#he still lives with wayne but spends the weekends with the wheelers

[sarcasticassian]

Steve is in his senior year and he’s in the same history class as Nancy Wheeler, he managed to get an invite to hers for a study session once and now he’s lucked out because they’ve been put together as partners on a project and he has a little crush on her and wants to ask her to prom so he’s hoping this is how he can get to know her enough so that she’ll say yes

he obviously tells Robin his plans and she scoffs at him and says Nancy Wheeler isn’t the right girl for him, she’s too prissy or whatever and Steve argues that Robin can’t say shit because she wants to kiss Chrissy Cunningham so Robin just rolls her eyes and grudgingly wishes him luck but don’t come crying to her when Nancy says no but Steve isn’t worried because Nancy isn’t going to say no

they get to the Wheeler house and her little brother Mike is an asshole but he immediately leaves them in the kitchen to run into the garage and Nancy gets her and Steve set up at the kitchen table to work on their project, things are going well and she’s laughed at his jokes once or twice but then Mike comes back into the kitchen and Steve bluescreens because behind Mike? the most beautiful guy Steve has ever seen is coming in

he’s wearing coveralls but they’re short sleeved and show off some tattoos, he has curly hair that’s tied up with a bandana and the same big brown eyes that Nancy has and Steve is pretty sure he’s gawking but this man is sublime, he’s kinda sweaty and he greets Steve with a smile, which shows off the cutest dimples, before he pounces on Nancy, who shrieks because ‘ew Eddie you’re all gross and covered in grease’, Steve would happily switch places with her

‘sorry Steve, this is my older brother, Eddie’

and Steve forgets all about asking Nancy to prom but he needs to get back into her house tomorrow and Robin is gonna give him such shit for this but he needs to spend more time with Eddie because he wants to kiss him so bad

[flowerfan2]

Eddie is different, afterwards.  Dustin doesn’t understand why no one is doing anything about it.  It’s like the spark has gone out of him, except with Eddie it wasn’t just a spark, it was fireworks, and now he’s like the old flashlight Dustin once found at the back of his closet that barely flickered.

When Eddie doesn’t even want to play D&D, Dustin tries talking about it with Will.  He tells him he doesn’t know why Eddie can’t just snap out of it, and Will glares at him like he suggested raising another baby demodog.  In retrospect, maybe he shouldn’t have made light of being trapped in the Upside Down with the only other guy he knows who went through the same thing.

Dustin knows Eddie’s gone through some shit, he does.  But the truth is he misses him, misses his confident swagger, his disdain for people who are afraid to wave their freak flag high.  He misses his big smile, and his crazy faces.  He misses the way Eddie took care of his little lost sheep.

The government gave Eddie and Wayne a new trailer, but Dustin hasn’t seen it yet.  Max spends as much time as she can with El or hanging out at the Wheeler’s, saying the trailer park still feels haunted to her.  Dustin wonders what it’s like for Eddie, still being there every day, in the place he saw Chrissy die.

Dustin goes to summer camp again, and for a while he’s able to put it all out of his mind.  Suzie is there, and being with her is awesome.  For four weeks he tries to pretend that the insanity and terror of living in Hawkins is no big deal.  But then he comes back home.

After a few days of riding around town on his bike and hanging out with the party,  Dustin decides to organize a trip to the arcade.  He tries to call Steve for a ride, but there’s no answer at his house, and when he goes to get the walkie Mike stops him, saying he thinks he’s busy.  Dustin protests for a while, but finally gives up when El tells him that the Byers are having a barbeque that weekend and he’ll see Steve then.

Saturday dawns hot and bright, and Dustin puts on his favorite camp shirt and heads over to the Byers’ new house early.  Joyce gives him a warm hug, like always, and he goofs around with Will until Jonathan forces them to help set up chairs in the backyard.  People start arriving around lunchtime, but it isn’t until he’s eaten two ketchup-drenched hot dogs and an overcooked burger that he sees Steve arrive, Eddie trailing close behind him.

He wants to run over and give Eddie a giant hug, better even than the one Dustin got from Joyce, but Robin suddenly appears next to him and puts a hand on his arm to hold him back.  “Let him ease into it,” she says softly.  Dustin doesn’t know why Eddie would need to ease into hanging out with his friends, but something in Robin’s tone tells him not to argue.

Eventually Dustin decides enough is enough.  He finds Eddie in the house, sitting next to Steve on the couch, talking softly with Hopper who is leaning against an armchair.  They all swivel their heads towards him when he pokes his head in, and Hopper nods and leaves the room, grunting some kind of greeting at Dustin as he goes by.

“Hey, what’s up?”  Steve says, and Dustin stumbles over both his feet and his words as he throws himself at the two of them.  Steve catches him and holds him tight, and he feels Eddie wrap an arm around him too.

“I want everyone to be okay,” Dustin mumbles, feeling like an idiot but not able to really say anything else.

“We’re okay, dude, don’t worry,” Steve says.  “I mean, Hopper’s grill skills could use some work, but generally speaking that’s not a big deal.”

“Really?  That’s what you’re going with?  You know that’s not what I mean.”  Dustin pushes out of their hold and sits on the coffee table.  He looks at Eddie, and then Steve, who exchange a weird glance, and then Eddie leans forward.

“I’m sorry, bud.  It really wasn’t my year, I guess. But-” Eddie’s eyes flash over to Steve, who gives him a wry grin and knocks their knees together.  “Things are looking up.  I’m okay.  Really.”

Dustin realizes that Eddie does seem better.  He’s completely lost that gray haze.  Even his hair looks better, bouncier, like Steve has been sharing his secrets.  “Do you swear?” he asks, his throat tight.

Eddie laughs, and it makes something glad and joyful bubble up in Dustin’s chest.  Steve looks happy about it too, and he grabs Eddie around his shoulders and pulls him close to his side, making Eddie laugh some more and then rest his head on Steve’s shoulder.  “Yeah, I swear.”

Dustin hears Nancy announcing something about ice pops, and he decides he better get out there before all the good flavors are taken.  “All right.  Fine.  See you around?”

“For sure,” Eddie says, and it’s a little softer and quieter than maybe Eddie was before, but Dustin still feels that warmth inside him.  Because the spark is back in Eddie’s eyes.  It’s not quite fireworks yet, but it’s there, and it’s awesome.  

[strangerthingsreversebigbang]

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

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A Chance to Fly by @karadanverss | Art by @madwomanwithawarehouse

Rating: Teens and Up

Warning(s): No Archive Warnings Apply

Characters(s):

Steve Harrington, Jonathan Byers, Nancy Wheeler, Will Byers, Eleven | Jane Hopper, Martin Brenner, Bob Newby (Stranger Things), Lonnie Byers, Jim "Chief" Hopper

Relationship(s): Jonathan Byers/Steve Harrington/Nancy Wheeler

Summary: Jonathan Byers has never been like his peers. In addition to being socially awkward, and odd, he was born green. If that wasn't enough, he had power like no one in the town of Ozkins has ever seen before. When he goes off to school to keep an eye on his brother and sister he makes some unlikely friends, and despite what he's expecting, he starts to see a real future for himself in Ozkins. Unfortunately, nothing is quite what it seems and it isn't long before Jonathan isn't quite sure what he's gotten himself into. -- Wicked AU.

Simple As That by @fuctacles | Art by DragonChris

Rating: General Audiences

Warning(s): No Archive Warnings Apply

Character(s): Eleven | Jane Hopper, Lucas Sinclair, Max Mayfield, Erica Sinclair

Relationship(s):

Relationship(s): Eleven | Jane Hopper/Maxine "Max" Mayfield/Lucas Sinclair, Maxine "Max" Mayfield/Lucas Sinclair, Eleven | Jane Hopper & Maxine "Max" Mayfield & Lucas Sinclair, Erica Sinclair & Lucas Sinclair

Summary: Sometimes, home is a girl, her boyfriend, and the freeloader on their couch.

or

Erica, the bestest sister ever, visits her brother for the weekend and makes Lucas question what exactly is happening between him, Max, and El.

Unseen Connections by @klausinamarink | Art by @yellowsweater-bluevest

Rating: Teens and Up

Warning(s): Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Character(s): Will Byers, Eleven | Jane Hopper, Mike Wheeler, The Party (Stranger Things), Joyce Byers, Jonathan Byers

Pairing(s): Will Byers/Mike Wheeler, Will Byers & Eleven

Summary: It's a miracle that Will Byers was found alive after a week of being missing. But Will doesn't feel like a miracle. Some days when it gets too much, he retreats into the void where he speaks to a girl with superpowers.

Only You (Until It Is Done) by @rajumat | Art by @alduade-art

Rating: Mature

Warnings(s): Graphic Depictions of Violence

Character(s): Steve Harrington, D'artagnan "Dart" (Stranger Things), Dustin Henderson, Robin Buckley, Eddie Munson, Billy Hargrove

Relationship(s): Steve Harrington & Dart the Demodog

Summary:

Trapped in the Upside Down after the night in the tunnels went horribly wrong, Steve is doing his best to pick himself up and keep going. Sure, his only company is Dustin’s ill-advised “pet demodog” Dart. And sure, they’re being hunted by the largest demogorgon that Steve has ever seen.

But it could be worse!

It’s not like the Russians are running their own experiments in the Upside Down or anything.

Fic 008 in 2024’s Reverse Big Bang!

Still The One by @faithfulcat111 | Art by @karadanverss

Rating: Teens and Up

Warning(s): Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings 

Character(s): Steve Harrington, Jonathan Byers

Relationship(s): Jonathan Byers/Steve Harrington

Summary: Sometimes things fall apart. But sometimes they can come together again.

In the Library There Lived a Hobbit by @formosusiniquis | Art by @thefreakandthehair

Rating: Teens and Up

Warning(s): No Archive Warnings Apply

Character(s): Steve Harrington; Eddie Munson; Robin Buckley; The Party; Wayne Munson; Original Child Character

Relationship(s): Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson; Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington

Summary: Steve Harrington has always been a romantic. He spends his time in his head imagining possible futures with strangers, but one in particular has really caught his attention: the mysterious son of Wayne who comes to Baby and Me every week with his granddaughter Lucy. When opportunity knocks, Steve is quick to suggest that this mysterious dad starts volunteering at the library. Enter Eddie Munson, a high school crush, and now Steve has to deal with the fantasy single dad he'd been imagining being real, in the library, and reading fantasy books to kids twice a week.

I'm just gonna swim (until you love me) by @just-my-latest-hyperfixation | Art by @hereforanepilogue

Rating: General Audiences

Warning(s): Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings

Character(s): steve harrington, eddie munson

Relationship(s): Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Joyce Byers/Jim "Chief" Hopper (mentioned)

Summary: He came here to distract himself from his thoughts about Hawkins and all the things he left behind. Most of them horrible; most of them things he hopes he’ll never have to experience ever again. The horrors that still haunt his nightmares. The hatred and the bigotry of the fine townspeople. But also … But also. Also the only people he’s ever called friends. The ones who stuck with him and defended him, even when everyone else called him a freak and a murderer. Who not only dragged him out of literal hell, but stuck around after. When the mobs and the torches and pitchforks were gone, and the wounds were scarred over, and his name had been cleared, but the rumors and the looks and the goddamn whispers remained. He’s been trying to forget about the past for two years. And now it’s standing in front of him in skinny jeans and a striped polo, pretty and perfect and kissable as ever, measuring him with an expectant look. — Or: The one in which Eddie goes to the aquarium and finds his past (and maybe his future) in the shark tank.

Let's Leave Nothing Unsaid by @salamandergoo | Art by @alduade-art

Rating: Mature

Warning(s): Graphic Depictions of Violence

Character(s): Robin Arellano, Finney Blake, Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley, Gwen Blake, Dustin Henderson, Jeff, Gareth, Eddie Munson

Relationship(s): Robin Arellano & Finney Blake, Robin Arellano & Steve Harrington, Robin Arellano & Eddie Munson, Robin Arellano & Robin Buckley, Steve Harrington & Robin Buckley

Summary: Robin Arellano thought that if they could just get out of the basement of their kidnapper, he and Finney would be okay. They’d return to their normal lives. But normal was different, and years later he finds himself in Hawkins, Indiana on a desperate search to find his best friend. And then two days later, he’s searching again. Why can they not catch a break?

Worth the World by @lemonlimelights | Art by @anaccidentwaitingtohappen

Rating: Teens and Up

Warnings(s): No Archive Warnings Apply 

Character(s): Mike Wheeler, Steve Harrington, Will Byers, Eleven | Jane Hopper

Relationship(s): Steve Harrington & Mike Wheeler, Mike Wheeler & Eleven | Jane Hopper, Will Byers/Mike Wheeler, (Minor) Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson

Summary: Steve and Mike give each other pep-talks in their own unique ways, and it works! The almost end of the world is rough but they can figure it out together.

Don't Stop Burning by @whataboutthefish | Art by @yellowsweater-bluevest

Rating: Teens and Up

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Character(s): Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Nancy Wheeler, Jim Hopper, Eleven, The Party

Relationship(s): Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington & Robin Buckley

Summary: Escaping from Hawkin’s Laboratory had been hard, prying Papa’s phantom claws out of his mind took every strength he had. Seven thought that would be the hard part, but when he finally got free, running through unknown land with no direction to go he realized it had only been the beginning of this nightmare he was running from.

---

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

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[hullomoon]

hullomoon's 2023 works: part six

it’s the end of the year, which means it’s time for a work round-up! i had a pretty busy year so i didn't post as much, but i also know i did more longer works. so it probably balances out in the end. if you haven’t yet, check out my 2019 roundup, 2020 roundup, 2021 roundup, and 2022 roundup! all works are ordered in chronological posting order.

part one | part two | part three | part four | part five | part six

[podfic] last night, i dreamt i still knew you | Stranger Things | Tommy & Steve, Steve/Eddie | 0:23:33

He imagines a happy Steve, a jealous Steve, a down on his luck Steve; but every single one misses him. Every Steve has the same empty and wanting space in his heart that Tommy used to fill. Armed with a million maybes and what if’s Tommy still had no intention of doing a thing. He’d spend his time in Hawkins, with his family, and when the summer came to an end he’d tell his mom it was just such a shame that his old friends were so busy. But Hawkins is a small town, has always been a small town. And even with hours of late night imaginings that all hinged on small town coincidence, he wasn’t prepared for Steve Harrington outside The Hawk with a gaggle of high schoolers and Eddie the Freak.

[podfic] (take these) chains | Stranger Things | Explicit | Steve/Eddie | 09:10

Steve is Eddie's greatest work of art.

[podfic] when i don't touch you it's a mistake in any life, in each place and forever. | Stranger Things | multivoice | Steve/Eddie | 05:21:00

If Eddie didn’t know any better, he would think that he’d slipped into an alternate dimension. A dimension where he was happy and not dead. A dimension where Steve Harrington sleeps in his bed—or maybe where he sleeps in Steve Harrington’s bed. OR: Eddie dies. But then he wakes up next to a sleeping Steve Harrington.

[podfic] A Promise of Sunshine | Stranger Things | Mature | Steve/Eddie | 02:01:56

Eddie had always expected that he would find his soulmate through the snap of a broken guitar string, or the needle burn of his tattoos. Instead, Billy Hargrove breaks a plate over Steve’s Harrington’s head and Eddie finds himself tied to a boy he knows only through the lens of the high school hierarchies. Almost a year later, Eddie has spent time learning everything he can about Steve - the way he thinks, the things that send him into a panic he can't - or won't - explain, the look in his eyes before he says something heinously bitchy and devastatingly funny. He and Uncle Wayne have found themselves permanent seats at Victoria Harrington’s Sunday Dinners, and Eddie can almost ignore the rabbit pace of his heart when Steve smiles at him. Except that Steve has gone missing, had bailed on their plans for the Fourth of July weekend without a word and this would be fine, really, except - Eddie’s getting bruises that aren’t his own and Victoria hasn’t seen her son in days. While Eddie's injuries get steadily worse, he and Victoria scramble across town to try and find Steve and save him from whatever nightmare situation he landed in before it’s too late. Project 40 of the Steddie BB 2023

[podfic] Grey Matter | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie, Steve & Robin | 03:17:43

In the fall of 1983, Nancy Wheeler rejects Steve Harrington, thus sparing him from the terrifying world of the Upside Down. Until Summer of 1985, that is, when what was supposed to be mind-numbingly boring two months of slinging ice cream promptly turns into a task of decoding a secret Russian message with his two closest friends and a strange kid that never shuts up. Or, an alternative universe in which Steve Harrington gets to live his normal life for an additional year and a half, grow as a person, make new friends and fall in love along the way.

you've got a smile that could light up this whole town | Stranger Things | Explicit | Robin/Chrissy, Steve & Robin | 10k

It's the Hawkins Tigers 1985 football season and Robin can't stop staring at Chrissy Cunningham

[podfic] Realizations: Grief & Fortuitous Outcomes | The Adventure Zone | Duck/Minerva | 12:25

The week after the last battle, there’s a moment that all of it slips his mind entirely. or Introspection, Sadness, Comfort, & Realizing You Love A Big Beautiful Alien Woman