#el x gareth

[1lostsoul0fishbowl]

used this picrew to make my pookies

[hellishchrissy]

"the only thing I'll ever ask of you, you gotta promise not to stop when I say when."

It’s in that moment that Gareth knows with terrifying certainty that El has him. He doesn’t say it though, can’t say it, but he feels it in every inch of his being, in the dull ache on his jaw, in the way every cell in his miserable body is screaming to pull her closer. “El,” he whispers, voice breaking. “Please.”

inspired by my fic "cosmic joke"

[chornayadrakoshig]

Ah yes I've been playing with picrews instead of writing a fic today. Yes I'm very disappointed by the limited hair color choices. Also, alas, the tiefling picrew doesn't have any "human" ears, which is expected but damn I like the art style of it the most. Also that's the closest version I got for Gareth imho.

Picrews used:

Fantasy OC Creator

Tiefling Maker

ElenaA's Kiss Crew

I jumped on a different AU idea this month (Stranger Things characters in DnD setting, specifically Strixhaven for the magical university vibes). It probably will be a oneshot collection at best, rather than multichapter fic... but tbh I'm still thinking about what dnd classes and college options to pick for each character. Let me tell you, the actual writing process isn't doing great xD

[disneymbti]

Hi my friend 🥰 can I request headcanons for Steve/Kali and Gareth/El? Thanks!

Hi there Lotsy, I really hope you like this a lot!

Stali's Headcanons

Steve is a golden retriever coded boy and Kali is a black cat coded girl.

Steve's love languages are words of affirmation and quality time while Kali's love languages are acts of service and gift giving.

Steve is the sun and Kali is the moon in their relationship.

The two of them will go to roller skating together and then getting ice cream as a treat from roller skating.

Greatmage's Headcanons

Gareth is a black dog coded boy and El is a white cat coded girl.

Gareth's love languages are gift giving and words of affirmation and El's love languages are quality time and acts of service.

Gareth is the eclipse and El is the moon in their relationship.

The two of them will play drums together and skipping rocks together in the water as a team.

[pearlypairings]

🛳️. For the fic recommendation thing!

11. 🛳️ A fic that brought you aboard a new ship

With a Little Help From My Friends by @1lostsoul0fishbowl introduced me to Eleven and Gareth which then led me straight to the GreatMage pipeline of Next Time I Fall and life hasn't been the same since for those two adorable dweebs <3.

Send an ask for a fic rec :)

[1lostsoul0fishbowl]

Also how is this “I love you on your bad days”?

I think, if I’d been hurt and humiliated in front of a huge crowd of people, to the point that I finally snapped and physically attacked my bully, and then I hid somewhere and cried while my boyfriend made absolutely zero attempt to find me— I think the least he could do on the car ride home is put his goddamn arm around me and try to comfort me.

He’s not even looking at her.

found this 💙💛

[kennahjune]

No Upside Down steddie AU where Steve gradually meets the members of Hellfire (-Eddie) in and out of school and they all come to befriending him really fast because “Steve Harrington is actually a good dude”

But Eddie fucking hates it.

And this only spurs Hellfire on because they think him getting mad over Steve Harrington is fucking hilarious.

Jeff who takes a foods class in third period and Steve does to and then the teacher pairs them for a baking project and Jeff gets to go to Casa Harrington. And he realizes rather quickly that Steve really likes baking and cooking and actually knows what he’s doing and that he’s not just taking the class for an easy A.

Brian (I’ve named him Brian, yes), meets Steve in Art class. Like Jeff, he thought Steve was taking it for an easy A but when seats are changed and they sit together he realizes that, no, Steve’s actually kind of good at drawing (particularly scenery). They get to talking about one of Steve’s sketches and the rest is history.

Gareth doesn’t officially meet Steve until later, but he does see him out with the kids at the arcade. Gareth works at the arcade and there’s this particular group of kids that just irks him— turns out they’re Steve’s gaggle. He watches in begrudging amusement while Steve rounds them up like a pro.

Then Gareth officially meets him after Hellfire one day. It’s fucking windy and he’s just leaving to school to go home when the papers and sheets he was holding are fucking torn from his hands. Steve grabs the papers— there after some kind of sports practice— and makes sure Gareth has them secured in his bad before leaving with a dorky finger-waggle wave.

And Eddie just downright refuses.

And then the school year ends and Steve graduates. And he’s convinced he doesn’t have to see Steve again.

Until, of course, Mike Dustin and Lucas join.

Jeff, Gareth, and Brian are all ecstatic to share their own run-ins of Steve Harrington to the three boys who so clearly idolize him. Gareth happily recalls how Steve “tamed” them in the arcade every time he came in.

Eddie sits in brooding silence.

And then Lucas joins the basketball team. And sure— Jeff’s on the volleyball team— but basketball jocks are so much worse than volleyball jocks.

Mike and Dustin, however thrown out of orbit they were at first, seem to settle in eventually and learn to plan around it. They think that anything that makes Lucas happy is a good thing (even if it did take a bit of a talk with Will for them to realize).

But Eddie? Eddie can’t stand it.

Which is why he refuses to move the date for the final campaign.

But Eddie doesn’t even get to introduce Vecna before Steve Harrington himself is all but breaking down the fucking door.

Eddie has this whole argument in his head that quickly dwindles when he sees the pure anger in Steve’s eyes (and also because Steve is really fucking pretty holy shit).

Steve tells Dustin Mike and Erica to pack up and get to the game before he drags them and you know what?

They listen.

Including hard ass Erica Sinclair.

And then idk Steve and Eddie get into a whole fight about.

But Steve makes it very clear that he doesn’t appreciate Eddie making Lucas feel like he can’t be happy doing DnD and basketball because that poor boy deserves nice things dammit.

And Eddie sleeps on it over the weekend before hunting Lucas down first thing Monday morning to apologize.

Lucas forgive Eddie (against Eddie’s protest because let the man grovel) but makes Eddie also apologize to Steve.

Which Eddie does by showing up to the Harrington Estate.

Eddie apologizes and they get high together and the rest is history.

.

I might actually make this into something, it’s already pretty fleshed out but eh

[1lostsoul0fishbowl]

Because I am cute and people like my writing (thank you @talshiargirlfriend for lending me that confidence!) I am reposting this snippet because it’s the very first time I ever wrote an “Oh. Oh.” moment and goshdangit I’m proud of it! It’s super cute!! Please read and enjoy!!!

***

(El’s name in this AU is Eliza-Jane, which is why Gareth calls her Liza)

***

El wasn’t scared of the corn maze.

Not exactly.

It was just— she hadn’t expected that she wouldn’t be able to see anything. The stalks towered over her, and grew so close together, and the paths seemed to get narrower as they ventured deeper in. But Mike and Will, and Max and Lucas, and especially Gareth had all looked so excited about it that she’d squared her shoulders and boldly marched in right behind them.

Now, she was sort of wishing she hadn’t.

A bunch of middle school aged kids had crashed through their group, shouting and laughing, playing some insane version of tag. They weren’t paying one bit of attention to their surroundings, and they accidentally knocked against both of the girls. They shoved Max so hard she would’ve fallen backwards if Lucas hadn’t caught her at the last second. But El hadn’t fallen right there on the path— she’d stumbled sideways, into a cluster of cornstalks, and then fell. With nobody to catch her.

Luckily she wasn’t hurt. So she stood up, brushed off her jeans, and pushed an armful of stalks aside to get back to her friends. The path couldn’t be more than two or three steps away. She’d be there in just a few seconds.

Except… it wasn’t there.

Okay, no problem. She’d just go back a few steps in the direction she’d come from.

It wasn’t there, either.

El was not scared of this stupid corn maze. Not in the slightest, she told herself sternly. There was no need for her palms to start sweating, no reason for her breathing to turn rapid and shallow. It was fine, she’d be fine. All she had to do was yell. Her friends would find her.

“Gareth?” It came out a croaky whisper. No, no, no. She had to get out of here. Squeezing her eyes shut, she forced herself to take a deep breath and try again. A real yell this time. He couldn’t be far. He’d come for her. “GARETH!”

“Hey, there you are.” El’s eyes flew open— yes, it was really him, standing before her with a big smile on his cherubic face. He was right there, the moment she called. Just as she’d known he would be. A rush of grateful tears flooded her eyes and refused to be blinked away.

“Liza, hey,” he said, his expression turning to concern. Reaching up to put his hands on her shoulders, he quickly asked, “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

She was too relieved to be embarrassed about the way she flung herself into his arms and hid her face against his shoulder. Gareth murmured a startled “oh!” but before she could even think about pulling away, he wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace. Soft and snuggly and extra tight. Her nose, buried in his shirt collar, breathed in not only the faint scent of laundry detergent but also his cologne, rich with sandalwood and lightly lemony sweet. A familiar, comforting smell. Definitely the best hug she’d ever had. The panic of a few minutes ago fled; she was safe now.

Gareth soothingly stroked her hair. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “I got you. Everything’s okay.”

And it really was.

He didn’t let go until she did, and even then, he didn’t go far. Holding her at arm's length, he gently brushed a few leaves and some cornsilk from her sweater. “Are you okay to keep going?” he asked, a worried look in his eyes. “Lucas has a map, if you wanna just head straight for the exit.”

El cleared her throat. “No, I’m okay. I can keep going. Only,” she faltered slightly but pressed on regardless, “you won’t— you won’t lose me in here, will you?”

“Course I won’t.” Gareth took her hand, wrapping his warm fingers around her chilly ones. “There. Where you go, I go,” he said with a grin, waggling their clasped hands between them.

Oh, heavens. She could feel herself blushing. “Sorry my hand’s all sweaty,” she mumbled.

He gave her fingers a little squeeze. “Hey,” he said, waiting until she looked up to meet his gaze before continuing. “I couldn’t possibly give less of a shit if your hands are sweaty. But, if it makes you feel better, here.” Loosening his grip, he slipped his hand up to take hold of her wrist and gently draw her hand closer. He carefully wiped her palm dry with the tail of his soft flannel shirt. Then, lifting her hand to his face, he blew a delicate stream of cool air over her hand. Good grief. Or, as Max would say— holy shit. El shivered a tiny bit, and Gareth glanced up at her through his lashes. Double holy shit. That look was even hotter than his wink.

“Better?” he said softly, and she was too stunned to even speak, but she managed a nod. He grinned, taking her hand again, lacing his fingers through hers. “Cool. Ready to get out of here?”

She felt a little silly when she realized she’d only been two steps away from the path after all, just completely turned around. But Gareth didn’t seem to notice; or if he did notice, he didn’t mind. Then as they made their way through the rest of the maze without incident, she felt even sillier. How could she have been so frightened of something so simple? El sighed as quietly as she could, bracing herself for Gareth to drop her hand like a hot potato as soon as they cleared the exit. To her surprise, though, he only gave her hand a little squeeze and kept her fingers firmly intertwined with his.

It felt like the most natural thing in the world to give him a squeeze right back.

Gareth flashed her a beautiful smile, his eyes shining, and gently bumped her shoulder with his. “That mulled cider smells awesome,” he remarked. “Whatcha say, Lizy-J? You wanna try some with me?”

Something about that simple question made her breath catch in her throat. He was so considerate of her, so caring, but completely casual about it. Like it was second nature to him. He was just adorable, and her hand fit perfectly in his, and the cider really did smell delicious. She did want to try it, and she knew he’d already known she would. Because he knew her so well, because he—

Oh, she thought, eyes going wide in wonder. Oh.

***

@hellishchrissy @illustratedbymikayla @the-unforgivenn @ladyfluff @potatoesenpaii

[hellishchrissy]

"you held your breath / and the door for me / thank you for your patience."

“Gareth,” she called, and let a big dopey grin wash over her face when he caught her eye and smiled. “Are you working tomorrow?” “Nope. If you’re here, don’t let Fred make your latte. He sucks at it.” “I won’t even come in. I like yours the best,” she told him, and they beamed at each other.

inspired by an upcoming college x coffee shop au by @1lostsoul0fishbowl

[chornayadrakoshig]

Across the Universe fest finally de-anoned the works today so I can post them outside of ao3 under my username ;)

The second set of aesthetics I did for this fest — a rarepair from Stranger Things fandom, Greatmage. The theme for this one is "Cofee Shop AU" and this diptych is inspired by @1lostsoul0fishbowl AU. The work description on ao3 is actually a translation of one of the snippets she published ^^

Collages posted on ao3 here:

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

At this point, I'm so tired of the drama, I hope El and Will are both like "boy, bye" when it comes to Mike in season 5. They both focus on being twins and focusing on saving Hawkins together. Of course, no one told El when his birthday is, let alone her own, and is determined to celebrate to make up for them missing it. Then Will tells her it's her birthday now too because they're twins. Then, of course, when they're both single for a while and they both fix their friendship with Mike, Will starts dating Gareth, and El starts dating Dustin. I don't know who Mike ends up with. . . I didn't get that far ahead with my thoughts.

[kennahjune]

PART 4 of S3 STEDDIE

Hop on board cause I’m making no promises of this being the last part

Tag list: @viridianphtalo @thisisallicouldthinkof @thatonebirthstone @swiftielouie55 @luthienstormblessed @spilled-jar @just-a-tiny-void @marklee-blackmore @stevesbipanic

…

True to his word, Eddie showed up to the shop around 10 with the Jeff and Gareth. And someone Steve didn’t quite know.

Steve chuckled as he watched the kids crowd him, all of them talking a mile a minute. Steve had informed them happily about Eddie’s DND background the previous night, and Lucas, Mike and Will were quick to jump on board.

El came to stand next to him behind the counter, quickly taking the open stool left behind there for employees.

“Too loud for you?”

El nodded.

“Yeah.” Steve chuckled. “They get like that. It’s pretty sweet, actually.”

El nodded.

Steve ruffled her hair and stepped out of the store to gather the shitheads.

“Hey, hey!” Steve clapped his hands. “Inside all of you! Let the guys in before you hound them!”

Will and Lucas both scurried inside, eager to hear more about DND and the weird shit that goes down in the trailer park. Steve huffed and looked pointedly at Max and Mike, who were loitering.

“You both to. Inside.”

They huffed and rolled their eyes, but made no arguments the second time around.

The guys walked in to, Steve moving out of their way as they all waved friendly hellos.

Eddie stayed by the door with Steve, both basking in silence and the chatter from inside the store.

Steve turned to Eddie. “Hey, uh, I get off of here at 2, and I have to drop the kids off, but um— I was wondering if you wanted to maybe come by afterwards?” Steve refused to look Eddie in the eye and anywhere in the face for that matter. His gaze remained on the floor of Scoops Ahoy while he picked at his bottom lip. He really needed some new chapstick.

Eddie bumped shoulders with him and Steve rocked with the hit. “Totally, Stevie. Why don’t you come by to mine, huh? I can even pick you up at 3?”

Steve did look at him this time, his eyes shining and picking up the nervous grin and bashful blush. Steve grinned merrily and held back a squeal and a clap. “Sure! Of course— totally, that works, uh— 3 then?”

“You got it sweetheart. I’ll see you at the 3.”

And with that, Eddie called the guys over and they all left. Steve finally let out that squeal and clap.

“Steve are you going on a date with Eddie!?”

Oh man.

…

“Eddie are you going on a date with Steve!?”

Oh man.

“No, Gare-bear. We’re just hanging out at the trailer later.” Eddie denied and denied. He snatched Gareth’s paper bowl of ice cream and took a bite. Gareth huffed and crossed his arms, mumbling about him owing 3 dollars.

“‘Not a date’ he says, and yet Harrington had him twirling his hair and smiling like a middle school girl,” Jeff taunted, giving Gareth his own ice cream to make up for his new lack.

Gareth took the ice cream with a grin and thanks.

“Shut it. I was not twirling my hair.” He so was. Still is, actually.

Brian scoffed. “Dude, get over yourself. You’re clearly into him— and from the looks of it he’s into you! What’s so wrong with saying that?”

Eddie frowned and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Cause I kind of wanted him to be an asshole.”

Jeff raised and eyebrow, stealing a bite of Brian’s ice cream.

“Like—“ Eddie waved a hand in the air. “—he was an asshole in high school, but also, not really? He never actually did anything to anyone. Barely even laughed. He was just bitchy, now that I look back on it. And I guess there was some part of me that wanted him to be an asshole so that I didn’t seem like a dick for hating him.”

“But you don’t hate him.” Gareth pointed out with his ice cream spoon.

Eddie scoffed and flailed his arms to turn around. “Yeah well— I don’t know!”

“You literally just asked him on a date?” criticized Brian.

“It’s not a date! We’re literally just hanging out!” Eddie continued walking backwards out of the mall.

“Yeah,” Jeff rolled his eyes. “You guys are ‘hanging out’ but he’s coming to your place at 3 and just the mere idea of it has you not only red in the face but so flustered you trip.”

“What?” Eddie asked incredulously. “I didn’t tri—“

He tripped over a curb in the sidewalk.

Gareth spit out his ice cream laughing at him. At least it didn’t get on Eddie this time.

Whatever.

It wasn’t a date.

…

It wasn’t a date.

But Steve was getting ready for it like it was.

Max and Mike were on his bed. Neither really wanted to go home and decided to stick at Steve’s for a bit longer. Steve let them, but he called Jonathan over beforehand to keep an eye on them. It got him an eye roll from both of them but it was whatever.

Mike and Max were sifting through the shirts he’d pulled out from his closet.

“You don’t have anything.. I dunno, darker?” asked Max.

Mike scoffed. “Don’t even. Eddie’s clearly into the pastel shit Steve wears.”

“I don’t see why.”

“Yeah well not everyone wants to look like a walking traffic cone.”

Max threw a polo at his face.

“Do you have any of those sweaters you used to wear with Nancy?” Asked Mike.

“What about that light blue one Nancy got you for Christmas last year?” Asked Jonathan from the bedroom doorway. They all jumped at the sudden intrusion.

“Christ, Byers!” screamed Mike.

“Don’t ‘Byers’ me, Wheeler. I’ll take your crayons.”

Mike stuck his tongue out.

“I don’t have the sweater right now, it needs washed.” Steve answered. He’d gotten batter on it when he was baking with Joyce and El a while back.

Mike bypassed him and looked through his closet. Steve let him. He knew he’d be missing a couple of button ups later (they all stole each others clothes one way or another) but it was whatever.

Jonathan joined Max on the bed.

“What about these jeans?” Jonathan held up a pair of light wash blue jeans that Steve still fit from junior year. Well— “fit” was putting it lightly. They squeezed around his ass and thighs a lot more than they used to. But maybe that was what he needed tonight.

“Yeah, those work.”

“These to!” Steve barely caught the shirts— plural— that were thrown at him from Mike. The first was one of his many white tank tops. He threw it on without much thought and examined the second shirt. This one was one of his more rare shirts; a short sleeve, light brown, flannel button up.

“Put it on, doffus.” Mike waved his hand at him in a scarily similar way to Erica. Steve wondered briefly if Erica got it from Mike or if Mike got it from Erica.

Steve put the shirt on and buttoned only the bottom button. He tucked it in the jeans very loosely.

It was oddly perfect.

“Now go change! Maybe I can do your eyeliner!” Max shoved him away.

Steve scoffed. There was no way he was letting her do his eyeliner.

.

Steve let her do his eyeliner.

It was painful. Max poked him in the eye with the pen at least 3 times and he kept having to remind himself that he couldn’t rub at his eyes unless he wanted to ruin it and go looking like a raccoon.

It was a pretty subtle touch, actually. Max and Mike made sure to keep it light while Jonathan watched from his desk chair. Mike even let Max do his eyeliner. The eyeliner brought just enough attention to his eyes but also distracted from his ungodly eye bags. He needed to buy some more concealer soon. Max offered hers but they aren’t the same shade.

Jonathan even convinced him to put in his diamond studs. Which sent Max and Mike into a frenzy about his ears being pierced. He’d gotten them done as a baby because his mom wanted them done but his dad refused to let him wear earrings.

Mike whined about wanting his ears pierced for a while.

In the end, Steve was happy with his new look.

Max and Mike stared at him, examining.

“I love it.”

“It suits you, oddly enough.”

“Happy to please.” Steve gave a dorky bow. Max and Mike scoffed.

“You look amazing, Steve. Before you go I do want a picture though.” Jonathan held up his camera.

“A picture? What for?”

“You’re first date with a guy, duh!” Yelled Max. Mike snickered.

Steve flushed. But in the end he let Jonathan take the picture.

That was when the doorbell rang.

��

It wasn’t a date.

But of course Eddie was treating it like one.

Which is why he sat with Gareth, Brian and Jeff in his room, rifling through his drawers for something half-decent while they tried their bests to pick up the absolute wreck of a room.

“Dude I promise he’ll like you in anything you wear. Seriously.” Reassured Jeff.

“I know I know! But I want a shirt that’s at least clean!” Exclaimed Eddie over the racket of Metallica playing from his radio.

Gareth and Brian shared a look.

“Eddie. Park your ass.” Gareth demanded.

Eddie opened his mouth.

“Park your ass right the fuck now.” Gareth snapped his fingers and pointed to the bed. Eddie huffed and sat like a dog. Gareth was scary when he was mad.

“Now listen. You’re fine. You have like half an hour before you have to pick him up. All you really need is a shirt and a pair of jeans that don’t smell odd.” Gareth went to take Eddie place rifling through his dresser. “Boom.”

The jeans he threw at Eddie were black (like all his jeans) and had rips in the knees. The shirt was a simple, white, used-to-be-t-shirt with the sleeves cut off and the entire thing cropped to just above his bellybutton. Not to mention all the holes in it from getting caught in fences and just deciding to take scissors to it one day. The black Metallica symbol was well faded with time and love.

Eddie deemed it good enough and changed quickly.

“Now.” Gareth clapped his hands. “Put your hair up in a bun, get it off your neck. But not a high bun, just right behind your head. Hang on lemme—“

Eddie, Jeff and Brian let Gareth do his thing. Surprise surprise; Gareth had actually been on his fair share of dates. A lot more than the rest of them anyway. And whatever the hell he was doing seemed to be working so fuck it.

Putting his hair up showed off where Eddie had pierced his ears all the way up, and the multiple studs and hoops going through the holes. Honestly it was refreshing getting his hair off his ears— strands kept getting caught in his earrings.

Jeff grabbed Eddie’s jewelry box from his dresser and sat down with it on his bed. Eddie stood in front of him while he attached chains to his belt loops for him.

Brian helped him clip a couple of silver necklaces and chains on as well and Gareth convinced him to put in his earrings and piercing. And soon enough Eddie was a menace to metal detectors around the world.

And right on time to.

Eddie rushed to put on his extremely worn out converse before running out the door with the other guys.

Gareth was dropped off first, then Brian. Then it was just Jeff and Eddie in the van while he drove.

“You’re gonna do great, man.” Jeff reassured. Eddie sighed.

“I know. I know that— but it’s like. Seriously nerve racking. Like I’ve been on little to no dates in my life but hanging out with Steve Harrington? Jeez.”

“Why are you so nervous? Make a move tonight! Ask him out for real this time man. I’m like 100% sure he’ll say yes.”

“Yeah but asking out Steve is like asking out a single mother. You don’t only have to lover her but the kids as well.”

“Those twerps?”

“Those ‘twerps’ were the subject of several of our conversations yesterday because of how much Steve loves them. I haven’t even met all of them apparently!”

Jeff laughed just as Eddie pulled up to his house. “You do you man. All I’m saying is make a damn move. Cause if you don’t, I will.”

Jeff got out of the car cackling while Eddie yelled at him from the drivers seat.

…

Steve opened the door and nearly fell over in astonishment.

Holy shit?

“Holy shit?”

Eddie grinned down at him. “‘Holy shit’ what, Harrington?”

“I— you— um. Uh.”

“Jesus, this is pathetic, Steve!” Mike yelled from the couch.

Steve hushed him harshly over his shoulder. He turned back to Eddie so quickly his bangs hit him in the face. “Sorry! Sorry. Mike and Max insisted on staying over for a bit. Come inside for a moment? I still have to grab a few things.” he smiled nervously and apologetically.

Eddie smiled back and accepted the invite in.

Steve is proud to say he only panicked a little. The back of his neck was moist with nerves and his hands were starting to get cold but he hasn’t burst into tears yet so he’ll consider it a win.

And honestly— with how Eddie showed up looking?— that’s such a fucking win.

God Steve wanted to to bite him.

Eddie made himself comfortable in the living room with Max and Mike while Steve dragged Jonathan upstairs to his room.

He closed the door maybe a little too loud but it’s fine. It’s whatever. What’s not whatever is the current impending breakdown over everything finally settling in.

“Steve. Sit down.”

He sat on the floor.

“That works.”

Jonathan sat right next to him and gathered him in his arms. “You’re ok. You looks amazing. Those jeans do wonders for your ass. I’m sure he thinks you look fucking fantastic. You’ve got this.”

And for a while that was how it went. Jonathan whispering small reassurances until Steve felt himself-enough to finally go back out there.

“God he looks so /good/, Jonathan! I wanna fucking bite him!” Steve put his head in his hands.

Jonathan smirked. “Save that for at least the third date, Steve.”

Steve groaned.

There was an insistent knocking on his bedroom door.

“If Steve’s done freaking out I think you guys should go soon!” yelled Mike from the other side.

Steve quickly stood with an uttered curse. The moment he walked back into the living room Eddie’s eyes seemed to lock on him.

Steve gulped.

…

Eddie gulped.

‘Holy shit’ was right.

Steve looked… he doesn’t even know. Ethereal? Divine? Like a fucking meal?

God Eddie wanted him.

And— Jesus Christ— was that eyeliner?

Steve Harrington was going to be the death of him. “Eddie Munson, 1965-1985, killed by the prettiest boy to ever walk this fucking Earth.”

Jesus H. Christ.

Steve invited him in and Eddie accepted. A smooth feeling of proudness and self-confidence flowing through him at the stuttered responses from Steve. Guess the guys were right. Though he’d never admit that to them.

The moment Steve closed the door behind him he was bounding off with Jonathan upstairs. Eddie tried not to think too much into /that/.

“He’s nervous.”

Eddie looked at Max.

“Nervous?”

“Hella. We’re talking 3 breakdowns and a panic attack nervous.” Confirmed Mike. “Dustin’s gonna be so pissed he missed Steve’s first date with a guy.”

Max snickered at that.

Eddie sputtered. “It isn’t—“

“—a date. Well I call bullshit. If you like Steve you take him out and you make him feel good, you hear me?” Max threatened.

Eddie put his hands up in surrender. “Nothing but the best for Stevie.”

Mike eyed him. The kid was actually kind of scary.

“You hurt him and I blow your fucking brains out.”

Jesus H. Christ. Steve Harrington control your kids.

Eddie sat on the other side of the living room from them.

When Mike went to go gather Steve and Jonathan after an impending 10 minutes, Eddie sat in momentary silence with Max.

“Mike means good. He’s a jackass but he’s been through some of the most with Steve.”

Eddie looked her in the eyes. “I promise on my weed stash and swear on my mothers grave that if hurt him neither of you will get a chance to fulfill your threats before I dig my own grave.”

Max snorted at that. Just as Steve came back, to.

Eddie’s eyes locked on him immediately, greedily drinking in the beautiful curve of waist and those plush thighs squeezed nicely by his jeans.

Eddie stood and gave a two-finger salute to Jonathan and waved off the kids. He and Steve were stepping out in no time.

“So— hang on. Are we gonna take my car or your van?” Steve asked Eddie once they’d stepped off the porch.

“Uhhhh,” Eddie hesitated for a second. “My van? And I can drop you off afterward.”

Steve nodded. “Okay. Okay cool.”

“Cool.”

They got in the van.

Steve demanded control over the music, claiming to refuse to listen to “that bullshit” the entire way (it was only a 10 minute drive, tops), but Eddie let him have it. Although he complained immediately about the Wham! Steve had put in. Steve dismissed him jokingly and sang along quietly to Careless Whisper.

Eddie chuckled and watched him out of the corner of his eye. It was quite the scene; Steve Harrington in his van, singing to Wham! while tapping on his thighs.

Eddie focused on the road.

…

Eddie pulled up to the trailer at the tail end of Killer Queen by, well, Queen.

Steve forced him to stay in the car until the end. Eddie found it stupidly endearing.

When they did finally leave the car for the trailer, Eddie remembered Wayne being home. He waved at the old man sitting in the recliner. Steve followed his example and waved as well.

“Hello, sir.”

Wayne clicked his tongue. “Don’t use that ‘sir’ bullshit on me, boy. I ain’t your daddy.”

“Oh! Sorry, Mr. Munson.”

“No—“

“C’mon, Stevie.” Eddie smirked.

Steve looked confused between Eddie and Wayne, before apologizing once more to Wayne and hurrying to follow Eddie to his room.

His room.

Steve held back a squeak. He was going to Eddie’s room! Oh man. He might pass out. Is he gonna pass out? Gosh that’d be embarrassing.

Eddie sat on the bed and patted next to him. Steve sat as well, but kept to the edge of the bed.

“Sorry, totally forgot Wayne didn’t have work for another hour.” Eddie rubbed the back of his neck.

Steve shrugged. He didn’t mind, really.

“So? What does the amazing Hair do in his free time?” Eddie’s asked, leaning his head in his propped hands and smirking at Steve.

“The amazing Hair carts around like 7 kids in his free time.”

Eddie snorted something ugly and Steve laughed at the noise.

.

Talking to Steve was easy.

Eddie never thought he’d find this kind of relaxation outside of his Corroded Coffin guys yet here he was, lighting up with Steve Harrington of all people while they traded banter like old friends.

It was one hell of a time.

Eddie’s regretful to say that they seemingly spent a good hour talking about other people instead of theirselves.

Steve waxed poetry on his kids, even as he gave each one a good hearted insult right along with the praise.

“Dustin’s a menace. The tone that boy has! I mean— sure he’s smart and a good kid but Jesus Christ someone needs to knock him down a notch!”

Eddie snorted, a plume of smoke coming out of his nose with it.

“And Mike can be downright insufferable sometimes. Don’t get me started on when he gangs up with Max. They’re fucking brutal.”

Steve was laying on his back on Eddie’s bed, his legs bent at the knees and were squished between himself and the wall. Eddie was right beside him, so close Steve’s head was practically in his lap.

He wouldn’t mind Steve’s head in his lap.

Shit— he wouldn’t mind his head in Steve’s lap. Eddie’s head, cushioned on those divine thighs? Mark him down as eager and horny.

Anyway.

Wayne popped in some time later, sending them both a goodbye. Much to Steve’s cute confusion.

“Why’d he say bye to me to?” He looked up at Eddie with wide eyes.

Eddie gave into an impulsive urge and booped his nose. He snickered when Steve went cross eyed watching the movement. His nose wrinkled adorably.

Steve Harrington was a sweetheart when high.

“Cause you’re here, ain’t ya? It’d be rude to not say bye.” Eddie shrugged taking a drag and passing the blunt to Steve. Steve took it with gentle fingers.

They blew out at the same time accidentally and it sent Steve into a fit of giggles.

He was an absolute sweetheart and Eddie was determined to get every cute reaction he could out of him.

They smoked for a few minutes longer, the blunt finally reaching the end and Eddie putting it out. Steve had moved to sit at the edge of the bed, his left leg crossed under his right. He was chewing at his nails again, staring into space.

Eddie sat next to him, and when Steve didn’t give any sign of acknowledgement Eddie finally reached over and grabbed his hand. He forced Steve to stop chewing on his already ragged nails by interlacing their fingers and his rubbing his thumb over his knuckles.

Steve sighed and leaned into Eddie’s shoulder, eventually dropping his head onto said shoulder and digging his forehead in as if trying to bury himself.

Eddie would let him.

“I haven’t relaxed like this since sophomore year,” Steve informed quietly.

Eddie hummed. “I think that’s when you first started buying from me, right?”

Steve snickered. “Yeah. And then I made Tommy do it for me.”

“Why, did I scare you?” Eddie teased.

“Something like that,” was the mumbled response.

Eddie hummed. “Well I shouldn’t. I’d never hurt a fly. In fact— flies kind of scare me.”

Steve snorted and giggled into his shoulder.

“It’s true, ok? Don’t laugh jackass! Flies are creepy little fuckers.”

“No, no.” Steve laughed quietly, his hands gripping Eddie’s arm weakly. “You didn’t scare me, per se—“

“‘Per se?’” Eddie mocked.

“Shush! —per se,” Steve continued pointedly. Eddie laughed. “You just— intimidated me?”

“Are you asking me?”

“You’re kind of an ass, you know that?”

“So I’ve been told.” Eddie snickered.

Steve rolled his eyes, but the grin on his face erased all doubts in Eddie’s mind.

“You’re a cool guy, you know that Steve?”

Steve looked up at Eddie, his eyes impossibly wide. It was cute, how his nose scrunched up and his eyebrows furrowed. How his pretty, pink lips parted with a sharp exhale. Eddie smiled.

“And you’re an oddball, Eddie.”

Eddie’s shoulders shook with the laugh that barreled out of him.

…

I’m so sorry this took so long to get out 😭

Writers block hit like a motherfucker after writing their outfits lmao. Lemme know if you wanna be tagged!! Part 5 should actually be the last part :)

[1lostsoul0fishbowl]

This is so sweet and dreamy and gorgeous 🥰😭🥰 it’s just perfect!!! Thank you so much @katastronoot for your hard work!

stranger things Gareth and Eleven for @1lostsoul0fishbowl 💕💕

[asongbirdandanoldhat]

written for the @steddiemicrofic prompt ‘pool’ wc: 442 | rated: G | cw: none

Eddie Munson nearly didn't make 21. But even before becoming a buffet spread for interdimensional hell bats, Eddie never would've imagined spending his 21st birthday at Steve Harrington's. After wide games in the woods with the world's most metal teens, having his pale skin preserved by Nancy's stern gaze and endless sunscreen supply, and somehow surviving the dreamlike vision of Steve, tanned, topless, and happy, Eddie was ready declare his birthday a roaring success. But the glint in Gareth's eye, the way Jeff was watching him while chatting to Buckley, had Eddie on edge. He surveyed the suspiciously quiet yard. Absences noted, Eddie's eyes met Dan's. He tilted his head in question. Dan's hands rose. Eddie honed in. He was great at charades. But before interpretations could begin, Gareth slapped Dan's hands down. His hissed words didn't carry, but the shake of his curly head was unmistakable. Whatever was afoot, the band were in on it. The kids shuffled back outside in an extremely conspicuous formation. Eddie thought they might be smuggling Harrington between them, before he spotted Steve in the doorway, watching them, expression fond. Dustin was vibrating. "Present time." "We already did presents," Eddie said. "Sure. But there's one left." "The big one," Lucas added. "Don't ruin it," Mike muttered. "I didn't say what it was." "Do I get to know what it is?" Eddie derailed, amused. Dustin nodded to Will, who carefully counted down, "Three, two, one." The boys stepped aside, revealing Max, holding his present, and El, holding Max's elbow. Eddie felt tears prickle, as he took in the unnecessarily wrapped gift. There was no mistaking the shape. "You bought me a guitar?" he croaked. El helped Max place the gift in Eddie's lap. His hands slid instinctively around it, the weight felt just right. "Open it," El instructed. Ripping the bright paper revealed a familiar x-shaped body, not the dappled red of his world-saving sweetheart, but a solid black. She was a starless night sky. She was beautiful. "I- How?" "We pooled our allowances." Eddie didn't know how much they got, but he knew how quickly they blew through it. There was no way. Eddie's eyes drifted beyond the kids, finding Steve.

Steve, who'd given Eddie a card, claiming that he didn't have a present yet, hadn't known what to get him. Steve, who'd looked embarrassed when Eddie had called the party a great present and meant it. Steve, whose guilty smile all but confirmed him as majority contributor to the beautiful instrument in Eddie's lap. Steve, who Eddie would have to find a way to thank, to explain what this meant.

For now, Eddie smiled back.

[1lostsoul0fishbowl]

@krakoansam tagged me in a picrew game to use this picrew and try to make one that looks as much like you as possible. None of them ever look even remotely like me so I made El and Gareth instead 🤣🤣

If anyone wants to make their own blorbos 🫵 I tag you!

[hellishchrissy]

Not exactly a prompt but I’d love to hear your headcanons about how Gareth and Eddie became friends, and how Eddie will react to Gareth and El getting together 😄😄😄

Ooh I love this!!

from what I've gathered, Eddie was doing his senior year for the first time in 1984-ish, the year Gareth was a freshman. that year was pretty shitty for gareth, as had been many years before -- he wasn't exactly fitting in at hawkins high, and his father had left their mother during the summer of 1984.

so, like the cliché of a misfit kid with authority issues he was, gareth was thrown into detention. a lot. for mouthing off to teachers, for skipping class, for getting into fights (and often getting his ass kicked. as time went by, the fighting didn't exactly cease but gareth was no longer the one losing them)

eddie was already the self-proclaimed king of the misfits, a title he wore like a badge of honor. gareth had a dislike of his theatrical personality and shit he pulled when all he wanted to do was eat his lunch, and so the younger kid kept his distance from munson and the hellfire club

that was until the day gareth and eddie found themselves in the same detention, lounging in the back row as they had done many, many times before -- just never at the same time. gareth had had his drumsticks with him, as he liked to sneak into band class during whenever he could and play the drums. the ones at home were from his father, shitty and worn down and gareth hated them. and he hated his father.

the silence in the classroom was consistently broken by the tapping of drumsticks against wood, and eddie was getting pretty fucking sick of it. he was tired, and he had a headache, and now this scrawny freshman was pounding an inconsistent rhythm into the desk like there was no one else in the room.

eddie avoided the gaze of the detention supervisor when he slipped his way across the back row and sat next to the kid, his hand slamming onto the drumstick to stop the ruckus

"if youre gonna make noise, might as well do it right, emerson."

gareth was confused as to why the dude knew his name, because he sure as shit had not told him that. or anything else, really. ever.

but of course eddie knew his name. he knew the names of every kid with musical potential in their school, and he knew them by heart. and gareth emerson had been one he had been keeping his eye on for a while

and though gareth had rolled his eyes when eddie had invited him to a jam sesson (eddie remembered thinking that the kid had an insane, shitty attitude and that was kind of perfect). he hadn't exactly responded, but merely given eddie a death stare that actually made the older guy slightly uncomfortable because why the fuck did this freshman look like he could actually kill someone?

but nevertheless, the kid had shown up to play with corroded coffin, replacing the former drummer that had moved to indianapolis three months ago

and so, gareth emerson and eddie munson sort of became friends. gareth still kept his distance and kept the others guessing, because he despised the idea that he'd be perceived as following someone else's lead. and yeah, maybe the guidance counselor was right in saying he had "authority issues" or whatever the fuck, but he knew that however he chose to be a part of corroded coffin or hellfire, gareth would do it on his own terms

and he did. eventually, he actually did start considering the guys his friends. but he sure as shit never took an order from munson. and if he did, which of course he didn't, it was with gritted teeth and lewd hand gestures

eddie grew incredibly fond of the kid with his troublemaking tendencies and never-ending distaste for "the system". it didn't take long for him to consider gareth to be one of his best friends.

and though gareth never said it out loud, it eventually became mutual. it took six months, maybe a year.

when el hopper and will byers returned to hawkins after joyce byers and jim hopper get together and moved in together, hellfire gains new members. or, you know, one member who actually plays. but el is often there, either with max or with mike, following the game with bright brown eyes. and at first, it's great. new blood, whatever that helps keep the club afloat

then eddie starts to notice the eyes. gareths gaze lingering on the girl for a beat too long at lunch, sneaking an almost non-existent look at her when she left their table or walked by gareth in the hallways. his eyes, man. it's like they're drawn to the girl, following her even when she clings to the side of mike wheeler. during those moments, eddie can swear he sees a flash of annoyance in gareth's eyes, an expression that almost reaches the rest of his features before he catches himself.

then its gareth talking to her. gareth, who usually took around six months to warm up to anyone if you were lucky, the guy who kept even his friends at an arm's length. he's talking to el at lunch, during hellfire, in the hallways. and there's something guilty in his entire being when he does it, the little bastard.

and that's how eddie knows.

well, that, and the fact that gareth is no longer an asshole when el is around. the sarcastic edge of his tone is almost dull whenever he speaks to her, the way he explains dnd to her and offers the rest of his fries to her or whatever weird and completely out of character shit he keeps doing

but, to eddie's surprise, gareth is a man of honor for once. though he seems to indulge in little flirtation with the girl, he still keep his distance whenever mike is around. he doesn't cross the invisible line, which to eddie is unbelievable. gareth had crossed many lines, maybe even a few with girls who weren't exactly single, and maybe he had gotten his nose broken once because of it. ancient history.

but it's still pretty sad to look at the guy pining after the girlfriend of mike wheeler

"you know, im surprised you actually have some honor in you, emerson"

"i have no idea what you're talking about, ed"

"im just saying. if you're gonna pine, do it with some dignity"

that earns eddie a glare so sharp it makes him throws his hands in the air, shaking his head

"i just hope you know what youre doing"

"im not doing anything, dipshit"

"yeah, you'd better fucking not"

and time goes on. and though the group is as close as ever, anyone with eyes can see the relationship between el and mike cracking and straining. gareth might notice it more than the others, but who knows. it's not a surprise to anyone when the couple ends up splitting up, vowing to stay friends.

to eddie's surprise, gareth doesnt swoop in like a vulture. he actully give el space and support. fuck, he must really like the girl.

he does find shitty excuses to talk to her, though. at her locker, at lunch, at hellfire. he's being a good friend to her, to mike. for once in his life, gareth cares about not wanting to be an asshole.

and then one night, it kind of changes. they're hanging out at the wheeler house, the whole gang sprawled across couches and lounge chairs and carpeted floors in the basement, and el looks at gareth across the room. really looks at him, like in a way that pierces the air and makes gareth almost choke on popcorn in a really uncool way. and then el smiles.

gareth definitely chokes on his popcorn

that night, she asks him to walk her home. the byers-hopper house is only ten minutes away, but will is sick at home and el doesnt like walking home alone in the dark. and gareth agrees. of course he agrees.

his hands are shaking a little when they walk home, the ten minute walk stretching into one of 30 minutes. gareth is not a nervous person, so why the fuck is he nervous? they talk about everything and anything, and his hands are fucking shaking when she looks at him.

when they reach her house, gareth (the gentleman, as all of hawkins high knows) walks her to the lit up porch and stalls there, looking at her. it's not the first time he's walked a girl to the porch, but it feels like the first girl that actually matters.

they stay on the porch for around 20 minutes more, gareth leaning against the wooden column. he feels himself leaning closer every now and then, and el doesnt exactly protest. he can swear he sees her shift closer too, close enough to touch, to smell. to taste.

they stand there talking, gareth looming over her, leaning closer. his curls fall over his eyes when he leans so close that he can hear el's breath hitch in her throat. he stops when he's close enough for their noses to touch

"i'd really like to kiss you, but your dad has been staring at me from the window for the past five minutes and i'd really like for my head to stay attached to my body."

and like on cue, chief hopper flicks the porch light on and off a few times, like a warning shot in the quiet night. it makes el and gareth burst into giggles.

a few weeks later, gareth does kiss her. and it's the best thing he's ever fucking done.