unnokka

[unnokka]

Heart On Your Sleeve Part 5

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

written for steddiebigbang2024 and belatedly posting here!

This part includes the Russian torture scene, so adding a warning for gore/violence just to be safe!

-----

Eddie comes by Scoops, once Steve gets the job there.

The first time, he laughs at the sailor hat for a minute straight until Steve rolls his eyes and calls back, “I'm taking my lunch!”

“Now?” Robin bitches. “Did you actually get a girl to fall for those ridiculous li-” She cuts off as she comes out of the back room and sees Eddie. “Oh. Huh.”

Eddie flashes a sharp toothed smile at her, and Steve rolls his eyes again and elbows him.

“I'll be back before the actual lunch rush hits this way,” he tells Robin, untying his apron and depositing it to the side of the counter.

To Eddie, he says, “Here, since this brought you so much joy,” and drops the sailor hat onto the top of Eddie's head.

Eddie gives a squawk and squirms around like he's trying to bat him off, though Steve notices he doesn't actually push him away as Steve adjusts the hat to his liking.

“There,” Steve says, shooting Eddie a teasing little grin as he steps back. “You keep that on the whole time, and I'll buy you lunch.”

“A small price to pay for a free meal,” Eddie says solemnly, but his eyes are crinkled a little like they do when he smiles, and he doesn't take the hat off the entire time they eat together.

—

He and Eddie sit out back behind Scoops, passing a cigarette back and forth. It's the end of Steve's shift, and technically he doesn't have to stay anymore, but he's not in a hurry to get home.

Dustin's away at camp, after all.

“Why the hell are you working here?” Eddie asks, sounding like he's been mulling it over for a while.

Steve snorts. “Needed to work somewhere.”

“Okay, fine, but haven't you done the lifeguard thing for like three years?”

Steve - didn't actually expect Eddie to know that, and he shoots him a little smile before he rolls his eyes. “Not a real job, according to my dad. It's just hanging out at the pool all day.”

Eddie scoffs. “Would your dad even know a real job if it bit him?”

“My dad's never really had to work for anything,” Steve mutters. “I didn't get into any of the colleges they wanted me to, so I needed to be taught a lesson. Pretty sure he was hoping it'd humiliate me.”

Eddie tips back, looking him over. “You don't look very humiliated.”

Steve shrugs. “Because I'm not. Yeah, sure, the outfit and the hat are stupid, but work is work. Ice cream makes people happy, I make people happy, it could be worse. Besides, he has no idea what I'm even making here. Every paycheck is a little more I can stash away where he can't touch it.”

Eddie's watching him very closely now, in a way that Steve's never seen before.

“How long have you been doing that?” he asks quietly.

“What, saving money that my dad doesn't know about?” Steve asks.

“Yeah.”

Eddie's face is serious - far more serious than Steve's ever seen him, than he thinks the situation warrants. Steve frowns.

“Since I got my first job, I guess? Anything I ask for from him comes with some kind of string attached, and I got tired of paying for it.”

Eddie's quiet again. “You've gotten in a lot of fights the last couple of years,” he says, slow and careful like he thinks Steve might bolt. “Lot of bruises.”

He clocks on to what Eddie's trying to get at, then, and a rush of relief washes over him as he hurries to set him straight. “Oh, no, my dad's not abusive or anything, just an asshole. He's never hit me.”

Eddie considers that. “Your dad can be an abusive piece of shit without ever hitting you.”

Steve licks his lips, takes his turn watching Eddie a little more closely. “Sounds like you're familiar with it.”

Eddie laughs, sharp and humorless. “Come on, man, you know who my dad is.”

“I know what people say about him,” Steve agrees. “But I've learned not to listen to rumors.”

Eddie flicks the cigarette butt off into the distance.

Steve gets out another one, puts it between his lips to light it. He takes a long drag, then - pulls his heart out of his chest, setting it between them before he passes the cigarette over.

Eddie's eyes drop down to his heart as he takes the cigarette, but this time he doesn't say anything.

Steve still doesn't ask to see his, even though he's tempted.

“You can listen to these ones,” Eddie says after a while. “They're mostly true.”

“You deserve better,” Steve tells him.

He looks over when Eddie doesn't say anything, finding him watching his heart. It's beating strong and steady.

“So do you,” Eddie says without looking up.

They sit in silence for a while longer, until the cigarette is gone.

Then Steve tucks his heart back into his chest and stands up. “Come on, I'll get us lunch.”

Eddie scowls at him. “You bought last time.”

“Yeah, but a conversation like that deserves a burrito bigger than your head, and I've got employee discount,” Steve counters, holding out his hand.

Eddie concedes, accepting his hand up.

—

Steve keeps making up excuses to buy Eddie lunch after that, every time he comes by at the end of an early shift or close to his lunch break on a later shift.

One day he gets them both pizza from Sbarro, and they sit at one of the sticky plastic tables in the food court. It's so small their knees knock together as they devour their slices, but -

But it also means that Steve can tuck his ankle up against Eddie's, hook his foot half around it, and have an excuse if he needs one.

He doesn't need one.

Eddie doesn't move his foot away, but he does shoot wide eyed little looks over at Steve like he's not sure whether this is a joke or not, and -

“Hi,” Steve says, soft and ridiculous and holy shit, he has to have something better than hi.

But apparently hi works, because Eddie ducks his head, looks back up at him with something soft and wary and surprised all at once.

“Hi,” Eddie says back.

And that's -

It's something.

—

Steve gets closer to Robin - their bickering has started to become playful, and even though her teasing's never been mean, now it sounds almost fond. She still gets annoyed when customers watch them work in complete sync and think they're a couple, but now she just rolls her eyes and complains to him later instead of throwing things off by trying to protest it.

It's nice. He thinks he might be winning her over, and it makes the days pass a lot quicker.

—

He doesn't see Eddie for a week after their pizza lunch.

He tries not to think much about it, just tells himself that if he hasn't seen him by the time Dustin comes back from camp, he'll call him.

—

This isn't like any beating he's taken before.

Steve'd thought he was prepared. He was prepared, at least in the beginning. Billy did just as much damage, even if it was in a shorter span of time, and the ache in his ribs and stomach and face is familiar.

He can handle it.

Besides, it doesn't matter how much they hurt him - protecting Robin and Dustin and Erica is more important than anything else.

"Let's take a look at his heart," one of the soldiers says. "See how honest he's really being."

Steve's pretty sure he makes a choked off little guh.

He doesn't want to let them anywhere near his heart.

But on the other hand - he isn't lying as much as they think he is, and maybe that will prove it? They'll have to undo his hands to get him to take it out, and he briefly considers trying to get the drop on them, but he has to concede that probably won't go very well for him.

It's not like they're really asking for his opinion, anyway.

They aren't making any move to untie his hands, either, and Steve's brow scrunches in confusion.

He sees one of them holding what looks like a mix of a gun and a taser. It - honestly, it looks pretty stupid, like a prop in a bad movie, and he wrinkles his nose at it.

They press it up against his ribcage, pull the trigger - and fuck, he jolts back with the force of it.

His chest splits open.

The shock of it makes him numb for a precious few moments, staring down at the gaping hole in his own chest. The pain doesn't hit him until they take his heart out. It feels like it's being carved out of him, ripped from his chest as though he were being mauled by a wild animal, and he has the somewhat hysterical thought that he shouldn't be alive for this.

His heart was torn out of his chest, and somehow it's still beating, erratic and racing.

"Hmm," one of the soldiers says, tilting his heart this way and that. "Feels real."

The soldier squeezes it, and this time Steve screams at the pressure tightening around his heart, making him convulse in his bonds.

The second soldier laughs.

"They're making such good fakes these days," the second soldier says.

The first soldier relaxes his grip, and Steve sucks in ragged gulps of air, too disoriented to really understand what they're saying.

"Much more sophisticated than patches and paint," the first soldier agrees. "What good would a spy be if he showed his real heart?"

"No," Steve protests. "It's real, come on, you can feel it."

There’s no sign of deception from his heart, but it's beating too wildly from the pain to really make a difference.

"We'll see about that," the second soldier says, handing a switchblade to the first.

The first soldier presses the flat of the blade against his heart. "Let's see what's underneath if we shave a little off?"

—

Steve doesn't really remember anything after that. He must have passed out, because the next thing he hears is Robin's voice, and he realizes he's in a different room, tied back to back with her.

His chest aches.

Everything aches, really, but his chest is the worst of it.

Steve looks down, sees himself solid and in one piece again. He might have thought the whole thing was just a pain induced hallucination if it weren't for the unstable beat of his heart. It's pulsing unsteadily, and he feels as though if he even breathes too hard, it might burst into pieces with the next beat.

But he's not alone now.

He's with Robin, and she makes everything better, and even though his heart beats too fast when he thinks of how much he likes her - it's the good kind of too fast, not the kind that makes him think his heart is going to explode.

He is pretty sure that his heart is going to explode, though, that they're probably going to die here. He knows Robin is thinking the same thing - he just knows, like going through Russian secret agent torture together has made them automatically on the same wave length.

They were heading towards being friends before this, he knows, wonders if maybe they could have ever been for real.

It's a shame he doesn't think he'll ever get to find out.

—

Dustin and Erica find them before Steve loses any fingers.

Which is good. He might not be on the basketball team anymore, but he still plays with Lucas sometimes, and he likes all of his fingers attached to his hand and not on the floor of a secret Russian base.

He tells Dustin that as they're escaping from said Russian secret base. Dustin looks a little pale, hugs him tight around the middle, which makes Steve laugh - it should hurt, he thinks, but he doesn't feel a thing.

The only thing he feels is kind of floaty, and the itchy, overheated sensation he always gets when he's had his heart locked inside his chest for too long.

When no one's looking, Steve takes his heart out of his chest.

His stomach turns.

Whatever he's feeling about it seems distant, too far removed for him to be able to react to it, but the physical sensation of his stomach heaving is present and accounted for.

It only barely looks like a heart. The shape of it is hardly visible, more like a double handful of the precut chuck roast he gets to use as stew meat, sluggishly oozing every time it beats.

The thought of putting it back in his chest makes his stomach heave again, but even like this, he knows he can't keep it out in the open.

He rips off the red scarf from his Scoops uniform, wraps it around his heart to hold it together, and ties it off.

There.

Now no one will notice.

-----

This is already written, and my plan is to post one part a day until it's all up here!

Taglist (always happy to add more to this if anyone wants): @fairytalesreality @lostonceandneverfound @wheneverfeasible @awkwardgravity1 @theintrovertedintrovert @thewickedkat @ravenfrog @scarlet-malfoy @missmagillicuddy @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx @ollyxar @cringe-culture-is-dead-99 @thedragonsaunt @makewavesandwar @ajeff855 @mae-liz @the-fantastical-asexual @jettestar @warlordess @samsoble @persnicketysquares @cryptid-system @my-love-of-books @mydysfunctionallife @dreamercec @holyangelstudentuniverse

[unnokka]

Heart On Your Sleeve Part 4

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

written for steddiebigbang2024 and belatedly posting here!

-----

“Freak's looking at you.”

There's a nudge to his shoulder that makes Steve jerk up, snapping out of the daze he'd been in.

“Huh?” he asks, looking at Aaron with his brow furrowed.

Aaron nods towards a spot halfway across the cafeteria, and Steve shifts his gaze over to see Munson standing on top of one of the tables, watching him expectantly.

Shit.

“Can you repeat that, if you're expecting a response?” Steve asks. “I drifted off somewhere around comparing the swimming pool to a goldfish bowl.”

He's being honest - it's still harder to concentrate, and he saves it for classes and practice and tends to zone out when he doesn't need to pay attention - but it makes the people who were clearly listening in laugh.

Steve catches Munson's gaze and rolls his eyes, giving him an apologetic little shrug.

He's not really sure how Munson takes it, because he just bemoans the attention span of the average jock and clomps down from the table, but no one's looking at either of them anymore, so he guesses it doesn't matter.

Steve's almost disappointed. Might be kind of nice to see what Munson's like when no one's watching them, he thinks.

—

Things are okay, with him and Nancy and Jonathan.

His gaze doesn't automatically seek Nancy out in a crowd or anything - mostly because he'd always been at her side, before, so it's not like it's even something he's used to - but he still catches her gaze sometimes, still smiles and nods and doesn't say anything.

They share study hall together.

He and Nancy shared it before, of course, and logically he knows that Jonathan had it at the same time they did, but now - now they all have it together.

After the first few times of him or Nancy awkwardly veering sharply away from their previously shared table when they'd seen the other one was already there - one day they just didn't.

They don't say much, but the three of them sit together, exchanging class notes and books. Sometimes Steve sees the pinch in Jonathan's eyes and gives him a bottle of water and some ibuprofen, and sometimes Jonathan sees him squinting too hard at something and copies the passage over in bigger handwriting, and Nancy checks over both of their notes, and it's -

The jagged black cut in his heart scabs, fades, scars. He'll always love her, he thinks, but sometimes he thinks if they can get over the hurt -

Sometimes he sits with the two of them and it's the closest he's ever felt to being understood. Sometimes he thinks it's what he wanted with Tommy and Carol, all those years ago.

It's a start.

—

He runs into Munson after school, sometimes.

They don't say anything either, but after practice gets out and after Munson is done with his theater club or whatever it is, they'll see each other.

Sometimes, if Munson's selling, Steve will linger.

He doesn't really think Billy's stupid enough to point fingers at Munson, and most people are too afraid of him to do anything, but it still makes him feel a little better to keep an eye on him.

It kind of feels like no one watches out for Eddie Munson, not the way he watches out for his fellow freaks.

“What?” Munson demands one day, sidling up to Steve and slamming his goodie box down on the bench. “What're you looking for here?”

Steve frowns at him. “I told you.”

Munson's brows furrow. “You were serious about that shit? You think you're protecting me?”

“Why not?” Steve challenges.

Munson's eyes go flat. “And what's this protection going to cost me?”

Steve thinks about being offended, for a moment, before he wonders if other people have tried to make deals before, keep the other assholes of Hawkins High away from him in exchange for free weed or something.

He softens. “I haven't asked you for anything.”

Munson scowls. “Yet,” he counters. “Whatever you're thinking, if you're trying to get me to owe you, it's not happening. Fuck off, man, I don't need protecting.”

His heart clenches as he hears an echo of Max saying the same thing, and before he knows it he's reached into his chest and pulled out his heart.

The scowl melts into confusion for a brief moment before it's back in full force. “I'm still not showing you mine,” Munson retorts.

“I still haven't asked,” Steve counters. “I don't want anything, man, all right? Just looking out in case Billy tries something.”

Or anyone else, now that Steve thinks of it, but even with his heart pumping in a steady truth, he's not sure Munson'll believe that.

“Just like that,” Munson says flatly, after a moment of watching Steve's heart. “And what do your knights of the round table think of this?”

Steve's nose scrunches. “What?”

“Your knights.” Munson waves his hand dismissively, but - his tone isn't mean, isn't condescending. “It's a King Arthur reference.”

It's nice, that he isn't being shitty about Steve not understanding something.

“Right. So that makes me King Arthur, and you're - what was it again, the court jester?” Steve asks, giving him a little smile to show he's teasing.

“If we're doing King Arthur, I'm going with Merlin,” Eddie says.

“The old guy with the beard and pointy hat?” Steve asks.

Eddie puts his hands on his hips, fluttering his eyelashes. “You think I couldn't pull it off?”

Steve plays along, making a show of looking him up and down. “You know what, sure, you've got the right look for gray haired old man.”

“Asshole,” Eddie tells him, but he doesn't sound pissed anymore. “You know you're cutting into my profits, right? People see you lingering and they're less likely to come buy.”

Steve's brows furrow. “Wait, really?”

“Yeah, really. Only the desperate want to make illicit purchases under the watchful eye of Hawkins High's once and future king.”

Steve's quiet for a moment. “I'll stand farther away, make myself look busy.”

Eddie glowers. “Seriously? You're not giving this up?”

Honestly - Steve probably should. But he's stubborn, and Eddie throwing a fit about it kind of just makes him want to do it more.

“Who looks out for you?” he asks instead of answering.

Eddie looks thrown. “What?”

“That's why you do it, right? Why you started walking on tables and making yourself a target. It takes attention off of the guys younger than you.” Steve's trying to make a point, so he slides right over the fact that they both know everyone's younger than Eddie - this is his second senior year, after all. “So everyone watches you.”

“Yeah?” Eddie asks, a little bit of an edge back in his voice. “You watch me, Harrington?”

“No,” Steve replies, blunt and honest. “Not really. Not before.”

“Not before Billy Hargrove tried to blame me for bashing your head in with his fists?” Eddie asks.

“He smashed a plate over it, actually,” Steve shoots back. “But yeah, something like that.”

Steve's heart gives an erratic beat. It wasn't a lie, but apparently it wasn't enough of the truth, either. Eddie gives him a pointed look.

“There's these kids I babysit,” Steve says, slow and careful. “They're into the same things you are. They're gonna be in high school next year, and I won't be here. Neither will you, but it just made me think - I'd want someone like you looking out for them.”

Eddie watches his heart for a moment.

“What are their names?” he asks. “Yeah, I won't be here, but Jeff will be. I can tell him to look out for them.”

Relief swoops through Steve, and he doesn't even care when Eddie gives him a funny look after he includes Mike and Will along with Dustin, Lucas, and Max.

He won't admit it, but it helps.

—

The next day, Eddie sits next to him at lunch.

He makes a big deal of it, hamming it up as he hops over the bench and plops down, pulling out a sandwich and some chips and flattening out his lunch bag to make a plate for them.

Steve's sitting with the swim team today, and he watches some of the guys side eye Eddie like they're not sure what the joke is and who the punchline is supposed to be. He watches some of them look at him with disgust, too, and those he carefully files away to keep an eye on later.

“My liege!” Eddie announces cheerfully. “How fair you and your knights of the round table on this fine afternoon?”

“Your king is doing just fine, as long as you keep your boots on the ground and away from the top of the lunch table,” Steve retorts.

“Is this like when Carol used to call her and Tommy Duke and Duchess?” Jacob asks.

“Are we doing that, are we knights now?” Dorian asks, his eyes lighting up a little.

Dorian gets straight A's, Steve remembers that. English is his best class.

“Sure, why not?” Steve says, shrugging carelessly, even as he shoots a smile at Dorian. “You can be Sir Galahad.”

Michael groans. “Don't encourage him, this is stupid.”

Tanner snorts. “From the guy who calls his girlfriend princess.”

Michael flushes. “Shut up! It's just so Ashley will stop whining.”

“Uh-huh.” Jacob elbows him. “We've all heard you at Tina's parties pledging to be her knight in shining armor.”

They have, apparently, completely forgotten Eddie's existence as they fall back to ribbing on each other.

Steve turns to him, finding him watching the table with a narrow, calculating gaze.

“Eat your lunch,” Steve says. “My knights don't give a shit.”

These ones, anyway, and as long as Steve's there, but he's not going to say that.

They both know it.

Still, Eddie keeps it up. It's not every day, or every other day, or in any kind of recognizable pattern, but he'll plop himself down next to Steve's side like he belongs there whenever he feels like it.

Steve largely treats it like he doesn't give a shit, and most of the people he tends to sit with follow suit, if a couple of them can't seem to resist making snide little comments.

It's always the ones who make snide comments to everyone, the kind of assholes that Steve can't wait to get away from, so he mostly ignores it.

The sixth or seventh time it happens, Steve drops his apple on Eddie's folded over lunch bag.

Eddie stares at him.

“What?” Steve asks. “You're going to get scurvy if you keep eating nothing but bologna and Doritos for lunch.”

Eddie snorts. “I look like an eighteenth century pirate captain?”

Steve makes a show of looking him up and down again. “You look like something,” he replies.

Completely unexpectedly, Eddie flushes a little, picking up the apple and taking a comically large bite out of it.

Steve grins.

—

Steve's at swimming practice after school when Nancy and Jonathan show up.

The second he sees them hovering near the back door, he hauls himself up out of the pool, barely pausing to grab a towel on the way.

“What's happened?” he asks immediately, low and quick.

Jonathan's expression is a mess of worry, like he's trying not to panic, as he says, “I can't find Will.”

“We're supposed to pick him and Mike up from the AV club,” Nancy cuts in. “But they're not there, and they're not at any of their usual places at school.”

“Or at home, or anyone else's place, or the arcade,” Jonathan adds.

Steve's chest tightens. It's stupid, kids go off to places they're not supposed to be all the time - especially these kids - but given their track record, that doesn't mean they're not in trouble. “Let me grab my stuff, I'll be right there.”

Practice is almost done, anyway.

He shrugs into his windbreaker and grabs his backpack, darting out the door to follow them. He's already digging around in the backpack to pull out the walkie talkie Dustin gave him by the time he gets to them.

“Little shit better answer,” Steve grumbles, thumbing it on. “Dustin, you there?”

There's a tense pause as they wait.

“Dustin?” Steve tries again.

Nothing.

Jonathan's face goes a little paler, and Nancy's jaw clenches.

“Hey asshole, you're the one who made me carry this around, the least you could do is respond,” Steve bitches.

This time, the walkie flares to life.

“You're supposed to say over when you're done talking, Steve!” Dustin bitches back. “Otherwise I won't know it's my turn! Over.”

“Are you serious right now? It wasn't obvious enough?” Steve asks - then, because he wouldn't put it past Dustin to be a little shit about it, and he knows Jonathan is beyond worried - “Is Will with you? Over.”

“Yeah, he's right here. Why?” Dustin asks. “Over.”

Jonathan sags with relief.

“Was he maybe supposed to meet his brother somewhere?” Steve prompts. “Over.”

Whatever Dustin had been going to say in response to that is drowned out by a chorus of “Oh shit!” and “You said you were keeping track of the time!” and “Don't tell Mom, we'll be right there!”

Nancy rolls her eyes, taking the walkie from him. “Five minutes,” she says into it. “Or we're leaving without you and you can bike home. Over and out.”

Steve's pretty sure he and Jonathan both know that she doesn't mean that, but the kids don't know it, so he's equally sure that'll light a fire under their asses.

“Hey, Dustin, do you and Lucas need a ride home?” he asks once he gets the walkie back.

“And Max?” Dustin asks. “Over.”

“And Max,” Steve agrees, assuming that's a yes. “I'll meet you out front of the high school. Over.”

He shoves the walkie back in his bag, looking up to exchange a relieved look with Nancy and Jonathan.

“See you tomorrow?” Nancy asks, though Steve gets the feeling it's more to fill the silence that's gone a little awkward, now that the potential danger's passed.

“Sure,” Steve says.

“Thanks,” Jonathan tells him, eyes fixed somewhere at his left cheekbone like he's not entirely sure where to look.

“Any time.” It comes out too flippant, though, and Steve makes a face at himself as Jonathan turns to leave.

“Hey.” Steve reaches out, fingers curled loosely around Jonathan's wrist. “I mean it, okay? Any time.”

This time, Jonathan's eyes lock on his. After a moment, Jonathan's cheeks go a little pink, and then he nods before he follows Nancy down the hall.

Steve watches them for a moment or two, then drops his backpack down on a bench a little harder than he probably should, digging around for his sweatpants.

“I don't get it.”

Steve looks up as he's halfway through putting his pants on to see Eddie sidling up next to him in the hall.

“Don't get what?” Steve asks.

Eddie nods towards where Nancy and Jonathan just were. “The three of you.”

Steve shrugs. “We're friends, not a lot to get.”

He goes back to fighting with his sweatpants, wishing he'd dried off a little more before pulling them on over his speedo. They keep sticking to his thighs.

Eddie's gone quiet, though, and when Steve glances back up, he sees Eddie staring at him.

Steve cocks one eyebrow. “What?”

Eddie flushes, looking away. “Didn't figure you'd be so comfortable with the girl who broke your heart and the guy who stole her away, is all. Or hey, maybe she's putting out for both of you, maybe Byers is-”

“Hey,” Steve cuts in, tone sharp and firm in a way he hasn't had to do since he stopped hanging out with Tommy and didn't have to hold him back when he'd gone too far anymore.

But Eddie isn't like Tommy. Maybe he doesn't know Eddie all that well, but Steve gets the feeling he only lashes out when he's feeling cornered.

“Don't be a dick, man,” Steve says, voice softening a little. “They haven't done anything to you.”

Eddie looks back at him, a little surprised, before his expression goes contrite. “You're right,” he admits, easy as anything. “Sorry. It's good that you’re friends with your ex.”

Steve's sort of friends with most of his exes, but that's not the same. None of them were ever Nancy. “I do better as part of a trio,” he says instead of anything else, because it's kind of true.

Then, because he doesn't actually want to field any questions about that -

“Besides,” Steve adds. “If you've heard the rumors, you'd know that's not the kind of threesome I'm into.”

Eddie snorts inelegantly, like he's trying to cover up a laugh. “You telling me I should be putting stock in all the rumors I hear about you, Stevie?”

“Of course not. But the ones about my skills in the bedroom?” he shoots back. “Every word is truth.”

It's not, really. Or, well - not the one about the threesomes. Steve doesn't think sitting between two girls on the couch at a house party and going back and forth between kissing them counts as a threesome.

But it'd never been a hardship to combat that particular rumor, not when it meant he could take his time reassuring the girl he was with that no, he didn't want anyone else there, when he could spend a while making sure she felt important, felt good.

He thinks he'd kind of like spending some time making Eddie feel important.

Steve has no idea what the hell he's supposed to do with thoughts like that.

But he does know the way Eddie's eyes have lingered over his thighs and the line of his stomach and chest peeking out from his open windbreaker, and he-

“You want to find out which rumors are true, you just let me know,” he hears himself say.

Eddie doesn't bite, rolling his eyes and shoving him before he heads off, but Steve isn't deterred.

He hadn't missed the way Eddie's hand had lingered, either.

—

Steve and Eddie have free period together.

Well. Steve has a free period, at least. He's honestly not sure Eddie isn't just ditching, but it doesn't really matter.

They hang out together anyway.

They don't really say much, just - exist in the same space. Sometimes in the smoking area, sometimes at the track, sometimes at the picnic table, sometimes somewhere else in the woods.

They sit too close together when they're in the woods, shoulders or knees always touching.

A few times, Steve takes out his heart, lets himself breathe.

Eddie always glares at it, mutters, “I'm still not showing you mine, Harrington.”

Steve shrugs, tells him he still hasn't asked, and that's it.

Steve'll miss it once he graduates.

—

He graduates, and doesn't go to college, doesn't see Nancy or Jonathan or Eddie much anymore, and it's - it's fine.

He still hangs out with the kids, starts putting in job applications, and it's fine.

He's fine.

This is already written, and my plan is to post one part a day until it's all up here!

-----

Part 5

Taglist (always happy to add more to this if anyone wants): @fairytalesreality @lostonceandneverfound @wheneverfeasible @awkwardgravity1 @theintrovertedintrovert @thewickedkat @ravenfrog @scarlet-malfoy @missmagillicuddy @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx @ollyxar @cringe-culture-is-dead-99 @thedragonsaunt

[unnokka]

the uncontainable urge to write a logan howlett/woverine smut after watching DP&W

[unnokka]

A Shadow's Lament

Warnings: angst, death, trauma.

Steve's soul mark on his sternum colored when Billy Hargrove touched him for the first time. Unfortunately, that was the same day when Billy threw a plate at his head and beat him up. Steve always imagined that it would be the happiest moment of his life. No, not even close. But still, he kept hope alive, if they could fix the situation.

Then he saw Billy shirtless at the community pool on his first day of work and he learned that he wasn't Billy's soulmate. On Billy’s sternum rested a soul mark slightly larger than Steve’s and it was still colorless. It was like a hard slap to the face, so it was also his last day working at the pools, and a week later he started at Scoop Ahoy.

Nothing had hurt more in his life. Many asked what was wrong but he stubbornly remained silent, always making up excuses. Then Henderson came back from his camp, the Russian broadcast, a strange elevator, they got caught, interrogated and then the drugs.

Steve's condition was bad, really bad. And the drugs in his veins didn’t help the situation, so Steve broke down on the bathroom floor. Crying he told Robin about Billy. Lovely Robin listened and comforted him, promised that Billy was too much of an asshole for him and that he would find true love somewhere else. Steve wanted to believe her, but couldn't.

Later, he watched as the mind flayer impaled Billy. Max and Steve screamed at the same time. The pain in Steve's chest was indescribable, as if someone was squeezing his chest together while simultaneously setting it on fire. Then the mall collapsed.

Almost three weeks later, Steve woke up in the hospital. The pain in his chest was still absolutely terrible, but meds helped somewhat. The emotional pain didn’t go anywhere.

The doctors told him that building scrap had fallen on him, combining all the physical trauma, the drugs and the loss of a soulmate, Steve's heart had stopped. It had taken too long before CPR could be started so his heart had remained weak and the artery would likely become inflamed, which would lead to the heart stopping again. So the doctors made an emergency decision in the ER and ended up doing a transplant.

Billy's heart had survived without damage.

Now, Steve had a harsh red scar from the surgery. A scarred mark from a dead soulmate. In his chest was the promised lover's beating heart.

And a new soulmate mark.

[unnokka]

I got an idea for a fic… though many have probably written about the same theme. Don't care!

I can't get this out of my mind…

Steve, who has been always involved in sports where endurance plays a crucial role. Like, he may have to concentrate on basketball for two hours. So, Steve can run a marathon and hike easily for a long time, and generally, he is still in very good shape even though he no longer participates in strenuous exercise nowadays. Before the upside-down crap and scars, Steve used to dare dress much more boldly, showing skin etc. His body has always been in top shape but does not have any hard muscles to show off.

Then there's Eddie, who isn't so much into exercise and endurance. He can't run many miles and always complains when he has to walk anywhere. For him, it's enough to be able to carry amplifiers and instruments at gigs, but he also wants to look good on stage. So, unbeknownst to everyone, beneath all the loose black clothes, there are muscles hidden, which only those attending the gigs get to see when he jumps around sweaty and full of energy… well, Corroded Coffin has only recently been able to actually perform some slightly bigger gigs, some where else than in The Hideout. So nobody has really had the chance to admire their stage show. and muscles. Like hard muscles that are to be show off.

So everyone experiences a moment of confusion when Eddie effortlessly lifts something really heavy, snatches things from Steve, and carries them on his behalf, etc.

And Steve. Our sweet Steve is completely flustered when Eddie lifts him effortlessly for the first time. And my God, his brain short-circuits when Eddie takes off his shirt at the pool. Nope, nothing in his head. And I won't even describe when Eddie gets to throw Steve on the bed for the first time and manhandle him.

Thought about writing it in a 5 + 1 style… maybe?

[unnokka]

Light

"No shadow without light"

Continuation to my short piece 'Darkness'.

_______________________________________________________

The darkness had taken over everything in the forest clearing, and nothing dared to move.

Not the animals, not the plants, not even the wind dared to stir a whisper.

In the midst of it all, there was a sinister figure exuding something darker than the darkness itself.

Darkness crouched over something, its teeth still clenched into the lifeless from.

Suddenly, the figure drew a deep breath, lifting its head up, but stopping abruptly as it had begun its motion.

Its black eyes remained fixed on lifeless brown ones, which were just moments ago filled with life until they filled with fear, and then... nothing. As if hypnotized, the figure ran its hand through the brown hair, leaning closer and closer in admiration.

Drawing a deep breath, the figure smells the lingering scent of fear in the air. Oh, such sweet fear.

The figure didn't know how long it had been in place, but suddenly it noticed a small amount of light reflecting from lifeless eyes.

Beautiful. The Darkness thought.

A small smile crept onto the figure's lips, stained with the dark blood, causing a somber drop to fall, hitting the lifeless eyes and obscuring the reflection of light.

The darkness lifted its gaze to the sky, noticing the moonlight peeking slightly from behind a cloud corner, reflecting the last lights of the evening in the square.

Beautiful. The darkness thought once again.

Rising to its full height, the figure was menacing, but with the moon reflecting light on the ground, the forest knew it could breathe, and a gentle breeze dared to move, dancing with the grass and leaves in its wake.

The darkness spread its black wings, threatening to engulf the light and stopping everything once again, but instead, the light increased, encouraging the wind to continue its nocturnal dance.

The darkness noticed the moon gently illuminating the edge of the forest, where small plants grew, Oenothera biennis, Evening Primrose, as if showing the way. He smiled at the moon as a sign of gratitude before bending its legs and leaning forward, channeling energy into its muscles. Then, with a powerful stroke, the wings swept downward and backward, propelling him into the air.

In the midst of the moonlight, the figure's movement appeared as a fleeting shadow, unnoticed by anyone, without fear. Although fear would be wise in the proximity of darkness. So no one and nothing noticed the swift movement as the figure grabbed hold of a small yellow flower.

When the light seemed too much for the shadow, he stopped in the darkest corner, staring directly into the light.

"Beautiful" the shadow whispered softly to himself.

In the midst of the light hums a young man, quietly toiling away in his backyard, tending to his plants. A gentle breeze catches onto the man's brown locks, swirling them a few times before heading towards the shadow, carrying an enticing scent with it.

Before the shadow could move, the man quiets down but continues his work.

The shadow closes his wings close to his body, making himself as inconspicuous as possible, crouches slightly, and starts creeping silently towards the young man until he is right behind his prey.

The young man turns around, smiling, his brown eyes full of light, looking straight into his black eyes. The shadow is slightly taken aback but smiles back as he straightens his back.

"Hi" the man says, taking a step towards the shadow fearlessly and placing his hand on shadows shoulder. The other hand of the shadow automatically wraps around the man's waist.

"Hi, my light" Eddie responds, slipping a Evening Primrose behind the mans ear.

"My Beautiful evening light."

[unnokka]

MC Hellfire

Chapter 3

_______________

"Wait!" The Alpha's bike jolted slightly as he was about to throttle and he turned to look at Omega somewhat puzzled.

"Sorry! But I forgot to ask... What's your name?" Steve asked, blushing once again as the Alpha grinned at him once more.

"Eddie. Eddie Munson, MC Hellfire' Road Captain" Alpha replied, raised two fingers to his forehead, and drove away.

Steve smiled and started walking towards his apartment. Eddie Munson. He had no idea what Road Captain meant, but god, even the alpha's name sounded handsome.

As he entered the apartment, he began to take off his jacket, realizing that it wasn't his. He still had Eddie's jacket on.

Steve walked further into the apartment to the living room and took a deep breath, smelling the jacket he was now holding in his hand.

Omega smelled the jacket and sat down on the sofa, freezing at the realization when i felt he was wet.

[unnokka]

Darkness

The brown-haired man hummed softly and swayed his legs with subtle movements, dangling them over the edge of an empty pool.

At the bottom of the pool lay scattered leaves and pine needles that had drifted from the forest behind the house, and the gentle night breeze sporadically stirred them, causing his brown hair to sway in unison.

In the silence of the night, the only sound was the young man's humming, and when the brown-eyed man fell silent, the entire night fell silent with him.

Such profound silence was abnormal, and one might worry, but the man found solace in the quiet. He knew that in the silence, his protector would come to him, a source of safety that others would only find terror and fear in.

After a while, as he quieted down, a hand with winding black veins coiled around the young man's shoulder, and the nearly full moon cast a shadow over the figure of the man who brought darkness around him, which would be the source of their fears.

But the young man leaned into it, finding comfort as if from a loved one.

The other hand descended to the man's waist and the young man' brown eyes saw from the corner of his eye as a leg settled beside him, wrapped in torn black fabric.

The hand on the brown-haired mans shoulder wrapped around his chest, and at the same time, on either side of the young man black leather, angular wings appeared, deepening the darkness even further.

And the light night breeze seemed to suddenly come to a halt.

The entity behind the young man pulled him backward until the brown-haired man was in its embrace. The man leaned back against the cold chest letting out a sigh, as if relieved.

Dark hair cascaded down the young man's shoulder, and his brown eyes closed as he felt sharp teeth lightly graze his shoulder.

"Hello, Stevie," a quiet, low voice murmured.

The corners of the young man's mouth lifted into a small smile, and he once again unveiled his eyes and pivoted his head to cast a gaze behind him.

His brown eyes met the night' black eyes in the pale face, where the same black veins meandered.

"Hi, Eds," Steve smiled gently back at the entity.

The black wings enveloped them, leaving the young man in deep silence and perfect darkness.

Others would fear this.

They would be terrified and would try to escape, certain that if they couldn't get away, they would die.

And they would indeed die.

But the brown eyes closed, and Steve smiled as the sharp teeth pierced the skin where his neck and shoulder met.

He felt safe, knowing that his beloved would protect him from everything in the darkness.

[unnokka]

MC Hellfire chapter 2 is here!

Day ride is Eddie' pov of chapter 1 and chapter 3 will take the story foward in time again.

But for now here is Eddie pov!

_________________________________________________

The feeling of freedom while riding is in a league of its own. Eddie can't even describe the sensation when the bike roars to life between his legs, the accelerating speed, the wind rushing against you, and the passing scenery. Freedom is something else at that moment.

Eddie glanced back to make sure the others were keeping up. Gareth and Jeff were behind him and Freak was behind them as he should be. 

Eddie is the Road Captain so he leads the formation and since they ride in a small group, Freak takes on the temporary role of Tail Gunner so he's The Sweeper (we don't steal anyone else's title), which usually belongs to Joyce.

They're on their regular day ride, checking their territory and greeting Support Club members. Nancy and Jonathan will visit the support clubs the following week to handle financial matters.

Alpha looks back and notices a sign for a gas station about four miles away, Eddie checks his fuel gauge and realizes they need gas if they plan to complete the ride so he extends his hand to the side and points to the tank with his index finger, then closes his hand into a fist raising it at a ninety-degree angle to signal a right turn to the others.

[unnokka]

MC Hellfire

Motorcycle Club AU!

Sooo. I couldn't let go of the motorcycle club AU...

(With a/b/o dynamics)

So I decided to write it. Here is the first chapter!

I'm not sure how long this will be, but there is more to come!"

------------------------------------------

Steve put on his sneakers before checking the time. Almost 20pm, an hour before his shift would start.

He grabbed his blue work vest and Robin's lunch (which she had once again forgotten) knowing she would be way too hungry to wait after her shift to eat, before heading out the door and calling the elevator.

Inside the elevator he glanced at the mirror adjusting his clothes and hair.

He had chosen a white T-shirt that was slightly shorter, revealing his skin at the waist and jeans that hugged his bottom emphasizing his omega hips even more.

It didn't take long before Steve was standing at the bus stop checking the time. Five more minutes until his bus would arrive.

Steve and Robin didn't live close to the city center, but the journey to the workplace still took 30 minutes with the gas station being a bit further away to cater to travelers.

They had tried to find jobs in the city when they moved to their apartment, but many employers were unwilling to hire both of them and some were sexist assholes not wanting to offer work to an omega.

Steve tried to talk to Robin suggesting that it would be okay for her to take a job as being an beta but Robin firmly refused, saying he wouldn't work for jerks even if the pay were a dream.

So, when the only requirements for the gas station job were being able to count change and prepare simple snacks for travelers, they took the job and started the following week.

Keith, their boss was a bit of a boring beta, except for his occasional political rants of which Steve and Robin had a good laugh.

He quickly trained them both, teaching them how to use the cash register and operate the gas station's fuel pumps, as well as what sandwiches to make and other easy-to-prepare foods.

After a week they hardly saw Keith except on days when they had to refill the gas tanks or order more supplies.

It wasn't a glamorous job, nor did it pay well, but they got by.

Steve could only imagine what his parents would say if they found out their omega son was working in such a dirty and lowly job.

They were already disappointed in him for being a 24 year old unmarried omega who challenged traditional norms and wasn't conventionally feminine enough. Don't get him wrong, Steve didn't hate being an omega but it frustrated him how he was lumped into a generic category.

The bus stopped in front of Steve, interrupting his train of thought.

"Hello, Steve. Is Robin not with you?" the bus driver said as the omega boarded.

"Hi, Bob. She is on the day shift today," he replied smiling and handing the fare to the driver.

Bob was an older beta man who remembered almost all of the passengers by name and enjoyed chatting with them, Robin suspected that the man might be a bit lonely.

Steve walked down the bus aisle, putting on his headphones while looking for a good place to sit.

At the back of the bus there was a group of people talking loudly and laughing making Steve feel uncomfortable, so he decided to sit in the middle section next to another omega.

As the bus continued on its route, it gradually emptied out and when the omega sitting next to him got off too only a few passengers remained, including the noisy group at the back.

A little while later Steve began to yawn softly, but he stopped when he was startled by someone suddenly sitting next to him.

An unfamiliar man whose body language appeared nervous said something with a smile on his face.

Steve sniffed the air detecting the bitter scent of an alpha.

He removed one of his headphones and simply looked back, waiting for the stranger to continue speaking.

"My friends and I are having a party tonight. Would you like to join us, baby?" the alpha said trying to appear self-assured while eyeing Steve's body.

"No thanks" Steve replied simply hoping the alpha sitting next to him would drop the subject.

"C'mon it would be a fun evening.. and a night." the alpha winked suggestively.

"Umm... still no. I have other plans already" the omega responded with a sarcastic smile, Steve always tried to be nice to people but this man was starting to annoy him...

The alpha huffed in annoyance and turned sideways toward Steve, puffing up his shoulders to make himself look bigger.

"Omega I could–" The bus suddenly stopped abruptly, causing Steve to sway and the man to lose his balance crashing into the seat in front.

"Steve! It's your stop!" Bob called out from the driver's seat, turned toward Steve.

The omega glanced around to confirm before turning back to look at the man.

"Excuse me, would you move?" Steve said, staring at the alpha expectantly.

The man grumbled and got up, walking back to his seat. "You're missing out a good date omega."

Steve rolled his eyes as he walked to the door and before exiting called out a thanks and goodbye to Bob.

The end of the journey to work is just a few minutes walk so Steve put his music back on.

The sound of the engine came through his headphones making him glance up, seven motorcycles were speeding toward and past him.

Upon reaching the gas station he checked the parking lot where he saw a few motorcycles, probably the same group that he had encountered on the road meaning there weren't too many customers at the moment, Steve thought.

The omega walked to the back door, which was for employees only and checked his phone while taking off his headphones as he walked inside. 

"Hey, Robs! You forgot your lunch again, this is the fifth time in two weeks" Steve called out while still looking at his phone notifications.

"I can't alw-" Brown eyes finally lifted from the phone screen and Steve froze a few steps away from the door which swung closed.

In front of him stood a bewildered man holding a weapon, pointing the barrels toward people on their knees.

Steve dared not move his gaze away from the two men.

"Well well, what do we have here?" The other man recovered from his surprise, and a grin crept across his face.

He turned his weapon toward Steve and approached sniffing the air.

"Oh, could it be a sweet little omega, do you work here honey?" The man asked, glancing at the work vest Steve was wearing.

The omega remained silent, observing every the man.. The man was an alpha had a black eye, a bleeding nose and a slight limp.

He didn't want to provoke the situation and risk getting shot but Steve was ready to defend himself if necessary, preferably he would like to run away.

Steve knew how to defend himself, thanks to the mandatory omega self-defense course but the problem was that alphas were stronger than omegas and betas...

And Steve had been in only one small fight and no gun was involved then...

So he needed to find a way to surprise the man in front of him if the situation called for it.

"Oh, looks like the cat's got his tongue. Jason, check out how adorable and stiff this cutie is" the man laughed and grabbed Steve's face squeezing his cheeks.

The omega jerked his face out of the alpha's grip, prompting the other man to laugh.

"Now, cutie, here's the deal. We need to get rid of a few people, including your co-worker and well now you too because we can't leave any witnesses" the alpha said with an unsettling tone.

The man's words finally made Steve look around anxiously, searching for Robin.

On the floor kneeling with their hands over their heads there were five people in a row, four of them had bruises and they were wearing black vests.

One of them who appeared very pale and in worse condition than the next two that Steve glanced at.

The last man made his heart skip a beat.

The man had messy black curls and a few longer, thin strands were mixed in with his bangs.

Despite a hefty bruise on his chin, he was still incredibly handsome.

His whole body was tense and there was something in his eyes that Steve couldn't quite read. Realizing that he had been staring at the stranger for far too long, he shifted his gaze to the next person.

Robin.

Steve assessed Robin's condition and noticed a red mark on her cheek as if someone had slapped him, which made the omega angry. No one should hurt his only pack member.

"Oh, maybe we should have some fun with him. What do you say, Jason? I know your beta ass could use a bit of an omega" a foul-smelling alpha approached Steve and caressed his cheek.

Steve let the men talk among themselves and made eye contact with Robin, raising an eyebrow slightly as an unspoken question and quickly glancing at the disgusting alpha and another man named Jason.

How many?

Robin glanced at the two men and the door that led to the front of the gas station's cash register area, looked back at Steve and blinked slightly slower than usual three times.

Three. There were three armed men here.

Before Steve could respond to Robin the alpha grabbed him by the neck and began dragging him to the other side of the room. Steve began to resist until he felt something cold pressing against his chin.

"Steve!" Robin panicked.

"Don't resist sweetheart or you'll make this much harder for yourself. Enjoy your last moments" the alpha growled in Steve's ear and he felt his throat tighten.

There was a low growl and then a sound of a gun cocking. "Don't even think about moving" Jason said pointing the gun more precisely at the man on his knees and at Robin.

Steve was pushed against the kitchen counter where small snacks are prepared making him whimper, he was turned around so that omegas upper body is laying on his stomach and ass is on display.

The man placed his weapon on the counter a short distance away from him within arm's reach but in a way that alpha would notice if Steve attempted to take it. And then there is also Jason only a few meters away.

Alpha spoke something to him while at the same time his other hand that wasn't holding him in place touched omegas waist grabbing him by the waist of his pants and started tearing it.

Steve started to panic.

He couldn't hear anything except the pounding of his heart, a ringing in his ears and his shallow breaths.

He needs to do something.

Steve tried to collect his thoughts and looked around as best as he could.

Steve's gaze came to a halt. The coffee maker.

An idea flashed through Steve's mind, and without further thought, Steve began to act.

As hard as he could omega stepped on alpha's toes causing him to release his grip, giving Steve the opportunity to turn around and headbutt the man in the head... not a great idea, Steve thought, but it worked as the man stumbled backward a few steps.

Steve noticed movement behind the man... Jason. He reached behind grabbing a full pot of freshly brewed coffee and tossed it past alpha towards the beta, making him shout as the hot coffee and glass crashed against him.

Knowing he didn't have time to savor the great throw Steve grabbed the first thing he saw, which happened to be the man's gun on the counter and smacked alpha in the head with it, causing him to collapse unconscious on the floor.

Steve looked up and saw that a long-haired man had jumped on beta, hitting him as well and rendering him unconscious

A deep silence fell over the room for a few seconds until the door next to Steve suddenly burst open.

"What the hell are you guys doing?" started the third man, but Steve's reaction was to kick the door hard causing it to slam into the third man's face and making him retreat back into the room.

The handsome man ran out of the door after the third man. For a moment there was some arguing, a few words that couldn't be deciphered and then a gunshot.

And everything fell silent once again.

Steve was still breathing heavily as the man returned to the room.

Three men breathed a sigh of relief and one of them moved over to the injured one, but the tension still lingered and no one dared to break the silence to say anything.

Steve and the handsome man silently stared at each other.

Omega knew he should probably be panicking, especially with a likely dead man on the other side of the door but with adrenaline still coursing through his veins, he remained calm.

Finally tearing his gaze away from the deep hypnotic eyes, Steve glanced around the room.

The walls bore a few bullet holes, items were strewn across the tables, and a cchair was in pieces.

On the floor were two unconscious men, broken glass, spilled coffee and lastly Steve's gaze settled on an open lunchbox, its contents scattered on the floor.

Steve turned to look at the frozen Robin whose face still bore the intensity of the moment.

Robs slowly shifted his gaze from the man's blue eyes who is on the floor to Steve's brown ones.

"I-...I dropped your lunch" Steve said softly, his voice filled with a myriad of emotions.

Robin turned her gaze back to the floor, looking at her lunch.

A small chuckle bubbled up within her. "I don't think I'm hungry anymore" Robin replied in a hushed tone before looking back at Steve and letting out another, slightly more hysterical laugh.

Steve felt the corner of his mouth twitch and eventually he too couldn't contain a laugh, until both of them were laughing together.

"Ookay..." The handsome man began, somewhat puzzled as he watched the two employees giggling..

"Gareth and Jeff, try to patch up Freak's wounds. I'll take these two for some fresh air and call Hopper." The men nodded and began to act grabbing the first aid kit from the gas station's wall.

"Heyy you two. Let's go get some fresh air, yeah? Clear our heads a bit" the handsome man said gently approaching them cautiously, as if they were startled animals... perhaps they were.

Robin got up from the floor and walked over to Steve hugging him tightly before they both turned to look at the approaching man.

Now as the man has gotten closer Steve could smell beneath the adrenaline in the air, the scent of autumn, the forest and a campfire, the warmth that comforted Steve.

Alpha. The handsome man was Alpha and Steve felt a desire to seek safety in this unknown Alpha.

Alpha backed up to the back door and opened it waiting for Steve and Robin to walk out.

They carefully made their way over broken glass and past the unconscious man.

As they reached the door Steve had to resist the urge to touch the handsome man.

Robin and he settled on a small box next to the trash cans while the handsome man stood in front of them.

"I'm going to make a call and you can catch your breath and gather your thoughts before you ask your questions, panic, or do anything. Okay? Okay" Alpha said and moved a bit farther away when he received no response from either of them, taking out his phone.

"What the hell happened Robin?" Steve asked softly, Robin hugging him tightly.

"I-I don't know... It w-was a quiet night, there were few-few members of the motorcycle club members eating and then s-suddenly several bikers came in and started fighting! They had guns! I d-didn't really think an-anything except diving behind the counter to hide and hope for the b-best. Next thing I was forced into the back r-room... S-Steve..." Robin began to cry. "T-they were going to k-kill us! A-all of us! and then you came to work. I forgot! I forgot you were coming to work Steve! he.. he.. th-tehy...The Alpha and Beta.. they wanted to r-ra-..." Robin spoke rapidly in panic.

"Hey hey Robs, w-we're okay. Me, you, we both are okay. Everything is okay. I'm sorry I wasn't here earlier and I'm so sorry you had to go through this" Steve replied, comforting her and releasing a calming scent.

"I'm sorry too Steve, and thankfully you weren't here earlier. I don't want to know what could have happened then" she murmured into Steve's shoulder.

The handsome Alpha returned to them ending his call and crouching in front of them.

"I know you want to call the police, but I can't allow that... not yet. My club members will be here soon to take care of the situation discreetly" Alpha said and sighed looking down for a moment.

"I'm sorry you got caught in the middle of a feud between two clubs" he said as he lifted his gaze back up and looked directly into Steve's eyes.

Suddenly, Steve felt like he was way too aware of himself, his rumpled shirt, pants slightly lower than they should be, and that he was trembling and very tired all of a sudden.

"I.. Can we... I don't really know what to say" Steve responded in a whisper, fearing he might break otherwise.

The man smiled slightly at Steve. "You don't have to say anything. We'll take care of everything and you can go home when we're done or call the police after we leave. We might need to clarify few matters before you can leave, so wait here, okay?" Alpha said, kindly but in a way that left no room for negotiation.

Steve and Robin nodded in response.

The man got up.

"And thank you, Steve. You saved all of us" he said before walking back inside.

Beta and Omega remained silent just hugging each other until they began to feel calmer.

"Well, he's strangely nice" Robin said, making Steve chuckle.

"Yeah, he is" Steve agreed.

[unnokka]

The Thing That Should Not Be

Part 2 out of no idea, we will see :D

____________________________________________________

Kas looked around his nest before turning to fuss around his unconscious mate, who was lying on a mattress that he had found to their new nest. He made sure his mate was lying down comfortably before he started to wait.

He couldn't wait for his mate to wake up, to show him their nest, the food he had collected, and to mate with him. To make him his.

Soon enough, as his mate began to stir, a furrowed brow and a quiet gasp escaped from his lips. Kas jumped up and leaned down to look as brown eyes blinked open.

Suddenly, his mate jumped, falling from the bed and started to crawl backward until his back hit the wall behind him.

Kas quickly followed, crawling toward him until they were face to face, only inches apart, a wicked smile spreading across Kas's face.

"Mine," the creature growled as he lowered his head to nuzzle his mate's neck

His mate was squirming, trying to get further away, and Kas didn't like it. His mate should move closer to him. Growling softly, Kas wrapped his arms around his lover's waist and pulled him closer. Now, his mate was lying down on the floor and couldn't escape as Kas put his weight on him.

His mate was breathing way too rapidly beneath him, and Kas couldn't understand why his mate was giving off stress signals.

His mate had been unhappy, without love, and without the six children he had mentioned that he dreamed to have some time ago. So, now that he had found his mate and saved him, Kas was determined to protect his mate from any harm that could come his way. Mate him, give him a family and make him happy. So why was his mate stressed and panicking.

Kas vaguely remembered someone once telling him how to calm someone in a state of panic.

So he kissed his mates cheek before looking down to his mate.

"Calm down," Kas whispered, taking a deep breath himself and releasing it, repeatedly demonstrating to his mate how to breathe.

Finally, his mate calmed down, and teary eyes looked up into the red ones, neither of them moving. One out of fear, and the other not wanting to do anything but admire his mate.

"...E-Eddie?" His mate asked under his breath, not any louder than a whisper.

Eddie? The creature cocked his head, furrowing his brows in confusion. Who? Kas? "Kas."

The man lifted his hand, fingertips hovering on Kas's cheek. "Wha-Kas? No, wh- how? Is it really you, Eddie?"

Suddenly, Kas remembered his first name. Eddie. That's what his family called him, what his mate called him, and sometimes, it had been 'Eds,' that his mate called him. Kas remembered how his now slower-beating heart used to beat faster and even faster when he heard his... his Stievie call him Eds.

Eddie smiled brightly to his mate nodding his head happily.

"Yes! Yes Stevie."

"But how... how are you alive? What happened to you?" Steve asked, finally lowering his hand on Eddie's cheek, his eyes examining Eddie's Kas form.

Kas had horns growing just above his temples, curving backward, black vines curled under his skin like blood vessels, and red eyes that glowed faintly in the dim light. He was taller than before, and behind him, Steve could see large black wings.

"Vecna," Kas replied with a growl. "Vecna wanted me to destroy you and everyone else. But I escaped. Can't have my mate in danger. Had to save you," he continued and nuzzled up to Steve's neck again, breathing in his mate's scent.

"What?! Vecna wanted to make you to kill me? To... To kill all of us?" Steve asked in a louder voice, his panic resurfacing as he tried to push Eddie away to look at him.

"Nonono, don't panic. I'm going to keep you safe and happy. Vecna can't find you here, nothing is ever going to find you," Kas rambled on to keep his mate calm, shifting their positions so that Steve was now sitting in his lap, with Kas's hands around him to keep him steady. Steve took support from Eddie's shoulders to avoid being too close.

This somehow calmed Steve down, but now a look of confusion crossed his face as the younger man started to look around. "Where... where is here? And what do you mean nothing can... wait, are we in the upside down?!" Steve asked, almost screaming the last part, before turning to look at Kas.

Kas smiled proudly, "Yes, we are in our nest. Do you like it?"

"Our what? Eddie, we need to get back, we ca-"

"No," Kas growled angrily, interrupting Steve. They can't leave, it's safe.

"We stay here, in the nest. I'm going to make you happy, and you're going to stay safe. You aren't allowed to leave alone, only with me," Kas commanded, staring at Steve sternly.

Steve stared at Eddie in disbelief until something resembling understanding flickered across his face, only to be replaced by an angry frown.

"No, nope. We cannot stay here! No one is safe until Vecna dies, not you, not me, and no one else in the party!" Steve said indignantly. Kas didn't like this, a deeper growl emanating from within him. "N-"

"No!" Steve screamed, and Kas was taken aback, allowing Steve to jump out of his lap to stand up.

Kas also jumped up, spreading his wings threateningly, and walked towards Steve, but Steve's hand on his chest stopped him from getting closer.

"Eddie, we need to kill Vecna. I- I can't leave the kids or Robs.. or anyone else alone in this war!" Steve continued angrily, looking up directly to Eddie.

"Kids?"

"Yeah... the party. They can't win this alone; they're going to need me. Need us to help them, keep them safe," Steve replied more softly, seeing Eddie's confusion.

"... Dustin?" Eddie asked in a softer tone, suddenly remembering the crying teenage boy pleading him not to die.

"You remember Dustin? And others? Lucas, Mike, Erica, and Max? Yeah? They are all on the right side. California kids came here too, Will, and our supergirl, Jane," Steve took a small step closer to him.

"Seven? Ours? All of them are our kids," Kas asked, bewildered. Why didn't he remember that they had kids?!

"What? No, not ours... we just... we just look after them. They are family," Steve replied just as bewildered by the perplexing question. Only the last part was said with certainty. Family.

Kas's heart ached at the thought of letting his Stevie go from the newly built nest, away from safety. But he saw how Steve wouldn't forgive him or himself if anything happened to their family.

Kas smiled at Steve. He would build a new nest for them and then give his mate everything he ever wanted. His mate would be a good parent to their children someday. Protective and loving.

"We save our family. Kill Vecna. And when you are safe, I'm going to make you mine and make you happy and loved," Kas declared, straightening his back to his full height as he noticed his mate blushing cutely.

"Oh-mm ye-yeah, okay?" Steve replied, blushing, unable to look Eddie directly in the eyes.

Suddenly, Kas spread his wings, producing a majestic whooshing sound, and scooped Steve into his arms. He flapped his wings, and before Steve knew it, they were in the air.

Steve screamed in terror, wrapping his legs around Eddie and burying his face in Eddie's neck, causing Kas to laugh and emit a deep, happy rumble from his chest.

____________________________________________________

Thank you fof reading @wonderland-girl143-blog here's the part 2 :)

[unnokka]

The Thing That Should Not Be

Part 1? Maybe? Dunno...

Ps. Sorry for the typos...

Ps.ps. this is also in ao3

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Final battle 2.0 against Vecna didn't start so good.

Team muscle was already tired and wounded after fighting against demodogs and then Vecna appeared before them which was the plan but it was too soon, so they used too much energy into this but they weren't about to lose.

And then a flock of bats appeared in the sky.

Steve felt like he couldn't breathe, this can't be good...

Walkie-talkie sprang to life and like an angel Jonathan announced that El finally got inside Vencas mind and Will will join her now. Team power being ready team muscle can start phase two now and that gave him hope.

Taiking a deep calming breathe Steve thought encouraging himself, They can do this, they can.

Looking up to the sky he nervously asked to the team Killer if they could start and Robin infomed that they were ready.

Steve looked at Hopper to check if they were ready but before former chief could answer the first bat landed between them and screamed forcing him to retreat, another bat landed in front of Vecna and started creeping towards where Murray and Dimitri were.

"You cannot win! Not even with the new power you found in your company!" Vecna laughed, maiking Steve look at Vencna in horror.

How did he know, how could Vecna know that Will has found powers.

Cold shivers run down his spine when Vecna turned to look at him and a loud roar came from somewhere in the forest.

"I have more strenght than last time! I have something that was yours before, something that will help me destroy all of you and I WILL BE TH-"

Vecnas speech was interrupted when a bat landed on him sinking nails into the calf muscle, One tore the bat off and threw it at Steve maiking him duck down.

Now lying down as he looked up he saw a massive creature dive from the sky landing in front of Vecna back to them.

Steve got up quickly when he heard a growl behind him forcing him to turn his back to Vecna and to the new creature which was the last thing he wanted to do.

Behind him stood a demogorgon, taking a better grip on the baseball bat Steve prepared to fight, Murray has self-built flamethrower so Steve tried to look around for the man in question.

In corner of his eye he could see Hopper stuck between the bat and demodog that has now appeared, not knowing what to do.

Murray and Dimitri were in a similar situation only they were surrounded by several bats.

Then everything happened at the same time too fast.

Steve heard two loud roars behind him, one belonged to Vecna and other one to the massive creature that had landed.

Demodog jumped to attack Hop but the bat swooped between Hops legs and attacked the demodogs neck before Hop could move.

Murray and Dimitri retreated when more bats descended to the ground around them to scram and nibble the air but bats didn't attack them. Just shepherded them like dogs shepherd sheep and jumped away from the fire before coming back down to them.

The demogorgon ran towards Steve but before he could swing the baseball bat, demobats appeared from out of nowhere surrounding it and began to tear pieces out of it.

Another really loud roar but now just one roar ring in the clearing.

Then everything ended as fast as it had started.

Murray and Dimitri has retreated almost to the tree line, bats still shepherding them but now quietly just hissing.

Hopper has retreated further as well not wanting to get caught up in the fight between bat and demodog, wich now lay dead on the ground and the bat sits on it looking at Hopper like a proud cat. Hopper looked behind Steve at something in horror.

in front of the brown haired boy demogorgon has backed away now bowing to the forest floor like a subdued animal. A few bats were on it and rest of the them had spread out around him looking towards Steve or behind him.

Hands shaking, Steve gripped the baseball bat tighter and began to turn slowly to look behind him.

Brown eyes widen at the sight in front of him.

Lying dead on the ground was Vecna with his head torn off, on top of the dead body the creature was crouching, breathing heavily, almost growling At the head.

Steve might have made a sound 'cause the creatures head snapped up and the red eyes looked directly into Steves brown, fearful eyes.

Then in a second everything Steve knew was black blur moving, scream of his name from Hopper, a collision that knocked the air out of him and then

Nothing.

-----------------

To be continued?

[unnokka]

Pond

Geralt x reader

Summary: Y/n is having a relaxing evening and someone disturbs it.

You just arrived to your cottage and watched as the evening sun started to shine.

You felt tired, your muscles are stiff and a cut on your arm had started to sting after a long day, you decided that you deserve something relaxing.

You run in your small cottage and grab a wine bottle from self, then you head back out.

Just thinking about the bond your mind starts to ease off and a small smile rise on your lips.

You start to walk through forest, path was familiar to you and your mind slipped easily to your memories.

You used to run around here as a child irritating your older brother and mother, you could almost hear your moms voice telling you to stop it! But happiness would still ring in her voice.

I miss them so much. 

And only one who is there for me anymore is who knows where.

When was the last time I saw him? And when will b-

Crack

Keep reading:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/29495448/chapters/72459267