#blind!max mayfield

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

Nancy wandered into Max's hospital room after everyone was unexpectedly kicked out. Max was lying in the bed, her head bent as she cried. Maybe she shouldn't. . .maybe she should give her the space she said she wanted. She couldn't leave her alone to cry, though. She sat carefully in the chair next to Max and took her hand. Max jumped.

"Who's there?" Max asked, her eyes trying to look around the room.

"It's Nancy," she said softly.

"I said that I wanted to be left alone," Max said.

"I know. I was never really good at doing what people told me to do, though," Nancy said, smiling when Max laughed.

"Me neither," she said softly.

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm here for you if you need to talk," Nancy said.

"I'm just - I'm really bad at letting people in," Max said.

"I'm the same way," Nancy said. "When things get rough, I tend to push away the people who matter the most. . .especially when they just fall apart, and then you just let them."

"I want to let people in, I really do," Max said softly.

"Yeah, me too," Nancy said.

"I don't know where to start. Every time I think about it, it's like I can't breathe," Max said.

"I think for me, my biggest fear is that my pain will somehow hurt them more than if I just let them go. In some weird way, it's my way of protecting them," Nancy said.

"Yeah, that makes sense," Max said.

"Somehow, in the back of my mind, I tend to think it's better if I do this alone, but we live in a world dependent on people and as much as we try to admit that we don't want help or think we don't need help there's always this part of us trying to reach out for the people we care about the most. We keep trying to push it away or stamp it out because there's people in our lives who tell us we don't need them, that we don't fit. Like my mom said to me once, 'People are always saying you can't. That you shouldn't. That you're not smart enough. Not good enough. This world, it beats you up. Again and again. Until eventually. . .most people, they just stop trying.' I think when you start to believe that, it starts to come true. I think the hardest thing for people to say is that they can't do this alone. I think it takes a lot of strength to say that you can't or don't want to do it alone. Max, you're the strongest person I know, I think you can do it. No, I know you can do it," Nancy said.

"In the junkyard," Max said, sniffling. "When Steve moved me out of the way to protect me from the demogorgon, and stood in front of us holding up the bat. . .no one's ever done that before. Not Billy, not Neil, not even my mom. . .it's the first time I felt like I could do it myself. I looked at Steve and thought that this was what a brother's supposed to be. He's supposed to protect you, not hurt you, and when I saw Billy hurting Steve, I had to stop him. For a long time, I just wanted Billy and Neil to stop hurting us. When Billy died, I thought it was my fault, so I pushed Lucas and everyone away because I thought I was protecting them."

"It's not your fault, Max. What happened to Billy. He had many chances to do the right thing by you, to be the brother you needed. He failed you, Max, and you wishing for him to stop hurting you doesn't make you a bad person. You didn't wish him to die, did you?" Nancy asked.

"I just wanted it to stop," Max said.

"He waited until it was too late, and because of what Dr. Brenner did. . .because of the Russians. . . He died without really making it up to you. All these things that happened to you aren't your fault. The blame lies on other people. I know what it's like to feel guilty about the things that are out of your control. I know what it's like to deal with trauma that no one's ever dealt with before. How do you deal with real flesh and blood monsters? We have no guidebook for this, only each other. When you're ready, we're here for you," Nancy said.

"I'm scared, Nancy," Max sobbed. "I don't know if I can handle being blind. I won't ever see my mom's face or the sun again. I won't ever see the ocean or Lucas's face. I'll never see him play basketball. I should have gone to his game. Why didn't I just go to his game? Because I was scared? What kind of excuse is that?"

"A really good one," Nancy said softly. "Sometimes, the best way you can let people know you care about them is to let them take care of you."

"He's good at that, Lucas. He read to me, I heard him," Max said. "I heard his voice. . ."

"Steve’s good at taking care of people too," Nancy said, mentioned casually.

"Except he pretends as if he doesn't like it like he's a goddamn cat," Max said, and Nancy laughed.

"He is a cat, but then I think so are you," Nancy said.

"Lucas is more like a golden retriever," Max said. "Which is weird because I'm not a very affectionate person."

"I'm not really either, but there are other ways to show people you care about. One of them is, like I said earlier," Nancy said. "And it's in the little million different ways that I think only you can discover along the way. And if it's someone who's willing to do the same, even better. . .How do you want to show Lucas you care?"

Max grinned so suddenly, it startled Nancy.

"I want to see him play basketball," Max said.

"Max. . ."

"Will's a good dungeon master, right?" She asked Nancy.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think he would be willing to transfer those skills into telling me what's going on when Lucas is playing?" Max asked.

"I think he would be willing to do anything to help in any way that he can," Nancy said with a grin of her own. "That's a good idea, Max."

Max beamed, suddenly looking more comfortable in her hospital bed.

"I want to make it work this time with Lucas," Max said. "No more pushing him a way or El or anyone else."

"I think Robin's hoping for that too. She said something about 'two flames that never should have been burned out,' so she's rooting for you and Lucas," Nancy said.

"Was she saying that about us or about you and Steve?" Max asked slyly.

"It can be both," Nancy said.

"Well, she's smart, so maybe she knows what she's talking about," Max smirked. "Does Steve have anything to do with you breaking up with Jonathan?"

"No, well, a little bit. It's been a long time coming. We've had problems before, but I think an important part of wanting to be in a relationship with someone is wanting to be with them. We didn't want to see each other, and it's not because we didn't love each other. It's just that love wasn't enough anymore. Suddenly, it wasn't Jonathan who I could see in my dream anymore," Nancy said. "He wasn't who I wanted anymore, and I wasn't who he wanted, but that doesn't mean he's not going to be in my life. We were both relieved when we ended things."

"Are you sad?" Max asked.

"A little, but I think that happens when you close a chapter of your life," Nancy said. "But then a new chapter starts. . .a new day begins and the sun rises. . . I'm looking forward to being friends with Jonathan."

They sat in silence for a while as Max let Nancy stroke her knuckles.

"Thank you, Nancy," Max said and paused. "You're too stubborn for your own good, you know?"

"I've been told," Nancy laughed.

"I didn't really feel like I would ever have a family again until I came here to Hawkins. You and the others. . .especially Steve and Robin. . .have been the best older siblings that I could have asked for. I don't think. . .I don't want to do this alone," Max said.

"We're here," Nancy said softly and leaned forward to kiss her forehead.

"Can you send Lucas in?" Max asked.

"Yeah," Nancy said.

She walked out into the parking lot where everyone was loitering around. Lucas was talking to Will and Mike when she approached. She touched his shoulder, trying to ignore the nostalgia and the realization that he had grown so much. They all had.

"Hey, Nancy," Lucas said with a smile.

"Max wants to see you," Nancy said.

"Is that a good thing?" Lucas asked. "I mean, is she okay?"

"Yeah, and it's a very good thing," she grinned and hugged him. "Good luck."

"Thanks!" Lucas exclaimed and ran off towards the hospital.

She found Steve’s car parked a few feet away. Robin and Dustin were leaning against the trunk while Steve argued with them about something. That was something Nancy noticed Steve did. He would start a trivial argument in order to get other people's minds off other things, especially when they worried too much and they couldn't do anything about it. He knew how much Dustin was worried about Max. Steve was so much smarter than he ever let on. His back was to her. Robin and Dustin's eyes looked at her curiously as she approached. She didn't care. Nancy placed her hands on Steve’s hips and turned him around.

"Nancy?" He asked.

"I love you," Nancy said.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. He froze for a moment, and she was about to pull back when he returned the kiss. He wrapped his arm around her waist, supporting her weight, as she moved her arms around his neck. Nancy smiled against his lips, enjoying the familiar way they fit against hers. They smiled into the kiss before pulling away.

"Hi," Steve said, his cheeks red.

"Hi," Nancy said.

He stared at her in amazement, and she looked at him expectantly.

"Oh, yeah, I love you too!" Steve exclaimed.

Robin and Dustin let out a squeal. They turned to find them both clinging to each other, jumping up and down in excitement.

"I can't believe Dustin had doubts!" Robin exclaimed.

"I didn't have doubts. You had doubts," Dustin accused.

"Harrington! Did you seriously just make out with Nancy in front of me?!" Jonathan yelled from across the parking lot.

"Oh, shit!" Dustin exclaimed.

"She kissed me!" Steve squeaked, and Jonathan laughed.

"Oh, man, your face! Sorry, man, I was messing with you. Nancy and I broke up. I'm dating someone else," Jonathan said, grinning. "We're good."

Everyone in the parking lot laughed and Steve sighed.

"I'm going to kill him," Steve muttered.

"The look on your face was pretty funny," Nancy giggled.

Steve smirked and began ticking her sides. She laughed and slapped his chest.

"Oh, yeah, you think so?" Steve asked.

Nancy laughed and shook her head. Steve stopped and hugged her tightly. She let him for a moment, letting him savor her touch while she did the same before pulling away. She laughed when he went over to gush about it with Robin. Suddenly, Lucas came running out of the hospital with a grin on his face. He ran over to Will.

"Are you okay?" Will asked.

"Better than okay! We're officially back together. She said she loves me and we kissed," Lucas said.

"That's great!" Will exclaimed.

"I was wondering if you would be able to help Max with something," Lucas said.

Nancy smiled. These kids were more than friends. They were family. They all were. Whether romantically or platonically, they were all willing to help each other through the bad times, no matter how big or small. The part of her that wanted to do everything on her own was no longer screaming at her. Even without monsters from other dimensions, it was difficult to navigate this world on your own. Nancy wouldn't go anywhere without one of her guns, just like Steve wouldn't go anywhere without his bat, nor would they go anywhere without knowing that they always had their family to fall back on.

[deadlydodos]

I know we’re all a big fan of Steve teaching the kids how to cook, but consider: Steve teaching Max how to cook, specifically post-V4 blind Max how to cook.

Steve noticing how annoyed Max gets when people treat her like a baby after she gets released.

Steve trawling through the Hawkins library for books on accounts of visually impaired people learning how to cook, and when that turns up nothing (because it’s Hawkins, come on) driving up to Indianapolis to find some in a bigger library.

Steve helping Max memorise where everything is in the kitchen and always keeping everything in the same place to help her find things.

Steve buying specialist equipment when he comes across it and brushing it off whenever Max mentions it.

Steve teaching Max to identify by smell and taste and most of all how to be careful, but also self sufficient and not having to rely on other people more then she wants to because god knows this girl is a stubborn little firecracker who is adamant she can do things herself still.

But most of all, consider Steve teaching Max to regain confidence in herself and her abilities one dish at a time.

[bananananurr]

1989🪩💃🏻💃🏻

Its 1989 and everyone's dressed so snazzy. I wonder why?

[fluffyfangirl]

[skys-archive]

If Max isn't in a wheelchair or some form of mobility aid in st 5 I might commit a violent crime.

We need the representation. We need to see flashbacks of her struggling to learn how to move around again and we need the present of her continuing to struggle but knowing what she's doing now.

We need disabled Max Mayfield

[morganski-19]

Chills Right to the Marrow Part 22

part 1, prev part

Mike is crammed into this spot next to Dustin and keeps squirming. Keeps adjusting himself and elbowing Dustin in the ribs. He said that this wasn’t a good hiding spot, but Mike thought it was fine. Een though there is a perfectly good wall that they all could hide behind, but instead the four of them are crammed behind the counter.

“If you move one more time, I’m getting up,” Dustin groans when Mike pushes him into the corner cabinet.

“I’m just trying to get comfortable.” Mike continues to shift, accidentally hitting Will in the face.

“Ow,” Will snaps. Rubbing at his cheek.

Mike stops what he was doing, awkwardly turning to look at Will while his arms are stuck in front of him. “Shit, I’m sorry. Are you ok?”

“If you’re this uncomfortable, why don’t you go hide with Erica under the table,” Will suggests, rolling his eyes.

“I don’t think so,” Erica says, almost mocking them with how much space she has under the table. “Have you smelled him recently?”

Mike slams his head into the cabinet in defeat. “I don’t smell that bad.”

Erica hums sarcastically.

“We wouldn’t have had this problem if we just hide behind the wall,” Dustin retorts.

“But then were would we go,” Robin yells from behind the wall. Where she, Nancy, Steve, Jonathan, and his friend Argyle, who is for whatever reason still here in Hawkins, are hiding.

“We could have fit,” Dustin sasses back.

El and Will make eye contact and shake their heads. Dustin rolls his eyes at them and leans closer to the cabinet to his right. Trying to give as much space as possible.  Mike starts to shift again, pressing his elbow deep into Dustin’s side.

“That’s it, Erica move over. I’m hiding with you.” Dustin pulls himself out from between Mike and the cabinet and finally is able to breathe. He crawls over to the table and sits next to Erica. Giving Mike the room his apparently needs. “That better.”

Mike shifts over with reluctant relief, “Yes, thank you.”

Dustin has an insult on his tongue, but bites it down when a car pulls into the driveway. Leaning his head just right, he can look out the window and see the door open. Lucas and Mrs. Mayfield help Max out of the car into her wheelchair. They wheel up the front door, and it’s time.

When the door opens, the lights click on and everyone pops out of their hiding places. Yelling a mix of words that they should have coordinated before so it sounded better. But it doesn’t matter, because Max is smiling, a real genuine smile. Without the condescension that Dustin usually has to fight through just to see that she really cares.

She’s wheeled to the living room and the welcome home party really starts. The group finally together in the same room, that isn’t a hospital, in a long time.

Well, everyone except Eddie. Eddie who’s still stuck in the hospital for who knows how long. Suffering in silence and not expressing how he’s feeling. Or how Dustin thinks he should be feeling.

But that’s not important now. What’s important is that Max is home and is starting to really get better. Her muscles are starting to regain strength, and in a few weeks, the casts can come off. She’ll start physical therapy and the pain in her limbs will hopefully calm down.

Everything will be ok again. Dustin’s more sure of it than ever.

“Are you ok, dude?” Lucas asks when Mike keeps rubbing his neck.

“Yeah, just hurts from when we were hiding.”

Max stops whatever she was saying. “Why were you guys hiding?”

“Cause it would ruin the surprise if you came in a saw us,” Mike says, trailing off as he realizes what she means. “Fuck, we didn’t have to hide.”

Suddenly, El and Erica start giggling.

Will makes a face of realization and then smacks a hand over his face “We are so stupid.”

“Holy shit,” Dustin exhales. Coming up to speed.

Max joins in on Erica and El’s laugher. Lucas joining in, too.

“You guys forgot I’m fucking blind,” Max gets out between bursts of laughter. “I can’t see if you’re hiding or not. You’re such idiots.”

“It’s the thought that counts,” Mike defends, looking sheepish. “And why didn’t you say anything?”

El shrugs. “I did not want to ruin the fun.”

“I needed more evidence to prove that you’re a bunch of idiots,” Erica adds. High-fiving Max’s outstretched hand.”

“Well, why didn’t you guys say anything,” Dustin asks toward the older crew.

“Same reasons,” Robin sums up, returning to her conversation with Jonathan.

It’s then that he discovers that Steve and Nancy are missing. Lingering worry builds in his stomach, and he goes to find them. Needing to know that nothing happened.

Part of his brain is telling him to stop. That it’s probably some dumb shit based on Steve’s feelings about Nancy that came up during spring break. He’s probably just apologizing for it, or something else. But Jonathan’s right there, and him and Nancy are still together. Neither of them are the type of people to go behind his back.

At least that’s how Dustin thinks of them.

“So you’ll do it?” Dustin hears Steve asks around the hallway.

“Yeah, I just don’t understand why you want me to,” Nancy responds.

“I already cursed them out twice, doubt they’re going to listen to me again.”

“I could end up cursing them out too, then where does that get us?”

Steve sighs. “I don’t know. Talk to Hopper and have him curse them out. They deserve it after all the shit we’ve been through.”

There’s a silence before Nancy speaks again. “You’re really going to bat for him.”

Him. Dustin’s mind is trying to fill in the blanks as much as he can. Are they talking about Eddie?

“Yeah, well, no one deserves to be left behind. Not like this.”

“It’s not a bad thing, just new. It’s good. You need more friends your own age.”

Steve laughs. “Let me know when you talk to them, ok.”

“Yeah, I will.”

Dustin walks away before they realize he was listening. Back to the party, but his mind still wondering what they were talking about. Who Nancy is going to talk to.

He is always left out of the loop for things like this. It’s getting annoying. He goes back to standing by Lucas, as the conversation continues as if he never left.

Steve returns to the group of older kids with two drinks in his hands, giving one to Robin. Nancy does the same with Jonathan, slipping close beside him. No notion of the conversation she and Steve had.

Max eventually gets tired and the party comes to a close. Dustin asks Steve about the conversation with Nancy when it’s just them in the car.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing,” Steve responds quickly. Annoyed that Dustin overheard it at all.

“You don’t need to keep things from me, I’m not a child.”

Steve stops at a stop sign, turning to face Dustin. “I know, but this is something for us to handle.” Steve’s voice is tense, urging to make Dustin drop it. “It’s not something you need to know. Ok?”

“Yeah, ok,” Dustin agrees, defeated.

A car pulls up behind them and honks the horn. Making Steve turn back to the road and keep driving.

next part

note: probably should have put this disclaimer a while ago but I forgot. This fic deals with a lot of things that I don't personally experience, and so if anything that I have written is insensitive, please feel free to call me out. I am not above criticism as long as it is helpful, and I am always willing to learn about different perspectives.

tag list, let me know if you want to be added or removed (capping this at 100, only five spots left): @the-they-who-nerded, @insteviewetrust, @croatoan-like-its-hot, @jettestar,

@tinyplanet95, @steddie-as-they-go, @slv-333, @littlecelestialmoth, @thatonebadideapanda,

@fandomsanddeath, @marismorar, @wonderland-girl143-blog, @glass-bottle03, @gutterflower77,

@here4thetrama, @goodolefashionedloverboi, @jaytriesstuff, @cryptid-system, @manda-panda-monium,

@resident-gay-bitch, @anaibis, @xxsutherlandxx, @forevermineliv, @mugloversonly,

@gregre369, @n0-1-important, @different-tale-student, @spectrum-spectre, @tartarusknight,

@devondespresso, @swimmingbirdrunningrock, @cheertain, @anti-ozzie, @autumncrocusandladybug,

@greeniebean911, @cr0w-culture, @stillfullofshit, @connected-dots, @daisynotquake,

@morgannotlefay, @a-little-unsteddie, @dolphincliffs, @maskofmirrors, @me-and-my-sloth,

@papergrenade, @waelkyring, @sweetheartprincess28, @katouasobj, @astercomoasflores

[givehimthemedicine]

[gayofthefae]

I think I get it. People see Mike being queer how I see Max being disabled. Plausible. Would be nice. Not gonna get my hopes up. Gonna try to forget about it so I'm not disappointed if it doesn't happen, which it has a likelyhood of simply because, even in a show about outsiders, much is overlooked.

It makes sense. I get it now. And I can argue "zoomer" as a wheelchair user setup but at the end of the day, it's about hope for most people, not proof.

They wanna enjoy season 5. And they can't do that if they're disappointed by it.

although most people have an understanding that calling me crazy and stupid would be pretty directly ableist.

[dynamic-power]

HOH Steve Harrington and legally blind Max Mayfield, wreaking havoc everywhere they go

They can't be left alone together anymore because they will always find a way to make themselves a nuisance

[justrandomfandomstm]

Stranger things Not-Canon things that i believe are Canon (mostly steve and eddie bc i love them but the others are mentioned) (idc if some cancel eachother idcidcidc)

Steve has a Latin/Italian mom and speaks spanish/Italian

Eddie is southern and loves country music but especially Dolly Parton. (also has the accent slip out when hes mad)

Steve is hard of hearing/deaf

^most if not all of them know asl

Eddie feeds the trailer park cats and has an army of loyal cats

Steve knows how to bake really well

Steve knows a lot about flowers, like a lot. Like he has books and books of it

Max becomes blind and has trouble walking, but she got some powers from when El entered her mind

Steve is dislexic and autistic

Eddie is adhd and autistic

everyone is autistic, honestly. Not one of them is neurotypical

Steve taught Lucas how to play and play every Wednesday in the park

Max and Eddie go on walks to the park every wednesday coincidentaly

Eddie taught Max guitar

Steve and Eddie are daughter parents idc, i cant see them with a son

Nancy is a lesbian

The scoops troop all played dnd together to help Erica learn

Steve and Eddie met when they were much younger and dont remember, but Wayne does and tells the story at their wedding

Eddie or Steve are mechanics, both can be true. Not at the same time though, one is a mechanic and the other constantly need their car fixed. You choose who is who

[chaotic-ace-arts]

Time to bake these guys.

Can't wait to detail these and then gloss and add the chains ^-^

[autistic-robin]

blind max hc that after the dust settles in hawkins and vecna is defeated, she and the party go back to the arcade and lucas helps her play her favorite games again by narrating what’s on-screen. she’s still number one on the leaderboard in dig dug and is unbeatable even without her sight.

[willowbudd]

One of my favorite things to explore in Going back to Hawkins High, is the effects of Max returning her sophomore year as student, now blind and physically disabled.

The other Hellfire boy took a seat beside Dustin. Max nervously shifted a little closer to El, startled by the sudden presence next to her. El rested her hand on her knee in a comforting gesture.

“Hey Max.” The shorter one said, nodding to her.

Max paused for a moment, her jaw clenched in uncomfortable thought. She nervously cleared her throat. “Sorry but, who are you?”

The two boys exchanged confused looks. “Gareth and Jeff. We’ve met… You told me my hair was stupid.”

“Oh yeah…” Max said, shifting awkwardly. “I didn’t recognize your voices.”

El felt her heart sink to the floor. She’s never seen Max this nervous talking to someone before. She was always so confident and snarky in the past, especially with boys. El hated seeing her girlfriend like this.

Gareth and Jeff looked at each other again and turned to Dustin hoping for an explanation.

Max sighed. “Sorry. I’m blind now. I can't see.” She gestured towards her eyes.

Both of the boy's eyes widened. “Oh…”

“Well, that explains the cool glasses,” Gareth said, after an awkward pause.

Max didn’t respond to his attempt to break the tension. El decided to shift the focus to herself for the sake of Max, and because she was actually excited to meet these guys. She reached her hand over the table for a handshake. “I’m El!”

- Going back to Hawkins High chapter 3

[apocalyptic-byler]

just thinking about how max could be the toph of stranger things

[fluffyfangirl]

I haven’t seen any Mermay Elmax, so I thought I should contribute!

[sleepyeye17]

Part 2 of Queen Steve

Words: 664

Notes: This is a sequel to my last short bit, which can me found here, but this can also be a standalone.

Everyone is at Eddie’s new apartment. It’s a small apartment in a cheap complex built to house the people displaced in the earthquake. It was meant to be temporary, but they’ve been here for over a year now. Eddie and Wayne don’t mind. It’s bigger than the trailer was, and it’s two doors down from Max and her mom, which is nice.

The table in the apartment is too small for the whole gang, so they’re eating while lying on the floor. Tonight isn’t a game night, it’s just a general hang-out. Steve is here, bringing pizzas and soda and a big salad that he mostly eats on his own. He and Eddie still haven’t told the kids about their relationship. They certainly haven’t told anyone that Steve does drag in Indianapolis on Saturday nights. 

“Eddie has a girlfriend in the city,” Lucas says, out of the blue. Steve turns to Eddie, looking surprised and anxious.

“What!” Eddie says, “I do not!”

“You do. Max and I saw you come home last night.”

“I didn’t see anything,” Max says. “I’m fucking blind, you insensitive elbow.”

“Shit. Sorry.”

“Forgiven,” Max says simply.

“Anyways, I saw it,” Lucas corrects. “Max and I both heard it. I was bringing Max back from the movies, and Eddie brought a girl home. I saw him take her into his apartment.”

“I heard something,” Max says. “I thought it was Steve though.”

Steve’s eyes are wide and terrified.

“Me!? Not me!”

“It wasn’t Steve,” Lucas says. “It was a girl. She was blonde.”

“Was she hot?” Dustin asks. 

“She looked like Dolly Parton.”

The room explodes with shouts of disbelief.

“You’re lying!”

“I swear,” Lucas says, holding his hands up defensively.

“You’re fucking with us!”

“Why would Eddie pull a Dolly lookalike? That’s not his type at all.”

“How would Eddie pull a Dolly lookalike?”

“Dolly is everyone’s type.”

“Alright!” Eddie looks hard at Steve, hoping that he’ll trust him on this. Steve looks like he might run for the hills before Eddie can do damage control. “First things first. I did not bring home a girl last night.”

“Lucas, you liar,” Mike shouts, smacking Lucas in the arm.

“I saw it!” Lucas yelps.

Eddie holds up one finger.

“Quiet.” 

They fall silent. Eddie knows how to command a room. 

“I didn’t bring a girl home last night. I brought a goddess home. And don’t you ever forget it.” He holds up another finger. Steve’s blush could stop traffic. “SECONDLY. I resent the implication that I can’t get a girl. I can, if I want to. I just usually don’t want to. THIRDLY. My type, as you call it, does not run exclusively to freaks. I am an equal opportunity destroyer. I will now allow for five questions, but I do maintain veto power."

“What’s her name?” Mike asks.

Eddie looks to Steve. Steve’s drag name is Connie Cushion, and Eddie could tell the kids that name without revealing Steve’s identity. But Steve gives an imperceptible shake of his head. Steve’s drag persona is still very personal, and he isn’t totally ready to share Connie with anyone, even if the kids don’t know it’s him.

“Her name is Nunya,” Eddie said. “Nunya B. Swax.”

The kids groan in protest.

“I told you, I maintain veto power.”

“How did you meet her?” El asks.

“At a bar in Indy.”

“Is she a musician?” Dustin asks.

“She sings sometimes, and she can also dance. She’s also a beast at baton twirling.”

“Is that a euphemism?” Mike asks.

“No. She really does twirl a baton. If I was going to make a euphemism it would be better than that.”

“Does she actually look like Dolly Parton?” Max asks.

“She does, although she has brown eyes. She is blonde, and has big hair. She likes wearing white leather jackets and combat boots.”

“Is it serious?” Will asks.

Eddie can feel Steve watching him. He swallows and licks his lips.

“That’s up to her,” he says. 

“Man, you’re whipped,” Erica teases. 

Eddie meets Steve’s gaze and grins. 

“Proudly.”