#sidekickcookie

[sidekick-hero]

Hunter and Prey

Part 1, Part 2

Steve's life goes on as usual. Well, okay, not his life, because he's dead. His un-life goes on, or something. Semantics were never his thing.

He sleeps during the day and roams the streets of Hawkins at night, making sure to stay away from humans and vampires alike. He's not a big fan of either, so he keeps to himself. It sounds lonely when he says it like that, but he's a vampire. He has no soul to feel loneliness, or so they say.

It's a few weeks later that Steve sees him again.

The human is talking to another vampire, or more likely goading him, and tries to pull out his holy water gun again, but the vampire is too quick. Steve suspects that the other vampires in town must have heard about this trick by now. This one, Jason, if Steve remembers his name correctly, definitely has. Vampires are terrible gossips, he found out, something that not even death seems to cure in people.

The human's eyes widen in surprise as Jason pins him to the ground and he tries in vain to push the vampire off of him so he can crawl away, but he has no chance. It doesn't look good for him, but Steve has underestimated him before, and he is sure that the human must have another trick up his sleeve.

Jason smiles menacingly down at the human prey beneath him and Steve can tell that he thinks he has the upper hand by far. At any moment, the human will surprise them both. Steve holds his breath, even though he doesn't have to draw one at all, and waits for it, when Jason leans down and bares his fangs. Steve can hear the human's heart beating wildly in his chest, a panicky bird flapping against the bars of its cage, and he realizes that no, there's no trick.

Call it a soft heart (the other vampires definitely do), but Steve feels drawn to help him. He doesn't want to question it, he just chalks it up to his knowledge that this particular vampire is an asshole. That's what he tells himself as he jumps behind the vampire, puts both hands on his head, and twists. There's a loud snap, like someone stepping on a dry twig, and the vampire falls to the ground.

He's not dead. Or he is, but he's still undead. Goddamn semantics. What matters is that Steve knows that Jason is only out for a little while and that he will be pissed when he comes to again. He looks down at the human who's still lying on the ground, his chest heaving, and Steve can hear the blood rushing through his veins, can smell it. His fangs tingle.

They make eye contact and the human's eyebrows are furrowed, eyes still wide and pupils dilated with fear, but there's something else in his eyes too, something that looks a lot like curiosity.

Great, just what he needs, another human who wants to know shit about him. As if Dustin and his endless questions for Science, Steve weren't enough. He needs to nip this one in the bud.

“You got a sword or something?”

The human blinks at him, seemingly trying to shake himself out of his stupor. "What?"

Steve's eyebrows climb practically to his hairline and he rolls his eyes with a sarcastic look on his face before sweeping his hand in the general direction of the still unconscious Jason. "A sword? Y'know, sharp, pointy thing that can finish this?" Is this guy for real?

Still looking back at Steve, the guy pulls out a short blade, and Steve looks around to make sure no one is around to witness what he just did. What he is about to do.

His kind don't help hunters. Their literal job is to kill them. If one of the others found out, there would be a target on his back.

Steve turns back to the human, who is back on his feet and still looking at Steve with the same curiosity. It’s tinged with suspicion, his head tilted to the side, eyes scanning over him.

“You’re a vampire.”

Steve snorts. “No duh, Sherlock.”

"You just knocked out one of your own."

"Got it in one. Though it pains me to be associated with scum like him." He toes Jason's head none too gently before using his supernatural speed to grab the human's blade and sever Jason's head from the rest of his useless body before the human can even blink. Jason’s body crumbles to dust right before their eyes and Steve smirks. He likes showing off, sue him.

The human gapes at him, his hand closing around the air where the blade had been seconds ago, but quickly recovers. "What the fuck, dude? This doesn't make any sense. There's no such thing as a good vampire."

"Got that right too. Such a smart human. Want a treat?"

"Oh, look, he's funny. If you're a vampire, why would you help me?"

"I'm bored?"

They stare at each other, playing a weird game of undead chicken.

Instead of indulging this line of question further, Steve says, "You really need to have a backup plan, rookie. You almost ended up being Jason's breakfast."

“Jason?” Eddie asks, but then looks at the pile of ash on the ground. “Ah. Not a very cool vampire name. You guys don’t make up something better after…?” After gesturing to Steve Eddie brings his fingers up to mimic fangs. Steve scrunches his nose and shakes his head.

This conversation has already gone on too long for Steve’s comfort. “Okay, I’m out of here. Just - cover your ass better next time, okay? I’m not saving it again.”

“I don’t need you to save my ass.”

Steve looks down where Jason's body was moments ago. "Uh huh.”

“Hey, I had it handled,” Eddie bites out.

Steve snorts. “Whatever helps you sleep, rookie.”

“Stop calling me that. I’m not a rookie.”

Steve turns towards the human, eyeing him up and down. “I will when you stop acting like one.”

Before the human can answer, Steve leaves. He’s already stayed around far longer than he should have, and done far more than any vampire would for a human. Especially a hunter.

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Thank you @legitcookie for indulging in this weird new universe with me, for being the best writing soulmate a girl could wish for. And for always catching stupid plot holes lol 💜😘

And @yournowheregirl, thank you for being your funny, supportive, and giving self - you keep us going, being by reminding us to eat and sleep or getting us out of our funks.

[sidekick-hero]

Hunter and Prey

Part 2 (Part 1) and more to come!

Eddie never thought he would end up here.

Sure, he always knew he'd stay with Wayne, even through the occasional dreams of getting out of this shithole of a town. Staying here, with Wayne and Chrissy, was something he had imagined when he thought about the future, but he never thought his life would become this. Growing up, vampires and werewolves and swamp monsters were figments of people's imaginations. Stories to be told around the campfire. The right stuff for movies and books, but too scary (or campy) to be real. The Munson Doctrine was pretty clear on this.

That is, until Eddie walks in on an actual vampire sucking the life out of his best friend his senior year. He's not proud that his first reaction was to freeze in absolute horror, his mind rejecting what was happening right in front of him. Chrissy was lying motionless, a tall guy with dirty blond hair leaning over her, his teeth prolonged into fangs and dark blood dripping from his mouth. Eddie's body felt numb, but he stumbled over to Chrissy as fast as his shaky legs could carry him and tried to help her, but nothing he did would dislodge the vampire. It actually seemed like the bastard thought it was funny.

Just as Eddie was about to go into full panic mode, ready to do something probably very stupid, the doors to the gym slammed loudly open. Both the vampire's and Eddie's heads whipped around in perfect harmony at the sound, something he would have found hilarious under any other circumstances. Before Eddie knew what was happening, the vampire gasped, a choked sound of utter surprise, and clutched at his chest, where a stake protruded from where Eddie thought his heart must be.

Right in front of Eddie's eyes, the vampire made one last garbled sound before simply turning to ash. Eddie slowly looked up from where a monster of the night had just been feasting on his best friend to a tall, broad man holding a crossbow at eye level.

"What the —" Before Eddie could finish the thought, Chrissy started coughing and his attention was drawn back to helping his friend. The man walked over to them, watching as Eddie pulled off his shirt and pressed it to the wound at Chrissy's throat. After a long moment, he said, "She'll be all right, son. Probably saved her life."

And that was the moment that changed his life forever. The man who introduced himself as Hopper helped him bandage and clean Chrissy, and in the process opened his eyes to a world he never dreamed existed.

His earlier run-in with the strangely helpful vampire made him think about that day. He had to remind himself that this was the true nature of vampires. They don't help humans out of the goodness of their unbeating hearts. They are soulless predators. He'd do well to remember that.

"You got everything, son?" Wayne asks, filling a large pitcher of water from the sink.

"Yeah, I think so." Eddie watches as Wayne finishes filling the pitcher, then picks up a worn book, muttering under his breath over the water. Meanwhile, Eddie checks to make sure he has everything he needs, patting himself down to do a quick inventory. Wayne fills the assortment of water pistols on the table with the holy water he just consecrated and hands them to Eddie. Eddie holsters the guns. Wayne's eyes roam over him, double-checking that he's got everything he needs.

"Hey," Eddie says, drawing Wayne's attention to his face and putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'll be fine, Uncle Wayne. These leeches won't know what hit them." He punctuates the statement with a broad grin.

Wayne huffs with a small smile, but Eddie sees the twitch in his eyebrows. "You better, son. Remember, if you get even an inklin’ that things might head into something unsavory, you call —”

"You and Hop, I know, I know," Eddie interrupts. Wayne smiles at him, but it doesn't reach his eyes. Eddie knows how much it stresses Wayne out to see Eddie put his life on the line like this, but Wayne also knows how important it is for Eddie to go out night after night. "Batten down the hatches and I'll be back soon."

"Just come back in one piece and with all the blood still in your veins, 'kay?"

Eddie gives Wayne a two-finger salute, backs up to the door, and pushes it open. Wayne follows him as Eddie steps through it and into the night, watching as he gets farther and farther away, the darkness quickly consuming him.

Part of an ongoing series @legitcookie​ and I will be doing! We’ll be going back and forth posting parts, so keep that in mind.

This is dedicated to our Elle Woods-coded, big brained, fabulous friend @yournowheregirl​ We’re taking your twilight loving heart, corrupting it with a show you’ve never seen (btvs), and making our blorbos smash together like barbies. We adore you immensely and we would be nothing without you 💜

[sidekick-hero]

YES HELLO I’M HERE FOR SOME MORE HUNTER AND PREY. OR FIX IT PART TWO ELECTRIC BOOGALOO. IM NOT PICKY IM JUST EXCITED

MY DEAREST SCHWESTER I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING AFTER HUNTER AND PREY YOU HAVE NO IDEA!!!!

For everyone interested, this is part of a series (hunter and prey) @legitcookie and I are doing about vampire!steve and hunter!eddie not at all inspired by Spike and Buffy.

Steve has no idea what he was thinking, helping a hunter of all people and killing one of his own to do it. Sure, Jason was an asshole, even for a vampire, so good riddance to that piece of shit. But still, if any of the other vampires hear that he's helping hunters now, his life (or non-life) is going to get a whole lot harder.

So why did he do it?

With a deep sigh, he pinches his nose in frustration and closes his eyes, only to open them again with a groan as a pale face with dark, glittering eyes and a cocky smile appears in his mind. What the hell is wrong with him?

Maybe he just needs to go to one of Indy's lesser-known establishments and scratch a few itches. After all, it's been a while. And then he can go back to avoiding the rookie hunter with his clever ideas and non-existent survival instincts.

[sidekick-hero]

Hunter and Prey for wip weekend this time? <333

LEX MY DEAR!!! Kissing you on the cheek for asking for this one because I love it and I want to tell their story so bad but it's slow going, so this is very much appreciated 💜💜💜

And as a thank you, have a longer one:

Striding into the club like he owns the place, Steve scans the crowd for someone to catch his interest. This place is never short of beautiful and willing men and women waiting for someone like him. Someone who can give them something a regular club, a regular date or hookup never can. They all want the same thing: the thrill of being prey. His prey.

Steve doesn't indulge often, because even when everyone here knows what they're getting into and enthusiastically consents, it's dangerous. He's had decades to practice, so he doesn't get carried away these days, the grip on his self-control iron-clad. But it can be addictive, this feeling of a willing body underneath his, opening up to him, begging him to let the more primal part of himself out to hunt and devour, reveling in the feeling of him taking and taking and taking, surrendering to him by their own desire.

[sidekick-hero]

Closing Time for wip weekend! 🥰🥰🥰

Uhh Janai, thank you! I feel like this takes forever so I'm always glad for the added motivation 🥰🥰🥰

And as a thank you for always being such a wonderful cheerleader and friend, have a long snippet under the cut, beginning just after the snippet I posted with the WIP post.

Also shout out to @legitcookie, this is a labor of work from both of us 💜

His tone is dry when he turns back to the bartender. "Might want to get some ice packs ready, dude."

Those big, dark eyes settle on Steve's jaw and there's a slight pinch to his mouth as he replies, "Or get the bouncer."

Wouldn't that be a dream, Steve thinks longingly. But looking back at Todd, Steve decides to be nice, for Robin. He turns to the cute guy who seems to really worry about him and sighs. "Nah, I think he's harmless."

They hold each other's gaze for just a moment too long to be casual before turning back to the dance floor in unison, just in time to see Todd clock another person with his rogue elbow. They both wince and Steve adds, "I mean, mostly."

The bartender gives him a look, his eyebrows raised in obvious doubt.

And okay, Steve can see where he gets the idea that Todd is a health hazard, so he runs a hand over his neck and shrugs. "Probably?"

The guy lets out a little laugh at that. It's a nice laugh, surprised amusement sincere, and it makes Steve smile back at him.

"Did you just meet him or something?" he asks Steve, and maybe he shouldn't be flirting with the bartender when he's on a date with another guy, but fuck it. This guy is cute and nice and kind, while Todd is... well, none of those things.

"I've known him longer than you and I can already tell you're harmless."

The guy smiles at him wolfishly and a hot shiver runs down his spine. "Is that so? You don't even know my name."

Hook. Line. Sinker.

"We should change that. I'm Steve." He's been so smooth so far, so of course he has to ruin it by giving the guy a dorky wave with wiggly fingers.

Another laugh, fond and almost shy, falls from full and pretty lips. "Well, Steve. I’m Eddie and mostly probably harmless as well. What’s your deal with rogue elbow over there?” he adds as he hands Steve an ice-pack.

Steve takes the ice from Eddie with a grateful smile and presses it against his sore jaw. "Blind date."

"Ah. At the rate he's going, he might actually blind someone on your date."

Steve snorts. “Maybe then I could actually go home.”

[sidekick-hero]

I have not stopped thinking about "Hunter and Prey" since you mentioned it in the make me write thing so please that one for wip weekend <3

YAYY!!! I also can't stop thinking about it even though it refuses to get written 😅 It's more a collection of moments than a coherent fic for now but @legitcookie and I still love it to pieces! 💜💜

As he stands on the sidewalk in front of the nondescript looking building, he can feel the bass in the ground beneath his feet. From the outside, it looks like any other nightclub you might find in a town like Indiana. Nodding and flashing his teeth at the bouncer, he steps inside and is greeted by a dim red light barely illuminating the writhing bodies on the packed dance floor. Steve can smell their pumping blood, the scent almost overwhelming in its intensity. Their blood sings with excitement and just a hint of fear, the mixture intoxicating and for the first time in weeks his head is empty as all his senses zero in on one thing. Hunger.

[sidekick-hero]

Suitcase of memories for WIP weekend~*~

Ahhh you are a gem for making people write their big bangs Gerry 🫶

As a thank you, have a longer part:

Steve smiles down at his phone. Contrary to popular belief, Steve is not stupid. He knows he can get into his head about this. He knows that he gets clingy just to pull away or push away the person he's with, and that it just makes it worse. Steve wishes that knowing these things would make it easier to change them, or at least talk about them. But maybe that would be the final nail in the coffin of this thing that Eddie and he are slowly building. He doesn't want it to end, he doesn't want Eddie to get tired of him and leave. So he treads lightly, like McGuyver or James Bond. Stealthy like a ninja.

That doesn't mean that he doesn't want to kick himself in the balls whenever things get hot and heavy between them, just so he can pull away and make up some stupid excuse that he's sure Eddie won't believe in the slightest. But it always goes the same way. Every time when Eddie is in his lap grinding against him in a way that makes Steve lose his mind. Or when he's pushing Steve against the nearest wall, sucking on his tongue like he wants to eat him, his hands pressing into Steve's skin, leaving beautiful marks that Steve will look at later, pressing on later when he gets himself off. Steve always puts a stop to it before it gets any further, and it frustrates him to no end.

[sidekick-hero]

hunter and prey for wip weekend?

Thank you anon for requesting this gem! 💜💜

When Steve gets to Indy, he doesn't even stop at his usual haunts, his mind consumed by his desire to get rid of all these intrusive thoughts. He's sick of the buzzing under his skin, the restless feeling that has him pacing and climbing the walls of the abandoned building he lives in. So he goes straight to Hunter and Prey, a club known for catering to a very special clientele. His kind of clientele.