#just Eddie and the kids ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[bigboysteveharrington]

Steve (annoyed by how much Henderson suddenly won’t shut up about Eddie Munson and not yet realizing he’s so annoyed because he feels threatened by the way Dustin talks about Eddie): I mean, I’m just saying it’s kind of weird, isn’t it? What adult man has a whole flock of 14 and 15 year olds friends? It’s creepy. I don’t trust the guy. And I don’t understand how I’m the only one questioning this guy’s motives. I mean, you’re saying Nancy trusts this guy to hang around Mike? Why would she?

Dustin: Steve…

Steve: What?

Robin: Steve…

[epicbuddieficrecs]

Favorite Season 6 fics

So these used to be called "Fic recs for my BFF", but unfortunately I was unable to sway her to buddie, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ these are just for me now (and you guys too I guess 😅)

Season 6

🔥Curl Up in My Heart and Let Me Keep You by letmetellyouaboutmyfeels/ @letmetellyouaboutmyfeels (Animal Transformation | 10K | Teen): When an orange tabby cat starts hanging around the Diaz house, Eddie doesn't think anything of it. The little guy's cute and cuddly, and seems to always know when Eddie's having a bad time. Weird how the cat's never around when Buck is, though.

🔥let the world have its way with you by fleetinghearts/ @shitouttabuck (Post-Coma AU | 54K | Explicit): “It’s just that—I died,” Buck continues, voice unsteady enough that Eddie wonders if this is the first time he’s acknowledged that out loud. “I died, and there’s so much more. There’s so much more I want to do, things I don’t even know I want to do yet, and I almost had the chance to have and live them taken away. I don’t want to die and regret missing out on everything else, Eddie.” “So let’s make a list,” Eddie says. “Let’s do them.” or, a bucket list that’s really about buck needing to make a change and an eddie who’s ready to do anything to see him fall in love with life again. it takes some crossing off for eddie to realise—the thing at the top of the list in his own heart? it’s been right here all along

🔥like a dog with a bird at your door by fleetinghearts/ @shitouttabuck (Post-S6, Getting Together | 51K | Explicit): The kid with blood pouring down his shins is not so far from the dog lonely enough that he thinks breaking his housetraining is worth it for the ten minutes of berating that come with it, the ten minutes of undivided, if reluctant, attention. Buck thinks, sometimes, that at least he wasn’t the kind of puppy that gets put in a sack and drowned at birth. He wasn’t always unwanted. And he isn’t anymore. or, evan “i love you like a dog” buckley has only ever known how to love like, well, a dog, but maybe eddie diaz is the kinda guy to give a flea-bitten mongrel a forever home

🔥Something Dumb to Do by glorious_spoon/ @glorious-spoon (Post-S6, Getting Together | 8K | Explicit): "Too bad we can't just date each other." Eddie laughs. "What?" "No, I'm serious!" Buck sets his beer down, the better to gesture with both hands, face lighting up, and Eddie just—he really loves the guy, okay. Ridiculous as he is. "It would be so much easier! You wouldn't have to introduce a new person to Chris—he already likes me anyway—and you could tell Pepa so she'll stop setting you up on dates that don't go anywhere—" "And what would you get out of this?" Eddie asks, grinning. — Or: Buck and Eddie try something out together. (Part 1 of homeward bound)

🔥find a way to you (if it kills me) by foxwatson/ @eddiediazes (Post S6E13: Mixed Feelings, Pining | 19K | Mature): It’s something about the way Eddie phrases it. Something about the combination of his words and the way he’s staring down at the floor, and the flush in his cheeks and the way he’s fidgeting. Buck thinks, abruptly, he’s going to ask me on a date. “Well I - wanted to tell you first, and I need someone to watch Chris, anyways - I know he’s getting old enough now he doesn’t like feeling like he’s got a babysitter, so I was hoping - sorry. Not the point. Uh. I have a date on Saturday.” Just as abruptly as his own hopes had come soaring up above the cloud cover of his own unawareness - they go crashing back down to the floor - to the basement, and into the mud. “A date?” Buck rasps out. — the one where eddie decides to start dating again, buck figures out his own feelings just a minute too late, and then he spends a week going through the five stages of grief

🔥Being Eddie by Daisies_and_Briars/ @cal-daisies-and-briars (Time Travel, Post-S6, Getting Together | 80K | Teen): When Eddie starts seeing a new therapist, he’s presented with the opportunity to revisit several days from his past and right regrets that still bother him. OR: Eddie goes through the time travel therapy process of the 2009 Canadian TV show Being Erica.

🔥 Evan Buckley & The Coma-Verse of Madness by Daisies_and_Briars/ @cal-daisies-and-briars (Coma AU, Multiverse | 58K | Teen): After being struck by lightning on a call, Buck experiences a plethora of alternate realities showing him different directions his life could have taken. Fighting hard to get home, Buck learns what, or who, is important to him in every lifetime.

🔥 Both Blade and Branch by Daisies_and_Briars/ @cal-daisies-and-briars (Post-S6 | 62K | Mature): The chances of being struck by lightning twice are incredibly minute, but Buck still manages to pull it off. During a double date with Marisol and Natalia, nonetheless. Eddie manages to resuscitate him, but as Buck recovers from yet another trauma, Eddie can’t help but notice there’s something very different about him. He’s not quite sure what version of Buck he got back.

🔥 where all of the people dancing and clapping would greet me with such warmth by trysetmeonfire/ @try-set-me-on-fire (Season 6, Magical Realism | 15K | Mature): In the fall, Buck begins to disappear. (or: Buck can see that people become transparent when they're about to die) (Part 2 of All I Am, All That I Am)

🔥 Ace of Hearts by glorious_spoon/ @glorious-spoon (Post-S6, Getting Together | 9K | Teen): "I've been wondering…" Maddie pauses, watches Buck make a face like he's bracing to be smacked. "What happened with Eddie? You two were dancing around it for so long, and then… what, it just didn't work out? Was the date really that bad?" She's expecting another wince, or even for him to duck out of the conversation entirely, but instead Buck is staring at her like she's grown a second head. "Maddie. I've never been on a date with Eddie." Or: the poker game was a date. It takes Buck a while to catch on, though.

🔥 situations, circumstances, miscommunications ( i just may like some explanations ) by heartbeatdiaz / @lonelychicago (Didn't Know They Were Dating | 4K | Teen): "You didn't know?" Eddie asks, calmer but not less confused. He frowns. "How could you not know?" "You never said anything?" Buck tilts his head to the side. "We were dating?” “I guess not,” Eddie sighs. His heart is beating a little faster, an unpleasant buzz beneath his skin as he all but chokes on a feeling he can’t quite name— it could be hurt or disappointment or maybe a mix of both. In that moment, he knows three things very clearly. 1. Buck is going to be the death of him. 2. He is in love with the most dense, most oblivious man on planet Earth. 3. He is too gay and, honestly, too old for this shit.

🔥listen to you breathing (is where I wanna be) by Yavilee/ @theladyyavilee (Presumed Dead | 41K | Teen): The thing is – and Eddie should have known this, has been taught this cruel lesson over and over and over again – the thing is most of the time the worst day of your life will start like just any other day. A million small moments, so familiar and mundane you almost don’t even notice them slipping by - until you would give anything to go back and get just one more. (You can’t.) — Or the one where Buck is presumed dead after a building collapse and Eddie has to live through the reminder that tomorrow isn't promised to anyone

🔥Eddie Diaz vs The Feelings by ElvenSorceress/ @elvensorceress (Season 6, Sexuality Crisis, Demisexual Eddie | 62K | Explicit): Eddie dives into the mysteries of attraction, romantic love, and asexuality because there's a good chance he's fallen in love with his best friend. AKA demisexual!Eddie figures out he’s demi and finds the happily ever after he’s been longing for

🔥tomorrow will always and forever now be today (tomorrow is our always and forever) by withmeornotatall/ @chronicowboy (Post-S6, Time Loop | 43K | Mature): "Think I can get a hug from my best man on my wedding day?" he asks, quietly hopeful in a way that makes Eddie want to tear off his skin. "Sure," Chris replies with a shrug, turning to throw Eddie a cheeky grin. "Dad, Buck needs a hug." Two things happen at once then: Eddie has to plaster on a smile authentic enough to convince the one person on this planet that knows him inside out—except he doesn't really have to fake his smile, not at first, because of number two—he sees groom-Buck for the first time. And groom-Buck is every bit as beautiful as Eddie might have imagined him over the years. For a moment, Eddie falls into the greatest betrayal his brain has ever laid out for him, imagining that he might have got to see Buck like this for the first time from the other end of the aisle— (OR: eddie gets trapped in a time loop on the day buck marries natalia)

🔥 Muscle Memory by Daisies_and_Briars/ @cal-daisies-and-briars (Post-S6, Amnesia AU | 40K | Teen): After a disappointment in his personal life, Buck wakes up one morning to find everyone he loves has forgotten him completely. No memories. No recognition. Almost like he was never really there.

🔥 but i can see all along, love (it was you all the way down) by diazchristopher/ @captain-hen (Post-S6, Time Loop | 28K Mature): He puts his laptop away after a bit, and paces the length of his apartment as he tries to take stock of the situation at hand. One: The date is March 22nd, 2024. Two: It has been March 22nd for 3 days now. Three: Buck is trapped in some kind of time loop that is forcing him to relive this day. Four: Eddie is, apparently, in love with him. And. And. Five: Buck doesn’t feel the same way.

🔥 a blaze in the dark by woodchoc_magnum/ @woodchoc-magnum (Post-S6, Eddie Coming Out | 117K | Explicit): Set post-Season 6, where Buck has inadvertently sacrificed his friendship with Eddie in order to focus on his new relationship with Natalia, and is shocked when Eddie comes out to the team and subsequently reveals that he is dating a guy.

AUs

🔥Nothing Left But You by Daisies_and_Briars/ @cal-daisies-and-briars ("Blip" AU, Post-S4E13: Suspicion | 27K | Teen | Warning: MCD): In May of 2021, 25% of Earth's population suddenly disappears. Including Eddie. In May of 2026, they all come back. Eddie finds himself suddenly in the middle of a world he doesn't recognize, where the people he loves most have changed significantly.

🔥 Your Love is an Oil Slick (It Glows like Rainbows, It Stains My Soul) by letmetellyouaboutmyfeels/ @letmetellyouaboutmyfeels (Canon Divergent - Supernatural Elements, Ghost Buck | 67K | Explicit): When Eddie's son claims he has an imaginary friend, Eddie doesn't think much of it. Christopher is seven, it's what kids do. But then weird things start happening around the house, and Eddie starts dreaming about a handsome blue-eyed man. Turns out, Christopher's friend isn't so imaginary. Their house is haunted.

🔥like when the sun came out by spaceprincessem/ @spaceprincessem (Canon Divergent, Ghosts | 39K | Mature): He completely pulls the charger from the wall as he fumbles to put in his passcode. He doesn’t know who to call first. Everyone is busy, carrying on with their lives and Buck is stuck here in the loft with the terrifying ghost of his childhood like an omen. Out of the corner of his eye he catches the Crooked Smiled Man now standing in the dark entrance way to his bathroom. He swallows around the taste of blood in his mouth, hands shaking, useless as his list of contacts blur beneath the burn of tears. Eddie Eddie Eddie. He doesn’t know where the feeling comes from, but it’s sudden and sharp and excruciating. Eddie is the first name at the top of his list, his most recent calls and texts, and he doesn’t hesitate to hit the call button. [or buck can see ghosts au]

🔥All My Shattered Oaths by letmetellyouaboutmyfeels/ @letmetellyouaboutmyfeels (Vampires AU | 107K | Explicit): Eddie wants to stay away from his family’s legacy and give his son a normal life. Buck’s desperate to find a way to get over the love he lost. Fate has other plans for both of them.

🔥 Further Than Blood (Or Than Bones) by letmetellyouaboutmyfeels/ @letmetellyouaboutmyfeels (Vampires AU | 50K | Explicit): Once, Eddie chose to save a newly turned against his better judgment. Five hundred years ago, Buck was saved by a rescuer he thought was a hallucination. Now they're together again and about to find out just how far either of them will go to try and deny what they are to each other.

🔥 let it pour out of your soul series by Rianne/ @rianneeyre (Magical Realism AU, Witch Eddie | 3 works | 71K | Complete):

collectively unconsciously composed (S4E6: Jinx | 46K | Explicit): Or: in which the author re-watched Buck Begins and Jinx and thought: what if this was gayer and had actual magic?

that systematic drug (PWP | 5K | Explicit): Eddie’s mouth goes dry when he opens the door and sees Buck. He’s clean-shaven and with his hair carefully styled back, smiling at Eddie sweetly and a little teasingly. Buck is wearing his dark jeans and his light blue v-neck polo shirt, the one that’s tight enough that it shows off the bulge of his biceps and the definition of his pecs and abs. Eddie knows this shirt. Buck's favourite, because he knows he looks good in it.

something binding us together (Established Buddie | 20K | Teen): Or: Eddie plans a long-avoided visit to his parents, discovers some things about his magic, and begins to build his family a home in LA's witching community.

[queenimmadolla]

Thinking about Enemies With Benefits Eddie and Reader who just do it all their lives. That’s it.

Enemies who fuck on the regular, and get stuck with each other after accidentally getting knocked up (bonus points, young parents above 18 y/o). Enemies who fuck and also co-parent. Enemies who fuck and co-parent, who also date other people but it NEVER EVER works out from sabotage to just matters of life. Enemies who fuck and also co-parent and move to live nearby each other (for the sake of the kids—turns into more than one eventually). Enemies who fuck and also co-parent, but Eddie has made it as a rockstar and still he pays more attention to his enemy and mother of his kids, than any singer, model or groupie. Enemies who fuck, co-parent, live near each other and Reader makes it as an actress (former drama kid, hence why she’s got no problem butting heads and holding her own against Eddie) but pays more attention to her enemy and the father of her kids, than she does other actors, directors and entrepreneurs.

And they just stay messy to the grave, but they share joint plots so they can be together (and argue) forever because death never got the chance to part them due to the lack of rings.

It’d be so messy and toxic and somehow becomes heavily romanticized by the public (a la Brando and Moreno, Annie Oakley and Frank Butler ‘Annie Get Your Gun’) because they’re enemies with benefits who genuinely are in love with each other, have been all these years, and hate it so much they fight it all their lives.

idk, i think it’s neat ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[a-little-unsteddie]

sleepless nights

written for @steddiemicrofic’s december prompt, pine. not sure if it makes sense at all, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ i think it does and i like it.

wc: 508 || prompt: pine || rating: g || tags: semi-nonverbal!steve, insomniac!steve, pre-steddie

—

Ever since July, Steve often found himself unable to sleep. It wasn’t every night, but it was definitely more of them than he’d ever care to admit. He would lay in bed, staring at the unchanging popcorn ceiling, willing himself to fall asleep, to close his eyes and let sweet unconsciousness take him.

Those nights, it didn’t matter how much Steve wanted it, sleep eluded him. So, instead of laying there uselessly, he would get up and pull on some clothes, grab his bat, and head outside. To the forest.

Mostly, he didn’t pay attention to where he was going, Steve would just wander the woods. He lost himself, most of the time. Zone out, listening to the sounds of the woods around him, letting it soothe the anxiety that more monsters lurked around the pines.

This was one of those sleepless nights.

He couldn’t remember how long he’d been walking, but the moon was high and bright in the sky, casting the forest in a dim light. The steady crunching of the leaves beneath his feet helped him focus on nothing at all, instead letting his attention wander.

“Harrington?”

The sudden voice startled Steve badly enough he prepared to swing at the intruder before logic caught up and he was able to stop himself.

“Woah, woah, woah!” the voice continued in a panicked tone, which Steve thought was understandable, given he was definitely about to swing his nail-studded bat at him.

A figure came into focus in front of him, first the wild hair, then the Hellfire shirt, and Steve knew exactly who had found him.

“Munson.”

“Whatcha got there, buddy?” Eddie asked, voice concerned. Steve blinked slowly and glanced at the bat.

“…a bat.” he explained uselessly.

Eddie hummed, all high-pitched and whiny, “Yeah, bud? What for?”

Steve pondered this for a moment, “..monsters..” he settled on.

Eddie didn’t look relieved at that answer, and held out a hand, “Why don’t I take that from you, sweetheart?”

Steve blinked, looked at the bat, still poised for a swing, and slowly lowered it into Eddie’s hands. The metalhead immediately looked more relaxed, but still concerned about Steve.

“Let’s get you somewhere…not here,” he said, gently trying to coax Steve with him. Unable to really fight back, and not really wanting to, Steve followed his lead.

“What..” he tried speaking, but his voice got stuck in his throat. Eddie looked at him curiously, so he tried again. “Why…in the woods?”

“Nothing important,” Eddie assured, “at least, not more important than getting you out of here.”

“Like your voice,” Steve mumbled, suddenly feeling the exhaustion that had been hidden behind the fear, the unending anxiety that something was still out here.

“Do you?” Eddie asked, effectively distracting Steve from his thoughts. “Luckily for you, I do too.” he said jokingly, before starting to talk about anything that came to his mind. He talked about his band, the nerd club the kids were also in, his uncle, anything to keep Steve distracted.

At least until they got to his trailer.

[cannibalhellhound]

Decided to try @buddietommy-week bc why not ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Day 1: Hurt/Comfort

They come out of the theater pretty late, the cleaning crew already in but the kids were nice enough to let them calm down instead of kicking them out.

"It's ok love let it out."

"Yeah-" sniffles Buck "it's ok to cry. The movie was great."

Eddie just mumbles in Tommy's shoulder and squeezes him while softly nudging Buck with his foot.

By the time they get to the car Eddie is softly snoring while Buck quietly talks to Tommy about every little detail of the movie.

They all miss Chris being around the little mismatched family they have formed, but they know he'll come around and they just have to wait so they can all watch the movie together and laugh at it.

[lemotmo]

i ask this entirely in good faith since i’ve been thinking about it a lot lately but could anyone explain why fox blocked bi buck and possibly buddie but somehow tarlos was able to survive on lone star while on the same network? i mean this is the same network that also used to have glee on their roster back in the day so it’s even more insane to me that they would block it for 911 but maybe someone has a better answer, perhaps from a business viewpoint that i haven’t considered? i love your blog!

Well, I'm no expert on Lone Star Nonny. I tried to watch it, but gave up after two episodes.

However, as I understand it Tarlos was always the plan. TK was always established as gay, right from the beginning. Carlos was also gay from the start. So the plan was alway Tarlos.

FOX knew that there would be a gay couple in Lone Star. They knew it beforehand and they approved it.

In that sense Buddie is more unique. Buck started out sleeping around with a lot of women in season 1, before settling with Abby. There was never a plan to make him bisexual. Canonically, at that point, everybody thought he was straight. Which of course ended up being wrong, because in season 7 we found out he is (and always has been) bisexual.

Eddie was introduced in season 2. An insider on Twitter has talked about the fact that Eddie was supposed to be gay from the get go, but we have no real confirmation of that. Canonically he was married to a woman and the audience didn't have reason to think he was anything but straight. Now, Eddie fans quickly clocked him as some kind of queer, but it wasn't (and still isn't) canon.

Buddie was never in the plans. It just naturally developed because of Ryan and Oliver's crazy crackling on screen chemistry. They just clicked so well and anything they filmed together was gold.

Everyone could see their connection, including the show runner Tim Minear. But when he pitched the idea to FOX, they said 'no'.

Now, I'm not American, but I understand that FOX is a very conservative network. So maybe they didn't want 'another gay couple' in one of their shows? The OG already had Karen and Hen and maybe they thought that was representation enough? Maybe they didn't specifically want bisexual representation on their show? Who knows?

¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

Keep in mind that Lone Star came after the OG, so maybe they saw how popular Buddie was online and wanted to recreate that chemistry with two men that were established as gay from the start? Perhaps they were even hoping that people would stop asking for Buddie to happen if they threw Tarlos at them? Amost as if they thought that queer couples are interchangeable somehow? 0_°

For Buddie it would certainly have been a more complicated story line than Tarlos, since neither of them was established as anything else than straight from the start. Maybe that was the problem? Two men coming out in their late twenties, early thirties? After a lot of relationships with women and even a marriage. Not just that, a marriage with a kid.

Maybe they were afraid that more conservative viewers would drop the show if two 'manly macho previously perceived as straight' men would fall for each other?

Whatever it was, it's obvious that Ryan and Oliver are very happy to be free of FOX. ABC is giving them the opportunity they didn't get at FOX.

Good for them.

[doubledyke]

Which are some of your unpopular opinions?

hmm well i don't think most of my takes are that hot tbh. our community here is pretty small so there's usually some overlap with head canons/fanon, etc. most of us are on the same page, or at least in the same chapter lmao. which is great! and even when i see a take i might not wholeheartedly agree with, i feel like it's still added to my subconscious lore to be explored later.

right off the bat, i guess one hot take might be that i find the theme song pretty grating 👀 i skip it every time. it's probably because ive heard it so many times since i was a kid up to now. i don't even really have a nostalgic or sentimental attachment to it at this point.

all my mutuals know this already, but season 1 is my favorite season, which i don't think is the case for most fans. i made a whole long post about that already though.

im already drawing a blank here ummmm

well, i probably have a lower opinion of edd's parents than most people in our little community. realistically it makes more sense that they're simply absent (neglectful) due to their demanding jobs, and that they work hard to give edd a good life, etc. but i tend to view it as more of a malicious, conscious choice. i like angst and drama, what can i say ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

this one isn't really a hot take these days, especially among the tumblr crowd, but i like when edd is portrayed as the morally complex character that he is. i don't think he's all good or all bad. he's way more realistically ambiguous than that. i'd say i do lean towards him being a bit more devious than most though.

moving more into head canon territory here, but

i don't talk about this one a lot because it's totally projection, but i think edd would have issues with alcohol. between his autism, his ocd and his unloving parents, i think he'd hit the bottle a little too hard after realizing how much he likes the way it makes him feel. but he'll work through it eventually don't worry.

uhhhh let's see

again, not a scorching hot take here, but i enjoy edmay, and it's not because i don't want ed to be a "third wheel" (he's lowkey a third wheel in the show, but anyway-), it's because they're cute. that simple. i'm totally cool with ed being asexual, and i think it fits his character a bit more tbh. but i really like may, and i think her experience as the sort of outcast among her sisters is a good match for ed's experience as somewhat of an outcast even among his already outcast friend group. i think they make a very cute, very weird, and probably very smelly couple.

i have sympathy for bro! i think many of us do, but yeah. obviously he's really shitty towards eddy and even the other kids, but you don't just wake up one day and decide to be a "monster". he's clearly got trauma and issues of his own and while that's not an excuse, it's worth acknowledging. i'm fascinated by eddy and bro's dynamic and it's one of my favorite things to analyze and speculate about.

to me, it's likely that eddy would try to date girls in middle/high school, perhaps even beyond. i don't see him and edd even really addressing their deeper feelings until after graduation because of eddy's internalized homophobia and deep-seated denial of his sexuality. he'd still be worried about what people think in that regard. idk, i know a lot of folks see them being together shortly after bps, or even in high school but personally i don't see it. like edd knows how he feels, but he's not gonna push it. he'll let eddy figure it out on his own. plus it's amusing to imagine how awkward it would be for eddy and the poor girls that fall victim to his farce.

you'd think i'd have more hot takes about eddy but i think i post most of my thoughts about him pretty openly lol.

oh, i kinda hesitate to bring this one up cuz it's hard to explain or back up with much evidence, but PERSONALLY, i think eddy is pretty smart. i love to harp on his malapropisms as much as the next guy, and obviously he's immature and all the other negative adjectives associated with teenage boys. but he's very clever and witty, and like most kids with terrible trauma, "wise beyond his years". he's inventive and resourceful. he's good at analyzing people (in some circumstances) and learning what makes them tick. and despite being unable to come up with an example at the moment, sometimes the words and phrases he uses, and just generally the way he talks is more....advanced? than you'd expect from someone who can't spell "respect". i dunno, i'm sure at some point i'll make a long-winded post about this subject but suffice to say, eddy is smarter than he gets credit for.

but yeah nothing super controversial i wouldn't say. i have some weirder headcanons that im sure ill blab about at some point, but for the most part like i said, im pretty outspoken with my eene opinions. thanks for asking!!

[trippedandfell]

whats according to you the most realistic ways they could go about making buddie canon on the show

see, realistic is tough for me because i also didn’t expect the catalyst for bi buck to be a hurricane helicopter rescue - but if i had to choose, it’s gotta be trapped dads!

just like. assuming 4x13 was supposed to be the start of buddie canon, it makes sense to me that they’d want to use another near-death experience as a catalyst. and yeah, they’ve put them in danger individually a lot - but having them be trapped together? delicious. especially if there’s some sort of kids-in-danger aspect or one has the chance to escape but chooses to stay with the other one until help arrives… the possibilities are endless

so i think that would be at least the moment for some sort of feelings confession/realization. and then they get out of whatever experience and it’s maybe awkward for a bit because it was so heat of the moment and then they somehow end up in eddie’s kitchen for their first kiss (because where else could it possibly be?)

maybe not the most realistic, but this is also the shark-on-a-freeway show, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[fictional-musician-competition]

the moment you've been waiting for has arrived...

We have a bracket!!

Yeah. It's a 64-person bracket, the font is small, all that. You can try to zoom in, or there will be a list of matchups below the cut.

All but the first matchup have been randomly generated, please don't complain about the seeding or having to choose between characters. It just worked out that way ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (ig you can complain about the first one)

Polls will be released Monday afternoon. The first round will once again be a week long, but after that we'll go to 24-hour polls until the final matchup.

May the best musician win!

Side A

Orpheus (Ulysses Dies at Dawn by The Mechanisms) on mandolin vs The Toy Soldier (The Mechanisms) on mandolin, glockenspiel and others

Theodore (Alvin and the Chipmunks) on drums vs Wylan Van Eck (Six of Crows) on flute vs Squidward (SpongeBob SquarePants) on clarinet*

Hitori "Bocchi" Gotoh (Bocchi the Rock) on guitar vs Vice Principal Nero (A Series of Unfortunate Events) on violin

Murdoc Niccals (Gorillaz) on bass vs Tsukasa Tenma (Project Sekai) on piano

Ibuki Mioda (Danganronpa) on bass guitar vs Jasiker (The Witcher) on lute

Grover Underwood (Riordanverse) on reed pipes vs Marceline "The Vampire Queen" Abadeer (Adventure Time) on bass guitar

Wei Wuxian (The Untamed) on dizi vs Rodrick Heffley (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) on drums

Toki Wartooth (Metalocolypse) on guitar vs Eddie (The Rocky Horror Picture Show) on saxophone

Chai (Hi-Fi Rush) on guitar vs Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes) on violin

Wirt (Over the Garden Wall) on clarinet and bassoon vs Alec Hardison (Leverage) on violin

Raine Whispers (The Owl House) on violin vs Scanlan Shorthalt (Critical Role, The Legend of Vox Machina) on lute and flute

Raiko Horikawa (Touhou Project) on drums vs Undyne (Undertale) on piano

Riebeck (Outer Wilds) on banjo vs Candace Flynn (Phineas and Ferb) on a variety of instruments that begin with the letter "B"

Lisa Simpson (The Simpsons) on baritone sax vs DJ Octavio (Splatoon) on turntables

Ronan Lynch (The Raven Cycle) on uilleann pipes vs Venti (Genshin Impact) on lyre and flute

Rocky Rickaby (Lackadaisy) on fiddle vs Hoid (The Cosmere) on flute

Side B

Sonic (Sonic Underground) on electric guitar vs Sal "Sally Face" Fisher (Sally Face) on Guitar

Demyx (Kingdom Hearts) on sitar vs Achilles (The Iliad) on lyre

Jade Harley (Homestuck) on bass guitar vs Ryan Akagi (Infinity Train) on guitar

Wednesday Addams (Wednesday) on cello vs Maki Nishikino (Love Live! School Idol Project) on piano

Sally Thorn" McKnight (Scooby-Doo) on guitar vs Hunter Sylvester (Metal Lords) on electric guitar

K.K. Slider (Animal Crossing) on guitar vs Will Treaty (Ranger's Apprentice) on mandola

Edward Cullen (Twilight) on piano vs Miguel Rivera (Coco) on guitar

William the Gonagle (Discworld) on mousepipes vs Marzipan (Homestar Runner) on guitar

The Phantom of the Opera (The Phantom of the Opera) on organ vs Dr. Teeth (The Muppets) on piano

Kris (Deltarune) on piano vs "Soul King" Brook (One Piece) on piano and guitar

Manolo Sanchez (The Book of Life) on guitar vs Greg Universe (Steven Universe) on electric guitar

Ebony Dark'Ness Dementia Raven Way (My Immortal) on guitar vs Figueroth "Fig" Faeth (Dimension 20's Fantasy High) on bass guitar

Link (Legend of Zelda) on ocarina and panflute vs Max Rebo (Star Wars) on organ

Klavier Gavin (Ace Attorney) on guitar vs Luka Couffaine (Miraculous Ladybug) on guitar

Melody (Crypt of the NecroDancer) on lute vs Musa (Winx Club) on all the instruments

Marcy Wu (Amphibia) on drums vs Victor Hargreeves (The Umbrella Academy) on violin

*due to an unfortunate counting error, a 3rd person has been added to this matchup.

[momotonescreaming]

you can’t just list a brilliant wip title like “nudie patootie” and not expect folks to ask about it lmao

also “Dustin is a bully” 👁 👁 I Am Curious…

Hello!! I'm glad more people think that's a fun wip title than just me 😂😂

I've written a little about it here and here - but basically, I just want Steve to take his clothes off ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ he is the nudie patootie

Dustin is a bully is a wip I started this morning, actually, so there is precious little in it lol. Just that I've been thinking about how much of an asshole he was in S4 to Steve, and how people on my dash are worried that Dead Eddie is going to take Steve's place in Dustin's life in S5, and how if Steve dropped Tommy and Carol because they wouldn't stop being assholes, he can do it again. It would suck, and it would hurt, but he could do it.

Snips below for both 😘

---

Nudie Patootie

Eddie was joking before, playing it up, teasing. But he really can feel the faint flush start to creep its way across his cheeks. He knows Steve, he knows what he looks like when he wakes up in the morning and when he goes to sleep, when he’s happy and when he’s sad.

He also knows what Steve looks like when he’s trying to seduce him. That subtle drop in his voice, the way he holds himself, the way he looks at Eddie.

Steve’s succeeding.

Standing in the centre of their living room, in a beam of sun, right where Eddie can see him. In front of the easel like he belongs there. He was built for it. He brings an arm up, flexing as he reaches behind his head, tilting his head so he can make sure Eddie’s watching.

---

Dustin is a Bully

“If you’re gonna continue to bully me, dude,” Steve starts, brows furrowing; lips pursed in a tight, angry line. “I don’t think I want to be your friend anymore.”

“What?” Dustin replies indignantly, whipping around to face Steve, mouth hanging open. What the hell is Steve talking about? He’s not a bully? He’s one of the nerds, the freaks, he’s the one who gets sneers from jocks and got pushed around on the playground by the bigger kids. He can’t be a bully, it’s like,, in the rules of high school. Steve must’ve gotten hit on the head harder than Dustin thought.

---

Make me write, send me asks!

[strangersteddierthings]

20 Questions for Fic Writers

I was tagged by the ever wonderful @slavicviking. Thank you SO much!! I kept seeing everyone do it and wanted to, but I wanted to be tagged so thanks!! :D

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

30, and 29 of them are Steddie fics lol

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

138,437, holy smokes. Steddie really got me writing!

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Steddie. I won't even pretend it's Stranger Things because I'm not nearly as hype about the show as I am just Steddie so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Class of '85

Assuming Makes an Ass of You (And Me)

Bad News First, Eddie

Shovel Talk(s)

The Interview

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Yes. I didn't at first, but I respond to every single comment I get now. Either to thank them for commenting, or answer the musings people have, or just to respond with a heart so they know I saw/read their comment and appreciate it. 'Cause I do. I appreciate every comment I get, even if it's just a lil heart emoji or them saying the word 'kudo'.

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I don't do angsty endings. Angst with a happy end or bust!! However, I did post this lil thing about Steve thinking about karma and the balance of the universe and how he's happy to give up all the good things he has in life if it means Eddie will get them instead.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

They all have happy endings but I'm gonna go with Bad News First, Eddie simply because of how sad the beginning is.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

Not that I'm meant to see, but Tumblr's tag system is garbage so sometimes you come across a post not meant to been seen. Saw people trash talking The Interview before the last chapter was out, and seemingly having missed the 'unreliable narrator' tag.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Not typically. I've written suggestive themes and one explicit BJ but for the most part, no. If I wrote longer, chaptered fics I might write more smut, but I just write oneshots where it's because I had a specific scene in mind, or minor conversation to have, and I don't ever just want to write smut for the sake of smut.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Nope. Never crossovers. I will do other media AU but it will never be about including the characters of a different media. I just want the worldbuilding from a different show/movie sometimes.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not to my knowledge. How do you even go about learning if your fic was stolen??

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

No.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Kinda??? @rebelspykatie wrote an angsty lil thing that made me sad, so I wrote the start of how it could be fixed, and @steviesummer wrote the wonderful ending. We didn't plan to write the fic together but I think we did an awesome job.

Also I am always down to colab/co-write a fic. I've never done it before but might be fun to do!

14. What’s your all time favorite ship?

Steddie. Obvy

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Oh this questions just here to drag me through the mud, huh? I have a very ambitious Outer Worlds-esque AU I've planned out but starting the writing process has been.... hard. It may never see the light of day and I'll be sad forever about it.

16. What are your writing strengths?

I don't know? Never really thought about it.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Being able to tell a long-form story. I just don't have the patience/capabilities at the moment to tell an entire story instead of just the scene that's in my mind.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

Oh. Can't say I have given it much thought. The only fic I've written with another language in it was a conlan (Tolkien elvish), and it wasn't in dialogue. So I can't say I have any thoughts in particular about this.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Digimon. I loved Digimon Adventure as a kid an as a little girl, I was sad that their wasn't more Hikari in the show. So I wrote my own fic that featured her and Tailmon becoming best friends with my self-insert and her digi-partner, which was Wizarmon reborn.

20. Favorite fic you’ve written?

Oh, that'd be Porcelain Steve. A completely self indulgent fic with the fairy tail element to it. I had so much fun writing it!

This was fun!! I'm gonna tag: @i-less-than-three-you @nburkhardt @afewproblems @skepsiss @finntheehumaneater @steddierthings @rebelspykatie and @steviesummer (sorry if you've already been tagged/done this)

[setaripendragon]

Trying to organize my ask notebook better since I've run out of space under general fandom asks and I would like to know what fandoms you are in so I can ask the correct people about the correct fandoms.

I think my main ones are Bagginshield/The Hobbit, Sherlock/Johnlock, Dragon Age Inquisition, {Pippin/Faramir Merry/Eowyn}/The Lord of the Rings and I dip my toes in a few that I currently can't remember but ones I don't engage in canon at all are Good Omens but only for Crowley/Azirapheal ship, Stranger Things but only for Steve/Eddie ship, The Witcher but only for Geralt/Jaskier things and Ladybug and Cat Noir but only for Adrinette .

Also do you like getting asks that are or include story ideas or snippets?

*Asks are sent for fun, no pressure to answer within a certain amount of time or at all.

Ooh, I am in so many fandoms XD It wouldn't actually be easier to list the ones I'm not in, but sometimes it feels that way.

Definitely there with you on The Hobbit and Bagginshield and Lord of the Rings and that whole 'verse, and I'm all in on the Good Omens and The Witcher (well, all in on most of the fandom, I've read some of one of the books, played some of one of the games, watched some of one of the shows... XD).

I also enjoy me some Sherlock, but my preferred flavour is Elementary, rather than BBC.

At the moment my main fandoms are One Piece (catching up with the anime atm, it's taking a while XD), Supernatural, and Star Wars (pretty much entirely second hand, except for the Kenobi show and recently being bullied into watching the Mandalorian with a friend =P).

Okay, I'm going to try and be concise now because otherwise we'll be here all day. Here are fandoms that I've written stuff for (published or not): A Song of Ice and Fire, Alice in Wonerland, Assassin's Creed, Avatar the Last Airbender, Black Butler, Bleach, James Bond, Charmed, Criminal Minds, Critical Role, Emperor's Edge, Fairy Tail, Firefly, Frozen, Fruits Basket, FullMetal Alchemist, Girl Genius, Rise of the Guardians, Harry Potter, Kingsman, Marvel Cinematic Universe, Merlin, Chronicles of Narnia, Naruto, Avatar (2009), Once Upon a Time, Peaky Blinders, Percy Jackson, Pride and Prejudice, The Sandman, Shadowhunters, Sinbad (Dreamworks), Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, Teen Wolf, The Untamed, Torchwood, White Collar, X-Men.

I'm not, you know, deep in the fandom of more than usually three or four at a time, but my muse wanders like she's got itchy feet. And I'm probably at least passingly familiar with several other fandoms: I'm enjoying watching Dungeon Meshi at the moment but I haven't yet got the itch to play in that sandbox, I love reading Scum Villain's Self Saving System fanfic but I don't feel I know the characters well enough to write my own, I watched basically all of the Disney animated movies as a kid but I haven't yet had a solid enough idea to write, I have seen some of Stranger Things but I watched most of it while somewhat sleep deprived and that is not the best way to watch horror ^^" I've played FF7, I've read the Hunger Games, I've watched Yuri On Ice, etc, but I don't have a convenient list of those, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I won't make this any longer than it needs to be going into my ships unless you ask specifically, but let it be said that I'm a polyshipper in a big way (nothing gets my brain to go brrrrrrr like complicated relationship dynamics =3), and making it onto my NoTP list takes some seriously rancid vibes and/or overly pushy fans, and it's always safe to ask me about a ship =P

Story ideas are very welcome! The muse needs constant feeding =P I won't make any guarantees about them going anywhere, but I love seeing them all the same. Snippets... are probably the same? I don't know, I've never been sent one. I'm probably even less likely to do anything with them, just because of stupid brain quirks, but who knows?

[stranger-rants]

i try not to stereotype but its always wild to me when antis say billy would call them a slur while openly having steve as their fave or being a st//eddie because like,,,,,,

steve is the rich jock in the 80s, his parents 100% have membership to the country club, im like 90% sure theyd support reagan considering their financial situation, his dad loves a good game or tennis or even badminton if he wants to be a bit spontaneous, they definitely shop at whatever the us version of waitrose is, his parents have their own person tailor and if their outfits arent at least $100 they wont be wearing them outside and that extends to steve, they have definitely either used a slur and/or done that weird talking around it the "oh you know, those people who prefer embroidered tea cosies" or whatever.

like i dont want to say that steve would just parrot whatever his parents say and would just internalise their opinions, because obviously thats not true on most cases. but at the same time, theres a lot of psychological studies showing that kids do learn from their parents.

and weve already seen steve calling someone a slur on screen. i cant remember if it was queer or faggot, but he was also parroting the rhetoric that gay men are predators who prey on young boys. like where the fuck else did he get that rhetoric from? and even if it wasnt his parents, steve seems to have believed it enough to remember it and parrot it back at jonathan.

id like to think that steve wouldnt call me a slur, especially post-s3 steve, but its fucking wild to me that the "billy would call me a slur" crowd entirely ignore the everything about steves character.

like im sorry buddy, but if pre-s3 steve saw me, a trans man with tits too large to bind who goes out of his way to look as queer as possible, im pretty sure hed call me a whole myriad of slurs. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ meanwhile i dont think billy would because hes a cis dude who purposefully presents more feminine. wed probably just have a chill conversation about judas priest or id introduce him to soda stereo.

and anyway its not like know if steve agrees with his parents or not since he never gets any development whatsoever now that hes relegated to group mom

Everyone learns from their parents in one way or another. Steve called Jonathan “Queer” which is what makes it so ironic that fans claim he’s such a great ally and/or that Billy would hate crime them. Quite honestly, given the amount of homophobic rants I have to hear from teenager boys on a regular basis in the year 2023, it wouldn’t shock me if any of the beloved male characters were homophobic. I don’t see Billy as being more or less understanding, but I do think Billy just doesn’t care enough about other people to be out there committing hate crimes. The only time Billy cares what other people say or do is when it puts him at risk

[tripleaxeldiaz]

For the ask game: 6, 8, 9

HI CHAPEL MWAH 🥰🥰🥰

6.) Honest first impression of the show

when i watched the pilot for the first time, think my main thoughts were “everyone is so angry on this show” and “wow this buck kid’s a real pain in the ass”. and those were my only thoughts until chimney got a rebar through his forehead and they crashed a plane in the ocean. then i knew they meant Business and i was hooked 😂😂😂

8.) Favorite season of the show and why

i LOVEEEEEE season 2. 2b especially, it’s just banger after banger after banger. i think it’s a combo of eddie and maddie coming in and them leaning away from the gritty weird darkness of s1 into the lighter hopefulness among the seriousness that is such a hallmark of this series

9.) Character you used to hate but now like

buck as stated above 😂😂😂 he was a bitch!! now i would die for him. it be like that sometimes ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

9-1-1 asks 🚨

[rhaenyyras]

snippet from part 2 of my upcoming steddie fic where steve has a migraine & eddie takes care of him..and also breaks into his house ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯ ~

"Eddie, wh—What are you doing here?" Steve frowns, confused. "Wait, did you just break into my house?"

"Yeah, and you're welcome. I came by to check on you." Eddie says, stepping over the glass. "You don't look too hot. What is it? Flu? Hangover?"

He wishes it were a hangover, that would hurt less. Steve shakes his head, not really sure what to say. He's not exactly in the mood for company right now and doesn't understand why Eddie is here today of all days.

"I just need sleep, and what—How did you.."

Oh, right. He sees where this is going.

"Robin called me. Asked me to swing by."

"You could've knocked."

"Yeah, tried that. For about, oh I don't know. Twenty minutes." Eddie glares at him. "Then I tried throwing pebbles at your window, but nothing. Nada."

Steve blinks. "So, what? You decided to break in?"

Eddie shrugs like it's no big deal and walks over to Steve. That's when he notices it, blood trickling down Eddie's arm. It takes his brain a minute to catch up. The lamp didn't even hit Eddie, he dodged out of the way before the glass shattered everywhere. So why is he bleeding?

"Break in, schmeak in. I just let myself in through your window." Eddie cheerily explains. "Which was surprisingly not so easy. I landed on this shovel, and a pile of boxes, and then I fell on my knife, and—"

"Wait, what, you landed on your knife? Shit, Eddie. You're bleeding." Steve scolds and reaches for his arm. "Why did you even have a knife out anyway?"

"To cut through the screen on your window?"

Steve shoots Eddie the look he usually reserves for the kids when they've done something reckless or stupid like this. He gently tugs Eddie's arm closer, inspecting the gash closely to see if it needs stitches. It's hard to tell with all the blood but it doesn't look too deep. Steve feels dizzy again, distantly aware of the guilt kicking in that this was all his fault.

Eddie only came by to check on him and because Steve didn't hear him at the door, he went to the most extreme effort to find a way in. And now he's hurt, and it feels like Steve's fault. He also feels like he's wearing a bike helmet, the pressure on his head so tight that he can't really keep up with whatever Eddie is rambling about.

"It's fine, honestly, it's just a teeny, little ol' nick—"

"It's not nothing, Eddie. Alright?" Steve sighs. "You should have said something."

"Noted. Next time you're sick, I'll make it all about me. Alright?" Eddie quips back, tugging his arm away. "Seriously, I'm fine. I'm more worried about you."

[tryskomys]

PSYCHO KILLER

Eddie Munson x OC

Chapter 22 - Fairies Wear Boots

Summary: Survival, but at what cost…The Banished and The Enlightened ponder over what the future holds for them.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫

Notes: okay, i’ve decided that there’s way too many threads to wrap up in one chapter, so here’s one part and the finale is coming next time <3 this is sorta experimental, hope you’ll like it, because it just felt fitting for the situation. enjoy and thanks for being here <3

tw: blood, pain, injuries (you know the drill), mentions of bullying, mentions of death. kinda heavy what can i say ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Masterlist

songs:

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫

August 1980, Hawkins Middle School

Mr. Clarke cleared his throat when the theatre room calmed down after a thunderous applause for the school cheerleaders. He was sporting a wide smile, squinting from the stage to shield his eyes from the spotlight that was pointed his way.

“Thank you, girls! That was wonderful. And now, something a little different.”

The crowd of kids was already growing impatient and losing interest as he spoke. Some of them were yawning, some of them looked annoyed that they had to waste one of the last days of summer break to watch a stupid talent show. Some, though, were excited and waiting for the next act to show up, especially the friends of the contestants.

“Here’s our academic colleague Mairi Anderson from 7th grade, with a dramatic reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s beautiful poem, The Raven!” he stepped away from the microphone and clapped his hands to remind the crowd to show some respect and greet the girl with some cheers.

A few giggles echoed through the room as a small girl with a velvet cape stepped on stage, her shoulders slumped as she was subconsciously trying to be as unnoticable as possible. Her worn-out combat boots with purple laces were peeking out under the hem of the cape, so were her shaking fingers on the microphone stand, knuckles red from nervous scratching. She could hardly see the crowd from her perspective with the light shining in her face, something that she warmly welcomed when she stepped in front of the mic and attempted to gulp down the lump in her throat.

“Go, freak!”

“Yeah, come on, freak!”

The sarcastic cheer from who she identified as Tommy H. was followed by another wave of hushed giggles and she felt the tears prickle her eyes. This was a bad idea. Mr. Clarke was one persuasive man, sometimes to a fault.

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary…” a peep left her mouth as a curl fell into her face from the mop of red hair that was chopped in a boyish haircut, obviously done at home.

As she continued, her voice grew a bit stronger, she even managed to wave her hand in a dramatic way, but the snickering that followed was enough to shut down any confidence that she’d gained. She finally managed to peek into the crowd as a crumbled list of paper flew in her direction, ricocheting right off of her forehead. She let out a trembling sigh when she saw Tommy’s wide grin. The boy with a wild mane of brown hair next to him slapped the back of his friend’s head to scold him, but he was pushing back laughter as well.

Steve’s arm was thrown around Maia’s shoulders as they sat next to each other on the floor beside El’s bed, carefully watching every breath that Eddie took after he fell asleep. Nancy left shortly after she examined Maia to get some proper medical supplies. They had to act fast so the wounds wouldn’t get infected. Steve stayed behind to watch over them, ready to defend if any more harm came knocking on the cabin’s ragged door.

Maia’s battered limb was weakly supported by an improvised sling made out of the flowery sheet and the wide split near the corner of her lips was grotesquely held together by a small band-aid with farm animals printed on it. He was softly stroking her tangled curls, mumbling a whispered apology every time he got stuck in one of the knots and accidentaly pulled her hair. Her head was uncomfortably resting on his shoulder, her bent neck burning from everything that was going on with her upper body.

The realization that Max is gone was finally settling into the marrow of her bones. They’ve failed. It was all for nothing. Their friend was dead and the two of them were going to live and die in a lousy cabin in the middle of nowhere, their precious lives slipping through their fingers. A pocket purgatory for a fruitless attempt to be brave for once.

“Don’t blame yourself.” Steve mumbled as if he could read her thoughts. She just scoffed and softly shook her head, picking on the skin of her hangnails.

A tall, scrawny boy was clutching the neck of his guitar as he stood in a shadow of a curtain at the side of the stage, hands clammy from nerves and excitement. He was carefully watching the ginger girl that was on stage as she recited passages of something he probably should’ve paid attention to in Literature but couldn’t be bothered.

She was…mesmerising, though. He’d never seen a girl with hair this short before. When he saw the paper ball hit her forehead, his eyebrows suddenly knitted and the enamored gaze was quickly replaced by a furious glare. He felt like running up on the stage and cussing Tommy out, but he realized that it would probably only make things worse for her. He’s a freak, too, after all. When she finished her performance, the lax claps and sarcastic whistles filled the room as she did a quick awkward bow and pattered down from the stage. She sat in one of the empty seats in the front row that were ready for the contestants.

When he walked in, Mr. Clarke’s expression was somewhere between frowning and pity and he gave the girl a comforting sad smile when she sat down and peeked at him through tears.

“Thank you, Mairi, for a wonderful intellectual break. It was truly enchanting. And now, for a change of pace.”

A curtain in the back of the stage was lifted and unveiled a set of instruments that were neatly positioned next to the amps. It was set up before the talent show so the bands wouldn’t have to bring their own equipment. The boy backstage shook his head and slapped his cheeks a few times to wake himself up from the momentary lapse of attention and turned around at his three bandmates.

“Let’s fucking go, boys!” he hissed and they all high-fived each other before turning back to the stage.

“These boys from 8th grade will bless our ears with some delightful music! Here they are, The Saturdays!”

・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・● ●・○・●・

Eddie’s semi-awake brain was running through memories, good, bad, didn’t matter. It was trying to anchor him to life, remind him that his time hasn’t come yet. His thoughts were on her. Mostly her. The time they got drunk after a session and ended up fighting each other in the forest with sticks for swords. The taste of her favourite tea that she brewed for him every time he visited. The first time he talked to her. Well, technically the second.

It was in the cafeteria in his junior year, she was a freshman. He’d seen her in classes before. He knew where her locker was. He knew that she scrunched her nose when taking notes in Math 201. He knew she hated broccoli and always picked it out of her lunch. He knew she had tea with milk for dessert every day. Her hair was a bit longer, considering the time he first saw her in middle school. He was sort of awaiting her when he started Hawkins High, knowing she was only a year younger. But she didn’t arrive until he was a junior. He later found out that she got held back in 8th grade after her grades dropped, overwhelmed by stress and grief.

She was sitting at her usual spot that day, wearing an obviously well-loved Deep Purple shirt under the washed out denim jacket he knew she wore often. She was scanning through a Lord of the Rings book. He knew she was re-reading for at least the third time, at least that’s what he counted. She winced when Tommy H. and Carol mocked Nancy’s moans a few tables away.

Eddie was just served a disgusting-looking risotto when he finally got the courage to approach her.

“May I join your feast, halfling?” he put all the strenght in his body to put on a confident voice, but his will failed him when she looked up at him with wide eyes, the pale green piercing through his skull. The purple circles under her eyes were a contrast to her pale skin, giving her an otherwordly disposition, almost as if she was a ghost. She abruptly blushed and gave him a soft smile.

“Of course.” she simply answered, her voice like soft and deep, like velvet to his soul. He grinned widely and sat in the opposing chair, making her blush even deeper when she noticed the dimples in his cheeks. He seemed so familiar…

“What’s your favourite?” he questioned with folded arms, nodding towards the book. She darted between him and the pages for a few seconds before scratching her head. The realization that he might not be mocking her gave her a dash of confidence and she playfully hummed.

“Return of the King, by far. You?”

“Oh, Two Towers would beat Return’s ass any day. No competiton.” he furrowed his brows and nonchalantly dug his fork into the risotto to start munching. She scoffed.

“You wish...”

“Eddie.”

“You wish, Eddie.”

・○・●・○・●・○・●・○・● ●・○・●・

She was staring at his bare back, counting the freckles that scarcely peppered it.

“How’s the arm?” Steve whispered into the silence, untangling his fingers out of her locks again.

“I’m fine.” she just stated and adjusted her head on his shoulder, scratching her forehead when his hair tickled her.

“Oh, are you?” he bitterly retorted, turning his head from Eddie to her, squinting when she looked up at him.

“Fucking hurts, what can I say.” she mumbled with a heavy sigh before she got back to staring at the bed. Steve just bit his lip, his chin trembling once again as he watched the state of her.

The girl wiped her hot tears and look up on the stage just when the group of boys entered. There was the ginger bass player, hunching so his face was hidden behind the greasy strands of his hair. The drummer was already positioned behind his kit, loudly chewing a gum through his chubby cheeks. The guitarist was shorter than them, staring into the crowd with a smug grin. Her eyes stopped at the boy that came up to the microphone.

The guitar that hung around his neck looked very well used, the black polish chipping at the sides. He was lanky and intimidatingly tall, the buzzcut he was proudly wearing accentuated his huge brown eyes. They were slowly scanning the room as he plugged the amp into his guitar, stopping when he found her in the front row. She was staring at him with wide eyes, unsure if she’s feeling fear or admiration. She was sure that he could reach right into her mind and read her like a book with those eyes, though.

She’d heard about a few delinquent individuals around the school, mainly from teachers. They always warned their students. Don’t be like Munson. She wasn’t sure if this was him, but he looked like a Munson, for sure. She blushed and awkwardly looked away when he smirked, rolling up the sleeves of his Led Zeppelin t-shirt - she scratched her nose to hide her smile when she noticed it. The boy cleared his throat and the cheers - sarcastic or not - died down.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” he calmly beckoned, pausing for a few seconds to look at his bandmates and check if they’re ready. After their approving nods, he turned back to the crowd and all hell broke loose.

“WE’RE THE GUTTED PIGS AND THIS IS BLACK SABBATH!” he exclaimed and the drummer loudly counted to four before they broke into a song. Her jaw dropped as the first guitar licks of Fairies Wear Boots filled the room, letting out a breathless laugh when she noticed her schoolmates’ expressions.

It was a mix of shock, excitement and outrage as the teachers shouted at them to stop and get off the stage. Tommy H. and many other kids booed and yelled ‘freaks’ at them over and over, but the boy just broke into a joyful smile as he sang through the lyrics with his raspy voice. Some of the kids were getting up on their feet, whistling for their lives, others were crumbling the talent show fliers and started throwing them on the stage with boos.

Divided audience, she thought as she mouthed the lyrics and clapped her hands, grinning like a fool every time he caught her eyes. Strangely enough, they managed to play through the whole song before Principal Higgins stomped up on the stage, deciding that the enthusiastic lyric ‘smoking and tripping is all that you do’ was the last straw.

The band giggled like crazy when he started physically pushing them out of the stage before they could even put down their instruments, the drummer already hopped off the stage and ran out of the room with a wild cackle. The gym teacher dragged the other two out by their arms and Higgins followed him, yanking the skinny boy behind him. He managed to give the girl an amused shrug when he walked past her, smirking when the principal furiously shook his head.

“You’re getting at least three months of detention for this, you punks!”

“Are you still in love with Nance?” Maia muttered silently, welcoming the comfort of talking about something else than all this horror. She expected Steve to wiggle his way out of the conversation, try to deny it with strong refusal. But to her surprise, he just took a big breath and rested his head on top of hers.

“Yeah.”

They fell silent for some time, letting the confession hang in the air before she reacted.

“You have your whole life in front of you. Wait until she’s ready. I’m sure she will be, one day.”

Steve frowned.

“You talk like you’re 85. You have a future, too, you know.”

“Like, in jail? Or in this place? Fearing for our safety, for his life every time a branch cracks outside of our window?” she nodded towards Eddie, who’s breathing was a calming reminder that he’s still alive. Steve shuddered at the notion that she doesn’t care for her own life at all.

“We’ll figure it out somehow, I promise. The government still owes us after we took down the commie lair that was growing right under their noses.” he stated, his tone more lighthearted than before. She couldn’t help but smile, weakly nudging him with her elbow.

“You’re such a dork, Harrington.”

The cheerleader girls excitedly waved their plastic trophy in front of their friend’s faces outside of school as the wave of kids spilled out of the front entrance, scattering around the street to find their parents’ cars. The boy was leaning against the wall with his guitar case slinged over one shoulder, perking up when he noticed the girl and her velvet cape that fluttered around her in the warm August breeze. It was dark outside, so it took her a second to notice him and slow down a bit, blushing when he slowly approached her.

“Nice cape.” he smiled widely, but something about his tone made her almost sure that he’s serious. She chuckled, a sound that made his heart skip a beat.

“Nice shirt.” she muttered and pointed at his chest and his cheeks filled with warmth, all the way up to his ears.

“Thanks, made it myself.”

A few moments of awkward silence filled the stale evening air as the kids around them dissapeared to their respective parents, leaving the school grounds in dust. Their eyes met and they both immediately looked away, too shy to face each other properly.

“So, uh, I liked your poem.” he let out into the silence, sticking his bony hands into the pockets of his jeans. He mentally punched himself for not being smoother with this. She chuckled once again.

“You might’ve been the only one. I liked your concert.” she returned he compliment with a hint of excitement in her voice. He raised his eyebrows and flashed her a sly grin.

“You might’ve been the only one.”

She lifted her head to look up at him and finally let the darkness of his eyes infiltrate her mind, mirroring his smile.

“You waiting for your parents?” he nonchalantly kicked away a rock that was on the ground between them. She shook her head and pointed towards the bike rack.

“We don’t really…own a car.”

“Yeah, us neither. Uncle works at the plant, so…” he put one hand out of his pocket to rub the back of his neck, as if he wanted to stop the creeping blush in its tracks. She raised her eyebrows, sensing that it’s something he’s sensitive about.

“Och, my dad just started there half a year ago, when we moved here. Maybe they know each other!” she gave him a warm smile when he met her gaze again, clearly trying to send a message that they’re on the same wave. He couldn’t help but breathe out with relief, as he was admitedly scared of her reaction. Too many bad experiences.

“Nice! I’ll ask him about it. I’m certain that they don’t have many Englishmen to choose from there.” he nodded, wincing a bit when she tutted at him.

“Actually, we’re Scottish. We’re very particular about that definition, you’d be surprised.” she giggled and he relaxed again.

“Do Scottish women usually wear hair like this these days?” he asked but immediately regretted it, scared that she might’ve been offended. Her delighted giggle was comforting enough, though.

“I think that it’s just my mom and I, her and dad used to be quite punky some years ago. I inherited these Doc’s from her wild days, actually.” she smiled as she stuck out her dirty boot.

“You mom must be cool as fuck.” he bluntly stuttered and watched as the smile slightly faded from her face.

“Yeah, she was…” she whispered and a cold shiver ran down his spine, realizing that this isn’t the best conversation topic. She continued by herself, though.

“She passed away last year, so after that we moved to Hawkins, she had distant relatives here.”

“I’m really sorry…my mom died three years ago, so…” he trailed off and she slowly nodded.

“…so you get me.”

The sudden noise from the front of the house made Steve jump up and immediately grab the axe that he’s been carrying in his backpack the whole night. Maia followed him, cringing in pain when she straightened her injured torso.

She reached for her pocket knife and flipped it open, pondering about how unintimidating she must look at the moment. Steve resolutely stepped in front of her and shielded her with his arm, bracing for the intruder’s ambush. When Nancy’s worried face popped into their sight, they both sighed and Maia crumbled down on the floor again, letting out a soft huff.

“Everything okay?” Nancy whispered as she carried two grocery bags into the room, handing one to Steve so he could unpack it. She made her way to Eddie immediately, peeking at him over his shoulder before turning her step to Maia.

“He looks stable, I mean, as stable as he can be.” she muttered and crouched next to her ginger friend, lightly caressing her cheek.

“How about you?”

“I’m fine.” she weakly answered and Nancy just looked back at Steve, who shook his head, clearly giving up trying to get something more concrete than ‘I’m fine’. Nancy gave Maia a sad smile and stood back up, taking the stuff she bought out of the plastic bag.

“Thank god the pharmacy is open 24/7. When I got there, it was empty, but when I was leaving, there was a line two blocks long. The whole town’s on its feet. The four cracks run through the whole place and meet at the town hall. There’s a huge crater there.” she mumbled as she laid out the multiple packs of bandages, gauzes, sanitizers and a tub of some ointment on the table. Steve rummaged through the other bag, taking out four packages of Tylenol.

“The cashier gave me some ointment, said it’s antibacterial. Smells like shit but it will help.” she continued once she got everything out, taking off her combat jacket again. Steve came up to Eddie and softly shook his shoulder.

“Hey, man. You gotta wake up, the nurse is here.”

Eddie took some time before he finally opened his eyes, grunting when Steve helped him sit up. Maia scooted a bit closer to the bed, sticking out her neck to get a proper look at his bloody bandages. When they started taking them off, he noticed her and gave her a weak smile.

“Nice band-aid.” he stuttered and she raised her eyebrows, a breathless chuckle leaving her bloody lips.

“Wait ‘til you see your throat, smartass.”

The boy nodded towards the bike rack and they both set off in that way. The silence that was awkward before was growing strangely comfortable.

“One of my bandmates’ dad is picking us up, he’s got a van. Do you need a ride? I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.” he reassured her but she shook her head with a kind smile.

“Nah, I need to clear my head a little, it’s been…a tough night. And I like biking.”

He couldn’t help but sigh at the fact that they have to split, but she thankfully didn’t seem to notice. She looked up from the bike when she dragged it on the road, trying to cherish every second of his presence.

“Thank you, though.”

“Any time.” he quickly replied and managed to give her one last smile before she hopped on the bike and stepped on the pedals.

“How many months did you get?” she turned back at him with a knowing smirk. He whistled.

“Four months. I’ve had worse.”

She chuckled.

“Woah, okay, tough guy. I’ll be rooting for you, then. Goodnight!” she cheerfuly called after him and with a sway of her black cape, she was on her way.

“Night, punk!” he yelled back and her adorable giggles echoed through the street, ringing in the boy’s ears on and on like twinkling bells as her red curls dissapeared into the night.

He didn’t even ask for her name.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫

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