#that's just dustin chronicling their wedding day

[apomaro-mellow]

Steddie Nature Doc 1

When asked why he was suddenly carrying a camera everywhere, Dustin simply answered that having record of their daily life seemed prudent, considering how much weird shit they saw. Looking back on the tapes would remind them they indeed had normal lives. Or he’d actually catch some of the stuff they do for proof. It was getting a little annoying saving the world and not getting any credit honestly.

And Dustin did record mundane things as well, getting a few tips from Jonathan. It was why, right now he was recording the dash while Eddie drove him to Steve and Robin’s new job at the arcade.

“If that one fucker is there, I’m gonna lose it.” Eddie’s voice came from the side, in the driver’s seat.

“You mean Jake?” , Dustin asked.

Eddie practically hissed at his name.

“Do you hate him because he’s in a slightly different counter-culture than you? Or because Steve likes him?”

“Steve doesn’t like him!”, Eddie said a little too quickly.

“He said his hair is cool.”

“....Shit.”

Dustin didn’t think Eddie had anything to worry about when it came to Steve. But it was entertaining to see him squirm after all those times he rolled his eyes whenever Dustin would talk about how cool Steve was. Now Eddie was penning lyrics to wax poetic about his boyfriend’s eyes and worrying if Steve thought he was cool. How the tables have turned.

They entered the arcade and Steve was behind the ticket counter. And Jake was in front of it. Dustin made his way over to Will and Lucas, who were finishing up a game of air hockey.

“Even a mated pair can find trouble in paradise in the form of a rival”, Dustin narrated as he shot the older teens. Steve was having a casual conversation with a guy who wore his hair in a mohawk.

“This particular rival has impressive plumage. An attractive attribute, as it implies a regular hair care regimen. Something creatures like Steve value.”

Eddie was watching with jealousy in his gut. Still, he noticed the way Steve lit up when he saw him. How his hands twitched to reach out to him before remembering where they were. Eddie leaned against the counter, fighting the urge to hip check Jake who just never seemed to get the hint.

“I thought this counter was for tickets, not attention”, he teased to the punk that had been a thorn in his side for weeks.

Dustin grinned from behind the camera. “A smile is usually meant to disarm. But in this instance, Eddie is baring his teeth. A challenge. His species and Jake’s are notorious enemies, often fighting for niche space in environments as small as Hawkins. Who will Steve choose?”

“I’m just here for a prize”, Jake said to Eddie before giving Steve a wink. He slid his small amount of tickets over and picked out a little prize.

“Better luck next time”, Steve said.

“I’m counting on it.”

From the viewfinder, it looked like Eddie literally wanted to bite his head off, even as he walked away Eddie glared.

“The competitor retreats for now. But he is undeterred.”

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"Maybe if you lick him, Jake’ll get the hint”, Dustin said derisively.

Eddie didn’t look away from them. They’d come to the park to meet up with some of the others before going to the baseball field. Both he and Dustin sat atop a picnic table. Meanwhile, Steve was talking to Jake. Why a punk was just strolling around the park, Eddie had no idea. But Jake had seen the bat and just started chatting Steve up and now Eddie was left simmering.

“I’m not gonna lick him. I’m not a child.” Still, some kind of brand on Steve would be nice. But hickeys went away and no one would be able to tell it was his without knowing they were involved already. The cold February breeze came through and Eddie got an idea. Dustin was already turning his camera on as the other hopped off the table and walked off.

“It appears that Eddie is finally about to stake his claim.”

Eddie looked as casual as ever while he sauntered up. The only thing betraying how he felt about Jake was his tight smile. He put a hand on Steve’s shoulder but really he wanted to run it down his back.

“Wait, is he...? Unbelievable”, Dustin said as the scene unfolded. Eddie shrugged off his leather jacket and put it across Steve’s shoulders. “In no uncertain terms, Eddie has officially marked Steve, signaling to his punk enemy that he is not available.”

Dustin zoomed in to catch Jake’s expression, eyes looking back and forth between Steve and Eddie before recognition set in. And then he left. Dustin deftly set the camera down as his friends turned towards him and walked back.

“Still a heart breaker, huh Steve?”, Dustin grinned.

“What’re you talking about?”

Eddie rolled his eyes. “Forget it, Dustin. This guy can’t tell someone’s flirting with him until they write him an entire song.”

“Pretty rich for a guy I asked to help with my pipes and thought I meant actual plumbing.”

“You guys are both idiots”, Dustin said. “That’s why you’re perfect for each other.” And he had the video to prove it.

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Once again, Dustin was spying through a crack in a doorway. “Grooming is a common way to show affection for one another”, he whispered. Through the crack, it was clear that Eddie was sitting on the bed, Steve behind him, brushing through the long curls.

“A ritual that is both intimate and occasionally a prelude for-” Dustin stopped when they started kissing and Eddie pushed Steve onto the bed and that was his cue to get out.

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“What sort of stuff do you get on camera anyway?”, Steve asked one day.

“A lot of things”, Dustin said cryptically. 

“Liiiiike what? Do you film your campaigns or something? Or do you just record random stuff and send it to your girlfriend?”

Dustin had in fact sent a tape to Suzie once. “I get some DnD stuff. Some friend stuff.”

“Do you ever record Eddie?”

“Yyyyyes.” Dustin wondered where this conversation was going.

“Would you happen to know his stance on Valentine’s Day?”

“If I give you a hint, what do I get?”

Steve rolled his eyes. He didn’t know where Dustin got it from. “Free rides for a month.”

“I’ve never paid you.”

“I mean I won’t complain for the whole month.”

“Free rides and 50 free tokens.”

“Rides for two weeks and 10 free tokens.”

“Rides, 20 free tokens, and I’ll show you exclusive footage of Eddie.”

Steve was enticed by that and it was clear on his face. What could be on that camera. He held out his hand to Dustin. “Deal.”

They shook on it.

“He’s thinking of getting you a ring.”

“A WEDDING RING?!?”

“Keep your head on, Jeeesus”, Dustin groaned. “You’ve been together barely two months. Not even Eddie is that fast. Like one of his rings. He thinks you like ‘em.”

Steve bit his lip. He did like those rings. And those fingers. And those hands. And th- ”Okay. I can plan for that.”

When February 14th came, Steve found that Dustin hadn’t been entirely truthful. Eddie did give him a ring. He did it right as a gig ended. After singing a song about an unstoppable warrior. Eddie tossed the ring right at him in the audience. Steve’s eyes never broke from Eddie’s as he kissed it.

And Dustin got the whole thing on camera.

Part 3 FINAL

@henderdads