#and this doesn't really talk about steve and eddie individually

[scoopstrooptm]

dustin + the importance of his dynamics with steve & eddie

         this one has been a long time coming and rolling around in my brain for a while but I really want to talk about the importance of both Steve and Eddie in Dustin’s life and how, even though from a writing perspective they both function in a same way as older male role model / brother figures and the Duffers did kind of repeat a similar storyline and not really handle it in the best way, there are actually a lot of subtle differences in how Dustin views them / grows from their influence in his life. they are both equally important to his development ( and future development ) in different ways.

         the most important preface to discussing Steve and Eddie as brotherly figures ( because I do kinda hate the whole “co-parenting” “they’re both Dustin’s dads” trend within the fandom when it’s not for fun/the memes, they are only 5-6 years older than Dustin and as he gets older, that age gap will become much less noticeable ), is that Dustin is absent a father figure. unlike Will, however, who it is established early on has Jonathan, Dustin is deliberately set up in s2 to be living with only his mom, which then helps facilitate the fledgling brotherly relationship that goes on to develop between him and Steve. the writers often talk about them both being the spares within that season who are paired off with each other: Steve needed something to do after Nancy goes off with Jonathan to investigate the lab, and Dustin needed someone ( preferably older ) to help him with Dart and then lead the junkyard squad with Max and Lucas. they also very clearly don’t want to be around each other at the very beginning: Dustin only asks for Steve’s help because he’s the first person he can find to help him out with Dart, and it’s clear that Steve would rather be trying to fix things with Nancy, right up until he realises that Dart is actually an Upside Down monster and Dustin genuinely needs his help.

         the two of them are worlds apart in terms of personality and character. Steve is the most popular guy at school ( in spite of his star beginning to wane in favour of Billy ), plays sports, has ( up until this point ) been successful with the ladies, is not naturally book smart and has never had to try very hard in order to get what he wants. Dustin is a self-proclaimed nerd, is not naturally athletic, is extremely intelligent but lacks a lot of common sense, and doesn’t have really have any friends outside of the Party. the two also have very little in common, but they do get to bond over girls as they lure Dart to the junkyard — however the turning point in their relationship imo doesn’t happen until Dustin, Steve, Lucas and Max are attacked by the demodogs.

         this is, for me, the most pivotal moment in how Dustin’s attitude towards Steve shifts. he even says to Lucas before the dogs attack, “nobody is around. why else would I be with Steve Harrington?” but the moment that Steve decides to leave the bus and act as bait for the demodogs with his nailed bat, Dustin’s indifference to Steve’s completely changes, to the point where, as Max says “he’s insane” for going out there alone, Dustin’s only response is: “he’s awesome.”

          it’s no secret that Dustin uses D&D and fantasy tropes to contextualise the Upside Down — he does this both in a narrative sense in order to flag to the audience exactly what kind of monsters the group are facing ( he is the one who gave the Mind Flayer and Vecna their names ), but also I believe he does this as a coping strategy too considering the danger that he has been around for three years of his young life. in that moment, then, that Steve headed out of the bus and fought three demodogs with just his baseball bat with nails, he quite literally was the white knight who leapt out of the pages of one of his storybooks. he was the fighter / paladin class from D&D that their group of heroes needed, protecting the party at great personal risk to himself, and this is where Dustin’s hero worship of Steve began.

          it’s not clear to Steve that Dustin idolises him, but it’s very clear to everyone else lmao. I think, particularly at this point, Steve is the sort of person that Dustin aspires to be like, in the same way that he might look at a character like Han Solo or Aragorn and aspire to be like them. he fills the void of an older male role model that Dustin needed; he might be different to him in terms of enjoying sports and not understanding the nerdy references, but the fact that the gap between s2 and s3 establishes that the pair were close enough to learn a Star Wars-themed secret handshake shows that Steve was open-minded enough to at least try to engage with the nerdy stuff. it’s also heavily implied that Dustin was Steve’s only close friend during that time. 

          however, that also means that I don’t think Dustin ever looked at Steve as someone who was necessarily fallible: he knows that the dude is uncultured, book dumb sometimes, kinda bitchy and a bit of a stick in the mud when it comes to shooting down dangerous ideas, but Steve is still the hero who will always pull through in the end. even when Steve is beaten up by Billy, Dustin is the most visibly concerned out of the kids ( and is the one who convinces the others to bring Steve along in Billy’s car and not leave him in his concussed state back at the Byers house ), but Steve is still able to recover enough to lead the group into the tunnels and assume that caretaker role. he has never failed to protect Dustin when he needs him, and he is always there: in s3 when Dustin is left with his Cerebro by the Party, it’s Steve that he goes to in order to vent and then share the contents of his secret Russian transmission. in s4, as soon as Max comes to him about Eddie, Dustin seeks out Steve at Family Video.

          the dynamic definitely does Dustin a lot of good: as Gaten himself says, Steve helps Dustin with his confidence, and he also helps Dustin to be brave. this isn’t to say that Dustin isn’t brave in s1 because he is, but in the first season a lot of his bravery comes from being around Mike and Lucas and El. on his own, I don’t think Dustin would ever consider himself a brave individual, but then Steve came along and threw himself repeatedly into danger with only minor complaining, the very picture of the errant hero, and that made Dustin want to be brave like that too. the contrast between s2, when Dustin let Steve head down into the storm shelter to deal with Dart on his own, and s3′s “if you die, i die” isn’t just a reflection of how much Dustin and Steve’s friendship has developed in that time. it is also an indication of how, through knowing Steve, Dustin has become more courageous and willing to dive headfirst into danger as a result. in s3, he takes the lead in his and Erica’s rescue attempt of Steve and Robin which, while kinda unrealistic if we’re being picky about it lmao, is an extremely big deal for Dustin. Erica is younger than him and he’s not with Mike, Will or Lucas ( or any of the other older teens or adults ), but he goes back for Steve and Robin anyway, without hesitation.

         but on the flip side, this dynamic does create an unrealistic ideal for Dustin to live up to ( which is no fault of Steve’s or his own ), and this is perfectly illustrated by the snow ball scene at the end of s2. in that scene, Dustin takes on not only Steve’s confidence, but also his appearance in the way that he also uses the Farrah Fawcett spray to style his hair. however, unlike Steve, who I’m sure has never had to try very hard with girls until it came to Nancy, Dustin comes up against immediate rejection from his female peers and ends up completely alone, crying on the sidelines at not having a dance partner of his own. it’s interesting that it’s Nancy who actually rescues him, considering Steve’s influence on Dustin’s self-expression is at its strongest in this scene, but I digress: this highlights the limitations of Dustin’s hero worship and wanting to be like Steve. Dustin is not Steve: their experiences, particularly of a social setting like school, are completely different, and the Steve ‘The Hair’ Harrington King of Hawkins High rules for socialising are not rules that necessarily apply easily to Dustin, being a nerd and not athletic or interested in “popular” pursuits at school.

         I imagine this is a difference between them that would have reared its head again in those first few weeks after Dustin first started high school, between s3 and 4. we hear him talk to Max about the fact that nobody was nice to him or Mike ( except Eddie, who I will get to in a minute ), and I can picture a similar thing happening: Steve offering him plenty of well-meaning advice in the run up to semester starting, Dustin taking a lot of it on board, but none of it really working out that well when he actually gets there. Dustin is not destined to be a jock or the most popular guy at school like Steve was, and that is a good thing! being a jock and being popular wasn’t really that good for Steve either. Eddie’s advice and influence is actually good for both of them.

           the way that Dustin’s dynamic with Steve ( subtly ) shifts between s2 and s4 is also interesting. from s2 to s3, the pair become very obvious best friends who share secret handshakes and a single brain cell ( there is no season that they are closer than in s3 tbh ), but in s4 that close camaraderie becomes, in some respects, a little more mean-spirited jibing, especially from Dustin’s end. there is tension established early on between them as a result of Dustin’s new friendship with Eddie and Steve’s jealousy over having his position as his older male role model stolen away from him because Dustin and Eddie actually share a lot of common interests. but also, Dustin is growing up and has reached high school and his teenage years where he is starting to develop his own sense of self. Steve, also, finally has a friend his own age in Robin, so their need to be constantly in each other’s company has naturally lessened as a result. as the primary and at this point constant older male figure in Dustin’s life, there is an element of not quite rebellion in this instance, but push and pull to be expected. he’s growing! Steve has been in Dustin’s life for two years now and Dustin is finally reaching that tumultuous period of his adolescent development where he is deciding who he wants to be.

          but most important is the influence of Eddie’s friendship. it doesn’t pull Dustin away from Steve, as Steve might think, but again as Gaten says in the earlier video I linked, Eddie teaches Dustin to be comfortable and confident in his own skin. where Steve was in many ways unconsciously teaching Dustin to wear a different skin, Eddie’s entire being is telling Dustin that it’s okay to be the way he is. it’s okay to not fit in, it’s okay to break the mould and be different and to own those differences. Dustin can also more easily see himself in Eddie: they are both social outcasts, both enjoy nerdy pursuits like LOTR and D&D, and have both endured judgement and mean comments from their peers. they share a commonality that Dustin would never be able to share with Steve, no matter how close the two of them are.

          the other difference with Eddie is that he shows Dustin very early on that he is fallible. he doesn’t jump into the action as readily as Steve does, he struggles with his perceived cowardice and he is either horrifically injured or dies at the end of the narrative depending on your perspective. it is important for Dustin to see that and know that he doesn’t have to be perfect — because it is not that Steve is perfect by comparison, but only that Dustin is not witness to Steve’s struggles and doubts and regrets about his past behaviours in the same way. in s3, his slow realisation towards “it’s all just bullshit anyways” is all stuff that he only shares with Robin ( and then later in s4 with Nancy during his speech about being given a thump on the head and enabled to change ). Dustin might tease Steve mercilessly for his faults, but he’s never really witnessed Steve have a crisis of confidence in the same way that he watches Eddie struggle with his label of the freak and his belief that he’s not as brave as the others, or not brave for leaving Chrissy and running away. Eddie is therefore just a little more human in Dustin’s eyes.

        one thing that s5 is at least going to take on from s4 is the fact that, seeing the destruction and death and injury that the Upside Down has wrought first hand will change Dustin forever. even if it is horrible trauma for a 14 year old, it is still important that Dustin sees this alternative to the hero narrative that he has in his head regarding Steve  — and will also, i hope, or at least i will address it even if the Duffers don’t, allow for Dustin and Steve’s friendship to strengthen even further as a result. what happened to Eddie should be a wake up call for Dustin in more ways than one and that’s the frustrating thing about s4′s ending. with the sudden timeskip, Eddie’s [redacted] isn’t allowed to have a ripple effect on the other characters ( even though we know through word of god that it will have an impact on Dustin in s5 ), and if there is one dynamic that it should impact, it’s Dustin and Steve’s.

[lexirosewrites]

This is for Slick Sunday!!!

So. I was watching this voice over of some random Tumblr post about how Vampires are to carpenters what furries are for artists(allegedly), bc they can make the ideal coffin for each individual and things like that, and like??? I got inspired. So this is what I have:

Totally established ABO situation, where Steve is an unusual Omega, simply for the fact that after his family disowned him he became a carpenter and if being a jock had given him some muscles, being a carpenter made him ripped.

But no one wants an Omega like that, no matter how sweet he is whether in scent or personality, it also doesn't help that Steve has a shit taste in Alphas.

Anyways, enter Eddie, a Vampire (whether he has a designation and/or what it is up in the air (although I prefer him as an Alpha)) who's looking for a new coffin for his Uncle Wayne, an incredibly old vampire (probably a beta) who met him when he was young and adopted Eddie before turning him at the age of 25 (Eddie was dying, and there wasn't a cure for him yet, but that was Wayne's kid, he couldn't let him die so young), because his Uncle's coffin is like, old, Eddie asked and the thing is a certified antique, it's at least a 100 years old and almost falling apart no matter how much care Wayne puts into it.

So Eddie finds out about this carpenter, the guy has never worked for vampires before, but Robin (a local witch and another Omega) recommended him so strongly Eddie agreed to check him out.

Eddie gets immediately infatuated with Steve, the guy is handsome, with a sweet personality, and a body Eddie just wants to sink his teeth into...

So they get talking about the request, and it ends up being a long collaboration, since Eddie didn't actually go prepared for the appointment, so he keeps visiting Steve to make adjustments to the coffin's design and stuff like that.

And if he also uses that time to get to know Steve better and maybe flirt a little? It's nobody's business.

(and maybe Steve also answers sometimes, with

So anyways, Steve finishes the task and is sad he won't see Eddie again, won't get to bask into his amazingly comforting scent again, thinking that the guy probably will leave him behind like so many other commissioners before him who came by, sweet talked him, that even got him into bed one time, and then left once their product was finished, only to never return.

So When Eddie comes to pick up the finished coffin he finds an incredibly sad Omega , and of course he immediately asks what's wrong, does Steve feel bad, should he call Robin? But Steve is so overwhelmed by this simple show of care that he confesses on the spot.

And Eddie is obviously overjoyed by this, corresponding to Steve in that exact moment, zero doubts in his mind that he'll be with Steve for as long as Steve wants him.

Plus: Steve finds out a week into dating that Eddie is a vampire and is very offended that his boyfriend (soon to be mate) tried to hide something so important from him, meanwhile Eddie is like "Babe. Baby. Sweetheart. I literally asked for a bed coffin, I told you my uncle was more than a hundred years old, I once got into your workshop fully bloodstained, fangs out, because I was running late and my last feeding was rough"

"I thought that was paint from those minis you told me you were working on!"

And then they recreate the twilight meme for the funsies.

(and maybe a long time from now they'll be mates, and Steve will turn into a vampire after being Eddie's part-time bloodbag for years, and they'll have a coven full of kids, some theirs, some adopted, but all of them wholly loved and cherished)

And that's all I have in me rn, I really hope you enjoy Lexi, happy day!

(also, fun fact, halfway through writing this I got so distracted by the romance that I forgot about the ABO part of things, and then I tried to revise it, but I'm not sure I did a good job, this could probably be way more abo than it is, lmaoo)

hehe monsterfucker steve is very dear to me, especially when he’s an omega and willing to submit to an alpha as their prey in more way than one💕

[starlightshadowsworld]

Eddie who's from some mob family who ends up kidnapping the son of one of the rich families in Hawkins.

Steve Harrington.

Because his parents have royally fucked up with them and thus their son is taken for ransom.

Steve Harrington is both everything and nothing Eddie expects.

He throws a tennis ball at the wall to keep himself occupied.

He doesn't say much but he does look at Eddie as if to say really? This is your plan?

Which annoys Eddie who thus annoys him back.

Like the professional he is.

He doesn't beg to be let free or even look upset about it. If anything Steve's rather impassive to most things.

Doesn't touch the food Wayne gives him until Eddie genuinely asks him to plz eat it.

Even than he pokes at it while he eats.

And yet hes the single most bitchiest individual Eddie's ever met.

But clams up like he remembers he's not a friend but a prisoner.

It takes all Eddie has not to urge him to keep talking.

"There not going to pay you." Says Steve one day out of nowhere.

He says it so nonchalantly like it in enough itself isn't devastating.

Eddie checks the calendar, he knows if he'd been missing this long Wayne would have threatened and gone though with multiple murders.

He had.

He would do anything for Eddie.

So why... Why wouldn't Steve's parents come back for him?

"How... Would I get them to show up?"

Steve laughs, it's the first laugh he's had since he got here and Eddie wants to hug him.

"When you figure it out, let me know."

[redlegumes]

Dec 10th: Never Forgot My First Kiss

Written for @steddieholidaydrabbles

prompt: First kiss/First time | AO3: link | wc: 853 | rating: M | cw: trans individual and partner discuss younger self with created dead name | tags: FTM Eddie Munson, 7 minutes in heaven, pre series first kiss - post series smut and cuddles, pillow talk

Summary: Reminiscing on first kisses after another first between Steve, Eddie, and their bedsheets

For the smut before this ficlet, check out my submission for today's Steddiemas prompt here

(づ￣ ³￣)づ

“It couldn't have been more awkward.”

“What? No. I thought my seven minutes in heaven with Elsie May Munson was one for the record books.”

“Maybe. The page on firsts and failures,” Eddie scoffed.

Steve rolled his eyes. “You were the one who couldn't relax. The second that bottle spun to you you sat up as stiff as a board.”

“I was still in shock that I'd been invited to Alexis's birthday at all! Lil ‘ol trailer trash me.”

“No one thought of you like that.” Steve huffed and brought Eddie in closer to his chest. It was warm under the covers with him. Safe. “You were just really quiet. A little timid.”

“Hah, yeah. Jeez. Blossomed right out of that.”

MATURE Continues after the cut

“Big time.” Steve blushed and twisted one of Eddie’s curls, a small smile on his lips. “If it makes it better for your ‘origin story,’ I'm pretty sure Alexis's mom invited everyone in the 5th grade. So it doesn’t necessarily prove she thought about your eleven year old reputation.”

“Oh thanks,” Eddie replied, sticking his tongue out.

“Anything for you babe.”

Eddie considered letting it drop, but teasing Steve was one of his favorite pastimes. “Still doesn't explain your fish lips in that closet. 7 minutes of mediocrity at best.”

“Hey! It was my first kiss.”

“Mine too!”

Eddie looked into Steve’s smiling eyes as their fake affronted expressions shifted into laughter at one another.

When the laughter eased, Steve traced Eddie’s collarbone with his finger tip. His voice was soft and low. “Y'know, I always knew. When Elsie moved back with her dad and then two years later her 'cousin,' Eddie, came to live permanently with his uncle.”

“Here I thought I had everyone fooled,” Eddie said, shifting lightly. It didn’t make him too uncomfortable to talk about the little person he’d been, at least not with Steve. “Loud, obnoxious Eddie? Literally everything Elsie wasn't. She was always looking for permission, whereas I ask for forgiveness.”

Steve glanced away. “I liked both.” Eddie raised an eyebrow and poked Steve in the cheek till he continued. Steve sighed, “Elsie always had her head in a book. The covers looked so exciting, but you know me and reading.” Eddie gave a small nod. “And that pretty, curly, dark hair always pushed back from her face.”

“Jesus Christ, I almost forgot the headbands.” Eddie chuckled and shook his head.

Steve’s hand wandered up to Eddie’s chin, his fingers rested along Eddie’s jaw. Steve’s gaze had grown heavy. “Never forgot my first kiss Eddie. Or that little scar right under your chin, or the shade of brown your eyes are. Just like chocolate.”

Eddie squirmed a little under the weight of Steve’s affection. Sometimes it was hard to be under that spotlight, even if it was just the two of them, holed up in Steve’s bedroom. “What took you so long to come after me then?”

Steve’s lips twisted a bit. “I was under the impression you didn't want to be found. Especially by me.”

“Yeah, I guess that's true.” Eddie's hand wandered over Steve's skin, still mostly under the covers, protected from the much chillier air around them. “Glad we cleared that up. Are you um… are you glad my first with a guy was you?”

Steve snorted. “I could say the same damn thing.”

“You know what I mean,” Eddie let his hand wander down and brushed the tip of Steve's cock. He adored the flash of surprise and want it created on Steve’s face.

Steve brought Eddie’s mischievous hand over his heart. “First kiss I'll treasure always. But first fucks?” He shrugged. “That can get a little slut shame-y, I guess?”

“Oh! Here's where that Harrington charm runs out,” Eddie laughed. He quickly turned his smile to a pout, batting his eyelashes. “Not the virginity thing or whatever it's supposed to mean, bases or notches. What I really meant to say was this first for ‘us.’ Like this, are you…” Eddie paused; he didn't feel like asking for reassurance, but it was what he wanted to hear. Luckily, that seemed to click for Steve.

“Eds!” Steve's eyes widened, and he ran a hand through Eddie's hair. “Yes, gorgeous. This was everything I… Eddie I already want you just, all the damn time. This was so good, you're fucking perfect.”

“Yeah?” Eddie smiled shyly. “Perfect? I thought I was the devil.”

“You are a devil.” Steve's face scrunched up with concern. “I thought you liked when I, wait. Are you messing with me?”

“No.” Their legs slotted together. Eddie pressed his cock against Steve's thigh, already wet. “Maybe a little.”

Steve snaked one arm around Eddie’s waist, holding him in place and began to tickle Eddie. He brushed the light stubble on his chin against Eddie's chest as Eddie struggled to get his hands to tickle Steve’s stomach. They eventually stopped for breath, and Steve relaxed into Eddie’s hold this time, nuzzling along Eddie's neck. “What if I said I wanted you to be my last first,” he whispered. It sounded like a secret. As if Eddie didn't feel the exact same way.

2023 RedLegumes Steddiemas 1 2 3 4 5 6 10 SteddieHolidayDrabbles 1 2 3 4 6 8 9 10

And...

they're not even dating!

JUST KIDDING

One hundred percent, Eddie's been parading around his sweetheart, acting like he converted Steve to every dark side for months.

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

Can we just enjoy people writing fanfiction? Can we enjoy the fanart? Instead of complaining about every little thing? Look, with the way these executives have this set up with these mini writing rooms and the way they treat the writers. . .well, we have it good. They really didn't give us a lot with these characters, so it was up to us to try and fill in some of the blanks, so of course, we feel protective over them. They aren't our characters. It isn't our work. Let's enjoy the fact that we can create works of art on other people's works.

Who cares if people want to write smut? Who cares if people want to feminize Steve? Who cares if they want to carry on the Mom joke? Who cares if people want to write Nancy as aromantic who wants to focus on her career? Who cares if Steve and Eddie enjoy each other's interests? If you don't like it, don't read it. If people want to headcanon Eddie as bisexual they can because as far as we know, Eddie's sexuality doesn't exist. . .it's a blank canvas, and we can paint it however we want to. Joseph Quinn put so much time and effort into that character. It belongs to him, really. If he wants to play the character ambiguously bisexual, it's up to him. And if people want to headcanon him as gay or pansexual, that's fine too. We're all projecting ourselves onto him, anyway. Most of the time, it's our own sexuality. Whatever we do, it's all headcanons, and we should respect the fact. (And I'm not talking about Robin, Will, and Vickie. I know those are canon!) This is why we're allowed to have fanfiction so we can do whatever we want to with it individually. We can change whatever we want to right now. The point is to let go of that anger and support each other.

That can all be taken away. I think some of us, I've included myself in this too, have forgotten that Stranger Things is someone else's work that we're creating stuff off of. They have to right to sue us if they want to, but the fanfiction and the art benefit them. One day, it might stop benefiting them, and then what? It's all small potatoes compared to the writers who weren't getting paid enough to even pay their rent. Let's stop sweating the small stuff and enjoy the fact that we're writing, drawing off other people's works. So, if you don't like someone else's fanfiction, don't bitch about it, just move on and find something else. And don't make up terrible shit to make their headcanon look bad, so yours will look better. It makes you look petty and childish. If you don't have proper constructive criticism for them, move on. It's fiction. They're not real. Let's just enjoy fanfiction, respect the fact that we each have our own different headcanons, and just have fun. Let's try to stop taking it so seriously. I know, I've had trouble letting go, but we all kind of need to. As artists, we need to support each other.

[sp0o0kylights]

⭐

AAA THANK YOU

I fricken love interactions bless you I actually had to sit here and decide which part I wanted to do

Or, "send in a ⭐star⭐  to have the author select a section they’ve been dying to talk about!"

SO, ADOPT A JOCK Ch. 5 Part 2, someone on A03 commented that the conversation between Steve and Eddie is almost reading like Steve is from the future (but they were hoping Steve was just identifying Eddie as special.) They were referencing the below exchange:

"The less anyone knows, the safer everyone is. Especially you." 

"What does that mean!?" Eddie's voice grew loud for a second, and Steve hissed a word at him that Gareth couldn't make out but was probably "Shut it." 

"Just promise me you will never explore that lab." 

and I responded but now I'm going IN DEPTH because

Yes, Steve is recognizing that Eddie is a special bean, but at this time it's not so MUCH of his crush, as it is that even though Steve is friends with Gareth and Jeff, and has hung out with them individually at this point, Eddie is still his "main" friend and connection to Hellfire.

If he loses Eddie, he feels he might lose his connection to everyone else. He realized in this scene here that he trusts Eddie and what Eddie says. He trusts that Eddie wants him as a friend, and will accept him as he is (even with teasing and shit.) There's no ulterior motive.

Steve at this point has been rejected by Nancy and is in a weird place with her and Jonathan, is having a rough time with his parents (he's about to be strong-armed into the Scoops job so his home life with his parents is very tense and disapproving) and yes, he's still driving the kids around but also they're you know. Kids.

He doesn't have anyone to lean on--except Eddie.

It's still a very new thing, and our boi got dat anxiety. Sure he's hung out with Jeff and Gareth separately and he's getting closer to them at this point ( LIKES them in fact), but he also feels most comfortable with Eddie, and is very worried if he loses Eddie, he loses the rest of them too.

It's selfish and Steve knows that, but mentally he's a lil rocky, and just doesn't want to lose this person who accepted him so wholeheartedly, doesn't want to see what would happen to the rest of Hellfire if Eddie got hurt or died. He also knows that Eddie is a central core to so many people, has helped so many people and he doesn't want to come out and SAY that Eddie can't get hurt bc so many ppl love him so much.

Steve is ALSO very aware that if anyone was to explore the lab and get into trouble (instead of turning around or playing it safe) It'd be Eddie. This means Eddie is at a LOT higher of a risk of getting hurt or finding something he shouldn't.

There's also some guilt here--Steve doesn't want to go to the lab. He's never been, his challenge was the tunnels, but he's heard of what happened there. He's been physically dragged into this all once already, he doesn't want to do it again. Feels responsible bc HE knows whats up, and if he "LETS" Eddie go to the lab, he feels like HE has to be the one to pull them out.

Our boys got so much twisty feelings. He feels kinda abandoned, he's trying to find this new person he still wants to be, and he already knows he's not getting into college so it's just this mess of sad boi Steve Harrington hours, and one of his few bright spots is Eddie.

That got threatened and he panicked.

ANYWAY thank you spilled-jar for asking I really appreciate it I love talking about this shit (clearly) and also the person who commented the above on A03 because I love comments because it lets me go on about all this lol!

[hairmetal666]

Hi hi! I just reread tis the damn season (what a beast of a fic, so so good) - chapter 12 especially when they have that fight/ conversation!!! What an emotional climax.

Also- super interested in the gap between chapters 12/13 - do they bring up Eddie’s scathing remarks later on? I know Eddie’s apologized and given Steve’s more forgiving nature (+ the fact that they both messed up and Steve knows that Eddie’s tendency to lash out when upset, and that was a heat of the moment thing) Does Steve feel any lingering repercussions/ insecurities surrounding this when they first properly get together? Always feel a bit more heartbroken for Steve when Eddie twisted the knife so deeply like that

The final chapter is such a good balm for that good good angst! Such a good character study on these characters and circumstances, always love coming back to your writing but to this fic especially!

Thank you so much!!! 💜💜

This is a really good question! The answer has a lot to do with the way I constructed the fic. They obviously love each other, but they're also constantly getting in their own way, and they each have super similar (though ultimately very different) reasons for doing so. Eddie doesn't think he deserves Steve; can't get past King Steve falling for Eddie the Freak, like, that would never happen. So, no matter how famous Eddie gets, no matter that he and Steve hook up, he's convinced himself it doesn't mean anything. And Steve, in his attempts to hide his feelings, only plays into Eddie's assumptions that they're just fwb. But Eddie has an outlet for his feelings in his music, so he's able to work out some of his unrequited love that way, in a way that Steve can't. He finally lets himself believe that Steve might really love him after they have sex, so when Steve doesn't show at the concert, Eddie is fucking devastated.

As for Steve, he feels like he doesn't deserve love from anyone, and that his love is too much, too intense, etc. He's so afraid of being too much, of showing too much of his feelings to Eddie, that he keeps it all in. And he has no outlet, has made it so he can't even talk to Robin about his feelings So, during the fight, when Eddie is being intentionally cruel and hurtful, Steve can only agree. Eddie is only saying all the worst things that Steve has thought of himself, not only confirming that they're true but that the man he's in love with sees it about him too.

As you said, they don't get in too deep about the ways they've hurt each other in Chp 13. I wanted for them to have a little bit of that reckoning in the chapter, but mostly it's for the confessions, of them finally realizing they've loved each other this whole time. The real heavy emotional work happens off page. Steve struggles to accept that Eddie does love him, and Eddie takes full responsibility for preying on all of Steve's biggest insecurities during their fight. He doesn't mind reassuring Steve of his love, shows it both in words (and songs) and physical affection. The fear Steve has does get better with time, but he still struggles to not see only the worst of himself. In those moments, Eddie is more than happy to remind him just how much he's loved.

I also think they would get some therapy, both as a couple and individuals. Like, those poor boys, they've been through so much

[ghost-proofbaby]

For the directors commentary! In your list about Shire hinting at Mordor you made a note on number 11 that showed a difference in how Eddie/Steve treated Willow to show who she'd end up with. So I was wondering if you had a list in mind to show how you made the shift from Steve to Eddie?

yes!! i do!! at least, a mental one (the mordor hints was a list i kept updating as i went for myself lol). thank you for endulging me and my wildly over complicated mind, nonnie <3 long-winded list below the cut where i tried to put my thoughts and mental list to paper :-)

how quickly willow changed from thinking about steve to eddie! very early on in the story it becomes more of a chore/habit for her, constantly having to go "oh, no. i want steve"

as mentioned on the other post, her choice of book for the project! the entire laurie/jo dynamic vaguely mirrors them and i think at the core of how their relationship works, it's the same thing; both couples are better off friends. timing will never align for them and in the end, that's okay.

how they treat her on several occasions, actually. first of all, steve choosing to date around and talking about those girls to willow rather than ever admitting his feelings to her. eddie, on the opposite side of things, would never do this. once he has eyes on willow, that's it. he and steve actually are in the same thought boat of assuming she wouldn't want them, but the way they handle that is wildly different! steve clearly loses his mind a bit, and is aiming to make her jealous. but eddie accepts that and chooses to love her in whatever way he's allotted, for however long she'll have him.

the entire ordeal of steve not waiting for willow to go inside before driving off and eddie firmly always waiting!

the scene in the diner where eddie says willow looks at steve like her "favorite boy". i specifically highlighted and noted that speech when i wrote it because it's significant and just extreme foreshadowing. willow idealizes the ones she loves ferociously, putting them on pedestals left and right. she feels all those things sincerely, but for the idea of steve. once she feels that way about eddie, it becomes clear to her that really, he was the one she always looked at that way truly.

the way eddie cares to learn about willow as a person very intimately. steve was never a bad friend! let me make that clear. but the lover's lake memory where eddie asks her favorite food, for example, and the way willow offers the answer of her friends rather than herself, and eddie immediately is like "nope. i want to know about YOU." he continuously seeks out to challenge her to come into who she is as an individual. steve didn't, which in a friendly context, isn't a bad thing per se. but when you're in love with someone, it should be a major goal to see who they are as a person. steve never made that effort outright.

^^ also worth mentioning that in doing this and also letting her see bits of himself, eddie never gave willow a chance to create some idealized version of him to fall in love with. he was always so honest and giving towards her, that no idea she could have formulated would be able to be any better than what he already offered her.

in caring to learn about her as a person, he offers a security that makes her comfortable also revealing her past, which eddie clearly doesn't take casually. i mean, come on. he actively goes out of his way to recreate a happier memory of her parents with her, down to the same damn song. he's willing to take that time to see her wounds, and offer support as she heals them. he knows he can't 'fix her', but he can still stay by her side as she patches herself up.

eddie loves big. he's not a serial casual dater like steve. the way the two of them approach relationships is wildly different; steve has this certain casualty ingrained in it all from dating so many people, but for eddie? he's always been a more silent type that pines from a distance! eddie was the only one capable of giving such a mundane yet novel romance to willow like the books she likes. steve... just isn't there yet. he has a lot of working through his own issues before he gets there, and that's okay! willow is a bit too much for him, and he knows it, which is why he never says anything to her about his feelings.

the way they approach their love confessions. steve just springs it onto willow in a way, even goes so far as to still kiss her when he claims he knows that eddie is her choice. with eddie, he desperately is urging willow to come to the conclusion on her own, at her own pace, until it's inevitable that he has to say it. hell, he's even willing to walk away and let her have the guy he assumes she wants. he never holds expectations for her to return his love, where i think for steve, he does hold onto a sliver of hope that willow would choose him, even when he says the opposite. also, eddie doesn't kiss her after his confession. he lets her come to him. he lets her control the entire thing very willingly without being a bystander.

also, sidenote that didn't play into the story too much, but if the roles were reversed and steve was the fake boyfriend, i highly doubt he would have been so willing to let willow call off the deal. i believe it was chapter 30? after her fight with steve, all eddie cares about is making sure she's okay. if that means the deal is off, that's okay. he's still there for her. i don't think steve would be able to swallow his jealousy or pride so easily in this universe. (slightly ooc, i know! but in my mind palace of this one story specifically, that's how it works)

so, yeah, haha <3 i think the entirety of how we watch willow choose eddie from steve is more about super subtleties from the get go!

also worth mentioning to you all that the story was always eddie endgame. there was never a time in which this story would have ended with willow being with steve. this was always a love story with eddie munson, not steve harrington. and maybe one day i will write a proper steve fic, but the shire is not his time <3

thank you so much!! ily!!!!

[handicappedbuenchico]

hc + 🤕 for a pain-themed headcanon

hc + 🚶‍♂️ for a habit-themed headcanon

hc + 👍 for a headcanon about things they like

hc + 👎 for a headcanon about things they dislike

hc + 💪 for a sport-themed headcanon

hc + 😡 for a headcanon about something that makes them angry

hc + 👻 for a headcanon about supernatural occurrences

hc + 🥣 for a food-themed headcanon

hc + ☕ for a drink-themed headcanon

hc + 🐈 for a pet/animal-themed headcanon

hc + 🌸 for a plant-themed headcanon

hc + 🌄 for an outdoor-themed headcanon

hc + 🌍 for a travel-themed headcanon

hc + 🗡 for a weapon-themed headcanon

hc + 🎡 for a hobby-themed headcanon

hc + 🤕 for a pain-themed headcanon

Carlos frequently gets really bad migraine and tension headaches as a result of his previous head related trauma.

hc + 🚶‍♂️ for a habit-themed headcanon

When Carlos gets really stressed out or really scared, he has a habit of stammering out his words; the worse the stress/fear, the worse the stammering is.

hc + 👍 for a headcanon about things they like

Carlos really loves telenovelas (Spanish soap operas). He loves all the random plot twists and juicy drama, what can he say?

hc + 👎 for a headcanon about things they dislike

Carlos HATES going to the doctor or to the hospital with a passion. This hatred stems from his trauma mostly. It just brings up way too many bad memories for him, and he doesn't want to be constantly reminded that his mind and body no longer function like a "normal" teen's does. (A/N: I the mun am not trying to imply that deaf individuals are "broken" or "abnormal" for being deaf!! I only used that last sentence as a reflection of how Carlos feels about his gained disability and the everlasting harm his abuse caused to his body.)

hc + 💪 for a sport-themed headcanon

The only sport Carlos cares about is wrestling. While Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero were his favorite wrestlers, he did also love The Rock and Stone-Cold Steve Austin for how much they busted Vince's balls. He also really loves The Undertaker.

hc + 😡 for a headcanon about something that makes them angry

One thing that will instantly piss Carlos off is if someone is purposely covering/stopping his hands when he's trying to sign to them as a way to get him to verbally talk. Covering up a signing person's hands is the equivalent of someone coming up to you and putting their hand over your mouth to get you to stop talking. Not only is it rude as fuck to do, but sometimes Carlos doesn't have the energy to talk verbally, or his hearing aids aren't in his ears (he's canonically mute when he takes his aid out for reference) so signing is the only way he knows how to communicate.

hc + 👻 for a headcanon about supernatural occurrences

Carlos definitely has felt the presence of spirits before. Not to the point where he can physically see or touch them, but he can feel when the energy of a space shifts after a spirit enters or leaves.

hc + 🥣 for a food-themed headcanon

While Carlos can tolerate a lot of spicy food at once, he doesn't actively seek it out.

hc + ☕ for a drink-themed headcanon

Carlos doesn't drink soda except for ginger ale, and even then, he drinks it very sparingly.

hc + 🐈 for a pet/animal-themed headcanon

Carlos is an animal whisperer! He definitely has made the (not really) mistake of saying hello to a stray cat, calling it over to give it affection, and having said stray cat follow him for a while.

hc + 🌸 for a plant-themed headcanon

Carlos wants to have a garden of his own someday.

hc + 🌄 for an outdoor-themed headcanon

Carlos knows his way around Central City fairly well, but the suburbs are very much a form of uncharted territory for him.

hc + 🌍 for a travel-themed headcanon

Carlos would still love to go to California, despite the original escape attempt with Spencer and Tracy failing.

hc + 🗡 for a weapon-themed headcanon

Carlos 100% is a brass knuckles kind of dude. This headcanon is based on a piece of Freddy's Dead art that I saw, which used the official comic adaptation's art style, and it had the main cast holding weapons (except Spencer who had a video game controller in his hands) and Carlos had a pair of brass knuckles. I cannot for the life of me find this piece of art anymore, and ngl I'm kind of sad about that 😭.

hc + 🎡 for a hobby-themed headcanon

Carlos's hobby is doing volunteer work whenever and wherever he can. I feel like this would be the only way he's let out of the shelter for long periods of time (bc let's be real here the shelter acts more like a prison/halfway house than a traditional youth shelter). He just has to have some form of documentation proving that he was only outside of the shelter walls doing volunteer work and nothing else.

[scoopstrooptm]

okay so here is my thing about r*nance. what i honestly loathe about the way the dynamic gets treated in the fandom is about how few people actually explore the, in my opinion, REALLY interesting stuff about them — primarily that this isn't an easy relationship for anyone involved lmao. too often fanon just throws robin & nancy together without any explanation whatsoever ( in favour of exploring steve & eddie which is fine, totally cool, you do you. but honestly robin & nancy in itself as a dynamic has so much baggage and history that is textually there in the canon and by waving it all away so easily so many people just WASTE that compelling potential ). a lot of people also just assume that robin & nancy would fit together easily which, if there's anything to observe about the way they interact in s4, is simply not the case lmao. they may be friends by the end of the season, but only friends in the superficial saving the world sort of way. nancy doesn't know robin is a lesbian, nancy doesn't know that robin used to be bffs with barb ( which isn't canon to the show, i know, but is imo a really good way of actually pushing these two closer together ), nancy also arguably doesn't know she's queer herself either — and i would argue that she would have the hardest journey out of those four ( robin, eddie, steve & nancy ) towards embracing her queerness because of the way that her arc is surrounded by heteronormative relationships with steve and then jonathan. and, something easily forgotten by the fandom, but she lives in the midwest in the 80s. nancy may want to break out of the suburban trappings of her parents' relationship, but she is still arguably trapped by them despite those attempts.

but, at its core with this dynamic, you have nancy, who i love, but is not the easiest of individuals ( embrace her flaws >:(((( ) and has a lot of issues and trauma surrounding not just her romantic relationships with the boys, but also the way that barb haunts her entire narrative. you have robin, who isn't even canonically out to anyone but steve yet, and struggles to even talk to her canon crush, vickie, let alone self-reflect on the fact that she may have a crush on nancy wheeler ( which, unpopular opinion, but i don't think she does during the s4 timeline ), who is the it girl of the show but also her best friend's ex. and then you have steve, an integral third part of this dynamic that should not be ignored, who has absolutely every right to feel weird about the concept of his best friend dating his ex — the same ex who, regardless of who you feel is at fault in the breakdown of the steve & nancy dynamic, canonically broke his heart.

a fundamental truth about this dynamic is that robin will not date nancy or act upon any hypothetical feelings unless steve is okay with it, and steve is fully entitled to not feel okay about it or at least have Something to say about it ( i hate when fanon just brushes over that tbh, stop invalidating steve's feelings, especially by using girl power as an excuse, i fucking hate it ) — at least at first. this is why i fully endorse the idea that the robin / nancy / steve trio should be about robin bringing steve & nancy together to a point where the two of them can resolve their issues and work towards a friendship, as that definitely needs to happen first before robin & nancy can even begin. robin will prioritise steve over everything, to her detriment or not — i do think the fandom's hesitance to explore things that would challenge robin & steve's friendship is a shame, because as with any sort of relationship, a friendship, even one as strong as theirs, is not a fixed thing. it will bend, it will encounter struggles, it will change and mature as the two of them get older. they will always be best friends, but the way they define themselves as best friends in middle of nowhere, indiana, location of their trauma where they only have each other for support, will be entirely different to how they define themselves as best friends 20 years down the line when they are living their best lives, both in relationships, steve with kids.

but back to the point: r*nance is arguably about steve & nancy figuring out their shit first. steve has to come to terms with nancy & robin being friends first — which admittedly he already was working towards in s4, his comment to nancy that it's cool that she and robin are friends now and that they should all hang out when jonathan comes to visit was cute!! and a step in the right direction!! i hate that the show then suddenly shifted gears and started pushing romantic st*ncy. but nancy also has a part to play, since i fully believe that if she were to ditch jonathan and then immediately jump in with robin, she will just end up in the same cycle that she was in when she left steve. before robin, nancy needs some time on her own to figure some stuff out. she needs an arc equivalent to steve's in s2 and 3 where she can figure out what is actually important to her — and part of that is having a friendship with robin, another girl her own age who she can have fun with and who can help her with her barb trauma. the friendship part is vitally important!!!! only then would she be ready for another romantic relationship imo, but then that can only happen after robin comes out to her as a lesbian. and, considering that to robin's eyes, nancy is probably one of the straightest girls out there lmao, that's also not gonna be an easy thing either.

so anyway my tl;dr; about this is just. robin & nancy as a romantic pairing won't be canon anyway, but even if there was the tiniest sliver of a chance that it will happen in s5, i wouldn't want it. because there is SO MUCH that could be ruined for all three characterisations here and considering the duffers reputation for writing romantic relationships ( is there a single canon romantic relationship in this show that i am invested in ? aside from joyce & hop idk jury's out. i'm even sceptical on robin & vickie ), i don't trust that it would be handled in the right way. this dynamic is difficult!!! it challenges everyone involved!! which doesn't make it bad — it actually makes it really compelling, imo, but fanon just throwing nancy & robin together because girls or because they've paired the boys off and need something to do with the girls without any real thought given to it is just.... i'm not a fan ( it's why i'm also not the biggest fan of the fruity four as a concept, another unpopular opinion lmao ).

[amischiefofmuses]

Masterpost of Plot Ideas - Canon Muses

I have a lot of canon muses, so here is a plot masterlist rather than spamming the dash for individual characters. I spent far too much time on this thing and I will be adding more to it over time.

NOTES: - If you see a plot being used we can still use it, things go different directions with different writers. - For any 'friends of' plot ideas - Either they have to have an established friendship or we'll need to discuss a pre-established one so we're on the same page.

!!Warning: THIS IS A VERY LONG POST!! [Click here] while holding CTRL to open it in a new tab and avoid it flooding your dash on pc. On mobile it should be perfectly fine!

[OC MUSE PLOT IDEAS TBA]

Green - For anyone || Blue - For canon muses Pink - For other criteria

Any kids from Hawkins lab (El or oc lab kids) - They escape and Eddie ends up finding them, looking after them with help from Wayne (who is used to Eddie picking up strays). Trouble ensues.

Robin - Eddie sees her at a gay bar, both are trying to make up excuses as to why they're there that doesn't out them. It's the beginning of a ridiculous friendship.

Steve or Billy - Eddie is making out with a guy in the dark quiet room of a house party out of town, assuming he's far enough away from Hawkins not to get spotted. He spots Steve/Billy looking at him from the doorway, panics and things go from there.

Anyone [I actually have an open starter for this one] - Eddie breaks into someones house trying to hide after causing trouble with some of the local jocks. Is he gonna get his ass beaten for his troubles? Someone calling the police? Who knows!

Anyone - Vampire Eddie - Eddie has clawed his way from the Upside Down and begins picking off people who caused him trouble before his 'death'. Maybe your character catches him in the act and they become his next target, maybe they talk him down.

Any friends of Eddie - Vampire Eddie - Eddie survived the Upside Down but something seems different. His wounds are healing surprisingly quickly but he hasn't really been eating or drinking - in fact he's starting to look pretty pale. Vampire Eddie but he doesn't know he's a vampire yet.

Any friends of Eddie - Vampire Eddie - Though they survived the Upside Down, something has been killing people in town and the squad are determined to find out what. Eddie hasn't told them that he's been waking up covered in blood, with the coppery taste in his mouth and he's terrified of what that means.

Steve or Billy - Mechanic Eddie - This could be set post s3 for Steve or just after ep1 of s3 for Billy. They come to the one little mechanic shop Hawkins has and have to deal with Eddie asking them questions about the damage to their car, with Billy acting strange or Steve ducking the questions. That only serves to make the mechanic more curious as to what the king or former king have going on.

Any friends of Eddie - Post s4 - Eddie survived the Upside Down and recovered well but now he's gone MIA. He won't answer calls, nowhere knows where the new trailer is and everyone is beginning to worry. He's located with a little help from Hopper and though they're assured he's fine, they want to see him. Little do they know, he's struggling with the aftermath of everything and avoiding them in some attempt to no longer cause problems. He's gone full hermit and someone needs to drag him out.

Anyone - Set after s3 - After being sent on his way after the events of Starcourt, the adrenaline is wearing off and Steve is reluctant to go back home to an empty house but he doesn't want to lean on his traumatized friends either. Instead he pulls in on the nearest street, busted and bruised with probable broken ribs, sits himself down to try and calm his shaking hands. He's not expecting someone to come across him in this state.

Dustin - Werewolf Steve - There's tales of a werewolf in Hawkins and the kid has been obsessed with it, enough so that he's decided it's time for a sleepover at Steve's on a full moon since he's amply placed by the woods - perfect to gather evidence. Steve is the damn werewolf, he's fighting the call to change but it's getting harder every second.

Billy - After their fight in S2/early s3, Steve is surprised to see Billy stepping into the scoops while he's closing up. Turns out Max is out late and nowadays he doesn't dare to push things, so Billy is reluctantly enlisting Steve's help to get his sister home. Perhaps they have a heart to heart, perhaps they just fight, all depends on chemistry.

Anyone [this is one I have an open starter for] - Werewolf Steve - Foolishly deciding to nap after a nightly run, he's caught completely nude in the leaves and has to explain himself. With legends of wolves in the Hawkins woods, it's hard to explain why he'd be out there at all.

Any friends of Steve - Post s4 - He calls early in the afternoon and seems drunk as hell already, which is entirely out of the norm for him nowadays but he won't explain what's wrong because he knows it sounds ungrateful. He's had a call from his parents that they're giving him the house, they're reluctant to return given the state of Hawkins these days and Steve refuses to join them wherever they are because he has a life here. It seemed like a fair compromise but now he's in a big empty house all by himself and the idea of that seems incredibly daunting.

Anyone - Werewolf Steve - On a run at night he's used to the woods of Hawkins being peaceful, devoid of Human life. Imagine his surprise when he lunges through the bushes at a movement and finds his teeth clamped around a very human limb. Considering he was turned without choice, he's being eaten alive by the guilt of doing that to someone else and thus takes it upon himself to teach them how to handle it.

Anyone - [Open starter can be found here] - Werewolf Billy - Set after a big fight with his Dad, which is far more intense due to them being werewolves, able to withstand more etc. He goes out while still injured, intending to change and run out his frustration. However, on the cusp of change someone comes across him. He's trying to fight it while trying to get the other person to leave.

Steve or Max - Werewolf Billy, set during the standoff between Billy in Steve in s2. - While posturing outside it seems more Demodogs have come to try and find El, Billy is forced to decide between keeping his secret or protecting them.

Any of the s4 Hawkins party - Post s3 - Billy has to help with the situation with Vecna, having gotten more involved in the Upside Down bullshit since being flayed. He can sense the creeping feeling of the Upside Down just like Will can, so this can even be before anyone dies in Hawkins and he's trying to figure out what's going on with the other members of the party.

Anyone - Billy is out and about after a bad particularly bad fight with his Dad, it's clear he's angry and he has a black eye but he won't talk about it. He might need reassurance but god knows he won't accept it.

Anyone - Billy is drunk and reckless, he's heading to his car with a stumble and someone should probably stop him. Though there's a risk you might get a punch for your troubles but it's probably worth the risk.

Anyone - [Inspired by Etherdwellers] - There seems to be a ghostly presence in your home after acquiring an old box of medals and war memorabilia - including an old swagger stick. He's not expecting you'll be able to see him but for whatever reason, you can. Chaos ensues.

Anyone - This one is a little fantastical but can't help my self indulgence. Rather than dying, the Captain experiences a slip in time that has him now stood in the modern day. Baffled and now capable of seeing ghosts himself, he requires a modern day guide.

Anyone - Your muse is killed while visiting Button House during a function, the Captain has decided he will lead the charge in trying to figure out the culprit. Could be done as a fun whodunnit while your character has a crisis about being fucking dead lmfao.

Any of the Ghosts - Due to something going on in their room, a bed has to be shared. This isn't necessarily a romantic plot, given female ghosts are welcome but I expect chaos to ensue regardless of who it is. Basically it's a reluctant sleepover plot.

Anyone - Set before GOTG 3 - With Quill hesitant to return to Earth it seems that Rocket is having to play embassador. He intended to do some recon, instead he's caught off guard by Earth's ability to shoot his ship down. With nothing but a wreckage and no commucation back to his crew, he needs some help to get back home.

Any Guardian - After GOTG 3 - While he may have faced his past, Rocket still has a lot of trauma to do with medical environments. After a particularly bad scrap he's forced to see a medic and he's starting to panic on the wait to see them, maybe your muse can offer some support?

Any Guardian - Set any time after forming the Guardians - Just some big epic mission to save the world. Big bad guy, big fights, maybe times where they protect eachother. Just hand it over.

Anyone - Young Rocket - Rocket runs into your character after just escaping captivity for the first time, the two end up having to team up to avoid a situation. Friendship, rivalry or even hatred ends up developing between them.

Any spacefaring muse - After getting stuck in some space prison again, Rocket enlists your muse to help him escape. Whether he actually gets them out with him? Well, that depends on how things go, doesn't it?

Anyone - While in hiding, pre Captain America: Civil War - He breaks into your muses house thinking it's empty. It just kinda goes from there. Maybe they fight, maybe they take pity on him, we'll see! Alternatively maybe your muse takes pity on this homeless man and offers him help, slowly befriending him like a stray animal. Could be better for a slow-build friendship.

Any Avenger Muse - They're both sent on a mission together, he's closed off, guarded, but he starts warming to them as time goes on. Bonus: This happens when the two of them are trapped somewhere and trying to find a way out.

Anyone - While in hiding, pre Captain America: Civil War - Bucky has been living as your muses housemate for almost half a year now and you barely know anything about him, he keeps to himself and seem to be the perfect person to live with. However, someone has come looking for him and they break into your place to try and get him. This can have offshoots where your muse is held captive and Bucky saves them, they run together with Bucky protecting them, ect.

Steve - Set during Captain America: The First Avenger - Bucky has noticed changes since he's come back from Zola's torturous tests but he's scared about what that means, whether he'll end up a monster like the Red Skull. During a fight he's forced to defend himself and almost punches through a guy, maybe Steve sees or hears of it and is concerned about what's going on. Or maybe he just notices something is off with his old friend?

Sam - Set post Captain America: Civil War - While out on a mission they receive a distress call from Steve, they have to team up to rescue him. I'm thinking a 'rival' to friends kinda vibe but that's down to chemistry.

Child muses - Let this man pick up a stray kid and end up being a dad to them. He's made to nurture, dangit. Spent his youth looking after Steve for that reason. Bonus if the kid doesn't have parents and he can end up adopting them rather than taking them back to their home. Additional bonus if they're little shitheads that he has to fight to earn the trust of.

Anyone - Modern AU - Ben is involved in criminal activity, he's out late to collect money from someone and ends up in to protect your muse from some idiot trying to mug them. Ends up walking them home and possibly making friends. Alternatively, they're who he's been sent to collect money from.

Any spacefaring muse - Smuggler Ben - Your muse has been sent to convince Ben to rejoin the resistance fully rather than living his free life. He's reluctant as he knows part of that means embracing his force abilities that he has tried to avoid using. Alternatively, your muse is from the First Order, trying to bring Ben in to work for Snoke.

Any spacefaring muse - During his time as a knight of Ren and Snoke's right hand - Kylo's ship is fast approaching and it seems he's locked on, he has every intention to bring you in and interrogate you for information on the resistance. Maybe your muse knows enough to be useful.

Rey - While it may have seemed he killed his father, Ben managed to only wound the man and make him seem dead. He's a double agent, tearing apart the first Order from the inside. With their new Force bond, he's desperately trying to get her to believe he's not the bad guy he seems to be.

Hux - As the new Supreme Leader, Kylo is uncertain of what he wants to do next. Still processing the death of Snoke, the abusive master, he needs someone to step in to take charge. Though he doesn't trust Hux, he knows he's capable and promotes him to the position. Will he still get stabbed in the back for his trouble? Or will they find some sense of equalibrium without their former master pitting them against eachother? We'll see!

Any of Sherlock's friends - He comes home to the flat to find Sherlock barely conscious, the flat a mess and the knocked out body of a criminal in the middle of the living room. It seems someone intended on taking him out but failed, Sherlock could really use some help though, regardless of how stubborn he might be about it.

Anyone - Sherlock set up a dating profile to draw out a killer, using very specific details pertaining to the case. You absent-mindedly swiped on him, figuring it was worth the chance. All the while Sherlock is playing along, offering the best chemistry your muse has had in a while and even planning a first date with your muse unaware it's meant to be to catch you for this crime.

Villain muses - After his apparent death, Jim is working to rebuild his criminal empire and it needs a lot of new blood. It seems your muse is just what he needs but he expects them to pass a test first, prove themselves worthy.

Sebastian Moran - Jim returns from the dead as though nothing happened. Up-ending Sebastian's life that he's been building for himself. Will he rejoin the criminal as his right hand? Will the criminal get a punch for his troubles?

Molly Hooper - Honestly anything from their little time as partners, anything from their first meeting to date nights. Also the fight that must have happened when she finds out he left his number with sherlock? Yes please.

Any muses with powers/abilities - Jim finds out such a thing exists and it proves to be a new point of interest. He just has to see it in action, own that for himself. Thus he kidnaps your muse and has fun seeing the extent of their powers.

Any 'Official' muse in positions of power/Cops/Agents - Jim has been brought in as a consultant, if only because he has the information that your muse needs. However it comes at a cost, he wants something interesting in return. Can your muse deliver? And if so, are they willing to make a deal with the Devil?

Anyone - Jim has to play 'normal' with your muse as part of a plan, befriending them and getting close to them. Good for future betrayal angst.

Any paranormal/creature muse - After hearing stories about a 'monster' in the area, he goes to scope out the situation. Little does he know the person he's talking to is the very same 'monster' he's been looking for. Will he figure it out? Guess we'll see.

Anyone - Small bitey creatures escape a container while he's going through things in storage, they end up in your muses house and now John's having to stay in your muses house to make sure he gets every last one. Might as well have a drink together while waiting for the little blighters!

Chas - Exploring the day after Chas survived his first brush with death thanks to John's spell. Gimme that sweet sweet drama.

Anyone - John is conducting a spell in a specific spot in the city. When his portal opens up and he steps into the Fae realm, he's not expecting someone else to accidentally stumble in behind him before it closes. Oops.

Anyone - John is out chasing a cryptid that's been running rampant, your muse just so happens to be obliviously out here camping. Does your muse think he's some kind of crazed killer when he comes bolting out of the woods toward them while covered in blood? Do they try to help? We'll see!

Any Human - Monsters have just arrived to the surface, you're not expecting a skeleton to nudge you while asking for directions. Oh holy shit.

Anyone - On the surface the monsters have set up a few little towns for themselves, Sans has taken to working at Grillby's new bar. A Human enters and Sans intends to make them feel welcome. Alternatively, a monster comes in for help as Humans have been giving them trouble and he intends to help.

Papyrus - Just gimme brotherly shenanigans. On the surface, down in the underground. Just the two of them being a chaotic duo pls and thank.

Frisk/Chara - Post genocide route, after a reset. Sans remembers and is sick of pretending otherwise, he knows he can't stop the kid but he can sure as hell be a menace while they're pretending to be all nice this time around.

Anyone - Your muse catches Eda doing magic in the Human realm, do they dare speak to this mysterious witch? Or perhaps they end up following her to the Demon realm? Guess we'll see!

Raine - School shenanigans between the two of them. I'd love to see them growing closer, eventually getting into their relationship and such. Some happy times leading into sad times for these babies.

Luz - Eda and Raine are getting married, Eda is a mess about it, she's never been good at planning things like this. It seems it's time for her apprentice to step in and help.

Anyone - It's halloween and Luz has convinced Eda to check out the way the Human realm celebrates. She decides to use her Harpy form as a lazy costume, enjoying the attention her 'awesome outfit' is getting. Your muse got a sticky toffee apple that unfortunately ended up on her wing, suddenly you realize that it isn't a costume at all and she whisks you off before you can make a scene.

Anyone - Your muse somehow slips into the Demon realm before the portal has been repaired by the Collector, luckily the Owl Lady is willing to take you under her wing while you adjust to your new temporary home.

Anyone - After 'Hollow Mind' - While running away from the Owl House, Hunter is unlucky enough to be one of those entities that slips from the Demon realm to the Human realm. Now he's safe from Belos but in a world he doesn't understand, maybe he could use some help.

Luz - Any sibling shit. Give me sibling shenanigans. Going out shopping, preparing for an event, just anything tbh. Hand it over.

Willow - I want to write their first proper date so bad. Once everything is over and they're able to relax they just, decompress and talk about their feelings, then get to go on a little date. Just, so cute. Yes good.

Any Demon realm muse - The Golden guard has been sent to collect your character to bring to the Emperor. Do they come along quietly and end up working alongside him, or are they going to put up a fight?

Any Human - [Open starter for this can be found here] - They somehow manage to slip into the Demon realm and are caught by the Emperor's guard, who bring the Human to him thinking it may be the one he's looking for. Not wanting this new person to fall prey to the lures of the Demon realm, he plays 'hero' and offers them protection within the castle, promising to return them home when his work here is done and the portal is ready.

Any Demon realm muse - Completely AU scenario where Belos was not fueled by hate but instead fascination with the Demon realm. Unfortunately he went too far, causing him the same curse by putting the sigils on himself in an attempt to give himself magic. By the time your muse finds him, he's monstrous and in need of help.

Any Demon realm muse - Your muse has been brought in to stand before the Emperor, perhaps they have found something he has great interest in or they are a possible asset to his cause. Will they work with him or dare to put up a fight?

Anyone - Your muse takes a trip to Gravity Falls, having heard stories of spooky stuff going on. Bill tries to take advantage of their lack of knowledge about the town and tries to manipulate them as a new, unknowing puppet for his plans.

Anyone - Bill emerges from the statue after Gravity Falls is saved but things are different. He's practically powerless, corporeal and in need of help. Can he convince someone to assist him?

Any Pines family - Bill ends up as somewhat of a ghost, linked to the shack as that was Stan's mindspace when he invaded, trapped within those walls. Since there's little he can do, he's intent on causing trouble. With time maybe he can attach to the Pines family to haunt them while out and about too.

Ford - Writing their time working together, including after the betrayal where Bill begins to try and wear down Ford's psyche.

Any of Dipper's friends/family - Gimme some monster of the week shananigans. Just them dealing with some big ol beastie, ghostie, or smth.

Anyone - Your muse is new to Gravity Falls, they decided to go explore the woods and come across one of the many creatures of the town. Dipper comes across them and has to help them get out of there alive.

Anyone - Blue comes down to Earth after SU:Future to visit and see what the fuss is about Humans now that everything is calm and peaceful on Homeworld and the underlying colonies. She wants to see why Pink went to such trouble over these little creatures. Maybe your muse can teach her some of the wonders of Earth!

Anyone - Not being used to having her own freedom, Delphi is taking time to adjust. After helping your muse with something, she ends up following them around trying to serve them, falling into bad habits.

Any alien muses on Earth - Your muses recognizes Zim as the alien he is and worse still, as an Irken - one of the biggest growing empires in the universe. Perhaps they try to ensure he's not going to destroy their new home? Perhaps they try to align with him to ensure their safety? Anything goes.

Anyone - You're trying to go about your day as usual when this little bug alien lets himself into your house in a rush. He's without disguise, looking panicked. Maybe your muse takes pity on him and he takes advantage of that? Maybe they try to catch him? Just figured this would be a little fun.

Dib - After the events of the Florpus - Zim has gone surprisingly quiet again, which makes Dib suspicious of what he might be up to. As usual it's shockingly easy to get into his base and he finds it looking almost bare. Descending further inside, he finds Zim packing up to leave. Maybe he should be happy about that, that Earth is safe but suddenly there's the dread of how boring life will be without the alien bothering him. Possible enemies to friends. No ZaDr here.

Anyone - Trouble is brewing because everyone knows Fizz and Ozzie are together. One peaceful night a group of powerful demons come to cause trouble and Ozzie sends fizz away to the Human realm. The poor imp has no idea what he's doing, where he's going or if his boyfriend is alright and desperately needs some help.

Blitz - These drunken teenagers are getting themselves in trouble, now they're trying to avoid getting caught on their trip back home.

Oz - Lets write how they met and them developing their relationship! I'm thinking it begins with Mammon wanting the Fizz dolls to be accurate, so they end up having to spend a lot of time together.

Any hell-dweller - Before quitting, Fizz is trying to go about his day when he's cornered by some fans. Maybe your muse steps in to help and a friendship develops.

Any hell-dweller - [I have an open starter for this one] - After quitting, Fizz has been working on setting up his own show as he misses getting to perform. It's a smaller venue, with stricter rules but as he's preparing for the night, he's starting to seem more and more frazzled by the idea of going back on stage.

[bowiebond]

I’m so glad Argilly is picking up traction, we are one step closer to the big mlm polycule with Argyle, Billy, Eddie, Jon, and Steve + I’ve seen almost all ten of the possible individual pairings in the group being delved upon so far (Argilly, Edgyle (idk the name), Jargyle, Mungrove, Harringrove, Byergrove, Stonathan, Eddithan/Jeddie (idk either), Steddie)

All we need now is to think about how Argyle and Steve’s dynamic (Stargyle) would work and HERE is how I think it could:

Everyone trying to pit two bad bitches against each other for best hair, but they actually just know they are simply the masters of their own domain and respect each other; Steve reigns over the tall, poofy, and curled hair, Argyle reigns over the long, luscious, and silky

Argyle will try to expand Steve’s food palate

Steve playing with/braiding his hair, Argyle affectionately ruffling Steve’s

Out of the other guys, even Jonathan when stoned, I feel like Argyle and Steve are able to just naturally be on the same wavelength at any given point; like if Argyle was making astute observations (simple or deep), Steve can easily pick up his train of thought, casually all “oh yeaaah, yeah I totally get what you mean” and vice versa (Argyle picking up what Steve’s puttin down)

Sweet, goofy, playful bfs and also party kings when the energy is high

When they vibe to music together, they put their whole bodies into it; popcorn karaoke riding in each other’s cars, belting their hearts out

Casual homie kisses goodbye; “see you later brochacho” and then Argyle pecks Steve on the cheek

Like, after they have a friendly game, they do a bro handshake, and then Steve’s like “good game” before he goes in for a kiss

Stargyle is the ultimate 'bros to lovers' vibe. Also I just love the name??? Stargyle, ahhh.

Like they call each other 'dude, bro, man' but then you'll catch them asleep cuddling on the couch waiting for their other boyfriends to come home.

Argyle definitely digs movie dates with Steve, because all of the guys have different tastes; Billy and Eddie are more horror/slasher/gruesome action fans, Jonathan forces them to watch indie films or romcoms, Argyle prefers comedies, but he'll watch anything. So Steve usually watches his newest picks with Argyle when he wants to wind down from the week.

The whole polycule is very into playing with each others hair, but Argyle and Steve are the two who will be in the bathroom the longest if paired together (though Steve and Billy also take forever), Argyle helping Steve keep his hair in place while he styles and sprays, Steve brushing out Argyle's hair just cause it's pretty long and can be a hassle to do alone. Steve usually braids Argyle's hair before bed if Billy doesn't beat him to it first (or if Eddie and Jonathan haven't gotten their hands in Billy's hair first, because boy does that man become putty if you touch it).

Steve, Jonathan and Argyle will talk circles around each other when high and Eddie and Billy will just watch while draped over each other or playing cards because they're lazy stoners. Argyle joins them in cards sometimes, really depends on if Steve and Jonathan have moved from rambling to wrestling or not (it's playful, really, they just end up in a tangle of limbs and giggling afterwards because Jonathan is still somehow able to beat Steve every time).

Argyle and Steve have the most similar music taste, and when surrounded by their metal/rock n roll boyfriends, they have to fight for the radio. Thankfully, Argyle's vans is constant vibes and they rule over the selection of tapes.

The broshake and then kiss is so them, I love that. They'll do that before heading off the work and the other three are just bewildered by it in the beginning because

Billy: 'how did our boyfriends steal each other???'

Jonathan: 'When did this even happen??'

Eddie: 'Not hating it, but can you guys not act like platonic bros before maKING OUT IN FRONT OF THE DOOR?!'

[roanniom]

Happy Halloween my Valentine! 🎃🖤

Please, if you would share some thots about convincing the boys to join you (and the rest of the gang) in a group costume.

My valentine and the love of my life <3 Anything for you forever and always.

🎃🍂🍁🎃

Pumpkins and a Nerd Posse

Eddie Munson x Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader

Warnings: nothing except a little bit of romantic competition and a blissfully unaware you...so far

You just know that Steve's going to be the wet blanket about it. Eddie, however, is down from the moment that you say the word "costume." He's got ten different ideas by the time you finish the question to begin with. After a little bit of push and pull you two have put your heads together and come up with the perfect group costume - a mix of characters from the Lord of the Rings (of course).

You and Eddie spend an entire weekend making the costume from an assortment of blankets and clothes you find down at the local thrift store. Robin is super down and helps with cobbling the pieces together since she (apparently?!) is good at sewing. You conscript Dustin to help make props, and he, in turn, pesters Max, Lucas, Erica, Mike, Will, and El into helping (which they do with plenty of grumbling, but one stern look from you, the backup babysitter, and they are zipping their lips and getting to work).

When you finally tell Steve, dropping by with Eddie during a Friday night shift at Family Video, Steve is predictably uptight about it.

"No. If I have to dress up, it's gonna be something cool and on my own. You're not roping me into your little nerd posse."

You go to argue with him but Eddie steps in with a hand on your shoulder.

"Why don't you go pick out some movies with Robin for the horror movie marathon. I'll handle Harrington."

You skip off immediately, more than happy to leave Eddie to deal with Steve Stick-in-the-Mud Harrington. You don't hear this next part, where Eddie leans forward, forearms on the counter, but that's just as well. You have absolutely no idea that for the last year, Eddie and Steve have been separately - and conspiratorially - pining over you from a distance. It's a twisted little situation, caught somewhere between support and competition, but either way, their individual obsessions with you is something they have bonded over.

"Harrington, you're gonna want to get in on this group costume thing."

"I've already told you guys -"

"Dude, she's dressing up as a sexy elf," Eddie stage whispers, his eyes darting across the room to your oblivious form and back. Steve's eyes widen and he, too, looks over at you quickly.

"She's...how sexy are we talking here?"

"Oh fuck off, man. Let's just say she won't be winning any authenticity prizes with J.R.R. Tolkien if you know what I'm saying."

"What the fuck is a 'J.R.R. Token'?" Steve asks, confusion contorting his face. Eddie closes his eyes to keep from overreacting.

"You're such a - ugh. Look, it doesn't matter. All I can say is, I've seen the costume and...it's not much costume. Catch my drift?"

Steve's eyes practically roll back in his head.

"God damn it, you got to see it already you lucky bastard?"

"Easy now, don't get a bat out anything. I haven't seen her actually in the costume yet, I just saw it laid out with the other costumes. But let me tell you, it is not something to miss."

Steve scrubs a hand over his face in agony. He looks back at you across the room through his fingers.

"Ok but can't I just dress up in a normal costume and enjoy her looking sexy? Why do I have to join the loser brigade?"

"First - ouch, man. You spend enough time with us that you're pretty much brigadier general at this point, so fuck you," Eddie points out, reaching over and flicking Steve's nametag off his vest, just for effect. Steve flails accordingly. "And second - you really think she'll get over you saying no to her group plans? You and I both know she'd be pissed and wouldn't speak to you the entire party."

"Ugh, you're right," Steve says, defeated, running a hand through his hair. Eddie runs a hand through his own hair, as if somehow influenced by Steve's anxious motions.

"Although on second thought I'm not sure why I'm working so hard to convince you to join. If she's mad at you, gives me more of a chance to make my move..." Eddie adds, seemingly coming to the realization slowly while he speaks. Steve stands up straighter and bellows across the room to where you and Robin stand debating over Return of the Living Dead and Night of the Creeps.

"Alright! I'll be part of your little band of Halloween weirdos!"

You and Robin cheer and jump up and down, missing the next part of the boys' interaction entirely. Steve turns back to Eddie, folds his arms across his chest, and gives him a smug smile.

"May the best man win," Steve quips. Eddie suddenly smiles back, so confident it makes Steve's smile falter.

"He will. You're forgetting that the Lord of the Rings isn't just her favorite book, it's mine as well."

The color drains from Steve's face at the implication of his inadequacy. Meanwhile Eddie ushers you back over, rental picked and now in hand. You give Steve a little wave and promise to send him information on the upcoming Halloween party. You step out into the parking lot completely unaware of the tension behind you. Before following, Eddie salutes Steve one last time.

"Tally ho, general. You might want to catch up on some reading."

Steve throws up two middle fingers and Eddie sails out of Family Video in a fit of laughter.

🎃🍂🍁🎃

I...I think I'm doing a part 2...stay tuned.

[avengers-rule103]

Eddie, Dustin, Robin and Fred know who Nancy and Steve are as individuals because they broke up, therefore weren't a couple, therefore spent an entire season barely being seen together on screen until the end of season 3. Dustin knew Nancy before her relationship with Steve, during and after, because he Mike and the rest of the kiddos were established as good friends from the very beginning, then moves more toward Steve on and past season 2 (though Nancy still dances with him at the end of said season). Robin didn't even meet Nancy until the end of season 3 but knew Steve from the beginning of it and got to know Nancy through their missions together in season 4. While Eddie might not have known Steve and Nancy super personally, it's canon that Dustin talked about both of them (but especially Steve) to Eddie a LOT. As for Fred, i'm not exacrly sure how long he and Nancy knew each other, long enough for her to feel comfortable talking about her relationship with him, and yeah i'll give you that Fred doesn't technically root for either relationship - i made a post a while ago talking about the whole "i'm still rooting for my alt" or whatever line that was, but that was more of an indirect hint for the audience than Fred actually saying "I think you and Steve should get back together," so go ahead, take that win - BUT the group still knows both of them individually pretty damn well. And why do they have to know the reason why Steve and Nancy broke up? Why does it matter if they knew Steve and or Nancy back then? They've grown and changed since then. Frankly who they were previously shouldn't really matter because they're not the same. Vecna going after Nancy made it very clear that her trauma and resentment surrounding Barb's death is going to be dealt with in season 5, and outside of that scene she seemed damn near cozy with Steve - a product of both of their character growth since their breakup - which is what everyone was picking up on and talking about in the first place. And even if you think everything i've said already is bullshit, Every single person in this group still knew both Nancy and Steve for much much longer than Murray did. Murray literally didn't even know Steve's name until Jonathan supplied it for him and yet it's okay for him to try to weasel his way into Nancy's head about her and Steve's relationship, but not okay for anyone who actually knows (beyond like a day) or cares about her to want happiness and love for her and Steve. Logic.

[futuregws]

Major L to that person on twitter who said hellch**r and m*leven are the most hated ships in this fandom because of misogyny and that we wouldn't ship byler or steddie if they weren't two "white boys". Then most people responded something like "all these ships are white", "you added "white" because "two boys" would come across homophobic", "straight people want to be oppressed so bad". Funniest thing to happen in a long time. Really shows how unhinged and homophobic some of them are, but how hellch**r shippers are just a loud minority.

Also so tired of non mlm saying most m/m shippers are just f*joshis as if a lot of us aren't queer, many are queer men. (And I'm also sceptical of people who say this because I've seen too many t*rfs refer to gay trans men when talking about f*joshis.)

I'm so tired of this stupid people, literally the only reason they ship ed*ssy is bc she's white and fits societies beauty standards, they have to be very ignorant to have the nerve to say that the only reason people ship Eddie and Steve + Mike and Will, is bc they are white, it truly shows some internalized homophobia if not just straight up homophobia, I love the comments calling them out bc at least gives me hope that not everyone lacks this many brain cells. The only reason why they are hating on this mlm couples is bc it threatens their ship and its gross the actions that they are having it shows a lot how this people are, and the misogyny thing I'm not even gonna comment much on that bc people nowadays will throw that word around way too much, just bc someone doesn't like a celebrity/character that is a women doesn't mean that person is misogynistic at the end of the day we are still people with opinions and different tastes and stuff that we dislike or like, it's okay to not like something about a women it doesn't make anyone misogynistic it's called being an individual with their own thoughts and feelings and opinions, now what does make something misogynistic is the words used when describing those women but not liking them doesn't mean ANYTHING

[two-sides-samecoin]

Girl same I absolutely despise Ronance and especially Steddie because it's all people talk about. They don't even care really about individual characters and act like that shit is canon. You can't go through the Robin tag because it's all about Ronance it's like Robin as her own character doesn't exist.

I can't even imagine how the Jancy shippers feel because looking through the Nancy tag is like all about how Ronance is the only thing ever despite it doesn't make sense for Nancy's character to throw herself in another relationship. She's a bad gf as it is, like she needs a friend rather than another romatic pairing.

Same with Steddie they barely interacted but yet people go crazy over any pretty white dude near Steve. Most of the time in canon he seemed to be uncomfortable by Eddie's existence and wasn't even sad about his death. Like I get shipping do whatever but it's still kinda annoying that it overtook everything and that the characters seem to be nothing outside their respective ships.

I’m honestly glade you feel the same sometimes it just feels like I’m being harsh for no reason so I’m glade that you agree! yeah because steddie and ronance are talked about a lot it can be quite draining to only hear about them. Yes honestly they really just don’t care about the individual characters cuz I mean especially Steve and Eddie just get turned into people that they aren’t. And as Steve is my fav character is honestly bothers me that so many people mischaracterize him. Especially if they always have him being Eddie’s bully in the past. Like they make Steve out to be so malicious and it’s so infuriating. Oh my god you are so right about Robin too because I swear even in her own fanon ship she isn’t even herself and allowed to be her own individual. Like some people make her out to be Nancy’s therapist or something and it’s sooo weird. Also it feels weird to me how the first lesbian character in st gets ignored for a stupid ship. And her feelings in canon get ignored with her crush on Vickie like it just seems so weird to me.

Yeah honestly same I can’t imagine how jancy shippers are surviving. Like I’ve never been huge on them but I can admit that they sometimes have really cute and wholesome moments. Yep you are absolutely right like it makes no sense for Nancy to just throw herself into another romance especially when she hasn’t even known Robin for that long. And also the show did go in the direction of having Robin mention that she would be ostracized for being a lesbian so I don’t see them suddenly just being romance buddies. Especially since Robin is selective about who she tells about being a lesbian and I can’t see her telling Nancy all about it. Like it took being tortured by Russian people and being drugged for her to actually open up to someone about her sexuality. Also especially when Nancy’s sexuality has never actually been confirmed in canon and it’s all been speculations/headcanon. And like the fact that Nancy’s side/feelings/sexuality have been taken into account more than Robin’s who is in canon actually a lesbian it fees weird to me. Like to me it would come out of no where with ronance. So it would just come out of no where when vickie and Robin had those scenes together showing that they like each other in the first place. to me it would be very off putting to just suddenly have ronance when Nancy wants a relationship with Jonathan and when Robin wants a relationship with Vickie. And yep you’re right like Nancy needs a friend instead of romance. Like I remember a time when people were just excited about Nancy having another friend who is a girl. And Robin having a friend who is a girl. Meanwhile now it seems like you can’t go anywhere without ‘but look at them being romantic’ and god does it annoy me.

Also I have mutuals who do like ronance so I don’t mean that I’m judging everyone who loves it. I just mean that it isn’t my cup of tea.

At first I was excited about steddie before season 4 came out and then they only had one scene so I was disappointed but not surprised. Honestly I was hoping for more of a rivalry between them and for the rivalry to actually mean something to Steve’s character. Like now he’s getting upset that Dustin is spending time with another person who he thinks is just so cool so Steve is like ‘well I’m getting replaced so how do I fix this’. And then they kind of just dropped the ball on it. And you’re right they only have one scene together and yet people constantly go crazy about it. Yeah Steve is very uncomfortable with Eddie and I wish they expanded on it a little bit ya know. But I guess it is what it is.

That last sentence I agree 100% with!!! You said it perfectly!