#steddievalentinesficexchange

[strangerthingssteddiebrainrot]

This was written for the Steddie Valentine's exchange fic. Many thanks to @be-the-spark-flyboy for organizing the event, and to my Secret Valentine @it-gets-worse-at-night , I hope you enjoy the fic!

Note! It gets a little spicy near the end, so if you wanna skip that then look for the lemon line break!

5 Times Steve Left Eddie Speechless and the 1 Time Eddie Returned the Favour

Or

The Punkification of Steve Harrington

5 - The Haircut

Monday morning were the worst Eddie thought to himself as he grabbed his books from his locker and slammed it shut. He was in a mood today, but it helped him as he could see the newly crowned Billy and his ilk being obnoxious a few lockers down from him, Billy bragging about how he kicked Steve's ass because he suspected the man to be targeting his little sister. Eddie snorted to himself, anyone with eyes could see how much Billy loathed his sister, constantly leaving her behind and correcting everyone who said sister to call her 'step-sister'. But god forbid anyone question the King and his law, so of course all the girls were fawning over his 'selfless nature'. The whole thing made Eddie want to puke, even if he was internally cheering over Steve Harrington getting his comeuppance twice in just as many years.

Just as he was about to take off to class, a sudden silence fell in the hall. Turning back to see what happened, his jaw, along with everyone else's, dropped. There was Steve Harrington, walking into school with a busted face, and all the hair shaved off the sides of his head leaving him with only his signature swoop going down to the nape of his neck. It was a drastic change for Steve 'The Hair' Harrington, and it almost overshadowed his busted face and the angry line of stitches running along his hairline.

He was gratified to see that he wasn't the only one struck speechless, even Harrington's old gang were looking at him in open mouth shock. The only one who didn't seem phased was Hawkins High newest top dog and asshole.

"What's the matter princess, I beat you so bad you had to go and change your whole identity?" Billy taunted.

Stopping, Steve just looked at him with utter disinterest. "No actually, I had to shave it because someone couldn't win a fair fight and had to smash a plate over my head and send me to the hospital to get stitches."

There was a heavy pause at that, and Billy went from looking smug to looking furious.

"What the fuck Billy? You didn't say anything about that!" Surprisingly it was Tommy that spoke, eyes fixed on the stitches that wove around Steve's forehead and temple.

"Oh what? Did King Billy not tell you about how he tried to beat up a 12 year old kid? How his sister was terrified to be near him? How he nearly beat me to death cause I wouldn't let him do it?" Steve challenged, head held high like this was all beneath him.

Shouting in rage, Billy grabbed Steve by the shoulders and pushed him into the lockers. Tommy started to shout something and moved forward, but Carol and another girl held him back.

But Steve didn't look bothered at all. He just leaned in and whispered something to Billy that caused him to jerk back. After a few tense moments and more whispering, Billy released him and stalked off down the hallway.

Pushing himself off the lockers, Steve straightened up his clothing and walked away. He passed by Eddie in the process and their eyes locked for a moment. Steve gave him a quick glance up and down, then he spoke to him.

"Nice vest Munson." And off he went as the bell rang overhead.

Eddie couldn't get a word out.

4 - The Vest

Next time he saw Steve was near graduation, when they were prepping for the celebration that he wasn't going to be a part of. A-fucking-gain! They were bringing out chairs from storage when Eddie almost collided with a chair carrying Steve, Steve's reflexes saving him a painful collision since Eddie was about as athletic as a rock.

"Whoa! Sorry about that. You okay Munson?" Steve asked, turning his body so the chairs were facing away from Eddie, his front on display.

And again, Eddie found himself speechless. Only absentmindedly giving a nod to answer Steve's question, his eyes fixed on the article of clothing Steve was sporting.

It was a jean vest, probably used to be a jacket if the exposed frayed edges from where the arms used to be was any indication. But what really got him was the stitching on one of the front pockets that proclaimed, in slightly sloppy lettering, 'The King is Dead', with a little crown sewn in. The sight of it sent something through Eddie. Sure, everyone noticed the change in Steve ever since he and Billy fought; Steve was much less concerned about his appearance, ditching his polos for plain tees and the occasional graphic, always paired with Levi's, and while he was still pretty charming the school had been all atwitter when one day Steve came in with orbital piercing on both ears. Simple silver hoops, but shocking all the same when they were attached to Steve fucking Harrington. No longer was he a asshole, but he actively ran interference between Billy and his merry band of fuckers and people like Eddie. And whatever Steve had whispered in Billy's ear that day, it seemed to keep him at bay, the rest of their time together passing in glares but no retaliation even when Steve really let his bitchiness out.

Noticing his gaze, Steve ducked his head slightly and gave him a bashful smile. "Yeah, hope you don't mind, I've seen your vest around so I took some inspiration from it. It's not done yet, but what do you think?"

Looking at him expectantly, Eddie couldn't think last the buzzing in his ears. Sure, Steve was attractive, anyone with eyes could see that and Eddie was not immune, but having that gaze focused on him was paralysing. Because in addition to the vest, Steve had kept his hair buzzed on the sides and it showed off the light scar on the side of his head from where the stitches had eventually come out. So seeing the vest paired with the buzzed sides and pierced ears, Eddie could only think of what he'd look like going full metal. Wiith tattoos and a leather jacket and black jeans, and the image was enough to fry his brain, leaving him just staring dumbly at Steve. Who was looking more concerned the longer the silence went on.

Just when Steve opened his mouth, however, they were interrupted by someone calling Steve's name.

"Stevie! Any reason you're taking so long? Where's my delivery?" Carol Perkins sing-songed at Steve.

Out of Steve's old group of friends, surprisingly it was Carol that actually bridged the gap between them and started up a tentative friendship with him again. Not that it keep her from dating Tommy, or bullying other kids, or keeping the Hawkins High elite from being the main group she ran with. But every now and then she'd be seen with Steve, gossiping to him, even tolerating being with Nancy and/or Johnathan who, despite the rumours of cheating on Steve, still kept close to him even when all three of them looked very uncomfortable.

"Sorry Carol, coming!" Hefting the chairs back into his arms, giving Eddie a lovely show of shifting muscle, Steve gave him an apologetic smile and took off.

All the best really, not like Eddie could've gotten a word out anyway.

3 - The Music Comment

Eddie hadn't seen, let alone thought of Steve Harrington ever since he graduated and Eddie didn't. Twice. But he had taken some new freshmen under his wing, good kids all of them, even if Lucas was a part time jock.

So imagine his surprise when a session ran late, the sun in the process of setting, and his offer to give them a drive home was declined. They said their babysitter was coming to get them which eased his concerns, and the others if they way their shoulders relaxed was any indication. Hawkins wasn't as safe as it used to be it seemed, the town having been rocked by the confirmed death of Barbara Holland and the shutdown of Hawkins lab. Good riddance in his opinion, the lab never sat well with him or Wayne, and while he wasn't friends with Barb she had been a nice enough girl, smiling at him when they passed each other in the hall and never joining in the jeering and laughing at his expense.

He was brought out his thoughts when the sound of a car pulling up distracted him, the sound of Wham! coming from its open windows. It was a very distinct BMW and Eddie could feel his eyes widen as none other than Steve Harrington parked and exited the car, Dustin and Lucas going to greet him while Mike hung back and scowled.

And oh dear god it seemed time had been good to him. Now with a helix piercing fitted with a thick hoop gracing one ear, and a nose and eyebrow piercing, Steve stood against the side of his car in a casual lean, his vest once again on his body. He looked good, his hair long on top with the sides still shaved, a dark green Henley underneath, and dark wash Levi's. God he looked good, and it got even better when he pulled out a cigarette and lit up, offering to Eddie, Jeff, Gareth and Martin. Only Eddie accepted and Steve pulled out a lighter for him to use.

"Can I try Steve?" Lucas asked, gesturing to the cigarette.

"Hell no, none of you little shits should ever smoke. It's too late for me but if you haven't started, then don't. Especially you Lucas, you're an athlete now." Steve said sternly, pointing at each of them threatening.

"God Steve, how do you look like that but are still so lame?" Mike complained, battling Dustin in a game of rock paper scissors for the front seat.

"Hey, shithead, you wanna try explaining to Nancy why you're breath smells like smoke?" Steve shit back, smiling in victory when Mike grumbled but backed off.

"Speaking of which, why the hell are you listening to What! of all things when you've changed your look so dramatically?" Eddie asked, teasing grin on his face.

Steve just shot him an unimpressed look, breathing out smoke. "And white you to be judging someone for their looks? Think just because I look a certain way I should also listen to certain things? Sounds pretty conforming to me."

And Eddie's brain just broke at that, stuttering through different responses but unable to come up with a response that didn't make him sound like one of the elitist dicks that tried to gatekeep communities. After a solid minute of nothing, Eddie just brought his hands together in a prayer like gesture, and pressed the tips of his fingers to his lips, still silent.

"….is he okay?" Steve asked, confusion and concern equal parts present on his face.

"Yeah, don't worry about him." Jeff said, amusement in his voice as he side eyed him. "He's just having a moment. That was a pretty good comeback."

Face lighting up with a smile, Steve stubbed out his cigarette as the kids settled into his car. "Thanks man, I try."

Waving goodbye to them, Steve turned to get into his car showing off the back of his vest. Stitched into the back was a flower like shape, but with what looked like teeth inside the petals. Nails were seen in all around it as well, 'Babysitter' written across the top, and at the bottom 'monster hunter' was written in black marker. To make things worse for Eddie's racing heart, there was a D20 die tattoo'd on the back of his right bicep.

Then the sight disappeared as Steve got into his car, closing the door and starting his car, taking off with the kids waving goodbye from the windows.

The others waved back, but Eddie was still struck dumb, and frozen in place.

"Was that a fucking D&D tattoo?" Gareth asked.

"Yeah I think so." Martin replied.

Eddie just thought to himself, well he didn't get the last word in. But at least this time he managed to speak at all.

2 - The Glasses and Aids

Eddie was ready to pull out his hair. He admired Max's spirit, he really did, but not when it prevented her from accepting help that she really needed. She kept refusing help from everyone, convinced it was some sort of pity which caused her already prickly nature to turn on them. He was pretty sure she would have turned down physiotherapy as well if it hadn't been mandated by doctor, considering she'd broken every fucking limb on her body.

And now she was denying the need for glasses as well! Her fucking eyes nearly exploded, she was lucky to have eyes at all, but god forbid she do anything to help herself because she prescribed it as a weakness!

All of them were trying to be patient with her, some succeeding more than others (Mike and Dustin really needed to learn the art of delicacy), but they were all wearing down and getting sick of having the help they offered thrown back in their faces. Now, for instance, Steve had taken Max to the den (because of course his fucking mansion of a house had a seperate living room and den) closer to the back of house when it seemed like she might used her newly healed arm to chuck a glass at Lucas's head when he suggested she use one of the guest rooms for a nap. Her energy levels weren't back to normal yet, and the physio sessions didn't help. As a result she would often nod off in the middle of hangout sessions, assuming she didn't just head back home to the modest bungalow she and her mother had been given after everything finally wrapped up. She was already in a bad mood because she needed her wheelchair after today's session, and Lucas sent her over the edge. No doubt she was fighting a migraine as well, her squinting and easy acceptance of Steve's offer to move to the back a dead giveaway. They'd all learned to read the signs by now, but the stubborn little shit refused to even look at the glasses that had been prescribed to her. They tried to avoid the TV when she had the energy to come to group hangouts, but she chafed against it, insisting they continue as normal regardless of whether she could see the screen or not. Another slight to her independence it seemed.

Once everyone had a moment to breathe though, Nancy suggested bringing her water and painkillers, an easy peace offering. Eddie volunteered to go, his hide thicker than most given his whole high school experience. So off he went, but as he got closer he could hear Steve and Max talking, and before he could think about Eddie slowed and quieted his steps, listening in.

"....eve! That's the end of it, I won't wear them! I'm not fragile and I won't let anyone treat me like I am!" Came Max's heated voice, thankfully not yelling this time but still higher than normal.

"Max," he heard Steve sigh. "Needing glasses is not a weakness. You have scars, because you helped save the fucking world. There is nothing weak about that. Your eyeballs almost burst in your skull and there is nothing more badass than that. But now those scars are causing you issues that you need help for, and there is nothing weak about that. If anything, it's badass, it's metal, it's bitchin, cause those scars are proof that you lived, you won and Vecna is dead and in the dirt because of it. So please, please, just be open about the glasses. There's no shame in that."

Eddie waited for Max's response, but it seemed the conversation was over as Steve just let out another big sigh.

Backing up a bit, Eddie made sure his footsteps were loud as he pretended to just be coming down the hallway, presenting the water and pills with a flourish, not phased when neither of them smiled. Mostly he was just grateful Max took the pills.

—-------------------

It wasn't two days later that they all gathered together at Steve's house again. Eddie had a small one shot planned for the kids, it would be Jane's first time playing and everyone wanted to come to support her. While Eddie and everyone set up, Steve had gone to get Max. She didn't have any physio today thankfully, but she still had regular doctor's appointments to make sure everything was healing properly.

The front door opened and Max walked in with her cane, and they stared as they realized that, miracle of miracles, she was wearing her glasses! The square lenses suited her face and the fiery red frame added to their personality, and complemented her face, making her look just a little softer around the edges, more the young girl she should be and less the harrowed shell of herself.

She did however look a bit dazed, and as she settle into a chair, she looked around and asked. "Did anyone know about this?"

A quick glance around showed everyone looking just as confused as Eddie felt.

Dustin was opening his mouth, presumably to ask her to clarify, but just then Steve made his way inside with his arms full of bags from his trip to the grocery store. And perched on his face was the cutest pair of oval lenses perched on his nose, a pair of wire rimmed glasses that even with his punk look, made him look so fucking cute!

There was silence for a moment, then the table exposed as all the younger kids crowded Steve throwing questions at him. Rolling his eyes at them, Steve turned to head into the kitchen, the motion showing off the hearing aid attached to him. That of course prompted another barrage of questions, nevermind the fact that Steve hadn't even addressed the first wave. Thankfully the noise followed Steve as he took the groceries to unpack them, Steve promising to answer the questions if everyone chipped in and out the food away, Johnathan and Nancy following, no doubt curious as well.

"It started with Johnathan we think, it wasn't his first concussion but it did kind of set the tone." Eddie jumped when Robin's voice came from beside him. She smiled sadly at him before continuing. "He had gotten a concussion from basketball a few years before, in middle school, but Johnathan really beat his ass in '83. Then, well, you saw what Billy did to him." Eddie nodded. "Then, the evil Russians. We told you about that, right?" Eddie nodded again.

When he was recovering in the hospital, they filled him and Wayne in on everything, including what really happened at Starcourt. How they were tortured and injected with unknown drugs in a secret underground Russian lab. It was horrifying, but he felt worse for Steve who had taken the brunt of the physical torture.

"He started getting headaches after that, bad ones. Migraines really. The doctors said it was all the damage from the concussions. They recommend the glasses, and then the hearing aids when the ringing in his ears never went away. It got worse again after…everything. He should be wearing them all the time, but you know Steve." Smiling sadly, tears in her eyes, Robin finished.

Eddie pulled her into a hug, both of feeling for the man who put himself through so much harm for the safety of others.

—--------------------

Steve started wearing his glasses and aids more often after that. Not every day, but whenever he didn't Max would refuse to wear hers as well. So they both started getting better about it, bullying each other by refusing to wear their glasses if the other wasn't. Everyone could see the change in their health after that, less headaches and less irritation. Everyone was especially guilty that they hadn't noticed how much pain Steve had been in this whole time. But he brushed them off, saying it was his job to worry about them, bit the other way around.

Bad days still happened, days where Max took off the head of whoever tried to offer her help, days where Steve had a furrow between his brows and couldn't stand bright lights. But slowly and surely, they were getting better.

Regardless of how much time passed though, Eddie was always left momentarily speechless whenever he saw Steve in his fucking glasses.

1 - Saying it First

All things considered they really hadn't been together that long, but when you had to fight for life back to back with someone, it tended to speed things along. So really, six months, six years, it didn't really matter.

It wasn't even hard to get to this point. After they'd pulled their heads out of their asses, ie, some meddling from Robin and the kids, they fell into a loving relationship fairly easily. It turns out Steve had a crush on him ever since he struck Eddie dumb with his music comment while picking up the kids from that fateful D&D session. He didn't have the words for he felt back then, not until Robin introduced him to the world of queers when they took a trip to Indianapolis for her to find the local scene.

So he'd already gone through a sexuality crisis by the time spring break rolled around and had come out of it a proud little bisexual. So they'd been crushing on each other the whole time, just too shy and afraid to ask for fear of ruining their newfound friendship (and rejection, of course).

Steve had warned him of course, that he was intense, that he didn't do things half assed when to came.to the people he cared about. But for Eddie, who's closest brush with 'a relationship', was handys in a back alley with the same guy three weeks in a row in a bar in Indianapolis, the outpouring of affection was like a balm on his soul that he didn't know he needed. Steve wasn't afraid to use pet names, to place an arm around him and cuddle close, to kiss him as soon as they were in a place they could do so, even if the kids gave them heck for being disgusting.

So I really shouldn't have been a surprise when one night at Steve's house, during a heated make out session, movie forgotten in the background, Steve pulled back and stared into his eyes.

"I love you." He whispered, like he was hoping the words would get lost in the darkness.

Eddie couldn't speak, again! The words just got lodged in his throat, and he could feel himself start to tear up. So he just, nodded instead. Hiding his face in Steve's neck and curling around him, arms coming up to hold him close and he cried and nodded, trying to return the words but making noise instead.

"I know babe, I know, I hear you. Hold on Eddie, Eds, that can't be comfortable." Pulling back from Eddie just enough, Steve pulled off his vest and Eddie could bury his face into the soft shirt underneath.

Eddie hadn't even realised he'd been pressing his face into the Wizard of Oz patch he'd recently sewn onto one of the lapels. Steve reached up and gently caressed the indented skin, kissing the area before pulling back in to cuddle close, tipping them into their sides so they were laying on the couch. They spent the rest of the night like that, wrapped around each other with Steve whispering how much he loved him in between sweet kisses.

Eddie was once again left speechless, but this time for the best of reasons.

+1 - In Bed

Falling into bed together after enjoying a nice homemade dinner, they were eagerly stripping each other's clothes off. It was their first Valentine's day together since they became a couple, and they spent it doing some corny things together in the new Munson trailer. Wayne had taken an overtime shift that day with a very pointed comment about being safe that Eddie did not appreciate and caused Steve to turn red as a tomato. But at the same time Eddie couldn't not appreciate it. After all, it was Valentine's Day, and while they couldn't spend it out and about like other couples, he still planned to leave Steve speechless with some good sex.

Fully naked now, Eddie laid Steve out in bed, pressing him into his new, clean, mattress, telling him without words that he was in charge tonight. Which seemed just fine to Steve, he laid back and raised his arms above his head, displaying himself for his lover.

Groaning at the visual, Eddie made his way down Steve's body, licking and nibbling his way down, paying special attention to his nipples as it turned out they were quite sensitive. He stopped every now and then, sucking hickeys into the skin, prolonging the journey to build the tension up, even as Steve squirmed and tried to push Eddie down with hands in his hair. But Eddie was not to be rushed. You see, while they'd gotten to know each other's bodies very well the past few weeks, knew exactly how to make the other cum screaming, a bit of careful probing (heh), revealed that for all of Steve's extensive knowledge and experience with women, there was a certain act that Steve had never even heard of before.

So of course Valentine's Day, lovers day, was the perfect time to introduce Steve to a favourite activity of his.

Close now to his destination, Steve spread his legs, no doubt anticipating a mouth around him, but Eddie's goal was just a little lower.

"Eddie?" Steve asked, confused when Eddie bypassed his usual stop and went for his thighs instead.

Eddie had a plan though, so he ignored Steve for now. For once, he was going to leave Steve speechless!

With determination in his veins, Eddie hitched up Steve's thighs to rest on his shoulders and got to work.

🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

Later on, cleaned up and in bed, Steve already asleep and Eddie on his way there, Eddie reflected on his work.

He didn't quite get Steve speechless, but he decided that incoherent was just as good.

+Extra - Chocolate

Waking up alone had Steve shooting up in panic as he thought Eddie had left him, that he was too much and Eddie finally had enough of him. But as he forced himself to calm down, he realised that he could hear banging around in the trailer which could only be Eddie, and that's what had woken him up. He heard Eddie's muffled voice as he spoke with Wayne, no doubt getting some breakfast since a quick glance at the clock showed that it was early morning when he would be coming home from work. Relaxing, Steve sunk back into the bed, rolling onto his front and gathering the pillow into his arms so he could bury his nose into the softness, inhaling Eddie's scent of weed, spice and the faintest hint of tobacco from the rare cigarette he still indulged in, even despite Robin's glares and lectures.

The only question was where had he gone. Steve had been looking forward to waking up slowly, savouring the feeling of being held warm and safe in Eddie's arms.

Soon enough Eddie was stomping his way back to him (the man could not move quietly), but Steve appreciated the attempt Eddie made to open the door quietly and sneak back inside. Only to immediately jump and yelp when he met Steve's eyes from where Steve lay on his front in bed, blearily looking at him from the pillow.

"Hey princess, was hoping you'd still be asleep before I got back." Eddie said, dropping a bag onto his nightstand and removing all his clothes besides his boxers, climbing into bed and gathering Steve close.

"Mmm, I was, but it's kinda hard to miss you stomping around like an elephant." Steve teased, pushing Eddie back so they could lay chest to chest, propping his head up with a hand so he could look at Eddie.

"Fuck off Stevie." Eddie said with no heat, giving him a kiss on the forehead.

Humming in pleasure, Steve asked. "Where'd you go anyway? It's early."

"Welllll, the best part about the capitalistic hell that is the hallmarks way of extorting the people of their money by manipulating them with 'love' and shaming people not in relationships," Eddie went off, making air quotes with his fingers when he said love, smiling at Steve's blank, unamused face. "Is the day after when they have to clear out their stock of cards and chocolate by putting it all at half price." Eddie finished, grabbing the bag he set down earlier and emptying it at their sides, Valentine's Day cards and a wide variety of chocolate spilling out.

"I was thinking of saving the cards for next year, never to early to get a head start after all, and I don't know what kind of chocolate you like so I got a fewwwww, why are you crying!?!!" Eddie nearly shouted, his eyes widening and panicking as he struggled to sit up with Steve still pressed against him and refusing to let go.

Laughing through the tears making their way down his face, Steve pressed his weight down, keeping them laying on the bed.

"I'm alright Eddie, really." Steve said, ignoring Eddie's skeptical look since his tears wouldn't stop. "I'm just happy. No one has ever gotten me chocolates before. Or at least, not since elementary school."

"What? No one?" Eddie looked shocked at this, squeezing Steve to himself and placing kisses in his hair.

"Yeah… I mean, I'm the guy right? Usually I was the one buying chocolate, or flowers and cards. Assuming I was even in a relationship at this time of year."

"That's bullshit. It takes two to make a couple doesn't it? They're weren't treating you right Stevie"

Huffing out a wet laugh, Steve rested his chin on Eddie's chest and looked up at him adoringly. "How about this then? From now on we both get each other chocolate or flowers or cards for Valentine's Day."

Struck dumb that Steve assumed a future where they'd be together, for a while it seemed like, Eddie couldn't even be annoyed that Steve Harrington had, once again, left him speechless.

But even as he thought it, he watched as Steve opened his mouth only for nothing to come out. Instead he giggled, settling down against him and cuddling in close.

So it seemed they both left each without words this time.

Eddie could live with that.

Based off of my favorite punk!Steve artwork!

https://at.tumblr.com/fairysteve/703217386757734400/3e0hndymns4p

This will also be posted to my ao3, link will be in the comments!