#Robin walks past and Steve gets a confused look like SOMETHING is off but he doesn't know what

[ghosttotheparty]

something like bones and glass

warnings: homophobia; religious homophobia; f slur (several times); brief mention of pedophilia; past child abuse and neglect; violence/fighting; blood; rough sex also on AO3

Steve’s parents come home. Without warning.

Usually they call a few days in advance, just to let Steve know, probably because they assume Steve has friends over, has parties that he has to clean up after, but it’s been a while since that happened. It’s still nice to know when they’ll be home, just so he can prepare himself. So he knows what day he can hole up in his room or escape to Robin’s or Nancy’s.

But he hears their car pull into the driveway as he’s kissing Eddie against the wall by his bed, as Steve is pushing his hands under Eddie’s shirt to press into his skin, as Eddie is pulling his hair, and they both pull away at the same time to blink at each other in confusion.

“Nancy?” Eddie questions, still gripping Steve’s hair, and Steve shrugs.

“She didn’t say she was coming over.” He pecks Eddie quickly before letting go and going to the window. Eddie leans against the wall, watching him smooth his shirt down before he freezes, his eyes widening. “Shit— It’s my parents.”

Eddie’s stomach drops.

“What?”

He crosses the room, joining Steve at the window to see Cathrine and Walter Harrington, pulling suitcases out their car, talking across the roof of it.

“Fuck,” Eddie says, stepping away from the window in case they look up. “Uhm. I can— I can hide up here.”

“Your van in the driveway,” Steve says. His voice is almost distant, and he’s still looking out the window, his face fallen.

“You can say you borrowed it from someone,” Eddie suggests desperately. “Or— Or I can say I’m doing maintenance work? I know about, like, electrical work, we can say your A/C wasn’t working, or—“

“Eddie.”

“Or I— I know about cars, I can say I was working on your car and you invited me in for— for water or something, and—“

“Eddie.”

“And I mentioned music so you’re showing me your tapes, or, like—“

“Eddie.”

Eddie shuts up, staring at Steve with wide eyes, his heart pounding. The front door opens. Steve takes a shaky breath, his gaze unwavering from Eddie’s as something clatters downstairs.

“It’s fine,” Steve says quietly, firmly. “It’s…”

“Steve,” Eddie says softly.

“It’s fine.” Steve shakes his head. They can hear his parents’ voices downstairs, muffled by walls and doors and distance. “We… We’re friends. Right?”

Eddie exhales and nods.

“Come meet my parents,” Steve says with a little eyebrow quirk, and Eddie scoffs. Steve’s smile is fake. Eddie can tell.

“They’re gonna hate me,” he says quietly.

“I don’t care,” Steve says, his voice sharper, and Eddie’s eyes linger on the way his jaw is set, the way it clenches as he looks at Eddie intently. “I don’t— I don’t care what they think. You’re mine.”

Eddie stares at him, his eyes flickering to Steve’s lips.

“Fuck. Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay. Following your lead,” he says softly, and Steve smiles weakly, tugging him in by a necklace for a lingering kiss.

“Hey,” Eddie says as Steve is moving toward the door, and Steve pauses, his hand on the doorknob. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Steve says earnestly.

Eddie follows Steve out the door, hesitating to rip off his battle jacket and throw it back into Steve’s room. He smooths his shirt down and rolls his eyes when he realises what he’s wearing (Judas Priest; there’s a hand holding a giant razor blade, and he wonders why he didn’t just wear a plain black shirt). The chains hanging from his ripped jeans rattle as he walks down the hall and down the stairs, and he tucks his necklaces under his shirt anxiously before he smooths his hair back. Steve pauses at the bottom of the stairs and looks up at him.

“What are you doing?” he asks quietly, glancing at his chest, at the absence of necklaces.

“Trying to look presentable,” Eddie whispers. Steve stares at him, smiling softly.

“You’re adorable.”

“Shut up.”

Cathrine and Walter’s voices get louder as they head into the living room, where they’re both standing with their suitcases. Eddie lingers by the door, pushing his hands into his pockets in tight fists.

“Hi,” Steve says like he’s asking. Eddie watches his shoulders tighten like he’s bracing himself.

Catherine’s hair barely moves even though she whips her head around to look at Steve. It’s tall and curly and fluffy looking but stiff with hairspray, and she’s wearing a grey pantsuit, her shoulders boxy, and her heels wobble on the carpet of the living room. Walter is also in a suit, his tie loosened, his hands in his pockets.

Eddie takes a deep breath, repressing the simmering anger in his chest as he looks at them, trying hard to keep a neutral, friendly expression.

Steve’s told him about them. About how they left him at home starting when he was nine, and how he was left with nannies and teenage babysitters before that. How they’d lose their shit if he spilled juice on the kitchen floor, if he stained or tore a shirt. How he raised his voice when he was eleven and saw the back of his father’s hand and then the floor, and the gold band around his finger haunted Steve’s dreams.

How his mother constantly, shamelessly, told him it was his fault she wasn’t young and beautiful anymore. That he was the reason his father wasn’t loving and caring, as though Steve ever has any say in his own existence.

“Whose van is in the driveway?” Walter asks sharply, sans greeting even though it’s been a few months since he’s seen Steve.

“Uhm.” Steve turns slightly toward Eddie, who steps further into the room, raising a hand and suddenly wishing his nails weren’t painted.

“That— That’s mine,” Eddie says lightly, putting on a smile.

Catherine’s eyes widen, and Walter stares, facing Eddie. The room is silent except the quiet ticking of the clock on the mantle.

“Steven,” Walter says in a careful, measured voice, his eyes trained on Eddie. “Why is there a killer in my living room?”

Eddie’s stomach drops further, his cheeks flaming, and he shoves his hand back in his pocket as Steve says sharply, “He’s not a killer.”

“Steven—“

“He’s not,” Steve snaps, and Eddie looks at him. “Those charges were proven wrong, and dropped, and Eddie’s one of my best friends.”

Eddie stares at Steve, at the firm set of his jaw like he’s just daring his father to argue.

The room is silent again, tense and awkward.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

“Walter,” Catherine says quietly, breaking the silence, placing a gentle hand on Walter’s shoulder as he and Steve stare each other down. “Let’s be polite to… Steven’s guest.”

Eddie blinks at her, trying ignore the pressure behind his eyes that always comes when he remembers that people actually believe that he’s a murderer. His hands are shaking.

“Your name is Eddie, right?” she says, sickly sweet and so kind it makes Eddie feel nauseous. It reminds him of the way kids in school used to feign interest in D&D, used to ask questions and prompt him to tell them excitedly about it just to make faces at their friends while he talked. Just to complain about how weird he is.

“Yes, ma’am,” Eddie says tightly.

“Would you like to stay for dinner, Eddie?” she says like she’s speaking to a child.

Eddie looks at Steve.

Who’s staring back, his gaze intense, his expression firm, and he nods slightly when Eddie silently asks him.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says again. “I’d like that. Thank you.”

She and Walter leave to take their luggage upstairs, and Steve tugs Eddie’s shirt, pulling him into a secluded corner in the living room, and their eyes lock. Steve looks like he wants to cry, and Eddie can hear the way his breath is trembling, and Steve’s lips are pursed to keep them from quivering.

“‘S okay,” Eddie says softly.

“I’m so sorry,” Steve says weakly, still clutching at Eddie’s shirt.

“No, stop,” Eddie tells him gently, moving closer. “It’s not your fault, Stevie.”

Steve inhales sharply, pressing his lips together.

“They are assholes,” Eddie says softly, reaching up to touch Steve’s cheek. “And that’s not your fault, you got it?”

Steve nods, swallowing.

“Yes.”

“Come here.”

He pulls Steve into a tight hug, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“You’re doing so good, baby,” he murmurs as Steve’s arms wrap around him tightly. “And after dinner we can say my van broke down and you can take me home.” He pulls away to look into Steve’s eyes. “And you can stick with Wayne and me for a while. How’s that sound?”

Steve nods, his mouth twisting, and Eddie’s heart aches because Steve is trying not to cry.

“I love you so much,” Eddie whispers. “‘S gonna be okay.”

“I hate them so much, Eddie,” Steve says. His voice wavers.

“I know, baby.” Eddie kisses him. “I know. But after this we’ll go home. And we can get high if you want.”

“Will you fuck me?” Steve asks in a small voice.

“Absolutely.”

“Cool.” He exhales and pulls Eddie into a kiss. “Love you.”

“Love you too, sweetheart.” Eddie kisses him again, pulling back when a door shuts upstairs, but Steve tugs him close, kissing him chastely before he carefully pulls Eddie’s necklaces out of his shirt.

“Don’t hide.”

Eddie melts a little bit.

Eddie fidgets with his necklaces while Catherine scours the fridge and freezer for a dinner to her liking, complaining about how unhealthy pizzas are and just sighing when Steve points out that he babysits children. She settles on a lasagna that she finds buried in the freezer and some lettuce. Without dressing. (Eddie thought rich people were supposed to eat better.)

Steve sits next to him at the dinner table. Eddie’s never seen plates on this table. It’s usually filled with cards or dice or maps and drawings and crayons. Steve stares sullenly at his plate, poking at his food with his fork as Eddie chats with his mom as best he can. He can still hear the ticking from the clock in the living room as they talk.

He tells her that he met Steve through Dustin, that he knew Steve at school because everyone loved him, and then he found out everyone loves him even outside of school. That the kids he babysits practically worship him. He catches Steve fighting a smile as he speaks.

The conversation dies down after a while. Under the table, Steve sets a hand on Eddie’s thigh and squeezes tightly. He’s shaking.

Eddie subtly reaches under the table and squeezes his hand, rubbing the back of it gently.

“Mr Harrington,” he says politely when they let go of each other. “Steve said you had work in, uhm, was it San Francisco?”

“That’s right,” Walter says dryly.

“I’ve never been,” Eddie says, trying desperately to keep his voice light. “How is it?”

Walter sighs, taking a bite.

“Not as nice as it used to be.”

“Oh,” Eddie says, taking the opportunity for a real conversation. “Why’s that?”

“Not as clean,” he says. Eddie hates his voice. So pompous and dry like the world bores him. “Posters and banners everywhere, all these fags walks around the streets holding hands. Disgusting.”

Eddie’s blood runs cold. In his peripheral vision he sees Steve tighten.

“Oh.” He twists his fork, seeing Steve’s hand grip the table cloth tightly. “Sounds real different from Hawkins.”

“Sure is.”

Eddie shifts so he can press his foot to Steve’s because he can’t lean over and kiss him. There’s a long stretch of silence. Eddie counts seventeen ticks of the clock before he speaks again, the silence unbearable.

“Mrs Harrington, Steve mentioned that you collect pottery.”

When he mentioned it, he said he wanted to smash all of it. Eddie doesn’t say that.

“I do,” she says brightly. “I started collecting when I was nineteen, after I married Walter—“

“Why is it disgusting?” Steve interrupts abruptly, looking across the table at his father. Catherine falls silent, staring at him. Eddie says his name softly.

“I’m sorry?” Walter says, lowering his fork.

“The fags,” Steve says coldly. “If they’re just holding hands. What’s the problem?”

Walter stares at Steve, a challenge in his eyes, but Steve keeps his ground, staring back, unblinking.

“You know why.”

“No. I don’t.” Steve lifts his chin defiantly. Eddie wants to marry him. “Tell me.”

“It’s not right.”

“Why?” Steve says, but it’s hardly a question. He almost growls. Eddie shifts in his seat.

“Men are supposed to be with women,” Walter says, his voice measured like he’s lecturing Steve. Eddie can hear the way Steve is breathing, can see his fist trembling as it grips the table cloth. Eddie kind of hopes it rips. “Homosexuals— They— They go against God’s word.”

A small part of Eddie is happy to see him get flustered.

“Right,” Steve breathes. “God’s word.” He’s nodding, his jaw tensed the way it does when he’s particularly mad. It’s hot. Eddie sets his fork down. “Because God always wants the best, right?”

Walter just stares. Catherine’s hands are in her lap.

“That’s why priests rape little boys when they go in for Sunday school, right? Because they know God’s word.” Eddie looks at him, taking a deep breath. “That’s why you married an eighteen year old when you were twenty seven.”

Eddie’s eyes widen, and he looks at Catherine, who clears her throat delicately and wipes her lips with her napkin even though there’s nothing there. Walter’s face turns red.

“God also says don’t get drunk,” Steve continues, his voice strong. “And we all know you don’t have an issue with that.”

“Steven,” Catherine says firmly, but Steve doesn’t spare her a glance. The air feels like it’s tightening, like they’re all holding their breaths.

“So what’s the problem with fags?” Steve asks, his cheeks red. “Why do you hate them so much? You’re not better than them.”

“Why are you so defensive—”

“Because I am one.”

Steve is yelling.

Steve never yells, not like this. He yells to be heard over rambunctious bickering and laughter, he yells to be heard across the trailer or the house. He doesn’t yell out of anger. But he is now.

The rooms falls silent. Eddie looks from Steve to his parents, to their wide eyes, and he slowly reaches for the knife next to his plate. He grips it in his hand, his muscles tense the way they were when he was fighting the demobats with Dustin. Ready to move at any given second, like his veins are stiff with adrenaline.

“What are you saying?” Walter says coldly, quietly.

Steve scoffs, humourless.

“I think that was pretty clear.”

“Steven—“ Catherine tries to say, but Steve interrupts.

“But you want me to be clearer? I can be clearer.” He pushes his plate away, toward his dad, and leans over in emphasis. “I like men. And I’ve known for years, and I never told you because I knew you’d try to beat it out of me, but you can’t do that anymore.”

Walter throws his fork onto his plate with a clatter, his mouth twisting, and Steve just grins.

“I can be more specific,” he says in a low voice. He leans back, moving his arm to run his fingers through Eddie’s hair more gently than Eddie thought possible at a time like this. “This is my boyfriend, Eddie,” Steve says. Eddie smiles at him. “And I love him more than life itself, and I love when he holds my hand, and when he kisses me, and—”

Walter interrupts by moving out of his seat, the chair scraping loudly on the floor, his face bright red, as though anything Steve’s said is scandalous. Steve seems to have the same thought, pulling his hand away from Eddie and standing too, his eyes following Walter as he moves away from the table.

“I can tell you more,” he says loudly, defiantly. Eddie scoots his chair back, watching raptly, just in case. “I love it when he fucks me.”

Catherine gasps, and a laugh bursts out of Eddie as he watches Walter’s face redden even more.

“And he fucks me hard,” Steve continues, ignoring his mother as she says his name weakly and begins to cry. “And I fucking love it. And I bet that pisses you off even more, doesn’t it.”

He’s breathing hard, and his whole body is trembling, and Eddie feels prouder than he’s ever felt in his life.

“That I’m the one taking it,” Steve says, quieter as Walter stares at him. “You always wanted me to be a man, but I love it when my boyfriend makes me his bitch.”

Heat pools in Eddie’s stomach. He slides his tongue across his lips, wanting to pin Steve to the wall and kiss his breath away.

“And aren’t you angry,” Steve breathes. “That you don’t have another son to fix the Harrington name.” He’s moving closer to Walter, and Eddie watches carefully. Walter’s hands are shaking, his chest rising and falling with each breath that rattles around in the quiet room. “Because you’re an only child,” Steve says thoughtfully, like it’s a new discovery. “And you only had a faggot,” he adds quietly, close enough to press two fingertips into Walter’s chest as he whispers, “Harringtons end with me.”

The air snaps.

Catherine screams when Walter’s fist hits Steve’s face, and Eddie stands from his chair, his vision red, moving quickly as Catherine cries Walter’s name. Walter is trying to hit Steve again, and Eddie grabs the back of his jacket, jerking him off and holding him back as Steve takes a breath.

His eyes are shining in a way Eddie’s never seen before, with malice and rage and twenty years of anger boiling and bubbling out of him. His cheek is already blooming red, and Eddie can see the subtle mark of Walter’s wedding band. Eddie jerks his jacket again, holding him in place.

“I’m not fourteen anymore, Dad,” Steve says evenly.

The crack of his fist on Walter’s face echoes around the room, and Eddie finally drops the jacket, but not before shoving Walter against the wall hard to disorient him. He steps away as Steve punches him again, watching.

Catherine is yelling at them to stop, her voice shrill and high, but Eddie just… watches.

He’s heard Dustin and the others tease Steve for not winning fights. Losing the fight with Jonathan Byers, the fight with Billy Hargrove. But he’s also heard them all praise Steve for beating demodogs with a baseball bat. And he’s seen Steve throw a demobat into the ground by gripping its serrated tail, seen him step on its wing and rip it right in half before flinging its body away and spitting its blood on the ground. And Eddie’s known, for as long as he’s known this Steve Harrington, that he pulls his punches.

But he isn’t tonight.

Walter’s face and Steve’s hands are painted red with blood, and the sound of them both yelling and Cathrine sobbing and the sound of bone and blood are echoing around the kitchen until Walter is dropping to the floor.

Steve is gripping the front of his blood stained shirt, hitting him and hitting him and hitting him, and Eddie startles at the sound of the front door breaking in, blinking hard and realising that the room is lit up by red and blue flashing lights, that Catherine isn’t in the room.

He steps forward to pull Steve away, his vision focused on Steve as shouts fill the room, but Steve shoves him back and Eddie gets a glimpse of his face.

His top lip is split, bleeding, and his cheek is darkly bruised, and he’s crying.

Tears mix with his blood as they slide down his cheeks, and Eddie knows it must hurt as a tear hits his lip, and even though Steve must not be able to see well, he isn’t stopping. Eddie desperately shouts his name, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him away from Walter, who falls onto the floor, weakly saying something about Steve being a bastard. Catherine is sobbing in the doorway as cops pull Walter off the ground, and Eddie holds Steve back.

Steve is sobbing too, and Eddie’s whole body hurts. He’s saying Steve’s name, trying to get him to look at Eddie, wants to prompt him to breathe in all the way, but Steve won’t look at him, his arms straining against Eddie’s grip. He’s still yelling.

The cops push Walter toward the door as one of them, Powell, moves toward Eddie. Eddie recognises him. He was there when Eddie came back, when Hopper came back. He arrested Eddie once when Eddie was fifteen, but he didn’t seem to hold a grudge was Hopper and Joyce Byers filled him on the shitshow that been going on in Hawkins for the past few years.

Powell is staring, wide-eyed, at them, his mouth hanging ajar with an unspoken question.

“He threw the first punch,” Eddie says, gesturing to Walter’s wriggling body as he’s led outside, his voice shaking.

Walter is yelling at Steve, even though he can’t see him. Calling him a bastard, and a faggot. Yelling that Steve isn’t his son.

As soon as he’s out the door, Steve’s body relaxes, and Eddie pulls him close, tugging him into a hug. He’s breathing hard, and shaking so hard that Eddie can feel it even though Steve’s fists are gripping his shirt tightly. The cop looks at them, watching, but Eddie doesn’t care. Let him see.

Eddie holds his face gently when Steve’s crying slows, and he watches the flashing police lights reflect in his glistening eyes and his tears. Eddie wipes a drop of blood from his lip, nodding when Steve’s chin quivers.

“You’re okay,” Eddie murmurs. His hands are shaking too. Steve takes a deep, trembling breath, his eyes flicking back and forth between Eddie’s.

“My ear’s ringing.”

Eddie’s eyes widen, and he reaches up to Steve’s right ear, touching it gently. There’s some blood in his hair above it, and anger flashes in Eddie’s chest. He wants to go outside and beat Walter some more, regardless of the cops, regardless of his already garbage reputation. But he doesn’t. Because Steve is clutching to his shirt, and he’s crying.

“Can you hear me still?”

Steve nods, squeezing his eyes shut tightly. Eddie pulls him into another hug, moving so his mouth is above his right ear, and he knows he’s getting blood on his face, but he doesn’t care.

“‘S gonna be okay,” he says softly. “I got you, sweetheart, you’re alright.”

Eddie closes his eyes, and they sway, and they can still hear the distant, unintelligible shouting of Walter outside. Powell waits next to them patiently until they part slowly. Steve is sniffling, and Eddie wipes his face, under his eyes, under his nose, wipes away the blood on his lip.

“Steve,” Powell says gently. “You gotta tell me what happened.”

Steve takes another deep breath, swallowing thickly before he looks at Powell, setting his shoulders and jaw again.

“I’m queer,” he says firmly. Powell doesn’t react, just looks at him. “I told him.”

“He hit you first?” Powell asks, reiterating what Eddie said earlier. Steve nods.

“I…” He hesitates, reaches down to take Eddie’s hand, and Eddie laces their fingers, squeezes tightly. “I provoked him. Taunted him.”

Powell pauses, looking out the window to see the cars outside, and he slides his tongue over his teeth, seething.

“Wait here a minute.”

Eddie nods, and Steve leans against him as Powell leaves. Eddie wraps his arms around Steve tightly, pulling him close.

“God, you did so good, Stevie,” he murmurs in his good ear. “‘M so proud of you, baby.”

“Eddie,” Steve says weakly. His voice is rough. Eddie kisses his forehead gently.

“I know, baby,” he says just loud enough that Steve can hear him. “But it’s done, okay?” he says. He looks into Steve’s eyes. “You’re done with him.”

Steve exhales, closing his eyes.

Eddie shifts, pulling to guide him to the table, but Steve tugs at his shirt, opening his eyes and leaving a hard, lingering kiss on Eddie’s lips. Eddie closes his eyes, holding Steve until he pulls away, and when Steve looks at him blearily, he lets out a soft laugh that seems out of place.

“I got blood on you,” he says quietly. Eddie scoffs.

“I’ve had worse bodily fluids of yours on me.”

“Gross,” Steve says, grinning, and he winces when it stretches his lip. There’s blood in his teeth.

“C’mere,” Eddie says, pulling him over and pushing him to lean against the table between Eddie’s and Catherine’s plates before he goes to get a paper towel. Steve snatches it from his hand as he stands between his legs, and Eddie lets out a small indignant noise, but Steve shushes him, reaching up to clean blood off his lip. Eddie waits, holding Steve’s hips.

“Love you so much,” Eddie murmurs.

“Love you too.”

“Is your ear still ringing?”

Steve shakes his head before he pauses, tilting his head and closing his eyes as his brows furrow. Eddie takes the paper towel.

“Little bit. Not as bad. I think it’s fine.”

Eddie gently, tenderly wiping blood off Steve’s lips before he presses it to the split, watching Steve wince slightly. He can feel Steve’s heartbeat against his fingertip. It’s still fast.

“Deep breath,” Eddie says softly. Steve closes his eyes, inhaling deeply. “I got you, baby.”

Steve’s hand finds his waist, holding him tightly as he exhales.

Eddie leans in and kisses his forehead softly, feeling Steve fall forward against him. He pushes his fingers through Steve’s hair, kissing across his forehead, kissing his temple, tilting his head to kiss Steve’s ear tenderly. He whispers to him quietly.

When Powell comes back in, Eddie has to nudge Steve’s cheek gently to make him open his eyes, and Steve turns his face slightly. Eddie pulls away the paper towel. His lip doesn’t seem to be bleeding anymore.

“He’s being held overnight,” Powell says, pushing a notebook into his pocket. “Paying bail, should be released around noon tomorrow.”

Steve nods.

“Your mother’s going with him,” Powell continues gently, like he can see the anguish it causes in Steve’s eyes. “She’s staying at a friend’s tonight.”

“Okay.”

Powell hesitates, looking from Steve to Eddie.

“You have a place to stay?” he asks. Eddie guesses it’s unspoken knowledge that Steve can’t stay here.

“Yes.”

Eddie knows Steve knows he can stay at the trailer for as long as he has to. And Claudia Henderson’s offered her guest room, as well as Joyce and Hopper. Robin’s offered her bedroom floor. Nancy’s offered her basement.

“And you?” Powell asks, looking at Eddie. Eddie starts for a moment, blinking at him blankly before he nods.

“Uh, yeah.”

“Okay.”

Powell hesitates for a moment longer before he looks at Steve, his eyes shining earnestly.

“He shows up again,” he says carefully. “At your work, or wherever you stay, if he threatens you… Or tries anything.” He points at Steve, so serious the air feels tense again. “You come to the station. You tell me, and if I’m not there you tell Flo, and she’ll find me, okay?”

Steve nods, staring at him, biting his lip.

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Okay,” Steve says quietly.

“And if you need another place to stay,” Powell adds. “Let me know. My wife and I have a spare bedroom.”

Steve smiles weakly.

“Okay.”

“You too,” Powell says to Eddie. “Got it?”

“Yes, sir,” Eddie says, smiling softly.

Powell claps Steve on his back gently.

“You’re a good kid, Steve.”

Steve pulls Eddie closer when he leaves, and Eddie moves between his legs again, touching his hair gently. The blood above his ear is dry.

They stand in silence as they listen to the cars leave the driveway. Three cars. After a moment the red and blue lights are gone, and Eddie exhales.

Eddie gazes at the bruise on his cheek. His lip is a little swollen, crusted with dry blood. After a moment, Steve leans forward, resting his head on Eddie’s sternum, and Eddie runs a hand over his hair gently.

“What do you need?” Eddie asks quietly. “You wanna shower? Go to bed?”

Steve lifts his head and looks up at him.

“I need you to fuck me.”

Eddie stares at him, looks back and forth between his eyes, watching them shine earnestly, and he stands up straight, tossing away the paper towel.

“Turn around.”

Steve grins and stands up, turning around to face the table, already tugging his shirt off and tossing it across the room. Eddie steps up behind him, tugging Steve’s hair to make him tilt his head before he presses kisses along the side of his neck.

Steve hums breathlessly when Eddie pushes him so the fronts of his legs press to the table, and Eddie reaches around him to unbutton and unzip his jeans.

“Colour?” he asks roughly, pausing as he grips the waistband of the jeans, and Steve whines, his head falling back to Eddie’s shoulder.

“Green, baby, please.”

Eddie grins, shoving Steve’s jeans and boxers down his legs and pushing at his back so he bends over the table.

“Spread ‘em,” he says, kicking at Steve’s foot, and Steve spreads his legs, groaning softly and turning his head so his cheek presses to the table. “Pretty boy.”

“Eddie,” Steve says weakly. “I love you.”

“I love you too, baby,” Eddie murmurs. He leans over and kisses his back, down his spine. “So fucking much.”

He kneels on the ground behind him, running his hands over Steve’s ass and his thighs, squeezing and kneading before he leans in to bite at him for a moment before he licks across his hole, holding him tightly.

Steve whines loudly, pushing his ass back toward Eddie, who snickers quietly before eating him out in earnest, licking and sucking and nibbling as he listens to the sweet sounds Steve makes above him.

Steve is groaning and whimpering and whining, and Eddie has to pull away to laugh when a plate falls from the table and shatters on the ground.

“Fuck, sorry,” Steve says, laughing, and Eddie stands to find him gripping the table cloth tightly.

“‘S okay,” Eddie says, breathing hard, tugging Steve’s hair so he stands up again, and Steve releases the table cloth. Eddie wraps his arms around him, kissing his neck. There’s some blood on the table cloth, and Steve is drooling, and Eddie smiles. “Love it when you get all wild. My perfect boy.” He lifts a hand, presses two fingers to Steve’s lips, and Steve whimpers, opening his mouth.

Eddie bites his neck as Steve’s tongue swirls around his fingers, pressing desperate kisses around the back of his neck until he reaches his right ear.

“You have any idea how amazing I think you are?” Eddie asks softly. Steve moans, his head falling back as Eddie pushes his fingers deeper into his mouth, pressing into the pooling spit under his tongue. “Love of my fuckin’ life.”

Steve reaches up and pushes his fingers into Eddie’s hair as soft noises escape his throat.

“You feel good, sweetheart?” Eddie asks. Steve moans quietly, nodding. “You wanna feel better?”

Steve smiles around his fingers, giggling softly, and he tugs Eddie’s hair as he nods.

Eddie pulls his hand away from Steve’s mouth and takes a moment to look at Steve’s spit dripping over his fingers before he reaches down to press a finger inside him.

“Fuck,” Steve groans loudly. Eddie beams.

“Yeah?”

“Fuck, Eddie, I need— Gimme more, baby, please—”

“I’ll take care of you, Stevie,” Eddie murmurs into his ear. “I got you.”

“Feel so good, Eddie.”

Eddie smiles again, biting at his neck, fingering him open as he whispers to him. Tells him how pretty is. He gets three fingers in before Steve finally whines, tugging sharply at his hair.

“Eddie,” he gasps. “Please, please, I—”

“Bend over.”

Steve grins again, leaning to lay on the table again, resting his head so his right ear is up.

Eddie kisses his back before he steps back, unbuckling his belt as he moves to the the counter, noisily opening and shutting cabinets until he finds what he’s looking for.

Steve whines Eddie’s name, looking up at him, and Eddie pulls his belt from the loops of his jeans, shaking the bottle of olive oil at him with raised eyebrows. Steve snorts loudly and lets out a childish, juvenile laugh, grinning and hiding his face in his arms.

Eddie’s always hated this olive oil. It’s Catherine’s, expensive and fancy and ordered from Italy, always hidden away in her special occasions only cabinet. But Eddie thinks this counts as a special occasion, because the man of his dreams is bent over the dining table and Eddie doesn’t want to go all the way upstairs for lube.

Steve’s fists grip the tablecloth when Eddie pushes in, the same way he clutches at the sheets when they’re in bed. The cloth comes up, and a glass falls the floor, shattering, and Eddie laughs again, setting the olive oil down.

“You’re makin’ a mess, baby.”

Steve just lets out a long groan.

Eddie gazes down at him, at the scars that cover his back and backs of his arms, at the mess of his hair. He slides a hand over his back, smearing oil over his skin.

“How do you want it?” he asks breathlessly.

“Hard.”

“Got it. Hold on.”

Steve giggles, gripping the tablecloth, and he lets out a sharp gasp as Eddie snaps his hips into him.

Eddie loves when Steve gets like this. All loose and relaxed, going with every movement Eddie makes. Unfiltered and loud, groaning and whining and almost screaming when Eddie really gets going, his hand to the small of his back. He’s always like this, even when Eddie fucks him softly and kindly like the first time they had sex (or made love, as Eddie put it dramatically once they’d finished. Steve shoved him away and then promptly pulled him closer to tuck his face into his neck.), tangled in blankets in the back of Eddie’s van, breathing into each other’s mouths, whispering and giggling.

Another plate falls from the table.

Eddie is grinning down at him, watching, listening as he swears and moans.

“Eddie,” Steve wails. Tears are sliding down his face, staining the tablecloth.

“Yeah, baby,” Eddie says roughly, his hands gripping Steve’s hips tightly. “What do you need?”

“Fuck, spit on me,” Steve whimpers. “Make me yours, Eddie, please.”

Eddie exhales, running a hand down his spine tenderly. (That night in the van, Eddie also learned, to his delight, that Steve is even kinkier than he is. It’s fun.)

“You are mine,” he says gently. “Always.”

He fucks into him three more times as he gathers spit in his mouth, and then he pauses, letting it drip over Steve’s back. Steve lets out a soft yes, almost hissing it, and Eddie smiles down at him, rubbing the spit into his skin as he moves again.

“Eddie, right there—”

“I got you, baby, I know.”

“Eddie, please, Eddie, EddieEddieEddie—”

He presses his hand against Steve’s back hard, fucking him harder, faster, until Steve is sobbing, until the two remaining plates and the bottle of olive oil fall to the ground and shatter to pieces. Eddie laughs again.

Steve comes on the table cloth. Eddie lifts him up to wrap his arms around him when they finish, and Steve’s head falls back against Eddie’s shoulder. Eddie doesn’t pull out, just holds Steve close and pulls his necklaces around to hang backwards so they aren’t pressing into Steve’s bare skin.

“You okay?” he asks softly after pressing a soft kiss to his earlobe. Steve exhales.

“Holy fuck.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Steve breathes. He presses his hand over Eddie’s forearm, slides it down to lace their fingers.

“Look at that, baby,” Eddie says softly, nudging him so look at the table. Steve’s eyes flutter open, finding it. A mostly empty glass, rolling on its side in spilled water, the pale blue tablecloth uneven and folded and stained with blood and oil and come. “That’s all you.”

Steve exhales, resting his head on Eddie’s shoulder.

“I’d say you helped.”

Eddie snickers into the side of Steve’s neck, his arms tightening, and Steve moans softly.

“Smartass.”

“You love me.”

“I do.”

Steve sighs. Eddie can feels his pulse on his lips. It’s slower.

“What now?” he asks quietly.

“Shower,” Steve says, squeezing his hand. “And pack.”

Eddie hums and kisses his neck tenderly.

“And then we’ll go home,” he murmurs.

Steve smiles.

“Then we’ll go home.”

They shower slowly, carefully washing each other’s hair and bodies, washing away blood and sweat and come in the hot, running water. Steve’s shampoo smells warm, like cinnamon and other spices Eddie’s never been able to afford to keep in his cabinets. (Nutmeg? Allspice? Eddie doesn’t even know what he would use them for.) After they dry off and dress, Eddie stuffs the shampoo, along with his conditioner and body soap, into a plastic bag to take with them. Steve adds two cans of Farah Fawcett hairspray.

Eddie helps him sort through his clothes, pick what to take and what to leave behind. He finds one of his own sweaters in Steve’s closet as Steve is stuffing a bag with underwear and socks, and he giggles to himself before throwing it at Steve. Steve’s cheeks flush pink, and he wordlessly stuffs it into the bag.

Steve packs most of his shirts, except a few he says his mother picked out, and most of his jeans. Eddie gets a garbage bag for the clothes Steve doesn’t want anymore, and he laughs as makes his way through the kitchen, looking at the mess he and Steve made and next behind. They aren’t going to clean it up. Just because.

Steve’s room is pathetically empty by the time they finish packing. It was already pathetically empty before, if Eddie’s honest. No framed pictures, no keepsakes. No stuffed animals or childhood toys. Steve’s bags, a duffel bag and a backpack, are both stuffed with clothes and soap, with a bottle of cologne and a copy of the Hobbit that he tried to hide from Eddie.

Eddie finds it, of course. And looks up at Steve with a beaming grin, even as Steve rubs the back of his neck, blushing bright red.

“You love it so much, I just…”

Eddie crosses the room and wraps his arms around his neck, swaying like they’re dancing.

“Do you like it?”

“I’m trying to.”

“You don’t have to like it,” Eddie says, grinning. Steve wraps his arms around Eddie’s waist, pulling him close. “It’s fine if you don’t.”

“I know,” Steve says shyly, swaying with him again. “Think I’m just a slow reader.”

“‘S okay, baby,” Eddie says softly. “You don’t have a due date or anything.”

“Thank God.”

They go to bed in the Harrington house for the last time.

Eddie wakes up to Steve’s lips pressing down his neck, and he smiles at the ceiling without opening his eyes, tilting his head back to give him room. He hums softly.

“Whassa time?” Eddie mumbles weakly, reaching blindly to find Steve’s hair.

“Six twenty-seven,” Steve says before he licks a slow line up his neck. Eddie groans.

“Forgot I’m in love with a morning person.”

“‘S sweet,” Steve says lightly. “Just relax, baby.”

Eddie sighs, tugging at his hair again, but his hand falls when Steve moves, tossing the blanket up so he can duck under it. Eddie shivers at the gust of cold morning air that hits his body, and then he shivers again as Steve tugs at the waistband of his boxers.

“I’ll make you coffee,” Eddie says breathlessly when Steve comes back up from under the blanket, cracking his eyes open to find Steve grinning brightly at him. His split lip doesn’t bleed even as he smile. The bruise on his face is colourful, reddish purple and blue, and somehow achingly beautiful even as it makes Eddie’s chest hurt like he’s been shot.

“I’d like that,” Steve says softly.

They get out of bed slowly, lazily, and Eddie tugs on one of Steve’s hoodies as he yawns.

Steve always looks beautiful in the morning light. Even in gray mornings like this, he seems to glow brighter than the sun.

Steve goes to the bathroom while Eddie goes down to make the coffee. He finds Steve’s favourite mug in a cabinet, the cute blue one, and he leans against the counter as he waits on the coffee, looking at the dining table and smiling to himself.

He’s shaken out of his thoughts by a car pulling into the driveway.

He blinks, tilting his head to listen like he can’t tell where it’s coming from, and he turns around, leaning to look out the window to see Catherine.

Anger flares in his chest, and he’s swinging the front door open before she’s even out of the car, careless to the fact that he’s in his boxers.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he asks sharply as she approaches the door. Her eyes skim over him, her hands folded in front of her. Her hair isn’t as nice as it was yesterday, and Eddie can see traces of her makeup that ran down her cheeks last night.

“It’s my house,” she says primly.

“Well we’re not gone yet,” Eddie snaps. “Come back in a few hours.”

She takes a breath, opening her mouth to speak, but Steve’s voice interrupts her.

“Eddie?” Eddie turns sharply, looking to see Steve coming down the stairs, and Steve’s face hardens when he sees his mother on the front step. “Oh.”

“We don’t have to deal with this, baby,” Eddie says quickly. “Just get your stuff, we can go.”

Steve pauses, staring at Catherine coldly, his mouth twisting thoughtfully before he says, “No. Let’s have coffee,” in a voice that’s far too calm, too light.

He continues down the stairs and turns wordlessly into the kitchen, and Catherine steps past Eddie.

Eddie shuts the door, his stomach knotting, and he follows them to the kitchen. Steve is sipping from the mug, leaning against the counter, and Eddie joins him, watching with a suppressed smile as Catherine looks at the table.

“What do you want?” Steve asks coldly.

“What happened to the table?”

“Eddie fucked me on it. What do you want?”

Catherine’s face turns red, and she looks away from the table, clearing her throat delicately.

“I wanted to talk.”

“So talk,” Steve says dryly, sipping the coffee. He’s still staring at her, almost seething.

Catherine hesitates, taking a breath and looking at the floor, eyeing the broken bottle of olive oil, but she doesn’t say anything about it.

“I know,” she says slowly. “That what happened last night is not… reversible.”

She looks up at Steve.

“But you are still our son,” she says kindly, and Eddie scoffs. “And I want you to know that you still have a home here.”

“No.”

She blinks.

“No?”

Steve inhales deeply, biting his lip, and he carefully holds the mug out to Eddie, who takes it as Steve crosses his arms.

“I have never had a home here,” Steve says calmly, “Mom.”

“Steven,” she says softly. Like it hurts.

He shakes his head, pressing his lips together.

“I’ve never felt…” He pauses, swallowing. “I’ve never felt safe here. Or— Or loved. I’ve never felt fucking— at home here. This has always been just— just a sad empty… lonely house for the sad empty lonely little boy.”

Eddie looks at the floor, biting his lip as he focusses on the heat of the mug in his hands.

“I know you don’t mean that, darling,” Catherine says softly.

“You don’t know anything about me,” Steve says coldly.

“Steven, of course I do—”

“No, you don’t,” Steve shouts. Eddie flinches, and he turns to set the mug on the counter. “No, you don’t,” Steve repeats, breathing hard. “You don’t know shit about me. You know my name because you picked it, but you don’t know who I am.”

“Steven—“

“You left me,” Steve interrupts, his voice shaking. “You— You left me. Here. With— With teenagers, while you went off on holidays and fucking business trips, you left me here, while I was trying to grow up, and then I had to figure out to be a grown up, all by myself because you weren’t here.”

His lip is quivering, and he steadies it between his teeth.

“You don’t know me,” he says again, quietly.

“Steven, you’re my son,” she says softly.

“I’m half deaf.”

She blinks.

“What?”

“One of my ears,” Steve says slowly, “has no hearing.” He stands up straight, off the counter, and gestures to his ears with a hand. “Can you tell which ear it is?”

She stares, wide-eyed.

“Steven—“

“Can you tell me,” he says shakily, “when my hearing started going?”

Silence.

“Because I can tell you,” Steve whispers. “The fucking day.”

He moves closer, his breathing unsteady.

“July sixteenth,” he says quietly. “Nineteen eighty.”

Eddie grips the counter, biting his lip as he watches. Catherine’s are welling with tears, but Steve doesn’t seem to even notice.

“When your husband gave me a concussion,” he continues, whispering. “And I looked up to see you leave the room, and shut the door behind yourself.”

Eddie’s eyes jump to Catherine, his vision red. Her lip is quivering. Eddie doesn’t care.

“I have had four concussions in my life,” Steve says, holding up four fingers before he lowers two of them. “Two of them… were from your husband. And both times, you left.”

“Steven,” she says weakly, but Steve snaps.

“You left,” he shouts. Catherine flinches. Eddie doesn’t. “You picked him,” he says, pointing toward the door. “Twenty fucking years, and you picked him, again, and again, and again.” He chokes, and his voice breaks. “My whole life,” he says weakly. “You picked a man, who never loved you, over your son.”

Eddie’s eyes burn, and he looks at the ground, swallowing thickly.

“And last night you picked him again,” Steve says.

Catherine stares at him. A tear slides down her cheek.

“So no,” Steve says after taking a breath. “You don’t know me, and you don’t get to. This is all you get.”

He stares her down for a moment, and Eddie blinks his tears back, watching proudly.

“Fuck you,” Steve says softly. “And fuck him, and fuck this house. I’m fucking done.”

“Steven, please,” she begs quietly. “You don’t have to come here, or— or see him, but I still want to be… a part of your life, darling, I—”

“You’re not better than him,” Steve yells, crying. “You let him, you let him do everything he did to me.” He’s panting, and Eddie’s chest tightens. He stands up straight. “You made me hate myself before I was old enough to understand why you hate me.”

“I don’t hate you, darling—”

“Well you don’t fucking love me either,” Steve yells. He stops short, blinking like he’s realises it just as he says it, and Eddie wants to pull him into a hug, but he also wants to find Nancy’s gun and shoot both his parents for ever making Steve feel like this. “Even if you think you do,” he says softly. “Whatever kind of love you think you have for me. I don’t want it.”

He stares for a moment longer before wiping his face hard and shaking his head.

And he leaves.

Eddie holds his breath, listening as Steve storms up the stairs, listening as Catherine cries quietly, a hand pressed over her mouth. Steve comes back down after a few moments with his bags, and he pauses in the doorway, looking at Eddie, who looks up.

“Go to the van, I’ll be there in a minute, babe.”

Steve looks at him for a moment before he steps close and tugs him by his shirt into a kiss, sliding his tongue into Eddie mouth and holding him close desperately. Eddie pushes his fingers into Steve’s hair, closing his eyes and exhaling, tasting the coffee on Steve’s breath.

They’re both breathless when they part, and Steve looks into Eddie’s eyes. Eddie nods, touching his cheek.

Steve goes outside.

The door shuts behind him, and Eddie hears the van door open and shut. And then he just hears Catherine’s soft breaths. And the ticking of the clock in the living room.

He leans against the counter, looking at the floor, hesitating before he looks up at her.

“He is… the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Eddie says slowly, softly, his voice almost echoing in the kitchen. “He is the bravest, kindest, strongest, most— most selfless person I have ever known.”

She’s still crying. But she’s looking at him, listening.

“And you…” He pauses, taking a deep breath, his hands shaking, his lip quivering. “And you fucked… every chance you got to have him in your life. Twenty years. You got twenty years of chances, and you fucked them all up.”

He stares for a moment.

“I can tell,” he says softly, “that there’s… a small part of you… that cares about him. Somewhere in there. So to that… small part.” He steps forward, his eyes burning. “I swear, I will… love him, and care for him, and look after him, and do everything I fucking can to make sure he feels as loved and protected as he is.”

He points a trembling finger at her.

“Because that is a privilege that I have.” He’s breathing hard, his eyes burning, his heart pounding in his chest. “And I will do everything in my power to not lose that privilege.”

He hesitates a moment longer, watching her cry before he turns around and picks up the mug and dumps the coffee in the sink. He rinses the mug quickly and shuts off the water harder than he needs to.

And he leaves. Without giving her a second glance.

He hands Steve the mug as he slides into the driver seat, and Steve laughs wetly, taking it.

“Thank you,” he says softly.

Eddie looks over at him, biting his lip. His face is tear-streaked, his lashes clumped, his cheeks and nose rosy red.

Broken and slowly pieced back together.

His eyes are gleaming, and he looks so awfully exhausted that Eddie wants to tell him to get in the back of the van to take a nap, but he also looks so relieved that Eddie just pulls him into a kiss.

“I love you,” he whispers, pressing their foreheads together. “With all my fuckin’ heart and soul, baby.”

“I love you too,” Steve whispers back.

Eddie kisses him again, sucking on his lower lip for a moment and holding his chin gently, and he pauses when they part, taking a soft breath.

“You’re not wearing any pants,” Steve says, laughing tearfully again, and Eddie scoffs, blinking tears back as he pulls out of the driveway.

“Who gives a shit?”

Steve giggles, clutching the mug to his chest.

“Let’s go home.”

“Okay.”

[kyber-kisses]

Oblivious

Steve Harrington x Bestfriend!Reader

Summary: Steve finally realizes he’s fallen for his best friend. . . With a little of Dustins help

Warnings: none

A/N: this was just a little blurb I came up with when listening to Springsteen by Eric Church, I hope y’all enjoy!

“I swear dude, I’ve never seen someone pitch a ball so fast. I’m surprised it didn’t catch fire or some shit.” Steve explained, talking around the mouthful of food he still had.

“Yeah Steve, I know. You’ve told me the story several times already.” Dustin sighed, sliding down further in his seat in the food court of the mall.

“So what? It’s a good story!”

Playing with the straw from his Orange Julius, Henderson gave Steve somewhat of a tired glare. “Do you have any stories that don’t revolve around Y/N? I’ve been gone a month dude, there has to be something.”

Steve opened his mouth to respond, the gears in his head turning as he tried to remember everything that had happened over the past month. . . But each interesting story always had you involved in some aspect.

Watching as his friend opened and closed his mouth clearly trying to think, Dustin let out a groan, his head falling back as he did.

“What am I supposed to say?!” Throwing his arms intro he air, Steve leaned back in his own seat, “I’m sorry that I have a lot of fun hanging out with my best friend?”

At that, Dustin let out an amused laugh, earning a confused look from Steve.

“What’s so funny?”

“You are such an idiot.”

“Ok first of all, rude. No I am not.” Bracing his elbows on the small table, he jabbed his finger at Dustin, “and two, what the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about the fact that you are so clearly in love with Y/N!”

“Woah, hey! No I am not!” Jabbing his finger yet again in Dustins direction, Steve stood from his seat. He had to get back to work or Robin was going to beat his ass.

“Just hear me out!” Rushing to follow Steve back across the food court, Dustin slings his backpack back over his shoulders.

“No!”

“Yes!”

Steve had to stop himself from stopping into the shop as he made his way back behind the ice cream counter. “Henderson, I said shut it!”

“Not until you admit the truth!”

To this day, Steve still had no clue how he hadn’t strangled this kid by now. With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair, “I’m not in love with Y/N, Dustin.”

“Guess again. So you want me to list off the reasons for you?”

“No, please don’t—“

“One,” Dustin starts, holding up his pointer finger, clearly showing he’s about to start listing reasons. “You are always talking about her.”

“So, that doesn’t me-“

“Not finished. You are constantly gushing over how amazing and cool she is. It’s like never ending. Two! People constantly think that to two of you are dating!”

“Wait, Wh-“

“Three! You are always the happiest when she’s around and you are constantly trying to make her laugh and smile and when she does you literally light up!”

“No I don-“

“I’ve literally seen your cheeks turn pink!” Dustin jabbed a finger in his direction, nearly knocking a jar off the counter. “Don’t lie!”

“Jesus dude, keep it down-“ Steve rushed, seeing that several people had turned to look at them.

“Four,” Lowering his voice, Dustin leans over the counter top. “Whenever she compliments you, you forget how to act for like a solid minute. I’ve witnessed it. And five—“ he leans in even closer, a new glint in his eyes. “You’ve thought about kissing her.”

“How the hell could you have possibly—“ Steves eyes widening in shock as he looked at the kid across from him.

“Ah-ha! I was right!” Dustin jumped, pointing yet again at Steve, “I was honestly just guessing but you just proved my point!”

Stepping back from the counter, Steve let’s his body fall back against the back wall of the ice cream shop. As he took a deep breath he let his mind walk backwards and go through all the times he had hung out with you in the past few months and how they felt different from all the years before. He hadn’t missed a single one of your softball games this summer, and he always brought you food afterwords as a small gift. He had found himself watching you more and more even if it was you doing the most mundane of things like tying your shoes. . . And now that Dustin had said it- he does remember several times where he randomly caught himself thinking about what your lips would feel like against his own.

“Holy shit.”

“Told you.”

“Holy shit!” He repeated, standing up straight once again, eyes now wide. “I gotta go!”

His body was moving before his brain was and all of a sudden he was vaulting over the cash register and running across the parlor. It wasn’t until he had reached the entrance that he suddenly stopped, shoulders dropping before awkwardly backtracking to Dustin and ignoring all the stares of the people around him.

“Ok, ok but just one little problem-“ he whispered, “I can’t do anything about it because there’s literally no ways he likes me like that. Like, if I told her she would look at me like I needed to be taken to the hospital and then our whole friendship would be thrown in a dumpster and set on fire.” He rushed, watching as Dustin gave him somewhat of a concerned look.

“Ok first of all, I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say any of that and two, you’re an idiot.”

“Yeah, so you’ve told me several times now.” Steve nodded in annoyance, “but why am I still an idiot.”

“Because clearly you’re too wrapped up in looking at her that you don’t notice how’s she’s looking at you.”

“I. . . Am not following.”

“Oh my god.” Pinching the bridge of his nose, Dustin sighed yet again. “Steve practically everyone sees the way she looks at you. It’s like you hung the damn star themselves. You’re always making her smile and when you crack a joke she always laughs the loudest. She clearly likes you back dude.”

“She does?”

“Yes! Now for the love of god please stop asking me questions!”

“Ok, ok-“ Steve breathed, nodding as he began back stepping the way he had ran earlier. “Uh, tell Robin I had to go run and errand.” He lied, fishing his car keys out of the pocket of his uniform before turning and rushing full speed out of the ice cream parlor, dodging people as he did.

“Go get her Tiger!”

“I’m gonna try!”

*. *. *. *. *. *. *.

When Steve finally reached his car, the sun was beginning its decent, bathing everything around him in a golden light. It’s late June and he can already hear the crickets starting up beyond the mall parking lot.

The drive to your house feels like an eternity even though it couldn’t have been more than five miles away. He can’t help but glance at the dashboard clock every few seconds.

7:30

You should be home by practice right now, and he hopes beyond anything he didn’t show up while you were having your usual family dinner. As he past street after street he kept trying to rehearse what he was going to say, but the second he pulled up to your families house, all words left his mouth.

You were standing out on your front lawn- well not standing, more like dancing as you moved your body to the music spilling at of the radio sitting on your front porch. A pair of discount shades were perched on your somewhat sunburned nose as you threw your head back and forth to the beat of the music. You were wearing a simple plain white t-shirt and a pair of cut off jeans, a pair of discarded flip flops lay a few feet away in the grass.

You seemed so carefree and happy.

Between the setting sun giving you a golden outline and the smile on your face- you were the prettiest thing he’d ever seen.

After a few seconds, his body decides to finally move, his eyes never leaving you as he slid out of his car. At the sound of him slamming the car door shut, you finally look up, pausing your yard party as you lift your sunglasses above your eyes, squinting at him as he walks across your lawn.

“Stevie? I thought you worked until 8 all week?”

“Uh yeah,” letting out a shaky breath, he runs a shaky hand through his hair, “Robin said she could finish up and let me dip out early.”

“Oh did she now?” You weren’t buying it. You knew Robin, like hell she’d be fine with closing up alone.

“Yep, crazy I know.”

“Well what are you doing here? We don’t usual hang out on Tuesday nights since I have practice and you have work.” You explained, closing more of the distance between the two do you as you let your bare feet lead you across the freshly cut grass.

“I have something to tell you.”

“Oooh?” You quirked an eyebrow, a playful tone in your voice, “are you professed your undying love for me?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“. . . What?” Your voice getting suddenly very quiet.

“I’m in love with you.” He spoke quietly, almost as if he was trying to match your own soft voice.

“Steve-“

“I am.” His eyes never left yours as he stepped closer, “and I’m not gonna deny it because one, it’s true. And two. . . Dustin might actually murder me.”

“Wait what has Dustin got to do with this?”

“He Uh,he kinda helped me realize my feelings for you.” Letting out a breath he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

“Ah gotcha.” You smiled again, amused by the information. Of course it was Dustin that had knocked the sense into him. Letting out an awkward hum Steve rocked back on his heels, hands shoved deep inside the pockets of his vest in hopes of hiding his shaking hands. He had never been nervous around you.

Ever.

“Can I tell you a secret Steve Harrington?” You suddenly whispered, stepping even closer to the point where your chests practically bumped against eachother.

“Yeah, I’m pretty good at keeping secrets I guess.” He shrugged, slightly forgetting how to breath with how close you were.

“I’m in love with you too.” And with that you closed the remaining distance between the two of you and softly kissed your best friend Steve Harrington square on the lips. Time seemed to stop as Steve felt your lips distinctly on his, and then he was pulling you closer, eyes fluttering shut.

This is Y/N He thought, this is Y/N- oh my god.

[eddies-whoreee]

Traitor (1/2)

Summary: Eddie chose Chrissy over you. You couldn’t stand see them together so you left. In those 2 years you’ve been gone, he realized you are the love of his life and he made a huge mistake.

CW: angst, mean!eddie, bitchy!Chrissy, lots of crying, happy ending (eventually). BASED IN MODERN TIMES!!

Hawkins, July 2020

“What? Eddie I thought-” you say as tears fall down your face. “Look, I’m just not in the mindset to be in a relationship its me not you, okay?” He tells you. You shake your head, “w-why? What happened, w-was it something I did?” You question, tears now pour down your face as he just stared at you, no emotion what so ever. “I just told you, I just can’t be in a relationship.” He states more harshly, rolling his eyes. “It’s her, isn’t it. It’s Chrissy” you ask. “Oh my God, Y/n, please you’re being paranoid! My mental health is all fucked up and you think im cheating!?! Wow you’re really selfish” he snaps at you. “No! That’s not what I’m saying, Eddie I do care!” You speak. He holds the bridge of his nose and let’s out a frustrated sigh. “Just-please, we’re done okay? It’s over I can’t-” he says walking away. Leaving you, heart broken, crying, and mostly confused in your driveway.

2 weeks later

You were walking to lunch with your best friend Robin, who had been comforting you the past 2 weeks. That’s when you see it, “what the fuck” you mumble stopping in your tracks. Robin looks at you confused and follows your gaze. Her face drops, tears flood your eyes and you turn around storming off. She follows after you calling out for you. You guys get into the girls bathroom when you completely break down. “He said, they were just friends! He said I was paranoid” you sob into her hug. “I know babes I’m so sorry” she says rubbing your back soothingly. “I can’t believe him, I thought- I thought he loved me” you state. “He’s an asshat that lost the baddest bitch ever, not that you are a bitch. Chrissy’s a two faced cunt anyways it won’t last long” she tries to assure you. “That’s not the point! He told me that he wasn’t ready mentally for a relationship, and then suddenly two weeks later he’s in a relationship with the same girl he told me not to worry about” you tell her. “He such a slut!” You exclaim. “Totally slut” Robin agrees.

Hawkins, August 2020

Robin sat leaned on the side of your car as you loaded one of your boxes into your trunk. “Babes are you sure this is the best decision?” She asks worriedly. “I can’t stand to see them and I need a break from the Hawkins gossip. Its toxic, plus my aunt has been begging me to come down with her forever so..” you trail off. She nods, “I’m gonna miss you, like a lot. You’re the only person who doesn’t suck in this town” she says. “Hey! Okay that hurt!” Steve exclaims loading the last box into your trunk. “Thanks Steve” you tell him. He nods. “Okay even you suck sometimes Steve, and Y/n has been my bestie since kindergarten so… it’s different” Robin explains. He rolls his eyes playfully. You sigh closing the trunk. “Well, guys I guess this is it. All packed up and ready to go” you say. Robin nods tears filling her eyes. “Don’t cry, then I’m gonna cry” you state tears already starting to form. She gives you a hug tears spilling on your shirt, you didn’t care though. “Don’t forget about me please, I couldn’t handle it” she jokes. “Hell no, you always find away to invade my thoughts” you giggle. “Stevie? Why are you covering your face?” You asks concerned. “My eyes are sweating” he says. “Aww are you gonna miss me Stevie” you tease. “Something like that” he speaks. You give him a hug. “Your killing me smalls” he jokes returning your hug. As you pull away, steve quickly wipes his tears. “I love you guys, okay? I’ll be back one day. Okay this isn’t forever” you tell them. They nod, “okay farewell my fellow friends” you say then wave as you get in the car.

Hawkins, November 2022

You step out of the car, letting out a sigh of relief. For the first time in a longtime you were actually happy to be in Hawkins. You unlock the door to your moms house, it was completely pitch black. You tried to flip the light on but it wouldn’t turn on. “Surprise!!” Your friends shout as the lights turn on, you jump and let out a yelp. “Holy fucking shit!! What the fuck?!?” You giggle. “Welcome home!” Robin exclaims giving you a very aggressive hug. “Hey bestie” you tell her, she pulls back inspecting you. “Have you grown 6 feet? Did you get new hair?” She questions. “No just got over a breakup, you know I have my glow back” you state happily. She nods pulling you into another hug. “Hey Robin share the wealth we miss her too” Steve says, Robin sighs rolling her eyes and letting you go. “Hey kiddo” Steve says pulling you into a hug. “I’m the same age as you!” You tell him. “But your like 10 feet shorter than me so..” he states making you giggle. “I hate you” you joke. The door bell rings, Steve looks at the door confused. “Are we expecting someone?” He asks looking at the rest of the party. They all shake their head ‘no’. “I’ll get it. Be right back” he says patting your head as he walks to the door. Robin and Dustin lead you into the kitchen showing you the master meal they were preparing that was only minutes away from being done. “You need to go” Steve says angrily. “Just let me see her, it’s important” some one replies pleadingly. “As important as cheating on her with Chrissy and breaking her heart?” Steve states. There was a moment of silence. “That’s what I thought.. leave. Now.” Steve tells the person. Their conversations were muffled but you could make the words out. You walk from the kitchen to see who it was. You freeze in your steps, your heart raced and tears were working their way into your eyes. “Baby, Y/n, please just 2 minutes that all I need” he begs. “Eddie? How did you know I was back?” You ask trying to keep the tears from falling. “It’s a small town and that’s all Robin and Steve talk about, and I visit Family Video a lot” he says. “Look, just tell me you don’t want him here and he’s gone” Steve tells you. You fiddle with your fingers knowing you would probably regret this decision. “It’s fine. It’ll only be 2 minutes” you speak walking to the door. “Outside” you say walking out. Eddie nods shutting the door behind you. You take a seat on the porch swing. Eddie sits next to you. He tries to put a hand on your thigh, but you scoot away from his touch. “I made a horrible mistake. Like the biggest mistake ever. I love you, you’re the love of my life” he says. You scoff shaking your head, “I’ve heard that before” you tell him. “I know, I know, it’s just I’m an asshole okay?” He states. “I gathered that” you speak rolling your eyes. “So why do you want me back now? Did she break your heart, you figure out that being with her isn’t pure paradise? Let me guess she treated you like her puppet?” You question bitterly. He doesn’t say anything knowing you were right.

Hawkins, October 2020

“Ughh Eddie that isn’t the point you can’t go to the party dressed as the joker if I’m not Harley Quinn! You will be Bugs Bunny and you’ll have a smile on your face the whole time!” She spits at him. “Baby, I don’t want-” he’s cut off by her scoff. “It isn’t about what you want! I’m head cheerleader! Okay? Having you as a charity case is bad enough. I can’t have you ruining Halloween too” she states angrily. “Wow, so that’s what I am a fucking charity case” Eddie asks. “Well I’m not dating you because I love you and want to get married” she snickers fixing up her makeup. He scoffs shaking his head. “Well then have fun going to the party with Jason, because I’m done, with you, this bullshit, Y/n was right your a cold hearted bitch” Eddie snaps at her. She turns around and narrows her eyes at him. “You can’t break up with me 30 minutes before the damn party! Jason is going with Cynthia! I cant go alone!” She exclaims. “Too bad find another charity case, get out” Eddie tells her. “Wait I’m sorry I didn’t mean it Eddie, c’mon-” she tries to speak but Eddie cuts her off. “Nope leave! God you’re actually a horrible person” he says tears forming his eyes. But not from his and Chrissy’s break up but from the fact he knew he fucked up. He was always happy with you. You never made him feel less. “Whatever you will never find someone better than me!” She screams storming out. He sighs as he hears the door slam. He plops down on the bed and cries, he feels like a fucking child, an immature, stupid child.

Hawkins, May 2021

He walks into Family Video going to buy your favorite movie since it was your birthday and you always loved 10 Things I Hate About You. As he walks up from to the register putting the movie on the counter. “Hm, her favorite movie, doing some sulking from losing the best thing that ever happened to you?” Robin asks bitterly. “This isn’t very good costumer service” Eddie states. “You know if I wanted to which I really should I could refuse service to you, since I have the right to” she replies with a fake smile pointing to the sign. He rolls his eyes. “Can I just get the damn movie” he speaks frustratedly. “Sure that’ll be $13.99” she says. “What? the price says 8.99” he tells her. She snickers, “oh you get the douche fee.” He scoffs and hands her a 10 dollar bill. “Good one Buckley, how’s Vickie?” He smirks, “how’s Chrissy?” She snaps back. He tenses up. “Bye-bye loser” she states with a smile. “Fuck off” he mumbles grabbing the movie and walking out.

Hawkins, July 2021

He sat in his living room plopped down on the couch. This was about the 100th time he watch you favorite movie just in this month alone. As Wayne entered the house he sighed seeing the movie playing and his nephew snuggling up with one of your shirts. “Boy, this again?” He asks. Eddie jumps and pushes your shirt away. “What? No- I- just” he tries to lie but Wayne huffs. “It’s your fault, you broke that sweet girl’s heart. Now you’re getting a taste of your own medicine” he tells him bluntly. “I know Wayne, trust me I’ve been contemplating my whole life’s decisions since that day” Eddie replies annoyingly. “So why are you sulking” Wayne questions. “Because I love her! I fucked up, exactly a year ago today I made the worst mistake of my life. You should’ve seen how heart broken she was, god, every time I close my eyes all I see is her crying because I broke her heart.” Eddie exclaims tears flowing down his face. Wayne did hate to see his nephew sad, but this was his own fault. Wayne didn’t raise Eddie to be a heart breaker. He raised him to respect and treat women like queens and Eddie just screwed up, no way to sugar coat that. “I miss her Wayne” Eddie says. “Yeah, I do too son” Wayne sighs walking into the bathroom. Eddie lays back staring at the ceiling.

Hawkins, November 2022

“Eddie you really hurt me. I gave you everything, you were my first everything! And you just…hurt me” you tell him. He sighs wiping away the tear that poured down his face. “Look I’m not asking for you to take me back, or even forgive me. I just want you to give me another chance, I know I don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve you. You are too good for me, you loved me at my worst when everyone hated me you were there and I fucked up. I know it. Just let me make what I can up to you. I know I’ll never fully be able to win all the trust I used to have back but just let me make you feel how special you make me feel” he pleads. “Why did you do it?“ you question. “Because.. I thought people would look at me different if I was with her, I thought for once people would actually treat me like a decent human being instead of judging me for my last name. It’s not a good reason, no reason would be. But it’s the truth and I’m done lying to you” he says looking down at the ground. “Did you c-cheat?” You asks. “Hell no, I never cheated. No. I would never” he states looking at you. “But you talked to her while we were together? You wanted her while you were with me?” You question. “Yes, but I never stopped loving you, not for one second. I was just tired, of being labeled the freak, Jason and his mouth breathing clan fucking with me. People looking down on me. But I thought that if I had the head cheerleader on my side, that would change everything. What I did was completely selfish. And I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” He apologizes, holding your hand. “Times up Munson” Steve says as he walks out the door. You stand up wiping your tears away. Eddie sighs and nods standing up. He goes in for a hug but you back up. You hold out your fist for a bump. He bumps your fist. “I love you, bye” he says walking to his car. You watch him and huff. “Love you too” you mumble and walk in the house.

THERE WILL BE A PART 2!! THE FINAL PART HAPPEY ENDINGS ARE TO COME!! SHOULD I END WITH SOME SMUT OR NO?? I can’t decide!!

[beep-beep-robin]

robin stops meeting up with the others, rarely even picking up the phone when steve calls.

they think she‘s angry at them for some reason, the last time she was with all of them she barely spoke, giving them all the silent treatment. she left early, asking steve to drive her home.

then eddie starts acting the same way. he withdraws himself from everything they have planned, shutting himself in at home.

steve and nancy are at a loss. the kids are confused. did the two of them have some secret pact to leave them all in the sand that they didn‘t know about?

so nancy sends steve over to their places - after all he knows robin best, and she doesn‘t feel like her presence would make eddie very talkative. and steve had gotten a bit closer to eddie in the past few weeks anyways.

he goes to eddies place first, because for some reason he thinks he might get an explanation out of eddie a bit quicker than if he went to robins first. he also kind of wants to give robin a bit more time.

but wayne opens the door, and he stops steve when he says he‘s here for eddie. tells him he needs some time alone now. but steve‘s had it. he wants to know what‘s going on with his friends, and he wants to know now.

he gently pushes past wayne, who doesn‘t budge too much, but steve makes it work. wayne on his tail, he walks down the hallway, softly knocking on eddie‘s door.

no reply. slowly, he pushes open the door. and there‘s eddie, on his bed, a huge pile of blankets on his shoulders, chewing on his hair and rocking back and forth with a bunch of dnd books spread out in front of him.

after two “hi eddie”‘s, he finally looks up at steve. waves at him. wayne reaches steve, telling him he should‘ve just left it alone. but eddie shakes his head, nods it into the direction of steve and then the room, as if to beckon him over.

so steve walks in, wayne throwing a questioning look at eddie, to make sure he‘s fine - a nod, and the door closes.

it doesn‘t take steve long to figure out that eddie doesn‘t, or even can‘t, really talk right now. so he just sits with him, eddie occasionally pointing out something interesting in his book to steve, and steve takes it all in with genuine curiosity. he enjoys hearing about things eddie likes.

after a while, eddie huddles in a bit closer to him. eddie’s just laying there, eyes tracing over the bumps and patterns on the ceiling, and steve almost falls asleep, basking in eddies presence.

then he remembers he was supposed to visit robin as well - and if robin‘s feeling anything like eddie seems to be feeling right now, he wants someone to check up on her.

he can‘t really leave eddie though - if the look on his face when steve got up to call nancy on the munson‘s phone was any indication. so he asks her to go check in with robin, make sure she‘s alright - that he doesn‘t think eddies withdrawal has anything to do with him not wanting them around anymore.

nancy doesn‘t mind. she likes robin, is comfortable around her. more comfortable than she‘d ever really felt around anyone, except for barb maybe. so that brings her to robins room, her parents having let her in.

no sense for boundaries, nancy noted when they simply threw open robins door, revealing her on the floor next to her bed. she‘s wearing headphones, music blasting so loudly that nancy can understand every word.

nancy closes the door behind her, and robin‘s eyes snap upwards, noticing her for the first time. nancy gives a little wave, feeling bad about intruding.

robin stops clicking her nails together, sliding the headphones off and resting them around her neck. she quietly greets nancy, telling her to come sit. she‘s reluctant, nancy notices. almost like her whole body adjusted and got more stiff once she saw nancy.

sitting down next to robin, she confronts her head on, in a soft voice, worried about overstepping. it seems like robins struggling to get her words out, brain too occupied to put her thoughts into sentences, she tells nancy.

nancy encourages her to go back to her music. tells her it‘s fine, she can go. robin seems upset about seemingly having to tell the truth, but she nods. nancy smiles understandingly at her, leaving the room.

she gets caught up talking to robin‘s parents, they complain about robin always having phases like this and that they don‘t understand why she doesn‘t just snap out of it. why she can‘t just be normal. nancy resists the urge to punch them in the face.

about half an hour later robin calls downstairs. when nancy walks back into her room, she says she heard her downstairs talking to her parents - that she could try to explain now.

nancy sees her trying to restrain herself from moving again. she tells her it‘s okay, sits opposite from her on the floor. asks her if she can try something that she used to do with mike, gently takes her hands, and starts rocking them back and forth together. it makes robin‘s face light up. nancy thinks she’ll keep rocking back and forth forever if it makes robin this happy.

then robin explains. she says it sounds dumb, but that it all got too much. the whole vecna thing, people getting injured. nancy interrupts, tells her it‘s not dumb, that they all were exhausted after everything.

but robin continues, explains that that wasn‘t all of it. she says she also got overhelmed by all the change. no offense to nancy, but for example, her and eddie suddenly being so close to steve, in nancys case, again. the change in her and steves routines, nancy and eddie being included in almost everything now.

the way her whole daily routine got thrown off during the vecna time, and even afterwards, with the hospital visits and everything. and that she feels horrible about that disturbing her, when her friends were literally in the hospital, recovering from life threatening injuries.

it all only hit her a few days ago. she didn‘t really get what was going on at first, but that she‘s had phases like this before. that it feels like everything in her just shuts down, she can‘t interact with anyone anymore, she just wants to be alone. can‘t do anything but listen to music and watch her favorite movie over and over. and that she can‘t keep her body still. needs to release all the anxiety somehow.

nancy smiles softly, thanks her for telling her all of that. says she can‘t relate to it, but that she thinks it‘s a very plausible reaction to everything. that she knows some people have a harder time adjusting to change, mentions the many times she‘s seen mike reacting almost the same way.

robin smiles at that, a grateful expression on her face. she thanks nancy. says she‘s sorry for any misunderstanding she might‘ve caused. nancy tells her to never apologize about doing what her body needs her to do, asks if she can hug her. robin agrees, throwing her arms around nancy. they end up hugging for a while, nancy adjusting her grip so it‘s tight enough.

later, when steve and nancy catch each other up on what‘s going on with their friends, they both have almost the same exact stories to tell (of course, with robin and eddies permission). from now on, the other two know they can always reach out when they want someone with them during times like these, but that they also will never be judged if they retreat for a while.

[selenitesdawn]

hi! could u write a robin buckley x reader where robin and the reader get paired up to look around the creel house in s4 and robin is just like a huge gay mess and can’t stop rambling LOL? thank u! i love ur work

What a Moment, my first request. First off: Thank you so much ! I love this idea and I hope you love reading this. <3

Thank Me Later

pairing : robin buckley x fem!reader

warnings : none

summary : y/n had always thought that robin buckley disliked her, since robin just seems to act weird around her. but when they get paired up to explore the house of the enemy, they are forced to talk to each other.

third person pov

Y/n entered the Creel house last, cautiously following the group inside. She was not a big fan of this entire upside down thing and had no experience with the strange stuff going on in Hawkins yet. In fact, y/n had just recently moved here with her family, since her dad got a job in Lindale and the rent in Hawkins was at an all time low. In retrospect, she should have known that something was off about that.

She quickly befriended Nancy Wheeler, since she was also part of the school’s newspaper. They got along really well and it didn’t take long until Nancy became y/n’s person of trust. They would hang out almost every day, sharing their deepest secrets with one another. One of them was y/n’s sexuality, which she kept to herself most of her life.

“You must probably think I’m a weirdo now. God, I’m so stupid-“, y/n started rambling. Nancy cut her off by giving her a tight hug.

“You’re not stupid y/n. And I don’t think you’re a weirdo. Who cares who you love. Boy or girl. It doesn’t matter, as long as you’re happy. I promise.”, Nancy whispered softly, making y/n sob a little.

A few weeks ago y/n also met Steve and Robin at Family Video. She immediately got along with Steve but with Robin it was just different. She really liked Robin from Steve’s stories, but it just didn’t match with the Robin she had met. Whenever the two of them were alone, Robin would either ignore y/n or she would make it painfully clear that she wasn’t interested in y/n’s life. Like at all. All interactions between them just seemed very confusing, so y/n concluded that Robin simply didn’t like them.

“So.. I just moved her from Portland actually.”, y/n told Robin as they waited for Steve to get back.

“Cool… Isn’t that where Steven King was born? I read a few of his novels. Some were really good actually. Carrie and Shining are super popular I think, you probably know them. But this man seems to have a lot on his mind or whatever… Yes. Very unique novels.”, Robin replied.

After that both of them just stayed silent.

Besides that, y/n’s life in Hawkins seemed to be going just fine. Well, until she was with Nancy when Fred Benson died, which started y/n’s inclusion in all of this mess. After that, Nancy decided to tell her everything that had happened in Hawkins over the past years. Although they did tell each other everything, Nancy just thought that it would be best for y/n to not know about all the crazy stuff going on, in order to protect her. But at this point, there was no point in lying any longer. And now y/n was standing inside the house that seemed to be the center of a strange monster killer who just a few hours ago made Max Mayfield float a few meters above the ground.

“Just great..”, y/n whispered to herself as she looked around the abandoned home.

“Hey, guys? You all see that right?”, Max spoke up, pointing her flashlight at an old clock hanging on the wall.

The group gathered around it, all agreeing to seeing it.

“Is this what you saw? In your visions?”, Nancy asked carefully.

Max nodded her head, making y/n let out a loud sigh. ‘This keeps getting better and better.’, she thought to herself.

“I mean, it’s.. just a clock. Right?”, Robin replied while walking towards it. She brushed some of the dust off with her hand. “Like a normal old clock.”

“Why is this wizard obsessed with clocks? Maybe he’s, like, a clockmaker or something?”, Steve asked confused.

“I think you cracked the case Steve.”, Dustin replied sarcastically. Steve just gave Dustin an annoyed look.

“All I know is the answers are here. Somewhere... Okay everyone stay in groups of two. Since we are uneven, I’m going with Steve and Dustin. Y/n, you go with Robin.”, Nancy commanded, making her way over to Steve.

“Woah, wait.”, y/n said as she grabbed Nancy’s arm. “Why me and Robin??”, she whispered.

“You’ll thank me later.”, was the only thing Nancy replied before leaving. She turned around once more to wink at y/n, and with that she was gone.

Y/n turned around to everyone being gone besides Robin, who just awkwardly stood in the hallway. Robin didn’t know what to do, so she just gave y/n a little wave. Y/n replied with a half-hearted smile and made her way to the stairs.

“Let’s go upstairs then.”, y/n suggested, walking up the stairs with Robin following behind her.

As they explored the house together, y/n got more and more scared. It reminded her of some horror movie setting and she just waited for something bad to happen. They entered a room which seemingly used to be a children’s room.

“If I wrote a book…about all of this, do you think it would do good? I think it would do pretty good, I mean no one would come up with the strange stuff that goes on here, right? I mean it’s out of this world. Literally. And I would call it.. let me think…”, Robin started rambling.

Y/n didn’t bother answering, knowing that Robin probably didn’t expect an answer anyways. But in some way she enjoyed Robin’s rambling, it was adorable really.

“I know. I would call it “The Strange Summer in Hawkins”. I mean the first book. There would be multiple of course. Maybe about three or four volumes and each one would have different characters and all. Or the same ones? I mean people would get attached to the characters, it would be stupid to replace them with each book. But some of them would have to.. you know. Die. Sooner or later. I don’t know yet.”, Robin finally said, still walking around the room.

Y/n started going through a box of old stuff, finding nothing that seemed to be helpful. Just a few pictures, some old creepy toys. Nothing out of the ordinary. The whole vibe in this house just seemed off. There were so many spiders crawling around and everything just seemed like it would fall apart any second. Y/n was about to give up searching through the stuff when suddenly she felt a presence right besides her, scaring the living hell out of the girl.

“Found something?”, Robin asked with her head over y/n’s shoulder.

Y/n jumped in shock, accidentally hitting her shoulder against Robin’s throat. Robin stumbled back and let out a loud groan.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry.”, y/n repeatedly said, putting her hands over her mouth.

Robin just laughed it off, holding her hand against her throat.

“That was my fault, sorry.”, she said while sitting down on a dusty chair.

Y/n collected herself, and sat down on a chair besides her. From this angle Robin was actually really beautiful, she thought to herself.

“You know, I got hit in the throat once before. By some russian guy actually. It was preeetty scary and all. I don’t know if Nancy told you but, there was this thing going on with the Russians and all. Yeah. Pretty scary stuff.”, Robin continued ranting.

Y/n just sat next to Robin, listening to her talking, and talking, and talking. Until she suddenly stopped. Y/n looked over to Robin who now rested her elbows on her knees and started fiddling with her rings. The silence that followed was louder than it should have been.

“I like your rings. They are pretty.”, y/n almost whispered, trying to break the tension.

“You don’t really enjoy talking to me, do you?”, Robin just replied sounding almost frustrated.

“What makes you think that?”, y/n said, furrowing her eyebrows.

“I mean, most of the time it just feels like I’m talking to myself. You don’t really.. try to hold a conversation you know.“, Robin answered, her eyes focused on her hands.

“Well Robin, most of the time it just seems like you don’t even want me to reply. Yeah you talk a lot, but.. it feels like you just don’t care what I have to say.”, y/n commented.

Robin lifted her head and looked into y/n’s eyes for the first time since they had met, making y/n blush a little.

“I’m sorry. I know I tend to ramble a lot when I’m nervous.”, Robin stated shyly.

“Nervous? Why would you be nervous?”, y/n asked sincerely, trying to hold eye contact.

Robin started blushing a little, redirecting her glance towards her hands which were still fiddling with her rings. She didn’t want to embarrass herself, so she just stayed silent. Y/n noticed that Robin tried to dodge the question, so she simply put her hand around hers to get her attention. Robin stopped playing with her rings and looked back to y/n, who was patiently waiting for an answer.

“You’re uhm… I don’t know. You’re just really.. really beautiful I guess. It makes me nervous.”, Robin finally replied, glancing between y/n’s hand on hers and y/n’s face.

“Did you just make that excuse up?”, y/n asked, raising her left eyebrow. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

“See, I shouldn’t have said anything. God, I always mess these things up. Now you think I’m weird, right?”, Robin mumbled. She got up and started walking around the room, obviously upset. “I just don’t know when to shut up, it’s like my own curse at this point. And then this beautiful girl walks into my workplace and I just don’t know how to act. So I either say not enough or I say too much and embarrass myself and it’s so, so, so exhausting to be-”

Robin stopped her rant when y/n came up to her, embracing her in a tight hug. Y/n’s arms hugged Robin’s waist, her head rested on Robin’s shoulder. At first Robin got tensed and didn’t know how to react. But then she took a few breaths and finally relaxed inside y/n’s arms, hugging her back just as tightly. They just stood there for a bit, melting into each other.

“I don’t think you’re weird Robin.”, y/n mumbled into the girl’s shoulder. “I think you have a lot to say, and that’s totally fine. It’s interesting. I actually enjoy your rambling, I really do.“

Robin started smiling, feeling her heart race inside her chest. The hug suddenly felt more intimate than before.

“And by the way..”, y/n said as she separated herself from Robin. Their faces were now just inches away from each other. “I think you’re very beautiful too.”

Both girls started blushing wildly, unsure of what to do next. Luckily the decision got taken away from them, as Nancy entered the room.

“Guys, we found-“, Nancy started shouting.

Robin and y/n quickly jumped away from each other, both embarrassed by the sudden interruption. Nancy on the other hand started grinning from ear to ear.

“Sorry. But we found something, you should come with me.”, Nancy told them.

Robin just nodded and quickly walked past Nancy who was still smiling to herself. Y/n just sighed and walked up to her best friend, giving her an annoyed look.

“You planned that out didn’t you?”, y/n asked, rolling her eyes.

“Correction, Steve and I planned that out. And what about it? It seems like our plan worked out even better than we expected.”, Nancy replied smugly.

Y/n just blushed uncontrollably, putting her face inside of her hands.

“Thank you..”, y/n mumbled quietly.

“What did you say? I didn’t hear you.”, Nancy grinned.

“You’re so annoying.”, y/n replied, nudging Nancy’s shoulder.

“I told you, you’d thank me later.”, she grinned, wrapping her arm around y/n’s shoulder. “But now, we really have to go, come on.”

Y/n didn’t know if it were just the dreadful circumstances (including walking inside the house of a creepy killer) that just made her fall in love with Robin Buckley or if it was just her awfully adorable ranting. But in all honesty, she could have cared less. She just knew that the second they got out of this house safely, she would 100% ask her on a date. And let Robin explain what the hell happened with the Russians.

[familyvideostevie]

keep your cool

you come home after a weekend on the lake with the girls burned to a crisp, steve does his best to help | 1.9k, fluff and a bit flirty, fem!reader

Robin sits up from where she's sprawled in Nancy's backseat as you pull up to your house and yawns. You're all a little sleepy -- Nancy had chugged a black coffee before you left -- after a fun-filled weekend away. One of her friends from college had invited you all to some fancy lake house in Michigan and the idea of spending a few sticky summer days away with your best friends was an enticing one.

"Can I sit in the front, now?" she yawns. You laugh and gingerly step out and onto the lawn, leaving the door open. It's early evening in Hawkins, but the sun is still high enough in the sky that you have to squint.

"Really?" Nancy groans as Robin doesn't bother to get out and walk around, instead folding herself over the center console and plopping in the space you've vacated. You shuffle to the trunk, grab your duffle, and wave them off. "See you later!" you call. As they disappear around the corner you let your smile fall and sigh, long and deep. You really did have fun this weekend swimming and drinking a little and hearing about the big city. But you're tired, you're sunburned, and you missed Steve.

"Well, hey there," his voice calls from behind you, as if you'd conjured him. You whip around to see him leaning on the frame of your front door. It's only been two and a half days at most, but something about Steve makes you feel grounded, feel soft. "You selling something?" he asks.

You throw your head back and laugh, forgetting the sear of your skin for a second. You saunter to where he's standing -- or at least you try to, but with your bag banging against your hip and the tenderness of your back you probably look more like a penguin than anything. But Steve is smiling anyway, looking at you like you're Christmas morning.

"Hi, Steve," you say when you get to him, dropping your bag at his feet and leaning into his chest, arms limp at your sides. Normally you'd think of something funny to say in response to his teasing, but you're so tired. He makes a soft sound and braces himself on the doorframe.

"Did you have a good weekend, bub?" he asks. "Missed you." You nod, and your nose drags his t-shirt up and down a little. He smells like your detergent and you wonder if he did his laundry here as he waited for you. He brings his arms up to wrap them around you but as soon as he presses down on your back a hiss sneaks through your teeth.

"Woah, what's up here?" he says immediately, lifting his arms and backing away from you a few inches. "You okay? Did I hurt you?"

"No," you say, and focus your eyes somewhere above Steve's head as sheepishness creeps into your tone. "Well, I got sunburned. A lot."

Steve brings his palm to your cheek, a little confused as he gently turns your face left and right, finding no redness or blisters.

"I was good about sunscreen on my face, but my back..." you mumble.

"Cute swimsuit did you dirty, huh?" Steve smirks, though his brows are still drawn with concern. You'd kindly modeled the suit for him before you left, and while he was very grateful, he can see how it left you more than a little exposed. "Well, let's not stand here and fry you up even more." He leans down to grab your bag and ushers you past him.

"I want to tell you all about the weekend, Steve. College girls are so weird." He laughs lightly as you head for the stairs up to your room.

"Go on up, baby, I'll meet you there in a second." You trudge up, feeling heavier by the second. Maybe Steve will let you cuddle with him and talk until you take a nap. Your back has started to feel like it's pulsing and the fabric of your light shirt is irritating it, so you shuck it off as soon as you reach the upstairs bathroom. Though you know that harsh light makes everything look worse, you gasp a little as you cover your chest with one arm and turn around. You'd untied your bikini top as you'd laid out on the dock, reading, so the whole expanse of your back is one big angry red flush. You hover a hand over your shoulder blade and it feels like a stovetop.

Steve's socked feet thunk up the stairs and he calls up to you. "Okay, so I called Joyce really quick and she picked up, well Will picked up first, then found her, which is great because I totally forgot about time zones but whatever -- hey, where are you?" He's gone into your bedroom to put your bag down.

"Here," you call, a little hoarse. Seeing your shirt halfway on the hall floor, he stops short of the doorway.

"Can I come in?" he asks. Steve has seen all of you over and over. Dressed up, down, in your rattiest pjs, sick with the flu, drunk, grumpy, flushed with heat under his gaze, naked in bed next to him first thing in the morning, all of it. So, you give an affirmative.

He whistles through his teeth when he sees you. "Damn, sweetheart, are you feeling okay? You feverish or anything?" You shake your head.

"It's just like, a little hot? When I put my hand near it," you answer, craning your neck to keep looking as if it'll start fading before your eyes. "Looking at it makes me tired."

Steve crowds you against the sink as he gets closer. "Can I touch it?" You nod, bottom lip between your teeth. You watch him via the mirror as he gently lifts one hand and brings it to rest on the top of your spine. The sound you let out at the feeling of his palm is far too intimate for the setting, so much so that Steve's eyes widen but he doesn't remove his hand.

"Shit," he laughs, a little breathless. "Not the reaction I expected." Steve's hands are usually warm, so warm that you use them as a makeshift heating pad sometimes. But even so, his skin is cooler than yours and it feels heavenly. He runs his palm up and down your spine and you shiver a little.

"It's not blistered," he says, "which is good, Joyce said. She also said uh, a cold shower would --"

"Wait," you interrupt, finally registering his words, and his eyes meet yours over your shoulder. "You called Joyce?"

"Yeah, didn't you hear me when I was hollering down the hall? Figured she'd know how to handle this better than me." A blush creeps up his neck as he says it, but his eyes are so sincere. You feel the fondness for this boy rise up in you like a wave and you could cry.

"Anyway," Steve clears his throat. "Cold shower? You up for it?" You nod. He pulls his hands off of your back and ambles out into the hall to get a towel from the linen closet.

"Clean up, dirty girl, and I'm gonna run to the store to get some aloe and more painkillers. Maybe some ice cream?" You nod but he's focused, ticking off items on his fingers. "Anything else?"

"No," you say, softly, hugging the towel he's handed you to your bare chest. "Just come back soon." He looks up at you, eyes warm, and leans in to give you a sweet kiss once, twice, three times.

"Take a shower! You stink!" he calls as he runs down the stairs.

The shower helps a little, but not much. You make the water cool, but not cold, and it only aches a little when it beats down on your back. You're more than a little pissed at yourself for this whole situation -- if you had just put sunscreen on, you and Steve could be having a normal night -- but at least you have the most wonderful boy in the world taking care of you.

That thick, sticky fondness rises up in your throat again when you walk into your room in a towel to find that Steve has put out a loose t-shirt of his and a pair of boxers on your bed. You braid your wet hair, standing dripping in your bedroom, wondering how you got so lucky, before slipping on the shorts. You leave the shirt off and plop facedown on the bed, close your eyes and wait.

Steve returns seconds or minutes later, you can't be sure, but he calls a greeting from downstairs and thuds up to your room.

"Normally this would be a dream to come home to, don't get me wrong, but honestly your back is so red it makes me want to put on sunscreen." You don't open your eyes but hear the crinkle of a plastic bag as he pulls out the items he's bought. "You do look great in my shit, though. Like a...sexy lobster, or something." You groan but it turns into a laugh and you turn a little to look at him. His hair is kind of a mess from running his hands through it and he's holding a clear bottle of aloe. His face is so fond you can hardly stand it.

"Okay, Rudolph, aloe time. Want me to do it?" he asks.

"Yeah, Stevie, not like I can do my back myself." He rolls his eyes at you.

"Hey, gotta ask!" He kneels on the bed and hesitates for a second. "I'm gonna sit on you, but tell me if it hurts." He shuffles himself up the bed and swings a leg over you, settling at the swell of your butt. The aloe bottle snaps open and pretty soon he's smoothing his hands on your skin, this time with cold, tacky gel.

"God," you say, a little breathless with how good it feels, "this has potential to be so sexy but it's managing to be anything but." Steve's fingers ghost over your shoulders, then your sides, gently as anything so not to tickle you. His hands are always gentle with you, but this is a new kind of softness.

"I dont know," he quips, "you not wearing a shirt for a while sounds great. Plus, I get to touch you, which I haven't been able to do in days." He adds a note of whine that makes you laugh as he does a final pass on your back.

"Okay, baby, all done." You miss Steve's hands immediately, half for the soothing gel and half because you always want him touching you. His weight disappears and you hear him toss the bottle to the ground. He comes around the bed to squat next to the bed. His face makes you smile.

"Can I just lie here, Stevie?" you ask him, smothering a yawn into your pillow. His hand comes to smooth back your hair but he stops himself and makes a face.

"Ew, sticky," he grimaces. "Whatever you want, sweetheart. I'll bring you some ice cream and you can tell me about the trip, yeah?"

"Sounds good," you slur a little. He leans in, careful to keep his palms away from you, and kisses your forehead and then your lips, sloppy and sweet. He knows you'll probably doze off sooner rather than later, but he doesn't mind. He's just glad you're home. He stands and heads to your bedroom door, casting one more glance at you.

"It's gonna be so nasty when it peels," he says, laughing, and you bury your face in the bedspread with an exaggerated groan. "I love you, you lizard girl." He sounds unbearably happy.

"Go get my ice cream, Steve!"

want to be added to my tag list for full-length (non-ask) fics? send me a message and specify for steve, eddie, or both! reblog, send feedback, requests open, masterlist here!

[sammy-is-not-smiley]

ok since you were looking for fic requests i have one for a robin x reader!!

reader is hoppers daughter. she dated jonathan for the entirety of freshman year. they broke up but it wasn’t bad. hopper keeps saying how good of a kid he was and how the reader should just get back with him. little does he know, she just wants to be with robin. so one day, she slips a confession note into robins trumpet case to meet her in the janitors closet after school. it goes well and they kiss a little ehe. maybe a part two or in the end she introduces robin as her girlfriend and hopper being confused but supportive 👀

Salty, Then Sweet

Robin Buckley x fem!reader

S4 SPOILER FREE

Summary: After going through the summer of 85' with Steve and Robin, you've had feelings develop for Robin. Now, after a sleepover with her, you suddenly felt the strong urge to confess your feelings. Could she love you too?

Word count: 5.1k

Warnings/tags: Underage drinking, language, PTSD, nightmares, nightmare scene, hurt/comfort, love confessions, Hopper is still in Hawkins after season 3, reader is hoppers daughter, gay kissy, timeline might feel off idk

A/N: I FINALLY FINISHED IT! The longest fic I've finished yet. This one was a lot of fun to write, I hope it's what you were imagining. I went a little off the request and then back to it lol

Butter sizzled in the frying pan, making you jump slightly out of your sleepy stupor. Your father had the heat up way too high on the stove again. He would tell you he liked how the burnt butter tasted, but you knew his pride was just a pill too big to swallow. You sighed heavily and rubbed your eyes, trying to listen to what your father was griping at you about this time.

“I'm just saying, he was a good kid to ya.” 

Oh. Right. This again. 

He sloppily cracked an egg on the stove and thumbed at the shell. “When you two dated he helped you keep a schedule. You were never too out too late, always got enough sleep,” He finally dumped the egg onto the hot skillet, “And your grades definitely saw better days with him.”

“Dad,” You groaned, resisting the urge to let your head drop to the table. “I’m pretty sure you liked Jonathan more than I did, but can we not talk about him now?... Not this early,” You finished under your breath. You hadn’t dated Jonathan Byers since freshman year. The end of junior year was just around the corner and somehow your father still pressured you any chance he got to get back with Jonathan. Your family had a past with his, sure, from small interactions to dealing with the supernatural. But your father's obsession with you getting back with Jonathan was starting to get annoying. You wouldn’t tell anyone this, but deep down you had never felt any attraction to Jonathan.

Your father sighed irritably, “Fine, fine. My point is you’re staying up way too late. You never used to come in here half asleep like this.” He gestured with his spatula and flipped the already overcooked egg. "I get you're young but sleep is important"

"I know."

"I don't even know what you would be staying up doing."

"Mm-hm."

"If this keeps up, though, I might have to take your radio or something-"

“You ever think maybe it’s because I have nightmares?” You suddenly snapped, startling you both.

His spatula froze a moment as if he was taking a second to buffer. His shoulders then sagged and he continued his cooking. You watched as he put fresh bacon, eggs, and toast on your plate then walked over and slid it in front of you. You stared intently at him, trying to gauge his feelings through his expression. It was no use, he rarely wore his emotions on his face. He put his own plate down across from you and allowed himself to fall into the chair. Neither of you touched your food. 

After a bit, your father finally broke the silence. “I didn’t mean for you to get involved in my work,” He muttered, guilt present in his tone. “.... What kind of nightmares?"

You shrugged, gazing down at your eggs. The edges looked burnt, dripping with brown butter. “Those stupid monsters… and the Russians… Having to run for my life, watching Jonathan or Robin die in front of me even though they're still here… Stupid stuff.”

“Don’t call them stupid, they’re normal. You went through a lot… we all did.”

You nodded, thinking back to the events of the past summer.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

You gave a weak shrug, flicking your bacon with your finger.

“How long?”

“Since I first saw one of those things in Jonathan’s house.”

You had been with Nancy and Jonathan when they discovered what they would later call the Demogorgon. You were right there when it somehow entered their house and attempted an attack. Lights flashing and heart beating out of your chest. Ever since then, your nights had never been the same.

“Shit… (y/n) Hopper, you need to tell me these damn things,” Your father chastised sternly, however, you knew this was just how he got when he cared. “I need to know when things aren’t good.”

You smiled bitterly, grabbing your fork. “If I did, I’d start sounding like the boy who cried wolf.” With that, you shoved your breakfast into your mouth. Things hadn’t felt good for a long while.

Your father leaned back in his chair with a heavy, unsatisfied dad sigh, then began going at his breakfast as well. 

As you both ate in silence, your mind still lingered on just a few months earlier. You wished things could have stayed the way they were. Working with Steve and Robin at the mall was one of the best things to happen to you… until it quickly descended into madness once again. Yes, you all managed to stay together despite being kidnapped by the Russian government, but that didn’t make the situation okay. Far from it actually. To add to your trauma from interdimensional monsters, you ended up facing federal agent-level torture. It was the first time you ever felt true terror from the presence of other human beings. It was the first time you ever got beat up and bloodied. But towards the end of it all… It was also the first time you realized exactly what it was you felt for Robin.

While you wanted anything but for Rob to get involved and be put at risk, you felt better knowing she knew the chaos you knew was lurking in Hawkins. You felt better knowing you could go to her about your nightmares, which you did. Quite often in fact. Before your father, she was the only one you ever told. She was the only one you ever called at 3 am. She was the only one you felt like would ever answer.

As soon as you were finished eating, you got up and got ready for school. It didn’t take you long, the sleepless nights slowly forced you to make your self-maintenance routine shorter and shorter. 

School hadn’t felt the same since all of this had started either. Ever since Will had first gone missing, tasks that should have felt normal… didn’t anymore. The feeling always hit you at unexpected times too. While walking down the hallway at school, during dodgeball, while shopping for groceries. You hated how that was no longer your normal and how fighting monsters was. You knew nothing would be the same and a sense of mourning for the past would come over you every time you remembered that. 

---------

Lazily you stared at the blank chalkboard, mind empty, waiting for class to start. Somehow you managed to get to first period on time today, probably because your father had drug you out of bed for the ‘proper breakfast’. You could still taste the burnt butter on your lips. 

“Hey, hey,” An chipper voice pulled you from your gaze. Robin sat next to you, a pile of textbooks thumping on her desk. “You got here before me! You slept better I’m guessing? I mean you didn’t call like usual last night. I hoped that meant you were doing better.”

The night before had been rough. It was one of those nights where you couldn’t close your eyes without seeing one of those monsters blooming their face of teeth at you. You could have sworn you heard one gurgling outside your window at one point. Guilt had kept you from grabbing the phone and calling Robin though. 

“Yep, slept through the night," You swiftly lied. 

She beamed, but it faltered as she leaned in and inspected your face more closely. “You got something on your face,” Her hand came up and wiped at the corner of your mouth, then she wiped it on her pants. “All good. Guess it was some breakfast I hope?”

“Yeah,” You nodded, fighting a smile, “Dad made us both breakfast this morning.”

She beamed once again, this time remaining that way. “Nice! Slept through the night and got breakfast. Look at you, a babe, and with your life together.” She nudged you on the arm, both the compliment and her touch making butterflies rage in your stomach. All you could do is smile in return, even if it was founded on a lie. “Hey, tell you what,” She continued, “Why don’t you come to my house tonight for a sleepover? My parents will be out late on a date so we can have a movie night! We have popcorn and fuzzy blankets-- Oh there's this one blanket I’ve had since I was little that's SO SOFT. No matter how much we've washed it, it somehow stays that way. I'm pretty sure if I ever go to college I would take it with me-” And from there she rambled on, happy as ever. You loved the way her eyes lit up and how her hands went crazy when talking about the things she loved. You were pretty sure you didn’t even get to tell her 'yes' to the invitation to her house.

By the end of class, she gave you a time to be at her house, offering to have Steve pick you up for her. You agreed considering he was the only person out of the three of you with their own car. With plans solidified for that night, you parted ways down the hall, to your dismay. You wished you had more classes with her. 

The rest of the day was a blur and suddenly you were zapped full of energy as if her touch gave you just enough power up to make it until the end of the school day. Another failed quiz didn’t even bring you down like it normally would. Before you knew it, you were getting off the school bus and running down your driveway to hurry up and pack your things. 

----------

Steve was in a rush to get you to Robins as he was already late for his shift at yet another job. You knew his boss would give him shit about it, but bless him for still pulling through for you and Rob. 

You had scrambled out of his car at your arrival, just as eager to get to Robin as he was to get to work. 

Your heart jumped in your throat at the sight of her when she opened the front door. Rob was wearing the shortest pair of bottoms you had ever seen on her. You'd go as far as to say they were boy shorts a size too small. It was compensated with a large baggy t-shirt from band, hand cut into a short crop top and exposing her belly. 

"Hey!" She paused a second and leaned out the door. "The whore didn't bother to walk you to the porch?" 

You scoffed, using it as an excuse to pull your gaze and instead look to Steve's car turning out of the driveway. "Nah, he's too anxious to get to his new flirting grounds." You felt a tingle in your stomach when Robin smirked at your remark. 

Although snickering with her, you were deflecting the situation with humor. You liked Steve, he was sweet and a big dummy, but deep down… you were jealous of him. Jealous of how close he and Robin seemed to be. They always emphasized their 'relationship' wasn't a relationship at all, they were just friends. Strictly and forever platonic. It didn't change the fact you wanted that same kind of closeness with Robin though…. And maybe even closer. 

"Figures," Robin rolled her eyes. "Get in here, make yourself at home." 

You did so, kicking your shoes off and dropping your overnight bag at the door. As soon as you were unencumbered, she jolted and tossed her hands up in excitement. "Oh!! Did I tell you what Steve was able to get for us?"

"No," You shook your head plainly, smiling at her animation. You loved when she did that, even if it was mentioning Steve.

She grabbed hold of your wrist and drug you to the kitchen. Getting into the fridge, she reached to the back and proudly held up a bottle of tequila. 

"Robin…" You whined, "We still have school in the morning, you know."

"I know, I know," She put her hands up in defense, "We won't get drunk or anything, okay? Just a few shots to relax." 

You shook your head in disbelief, taking the chilled bottle from her. "Never thought you, the band kid, would peer pressure me into drinking. I think you're spending too much time with Steve," You jested, inspecting the bottle. Although once again, there was truth in your statement, you would admit spending the night watching a movie and drinking felt like a good plan. 

"What can I say, he's clingy," She shrugged and took the bottle from you to set on the counter.. "Also I didn't know what movie to get so I think we'll just have Breakfast Club on in the background again while we drink and snack and whatever the fuck else we want to."

You nodded fervently, convinced she had somehow read your mind. "Let me change first though, I need to be comfy."

"Sure, you know where the bathroom is."

Walking past the front door, you grabbed your bag and locked yourself in the bathroom out of habit. 

Once you were changed, you couldn't help but stare at your choice of pajamas in the mirror, comparing them to hers. Should you have tried wearing something more revealing? Could you have worn a shirt that figured you better? You about slapped yourself for getting insecure over something as dumb as your pajamas. Quickly, you gathered your things and yanked open the door, the only thing on your mind being shots. 

When you got back to the kitchen, Robin already had the limes cut and ready in a bowl. 

"Let's get wasted… but not," She elbowed you teasingly and began to pop open the bottle. You stared at her hands as she worked the cork off, slender and calculated with a dash of clumsiness thrown in. Her nails were painted but scuffed and her rings gleamed slightly in the fluorescent light. It felt like forever before she got the bottle open. 

Right as she was about to pour the liquid into shot glasses, you stopped her. "Can you… just give me the bottle?" 

She froze, wide-eyed at you. "... You sure?" 

You nodded. Although surprised at yourself, you were ready for the anxiety in the pit of your stomach to drown in alcohol. 

Hesitantly, she handed you the bottle. As soon as your hand connected with the cold glass, you tossed it back in two swift swigs, treating it as if it were water. Your regret was prompt as soon as you swallowed, your eyes going wide and coughs bursting out uncontrollably. 

"Take a lime, take a lime!" Robin laughed, shoving the bowl of limes at you. 

You quickly brought one to your mouth, although you were pretty sure it was too late, the desperation on your face evident. 

"Damn, (y/l/n), never took you for the type…" She gawked at you, mouth slightly agape. It wasn't often you left her genuinely in awe of your actions. 

You wearily tried to smile, but it caused your face to twist into a lopsided grimace, making both of you split your sides in laughter. 

"Alright, fair is fair," She mumbled, swiping the bottle from you and copying your actions. The result was entirely the same, just reversed. You were now the one laughing at her as you pushed the limes to her. 

The night went on like this. Against your better judgment, you kept gulping straight from the bottle. In between swigs, you tucked the bowl of limes and the bottle in some pillows between you both on the living room floor along with the snacks. The mixture of alcohol, popcorn, and candy sat uncomfortably in your stomach, but it didn't matter. The way Robin laughed when she drank was priceless. It made the butterflies numb the slurry in your stomach. You wanted to hold on to these moments forever. By the time Robin finally took the bottle away from you and back to the kitchen, you both weren't quite drunk, but you definitely weren't sober. 

Before you knew it the movie credits were rolling and Robin was checking her watch. "Damn, mom and dad are probably on their way home." She stood from the nest of pillows and blankets on the floor and lifted her arms to stretch. The movement revealed more of her torso, her sports bra peeking out ever so teasingly. You quickly looked away before she caught you staring up at her like a freak. Little did you know, she already had and smirked to herself, cheeks heating slightly.

"We gotta be in bed by the time they get here or they'll be pissed. Ya know, school night and all," She mocked goofily. 

You cleaned the living room and kitchen together and managed to finish up just as a pair of headlights appeared in the driveway. You both dashed up the stairs, racing to the bedroom together prudently. The front door opened just as you closed her bedroom door, making you both giggle like a couple of middle schoolers. In all honesty, her parents wouldn't have been all that upset if you two were still up. But it was still fun to make a harmless game out of it. 

When the lights went out, you fell into a night of sleep faster than you had in months. Although you were sure the alcohol helped, you felt the safest sleeping next to Robin in the bed. Knowing she was right there made all your worries fade into the background, barely seen or noticed. 

----------

It's so cold. 

"Keep running!" A voice screamed at you from behind. 

Something galloped behind you in hard impending steps. It was getting closer… And it felt like it had been for a while. 

You sprinted through the woods, terror powering every stride you took. You couldn't bring yourself to glance back, for fear you'd catch sight of the creature pursuing you and the other person with you. 

Your head throbbed, blood pulling through your veins at an alarming rate. You didn't know where you were, which filled you with even more dread. 

Branches and bushes clawed at your skin like fingernails, leaving burning scratches in their wake. 

The creature behind you roared, the sound rumbling deep into your gut. An approaching doom that was so close, yet somehow it hadn't arrived yet. 

Suddenly a scream ripped through the air and reverberated down your spine. 

Skidding to a stop, you looked behind you for the first time. A stiff body lay on the ground as a demodog feasted on the ripped-open belly. Blood. Blood was everywhere. On the leaves, the body, the demodog's face, your shoes, the trees… everything suddenly now sheened with fresh blood. 

You watched helplessly as the limp body began to slowly turn its head to you and you fell to your knees in anguish. 

Robin. 

Robin was being eaten alive. 

"Please…" She pleaded in a broken sob, however, her face showed no emotion as if she had already passed on.

You felt yourself breaking down on the inside, tears freely streaming down your face. Why didn't you reach for her behind you? Why did you leave her instead of running side by side? This was your fault. You were the reason for her suffering. You lost her because of your own selfishness.

"I'm sorry," You tried to cry out to her, but the words wouldn't form. Your throat felt like it was closing up. It stung and the breath was stolen from your lungs.

"Please…" She croaked again, blood beginning to leak from her eyes resembling the cruel form of tears. "(Y/n)..." Your name echoed from her in barely a whisper. 

Your weeping was uncontrolled now and you attempted lamely to crawl to Robin’s aide. 

The demodog suddenly stopped and trained its attention onto you. Although it had no eyes, you could have sworn it was looking into your very soul. Like it knew your guilt. 

It gurgled and chittered menacingly, blood oozing from its odd lips in thick, viscous drips. It stepped over Robins's body, stopping and standing over her as if she were its property. 

Its mouth blossomed wide in rows of teeth, Robins's flesh and blood splattering forward to the ground. A roar bellowed deep from within it, making the trees around you tremble in some sort of earthquake. 

"(Y/n), please!!" Robin's voice screamed out at you. "Please, wake up!!" 

The demodog lunged forward at you at terrifying speed. 

"Wake up!!"

You awoke with a violent jolt, nearly tumbling off the side of the mattress you were on. Your eyes were suddenly no longer closed but wide open, darting around you for any sign of danger. Before you could get up from the bed and try to run, as was usually your first inclination after a nightmare, you felt the pressure of someone sitting on top of you at the waist. A pair of warm hands caressed your face at the sides, forcing you to look straight up at who had pinned you down. 

Robins horrified but compassionate face looked down at you, her shoulders heaving in breaths as quick as yours. 

"Oh thank God you're awake," She muttered, swiping your cheek with her thumb. It was cold and wet. Tears. "You started sobbing in your sleep."

The fear subsided slightly and the emotions came flooding in full force. It was all a nightmare… None of it had been real. "Oh god," You choked out, bringing your trembling hands up to her wrists. "Rob, th- that was… The worst one. That was the worst yet," You couldn't hold anything back, you couldn't stop the tears from flowing. She was okay. She wasn't dead because of you. 

"Shit," She let out in a breath, then leaned down, pressing her body weight completely onto you in a type of hug. 

You wrapped her in your arms and squeezed, both relieved she was okay and terrified of thinking of ever losing her. You tucked your nose into her shoulder, sobs racking your body in brutal tremors. She was so warm.

"I’m right here… I’m here…I thought they were getting better," She said nearly in a whisper. You felt her slide her hand to the back of your head and begin stroking it soothingly with her fingertips.

"They never were," You confessed in messy uneven breaths. 

And that's where she left it. She didn't say another word to you that night, but you didn't need her to. The fact that she stayed there, pressing herself to you like a weighted blanket was enough. The pattern of her breathing was enough, the clean smell of her shirt was enough, the way her hair tickled your face was enough. Under her, you slowly could distance yourself from the images of the nightmare and you felt safer and safer. Only that way were you able to finally calm down and gradually let yourself fall into another slumber, tears still wet on your face.

----------

Beep beep beep beep

Robin's morning alarm… Right. You both still had school. 

Your heavy eyes broke open to meet Robin's sleeping face mere inches from yours. Although no longer on top of you, she still had you pulled to her body by the waist, legs in a tangled mess. 

You leaned over and hit snooze on her alarm clock, thankful Rob was one of the heaviest sleepers you had ever met. 

The pillow cradled your head again and you lay there, staring at her lovingly. You watched her eyes lightly flutter in her sleep, her eyelashes thick and perfect. Her hair was an absolute bird's nest and it made you snicker to yourself. Then the events of the night before surfaced in your mind. 

You had woken her up with your nightmare. God, it must have been really bad to have woken her up. Shame hollowed into a pit in your stomach and you pulled away from her touch. 

You weren't sure how much longer you could take this. The nightmares weren't the only thing that had been eating you up inside for months. Every day your chest ached over Robin. Every day you wondered if today would be the day you would say something. It never was, but it was getting harder to keep it that way. 

You loved her… and you wondered if maybe she could love you too. 

After the night before, feeling her intimate touch when you were at your worst… hearing her lovely voice in your ear to ground you again… you knew you couldn't keep how you felt a secret anymore. Something had to be done. That felt like the breaking point.

You untangled your legs from hers and got up to begin getting ready for the school day. You were going to let Robin sleep a little longer, considering you kept her up the night before. The only thing keeping you going that morning was the fact that you could walk to first period together. 

----------

Your bedroom door creaked open behind you and was paired with a quiet knock. "Hey, kid, how was Robins the other night?" Your father asked.

You paused your writing at your desk and didn't turn to look at him. "Good." 

"Good, good… Sorry I had to work so late last night." It was quiet for a moment. "You… have any nightmares at her place?"

"No," You lied. 

"Oh… really?"

“Really,” You nodded. Only then you turned to look at him. "She makes me feel safe, dad." You weren't going to try and hide everything from him…. Considering you were going to hide the note you were writing from him, you had to let some truth slip. Half-truths were going to have to be the compromise to keep your conscience quiet.

Your father simply nodded back at you, then told you he was heading out for work early that morning. You weren’t convinced he was fully appeased with your conversation with him, but you had other things on your mind to think about. 

After his leave, you continued your writing. 

Your hand ached as you wrote everything in a note. When the feelings started, the jealousy of Steve, the fear you had deep down that the feelings could ruin your friendship with her, her presence in the nightmares, your nightmare at her house, all of it. Nothing was held back. Once it was all written out and physically there in front of you… It scared you. But you weren't going to let that dampen the determination you felt to get this over with. 

You asked her at the end to meet you in the alleyway next to the running track as soon as she was done with band practice. Once she knew everything, you needed to talk to her face to face. It felt like the final battle. The most telling moment.

After that, you let your pencil hover over the bottom line, hesitating to sign the note. In the end, you decided the leave it unsigned. All you could imagine was the worst-case scenario. The look of disgust Robin could have when she read it. You trusted she would know it was you based on the context and that she wouldn’t spread rumors. But if someone else were to find the note, you didn't want it to be traced back to you. This information had the potential to ruin the rest of high school for you both. 

Tentatively, you folded the note and slid it into an envelope, sealing it with an ice cream cone sticker. It felt fitting. 

Checking the time once you were done, you grabbed your things and went out to wait for the bus.

----------

At the end of the school day, you snuck into Robins's band practice in the gym, scouring for her trumpet case. You recognized it immediately and quickly slipped the note into it, heart beating loudly in your ears. 

As quietly as you snuck in, you snuck out and made your way outside to the alleyway. You pressed your back to the cold brick and slid down, picking at your nails anxiously for her arrival. 

You hoped the band director wouldn’t keep them long that day. The last thing you needed was to be sitting out there until dark or something. You missed the bus for this, so walking home in the cold at night was definitely a possibility. Sure, you could call your father, whether at the police station or at home depending on the time, but you knew he would drill you with questions as to why you were at school so late. You didn’t have the mental energy for an interrogation like that. 

Before long, you heard the gravel crunching under the steps of someone approaching to your left. Too nervous to look, you kept your eyes trained on your hands in front of you. Behind them, a pair of beat-up red converse came to a stop. The person wearing them didn’t say anything, but you knew exactly who it was. Sheepishly, you raised your eyes up to meet Robin’s staring down at you. She offered a sympathetic smile and lifted the piece of paper with your handwriting on it. However, she didn’t say a word. 

You raised your brow at her. “What do you want me to say?”

“Can you stand up?”

A sigh pushed out of you and begrudgingly you stood from the ground to face her. You hugged yourself, telling yourself it was because of the cold. 

Robin shifted the paper in her hands and looked down at it, her expression unreadable. She was quiet, and that was out of the norm.  

“I meant all of it,” You vacillated quietly, the silence between you both feeling too tense. 

She nodded. “I know…” She looked up at you, eyes softening. “Can I tell you something?”

“Of course-” You were cut off by her body crashing into yours, pushing you against the brick, and her lips meeting yours. For a moment you went wide-eyed, but it didn’t take long for you to close your eyes and melt into the kiss. You felt like you were spinning as her lips fitted perfectly to yours, dancing together in a choreography that only you two knew. Her hands snaked around your waist, the letter falling to your feet and your hands found themselves weaving into her hair, pulling her face to yours as if you two could get any closer. 

She was the first to pull away, warm breaths tickling your cold face. If your cheeks hadn’t been rosy before, they definitely were now. 

“Did that make sense?” She whispered after a moment, a worried smile growing on her face. 

You smiled back and put your forehead to hers as you cradled her cheeks. “Absolutely,” You giggled. “And I loved every word.”

[aloneinthehellfire]

Chapter 4: Symptoms

Season One | Season Two | Season Three | Season Four

Raining Hellfire: Season Four

Word Count: 2813 words

Warnings: swearing, mentions of death, nosebleeds, visions, descriptions of vecna's curse

[A/N: well well well what do we have here? more angst? yes please]

Symptoms

“It was here. Right here.”

Max says, pointing her flashlight to the wall in front of her. The others look on in confusion but a cold chill runs down your spine, a faint ticking noise in the back of your mind as you stare. If you look hard enough, you could almost see an outline of…

“A grandfather clock?” Nancy questions and Max nods.

“It was so real.” Her voice breaks slightly and you move closer, allowing her to lean her shoulder against yours. “And then, when I got closer, suddenly I just… I woke up.”

“It was like she was in a trance or something.” Dustin adds, shaking his head, “Exactly what Eddie said happened to Chrissy.”

“No.” You whisper quietly under your breath, tears threatening your eyes again.

“That’s not even the bad part.” Max turns around to face everyone, fear on her face.

She led you back to the office, showcasing the files you had found earlier.

“Fred and Chrissy, they both came to Ms. Kelley for help.” Max points to a page of notes, sighing before she began to list off symptoms they all shared.

With each one, your mind swarmed with a thousand memories, making your heart pound quicker.

“Uh, they were both having headaches.”

A searing pain flooded through your head, making you squeeze your eyes shut. Goosebumps trailed along your arms, up to your neck. A sickening chill shooting down your spine.

“And then… then the nightmares. Trouble sleeping. They’d wake up in a cold sweat.”

You wake up with a pounding heart, sweat soaking the bed. It had been a while since you had that dream.

“Then they started seeing things.”

Beads of water were scattered across your face as you stood in a dark room, vines covering the walls while white specs floated aimlessly in the air. Your breath was cold. And all you could do was stare at the dark figure that stood behind you.

“Bad things. From their past.”

You kept your focus on the figure in the pool now floating. The ceramic side to a once blue pool now covered in crimson red blood.

“These visions, they just… they kept on getting worse and worse, until eventually…”

“Everyone you love, every person you drag down with you, will be taken from you” His eyes turn a milky white and you claw at his hand, “Stop fighting and obey”

“… everything ended.”

You rush to him, seeing the whites of his eyes staring to the sky, arms held out either side of him.

Then, they begin to snap.

“Vecna’s curse.” Robin says and you blink back into the room, hugging yourself tighter from where you stood out of view against the wall.

“Chrissy’s headache started a week ago. Fred’s six days ago.” Max states, before taking a breath. “I’ve been having them for five days.”

Your chest is about ready to burst with fear and anger.

“I don’t know how long I have. All I know is that, for Fred and Chrissy…”

You slowly start shaking your head, as if it was all a bad dream. You didn’t want her to say it.

“… they both died less than 24 hours after their first vision. And I just saw that god damn clock, so… looks like I’m gonna die tomorrow.”

As she takes a shaky breath, you suddenly push away from the wall. Heads turn as you walk out of the room, trying your hardest not to make more of a scene than you already were. You just didn’t think breaking down in front of her would make Max any less scared for her future.

Once you walk into the hallway, you slump against the wall in defeat. It felt like tears wanted to escape, a genuine pain in your chest, but nothing came.

“Hey.”

You turn your head to see Steve gently closing the door behind him, muffled voices on the other side of the wood.

“You okay?”

You let out a breathy laugh, shuffling so your back was pressed against the wall. “Oh, yeah. I’m having the time of my life.”

He leans next to you, eyes never not looking at your face. “She’s gonna be okay. We’re going to make sure she’s okay.”

“24 hours.” You shake your head, “We have 24 hours to kill Vecna. It just… it doesn’t make any sense.”

“What do you mean?”

“The symptoms.” You lean on your arm, facing him. “The fact that it only takes six days.”

“This Vecna guy obviously wants the job done quick.” Steve frowns.

“What if you’ve had them longer than six days?” You ask and his breath hitches.

“Are you telling me you’ve been cursed?” His voice raises in fear, “Because if you are then we need to-”

“No!” You lie, placing a hand on his shoulder as you shake your head, “No, I- I was just wondering.”

“Good.” He breathes, looking into your eyes, “I’m not losing you too.”

A sudden noise echoed down the hallway, catching your attention. The others hear it too, cautiously filing out of the office and exchanging looks.

Steve quickly runs back into the office, only to return with a lamp and in any other circumstance, you’d laugh.

“Stay behind me.” He whispers to you, creeping closer to where the noises start to echo louder.

Footsteps begin to approach rapidly and you hold your breath. Steve raised the lamp in his hands, ready to swing.

Suddenly, Lucas turns the corner and you all scream, Steve only just stopping himself from using his weapon.

“It’s me!” Lucas yells in shock, both hands held out.

“Lucas?” You say in surprise, stepping forward.

“It’s me.” Lucas sighs, finally looking at you. “Y/n?”

“Jesus, what’s wrong with you Sinclair?!” Steve yells at him.

“I’m sorry.”

“I could’ve taken you out with this lamp!” Steve stresses.

“Okay, okay, let’s calm down.” You say, reaching out and pushing the lamp down so Steve dropped it.

“Sorry, guys, sorry.” Lucas pants, taking a breath, “I was… I was biking for eight miles. Give me a second. Shit.”

He holds out his finger as if to ask for a moment and he looks to you.

“Hey, Y/n… welcome… back.” He says between breaths and you smile.

“Hey, Luke.” You rest your hand on his back, “You good?”

“No.” He shakes his head after pulling you to a quick hug, “We’ve got a code red.”

“What?” Steve shakes his head and you widen your eyes.

“Dustin.” Lucas crosses the space to the boys, panting. “I’ve been with Jason, Patrick, and Andy, and they’ve gone, like, totally off the rails.”

“How?” You step closer and he shifts his eyes between you both before settling on yours.

“They’re trying to capture Eddie, and they think you both know where he is. You’re in terrible danger.”

“Me?” You raise an eyebrow. “I literally just got here.”

“The guy who saw you. He must have told Jason. Shit.” Dustin notes and you purse your lips.

“Oh, yeah.”

“Oh, yeah?” Lucas questions, exasperated. “How could you forget someone threatening you like that?!”

“I’ve been a little busy with mind wizards on a murder spree!” You retaliate and Steve places a hand on your shoulder.

“All right. Lucas.” Dustin nods slowly, “Yeah, that definitely sucks, but we’ve got bigger problems than Jason right now.”

When Dustin turns to Max, Lucas physically stills.

You suddenly hear an echo in the back of your mind, something you can’t quite make out until it stops.

Clock chimes.

You all end up in the Wheeler basement, you and Nancy convincing Karen that it was for a celebration of your return to Hawkins.

“I’m so happy you’re back.” Karen had said, hugging you so tightly you barely breathed.

You wish you could feel that great about your return.

“Okay, be honest.” Steve sighs, pacing the room with a paper in his hands, “Uh… you guys understand any of this?”

He looks down at you, Lucas and Dustin, sitting side by side on the couch with you in the middle.

“No.” Lucas shakes his head.

“Yep.” You reply at the same time and you exchange looks.

“I’m glad we have you back.” He breathes out a sigh of relief and you nudge his shoulder.

“Pretty straightforward.” Dustin replies to Steve’s question, nodding at you.

“Oh, straightforward, really?” Steve mocks, glancing between you, “One of you wanna explain this, then?”

“What’s confusing you?” Dustin questions.

Steve simply gestures to the whole of the paper.

“Well-” Dustin begins before catching your eye, “Actually, Y/n can take this one.”

“Why?” You ask.

“I missed your genius.” He simply says and you smile.

“Okay, so,” You lean forward, staring up at Steve, “So far, everyone Vecna has cursed has died, except for this old Victor Creel dude Nancy found.”

“He’s the only known survivor.” Dustin adds and you nod, pointing to him.

“Which means,” You continue with a hopeful glint in your eye, “If anyone knows how to beat this curse, it’s him.”

“That’s assuming he was cursed, which we don’t even know.” Steve counters and you sigh.

“It’s worth a shot.” You say quietly, glancing behind him to Max currently at a desk, writing away.

“How can Vecna have existed in the ‘50s? It doesn’t make sense.” Steve mutters and you lean back in your seat.

“Far as we know, Eleven didn’t create the Upside Down.” Dustin theorised, “She opened the gate to it.”

“So, the Upside Down could have been around for thousands of years?” You question.

“Millions.” Dustin straightened in his seat, “I wouldn’t be surprised if it predated the dinosaurs.”

“Dinosaurs?” Steve looked at him in disbelief, “What are we-”

“Okay, okay.” Lucas interrupts, “But if the gate didn’t exist in the ‘50s, how did Vecna get through?”

“Oh, and how’s he getting through now?” Steve adds.

“And why now?”

“And why then?” Steve paces again, “Just pops out in the ‘50s, kills one family, and he’s like ‘I’m good’ and poof, he just disappears. Just.. gone? Only to return thirty years later and start killing some random teens? No, I don’t buy it.”

“My head hurts.” You sigh, rubbing away the migraine forming in your mind. At this point, you had no idea if it was anything to do with the curse or just stress. “What if…”

Lucas and Dustin look at you as Steve mutters under his breath, staring back down at the paper.

“No, it’s stupid.” You shake your head.

“Nothing’s stupid at this point.” Lucas says and you sigh again.

“This Vecna guy… we don’t know how old he is, you know? What if… what if he’s always been in the Upside Down. Or, maybe, he was able to do his curse on the surface?”

“That still doesn’t explain how he ended up in the Upside Down in the first place.” Dustin slumps in his seat.

“Or why he’s doing any of this.” Lucas whispers, and you know exactly who he’s looking at.

Steve falls into an armchair opposite you with a sigh.

“Any idea what she’s writing?” Dustin suddenly asks and your breath hitches in your throat.

You knew exactly what she was writing.

Max used to keep a diary when she was young, any time she needed to blurt out her feelings freely would cause her to put pen to paper. She used to give you those letters instead of talking to you sometimes. Especially when Susan and Sam first started fighting. You and her were alike that way. You both struggled with saying things out loud for the fear that it would make things too real. And letters were a way to ensure those feelings would be heard, even if we never get the chance to say them.

“Did she sleep?”

“I mean,” Lucas frowned, “Would you?”

You look down at your hands, taking a deep breath. When you look up, Steve’s eyes are on yours, a worried frown dancing on his eyebrows. You simply smile before the basement door opens, Robin and Nancy descending the stairs.

“Okay, so…” Nancy looks at Robin who gives her a nod, “We have a plan.”

Robin threw two files onto the table with a smirk, Steve and Dustin immediately grabbing them. You stood, walking over to stand behind Steve and peer over his shoulder and Lucas shuffled towards Dustin for a better view of the documents.

“Thanks to Nancy’s newspaper minions, we are now rock-star psychology students at the University of Notre Dame.” Robin explains and you smile, impressed at the handiwork.

“These look pretty good.” You nod and Nancy smiles.

“I’m now Ruth.” Nancy announces.

“And I’m Rose.” Robin bows.

“Ruth?” Steve raises an eyebrow at Nancy who just smirks at him. The twinge in your stomach fades when you meet Nancy’s eye, smiling with her.

“Nice GPA.” Dustin comments.

“Thanks.” Nancy glances around the group, “So we called Pennhurst Asylum, told them we’d like to speak with Victor Creel for a thesis we’re co-writing on paranoid schizophrenics-”

“To which they said no.” Robin reminds her.

“But,” Nancy continues, “We landed a three o’clock with the director.”

“Now all we have to do is charm him and convince him to let us talk to Victor.”

“Well, you are both very charming.” You nod and Robin winks at you.

“Then maybe we can rid Max of this curse.” Nancy says quietly and you slowly step away from the group, hugging your torso.

“Yeah, about that.” Steve glances behind him before leaning forward, “We’ve been doing our Victor Creel homework and, uh… we got some questions.”

“Lots of questions.” Lucas stresses.

“So do we. Hopefully, Victor has the answers.” Nancy sighs.

“If anyone can get answers, it’s you.” You interject, turning back around, “And Robin has a way of confusing people enough to get them to spill their secrets.”

Robin holds her hand to her heart. “You know me so well.”

You laugh before a strike of pain looms in the back of your mind. The others were busy shuffling through papers enough to allow you to turn and face the wall.

Your hand reached up to swipe below your nostril, blood marking your skin.

“Shit.” You breathe quietly, wiping it away on your jeans and turning back to the conversation. The symptoms were becoming more frequent.

“Where’s mine?” Steve asks and the girls exchange looks.

“It doesn’t… exist.” Robin says simply before nodding at Nancy. “We should probably get ready to go.”

They quickly stand and make their way up the stairs, disappearing as Steve is still sat in his chair, frowning.

“They’ll be…” You begin before Steve springs from the seat and bounds up the basement stairs, leaving you staring at an empty chair. “...fine.”

“You okay?” Dustin looks at you and you slowly nod.

“Yeah.”

“You sure?” Lucas looks concerned now, leaning forward. “I mean… Max…”

“I’m not letting anything happen to her.” You say with determination, walking up the stairs with the intent to drag Steve away from pestering the girls and their plan.

But once you close the door behind you, there’s a shooting pain down your spine and you stumble to the hallway, breathing heavily.

You close your eyes, willing the pain to stop.

Opening them again was a mistake.

“Do you hear it?”

You stumble backwards, the one you can only assume as Vecna stood directly in front of you.

“Listen” He demands and you continue to step backwards, one foot at a time.

But, sure enough, you listened. Clock chimes. They only rang four times.

“Four chimes?” You shake your head and he tilts his head at you.

“Four chimes”

You keep backing away until your back hits something heavy. Spinning around, you’re met with a grandfather clock and your breath is caught in your throat. You stare up at the clock face, noticing the two cracks on the glass.

“What happens after four?” You question shakily, reluctantly turning around.

Vecna stands close enough for you to feel his breath and you stifle a scream.

“Your end”

You gasp, opening your eyes to find yourself laying on the floor with a pounding heart.

As you slowly sit up, breathing erratically, you feel more blood dripping from your nose and you panic, wiping it away.

You don’t hear the footsteps approaching.

“Y/n?” Steve looks down at you, immediately crouching to your side when he sees the panicked look on your face. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Nothing.” You shake your head, stumbling to your feet and he holds your arm, “Nothing happened. I’m-”

“What the…” He mutters under his breath as he raises your arm, the sleeve stained with blood, and he stares directly into your eyes. “Did you…”

You squeeze your eyes shut when he lowers your arm gently, stepping closer.

“I know who the figure in my nightmares is.” You simply say and his face drops when he realises.

“Shit.”

Chapter 5: Guilt Consumes You ->

taglist: @gnnnne / @beepisbeep / @paintballkid711/ @eddiesbirdie/ @livasaurasrex/ @darktimelegends / @jackierose902109 / @mvrylee / @chervbs/ @eternallyvenus / @nervouscatsuit/ @f1nn-wolfhard/ @hereiamhereigo/ @ladybug0095 / @fangirling-4-ever / @astrolockley/ @mothmanatemycat

[gay-little-bitch]

Personal Lies pt2

Pt1 pt3 pt4 Pt5

Eddies pov:

Gareth barges into the room, waking Eddie up from his deep sleep. "Holy fuck Gare Bear! Do you fucking knock?! What if I was tryna jerk off?!" Gareth walks over and pushes Eddie to the other side of the bed. "Well, you weren't..."

"Get to the fucking point Gareth I wanna go back to sleep. This is my only day off from everything while I'm here." Eddie knows he has bags under his eyes (He hasn't slept more than 8 hours this week.) That fact seemed to make Gareth get to the point. "I talked to Robin today."

Eddie sits up from his original position. "Wait. Robin? Like Robin Buckley? The band geek that Harrington is dating for some weird reason? Not gonna lie I always thought she liked girls..." Gareth's hand slaps over Eddie's mouth. "Please shut the fuck up. Yes, Robin Buck- Ew! DID YOU JUST LICK MY HAND?!" He wipes his hand on Eddie.

"She's definitely not dating Steve... and never will. When I asked her she said 'Platonic with a capital P' so I'm like 100% sure they are just friends." Even though he was just told that they were just friends Eddie can't seem to get over the fact that he's seen Steve's high school Instagram multiple times and he's always with Buckley. They are always either holding hands, on each other's lap, or standing/sitting so close leaving zero space in between them.

"I don't believe you but go on... why did you guys meet up?" Gareth starts to pick at the blanket next to him. "We just... um talked. I told her about our band and she told me about hers. It was fun..."

"You definitely didn't just talk about that because you wouldn't have woken me up so you could tell me about a girl I used to know."

"Well I mean we also talked about Steve and his band... that Robin is also in. He just came out with a new album."

"Gare bear I swear to god if you don't fucking tell me the name of his band I will curb stomp you."

"Um...no. I will not tell you his band name. That is highly confidential."

"Why is it 'Highly Confidential'? It really can't be that big of a secret. Unless... YOU'RE PLANNING SOMETHING!"

"What?! No, I'm not... im simply just hanging out with a friend!"

"I still don't believe you but I'm tired so I won't ask any more questions. Thank you for this unimportant conversation and kindly fuck off."

Gareth gets up from the bed and leaves the room with a dirty look on his face. Eddie grabs his phone and starts searching. He goes to Instagram and looks up 'Steve Harrington' From the looks of it Steve doesn't have a public Instagram so he goes to the next best thing... Tiktok. Specifically Tiktok edits.

His screen is flooded with pictures of Steve's face. He looks worn out but still has one of the most beautiful faces Eddie has ever seen. After about 3 hours of scrolling through TikTok about Steve, he comes across a few tagged #steveharrington but are all about a mystery boy and not about Steve so he scrolls past those.

Eddie gets out of bed, past the kitchen, down the hall, and into Gareth's room. "He's so hot! How did he get hotter?! Why do I have to be hurt by this Gare Bear?!" Gareth giggles. "Are you talking about Steve?" Eddie throws his hands up in the air out of frustration. "Of fucking course I'm talking about Steve!"

"Go ahead. Tell me what's so great about him. Tell me why you're obsessed with his perky little ass and his luscious fluffy hair." Eddie looks at Gareth, confused. "Are you sure you don't wanna fuck him?" His friend lets out a loud laugh. "I'm 100% sure man. All yours."

Eddie sits on the floor and continues, he gets so caught up in the moment that he doesn't notice that Gareth took out his phone and started live streaming. "I just don't understand! How can a human be so fucking perfect? He has the best jawline and the most perfect ass! I literally can't cope with not being able to see him every day anymore! He was the only reason I went to that shit hole for 3 extra years!"

"Wasnt that because you failed?"

"Not the fucking point Gareth! Anyways... I just fucking wish that I could see him again! He's probably not even gay! I mean yeah he seems a little fruity but he used to fucking hate me so why would that change?! Why does he have to be so fucking hot man?! I wanna fucking die! Ugh!!!!"

Gareth's pov:

The comments are on the stream are filled with people saying things like 'Oh my god! Is he okay?' 'lol is Eddie being gay again?' and 'who is he moping about?' Eddie is still on the floor rambling about his search to find anything about Steve but he still didn't find anything about the songs. Lucky for Gareth all Eddie wanted to see was Steve's face so he skipped past all the 'boring' ones.

"Eddie. He's just a guy. You're acting like a fan girl who just found a video of their celebrity crush doing the hottest thing imaginable." Eddie stands up and flails his arms around. "He is existing and somehow it's hot! Don't fucking judge me! I know I'm a slut!!! No need to remind me!" Gareth pushes back the urge to roll his eyes. "I have literally known him since high school and I didn't make a move then so why would I do it no- GARETH! GET OFF YOUR PHONE IM TALKING TO YOU!"

Gareth turns the camera around so it points toward him. "See guys? That's why you don't go researching your high school crush who you're still in love with. Lesson of the day." Eddie stands in front of Gareth with his mouth open so wide in shock. "You little bitch! Were you recording me?!" Gareth waves his goodbye to the camera. "Close your mouth. You're gonna catch a fly. Also, yes I was recording you because you were acting like a teenage girl and it was funny. Now maybe Steve will notice you."

Eddie goes towards the door to leave but before he does he speaks up again. "Thanks for embarrassing me you little fuck. I hope it was worth it. I really hope you're right about him noticing me though. I'm so fucking lonely man." Right as Eddie leaves Gareth gets a text from Robin.

"Just saw your live, let's hope this works. I'll talk to Steve. Hopefully, we don't fuck this up."

Notes: Sorry for the long wait <333 I'm gonna try to update every Wednesday (i'm a little late but who cares ) I really hope you like this chapter :)) I always rlly hate my writing so idek if this is good or not so just tell me how you feel about it. If you have a request for the story just comment and I will look at all of them and tag you if I use them. I will also tag you if you ask so just comment if you wanna be tagged <3333

read on ao3

Tags:

@down-sizing-redux , @gay-stranger-things , @satan-is-obsessed , @this-is-moony-lovegood , @impeachy , @maraudersfavoritewhore , @robinbuckleymybeloved ,  @hyperfixationgoddess , @fandomz-brainrot , @mightbeasleep , @ali-just-ali , @beckkthewreck , @novelnovella , @beeing-stuupidd

[xtrafluffyteddy]

One for the books

Pairing: Eddie munson x reader , Steve harrington x reader, Billy hargrove x reader

Mentions: a little bit of angst, celebrations, past abuse, fluff, happy ending!!

Part of the home for wayward souls series!!

You, Steve and Eddie had woken up bright and early to make Billy a nice birthday breakfast, which included all his favorites like bacon, sausage, honeyd fruits and French toast with strawberries. You were all bouncing with excitement as you heard billy shuffle into the kitchen only for it to die as he brushed past you heading straight to make his usual cup of coffee and snatch a few pieces of bacon off the table.

He was about to walk out of the kitchen when you quickly stopped him “what’s wrong princess?” Billy questions staring down at you in confusion, you can’t help but frown “you didn’t even notice the breakfast we worked so hard on” Billy looked past you and at the table covered in all the foods, “whyd you cook so much is it a special day or somethin?” You gasp blinking owlishly at him “Billy my love, it’s your birthday” he nods and shrugs “yeah and?” You gasp again “Billy have you ever had someone celebrate your birthday?” Billy nods thinking back to when he was a kid and his mom would surprise him with donuts only for Neil to get pissed at her for spending money on what he called ‘useless shit’

“Billy? Earth to Billy?” You waved your hand in front of his face snapping him out of his daze, “why don’t you sit and eat your breakfast hm?” You usher him to the table making him take a seat “so what are your plans for today big man?” Eddie questions through a mouth full of food “uh- work, come home, and sleep” you can’t help but frown again as you watch Billy scarf down his food before he gets up “speaking of work, I gotta get goin, thanks for the breakfast princess” Billy gives you a quick kiss before rushing out the door keys and wallet in hand.

You refused to let Billy have another sad birthday alone so you tried to think of how you could make it better before settling on a great idea sending a mischievous grin to Steve and Eddie. “Stevie, Ed’s could you run a few errands for me today?” They nod as they shovel more food in their mouths “great, perfect!” You can’t stop the wide grin from spreading across your face as everything began falling into place.

As Steve and Eddie got ready to leave you gave them each a loving kiss before handing them the list of what would be needed for the party “be safe, get back soon, I love you” you call out waving bye to them as they climb into Steve’s car and drive away. You turn back towards the house already knowing you’ll have a lot of work to get done before Billy got home.

It was hard work but thankfully Robin and Nancy had been kind enough to help you set set up and prepare everything. “Now this is what I call a sick as fuck party set up, am I right lovebirds” you turn smiling at Nancy and Robin had laughed along with you before Robin asked something that had been on her mind for a bit “so uh- why the power ranger theme?” Your smile turns into one of sadness “well because- because Billy told me when he was a kid he’d watch power rangers and imagine he was one of them so he could protect his mom and keep her safe”. Nancy and Robin sniff as you laugh softly “a bit silly isn’t it?” They are quick to shake their heads “no no we think it’s very sweet” Nancy reassured.

The rumbling of an engine could be heard as you all shared a look “shit shit shit quick hide!” You shouted as all three of you go to your chosen hiding spots holding your breaths as you hear the jingling of keys “surpri- oh it’s just you two false alarm ladies” you make your wha to Steve and Eddie smiling “damn ouch” Eddie groaned dramatically causing you to roll your eyes playfully as you took the large cake from them “thank you my loves” you gently set down the cake on the table admiring the red power ranger staring back up at you “I hope he’ll like this” you sighed only to be met with soft kisses from Steve and Eddie “he’ll love it sunshine” Steve reassures “yeah sweetheart don’t stress” Eddie agrees.

You all sat watching the clock with baited breath waiting to hear the familiar roar of Billy’s engine as he tears ass down yalls street. “Maybe he’s just la-“ Steve began before snapping his head towards the door “shit! shit! You all heard the familiar roar of Billy’s engine as he pulls into the drive way “shit! Hide!” Eddie shouts as you all rushed to your hiding spots holding your breaths as Billy swung open the door stepping into the abnormally dark home “guys! Guys I’m home!” He called out signaling you all to jump out screaming “SURPRISE!!” Billy looked around in shock taking in all the decorations and treats, “wha- what is all this?” Billy questions voice wavering as he tries to fight back the tears threatening to spill “happy birthday baby” you coo placing your hands gently on his cheeks wiping away any stray tears that had escaped “happy birthday big man!” Eddie grins patting Billy on the back “yeah happy birthday dude” Steve smiles ruffling Billy’s already messy hair.

You led him to the kitchen where Nancy had set up his cake and put all his candles in it lighting them as you sat him down. You clear your throat as you all began to sing happy birthday to him smiles never leaving yalls faces as you leaned down pressing a soft kiss to the top of Billy’s head “blow out your candles and make a wish baby” you said softly wrapping your arms around his shoulders as he sniffed and took a deep breath blowing out all his candles. You all clapped and cheered for him as he tried to stop the tears rolling down his cheeks “it’s okay baby, it’s okay to cry” you reassure pressing more kisses to his cheek and temples “I’m not sad or anything” he chokes out “I’m so happy” he cries as you all coo and wrap him tightly in yalls arms, all of you wishing billy a happy birthday and offering him comfort as he cries tears of happiness. Happiness over the fact that all of you cared enough to remember his birthday and threw him a party.

“Now before we eat cake I personally think we should all go play in the bounce house i rented for the night” you giggled as Nancy, Robin, Steve and Eddie rushed outside throwing themselves into said bouncy house leaving you and Billy alone. You looked down at Billy who was still in a state of shock “cmon baby” you smile taking a hold of his chin gently tilting his face up to look at you “let’s go have fun hm?” You lean down giving him a soft loving kiss before pulling him out of his chair and outside where everyone else was waiting for him to join cheering him on as he climbed in. He felt like he was a child again and he couldn’t be more grateful for it. He’d remember this moment forever.

[anangelwhodidntfall]

Otherside: Steve Harrington

Stranger Things Masterlist

word count: 614

Request: steve harrington being busy all the time and then calling reader clingy when they ask for him to make some time for the two of them and idk just some really angsty stuff

I don't even wonder why you don't answer

When I call your name

Are you on the other side? Will you save us?

Or will you run away?

You had always understood that your boyfriend Steve wasn't going to be able to be with you 24/7, but still, you had hoped that he would make a little time for you. When you and Steve first started dating, no matter how busy he was he always made time with you, but now it seemed like you were lucky if you even got to speak to him before he was gone again. At first, it didn't brother you when steve became busy with work, school, and other things because he still made time for you and made you feel a priority but now it was like you weren't there.

Robin was the first to notice how things had changed between you and Steve and how quiet and acted like it wasn't a big deal when Steve ignored you or said he couldn't hang out with you. She offered to come spend the day with you in hopes that would cheer you up, but she wasn't expecting to come over and find you in tears.

"Hey....Hey what's wrong?" She asked walking over and rubbing a hand on your back.

"I just miss him Robin....I miss my boyfriend who actually cared about me and actually wanted to spend time with me." You said through tears as Robin's heart broke hearing how upset you were.

"Have you tried talking to him about how your feeling? Maybe he doesn't realize that he hasn't spent time with you lately?" Robin suggested trying to help.

"No I haven't. I can barely get five words out to him before he off again." You said looking up at her as you.

"Maybe you should try talking him, and see if that changes anything." She suggested as you dried eyes.

"And if it doesn't change anything?" You asked her sadly.

"Then maybe it's time to move on to someone who would truly appreicate you and make time for you." She said sadly as you nodded your head at her.

You two managed to turn your day around and it was nice to have someone who actually wanted to spend time with you but it also made you miss Steve even more. It would be a few days before you would get to speak to Steve but Robin helped you out with that by having you guys come over to her house so Steve couldn't run.

"Okay what's going on?" Steve asked you annoyed.

"Steve we need to talk about how you've been treating me lately." You said nervously.

"And how's that?" He asked you.

"LIke I'm not even there! Steve i've barely spoken five words to you in the past month let alone seen you! It's like you forget I existed or something!" You said.

"I've been busy with work and school, i'm not going to have time to be with you 24/7." He said as you sighed.

"You used to have time for me when we first started dating and now it....feels like you don't love me anymore." You said quietly.

"Your right I don't.... you've just became so clingy and needy all the time and I couldn't take it anymore so I started pushing you away in hopes that you would break up with me but I guess I have to do that too." He said as you felt your heart drop.

"No you don't have to. It's over Steve." You said walking out of Robin's room where a confused Robin stood watching as you left in tears before going upstairs to see what had happened between you two.

[dilf-whore]

the other woman (part 2)

previous

pairing: robin buckley x f!reader

genre: angst, fluff

summary: making assumptions can hurt others, and yourself

A/N: here’s part 2! sorry if i made vickie mean here but i hope you guys still like it. i also tagged those who commented for another part. 💖

requested: no

requests are OPEN

masterlist

｡･:*˚:✧｡

The past few days have been hard for you and Robin. You’ve been avoiding her calls and ignoring her whenever she tries to talk to you saying that you have some things to do at home. Robin was getting frustrated, she’d often go to Steve and tell him about how you’re trying to escape her every attempt to talk - he just says to give you some space.

Robin couldn’t take it anymore, she misses you. She misses your smile, your thorough sweeping of Family Video’s floor, your presence. She can’t seem to fully enjoy her time with Steve and Vickie with you not being around. She finally decides to go to your place and talk to you.

｡･:*˚:✧｡

She arrives at your front door, palms sweaty. She wipes her hands on her shirt and knocks on your door. You go down and put you hair up, trying to look decent - you’re still in your pajamas. You open the door and freeze when you see Robin with her hands on her pocket as she rocks her body anxiously. 

“Hi, uhm sorry for bothering you. Can we please just talk?” she says. You nod and motion her to come inside. “Look, I’m so-” 

“I’m sorry Robin” you cut her off. She turns to you with a confused look, “what?”. You look down on your feet, fiddling on the hem of your shirt. “I’m sorry for avoiding you, I just needed some space. Steve told me that you found the bouquet and what’s written on the card so I’m guessing you know how I feel. You don’t have to say sorry really, don’t want you to pity me”

“If you’re happy, then I’m happy. That’s all that matters” you add as you look up and meet her eyes. 

Robin didn't know what to say, the words she practiced on the way were all gone. She quickly move towards you and pull you into a hug. She rests her chin on you shoulder and stay like that for a while, you warmth comforting her. 

｡･:*˚:✧｡

You and Robin have gone back to normal and start hanging out again, well with Steve of course. She’d spend her weekends with the two of you, mostly Saturdays while the rest was with Vickie. You’d be lying if you said that you moved on, it’s hard to just get rid of your feelings for someone. Steve knows that you still feel the same - it’s his amazing instincts he said.

You were walking through the hallways, heading home. You hear indistinct shouting from one of the classrooms and spot Robin and Vickie arguing, you stop for a while until Vickie makes eye contact with you - causing you to walk away quickly. You arrive to the parking lot and worry spreads through your body as you enter your car, the argument seemed pretty intense with the way their eyes were flaring and skin turning red from anger.

Just typical couple stuff, you shake it off, not wanting to involve yourself.

Robin and Vickie are arguing over something so small again, it’s been like that for a while now. Something so small and petty turns into a whole heated argument. “You always spend so much time with Y/N and Steve!” Vickie shouts.

“What do you mean so much time?! I literally only see them once a week! at fucking work!” Robin argues. She slams down the books she’s holding and lets out a frustrated groan, “why does everything have to be your way?! I’m my own person too you know? It’s like you’re holding me by the fucking neck” she exclaims.

Vickie crosses her arms, “so I’m not important?”. Robin raises her hands in frustration, “what the fuck?” she responds.

“Me or your stupid friends? choose” the red head asks.

That’s it, that was the last straw for Robin. No one says shit about her friends. No one.

She doesn’t respond, making Vickie scoff, “So it’s Steve and that annoying Y/N” she says as she rolls her eyes. “You have no right to talk to Y/N or any of my friends like that!” Robin exclaims, pointing at the girl in front of her. She grabs her things and walk out, “it’s over! stay away from me”.

｡･:*˚:✧｡

Robin’s laying down on her bedroom floor, her hands moving up and down as she zips and unzips her jacket. Strangely, she doesn’t feel sad or anything negative about breaking up with Vickie. In fact, she felt like a heavy weight was taken off her shoulder. She actually wonders why, she did have a huge crush on Vickie but guess it was just the type of crush people have for celebrities.

Her mind goes to you and Steve, she feels bad for not spending any time with you both. She miss making fun of King Steve not being able to get a date and losing his touch.

She suddenly wonders what you’re doing now, have you finished your favorite book? did you remember to eat? are you taking a break? A smile unconsciously forms on her lips on a memory she had with you: the time when you pranked Steve last Halloween.

She adores the way you get along with anyone and how you make her day with just a simple “hi”.

Fuck

She sits up and puts a hand on her cheek. It’s been you all this time, how can she be such a stupid asshole? It’s you who she truly likes.

｡･:*˚:✧｡

You plop down your couch, a slice of pizza on one hand. You were watching your favorite show, when suddenly a loud bang of some sort of heavy object was heard from your front porch. You take a peak on the window and see Robin who tripped on the stairs, you quickly opened the door and help her get back up.

“Oh my god, Robin! Are you okay?”

She dusts off her pants, “Yeah, I’m more than fine actually” . She suddenly grabs your shoulders and push you inside.

“Do you still feel the same about me?”.

“W-what?” you ask, taken aback. “Do you still have feelings for me? Because I like you too. I was stupid and didn’t realize it earlier and-“

“Relax Robin. What are you talking about? Aren’t you with Vickie?” you cut her off.

“No I broke up with her, she said some things about you and Steve, even made me choose between her and you guys. She had this tight grip on me, I couldn’t be myself when I’m with her”

You look down and stay silent for a while, “Oh. Well I still like you. But, I’m not some rebound Robin. You literally just broke up with Vickie and you’re here running to me”

“You’re not a rebound, I-I’m sorry if I made you feel that way. I’ll make it up to you, we can take it slowly, o-or I’ll give you time - I can wait. I’ll prove it to you” She says as she holds your hand.

“Okay, let’s take it slowly. Give it some time” you smile and she does the same meeting your eyes.

“But” you say, her face turning into a frown - worried.

“You also need to make up to Steve” a sigh of relief escapes from her mouth and nods.

“Of course. We can start by going out tomorrow night?” She suggests. “with Harrington” she adds.

“I’d love that”

｡･:*˚:✧｡

taglist: @eddiemvnsongf @marvelbbyx @maddyscherryrollingpapers @amelies-a-simp @robinbuckleyluvr @barelymakingitinlife @simpforflorencepugh1​ 

[yourmomsgranddad]

— MOVIE NIGHT WITH THE FREAK AND THE HAIR

— PAIRING: Steve Harrington x fem!reader, ex!Eddie Munson x fem!reader

— SUMMARY: You and Eddie used to date, and everything is fine between you since you don't see him anymore. But things turn on its side when Dustin invites you, Eddie (your ex), and Steve (your current crush) over for a movie night.

— WORD COUNT: 1.5k

— WARNINGS: n/a

You were pacing around your room, picking things up.

You were supposed to be cleaning but Dustin and Steve just thought it was the best time to come over and bother you.

"Come on!"

"No!"

And right now, Dustin would not stop pestering you about some movie night.

"Come on, Y/n! It's going to be fun!" He tried to convince you but sadly for him, it was not working in the slightest.

You stopped working for a minute to look at him seriously.

"Dustin, why would I want to spend my night, watching Wizard of Oz with a bunch of middle schoolers?"

"Hey, they're in high school!" Steve corrected from your bed. He was under your blanket, pretending to be sleeping. "Doesn't make your friendship with them less weird."

He rolled his eyes before closing them again and going back to pretend sleep.

"Come on! We're going to watch the movies at Steve's house."

Suddenly, your interest was peaked. You had never been to Steve's house ever. He never invited you, not once. So you kind of wanted to see what it looked like.

"Ok I'm in."

Dustin's brows furrowed as he was kind of confused from your sudden switch. "Really? That's what got you?"

"I've never seen his house. I'm curious."

Dustin turned toward Steve, looking at him incredulously. "What?" He was also wondering the switch, but from Dustin now. "You've never invited her to your house?!"

Pure shock spread across the both of you since you looked at Steve agitated as well.

"You've invited your 14 yr old best friend over your house and not me?" Steve froze, not knowing what to say. There was nothing he could think of to say to make both of you less confused.

"See you at movie night!" He shouted before bolting out of your room and completely messed up your made bed.

"What was that about?" You asked, looking at Dustin as if he knew the answer.

"I have no idea."

You walked up the stairs to Steve's house and knocked.

He opened the door almost immediately with a bright smile on his face. "Hi." He greeted but the blank expression never left your face.

"I can't believe the first time I'm coming to your house is a movie night with Dustin." He sucked in some air, feeling sort of guilty. "Sorry." He apologized.

"It's fine." You shrugged off, a small smile finding its way onto your face.

That's when Steve relaxed from being out of the doghouse.

He moved over to finally let you out of the cold and into the warmness from his house.

It seemed as though you were the last person to get there because it seemed like there was a very loud party going on in his kitchen from all the shouting happening.

You walked through his house, toward his kitchen to find all of Dustin's friends plus Robin, all arguing about something. But they seem to have stopped when they noticed you looking at them confused in the doorway.

"Oh hey!" Robin was the first to greet you but she had a whole bunch of Pringles shoved in her mouth so her speech was a little muffled.

"Robin? Really? You're here too? How did they rope you in?"

"They told me there would be unlimited snacks." She admitted, making your eyes at your friend.

But then you froze.

You hadn't seen him since the breakup and you really weren't ready to see him now. It seemed like he wasn't ready to see you either from the way he stopped eating and looked at you awkwardly.

You never really provided explanation after you broke up with him. To him, it just seemed out of nowhere. but what's done is done.

No more Y/n and Eddie.

"Um, I need to go to the bathroom. Steve, where is your bathroom?"

"Right through there." He instructed. Eddie walked past everyone, going toward the bathroom. Steve wondered why your smile fell so quickly. I mean you were happy a few seconds ago.

He shouldn't dwell either.

Eddie walked out of the bathroom to find you right outside the door with your lips making a thin-line.

"Are you going to be okay? Because if things are going to be weird between us, I'll leave. I'm pretty sure Dustin would want you here more than me."

Eddie felt frozen. On one hand, he really didn't want you to leave because he liked seeing you, even if that meant as a friend.

On the other hand, seeing you right now was kind of hurting his heart.

He was slightly conflicted.

But his mouth acted before his brain making him say, "yeah. you should leave."

You nodded, accepting your fate. You walked away with your hands lightly clasped together. You walked up to the couch where Robin, Dustin, and Steve were all play-fighting. But, again, they stopped when they noticed you.

"Ok Dustin, I'm going to go."

His face dropped and sadness grew across all three of them.

"But you just got here. I thought we were going to watch Wizard of Oz."

"First of all, that wasn't a suggestion, it was a hypothetical."

It made you feel worse how his little face looked when he was sad. You could tell he really didn't want you to go.

You could tell all three of them didn't want you to go.

But Eddie did. And you had to respect his wishes.

"Second, my mom said I have to be home. Apparently, I'm grounded because you two wouldn't let me clean my room."

Dustin's face scrunched up from guiltiness but Steve remained expressionless, which made you nervous. "Anyway, I'll see you guys later."

You walked out of the door and began walking to your car. You had your keys in your hand, getting ready to open your door. But then you felt someone smack them out of your hand.

You looked up and Steve was now standing in front of you.

"Steve!" You shouted at him but he didn't seem guilty at all. Just concerned for you. "What's wrong?" He asked, putting his hands on your wrists, pulling your hands apart and near him more.

Your heart just melted at the fact he could tell something was wrong.

But it didn't make you feel less bad. So tears started bubbling in your pupils, making your eyes glassy in a sense.

He dropped your wrists and pulled you in for a tight hug. Your head falling into his shoulder as you softly cried. "He couldn't be in the same room as me."

"Who?"

"Eddie."

Steve pushed you away and that's when he remembered.

"Oh i'm sorry. I forgot you two used to date. I can tell him to leave if you want."

You shook your head as he wiped away your tears away with the pad of his thumb. "No. I broke up with him. He has every right not wanting to see me."

"But it's my house. I can kick him out if you want me to. You're my best friend, not him."

"But it's Dustin's movie night. Plus, I don't want to ruin your night."

"You want to know what's ruining my night? Seeing you cry. I don't like it when you're sad." His hands retreated back to yours.

There was a moment of silence as you relished in the wind, flowing through your jacket and resting on your now cold hands. Steve noticed how cold you were feeling so he decided to get even closer, giving you his body heat.

"Why did you break up with Eddie? I mean both of you seemed happy days before it happened."

You took in a deep breath, getting ready to tell him the real reason you left your only healthy relationship.

"Because I was in love with you. And I didn't want to string him along. It wouldn't have been right."

Steve's eyes went wide but he dared not to move away from you.

He didn't answer, prompting you to keep talking.

"I know that's so stereotypical since every girl and their mother has a crush on Steve Harrington but it's not because you're attractive! It's because your personality is hot. Oh my gosh! I sound so fucking stupid and I really want to kiss you right now."

You felt like this weight was lifted off of your chest and Steve was just chuckling at your awkwardness, which was a good sign.

"Then why don't you do it? Nothing is stopping you."

He stepped even closer, putting his hand on your cheek.

He leaned into you slowly, making the anticipation build up until finally your lips touched, lightly almost like his lips were made of clouds.

The kiss was getting quite heated as his tongue slipped through the passage that was your lips and teeth.

But you broke away when you heard a slight, "Ew," coming from Steve's house. You looked at the window to see Dustin looking at both of you with disgust while Robin was giving you the thumbs up.

"Gross!" he shouted before shutting the curtains, making you both chuckle.

[garciaasfluffypen]

you’re my angel, only angel

wc: 1.6k pairing: eddie munson x gn!reader warnings: eddie calls reader sweetheart/cute/doll, eddie is soft and loves y/n a whole lot, drunk confessions, mutual pining, admission of love, smoking & weed mentions, 

BASED ON THIS POST

halloween in hawkins was something everyone loved. the crisp fall air, the parties, everything about it was amazing. 

but you were excited for something else this year. 

you had finally convinced eddie to do matching costumes with you, even though you wouldn’t tell him what you were going to be doing. there was a party that one of steve’s friends had invited him too, and by extension that meant the rest of your friend group (minus the young ones, because you were Not about to experience the wrath of hopper when he found out you let el near alcohol). robin had helped you come up with the idea- the devil and the angel, except you were going to be the devil and he was going to be the angel. you hadn’t told him yet, but you were going to show up to his trailer in your devil costume while holding out the bag with the angel costume inside. it was a fool proof plan, you thought yourself. especially since he would bend over backwards for you. 

you parked your car in his driveway and practically skipped up to his front door, doing your signature knock to let him know you were here. you bounced on the balls of your feet as you heard him walking through the living room to the door. a smile found its way to your face as his eyes lit up with excitement and then confusion as he saw you standing there.

“hello my love!” you bought him in for a hug. “i got a surprise for you.”

“can i ask why y’re in a devil costume?”

“it’s for tonight, silly! our plans?”

“oh shit yeah, the plans. our plans.” he paused. “what plans?”

“we’re going to a party! and i have your costume.”

“we’re- okay, we’re goin’ to a party.” 

you pushed past him and went further into the trailer, dropping your overnight bag on his couch and turning to face him. you held out the party store bag that held his costume in it, the smile on your face growing as he came closer. he looked inside of it and let out a sigh, staring up at you.

“absolutely not.”

“eddie please?” you pulled at his wrists. “i promised steve we would go to the party and i already got you your costume-”

“i told you not to spend money on me, doll.” 

“but i wanted too! we’re gonna win the cutest costume contest. robin said she’d cook us her famous banana bread if she did.” 

she definitely did not say that, but you were sure you’d convince her to do it for you. 

“now that’s temptin’...” eddie trailed off. “but why d’you get to be the devil?”

“’cuz...” you looked up at him through your eyelashes. “you’re my angel. and i-”  i like you, you wanted to say. but you didn’t. “yeah. my angel.” 

his features visibly softened as you looked at him, smiling slightly as he took your face in his hands. he placed a small kiss on the tip of your nose, reaching down and taking the bag from your hands.

“fine. but ‘m doing this because you’re so goddamn cute.”

you squealed with excitement as eddie took the bag, going back into his bedroom to change. this was going to be the best party ever. 

                                                      - - - - -  

the party was in full swing by the time nancy pulled up, letting the rest of you get out while she went to go find parking. you always admired nancy, especially when she would offer to be DD so you all could go have fun. you tugged eddie’s hand as you ran towards the door, trailing him along behind you. abba was playing in the background as your group went straight to the drink station, grabbing cups of punch and splitting ways. you took hold of his hand and pulled him into one of the corners of the dark room, wrapping your arms around him as you sipped the spiked punch in your hand. out of the corner of your eye you saw everyones costumes, silently thinking to yourself that everyone else didn’t have the big brain that you had. nobody had thought to do the opposite angel and devil, they were all boring and did everything the normal way. 

nothing about you and eddie was normal. and that was the best thing about you two. 

hours had passed and you were now drunk off your ass, hanging off of a tipsy eddie as you danced to gimme gimme, throwing yourself against him with steve and robin dancing right next to you. you held one of robin’s hands in your own as the other wrapped around eddie’s neck. he had a hand wrapped around your waist supportingly as you two danced, slyly watching you, robin and steve to make sure he didn’t have to drag you back outside. he was lucky he loved you, or else he wouldn’t even be here in the first place. but he loved watching you unravel and lose yourself, something you definitely had not done since... well, forever. you always felt like you had to keep up the image that your parents wanted you to be, and now that you had graduated you could finally let that go. and that was exactly what you were doing. 

and that was exactly why eddie loved you so fucking much. 

he had loved you for about a year now, ever since you had punched jason in the face after he had made fun of him. that was the moment he knew that he was absolutely head over heels in love with you and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with you. of course, he had figured you would have gone for someone better than him. so he had kept it to himself. but it was the moments like these were he could let his true feelings show, where he could watch you be yourself and not worry about the stress of your parents watching down on you. 

“eddieee!” you whined. “’m gunn.. punch. ‘m thirsty.” 

“okay sweetheart. be careful.” 

you giggled as you placed a kiss on his cheek, grabbing robin’s hand and running off to get more punch. steve looked over to eddie and stepped up to him, leaning close to his ear. 

“i see how you look at ‘er, eds. you gotta tell ‘er.”

“huh?” 

“are you deaf, munson? fuckin’ tell her how you feel. i may be drunk but ‘m not dumb. i know when someone’s in love, and you definitely are.” 

eddie’s face reddened. “am not.” 

“are too. you don’ let anyone touch your weed yet you let her literally smoke all of it and you don’ say a thing. that’s love, my friend.” 

“’m not in love.” eddie sipped his beer. “y/n is my best friend. i couln’t do that to us.” 

“you’re not gonn’ fuck it up, eddie. i promise.” 

moments later you made your way back to eddie, pouting and punchless. 

“eds, nancy ‘s bein’ mean to me, she said i can’t ‘ave more drunk.” 

eddie couldn’t help but chuckle. “i think she’s wise for that, cutie. you’re pretty drunk.”

“’an you’re jus’ preddy.” you booped eddie’s nose. “ver preddy. my angel.” 

“i think we gotta get you back to the trailer, sweetheart.” 

“mmmkay.”

with a single nod to nancy, the two of them wrapped everyone up and got the group to the car, making their way back to eddie’s place. he had graciously offered his trailer for the night, since wayne wasn’t going to be home for a few days. which meant that not only could you sleep over, but all of your friends could too. which is somehow how eddie found himself sitting on the floor while you, steve and robin were all very much staring at the television, watching the reruns of fraggle rock that played at 4 in the morning while horribly singing along to the theme song. he and nancy passed water out to everyone and hoped that the alcohol would wear off soon. 

eddie had stepped outside for a moment to smoke when he heard the door open and you slipped out, seemingly a bit more sober than you were earlier that evening. you had to admit, you did go a bit harder than you normally did that night, but that was because you were 95% sure eddie had turned you down and you wanted to forget everything that had happened. but robin had pushed you to talk to him and figure it out, and what better time than the present? 

“hey.” 

“hey yourself.”

“can i?” you pointed to the couch as eddie scooted over, patting the spot next to him. “thanks.”

“what’s up?”

“i uh, 'm still kinda drunk so you can take this with a grain ‘f salt, but i uh... wanna tell you that i like you. that’s it.” 

eddie couldn’t believe his ears. you liked him? you really liked him? 

“lucky for you, sweetheart, i like you too.” 

“you do?” your eyebrows skyrocketed. “i thought-”

“i’ve liked you for a while. i thought i made it obvious.” 

“maybe ‘m just dumb-”

“you’re not dumb, y/n.” eddie turned your jaw so you could look at him. “you’re the opposite of dumb.” 

you dug his head into his shoulder. “y’re not mad at me for not sayin’ something?” 

“why would i be mad?”

“’cus i hid a secret from you. for a long time.” you sighed. “i din’ wanna tell you because i was scared.” 

“scared?”

“cus if you didn’ like me it would be awkward.” 

“what if i told you, that ‘s not awkward at all, and that in the mornin’ when you sober up we can talk about this some more?” 

you tiredly nodded, a yawn escaping your mouth. “yeah, that sounds good.” 

“let’s get you to bed, kay?”

“mmkay.” 

and it was in that moment, that eddie knew he would love you forever, and you knew the same. 

[panandinpain0]

Helllllloooo! May I please request Eddie Munson x male reader who’s Dustin’s older brother. Maybe he gets injured in the upside down? I know it’s super vague, but I am awful at making requests lol

sorry that it’s so vague ;-;

Say It Like You Mean it

Part Two

Requested by: Anon (as per usual)

Don't be sorry! Honestly, I've gotten way less detail in the past. Tysm for requesting!!! (I'll try my best to meet expectations <3)

Eddie Munson x Male!Henderson!Reader

(I will be making the reader adopted for inclusivity, but it won't be a very large topic)

Warnings: Swearing and Blood

(Kind of follows the plot??)

Enjoy!

--

Eddie and Dustin sat on crates on the grass, hammering nails into trash can lids and joking around.

"Hey, Dustin?" Eddie asked, not looking up from his work.

"Yeah, what's up?" Dustin asked, looking up at him and blinking expectantly.

"So, uh... your brother, (Y/N)..."

"(Y/N)? What about him?"

Both boys looked behind them to see (Y/N) walking in and out of the RV, fetching something for Steve and Robin. He would usually be sitting with the two boys, but had gotten distracted.

"Does he- I mean, has he ever had, I dunno... people? Over...at your house and stuff?" Eddie asked extremely hesitantly. He stumbled over his words as he pretended to work, though he was already finished with his shield.

"People? Eddie- what're you-" Dustin's face was scrunched up in confusion until it dawned with understanding. The look immediately went to some sort of angry disgust. "EDDIE?! THAT'S MY BROTHER!"

"What?! What? I'm just saying," Eddie protested, standing up and shrugging his shoulders as he looked Dustin in the eye.

With an aggravated scoff Dustin shook his head and stood up too. "I usually don't do this, but I know you're a good guy, Eddie. (Y/N) has had people over in the past, but it's never ended well. Just- whatever happens, take care of him. Promise me." He looked more serious than Eddie had ever seen him.

"Of course," Eddie immediately agreed. "So... does this mean I have a chance?"

"I don't know, I haven't heard him mention you... at least out loud."

Eddie snapped to attention, looking at Dustin expectantly.

"What do you mean?"

"He may or may not leave his diary open on the kitchen table every once in a while..."

"He has a diary?" Eddie seemed to find the idea incredibly endearing. "AND HE WRITES ABOUT ME IN IT?"

"Yes, but you can't tell him I told you-" Dustin warned before being cut off by Eddie tackling him, the two continuing to fake fight.

(Y/N) looked over at the two fighting as carefully as possible with their nail shields, smiling and shaking his head as he handed Steve another bottle. He was leaning against the side of the RV on his shoulder with his arms crossed.

"What's got you all sunshine and rainbows?" Robin asked, quirking her eyebrow and following (Y/N)'s eyes. After seeing what he was looking at she gasped and covered her mouth. "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait- you too?"

(Y/N) and Robin had never really talked, so (Y/N) gave her a look of confusion (similar to the one Steve was giving them both).

"'Me too', what?" (Y/N) asked, looking a bit concerned.

The moment suddenly came to Steve and he let out an, "Ohh."

"What is it?" (Y/N) stood up on his feet, uncrossing his arms.

"I thought you two both knew that the other..." Steve trailed off, looking at them both before waving his hand in the air dismissively.

"I didn't!" Robin exclaimed, still looking at (Y/N) with wide eyes.

"What is going on?" (Y/N) was starting to become irritated.

"(Y/N), would you date me?" Robin asked suddenly, catching him off guard.

"I'm sorry- what?" (Y/N) spluttered, shaking his head a bit.

"Would you date Nancy?"

"Okay, what is going on here-?"

"What about Steve?"

"Can you not just tell me?"

"Eddie?"

(Y/N) didn't say anything this time, his mouth opening and shutting like an awkward fish. He shook his head and blinked before pointing accusingly at Robin.

"Wait- you too?"

"Yes, me too!"

"Yes, yes, we get it, you're both gay. Can one of you hand me a rag?" Steve groaned, motioning to the rag pile.

"Eddie?" Robin said suggestively, wiggling her eyebrows at (Y/N) as she leaned over to get Steve a rag.

(Y/N) let out a puff of air before returning to his leaning position, turning his head away so they wouldn't see his rosy face.

"Oh wow, let's hope no one asks you that around him! It would be a dead giveaway." Steve snorted and picked up another bottle.

"Assholes," (Y/N) scoffed and started to walk away. He needed to make sure Dustin didn't trip and take out his eye.

"You know you love us!" both of them shouted after him, smiling and laughing amongst themselves.

...

"Okay, (Y/N), come on!" Eddie shouted frantically from the other side of the gateway, holding his hand through. He hadn't wanted to come through first, but (Y/N) had insisted on it.

(Y/N) bit his lip and looked up at his brother and... well, he had hoped he was more with Eddie in that moment. Then he ripped down the rope, letting it fall.

"(Y/N)?" Dustin shouted over Eddie's shoulder, looking down in immense concern.

"I'm gonna buy you guys some time!" (Y/N) shouted back before looking at them both one last time, rushing out of the trailer.

"NO!" Dustin shrieked, Eddie immediately dove back through the gateway, not caring if he landed harshly on his back on the hard floor. "(Y/N)!" Dustin cried louder. "FUCK!"

"Go back! I've got him, just like I promised!" Eddie shouted before following after (Y/N).

"I'll be back with help-!" Dustin stood up and ran, trying to breath through the thick tears that were pouring down his face.

Eddie was too far, and (Y/N) had taken the bike, which meant he was far ahead. So he ran. Eddie ran as fast as he could. As fast as his heart would beat in his chest. As fast as his legs could carry him.

He stopped with a halt as he saw (Y/N) in the distance, a hoard of demobats flying straight towards him, and he was shouting to them. Shouting for them to come.

"(Y/N)!" Eddie shouted with whatever breath his lungs had left.

(Y/N) turned around to face Eddie, giving him a tear filled look.

"I love you!" (Y/N) called out, his tear flying away in the wind as the bats finally got to him. He had meant it, every syllable. He'd only hoped Eddie had heard it.

In his head he imagined a better scenario. He could imagine exactly what Eddie would say...

Sitting in Eddie's room together, the sun shining through the curtains as they sat in front of each other on his bed.

"Say it. Say it like you mean it." Eddie would smirk, leaning forward so close that their noses would brush against each other.

"I love you," (Y/N) would whisper while taking Eddie's hand.

"You're in luck, Henderson. Because I just so happen to love you, too."

Their lips would finally meet in the most peaceful bliss (Y/N) would have ever experienced.

It was with this thought that (Y/N) closed his eyes, letting the demobats attack him.

They swarmed around him and he made no sounds but grunts as he tried to swat them away with the paddle in his hands. One wrapped around his ankle, pulling hard and making him land on his back.

Eddie ran faster, if it was even possible. He felt like he was in a dream. No- a nightmare. With the worst possible outcome. And the fear.

(Y/N) was now screaming in pain as the bats dug their teeth into his arms and neck. Blood began to puddle beneath him. His screams got quieter until they were nothing, his eyes fluttering shut and his body giving in.

"NO!" Eddie screeched. He picked up an old, moldy piece of wood from the ground and took out his lighter. With tears in his eyes he lit one end of the flammable object on fire, waving it around at the bats and making them squeal.

Once he got to (Y/N) he waved it around, making the feasting demobats fly away, detaching themselves from his beautiful body. Eddie stuck one end of the makeshift torch into the soft ground beside them, keeping the bats at bay.

"(Y/N)?" he whispered, gently lifting (Y/N) into his arms. Eddie didn't care that he was getting drenched in blood. He cared that (Y/N)'s eyes wouldn't open, that his skin was paling and his breaths so slow he couldn't even see them.

"EDDIE-!" Dustin screeched, Steve and Robin running towards them with fire of their own.

Eddie looked up at them with tears pouring down his face, the absolute terror written over every one of his features.

"Eddie, Eddie, we need to move. We need to get him help," Steve spoke calmly to Eddie. He knew Eddie couldn't handle more panic, though Steve knew one of his closest friends, and "son"'s brother was laying half dead in his arms.

Standing up with (Y/N) cradled in his arms, Eddie looked at Steve with an empty haze in his eyes.

"I need to get him out of here," Eddie croaked, starting to walk past them. They all looked at each other and scrambled to follow after, breaking into a run when Eddie did so.

The whole way through the gate, into the car, and on the way to the hospital, Eddie wouldn't let his grip loose of (Y/N). (Y/N)'s head lay in the crook of his neck as Eddie held his head, petting his hair to remind himself that (Y/N) was there.

He couldn't hear what anyone was saying. He could hear Steve's voice shouting from behind the wheel, Robin shouting back, but it was all muffled. It was like he was high, though he knew he definitely hadn't taken anything. He could hear Dustin's sobbing, could see the hand he kept on (Y/N)'s shoe.

Over and over again Eddie just kept repeating, "I need to get him out of here, he needs to be safe. I promised... I promised..."

End

--

So... may or may not have written this while running on 2 full nights of sleep deprivation...

Hope that lived up to the idea! Thank you for requesting!

Honestly can't tell if it's actually good or not, because my brain is telling me it's the best thing ever written in history. I'll probably read this later and just slowly blink to myself....

-Author Max <3

[fierte-verte]

Being Steve's Neighbor + Rival-to-Lovers Would Include... (Part 2)

Part 1 / Part 3

Summer 1983

the summer days before junior year rolled by in a haze— between babysitting will, track, and going to robin's soccer matches, you rarely had time to think about anything else

the nights, however, seemed to drag on forever; the quiet slide of a window hinge, shuffling feet, the gentle notes of a tears for fears song— it happened routinely when you slipped into bed, radio silence penetrated by noises from next door

you never dared to draw back the curtains, fearful of all the things you might encounter, dreadful of the things your sleep-deprived mind wanted to see

was it steve perched on his window sill, doe eyes glazed behind cigarette smoke? or was it another girl climbing into his room, unaware of the heartbreak ahead like always?

your stomach churned at both possibilities, neither doing favors for your efforts in ignoring him

the knowledge that steve occupied your last waking thoughts infuriated you to no end (as did the blue box that sat in your closet, collecting dust per lack of neighborly chucked items)

even robin noticed the silence during sleepovers, rob lowe's dialogue no longer sparsed between cross-house banter

"so... either you've murdered harrington, which in that case, good for you, or we've entered an alternate universe where you two aren't fated to be mortal enemies"

since your porch blowout with steve, gracie's wandered off for another three times in total— always ending up around where steve first found her, always shaking as though she's seen something sinister

"hey bud, what's with the escapades, huh? those walks not enough for you, explorer?”

September - November 10, 1983

junior year marked many a turning points: you were promoted to captain after aaron's graduation, the regular sleepover schedule now included some robin-style gushing over tammy thompson, and steve had begun dating nancy wheeler from the year below

although you and nancy ran in different social circles, you were familiar with mike through will's animated stories— it was endearing, the way he occupied most of will's attention (which would otherwise have been wasted on people like lonnie byers)

though he seldom mentioned his best friend's older sister, will would occasionally let slip about mike and steve’s late night run-ins

"mike makes this scrunched up, grossed out face whenever he talks about nancy and steve, it's cute. like silly cute"

you realized what all those sleepless nights must have been: steve in his navy green sweater, hair perfectly coiffed and ready to romance all the way across town

could it be possible? steve harrington in an actual committed relationship? the thought rolled around your head like an aimless pinball

still, amidst all the confusion, surprise, and frankly, doubt, you had hoped the two wouldn't crash and burn as steve's previous attempts at dating; the development brought on a heady onrush of emotions, coupled with the lingering intuition of something big brewing ahead

soon, your gut had proven you right on a tuesday afternoon in the form of a missing person poster, tucked beside a food drive poster on the hallway bulletin board

a nauseous spell washed over at the idea of will in danger, and you set off to look for him in plausible places around town, running into a distressed and pacing jonathan outside his house; noticing pieces of a camera sticking out his bag, you'd coaxed the truth about these past few days out of him

"let me get this straight— there's a creepy picture of wheeler in your camera, which steve and his goonies broke, both will and barbara holland are missing, and there's an eight-foot tall monster lurking in the woods?"

christ, what happened to hawkins being the most banal town in midwest america? and why does this sound like a breakdown of one of will's d&d nights?

questions bubbled up your throat only to fizzle into nothing— you realized the only option was to take everything in stride; yes, you could theoretically wallow in disbelief, but it wouldn't bring you any closer to will’s whereabouts

remembering his tendency to hide out at castle byers, you offered to scope out the place again, letting jonathan know you'd call his house firsthand with updates

to your frustration, your search in the woods was fruitless; the lack of candy wrappers and unopened comics told you will had been absent from the hideout for a while

besides, there was something strange about the area; it was colder, a biting freeze almost, and unnervingly dark for an afternoon in early november

steve was en route home when he spotted you along randolph, hands in hair and visibly distressed— flashes of that evening on your porch burning through his mind

"(y/l/n)," he slammed the brakes as you whipped around, eyes darting between the bmw and his face. "what's wrong? you okay?"

"have you seen will? will byers? four feet six, bowl cut, big brown eyes?”

“wha-who- why do you keep losing—” steve gaped, until something registered and his eyes grew hard. “wait a minute, this is about that kid on the poster. byers? as in peeping tom byers?”

you soured at the comment, feeling a familiar drop in your stomach; there was no worse time than the present for a fight with steve, but he was just so damn good at picking one

“actually, jonathan’s a nice guy. but i don't expect people like you or hagan and his circus of clowns to care”

“and you do? the last i checked, you two were complete strangers at school”

“hmm, didn’t realize your head was out of your ass long enough to know that”

“don’t work that pretty little head of yours too hard, princess. i’ve got big enough eyes to see most people”

“bigger than your hair? sure, jonathan might be…odd sometimes, i’ll give you that— but he’s a good brother to will and a good son to joyce. that’s better than half the men here in hawkins”

“which makes voyeurism okay? he took pictures of nance in my bedroom!”

“no,” pinching the bridge of your nose with eyes squeezed shut, you felt the waning fight seep from your body. “not at all, steve"

his head, too, slumped at the crestfallen mutter of his name, all tension in the air now exhausted

"what jonathan did was wrong— and nothing except a genuine apology to wheeler will make it right. but right now, this is about will. he's eleven and nowhere to be found. steve, please, if he ends up on the wrong street in town..."

did the idea of slamming his head against the dashboard appeal to steve? yes. between nancy's distant treatment and his own growing irritation at tommy and carol, he'd been on edge all day

still, did the crushed expression on your face trump all his self-pity and frustration? damn yes

wordlessly, his hand reached for the car locks, head gesturing towards the empty leather seat beside him

"c'mon, let’s drive up lover's lake, see if the kid's camping out around the boat house"

who'd have thought— steve harrington and (y/n) (y/l/n) in the same vehicle, and heading towards the town's number one make-out spot at that? even so, you supposed stranger things had gone down in hawkins before

with a conscious sigh, steve leaned forward to crank the radio down, duran duran's mumbles filling every gap of thick silence

you two kept your eyes on everything but one another, afraid to look (and even more so to look away)

the road signs and block houses all melded together in a blur of colors through the window, stretching north to lover's lake

steve noticed the bundle of nerves pressed against his own chest— which is absurd to think about, for he'd driven the same route more times than he could count since freshman year; so what was so different about this?

deciding to risk a glance at the last intersection— big mistake, really— steve realized the setting sun had begun to work its magic, tender light splitting to coat even the roughest edges in beauty

you were swathed in the delicate glow, hair fanning out around your face like a makeshift halo— the only divine thing in a town that was insipid at best

"take a picture, harrington," you teased, but the jibe was heatless, amused and almost...sweet, "it'll last longer"

a peep in the rearview mirror revealed a steve flushed from ear to ear, and for a moment the sight was enough to ease your worry about will

arriving at the lake, you two began the search— not only did steve weave between trees and boulders with the precision of indiana jones himself, he was also surprisingly chivalrous, extending a hand for you to grab onto at each tricky obstacle

"done a lot of exploring around here, harrington?" you grimaced at the tone of your own voice, neither friendly nor casual enough for your liking, too deliberate in its pointed pitch

steve, too, had been surprised by the question, rubbing the back of his now slightly reddened neck

"not more than the average teenager," he replied uncertainly, "but what's it to you, princess?" (it was the exact same question, two years apart and still, no answer in sight)

instead of a half-baked answer, steve received an elbow to his stomach instead, instantly doubling over per his personal brand of theatrics

"sneaky way to get me on my knees, (y/l/n)"

"as if i have to stoop that low," you had almost smiled at the return of his pink-tinted cheeks

November 10 - 12, 1983 

your futile trip to the lake was a last shot at optimism before an ensuing two days of hell; between news of a body in the quarry and the eventual announcement of will's funeral, you were sucked into a whirlwind of shock and grief

robin had been your rock through the forty-eight hours, making sure you were eating and taking naps despite your complete lack of will to do so

he'd been so young, will, so full of dreams and wonder and hope, always cheered up by the prospect that there'd be another campaign to plan; all those nights spent in each other's company— you had come to see him as a friend, a brother

and all you did was fail him, the voice inside you raged, punching at your insides until there was nothing to do but crumble on your doorsteps

some time later, the roar of an engine broke through your hysterics; steve had pulled into his driveway, one hand on the steering wheel and the other hovering above his door handle

one minute your vision was a teary mess, and the next it plunged into darkness; immediately, you breathed in the smell of klein cologne and detergent

"christ...harrington..." you choked out, caught between shoving the jerk away and reeling him in by the lapels

almost bent over from the push and pull of elation and agony in your chest, you were steadied only by the firm grip of steve's arms

"i'm so sorry," he whispered, his head a grounding weight atop of yours

"it's my faul- my goddamn fault - didn't even know he was travelling home so late, if only i had offered—"

"hey hey hey," his voice was firm, as you blinked through the curtain of tears to focus on his face, "it's not, okay? you had no control over what happened— don't go punishing yourself because i know you will, you've got too big of a heart"

"i just wish—" the rest of your sentence blubbered into nonsense, though steve had guessed it nonetheless, thumb rubbing circles into the crook of your arm

"i know," he looked pained, the most empathetic you had ever seen him, “i know, princess”

sensing your quick descent into fatigue, steve leaned down and slid one arm behind your knees, the other supporting your back; with a slight lift he was carrying you inside the house and onto the living room couch

you tried hard to hold onto his jacket sleeve, desperate for another warm presence in the vacant house, but merciless sleep took over before you could mumble stay

you didn't need to, however— steve had remained at your side until he heard the sound of your parents' car in the driveway, at which he slipped through the back door, into the garden, and over the fence to fall, in a very non-ninja like manner, face first into his hedge

you didn't wake up until well into noon the next day, when you were knocked out of heavy slumber by a series of brash, urgent knocks downstairs

the door opened to reveal— and you swore hawkins was just getting more and more flabbergasting by the day— steve harrington, pressing a coke can to an alarmingly huge bruise on his face

he was obviously agitated, mouth opening and closing repeatedly as words seemed to escape him

"steve," you tugged him into the house, closing the door in case nosy mr. pleet from across decided to poke his head out, "you okay? what happened, why are you—"

"i screwed up," he made a face that was half wincing and half frowning, though you couldn't tell from the amount of blood smeared on his cheeks, "i screwed up with nance so bad, (y/n), i'm such a goddamn idiot! a stupid, no-good, hot-headed waste-of-time—"

"okay—" you interrupted before he could spiral any further, guiding him to the couch, nudging him to sit down and plucking the can from his hands, "though i am thoroughly impressed by your vocabulary, you are going to split that face wide open if you keep up the vigor. sit here, i'm getting the first-aid kit"

steve watched with half-swollen eyes as you sprinted to the kitchen, busted lips left stinging in an ill-advised attempt to smirk when he spotted the bunny slippers on your feet

it was even harder for him not to when you threatiningly held up a damp towel to his face, false hostility betrayed by the gentle grip of your other hand on his chin

“make one comment,” your gaze dropped to the white slippers shortly, “one comment, steve, and i will smother you with this towel”

“wasn’t about to say anything,” he shrugged and mimmed zipping up his lips, a flash of delight visible in his brown eyes before they dimmed, before current circumstance flooded his memory

“c’mon lover boy,” you tossed the bloodied towel aside, moving onto antibiotic cream and brushing it over steve’s nastier scrapes and cuts. “what really happened?”

for two hours, steve had relayed his twists and turns with nancy, jonathan, and what now was probably his former clique

the conversation had you reeling between disappointment and hope, second-hand embarrassment and relief, all of which you concealed under the calm guise of treating steve’s face

smoothing over one last band-aid near his temple, you rapped your knuckles against his forehead lightly, determined to get his full attention (not that he’d been able to concentrate anywhere else with you so close)

“i don’t know what goes on in here, assuming there’s actually something— but your only way out is through. drag your sorry ass to wheeler and jonathan. apologize. you’re obnoxious, steve, but far from despicable”

he’d held your gaze with such appreciation that it nearly made you blush; within the duration of a week, it was as though your neighbor had shed his entire king steve persona, now a simple boy seeking redemption

no, not simple, you corrected yourself— nothing about steve harrington was simple

“alright,” he relented, the ghost of a smile hanging on his mouth, “if you say so princess”

when he returned the next day, it was with double the expected good news; not only had he made amends with nancy and jonathan, will was alive, passed out in the hospital but nonetheless alive

you’d managed to jam your feet into one shoe, ecstatic to see the kid before steve wrapped a hand around your wrist, drawing you closer to him on the porch

“(y/n),” he cleared his throat, then reached into his coat pocket to pull out a tiny tazer the size of a matchbox, “promise me you’ll be careful? lock the doors at night and keep this with you at all times?”

you frowned at his grave expression, lips parted to seek an explanation when he beat you to it

“i just- after this thing with will - i want you to be safe,” he pressed it into your palm, “please, princess”

and pray tell, how were you supposed to refuse those doe eyes?

you nodded, slipped the tazer into your bag, and tiptoed to hug steve briefly; his neck was strangely warm

“thank you,” you pulled back with a bright grin, before dangling the keys that you had sneakily tugged out of steve’s jean pocket seconds ago

“now drive me to the hospital, harrington”