#eddie munson's father

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

Do you guys think that Al Munson finally turns it around when he hears about his son's death? Sometimes, I think about it, and sometimes I think about Al turning himself in to clear his son's name. Finally, he's not being selfish for once.

[on-coming-dusk]

Scott Clarke anyone?

“Alright kiddo, one for you, one for me.” Scott sat next to Eddie Munson, handing him an ice pack for the bruise already forming around his left eye.

“Thanks…” The boy wouldn’t look at him, refusing to meet his gaze. Scott wasn’t surprised, he had seen his own reflection, his nose and under his eyes was a nasty dark purple already.

“So…” Scott chugged along. “Do you want to tell me what happened?” Eddie only shook his head, pressing the ice to his face. This was the part of his job that Scott enjoyed the least.

Something happened between Eddie and Tommy Hagan this morning. There were more than enough black eyes, broken noses, and bloody knuckles to prove it. Scott had watched for the last few months as Eddie tried to find his place among his peers. With his primary friend group a year or two below him it wasn’t a surprise he was having trouble adjusting. And now this, a fight on his previously clean record. It was highly probable that Tommy antagonized Eddie until he got a reaction. But Scott couldn’t say that without creating more problems that none of them needed to deal with. If he could just get Eddie to tell him what happened. He didn’t have much faith, he had been trying to get this kid interested in class for weeks with little success. But that didn’t mean that he was going to quit now.

“You know what? That’s fair. I’m sure I wouldn’t want to talk about it either, if I were in your shoes. But Eddie, I can’t help you if I don’t know what happened. Shoot, I won’t even know what to tell your uncle when he gets here. Will you consider telling me even though you don’t want to? It would really make my life a whole lot simpler.”

Still, Eddie said nothing. But he reached into his backpack, hesitating for a moment before producing a newspaper. It was crumpled up, having seen better days, and Eddie refused to look at him as he handed it to the teacher. Scott set his own ice pack down, taking the paper gently and smoothing it down so it could be read.

His stomach twisted.

Wabash Local Faces Trial Born and raised in Wabash, Indiana, Edward Charles Munson Sr. was arrested May 13th, 1980. Beginning this week he will face trail for charges of auto theft, possession of controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, breaking and entering, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Scott read those words at least three times in an attempt to wrap his mind around them. It was the answer to a lot of questions that seemed to follow the boy around.

It was already common knowledge that Eddie only moved to Hawkins permanently upon beginning to live with his uncle full time a few months ago. In town Wayne Munson was well liked. Friendly but quiet, he stuck to the few friends he had made upon his arrival, never partaking in town gossip or the rumor mill. There were whispers about how strange he was, the way he never seemed to go on dates or have an interest in finding a wife, for that matter. Some folks still believed Eddie was his son and he was lying to everyone about it. But even still, he was welcomed to the town when he arrived all those years ago, upon his return from Vietnam.

It would take less than a week for Wayne Munson's well received image to shatter if this headline started spreading around town.

"Eddie, is this what made you hit Tommy?" Scott folded the paper in half, hiding those words from anyone else who might see.

______________________________________________________

So. I think it's safe to say that i have a certain thought for Eddie's dad in my head already and that i have for a while.

this is a piece that i wrote probably six months ago and decided to put on hold until i caught up with some of my more planned out stories. (still working on that but progress is progress!!!) i found it in and old doc today and i wanted to share it because i really like it

yes, eddie accidentally broke mr. clarke's nose. no, he does not blame eddie at all.

yes, the town thinks that wayne is either gay or attempting to hide the fact that he has a bastard child. no, neither of these things are true either.

[shesinchargeareyoukidding]

Eddie Munson Sickfic: When you hurt - Chapter 4: No matter what

Read chapter one here

1975

Eddie huddled in the corner of the lumpy couch. He was afraid to move, afraid to breathe weird, afraid of having to cough again, terrified of having to throw up again. As his lungs burned and his shaking turned into full body shudders, he started to realize his efforts were completely futile.

Don’t be a pussy. Everybody gets the flu sometimes

“Everybody gets the flu sometimes.” He whispered to himself. “It’s just the flu. It’s just the flu…”

Then the coughing started again, and with it the pain. Eddie braced himself against the couch as he lost himself in it. Tears streamed down his face from the effort. Lack of oxygen was making him feel like he wasn’t really inside his body anymore. At some points he lost all awareness, some other moments saw him waking up, only to choke on his own breath again.

He didn’t know how much time had passed. All he knew was that he couldn’t do it anymore. All he felt was a dull throb of pain, traveling throughout his body. He felt so far away. He couldn’t cough anymore, but his chest felt almost too heavy to move. It meant he could barely breathe. That thought should probably terrify him, but he no longer had the energy for that. He let his eyes fall closed once more.

He was being moved. It felt like he was floating. He could hear a woman’s voice above him. Then his world tilted and he landed on a soft surface with a thud. It jostled his lungs and they made a weak attempt at a cough. Someone was patting his cheek, talking to him. What was happening? Weakly, Eddie was able to open his eyes about halfway. Mrs Vanderbilt, their neighbour, was staring down at him with an expression he had never seen on her face before. “Heya, kid. You with me?” Eddie managed a nod. “Good. Good. Listen, kid. You’re kinda scarin’ the crap outta me, here. So uhm, just hold on, will you? Don’t die on my backseat, alright?”

Eddie´s breath hitched and he tried to curl in on himself. “d-die?” He whimpered.

“Awh, no, no, darlin’. I didn’t mean that. I’m sorry. Don’t be scared.” Mrs. Vanderbilt ran her hand through his short curls in such a tender gesture that it made Eddie want to scream, latch onto her, and never let go. He could only manage a strangled sob that made him cough and almost pass out again.

“Wha’s happening?” He managed to ask, even as his eyes were trying to roll back into his skull. Mrs. Vanderbilt went in and out of focus at a dizzying pace. He could barely see her anymore. The soft fingers in his hair remained though, so Eddie knew that she was still there.

“You’re sick, baby. I’m taking you to get some help.” Help? What did that mean? They couldn’t…

“n-no hospital…” Eddie wheezed. “d-dad s-said-“

“Hush, darlin’. It’s okay. sssh.” Mrs. Vanderbilt soothed. “I’m sorry, but I don’t see any other way you’re gonna get better.”

“p-please, n-no…” Eddie pleaded, straining against the pressure inside his chest.  “I’ll… I’ll get-“ He whined in pain as he tried to take in enough air to finish his sentence.

-“Sssh… No, sweetheart. You won’t.” The woman’s kind hands wiped away at the defeated tears that had started to run down Eddie’s cheeks. “I’m not gonna leave you like this. I’m sorry, kid. But we’re goin’ no matter what you or your daddy say.”

1987

“Help! Help!” Hopper burst through the hospital doors with Eddie in his arms. “He can’t breathe! Help him, dammit! Don’t just stand there!”

Eddie was frantically trying to suck in wheezing breaths. His blue lips were opening and closing like he was a fish on dry land. His fingers were desperately grasping at Hopper's shirt and his eyes were squeezed shut.

The nurses quickly snapped into action at the sight of Hopper. One of them approached them with a stretcher. “Here, you can put him down.”

Hopper carefully lowered Eddie onto the stretcher. Eddie blindly tightened his hold on Hoppers shirt as he felt himself being let go. “Hey, hey. I’m still here, kiddo. It’s okay. I’m right here.” Hopper promised as he gently took Eddie’s hands in his. “You’re gonna be just fine.” He assured the sick metalhead as he gave his hands a firm squeeze. A nurse rushed over and put an oxygen mask over Eddies nose and mouth. Eddie flinched away at the foreign feel, but as the oxygen mask started to work he slumped back onto the stretcher. Tired brown eyes opened blearily to make eye contact with Hopper. The oxygen mask fogged up as Eddie mumbled something into it. Hopper leaned closer to him with a frown. “Huh? What was that?” Eddie’s eyes pinched in frustration and he brought an unsteady hand up to lift the mask. Hopper almost stopped him, but the urgency he saw on Eddie’s face made him wait. Eddie tried to take a deep breath and lifted the mask. “d-don’t tell w-wayne, p-please…” Nurses were approaching them again and Hopper knew they’d take Eddie away any minute.

“Why the hell not kid?” He asked urgently.

“I p-promised h-him…”

“Eddie, he should know where you are. Didn’t you say he’ll be back in Hawkins tomorrow anyway? It’s not fair to leave him in the dark.” Hopper tried to reason.

Eddie just weakly shook his head with a whispered “Please.” Three nurses surrounded the stretcher and they started to roll Eddie towards a pair of white doors. Hopper followed behind, his hands still linked with Eddie’s. once they reached the doors, one of the nurses turned to Hopper. “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait here for a while, Chief.” She said not unkindly. “He’s in good hands.” She promised. Hopper nodded, looking down at the sick kid in his charge. “You’re gonna be okay now, kid. Don’t focus on anything except getting better. I’ll take care of the rest.” Eddie’s large eyes were locked onto his. Taking in everything he said. Hopper thought for a second.

“Eddie, you know your uncle loves you no matter what, right?” With Eddie’s face covered by the oxygen mask, it was difficult to see his expression, but Hopper could see the kid’s body start to tremble even more. “Wayne is not going to love you any less for getting sick, Eddie. None of this was your fault and he knows that.” Eddie’s eyes were welling up with tears and Hopper reassuringly squeezed his hand to emphasize his point. “He deserves to know where you are, kid. He loves you.” Eddie breath hitched painfully and his tears spilled over.

“o-okay.” Came the muffled reply. Hopper gratefully patted his shoulder. “Thank you, kiddo. The nurses are gonna run some tests with you now, but I’ll be with you as soon as they’ll let me.”

Eddie nodded and reluctantly let go of Hopper’s hands.

As the white doors closed behind Eddie and the nurses, Hopper was left in an empty waiting room with a million questions. He was handed a form with even more questions and he sat down to fill it in. His mind was reeling from the events of that day. How could things have gone so wrong, so fast?

Thankfully, Hopper knew that Wayne was originally from around De Soto, Missouri. And after scouring the yellow pages for families by the name ‘Munson’ he quickly found a phone number. While the phone rang, Hopper prayed he’d found the right number. An elderly male voice picked up.

“Munson residence.”

“Uh, hi. Is uh… Wayne there?”

“Who is this?” The voice on the other end asked suspiciously.

“Chief Hopper, Hawkins police. Is Wayne there?” Hopper insisted.

“What did that boy do this time?” The voice on the other end sighed.

“I’m sorry, who am I speaking to?” Now it was Hopper’s turn to be suspicious.

“Eric Munson, I’m Wayne’s father. And I’ll tell ya what, if that boy can’t even have the decency to not get himself arrested while Wayne’s enjoyin’ a rare break from his antics, then he deserves to spend a night or two in jail.”

Hopper was trying really hard not to snap while he hadn’t had the chance to talk to Wayne yet. He forced himself to take a deep breath. “I’m not calling because Eddie is under arrest.”

“Uhhuh, so what happened then?” Came the sceptic reply.

“I would like to discuss that with Wayne, if I may.” Hopper ground out as calmly as he could.

“I’m Edward’s family too, yaknow. Anythin’ ya wanna tell Wayne, you can tell me as well.”

“No, actually, I can’t. Wayne is Eddies legal guardian, so he’s the only one entitled to his information. Now could you please get Wayne for me?” Hopper growled.

There were a few beats of silence on the other end. Then a deep sigh. ‘Wayne! Some chief of police on the phone for you!’ Hopper could hear on the other end. ‘Didn’t I tell ya that boy couldn’t stay out of trouble long enough for us to have one damn moment of peace?’ Hopper couldn’t hear any reply that may have been given before the phone rattled and Hopper could hear a familiar voice.

“Hello?”

“Wayne?” Relief flooded through Hopper’s system.

“Jim? Is it Eddie? What happened?” Wayne’s voice took on an edge of panic. Hopper hated these types of conversations. He swallowed heavily.

“… Yeah. Sorry Wayne. I’m at the hospital. Kid’s really sick.” Hopper could hear rustling on the other end. He imagined Wayne was already putting on his jacket as they were having this conversation.

“Shit… Okay. Alright. I’ll be there as soon as I can…” Hopper could hear more rustling sounds and a muffled curse. “How bad is it?” The question was asked softly, like Wayne was afraid to ask. Hopper debated on how much he should tell Wayne over the phone.

“It’s… Bad. He collapsed earlier today and when I was with him he could barely breathe. Very high fever too.” He purposely left out the part where Eddie had actually stopped breathing. That was a conversation they should have face to face.

“Dammit. He said he was okay.” Wayne cursed quietly, almost to himself. Hopper nodded, despite Wayne not being able to see him.

“It really looks like he didn’t even notice how bad it was himself.” He reasoned.

“Yeah, boy does that.” Wayne sighed heavily. “Listen. I’ll leave as soon as I can. The drive is about five hours… could you…?”

“Of course, Wayne. I’ll stay with him.”

“Thank you, Jim. So much.”

“Anytime Wayne. Drive safe. Kid needs you here in one piece, alright?”

“Yeah… yeah, I will.” And with that, Wayne hung up.

To be continued.

Next chapter

[livwritesstuff]

i went on a deep dive of the Steve & Hopper ao3 tag yesterday and and it got me thinking about what would happen if Chief of Police Hopper ran into Steve and Eddie while he was on patrol after pseudo-adopting Steve, and it’s been long enough that Hopper is sort of a safe-person for Steve so Steve goes into full-fledged bitch mode when Hopper tries to pull cop stuff on them, and Eddie (who knew about none of this because Steve is a chronic under-sharer) is so totally baffled.

He’d spent years watching Steve sweet-talk his way out of trouble. Even before they started hooking up it used to drive Eddie goddamn insane, because if (when) Eddie pulled any of this shit Steve gets away with, he’d be totally screwed, but all Steve has to do is flash a sheepish grin and run a hand through his hair once or twice and say, all baleful, “I really didn’t mean any trouble,” and he’s home free.

It has its perks though, or so he's learned during his last few months of hanging around with Steve, so when Steve and Eddie’s make-out session is interrupted by the tell-tale red and blue lights of a cop car pulling up behind where Steve parked the Beemer a few hundred yards down a maintenance road, Eddie’s not all that worried. In fact, he’s got a pretty good amount of faith in Steve’s ability to spin up some story to keep them out of any real trouble, and as Chief Hopper ambles over to them, Eddie prepares himself for a whole show of, “Yes Chief, sorry Chief, it won’t happen again Chief.”

So imagine Eddie's complete and utter surprise when Hopper barks, “Hey, morons! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” and Steve only rolls his eyes and says, “What’s it to you?”

Eddie feels his jaw drop.

“Steve,” he mutters through gritted teeth. He tries to elbow Steve into shutting the hell up, but he misses because Steve has already taken several steps forward to meet Hopper, his face turned up in a kind of defiance Eddie doesn’t think he’s ever seen on him before.

“What’s it to me?” Hopper repeats, glowering at Steve, “It’s midnight. I’m on patrol. You’ve got one of the most recognizable cars in this entire damn town parked in a restricted-access zone with this idiot–” Hopper gestures at Eddie (Eddie didn’t think the pointing or the idiot were necessary, but clearly, clearly, he’s missing something here), “–who’s been dragged into my station more times than I could count.”

“The town line, Hop, is over there,” Steve says, pointing at an indiscriminate spot over Hop’s shoulder that may or may not be part of the Hawkins town line, “We’re not even in Hawkins anymore. You’re totally out of your jurisdiction.”

“You wanna know something about jurisdiction, smart-ass?” Hopper asks, “If my report says shit happened in my jurisdiction, it happened in my jurisdiction.”

“Wow,” Steve deadpans, “Way to not sound totally corrupt. Nice work, Chief.”

Hopper’s jaw twitches for a second, and he’s clearly debating if he wants to keep arguing with Steve who, to Steve’s credit, looks like he’s got debate in him for days. Ultimately though, Hopper decides against it and stalks back over to his squad car.

“If you’re not home by one there’s gonna be hell to pay. You hear me, Harrington?” Hopper yells, “One AM. Hell to pay.”

“Oh, sure,” Steve rolls his eyes, “Totally hear you. One AM. Loud and clear or whatever.”

Steve flips the cruiser both birds as it peels away, which Hopper only flashes his high beams at a couple times before he’s gone, kicking up a bunch of dirt and mulch and leaves in his wake, and Steve is wearing an exasperated expression as he turns to face Eddie again.

“God, he’s so annoying. Let’s just go to my house.”

Eddie gapes at him.

“What the fuck was that?”

“Huh?”

“What the fuck was that?” Eddie repeated, gesturing wildly towards where Hopper’s car had just been.

“Wha– you mean with Hop?”

“Uh, yeah?!?”

Steve just brushed him off, “Whatever, just ignore him. He’s basically my dad.”

“What?”

[hawkinsbnbg]

“Can we keep him, Uncle Wayne?”

Wayne didn’t look up from his newspaper, too used to his nephew picking up strays and bringing them home. God blessed the boy’s big young heart, but their trailer didn’t have space for another kitty or pup.

“I told ya before and I told ya it now,” Wayne said gruffly but not unkindly. “We don’t have space for your pet, son.”

“He’s not–”

“Eds, I’ll be fine on my own,” a quiet voice cut in before Eddie could start his usual speech.

That garnered Wayne’s attention immediately. And there standing next to his nephew was Steve Harrington who looked worse for wear—red puffy eyes, split lips, disheveled hair, and rumpled clothes.

“What happened?” Wayne set his newspaper aside and straightened up in his chair. He had a few good guesses already given what he knew of Richard and Amanda, but he still wanted to hear their side of the story first.

“His parents kicked him out,” Eddie hissed, hand clutching Steve’s fiercely in case the other boy tried to get away. He didn’t, just deflated as soon as the words were out of Eddie’s mouth.

“I’m sorry, sir,” Steve mumbled, eyes shining stubbornly as they locked with Wayne’s. “I just need a place to stay until tomorrow and then I’ll be out of your hair soon.”

“Stevie,” Eddie turned to him with an exasperated look. “You can’t believe that I’d let you leave after everything, right?”

“I know you want to help,” Steve rubbed a hand down his face tiredly, like he needed to hide a part of himself, vulnerable and slightly worn-out. “But I don’t wanna intrude.”

“You won’t,” Eddie shook his head rapidly and then looked at Wayne. “Right, Wayne? He’s not bothering you or anything, right?”

Wayne took in the sight of the Harrington boy, scared and lost, and knew his decision had been made for him. It wasn’t his first time taking in a stray anyway.

“Just call me Wayne or Uncle Wayne, kid,” he offered Steve a closed-mouthed smile, his most amiable one. “We don’t have much here, but feel free to ask me anything you need.”

When Steve ducked his head with a shy smile and sniffled a small Thank you, Wayne didn’t regret his choice.

It didn’t hurt that his nephew also beamed at him like Wayne had just saved the world.

And in a sense, to Eddie, it was true.

Because Wayne could see how much the Harrington boy meant to him, see the way they looked at each other without admitting it aloud.

Perhaps, Wayne picked up his newspaper again as Eddie offered the Munson’s new member a mug of warm milk, he was going to have another son soon enough.

[morganbritton132]

Eddie ‘Wayne seems sweet on Joyce Byers and I’m gonna set them up’ Munson

vs

Steve ‘Hopper is kinda my dad now and Mrs Byers makes him happy so back off’ Harrington

vs

Jonathan ‘stop being weird about my mom, guys’ Byers.

[justalexx-things]

They're undoubtedly brothers <3

[queenie-ofthe-void]

Father's Day

Was going to post this for the steddie microfic June prompt, but decided it's probably not Steddie-centric. Still sticking to the reqs though, just for fun!

prompt: "stuff" || wc: 483 || rated: G || cw: none

~~~

Everyone knows Steve’s house is free reign for hangouts, yet the Party’s collectively designated Sundays as alone time for the new couple. So it’s a bit of a surprise that someone’s knocking. 

The fact someone’s knocking at all is weird.

“Hey sweetheart,” Eddie shouts from the living room, “can you grab that? I think someone’s here.”

Steve opens the door to find Dustin and Max looking slightly shy, if he had to put his finger on it. Odd, especially for them. They’re holding gift bags filled with colorful tissue paper, Max’s blue and Dustin’s red.

Before Steve can invite them in, they surge past him towards the living room. So not too far off from normal, he thinks.

He trails after them and finds Eddie right where he left him– sitting on the floor, surrounded by DnD books and a notebook perched in his lap.

“Babe, what are the sheepies doing here? It’s Sunday,” Eddie asks. He’s smiling up at them, despite the interruption.

Of course they’re happy to see the kids– always are, always will be– but only these two could get away with showing up on Eddie and Steve day.

“We brought you something,” Max says, thrusting the gift into Steve’s arms. Dustin drops his onto Eddie’s lap, scattering his loose notes.

Curious, Steve looks to catch Eddie’s expression to find him already tearing into the gift. Steve sets his on the coffee table and digs out the colorful paper.

Inside he finds a plain, white coffee mug, except it’s been hand-painted with colorful paint pens. On it he finds a basketball, baseball, and a crudely drawn version of his beloved beemer. But on the front, the word “Dingus” is written in Max’s bubble font underneath a bloody version of his nail bat. 

His eyes sting with warmth, and he looks up at Max, whose cheeks are flushed red. Steve finds Eddie holding a similar mug covered in what he assumes are DnD monsters, along with some dice, and his precious Warlock on the front with “Metalhead” underneath.

“What is this,” Steve asks, choking on the lump lodged in his throat.

“It’s all stuff you like,” Max replies, pointing at the mug, choosing the easy answer instead of the real one.

”No– why?” Steve feels like he can’t breathe, his eyes almost full, and his heart racing.

“It’s Father’s Day,” Dustin says, sniffling and wringing his hat in his hands “and me and Max, you know, we don’t–”

“You guys taught us how to play basketball, so we could practice with Lucas,” Max interrupts. “And how to play guitar. And all of the Upside-Down stuff. You’re always here.”

Steve wraps Max up in his arms, dragging her to the ground next to Dustin similarly draped over Eddie. It’s not the six little nuggets Steve asked for.

But these kids– their kids– are so much more than he ever could’ve hoped for.

~~~

To everyone out there who doesn't have a father, your father is absolute shit, or you mom was both parents -- I hope you have as good a Sunday as possible.

[infinite-orangepeel]

this is so hopper giving his speech at the steddie wedding. making endless dad jokes and embarrassing the hell out of both of them. i’m just imaging him saying something like:

hopper: you never think your future son-in-law is going to turn out to be the same kid you arrested upwards of twenty times when he was in high school but here i am to tell the tale—

eddie: i was also wanted for murder

hopper: don’t bring that up here please. for the love of god. you have no idea how much paper work it took for me to get your name cleared.

steve: i’m pretty sure he was arrested at least thirty times

hopper: like i said folks, you don’t get to choose family and sometimes family is your adopted gay son and his metalhead husband who spent a solid three years living on your couch—

steve: well at least now when i bail him out of jail it’ll be as my husband. i can even sign the paperwork as “mr. steve munson”

eddie: aw babe that’s so sweet

hopper: don’t push it you two

[fuctacles]

That deal with the devil/fae post where they want the summoner's first born in exchange, and the summoner goes "ok when do we start" BUT STEDDIE WITH STEVIE

She hasn't given up on that 6 nuggets dream but it's became quadruple hard now that she's transitioning, both because of dating and the technical stuff. So she figures, I'll ask a magical being for the right plumbing and it'll all be smooth(er) sailing from there.

Eddie the Banished is the demon, and he's like "of course sweetheart, but I get dibs on the first off spring".

And Stevie gets all red and stuttery at first but she is desperate and she figures, the sooner the better, and since he's already here and offering, she asks "Would you want to do all six?"

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

I just saw a piece of someone's artwork on Instagram with Eddie, Nancy, and Dustin standing side by side with their curly hair, and I just thought. . . They never said where Dustin moved from. It's entirely possible that he moved from Indianapolis or somewhere not far from Hawkins. What if Claudia never told him who his father was? What if Eddie's father got around? All I am saying is. . .that it could explain why Dustin kind of reminds me of Eddie sometimes. Plus, it'd be hilarious if Dustin and Mike shared the same sister with Eddie. If you don't like this headcannon, then it's a crackpost for you. I know that a lot of people in the 80s had hair like that, but I just thought that it was a fun little headcannon.

[on-coming-dusk]

Fall 1979 - Hawkins

"-ne, damn it man, wake up. Munson, can you hear me?"

He could barely make out the voice over the ringing in his ears. It was deep, one he had heard a few times over the last year, since Jim Hopper made his return to Hawkins. "Chief?"

"Jesus Christ, you had me worried." Hopper was kneeling beside him. "What happened? We got a call from your neighbor saying you were in a fight."

Wayne tried to focus on Hopper, even on just the words he was saying, but everything kept going in and out of focus. The night sky above the chief of police was spinning, spinning, spinning and Wayne barely managed to roll to his side before the contents of his stomach mixed with the damp grass.

"Shit. Callahan, help me get him in the truck. We need to get him to the hospital."

-----

"Do you think you can explain now?" Hopper asked from his place next to Wayne's hospital bed. Wayne felt a big deal was being made out of nothing but it didn't matter, the blows he took to his head kept him in the hospital. Better safe than sorry, especially with head injuries, he could still hear the nurse speaking to him.

"There's not much to tell, Chief. My boy, Eddie, was with me for the last week. His father, my kid brother, left him with me while he was on a trip out of state. Eddie missed a lot of school. I managed to get him to Wabash a few times but still, poor kid is going to miss half the year at this rate. I offered Edward to keep him here, told him I'd look after Eddie so he could get a damned education. Last thing I remember clearly is Edward tackling me through that porch railing, then your handsome mug trying to wake me up. I think it goes without saying that my charming kid brother took my offer even worse than I anticipated."

Hopper stood and Wayne grabbed his forearm before he could walk away. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going to get the kid."

Wayne hated this - it was exhausting always being the voice of reason. "Jim, there ain't nothing you can legally do. Edward has custody, legal and physical. And we got no way to prove that he's the one who did this," Wayne gestured to himself, where he could feel the split in his bottom lip, "do we?"

*************************************************

Just some old writing I found from back on Halloween 2022. I just really like Wayne. Imagining and putting into writing what I think his relationship with other people in Hawkins must be like has really been fun.

I love Hop and Wayne being bros. I will absolutely be incorporating some of these thoughts into my writing going forward.

[imfinereallyy]

Steve Harrington hadn’t talked to his dad in a year.

The last thing the two of them had talked had been after the earthquakes, across the room in the den; his dad barely stepped through the front entryway, and Steve’s back pressed against the back door. The house was messy but still standing, unlike Steve, who was broken and barely keeping himself upright. The only thing Richard Harrington had said to Steve was,

“I think it’s time to move on.” Which was his way of telling Steve they were selling the house and he should figure out his own arrangements. Steve hadn’t cared, though. Didn’t even look at him as he spoke. Instead, he stared at the cracks in the ceiling and wondered if it was some kind of metaphor.

He tried not to think too deeply about it.

It had been a year since then. There had been time to move on, as his dad said. There was no more Upside Down. There was no more worrying about the next move. Max and Eddie were healed. Everyone was back in Hawkins. Robin and Steve lived in a little house on Fifth while Robin took community courses. Eddie practically lived there, too, with the strange friendship bond that had grown between the three of them.

Eddie had argued once it was because their couch was comfier than his bed, but Steve liked to think it was because Eddie wanted to be close to them. To be close to him. Sometimes Steve thought about letting him stay in his bed together.

Time had not moved to that yet.

Everything seemed good. Despite Steve’s resentment towards Richard, and his reluctance to admit the man was right, sometimes it was good to let things go, break apart and move on. Though Steve was sure, this wasn’t exactly what Harrington Sr. meant.

Steve hadn’t talked to his father in over a year. And he didn’t really miss him. Sure, there were moments that passed when Steve would yearn for the small happy moments between them. Secret smiles at baseball games, lunch at his office, and him cheering Steve on at the one swim championship he managed to show up to.

But it always got mixed in with bigger, badder moments. Being left alone for months on end. The belittling. The missed graduation. The yelling. The slurs when he grew his hair out too long. The cold way he said to Steve,

“I think it’s time to move on.”

Like he had been breaking up with a high school sweetheart before leaving for college.

So Steve didn’t miss the man, not really. But in moments like these, in the back of the Byers-Hopper’s backyard at the Father’s Day BBQ, where all party members and parents alike gathered, Steve couldn’t help but ache.

Steve ached for something better than Richard Harrington.

It wasn’t because of parents who stuck around that made Steve’s stomach churn in jealousy, but the ones who decided to show up. It was the way Wayne threw his arm around Eddie’s shoulder and the cheers their beers to something probably ridiculous. The way Steve knew that man would crawl to the ends of the earth for someone who wasn’t technically his, but was nothing short of a son.

It was the way El and Hop manned the grill together. Him laughing at something El said, probably something ridiculous, and her smile back that could light up the sun. The way Steve knew that El wasn’t a replacement for the things Hop had lost, but instead an addition to his life he would choose over and over again.

Steve ached to be loved and care for because someone wanted to. Not because of obligation or by accident. Steve wanted to loved deliberately.

Steve sipped his beer instead of bringing down the celebration with his thoughts. Eddie caught Steve’s eye across the yard and gave him a megawatt smile. Steve couldn’t help but smile shyly back.

“Hey, Steve.” A shy voice said beside him, startling him out of his thoughts. Steve turned to find Dustin standing beside him, nearly up to his nose now with his recent growth spurt. Steve couldn’t help but miss when he was small and could throw him over his shoulder.

Steve was a little surprised to find him there. Dustin wasn’t one to speak small or shy. He liked to make his presence known (much like the lovable metal head he was staring down earlier).

“Hey bud, what’s up?”

Dustin looked around the two of them before answering. Everyone else was with their dads, or talking to one of the party members. Even Robin managed to wrangle her dad and Mr. Sinclair into a conversation about WWII. Dustin looked a little relieved everyone was doing their own thing.

“Okay so you know how like, everyone is celebrating their dad today? And mine isn’t here?”

Steve felt his stomach drop. Somehow in the midst of his self-pitying, he had forgotten that Dustin’s dad wasn’t around either. Didn’t even stick around long enough for his first words. “Yea, dude, I’m sorry this must suck for you.”

Dustin looked nervous. He shifted on his feet back and forth, as if he was trying to find a rhythm to calm himself down. “Yea, so that’s what I actually came over to talk to you about.”

“Yea, Dustin. Im here if you need to talk.”

Dustin seemed to finally be at ease and rolled his eyes at Steve. “No, asshole, I don’t need to talk. I haven’t thought about the dick in years, if I’m honest. I just, it’s something else. And you don’t get to be weird about it.”

“I’m confused.”

“That sounds about right.”

“Hey!” Steve laughed despite his protest. A year ago, stuff like that hurt Steve’s feelings. But now Steve knew it was all in good fun, that Dustin was kind of dick to everyone. And he knew that the joke wasn’t about his intelligence. It hadn’t been a long time, since Steve threatened to push him out of a moving vehicle last time. Steve was pretty sure it had to do with a particular conversation involving his feelings for more than women.

Only Dustin and Robin knew. She was overly supportive, and Dustin instantly made a joke. Both made Steve supported and safe.

The dumbasses.

“Not my fault this happens to you often.”

“Is there a point being made or are you here to just be a dick?” Steve questioned, laughing behind the lip of his beer.

Dustin fidgeted again before pulling something out his back pocket. “Just—promise not to laugh.”

Steve crossed his heart with a giggle before he took a folded white piece of paper out of Dustin’s hands.

Suddenly, Steve’s face got serious as he saw what was on the front.

A poorly drawn Steve with a nail baseball bat, with the title “Happy Father’s Day”.

Steve swallowed thickly before placing his beer on the ground and opening the card. There in Dustin’s chicken scratch, was a message.

Dear Steve,

Don’t be weird about this. Okay here it goes.

My dad wasn’t around a lot, big whoop. Big surprise. I honestly don’t care anymore. Don’t give me a look.

I honestly didn’t think I would really care about any of the dad stuff, didn’t feel like I was really missing out. My mom and her annoying love for cats has always been more than enough. But as time went by sometimes I thought maybe I would be better, I would be different if I had a dad. I see it with the rest of the party, how willingly or unwillingly they all reflect their dads. And how I don’t.

Sometimes I don’t feel like my whole self because if it. Thought maybe I would never really be a whole me because of it. That maybe the world was better off anyway because I know I am a lot.

But then I met you asshole.

I didn’t think I would like you, and more importantly I didn’t think you would like me. But suddenly we are battling worlds together, and you’re hanging out with me even outside the end of days, and I have a new best friend.

If I’m being honest I do see you more as a brother. Someone I look up to. But the more I think about it (again don’t be weird), I do see you as a dad some days. Although the hands on hips do scream mother hen, you’ve been a dad to me in the ways the asswipe who made someone as amazing as me hasn’t been.

You are brave, and funny and despite popular belief you are kind. One of the kindest people I know. You make me feel safe and loved, and give me rides despite me never giving you gas money. Some days I look in the mirror and see parts of you in me, and I feel proud.

Some days I look at you and hope that I can see the braveness and kindness in myself too. I don’t yet, but you make it feel possible.

I don’t need a sperm donor (thank you Robin for that one), I have the world’s okayest dad right here.

Love you brother, friend, dad.

Happy Father’s Day, from your fellow nerd,

Dustin <3

Steve was crying. He knew that. He knew he promised not to make it weird, but Steve couldn’t help it. The little shit got him right in the heart.

He couldn’t be blamed for scooping up Dustin in a hug. “I love you too, Dusty Buns.”

Dustin squeezed Steve tight, “You don’t get to call me that.” He grumbled, but Steve could feel his tshirt getting wet.

“As your father it is my right to get to call you embarrassing nick names.” Steve squeezed Dustin even tighter.

Dustin just laughed and pushed him away jokingly. They both wiped their eyes, but the smiles on their faces remained.

Steve thought about Richard at that moment again, about how he ached for someone to care. And maybe Steve would never get it, but he could be that someone for someone else. He could give that care, Dustin.

The little shit.

“Thank you Dustin.”

Dustin shook his head, his crooked smile remained. “Nah man, thank you.”

They both just stared at each other in comfortable silence before they were interrupted by a barking force.

“What are you two saps talking about?” Eddie slung his arms around the both of them, mouth spread wide in a grin. But then he noticed the tear tracks, and suddenly his face dropped.

Eddie took Steve’s face in his hands, “What’s wrong? What happened?”

Steve shook his head fondly, “Nothing—“ He started, preparing to wave it off. But then Steve realized he couldn’t lie to Eddie. “—nothing bad. Happy tears. I promise.”

Eddie looked at Steve for a moment before nodding, giving his face a tight squeeze, and then dropping his hands. “Okay, Stevie, as long as their happy tears.”

“What am I? Chopped liver?” Dusting grumbled.

“Aweee Dusty, I could never forget you!!” Eddie threw himself at Dustin in a horrible attempt at a hug.

Dustin just pushed him off before rolling his eyes. Steve swore they were gonna get stuck one day.

“Whatever, man. Just make sure that you treat my dad right, or I’m going to have to make some tough calls.” Dustin stared down Eddie seriously before laughing evilly and walking away.

Steve wanted to freeze at Dustin’s implication, but Eddie looked adorably confused, so Steve didn’t feel too bad.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Is this new? Him just getting protective about this without explaining?” Eddie asked Steve.

“Don’t worry about it.” Steve looked down at the card again wistfully, before glancing back up at Eddie. Steve took one of Eddie’s hands and started to play with his rings. A blush bloomed across Eddie’s cheeks; Steve wanted to kiss him. Instead, he just said,

“Just think he’s trying to be a little like his dad.”

***

Dad’s are complicated, and family isn’t always blood. I hope you enjoyed my little Father’s Day contribution. I do headcannon Hopper as Steve’s father figure/replacement, and usually write it that way but this seemed like a fun opportunity to show how Steve is his own father figure for others.

He is a good egg.

Now with Father’s Day over, my birthday is in two weeks which is making me feel all sorts of things. So I’m distracting myself with steddie. Either way expect a lot of writing and updates soon.

[madelynraemunson]

𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐃𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒. 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌.

you and ex-husband!eddie are called into the school because your daughter punched somebody.

wc: 418 words

it’s a random thursday when you and eddie get called to principal hackett’s office at hawkin’s middle school.

your daughter punched someone. a little boy, to be exact.

“but guys,” aubrey whimpers. “you don’t understand. i can explain.”

“you better have a good explanation,” you snap, angrily placing your hands on your hips. “what did we tell you about keeping our hands to ourselves? you don’t hit people, EVER.”

a ginormous grin spreads across principal hackett’s face. there was something about a munson getting in trouble that gave him the ultimate satisfaction. and the fact that it was happening with the newest generation now too probably sent him on a pleasure high.

“but—” aubrey protests.

“no buts,” eddie scorns. “you listen to your mom and i. AND you got dress coded? what did dad say about leaving the house in a crop top? you’re a minor, you wear them at home only.”

“well when i got dress coded, i was going to change,” aubrey sniffs. “but then bennett carver called me a slut and said that i was asking for it. it being dress coded, but there was still a double meaning. so i punched him.”

your eyes meet eddie’s instantly. there’s a fire in his gaze that emits an anger permittable for prison. he wants to hug aubrey. wants to tell her she did everything right. but there was a show to put on.

“getting dress coded and punching someone tears it, aubs,” eddie huffs. his eyes wander over to yours to see if you’re catching on.

you absolutely are.

“what?!” aubrey exclaims.

“your father is right,” you agree. “now come on. we are pulling you out of school early so you can think about what you did.”

suddenly it clicks in aubrey’s head. she knows she’s not in trouble, and that mom and dad have her back. she could tell that there was so much you and eddie had to lecture her about…it’ll just be at scoops ahoy today! (😋🍦)

“bye bye, aubrey,” principal hackett smirks as you three head on out. “let’s make good choices when we come back, huh?”

“yes sir,” aubrey sighs, issuing a fake pout in the process.

slinging your daughter’s backpack over his shoulder, your ex husband waits until aubrey skips out of earshot to give you his two cents.

“i never liked that kid’s dad anyways,” eddie mutters.

“neither did i,” you shrug in agreement.

and as you two walk out together side by side, proud of the spunky “do no harm, take no shit” badass you raised, both you and eddie issue each other a sneaky, under the belt high-five.

atta girl, aubrey.

in loving memory of aubreigh 💐

divider: @cafekitsune

tag list 🏷️: @highinmiamiii @potatobeans99 @mediocredreams @joshlmbrt @eddiesxangel @enam3l @mmunson86 @davidblowies-blog @thatissonnina @oskea93 @aurora-austen @lesservillain @madeofmunson @xxbimbobunnyxx @eddiesghxst @munsonssweets @nailbatanddungeon @swiss-mrs @winchester-angel @belokhvostikova @curlyjoequinn @strangereads @marrowfrog00 @shadyunknowncreation @tuolcaniacoc @catherinnn @prestinalove @pleuviors @cinemabean @calumfmu @littlexdeaths @let-the-music-take-c0ntrol @meetmeatyourworst @b-irock @spencerssatchel @yes2476 @comeonatmebruh @bendoverncry @only4wakingup @wiltinglovers @sweetsweetjellybean

[livwritesstuff]

ok you heathens here's the full hopper&steve 'okay dad 🙄' fic bc y'all liked this post so much

snippet below the cut

“Oh, because every girl who’s into dudes is into you? A little cocky, are we, Harrington?” Eddie grins.

Steve grins even wider, “I dunno, Eddie, you tell me.”

The smile on his face and the way his eyes keep darting to Eddie’s lips tell a pretty overt story of exactly how Steve would like for him to do that, but –

“Your sister’s in the next room, man, I don’t–”

Steve makes a face.

“Obviously we’re not gonna, like, do anything. That’d be so fuckin’ weird, but we can just, like, make out a little, I dunno. That’s just as good to me.”

And Eddie has to fight the urge to gape at Steve like an idiot because what does he mean making out is as good as sex? Eddie had known Steve was a romantic at heart but Christ alive was Eddie not at all prepared for exactly how revealing this night would be.

“C’mon,” Steve continues, “Why’d you even come over then?”

Again, Eddie has to fight the urge to argue that point of his, because why did he agree to come over if he really thought nothing was gonna happen? How can he explain that there’d been a voice in his head urging him to take Steve up on the offer purely for an excuse to spend time – any kind of time – with the guy he’d sworn up and down would only ever be a hook-up.

He can’t, obviously.

“Fine,” Eddie sighs as he lets Steve pull him up onto the bed. He acts all resigned about it too, like he’s doing Steve a favor even though Eddie would be lying through his damn teeth if he tried to say he disagreed with Steve’s whole thing about making out.

On the contrary, he’s learning these days that there’s just as much intimacy in kissing as there is in sex – if not much more. Eddie has had his fair share of hook-ups with a partner who refused to kiss him because it’d be taking things too far. Not Steve though. Steve’s got nothing but enthusiasm as he hauls Eddie up onto the bed, one hand slipping under the hem of his t-shirt, the other curving around the back of his neck as he tugs Eddie forward and collides their lips together. No, he’s nothing but alacrity as he licks into Eddie’s mouth, his hands roaming wherever they can reach, and it’s not like Eddie’s not into it, so he has no trouble matching Steve’s enthusiasm, the kiss turning sloppy and wet, and Eddie grabbed low on Steve’s waist, basically the hinge of his thigh, because he knows Steve likes when he does that, and he dislodges the hand Steve has beneath his shirt and pins it above his head because he knows Steve likes that too.

Eddie lets himself get lost in the kiss, in the way Steve’s free hand is tangled up in his hair, and his hips are stuttering up against Eddie’s thigh every now and then, and while Eddie’s not grinding against Steve, per se, they’ve definitely got a rhythm of something going on, and so Eddie really has no idea they’re being interrupted until someone is shouting, “Hey!” and suddenly Eddie is being shoved off of Steve

[morganbritton132]

Eddie is just trying to film a Tiktok to remind his fans about some upcoming shows but trails off when Steve says off-camera, “Hey, remember that RadioShack guy that was banging your mom?”

Eddie: *flips camera around to show where Steve and Jonathan are sitting on the couch*

Jonathan: …Bob.

Steve: Yeah, him. That toe guy from Lord of the Rings looks exactly like him, right?

Jonathan: …

Jonathan: Gollum???

Eddie: Toe, as in Po-tay-toe. He’s talking about Sam

Steve, snapping his fingers: That’s the guy

Jonathan: Oh.

Jonathan: I don’t see it.