#Mugswritesfics

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What's in a Designation?

For @stmarchmm Day 3: Love confession Day 19: heats/ruts (I now I wrote for this day twice...shh) day 26: late in life rating: M summary: 10 years ago, Steve never presented and was assumed a beta. Now, he’s 25 and something weird is going on with him. AO3

Steve Harrington was a beta; which was perfectly acceptable. He didn’t mind being a beta, he didn’t have to struggle with a mating cycle; nor was he pressured to act a certain way due to his designation. There were things he wished he could do, like scent his pack; or mate his omega.

But, Eddie often reassured him that he didn’t mind that Steve was a beta. He wasn’t a huge fan of alphas, he thought they were all annoying knotheads. He much preferred betas or omegas.

He and Eddie have been together for the past five years, since the week they killed Vecna, and they’ve been married for one. When they decided on the plan, he couldn’t let his omega charge into battle without letting the man know he wanted to court him once the dust settled.

Eddie’s injuries were severe, but the pack was there through it all. Eddie was never alone and with the Byers’ moving back to Hawkins, the pack was bigger than ever. They all scented each other pretty regularly, and that reassured Steve that Eddie’s biological need for alpha scents wasn’t going unsatisfied; even if it was platonic. Steve loved their pack and he didn’t mind when others cuddled up with his husband.

But something has been going on with Steve lately. He’s become possessive of the omega to the point where he scents him constantly; not that Eddie minded. If that was the worst of it, Steve doesn’t think he’d notice; but he glared at anyone who seemed like a minor threat to Eddie. He snapped at Robin the other day because the alpha stood too close to his omega in his kitchen, he bared his teeth at Nancy, another omega! All the girl had done was shove Eddie playfully, but Steve’s mind took that as a threat.

Today was the worst of all though. The party was over at their new apartment, having a movie night, even the pups. Everyone was in the living room, getting comfortable; everyone except Steve. He was burning up, he sat in a t-shirt and shorts but it felt like he was in a heavy winter coat; his skin felt tight and itchy. He tried to push through it as best he could, doing some deep breathing or something. But as Eddie sat next to him, and tucked himself under his arm, Steve caught a whiff of a scent on his omega. A deep sound he’s never made before boiled up his chest as he nosed at Eddie’s neck.

“Um, Steve?” Eddie asked cautiously and he attempted to pull away. Steve tightened his grip and made that sound again. “Why are you growling at me?” Eddie whispered. That was the sound he kept making, a growl.

“Alpha on you.” He said. As he nosed up to Eddie’s hair, he realized it was Jonathon. All his logical thought flew out the window. The alpha that stole his last omega from him was trying to move on his territory again. Well Steve wouldn’t let it happen this time.

He pulled away from Eddie, leapt to his feet, and strode over to where Jonathon was sitting. He stared down Jonathon, his teeth bared. His canines extended in an unfamiliar way and they dug into his bottom lip until he dropped his mouth open a little more. Saliva dripped down his fangs as he glared at the alpha.

“Stay away, from my omega.” He snarled. Jonathon stood, his spine straight as he held his ground.

“He’s my friend, asshole.” Jonathon said as he stepped closer, his nostrils flared in challenge. “I scent him all the time.” That seemed to set Steve off and he roughly pushed the alpha. Jonathon stumbled but stayed up right, stepping forward to press his chest against Steve’s aggressively.

“Guys calm down.” Robin said but it was no use, the two men were practically spitting on each other.

“Everyone out, I’ll take you home.” Nancy said. But as far as Steve could tell, no one moved.

“Now!” Robin shouted, using her alpha voice to command everyone in the room into submission. The room emptied until only Jonathon and Steve remained.

“I’m not leaving.” Eddie said defiantly. How the omega was able resist an alpha’s command, Steve didn’t know, but he didn’t really care. His omega wasn’t in danger as long as he was in the room.

“Leave my omega alone.” Steve said again. Jonathon glared dangerously and the room was filled with the burnt scent of angry alpha. Their foreheads were touching, eye contact making everything so much worse. But neither would break; that would mean submitting.

“I’m not after your omega. But if I was, you wouldn’t be able to do anything to stop me.” Jonathon taunted. Steve pulled back his fist and was ready to let it fly when Eddie shoved himself in between the two posturing men; his back to the alpha, and his gaze locked fully on his beta.

“Steve, stop.” Eddie said firmly. Steve’s slowly lowered his fist; while he was pissed at the other man, he’d never hurt his omega. “Jonathon go take a walk.” Eddie demanded. With the way Jonathon reacted, it wouldn’t surprise Steve if omegas could be taught to command, or maybe it was his own biological instinct stopping him from hurting an omega.

Jonathon backed out of the room slowly, his eyes never leaving the beta until he was out of sight. Only then did Steve take a deep breath and retract his fangs. He moved to take the omega into his arms but Eddie pulled away swiftly.

“What was that, Steve?” He asked angrily; his arms crossed over his chest. Shamed filled him as he took in his angry mate; he fucked up but he wasn’t sure how yet.

“Alpha wants you.” Steve exclaimed. Eddie rolled his eyes.

“His name is Jonathon. And he couldn’t take me from you if he tried. I don’t want him, I want you.” Eddie sighed and took another step back. “Or, I thought I did. But now you’re acting like jerk! You glare at everyone, tried to bite Robin, flashed your teeth at Nancy, and now this!” He threw his hands up.

“Protecting you!” Steve insisted imploringly, he stepped closer to the man.

“From what, our pack?” Eddie shook his head. “God you’re acting like a feral Alpha! You need get it together, because I can’t be around you if you’re going to be an annoying jackass all the time!” Eddie snagged his jacket off the hook and stormed out of the apartment. “I’m going to Wayne’s. Call me when you figure out what your deal is.”

Steve sat heavily on the couch, a whine slipped out. He wanted to wallow, but the scent of the threatening alpha was still in the room so he rushed to the bedroom and stripped off his clothes. He took a quick and cold shower, which helped him feel better, then he slipped into their nest. It smelled like home and pack and mate...but he could still smell the threat. He tore through the nest until he found the offending garment. Stomping to the kitchen, he threw the shirt into trash, satisfied that he removed enough trace of that other alpha. Wait...other alpha...feral alpha. What? Steve’s mind cleared suddenly. Steve wasn’t an alpha; he was a beta. He’s been a beta since he didn’t present when he was 15. He ran to the phone and dialed Robin, the only alpha he trusted.

“Hello?” Robin’s voice soothed him immediately.

“Hey, quick question.” Steve said immediately.

“Shoot.”

“Is it normal to be all aggressive and possessive about someone when leading up to a presentation rut?” Steve asked. Robin hummed.

“Well, I didn’t really know anyone so that wasn’t true for me. But my parents were dating before my mom presented let me ask her.” Robin put the phone down. It was silent for a few minutes before she was back. “Okay my mom said a month or so before her presentation rut, she was really angry at anyone who came near my dad. He’d presented as an omega like a week before that and she got really territorial and mean to anyone around her. Once she presented, she was able to control the inner alpha but when it was developing it was a little out of control.”

“Huh, I guess that’s a theory.” Steve said. Robin huffed.

“Does this have to do with the crap you pulled today?” Robin asked. Steve assessed his body. With everything he knew about ruts that’s likely what he was going through. And an alpha he considered a threat being in his den...the dots were connecting.

“I think I’m an alpha in rut.” Steve whispered in shock. Robin gasped.

“It’s rare but it can happen this late.” She offered.

“Ten years late?!” Steve exclaimed. “What am I gonna do?”

“First, talk to Eddie.” Robin reminded him. Shit. He looked at the clock, Eddie’s been gone for about an hour so even if he went the long way he should be at Wayne’s by now.

“Right, thanks Robin!” He hung up and immediately dialed the trailer.

“Munson residence, Wayne speaking.” Wayne’s rich timber appeared.

“Hey Wayne, it’s Steve. Is Eddie there?” Steve asked even as he heard Eddie ranting angrily in the background.

“Yeah hang on.” Wayne turned away from the phone but didn’t have to raise his voice in the small trailer. “Phone, Eds.” The phone exchanged hands and Eddie spoke.

“This better be my husband calling to apologize.” He said snappily. Steve smiled, he loved his husband so much.

“Yeah, it’s me. I think I figured it out.” Steve took a deep breath. He knew there was a chance this went poorly. “I think I’m going into a presentation rut.” There was silence on the other end. “Eddie?”

“Sorry! I’m here, sorry. That’s definitely something.” He said.

“I called Robin and she said her mom acted like I did when she was presenting.” Steve quickly filled Eddie in on the conversation with Robin.

“So, you think all that crap and the aggression with Jonathon was just your inner alpha trying to establish itself?” Eddie asked.

“Basically, yeah.” Steve agreed.

“So, should I stay the night at Wayne’s or do you want me to come home and help you through it?” Eddie asked.

Steve thought about it carefully. On the one hand, having Eddie here meant he would be able to knot an omega for the first time, which...not bad. It also meant he could keep Eddie safe. But on the other hand, he’d heard about alphas going feral and attacking anyone during their first rut or claiming an unmarked omega. That and the bigger issue...Eddie didn’t like alphas. They should talk about what this will mean before Steve gets used to having an omega during his rut and they couldn’t do that while he was lost in it. Plus, Steve had no idea what his inner alpha would be like, so it was better to figure that out alone.

“Stay the night at Wayne’s and I’ll call you in the morning once it breaks. I don’t want to hurt you.” He whispered. His newly awakened inner alpha whined at not having his omega near by but Steve tried to ignore it.

“If you’re sure sweetheart. I love you.” Eddie said softly. “Get some rest and there’s a pocket omega under the bed.” He tacked on. Steve smiled confusedly...when did he get that?

“I love you too, freak.” The affection obvious in his voice. They hung up and Steve moved back to the bedroom. He remade their nest, trying to put it back to normal. After that, he went into the living room and kitchen, cleaning his den to make it presentable for his omega.

Steve was filled with this insatiable desire to have everything clean and perfect for a mate to return to and hopefully, if he did a good enough job, he would be allowed to bite and claim Eddie. Steve vacuumed the bedroom floor, his cock rapidly hardening until his mind went a little foggy. He climbed into the nest, thankful that he never got dressed after his shower, and pulled his omega’s pillow to his nose.

He sniffed it deeply with a groan before shoving it down between his legs to move against. “Omega.” He whined. His nose turned into the blanket. He thrust against the pillow over and over until he spilled, his knot swelling for the first time as he came. With a grunt, Steve’s hips froze and he squeezed the base of his dick tightly to assist.

After he caught his breath, he rolled over and did it all over again. And again. And again. For days. On the morning of the second day, he found the pocket omega Eddie mentioned and that made it so much more bearable. Still, by the end all he wanted was his omega around his knot.

------------------------

The fifth day after the movie night, he called the trailer and let Eddie know his rut had passed. Less than 15 minutes later, Eddie entered the apartment. Steve excitedly ran to the door to greet his omega with his arms wide. He picked Eddie up and spun him around much to the latter’s delight.

“I missed you too.” He threw his head back and cackled. Steve finally put him down on his feet and stepped out of his space a bit. “You smell like an alpha now.” Eddie said with a deep breath. Steve’s face fell.

“Are we going to break up?” Steve whispered. Eddie recoiled in shock.

“What? Why would we do that?” He asked, completely blindsided by the question.

“I’m an alpha now. And you hate alphas.” Steve said like it was obvious. He shrugged his shoulders and looked away, putting his hands in the pockets of his sweats. Eddie rushed forward and yanked Steve’s hands out so he could hold them.

“Oh, my love. I’m sorry.” Eddie whispered, as tears sprung to his eyes. Steve was confused.

“What, why?” Though he didn’t pull away, instead he let himself be moved until he was holding Eddie tightly to his chest in the perfect place.

“I don’t normally like alphas that’s true. But Steve, I love you. No matter what. Beta, alpha, hell if you woke up tomorrow as an omega I’d still love you. Who you are; that’s who I love.” Eddie reassured.

“But the other day you said you couldn’t be around me.” Steve said even though he knew there was more to it than that.

“I didn’t mean that. I was just angry that you were being a knothead but with the rut, that all makes sense!” Eddie said.

“It does?” Steve asked. He wasn’t used to having a mating cycle so he didn’t know much about them.

“Yeah! You know when I’m in pre-heat and I get all clingy and a little bratty. Like I want you to take care of me and stuff? And I hate when you’re around Nancy alone? It’s the same thing. I can control the more...uh...feral instincts because I’ve had practice. But you had no idea what was happening.” Eddie pulled back a little to look him in the eyes. “Plus with your history with Jonathon, I’m not surprised you reacted so strongly.” Eddie shrugged. Steve rumbled a little growl at the reminder of the other man and Eddie chuckled lightly.

“Sorry.” Steve sighed. Eddie moved to the bedroom and took in the nest with pursed lips. He stripped down to his boxers before he crawled in and rearranged everything back to his liking, but he paused after a minute.

“Something’s missing.” Eddie said with a pout as he looked at his alpha. Steve felt the growl building but was able to push it down this time.

“I may have...thrown away Jonathon’s shirt.” He admitted sheepishly. Eddie snorted and rolled his eyes.

“Come here.” He said and pulled Steve to lay on top of him. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“You’re my husband, Stevie. My alpha.” He whispered. Steve purred softly and smiled when Eddie let out a chirp.

“You like my purr, baby?” He asked with a smile. Eddie’s face flushed but he didn’t look away.

“Yeah I do.” He admitted. “I have a request, if that’s okay.” Steve nodded his encouragement. “During my next heat, can we...exchange bites?” Eddie asked quietly, if a little embarrassed. Steve jumped up excitedly to stare at his omega.

“I thought you didn’t want a bite?” He asked even as his chest filled. Eddie shrugged. It wasn’t super common for omegas to claim alphas but Steve wouldn’t have it any other way.

“After you called the other day, I had a long talk with Wayne. I realized I hated the idea of bites and alphas because of my dad. He was so angry and mean all the time, I didn’t want to be tied to someone like that.” Eddie took Steve’s face in his. “But you could never be like that sweetheart. I know you could never hurt me or treat me any differently than you have for the past five years. You having a knot or a stronger wood smoke scent…” Eddie leaned in and sniffed at his scent gland. “Which I’m loving by the way. None of that changes the guy you are. And I love that guy.”

Steve stared awe at the man below him, his husband, his omega, his mate. “I’d love your bite, omega.” He whispered against Eddie’s lips as he leaned in to kiss him. Eddie sighed into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Steve’s neck.

-------------------------

Steve would apologize to the party later and host another movie night. Robin, Nancy, and Jonathon would get personal apologies since he’d been the worst to them. The girls would accept it graciously with a little teasing. Jonathon would brush it off though; he let his own inner alpha take the lead and made the situation worse; likely due to the perceived threat of an angry alpha near his own omega, and the challenge instinct Steve accidentally triggered.

Jonathon would give Eddie another item for his nest that he would return before Steve’s rut and accept back once it passed. Steve settled back to his normal self, after Mrs. Buckley gave him lessons on how to contain his inner alpha around others.

There was no more growling or biting. No challenging of the other pack members. It was harder if they were from outside the pack but he wasn’t going to do anything to upset his omega. Eddie even confessed that when Steve got a little possessive of him at bars he didn’t mind.

Eddie’s next heat forced Steve into another rut, syncing their cycles, and they exchanged mating bites. Eddie was his and he was Eddie’s no matter the designation and nothing would change that.

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[mugloversonly]

Sleep

@steddiemicrofic April prompt “score”| rating: G | cw: mention of drug use summary: Steve goes to Eddie for some sleeping pills. AO3

Eddie sat at his bench in the woods, staring at the note he got in his locker that morning.

“Looking to score”

Those three words weren’t unusual in his line of work, but the handwriting was one he’d never seen. He tapped his fingers and checked his watch again.

He huffed and stood to leave the clearing when a shuffle of feet stopped him. Steve Harrington stumbled out of the woods, and froze when he saw Eddie standing there.

“You got my note.” He said. Eddie sat back down and gestured for Steve to sit too. As he did, Eddie took in the man. Sunken eyes, purple bruises beneath them. His hair wasn’t coiffed today.

“You feeling okay, Stevie?” He asked. They’re not friends; but after Spring Break, he had a new respect for the man.

“I need sleeping pills. You got any?” Steve asked, a yawn overtaking him. Eddie closed up his lunch box.

“Not on me. Meet me at my trailer tonight, 9pm.”

----------

At 9pm sharp, there was a quick knock on the trailer door. Eddie let Steve in and bowed deeply with a wave of his hand. He led Steve through the trailer to his room.

“I’m gonna be honest with you Harrington. I won’t sell you sleeping pills. Those things are addictive and you’re Henderson’s friend. I’d hate to get you hooked.” Steve scoffed and rolled his eyes.

“Then why am I here?” Eddie sat on his bed, already in his pajamas and he pointed to a set for Steve.

“When I can’t sleep, it helps if someone is there with me.” Eddie said. Steve stared at the clothes before he sighed and changed quickly. He slid into bed next to Eddie and the relief he felt at not being alone was palpable.

“Thanks, Eddie.” Steve whispered.

“Go to sleep, Stevie.” Eddie said.

----------------

In the morning, they awoke with their legs tangled together. Steve pulled Eddie in close and brushed a soft kiss against the man’s temple.

“That was the best Sleep I’ve had in a while.” He mumbled. “Can we do this again?”

“Sure thing Stevie.”

tags:

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[mugloversonly]

no context WIP snippet

Thanks @gloomysoup for the tag!

“I lost him Robs.” She led him to the couch where Chrissy was waiting with a raised eyebrow.

“Let me guess, the talk didn’t go well? That’s why Eddie is currently bursting his eardrums?” Chrissy glared. They could hear the death metal clearly in the house as if he were just in the kitchen. Steve nodded and told them Eddie asked him to leave for a while.

“You can stay with us for a few days. Right Chrissy?” Robin said hopefully, turning to her girlfriend. Chrissy was sweet but when she was angry it was terrifying.

“Sure he can stay here.” She got up and began walking to their room. “But I won’t be here while he is. At least not until I talk to Eddie.” Less than five minutes later she was leaving with a back pack of her own. She kissed Robin softly. “I love you, Robbie. I need to take care of my platonic life partner and clean up the mess yours caused.” She glared at Steve again. “I hope it was worth it.” She spat. “I’ll be back in a few days.” She promised as she kissed Robin one more time. As the door shut behind her, Steve met Robin’s eyes.

“You better tell me everything Dingus.”

I'm not tagging anyone directly so if you see this and want to play, go for it.

[mugloversonly]

Eddie's Delivery Service

for @steddiemicrofic March prompt “ride” | WC: 453 | cw: NA Summary: It’s a Kikis Delivery Service AU. AO3

Eddie tightened the grip on his broom as he drove it into the seaside town, clicking off the Metallica pouring from the radio.

“Whatta you say, Dustin? Does this look like the place?” Eddie turned to his cat familiar and grinned. His familiar glared unimpressed.

“Cats hate water, Eddie!” He whined, but Eddie just rolled his eyes goodnaturedly. As soon as he got close to the ground though, Eddie had to weave and dodge through cars.

“Ah, Sorry!” He called as he went. He’d never seen so many cars in one place.

Once he was safe, he paused to catch his breath. As he glanced to his left, he saw a car full of boys his age. One of the boys had a swoop of hair, and a dorky smile on his face.

“Hey! Mr. Witch? Can I have a ride on your broom?” He asked. Eddie gasped in shock and turned his head in disgust.

“Hmmf.” He huffed.

“What’d I say?” The boy asked as his friends all laughed. Eddie turned his broom in the other direction, landing outside a bakery. The sign out-front said delivery boys wanted. The bell above the door dinged as he walked in.

“Excuse me, I’m Eddie, a new witch in town looking for employment. I’m a great flier, I could deliver your goods for you.” Eddie said to the man behind the counter with his broom held in front of him.

“I’m Wayne.” The man smiled warmly. “The job comes with room and board. For you and your cat, there.” Wayne nodded at Dustin.

“We would be honored!” Eddie bowed.

🍞

On his first delivery, Eddie ran into the boy with the swoopy hair again.

“Hey, Mr. Witch!” The boy called but Eddie turned his nose up and walked past him. “Wait!” He said and grabbed Eddie’s arm.

“Where I’m from, we introduce ourselves before we grab people or ask them for things.” Eddie glared as he pulled his arm out of the hold and turned to the boy. The boy froze in shock before he smacked himself on the forehead.

“Oh! Sorry, I’m Steve.” He held his hand out for a shake. Eddie paused, and cautiously took his hand, shaking it once.

“Eddie, and this is my familiar Dustin.”

“Listen, I was wondering if I could give you a ride on my bike sometime?” Steve asked shyly. Eddie narrowed his eyes.

“It’s just a bike, isn’t it?” He asked skeptically. Steve laughed and pointed at the propeller.

“It’s a flying bike!” Steve said proudly.

“I know a thing or two about flying.” Eddie smirked. “You’re on.” Eddie climbed onto the back of Steve’s bike.

“Hang on!” He said as he started to pedal down the hill.

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[mugloversonly]

Letterman Exchange

For @stmarchmm prompts: Day 1: Courting rituals Day 21: different designation day 25: scentmates rating: M summary: Steve wants to court Eddie Munson, the beta freak of Hawkins High. He just needs the opportunity. AO3

Eddie Munson stood tall on a lunch table ranting about the basketball team again. Pretty much everyone tuned him out at this point, but Steve thought he was the most magnificent person in the entire school.

“You’re staring.” Tommy sneered. Steve glared at the other alpha.

“I wasn’t.” He denied, even though he definitely was.

“Steve you were drooling.” Carol laughed meanly. “What were you picturing? That beta freak on your knot or something.” She snorted. “Oh, Steve! Steve!” She mocked. Tommy joined in her laughter as Steve rolled his eyes.

He didn’t care that Eddie was a beta, he didn’t care that the school thought he was a freak. Steve wanted to court the man and he’d find a way.

----------

His opportunity came the following semester. They shared gym class, which luckily happened to be their final period. Eddie always arrived a few minutes early and would already be dressed down when the rest of the guys entered the locker room.

But after class, he either waited until everyone was done; or on days he had Hellfire, he grabbed his clothes and changed in a stall. Steve thought it was a little weird, but with the way everyone talked about the beta it wasn’t a surprise he wanted to keep himself out of harms way. As far as Steve knew, he never showered. Which wasn’t unusual for a last period gym class.

Steve ditched the last ten minutes of the class before gym with an excuse that he needed to talk to his coach. The teachers let him do whatever he wanted and he used that to his advantage. He quickly ran to his locker and grabbed out the bracelet he bought for Eddie.

It was simple, black leather with small spikes. A first courting gift of jewelry represented a serious intention to mate. Steve wanted Eddie to know that it didn’t matter his designation, Steve wanted him. He peeled back the scent patch at his wrist to scent it thoroughly, reapplied the patch, before he headed to the gym.

He slipped into the locker room and slid the bracelet into Eddie’s locker before he hid around the corner. A few minutes later, Eddie came in, early as always. He opened his locker and Steve held his breath as Eddie saw the bracelet.

He held it up to the light, as if inspecting it then sniffed it cautiously. His eyebrows furrowed and he looked around the locker room, suspiciously. Steve ducked back a little so he wouldn’t be spotted and Eddie shrugged his shoulders.

He slipped the bracelet on with a small smile before he changed into his gym clothes. He sprayed himself down with some sort of scent neutralizer before he shut his locker and bounded into the gym.

That was odd; scent patches were required at school and betas normally had a pretty neutral scent to begin with, why would Eddie need to mask it more? He couldn’t think of a reason for it as he waited for the bell to ring and the rest of the class to enter the locker room.

He dressed down and went into the gym, his eyes settled on Eddie as he talked to some of the girls in the class holding his wrist up so they could smell it. Likely, he was trying to find out who left it for him. Robin Buckley, a really uncoordinated junior, pointed in his direction with a shrug.

Eddie’s eyes snapped to him and Steve raised his hand, wiggling his fingers a little. Eddie nodded in confusion but turned away. The gym class continued like normal and like every Wednesday, Eddie grabbed his clothes and changed in a stall.

As he left the locker room, his gaze stopped on Steve. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes were narrowed. Steve assumed that meant Eddie didn’t want to court and that was fine. It stung, but he understood.

-------------

The next morning, Steve went to his locker to grab his text books and found a hair tie with Eddie’s scent on it in his locker. Eddie accepted his request.

He ditched the period before lunch and ran to the store to get Eddie some flowers. Before the end of the period, he taped a handful of roses to Eddie’s locker. Flowers as a gift, told him he wanted to have every moment of joy no matter how fleeting with him. He peaked around the corner again as he waited for Eddie to find the flowers.

Instead of the curious excitement from the day before, Eddie quickly pulled the flowers down and shoved them into his locker. His eyes darted around until they fell on Steve, hiding around the corner. He very deliberately, but subtly, tilted his head to the side before he turned and walked down the corridor.

Steve took the hint and followed at a casual pace, doing his best to seem like everything was normal. Eddie exited the building out the back and walked into the woods with Steve far enough behind, no one would guess they were together. Eddie disappeared but Steve knew where they were headed.

A few minutes after he entered the woods, Steve stumbled to the bench Eddie did his deals, but it was empty. With a rush of movement, Steve found himself pinned to a tree with a switch blade at his neck. His hands went up in surrender and he bared his neck in submission as best as he could.

“What are you doing, Harrington?” Eddie growled. Steve stared in confusion before he spoke.

“You signaled like you wanted me to follow you.” He said but it came out like a question. Eddie’s blade dug a little deeper into Steve’s neck and the beta bared his teeth.

“Why the bracelet yesterday and the flowers today?” He asked. He pulled Steve forward a bit before slamming him back into the tree. “Huh?”

“They’re courting gifts! I thought you accepted, your scrunchy was in my locker!” Steve explained with his hands still raised. He was so confused right now. Eddie’s brow furrowed too.

“Can I see it?” He asked calmly as he backed up and put his knife away, satisfied that there wasn’t a threat. Steve nodded and pulled out the piece of elastic. It was black and had little skulls on it. Eddie took the piece of fabric and inspected it carefully.

“I didn’t put this in your locker.” Eddie said. “But, I know who did.” He sighed and moved to sit on the bench.

“Who?” Steve asked as he too took a seat.

“Gareth, my band mate. I told him about your bracelet yesterday and I guess, he took matters into his own hands.” Eddie rolled his eyes. Steve deflated, his shoulders bent inward.

“So, you don’t want to court then?” He asked sadly. That sucked. But Eddie quickly jumped up and stared at him, his eyes big and pleading.

“No, I do! I told Gareth last night that I wanted to and he told me I should give you a gift in return but…” Eddie crumbled back to the seat. “I’m scared.” He admitted softly. Steve thought about all the beta had to endure, especially from the jocks, and he could see how that may be terrifying.

“Of me?” Steve whispered. Eddie turned to Steve and held his gaze.

“A little, yeah. I’m scared this is a joke to mess with the freak.” He whispered. Steve took Eddie’s hand in his, rubbing his thumb over the scent patch there.

“It’s not. I would never do that. I really like you Eddie, I think you’re fun and loud. You stand up for your friends and you just have this beautiful smile with these dimples.” Steve said. Eddie’s face lit up into that smile he loved so much. “There it is.” He said as he poked Eddie’s cheek. Eddie turned away shyly before the smile slid off his face.

“What about your friends?” Eddie asked accusingly.

“What about them?”

“Will they be okay with the King dating the Freak or will they make my life hell?” Eddie made a good point but it still made a growl build in Steve’s chest.

“I’d never let anyone hurt you. No one will fuck with you or anyone in Hellfire.” Steve promised. Eddie nodded thoughtfully.

“There’s one more thing I have to tell you before I can accept.” Eddie took a deep breath. “Promise you won’t tell anyone, even if it changes your mind?” Eddie held his gaze again, his eyes were big, wet, and wide.

“I promise.” Steve agreed even as he knew there wouldn’t be anything Eddie could say to change his mind.

“I’m an omega.” Eddie whispered. He reached up and pulled the scent patch off his neck. The faint lavender scent that had been present on the scrunchy bloomed out in full force with the softness that marked Eddie as omega tickling Steve’s nose for the first time.

“Holy shit.” He whispered softly, a little lightheaded by it. He leaned in closer to smell right at the source. His eyes dilated a little before he clawed off his own scent patch. His pine forest and fresh dirt scent wafted out and Eddie gasped at the rich alpha scent. He tucked his nose against Steve’s neck practically huffing the man.

Eddie whimpered when Steve pulled away but tried to cover it with a cough. His body heated a little and slick flowed between his legs. He saw Steve in a similar state. The alpha’s cock hardened visibly and his pupils were ringed in red. Eddie could only assume his were rimmed in gold.

“Scentmates?” Steve whispered.

“Scentmates.” Eddie agreed. A cramp hit his stomach. “Steve, I think I’m going into a false heat.” He gulped. In heath, they learned when alphas and omegas found their scentmates, there was a high chance one or both of them would go into a false mating cycle. It’s why scent patches were required at school. With the dazed look in Steve’s eyes, Eddie could assume Steve was in the same boat.

Steve blinked distractedly at Eddie until his alpha instinct to protect his omega kicked in. He knew his body would hold off the rut until his mate was safe, but they had a time limit. Steve hoisted Eddie into his arms and carried him through the woods. A quick look around guaranteed there was no one in the parking lot; class must have started. He sprinted to his car and deposited Eddie in the passenger seat.

“My van.” He whispered as another cramp hit him.

“We’ll get it later, I promise.” Steve said as he climbed in.

“If you someone fucks with it, you’re paying to fix it.” Eddie warned.

“Deal.” Steve laughed. “Do you want me to take you home or my place?” Eddie thought about it before ultimately deciding he wanted his nest.

“Steve, I’m not sure I’m ready to spend my heat with you, even a false one.” Eddie admitted. The alpha in him whined but logically he understood. They never really talked before today and Eddie deserved to go at his own pace.

So once he got to Eddie’s trailer, he didn’t get out. Eddie shuffled to the door but before he went inside he jogged back to Steve. He took the bandanna out of his pocked and rubbed it along his neck, scenting it thoroughly. While he did that, Steve stripped off his polo, then his undershirt, and put his polo back on. He scented the fabric and exchanged it for Eddie’s bandanna.

The scent exchange from the omega was an agreement to court and from the alpha it was a promise to keep Eddie safe. Eddie brought the shirt to his nose and moaned softly at the spicy scent of rut.

“Okay, I have to go inside before my slick turns my driveway into a slip and slide. Or should I say, a slick and slide.” Eddie laughed.

“That was terrible.” He chuckled even as he groaned deep in his throat at the image. “I’ll pick you up for school tomorrow.” Steve promised.

“Bye, alpha.” Eddie said suggestively. Steve made sure the omega got inside safely before he drove home as fast as he dared, the rut now settling into his body. His knot was already swelling with Eddie’s arousal still permeating the air.

Once he got home, he dropped his mouth open to drink in more of Eddie’s scent. His hips jerked up and he grunted as he came untouched in his boxers. As he caught his breath, he cracked the windows and sighed. It was going to be a long night.

--------------

By the next morning, the false mating cycles had cleared from their systems and Steve stood by his car, waiting for Eddie to lock up. Normally, he’d knock and walk his omega to the car, but Eddie was already on the porch when he showed up, so as not to disturb his uncle.

He opened the passenger door, with a hand out to assist Eddie inside even though he didn’t need it, and closed the door after him. He headed to the driver’s side, and slid in to head toward the school. They didn’t speak for a few minutes until Eddie took a deep breath.

“I accept your courting Stevie, but I don’t want to come out as an omega. Is that okay?” Eddie asked, suddenly unsure.

“I thought you were a beta anyway.” Steve said. “I’m not going to make you change that for me. You have your reasons for hiding you designation; and while I’d like to know why, I wouldn’t force you to tell me or out you.” Steve promised.

“Thanks, Stevie.” Eddie smiled. Steve took his hand and rested them both on his thigh.

“I do have a request.” Steve said as he glanced over. Eddie gave him his undivided attention. “Wear my Letterman?” Steve asked. Eddie grinned.

“Want the whole school to know I’m yours, Harrington?” He teased.

“Maybe.” He mumbled. Eddie removed his jacket and grabbed Steve’s Letterman from the back seat. He slipped it on, and Steve’s alpha rumbled in approval. When they got to the school, Steve ran around and opened Eddie’s door. Eddie stepped out of the car, holding his vest.

“Wear it, Harrington. It’s my Letterman.” Eddie smirked. Steve didn’t hesitate, he slipped the vest on and popped the collar slightly.

“How do I look?” He asked. Eddie threw his arms around the alpha’s shoulder and leaned in to press their lips together for the first time. His blood sang as he hands settled on Eddie’s hips.

“Like mine.” Eddie sighed against his lips. The warning bell forced them to end the embrace and head into the building. All eyes were on them as Steve walked Eddie to his locker.

“Can I sit with you at lunch?” Steve asked. Eddie leaned against his locker, almost shyly.

“As long as you don’t mind sitting with us Freaks and Geeks.” Eddie smiled. Steve dropped another kiss on the man’s lips.

“Not at all.”

------------------

Later in the cafeteria, Steve moved toward the Hellfire table but was stopped by Tommy.

“Dude, what the hell? First you wear that Freak’s ugly ass vest, then you sit at his table?” Tommy sneer. “Are you pranking that loser beta or something?” Tommy asked gleefully. Steve growled loud enough that the whole room quieted.

“That ‘loser beta’” Steve began, the quotations evident in his voice. “Is my beta. I’m courting him and if you value your life, I suggest you leave him and his friends alone.” He bared his fangs at the other alpha and turned to the rest of the room. “That goes for everyone. Keep my beta’s name out of your unworthy mouths or I’ll knock your teeth out.” He snarled for good measure and walked to his omega with his head held high.

“You didn’t have to do that.” Eddie said with a chunk of hair pulled over his face to hide his smug smile.

“I know.” Steve answered. But his alpha preened. His omega was pleased and Steve would do whatever it took to keep him safe and happy.

“So, Harrington?” One of the other Hellfire guys said; Steve thinks this must be Gareth. “Did you really do a body shot out of Heather Co-” the rest of the question was cut off by Eddie throwing an eraser at the guy.

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[mugloversonly]

Boys Trip

@corrodedcoffinfest pop up event “Spring Break” | rating: G | Prompt: “Beach” “Ocean” | POV: Eddie | WC:478 summary: Eddie and the CC boys go on a vacation AO3

Eddie stares at the place where the waves crash into the beach, a deep pull in his chest. He’s terrified of the ocean; it’s not a secret. Eddie hates the water and after ‘86 he thinks he’s fully justified in that.

But Gareth begged him to join the rest of them on this trip; Jeff pestered and prodded, and Bear said “this could be our last chance.” That’s what finally got Eddie to agree.

Jeff was going to college, Gareth still had a year left in high school, and Bear asked his long distance girlfriend to marry him. Corroded Coffin was dead with Eddie the only one still making music: turns out selling his songs to better bands pays surprisingly well.

He looks out into the water and sees his friends splashing and having a good time. It might be his last chance to face his fear with his friends at his side.

He puts one foot in front of the other until his toes sink into the sand and the water licks his ankles. He keeps going until it hits his waist.

He wants to go further but he’s frozen; locked in a battle of wills between his own determination and his default mode of running.

“You got this Eddie!” Bear calls from ahead. His eyes dart forward and he sees and hears his best friends all cheering him on. With a smile on his face, he takes another step. He hits the drop off suddenly and goes under.

He panics at first; arms flailing, heart racing, the salt water stings his eyes. But then he takes a deep breath (metaphorically) and remembers how to move his arms and legs to propel him to the surface. His head breaches the water and he gulps in air as he wipes his face.

The guys are right there ready to pull him out if he needed it; Gareth pats him on the back, Bear sends him a big thumbs up, and Jeff jumps to hug him tightly.

“I’m so proud of you!” He says into Eddie’s hair. Eddie moves until he’s hugging Jeff back in thanks.

“I can’t believe I did it.” He admits softly.

“I knew you could.” Gareth says reassuringly from the side. Eddie chuckles lightly, happy that he decided to join them.

“We’re not losing touch. We’re going to do this again.” Eddie says with a look that said don’t argue. The others laughed and nodded in agreement.

“It’s only the first day! We have a lot more to do.” Jeff says a look of fondness in his eyes as he gazes at Eddie. It’s a look Eddie’s seen before but has been too afraid to study. But he just faced his biggest fear so he can do anything.

He vows to himself that he’ll figure out what that means before the end of the week.

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[mugloversonly]

Saved Yourself

Summary: Eddie went to a club to get out of his comfort level a little… it didn't go well. Steve finds him and finds out just what happened to the metalhead. This one is kinda heavy cw: attempted rape, violence, referenced rape

AO3

Eddie’s known for a while that he was bisexual. He even had a few trysts in Hawkins. After spring break, he didn’t hookup in Hawkins anymore. Not from a lack of options mind you. It’s surprising how many people are interested in sleeping with an alleged serial killer. Especially when the real killer was sitting behind bars. If it wasn’t for his D&D sheepies and their weird band of teenage friends, he’d be on the hook for it. It really weirded him out.

He’d been to gay clubs before, but never by himself. He should have asked Robin to come with him, but he knew she was going out with Chrissy and Steve tonight (he was invited, but he needed to do this). She would have joined is the thing. After everything, the two of them had become as close as two people who already had platonic soulmates could get. But he needed to be brave and do something on his own for once.

He got to the front and flashed his ID, with his birthday last week, he finally didn’t have to use a fake.

He stepped through the door and was bombarded with lights, sounds, and smells he had never experienced. A huge smile broke across his face. He found his people.

He makes his way to the bar, and as he’s waiting for the bartender, a man sits on the stool next to him. He turned and smiled at the man. “Hey cutie,” he said. “Don’t think I’ve seen you here before” he grinned. Eddie tried not to roll his eyes. Classic pick up line.

“You haven’t. This is my first time here”. Eddie confirmed as the bartender made his way over. He ordered a beer, tilted it in thanks before taking a sip. He glanced around, and saw the packed dance floor. He wasn’t much of a dancer but, for tonight? He was pushing himself out of his comfort zone. “What’s your name?” He asked.

“Jaime.”

“I’m Eddie. Wanna dance?” He tried for a flirtatious smile. It seemed to work as Jaime stood and grabbed his elbow to pull him onto the dance floor. He immediately grabbed onto Eddie’s hands and pulled him close. “I’m just here to dance.” He made sure to be stern.

“That’s okay, baby. I love to dance.” Jaime winked. Eddie glanced around, saw the way everyone was moving and did his best to replicate it. He must’ve been doing something right because by the next song, another man was cutting in.

“Mind if I cut in?” He asked. Jaime looked reluctant but Eddie was here for a fun night.

“Sure!” Eddie exclaimed, shifting around to dance with the new guy, Daniel, he found out. Daniel, had his hands on Eddie’s hips, swaying them side to side. Eddie’s hands wrapped around his shoulders and pressed in close. The heady mix of alcohol and old cigarettes, rushed to his head.

He was right where he wanted to be; he’d found nirvana.

At the end of the song, another man cut in to dance. This one grasped Eddie from behind and thrust his hips against his ass. Eddie took the hint and ground back against him. He put his hands on the shoulders behind him, threw his head back and closed his eyes. He kind of liked the feeling of not knowing who was behind him. The music moved through him and he felt electric. He didn’t get this one’s name, but he found it added to the electricity.

By the time he took a break to get a drink, he had a few more dance partners. He stopped counting after ten. He settled up to the bar and ordered a beer but when he tried to pay, the bartender said someone already covered it, pointing to a pretty blond man at the end of the bar. He should protest, but if he learned anything from his dad, it was to never look a free drink in the mouth. He lifted his beer towards the man before taking a long sip.

The blond man came over and slid into the bar stool next to him. “The name is David, I saw you dancing. You looked incredible, can I take you for a spin?” He asked with a wink. Eddie did his best not to recoil in disgust. Nonetheless, he nodded and drank his whole beer in one go.

He was having an amazing time. David kept complimenting him, telling him how pretty he was. He’d never had someone call him pretty before and it happened so many times tonight that he lost count. Another man stepped up behind him.

“Hey Gorgeous, I’m James. Can I join you two?” Eddie giggled as the guy introduced himself. “Your ass is perfect, baby” he whispered in his ear as he squeezed his ass. He tensed a bit before relaxing again. Just like he had been doing all night, Eddie let James know he was only there to dance.

Suddenly, he found himself with David pulling him chest to chest, and James pushing his hips against Eddie’s ass. He threw one arm over David’s shoulders and another behind him to touch James’.

Eddie had never felt so desired. And it wasn’t because of his reputation. It was the way he looked. Not people who wanted to pay for drugs in a different way, or sleep with an alleged killer. Just men looking for a good and fun time, and finding Eddie. The rush made his head swirl. The two men told him how beautiful and radiant he looked. It felt like they were competing for his affection. He felt powerful. Dare say, loved.

________________

The night was going amazingly. He had danced with so many men, and even a number of women. Their hands were all over him. In his hair, on his chest, squeezing his ass and even a few bold hands lightly grazing over his cock-which he could do without; but, it was so quick he didn’t think much of it. He was sweaty, and parched, but was elated for the most part.

Eddie made his way to the bar again and grabbed a water this time. He did have to drive home after all. Instead of staying at the bar, he found an empty booth and slid in. He breathed a sigh of relief when no one approached him immediately. He was having an amazing time, but he was starting to get tired.

His respite was short lived; however, when someone he never thought he’d see here waltzed up, smirking at him. “Tommy Hagan?!” Eddie exclaimed, doing his best to keep his fear in check. He knew Tommy was in the closet after the last few encounters they had, but he didn’t think he’d ever have to see him again after he left for college.

“Eddie Munson. Long time no see.” Tommy said, a predatory grin on his face. “Mind if I have a seat?” Eddie shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.

“Free country man.” Tommy slid into the booth, not exactly crowding Eddie, but not exactly giving him space either. He moved his hand towards him, just a bit. An open invitation that he ignored.

“You looked so beautiful out there Eddie.” Tommy said quietly. “I loved watching you move.” A predatory leer gracing his face. He wasn’t sure what his face was doing, but as Tommy’s eyes hardened, Eddie had a pretty good idea. “No, it’s true. You know I always thought you were pretty, even in high school. It’s why I was so angry at you all the time. I’d only been into girls, and then suddenly this guy turns my head.” He snorted. He knew he was Tommy’s gay awakening, but to be reminded of it here? Priceless. “If I’m assuming correctly, you’re here to meet someone. Well, I’m someone. Let me take you home.”

“Thanks, but I’m not interested in doing anything but dance tonight.”

Tommy smirked. “With the way you were grinding on me, I would have thought you’d be eager for it”. An icy feeling ran up Eddie’s spine. It must have been the man he didn’t see. His face paled and he was suddenly nauseous. Before he could respond, David slid into the booth opposite him.

“So darling, think about my offer?” He completely ignored Tommy in favor of propositioning him. How was he to reject two guys without the other thinking he was accepting?

“I’m flattered,” he was interrupted by both Jaime and James coming up to the booth too. Shit. Now there were four guys. He told them all(well minus Tommy) that he just wanted to dance. He guessed they would take a hint, but they must have assumed he was playing hard to get. “Uh, I think I want to dance some more.” He nudged Tommy so he could slide out. On his way past, Tommy groped his ass, and he suppressed a shudder. He abandoned his drink and slipped back into the crowd.

Hopefully that told the guys that he wasn’t interested. A glance behind him, told him otherwise. He ducked into a shadow on the dance floor, and did his best to blend into it. The four men seemed to be working together to find him, but they weren’t successful.

Just when he was taking a breath, he found himself face to face with Daniel, who was eyeing him with hunger. He squeaked, drawing the attention of the other four. Backed into a corner, he did his best to seem smaller. Looking around, there was no clear escape route.

“Come on Eddie,” Jaime said. “You danced with all of us. Which one of us to you like?” He didn’t know what would happen if he were to choose.

“I like all of you.” He said holding his hands up in surrender. Tommy growled in frustration.

“Which one of us do you like more?” Tommy asked. Panicked Eddie pushed himself further into the corner.

“I don’t know! I don’t know!” He shouted. The group started shouting at each other. Pushing each other and yelling, all trying to get closer to Eddie.

He wanted to feel desirable, but this was a whole other level. He didn’t exactly hate it. He could admit that to himself. Finding out that people would fight over him, just because he was cute and funny, well, that did something for his ego. As flattered as he was, he still paled at the thought that they were going to literally fight over him.

Thankfully, in all the commotion, there was an opening he could slip through. He decided he had enough fun and made his way to the exit.

He pushed his way outside and walked towards the alley behind the bar. He cursed his past self for parking a few blocks away and that the alley was the only route to his van. Behind him, he heard the voices of the men from earlier. Doing the only thing he could think of, he took off like a shot.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t as fast as usual since he was worn out from the dancing. They caught up to him and surrounded him again. They closed ranks making sure there was no way he could slip past again. “shit,” he murmured to himself.

“You’re a fucking tease, you know that?” Daniel spit, the others nodding their agreement.

“I told you I only wanted to dance” Eddie insisted.

“A pretty thing like you?” Jaime sneered. “Never only wants to dance.” Jaime calling him pretty suddenly didn’t sound so nice.

“Since you couldn’t choose,” James said. “We’ll choose for you.” He stalked forward.

“Boys,” Tommy smirked. “We can share. Take turns. Don’t worry, he won’t fight back. He never fights.” Eddie’s eyes widened as he looked around at the men. They were looking at him like he was a piece of meat. And not in a fun way. “Who should go first?” Tommy smirked. The look in his eyes sent terror through Eddie. He’d had that same look when he and Billy bought from him together. Nothing good came from that look. Bile rose in his throat as Tommy spoke again. “I wonder if we can make him cry. He’s pretty when he cries”.

There was some debate going on but Eddie tuned it out. He was doing his best not to hyperventilate as he looked down the alley for help. There was no one around that he could see. He was shit out of luck.

“Looks like, since I danced with you first, I go first.” Jaime stepped forward and grabbed him by the wrist. He yanked his hand, but he held strong.

“Let me go!” Eddie yelled, hoping his screaming would make the men back off. He didn’t see where the blow came from, but his face burst in pain and he was spun around and pinned against the wall of the bar, his arm twisted up behind him, making him gasp in pain.

Someone pushed his face against the brick, and another attempted to kick his legs apart. He was really panicking now. Five on one was never a fair fight, but add into it his fear of what would happen if he stopped fighting... Eddie thrashed around. He screamed, and kicked, and threw his body back against his attackers. Nothing was working. It was easy to hold one person down, especially if you outnumbered them.

They all fought back, smacking his face, slamming his head into the brick, a hand found its way around his neck, tightening hard.

At that, all the fight left him. He let his body go slack and closed his eyes. If he couldn’t physically get away, he could at least mentally check out right? He’d done it before. The men laughed in victory as they moved in closer. “Limp like a rag doll” Tommy sneered. Eddie was so focused on blocking out what was around him, that he didn’t hear the sounds of footsteps coming towards them.

Suddenly, there were grunts of pain, and Eddie was falling to the ground. He landed harshly on his hands and knees, coughing and sputtering as he gulped in air. He blinked his eyes clear, and as the spots disappeared from his vision, he saw a man silhouetted, against the street lights. He had a magnificent swoop of hair, a gray members only jacket, and blue jeans that hugged his frame. In his hands, was a nail studded baseball bat that he was swinging with intent at Eddie’s attackers.

He couldn’t believe his eyes. This had to be a mistake right? Until he heard the man’s voice.

“You better get the fuck out of here assholes, before I make you.” He swung again. Steve.

Steve and Eddie had become unlikely friends. After the new freshman he adopted had spoken so highly of Steve Harrington, Eddie was convinced it was all an act. But after Jason Carver broke into his trailer and attacked his girlfriend, Chrissy Cunningham, as Eddie watched, he stopped thinking about reputations and rumors. He managed to knock him out before he did real damage, but that made him angrier.

In his desperation, Eddie picked Chrissy up and carried her to his car. He was going to take her to the hospital, but he knew how this looked. So he did the only thing he could think of, and drove to Steve Harrington’s.

By the time they had patched Chrissy up, agreed that the two of them should hide there, and pulled Eddie’s van into the garage, Chrissy and Eddie were heading fast towards platonic soulmate territory and Steve was becoming Eddie’s best guy friend. Even Carver killing other teens and pinning it on Eddie couldn’t damage it.

In fact, it was Steve who helped clear his name, along with the rest of the party.

So seeing Steve here, made him instantly feel safe, before he remembered where he was. Outside a gay bar. Shit.

His adrenaline was still quickening his blood, his heartbeat filled his ears. His vision blurred. He could vaguely hear Steve yelling again. All his attackers ran off as soon as Steve started swinging. All except one.

Tommy Hagan.

He didn’t seem to care that someone he knows saw him outside a gay bar, in fact he smirked. “Steve-O. Why are you defending this trash? I know the kind of guy Munson is and I know he’s beneath you. He’s used goods. Trust me.” He smirked. For once Tommy was right. Eddie was unworthy of Steve. Especially here in this alley. He was trash, horrible and dirty. Used up.

It’s his fault he’s even here. If he hadn’t come alone. If he told someone where he was, if he hadn’t danced. If he wasn’t such a...

“He’s such a fucking tease.” Came Tommy’s sneer, almost as if he pulled the thought right from his mind. “What, because he finally graduated, he’s too good from me now?” Eddie was filled with shame. His face heated and tears filled his eyes again. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to hold them back. He did his best to keep them quiet but he wasn’t sure he was successful. Especially when Tommy laughed meanly “even if he wasn’t easy, he’s a fucking murderer”.

Eddie took gasping breaths. Even here, miles from home, he can’t escape. No matter that Carver had confessed, there were still those who thought he’d brainwashed him into killing the other teens and he staged his own injuries when he fought Jason to protect Max.

For reasons he couldn’t name, it hurt worse that Tommy thought that. He hated himself for caring what he thought. Hunched on the floor of the alley, he rolled himself into a ball, arms tight around his legs.

He vaguely heard Steve yelling and a short scuffle. When the fighting stopped, a figure made his way over. Through his sobbing panic, he couldn’t tell which of them it was. A hand reached out and he flinched back so violently, he slammed his shoulder into the brick wall. His panic increased tenfold when the hand didn’t stop. He let out a little whimper. “Don’t touch me” he pleaded, “not again.” His voice was rough as the words clawed from his throat. “Don’t hurt me”. White hot shame coursed through him as he begged. “Not again, please”. Fear was quickly overtaken by relief when the hand pulled back.

“Hey, hey. It’s me. It’s Steve.” A hushed voice reassured. Steve. With a shudder, he tried to regulate his breathing. Steve held his hand out, palm up, in invitation. Grateful to have a choice this time, he grabbed his hand. Steve took his hand and pulled it to his chest. “Follow my breaths.” He breathed in and out deliberately until Eddie’s breathing returned to normal. He pulled his hand back and wiped them over his face before wrapping them around himself.

Rocking back and forth, he dragged his hands up and down his arms in an attempt to self-soothe. “Thanks…for the breathing, and the rescue.” Eddie whispered. “Not to sound ungrateful, but how did you end up in this alley?” He couldn’t meet Steve’s eyes, not until he calmed down.

Steve cleared his throat. “The bar across the street is where the girls and I went tonight. I took a smoke break, when I saw someone practically sprint out of the club and people follow.” He took a shuddering breath. “I just reacted. Popped the trunk, grabbed the bat, and took off. It wasn’t until Tommy started talking shit that I even realized it was you.”

“Right place, right time.” They nodded in agreement. Wait…Steve is with the girls. Shit. “Listen, can you not tell the girls about this? I’m sober enough to drive, and I’d really like to go home and forget.” A frown graced Steve’s mouth.

“They wouldn’t judge you Eddie.”

“No,” he agreed. “I just can’t deal with their concern right now.” Eddie grabbed Steve’s hand again, holding tightly. Trying to get him to understand. He searched Eddie’s face and whatever he saw there convinced him. He sighed.

“Fine. I won’t tell them. But unless you plan to hide for the next week or so, they’ll see the evidence. So, you should be ready to tell them something” He gestured to the other man’s face. Eddie reached a hand up and felt something wet. He expected tears, but his hand was covered in blood. “Robin is going to go on a rampage, and knowing Chrissy? She’ll help.” He chuckled not noticing Eddie’s face pale.

The panic returns, his breathing speeds up, he turns to look at Steve, his frightened eyes reflected back to him. He felt the world tilt and he knew he was running out of time. He needed to tell him to call...he needed...

“Wayne” he manages to say before he promptly passes out.

____________

Eddie never had the luxury of waking slowly. His eyes burst open and he startled when he doesn’t recognize where he is. Remembering the last time this happened, he sat up and quickly threw off the scratchy blankets. Swinging his legs off the bed, he makes to stand up before someone was on him. He screamed and thrashed, pulling himself out of the arms around him. He made a break for the door, before he was being restrained again.

Still trying to fight his way out, a bustle of people ran through the door. He cried and begged to be let go, to not be hurt anymore, but they ignored him and stuck a needle in his arm. He screamed out for his Uncle Wayne to help him, but he was no where to be found. His body started to slump, whatever they injected him with causing him to feel drowsy. “Wayne,” he whispered helplessly. “Steve, help me”. Then he was unconscious again.

When he next woke up, it was quiet. He blinked slowly in the harsh light as he stretched his arms. Or tried to, but he was stopped. He looked down and his wrists were bound to the bed. Not again. Eddie thought as he thrashed against the binds. Whimpers fell from his lips as he struggled. A wrinkled hand grabbed his own. Instead of panic, this time he was filled with relief. “Wayne” he whispered, instantly calming. He saw his Uncle’s calm face come into view as he reached over and hit the call button.

“Hey kid.” Wayne said softly. Before he could respond, the door opened and a nurse came in. She checked his vitals and unbound his wrists.

“Sorry about these,” she said looking genuinely remorseful. “You woke up fighting a few times so we had to sedate you. The straps are a precaution.” Her eyes hardened as she explained. “I told them it was a bad idea to restrain you as that would probably cause you more panic, but hospital security never listens to us.” She shook her head in annoyance. “The doc will be in in a minute, but for now, close your eyes.” She left some cream for his wrists if he needed it, and placed something from the cafeteria on the tray in front of him. “Alright, open.” She whispered with a wink. He opened his eyes and found a bowl of vanilla ice cream. “The good stuff, that’s for the doctors and pregnant people.” His favorite. Eddie found himself smiling for the first time in hours. Maybe days. He had no idea how long he has been here. The nurse left with another apology for the restraints.

“I thought you promised no more hospital this year?” Wayne eyes shined with tears. Suddenly, Eddie went from relief at seeing his uncle to guilt for making him sit next to another hospital bed. There was no way he would be able to hold back his tears, so Eddie didn’t even try.

“I’m sorry, dad.” His eyes burning as the tears kept coming. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.” Wayne cursed under he breath before he nudged Eddie. He slid over and Wayne got into bed with him. He held him close like he did when Eddie first moved in. Shushing him gently and petting his hair, he spoke the mantra from his childhood, “nothing to apologize for. It’s okay, we’re okay.” Repeating it over and over until Eddie’s tears dried up.

“I know you didn’t mean it Ed. This isn’t your fault, you hear me?” Wayne pressed a kiss into his hair. “Not your fault” he said again, as if he knew Eddie hadn’t believed him. He nodded into his uncle’s chest. “Are you feeling up to some visitors?” Eddie shook his head, before nodding it, and then shaking it again. Wayne huffed. “Which is it?” Amusement clear in his tone. Eddie wasn’t sure if he could explain to his uncle that he only wanted to see one person. Nevertheless, he tried.

“Steve” was all that came out, but luckily his uncle knew what he needed.

“He’s been waiting in the lobby for you for two days now.” This caused Eddie to sit up.

“Two days?”

“Yeah son. It’s Monday.” He’d been at the club on Saturday. Wayne was missing work today and Steve was likely missing work too. His eyes prickled again with shame and self-loathing. If he hadn’t been so stupid and easy, none of this would have happened.

“They wouldn’t allow anyone but me in the room since you kept reacting aggressively when you woke up” Wayne rubbed his back soothingly, misinterpreting Eddie’s tears. He fell back into Wayne’s chest. Too exhausted to sit up. “I’ll go tell him he can come back”. Wayne goes to disentangle himself from his nephew, but he grabs his shirt and won’t let go. He let out a pitiful sound that broke Wayne’s heart. Sitting back on the bed, he gathered Eddie back in his arms. “Alright, alright. I’ll let one of the nurses know he can come back. Is that okay?” Eddie nodded. “He’s here with two those young ladies, Robin and Chrissy. He tried to tell ‘em to go home, but they’re as stubborn as him, if not more so.” He chuckled and Eddie weakly joined in.

As much as Robin and Steve were platonic soulmates, so were Eddie and Chrissy. She wouldn’t go anywhere once she knew he was here. And Robin would never leave Steve here alone. It warmed his heart to know he had such good friends. “Steve first.” He pressed the words into his uncle’s shirt.

He called for a nurse to let his friends know he was awake. Not five minutes later, Steve practically threw the door off the hinges. Eddie startled so violently, he would have fallen off the bed if not for Wayne’s arms around him. He sent Steve a glare over Eddie’s head. Steve slid into the room much quieter.

“Sorry” he whispered. He looked at Eddie like he wanted to reach out but was afraid of hurting him. He gave him a tentative smile as he held his hand out, once again giving Eddie the choice to take it or not. Feeling seen, Eddie took his hand with a grateful smile. “How’re feeling Eds?” He kept that same hushed tone.

Eddie shrugged. He hadn’t taken the time to check himself over. “What happened?” Based on the look on Steve’s face, Eddie isn’t sure he wants to know.

“What all do you remember?” Steve asked. Thinking back, only one thing came rushing back; being cornered by Tommy Hagan.

“Tom...Tommy, he.” He felt Wayne’s arms tighten; Eddie’s sure he recognizes the name. He felt his airways close, the heart rate monitor picked up speed, as did his breathing. Steve took a step closer, but Wayne held his hand up to stop him. He wrapped his arms tighter around Eddie, being sure to leave his arms free so he wouldn’t feel trapped. He rocked them back and forth, and began singing the song that always worked to calm Eddie.

“Someday I wish upon a star, with clouds so far behind me” the familiar tune of Somewhere over the Rainbow coming back to him instantly though it’s been some time since he’s had to sing this for his nephew. His deep husky voice filled the room until it drowned out Eddie’s quieting sobs. Steve remembered how this helped the last time he was in the hospital and joined in softly.

When Eddie joined in, Wayne knew he was calming down. He reached a hand out to Steve and gently grasped it. The other hand was wrapped around Wayne’s arm, holding him close. “Thanks for rescuing me, Stevie.” He whispered. “If you hadn’t shown up when you did I don’t know...I mean I know what would have happened and I’m really glad that it didn’t.” He said wetly. It was obvious to everyone that he was trying not to cry again.

“Eddie, you said something in the alley.” Steve said morosely. He glanced at Wayne, unsure if he should ask in front of him. Before he could, there was a knock on the door. The doctor opened it a few seconds later. She was a short, older black woman, about Wayne’s age. Her long salt and pepper hair was pulled back into a braided bun.

“Hello Eddie. I’m DR. Kate. I need to check your vitals, do a quick exam, and ask you some questions. Is that okay?” He stiffened. He’s always hated Doctors. “Your Uncle told us you’d be more comfortable with a female doctor. Is that true or would you prefer a male?” She smiled at him kindly.

“He’s right.” Eddie said. “You can check me out.” He’d been wary of men since his father, which was why he pushed himself to go out last night. Or a few nights ago. Look at all the good that did him.

“Okay, I need everyone who isn’t family to step out please.” She said to the room, though it was obvious she was talking to Steve. Eddie’s heart picked up, the monitor going crazy. He grabbed Steve’s hand so tight his knuckles turned white.

“No, no. Don’t make him leave.” He cried out. His eyes welled with tears and he willed them not to fall. Seeing his reaction, DR. Kate pursed her lips.

“One moment.” She turned and walked out of the room without another word. The three men looked at each other the confusion clear on all of their faces. Dr. Kate came back with a sheet of paper she handed to Wayne. “Sorry Eddie. Since I haven’t done an exam on you yet, and you have a head injury, I can’t say if you are in good mental capacity to consent; however, if you Uncle signs this form, this young man can stay in the room.” Everyone turned to Wayne. The ball was in his court.

He looked at his nephew, then back to Steve. Steve has always been good to Eddie, not to mention he saved Eddie. With no hesitation, he signed the line, giving Steve permission. The doctor took the form and moved to Eddie’s side. “I’m going to need the two of you to step back from Eddie please.” She said with a warm smile towards Eddie. Wayne unwrapped himself from his nephew. Steve tried to take his hand away but, he was still white knuckling Steve’s hand. The boys made eye contact and Steve melted at the trust in Eddie’s eyes.

“Don’t worry Eds. I’ll be right over there next to your uncle, and I’ll come right back over if you ask. Doctor be damned.” He said not taking his eyes off him. “No offense Dr. Kate.” He said towards the doctor. She just laughed. That seemed to reassure Eddie that Dr. Kate could be trusted. He finally let go of Steve’s hand and allowed him to step back. Dr. Kate pulled out a flashlight and went through a few questions. Other than the few seconds the light was in his eyes, Eddie kept Steve in his sights. He always felt safer with Steve.

Steve never took his eyes off Eddie, making sure he knew he was there for him. Wayne looked between the boys who only had eyes for each other. He smiled to himself, but was a bit worried about the doc. If she noticed the boys, she didn’t say anything.

“You have a moderate concussion. Do you feel a bit foggy?” She asked. Eddie nodded. “I thought so. Don’t worry, that’s normal. The wound on your head needed ten stitches, there are a few scrapes that needed some cleaning, and your right shoulder is sprained. You have several bruises, but nothing too bad.” After she was done with her physical exam, she grabbed a stool and sat next to Eddie. “You were asleep due to blood loss from the head wound, plus the sedation we had to use when you woke up agitated.” She took a deep breath. “Eddie, can you tell me what happened?” She asked gently. Eddie shook his head. “You don’t remember what happened or you don’t want to talk about it?” She asked. The distinction was very important. Eddie couldn’t speak so he held up two fingers, indicating the second thing she said. “Okay Eddie.” She gently grabbed his hand. “Can you look at me please?” He made eye contact with her. She gestured to her coat and pulled open the collar. Inside was a small rainbow pin. Eddie relaxed a bit.

“Steve?” He called. Steve came over right away and Eddie grabbed his hand. “I was at The Hideaway, and I danced with some people. Afterwards, some men followed me outside and they tried to” he trailed off. Steve squeezed his hand and Eddie took a deep breath. “Tried to hurt me, I didn’t know what to do it was five on one. I tried to fight them, but I couldn’t. One of them grabbed me by the throat, the others laughed.” He stopped again. His eyes were far away like he was lost in the memories.

“Hey,” Steve said softly. “Stay here, Eddie.” Eddie nodded as his eyes cleared. He went on to explain to the doctor all that he could remember.

“I was scared.” He whispered. Unable to hold them back anymore, tears rolled down his face. “Terrified. I figured they’d kill me before they let me go. That’s when Steve showed up.” He took a harsh breath. “I was going to let them.” The shame swept through him again. Red hot and ice cold. He pulled his hand from Steve’s and buried his face in them. “I was going to let them just take...take what they wanted so they’d leave faster.” Sobs shook his body, loud and horrid. Dr. Kate set her hand gently on his arm. Despite the soft touch, Eddie still jumped about a foot. “If I hadn’t danced with them-” At that Dr. Kate shushed him.

“Hey, this is not your fault, sweetie. At all okay?” She reminded Eddie of Joyce. “You’re the victim here.” She reassured. Eddie’s lip wobbled before he launched himself into her arms. She held him, rubbing her hand up and down his back, and rocked slowly back and forth. “Shhh”she whispered as she did her best to soothe the boy. Eddie held on tight until his eyes dried. He didn’t move just yet.

“Thank you. No one’s ever said that to me before.” He said, muffled into her shoulder. She didn’t like the sound of that.

“Has something like this happened before Eddie?” She asked quietly so only he would hear. He stiffened in her arms, but still held tight. He made a noise in affirmation. She didn’t know what to say to that, so she asked a question instead. “Are you going to press charges?”

“I..don’t think so.” He admitted. He should, he knew he should, but the thought of going through all that when all he wanted to do was forget...no.

“If you choose to, I can help. But it is your choice.” She promised.

Normally, she wouldn’t stay with a patient this long, but Eddie wasn’t a typical patient. He may be 21, but he was still a child. A scared boy in need of comfort. She’d seen too many scared boys like him in her hospital and she’d be dammed if she’d abandon him when he needed her.

Finally he pulled back and thanked her shyly. Reassuring him that it was not a problem, she recommended he talk to a professional. “If you need help finding someone...safe” she said tapping her jacket. “I can give you a hand.” She gave his forehead a kiss before she left the room.

Eddie dropped his hands into his lap and fidgeted with his rings. Even though Dr. Kate was understanding, he still felt dirty. Like he was a used tissue. He felt the bed dip and saw Steve sitting on the edge. He held his hand palm side up on the bed, a silent invitation. One Eddie wasn’t ready to accept yet. Steve tried to catch his eye but he couldn’t meet them. “You can get the girls.” He said as he wrapped his arms around his torso.

Steve looked like he wanted to say something but thought better of it before he headed back to the lobby. Eddie watched him go then turned to his uncle.

Wayne saw the emptiness in his eyes and jumped up, immediately climbing back into the hospital bed with his nephew. Eddie curled up tight on Wayne’s lap, making himself as small as possible so he’d fit under his chin.

They stayed that way even as the door opened and Steve and the girls came in. Chrissy gasped and dashed towards the bed. With no hesitation, she climbed in with Eddie and Wayne laying her head on Eddie’s arm. “Hey Chris.” Eddie said as he pulled her into his side. “I’m alright.”

“What happened?” She asked. There was no point in asking if he was hurt, it was obvious.

When Eddie didn’t speak, she sat up. His eyes were closed, but the tears spilled out anyway. The sight made her own eyes tear up.

“Oh, Eds.” She whispered. He didn’t need to say anything. There was a throat cleared nearby and she glanced to the side to see that Robin and Steve came closer. She could tell Robin wanted to ask questions but she gave her a look and she backed off.

Robin put her hand on Eddie’s elbow and Steve held his other hand. Even though he was broken, Eddie was surrounded by love. He was so grateful. “Thank you.” He whispered.

__________

Eddie was discharged on Tuesday. Steve rarely left his side for more than a few minutes the entire time.

The longest was the hour talk he had with the hospital therapist. With everything he’d been through, she recommended he start going regularly. When he mentioned he lived in Hawkins, she grimaced and offered to be his therapist as long as he didn’t mind driving to Indy every few weeks. He agreed and they scheduled an appointment.

For the most part, Eddie was out of it, staring blankly at the wall. He forced himself to eat and talk when he was talked to, but he didn’t start conversations. As he was wheeled out to Wayne’s truck, he finally spoke up. “What about my van?” He asked. Steve agreed to drop Chrissy and Robin off at his van so they could bring it home. The plan was to meet back up at the trailer for lunch. Wayne insisted to thank his friends for being there for him.

Eddie was thankful for everyone, he was, but he hated himself for putting himself into the situation. He needed time to be alone. He just wasn’t sure what he’d have to say to Steve to get it.

He appreciates Steve. Really he does. But he doesn’t think he can tell Steve the truth.

Lunch was...to be frank Eddie didn’t’ remember much of lunch. The girls and Steve met them at the trailer, everyone laughed and joked and did their best to pretend like Eddie hadn’t just been in the hospital. It was harder than he expected to participate. He tried to play it off like he was just tired, but the drugs wore off and he remembered more of that night.

He hated himself for not being more aware of his surroundings, of just dancing with whoever without thinking. He hated himself more than anything that he went alone and didn’t tell anyone where he was...he was so lucky Steve was nearby. He wanted to thank him but he was so embarrassed and he didn’t want Steve’s pity.

By the time everyone was leaving, Eddie was exhausted. “Do you want me to stay the night Eds?” Chrissy asked. It was something they’d done before to help with the nightmares. He looked at her big eyes and wanted to say yes. He really did. But he shook his head anyway before waving goodbye to them all and locking himself in his room.

He lay awake that night, lost in the memories he’d rather forget.

____________

A week later, Eddie visited Steve at family video. It was the first time he’d left the house since the incident has he’d come to call it. It wasn’t unusual, visiting Steve, after everything with Carver and especially after the club...Eddie needed to feel safe and Steve was his safety.

“Do you want to come over tonight, we can watch one of the Star Wars.” Steve suggested as he restocked the shelves.

“Sure. But not the third one.” Eddie sighed. They watched it every time because…

“But that one has the teddy bears!” Steve and Eddie said together. Eddie more teasingly than Steve’s indignation. Steve laughed but before he could say anything else, the bell above the door rang.

“Be right with you!” Steve called. He quickly laid down the tapes in his hands and went to the front, with Eddie not far behind. But the person behind the counter made Eddie’s bones chill.

Billy Hargrove stood cockily with his hip popped against the counter. Eddie ducked behind the shelf nearest him, hoping he hadn’t been spotted.

“What can I get you, Hargrove?” Steve sighed. Billy sneered in distaste.

“Heard you were friends with Munson.” Eddie’s breath caught. Oh, god. Why was Billy asking about him?

“And if I am?” Steve answered, voice low. Billy just huffed a laugh.

“I heard he got into some trouble, just wanted to make sure he’s okay.” Billy laid the charm on thick. Eddie swallowed against the bile in his throat. That dick didn’t care about him, he must want something.

“He’s fine.” Steve reassured coldly, doing his level best not to glance in Eddie’s direction. Steve didn’t know exactly what was going on, but the fact that Eddie hid from the man, told him it was better to keep them apart.

“Well, tell him I’m looking for him. For old time’s sake.” Billy laughed as he exited the video store. Steve followed him to the door, locked it behind him, and flipped the open sign to closed.

“He’s gone, Eds.” Steve called as he calmly walked toward Eddie’s cowering form. “You’re safe.” Eddie sagged against the shelves, tucked his knees up to his chest, and sobbed into his knees.

“He’s never going to leave me alone, is he?” He whispered. Steve sat next to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

“What’s he want from you, anyway?” Steve asked. Eddie sighed. He should really tell someone, and Steve was safe. He felt safe.

“You promise you won’t tell anyone?” Eddie plead.

“I promise.” Steve said. “Do you want to go to my house?” He offered. Eddie shook his head violently.

“It’s happened at your house.” He admitted. “I’ve never told anyone but Wayne this.”

“Take your time.” Steve said softly, his hand began rubbing soft circles into Eddie’s shoulder.

“Do you remember that night in the alley? When I said not again?” Eddie began. At Steve’s nod, he continued. “It started with Billy. It’s actually one of the reasons I stopped selling.”

“Wait, is this about you getting paid for sex?” Steve asked shocked. He’d heard the rumors, everyone had. But he didn’t really believe them. Eddie sobbed harshly as tears spilled freely down his cheeks.

“I didn’t want to.” Eddie whispered. “And not in the ‘oh god I have to do this to survive’ kind of way. But, in the…” He paused. Steve rubbed his back which helped him calm down. “I met Billy in the woods for a deal and asked me if I’d accept sex instead of money for weed. I said no. He asked if he could pay me for it instead. I said no again. But he didn’t like that.” His eyes glazed over, as he got lost in the memories.

“Eds?” Steve whispered pulling him back to the present. Eddie sighed.

“He grabbed me, held me against a tree. Took what he wanted. It hurt a lot, I bled some. Then he tucked $20 into my pocket and walked away. Left me there with my fucking pants down.” Eddie wiped his eyes and leaned his head back.

“I’m so sorry.” Steve whispered.

“I took the money. We needed it. I never said anything about it to anyone except Wayne. Didn’t bother going to the hospital, no one would’ve believed that I didn’t want it. I refused to sell to him for a while. But, he cornered me one day, told me if I didn’t give him what he wanted, he’d take it out on Gareth.” Eddie choked out. He turned to Steve and held tightly to his hands, imploring him to understand. “I couldn’t let Billy hurt him. So, I let him do whatever wanted to me. It wasn’t so bad, after a while. I learned how to just shut it all out. Pretend I was somewhere else.”

Steve sat horrified on Eddie’s behalf. He never should have gone through this, never should have been put in this position.

“Eddie…” Steve sighed. He didn’t know what to say.

“It got worse after he told Tommy.” Eddie whispered. “The two of them would come to deals together or separate but, they both...It was the prom after party at your house in ‘83. I didn’t want to go but, I needed the money. Tommy and Billy, locked me in the laundry room with them and...you know.” Eddie mumbled.

“Oh, god. Eddie. I’m so sorry.” Steve said emphatically. “If I had known, I would have put a stop to it.” Steve felt sick. He saw Eddie stumble out of the laundry room that night, looking broken and Steve thought maybe he just got too fucked up on his own supply. But now, knowing what he knew he wanted to break something.

“It’s not your fault Steve.” Eddie promised. “After they graduated, it was easier to avoid them. I stopped dealing, got a job at the mechanic’s so I would be harder to corner. Tommy and Billy moved away for school and I haven’t seen them since.” He shrugged even as he barely breathed. “I guess Billy’s back or he heard from Tommy what happened...I don’t know.” He curled up even tighter.

“Listen to me. I am not going to let anything happen to you again.” Steve said determinedly. “No one will lay a hand on you like that again.” Eddie stared hard at Steve’s face, looking for any hesitance but he didn’t see any. He saw something he couldn’t name, a fondness he’d seen on the other man’s face a few times.

“Promise?” Eddie asked.

“I promise.” Steve swore.

_____________

Steve made good on that promise not even a day later. Eddie, Chrissy, Robin, and Steve were spending the day at the trailer; with Eddie’s permission, Steve had filled the girls in on the club and the events that led to his rough time at the video store. Eddie would have been embarrassed but unfortunately it was a story the girls were all too familiar with.

Steve gazed at Eddie fondly as he talked with the girls. A movie played softly as they talked, doing there best to keep Eddie’s mind off everything, when a familiar Camero pulled up outside.

“I’ll take care of this.” Steve said as he stepped outside to stand guard on the Munson’s porch. The three people left inside peaked through the window to watch the confrontation.

“Is that you, Harrington?” Billy scoffed. Steve sighed and nodded.

“Yeah, it’s me. Don’t cream your pants.” Steve put his hands in his pockets calmly. Billy slammed the car door and Eddie flinched back from the window. His hands started shaking but he couldn’t stop.

“Munson home?” He asked.

“Why you asking?” Steve glared. Billy stepped up the porch steps until he was toe to toe with Steve.

“I just want to say hi.” He scoffed. Steve put two fingers against the other man’s chest and pushed lightly.

“He’s not home.” Steve said pointedly. Billy snorted and his eyes clicked to the window behind Steve’s head.

“I can see him in the window.” Steve swore under his breath.

“Just leave him alone.” Steve implored. Billy glared, reared a fist back, and slammed it into Steve’s nose knocking him back a few stumbling steps. He shouldered past and burst through the door.

Eddie gasped and back up a few steps until his back hit the wall. Chrissy and Robin stepped in front of him, but Billy was too strong for them to hold back and they fell to the floor.

“Leave me alone, Billy. I mean it.” Eddie spit out between gritted teeth. Billy smirked as he stalked forward. Before he could close in, Steve came up behind him in a tackle taking them both to the ground.

As they grappled, Eddie ran to his room and grabbed Steve’s nail bat. When he got back, Billy was straddling Steve, wailing on his face as the girls tried to pull him off. With a roar, Eddie swung the bat into Billy’s arm tearing into the muscle fiber. Billy screamed in a weird pleasure/pain and turned to glare at Eddie.

“Leave me alone!” He screamed again as he raised the bat. Steve rolled into Billy’s legs sending him to the ground again. Eddie swung the bat down between Billy’s legs and glared at the man.

“If I ever hear from you again, I’ll cut off your balls.” He growled. “Got it?” Billy sighed but Eddie lifted the bat and aimed it at his crotch. “Got it?!” He shouted.

“Got it.” Billy sighed. Steve watched Eddie in awe; the lights from the trailer shone behind him like a halo and he looked so strong and regal. It wasn’t the time, but Steve thought he looked beautiful.

“You better call your friend Tommy and tell him the same goes for him. Now get the fuck out of my trailer.” Eddie said as he stepped back, still holding a defensive position. Billy groaned but rolled to his feet and shuffled awkwardly out of the home, tail tucked between his legs.

Eddie didn’t relax until he heard the Camero pull away but even then, it was Steve pulling the bat from his grip that allowed him to crumble. Steve held him closely, keeping him safe.

“Did I just do that?” He asked in awe of himself.

“You did it, Eddie.” Steve whispered. Robin held him tightly on the other side.

“I just did that.” He laughed and started crying happily. The shame he felt at letting it happen before seemed to lift as he finally found the courage to stand up for himself.

“I doubt you’ll ever hear from either of them again.” Chrissy said as she too joined the hug.

“I’m free.” He sobbed.

“You’re free.” Steve whispered. Eddie held tightly to his arm.

“I’m safe.” He said as he laughed some more. “Thank you, Stevie. For keeping me safe.” He said to the man.

“You saved yourself.” Steve implored. Eddie smiled.

“I guess I did.”

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[mugloversonly]

Accidentally Dating

for @steddieholidaydrabbles popup event Feb 14th Prompt “Valentine’s day/love” | Rating: G | WC: 591 summary: Steve and Eddie go out as friends for dinner. Based off my real first Valentine’s day with my partner. AO3

Robin burst through the door to Family Video and attempted to vault over the counter. Being Robin, she slipped and Steve threw his arms out to catch her.

“What are you doing?” Steve asked incredulously.

“You’re finally going on a date with Eddie?!” She yelled instead of an answer. Steve nearly dropped her as he set her feet on the ground.

“No? We’re just going to the diner, then back to his place to watch a horror movie, as friends.” Steve said, doing his best to hide his disappointment. Robin stared at him in confusion.

“Tonight?” She asked. Steve nodded. “Don’t you know what today is?”

“Ash Wednesday I think. I saw some people with crosses on their faces.” Steve shrugged. Robin stared at him for a solid 45 seconds.

“Just, be sure to pay the bill, dingus.” Steve nodded, it was his turn.

~~~

As they slid into the booth at Benny’s Eddie noticed a larger crowd than normal. He looked around and saw a bunch of people with ash crosses on their foreheads. It made sense they’d come here then, Benny was Catholic. He couldn’t remember if Ash Wednesday meant they started lent or ended it, but either way Benny’s would have the right foods.

The waitress shimmied over; the elderly one who was always nice and never charged Eddie for an extra chicken tender.

“Is this your first date?” She asked with a smile. Eddie furrowed his brows.

“No, we’re not on a date. Just friends.” He did his best to hide the bitterness. She frowned slightly before composing herself.

“Well, we do have a Valentine’s deal on milkshakes.” She said as she handed over the menus. Eddie froze and looked at Steve, then looked at the calendar on the wall. February 14th.

“Did you know it was Valentine’s day?” He squeaked. Steve’s eyes widened, Eddie had to hold in his laughter at the deer in a headlights look.

“That’s what Robin meant!”

~~~ As they sat in Eddie’s bed, The Thing played in the background. It was much scarier than he remembered. He wrapped his arm around Eddie, who was practically sitting in his lap; their hands clasped tightly together as he flinched at every scare.

“I thought you’d be the horror buff.” Steve smiled. Eddie tried to glare, but a jump scare got him good and Steve had to dodge an elbow.

“Jesus Christ. I do like it. I’m just terrified of it!” Eddie pouted. “But, at least I have you here to protect me.” He laughed. Steve noticed how close their faces were, his eyes darted down to Eddie’s lips before snapping back up; just to catch Eddie doing the same thing. He didn’t think, he just kissed him softly and quickly.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have done that without asking.” Steve cringed, but Eddie only smiled.

“That’s okay, I wanted you to.” Eddie whispered and turned back to the film.

Afterward, as they laid down to sleep, Steve smiled. Maybe it wasn’t so hopeless after all.

~~~

A week later, Eddie called Steve and invited him over. He sat Steve down on the couch and plopped into his lap.

“I liked that kiss the other day. Do you want to be my boyfriend?” He asked bluntly. He was tired of waiting for him to make a move, so it was up to him.

“Um, yes, yes I do. Very much.” Steve whispered. He cupped Eddie’s face softly and pulled him in for a kiss.

“So, are we counting last week as a date?” Eddie giggled.

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[mugloversonly]

I'm Coming Out

@genderthings Eddie’s gender week day 3 prompt “tie/trans” | rating: G | transwoman Eddie Munson summary: Eddie comes out to the party. AO3

Eddie took a deep breath as Robin put the finishing touches on her hair. She took her black bandanna and tied it into a cute headband bow, pulling pieces of Eddie’s curls down to frame her face. Today she wanted to look perfect; she was coming out to the party today. She’s been out to Robin for nearly a year. She smiled at her girlfriend when she remembered that conversation. She’d been so nervous.

~~~

It was the first time Robin came over to the trailer alone, but Eddie couldn’t do this in front of an audience. She wanted to tell Robin first since she knew about her sexuality. Eddie hoped the solidarity would give her confidence.

“Robin. I need to tell you something.” She began. “It’s kind of hard to say.” Robin grabbed her hand and held it tightly.

“Whatever it is, I’m here for you. You’re my best friend.” She smiled. Eddie nodded and took a deep breath.

“I’m trans.” She mumbled. Robin furrowed her eyebrows. “I’m actually a girl. Is that okay?” Robin didn’t answer for a minute and Eddie panicked. She stood and began pacing around the living room. “I’m sorry. I know that maybe that does change things between us but I really needed you to know because you’re my best friend and I couldn’t hide this from you anymore and I have a huge crush on you and I know that maybe that doesn’t matter because of what’s downstairs but I still thought you should know. Robin please say something.” Eddie rambled before she froze and stared at the other girl. Robin slowly stood, took Eddie’s hand again, and led her to sit down.

“Okay. Thank you for telling me. I’m really proud of you, this doesn’t change anything between us.” Robin said. Eddie sighed in relief. “Good.” She hugged the other girl.

Robin helped Eddie find her style and she was free to be her real self around her. A few months after she came out, Robin asked her out on a date.

“Really? Even though I have a…” She trailed off and curled into herself.

“I will admit, I don’t know my way around one,” Robin began. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t learn. You’re still the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met and you’re my best friend so I know we’ll click personality wise.” Eddie giggled and nodded.

~~~

They’ve been together ever since and Robin was Eddie’s biggest support. The only other person in the group who knew about Eddie was Steve. It was partially an accident. Robin made a comment about the two of them dating and confused the shit out of poor Steve. He showed up in the middle of the night to break the news to her that Robin was a lesbian and was probably using Eddie as a beard. His heart was in the right place but the warning was ultimately unnecessary.

The knock on the door broke Eddie out of her thoughts.

“It’ll be okay, babe. And if not, you’ll still have me and Steve.” She promised. Eddie nodded and let the party into the trailer.

“Come in, sit down.” Eddie gestured to her small living room. The group piled in and Eddie gulped at the handful of weird looks she got for her outfit. She hadn’t wanted to startle the group, but she didn’t want to hide either. She wore a simple summer dress, her legs were freshly shaved. Once everyone settled, Eddie stood in front of the TV to address the whole room.

“Um…” She began. Her hands shook. Suddenly, she wanted to run and hide under her covers. Steve gave her a thumbs up and Robin smiled encouragingly.

“Man, what are wearing?” Mike chimed in, bordering on disgust.

“What does it look like, shithead?” Steve growled.

“Guys!” Argyle yelled before there could be anymore comments. “Let him continue.” Eddie flinched at the words even as she appreciated the sentiment.

“I’m not…” She took a deep breath but couldn’t continue. Steve clocked the helplessness in her face and stood to wrap her up in a hug.

“Dude, what’s going on?” Dustin asked. The annoyance at being left out of the loop, clear in his tone.

“Take your time.” Steve whispered. Since he knew the truth, Steve has been her biggest cheerleader aside from Robin. He fought someone at the queer bar the other day for saying shit to her, and he actually won!

She felt another body pressed to her back and smiled when she realized it was Robin. She grasped her girlfriend’s hands and absorbed their warmth.

“Can I tell them like this?” She whispered. Steve nodded and crab walked them around until Eddie’s head peaked out from the middle of the hug circle.

“I’m transgender.” She admitted quietly. The group burst into loud questions from left to right.

“One at at time.” Robin spat.

“What’s transgender?” Lucas asked.

“You cannot be that dumb.” Erica raised her eyebrows at her brother. He pushed her shoulder. She pushed back and the two entered into a slap fight until Jonathon put a stop to it.

“It means you were born in the wrong body, right?” Nancy asked. Eddie nodded.

“Where’s the right body?” El asked innocently.

“I’ll explain that one to you later, okay?” Jonathon promised.

“That’s why you’re wearing a dress, man?” Mike sneered. Eddie shrunk in on herself just a bit. Max smacked him on the back of the head.

“I think she looks beautiful.” She said with a harsh glare at the boy. Eddie’s cheeks heated at the compliment.

“Yeah, yellow really is your color. Who woulda thought with the way you normally dress.” Erica interjected.

Dustin stared at her in contemplation, like she was a hard jigsaw puzzle.

“You told Steve before you told me?” He asked, poorly disguised hurt bleeding through. “I thought you trusted me.” Eddie pulled out of the hug and went to sit next to him.

“It’s not about that. I planned on telling everyone at the same time but I needed to tell Steve before because…” She trailed off. She didn’t know if Robin wanted to keep it a secret but before she could ask, another question popped up.

“Wait, are you dating Steve?” Will whispered. Robin and Steve gasped but for different reasons.

“Um, no! She’s my girlfriend thank you.” Robin blurted out. Eddie whipped around to look at her in shock and laughed when she saw Steve’s hand pressed to Robin’s mouth.

“Eddie already came out once today!” He exclaimed.

“So you’re a lesbian?” Erica asked. Robin nodded since Steve’s hand still blocked her mouth.

“That’s why you never wanted to date Steve.” Dustin threw his hands in the air like that explained everything. And to Dustin, maybe it did.

Eddie answered a few more questions from the group before Steve suggested they move the party to his house so they could all watch a movie and have a sleep over. Max asked to ride over alone with Eddie and she could never say no to the little gremlin. She pressed a soft kiss to Robin’s cheek before they went toward their separate rides.

As the two got into Eddie’s van to drive to Steve’s, Max stared at her hands. Something was on her mind, but Eddie knew better than to ask.

“Fuck Mike Wheeler.” She mumbled. Eddie snorted at the deadpan delivery even though she agreed. “He shouldn’t have acted like that.”

“Well, Mike Wheeler is a notorious shithead so, I expected worse.” She admitted.

“What Nancy said, about being born in the wrong body.” Max continued. “Can that go the other way?”

Eddie’s eyes widened but she tried to remain calm. She was about to have her first queer mentor moment.

“Like can a girl feel like she was supposed to be born as a boy?” Eddie asked just to clarify. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Max’s nod.

“Yeah. It can go the other way. Do you...know someone who might feel that way?” Eddie didn’t want to force Max to confess anything, but she wasn’t about to slam the door in her face.

“Sometimes...I do.” Max whispered. Eddie took another deep breath and pulled over to the side of the road.

“Thank you for sharing that.” Eddie turned to face Max. “If you feel that way, sometimes or all the time, it’s real. You can talk to me about this stuff, okay? I promise I won’t think of you any differently.” Max nodded. They sat in silence for a few minutes so Eddie started back to the Harrington house. As the parked outside, Max’s hand paused on the car door handle.

“Hey Eddie? I wasn’t kidding earlier when I said you look great in that dress.” Max smiled and popped out of the car.

Eddie sat in the driver’s seat for a few more minutes lost in thought. Did she just gain another little brother?

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[mugloversonly]

Keep on Dancing

@genderthings Day 2 prompt “Lipstick/drag” | transman Eddie Munson | rating: G full disclosure I was listening to Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan when I started writing this. (Eddie’s outfit is 100% based on her look when she sang this at the grammys) summary: Eddie invites Robin and Steve to his drag show. AO3

The bell above the door of Family Video chimed, signaling Eddie’s entrance. He scanned the store to make sure it was empty of customers before he skipped to the desk. Steve and Robin were in the middle of a skittles fight before they froze at the bell.

“Hello lord and lady.” Eddie said with a bow. Steve rolled his eyes but Robin did an approximation of a curtsy.

“What’s up?” Robin asked. The nerves he talked himself out of in the car were back; but, these were friends and he trusted them.

“Do you remember last week when you said you wanted to go to more queer events?” He asked as he rocked back and forth on his heels. Robin nodded. “You free this weekend?”

“Why? Want to hit a gay club or something?” Steve asked. Eddie slapped a flier that read The Orb Drag Show with Saturday’s date down on the counter.

Eddie tried to hide his shaking hands. He had a huge crush on Steve; and if Robin was to be believed, Steve felt the same. But before he could do anything with that information, he had to show Steve this part of himself.

“OO! You want to go to a drag show?!” Robin exclaimed. Eddie smiled, he knew she’d love the idea.

“Actually, I want you two to go to a drag show.” He said. Steve’s brows furrowed like he was trying to solve a math problem.

“You’re not going to come?” He asked. Eddie shook his head before he explained.

“I’m performing.”

“Um! Of course we’re going!” She squealed. “Right Steve?” She turned to her friend. Who was frozen in place, great.

“Oh, yeah! Yes. We’ll be there.” He said after he shook himself.

“Cool, I’ll see you there.” Eddie smiled.

“Don’t tell us which queen you are, I want to guess.” Robin said. Eddie nodded and said his goodbyes. He exited the video store, a new pep in his step.

~~~

Saturday crept up on him and before he knew it he was applying hot pink lipstick. He had no reason to be nervous, he’s preformed here a dozen times; but then, Steve hadn’t been in the audience before today. He wasn’t going to pretend to be someone he wasn’t, if Steve didn’t like this side of him...that would be the end of it.

He shook his head to stop himself from spiraling and turned back to the mirror. He admired his handwork around his eyes: bold eye shadow in different shades of pink and white, with rhinestones glued on. His body suit was a maroon leather that held tight to his figure, his sky high, thigh high boots matched his cowboy hat perfectly. For this show he was able to use is real hair, just styled more curly and less teased than normal. Thank god for that, trying to fit all this hair in a wig was an ordeal all on its own. His tattoos were mostly hidden.

“Hey, Kas? You’re on deck.” The stage manager said as he peaked into the room. Eddie stood and took his place at side stage, slipping his hat on as the final touch. The queen before him wrapped up and the MC took the stage.

“Next to the stage, please give it up for Kassidy Rose!” Eddie took a deep breath and took his place at center stage. The spot light lit him up and he fell into his role.

Steve had never been to a drag show. He didn’t know what to expect but this was certainly not it. Robin told him before they got there that any drag queens he talked to were to be addressed as she. Which he didn’t totally get, until he saw the first queen take the stage.

She was tall and beautiful and Steve realized he liked drag. Steve knew she was a man, but it wasn’t hard to figure out that that didn’t really matter here. She worked the crowd like royalty should, really earning that title of queen.

He had a handful of dollars in his pocket that Robin made him bring. For some reason, he thought it would be like a strip show so he had to tip the dancers. And it kind of was, but without the actual stripping. Steve held onto his money, determined to give it all to Eddie.

“Do you think we’ll be able to tell which one is Eddie?” He asked. Robin shrugged.

“He’s our friend, we should recognize him.” Though she didn’t sound confident. “Let’s have a drink.” They moved to bar, got a beer each, and found a table with two empty chairs near the front.

Three performers and two beers later the MC announced, “Kassidy Rose!” A soft tune started up as the spotlight turned on to…

“That’s Eddie.” Steve whispered. He was sure of it, her hair was exactly like his.

I know you wanted me to stay

Kassidy lip sang along. At first Steve didn’t hear any music, his eyes racked along Kassidy’s body. Her slim waist was cinched by the bodysuit, her pale thighs on full display and Eddie’s bat tattoo peaked out at her elbow.

God, what have you done?

You’re a pink pony girl

And you dance at the club

Kassidy moved to the music, strutting along the stage, shaking her hips and hair to the beat. Steve’s eyes widened in wonder.

Oh mama, I’m just having fun

On the stage in my heels

It’s where I belong down at the

As the beat dropped Kassidy jumped off the stage landing perfectly in the splits. Steve was impressed, the height of the stage and heels, mixed with Eddie’s balance, it was wonder she didn’t break an ankle. Her leg swung in a high arch to pull her back to her feet and Steve had to adjust his pants a bit. He had no idea Eddie was so flexible.

As she moved through the audience, collecting dollar bills, Steve remembered the money in his pocket. He took it out and waited for her to make her way to them. She spotted Robin first.

Pink Pony Club

She ran a finger down Robin’s cheek and gently took the bills out of her hand. Then Kassidy turned to Steve.

West Hollywood

Kassidy smiled almost shyly at him as she placed her cowboy hat on his head. He couldn’t look away as she turned around and grinded her hips against him for a moment. It was enough that there was no way she didn’t know what she was doing to him.

Kassidy turned, kissed him on the cheek, and took the money from his hand. She shoved them into the top of the bodysuit before she moved back onto the stage.

Steve stared slack jawed when she stuck her hands backstage only to re-emerge with Eddie’s sweetheart. She burst into the guitar solo headbanging in time.

“Why am I attracted to Eddie right now?” Robin whispered in awe to Steve. He nodded in agreement, though he’s always been attracted to Eddie.

Kassidy knelt down with her shoulder blades touching the stage as her fingers flew along the frets, thrusting her hips into her guitar. Steve groaned at the sinfully deep arched she bent her back into as the song came to a close.

“Make some noise for Kassidy Rose!” The MC exclaimed as he came back on to the stage. Kassidy stood and bowed before running off stage. Steve was so fucked.

~~~

Eddie took a deep breath as the show wrapped up. He was sure Robin enjoyed herself, and he hoped beyond all hope that Steve did. But now, was the moment of truth. Still in costume, minus the hat, he went to meet his friends.

“Oh my god! Eddie that was amazing!” Robin exclaimed.

“Thanks! But here you call me Kassidy or Kas for short.” Eddie smiled and hugged the girl. They pulled apart. He turned and hugged Steve.

“You were awesome Ed...I mean, Kas.” Steve said as he too went in for a hug.

“Really?” He asked shyly.

“Yeah. How do you walk in those?” Steve asked and pointed at the heels. Eddie laughed.

“Lots and lots of practice.”

Steve nodded contemplatively before he glanced at Robin, his eyes huge. Robin gasped and without a word, walked away. Their silent communication would never be less weird to him.

“What was that?” Eddie asked as his brows furrowed.

“Will you let me take you out?” Steve replied.

“Like a date?” Eddie froze. This was what he wanted, but suddenly he was afraid it was only happening because of the show. As if he read his mind, Steve went to reassure him.

“I’ve wanted to ask for a while, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to. After tonight, with the…” he gestured to the cowboy hat he still wore. “I thought I’d try my luck.” He shrugged.

“You asking Eddie or Kas?” Eddie asked. Steve tilted his head thoughtfully.

“Both.”

“Today’s your lucky day then. We’d love to go on a date with you.” Eddie smiled and stepped closer, barely any space between them.

“Can I kiss you?” Steve whispered. Eddie nodded, his eyes slipped shut. His world tilted on its axis when Steve’s lips touched his.

The next show, he would preform Steve’s favorite Tears for Fears song, Head over Heels and he’d land his first stage jumping death drop. Steve would throw a worried fit over it but Eddie wouldn’t care.

For now though, he pulled Steve onto the dance floor.

I’m gonna keep on dancing

I’m gonna keep on dancing

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[mugloversonly]

New Furniture

@genderthings day 5 prompt “he/they/ sex shop” | rating: T | transmasculine Eddie Munson a bit of a short and sweet one today! summary: Eddie and Steve go to a sex shop. AO3

It wasn’t what he originally went into the shop for, but once Eddie saw it, they had to have it. Eddie and Steve were regulars at the shop; they came by every month or so for their newest toy. It was Steve’s turn to pick but Eddie liked window shopping. That’s when he saw something new. It wasn’t something he ever wanted to use. It wasn’t for them, not really. But it wasn’t not for him.

“Stevie!” Eddie yelled for his boyfriend...who was standing right next to them.

“I know, I see it.” Steve sighed...like he knew they were already trying to fit it into the apartment.

“It’ll look so good in the living room.” He cackled. Steve was unimpressed.

“I’m not putting that in the living room.” Famous last words. Eddie ran to the cashier.

“Excuse me, do you have any of those in stock?” They pointed to the display.

“There’s one in the back that I put aside just for you.” The cashier smirked. Eddie used to be embarrassed, coming to a sex shop enough that the staff recognized your tastes. But today, they were pleased as punch.

Not even an hour later, Eddie sat surrounded by pieces of fabric and wood, trying to put the swing together.

“Steve!” They shouted as he looked at the directions again. This time, Steve was across the apartment and he shuffled in.

“What’s wrong?” He asked. In the minute since he yelled, Eddie laid down and curled into a ball. They held out the directions for Steve to take a look. He stared at them for a moment, then he got up and pulled Eddie to his feet.

Steve directed Eddie to the kitchen to make them something hot to drink while Steve worked on the swing. In the store, the display made it seem really easy to put together, but now that everything was out in the open...he started to regret all their life choices.

Hot chocolate in hand, he walked back to the living room. Steve seemed to be having better luck, at least his piles of pieces seemed more coherent than Eddie’s did. They sat on the couch and watched Steve work, content to let the man take over.

Nearly an hour later, Steve declared the swing finished. Eddie excitedly rushed to hang it in a doorway and test it. Before they could sit, Steve picked up a nearby encyclopedia. He placed it gently into the swing and it held.

Eddie went to try it but again, Steve stopped them and placed another heavy book. This pattern repeated until the approximation of Eddie’s weight was represented in books. It held.

“Great, can I try it now?” They asked. Steve begrudgingly agreed and removed the first book. Well, he tried to. As soon as the swing moved a little, it fell apart. Steve threw his hands in the air and walked away in frustrated silence.

“IKEA ass sex swing.” He mumbled. They picked up all the pieces and went to try again.

Half-way through the second attempt he threw in the towel and pulled out their phone, dialing a number.

“Hey, Robin. How good are you at putting together furniture?” They asked.

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[mugloversonly]

Right Next to You

@steddiesongfics for March's "free space" prompt fic | rating: G | tw: unhappy ending, canon level violence, main character death | wc:1149 Song: Die with a Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars (Don't be mad at me my d6 decided.) Summary: Steve and Eddie fight to distract Vecna. AO3

Steve watched Eddie’s chest rise and fall, a slight he’d never tire of. He remembered the first time they’d geared up for a fight against Vecna; how they lost and Eddie was unconscious, covered in blood. Thankfully, most of it wasn’t his, he’d killed dozens of demobats before they fell to the ground, but he’d been so dehydrated from the week o the run that he’d passed out.

Steve admitted his crush on the other boy that night and the two have been together since. He was pulled from his reminiscing by his boyfriend’s quiet voice.

“You’re staring.” he smiled.

“You’re pretty.” Steve replied. Eddie climbed out of his sleeping bag, and wiggled into Steve’s, sliding closer until his face squished into Steve’s chest. The tent wasn’t exactly spacious, but Steve still sighed happily at the closeness.

“You thinking about tomorrow?” Eddie whispered.

“Yeah.” He said. “Just thinking about how much I don’t want to lose you.” Eddie pulled back enough to stare at him.

“That’s not going to happen.” He promised.

“How can you know that?” Steve asked.

“Because this time we’re fighting side by side. Wherever you go, I’ll follow.” Eddie grinned. Steve pulled him close, holding tight just in case.

“Let me hold you a while?” He asked.

“Of course. Never let me go, Harrington.” Eddie laughed as he shuffled into the warm circle of Steve’s arms.

“I love you, baby.” He whispered.

“I love you, too.”

~~~

The next morning, the party split into their teams. The plan was pretty similar to the first one, but with more players. Topside, Argyle, Will, and Mike watched over Eleven’s body as she went into the void of Max’s mind to fight Vecna.

Dustin, Lucas, and Erica were in the hospital with Max, to make sure nothing happened to her while she was still in her coma. They were prepped with Kate Bush, just in case.

The Upside Down team, sent Nancy, Robin, and Hopper to the Creel house to attack Vecna’s physical body. This time armed with axes and more guns. Jonathan, Joyce, Steve and Eddie were to distract the hive mind by wreaking as much havoc as possible on the vines.

When everyone was in position, Joyce swung her ax into the nearest vine. A roaring demogorgan ran through the brush, forcing the four apart. Joyce and Jonathan ran one way, Eddie and Steve ran the other, a loud pack of demodogs hot on their heels.

They ran through dead forest, swinging and ripping through as many vines and creatures as they could. Once they had a decent trail, Steve boosted Eddie up a tree and scrambled up after him. His foot nearly got bitten off but Eddie yanked him up by his shirt collar in the nick of time.

“Thanks.” Steve panted.

“Anytime, baby.” Eddie said pressing a kiss to his temple. The demodogs clawed at the tree, with a few making their way up the trunk. Eddie and Steve were able to bat them back down, keeping themselves relatively out of harms way.

The plan was to wait out the demodogs until Hopper raised the all clear; but the dogs all seemed to perk up at once like they heard an alarm and they scattered much to Steve’s confusion.

“What was that?” He asked as they climbed down.

“No idea.” Eddie replied. “Should we try to get them back over here?” Steve took his bat to a nearby vine but there was no sign of the pack returning. He shrugged.

“Maybe it’s over.” He said hopefully.

A screech cut through their relief.

“Fuck.” Eddie swore. A giant could of demobats flew toward them, fixed on their location.

“Run.” Steve whispered. He pushed Eddie’s shoulder to turn him away. “Run!” He shouted as he took Eddie’s hand pulling him along while he sprinted. There was an open clearing ahead where Steve figured they could make a better stand. But once they got there the pack of dogs entered in from the other side.

“It was a trap.” Eddie gasped as he clung tightly to Steve’s hand. Steve squeezed it reassuringly before turning his back and putting it up against his boyfriend’s.

“We got this.” He promised. Eddie took a deep breath. “Okay, we got this.” Eddie repeated as he pulled his spear and shield off his back.

The upside down creatures rushed at them from both sides; Steve took a few down with his nail bat as Eddie spun on his heel to block them with his shield. Wave after Wave, the two moved as one, demobeasts fell at their feet. They were standing on a mountain of corpses, giddy and determined; until, a demodog got through their defenses and yanked Eddie to the ground; his cries of pain lost in the sea of screeches.

Steve’s eyes widened as he turned to knock the dog off as others pounced on Eddie; but a demobat’s tail wrapped around his wrist stopping him mid-swig. Another wrapped it’s tail around his throat and he stumbled to the ground.

“Steve!” Eddie cried as he thrashed against the dogs. No matter how they struggled; they were outnumbered. Out matched. The swarm tore into their flesh, chunks flying out, their blood pooling between them; leaving them in pieces. Lighting lit up the sky, a piercing wail rang through the air, and the beasts finally fell still.

Vecna was dead.

“Steve.” Eddie whispered as blood filled his mouth. He turned to see Steve barely breathing. With herculean effort, he dragged his shredded body toward his boyfriend until he used the last of his strength to pull him into his arms.

“They did it, Eddie.” Steve breathed.

“We did it, Stevie. Let’s rest for now.” His lungs protested, but Eddie held Steve tightly to his chest.

“Hold me? Just for a while. Then we’ll find the others.” Steve leaned up as best as he could, Eddie leaned down the rest of the way to meet his lips for a final time.

“I’ll never let you go.” Eddie whispered as his breaths turned shallow.

“I love you.” Steve choked out, as he smiled at his boyfriend for the last time.

“I love you, too.” Eddie returning Steve’s words with a smile of his own, as his eyes slipped shut.

~~~

It’s Hopper who finds them in the end. Their arms locked together so tightly there’s no hope of separating them. He checked for pulses, just in case but unsurprisingly finds none.

He never really believed in love, in the long run he figured it could only ever hurt you. But, here in the Upside Down, he saw two boys so in love they died in each other’s arms with a smile on their faces.

He made a vow that he’d get them buried together in the same position, so they’d be locked in an eternal embrace, and whatever waited on the other side, they’d face together.

tags

@katyawriteswhump

buy me a coffee

[mugloversonly]

I Hate to Turn up out of the Blue, Uninvited

title from “Someone Like You” By Adele.

I really liked @pinkie-quinns fic and it got me thinking about Steve realizing too late that he chose wrong. Inspired by You Could Call Me Nancy by Pinkiequinn AO3

Steve stumbled down the sidewalk, squinting at the house numbers. The bottle of Jack and the three joints he smoked aren’t helping him; neither is the rain. It was raining that night too. The last night he saw Eddie.

1986

Eddie sat hunched on the porch couch, with a cigarette between his teeth, his thoughts swirled from the last few weeks.

After the world didn’t end, Steve helped patch him up; helped him get his full strength back. The whole time praising him and giving him so much attention. It was no wonder Eddie fell for the guy. It was stupid of him to admit it though. Because Steve’s heart was set on a different curly haired brunette with doe eyes.

Eddie knew that but there had been so many moments of closeness, where their mouths were but an inch apart and they were sharing air. They’re lips never met, it was always a promise but also a hesitation.

When Eddie whispered I love you into the cold night air, Steve had smiled that smile that made Eddie’s knees weak and he, he’d hoped this would push them into something. But, in the next moment Steve seemed distant, scared, like Eddie was fragile. I’m still in love with Nancy. He’d whispered. But, I think I’m falling for you too. Eddie’s heart broke even as he was filled with that joy of reciprocation.

The headlights of the Beemer pulled him out of his thoughts. Steve opened his car door, Eddie ran down to meet him. His eyes welled up already sure where this conversation was going to go. The rain left trails down Eddie’s cheeks but he didn’t bother wiping them away; he thanked them for hiding his tears, even as he knew it was obvious he was crying.

“Eddie, I thought about what we talked about the other day, and I…” Steve trailed off. Eddie smiled sadly and placed a hand on his cheek.

“You chose Nancy.” He finished. It’s not a question, Steve knew it wasn’t but still his heart stopped in his chest.

“It’s not that I don’t care about you, I do.” Steve tried even as he leaned into Eddie’s touch. Eddie ran his finger along his cheekbone.

“But you don’t love me.”

“I do love you.” Steve whispered. Eddie pulled his hand back and glanced away, his arms wrapping around himself protectively.

“You don’t love me, like you love her.” He said simply with a shrug like it didn’t kill him inside. Steve hung his head, his own tears finally falling.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He said. Eddie scoffed.

“If you didn’t want to hurt me you should never have given me hope in the first place.” Eddie said angrily.

“Should I go?” Steve asked, unsure of where to go from here. Eddie nodded but as Steve turned away he grabbed his wrist.

“Will you, do me a favor, for closure?” Eddie asked. Steve turned back to his friend – just his friend – and nodded. “Will you kiss me? Just once, then I can get over you.” Eddie whispered. It would hurt, he knew. But he also knew he’d never be able to stop wondering what kissing Steve would feel like.

“Are you sure?” Steve asked. It was Eddie’s turn to nod. Steve leaned forward slowly, with enough time to let Eddie back out. He didn’t and their lips connected sweetly, softly, wet from the rain and their tears and it was everything Eddie needed. Steve pulled away and got back into his car with the window down. Eddie leaned in and said the last words Steve would hear him say for five years.

“I hope she makes you happy Steve.”

1991

A month after Steve broke Eddie’s heart, he and his uncle moved to Indianapolis. Bigger city, more anonymity, and for Eddie more opportunities. They didn’t keep in touch, Eddie talked to everyone else in the party except Nancy and him. He couldn’t blame him for that, Jonathon was the same way.

But the last words Eddie ever spoke to him I hope she makes you happy. Were on his mind more often than he’d like to admit. Because Steve didn’t answer he just said goodbye and left. Steve didn’t say Me too. That felt mean, but also like he wasn’t sure. At the time, he was sure. Nancy was it for him.

But still, his mind was plagued with what ifs.

What if he’d chosen Eddie? Would he still live in Hawkins? Would he still work a dead end job? Would Eddie be disappointed in him for it? Would he give him the same disapproving look Nancy did? Would he wake up in boozy clothes and vomit on his floor? Would he lay awake at night and wonder what life with Nancy would have been like if he’d chosen differently? Would his fiance – ex-fiance. They’ve been broken up for months now. Steve checked his watch. six months to be exact. This time he’s not sure which one of them broke the other’s heart.

He’d asked her to marry him in front of her whole family, and some of the party.

Robin was missing; Nancy never warmed up to her, she never really trusted they were just friends. He should call her. The last time he tried, her number was disconnected; must have been a fluke.

Dustin couldn’t make it over from Nevada. Or was it Washington? Steve couldn’t remember at the moment. He went to college in Utah with Suzy, and Claudia moved to be closer to him. Steve wasn’t enough of a reason to come back to Hawkins. Eddie of course wasn’t there.

A week later, Steve called it off. His what ifs nagged at his head, not seeing Robin or Dustin or Eddie at his engagement party left him hollow and broken. He couldn’t go through with it when he still have feelings for Eddie even all these years later. It had to mean something, right?

Nancy barely flinched, like she didn’t care one way or another. Said she liked it better when they were friends. She moved out of their shared apartment the next day and that was that.

He didn’t know why he was here exactly; walking down this unknown street, checking the houses for the number 1452. He remembered reading the address off one of Henderson’s letters last time he visited. He wrote it down quickly on the notepad next to the phone and shoved the piece of paper in his pocket before anyone noticed.

He found the piece of paper in an old jacket pocket and he kept it pinned to his fridge. He’d been drinking again tonight. He was a bottle and a half of Jack in, the second joint hanging from his lips as he stared at that address with a piece of paper in front of him and a pen. He’d wanted to write a letter, but then, he remembered the map of Indy he bought when he moved up here and pulled it out. After a few painstaking minutes, Steve found the neighborhood. It wasn’t that far from him; he reasoned as he pulled on his shoes and grabbed his weed. He could smoke another joint on the walk over, say he was in the neighborhood, and tell Eddie he made the wrong choice.

Steve knew now, and he knew then, he only chose Nancy because it was safe, familiar. He was scared of the unknown, scared of a future where he might be seen differently. At least with Nancy, he knew what to expect. Eye rolls, condescending words, insults disguised as compliments, and dreams that weren’t his own. It wasn’t a great future, but it was predictable and at the time, that’s what Steve needed.

But every time he looked at Nancy, he saw a glimpse of his future with Eddie, the life they could have had. The laughter, the joy, the party probably wouldn’t be so divided either. He’s sure he and Eddie could have been the glue to hold everyone close together.

His feet bring him to a stop outside house 1452. He made it. He still wasn’t sure what to say, but the walk had sobered him up quite a bit. The cold seeped into his bones and he shivered. But he couldn’t write it all down in a letter and hope for the best. He climbed up the walkway, taking note of the few cars on the driveway, and smiled when he saw Eddie’s shitty van parked to the side. The old girl was still running then.

A deep breath in...a deep breath out...Steve rang the doorbell and knocked on the door for good measure. He leaned against the house to hold himself up as he waited, his eyes slipped closed for only a second.

The door creaked open as did Steve’s eyes at the sound, a smile already on his face. But it slid off when he saw an unfamiliar petite woman at the door. She had dark salt and pepper box braids down to her waist and a young boy on her hip. His short hair curled against his chin which he had tucked against the woman’s shoulder as he glanced at the stranger. His skin was darker, but his eyes were familiar pools of chocolate. Steve’s heart sank even as his brows furrowed in confusion.

“I’m sorry. I must have the wrong house.” Steve said confusedly as he stepped back. The older woman held a hand up to halt is descent.

“Hold on now sugar who you looking for?” She asked sweetly.

“I’m looking for Eddie Munson.” Steve said softly.

“And you are?” The woman asked.

“Steve, Steve Harrington.” He whispered.

“Ed, there’s a visitor for you.” The woman turned over her shoulder and yelled into the house, her drawl pushed out just a bit.

“He look like a cop?” Eddie called back from where Steve assumed was a kitchen. The woman rolled her eyes fondly.

“If he looked like a cop you think I’d tell him you were here?” She said with a laugh. There was movement from inside, which Steve took to mean Eddie was on his way. “Sit tight, he’ll be right with you.” The woman said.

“Who is it then?” He asked as he dried his hands. They stilled when he saw who was waiting for him.

For the first time in five years, Steve laid eyes on Eddie Munson.

“Steve?” He asked in disbelief. Though, Steve couldn’t tell if that was good or bad. As Eddie moved closer, Steve took him in. He looked good, his shoulders had filled out and he bulked up. There was a hint of stubble on his cheeks, like he hadn’t shaved that morning. His black jeans were ripped at the knees, he had on a Metallica t-shirt that looked well worn. His feet were bare and Steve smiled at the black nail polish and the hairy toes. Eddie always loved his hairy toes, said it made him feel more like a man than nearly anything else.

“Hey, Eds.” Steve whispered as he stood up, swaying just a bit. Eddie’s spine straightened as he tensed. When he and the woman crossed in the entry way, Eddie whispered something that made her cling tightly to the boy in her arms. She whispered something back and Eddie’s shoulders sagged in relief.

“Thanks.” He said as he moved to the front door. Steve waited with baited breath for Eddie to invite him in or something but instead, he flipped the porch light on, shoved his feet into a pair of shoes that were clearly too big for him, and slipped on a blue flannel. It too, was obviously not his. Or at least, it wouldn’t belong to the Eddie he knew five years ago.

Eddie gestured to the little table and chairs on the porch which Steve hadn’t noticed until then. Maybe he was more cross-faded than he thought. Eddie didn’t say anything at first, he took out a pack of gum and crammed three whole sticks into his mouth at once. Steve snorted.

“Why so much gum?” Steve asked with a laugh.

“I gave up smoking.” He shrugged. Steve raised his eyebrows, impressed.

“May I ask why?” Steve asked shyly. Eddie sighed and leaned his head back against the window.

“What are you doing here, Steve? How did you even find me?” Eddie asked glaring at his old friend.

“Easiest question first. I visited Henderson a few months ago and copied your address down. I wanted to send you a letter.” He said his teeth chattered a bit. Just then, the front door opened and the woman from before handed Steve a towel.

“Just to help get you dry some.” She said. She looked meaningfully at Eddie, “he’s a“he’s playing.” Eddie nodded gratefully and for a second it was silent as they heard a child's laughter.

“Thanks.” Eddie said with a smile.

“Thank you, ma’am.” He said with the towel in hand. She gave him a nod and headed back inside.

“Who was that?” Steve asked as he dried himself off as best as he could.

“What are you doing here, Steve?” Eddie asked again, forcefully this time. Steve sighed.

“I was thinking about you.” He admitted. He looked up at Eddie, imploringly. Eddie jumped to his feet and stepped back.

“Steve, we really don’t have to do this.” He said, his hands held up in a placating gesture. Steve stood too and moved over to the man.

“Please Eddie. I have to say this and if after, you want me to leave I will.” Steve promised. Eddie sighed and nodded for Steve to continue.

“I wanted to tell you, how sorry I am.” Steve began.

“What?” Eddie whispered with a furrowed brow.

“Back in ‘86. In Hawkins. I was terrified.” Steve said. “I didn’t know if the Upside Down was really gone, I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life, and I didn’t know how to love a man.” Steve took Eddie’s hands and was surprised when he let him.

“What are you saying, Steve?” Eddie asked, not in as hopeful a tone as Steve would like.

“Choosing Nancy, was a mistake. I loved you, then. And I love you now.” He dropped to his knees, ready to beg. “I miss you. I know, I have no right to ask you for anything. Not your forgiveness, not a second chance. But I’m selfish so I’m going to ask anyway.”

Eddie stared down at the man fallen at his feet. At one point, this was all he ever wanted. But, that was a long time ago. He pulled his hands out of Steve’s grasp and stepped away.

“Stand up Steve.” Steve did with minimal swaying. Eddie took another step away before he spoke again. “Are you still with Nancy?” He asked, stoically. He didn’t want to give the other man hope.

“No, we broke up months ago. I couldn’t stay with her anymore knowing how I felt about you.” Steve admitted. Eddie nodded his head resigned.

“I forgive you. I did a long time ago.” Eddie sighed. Steve smiled hopefully, his eyes lit up and he went to put his arms around Eddie. He held up a hand to stop him. “But, I won’t give you a second chance.” He said firmly.

“You won’t?” Steve asked softly, his heart cracking in his chest; but Eddie plowed ahead.

“Steve, I spent months nursing a broken heart, but I’m over you. You will always hold a special place in my heart; with what we went through, it’s not possible to forget about you. And I miss you too.”

“You do?” Steve whispered. Eddie nodded sadly.

“Yeah. You were one of my best friends and more than anything, I missed my friend Steve. The kids and Robin made sure I knew you were alive and happy; but, I wanted to hear from you.” Eddie admitted quietly.

“Why didn’t you ever reach out?” He asked, irritation coloring his voice. Eddie rolled his eyes.

“You hurt me Steve. Why should I have to repair that?” Eddie asked with raised brows. Steve opened his mouth but closed it again.

“You’re right, I should have tried to keep in touch. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Look, it’s late and it’s cold. Do you want to come in and crash on the couch?” Eddie offered. Steve looked at the house again. He didn’t notice earlier, but it was nice. Several rooms, with a brownstone exterior, huge windows, and from what Steve could gather, a big backyard.

“Whose house is this?” Steve asked as he turned to Eddie who rubbed sheepishly at his neck.

“Mine.” He admitted. Steve stared for a moment.

“What do you do to afford a house like this?” He asked impressed.

“Well, Jeff co-owns it. But, I’m a tattoo artist, and I sell songs on the side.” Eddie shrugged. “Wayne lives here too, I wouldn’t ever live without him. And Jeff’s parents are here often enough that they have their own room. Honestly, they might just commit to moving in.” Eddie chuckled.

“Jeff?” Steve asked. The name sounded familiar.

“Yeah, he was the other guitarist in Corroded Coffin. He’s a lawyer now.” Before Steve could respond, the man in question popped his head out the door.

“Everything okay out here, baby?” Jeff asked, concern evident in his voice. Baby. Steve’s heart crumbled. It was then that he realized he still had some hope even though Eddie turned him down earlier. Now there was irrefutable proof; Eddie moved on. His mind flashed back to the little boy he saw earlier.

“Yeah, everything’s fine Sweetheart. I’ll be in in a minute.” Eddie promised, the adoration in his eyes not lost on Steve. He’d looked at Steve that way, a long time ago. But it was nowhere near as radiant as it was now.

“Okay.” He nodded at Eddie before he turned to Steve. “Harrington.” He sneered and shut the door.

“Sorry, he’s protective...and my husband.” Eddie said lifting his left hand up to show off his ring.

“You’re husband?” Steve squeaked out. “Was that your kid?” He whispered, afraid to know the answer but even more afraid not to.

“Yeah.” Eddie smiled softly as he lightly touched his stomach. Steve’s breath hitched. Nancy never wanted kids but Eddie had a son.

“What’s his name?” Steve asked.

“Steve…” Eddie sighed like he couldn’t bare to answer. Steve held his hands up in surrender.

“I just… you said you missed being friends. Well, I do too and if being your friend is the only way I can have you around then I want to be your friend. Friends can ask about their friend’s kids. Right?” He practically begged. He wanted to call up all their friends and ask them why he was never told any of this. But he knew why; he never asked and there was no reason to tell him. Eddie sighed and nodded his head.

“I would like to be friends again Steve. But are you going to be able to handle that? I wouldn’t fault you for disappearing...again.” Eddie said softly. Now that Eddie was here in front of him again, he couldn’t imagine not having him in his life.

“I’ll be okay.” Steve promised. And he would be. He vowed to himself right here and now; he would be Eddie’s friend if it killed him.

“His name is Wayne.” Eddie smiled. “Wayne Adam Winters. After our fathers.”

“Doesn’t that get confusing?” Steve asked genuinely.

“Sometimes, but it probably won’t be a big deal unless Grandpa Wayne ends up in diapers before baby Wayne is out of them. Then we’d say. ‘Wayne needs a diaper change’ and we’d have to be like ‘which Wayne? Because I’m only changing the baby.’” Eddie laughed like it was something he’d say before. Steve joined in and they shared a quiet moment as friends.

“How old is he?”

“Three.” Eddie replied. Steve did the math quickly. It meant Eddie must have moved on fairly quickly after moving. Steve thought that was a little soon, before immediately feeling guilty. He’s the one who chose someone else. It shouldn’t matter if it took Eddie 20 minutes or 20 years to move on, it wasn’t his business.

“So, do you want to crash on the couch?” Eddie asked again this time seeming more okay with the offer. Steve wanted to take it, but when he looked in through the window and saw Wayne laughing with the man he assumed was named Adam; and Jeff holding baby Wayne close to his chest as he slept, Steve felt the ache in his heart all the way down to his toes. He couldn’t be around such a happy family when he was so miserable.

“Thanks, but I should get home.” Steve said.

“Do you want a ride?” Eddie said pointedly looking at the cars out front. He could see Steve’s car wasn’t there. But Steve shook his head.

“I’ll walk. It’s not far and I’ve kept you from your family long enough.” The rain had let up a while ago so he wouldn’t be walking in a downpour either.

“If you’re sure.” Eddie said and accepted the towel back. “It was nice seeing you Steve.” Eddie said as he opened the front door and he sounded completely genuine which made Steve feel even worse.

“You too. Goodnight Eddie.” Steve waved as Eddie stepped into the house. He should leave. He can’t make himself move an inch though.

Instead, he watched through the window as Eddie went up to his husband and kissed him softly on the lips. He accepted a hug from his mother in law before he reached out to take baby Wayne from Jeff’s arms and took the toddler’s place. Steve’s eyes watered as he watched the little family settle in for the night. He closed his eyes and pictured it was him there instead; but, there wouldn’t be warmth and love in the house if it were his family there. His parents would hate Eddie and hate their child.

Eddie was happy, and just like all those years ago Steve could only hope Jeff continued to make Eddie as happy as he had been.

As Steve finally left the porch and headed home, he bowed his head and cried. Jeff was living his dream and he couldn’t even hate him because it’s not like he stole it. Steve stupidly threw it away and took too long to find it again.

And he had no one to blame but himself.

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