#duffers fix it

[bananananurr]

If only the Duffers didn’t change the script for The Piggyback-

But i guess this will have to do for now

[clarkegriffins]

do u ever stop to think about this whole love triangle discourse and end up laughing bc there shouldn't be a discourse to begin with? like one boy wants nancy in his life and says that she's the most important part and the other boy looks like he's two seconds away from being put out of his misery because of his relationship with nancy to the point he's ghosting her and she thinks he's cheating. also do u ever think about how both of these boys talks about nancy? how they describe her? and the reasons they love her? how they see her?

first we have jonathan saying this:

first of all, i love his lack of energy go girl give us nothing (why he looks like he wants to d word, ur literally talking about ur girlfriend 😭) so, that's him saying all the reasons he loves her, and ofc we know that nancy is like that but why he's talking about her work ethic and not about her, like u should all read this post about how much nancy cares about other people and how being a reporter allows her to listen to other people's stories and help them, but jonathan only talks about that, work work work, how she behaves in work, how she is ambitious at work which we know she is, that's not a bad thing at all, i love how determined she is, how she works hard for that, it's actually one of my favorite traits of nancy, but i don't see people (and jonathan) talking about what drives that ambition forward which is helping other people, now going back to jonathan's speech which is even more ridiculous when we watched s3, because according to him he loves how hardworking nancy is, and yet:

wait a second, drop the story? i thought you loved how she's never done a single thing halfway in her life? and then:

anyways, that doesn't sound like someone who loves all these things he listed in season 4, now moving forward to steve, i was talking before how jonathan only said things about nancy's work ethic and not about her and what drives her forward but can u believe that steve does that? and not the fully developed steve in season 4, no, the s1 steve, the one who still messed up from time to time

i think it's very refreshing to see someone describing nancy and acknowledging how caring she can be, how she worries about other people, how she wants to help people, and he sees that, and this isn't even a big speech bc good knows narrative wasn't at their side in s1-s2, it's just crazy to me how there's scenes of nancy being there for jonathan in awful times (when will was being possessed, she held his hand, she was there, and yet not a single thing about that, about how much she's caring and protective) it's just sad bc do u see how she describes him? "caring, compassionate, protective, never back down from what's right (only when he wants to lie to her countless times i guess)" how could he not do the same for her? THE nancy wheeler who stood in front of A CAR to protect him and her friends when billy was about to crush her, and you know this isn't just an issue with jonathan, i feel like this is an issue with the fandom too, i feel like the fandom only seems to care about that side of nancy, like her career is the only thing she cares about and nothing more, and that's just isn't nancy wheeler, but then again, she's one of the characters people misunderstand the most in st (just like her brother, i guess is the wheeler's curse) we have 14 year old mike wheeler listing how much he loves el on her bad days, on her good days, with her powers, without her power, for exactly who she is, and all jonathan can say about his girlfriend is "she works 👍"

[queenie-ofthe-void]

pre-S4 Robin and Max || wc: ~1.6k || rating: teen || cws: depression, brief mentions of bullying and child neglect

~~~

Robin drops her lunch tray onto the table, falling into the seat with purpose. The young girl across from her startles at the movement. Pulling her headphones down slightly, Max raises her eyebrow in question, clearly annoyed at the unwelcomed company. Robin mimics the look in an overly dramatic way, and takes a large bite of her instant mashed potatoes. 

When Max only rolls her eyes and goes back to her homework– headphones off– Robin considers it a win. The girl’s been pulling away since Starcourt, drawing into herself in a way that’s putting everyone on edge, and the Party is at a loss for what to do. 

The beginning of freshman year was tough on all of the kids, but especially Max. Robin would eye her from across the lunchroom, seated at the opposite end of the table from the loud, brash, super super senior along with the rest of the Party and Hellfire boys. The poor girl would startle anytime Munson laughed too harshly and flinched at the loud bang of his fists on the table, shrinking into herself during his tabletop tirades. 

Needless to say, sitting with the Hellfire boys didn’t last long. Max’s patience for Eddie thinned even further after settling into the trailer across from him, complaining about music keeping her up at all hours of the night– the same electric guitar riffs over and over again. And she’d made more than one off-hand sarcastic remark about Munson’s late night customers causing the dog to howl at all hours of the night.

Robin looks towards the Hellfire table now. Sure enough, Eddie’s flailing his arms around in what is most likely a lecture on The Man. Dustin’s wide eyes and Mike’s entranced smile tell her they’re fully proselytized to the Munson Doctrine now, after a full five months of brain washing. Hopeless, the both of them. She has no idea what they see in the town drug dealer beyond D&D. Mike didn’t even like rock music before he joined Hellfire. Now he’s subconsciously crushing so hard on their fearless leader that he’s starting to dress like him. 

She supposes she’d be a bit of a hypocrite to judge him too harshly though. She only joined the pep band to see Vickie after school.

Cutting off her own dating anxieties, she focuses back on Max. The young girl is more relaxed than when Robin first sat down. She’s hunched over an old copy of Romeo and Juliet. Not one of Robin’s personal favorites, and she’d guess not one of Max’s either if her frustrated huff means anything. Why it’s required reading for freshmen she’ll never understand. But speaking of Romeo…

She looks around again, and her eyes lock on to Lucas’s. He’s staring directly at her with a desperate look in his eye that Robin tries to acquiesce with a tight smile. Another boy in a letterman jacket is trying to get his attention, but he’s shrugged off as Lucas moves to stand. 

Panicked, Robin checks to see that Max hasn’t noticed and shakes her head. A silent plea to not ruin the small ground she’s gained-- the first ground anyone has gained with Max in weeks. Hurt flashes across his face, but he sits down. Robin nods, hopefully telegraphing her thoughts. She can tell he's not happy about it, but he settles back into the conversation with his teammates.

Max dumped him just before Halloween and just shortly after she quit sitting with the Hellfire boys. Lucas had tried sitting with her instead, but the older boys stomped their proverbial toddler feet, arguing that he was already splitting too much of his time between D&D and basketball practice. They couldn’t believe he then had the audacity to spend even less time with them just to hang with some girl.

Needless to say Mike and Dustin had been less than supportive, caving to the peer pressure from the older members and Robin knows it’s one of the reasons why Lucas eventually ended up sitting with his teammates.

Then her mom started pulling doubles during the holidays and Max did her best to hole up in the trailer, refusing to come out no matter how much caroling the boys tried. Robin understands why Max wouldn’t want to go to the Party’s holiday gatherings. The boys were the core unit of the group, backed up by the Wheeler and Byers families. But the Byers’ left and took her best friend with them, the boys were fighting, and they weren’t even sure if Lucas would show up if Max wasn’t there. Robin was one of the few people involved in the Upside-Down bullshit who understood what isolation from the core group felt like, so why not try to include Max in their own tiny group of three.

A few days later, on the coldest day of break, Robin sat in the passenger seat with her fingers smashed up against the beemer’s heat vent and watched out the window as Max opened the door for the only person she was still talking to. The girl put up an argument, but no one can out-bitch The King himself. She let him in and they stepped out a few minutes later, a bag slung over her shoulder and a small dog in her arms. He never complained, even when the house smelled like wet dog for a week later.

Now it’s almost March, and it’s been weeks since she’s talked to anyone. She’s been sitting alone everyday, not answering the phone. So maybe it's Robin's turn to try talking with her, girl to girl.

“I know what you’re doing here,” Max states, hiding her hesitancy under a false bravado, the casual air of her tone undercut by her shifting gaze. “You can tell him to stop worrying, I’m fine.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Random Girl,” Robin answers with an innocent wave of her hand.

Max’s deadpanned stare says she’s not buying it. The nickname all but confirms her motives. 

That’s fine, Robin just needs a foot in the door and now that Max has opened said door, it’s like the dam between Robin's brain and mouth has burst. 

“I was just sitting here eating my lunch and minding my own business, when you decided to say something. And honestly, I think that’s pretty good for me considering I’ve been sitting here for almost twenty minutes in complete silence, which– you know– is not really my forte. Normally I like when people talk to me, it’s how conversations are supposed to work, ya know? But when it’s just me I can’t seem to stop and I’ll, like, keep going and going until it gets awkward.”

She can’t stop rambling and oh god she’s going to ruin this, she’s sure of it. Max let her sit here and now she’s going to ruin this for Lucas and the boys and–

“Just,” Max interrupts. Robin takes a deep breath, in and out. Calming herself down and keeping her mouth shut. “You can sit here, alright. But don’t, like, expect anything from me. You’re not going to get me to open up, or some shit– don’t even say language right now Robin I swear– so that you can report back on how I’m doing. Because I’m fine. Really.”

“Why would I report back to Lucas how you’re doing–” Robin starts. But Max interrupts again.

“You know that’s not who I’m talking about,” Max says quietly. Her eyes are turned downward, avoiding eye contact now that the fire’s burned out.

“Max,” Robin tries again, yet doesn’t know what to say. Anything she says will either be a lie, or so genuinely truthful Max might withdraw again. 

“Max, I just want to sit here. Ok? I promise I won’t jump in the beemer after school and spill all your secrets. We don’t even have to talk if you don’t want to! I’ll just sit over here and do homework, while you sit over there and do homework. Because Nancy’s busy with the newspaper now and maybe I can help you with Spanish and just--,” but she stops. She has to be honest. Or at least try without it being too much.

Max is looking at her. Watching intently, searching for something Robin can’t figure out.

She sighs, exhausted but unwilling to give up.

“He’s worried about you. Of course he is. That’s, like, Steve’s whole entire personality.” It gets the small smile out of Max that she was trying for. “But I’m sitting here because I want to, not because he told me to or so I could, I don’t know, gather information for him. Talk to me or not, but I’m sitting here for lunch from now on.”

Max eyes Robin, and must find whatever she was looking for. 

The bell rings, and they both move to pack up their books. “If you’re sitting here,” Max says “then you’re going to have to listen to me gush about Kate Bush.”

Like that’s a deterrent. Hell, it’s an incentive.

“Fine,” Robin makes a show of it, whining and rolling her eyes. “Then you’re going to have to get over it and listen to me bitch about Steve being a dingus and a total loser when it comes to picking up girls at work. I spend too much time with him to not get it off my chest.”

“Totally understandable,” Max says, a huff of laughter escaping behind her restrained smile. “See you tomorrow then.”

Robin turns, bouncing lightly on her feet to her next class after a successful mission. Steve might not have asked her to do this, but she’s doing it for him regardless. For both Steve and Max. 

She can’t wait to tell him all about it.

~~~

@devondespresso thanks for the WIP ask! I've actually been sitting on this for a while, so you gave me a good kick in the ass to finally finish up edits and post. 💜💜💜

[byler-alarmist]

Stranger Things is one big 80's movie fix-it fic.

It's Stand By Me, if they were brave enough to admit that Chris and Gordie were.in love

It's Pretty In Pink, if Andie and Duckie ended up together like they were supposed to

It's The Breakfast Club, if the teenagers were allowed to be very, very gay

Edit: even better, per the suggestion of @punkwillbyers, it's if Duckie was gay and Andie turned out to be queer, too

[crxzytogether]

I'm actually a little worried about season 5 lol- like not worried about Byler, no I am 100% confident with them. I have no doubt in that regards, I think that it'll happen one way or another. My fear comes from the way they choose to execute it- Like I'm trying not to get my hopes up but reading theories and all these gates and all the cool creative amazing ways they could write it but probably won't scares me just a bit. I like to call it Duffer Doubt(doubt in the Duffer's ability to write it as amazingly as they deserve)- Gonna have to try to lower my expectations before s5 comes out bc I actually have no idea what I'll do if Mike and Will don't kiss as though nothing could fall in the Upside Down because the shame was on the other side-

[jonathanbyersphd]

Jonathan Byers who wanted to escape Hawkins since he was six. Except he's absolutely miserable in California but insisting he has to stay.

[michaelinprogress]

OHHHHH MY GOD

OH MY GOD HES SO BEAUTIFUL 😭😭😭

ALSO THIS!??!??!?!??

This season is going to fucking destroy me I can’t wait to see Will in the upside down 😭

[a-shade-of-green]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOAHS 'NOT-SPOLING' SPOILING AGAIN I WAS GONE FOR TWO SECONDS

[ebaylee422]

Mending Our Home PT. 2

Dad!Steve Harrington X Mom!Reader

Authors Note: This is a chapter talking about grief, again Pregnancy loss trigger warning! Send in a request if you want to see more Dad Steve in the future (maybe some happier stuff but I do love angst), I have a few other drafts but would love some inspo!

Summary: Conclusion of the Harrington's unplanned hospital stay, Joyce and Jim (Hop) cheer you up. Taking care of you and Steve like you wished your parents did. In Steve's exhaustion he's brought back to 1986 and the memories he wish would stay there. You blame yourself, for all of it.

Characters: Steve Harrington, Reader, Teddy Harrington (oc), Joyce and Jim, mentions of other characters ft. auntie robin and uncle dusty. Max Mayfield and Eddie Munson.

Warnings/Tags: Grief, Clarity of what happened Season 4, Body dysmorphia?, Pregnancy loss warning!

Word Count: 4.4 k

Flipping through a magazine that was on the tray table when a series of knocks stole your attention. The door opened wide to reveal Joyce running to your bedside. She looked just as exhausted as Steve. Jim Hopper followed to drop some bags on the floor, setting a water bottle and baggy of snacks on the tray by your bed. She cupped your face and grabbed your hand, kissing all over your face. Steve stood at the foot of your bed in tears, Jim came up behind him and shook up his shoulders, pushing him to the other side of the bed close to you. The adults took turns hugging you, but Steve just watched in silence, examining your body, his face holding some type of apprehension. While his hand was soft and malleable cradled with yours, warming your heart.

“You did so well honey. After Steve called us, Hop and Jonathan went and cleaned the apartment up. When you're sick of us, we're gonna stop on the drive home at Bradley's and fill your fridge. Get everything nice, ready for you to be home safe." She squeezed your shoulders again before hugging you get again.

"Geez don't suffocate the girl. What Joyce is getting too, we’re all so glad you're alive and recovering kiddo.” Hop pulled Joyce to his side, knocking your chin to the side in fondness.

"We also have been sprucing up Jonathan's old room so Teddy has a comfortable place with us. Whenever! No pressure, he's just such a good little boy." Joyce reached out for you hand leaning her hip on the free space of your bed.

“Or if Steve gets sick of sitting up in a chair staring at you.” Hopper added with a wink, poking fun at Steve.

“Watch it, oh old one,” Steve went over and started talking to Jim. Joyce was still holding tightly to your hand,

“Thank you, Joyce for everything. For coming here, being with Teddy. It means a lot.” You squeaked

“Of course, sweetie, you just take all the time you need to heal and rest." she brushed the wiry hair off your forehead.

"We're all here for you, and we have a little surprise in the waiting room if you're up for it." Hop added, craning his head towards the door.

"Yes! Eat something first you two, I'll be right back! Don't go anywhere!" Joyce jumped up running out of the room.

"I love that woman but she is crazzzyyyy..." Hop sighed moving his cap to scratch at his scalp

"A wonderful crazy that you match Hop." You giggled

"Shush, now let's open up the ho-ho's before she comes back and complains about my high blood sugar." He teasingly hit your arm with the back of his hat, grabbing the paper bag of squeaky plastic processed snacks dumping them out on the table.

"Mommmmyyyyy!!!!" The door opened wide to Joyce holding Teddy by his hand until he saw you in the bed. Running immediately to you Steve pulled him across the bed by his belt.

"Teddy! Hi baby." you cried, kissing all over his face holding him to your chest. Voice caught in your throat at his smell they way he still fit in your arms. "My sweet boy, I missed you so much." you croaked. Shoulder starting to shake, your eyes clouded with emotion. Steve rubbed your back, pinching his nose to stop the imminent onslaught of tears felt by everyone in the room.

"What's wrong, Mommy?" Teddy probed ever the smart boy, "Nana told me to be gendle. Was not gendle?"

His hands brushing your tears clumsy, holding your face in his soft and small hands. They would only be like this once, you thought. Remembering how scared you were when you found out. Now not ever thinking about changing how anything went if each outcome gave you the family you had. Only the sorrow on those few who weren't here to share it along side you.

"No teddy-bear you are so gentle," You assured your baby, because that's exactly what he was. Teddy was yours, your baby boy. "Mommy's just sad. But you, Daddy, and everyone else makes me better."

"Do you want us to take him with us?" Joyce stressed as you held Teddy, rocking him against you. The feeling of shame creeped up your throat in needing a nearly 5 year old's comfort.

"No, no, we'll either be able to take him home from bedtime, or Robin will. She wants to check in. Help me clean up the car." Steve insisted, ruffling Teddy's long chestnut curls. making them stick up in various directions.

"Steve I'm so sorry. That BMW has been through it." you rambled embarrassed, hiding your face against the pillow.

"It's perfectly okay, I'll shine her up! She'll be as good as she was on my 16th birthday."

"You should get some rest first, Steve. You look like you just spend the night in the can."

"You can sleep in a can?" Teddy perked up at his honorary grandpa,

"We gotta fine one big enough for you bear!" Joyce spun Teddy around, chasing him around the room. They both walked around the hospital with you affectively tiring you out but not your son.

"We could've brought blankets!" Joyce admonished her husband trying to help Steve with the pull out couch.

"We're in a hospital, Joyce. I doubt they don't have extra blankets for Steve's comfort. Now a pillow for that head is a whole other issue."

You giggled into Teddy's neck, as the two men bickered. Joyce left to finish making the bed.

"Are we gonna live here now?" Teddy asked you coloring randomly on the newspaper you held on your lap for him.

"No baby, just until I get a bit better." You cooed, rubbing his back he sat up to look at you.

"What's wong?" You looked to Steve who'd stopped, then back to your son. The fear in his brown eyes reflective of his father's turned your stomach sour. Steve was at you side in a spit second to distract Teddy.

"Um hey. Do you need anything particular while we're out?" Hop cleared his throat as Joyce wrap a arm around his waist covering her yawn in his chest.

"Do you have everything at home, Sweets?" your husband asked through tired eyes and a hardly contained yawn.

"They send us home with things right? I'll be okay. Maybe just Teddy?"

"Hey bub, Nana and Pop are gonna go grocery shopping. You want anything special?"

"Sheerios!"

"Heart healthy, good job!" She pinched his cheeks, "We'll give you some time together, just call the house if you need us?" They said their goodbyes and Steve shut the down behind them, leaving the Harrington's in the room together.

"Is there food here?" Steve laughs unwrapping a ho-ho for Teddy,

"Hey Edmund, we want to talk to you about something. Okay?" Steve started the conversation with saturated warmth.

"And it's okay to not understand, be sad or angry. You just tell us, we love you so much." You added moving the hair out of his eyes, just like you did for his father. Edmund was his carbon copy if that was ever a possibility.

"Otay."

"Remember we talked about being careful with Mommies tummy?" He nods chocolate smearing on his chin as he eats, "Do you know the reason why?"

"To grow my best fwiend." You sharply inhale, but Steve keeps Teddy's attention on him as your lip wobbles.

"Yeah, yeah buddy. Mommy and I wanted-want you to have a little sibling, but they weren't quite ready yet. " Steve corrects himself,

That's why Mommy and I are here at the hospital because Mommy and I, we had to say goodbye." Steve's hand reaches out for yours as an anchor. Teddy then notices your distress again, hooking his arms around your neck.

"Don't cry, Mommy. You still my friend." He tells you, brushing your hair down just like he's seen Steve do for you when your sick.

"Yeah?" You ask wetly, squeezing him. "I'm not your bestest friend?" you chide jokingly.

He laughs, cupping your ear and violently whispers.

"Don't tell Daddy..." Then hiding in your neck again.

"Okay baby." You giggle wetly, "Do you understand what were saying?"

"The stork took the baby back, because she wasn't ready."

"Almost, we still need to be careful with Mommies tummy a little longer. She doesn't feel to good, the baby made her real sick." Steve sits on the edge of the bed, Teddy seeks his comfort by leaning against Steve's chest. They both heave a sigh of relief, melting into each other's embrace with you at their side.

"But I'm better now, I'll always be here. No matter what." You brush thick locks from his eyes, some of the ends still baby blonde from his first hair cut.

"Will you have a baby still?" Teddy finally breaks a confused smile, laying his palm flat over you heart.

"Maybe someday, but right now I need to heal and give you my undivided attention!"

"This makes Mommy sad, and Daddy sad too." He asks, somber. To many thoughts and emotions running through his small body at once as he traces the shapes on your hospital gown.

"A little, but nothing tickles can't fix!" Steve grabs at Teddy's sides pining him against the bed as you both attack him with tickles. Under his chin, feet and along his sides.

"Hehehe, otay! Staph!!"

"Oh no, here comes the tickle monster!" Steve rears back pulling his elbows deep into his shirt like a t-rex's arms

"Nooo! Daddy no tickle monster!" Teddy belly-laughs holding your arm over him in protection

"Once he gets started the tickles must ensue! Only tickles!" Steve says if faux pain, pretending to tickle your sides.

"No Daddy!"

"Run Teddy! You can't save me! Save yourself from the tickles!" Teddy slides off the bed running to the bathroom and shutting the shower stall.

"Hi-" Steve says cupping your face in his hands pressing chaste kisses around your face.

"Hi." You stop his ministrations, kissing him deeply on the lips making his shoulders relax as you hold his face to you.

"When's the last time I said I love you?" taking a hypnotized breath that warms your cheeks, smelling of chocolate.

"It's a new day Mr. Harrington, but I love you too."

"You're beautiful and I love you. I'ma tell you that everyday for the rest of my days." His nose, circles around yours with humor.

"You're a dork."

"Your dork, in writing Sweets. Till death do us part-" He wiggles his ring finger in your face, unaware of his doubleganger trying to climb up your legs.

"And ickness!" Teddy yells next to Steve by the bed, frustrated.

"Ickness?! Oh no!" Steve picks up his son, shaking him into another fit of giggles. As he slams the toddler down on your cover legs, Teddy pleads for aid versus Steve. And you comply unable to resist his Harrington born charm. Pulling at Steve's shirt, pretending to go back for more kisses. You give him one on his cheek as an apology before you trap his arm under your body.

"Come 'ere Teddy, cuddle pile on Daddy." Teddy doesn't hesitate flinging himself of Steve's chest knowing he'll catch him regardless.

"Ugh! You. Are so heavy, can't stay up!" Steve plays dead, falling in his arm chair while Teddy slides down his body. Waltzing Jumping with without Steve's support back over to you on the bed.

"Daddy perished." You burst out laugh with Steve, at your baby's seriousness.

"Who taught you that word?" You ask through laughs

"Uncle Dusty, said died wasn't good. Perish is metal." He responds with an almost perfect rock and roll head bang.

"Jesus Christ-" You sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose,

"Speaking of Uncle Dusty, I think he's gonna be at bedtime tonight." Steve's head jumps up from it's place resting on the chair.

"Really?! He doing the puppet show!" Teddy's eyes nearly burst out of his skull in excitement

"I do the puppet show too!" Steve fiends offense

"But Dusty does voices, Daddy." Teddy whines

"I've never been more offended by a preschooler!" Steve holds his chest, pretending to sob.

"Get the phone for Mommy baby, we're gonna call Auntie Robin and Uncle Dusty for bedtime stories."

"Yes!" he jumps of the bed, making your heart leap out of your chest.

You dialed the house, phoneline picked up by Joyce as Robin and Dustin argued in the background. Asking for Robs to pick up her nephew. She stayed an hour, taking the car seat in her tiny car. Promising Steve to call you both before bedtime. When he came back to the room, Steve slumped back into the arm chair he'd dozed off in several times within the past hour.

"Stevie Baby, if you keep nodding off your head will pop off like a bottlecap."

" 'M sorry. Just a lot going on up there."

"That's no good." You giggled holding Teddy's Winnie the Pooh stuffy in your arms. You cried when he left it with you, wanting him to keep you company until he saw you after preschool tomorrow.

“Hmm." He stood up, pacing the foot of your bed. Unraveling a blanket laying it over you, before taking the smaller one for himself. After a few minutes he try's to dose off again, only to pop he's head back up and grip the arm rests. As he looks at you on the bed with unease.

"Steve, talk to me. Please." You press moving the blankets off your lap in mild frustration. Not directed at him yet his face crumples in a wince all the same.

"I was really scared, Y/N. I’ve never been that scared before, ever. I just-… Jesus.” He rubbed at his eyes again, slumping into the armchair. Scratching at his scalp,

“Steve.” Swinging your feet of the bed, leaning forward to halt his movements. Weaving your fingers in his, his lips pressed to your knuckles.

“I can't do this without you, I couldn't help you-I was helpless. Max, she. She was like a sister to me and when she passed away..." His seeming composure broke then, like the last crack in a dam. Letting the water roam freely, he shook with the waves. You stood up holding him against you, his tears dampening the fabric you wore. "I was lost for a long time. Then Eddie too, with all that blood and you so scared. I can't fucking imagine... Fuck Y/N-”

"Steve..." You kissed the crown of his head, the selfish misunderstood boy King was long gone. Stomped out by his father, Russian Soldiers, a multi-dimensional power, and finally himself. When he'd look in the mirror he fought a broke until there was no longer a empty shell of a person who couldn't sleep with his window open anymore. He filled his life with those he cared for, became strong for them. He craved their presence, the good and the bad. Then he found you, you were his future a dream he now craved. You made his love for you a reality with your son. Healed him to be the man he never thought possible, kisses his scars in the dark and still loved them full-heartedly in the daylight. Proud of his name, proud of the person he was and always could be. The guilt of his love hurting, his love hurting you. Was unfathomable, but you were here. Holding him through it, even if it caused you pain you didn't show him. You were there. You were still here with him and he's breathing evened out. Nose buried into your ribs as he held your tummy to his chest. Underneath the nauseating clean hospital smell, the iron and baby wipes. You smelled like you, the very base smell of your whole being was there.

"Stevie?" Your hands carded through his hair at the base of his neck, his nose nuzzled twice into your skin until he inhaled deeply.

"Yes?" yawning through the question, eyes finding yours above him. His chin resting on your sternum, one eye winking when his neck popped at the stretch.

“I’m here, I can’t go anywhere. You could just rest your eyes for a bit." You squeezed his cheeks in your palms, making his nose scrunch in a pout. "Maybe even use the shower to relax your body. Or just come back over here,” You tugged him with you as you shifted back in the bed, leaving room for him to lay back next to you. He inclined his head to you succumbing to your plea, relieved that you could finally rest together. Laying on his side next to you, this time immediately closing his eyes and holding your hand to his chest. Rubbing his index finger over your wedding ring to sooth himself to sleep. You were still slightly upright so he nuzzled into your shoulder as his pillow source. His hair tickled your bare neck when he shifted closer.

“I love you so much, thank you.” whispering to him after his breathing deepened. Sleep came to you shortly. It felt like minutes when you were woken up for your next walk. Nearly knocking Steve unconscious so he would stay and rest. The comforting Nurse from the night before returning, confident they would release you late in the morning. There were some other issues that worried them you'd come back for checkups after discharge but you were doing well. Moving alone but assistance was recommended for strenuous activities like lifting. Six weeks starting for any very strenuous ones, like it was even a consideration presently. Despite how much you loved your husband, and loved loving him. It was just past 7 when you returned to the room, Steve gone from the bed. Knocking on the bathroom door after the nurse left, the sound of water running behind it with heat radiating from the frame.

“Yeah one second,” A squeak turned it off and there was rustling before Steve cracked the door open, a towel draped around his waist just below his V-line of his pelvis. “Hey you're not supposed to be up without someone around.” He opened the door the rest of the way revealing his whole chest and arms. Water still clung to his hair, all of his hair, it took everything in you not to look down past his pecs. The trail of dark hair shading his soft tummy begging you to run your hands along it.

“Um earth to Y/N?” ‘How has his towel not fallen, shit he’s talking to me’ He waved his hand in front of your face, the other still holding the door.

“Sorry, I’m out of it I got back from walking. So I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” You lied, still tracing the water droplets cascading along his skin.

“Yes, I’m feeling much more like myself. If you want to sit on the toilet, I could help you wash your hair after I get dressed?” you contemplated his offer, it sounded so wonderful. You still reeked of grease from your shift the day before yesterday, along with something metallic and sterile soap from your gown.

“Yeah… Please?” You felt ashamed, ears flush at the intimacy. The guilt filed in soon after. Having him worry so much, wasn't he just as burdened with emotion as you were.

“Okay sit I’ll be right back,” You put on a smile, be strong for him if no one else. He came back into the bathroom in loose sweatpants without a shirt, your eyes went wide again. “See anything you like?” He started doing ridiculous poses in the doorway to make you laugh.

"You are so corny!" You laughed, throwing a hand towel at him.

"Hey, you were totally checking me out. I still got it, bab-, Shit soap!” He skipped back out into the main room. There was a rustle of items before he appeared again with a toiletry bag. Joyce had packed for the two of you. A frown etched its way back along your face as your eyes burned with unshed tears. He filled a small tub with warm water, looking around he found a clean cup to use. He hummed a Depeche Mode song as he went.

“Steve.” You hiccupped, hands shaking in your lap finger wringing together.

“Yeah?” He asked without looking, head rocking with music only he could hear. His head whipped around when he heard you sniffle when his eyes meet yours his face fell, devastated.

"I'm sorry." You croaked out before he could ask. Tears flooding from your eyes, creating a puddle on your collar.

' I'm so sorry Steve. I don't know what's wrong with me." You gasped out through shaking sobs, clinging to him when he dropped to hold you. Torso cradled between your thighs,

' Maybe if we had gotten here sooner like you said, she-." Steve's breath stuttered, the air around you tightened as you remember being so excited. For her.

' We would've been okay. I didn't listen, this is all my fault." You shake, pulling away from him, clutching at your thighs with clammy hands. Steve brushed the hair out of your face, thumbs wiping your tears as he observed you. You were panicking, hyperventilating enough that your face and chest blushed red.

"Breathe, my love. Breathe, in-and-out." His hands moved up and down your arms, squeezing at your biceps to the tips of your fingers. "Let it all out, I got you. 'M here." He exaggerated his breaths until yours were more controlled, "I love you. We'll be okay, just like you said. One thing at a time. Remember, we still have a healthy baby waiting for us at home. Yeah? And I will always be here, we got this."

"What-what if I can't, Steve?"

"You can do anything, baby. I've seen it. This might be too soon but you made Jesus's miracle of parting the red sea look like horse play." He wiped your eyes again, everything was starting to clear again. Now you could see the tears streaming down his face, the smile didn't reach the honey of his sunken eyes.

"What if this was it? What if I can't have more babies. Our dream of a big family can't happen... Because of me?" You said with a dark edge, it was your fear since Dr. Kerr first saw you while pregnant with Teddy. Steve chortled, a quiet suppressed laugh as he pinched his nose and sniffed the remaining tears away.

"Then we'll adopt or do that other stuff like Dr. Kerr said. Hey, look at me." Steve squished your cheeks, thumbs running along your cheekbones. "I would rather selfishly keep you all to myself. Edmund can buy his time." You sniffled quickly, sharp enough it could be mistaken for a laugh.

"This is all temporary, Sweets. It's okay for us to be sad."

"Okay." You exhaled,

"I love you so unexplainably much. I love Edmund so unconditionally it physically hurts." He brought a fist to his chest, taking a deep breath with closed eyes. "We loved this baby so much, she just wasn't ready yet. And that's okay, I'll love and remember everything I learned from her."

"And what's that?"

"That I would rather go through this heartbreak 100 times a day, then ever-ever loose you. I want to take away all your pain and suffering for myself. Give me all of it, I can take it. As long as you're still here with me."

"I love you."

"I love you most."

"Not possible."

"Alright come on, Mama's, this linoleum is not forgiving on my working man knees. Turn back around and let me make you feel better."

"Is that a threat or promise?" You giggled, palms wiping at the hollow of your eyes.

"You know exactly what these hands are capable of Sweets." Steve said with a salacious grin and wiggle of his fingers, his gold wedding band glimmering under the florescent light. He washed your hair with immense care, taking the time to massage and scrub at the scalp.

"Hmm, thank you." You said after he helped wring it mostly dry. He pressed a warm kiss to your wet forehead, "Steve?"

"Yeah?" His eyebrows shot up as he hovered over you, standing abruptly. Holding one of your elbows with an open palm,

"Moses parted the red sea, not Jesus." You commented, and Steve belly laughed hard enough for you to crack another smile.

"See, I can't live without ya! There's not much underneath my perfect quaffed hair."

He gave you the privacy to freshen up other areas, but when stepping out he was half laying on the bed. With his feet still on the ground, eyes closed. You made it over to the chair before getting a little woozy, Joyce had packed a ton of options but there was no way you were getting these on by yourself. Steve’s watch went off and he immediately jumped up, putting on the shirt that was in his hands. Crossing the room stopping at the bathroom knocking. He hadn’t looked at the chair until he opened the door and looked around to find the small stall empty.

“Jesus why didn’t you call for me?”

“Was feeling rebellious, also you passed the hell out and if I don’t have too, there’s no need for me to wake you.” you twist a little bit too much adjusting yourself in the chair, causing you to moan in pain clutching your sides. 

“Hey careful,” Steve walks over to you and squatting in front of you, “tell me how to help.”

“I want to change into big girl clothes, I’d feel weird if the kids came by and saw my ass out still in the hospital gown.” You griped,

"I wouldn't mind in the slightest."

"Steve-"

"So I should stick to granny panties? Throw all the others away?" You challenged playful smirk on your lips, the smile finally met his eyes after a day of tears the brown shown with happiness. Warming through his heart, you pressed your hand to hold onto that pulse. It soothed your woes and added kindling to the hearth in your heart. When he pulled you from the chair, you felt weightless, oozing with molten love for your family. Everything would be okay.

"What? I can admire my beautiful wife in a diaper and nothing else." He scoffed offended holding your hand to his chest.

"Pfft honestly, who needs underwear? We're living in the 90s, baby!" Steve held you through the giggles. He would never leave your arms again if you let him.

Masterlist

Steve Harrington

Part one

[emblazons]

making gifs of this moment (aka being forced to slow mo watch expressions) and...the way not one person privvy to this conversation was happy in this moment...and all because we have to watch Will lie.

Not Will, because he's putting his heart on the chopping block even though he's the only one capable of loving Mike as he deserves. Not Mike, because the person he loves is telling him that the person he no longer feels romantically attached to (El) still needs him in a way he'd like Will to. Not Jonathan, because he is Will's single greatest ally and is watching him break his own heart for Mike, who (no matter how much of a pain he's been some moments) is someone he's watched love and care for his brother for nearly a decade now.

And then...the moment the very last character not lying to himself or others being the moment that catalyzed disaster for not only Will's heart, but everything that happened in that SBP + in the mindspace with Vecna? For the loss of Max and the apocalypse right after?

Even removing the romantic weight...this is why friends don't lie.

[wheelercurse]

“Mike said ily 9 times” yes, thanks to Will.

[demobatman]

i hate seeing theories i agree with because eventually i will forget where i saw it let alone Who wrote it but its already been filed under canon in my brain despite it LITERALLY being a theory. a Game Th

[goofily-moved]

Icb I’m wanting to write Steve Harrington again haven’t I learned my lesson…

[tearsofsaudade]

my biggest “melvin is bones” argument is the fact that their relationship could’ve been better and we know that it could’ve been better

in season three, moth m*leven and lumax pissed me off bc they were both shown as childish and unhealthy (in my opinion). lumax seemed healthier, but ofc we don’t get as much screen time with them, and we see both lucas and mike (under lucas’s direction) trying to fix their relationships with gifts instead of actually talking to each other. i was still ga watching season 3, but i just wanted both of them to grow up before trying to get into a relationship (they were thirteen. and they acted like it.)

but in season 4, we see lucas reach out. he doesn’t try to buy max’s love, he talks to her, he apologizes for not being there for her, and he does everything in her power to be there for her. not only that, he doesn’t push for them to get back together because her friendship is more important to him than her romantic affection.

mike and el on the other hand? they’re clearly childish in season 3, and while we do have their hospital talk, there is still miscommunication at the end, with mike not being able to say he loves el to her face and el not talking to him before kissing him.

you would assume that in season 4, they would try harder to communicate and be in a happy relationship (if they were endgame) bc that’s exactly what we see with max and lucas. but instead we just get more miscommunication, more lies, more distrust. and again, we end the season with them not talking to each other and not seeming genuine.

we do not get a sweet m*leven talk after mikes confession, in fact, we get the opposite (where they specifically make a point to tell us that el isn’t really speaking to mike. why would that be the case if she believed his monologue and thought they were ready for a relationship? (and who do we see mike talking to instead?)

[stiles-o-dylan24]

Srsly do not kill summer I will be so upset

I swear I won’t! Stummer will get their happy ending if it’s the last thing I do😭

[kiirotoao]

YES!!!!!!!!!!! Yes to both of you. Oh my gosh. This concept would be golden.

And the even cooler thing is that this could work for Mike through lettergate - Mike proves his feelings to Will are genuine and long-lasting as he reveals a letter written between seasons 3 and 4 (during the time skip). This could be the “it’s me” moment for Mike.

Letters are perfect for those who can’t say what they want to in the moment, which is just what Mike struggles to do. And with that much pressure of Will doubting Mike because of the power of Vecna potentially tricking him, it’s understandable that Mike might be flustered out of his mind with what to say to prove himself to Will. So maybe he doesn’t have to speak suddenly at all (like he had to with El in s4). He could bring up his heart in a letter and show the date that it was written to prove its veracity. And then, going off of @ven0moir’s post, Mike could continue to re-contexualize all of his feelings before and what he went through to get to that point. And since all of it hinges on a time before Vecna reentered Hawkins in 1986, Will (and the audience!!!) has proof and can be confident that Mike’s feelings are requited.

A heartfelt piece for a heartfelt piece. Byler can do something extraordinary and both have something to show and say as love tokens for each other.

it (1990) spoilers ahead

byler confession benverly style where mike confesses to will but will thinks it’s a vecna vision because of how much vecna has been taunting him… basically this but much more dramatic

beverly 'confesses' her love to ben before this but it turns out it was just pennywise messing with ben, making him see things, so he doesn't know what to believe anymore. this time it's real.

this wouldn’t be too far-fetched considering byler has been paralleled to benverly before, and the duffers have said It & stephen king are a big inspiration for stranger things. in It, ben writes beverly a poem confessing his love but it doesn’t have his name on it so bev thinks it is from bill. she grows feelings towards bill because she thinks he wrote the poem but falls in love with ben after realizing he wrote it originally. much like how will makes the painting for mike but passes it off as el’s so mike thinks it’s from her and confesses his love in the following ep. now all we need is for him to realize it's from will.