#hopper is billys real dad

[cavinginhisfvce]

'William Orchard Hopper"

Pairing: Harringrove.

Tw: child abuse, mentions of infidelity.

This started out as a headcanon of Jim being Billy biological dad and quickly spiraled into this??? Sorry. <3

Not many people know that Jim Hopper spent a considerable amount of time in California in his twenties.

Jim and Billy's mom, Bria Hargrove met and had an affair that led to Billy being born.

Neil knows Billy isn't his son, and becomes abusive towards Bria and Billy until she can no longer take it. 

When Billy is ten, she leaves and hides a note in Billy's room for him to find. 

The note tells him that Neil isn't his real father, it tells him his real father lives in Indiana. Hawkins, specifically but that he had once lived in California. She tells him that the man is named Jim Hopper. She doesn't give him any other details. Not that it truly matters, Neil is whose on his birth certificate. Neil is who is raising Billy into the man he's destined to be.

Confused, Billy tucks the note away. He can almost forget about it, but the knowledge that Neil isn't his dad stays with him. Even when Neil married Susan, and he gained a step-sister in her daughter, Max. 

It doesn't become a problem for Billy until Neil announces that their new, fragile thing of a family is moving to Hawkins, Indiana. 

He doesn't know if Neil knows he'll be dropping them in the town of the very man his mother cheated on him with.

A week after the move, Billy makes the mistake of getting high after Neil's latest lesson in Respect and Responsibility that ended with Billy nursing bruised ribs and what's definitely a mild concussion. 

The mistake isn't smoking weed, per say. No, Billy's mistake was forgetting just how loose lipped he gets when high. Because, now he's shown Max the letter his mom left all those years ago, he tells her that Neil isn't his biological father.

Max doesn't say anything, she just stands up and hugs her step-brother. 

The blond tenses briefly, before he's sinking into the hug; his own arms winding around her small frame. 

She's gotten taller, so with Billy sitting, his head is pressed into her stomach.

She doesn't comment on the warmth of his tears, she just hugs him tighter.

What does someone say to their step-brother who's father beats him on a regular basis? What do you say when that same boy knows the man who lords his parental status over him, isn't actually his dad? 

Max decides you say nothing. Billy doesn't seem put off by the lack of response. 

It isn't until after Halloween, after Max has plunged a syringe into Billy's neck to sedate him when a panic attack had led to a violent fit, that they're both forced to confront the very thing Billy has tried so hard to forget.

It wasn't the first time Billy lashed out like this, but it was one of the worst times. Her new friends had gotten permission from Neil and her mother to come over, but something set Billy off when she introduced him to Jane.

To his credit, Billy had fled the house when he noticed his breathing picking up. It hadn't helped much, because Max followed behind him, leading her friends to do the same.

When Jane met his gaze, her eyes were soft but unreadable, like she knew she held the last name of the man his mother confessed was actually his father.

It could've been a coincidence, but his mom had also told him the mystery man was training to become a police officer. 

That was too many coincidences, if you asked Billy.

He doesn't remember much after that, not that ever does. 

He knows her friends had been afraid, but for some weird fucking reason they tried to comfort him.

The curly-haired one even called Steve Harrington, declaring that the elder was good in situations like this. 

Billy seriously doubted that, but he'd never pass up a chance to see Steve. Their relationship was still new. New as in they'd only been official for the past week.

Once Steve had arrived, the kids all seemed to lose interest in everything, and retreated into the living room to play video games. Max took some convincing, but eventually, they were able to pry her away from the place she'd refused to leave at Billy's side.

The couple quickly toed off to Billy's room, and Steve wasted no time in pulling Billy into his arms.

Billy felt bone-tired, the sedative given to him never knocks him out, it mostly tires him out. Makes the world fuzzy, and like it's covered in a foggy film.

But, this felt different. This felt like a tiredness that wouldn't be quelled by resting for the remainder of the day. 

The younger boy hadn't told Steve about Jim, so when he asked what triggered this episode, Billy quickly spilled. He spoke until his throat felt raw, and his hands were shaking. 

He spoke until the room felt as if all the air was quickly evaporating. 

Steve waited until Billy's word vomit came to an end, before gently responding, "It's okay, B. If Hop is your dad, he's a good man. A little grumpy, but he's not like…" he trails off, but Billy can fill in the blanks just fine.

"H-how am I even supposed to broach this subject with him, Steve? What if...what if he doesn't want me just like her, and I'm stuck with Neil until I'm 18, or dead?" 

The brunet quickly reaches out to cup Billy's cheek, his thumb grazing the smooth skin. "That won't happen. Even if it did, you've got me. You're never gonna be stuck with him forever so long as I'm alive and breathing, baby."

There's more the boy wants to say, but he just feels so tired. The sounds of the kids all yelling in the other room serve as nothing more than background noise.

It's about an hour later, and Billy's only been fighting his sleep because Steve is showing him various tiktoks and clips of random gamers he enjoys.

Soon though, he's starting to doze on Steve's shoulder, when there's a knock at his door, then a head of brown curls are peaking into his room.

Jane.

His breath hitches, but Steve's hand finds his back and begins to soothingly rub his stress away. 

Metaphorically, of course. Because in reality, Billy is still freaking out.

"Jim is here to pick me up, but he wanted to meet you."

This causes him to bristle, "Me? Why?"

Jane merely shrugs, before turning away. 

Billy has an inkling she does know, but he swallows it down and climbs off his bed to make the short trek to the living room.

When he lays eyes on Hopper, the man is dressed in his uniform, a small grimace on his lips as he observes the sparsely decorated room.

His eyes eventually land on Billy and he offers something that could be considered a smile.

"So you're the owner of that Camaro out front, or is that your dad's?"

Billy wants to laugh out loud at the question, but instead he shakes his head. "No, sir. She's all mine, fixed her from the ground up myself." 

It was true, Billy spent months fixing her up, she'd been all but totaled when he found her body at the junkyard in California. 

He immediately fell in love with the car, despite the appearance and the rest was history.

The chief let out a long whistle, along with an approving nod.

"Damn kid. You lookin' for work? I know the mechanic in town could use someone like you on weekends."

Billy only nods, unsure of what to say. 

"Yeah, yeah that'd be great, actually! Thanks."

Jim nods, his eyes never leaving their place of observing the blond. 

"I'll set it up, just come by my office on Monday and we'll work out all the kinks."

Soon after, Jim leaves with Jane, who promises Max that they'll hang out soon.

Much to Billy's chargin, Steve leaves with the rest of the kids, sans Max, around forty-five minutes later.

Neil and Susan return after Billy has finished cleaning up the dishes from his and Max's dinner. 

His dad seems pissed by something, something Billy can't figure out.

Not that it matters. All that matters is that his bad mood means a repeat of last night. 

As it plays out, Billy doesn't have to wait until Monday, because the man in question all but busts the Hargrove's front door down, catching Neil in the act of wailing on the defenseless blond.

There's a whirlwind of activity that ends with his father in cuffs, and Hopper escorting Billy to the hospital with Max glued to his side while Susan tails the Chief's car.

On the drive there, Billy doesn't expect the chief to blurt out, "Jane heard what you told Steve." Billy wants to play dumb, he wants to pretend he has no clue what Hopper is referring to; but instead he just shrugs and glances back at Max, the red-head at least looks apologetic. 

"Does she always ear hustle that hard?" The large man huffs out a laugh, "you have no clue kid," he pauses, chewing at his lip before he carefully continues, "I knew the last name was familiar, just chalked up to a coincidence. But your ma...you look just like her…"

"Why didn't you say something earlier?" 

"I didn't want to assume, I was gonna do some digging. You know? I didn't know Bria was pregnant when we broke things off. All she said was Neil was getting suspicious. She didn't tell me, if she had…" he trails off, pulling up to the entrance of the hospital. 

"I'm gonna make this right, Billy. I promise."

Billy wants to scoff, but one glance at Max's hopeful face in the mirror has Billy nodding instead. 

"Yeah, okay." His words are soft, lacking any bite. 

It turns out that the police chief busting down your front door to find your "father" beating you bloody, is more than enough evidence to send said man to prison. 

It also turns out that one nicely worded threat is enough to have Neil Hargrove give up parental rights that never rightly belonged to him.

A DNA test for confirmation later Billy was getting a new birth certificate in the mail with the name William Orchard Hopper.

Below it read Bria Hargrove and James Hopper.

Billy was in the middle of decorating his new room in Hopper's place when Max barged in, Steve trailing behind her with a sweet grin on his lips.

"Billy, can you take me and Jane to the arcade?" Jane, who Billy hadn't noticed initially just smiled up at him.

The boy shook his head, turning to Steve, "aren't these your charges? Why am I the chaperone?"

Max rolls his eyes, "you're our brother, so you have to! You love us!"

Jane quickly nods her head, a sparkle in her eyes, "Yeah! You love us."

Steve hums his agreement, which has Billy shaking his head again, "okay, whatever shitbirds. Let me change, at least."

They seem to accept that, and slip out the room, leaving Billy and Steve alone.

The latter smiles at him, before crossing the room to plant a light kiss to his lips.

"Alright, now hurry up, Blondie! We can't let the boys get too cocky, Jonathan dropped them off already and I just know Dustin is trying to beat Max's highscores already. They're gonna fight all day."

Once Billy is dressed, he drags Steve out his bedroom, only to run into Hopper. Literally. 

Billy's head bounces against his chest and everything.

The man just grunts and steadies the smaller boy, his lips parting to speak before Billy is wrapping his arms around his midsection, "see you for dinner, Pops!" before he's grabbing Steve's hand and ushering Max and Jane out the door.

Jim doesn't miss the smile that graces his son's lips before he calls out, "be safe!"

He can almost see the way Jane and Billy roll their eyes before responding without missing a beat, 

"Us? Always!" Jim doesn't mention the time he had to put out a small fire from when Billy tried to teach Jane tricks with his zippo.

Yeah, always my ass, he thinks.

[acowardinmordor]

This idea really only works as a tumblr post rambling to someone about a fic, but it aches, so I'm sharing.

Standard issue setup where Steve gets thrown back in time so he can fix things. One minute he's trying to keep the last of his friends alive in the final fight, the next he's waking up in bed in 1983, a day before Will would have gone missing.

Will is safe and home, but has horrible nightmares for a few weeks. After the first night, when he told his mom and his friends about it - the monster and the creepy place he went and the cold - they have nightmares too. It's strange that they all had dreams, but Will has always been a good storyteller.

Nancy and Barb get stuck on babysitting duty for the kids, where they mostly gossip about how Steve broke up with her one day and became a social outcast within two more.

The Party meets Jane at the start of summer break in 84, and they become fast friends. They know she has something bad in her past, but she's very careful not to say something she shouldn't. The boy who found her told her it was important, and her Dad agrees. The boys tell her that friends don't lie, and she quotes the boy who found her first, that 'safe is more important'

Will gets new nightmares as time goes on. Dustin dreams about a tadpole that grows too fast and eats his cat. They dream about things that could never be real, and they dream about Jane having superpowers and fighting monsters. Sometimes they talk about them a little, mostly they don't. They're just weird dreams after all, using words from DnD, and they're not little kids anymore.

Steve Harrington goes missing in early 1985. His car is found near the construction site for the new mall -- well, what's left of the construction site after a gas leak causes a massive explosion and fire.

That's when the kids start to realize something is weird. They see photos of this missing teenager who has been in so many of their dreams. It starts them talking, and they start to listen, and they've always loved to solve a mystery. They hear Nancy talking about him, and how he broke up with her out of nowhere and became super weird. How he dropped out of sports and showed up with bruises and bandages and scars after that. How he pushed away his old friends and never made new ones.

It's not until they're talking to El, who says she's not supposed to talk about him, that they decide there is definitely something weird, but they can't figure out what it is.

The dreams get weirder, and the circle grows. Nancy eventually talks to Jonathan and the kids. Joyce and Hopper talk. Over the summer, Robin, confused and shaking, finds Nancy to ask what's going on. Eddie makes it to 86 before a nightmare breaks him so badly he calls Chrissy Cunningham's house in the middle of the night to be sure she's okay.

It's not everyone who was ever touched by the Upside Down. Barb and Chrissy and Billy don't remember it at all. Benny goes about his life. Its the people that Steve knew and loved and had a connection to that are stuck with these dreams.

Once they accept that they're all seeing a cohesive thing, they start to compile it. Notes and notebooks and pinboards and post its as their dreams tell them the story.

Eventually, El confirms it might be possible by levitating the toaster.

They all accept that what they saw is real, but they also know it never happened. The Mall never opened. No earthquakes. Eddie is alive and Will never fell into the Upside Down. Even as more of them have dreams about dying, they don't understand.

It's Robin who puts it together for real, because everyone had dreams about Steve outside of the big fights and horrors, but she had dreams of long conversations and hushed confessions all the time. So at the end of 86, she's the one who hears him crying after they lost Dustin and Lucas to a pack of demodogs. She hears him talk about how he'd give anything to take it back and make it right. That's her Platonic Soulmate, and she knows him, even though they've never spoken.

So yeah, she might not know how, but she's the one that realizes what must have happened, what he must have done, and how much he achieved. They've all seen how much happier he was as years went on and they got closer. They've seen him protect them and tease them and help them in a hundred different ways.

And they know he made the choice, like he always did, to keep them safe, even if it cost him everything.

[withacapitalp]

Scars

TW for Child Abuse of all kinds

Steve waits until they’ve been dating for six months before he works up the courage to talk about the scars. 

He isn’t exactly sure why he waited until the six month mark. Maybe six months felt like long enough that it was appropriate to ask. Maybe six months meant that Eddie wasn’t just going to up and leave. Maybe six months of waiting was all Steve could stand. 

There’s only five of them. Five perfect circles on Eddie’s top left shoulder blade, dark against his boyfriend’s pale pale skin. They’re almost evenly spaced apart, like someone took the time to think about the placement. Like where they were mattered. 

They’re in bed when Steve asks. Eddie is lying on his back, and Steve is lazily trailing his fingers up and down his spine, watching with fascination as Eddie’s entire body becomes mush under his fingertips. He lets his hand drift up to the place where they are, gently putting his hand flat over the scars. 

His palm covers them all up, and if he left it there forever, it would be like they never existed. 

Maybe that would be better. 

Steve doesn’t want to ask. He doesn’t feel like he has the right to, but he asks anyway. He asks despite knowing what they are, and despite already knowing who put them there. It wouldn’t take a genius to figure that out. 

“Who?” 

Eddie doesn’t answer, not at first. He doesn’t tense up like Steve expected him to, or even pull away. 

He just lies there, his eyes a million miles away. 

“You know who,” 

Steve knows. He can see it in the way Eddie watches Hopper like a hawk when he’s drinking, in the careful quiet kinship that’s shared between his boyfriend and Jonathan. Steve knows, because he notices everything about Eddie. There isn’t anything that’s hidden anymore, and he thinks sometimes that maybe that’s not such a good thing. 

Maybe Steve knows too much. 

Eddie tells him anyway. 

“I’m honestly kind of happy I have them. Having those meant I never had to go back. It was enough for Wayne to get to keep me. They were good, because there was finally something I could show people. Something that made it all real, you know?”

Steve knows. He can see it in the way Wayne watches over Eddie, always clocking everyone around his boy to make sure they aren’t a threat. Steve knows, because Wayne told him. He said that if Steve ever hurt his son (not his nephew, his son) then there would be nowhere safe on Earth for him to run to. 

Wayne didn’t need to worry that much. Steve would let Vecna break his body in half before he ever did anything to hurt Eddie. 

“What about you?” 

Because Steve has scars too, and Eddie knows about them. 

Steve has a crooked one up his left leg from the time he fell off his bike when he was first learning to ride it. There’s a starburst on his wrist from the place where it broke when he fell wrong on the court too. 

There's a soft faint scar that runs over his right temple from his first fight with Billy, a pinprick one behind his left ear from the Russians. There are scars all up and down his back, a red ring around his neck, and two long nasty gashes living on his sides. Steve is scarred from head to toe. 

But none of them are from his dad. Not like Eddie. 

Steve couldn’t even imagine his father putting a hand on him. Even at his maddest, John Harrington never ran hot. His fury was cold, calculated. Sharp pointed words that stabbed through his son’s chest, or frosty silences that made Steve wish he was dead. 

His father had never needed his fists to make a point. 

He wonders what it would be like to have just one. If that crooked scar up his leg was because his dad pushed him to the ground, or if his wrist had been broken at home instead of in the gym. 

He hates himself for wanting to be hit. For needing a single physical reminder, something to show for all the years of pain. For desiring something, anything, to represent the way his parents tore him to shreds and left the pieces in the dust. 

Steve has scars from everything else. What would one more be? 

And he could tell Eddie all of this. Eddie would understand. He always had, and he always will. It was the thing that Steve loved most about his boyfriend. 

Steve could tell him, but they both knew he wouldn’t. Just like Steve knows Eddie, Eddie knows Steve. He knows the reason that Steve is always trying to make himself useful, and the motivation behind always throwing himself in front of the others to take the blows. Eddie knows that none of his scars are from his parents. 

At least, not any of the ones a person could see. 

[eddiiiieeee]

Holding her back

Eddie Munson x reader warnings: strong language, real angsty, mentions of sexual things, no happy ending. yes, I am an evil fuck.

summary: Eddie feels like he's holding y/n back, and that's where the demise of their relationship starts

authors note: all the young adults are in high school, and so are the party members, Joyce and hopper are together, Billy isn't a pimple on anyone's ass. The upside down never happened. and yes ur dad is Pedro pascal. have fuuun masterlist

something that humoured Eddie was how no one batted an eye when they see Carver and his group of rats gang up on Eddie, and that's exactly what was happening. just another day for everyone, while Eddies got a black eye, a cut on his lip and possibly a broken nose with all the blood coming from it, Eddie did hit back, but he was one on five, he'd manage to get one down, another would come back up. they were getting their dignity back after Eddie had beaten them up a few days back. "you know whats a real big shame, freak? that pretty girlfriend of yours, y/n. She's got a bright future ahead of her, but do you think shell really achieve anything with you by her? fuck no" Jason said as Eddie pushed him away from him, leaning his body against the wall behind him as he wiped his bloody nose before Eddie knew it, he was on the ground while Andys foot hit against his stomach over and over again, before they'd decided to leave him alone, but what hurt the most wasn’t the kicks or the punches. it was the fact that deep down, eddie knew they were right, that Eddie was holding y/n back from amazing things, he knew that the tiny voice in his head that he would ignore was right. Eddie wasn’t good enough for y/n, no matter how hard he tries, he’s just a phase in her life he needs to get her out of, but how could he leave her? the love of his life was y/n, he felt sick just thinking about how hurt she would feel, he knew deep down that he was holding back.

….

y/n had been waiting for Eddie at his trailer with Wayne, her dad needing to take an extra shift meant y/n all by herself, so she grabbed the left overs from the lasagna she’d made, making sure she left some for her dad, and made her way to the Munson trailer. “Eddie’s mom” y/n mumbled as Wayne handed her Polaroids of a woman who looked similar to Eddie “yep, she was beautiful, my boy got everything from her, even his wild hair he can’t seem to brush” y/n chuckled as she looked at the picture, Eddie looked just like her “he’s got her eyes” she said as she smiled noticing the ring on her finger, it was the ring Eddie had given her for her birthday

y/n handed Wayne the picture back before the door abruptly opened, revealing a rather pissed off Eddie. both Wayne and y/n shot up from their seats “Ed’s what happened to you?” Wayne asked as y/n walked up to him, placing her hands on his face as Eddie moved away from her “Ed’s what happened?” she said looking at him “nothing, i got into a fight” he mumbled keeping his eyes on the floor, as he bit the inside of his lip “come on, we need to clean you up” y/n said trying to wipe the blood from his lip before he moved away “man, get off me will you?” he spat glaring at her before he walked off into his room

“boy get back here!” Wayne said as he heard Eddie bedroom door slam shut, y/n stood there shocked before she turned to Wayne “he probably wants to be alone it’s fine” she said giving Wayne a small smile before she moved to grab the empty places on the table, putting them in the plate as Wayne helped her clean up. once they were done, Wayne had gone out for a smoke while y/n went to check up on eddie “Eddie? can i come in?” she asked, before opening the door, as Eddie sat on the floor with a cloth on his lip, he took a glance at her before he looked away “what?” he mumbled moving the cloth away to look at the blood

“i got you food, its lasagne” she said walking in as she closed the door, sitting next to him as she placed the plate down as well. “you wanna tell me what happened?” she asked as she looked at him “i don’t have to tell you everything” he said looking at her “stop getting all up into my shit.” y/n face fell as she nodded, Eddie’s never once spoken to her that way. she nodded before she looking at around “Wayne showed me a pictures of your mom, she’s really seems prettier in ever picture i see” Eddie sensed the hurt in y/n’s voice, he knew he was starting to hurt her

“listen i’m tired, i wanna go to sleep, can you just go home and i’ll, like, call you i guess?” He said looking at her as y/n furrowed her eyebrows confused “Eddie, did i do something?” “god, not everything revolves around you, y/n. i get it you’re my girlfriend but that does not mean we have to hangout all the time” y/n gulped as she bit the inside of her lip “sorry, it’s my fault that i’m trying to be a good girlfriend. and i’ll go home, don’t worry” she said getting up as she walked out the room, grabbing her jacket and bag before heading out. Eddie rubbed his face as he got up, moving into the bathroom to get the first aid kit out, and clean his face up.

….

y/n had set up the table, three plates, like every morning. she hummed along to the Elvis record she had on, soon finishing up the pancakes and placing the plate of them in the middle of the table. “y/n?” Nick had called out as he walked down the stairs “in here!” y/n said as she poured coffee in the three glasses she’d put on the table, Nick walked in and smiled at her “morning” he said as he sat down yawning a-bit “morning, what time did you get home from your shift?” she asked handing him a glass of water, a habit they’ve had since Nick always forgets to drink water.

“around three, you were asleep when i got home” he said beginning to smear chocolate all over his pancake “did you eat the leftovers? i took some for Wayne and Eddie and left out some for you since i knew you’d get home hungry” “yea i did” he said his mouth filled with a mixture of pancakes and chocolate “Munson not coming for breakfast?” he asked nothing Eddie’s empty chair at the table “i’m not sure, he wasn’t in the best mood when i saw him last night, he was… all beat up, just really sour” y/n said as she sat down, grabbing a pancake and doing the same as Nick did “i’ll just keep some aside for him, and after school i’ll give them to him” she mumbled taking a sip of her coffee

as Nick nodded “so i was thinking tomorrow night, we could go out pick a movie out, and have a movie night, I’ve got tomorrow off” he shrugged as y/n swallowed her food nodding ”just saying i am not watching top gun maverick again, i think i can recite the entire movie scene for scene” she said as they both chuckled “it’s a good movie besides if i let you pick the movie it’ll just mean i’m either watching dirty dancing or pretty in pink” “hey you cried watching pretty in pink!” “i did not!” “did so!” she laughed as she then looked at her watch

“shit Eddie’s late” she said finishing off her pancake before drinking the rest of her coffee “You go ahead to school and I’ll clean up, need a ride?” Nick said wiping the corners of his mouth with a napkin “I do, You sure you've got the time?” “yea I’m sure, I’ve got a couple hours before my next shift,” he said as y/n got up helping Nick clean up before grabbing her backpack, swinging it on her back as Nick tied his work boots, getting up once he was done, grabbing his keys. both of them getting in the car and driving off. .... y/n pulled out her chemistry textbook out of her locker, to place it inside her bag, she hadn't seen eddie for the last two periods. she was lost in thought that she hadn't noticed Robin who was staring at her concerned "you okay?" the blonde asked as y/n looked at her, clearing her throat "yea yea, its just Eddie, he's acting off" she said closing her bag as she closed her locker, locking it as her and Robin walked off to Chem "have you seen him today?" y/n asked, concerned about her boyfriend. "no but during lunch, ill call up steve and ask if they're hanging out, you know Eddie, he'll ditch a day of school to get high with king steve" y/n hummed in agreement as the two made their way into class, something was off and y/n knew it. Eddie was sat in the back of his van, a joint hanging from his lip, as Robert plants voice rang through his headphones, the ones y/n had gifted him along with the cassette player for his birthday, his eyes set on the song journal in front of him "fucking shit" he mumbled, closing the journal and throwing it next to him as he took a deep drag from the joint, letting the smoke into his system, maybe it would help drown out Jasons voice and y/ns, the anger and hurt that laced it last night. he's going to do it, today. he'll break up with her and just support her from the side lines, where she wouldn't know. after a few more minutes of sitting and string at the carpet of the vans back area with Zepplin filling his head, Eddie stopped the tape as he took the headphones off, opening the door to his van and setting out, throwing the joint on the floor as he put it out, grabbing his journal and stuffing it in the mess he calls a backpack, zipping it uo and swinging it over his leather clad shoulder, closing the door and locking the van, before walking inside the building and heading to the drama room. .... part 2 here!

part 3 here!

[hargrove-mayfields]

Benny lets Steve work at the diner.

Nobody else would hire the kid who wore chunky headphones and couldn’t stand for more than an hour before he was crumpling under his own weight. Seizures, panic attacks, overstimulation.

Steve’s disabled, he can’t work full weeks, but he’s also restless. Billy provides for them just fine, but it makes Steve all twisty inside knowing he’s so dependent. Even though his partner promises it’s really, really okay.

They compromise by getting him out of the house to work at Bennys whenever he can; Benny who is super understanding of the whole situation and lets Steve work just two days a week, or less if he’s not able.

On his breaks, Benny will sit with Steve and just talk. About the diner, about life. About this crushing anxiety and insecurity problem of Steve’s.

He talks about a time when he felt the same way. Turns out Benny Hammond is deaf.

When he started the diner, he hadn’t had hearing aids yet, and there were many that insisted he’d fail. Almost thirty years later though he’s still going strong.

Benny even says that maybe thirty years later, Billy and Steve will be trucking along just fine too.

Steve gets all wide eyed and blushy, he didn’t realize Benny knew about him and Billy being a couple. That was supposed to be a secret. But maybe thirty years of sitting back and watching the people of Hawkins taught him how to spot that kind of stuff.

It’s a special kind of comfort, having someone older to relate to. To teach him the tricks of not being so insecure. To confide in about his boy problems without fear of being outed to everyone.

Billy gets that too in the form of Jim Hopper.

After Neil left, he’d been adopted by Joyce, and then Hop became his step-dad not long after.

He comes with Billy by the diner all the time. Pays for a meal and doesn’t say a word when Billy spends the whole time checking on Steve and watching him taking orders and things.

They have support now. Real support.

Even moved out on their own, in the big adult world, two terrified teenagers that grew up into slightly less terrified adults. And they aren’t ever really alone. They’re one phone call away from having an army of support.

They’re doing fine. Much better than they realized they could.

All because of Steve reaching out one day over a slice of cheesecake at the diner, for which Billy says he’s so proud of him. And as always, loves him so deeply.

————

We’re nearing the end of @harringrovemovember already you guys! Wow!! Today I’m excited to have wrote about male role models, this is one headcanon I hold really dear!!

[strangerthingsreversebigbang]

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

---

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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[broke-art-girl]

el and max headcanons? (and will too if u want)

Asks!! Cool!!

I have the feeling you're the same anon lol, pick an emoji to be called if you wanna! Thanks for the loyalty!!

(I'ma do Will and El also, but separately)

El:

• She loves it when people call her Jane. It makes her feel like a real person.

• She likes to roller skate but she can't skateboard. Poor girl, she keeps trying to do a kick flip. Max doesn't even know how to do a kick flip.

• She eventually got burnt out on Eggos, but never the syrup.

• She doesn't have great social skills and she talks a bit like Starfire so she doesn't talk much to people she doesn't care alot about. But when Max is over, Hopper and Joyce have to wear ear plugs.

• Total giggle box. Can't stop, won't stop.

Max:

• Kinda like Billy she has a spunkiness that can sometimes come off as mean, sometimes she'll take a playful insult too far and have to apologize. Which she will do.

• She doesn't like her orange hair. She prefers Els dark curls.

• Max sees Steve as her dad. She asks him for advice on the reg which nobody really seems to know. It's not like she's hiding it, she just doesn't go shouting it from rooftops. "He yourself kid, but sometimes dial "yourself" back a little." He once said to her.

• She smokes. She's not a big drinker but I imagine she's picking up cigarettes people left on the sidewalk for later and lightning them up for herself.

As a couple:

• "Like a bad scream."

"What's a good scream."

"Well Max said-"

"-Doesnt Matter!!"

(Max gave El "the talk".)

• Max is top.

• They love to sing and dance together, any song really but mainly Madonna and Kate Bush.

• Max is obsessed with using her powers to lock their door, she thinks it's so sexy saying, "Crap, we didnt lock the door." And hearing it click from across the room.

• El doesn't like to drive. She doesn't like cars much either. So she keeps insisting Max and her get a tandem bike. Which Max refuses. (It's in the garage as a Christmas gift.)

[steddie-fanfic-recs]

just a rhyme without a reason

by doriangrayscale

Rating: Mature Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationship: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington & The Party, Steve Harrington & Dustin Henderson, Steve Harrington & Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Steve Harrington & Nancy Wheeler Character: Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Wayne Munson, Dustin Henderson, Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, Erica Sinclair, Jason Carver, Jonathan Byers, Robin Buckley, Nancy Wheeler, Eleven | Jane Hopper Additional Tags: Bisexual Steve Harrington, Gay Eddie Munson, Good Babysitter Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington Has Bad Parents, and ptsd, Slow Burn, Homelessness, Self-Harm through Self-Sacrifice, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Season 4 Rewrite, Steve Harrington Whump, No beta we die like Barb, Pining, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, light period-typical homophobia, Angst with a Happy Ending, Vague Suicidal Thoughts/Ideations, liberal use of echo and the bunnymen, Pre-Season/Series 04, I did mention angst right? Words: 78,139 Chapters: 12/12

Summary

The mall is destroyed. El’s lost her powers. Billy’s dead. So is Hopper. Steve is probably fucked up mentally for life, but what else is new? Steve has a pretty good thing going. He has kids to take care of, an awkward lesbian to advise. Max needs a big brother. Hawkins is his home, and Steve can’t just leave. Not while he’s still needed. He knows one day he won’t be. But for now, it’s enough. Or: the Harringtons sell their house before the real estate market goes belly-up. Hawkins has been going downhill for years, anyway. His parents give Steve a choice: move with them and finally take that job at his dad’s company or get left behind. For Steve, it wasn’t much of a choice at all. He may not have a house anymore, but his BMW’s backseat has served as a bed plenty of times already. No one has to know. The party has enough problems to worry about. Or: Eddie Munson worms his way into Steve’s sorry little life months before Vecna rears his ugly head. Or: Steve Harrington, a character study.

[ladykailitha]

Werewolf Steve!!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone! I won't be able to answer too many of these because I am completely drained. Like usually I plot in my head all the time, but this trip had me running on empty the whole time.

I love my nieces and their mom to the moon and back, but it's the other side of my family who also came for the graduation that are the brain drains. I didn't want to spend the trip dueling with my dad over TV remotes (he'd come in while a couple of us were talking or chilling and turn the TV without asking), but I did.

My niece and her mom wanted me to stay a few extra days (my husband had to be home on Sunday and my other niece drove me and my son back down today) and then they proceeded to hide out in their rooms the whole time.

So, I'm home, I'm tired, but I am absolutely itching to write. So we'll see how this goes.

WIP Wednesday! Make me write.

Snippet

Tommy couldn’t wait until he turned eighteen. Then he could finally dispense with the fucking pretense of being Steve Harrington’s bitch.

Him and Carol had been ordered by Hopper to befriend Steve at school, to keep an eye on him. Asshole used his alpha voice and everything so they couldn’t refuse. Carol learned to actually like the knucklehead, but Tommy couldn’t stomach Steve. He wasn’t Pack. Not that Tommy wanted to be a werewolf. No, he had other plans. But to order them to hang out with the idiot was just too much to bear.

So when Billy Hargrove came into town and cleaned up that hornet’s nest that was the old Coven, Tommy knew what he wanted. He wanted real power. Werewolves were big slobbery beast who didn’t have a fucking thought in their head. Just pure instinct.

[fireflywitch]

previously on california show your teeth..... (for those interested in a summary/spoilers/refreshment for the first installment!)

Will, Joyce, Jonathan, Hopper, and El grew up in Lenora, not Hawkins. There is a lab in Lenora, Brenner is in Lenora (or was...), and Will still goes missing on November 6, 1983.

November 1983: Barb (and others) go “missing” from Hawkins.

El escapes from the lab in Lenora and goes to Surfer Boy Pizza where she meets Argyle and Jonathan.

Jonathan takes El home, she meets Joyce and Hopper, but then Will’s “body” is found behind a dumpster.

El reaches Will in “Other Hawkins” - Hopper and Joyce rescue him, ten days after his disappearance.

El hides (and gets closer) with the Byers during the interim.

Will tells Jonathan that he’s been uncontrollably teleporting around Lenora, Hawkins, and “Other Hawkins”.

Jonathan handles this extremely normally but promises not to tell Joyce, Hopper, or El.

Halloween weekend 1984: Joyce and El go to visit Terry

The boys stay home, Will gets possessed by the Mind Flayer and starts erratically teleporting all over Lenora as Jonathan and Hopper desperately try to catch him.

El and Joyce come back. El successfully exorcises him with fewer happy memories and way more fire (+ burn scars).

Even with MF gone, Will still teleporting basically every time he falls asleep - El “fails” to wake him up/stop him and they teleport to real Hawkins together, the same day as the Snow Ball, meeting Dustin and Mrs Henderson.

After getting back, El convinces family to move to Hawkins For Real - for a variety of reasons, they agree.

January 1985: present day begins

Will, Jonathan, and Jane Hopper all start at school, meet the Hawkins crew, and start to make friends.

Joyce meets the other moms, Hopper replaces the widely hated previous chief of police.

Things start to get weird again: Benny Hammond goes “missing”, El forgets not to use her powers in front of people (Max), and Lucas and Dustin find a demodog strange creature and name it Billy Pilgrim.

Murder suspects Nancy and Steve are still dating.

El, Lucas, Dustin, Max, Steve, Nancy, Jonathan, Joyce, Hopper, and Karen Wheeler end up trapped in the Hawkins Lab by two mysterious lab agents.

Mike reveals to Will that at 7 he either jumped or fell into Sattler Quarry, prompting years of doctors and medication.

Mike then immediately falls into the Upside Down.

Will realizes all of his friends and family are missing, finds them, teleports them out of the lab, and passes out.

The group realizes that Mike has vanished: Will volunteers to go after him and teleports into the Upside Down.

El and Hopper close the gate once and for all.

Nancy, Karen, Joyce, and Jonathan set a trap and kill the Demogorgon.

Steve, Lucas, Max, and Dustin go into the tunnels to try to burn them as a distraction, mostly successfully, but Steve also sort of loses his hand.

Will returns with Mike from the Upside Down - with Barb’s body.

Epilogue!! March 22, 1985: Will and El celebrate a joint birthday, Will is surprised/unnerved by a card from his dad, Max gets El a skateboard, the boys gift Will a radio, and Mrs. Henderson offers Steve and Jonathan summer jobs at a lamp factory/store.

One of the lab agents is dead, one's whereabouts are unknown, and the Mind Flayer is still out there...

[cavinginhisfvce]

ive been taken captive by hopper as billy's bio dad and i am writing a part two to William Orchard Hopper

here's a lil snippet bc im eager af

[endlessmusings1801]

More stranger things musings

-at some point, Nancy and Steve compare notes about the "real trouble" the kids put them through. It includes a lot of embarrassing ridiculous antics.

-Neil, Max's Dad, spent many years in the Navy which is why he met her mom in California and why his rules are so rigid and abusive

-Steve spends almost the entire time they're interrogating Will practicing his swing. It's not a dumb jock thing, it's so that next time, he'll be able to save the kids. He knows what a close call that was in the junkyard

-Joyce having to give Will that sleeping serum was one of the most painful things she's ever had to do but she knew, knew it's the only way to save him

-Post S2, Hopper makes sure everyone knows how to use a firearm, safely. Nancy is clearly the best shot.

-Mrs. wheeler in the bath tub reading a romance novel is peak 1980s

-Missing scene: It took all of them to get Steve in the car but Dustin insisted that if they left him, Billy would kill him. The cleanup is almost comical. Lucas and Max gather gear. Mike makes the map and Dustin tries to clean up Steve's wounds.

-After Steve wakes up after the fight with Billy and they tell him what happened, Steve keeps an extra eye on Max, grateful for her quick thinking but worried about the abuse at home

-Steve obviously has some head trauma right? At minimum, he gets frequent migraines. When that happens, Eddie knows silence, cold compress and a dark room. Sometimes Eddie just holds him the entire time, petting his hair.

-Will also has some complicated medical issues post Vecna that don't appear until he's in his late 20's-early 30's

-the runnels frequent Steve's nightmares. The PTSD is real,

[acowardinmordor]

There is this song that YouTube algorithmed to me. And good job. This is exactly my jam. Tale of the Shadow.

And unexpectedly, my brain wants to make it a Max and El thing.

You should pause and listen real fast.

Okay, you’re back? Good.

Something about El having escaped it before, Henry was trying to use her and the powers she has to try to capture it. Henry got taken, and El barely escaped. Max is the daughter of a privateer, and has been on and off the ocean all her life. She has heard stories about The Shadow for years, Billy has always sworn he’d take it one day. Max meets El in one of the rare seasons she spends on land, this strange, sweet girl who was found on flotsam after a storm.

A year or two later, in which Max has made sure to come to port more often, just to see her friend, she and her brother lose their dad, and Billy inherits the ship, the Camaro. Max hugs El goodbye at the dock and climbs abroad expecting the trip to be rough as she proves to his newly hired crew that she’s more than the young woman they see. It’s worse than she knew. Billy is going after The Shadow, but Max doesn’t find out til they’re at sea.

And, to be fair, Billy does catch it, which few ever do. They board. And for whatever reason, Max is the one to touch the helm. She watches The Shadow kill her brother and his crew before it takes her eyes, and shackles her to it.

Another ship nearby saw them in pursuit of the Shadow, and brings the story back to land, along with the empty and battered Camaro. El is brought a letter that Max wrote after finding out what her brother intended to do. The second crew had the decency to deliver it since they found it while salvaging what they could.

It's an apology, and an explanation of what Billy wants to do. Everyone knows that no one survives the wrath of The Shadow.

But El did. And now it’s taken her friend. Henry was a bad man, but he was smart, and he was sure that El was strong enough to defeat it.

She finds the captain of the ship that hauled the husk of Max’s ship back to shore. She demands they help her. Demands they believe her when she says she can defeat it. Throws an entire fit when they don’t, until the walls shake and thunder rolls, until they see a bit of the power she holds that made Henry steal her and try to use her.

The Captain refuses to put his crew in danger. A few of his crew start to argue for her. The captain holds the line until the scarred sailor with frizzy dark hair who has been fiddling with dice the whole time joins in on El's side. With a sigh, the captain stands, looking to his second in command, a woman with a sharp wit.

And thats how Elle Hopper meets Captain Steve Harrington and his crew. Who are not pirates, but they’re not not-pirates.

It doesn’t matter. She needs them. They sail a few days later, Elle going on the ocean for the first time since Henry, chasing the Shadow, so she can save her friend.

—

This is a Hot potato fic. Add to it if you know more pieces of the story or the world.

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

From Hell to Home to Back Again

Summary: At the talent show, Chrissy Cunningham is so hungry that she nearly collapses. When she's found by Hopper, her parents ended up losing custody of her. She ends up being placed in the care of the Hendersons, and she finally finds the family she so desperately needed. She also ends up falling in love. What other changes are made in this alternate universe?

@emen-98 @1lostsoul0fishbowl @vulpixsworld

Prologue . . . Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chrissy eyes fluttered open, and she found herself looking up at the ceiling of her bedroom. How the hell did she make it out of that fight with Billy? What the hell was making that loud, obnoxious beeping sound? She slipped out of bed and pushed away the stuffed pig Eddie had gotten her before holding it for a moment. She had named her Peggy Munson, and she remembered the way that Eddie had laughed when she had named it that. Well, he really shouldn't have given Peggy a little denim vest. She wandered into the kitchen, where she saw a tall figure cooking at the stove. Benny Hammond turned around and smiled at her.

"Hey, pumpkin," Benny smiled.

"Dad," the name spilled from her lips without even thinking about it.

"You never called me that before," Benny said, turning off the stove.

"I never - I wasn't - we weren't sure if you wanted to be called that," Chrissy said.

"It's always been your choice. I was waiting for you," Benny said, placing his hands on her shoulders. "The minute you stepped into the diner with your big sad eyes and your cute pig tails, there wasn't anything that I wouldn't do for you."

"You've always been my dad. I don't care what anyone else says or what biology says. You're our dad," Chrissy cried.

Benny pulled her into his arms and held onto her tightly.

"You, Dustin, your mom. . .best damn thing that's ever happened to me," Benny said.

The beeping sound grew louder, and then she heard a familiar voice calling her name. Chrissy pulled herself out of Benny's arms.

"Eddie?" She called out.

"Chrissy, please, wake up, I don't like this. . ." Eddie's voice sobbed.

Chrissy followed Eddie's voice all the way back to her room. She was surprised to find that her bedroom had changed to a hospital room. Nestled in the hospital bed was Chrissy hooked up to several machines, a tube had been inserted in her mouth. Eddie was sitting beside her bed, looking heartbroken. He was holding Chrissy's hand and crying. It looked like he hadn't slept in days and half of his face was bruised. Wayne walked into the room, looking just as haggard.

"She wouldn't want you to do this to yourself, son. You need to eat," Wayne said.

"I'll eat when she wakes up," Eddie croaked, and she realized how cracked his lips were.

His sobs were dry as his skin. When was the last time he had water?

"Billy hit me harder than I thought he did," Chrissy said.

"Yes," Barb's voice said. "He did."

Chrissy jumped and looked to her right. In place of Benny, stood Barb.

"Am I dying?" Chrissy asked.

"Maybe," Barb shrugged. "It looks like it."

"Is this real or all in my head?" Chrissy asked.

"Can't it be both?" Barb asked.

Chrissy's eyes welled up at the sight of Barb. She missed her glasses, her hair, and the shirts she always buttoned up all the way up to her neck. She missed her judgemental but comforting presence and her funny sarcastic quips. She missed Barb.

"I'm sorry," Chrissy sobbed.

"You did everything you could for me that night, Chrissy, and you fought just as hard to save Will," Barb said. "What happened to me was out of your control. . .yours and Nancy's both. I'm glad you have each other."

"I miss you too," Chrissy said.

"A part of me will always be with you. . . .oh, that's a little cheesy, isn't it?" Barb asked, and Chrissy laughed. "It's true, though."

"Thank you for being my friend," Chrissy said softly.

"Fight for me, Chrissy," Barb pleaded. "It's not your time yet. You have to fight."

Chrissy sobbed, and she turned her attention back to Wayne's conversation with Eddie.

"I DON'T CARE ABOUT ANY OF THAT STUFF. . .I ONLY CARE ABOUT HER!" Eddie yelled. "FUCK SCHOOL!"

"Chrissy cares, and how do you think she'd feel seeing you dead at her bed when wakes up?" Wayne asked.

"She wouldn't want that," Ronnie said from the doorway.

Eddie's eyes snapped up to find her standing there, her corduroy ball cap in her hand. Her eyes were red from crying.

"Ronnie," Eddie croaked.

"I tried like hell to get away when I heard," Ronnie said. "She wouldn't want you to do this to yourself. . .she's going to need you when she wakes up."

"Everything tastes like cardboard," Eddie muttered.

"I think if Chrissy is willing to put up with your stubborn ass then I think you can do this too," Ronnie said. "She's fighting right now. You should, too."

"I don't know how she does it," Eddie whimpered.

"Come on, son, we'll be with you every step of the way," Wayne said. "She'll still be here when you get back."

"I love you, my little witch," he whispered, kissing her forehead.

Eddie stood up shakily, and Wayne was quick to help him. He wrapped his arm around his boy, and with the help of Ronnie, they walked him out of the hospital room. Chrissy stared at the chair her boyfriend had occupied for a moment and then buried her face into her hands, crying. Her entire body shook with sobs.

"You two are so great together," Barb whispered and placed a hand on her back. "You'll find each other again."

The memories of their life together flickered onto the television in the hospital room. Young Chrissy and Eddie meeting on the catwalk at the talent show. . .Chrissy seeing Eddie in the hallway in his Led Zeppelin shirt. . .Eddie slipping on the ice and into her arms. . .them calling each other witch and freak. . . Their first fight. . .dancing in his arms. . .watching him perform with Corroded Coffin for the first time. . . Him becoming friends with her friends. . . Laughing with Ronnie. . .Chrissy walking away from him with her skinned knee while he watched from the ground. . .walking out of the high school after Higgins expelled him. . .their first kiss. . . Falling sleep in his arms. . .all of those memories flickered quickly on the screen.

"I don't want it to be over yet," Chrissy cried.

"Then fight," Barb said.

Nancy came into the room, her face swollen and red. Steve came in with her, holding her hand tightly. His face was just as bad as Eddie's, and the only indication she could see that he had been crying was the sniffles he let out. Nancy took Eddie's spot and took Chrissy's hand.

"Please. . .we lost Benny. . . We lost Bob. . .and Barb. . .we can't lose you too. You're my best friend, Chrissy. Please, don't go," Nancy sobbed. "You have to wake up."

All of her memories flashed up on the television. . .all of her times with her friends and family. Nancy joining the squad for a brief moment, and Chrissy being welcomed into her friendship with Barb. All the slumber parties they had. Nancy crawling into her bed after Barb died. Chrissy could only watch. As badly as she wanted to, she couldn't hug her. Nancy held her hand tightly as she cried over Chrissy's body before standing up and falling into Steve’s arms. They clung to each other tightly as they both cried, burrowing their faces into each other's neck. Her heart nearly shattered when her mother and brother came into the room after them. Claudia was sobbing hysterically, with Dustin clinging to her.

"My baby!" Claudia cried.

It was the only thing she could say as Dustin led her into the chair. It was hard enough on her when Benny died, and then when Mews went missing. . .how would she handle this? They couldn't lose her either.

"We got a new cat. She's white and her name is Tews. You're going to love her," Dustin sniffled.

Another memory appeared. Chrissy was walking into the house for the first time, an 8 year old grinning Dustin eagerly waiting at the door with their mother. . .Mews brushed up against her leg as Claudia put her arm around her. The first time Dustin put up the fort. . .then the second time when Claudia made them all hot cocoa and Dustin wanted Claudia to join them. He had tugged on her arm so hard that he nearly knocked over the fort. Another memory popped up of Dustin and Chrissy sword fighting with sticks in the backyard. Claudia laughed and cheered them on while Mews sat on her lap, looking bored. All those talks with her mother. . .coming out to her. . .to both of them and the midnight conversation with her mother when she decided to end her relationship with Heather. All those talks with her mother were always with hot cocoa, a listening ear, and a warm hug.

"I want to go home," Chrissy cried.

Suddenly, her hospital room disappeared, and she was walking down the hallway to the waiting room. Jonathan and Argyle were leaning on each other. Chrissy hated seeing them cry. Dustin was hugging Steve and Eddie rather tightly while Nancy rubbed his back. Robin didn't care what it looked like. She was enveloped in Ronnie's arms tightly, letting her girlfriend press kisses into her hair. Ted stood awkwardly next to Karen as Karen rubbed Robin's back. Mike and Lucas sat next to each other, sniffling while Will set on Mike's other side. Max was next to Lucas, looking sad but also guilty, and she nervously picked at the thread on her pants.

"You should know that Billy was arrested for assault," Barb said. "But it looks like he might not get a whole lot of time served, especially since he's relying heavily on the fact he claims he was looking out for his sister. He's probably going to be out before the end of the year, maybe even less."

"That's bullshit! He doesn't give two shits about her!" Chrissy exclaimed.

"Yeah, but they're eating it up," Barb said. "His arrest, though, it's not making Max's homelife any easier."

"What do you mean?" Chrissy asked.

Suddenly, a furious looking man with short brown hair and a mustache came marching into the waiting room. A woman who looked a lot like Max stood meekly behind him.

"Come on, Maxine, your mother wants you home," he said.

"I'm staying here," Max said, standing up.

"Your brother protected you from these people," Neil Hargrove hissed. "Sitting here with them doesn't make him look good. I am your father and you're going to listen to me! Get your ass in the car!"

"Billy's a monster!" Max yelled. "I don't want to be a monster like him or like you!"

"Max!" Susan yelled.

"No! Mom, I've seen the way he treats you! I've seen the way he treats Billy. Now that Billy's out of the house, you know he's coming after me next! Neil. . .Billy, they're both pieces of shit!" Max yelled.

Neil's hand came flying, with the loud slapping sound following as his hand hit its target, and Max was on the floor, clutching her face. Everyone jumped all at once, and a nurse came running in. Jonathan and Argyle moved in front of Max along with the others. Mike, Dustin, and Lucas surround Max on the floor. She wasn't sure which one of them would swing first: Steve, Eddie, Jonathan, Argyle, or Nancy. The answer came in the form of Ted Wheeler. Quiet Ted Wheeler, who never raised his voice to anyone. Suddenly, he was grabbing Neil and swinging his fist into his face. When did he take off his glasses? The next thing Chrissy knew, they were both on the ground and hitting each other. Susan was screaming and trying to get Ted to stop. Meanwhile, her daughter was crying in Karen's arms while her split lip was being tended to by the nurse. A thunder of footsteps sounded down the hallway. Suddenly, Hopper, Joyce, and Wayne appeared in the doorway. Wayne and Hopper had to pry Neil off of Ted with the help of Steve.

"What the hell is going on here?" Hopper asked.

A moment later, the scene changed, and she was back in the hospital room. Max timidly walked into the room. Her eyes were red, and her lip was swollen.

"I'm sorry. . .this is all my fault. If I hadn't been there, Billy wouldn't have come looking for me. They all love you so much," Max said, sniffling. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," Chrissy said and frowned when she heard another voice speak at the same time.

She looked at the doorway and watched as Mike walked into the room.

"You're not responsible for what those mouth breathers do," Mike said. "They were responsible for you, but they failed you. They hurt you, and Billy hurt Chrissy."

"This is supposed to be a private conversation," Max rolled her eyes.

"I heard my dad and mom talking," Mike asked. "They want to give you a place to stay."

"They don't want me," Max mumbled.

"They wouldn't have said it if they didn't mean it," he said.

"So, what? I'd be like your sister?" She asked.

"It'd be cool to have a zoomer for a sister," Mike said, smiling for a moment before letting it fall. "I'm sorry for being an asshole and lashing out at you. You didn't deserve it."

"No, I didn't, but I get it. You thought El was dead, and I was trying to replace her," Max said. "I know what it's like when you don't know how to feel, and sometimes you just want to scream at the world."

"I don't want to turn into them either," Mike said softly.

"Yeah," Max said. "Don't tell anyone what I'm about to do. . .it's not like they're going to believe you, anyway."

Max walked over to Mike and hugged him tightly. He was surprised for a moment before hugging her back. It was a quick hug, but it was enough. Mike reached over and took Chrissy's hand.

"Please, wake up. We all want you to wake up," Mike whispered. "You're our friend too."

"Mike. . ." Max said softly, and he turned to her. "No one's ever done that before. . .fought for me like that."

"I've never seen my dad do that before, but it's kind of what we do in the family," Mike said. "You're worth it."

Mike walked out with Max, but not without looking over his shoulder one more time. It was quiet for a long time until Benny was next to her again.

"Poor kid, but it looks like she's going to get a better life just like you," Benny said.

"I'm glad even if it took me being put into a coma to do it," Chrissy said.

Benny put his arm around her and kissed the crown of her head. A moment later, a tired looking Hopper came in. He took his hat off and placed it on the table with a book he brought. He sat down in the chair and took Chrissy's hand in his. Chrissy frowned. Being back in the hospital and seeing her like this must be bringing back memories of Sarah. Hopper cleared his throat as he opened his mouth to speak, but the words became lost as he choked. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"I can't - I can't do this again. Don't make me lose another kid. . .you have to fight," Hopper said.

Taking his hand out of hers, he brushed back her bangs and kissed her forehead. He cleared his throat again and wiped his eyes. He picked up the book: Anne of Green Gables. Hopper opened it and began to read. Chrissy smiled a watery smile.

"This is why this man is my best friend," Benny said.

Not long after that, she watched friend after friend filtering through the room. Robin was supported by Ronnie, and she was a completely incoherent mess. The next person who came through was Heather, who didn't say anything. All she could do was cry and hold Chrissy's hand. After Heather, Jeff came in with Gareth and Dougie. Chrissy looked surprised. Dougie came down to see her, too? Gareth's face was soft and round, a baby face that reminded her of her brother. He always tried to disguise it with a scowl, but this time, he looked soft and extremely sad. They were all pleading with her to wake up.

"They all act like I have a choice," Chrissy sobbed.

"Pumpkin, you do have a choice," Benny said. "You can stay here in this dreamworld, or you can back out there and fight."

Benny led Chrissy to the living room and towards the front door. Suddenly, a shadowy figure blocked the doorway.

"Chrissy. . . "

"You don't touch her!" Benny yelled and threw himself at the figure. "Chrissy! GO! Tell your brother and your mother that I love them!"

The front door swung open, and light flooded through the house. Chrissy ran through the doorway, and the bright light light enveloped her. Suddenly, it felt like she was floating for a moment, and then she realized she was lying in a hospital bed. Something was in her throat. Chrissy began gagging, and a doctor was above her, pulling the tube out of her throat. They spent quite a while checking her over before bringing her mother and brother into the room. Claudia wept at the sight of Chrissy and began pressing kisses into her hair before kissing her face as well.

"My baby!" She gasped happily.

"Never scare us like this again," Dustin said and threw himself on top of her.

"I'll try my best," Chrissy croaked as she hugged Dustin. "I saw Benny. He loves us. Best damn thing that ever happened to him."

"He would say something like that," Claudia said with a watery smile.

"That's our dad," Dustin said.

"Yeah," Chrissy said, smiling.

Chrissy peaked over Dustin's shoulder to see a figure leaning against the doorway. Eddie was clutching Peggy. His bruises were very faded. . .almost healed, in fact. How long had she been asleep? His face had more hair on it, and while he did look like he was drinking more water, there were bags under his eyes. He looked so rough.

"Edward Wayne, get over here," Claudia sniffled.

Eddie shuffled over to her and let Claudia hug him. Dustin moved off of Chrissy to let him do the same. He moved closer to Chrissy's bed.

"You're awake," he croaked and burst into tears.

Chrissy moved over to make room on the bed for him.

"Come here," Chrissy said, and Eddie gave her a skeptical look. "Eddie, my love, you're not going to break me."

Eddie laid carefully on the bed and curled around, holding her tightly.

"I missed you," Eddie said as Claudia and Dustin walked out of the room.

"They're so getting married!" Dustin exclaimed.

"Dusty! Hush!" Claudia exclaimed, but Chrissy could see that her mother was smiling.

"I missed you too. I'm here now," Chrissy said. "We'll always find our way back to each other. Always."

Chrissy began to rub his back as she began to sing. She felt him relax and she smiled when she heard him start to snore. He could finally sleep.

"Oh, Eddie, Eddie, I love you so

Eddie my love

Oh, Eddie, Eddie, I love you so

Eddie, my love, I love you so. . . My freak."

Chapter Twenty-Three

[eddiiiieeee]

Holding her back

Eddie Munson x reader warnings: strong language, real angsty, mentions of sexual things, no happy ending. yes, I am an evil fuck.

summary: Eddie feels like he's holding y/n back, and that's where the demise of their relationship starts

authors note: all the young adults are in high school, and so are the party members, Joyce and hopper are together, Billy isn't a pimple on anyone's ass. The upside down never happened. and yes ur dad is Pedro pascal. have fuuun

Eddie had walked into the woods before dnd started since he decided to ditch last period, noticing y/n finishing a sketch, she was sat at their spot, he couldn’t help but admire her for a bit "hey" Eddie said holding his hands as she looked at him, taking in his features before clearing her throat and looking back down at the drawing of Eddie. "you're still here, don't have a deal to tend to?" she mumbled slamming her sketchbook shut as Eddie watched her nodding "I-i wanted to talk to you. I figured I'd find you here" she hummed as she put her sketchbook in her bag and zip it up "ive gotta go, my dad could be here." she said needing to get away from him even though her lie didn’t work with the time "y/n, wait please, ive been holding this off long enough and its hurting the both of us" y/n looked at him as Eddie gazed back into her eyes "quickly" she mumbled turning a bit to face him "i think we should break up..” Eddie said as y/n gulped, her eyes filling with tears as she nodded “done then” she whispered as he voice cracked a bit, taking off the necklace he got her and placing it down on the table as she grabbed her stuff and hurried off to the front of the school, making sure she was far from Eddie so she could release the sobs she’s been holding in. Eddie put his hands in his face as he let his tears fall ‘this is what’s best for her’ he reminded himself. those two years of being together were over. all those memories and moments between the two, gone.

….

the universe seemed to hate y/n as on her walk home while sobbing her eyes out, it had begun to rain, soaking her completely as she hid her sketchbook to save it from the water. it wasn’t long that she got to her house, glad that nothing happened to her books and sketchbook as she opened the door walking in before Nick looked at her confused “kid? what happened?” he said rushing for to his daughter as she gulped, she kept her gaze on the floor, not reacting to her dads touch “we broke up” she whispered as she licked her lips “what?” Nick asked confused, Eddie was over just.a few nights ago and everything seemed fine

“he broke up with me” y/n sobbed as she held onto her stuff tightly, Nick was quick to wrap his arms around her, holding her tightly as he kissed the top of her head “i’m so sorry, i’ve got you baby girl.” he muttered as he tried to calm her down “he just left you to walk in the rain?” “no, he thought you were picking me up so” y/n wiped her eyes smudging the bit of makeup that had remained on her face “i’m gonna go take a shower” she said taking her shoes off as she put her slippers on, rushing to her bathroom as she dropped all her stuff at her desk and walked into the bathroom, undressing and getting into the shower, turning the hot water on as she stood underneath it. did Eddie fall for someone else? did he realise y/n wasn’t good enough for him? did he get bored?

y/n spent an hour of her shower just standing underneath the water and crying, letting the hot water pierce her skin, before she actually began washing her hair and body, saving as well before getting out and doing her skincare, before getting changed into one of Eddie’s shirts and a pair of shorts, moving downstairs as she dried her short hair with a towel “hey kid, you feeling better?” Nick asked as he watched her sit next to him on the couch, looking at the table and all the snacks he put out for them

“i’m not hungry” she whispered, pulling her knees up to sit underneath her chin as she sniffled “kid, you gotta eat, see i got you, pizza and sushi and noodles, and your favorite shrimps, see it’s a full buffet for the two of us” he smiled looking at her and he put some of her hair behind her ear “i’ll eat later, let’s just start the movie” She muttered grabbing the remote as she turned it on. Nick looked at her as worry sat on his face.

….

wayne had returned home to find the trailer quiet, when he took his shoes off and began walking to the bathroom, he’d noticed the dump Eddie’s room had become and when we went in to clean it up, he’d noticed that Eddie was sat on his mattress holding onto a shirt “ed’s, son what is all this mess?” Wayne asked before noticing how bloodshot Eddie’s eyes were “i broke up with her. i’m just holding her back, i hurt her, wayne. you should’ve seen how pained she was, i hurt her” Eddie said his lip pouting as he kept his gaze ahead

wayne sighed as he sat down next to his nephew, rubbing his shoulder as he hugged him tightly “come ‘ere, son” wayne whispered as Eddie hugged him tightly “she hates me now. i messed it all up” Eddie whispered as he held onto wayne tightly, he let the love of his life go. just like that.

—————

authors note: no happy ending for u little shits🤭

[sweepweep]

Ok so about Stranger Things again

1. Steve Harrington is literally living my dream of working at an ice cream parlour in a stupid little sailor uniform. I didn't know it was my dream before I saw this show.

2. Apparently the creepy mom didn't go on the date (ew) because she saw her husband sleeping with her daughter also sleeping on his lap. She went to apologize to the guy who is the same age as her daughter (I think his name is Billy) and now I don't know if she's dead or not. Like this was after Billy got taken (infected?) by the fae so he had like a day dream of slamming her head into the wall then it cuts back to her calling out his name very much alive and then he had another one that was a lot less clear but now Billy is established as an unreliable narrator so I don't know.

3. Max and Elle even after the time skip obviously were not on good terms with each other (not bad either but like awkward since when Max was first establishing herself as a character she was trying to be friends with Mike and find out what his problem was with her and Elle saw but didn't have context so she got jealous so when they finally meet Elle is really cold to her) so I love that when Elle came to her about her relationship issues (courtesy of Elle's new dad: Sheriff Hopper but Elle doesn't know that he threatened her boyfriend) and learns that Mike (Elle's boyfriend) obviouly lied about his grandmother and THINKS he did it to play dnd with his friends she's like "NUH UH GIRL. IF HE DOESN'T EXPLAIN HIMSELF OR APOLOGIZE YOU NEED TO DUMP HIS ASS. YOU CAN NOT SPEND YOUR LIFE CLINGING TO A BOY. COME ON LET'S GET YOU SOME INDIVIDUALITY. YOU EVER BEEN TO A MALL? NO, IT'S AGAINST YOUR DAD'S RULES TO GO TO PLACES WITH TOO MANY PEOPLE? YOU HAVE SUPERPOWERS, YOU'RE A BAD BITCH. WHAT'S THE WORSE THAT COULD HAPPEN? COME ON, WE'RE HAVING A GIRL'S DAY WE'RE GOING SHOPPING. WE'RE GOING TO FIND STUFF THAT FEELS LIKE 'YOU.' NOT YOUR DAD. NOT YOUR BOYFRIEND. STUFF YOU LIKE. YOU LIKE THAT THING? WE'RE GETTING IT." And then they have a cute little montage of trying out clothes and buying stuff and now I am jealous of Elle's wardrobe because that is exactly how I want to dress.

4. I feel so bad for Will. Sir went through so much only for his friends to ditch or ignore him after they get girlfriends. And he's being plagued by visions of disaster again. And he's right. Again. And he says nothing. Again. Probably because his friends have probably ignored him before. And because it's been a year or something since the events of season 2 happened.

5. Dustin claims he got a girlfriend at camp at tried to contact her via radio because her parents are Mormons or something. Really sad no one believes him. He thinks they ditched him BECAUSE they don't believe him but they actually left because they had been in the middle of nowhere for hours with no response and it was getting late. Good news is he found another radio signal that peaked his interest. Bad news is he thinks they're evil because they were speaking Russian even though he can't understand a single word they're saying which is super racist of him. Worse news, he's right.

1. Yeah thats honestly so real I wish it paid a real living wage

2. Dubiously Dead

3. Wait wait stop thats really sweet

4. NOOO WHAT?! Urgh I hate that the poor guy :(

5. Guy can’t catch a break good lord