#and yeah eventually it's like okay no it's not just that steve wouldn't Do That it's also that they would've been a terrible couple

[autumnrory]

i rmr when all the initial meta around endgame was coming out people were talking about steve being depressed and whatnot and it's like well yeah but he's BEEN depressed, like he woke up alone in this century and he kept going, now i can understand it being worse this time after finding a family and getting bucky back and losing them all except of course that's not why endgame steve was on about so like......the people writing meta were trying to connect these things that of course weren't really there on screen because that simply wasn't our steve

but i think it really could've been SO interesting to see this is the thing that finally makes steve stay down like he's lost so much and he just CAN'T keep fighting like i get some people think that's what they were going for but considering the ending......it's really not. and so i'm just thinking about a version after iw, maybe he gets some of the thor treatment except not turning his depression into a dumb fatphobic joke lol and maybe nat and others are trying to get through to him and it just doesn't work and then we get some flashbacks (which you could have done for all the original avengers actually which would be particularly important for bruce and nat and clint who did not have their own trilogies) including his mom telling him "you always stand up" and THAT being the thing to finally get him moving like it would've been such a perfect way to finally show sarah rogers some respect and ACTUALLY show steve really struggling instead of whatever they tried to do with him in that movie

[bigfootsboytoy]

Steve ends up heartbroken, lonely and depressed after season 2. Nancy called him bullshit, even after he ditched all his old friends for her. Billy Hargrove took his spot at the top of the food chain. He can have it, Steve doesn't really want it anymore. But Steve does want to find some sort of connection. Someone to have in his life who isn't an 11 year old kid he barely knows. He tries to go on a date one night, take a nice-seeming girl to a party. He wants to find connection, to kill the loneliness that's been building for months, but just as he's feeling kind of good about things, his date ditches him.

So. He decides to drink his feelings. He gets majorly fucked up, and ends up laying on the ground in the backyard, contemplating how much life seems to hate him.

Only to literally get tripped over by Eddie Munson, who was at this party selling pot and is very confused as to why Steve Harrington is alone on the ground with a bottle of vodka clenched in one hand.

Eddie ends up chatting a little with Steve, nothing substantial, but enough to know that Steve is very very drunk, and also very very sad.

He asks if Steve wants to go back to the party, and Steve staunchly refuses. He doesn't want to be around a bunch of annoyingly happy people.

He asks if Steve needs a ride home, and Steve just kind of shrugs. His parents just left for another trip, so home is kind of depressing right now too. But he doesn't exactly have any other friends he can stay with so. Home it'll have to be.

Only Eddie can *tell* he doesn't really want to go home, though he has no idea why Steve wouldn't want to return to his veritable mansion after a shitty night. The reason doesn't matter much. He offers to let Steve crash at his place. Steve can take the couch, or hell he can stay in Eddie's room if he doesn't mind sharing, that way he wouldn't risk being woken up when Wayne comes home that morning.

And well, Steve agrees. Can't think of any reason not too. Munson has been nice so far, he's got a good easy-going energy that Steve likes. Why not stay the night.

By the time they get to Eddie's, Steve is *slightly* more sober. Not much, but he's slurring his words a little less, and he can walk with only a little help.

Eddie grabs them each a little plate of leftovers, because he has no idea if Steve's eaten at all. It's quiet while they eat, Eddie doesn't push Steve to talk, and Steve isn't sure what to say. Eventually Eddie sets the plates aside and give Steve an easy grin.

"So, do you want the couch, or are you crashing with me?"

Steve thinks about it for a while. He hasn't shared a bed with a guy-friend since he was a kid, and he's heard rumors about Eddie, whispers in the hall about the way he looks at other guys. But...Steve can't really bring himself to care. He's tired, and he really doesn't want to be alone.

"I don't mind sharing."

Eddie sets them both up in his room, letting Steve choose which side of the bed he wants, and they both settle in. There's a respectable distance between the two of them, and Eddie says a quick goodnight to Steve, figures they won't talk and just go right to bed.

Except Steve isn't sober, and he really isn't in a good headspace, so he can't stop himself from blurting things out into the quiet of the dark room.

"Are you really gay?"

Eddie stiffens next to him, he can feel it, he can hear the way that the other boys breath cuts off and he seems to stop breathing all-together.

"It's okay if you are, I'm not going to be an asshole about it, I'm trying not to be that guy anymore. I guess I was just curious."

It's quiet for another beat before Eddie seems to loosen just a little. He starts breathing again at least.

"Yeah I uh- I am. Gay. And if that's weird the couch is still open, I can-"

"It's not weird."

"Okay."

Steve let's himself mull over this confirmation, and then his mouth starts moving again, without his permission.

"Is it lonely? Cause I mean, it's got to be hard to date in Hawkins. People here are shitty. Unless you've got like, a secret boyfriend or something."

"No...no secret boyfriend. It does get a little lonely sometimes. I'm lucky though, I've got my uncle, and my friends are pretty great. That's enough most days."

"What do you do when it's not enough?"

"Hmmm?"

"When your uncle and friends aren't enough, what do you do? To try and...make it better?"

Eddie is quiet again for a long stretch before he shrugs.

"I try to focus on something else. I'll play my guitar or work on a new campaign, read a book. Something to take my mind off it."

"Oh."

Now Steve is the one who seems tense, his jaw is tight and he's got his arms wrapped around himself. His next words come out as a whisper, but Eddie manages to catch them.

"I don't know how to do any of that."

He sounds almost choked, and Eddie is caught off guard. He's never seen Steve Harrington as anything other than solid, as happy. He's the king, after all. He's supposed to be all smiles and great hair. Only...Eddie's noticed that he hasn't hung out with his old friends lately, that he's eaten alone at lunch too many times to be anything other than strange.

"Steve...are you lonely?"

Eddie expects a denial, for Steve to laugh it off and tell Eddie that he's perfectly fine and fulfilled. Or maybe he expects a shrug, a non-answer. What he doesn't expect is the gut-wrenching sob that seems to tear past the other boys lips.

He doesn't expect to turn and see Steve Harrington's face, a scant foot from his, shining with tears.

He panics a little at the sight.

"Fuck- I'm so sorry-"

"Don't be." Steve tries to wipe his eyes, to hide the tremble in his voice. "Not your fault there's something wrong with me."

"What do you mean?"

"It's like I'm broken man, like nobody can stand to be around me. Tommy and Carol hate me now, Nancy- hell even my own parents hate being at home with me for more than a week. It's like I'm repellent or something. Couldn't even get a date to stick around for a whole night."

And Eddie's pretty sure *he* might start crying now. He'd never have expected this much from Steve, all that sadness to come pouring out. It wouldn't have happened if Steve was completely sober. Without thinking, he reaches out.

Eddie puts a hand on Steve's shoulder and waits to see if the touch gets rejected, but Steve seems to lean into him, so he lets his hand linger.

"This probably won't help, but I don't think you're repellent. And that's coming from somebody who your whole group used to torture. I don't know much about you, but I kind of liked having you around tonight."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Steve gives him a tiny smile. His eyes are still wet with tears, and the smile doesn't come close to reaching them. He seems impossibly small here in Eddie's bed.

"I don't know man. I just wish-"

He cuts himself off, apparently deciding his words are too far, but Eddie urges him to keep talking.

"What do you wish Steve?"

"I just wish that... there was somebody out there I could have a future with. Somebody who actually loved me, you know?"

It might be the saddest thing Eddie's ever heard, and he blames that fact for what he does next.

He takes his hand off Steve's shoulders and instead hauls Steve closer to him, fitting the other boy against his chest and wrapping his arms around him. It's a move that might get him decked, but he doesn't think it will. And he'll be damned if he doesn't hug Steve right that second.

He doesn't get hit. Steve tenses for a second, but it's just that one instant before he's melting into the embrace.

Eddie feels more tears falling against his shirt, and he couldn't care less. He keeps Steve close, let's him cry into his chest, runs a hand through that famous mop of hair.

He isn't sure how long it takes for Steve to calm down, but eventually he does. His breathing evens out, and he shivers a little before speaking.

"Thanks man."

And Eddie takes another leap of faith.

"I could be that person, you know."

"What?"

"I mean. You know Im... not straight. It may not be exactly what you're wanting but. I think I could picture a future with you. If you want to, just for tonight...I could be that someone who loves you."

Steve looks at Eddie, like he's a puzzle that he needs to solve, before a other shiver seems to wrack his body.

"Just for tonight?"

It comes out as a whisper, but Eddie hears it all the same.

"Yeah. For tonight Steve."

"I think...I think I'd like that."

Eddie gives him the sweetest smile he can muster, and nods.

"Alright sweetheart."

Eddie isn't exactly sure what it means, to love Steve for the night. After all, Steve is straight. He figures it doesn't matter much though, it's only for a night.

He keeps a hold on Steve, let's him get comfortable tucked against Eddie, and he does what feels natural. He runs a hand up and down Steve's spine, traces shapes into the soft fabric of his shirt. He tangles their legs together, and in a moment of insane bravery he presses a kiss to the top of Steve's head.

He's met with a sigh, full of relief, and figures he's on the right track.

"Just close your eyes Stevie, I've got you."

"Can you tell me about it?"

"Hmmm?"

"The future. You said you could see one. Can you tell me?"

And he asks so carefully, he sounds almost afraid, Eddie can't say no to that.

"Do you want the fantasy future, or the realistic future?"

"The real one."

"Alright then. Well, if I'm not going to be a rich and famous rockstar...I'll probably graduate and get a job somewhere in town. A real job, maybe working on cars or something. I'm good with cars. You'd come over all the time, have dinners with me and with Wayne. You'd have to meet Wayne. And we'd have more nights like this, sleeping close."

Steve let's out a pleased sounding hum, and shifts his face so it's buried even closer in Eddie's neck. He can feel Steve's breath on him.

"We could save up money and get a little place together, somewhere outside Hawkins. I have to stay kind of close, for my uncle, but maybe Indy?"

Steve nods, mutters something about staying close 'just in case'. He sounds like he might fall asleep, so Eddie keeps going.

"We could get an apartment, nothing too fancy. We would get two rooms, so nobody gets suspicious, but we would share a bed most nights. I'd play with my band on weekends, just for fun, and you'd join some little local sports team. I'd make sure to schedule DND nights so that I never miss a single game, even though I don't understand a damn thing about sports. We would come home for holidays, but most of the time it would just be us. I'd take good care of you, make sure you never go more than a few hours without me telling you I love you. I'll show up wherever you're working just to give you a hug and a kiss, and make sure you don't forget it. And I'll annoy the hell out of, but you won't mind too much, because I'll make you happy too."

Eddie can think of more. He can think about so many things. How he could give Steve one of his rings, even if they couldn't legally get married, even if Steve would never want that. Just as another reminder that he's loved. They could take trips together and go out to parties where Steve will never have to worry about getting ditched. Eddie doesn't do things halfway, and he has a hell of an imagination. He could picture them growing old together, if he tried, if he let himself. But this is just for tonight, so he doesn't. Instead he runs a hand through Steve's hair again, and listens to his quiet breathing. He thinks he may have fallen asleep, but he's wrong.

"That sounds nice."

It comes out muffled, spoken into Eddie's neck, but he manages to make it out, and he let's the vibration of it sink into his skin.

*It's only for tonight.*

He has to remind himself, because Steve is just feeling lonely. He doesn't want that future with Eddie, he just wants to feel loved.

But even if it's just pretend, just to help Steve for a few hours, he's okay with that.

Steve may think he's broken, but Eddie thinks he would be easy to love for a long time. Loving him for one night is nothing. He doesn't even have to try.

Tomorrow Steve will wake up sober, and he'll thank Eddie for letting him stay over, and they won't talk about it. Eddie will drive Steve back to his car in silence, and they'll say their goodbyes. They may not talk ever again, they never had before.

But for tonight? Eddie Munson will love Steve Harrington, and Steve? He'll let himself be loved, let himself beleive it. And he'll love Eddie right back.

Just for one night.

And if Steve ever needs it again? Eddie will love him for another night. And Steve will give that love right back. He's got plenty to spare, after all. And there's far worse people he could share it with.

[undreaming-fanfiction]

Party Animal

Steve hated parties. And who could blame him? The infamous Halloween party of 1984 left more scars on his heart than he carried from all his other misadventures. Alcohol made people say thinks they buried deep inside, but then instead of owning up to them, they'd say "I was drunk", as if that was any excuse. So yes, Steve and parties didn't go together anymore.

And yet he stupidly decided to throw one anyway.

Look, they deserved it. All of them did - Eddie, Nancy, Robin, even Jonathan and Argyle, they all earned acting like actual teenagers for one evening. Steve wanted to see Eddie, now miraculously his boyfriend, just have fun, laugh, be silly. So a party it was.

It all went great - dancing, drinking, nibbling on mountains of Argyle's homemade pizza - but eventually they all got drunk. Not Steve, he just sipped one beer and kept an eye on everyone. Jonathan and Argyle were smoking outside, Nancy and Robin flirted in the most embarrassing way possible and Eddie...

Steve heard sniffling from the bathroom and his heart sank.

He didn't want to go there. He didn't want to be told that this was all a misunderstanding, that he pressured Eddie with his flirting, didn't want to hear he's bullshit again.

But no matter how terrified he was, he could never abandon Eddie. So he went in.

Eddie was leaning over the sink, wiping at his face and trying to control his breathing. "Shit..." he muttered and turned away from Steve. "Sorry, I...uh. I'll be there in a sec."

"Eddie..." It came out as a whisper. "Are...are you okay? Did I do something?"

Eddie just chuckled and pulled hair in front of his face. "Sure did," he mumbled.

And it made horrible sense to Steve. Of course he was the reason Eddie was crying. He couldn't help fucking up, he'd tried so hard to change but apparently it was 1984 all over again. So he took a deep breath and waited for the final blow.

"You're just perfect, Stevie."

Oh.

That wasn't what being broken up with sounded like. In fact, Eddie didn't seem angry at him at all. "...sorry?"

Eddie laughed, wet and high in his throat. "Like, you...you are too good to be true, you know? You throw a party for us and then you even don't drink so we're all cared for if anything happens? You...you give your best friend a green light to date your ex who shredded your heart to pieces? You invite the guy that your ex cheated on you with and his friend? You're just so good about it. And you're funny and so bitchy that I want to kiss you all the time. And I just...I love you so much, you know? And I've never felt that way about anyone and it's fucking scary, man."

Steve's racing thoughts came to a screching halt. Where he was too busy panicking and praying he'd still have time to fix whatever he did, now his brain settled on maybe I'm not getting broken up with? "So, uh..." he muttered as he watched Eddie try fix his eyeliner, "...there's, like, nothing wrong? Or maybe...do you want me to go slower? I know I can be a lot."

His boyfriend gave an incredulous laugh. There was no salvaging the eyeliner now, it was getting caught in Eddie's early crow feet, and Steve had never seen a more beautiful sight. "No, Steve. You're not a lot. In fact, you're just enough in every single way, but knowing that you're it for me, that good things can happen...it makes me terrified. I've never put all my drugs in a single lunchbox, or whatever metaphor you want to use for it, but with you I'm just throwing all the caution into the wind. And for the first time, I..." he stopped, chewing on his lip, "...I don't want to run away when I mess up. I want to stay, face the music and fix it. You're re-writing the Munson doctrine again and again and I just...I don't want you to settle for me, Steve. You are the whole package and I'm still cleaning all my messes. I guess today showed me that and I...yeah. Sorry about all this," he pointed at his tear-streaked face.

Eddie suddenly seemed so small, so insecure, and that wouldn't do. It woke Steve up from his frozen state and he took a step forward, cradling Eddie's face in his palms. "I'm not. Settling for you, that is." He was probably smudging the black even more, but Eddie would have been beautiful to him even fully covered in grime, and there were more important things to focus on. "Eddie, you keep talking about the Munson doctrine and being work in progress, but you don't see how you've thrown all the stuff I used to do out of the window, and I'm better for it. With you, I don't feel rushed, I don't have to perform or pretend. I can just live in the moment."

As he continued his speech, something strange started happening. Seeing people cry normally had a guaranteed effect on Steve - just one tear, quiet sob and he pushed his emotions down to be dealt with later or possibly never, someone needed him, and that was the priority. But now, staring at Eddie's wet eyes and shaky hands? He felt his own face crumbling and what better place to hide it than in Eddie's Metallica t-shirt. It smelled of cigarettes, pizza and the cheap laundry detergent that had come to mean home to Steve. "Sorry," he choked out. "Shit. I was...sorry, I'm supposed to be...you know. Consoling you. But I heard you crying and I thought...I..."

Eddie shook his head and tightened his grip on Steve's waist. "Oh Stevie. Whatever that pretty head of yours thought of, it's not happening. Unless it's kissing me, which duh, that's happening, if you want to of course, and staying with me to the point that you're sick of me."

Steve just whimpered into Eddie's shoulder, something that suspiciously sounded like "Now who's perfect, huh?"

His boyfriend just chuckled. "I guess that in a way, we both are. Maybe for each other?" If he'd aimed for self-deprecating tone, he failed. Instead, it was hopeful.

Steve didn't answer, but his embrace said it all.

They remained wrapped around each other for a long while, until Eddie whispered in Steve's ear: "how about we let the others celebrate on their own, hm? They won't be driving, their stuff is already in the guest bedrooms, and I hear your bed is wonderful this time of the year."

There was a muffled "yes" coming from Eddie's shoulder, and a few adjustments and "Good night!"s later, they found themselves in Steve's bedroom. Eddie managed to remove most of the rogue eyeliner, which was lucky. The time in the bathroom wasn't the last time he shed a tear that day, because as they were falling asleep, Steve said:

"You might be the first person who is dating the real me, and I'd like you to be the last one as well."

Tomorrow, he'd hold a funeral for the Munson doctrine. But today, he was going to wrap himself around Steve like a cuddly octopus and know that even if he doesn't manage to hold on tight the whole night, Steve would be there in the morning.

[jadeylovesmarvelxo]

Hey I seen you’re asking for some Eddie requests. I was wondering if I could request something really angsty where Eddie chooses someone else over reader (can be a happy ending or not) but I just want to hurt think I need it out my system 😂 please and thank you

Request by anon.

Angsty but with a happy ending (for reader)

♥️

The heartache you felt was like nothing else, you had thought that Eddie was interested in you, that there was a possibility the two of you might start dating.

Truly you had thought that the flirting between the two of you meant something more. Yet it didn't.

Instead of asking you on a date, Eddie had chosen to date Louise King.

In truth, you didn't even find out until school on Monday, the school was abuzz sigh gossip and your best friend Tina told you.

"Oh my god, did you hear about Louise and Eddie, she hooked up with the freak at Jason's party and they are together now. Like together together" her eyes light up with the absolute scandal of it all while you felt like your heart was being stamped on.

"What?" you whisper but Tina doesn't hear you and instead focuses on gossiping with Anna. You feel nauseated and decide to go and find Eddie, you don't have to look far, Louise is hanging off him like a limpet, she's all giggly and hyper.

"Uh, can we talk for a second Eddie. Um about our class project?" you didn't have one but it's the only way you figured you could speak to him.

Fortunately, he takes the hint and removes himself from Louise, he follows you to a more secluded area and you peer up at him confused.

"What's going on Eddie, I thought that you might have asked me out, that we had a spark but now I come to school and you're dating Louise?" you murmur and Eddie's eyes flicker with something you can't place before his face turns smooth and impassive.

"Yeah. Well, you thought wrong sweetheart, I'm not interested in you and never have been" he's so cold as he says this and you blink back tears.

"Right. So instead of telling me this, you lead me on and let me flirt with you like a fool to what? Stroke your ego? You're an asshole Eddie Munson. Exactly like Jason except he wouldn't even do this" you see the flash of hurt in his eyes but don't care and walk away from him.

Tough shit.

Finally, the tears fall freely.

❤️

After avoiding Eddie and Louise all day you head out of school in a rush to get home. Your heart is still aching and you just want to crawl in bed and cry everything out.

In your rush to get away, you stumble and drop your notes from class, wipe the tears away from your eyes and try to pick them all up. Fuck, stupid notes, stupid Eddie.

Someone helps you gather them all, you see tanned hands gather them quickly and when you peer up Steve is smiling at you. Oh... you smile shyly at him and say thanks.

"No problem honey, hey did you watch that movie last week that I recommended? Back to the future is a superior film" you giggle and shake your head.

"No, not yet" You swear that you can feel eyes on you but when you turn around no one is there.

Weird.

Steve is sweet and very flirty, actually flirting with you and making you laugh. It's a nice feeling after today and maybe things eventually might be okay?

Steve offers to drive you home and you nod still smiling. "Hey, you been crying?" he asks concerned and you shrug.

"Just thought this guy liked me. Turned out I was very wrong" The pain hits you again but you manage to ignore it. Steve frowns at this.

"Well then he's a dickhead and not worth your time, hey you wanna hang with me and Robin today?" Yes, yes you really would.

As you're leaving you don't notice Eddie leaning up against the wall and watching you and Steve leave together.

Even if you did well why should you care? Eddie made his bed so he would just have to lie in it.

❤️

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

Summary: Steve and Eddie bond over hating Billy Hargrove, and then they suck face.

Steve dove into the closet and leaned against the wall, sliding a broom through the handles of the storage closet. He sighed in relief as he leaned his head back. He froze and tensed up when a pair of boots appeared under the door. They stood there for a moment before stomping away. Steve moved back into the storage closet and turned around to find the light. Suddenly, it came on, and Eddie Munson was staring at him, only inches away from his face. Steve jumped and stopped himself from screaming outloud.

"Did you just lock me in here with you?" Eddie asked.

"Sorry, Hargrove is out there, and I do not want to face him," Steve said quickly.

"Keep that fucking broom exactly where it is then," Eddie said and slid to the floor. "And have a seat."

He patted the floor next to him, and Steve plopped down beside him.

"You hate him too?" Steve asked.

"With all my fucking heart," Eddie said. "Honestly, a little scared of the guy too."

"He's definitely a psychopath. I don't enjoy the way he stares at me or follows me. Normally, I wouldn't have a problem if a guy has a crush on me but this guy. . . Especially ones who nearly murdered me. . . Well, if it anyone else, I'd be asking for his number, but his personality is way too ugly," Steve said.

"So, you don't really care who knows that you like guys?" Eddie asked.

"I like both and no, not really. I figured you would be safe with the hanky and all," Steve replied.

"Oh, that's just a cool metalhead thing. Does it mean something?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah," Steve grinned.

"Damn. Okay, well, that explains some things then," Eddie blinked. "Not that I'm complaining or anything because I like both too. It took me a while to figure that out."

"We all figure things out on our own time. We get there eventually," Steve shrugged.

"Yeah," Eddie said softly. "I never thought I'd meet someone exactly like me, though. Bisexual. I mean, there's Hargrove, but I'd rather gouge my own eyes out. You know, most people think we have the same taste in music. Sure, he listens to heavy metal, but what that jackass mostly listens to is glam metal like Motley Crue. He's a Tommy Lee wannabe douchebag. Normally, I respect all music but I hate Tommy Lee."

"He dresses like a douchebag too," Steve said. "He's abusive to everyone, including his own stepsister. He's racist too. I had to pull him off one of the kids I babysit. He nearly caved my face in."

"He's a fucking monster. His father's just as monstrous, I heard, but it doesn't justify him passing it on, especially if it's his kid stepsister. Honestly, I'd rather have you back as king," Eddie said.

"Seriously?" Steve asked.

"If you think you were bad, think again. I wouldn't even classify you as a bully. You actually tried to keep some of those jocks in line," Eddie said.

"I just never thought it was all that funny that they did that. It never made sense," Steve said.

"Well, then, it makes you a million times smarter than they are, big boy," Eddie said, nudging him.

"You know, I think he's probably gone by now," Steve said.

"Or he's lying in wait," Eddie whispered, leaning in close to whisper in his ear.

Steve could feel his breath against his skin, and he shuddered. Eddie placed a hand on his leg and caressed his knee gently.

"What are you doing?" Steve asked softly.

"Getting closer to you, it's kind of scary out there," Eddie said coyly. "What's your favorite kind of music?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure if I have a favorite kind. It's kind of all over. I don't really lean towards one genre. I do, really like Queen and Bob Seger," Steve said.

"That's respectable. Queen always rules," Eddie said. "I've listened to Bob myself."

Eddie moved his hand from his knee to his chest, rubbing his ringed fingers against Steve gently. He was practically snuggled against Steve’s side. Steve looked down at his hand before finally looking at him. Their faces were very close now, their lips almost touching.

"There's something that I didn't tell you," Eddie whispered.

"What?" Steve asked.

"What eventually led me to realize I liked both. . .is you," Eddie said.

"Yeah?" Steve asked hopefully.

"Yeah."

Steve leaned forward and closed the distance between them, his lips pressing against Eddie's in a soft, tender kiss. Eddie moved against him, cupping the back of his head and pulling him deeper into the kiss. Steve opened his mouth, allowing Eddie's tongue inside. It wasn't enough for Eddie, however. He needed to be closer to Steve. He threw his leg over Steve and straddled his waist as he sunk down into his lap. Eddie gasped and licked into Steve’s mouth as he gripped the nape of his neck. Steve broke the kiss, gasping for breath.

"Freshman Steve is screaming inside me right now," Steve said.

"Wait. . .you've had a crush on me since you were a freshman?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah."

"Loser," Eddie cackled and kissed him deeply while Steve laughed against his lips.

Steve broke the kiss again, grinning.

"We should probably leave before we develop a problem," Steve said.

"But Steve, what if he's still out there?" Eddie asked and paused. "Besides, what if I want to develop a problem?"

Steve laughed and leaned his forehead against Eddie's.

"If he's still out there, I'll protect you," he said teasingly.

"Steve Harrington, my hero. Well, come on, big boy, let's face the music," Eddie said.

They stood up and slid the broom out of the handle. They opened the door and slowly walked out of the closet. They looked both ways down the empty hallway. The coast was clear.

"Wait, why were you hiding in the closet?" Steve asked.

"I hook up with the janitor sometimes," Eddie replied.

"You do not! Art is a happily married man," Steve said.

"Okay, so, I don't," Eddie cackled and paused. "Wait, why are you on a first name basis with the janitor?"

"I eat in the storage closet sometimes," Steve said. "When I can't use my car."

"Not anymore. Art is going to have to be disappointed. You're sitting at our table from now on," Eddie said. "Jesus H Christ, storage closet and your car? I want to eat your face."

They walked down the empty hallway, their pinkies brushing up against each other's occasionally.

[steddieas-shegoes]

if i could turn back time

for @steddieholidaydrabbles prompt 'time travel' rated t wc: 997 cw: mention of canonical character death tags: fix-it, light angst, happy ending, first kiss

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

"I'm telling you Robin, this is probably when things went wrong!"

"And I'm telling you, things probably went wrong in the 60s! This isn't gonna change anything!"

Eddie shouldn't have been listening by the door of the RV, especially not when they thought he was hiding in the back, but he couldn't help his curious nature.

Curiosity killed the cat, but it entertained the banished.

"What are you gonna do, huh? Stay with him and Dustin? Sacrifice yourself? I'm not letting you do that!"

Eddie's brows raised.

"No, but with the three of us, we can remember to close everything off this time so none of us have to sacrifice ourselves. It keeps us all safe."

The voice suddenly stopped and Eddie barely managed to get away from the door before it was flying open and Steve was storming inside.

Alone.

Robin must have gone to help the kids and Nancy with their weapons.

Steve sat down on the couch, put his head in his hands, and groaned.

"Alright there, big boy?"

Steve jumped, his face turning to see Eddie awkwardly standing in the doorway to the back.

"Fine, yeah. Just stressed," Steve relaxed a bit, though Eddie could still see his white knuckles against his knees and his jaw clenching.

"You and Robin having a lover's quarrel out there?" Eddie asked, knowing damn well they weren't together.

He didn't have to know to know that Robin wasn't interested in Steve for the same reason Eddie wasn't interested in Robin.

"We just don't see eye to nose on some things," Steve shrugged. "She knows I'm right, she's just stubborn."

Ignoring the eye to nose comment would go down as one of the most impressive feats of Eddie's life, but he decided to focus on finding out what they were actually arguing about.

"She thinks you're gonna get hurt?" Eddie asked, moving over to the couch.

"More like killed."

Eddie couldn't hide the flinch at his harsh words.

"None of us are gonna die, man. We've got a plan."

"Yeah," Steve sighed. "I'd feel better if I was with you and Dustin though."

"I won't let anything happen to him," Eddie said softly.

He knew how much Steve cared for Dustin, felt that same protectiveness for the kid.

"It's not him I'm worried about."

"I'll be fine. I mean, even if not, it's not like we're friends. You'll all be fine," Eddie shrugged.

Maybe a part of him actually believed that, believed that everyone would go about their days if something happened to him. He didn't think anyone but Wayne would actually miss him, and he'd be fine eventually.

Steve was blinking at him.

"No, we won't." Steve's hand grabbed his knee, squeezing. "You think you don't matter to us, but you do. You have no idea how much you mean to everyone. When something happens to you, none of us will ever be the same."

Eddie's mouth felt dry, and then it hit him what Steve said.

"When?"

Steve's eyes widened.

"I meant if!"

"Steve. Does this magic girl you keep talking about know something? Did someone talk to her?" Eddie stood up and started pacing. "I know I said it'd be fine if something happened to me, but I'd rather not know. And now I'm thinkin' you might know something I don't and maybe Robin does too and-"

Steve grabbed his face between his hands, his grip almost hard enough to leave a bruise.

"Eds, I promise you, I am not letting anything happen to you. Not this time."

Eddie had a million questions, but as he looked into Steve's haunted eyes, he decided to wait.

He decided to trust Steve Harrington.

"Okay. Nothing's gonna happen to me."

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

When Eddie made it back through the gate in the trailer, a few bruises on his shoulders and arms, but alive, Steve was there.

Looking at him in a way Eddie couldn't quite recognize.

And then touching him in a way Eddie wouldn't have expected.

His hands were everywhere, feeling along his arms and neck and shoulders, taking inventory of his bruises and cuts, the one bite mark he had on his side.

"You're okay?" He asked breathlessly.

"I'm okay." Eddie responded, just as breathless. "Steve. I'm okay."

His tone made Steve stop what he was doing and look in his eyes.

"Fuck, Eddie," Steve fell into him, pushing his face into his neck, breathing Eddie in as Eddie wrapped his arms around him.

"You gonna tell him or should I?" Robin asked from behind them.

Steve just whimpered in response and Eddie felt a wetness against his skin.

"Are you crying?" he asked, trying to push him away to see if he was okay, but Steve just held him harder.

"He's just happy you didn't die this time," Robin said.

"This time?"

"Yeah. You died the first time and it destroyed him. When we woke up back here, he spent so long trying to focus on you living, he forgot we had a real job to do. No offense."

"None taken," Eddie said. "Stevie, you gotta breathe."

Steve had started gasping for air against him, his whole body shaking as he came down from the adrenaline.

It took ten minutes, a cleared out room, and gentle hands massaging his back for Steve to calm down.

But Eddie sat with him and held him, talked him through whatever he was feeling and assuring him that he was okay.

"We all made it, sweetheart," Eddie whispered against the top of his head.

Steve stiffened in his arms, then instantly relaxed.

"Was it..." Eddie let out a long breath. "Before. When I died. Were we something?"

Steve shook his head and Eddie tried not let the disappointment be visible.

"We weren't yet. But I think we would have been. I wanted to be. Didn't get the chance."

"But this time you do."

Steve's lips pressed against his collar, lingering for a minute before he pulled back.

"This time we do."

[stevesbipanic]

Happy birthday Liam!!!! @withacapitalp love U hope U enjoy ya lil pressie.

When Steve was young he loved exploring the woods behind his house. It was quiet there, peaceful. He liked looking up into the trees, watching the birds pass between their branches. One day he found a small pond near his favourite clearing. He watched the little fish and insects swim around, the frogs and the tadpoles. He would lay down on the grass and listen to the splashes of the pond and the wind and the birds and just breathe.

He went there as often as he could, he felt like himself there. One day, as he lay peacefully on the ground, the sun was suddenly blocked from his vision. He blinked his eyes open only to be startled by another boy standing over him.

"Hi!" The boy exclaimed, undeterred by the look of shock on Steve's face. The other boy had a wide grin, his front teeth were missing a hole that matched the ones in his jeans.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Eddie, I'm looking for frogs have you seen any?"

Steve glanced over to his pond, "Maybe, why are you looking for them?"

"I like watching them jump!" Eddie giggled. Steve cracked a smile at this, happy to hear the boy wished no harm upon his friends.

"C'mon there's lots of frogs over here," Steve replied grabbing Eddie's hand and pulling him closer to the pond.

The boys spent the day running around the clearing, watching the frogs and imitating their hops. Steve felt free, he felt whole. Eventually the sun began to set and the boys had to say goodbye.

"You'll be here tomorrow won't you?"

"All summer long, Eds."

But Steve wouldn't be back tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after that. You see when Steve returned home the evidence of his travels were written on his clothes. Grass stains, tears in his jeans, mud on his face and sticks in his hair. His mother was furious and forbid Steve from ever returning to the woods. Steve spent his days at Tommy's house for the rest of the summer.

When school returned Steve looked for Eddie but the boy seemed elusive, it was too late, Steve would never have that one perfect day again.

Years passed and the memory of that summer faded, Steve didn't return to the woods even after his parents stopped returning to their house.

Until one day, a month after the events of Starcourt Mall, Steve awoke in the early morning from a nightmare. His body moved on instinct as he quickly dressed and ran out the back door and jumping the fence. His body kept moving as he mind begged to feel safe. Eventually he stopped and crashed to the ground in sobs.

The pond laid before him, the soft splashes soothed him until only silent tears ran down his face.

"Harrington?"

Steve turned, on edge once more, and there he was, taller now, teeth grown back but Eddie Munson was here in their spot again.

"Eddie."

"Are you okay?" Eddie's opinion on Steve had soured in the years since that summer, but it didn't stop him craving the Steve Harrington he first met, the one he first loved and now he could see that Steve in the crying boy before him.

"Yeah, yeah um, I'm fine."

"Ok." Eddie knew he was lying but didn't want to push. He sat down beside Steve watching the pond.

"What're you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? You're the one that never came back Steve." The hurt from years ago bit through Eddie's words.

"I'm sorry, I wanted to but my parents stopped me." Eddie could understand that, he knew bad parents and while different the Harringtons were no less bad than his own.

"You're here now I guess."

"Sorry I'm late."

"It's ok, sweetheart, wasn't waiting long." Steve smiled at the name.

The boys sat and watched the frogs jump around the pond until Steve breathed easier. When they parted ways Steve echoed the question he was asked all those years ago.

"You'll be here tomorrow won't you?"

"All summer long, Stevie."

This time, they kept their promise.

[saint-ajax]

lowkey

“I WISH TO SEE YOUR LOVELY SMILE.” Wanda had heard from the wonderful mind of her clandestine significant other who sat across her. She knew Wanda could read her mind or hear her thoughts, which is why she whispered little cheers for her. While the Secretary of State discussed the accords that half of the Avengers seemed to disagree with.

   She knows what Wanda's going through right now, and she wants nothing but to be there for her. Wanda forced a little smile for her to assure her she was fine. Before she looked away to read a book Ross had handed them. 

   She was solely focused on Wanda. She was watching how her expressions changed as she read the book before handing it to Natasha. She didn’t care about the material everyone was frowning on and passed it to Steve when he asked for it.

  “Everything okay? ” She asked Wanda in her mind. When Wanda looked at her, she met Wanda's gaze with worry. She subtly shook her head, indicating that she didn’t know.

   In a world where saving people could paint you as the hero and the enemy at the same time, where chaos and battles are the muse of the system, they could only find peace and order in each other’s company.

   Perhaps no one in the room truly knows what’s between the two of them. Perhaps it’s forbidden, or it may not be. But the holy truth is that they do not care for it. 

   To feel, to hold, to cry, and to laugh beside one another is all they care about. For as long as the world can only bring anything but unkind nature to them, they will always lean on and seek each other.

   The meeting was left with an indefinite answer, which Secretary Ross and the United Nations wished for them to create a smart and cooperative decision.

   Everyone was gathered in the living room. They were scattered around to discuss the proposal of leaders from different nations. Yet she was only worried that Wanda was blaming herself for an inevitable incident. 

   She sat in between Vision and Wanda. The atmosphere was getting heated the more the group dove into the conflict they were challenged to solve. Meanwhile, Wanda listened to what the veterans had to say, while her girlfriend was busy watching and playing with her slender hands. Entwining their fingers and placing them in between their thighs to hide them from everyone's view.

   Wanda was used to her gestures like this one, and so she wasn't fazed as she absorbed the points everyone had to point out. Finally, she was all caught up.

   “You're saying they'll come for me.” 

   “I wouldn't let them. I will protect you.” Wanda gazed at her as she squeezed her hand three times and gave her a reassuring smile.

   “We all will protect you.” Vision had commented on the side as they continued to exchange thoughts.

   She rubbed Wanda's hands with her thumb as they continued the discussion until Steve left. “I have to go.”

   Everyone followed after Steve to attend their respective errands. 

   The look Tony gave Wanda before asking Vision to talk in private did not escape her sight. They spent the whole afternoon in Wanda's room as she remained suspicious of it. Eventually, she had to chase Natasha to borrow a car for the late-night drive she planned. 

   “Nat?”

   “Yeah?”

   “Where are you going? ”

   “Attend a conference. Why? ”

   “Can I borrow a car? ”

   “Sure.” Natasha tossed her keys before leaving. 

   “Thanks.” She ran back upstairs to see Vision cooking and Wanda tasting it.

   “Spirit lifted.”

   She stood by the hall as she watched the two exchange laughter. Something inside her spiked and poked her, and it felt close to pain. And anger. She shook her head to get those thoughts out of her head before having the courage to steal their attention.

   “Hey, Wands, ready? ” 

   “Oh, yes. I'm sorry.” Wanda immediately went to her. Something about watching Vision frown upon Wanda coming to her instead of him was satisfying.

   “Apologies, but may I know where you're going? ” 

   None of your business. “Don't worry, Vis; I just want to show her something. We'll be quick.” She didn't even bother to hear what he had to say and carried Wanda away with her, hand in hand.

   Wanda didn't protest, and she let her drag her away. “I heard that,” she remarked.

   “Surprising.” She scoffed as she played with the keys.

   Wanda frowned at her attitude. “What's wrong, darling? ”She was supposed to ignore it, but Wanda made them stop walking and made her face her.

   “Talk to me properly. You're not letting me into your head. I can't understand.”

   “Nothing's wrong.” She avoided her gaze as she denied the truth.

   “I'm not asking again.” Wanda took her hand back harshly and crossed her arms. 

   “Fine. It's.. it's Vision..   and you.”

   “What's wrong with Vision and me? ”

   “Nothing! See? Nothing wrong. Let's go.”

   “Are you jealous? ”Wanda squinted at her when she finally put the puzzle pieces together.

   She puffed air as an act of dismissing her accusation. “No. I'm not.” Me? Jealous of a synthezoid? No way.

  “Darling, you are jealous . ” Wanda smiled to hide her laughter at her charming girl.

   She rolled her eyes. “Yeah? What if I am? ”

   “I like it. Even though you have nothing to be jealous of.”

   “I was trying all day to lift your mood, but with him, one paprika, and you're all giggling like a little girl,” she frowned. Now that she thought about it, it actually hurt.

   “Oh, baby, you have no idea how calm you've made me the entire day.” Wanda had cupped her face for her to directly look into her emerald eyes. “I have been on edge all day, and you've kept me sane.” And there it was; her lovely smile had finally shown up, and it was beautifully contagious.

   Wanda looking so pretty and smiling while staring into her eyes made her knees weak and her cheeks pink. “You have to stare at me like that? ”

   “Like what? ”

   “Like you want to kiss me.” Wanda let out a wholehearted laugh. It was a scene to behold. She watched the redhead with shiny eyes, appreciating her beauty when she smiled.

   “Oh, you know very well how to read my mind,” Wanda uttered before pulling her into a kiss that sent butterflies into her stomach.

   She received the kiss well and responded with the strong passion they both possess. Their lips were crashing in sync as their heads angled in a pattern while their hands roamed.

   “Oh, there you are—” They both stopped and looked at the owner of the voice, which interrupted them. It was Vision. “Oh...” He tilted his head as he studied what was happening. He blinked it away and proceeded to state his business. “I'm glad to catch both of you. I'm afraid you're not allowed to leave the building.”

   “Let me guess, Tony's orders? ”She said, making Wanda frown in confusion as she looked at her.

   “Correct,” Vision responded. 

   “That's not happening.” Another familiar voice came from the other side, and when they looked, they saw Clint. “Come on, kids, pack your bags. I'm here to pick you up.”

   “I'm afraid I can't let them go.” Vision begged to differ. 

   “Oh my god! What are you doing here? ”Wanda said in surprise.

   “Disappointing my kids.”

   “In whose orders, Clint? ”

   She questioned.

   “Captain. Cap needs our help. Come on.” She looked into Wanda's eyes to consult their plan. Wanda looked hesitant.

   “What's wrong? ”

   “I’ve caused enough problems.” She and Clint frowned at Wanda.

   “You gotta help me, Wanda. Look, you want to mope, can go to high school. You wanna make amends, you get off your ass. We gotta go.”

   “Come on, Wanda. It'll be okay.” The girl holding Wanda's hand and giving her assuring eyes and comfort was what helped to convince her.

   Wanda nods and lets her drag her along as they follow Clint. “Stop! Clint.. You should not be here.” Vision interrupts and Clint rolls his eyes.

   “Really? I retire for, what, like five minutes, and it all goes to shit.“

   “Please consider the consequences of your actions.” He started to elevate as he turned his guard on.

   “Okay.. they're considered.   Okay, we gotta go.” They immediately turned their backs on Vision while he was held back by a force field. It was sparkling and crackling between the two arrows. None of them had the time to notice when Clint had shot them.

   Just as they reach the exit, Vision catches up to them. As they were caught off guard, he punched Clint, but he quickly recovered. “I knew I should've stretched.” Clint groaned.

   He extended a baton in an attempt to hit Vision, but it was useless as the blows went through him. He resorts to punches and comes back to the baton until it breaks. Clint doesn't give up and tries to kick Vision, but as expected, his kicks pass through him. They ended up with Vision having Clint in a headlock. Completely naive about the existence of the two ladies.

   “Clint, you cannot overpower me.”

   He was still able to speak, but it was crooked. “I know I can't, but they can.”

   Vision's eyes found Wanda's glowing ruby orbs. “Vision.. That's enough; let him go.” As the energy from Wanda's hands falters Vision, Clint manages to slip from his grip.

   A yellow, sparkling circle opened beneath Vision caused by her. The body of water in the area of HQ was seen on the other side of the portal.

   “If you do this… they will never stop being afraid of you.”

   “The thing is... She cannot control their fear,” the sorcerer answers Vision.

   “Only my own.” Wanda buries Vision through the water and passes the ground, and her sorcerer closes the portal just in time for the water to not splash at them.

   She finds Wanda's eyes; their glow is starting to fade as she calms down. She walks over to her and holds her hand. “I'm proud of you,” she whispers as she touches her chin to make Wanda look at her.

   She managed to make Wanda smile lightly and entwine their fingers together. “Thank you.”

   “...Alright, what the hell is this? ”She and Wanda forgot about Clint and looked at him before chuckling lightly. “What has Nat been teaching you two? ”

   “Looking over my shoulder should be a second nature. And I’m starting to think she's right.” Wanda chuckled at her own remark of being caught in the moment and kept forgetting there were people with them.

   “So, you two? together? ”Clint asked to confirm.

   Both of the ladies chuckled as they held hands and followed Clint to the van.

   “Lowkey.”

[luveline]

Since we’ve seen zombie au with Steve may we have a little something of vampire!eddie?

Sorry I don’t have any sort of plot in mind, I just think vampire!eddie is cool :)

thank u for your request! vampire!eddie x ditzy!reader

"Eddie," you say, in that meandering way you do, like talking is a pastime with no urgent goal at the end, "one of your friends is in the bathroom."

Eddie blinks, the spoon in his hand quickly put back into the bowl of cereal it had risen from. "What?" 

"One of your friends is in the bathroom," you say, and only now does he notice you have soap all over your face. Suds in your brows and the baby hairs of your hairline, across the soft hill of your chin and at your nostrils. 

"Baby, you've half-washed your face. Come here." 

You sit at the dining table beside him and Eddie sets to work, one hand on your thigh, the other your face as he dabs the soap away with his hoodie sleeve. Your eyes flutter closed at his gentle touches. Eddie feels satisfaction in knowing you trust him to be so close while you're unguarded. You've never been scared of him, but Eddie is scary. He can hear your heart slow as he finishes, and that's when he wonders why it had been beating quickly to begin with.

He tries not to listen to your heart. It plagues him when he's hungry, and it feels like a strange invasion of privacy. "Sorry, it's freaky, but I can hear your heart–" 

"Sorry for what?" you ask. 

Eddie shakes his head fondly and chucks you under the chin. He wants to go back to his cereal, but he continues, "What has your pulse up?" 

"I told you, baby, there's a friend in the bathroom." 

Eddie knows better than to expect an explanation. He puts his bowl of cereal in front of you in case you're hungry, kisses the top of your head, and goes to investigate the bathroom. 

Eddie's shocked as he opens the door. The bathroom is in extreme disarray, which isn't unusual for you typically but he cleaned it last night, and you may be scatterbrained but you don't often leave the faucet blasting hot water full pelt. He turns it off, collects the pile of tipped laundry on the floor, and wonders how best to ask you if you're feeling alright when he notices something alarmingly large. Your soapy face is explained, as well as your quick-beating heart. You must've seen what he's seeing and run away. 

"Holy fuck," he says, flinching back hard into washing machine. "Holy fuck! What the fuck is that?" 

"So you've found your friend?" you ask from the hallway. 

Eddie scrambles sideways out of the bathroom and into the hall with you, almost knocking the bowl of cereal clean from your hands. "That thing is not my friend." 

"What? I thought you liked spiders, they subsist off of the same kinds of things," you murmur, a little drop of milk at the corner of your mouth. You lick it away absentmindedly.

"A spider could slap my ass and hand me a cheque for a million bucks and I still wouldn't like him," Eddie denies, peering into the bathroom cautiously. The Spider had been hanging down from a web and nearly as big as Eddie's hand. He's not making friends with that. "And how about you, huh? I thought you liked spiders? You keep enough of them." 

Sometimes you'll keep a spider inside of a mason jar for artistic purposes, sketching them before setting them free. "Yeah, Eds, I like spiders," you say around your spoon, "not tarantulas." 

He waves a hand at you, vaguely irritated. You giggle and offer him a spoonful of cereal, which he accepts. The two of you stand and chew with your backs against the bannister, staring at the bathroom door. Too afraid to look away, and too afraid to go back inside. 

"Wanna seal it off?" he asks eventually, morosely, knowing he's not brave enough to go and deal with it. 

"Yes." You scrape the bottom of the bowl with the spoon. "We could call Steve?" 

"I'm not calling Steve." 

"Okay. Hey, this could be good for us. Peeing outside connects you to nature, or something." 

Eddie sighs and rubs his pale face. He's way too hungry to deal with this, for both cereal and something less family friendly. He can't tell you, though. You keep offering to let him bite you. "Alright," he sighs. "I'll call Harrington." 

"Then you'll have two friends in the bathroom," you say, nearly to yourself as you begin down the stairs, "like a party. I'll go make you some more cereal." 

"Thanks, sweetheart," Eddie says with a relieved laugh, closing the bathroom door and drawing a cross against the woodgrain.

He doesn't notice the shadow of his definitely-not-friend as it squeezes under the doorway.

[you-aint-gotta-pray-for-me]

Hell on Earth: Chapter 1

words: 2.7k

pairing: Steve Harrington x ex-friend!Henderson!reader (eventually romantic- could be called a slow burn I guess, but they're not together right now, there's some bad blood, just read it man I suck at summarizing T_T)

summary: Things do not seem normal in simple, down-to-earth town Hawkins, Indiana. With Will Byers missing, tensions rise while the mystery claims another victim.

timeline: set in season one right after Will goes missing

warnings: language, bending of canon, fic from reader's pov (3rd person will be there as well, will warn before a pov change if there is one)

a/n: hey guys! so, I see you have found the first part of Hell on Earth :) This is a Steve x reader, yes, I promise we will get there and it'll be awesome when we do, but as much as it is a reader insert Steve slash fic, this is also an actual Stranger Things spin-off story that I'm writing, meaning there will be a lot of focus on the actual plot along with steve and reader's relationship. Also yes, reader is Dustin's older sister.

Reader POV

Will Byers was the kind of kid you wouldn't know was missing until you looked for him. He didn't bother anybody, just kept to himself and his little group doing whatever it is kids these days do, you know? He was a simple, soft-spoken kid, the last person you would wish danger upon. So when I heard that he'd gone missing, I was as confused as I was worried.

"And he was with you when you cycled back home?"

"Yes, Jesus Christ (Y/n), for the millionth time. Yes."

"Don't get annoyed you little shit, I'm trying to help you here."

"Oh, excuse me for getting worried because my best friend is freaking missing."

"Dustin! Don't talk to your sister like that!" I heard Mom scream at us from the living room, oblivious to any context. I mean, he was right to get annoyed with me. His exasperated look at Mom's comment told me he thought the same thing. I just shook my head in understanding. What more can I do?

"Listen, I know you want to go looking for him, I would too, but you can't go on your own. I need you to promise me you won't go on your own, okay? Wait after school, and we'll go together."

"You get off school like two hours after I do, what am I supposed to do, sit and scream his name from my room and hope he shows up? Come on, man. That's bullsh-"

"Dustin."

"What?"

I stared at him, hoping my disapproving-but-concerned-older-sister look told him what he needed to hear. It did.

"Fine. 2 hours. A minute late and I'm going off on my own."

"Deal," I said, knowing full well that I'd have to ditch Algebra II. I wasn't complaining, though. Staring at a newly painted wall and waiting for it to dry would be more interesting than Algebra II.

Later that day

I had exactly 5 minutes to bolt before Algebra II started. I went to my locker and hurriedly rammed all my shit inside when I noticed my locker neighbor Barbara coming towards hers. We'd make conversation when we're at our lockers and smile and wave when we saw each other in the hallway. Outside of that, I didn't really know her all too well.

"Algebra II?"

"Nah, I'm ditching. I promised my brother I'd help him with some stuff."

"Lucky," she sighed. "I can't believe I need to sit through Mr Treeger's bullshit for 2 hours."

"You are welcome to join me if you'd like," I offered with a grin. "Algebra II can be soul-sucking."

"Thank you, really, but I can't leave Nancy hanging. Besides, we've got this thing later as well and, yeah, it's a whole thing, don't bother," she explained.

"Suit yourself, Barb." I shut my locker and almost left before I heard her voice again.

"I mean, if you need notes or anything, I could- uh- I could take them for you? If you want?" she said, almost like she wasn't sure I would take her up on her offer.

"I would love that, actually. Where do you live?"

"Uh, I think I’ll be at Steve’s party later. At the Harrington's. You know the place?" She shifted her books like they suddenly weighed too much. Her expression said she wasn't entirely looking forward to this.

Hearing Steve's name threw me slightly on edge. When you grow up with somebody and you fall out with them, you don't exactly forget things about them. I practically spent half my life at his house. I practically spent half my life with him. So, yes. I definitely knew the place.

"Y-yeah. I do"

"Great, I'll have it ready, then."

"Barb, you are literally an angel." I hurriedly gave her an impromptu hug and rushed outside to get to my car, where I saw Jonathan Byers handing out missing posters. His shoulders sagged under the weight of the stack in his hands and he looked like he hadn't slept in days. I can only imagine what he and Mrs Byers were going through.

I hesitated for a second before walking up to him. I knew Jonathan from Dustin hanging out with Will. We weren't close friends or anything, but someone had to say something. His hands trembled slightly as he stapled one of the posters onto the community board near the lot, his eyes darting nervously like he was waiting for Will to suddenly appear and tell him it was all a joke.

"Hey, Jonathan."

He flinched at my voice, turning to me with an exhausted half-smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"Hey," he mumbled.

I nodded at the posters in his hands. "Any updates? Are the cops, like… actually doing anything?"

"They found his cycle a few minutes from Mirkwood. So that's... yeah. That's it, I guess?"

"What are they thinking?"

He hesitated, glancing down at the posters like he thought they might hold some kind of answer. "They think he might’ve run away, but that’s not Will. He wouldn’t just… leave."

I nodded slowly. "Yeah, I don’t buy that either. Will’s not the type to just take off. He’s… dependable, you know?"

Jonathan looked at me for a moment, his expression softening just a little. "Thanks."

I shrugged, kicking at a loose rock on the ground. "For what? Telling the truth?"

"For… caring, I guess," he said, turning back to his work.

I watched him for a second longer, the weight of the whole situation sinking in deeper. "Let me know if you need help. With the posters or anything else."

Jonathan nodded, his focus back on the board. "Thanks," he said again, so quiet I almost missed it.

I didn’t know what else to say, so I just turned and walked back to my car, leaving him to keep stapling the same plea for help over and over.

I drove back home and Dustin was practically at the edge of his seat, looking like he was at the verge of explosion.

"What the hell took you so long?"

"Jesus Christ, I'm right on time. Give me a break."

He continued to yell at me about how time is of the essence. I held up a hand to calm him down. "Relax, I’m here now, aren’t I? Anyway, listen. They found some stuff near Mirkwood."

That got his attention. His eyes widened, his mouth snapping shut mid-rant. "What kind of stuff?"

I sat down across from him, leaning forward so Mom couldn’t overhear from the kitchen. "They found his bike. Just abandoned on the side of the road. No tracks, no clues, nothing else. It’s like he just… vanished."

Dustin’s face fell, his usual confident bravado cracking under the weight of what I’d just told him. "His bike?" he echoed, voice smaller now.

"Yeah. Cops are calling it ‘strange circumstances.’ I’m calling it suspicious as hell."

He nodded, jaw tightening as his brain started working overtime. "Okay. Okay, so that means he didn’t run away. Someone- or something- took him."

I flinched a little at how easily he jumped to "something." This was Hawkins. Strange wasn’t on the table.

"Dustin, don’t get carried away. Let’s stick to facts. We know where his bike was, and that’s it. But you promised me you wouldn’t do anything stupid, remember?"

He rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. "Fine. But we need to check it out. Together."

I sighed, knowing there was no talking him out of it. "Together. No sneaking off without me, got it?"

"Got it," he said, though I could tell from his tone he was already planning something.

A couple hours later

"So that was fucking useless."

"Dustin, come on. Don't be like that."

"We found nothing, (Y/n)! He's out there, probably being tortured for all we know, and we found literally nothing."

"Don't jump to conclusions. Yes, we don't know anything now. But we are not the only people looking. Okay?"

"I'm telling you. We should look for him right around when he went missing."

"No way I'm letting you go out there at 10 pm unsupervised. Mom would gut me."

"I won't be unsupervised if you're with me."

"Dustin," I sighed, slightly annoyed at how he wouldn't level with me at all. "Whatever happened to Will could be bigger than us. If it's something we can't handle, I don't want us to go all in with literally no information."

"Oh, come on! but-"

"No buts. Sit this one out. I am begging you. At least until we know something."

Even though he begrudgingly agreed, his words stuck with me. I hated the idea of him sneaking off on his own, but I also couldn’t shake the feeling that he was right. If there were answers out there, they wouldn’t come to us- we had to go to them. And if I knew Dustin at all, I knew exactly what that meant. He’d go anyway.

The only way for me to deal with this was to either find something before he did or supervise, just in case. And both those options required me to be out in the woods in the dead of the night. Perfect. I remembered that I had to stop by to see Barb so it won't all be for nothing.

The glow of streetlights flickered against the windshield as I pulled up to the Harringtons' house. The faint hum of music and muffled laughter carried through the warm night air, the telltale signs of a Steve Harrington classic. For a moment, I hesitated, fingers gripping the steering wheel. It had been a while since I’d set foot here, and it felt strange- nostalgic in a way that made my chest tight. I didn't like it.

I stepped out of the car and walked around the side of the house, avoiding the main door. I wasn’t here for the party, and I definitely wasn’t in the mood to exchange awkward hellos with people who probably didn’t even remember my name. Also, I might punch Tommy and Carol just because.

The backyard was bathed in the eerie blue glow of the pool lights. It was quieter here, the party sounds muffled by the distance. Sitting by the pool, her legs dangling lazily in the water, was Barb. She was hunched over slightly, fiddling with the strap of her watch, looking as out of place as I felt.

"Hey," I called softly, not wanting to startle her.

She looked up, her face lighting up with a small, relieved smile. "Oh, hey! You made it."

"Yeah," I said, walking over and sitting beside her on the cool concrete. "Figured I’d pick up those notes before your night gets too crazy," I said before I noticed her poorly bandaged hand bloody hand.

"Holy shit, you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, it's... nothing. I'm okay."

"Partied too hard?"

Barb scoffed, glancing over her shoulder at the house. "Yeah, not exactly my scene. Nancy’s inside with Steve. I’m just... taking a break."

I nodded, leaning back on my palms and staring at the pool. Nancy's inside with Steve. That didn't bother me at all. "Can’t say I blame you. These things get out of hand quickly," I said, slightly regretting my hand pun.

She laughed at my poorly timed joke and reached into her bag to pull out a neatly folded piece of paper. "Here you go. Sorry if it’s a little messy. Mr. Treeger was really on one today."

I took the notes with a grateful smile. "You’re the best, Barb. Seriously."

She waved it off like it was no big deal. "It’s nothing. So, what are you up to?"

I reached into my bag and pulled out a worn paperback with a cracked spine and dog-eared pages. "Actually, I thought you might need this more than I do right now," I said, handing Barb my copy of The Shining.

Her eyes lit up as she took it, carefully running her fingers over the cover. "No way. I’ve been wanting to read this forever."

"Well, now you’ve got no excuse. It’s a classic. Just don’t read it alone at night unless you want to start hearing creepy voices in your house."

Barb laughed, flipping through the pages. "Thanks, (Y/n). This is awesome. I’ll take good care of it, promise." She looked up at me, her expression softening. "This one your favorite? "

"It's my comfort book, honestly"

"The Shining is your comfort book?".

"Hey, don't knock it till you try it. Besides, no matter how bad my day is going, everyone in that book is having a much worse, more horrible day."

She laughed and looked at me with a smile extending far beyond her eyes. "But seriously, why do you always have the best recommendations? Like, do you just spend all your time reading?"

"I wouldn’t say all my time," I joked, leaning back and shrugging. "But books don’t talk back or ditch you for better plans. So they’ve got that going for them."

Barb chuckled, but her smile faltered slightly, and she hesitated before asking, "Speaking of people ditching... can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to."

I glanced at her, curious. "Shoot."

"What happened with you and Steve? I mean, if you don’t mind me asking. You two seemed really close back then"

I froze for a moment, caught off guard by the question. It wasn’t exactly something I loved to think about, let alone talk about. Barb’s expression wasn’t nosy or judgmental- just genuinely curious. I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to say anything. But Barb was easy to talk to, and I felt like I could trust her.

"It’s... complicated," I said, exhaling sharply. "Before his, you know, 'coronation', King Steve and I were best friends. We practically grew up together. You stick with someone throughout middle school and still want to hang out? That's true friendship, right there."

She nodded like she related to what I was saying. "High School came and he changed. He wanted to hang out less, which was fine with me, you know? People change and everything," I paused for a second.

"It got bad only after Tommy and Carol started hanging out with him. He became this mean jerk, this person I could barely recognize. And I never got along with Tommy or Carol from the beginning, he knew that from the million times I have told him that I hate their guts. Hell, I've directly said it to Tommy and Carol. I just... I guess you could say we both grew up and became distant or whatever, but the fact is, he's just a colossal asshole now.

Barb frowned, clutching the book tighter. "That sucks. I’m sorry."

I shrugged, trying to play it off. "It’s whatever. We’re not kids anymore, and I guess we just outgrew each other. Besides, I’m not exactly missing out on this." I gestured toward the house, where someone let out an ear-piercing whoop, followed by the unmistakable sound of something breaking.

Barb laughed, shaking her head. "Yeah, I don’t think either of us belong here."

"Hey, misery loves company, right?" I teased, bumping her shoulder lightly.

She smiled, a little more at ease now, and held up the book. "Thanks for this. I mean it."

"Don’t mention it," I said, standing up and brushing off my jeans. "Enjoy the book- and maybe steer clear of the creepy twins in the hallway."

Barb laughed again as I started to head back to my car.

"You sure you don't need a lift? Your house isn't too far, I don't mind."

"Really, it's ok, (Y/n). I'll just go whenever Nancy leaves."

"It's almost midnight, Barb, you sure?"

"I am. I really am."

[allyricas]

has anyone ever read a fic where tommy and carol refuse to just lose their friendship with steve, so they also get roped into everything. maybe not season 1, because both sides are still smarting from the fight. but season 2 rolls around and instead of tommy sidling up to billy, he and carol also abandon their moderate popularity to stop being assholes.

steve is a part of them. there's no tommy and carol without tommy and carol and steve. it's the three of them. and hell, if that means apologizing to nancy and jonathan than so be it. if it means, going over to nancy's the same day as steve where all three of them get intercepted by dustin fucking henderson than so be it.

when it means helping board up an old bus, tommy and carol stay. they stay when demodogs show up. they help the kids and steve. carol holds max's hand and doesn't let herself think too much about how nice it is to be helpful.

tommy and steve back to back fighting monsters. they way it should always be.

when it means standing up to billy because no one is laying a hand on steve nor on some random fucking kids, tommy takes a few punches. tommy and steve back to back fighting monsters, fighting unhinged teenage boys with rage issues-as long as he has carol and steve, things are okay. even billy cannot win two on one. no one gets any concussions. no teenagers end up driving stolen cars.

they all go into the tunnels. they help save the day and fuck, it feels good to be on the good side. it begrudgingly feels even better when they apologize to nancy and jon.

maybe in the end, it's not tommy and carol and steve anymore. because they have friends that aren't douchebags. yeah, a large amount of them are middle schoolers who are actually really fucking cool. even if its nancy wheeler. because, nancy is not a priss. she's actually a badass of epic proportions. jon's alright if he's quiet and a bit of a loner. and steve is steve. he's there between them where be belongs.

steve's decision to be a good guy ends up leading tommy and carol into choosing to be better too and they wouldn't have it anyother way.

eventually the three of them become four when robin buckley somehow seamlessly fits in with them like she'd always been there. eventually eddie munson finds his way in, too. tommy and carol aren't sure about sharing steve, but they aren't assholes (much) anymore. robin is actually snarky and witty in a way that carol enjoys immensely. eddie is cool which pains all of them, including robin, to admit out loud. he's like, genuinely funny and a little bit ridiculous in a way they can't help but like.

when tommy and carol notice that steve really, really likes eddie...they meddle a bit. because their boy deserves to be happy and loved and eddie looks at him like he hung the moon. they meddle when they notice the way robin gazes at nancy after she and jon amicably break up. robin is a goddamn delight and she's theirs too now, so they help steve make it happen.

just tommy and carol willing to do whatever it takes to make sure steve is in their life forever, okay.

[totally-bogus-timelady]

Make do and Mend

Fwb!Steve Harrington x Fem reader

Chapter 2: The Proposition

A/N Here it is, chapter 2! Things are getting spicy at Family Video. As always comments, likes and reblogs are always appreciated and id love to hear some of your thoughts! Complete filth below. Enjoy!

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You spent your day at Family Video cleaning, serving people and restocking shelves, but only one thing was playing on your mind.

Steve Harrington had no idea of the impact that his words had had on you.

"We are in the same situation." Kept echoing in your head.

You were so sick of feeling despair. Missing Eddie and knowing that there was nothing that you could do about it but wait for the gut wrenching pain to eventually pass.

But if you could have a distraction? Something that would take your mind off it and just make you feel a little better about yourself, even if it was just for a few minutes... Surely that would be better than moping around or waking up in the middle of the night with tears streaming down your face.

Would it really hurt to just ask? The worst Steve could say was no. You were close enough friends that you knew he would understand and turn you down gently rather than make fun of you. If anyone understood how you felt it would be Steve, you were both suffering from heartbreak after all.

You continued to sweep the floor, broom sticking to one spot where Dustin had spilled his pop drink the day before whilst trying to convince Steve to let him rent a horror movie way above his age rating.

Just then a loud crash sounded from the back room startling you out of your thoughts.

"Oh come on!" You heard Steve exclaim.

Resting your broom against the wall, you made your way over to where the commotion was, only to be met with the sight of pure chaos.

The back room was a mess. There was a trolley on its side and a mass of tapes spilled out all over the floor. A very defeated looking Steve was standing there with his mouth hanging open, eyes going between his inventory sheet and the mess on the floor.

"Inventory not going well?" You asked as you came to a stop beside him.

He turned to look at you. "I knocked over the trolley and now all the tapes I had sorted are mixed with the ones I haven't, so now I gotta start all over again!" Steve whined, throwing his hands in the air, waving his inventory sheet around.

Steve crouched down to start collecting the tapes off the floor. You got on your knees opposite him to help.

"Not your day huh?" You gave him a soft smile.

Steve looked up at you his frown softening a little. "No, I guess not... Sorry, I know I'm being a grouch."

"Don't be, you're just having a bad day is all," You say whilst looking for the case to Teen Wolf.

"Seem to be having a lot of those lately."

You look up and take a moment to study him.

His hair was as usual perfectly tousled to get as much volume as possible, giving him his signature killer look. Big brown eyes, wide and sad as they mostly were these days and eyebrows slightly furrowed. You followed the slope of his nose right down to his pouty lips.

If the word 'overthinking' had a face, it would be Steve's.

"Steve..."

It was now or never.

"Yeah?" He looked up at you

This wouldn't just be for you, you decided. It would be for Steve as well. You both needed this.

After all, would doing this just once really be that big of a deal?

You were gonna ask him.

"About what you said earlier... About getting over someone by just having a fling..." You trailed off, biting your lip.

"What about it?" He replied, looking somewhat confused.

"Well, I was just thinking... Erm, I don't wanna go on a date with anyone either, even if it is purely just for sex... And I was just thinking - It's totally okay for you to say no - but I was just thinking that, well, maybe we could... Help eachother out?" Your ramble came to a stop as you braved a look at Steve.

His brow was furrowed, mouth slightly agape.

"What, like... Set you up with someone?"

Sometimes Steve could be so brilliantly oblivious it still amazed even you.

"Erm," You cleared your throat awkwardly, "No, not that..."

You took in a deep breath and watched as you waited for Steve to catch up with you.

His face went from confused to more confused before his eyes widened and it finally settled on shock. It would've been comical if you weren't so anxious.

"Wait! You wanna- With me?" He pointed towards himself, "You're- You're suggesting that me and you- Oh my god, OH MY GOD!" He exclaimed, hand now running through his hair.

"Steve I- It's just an idea! I- You can say no!"

"But- It would... Wouldn't it- You're my friend Y/N! I don't..." After flailing his hands around he closed his eyes, hands finally settling on pinching his nose.

"Steve, I don't... I'm not asking you out, I don't wanna date you. I mean no offence, you're a great guy its just, you are my friend. It would only be a one time thing... I just thought, maybe we could... Help eachother out."

Steve was now standing, pacing the room, still pinching his nose.

You let out a huff of air, feeling stupid. How could you have thought this would be a good idea?

He stops pacing and turns to you.

"You make it sound like you want me to take out your trash for you Y/N! You're talking about me and you having," He pauses and lowers his voice, "Sex..."

You look down and shuffle awkwardly.

"You're right... Oh god, I shouldn't have said anything. Just forget it, this conversation never happened... Sorry."

"Y/N"

Just then you heard Robin call out from the front of the store.

"Uh, guys! It's getting kinda busy out here, could someone come and help!"

Before Steve could say anything else you turned on your heel and fled the room as quickly as possible.

================================================

Two hours later and Robin's shift had ended. Two hours after that and the silence was killing you. Just one hour left to go...

Apart from the odd straggler hanging around the adult section the store had been pretty quiet for the last hour, leaving you to rush around doing jobs that could wait in order to avoid Steve, who was still trying to do his inventory out the back.

He had popped out every now and then but had barely said two words to you.

All you kept thinking was, how could you have been so stupid?

Steve was your friend, Your coworker that you have to see at least five days out of seven. He was friends with all of your friends. Of course he didn't want to sleep with you! Why would he? Even before you knew eachother properly he hadn't ever hit on you. Not that you wanted him to anyway, but there was clearly no interest in that side of things with you.

You were behind the counter when Steve finally came back out.

"Well, three hours later and my inventory is done and the back room is tidy again... Well as tidy as it normally is..."

He had decided to brave it and came over to stand next to you, albeit with a little more distance between you than there would normally be.

With his arms crossed over his chest, he turned to look at you.

"Hey, uh... You okay?"

Avoiding eye contact you turned to leave. "I'm gonna go and make a coffee."

"You're making a coffee at 10pm?" He said looking exasperated.

"Well, I want a coffee, I don't care if it's 10pm."

"Bullshit."

You turn back to look at him now leaning against the counter, arms still crossed.

"I'm sorry?"

"I said that's bullshit, you're avoiding me," He gave you the signature Steve Harrington mom face.

"What do you want me to say? Yes I'm avoiding you! Wouldn't you avoid someone if you'd humiliated yourself in front of them earlier?" You say.

"What, so you're not even gonna talk about it? You're just gonna run away again. You know, you're the one who suggested it! You're the one who made the awkward situation in the first place, not me!"

You stride back over to him, finger jabbing into his polo shirt.

"Oh, so this is all my fault? You know this is exactly why I didn't wanna talk about it!"

"You said a one time thing."

You frown, confused at Steve's words.

"What?"

"You said a one time thing..." Steve's eyes glance at your lips.

"Yeah but... You don't want to..."

"Actually, I do... Actually, I think its a pretty good plan. No first date nerves, no worrying about if they wanna see you again. Just sex..."

"Steve, stop humoring me," You sighed.

Steve pulled you closer to him, now pressing you into the counter with his own body.

"Does it feel like I'm humoring you?" He whispered in your ear.

You gasp.

Where Steve was pressing himself against you, you could feel a long firmness pressing into your hip that was unmistakably a hard on.

"Ever since our conversation, it's all I've thought about all day. Think it's probably the longest I've gone without thinking about Nancy," He stops to push some hair out of your face. "So yeah. If you still wanna do this, I wanna do this."

You stop, thinking about what he's just said and realize, You've barely thought about Eddie since this morning. Pretty much all day, your thought's were consumed by Steve... by this.

You lean you head back to get a better look at Steve. His pupils are blown wide, his mouth slightly ajar.

The air is thick with a sexual tension that you didn't realize you and Steve were capable of creating.

He looks down at your lips, waiting for you to make the first move. You can feel his heartbeat thumping against his chest where your hand is still pressed up against him.

You run both hands slowly up his chest until they reach the whisps of hair at the base of his neck, fingers tangling in and tugging. Steve nudges his nose against yours gently before finally pressing his lips to yours.

It feels strange at first. Steve is kissing you. Steve is kissing you. And then you relax.

Fingers bury themselves into his hair, pulling and tugging. His hands grip your hips and press you harder against the counter.

He's making out with you like a man starved of physical affection, tongue slipping into your mouth making you whimper.

"Steve..." You breathe out against his lips.

He's panting, still pressing himself into you.

"Ugh, say that again," He breathes into your ear, now moving his kisses to your jaw, your neck and finally he's sucking on your throat making you gasp again.

"Steve," You say louder this time, panting out his name.

His leg at some point had made its way between yours and was slowly grinding up against your core, making your eyes roll back.

"Break room?" You ask, still trying to catch your breath.

"Yeah," He nods eagerly.

He presses you against every wall on the way, still making out with you, walking you backwards through the door until the back of your legs hit the break room table.

Steve's hands fumble with the buttons on your shirt, undoing each one and you shuffle to get your arms out of the sleeves before untucking Steve's polo and pulling it above his head. He then starts undoing his belt before you smack his hands away and pull him closer to you, slipping it out of his beltloops and tossing it somewhere in the room.

You grab the back of his neck, pulling his mouth back down to yours and nibble on his bottom lip eliciting a loud groan from him.

"Oh," He whimpers against your mouth, "Oh god, Y/N."

Your other hand palms him over his jeans before popping the button and dragging the zip down. Your hand reaches in and continues its ministrations.

Steve lets out another load groan.

He pushes you back and starts to kiss his way down your chest. Sucking just outside the cup of your bra.

"Oh, Steve!"

He stops what he's doing and looks up at you. Even though you're friends he takes a moment to appreciate how beautiful you look like this. Sweaty, panting and your eyes half lidded.

"You like that?" He asks.

You open your eyes and look at him, "Don't get cocky Harrington."

Steve huffs out a laugh, "Alright, Alright. We doing this or what."

"Hey, you're the one who stopped not me," You laugh.

Steve grins, shaking his head and you sit up to undo your jeans, pulling them down as Steve does the same with his own.

"Nice undies," You say, smirking whilst nodding towards his checkered boxers.

"Shut up," Steve whines.

"Or what?" You challenge.

Steve smirks, "Or I'll make you shut up."

You're about to reply when Steve sinks to his knees and starts mouthing at your thighs, making his way closer to your center, turning you into a moaning mess.

His nose nudges against your panties and he starts to pull them down, a string of wetness still connecting them to you. Steve's mouth hangs open.

"You get this wet for me?" He sounds almost surprised.

"What'd I tell you about being co- Oh my god! Steve!"

He licked a stripe up the whole of your pussy before he finds your clit, toying with it expertly with his tongue.

Your head bangs against the table as you writhe around in pleasure.

"Fuck... Yes!"

Steve, still toying with your clit moves his large hands from your thighs, giving them a squeeze as he does and slowly pushes two of his fingers into your pussy. He moves them in and out of you, each thrust deeper than the last until you're screaming his name.

"Oh god, Steve! Don't stop... Fuck!" You scream.

Steve removes himself from your pussy with a loud smacking noise. Fingers still pushing in and out of you at an agonizingly slow pace, he kisses his way up your body until you're face to face again.

He gives you a short kiss before asking, "You sure you wanna do this?" A small crease of concern visible in his brow.

"Bit late for that now isn't it?" You ask breathlessly, still grinding onto his fingers.

Steve looks at you, eyes flitting between both of yours, looking for an answer.

"It's not too late. I mean it... If you've changed your mind, then we can stop whenever you want," Steve says it with such sincerity.

You stop your movements for a few seconds, Your eyes searching Steve's big brown ones. Your hand comes up to push his hair back, out of his face and you pull him back down to you again, giving him a slow, deep kiss.

"I want to do this Steve. I haven't changed my mind."

You give him a small, genuine smile and he mirrors your expression, a relieved grin taking over his face.

"Okay, good, me too."

With that, Steve takes a second to shimmy out of his boxers and gives himself a couple of pumps before lining himself up with you. You look down before he pushes in and your eyes go wide at the sheer size of him.

"Holy shit Steve! How long have you been packing that?" You exclaim, now feeling a little nervous. Steve was huge, bigger than you'd expected him to be.

He looks back at you, brows furrowed once again. "Is it... Gonna be a... A problem?" He asks timidly.

You raise your eyebrows at him.

"No, I just... Wasn't expecting you to be quite that big is all."

Steve's looking at you, now unsure how to proceed, lost in his own thoughts again.

"Steve," You say, regaining his attention, "You can carry on, just... Maybe start off slow," You let out with a nervous huff.

With one last look at you, Steve pumps himself again before you feel him run his tip up and down your pussy, making you shiver slightly in anticipation.

"Stop teasing," You whimper.

"Sorry."

And finally, with a loud groan, Steve pushes in.

Your mouth falls open in a silent gasp as Steve sits, buried deep within you. He stops, cock now completely sheathed by your pussy.

You're face to face, breathing in eachothers gasps. Steve kisses your lips before letting out a sharp breath.

"Oh god, please tell me I can move now," He whines pathetically, making you grin.

"You can move."

Steve didn't need to be told twice. He pulls out and pushes back in once slowly and then he's like a wild animal. Desperately pushing in and out of you, shaking the table underneath you. One hand comes around your thigh and pushes it back, making you moan loudly at the new angle Steve has created.

In all the years that stories had circulated at school about what a sex god Steve Harrington was, how amazing he was in bed. None of them compared to this. Never did you imagine he would actually be this good.

One of your hands comes up between you and runs through his chest hair, tugging lightly before sliding up even further and carding through his hair.

A relieved sigh falls from your open mouth as Steve sucks on your neck. He was right, this was exactly what you needed to forget the pain. The feeling of intimacy, the closeness to another person and the high of your impending orgasm. For these few moments with Steve, your mind was at peace.

"Oh, shit... I'm getting close," Steve pants.

"Ugh... Me too... Oh, Steve!" At your words, Steve had brought a finger to circle at your clit, sending you even closer to your orgasm.

With the hand that's in Steve's hair you bring him closer to you, your mouth working his once more. Deviously, you purposely clench your pussy around Steve, squeezing him, milking his dick. Steve lets out an animalistic growl before shouting your name as he comes within you.

The feeling of Steve's cock pulsing as he comes sends you hurtling over the edge, your orgasm washing over you as you moan his name one last time.

Steve pulls out and flops down next to you on the table. You lay in a comfortable silence for a minute, the only sound being both of you panting as you try to regain your breaths.

Steve turns his head to look at you.

"How was it?" He asks genuinely.

Still facing the ceiling you answer him.

"Well, the stories are true... You definitely know your way around that area."

Steve starts chuckling and after a second you join in.

================================================

Once you've both finally regained your strength, you start searching for your various items of clothing and get dressed.

Steve starts setting things in motion to shut the store, locking the back door and flipping off lights as you tidy up the mess you've both made in the break room and sort out your messy hair.

You grab both yours and Steve's jackets, handing him his as he meets you back in the doorway to the breakroom.

You both head towards the main door, shrugging your jackets on.

"Right, I'll see you tomorrow morning?" Steve asks.

"What?" You say puzzled.

"For work," Steve says as if you're stupid, confusion now gone from your face as you remember that you, Steve and Robin have another shift together tomorrow. "What, you didn't think I was gonna give you an early morning wakeup call did you?" Steve adds cheekily.

"Wha- No... Oh shut up!" You laugh again, shoving his shoulder as you go to leave.

"Although," He says following you out the door before turning to lock it behind you both, "If you ever want one just let me know," He continues his teasing.

"Steve!" You huff out with another laugh.

"Alright, alright, I'm done," He turns back to you now with a sincere expression, "Thanks, by the way. This was great, totally took my mind off... You know," Steve lifts a hand and scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Me too. Thanks Steve," You give him a genuine smile as he stands there gawking stupidly.

"Steve?"

"Yeah?"

"Go home," You instruct, corners of your lips still lifted.

Steve looks as if he's suddenly remembered what he was supposed to be doing. Eyebrows lifted he backs away in the direction of his car.

"Right, See you tomorrow, Friend," He grins, putting emphasis on the word 'friend'.

"See you tomorrow, friend," You return with a grin of your own as he finally turns away from you to get in his car. You start walking in the other direction to do the same.

As you sit in the drivers seat you look at your reflection in the mirror and think about how much happier you look since this morning. Still tired, yes. But significantly happier.

You jam your key into the ignition and drive off.

[thelovelylolly]

Mistletoe

Summary: But I'ma be under the mistletoe... Warnings: none :) Notes: OKAY OKAY I KNOW ITS A JUSTIN BEIBER SONG BUT LIKE IGNORE THAT OKAY? OKAY

It was Robin who had dragged you to Steve's holiday party. Knowing Steve, you expected a packed house with alcohol and decorations being trashed, but you were wrong. It was just your friend group, along with some of the younger kids. It was nice to just relax and enjoy the holiday spirit with all of them.

But you could tell something was up with Robin. You had known her since middle school, so you could read her like a book. She seemed to be a bit more...on edge, maybe? She kept glancing around the room, bouncing her leg and biting her nails. She constantly kept looking at Steve, who would just nod towards her.

Your best guess was she planned something with Steve and was just anxious to make sure everything went right. Now, you just had to figure out what it was.

You excused yourself from your conversation with Nancy to refill your cup. You went into the kitchen and started to pour some punch from the punchbowl into your cup. You heard footsteps approach and you glanced up to see Steve.

"Hey, Steve. This is a nice little get together," you said with a smile, leaning against the counter.

"Yeah, glad you could make it," he replied, filling his own cup up with punch.

"Probably wouldn't have come if Robin didn't convince me."

Steve took a sip of his drink then turned to you. "So, uh, what do you think of Robin?"

You giggled. "She's my best friend, I love her to pieces. Why do you ask?"

"Umm, no reason, just curious," he quickly replied. He glanced at the living room and you followed his gaze.

Robin was looking at you two, and when you caught her, she quickly looked away and started talking to Nancy. You smiled.

"Yeah, I love her to pieces."

----

The party/get together went on and some of the younger kids had to go home as the night dragged on. You floated from conversation to conversation, just sipping your punch and enjoying your friends' presence. But tiredness caught up with you and yawns slipped in. Eventually, you decided to go home.

"Let me walk you to your car," Robin quickly said after you stood up and said goodbye.

You smiled at her and the two of you disappeared down the hall. Robin stopped in the doorway of the entryway while you started to wrap yourself up in your coat and scarf. You paused, looking at her.

"You okay, Rob?" You asked softly.

"Oh, um, yeah. Why do you ask?"

"It's just...you kinda seemed off tonight," you stepped closer, "like, a little on edge."

Robin sighed. "Do you want me to be completely honest?"

You nodded, and she went on. "It's just...I finally worked up the courage to tell you something, but when you got here, it all went out the window. I mean, I even planned something with Steve to help with telling you, so I couldn't really not do it."

You glanced up at the door frame and tilted your head to the side. "Robin-"

"All night, I've been trying to find my courage again, but seeing you just being yourself made things hard. Not in a bad way, of course, but...I didn't want to mess things up. I didn't want to ruin your night, or anyone's night."

"Rob-"

"I guess I'm trying to say that I have something to tell you, but I don't know if I-"

"Robin! Look!" You cut her off, pointing up at the door frame. She did and saw the mistletoe taped to it.

"Oh, so that's where he put it," she said.

"That's where...? Robin, is this what Steve helped you with? Is this why he asked me what I thought about you?"

You both looked down and met the other's gaze. You could see Robin start to blush, and you smiled.

"Do you wanna kiss me?" You asked, stepping closer.

Robin nodded her head. You wrapped your arms around her neck and pulled her close before smashing your lips to hers. You could tell she was hesitant, so you pulled away after a second.

"You okay?" You asked.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good- great. I'm great," she answered with a laugh. "It's just...I don't know, this is all kinda crazy, I guess?"

"Crazy how?" You started to play with the collar of her sweater, smiling at her.

"Never expected to be kissing you."

"I can say the same thing, but here we are. And, uh, you said you'd walk me to my car."

Robin smiled. "Right, yeah, but one more thing."

"Hm?"

"You can tell me if I'm going too far with this, but I feel like this is the perfect time to tell you that...I love you. And I have, for a while."

Your hands fell from her shoulders and you intertwined your fingers with hers. "I love you, too, Rob."

You both smiled as you led her out the door and walked to your car. You two were both giddy from the kiss and from just each other's presence. When you reached your car, you let go of her hand and grabbed your keys from your pocket. You opened your door and turned to her before you got in.

"By the way, the mistletoe was a cute idea," you said.

"Really? I didn't want it to be too cheesy," Robin replied, hugging herself in the cold.

You took a step closer, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

"Y-yeah, okay."

You got into your car and left. Robin stayed out in the cold, watching your car disappear into the night. She smiled to herself, blushing as she kicked some snow on the ground. She wondered back into the house, eager for your call tomorrow.

--------

lovely's holiday special

[imdead770]

The Outsiders x Transmasc! Reader

Warnings - Swearing, female to male, sexual mentions, the basics Authors Note - I've never written anything about this, with that said I'm so sorry if this is bad. This is more how they would react to it, by the way. P.S - This is a request from @changingcore

Darry -

I think Darry is a more traditional guy, so I don't think he would pick up on it. Keep in mind this is the 1960s, this type of thing was rare. So whenever you told him or he found out, he probably took a second. He'd honestly be a bit more comfortable?? Like sex wise he knows how it works. He's got it. Easy. He'd honestly be surprised how he didn't notice before.

" How come you didn't tell me? "

" Dunno.. just.. scared. "

" I still love ya.. "

" Yeah? "

" Yeah. "

Honestly he wouldn't treat you any different.

Sodapop -

This boy would fall for anybody. He's just like that. So whenever the two of you started dating, everyone was like 'uh..' but didn't really mind. Whenever he found out you were originally female, this mf was so confused 😭.

" ..So do you have a vagina or- "

" That's what you're worried about? "

" Hey, this is important. "

Would honestly make you feel so comfortable and treat you the same

Ponyboy -

Honestly I think he's a bit gay. Have you seen him? So whenever he fell for you, it was a 'shitt' moment. The two of you were a thing, eventually you told him. He'd turn his head, looking at you like '🤨'. Would probably find it a bit weird, only because he'd never really heard of it. Didn't mind too much though.

" So... what do you think? "

" ... cool. "

" cool? "

" yeah, cool. "

Johnny -

He's so innocent I have no idea how he'd take this. He's in love with you, he knows that. So whenever you're like 'I'm a biological female' he's like '😐'. He's not upset he's just so confused that he looks upset. He still loves you so much, he just needs a second for his brain for process it. He'd understand after a day though.

" Okay.. so you were born a girl? "

" yeah. "

" And now you're a guy with a.. vagina..? "

" pretty much "

Dallas -

Im so sorry but I feel like he'd be like 'ew'. In all honesty. It's Dallas Winston, he's cold. Sweeter with you, but still cold. So whenever you explain it to him, he's probably dead silent. He might come around, but he'd still think it's weird.

" Darlin.. can't ya just.. be female? "

" Dal, respectfully, kill yourself. "

Two-Bit -

You already know where this is going. So he finds out, yeah? Either you telling him or something just happened. He'd take a second and then just

" ...ya shape shifted? "

You'd just look at him all confused, smiling and trying not to laugh. He literally wouldn't care at all, he'd just joke about it.

" you're telling me you saw your vagina and went 'ew' "

" Two- please- "

Steve -

He's a mix of Dallas, Sodapop, and Two-Bit. At first it was 'what the fuck, ' then confusion, then he'd just make little jokes about it. When you first told him he was a bit weirded out, but he got over it quick. Then he asked about it. Then he probably said something like

"... so that's why your chest is bigger than mine.."

" STEVE-?? "

I'm surprisingly proud of this.

[fuctacles]

chapter 4 is up!! I'm getting to @penny00dreadful's art I PROMISE. Beta @dragoon-ze-great Easter egger @pumpkinspiceeddie extra brain cell @blasvemous

"Will and I lifted a car last month. Dad was pissed." 

El was someone they'd mostly kept tabs on through others. Whenever they had to save the world, they ended up in different places, and while they were good friends, they talked mostly at family gatherings. The last they heard from her, she hadn't fully regained her powers but could do some small things here and there.

Robin stares at Steve. Since she was the last to join The Party, she knows El the least and hasn't seen her in action after the Mind Flayer. But the Will part? Neither of them had any idea about it. The new information is impressive and more than what they've been hoping for,

Steve eases the phone from her hand, trying to curb his excitement.

"What else can you do?" he asks. "The spying thing? Opening gates?"

"I don't spy," El protests indignantly. "But yes. I've been checking on Max and Lucas on their road trip. But I haven't tried to open a gate. Why the heck would I do that?"

That's a good question and Steve isn't sure how to form his answer. Thankfully, Robin intercepts the phone from him.

"We might have found someone stuck like Will had been. Is there a way you could check the house around us? See if you can find him, feel anything? Uh," she falters, glancing at Steve. "You can do that, right?"

El hums.

"I think so. I can try, but I might need Will for that, and he's not home."

Steve's hope falters. While El has been staying with Hopper and Joyce, as none of them see the need to part, Will has been pursuing art in college. He briefly lived in New York, even, but the loud place hasn't been to his liking.

"Where is he now?" 

"He's at school. But he'll be back next weekend."

"Okay. Can you call us as soon as you find anything?"

"Sure. I'll do the rounds today and talk to Will. Have you told Dustin yet?"

Steve huffs with a roll of his eyes. 

"Of course. I wouldn't hear the end of it if I didn't."

She laughs softly. 

"Yeah. Are you guys still in the same apartment?"

"No," Steve admits, with a peppering of guilt in his voice. "I bought a house. With that trapped guy inside. Well, in the Upside Down version of the house, I guess. We're like, halfway between Hawkins and Indianapolis."

El hums at the information.

"Okay. Will there be a housewarming party?"

Steve blinks, stunned at the sudden change of topic. Next to him, Robin snorts out a surprised laugh.

"As soon as I figure out the renovations, yeah."

"Cool! Can't wait to see everyone again. I'll call you later."

"Yeah, later."

She hangs up and he stares at the receiver for a second before putting it down as well.

"She is so weird," he mutters, shaking his head with a smile.

"I don't know, seems pretty normal to me."

"Yeah, to you."

They go back to the living room to find a new message on the typewriter.

Not that Ive been eavesdropping or anything but did she say SHE LIFTED A FUCKIGN CAR?

"Uh, no." Steve crosses his arms. "She and her brother had lifted the car," he corrects Eddie. 

Sorry for not being specific enough. Can you tell me again how you know a girl with superpowers?

"It's a long story."

Time is all I have

Steve sighs, falling onto the couch. 

"Well, I think it started in the fall of '83, I mean, for us at least..." he starts but can sense the look Robin's giving him, so he turns to her. "What?" He frowns. 

His lip reading isn't the best unless it comes to his best friend, so he's pretty confident she just mouthed to him, "You're gonna freak him out."

"How?" he mouths back.

Guys? Eddie types, but they barely spare him a glance. 

"Demogorgons?" she reminds him incredulously. Steve rolls his eyes but thinks about it for a bit.

"If he hasn't seen one for this long, I think he's safe," he states, this time out loud. 

Robin cocks her head.

SAFE FROM WHAT

"I guess you're right." She shrugs eventually. "Go on, then."

Steve turns to the typewriter. 

"This place where we think you are, we call it the Upside Down. El was the one who opened the gate to it. There were more kids like her, but most of them didn't survive the laboratory— "

What the fuck

"I know," Steve chuckles. "Anyway. The stupid scientists let these monsters through the portal..."

He recounts the story to his best ability and knowledge, with Robin piping up here and there and taking over the Starcourt part. Eddie is silent for most of it, to the point that Steve asks halfway through the story if he is still there. 

Yeah im processing, he answers.

"...so since it's been quiet for so long, and you've been trapped since then, I think we can safely assume it's not something new. That you were a casualty from that time," Robin finishes up. "Fuck I hope it's nothing new."

so im in a mirror hell dimension full of monsters ???

"You said there were no monsters." Steve frowns.

But there could be! There is the potential of monsters!

"See, I told you he'd freak out." Robin crosses her arms and throws one leg over the other for good measure. It's probably what her more difficult students see on the daily.

Steve glowers at her. 

"Shut up, Robs. What does it look like around you?" He turns back to Eddie. "When you look out of the window?"

nothing?

Steve taps his foot impatiently.

"Describe the nothing to me."

My porch is there but beyond that its just shadows. outlines of the backyard and the trees around it. I can kind of feel the grass but can barely see it. When I step outside it doesnt feel like walking on solid ground, more like 

The keys pause as Eddie thinks. 

solidified air. I left the house once, walked til I couldnt see it anymore but it turned up in front of me. Like Ive made a huge circle. 

"Huh. That does not sound like Upside Down. No slimy veiny roots everywhere?"

No. gross

"What about the sky?"

a black void. No clouds no nothing

"Huh."

What if its something else and you cant help me?

"I think, as long as there won't be any necromancy involved, we will figure something out," Robin says.

"Yeah, we draw the line at raising the dead," Steve agrees with a nod. "So you better be alive out there."

For the first time, I hope I am

read on ao3

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

Let's Just Breathe

A/N: Had this in my drafts for a while, finally decided to finish it.

Chrissy and Eddie had a moment at the picnic table, and then everything went to shit. Chrissy died. Eddie got accused of her murder and he was hunted down for it. When all was said and done, when the world was saved, Chrissy came back. Chrissy and the others hadn't really been dead to begin with, so it made it easy to clear Eddie of all charges.

Meanwhile, Steve and Eddie formed a connection when Steve carried him out of the Upside Down. Chrissy had watched from Eddie's hospital bedside as they started to fall for each other. Chrissy was just happy to have Eddie in her life, even if it was only as a friend, so she put her feelings for him on a back burner and let it cool. Slowly, Steve became part of her life, too, along with Robin and the rest of the party.

FIVE YEARS LATER. . .

Chrissy was now living in a shared apartment with Robin and Vickie. After everything that happened, they were all still a little codependent, and Chrissy doubted that would go away, not that she would want to. She actually felt like she had a real family and was even okay with being the fifth wheel. It was luck that they found two apartments for rent in the same building that they could afford, especially since they were across from each other. They had to practically beg Chrissy to come with them. She was very much a part of their group, after all.

"Gahh!" Eddie yelled as he walked into Chrissy's apartment.

She had just gotten home from teaching dance class to a bunch of four year olds and was now relaxing in front of the TV when Eddie came in. He plopped down next to her, pouting and sniffling. Chrissy turned off the TV and turned to him. It was still odd to see him with short hair. They had agreed to donate their hair a while back for children with cancer during a time when they didn't have money. It eventually became an annual thing. Eddie had just cut off his hair along with Chrissy and Vickie, so now they both had short hair. Robin and Steve's hair was still very long. Eddie's hair was starting to grow out a little.

"What's wrong, Eddie?" Chrissy asked.

"Ugh!" Eddie exclaimed again.

"Yeah, you said that when you came in," Chrissy replied.

"The denied our adoption application, and I think it's my fault although they didn't say that," Eddie said, rubbing his face with his hands.

"I didn't know you guys were trying to adopt," Chrissy said.

"Yeah, it was going to be a surprise when we got approved, but it looks like that's not going to happen," Eddie said. "Steve deserves to be a dad. He would be a great one, and I want to be a dad, too. I don't think it's going to happen, and it's my fault, Chrissy. I know it."

He was crying now, and Chrissy hated seeing him cry. If she could do something about it, then she would. She would totally give them a baby. . . Wait, she could give them a baby.

"Where's Steve?" Chrissy asked.

"Cooking angrily," Eddie muttered.

Chrissy pulled him up and started dragging him out of the apartment. Eddie yelped. She barged into their apartment, startling Steve, who had been sniffling at the stove. She closed the door behind Eddie.

"There are other ways to have a baby other than adopting," Chrissy said.

"Well, Eddie and I can't exactly do that. I don't know if you noticed," Steve said.

"I could give you guys a baby," Chrissy said.

Eddie choked on his saliva. Steve quickly turned off the stove and spun around to face Chrissy.

"What?" Steve asked. "You want to have sex with one of us?"

"I mean, it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. I mean, unless you want to. I was thinking more like a turkey baster, but I could have sex with one of you. . . Or both," Chrissy said.

"Both, huh?" Eddie asked.

"Well, I mean, you wouldn't be able to really know who's baby it is if you guys wanted to keep it a mystery. Doing it with both of you, it would be like both of you were making the baby. If that makes sense," Chrissy said.

"And there isn't anything in it for you if we did it that way?" Steve asked as he moved closer to her.

"I would be lying if I said that I never thought about it," Chrissy blushed. "But I know that you guys really want a baby."

"So, you'd really do this?" Eddie asked as he moved closer to her as well.

"Yeah, I'd do anything for you two. You'd make really great dads," Chrissy said.

"Well, you know if we did this, we wouldn't leave you out of this," Steve said.

"What?" She asked.

"You want to have a baby, too. We'd think you would be a good mom, too. . .unless you'd think it would be too weird," Eddie said.

"I wouldn't have offered if I didn't want to do this," Chrissy said with a smile. "Do you guys want to do this?"

Eddie and Steve shared a look before grinning wildly. Eddie hugged her tightly before pressing his lips to hers in a hard but gleeful kiss. Eddie moved back and let Steve do the same.

"But, you know, we don't have to do this right now," Steve said. "We could give it a few days."

"Well, that wouldn't make sense," Chrissy said as she began to unbutton her shirt. "It's perfect, actually, I'm ovulating as we speak. Oh. . .that's right, I took off my bra when I got home."

She slipped off her shirt and let it fall to the floor with an innocent smile. Eddie smirked at Steve before picking up Chrissy, letting her legs wrap around him.

"Steve, guide us to the bedroom," Eddie said.

Eddie smashed his lips to Chrissy's with Steve’s hand on his back, leading them to the bedroom. They fell on the bed, Steve falling with them.

A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER. . .

Chrissy had been sent home early due to the fact she had thrown up even though she felt better once she did so. She entered the apartment to find Robin and Vickie curled up on the couch. It was their day off.

"You're home early," Vickie said.

"Yeah, they sent me home because I got sick. I'm pretty sure it was because of something I ate. I feel fine now," Chrissy said as she plopped down on the recliner.

"Well, I've been meaning to talk to you," Robin said, turning off the TV. "You know, we said a while back that we needed some alone time. It was just to celebrate Vickie's birthday. We love having you around."

"Of course, I know that," Chrissy laughed.

"Oh good," Robin said, relieved.

"I think Robin was worried because you've been spending a lot of time with Steve and Eddie," Vickie said.

They hadn't said anything to them about what they've been up to. She wasn't sure how they would even take it if they even knew that she was sleeping with them to help them make a baby. Although, the last few weeks have been great, and she tried not to get her hopes up, but it felt like she was slowly becoming a part of their relationship. When they weren't having sex, they were cuddling and kissing as well as holding hands. Sometimes, they just lay in bed and talked. Steve and Eddie even took her out to eat, calling it date night. Would that all be over once she got pregnant?

"I like spending time with them," Chrissy said.

"You've been spending the night," Robin said, narrowing her eyes at her. "I think I just figured out what's going on."

"You have?" Chrissy asked, her eyes wide.

"You guys are throwing me a surprise party for my own upcoming birthday, aren't you?" She asked.

"Yeah, that's it," Chrissy laughed. "You figured it out."

"Great, now, I'm going to tell you exactly what I want, and then you're going to casually mention it to the guys like it's your idea," Robin said.

"I feel like that's cheating. It ruins the point of a surprise party," Vickie said.

"Babe, it's already ruined. Chrissy already told me," Robin said. "This way, I get what I want."

"I guess it's going to be Eddie and Steve, who are the ones who will be expecting the surprise," Vickie said.

"It serves them right for stealing our roommate from us," Robin said.

Expecting. The word Vickie said swam around in Chrissy's head, and she gasped. Oh, she was an idiot. A very late idiot.

"Are you okay?" Vickie asked.

"Yeah, I just realized something," Chrissy said and got up. "I got to go!"

They watched her leave and Robin frowned at her girlfriend.

"Maybe you're also right, Vick, maybe she does have a secret lover," Robin said.

She had been gone for a long time. Chrissy had returned a while ago, but now she was sitting in her car, hoping for a positive outcome. She let out a breath and climbed out of the car. When she walked into her apartment, Eddie and Steve were there. Robin had her back to the door as she talked to them.

"Look, I'm really worried about her. She just took off, and now we don't - ," Robin started.

"I'm right here. No need to worry," Chrissy said.

"Chrissy, what the hell?" Robin asked.

"Are you okay?" Vickie asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Excuse me, I drank a bunch of water earlier, so. . . I need to use the bathroom," Chrissy said and most past them.

"Why are you going into the bathroom with a plastic baggy?" Robin asked and turned to the men. "Do you have any idea what this is about?"

"No clue," Steve shrugged.

Chrissy, meanwhile, bit her lip as she watched the clock on the bathroom wall. Please, please, please! She closed her eyes for a moment and took a calming breath before opening her eyes again. What are the odds, though, that it would happen on the first try? Dustin would probably be able to tell her. She ignored Robin knocking on the door and then the sound of Steve scolding her.

"Robin, privacy!" Steve exclaimed.

"She's been in there for a while!" Robin yelled. "I feel like you know something that I don't."

"I know about as much as you do," Steve said.

"Ha! You said about! Which implies that you know more than me!" Robin exclaimed.

"Maybe I know less than you do. Did you ever think of that?" Steve asked.

The kitchen timer that Chrissy had bought went off with a loud ding.

"Is that a fucking kitchen timer in there? Is she cooking something in the goddamn bathroom?" Robin asked.

Chrissy sighed and peered cautiously at the sticks on the counter. She squealed in delight and grabbed a stick off the counter. She opened the door to the bathroom and right into the hallway where everyone had gathered. She looked at Eddie and Steve. She beamed as she held up the white plastic stick.

"I'm pregnant!" Chrissy exclaimed.

Eddie and Steve froze for a moment before letting out a loud holler. They hugged her tightly, pressing kisses on her cheeks and then in her hair. Eddie pulled back before kissing her deeply and pulled away to allow Steve to do the same.

"What. The. Fuck?!" Robin exclaimed.

"Oh, Steve and I got your roommate pregnant," Eddie said, his eyes filled with tears.

"Explain, please," Vickie said.

"Well, you see Vickie, sometimes when two men love the same woman - " Eddie started to explain to Vickie.

"She knows how sex works, you dingus! She's a master at it, in fact," Robin exclaimed. "What she wants to know is when Chrissy joined your relationship."

"Oh, when the adoption fell through a couple of months ago, and she offered to carry our baby. We decided all three of us should just do it the old-fashioned way," Steve said.

"And it just felt right that she become a part of us too," Eddie grinned.

"So. . .Do you guys really want me to be with you?" Chrissy asked.

"Of course, did we not ask you?" Steve asked.

"No."

"Shit. . .baby, do you want to be our girlfriend?" Eddie asked.

"Yes!" She exclaimed happily.

Steve and Eddie hugged her tightly. When they moved back, Robin slugged them both in the arms before hugging them both.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me you guys were trying for a baby," Robin said.

"Well, I didn't want you to get disappointed when it didn't happen. I know how badly you've been wanting to wear that 'World's Worst Godmother' shirt since you found it in that store a while back," Steve said.

"You're a good platonic soulmate. . .well, sometimes. . . You're sleeping on the platonic couch for lying to me," Robin said.

"Congratulations, Chrissy!" Vickie squealed as she hugged her.

"Thank you," Chrissy said.

"Are you hoping Eddie's the biological father? I would, I couldn't imagine how you would be able to push Steve’s square headed baby out of your hoo-ha," Robin said.

"Hey! If my mother could do it with baby me, then so can Chrissy!" Steve exclaimed.

"Didn't your mother have to have surgery down there?"

"That was not my fault! That was for cosmetic reasons only!"

"I'm not worried," Chrissy giggled. "They both put in the work at the same time. They're both the father."

"Hey, what if they're twins? What if Steve’s the father of one and Eddie's the father of the other?" Robin asked.

"Don't be ridiculous, Robin. . . That would never happen. . ."

A FEW MONTHS LATER. . .

". . . I can't believe Robin was right," Chrissy pouted.

"She happened to be right about it being twins, sweetheart, not about the other thing," Eddie said. "And you said that it doesn't matter, right?"

"Yeah, it's just . . . " Chrissy trailed.

"She's gotten quite annoying riding high on that ego boost of hers," Eddie cackled.

"Yes! Now she's saying she can see the future!" Chrissy exclaimed. "I love her, but I am not naming one of our kids after her just because she can see it happening."

"I think you're just annoyed because you know it's definitely going to happen," Eddie said. "Or is it because you can't find a thing to wear?"

"Nothing hides my stomach!" Chrissy exclaimed.

She was standing in what was now their bedroom. She had moved into their apartment shortly after she found out she was pregnant. So, now Steve and Eddie's bedroom was hers too. Chrissy was standing in her bra and panties, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Eddie was sprawled out on the bed, watching her. Steve was busy at Robin's, helping Vickie put the finishing touches for Robin's birthday party.

"Why would you want to hide it? Weren't we planning on telling everyone when they got here?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah, but not today. As annoying as she is right now, today is her day. It's all about her, and I'm not going to step on that," Chrissy said.

"Well, that's awfully sweet of you, baby," he said. "But I don't think you have any clothes that will hide them."

Chrissy glared at him before marching over to the closet and pulling out a giant white coat. She slipped it on.

"Oh, yeah, what about this?" She asked.

"Okay, that's Steve’s parka, and you look like a marshmallow," Eddie said, and she glared at him. "But a very cute and delicious marshmallow."

She took off the parka and put it back in the closet. She cradled her bump as she felt the babies move within her.

"They're moving. Hi, babies. Do you want to say hi to Daddy?" Chrissy cooed at her stomach.

She waddled over to him while he sat up and scooted to the edge of the bed. Eddie flashed his dimples as he placed his hands on her stomach, placing a kiss on in it.

"Hi, babies. It's Daddy. Papa isn't here right now. He's busy setting up for Auntie Robin's party. She's very demanding, but you'll find that out," Eddie sighed happily. "I know Mommy is probably going to miss having you live inside of her, but I can't wait to meet you."

"I can't wait either," Chrissy said and paused. "I think I'm just going to choose something comfortable but first. . . "

She sat down on his leg, straddling it as she kissed him deeply.

"I don't think we have time for this," Eddie said as he broke the kiss.

"Of course, we have time. They're not even finished setting up yet, and the party is right across the hall," Chrissy said in between kisses.

She rocked her hips, grinding against his leg.

"What about Steve?" Eddie asked.

"We've done this without him before," Chrissy said.

"Yeah, and he was extremely pouty," Eddie said.

She pressed her knee against his crotch and moved her lips to his neck.

"And isn't he just so cute when he pouts?" Chrissy asked.

"Yeah, he is . . . Okay, fine, let's be quick," Eddie groaned.

Chrissy pulled away from him and stood up.

"You know what, I'm suddenly not feeling it anymore," she said.

"Chrissy!"

"What? Is there a problem?"

"Yes!"

"It sounds like a problem you need to fix."

"Baby!"

"That's what you get for calling me a marshmallow," Chrissy pouted.

Eddie stood up, glared at her, and went into their en suite bathroom. Steve chose that moment to come in.

"Did I miss something?" Steve said.

"She's a devil of a woman, Steve! We're never getting her pregnant again. The baby hormones made her even more evil!" Eddie exclaimed and Chrissy giggled. "Oh, god!"

"Well, I recognize that sound. Starting to guess what happened here," Steve said.

"He called me a marshmallow," Chrissy said.

"Well, then he had it coming," Steve said and then laughed when he realized what he said.

"Oh, very funny, Steven! Don't you dare laugh at my suffering!"

"Having trouble finding an outfit?" Steve asked.

"Yeah," Chrissy said.

"Well, what about this top and this skirt. It's the same material that you said feels good against your skin," Steve said.

"Oooh, and the colors actually do look good together! That wasn't an outfit ten minutes ago, and then you come in here. . .it's an outfit! My hero!" Chrissy exclaimed, kissing him.

Steve grinned and leaned next to the bathroom door, rapping his knuckles against the door.

"Hey, we're done setting up. What about you? Did you finish?" Steve asked, and Chrissy giggled as she got dressed.

"Asshole," Eddie said as he opened the door, and then he saw Chrissy. "You look beautiful, darling."

"And comfy. Still mad at me for being evil?" Chrissy asked.

"No, in fact I love you more for it," Eddie said. "Menace."

"Takes one to know one," Chrissy said, and Eddie kissed her deeply.

They were, of course, the first ones there, seeing how they were just across the hall. She had been quite energized and excited for the party but now suddenly she was starting to feel a little tired. Chrissy yawned and then covered it up with a laugh when Robin came out of their bedroom wearing her World's Worst Godmother shirt.

"What? Well, I figured I would put this on since you're planning on upstaging my party with your pregnancy announcement," Robin said, and Chrissy cursed. "What? I was joking. I love that you're announcing you're having my god children at my party."

"No, it's not that, I'm just feeling tired all of a sudden," Chrissy said.

"Well, you're growing two life forms inside of you, I expect you're tired a lot," Robin said.

"Well, why don't you take a nap in your room - I mean, the guest room. People won't be here for a while," Vickie said.

"We'll wake you up when they're all here so that way you can just tell the story about how this happened all at once," Robin said.

"Smart," Chrissy said. "I think picking out clothes and messing with Eddie just wore me out."

"What did she do to you?"

"Nothing!"

When Chrissy woke up from her nap, she had to pee. She made her way to the ensuite bathroom, and when she pulled her underwear down, she discovered blood. Her mouth opened in a silent scream, and she quickly pulled her underwear up. Just as she was about to leave the bathroom, she heard Steve come in.

"You need any help, baby? Robin says she is not going to explain her shirt until you come out. Dustin thinks she's trying to bring back the whole "Steve is a mom" joke. Honey?" Steve asked.

"Steve. . .I'm bleeding," Chrissy said, as she tried so desperately to stay calm.

She could feel her heart race rapidly in her chest, and everything felt cold. What if she was losing the babies?

"Shit. Okay, don't panic," Steve said softly. "We're going to get you to the hospital, and everything's going to be okay. It's probably just spotting, but I think we'll both be relieved if a doctor tells us that. Okay?"

"Okay," Chrissy said softly.

"I love you," Steve said, cupping her face. "Breathe with me."

Eddie walked into the bedroom as Chrissy breathed with Steve.

"If you guys are fooling around without - what's going on?" Eddie asked.

"I need you to remain calm, Ed. Chrissy is bleeding, and we need to take her to the hospital," Steve said in a steady voice.

Calmly and smoothly, Eddie picked Chrissy up in his arms, cradling her to his chest. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and buried her face there, breathing in his scent to calm her down. Steve opened the door, where everyone was waiting for them.

"Is Chrissy okay?" Joyce asked.

"We have to take her to the hospital," Steve said. "She's bleeding."

"The babies!" Robin gasped.

"Don't you panic. If you panic, I panic," Steve said with tears in his eyes.

"Babies?!" Dustin asked, and everyone started talking at once.

"We don't have time for this," Eddie growled. "Robin, explain it to them."

Steve and Eddie moved out the door quickly with Chrissy. It left Robin and Vickie to explain the situation to the party. They stared at the group, and for once, they were speechless. It was Nancy who snapped them out of it.

"What babies are they talking about?" She asked.

"Uh, the babies Chrissy's pregnant with," Robin said. "Twins."

"Who's the father?" Jonathan asked.

"Uh, Steve and Eddie," Vickie replied.

"She's a surrogate?" Joyce asked.

"No," Robin said, shaking her head and wishing she had gone with them.

"They all put in the effort," Vickie said.

"What the hell does that mean?" Hopper asked.

"Well, sometimes when two men love the same woman . . . " Robin trailed off.

"Okay, so they all had sex," Hopper said, squinting his eyes at them.

"Are they all together?" Mike asked.

"Yes."

Once that had been explained, everyone started worrying about Chrissy. Argyle was trying to get everyone to relax, but not even his comforting presence could get them to. Suddenly, it felt like the world was ending all over again. Wayne, of course, had been the last to arrive and the last to know. He had burst out of there as soon as he was told and left for the hospital to be with his kids. The others would have followed if there hadn't been other kids here who were just as worried. Claudia stood next to Dustin and hugged him tightly. They were all legally adults now, except for Erica and Holly, but they were still all very young even more so when someone they loved was in trouble.

"Is there nothing that I can do?" Jane asked her mother.

"The only thing you can do is wait," Joyce said softly.

And wait, they did. The food was untouched, but Vickie made sure to preserve them. No one felt like eating or partying, and they all sat in uneasy silence. Eventually, Eddie and Steve came through the door with Chrissy, with Wayne following behind them.

"The girls are fine. It was just spotting," Eddie said, tears in his eyes.

"Oh, thank God!" Robin said and hugged them tightly before suddenly pulling back. "Wait. . .girls?"

"We're having girls," Chrissy said.

"Oh my God! We're having girls!" Robin exclaimed and hugged Steve tightly.

"We're having girls!" Steve exclaimed.

Everyone took turns to hug them all. Dustin clung to the three of them the most, tears in his eyes.

"I'm going to be an uncle!" Dustin exclaimed.

"Happy birthday, Robin," Chrissy said teasingly.

"Best birthday ever," Robin said tearfully.

"Congratulations, Chrissy," Nancy said with a smile.

"So, how exactly did this start?" Hopper asked.

"Well, when two men love the same woman. . .," Eddie started to explain, and Wayne promptly slapped him upside the head.

"Well, Steve and Eddie's application to adopt got rejected, so I volunteered to be their surrogate, but it turns out they both wanted more. . .we all wanted more," Chrissy said. "Especially me, I've been pining for Eddie for the last five years."

"Okay, you did NOT tell me that," Eddie said.

"I didn't?" She asked.

"No, you did not," he said.

"Well. . . Would it make you feel better to know that I've been pining for Steve for even longer?" Chrissy asked.

"No!" Steve and Eddie exclaimed.

"Well, we're here now," Steve said with a sigh as he pulled his partners to him. "That's all that matters."

MONTHS LATER. . .

Chrissy was starting her eighth month of pregnancy when her mother decided to visit. It had been years since she had last seen her, and she had hoped that her mother had changed. Her hopes had been dashed, however, when she opened the door.

"You and your children are going to burn in hell," Laura said, and Chrissy had slammed the door in her face. "CHRISTINE! You open this door! It's bad enough that we haven't seen you in years! It's worse that we had to hear about it from someone else that you're living in sin with a couple of f - "

Laura hadn't been able to finish the sentence because Chrissy had opened the door and punched her mother in the face. Laura fell to the floor, dazed, as her nose began to bleed. Chrissy took the opportunity to call the cops and then went back to her mother.

"Eddie and Steve are the best things that have ever happened to me. I am in love with them, and they are in love with me. I couldn't ask for better fathers to my children. They have made me happier than you and Dad ever did. They're my family, not you," Chrissy said. "I had really hoped you had changed. . .and by the way, your precious little girl isn't quite straight either. . .that's always been the case. I've fucked men. I've fucked women. I even fucked one of my fellow cheerleaders right in your bed. Have a nice life, Laura."

The entire exchange had wiled up the twins, and they kicked at her stomach as she waited inside for the cops to show up. Chrissy placed a hand on her stomach to calm her girls down before collapsing onto the couch to cry. The cops had left after gently questioning Chrissy and escorted her mother away, as she refused to leave, just as Eddie and Steve were coming home. They stumbled over each other as they tried to get to her even though she wasn't going anywhere at all. Chrissy couldn't help but laugh at them as they knelt in front of her.

"Are you okay?" Steve asked.

"I'm fine. Better than ever, actually," Chrissy grinned. "I got to punch my mom!"

"I didn't even know your mother was visiting," Eddie said.

"She called a while back, and I completely forgot," Chrissy said. "I didn't remember until after you left to pick up Wayne. . .uh, where is uncle Wayne?"

"I ain't as young as I used to be, darling," Wayne said as he came through the door. "Your fellas ran as soon as they saw the cop cars. So, you punch your mom, huh? Don't get up."

Wayne walked over to Chrissy and hugged her tightly.

"Yeah, she came for a visit, and I thought we could patch things up, but all she did was tell me that our children were going to hell. She was about to call Eddie and Steve a very nasty word, so I punched her, and then I told her I wasn't exactly straight myself," Chrissy said.

"What a bitch!" Eddie scowled and then his face softened. "Your mother, not you!"

"I knew who you were talking about, Eddie," Chrissy laughed.

"It's a shame that your mother is so full of hate, but one day, she's going to regret losing you," Wayne said. "You're a wonderful girl, and you're going to a better mother than she ever will. I'm so grateful to think of you like a daughter and so honored that when your kids are born, they'll get to call me Grandpa."

"Thank you, Uncle Wayne," Chrissy said as she cried.

"I love you, darling," Wayne said and pulled a bag out of his luggage. "Got you something for the little tykes."

"It's little hats!" Chrissy shrieked when she pulled two pink and red hats out of the bag.

"I figured they could start their own collection if they wanted to," Wayne said.

"You are not going to turn our children into hoarders. . .oh, but they're so cute!" Eddie exclaimed. "They're so wittle! Stebe! Wittle tiny hats for their heads!"

"I see that," Steve laughed in amusement.

"You guys are all that I need. You, Vickie, Robin. . .everyone. . .you're my family," Chrissy said. "I haven't needed my mom for a long time, and I am happy that I closed the chapter on that part of my life. I love you."

Later that night, after having dinner with the guys, Wayne, Vickie, and Robin, Chrissy was sprawled out on the bed with Eddie. He had fallen asleep across her stomach after reading to the babies. Steve had just finished cleaning up in the kitchen when he came into the bedroom to get ready for bed. Steve turned to Chrissy as he slipped off his pants.

"Are you sure that you're alright?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, I mean, I'm a little sad for her. She's always going to be this hateful woman, and she's just choosing to live her life like that," Chrissy said. "I don't want to do the same as her, so I'm not going to be angry with her, I'm choosing not to give a shit. If that's how she wants to live, that's on her. I'm going to focus on the wonderful life that I fought to have. . . That I continue to fight for. Our girls have plenty of women in their life to look up to."

"And the most important woman in their life, you," Steve said as he crawled across the bed to kiss her and then kiss her stomach.

He moved Eddie so he wasn't sleeping across her stomach, and Eddie flopped over on his side in his sleep.

"You're looking incredibly sexy tonight, Steven," Chrissy purred. "Want to do it against Eddie's back again?"

"What?!"

"Ha! I knew you weren't really sleeping," Chrissy said.

"I was until Steve moved me," Eddie said and flopped around to face them. "Please, tell me that you guys never fucked against my back while I was sleeping. . .Please tell me you're joking."

Chrissy and Steve giggled.

"Christine! Steven!"

A FEW WEEKS LATER. . .

" . . . Traitors, the lot of you!" Robin yelled.

"Oh, come on, you knew this was going to happen," Steve said as he packed up a box. "I know we put this off as much as possible, but we needed a bigger place for the babies."

"And Eddie's personality," Chrissy said as she waddled out of the bedroom.

"Oh, if you didn't look so adorable in those overalls of yours, I'd get you, Cunningham," Eddie said.

"Put me to work, boss," she grinned.

"You're already doing something," Eddie said. "You're creating life, and the doctor told you to take it easy."

"He also said that I can move around," Chrissy said.

"Mm, I just know the thing you can help me with," Eddie said.

He flicked on the radio and pulled her into his arms. Fire and Rain had just started. Chrissy bit her lip. Her favorite song. She didn't complain as Eddie her close and started to sway, singing along to the song. Chrissy smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. It was a bit difficult with her enormous belly, but they made it work. This would be the last time they would dance in this apartment.

"How is this helping you?" Chrissy asked.

"It's helping him get out of working," Ronnie's voice floated in. "We didn't come all this way just to watch you use your pregnant girlfriend as an excuse to get out of packing."

"I would never," Eddie gasped, and Chrissy pulled back to look at him.

"You so would," Chrissy said.

Gareth, Jeff, and Frankie had come in behind Ronnie to load up more boxes in the moving van downstairs. Ronnie had offered help immediately when she heard that her best friend was moving. She hadn't been able to get out of work lately, so she had taken the opportunity to see her best friend.

"I have done a lot of the packing while you've gotten all nostalgic and distracted by each little thing you put away. How about you pack and I dance with Chrissy?" Steve asked.

"Ugh, fine," Eddie sighed and pulled away. "Our lover doesn't want us to be together."

"I guess that makes us forbidden lovers," Chrissy teased.

"Christine! You know my romantic heart can't take it when you say such words!" Eddie exclaimed. "I'm supposed to be packing!"

Steve laughed as he pulled Chrissy into his arms, hugging her tightly as they swayed.

"I can't believe you're leaving us!" Robin exclaimed.

"They're not leaving us, babe. They're moving into a house with a yard. Don't you want our goddaughters to be able to run around?" Vickie asked.

"Don't try to be logical with me when I'm trying to be irrational," Robin said, and Vickie laughed.

Chrissy laughed with Steve, and she looked at him fondly. God, he was cute and funny. He's so amazing with kids already. They both were going to be such amazing fathers. She was so glad she could do this for them, for all three of them. She couldn't wait to see them in action, but she was also going to miss being a home for their kids. Even though the journey had been difficult and scary, she loved every minute of it. She was grateful that she had Steve and Eddie by her side.

"What?" Steve asked. "Do I have something on my face?"

"I love you," she said.

"I love you, too," Steve said, smiling softly at her.

"I'm going to miss this place," Chrissy said. "It was our first home together. This is where you two got me pregnant."

"Yeah, I'm going to miss this place too," Steve said.

"You guys did a great job knocking me up," Chrissy giggled. "You did it very well."

"Yeah?" Steve smirked. "You liked that, did you?"

"Very much," she said, sighing happily. "I'm going to miss being pregnant."

"Well, you know, if you ever want to do this again, it's always been your choice," Steve said.

"Well, not right away. . .but I think you should get pregnant next," Chrissy said with a teasing grin. "You'd look beautiful."

"Hell, yeah, he would!" Eddie exclaimed.

"Get back to work, Munson!" Robin yelled and Eddie hissed.

"I can't get pregnant," Steve rolled his eyes.

"We still have no idea what those bat bites did to us!" Eddie exclaimed.

"Munson!"

"You are not the boss of me, woman!" Eddie yelled. "That title belongs to Chrissy and Steve."

"Get back to work," Chrissy and Steve said, laughing.

"Yes, dears," he said.

Chrissy laughed, and she kissed Steve, sighing as he wrapped his arms around her to deepen the kiss.

"Hey!" Gareth yelled, causing them to break the kiss. "We did not come here to watch you two have sex!"

"Hey! You don't see me complaining whenever I watch them together!" Eddie exclaimed and cackled.

"Shut the hell up, Eddie, you're not funny," Gareth yelled and Chrissy laughed again.

With all of them helping out, they got everything packed up quicker than they thought they would have. Chrissy leaned against the moving truck, pressed between Eddie and Steve, staring at the apartment building. They each had a hand under her stomach, relieving some of her pressure.

"This is it. . .," Chrissy said tearfully.

"It was a good five years," Eddie said. "So many memories. . .so many fights. . . So much great sex. . ."

"Eddie!" Steve scolded.

"Remember when you rescued those puppies off the street, and it turned out to be coyotes?" Eddie asked Steve.

"Excuse me, that was you," Steve scoffed.

"Oh, yeah," Eddie said.

"Those puppies got into our apartment, and they peed all over Robin's shoes," Chrissy giggled.

"I guess you could say she was pissed," Eddie said and they laughed.

"Remember the Italian guy Chrissy dated?" Steve asked.

"Oh, God, I hated that guy," Eddie said.

"What? You did?!" Chrissy asked.

"Yeah, we both did. Turns out we were both jealous," Steve said. "I can't believe we didn't see it then."

"Better late than never," Chrissy said and sighed. "Remember when Robin put Nair in Steve's shampoo and blamed it on Eddie?"

"What?! That was you?!" Steve and Eddie shrieked.

"Oh, I thought you told them," Chrissy said.

"I might have forgotten to tell them," Robin said, smirking.

"Steve made me sleep on the couch for like a month!" Eddie shrieked.

"Yeah, it was hilarious," Robin snorted.

"Where was I for all of this?" Vickie asked.

"You were visiting relatives. I got bored," Robin said.

"Yeah, I'm never leaving you alone again," Vickie said.

"Oh, how awful for me," Robin said with a grin. "At least she's not abandoning me like you guys are."

"Stop being dramatic, Robin," Steve scoffed. "We're not even moving that far away."

"Whatever, Steven, I'm over it," Robin said, rolling her eyes, and then she grinned. "We've already replaced you, anyway."

"What does that mean?" Steve asked.

A loud honking startled them both. Chrissy looked around the moving van and was surprised to see Argyle's yellow van behind them with another moving truck behind him. God, she was surprised that Argyle was still driving that thing. Argyle popped his head out of the window.

"Happy moving day, brocachos!" Argyle yelled.

He got out of his van while Nancy and Jonathan got out of the moving van.

"You gave our apartment to Nancy, Jonathan, and Argyle?" Steve asked.

"We're in love!" Argyle yelled.

"You copying us, Wheeler?" Steve asked as they moved closer. "You know they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. You really want to be me!"

"In your dreams, Harrington!" Nancy taunted and Steve groaned.

"You're never going to let that go, are you?" Steve asked.

"Nope!"

"We figured our shit out long before you did," Jonathan said. "We just didn't tell anyone."

"Well, I hope you guys enjoy living there," Eddie grinned. "I know we did."

They gave the place one last look before thanking everyone before heading off to their new house.

A FEW DAYS LATER. . .

They hadn't gotten settled very long before Chrissy's water broke, and she went into labor. It was a grueling process for her. It was a while before they actually took her to the delivery room. She had to watch as several women went before her. Finally, several hours later, Chrissy was pushing, and the doctor was between her legs, prepared to catch the first baby.

"You're doing so great, honey," Steve coached. "Just breathe."

"I AM FUCKING BREATHING!" Chrissy screamed and then she paused, crying. "I'm so sorry, you don't deserve that. I love you. You're doing so great as well."

As she pushed, she grabbed a hold of Eddie's shirt, and he let out a cry of pain.

"MY CHEST HAIR!" Eddie screamed.

"WHAT CHEST HAIR?! YOU'RE NOT STEVE!" Chrissy yelled. "YOU THINK THAT HURTS - oh, baby, I'm so sorry. I swear I told myself I wasn't going to be like this - OH FUCK, THIS HURTS! JESUS H CHRIST!"

Chrissy rolled her eyes and for a moment she shared a smile with Eddie. Yeah, he was definitely rubbing off on her. The first baby girl came out and Eddie scurried over to watch over them while they cleaned her off. Steve stayed with Chrissy, holding her hand as they took care of their daughter. A few minutes later their second daughter was born and residing next to her sister. A moment later, Chrissy was holding both of them in her arms and she couldn't stop crying. She never loved anyone the way she loved these babies.

"I'm sorry, Steve and Chrissy," Eddie sniffled. "I love them more than you two now."

"Totally understandable, I definitely love them more than you two," Steve said as held one of their hands.

"You should hold them," Chrissy said.

"Okay, no, I'm definitely going to break them," Eddie said and wiped away tears. "Who decided that I should be a father?!"

"We did," Steve and Chrissy said.

"You're not going to break them," Chrissy said. "I love you; you're going to be a great father. Pick up your daughter."

Eddie nodded and picked up his daughter while Steve picked up the other twin. Chrissy smiled as she watched them both. Yes, this was definitely the best decision she had ever made.

"Steve, baby," Eddie sniffled.

"Yeah?" Steve asked, his voice thick with emotion.

"Is this what being mugged feels like?" he asked.

"What?" Steve and Chrissy asked in confusion.

"I'm looking at her and I want to give her everything that I have," he said. "Yeah, this is definitely a stick up. My sweet little heart thief."

"I had no clue where that was going," Steve cried. "But that was so sweet! We've just been mugged."

They were all laughing when Wayne, Robin, Vickie and Ronnie came in. Chrissy was glad that Ronnie was able to stay just a few more days.

"You ready to meet your grandkids, Uncle Wayne?" Eddie asked.

Wayne had already been crying. Chrissy could tell by his red rimmed eyes.

"Who's this little darling?" Wayne asked.

"This one is Wynona Robin Harrington Munson," Eddie said. "Chrissy came up with Wynona, it was the closet name to Wayne that she could find."

"Oh, sweetheart, you didn't have to do that," Wayne said.

"I wanted to," Chrissy said.

"You mean a lot to all of us," Steve said. "Of course, you're in there too, Robin."

"Oh my god! Okay, I'm going to be cool, I'm going to be cool," Robin said and looked at Wynona over Eddie's other shoulder. "Hi, baby birdie."

"This little girl is Elizabeth Veronica Harrington Munson," Steve said. "If anyone was wondering."

"Veronica?" Ronnie asked with wide brown eyes, that were so much like Eddie's.

"You think that I'm not going to name one of my kids after my own platonic soulmate?" Eddie grinned. "You've been my best friend since we were eight years old. Of course, it's Veronica."

"Oh, hell," Ronnie said, her eyes filled with tears and taking off her corduroy ball cap.

Chrissy smiled, surrounded by most of her family, and she couldn't help but think about how they all got there. She wondered if they had all gotten there sooner if she had been quicker in asking Steve out before he asked out Nancy. Sure, she would have gotten with Steve, and getting with Jason would have never happened. Maybe if she hadn't listened to her mother and continued hanging out with Eddie at the talent show, but she couldn't dwell on that. . .they were all here now. Despite all of the heartache that happened, everyone came out on top.

"Is it just me, or does Wynona look like Eddie and Elizabeth look like Steve?"

"Robin!"

. . . Oh, I'm a lucky man to count on both hands, the ones I love. Some folks just have one. Yeah, others, they got none. Stay with me. Let's just breathe.