Joyce-” I started to argue that it wasn’t necessary before she sent me a look.

“You are one of my kids now, Sydney.” Joyce said as she reached out to squeeze my shoulder. “If I want to do things with you for your birthday, I sure as hell am going to.”

I laughed and nodded my head in defeat. “Okay then.”

Joyce made a happy noise and turned to start her car while Hopper waved at us and started to make his way into the station. I only turned to Eddie when I felt his fingers intertwine with mine, giving my palm a gentle squeeze.

“Is this okay?” He asked me, nervously.

I smiled at him. “It’s perfect.”

Eddie perked up and with a quick glance around he leaned down to kiss me. I let him, getting lost in the sensation of his body against mine, whining slightly when he pulled back. He chuckled, using his free hand to play with the chain that had been sitting against my neck for some time now. “I love you, sweetheart.”

My smile widened if possible. “I love you too, baby. Will I be seeing you after school?”

Eddie’s smile turned mischievous. “Well I still have a present to give you. But, I don’t know. Will you?”

Eddie stepped back from as I felt Joyce’s arm wrap around mine. “We ready to go?”

“Have a good birthday, sweetheart!” Eddie yelled as he got back into his van, the music blaring as he buckled himself in. “See you later!”

Joyce and I watched him peel out of the parking lot, some of the people walking around town shaking their heads at all the noise. When he was fully out of sight, Joyce tugged me in the direction of her car. “You ready to get our day started?”

Joyce’s first stop was a little bookstore a few town’s over. We roamed the shelves for a bit, me picking out a few books that I hadn’t read in years but seemed to be new releases here. I couldn’t resist the dragon bookmark in the fantasy section, but I knew that it wouldn’t be me using it and Joyce must have had a similar idea with the look of amusement on her face.

Our next stop was a tiny hair salon two shops down on the same street. It was run by a lady that knew Joyce by name, taking me back to the chair and telling me whatever I wanted was already covered. I sent a look towards Joyce, but she just shrugged and sat down in the chair next to me, already talking away to the lady bringing her a coffee.

I frowned in the mirror, one of the books that I bought sitting in my lap. “It’s been years since I’ve had my hair professionally done. What do you suggest?”

“Is this wave natural?” The lady asked me as she ran her hands through my hair.

I shrugged. “I believe so. If my hair isn’t down, most of the time I have it braided back in some way.”

“Hm,” The lady said as she moved to get a cape and secure it around my neck. “How about we cut a few of the dead inches off and go from there? What about a color?”

I moved my hand to pinch some of the hair between my fingers. All my life I had been a lighter shade of brown, borderlining on strawberry blonde. “Why not?”

It took a lot of debating and a long talk of my preferences before the hairdresser-Angela, asked me to trust her and I agreed. If I hated the color, I could always color over it? Joyce had finished not too long ago, sitting with me as I sat under one of those obnoxious hairdryers.

“I think she picked a great color,” Joyce said with a smile. “Are you having a good time?”

“The best,” I smiled at her. “You know, my mom would never do something like this with me.”

“Her loss.” Joyce said, a tone to her voice. “You’re one of my kids now, sweetie. Anything that she wouldn’t do with you, I will. Don’t you worry about that.”

After my hair was processed and washed out, I let them keep the element of surprise as they turned my back to the mirror so they could style it for me. When they were finally finished and I got to turn around, I couldn't help but gasp. Angela styled my hair in soft curls falling down my back, nothing like the corkscrew curls that I’d seen at least two women walk out with today. As for my hair color, it was a deep copper color that really stood out against my skin tone and made my hazel eyes pop.

“Woah,” I said as I reached up to feel a strand.

Angela clapped beside me. “It’s a perfect fit!”

Her excitement was infectious and I couldn’t help but laugh along with her. “You did such a good job!”

With the promise of coming back for a touch up, I followed Joyce out of the salon and to a tiny cafe a street over. We had a small lunch, Joyce making small talk about the kids and Hopper but I could tell something else was bothering her.

I sighed. “What is it?”

Joyce watched me for a moment. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”

I nodded. “Why do you ask?”

Joyce reached out a hand to place over mine on the table. “It’s just your first birthday away from your parents, your friends. Eddie was worried today might be hard for you.”

I frowned. “Why would he think that?”

“El might have told me about a conversation she had with you at Thanksgiving,” Joyce said with a shrug. “I realized I might not have been checking in with you as much as I should.”

“Joyce,” I let out a relaxed laugh. “El brags me to family dinners with you guys almost every other week. You see me all the time.”

Joyce nodded. “I do, but I just wanted to make sure you knew that you could come to me about stuff.”

I squeezed her hand. “I know that I can.”

Joyce took a sip of her coffee. “You know Murray mentioned something to me the other week.”

“Hm?”

She placed her cup down. “He mentioned that when his partner was brought to the past, a box of some of his more personal items showed up. Has that happened to you?”

“No?” I shrugged. “I didn’t know that it was possible for that to happen. Nancy never mentioned it to me.”

Joyce frowned. “He should be back in Hawkins for a few days. Maybe you could ask him?”

We didn’t stay too much longer, Joyce saying it was her turn to carpool, but letting me know that Eddie had planned to meet with us at the school.

“Not that I don’t think of El as my own,” Joyce said on the drive back. “But I really want you to know that you have a place in my family.”

I smiled. “I know that I do. I think between you, Hopper, and Wayne acting as parents with Steve trying to prove that he is my brother; I’ve got all areas covered. I promise you since I’ve woken up here I haven’t felt truly alone.”

“Good,” Joyce said. “We’re a weird group, aren’t we?”

I don’t think I could have asked for a better one.

When we got to the school, I shouldn’t have been surprised to see the group that was waiting at Eddie’s van. I only had a second once I got out of the car to get bombarded by the younger ones, trying to pull me in hugs and El trying to sing me happy birthday.

“Guys,” I laughed delighted at the love I was receiving. I almost had to stop for a second at the sheer feeling of adoration that hit me, but it wasn’t hard to place where that emotion came from when I met Eddie’s eyes. He was leaning against the van, a smile on his face as he waited for his turn to get to me.

Steve stepped forward, pulling me into a quick hug before throwing an arm around Dustin. “Since you didn’t tell us how important today was, we didn’t have any time to throw something together.”

I shrugged, not bothered about it. “I didn’t want you guys to make a big deal about it.”

Steve pointed at me. “Well, we will. Just wait.”

After a few more minutes of ‘Happy Birthday’ wishes and hugs from everyone, they all split into groups between Steve and Joyce. I waved back at them as they all got in their cars, leaving Eddie and I in the almost empty parking lot.

When I turned to him, he was still leaning against his van with his hands tucked into his front pockets. He pushed off the van and slowly made his way to me, reaching out to pull at a loose curl. “You changed your hair?”

He tucked a strand behind my ear, fingers trailing along my jaw. “Do you like it?”

“Like it?” Eddie asked as his other hand joined the one on my facing, moving to rub his thumbs against my cheeks. “Sweetheart, that color does wonders to you. Damn,” Eddie let out a groan and closed his eyes with a smile. “Are you trying to kill me?”

My laughter was silenced as Eddie leaned down to kiss me, my eyes fluttering closed at the intensity of it. When one of Eddie’s hands moved to grasp mine and his fingers brushed against my mark, I almost gasped at the feelings I felt thrown back at me.

Eddie broke away from me, staying close enough that our lips lightly brushed when he talked or more like whispered to me. “As much as I enjoy kissing you, we do have dinner plans.”

“We do?” I whispered back.

He stood up fully now, but never letting go of my hand. “Wayne wants to take you out for your birthday. Can’t argue with the man.”

I smiled. “Well if he insists…”

“Now you’re getting it!” Eddie exclaimed as he moved to open the passenger door of the van and help me into the seat. I see him sprint across the front and as soon as he turns the keys, the van is filled with the loud music of Blue Oyster Cult. Once we’ve stopped at the trailer long enough to pick up Wayne and let Eddie dump his stuff, before we are on our way towards town.

“Maybe next year we can actually make a plan since I know when your birthday is.” Wayne said he slammed the door shut.

“Wayne-” I started to explain before he held up a hand.

“Eds was the same way.” Wayne said as he pulled me into a side hug, Eddie raced ahead claiming to get the best booth in the back. “The first year he lived with me he didn’t want to celebrate anything. But I get it, kid. One day, you’ll want to start celebrating it too.”

Wayne opened the diner door for me, ushering me and as I turned to try and find Eddie-

“SUPRISE!”

The diner seemed to be empty except for my mismatched family. Eddie was standing closest to the doors, my favorite smile on his face with his arms stretched out wide. Steve and Robin off to the side of him, eyes bright as their smiles. Joyce, Hopper, and Murray sitting down in the booth off to the side, drinks raised at me. Lastly, all the younger ones were standing right in the middle with Nancy and Jonathan behind them, balloons and party favors in hand.

I felt my eyes get wet, and it took me a few blinks to convince myself not to cry. Wayne squeezed my shoulder before moving around me and heading towards the other adults while Eddie moved to stand in front of me, taking one of my hands in his.

“This okay?” He asked as he squeezed my hand.

“I don’t know what I would do without you.” I said instead.

Eddie beamed, leaning down to kiss my forehead before moving to wrap an arm around my shoulders and led me to the chaos of my surprise birthday party. “You’ll never have to know, sweetheart. Now why don’t we get some of that cake?”

Ah, hello my beautiful people. It's been a few weeks, hasn't it? Well I'm back and better than ever (had a whole allergic reaction and I won't bore you with the details but I am better and on medication for it now so no worries :) ). So this is a long one, I hope you enjoy the meal! I've been anxious to get into the main part of the story, and it's going to start in the next chapter so be prepared! I figured we could see a glimpse of the life Sydney and Eddie are living before I get into the nitty gritty. Leave a comment telling me if you liked it!

Also just in case we need to know, what should be have as Sydney's Vecna song? I'm trying to decide between something that easily accessible (which means the song is already out), or the potential issue that the song hasn't been written yet. Let me know what you guys think!

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Taglist: @silky-luxe @disaster-in-waiting @sadbitchfangirl@welliguessiwritethingsnow @comboboo@tuttigunner@avalon-wolf @goth-cowgirl-03

#eddie munson #eddie munson series #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x oc #stranger things series #eddie munson x fem!reader #time travel au #eddie munson fic #eddie munson fix it fic #steve harrington #robin buckley #stranger things #stranger things x reader

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