#because I have a feeling that we were originally going to see more of Eddie’s queer arc in s7 - but then Gavin wasn’t going to be available

[dreamsteddie]

AITA Steddie Au Part Three

Part Two

Hello! Sorry for the delay! This week was very busy with student conferences and my own midterms so I haven't had a lot of time to work on this. This is more of an interlude building up to bigger things, but I hope you enjoy it!

Also! Get in the comments if you have any ideas of an actual name for this series so I can stop calling it AITA Steeddie Au. I can't think of anything good 😓

------

Eddie takes Steve on that second date.

And then a third and a fourth and eventually he stops counting because he's seeing Steve as often as he can between their jobs and other responsibilities. He feels high off it, giddy with possibility and hope for this new thing that he's never had before.

Eddie has done relationships before, a couple of times. A small handful of boys and girls he took out on dates and tried his best to woo all went up in flames one way or another, but none of those relationships left him feeling so gone so fast. He felt like he was always holding himself back from giving himself up completely, too afraid of falling without a safety net to reach for that deep devotion he's always craved.

Steve makes him feel like they're plunging into that unknown together.

Still, no matter how much he's been trying to avoid it, the looming specter of what the hell to do about his friends is looming over his head.

------

"Are you fucking serious right now dude?" Eddie asks, a complicated mix of righteous anger, humiliation for himself and Steve, and complete disbelief at Gareth's unwillingness to back down from this making it increasingly difficult to keep his cool.

"Look man, all I'm saying is that Steve is like, the complete antithesis of literally everything we stand for. He's a nepo baby business major who's never had an original thought in his life! I would know! I've read one of his papers." Gareth says, forced nonchalance coloring his tone and riling Eddie up even more.

He rears up, shoulders pushing back and hands grasping at the air like he could pull down his frustration from the either and condense it into a solid ball he could lob at Garteth's head to finally knock some goddamn sense into his brain.

"Hey, hey, hey. Okay, Eddie, I'm really sorry about this. It was a fucked up idea, I don't know what we were thinking." Jeff interveins before the frustrated banshy noises Eddie is letting out turn into another yelling match that won't get anyone anywhere.

"I think we just got too caught up wanting to help you get out of this rut and it all turned into something completely insane. You don't gotta forgive us Eddie, but if there's anything we can do to try and make up for it, we'll do it. Isn't that right Gareth?" Jeff pointedly asked with a look that says agree with me right now or else.

Gareth doesn't say anything.

The thing about all of this that Eddie just can't wrap his head around is the why. Why would his friends, his sheepies, do something so cruel? He knows none of them have ever looked kindly at people like Steve. Too many traumatizing high school humiliations behind them all to trust when someone who looks so much like all the guys who bullied them in high school tries to reach out, but Gareth and Jeff have never tried something like this. In fact, it's used to be Eddie doing most of the anti-jock revenge planning back in the day, even if nothing ever actually came from it.

He thought, incorrectly it seems, that they had grown out of the worst of it by now. It's been three years since Garteth graduated, and five since Eddie made his final attempt, and leaving their hometown behind did a lot to heal old hurts.

So why this? Why now?

"Is this seriously how it's going to be man? You won't tell me what the fuck any of this was really about and you're not even going to try and apologize? Seriously?" The righteous anger is starting to seep out of him, leaving behind a bone-deep exhaustion.

Gareth just continues to stare at him defiantly, not saying a word.

Eddie pinches his nose and takes a deep breath, "You know what? Fine. Whatever. If this is how it's going to be then I'm out. Jeff, I'll talk to you later, probably not for a little bit though. Gareth?" The other man lifts his head from where he'd been looking down at his shoes. There were tears in his eyes, just a little bit but enough for Eddie to clock it. Face red from some unnamed cocktail of emotions Eddie doesn't have the energy or desire to interrogate right now. "Call me when you're ready to grow the fuck up. I've got a second date to plan."

With that, Eddie turned on his heel and made for the open garage door.

"What about the band, man?!" Gareth called.

Eddie kept walking.

-------

That was over four weeks ago.

He hasn't spoken to Gareth for most of that time. The first couple of days he blew up his phone with angry to half-apologizing texts that Eddie promptly ignored. After the second day, he sent a single text back letting him know he didn't want to talk unless he had a real explanation and apology to give both him and Steve and that he was going to block his number for a little while. He could let Freak know if he was ever ready to talk like adults. Eddie trusted him to tell if Gareth was being genuine.

In other news.

Waking up to strong arms secured around his naked waist is fast becoming Eddie's favorite way to start the day. He and Steve slept together for the first time last week, and since then it's like neither of them can get enough of each other.

"Hey, baby." Steve rasps in his ear, tilting his head down to smear sleepy kisses onto his shoulder. The hand that was resting against his ribs meanders its way down to the trail of hair under his navel, scratching just a little and making Eddie feel like a contented mutt. He's not sure if he should feel horny or like he could sink into the mattress and sleep for another full 8 if Steve keeps holding him like his.

"Mornin' sweetheart." he says deciding that a couple more hours of sleep is definitely the way to go. Steve, it seems, has other idead.

"What you thinkin' about this early in the morning?" He asks, hand continuing to scratch lazily at Eddie's stomach like he's not completely destroying Eddie's will and ability to focus on anything but the warm body behind him.

But it's been a long time coming, and as much as he doesn't want to, Eddie needs to start thinking about what he wants to do about his friends? former friends? estranged family? band and Steve deserves to be a part of the conversation.

Eddie sits up, bringing Steve up with him to rest against the headboard. "I've been thinking about the band. Gareth and Jeff, that is." He pauses, waits for some kind of reaction that doesn't come. Steve looks concerned, but not in the way he thought he would.

"Ok." Steve responds, waiting for more.

"I guess I just don't know what to do." He looks out into the middle distance of Steve's bedroom. Takes in the display of swim, basketball, and baseball trophies displayed proudly on a shelf, catching the early morning light. "I'm still so fucking mad. It's honestly kind of irritating how mad it makes me to think of what they did. It was so fucking stupid."

Steve hums a little, letting Eddie get it out.

"But at the same time I can't help but fucking miss them. Miss the music and the campaigns and everything else." It's honestly been eating him alive, the mix of anger and longing he's been feeling for his friends. The constant longing to go back in time and stop them from concocting this shit show but also, like, stalk Gareth to his 8 AM Business class so he can run into Steve and they can fall in love at first sight or some shit.

Silence.

Steve shifts. Moves so he can look Eddie right in the face. He looks thoughtful in a way that Eddie had to get used to. Sometimes when Steve is thinking hard about something, he scrunches his face in such a way that it makes him look like he's judging you. He isn't, it's just an unfortunate fact of life that his baby has a resting Judgemental Face™.

Steve heaves out a big breath, bringing Eddie back down to earth. "I mean, I don't want to, like, cloud your judgement or whatever but maybe you should try and talk to them one more time. Jeff appologized right?"

And, ok that's definetly not what Eddie was expecting to hear. It must show on his face because Steve is suddenly looking away, embaraced.

"I just..." He trails off, taking his own turn staring out at the dull shine of his old acomplishments. Eddie watches as his face once again turns pensive as he stares harder at the remnents of his high school acheivements.

"I used to be a pretty shitty guy. Did the same kind of shit your buddies did a couple of times." This isn't necessarily news to Eddie. They've talked a little about who Steve was in high school and how much work he put into himself before he decided to go back to college. It's still a bit of a shock to hear, though.

"So I get how someone can make a mistake like that, y'know? So if you want to try and talk it out, I won't be offended. I know we're in this together, now." Peace said, Steve reaches for Eddie's hand and gives it a squeeze.

It hits Eddie again, just how good Steve Harrington is. It hasn't been long, not really, since they got together but they've fallen together so completley, so easily, that it's easy to forget that there's still so much they have to learn, so many layers for Eddie to peal back. Behind every judgemental remark and complaint about the frequent phone calls he gets from chuldren he used to babysit in his hometown is a man who cares deeply and is capable of great forgiveness, even if it hasn't been earned yet.

Eddie squeezes his hand back.

"Are you sure?" Eddie asks.

"Yeah, it's not we have to totally forgive them, right? But I think you need to get a real answer from both of them about why it happened. Maybe you can find a way past it, maybe they'll say something that puts the nail in the coffin." He responds.

Eddie takes a deep breath, and thinks.

Steve is right. Eddie isn't satisfied with any of the answers he got last time, and he knows that there has to be more to the story than "trying to get Eddie out of a rut" and he's not going to be able to put any of this to rest until he understands.

"Ok, yeah. I'll call them." Steve gives him an encouraging smile at that, rubbing the back of Eddie's hand where they haven't let go yet.

"Good, I'm glad. And I can come with you if you want. Hit em from both sides." he says. Eddie think's he'll take him up on that offer, but right now he had more imporant things to do. Namely, tackling his sweet boyfriend onto the mattress and having a mid morning tousle.

"We'll see. Right now I've got more imporant things to do." He says in his best aproximation of a sultry voice. He doesn't know how good it really is, but it seems to work based on the way Steve's eyes get hooded and he looks down at Eddie's mouth.

Gotcha.

Before Steve can lean down and kiss him, Eddie snaps his hands down to his boyfriend's sides in a well executed tickle atack. Steve immedietly jolts and starts howling with laughter, yelling between breaths that Eddie is "a fucking asshole" as he continues his relentless atacks.

Eventually, Steve manages to regain his bearings and go on the offence, turning them over and trapping his boyfriend's hands beneath his knees so he can atack Eddie's equally ticklish sides.

Once the late morning has passes into early noon and they've both settled back into Steve's signifigantly more rumpled be, Eddie takes one more moment to think about the furute to come before he shelves it. He knows that whatever conversation is to come, it won't be easy, and even if things go as smoothly as possible with Gareth and Jeff, things will never be the same between them all.

Looking down at Steve, who is sporting the most outrageous bedhead in human history, laughing at the stream of reals Robin sent him in the middle of the night, he thinks he'll be okay either way.

Tag List

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[eddiesxangel]

Redemption| Eddie Munson x Reader

Summary: after committing a petty crime, Eddie is forced to work community at a retirement home; what he didn’t expect was the pretty girl at the front desk, you. This is so self-indulgent don't come for me

Word count: 3.8k

Cw: mutual pining, male masturbation, Perv!Eddie, Dom!Eddie/ Sub!reader, unprotected sex, corruption kink? breeding kink, sex at work. (Briefly proofread)

An: after 85 years I finally got around to finishing this! It’s not where I thought it would go originally bc it was just suppose to be a fluff piece but the horny gremlin took over

Boredom wasn't even a way to describe how you were feeling. The phones were dead, the day had been dragging on, and it was not even 12:00pm. The residents of the home were also not doing you any favours. Having to repeat yourself about six times in a row at the top of your lungs was starting to get old; your day had just not been going the way you wanted. Any other day, you'd be happy to help, happy to repeat yourself, but today was not one of those days. You were irritated and annoyed; your work bestie was off today, so you couldn't even complain to her about your shit day.

 A sigh of relief fills you when the phone rings, a rare occasion, but today has been so slow you were begging for something to do.

 "Sunny Acres Retirement Home! How may I help you?"  your customer service voice was overly sweet, too sweet. However you can't seem to turn it off, being the people pleaser that you are. 

"Jesus Christ'' You hear mumbled from the other end of the line. 

"Hello? How can I help you?" you roll your eyes, having to repeat yourself, but keep up the chipper act.

 "Yeah, listen, I was assigned to do community hours at this place, and I need to talk to a manager." Damn, this guy had an attitude. 

"Yeah! Sure thing. Can I get your name, please?"

 "Seriously?" 

What the fuck crawled up this guy's ass?

"It's company policy, Sir." You rolled your eyes again, not wanting to deal with more bullshit.

"Eddie"  

"One moment, Eddie, I'll transfer your call." You put him on hold and transferred him to the manager with a good luck warning. 

The next day, you were in much better spirits; your work bestie was with you, it was casual Friday, and you were allowed to wear jeans instead of business casual attire.

It was around 1:00pm when you saw Chief Hopper walk in accompanied by someone you had not recognized. 

"Hey Hopps," you greet him with a smile.

"Hey, you." He said with a smile.

You and Chief Hopper had a friendly relationship because you're close friends with his girlfriend's oldest, Jonathan.  

"To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Brought in another delinquent for you to roughhouse into shape" he steps out of the way.

Your giggle dies as you lock eyes with the prettiest boy you've ever seen. 

"This is Edward; he is here to complete two hundred hours of community service, and he will be starting today."

"It's Eddie," you hear him mumble under his breath. 

Oh so this is the jackass you spoke to on the phone yesterday... a really cute jackass.

He looked to be around your age, but you didn't recognize him. You'd only been in town since the second half of senior year, hating your parents for making your move to a new school so close to graduating. You have been in Hawkins  six years now you're here working 9-5 as a receptionist at Sunny Acres Retirement Home.

"Nice to meet you, Eddie." You introduce yourself and proceed to call the manager to let her know he is here. Once Hopper leaves and your manager shows him around, you immediately call your best friend, Robin's, extension.

"Get over here now! We have a code, hottie," you whisper into the phone. Whenever you see a cute person enter the building, whether it be adult grandchildren, paramedics, or firefighters, you always let one another know when there is one on the premises. No less than two minutes later, she approaches your desk.

"Where are they?"

" There," you point to the dining room directly across from your desk as he is being given a tour of the building.

"Eddie Munson?!" she half yells before covering her mouth. 

"You know him?" you ask excitedly.

"Know him? He's the town freak," she scoffs.

"I'm sure he is a freak, alright?" You wiggle your brows at her." 

"I'm serious! He's bad news." 

"Clearly, he is doing community service hours." 

"Seriously? That is what you're into?" she giggles.

"I don't know? There is something about him?" You bite your lip as you check him out from afar. He turns back to walk towards you, and you quickly look away, not wanting to be caught.

You've always been into bad boys, but your golden retriever, good girl image, always scared them away.

Eddie notices you staring at him because you're not very subtle.  He isn't mad that he caught you staring because he felt that you were checking him out rather than judging him. Unlike your co-worker standing beside you...

Just his luck, he recognized Robin from high school. She was always neutral towards him and didn't say much, but he knew how the people in this town operated. She would turn you against him in no time.

"Buckley." He nodded.

"Munson," she mimicked back.

You watched the scene play out, hoping she would introduce you. Wrong. She goes straight in for the kill.

"My friend thinks you're cute." She points her thumb at you, and you immediately slap her shoulder as a gut reaction.

"Robin?!" you scold her. Mortified about what she admitted to him just to break an awkward silence, you feel like you want the ground to swallow you whole. 

Eddie gives you a cocky smirk before the manager comes back to continue with the tour. 

"Why do you hate me? Did I do something?  Are you punishing me?" you whine. 

"You know I just blurt out things when I get uncomfortable!" 

All you can do is roll your eyes, you loved the girl, but she could be really dense. 

Eddie couldn't stop thinking about your brief interaction all night. Was Robin telling the truth? Did you really think he was cute? Or was she teasing? He hoped that she had grown up since high school and was telling the truth because he also thought you were cute, like really, really cute. He hadn't seen you before, and Hawkins was a small town; he must have known you from somewhere? He wraps his brain around any memories of your face, but he comes up empty. He had to find out more about you. He needed to know you. Something about you infatuated him so much. He thought about how your body looked in the adorable outfit you had on. He thought about what was under the outfit to... Maybe being forced to volunteer his time at Sunny Acres wouldn't be the worst thing that happened to him after all...

The next day, you were assigned to show Eddie some of the duties he was to do for the residents. Talk to them, run bingo, help them with their phone if the line was giving them any trouble, or their TV if they put in the wrong input, serve them beverages, and get to know them and keep them company. A lot of them don't have families or anyone to come visit them. The staff are their family. That was the main reason you stayed at this job for so long. 

Eddie was quiet the whole orientation. The tension from yesterday was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Small talk was not your strong suit; you dreaded it, but you also really wanted to talk with Eddie, so you went for it.

"So what did they book you for? Steal candy from a kid on the playground?" trying to make light of the situation. 

"Murder," he deadpans to you.

"Ha ha. Nice try. They don't give community hours to murderers." you couldn't keep your eyes on the task in front of you.

He was dead silent, but you could feel his eyes burning into you.

"Okay, don't tell me; I'll just keep guessing until you do." you gave a cheeky smile, trying to lighten the mood. 

Another eye roll was shot your way, but you swore you saw a glint of something behind those eyes. 

"So what was it? Trespassing? Vandalism? shoplifting? Public intoxication? Speeding?" you raise a brow at him.

 Eddie just smirked and shook his head as you interrogated him. Your bubbly personality was nothing compared to his. He noticed how you would light up the room when you walked in. The residents of the home adored you, and he could see why. You were one of the prettiest girls he had ever seen; your eyes sparkled, and he loved how you styled yourself. He wasn't used to being so infatuated by someone so cutesy. He noticed you wore a lot of pink and has yet to see you in anything black. He thought of what you would look like with black underwear... then he snapped back out of his thoughts. He tried to think of something less sexy, but as he was trying to do so, your top slipped down when you went to reach for the deck of cards across from you. He caught a glimpse of the frilly light yellow bra you had on under your top.

Eddie noticed the room was getting hotter, or was that just him? You made him nervous; he didn't want to embarrass himself in front of you more than he already has. He felt shame that we had to be waltzed in here by the chief of police, never mind what offence he committed. So he stayed quiet, not wanting the next thing to come out of his mouth to be offensive or crass. So he kept quiet, not saying anything or indulging in the conversation more than he had to.

Another week went by, and you still hardly spoke to Eddie. Work was unbelievably slow yet again. you thought that would give you a chance to speak with Eddie, but you hardly had time to see him because the residents kept hogging him. That was until your manager asked for you to help with the Bingo because everyone decided to show up today. Eddie was in charge of rolling and placing, and you were in charge of announcing and checking.

This was it, this was your chance to speak to him...

"How do you like it here so far?"

"It's fine I guess." He mumbled. 

"Everyone really loves you." You smiled.  

Eddie gave you a look that said what the fuck?

“No really! … Do you not like it here?” What you were really asking was do you not like being around me?

"Don't you get it? How can I serve these snotty rich people when all they do is look down on someone like me?"

"Eddie, are you blind? The residents love you." 

Eddie scoffs at your confession. "I'm serious! When you are gone, Pat always asks where you are! And Linda always refers to you as her boyfriend, and I overheard Martha and June arguing over who got to braid your hair next. You're a real ladies' man around here," You giggle. 

"A ladies man you say?" his mood slowly changes as he smirks at you. That made you blush, the heat rose to your cheeks as you looked away bashfully. He was just so pretty… and the way he looked at you like how he is now is making you so shy.

"Yeah, I'm kinda jealous of Linda, if I'm honest." You flirt. You feel like your stomach was in your ass by the time you finished the sentence.

-

"What's the next number! come on!" Bob yelled from the table. You had completely forgotten about the game.

Small glances were stolen throughout the following weeks.  You would feel the heat rise to your cheeks every time he caught you, and you couldn't tell if he found it endearing or annoying. You never got a response out of Eddie after your admission to being jealous over an eighty-three-year-old.

Eddie definitely thought it was endearing and he can't seem to get you out of his head. He would think about you when he was alone in his room at night. He would think about how you always smelled like marshmallows, how your hair looked so cute with the little bow you put in it occasionally, or how you tease him by wearing those short skirts with stockings underneath. He knew you were teasing him. Everyone else bought the Goodie Two Shoes act, but not Eddie. He saw right through it, and he was fed up. He felt like if he didn't have you, he would actually explode.

Eddie had been watching you from afar this whole time. He would sneak around your desk, finding things he could take home with him as a keepsake. Like little doodles you would leave out, or the pen you were using, or your lip balm. The best was when you left your purse out, and he got a chance to take the travel-size perfume that was lying there on top of everything. There was a reason he got booked for defacing public property and not theft. Theft he was good at.

Eddie sprayed his pillow with your perfume and then used your lip balm that smelled and tasted like strawberries, fuck, everything about you was so sweet: your personality, looks and smell, even your fucking lip balm. He thought about how his lips were touching the thing that touched yours as he applied it to his own, and his dick got hard. Then he thought about how your strawberry lips would look around his hard cock.

You were taking over Eddie's senses as he began to tug at his cock. He thought about how he would love to flip up your skirt and fucking you in one of the empty rooms. His imagination ran wild. He thought about your voice, how your tits would look bouncing in that frilly yellow bra he got a peek at. He wanted you in every position, especially under him. He knew you would be the perfect little sub for him. He needed you to be; he was so close to cumming. He thought about you crying from how much you needed his cock to fill you. He thought about how good you would look and feel swallowing his cock. He needed to take what he thought, no needed to believe, was your virgin pussy.

Eddie came so hard that night, the first night he indulged in his fantasies of you with your smell lingering in the air of his room. The mix of your sent with his was too much. He needed you, and he would do anything to try and get you.

"Ok, I can't take this anymore, you need to talk to him." Robin shook her head. 

"And say what?" 

"Yo Munson, come here!" 

"Robin!" You scolded.  

As Eddie approached, you felt your heart rate go up; you could hear the blood pumping in your ears. What on earth was she going to say now? 

"Okay, I can't take watching you two dance around one another any longer." "She thinks you're cute. Okay..." Robin gestured to you. "Do you think she is cute?"

Eddie didn’t say anything, he just slowly nodded his head.

The tension broke when the shrill of phone ring broke you out of your trance and shook you a little. You just stared at the phone and Robin butted in.

“I’ll take it, you take your lunch” she gave you a wink and you looked to Eddie.

“I could eat.” and he wasn't talking about the chicken they were serving for lunch.

You felt your stomach do a flip-flip; you heard the insinuation in his tone.

"Um, uh- yeah. Okay." You cleared your throat and went to find an empty room for some privacy.

You guided Eddie up to the eighth floor. There were a lot of vacant rooms up there, and hardly anyone went in the west wing since no one was living there yet. The elevator ride up was silent; you felt an awkwardness, like Eddie was looking into your soul even though he wasn't even looking at you... The elevator dinged, and Eddie let you step out first, guiding him to the privacy he yearned for.

809 Eddie read on the door as you fumbled with the lock and key. Finally, you opened the lock and guided him inside. The room was completely empty; it echoed a little as your footsteps filled it.

"So..." You started but Eddie had no time for talking. He wanted you and he wanted you now.

Eddie surprised you by cupping your face and kissing you passionately. No one had ever kissed you like this before; it was strong and hard but also careful.

"You have no idea what you do to me, sweetheart." He spoke into your mouth. The kissing got more and more sensual. You ran your hands up his middle before you knew what was happening he quickly turned you around and pressed you up against the wall.

"You think it's cute? Teasing me for weeks with your sweet little outfits?" Eddie's hand was wrapped around your mouth to keep you quiet as his fingers explored you meat of your ass.

"Mmmmmph" You were so scared someone would find you in the empty suite, but it also turned you on more than expected.

"What was that sweetheart? I didn't quite catch that?" His fingers found the waistband of your stockings and pulled them and your panties down with one swift motion. His hand loosened its grip on your jaw so you could speak.

"N-no," You whimpered. This was turning you on way more than it should. You thought you would come up here to talk; maybe he would ask you out on a date. You never thought you would be fucking!

"I don't believe you."

You felt your skirt flipped up and a cool breeze on your wet pussy.

"Tell me, sweetheart, has anyone ever filled this pussy?" Eddie asked as he ran a single finger through your wet folds.

"Yes," You admit shakily. You gripped Eddie's wrist of the hand that was clamped around your throat.

Eddie can't say he was surprised that you’ve had men before him. You were beautiful, smart, funny, adorable. It's too bad you had to be with them before he got a taste.

"What a shame you've had to suffer through that before meeting me, babydoll."

"Why is that?" you ask bravely.

Eddie chuckled darkly... "Because baby, I'm about to ruin you for all men."

That made you gulp. You can't believe you were about to fuck your crush in the middle of the work day. You didn't do stuff like this! you were a good girl, a rule follower.

Before you could think anymore about the consequences, Eddie, he slipped his throbbing cock into your needy pussy.

"Holy fuck!" You screamed, and Eddie's hand clamped back down over your mouth to keep you quiet.

Just when Eddie didn't think you could get any hotter, the curse word you let slip from your mouth made his cock twitch inside of you.

"Fuck me, you stretch me out so good," You whine, and Eddie thinks he will bust a nut right then and there. His perfect little angel had the mouth of a whore.

"Yes, you like that, don't you, you dirty little slut." Eddie jerked his hips up into you. It was sharp and hard and hit that delicious spot inside you each time. “You wanna be my good girl? Or my bad girl?”

“Good- oh fuck- good girl. I want to be your good girl!”

“That shut the fuck up and take it like I know you can”

"oh my god, you're so big." Your eyes rolled back into your head as he became more controlled with his rhythm. His hands gripped your hip, and he wrapped his hand in your hair, yanking your head back like he was riding you.

The view Eddie had was your ass bounced off his cock was making his head spin. He knew you would hand a perfect pussy. It was his now and only his.

"This pussy is mine now, understand? Im going to fill this pussy so good you won't know what to do for days. The only thing you're going to be thinking of is me and my fat cock."

All you could do was moan in response. "Yea you like that you dirty little whore. You like that I own this pussy now…” Eddie slowed down, he rolled his hips slowly into your pussy and he swore he saw the light “You have everyone convinced you're a goodgirl but all you are is a cumslut. Tell me how much you want my cum coating your walls"

"I want it so bad!" you cried.

You've never had a dick like this before. Eddie was right, he's ruined you for all men and he hadn't even made you cum... yet. You had full faith that he was able to do so because you could feel it. The warm fuzzy feeling was bubbling up in your core. Eddie had picked up the pace at your omission, and fuck if he wasn’t hitting your g spot with each delicious stroke of his cock hitting your walls.

"Fuck I'm going to cum!" You scream, all caution thrown to the wind, you'd forgotten where you were. The only thing you could think of was Eddie and his delicious cock.

"Fuck yes, babydoll. Come on this cock." Eddie's hand let go of your hair and wrapped it around your throat, pulling you flush to his body.

"More" You whisper.

"Greedy greedy girl."

"Please" You begged. You needed him to touch you.

"There is my good girl." His hand that had gripped your hip slid down and started playing with your swollen clit and your legs almost gave out.

"Next time, I'm keeping my word, and I'm going to eat this pretty little pussy." Eddie growled.

That did it for you; your inner walls squeezed, and you felt your orgasm rush through you. Eddie trusted in you as your body convulsed around him.

"Fuck you're so fucking tight," Eddie grits through his teeth, and he fights off his impending orgasm. He doesn't want this moment to end, he wants it to last forever. What if this is the last chance he has to feel your pussy wrapped around him?

"Please, Eddie, I want your cum! I want your cum so fucking bad, my pussy needs it."

That did it for Eddie, he let go and his hot seed was being shot into you with a roar.

After minutes of silence and heavy breathing, Eddie bent down and pulled up your panties and stockings for you, trapping his cum with it. You turn slowly, afraid to look him in the eyes, but Eddie doesn't allow it. He brings your cin up, guiding your eyes to look into his.

"Don't shy away from me now, babydoll. You're going to go back down to the lobby and finish the rest of your work day knowing my cum is going to be seeping through your pretty little panties, ok?" He ordered, and you dumbly nodded your head, still fucked out by the amazing dick you just received.

"Good girl" Eddie patted your ass, and you walked to the elevator with wobbly legs. Eddie laughed and held you stand straight before letting go before you reached the first floor.

You returned from your break fifteen minutes later than allotted, but Robin covered for you. You couldn't even look her in the eyes, and she knew you got freaky with the freak of Hawkins.

[solarmorrigan]

Eddie gets Steve’s pickles when they go out to eat. Steve gets Eddie’s tomatoes. The transaction is seamless; it requires no words

Most of Eddie’s t-shirts have done time as sleep shirts for Steve. Eddie steals Steve’s hoodies without remorse. Neither of them remember which pair of sweatpants originally belonged to who at this point

No one bothers saving them more than one seat at any kind of movie night or other get-together; Eddie spends more time sitting on Steve than on the couch

They become an interchangeable taxi service at some point. The kids will say they’re getting a ride from eddiensteve, but it’s anyone’s guess if it’s going to be Steve’s beamer or Eddie’s van that rolls up (the only real difference is if they have to listen to Steve complaining about providing rides and then asking how their activities are going, or if they have to listen to Eddie’s music at deafening volume)

It feels so easy, the way their lives mesh, when they finally get together, and maybe it isn’t strictly healthy, but anyone who wants to throw around the word “codependent” must first survive at least one Upside Down Event. In any case, no one else really seems to mind–

“Y’know, when you two got together, I thought it would be weird. Like seeing your two older brothers make out,” Dustin mentions one day.

Steve’s face screws up in disgust. “Ew. Henderson–”

“But,” Dustin cuts in, “I’m actually kind of relieved.”

“I’ll bite,” Eddie drawls. “Pray tell: why?”

“Because you’re not going to make me pick a favorite anymore. You’ve basically melded into the same person.”

There is a beat of surprised silence before Steve and Eddie, almost simultaneously, burst out with “Oh my god, no we haven’t.” – “We have not.”

There is another beat of silence in which the two of them blink at each other as a grin spreads across Dustin’s face.

“See?” Steve finally says, recovering and looking at Dustin but pointing towards Eddie. “The way we said that was completely different.”

“Totally different,” Eddie agrees with a nod of his head.

“And we were never going to make you pick a favorite. What the hell, man?”

“What do you take us for, recently divorced parents?”

“That would’ve been petty.”

“Juvenile, even.”

“Exactly!”

Eddie shakes his head, clucking his tongue. “Where do you get these ideas, Henderson?”

Dustin, who has been watching their exchange like a tennis match, shakes his head right back. “It’s like you have two mouths but only one brain.”

[thirdwheelravi]

Yeah, no literally it feels like when Tim Minear decided he was gonna kill off Bobby, he realized they’d need more 118 time in the two parter, and Eddie’s storyline needed to go. But they couldn’t also /not/ have Chris and Eddie’s reconncilliation before that, so episode 13 was hastily written and added as a bandaid, and then every single other storyline they had written, planned, even filmed for, this season subsequently went bye bye. I do not for a single moment believe this was the original outcome, of any of the storylines. But it’s what we got, because suddenly Tim Minear has invisible beef with Peter Krause or something.

like genuinely i think what happened was: tim had the idea for the contagion two-parter. initially this episode was supposed to be 13 & 14. the eddie and chris final reconciliation was supposed to happen AFTER the two parter. at which point eddie and chris probably would have just decided to move back to LA because literally what was keeping them in texas. nothing apparently.

but then tim decided he was gonna kill bobby. idk if this was TRULY just him thinking it was a great creative choice or it was for budget reasons (this show is expensive to make and peter is a top-billed cast member) or what. but in any case he decided to kill bobby. and then, knowing it wouldn't really work to do the eddie/chis reconciliation AFTER bobby dies, and knowing they had a one week break after easter, he shoved 8x13 in there.

and then eddie's entire storyline after this is about how sad he was that he wasnt there when bobby died and the conclusion to that is like. well turns out there was literally no reason for you not to have been there! you just like. forgot you could move back to LA whenever.

like if bobby had lived i think we would have gotten more/better exploration of eddie and chris's relationship. we would have gotten buck grappling with trying to let them go/what his feelings for eddie really are (i do think that's like. why they brought tommy back to begin with). we would have gotten more of maddie's pregnancy and maybe even an actually dramatic episode about the birth. we would have potentially even gotten more about mara's adoption process, and (this is pure speculation plucked from my dreams) a real bobby and athena dual arc about both of them contemplating a change career-wise (i do think the ingredients for this were there if only vaguely...)

and instead we got some half-baked grief plotlines and a pretty solid chimthena conflict/reconciliation which to me was the ONLY interesting thing to come out of bobby's death and it was simply because it was a real pleasure to see angela and kenny as scene partners.

[spookysteddie]

That Friday Night

Modern!Rockstar!Eddie Munson x Influencer!fem!reader

read part one here

18+ MINORSDNI

cw: alcohol, drugs (weed and cocaine), clubbing, slight Dom!Eddie if you squint, possessive!Eddie, swearing, pet names, oral (fem!receiving), light choking, unprotected sex, penetrative sex, edging, creampie. (let me know if I missed anything)

wc: 4.3k (I'm so sorry)

a/n: First of all, I want to thank every single person who liked, reblogged or made comments about part one. I was shitting myself posting it because (like I said) this is not an original thought. I'd read a few and it gave me this wave of inspiration. I am very proud of this part. It's also a little long (sorry sorry sorry I couldn't stop) . Also I don't think I'll be doing a tag list? When I used to do that no one on the list would like the fic and it was a lot of work. I hope that is okay? Let me know if you want more! I love and appreciate all of you!

...

You weren’t the type of person who got shy. Your entire job is being in front of a camera, telling people what you like, what you wear, the type of music you listen to. You did brand deals and went on lots of trips with people you didn’t know. Public interaction was easy for you and you definitely enjoyed it. 

But being personally invited to your favorite band's concert (even if you had tickets already) as their frontman's personal guest? It makes you weak in the knees. 

Telling your team about the phone call went about as good as one would expect. Anna and Case frown at you while continuing to say ‘you could’ve let it go to voicemail and we could’ve handled it directly with his people. AND why did you have him send the information directly to you?’

They weren't necessarily wrong in being upset. There were plenty of ways a conversation like that could be twisted and fucked with, especially if, for whatever reason, someone was recording the phone call. It was very easy for them to manipulate and edit that kind of shit, and drama was the last thing you wanted. 

However, the rest of the week went by without an issue. The gossip magazines had moved on to something else (though there were a few who continued to speculate about your non-relationship with Eddie. You did your deals, and kept yourself busy. And by the time Friday rolled around you were hardly nervous. 

Or that’s what you kept telling yourself. 

“Bell bottom star pants. Absolutely,” Hana says from her place on your bathroom counter, practically in the sink. “With that black leather top you love AND the red leather jacket. Oh! Oh! Oh! And the red boots!” 

You put the outfit on, looking in the mirror, “you don’t think it’s too… stereotypical?” 

Hana looks at you through the mirror, “no such thing. You look great.” 

Hana was one of the few people in your life who’d tell you like it is. You could trust her to tell you if her gut feelings were off, or on. She was your best friend and one of the few people who weren’t just here for the exposure. She’s here to be your cheerleader and you were hers. 

“Alright, let's get this going before I change my mind which I am two seconds away from doing.” 

… 

You should’ve changed your mind. 

You can hardly keep from throwing up as you're led by security to a private entrance. To get there you have to pass by their tour buses. All you can hear is loud music and whooping from inside. It’s clear they’re running around in there as the bus is rocking and all you can do is pray they don’t see you. 

You’re far too sober for the interaction you’ll be having at this current time. 

Unfortunately for you, the universe hates you. Just when you think you’re home free, the door opens, almost smacking you in the face. 

“Don’t think you can get away that easy, Asher,” Eddie says as he looks down at you. His pupils are blown wide, clearly from whatever drug he’s consumed. More than likely cocaine and weed. His words aren’t slurred so he isn’t drunk, though he does have a beer bottle in his large hands. 

God his hands, there have been many times where you’d imagine them wrapped around your throat, cutting off air as he fucks you like he hates you. You bet he could reach you even as he’s eating you out, he’s so tall and long. 

You wish you could say the grin you shoot at him is fake, however with the way he’s looking at you, like he wants to devour and smother you, it's not. You feel like a fucking school girl who has a crush. Your heart pounds so fast in your chest and you swear everyone around you can hear it. 

“We weren’t running away,” you say, voice a little breathier than you’d like. “Um this is my best friend-” 

“Hana, nice to meet you,” he cuts you off. It’s then that you see his eyes get wide and you know he’s been stalking your profile. Not that you can say anything because you’ve done it… a lot. “I, uh, saw the instagram story you put up earlier.” 

Hana smirks, “sure you did, big boy.” She pats his chest and is clearly much braver than you. That’s another thing about you and her, if one of you is feeling not confident, the other makes up for it. Like, on your own, asking for ketchup feels like cutting off a limb, but if she can't do it then it's up to you and vice versa. 

Eddie scratches the back of his neck, his black t-shirt stretching over his wide shoulder, “want to join us? We have alcohol!” 

“We would love that. Wouldn’t we?” Hana looks down at you with her brows raised, still taller than you in heels. 

You nod, “yes. Yeah absolutely! Are we allowed to photograph in here?” 

You know it’s a stupid thing to ask, but you also don’t want to take a photo of you and Hana and then not be able to post it. And what if you get photos with the rest of the band? Everyone already knows you’re going to be here. Just not… in this tour bus. 

Eddie nods, holding out his hand, “you are allowed to do whatever you want, pretty girl. And if anyone has an issue, send them my way, yeah?” He kisses the hand you’ve placed in his before leading you up the stairs of his bus. 

It's chaos in there, pure and utter chaos. You turn to look at Hana, silently telling her how insane this is. She nods slightly, but you see the grin on her face. Hana loves this stuff; the parties, the madness, all of it.

Eddie introduces you to the band, pulling you in closer by the waist. “You all need to be on your best behavior. No one touches her. Do you all understand me?” Your heart flutters at how serious he is and it instantly forces his bandmates eyes to fall to your feet. It’s impressive, actually. 

Suddenly, a bottle of beer is in your hands, passed to you by Eddie. “Oh… thank you.” You can hardly look at him as a small smile forms on your lips. His attention makes you feel all kinds of funny inside, your stomach doing flips. You know you have to look at him eventually, but he’s just so pretty that it actually hurts. 

“Um, so are you excited for your show?” This time you manage to actually drag your eyes to his. He smiles at you, his teeth so beautiful and perfect. It’s when he sits down that you realize that was a stupid question. Of course he’s excited. This is his actual job. 

He leans forward, elbows resting on his knees as he looks up at you through his lashes, you could kiss him. But you don’t for obvious reasons. Reasons you can't really think of at the moment. Not when he’s looking at you like that.  The beer bottle hangs in his right hand between his legs. 

“Very. Not much comes close to the feeling I get when we’re on that stage.” He shakes his head, curly hair moving with him, “plus, being able to hear people sing my songs back to me is fucking incredible.” 

His hand finds yours, pulling you a little closer. Eddie is testing the waters, you know this. Unfortunately for you, your brain can’t see through the cloud of lust. So, you let him pull you closer, sit you on his lap, and wrap an arm around you. 

Your brain does catch up, quicker than expected. “It seems like it’d be incredible. I applaud you cause I could never do that. I have stage fright.” 

He blinks up at you, “stage fright? Haven’t you done red carpet interviews and stuff?” 

You shift a little, shrugging, “well yes. But that’s different.” You can't stop the awkward laugh that comes out of you. It was true, it was different. You weren’t exactly sure why but it was. 

Eddie's thumb moves along your side slightly and it leaves goosebumps in its wake. 

“I’m being honest, the lights are so bright that I can’t see everyone in the crowds. Mainly just the front rows. Makes it easier.” 

Eddie puts his beer bottle on the ground by his feet before sitting up and grabbing a joint. He’s quiet as he lights it, puffing out smoke to get it going. “Want some?” 

He holds the joint towards you, waiting for your answer. You’ve done this before at the frat houses at college. You’ve done it here and there in high school as well. This is second nature, but this time you’re nervous. What if you forget how to inhale? What if you throw up? Any number of things can happen. 

Something happens inside you and your brain finally catches up to itself. A small stroke of confidence happens and without taking your eyes off of him, you lean forward, wrapping your lips around the joint and inhaling. His eyes stay locked on yours, his tongue wetting his lips. You pull back, slowly blowing out the smoke. 

“Fuckin’ hell.” It comes out in a whisper and you know he didn’t mean to say it out loud. His eyes falling from your eyes, to your lips and back again. 

God you want to kiss him. His pillowy lips would feel amazing against yours, you just know it. You start to lean into him, desperate to know if you’re right.   

A bang on the door scares the fuck out of the both of you and Eddies boot knocks over his bottle. It’s a good thing he drank most of it, the contents not spilling on the plush carpet. 

“Let’s get going guys. Put your dicks back in your pants, we have a show to do.” You know that voice, that’s their manager. He’s the one who called your people to make sure you had all the rules for this evening. 

Photos are fine. 

Everyone must be tagged. 

Nothing negative. 

Absolutely no photos of any white substances. Even if it’s sugar. 

That last one would be hard considering it was on every flat surface in neat, clean lines. 

You go to stand up, but Eddie stops you, his hand tightening on your hip. “Promise I’ll see ya after?” 

You nod, “y-yeah of course.” 

Before you know it, his lips are on yours. The kiss is soft, sweet and you don’t want it to end. In fact, you totally forget about all the other people in the room. Your hands find his face, pulling him closer as his tongue begs for permission. And once you grant it, it’s game over. 

He tastes like beer and weed and cigarettes and you love it. You want more. You want to get closer. 

But it’s not long before the door to his trailer opens up, his manager stepping into the bus. “I said get your dicks and tongues together. We cannot be late.” 

… 

By the time the show is over you barely have a voice, and you’re sure you’ve never been more turned on in your life. It might seem silly to say, but Eddie's kiss lingered the entire show and all you want is more. 

Back stage the band is still running on adrenaline, drinking water for once to try and refuel for the rest of the night. The rest of the night being a club that they frequent. A club you don’t go to because of that exact reason. 

“Ohhhhh! There's the prettiest girls I’ve ever laid eyes on!” Eddie's voice booms as security goes to double check you and Hana. “Hey! Leave them alone. They’re with me.” 

Security stands back, hands raise like he knows it’ll cause more issues if he doesn’t. You almost feel bad for the poor guy, he was just trying to do his job. Like what if you had a bomb or something? 

“C’mon we gotta get outta here.” He laces his fingers with yours before he pulls you along with him. You look over your shoulder, catching Hana's eyes. 

Go! She mouths, hanging off Gareth's arm. I’ll meet you there! 

And so, you go. Are you nervous? Yes absolutely. Are you going to pretend you aren’t and have some confidence? Yes. Fake it till you make it right?

Eddie opens the door to the car, extending a hand, “ladies first.” 

You grin at him as you elegantly slide into the car, “wow. I didn’t know you were such a gentle man.” This time when you giggle, it's cute and self assured. 

“Yes, I have been told my entire life that I look,” he slides in sucking in a soft, thinking breath, “mean and scary.” 

“You look like a doberman but they’re precious babies.” You mean it too. He looks a little mean and scary, especially in the red lights of the stage. Not to mention the “devil music” (says the media) which can get a little dark. But that’s what makes it great, in your opinion. Plus, he does look like doberman. Like he could probably kill you but would actually not? 

“‘Precious babies?’” 

You nod, “mhm! I grew up with them. Very sweet and love kisses. Oh! And they each had their own comfort toys.” 

“Then maybe I am one because I do love kisses.” He’s closer now, his breath fanning over your face. He still smells like beer and cigarettes mixed in with the smell of his cologne. 

It’s your turn to close the gap and planting your lips on his. The kiss is hotter, more intense. One could argue it’s because of the alcohol swimming in your system that makes you so bold. You’re buzzed, but not drunk. It isn’t long before his hands are in your hair, tugging. It makes you moan in his mouth, opening up to him. 

He sits back, his hands in your hair pulling you with him, making you sit in his lap. Your legs rest on either side of his hips, your cunt nestled right against the bulge in his pants. He couldn’t hide it even if he wanted to. You test the waters by rocking your hips, the friction being so sweet that you’re the one who lets out a moan. 

“God, that is the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.” He kisses down your neck, nipping and sucking as he goes. “Should record it and use it in our next song.” 

You hum and grin, “I wouldn’t mind that. Always wanted to be in a song. Can’t sing though.”  

He nips at your ear, “that’s my job baby.” 

Eddie's large hand grips your hips, stopping your movements. You want to whine, you want to protest. You were so fucking close. 

“We’ll save that for when we're back at my place.” 

You grin and kiss along his jaw, “who says I’m going back to your place?” 

“The way you were just grindin’ against my cock, angel.” He grins, “also with how you’re lookin’ at me.” 

“And how am I looking at you? Hmm?” 

“Like you want me to fuck you while your brain leaks out your cunt.” 

You shudder at the crudeness of his words. No one has ever spoken to you like that and looked like him. The car stopping in front of the club saves you from trying to come up with an answer. One you know will either be embarrassing or non-existent. 

He looks over at the paparazzi that is waiting and sighs, “are we going in together or…” 

The decision you make is quick. If you’re going to do this, even for one night, you’re going to do it together and let them talk. You give him a quick kiss, “together. Give ‘em something to talk about, yeah?” 

So, you do. 

The second you’re out of the car, cameras flash and photographers call out a mix of your name and his and you can hardly understand what they’re saying. You don’t stop to pose, letting them only photograph you and him walking hand and hand. Give them crumbs as your manager says. Once you’re in the club, not even needing to show an ID or give a name. 

From there the night happens in a blur. The band has the VIP section where bottles of expensive liquor are brought over by women dressed in a bikini. You know how much all of this costs (more than you can afford that’s for sure) but you also know that all of this is on Eddie and the bands tab. He’s told you six times. 

So you drink. And you smoke. And you watch pretty white lines disappear, most of which disappear up Eddie's nose. Of course you take videos, vlogging your night and making sure to follow all the rules that were set prior to this meeting. Taking photos to remember the night. Hana is having a blast, taking shots like it’s her job and making out with Gareth in between. Of course she takes photos with you, sitting in your lap and giggling so much the photos come out blurry. But those are your favorite kinds of photos. 

“Dance with me?” Eddie says in your ear over the music. 

You take the shot that is in your hands, “lead the way.” 

The second you’re surrounded by sweaty bodies you feel invisible. You’re sure someone has cameras on you and him but at the moment you don’t care. 

Your hips move to the music, back against Eddie's chest while his hands explore your body. His lips move against your neck, sucking a dark mark into it that you know you’ll struggle to cover later. Again, you don’t care. What you do care about is the hardness that you feel against your back. 

You spin around, grinning up at him. God he’s so fucking tall you have to tilt your head up a good bit to look at him. 

“We should get out of here,” you say as he pulls you into him. 

He smirks, “thought you weren’t coming back to my place sweetheart.” 

“Seems I told a fib. Now, I need you to take me home and fuck me like you hate me.” 

It’s all he needs before he’s grabbing you by the hand and pulling you out of the club. The car is there and he quickly pulls you into the back seat. Once those doors are closed, the window tint so dark you couldn’t see inside if you tried, his mouth his on yours. Your stomach flips and the neediness you feel coming off of him. He pulls you till you’re straddling him, legs on either side of his hips. Not really the safest but at this point, all you need is his lips on you. 

The ride to Eddie’s consists of lots of kissing, so much so that you know your lips are swollen. You don’t get to see much of Eddie’s house, too focused on getting inside the house and into his bedroom. He drags you up the stairs, your hand is his. And once you’re in his room, he has you pressed up against his bedroom door. 

“You’re so fucking hot, baby.” Eddie pushes your jacket off your shoulders while he speaks, his words going straight to your clit. Your mind can barely comprehend that Eddie Munson, the man you’ve had a crush on since they were considered an ‘underground band,’ is currently taking off your clothes. 

You do the same to him, pushing his leather jacket to the ground before tugging at the ends of his shirt and pulling it over his head. “Me? You are so beautiful.” 

He hums, popping the button on your jeans, “should we take a poll on who's prettier? Winner takes the loser on a date?” 

That makes you laugh, “sounds like a deal. But first, you need to fuck me.” 

His eyes nearly go black at that and before you can think, he’s throwing you on this bed. You land with a small oomph. You decide to take a little initiative, pulling off your boots, scooting off your pants and pulling off your top. 

Eddie watches, rapt and almost possessed, his eyes scanning your partially naked body. It’s not anything more than someone would see if you posted in a bathing suit, but you can’t help but feel nervous that he isn’t going to like you. 

He quickly puts those fears (fears he knows nothing about) to rest as he settles between your legs. His eyes don’t leave yours as he kisses up your thighs. You know there is a wet patch on your underwear and you know he can see it. You do feel embarrassed about it, but at the same time, Eddie is slightly rutting against the bed so he must like it. Right? 

You can feel your body heat as he gets closer and closer to your center. 

“Eddie, please don’t tease me.” Never have you begged a man. Typically whoever you were in bed with did the begging, much to your dislike. You were desperate for someone to take charge. Now you know why they didn’t. One bruise and they get shit from all your followers. Even if you tell them to leave these men alone. 

But Eddie? He wasn’t afraid. 

“But it’s so much fun to watch you squirm.” 

You huff, squirming exactly like he said as he sits up to pull your underwear down your legs before setting back between them. “Need you to touch me.” 

He licks a stripe up your slit, sucking on your clit as he gets to the top. The sound that falls from your lips is beautiful, sweeter than the sound you made in the car. Now Eddie really wants to put you in a song, but the jealous, primal side of him never wants someone else to be able to hear your moans. 

In fact, he doesn’t want to think about any of the other men who’ve heard you make these sounds. Murder wasn't really on his list of things he enjoyed. Bar fights? Yes. Murder? No. 

“You make the prettiest sounds, sweetheart. S’very hot.”  He slides two fingers inside you with little resistance, curling them up to hit the spongy spot inside you. The stretch feels good, your hips moving on their own, riding Eddie's fingers. 

You're close, the build up of this moment really getting closer than you originally thought. “Squeezin’ my fingers so tight, baby. Are you close?” 

You nod, afraid if you speak you’ll say something ridiculous. 

But that isn’t good enough for Eddie. “Words.” 

“V-very.” 

That was clearly the wrong thing to say because he pulls his fingers from inside you, the emptiness making you gasp, “no! No, no, no I was so close!” 

He laughs as he pushes his pants and boxers off his body. “Exactly. Want you to cum with my cock inside you.” 

You look down between your bodies and your eyes widen. He was big and you accidentally voice what you’re thinking, “fuck… not gonna fit.” 

His laugh drags your eyes back to him, his cock moving through your slick and bumping your clit. “Baby you are so wet that I have no doubt it’ll fit.”  

You don’t have time to be embarrassed about it because Eddie is pushing inside you. The size of him stretching you makes you feel like he’s going to split you in half. But you don’t care, the burn just turns you on more and more and before you know it he’s seated inside you fully. 

“Fuck, Eddie.” 

Eddie is panting, trying to keep still so he doesn’t cum before he wants to. “Feel so fuckin’ good, sweetheart. A man could become obsessed with this pussy.” 

He moves right as you begin to speak, nearly knocking the air out of your lungs. He feels like he’s everywhere. “W-witchcraft” 

He fucks you harder, his cock hitting your cervix. You’re definitely going to have a bruise there but it's so worth it. 

“Didn’t know you were into dark shit. S’my schtick.” 

You wrap your legs around him, orgasm building again, “more alike than you originally thought huh?” 

He wraps a tattooed hand around your throat, squeezing gently and making your head spin, “oh, angel, I knew how alike we were the second you told everyone how bad you wanted to fuck me.” 

“C-can you blame me? Knew you’d fuck me just h-how I like.” 

You clench around him making him hiss, “yeah you need someone who will take control huh?” 

The hand around your neck slides down your body till he finds your clit, circling it. 

“Oh god! Please.” 

“I can get used to you prayin’ to me.” His thrusts are losing rhythm (something he’s usually very good at keeping) and you know he’s close. “Cum baby. I need it.” 

And it’s all you need to fall over the cliff and into bliss. He follows you, coming inside you while you squeeze around him. You both moan each other's names and you sigh as you come down. 

Eddie breaks the silence first, “that was… amazing.” 

You hum in agreement as he slides out of you and curls up beside you. You take a moment before getting up and cleaning up in the bathroom. When you come back Eddie has left out an old Corroded Coffin t-shirt and some boxers. And once they’re on, you slide back into his bed, laying your head on his chest.

“We should put that poll up, huh? I’m itching to win this bet.” Eddie laughs as he says it and before you know it, you two are finding a photo the both of you like and posting it on your story with the caption, ‘which one is prettier? Honesty is the best policy.’ 

“And now… we wait.”

[ladykailitha]

Paper Hearts Part 4

I finished it!! It will have 8 chapters. I'm excited for you guys to see where this goes! I'm still working on Sweet Home Indiana and will be focusing on that until ITS done. Then we'll be back our regularly schedule WIPs.

We have Eddie's big plan and Steve gets his flirt on.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

****

Steve slipped into the kitchen and there in his mother’s neat handwriting was a note telling him that there were leftovers in the fridge and that they would be home again next Friday.

He sighed and opened the fridge. He immediately closed it when he saw what the leftovers were.

Boiled cabbage with chopped bacon and carrots. It wasn’t bad if it was made correctly, but his mother boiled any flavor and nutrients out of the poor vegetables and then tossed in cooked bacon to hide its sins.

He opened the cupboard and pulled out a small can of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup and made that. He was craving the sodium. Eddie’s beef was good to get his body to stop shaking, but he had sweat so much he needed to replenish the salt he’d lost.

Once Steve had eaten and drank another glass of water he went to go get a shower and get ready for bed. It was no use trying to get back to his homework now. He had managed to blow up his whole evening by getting lost.

He had no idea how he got to Forest Hills or even why his feet carried him there in the first place. He could feel the weariness seeping into his bones from running for so long.

He undressed and got under the scorching water, letting the heat carry away his pains. His mind ran through all the things that Munson had done for him. The guy had no reason to be nice to him, but he had been more than gracious.

Then it hit him. Munson had called him Stevie, and without thinking Steve had called him Eds.

Eds.

Where the fuck did that come from? They weren’t friends, they could barely be considered acquaintances. Was his brain reaching out to the guy subconsciously? Is that why he ended up at the trailer park? Everyone knew that’s where Munson lived. Who knew how many times the guy had been called trailer trash, but the older teen seemed to rise above the insult.

Steve shook his head, spraying water everywhere. Just because Munson picked up lost sheep, didn’t mean he’d be willing to taken in an injured wolf. Because that’s what he was, reformed or not, Steve would never be a sheep. He would always be a wolf. A predator.

But at least as a wolf he could protect those kids with everything he had. And he would, even if it killed him.

The water had long since turned cold by the time Steve stepped out of the shower. He completed his after shower routine mostly on autopilot as he kept going over his interactions with both Munson men. He didn’t really have good interactions with dads or in this case uncles. But Munson’s uncle Wayne treated him with kindness and he could see where the older boy got it from.

He dressed into his pajamas and slid under the covers. He rolled over on his back and tucked one arm under his pillow, staring up at the ceiling.

Steve thought back to the apology. One Munson really didn’t have to give but did anyway. He thought about the other jocks that bragged about hurting his hand. He held it up and looked at the fading bruise. It wasn’t as though he was even basketball anymore. Hurting his hand wouldn’t do anything but make it hard to do his homework and all he had to do is show his teachers his hurt hand and he’d get extensions for that. Like he had for his concussion last November.

But then again Tommy H. never had reasons for the people he hurt either. He just liked the power he got seeing the person helpless.

He placed his hand over his heart and let himself drift off the sleep, brown eyes and dark curls haunting his dreams.

****

Eddie had originally bought the red heart for himself like he had told the two juniors. But staring at it now, he had a better plan for it. Because that last wall, that last bastion of defense crumbled to ashes when he realized that despite the fancy car, the big house, and the expensive clothes, Steve Harrington was more like Eddie than he thought possible.

Wayne’s approval of the boy cemented that for him. Because if he could take one look at Steve and decide he was worth saving, then Eddie raring to go full steam ahead for a rescue mission.

Eddie could tell that the hearts were made from simple construction paper, like the kind found just about anywhere. He knew it would be technically cheating to just simply make more instead of buying them, but he had no intention of contributing to a dance he was never going to go to because one, it wasn’t his year; two, the whole gay thing; and three, the one person he would want to go with if the gay thing wouldn’t get him hate crimed, wouldn’t give him the time of day.

Well, all right, that might have changed with the whole rescuing him from wandering alone in the dark thing.

He forgave Eddie about being a dumbass, so maybe there was hope for, at the very least, a vast decrease in hostility. And he was willing to take what he could get.

He decided to wait until tomorrow after school to get the construction paper and hope that the high school hadn’t bought up the town’s supply.

On his way out the next morning, Wayne stopped him.

“You don’t have to tell me, son,” he said gently, “but you got feelings for that boy?”

Eddie froze and turned slowly to face his uncle. “What gave you that idea?”

Wayne chuckled and shook his head fondly. “Boy, when you’d go on rants about the Harrington boy, you’d describe his floppy hair, his hazel eyes and how unfairly good looking the kid was. I didn’t say anything because it did sound like he’d been a bit of an ass. Only after last night I got to thinking and was wondering is all.”

Eddie closed his eyes and opened them slowly. He let out a long shuddering breath, his bottom lip quivering.

“I–I don’t...” he closed his eyes again. This wasn’t Al. He wasn’t going to get beat for admitting it, but still it was so hard to say. So he just nodded.

Wayne came up and wrapped his arms around his nephew. “It’s a hell of a lot tougher batting for the other team, but I trust your judgment. Just promise me that if he shows signs of liking you back, you take the chance to tell him how you feel because...”

“You miss one hundred percent of the chances you don’t take,” they said together.

Eddie dropped his bag to the floor and hugged him back. “I know, old man. But I promise if there is a chance, I’ll be brave enough to take it.”

“Get going,” Wayne said, voicing cracking with emotion.

He pulled back and nodded. He reshouldered his backpack and got in his van.

He had a lot to think about and that really wasn’t conducive to paying attention in class or to his friends as they talked about their upcoming D&D session.

Gareth kicked his shin causing him to yelp.

“What the fuck, dude?” Eddie hissed.

“What the fuck is up with you?” Gareth hissed back. “You’ve been going on and on about the mind flayer for weeks and now that it’s literally this weekend, and you’re off in some other realm.”

Eddie blinked at him for a moment before his brain came back on. He shook his head to clear it.

“Yeah, sorry, man,” he said around a pretzel. “Weird night last night.”

“What happened?” Jeff asked, tilting his head to the side.

So Eddie told them. “He was like a ghost, guys. If Wayne hadn’t seen him too, I would have thought I was hitting Mary Jane a little too hard, you know?”

“I didn’t realize he was getting bullied,” Brian said, frowning. “I would have thought with Hargrove giving the dude a wide berth, that everyone else would have too.”

“Untouchable,” Jeff agreed. “The fact that jocks are now splintering into factions tells you what kind of control Steve actually had on them.”

Eddie rubbed his chin. “I don’t know how true this is, but if Harrington wasn’t lying, he’s a real sweetheart, too.”

Then he leaned forward and explained about the pink heart scheme.

“So,” Gareth said, steepling his fingers and resting his chin on them, “you’re telling us is that we have been seriously remiss in our duties in collecting lost sheep.”

The older teen sighed and shook his head. “I’d like to collect him, but I’m afraid the wolves might decide to rip him apart before we got him to safety if we tried.”

Jeff winced. He knew what Eddie was talking about. Steve Harrington wasn’t the usual lost sheep. He might be bullied now, but as King, Harrington had run far too long with the wolves to think that they could protect him one hundred percent of the time.

“So what are we going to do?” Brian asked. “Because if we let this slide, we’re throwing our lot in with the bullies and that’s something I refuse to do.”

A grin spread out over Eddie’s face, closed lips and dimples entrenched into his cheeks. “We’re going to make the school think that he’s just as popular as he ever was.”

The other three boys looked at each other in confusion.

“So what have you got?” Gareth asked, his own grin starting to take over his face.

****

Eddie made sure to get to class early so he could see where Steve was going to sit. He tried to tell himself it was about the dude’s hand, but it wasn’t working. He wanted to see if the former Hawkins royalty would chose to sit with his old friends or by him again.

He didn’t have long to wait. Steve walked in not long after he did, just as the bell rang. He didn’t even look at his old desk near the front and beelined it for the chair he had sat in on Friday.

The teacher picked up on the change immediately and wrinkled her nose. “I am to suppose that you are taking up permanent residence in the back with Mr. Munson, Mr. Harrington?”

Steve half shrugged as he began to pull out his things for class. “I got more work done, Mrs. Dixon and I really want to graduate on time.”

Mrs. Dixon nodded. “Agreed and as long as you continue the level of attention from last week, you are permitted to stay there.”

About half way through class while Mrs. Dixon was grading papers, Tommy H. turned around and kicked Steve’s chair. “Suck up,” he hissed.

Steve puckered his lips and wagged his eyebrows. “Why? Do you want to be next?”

Tommy turned back around, his face bright red.

Eddie raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side as he considered everything about that interaction.

A little blossom of hope sprouted in his chest and he fought to keep it down. Steve had insinuated that other people were gay for years, but to Eddie’s highly trained gay ears, that sounded like Steve was offering to suck Tommy H.’s dick and that Tommy didn’t exactly turn him down.

Curiouser and curiouser, he thought tapping his lips thoughtfully. More research would have to be done.

He pulled out a different notebook, the one he used for campaign notes and song lyrics.

He wrote girls over one column and boys over the other and began tallying what he knew about the former King of Hawkins.

A shit ton went into the Steve liking girls column, but there was surprisingly more in the liking boys column then he would have thought possible. He looked up to catch Steve smirking at him.

Eddie quickly covered his notebook and stuck his tongue out at Steve.

The other boy shook his head and went back to doing the assignment. Eddie was more careful about what he left out in the open because he didn’t want Steve teased for it nor did he want him to see that Eddie was trying to figure him out.

The bell rang and the notebook was suddenly whisked off his desk.

“Hey!” Eddie cried, looking up to see Steve dancing away with the notebook teasingly. “Stevie!” He grabbed his bag and chased after the other boy. But the other boy was a jock and Eddie was wheezing for breath by the time he caught up with him at his locker.

“Give that back,” he huffed.

Steve gave him a bright smile and handed it back. “I just made a minor addition.”

Eddie frowned as he flipped through the pages but didn’t see anything. Steve took it back and turned to the correct page and leaned close so that only Eddie could hear.

“I trust you’ll keep my secret,” he whispered and then dropped to one knee to start getting into his locker.

Eddie gulped at the sight and turned to the paper to avoid saying something stupid. There in bold capital letters under his girls/guys columns was the word BOTH.

He looked up at Steve who had stood up. Steve winked at him and then walked away, leaving a shocked Eddie behind.

****

Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

Tag List:

@mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @emly03

@spectrum-spectre @slv-333 @zerokrox-blog @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie

@chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @chaoticlovingdreamer @maya-custodios-dionach @danili666

@goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog

@vecnuthy @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @anne-bennett-cosplayer

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@dragonmama76 @scheodingers-muppet @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual

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@ravenfrog @dauntlessdiva @thelittleclare @steddieyourself @dam28lh

[lemotmo]

I didn't even realize some of this.

Q. You liked Sick Day though, you said so yourself. So I'm a little confused to see you criticize it because that doesn't fit with liking an episode. I kind of feel like you're not going to be okay with certain people getting the spotlight over others and so you should just say that. Buck gets plenty of focus. He's not being ignored.

A. I did like the episode. I have been open about that. But I have also been open about the cartoonish level villain being a bit OTT for me and the glaring absence of Eddie. You can critique something you like. Finding fault doesn't erase enjoyment. I get why they did both things. It's not a 'who done it' storyline. They didn't want to waste time having people try to figure out who the villain is so they made it so obvious it was a little cartoonish in execution. I have also said that I think we were supposed to notice Eddie's absence, I believe that was the point. That doesn't erase the fact that he should have been there.

I haven't really framed any of these replies around Buck but since you brought him up, I will explain. Buck hasn't had a storyline since the lightning strike in the back half of season 6. He has had no real storyline focus since then. He has been on and has been involved in other storylines but he hasn't had a storyline of focus since the lightning strike. His bi awakening doesn't count because that was told in one half of one episode. That's not a storyline. Then they stuck him in a relationship with an actor Oliver clearly doesn't get along with, an issue that seems to be a cast wide thing at this point with that particular actor. So they kept Buck in the relationship in name only and showed very little context of said relationship because the point of that particular relationship had nothing to do with that actual relationship. The point of that relationship was to kick off the Buddie storyline which Tim, inexplicably, decided to tell alongside this god awful Vertigo storyline for Eddie. A storyline that has now been dragged out a full year and a half. That's a problem for both Buck and Eddie as characters. The Eddie storyline has been going on for almost 18 months at this point and we still have no clear resolution. Because it was a poorly constructed storyline from the very beginning. It was a bad original story idea that has been dragged on to the point of nauseating for all involved. And I give Tim credit for trying to fix it but taking 18 months to fix it is inexcusable, especially since it's still requiring Eddie to be separate from the rest of the main cast.

In those 18 months how much screen time has been devoted to multiple Bobby storylines? He resigned from the 118. Took a consultation role on HotShots, a storyline Tim dragged out over 5 freaking episodes btw, got involved with the cartel and lost his home. Came face to face with his estranged mother. Went on a cruise that sank, and helped his wife land a plane. That's 6 different storylines told while Eddie is still going through the Vertigo bullshit. Seven now if you count what's coming as a result of Sick Day and Lab Rats. How about Athena? She had the same cruise ship mishap. The same cartel burned my house down storyline. Revisited her past with an inmate transfer that led to her being in the plane Bobby had to help her land. She had the crazy rookie racist cop partner storyline. The shipping cart vigilante, only one episode but it was more than half the freaking episode. The 911 serial killer Maddie kidnapping storyline. That's six separate storylines for Athena, again all while Eddie's one plot is still unresolved. It's lazy. I understand that the Eddie/Christopher storyline could not and should not have been resolved over the course of one episode but there's been plenty of storytime to devote to it; Tim just used way too much of that time on the same two characters, or on nonsensical Brad bullshit, and that's a legitimate problem at this point.

Dragging the storyline out for so long has made Buck stagnant as well. I understand why they're telling the Buddie storyline the way they are. The problem is we get an episode or two of momentum and then we completely lose that momentum to spend time on episodes like this biohazard stuff, which is in no way more important than your character driven episodes. Yes episodes like this have value and merit, but they should be timed appropriately within the season. This event was not. And we also now have proof that the audience didn't like Eddie not being involved. So it wasn't a decision that was beneficial to the show over all. Pointing that out is not an unfair criticism. It's an ensemble show. Spending a year and half on multiple storylines for two main characters at the cost of real and necessary movement in one single storyline for 3 other main characters (Eddie, Buck and Christopher) is flat out bad storytelling.

Thank you Nonny! 😁

I never quite looked at it from this point of view, but Ali has a point here.

Maybe it's time for Bobby and Athena to spend some time decorating their new house, so the focus can go to Eddie, Buck, Madney + baby and Henren for a change.

Just a thought. 🤷‍♀️

Heads up! For anyone who is giving me the shifty eyes for reposting Ali's updates instead of reblogging. Read this.

Remember, no hate in comments, reblogs or inboxes. Let's keep it civil and respectful. Thank you.

If you are interested in more of Ali’s posts, you can find all of her posts so far under the tag: anonymous blog I love.

[punkrockmlchael]

We Listen and We Don't Judge - Corroded Coffin Version

Masterlist | Corroded Coffin Masterlist

Ask and you shall receive! Here is a blurb for "we listen and we don't judge..." for each of the Corroded Coffin boys in one spot!

Thank you @iitsmandii for the original request, here are all the boys in one spot for you! Including a different one for Eddie as well! + thank you to @keeryhours and @the-witty-pen-name for helping me with some of these smooches. Imagine reader & rockstar!Gareth (or Eddie, your pick) doing the 'We Listen & We Don't Judge' trend on tik tok & people watch it, expecting hot gossip between the couple but it's just super sweet & wholesome the entire time.

Modern AU ; Includes: Eddie, Jeff, Gareth and Grant (Freak) - also these are with gender neutral reader!

Warnings: This is really just fluff. These boys deserve more love than they receive and I am here to give it to them and feed you all with the fluff in the process woooo!

Eddie:

(Word Count: 334)

"We listen and we don't judge," you and Eddie spoke simultaneously as you looked at your phone that was propped up on the table in front of you.

"You first," Eddie smiled.

"Oh, god." You mumbled, looking at your boyfriend. "Okay, well, the truth is when we first started talking I didn't really like metal music. I had no idea who you were talking about when you mentioned different bands so I actually lied and played along with it because I really wanted to impress you... after our first date I went home and listened to all the bands you had mentioned and now I'm hooked on them and your music." You admitted nervously.

"You mean to tell me you had never listened to Metallica until we started dating?" Eddie asked, eyes widening at your confession.

"Metallica, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Black Sabbath... the list goes on," you mumbled.

Eddie placed a hand on his heart and gasped, looking at you. "You're wounding me, my love."

"Hey, we listen and we don't judge..." you muttered, looking at Eddie.

"You're right, I suppose..." Eddie replied, looking at you. "Speaking of music, I actually wrote you an entire album worth of songs; each time I show you a new Corroded Coffin Song it's actually just a song that I wrote for you. I'm just making sure you like it." Eddie smiled, looking at you. "And if you hate it, I usually say that Jeff wrote it, but, it was me."

"You've never once told me Jeff has written a song that you've shown me."

"That's because you haven't hated one yet." Eddie nodded.

“So, the moment I hate a song that you wrote for me… it’s Jeff’s fault?”

“Yeah, but don’t tell him I said that.”

“Eddie, he’s going to see this video…”

Eddie looked up at your phone and shrugged, “ah, whatever.” He smiled, leaving a soft kiss on your lips. “Luckily for him I’m a master song writer.”

You smiled at him, “you sure are.”

Jeff:

(Word Count: 333)

"We listen and we don't judge," you and Jeff spoke simultaneously as you looked at your phone that was propped up on the table in front of you.

"You first," you smiled, turning towards your boyfriend.

Jeff sighed, looking at you with a slight raised eyebrow. "Okay, well... do you remember when I gave you that ring for Christmas and it wasn't the right size? That's because I had originally bought you a necklace and there was some sore of mix up at the jewelry store. But, when I saw how excited you were to receive the ring I didn't have the heart to tell you that the store messed up."

You giggled softly, looking at the ring on your hand. "Is that why you were so quick to take it to get resized for me?" You asked, Jeff nodded slightly, looking away from you.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled.

"Hey, it's perfectly okay. I love the ring and, more importantly, I love you." You smiled, leaning in to place a soft kiss on his cheek.

Jeff blushed softly at the kiss and smiled at you. "I feel like you're judging... isn't this we listen and we don't judge?"

"You're right. Uh, oh!" You said, laughing slightly as you looked at him. "Speaking of gifts... remember that guitar I had custom made for you?" Jeff looked at you, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah..."

"Well, I actually had the guys pick your brain about what you like in your guitars and what you might dislike so that I was able to give you the best gift ever." You smiled softly.

"Now that you mention it, they were asking me so many random questions about guitars... especially Eddie, and I thought he should know what he's talking about!"

You blushed, smiling more. "I just wanted to make sure your guitar was perfect ok?" 

"Baby, any gift you give me is already perfect because it's from you." Jeff smiled, placing a soft and sweet kiss on your lips.

Gareth:

(Word Count: 311)

"We listen and we don't judge," you and Gareth spoke simultaneously as you looked at your phone that was propped up on the table in front of you.

"You first," Gareth smiled, leaning back in his seat. He looked at you, waiting for you to speak.

"Oh, gosh, okay," you said softly. "Let's see... oh! Do you, uh, do you remember that teddy bear you got me before you went on your first tour?" Gareth nodded, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Well, before you leave for tour or before you go off on your writing trips for a weekend or week I tend to... spray that teddy bear with your cologne so it smells like you when you're gone." You admitted, blushing a small shade of pink.

"You spray a teddy bear with my cologne so it smells like me?" He asked, smiling at you. A small chuckle escaped his lips as he wrapped his arm around your shoulder, pulling you closer to him. "You make yourself a Garebear for when I'm gone?"

"Hey! We listen and we don't judge," you pouted, looking up at your boyfriend.

"Darling, I can't even judge. Because I do the same thing with your body spray before I leave." Gareth replied, looking down at you.

"Really?" 

"Yeah, but instead I just steal one of your hoodies so that I can wear it when I'm sleeping. Feels like a hug from you even when we're in different timezones." He smiled, placing a soft kiss on your head. 

"You're not just saying that to make me feel better, are you?"

Gareth smiled, shaking his head. "No; I just make sure to steal a hoodie you won't seem to notice is gone." 

You smiled, leaning in to place a soft kiss on his lips. "That's really sweet," you mumbled against his lips.

"I know." Gareth smiled, kissing you again.

Grant (Freak):

(Word Count: 370)

"We listen and we don't judge," you and Grant spoke simultaneously as you looked at your phone that was propped up on the table in front of you.

You smiled and turned towards your boyfriend, “you first.”

Grant groaned and rolled his eyes, a small smile appearing on his face as he looked at you. “Okay, fine. Uh, remember when we first started dating and you came over to my house for dinner?” You raised an eyebrow slightly, nodding as you remembered that night. “Okay, the truth is… I didn’t really make that dinner,” he admitted, blushing slightly. “Jeff actually came over before you did and helped make it because I wanted to make a good first impression on you.”

You giggled softly, crossing your arms over your chest and you moved closer to Grant. “I thought that mac and cheese we had at Jeff’s recently tasted familiar. And that explains why you won’t cook for me anymore.”

“Yeah, well,” Grant started, rubbing the back of his neck anxiously. “I really wanted to make a good first impression on you because well, uh, you’re hot... and really sweet and I wasn't entirely sure you would like me so I pretended to be good at cooking for you..."

“Huh," you smiled, looking at Grant.

"Hey, we listen and we don't judge." He muttered, looking at you.

"Yeah, you're right." You nodded. "Well, speaking of when we first started dating... I lied when I said I didn't know anything about Dungeons and Dragons; I used to play all the time with my friends in high school. But, you seemed so excited to teach me that I just pretended to not know anything." You admitted, looking at Grant.

"You lied to me?"

"Well, I fibbed so that I could spend more time with you!" You argued, a smile forming on both of your lips.

"That explains how you caught on so quickly," he smiled, leaning in for a soft kiss. "And, how you're able to kick any opponent's ass when playing." Grant added, leaning in for another kiss.

"You're not mad?" You asked, smiling after the repetitive kisses.

"I fed you some other guy's mac and cheese; I think we might be even."

corroded coffin tag list: wanna be added? comment + let me know! @keeryhours ; @the-witty-pen-name

[forestmossling]

okay. oh my fucking god. oh god, okay.

this is INSANE. this is absolutely fucking crazy. what i’m about to recommend you is absolutely fucking mind-bogglingly pants-shittingly bonkers in its brilliance, so y’all better read closely.

it’s always the fics with the shortest, least descriptive summaries ever, the ones you absent-mindedly stashed in your “marked for later” and forgot about them, isn’t it?

anyway, this is a masterpiece. in every definition and understanding of the word. there are too many great points about what’s going on in this fic and why you absolutely have to read it, so forgive me if i’m gonna be pretty incomprehensible and incoherent rn, okay?

first of all, the way this fic just ties the whole of the st universe together, the way eddie munson doesn’t just spawn out of nowhere in the beginning of s4, but actually exists in hawkins all this time. the way he witnesses all the crazy going-ons in town from the sidelines, and still has his own opinions and thoughts on them, even if he didn’t actively take part in them. just, love to see it.

second of all, different “first” meeting. oh my god, but how i love thee. obviously it wasn’t really the first meeting here, but steve and eddie coming together before the original timeline is something i will never get enough of, and it was done brilliantly here. the way their first conscious interaction happens when steve comes to apologize for being a piece of shit, and the way the narrative, from eddie’s pov, never lets you downplay and just forget that steve was, in fact, a douchebag in high school, is also something i love to see. yes, he’s forgiven, but not because he wasn’t that bad in the first place, as a lot of fics love to make it out to be (which, i don’t blame them, that’s also fine), but because he actively works to become a better person. we see him, time and time again, actively holding himself back from sliding into the “king steve” persona, owning up to the shit he did and proving that he has changed, and it’s beautiful. and it’s also nice to see here, because eddie doesn’t even find out about all the upside down shenanigans in this fic, so for him, steve isn’t a better person now because he saw him in his heroic martyr era and was impressed. he’s better because he doesn’t just let these objectively heroic and admirable actions automatically absolve him of all his sins, but actively works to repair the damage he did before he committed them. which also happens in canon, i guess, but i really love how it was shown here.

third, eddie. characterization in general, but eddie’s in particular, because oh my fucking god. he’s absolutely insane in the most humane and captivating way possible. the way he has so much history that made him the way he is, the way we see this past overlap with the present and realize how it affects the decisions he makes, the interactions he has with other people. and the way his past was written in general, the way it flashes him out so deeply as a person is absolutely brilliant. and the way he sees the world around him, the way his perceptions of the moments we catch him in is so deep and full of volume, dimension. it’s like one second you’re with him, listening to the conversation he has with another person, and another - in a wave of sound and music he taps on his leg with his fingers, in the songs he hears reverberating through every feeling he has. and the author is so masterful with throwing you around from one plane of reality to another, the way eddie is in his brain, and it’s so much it’s almost overwhelming, but they catch you just on the edge in the last second and keep your brain from being torn apart from trying to comprehend the absolute insanity going on in eddie’s head.

it really felt like this fic was repeatedly slapping me across the face and all i could do was deliriously ask for more.

and, while we’re on the topic of characterization, literally every character and every interaction between them are so real and so fitting for who they are in this universe. the way even through eddie’s warped perspective of him, steve’s actions and views fall into a perfectly functioning justified mechanism for the reader, not a screw out of place. the way through simple, and, on the surface, absolutely mundane conversations about the horror and romance genres, about the characters in the book eddie’s writing (he is, btw, and it’s also brilliant), we see the whole of who these characters are, how they see the world and themselves in it, their deepest fears and desires. and even aside from steddie, a personal stand-out for me was jeff, because he has a whole life outside of eddie’s narrative, and still manages to contribute to the plot and give insights into eddie and himself while not being a cardboard cut-out, only existing for the benefit of pushing eddie’s story forward. and the rest of hellfire - past and present - while mostly serving the purpose of showing how precious steve’s attention and care for things they didn’t get about eddie is, are still their own people.

whatever the next number is, i’m losing count, - the language the fic is written in. it’s just so fucking clever. the dialogues are witty and captivating without stinking of made-up-ness, the metaphors are so deep and colorful and voluminous without being pretentious and over the top. the words of this fic are something you have to chew on before you swallow, let the author immerse you in the picture they’re painting without breezing from one predictable trope point to another (which, they aren’t really predictable and expected here, which is another huge pro) in the everlasting greed for cheap escapism, as i am prone to doing. and that’s another thing i’m really grateful to this author for - making me sit with the words i’m reading for a second, instead of just gorging on them in my haste to get to the end and start another story, frantic to keep my brain occupied.

also, this fic genuinely had me endlessly invested in the fate of the characters, scared shitless or elated for them. it yanked me right out of the usual safety of predictable plot tropes which usually makes fanfiction so attractive for me, but i really wasn’t complaining. on one of the most stressful and deciding scenes of the fic (no spoilers tho), i genuinely started crying. i felt eddie’s resignation and anguish so deeply and personally, i couldn’t hold back if i wanted to. and that’s another thing i’m extremely grateful for - the absolute rollercoaster of emotions i went through before i got the reward of the happy ending.

i would also like to say that i was floored with how period-typical homophobia and other social issues were presented in this work. obviously, i can’t really vouch for it being realistic or not, because i’m not american and wasn’t even alive during that time, but i can say that it did feel very very real. in a lot of other works that talk about these issues the homophobia and societal judgement seem like such nebulous, far-away concepts, that are obviously real and have a tangible impact on the characters, but it’s like their still escapable, still out of reach (which, again, is not a bad thing). but here i felt like the repercussions for being who you are were physically breathing down my neck, incapacitating me with horror. and, on that note, just, the author’s overall attention to detail and period-fitting pop-culture and other little things that painted such a larger picture of living in that time period, tying the fictional story so tightly down to it. it felt so grounded in reality, that i felt like a person could tell me their older relative had gone through this in the eighties and i would believe them. but, as i said, i’m obviously not an authority on that topic for aforementioned reasons.

and also, aside from the reader’s perspective on the work, as a person who tries to write myself, i realize that this is the level of writing skill i’m aspiring towards. this is what i want my works to feel like to a reader, and i’m really not there yet, but seeing works like these inspires me so much to grow.

also, i would’ve absolutely loved to see a little bit more of robin there, to find out how this change in the canon narrative would affect the events of the s4, to see how steddie’s relationship would develop and transform with the upside down thrown into the mix. and that’s definitely not a slight against the fic for not including this things, but more of a testament to how greatly invested the author made me in their version of the story and how hard it is for me to let go of it. this fic is perfectly complete without those things, but, once i got a taste, i couldn’t help but want more and more, even though this story definitely isn’t in any way lacking or in need of those to feel whole. but that’s mostly my selfish desires speaking, don’t mind me.

and, here, have a couple of snippets with no particular reasoning behind them, just because they made me giggle:

i’m getting real rambly and i’m genuinely afraid this whole post is absolutely unreadable with how frantic and jittery i am in trying to get this off my chest, but when i’m telling you i was buzzing with this word-vomit, almost frothing at the mouth with the need to express the absolute glorious hellscape this fic left me in after i finished it, i’m probably underselling it.

so, in conclusion, please read this fic. please please please read this fic. if not for my sake or the @fabelds-blog’s (who got criminally little recognition for this masterpiece), then for your own, because i can guarantee you that not one second of reading this work will feel like a waste of time or a disappointment. *me, pointing a gun at you with shaking hands while tears stream down my face* please, PLEASE read this fic, because it’s absolutely worth it.

so, yeah. i don’t think a number large enough to rate this work even exists, but my closest approximation is 999999836526272910018172654244536384847635526728190199986553781010018654463892010197654272458499900909261379/10, am recommending. and, obviously, it’s up to you if you’re going to actually read the fic, but if after this madman’s rant you still opted not to, i regret to inform you that that is, in fact, the wrong choice, and i’m strongly urging you to reconsider.

[strangersteddierthings]

February 3

rating: T

cw: none

prompt: Love is being terrified but not letting that stop you from taking a leap.

Continued from yesterday's post.

They end up on opposite sides of the alley as they wait. It's been about fifteen, twenty minutes of silence. Steve leans back against the wall, arms crossed, and he switches from staring at one end of the alley to the other. He doesn't expect the guy who attacked Eddie to just pop up but... Well, better safe than not.

Eddie sits across from him, one knee propped up, the other stretched in front of him. He hasn't looked up from his lap since he sat down.

Steve should be mad. Eddie's being a dick for no reason. He's not mad, though. He's... hurt.

He's always sort of suspected he was the problem. Eddie's been hot and cold with him since they saved the world together. He originally thought they were friends, and that Eddie's distance and anger would creep in when Steve was coming on too strong.

And, like, not for nothing, but Steve knows he attractive. He's caught Eddie looking. But that guy back in alley- Steve can't deny they look similar. If that's the type of guy trying to beat up Eddie in back alleyways, then-

Steve shakes the thought from his head. That was probably just a coincidence.

"I think it's been long enough," Eddie says, though he makes no move to stand up.

Steve pushes off the wall. He heads straight for Eddie, to offer him a hand up. Getting up is harder than getting down some days, with the scars. Eddie looks surprised, but he takes Steve's hand.

They stand for a moment, before Steve steps back. He gets about five steps away.

"Wait, Steve," Eddie says. And Steve stops. "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said- any of that."

"Apology accepted," Steve says, even though it's not true right now, he knows it will be. He starts to turn around but-

"Stop! Don't- can you please not turn around? I-I got something I need to say, but I don't think I can do it to your face, man."

"What? Why?" he asks, but stays put.

"'Cause I- Can you just listen?"

Steve sighs, putting his hands on his hips and dropping his head down but he doesn't move.

There's a moment of pause, probably where Eddie's expecting verbal confirmation, but Steve stays silent. "I-I can be a dick, and I get pretty defensive-"

Steve snorts at that because, yeah. Yeah he does.

"-when, when I'm scared. And man, you fucking terrify me."

He sucks in a sharp breath. Maybe he wasn't too far off with his earlier thoughts of himself and that guy.

"And now you- you saw Michael. And, and maybe you saw enough to... see a resemblance?"

"Yeah."

"So, uh, I am- I'm fucking terrified but we both know we can't- I can't keep doing this. It's not fair to you, that I take things out on you. Especially around the things I feel. So, I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry? I'm the one who- who did something to make you scared," Steve is confused. "I'm- I look like the guy who attacked you. I get it."

"Steve," Eddie sounds different, his voice is more steady. "I- I mean, yeah, he was going to throw a punch but that's not- we went into that alley together."

Well, now Steve does whip around because, "What? Like... willingly?"

Eddie cringes, but doesn't look away. "Yeah."

Furrowing his brow, Steve says, "why? I don't- if you knew he was going to hit you, why'd you go?"

Eddie laughs, but it's humorless, "he wasn't going to hit me. We were going to share a cigarette. Or, like, I thought we left for a smoke break, we'd been chatting it up at the bar and I wanted to not have to strain to hear him, but Michael thought that was me using 'have a smoke' as an innuendo. He didn't turn into a dick until I told him I wasn't going to blow him in broad daylight."

"Oh!" Steve is shocked, and given the confused look on Eddie's face now, he thinks his face shows his own shocked confusion.

"What did- did you think Michael was just there to beat me up?"

"Yeah! What else was I supposed to think!?" Steve doesn't- what? If Eddie... "So, you were, like, attracted to him?"

Eddie doesn't say anything. He looks almost as wired as he did the night they found him in the boat house, terrified and running on adrenaline alone, but he manages to give Steve a nod of confirmation.

"So, you're attracted to guys that... look like me?" Steve says out loud, trying to piece the puzzle together. Eddie is turning red but he nods another confirmation. "But then why aren't...." he trails off, remembering the shout that really started this conversation. 'Because it's you.'

It won't matter what Steve looks like, he realizes. Eddie just isn't attracted to him. As a whole, as a person, in general.

"Oh," Steve says again, unsure of what else to say. "I- I get it. I wouldn't- I wouldn't want me either, but, uh, thanks for like, saying it plainly. Do- Can I go, now? Or do you- I'll walk you to your van if you're still worried about Mitchell."

"Michael," Eddie corrects while just staring wide-eyed for a moment before he shakes his head and exclaims, "What? What are- What are you talking about!?"

"I- You said the problem was me!" Steve says back, trying not to raise his own voice back. "What do you mean what am I talking about!"

"What do you think this is about!?"

"That you hate me! And you've been trying to pretend you don't! Probably for Dustin's sake or something. But you don't have to! You don't have to force yourself to hang out with me."

Seems like Eddie wasn't expecting Steve to say that, it the dropped jaw looks of disbelief on his face is anything to go by.

"So, can we go now? Are we- is this done?" Steve says, bitchy.

"Steve. Steve, I don't hate you! How did- what have-" Eddie cuts himself off with a quiet 'fuck' as he looks down. Steve watches as Eddie seems to steel himself against something before he looks back up and says. "Dude, I'm like, in love with you. And I was trying so hard to hide it but I-I guess I did that. A bit too well if that's your conclusion."

Steve doesn't even know how to process that. That's not- how can that be- but Eddie said it. He looks like he might have a heart attack at any moment now, but he said it. "What?"

"Don't make me say it again, man."

"No, no I think I need you to. Because there have been so many times I thought we were flirting and it might go somewhere and then you'd- you'd suddenly be a dick again and I thought it was because I was making you uncomfortable with my flirting."

"You were flirting with me!?" Eddie screeches.

"Yes! For months! I thought you knew."

"No! If I fucking knew I wouldn't be driving to Indy when I can afford it to try and find some knock-off Steve Harrington to try and get my rocks off with!"

They both just stare at each other for a moment before Steve feels the laughter building in him, and it comes out as a high-pitched giggle that builds into full on laughter. It brings tears to his eyes and he hears Eddie's laugh joins his after a moment.

"This mean you'll quit being a dick to me all the time?" Steve asks, once the laughter has died down.

"Well, I'm kinda a dick in general, so no," Eddie says, offering a small smile. "So, are we... okay?"

Steve pretends to think on it before saying, "yeah. We'll be okay. But, we should get back to Hawkins. And, uh, maybe you wanna come over and we can talk more? Figure this out?"

Eddie's small smile becomes blinding. "I'm following you home, Harrington. Best of luck getting rid of me now."

Steve smiles back and closes the distance between them to give Eddie a quick, teasing kiss. Eddie leans back in, but Steve stops him with a hand to his chest. "No. More talking first. I-I've started too many relationships by skipping that bit and, uh, they never last. So, home?"

Eddie grins. "Yeah. Home."

-

@steddielovemonth @nburkhardt @i-less-than-three-you @afewproblems @skepsiss

[azaharinflames]

I didn’t start my day planning on being mean, but a certain portion of this fandom decided that they couldn’t keep Lou’s name out of their mouths so now I have thoughts.

We have RG brought on as a main, but frankly Eddie as a character has never gone anywhere. I was never much of an RG fan even before the unsavory things he said, but from what I have read, he hasn’t seemed to have brought much to the role beyond what was in the script. And yes, I get that he’s not a writer or the show runner, but Tim has shown himself to be amenable to good suggestions from the actors (which is why JLH ended up with Chim instead of Eddie, a decision from which his character never recovered).

Then you have the string of unsuccessful (potential) love interests who were all recurring. Similarly, I get that as a recurring you have even less agency than as a main and that’s even worse if you are a woman. All the same, the actors who played Ana, Taylor, Marisol, Lucy, and  death doula whose name alludes me but I’m too lazy to look up, brought NOTHING to the role outside of what was on the page. Granted, these characters were all written in way that made them doomed to fail, but if any one of them had brought something to the table to endear them to the GA and make the narrative work, they would have lasted/had the potential to be endgame level love interests. But it was early in the show’s run you say. Big deal. There are plenty of examples in television where a character was brought in for a handful of episodes early on and they either were kept (or else brought back) as a significant cast member.

And then there’s Lou. Looking back at the season 7 interviews, there is a clear gap between how Tim originally envisioned Tommy compared to Lou’s head canon. Tim saw a happy go lucky starter relationship guy with a hot and heavy make out session in 7x4. Tommy saw a protective guy with layers and past trauma who would deliver a tender 7x4 first kiss. Tim may get some things wrong, but he’s not such an egomaniac that he would go with the worse idea just because it was his. We will never know, but I don’t think Tim committed to making Tommy a significant/possible endgame LI until late season 7 or even while writing 8a. If Lou had done what RG or any of the actors who played Buck/Eddie’s past LI had done, i.e., read the script as is and contributed NOTHING, then Tommy would have been long gone. All this is to say that complaining about Lou having thoughts about his non-main character is tantamount to complaining that the man showed up and did his damned job to the best of his ability. The fact that he has clearly done so much work despite being really good looking in an industry that strongly favors attractiveness gives him extra points my book. Instead of hating on him, maybe they should be asking themselves why their guy didn’t do the same. 

I think you make an excellent point, Nonnie, and I love the way you put it.

At the end of the day, a big reason why we all love Tommy (and Bucktommy) as much as we do has to do with Lou (and with Oliver as well, when talking about the couple). Because Lou took the time and care to create Tommy and make him a bigger and deeper character than what the script said. Because he took so much care and advocated for what he thought made more sense for the character (i.e. their first kiss). It makes us love the character, and love him after seeing how much he cares, and ultimately it reflects very positively on the show.

I do think RG has given his input here and there (it was per his insistence that Marisol came back in S8), but it does feel like he rarely digs deeper into what he's given. At the very least, that's the impression I get (so anyone can disagree with it, that's fine!). I've never particularly connected with Eddie, and I am personally frustrated with the missed potential he has. If he stays, I honestly wish for the writers to figure out what the hell they want to do with him long term.

Anyway. I get your frustration, Nonnie. Bobs have been utterly insufferable since the interview, and the accusations I've seen coming from them? Ngl, there aren't words in the English language to describe what I think about them.

[elvensorceress]

sunday snippet

tagging beloveds @tizniz @hippolotamus @sofa-king-lame @livinginsunnyhell @capseycartwright @eddiebabygirldiaz @spotsandsocks @exhuastedpigeon @daffi-990 @fiona-fififi @thekristen999 @thelikesofus @buddiegriefhookup @buckleydiaz @eddiediazisascorpio @jeeyunspetrat @bekkachaos @sazanahashi @kejfeblintz @inell @monsterrae1 @dangerpronebuddie @smilingbuckley if any of you want to share something np 💕

from the almost final chapter of my Eddie in El Paso fic that I just posted yay!

“Mom, I don’t understand. Why are you bringing this up? You’ve been telling me— threatening me with lawyers and asking me to sign papers to give up my son. You keep telling me to think about Chris and what he needs and that’s all I do.”

She shakes her head and sighs like he’s wrong. “You don’t even see it. I’m sorry, honey. It’s not your fault that girl ruined you. Of course you were going to be tempted. I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want to think about it.”

That girl? Shannon, he assumes. There’s not been any other “girl.” Not really. They were all shades of the original. “Shannon didn’t ruin me, Mom. And none of that matters now. She’s gone. She’s been gone for six years. This isn’t about her. She’s not—”

“Isn’t she the reason you hurt Christopher? Isn’t that why he left you and can’t be around you?”

Words and breath die in Eddie’s chest. 

Yes. That’s why. Something like that. 

But he won’t ever do that again. He will never choose anything but Chris. 

Except. Doesn’t Chris need Eddie to also choose himself? Isn’t that part of why Chris is hurt and angry? If Eddie relies on only Chris for his happiness, then it burdens his son. Then he never has a life of his own. Then he makes bad, thoughtless choices and pushes aside what he actually wants. And he gets stuck in a DOA relationship that he doesn’t want to be in because he’s so desperate to be happy and healed and “moved on” and not alone that all he does is lie and pretend. Which makes Chris even more angry because Eddie is being nothing but fake (toxic) and Chris has to know that it’s miserable. Eddie’s a good liar but Chris knows him better than the lies. 

And Eddie doesn’t want to lie anymore. He’s happy. He could be so happy. He has someone who loves him and knows him and it’s so comfortable and wonderful and he’s never felt anything like what he feels when he’s with Buck. Buck is joy. Pure, unadulterated love and joy. 

“I’m not going to do that again,” Eddie tells her. “It’s over. I should’ve realized that a long time ago. But I get it now. I know I screwed up.” But he learned better. He learned what a committed loving relationship actually is like. He learned what real love is. “She’s not a ghost hanging over me anymore. I moved on. For real this time. And I have made something of myself. I help people. That’s what I do. Every day. The house is in progress, I bought it to work on. How have I ‘fallen’? Why do you want to take Chris from me? What are we talking about here?”

She clenches her jaw and breathes slowly. 

She’s never angry. She never shows any— does she? No, she tells Eddie’s dad about whatever makes her upset so he’ll yell at Eddie for hours. His mom never gets angry. She’s never anything out of place. 

“Honey, you’re confused. This always happens to you, and you don’t even realize.” She lightly rubs his arms and it feels like itching, crawling insects and awfulness. “I want what’s best for you and Christopher. I only want to protect you both. Let’s get your things, whatever you need, let’s go home.” 

[aloneinthehellfire]

Chapter Twenty-Two: Escapism

Gates Of Hell

Word Count: 5.9k

Warnings: swearing, mentions of death, mentions of blood, the usual angst fest

[A/N: omg she's back from the dead! I'm so upset that I never find much time for this fic so please excuse my writing if something seems out of place, and feel free to let me know any concerns! I'm trying to keep things consistent but since I've been disappearing every so often, I may have forgotten something. anyways, I hope everyone is going to have an amazing new year and I hope you're ready for what's in store for reader and steve...]

Escapism

Steve’s dreams were getting worse.

Some days the night slipped by quickly, ending his misery before it began. But most nights, on nights where no threats were looming over him, his mind slipped into a nightmare of his own making. One where you push him to safety, closing yourself into a trap, being mauled by monsters so he didn’t have to watch you turn. If he had just opened his eyes… if he had acknowledged your shaking hands resting on his chest, or your guilty exhale of breath fanning against his neck, he could have saved you. He would have saved you.

He should have saved you.

Steve sucks in a shaky breath, blinking against the harsh hues of the morning sun trying to break through the thick swamp of red clouds. He must have drifted off.

After their failed excursion to find provisions to last them another week, Steve and Billy ended up accepting an offer that honestly left Steve baffled. Eddie and the others had insisted for them to stay at their camp until the storm cleared out; if Steve hadn’t watched the words leave his lips, he wouldn’t have believed it. Especially knowing that none of them had a reason to like him, let alone Billy.

The camp was small, the only other survivor being Eddie’s uncle who had stayed behind to keep watch. But there were tents with makeshift beds Steve presumed to be couch cushions taken from empty homes, a firepit, and, most importantly, rations. He hadn’t really had time to take in the generosity of letting them stay there. Instead, he had immediately found solace on a surprisingly comfortable cushion mattress and closed his eyes with the hope they would be able to find their own rations when dawn broke.

As it turns out, Steve wasn’t the only one sticking with the original plan.

“We need supplies, not your god damn protection.”

He almost groaned, stretching his arm towards the tent’s exit to gently brush the fabric aside. Billy’s gruff voice was the last thing anyone should have to wake up to.

“Do I look like I’m carrying weeks worth of food on me right now?” Eddie responds, his voice clearer now that Steve was pulled out of his sleepy haze. As he leaves the shelter, he can just make out Eddie’s silhouette against the rising sun, arms crossed as he looks to Billy with a scowl of displeasure. Been there, buddy. “Hey, I’m not claiming you guys need protection. I’m just offering for you both to camp here until military come clear us out. I don’t see why you’re so dead set on staying in this hell hole.”

“Because we’re not the only ones left.” Steve interjects, surprising them as he walks over. “There are more of us, including kids, who need supplies right now. And leaving isn’t an option.”

Eddie glances between them, eyes narrowing with uncertainty. It was clear he didn’t believe either of them would be risking their lives for anyone but themselves, and Steve can’t blame him.

Eddie Munson was deemed the worst of the worst in high school. What made him cool and edgy in middle school severely plummeted into ‘weird’ and ‘barbaric’ as the years rolled on. He had tried to keep to himself, stick with a particular crew of friends, but the bullies always found him. He collected bruises like trading cards, developed eyes in the back of his head just so he could use his locker, and he grew a thick skin of resentment to pretty much everyone in this town just to mask his own insecurity. And Steve Harrington had started it all.

One snide comment, a whisper of a cruel word, and King Steve had bestowed a lasting brand.

Freak.

“How long are you planning on staying?” Eddie eventually sighs, eyes flickering over to where Heather and Chrissy were currently waking up, climbing out of their tent with matching yawns.

“However long it takes.” Steve admits, taken aback by Eddie’s unusually kind nature. Why was he being so nice to him?

“Can you help us or not?” Billy was quickly becoming fed up with the arrangement, tightening his jaw. But any intimidation he may have had in high school was quickly forgotten here, the world around them holding much worse and much more dangerous things to fear.

“Look, man, we don’t even have enough for us right now, let alone a whole other group of survivors. We’re lucky we’ve even lasted this long.” Eddie’s shoulders drop. “It’s how we found you two, we… we are in just as much trouble as you guys right now.”

“Doubt it.” Billy scoffs and when Eddie shoots him a suspicious look, he decides to walk away, choosing to lean against a tree instead.

“What’s his problem?” Eddie comments, eyes flickering between them.

“Been trying to figure that out for like a year now.” Steve sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. He had been up all of 5 minutes and a migraine was already forming behind his eyes. “Okay, so I get you guys are taking the military’s help, believe me it’s definitely the best option, but we don’t have that choice right now. Is there anywhere, anywhere, we might find what we’re looking for?”

Eddie shifts on his feet, eyes unwavering from Steve’s pleading gaze with a soft frown denting the space between his eyebrows. He was studying him, Steve realised, trying to find clues on the surface behind his persistent nature. Steve knew he was being emotional, possibly showing too much urgency considering that staying in Hawkins would feel like a death sentence. But if he leaves, he leaves you. And that is so much scarier to him than flesh-eating monsters.

Eddie tightens his lips, looking to the side in a conflicted manner. “You’re really not leaving, are you?”

“I can’t.” Steve whispers it this time, any energy for an argument severely depleted. He doesn’t care how long it takes, he just wanted to make sure everyone is safe. Everyone.

“Fine.” Eddie finally breathes, a forced smile brightening his face. “I know exactly where you can find everything you’re looking for.”

“Great, that’s- that’s great. Where?”

“Well, uh…” Eddie risks a look over to his uncle Wayne, the man currently sat with his back turned to all of them while sharpening his knives. “About that…”

That little ball of anxiety that sat in the pit of his stomach started to swell again, alerting Steve to yet another precarious situation. And, judging by Eddie’s unnerved expression, he knew the next task wasn’t going to be easy.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

Time ticked too slowly. It was like the present was drowning you, lungs filled with the grim reminder of the danger you were in. The future didn’t look any less bleak.

The stranger you had blindly trusted for days now was simply that; a stranger. You no longer recognised him for his kind eyes, just for the steady murderous hands that pulled the trigger on his friend’s life.

“I was wondering if you’re feeling up for those tests we talked about yesterday.” Brenner smiles, a sight that curdled your stomach from the sheer audacity of it. “There’s no rush, but we won’t be able to proceed without it.”

“Yeah…” You clear your throat, shifting uncomfortably in the metal chair.

Right now, you were hooked to a machine, small little patches attached to either side of your skull and feeding unreadable lines of brainwaves to Brenner, who seemed especially attentive to the results.

After you witnessed Brenner’s unspeakable crime, you had eventually found your way out of the vents, leading you to the other side of the lab just as Owens had promised. It took a lot for you not to submit to the shock, to not slide down the wall into fits of tears. It took even more to pretend like your erratic heartbeat wasn’t making you queasy, stuffing your shaking hands into the pockets of your hoodie and hoping Brenner wouldn’t be playing close attention.

When you first saw him, maybe as little as an hour later, you weren’t sure if you wanted to run as far away as possible or simply scream at him. You had instead opted for a neutral nature, nodding along to words you didn’t concern yourself to listen to. You didn’t care what he had to say. He killed Owens. And he had kept you down here for weeks feeding you lies that poisoned any chance you had of remembering who you were.

Needless to say, you struggled to restrain yourself from lashing out and busting out of here without so much as a second glance. But you remembered what Owens had said, his desperation of a plan to keep you safe. He used his last moments to ensure you could live many more, and you’d be damned if you’d let him and his efforts die in vain.

“Will Owens be doing it?” You ask, drumming your fingertips against the cool surface of the table between you, using the repetitive method to calm your anxiety. It was a trick Hopper had taught you. “I haven’t seen him since yesterday’s attempt.”

You watch as his eyes flicker something dark, swarming lies between the irises that stared at his colleague’s dead body. He might have been able to hide his nature from you before, but you recognised guilt like a close relative.

“I’m afraid he won’t be joining us.” Brenner sighs, dropping the feed of paper and running a hand down his face.

“Why not?”

“He had to leave.” He lies, offering a small smile. “Unfortunately, we’re not the only ones that need him. His… wife. She sent a signal out for help and of course he had to respond. But I’m sure we’ll see him in the future. For now, we must focus our energy on retrieving your memories. Perhaps something you obtained on the surface could aid in a cause much bigger than your amnesia.”

Before you could muster up a response, he leans over and plucks the patches from your skin, the machine dying with the loss of connection.

“That’s enough of that for today. Perhaps we shall discuss the tests later. I’ve noticed you seemed more tired than usual and I’d much prefer you to have a decent night’s sleep before we continue.”

Maybe it was the reality of his actions that made him end your session early, or maybe it was something else entirely. But the metal legs of his chair scrape against the floor as he collects his recordings, shuffling them into a neat pile and turning towards the door.

“Wait.” You suddenly stand, your voice clearly unexpected. But it wasn’t as unexpected as your sudden embrace of a hug, catching him off guard with a slight ‘hmph’. “Thank you. For helping me.”

After the initial shock subsides, Brenner clears his throat and gently pats you on the back. “It is merely my pleasure. We must look after one another in times like these.”

You finally step away, smiling up at him with a nod and he takes his leave, heading down the hall to the right where you’re sure his bedroom is, meaning you had enough time to do exactly as you had planned.

Juggling the newly retrieved keys in your hand, a hint of a smirk was tugging at the corner of your mouth; even when you’re at your most vulnerable, people always seem to underestimate you.

Eddie plants a large map of Hawkins down on the crate in front of him, pointing to the greener area.

“We’re here,” He looks up to ensure Steve and Billy are following. “And the only place left untouched by survivors… is here.”

Steve watches Eddie drag his finger across the map, towards an area that made him frown. “What’s meant to be there?”

“Remember that whole mall the developers promised would be up in time for summer? That’s the site. No idea if they actually finished it but Wayne was a part of the crew transporting in goods.” He glances between them, tilting his head. “AKA… food.”

“So what’s the catch?” Billy grunts, leaning forward. Steve looks at him. “What? Munson here has known about this gold mine for ages and hasn’t gone out to collect? Something’s obviously wrong with that place.”

“He’s… not wrong.” Eddie sighs, pausing when he notices his uncle shift in his seat.

Steve has watched him avoid Wayne’s stare for a while now, only speaking to them in hushed tones. He was clearly doing this against his uncle’s wishes, and Steve still didn’t understand why Eddie would be risking anything to help two of his high school bullies.

“Rumour has it that this whole apocalypse started at high school.” He explains, not noticing the way Steve starts to shift uncomfortably or, at the very least, choosing to ignore it. “When everyone, uh... when no one was left from that place, it started attacking the rest of the town. Shops, houses, stations, everywhere. The only ones that managed to make it out were the people with cars. And anyone left after the town massacre had to think fast. They couldn’t escape and they were getting blocked in by all these monsters showing up out of nowhere. So they-”

“They fled to the new mall.”

All three boys turn in surprise to a new voice, another teen joining their meeting with a grave expression.

Tommy stood with them for a moment, glaring down at the map. In all of Steve’s life, he has never seen Tommy so serious. So… sober.

“Man, you don’t have to-” Eddie tries but Tommy shakes his head and the boy backs down.

“Everyone left headed there.” He solemnly continues, taking a seat on the open surface of a fallen tree trunk, staring at his hands. “Someone broke through the gates surrounding it and let everyone in. Those… creatures... they followed them. Us.”

Steve plants his hands on the table gently, allowing himself to lean against it, knowing that whatever Tommy would say would make his stomach sick and his body weak.

“I was with Carol in the video store when it all started. Some asshole took my car when I wasn’t looking and we were just stranded in the middle of town. Everything around us was complete chaos, and- and I overheard someone saying the mall had trucks they could use.” Tommy takes a breath, nodding slowly for his own support in telling the tale. “I took her with me and we managed to get past the gates pretty easy. But there weren’t any trucks. At least, not when we got there. More monsters showed up and people started running into the mall. I- I would’ve followed but Carol spotted a school bus back out on the street trying to get people on it, said it was our only way out. It felt like our only way out.”

“So we abandoned the mall and we ran to the bus…” Steve spots Tommy’s hands shake before he hides them between his knees, tightening his lips. “Some nasty looking dog jumped out at us at the last moment. I… I didn’t know what to do so I just told Carol to get on the bus, said I’d deal with it. She didn’t- she didn’t wanna leave me. But I pushed her. I distracted the thing long enough and I made sure she got on the bus.”

A glimmer of a tear drips down his cheek, and he simply lets it fall, squeezing his eyes shut.

“I think the monsters figured out where all the people were because hundreds of them started appearing. The driver started the bus, he- he was just trying to get everyone out. I tried to run after it… I remember seeing Carol’s face in the window. And then…” When Tommy pauses, Steve doesn’t expect him to continue. Even his own heart was aching. “The biggest, ugliest thing I’ve ever seen showed up. Something like an older version of those dogs with the weird faces. It had these- these massive claws and it… it got the bus. Slashed the tires. There were too many things between me and them for me to get there in time. All I heard was their screams. I tried to get Carol out. I- I ran to the back of the bus when I could, tried to get the emergency release open. I didn’t get to save her. Instead, I just watched her die.”

Nobody spoke. Not even Billy, cementing the severity of whole situation. Steve felt a horrible twist of guilt settle in his chest. Guilt for having such hostile feelings towards Tommy and Carol merely hours before Tommy watched Carol ripped to pieces in front of him. He had hated them, but he never wanted either of them dead.

Tommy clears his throat after a moment, clapping his hands with a bitter laugh. “Well, now that’s all out in the open…”

“Wayne and I found Tommy near the mall about a day after it all started.” Eddie continues for him, sending a sympathetic glance his way. “We were lucky we all made it back out. The place was crawling with those things. If there’s anywhere in Hawkins that is a no-go zone, it’s the mall.”

“Which is why all that food is gonna be untouched. Am I right?” Billy raises an eyebrow, but all and any satirical urges had been retired completely. This wasn’t a joke anymore.

“Yep.” Eddie nods. “You should stay the hell away from there if you want to survive another day. But something tells me you’re just that desperate.”

“If we don’t go, we still won’t survive anyway.” Billy bites back, crossing his arms. “And no way are we letting the military drag us out of here.”

“Why?” Eddie exasperates, shaking his head. “What the hell is so important that you can’t just get the hell out of Hawkins while you still can? And don’t give me the whole ‘we need food’ bullshit or tell me ‘it’s not an option’ because getting out of here is literally the only way you or those kids you keep talking about are gonna stay alive.”

“We’re perfectly capable on our own, you fre-” Billy bites and Steve nudges him away from Eddie before he could say anything that would alienate the help completely.

“Just calm down.” Steve warns him, seeing the same look in his eye he had been the victim of last year when he beat him bloody. But, to his relief, Billy shakes his head and walks away calmly, mumbling an apology.

Steve had to admit, he wasn’t expecting that conversation to end without a couple bruises.

“Thank you for letting us stay here.” He turns back to Eddie, making sure his voice properly captivated the gratitude he felt for kindness he didn’t deserve. “If we can do anything in return, just let us know.”

With a brief nod to Eddie’s silence, Steve trudged back to his tent and grabbed his bag and bat, signalling to Billy that they were ready to leave. Considering how long it had been since they left the others, they needed to find the supplies and return fast before any of them had the terrible idea of following them out here. He knew if he let the military get to them before he did, you’d be lost forever.

Or maybe he could save everyone else and still look for you. It wasn’t as if the thought hadn’t crossed his mind before; to send out a signal to the soldiers’ camp and tell them where they were, to evacuate them immediately, while Steve was far away from being caught. But he couldn’t do that to Hopper, or any of them really. You weren’t always aware of it, but they all cared about you. Family doesn’t leave eachother behind.

“I’m coming with you.”

Steve stops in his tracks and whips his head back to where Eddie was strapping his own back to his back, testing the weight of his spear before sliding it through it’s holder on the backpack.

“What?” Steve gawks, unsure of how to properly respond.

“I’ve been there before.” Eddie shrugs, folding his arms and setting a look on his face that read he wouldn’t be persuaded otherwise. “I used to sneak in there whenever the builders took days off. I know exactly where we can find the supplies you’re looking for and I’m pretty damn sure you’re not gonna be able to navigate that place in time before anything finds you.”

“Why the hell would you want to do that?” Steve lowers his voice to a whisper, coming closer.

“You’re not the only one who has their reasons to stay here.” Eddie vaguely replies, his hard stare softening. “You said if you could do anything in return, you would. And I need something in that mall.”

“You’re the one who told us it’s dangerous.” Steve doesn’t have time to debate, already noticing Billy’s impatient gestures from the corner of his eye.

“Guess that means you’re gonna need all the help you can get.” Eddie shrugs.

Before Steve can insist he stay, Heather interrupts the conversation with a small apology, whispering something in Eddie’s ear. Whatever it was, it caused the boy’s expression to fall into a frown.

“I’m heading out.” He says to her, looking behind him. “I’ll be back in the morning, just… don’t let anyone leave. It’s not worth it.”

“I’ll try and get the radio working again.” She bites her lip, nodding. “Send us a call if you go past the shack. I’m not gonna be able to keep this from your uncle, you know.”

“I know.” He sighs, smiling. “Thanks for this.”

“You saved my life.” She playfully punches his shoulder, looking at Steve. “Don’t let him die or I’ll kill you myself.”

“Noted.” Steve blinks, throwing his hands up in desperation. I guess Eddie is coming with us.

Billy walks over with a frown, looking between the three of them. “We going, or what?”

“Eddie’s joining us.” Steve admits in defeat, the boy in question grinning.

“Yay.” Billy rolls his eyes, catching Heather’s inquisitive stare. “What?”

“Nothing.” She smirks, tilting her head. “You’re just… different. To how I remember.”

Both Steve and Eddie watch the other two share a gaze that made them feel… unwanted, to say the least.

Billy clears his throat and adjusts the strap of his shotgun, letting out a breath. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go.”

Heather bids a small farewell, patting Eddie’s shoulder before re-joining Chrissy to surely discuss what was happening. In turn, Billy starts marching away from the camp, leaving before anything else could interrupt.

“Well, I feel weird.” Eddie comments and Steve absent-mindedly nods in agreement. “Better follow him before he ends up going in the wrong direction.”

Steve hums in response, taking one last look at the camp. It was relieving to know other people had been out here surviving the entire time, even without the knowledge of these monsters and the gates that brought them here. It gave him hope. Maybe there were more survivors out there. Maybe, just maybe, an apocalypse wouldn’t be the end of Hawkins.

It had barely been 24 hours since you stopped taking Brenner’s ‘medication’ and you were already piecing together your memories from the past few months.

Many people still remained faceless, meaning you had to work harder to remember the specifics. But you know Hopper, all the fights and the emotional conversations. Sara, your little sister, and a girl that reminded you of her.

You remember the high school, watching your teacher die, getting attacked…

And you remember the monsters. Long, lanky and grey creatures with faces that opened like flower petals. Dark, shadowy figures that could become anything they wanted. Small, vicious dogs that would tear you apart if they were given the chance. Something big in the water, rows and rows of sharp teeth.

Each creature appeared in thought with a shiver down your spine. Maybe some things would be better forgotten.

Your sneakers scuff loudly on the pristine conditions of the floor, making you wince at the noise. You needed to be silent if you wanted to escape. Luckily for you, you were one step closer to freedom.

Room 237. It didn’t appear any different from the other rows of doors you’ve walked past a million times. But this one felt different.

There was no lock on the door, making you question Owens’ desperation for you to find it. If it was meant to be a secret, why wasn’t there any security? But you know why. You weren’t exactly a threat in Brenner’s mind. You were used to that behaviour.

You grab the handle and gently tug it down, holding your breath as the door quietly creaks open.

The first thing you noticed was how dark it was. You try and fumble around for a light switch but you can’t really find it, squinting into the room and trying to adjust your eyes instead.

It seemed empty, merely a chair in the corner of the room with a shadow of a lamp beside it. Everything else was just the same bleak white walls you’ve grown accustomed to, nothing out of the ordinary at all…

The smell hit you first, flooding your senses. It was the same thing you smelt that first night at the school, invading your mind and body with paralysing fear.

Blood.

The room stretched further than you thought, a protruding wall concealing the reality of what lay inside of Room 237. There was no light behind it either, and you blindly followed your own instincts to find where the divide ended, hand gently brushing along the wall until it fell into air.

This section was a lot more furnished. Chairs, small tables, equipment. But you didn’t acknowledge any of it.

In the middle of the room was a chair, inhabited by the pale face of a boy you think you should recognise. And he wasn’t moving.

"Oh my god." You whisper, running over and immediately pulling the gag from his mouth, your hands trembling as you gently tap his face, hoping he was just tired and not something much, much worse. "Hey, hey. Wake up. Please wake up."

When you hear no response, you start working on the rope binds around his wrists, sending fearful glances to his face. No, no, no. A persistent tug inside your chest knew this boy, even if you couldn’t quite place him in that hazy mind of yours. And you were scared to lose him. You couldn’t lose him.

As you pull apart the last knot, your heart settles into relief, watching his hands instinctively flex from the freedom.

"Hey." You dip your head to meet his eyes, "Are you okay? Why are you here? Can you hear me?"

A small groan rumbles in his throat, shaking off the obvious fatigue from whatever the hell it was Brenner did to him. “Please… I don’t know where he is...”

“Where who is?” You frown, searching his face for clues. Up close, you could see his lip was swollen. “Do you know where you are? How long have you been here?”

“I don’t… remember.” He coughs, blinking up at the dark ceiling. “I don’t remember anything…”

Your eyes flicker to the table you hadn’t yet observed beside him, various needles scattered about, seemingly unused thank goodness. But you did spot a similar little bottle that you had clutched in your own hands for weeks now; those cursed little white pills.

“Oh no.” You lean back on your heels, observing the way he starts rubbing at the rope burns on his wrists. He looks at you with a confused expression, searching your face like he was trying to remember something.

“I know you.” He says like it was involuntary, surprised at his own words. But he trusts himself, squinting his eyes, face falling into realisation. “Oh my god.”

“What?” You blink, anticipation startling you with his sudden resolve.

“Y/n.”

Relief mends the painful tear in your heart you never noticed before. When you had been utterly alone down here, you were so afraid there would be no one waiting for you on the surface. It wasn’t until you remembered Hopper that you were hopeful you would have someone looking for you. But now, hearing someone say your name like it held importance, that felt like a cure to all your misery.

And then the dread sets in again as you look up at this boy. Why didn’t you remember him?

“How do you know my name?” You frown, but he barely registers your words.

“He told us you were alive… I’m glad I believed him...” He doesn’t make much sense, muttering and mumbling under his breath. His voice is a little hazy and you notice his eyelids start to droop. You quickly tilt his head with your hand, noticing the spot of red blended into his hair that you had missed on your earlier inspection.

Fear was your best friend at this point, becoming utterly fixated on the fact that his head wound could be a lot worse than you can see on the surface. You couldn’t leave this place alone, not now you know you aren’t the only one trapped here. You have to save him, save eachother.

No more deaths.

His head starts to loll and you catch his face with both hands, heart wrenching. You knew him, you felt it. And he was already slipping away before you could find the answers your soul yearned for.

"Woah, don't- Keep your eyes open. Don’t close your eyes." You plead and he manages to blink himself awake again, nodding slowly. You exhale a breath, holding his gaze. “How do you know my name?”

The boy seems so much more alert now, your words finally settling into his swarming mind. His eyebrows furrow, a mix of panic and confusion flooding his face.

“We- we’re… friends.” He blinks, noting the utter lack of recognition in your features. “You don’t remember me?”

“I don’t remember anything.” You admit, reaching over to the table and holding the pill bottle up to him, shaking it lightly. “The man keeping us here, he’s been feeding us these pills. Anti- antipsychotics, I think he said. They’ve been blocking my memory for weeks.”

“Shit.” He leans back into his chair, struggling to keep his eyes open. “That’s not… that’s not good…”

He was starting to look worse again, and you knew you were running out of time. Any longer and Brenner could find you. You weren’t letting yourself spend another day locked away with a murderer.

"Listen to me, we have to leave right now. I'll explain everything, I promise, but if he finds us here, we're screwed."

You help him stand. His legs wobble slightly so you slip an arm around him, resting his weight on yours.

"He..." He frowns, only single words hitting the air before his eyes start to close again.

"Hey- Stay with me, okay? I need you." You plead and he manages to blink himself awake again, nodding slowly. "We need to find the exit, but first we need to contact someone. Do you know how to use a radio?"

"Um..." He frowns once again, face twisting with confusion. Your heart sinks. Please, god, don’t die. "I… Yes. Yeah, I do. Of course I do."

“Good.” You offer a smile, relaxing when you feel him relieve some of his weight from your body, finding his footing. “We’re one step closer to getting the hell out of here.”

“I think I can,” He winces as you start to walk to the door, sending a reassuring nod your way when you pause. This wasn’t going to be easy. “I, uh, I might be able to remember the frequency for the party- and your dad. Hopper.”

As he leans forward to brace himself on the wall, your mind starts to wander. Hearing him say your dad’s name…

“Where’s Hopper?” You get straight to the point, studying them both as they look surprised yet again. “I assume you came here with him.”

“Yeah.” A girl answers, the boy in the bunker nodding with her. “Yeah, he picked us up like an hour after everything happened. We’ve kind of been at the lab since.”

“Hm.” You sound, trying to ignore how that stung. He went and collected the kids he wanted and left you to fend for yourself. Lovely.

“So he’s here?” The faceless boy in your dreams questions and the girl nods again.

“He’s with the gate.” She relays.

“They’ve been trying to get it shut for ages.” The boy in the bunker says, but his eyes are still on you, barely hanging onto his own words. “Where were you guys?”

“Uh… surviving the apocalypse. Which, by the way, not as easy as it looks in movies.”

“Why are you both looking at us like that?” You finally ask, the shocked eyes of people you barely knew staring at you and the boy like you weren’t even real.

“Sorry.” The girl rushes, blinking. She pockets her gun into her belt and steps forward, sharing looks with the boy in the bunker. “It’s not you. It’s just…”

“We thought you were dead.”

You snap out of it when you hear him take a deep breath. Another memory unlocked, more questions unanswered. Why was that other boy in every memory? And why couldn’t the one in front of you be the same face you were so desperate to find?

“Are you gonna be okay?” You ask, only earning a silent nod in return. “I’m gonna do a quick check outside and make sure we’re not gonna get caught. Wait here.”

When you were sure he could support himself, you carefully open the door without so much as a creak, poking your head around the corner. Your eyes travel to the camera situated at the end of the hall, facing the opposite direction. You were going to have to walk into view of it some time, and once you did there was no going back. No more pretending, one more step to freedom.

“Okay.” You drop your voice to a whisper, propping the door open with your foot and meeting his eyes. He looked tired, but he was fighting. “We’ll be in the clear for about 2 minutes before the cameras catch us. I’ll lead us straight to the radio and we’ll send out an SOS to my dad. If we move quick enough, we might be able to escape before anyone can come looking. You ready for that?”

“Ready as ever.” He nods, and you offer your arm again, sliding his over your shoulders and preparing for what will be the most excruciatingly tense moment of your lives.

As you both creep out into the hallway, he mumbles something to you, so quiet you missed it.

“Sorry?” You whisper back, keeping up a steady rhythm between your footsteps.

“My name.” He repeats, a little louder. A small and select smile rests on his lips. “Jonathan. In case you couldn’t remember.”

His name hits the air with more value than he’ll know, one more blurred face now clear as day. But you couldn’t relish in the relief, or exchange stories of whatever horrors landed you two of all people in a bunker with a psychopath. Now wasn't the time for either of you to reflect on the hell you were both dragged through.

If anything, it was just luck you were both still alive.

taglist:

@sheisjoeschateau . @kthomps914 . @curled-hair-red-lips . @nix-rose .

@palmtreesx3 . @kryztalglear . @sattlersquarry . @hey-barnes-stole-a-jeep . @sadslasher13 .

@iliveonteaandbooks . @innercreationflower . @newyorkangelbaby . @totally-bogus-timelady . @pansexualhoor .

@kitdjarin1 . @chiliwhore . @carolineesnell . @lxon-kxnnedy .

[steddieunderdogfics]

This week’s writer spotlight feature is:  @toedenandbackagain! ToEdenandBackAgain has 7 fics posted to AO3 in the Stranger Things fandom and all of them are in the Steddie tag!

Our anonymous nominator recommends the following works by @toedenandbackagain:

hold me now, i need relief

hot (sticky, sweet)

sweet to taste (saccharine)

A Sign of The Morning

seasons change (so do we)

"Her fanfics are what got me into Steddie and Stranger Things and for that I am eternally grateful for that. (Also thank you again for reposting your fanfics back on AO3!!!)" -- anonymous

Below the cut, @toedenandbackagain answered some questions about their writing process and some of their recommended work!

Why do you write Steddie?

The urge to write Steddie really took me by surprise if I’m honest. I watched the first half of Season 4 (the superior half, imho), and something about Eddie’s character made me feel like he had way more to offer than what he was being given in canon. So when he and Steve started making eyes at one another, I was immediately on board.

What’s your favorite trope to READ?

I love reading enemies to lovers, or enemies to friends to lovers. I love a slow burn like nothing else, the slower the better. I think there's so much opportunity in building a relationship within a fic, especially one that was originally not friendly.

What’s your favorite trope to WRITE?

I love writing “long term pining” type fics. Especially of the “they're both in love with one another and neither realize it” variety. There's so much to explore in that sort of story and I love making the characters suffer just a little.

What’s your favorite Steddie fic?

This question keeps me up at night because I love so many aspects of so many Steddie stories, which is such a cop out of an answer, I know 😂 I think that a Steddie story that has forever stuck with me was “Looks Like You're Hungry, Looks Like You're Drowning” by Capriciously_Terminal. Something about it just lingers, it was beautifully written. “Are You Flagging?” By soidade (my beloved) is also a forever favourite, it was the fic I was obsessively reading in my car before work. And during work. And at home.

Is there a trope you’re excited to explore in a future work but haven’t yet?

I would love to explore time loops in a fic but I am just so overwhelmed with how to start. It was originally The Lathe by palm violet that sparked that urge and  I've never been able to shake it.

What is your writing process like?

I keep a log of every fic idea I ever come up with, even if it is just a handful of sentences or a quick snippet. Specific pairing ideas get grouped together, but as I'm writing I will usually come back to my Google doc of doom and scroll through to see if anything jumps out at me that could work with what I'm currently writing. I try to start with at least a rough structure of events before going in with the details, and I like to know vaguely how I intend for something to end before I even start writing. From there, I just go. I find writing in chronological order very difficult, so I like to write big scenes first, and fill in the gaps. I also love useless tidbits, little character quirks that go nowhere and mean nothing in the grand scheme of things but round out who I'm writing about and what their bigger picture story is outside of the story I'm telling.

Do you have any writing quirks?

I love to write on my phone. I know it isn’t for everyone, but I find some of my best writing work gets done when I’m hunched over my phone in the weirdest spots. Entire chapters of A Sign of the Morning were written in various office waiting rooms, on public transit, or from my work lunchroom.

Do you prefer posting when you’ve finished writing or on a schedule?

I want to say posting when I’ve finished, but considering I wrote A Sign of the Morning in 12 days, and updated every day the exact moment I finished the chapter (no beta, no proofread, please forgive any and all absolutely horrific mistakes of that fic, they haunt me), I know that’s not the truth. I love sharing my stories, and I am always wanting to immediately put it out there for people. Posting when finished is, however, one of my goals as a writer. I would like to give readers a much more consistent upload schedule from me, and I’d love the comfort of knowing everything was finished.

Which fic are you most proud of?

This is another one of these questions that had me stumped for a long time. Part of me wants to say A Sign of the Morning, because it is, to date, my longest completed fic, as well as the fic that has gotten the most attention in my entire fanfiction writing history. But it has a lot of flaws. A lot. But at the same time, it meant so much to me that any other answer feels wrong.

How did you get the idea for A Sign of the Morning?

I loved the idea that Steve and Eddie had to have crossed paths before at some point, and I had always loved Steve’s growth as a character in the series but I felt like it was missing something. Some of the first few scenes that I imagined were the swing set scene, and the final fight Steve has with his parents. I enjoy stories that have character growth amid romance, and I wanted asotm to have that. From there, it really took on its own life. But from the moment I first had the idea, I wanted the story to have a specific feeling, which eventually led to how I chose the name. I wanted this fic to feel like the moment you have after the worst night of your life, the night you didn't know if you would make it out the other side. And then on the horizon, you can see the sun coming up, and you realize that you've made it. Steve's journey with his sexuality, his friendship, his relationships- familial, platonic, and romantic, and his growth into adulthood amidst a whole ton of supernatural trauma was what I wanted to write about- with Steddie to weave it together.

When writing A Sign of the Morning, what was something you didn’t expect?

The response for this fic is nothing I've ever experienced in around 15 years of writing. I've never had that sort of attention on my work, and I'm so grateful for every person who left a comment, a kudos, or a kind message at my Tumblr. I was also shocked how much of it just … happened. I had a few key plot points when I started writing, but some chapters and storylines (the party at the Byers-Hopper house, El’s “tattoos”, the fight between Jason and Steve) just fit and almost wrote themselves.

What inspired sweet to taste (saccharine)?

I hadn’t intended on continuing the story from hot (sticky, sweet), but once I had posted it I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I hadn’t really written a one shot like that before, where nothing actually happened between the characters and it was left hanging in the air with a “will they/won’t they”, and something about the one shot felt unfinished. But I also didn’t want to add another chapter, because I liked the standalone nature of the original and I wanted people who were happy with the ending to have the option to leave it as a flirty oneshot.

What was your favorite part to write from hot (sticky, sweet)?

The scene at the end of the story, outside Starcourt where Steve and Eddie are talking to one another was my favourite part to write. As much as the excess of samples scene holds a place in my heart, so many of my favourite lines are from that final scene. Eddie giving Steve his number by writing it on his arm and Steve sneaking Eddie into the theater really stick out in my mind.

How do/did you feel writing hold me now, i need relief?

The fic was originally inspired by the most beautiful piece of artwork by littleststarfighter on Tumblr, and from there the story really came together way faster than I was expecting. It was a harder fic to write than I anticipated. I wanted to explore a little bit of what Eddie’s life would be like if he survived, considering just how bad his injuries would have been. I have two conditions that cause chronic pain, and experienced an accident several years ago that exacerbated both of them to the point of not being able to get out of bed some days. Pouring a lot of those feelings into Eddie, writing the fic felt like a massive cathartic release and kind of a forgiveness to my past self for some of the things I had been hanging on to.

What was the most difficult part of writing seasons change (so do we)?

Right now, the actual writing part of it. I have the entire fic planned out scene to scene in a google doc somewhere, and this thing is fighting me every step of the way. Other than that, the hardest part of the chapters that are actually posted was probably getting into the heads of the characters from before we’ve known them, and making it seem realistic to who they are in canon. Writing bitchy Steve Harrington was a blessing and a curse, it was important to me to write him in a way that felt like he could connect seamlessly into S1 Steve Harrington without feeling disjointed.

Do you have a favorite scene and/or line from any of your fics?

Steve's final fight with his parents from A Sign of the Morning was in the works from the moment I started writing and when I finally got to it, everything felt perfect. The line where Steve asks his mother to let him leave is one I'm forever proud of. The final scene of a sign of the morning is another I'm partial to. Quiet, comforting love.

Do you have any upcoming projects or fics you’d like to share/promote?

I'm getting back into writing! Slowly. Very slowly. I do have an ongoing Steddie WIP that haunts me throughout the day and I hope to update it soon.

Outside of these questions, Is there anything YOU would like to add?

So many people have reached out to me about a sign of the morning helping them come to terms with their sexuality, or that it helped them feel comfortable coming out, and for some others it even made them realize that they were in bad relationships with people around them and I am forever honored to have had something I wrote have that kind of impact. Fanfiction got me through some of the darkest times in my life and for anyone who is in a place like Steve, or Eddie, or even any of the other characters and they are fighting every day to just exist in a world that's so much harder than it needs to be- I'm so proud of you. So proud.

Thank you to our author, @toedenandbackagain, and our nominator! See more of ToEdenandBackAgain's works featured on our page throughout the day!

Writer’s Spotlight is every Wednesday! Want to nominate an author? You can nominate them here!

[fandoms-in-law]

Accept My Character

Summary: After Steve and Robin's first time playing DnD, Steve seems both enthusiastic and nervous about playing again. When Eddie offers a safer way to be herself around Hellfire without completely coming out, Steve takes it.

Author's Note: I never named Steve and Robin's DnD characters before because I wasn't sure what I wanted them to do. For their original names this time, I looked up scientific names for rabbits and just made names from that, the more normal for Steve. For the next one, I looked up playboy playmates and used a surname of one from the sixties. It seemed fitting.

Sequel to How I'll Play and Come Play with Us

~

Eddie was thrilled with how the campaign using Sylvanian families toys as figurines had gone. Everyone had enjoyed it and Steve was already talking about joining another, but he looked uncertain about it sometimes.

“I think she wants to tell the rest of Hellfire about who she is, but he’s not sure if they’d accept it.” Robin said when it came up between them one evening. Steve had left to drop the kids at home so they had a rare chance to talk privately about her. “How would she even explain it, feeling more like a girl some days and others okay with being called male?”

“Just like that.” Eddie pointed out, “But I get what you mean. Why doesn’t he use his character first? Bring her back female for a second campaign, maybe with a name change or even not immediately recognisable to them at first? Then explain.”

“That needs discussing with him,” She decided, holding up her hands.

A throat clearing behind them startled the pair, both turning to see said person leaning against the door with an eyebrow raised, “What does?” She asked, having changed into a more fitted blouse before coming back to them.

Eddie jumped up, smiling nervously at him, “Whether you’d be happier playing another campaign if we put more of you into your character.”

“What?”

“Eddie was wondering why you’re delaying letting him plan or arrange it, and I wondered if it’s because you were wanting to be out to everyone in Hellfire.” Robin blurted out.

Eddie clicked at her, “And I suggested starting with your character if your nervous about how they’ll react to you. We know the kids will stick up for you already and I doubt the CC boys would react badly but that gives you a safer way to check.”

“Can she have a different name? Like Winchell? Or swap between them, like Steve and Eve?” Eve asked, moving further into the room now, looking at Eddie hopefully.

“Anything you want. You could even swap the outfit your character is wearing to show which name and pronouns they’re using as long as there’s narratively time to do so.” Eddie promised, getting a playful pout directed back.

Eve whined a little too, “Are you sure I can’t pause a battle just to change clothes?”

He nodded, “Yes, cause you’d keep using that to also get advantage in other ways, by moving or accidentally throwing something as you change.”

“I could do that regardless.” She nodded, glancing at Robin who was definitely ready to plan more ways they could make Eddie’s life as DM more difficult.

~

“We’re heading back to Sylvan for our next campaign. Reacquaint yourselves with your characters for it, and prepare for confusion with a dash of chaos.” Eddie declared after celebrations for the one they’d been working on wound down.

“You got Steve to play another campaign?” Jeff asked, looking thrilled at the idea. “I’m going to keep a tally of how many times he messes up your plans.”

Gareth laughed with him, “Or just get popcorn as the breaktime snack. Either to watch Eddie frantically rework the route or to watch their debates.”

“Glad you’re all excited for it. I’ll let everyone know the dates if Steve doesn’t.” Eddie accepted the teasing easily.

~

Around the table everyone could see their figurines from before, and Dustin was aghast to notice a couple noticeably missing. “Where are Oryctol and Leopold? I thought we were starting the campaign together this time.”

Robin and Steve shrugged as their characters were mentioned, pretending to be as confused as the party over Eddie’s antics even if they’d agreed to them. It helped with the storytelling if none of the players knew anything and after their first campaign they were more than willing to play along with that.

“As you’ll recall your last campaign ended with a farewell to the Harengley siblings as they returned to their families for a time. You, Broc, sent a letter requesting their companionship on this new journey but have yet to hear from them.” Eddie jumped straight into narration to answer the question, pausing at the end of that introduction to note who had asked and pull the letter out of his folder. “Here’s the letter sent, please pass it to Oryctol for safe keeping. As there’s been no reply you are hoping they’ll join up with the party on the way.”

There were a few questioning looks exchanged as Robin’s character was the one specified, but nothing more was said as play began.

~

“An arrow flies from the trees for Broc, too unexpected to be dodged or deflected by him or anyone in the active party, but, Oryctol, do you want to try?” Eddie turned to Robin abruptly, where she and Steve had remained observers for the first half hour of gameplay.

“YES!” She hurried to grab her dice, rambling about various ways she might be able to bock it as she rolled, before moaning at the low number, turning to Steve. “In my desire to save a friend who asked for help I drop the things I wanted to use, and instead call still hidden by the trees, ‘Winchell, can you stop it from hitting him?’”

Eddie frowned a moment at the actions but nodded to accept her role-playing without letting him describe the failed attempt.

“I throw my shield on it’s side, aimed just between Broc and the arrow flying as fast as I can.” Steve decided the action immediately before rolling. “And a side note that given it’s being thrown like a frisbee, it would arch away from Dustin and back into the tree line if it flew too far.” He muttered to Eddie, instead of calling out his roll. He knew that type of real world physics sometimes got ignored if Eddie decided to injure a character anyway.

Eddie leant over his guard and smiled, “Your attempt succeeds and the shield knocks the arrow off course before clanging into a tree, slightly dented.”

“Oryctol! You managed to make it.” Dustin exclaimed in character, “Thank you for saving me, Leo-” At that point he froze, looking at the figures now placed on the map just coming out of the woods, and realising the name called wasn’t the one he’d expected. “Winchell? Who are you? Was Leopold not able to come?”

“I’m him, Broc. But yes, my name’s Winchell currently. Come on, whoever fired that arrow must be close and we don’t want to stay where an unseen enemy wants to attack us.” Steve replied, gesturing to where the arrow had come from.

The rest of the party exchanged surprised looks for a moment, looking ready to ask more, but Robin stepped in, “My sister is right,” she said in character, “And I’d like to roll a perception check to confirm if I can locate the archer.”

“Me too,” Grant decided. “I get advantage as an Owlin, remember. And Winchell, Oryctol, it’s great to have you with us again.”

Steve nodded, moving his figure further through the map and replying, “Good to be here.”

With the rolls made, Eddie began narrating again, getting the party moved on from the area they’d met up in.

~

The beginning session ended with laughter and praise over how Steve’s character changes between campaigns. He felt even more comfortable being himself around the entire group than before. He wouldn’t have thought role-playing would help him so much.

[ladykailitha]

Hellfire Part 8

This story is almost done and will have 13 chapters. Which I thought was very fitting, honestly. It has been one hell of a ride and thank you for sticking it out with me.

In this we have a new villain or two, the attacks against Steve simmer down, but up frequency, and Wayne is pissed.

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

~

Steve had to be more careful and stayed clear of the edge of the stage. But little things kept happening. His make up would go missing, his hair spray would suddenly be empty, just little things.

Wayne was furious. The fact that whoever was doing this was doing it under his nose. He couldn’t believe that any of the people he hired would stoop so low as to terrorize another dancer into quitting.

He resolved to get to the bottom of this, come hell or high water.

“You don’t have to do this,” Eddie murmured. “You’re supposed to be on vacation.”

Wayne glared at him. “I came down here to make things easier on you in running this place. So I’mma focus on this and you focus on shaking your ass up there.”

Eddie ducked his head and nodded. “I just don’t understand why they wouldn’t just say something to me.”

“Maybe you did and you rightfully told them to go to hell,” Wayne reasoned. “Some folks just don’t like change. Will do everything in their power to buck against it. Nothing you can do about that.”

“Yeah, okay,” Eddie said with a heavy sigh. “Just keep it on the down low. I don’t want them spooking and doing real harm to Steve.”

“You’ve got it.”

~

It would be a couple of days later before Wayne got anywhere with his little investigation. He called Jeff and Eddie into the office.

“Have a seat boys,” Wayne said with a chuckle. “You aren’t in trouble, there was just something I noticed while digging into the schedules to see if I could find a pattern in the attacks against Steve.”

Jeff and Eddie shared a glance.

“What did you dig up, you old fossil?” Jeff teased.

Wayne turned around a piece of paper and laid it on the desk. It was their weekly schedule.

Eddie read it and then scooted it back to Wayne. “Okay, I’ve seen this, I’m the one that makes it. What about it?”

“Did you know that you and Jeff don’t have any nights off?” Wayne said, lacing his fingers together and leaning on his elbows. “Eddie I get, he’s a workaholic and wants to be there every night to make sure everything goes well and doesn’t have any issues that crop up. But you, Jeffrey? I expected better work/life balance out of you.”

Jeff blushed. “I originally asked for more days because I went through a messy break up and just never changed it back.” He rubbed his hair sheepishly.

“You’re both experiencing burnout,” Wayne groused. “And I’m not gonna let that happen on my watch. So here’s what is gonna happen. On Monday nights, Jeff will have it off. Not Sunday, though I considered it. Don’t want folks thinking you’ve got a problem with Steve, considering he has your night off.”

Jeff nodded. “Works for me.”

Eddie just shrugged. It didn’t matter when Jeff had off. All the days were covered for the dancers, it was just the waiters he had trouble with juggling to give Robin and Steve the same days off.

“And you will have Tuesdays off,” Wayne growled. “And on that day, Jeff will be manager. Lean on him a little and I’ll bet you both will be feeling like new men in a matter of weeks.”

Eddie and Jeff shared another glance.

“Yeah, okay,” Jeff said. “It’ll my nice to have an evening to myself for a change.”

Eddie on the other narrowed his eyes at his uncle. “Giving me the same day off at Steve, and you’ll want me to believe that’s coincidental.”

Wayne smiled back. “Oh it absolutely isn’t. It is a very deliberate attempt to get you laid.”

Jeff laughed as Eddie slumped in his seat, arms crossed over his chest in a pout. “Fuck you, too, old man,” Eddie huffed.

Wayne’s expression turned serious and immediately Eddie sat up straight and Jeff gripped the arms of the chair. “I think I have it narrowed down to about three people it could be and it could be all of them, one of them, or any combination of two.”

“Let me guess, Stella, Danny, and Levi?” Eddie said darkly.

Wayne blinked at him for a moment and then tilted his head. “How did you get two out of the three right? I knew Stella still had problems with Steve, but I thought Danny and Levi had gotten over all their doubts about him.”

“He made them look stupid,” Jeff said shaking his head. “Hell, I’m pretty sure I’d hold a grudge against anyone who did that to me.”

“So who are the three?” Eddie asked, leaning forward on his elbows and cupping his hands under his chin.

“Levi, Danny, and Scott,” Wayne said, sitting back in the chair.

“It’s not Scott,” Eddie and Jeff said together.

Wayne eyebrows shot up. “You two sound very sure of that. Why?”

“They’ve become friends,” Jeff said, “they even go out for lunch and coffee and stuff. Scott would never.”

“Yeah,” Eddie said, “Scott was the one that jumped in and helped Steve when he was having trouble with a move Steve’s first day at practice. Dude would literally have to be possessed before he hurt Steve.”

Wayne blinked at them for a moment. “Not Scott then.” He made a note and quietly rearranged things. “All right, it’s really looking like there is a third person but I can’t figure out who it is.”

“I don’t want to say Stella,” Jeff huffed, “but it’s totally Stella.”

Wayne opened his mouth to refute that when Scott came barreling into the room.

“Eddie you’ve got to come quick!” he huffed. “There is something happening out front and we need you!”

All three men were on their feet in an instant and followed Scott out to the front of the club. Eddie wasn’t sure what he was going to see but whatever it was, it wasn’t this.

Steve stood in front of Chrissy with his arms crossed in front of him, glaring at two newcomers. Well, one was a newcomer. The woman was new to Eddie, but the man most certainly was not. Jason Carver, asshole extraordinaire stood next to short woman with dark curly hair and piercingly cold eyes. She also had her arms crossed over her chest, her full weight on her back foot.

“I don’t care what you think of me, Nancy Wheeler,” Steve spat, “you or the sanctimonious ass over here, but you leave Chrissy alone.”

Instantly Eddie’s already raised hackles went into overdrive. “Hey, what’s going on here?” he asked moving between the intruders and his dancers.

The woman, Nancy raised an unimpressed eyebrow as she looked him up and down. “And you are?”

“I’m the owner, Eddie Munson,” he replied coldly. “And you already fucking knew that. Or at least you should if you’re any kind of reporter. But then again most journalists don’t care about the truth anymore just about getting that good ‘ol revenue dollar.” He rubbed his fingers and thumb to indicate money.

Nancy’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. She didn’t think that she would be recognized. “So you’ve heard of little me?” She ducked her head and batted eyelashes coquettishly.

“I’ve course I’ve heard of Nancy Wheeler,” Eddie growled. “You’re the reporter that got that lab in Hawkins shut down for dumping chemicals into the local lakes. I thought you were about taking out the trash, not swimming with it.”

Jason raised his fists to go after Eddie, but Nancy stalled him by putting her hand on his chest. “You and I have very different definitions of trash if you think I’m not taking it out, by writing an an exposé on this place to get it closed down. Hopefully for good.”

Eddie laughed. He just doubled over, clutching his sides. When he finally stood up, he wiped a tear from his eye. “Honey, if you’re talking about the Mayor’s daughter, I was barely involved and fired the one that was heavily so. All my licenses are current and my building was inspected two months ago and was told it was better than in code.”

Nancy narrowed her eyes and turned to face him completely. “And what about men and women getting dressed together in one big room? There is no privacy.”

“Honey,” Eddie said disdainfully, “I don’t know if you’ve been to many of these types of clubs, but like with modeling shows you have to do costume changes really fast and sometimes you see a bit of a dick or the flash of a nipple. Besides, they literally take their clothes off for a living, I really don’t think they’re seeing anything they haven’t a million times before.”

“It’s about the decency!” Jason roared. “Men and women shouldn’t be getting changed together! And they certainly shouldn’t be taking their clothes off together! It goes against the sanctity of marriage!”

“Jason,” Chrissy said, sliding off the stage on to the restaurant floor, “if this is about us breaking up, it’s been five years, get over it. I broke up with you because you are controlling and an ass.” She cocked her head to the side. “But especially because I’m a lesbian!”

Jason pulled out an actual fucking cross and thrust it in her face. She rolled her eyes and walked around it, straight up to Nancy. She looked her up and down. “I know your type. You’re as much as hypocritical, sanctimonious ass as he is. Only virtuous when it suits. You’re the type that would picketing outside of a Planned Parenthood, slip in for a little flush on the weekend and then pop! Back out on the picket line by Monday. You don’t get to judge me, princess. I’m the Queen of Hell.”

Steve let out a whistle. “She’s got you pegged, Nance. You’re just pissed no one else would put up with your diva behavior once I was forced to drop out of the ballet company. Well, it’s not my fault your understudy didn’t know the correct way to jump. But then again, she shouldn’t have had to know it, but you refused to come out your dressing room because the flowers in the bouquet were red and not white.”

“The flowers are supposed to symbolize the purity of the love between Odette and Siegfried and red means passion,” Nancy huffed stomping her foot. “But look at you, Steve. You’re stripping for strangers, using your God given talents for titillation and seduction.”

Steve laughed. “You say that like it’s not as much work and effort to strip as it is to do ballet. And let me tell you, having done both? Stripping is way more fun. I get to smile for a start.”

Nancy decided to change tacks. “Steve, I know when you got hurt, you felt like you had no where to go and I know you were fired from your last job, but is this really the life you want to live? I could put in a good word for you, anywhere you want to go. It would give you your dignity back.”

Steve put his hands on his hips and licked his lower lip. “Oh yeah? You going to put in a good word for everyone? What about Eddie? Huh, Nancy? You’re willing to take away his livelihood just because his morals don’t align with yours?”

Eddie felt a surge of fondness for his new dancer. Steve hadn’t been with the troupe long and had people actively try and hurt him. And yet, here he was standing up for all of them, but especially him.

“He doesn’t have morals!” Jason spat. “Him and his uncle has bred this den of iniquity for years corrupting the good people of this fair city to the depths of hell! The number of souls lost to this pit of destruction are countless and grotesque!”

“Dude,” Scott huffed. “Chill out. Being a stripper didn’t make Billy Hargrove an ass, being Billy Hargrove made him an ass. And Heather Holloway never set foot inside this club, not ever. So how did the club corrupt her? Billy? Pass me on that bullshit!” He licked his lips and cocked his head back and forth sassily. “Besides my mother is Catholic and she loves what I do. Just as much as she loves my younger brother doing drag on the weekends. So what’s your excuse?”

“You blaspheme!” Jason cried. “You’re all going to Hell! You will all burn in the fiery pits of damnation if you do not turn from your current path! Repent! Repent all ye sinners!”

“Fuck off,” Stella said, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “We don’t need your puny god. He has no power here. Shoo!”

Eddie turned to them. “You heard the lady, get out before I call the cops on you two trespassing in my club.”

Nancy turned to Jason, “Come on, let’s get out of here. I think we’ve overstayed our welcome.”

Jason clenched his fist like he was still looking for a fight. He looked around gauging the people around him. With a sneer and a snarl, he turned on his heel and stalked out of the club. Nancy followed him, but she stopped at the door.

“This is your last chance, Steve,” she murmured. “You can still come with us. Leave this behind. I’m sure I could you place teaching ballet. You’d have to leave this place off your resumé of course. But just think, you could be raising the next group of dancers.”

Steve scoffed. “There are fifteen dancers, six bartenders, ten wait staff, and two large cleaning crews that depend on this club for their livelihood. Not to mention the two men who put their heart and soul into the running of this club, and if you think I’m going just walk away like that, then you never knew me at all.”

Nancy just shook her head and walked out the door. It was silent in the hall for a beat, maybe two before the whole club erupted into a dull roar. Everyone talking and gesturing wildly all at the same time.

Wayne let out a loud whistle. “Shut up!” Once everyone had sputtered to a stop and turned to stare at him, he said, “Nothing is going to happen to the club. There have been a total six of these so called exposés in its history and it has never come close to shutting down.”

“That said,” Eddie told them, “we keep everything on the up and up for next little bit. I’m not sure how long. But we’ve got this. We follow all the laws, we keep our mouths shut and our heads down.”

He looked at everyone and they all nodded back. He clapped. “Now let’s have a round of drinks on me. I think we all deserved one. Maybe three.”

~

Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14

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