#Robin has a sister now so does Dustin

[corrodedcoughin]

Tall GF Stevie harrington is so beautiful. Knowing she’ll never be mine is my villain origin story

[loveinhawkins]

was this written to solve my own inconsistencies because i keep forgetting Eddie literally hotwired the RV, they don’t need keys, why do you keep mentioning keys, you fool? maybe. do i also think they’d be this stupid? yes. ❤️

“Oh, son of a bitch,” Dustin says, midway to The War Zone.

Steve, who is used to this sort of outburst for things as mild as Dustin forgetting just one out of the eight pens on his person, does not react.

However Eddie—Hellfire rants aside—is not quite as familiar yet. He jumps practically a foot in the air.

“Jesus Christ, what now?”

All Dustin offers by way of explanation is an accusatory, “You,” pointing his finger right in Eddie’s face.

And then Eddie sees what’s dangling from said finger.

“… Oh.”

“What?” Steve says, glancing at the rearview mirror; Eddie quickly blocks Dustin from view, goes right up on his tiptoes and spreads his arms wide, curses when Dustin throws the keys—

—to Max, who catches them one-handed, who gives Eddie a grin that’s not so much pitying as it is evil, and then she—

—throws them to Lucas, and he somehow gets the metal ring to land on his finger, like he’s in a movie, and he twirls them round and round until Max snorts, and he grins like that had been his aim all along.

“Sinclair,” Eddie says, “I am begging you.”

“I’m not hearing much about what’s in it for him,” Erica says.

Aha! Eddie zeroes in on Erica and blocks her from Lucas, like a very unjust game of Keep Away.

“Dude,” Lucas says, affronted, “that’s not fair.”

Eddie has the decency to look a bit ashamed. Not too ashamed to stop because he is a pathetic man, but at least Steve still hasn’t noticed the—

“Lucas,” Erica says, in the aggrieved tones of a sister who’s despaired at him many, many times. “You’re on the basketball team. Just do a pass fake, nerd.”

Lucas feigns to the left, and Eddie falls for it—but, in what he’s sure is a completely unsportsmanlike move, he uses his height to his advantage, jumps…

And drops the keys with a clatter.

Steve must instantly recognise the sound for what it is, because he starts to cackle.

Eddie’s only saving grace is that Steve is driving, so at least he can’t see—

“Eddie’s going, like, super red in the face right now,” Dustin narrates helpfully.

“Scarlet,” Lucas says.

“Vermillion,” Robin pipes up from the floor.

“Ooh,” Dustin, Lucas, and Max chorus, impressed. Jesus Christ, they almost harmonize.

“Yeah, Eddie,” Steve says dryly, “you fucking moron. How did you miss those, it’s not like you had literally anything else on your mind.”

“You’re a real gentleman, Harrington, anyone ever told you that?” Eddie says weakly.

“Maybe once or twice,” Steve says, drawing it out teasingly, as if he means not often enough.

“Well, at least we got on the road,” Nancy says. Her voice quivers like she’s trying not to laugh—perched on the table, eyes shining with amusement. “And it did look pretty cool, Eddie.”

Eddie thinks this is an incredibly generous assessment, considering his main thought while breaking into the RV had been don’t get stuck in the window, Jesus Christ.

And then… like, he didn’t expect Steve to actually come up and watch him hotwire the damn thing, like, with rapt attention, so close that Eddie was kinda concerned he’d electrocute himself instead. Honestly, it was a miracle he got the engine started.

“That’s sweet of you, Wheeler, but I’m self-aware.”

“Since when?” Erica says.

Underneath everyone’s laughter, Steve grins and says, “Hey, don’t worry, man.” He catches Eddie’s eye in the rearview mirror, winks. “It was an educational experience.”

“Oh, wow, your face is even redder.”

“Henderson, I’m gonna put those goddamn keys so far up your ass.”

[unfinishedslurs]

gay bar (steddie)

“Well, well, well,” says a voice from behind. “Steeeeeeve Harrington. I must be dreaming.”

Steve turns around to see a guy, dressed in black and chains. Rings decorating his fingers, studs in his ears, curly hair pulled back in a ponytail. He’s hot, yeah, but something about him has Steve squinting, trying to figure out why he looks so familiar. 

“I know you from somewhere,” he says, pointing out the obvious. The guy knows his name.

The not-a-stranger snorts. “Of course you don’t remember me. Why would the likes of King Steve stoop to—“

As soon as the nickname leaves his mouth, Steve’s brain lights up. “Munson!” He exclaims, snapping his fingers. “You used to climb on the lunch tables to give speeches.”

It was so obnoxious, too. The kind of thing that had him and Robin reminiscing late at night, celebrating some of the weirder shit about Hawkins that didn’t come from monsters, or Russians, or government conspiracy. Remember that one asshole? Yeah, he stepped on my lunch one time!

Condolences to Robin’s pb&j. She never sat at that table again.

Munson’s whole face turns pink. “Seriously? That’s what you remember?”

“It was pretty fucking memorable, dude. Like, gross, doesn’t this guy know not to put his feet where people eat? Dustin thought you were so cool for it too. I had to nip that in the bud before he started imitating you or some shit.”

“Oh,” he says, voice gone flat. “Because God forbid some poor kid try to immolate the freak.”

Steve gives him his bitchiest, most deadpan stare. “Feet,” he says slowly. “Nasty, fifteen year old boy feet. On my kitchen table. He almost slipped and cracked his skull, and I would have sent you the hospital bill.”

He had to get creative to make him stop, too. Stood there, hands on his hips, and made Dustin tell him exactly how many germs he thought were on his shoes. Then when he tried to do it barefoot, decided the only course of action was to stuff Dustin’s abandoned sock in his mouth and ask if he wanted that shit with every meal. Erica still has the photos. 

Munson has the decency to look embarrassed, face flooding an even brighter red that wouldn’t be out of place in a tomato patch. “What are you even doing here, Harrington?”

What does he think Steve’s doing here? It’s a fucking gay bar, it’s pretty self explanatory. “My friend is here somewhere,” he says, waving out at the crowd of people. “She’s going through a dry spell, so…”

“Right,” Munson says. Steve squints at him. Does he look disappointed?

Eh. Doesn’t matter. 

“You gave my kids the best freshman year of their nerdy little lives,” he tells him, because he knows Dustin would want him to. Plus, the guy was Mike’s gay awakening. He should probably get some credit. “So thanks for that.”

He lights up. “Yeah! How was Hellfire in my absence?”

“I had to hear them bitch and moan for months about how it ‘wasn’t the same,’ but it’s doing pretty all right. Erica Sinclair is running it now.”

“Erica Sinclair…” Munson mutters, snapping his fingers. “Lucas Sinclair’s little sister? Lady Applejack?” He beams when Steve nods. “She kicked ass. Best finish to a campaign my entire high school career. How’s Lucas, anyway? And the rest of the runts.”

“He’s doing great,” Steve says. “College basketball at Yale. Pretty sure he’s dying under the workload, but that’s what you get for majoring in physics. Dustin’s at MIT, and Mike’s taking a gap year.”

He whistles lowly. “Yeesh, I don’t blame him. How about Byers?”

“Which one?”

“Zombie boy.” Steve’s hackles raise, but Munson just grins. “God, that nickname was badass.”

“How do you even know about that?”

Munson taps the side of his nose. “A magician never reveals his secrets. Besides, all it took for you to remember me was calling you by your high school nickname.”

“That wasn’t my nickname.” Steve rolls his eyes. “Literally three people ever actually called me that, and you were one of them.”

He has a feeling it was Tommy who started it, bitter and vicious. Told himself Steve was self possessed, high and mighty, above it all. That’s why he left his old friends behind. Not because he was in love, or because he wanted to be better. No, King Steve just sits alone in his castle, looking down on the peasants with contempt. 

Billy must have taken his angry ramblings and run with them. After all, what better way to get a start in a new town than declaring yourself royalty? Never mind that Steve hadn’t cared about anything like that for almost a year by then. 

Munson had just been a drama-loving asshole. 

“That can’t be right.”

“I stopped being popular in junior year. Why the hell would anyone call a sophomore King?” Steve points out. 

“You were Prom King.”

“Again, in junior year. Pickings were slim. Who else would it have been? Tommy?” He has to laugh. 

Luckily, Munson takes the hint and swerves the conversation into new territory. “You know, I always figured you’d be homophobic.”

Steve snorts. “What, and get kicked out for nothing?”

Munson stares at him, and Steve furrows his brow, looking into his glass like it will have the answer to why the hell he said that to this guy he barely knows. He just decided he wasn’t going to spill all his daddy issues to a near-stranger in a dingy bar, dammit. Is he already on his fifth drink?

Actually, this might be his sixth. That tracks. 

“What?”

“My dad caught me kissing a boy,” he says. If he’s going to give Munson his life story, he might as well commit. “Can you believe that boy ruined my life in three different ways? Two of them didn’t even have anything to do with the gay thing.” 

Maybe four ways, if you accounted for the way he broke his goddamn heart, but everyone and their mother saw that coming a mile away. Even Steve. Especially Steve. 

No offense to Jonathan. None of those things were really his fault. Or actually life ruining, but it sure fucking felt like it at the time. 

He should give him a call soon, actually, see how he and Argyle are doing. He misses the guy. Maybe he and Robin should save up for a visit to Cali. Get Nancy on it. They could see San Francisco while they were there, that’d be cool. Apparently it was the queer capital of the country. 

He’s thinking about asking the bartender for a napkin and a pen to write down the plans he’s forming when Munson speaks up again. Steve honestly forgot he was here. 

“I thought you said you were here for a friend.”

What?” Steve blinks, confused, and then catches on. “Yeah, to get her laid. I’m not in the mood right now.”

Munson cocks an eyebrow. “Wearing that? Could’ve fooled me.”

Steve looks down at his Springsteen T-Shirt that Robin cropped, and picks at the frayed hem of his shorts. Okay, yeah, they’re on the skimpy side, but in his defense it’s summer and even if he’s not cruising Steve likes being looked at. “Yeah, yeah. What about you? Here for anything in particular?”

“Just to talk to some pretty boys,” Munson says, leaning on the bar to flag down the bartender. Steve smirks, reaching out a hand to tug at the hanky in his back pocket. Pinned, damn. 

Munson whirls around, a flush starting to crawl onto his ears. 

“Wearing that?” Steve echos snarkily. “Could’ve fooled me.”

He swears that for a minute Munson’s eyes darken. 

He’s almost tempted to follow through, high school reputation be damned, when someone crashes into his side and nearly sends him careening. 

“Steeeeeve,” Robin yells happily into his ear. “This is Bernie, she’s gonna take me home, see you la—oh, hi!” She says, noticing Munson. “I know you from somewhere.”

“Eddie Munson,” Munson greets. “Steve and I went to high school together.”

“Munson! That’s it, you climbed on tables and had shit music. I’m Robin. Okay, I’ll call the apartment and leave a message when we get there. Bernie’s waiting on me, it’s-nice-to-meet-you-bye!” Just like that, she’s gone. 

Munson’s mouth has dropped open. “You told her I had shit music?” He demands. “Wait, you talked about me?”

“She went to school with us, dumbass,” he says, as if he can talk. He still barely remembers her as more than a vague, glowering figure in his peripheral. “It’s not my fault you blasted your screamy music for everyone in the parking lot. Such a fucking headache, God.”

Munson turns his nose up. “Sorry for having offended your jock sensibilities.”

“Oh, I don’t play anymore,” he says, and knocks on his head. “Concussions, yanno. Apparently brain damage will fuck you up. Who knew?”

“What, like the fight you had with Byers? He did you that bad?”

“He did me just fine,” Steve blurts out, before he can stop himself. Munson chokes. “Shit, sorry, I’m kind of a horny drunk.” Weird thing to say, Steve. “Also, I cannot stress enough how much I needed to be punched in the face. It was a monumental moment for me, you know. Started me on the path for changing my entire worldview. Plus, he was my first guy crush.” He swirls his empty glass, lost in thought, before brightening up. “I should call him!”

Munson is staring at him, mouth opening and closing like a fish. 

“What?”

“You’re drunk.”

“Well, yeah. Duh.”

“I should probably stop you from booty-calling the guy who punched you in the face.”

Steve wrinkles his nose. “It wouldn’t be a booty-call,” he says. “He and Argyle are happy together, man. I’m not gonna ruin that.”

“Oh, so you’d call him because…”

“I call him all the time,” Steve says, confused as to why this is such a big deal. “We’re friends.”

“Jonathan!” He yells happily into the pay phone. Munson is standing to the side, looking on in annoyance. Whatever, it’s not like Steve asked him to do this. “Jonathan, man, how are you?”

“…Steve?”

“Yeah!”

“It’s like…” he hears something clatter in the background, like Jonathan is looking for something, “two in the morning there. You okay?”

“I’m doing great!” He exclaims. “How about you? It’s been ages, man, I miss you.”

“This is so fucking weird,” Munson whispers behind him. Steve ignores him. 

“Are you drunk?”

“No,” he says. “Well, maybe a little. Do you not miss me too?” He pouts, and Jonathan sighs loud enough he hears it over the phone. 

“I just talked to you yesterday.”

Steve frowns. “Yesterday? That can’t be right, it’s been, like, forever. Oh, hey, have you heard from Nance lately? How’s your mom? I love your mom, she’s so fucking cool. Does she know I think she’s cool? How’s Will? It’s been so long, is he taller than me yet? How’s Argyle doing with his degree? I miss you guys.”

“We miss you too, Steve.”

“Awww, Byers, getting soppy on me? Gross, man.”

“You literally just—yeah, okay. Are you alone?”

“Nah, I’ve got this guy with me, he’s walking me home. Oh! Dude, do you remember Munson?”

“Munson?”

“Yeah, Eddie Munson! From high school! The one who used to climb on tables and shit, remember him?”

“Jesus Christ,” Munson groans. “Please let that die.”

“No one is dying,” Steve informs him seriously, and turns back to the phone. Munson sighs. 

“Wasn’t he a drug dealer?”

“Yes! Yeah, drug dealer Munson! Did you ever buy from him?” He turns to where Munson is looking around furtively. “Did Jonathan ever buy from you?”

“How about we not talk about this here,” Munson says through gritted teeth. Steve sighs and turns back to the phone. 

“Never mind, he says he doesn’t want to talk about that. Not like we can judge him, but whatever. Maybe the guy’s turned into a prude—“

“Okay, give me that.” Munson wrestles the phone out of his hand, and Steve whines at him. “Hey, Byers,” Munson says. “Yeah, it’s Eddie. Or Munson. Whatever. Listen, I’m getting kind of sick of standing here watching Harrington slobber all over the receiver, can he call you tomorrow? What? No, I don’t sell anymore—yeah, total bummer, whatever. Listen, I’ll get him home safe—no, I’m not going to serial murder him. He’s gonna be fine, he’ll call you tomorrow—Nancy Wheeler? Like that girl he dated? Didn’t you—shoot me? Jesus, okay! I’m not gonna kill the guy, Christ. He’s gonna be fine, oh my God. He’ll call you tomorrow. Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Yeah, okay. Bye.” He slams the phone into its holder with more than a little contempt. 

“Hey!” Steve protests. “You didn’t let me say bye.”

“You can call him tomorrow and apologize,” Munson says. “Now c’mon, Harrington. I’ve been tasked with getting you home safe, and if I fail, apparently Nancy fucking Wheeler is going to shoot me in the balls.”

“Oh, yeah, she’s really hot when she does that,” Steve says fondly, and Munson splutters. 

“What, does Wheeler just go around shooting people? Does she even have a gun?”

“Of course Nancy has a gun.” Steve frowns. It was one of the sure things in the universe at this point. The sky is blue, Hawkins is fucked up, and Nancy Wheeler has a gun. “And she doesn’t shoot people, stupid. Well, she shot at Billy, but he deserved it.”

“Billy?” Munson mutters, starting to usher Steve in the direction of home. “Who the fuck is Billy?”

“He was trying to kill her first!” Steve defends. “I hit him with a car before he could, so she was okay.”

“Okay, yeah, sure. Why wouldn’t you hit some guy with a car? 

“It wasn’t some guy,” Steve says. “It was Billy. He was, like, possessed or some shit. Oh, and he beat me up. Total psycho.  And that was before the melted flesh monster.”

Munson stops and stares at him. “You know what, sure. Demonic possession. Yeah, okay. Some guy named Billy kicked your ass—wait, are you talking about Billy Hargrove?”

Steve lights up. “Yeah! You remember that? That’s one of the concussions I was talking about. I gotta wear glasses 'cuza that shit. Man, fuck that guy.”

“Didn’t he die?”

“Oh, yeah,” Steve frowns down at the ground. “Shit, I’m, like, speaking ill of the dead, aren’t I? Max wouldn't like that. Unfuck him, or whatever.”

“You wanna come up?” He asks. “For old times sake?”

Munson stares at him like it’s the craziest thing he’s said all evening. “‘Old times’ was your asshole friends calling me a satan worshiper and pushing me around in hallways, Harrington.”

“I know.” He grins. If he was sober he’d definitely feel worse about that, but as it is he’s pretty single minded. “Don't you kind of want to make me cry about it?”

Deer in headlights isn’t usually a good look, but Munson’s got the eyes to make it work. Or Steve is drunk. Either way, it’s kinda cute. 

“You’re drunk,” he finally says, stumbling over the words a little. If Steve pays close attention and ignores most of reality, it almost sounds like he’s trying to convince both of them. “You’re so incredibly drunk.”

“I’m not that drunk.” He totally is. 

“I just had to supervise you calling Jonathan Byers so you didn’t say something you’d regret in the morning.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Steve asks, offended. “I love Jonathan! I tell him all the time. Just because I said he ruined my life—“

“That was him?”

“Did I not say that? Huh. Whatever. Point is, I’m not that drunk.”

“You’re definitely drunk,” Munson says. “I’m not—yeah, no. I’m not coming up.”

“Damn.” Steve shrugs, not too put out about it. It’s a bummer, sure, but he handles rejection like a champ. Just ask Robin. “Worth a shot. See you ‘round, Munson.”

“Don’t kill me,” Steve says. 

“Oh, god, did you punch him?”

“No, I, uh.” Steve rubs the bridge of his nose. “I think I tried to fuck him.”

He has to hold the phone away from his face so Dustin’s screeching doesn’t break his eardrums. 

“Your exes are weirdly protective of you,” Munson says blandly. “Also, didn’t they date?”

“Yeah,” Steve shrugs, not exactly eager to start spilling his life story again now that he’s sober. Munson doesn’t need to know more about his dating history than he already does. “We’re all a little weird about each other, sorry.”

“Weird about your exes,” he hums. “No wonder you’re single.”

“Oh, fuck you. It’s not like that.”

He raises an eyebrow. “No?”

“Are you always this nosy?” Steve asks, a little waspish. 

“Absolutely,” Munson replies without hesitation. “I’d say sorry, but I’m not. When did you even date him?”

“Dude.”

Munson just cocks an expectant eyebrow, hip resting against the bar. He can’t imagine why someone would be so interested in the romantic lives of their old high school classmates. It’s not like Steve is about to ask what was going on between him and Chrissy Cunningham. 

“Well, Harrington?”

“First grade,” Steve answers, deadpan. He grins when Munson chokes. “Nah, it was actually after he and Nancy broke up. Fall of ‘86.”

Arms squeeze him from behind, and Robin slides into view, leaving one hand wrapped pointedly around Steve’s waist. She gets clingy when she thinks someone is bothering him, or when she’s just on the side of drunk that she gets possessive. She told him, embarrassed and hungover, that it’s because she registers someone he’s getting along with as infringing on “her Steve time.” Steve thinks it’s hilarious and kind of sweet, an obvious lesbian trying to pretend he’s her date. Especially because he gets the same way when he’s tipsy and feels like he doesn’t have enough of her attention, so she can't yell at him for being a cockblock. Cuntblock. Whatever the lesbians call it.

He wonders what category she thinks Eddie is. Of guy, that is. Not block-anything.

He'd actually be pretty damn happy if the guy miraculously changed his mind and decided to sit on his cock instead.

“What’s going on here?” She asks, almost cattily. He loves when Robin gets bitchy. It brings him back to their Scoops days, except he gets to see it turned on someone else. 

“I’m telling Eddie my life story,” Steve says blithely.

“Ugh. Who would want that?”

Eddie grins. “I’m curious about the adventures of a former king.” He dips his head in a bow, waving his hand in a flourish. “I don’t know if you remember me from last time, I’m Eddie—“

“Munson, I know. You stepped on my lunch in junior year.”

Eddie turns beet red in record time. 

“Aww, Robbie,” Steve almost coos. “Leave him alone. I wanted to be the one who made him blush like that.”

“It’s not my fault your boy’s easy.”

“Not my boy, clearly,” he mutters under his breath. “And if he were easy, I’d have gotten fucked by now.”

Eddie’s mouth drops open with a choked little sound. Whoops. Steve forgot volume control again. 

Robin takes one look at Eddie’s face and bursts into cackles. 

“He was asking about,” he waved a hand in the air, “the whole Nancy-Jonathan thing.”

Her eyebrows jut up. “You told him about the threesome?”

“The what?”

Steve sighs. “No, Robin. I did not tell him about the threesome.”

“…oops.”

“When?” Eddie demands. 

Robin gives him the evil eye. “Why are you being weird about this? It’s not gonna make him fuck you.”

Steve wisely keeps his mouth shut. 

Eddie does not. “Your boy here already asked,” he smirks, leaning closer. “I said no.”

Then, as an added punch to his ego, he twirls a strand of Steve’s hair around his finger and tugs slightly. Steve’s too stunned to protest. 

Robin watches the exchange. “Oh, no thank you,” she says. “Nope. I’m out. I don’t want to see whatever this is. Ugh, stop making me hear about your sex life.”

Hypocrite. “We have thin walls, Buckley,” Steve reminds her. He turns to Eddie and stage whispers, “She likes her girls loud.”

“Steve!”

“You do!”

“Oh, because you’re so quiet,” she snaps, smacking him. “How many times have I had to bang on the wall because you couldn’t keep it down? You wanna talk about loud? I know more about you than I ever wanted to.”

His mouth drops open in mortification. “You know it’s rude to be mean to the man who told you how to eat out,” he hisses. 

“I’m not dying without fucking Eddie Munson,” he declares. “I mean, his high school nickname was literally ‘The Freak.’ He’s got to be good in bed, right?”

“I think that was mostly because everyone thought he was communing with the Devil or something.”

“Maybe the Devil gave him sex magic.”

“Of course he thinks I’m cute.”

“I do?”

“Do you not?” Steve turns to him, widening his eyes in the same pout that always has Robin throwing something at his face, or the kids reluctantly agreeing to do what he wants. He’s found it’s useful for guys too, especially if he ducks his head to seem smaller and looks through his eyelashes. Makes them imagine him looking like that on his knees. 

Munson is no exception. He melts faster than Steve can say gotcha. “You’re very cute, Harrington,” he purrs, and Robin snorts into her drink. 

“You’re a weak, weak man, Eddie Munson,” she tells a blushing Eddie. Then she kicks Steve. “Stop bringing out the ‘fuck me’ eyes when I’m around, I’ll gag.”

“You could leave.”

She gasps, affronted, and kicks him harder.

“So you would fuck me if I wasn’t drunk?”

“Uh…” he looks everywhere but Steve’s face, which is just rude. He has a very nice face. He’s been called dreamy before. 

Which made Robin laugh so hard she fell off the couch when he told her, but he’ll take the lesbian’s opinion with a grain of salt. 

He makes his way onto the dance floor. He’s not a particularly good dancer, but he shakes his ass like he means it. Gets up close with a guy, stares at Eddie the whole time. Keeping eye contact as the guy puts his hands on his hips. 

Look, he means to say. This could be you. You could lose your chance if you’re not careful. 

From the burning in Eddie’s eyes, he gets the message. 

The message is a bunch of bullshit. It’s been over four months, he’s in too deep to go fuck off with someone else now. Still, he enjoys the way Eddie’s hands flex on his thighs, like he had to stop himself from reaching out. 

The thing is, Steve’s not an asshole. He can take a hint. No means no, and all that jazz. If Eddie really didn’t want him, he’d fuck right off and find someone who did. He even started to.

Except Eddie pouted up a storm when he flirted with someone else. Got even clingier when Steve tried to back off. At this point, he’s accepted that Eddie does want to fuck him, and maybe even be more (no one flirts with someone as long as they’ve been doing without wanting something like a relationship out of it. At least, he hopes there’s something more on the horizon), but has some weird hang up about Steve being even a little bit buzzed when it happens. Even though they only ever see each other at this fucking bar.

The problem is Steve has no idea when Eddie will be at the bar. He’ll stay sober one night, hoping to see him, and then go home alone only for next time to be when he sees telltale curls and a wide smile. It’s driving him up the wall. 

Robin has been similarly affected.

“It’s been six months,” she growls as Steve looks eagerly around. “Six fucking months of you two dancing around in the worlds most annoying mating ritual. I’m going to kill both of you.”

“We’re not that bad,” he says absently. 

“You don’t even have his phone number. It’s pathetic. I swear to God, if you see him again and don’t get laid I’m reviving the scoops board. I will go out and buy a whiteboard to keep track of all the times you strike out with a man who used to walk on tables. He stepped on my lunch, Steve. Do I need to keep bringing up the fact he stepped on my delicious, nutritious PB&J? I can’t believe that’s the guy you decide to be obsessed with, that’s so fucking embarrassing for you.”

“Embarrassing? You mean like your crush on my ex girlfriend?”

She screeches wordlessly, pulling her keychain off her belt loop and attacking him with it. 

Naturally, that’s how Eddie finds them. 

“I swear you guys get weirder every time I see you.”

Steve grins guilelessly at him, holding a flailing Robin in a headlock. 

“Eddie! Hey! It’s been a minute.” He hasn’t been able to come in a month, and it’s been longer since he’s seen him. It’s honestly one of the deciding factors on whether it’s a passing fancy or a full blown crush. He still went to sleep every night thinking about Eddie. It didn’t even have to be about sex. 

Although maybe not sleeping with anyone else for half a year should have tipped him off sooner. 

“Sure has, big boy. I was starting to think you were getting sick of me.” It’s a joke, but Steve catches an undercurrent of insecurity. 

“That’d make my life easier,” Robin snorts. She finally wiggles her way out of his hold. “I saw Arty somewhere around here, I’m gonna see if I can crash at her place tonight.” She levels Eddie with a look. “He hasn’t had anything to drink. If you don’t put him out of his misery, I will. And it won’t be the good kind. It will be the bad kind. With bad screams. Lots of screaming, and someone will call the pigs, and I’ll be arrested and jailed for life. Do you want me to go to jail, Munson?”

Eddie shakes his head dumbly. 

“Good! Then do something about it.” She slaps Steve’s back, a mocking echo of his jock days. “Go get ‘em, slugger!” 

With that, she’s gone, disappearing into the crowd. 

“She is,” Steve remarks with amusement, “the worst wingman on planet Earth. Mars too, probably.”

“I dunno, I think it might be working.”

“I’m not doing anything without a condom,” he says, eyes narrowed like he’s waiting for an argument. 

“Me neither,” Steve agrees. “Robin has, like, this big fear of diseases. Totally got me with it. She pulled out the library books, those pictures were fucking disgusting. Shit showed up in my dreams, man. Neither of us do anything without protection.”

“I’m going to be totally honest with you, because I haven’t been and it’s starting to eat at me,” Eddie says, hovering above Steve. 

Steve wrinkles his nose. “What is it? Are you a spy or something? Are you Russian? Do you have superpowers? Is your name not actually Eddie?” He pauses. “Oh, God, you’re not even Eddie Munson, are you? I’m just some asshole who’s been calling you by my old classmates name and you were too embarrassed to correct me. Shit, we made so much fun of you for walking on tables too—“

“What?” Eddie covers his mouth, expression hovering between amused and baffled. “What the fuck, why would I go along with that? No, Jesus, I’m Eddie Munson. Moved to Hawkins when I was eleven, took senior year three times, walked on the fucking tables, could you let that go?” He moves the hand covering Steve’s mouth to play with his hair, looking annoyed for a minute before it smoothes to trepidation. “No, I, uh, I just felt like I needed to tell you that I used to have a hate-boner for you in high school. Like, I used to jack it to the thought of kicking your ass and making a mess outta you. In more ways than one.”

Steve stares. 

“Also, that’s kind of why I approached you in the bar in the first place,” Eddie blabbers on. “And then you said you were just there for a friend, and I was disappointed but it’s whatever, yanno? And then then you told me about your dad, and threw my expectations to the fucking wolves, and then you asked me to come up to your apartment except you were drunk and you probably didn’t mean it. But then the next time I saw you, you kept flirting with me, which you were not supposed to do, and I kept pretending that wasn’t the reason I even talked to you in the first place, and, uh, yeah.” He smiles nervously. “Surprise?”

“I mean, not really.”

“You’re such an asshole, fuck off. At least pretend to be shocked.”

“It’s not my fault you stare at my legs all the time,” Steve says, affronted. “I know I didn’t do too good in school, but I’m not dumb enough to miss that. Like, hello, my eyes are up here.”

Eddie lets his arms give out, flopping on top of Steve heavily. Steve wheezes. “Am I really that obvious?” He whines into his shoulder. 

“You got sad and pouty when I even looked at another guy.”

“You could’ve fucked him,” he mumbles. “The guy you were dancing with. It wasn’t any of my business. I’m a big boy, I can deal.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t want to fuck him,” Steve says. “I wanted to fuck you. Can we go back to that please?”

“Thought I was fucking you.”

“Someone’s getting fucked or Robin will kill both of us. I’d like to live tomorrow morning. And not have to deal with any more of her teasing for having no game.”

“You have unfortunate amounts of game,” Eddie sighs, tracing the side of Steve’s neck. It tickles. “It’s kind of embarrassing for me.”

“Yeah, yeah, are we using those condoms or not, Moodkiller?”

“Oh, I’m the mood killer?”

“Yes,” Steve says matter of factly, and pulls him in for a kiss before he can protest.

[alleiwentcrazy]

The point is, Steve can’t hear.

A person can get hit in the head only so many times before it takes effect and does permanent damage. Steve’s incessant claims that being in the front row when the fight breaks down does nothing to him, that he’s safe and alright as long as everyone else is, mean very little in the face of cold, evident facts.

His hearing isn’t intact. It takes him a while to adjust to this reality, but with the help of his friends, he eventually does. Thanks to Nancy’s fierce bullying of the government guys who come to Hawkins to assess the situation and cook up some half-assed excuse for everything that’s happened, Steve now has a small army of well-paid doctors that really seem to be eager to help. He also gets state-of-the-art hearing aids that, well—they work, but Steve’s range of possibilities is still quite narrow. Let a few people into the room, let them speak simultaneously and all he can hear is static, rustles and crackling.

But he’s pliant. He listens when Robin tells him they have to get in the car and hit the road to get to his appointment on time. He lets her help with inserting the aids properly on the days he’s just too impatient and too bugged about how they feel and look to even care if they help him hear. He’s not dismissing her enthusiasm when she starts learning sign language before he even gets a chance to discuss it as his option.

He’s doing a lot of things for her, even if they’re supposed to be important to him first. To be honest, these days it’s mostly doing things for Robin that keeps him going. He would have gone completely numb ages ago if it weren’t for her and her unique ways of picking up the severed pieces whenever he crumbles.

He’s also doing it for Dustin. If Robin is his twin sister, Dustin is the little brother he’s never had. And Dustin… It’s just been too rough on him. It’s been rough on everyone; how could it not be if the only thing they seem to be able to do is wait? Wait for the lab guys to figure out a way to end this. Wait for the panic to cease. Wait for Max to wake up.

Wait for the grief to pass.

They wait and wait, but it never stops—on the contrary, it brings fresh, equally unwanted feelings. They’re always there, lurking behind the corner like a kitten that wants to launch itself at an unsuspecting owner – only with them, there won’t be any playtime involved. Steve recognizes this feeling. It’s the same feeling he’d had in that Winnebago when he was dropping off Max, Lucas and Erica at Creel’s doorstep. An awful anticipation of doom waiting to happen.

He doesn’t like it. He’d like to find a way to do something about it, but he can’t seem to get to the core of it.

Maybe that’s why he thinks he’s hearing things when he really can’t be hearing them.

At first, Steve writes it off as him being paranoid. It happens only when he’s home by himself, so it’s the only logical explanation – he takes off his aids, he gets too attentive about his surroundings, right? He thinks he hears something, but it’s only his tired mind playing tricks on him.

Especially because what he hears are mostly usual, non threatening things. The sound of water running in the bathroom (he goes inside, everything is dry and quiet). The sound of kitchen drawers being opened (he goes to the kitchen, the cabinets are exactly the way he left them). The sound of cutlery being dropped on the floor (but he hasn’t even taken anything out in the first place).

He even gets used to it. Things happen, his brain is weird. It’s confusing, sure, but hasn’t he seen worse things? He definitely has.

But it doesn’t keep him away from sleeping with his bat perched on the side of the bed. If he sleeps at all, if a sudden sound of breaking glass doesn’t keep him awake until his morning shift with Robin, when he can finally leave this goddamn house and take his mind off of things.

Steve tries to ignore it. He really tries, but the point is—Steve can’t hear things like running water in the bathroom when his aids are off. Hell, he only makes it out if he focuses on it when they’re in, so why the heck can he hear it so well? Why are the sounds multiplying?

It goes on for weeks. He avoids the topic for as long as possible, trying to shoo away the obvious similarities between his house and the house that made him hate spiders and cringe at fireplaces not too long ago.

It gets a little too real on just some random Tuesday, when his kitchen positively explodes with sounds the second he gets the hearing aids off. Cabinet doors slam left and right, mugs fall to the floor and shatter, forks and spoons seem to be getting thrown around like ragdolls—but Steve sees nothing. He hears it, he hears it so loudly it hurts, the cacophony of noises he’s never even heard before, but his eyes register no proof of it. He curls down on the floor, expecting sharp glass pieces to cut his skin, but nothing happens. Nothing’s here.

He still covers his head, tucked away in the furthest corner of the kitchen, waiting for it to just stop, to leave him alone—

Steve doesn’t know how long it takes, but when it’s finally done, his knees are shaky and his breathing is ragged. He snatches his aids and takes off, straight to Robin’s house. He doesn’t even lock the door, a thing his parents would kill him for if they knew.

It’s the first time he explains everything to her. It would be hard not to, because she sees right through him. His panicked, restless eyes are enough indication of things not being right.

“Maybe, uh—I think I’ve read something about hearing loss and auditory hallucinations? That they happen, sometimes, especially if the loss of hearing is sudden?” she says, already flipping through her notebook where she keeps all Steve-related stuff and pacing around the room with enough force to make a hole in the carpet.

Steve’s not convinced. “It seems pretty real to me,” he mumbles and frowns. “But that’s the point of it, right?”

Robin shrugs. He notices that she has a small set of wrinkles around her eyes. Steve looks at them for a second in total disbelief. They already have some worry wrinkles, and they’re not even well into their twenties.

He’s gonna lose all his precious hair in a span of months if this doesn’t stop.

*

They decide to bring it up during his next appointment, still hoping that it’ll maybe go away on its own. Robin tries to make him get a consult straight away (what if it is rabies after all, Steve, like a really really really weird, belated presentation of rabies?), but he waves it off. The option of hallucinations doesn’t soothe his nerves, but as long as it’s not a chiming clock, he can avoid confronting it for a while longer.

It doesn’t go away, though. Steve can’t quite pinpoint it, but it almost feels like—well, it obviously doesn’t feel like it’s real enough to be real. But there’s something that accompanies the sounds, the lack of evidence, the missing of this ominous feeling that Creel’s house inflicted on him.

The sounds—it feels like they bear a presence. Steve’s still scared and gets spooked by them whenever they happen, but he’s no longer truly afraid of them.

Some of them are even comforting. The sound of his pillow being fluffed up before he gets to bed, the sound of pen scratching on paper whenever he leaves his journal open on the desk, the whooshing sound of a lighter being opened and closed – they all make this eerie place his parents have left him a little less empty.

He rarely lets himself think about it that way. He may be a little kooky, but admitting that he’s lonely enough to find hallucinations comforting would be way too much to handle at the moment.

So Steve can’t hear, but he learns to accept the fact that, apparently, sometimes he can. He doesn’t know how it works—to be quite honest he doesn’t know a lot about experiencing hearing loss at all, despite now being hard of hearing himself—but it just makes its place in his life.

He thinks about it a lot, but he tries not to overthink it too hard. It just happens. Things fall to the floor in his house, curtains get torn, the fridge gets opened frequently. He just can’t see it. His mind hears it, but his eyes don’t get the memo. He lives for longer than a week. It’s probably a good sign; nothing’s going to make his bones snap in two now, probably. Hopefully.

Things change suddenly.

Steve tries to spend as much time with Dustin as possible. Between work, his appointments and Robin, Dustin, Max and the kids are his top priority. He doesn’t think he would be able to function if he let himself take a breath and step down from his piled up responsibilities that he chose to take on himself. They keep him together. They keep him going.

Besides, Mrs. Henderson gets really worried. Sometimes it’s just better for Dustin to stay with Steve, and Steve is more than happy to be with him, even though it seems that Dustin doesn’t really like his cold house either.

It’s one of Dustin’s quiet days. He gets them, sometimes—Steve knows that trying to get him to talk on one of those days is a lost cause, and his ears are killing him. He was in such a hurry this morning he didn’t take the time to put the aids in properly. Work was overflowing with people, too, so now his temples are throbbing from trying to pick up the chatter from the static. Seriously, how is it possible that people still spend so much time watching movies in the face of almost-apocalypse, Steve doesn’t know.

“Would you mind if I took my aids off for a while?”

“Go ahead,” Dustin mumbles, bending over his new book.

Something flips inside Steve’s chest. He knows it’s not supposed to be like that, it’s unlike Dustin to be so… not himself. But what can Steve do? He can’t make him talk. He can just wait, nothing else.

He gets up to leave his aids on the counter and pour himself some coffee. He should probably start making dinner soon, but he decides to take a few peaceful sips first.

It’s weird. To sit with Dustin Henderson, of all people, without a single word. Steve glances at him every once and again, but Dustin either ignores him or genuinely forgets that he’s there.

Steve’s so deep in his thoughts about Dustin, he doesn’t even look to the side when a sudden sound of kitchen chair toppling over cuts through the silence. His eyes are trained on the kid.

Who flinches. And frowns. Steve can swear that he fights the urge to look around.

Each and every chair Steve keeps in the kitchen is standing where he placed them in the morning after breakfast. Nothing real has happened. But Steve heard it. And, apparently, Dustin did too.

Steve’s brain is working overtime for the rest of the evening, and he desperately tries not to show any of it. He’s jumping into conclusions. It was an accident; dumb luck. It’s nothing. He’s working himself up, nonsensically.

But it doesn’t feel like it’s nothing. It was only one chair, one sound, but the feeling that accompanied it was strong. Too strong to be nothing.

He waits to drop Dustin off at home like he’s on pins and needles, fumbling with his fingers and keys and pacing around. Maybe it’s better that it’s one of Dustin’s quiet days, he mostly gets away with it, getting only a few side glances.

When gets back home, it’s late, but he’s buzzing with anticipation nonetheless. He can finally do something. He discards his aids haphazardly, not nearly as carefully as he should, and starts running around the house. The house his parents built is huge—but the kitchen turns out to be quite small when he’s finally done with arraying at least a dozen lamps there. He has to raid three of his father's garages to get enough extension cords.

When he turns them on all at once, he has to take a step back and shut his eyes, because it’s too much light.

Just the right thing he needs.

His heart is beating so fast he can almost feel it ramming against his ribs. That’s about how far he’d thought this plan through.

“Come on,” he says and clears his throat, trying to gauge how his voice may really sound now. He repeats himself, hoping that it’s louder this time.

Nothing happens for a while, but he knows he’s close. The feeling is here. The presence that hasn’t left him in months. It’s here.

Steve walks around the kitchen, moves the lamps a little, shakes some of them. His hands are clammy and it feels like he’s chewed through his cheek at this point, but he can wait. He’s waited for a long time. He can wait a while longer.

When the microwave beeps, he stops breathing for a second.

Until it beeps again. And again.

“Oh god,” he breathes. He doesn’t know if he speaks clearly or not, he doesn’t even care. “Come on, show me that it’s you. Come on, come on—”

The lamp furthest to the left starts blinking, slowly at first. Then the one next to it, then another one, and another one, like someone’s walking around and making them flicker one by one.

They’re blinking so much one of the bulbs goes out. Steve doesn’t hear it hiss, so he knows it went out here, now. He knows it’s real.

“Oh god,” his hand goes to his mouth. His eyes are weirdly itchy. “Oh god, is it really you, Eddie?”

The lamp directly in front of Steve goes wild. When he reaches out, it’s almost like he can touch the presence that’s here with him.

And it’s Eddie. Eddie’s here with him.

[jadeylovesmarvelxo]

This is the second part to my Eddie Munson x Henderson reader series, it was heavily inspired by Breathless by The Corrs. Enjoy 💞💞

Read part one here

Let me know if there's anything you would like to see in this series 💌♥️

💞💞

Wasn't it bad enough that you ran to Jacob here. Did you really have to see Eddie Munson too.

His eyes meet yours from a corner of the room. The pulsing music of the band that's playing is beginning to give you a headache and did... Did Eddie Munson seriously just wink at you?

Once again you marvel at your brother's continued admiration for this asshat. It had been mere weeks since you were properly introduced to Eddie and the memory was still crystal clear in your mind.

Now that you met him, he seemed to pop up everywhere you looked. At Hawkins High you had successfully avoided him for years but now he was always popping up close to you and annoying the crap out of you.

Always with that stupid smirk on his face and those dimples on show. You're sure he's seeking you out, it's just a feeling but you're certain he likes making you flustered and teasing you.

Now he's infiltrating the party that Chloe's friend has thrown so you can't even escape him outside of school. Dustin still thinks the sun shines out of Eddie's ass so you can't even escape him in your own house.

Eddie waves at you from across the room, a sarcastic little wave that sends prickles of annoyance down your spine. You consider flipping him the bird but you won't stoop to his level.

Jacob has been trying to get your attention but Eddie is taking up most of your thoughts. Not even Chloe's gushing about her amazing date distracts you.

Who does Munson think he is? Your fists clench at your side and you sip your drink, attempt to turn your back on him and avoid him. Unfortunately that's impossible.

Steve and Robin join you when Chloe spots Taylor and excitedly rushes over to her. That's when Eddie comes over and makes his presence known.

Steve and Robin greet him happily enough. Hang on wasn't Steve jealous of Eddie stealing his kids'attention (Dustin and his friends) and worried that they thought Eddie was cooler than him? Now they were getting on and joking together.

"Oh Eddie, this is Dustin's sister...' Robin is just about to say your name when Eddie chuckles quietly and you glare at him.

"Oh we've met. You miss my presence already princess?" Shit you thought you'd get some respite from him away from school and your house but oh no. That wasn't going to happen.

Steve and Robin look between the two of you and you don't like that knowing look that Steve gets in his eyes.

"Hardly. Even here I can't escape the Eddie Munson experience" he sprawls on the sofa beside you and takes up most of the room, he's wearing a t-shirt by the band Judas Priest, a leather jacket, black boots and ripped black jeans.

He's fidgety and constantly playing with his rings, you can't help but sneak a peek at them. Eddie catches you staring and you fight that flustered feeling once again. It was beginning to be annoying that Eddie made you feel this way so easily.

"Sweetheart it's okay, you don't have to hide how into me you are" he looks so smug as he says it and you nearly fall off your seat.

"What?" you demand and he laughs, big brown eyes sparkling with mischief and delight. You notice Steve and Robin hiding their laughter.

His gaze meets yours then very slowly trails down to your lips and it lingers there for a few seconds. It's enough time for your heart to skip a beat and that butterflies in your belly feeling.

Fuck. "There's no way I'm into you Munson. You drive me nuts. I don't know how my brother puts up with you"

Far from being offended by your insult Eddie's grin gets bigger. "You can't stand me but that doesn't stop you from wanting to kiss me princess. I can see it in your eyes" you fume silently and shake your head.

"Didn't you say that I needed to remove the stick from my ass? Why on earth would I even entertain the thought of kissing someone who I can't stand" He shrugs and swipes one of your pieces of chocolate.

"There's a thin line between love and hate milady" love... As if you would ever fall in love with Eddie Munson.

"You can keep dreaming about that Munson. It's never going to happen" you snap and he's still smiling. Count to ten... Don't let him get to you.

Why was he getting to you so badly and making your heart go a mile a minute. There's a small, tiny part of you that knows exactly what this is but you refuse to believe it.

"Who says I want to kiss you anyway bitchy Henderson?" Ugh! You feel like screaming. Wait a minute... Two can play at his annoying game.

You peer up at Eddie and bat your eyes, move a little closer to him and your gaze lingers on his lips then slowly you meet his stunned gaze... There's something in those big brown eyes that sends your heart into overdrive again.

Nope. Don't get distracted. You needed to focus.

"You don't? I can see it in your eyes Munson... Why don't you dream about that tonight" you move away and smirk at his dazed expression. It clears and then suddenly he's glaring at you.

"You tricked me" you get up and blow him a kiss.

Score one for you. Eddie Munson - zero.

💞

So go on, go on, come on, leave me breathless

Tempt me, tease me, until I can't deny, This loving feeling (loving feeling)

Make me long for your kiss

Go on (go on), go on (go on)

Yeah...

Come on

Breathless - The Corrs 💞

Tags; @eddiesdrummergf @catherinnn @haylee-e @eddiemunsonfuxks @costellation-hunter @anxiousobserver @rcailleachcola

[stevie-petey]

first of all: the new chapter was AMAZING as always!! i know you are probably so so so busy with move in and classes starting and writing come home already, but i had a blurb idea (and it will obviously ALWAYS be dustin and steve interaction) of steve hanging out with dustin alone sometime soon after you get together, and them talking about it for the first time? it doesn't have to be any particular way i'm just SO curious what dustin's reaction was beyond the knee-jerk "ew you kissed my sister but also thank god because it took you long enough you moron"

stebe n dust <333

enjoy !

“you sure youre okay with driving dustin to mikes?”

steve rolls his eyes fondly at you. “yes, angel. its not even a ten minute drive. i can handle the kid.”

“i know. its just,” you bite your lip, unsure of how to voice what youre thinking. your brows scrunch together and steve thinks youre painfully adorable when youre overthinking. “its too hot for him to bike there, but you and i just started dating and dustin is… well. hes dustin.”

“you worried he’ll lecture me or something?”

“more like ask really invasive questions.”

steve laughs and kisses your hand, body leaning over the counter at your work. hes spent the entire days at bookstrordinary just to talk to you since scoops burned down. when he isnt job searching with robin, hes here with you.

“have some faith in me, y/n. im a big boy, i can take care of myself.”

you blink at him. “you cried yesterday when a lizard ran across your leg.”

“okay, thats entirely different. that thing looked at me with its beady little eyes and dared me to fight him.” steve shudders. “that thing was sentient.”

“youre really not making me feel any better about this, honey.” you groan, already dreading whatever your brother will say to him. youre sure dustin will somehow give the most bizarre, overly obnoxious yet endearing lecture known to man.

steve rolls his eyes again and grabs his keys, reluctantly pulling away from you. “i bet the kid forgot we’re even together now. relax, i’ll be back in no time.”

you call one last good luck to him before hes hone, leaving you alone in the store as the late july heat simmers the air.

at first everything is great. dustin is waiting for steve in the driveway and hops inside the car without any complaints. he turns the radio one and even smiles at steve.

but then, as dustin always does, he opens his mouth.

“i better not catch you sucking face with my sister.”

“dustin!” steve blanches, utterly mortified by what the boy has said. he almost veers off the road with how violently he cringes.

“im just saying! you two are weirdly touchy, and now that youre together, which by the way took you way too long to even do,” dustin looks pointedly at steve, who sighs. “i dont want you getting any gross ideas.”

the older teen rubs his face tiredly. he lasted three minutes. three blissful, quiet minutes. “good to know youre happy for us, then.”

dustin thinks for a moment. “well, i guess y/n could do worse. better than jonathan, at least.”

“thanks, dustin.” steve deflates, not at all believing the kid.

dustin recognizes the apprehension and he uncomfortably shifts in his head. he doesnt necessarily want to be all touchy-feely with the guy, but he also recognizes how much you love him. how good you and steve are together.

coughing, dustin looks out the window. he knows this is what youd want. “im happy she found you, steve.”

by now the wheelers driveway can be seen, but because steve is so startled by what dustin has confessed, he almost misses the turn.

clearing his own throat awkwardly, steve parks the car and looks at dustin. “you, uh. really mean that?”

“please dont make this any more unbearable.” the kid quips, leaning as far away from him as possible.

“right,” steve clears his throat again and unlocks the passenger door. he tugs at his seatbelt, needing something to do with his hands. “off you go, then.”

dustin quickly unbuckles his seatbelt and nearly falls out of the car in his hurry to leave. hes standing and about to walk away before he stops, turning around. leaving over the window, dustin lowers his voice. “hey, one last thing.”

steves voice catches in his throat, scared of where this is going. “yeah?”

ducking his head down, too shy to meet the other boys gaze, dustin finally says, “dont hurt y/n, alright? she-she really loves you. i know you love her, too. but shes… shes the best person in the world and im trusting you to be kind to her.”

“i…” steve stares at dustin, surprised by the sincerity in his voice and yet incredibly touched that hes being so vulnerable with him. to have your brother trust steve enough to be with you, to trust he wont hurt someone as selfless and soft as you, it means more to steve than dustin will ever know.

after years of being cruel to his classmates and growing up believing he wasnt worthy of anything gentle, steve cant believe hes being entrusted with you in his life.

it doesnt feel real, sometimes. being able to love you.

“i promise i’ll be kind to y/n,” steve says softly, meeting dustins eyes. its weird, being so delicate with the kid, but hes shared a lot with him, so its only fair steve does the same. “its because of her that im kind.”

“me, too.” dustin whispers. his eyes gleam, his mischievous smile is back. “guess we learned from the best, huh?”

steve laughs. “yeah, i guess we did.”

[frankenstein-ate-my-left-shoe]

@steddie-week Day 6 - Dizzy / Drunken Concussion confessions

i'm challenging myself to keep each of these at 660 words; see day one for more of an explanation!

“C’mon guys, one of you’s gotta wanna ride this with me?” The others blink up at him, around at each other, “Seriously? No one?” 

“I’ll ride with you, Ed–”

“Oh no you don’t,” Robin interrupts, shutting down Steve’s very good idea about riding the Zipper with him.

“C’mon Birdie, let a man live! The fair only comes around once a year.”

“And someone only has one brain, one that’s been bruised one too many times already.”

“Pfft, you’re no fun.” he says, waving her off, “So who’s goin’?”

It’s actually Will that steps up to go with him, after Dustin’s enthusiasm for going is shot down by Steve’s “Hell no, Henderson, you’re breakable enough as it is already.”

He and Will climb into their already swinging little pod and sit down, strapping the well-worn buckles around them, “Y’ready for this, Baby Byers?”

“Uh.. Sure, Eddie, Ready!”

“Don’t be nervous little man, carnival rides are always safe.”

And fun. The Zipper’s always been his favorite at the carnival, can’t get the swoopy guts like this on just any ride.

Even Will’s having fun, no matter the apprehensive look he had when they got on.

“Okay, Baby Byers, this’s us,” he says when he feels their buggy do it’s final swoop into the loading area. He unbuckles his seatbelt, goes to stand, and gets a faceful of metal for his efforts.

The next thing he’s aware of is a concerned voice calling his name. 

“Eddie? Eddie! You okay?”

“Steve?” his eyes find the both of him rushing forward, “Stevie! Darling!”

“He was fine until the very end,” Eddie hears Will explaining from underwater, “He unbuckled just a second too soon and got thrown into the bars.”

Steve does his disappointed tsk at someone, “Ooh, you’re in trouble now.” he says to whatever unfortunate soul is on the receiving end. He can’t quite parse out who it is, probably whichever one of them got hurt on the Zipper.

“You’re the one who got hurt, Doofus.”

“He’s not Doofus, Birdie, he’s Dingus. Always getting himself dinged up.” She must be talking about Steve.. Wait.. “Stevie got hurt? Who hurt him?!” Eddie wheels around to look for the bastard who hurt his Stevie, only getting a swirl of color and a supporting arm to the chest for his troubles.

“Okay, big guy, let’s get you looked at before you do or say something stupid.” Steve says, pulling him up. “I’ll take him to the medical tent, he probably has a concussion.”

“You’re a concussion,” Eddie says automatically

“I’ve had a good couple, yeah.”

Eddie lets Steve lead him wherever it is he wants to go (“The medical tent, Eds, I’ve told you that already.”) and is soon laid back on a creaky examination bench.

“He’s gott’n a percussion, doc.” Eddie patiently explains to the volunteer nurse, “You gotta check ‘im out, he’s got an ass that never quits.”

“Never quits what, Mr. Munson?”

He’s not quite sure, actually. “Uh.. bein’ an ass.”

Someone’s doing a bad job at hiding their laughter. “Gotcha, I’ll make sure to take a look.”

“No, wait! You can’t! That ass is mine, sister.”

The nurse giggles again, “I’m sure it is, Mr. Munson.”

“Yeah you better leave, hussy–”

“Eddie!”

Oh no, Steve’s mad at him, “What?”

“You can’t call people that, especially not the ones trying to fix your head.”

“Hey, my head is great! Get compy– coplay– compli— I’m great at head.”

“I’m sure you are.”

Eddie can hear the smile in Steve’s voice, and makes a point to find it. 

It’s there beside him, surrounded by the most beautiful blush. “I love you, Stevie.”

The smile disappears, and that’s not what he wants to happen at all. He can feel his eyes start to burn with tears. “Eddie? Eddie, what’s wrong?”

“I made your smile go away.”

“No– Hey, it’s okay, I was just surprised; You’ll see it again.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.” The smile is back in his voice.

and, say it with me folks, they aren't even dating!!

if anyone doesn't know, this one on the left is the zipper

on AO3 here!

[munsonsprincess11111]

The stains

Eddie munson x reader

Summary: kind of like a part 2 to secrets. Edd returns to school once he's healed you do to. Your sat at the hellfire table and dustin has a question.

Holding Eddie's hand you walk through the cafeteria. This is both of your first day back since everything that happened with Eddie. Eddie stayed off to recover. You stayed off to take care of Eddie.

"Look who's back!" Gareth shouts. Eddie nods. "Dustin told us u was nearly bear chow." Gareth says, leaning in his chair. Ah, yes, the lie everyone agreed on. If anyone asked during Eddie's time hiding, trying to work out how to approach the cops and explain who it was, he was attacked by a bear but was found by a passer-by.

"Yup, no one can resist me, not even bears." He says, pulling a chair out for you and then himself, his left arm being in a sling due to how bad the cuts were on that arm. You both sat. Everyone was talking to Eddie about everything he had missed. You sat quietly, just observing.

Dustin was sat opposite u eating. He locked eyes with you, and a look of realisation washed over his face. He choked on what he was eating, and everyone looked at him. He grabbed his water and drunk some. Taking a deep breath. "You OK dust-" you attempt to ask but are cut off by him pointing a finger at you and almost shouting.

"Your the reason for that stains oh my god ew ew ew." He says in utterly disgust. You look at him confused as does Eddie and everyone else. "Dude... what." Eddie askes raising a brow.

"Robin told me the stains on your mattress where obviously from you doing you know what. AND IT WAS OBVIOUSLY WITH MY SISTER OH MY GOD!" Dustin explains freaking out. Your jaw drops eyes going wide. It's now Eddie's turn to choke on his food.

"Why have u seen Eddie's mattress..." Gareth askes. Dustin looks at Gareth.

"Me and Robin dragged it into the living room for him when he got all busted so Wayne could keep an eye on him." He says. It was a good cover you'll give him that.

"I think I'm gonna be sick." You say standing up, getting your bag, and walking off. You walk to your locker and open it. Starring into it aimlessly. You only now remember the first time everyone was in the upside down, and the kids used the mattress to safely land you all as you didn't go back with them all.

You feel a hand on your hip and turn to see Eddie. "Hey you." HE says kissing your neck. You lean back into him groaning. "It's not that bad baby." HE says kissing your neck still.

"It is." You reply leaning your head onto his ok shoulder back still to his chest.

"Ok it is but we're dating its normal hunny n besides atleast he didn't assume I'd done it with someone else." Eddie tries to comfort you continuing to kiss your neck.

You stand like that as Eddie sways you slightly. "i love you." You mumble, closing your eyes, still leaning on him. "I love you too." HE says, kissing u. "Come on, 2 more classes n, then we go home." Eddie says as you stand back up straight, remembering you're in school.

"Mk but you gotta cuddle me when we're home." You say as Eddie wraps his good arm over your shoulders. "Ofcourse."

-

Your sat on Eddie's bed at his headboard. He's sat on the end of his bed, and dustins sat on Eddie's desk chair in front of him. Their talking about God knowing what when Dustin turns the conversation completely

"It's kinda weird sitting in here now." He says looking at Eddie. Eddie looks at him confused. "You know cause you guys have done stuff in here. I'm never sitting on your bed again by the way." HE says crossing his arms over his chest.

"Good means when you leave I don't gotta worry about if your ass has been on my pillow." Eddie says throwing himself backwards onto his bed tilting his head up and smiling at you.

"Y/ns arse is on your pillow right now." Dustin says, gesturing to you.

"It's different she's My girlfriend what's mine is her what's hers is mine." Eddie says scooting backwards up the mattress until his back finds in-between your legs. He lays back putting his arm under your leg as you stroke his head.

"This is weird." Dustin says shaking his head.

"Solution leave. Your in my trailer. In my bedroom. With my stained mattress. Either keep talking D&D or shuddup. We all had to deal with you being 10 times worse when suzie came to visit." Eddie says pointing at Dustin as you smirk. "Touchè" Dustin answers.

-

A few hours go by and your mum comes to pick you and dustin up. You ask to stay at Eddie's and she says it's fine. So here you lay on Eddie's bed with him pretty much on top of you. His head in your neck. Good hand on your side. Your legs open to welcome him as you stroke his head. His eyes are closed and you can feel him breathing on your neck.

"Tonight could be a whole lot more interesting of I didn't fuck my arm up." Eddie complains lifting his casted arm. He had taken the support off about 20 minutes ago knowing its gotta go straight back on in the morning.

"Mhm. Ever thought maybe I like just laying like this?" You mumble closing your eyes.

He kisses you sweetly. "And that's why I love you."

"I love you too."

"I love you more."

"I love you most."

"Wow the princess finally found something else to say I'm impressed."

"Shut up before I tickle you munson."

"God your trouble aren't you."

"I've been told once or twice."

A few more sleepy kisses where exchanged snd you both drift of into a peaceful sleep. Eddie's good arm over you and him laying on his bad knowing he's gonna complain in thr morning. And you cuddled up close to him. What more could either of you want.

[corrodedseraphine]

easy | one shot

pairing: eddie munson x fem!reader

summary: "But Eddie has a girlfriend!" Dustin said first. "He does?" Adam asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "I do?" Eddie muttered under his breath trying to understand what was going on. "Yeah, he is dating my sister y/n!" Will continued. "They're so in love with each other it's disgusting." Dustin rolled his eyes.

Everything would be fine if it weren't for the fact that neither you nor Eddie were informed in advance of the fact that you were a couple.

It promised to be a very interesting week. angst/fluff and almost smut (making out in the bathroom), friends to lovers

In this AU Joyce didn't move to California, but Argyle is there in Hawkins because he is too cool to erase him just like that.

TW: mention of injuries, blood, murder, drugs

the one shot is also avaliable on ao3

9 591 words

When I first got the idea, I thought it would be a very short and pleasant story. As standard, it turned out quite differently!

I know I said this fanfic wouldn't be related to any song, but as I was writing I was listening to one of my favorite songs about love Safari by Piotr Zioła on loop and couldn't resist adding elements of it in there.

eddie munson masterlist | general masterlist

"Here are my favorites!" Wayne said entering Eddie's room with a big cardboard box.

"Please let me tell Dustin that you called us that, this little shit will lose his mind." Robin grinned.

"He knows it. This is my uncle and sometimes he loves you guys more than he loves me." Eddie replied with a mouth full of pizza. 

You were sitting in the Munsons' new apartment. After the huge compensation Eddie got from the government, they decided to give up on the trailer park and find a place where power failure and lack of hot water would not be on the agenda. You, of course, helped them with the moving out. Unfortunately, Eddie's condition was not the best so with the carrying furniture and cardboard boxes Steve, Jonathan, Argyle and Hopper helped Wayne. You, Robin, Nancy and Joyce took care of painting the rooms, but now it was time to eat to strengthen yourselves before continuing. You sat in a circle on the floor, since you hadn't yet had time to assemble the table. Suddenly there was the sound of a telephone in the apartment. Wayne went to answer it and returned after about 10 minutes with a worried expression on his face.

"If it weren't for the fact that the police chief is now sitting across from me I'd think I'd messed something up again." the younger Munson joked, to which Jim just rolled his eyes.

"We'll have visitors next week." sighed the old man.

"Who?"

"Remember aunt Theresa and her son Adam?"

"Jesus, no!" his reaction spoke for itself.

"They want to come for a week."

"So at the moment when we live in a trailer and can barely afford anything they don't want to know us, but when we suddenly get a lot of money and a new apartment they feel like suddenly renewing family ties?" he asked with disgust in his voice.

"It's only a week Son, you'll survive."

"Nope. I won't survive. Hopper you don't have a free cell for a week? I'll be much better off there than in their company."

"Don't be dramatic, kid." he replied.

"Joyce! Have mercy on the victim, store me for this time in your basement, you won't even notice I'm there," he whined. "I just got you out of the hospital, the doctor said that I am categorically forbidden to do any extreme activities!"

"How can a family visit be extreme?" Steve asked.

"When you meet them you'll understand."

You finished eating and everyone went back to their duties, but you went to help Eddie with changing the bandages. From the very beginning you were the only person he allowed in, because you handled him most delicately of all. You knew that Wayne was trying his best, however, Eddie always dramatically confirmed that everyone else wanted him to die in pain.

He sat on the edge of the tub as you cleaned each wound in turn. He hissed in pain from time to time, each time you heard it you sent him a slight smile whispering that it would be over soon and everything will be fine. When each wound was thoroughly cleaned you moved on to applying the ointment.

"Why do you dislike your family so much?" you asked while rubbing the ointment into his cheek.

"They have always considered themselves the best of the family, just because they have money. They love to brag about it, if they could they would wear badges that say 'we're fabulously rich, sucker,'" he said rolling his eyes.

"That doesn't sound too good." You sighed.

"I'll be hearing all week about how worthless I am. Too stupid to graduate from high school on the first try, too controversial looking to get a good job... The list goes on, if I were to list everything we'd have to sit here until night."

"Hey, look at me." you said grabbing his chin and turning him so that he was looking straight into your eyes. "You're not worthless. You saved the world, Eddie. You saved us all. The only worthless thing that exists is your hopeless aunt's words, do you understand?"

"You saved me, too. More than once." he whispered surprised with your words.

"I would have done it a second time without hesitation."

When you found yourselves in the Upside Down after passing through the gate at Lover's Lake the Demobats took you as their target. Without a second thought, Eddie rushed to your rescue when one of them wrapped its tail around your neck. Later, while Steve, Nancy, Jonathan and Robin dealt with Vecna together the two of you and Dustin were supposed to distract the monsters. Unfortunately, Eddie had no intention of listening to Steve and feeling a surge of courage he cut the line when you and Dustin returned to the trailer on the good side. That didn't stop you from jumping after him. You don't know if it was the adrenaline or the despair that overwhelmed you when you saw him that made you and the others able to get him back out the other side. The option of getting out of hell without Eddie simply didn't exist for you.

"I just... I don't want Wayne to be ashamed of me. I don't want him to listen to all the crap they say about me because I know he cares. He tries not to show it but I can see it. And that's the worst part of it all."

"Wayne loves you. And I know he would do anything for you. It's normal that when someone talks nonsense about people we love it upsets us. Remember when you had to pull me forcibly away from Craver who was bullying Will? I thought I was going to tear him apart then. I probably would have if it hadn't been for you."

"To be honest, you were terrifying, I was scared as hell," he laughed.

"If necessary I'm ready to defend you from your crazy family too. I just need to grow my nails so I can claw out their eyes better." you answered. When you saw the smile light up his face as well, you felt your heart skipped a beat. You meant it in all honesty. You would do anything for the people you love. He didn't need to know that you loved him in a little different way than the rest.

When the ultimate day arrived Eddie was sitting in his room with Dustin and Will working on the details of the next D&D campaign. This was to be Will's first time as Dungeon Master for the whole group so Eddie, as always, eagerly offered to help. They were fiercely discussing the final boss fight when the door to his room swung open gently and Wayne showed up in it.

"Hi Uncle Wayne." Dustin and Will said simultaneously.

"Hi boys. Eddie? Our guests have arrived." As soon as the last word left his mouth the door swung open wider allowing his aunt inside. There was a look of displeasure on Wayne's face at the fact that she had walked in there as if it were her own room, but he didn't comment. Immediately after her, her son Adam walked in.

"Hello, Edward!" she said in an overly high tone, looking around the room with a judgmental gaze. "Why don't you give an old aunt a hug as a greeting?"

"I'd love to, but unfortunately the doctor has forbidden me to have close contact with other people." Eddie replied in a flat tone causing the younger boys to snort quietly with laughter.

"Hm... I see you still haven't grown up. Adam threw away all his toys the moment he started high school."

"These are not some toys, they are needed for our campaign." He sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Are you still playing that satanic game?" interjected Adam.

"It's not- Yeah, you know what? Yes, I play the satanic game all the time. Actually, I'm the leader of the cult now, and these are its scary members Dustin and Will. Before you say anything, yes, I am bringing the Hawkins youth to the dark side of power to worship Satan with me." Their visit had so far lasted only five minutes and they had already made Eddie think about how much more fun it was to be ripped to shreds by demobats.

"Alright." Wayne interrupted his dramatic speech before things got too far. "Why don't I show you the rest of the house and the neighborhood?" Without a word they left closing the door behind them.

"Dude, they're awful." commented Dustin.

"Are you still playing this satanic game?" Will began to mock Adam.

"This is going to be the worst week of my life." The metalhead rubbed his face with his hands.

For the next few hours, Eddie didn't leave his room for a step, knowing that the enemy was sitting right behind the wall. He tried to focus on Will's campaign but anxiety and nerves didn't help him one bit. When the doorbell rang around the apartment all three of them left the room knowing it was Hopper. However, they didn't expect it was Aunt Theresa opening the door for him.

"Good evening officer!" she said. "My name is Theresa Munson, is something wrong?" A confused Hopper sent Eddie a questioning look, to which only the latter rolled his eyes.

"Nothing happened, I-"

"Did Eddie get into trouble again? I know he's been in trouble with the law several times before," she sighed. "Edward I'm sure what you did was not intentional right?" She didn't let him get a word in edgewise.

"What the fu-" Eddie didn't have time to finish when Wayne came out of the bathroom.

"Jim! How are you?" he said shaking Hopper's hand.

"Good." he replied still somewhat surprised. "I came to pick up the boys."

"Oh, so you're not here after because of Edward? What a relief!" his aunt interjected.

"Unbelievable!" Eddie exclaimed, banging his head against the wall.

"I'm just worried that you'll follow in your father's footsteps! Look at you, tattoos? torn clothes and that satanic music you listen to? That doesn't bode well, does it, officer? If you don't change something about yourself you'll never find any girlfriend or a good job."

It was a punch below the belt. Mentioning his father was crossing the line. Seeing Eddie clench his fists and the knuckles on his hands turn white Will and Dustin sent each other a communicative look.

"But Eddie has a girlfriend!" Dustin said first.

"He does?" Adam asked crossing his arms over his chest.

"I do?" Eddie muttered under his breath trying to understand what was going on.

"Yeah, he is dating my sister y/n!" Will continued.

"They're so in love with each other it's disgusting." Dustin rolled his eyes.

"Come on boys, we have to go." Hopper said, interrupting this bizarre exchange of words. "Your mother will kill me if we don't get back before dinner."

With that, the two teenagers left them all in shock, including Eddie. After they left, he quickly locked himself in his room thinking about the situation. Apparently you are a couple now. How should he behave around you now? He didn't know what to do with all this. These two little bastards had just put him in a game of pretend relationship with the girl he wrote all his love songs about. On the one hand, it was a great opportunity for him to finally make a move on you. On the other, he was paralyzed by the fear that nothing but rejection awaited him.

"You can pick the place." Hopper said as soon as they got into the car.

"What place?" asked a puzzled Will.

"Where I can bury your bodies when y/n finds out what you've done."

"Oh come on! Everyone knows very well that she has a crush on him!" Dustin exclaimed.

"They're both only have eyes for themselves, we're just helping them finally do something about it." Will tried to defend them. "Just helping!"

"Even if it's true what you're saying, they should come to it by themselves, not by your wild ideas," he sighed. "You know what? It doesn't matter. I'm not going to get involved."

And Jim was right. As soon as you found out what they had done you were furious, yelling at them that they had no right to decide for the two of you and put you in such a strange situation. However, it was too late. Locked in your room, you nervously played with your fingers while looking at the phone standing on the bedside table, not knowing whether you should dial the number to the Munson's house and explain the situation. Apologize for the behavior of these little shits and hope that your relationship will not worsen because of it. Plunged into your thoughts, you didn't even hear the knock at your door. After a moment of unresponsiveness on your part, Jonathan and El entered the room.

"Will told us what happened." began Jonathan slowly, sitting down next to you. El wordlessly followed him. "You know very well that they didn't mean a bad thing," he said.

"You can come in too." You sighed still looking at the door. After a moment, your younger brother emerged from behind the wall and, not knowing what to expect, walked slowly into the room.

"I know that a simple apology is not enough!" he began to defend himself. "But this aunt is really awful person! She started comparing him to his father, she thought Hopper had come to arrest him, or God knows what! She said he would never find a girlfriend, so we wanted to help him a-and then this idea came to our minds! At firs it didn't seem so bad. We thought...I am really sorry y/n."

"It's okay." you said quietly and you extended your hand towards him. "I forgive you." He ignored you hand and hugged you tightly with a relief. 

"Eddie didn't protest, I think he liked the idea." he said quietly and you smiled.

Despite the fact, that thinking that Eddie liked the idea of being your pretended boyfrend for a week made you feel very warm you weren't able to stop thinking about what Will have just told you about his aunt's behaviour. She compared him to his father? Your blood boiled inside you. No one had the right to say such a thing, and you set as your goal to make sure it wouldn't happen again. At least not on your watch.

All Tuesday from the very morning you could not sit still. Lessons went on mercilessly, still thinking about the situation into which you were embroiled. When you told Robin about it at lunch she looked quite excited saying that finally something would happen between you two. She was the only one who knew how you truly felt about him and from the very beginning, she was trying to persuade you to finally do something more than rambling to her about your feelings. In her opinion, Eddie should be the person to actually listen to it. The longer you thought about it the more you had to admit that the excitement was getting to you as well. Yet you still didn't know what Eddie thought about it.

When the final bell rang, you quickly ran out of the school, got on your bike and headed toward Munson's apartment, stopping by a bakery on the way. Once there, you took three deep breaths and knocked on the door, which Wayne opened a moment later.

"And who do we have here?" He asked with a smile.

"Hi Uncle Wayne." You said answering with the same. "Is Eddie home?"

"I don't know where else he could be, come in." He let you in. "This is my sister Theresa and her son Adam. And this is y/n," he said as you walked deeper into the apartment. They were both sitting on the living room couch watching TV.

"It's very nice to meet you!" you said in an over-sweetened tone.

"We are also pleased to meet you." Replied a somewhat puzzled aunt.

"Did I hear my favorite Bayers?" Eddie leaned out of the room with a broad smile. Seeing his reaction you took it as permission to take it a step further.

"It's good to know that my little brother hasn't stolen that title yet." you laughed walking up to him. "Hi, Teddy." You kissed him on his healthy cheek. Not expecting it, he fossilized for a few seconds but after a moment he woke up.

"Hi baby." he said, smacking you on the forehead. "I see you've already met my wonderful family?" he added with a hint of sacrasm.

"Yes, Wayne introduced me." you confirmed. "Did you change the bandages today?" you asked wanting to change the topic.

"Not yet." he said, shrugging his shoulders.

"So here's the plan: First we'll change your bandages, then we'll take care of the school notes I brought you." you announced "Ah! I almost forgot! I was also at the bakery on the way, and I brought your favorite doughnuts."

"I told you she was the best." he said proudly looking his aunt straight in the eyes. Wayne watched you from afar with a smile on his lips. Pretend or not - it was nice to see you in such a position.

When you disappeared behind the bathroom door, free from the prying eyes of his guests, you breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you..." he said quietly. "For playing along."

"Will told me about what you heard from her. I thought instead of clawing her eyes out right away we'd show her how wrong she is. If you don't mind, of course."

"Of course I don't. I was afraid it would be you who would mind. Those little shitheads hadn't decided anything about it with me before."

"So since neither of us has anything against it..." you said. "You told them I was the best?"

"Of course, and it wasn't even a lie!"

It took you more than two hours to come to grips with the notes. If Eddie had dispensed with his dramatic episodes the time would have been about half as short, but you were in no hurry. Sitting behind the closed door of his room nothing changed too much, your relationship from the very beginning was very good and full of laughter that reached the eavesdropper Theresa and her son. After finishing his study, Eddie played you some new songs he had written in his spare time. Three of them were related to each other telling the adventure of fighting the worst kind of evil, which was full of throwing fireballs, manipulating thoughts and knife-sharp fangs tearing skin. The fourth had no words yet. That, at least, was the version for you. The piece of paper with its words was tucked deep in the closet along with the rest he had written thinking of you. So that it would never see the light of day.

As dinner time approached Wayne called you into the living room where you helped set the table and get a few things ready. Eddie accompanied you, watching as you casually moved around the space talking and joking with his uncle. Feeling a pleasant warmth on his heart, he thought if it could stay like this forever. The way you jokingly patted his hand when he tried to snack, or when you pretended to be a princess in distress unable to open a jar, so he as a brave knight would come to your rescue. Such behavior was not something new for you, but this time as a wonderful addition, from time to time he could steal a little kiss from you on the cheek, forehead or tip of the nose, or without hesitation hug you from behind when you were standing at the counter cutting vegetables for a salad. You then leaned gently against his frame, creating an enclosure of safety around you. You both tried desperately to remember the feeling you had then if it was about to disappear as quickly as a soap bubble.

"So how did you two meet?" Theresa asked as you all sat down at the table.

"Eddie was friends with my twin brother, Jonathan, so it was only a matter of time before we met." you replied while putting food on your plate and then doing the same only with Eddie's portion. "I must admit that from the very beginning he had something about him that caught my attention." You continued.

"Interesting." she hummed. "Edward, how's the situation at school?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you going to finally get out of high school? You know you won't be young forever." she paused briefly. "Adam is studying in New York. He's one of the best, he's getting a scholarship."

"That's great." you commented, not wanting to drag the subject further.

"And what are your plans after graduation?" Adam turned to Eddie with a contemptous look.

"I don't know, at this point I'm just trying to get better." He shrugged his shoulders without taking his eyes off the food.

"Eddie is great with cars!" you blurted out. "Before the accident he used to work for a local mechanic, he really appreciated him." You placed your hand on his, which was lying on the table. When you squeezed it gently he looked at you and sent a slight smile showing a dimple in his cheek.

"Well, yes, but without education you can't find a good job," he said.

"I believe that if someone is good at their craft they don't need any high degree at all to succeed. And Eddie is the best, and I'm sure that as soon as he finishes high school this year he will be very successful." Your voice was still kind however this time a hint of firmness could be sensed in it.

The rest of dinner passed in silence. When you had finished eating you helped to clear the table and wash the dishes. Then it was time to go home.

"My mother and Jim are hosting an engagement party this Friday. She said to tell you that you and Adam can also feel invited. It's going to be great fun, right Eddie?" you said already standing at the door.

"Of course sweetheart." he replied with a fake smile hating the idea of them being there with all his heart.

For the last time that day you placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. Although it was gentle Eddie felt as if your lips were leaving a permanent mark there, which imprinted all the way on his heart.

The rest of the week looked similar. Except for the day of Hellfire, you came to him after school bringing notes and spending the rest of the day together. You could get used to such a course of events, unfortunately, when Friday came you felt nostalgic about the fact that this could be the last of the days like this. Theresa and Adam were going home Sunday morning which meant that these were also the last days to enjoy Eddie's closeness. Feeling a weight in your chest, you got off the bike and headed toward the apartment. You didn't expect Adam to open the door for you. He was shirtless. You immediately felt extremely uncomfortable and wanted to turn back but he stopped you.

"Wayne and Eddie went to get some groceries, you can wait for them inside." he said smiling broadly.

"Thanks." you muttered and squeezed past him in the doorway.

"I just finished doing my home workout. You know, we have a gym at the university, so I go there every day, I can't stop." He winked at you coming closer. Responding nothing with a quick step you walked to the living room and began to unpack the contents of your bag. In addition to your notes after school, you entered the store and bought the new figures for D&D that Will kept talking about that they would need for the new campaign. You carried the notes to Eddie's room, then sat down on the couch in the living room and began spreading out the figures and paints on the coffee table. Adam never took his eyes off you, watching your every move making you feel increasingly nervous.

"Do you play this stupid game too?" he asked, sitting down next to you.

"I participate in campaigns from time to time." You replied shrugging your shoulders. Not wanting to lean on the couch as his arm was stretched across the backrest, you aimlessly moved things from one place to another, making you not notice how close he was to you. It reached you when you felt his hand on your cheek. Surprised, you looked in his direction and immediately jumped away standing up on your feet.

"What the hell are you doing?" you shouted.

"Oh come on, don't you wanna mess around? It will be a while before they come back from the store." he said getting up from the couch.

"Jesus, no! Have you lost your mind? What made you even think that I might want something like that?" 

Adam was wrong. Eddie and Wayne returned from shopping, but you were so preoccupied with the situation, and your voice was so loud that you didn't hear the door open. Eddie, seeing you with his half-naked cousin in the living room, felt his heart suddenly get very heavy. He was just turning to leave the apartment and not look at it when Wayne grabbed him by the arm and with a hand gesture showed him to be quiet and watch what would happen next.

"So you're saying all this talk about having a crush on him when he was just your brother's friend is true? You fell in love with a trailer trash who worships Satan? The scars are turning you on?" he smirked. "A better Munson is now standing in front of you, baby, don't waste this opportunity."

"Don't you fucking dare to say one more word!" He crossed the line. It wasn't even about how he behaved toward you. You were too concerned about what he called Eddie. "I tolerated your and your mother's snarky behavior just so I wouldn't make Wayne uncomfortable. But since he's not here now I'm happy to answer your questions. Even homeless Eddie would be much better than you. You don't measure up to him you damn asshole! I don't care about your expensive car you are so enthusiastic about, I'd rather walk everywhere my whole life than get in it. I don't give a shit about your apartment in New York. I would have had a better life homeless under a bridge. And yes, I loved Eddie when he lived in the trailer, I loved that he made me feel at home there, trailer or not I fucking love him so you have to remember that the next time you talk shit about the person I love nothing will hold me back anymore. I will make you regret it for the rest of your miserable life. I'm disgusted with you. I'm disgusted by how self-absorbed idiot you are and how your ego blows the scale. And you are right. You're damn right that these wounds are incredibly attractive. Do you know why? Because they remind me that my Eddie is a fucking hero! You don't even realize how many lives he saved back then! So yes, he and his scars are the hottest in the world and definitely much more hotter than your pathetic gym routine." The words flew out of your mouth like bullets. The shock on his face encouraged you even more but then you heard the door slam.

"Adam?" the voice of Wayne made you tighten your lips into a thin line and take a deep breath.

"Y/n! Good to see you!" he said bringing in the shopping bags.

"Hi Wayne." you said getting the nicest and the calmest tone you could afford at that moment.

"Sweetheart!" before you had time to respond Eddie with a quick step and a wide smile on his lips was already at your side. What you didn't expect, however, was what came next. He cupped your face and kissed you. Eddie was kissing you. You experienced a three-second shock and then completely surrendered to the kiss by placing your hands on his chest. His nose gently touched your cheek, you felt its tip was cold. Yet his lips were burning. Even though the kiss was brief, you felt as if your soul had left your body and had travelled to a completely different dimension. Was it a dream? If so, you didn't want to wake up.

After Eddie heard what you were saying, he felt he had to do it. Many times he saw you defending your loved ones from all kinds of attacks. You weren't afraid to cover Will with your own body when Vecna tried to get him, so verbal attacks were not a problem for you. You also handled this one very well. More than once he had the opportunity to witness this. Now you were doing it for him. This awakened completely new feelings in him. He was sincerely touched and happy. In that moment you gave him something he had not felt since Wayne took him in. He felt wanted and loved. Even if it was pretended at that moment. Nothing could take that moment away from him, so he decided to take a risk. The risk definitely paid off. He enjoyed every second of it. The satisfaction was also a bonus. He wanted to show "the better Munson" that you were his. As if what you said wasn't enough. He wanted the kiss to be a seal saying she is perfect, and she is mine. Damn, he wanted you to be his so bad.

As if nothing ever happened, you sat down on the couch with Eddie and took up painting. You didn't say a word about your exchange with Adam, and Eddie pretended he hadn't witnessed one of the best moments in his life. Painting took you a lot longer than you expected. Plus more because every now and then you glanced in his direction focusing your attention on his mouth as he told you more details of the campaign. Could you have become addicted to something you had only tasted once?

"They are being chased by a pack of wild mutant lions so they run into an old hut where the master of nightmares is waiting for them." He tells you while gesturing with his hands. You're interested in what he's saying, but damn did his lips always look this beautiful? "Earth to y/n!" he yelled clapping his hands.

"Shit, sorry, I zooned out." you woke up suddenly. "So what exactly is it about the master of nightmares?"

"He throws you into a vision that replicates your greatest fears," he said.

"And what is Eddie the Banished's greatest fear?"

Losing you. That was his first thought. "Y'know it will probably be bats." he cuckled and winked at you.

"I am so sorry Eddie, I didn't mean-"

"It's fine, clam down." he said, yawning.

"You're tired, I should go."

"No, stay." he grabbed your hand. "I mean... if you want to of course, I thought you'd wait until they're dry to take some home for Will."

"Oh, sure." a smile crept onto your lips on its own as you accepted the proposition. Lips. You had a feeling you never thought about that particular body part as often as you did today.

"We can chill a little in my room." he suggested. You knew perfectly well what he meant.

"You know very well that I won't agree to this kind of chilling." You crossed your arms over your chest. "Those strange doctors have made it very clear that until the traces of the Upside Down are out of your system for good, there is no question of smoking anything."

"But- please! Have mercy on my poor soul." fell to his knees in front of you making you giggle.

"Don't you dare use those puppy dog eyes on me Munson. It's for your own good." you said softly and tenderly stroked his cheek with your thumb.

"You heartless woman." he faltered, laying his head on your lap.

"Okay, I am able to bear the weight of those words." you chuckled. "There are many other ways to relax, you know? We can listen to music, or read."

"Will you read to me?" he asked raising his face toward you. Big chocolate button eyes glared at you. His face looked so innocent. Rarely did anyone get a chance to see it, since Eddie almost always wore his mask. The fact that he didn't have it with you made you feel very special.

"Come on, adventure awaits!" you helped him stand up and walked to his room. After a moment of deliberation and dithering about whether you should read The Hobbit for the millionth time, you decided that this time it would be some new fantasy book that Wayne had bought Eddie while he was still in the hospital.

"Wayne won't mind that I'm staying this long?"

"Of course not. Besides, we still have some time before they come back."

"We have plenty of time before a pack of wild lions reaches us?"

"And before one of your worst dreams hunts you down" He replied and patted the bed indicating for you to lie down next to him. With that, you began to read, but after a short time you both began to get sleepy. The dim light of the bedside lamp, the warmth that eminated from the two of you, the comfort and peace that you felt in each other's company succulently lulled you to sleep. When you heard a quiet snoring in mid-sentence you looked at its source with tenderness in your eyes. Feeling your own eyelids getting incredibly heavy you put the book aside. Just five minutes. You thought and, moving closer to the boy, allowed yourself a small nap.

It was not as small as you thought.

"Yes, Joyce, you have nothing to worry about." Wayne said. "They were already asleep when we got home, I don't want to wake them up. Yes, I'm sure. They will manage, they are adults. Yes, it won't be a problem for sure. Okay, bye. See you tomorrow." Eddie lazily opened his eyes and rubbed them with one hand. He listened to his uncle's words looking on in disbelief that you were still here. And much closer than before he fell asleep. He brushed your hair away from your face as gently as he could so as not to wake you up.

"Hey, kid." Wayne whispered. "I talked to Joyce, she can stay."

"Thanks, Wayne."

The man smiled and winked at him, closing the door behind him. Eddie took the blanket that lay at the other end of the bed and covered you. In your sleep you turned your back to him and he took the opportunity to embrace you becoming a big spoon. Feeling you move even closer and snuggle into him he thought his heart was about to explode. Your back touched his abdomen causing a slight pain in the areas of the still healing wounds, but this pain was bearable. Besides, it was nothing compared to the happiness he felt. 

As the first rays of sunlight broke through the cracks in his blinds and his watch indicated the unmercifully early hour Eddie sighed unhappily. He had never been one of the early birds, and there was no promise of change in that regard. When he opened his eyes he remembered why he was actually sleeping in his clothes. You must have turned in the night because now your face was facing his. You kept one hand under the pillow and the other lay on his side. He wanted to close the gap between you and wake you up with a kiss like in one of the cheap rom-coms, but he didn't know if he could let himself do that. Kissing you in front of his cousin was justified, since you were going to pretend to be a couple, you had to be convincing, but wouldn't doing it when it was just the two of you be too much? He was weighing all the pros and cons when he noticed your eyes slowly open.

"Good morning Eddie." you said stretching.

"Good morning, panda." he replied in a whisper. You looked at him questioningly, and with his thumb he lightly rubbed the black mascara marks under your eyes that must have formed there overnight.

"Oh, shit." you said while covering your face. "'m sorry." you muttered and sat down on the bed.

"Don't be, you look cute." So cute I want to kiss you again and again and... again. His brain didn't let go recalling these visions every now and then. Instead, he simply told you that if you wanted to dress up you could borrow something from his closet. Since your top was a bit sweaty after the sleep, you agreed by taking one of the Hellfire shirts and went to quickly get yourself cleaned up in the bathroom. Then you waited for Eddie to shower and get dressed and helped him with his bandages as you always do. You had seen him shirtless countless times, but now that he was sitting in front of you on the bathtub in only loose sweatpants you were overcome by a feeling that you only allowed yourself in the privacy of your room by fantasizing about your friend. You were afraid of the fact that these fantasies were now at your fingertips, and before you could stop yourself your hand actually moved toward him. Eddie, as if in a trance, equally enchanted by the moment, watched your every move. Your fingers gently traced a path on his body. Starting with a healthy cheek, continuing on his neck, shoulder and then chest.

"Do you like what you see, sweetheart?" he said, unable to catch his breath.

"Very," you whispered biting your lower lip.

"I like what I see, too." He confirmed by pushing your hair off your shoulder. He imitated your movements. Starting by gently brushing your face, neck and arm which was slightly exposed by the fact that his shirt was too big on you. Your breathing became faster and faster as you rested your forehead against his. His hands quickly found their way to your waist pulling you as close to him as he could. And then you kissed him. No matter how close you stood to each other until your lips were joined the gap was too huge. Initially shy and tentative sparks ignited a fire. The desire that had been bubbling inside you for a long time exploded. Still kissing you, he got up from the tub pushing you toward the wall so that you were trapped between it and him. Trapped? You were not going to escape even if you were to burn in this fire. As he laid wet marks on your neck you sank your hand into his curls. The temperature was hotter than hell when you felt his hands go under the shirt you were wearing. His lips returned to yours as he pressed his body against yours and you felt how hard he was. You thought you were going crazy.

"Eddie..." You didn't control the moan that spontaneously left your mouth.

"Yes, Angel?" he asked pulling away from you. His eyes were darker than usual but on his lips was the same smile as always. The same dimple-showing smile that made your knees weaken.

"Please." That was all you could get out of yourself before you put your hands on his neck pulling him close. This time he was the one who moaned right into your mouth and started to roll up your shirt to take it off. And then a fire truck arrived. A huge bucket of icy water to extinguish the big fire between you. A big downpour called Theresa.

"Hello? I think you've already finished changing the bandages! Some people need to use the restroom!" she shouted, knocking quickly and hard on the door. Of course she was eavesdropping. Of course she was doing her best to squeeze in where she wasn't needed. Eddie moved away from you and unlocked the bathroom door. Visibly angry, he passed his aunt without a word and went to his room to get dressed. He was definitely uncomfortable with the fact that they could see his wounds. When he returned, he noticed you in the hallway putting your shoes on. Seeing his sad expression you smiled slightly.

"I have to go help my mom get everything ready for tonight's party." You explained grabbing his hand. "But don't miss too much, we'll see each other in a few hours, right?"

"Yeah." one corner of his mouth lifted

"See you later." In farewell you kissed him on the cheek and left the apartment. Leaving him alone with thoughts of what the hell  just happened.

When you got home, you didn't have much of a chance or time to think about the morning's events. You and the rest of the household threw yourselves into the whirlwind of preparations. You sat with Mom and El in the kitchen while Jonathan and Will helped prepare the garden, carrying chairs and tables there. After some time, Steve and Eddie also came to help. Because of his condition, Eddie stayed close to you in the kitchen and Steve went to help set things up in the garden. There was a kind of tension between you and the metalhead, but it wasn't bad. All the time you were sending each other glances and smiles. When you handed him vegetables to cut, his fingers brushed yours. The tiny gestures created a kind of attraction between you, which was terribly hard to resist. Despite everything, you did not bring up the subject of what happened just a few hours ago in the bathroom.

The party was going on at its best, Hopper and Wayne were sipping beers while keeping an eye on the meat on the grill, and right next to them at the table sat Joyce, the Sinclairs, Mrs. Henderson, Jonathan, Will, Eddie, and Theresa with Adam, who today was being extraordinarily, suspiciously nice to Eddie. Shouts and laughter came from the other end of the garden. Together with Dustin, El, Robin, Argyle and Steve you were playing fresbee, while Lucas and Max cheered you on from the sidelines. The disc flew out of your hands almost every time though you didn't give up. Seeing your persistence Eddie couldn't hold back a smile.

"Eddie!" shouted Will. "Are you even listening to me?" he rolled his eyes.

"Of course! You were talking about the new campaign."

"Yeah! What exactly?" Silence and the Dungeon Master's reddened face was the only answer he got.

"Will give him a break, you can see that something else is on his mind." interjected Jonathan. "Or rather, someone?"

"Is that someone our sister?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." he muttered while covering his face with his hair.

"So, Theresa! How is life in New York for you, life in the city must be very interesting!" the voice of Joyce caught the attention of all three so they turned their heads towards the aunt.

"Oh, it is! It's also very hard. It's hard to maintain the role of the Munsons, who have not followed in the family footsteps." she laughed artfully. "Fortunately, we're doing great with Adam."

Eddie's leg began bouncing under the table at an incredibly fast pace.

"What does that mean?" Joyce asked a visibly confused.

"Our family doesn't have a very good reputation, as you well know. Not many of us are able to get out of a miserable life in a penny trailer or avoid owning a police cartorette." She sent Eddie a quick glance, through which he knew he was about to receive the final blow. As his aunt continued, his leg began to move even faster, which did not escape the Byers brothers' attention. They both sent each other somewhat frightened glances but did nothing, waiting for the situation to unfold. "When we found out that Eddie was wanted for murder we were immediately horrified that he had followed in his father's footsteps-" she didn't have time to finish when Eddie stood up abruptly looking at her. Father. A word that caused even more pain than the pack of demobats tearing through his body.

"Don't-" he began in a shaky voice. "Don't you dare mention him. Don't you dare call that man my father, you understand." he tried to be calm. In truth, with all his might he wanted to be self-controlled now, but it all seemed too much. All week he had bravely endured everything she said about him. But now when she did it in front of everyone he cared about, when she did it in front of your family, pulling the strongest card in the process he couldn't stand it. Wayne and Hopper became alarmed and walked closer to the table, but that didn't stop him. "This man is nobody to me. A stranger. A fucking sperm donor nothing more. He is a murderer. He killed my mother, and your sister. His last name is Davis. Not Munson." He felt something tighten in his throat. Something making it difficult for him to breathe. "My father's name is Wayne Munson. He raised me, he changed my last name, so don't you ever dare call that man my father again." Saying all this, he looked her straight in the eye. He wanted to make sure she understood every single word he said. Feeling tears come to his eyes and he quickly turned away walking into the house. He couldn't afford to cry in her presence. That's why it wasn't until he was in your room that everything he held inside gave vent. Angrily, he grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it with all his strength onto the floor then sat on it himself while leaning against the bed. He took the pillow cuddling his face into it. As the smell of your scent filled his nostrils even more tears flowed into his eyes. Like tentacles full of venom, thoughts of Aunt Theresa being right wrapped around his mind. He thought he wasn't worthy of you. Maybe she was right that he didn't have a good future ahead of him. If he couldn't provide it for himself how could he provide it for you as well? How could a freak hated by the whole city be worthy of someone as wonderful as you? He felt like screaming. At that moment he hated himself even more than his aunt.

"I thought I'd find you here." Hopper said as he entered the room and sat down next to him.

"Yeah?" Eddie earned a smile while wiping away tears.

"Actually, I think that would be everyone's first thought."

"So obvious."

"Listen... I shouldn't say this, but your aunt is really insufferable. Don't worry, okay? Everything she said was one big bullshit."

"Looking at how many times I rode with you in the police car I wouldn't agree," his words were bitter and full of sadness.

"I know you Eddie. I admit that at some point you were not on my list of favorites, but later I got to know you from a different side as well, and I have to admit that Wayne did a great job raising you."

"Wayne is a great guy," he said.

"So are you." Seeing Eddie only nodding in the negative, he sighed heavily and continued. "I know the man your aunt was talking about. And you are nothing like him. You almost died protecting my kids. You are a hero. And you make one of my daughters damn happy, so as far as I'm concerned you're one of the best people I've met in this messed up life."

"You think I make her happy?" the wall of sadness was shot through with tiny hope.

"Very happy. That's why I don't even want to dig into why she came home in your T-shirt today."

"That- it's not what you think," he began to explain.

"I said I don't want to hear about it. Besides, she came back today very smiling. I haven't seen her like that in a long time."

"Eddie what happened? Jim?" when you noticed that Eddie had disappeared from the table you asked Will where he had gone, and he only said that towards the house, without giving you any details. Moments later you found him sitting on the floor with Hopper. His eyes were a little puffy and red, and you knew he had been crying. You were afraid that Hopper might have said something that led to this, and as if reading your mind he raised his hands in a defensive gesture.

"I didn't do anything. Your boy just felt a little worse, you know yourself how wounds can sometimes give you a hard time."

Hearing this seconds later you were on your knees next to Eddie. "Do you need painkillers? Maybe you need to rest? You can stay here and sleep." With concern in your eyes, you watched his eyes become even glassier. "What can I do to help you, Eddie?" without a word he pulled you close with a hug. You were his safe heaven. He knew that with you he could be vulnerable. "Eddie, I don't want to hurt you, I don't want your wounds to hurt you even more." You said quietly scared that such closeness could inflict more pain on him.

"I don't care 'bout them," he muttered into your hair.

"Come down to us when you're feeling better, we'll be making a fire soon to toast marshmallows." Hopper said, leaving you alone.

The two of you sat cuddled together for some more time. When you returned to the rest of the party, you didn't leave his side for a moment, making sure he was feeling fine and everything was okay. The rest of the evening passed peacefully, especially when you all sat around the campfire listening to the melody of the acoustic guitar that "slays dragons."

When the day of salvation arrived and the intruders left the Munson kingdom Eddie could breathe a sigh of relief. Even Wayne admitted that their visit was too much to bear and they deserved a rest. Still, Eddie could not rest. Staring at the ceiling, he wondered what your relationship would look like now. Will you forget everything that happened? Such as how close you were to each other? He tried everything to clear his head. Playing his guitar, writing songs, planning campaigns, drawing- nothing. Completely nothing was able to pull his thoughts off track. Countless times he approached the phone and was already almost grabbing the receiver but chickened out at the last moment. At the point when he could no longer handle himself he sat down on the couch with Wayne and they watched TV in silence. But whatever was playing on it didn't help. Then he heard a knock on the door. The thought crossed his mind that maybe it was his aunt who had returned, which in itself made him feel sick. Fortunately, it was you. Although the look on your face didn't indicate that you just came here to hang out. You were nervously biting your lips and your eyebrows crinkled together as you played with your fingers.

"Eddie, we need to talk." you said when he let you in and without a word you went to his room.

"What's wrong? I know pretending to love me for a week was hard, but I didn't think it was that hard." he tried to joke.

"Shut up!" you exclaimed. Your lower lip began to shake and tears came to your eyes. You had thought about the course of this conversation many times before coming here, but you didn't expect to be so carried away by your emotions. Seeing his surprised and then somewhat hurt look made you feel terrible for having erupted like that. He deserved an explanation. He deserved the truth. He didn't deserve yelling at him, for sure.

"I'm sick of how badly you talk about yourself. I'm sick of how you think you're not worth loving, because- because loving you is easy, Eddie! The easiest." you began, feeling like you were about to die of nerves, but you came here with a purpose and you were going to fulfill it. "I want to love you the way you deserve it. And you deserve the purest, the most honest and the strongest kind of love in the whole world. And I know that if you only let me, I will be able to give it to you. But I want you to know that I will understand if you don't feel the same way about me," the last words passed through your throat with extreme difficulty. You were ready to take the risk. A broken heart was a better option than keeping your feelings for him hidden. Especially since you had the opportunity to see what life at his side might look like. It looked like a dream. And you have to fight for dreams.

"You know I'm not the best at talking about feelings." he sighed. "So I'll use a little help," he said taking a couple of D&D figures in his hand and sat down on the bed. You sat down across from him. "If this were one of the campaigns I would say that a very important part was when Eddie the Banished and Y/n Golden Heart had a battle that lasted a week with two, extremely nasty monsters," the figurines portrayed a small fight scene. " After the monsters were gone they both met, in King Harrington's palace in the lobby, just by the door. Not feeling like feasting, they sneaked out and climbed onto the roof of a small shed that was nearby. Under the cover of night, they felt like they were the only people in the world. The night was beautiful. And the fact that evil was not lurking just around the corner gave it an added charm. The wind gently rustled between the trees, the hushed sounds of the feast could be heard in the background, and they were so immersed in a conversation they had created that they forgot about everything else. They talked about comets, about the next adventure that awaited them, about anything they wanted to talk about. The stars in the sky shone brighter than usual. They heralded the beginning. A good beginning." He grabbed your hand. It was a little sweaty because he vas nervous but you didn't care about it at all.

"How do you know it's a good one?" you asked quietly sniffing and feeling that you were calming down. You've always known that Eddie is amazing at storytelling, but this was the first time it involved something so sensitive.

"As the first shades of orange appeared in the sky and the sun gently began to illuminate his companion's face, Eddie the Banished realized a very meaningful matter."

"What kind of matter?" you waited impatiently for the continuation.

"From the very beginning as soon as y/n Golden Heart appeared in his life he couldn't stop thinking about her. He couldn't remember anything because all his thoughts were directed only toward her. At first he thought she charmed him with a bunch of curses, after all she was the most powerful witch in the kingdom. Because of this, he thought, he felt a constant need and desire to always be by her side. Having once been under the influence of the fumes created by the powerful herbalist Argyle, he wondered what kind of magic it would take to reduce him to the size of a rat, so that he could hide in a pocket in her robe to be by her side for a few moments longer." He laughed, and you dreamily listened on. "His life was like a hurricane. It rushed dangerously with unimaginable speed bringing with it a lot of destruction and dangerous changes. But despite the hurricane, he waited for a warmer front. That morning when y/n the Golden Heart closed her eyes and smiled slightly feeling the warm rays of the sun surround her face, he realized that she was the warmer front. They had survived a lot, rescued each other by pulling out of fires and getting out of rivers, defeated the scariest monsters in the kingdom. And they were together. They never left each other's side. It reached him that his feelings were not caused by curses. What he felt was stronger than a curse. It was love. Simply put, he was in love with her, and to his last breath he wanted to be with her."

"Eddie..."

"Yeah?"

"How many points do I have to roll to kiss you right now?" hearing this sentence from your mouth he knew that nothing more was needed for his happiness, so without hesitation he joined your lips together.

Eddie was right that this was the beginning. A very good beginning.

taglist: @i-me-mine

[once-upon-an-imagine]

Teenage Dirtbag - Eddie Munson

A/N: well, this keeps on working so far 😂😂😂 here's Eddie's story! and then is full Marauders, James, then Remus, and then Sirius! I hope you guys like it!

Request - lunamadhatter99 asked: I do have a request, my friend! I'm so happy requests are open😍 Anyway: Henderson!Reader x either Steve or Eddie (whoever works better for you), where the reader is very quiet, not necessarily shy, but still. She's targeted by the jocks too because she's the "loser" sister, you know, and maybe one day, one of their pranks went too far and she's very upset about it (maybe is the process a special possession of hers). Every time she gets bullied, Steve/Eddie helps her comfort her, especially because she doesn't want to tell his little brother, who thinks she is friends with them... does it make sense? I don't know, I'm sorry 😂👋

Warnings: mentions of sex; Billy being an asshole (also, this is kinda between s3 and 4 and Billy didn't die so Jason and Andy are his dumb friends I hope this makes sense) reader is kind of mean to Dustin (not really, she's just grumpy and a loner instead of shy, kind of like Kat in 10TIHAY)

Disclaimer: I don’t own Stranger Things :) gif isn’t mine :D  

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Teenage Dirtbag

'Cause I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby Yeah, I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby Listen to Iron Maiden, baby, with me, ooh

“DUSTIN! Hurry up! Steve is gonna be here any second! We’re gonna be late!” you smashed your hand against the bathroom door, yelling for your brother to get ready. You had been feeling anxious all day. Something inside you told you that today might not be a good day and, as much as you tried not to, you took it out on Dustin.

“I’m coming! Geez, calm down!”

You rolled your eyes and walked over to the kitchen to finish your coffee and wash the dishes but you tripped over a bag full of garbage.

“Ugh! Dustin!” you yelled as he walked over to you.

“What? What did I do now?”

“The trash is your chore” you complained, grabbing the bag and handing it to him. “When I say take out the trash, I mean outside of the house. To the trashcan!”

“Maybe you can show me for next time” he laughed.

“Maybe I can give your Nintendo to goodwill” you smirked back, erasing the smirk off his face.

“Fine, sorry” he said, grabbing the bag and going outside.

“Let’s go!” you said as soon as you heard Steve’s car parking on your driveway.

“Wait, where’s lunch?”

“Oh, shit!” you said, grabbing some of the money you left near the door in case Dustin needed to order food. “Here” you said, grabbing $10 for yourself and giving Dustin $5.

“Why do you get $10 and I get $5?” Dustin complained.

“Take out the freaking trash!” you replied, mocking his exact same tone.

“Good morning, Hendersons!” Steve smiled as you got in the front and Dustin got in the back.

“Thanks for the ride, Steve” you said. “Robin still out of town?” you asked, confused to not see her there already.

“Yeah, she’s coming back next week-”

“Why are we even going this early? School doesn’t start for another hour!” Dustin asked on the ride to school. “And why do you always ride shotgun?”

“Because I’m Steve’s favorite Henderson” you smirked. “And Steve has an early shift, so I wasn’t going to make him wait for us” you explained. “Plus, I have to get together with Nancy for something about the school paper” you informed him.

“Well, I could have taken my bike-”

“Just say thank you, Dustin!”

“Thank you” he said, rolling his eyes a little.

“Hey, aren’t those your old friends?” Dustin asked as Steve drove into the parking lot. You looked to where he was pointing to see the basketball players hanging outside the school with some of the cheerleaders.

“No” both you and Steve replied at the same time.

“Are you sure?” Dustin asked, confused. He recognized some of them, although he had noticed you never talked to them anymore.

“I’m sure” you said, rolling your eyes. “Just… stay away from them, okay?”

“Okay” he said, unconvinced. “Um, are we having movie night?” he asked Steve.

“Yeah, my house” he nodded.

“Cool. I think we’re going to Mike’s after school, so I’ll see you there” he told them.

“Okay” you nodded. Dustin started opening his door but you stopped him. “Dusty” you said, making him look confused at you. You rarely called him that anymore. “Nothing… I’ll see you at Steve’s” you told him and he nodded before he got out.

You saw him make his way over to Mike, Will, Lucas, Max, and El and you heard him complain about you and all of them saying how you used to be fun and happy all the time. You let out a sigh of frustration, throwing your head back on the chair.

“You know, you could just… tell him” Steve shrugged.

“I’m good” you told him.

“Dustin’s just worried about you” he insisted. “And to be honest, so am I-”

“Harrington, I know my brother’s your best friend now-”

“That’s not true” he glared at you.

“But you were my friend first and you promised we wouldn’t discuss this with Dustin” you told him.

“I’m just… a little confused, okay? Why did you all of the sudden stop hanging out with them like, what, a year ago?”

“You did too!” you argued.

“Well, yeah, because they’re assholes-”

“Exactly” you told him.

“But, now you’re here alone, because I graduated, I just don’t want you to be alone-”

“I’m fine on my own” you shrugged. “Plus… Eddie’s my friend-”

“Oh, right… Munson. That’s another thing. I know something happened last Halloween, okay? You mysteriously stop hanging out with all of our friends, you started wearing darker clothes, darker makeup and you start hanging around with Eddie, the freak, Munson-”

“I told you to stop calling him that” you glared at him.

“Which you also hide from Dustin-”

“Well, I just don’t want him to think that the only reason he and his friends are in Hellfire is because I asked Eddie to look after them-”

“But you did-”

“Steve, it is too early in the morning to have this discussion” you said, rubbing your temple.

“Fine… I’ll drop it” he said. “For now” he added, making you glare at him a little. “You working today?”

“No, it’s my day off” you informed him.

“Cool, want me to pick you up after work?”

“You sure it’s not too much trouble?”

“Nah, you’re my favorite Henderson after all” he smirked.

“I knew it!” you said, kissing his cheek before you opened the door. “See you later, Stevie” you said.

“Have a good day, kid” he waved at you.

He noticed you walking close to the group of jocks and they yelled something at you but you simply flipped them off and kept walking. Steve felt a bit uneasy about it but decided he would ask you about it when he picked you up. Sooner or later, you had to talk to him.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

“Hey, princess” you felt a small smile, trying to contain the butterflies you felt in your stomach when you heard that voice. You turned around to see Eddie smiling at you.

“Munson, I thought you were standing me up today” you said as he sat at your usual table in the woods, past the bleachers.

“Wouldn’t dream of it, love” he said, sitting in front of you. “What do you got for me today?”

“I forgot to make lunch, so I had to grab something from the vending machine” you said, putting your cigarette out. “So, pretzels, or Reeses Pieces?”

“You just… happened to pick my two favorite things?” he smirked. “If I didn’t know any better, Henderson, I would think you like me” he mocked you.

“Uh-huh, is that a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? And two cokes?” your sked, looking at his bag.

“Grape jelly. Your favorite” he winked at you.

“Huh, if I didn’t know any better, Munson, I would think you like me” you returned the smirk.

“Wanna split it?” he asked and you nodded as you split the three things between the two of you. “So, what are you working on?” he asked, about to grab your sketchbook.

“Nothing!” you quickly said, putting it away before he could get it.

“Oh, that doesn’t sound suspicious at all” he mocked you. “Come on, show me!”

“It’s just… a work in progress” you told him. “It’s not finished yet” you insisted.

“Fine, be all mysterious” he chuckled. “Hey, did you get new colored pencils?” he asked, grabbing one of them.

“Oh, um… y-yeah” you said nervously. “There was a discount at the store where I work and-”

“Really?” he raised his eyebrow at you. “Or were your old ones… broken?”

“Um… there may have been an… incident-”

“Who?” he asked, his tone turning angry.

“It doesn’t matter, Eddie-”

“Yes, it does! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I don’t want you to get into a fight and not graduate with me this year” you told him, making him laugh just barely. “Look, it’s fine. I really did get a discount and…” you said, looking through your bag. “I got markers too” you smiled brightly at him. “Look!”

You stood from your place and sat down on the table with your feet on the bench next to Eddie. You grabbed his hand and placed it on your knee, which was not an uncommon thing for you to do whenever you drew something on him but he felt his cheeks blushing. You quickly drew a small doodle of the Hellfire symbol using different colors and you smiled when you were done, showing it to him. Eddie rarely get to see that smile on you and he loved it when it happened.

“Holy shit!” he smiled, looking down at his hand. It looked cooler than the one in his shirt.

“Do you like it?” you asked, bashfully.

“I love it, princess! This is amazing!” he said, looking back at you. “You’re amazing” he smiled.

“Um, thanks” you said, looking down at his hand and feeling your cheeks burn. You could not ignore the butterflies in your stomach any longer. You grabbed his hand and stroked your thumb against your new drawing. “Uh, a-actually, what I didn’t want to show you is um… kind of… a surprise…” you admitted, not facing him.

You saw Eddie’s hand untangle from yours and make its way up to your chin, lifting your head gently and making you look into his beautiful, chocolate-brown eyes.

“A surprise?” he asked, smiling brightly. You simply nodded, unable to form any words by the way he was looking at you. “What is it?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise!” you chuckled. “I just want to finish it before I show it to you” you told him.

“Okay, fine” he said, as his hand suddenly found its way back to yours and you started playing with his rings. “But… you promise you’ll show it to me when it’s done?”

“I promise. I mean, it’s kind of… for you” you told him.

“Really?” he asked, and you nodded.

“Yeah, it’s kind of… a thank you” you admitted. “For everything” you added. “Even for my brother and his friends. Thanks for letting them in Hellfire” you told him. “I know they're a bit weird but… I love them and I'm happy they found someone like you” you said.

“My pleasure, princess” he told you. “They’re cool kids” he chuckled. “Especially Dustin” he added. “Although he keeps asking me why I always have different doodles all over me” he chuckled.

“Yeah, he’s pretty smart” you laughed too. “I don’t think it’ll be long before he realizes about us” you said, without really thinking. “I m-mean uh-”

“Us?” Eddie smirked. “And exactly what would he realize?” he asked, getting up and towering a little over you, placing his hands on both your sides. “That we’re friends?” he asked, with the same smirk still plastered on his face.

“Y-yeah, I guess” you said innocently.

“Would he mind?”

“Um- I don’t think so, I just… don’t want him to think that you’re only his friend b-because of me” you explained.

“Oh, he wouldn’t think that” he assured you, as he gently brushed your hair away from your face. “And… what if he thinks there’s something else between us?”

“Is there?” you asked, as you felt him getting closer. And then the bell rang. The stupid bell rang. “Fuck!”

“Ignore that” he pleaded.

“No! We have a Math test” you said, pushing him away and gathering all of your things. “I told you, Eddie, you’re graduating this year, with me. Let’s go!” you threatened him.

“You’re killing me, sweetheart” he said, as you pulled him with you but he was stronger and he pulled you back. “To be continued?” he smirked.

For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, you smiled. It was a different smile, one that you didn’t think you had in you anymore and you could see Eddie noticed it. You leaned in and kissed his cheek.

“To be continued, Munson” you said, before you started pulling him towards the school despite his protests.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

You were waiting in the parking lot for Steve. As much as you wanted, you were not able to be with Eddie alone the rest of the day. You were hoping to catch him at the end but, as a surprise to no one, he got detention, so here you were.

“Well, if it isn’t my lucky day?”

You cursed under your breath, silently begging for Steve’s car to appear any moment now. But no such luck.

“Hargrove” you sighed. “Oh, if it isn’t Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum” you smirked at Jason and Andy, standing with Billy.

“Fancy meeting you here, babe” Billy smirked at you.

“Can’t say the same” you said, trying to walk away but he stepped in front of you. “What do you want, Hargrove?”

“See, I have a question for you” he said. “Andy here, says he saw you coming out of those woods with Eddie fucking Munson” he said, getting closer to you and making you take a step back. “Is that true?”

“I fail to see how that’s any of your business, really” you glared at him.

“Well, for starters, I think Munson can do better” he said, making Andy and Jason laugh.

“Lovely” you rolled your eyes, trying to walk away again but they blocked your way.

“Aw, did I strike a nerve there? Do you have a crush on Munson?” he mocked you.

“Just, leave me alone, Billy-” you said, trying to leave but, you felt your sketchbook being taken from you.

“Oh, what is this?” Jason asked, opening the sketchbook. “Do you write your love letters to that freak here?” he laughed.

“Give that back!” you said, trying to get it back from him.

“Oh, it’s even better than that!” he said, showing your sketches to Billy and Andy who started laughing.

“Give me that!” you said as he tossed it to Billy.

“Looks like you’re a bit obsessed with him, babe” he said, looking at your drawings. “I’m guessing you wouldn’t want anything to happen to this, would you?” he said, tearing a few pages apart.

“Billy, give it back!” you yelled, but he pushed you back, making you fall to the ground, your hands aching when they hit the pavement.

“Whoops, clumsy me” he said, tossing your sketchbook on a nearby water puddle.

“Stop it!” you said, getting up and trying to get to it but Andy pushed you away.

“HEY! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!?”

“You want something, freak?” Jason yelled, smirking.

“Oh, speak of the devil” Billy smirked as Eddie approached all of you.

“Get the fuck away from her” he said, making his way over to Billy.

“Why don’t you keep walking and mind your business, freak?”

“You know, I gotta say, even for you, it’s pretty low, three guys against one girl” he smirked, erasing Billy’s.

“You really think it’s worth it? Standing up for that slut-?”

Before Billy could go on, Eddie quickly punched him in the face.

“Eddie!”

“You’re dead, freak!” Jason said, punching Eddie back while Billy got up, laughing.

“Looks, like you got some fire in you, Munson!” he yelled before he punched him too.

“Eddie!” you yelled, trying to get to him but Andy stopped you. “Stop it!”

“You having fun, Munson?” Billy smirked as he landed punches on Eddie before he grabbed him by his jacket. “No one tells me what to do!” he said before he pushed him to the ground again. He then threw himself at Eddie and started landing punch after punch, like a madman. The last time you had seen Billy like this was when he fought Steve and it shook you to your core.

“STOP IT! BILLY, STOP!”

“You really think you traded up, babe?” he smirked, looking at you. “He’s even worse than Harrington!”

“STOP IT, PLEASE!” you said, as tears started welling up in your eyes.

“Aw, you gonna cry, princess?” he said, mocking Eddie’s voice with the last word.

As if your prayers were finally answered, a car reeled in front of you, almost hitting Jason.

“What the fuck, Harrington?” he asked as Steve got out of the car.

“What the fuck is going on here?”

“Come join the party, Harrington” Billy smirked at him, finally letting go of Eddie. “Ready for round two?”

“Yeah, let me just get my friend here” Steve smirked, grabbing his bat out.

“Dude, what the fuck?” Andy said, letting go of you, and slowly walking away with Jason. You quickly ran over to Eddie, pushing Billy aside.

“Ready to go, Hargrove?” Steve said, walking closer to him as he and the other two stepped away.

“You know what? She’s not even fucking worth it” Billy said, throwing one last glare at you. “Let’s just go” he told Jason and Andy as they walked away.

“Eddie! Oh my God, Eddie! Can you hear me?”

“Do I have a concussion or did King Steve Harrington just save my ass?”

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

“Ouch!”

“Sorry, I’m sorry” you apologized, taking the cotton ball away.

You were now in Steve’s kitchen, cleaning Eddie up. You carefully pulled his hair up in a messy bun with your scrunchie so you could see him better. You placed your hand softly on his cheek and your heart broke seeing a big purple bruise printed on his left eye. He looked at you with his huge, deep brown puppy eyes and you had to take a deep breath to not lose it right there because you knew he needed you.

“You okay?” Eddie asked, worriedly.

“M-me? You’re asking if I’m okay? Eddie, Billy and Jason just beat the shit out of you, and you’re asking if I’m okay?”

“First of all, I’d like to think that I handled that with dignity. Secondly, you fell to the ground and that idiot Andy was hurting you” he said, grabbing your hand and tracing his thumb gently on the bruises forming in your arms where Andy grabbed you.

“I’m really sorry, Eddie” you said, coming out in a whisper and tracing your thumb against the now fading drawing you made earlier on his hand. A small tear fell down your cheek and Eddie quickly wiped it away before he cupped your cheek.

“Princess, you have nothing to be sorry for” he assured you.

“Yes, I do! You wouldn’t have gotten hurt if it wasn’t for me” you insisted.

“Hey” he said, pulling you closer to him. “I would do it all over again, love” he smiled at you.

“Hey, man” Steve said, coming into the kitchen and making you and Eddie jump apart. “Uh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I got some clean clothes for you” he said offering Eddie a shirt and some sweatpants.

“Thanks, man” Eddie smiled, grabbing the clothes from him. “I’m uh- gonna go change and I’ll get out of your way-”

“We’re having movie night” Steve blurted out of the sudden. “We’re ordering pizza and Dustin, Mike, and the rest are coming over. If you’d like to stay” he offered.

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to intrude, man-”

“You’re not intruding. It’s the least I can do after you got hit for me” you told him.

“You keep bruising my ego, Henderson” he smirked at you. “What are we watching?” Eddie asked, interested.

“Gremlins” you told him.

“Seriously?” he asked, raising his eyebrow at Steve.

“Don’t look at me, man. It was her turn to choose the movie!” he said pointing at you.

“Shut up, you two. Gremlins is an awesome movie!”

“Isn’t that what you call your brother and his friends?” Eddie laughed. “I didn’t know that was your favorite movie, princess” he said. “Well, how can I say no to that masterpiece and pizza, I really can’t” he said, leaving the kitchen.

“So…” Steve started.

“So?”

“Are we going to talk about what happened today or are we just going to pretend nothing happened?”

“What do you want me to say?”

“Well, you can choose between telling me why your sketchbook has smudgy drawings of Eddie” he said, opening your wet, torn, destroyed sketchbook. “Or why Hargrove and his friends were beating the shit out of him in the parking lot” he added.

“Steve, I don’t want to talk about it-”

“Well, tough. Look, we’ve been friends for a very long time now. I told you why I stopped talking to Tommy and Carol and all of our friends but you never told me why you did and somehow Munson knows!” he argued. “I get that you don’t tell Dustin everything because you want to protect him but what is so horrible that you couldn’t tell me?”

“You don’t want to know-”

“Yes, I do! You’re my best friend! You can tell me anything!”

“You’re gonna hate me!”

“What? No! I swear, okay? Nothing you say will make me hate you! We’ve been through enough shit that you should know that already-”

“I slept with Billy!” you blurted out.

“W-what?” Steve asked, hoping he hadn’t heard you right.

“What?” another voice asked, from another side of the kitchen. Dustin.

“Oh, you have to be fucking kidding me!” you said, feeling like you were going to throw up. “What are you doing here?”

“We all just got here, I was looking for you” he said, walking closer to you and Steve. “You slept with Billy Hargrove, what the fuck is wrong with you?”

“Dustin!” Steve warned.

“You know what? I don’t want to deal with this right now” you said, grabbing your damped sketchbook and walking out of the house to Steve’s backyard. Dustin was about to follow you but Steve stopped him.

“Look, I get that you’re upset but you’re not going out there if you’re only going to upset your sister more. She had a hard day-”

“Well, how would I know that, Steve? She doesn’t talk to me!”

“What’s with all the yelling?” Eddie said, coming back into the kitchen.

“Eddie? What are you doing here?” Dustin asked confused. “What the fuck happened to you?”

“Uh- I am…” he looked at Steve, unsure as to what to say.

“Okay, what the fuck is going on? And what are you two and my sister hiding from me?”

“We’re not hiding anything from you. You need to calm down and we can go sort this out, okay?”

“Fine” Dustin said, unconvinced.

“You promise you won’t snap at her like you just did” Steve glared at him a little.

“Okay” he sighed, rolling his eyes. The three of them walked outside to find you sitting on one of Steve’s pool chairs. Steve and Eddie sat next to you and Dustin sat on the edge of the one you were sitting in. “Uh, hey” he said, nervously. “Um-” he continued when both Steve and Eddie glared at him. “I’m sorry I snapped at you earlier” he muttered.

“It’s fine, Dusty” you said, sitting up and hugging your legs to you.

“Look, Dustin and I are just worried about you” Steve continued. “We don’t want to push you or anything, we just… want to know what’s going on with you” he added. You looked up at Eddie and he softly nodded at you. He really wanted to hold your hand but he figured Dustin might freak out about it too.

“Um…” you took a deep breath. “Look, I know that… I’ve kind of been pulling away” you started. “And I’m sorry, it’s just…” you sighed. “It was a stupid mistake and I didn’t want either one of you to hate me” you admitted.

“What- uh, when?” Dustin stuttered. “Um, no, y-you go” he said.

“It just happened once” you informed them.

“At… last year’s Halloween party?” Steve guessed and you nodded.

“Look, I was… really drunk and, dad had just left and… mom was kind of a mess and… I don’t know, I guess I was too” you said, sadly.

“Wait, I was there that night, why didn’t you tell me anything?” Steve asked, confused.

“You had your own shit going on” you reminded him. “With Nancy” you added. “So, after you left I got drunker and… then I don’t know, Billy was just there and… it happened” you sighed. “And after I felt so awful” you told them. “When I came down I ran into Eddie and he saw I was upset” you explained. “He drove me home and… he stayed with me and he made sure I was okay” you smiled. “That’s how we became friends-”

“You two are friends?” Dustin asked. “I knew I recognized your doodles” he said, looking at the metalhead.

“Sorry I didn’t tell you” you told Dustin. “I just… didn’t want to get into the whole thing and… it’s not really the conversation you have with your little brother” you admitted.

“I get that but… we used to talk about everything” Dustin said, sadly. “We were always kind of a team and for the past year it just felt like… you hated me” he said.

“Dusty” you said, sitting closer to him and hugging him. “I could never hate you” you assured him. “I am so sorry I pushed you away, I was just… so embarrassed about what happened and, I kind of wanted to forget the whole thing and I guess that in the midst of it all I just… ended up pushing everyone away” you explained.

“So, what happened today?” Dustin asked, confused.

“Well, I was waiting for Steve to pick me up and Billy and his friends just started being idiots” you told him. “Eddie saw and tried to help me” you continued. “And then Steve got there with his bat and they went away” you told him.

“So, that’s why you tell me to stay away from them? I mean, I always knew Billy was a dick but… all of your friends?”

“Well, yeah. I told Billy that if he ever said a word about what happened to anyone, I’d tell everyone he cried like a bitch and he had a small dick” you said, making the three of them laugh a little. “And then, either I just stopped talking to them or they would stop talking to me and… it wasn’t just Billy, you know? You were right” you said, looking at Steve. “They were all just… assholes” you admitted.

“I could have told you that a long time ago” Eddie chuckled.

“You okay?” Dustin asked you.

“Yeah” you smiled. “I’m sorry… about… everything” you told him. “Both of you” you said, looking at Steve.

“Don’t worry” Dustin smiled at you. “I love you dumb-dumb” he said, putting his fist so you would bump it.

“Love you too, dumb-dumb” you smiled back and bumped his fist. “No more lies” you promised and he nodded, smiling.

“It’s fine” Steve said, getting up and kissing your head. “C’mon little Henderson, let’s go set everything up” Steve said, patting Dustin on his back.

“Wait, why do I have to go?” he complained, still getting up.

“Just be nice to your sister, man, she’s been through a lot” Steve complained.

“What about me? I have been through a lot too!” he said, dramatically as they went inside, leaving you and Eddie alone.

“Hey” you smiled back at Eddie.

“Hi, princess” he said, moving over to take Dustin’s place in front of you. “How are you feeling?”

“Not so bad” you sighed. “I still would have preferred not to discuss my sex life with my little brother but… it is what it is” you chuckled.

“Sorry about your sketchbook, love” he said, looking at it on the floor.

“It’s okay” you sighed, going through the damped pages. “It just… might take me a little longer to finish your surprise now” you said, sadly.

“Wait, is that… is that me?” he asked, feeling his heart flutter.

“It… was supposed to be” you told him. “I mean, your D&D character” you muttered. “I… wanted to um… I was trying to get it right and I thought you m-might like it-”

“It’s perfect, princess” he smiled at you.

“It’s ruined, Eddie” you chuckled.

“Well, then I guess I need to get you another sketchbook, love” he said, grabbing it from you.

“You don’t have to get me one, Eddie” you smiled as he scootched closer to you.

“Jesus, Henderson would you just let me do something nice for you” he smiled, cupping your cheek with his hand.

“You do nothing but nice things for me, Munson” you smiled.

“What can I say? You bring out the best in me, sweetheart” he smiled back.

“Well, in that case, maybe you can do one more nice thing for me” you said, pulling him by his shirt, well, Steve’s shirt and he pulled you gently, brushing his thumb against your cheek.

“Gladly, princess” he said, smiling before he finally connected his lips with yours. He felt you smiling against his lips as you started deepening the kiss before you were rudely interrupted.

“Hey guys, pizza’s here- what the fuck?” you jumped apart when you heard Dustin’s voice again, with Lucas, Will, and Max standing next to him, trying not to laugh. “You two are together? I thought there were no more lies!”

“Would you believe me that this literally just happened, Henderson?�� 

The End

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

A/N: hope you loves liked it! :D

[fastcardotmp3]

Nancy Wheeler needs a steadier set of hands.

It’s a vital thing, the steadiness, and one which she’s prided herself on for a long time now, but in this moment? On this endless night? Nancy needs a steadier set of hands.

She stands along the wall, close to the door because it’s crowded beyond measure in the double-wide trailer that’s used primarily as a med center and because it’s hard enough to breathe during this conversation without direct access to an exit.

The fingers of her right hand tap against the side of her thigh, a discordant rhythm which her ballet instructors of her youth would have disparaged on the spot. Stay in time, Nancy! Don’t be so hesitant, Nancy! Did you forget how to count, Nancy?!

Her fingers tap, but the beat of her heart is not much better at keeping consistent time, so what is she meant to count along with? Where is the pace being set? Where is the music to guide her through this moment as her unsteady hands reach into the bag slung across her body and pull out a bottle of lake water, black as pitch and viscous?

Where is her partner in this pas de deux as the glass clatters with the uncontrollable force she uses to set it down on the table at the center of the room?

“Jesus Christ.”

“That’s our drinking water?”

“It looks like— like fuckin’ Venom.”

“What the hell is Venom, Henderson?”

“From Spider-Man? Symbiote alien from another planet and—”

“That’s our drinking water?”

Nancy stands against the wall.

She watches and she listens as they pass the bottle around, the glass face boasting Coca-Cola loud enough that it almost really does just look like a bottle of flat soda, and she chooses to let them bicker.

There was a time, some many months ago now, when Nancy would have walked in and at the very least pretended at enough confidence and certainty to convince everyone she had a plan and they would all be okay and they wouldn’t all die of thirst because the Upside Down and the entity controlling it has finally decided that direct action against their resources might be more efficient that sending monsters through the gates has been so far.

There was a time, indeed, when Nancy might have even felt such confidence, such certainty, but she can't remember that sensation now.

Not a sensory memory within her reach, not a modicum of cautious optimism born from a girl who had not yet learned the undeniable yearning of loss.

Nancy is here, as Joyce forces them all into some semblance of focus, kids and adults and the meeting of the two alike, but Nancy is also there.

Nancy is sixteen again, making a choice which changed her life, a choice she weighs in her hands during every moment of quiet, during every moment of noise too. If she had gotten in the car with Barb, would they have been able to outrun the forces of the Upside Down together?

Would Nancy simply have been dragged to her death with her best friend instead?

Is she fucked in the head for thinking both of those options may have been better than the reality?

“We need Max,” El is saying, arguing back against the sudden surge of insistence to fight. “When I can get through to Max, then we will have the upper hand.”

She says it a little stilted, a turn of phrase she's heard more than she's used, one which she likely only knows in this specific context.

Jonathan is standing beside her, close enough to offer visible support.

Eddie has a finger looped through the belt at Steve's waist, doing the same.

Robin sits beside Erica, Lucas on the other side of his sister, and Dustin pacing in the small space behind the couch.

Nancy leans against the wall by the door.

“We can't just wait around,” Steve shakes his head, almost in apology. “Vecna or— or the other thing, whatever's in charge at this point— it's making a play, right? That's what's happening? It's going on offense and we can't just keep playing defense, we have to actually make a play back.”

Nancy feels a headache brewing behind her eyes, clenches and unclenches her right hand in a fist to try and find something like stability. Fails at it.

“We've been holding our ground long enough,” Robin agrees with him boldly, “we understand how to fight back. If we catch him by surprise...”

“But can we? Catch him by surprise?” Lucas now, deep bags of grief under his eyes which Nancy understands all too well.

She wishes for him to never understand it as well as she does.

She wishes for a lot of things.

“He's baiting us,” Dustin shakes his head. “We tried that game with— with Max,” a thick swallow, “and he's mocking us with it. We should wait. We aren't ready.”

“It doesn't matter whether or not we're ready,” Nancy hears herself speaking and the way all those eyes turn on her is the sort of being seen she's avoided all her life.

Ever since she was a child, she hasn't been able to stomach people pretending to know her. Ever since she was a child it's been a form of control, a form of expectation, another set of rules she's had to conform to and she's goddamn tired of it.

She's really just so tired.

“It doesn't matter,” she shrugs, crosses her arms and grips at her biceps so no one can see the way her hands shake. “We'll never be ready, but if we wait long enough we will get weaker because we won't have water and we won't have food and it will be winter. He'll freeze us out before we can even try. It doesn't fucking matter.”

Things are escalating where the people of Hawkins are still trapped in the wasteland. In the midst of it, Nancy Wheeler finds catharsis, and maybe even hope. sequel to "that's just wasteland, baby!"

Ronance | 15.5k words | rated E

read on ao3

[caxde]

thunder step | 𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

summary you are Dustin’s older sister, you and Eddie used to be friends but haven’t seen eachoter in a while, Dustin needs a sub for Hellfire tonight and you agree to go. (2,3k)

warnings fem!reader, fluff, hurt/comfort, eddie as a DM, mutual pining, yearning etc, slowburn friends to lovers, idiots in love!!!, multi post fic?, english is not my first language so I apologise if there’s some mistakes, not proof read!

“For Fuck sake’s, please?” you ignore him once again. “I’ll do the washing up for you.” still, nothing comes out of your lips. “I’ll wash your car for a month” now that does sound more interesting. 

“Car wash, and the new Black Sabbath cassette” You demand. 

“Jesus what do you think that I’m made of money?” Your eyebrow raises, you know for a fact that he has way more money than anyone else in your house. 

The silence that you provide to him makes him reconsider the offer. 

“ Car wash, and I’ll make mum buy you the cassette” You nod, slightly biting your inner cheek. You look down at your little brother. 

“Okey Dusty buns, you’ve got yourself a deal.” He giggles in respond, grabbing your hand and running eagerly to your car demanding to leave your house right at this second. “Jeez kid, your little meeting is hours away, and I need to get my old stuff, so you’ll wait.” You inform him, arms crossed in your chest, back reclaimed to the threshold. 

“M’kay. Let me call Mike then, tell him I found our sub, so he can tell Eddie.” You frown at the mention of his name. 

“Edd still runs Hellfire?” You ask, curious to learn that the boy that sat behind you last year in Maths, is still in that shithole. 

“Oh, yeah. Kinnda forgot you knew him.” You feel heat coming to your cheeks all of a sudden. You nod fast and head to your room to try and find your old Hellfire stuff. 

Yes, you used to be in Hellfire. Yes, of course you knew Eddie. It’s not like you weren’t friends anymore, you just stopped hanging around where he usually was. And since your last PC was killed in last year’s campaign, you didn’t really have an interest in starting one this year. 

You had enough, working with Steve and Robin at Family Video, getting over everything that happened at Starcourt, helping your little brother Dustin when he needed and wanted your help, taking care of your house, now that your mom spent more and more time at work. Leaving for entire weeks, even if they sometimes felt like months. 

With everything going through your head, absentmindedly, you got on your floor. Looking directly to your last drawer, pulling it open and finding your little figurines. There was a character that you never got to use, and you are positive that Eddie would lose his mind, if you roll well enough and are lucky enough. 

-

“You ready, kid?” You ask Dustin once your car’s parked. He smiles, teeth finally showing. 

“Didn’t know you even had a shirt like ours' ' He giggles as he walks out the car and closes the door. You grab your backpack, and his as you’re heading out. 

“And who the fuck do you think drew it?” You smile quite proudly, as his mouth opens in shock. Eyebrows raised, you nod. “Um kid, does… Does Eddie smoke inside?” You ask tentatively, you know he’s not fondly of you smoking, but he also knows how anxious you can get. 

“Yeah, well, sometimes, though, he does step back, and it’s usually when we are trying to figure out what our next move should be.” You nod, and touch his shoulder, as saying, thanks, go on, I’ll start in a second. 

He understands, no words needed. 

You grab your packet of cigarettes, Zippo in your other hand, you lit one up, and as you’re letting your body hit the wall, you look at the sky. So much more quiet that you remember. 

You can hear a familiar van, music blasting, parking badly. And there he is. He looks just as shocked as you do when he sees you, though you only see his shock for a millisecond. He gets his Stuff out of the van, backpack hanging on his shoulder. He smirks as he walks towards you. 

You didn’t remember that he looked like that. Hair slightly longer than the last time you saw him. Muscles that seem to have gotten more defined under his jacket, his lips curving up in a smile, pinkish and with a familiarity that shocks you. As you get another drag of your cigarette he stands in front of you. 

“You know, I didn’t believe them when they told me you were coming” He says almost too calmly for the way he entered the scene. 

“Good to see you too Munson” You smile as smoke escapes your mouth. You really do mean it. 

His eyes get lost in you for a second. You might not realize it, but have changed too. The slightly ripped thighs that elongate your legs, the ripped shorts, the Hellfire shirt, though old and with holes, sits perfectly into your body, hugging every part of you that he might find attractive. You feel him checking you out, but you think it’s more because of the shock of seeing you here than anything else. 

“It really is.” He laughs, arms to his chest. As you drag the fag to your lips, his hand rises up, a question in his eyes, can I?.You nod, and he takes it, to smoke it in utter silence as you light up another one. Fingers brushing for a second.

“So” He starts to say, looking directly into your eyes. “Come so I can kill another one of your PC’s?” You laugh, even if you try not to. 

“Too soon Munson.” You chuckle looking at the ground for a second. “No, I’m here to kick your ass, you’ll see.” 

“Can’t wait” 

-

Character sheet, spell cards, the multiple die, it all lies in front of you. But you’re enchanted by Eddie and his storytelling. He leans closer to the table, hair brushing his face, a smile creeping into his face, you think that whatever is coming up next can’t be good. And if you are being sincere with yourself, you aren’t really paying attention to what he’s saying, more so than the way he’s moving as he does. Hand on the table, strong grip, enough so to make his veins show in his arm, as he propels his body up and announces that Vecna is, once again, alive. 

The entire table bursts into various screams. Your face, pure shock. He smiles, and gives you a little wink. What the fuck was that  you think. 

Your party starts to attack, and as your roll for initiative was low, -enough to make Eddie chuckle, and for you to glare at him with daggers in your eyes- you wait patiently for your turn. A lot of your party members have died - all be it, only dropped to 0 Hit Points, not permanently dead like you did-, and they just Captured Dustin’s PC. You nod as you know what you must do. 

“I got you kid, don’t worry.” He looks at you, puzzled. 

“You sure?” He asks, panic in his voice. 

“Yeah, am sure. Scout's honour.” You say as you take your tongue out, making a silly face so his shoulders relax a bit. You see Eddie standing up and taking a step back, as he loses his hand in his front pocket, and you stare, maybe a little bit too hard, and he grabs a cig, and looks down on you. 

“And as so happens m’lady, it’s going to be your turn next, so, if you delight us with what it is that you intend to do.” He teases. Smirk in his face, eyes lost in yours. And your heart is beating faster and faster. 

“Okay so” You stand up. Hands on the table, chest pushing forwards pointing at him. Your hair moving everywhere as you look at him, smoke disappearing out of his mouth. “So I was with Mike, so I’m probably right around here.” You ask as you point to the board, your mini hasn’t entered the board since the fight started so you needed to make sure you were right. Eddie nods, looking right at where you’re pointing. “Rad, okey.” Your left hand goes to your chin, and as you stroke it, a smile forming in your face you say “So with Tempestuous Magic, before I cast a first level or higher, I can fly 10 feet?” 

He begins to smile, you can tell he’s excited to see you play again. His eyes seem to glow brighter than before.

“That sounds right” He reassures you. You’ve cracked it. And hope you’ll blow his mind away. 

“So I can, like, run through here and then fly 10 feet over these, whatever they are, ‘cause I don’t take opportunity attacks.” You smile as you begin to explain your move. 

Starstruck as he seems he nods and says in shock, mouth open and beaming with excitement.

 “You absolutely can, yes.” 

“Okay, awesome.” You look at the board once again. “ So I get here and, before I cast anything, who all is within 10 feet of me?” You need to be absolutely sure that the higher command to Vecna is close, if he is it’s going to be awesome. 

“Um, that would be Dustin, who is down underneath the gallows and other than that, the second in command to Vecna’s army.” He says with a pride so high at his well played round. 

Your smile grows bigger. 

“Perfect” You purr out. He sits back to his throne, cigarette finished and in the ashtray. “ Okay, so what I’m gonna do is,um… I’m Gonna do a fourth level Thunder Step. I'm grabbing Dustin to come with me.” You declare triumphantly. You are basically teleporting next to him and saving your little brother's ass, if this works out. 

As he realizes what you’ve just told him. his mouth opens and glares at you, Shock and glee evident on his face. “You can pick one person to come with you.” He almost  whispers. Your skin tingling as you hear his voice so low yet deep. Your face, with a bright smile, still higher than he is, looks down at him. Your smile grows wider, and cheeks turning ever so slightly pink. 

“Indeed I do, dear Edds. So, I’m doing a fourth level Thunder Step, and I’m also using my Channel Divinity, um, Destructive Wrath.” His face turns slightly white. Yours beams with joy. Your party is finally catching up to what you’re doing. “Basically, this allows me to do max damage in an attack of my choosing once a day.” You inform everyone at that table, as you read over your card spell once again. “So basically they’re all taking 40 points of damage, and then since I cast lightning spell, they’re also all gonna take another 3. And then.” As you stop to gather some air, you see Eddie’s face. Both parts are equal, shocked, pissed and proud of you. You can feel your cheeks burning, seeing him like that. Under your spell. “I’m gonna use Quicken Spell to do Spare the Dying on Dustin as I teleport them back in here.” Your eyebrows rise up as you start giggling. 

Your party is looking at you, they start to go wild. 

Eddie's face is frozen in complete shock. 

In a single round of combat you’ve managed, not only to save your little brother, but also to fuck his army up considerably. He smiles up at you, finger to his temple, moving forwards from his throne. Biting his lower lip as he looks you up and down.

“Yo…” Mike says in complete shock “Holy shit, Oh my god” He keeps repeating. 

“We’re gonna fuck you up Munson, she read the rule book!” You catch Garret hyping you up and your smugness grows as you step back like he did only a second ago, so you can smoke in peace. Basking in your glory. 

“Hell yeah.” Dustin finally says as he looks at you. You can tell he’s proud of you. 

Eddie gets all flustered and finally meets your eyes. Though mad, he can’t stop smiling at you. 

“You did, ah, what, you did” He mumbles contemplating you, up and down. You get lost in his eyes for a second. 

“43 damage to everyone within 10 feet of me.” You tell him. Smoke pushing to him. 

“But not to…” He can even finish his sentence. Too shocked to process. 

“But not to him, because he’s coming with me. And since I spared them, they’re no longer dying.” You grab your spell card, and flicker it at him. He grabs it in his hand, it shows through his rings as he reads it once over. 

“Fuck me Henderson.” He lets out, hands in his hair, satisfied with a grin in his face. 

“Just did.” For a moment it truly seems to only be you two. Until you remember where you are. “And it's called payback.” 

He laughs, god you missed his laugh. He looks at you once more, and as he nods, he winks at you. “Well played, Henderson.” He stands up once again. “How did you know that he had such low HP?” He asks, forgetting that you two are not alone in this room. 

The table loses their shit, this implies that potentially, you just killed a big bad villain. 

“You forget.” Your chin up, as you walk slowly to him. “I DM’d for you last year, and you’ve got the same guidebook as I do.” You fist bump him playfully into his chest. His mouth opens in shock, as he covers it, you can hear the entire table going crazy. and your touch growing warmer where your hand connected to his chest.

“THIS IS AMAZING” Your little brother proclaims. You bow theatrically, as they cheer for you, calling your name and your PC’s name. 

You return to your seat, this time it's Eddie who can’t stop looking at you. Your cheeks become even pinker. You’re really happy with how this played out. 

-

if you enjoyed (i I really hope you did), please reblog! i promise it makes a difference

-

this fic is multi-chapter <3 part two part three part four part five

[a-babe-without-a-name]

ST5 things

a list of stuff I'm noticing from the ST5 bts video, for myself to look back on when it comes out. Some are obvious things, others I'm really digging for. Not including the Dustin cemetery situation I posted about before.

Castle Byers duh, I hope this is sad

Dustin is sitting in Eddie's spot at the lunch table

Joyce with the kids + steve! (+ dustin with a bloody nose.)

Back in the tunnels

Bikes, Bikes, and More Bikes

Twinkies?

Karen is probs gonna be a bigger part of this season? I mean, her BABY is being stolen, so valid

The boys are so tall now, oml

Linda Hamilton, so maybe some terminator references?

Mike in his own house this season lol

Obviously the picnic table

Holly has such a sitcom looking room and something is happening in the kitchen of the house, maybe that's where she get's taken? Why is vecna after her though?

New character! Erica has a friend, I am excited about this. They're in a barn? So farm stuff

Jocks in the graveyard, definitely beating up Dustin and vandalizing Eddie grave. If you watch close, Dustin is standing behind one of the duffer brothers, so yes, he's definitely getting fought

School projector, maybe in school or radio station basement?

Nancy and Mike time!! Probably looking for their sister

Robin and Joyce!!! Mother is mothering this season

Murray!!

A ground gate again, ground looks farm like, maybe it's near the barn where Erica and her friend are?

Mike and Lucas time, running through empty hall, could be anything

Steve is IN the upside down

Steve driving with Jonathan in the back seat in looks like, I'm assuming Nance or Robin in the front

At the picnic table, Will is having a vision or sensing Vecna or something. He's walking away from the group while they fuck around, so something weird. Looks very similar to Chris looking at the tree during her vision

Duffer Bro mimes something come up off the ground at Will, so maybe demo dogs? Or something simialr?

Full beard Hopper screaming with a hunting rifle. Does not bode well.

Someone getting TOSSED

Dustin with Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan, we've all seen this

Older guy with a gun, reminiscent of the Russian in season 4. Maybe and Owens guy?

Vecna fully vecna'd up

Will falling form the top of a tree BUT he looks to be wearing the same clothes as season 1? He's in the red and yellow vest and plaid shirt. Maybe I'm misremembering but this is a familiar outfit

El in the upside down. She's in a weird outfit? It's like gym shorts over tights and a sweater? Maybe it's the fashion?

that is all, bye

[fujotaku-grl]

Steve sees the ghosts of those who have died. He sees Billy, Barb, and Eddie mainly because he knew them from being involved with the upside down. He sees other spirits but learned to not focus on them. No one else knows until Dustin(?) finds a tape that plays a sound that only people with powers can hear so when the whole group is together he plays it. When he does El and Steve are affected. No one is surprised El is affected but everyone is confused when Steve is shouting for someone to turn it off. All eyes are on him when he explains he can see and talk to ghosts. “Wait…can you see barb?” Nancy said with an accusatory glare. “You could see and hear her this entire time and didn’t tell anyone?!” She was angry, yelling , and shoving Steve to punctuate every few words. Jonathan grabbed her so she would stop attacking steve. “Can you see Eddie? Is he here now!?” Dustin asked. Mike was as angry as his sister with the new realization. “What else are you hiding from us?” Max asked with a hurt expression. This was not supposed to happen, he was supposed to take this secret to the grave. “I…can bring people back.” The last bit of the sentence was said in a hushed voice but one of them heard it. “What.” A loud slap could be heard through the silence “Bring her back” said seething through teeth. It turned out the one who heard it was Nancy who was ten times more angry than before. It comes with a price i can just magic her back to life without consequence. “You can bring back Eddie! The consequence shouldn’t matter, you're just being selfish!” Mike spat out like venom. After a long time of Steve getting yelled at and Jonathan, Will, Robin, and Joyce defending Steve everyone left to go to their respective home with swirling emotions. Days pass and Steve made up his mind and went to his pool where Barb had died. “You don’t have to bring me back, after getting to know you I don’t think it's worth it.” Barb tried to convince him it's not his fault. “ You and I both know it’s more costly without the physical body.” Steve took a knife and made a cut on his wrist. As the blood dripped into the water he said the incantation. The water began to glow a bright white color along with Steve's eyes. Barb emerges from the water taking in gulps of oxygen. “I’m...I’m alive. Why did you do that?” she asked. “ I owe it to you, and Nance.” Steve replied with exhaustion. “STEVE!” Barb yelled, catching Steve as he nearly fell in the pool. “ I’m fine, I need to get Ed.” Eddie appeared next to Steve “ Harrington you need to lay down before going anywhere” Barb shrieked at the sudden voice. Turns out anyone Steve brings back is connected to him and shares his power minus the bring people back part. The next day Steve the first thing he does is go to the old Munson trailer in Forest Hills.”I’m coming with you” Barb insisted. He goes to the spot Eddie died and repeats the process. This time Steve passes out immediately after. Barb and Eddie carry him to the car and put him in bed. While Steve is sleeping his walkie went off “Guys I think there's a code red! There were 2 energy surges similar to the ones when Vecna attacked, let's meet at Steve's house! Over and out.” About an hour later everyone is in Steve’s living room. Robin was looking around to find her other half only to find he wasn’t there. She went upstairs with Dustin following behind her. There were 2 people who sat by Steve while he slept in his bed. “Barb?” Nancy whispered. “Eddie?” Dustin said after “Steve?” Robin said concerned for her best friend who now had white streaks in his hair, pale, and looked so fragile. She tried to shake him awake but he continued his slumber. “What's wrong with him, why won’t he wake up?” “He used all his energy to bring us back from the dead.” Eddie answered. “That doesn’t explain why he looks so…breakable” Dustin added “It's because he shortened his life span because you A holes decided to treat him like a selfish prick when you know he has saved all of you multiple times!”

[jadeylovesmarvelxo]

Surprise

Summary; Eddie didn't expect to fall for Henderson's sister but when she joined the gang in The Upside Down a bond was forged between them, they spent more time together after Vecna was defeated, and they begin to fall for each other.

But How does he tell Dustin that the girl he's in love with is yn? Especially as the gang begin to find out. One by one.

Warnings; Fluff 💞 teeny bit angst, Murray makes an appearance and an observation ;) slight shenanigans. 18+

I don't give anyone permission to copy my work.

Likes/reblogs are always appreciated ❤️

Ever since the defeat of Vecna and The upside down was destroyed peace had returned to Hawkins.

After living in fear for their lives since Will first disappeared and the reveal of the Upside down it was time for everyone to rest and find a little joy.

Eddie hadn't expected to find both joy and love at the same time but since helping Dustin and his friends defeat Vecna, he wasn't just introduced to monsters and the supernatural.

When he first went on the run and Dustin and his friends found him he had also met Dustin's sister for the first time.

It was crazy that he had known the little shrimp for months but his sister was elusive to him, spending her senior year working with Nancy on the school paper.

Their paths rarely crossed and when they did he didn't realise she was the sister Dustin raved or ranted about depending on how well they got on that day.

So you can imagine when she came along when the gang found him at Reefer Ricks...

Yn had been suspicious of her brother's activity for years. Unlike some people in Hawkins, she didn't have her head in the sand about what had been going on for years now.

Strange shit was afoot. Especially last July with all those deaths at the mall... Will Byer's disappearance in 1983, her brother has nightmares where he screamed out about The Upside down.

Whatever that was she was sure it was connected to what was going on in Hawkins for a while now.

So when she noticed Dustin heading to Family Video with Max she discreetly tagged along.

She was worried as well as wanting to find out what was going on. There had been news of a death at the trailer park, Chrissy Cunningham, Hawkin Highs golden girl and head cheerleader, Max was saying something to Dustin about his friend Eddie.

Dustin would be pissed when he found out she was following him but she had to know that he wasn't walking into danger.

Okay... so it wasn't so discreet to bring a baseball bat with her but she wanted something to protect herself, Dustin and Max with if there was danger.

After Family Video she followed Steve's car to a house in the woods, Reefer Ricks place.

What the hell did he want with Reefer Rick? and why was Steve taking her brother there?

Curious and trying not to get angry she heads around the back of the house and sees the gang heading into the shed.

After about ten minutes of waiting, she grows worried when they don't come out and heads inside.

"Shh, someone's coming!" Robin hisses and it's all quiet. She hesitates knowing Dustin will be super pissed but she has come this far now.

Pushing the door open she storms inside and glares at her brother.

"Dustin Henderson! What in the hell are you doing here?" Dustin gapes.

"What the hell? You followed me?" She ignores his rants.

"With good reason? Do you think I don't notice all the shit going on around Hawkins and not worry about you? Especially since I think you've been involved in most of it. Of course, I was worried"

She looks around the room and zeroes in on Eddie Munson and marches up to him.

"Is this some DnD thing you've created?" he shakes his head.

"Jesus h Christ, I wish it was but no" she frowns.

"You're not just saying that and using those pretty brown eyes of yours as a distraction?" His cheeks turn pink.

"Pretty?" he chokes out and she softens when she notices the slight shake in his hand and how his eyes look haunted, pained.

"What's going on?" Dustin groans.

"Shit again? we just explained this all to Eddie?" she levels him with a glare that makes him swear and he sighs, sits down and begins to talk.

💞💞

Eddie was lost in a daydream by the time she woke up, their first meeting still fresh in her mind.

After she found out about the Upside Down and all that it entailed she was thrown into the world that her brother had known about for years.

Being in the Upside down, seeing Steve dragged underwater by the vines in Watergate, hearing about Vecna, fighting off Demobats and seeing Eddie almost killed by the bats, gave her nightmares at times.

With The Upside Down closed and Vecna defeated peace had descended over Hawkins but the memories still remained.

She knew Eddie struggled at times and she was there for him and him for her whenever needed, she was the one along with Dustin who helped treat Eddie's bites, every day for weeks until they healed.

She held him through every panic attack, every nightmare.

Spent nights wrapped up beside him and they would talk about anything and everything, their hopes, dreams, likes, and dislikes.

They formed a deep, emotional connection as well as an intense attraction that was growing stronger and stronger by the day.

The only thing was telling her brother that she was in love with his idol. Dustin hero worshipped Eddie, especially after the events of the events with the demobats.

Eddies lips press to her shoulder and he wraps his arms around her waist, spooning her.

"Hello little spoon" he jokes and she giggles as her plays with her hair.

"Hi"

"What are you thinking about princess?" she sighs.

"Christmas, also how to tell Dustin we are dating when everyone else knows" he smoothes her hair.

"Yeah, think Robin and Steve had a shock huh?" he looks amused and she grows flustered at what happened the other day.

...💞💞

"Eddie" she giggles and he grins as he lays her on the back seat of her car which str brought in for service to the Munson's auto shop per Eddie's request.

The minute she saw him in that mechanic uniform, his hair in a bun and grease on his cheek she couldn't resist him.

The outfit never failed to make her aroused and she wanted him there and then.

Unfortunately, they didn't realize that Wayne had booked in for Steve to get his car fixed, and in her and Eddie's passionate haze they didn't hear Robin and Steve come in.

"Shit" Eddie's tools clattered to the floor and she shrieks as she caught Steve staring and Robin babbling looking anywhere but at her or Eddie.

"Steve what the fuck dude!" Eddie huffs and Steve looks flustered. Eddie notices her mortification and has her mostly hidden as she was laying down.

Flustered she grabs her dress as Eddie tells Steve and Robin to turn around so she could get dressed.

"Oh my God, you and Eddie! I knew it, I and Nance had a bet going but Steve didn't think you two were seeing each other Nance and I knew the entire time so obviously, we notice more than Steve does" Robin exclaims very fast, so much so that Steve tells her to breathe.

"Does Dustin know? Eddie, dude. The little butthead is gonna freak" Steve whistles.

"No, but we will tell him you just gotta give us a little time," she asks Steve pleadingly and he looks a bit uncomfortable at the idea.

"Okay, soon though, I don't like lying to the little butthead" she and Eddie agreed and now they just had to figure out how to say something.

💞💞

El, Nancy and Max guessed straight away, Lucas catching on quickly after that. Mike was the only one who didn't know along with Dustin and Will so movie night was very awkward.

What she didn't realise at this particular movie night hosted for them by Joyce and Hopper was that Murray who was Joyce and Jim's friend would be there and he had an...apt for weedling out couples so you would say.

His attention had turned to them when Eddie kept making excuses to be next to her, see her for a few minutes to discuss some bullshit reason he made up.

That's when Murray starts laughing gleefully.

"Gosh, you two are adorable aren't you?" she exchanges an alarmed look with Eddie who frowns.

"No idea what you mean dude" Murray bursts out laughing.

"I thought Jonathan and Nancy were obvious and don't let me get started with Jim and Joyce but you two? You couldn't be more obvious"

Dustin looks confused as turns to her and Eddie wearing an expression that plainly says what the hell is he talking about?

Shit! This is not how she wanted to come clean and she glares at Murray who looks like he's thoroughly enjoying himself.

"May I suggest that you two go away and find an empty room and get it over with because you're distracting me from the film"

Steve snorts. "Dude, you have no idea but that's already happened" Eddie's eyes narrow and Steve makes an uh oh face.

"Thanks, man" Dustin jumps up and looks between them stunned and she bites her lip trying to work out what to say.

"Dustin, I'm so sorry I never said anything or Eddie but the truth is I love him" Eddie gently grasps his shoulder.

"I love her too Dude, I hope you're okay with this because you mean a lot to me man, even if you are an annoying little shrimp"

They wait with bated breath but Dustin instead of being mad laughs.

"Dude, I know you're in love with my sister and I know she's in love with you. The two of you were so mind-numbingly obvious" she gapes.

"You little shit! You knew all this time and didn't say anything" he shrugs and settles back down beside Lucas.

"Suzie and I had a bet on how long it would take you two to crack. Just saying" so that was that.

Eddie glares at Dustin then shrugs and kisses her forehead.

"Ahh well, cats out of the bag now princess. At least we can be open about how we feel. I can kiss you whenever I want" a mischievous look crosses his face and she smirks.

Dustin looks afraid. Very afraid.

"Ugh, gross dude. I knew about you two but it doesn't mean I need a visual" Eddie pulls her close to him and grins.

"Oh, we'll see Dustybun" Dustin turns to you and looks offended.

"You told!" he whines and she grins.

"Mmm, he hasn't heard your favourite song has he Dustykins?" Dustin's eyes widen.

Robin snorts. "Oh, dont do the whole Never Ending Story thing again "

Eddie laughs and turns to him.

"Dude really?" Dustin huffs.

"It's Suzie and mines thing okay dude? are you going to gang up on me with my sister. Really??" Eddie throws his arm around Dustin.

"Henderson, I'm going to be around for a long long time"

❤️

*Not me wanting to write a fic set a few years later and Eddie is now Dustin's brother-in-law and the hijinks that would ensue. 🙃😂

[aloneinthehellfire]

Chapter 9: The Shire Is Burning

Season One | Season Two | Season Three | Season Four

Raining Hellfire: Season Four

Word Count: 4759 words

Warnings: swearing, mentions of death, vecna's curse, visions, teeny little bit of angst if you squint

[A/N: finally bringing eddie back my god i missed him]

The Shire Is Burning

Max had saved your life.

When Vecna’s curse had caught up to you, your sister was prepared. She had noticed your strange demeanour over the past few hours, knowing the difference between concern and fear. You had been trying to reach out to her before dismissing it, and she could see it. So, when she had the time, Max had rummaged through a bunch of tapes in the Wheeler basement and found what she had been searching for.

“Okay, why are you in my car?” You frown and Max laughs, causing a smirk to appear on your face from the sound.

“I was wondering when you’d notice.” She shook her head, glancing at the stereo. “Can we play some music?”

“Sure.” You sigh, trying to ignore the fact that she avoided your question. “A free ride to Starcourt it is.”

The car started blaring Journey’s Separate Ways and she groaned.

“Do you ever listen to anything else?” She said but she sat back, bopping her head along to the beat.

The song you had played over and over again during the summer was something that stained Max’s brain. She would find herself humming the tune on days she thought of you, remembering the late night conversations in your car when you had saved her from another bomb of a family dinner.

And now you sat there with her in the back of Nancy’s car, music blasting through both of your ears as Max rested her head on your shoulder, hand grasping yours tightly.

Another Walkman had been found and claimed yours, the same song played over and over as price for being another victim to the curse. A change of clothes had done everyone some good before you all headed out with food to deliver to Eddie.

Eddie. You had no idea how you were going to tell him you’re cursed too.

“Not to be a wimp, but can I maybe sit in the car for this visit?” Robin pleads to Nancy, enjoying the perks of the front passenger seat, “Cause this is gonna totally and royally suck.”

“It’ll be fine.” Nancy shakes her head in dismissal.

“I just can’t stand to see those dull eyes of Eddie’s break again. I really, really can’t.”

Lucas glances at you as you lower your head, shifting your headphones so you had one ear bare to hear better.

“At least he can drink himself into feeling better.” Steve suggests from where he and Dustin sat in the very back, munching on snacks meant for Eddie. He brushed a crumb from his jumper, the soft yellow bringing back memories.

“That’s what my mom does.” Max shrugs, smirking at you as you smile at her dark humour.

“Why don’t we just give it a trial run?” Robin straightens in her seat, clearing her throat. “Hey, Eddie. Uh, good news first this time. We got you some Dustin-approved junk food and that six-pack that you requested. Oh yeah, and we found Vecna.”

“Strong start.” You offer and Robin shakes her head into continuation.

“Only the bad news is that he’s in that other, darker, much scarier dimension that we told you about, and the gates closed so we have no way of getting to him. Like, he’s entirely shut off to us, so basically you’re screwed. And, no, I know you were already screwed, but now you’re like doubly, triply screwed.”

“Okay-” Nancy tries to intervene but Robin kept going.

“And, and, if you didn’t think that was enough of a punch to the gut, Vecna has now claimed Y/n as another marked victim and she almost died, much like her sister, so, yeah, nothing is going your way but at least you have beer and chips.”

You shift uncomfortably in your seat and Max squeezes your hand.

“Wait, wait, wait. Maybe we don’t put it like that.” Lucas interrupts, raising his eyebrows.

“We’re one step closer to finding Vecna.” Nancy nods, staring ahead at the road, “That’s what we say. That’s what’s important.”

“See, Robin?” Steve calls out with a mouthful of chips, “A positive spin can make all the difference.”

“Uh-huh.” Robin rolls her eyes in annoyance, “I don’t see how Y/n also being cursed can have a positive spin to it but sure, I’m wrong here.”

“Don’t have to make something positive if you just don’t tell them.” You mutter and Robin spins in her seat to stare back at you.

“That guy is in love with you and you don’t think he should know you could die?” Robin widens her eyes and you shake your head.

“It won’t change anything.” You say, “Max and I are still cursed, and he could come back for us at literally any second. Telling more people will just end in more panic and anxiety when we should really be focusing on finding and killing Vecna.”

“Agreed.” Dustin mumbles through food and Steve nods along.

“Yeah.” Steve shoves another chip into his mouth, “Plus, I don’t think he’s in love, you know?”

Everyone turns to stare at him and he stops, mouth full with a confused expression.

“What?” He asks and you purse your lips.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” You comment, turning back and focusing on the road.

“No, I didn’t mean-”

“Holy shit.” Nancy breathes out and everyone stills, noticing the hoard of people currently occupying the front of the lake house.

News cameras and journalists were scattered across the road to the boathouse, officers keeping everyone away while the man in charge sorted out some kind of documents. Chief Powell.

If the police were here, you were screwed.

Once the wagon was parked, you all practically flew out of it, rendezvousing behind a reporter’s van to listen to Chief Powell’s statement.

“As many of you know, the Roane County line received a call a little after midnight…” Powell clears his throat. You stare at the crowd of people, heart hammering faster, “… reporting a homicide here on the lake.”

You all exchange scared looks.

“Officer Callahan here and myself arrived first on the scene.” Powell continues, “We made our way to the shore of Lover’s Lake, about ten yards from that house you see behind me. It was there that we found the victim, an 18 year old senior from Hawkins High, Patrick McKinney.”

Lucas face drops and your breath hitches. He lost a friend.

“His limbs…” Powell takes a breath, looking uneasy, “… his body, it was disfigured. There was an eyewitness on the scene. We have also identified a person of interest.”

Powell shuffles through some papers and you slowly shake your head.

“Don’t say it.” You whisper, already expecting the face that appeared on the photo currently being held up to the public.

“Eddie Munson.” Powell confirms and Dustin looks to you with the same panicked expression, “We encourage anyone with information to please come forward.”

“Oh man,” Steve mutters, “This is not good. This is really not good.”

“Fuck.” You say as you walk back to the car, controlling your breathing.

His name was public, putting a target on his back for something he never did. Vecna chose to kill Chrissy in Eddie’s trailer. He chose to ruin Eddie’s life. Because he knew it would hurt you.

“Dustin? Can you hear me? Y/n?”

You hear Eddie’s voice blare out of the radio in Dustin’s hands as everyone else approaches the car, causing you to walk over to the sound.

“Eddie. Holy shit.” Dustin replies, sharing a relieved look with you.

“Are you okay?” You ask, feeling uneasy the longer Eddie took to answer.

“To tell you the truth?” Eddie replies with a shaky voice. “Pretty… pretty god damn far from okay.”

“Where are you?” Dustin questions after a little push from Robin.

“Skull Rock.” Eddie answers and you find yourself looking to Steve. Who was looking right back at you. “Do you know it?”

“Oh yeah.” Dustin nods, “That’s near Cornwallis and-”

“Garret, yeah. I know where that is.” Steve finishes, pushing away from the group to begin leading everyone to the location.

“Hold tight. We’re coming.” Dustin tells Eddie, noticing how you were staring at the radio. He wordlessly hands it to you.

“Eds?” You speak into the radio cautiously, walking to catch up with the others, Dustin by your side.

“Yeah?”

“We’re gonna get you out of this mess.” You say with determination in your voice.

“I believe you.” He replies with such emotion, you knew it was the truth.

“See you soon.” You bid farewell quickly, handing the radio back to Dustin.

You notice Dustin’s confused face and you raise an eyebrow.

“You okay?”

“Yeah…” He shakes his head slowly, “I just thought… never mind.”

Before you could question it, the others are calling out to you to catch up and Dustin pulls out his compass, striding forward.

“I’m slowly getting sick of this song.” You groan, slipping the headphones off to rest them around your neck.

“Yeah, well, it’s either listen to the same song for a few hours or die.” Robin says and you stare at her.

“Yes. Thank you for reminding me.” You deadpan and she offers an apologetic smile.

You walked through the woods with Nancy and Robin by your side, the three of you already tired of the constant bickering between Steve and Dustin up ahead.

Max and Lucas were quiet behind you but you knew they appreciated having time together.

“You know what you’re going to tell Eddie, yet?” Nancy asks, biting her lip as she matches your strides.

“Uh…” You purse your lips. “Considering how he’s wanted for murder in a town that already hated him? I think we should just focus on one thing at a time.”

“Dude, I’m telling you.” Steve raised voice caught your attention, “You’re taking us the wrong way.”

“It’s north.” Dustin holds up the paper in his hands. “I’m positive. I checked the map.”

“You do realise that Skull Rock is like a super popular make-out spot?” Steve asks just as the three of you close the distance with them, walking directly behind now.

“Yeah. So?” Dustin sounds exhausted and irritated, checking his compass.

“Yeah, well, it wasn’t popular until I made it popular.” Steve brags, “All right? I practically invented it. Every girl I took there… boom.”

“Every girl?” You join in and Steve almost trips over. “That’s so weird, cause I remember you taking me there freshman year.”

“Wow.” Dustin widens his eyes, a shit-eating grin on his face, “Steve struck out.”

“Wasn’t the first time.” Robin snorted, memories from Scoops causing Steve to nod viciously.

“Yep, yep. Thank you all for sharing.” He grumbled, walking faster, “It doesn’t change the fact we’re heading in the wrong direction.”

Steve takes a different path from Dustin, earning a shout of protest. You sigh, following him down into the woods.

“Y/n!” Dustin whines, “Where are you going?”

“I gotta go with Steve on this one.” You shrug.

“Stop whining.” Steve adds on, looking over his shoulder. “Let’s go. Trust me.”

“I don’t trust you.” Dustin states before slumping his shoulders. “But I do trust Y/n, so…”

Steve looks offended as the others follow you both.

You were now venturing further toward Skull Rock with him by your side, a strange silence crashing over the both of you. Every time he glanced at you, you would offer a kind smile before returning to focus on where you stood. You walked little ahead of him once you realised where you were.

Steve wasn’t lying when he said he invented Skull Rock. You had heard the stories of him with girls circulating around the school, but it was different when he took you there that one time. Sure, you had thought about kissing him. But he was just a friend back then, you knew that. He was always too focused on your best friend to even be thinking about you.

“Hey, Y/n?” Steve calls out and you stop, slowing your steps to walk in time with his.

“What’s up?” You smile, fiddling with the bottom of your denim jacket.

“Are… are we okay?”

You frown, looking up at his worried eyes, “Yeah. Yeah, of course we are. Why, is something wrong?”

“No, no. It’s, uh, no, nothing’s wrong.” He shakes his head, brows furrowed.

“Like I’d believe that.” You let out a breathy laugh, “Seriously, why would you think we aren’t?”

He takes a breath, staring at the ground, “You’ve been really nice to me lately.”

A surprised laugh escapes your lips before you can stop it.

“It’s not funny, don’t laugh.” He says as a chuckle begins to form in his throat.

“I’m sorry, I just- I’m being nice and that’s what made you think I, what, hated you or something?” You laugh, shaking your head.

“Okay, yeah, I see how that would make zero sense.” He winces, laughing, “But… I don’t know. I guess I got so used to you, like, making comments and stuff. Like you used to.”

Your laughter dies down and Steve looks at you.

“I’m really sorry about that.” You say with such genuine emotion, he immediately stops.

“What, no-”

“Look,” You interrupt, facing him, “When I moved to Florida… it made me think through a lot of things. And one thought that kept appearing, I guess, was you.”

“Me?” He raises an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips, as you both continue walking.

“Yeah.” You nod, looking ahead, “A lot of stuff about you. But… one thing in particular was how I treated you.”

“What?” He looks surprised, “Y/n, you never treated me bad. Maybe, maybe after the whole Tommy and Carol thing, but you had every right to do that. I was an asshole-”

“Was.” You emphasise with a sad smile. “You’re not anymore. Not after… not after you got dragged into this mess. And I get that, you know, we’d poke fun at eachother and that’s all good and great but… I realised that I wasn’t the only one.”

Steve shakes his head, “What do you mean?”

“It’s all fun and games when one person is, I don’t know, making jokes and… I guess it’s more considered to be banter than an actual attack. But then everyone else in this group constantly does it too and it was only when I stepped away from it all that I realised…”

“Realised what?”

“I truly hope you don’t think you’re dumb.” You say and he laughs for a second before really focusing on you. “Or useless. Or anything that makes you feel lesser than you actually are because those idiots don’t appreciate you. Not out loud, anyway.”

“Y/n.” He stops you, looking behind at the others still following at a slower pace before placing his hands on your shoulders. “I don’t care what they think.”

“I just wanted you to know.” You shrug and he tilts his head.

“Look,” He sighs, running a hand through his hair, “Sometimes… yeah, sometimes I think a little too much about what someone says, or a small comment, but at the end of the day… I was an asshole to all of these people.”

“No.” You shake your head. “Okay, yes, you did some things that you most definitely regret. But you’ve done more than enough to make up for that.”

He looks away and resumes walking, frowning,“I-”

“You saved my life, Steve.”

His eyes find their way back to yours, stopping just before the end of the tree line and you hold his gaze, “I wouldn’t be here without you. These kids… they’re little shits but they know for a fact that you’d do anything to protect them. Nancy, Robin… you’ve helped them in more ways than you realise. Robin finally feels safe with someone, you know? And Nance… it might not have been something you wanted but you gave her that extra push. And I’d be damned if I let Vecna kill me before I made sure you knew how great you are.”

Steve stills for a moment before leaning in and kissing your forehead, muttering something under his breath you didn’t quite catch before looking back down at you. “I’d save your life over and over again if it meant you could stay in mine. Trust me.”

You lean your forehead against his, smiling. “I trust you.”

“Oh.”

Pulling away from eachother, you stare at Dustin who had somehow managed to catch up quickly, a smirk on his lips as he waggles his eyebrows.

“Ew, Dustin.”

“Dude, no.”

“You can try to deny it,” Dustin shakes his head, walking closer, “But I can see the truth.”

“We’re just friends.” You smile and Steve tentatively shakes his head next to you.

“Yeah, man.” He shrugs, patting Dustin on the shoulder, “Just accept you’re actually wrong about something.”

Dustin rolls his eyes before noticing something behind you, “Wow, you actually found it.”

You all turn back to see Skull Rock in the distance, a flutter of joy in your stomach as you realised you had found Eddie.

“Well?” Dustin looks between you both, “We going or what?”

“Huh.” You say as a smile creeps onto your face.

Steve frowns at you. “What?”

“This is now the second time you’re not gonna get to kiss me at Skull Rock.” You comment and he clicks his jaw, avoiding a smile.

“Screw you.” He mutters with a laugh.

You push past all the overgrown leaves to step out into an opening, a giant stone situated in the middle of the space, towering over you all. Skull Rock.

“In your face, man.” Steve taunts to Dustin, “In your stupid, cocky little face.”

Dustin just stares down at his compass, frowning. “It just doesn’t make sense.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Steve rolls his eyes, “Even with it staring you in the face, you can’t admit it. You just can’t admit that you’re wrong, you butt-head.”

You laugh at the nickname just as you hear something jump down from behind you and Dustin.

“I concur.”

Eddie stands before you all with a crooked grin, “You, Dustin Henderson, are a… total butt-head.”

“Jesus, we thought you were a goner.” Dustin smiles in relief, hugging Eddie who stares at you in confusion before patting him on the back. You chuckle at the sight.

“Yeah, me too, man.” Eddie admits, pulling away. “Me too.”

“Hey.” You wave at him and he grins.

“Hi.” He returns just as the others join you all.

Behind you, Steve stares at the interaction with hands on his hips, looking away and staring back at Skull Rock, a small frown on his face.

Nancy handed over the supplies you bought as everyone gathered around, sitting or standing. Eddie crouched just below the rock, explaining last night’s events; Jason and his crew had found him, leading him to escape. But not before witnessing yet another murder.

“When I got to the shore, I tried calling you guys, but, uh…” Eddie takes a long drink from the water bottle and you wonder how long he’s gone without any real sustenance, “My walkie was busted, man. Drenched. So, uh, I did the thing that I do now, apparently. I ran.”

You stare down at your shoes. He wasn’t the only one running lately.

“Do you know what time this was?” Nancy asks, “The attack?”

“Yeah.” Eddie nods, “I… I know exactly what time it was. My walkie wasn’t the only thing that got soaked.”

As he removed his watch, you caught the familiar blue glint of the ring on his right hand, warming your heart. He still wore it. Just like you still wore your necklace.

He tosses the watch over to Nancy and she looks at the time, her breath hitching before turning to stare at you.

“9:27.” She states.

“Same time our flashlights went kablooey.” Robin notes and you shift uncomfortably.

“Which means what, exactly?” Steve frowns.

“That surge of energy was Vecna attacking Patrick.” Nancy confirms and you feel sick. How was it possible that someone died right before Vecna attacked you?

“Well, we’re one step closer.” Robin says, “We know how Vecna attacks.”

Behind you, you notice Dustin pacing, still staring down at his compass.

“And where he attacks from.” Lucas adds, an involuntary glance being sent your way.

“So now we just need to sneak into his lair in the Upside Down and drive a stake through his heart.” Max suggests and you raise your eyebrow.

“If he even has a heart.” Robin sighs.

“A stake?” Steve shakes his head, sharing a look with you, “Is he like a vamp? Is he a vampire?”

“It was a metaphor.” Max sighs, aggravated.

“A bullet should work on him, right?” Eddie suggests and you shake your head.

“Probably not.” You groan, stretching your arms, “He is a mind wizard after all, it’s gotta be something more than that.”

“I say we chop his head off.” Lucas promotes and you shrug at the idea.

“Go all ‘Chainsaw Massacre’ on him.” You suggest and Lucas points to you, nodding.

“I say all of the above, but we can’t do any of that until we find a way into the Upside Down.” Nancy stresses and you groan.

“The only way through is by a gate.” You say and Max looks to you.

“Didn’t you say you’ve been there before? Like Vecna took you there?” She tries and you frown.

“He did what?” Eddie glances between you both.

“It… I don’t think it was like that.” You wince, pinching the bridge of your nose, “I think he was just showing me things, I don’t think he can literally transport someone to the Upside Down.”

“We need El to get her powers back.” Max sighs.

“Everything was way easier.” Steve dreams before remembering Eddie was sat there listening to all of this, “We had this girl. She had superpowers.”

“Superpowers. Yeah, you mentioned her.” Eddie nods slightly, “You also said Y/n...”

“Yeah but that’s not an option right now.” Max states and you tilt your head. “I know we have you and whatever magic shit you got going on, but it doesn’t work unless we’re down there.”

“No.” Steve shakes his head and you raise your eyebrows at him, “What? It almost got you killed last time you used them. In fact, both times.”

“Wait. What?” Eddie holds his hand out and you look down at him, taking a breath.

“It’s something that takes a lot of energy from me.” You explain, everyone keen on listening, “I am kind of... connected to the Mind Flayer.”

“Seriously?” Lucas perks up, “Oh, wait, yeah. Starcourt.”

Max shifts uncomfortably at the mention and Lucas sends an apologetic look. She merely shrugs it off.

“Mind Flayer. Good to know.” Eddie nods, before his eyes catch sight of the boy pacing behind you, muttering under his breath. “Hey, uh, Henderson’s not, uh, cursed, is he?”

“Cursed? No, no. He’s fine.” Steve shakes his head, “Mental? Absolutely.”

“I guess he’s just a little less traumatised than the two of us.” Max comments so casually it just slips out and she widens her eyes.

“Two?” Eddie frowns, looking around the group and meeting your eyes last. Your heart leaps to your throat. You needed to tell him.

“Boom!” Dustin yells and everyone jumps.

“The fuck?” You breathe, clutching your heart.

“Bada… bada… boom.” Dustin points a finger at you and Steve, and you both look confused.

“What’s he going on about?” Steve mutters to you and you shake your head.

“Hell if I know.”

“I was right.” Dustin continues, a smug look on his face, “Skull rock was North!”

“Seriously?” Steve frowns, “You’re serious? We’re at Skull Rock! Right now! You were wrong!”

“Yes. And no.” He nods and you groan.

“Oh my god.” Steve runs a hand across his face, pacing off the irritation.

“Dustin.” You try, stepping forward, “It’s not our fault your compass is broken.”

“See, that’s the thing.” He holds up the small device, “This worked correctly when we left the Wheelers’. It was correct when we got in the car on Curly. But it started to slip the further East we went. Now it’s way off. When I was leading us here, I wasn’t wrong. The compass was.”

“So you’re using faulty equipment.” Steve stresses in exasperation. “You’re still wrong.”

You frown, thinking it through. “That only happens when there’s a stronger pull.”

“Exactly!” Dustin clicks his finger. “Lucas, remember what Y/n told us about compasses? What pulls them?”

Lucas scratches his head before widening his eyes. “An electromagnetic field.”

“I’m sorry, I must have skipped that class.” Robin furrows her brows and Dustin stares at you with a grin.

“Uh, okay.” You blink, “In the presence of a stronger electromagnetic field, the needle on the compass will deflect towards that power. So it would mean that there’s an impossibly giant magnet laying in the woods, or…”

“There’s a gate.” Lucas finishes and you nod.

Dustin laughs, pointing to you. “The compasses will show the way.”

“Hey, Y/N! You coming?” Dustin ran up to you, taking your arm to lead you with them.

“I… I can’t.” You said and he looked up at you with a frown. “Look, I have stuff I need to take care of. And I think… it will help us find Will, okay?”

He still didn’t look convinced. “But we need your help.” He added, pouting.

“Don’t make that face. You know I can’t say no to that face.” You sighed, rubbing your temple, “Okay… how about I try and give you a pointer-” You stopped, a thought popping up into your mind.

“What? What is it?”

“Compasses.” You said.

“What about them?”

“If this gate is disturbing the magnetic field… then the compasses will show the way.” You were going to explain more when you saw Jonathan ushering you over, pointing to the back of the room. “Look, I really need to go now. I’ll speak to you later!” And with that, you hurried back inside.

“Way to be cryptic!” You heard Dustin say in the distance. You wish you could be spending more time with them, but you had a mission of your own.

You smile at his memory, the ‘cryptic’ words you had told them when they needed help finding Will.

“But we’re nowhere near the lab.” Nancy says.

“But what if, somehow, there’s another gate?” Dustin suggests. “A gate that we don’t know about. It’d have to be smaller. Way less powerful.”

“Snack-size gate.” Robin says and you smirk before goosebumps trail along your skin.

“It’ll have to be recent then.” You say, shaking off the jitters you suddenly felt.

“How? Why?” Steve shakes his head.

“No idea.” Dustin admits. “All I know is that something is causing this disturbance…”

Tick, tick, tick, tick.

You glance behind you, feeling something breathe on you. But there’s nothing.

“...and the last time we’ve seen anything like it, it was a gate.”

Tick, tick, tick, tick.

Another quick glance and your throat tightens. It wasn’t a creature, but an object. In the middle of the woods, out of place. A grandfather clock. And its face was cracked with three scars.

“And I hope it is because then we’d have a way to Vecna!” Dustin was grasping onto hope now, excited at the possibility of ending this, “And a shot at freeing Max and Y/n from this curse.”

There’s a wave of silence, Dustin unknowing to his mistake, and Max widens her eyes.

“Shit.” Eddie mutters and you visibly still. He finds your eyes and you squeeze your own shut. Well, now he knew.

Dustin starts to run back down into the woods and Steve steps forward.

“Where are you going?” He asks but Dustin doesn’t stop. “Hey, hey, hey.”

Dustin stops, turning around with an unimpressed look.

“Eddie’s still a wanted man.” Steve stresses, “We can’t just go for a hike in the woods.”

“This little steel capsule might be the key to saving both the Mayfields and Eddie.” Dustin holds his compass proudly. “What say you, Eddie the Banished?”

“I say you’re asking me to follow you into Mordor,” Eddie replies, thinking it through, “Which, if I’m totally straight with you, I think is a really bad idea. But, uh, the Shire...”

Eddie glances at you with an expression you can’t quite read as he fiddles with the ring on his right hand.

“The Shire is burning.”

Eddie stares down at the ground for a moment before meeting your eyes again. He gives a little nod, standing up and taking a breath.

“So Mordor it is.”

Chapter 10: In The Deep ->

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