#but for Nancy to just not apply to better schools just to go there?

[share-the-damn-bed]

One thing I don’t think we acknowledge enough as a fandom is that when ST4 told us that Nancy’s top college choice was Emerson of all places… and that she apparently wanted to go there so desperately that she applied early admission… we all collectively, instinctually agreed that it was the most bizarre and random choice for her.

And I think that’s beautiful.

[jo-harrington]

On-the-Job Training (A Store Manager Verse Story - Steve Harrington/Reader)

Pairing: Steve Harrington x Reader

Summary: Steve has a crush on the Dippin' Dots cashier.

Warnings/Themes: AU where the Upside Down doesn't terrorize Hawkins. Late Summer of 1985, Steve and Robin work at Scoops, Reader works at Dippin' Dots, Mutual Pining, Flirting, Enemies to Lovers(sort of?), Tie in with the Store Manager Verse

Note: Ok what started off as a silly little conversation about what flavor chapstick each ST character would use turned into this and I typically don't write Steve...but I had to give him some love.

Tagging my loves who were integral to that convo to thank them for inspiration especially Drac who started it all. This is for you bb. @dr-aculaaa @mopeymopeymouse @chestylarouxx @somnambulic-thing @fracturedarkness @br0ck-eddie

Technically slightly anachronistic because Dippin' Dots didn't open until 1988 but I'm a stickler for accuracy in the regular series. This is just a fun little do-dad.

You can find my masterlist here for more fics featuring pretty much exclusively Eddie Munson content but also a little Steve.

Please do not interact if you are not 18+.

Largely unedited; I didn't even re-read it. It's might suck. Enjoy!

---

"Ahoy! One U.S.S. Butterscotch!"

Steve never thought that this would be his future after graduation.

This summer he should have been living it up before he went away to college and made something of himself. Lifeguarding at the pool, going to all the parties, hanging out with his friends.

Instead, his life went to shit, Nancy Wheeler had broken up with him, he had gotten rejection letter after rejection letter from the schools he had applied to...and instead of working at the pool like he had every summer since he turned 16, he had a crappy job slinging ice cream at Scoops Ahoy of all places at the new StarCourt Mall.

"Thanks so much," the sweet lady who had placed the order smiled at him and handed the sundae to her son. "Look at that Frankie, your favorite." The little boy shot Steve a grin complete with his two front teeth missing and Steve melted a little bit.

Alright, it wasn't so bad. He got to make people smile, he got some spending money--which was nice since his dad had pretty much cut him off, although his mom was sneaking him some cash on the side.

"Look alive dingus," Robin called from the window separating the front of the ice cream parlor from the backroom. "Your schmoopsie poo is here."

"Shut up Rob!" Steve groaned through gritted teeth.

One of the perks of working at the mall was that he got to interact with people of all shapes and sizes and yeah...Steve had tried to use it as a means to get over Nancy. He'd had little hours-long crushes on fellow mall employees, customers, Robin--although working with her made that difficult--hell there was even a manager that had caught his eye towards the beginning of summer except he'd seen Eddie "The Freak" Munson of all people hanging around her.

Although after a few months of seeing Eddie around StarCourt not being a wastoid menace, Steve had to admit...well he wasn't that bad either.

The one who'd caught his eye the most though was you, and yeah...he'd developed an actual big little long-lasting crush.

You, who came around for a root-beer float most afternoons.

You, whose smile made his heart skip a little.

You in your pink polo, teal apron, and white visor with the words Dippin' Dots emblazoned on the front.

The enemy.

And you never let him forget it either.

Steve had been heart eyes over you the first time you had entered into Scoops territory to order your float. Undercover in casual summer clothes a week after the mall had opened. There was just something about you, your smile, your laugh.

Robin teased that he said that about everyone; Steve ignored her.

Then you opened your mouth and said the float was good but the service could have been better. That Steve should stop by Dippin' Dots sometime and see how it was really done.

Shots fired.

It really hurt at first. This was his first real job outside of the community pool, one he had been excited to get. He was really nice, tried his best; why didn't you think so?

"It's called flirting," Robin insisted. "God, you really suck, you know that? How can you ask people out willy nilly and then miss someone flirting with you right in front of your face? Flirt back next time."

So he did.

Every so often he'd mosey across the mall to your kiosk, order a small vanilla cup, and throw a little insult of his own your way. Usually something about how tiny balls of ice cream could never beat an actual scoop. Or about how you didn't count his change the right way, or that your visor was on crooked.

You wouldn't hesitate to get your own comment in. Especially about his choice in flavor.

"You work at an ice cream parlor and you order vanilla?" you questioned. "A hundred flavors to choose from at scoops; do you only get vanilla there too? Vanilla...is good but when you have variety? Order something exciting one day, and then we can talk business, Stevie."

Oof, it steamed him.

But not enough to stop playing the game.

And it left you both grinning so who was he to end the fun.

So when you showed up at Scoops today after not being around for a few days and your smile didn't reach your eyes like it usually did...Steve was suddenly overcome with...well he didn't really know.

"Ahoy, uh, sailor," he greeted and tried to put on his biggest award-winning, tip-earning smile.

"Ahoy," you replied weakly.

"Root beer float?" he asked, already heading over to the case to start scooping ice cream into a cup.

"Uh," you hesitated. "No, just...just a small vanilla cup today."

Steve froze and looked at you. Your shoulders were slumped, you had your visor in your hand, and you were pointedly avoiding eye contact with him.

What was...what was wrong with you?

Where was your fight? Where was your fire? Why, all of a sudden, was your game over?

"Hey, uhm," he coughed awkwardly. "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah, Steve," you nodded absently.

"You always get root beer."

"I just want vanilla today."

"The special is salted caramel? I can give you a sample if you're--"

"No, I just want vanilla," you cut him off and rolled your eyes. "You always get vanilla. Why is it a problem if I suddenly do? Vanilla is good too. Maybe vanilla is just...what we both want ok? Nothing else."

He was shocked. That wasn't playful annoyance in your voice; you were just...annoyed.

"Sure," he agreed. "Sure. One small vanilla coming right up."

He got your ice cream and rang you out, and as you were about to leave, he called after you.

"See you in a little while?" he asked.

"If you want." You waved goodbye and headed out of the ice cream parlor.

Steve turned and looked at Robin who simply rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"What just happened?" he asked.

"You're hopeless," she sighed and slammed the shutters on the window closed.

---

Steve roamed around the mall on his break.

Typically, he'd make his way to Dippin' Dots but...that just seemed like a waste of time today.

He'd fixated on your visit for the rest of his shift until his break, analyzing everything he said, everything he did. Everything that could have made you mad at him.

Once he got Robin out of her hiding spot in the back room, he monologued all of his thoughts to her.

She watched him pace back and forth, called him a dingus a few times, a loser a few other times, and then finally sent him on his break with some last words.

"I know you're hearing everything they're saying Steve," she began. "But are you really listening? You just keep...ordering vanilla."

"Uh. Yeah. That's the game."

"It's not a game you...ughhhhh! GO!" She pointed to the exit. "Before I throttle you."

Why couldn't she just tell him? What had he done?

In his rumination, he'd been chewing at his lips. A habit he had pretty much done his entire life when he got nervous.

Shit, and he'd left his chapstick in the car; it was hot, it probably melted by now.

That was one of the little ways you made his life a little better...through your teasing. You had told him, once, that his lips looked dry.

"Maybe invest in some chapstick or something."

He'd gone to Melvald's that same night that you told him and got a 3-pack of strawberry chapstick. All the while wondering if it meant you had been looking at his lips for a while or...

But it was...just another little jab right? Another little flirt? Another part of your game?

Still, he never knew when you might show up so the chapstick became a constant--something that soothed him even, gave him courage--and he always had a tube tucked into the pocket of his shorts, or on the register, or in the cupholder of his car. To swipe on if he knew he was about to see you...or hoped he was.

And now...he desperately needed it, needed his strawberry chapstick--needed you--and it was nowhere to be found.

Steve stopped in his tracks and looked at the stores around him.

WaldenBooks, Regis Salon, JH Camera Repair.

Claires.

Bingo.

He'd seen little kids with their play makeup and sparkly plastic jewelry post up in one of the booths at Scoops after they spent their allowance money at Claire's. He had to find strawberry chapstick there. He'd even take cherry. Something.

Anything.

Steve crossed into the pink-and-purple-and-pop-music-filled oasis to a melodic "Welcome In" from the employee helping a little girl by the ear piercing booth. And as out of place as he felt, he was immediately relieved to see a wall full of eyeshadow palettes and glitter hairspray.

He closed the distance and frantically searched the wall, but it was all novelty makeup. There was one package of Dr. Pepper lip smackers, but the package was half-ripped and the cap was missing; he was a little worried but he figured it was better than nothing.

He was about to snatch it off the hook when that voice sounded behind him.

"Did you need help finding anything?" He immediately turned on his heel to find the employee--the manager, Eddie Munson's girlfriend--standing there in a flourish of tulle and fluorescent colors. "Oh! That's a customer favorite...looks like it's damaged though, let me just..."

She reached out to take the package but Steve reacted instinctually. He quickly grabbed it and clutched it to his chest.

"I don't mind," he tried to reason. "I don't care if it's missing the cap."

"Listen, I can't sell it to you if it's damaged," the manager explained. "It's just not safe. Is there anything else I can help you find though?"

She reached for the package again but he held it back.

"I need this," Steve tried again.

"Oh...kay."

"Because I messed up and this...you know the cashier down at the Dippin' Dots kiosk? Well...I don't know...I pissed them off or something and I just need to...go down and talk to them and I can't."

"So the lip balm is a gift for them? To make amends?"

"No...it's for me because my lips are dry." Steve sighed. "I...ok I know it sounds crazy, but I swear. It's...they got me to start using chapstick because they said my lips were dry and it's this thing we do. We go back and forth and we tease each other.

"But they're mad at me now, and they didn't...I mean they ordered vanilla. They never order vanilla. They hate it when I order vanilla."

"Uh huh." The manager's eyes went a little soft. "I'm not...really following the logic...but I get it."

"You do?"

"You like each other. But you're just...going back and forth. And no one has really...admitted it," she observed. She suddenly burst into laughter and Steve cocked his head to one side in confusion. "Sorry, sorry...it's just...whatafuckincoincidence.

"So are you the one who's afraid of being rejected? Or...are they...or..."

Cue the record scratch in Steve's head.

Rejection.

All summer...all year actually...Steve had been faced with one rejection after another. First Nancy, then all of the college applications, his dad and now...all of the little fleeting mall crushes that he'd asked out that had said no.

Robin had even made a scoreboard that sat in the back whenever someone turned him down.

He thought all this time...he'd become immune to it. But with you...it was easier to think it was just a game than to possibly face the reality that if he asked you out...you'd say no and then the little game would be ruined. And his hopes would be dashed.

He didn't realize that all of his waffling could potentially be hurting you too.

"Why don't you," the manager continued when Steve hesitated to answer, "go down there and talk to them? Even if they're mad at you. Communication is very important. I'm sure if you explain everything, or even...just show that you're willing to bridge the gap, they'd be willing to listen. The worst they could say is no, but if they're already mad, you have nothing to lose. See if they'll give you a chance."

"So I...shouldn't order vanilla this time?" He looked up at her and asked, recalling your words.

Order something exciting, and then we can talk business.

The door had been open for him to ask you out this whole time.

And that's why you ordered vanilla earlier. Because Vanilla meant...meant that this...flirtation...this game...wasn't going anywhere. He hadn't made a move, so you didn't want to wait anymore.

God, he was so stupid.

"Uh, no...don't do that," the manager smiled kindly. She reached out for the broken lip balm and took it from him. "I'll just...damage this out."

"Wait...but my lips are still dry," Steve floundered. "I still need chapstick."

"Do you think there's gonna be some kissing happening?" the manager's eyes narrowed. "I said talk to them, not...plant one on them."

"I just need...something," he begged. "Strawberry...if you have it."

"I think we have strawberry flavored lip gloss by the register."

"I'll take it."

---

So there Steve was, in the concourse by JCPenney, patiently waiting in the line for Dippin' Dots with sticky, strawberry-flavored lips tinted a very nice shade of pink.

As soon as he had swiped the gloss on...as silly as he had felt...he had been reminded of you.

"Next!" your voice sounded every so often and the line got shorter and shorter, and Steve's courage got weaker and weaker. The Claire's manager had been right though...communication...the worst you could tell Steve was "no."

"Next!" You'd be just another tally on Robin's scoreboard. And she could call him a dingus again. She really enjoyed doing that. So some good would at least come from his failure.

"Next!" He'd also get...a cup of Dippin' Dots which...if he had to admit, he kinda enjoyed. He got all the Scoops ice cream he wanted for free but this was different. Ice Cream of the Future and all that. He sort of expected Henderson to come up with something like this, the little nerd; well, if he could never show his face here again, he'd ask the kids if they could figure out how to make some kind of futuristic ice cream for him.

"Ne--oh!" Steve finally got to the front of the line and saw your shocked face. He smiled and waved as he approached the register.

"Hey," he greeted. "I told you I'd see you around."

"You did," you said flatly and scrunched your nose. "So...the usual? Small vanilla cup?"

"Uh no..." Steve said hesitantly. You raised an eyebrow in question. "I uh...can I get a large..."

"Large vanilla?" You sniffed.

"Large Rainbow Ice," he recited after squinting at the menu board. "It's time for something new."

You stared at him silently and Steve couldn't help but doubt himself.

What if Rainbow Ice was the wrong answer? Should he have gone with Banana Split? Shit he should have just stuck with Strawberry. It was his favorite. Strawberry chapstick, strawberry gloss, strawberry ice cream. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"Yeah," you finally answered with a beaming smile and Steve's heart soared. "Yeah it is time for something new, isn't it?"

Next Part: Incremental Planning

[gayaristocrat]

Big Booty!Steve Harrington has M/N well trained. He'll text him in the middle of class to come meet him in an empty restroom and he obediently does so and gets on his knees to eat Steve's giant ass.

• One thing everyone knew about Steve is that he was a very demanding boyfriend and M/n was going to do any and everything Steve wanted at the drop of a hat.

• So imagine the group’s reaction to Steve managing to bag such a golden retriever boy like M/n. Steve demanded so much and M/n just happily gives. Some say it’s unhealthy, but that’s the way Steve and M/n like their relationship.

• Nancy would always ask why he would even stay with Steve, and M/n always said that if Steve was happy, then he was happy. But Eddie always joked around telling Steve that M/n ‘is such a good boy for being so obedient’

• And today was just another prime example as to how demanding Steve could be, even if they were in class.

M/n was in the middle of class when he felt his phone vibrate, letting him know he got a text from someone. Taking it out of his pocket he saw it was Steve and instantly got happy, but was confused by what Steve said.

❤️Steve❤️: Meet me in the bathroom ASAP!

M/n: But babe, I’m in class

❤️Steve❤️: Bathroom. Now! Not asking again

M/n was going to respond again to tell him ok, but before he could, Steve sent him another text. Not just any regular text, but an image of Steve’s bare ass with him looking down at the camera with sunglasses on and a black tank top (like the picture above). M/N quickly turned his phone off looking around praying that nobody saw and swallowed hard, his face felt hot as he felt his pants tighten.

As soon as M/n got permission he got up leaving class and quickly made his way to the bathroom Steve directed him to go. It was the one that was in the farthest corner of the school building and people rarely there anymore, so it’s a great opportunity for people to fuck or makeout in which gave all the more reason for people to avoid it.

As soon as M/n entered the empty restroom he was greeted by Steve leaning against the sink, arms crossed and only wearing his Calvin Klein boxer briefs, tank top, and white converse. Steve still had on his sunglasses that didn’t nothing but add on to his ‘douche-fratbro’ aesthetic.

As Steve heard the footsteps, he looks up and sees that M/n finally did as he was told. Letting out a silent laugh at how easily it was to get him here, he points his head in the direction of an empty stall and walks inside. M/n quietly obeyed and felt his heart rate spike at the view of Steve’s juicy ass being held by his boxer briefs, each globe displaying its thickness with the way it jiggles as he walks.

When they both get in the stall, Steve removes his sunglasses and hangs them on the neck of his shirt, locking the stall door behind him.

“Get on your knees?” He questions, but M/n knew it was more of a statement than a question. Steve took off his underwear and tossed them to an unknown corner of the stall as you get into position.

Steve then stepped in front of M/n, leaning over he grabbed the back of M/n’s head as he turned around and looked down at him.

“I haven’t shaved my ass in a few weeks, but it’s not like you care anyways.” Steve stated in a smug matter-of-fact tone before enveloping his ass on M/n’s face. M/n started running his tongue up and down the tight twitching hole, feeling the hair on Steve’s ass on his nose. Steve rolls his head back and moaned breathlessly at his boyfriend’s actions

“Played basketball in gym today, didn’t have time to shower” He says short and swiftly.

Steve finally moves away, allowing M/n to catch his breath before going again. “You better take a deep breath, I’m not letting you up for a while”

Steve pulls apart his fat cheeks and pushes himself against M/n’s face again, Steve then rests his hands on his knees so he can apply more pressure against M/n’s face. He was trapped between the cold tile wall against his head and Steve’s ass and his mind began to get foggy. He grabs Steve’s fuzzy cheeks in each hand wanting to taste more of Steve’s slightly salty hole. Steve groaned feeling the wet muscle wiggle and lap inside and around his hole, he started to slowly bounce on the other males’ face.

Steve didn’t care what anyone says about him and M/n’s relationship. Yes Steve admits that he’s pretty demanding and always gets what he wants, but M/n was never one to complain about it. And they’d never change it for anything or anyone

[corroded-hellfire]

Big Brown Eyes - Eddie Munson x Reader, Part 4

Summary: It’s time for your first date with Eddie and your nerves almost get the better of you. Everett also becomes a big hit at the kid’s high school graduation. You can read part three here!

Note: I feel like I need a permanent spot in all of my fics to thank @munson-blurbs for all her help 💚

Warnings: language, anxiety, near anxiety attack, I think that’s it?

Words: 9.5k

[Big Brown Eyes masterlist]

“This one? No, wait. This one?”

Nancy rolls her eyes at you as she sits cross-legged on your bed. She watches as you dig through your drawers and closet, tossing different articles of clothing around the room. A pair of shorts have landed in her lap, two bathing suits are flung over your mirror, and a pile of t-shirts sits by your feet. 

“Do you really want my opinions?” Nancy asks. “Or are you just talking to yourself and I’m fortunate enough to be here to hear it?”

“Help me,” you beg, turning from your closet to face her. 

“Okay, okay.” Nancy pushes herself off the bed and walks over to you. She guides you by the shoulders and gives you a gentle shove until you’ve taken her previous spot in the bed. The blue and green bathing suits are pulled from your mirror and Nancy tosses the green one to rest on your dresser and the blue one on your lap. “This one. First of all, the color looks perfect on you. Second of all, Eddie won’t be able to stop staring at the cutouts where your skin will peek out.”

“Now what do I wear over it for lunch?” you ask. 

There’s a squeal from down the hall and Everett’s ferocious giggling brings a smile to your face. When you left them in the living room ten minutes ago, Steve and Everett were surrounded by Legos and toy dinosaurs. You’re afraid to see the state of the room now. Steve may be an amazing dad, but he’s a horrible maid. 

“Simple denim shorts,” Nancy says, bringing you back to the matter at hand. There are a few pairs scattered around the room, so you take a look around and decide on a pair that landed just short of the bed. You scoop them up and put them in the pile with the bathing suit in front of you. “Now, tank top or tee?”

“Um… T-shirt,” you decide.

“Here. This Grateful Dead one.” Nancy tosses it to you, and you catch it with a smile. You weren’t a big Grateful Dead fan, but last Mother’s Day Everett saw the t-shirt with the colorful bears on it at the store and told Steve that’s what he wanted to get you. 

Nancy leaves the room so you can change into your outfit for the date, and you quickly apply some waterproof mascara once you’re dressed. The living room is noisy as you walk in. Nancy’s on the floor with Everett and Steve and you’re sure all Everett had to do was flash those wide doe eyes at her and she agreed to play as the T-rex. 

“The bears!” Everett says when he sees your shirt.

“They look good, right?” you ask him, looking down at your outfit. 

“Yeah! Pretty!”

“Thanks, baby.” You kneel down to give your son a kiss, but he tries to thrust a Stegosaurus doll into your hand. “Aw, Ev, I can’t. Remember? I told you I’m going out and you’re going with Daddy and Nancy tonight?”

He huffs, dropping the toy to the floor, and you know he’s more upset that you won’t play than the fact that you’re going out. 

“Want us to head out?” Nancy asks and you shake your head.

“No, just lock up when you leave. I think I’d get a hissy fit if I insist the dinosaurs be moved elsewhere.”

“Have fun,” Steve says, accepting a Pterodactyl from your son.

“Yeah. Have fun,” Everett echoes.

He reluctantly takes his attention from his playtime to give you a hug and kiss goodbye. Nancy squeezes your arm and gives you an encouraging wink before you stand. As you head for the door, you can’t help but wonder how Everett would react if he was a little bit older. He’d never known you and Steve together as a couple, so the concept of Daddy having Nancy and a different home has always been normal to him. But in a few years, he’ll come to realize that his home life isn’t typical. Would Everett be mad you’re going out on a date? Would he throw a fit? Cry? 

You realize you’re borrowing unnecessary trouble and force your thoughts to stop where they are and head out the door. Jogging down the steps and walking over to your car, your mind decides it needs to stress out about something. Not only is this the first date you’re going on since you had Everett, but it’s the first date you’re going on that’s not with Steve. Who you already knew before you dated. This is a brand new experience and you don’t do well with those. 

Turning up the radio as you pull out onto the road, you’re hoping the music will let you relax a little. The hope was futile though, as you feel your heart rate increase and your breathing speed up. Part of your brain is yelling at you to turn around, go home, where it’s nice and safe, and hide away from the world. But that’s not what you really want. 

“Shut up.” Talking to your anxieties out loud might not be very helpful, but what’s the harm in trying? You want to see Eddie. You want to spend time with him. You’re not going to let your traitorous brain deter you from that. 

Thumbs beating an erratic rhythm on the steering wheel as you pull up to Lover’s Lake, you can physically feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins. With a deep breath, you put your car into park. A movement out of the corner of your eye catches your attention, and you turn your head to see Eddie climbing out of his van. He’s wearing black swim trunks and a black Black Sabbath t-shirt. He hasn’t seen you yet, so you take the moment to just look at him. He’s so effortlessly beautiful. You study from his slightly frizzy hair down to the old canvas sneakers he’s wearing on his feet. When you’ve finished admiring him, you’re startled to realize that your body feels perfectly calm. There was no more rapid heart, shallow breathing, or dizzying feeling of anxiety. It brings a smile to your face, and you take it as a good sign that just looking at Eddie has a calming effect on you.

At the sound of your car door opening, Eddie turns and a grin lights up his face when he sees you. He comes over to meet you halfway, instantly pulling you into a hug.

“Hey there, beautiful,” he says as he squeezes you against his chest. “How are you?”

“Much better now,” you tell him truthfully. You pull back and the way he looks into your eyes makes your legs turn to jelly. “How are you doing today?”

“Also much better now.” He hasn’t taken his arms from around your body, and you don’t mind one bit. Deciding to take advantage of it, you lean into him and are rewarded by his smile becoming even brighter. 

“So, what’d you bring?” you ask. “If I recall, you said it was going to be something even better than fast food.”

“I am a man of my word,” Eddie says. He slips your hand into his and brings you over with him to the back of his van. The doors are already open and there’s a blanket neatly folded next to a large picnic basket. “I’ve got bread with all the sandwich fixings you could want. Potato salad, white wine - or lemonade, because I wasn’t sure if you drink or not. And, not to brag, but I actually made our dessert from a recipe I found.”

He hands you the blanket and he slides the basket over his arm so he can close the doors.

“I’m impressed,” you tell him as the two of you walk closer to the water’s edge. “What did you make?”

“Cherry cobbler bars.” 

You shoot him a smile as you spread the blanket down over the grass. Eddie sets the basket down on one corner and you take a seat opposite each other. The yellow blanket is softer than it looks, the cotton comforting against your bare legs.

“How’d you know cherry is my favorite?” you ask. 

“I must just know you,” he says with a wink. 

A flush comes to your cheeks as Eddie starts to unpack the food from the basket. He gives you a choice of drink and you decide to have one of each. Eddie mixes the wine and lemonade together, saying he’ll see how it tastes, but the face he makes when the concoction touches his lips has you giggling so hard your stomach hurts. He pours the cup out on the grass and refills it with just lemonade. 

Making sandwiches with Eddie shouldn’t be as fun as it is, but he makes you laugh constantly as you both sift through the meats and toppings scattered around the two of you. He scoops some potato salad on your plate, then his, and you both tuck into your food as you keep up a stream of steady conversation. Eddie tells you about his old job back near Evansville, how much of an asshole his boss was, and how the garage here in Hawkins was Heaven compared to that place. You tell him how you always had your nose in a book in high school and how that naturally led you to start your job at the library, since the staff there had known you since you were about six. 

“What’s your all-time favorite book then?” Eddie asks. “Or is that too hard for you to pick?”

“Oh no, it’s definitely Pride and Prejudice. Is that too cliche of an answer? Aw well, it’s the truth. What about you?”

“Another cliche answer coming at you,” Eddie says between bites of his turkey sandwich. “The Hobbit.”

“Oh, I’ve been wanting to read that to Everett at bedtime,” you tell him. “He’s in his Dr. Seuss era though, so I think we’re still working our way up to Tolkien.”

Dirtied plates back in the basket, you and Eddie stay on the blanket talking well after the thirty minutes that are needed before you go into the water. The day is warm with a nice cool breeze, only a few wispy clouds in the bright blue sky, and the surface of the lake shines and glitters like it’s been sprinkled with thousands of small diamonds. 

“Would you like to go for a swim?” Eddie asks, tilting his head at you, his dark eyes drawing you in. 

“That sounds nice,” you say.

Eddie stands and strips his shirt off, leaving you speechless. It’s not the first time you’ve seen him without his shirt, thanks to the surprise visit by his place yesterday, but seeing him in all his ridiculously gorgeous glory would take you a lifetime to get used to. He glances down at you, doing a double take when he sees you staring. A smirk dances on his lips and there’s a dusting of pink over his cheekbones.

“Staring might not be polite but it sure is flattering.”

“O-Oh, sorry,” you stutter, an embarrassed smile coming to your face. 

“Please, don’t be.” Eddie offers his hand down to you, which you happily accept. He helps you stand, but you're suddenly self-conscious about stripping down to your swimsuit. Eddie stretches his arms over his head as he looks out at the lake and you’re not sure if he’s giving you a moment of privacy on purpose or not, but you take advantage of it and slip out of your t-shirt and shorts. 

When he turns back to you, he’s a gentleman, not obviously ogling you like you’d just done to him. But he does smile, pulling you closer to him and resting his hands on your hips.

“You look good in blue,” he says. His thumbs rub over bare skin where they come across a cutout in the bathing suit, and it sends a rush of goosebumps over your skin.

“Thank you,” you say softly. Your hands have nowhere to rest but on his bare skin, so your fingertips brush over his collarbones. The black widow spider tattoo attracts your attention and you run your forefinger over it. 

“You like spiders, too.” The words are almost mumbled under your breath, but Eddie catches them.

“Hmm?” he asks.

You blink a few times, eyes coming up to meet his.

“That was the first thing I heard you say,” you explain. “Everett told you he wasn’t afraid of spiders, and you told him that you like them too.”

“Oh yeah,” Eddie says as he remembers. “He said that Spider-Man is his favorite.”

“He is.” You look back down to his tattoo and rub your finger over it again. “That why you got this tattoo? Because you like spiders?”

“Partly.” There’s a mischievous glint in Eddie’s eye that makes you raise an eyebrow at him. He shrugs sheepishly. “One of my buddies from high school, Jeff, thought it was weird that I liked spiders. Because he’s afraid of them. So, I got this like a few months before I knew his family was having a Fourth of July barbeque at his house. Then I whipped my shirt off and he looked like he was going to shit himself.” 

“Such a good friend,” you say with a giggle. “Teasing the poor guy like that.” 

“Mm, he got over it,” Eddie says with a shrug. He starts walking backwards towards the lake, leading you along by your hands. “Come on, let’s get in.”

Eddie’s feet hit the water first and his face scrunches up, making you laugh.

“Cold?” you ask.

“Only a little,” he says, but he keeps walking backwards. Soon the water hits your toes and you let out a small squeal at the cold bite. It really wasn’t too bad, more of a shock after sitting in the nice warm sun for so long. 

Eddie lets go of your hands once the water reaches his small waist, and he has to wade further. He doesn’t take his eyes off of you though, and the moment that you’re at the same level as him in the water, he swims over and wraps an arm around you. 

“Hi,” you say as you relax your body against his. He feels warm and safe, and it makes you never want to let go of him. 

Eddie pulls you out until it’s a little deeper and your toes have to stretch more and more just to be able to walk along the riverbed. When it’s starting to become too hard for you, you pout, and Eddie is instantly there, holding you up to his level with his arms around your middle. He starts to keep moving deeper though, bringing you out where he knows you can’t touch the bottom. You’re about to huff at him for it when you catch sight of the smirk he’s trying to suppress. He likes that you can’t touch here. That you have to hold onto him for support. Deciding to give into him, you wrap your arms around his neck and bring up your legs to wind around his hips. 

“This what you were looking for?” you ask.

“Pretty much,” he admits. 

“You’re lucky you’re cute,” you tell him as you rest your forehead against his. 

“How many guys do you say that to?”

“Two. You and a three-year-old.”

“So, I’m in good company,” he says. 

Eddie slides his thumbs over the cutouts in your bathing suit, hands holding you firmly by the hips. It’s nice to just wade out in the water together like this, enjoying the nice weather and being held by one another. 

“I’m glad we’re finally on a real date.” Eddie breaks the peaceful silence after a few minutes.

“Me too,” you tell him. “To tell you the truth though, I was nervous on the way here.”

His brow pinches together in a frown as he looks up at you. “Why? Nervous to see me?”

“No, no,” you say with a shake of your head. “Me wanting to see you is basically the only thing that was able to break through my anxieties and get me here.” You shrug and start to play with the wet hairs at the base of Eddie’s neck. “I’m not very good with ‘new’ in my life. It stresses me out. Even the good new, like this. But honestly? Once I pulled up and saw you, that all went away. I didn’t feel stressed or anxious. Just excited to see you.”

The smile that lights up Eddie’s face has your stomach doing somersaults. He takes one hand from your hip and cups your jaw with it.

“I was really excited to see you, too,” he says. “More excited than I’ve been for anything in a long time.” 

“Yeah?” you ask as you rest your forehead against his.

“Mhmm,” he hums. 

Eddie’s thumb strokes over your cheekbone a few times before he leans in and softly presses his lips against yours. It feels as if your heart has stopped in your chest as you move your lips against his. Eddie’s arm tightens around your waist, and you pull yourself closer to his body with the arms you have wrapped around his neck. The feeling of Eddie’s tongue swiping across your top lip has you instantly parting them for him, letting him lead this kiss deeper. You and Eddie only break the kiss because you can’t stop smiling, but you quickly lean back in for another taste of his lips. 

“I feel like a teenager again,” you muse. “Just making out wherever and whenever I get the chance.”

Eddie smirks, but it’s endearing, never mean. “Well, if you want the full experience, we can always makeout in the back of my van.”

You gasp. “Eddie!” you scold him, swatting at his bare chest. 

“Is that a yes?”

“What happened to ‘there were never any girls in high school,’ Mr. Munson?” you tease. “Doesn’t sound like it was your full teenage experience.”

“Well, maybe I have some making up to do,” he says with a waggle of his eyebrows. It makes you giggle and lean in to press another kiss to his lips. The jolt it sends through your body is so strong that you wouldn’t be surprised if Eddie could feel it coursing through your body under his fingertips.

“Mm, okay,” you hum against his lips. “Let’s go make out in the van. But then we have the cherry cobbler bars.”

“Deal.” 

Don't need nothin' but a good time

How can I resist,

Ain't lookin' for nothin' but a good time

And it don't get better than this

Everett dances in his car seat, banging his little head to the Poison song playing on the radio like he was born to be in a mosh pit. It makes you chuckle when you watch him over your shoulder in the passenger seat. Steve keeps glancing at him in the rear-view mirror, bringing a smile to his face as well. The little boy looks even more like his dad’s mini me in their matching green polo shirts. You hadn’t planned on dressing him identically to Steve, but it was the only way to convince him to wear a nicer shirt than an old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle tee.

Telling him he was going to see his aunts and uncles graduate got about the reaction you expected it would. He’d asked if that meant he could play with them. When you explained that he was going to sit with you, his dad, and some of his other aunts and uncles to watch them walk across a stage, he seemed to care less than he already did. You already knew he wouldn’t sit still through the long ceremony, out in the heat of the June Hawkins day, sitting on uncomfortable bleachers. But you were hoping there were enough people in the crowd that he knew that would be able to keep him occupied. Hopefully they’d humor him as he bounced from familiar face to familiar face. 

Nancy had stayed the previous night at her family’s house so she could help set up for the graduation party taking place there this evening. But as soon as Everett gets out of the car, she’s the first face he sees. She’s getting out of her dad’s car with Holly right behind her and Everett starts bouncing on his toes in excitement.

“Nanzy!”

She looks at the call of her name and smiles when she sees the miniature Steve excitedly waving at her. You scoop him up in your arms and meet Nancy halfway in the parking lot, handing Everett over as he makes grabby hands for your best friend.

“You missed me? You saw me yesterday,” she tells him.

Everett just shrugs and lays his head on her shoulder. “Yeah.”

“Are you and Daddy matching today?”

Her notice of this gives him an extra boost of energy and he nods his head enthusiastically. 

“Yes! I look like Daddy!”

Steve gives Nancy a kiss hello and you walk with them and the other Wheelers to the football field, where the ceremony will be taking place. Robin, Vickie, the Sinclair’s and Mrs. Henderson are already there, so your gang joins up with them. Everyone fawns over Everett, much to his delight. He soaks in all the compliments about how cute he is and shows off his dimples just to prove everyone’s point further. Joyce and Hopper join you soon, Jonathan trailing behind them, and Everett makes his move on them as well. He happily sits in Hopper’s lap and asks to see the shiny badge he knows the police chief always has on him. 

“This seat taken?” 

You look up, having to squint because of the sun, and see a familiar face smiling down at you. It’s pure instinct to stand up and wrap your arms around Eddie’s neck. He chuckles as he hugs you back, pressing a kiss to your cheek.

“Hello to you, too,” he says. 

“I didn’t know you were coming,” you say. And it wasn’t from lack of communication. You and Eddie had talked on the phone every night since your date last weekend. He even came by for lunch at the library on Wednesday. 

“Thought I’d surprise you.”

“Mission accomplished.”

Max’s mom comes up behind Eddie, along with an older gentleman that Eddie introduces as his Uncle Wayne. 

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Wayne says, making a pink tinge appear on Eddie’s face. You’re about to respond when there’s a bump against your thigh. Everett’s holding onto your leg, peeking out shyly at the man he’s never met. “And you must be Everett.”

The boy hides his head fully behind you and you give his hair an affectionate pat. 

“C’mere you.” You pick Everett up and hold him on your hip. “This is Eddie’s Uncle Wayne. Can you say hi?”

The toddler perks up, just realizing that Eddie’s standing there. You’re a little surprised he remembers him after that brief encounter a few weeks ago. But his eyes light up and he gives Eddie a big grin.

“Eddie!” His voice is full of joy, and it warms your heart.

“Hey, little dude! I missed you.”

“Missed you,” Everett replies, causing you to get slightly misty eyed.

The speakers crackle to life, the feedback making Everett cover his ears. The Vice Principal approaches the podium, and you take your seat on the bleachers. Steve is on your left, Eddie on your right, with Everett perched in your lap. He’s already antsy and wiggling around so you can only imagine how restless he’s going to get over the next two hours. 

Eddie’s lips against your ear surprise you and you let out a little squeal, making Everett look back at you and Eddie chuckle.

“I missed you, too, you know.”

“That’s good,” you tell him. “Because I missed you. Are you here for any graduate in particular?”

“Um, I think the only one of the gang I haven’t met is El. But I’ve heard about her from everyone. Plus,” Eddie pauses and leans in closer to whisper directly to you, “Wayne is pretty in love with Max’s mom. He doesn’t believe me when I say the feeling is mutual, but it definitely is.”

You giggle and sneak a peek over Eddie’s shoulder where Ms. Mayfield and Uncle Wayne are talking, heads close together. 

“That’s adorable,” you say. 

Everett hops off your lap and moves onto Steve’s, little face already painted with boredom as some school official drones on. Steve looks at you and raises his eyebrows. It takes you a moment to realize what he’s trying to communicate.

“Oh!” You lean back so the men on either side of you can see one another. “Eddie, this is Steve. Steve, this is Eddie.” They’ve heard enough about each other that they need no more introduction than that.

“Nice to meet you,” Eddie says, extending his hand to your ex.

“Likewise,” Steve says as he shakes his hand. 

Everett catches sight of Eddie’s rings again and leans across your lap to grab his hand before he can take it away. Eddie chuckles and lets him inspect them, watching him with an adoring expression on his face. Your son doesn’t seem to notice that his bony little elbows are digging into your thighs. 

The speaker at the podium switches out for another and the list of student’s names starts rolling. 

“Gotta pay attention now,” you lean down to whisper to Everett. “They’re going to call names and we’re going to clap.”

He reluctantly lets go of Eddie’s hand and straightens himself in Steve’s lap. His brown eyes stare out at the field, waiting for a name he knows. 

“William Byers.”

Everett doesn’t realize he knows that name until everyone around him starts to cheer. But he quickly gets into the spirit and claps his hands together so fast he stings his own palms. Now that his interest has been piqued, Everett is anxious for the next person he knows to walk across the stage. He squirms in Steve’s lap, small attention span kicking in.

“Hey,” Steve says in his ear. “Do you see Aunt Max out there?”

His little eyes squint as he scans over the sea of students donned in green caps and gowns. After a quick assessment, he pouts and shakes his head.

“No?” Steve asks. “Look for her red hair. I think she’s the only redhead out there.”

Everett takes another look and gasps when he spots his favorite aunt, pointing at her and bouncing up and down on his dad’s legs.

“Aunt Max! I see her!”

“Good job, buddy,” Steve says. 

“Dustin Henderson.”

That name Everett recognizes right away and beams as he watches his Uncle Dusty Buns, unruly curls tucked in his cap, walk across the stage and take his diploma. 

“Yay!” Everett yells out as the rest of you clap and cheer.

“He’s about the cutest thing ever,” Eddie says to you. 

“Dustin?” you reply with a playful smirk. “Adorable, right?”

Eddie rolls his eyes, a fond smile gracing his features, and knocks his shoulder against yours. His hand twitches where it sits in his lap and your eyes notice as he goes to reach for you, but quickly pulls his hand back. It’s understandable. The two of you hadn’t talked about any affection shown in front of Everett because you hadn’t thought they were going to be in the same place at the same time for a while. 

“El Hopper.”

As you clap for your friend, your son wriggles his way out of Steve’s lap. Hopper lets out a loud whistle as his daughter makes her way to get her diploma, and Everett giggles at the sound. He turns towards you and you’re ready to help him into your lap when he walks right past you and stops in front of Eddie. He smiles up at the man in front of him, big brown eyes meeting bigger brown eyes. Eddie doesn’t hesitate and helps Everett onto his lap when he struggles to climb. 

“Hey, buddy,” Eddie says. 

“Hi,” Everett answers. 

Out of the corner of your eye you see Steve watching Everett. Or is he watching Eddie? You lean in to whisper in Steve’s ear.

“Everything okay?”

Steve nods and leans in to reply.

“How many times have they met?” he asks.

“Just once before.”

“And Everett isn’t still shy around him?” Steve asks. 

“He never has been. Walked right up to him at Dustin’s like he’s known him all his life.”

“That’s weird,” Steve says.

Your face pinches up in a frown as you turn your head to look at Eddie with your son again. Everett is as happy as could be, talking animatedly about something - you’re not even sure what he’s going on about, so you know Eddie has no clue - but Eddie is listening intently, smiling at the babbling boy.

“Why weird?” you ask, turning back to Steve. 

“He’s always shy around new people. Why not Eddie?”

“You’re making this sound like a bad thing,” you say. 

“Just weird,” Steve says with a shrug before returning his attention to the ceremony. 

A sigh escapes you as you look back over the field as well. Steve’s always had a jealous streak in him. It didn’t rear its head often, but you could tell that’s what’s happening here. Not jealousy over you dating Eddie, but of Everett showing Eddie so much attention so quickly. Sure, Steve’s never been the only adult man in his son’s life; he has more uncle and grandfather-like figures than you could count. But Eddie is someone Steve’s age and he isn’t “Uncle Eddie.” He’s just Eddie. A guy who is dating his mom, even if the toddler doesn’t understand the concept of dating. But you’ve been on one date with the guy. You’re not putting all your eggs in one basket when it comes to being with Eddie, no matter how much you like him, so why is Steve acting like Eddie’s about to become Everett’s new dad?

“Maxine Mayfield.”

Eddie’s cheering alerts Everett to his aunt’s name being called. He claps his little hands together and lets out a string of “woo woo woo’s.” 

“Want me to take him?” you ask Eddie as Everett keeps wriggling around his lap.

“No, I’m okay,” Eddie says with an easy smile. “Unless you want him?”

“No, you’re fine with him as long as you’re okay with his squirmy little butt.”

Everett wrinkles his nose up at this term and you boop the tip of his nose with your finger. Your son shakes his head, as if to dispel your touch from his face. 

“Lucas Sinclair.”

Erica’s loud cheer from the row behind you catches Everett’s attention and he looks at her over Eddie’s shoulder. She gives him a wink that makes him giggle and start to clap his hands along with everyone else. 

You’re surprised at how well behaved the little boy is being. He’s generally a well-tempered child, but a graduation could be boring for adults, let alone small kids. You were afraid you’d miss some of your friends’ names being called because you’d have to take Everett out into the parking lot or bathroom. 

“Mommy?” 

Maybe you thought too soon.

“Yes, baby?”

“M’hungry,” Everett says. 

This you were prepared for. Everett’s favorite snack was always packed in your purse. You’d only made the mistake of not having food for the hangry toddler once, and it’s not something you’d ever want to repeat. 

Everett’s eyes get wide when he spots the small red box of raisins. He makes grabby hands for them, but you hold them back once you’ve opened it, raising an eyebrow at him.

“Please?” he asks.

“There we go.”

“Thank you,” he sing-songs. 

Little fingers go digging inside and he sighs in contentment once he’s popped one in his mouth. He fishes out another one and you’re about to remind him only one at a time, but he lifts the raisin up, offering it to Eddie. 

“Aren’t you the sweetest?” Eddie asks. “But those are yours, you enjoy them. Thank you for sharing, though.”

Everett just nods his head as he finishes chewing what’s in his mouth.

“Michael Wheeler.” 

Mike takes his diploma and fist pumps in the air as he comes across the stage. You hear Holly giggle somewhere around you, and you don’t even have to be looking at Nancy on the other side of Steve to know she’s rolling her eyes at her little brother. 

Finally, the ceremony comes to an end and Everett watches in delight as all the green caps go flying into the air. You scoop up Everett from Eddie’s lap when you all start for the exit. He struggles in your arms, wanting to be put down, but there’s too many people to let him wander freely - even if he was holding your hand. 

Once the group of graduates that he knows meets you in the parking lot though, he’s like an entirely new kid. He wants to be held by all of them. He wants to give each of them a hug and try on Will’s cap. It’s far too big for him, obviously, but it makes for a funny picture as Karen Wheeler snaps the camera as the cap falls over his eyes. 

Everyone takes photos with each other; their families, friends, and each graduate wants a picture with Everett as well. He’s delighted by the attention and giggles as he’s passed from uncle to aunt to uncle to aunt. Max presses her lips against his cheek for their picture and Everett squeals in pure delight. 

“Can I keep him? Please?” Max asks once the photos are done. She’s still holding him and he’s happily fiddling with the tassel from her cap.

“Sure,” you tell her. “But you’ll give him back.”

“Never,” Max declares.

“Try and get him to go to bed on time and see how well that goes. Then we’ll talk.”

“Nah, I don’t believe that,” Eddie says from next to you. He’s giving Everett a playful smirk, who giggles in return. “Everett, you’re always a good boy, aren’t you?”

“Yep!”

“You can help Max out then,” you say, nudging Eddie with your elbow. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“We’d have fun!” Eddie says. “Play some guitar.”

“Guitar?” Everett’s interest is piqued and he’s staring at Eddie with wide eyes. 

“I told you,” you say to Eddie. “Guitar is his favorite.”

“Yeah!” Everett cheers.

“I’ll play it sometime for you, little dude.” Eddie’s grin at the boy falters and he turns towards you. “Uh, I mean, if that’s okay with your mom?”

Part of you doesn’t want Everett to get too attached in case it doesn’t become something more serious between you and Eddie. But another part is saying that he’s already so engrained in your friend group, that even if it doesn’t work out for some reason, he’ll still be around and in Everett’s orbit. 

“That sounds nice,” you say, giving Eddie a reassuring smile. 

His dark eyes light up and his body relaxes in relief. You didn’t realize how anxious he was for your answer to that question. He knows how much Everett means to you, and he clearly has an affinity for the little boy as well, so it makes sense that you being okay with him and Everett interacting takes some weight off of Eddie’s shoulders. 

“Hey, stop hogging my God son.”

Dustin walks over and puts on a pout as he looks at Everett in Max’s arms. 

“I’m his favorite aunt,” Max says. 

“I’m his favorite uncle,” Dustin shoots back. 

“Don’t put my poor boy in the middle of your squabbling,” Steve says, walking up and slinging an arm around Dustin’s shoulders. 

Everett watches all of his favorite people around him with wide brown eyes, looking from person to person. He seems content in Max’s arms, but you’re pretty sure he’d be happy in any of the people next to you’s arms. 

Nancy comes up behind Steve and puts her hands on his hips. She peeks her head around his torso and smiles.

“Everyone ready to go?”

“We’re heading to your place now?” Max asks.

“Mhmm,” Nancy hums. 

“You’re riding with me, Red,” Eddie says.

“Why?”

“Because I drove your mom and Wayne here. Forest Hills carpool.”

Max sighs and squeezes Everett in her arms, making him protest when she hugs him too tight.

“I’ll see you soon, kid,” she tells him. She sets the toddler down and he’s immediately unhappy. 

“Want Aunt Max!” 

“You’ll see me in a few minutes, Ev,” she tells him. “We’re going to a party together.”

His face lights up like a firework.

“Party?”

“Yeah, buddy,” Dustin adds. “We’re all going.”

Everett claps his hands together and does a happy little wiggle. 

“Come on, you,” you say as you pick him up. “Let’s get going.”

Instinctively, Eddie leans in to kiss you goodbye, but stops, again unsure of what you’re comfortable with in front of your son. Not quite ready to answer any questions Everett might have before you can sit down with him and talk about Eddie being in his life more, you turn to give Eddie your cheek to kiss. He happily does so, a smile on his face. Everett wants one as well, and sticks his cheek out towards Eddie, who obliges him with a chuckle.

You catch Steve watching the interaction - Nancy as well, but she seems to think it’s cute, while her boyfriend has a look on his face like he’s trying to do calculus in his head. He’s your ride to the party so you’re sure some sort of conversation will happen on the ride over. 

Max heads off with Eddie, Dustin to find his mom, and Nancy to catch a ride with her parents. She may have been intending to drive with you and Steve, but she clearly senses there’s going to be a talk happening as well. 

You make sure Everett is buckled in tight and hand him one of his toy dinosaurs to keep him occupied. It was unlikely there was going to be a full out argument, but you still didn’t want Everett to be listening in. Once you’re buckled into the passenger seat and Steve has pulled out onto the main road, he opens his mouth.

“So, uh, we should probably talk,” he says.

“Okay. I don’t really know what to say, though.”

“Well, I mean.” He sighs and runs one hand through his hair while keeping the other on the wheel. “Is he, like…your boyfriend?”

“I don’t know,” you tell him honestly. “We’ve technically only been on one date, but we talk every day and he drops by my work for lunch sometimes.” 

“And you’ve, um…” Steve waves one hand in the air, making a vague gesture, and your face blooms scarlet.

“That’s none of your business.” It comes out sharp, maybe the harshest you’ve ever spoken to Steve.

“Jesus, no, not that! I was going to say kissed. Cause I saw him lean in and then not know what to do.”

“Oh,” you say, face cooling down a bit. “Yeah. But he and I haven’t talked about how we’re going to be in front of Everett yet. I wasn’t really planning on him being around Everett yet, but I didn’t know he was coming today.”

“They seem to like one another.” Steve doesn’t sound particularly happy about admitting that.

“What, you’d rather they didn’t?”

“What? Shit - uh, sugar. No. That’s not what I meant.” He lets out another sigh and you can see the frustration drawn on his face. “It’s just kind of weird for me.”

“He’s not trying to be his dad, Steve,” you tell him. 

“No, I know. I just-I guess I just never really thought about this before. Like, how you felt when Nance and I got back together.”

“No,” you say with a frown. “Didn’t really bother me. Only in the very beginning when she came home for the summer and was around him so much. I felt like this surge of protection and wanted to be like, that’s my baby. But it passed pretty quickly. She’s never tried to be his mom; she’s just someone else in his life who loves him. I like seeing her and Everett together.”

“She’s also your best friend,” Steve says with a shrug, as if he’s explaining this to himself. “Jesus, I don’t know why I feel like this. I know it doesn’t make sense.”

“Feelings sometimes don’t make sense,” you say. “Hopefully this passes quickly just like mine did.”

“I guess,” Steve mumbles.

“You could always try getting to know Eddie,” you offer. “Or you could wait until he and I are more serious.”

“So, you think it’s going to be a serious thing?” Steve asks.

You can’t help the grin that tugs your cheeks up. 

“I think so. I don’t want to jinx it, though. But I really like him.”

“Good. I’m happy for you.” He reaches over and gives your leg a pat. “You deserve it.”

Thank God that the Wheeler’s have a huge backyard. There’s enough room for the tables and chairs set out for the guests, the food tables all set up, and for Everett to run around without knocking anything over. Yet. 

The three-year-old tornado tears through the yard, stopping at every familiar face to say hi or to see if they’ll play with him. Holly is kind enough to get out her old Hungry Hungry Hippos game and play it with him for a while. 

The small round table you’re seated at holds a few toy dinosaurs that you’re sure he’ll come back to eventually. Steve, Nancy, Robin, Vickie, and Eddie are the others at the table with you. Eddie’s arm rests against the back of your chair and you take advantage and lean into his body. 

“Would you look at them?” Eddie says with a shake of his head. “They’re like clueless teenagers.”

Everyone at the table keeps stealing glances at Wayne Munson and Susan Mayfield sitting next to one another a few tables over, smiles on both of their faces as they’re immersed in their conversation.

“Having Max as a cousin should be fun,” Robin says to Eddie with a teasing look. 

“She and I kept giving one another looks on the ride over here, trying not to laugh at their attempts at flirting.” 

“Not everyone is good at flirting,” Vickie says, and Robin’s jaw drops open. Vickie laughs at her girlfriend’s affronted face and ducks out of the way as Robin tries to playfully smack her arm. 

Steve’s unusually quiet and your awareness of that keeps you slightly on edge. There’s nothing you can do about it, but you blame your maternal instincts for just wanting to make everything okay. Or maybe that was your anxiety. Either way, you try to let it roll off your back. 

“Burgers are done!” Jonathan calls from over near the grill. Everett barrels over to you as you and your friends stand to go get your food. 

“Whoa, easy there,” you say. He raises his arms up and you let out an “oof” as you pick him up. You walk behind Nancy towards the grill, but Everett leans in to whisper in your ear.

“Gotta go potty.”

“Okay, babes,” you tell him and press a kiss into his hair. “We’ll be right back, just going to go inside to use the bathroom.”

“I’ll grab Ev’s burger,” Steve says. “He still doesn’t like-.”

“Pickles, right,” you finish for him. 

“Want me to grab yours?” Eddie asks, and the offer damn near melts your heart. 

“Yes, please,” you tell him. “Ketchup and lettuce, please!”

“Got it.”

“Thank you!” you call to him as you disappear inside the house to find a toilet for the toddler.

Vickie and Robin are filling their plates when Karen taps Nancy on the shoulder and asks her to come help her bring something out from the kitchen. It leaves Steve and Eddie alone, waiting in line for food.

“So, uh,” Steve starts. “You two have another date planned?”

“Oh, no, not set in stone. But I was going to ask her before the party ends,” Eddie tells him.

“And you’re like…serious about her?” In his gut, Steve knows this is wrong. He knows he’s overstepping; he knows it’s not his place. But it doesn’t stop him. 

“Well, yeah,” Eddie says. “I mean, as serious as someone could be after really only having one date and knowing each other for a few weeks.”

“Good,” Steve says as he grabs two hamburger buns: one for him and one for his son. “It’s just I see how Everett really likes you. I don’t want him to get hurt, you know, if he becomes too attached and it doesn’t work out.”

Eddie hadn’t thought about it that way. Yes, he had every intention of being with you for as long as you allowed him to be, but things happen. Life happens, as Eddie knows far too well. Just the very thought of hurting you made his stomach sick, but he didn’t think about how Everett might feel if something were to go wrong. Eddie knows he and Everett have been getting along great, but it never occurred to him that Everett might already be becoming attached. So attached that it would hurt if Eddie just disappeared from his life. Hurting either of you was the last thing he ever wanted to do. 

The sound of Robin’s raucous laughter jars Eddie out of his thoughts and back to the task at hand. He grabs two buns and two hamburgers, building them for the both of you. He adds ketchup and lettuce, just as you requested.

When you come back to the table with Everett, Eddie’s arm is no longer hanging off the back of your chair. You think that maybe he’s waiting for you to sit down first, but when you do, he still doesn’t put it back up there. He hunches forward over the table and takes a bite out of his burger. Everett climbs onto Steve’s lap and munches on his food right alongside his dad. 

“You okay?” you lean in to whisper in Eddie’s ear. 

“Mhmm,” Eddie assures you through bites. It doesn’t convince you, though. 

He remains quieter for the rest of the party than he had been before. He’s more subdued, looks less comfortable being here. Yeah, today was the first time he met Robin and Vickie, but they were chatting away like old friends only an hour ago. 

As the sun begins to set, Wayne and Susan say they think it’s time for them to head out. They say their goodbyes to everyone, as do Max and Eddie, but you pull Eddie off to the side before he can leave.

“Hey,” you say, pulling his hand into one of yours. “Um, I was wondering if you wanted to go on another date? You know, whenever you’re available?”

“Oh, well, sure,” he says, but he won’t meet your eyes. “What did you have in mind?”

“Wait,” you say, gently grasping his chin and making him look at you. “What’s wrong?”

He almost says it’s nothing. It almost comes out, but he doesn’t want to lie to you. You deserve so much more than that. 

“It’s just, I’ve never dated a mom before,” Eddie says with a shrug. “I, uh, I mean that I’m not sure about…” Eddie’s brain has lost the ability to make words function properly. I don’t want to move too fast for you or Everett. I’m scared he’ll become attached to me and it would hurt him if things don’t work out. But those thoughts won’t form on his tongue. “I like you a lot. A lot. It’s just…”

Your heart drops in your chest. Of course this is happening. It was too good to be true, this thing you had going with Eddie. He’d not seen you really be a mom before today. Yeah, briefly when you first met, but today he had an up close and personal look at the mom part of your life. Obviously, he didn’t like it, right? That’s why he’s saying all this? He’s realizing the full weight of what dating a woman with a child is like and it probably intimidates him. You don’t blame him though, that’s a lot of responsibility and baggage to chain yourself to at 23. 

“It’s fine, Eddie.” You let his hand drop from yours and you stick both of yours in your back pockets. If you look him in the eye, you know you’ll cry, so you focus on the front of your sandal digging into the grass below you. “I get it. It's a lot.” 

“Yeah, i-it is,” Eddie says. He takes a deep breath and licks his lips. Slowing things down with you is hard because you’ve already become such a presence in his everyday life. But he knows it’s the right thing to do for everyone involved. Best just to come out with it, he figures. “That’s why I think we should sl-.”

“Right,” you interrupt him. Hearing him say the words out loud would absolutely crush you, so you don’t give him the chance. Knowing Eddie doesn’t want to be with you is hard enough but hearing that voice you’ve come to love so much to actually say it would erase all the sweet things he’s ever said to you in your mind, only to be replaced by the searing painful goodbye. “Eddie!” Max calls impatiently, waiting by the Wheeler’s gate. Eddie glances at her over his shoulder but turns back to you and opens his mouth to speak.

“You should go,” you say, still not letting him talk. “They’re all waiting for you.” Your voice is wobbly, and you reach up to wipe away a traitorous tear that’s escaped. Eddie’s eyes track the tear down your cheek, and he frowns, both in confusion and concern. He leans in to reach for you, but you step back and out of his grasp.

Head ducked, you turn away from him and make your way back over to Steve at the table. Eddie watches you walk away, wondering what just happened. 

“I want to go,” you tell Steve quietly. Everett is fast asleep in his arms, but he manages to rise from his seat without disturbing him. 

“What?” Steve asks.

“I want to go home,” you repeat. “Now.”

“Um, okay,” Steve says, frowning at you. “Let me go say bye to Nance.”

“Fine. I’ll take him to the car.” You open your arms and Steve carefully transfers your son to you. “Tell everyone I said bye, okay?” You don’t wait for an answer before you head into the house with Everett, making your way through the house and out the front door. Going out of the gate would’ve been quicker, but Eddie was over that way. Trying not to jostle the sleeping boy too much, you manage to open the backseat and buckle him in. Steve approaches the car as you slide into the passenger seat. He eyes you warily as he gets in and starts the car. Arms tucked across your chest, you stare out the window. 

“Everything okay?” Steve asks. Obviously, he knows it isn’t. He knows you better than almost anyone in the world though, so he knew you wouldn’t just come out and say anything without a little prodding. 

“I don’t want to talk about it,” you say as Steve pulls the car out onto the road. 

He gives you a few minutes. Clearly, you’re trying to work through something, and he decides to give you a little time to digest it before he tries again. 

“Eddie, what the hell was that?” Dustin asks after he watched you hurry out of the house with Everett in your arms. “Is she okay?”

“I don’t know,” Eddie says, ignoring Max’s huffiness from the gate. “I’m not sure what just happened.”

“What’d you say to her?” Dustin asks.

“She didn’t even give me a chance to finish talking.” Eddie rubs his hands over his face. “I might’ve fucked up, man.”

Dustin sighs and motions for Max to hold on for a minute.

“Tell me what happened.”

Eddie doesn’t feel like he should reveal what Steve said. Next to his parents, the person who loved Everett most in the world was Dustin. Of course Dustin would agree with what Steve said; that going too fast and having Everett become attached could end up being terrible. It makes total sense, after all. Eddie doesn’t want to seem like he disagrees and thinks he’s trying to move in on Steve’s place as his dad or anything.

“I was just trying to tell her that maybe we should take it slow because of Everett, you know? I don’t want him to be confused or think I don’t care about him if this doesn’t work out.”

“Is that what you said?” Dustin asks. 

“Not really,” Eddie admits. “I wasn’t sure what exactly to say and then she cut me off and seemed to get upset. I was telling her how I like her a lot.”

Dustin closes his eyes and rubs at his temples.

“What the shit is happening?” he asks no one in particular. 

“You can talk to me, you know,” Steve says once you’re about halfway home.

“What’s to say?” you ask, eyes never leaving the road in front of you. “I got dumped.”

“What?” Steve asks, too loudly with a sleeping child in the back. He winces and glances in the rearview mirror to make sure he didn’t disturb him. Ev’s still out like a light, though. “What are you talking about?”

“Eddie started saying how he likes me a lot but how dating a mom is hard, so…” You trail off and shrug your shoulders, refusing to cry before you get into your apartment. 

Steve’s brow furrows as he turns the car into your apartment complex. Shit, this may be my fault, he thinks to himself.

“It’s whatever,” you continue when Steve stays silent. “Should’ve known, right? Who’s going to want to date a young mom?”

“Hey,” Steve says, your words breaking him from his previous train of thought. “Don’t say that.”

“Why not? A young dad is cute to girls. They fawn all over him when they see him simply taking care of his own child. But a young mom? Guys don’t want to be tied down like that. Be with a girl who has so many responsibilities and they can’t just swing by whenever they want to hook up.” 

Steve doesn’t have an answer for that. He parks the car in front of your building and turns off the engine.

“Do you want me to take him tonight?”

“No,” you answer. “I’ve got him.”

As gently as you can, you get out of the car and maneuver Everett out of his seat without waking him up. His head lolls on your shoulder and you shut the back door with your hip.

Steve steps out of the car but you only call out a quick goodbye over your shoulder before you’re headed up the stairs to your apartment. It’s hard to unlock the door, but you manage, and get you both inside. You kick your shoes off and head to Everett’s room. You’re about to set him on his bed when you realize you don’t want to let go of him. The rocking chair in the corner of the room catches your eye and you make yourself comfortable in that, adjusting Everett where he lays against your chest.

His hair is soft where you press soft kisses to it. It smells like his bubble gum shampoo, and you close your eyes and focus on it. You wrap your arms around the small boy and hug him to your chest tightly, without squeezing him too much. Tears start to leak down your face and drops plop into his inherited Harrington hair. Releasing a shaky sigh, you rest your cheek against the top of his head. Rocking yourself back and forth in the chair, you’re not sure if you’re trying to keep Everett soothed in his sleep, or you in your current state. 

You’d really had hope with Eddie. He seemed as close to perfect as possible, which you guess should’ve been your first clue. But maybe this is for the best, you try and tell yourself. Maybe you’ll be a better mom on your own. Alone. The tears start to fall heavier, and you squeeze your eyes closed, focused on feeling the warmth of your child in your arms. His soft breathing is the only sound in the apartment, other than the occasional sniffle from you. He makes a soft cooing sound and snuggles his face into your neck. It makes you smile, and you press another kiss to his head. Everett was all you really needed after all. If life is just you and him, you think to yourself, that wouldn’t be so bad. 

[nburkhardt]

Having those sad thoughts, now putting it on the boy 😔

It’s moments like this that makes him want the ground to open up and swallow him whole.

Everyone is gathered today for the first time in a while, he doesn’t even remember the last time he even saw some of them. He’s been working so often and still lives in Hawkins, unlike most of the group now.

It’s good, things are good. He’s pretty happy or well, okay. He’s good though, pretty content even. Life is fine.

It’s just, standing here having only needed a few minutes to get them caught up in his daily life.

(Wake up, get dressed, eat, and go to work. Come home, relax, maybe call Robin or Eddie. Feed himself and repeat.)

Everyone else? Robin? Nancy? Hell, even Dustin? It’s been an hour and Dustin and Claudia won’t stop talking about how good school is going and they’re waiting on the letters for colleges! “Can you believe that Steve?!”

Nancy’s well on her way up some journalism company, can’t wait to get her own spot in the newspaper! There’s some course Robin’s in the middle of that’s been keeping her up at all hours. Oh and didn’t you hear? Jonathan’s thinking of moving back to California for photography!

“- and today, El got accepted as a volunteer at the new animal shelter! It’s such wonderful news, don’t you think Steve?”

He forced a smile and nodded, about to open his mouth when Joyce patted his arm with a “oh! Karen’s here, hold that thought I’ll be right back!” Before walking away and he gets to drop the smile.

Wishing he could just leave the party but he’s Robin’s ride and she’s definitely having fun catching up with everyone. He’s already said his piece to those he asked.

“eh, life’s pretty good. Been just saving up to get an apartment with Robs. Ya know?” And “I haven’t thought about it much, college just didn’t- seem right? I’m just focusing on work right now”

He can’t even take an hour talking about himself now. It’s over and out within minutes. None of the here adults really want to hear him go on a rant about basketball and he can go on forever about his car, but no one wants that information. Robin and him talk about those daily, even if she doesn’t understand half of it.

So, he’d really like for everyone to stop asking things or bringing up accomplishments of others, “I’m just so proud of my boy, my little genius!”

“Will’s painting is really taking off! Jonathan’s photography skills is so much better now, look see!”

It’s really getting to him and he wants to leave. Doesn’t feel like anyone is even listening when he does get to talk about himself, which is dumb because he loves these people.

The thing is, he just feels stuck. Feels like a has been, like he was this once amazing toy that got thrown outside and forgotten. He hates this, hates that his life isn’t anything to talk about, hates feeling like he’s doing nothing with his life.

How is he goddamn twenty-one years old and feel like nothing about him is good enough to talk about?

Robin reminds him daily that his brain is being dumb, that he’ll figure things out soon. It’s just not the right now for him, that he’s only twenty-one and there’s so many more years ahead of him. It’ll hit even eventually, that to stop comparing people.

He knows that, really he does.

It’s just, a lot. Okay?

Ending it there before I ramble myself into a rabbit hole.

Welp I had thoughts and now I’m feeling a bit better but goddamn I’m seriously feeling it. There’s no tears or anything but even with music blasting in my ears + my edible hitting, my brain won’t shut up about how I’m twenty seven and stuck.

How I’m still working a retail job, holding myself back from getting the GED I need to even apply to a cosmetology school. And that whenever anyone asks me for an update all I can say is ‘well I just bought this cool new funko!’ Or ‘nah I’m just taking walks and nope, still haven’t changed my mind about kids’ and sure, yeah we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others because that’s just shitty thinking but I can’t help it 🥲

I’m stuck and even when I do start talking hobbies or thinks I like, everyone just doesn’t care? Or well they do but they don’t understand and sometimes judge me on what I do.

Idk I’m just feeling things and venting using my fave person. Just venting and getting this out.

Also I’m sure I’m not alone in this feeling. So if you also feel this, I’m sorry 💜 our time will come!!

[sleepy-wyvern]

Scars and Stretch Marks (Eddie Munson x female!Reader) Part 2!

Gif found here, if anyone finds the original artist lmk so I can credit!

Chapter: 2/? (in progress) Read part 1 here, part 3 TBD

Synopsis: This chapter is pure fluff with smut to come! You and Eddie Munson try to tame a little black kitten with a missing ear and scar over it's eye. This fic deals with body image, body scars and body confidence!

Dedication: Miniseries for the lovely loony tunes @alienthingstwo💙 hope you enjoy, more parts to come!

Word count: 1.9k (second chapter)

Smut will be included in later chapters so minors please do not interact! 18+!

Warnings/Content tags: Scars, stretch marks, body insecurity, body worship

-EDDIES POV-

Eddie Munson sat on the front step, one hand on his knee the other holding a cigarette between his two fingers. Today he wore a light grey muscle shirt to escape the heat. He was careful that it covered every pink scar on his torso, lest it be seen especially by a pretty girl.

The thick black tobacco smoke dispersed into the sky as he tapped his foot against the gravel.

It still felt surreal to be here and alive but it was less like a dream now. He was glad to get some alone time after being bombarded with questions and hugs as much as he appreciated them.

Dustin and his uncle had of course the biggest reactions. Ones enough to make tears well in his eyes but he was sure to blink them away as quickly as possible. Even Steve and Nancy who he barely knew were relieved to see him alive and well.

After the reunions a cigarette was deemed necessary along with some fresh air. The moment he stepped outside though he spotted the empty cat dish.

He sat on the trailer steps wondering if the scarred beauty from yesterday would be here again. Perhaps that part was the dream or hallucination. How she was so comfortable with her own scar Eddie had no idea. He figured he’d never be that comfortable to show his own, instead hiding them beneath the fabric of his shirt. 

-YOUR POV-

You walked down the road clutching your fingers around your tote. Within it held the metal tin of cat food you purchased before heading over. You were hoping that the cat would show up, lest the food be going to a raccoon instead. You also had a selection of cat toys and flea shampoo in case you ever did manage to catch the sly kitty. It was better to be prepared but at the same time you didn’t want to get your hopes up.

It was still shorts and tank top weather, at least if you wanted any kind of relief. The sun was beating down against your skin and you were grateful you remembered to apply sunscreen.

You wondered if Eddie would be there today, hopefully with less mysteriously dried blood on him. Still, he had seemed normal as ever. As normal as Eddie Munson could be anyways. Not that you minded.

You thought back to your experience in school with him. He never gave a shit what anyone thought of him and his hobbies. That always intrigued you and inspired you, you tried so hard to fit in for a long time that perhaps you were starting to realise that it was doing more harm than good. That maybe without his viewpoint you were about to reach a point where your entire personality wasn't personal at all. Just a mash of pop culture and hobbies deemed acceptable in a desperate plea to fit in. You were thankful things were different now.

Every encounter with him had been memorable in some way. You recalled him catching your gaze from across the cafeteria. It was a look of caution yet intrigue, perhaps that he knew you were a lost sheep but in disguise as someone who didn’t need saving.

Now, especially with your first year of university underneath your belt you decided to accept yourself for who you were. You wondered how much of that had to do with Eddie, but shook it off. Surely not, you weren’t even really friends in high school. Not that you never wanted to be, maybe it was fear of rejection that stopped you. Not anymore.

With every step down the road somehow you didn’t feel nervous. In fact, you felt excited and curious. You wanted to learn more about this ex-suspected-murderer. Normally this is something people would run away from yet you were far from normal.

He sat on the front step of his trailer smoking a cigarette. You felt a gentle tug on the corner of your lip as you spotted him before he saw you further down the road. He looked nervous, an expression you were never used to seeing on Eddie Munson. The moment he noticed you though it seemed to mostly melt away in a facade of awkward confidence he always wore.

You could feel the heat soaking into your body from the sun as you walked down to greet him. He held a beer bottle in his hand that he tapped his index finger against nervously. The thought of him being nervous to talk to you made you a little giddy.

“Hey, Eddie,” you folded your arms as you looked down at him. 

“Hey, y/n,” he spoke curtly. “Back for your kitty?”

You couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes hesitated over the scar on your hip before he met your gaze. It had to be half a second at most but you didn’t miss it.

“That’s the plan.” You smiled before nodding to the beer in his hand, “you didn’t get me one?”

“Oh- I uh, yeah I could-“ he turned to get up before you interrupted.

“I was just teasing. It seems like you need it, you’re as on edge as our cat.” You offered a sympathetic smile. 

He nodded and shrugged “yeah, well, been through a lot the last, uh, week. Long story.” 

You moved to sit on the wooden platform of the other entrance that held a chair and sofa. You placed your bag of cat things next to you as Eddie watched curiously. 

“Well, I’ve got time.” You crossed your legs as you pulled out a tin of cat food, opening it and dumping the contents on the dish you brought.

“That’s disgusting,” Eddie watched the cat food plop onto the plate amused. 

“Oh yeah, it tastes great on sandwiches.” You smiled at him mischievously as he looked at you in horror. 

“Kidding,” you shook your head at him. “What’s got you so jumpy?”

There was a bit of a pause as he hesitated, perhaps wondering if he should make up a lie or tell the truth. It seemed he picked the latter.

“Do you believe in monsters?” He asked nonchalantly, big brown eyes trying to read your expression.

You put a finger to your chin thinking for a moment. “Depends. Werewolves? No way. Bigfoot? Yes. Moth man? Definitely.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow unable to tell if you were joking or not. 

You smirked, “I keep an open mind but the real monsters are people.”

You hopped off the platform carrying the cat dish with you. You could tell Eddie was trying hard to avoid watching you as you placed the dish on the ground. Instead he brought the bottle to his lips, his adams apple bobbing as he drank. 

“Well, you got that right.” He nodded nonchalantly.

He seemed to hesitate as if holding something back. Instead of pushing him you returned back to your spot on the wooden platform letting him take his time. 

“Ever hear of the cult of Vecna?” He asked, staring blankly into the sky before looking at you with sad brown eyes. 

“Vecna Lives! from the world of Greyhawk?” You asked and he looked back at you pleasantly surprised.

He nodded, “well it seems Vecna does live. Some kind of time and space multidimensional being that gets inside your head and uh, you can guess the rest.”

“I see,” You kicked your feet against the ground slightly. “Is that who caused your arm to bleed?”

You weren’t sure if he was telling the truth or not but you didn’t want to deem him a liar. Who would make up a lie like that?

“No,” his gaze fell to his arm. “Those were demobats. Still think my explanation is sane?” He looked up at you. 

You shook your head at him. “I’ve heard worse. Not sure what a demobat is though.”

“Well, it doesn't matter because in the end they were no match for me!” He smiled as he put the butt of his cigarette out on the dirty ashtray.

You did your best to not make it seem like you were staring but it was hard to not notice the muscle tone in his arms as he moved.

Truth is Eddie Munson amused you and interested you at the same time. He seemed like a simple guy that did what he pleased yet he was perplexing at the same time. What was he hiding?

A small black spot in the corner of your eye moved. Your eyes darted over to the plate of food noticing the kitty happily chowing down.

“Don’t make any sudden movements,” you warned. 

“What, is there a spider?” He asked suddenly with a tinge of fear.

“I sure hope not,” you did your best to suppress your laughter.

You nodded to the plate of cat food as Eddie’s large eyes followed yours.

“What do we do now?” He asked, a little surprised but trying not to be too loud.

“Not sure, I honestly didn’t think I’d get this far,” you replied honestly as his serious expression turned into a heartfelt smile that made your heart race.

“Psspsspss!” Eddie tried to call him over.

The little black kitten looked up at him, twitching his ripped ear cautiously at the noise. He just finished the last of his food and was looking for more. His hungry tummy must’ve got the better of him as he slowly started to make his way towards Eddie.

“Awh,” You say quietly as if to not scare him. “He likes you.”

“I don’t know about that,” Eddie whispered as he held his hand out.

The kitty cautiously sniffed his hand, seemingly annoyed when there was no food in it.

You swiftly reached into your bag pulling out some cat treats. The kitten looked over nervously as soon as he heard the bag crinkle and you tossed a couple in front of you. His eyes darted quickly to the spot on the ground where the treats landed. He crouched down low giving an adorable little butt wiggle before pouncing on one of the treats.

“Man has his priorities in order,” you laughed. 

Eddie smiled genuinely at the sight and it seemed to be the most relaxed you’ve seen him. His shoulders were lower as if he had released the hidden tension as he leaned back. He brought the beer to his lips drinking the last of the liquid while the scene before him unfolded.

The kitten slowly started to make his way towards you, his tiny paws cautiously padding across the gravel. The little black kitten rubbed against your leg graciously, you figured it to be a thank you for the treats.

You leaned down holding your hand out with a treat in the palm of your hand. At first he was apprehensive but then he graciously accepted the treat. You ran your fingers over the soft fur on his head as he chomped down on the treat.

The kitten seemed less scared of you now so you scooped him up into your hands. Somehow, some way it worked. You could even feel the soft vibration of him purring against your arms. 

“Look at you, cat whisperer,” Eddie rolled his tongue over the words.

“It’s the food, that’s how you win his love.” You smiled scratching the kitties head.

Eddie nodded “Yeah well, little buddies got the right idea, don’t ya Scar?”

“Scar? A little on the nose don’t you think?” Still it made you smile. “Are you a fan of the lion king?”

“I still cry at the movie,” he admitted. “So now what do we do with the rascal?”

“Well, we can bring him inside but he’s dirty. I’ve got some clear shampoo with me.”

“Sounds like it’s time to give him a b-a-t-h,” Eddie whispered as if the cat could understand. “We can give him one here.”

“I don’t think he knows the word bat-“ you started. 

“Shhh! Don’t say it, you'll freak him out.” Eddie protested. 

You laughed as Eddie stood, turning to open the door. Now it was time to enter the home of Eddie Munson for the first time.

===

💙💙💙💙

Thanks so much for reading, likes, reblogs & comments are much appreciated!

Hope you have a lovely day my reader!

-Wyv

[eashmo]

7 minutes in hell, or is it heaven? Part 3

-I Love You, i Love You Not-

Warnings: eventual smut, fluff, and lots of angst.

This chapter is a bit short in my eyes, at least, lol.

~~~~~~~~~~~

*Billy's POV *

With a weak groan, I found myself on the ground in the foyer with Max trying to help me up.

"Leave me alone" weakly, shoving her off my arm. My right eye felt severely bruised. "Stop Billy, let me help you for once." Max says quietly, she helps me upstairs with much difficulty with me being dead weight. Eventually, we are at the door to the hallway bathroom, sitting me on the toilet. Max wipes the blood from my left eyebrow, my nose, and my bottom lip with a white towel. I didn't know I was bleeding so bad until I saw her discard the towel onto the counter.

"Don't think that this will change anything between us shitbird." I painly say as she applied antiseptic to the open wounds.

"Didn't think it would." Max says. When she was done, she started to walk out of the bathroom.

"Thanks, I guess, now go to bed. we have school tomorrow, and you better get up on time, or I'm leaving your ass behind," I say while i walked to my bedroom door.

"You're welcome, brother," she say quickly as she runs into her room. I caught the end of her comment as I close my door.

"Brother," I humed. She may be a piece of shit sometimes, but we're family whether we like it or not. I'm happy that I got stuck with a sister like her.

*Y/N POV*

After the third period, it was finally time to rest a little..... and going to the school gym of all places is where I went. Finally, getting the time to practice drawing people what better way than watching a mini basketball game that kept a few students entertained through their free period. Skins vs. shirts this time, I sat with Nancy and Robin at the top row of the bleachers.

Nancy and Robin were engrossed in a conversation about an English project while I just stared into the court, waiting for the guys to come out. That's when I saw Billy coming out of the men's locker room in nothing but the Hawkins High gym shorts. Rolling my eyes, of course, he picked skins such a typical Hargrove move. I thought.

What I couldn't see was his damaged face that he was trying to conceal. Why was he acting strange? As I blinked a few times and shook the thoughts out of my head. I started to draw most of the guys as they played the best I could. Moving subjects was an interesting experience to draw.

I was completely zoned out until I heard harsh yelling from the court. Looking up, I saw Billy had Steve pinned to the floor, gripping the collar of his shirt. "Mind your fucking business Harrington". He said as he started to draw his fist.

Quickly, I got up, leaving Nancy and Robin confused on why I was going to interfere. I was going to save one of my best friends from maybe getting possibly murdered. I encase Billy's fist with my hand. Looking down at him and then to Steve, who looked at me with wide eyes.

"Hargrove, come with me," I say calmly.

Heavy breathing, he refused to look at me and reluctantly let go of Steve. Wordlessly, he got up and follows me out of the gym.

Looking back at my best friends with "I'm ok," look, I heard everyone else start to whisper about what just happened. "Shit, this isn't good." I thought.

We rounded the corner that led to the alleyway at the back of the gym. Turning towards him about to yell at him for the scene he caused, I got a real good look at him and gasped. "Hargrove, what happened?"

"Like I said to Harrington mind your fucking business" he angrily says. Not liking that answer I move my hand upon reflex to touch his face, like if I've been doing it for years. He flinches and grabs my wrist painfully.

"You're hurting me." I say as I try to get away from his grip. All of a sudden, I was thrown into the brick wall with a hand griping my neck tightly. I looked into his eyes in fear. "I told you to mind your fucking business, you cow."

I start to cry due to the pain and the insult. He's never called you that before. Yes, I knew I wasn't skinny, but nobody has ever said anything, well, at least not to my face, at least.

His grip got even tighter when I was struggling to get his hand off my neck. It felt like he was bruising it at this point.

using my right hand, I punch straight into his nose with a loud crack and kneed him in the crotch. He quickly let go of me falling to the ground. As I regained my breath, I saw that I actually broke his nose, his blood dripping onto the asphalt. Just like a spell was being broken I hear him say " fuck what have I done?" In a panic.

"What the fuck was that Hargrove?!? Why are you always so mean to me? I'm just trying to fucking help you!" I say as my voice was dripping with vemon.

"You know Hargrove ever since that night at the party I thought things would have changed the way you viewed me, at one point I was going to accidentally reveal that I'm madly in love with you when I was going to answer "if it was better than any of my dreams. But now I don't think I c.." I get cut off by him looking up at me so quickly he probably got whiplash.

"Wait, you're in love with me?"

"Yes, you asshole, I never want to fall in love with you, but you got me hooked like the other girls." I laugh bitterly.

"Fuck, I have completely fucked my chance by turning into the person I hate most" he crawls directly in front of me sitting in a submissive position completely broken.

"Who would that be Hargrove?" I snapped.

"My father" there was silence and falling tears.

Previous Chapter

Part 4

Masterlist

2023

[kiss-me-muchoo]

Tenderness || Eddie Munson x Fem!reader

Summary: You’re ghosting Eddie because he didn’t stop Chrissy’s flirting. He appears in your window in the night, only to end up in a discovery of sexual fantasies. You have a pain kink and he has a lactating kink…. Warnings: SMUT. Minors drop your guns, you can wait a little more. emotional reader, naïve Eddie. Both are switches. Fingering. Pain kink?. Squirting. Breeding and lactation kink. Eddie cums in his pants. Eddie is a dork but we love him. A/N: I’m having pms rn. After a very emotional day, I just want Eddie to magically appear and suck my tender and swollen tits bye. NO PROOFREAD IDK IF ITS NOT HOT FOR U 💗

MASTERLIST IN MY PINNED POST!!!!!

“Y/N, hurry!” you heard Nancy Wheeler screaming to get you. You could take your mom’s car to school, but you were too insecure and anxious about start driving. But hey! you were a dedicated student, with college plans, already having a job in a little boutique. It’s not like you were behind your age just because you didn’t know how to drive yet.

One last look in the mirror; floral shirt dress with colorful tights and baby flats. You say baby because of the mini heels they had, so baby flats.

“Sorry, I woke up with PMS and tender tits, I’m moody, I warn you” Nancy rolled her eyes at your words, and later she extended her hand to you as she started the usual route from your house to Hawkins High. “Cash?…”

“Just because you take me everywhere and I love you….fifteen bucks for gas from your favorite passenger princess” you state applying some brown lipstick on the mirror on your hand.

“Why don’t you make Eddie your chauffeur again?” at that you rolled your eyes. You weren’t exactly happy with him.

“I’m mad at him” Nancy turned to see you, curiously wanting to know more.

“What happened?” you sigh, grasping the hem of your dress.

“I’m ghosting him because I saw Chrissy Cunningham flirting with him. And he didn’t

Said anything to her. He knows how much she pisses me off” Nancy nodded. She heard you on several occasions accusing Chrissy of being too friendly with Eddie.

“Eddie never wants to accept when he’s wrong so I scolded him and now I’m ghosting him” Eddie’s van is parked in the lot once you enter the school property. He would try to reach you today. Yesterday you ignored him all day, and you sent Steve and Robin to fully attend your store, so he couldn’t see you.

“Good for you. He deserves it, but talk to him” you nodded at Nancy’s words. You couldn’t and wouldn’t ignore Eddie forever, just a little more. After opening the car’s door, your arm brushed against your breast, and you noticed how tender it was.

“Another fucking day…” After that, Nancy and you parted ways.

After English class, you were supposed to go to lunch with the Hellfire Club, not that you were going to do it. You were still mad at your silly boyfriend. Just as you started walking through the hall, you noticed Eddie talking with Jeff in his locker. And just as he saw you, he started jogging towards you.

“Hey! Sweets, come here!” You turned away, running to the second floor, jumping against a boy’s lunch a little. “Y/n, wait!”

You were in better shape than Eddie. So you were able to run faster and hide in an empty classroom. After closing and locking the door, you saw Eddie’s shadow passing. You heard him mumbling and cursing in a low voice.

You just didn’t want to hear him yet.

_

There’s a tap on your window in the night. You know it’s Eddie. You ignore it and turn up the volume of your player. You were mad at him.

“Jesus, y/n. I’m getting numb all over here!” he could bet you were giggling. However, he kept hearing The Zombies across your room. He tapped again, more violently.

“Is not that high, Munson” you say after opening the door.

“Yeah, not when my balls are getting strangled by the tree right here” you roll your eyes and finally let him in. “See?. Wasn’t that hard to let me in, princess”

“Why don’t you go to tap on Chrissy’s window?” Eddie thinks it’s cute when you are jealous. He can finally see you in a pink top and underwear. Looking all cute with your fluffy hair, soft belly, and hard nipples visible under the top.

“I’m sorry. I know she can’t tell I’m not interested. But you were right, I should have told her no in the first place” you narrow your eyes looking at him accusingly. He’s giving you lost puppy eyes, you can’t stay mad any longer.

“Fine. I forgive you… but you have to tell me what’s in the bag. Plus, a massage on my tender and swollen tits” Eddie smiles and gives you a naughty smirk. He places the brown bag on your desk and turns to seat on the edge of your bed.

“I might have stopped in our favorite place to get some burritos, fries, and two slices of bread pudding and red velvet cake” after ignoring him for two days you feel a little guilty now. “Robin told me you are about to start your period. So I also got some painkillers and a heating pad. The one you wanted from K-Mart”

“Oh, Eddie” suddenly you get your eyes teary. You feel guilty because it wasn’t the big deal and you created such a show for nothing. “I love you so much, baby”

“I love you too, princess. Now come here” he pats his lap and you go without hesitation. He handles you so your back is touching his chest, your legs spread and his hands wrapped around your hips. “Let me show you how sorry I am”

“Tell me where it hurts” you guide his hands towards your tits. Instantly feeling a wave of heat shatter your entire body.

“My nipples, they’re hard and swollen. I can feel my tits so heavy, Eddie” maybe you are teasing him with your naughty tone. Eddie can’t help but feel his cock getting hard.

“Get comfortable, doll…”

_

“Oh, Eddie!” you were lucky to have the trailer by yourself. Your parents are out every Friday night. Perfect to let your boyfriend sneak in and let him fuck you. In this case, finger you. “Fuck!. I need more”

“You look so fucking hot right now,” he said behind you. The left side of your bed was facing a big mirror that was a door for your closet. Being a witness of you naked with your legs spread out for your boyfriend behind. One of his skilled hands caressed one of your breasts, now covered in baby oil. While the other was mercilessly fucking you. “C’mon, baby. Make a mess on your bed and the floor for me”

“Eddie!” He could hear you moaning all day and night. Your sounds always being so pretty and erotic at the same time. While you were discovering a weird pain kink. The way Eddie pinched your nipples and make you squirm was a lot of pleasure. A mix of pain and pleasure. “Yes! There, ohh!”

“Say you love how wet I make you…” you spread your legs more, holding on to his tight. Giving him more moans until you are starting to get a little shaky. “Shit!. I love how wet you make me. Always making me gush”

“Aww, Can you hear it? Squirt, princess” the squelching sound of your pussy was driving you crazy, but Eddie was concentrating on your tits bouncing in the mirror. They looked bigger after almost an hour of pinching and groping. Maybe he was also discovering a kink. His perverted little brain would associate your swollen breasts with you being pregnant. Fantasizing with you, moaning while he made you ride him, with leaky swollen tits and a bump in the middle… He opened his eyes in time to look at you squirting so hard while high moans left your mouth. Tears falling and a big blush on your cheeks. Without a warning, cum flooded his boxers.

“Goddamit” you heard him say. Because your eyes were seeing stars. Maybe you were still squirting, but you felt like under a spell. “And that’s how we start to ruin your mattress too, baby. We have to get matching stains!” . . “You’re a dork, Eddie. But thank you, my baby cramps feel better” trying to catch your breath, all you can hear is Eddie and you panting. Both with a goofy smile while looking at each other.

“You made me cum in my pants, y/n” a soft giggle from you made him smile. Your legs felt like jelly, so he helped you. “I think I have a breeding kink. Well, not sure if a breeding kink or lactation kink”

“My swollen tits made you cum on your pants like a pre-teenager?” he rolled his eyes, taking his pants off. The wet feeling was uncomfortable. “Don’t say it like that, but yeah. Your gorgeous swollen tits made me cum in my pants”

“You know women can lactate without being pregnant?” Eddie’s eyes opened widely. His cock getting hard again.

“Is that possible?” You nodded. Looking at the big wet spot on his boxers, you could see a new erection. Another thing to love about Eddie Munson, he was so needy just like you. “Tell me what you need and I’ll get it for you”

“Shit, Eddie. You are having a kink discovery.” This time, he moaned when you started to palm him under his boxers. He throws his head against your headboard. “That’s why you suggested the baby oil in my tits, little freak”

“Stop making me feel so nasty. But… Would you let me try to make you lactate?” How can you say no to that dorky and beautiful eyes of his? it was barely impossible without hormones or therapy. But you would let him try…”Yeah. But you better in your best behavior. And that includes avoiding Chrissy Cunningham”

“I swear. On Monday I’ll leave it clear for her…” you nod, still palming him. “After you cum… Can we eat? I’m hungry”

“Sure, princess…” he leaned to kiss you on the forehead, and then he let his cock out.

_

On the high school hallways. Chrissy was retouching her gloss when he heard Eddie’s voice, making her smile with excitement. But when she turned around, you were by his side. And when you two passed in front of her, Eddie decided to say something to you.

“You still sore, doll? Guess I was too rough with you last night. Hopefully, you’ll be lactating in a couple of months” you instantly blush. Abruptly stopping Eddie at the entrance of the cafeteria.

“Eddie Munson! You can’t say that things out loud!” Eddie giggled, giving a big hug in the process. “But you wanted me to tell Chrissy to stay away from me”

“You nasty little pervert. I love you” he kisses you. Hoping he will let you know how much he loves you.

Part 2 where Eddie gets reader to lactate?

[strangerthingsreversebigbang]

In case you missed them, here are the next ten works posted from the Stranger Things Reverse Big Bang! ___

Hellfire Ink by @hbyrde36 | Art by @glitterfang

Rating: E

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Pairings: Steve Harrington/ Eddie Munson

Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley, Chrissy Cunningham

Summary:

Not for the first time, Eddie was really regretting his decision to book a client on a Friday night, a new client at that.

It wasn’t as if he had anything better to do, exactly. There were no dates on his calendar, and going out to random bars and clubs on the weekends to look for quick hook-ups had begun losing its appeal lately.

But it’d been a long week, and he’d much rather be getting ready to plop down on the couch with Chrissy to split a bottle of red wine while they watched Drag Race, than preparing to do a cover up for some idiot who’d gotten their girlfriend’s name tattooed on his body, only to fall victim to—The Curse.

Ask any tattoo artist and they’d be the first to tell you, there was no surer way to guarantee a breakup than to ink your significant other’s name on your body forever.

Blue Moon by @thefreakandthehair | Art by @artbean

Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Rating: Mature

Pairing(s): Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson

Character(s): Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson

Summary:

Eddie expects Steve to laugh it off, or smile, or shake his head in incredulity. What he doesn’t expect is for Steve to lean back in and rest the side of his head on Eddie’s shoulder, his hair tickling Eddie’s jaw.  “She sounds a lot like you,” Steve continues, his voice just above a whisper. “You’re a moon guy now, right? Out here talking about it, pointing to it, telling me how pretty it is. Looks like you inherited some of that.”  It’s nice to be compared to his mom for once. Most of his life, he’s been likened to dear old dad. Al Munson and his gambling addiction, drugs, and alcohol. Al Munson and his penchant for grand theft auto. Al Munson who never graduated high school, who gave Eddie his last name and his first pocket knife only under the condition that he learn how to pick locks with it. Other than Wayne, no one ever says You’re just like your mom.  Well, until Steve Harrington, apparently. What a fucking turn of events. “That might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Steve."

Coming Home by @sunflowerharrington | Art by @glitterfang

Archive Warnings: Graphic Depictions of Violence

Rating: M

Pairings: Robin Buckley/Chrissy Cunningham

Characters: Robin Buckley, Chrissy Cunningham

Summary:

She’s fallen for her. Not like a tumble, but a full on wipeout. It’s the kind of feeling that lasts longer than the universe; the kind of feeling that’s greater than the number of planets and stars in the sky. It’s that head over heels kind of feeling she’s never felt before until now. She’s—

Chrissy Cunningham is in love with Robin Buckley.

Turn and face the strange by @pearynice | Art by @acidicbarkbeast

Archive Warnings: N/A

Rating: Explicit Pairings: Steve Harrington/ Eddie Munson Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Steve Harrington's Parents, Wayne Munson, Dustin Henderson

Summary: He never wanted this, is the thing. Never wanted to stay in Hawkins. Never wanted to work for his father. Never wanted to be the guy who peaked in high school. But once his options had dried up, this is exactly where Steve Harrington ends up. Enter Eddie Munson, who tears all of that to shreds, thank god.

The Last Strange Thing by @skepsiss | Art by @llamalpaca

Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Relationships: Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington & Robin Buckley

Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Nancy Wheeler, Joyce Byers, Jim "Hop" Hopper, Eddie Munson's Dad

Summary: Welcome to the apocalypse. The demo-infection has taken hold of the world, and humans are a rare thing these days. Still, people hang on to civilization in pockets across North America and beyond. Hawkins is one such place.  Steve Harrington is a scout who runs missions for Hawkins, and on one of those missions, he becomes separated from his scouting partner, Robin. He has to find his way across Indianapolis in an infected world, meeting one very important individual on the way, Eddie. The two of them must trust one another in order to journey across Indiana, while perhaps finding something softer to nurture with one another along the way.

You know what to do, when it gets hold of you. by @lady-lostmind | Art by @cxwzkeys

Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Rating: E

Pairings: Steve Harrington / Eddie Munson, Steve & Robin

Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, The Party

Summary:

Life is moving on after the defeat of Vecna. Everyone is going back to their regularly scheduled lives. Except Steve. Steve isn't convinced. He's sure they'll be thrown back into hell at any moment, and he's determined to be ready this time. Eddie Munson knows a distressed person when he sees one, and he's not going to let Steve get away with acting like he's fine.

Some Things You Just Can't Speak About by @karadanverss| Art by @justtoomuch

Rating: Teen and Up

Warning(s): Major Character Death

Character(s): Jonathan Byers, Steve Harrington, Jim “Chief” Hopper, Joyce Byers, Eleven | Jane Hopper, Steve Harrington’s Parents

Relationship(s): Jonathan Byers/Steve Harrington

Summary:

In the months following Will’s unexpected death, Steve keeps holding his breath. He’s waiting for Jonathan to fall apart and feel the loss of his brother. Steve’s waiting to help his boyfriend cope but it seems as though he’s willing himself to keep from mourning. When the dam finally breaks, it’s the one time Steve isn’t expecting it.

Or

5 times Steve thought Jonathan was going to break down + the 1 time he does

Under the Water (Our Hearts Will Dream Again) by @hitlikehammers | Art by @imfinereallyy

Rating: Explicit

Warning(s): No Archive Warnings Apply

Character(s): Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington

Relationship(s): Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson

Summary:

You’ve gotta understand: the truth about Eddie?

He’s shit as a pirate. Like: an absolute disgrace. Of all the bad names associated with the trade, if trade is what it can be called? He might just give it the worst.

But he’s enamored with the Sea. And if piracy’s his ticket to know it, and spend his days upon it? So be it. Failure be damned.

So it’s greater success than he ever expected when, on a routine fishing trip, what he catches is the most beautiful man he’s ever laid eyes on in his whole wretched failure-ridden existence. It’s almost impossible to believe at all when the man—snarky and canny and full of inexplicable talents and undeniable secrets—seems to be falling for Eddie as much as Eddie’s long tumbled overboard for him.

But the Sea—much as Eddie loves it—is a most treacherous thing. And its secrets are the sort that some souls—some loves—aren’t meant to survive the knowing.

A Walking, Talking Reason to Live by @oh-stars | Art by @ciriceart

Rating: Teens and Up

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Pairings: Steve Harrington/ Eddie Munson

Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington

Summary: Eddie Munson has never had a friend like Steve before. He's just not used to having friends that are his age, that don't have some power imbalance with. So when Steve starts to hang out with Eddie, he's so shocked that they're friends, he doesn't realize there may be something else building.

Sought for Joy by @janie-bean | Art by @hereforanepilogue

Rating: Mature

Warning(s): Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Character(s): Steve Harrington; Eddie Munson; Robin Buckley; Nancy Wheeler; Dustin Henderson; Wayne Munson; The Party – extended.

Relationship(s): Eddie Munson & The Party; Eddie Munson & Wayne Munson; Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley; (Implied) Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson

Summary: "He is still there, but he is hiding from me." The Party have fought long and hard, but finally the Upside Down has been banished once more, and with it, their lost bard returned to them. But it's not yet time to rest, Eddie Munson remains lost to them, trapped in his own head by the echo of Vecna. It will take the whole party to bring him back, if they can at all.

---

Stay tuned for more incredible works from the Stranger Things Reverse Big Bang!

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[chrisbitchtree]

(I'm So Happy To Be) Stuck With You

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!! 💕💕💕 Please join me in celebrating Billy and Steve’s love!!

Thank you to @gracethieved for supplying this great prompt!!

5.6k - T

***

Looking back on the day, as he and Steve stand side by side in Hopper’s workshop, waiting for the chief of police to cut through the handcuffs connecting the two of them, Billy can admit to himself that this wasn’t his brightest idea.

Hopper’s grumbling about what idiots they are, both for getting themselves into this situation, and for not coming to him sooner, after already chewing them out for interrupting his Valentine’s Day date with Joyce, but it’s all worth it when he tells them they’re free. Billy can only hope that Steve doesn’t storm off now that he’s not forced to be by Billy’s side.

***

It all starts three days before, when he and Steve are discussing their plans for Valentine’s Day. It’s their first one as a couple, but Billy has to watch Max that night, so that his dad and Susan can go out, so he wants to celebrate it on the 13th, because it’s the first time he’s been with anyone on Valentine’s Day and he loves Steve, even if he hasn’t said it yet. He’s planning to say it for the first time that night, letting himself be vulnerable in a way he hasn’t been in a long time, but Steve has to go and ruin it.

“I’m sorry, Billy, but I can’t celebrate that night. I have a huge English test on the 14th, and it could make or break me going to college. Not all of us are smart enough that it’s guaranteed that we’ll get in everywhere we apply. I promise we’ll celebrate the next weekend.”

Billy knows he’s being a brat, but it doesn’t stop the words that come out of his mouth. “Some of us actually have to try at school. Not all of us have rich daddies who’ll take care of us if we don’t get in somewhere.”

He immediately knows from the look on Steve’s face that he’s taken things too far. Steve’s sensitive about his parent’s wealth. Billy knows that wasn’t always the case, but Steve’s tried really hard in the last year or so to eschew the protection his parent’s wealth has afforded him and tried to make it on his own. Billy’s really proud of him, and now he’s hit Steve right where it hurts.

“I’m so-“ Billy starts, but Steve cuts him off, turning towards his desk.

“I think you should go, Billy. I have studying to do.” He sits and opens the battered copy of Hamlet sitting in front of him. Billy’s supposed to help him with it, but he has a feeling his assistance is no longer wanted.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay and help?” he asks, softly.

“No thanks, I’ll call Nancy if I’m stuck.” Ouch, that one hurts. Steve knows that Billy’s not the biggest fan of Steve’s friendship with his ex, but he supposes he deserves it, so he just leaves instead of biting back.

He drives home with a lump in his throat and tears threatening to spill from the corners of his eyes, but he thankfully manages to hold it in until he’s back home, in his room under the covers. Once he’s there, they pour, soaking into his shirt and blanket like a heavy summer rain.

He feels stupid and embarrassed, and frankly, underneath it all, still a little upset with Steve. He knows it’s not his fault that he needs to study, but Billy wishes he was more important than anything else in the world to Steve, and right now it definitely doesn’t feel like he is.

He falls asleep with his nose stuffed and head pounding from the drove of tears, his heart hurting and feeling about two inches tall, and in the morning, he doesn’t feel much better. As soon as Neil lets him leave the table after their mandatory family time Sunday breakfast, he heads out to the nearest payphone.

He’s praying that Steve picks up, but when he gets Steve’s mom’s snotty voice telling him that they’re not home right now and to leave a message, he hangs up and tries again, achieving the same result. He stands in the phonebooth, fighting the urge to drive over to Steve’s house, knowing it’s best to give him space. That lasts about five hours.

Billy knows that Steve works that afternoon, so after a few hours of stewing in his room, chain smoking cigarettes and lifting weights, he showers, does his hair and heads over to Family Video. He can see Steve retreating into the backroom as he approaches the door, and Billy’s left to talk to Buckley.

“Hey, Billy,” she greets him, tone neutral. “If you’re looking for Steve, you just missed him. It’s dead, so I sent him home early.”

“I just saw him go into the backroom,” Billy replies, peering over her shoulder.

Robin shakes her head. “Nope, sorry. He’s not here.”

Billy sighs. “Well, if you’re talking to him anytime soon, can you tell him that I’m sorry, and I’d like a chance to tell him directly?” He can only hope that Steve can hear him from his hiding spot.

Buckley nods. “Sure, I’ll let him know.”

Billy has no reason to stay after that, but he doesn’t really want to go home yet, so he drives around for a while, eventually parking on the side of a backroad where he can sit and feel like shit in peace.

***

Steve doesn’t return the two calls Billy places to his house later that night, so Billy officially decides to wait for Steve to come to him. He doesn’t, and it tears Billy apart, especially when he gets to the cafeteria on Monday to find Steve already sitting with Nancy and Jonathan, instead of their usual table with the rest of the basketball team.

Billy sulks, barely tasting the fries he’s absentmindedly dipping in ketchup as Tommy yammers on, telling some completely made-up story about banging Wheeler’s mom at a motel on the outskirts of town the night before. He keeps trying to sneak glances at Steve and is met with sympathetic smiles from Nancy until he throws the remainder of his lunch in the trash and heads to smoke under the bleachers until the bell rings and he can at least try to focus on his classes.

***

By Tuesday night, Steve still hasn’t spoken to him, so Billy gets desperate. He heads to Hopper’s to pick up Max, bringing along, as requested a book that Max borrowed from El and forgot to return. He rings the bell and he’s greeted by Hopper who takes the book and goes to get Max.

That’s when Billy sees them, Hopper’s handcuffs, sitting near the door, not even locked. Perfect. He pockets them just before Hopper returns with Max. They drive home in silence, Billy already formulating a plan for the morning. By the time to go to bed, he’s sure this is going to work.

***

The next morning, Valentine’s Day, he gets up extra early, putting a lot of extra care and attention into how he looks. He rushes Max out the door the second she’s done eating, determined to beat Steve to school. He has to for the plan to work. He drops Max off at school, then heads to the Hawkins High parking lot to wait.

Before long, Steve arrives and Billy sprints out of the car, determined to reach his boyfriend before he can run away without hearing Billy out again. Steve tries, gathering his books and walking as fast as his long legs will allow, which is almost too fast for Billy to keep up, but he’s finally able to grab him by the back of the coat.

“Steve, I know you’re mad at me, but we need to talk. I at least want a chance to say I’m sorry for how I acted and what I said.” He gets it out in a rush before Steve can push him off.

“I’m sorry, Billy, but I’m not ready to talk yet. I’ll let you know when, ok?” he holds his books to his chest nervously, looking exhausted.

It breaks Billy’s heart, but he can’t wait any longer. He removes his handcuffed hand from his jacket pocket and gets Steve’s hand cuffed in before he can protest. “No, Steve. We’re going to talk, ok? I can’t take this anymore. If I uncuff you, do you promise that you’ll talk to me?”

Steve sighs, sounding resigned. “Fine, ok. Let me go, and I’ll give you two minutes.”

Billy’s shaking he’s so happy. The same joyful shaking causes him to drop the keys to the handcuffs down a sewer grate the second he extracts them from his pocket. He and Steve both stare at the grate in horror for a minute, as if that’s going to get the keys back, before Steve starts to panic. “What the fuck, Billy. Please tell me you have another set of keys. I have to take that test in two hours. Tell me you have a solution.”

Billy desperately wishes he could say yes. He looks up to see Steve’s face red with anger.

“I’m going to kill you Billy,” he growls.

“I thought you had a test to write? Might be kind of hard to do that from jail.” Billy knows it’s not the time for jokes, but he can’t help trying to defuse some of the tension. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t work.

Steve looks ready to throw down. “Fine. I’m going to write this stupid test, then I’m going to kill you.” He drags Billy behind him as he marches into the school.

Trying to fight the blush he can feel covering his cheeks, Billy follows Steve down the hallway towards their lockers. Of course, they’re on the far side of the school, so what feels like every single student at Hawkins High gawks at them as the metal rattles between them. Their lockers are only two apart from each other, but it’s just far enough that they can’t each get into their own at the same time, and neither wants to give into the other, so they keep pulling each other back and forth. It’s not even 9am and Bill’s already sick of this stupid plan. Sick of the cold metal cutting into his wrist, and sick of only having the use of one hand. already over this stupid plan. The only thing he accomplished was making Steve madder at him than he already was anyway. He can’t even imaging what coach is going to say when they shows up as basketball practice like this after school. Finally, after ten minutes of bickering and one near miss when the poor freshman that has the misfortune of having one of the lockers between Billy and Steve tries to get her books into hers, they‘re were on their way to home room. If there’s one thing they can be thankful for today, it’s that they have most of the same classes and the same lunch period. Billy will have to skip his own English class to accompany Steve to his own so he can write his test. Home room is fine, since it’s just Ms. Click rambling on about the upcoming fundraising bake sale that the cheerleading team is putting on in the cafeteria at lunch and a reminder to show school spirit by cheering on the Hawkins Tigers basketball team this coming Friday’s game. Billy makes a mental note to get to lunch early so he doesn’t miss out on Chrissy Cunningham’s chocolate cupcakes. Steve loves chocolate. Maybe that’ll cheer him up a bit and get him to finally listen to Billy’s apology. It hasn’t occur to either him or Steve until they get to math class that that writing will be a problem since Steve’s right handed and Billy’s left handed, and of course it’s Steve’s right hand and Billy’s left that’re cuffed together. For fuck sake. They just can’t win. Mr. Jones eyes them suspiciously when they slide their desks together. “Hargrove, Harrington. What are you two doing back there?” He makes his way to the back of the room, and they hold up their wrists for his inspection.

“A stupid dare,” Steve mutters. “We’re going to deal with it as soon as we can, but we didn’t want to miss any schoolwork.”

After the amount of classes they’ve both skipped, Mr. Jones can’t really argue with that, so he leaves them to it.

The majority of the class is spent dragging their conjoined hands back and forth, leaving pencil marks all over their desks and papers, until Billy promises that he’ll share his notes with Steve later if Steve lets him do the writing. It really isn’t much better that way though, what with having to drag Steve along with him every time he moves his pencil.

And Steve isn’t doing much to help, turning his hand into a dead weight, lower lip stuck out like a pouting child. Billy takes a deep breath, stopping himself before he can say anything rude or hurtful. He got them into this mess in the first place, so he just has to take what Steve gives.

They tell the same tale to their history teacher, Ms. Simmons, and she leaves them be, so that class goes much the same, Billy writing notes and Steve making it as difficult as possible.

Halfway through class, he can see Steve start to tense up out of the corner of his eye, looking paler than he did earlier, and a little green, and at first Billy thinks Steve’s going to be sick. There’s been a bug floating around the school for the past month, so he’s not surprised. He prepares himself to run to the garbage can in the corner of the room, but then he remembers Steve’s upcoming test.

“Hey,” he whispers, trying to get Steve’s attention.

Steve barely spares him a glance, but Billy can tell he’s listening. “You’re going to do great on your test. I promise. I know you know your stuff; we’ve been studying for weeks with our special method. The special method had been that for each question Steve got right, Billy took off an article of clothing, and he if got them all right, Billy would suck his dick. It had been a rousing success.

Steve turns slightly, giving Billy the barest hint of a smile. “I know, I’m just worried that Mrs. Cartwright won’t let me take the test with you attached to my wrist. What if she says no? What then?”

Billy longs to run a soothing hand over his back, but he doesn’t think that’ll be received too well, so he settles for what he hopes are reassuring words. “Come on, pretty boy, you know how much Mrs. C likes me. I’ll sweet talk her into t if I have to.” He throws in a wink for good measure, and Steve only grimaces slightly in return. Billy will take that as a win.

The next awkward scenario they encounter is the washroom. Billy votes to hold it all day, but Steve insists he has to piss before English. “There’s no way I’m going to be able to focus with a full bladder, man.”

Billy sighs. “Maybe you should have forgone your three morning coffees for once.”

Steve turns to him, and if looks could kill, Billy would be dead right now. “You know I need caffeine to wake up in the mornings, and it’s not like I knew I was going to be chained to someone all day when I drank them!”

Ok, fair point.

Billy lets Steve drag him into the washroom, and tries not to look as Steve whips his dick out. They finish up quickly, and head to Steve’s English class. Hopefully his own English teacher doesn’t miss him too much. He’s sure she won’t though. He’s been on rocky ground in that class since he challenged her opinions on the Great Gatsby a couple weeks ago.

Mrs. Cartwright is on them the second they enter the class, handcuffs clanking between them. “Good morning, Steven,” She says, an amused smile on her face. “You’ve brought a visitor with you today? You know I can’t allow that on a regular day, let alone when we have a test.”

Billy gives her a megawatt smile, stepping in front of Steve to explain. “Hi, Mrs. C., I know Steve has a test today, but I’m hoping you’ll still let him write it, even with me hanging around. Literally.” He holds up their attached wrists and she rolls her eyes at his lame attempt at a joke but lets him go on. “It’s my fault that we’re cuffed together. It was a stupid prank and I take full responsibility for it. So please let Steve write the test. I know it’s important. Please, please let him write it.”

At first, she seems unsure of what to say, but thankfully, she must hear the sincerity in his tone, because she relents. “Alright, you can both stay, but not a peep out of you the entire class, Mr. Hargrove, and if you guys show up like this again tomorrow, I’m not letting you in.”

They agree, and take their seats, Steve visibly shaking as he sits down. Mrs. Cartwright distributes the tests, and Billy whispers to Steve, trying to remind him to take calming breaths. Steve does, then resumes tapping his pencil on his desk.

Mrs. Cartwright puts the test facedown on Steve’s desk, wishing him luck as she walks away.

Once she says they can, the students flip over the tests. Billy pulls a book out his bag and ready with his free hand while letting Steve drag his left hand all over. He seems to be writing quickly, which Billy thinks is a good thing. He just hopes that Steve’s taking enough time to think his answers through. He really needs a good mark on this.

In the blink of an eye, the bell is ringing to signify the end of class, and with it, the test. Steve drops his pencil and lets out a breath so big, Billy thinks he may have been holding it in for weeks. His shoulders visibly relax, and the jittering doesn’t fully stop, but it lessens.

“Can I buy you lunch?” Billy asks.

Steve doesn’t reply, but he does nod, so Billy takes that as a yes. They stop at their lockers to drop off their books, better coordinated than they were earlier in the morning, aided by the fact that the girl they bumped into earlier sees them and turns right back around the way she came.

Books deposited securely in their lockers, they head to the cafeteria, making a beeline for the bake sale table and Chrissy’s cupcakes. Billy shells out for four of them, much to Chrissy’s delight, her ponytail bouncing and smile a mile wide as she hands them over.

“How are you and Munson doing? He get you anything for Valentine’s Day?” Steve asks as she takes the bills Billy hands her. The previous fall, Cunningham and her boyfriend, Jason, had broken up, and to everyone’s shock, she’d taken up with Eddie Munson, guitarist for local band Corroded Coffin, leader of Hawkins High’s DnD club, and the town’s premier drug dealer. Billy had been surprised, but she seemed genuinely happy for the first time since he’d met her, so who’s he to judge?

“We’re good. Really good.” Her smile grows impossibly wider as she fishes something out from her uniform. It’s a chain with a guitar pick swinging from it. It’s sweet, and Billy’s happy to see that she’s being treated right.

Billy hands Steve the plate of cupcakes and leads him to the lunch line, where he buys them both a burger, fries, and a coke. They sit with the basketball team, Billy telling them to shove off when they start ribbing them for spending Valentine’s Day of all day attached to each other.

“But-“ Tommy tried to get out.

“This is the last time I tell you to shut your fucking mouth, Hagan.” Billy says, his eyes like daggers as he tosses a fry at the idiots head.

“I think I need a smoke. Steve, join me?”

“It’s not like I have a choice” Steve grumbles, grabbing his bag.

Tommy stands to join them, and Billy shoots him a look. “Not you, asshole.”

Tommy sits, and Billy and Steve make their way out to the bleachers.

“So, who do these belong to anyway, Hopper?” Steve asks as Billy lights his smoke for him. “He’s going to kill you when he finds out.”

Billy nods, filing that away as a conversation he’s not eager to have, right along with the one he knows Steve’s going to want to have with him about his recent behaviour.

They smoke in silence for a few minutes, giving Billy just a little bit longer, but soon, Steve turns to him.

“So, you wanna talk about why you handcuffed us together this morning, Bills?”

“It’s stupid,” Billy mumbles. “Embarrassing.” He takes one last puff of his smoke before stubbing it out under his boot.

Steve motions for him to continue.

“At first, I was just upset because I wanted to celebrate Valentine’s Day with you. I’ve never had a valentine before, and I got all excited.”

Steve had a hint of a smile on his face as he bumped Billy’s shoulder with his own. “Awwwww, I’m your valentine, Billy? I’m honoured.”

“Shut it, Harrington.” Billy replied, but there was no heat behind it. “Anyway, I know I was being a baby about it, but I wanted a special night for the two of us. We don’t get to do special a lot. But then I had to go act like an idiot and ruin it all. Sorry, again, by the way, for what I said. I still feel like a piece of shit about it.

I just built it up so big in my head, and got scared that it wouldn’t just be a little breathing room, and that you’d never talk to me again, so I got desperate. Hence the handcuffs. Clearly not my best idea ever. And now you’re pissed at me, and Hopper is going to be pissed at me.

It’s just that we’re reaching the end of our senior year. We might not end up going to college together, and are we really going to make long distance work? If you even want to try long distance? I never even bothered to ask. Maybe you want your freedom, so you can bang other people. Then you’re going to meet a chick and marry her, and where will that leave me?” Billy knew he was rambling but was finding it hard to stop.

“Woah,” Steve said, placing a hand on Billy’s shoulder. “First, I’m not pissed at you, Billy. I mean, I am, about the handcuffs, but not the other stuff. Yes, I was upset about what you said, but I know you don’t mean it, and we all say things we don’t mean when we’re upset, sometimes. Honestly, I should have communicated better. I just needed some time to get the studying done. We’re going to have to talk through the other stuff later, but I promise you that I have no intention of running off with someone else. I like you a lot, and we have a good thing going. I don’t want to lose that. If I forgive you, will you forgive me?”

Billy nodded. “Deal. Now, we have a couple hours until basketball practice. We can’t skip, because you know how much shit coach gave us last time, but until then, can I take my valentine for a milkshake at Benny’s? I promise, as soon as my dad and Susan are gone tonight, I’ll talk to Hopper and figure out how to get these things off.”

“Ok,” Steve nodded, his smile brightening. “I’ll allow it.”

***

Benny, the owner of Benny’s Burgers, is rumoured to be in a relationship with Mr. Scott, the middle school science teacher, so his restaurant is Billy and Steve’s favourite. They feel comfortable and safe there.

Benny barely bats an eye at the handcuffs when he brings them their shake, nor does he mention the fact that he’s put two straws in one strawberry shake. In fact, when they try to pay, he says it’s on the house, a kind smile on his face.

Billy and Steve sit and talk for over an hour, reminiscing about the memories they’ve made in their time together, and laughing about the time they spent as rivals when Billy first rolled into Hawkins. It seems silly now, to think that there was a time that they weren’t best friends, lovers, and so much more.

Once they’ve drained the milkshake and they’re skirting on the edge of the school day, they head back to Hawkins High to face the coach.

***

It’s not until they get to the locker room that they realize that since they’re attached, they can’t change into their gym shirts. They walk out into the gym in their standard issue green Hawkins High gym shorts, Billy in a grey Henley and his jean jacket, and Steve in a blue and pink striped polo.

“Harrington, Hargrove, what the hell is going on?” Coach asks, the second they step into the gym, his eyes laser focused on them.

“Well…”

“Ummm…”

“Laps. The both of you. No stopping until practice is over.” He shakes his head. “Not sure why I would expect anything more from my co-captains…”

Well, that could have gone much worse, Billy thinks, as he and Steve start to jog around the perimeter of the gym. It’s hard for them to keep pace with each other, as Steve’s longer legs lend to longer strides, but they do their best to meet in the middle.

They try to take their punishment seriously, for the sake of saving face with the coach, but it’s hard with the stupid handcuffs clanging between them. He’s starting to feel like he and Steve are prisoners on the run. At first, it’s just a giggle that escapes him, but before long, Steve joins in, and they get louder and louder, until they can barely move, doubled over with laughter.

“Are you two looking to stay an extra hour and run some more laps?” Coach calls from the other side of the gym. That shuts them up quick. They need to get out of here as soon as possible and get these stupid things off.

Finally practice ends, and after they put the balls away in the equipment storage room, per the coach’s instructions, and head to the locker room to shower. It doesn’t occur to them until that point that that won’t be easy. Billy votes for just skipping the shower, but Steve votes shower and Billy is hardly going to argue with him.

Billy has to remember to try to look uncomfortable having Steve’s naked body so close to him. It’s not easy, because fuck, he has a beautiful body and Billy’s obsessed with it. But he has to remain calm. No boners allowed.

Steve showers first, with Billy holding Steve’s shirt at his wrist, trying as best as he can to keep it out of the spray of the shower, but Steve has no such concerns for Billy’s body. He does everything he can to make sure Billy gets as wet as possible. When he’s sure no one is looking, he throws Billy a wink.

Steve takes forever to finish his shower, one handed as he is. It’s not exactly like Billy can help him without raising suspicions Once Steve is done and toweled off, he holds Billy’s shirt while he has his turn. He’s quick about it because he knows Max will be waiting.

When they get out to the Camaro, Max is leaning against it, backpack slung over one shoulder and her skateboard under one arm.

“Hey, shitbird,” Billy says, by way of greeting.

“Hey, Max.” Steve adds, tisking fondly at Billy.

“Hey, asshole… and Steve?” Max replies as she hops into the backseat and buckles her seatbelt. Once she’s in, Billy and Steve begin awkwardly shuffling into the car, Steve having to climb awkwardly over the centre console, almost hitting his head on the way over.

“Do I even want to know what this is about?” Max asks, sighing.

Billy isn’t sure what to say. Max knows he and Steve are friends, but he can never be sure if that’s all she knows, and he’s definitely not going to ask.

Steve just laughs. “Probably not.”

Thankfully, she doesn’t mention it again, except to ask where they got the cuffs, and what they’re going to do about it.

“They’re Hopper’s. You up for a trip to see El at the cabin this evening?”

“Oh shit,” she laughs. “He’s going to kill you when he finds out you took his handcuffs. And lost the keys. And he’s having Joyce over tonight. He rented El and Will a movie and he’s ordering them pizza and making Joyce a nice dinner. He’s gonna be extra pissed at you for interrupting that.”

Billy gulps. Of course, this can’t be easy. And on top of that, he has to somehow explain to Neil how he came to have Steve Harrington handcuffed to him. He asks Max if she has any ideas about how to get around that.

“Simple,” she says, way to comfortable with making up lies on the spot. “You call Neil from and my mom from the arcade and tell him you’ve brought me there to play some games for a bit. My mom isn’t making dinner tonight, so they won’t care. As long as you guys are detached by the time they get home at 10, you’ll be good.”

Billy nods and Steve thanks her. She’s a genius.

***

The plan goes off without a hitch, Susan quickly agreeing, telling Billy to have Max home in time to do her homework.

That taken care of, Steve insists on taking Max for a burger before they head to Joyce’s, so they head back to Benny’s for the second time that day.

This time, they actually spot Mr. Clarke among the crowd of kids grabbing an after school snack to ruin their dinner with. He’s sitting at the counter, and Benny’s handing him a plate of heart shaped pancakes, with bacon on top, also arranged in the shape of a heart. The two men are having a lively conversation of some sort, Mr. Clarke’s arms waving all around, as if explaining something, and Benny’s head is thrown back in laughter. It makes Billy smile to see them together. It gives Billy hope for his future with Steve, seeing two older queer men living a happy, comfortable life.

Once they’re done there, they head to Joyce’s house. Billy thinks about calling ahead but decides it might honestly be better to just show up unannounced. There’s a small chance that he’ll yell less in person. Or maybe he’ll yell more. Only one way to find out.

Once they arrive at the Byers’ house, they get out of the car and walk up to the front door, placing Max in front of them for protection. They ring the bell and wait. Will appears at the front door a minute later, El peering over his shoulder.

“Uh, hey guys, is Hopper here?” Even as he says it, he can already hear Hopper’s heavy footfall as he makes his way to the door.

El and Will retreat back into the living room and they’re face to face with Hopper, his arms crossed over his chest. “So, here to return something to me?” Of course, he’s already figured out it was Billy that took the cuffs. Max, the little rat, pushes past him to join El and Will.

Billy gives Hopper his most charming grin as he holds up his and Steve’s conjoined wrists. “Sorry? Please help get them off?” It comes out like a question, and he flinches, waiting for Hopper to tear into them.

Hopper sighs. “You know, I’m not even going to ask what happened here. I’m way too happy today to care. Please just promise that it won’t happen again. Ok? Just one question though, why didn’t you just use the keys?”

Billy and Steve mumble something about the sewer grate, and Hopper just shakes his head. He grabs his coat, leading them out to his shed. Minutes later, after some assistance from a pair of bolt cutters, they’re free. They both rub their wrists, sighing in relief and thanking Hopper.

“You know,” Hopper says, as they head back to the house. “If there’s somewhere you’d rather be tonight than watching Max, we’ve already ordered a pizza for Will and El, and they’ve rented a movie. Max can stay, if you want to pick her up at about 9?”

They take him up on the offer immediately, thanking him profusely. Billy lets Max know the plan for the evening, then he and Steve hop in the car and head to Steve’s house as quickly as they can. They’ve got three hours, and it feels like they've got a lot of lost time to make up for.

Once they’re in Steve’s bed though, they take it slowly, because what’s a few days when they think of all the years they’ll be together. Really, they’ve got all the time in the world.

[resident-gay-bitch]

Day Two of @steddie-week - bittersweet / fluff and-or angst / fade to black

find the previous day here :)

Eddie never thought he’d end up here. 

After all this time, he never thought Steve would be the one cradling him and checking over his wounds. He’d always had to fight the urge for it to be the other way around, to hold himself back when he’d see Steve get shoved to the ground, or after he showed up to school with bruises on his face, or that night after the mall fire when he was in the back of an ambulance beaten and bloody and crying. 

Eddie had always wanted to comfort Steve, but he’d always stopped himself. Steve had other people. People that mattered more. People that weren’t Freaks (except like Buckley now, but she was a cool freak, so…). People he’d actually like to be helped by. 

But fuck, the universe was never good to Eddie, was it? 

First it gives him the most heart harrowing crush on Steve fucking Harrington and burdens him with it for four long years, and now it makes Eddie bleed out in his tanned, muscular arms. 

What a way to go, huh? 

“Hey man… don’t… don’t close your eyes.” 

Eddie could barely shake his head as he tried his best to smile, “Couldn’t keep ‘em cl- closed if I… wanned too, St-Stevie.” 

“Why’s that?” Steve sobbed, his minds focus set on keeping Eddie talking, not really thinking much about it, as his hands applied pressure where the blood seeped from his pale skin as Nancy tried her best to tie his wounds off. They could both hear Dustin wailing into Robin's shoulder in the near distance. 

“Cause you’re… beautiful.” Eddie managed to croak out, his mouth filling with more blood as he coughed and spluttered and whined when he saw it splashed up onto Steve’s wet cheek. 

Steve was covered in his blood. 

Eddie’s blood. 

Eddie was going to die like this, and the last thing he’s going to see is Steve crying and covered in his blood. 

The universe was so fucking cruel. 

Eddie couldn’t do this anymore. 

“Hey! Hey!” Steve was slapping his cheek and Eddie forced his eyes open. 

He was so tired. 

“I’m…m’wake…” Eddie slurred and huffed and attempted to roll his eyes, “Ms…” he clicked his tongue and hoped Steve would get it. 

Steve did. He let out a tiny little laugh and shook his head down at Eddie. Only then did Eddie realise Steve had a hand under his head, because he felt Steve’s fingers scratch his scalp and it was a very nice feeling. Eddie suddenly knew exactly how dogs felt now. He wanted Steve to do it again. 

“Don’t worry, Eddie.” Steve said, his voice as calming as he could make it in this moment. 

Eddie could tell it was hard for him to do, his tone still strangled, but god he appreciated it. He appreciated everything Steve had done for him and all his little sheepies now. Steve was far better than he’d always thought, and maybe that’s why the universe had pushed Eddie to fall for this pretty disaster. Maybe the universe could see Steve needed someone a little different like Eddie to love him. Someone who never cared about social status, or the prejudice shit thrown his way every day, or anything like that. Maybe Steve just needed someone with a big heart and a lot to give to hold his hand through all the bullshit he’s been through. Maybe the universe was trying to push Eddie towards him from the very start, because maybe that would have changed things. Maybe that would have made things easier for the both of them. 

Either way, Eddie loved Steve now, every little crack and splinter of his hollowing heart- because Steve was good. Steve was soft, and kind, and yeah really bitchy but in a good way. And Steve needed someone to love him. 

And Eddie could have been that person. 

But he guessed he’d never know now. 

“Ms. Clicks not here right now.” Steve forced a smile, “Don’t worry… don’t worry-“ 

“Good.” Eddie gritted out, and he was really struggling now. He could feel Nancy's nimble fingers working double time to keep his blood in, but he could just feel it spilling out in other places, “Hurts.” 

“I know.” Steve said, and it was softer. It hurt more. Eddie didn’t like that tone. He didn’t like it one bit. He didn’t want Steve to hurt anymore. He hated he was the one hurting him right now, “I know, Eddie.” He scrunched his fingers against Eddie’s scalp again and it was heavenly, “It’s okay, you’ll be okay.” 

Eddie smiled and shook his head, “N-nah… man.” 

“Yes.” Steve said, and it was almost forceful. 

Eddie looked at him for a moment, tracked the fresh tears that ran down Steve’s pretty cheeks and carried away the splattered blood. Eddie had about a hundred new songs swimming around in his head right now, ones of love and loss and hero’s. It’s a shame he’d never get to write them. A shame he’d never get to play them for Steve. 

“Ok-ay.” Eddie whispered and attempted to nod his head. 

He gritted his teeth because it hurt. Everything hurt. 

He looked back up at Steve, and he could barely comprehend anything else. Steve was looking at Nancy, they were talking, but Eddie couldn’t understand. He couldn’t focus on their fast paced words and half their conversation was shared with silent looks anyway. Eddie didn’t need to understand to know it wasn’t good. 

He’s already made as much peace with it as he could. 

“I wish you’d notice me.” Eddie spoke softly, because it’s all he could muster at that moment, his eyes boaring right at Steve as if looking at anything else would bring his end along quicker. 

Maybe it might. 

Maybe he’d live a minute or two longer, just for Steve. 

“Huh?” Steve turned his attention dead on Eddie (yeah, I know, not the best use of words right now), “Oh… I notice you.” 

Eddie smiled softly, blinked a few times, “I… I wish you’d… see me.” He swallowed, and he hated the metallic taste that came with it. He wanted this to be over already. All of it, “S-see me… th-the way I…” 

“Take your time.” Steve whispered, his hand that was drenched in Eddie’s blood moving up to cradle his cheek so softly. 

“I… s-s-see y…ou.” Eddie spluttered, and it hurt. Not just everything, but his heart. It felt like it was being split in half right now. 

“I do.” Steve muttered, learning over Eddie more, his bloody hand smoothing over Eddie’s wet cheek and holding him tighter in place, “I do, Eddie.” 

Eddie shook his head, “N-no… I’m- I m-mean, I-“ 

“I know.” Steve sobbed and kissed Eddie right between his eyebrows, “I know… and- and I see you. I see you so clearly. You’re the brightest star in my galaxy.” 

Eddie sobbed and hated - more than he’d hated anything in his life before - the blood that bubbled between his lips and spluttered out onto Steve’s face again. His own pretty lips and cheeks now splattered scarlett red and stained with Eddie’s death. He tried his best to raise a hand and wipe it away. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t move. He was paralysed. 

All he could do was cry. 

“I’ve got you, Eddie.” Steve whispered and pressed their cheeks together, his voice a soft song in Eddie’s ear and he hoped it would play for the rest of his life, “I see you, and I’ve got you.” 

Eddie nodded his head and felt Steve’s fingers scratch against his scalp again. 

Fuck the universe. 

Fucking fuck! 

They could have had everything. 

But soon they’ll  have nothing. 

Eddie would just have to pray that now was enough for Steve, because it was certainly more than Eddie could have ever asked for. 

Eddie mustered the biggest smile he could give, and gave it all to Steve, “Y-you’re s-o… beaut-beauti…ful.” 

“So are you.” Steve muttered, cradelling Eddie close, and he could feel hands on his body and movement all around him, but he didn’t care about any of that, he just begged his eyes to stay open so he could keep them on Steve, “So beautiful, Ed’s.” 

“Mhm.” Eddie swallowed and spluttered again, a groan when someone’s hand hit a tender spot on his stomach, “S-Steve…” 

“Eddie.” Steve whispered back, “Eddie Munson.” 

“F-f…reak.” 

“Mine.” 

Eddie whimpered and felt his heart clench. All the pain in his body suddenly went numb. All he could feel was Steve. 

“Do you like that?” Steve asked, his eyes darting out and around before focusing back on Eddie below him. 

“Mhm.” Eddie mumbled, struggling to get his thoughts together. His eyelids were so heavy, “S…te-eve.” 

“That’s me.” Steve said quietly, “Steve Harrington.” 

“K-ing.” 

There was a moment of hesitation before Steve nodded and said, “King Steve.” 

Eddie tried his best to shake his head and smile, “Was.” He said simply, “N-now… m-mmm-mine.” 

Steve almost laughed at that, and Eddie didn’t exactly understand why. He thought maybe he’d gotten it wrong. Maybe Steve wasn’t his afterall. Maybe he’d gotten his dumb stupid wish and been like one of those many girls he’d send dirty looks to that hung off of Steve’s arm each week. Maybe he was Steve’s, but Steve wasn’t his. 

“Yours.” Steve repeated simply, “For as long as you’ll have me, Eddie.” 

Eddie would have him forever, if he could. 

But now would have to do. 

He closed his eyes. 

“O-k-kay.” 

“Okay.” Steve said back. 

“G’bye… S-ste…vie.” Eddie choked out. He wished he could see whether Steve was smiling right now. He hoped he was. He hoped he’d die with Steve’s pretty smile shining down on him. But he was far too tired to open his eyes again, “S…ee y-you.” 

“Soon.” Steve said, like a promise, “I’ve got you, baby… I see you.” 

Despite being on death's doorstep, Eddie did feel pretty damn good right now. 

**

read Day Three here

\/ a dodgy art piece for this one \/

[brionysea]

okay SO. @madwheelerz' manifestation theory. in trying to wrap my head around it, i have come across some THOUGHTS

season 1

mike wants will back. the universe rearranges itself to give him this. i find the first season the easiest to understand in terms of mike's internal world being expressed through the supernatural, because of its relative simplicity

season 2

mike wants el back. the universe, again, rearranges itself to give him this. the new supernatural threat draws el out of hiding and back to the party

there's also a lot of talk about trauma this season. a lot of it is limited to what they knew about PTSD in the 80s but i find it really, really interesting in this context

owens: it's called the anniversary effect. we've seen this with soldiers. the anniversary of an event brings back traumatic memories. sort of opens up the neurological floodgates, so to speak.

hopper: so what does this mean for the kid? he's gonna have more episodes, nightmares?

owens: yeah, that. maybe some personality changes. he might get irritable. he might lash out.

will's anniversary is around the time the second season picks up, but there's another one that flies under the radar: mike's. lucas and dustin were with mike when the demogorgon cornered them, but they're fine. they're having fun with max. they're vibing. meanwhile mike is acting out, being abrasive and argumentative towards absolutely everyone, shutting himself off in his basement even when his friends spend all day trying to reach him

what owens said above doesn't really apply to will at all, beyond him literally acting like a different person, but it applies perfectly to mike. mike, as of season 2, according to the show's own definition, is traumatised

owens: just treat him normally. be patient with him. don't pressure him to talk. just let him lead the way.

joyce: i'm sorry, what you're saying is it's gonna get worse and worse and we're just supposed to pretend it's not happening?

owens: it sounds counterintuitive, i know. but i assure you that is really the best thing you can do for him.

this is the approach the wheelers seem to be taking. i'm reminded of karen saying mike would "come to them when he's ready" when ted asked if he should go talk to him after will's body was found. joyce does the exact opposite of this at any given opportunity, but karen seems to buy into it, and ted follows her lead

a year later, nancy's not better yet. mike's not better yet. that's to be expected, but i think the way those facts are treated is pretty reflective of the emotional situation in their household. will has endless support from joyce and jonathan, to the extent he feels suffocated by it, but mike just gets told to suck it up and stop making his parents look bad. nancy clearly understands this more intuitively from how she isolates herself before letting herself express much of anything unless she's drunk (and even then, she didn't start laying into steve until they were alone). their reputation is more important than their mental health

the demodogs, as an antagonist, are a physically smaller (but larger in numbers) retread of the demogorgon. almost like when something traumatic happens and your brain keeps going back to it in bits and pieces. and who got directly traumatised by the demogorgon? who thought they saw their friend get taken away by it right in front of them? mike. that scene in the middle school was very obviously traumatic for mike and mike alone

owens said that more episodes should be expected close to a traumaversary. and when's the last time mike was as upset about anything as he is about el being gone, one year later? when will disappeared. so he did something about it without realising again

season 3

following the pattern of the upside down being used as a tool to address lingering trauma: the mind flayer comes back

again, the mind flayer being will's trauma is more obvious. it took control of his body. it used him to kill dozens of people. it used him against his friends and family. but another thing that flies under the radar is the fact that mike witnessed all of it

mike saw will get taken on the field. mike saw will's nightmares. mike saw will's seizures from the tunnels being burned. mike saw will screaming. mike saw will slowly becoming less and less of himself. mike was the only (conscious) child trapped in the lab with the demodogs

if you think that just witnessing things like that isn't enough to count as traumatising, allow me to remind you of something this show's certified Trauma Monster has said:

vecna: i just want you to watch.

just watching is what got max killed. just watching is what got fred killed. just watching is what traumatised mike the first time around. just watching is what traumatised lucas and dustin. experiences like this do not have to be firsthand to be harmful

mike's more clued in to the wheeler rule of acting like everything's fine this time around, but he's still... not quite himself. he's ignoring most of his friends. he's extremely anxious and panicky about the idea of seeing el die again. he's denying himself things he used to love. he went through hell to get will back and keep will and now he's suddenly pushing him away out of nowhere. things like that don't happen without a reason

he's got even more trauma now than he did before, and when you're a 14 year old boy who can't go to therapy because it would make your parents look bad, that's not going to go away just because you act like it's not happening

season 4

being the Trauma Season, this one's source is more unabashedly, purely emotional: the relationship drama

last season, el took max's advice and dumped mike. while they were broken up, they started having friendly conversations again and both seemed happier and more comfortable, both as individuals and with their relationship. then the whole "because i love her" mess happened and they got back together, notably without any input from mike at all. immediately after that, the byers and el moved halfway across one of the biggest countries in the world

here's mike's issue: he's not aware that you can Not Date someone and also Not Lose them. el saying that she loved him back recontextualised all their interactions when they were broken up as romantic, and made him think that if he isn't el's boyfriend, he can't have her in his life at all. this is unacceptable to him for obvious reasons

so mike, knowing full well what he's doing, tries to give el what she wants without lying to her. obviously, this doesn't end well, but it also has a massive impact on mike's mental health in the meantime, which is only compacted by the distance from el and will. he's not eating. he needs constant reassurance. his bedroom and basement are messier than we've ever seen them. mike, much like max and chrissy and nancy, is not okay

mike sees things in a very, very black and white way. good and evil. monsters and superheroes. that's why he was so weird about el hitting angela: good guys protect, bad guys hurt. mike rarely thinks violence is justified, even in self defence when it comes to his own bullies, and el's physical safety wasn't being threatened

now put someone with a mindset like that into a situation like the one we've laid out

mike isn't an idiot. he's young and inexperienced and doesn't have a clue how to handle his emotions, but he's not unintelligent or lacking self awareness, and he's not this dense. he knows what he's doing. he knows he's not okay. he's just not doing anything about it, because that would mean hurting el, and mike would always rather get himself hurt than another party member

and isn't it convenient that the latest supernatural threat is one that says, "admit you're not okay or die. get better or die. fix this or die." doesn't that sound like exactly the kind of thing that mike, when backed into a corner, with his binary viewpoint of how good people and bad people act, would think of? doesn't it sound like his subconscious telling him this isn't right? to get his act together and stop pretending?

[milf-harrington]

i haven't seen seasons 1 through 3 since 2019 (but i am slowly making my way back through it) so forgive me for any inaccuracies, but purely from memory this is how im ranking steve from each season

character in general

Season Two Steve, because he's still got that jock-ish bitchy energy but it's also where we really start to see his softer side and also i think the first time you genuinely feel for him (his problem with billy, his implied problem with school, the bullshit scene), it's also the birth of babysitter steve!! and the second but much more thorough time we're shown that he's fully willing to put his life on the line to protect people he doesn't even know that well. He's a competent and strategic character who definitely has the vibe of Just Trying To Get Through The Year.

Scoops Steve, for similar reasons as the above but we also get to see the goofier prettyboy side of him and we're better introduced to Steve's observational skills and how the fact that he's not "smart" like the others is actually one of his advantages. Because while robin and dustin were focused on translating russian, steve couldn't stop noticing how familiar the background music was. this is also the season where Steve is starting to be written as a ditzier character, but i'm choosing to chalk that up to the fact that he's more laidback and less worried about his public appearance now that he works at an icecream parlor and wears a sailor uniform. (This is also the most bisexual version of steve, followed by s4)

King Steve, who i personally think was quite shallow (like from a writing perspective) but that is almost definitely because he wasn't originally supposed to survive the first season so he's forgiven for that. Still, we are shown someone who is cutting and self-confident, and then later shown that he is someone who is quick to realise when he's genuinely fucked up and just as quick to apologise. It's also when we're introduced to the idea that he will consciously put himself in danger to protect others. (@peter-pantomime made a really great video about one of Steve's tells on tiktok and i haven't been able to get it out of my head ever since)

Season 4 Steve, because they pretty much erased any and all of the competency previously shown in his character. I think this season did the most disservice to him, seeming to only write him off as genuine idiot who gets treated like shit by all of his friends and is only useful as a babysitter for teenagers who don't want to be babysat. It erased any progress he'd made in regards to his relationship with Nancy Wheeler, i think the only thing that kept him feeling like Steve was Joe Keery's acting and how well he knows the character. I think a lot of what was wrong with Steve's character this season could've been a really great way to introduce the amount of head trauma he's received through the other seasons but considering it wasn't so much as hinted at in canon it just seems like they circled back around to making Steve Harrington's character as shallow as it was in season 1. whether or not that's because they're setting him up to die in season 5, i think it was unfair.

character design

Scoops Steve, in his little sailor outfit with the floofy hair and the lipgloss?? iconic (bonus: the dark blue jeans with the red and blue vest when he applies at family video)

Season Two Steve, with the tight blue jeans and the sunglasses and the swoopy hair and the nail bat, also iconic (bonus: his gym uniform AND the maroon sweater when he drops dustin off at the dance)

Season 4 Steve bc he spent a majority of his screen time shirtless and only wearing a battle vest, and then later the coolest fucking jacket i've ever seen (wait shout out to that blue and white polo shirt that showed off his arms, thank you for your service; and his cute little yellow sweater)

King Steve, while i do love the preppy look and how much it made him look like a puppy at times, what the actual fuck was going on with his hair?? i would have liked to see more of the floppy haired steve we saw when he was helping Nancy study ):

[messrsbyler]

went back to the scene in season 2 during the wheeler’s dinner, where karen is scolding mike for taking nancy’s money and lists him some of the things he’s done throughout the year and how this isn’t even strike three. maybe this is a reach, but i have a pretty cemented view on karen as a mother so… what karen says is “we’ve been patient michael” and for some reason that rang the alarms in my brain.

because karen says “we’ve been patient” as in “we’ve given you time and tolerated your bad behavior” and that just sits wrong with me. karen doesn’t say “we’ve been patient and understanding” or “we’ve been patient and there for you, but we can’t do more if you don’t work with us”. no. karen says “we’ve been patient” and then “this isn’t strike one. it’s not even strike three” and that sounds to me as in “we’ve given you time to lick your own wounds and we’ve overlooked your behaviour that clearly is a sign that something is wrong, but you still can’t get over the traumatic experience you went through on your own last year” a reach? maybe, but aligns with my view of karen.

it’s like back in season 1 when mike skips school and karen finds him at home. mike is so worried she’ll be mad at him (because it’s happened before that karen ignored mike being sick and sent him to school either way), but this time karen tells him she isn’t mad because she knows mike must be going through a lot with everything happening with will, and that’s where the scene stops. i don’t remember if this is the scene where she offers mike to go with her to get some shopping done or not and mike rejects her or what (i think that’s a different scene), but my point here is that karen sees mike is portraying an odd behavior (staying at home without telling anyone), she gives him a small talk, and then tolerates/overlooks said behavior. she doesn’t dig deeper to find the cause of said behavior, she just assumes she knows it and allows mike to act on it instead of truly being there for him with actions and not just words.

so when mike in season two is having all these problems at school with his bad behavior, karen is patient with him and overlooks it or doesn’t present any consequences to mike’s actions, letting him be and expecting him to get better with the power of time alone. and when mike doesn’t get better and karen deems she’s given him enough time, she punishes mike for not living up to expectations and not healing at the pace she set even though she’s not actively tried to help mike through his process. same with ted btw this applies for both of them.

mike’s parents set a timer on mike for him to heal of the trauma he underwent, and leave him alone to process it and heal from it on his own. or at least that’s what i get from that exchange at the table.

maybe i’m reaching, but i wouldn’t be surprised if mike’s parents did something like this…

oh, and this applies for nancy too with her trauma regarding barb’s death. we see nancy telling karen no one is listening to her, because it is true! when nancy was being interrogated and the cops paid more attention to a teen’s sexual life than the disappearance of yet another kid in town, karen didn’t have nancy’s back.

instead, once they go back home, karen reprimands nancy for lying to the cops and because she had sex with steve. karen is following her own agenda not seeing her daughter’s distress for her best friend, and nancy has to explode at her saying no one is listening.

and then in season two, knowing nancy’s friend is still missing, karen and ted still show no behavior of caring about nancy’s trauma or keeping an eye on nancy’s behavior and the signs that show she’s not okay. nancy returned home with alcohol spilled all over her, drunk out of her mind, brought back by a guy that isn’t her boyfriend late at night, and her parents didn’t notice a thing? and then nancy managed to go to murray’s house and spend the night away without any alarms activating in karen and ted’s head? even though nancy IS struggling with her trauma and guilt, so this is the moment for karen and ted to keep an eye in nancy’s behavior so they can be there for them. but they don’t, they just overlook because they expect things to be over and for their kids to have healed already. they aren’t involved in their process of healing, they just stand on the side and wait for their kids to push their way through.

just like how karen said “he’ll come to us when he’s ready,” she and ted keep waiting for their kids to be ready on their own and seek them out instead of being there for them.

[judasofsuburbia]

🔀 ask game with ronance or stonathan 🩷

this is THEEEEE RONANCE SONG!!!

New crush, high school love again The rush of slumber party kissing Don't touch, I'll never cross the line

okay so what i'm thinking is nancy is visiting robin in college in nyc. nancy's been harboring this crush for robin for quite some time now. she wants to go for it because robin and her are finally single at the same time but she's so scared!! what if she ruins their friendship!!

they're planning on going out to robin's favorite spots in the city but a huge thunderstorm ruins their plans. they were in the midst of pregaming with the first lightning bolt struck. already feeling tipsy and warm. nancy puts her lipgloss down that she was applying in the bathroom mirror when she hears robin calling her friends, asking if they're still on for tonight. they're not.

robin appears in the doorway, something between a pout and a frown on her face. "sorry nance. looks like it's just us tonight."

"that's okay," nancy rushes to say. i only came here for you, she wants to say.

"what if we did a classic sleepover? like we used to?" robin suggests.

nancy's smile widens across her lips. "i'd love that."

so they change into their pjs. pop some popcorn. put a romance movie on the tv. lounging on the couch with a bottle of pink moscato passed between them. they're giggling and being stupid. it's just like old times. only nancy is hopelessly in love with her friend now.

"your lip gloss is all over the rim," robin says as she inspects the bottle.

"sorry."

robin shrugs and takes a swig anyway. she licks her lips afterward and nancy's eyes go wide.

"flavored?" robin asks.

nancy's brain short circuits. "vanilla," she barely mumbles.

robin hums and takes another swig. "i wanna wear it," robin says. nancy's heart starts to race. that had to be hint, right?

this is her moment.

nancy scooches closer and gets her face in robin's. robin blinks owlishly at her and sets the wine down on the coffee table, not bothering to turn her head to do so.

nancy's hand is slow and cautious as she holds robin's jaw. they're both glancing at each other's lips. they've both stopped breathing.

nancy takes the plunge and kisses robin fiercely. pouring years of crushing and pining into robin's mouth. spreading her lip gloss all over her lips. robin kisses back with equal enthusiasm. nancy moans, something she wouldn't do if she was sober, or maybe she would because robin is a god damn good kisser. nancy slowly crawls into robin's lap, running her hands through robin's hair. robin's hand is going up the back of her sleep shirt, her fingers dancing on nancy's spine, causing her to gasp. their kiss to finally part.

robin licks her lips again. "i thought you were gonna just go get the lip gloss," robin confesses.

nancy backs away. "oh fuck. is that what you wanted?"

"fuck no. this is way better," robin says as she kisses her again.

send me a 🔀 and a pairing, and i’ll shuffle my playlist and make an au based on the first song that comes up

[crimsonwing62]

Stranger Things HC (Based around the Christmas holiday but not really a Christmas HC)

Its the late 2010s? Everyone's grown up, they have their own families, their careers, their own lives.

Steve's a support worker at the local all through years school.

Robin currently teaches a humanities subject at the local university. 

Nancy worked as a journalist eventually building her own paper from the ground up and just celebrated its 10 Yr anniversary. She and Robin have travelled the world and still plan on new adventures.

Eddie's was discovered in '88 he toured throughout the 90s and early '00s. He still makes music but likes to focus more on Music Producing so he can spend more time at home with Steve and the kids (15f, 10f, 6m). Robin and Nancy are their Godparents

The four get together for an adults only dinner at least once a week, alternating who's hosting - everyone secretly prefers Steve's cooking but no-one ever says it. Robin often pops in to the Harrington-Munson household for a cup of tea and a gossip throughout the week anyway.

Dustin works at NASA (or an equally impressive physics institute), in Florida which they all simultaneously give him shit for and are jealous of bc he can go to Disney and Orlando whenever he wants to. 

Lucas and Max have been married for 7 years now. Max still skates, Lucas still plays basketball with his friends on Saturdays. They have a two kids (12f, and 4m). 

Erica is also a world renowned scientist in her field. She often gets brought on to teams as a consultant and has worked with Dustin on a couple projects.

Will has his own Gallery in California which Jane (El) sometimes volunteers at. Mike works across the road at a job he loves but not as much as his Husband, Will.

Jane's taking life easy taking in experiences, learning what she can about the world. Max and Jane often meet up for girlie days.

Jonathan tours new exhibitions, releases photobooks, does photography around the world. He travels with his partner (or roommate depending on which country) Argyle. His most recent photobook has been his biggest success. It featured a collection of his earliest work of the Upside Down Gang. Themes of Queer Platonic Family and Queer Joy could be explored through the photos and the accompanying pieces written by Nancy.

Hopper and Joyce retired together and finally married in the 90s. Hopper gets antsy so he still does some volunteer work here and there.

Karen finally left Ted Fucking Wheeler after his reaction to the revelation of the the '86 earthquake actually was, was less than appropriate (he under reacted, which made her realise how much of an ahole he was) she remarried to a lovely chap called, Dan, a few years later. The Wheeler kids warmed up to him eventually. And Holly Wheeler exists somewhere but doesn't really apply here.

Anyway every year they made a promise to go away for Christmas.

Robin usually researches the place to go, Steve co-ordinates the kids, hopper-byers', and Karen and her Husband's Schedule to find the best dates to book it for, and everyone's order of arrival. Nancy organises the travel for the four and Steddie's kids whilst everyone else organises their own. (Will books Jim and Joyce's flights for them. Joyce is okay with a computer, much better than Jim, but if it goes wrong she can't fix it) Eddie wrangles their kids, packs and gets their family ready to go as Steve is often to focused on the craziness of  school the run up to winter break.

Steve, Eddie, their kids, Robin and Nancy are the first to arrive, two days after their schools finishes. Eddie and Nancy are usually sent into the village to get a Christmas tree whilst Steve and Robin unpack the food, the drinks, snacks, the decorations. The kids, after exploring and claiming beds, get involved in the decorating part, often making paper rings, snowflakes. The eldest acts like she hates it but secretly loves making them better than last year.

When Eddie and Nancy get back, most of the decorations are up except for the Tree. They do that together, Christmas music blasting in the background.

The Jim, Joyce, Will, Mike, Karen, Dan, arrive mid morning the next day having met up  after the airport and drove up together.

Lucas, Max, their two kids and Jane, Jonathan and Argyle arrive at the same time mid afternoon.

Dustin's the last one to arrive late evening that day.

The whole time is full of fun, buzzing energy, exchanging stories from the year and generally enjoy being in each others presences after being away for so long. A family walk outside on Christmas Eve. One day, They play in the snow and end up in a massive snowball fight. Inevitably there's at least one evening, when the kids have gone to bed, and a couple bottles of alcohol have been consumed so the everyone's a little tipsy and honest, the topic of that place comes up. Most of them have dealt with the trauma it caused, gone to therapy (either paying for it themselves or via Eddie, Jonathon, or Nancy covering the cost). Night terrors were few and far between, paranoia about flickering lights or animal screeching noises have turned into a dulled response. The initial flinch will always be there but panic and worry that used to follow doesn't anymore. This particular year, it hits the party that Lucas and Max's eldest is the same age as the younger party members were when Will went missing, and Jane turned up on Mike's door step. And Steve and Eddie's eldest is a year younger than the elder party members were, and their middle daughter the same age as Erica when she was brought into the fold. Lucas, Max, Steve and Eddie make a mental note to keep a closer eye and hug them a little tighter this year.

----

Jonathan's photography book is based on one of my favourite head canons by @schrijveer

I

This headcanon was inspired by a house i saw in an interior design book and thought it looked like a perfect place for the Party's Christmas get together…

I'm also 60% sure my brain was also consulting the Music video for Last Christmas for ideas of activities...