#eddie is a softy

[lordofthenerds97]

Wasting Away: Chapter 6

Rating: M for eventual chapters, mild cursing, and nonexplicit sexual content Pairing: Eddie x Reader, Past Billy x Reader, and onesided Steve x Reader if you squint Summary: You were broken. Falling apart. Trying to put yourself back together. Whatever the hell they wanted to call it. All you knew was you were hurting. The Upside Down had been the bane of your existence for a long time. But now you had a reason to hate it. Will your hatred be enough to help take down the latest in a long line of monsters? TW FOR THIS CHAPTER: • Mild Panic Attack • Survivor's Guilt • Mentions of Therapy Masterlist

The bell dinged above you as you walked into the small mechanic’s shop. You paused for a moment, the smell of motor oil, grease, and fumes hitting your nose. 

“Hold on!”

You barely registered the voice calling out to you as you looked around. Things had changed since the last time you’d been in there. The shelves had been moved around, other racks had been added, and there were even displays set up. The small and miscellaneous parts had been organized and were hanging in their proper places with the price tags displayed neatly above them. “Damn,” you muttered. Before Mack’s wife, Helen, had retired, the place was more well kept than what Mack himself would do. But you hadn’t ever seen it like this. 

The last time you’d been in there with Billy, you had to help him dig through multiple bins to find the right wrenches and screws he needed.

Mack’s small shop had definitely gotten an upgrade. 

“Hey sweetheart,”

You looked up from the shelf at the sound of the familiar voice. “Eddie?”

He had poked his head through the door leading to the actual shop, grinning at you. “What’s up?”

“I didn’t know you worked here,” you said dumbly. You were pretty sure the expression on your face matched the tone of your voice.  

He chuckled. “What, do you think Mack managed to do all this himself?” he asked as he stepped behind the counter. His hair was tied into a messy bun at the base of his neck to keep it out of his face as he worked. He looked at the oil filter you were holding. “That all you need, doll?”

You smiled. That explained all the upgrades. But then his question registered, and you pursed your lips. “Actually, no…”

He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms as he leaned against the old counter beside the register. “I’m at your service.”

Taking a breath, you looked at him hopefully. “I need to see about ordering some specialty parts, and how much it’s going to cost.”

That caught his interest. “Really? What are you working on?”

You sighed. “A pet project…one that’s going to take a long time to finish.”

Hearing the tone of your voice, Eddie softened. “Alrighty. Whatcha need?”

Realizing he wasn’t going to push you for more information, your eyes lit up and you smiled at him. You wanted to tell him about the “surprise” that Dustin and Steve had set up for you. But if you were being honest with yourself, you were still trying to wrap your head around what they had done. “A few things. Let’s start with a four barrel Holley carburetor.” 

Eddie grabbed a notepad from the opposite side of the register and began writing. “Uh huh,”

“Rear drum brakes for a ‘78 Chevy,”

“Mhm.”

“Probably a new vacuum modulator.”

He continued to scribble as you listed off a few more parts. He listened patiently as you went down the list. You couldn’t help but wince as you continued telling him what you needed. It was a long list. And it was going to be expensive. 

“That should be it.”

He looked at the list and let out a low whistle. “Damn, sweetheart. Looks like you’ve got a hell of a project going on.”

You let out a snort. “Bit of an understatement,” you muttered. In actuality, you were pretty much rebuilding the entire thing from scratch. And at the moment, you were thanking God above that Billy had taught you so much about his car. “Gonna take me a while.” 

Eddie pursed his lips and read over the list. “Well, I think I might have a spare modulator laying around. Just changed a few out and we ordered some extras. ‘78, you said, right?”

You nodded. 

“Cool. Drum brakes were going to be on our next order, we just ran out. That Holley is probably gonna not take the prettiest penny.” 

You nodded. That wasn’t a surprise. 

“All in all sweetheart…you’re looking at about $2,500, give or take.”

That was actually a little less than you had been expecting, considering the amount of parts you needed to get. “Not bad,” you said. 

Eddie looked at you. “Are you gonna want to order now or wait a bit?”

You paused for a moment, chewing on your bottom lip as you thought. “I’ll get the modulator, the filter, and preorder the brakes for now.”

He nodded. “Gotcha. Both sets?”

“Yep.”

“Cool. I’ll make sure we order those today. They should be here the end of the week.” 

“Nice.”

He grabbed a binder from under the counter and flipped through it, looking for what you assumed was the part numbers. He mumbled to himself as he scanned the laminated pages and tapped a few things into the register. “Three hundred twenty five and thirty-two cents.” he said, looking up at you. “That okay?”

You nodded, setting your small bag onto the counter to dig through and find your wallet. “How long have you worked here?” you asked.

He shrugged. “A year or so. Mack liked to keep me in the back for a while. He needed an extra set of hands in the shop. Said he couldn’t find any mechanics worth a shit.”

You snorted. “Sounds like Mack.”

“Not to sound like a stereotype,” he said, looking up at you as you handed him four hundred. “But where’d you learn to work on cars?”

Your throat tightened momentarily. You cleared it before you spoke. “Billy,” you said. “He was determined to teach me everything he could. Said he wanted me to know what was going on and to make sure that I wouldn’t get swindled. It helped that he was always working on his car. I learned a lot.” 

He nodded. “Good. Thankfully Mack isn’t like a lot of other mechanics, but I’ve seen plenty of assholes in my time try and take advantage of a woman who doesn’t know shit about her car. I’m glad you know what you’re doing.” 

You laughed. “I don’t think I know exactly what I’m doing, but I think I can wing it for the most part.”

Eddie chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Sweetheart, I don’t think this pet project is something you should wing. Sounds important. And expensive.” 

“Eh, we’ll see.”  you said with a smile. “Thanks Eddie.” 

“No problem.” He grinned at you. “Aside from working on your special project, what else are you up to on this fine afternoon?”

You sighed and took the bag that he offered you. “Trying to catch up on homework. I managed most of what Dusty brought me when I missed a few days last week. Now I just have to try and stomach the assignments I have tonight.”

Eddie snorted. “I understand. Seems to me like teachers should spend more time teaching us what will actually get us by in this world instead of the infinite numbers of pi.”

“Seriously,” you said. “I’m trying to keep up with what I have, plus trying to keep my grades up while I look at different colleges.”

He raised an eyebrow and resumed his casual stance leaning against the counter. “College? I didn’t think that was an aspiration of yours.”

You shrugged. “Honestly, it’s more to keep my parents happy than anything. I don’t particularly want to go to college, but hey, there’s always something to learn.” 

“Any idea on what you’d want to study?”

A sigh escaped your lips. “I don’t know…I love science though. If I did actually go, I’d probably pick something in that area.” You laughed before adding on, “Honestly, you’d probably think I’m crazy if I told you the type of reading I do for fun.”

His expression turned serious. “Sweetheart, I’ve seen and heard a lot out of you, and I haven’t ever thought you’re crazy. I doubt there’s anything you could say that would make me think that.”

What if I told you there was an alternate dimension that has portals in Hawkins and has repeatedly split the fabric of the universe apart? What if I told you that it wasn’t an explosion that killed Billy, it was a telepathic monster made of the flesh and bones of the humans it had him lure to it’s lair?

You fought back the intrusive thoughts and tried to laugh. “You really wanna know?” you asked. 

He nodded enthusiastically. “If you’re interested in it, then its got to be something worth knowing about.” 

You snorted and laughed. “Fine. I like reading about nuclear physics and quantum mechanics.”

His expression was more than a little shocked. “You wanna run that by me again, sweetheart? Just to make sure I heard you right?”

“Um…nuclear physics and quantum mechanics?”

Eddie shook his head. “How the hell did you get into that?”

The Upside Down. Finding a way to stop it.

You shrugged. “There’s a lot in this world we don’t understand. But one day I’d like to be able to. Plus, when you actually read and research, it’s not that hard to understand.”

He nodded. “I think if someone sets their mind to something, then nothing is impossible.”

“Exactly!” You grinned at him. Then an idea popped into your head. “Hey, what’re you doing Saturday night?”

He shrugged. “Not a lot. Coffin has a gig at 12, but before that I’m probably just going to be sitting at home. Why? What’s up?”

“My parents are having some old friends over. I don’t really want to be there, but I promised my mom I would try. She said I could have a friend over too. Would you…would you want to come?”

“Are you asking me on a date, sweetheart? And meeting your parents already?” he teased. 

You laughed. “Talk about moving fast.” you said with a chuckle. “Honestly, I need someone that’s not going to make me feel like jumping off the roof instead of socializing.” 

He nodded. “I understand. Getting yourself back out there after being isolated for so long can be hard.”

“Yeah…and right now I want nothing to do with anyone.” 

Eddie laughed. “I understand that too. What time?”

“You’ll come?” you asked hopefully. 

“Yeah sweetheart, I’ll come. But you gotta let me know what I’m walking into.” he said with a chuckle. “I’m not exactly everyone’s favorite person.” 

Reaching beside him, you grabbed the notebook and pencil he’d been using earlier. “Really nice couple. Known my parents for a long time. They have a kid, but she’s actually pretty cool. Kind of reminds me of Dustin.” After writing down your address, you slid the paper back to him. “They’re gonna love you.”

He raised an eyebrow when he saw the street name, realizing you lived in one of the more upscale areas of Hawkins. “Sounds like fun.” 

You beamed at him and he couldn’t help but smile back. “They’re supposed to come at six. But if you want to come a little earlier, I can introduce you to my parents.”

“Sure. I’ll be there.” 

~*~*~*~

“Honey? You home?”

“Yeah mom!” you called as you shut the front door behind you. You slipped out of your converse and put them on the rack. “I just went by Mack’s.” 

She came around the corner to meet you, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Did you get what you needed?” Her expression was hopeful and you smiled. 

“Not all of it, but I got a good start! Eddie was really helpful. Shocked at how much it was gonna cost, but helpful.” 

“Oh, the mechanic? He changed the oil in the Jeep for me last week. Seems to be a nice kid.” 

You nodded. “I go to school with him.” you said. “Actually…I think I might be making friends?” 

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” 

“Yeah…funny story, actually.” 

Your mom grinned and took the bag from your hands. “Come on. Tell me about it.” 

You chuckled and followed her into the kitchen. She grabbed two cans of coke from the fridge and handed you one before settling in her chair and looking at you expectantly. 

“So you know the Hellfire Club? The DnD club Dustin and the guys joined?” 

She nodded before rolling her eyes. “You wouldn’t believe the rumors circulating about it.” 

You snorted. “I’m sure they’re al saying that it’s a cult and they’re worshipping the devil.” 

Your mom laughed. “Pretty much.” 

“Doesn’t surprise me.” 

“Me either. Anyways, continue.” 

You cracked open the soda and took a sip. “Eddie is the Dungeon Master. I’ve heard Dustin rant and rave about him. He and Mike have been trying to get me to join a campaign soon, which is happened next weekend by the way. Dustin was hanging around with me during lunch last week and out of nowhere Eddie drops down at our table being all loud ‘n shit. Scares the bejesus out of me and sends me into an attack.” 

The concern on her face warmed your cheeks. 

“Dustin kind of blanked…it was actually Eddie that coached me through. Surprised me, really. And he even checked on me after school to make sure I was okay.” 

She nodded. “I don’t know much about him, just some small talk after he changed the oil, but he seems like a good kid.” 

You nodded. “Dustin has nothing but good to say about him. People at school? Not so much. But he’s actually really great.” You bit your lip, not knowing how much you should divulge. “He lost some family…that’s why he’s with his uncle. Someone he was close to used to have panic attacks…he was the only one who could get them through.” 

Your mom hummed quietly. “I’m glad he’s helped you.” 

“Me too.” You smiled slightly. “He’s brought me breakfast at school to make sure I’m eating. I guess Dustin was a little tattle tale.” 

She chuckled. “He’s just watching out for you, honey. I for one, am glad he is.” 

You rolled your eyes. “With how many people are ‘watching out for me’, I feel like I’m under a microscope.” 

She snorted. “You’re too pretty to be a specimen.” 

That actually made you laugh. “Thanks.” 

“Oh, did you get a chance to talk to Steve about Saturday? I saw him in the store earlier, he was asking about you.”

“Actually…I thought about asking Eddie to come?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Are you saying that as a statement or a question?”

You shrugged. “Well, what do you think? I feel pretty comfortable around him, and I know he can help me through a panic attack.”

She hummed again. “I’d say I want you to think about it.” she said honestly.

You frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” she started, “You’ve been pretty private since the accident. You barely talk to Steve, and I know Nancy and Robin don’t come around as much as they used to. Dustin has pretty much been the only one who can talk you into doing something.”

Your frown only deepened. 

Sensing that she was dancing around the point, your mom sighed. “Do you want me to put it bluntly?”

You nodded. 

“Honey, you haven’t been social with anyone since Billy died. Do you think you’re trying to put something on Eddie that he doesn’t need to carry?”

Then it hit you. Your immediate reaction was to get angry. You were pretty sure the expression on your face reflected that. But you closed your eyes and took a deep breath. “Mom.” you said. “Billy isn’t replaceable. I loved him.” You held up your left hand, “I was going to marry him after I graduated. If I was ever going to think about dating someone again, it wouldn’t be this soon, and it sure as hell wouldn’t be anyone from this shitty town.” 

Tears were flowing freely at this point and you didn’t bother to hold them back. You didn’t think you’d be able to even if you tried. “I know I’ve been a terrible friend for everyone, Max most of all, but I’ve been trying. And since I’ve started trying, I’ve been having more and more panic attacks. I’m putting myself out there again. Sure, I know them, but that doesn’t make a difference. I love all of them, and I would lose my goddamn mind if anything happened to them. Especially after the accident. I can’t lose anyone else. That’s why I was trying to keep my distance. That’s why I closed myself off to them.” 

She could tell that you were starting to hyperventilate. She reached for your hand, which you latched onto. Your chest tightened as you continued pushing the words out. “Eddie definitely reminds me of Billy, which is why its hard to be around him sometimes. But he’s his own person. No one can ever take Billy’s place.” You took a deep breath and tried to calm yourself down. If you kept going at this pace, you knew it would end in another panic attack. And that was something you were desperately trying to avoid. 

“Eddie didn’t judge me when I fell apart in front of him. Instead, he helped me get myself together and made sure I was okay afterwards. I don’t feel like I have to hide my feelings around him. He’s had a similar loss and understands what’s going on up in my head. I’m not okay more than half the time. But Eddie has gone out of his way to make sure that I’m okay around him.”

 You let out a choked sob and began to curl in on yourself. 

Stop, you scolded yourself. This isn’t helping anyone. Take a deep breath and shove those feelings back into their box.

You’d had inklings of feelings similar to your mother’s. You needed your own verbal assurance that Eddie wasn’t taking Billy’s place in your life. His death had left a massive hole. In your heart, in your head, in your life. There wasn’t anything that anyone could do or say that would ever fill it. You knew that. 

She got up from her seat across from you and walked around the island, kneeling down and grabbing your other hand. “Look at me, baby girl. It’s okay.”

You focused on her for a moment before taking a deep breath and struggling to pull your mind out of the dark pit it was trying to crawl into. It sent a shiver down your spine as you fought it, but you managed to haul yourself back to reality. 

You sniffled and took one of your hands out of your mom’s to grab a napkin from the island. “Sorry,” you mumbled.” 

She shook her head. “There’s nothing to apologize for.”

You looked back at her, eyes wide as you searched her face. You knew she had a valid point in her thoughts about Eddie. From an outsider’s perspective, you couldn’t blame her for having that suspicion. “Do you understand what I’m trying to say?” you asked cautiously. 

She was quiet for a moment before she nodded. “I think I do.” While she wasn’t completely in your shoes, she could understand the need to be around someone who had experienced something similar in the past and made it through. “I do. And honestly, I’m glad you feel okay with him. I never really understood why you were pushing everyone away instead of leaning on them for support. But now I do. And I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to help you with that sooner.”

You shrugged slowly. “It wasn’t something I really talked about…not even with Allie.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I think that’s something you need to talk about in your next session. I’m not a specialist, but this definitely sounds like something that’s hindering you.”

She was right, of course, which made you sigh. “Okay.” you agreed. You looked up at your mom, exhaustion seeping through you. “But for now can we make some popcorn and watch a movie?”and pressed a kiss to the side of your head, holding you as sobs racked your body. As you slowly calmed down, your head began to clear. “I’m sorry,” you said quietly. 

Your mom shook her head. “Nothing to be sorry about, honey. I’m the one who should apologize. I know it hasn’t been easy for you at all. But I’m so happy you’re finding a friend in Eddie. And if he understands, then I’m even happier.” 

You gave her a soft smile and wiped your eyes again. “Thanks mom.” 

Taglist: @yourdailymemedelivery@1-fuzzy-squirrels@shiggay@chrisevansmarvelmcu@mrsyixingunicorn10@rebelcthulhu @ethen-often @liv-raines@inthemindofaweirdo@mystrangerfics@mattysheelies@hargrovesprincess@ssstutteringbbbill@fuchsia-knight@gooddoggodrogo @jaaxely@sebastiansloserclub@acthenerd@dollface-80 @prettyboyhargrove@uncle-keery@sydneyisnotawriter

[maatdraws]

ZZzzzZZZzzz...

[imfinereallyy]

Eddie coming home drunk and staring longingly at a picture of Steve. “I wonder when my husband will come back from the war. I miss you so.”

Steve walks out to see his boyfriend plastered, almost kissing the frame. “Babe, I was in the bathroom. Also, as much as this pains me, we aren’t married.

Eddie, completely unfazed by his misplaced longing. “Yet, we aren’t married yet.”

Steve's face softens as he walks over to kiss Eddie on the forehead, “Yea, babe. Not yet.”

[munsonsfairy]

eddie munson is the type of guy to bring your hands to his lips and kiss them all over softly, then bring one of your hands to his jaw to nestle into it.

[sabbathbloodysabbeth]

inspired by @rogueddie 's post. Right Here.

120 minutes

2 hours they have been standing in front of this stupid claw machine. All because Eddie saw something inside that he was desperate to get. Whatever it was he was refusing to tell Steve who was now pressed up against the wall between the claw machine and some arcade machine. He’s confident that the other has blown at least a hundred dollars trying to get whatever he wanted.

His tongue stuck out in concentration, refusing to let Steve talk to him as it would distract him. Steve doesn’t think much of what the other is doing. The other boy did wacky things all the time. This was one of those times as he waits patiently for the other to finish. Willing to stay all night if that meant he was able to spend time with Eddie.

Five minutes later, when the boy starts hopping up and down and throwing his hands excitedly in the air. Smiling brightly at Steve before he’s turning, bending down, and grabbing whatever he caught from the slot. Pulling it back and putting it behind his back quickly before Steve could see. Moving forward into his space, a smile tugged on the scar on his face. Not leaving any space between them. A look of confusion crossed over Steve’s face trying to figure out what the other was doing.

“So what did you win?” He asks curiously, wondering what the other had spent all that time on. Must’ve been worth it by the smile on his face.

“Oh nothing,” Eddie says tiling his head to the side dramatically. “Just, you know. A bat.” He takes the moment to pull the plushie up holding it by the wing as he dangles it in front of Steve who was starting to think confusion was his default setting.

“Oh?”

“Oh? A man spends two hours winning you a stuffed bat and all you have to say is oh?” Eddie’s teasing is continuous. Constantly wrapping itself around Steve with a soft flush as a result.

Steve begins to stutter over his words as he lifts his hand up, holding the stuffy carefully in both hands. His heart swells up as he realizes Eddie spent all that time for him. As the realization hits a dopey smile grows on Steve’s face, seemingly what Eddie had been searching for as his eyes flicker down to the other's lips. Moving a hand up and carefully setting it on the wall next to Steve’s head. Not caring how close they were. Both of their faces were pink and their hearts beating fast.

“So, watcha gonna name it?” Eddie asks with a smile, one that was reserved for Steve.

“Ozzy.”

“Holy shit, I am just a simple peasant to your royalty. Oh holy one, please grace me with your presence at mine tonight.” Eddie pulls back starting to bow down at the other as Steve laughs at his antics.

“Is that your way of asking me out?” He teases playfully.

“Yes, I guess it is,” Eddie responds, hand aimlessly moving to twirl the bat's wing with his finger as he smiles brightly at the other.

[nburkhardt]

A bit of omegaverse slice of life 🥰

Steve wakes up first in the morning with his face pressed into Eddie’s back with their legs tangled together. Just before he can close his eyes to sleep more, he’s hit with nausea. Throwing the blanket off him, he stumbles his way into the bathroom. Falling next to the toilet and throwing up all of last night’s dinner.

As he groans, forehead resting against the edge of the seat, he flinches as he feels a hand rub up and down on his back. Shifting a little, he looks up to find Eddie crouching next to him with concern coloring his face. “You alright there, Honeybun?”

Sighing, he closes his eyes. “Yeah, yeah- fuck, I feel gross”

Eddie huffs a laugh before helping him stand, placing a kiss to his forehead, “how about you take a shower? I’ll make some breakfast and wait for Claudia to get here”

All he can do is nod and as Eddie walks out, he undresses before stepping in the shower. Doesn’t take him long to shower, he’s brushing his teeth when he hears the front door open and it closes again and he hears the giggling.

A smile works it’s way onto his face and he quickly finishes before making his way towards the sound of Melody’s giggling and as he turns the corner finds Eddie twirling around with Melody safely against his shoulder. If he wasn’t already so in love with the alpha, that sight would’ve sold him immediately.

“Oh! M’lady we have an audience here!” Eddie exclaims, turning Melody in his arms and his daughter’s eyes light up the minute they land on him and a giggle-shriek comes out of her mouth. He quickly moves forward before she falls straight onto the floor trying to escape Eddie’s arms.

Snuggling Melody in his arms, he began to sway and take in her sweet baby scent. He opens his eyes to find Eddie watching with a look of adoration and love written all over his face. The omega opened his free arm and the Alpha laughed before circling them into his own arms.

Steve has never felt more safe in his life.

I was reading over some of my ramblings in my notes app and got this perfect little moment and thought to share it with everyone! 🥰🥰

Permanent tag list under the cut. (NOTE: omegaverse isn’t your thing, let me know and I’ll make a note to no include you in these posts)

@spectrum-spectre @sunnythespookyghost @mysticcrownshipper @artiststarme @thereindeerlady @justforthedead89 @ronniescontinuum @freyaforestafay @littlewildflowerkitten @gregre369 @zerokrox-blog @flustratedcas @carlprocastinator1000 @marvelmwah @solliesolesito @navnae @i-less-than-three-you @grimmfitzz @estrellami-1 @cartercaptainofthemoon

[eddieintheupsidedown]

Eddie: I'm a very tough person, nothing can break me. I don't even remember the last time I cried

Steve: we passed by a cat on our way home yesterday and you cried when you accidentally stepped on his tail

Eddie, tearing up: he didn't deserve that, i betrayed his trust

[b0mb-sh3ll]

dream I had last night, woke up happy :]

(technically the dream was me adopting a brown bear cub from some cage, then shoplifting magical books from a dollar store with my sister and being chased down by police, but I woke up with the urge to cuddle all baby bears EVER so…)

[navnae]

After a long day of performing on stage Eddie always come home extremely tired and he never has enough energy to wipe of his makeup. When Steve sees Eddie laying in bed sleeping with his eyeliner and a little bit of eyeshadow along with a little bit of lip gloss. Steve knew that Eddie would be a goner as soon as he hit the front door, so Steve took it upon himself to take out some of his makeup wipes that he carries with him every time Eddie goes on tour. With a few wipes in his hand Steve sat on the side of the bed and faces towards Eddie who was sleeping peacefully like he always did. Steve smiled softly before taking his hand and placing it under Eddie’s chin to angle his face towards him. Light snores escaped Eddie’s lips by the little bit of movement that Steve was making and it was the cutest thing. Steve took his other hand with the wipe then gently started to wipe the eyeshadow off of Eddie’s eyelids before lightly angling the wipe and he was somewhat able to wipe away a little bit of the eyeliner that he was able to reach. A few seconds of wiping made Eddie shuffle around under Steve’s touch before his eyes slowly opened and he looked at Steve with confusion.

“Stevie?” Eddie said softly as he adjusted his eyes. It didn’t take long for him realize what was going on on eve he saw the wipes in Steve’s hand. Steve smiled before kissing Eddie’s forehead and softly brushing his bangs to the side.

“I’m just wiping off your makeup for you, baby. I’ll be done soon so you can go back to sleep.” Steve said sweetly. Eddie hummed before closing his eyes and Steve continued with getting the makeup off of Eddie’s eyes. He even took the wipe and rubbed it against Eddie’s lips to get off the light lipgloss he was wearing.

When Steve got done with everything he started to get himself ready for bed like usual and join Eddie a few minutes later. As he got into bed, Eddie was already throwing his arms around Steve’s waist as if he was going to run away in an instant. Steve laughed lightly then wrapped his arms around Eddie and they started to cuddle.

“Thank you.” Eddie mumbled against Steve’s chest. Steve smiled to himself and gave Eddie a tight squeeze.

“You’re welcome.” Steve responded. Eddie tilted his head slightly to look up at Steve.

“You really didn’t have to you know.” Eddie felt a little guilty that Steve went out of his way to wipe his makeup off but little did he know that Steve didn’t mind it at all.

“I know but I know you better than you know yourself and you would’ve regretted keeping it on in the morning.” Steve joked and he earned an eye roll from Eddie but he still laughed in the process. He couldn’t deny that besides Wayne, Steve definitely knew more about him than he liked to admit. Eddie moved closer to Steve and held him even tighter than before.

They shared a few kisses and goodnights then went to sleep. Eddie had to be on the road early in the morning so having these sweet moments with Steve from time to time was such a blessing.

[911-incorrect-quotes-dispatch]

*Halloween celebration at the 118*

Buck: Eddie, talk to me, how is our candy situation?

Eddie: We're out of candy already.

Hen: How are we out?

Chim: That's impossible, it's been like 1 hour.

Buck: No more than 5 kids have come by the station.

Eddie: Yeah, but this one little boy that looked like Christopher told me he loved me, so I gave him all the candy.

[softie-rain]

I'M GETTING VENOM AND DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE MOVIES IN THE SAME YEAR NOBODY TALKS TO ME I'M GOING INSANE

[justsheerfilth1]

Bit of an unpopular head canon but what if Eddie loves Christmas. While I imagine his fav is Halloween, what if he doesn’t hate Christmas the way people expect. Maybe it’s when he baked Christmas cookies with his mum and she sang Christmas songs with him, when uncle Wayne would come over dressed as Santa and he would light up! When the trailer felt cosy under blankets and showings of the grinch cartoon played on tv. And everyone expects him to scoff at capitalism and consumerism at this time of year so he plays up to it, rants to anyone who’ll listen to keep up the act. But it’s really filled with cosy memories and times where his mum and Wayne made the effort for little Eddies happiness!!!

[frizz-bee-2]

i needed to do this-- .·´¯`(>▂<)´¯`·.

[imfinereallyy]

Steve Harrington isn't sure he's ever felt beautiful.

He is sure it would be a surprise to most.

However, Steve is overwhelmed with himself. And not in a good way. The constant feeling of the stretch of his skin, every lump, every scar. It's hard to breathe sometimes for Steve.

There is too much of him. Hair everywhere. Worried lips. Voice fluctuating.

Too many errors. Picked cuticles, bitten nails, and crooked noses.

Too many flaws. Loudmouth has nothing to show for it. Big money, but not enough to fix.

When Steve Harrington looks at himself, he doesn't see something he defines as beauty.

Sure he's been called many things across the board. Hot, sexy, and even the occasional handsome. That is typically reserved though for old women at Family Video and his mother's book club in 79' (a disaster of an idea considering it was mostly day drinking). And although Steve is called all these things and more, he hasn't really felt them. They are just more meaningless words he is supposed to nod his head along to. It's rude not to take a compliment, he can hear his mother's voice saying.

But Steve Harrington does not feel beautiful. He knows it's not a masculine word. He can almost hear the unspoken slur every time his father calls Steve a pretty boy, good for nothing but his looks.

(Steve doesn't think it's his father's insults that make him feel this way. He thinks that his comments might have to do more with his repressed bisexuality though. That's a talk for Robin for sure.)

Steve knows he shouldn't feel this way. Should be grateful for the compliments, the praise. It's rude, he knows. To be so ungracious. He can't just push them off, he can't argue.

He knows it isn't good, and isn't healthy to put this on other people. That he should work from the inside than out. Even so, Steve can't help but wonder if it's all his years being put inside a particular box that is the problem.

Who is he to argue with everyone else too? They always know better. The girls at school have told him what eye candy he is. His old buddies would tell him they wish they looked like him. Even the kids would mostly compliment him aesthetically. Talk about his way with women. Talk about how he's lucky he's got looks.

(He thinks he should be bothered more by the value of his looks than his intelligence, but that problem feels separate to Steve. He isn't really sure if he can explain it.)

Maybe that is the problem. People talk more about his looks than to him. Around him, through him, but not to him. Or maybe it's because Steve thinks they are just being kind, being pitiful. If Steve can't be smart, can't be creative, can't be talented all that is left is looks. People can't bullshit the other things, but they can all pretend he's a good-looking guy.

He is probably being dramatic if he's being honest. He can feel the sinking weight of the words selfish, self-centered, vain. It's like a horrible thrumming in his chest, every time he thinks too hard about it. Thankless and paranoid, Steve usually keeps quiet.

It's when Steve meets Robin Buckley, things start to change just a little bit. She's the first to come the closest to making him believe he can maybe be beautiful.

It's after a shift at Family Video. Robin and Steve are sitting on the hood of his BMW at the quarry. They're stargazing. Something that before Robin, Steve would have considered a waste of time.

He is so very glad he met Robin.

Steve has never really told anyone how he feels about himself. He doesn't think it would do him any good. He comes close though when suddenly Robin turns from looking at the sky, looks directly at his face, and says, "Sometimes, you remind me of the stars."

Steve startles and comes up with an eloquent "Huh?"

Robin giggles softly. "It's the moles. Reminds me of the constellations. I sometimes want to connect them, see if they match."

Steve just stares, unsure of what to say. Feels captured by her. Can feel that familial love between them grow even more.

Robin reaches out. Carefully, delicately, as if Steve might stop her. She brushes against the moles across his face and lightly connects them. "Pretty."

It's just one word, but for a moment Steve believes it's true. It's only a second, but he thinks he might remember this moment forever.

"Thanks Rob." He whispers, afraid to break the moment.

Rob pauses for a second before continuing the journey back and forth on his face. It's if she can tell how fragile he is when she whispers back "No problem Dingus."

He doesn't believe it for very long, but it at least makes him more grateful for Robin.

———

Steve Harrington isn't sure he's ever felt beautiful.

Well, until he meets Eddie Munson.

It's small at first. From the second Eddie meets Steve, it's almost as if he can read every single thought that comes across his mind.

And when they become friends, after Vecna, after it all, it's as if Eddie can see completely through Steve.

Eddie notices when Steve gets uncomfortable with backhanded compliments on his looks. When Steve tenses in the slightest towards what the kids, customers, or even Nance are saying (he remembers a distinct can't believe another woman hasn't been fooled by the Harrington looks yet, from her). And at first, Eddie seems to just catch on and change the subject. Shifts the attention to himself instead.

Steve's grateful.

But then Eddie starts to correct people. Shape the compliments better, more suited to Steve. There is a girl trying to flirt with him in Family Video once when Eddie is visiting. Steve isn't super receptive to it and even shrinks away a bit when the girl—Sadie he thinks her name is—looks him up and down and says "Sorry I'm taking so long, just I can't help if you're so distracting. You look so good today Steve,"

It doesn't feel good, even though he wants it to. But then there is Eddie cutting Sadie off by saying, "It's the smile isn't it?"

Eddie looks directly at Steve, chin in his hands as he leans across the counter. There is a slight uptilt to his lips while ignores Sadie's confused "Huh?"

"Can't look away when you see a smile that bright."

Steve doesn't think too badly about himself for the rest of the day.

After that something shifts in Eddie too. The verbal comments don't become fewer, but the looks do become more frequent. It's these absolutely intoxicating looks, that shake Steve to his core.

Eddie's eyes trail him, whisper to him, fucking follow his every movement.

There is this one time when Steve throws his head back and laughs harder than has in his life when Robin trips into Nancy's lap. He is sure it really isn't that funny, and he knows he looks awful with the snorting and tears running down his face. But Eddie, Eddie's eyes just follow the line of Steve's neck, connect all of his moles with his gaze, and just beams at Steve.

For a moment, Steve feels gorgeous.

———

Even with these little things, Steve Harrington doesn't feel beautiful.

After everything with Vecna, what little he liked about himself is quite literally torn apart. The stares are mixed now. Some admire him, some look upon him in horror. He can't decide which feels worse. They both make him feel so distinctly other. Something to look at, something to hang on the wall and contemplate.

And moments like these ones, sitting in his backyard in broad daylight, in 90-degree weather for a pool party the kids begged him to have, he can't help but cover himself up. Hide away.

Eddie sits next to him in the lounge chair on his right with a distinct plop, shaking Steve from his spiral momentarily.

"You doing alright there big boy?" Eddie raises an eyebrow.

"Yea. I'm good man." Steve tries to shake off.

"Really? Cause like I know you and Rambo—" Eddie points at Nancy "—don't exactly go in the water anymore, but the least you can do is take your shirt off. It's hotter than Satan's ass out here, and that's a lot coming from me. Considering my reputation with knowing him personally and all."

Steve looks out at the backyard, at the kids in the water, at Robin trying hopelessly not to stare at Nancy, and he contemplates for a moment. He could lie to Eddie, but that didn't feel right. They had grown too close for that. He could tell him to shove off, and Steve knows that Eddie would, no questions asked. It doesn't feel right either. Because for once, Steve wants. Steve aches. So he turns to Eddie slowly and says "I don't want them to stare."

Steve doesn't specify who. He doesn't think he needs to. It's not really anyone really. Or maybe it's everyone.

Instead of telling him they won't stare, or he has nothing to be ashamed or that he's a hot piece of ass, Eddie says "Why don't you want them to?"

Steve feels like he's been hit by a truck.

He takes a sharp breath "I—I just feel—" He tilts his head back trying to hold back tears before looking at Eddie again "—It just makes me feel like a thing. Like something to observe. The scars, they are just awful. And I know yours are the same but it's just different. It fits you, not me. I'm not sure anything fits me really. And—and even if it's not the scars they stare cause they think I like it, like it's a compliment. But I don't believe it. It's not true. It never has been, even before the Upside Down. I'm just Steve. I'm just here and..." he trails off. Steve doesn't even think he is making any sense in the slightest. But then he sees Eddie's face through the tears, so serious and kind, and Steve sees that Eddie just gets it.

Without hesitation, Eddie stands up and grabs Steve's wrist lightly, and drags him up. "C'mon" is all he says before taking Steve inside.

Steve expects a speech, Eddie is famous for them, but instead all he does is pull him into the kitchen. "Let's make the kids lunch, yeah?"

So they do. For the next five minutes, they work in comfortable silence, preparing sandwiches. Steve's shoulder's relax, the tension begins to leave his body. He can feel Eddie's warmth at his side. Can hear Eddie start to hum the tune of "Everybody wants to Rule the World" next to him, even though Steve is certain Eddie hates Tears for Fears. And because Steve knows it's for him he can't help the smile that blooms across his face, dimples and all.

Suddenly, Eddie stops humming and takes Steve's face into his hands, caressing his cheeks with his thumbs. Back and forth. Back and forth.

Steve's smile, albeit softer now, remains on his face when he asks, "What?"

Eddie leans in, a whisper away from his lips, and replies "Beautiful."

He then kisses Steve in the only way that can be described as devoted affection. It's warm and true. It's like coming home.

And Steve Harrington for the first time feels beautiful.

———

When time moves on, and Steve has bad days, where he feels like he's rotting from the inside out, he remembers this moment. He remembers when his boyfriend saw him covered in sweat, tears, and mayo, and can't help but kiss him for the first anyway.

He remembers Eddie can't see anything beyond Steve's smile and think that he was anything but beautiful.

———

Do I develop Steve's character more than necessary? yes. Will it ever stop me? no. Sorry I love a good character study. I need to do one for Eddie next.

Not much to say here except, like steve says this might not make a whole lot of sense, but it felt good to get out. Sometimes it's okay to want to be called pretty. It's not shallow or vain. It's good for the soul. Hope the pacing was okay. Llet me know what to write next <3

[withacapitalp]

Take a Joke

Normally, Steve could take a joke. 

He had built his entire high school career on taking a joke. That was how things had to run when you were popular. You sharpened your fangs against your ‘friends’ with thinly veiled insults and haughty looks to keep them in line. And, if you were the coolest and the coldest, you got treated like royalty, because everyone was too afraid of what you might do to even dream of tearing you down.  

Steve, who had spent his entire life watching his parents be cool and cold had risen to the top of the food chain with ease. He had become an Apex Predator in just his sophomore year, somehow hiding that he wasn’t like the rest of them in the slightest. He managed to conceal the fact that he cried every single time his father cut him to ribbons, and that he would sometimes have silent breakdowns in the bathroom when he got another failing grade. 

He never let them see his underbelly, never let them know when the words they casually shot at him carved into soft flesh, instead of the core of solid rock they all thought he had. 

It was survival, and Steve was good at surviving. 

Until he wasn’t. 

Read the rest on ao3!

[ghost-proofbaby]

you know, I would say that this is 24hrs eddie but I think reader would make fun of him for even suggesting the idea

cackling because you're right.

he'd approach reader so timidly like "hey... i have an idea..." and then proceed to show her tik toks similar to it, and poor reader wouldn't even be capable of keeping a straight face. she'd giggle the entire time, and eddie would end up pouting like "it's not THAT funny"

"it's not, it's not! i'm sorry-"

"you know what? forget i asked."

"wait, no, baby- i'm sorry! i swear! we can do your tik tok thirst trap! come back!"

"i bet steve would do it with me."

"eddie."

(spoiler alert: she ends up doing it, and eddie only pouts more when it goes viral for people simping over reader and not him. but i mean... he can't blame them.)