#and he doesn't want to lie to lucas he just doesn't know how to say what he needs to say

[love-byers]

the first time i saw this, when i was NOT a byler shipper, i thought el was running TO mike. i thought we were getting a sweet moment where el runs to mike and he puts an arm around her or hugs her.

then i realized she was running away from him. 

and i was like, why?? they're supposed to be the couple why does she not want his comfort??

and even after will calls her out on doing mike wrong by lying to him, even after she sees that mike is attempting to talk to her and comfort her, that he's not angry at her, she still tells angela to lie to mike. more lies. that's how much she cares about keeping up the persona. had angela lied to mike, el would've continued lying to him the entire week. something she knows in her heart is wrong and not fair to mike.

this is a theme in s4. putting who you want to be seen as before being honest with your bf/gf. going above and beyond to preserve your lie, to be seen as who you want to be.

chrissy does that with jason. who she portrays herself as is completely different than who she really is and what she's really going through. jason has absolutely no idea chrissy is struggling and refused to believe chrissy would buy drugs, because chrissy didn't want to tell him. who knows how jason would've reacted if chrissy was honest, we don't know because chrissy didn't trust him enough to tell him. that's not love at all, that's sad.

this is a point in s2 as well. murray calls nancy out for being afraid to be her true self, and she stays with steve because she doesn't have to be her true self around him. she is her true self when she's with jonathan, and that's why they worked together. that's love.

the exact same thing happens with chrissy. the first time we see her genuinely smile is when she's with eddie. she's sweet and charismatic, and had she lived she totally would've gone to eddie's show, something you never would've expected from her, something her boyfriend, the person she pretends to love, would NEVER do.

robin and steve reinforce this too

you fall in love with the person who makes you feel accepted, the person who makes you feel like you can be who you are. the person you trust with your true self.

mike and el don't trust each other enough, they don't understand each other well enough.

they would have to change their behavior towards each other by leaps and bounds, and we're already at the last season. there is no time for that. stranger things isn't a multi season show about the complexity of romantic relationships and the healthy way to resolve problems. there is no time for that in just about any movie or show, especially a sci-fi show. you know what's way easier and way more likable? pairing your character with someone they naturally click with, who bring out the best in each other and for some reason can't help but be their authentic selves when they're with each other.

did it with jancy, like i said earlier

did it with lumax. when lucas and max talked on the bus max found herself spewing about things she'd never even said out loud before, and she had to stop herself. something about lucas just made her feel comfortable, like she could be herself and tell the truth. she trusted him.

"You're nothing like your brother, okay? You're cool and different, you're super smart, and you're like, totally tubular."

jopper too! joyce constantly had to hide things from bob, she was insecure about their family not being normal.

"This is not a normal family."

"It could be."

though bob had good intentions, the message of the show is not trying to be normal when you aren't. whatever it is about you that makes you weird or different, whatever you've been through that changed you, stay true to it. dont bottle it up and try to be someone else. all of vecnas victims in s4 were doing this, and it didn't end well for them.

they even did it with dustin and suzie. dustin constantly tries to impress max with his teeth, then in season 3 he says suzie thinks kissing is better without teeth. he doesn't have to be insecure about that or try to impress her. she likes him for him.

mike isn't comfortable being his true self around el either. he's insecure about his interests, he feels like he has to act older and cooler to impress her.

you shouldn't be with the person you feel you have to impress. you should be with the person who relieves that pressure, who makes you feel like being the authentic you is enough.

jonathan and nancy, lucas and max, joyce and hopper, dustin and suzie,

cough WILL AND MIKE cough...

[steddiealltheway]

Steve can see it in Max. That same loneliness and ache that he finds in himself. For him, it’s result of his parents leaving with no intent to return to him unless absolutely necessary.

He knows he was an accident. Or rather a mistake as his father used to call him when he was particularly angry. But it made sense to him. Steve's the reason his father had to marry his mother. He left him "trapped." And maybe no one says it out loud, but he can tell his mother feels the same way too.

But they must keep up appearances, right?

Which is what Max has been trying to do since Billy died, El moved away, and it's been just her and her mom. But she's been going about it through a different route - pushing people away all while pretending things are fine. But Steve sees the way she picks up the broken pieces of her mom and tries to put them back together - Steve's had to do the same thing before.

So, he starts sticking around a little longer. Offering her more rides to the arcade and around town to pick up groceries when she needs to. Sometimes he'll tell her about a new recipe he's been trying for a casserole and pick up the ingredients, pretending like the milk and butter he bought will spoil by the time he drives home from her trailer.

Of course, they both know it's a lie, but Max humors him and plays along. She'll let him cook dinner while she picks up the bottles her mom left on the floor, dumps out the overflowing ashtray, and feeds the dog. Usually, Steve will ask her what she's learning in school and linger a little longer than usual in hopes that she'll say more than the usual, "I don't know. A bunch of boring stuff."

But lingering has gotten a lot of things out of Max such as her love for Kate Bush, a story about El and how much she misses her, and short quips about Lucas before she gets a sad smile on her face. Steve doesn't really know what to say most of the time, but he hopes that just being there will help.

Unfortunately, lingering and just being there has led him to his current predicament of none other than Eddie "The Freak" Munson sitting on the hood of his car glaring at him as he walks out of Max's place. Steve jumps a little, startled by the figure on his car and becoming more hostile as he sees the expression on his face. He shoves his hands in his pockets and slows his pace. "Is there a problem?"

Eddie snorts humorlessly. "Christ. You're really going to pretend like there's nothing wrong with what's happening?"

Steve's brows furrow, entirely missing whatever point he's trying to make.

Eddie stands up and stalks toward him. "I see you, you know. Always lurking around when her mom isn't home. Coming out of her trailer late at night."

Steve laughs, finally understanding the absurd conclusion he's come to. "Jesus, man. You're delusional."

Steve doesn't expect it, but Eddie sharply shoves his chest and grits, "I don't fucking lie to me, Harrington."

Steve holds his hands up. "I'm not," he firmly states. "Nothing like that is happening here. I'm glad you're looking out for her, but it isn't like that."

"Do you expect me to believe that? Maybe this is why you're always hanging around Henderson and the other kids."

Steve crosses his arms and his jaw tenses. "I'm not a fucking pervert or a pedophile if that's what you're trying to say. I'm just looking after them."

"Why?" Eddie asks, dramatically opening his arms, "Why would King Steve adopt a group of misfits to take under his wing? See, the math isn't adding up."

Usually, Steve would just brush it off and tell the person to fuck off and mind their own business. But his parents have just left town again without leaving a note and Max had snapped when Steve tried to help her clean the place because it looked worse than usual, and he was just generally feeling like shit and angry at his parents and Max's parents for not being there. So he broke, "Because I don't want Max to end up like me! I don't want any of those kids to grow up without a role model. And god forbid if any of those other kids' parents fuck up, and they’re left with only me. I need them to know that I'm there for them! Because sometimes it feels like whenever the world goes to shit, I'm the only one who is there, and I plan to stay there, okay?!"

He finishes his rant breathing a little heavier than usual and noticing that a few of the lights in the trailers have turned on around them. He looks around and awkwardly nods to the people glaring out their windows. God, he needs to get a grip.

When he turns back to Eddie, he notices the conflicted expression, jaw dropped, eyebrows knitted together, eyes searching him as if he's still wondering if he's lying.

A door creaks open behind them and Steve curses under his breath as he hears Max say, "Eddie, leave him alone. Do you really think I would hook up with my damn babysitter? Jeez."

"Language," Steve quietly lectures as the door swings shut. He runs his hands over his face and takes a deep breath. It's been a long fucking day.

A hand lands on his arm and tugs him away from Max's trailer. Steve glances up at Eddie, leading him across the way. "Where are we going?"

"My place," Eddie says.

"Why?"

"So we can talk."

God, the last thing he wants to do is talk to Eddie of all people, the guy he's been actively avoiding since Dustin started worshipping the ground - or rather tables - he walks on. But he lets himself be pulled away in the trailer and practically deposited on the couch in the living room.

He glances up and comments, "That's a lot of mugs."

"My uncle's, but that's not what I wanted to... Christ," Eddie says, pacing in front of Steve and tugging his hair in front of his face. The anxious display makes Steve feel even more tired, but he lets him pace. God, what is he even doing here?

"I'm sorry," Eddie blurts out. "I'm just..." he trails off and rushes over to grab a stool a few feet away before dragging it in front of the couch. He sits on it but his leg still holds that nervous energy as it rapidly bounces up and down. "I jumped to conclusions, and it was really shitty of me, man. I just... didn't believe what Henderson was saying about you and thought 'Oh, this makes way more sense than Steve Harrington being a good dude.' And I'm sorry to accuse you of that. And I... I didn't know about your... parents and stuff. Like I knew they were away a lot because of your parties but... I just never connected the dots. And I'm sorry. No one deserves that shit, man."

Steve doesn't know what to do this whole interaction, especially with it coming from Eddie Munson who he doesn't think he's ever talked to before this moment, but... he needs to hear it. God, he needs to hear it.

Of course, he can't let him know this, so he does what he's best at and brushes it off. "It's fine. You were just looking out for the kids. And really just ignore what I said back there, it isn't that big of a deal."

Eddie worries his bottom lip before he blurts out, "I know what it's like." He pauses and takes a deep breath. "I mean, I know what it's like to have... absent parents. But in my case, eventually, my uncle Wayne took me in, and I can only imagine if he didn't." He gives him a pointed look and lowers his voice, "Do you have someone like that?"

A big part of Steve wants to leave right now, and he knows there's nothing stopping him. But a bigger part of him needs to stay. Needs to talk about the emptiness in his house that he can never truly escape at the end of the day that he can’t talk to anyone about. Because he's not supposed to be weak. He's supposed to take care of the others. So he admits, "No, I don't have... anyone like that. Except Robin but..."

"That's different," Eddie finishes the thought for him.

Steve nods. He loves Robin, but he loves her as a platonic soulmate and not as a parent figure in his life. "You know, I once had this basketball coach in middle school - Mr. Weston. And I remember looking up to him so much. I wanted to be just like him, and I would go to his office during lunch and ask him for advice or talk about dumb shit that my father would never talk about. But he never shamed me for my questions. And sometimes he even packed an extra dessert for me." Steve smiles at the memories and runs a hand through his hair, remembering the day he got the news. "But one time, when I went to his office, he had this look on his face. And I just knew it was bad news. And really, it wasn't bad news to him because his wife was pregnant. But she wanted to move a few states away to raise the kid closer to her family. And it wasn't his fault, you know? It wasn't like he purposely chose to move away from me, but I felt like I was abandoned again."

Steve wipes a tear from his eye and puts his head in his hands. "God, I don't know why I'm even telling you this story. Sorry."

"Don't apologize," Eddie says quickly. He pauses and shifts on the stool, his gaze being far away. "I remember him. He was one of the only gym teachers that defended me against all the shitty middle school bullies. He was a good person.”

Steve nods. God, he was a good person.

Eddie continues, “I'm sorry that he left. And I bet he still regrets leaving you behind."

Steve leans back against the couch and looks away, shaking his head. "I bet he forgot about me."

"You're kind of hard to forget."

Steve looks at Eddie and sees a slight blush on his cheeks as he shakes his head and waves his hands as if trying to make the comment go away. "What I mean is that there's no way he's forgotten about you. Someone who you used to have lunch with all the time to the point of giving you free food... Nah, man. He remembers you. I think you may have been as important to him as he was to you."

The thought breaks away at a wall Steve had built up long ago. "Thanks," he practically whispers.

Eddie just smiles at him, small dimples appearing on his cheeks.

"You didn't deserve it either, you know," Steve says. "The absent parent stuff. Even with Wayne, they should've been here too."

Eddie's smile falters a bit as he swallows and looks at the ground. "Thanks," he mumbles. He looks up at Steve and comments, "Getting sappy with Steve Harrington. Who knew."

"Yeah, getting sappy with Eddie Munson," Steve echoes back at him.

Eddie laughs, "I'm surprised you even know my name."

"You're kind of hard to forget," Steve says easily.

That same blush comes back to Eddie who shifts in his chair a bit as if he needs to process the information with his whole body.

They sit in the moment for a bit before Eddie gets a somewhat serious look on his face and offers, "You know, I'm definitely not a parent figure or anything, but I'm always here and around to talk about that whole thing if you need to."

Steve's heart beats a little faster at the sheer genuineness. "Same here," he can't help but offer in return. He glances down at his watch and sighs, "It's getting late, so I better..."

"Right," Eddie says, standing up and leading him to the door. "Do you need water for the road or anything?"

Steve smiles and pats him on the back without thinking too hard about it. "I'm good, man. But thank you. For everything really."

"Sorry for being an asshole," Eddie apologizes again.

"Usually that's my line," Steve accidentally voices before cringing a bit, wondering further why Eddie's been so kind to him.

But as he opens the door, Eddie comments, "I don't know. It seems like Dustin was right about the whole reformed jock thing. Maybe your crown really has fallen - which is a good thing by the way."

Steve slightly smiles at him before he turns to leave. But he can't help but say, "I wonder what the neighbors will think about me leaving your trailer so late."

Eddie groans then laughs. "Sorry to ruin your image."

"I wouldn't mind," Steve replies, honestly unsure what he means by that. "Goodnight, Eddie."

"Goodnight, Steve," Eddie says, that same blush on his cheeks, only this time Steve isn't sure if it's something he said or a result of the cold night air.

In bed that night, Steve feels a slight weight lifted from him and can't help but feel like he’s a little less alone.

[eufezco]

𝙎𝙏𝙍𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙀𝙍 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙎 𝙈𝘼𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙇𝙄𝙎𝙏

𝙄𝙉𝘾𝙇𝙐𝘿𝙀𝙎 : steve harrington, eddie munson, billy hargrove

♡️ fluff ☆ angst ☽ smut

english isn't my first language !!!

MULTIPLE CHARACTERS

DADS HEADCANONS | ♡️ billy, eddie, jonathan, steve

SMUT HEADCANONS | ☽ billy, eddie, jonathan, steve

STEVE HARRINGTON

YOU'RE TOO DRUNK FOR THIS | ♡️ ☆

you're way too drunk to have that conversation with steve.

CONFIDENCE | ♡️

he isn't that confident when it comes to you.

HELP | ♡️ ☆

you and your nightmares spend the night with steve.

POOL SEX | ☽

WAIT FOR IT | ♡️ ☆ ☽ king!steve

you think steve maybe didn't make the best decision when he broke up with nancy because of you.

THE GRIEF OF LOSING EDDIE MUNSON | ♡️ ☆

x byers!fem!reader. steve and your family help you to go through the grief of losing your best friend.

SOFT!DOM STEVE | ☽

JELOUSY, JELOUSY | ♡️ ☆

steve has to face his feelings in the worst way possible when billy hargrove, the guy you kissed last night, knocks on your door.

TO THE UPSIDE DOWN | ♡️ ☆

steve, nancy, robin and eddie are in the upside down, you are paranoid that something might happen. steve has to reassure it won’t.

🩷💜💙 | ♡️ x bi!fem!reader

a conversation with robin, eddie, you and steve about your sexualities.

WE | ♡️ ☆ x hopper!female!reader

you go running to steve after finding out that your father, jim hopper, is alive. you reunite with him and jim and steve realize that they are now family.

MAX'S DATE | ♡️ ☆

you and your boyfriend steve help max after surviving vecna to get ready for her date with lucas.

FIRST KISS | ♡️ ☆

based on the quote: if I were to kiss you then go to hell, i would. so then i can brag with the devils i saw heaven without entering it.

THAT'S WHAT I LIKE | ☽

he has been neglected so when the time comes, steve doesn't know what he likes.

VECNA'S CURSE | ♡️ ☆ x hargrove!fem!reader

while visiting the grave of your brother billy, you are cursed by vecna.

POTTERY LESSON | ☽ ♡️

your pottery lesson to steve ends up in something better.

FANBOY | ♡️

i just think that steve would be the biggest queen fanboy.

THE FAMILY YOU CHOOSE | ♡️

a conversation between steve and his mom about his friends and you.

FORGIVENESS IS A NICE THING TO DO | ♡️ ☆

king!steve x munson!reader. after saying something horrible about eddie munson in front of you, steve finds out that he's your brother.

... READY FOR IT? | ♡️ ☆ ☽

you overhear a conversation between steve and robin about how you and him haven't had sex yet.

TAKING CARE OF MAX AT THE HOSPITAL | ♡️ ☆ x hopper!fem!reader

you want to be by max's side while she's in a coma in the hospital but it's consuming you. steve asks your father for help to get you out of there.

NEW YEAR'S EVE | ♡️ x hopper!female!reader

celebrating new year's eve with your boyfriend, friends and family.

EDDIE MUNSON

FIRST TIME | ☽

THE PRETTIEST GIRL AT HAWKINS HIGH | ♡️ x plus size!reader

DREAM OF A LIFETIME | ♡️ ☆ x pregnant!reader

your lack of communication had caused you and eddie to distance yourselves from each other. now he, robin, steve and nancy were trapped in the upside down, and you regretted not telling him you were pregnant earlier.

STAY SAFE | ♡️ ☆

you are the only person that knows where to find him.

FOUR TIMES EDDIE MUNSON KISSED YOU | ♡️ ☆ ☽

THE STAINS | ☽

what were those stains on eddie's mattress in that scene in 4x07?

WHITE LIE | ♡️ ☆

after being accused of crissy's murder, eddie hides and breaks up with you. when you findnd out you are pregnant, you tell everyone that it's steve's (your bff) baby but eddie can't do the math since two months ago you were still together.

REUNION | ♡️

you reunite with your friends from hawkins after a couple of years but now you are famous painter who just got divorced and eddie is the lead singer of the most famous band yet the tension between you is the same it was years ago.

MASTER OF PUPPETS | ☽

eddie plays master of puppets in his guitar while you touch him.

BILLY HARGROVE

FIRST TIME | ☽

POISONED DRINK | ♡️ ☆

you are in a party and someone puts something in your drink. luckily, billy finds you before anything bad happens to you.

TRAUMA RESPONSE | ♡️ ☆

you're a baddie but then billy finds out you also got some trauma from your parents.

GOOD GIRL, BAD BOY | ♡️ ☆

you are a good girl dating billy hargrove. all of your friends try to warn you that he is the type of boy who will break your heart.

SUMMERTIME SADNESS | ☆

billy sacrifices himself for you during the start court battle.

[munson-blurbs]

Everybody Talks (Best Friend!Eddie x Fem!Reader)

Summary: You've worked hard to keep your crush on your best friend a secret, since he doesn't feel the same way. But when the Hellfire Club members open their big mouths, it threatens everything you've tried to hold together.

Warnings: some angst, fluff, mentions of financial insecurity

WC: 1.5k

--

“Pizza’s here!” you call out, carrying a stack of pies into the Wheeler house. “I got one pepperoni, one mushroom, and one plain for all the boring people,” you tease, looking directly at Eddie as you say it.

“I prefer classic,” he retorts, taking the boxes from your hands and setting them on the table. The rest of the guys start to crowd around him, paper plates in hand, practically drooling at just the sight of food. “Hey, hey,” he chastises, pushing them out of the way, “ladies first.” He offers you a plate and you take a slice, quickly moving aside before you’re trampled by the herd of hungry teenage boys.

“So,” Gareth says to Eddie between bites, “your last Hellfire campaign is over and done with. How’s it feel?”

“You wish,” Eddie scoffs, plopping down next to you on the sofa. “Just because I’m graduating doesn’t mean I’m done kicking your asses in D&D.” He chugs his plastic cup filled with Mountain Dew and wipes his lips with the back of his hand. “Anyone else want a refill?” he asks, shaking his empty cup before looking over at you. “Oh, shit; you don’t have anything to drink. Diet Coke, right?” Before you can protest that you can get it yourself, he’s up and pouring you a glass.

“Thanks,” you smile, taking a sip. The bubbles fizz on your tongue as you lean back, careful not to get too close to Eddie. Not that you don’t want to; the mere thought of him draping his tattooed arm around your shoulders makes you giddy. 

Just a few more months, you think to yourself, and I’ll be off at college, meeting new people, and I won’t have to worry about my embarrassing crush on my best friend.

“You guys ready for prom tomorrow?” Mike asks, interrupting your pity party.

Jeff nods. “Just gotta pick up a corsage for Barb, and she’s getting me a, um, a…”

“Boutonniere?” you fill in helpfully, and he snaps his fingers and replies, “yeah, that thing.”

“What about you?” Lucas pipes up, turning to Eddie. “You ever decide who to ask?”

“Oh, he decided,” Jeff laughs, earning a scowl from his friend. “Too bad she decided to go with Jason Carver.”

Dustin throws his hands up in exasperation. “Dude, you’re still hung up on Chrissy Cunningham?” He rolls his eyes. “I told you; she’s sweet, but she’s not your type. You need someone who’s as nerdy as you are.” His eyes scan the room. “You know, like Y/N.”

You feel your cheeks burn with humiliation, not at Dustin calling you a nerd; you know he means that with utmost affection. It’s not even the idea of Eddie asking you out that has you nervous; it’s the prospect of him laughing at the thought. You’ve done a great job hiding your puppy love a secret from him, and you’d like to keep it that way.

“Ha!” Gareth barks out. “She wishes!”

No. No no no.

Tears spring to your eyes, and you can’t think of a decent excuse to leave before you’re dashing through the door, letting the screen slam behind you. There’s no lie in what Gareth said; you do wish Eddie had asked you to prom. Every time that the subject of the dance came up, you’d waited with baited breath to see if he’d say something to you. But he’d always ignore it, eager to move on to the next topic. And now you knew why: he wanted to take Chrissy, but she was in love with someone else. How ironic.

You’re almost at your car when you hear the squeak of the front door opening. “Sweetheart, wait!” Eddie shouts, probably a bit too loud for the short distance between you two. “I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” you tell him softly as he jogs over to where you’re leaning against the passenger side door. “‘S not your fault.”

“Kinda is,” he shrugs, bringing you to the front steps and motioning for you to sit next to him. “I mean, I was the one who went to a freshman for romantic advice. That’s the last time I do that; I don’t care how nauseatingly cute he and his singing girlfriend are.” He gives a small chuckle, but neither of you meet the other’s gaze.

Hold on. Freshman? Singing girlfriend? “Eddie, what are you talking about?”

Eddie stops gnawing on his lower lip long enough to answer you. “I’m talking about you being embarrassed by Henderson’s painfully obvious last-ditch effort to get me to man up and finally ask you out.” His brows furrow when he sees your similarly confused expression. “That’s not…what are you upset about?”

“Um, Gareth blabbing to everyone that I wanted you to ask me to prom?” You finally allow yourself to look at him, noticing the dejected look on his face. 

“I couldn’t do that,” he mutters, resting his palm sideways over his mouth and shifting his body away from yours. His words come out all muffled, but you can still make out what they are.

“I wouldn’t have said no to you,” you reassure him, mustering up all of your courage to place your hand on his bouncing knee. He relaxes almost immediately, but he still seems sad. “Eds, what’s wrong?”

His eyes are misty when he turns back to you. “I couldn’t ask you to prom because…because I couldn’t afford it,” he confesses, twisting his skull ring around his finger anxiously. “The tickets, a tux, those fancy wrist things…best I could do is steal some flowers from Mrs. Wheeler’s garden.” He hums out a sad laugh. “‘M sorry, sweetheart. I wanted to take you, but I knew I’d just be letting you down.”

“But Jeff said you were going to ask Chrissy,” you point out.

Eddie shrugs. “Don’t get me wrong; Chrissy’s nice and everything, but I just said that so he’d get off my back. Because if I told him the truth, he wouldn’t shut up until I made a move.” He sighs. “His dad’s a lawyer, and his mom runs her own business. He doesn’t understand what it’s like to worry about having enough food in the house, let alone all the extra shit like prom.”

You’re quiet for a beat, letting everything sink in. You knew Eddie lived in Forest Hills Trailer Park, and you knew money was often tight. Wayne worked hard to keep a roof over their heads, but the plant didn’t pay nearly enough. There were many occasions where you’d spotted Eddie eyeing something in the grocery store and instinctively thrown it in your cart for him, but for some reason, it hadn’t even occurred to you that finances was the reason he’d avoided talking about the prom.

“I wish you’d told me,” you finally say. “I would’ve understood.”

“Yeah, I know.” Eddie rubs his nose against his hand, another nervous tic of his. “That was never the problem. You’re the most understanding fuckin’ person I know. You just…I dunno. You deserve the whole ‘prom’ experience, not whatever half-ass version I could offer you.”

At that, you can’t help but giggle. “Eddie,” you begin, “do you really think I wanted to go to prom so I could wear a fancy dress and uncomfortable shoes in a stuffy gym? I just wanted to dance with you, and then spend the night on your couch watching stupid movies and eating junk food and talking shit about everyone who was there.” You look deep into his chocolate brown eyes, nearly losing yourself in their beauty. “I just wanted to be with you.”

Eddie stares at you, gaze traveling down to your lips. “Can I kiss you?” he asks, voice barely above a whisper.

“If you don’t, I’ll kiss you.” 

Your mouths crash together clumsily, but you’re too happy to care. You soak in every part of it: Eddie’s stubble rubbing against your chin, the way he tastes like stale cigarettes and marinara sauce, his curls brushing your cheeks. He only breaks the kiss to take a breath, and then he’s back, more purposeful in his movements the second time around. He brings his hand to your jawline, caressing it gingerly with his thumb as he parts your lips with his.

“Can’t believe I just did that,” he muses, smiling at you shyly. “Been wanting to kiss you for too goddamn long.” He leans in, frowning when you place your hand on his chest to stop him. “What?”

“You gotta take me on a date before you kiss me again,” you inform him, lacing your fingers through his. “When are you free?”

“Uh, right now? We can grab ice cream at Scoops. Lemme just get my keys.” He stands up quickly to head back towards the house.

“Wait, Eddie,” you call out to him, “what about the guys? And pizza night?”

“Who cares? I have a date with the most beautiful girl in Hawkins.”

--

[loveinhawkins]

Part 1 Part 2

Behind him, Eddie hears the others beginning to stir. The illusion, the foolish hope that he could just keep driving alone with Steve, that he could have all the time in the world to fix this shatters in a matter of seconds: Nancy’s light tread approaches and, as he reaches an intersection, it’s like he can already hear a clock beginning to tick.

“Why… why are we going this way?”

And, God, Eddie is so damn grateful for Nancy Wheeler: she’s tactful, keeps her voice down, as if she already suspects something. Hell, she must do; if Eddie can recall directions to Steve’s house, she’ll definitely sense where they’re heading.

Another stop light. Straight ahead after this, then…

Eddie glances to the side, just in time to see Nancy’s eyes widen as she looks at Steve.

She whispers his name.

Steve gives the subtlest shake of his head.

Eddie has to look away—it’s an intimate exchange, yes, but it’s not romantic, that’s not why he can’t bear it. It’s the fact that they’re so clearly sharing last-minute signals, silent communication only created by going through hell over and over again, and it makes him feel sick that he now knows what their expressions mean. Their doomsday looks.

When he pulls up to Steve’s driveway, he hears various murmurs of confusion—Dustin is the loudest.

Steve claps his hands and everyone falls abruptly silent.

“Okay!” he says, rising from his seat, and he sounds determined, almost up-beat; Christ, Eddie doesn’t know how he manages it. “Sinclairs, Mayfield, Henderson, you’re all with me. We’ll be in and out, got it?”

He heads out of the RV with purpose. Save for Eddie and Nancy, everyone is looking at each other with wide eyes and furrowed brows. Robin opens her mouth, but before she can say anything, Steve calls from outside, “Hello? Come on, let’s go!” and it sounds so normal, like they’re just running late for school or something.

I might not have known, Eddie thinks, with a creeping horror. If I had slept instead… fuck, why are you such a good actor, Steve?

Erica leads the way out, prompting the others to follow; Eddie hears frantic whispers that he can’t decipher, Max lifting up one side of her headphones so she can hear as Dustin and Lucas crowd close to her, hopping outside and heading to the house.

Robin moves to the RV door, but Nancy stops her.

“Robin, stay here. I need to talk to you,” she says firmly, and it sounds like Code Red. She fixes Eddie with a pointed look and nods towards the house, like it’s not even a question that Eddie should go after Steve.

So, he does. Of course he does.

He finds them all in the kitchen, voices echoing, rebounding off the high ceiling.

“What are we doing?” Lucas says.

The kids have formed a little group by the counter, staring as Steve opens cupboards, his back to them.

“Want some back-up alcohol for Operation Flambé,” Steve says easily, “just in case.”

It could almost work, Eddie thinks. He can hear the clinking of glass as Steve methodically pulls bottles off the shelves—that is what he’s doing, so it’s not exactly a lie. Not yet. But he looks at the growing frowns of shrewd kids that are too used to waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Steve must sense it, too, because he stops collecting bottles, turns round to face them. He gets closer, rests his hands on the counter. The pretense drops.

“...Steve?” Erica says.

“You guys trust me, right?”

Eddie doesn't answer; he knows it's not directed towards him. He watches as the rest nod as one. Steve takes a deep breath.

“This is the deal, non-negotiable, okay? I don’t ask much from you, so, y’know. Figure you owe me one.” He’s smiling again, his tone flippant; he’s trying so hard to make it easy for them. Eddie digs his fingernails into his palms. “Here’s your jobs for tonight: you stay right here. Eat some food, put on a movie, I don't care. Just no moving.” He points at Max. “You keep that Walkman on. I've got... see that cabinet, by the T.V? Got some tapes in there, Hounds of Love is on the... third row, I think? Yeah, see the purple? If your one wears out, you've got a back-up.”

They just stare at him. Relief sweeps through Lucas’s and Max’s shoulders, even as they stand rigid with tension, like they’re at war with themselves. Like they feel ashamed at the instinct to stay safe. Christ, they’re all just too young, far too young for any of this.

And so are you, Eddie thinks fiercely, as he watches Steve sweep past them, going up the stairs two at a time. So are you.

Dustin snaps out of it first. He moves forward, voice sharp and urgent, “Steve? Steve!” He barges past Eddie like he isn't even there, then thunders up the stairs.

Eddie follows.

He hears the tail-end of Max saying, “Lucas, he's... I can't feel him anymore. Why can't I—?” Then, he reaches the top of the stairs, heads to what must be Steve’s bedroom. He hovers in the doorway.

“—not even going to look at me?” Dustin is asking.

Steve doesn't answer. He's rooting around one of his drawers, distractedly pulls out a cassette, puts it into his jeans pocket. Eddie sees the horrible moment where it clicks for Dustin—of course, it barely takes half a second, kid's as smart as a whip. All the colour drains from his face.

“Steve,” he says. “You can't just—this isn't how we do things.”

“I'm older than you,” Steve returns. “I'm pulling rank for once, Henderson.” He's pinching the bridge of his nose harshly, still not looking at Dustin.

Dustin laughs. It’s an awful sound, his voice cracking with vulnerability. “Seriously? Fuck you.”

Eddie can’t stand it, feels like he’s intruding on something deeply private.

Steve sniffs, starts to head for the door.

“If—if you leave, I’m never speaking to you again,” Dustin says.

“Okay,” Steve says gently.

Dustin reels from the word as if struck. His eyes fill with furious tears. “I hate you.”

“Dustin,” Eddie says quietly, even though he knows that Dustin doesn’t mean it; it’s obvious that he doesn't mean it. It’s a tactic Eddie is all too familiar with: to say the most hurtful thing you can think of, just to make the other person lash out—because even if they’re angry with you, at least they’ve stayed.

Make sure Dustin doesn’t see, Steve had said. The reason is clear. Because Dustin’s eyes are full of something wild and desperate, like he would follow Steve anywhere.

I can't let that happen, Eddie realises. Steve’s almost at the doorway, and from here Eddie can see him angrily swipe a tear off his cheek, out of Dustin’s view. It would break him.

Steve turns, finally looks back. “It’s okay, Dustin,” he says, soft and kind. Kind until the end. “It's okay.”

And then he leaves.

“Eddie,” Dustin whispers. “Please.”

“I'm sorry,” Eddie says. It's all he can say. “Dustin, I’m so fucking sorry.”

It's torture, seeing the flash of hurt and betrayal across Dustin’s face. He storms out, catches Eddie's chest with his elbow.

Make sure Dustin doesn’t see.

Dustin might be fast, but Eddie is faster; at the foot of the stairs, he easily darts in front. With long, quick strides, he reaches the RV, sees that Nancy, Robin and Steve are already inside, and he locks the door, runs to the driver’s seat. Dustin is a second too late, pounding on the glass. Eddie has never heard someone scream like that before.

He glances behind as he reverses. Steve sits directly on the floor, his head in his hands; Robin is rubbing his back, murmuring something to him.

Eddie speeds away. His last sight of Dustin is in the wing mirror, trying to run after them, only stopping when it’s clearly hopeless.

“Fuck,” Steve whispers, and then he dry heaves.

“I've got water,” Robin says frantically. “Here, here, slow sips.”

There's a gentle hand on Eddie's shoulder. Nancy.

“Where...” Eddie clears his throat. “Where to, Wheeler?”

“Your trailer,” she says, and it sounds like something else again, like thank you and I'm sorry all at once.

He doesn’t talk for the whole drive there. The others keep up the conversation, Eddie straining to hear every noise Steve makes, inwardly pleading that he never falls silent. The plan is hastily amended: the extra alcohol Steve has brought means that they can split their supplies, leaving some for Vecna and some for deterring the bats and vines. He nods when Robin asks if there’s a tape deck in his room, which settles it: he will stay with Steve in the trailer, and… wait.

They don’t mention the word bait, but Eddie can hear it anyway.

Once he’s parked, Robin and Nancy get out first, carrying the drinks and weapons. When he gets out of his seat, he finds that Steve is still halfway to standing, swaying slightly, as if sea-sick.

“Woah, woah, hey,” Eddie says quickly, and he carefully pulls Steve up with one hand. Steve’s palm is damp with cold sweat, his pulse jumping rapidly in his neck, feverish. “Still with me?”

Steve’s eyes dart around before settling on Eddie.

What are you seeing? Eddie thinks, his own heart beating faster at the unknown he isn’t privy to. Let me in. Let me help.

But all Steve says is, “Get ready to duck out the way, man, feel like m’gonna throw up.”

Eddie squeezes his hand. “You’re good, I was kinda thinking my shirt should be a different colour.”

Steve wrinkles his nose, chuckles weakly. “Gross.”

He drops Eddie’s hand and climbs out of the RV. Eddie stays close, ready to catch him if he so much as stumbles.

In the trailer, Robin and Nancy wait by the makeshift rope. Steve’s posture straightens as they look at him, as if to say, See? Don’t worry about me.

“Give him hell, Nance,” he says.

Nancy nods. “See you when we get back,” she says, her tone firm. She catches Eddie’s eye, and the intent is clear: Look after him.

Eddie nods back. Always.

Robin’s lips are trembling; she’s trying to fight it, but it’s there all the same.

“Come on, Rob,” Steve says, through another one of his smiles, but his voice tightens, like he might break down if he’s shown an ounce of sympathy. And when he gives her a little wave, it’s like Eddie can see the routine of it, like Steve is simply bidding Robin goodbye after dropping her off somewhere. “See you soon.”

Robin doesn’t hug him, even though she’s clearly desperate to; must have noticed, just as Eddie did, that it would make this even harder still for Steve. Instead, she gives a joking little salute, like a sailor, and there must be something in that, because Steve lets out a choked laugh, and they all pretend that it doesn’t resemble a sob.

The girls climb the rope quickly, and by the time Eddie has turned back after having watched them leave, Steve has already headed for Eddie’s room, presumably looking for the tape deck.

But when Eddie hurriedly follows him, there’s no music playing, and Steve is sitting cross-legged on the floor.

“Don’t you want your music on for a bit?”

Steve shakes his head, then nods in the direction of the gate. “Wanna start the distraction as soon as possible,” he says, “give them the best shot.”

The distraction. Like he isn’t risking everything, like he’s just feigning a move on the goddamn basketball court.

“Okay,” Eddie says placatingly. He sits down opposite Steve, close enough that their knees bump. “Sorry, I should’ve vacuumed.”

Steve laughs, but it breaks off at the end. “Y-yeah, where’s the welcoming…” His voice fails and he sighs shakily. “Sorry, Eddie, I—I’m just. I’m really fucking scared.”

He sounds embarrassed. Eddie reaches for his hand, and Steve clings on in a tight grip, like he’s drowning.

“Jesus Christ, Steve, don’t be sorry. Don’t you dare.”

“That a threat, Munson?”

“You know what? Sure. Thought you could do with some more pressure.”

Steve gives a lovely, tender little smile. “Hey. Thanks. For… everything.”

Eddie shakes his head in disbelief. “Are you kidding? I haven’t fucking done anything. This is all you, Harrington.”

And Steve is laughing softly, really laughing, and he says, “Don’t bullshit—”

And his eyes roll back, the irises suddenly clouded over, and his hand becomes slack in Eddie’s grip.

Eddie has to force himself not to scream, not to jolt back; he thinks he might be sick, and the only thing stopping that outcome is the fact that Steve needs him. He barely counts to three inside his head, remembering Chrissy, how quick it all was, and he’s standing, tripping over his own feet.

“Right, I’m calling it,” he says, his chest tight, “long enough fucking distraction, they’ll already be at the—”

And he stops.

Because the tape deck doesn’t have anything inside. Because, next to it, is the plastic cassette case that was once in Steve’s pocket.

And it’s empty.

He pictures Steve back at his house, distractedly picking it up, focused on reassuring Dustin; Steve not realising his mistake until he had walked into Eddie’s bedroom and gone to put the tape in. Steve going ahead with it anyway, all while knowing…

“No,” Eddie breathes, “no, no, no.” He dives for the case, but the paper sleeve inside is worn beyond all recognition; he has no idea what the song could have been, even what album it came from. He grabs the closest tape he can find, ramming it in, and suddenly thinks Robin’s assessment of his music was more than accurate. Seriously, what is all this shit?

“Come on!” he shouts, and cranks the volume up as far as it will go.

When he turns back around, Steve is already floating.

Eddie can hardly hear over the roar of the music, but he feels the scream tear at his throat; he’s useless, he’s fucking useless, it’s Chrissy all over again—

One leg snaps. He screams again, screams Steve’s name. Then an arm begins to shake, to twist unnaturally at the elbow, and—

And Steve falls. Eddie lunges to catch him, and his heart both leaps and breaks at Steve’s cry of pain. You’re here, you’re here, you’re here.

“Steve, Steve, hey, hey, hey, try not to move,” he says, “you’re okay, you’re okay.”

Steve jerks, then vomits, the bile black with blood.

“All right, that’s fine,” Eddie babbles. “Just a little blood, you’re doing good, you’re—”

His hand brushes Steve’s side, comes away wet. The wounds on his stomach have reopened, as if something else has clawed at them.

“I can’t,” Steve gasps, “I can’t feel you.”

“I’m right here! Hey, Steve? Steve, look at me, I’m right—stop, stop, don’t move, you’re gonna be—”

“Eddie, I don’t want to go,” Steve says, and he’s sobbing, “I don’t want to die, I don’t want to—”

“You’re not dying. You’re not—Steve, Steve, just look at me, stay with me—”

But Steve just shakes in Eddie’s arms, and he throws up again, each breath coming in shallow, desperate gasps.

Fuck, he can’t breathe.

And then, it’s very quiet.

“Steve? Steve.”

Eddie looks down. Steve’s eyes are fixed, glassy. His chest is still.

The trailer splits. Jagged lines in both directions, one from the gate, one from Eddie’s room, burning red. Eddie runs out without consciously thinking about it, holding onto Steve, cradling his head.

“Oh my god. Oh my god.” The words are ripped out of his chest, his voice turned into something unrecognisable, so pained that it’s almost rendered inhuman.

He’s gone, Eddie thinks numbly.

His grip on the world fades, awareness only breaking through in fleeting impressions. Nancy and Robin’s faces. Screaming. Nancy saying, “Eddie, you have to let him go—”

He’s gone.

He comes back to himself in a crowded hospital corridor. Robin is reaching for him, and she’s crying, saying his name, but he moves away before she can touch him. He doesn’t deserve her kindness; Steve should be standing here, should be falling into her embrace—

He’s gone.

And then, he’s in a bathroom, thrusting his hands under scorching water. Red and black stains the sink. Blood. Steve’s blood.

The door bangs open. Dustin is standing before him. There are several cuts on his face, and he’s gasping and clutching his side like he ran all the way here. Maybe he did.

“Eddie,” he says, and it’s in that tone, the one Eddie heard when he was trembling in the boathouse, the one that shocked him to his core. Because it sounded like, Yeah, I’m the younger one, so what? I’m still going to protect you.

In hearing that, Eddie knows that he has already been forgiven. Because Dustin’s love is like what Steve’s had been: fierce and unconditional.

Eddie tries to take a breath—it comes out in a ragged, wet exhale. “I-I’m sorry, I couldn’t—I tried—”

And then words fail him completely. He can’t stop the tears once they’ve started; and there, chest heaving with grief, he falls apart in Dustin Henderson’s arms.

[bisexualchaosdemon]

Do you think Jean is sex repulsed as a result of his trauma? The way he’s actively trying to repress his feelings of attraction to people is giving sex repulsed

I'll preface this by saying that I am in no way and expert of these things, but I wouldn't say that, no. He clearly experiences sexual attraction, and it's not that he doesn't want to act on it; it's more that he's scared? But would I be me if I didn't provide excessive evidence? No, let's gooooo

(The Sunshine Court, ch.11)

I think it's only fitting to start with Jean's beach party bi panic™️ he refers to his attraction to Laila as inappropriate and his attraction to Jeremy as dangerous. He's not disgusted by it, though? He just doesn't seem to think he's allowed to feel that way. He seems more frustrated than anything, I think. He's giving 'why is everyone fucking hot?!' vibes, like he thinks it's cruel because he thinks he's not allowed to do anything about it?

I do think that it's interesting that he doesn't deny it when confronted about it, though. Like, Jeremy straight up (no pun intended) calls him out on his very poorly concealed sexuality and he didn't bother to even try lying.

(The Sunshine Court, Ch.12)

Jean being unable to lie to Jeremy is a common theme, which I could rant about separately, but Jean caring more about Lucas insulting Jeremy's integrity than his friends knowing he's bi doesn't scream disgust or aversion to me. In fact, I may go as far as to say that this suggests that he isn't trying all that hard to repress his sexuality in the first place.

Jumping onto the next chapter, we've got some more of Jean's idea of what he is 'allowed' and him actively testing that boundary, just a tiny bit.

(The Sunshine Court, Ch.13)

Jean-Yves, my precious baby boy, you are allowed to feel how you feel! Personally, this isn't giving me sex repulsed vibes either, though. Yet again, this isn't about what he wants, it's about what he is allowed (Riko, I hope you are burning in hell 💕).

But even with the belief that he isn't allowed to be attracted to Jeremy, Jean still dips his toe in, just the tiniest bit. I'm hoping this is a taste of what's to come, and Jean will feel more able to try things as Jeremy continues to prove that their attraction to each other isn't inherently unsafe. The fact that he's testing it at all, and that he seems happy with the outcome, suggests to me that he may be open to trying things once he feels safe.

For my final point, we're sticking with chapter 13 for sex toy gate!

It might just be me, but this reaction doesn't give 'sex repulsed'. It's giving kid being teased by his friend or mortified by their older sibling. It's iconic, it's hilarious, he's a blushy little boy. I really hope that we see something more about this in tsc2. I think that, once he is done dying of embarrassment, Laila's thinking might not be too far off.

Riko is dead, Tetsuji is gone, Jean isn't imprisoned in the Nest anymore. He is free and safe to explore his sexuality and I think/hope we will get to see Jean realise this in the future. It has the potential to be really beautiful.

[pythoness94]

Mike needs to be needed

I, of course, love the Mike protecting Will things. I love how Mike is always there for Will but i love when it's reversed. It's been shown in every season that Mike needs to be needed. The Van scene is a great example of this. The entire time he talks is he's saying that El doesn't "Need" him anymore. What gets his spirts up? Will lying and saying that El does ,in fact, need him. This doesn't come from left field either! From season 1 and jumping off the quarry to save Dustin, hiding El away in his basement, using her to find Will. He needs to be needed in season 1. In season two he's by Will's side, he's always with him and falling for his every need. His mind is on keeping Will alive and everything else doesn't matter. He goes back to the tunnels to help Will. In season two, it's all about Will. But season three? Oh, El NEEDS Mike, or atleast Mike thinks she does.

Mike doesn't want to lose El again, he can't lose anybody again. Mike is very protective and has been hinted to have abandonment issues. He's by El's side because he thinks she needs him because she asked him out, and when Max "takes" El away. His mind goes wild and thinks that he's losing El, clearly irrational. He only snaps back into it when he accidentally hurts Will. That's where his focus on Will last season comes into play, he forgot his main focus, the main person who needed him, for another and had to reboot himself. The problem was El didn't need him, she wanted him. She wanted the normality that came with Mike. Mike didn't want to kick El out right away like Dustin and Lucas wanted to, he was patient with El and was unlike she's ever seen before. That's what caught El, not a need, but a want for that normality.

Then in season four he thought nobody needed him and was losing his shit. He thought Will replaces him with a girl and was giving his art to someone else (Remember his binders and El's letter?) He thought El didn't need him because she had "A bunch of friends" (she was lying) and didn't confine in him about her bullies and told him that he wouldn't know what it was like. She, unintentionally, made Mike feel more unneeded and useless by that. However, Will, by the painting made Mike feel needed, even if he knew Will was lying I like to think he chose to believe in the lie just because he wanted that feeling. He needed that soft dopamine hit even if it was all fake.

Imagine if in season 5 Will states that he needs Mike without hiding behind El. Like after Mike tries to sacrifice himself for the Party Will berates him and says that he needs Mike, and it encourages Mike to stop hiding too. it would make Mike feel so love and would soothe a deep insecurity in Mike.

[brbsoulnomming]

Tell Me Sweet Little Lies Part 8

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | AO3

-----

The next time he's got something of a breather, they're all building weapons in a field gathered around a stolen camper. He breaks from wrestling around with Dustin, comes to plop down next to Robin in the spot Steve recently vacated.

"Hey, uh. So how often does this happen?"

Robin shoots him a look, one eyebrow raised as if to say there's a whole lot of 'this' happening right now, dumbass, what part of it do you mean?

Eddie jerks his chin up, head swinging in the direction towards Steve and Dustin. "He just got munched on by a swarm of goddamn demon bats, and now he's out there prancing around and no one's looking at him like he should maybe sit down a minute? Like no one cares, this is just business as usual."

Her face crumbles, and Eddie feels like an asshole. He didn't mean to imply that she didn't care about her best friend being bat food.

"Every time," she says softly, before he can try to backtrack.

"Oh." What the fuck is he supposed to say to that? "Right, Jesus. Well. Harrington's a big boy, I'm sure he-"

"No," Robin cuts him off. "You don't understand. He does this every time, it's - you remember last year, when Steve and Billy Hargrove showed up to school looking like shit? Hargrove tried to go after Lucas, and Steve pulled him off. They beat the crap out of each other. Hargrove hit him over the head with a plate, so hard that Steve blacked out. And the little shits - they put him in a car and took him with them to go to these tunnels to the Upside Down, because we couldn't just leave him in the house, Robin, what if he choked on his own blood or Billy woke up first?"

She does a decent impression of Henderson, there, higher pitched and shrieking, but Eddie is too busy being more and more horrified to comment on it.

"Steve woke up, and what does that dipshit do? Grabs his fucking nailbat, makes sure he's the first one down there and the last one out. They see Steve, and they see-"

"A hero," Eddie says quietly.

"They see someone invincible," she replies, even quieter. "So it's not real when he gets hurt, you know, because they see him take hit after hit after hit for us, and he just comes back up swinging, just keeps going to make sure every one of us is safe."

Eddie thumbs over the spot on his hip, where the first I don't need to go to the hospital had appeared, and feels - he doesn't know. "For us?"

Robin pushes the heel of her hand into her eyes, rubbing away what he's going to pretend aren't tears. "Fourth of July, Starcourt Mall. We got captured. He made sure their attention was on him. They tortured him, barely touched me."

She wraps her arms around her stomach, hugging herself with her palms pressed against her sides, fingers splayed wide like she's holding something close. There's more there, it's obvious, but, well. It's just as obvious that she doesn't want to talk about it.

"Then he crashed a stolen car into Billy Hargrove's Camaro with me riding shotgun."

Eddie gapes at her. "What the fuck?"

She raises and lowers one shoulder. "Billy was going to hit Nancy and Jonathan and the kids. I mean, it might have been the drugs, but I was on board with the plan."

His mouth opens, then closes again. "This is so fucked. You know this, right? Tell me you know this."

Robin makes a face. "I wish I could say that and know for sure that it wouldn't be a lie. I mean, I've only been in on this for like nine months, but it kind of sucks you in."

"Jesus fucking Christ."

Her expression turns a little wry, a little wait and see, you're one of us now. "Yeah."

Eddie doesn't know what the fuck to do with that, so he settles for watching Steve. Steve, who was captured at Starcourt mall, who told Eddie that he'd been captured by Russians who didn't like his attitude and apparently wasn't lying, whose experience fits the words that are still etched on Eddie's skin. "….he got tortured?"

Robin doesn't say anything, so after a few moments, he turns to look at her again.

"What's that face you're doing?" she asks, which is rich when she's the one looking at him like he's a puzzle she's trying to figure out.

"It's just-" He gestures at Steve in a motion he hopes conveys the sheer fucked up everything. "He was tortured!"

Steve Harrington was tortured, and then he lied and said the others were hurt more, and Eddie didn't want him to be his soulmate because he was one of the popular crowd.

Robin's still staring at him, her brow furrowed, when Dustin's shriek echoes across the clearing.

"This is a stupid idea, Steve!"

Everyone turns to look at them, and Steve throws up his hands. "I would have thought you of all people would agree with me!"

"What, agree with you going to get yourself killed, and all of us with you?" Dustin demands.

Steve rolls his eyes. "A little credit, please? I survived demogorgons and demodogs and Russians and the Mind Flayer and, uh." He pauses. "What're we calling the creepy bats?"

"Demobats," Dustin says with authority, like Steve Harrington talking about demogorgons and the Mind Flayer is nothing out of the ordinary, even though it's definitely messing with Eddie's head.

"Right, demobats," Steve agrees, as though they weren't in the middle of a screaming argument, then promptly picks it back up. "I think I can manage an angry jock!"

Dustin snorts. "Right, like you managed Billy Hargrove?"

The silence that follows that is deafening.

"Dude," Steve says softly. "Too far."

Dustin's expression drops, looking somewhere between chastised and extremely guilty. "You're right, I know, I'm sorry."

Steve jerks his head towards Max and Lucas, an almost imperceptible movement, if Eddie wasn't watching him so closely.

Dustin looks over to them, clearing his throat. "I'm sorry," he calls. "Anger over Steve's stupidity blinded me and made me just as stupid."

There's a pause, then Lucas calls, "Even stupider!"

"Even stupider!" Dustin agrees.

Max rolls her eyes at them, but she doesn't look as stricken anymore. "You're both dumbasses."

Steve's watching her when Eddie turns back to look at him, but he must think that's as good as it's gonna get, because he focuses his attention back on Dustin.

"Anyway, Nancy agrees with me, so we're doing it. This was just a courtesy heads-up."

Eddie glances over at Robin, relieved when he sees her looking over at him in the same way. They share a look that he's pretty sure is mutual exasperation over whatever Steve's thought of that is apparently going to get him killed.

"Hey Dingus!" she calls. "You want to share that with the rest of the class?"

"We're going to talk to Carver and the team," Steve replies. "We can't fight Vecna and avoid them at the same time, not with how hard they're gunning for Eddie."

"What?" Eddie demands, scrambling to push himself to his feet. "No no no no, come on, Wheeler, I thought you agreed that was a terrible idea!"

"That was before we ran into them at War Zone," Nancy says. "Steve's right - Jason isn't going to stop. We have to get him and the others off our backs, or they could ruin the whole thing."

Reluctantly, they all gather in the camper again.

"All right," Steve says, clapping his hands like they're all in kindergarten and ignoring the unimpressed looks everyone gives him. "Game plan."

"We divide into two teams," Nancy picks up, just as serious business as she was when they were plotting to take down Vecna. "Team one stays with the RV and keeps making weapons. Team two heads into town to run surveillance-"

Erica gives an unimpressed huff. "Run surveillance, who needs to run surveillance when you've got me? I was at his last little inspirational production, and I know there's supposed to be another town hall meeting tonight. Two guesses who's going to be there to try to run it again?"

Steve and Nancy exchange a glance.

"All right, team two heads into town to make sure we're at the meeting before Jason gets there," Nancy says.

"So who's on team two?" Dustin asks.

"Me and Nance," Steve replies immediately.

"And me," Erica chimes in.

"And Erica," Steve agrees without hesitation, which makes Nancy give him a funny look.

"Steve is my bitch after our last 'operation' together, and he knows it," Erica says, complete with air quotes around operation.

Steve just shrugs, looking resigned, and - yeah, okay, with what Eddie knows of Erica Sinclair, he'd probably do the same thing.

"No one listened to me last time," Erica adds. "I'm gonna make damn sure they regret that."

Nancy raises her eyebrows, but doesn't protest.

"That's it," Steve finishes. "Maybe Robin or Lucas, if you one of you wants to, but no one else. Sorry guys, but it has to be people that no one would believe would be friends with Eddie."

Which - ouch, but yeah, Steve has a point. Still-

"Buckley?" he asks. Lucas he gets, because Jason and the others must have trusted him to let him in on the initial freak hunt, but Robin?

Robin shoots him a withering glare. "I've played soccer, and I'm in the marching band, did you forget? The band that goes to every one of the basketball team's games and plays for them, the band that you usually disparage in the same breath as the jocks when you do your little table speeches? You think I haven't commiserated with some of the soccer players and cheerleaders about perfectly good lunches crunched under your heels?"

Eddie - doesn't actually know what to say to that. A week ago, he would have jumped all over her for conforming to the school's expectations, pumping up the jocks and riding the coattails of popularity, but - but this isn't a week ago. Monsters are real, people are dying, Eddie's probably going to die, and these people are the only ones who know anything about how to stop it.

This is the party, and he's just been an NPC this whole time.

"Oh," is what he settles on, hating how stupid it makes him sound.

"Hey, those table speeches were cool!" Dustin protests.

"They were obnoxious," Robin says with a sniff.

"They're Eddie," Steve says, and Eddie turns sharply to look at him.

He's rolling his eyes, and he sounds just as fond as he does exasperated, the same tone he's heard him use on the kids when they're being little assholes, and it twists something in his gut at the same time as he makes him want to hide behind his hair.

"It's not a bad thing to rail against primitive social constructs such as popularity," Steve adds.

Eddie - stares at him, his brain screeching to a halt as he attempts to process what Steve Harrington just said to him.

He manages to catch Nancy looking at Steve in a way that's a little bit impressed before Dustin is shouting again.

"Hey!" he yells, slapping Steve on the arm. "I said that to you last summer, you can't just take credit for that!"

Steve slaps at Dustin's hand. "You said I needed to move on from them, you didn't say anything about railing against them!"

"It's the same thing!" Dustin protests.

"Can't you just be happy I listened to you?" Steve asks.

"Oh, for once." Dustin rolls his eyes. "When are you going to realize all of my advice is genius?"

"Again with the ego, man, come on-"

"Boys!" Robin shouts.

The two of them startle, looking over at her with twin expressions somewhere between sheepish and irritated.

Eddie valiantly rallies his brain back into working order. "I still say this plan is stupid. What do you really think's going to happen when you publicly align yourselves with the freak?"

"Oh, we're not going to publicly align ourselves with you," Nancy says.

"We're going to publicly tear Jason down," Steve adds, and there's a gleam in his eye that Eddie hasn't seen since he stalked the halls of Hawkins High with Hagan and Perkins at his side.

So the party splits again.

Nancy, Steve, and Erica head out on their side quest. Robin does end up going with them, though she makes it very clear that she's just there to sit in the back with her hand on the walkie in case things go to shit. Eddie stays with Dustin and Lucas and Max, and tries not to feel -

Well. There's a whole lot he wants to feel. Anger and bitter resentment and fear and self-hatred and outwardly directed hatred and a sick hope and confusing fondness, all tangled up into a messy ball that seem to cancel each other out.

So mostly he tries not to feel exhausted, and tries not to let it bounce too hard the other way into mania. It mostly ends up in him alternating between goofing around with Dustin and obsessively checking over his handy work on his shield.

Eventually, after far too long, the wandering half of the party returns - and even without saying anything, it's clear it was a success. The four of them are so damn pleased at something going right that it seems to be catching, both Dustin and Lucas crowding in and demanding details.

"Jason's a suspect now!" Robin says gleefully.

"He's a person of interest," Nancy corrects. "But it's enough that I don't think he's going to be rallying many people to his cause."

Eddie stares at them, aware his mouth is open and he probably looks flabbergasted, but he can't seem to make himself do anything about that.

"How did you guys manage that?" Dustin asks.

"I told you they were going to regret not listening to me," Erica says, tone just as smug as her face.

"Excuse me," Steve chimes in, in what's clearly supposed to be an imitation of Erica's voice. "But is anyone else going to get to speak at this one, or are the police and the mayor going to let a seventeen year old boy lead a town hall meeting again?"

"Again?" Robin straightens up, jumping on that with all of Nancy's fierce tenacity. "Can you clarify that for the press, Chief Powell? Is Jason Carver involved with the investigation into these murders?"

Nancy bats her eyelashes, lowering her voice and looking as dumb and concerned as possible. "Wait, wasn't Jason dating Chrissy? Now, I may have missed the last meeting, but I've watched every episode of Magnum PI and Miami Vice. Why is the victim's boyfriend leading the investigation? Isn't that, uh, a confliction of interests?"

"Watch what you're implying, Harrington," Erica growls out.

Steve raises both eyebrows. "You about busted in my door looking for my brother and his dumb friends. I just think we all have a right to be concerned about someone who shows violent tendencies to a child being involved like this."

"I saw what that freak did to Patrick!" Erica says, making her voice high and whiny.

"You were at the scene of the third crime?" Robin jumps in, still clearly Nancy. "Was anyone else there who can confirm your version of the events? No? So we only have your report of who was there?"

"Patrick McKinney?" Nancy asks, wrinkling her nose. "Bummer, man, the way people close to you keep dying. Glad I graduated already."

"I remember him when you came to my house," Steve as Erica says. "Wasn't he the one who said you guys were taking things too far? What a coincidence!"

Robin tilts her head, looking like she's trying to remember something. "Didn't Fred write that article about the basketball team and hazing rituals? If I remember right, Jason Carver was the only one he mentioned by name."

Nancy smiles, and it looks - strange, on her face. All haughty and smug, with too many teeth. "Hazing rituals, is that what's going on here? Couldn't hack it with the legacy Billy and I left for you, huh, Carver? Who's next? You're looking for Lucas Sinclair, right, you pissed that he's the one that scored the winning shot when you missed it?"

"And then Tiffany Callahan shouts Chrissy wasn't happy!, and half of the cheerleaders are talking about how she was upset and kept saying she didn't want to talk to Jason about it," Robin says. "Jason looked like he was a second away from lunging over and strangling her, and Tiffany's soulmate got up in his face."

They keep going, tossing pleased little comments back and forth, roping Lucas and Dustin and even Max in, crowing about how Eddie's out of the limelight and -

Part of him wants to stay, well aware that he's literally watching a campaign unfold in real life in front of him, that he could let himself be folded into this strange little party and bask in their jubilance at a quest completed. But the other part of him is just going too much, it's too much.

He steps back, quiet and unseen, until he can duck around the other side of the camper and crouch down. His forearms brace against his knees, head hanging down between them, as he tries to just - to just breathe, not let himself vibrate out of his own skin.

This is turning into the slowest of slowburns omg, but they will get there eventually!

----

Part 9

Taglist (hopefully I got everyone, and always happy to add more!): @vampireinthesun @koibug @estrellami-1 @mentalcyborg @allbimyself26 @questionablequeeries @the-s-is-silent @whimsicalwitchm @a-gae-af-racoon @tinyplanet95 @n0-1-important @velocitytimes2 @swimmingbirdrunningrock @newtstabber @jcmadgirl @roblingoblin285 @lexyvey @paperbackribs @goodolefashionedloverboi @evix-syne666 @raisedbylibrarians @stxrcrossed186 @nightmareglitter @greekgeek24 @starman-jpg @crazyhatlady86 @affablevixen @imfinereallyy @manda-panda-monium @deleataecount @prideandsensibility @chaoticvictorianspirit @maydillydally @disrespectedgoatman @scarlet-malfoy @i-less-than-three-you @hbyrde36 @hallucinatedjosten @dragonsandgayships @arepaconchocolate @g4ys0n @novelnovella @bisexualdisastersworld @ghostofyourvampiregf @scarletyeager @pettrichore @nerd-and-nervous @hiimlevi @queenie-ofthe-void @cinnamon-mushroomabomination

[strangersteddierthings]

Steve, Gareth and Chrissy are cousins AU (sad edition) [prologue] [part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4] [part 5] [Part 6] [Part 7] [Final Part]

"So," Dustin starts as he falls into step with Gareth, "you were pretty interested in Steve's whereabouts earlier. What's up with that?"

Gareth debates not answering at all. Just ignoring Dustin until he jogged to catch back up to Lucas and Max. That's rude, though, and he has no reason to be rude to Dustin. The thing he has to decide is how honest is he going be? "Just thought he'd be at Chrissy's funeral and he wasn't."

"I wasn't either, but you didn't shove me."

"Should I shove you now to make up for it?"

Dustin glares at him before it morphs into a frown and he mutters, more to himself than Gareth, "the storm comes, and now all friends should gather together, lest each singly be destroyed."

"What- are you quoting Lord of the Rings to me? That's-"

"What, no, I'm quoting it to myself. Were Steve and you friends once?"

This kid is way to observant. Truth it is. "Uh, yeah. But also, he's my cousin."

Dustin processes this, if the silence that follows is anything to go by. "Wait. Like your cousin but- on whose side?"

"If you're asking if Chrissy is -was- also his cousin, the answer's yes. My dad, Chrissy's dad, and Steve's mom are siblings," Gareth spells it out, and hears a gasp from ahead of them. Looking forward reveals the distance between their two little groups has vanished, as Lucas and Max are mere steps away and stopped. Eavesdropping, apparently. Max whips around to look at him with the first expression he's seen on her face since they met at Skull Rock. He's a little impressed that she can look pissed off and concerned at the same time.

"Are you telling the truth?" she demands.

"Why would I lie?" Gareth says. "Ask Steve after we rescue him if you don't believe me."

The kids exchange looks that he can't decipher. Max jams the headphones back onto her head and turns on her heel, marching onward. The three boys have no choice but to follow.

"You've been worried for Eddie and Steve, haven't you?" Lucas asks.

"Yeah," Gareth says truthfully. He's been on just this side of freaked the fuck out since yesterday, but learning his best friend and his cousin were in the alternate dimension has done nothing to calm that. He's going to strangle them both when he sees them again. For stressing him out this much.

Steve has never been happier to see Dustin than he is now, standing in the Upside Down version of the Munson trailer, looking down at him. Up at him? He doesn't want to think on that too much.

The kids haul Eddie's mattress from his room to below the gate and make a rope of sheets, and soon enough Eddie is volunteering to go first. Steve watches, almost afraid that this easy escape is almost too easy, but Eddie lands on his mattress, looking startled before a wide smile breaks across his face. Eddie should smile more. Happy is a good look on him.

Before Steve can really have to process that thought, Gareth is helping Eddie up and Robin is asking for Steve's assistance to go next.

He watches her land before turning to Nancy. "You're turn."

Nancy's got a look on her face Steve hasn't seen in a long time. It's mischievous, almost teasing. She hasn't looked at him like that since before Barb died. "Steve Harrington. Who would have thought?"

"What?" Steve asks, confused.

"Eddie says one nice thing to you and you can't take your eyes off him?" Nancy says, using the same fake tone of surprise and shock that Carol used to use when she was making fun of someone.

"I don't know what you're talking about but we gotta go. Come on," he gestures for her to step closer, but she just smiles, almost too wide.

"Don't think I didn't notice," Eddie shouts from above him. Steve whips his head back to look up. Eddie, Robin, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and Gareth are standing in a circle around the sheet rope, all looking up at him. "You kept looking down at my lips, like you couldn't believe the words I was saying."

"Sure. Or another, less platonic reason," Robin wiggles her eyebrows at him.

"Is this really the time for any sort of conversation?" Steve asks, incredulously. "The heckling can wait until we're back on the right side."

"Was all the shit about trying to warn me to stay away from Eddie so you could stare without consequences? Didn't want a witness to your crime?" Gareth's voice comes out cruel. "Is that why it was so easy to toss me and Chrissy aside? You thought if we weren't close enough, we wouldn't see the cracks in your foundation?"

"Steve. Steve!" Nancy's shouting grabs everyone's attention, and Gareth scrambles to look up at what is happening. Nancy has her hands on Steve's shoulders, shaking him as he just stands there.

"What's-" Gareth starts to ask but Robin cuts him off.

"Music! Eddie, do you have Tears for Fears!?"

Eddie looks insulted at being asked but that quickly gives way to fear. He takes off to his room, Robin and the kids quick on his heel but Gareth stays. He doesn't understand why they need music. Not that he could take his eyes off Steve anyway. "Is Steve- What is happening?"

Nancy looks down (up?) at him, and says, "It's Vecna's curse. Music can reach part of your mind that other things can't. It helps pull you back, away from Vecna."

"Steve is- like what happened with Chrissy?" Gareth asks, unable to keep the rising fear and panic from his voice.

It looks like it pains Nancy to say, "Yes."

Steve isn't in the trailer anymore. Instead, he's watching as four gates spread and tear Hawkins apart, devouring the town building by building, slowly creepy towards him but he can't seem to bring himself to move.

"Just one more gate, Steve Harrington."

Steve blinks and he's not looking at the destruction of Hawkins anymore. In front of him is a monster.

"I could have picked you. Instead of Chrissy. Instead of Maxine. But I think I have a better use of you."

"I'm not doing shit for you," Steve spits with more bravado than he actually feels.

The monster, who can only be Vecna, just twists his lip up in a disgusting grin before Steve finds himself rapidly closing in until Vecna is inches from his face. "You will tell Eleven that I am coming for her. You will live to deliver this message. In return, I will let you choose."

"Choose what?"

"I will take one more life for my gates. It can be Maxine, or another."

"Me. Leave Max alone!" Steve screams in his face, fights against the force holding him hostage. He wants so bad to swing his fist into Vecna's stupid face.

"No. No. I took one cousin from you, and now you've only one family member left to might care that you exist at all, Steve. I took Chrissy, and now, perhaps, I'll take the other cousin, too. Gareth."

"If you even try-"

"Maxine or Gareth. Which means more to you? Who would you sacrifice to save the other? I think I know. Or, if you cannot choose, I can take both."

Everyone watches as Steve drops like a stone to his knees, hands shooting out to stop his decent further. It takes a second for that to sink in. That he's not dead.

Gareth almost cries over it. All his anger at Steve, the resentment, fades into nothing but relief. It feels so stupid to hold a grudge suddenly. What does he gain from being mad at Steve? For something he originally asked for? He told Steve, and Chrissy, to pretend to not know him. He can't be mad that Steve did that, even after graduating. Gareth never took back his request! How was Steve to know he didn't care about that anymore?

And now that Steve could have- that Vecna tried to- it just seems stupid.

There's more fussing and fretting but eventually Nancy and Steve drop onto the mattress and everyone crowds Steve.

Gareth waits just a few minutes before he bully he's was in. He takes Dustin by the back of his shirt, like Eddie does all the time, and drags him bodily backwards. Dustin fights for all of four seconds, until he turns to see who's moving him, then he lets himself be moved. All the kids take a step back, give him room.

Steve meets his eye and he looks so haunted. So hurt. Steve opens his mouth but Gareth beats him to speaking.

"I'm sorry. God, I'm so sorry," he says, then launches himself at Steve. Steve catches him easily and hugs him back almost too tightly.

In a barely perceptible whisper, Steve says, "I'm sorry, too."

Later, much later, Steve sneaks out to get some fresh air. He doesn't go far from Max's home, just around the back into the dark, hidden from the street lamps.

He lets himself break down, for just a moment, where no one can see and keeps his sobs silent so no one will hear.

He's going to hate himself for the rest of his life. Because Vecna told him to choose, and God help him.

He had.

[mpregandproud]

Isaac II (Part 5)

Finding out Patrick and Isaac's secret shocked Lucas, Adam, my husband Isaac and me. It was one thing for Sandra to hack us grandparents, but she was of age. Patrick and Isaac were barely 17 and 15. They were at that age when they should be thinking more about playing, imagining a future in college, enjoying life… But life has put them in a tremendously complicated situation, that of being teenage parents.

Lucas and Adam left home furious. I know Lucas well and I know that it has crossed his mind to blame me for setting a bad example for our children. I'm sure he has thought that the fact that his son and mine are able to get pregnant because I was the carrier is behind this situation. I don't really blame him, I know I would think the same thing in his situation, I would try to look for a culprit so I wouldn't think about what could happen. The reality is that it is common for a man with the ability to get pregnant to pass this ability on to his children, as has happened with mine. But in the case of Isaac, Lucas' son, we don't share genes, so it has happened to him as it happened to me years before, a coincidence.

I was really worried. Both because Patrick was now sad and even more locked in his room, and because my friendship with Lucas had gone down the drain. A lifetime of being thick as thieves to finally be driven apart by this. I wouldn't want for anything in the world to lose Lucas and Adam, they are like brothers to me. And I wouldn't want to miss seeing young Daniel and Isaac either. They will be going to college soon, so I have few chances left to see them grow up.

Days after the revelation I was home alone. My Isaac and the kids went grocery shopping, he needs many hands to help him carry the bags for so much food to feed 10 energetic youngsters, an athletic adult who needs to be fed copiously, two pregnant youngsters, an adult carrying quadruplets in his belly and Cal, who is a constant presence around the house. As I was walking around the house the doorbell rang, and there was Lucas. “Hi Dan, how are you doing? I think we need to talk”, he said as soon as I opened the door.

I ushered him into the garden and sat him on a bench there. I offered him a soda, but he said he'd make it for both of us, that I should go to the bench and rest. Even when we were angry, Lucas has not changed at all, he is still a gentleman. All his life he has been really gallant and polite. Always willing to help everyone, and to make his life easier. Now that his hair is graying, he looks even more interesting. Five minutes after entering the house I saw him come out into the garden, where I was waiting for him on the bench, and come with a tray with two glasses of sugar free cola and some chips. He still remembers the cravings I had when I was pregnant with his kids and asked for potatoes all the time. This man is a sunshine. He sat down across from me and handed me the glass.

“How are you feeling? I've been worried after what happened three days ago”, I said. I wanted to break the ice myself to try to get a little closer, to loosen up.

“I feel like I've been run over by a truck, Dan, I'm not going to lie to you. Last Friday my life fell apart a little bit”, he told me with a worried look on his face. “I always imagined my perfect life, with a perfect husband and kids. But you can see that dreams are just that, dreams”, he looked resigned, exhausted.

“Isaac and I are the same way. We've talked about it a lot these days, and we don't know what to do, or what will happen”, I told him as I settled on the bench to look at him more squarely. “I also didn't expect Sandra to make us grandparents so soon, but she is of age, her life doesn't belong to me. I can only support her. But this…”, I acknowledged my concern.

“Dan, fuck, they're kids. That Isaac is 17 and Patrick just turned 15. They say a lot that they love each other madly, but they are a few months away from becoming parents. They can't even drink alcohol yet. Can't you see it's crazy?”, Lucas from three days ago was coming back.

“Of course I see it, and I'm just as worried. But there's no use blaming ourselves for this…”, I replied.

“Don't blame us? How easy it is to say that in your idyllic situation of non-stop pregnancies”, he reproached me.

“I think you're being very unfair, Lucas, and you're not measuring your words”, I tried to tell him calmly. “Do you really think Isaac and I are to blame for the kids getting into this situation?”, I asked him directly.

“Yes, I do. You've made being pregnant look idyllic, perfect, like something to aspire to in life”, he reproached me again. I was starting to feel uncomfortable, I guess the stress this conversation is causing me is getting to me.

“One of those pregnancies was the reason you and Adam were able to become parents, I hope you keep that in mind”. If he was going to hold things against me, I can too. It is grossly unfair that he would throw this in my face knowing all that I have done for Adam and Lucas, and altruistically. I settled back on the bench.

Lucas was silent longer than usual. “Shit, Dan, I'm sorry. I'm 100% aware of what you've done for us… But I'm a nervous wreck, I don't even know what to think, or how to react, or what to say… I'm a sea of doubts and insecurities”, he looked regretful. “But they are two children who have not yet begun to live, what will happen to them now?".

“Maybe you should talk about this with our friend Frank. He and Stephania were teen parents. I think he's the best one to help you through all this”, I said.

“I've already talked to Frank. He tells me he has no regrets about having Frances when he was just 16. The whole parenting thing wasn't easy for him, but he wouldn't trade it for anything. See if he wouldn't change it that he had four more years later, and each with a different woman”, he paused there. “I don't know if he's the best example of a father”, he said between guffaws. For the first time in days I saw him smile, and it was quite a relief.

“If they decide to keep the babies or not, it's their choice. We have to be with them, helping them through this process”, I said holding his hand to calm him.

“It's not just that, there's also the issue of them being two gay guys and pregnant. They'll be freaks to their partners. Isaac has already been through bouts of bullying for being a sensitive boy and having two fathers, and now this…”, he acknowledged to me.

“It won't be easy, I'm sure, but if they don't get the support at home either, it will be hell”, I acknowledged. ”It could have been our case if we had dared to make things happen between us at their same age. Today our lives would be very different”, the look Lucas gave me broke me a little inside.

“I've been thinking about it since we found the pregnancy test at home. Isaac and Patrick's story is what could have been between us, but we weren't brave enough. Look at us now, happily married with a wonderful family each”, he was finally grinning from ear to ear. “I'm sorry, Dan, I've been a jerk to you, and you didn't deserve it”, he said and got up to give me a hug.

I stood up and returned the gesture. “I love you so much, Lucas, these days have been hell being like this between you and me. Never again, we have to stick together for them. I'm sorry too.”

I invited him to join me inside the house and continue our conversation there, but I noticed that my hole was wet. I put a hand on my butt and my hand was full of blood. A terror came over me. “Lucas, you have to take me to the hospital, immediately! I'm bleeding, I think I've lost my babies!”, I screamed in desperation.

Lucas left everything as it was, helped me to his car and started driving quickly to the hospital. On the way he kept encouraging me and tried to reassure me in every way possible. As soon as we arrived they sat me in a wheelchair and took me to be examined. Lucas stayed outside. The last I heard from him was that he would tell Isaac immediately.

I was passed from one doctor to another, from one room to another. They did an ultrasound, blood tests, took my blood pressure... The nurse told me that they would take me to a room where my relatives were waiting for me, that I should be calm because my doctor would be there soon to tell me what was wrong.

An orderly took me up to my room, where Lucas and my husband Isaac were arguing. Shouting could be heard from across the hall. Isaac was berating Lucas for stressing me out and causing me to lose the quadruplets. Lucas could barely be heard, since we had left the house he had been feeling a tremendous sense of guilt.

“We're all here”, the orderly said as we came to the door of the room. Lucas and Isaac immediately turned and fell silent. Isaac ran out to where I was, hugged and kissed me like if I was coming back from the war. He burst into tears releasing all the tension he had built up. “My love, you look fine, how are you feeling, how are the babies? What happened? What did they tell you?” he overwhelmed me with so many questions.

“I think I can answer those questions”, said Dr. Caroline. She told the orderly to lay me down on the bed so I would be more comfortable. When I lay down and the orderly left the room she came to my side and began to tell us what was going on.

“Relax, guys, it was just a scare. Sometimes when a woman is pregnant -she stopped when she realized she had messed up- when a man is pregnant, sorry, the habit, you are still few, this happens. You've lost a little blood, but we haven't seen anything happen to the children, they're perfectly fine, big for a little over four months old”, she told us, and the three of us snorted from the tranquility at the same time. “What is not recommended, as I told you, is stress, so you should keep trying to be as calm as possible, okay?”, she said to me before leaving us in the room alone.

“I'm so sorry Dan, this was my fault, it won't happen again,” said Lucas who was still remorseful. “You bet. This could have ended very badly”, Isaac reproached Lucas. And they got back into a position to argue heatedly. “It's nobody's fault! I need the two of you to be okay with me and each other. You're two of the most important people in my life, and right now I need you both better than ever. We are going to be grandparents, family, let's just behave once and for all”, I reproached them, and they both fell silent.

They never argued again, at least not in front of me. Lucas went home an hour later to be with Adam and all of our children, who would be staying with them tonight. Isaac spent the night with me at the hospital to accompany me home the next day.

The next morning Lucas and Adam came to visit me with Sandra, Cal, Patrick and Isaac Jr. All four of them felt guilty about what had happened to me and wanted to apologize. “Dad, I'm so sorry, I've been horrible to you and I've only upset you”, Patrick told me crying. I know my son, and I know he must have been very concerned when he was told about my situation. Also, in his current state, the shock must have been enormous. Isaac on his side was holding my son's hand, but he was also broken. Sandra, for her part, apologized to me, but was more concerned about asking me how I was doing. You can tell the age difference, the maturity.

“Children, I'm fine, don't worry. It was just a false alarm. This happens sometimes, but your siblings are fine. Don't worry”, I said, trying to relax them a little. We got down to small talk right away to lighten the mood.

“Dad, I don't know if I should tell you this right now, it scares me because of your situation”, Patrick said to me, and looked at his boyfriend Isaac. “We've been talking about us...”, Isaac said looking at Patrick with a love-struck look that is impossible to fake.

“What have you two sweeties been talking about? Don't worry, you can tell me whatever you want, you know I'm going to be there whenever you need me. Your parents, the four of us, support you in whatever you decide”, I told them. Their faces lit up, as if a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.

“We have decided to go ahead with the pregnancies. We know how hard it's going to be for us, but we want to take our responsibility and bring these babies into the world”, Patrick said. “We want to start working and save money to move in together when we can. I'll be 18 in a few months, and Patrick will be of age in two years. This sends our dream of going to college to hell, but I know that as long as we're together everything will be fine. We're going to try it”, added little Isaac.

The four of us parents gave them both a big hug. If there are any men in this town who can put themselves in their situation, it's us. None of us have been through a teenage pregnancy, but we do know what it's like to be gay in a small town, and how hard it is to feel different in your own home. Even though we have as many doubts as they do with their pregnancies, we are going to be with them on this journey.

Go to Part 6

[nhlclover]

tutor and tutoree sparks fly au

✭ — summary: sofia offers to tutor rutger

✭ — warnings: one instance of cursing

✭ — a/n: this is literally just rutger falling in love with sofia but he doesn't realize yet

✭ — word count: 1.20k

It didn’t take long for Rutger to spot her familiar blonde head of hair, pulled back into a messy braid and headphones on her ears. Rutger wasn’t late this time, ensuring he could sit next to Sofia and giving himself time to talk to her before the professor started the lecture.

“Hey.” Rutger says.

Sofia doesn’t reply, in fact doesn’t even turn her head. Rutger realizes her headphones are probably noise cancelling, so he waves a hand in front of her face.

Sofia jumps, pulling her headphones off. “Oh, hey.” Sofia says, pausing the song.

“Hey.” Rutger replies. “What’re you listening to?”

“Uh, Zach Bryan.” She replies, showing Rutger her phone screen, displaying the Elisabeth album cover. “You’re not late this time.”

Rutger lets out a dry laugh. “Yeah, made sure I knew where I was going this time.”

“Oh I’m not judging, I’ve gotten lost like 8 times already.” Sofia jokes.

There’s a lull in their conversation and Rutger just stares at the blonde girl in front of him. “So did you do the readings?” Sofia asks, a little intimidated by his glance

“Oh, uh… some of it.” Rutger says, fishing the book out of his bag. “I read the first 5 pages and then Luca asked me to play chel with him and… chel is a lot more fun than reading.”

Sofia laughs. Her laugh is like a melody in Rutger’s ears. He doesn’t quite know why her every little detail has him so entranced but he isn’t complaining.

“Listen, I know how hard it can be to balance being an athlete with being a student. How about we get together once a week and I can help you with some of the work?” Sofia offered.

A smile comes across Rutger’s lips. “Yeah! That’d be great.”

“Just uh…” Sofia starts. “Don’t let Luca or Adam find out.”

Rutger furrows his brows. “Why?”

Sofia conjures up a lie in her head quickly. “They probably won’t like me trying to become friends with their teammates. They can be a little territorial.”

Rutger seems to buy this explanation. “Oh so we’re not just tutor and tutoree, we’re friends.” He smiles, receiving an eye roll from Sofia. “I mean I’m sure they won’t care if you’re helping me out with English and we just happen to become friends.”

Sofia breathes in deeply, considering the situation. On one hand, there’s this incredibly cute boy, who is charming to no end, and something, somewhere within Sofia desperately wants to get to know him. But on the other hand, he’s her brother’s teammate. He’s the one person in the whole universe that Sofia has been explicitly told to not go near.

But to hell with Luca and Adam, they can’t control her.

“I’m sure they won’t.” Sofia says.

“Great!” Rutger smiles. “Listen, how about you come over to the sophomore house and go over the readings for this week? And, if he’s there, we can tell Luca so he doesn’t just find out randomly.”

This sends a rush of panic to Sofia’s core, but she finds herself nodding before she knows it.

By the time class is over, the two of them are packing up their stuff and Rutger is leading the way to his place.

“So you didn’t get into hockey, huh?” Rutger asked, trying to get to know Sofia a little more.

Sofia chuckles. If she had a dollar for every time she was asked this question, she’d be richer than Adam (even with his new contract). “Uh, no.” She says. “I tried to get into it, but playing just wasn’t for me.”

“Mhm.” Rutger nods. “So what is for you? What do you do for fun?”

“Uhm, read. A lot. My book collection’s a thing of beauty.” Sofia says. “I also like to bake.”

“What’s your favourite book of all time?” Rutger asks.

Sofia answers immediately, with no need to contemplate her answer in her head. “Little Women.”

“Like the movie?” Rutger asks.

Sofia laughs at this. "Um, yeah like the movie. Have you seen it?"

"Um, no. I just know it's a movie with Timothée Chalamet." Rutger sheepishly replies, making Sofia laugh.

"Well, It's this amazing book about these sisters living during the civil war and they have such intricate personalities, and it also delves into women and how they are people with their own thoughts and-"

Only then does Sofia look at Rutger, realizing she has been going on a rant about Little Women. He's staring at her, delicate eyes as she spoke about the book she's so passionate about.

"Sorry, I just went on a tangent." Sofia chuckles.

"No, It's cool how passionate you are about that book." Rutger smiles.

They turn down a walkway and up to a house. Rutger unlocks the front door, allowing Sofia to enter. “Luca? You here bud?” Rutger shouts out.

“Yeah, wassup?” Sofia hears her brother's voice from somewhere in the house.

“C’mon.” Rutger says to Sofia, walking down the hall. They enter the living room where she sees her brother slouched on the couch, a computer on his lap.

Luca pauses from typing and glances up at his roommate. He looks back at his screen before glancing back up. He thought his eyes were deceiving him but, sure enough, his baby sister was standing next to Rutger.

Sofia reads his confused, almost concerned, look on his face. “Hey Lu…” Sofia chuckles.

“What’re you doing here?” Luca asks. His eyes flick to Rutger, suspicion now lacing his eyes. Sofia recognizes where his brain is going so she jumps in before he can make any snap judgements.

“We’re in the same English class so I’m helping him make sure he doesn’t fall behind, especially while he’s away at road games.” Sofia explains.

Luca’s eyes soften and they go back to his computer. “That’s actually a good idea. She’s a fucking genius when it comes to reading.”

Sofia’s slightly taken aback by Luca’s immediate understanding, but Rutger doesn’t flinch. “Great. We’re gonna go over the readings.” He says. “Here, we can go to my room.”

Rutger walks out, not receiving any pushback from Luca. Sofia follows, wondering if Luca didn’t hear him or simply doesn’t care. They go upstairs and into his bedroom, Rutger closing the door slightly. “You can sit wherever.” He says.

Sofia sits on his desk chair, pulling her legs in, sitting cross-legged. She takes out her notebook and book, opening her page notes.

“You handwrite your notes?” Rutger asks, taking out his things.

“Um, yeah if it’s notes from a book or readings. If it’s class notes I use my laptop.” Sofia replies.

Rutger stands in front of her, looking down at her notes. “How do you read that chicken scratch?”

“What do you mean? I actually have really neat writing.” Sofia laughs.

There’s her laugh again.

Rutger joins her laughter, sitting down on his bed. “Okay so I’ll give a quick rundown of what happened in the first 20 pages, then we can talk about the discussion questions. Sound good?”

I get to hear you talk for the next 10 minutes? Sounds perfect.

“Sounds good.” Rutger nods.

“Okay, so the story opens with George and Lennie walking on a path.” Sofia begins.

[frommike]

Okay, I have a question because it's the one thing that makes me doubt Byler... If Byler is endgame, why do we have Mike's monologue??? Wouldn't it have been better to have a platonic "I love you" from El's brothers, to give her strength, just like her mother did? Why did the writers make Mike say that he's always loved her and even made him remember the color of her t-shirt? That can't all be a lie. The only possibility I see here is that Mike truly does love El but will still end up with Will because he realizes they're a better fit or something, idk.

Honestly, this one moment has nothing against byler to me. I know people were freaked when it first came out, but in all context the scene does not have romantic connotations. It's so far removed from intimacy or tender affection that I would feel genuinely sorry for El if this was the culmination of Mike's love for her. I do have a lot of thoughts, so sorry if this derails at any point, but I'll try to hit the broader ones, since I know so many people have already done analyses on the details.

Important point, bouncing off the lack of romance, it doesn't help her. She doesn't gain any motivation from the bulk of the monologue. And there's no action on her side that would stop them from framing it softer, more romantic. Meanwhile, even with Max's possession in 4x04, there is heart in it when Lucas catches Max. There are people in the frame with them that don't crowd or intrude on their connection. That was their moment. After all the action that hinders heartfelt moments, we still get that reciprocation at the end. Nothing like that for Mike and El. It wouldn't be that hard to see the direct aftermath of El waking up and Mike comforting her. I mean, we also get zero m*leven moments after that, for whatever reason. The closest thing is El leaning on him for comfort, which is so shocking(sarcasm) knowing all the trouble they have with communicating, finding common ground, understanding each other, that leads them to seeking physical intimacy as a workaround.

In fact, she even seems kind of upset at Mike during the cabin scene. The only thing stopping her from slamming that door on them was the memory of her (presumed) dead dad telling her to keep the door open 3 inches.

It wouldn't have been hard to, with this moment being so out of the way, have just put it in a place that actually makes it feel romantic. Like the pizza scene right before they put her in the freezer. There was no reason to save it for a high stakes moment where it does nothing.

There was also no reason to have Mike piggyback off of Will like that. They directly made him the motivator, even without the added context of Mike's development having been built up off of Will the entire season.

The monologue still coincides with the main views I've had of the characters since season 3, by the way. Mike is loyal to the point of doing anything that means he won't lose his loved ones. El was dying in his arms and the biggest conflict he knew he could resolve, to give her motivation, was that last fight they had. If that meant lying, then so be it. Dire circumstance was also the only thing motivating enough for him to say he loved her even through the whole argument with her begging for him to say it. Then he has the gull to claim he didn't know what to say. Almost like the truth wasn't something she wanted to hear. He suppresses his emotions because he refuses to be seen as weak, but that was just on another level. She had already assumed he loved her the entire time from the "I love her and I can't lose her again" thing, and she verbally reciprocates it to him. He's not hiding feelings she believes he has from her, because he already knows she thinks he feels them. That offers nothing. All she wanted was for him to say actual words that reflected how she thought he felt, while he was unable to because he knows the romantic implication of saying them and he knows that's a lie. And he knows he's not good at lying.

Still hasn't said it directly to her, by the way. She wasn't in a position to respond to him and we still don't see her response on screen through the aftermath. We don't know what she thought of the confession. We can assume, but it hasn't been shown thus far. Which is kind of suspicious. I'm sure people would love another cute m*leven scene where she responds on it, but whatever. Sure let's hide that.

Also, at the point about him remembering meeting her in the Benny's Burgers t-shirt was one of my problems with the monologue. That's his only memory, and the only thing specific he can say is the color of her shirt? Really? He can't even go into detail about how he felt during that, what she offered to him, there was no why involved. Compare to the shed scene, season 2 (re: i just felt so alone, and so scared, and i saw you on the swings and you were alone too.) (and it might help you to know, mike's line about the shirt is basically copied verbatim from eddie's line about the weird al shirt to dustin. that's not romantic)

"That can't all be a lie." It doesn't have to. What I take from the fact he lies or exaggerates at all, is that it makes you wonder what else he could be lying about. If he's willing to say it was love at first sight, or that he was never scared, what's stopping him from lying about the entire thing? It's reminiscent of the deflection technique he uses when El first confronts him about not loving her.

And your last point is possible, sure. I just don't think it would be a main point of conflict if Mike was telling the truth. Characters develop through inward reflection, and if nothing changed about how he actually felt then there was no development for him. And I don't think Will would be the one guiding and supporting him to gaining confidence if the journey he's going through resolves with him with Eleven. I mean look at J*ncy, their time apart caused more problems because they didn't communicate and find answers through each other. They're still lying to each other. Imagine if the situation with Jonathan's college letter was magically resolved with Argyle getting him high, that's kind of how I feel on where Mike and El's relationship stands.

Their conflict was a lot more involved and complicated, though. Something I genuinely need to see them work through together instead of bullshitting by splitting them up again and claiming to have done something. I want to see the miscommunication and lying resolved without Will standing in the background with cue cards.

A part of the monologue I just straight up dislike is Mike's "hero worship" of El (it's way more complicated than that phrase captures, but it would take up 2/3 of this entire post to explain my thoughts, so just be aware there is more than just idolization). The main thing that made her feel like he didn't love her anymore was connected to her powers. She feels like she has to be in this position of a hero for him to love her. And he upholds that during the monologue by rambling on for 1/2 of it about how much he loves her for her powers("I love you for exactly who you are. You're my superhero... ...You can fly, you can move mountains"). It's just full of disrespect. Her smile drops on screen as he says this, if you rewatch the scene. Something something... he's piggybacking off of Will again... and didn't actually develop in his mindset towards El...

Also I just realized I skipped over the point about platonic love, and all I have to say to that is that Vecna is still alive. If the point is that platonic love conquers all, or that it's what she needed in that moment, I'd rather that be saved for the ending where he actually dies. Or where El actually goes all out with her powers and starts floating, like she did while remembering her mother's love. So Vecna still kicking after Mike's shitty monologue is actually a win to me.

If this doesn't explain all your questions or you want me to expand on something, feel free to ask :)

[scrollonso]

vale's reaction to marcmarc!!! (sage's og post)

-after he was told/shown that marc and marco are dating he gets very accusatory/defensive ("i know what kind of person you are." "i won't let you fuck him over like you do everyone else that gets close to you") [hypocrite]

-when he eventually leaves the room franky and luca aren't far behind

-he's MAD. how could they not tell him? ("what else are you hiding?" "is it that easy to lie to me?" "do you not trust me?" "how do you not see whats wrong with this.")

-he gets bez alone (marc most likely with pecco since they're civil and marc is dating his bestfriend) and tries to knock some sense into him, it doesn't work

-bez is hurt, by now having already cried twice at vale's reaction ("i'm not you, i don't see him how you do." "i'm more mature than you were at my age." "he's not a bad person you're just biased.")

-both vale and bez end up hurting eachothers feelings, bez not talking to him for the rest of the night

-when vale says marc isnt allowed to sleep in the same bed as bez he just walks away and slams his door, not wanting to argue but not wanting to listen

-when vale falls asleep (he's old so probably around 6pm) bez goes downstairs and finds marc on his phone, uncomfortable on the couch (and not liking the idea of sleeping without bez)

-he's quick to curl up besides his boyfriend, the spaniard quick to knit his fingers through bez's hair

-they fall asleep super quick in eachothers arms despite how crowded it is with two grown men on one sofa

-vale is the first to wake up, as per usual, and he walks into the livingroom and sees how marc is holding bez

-it was odd, they were never like that. it was never that soft, that loving, that innocent.

-even when vale and marc first started seeing eachother they were never equals, always god and follower

-with marc and bez it's different, their faces are close, arms wrapped around eachother, marc lightly holding the back of the younger boys head

-there was nothing malicious, nothing mean, marc was no rabid dog. at least not with bez.

-he had no choice but to be okay with it, even if he accepted it in silence, he decided maybe marc wasn't so bad

-having marc around more made bez a lot happier and it showed, vale could tell the reason bez was improving and working harder was because of marc.

-the days marc would come over bez would leave the track every once in a while, whether he was doing great or horrible he always left to talk to marc for a second

-the spaniard would tell him how good he was doing, even if it wasnt true, how proud he was of him improving, and kiss him before he went back out

-vale saw, how could he not? but he knew this marc was different than the marc he knew.

-the marc he knew wasn't tender. wasnt caring, loving, and when he was vale made sure to shut him down.

-vale and marc never loved eachother, marc loved feeling cared for and vale loved being worshipped.

-marc and bez had something different, something innocent (despite the NASTYYY sex, they dont fuck at the ranch.. have some decorum!) and when vale finally realized that he realized he didn't mind the couple

[tastefulstars]

He's With The Band

You intimidate Steve a little but that doesn't stop him from wanting you.

steve harrington x f!reader (best friend!eddie x reader)

warnings: 18+ only mdni. eddie tries to be a good wingman but doesn't really manage it. r thinks she's too out there for steve and steve thinks r and eddie are together. unprotected sex. car sex. dirty talk. oral (f receiving). floor sex. switch steve i guess (more sub steve than anything). not proof read.

w/c: 4.4k

masterlist

You were excited, nerves fluttering in your stomach. Anxiety always ate at you before a show, no matter how much you enjoyed yourself. Putting the finishing touches on your makeup, you give yourself a once over in the mirror and grin. Your tartan print pants fit your legs and ass beautifully, chains hanging and tinkling as you walk, and your shirt was ripped and faded and you knew that everyone would probably get a glimpse of your cleavage at some point.

You look good.

Your friends and band-mates, Alex, Sean and Tony, call out for you and you rush over to them. You wrap your arms around them, creating a little huddle and you bounce on your toes.

“I’m so ready!” You cheer, “Are you ready?”

“Fuck yeah!”

“Let’s fuckin’ go, baby!”

"I was born ready" Sean laughs, accented voice filling the space.

You laugh and as you all hype each other up, giving each other a gentle squeeze before breaking away. You grab your guitar and walk onstage.

You step up to the microphone, take a deep breath and pluck the opening notes to your first song of the night.

You belt out songs, loosing yourself in the moment and by the end of your set, you're covered in sweat and breathing hard. You always loved the thrill of it, riding the high long after you'd left the stage.

All you wanted to do was have a couple drinks and relax but you also didn't want to leave the boys to have to pack up your equipment. Your arms ached as you lugged the guitar cases to the van, you groan as you place them inside.

You hear loud laughter and you grin.

"Hey, I'll be back in a tick" You tell Alex and he waves you away dismissively, rolling his eyes.

You almost run towards the laugh, beaming.

"Hugs incoming!" You laugh and launch yourself at Eddie.

He opens his arms and catches you, spinning you around squeezing you tight. You hold onto his shoulders as he places you back onto your feet.

"I didn't think you were coming tonight"

"Don't be silly" He laughs, "I'll always come to your shows. I even managed to drag my friends along"

He gestures to the people lingering around him, watching you both curiously. You turn slightly, wrapping your arm around Eddie's waist as you beam at them and wave.

"Ah, thanks for coming"

"Not gonna lie, half of them only came because I told them that there was a girl fronting a rock band" Eddie teases and you roll your eyes.

"This is Robin, Nancy, Steve" Eddie gestures to each of them as he introduces them, "Erica, Dustin, Max, Lucas, Will, El and Mike"

"You guys were awesome" Dustin says.

"You, um, really put on a show" Nancy says, and you laugh.

"Ahh, I know our music isn't for everyone. Did you have a good time, though?"

"Oh absolutely" She says, nodding her head.

"I didn't think that I would enjoy it, to be honest" Robin starts, "But it's kind of refreshing to see a woman fronting the kind of music Eddie listens to"

Eddie snorts at her comment and rolls his eyes, leaning down he loudly whispers to you.

"Robin thinks it's just noise, not real music like Cyndi Lauper"

You laugh loudly at the disgust in his voice and you see her flush with embarrassment, you shoot her a soft smile to let her know you don't mean any harm.

You laugh as they chat, cuddling into Eddie and enjoying his and his friend's company. You glance over at Steve a few times and see him quickly look away each time you catch his eye. You can't help yourself, dragging your gaze over him, enjoying his soft eyes and fluffy hair.

"Hey Egg!" You hear Tony shout from the van, "Quit slackin' off and come help us!"

You groan and hug Eddie harder, burying your face into his chest and he laughs as you cling to him.

"No!" You shout back, your voice muffled by Eddie's shirt. You feel his chest shake with laughter.

"Go on" He says, "I'll hang out for a bit and we can catch up after"

You pull away, pointing at him sternly.

"Don't go anywhere"

You say as you start to walk backwards before you turn around and head back to the van, continuing to help load the equipment into the van. You glance over every few minutes to check Eddie and his group were still there.

Once you slide the van shut, you immediately start walking back to Eddie. Alex, Tony and Sean following behind you. Eddie smiles at you and you slot yourself back into his side, his arm resting around your shoulders.

"Hey man" He greets your band-mates, "Good show tonight"

"Thanks Eddie" Sean says.

You tune out a lot of the conversation, eyes drifting back to Steve every few moments. You turn slightly, squeezing Eddie and peering up at him as he looks over to you.

"Yes?" He raises his eyebrow and you purse your lips.

"Is, um" You lean in closer and whisper, face flushing, "Is Steve like, seeing anyone?"

A big smile slowly spreads over Eddie's face and he wiggles his eyebrows, making you groan and scrunch your face up.

"Forget it" You pout and he shakes his head, stepping away from the group and pulling you along with him.

"We'll be back in a second" He throws over his shoulder.

Eddie leads you to his van, offering you a smoke. You lean against the side of the van as you light it, side flush with his.

"From what I know, Steve's not dating and not wanting to get involved with anyone" He tells you as you inhale the cigarette, you pass it to him.

"Why do you wanna know?" He asks and your stomach flips.

"Um. I, I dunno- guess I wanted to know if I had a shot"

"Hmm. Look - to be completely honest with you and I'm not saying this to hurt you or anything okay? But I don't think I've ever seen Steve with anyone who isn't the Good Girl Next Door cookie cutter type. Go for it though honey, if you don't at least ask him you'll never know"

Something curls deep in your stomach and you sigh, knowing that a lot of people had passed on you because of the way you dress, your way of life, your Take No Shit attitude.

It wasn't the first time you'd been told something along the lines of 'if only you weren't... like that".

"Thanks Eds, I guess one day I'll find someone who likes me for me"

You laugh awkwardly as the two of you pass the cigarette between each other.

"What are you talkin' about, I'm right here" Eddie says hands flapping around himself and you laugh, rolling your eyes.

"You know what I mean" You groan.

"Ahh, like someone who wants to get all up inside you?" He laughs and you shove him.

"We could never work" He sighs dramatically, "We'd be too powerful"

"You mean we'd crash and burn real quick" You tease.

It's not like you hadn't thought about it but you just couldn't see Eddie as someone you wanted in that way. You wanted him to be in your life, be in his life for as long as you could. He was one of your soulmates, your closest friend and someone you could count on for anything, but it was all platonic.

You chew on your lower lip, you sigh and push off the van.

"Better get goin'" You mumble, holding your hand out and wrap your hand around his.

You can't help but feel a little disappointed and you know your smile fell a little short when you reached the group. Tony raises his eyebrow at you and you scrunch your nose slightly.

"Well, it's been great meeting you all but we should probably head off" Tony says.

You say your goodbyes to Eddie's friends, disappointment filling your throat as you reach Steve. You give Eddie another big hug, pressing a quick kiss on his cheek.

"See ya around, baby doll"

Eddie's loud, bark of laughter follows you to Alex's van. You climb in the front, glancing over to Sean and Tony squished in the back amongst all the gear.

"You okay, Egg?" Tony asks, "You looked a little upset when you and Eddie got back"

"Yeah" You sigh, looking out the window as Alex starts the drive to his home, "Just sucks hearing that someone wouldn't give you a chance 'cause of the way you dress"

"So which one of Eddie's friends do you fancy, then?" Sean asks and you groan, hating how well the boys knew you.

"Not telling" You pout, not wanting to give them any more ammunition to tease you.

"I bet it was the girl, Robin was it?" Alex muses.

"Nah, it was totally Nancy" Tony shoots back.

"You lot are mad" Sean laughs, "She was clearly checking out Steve the entire time"

You huff, crossing your arms over your stomach and turn to face the window much to their amusement.

You hate that you can't get him out of your head. Images of his warm eyes and his kissable lips and his fluffy hair flash behind your closed eyes, driving you insane with want.

You're so worked up that you get yourself off multiple times over the weeks to fantasies involving Steve. You imagine him fucking you hard and fast in the dirty bathroom of the club, imagine sliding your way down his body and sucking him down your throat and listening to the noises he makes, imagine him pressing you against the door of a dressing room and burying his fingers inside you.

You let your fantasies run wild and you almost hate yourself for it and it certainly didn't help that you see Steve everywhere. Heading to work? Steve's running past. Pushing your cart at the grocery store? Steve's coming around the corner. You're dropping off some equipment Eddie asked to borrow? Steve's spread out on his couch.

There's a Corroded Coffin show tonight and you decide to dress your best, let loose and maybe go home with a a cutie. You feel great - black band shirt loose around your torso paired with a short black skirt and your leather jacket. You pull on long boots that sit an inch or so over your thighs, teasing a flash of skin between them and your skirt.

You take your time styling your hair and doing your makeup and you carefully slide rings onto your fingers. You looked sexy and felt it.

You didn't expect to see Steve there, wearing tight jeans and a loose shirt that had the sleeves torn off. You got an eyeful of his strong arms and chest, your mouth floods with saliva and your cunt gushes, clenching around nothing and you ache.

"Hey!" He smiles warmly at you when he spots you, speaking loudly and leaning close so you can hear him over the music, "Eddie will be glad you're here"

He stays close to you throughout the set, making your skin burn. You try to ignore it but your eyes dart to him every few minutes and you don't know if you want to throw yourself into the crowd and loose yourself in the music or grab Steve and plant a desperate kiss on his lips.

The show wraps up all too soon and you find yourself leaning against a table, Steve next to you. The two of you sip on your drinks while you wait for Eddie to pack away the gear and the people to slowly leave.

"Eds always puts on a great show" You say into your glass, eyes flicking to Steve.

"Yeah" Steve says, turning to face you, "Never thought I'd like it so much but I do"

"Not a big metal head, huh?"

Steve laughs and shakes his head, he lifts his glass and your eyes fall to his fingers. You swallow hard and force yourself to look away, to not watch as he presses his lips against the rim.

You squirm and press your thighs tightly together, feeling the wet slickness soaking your undies. You almost whine when his tongue darts out and licks at his lips.

"There you two are"

Eddie stands between you and Steve, forcing his way into the small space and throws his arms over both your shoulders. You groan and push away from him.

"Fuck off, Ed" You say as you shove at his arm, "You're so fuckin' sweaty"

"Oh" He lets go of you to press his hand against his chest, "You don't like my sweaty musk?"

He stares at you with wide eyes and you screw your face up.

"No"

"I'm hurt"

"Good" You shoot back and he drops his arm, laughing.

Steve's glancing between the two of you like he's trying to work something out.

"You want a drink?" You ask Eddie.

"Please"

He smiles at you and you move to the bar.

There's still a number of people milling about and it takes you a little longer to get the attention of the bartender than usual. You carefully carry Eddie's drink back to the table and see him deep in conversation with Steve.

Eddie glances at you as you approach and beams, thanking you as you place the drink in front of him. You feel a little awkward, like you're intruding and focus on drinking and people watching while they talk.

"Right" Eddie says loudly, startling you, "I'm going to mingle with my adoring fans"

You snort at him and he gives you both a look. Steve rubs the back of his neck, eyes darting around the room.

"So, um- ah, how long have you been in your band?"

"Oh, a couple years now. Met Eds not too long after at a gig"

"That's cool" He says.

"How 'bout you? How'd you and Eddie meet?"

"We, um, met at school - Dustin, Lucas and Mike were all in a club Eddie ran"

"The Hellfire club?" You laugh and Steve nods.

"Yeah, he tell you about it?"

"Mhm, heard all about the campaigns and everything"

Steve looks over to you, laughing and eyes sparkling in the low light and you feel your heart flutter. You bite your lower lip and Steve's eyes drop to your mouth, he swallows hard.

Hope blooms in your chest and you slide a little closer to Steve, you don't miss the way he shifts nervously.

"How, how long you and Eddie been together then?" His voice is rough and he's staring at the people dancing.

"What?"

He glances at you and sighs.

"Aren't you and Eddie, like, dating?"

"God no" You say as you pull a face, "Don't get me wrong, I love him but no"

Steve's eyes go a little wide and his lips part, he breathes a soft 'oh' and you shake your head. You lean in closer and don't miss the way he flushes.

"Tell you the truth?" You murmur, "Eddie isn't my type"

"No?" He breathes, eyes flicking between yours and your lips.

"No. I like soft, pretty boys with warm brown eyes"

Your stomach flutters painfully as you watch the flush spread over his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.

"You, uh - um" He stutters , "The night we met, at your show. You, you looked like you could beat the shit out of me and um, turns out I'm really into that"

You let out a giddy laugh.

"I think I could take you"

Steve licks his lips, eyes dragging up to yours. His pupils are blown out and he looks so, so hot.

"Yeah?" He breathes and you nod slightly.

"Mmm you want me to manhandle you a bit, huh?"

You love the way his face slackens and lips part, his eyebrows pull together slightly and you want to just press him against the table and lick your way up his neck. Steve flushes deeper.

"Maybe"

You shift, pressing into his space and bury your fingers in his hair. You hesitate, glancing at his lips before looking him in the eyes. Steve doesn't make you wait, hands wrapping around you and pulling you flush against him as he presses his lips against yours.

Steve pulls back slightly, far enough that you both can gasp for air before you lick at his lip. Steve whines softly against your mouth and you feel your insides shake.

The noise of the bar disappears as Steve holds you, his lips against yours.

You're not sure how long the two of you stand there, clinging to each other and making out but you start feeling like your nerves are exposed. Raw need eats at you and you're aching so badly, your cunt hurts.

You think you might go insane if he doesn't touch you soon.

"Steve" Your voice is shaky, "If we don't go somewhere else right now, I'm gonna cry"

"We don't want that"

He teases you as his strong hands grip your hips and gently tug you towards the door as he walks backwards.

You think you hear Eddies voice saying 'fuckin' finally' but you're too focused on Steve to pay much attention to it.

You press Steve against the side of his car, fingers winding around his hair and pressing a fiery, desperate kiss against his lips. You slide one of your legs in between his and grind down on his thigh. He groans softly and grips you so tightly, you think you might just melt into him.

"Fucking hell" Steve groans, throwing his head back and rocking against you.

You pant as you feel his cock hardening and you whine a little, feeling every thick inch of him pressed against you. You shove your hand between you and grip him through his jeans, Steve shudders and thrusts sharply against your palm.

You suck at his neck and curl your fingers, pressing firmly.

"Baby, we should. We should, go" You murmur as you lick his skin.

He fumbles and pulls his keys out of his back pocket and you peel yourself away from him. Steve clumsily unlocks his door and you climb into his car. Your hands don't leave him, you paw at his thighs and rub his chest as he drives.

"You takin' me home?" You purr and Steve clenches his jaw and his knuckles go white as he grips the wheel.

He grunts and pulls off, coming to a stop on the side of a quiet road. He pushes at you as he climbs into the backseat and you almost throw yourself over the seat.

You climb onto his lap and slam your lips onto his, Steve's hands gripping hard on your hips and pulling you down onto him. You bury your fingers in his hair and reach down between you, unzipping his jeans and tugging his cock out.

"Fuck, Steve" You whine as you stroke him, "Need you inside me"

Steve whimpers softly and you pull your undies aside, lowering yourself down on him. You moan loudly as his cock stretches you, the pleasurable burn as you sink down overcoming your senses.

"God you're so fucking wet" Steve moans, head tilting back and thumping against the headrest.

You lift yourself and slam yourself back down, riding him in a steady rhythm. Steve holds you and rocks up to meet you. The only noises filling the car are your combined heavy breathing, moans and the squelching of your cunt.

You chant his name as you work yourself on his cock, moaning and whispering into Steve's mouth.

"You feel so good, so big. Wanna come all over your huge cock, baby"

Steve presses his fingers between you, circling at your clit and you whine.

"You gonna come with me?" You breathe against Steve's lips, sharing air.

"Yeah, yeah" Steve whines, "'m close. You're so tight"

You both move faster, harder. Focusing on reaching your climaxes.

"Oh, god" You moan, "Don't stop, ah fuck, Steve"

"I'm gonna-" Steve grunts and you cry out as your own release slams into you.

Fire burns under your skin and you shake, pure pleasure coursing through your veins. You clench and flutter around Steve, milking his cock and making him groan.

You mouth at Steve's neck and sigh softly as he holds you tight against him.

"God damn" He breathes and you chuckle, pulling back and cupping his cheek. You kiss him softly.

"Better still be taking me home"

Steve laughs and pepper kisses over your face.

"As soon as you hop off me, gorgeous"

You pout and raise yourself, whining as Steve's cock slides out of you along with his fluid. You push your undies back into place to catch it all and climb off Steve, pushing the door open and stumbling out on shaky legs.

Steve follows you and you both fall back into the front of the car, Steve lets a small noise as he pulls back onto the road, speeding his way to his home while you whisper the filthy things you want to do to him.

The both of you practically fall out of the car, tripping over yourselves in your rush to get inside.

Steve presses you against the door as soon as you step inside, kissing you. His hands wander over your body, slipping under your shirt and gripping at your skin.

You hum and tip your head back, leaning heavily against the door. Steve kisses his way down your throat before dropping to his knees, pressing your legs apart.

He runs his palms up your boots, traveling up your thighs and pushing your skirt up until it bunches up around your waist. You peer down at him and moan as he stares up at you from under his lashes, face slack with desire.

He hooks his fingers into the waistband of your undies and pulls them down, letting them drop down your legs before he presses his mouth against your cunt.

Your eyes flutter closed and you bury your hands in his hair, pressing him firmly against you. Steve moans as he licks his way into your folds, his thumb sliding over until he can press it against your clit.

You shift, raising a leg to hook over his shoulder. You whine as he tilts his head in order to press his tongue into your entrance, pushing it as far as he could.

"Fuck, Steve" You moan, rocking your hips up into his mouth, "You- ahh, you're so good"

Your praise spurs him on, making him press himself harder against you and devour your cunt faster.

"So good to me" You whine, fingers digging into his scalp and tugging on his silky hair, "Gonna make me come again"

You feel his moan vibrate through you and you shake, core tensing and you can feel it building. Moans slip past your lips as Steve almost desperately eats you out, nipping and licking and sucking at your cunt until you can't take it anymore.

"Ohh, Steve"

You shake against him, vision blacking out and stars bursting behind your closed eyelids. Your knee buckles and Steve carefully lowers you down until you're pressed between the door and him. You pant harshly and tug at him, slamming your mouth against his and licking your own juices from his lips and chin.

The kiss turns filthy quickly and you pull away, tearing his shirt off his body before you pull your jacket and shirt off. Steve's hands immediately go to your torso, feeling your skin and palming at your tits.

"You're so fucking pretty" He whines, "Wanna fuck you"

"You can fuck me, baby"

You sigh, trailing your fingers down his torso and hooking your fingers into his jeans, popping the button and slowly dragging the zipper down.

"You gonna fuck me here on the floor?"

He turns you, laying you down on your back as he slides your boots off your legs before pulls your skirt off. He kisses his way up your stomach until he reaches your lips.

"You want me to fuck you on the floor"

You bite your lip and flush.

"Yeah" You whine, "Come on, baby doll. Fuck me like you mean it"

He drops his head and groans, furiously shoving his jeans down his hips. He kicks them off his legs and grabs your hips, pulling you close to him and wastes no time pressing into your soaking cunt.

Your back arches and you moan softly, wrapping your legs tightly around his waist and clinging to him.

Steve fucks you hard and rough, focused entirely on his own pleasure and you feel a thrill go through you at the idea of being used. Steve's groans and grunts fill the space as he thrusts into you. The push pull of Steve's thick cock fills you with ecstasy and you revel in it.

"You're so fucking tight" He groans into your ear, "So perfect for me"

You feel your cunt gush around Steve's cock at his words and you dig your nails into the soft flesh of his back.

"Ah fuck" Steve's soft groans, "God, so perfect. Perfect pussy"

Steve's babbling mindlessly as he rocks into you, spearing his cock deep inside you and making you squirm under him.

You pry your eyes open and gaze at Steve - his eyebrows drawn up in pleasure, lips parted and face flushed. You clench down on him and watch as his face contorts in pleasure.

"Come on, baby" You breathe, "Come on"

Your encouragement is all it takes for Steve's hips to stutter, slowing until he's gently rocking himself through his orgasm.

He collapses on top of you, his face buried in your shoulder and you feel his panting breath against your hot skin. You hold him close and stroke his back and his hair.

"Good, honey?"

"Mmm"

He shifts and leans over you, gazing at you sweetly before leaning down to press his lips against yours. He rocks against you softly and you whine.

"Want you to fuck me until the only thing I remember is your name"

[nikolai-vincent]

Y'all I have a big list of Byler things and I need help to make sure that everything I've stated is actually true and not my mind making things up💀🤣🤭 so prepare for a long list and I'll cut it down so it doesn't take years if you wanna scroll by it lmao

Mike tried calling Will all the time while he was in Cali (& could be the reason for weird airport interaction) Mike can't use a telephone to talk to El bc of of government listening in, so Dustin's words are about Mike calling Will but not being able to reach him.

It wasn't love at first sight, the offical season 1 trailer with the scene where they first find El, Mike's first thought is "That's not Will." And also this is Mike's plan to get rid of her from the night they found her, even though he is supposedly already in love with her since he said he loved her the moment he saw her?🤨

His monologue didn't help/wasn't fully true, El didn't have a single flashback of her and Mike throughout their whole relationship except for when they found her in the woods. They've been dating for roughly 9 months before breaking up for 3, then getting together again and currently at 6 months (so 1 year and 3 months of officially dating, having known each other fully for 3 years, although not fully because she was gone for a whole year) and yet she didn't have a single other memory besides the night they saved her?

Mike and El didn't speak that much for 2 full days while they were stuck in the van?? Even after Mike's love confession, all El was apparently talking about was how she feels like she lost the battle with Vecna and how Brenner had put it into her head and stuff.

Mike has a sort of superhero idealization for El. He's mentioned multiple times that she's a superhero, she's a machine that can help find Will, and it's shown throughout the seasons how much Mike loves superheroes. In my opinion, that's not a super great thing to compare your girlfriend to, especially after she has shown to want to be more than that, but feels like that's all she's good for now.

They never see eye to eye/always disregard the others feelings/attempt to be understanding. All of their arguments I've seen, they both try to be understanding at first, but then they shut each other down and speak for the other person when they're doubting each others thoughts (one scene perfectly showing this is their fight in El's room in season 4).

Mike and El knew each other for roughly a week (at 12 years old) before getting together and then immediately getting separated for a whole year, only to become reunited and jumping immediately into a relationship at 13 and ignoring their friends to only kiss each other for 6 months and not deepen their bond emotionally?? Then they break up like it's nothing and Mike doesn't know what she likes when he tries to buy her a gift to apologize (only after Lucas says something) (then getting into a fight with Will for the first time and apologizing as soon as possible on his own choice).

Mike has issues saying I love you (tried saying it once in s3 and couldn't even say the word "love", instead going for "blank makes you crazy" which El didn't understand. Only time he says it was in a high stress situation and he blurted it out to everyone except her, with a look of shock and confusion. S4 he doesn't say it at all, writing "from, Mike" all the time, to which he is confronted by her and only is able to say "I care for you... so much." And "I say it." ("It" being I love you) (which is a lie) That fight in El's room would've been the perfect time for him to tell her he loves her after he sees her crying to him about it, he could have perfectly said something like, "El, of course I love you. I'm sorry I don't say it, I'm just not used to feeling this way, but thank you for talking to me about it, I'll try to work on it." Or something to comfort her. In the end he is only able to say it in a high stress situation (AGAIN) and only after having a whole speech from Will, and needing Will to tell him not to stop and to say whatever it was he couldn't before. (Which, Will didn't know that Mike couldn't say I love you to her) Mike was given false hope that El needed him and felt better for being different because of him, which was a lie and those feelings were from Will himself, his speech was a veiled love confession.

Mike subtly (or unintentionally) compared both of his relationships with Will and El by saying that meeting Will "was the best thing he's ever done" but meeting El was "Not fate. Not destiny. Just simple, dumb luck." (He chose to befriend Will, by actively going up to him and asking, whereas he didn't choose to meet El, it was an accident).

Mike struggles to switch his focus between El and Will, we've seen throughout all of the seasons how Mike acts with Will and how he acts with El, and I'll be honest, they're pretty similar. He's soft, sweet, and casual with Will, and he's nice, gentle, and kind with El (just in general, relationship stuff aside). But then you put them in the same room and Mike doesn't know how to act properly with either of them, and we honestly don't see the real interactions with these three until season 3. I've noticed a lot that when Mike and El are in a relationship, they ignored everyone and just made out, but after they broke up, the whole group was together and had no issues with doing so (I guess the flayed helped with that, though lol).

Will is the only person that Mike will immediately try to apologize to if he did something wrong, whereas anyone else he blames others and doesn't apologize until someone tells him to (examples: Dustin told Mike to apologize to Lucas in season 1 after they fought, Mike was blaming Lucas and didn't want to apologize even though Mike was the one that started the fight. He didn't apologize to El in season 3 for the way he was acting, instead choosing to lie and needing help from Lucas on what to get for El as an apology (again, Mike knows nothing about El by this point still), and yet later on after he has a fight with Will, he bikes to Will's house to apologize, he blames himself, calls himself an asshole (with Lucas following, not leading). Seasone 4, the second fight that Mike and Will have is in the skating rink, Mike calls Will a douche and says he sabotaged the whole day by moping, rolling his eyes, and not talking but later on he goes to Will and immediately starts apologizing and says he was being a self pitying idiot, and telling Will that he wasn't being a douche and Will didn't deserve to be called that).

Mike and Will are very different compared to their friendships with Dustin, Lucas, or Max. (With proof being from Mike himself, saying "Max and Dustin and Lucas.. they're-they're great.. they're great, it's just-it's Hawkins, it's not the same without you. And maybe I was worrying too much about El, and I feel like I lost you or something." (Something along those lines lol)

The Duffers have compared Mike and El's relationship to Elliot and E.T, a friendship between a kid and an alien.

El was upset with Mike during the cabin cleaning scene (giving him a side eye and sighing heavily before going to her room) after Mike's supposed love confession.

Mike agreed (by nodding) when Will was talking in the desert about how it's scary to open up to people you care about the most bc of them possibly not liking the truth (Will was comforting Mike about El during this, sort of) (Why would El not like the truth if the truth was that Mike loves her?? Sus).

Mike showed a big difference in priority when it came to searching for Will vs El. In season 1 after Will went missing, Mike (+ the party) was told by the police to stay home and not interfere in the investigation. Mike disobeys and goes out (+ the party) to search for Will in the dark and rain. After meeting El, they use her as a weapon to continue searching for Will. After finding Will's "body" in the quarry, Mike switches on El and is mean and blames her for not telling the truth about Will. El then shows Mike through the walkie-talkie that Will is alive and Mike believes her (even after seeing Will's body, he has hope again that Will could be alive), he's nice to El again after this. Vs, when El goes missing at the end of S1 and going into S2, Mike believes she's dead (although not seeing a body), and doesn't go searching for her. He sees her through the window on the same night she disappeared, but he never goes out to look for her. The only thing he does for the whole year is try to talk to her through a walkie-talkie, but he never leaves his house to try and find her (even though he's seen proof of her being alive) while she's gone, Mike's priority is fully focused on Will and his possession. In season 3, Hopper threatens Mike to stay away from El (similarly to what he said about staying home and not looking for Will in season 1) and he immediately agrees and doesn't try to see her.

Mike has a lot of familial/platonic parallels with El's father figures than he does romantic, he's always paralleled with Brenner (with proof in season 4, the "what did you do?" / "what have you done?" scene at the rink) which is so bad and sad, and some scenes similarly with her and Hopper.

Gotta say it, Mike has looked at Will's lips multiple times (at least 4, off the top of my head) (which is 4 times more than he has with any of his other friends probably) and he barely does it with El. If it was a mistake during filming, they would've shot it again, bc they were obvious but they stayed in.

And just with the way Mike looks at Will compared to his other friends or even El, that boy looks more in love than the one canonically in love.💀

In both season 1 and season 2 (besides their first kiss and the snowball (which weren't planned originally, I believe)) Mike has never been the one leaning in or attempting to kiss El, he just stands and stares confused as she does all the work.

Mike has Will's art all over his basement from when they were children (and some in his room, I think?) But he throws away and crumples all of the letters he receives from his long distance girlfriend? Sus.

The difference in Mike's reactions to being broken up with romantically vs platonically in season 3. His face shows a sort of disgust and almost guilty when El breaks up with him, and his face is full of guilt and sadness when Will tells him he wanted to stay with him forever.

Mike was fruity af during his apology to Will in S4 Ep4 just saying.

Canonically Mike only smiles in pictures when Will is in them as well. (Photos in tags bc I'm at the limit😔)

It's been confirmed that Mike is clueless about Will's feelings for him, so I'm wondering why he was so affected by the 6 months away with only a couple phone calls that lead to him not even wanting to hug Will at the airport (even though he saw how happy and excited Will was to see him again) when he hugged Will perfectly fine at the end of S3 (even though they never actually resolved their first fight in the rain?) Hm. Sus.

Mike has Smalltown Boy on his (OFFICIAL) spotify playlist?? A song about "the need for gay men to flee small-town intolerance and pursue reinvention in the big city. " ???

Just a cute thing about Mike and Will beings friends since the first day of kindergarten (when they were 5 years old) and having the longest friendship out of everyone in the party.

Kind of iffy about this one but the song Tarzan Boy was playing at the roller rink (a song about being free and doing what you want) when Will, Mike, and El were at the table. (Probably not a lot of significance but still a thing).

From an outsiders perspective, Mike and El were not happy when they were skating at the rink together, from Will's perspective, they were super happy and laughing together while Will was left behind. This is shown when Angela walks into the rink with her friends, we see Mike and El from her pov and their faces are very stoic while they hold hands.

That's all I have for now, I've had these written in my notes for like 2 years lmao but please, if you've even gotten this far, let me know if anything looks inaccurate and I'll fix it:) and also feel free to add anything you've noticed as well! I'd love to see it.

[bylertruth3r]

Hiii, what were the signs in the first 3 seasons that will liked mike? When I watched it back in 2019 I thought Will was gay but I when I saw other people say that Will liked mike I wasn’t really convinced, obviously those people were super right, so if you want, can you tell me what were the signs? And are there signs that mike likes Will back? Thank you! 💕💕💕

thanks for asking :)) @palumboompje

1 in s1 Will was able to lie to everyone except Mike and told him that he rolled a 7 during the dnd campaign even though Lucas told Will to lie to Mike (Will was able to lie to Mike in s4 because he was lying for Mike and even there he wasn't able to look at him in the eyes when he told Mike that El commissioned the painting

2 in the Snowballl script it says that Will was looking at Mike who was dancing with El instead of looking at the girl he was dancing with

3 he was really jealous about Mike dating El and spending time with her and it was really evident during the rain fight

4 you can see him staring at Mike's lips in s2 when Mike was arguing with Seth about Nancy and in s3 at the cinema (and Mike was staring at Will's lips too)

and yes there are a lot of signs that Mike loves Will back and i have a pinned post about it but i'm gonna list a few

1 Mike keeps staring at Will's lips

2 his relationship with Willl has always been something more than platonic and you can tell by how much physical touch with Will he initiated and even the bullies know there's something more between them because when they were being homophobic to Will they said those things to Mike's face

3 Mike was the one more affected by Will's disappearance and even Hopper could tell because he was the first one he interrogated in s1

4 in the previous seasons he had no problem hugging Will and being more physical with him but after s3 things started getting awkward between them because of Mike and he hugged Will in that weird way (he doesn't know Will is gay) he took what Will said "and us?" at rink o mania romantically and felt the need to clarify that they're friends twice even though he views Will as straight and then "in the closet (at rink o mania) started playing while the camera was on Mike and he started talking again

5 Mike is the one who starts most of Byler's interaction and he has a soft voice he only uses for Will (his Will voice)

6 he got really jealous in s2 when Will agreed to let Max join them for Halloween because he thought Will also liked Max like Dustin and Lucas did, at the snowball he pushed Will into dancing with that girl and then he regretted it a few seconds after that and moped about it next to Dustin who was moping about Max dancing with Lucas, in s4 he got jealous and thought Will made a painting for a girl (Angela) but then when in the van he realized Will loves him back and that the painting was for him he got really happy about it

7 Mike wasn't able to say "i love you" to El because he's in love with Will just like Nancy wasn't able to say it to Steve in s2 because she's in love with Jonathan

8 he said that his friends are great but they're not Will and that Hawkins wasn't the same without Will "you know Max, Lucas and Dustin they're great, they're great it's just.. it's Hawkins it's not the same without you" and he asked Will to be a team which parallels Hopper saying "we make a great team" to Joyce in s3

9 he said asking Will to be his friend was the best thing he's ever done (he already knew El in s2 btw)