#Holiday Ficlet

[someforeignband]

there's red & green everywhere (but i'm so blue) WC: 1.8k this is for all the christmas haters who have partners that are christmas lovers

Theoretically, Eddie should hate Christmas. It’s an amalgamation of everything he stands against, from organized religious celebration to conformism to capitalist gift-buying bullshit.

And, it’s not like Steve hates Christmas. It wasn’t like that, he swears it’s not. But, this year he didn’t even bother pulling decorations from storage because he knew his parents weren’t coming home.

And that was that, the garland and tree and mistletoe could stay boxed up in the garage. Steve wouldn’t have to worry about breaking his back to decorate the house. He had a partner that not only loved him, but liked him, so he didn't have to worry about impressing someone with unrealistic expectations of him.

For the first Christmas ever, Steve was without obligations.

Christmas might, for once, not be a massive disappointment if he didn’t spend the next few weeks building up excitement for something that would never happen.

It should’ve all been fine and dandy, should’ve been good. Steve could rest easy knowing there wasn’t anything he had to do in preparation for the holiday season.

But, to Steve’s absolute shock and horror: Eddie Munson loves Christmas.

Eddie loves Christmas in a way that he actually owns a copy of Frank Sinatra's Christmas album on tape and apparently keeps it in his car year round. Eddie loves Christmas in a way that means he has a whole box of recipes reserved just for the Christmas season. He loves Christmas in a way that means that he goes all in, just like he does with anything else Eddie loved.

The Munsons love Christmas in a way that means that Eddie and Wayne have a massive advent calendar that they take time every day to open. The Munsons love Christmas in a way that means that there’s VHS tapes of A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s A Wonderful Life sitting out just begging to be watched.

Eddie Munson loves Christmas.

So much so, that it pretty much looks like Santa and his Elves exploded all over the northeast corner of Forest Hills Trailer Park.

“Holy shit, Ed,” Steve shakes his head, looking around the trailer in disbelief. “This is crazy.”

“Isn’t it incredible!” Eddie grins, unwrapping another string of multi-colored lights.

“It’s-uh...” Steve stammers, trailing off, sort of dumbfounded by the insane amount of holiday cheer.

Not that he cared that Eddie loved Christmas. It was nice, actually, to see him so excited about something so... normal. Maybe this was a minor re-direction of the current timeline. No biggie.

Except that Steve supposed he’d have to rethink just about everything regarding the upcoming holidays. There’d have to be gift buying, and event planning, and meal prepping, and cleaning, and all of this pressure to do things he's not good at.

He's never been good at holidays, or gifts, or family, or love, or any of that stuff that comes with this time of year.

"Wayne needs some help outside with the lights, he's too old to be up on the ladder." Eddie calls over his shoulder, having migrated across the trailer to top the tree with an angel.

"Do you mind helping him out?"

"Oh-uh... No, no not at all. I got it." Steve murmurs, backing toward the door, still reeling from seeing Eddie like this.

Wayne greets him outside, smiling, nose red from the early December air.

"He's serious?" Is all Steve can say, exasperated, breath fogging up in front of him.

"As a heart attack, son," Wayne shrugs, grinning. "The kid loves Christmas." "Oh, no, yeah," Steve barks out. "I got that much."

"He's a little intense," Wayne chuckles.

"Got that, too," Steve laughs.

"I think he gets that from his momma," Wayne shrugs.

Steve moves toward the pile of lights and begins untangling. He's still in a near-trance, thoughts swirling, trying to figure out what this meant for Eddie, what this meant for their relationship-

"Don't work too hard over there, boy," Wayne chuckles, plugging a string of lights into an extension cord.

"Oh, I wasn't, I'm just-"

"C'mere," Wayne beckons him over, pointing at the painter's ladder leaned up against the side of the trailer. "Eddie'll lose his mind if I get up there." And so they go about hanging lights, and Steve's so focused on the fact that Eddie likes Christmas to even recognize that he was on a rickety old ladder, that it was higher than he was probably comfortable with, or even that it was cold.

Eddie likes Christmas.

He climbs down from the ladder, shoving hands in his pockets, just looking at Wayne, whose brows were furrowed, mouth all tensed up like he was trying not to cough or something.

"All done," Steve offers, brightly, slapping on a smile.

He's trying, alright. But, the imminent Eddie likes Christmas won't stop screaming at him, like it's a box he can't check.

"You okay, son?" Wayne asks, and it's like all the air gets sucked out of Steve's lungs.

"I don't think I can do Christmas like Eddie does," He confesses before he can stop himself, tears prickling at the corners of his eyes.

Wayne laughs, shaking his head, resting a hand on Steve's shoulder. "Nobody does Christmas the way Eddie does."

Wayne was entirely too unserious for the situation at hand and was obviously not understanding what Steve was saying.

"I've never really liked Christmas," Steve says quietly, like it's a secret, like he's afraid Eddie will hear. "I just don't want to disappoint him."

Wayne stops laughing, blinking a few times. "Oh, Steve, it's not that big'a deal."

"I didn't even plan on getting him a gift, I didn't even know we were celebrating Christmas, I thought he would hate it."

"Steve," Wayne cuts him off, placing his other hand on Steve's shoulder. "Eddie doesn't care about any of that."

Steve shrugs his hands off, shaking his head. "I just wish I would've known so I could better prepare."

"Prepare for what exactly?" Wayne asks, wetting his lips.

"So I'd do all the things he needs me to do to make Christmas special, you know? Ugly sweaters and presents and baked goods and all of that Christmas crap."

Wayne's eyes flicker downwards, like he's thinking something he's not saying.

"You wish you could've better prepared? To what? Pretend to be somebody you're not?"

"Well," Steve groans. "Don't say it like that."

"Son," Wayne sighs, and his hand is back on Steve's shoulder again. "The most important part of Christmas for Eddie is being with the people he loves. You are what makes Christmas special for him."

It takes everything inside Steve to not roll his eyes, it would be like Wayne to give him the 'Christmas is about love and family' bullshit. From the way it looked inside that damn trailer, like the North Pole had suddenly relocated to Hawkins Indiana, Steve had a snowball's chance in hell of making Eddie's Christmas special.

"The most important present Eddie will get this year is you spending Christmas with us," Wayne presses further.

And this time, Steve can't help it. He feels his eyes roll, ever so slightly. He sighs, giving Wayne a defeated shrug because this guy can not be serious. Did they see the same Eddie inside throwing fistfuls of tinsel onto every free surface?

But, before he can get into all of that, the front door to the trailer is slamming open and Eddie's skipping around all excited, looking at the lights.

God, Steve felt like shit.

"Look, kid," Wayne tries one more time, squeezing Steve's shoulder, pulling his attention back to the task at hand. "Eddie loves Christmas because it helps him be close to the people he loves. Don't go off trying to be somebody else for him, that would ruin the whole damn point."

That would ruin the whole damn point.

"They look so good, you guys!" Eddie grins, feet crunching over frozen leaves as he trots over to Steve and Wayne.

"And, I didn't get on the ladder even once," Wayne grins, eyes flicking between Steve and his nephew.

Something in the middle of Steve's chest tugs, painful but good, like rubbing out a sore muscle or itching at a sunburn.

"I wouldn't let him," Steve offers, end of his mouth twitching up into a soft smile.

"I knew I could trust you," Eddie grins, dimples on full display, cheeks already going red from the winter Indiana air.

Wayne waves a hand, feigning frustration, scoffing. "You both act like I'm a sneeze away from the grave. I'm goin' inside."

He storms away, but Steve knew he wasn't actually upset. His shoulders were shaking in silent laughter as he trudged toward the trailer's front door.

The door slams, and Steve feels Eddie's hand just barely grace his own. They stood a respectable distance apart. Steve's hand tingles from the featherlight touch, and his stomach flutters, watching Eddie look over his shoulder at the lights.

"Thanks for helping him," Eddie whispers, eyes bright and full of pure happiness. "He makes me so damn nervous on that stupid ladder."

Steve nods and a gust of wind makes him shiver, cutting right through him. It was damn cold out, and yet he hadn't noticed.

"Come inside, bug," Eddie gives his hand a quick squeeze. "It's gonna start to snow."

Steve looks up, and almost serendipitously a frozen flake hits his nose.

"Oh," He whispers, wiping his forehead.

Eddie giggles, "C'mon, baby. I was gonna make us some cocoa." He pats Steve's arm gently, nodding towards the trailer.

"I even bought a real gallon of milk for it! No powdered shit."

There's that feeling again, like cracking your knuckles or ripping off a bandaid.

The most important present Eddie will get this year is you spending Christmas with us.

Steve sighs, feeling another flake hit his ear, then another, and then another. He looks at the lights he just spent the better part of the last couple hours hanging, a few of them didn't light up fully, blinking dull and slow.

"Coming," He says, feeling the frozen leaves and grass crumbling under his steps. Eddie's holding the door open for him, grinning ear to ear at him like he was the one who put the angel at the top of the tree.

He picks up his pace, knocking his hip against Eddie's as he shuffles through the door of the Munson's trailer.

You are what makes Christmas special for him.

"I love you," Steve breathes, quiet and hesitant, as soon as the front door closes.

It feels weird, the warm lighting, the smell of hot cocoa on the stove, the Frank Sinatra Christmas album playing in the background.

Sunburns heal. Sore muscles get stretched out. Ripping a bandaid off only hurts for a second, and sometimes you have to crack your knuckles, so your fingers will feel better.

"I love you too, sweetheart," Eddie responds easily, without obligation.

For the first Christmas ever, Eddie had Steve. For the first Christmas ever, Steve was without obligation.

#christmas ficlet #steddie ficlet #holiday ficlet #holiday steddie #holiday steddie ficlet #established relationship #christmas steddie ficlet #steddie #wayne munson #uncle wayne #stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #steve harrington hc #eddie munson hc #christmas #peace love and uncle wayne #ej writes !! #will i ever be able to write something short? #apparently not

[glynnisi]

Happy ChrismaHanukkah

ShieldShock Holiday Ficlet w inspiration images

"Let me guess. There's only one bed." Darcy rolled her eyes and looked pained. She texted to Jane and Natasha, 'you're hilarious.' "I just texted to tell Jane and Natasha they're hilarious."

Steve nodded, brow furrowed as he returned to her side from talking to the inn owner. "How'd you...?"

"Because we are being match-made, or Yenta'd, or 'given a push'- whatever you call it. There's only gonna be one bed left in this incredibly charming inn where we're snowed-in with one room reservation instead of the two we expected." Darcy shrugged. "Our friends think they're being helpful. You may not agree, but that's obviously what they think."

Steve noted that Darcy gave no sign of her opinion of the situation. She walked over to the sideboard and grabbed a chocolate chip cookie. Speech muffled as she took a bite, she cheered, "yass, still warm. And, yum." She looked around at the menorah and the lights and lanterns and trees, waving her hand. "Charming."

"Why would Natasha and Jane give us a push that involves only one bed?" Steve had his own ideas about that, but wanted to hear what Darcy would say. He followed her to the sideboard and had a cookie. "These are amazing."

"I know. Right? At least they didn't leave us stranded at a charm-free and cookie-free bug motel during the holidays. That would have been depressing." Darcy had another bite of cookie to stall answering.

When she'd licked crumbs from her lips, she looked up into Steve Rogers' incredible blue eyes and confessed. "It's my fault. I know better than to drink too much around Natasha. Alcohol makes me blab things, like my ChrismaHanukkah wish being that you'd give things a go with me." She grabbed another cookie and avoided his gaze. "So, since Jane adores me and Natasha has vetted me thoroughly and I have her stamp of approval? She scared my mother and my favorite English teacher to pieces, by the way... I guess the two of them double-booked us here in hopes that we'll hook up. Sorry."

Steve blushed to the tips of his ears. "What are you sorry about?"

"I'm sorry that my unrealistic crush puts you in an awkward spot stuck here with me tonight. Don't worry. I'll just sleep in a chair down here. This place is so darned cute I might get to meet Santa dropping off gifts." Darcy peeked into the next room. "Aw. 'A Christmas Story' on loop. It's funny. Have you seen it?" She turned and looked at him, surprised when she saw his expression. "What are you smiling about?"

"I thought I was the one who owed you an apology since I got caught ogling you weeks ago." Steve ducked his head, blushing more. "Natasha saw me about swallow my tongue one day when you reached up to get something from a high shelf. You're beautiful and it was obvious I desire you. So, I assumed this was her pushing me to do something about my unrealistic crush on you."

It was Darcy's turn to smile. "Why unrealistic? You're the nicest guy on base and have a delicious, dry sense of humor- on top of being an Avenger and a hottie. I'm just an astrophysicist intern fighting to get her doctorate."

"You're spirited, smart, and pretty. And you have more important things on your mind than dating. I've heard you say that multiple times." Steve volunteered, looking at her for clarification.

Darcy frowned, "you might have missed the part where I said I had more important things on my mind than dating Johnny Storm. He's a playboy and an egomaniac. That's the opposite of what I like in a man. I like someone who's honest and loyal to his friends, someone who looks me in the eye rather than the cleavage, nine times out of ten."

"I'm sorry about that. I..." Steve shrugged. "I respect you, Darcy. And, I like the way you're direct and funny and loyal and..."

"Huh." Darcy nodded, "interesting. Keep going."

He gave her a tight smile. "I can stay down here, if you like. I couldn't ask you to."

"Or..." she grinned and bit her lip.

A smile lit Steve's face. "Or?" He took a deep breath, mock serious and very hopeful. "ChrismaHanukkah wish? That kind of thing should be granted."

Darcy laughed, blushing happily. "Yes, please. You know that they'll be unbearably smug about their success setting us up. Right?"

Steve nodded. "Don't much care. I want you and you're interested, too. I'd be an idiot to let the opportunity slip away." He offered Darcy the key to their room and picked up their backpacks.

She gave him a teasing look as she accepted the key. "Well. Come on, then, roomie."

He glanced around to make sure no one was watching and gave her a scorching kiss. "Merry ChrismaHanukkah."

"The merriest," as they made their way to the room and she recovered from the toe-curling heat of the kiss, Darcy sent a quick text. 'You're forgiven. Thank you and Merry ChrismaHanukkah to you two, too.'

-fin

---

I just couldn't bear to get to Christmas w/o writing some little bit of ShieldShock Holiday fluff. Merry ChrismaHanukkah @mcgregorswench @aenariasbookshelf@typhoidmeri@littleplebe @idontgettechnology @janeykath318 and all #ShieldShock OTP lovers.

#glynnisi #mine #non-canon otp #chrismahanukkah ficlet #shieldshock #shieldshockfanfic #steve rogers #darcy lewis #starcy #darcy x steve #captain america #thor movies #mcu #holiday ficlet #image set

[herrmannhalsteadproduction]

IT'S DECEMBER 23RD, WILL!!!

Summary: This is a ficlet that goes in the secondary series that I started as a complement to the main A Herrmann/Halstead Production series. (That series is an AU where Christopher Herrmann's mom had an affair with Pat Halstead resulting in a baby. The series follows this OC character (Rebecca "Bex" Herrmann) as she grows up and gets to know her brothers and the various Chicago teams. It is very much an AU, just to underscore that. It doesn't follow the same timeline and characters will follow different paths.)

Click here for the Series Rundown where you can find the links to read all of the previous installments (which I highly recommend you do so that this one makes sense.)

Rating: General

Relationships: Christopher Herrmann & Original Female Character, Christopher Herrmann/Cindy Herrmann, Jay Halstead & Original Female Character, Will Halstead & Original Female Character, Jay Halstead & Will Halstead, pre-Greg 'Mouse' Gerwitz/Original Female Character

Warnings: None - unless people being extremely late with their Christmas shopping stresses you out...

A/N: I was going to wait and post it at midnight when it was actually December 23rd, but as we all know by now, patience is not a thing that I have...like, on a cellular level. And in any case, it's December 23rd in a whole bunch of places already so we're still good.

This ficlet came about thanks to ao3 reader Maya Moten's question on There's a Way and an anon ask on Tumblr awhile back about whether or not Bex was ready for the holidays. Thank you for the inspiration! It's some cute holiday fluff that I wanted to post now since the longer holiday fic that will take place in the main series is probably going to be posted in like...May, LOL

The fic takes place after Thanksgiving 2014 (which is the first entry in this series) and before Sometimes You Need (which is Part 11 in the main series, A Herrmann/Halstead Production.) Just to let you know where we are in time and space.

IT'S DECEMBER 23RD, WILL!!!

Bex

“Will.” Bex stared at her brother who was slumped in one of their kitchen chairs, face in his hands.

“I know,” he groaned.

“Will,” she repeated, still in shock because seriously?

“I know!” Will squinched his eyes shut as his hands migrated to gripping his hair.

“It’s December 23rd, Will!” Bex flung her hands in the air, absolutely flabbergasted that he’d let things get this far.

He groaned again and leaned forward until his head rested on the table. “Please stop judging me and help.”

Bex sighed and pulled out one of the other chairs to take a seat. “It can’t be that big of a list, right? Just Jay and your dad and me?” She nudged him with her foot. “We should be able to tackle that.”

Will wordlessly fished a list out of his pocket and handed it over. There was the usual three names, yes, but underneath there was also Cindy and Chris, Lee Henry, Lucas, Max, and Annabelle. Underneath those names was a series of scribbled and crossed out notes as Will had clearly gone through—and rejected—quite a few ideas.

“You want to buy stuff for Chris and Cindy and the kids?” Bex looked up at him, more than a little surprised.

Will finally sat up and gave her a sheepish smile, his ears going pink. “Annabelle called me Uncle Will.”

And now she couldn’t even be mad anymore that he’d left his shopping so freaking late because that was just too freaking cute. “Okay, fine.” Bex stood and hunted down her keys. “Come on! You better hustle up if we’re going to do battle with the rest of the last minute shoppers.”

She bit back a laugh at his quiet, triumphantly whispered ‘yes!’ and herded him out to the car.

***

The mall was a nightmare.

Bex kept a grip on Will’s arm so he wouldn’t get lost as they made their way through the crowds. He had a bad habit of wandering off to check out things that caught his eye and even though he was fairly easy to spot in a crowd, they didn’t have the time spare for her to keep hunting him down.

They’d gone fairly simple for Chris and Cindy—fun chocolates and a nice bottle of wine. Things they wouldn’t often buy for themselves so it would be a nice treat.

Figuring out what to get the kids wasn’t as big a hurdle as Will seemed to think it would be. He had a good idea of what he wanted to get—he just kept second guessing himself. He wanted to add to the kids’ library which Bex assured him they would love. They were all big readers. They browsed the kids’ section together and Bex held back from making suggestions, just to see what he’d pick out.

He actually did a great job! Will had clearly been paying attention to the kids during their visits and managed to pick out a book for each of them that suited their interests.

“What’s Jay getting them?” Will asked as they checked out at the cash.

“He always manages to get some kind of group gift that gives Chris a heart attack,” Bex laughed. “I think the plan this year was Nerf guns?”

Will raised his eyebrows at her.

“Yeah,” Bex nodded. “He’s going to regret that when Annabelle destroys him.”

They left the bookstore and Will consulted his list. He’d picked up a bottle of Macallan for Pat when they were at the liquor store.

Bex was quite proud of herself for biting her tongue on her opinions about whether or not Pat deserved anything other than a pile of coal.

Although she thought even that would be pretty generous.

Anyway—after reviewing the list, it turned out he had Jay’s gift covered. Something he’d ordered online. And she’d made a large tray of cookies for him to take into Med a few days ago so his coworkers were covered.

Which left her present.

“Do you need help with the rest of the list?” she asked because she would help him pick out her own present if that meant they could get out of this mall alive.

“Ah, no, I think—” Will looked around at where they were in the mall and then frowned as he mulled. “Nope,” he finally said. “I’ve got it covered. And I want it to be a surprise so do you mind…”

Bex gave him a stern look. “I will meet you back here in half an hour, Will,” she said. “Please do not get lost because I will make mall security page you.”

“I don’t even get a text first?” Will laughed.

“Not on December 23rd!” Bex shot back.

He held up his hands, still laughing as he backed away, hurrying when she pointed at the big clock in the centre of the mall.

…now to kill thirty minutes.

Bex had finished all of her Christmas shopping awhile ago. She didn’t have to buy much since she made all the kids’ presents herself and a few others.

Personalized comic books for the kids—a tradition she’d started with Lee Henry and they all loved it. She hoped they never got too cool for it and they could keep it going for as long as they could.

She’d made holiday cookies for the gangs at 51 and 21 too which had covered the bulk of her extended family. Another long-standing Christmas tradition.

Since she didn’t have a list to finish, she decided to wander and window shop. A few stores in, one of the displays caught her eye.

Oh, that was…kind of hilarious? And could be a perfect—

But they didn’t exchange gifts.

Would it be too weird?

She didn’t want to make him feel bad when he didn’t have anything for her.

But it would just be a gag gift and those didn’t really count, right?

Bex debated with herself for another few seconds before saying screw it and going inside the store to make her purchase.

***

Bex had volunteered to work Christmas Eve at Molly’s so Chris could be home with Cindy and the kids. She’d be headed there on Christmas Day with Jay and Will and would be getting plenty of kiddo time then.

She was happy to give him the time that he missed out on so often because of his job. Plus, there was plenty of the usual gang hanging around and the general vibe of the bar was quite festive.

Will and Jay were both stuck working late, but came by when they were done. Bex had done some hardcore cajoling and convinced Jay to stay over at their place so he could be there right away for Christmas morning. He’d been having a such a hard time lately—she couldn’t fix everything for him, but she could surround him with festive fun and love.

Her brothers didn’t know it yet, but Bex had plans.

The two of them stayed and helped close up the bar, but then both of them passed out fairly quickly once they got home to the apartment.

Bex waited until Jay was snoring on the couch to dip into her room and dig everything out of her closet. Quickly, quietly, and carefully, she worked by the light of her phone to arrange things around their little tree.

She stepped back and took a look at her work with a satisfied nod before tiptoeing back to bed.

***

“Will!” Bex banged on his door. “Wake up!”

“Bex,” he groaned. “It’s…seven thirty in the morning! Go back to bed.”

“It’s Christmas!” She threw his door open and turned on the light, ignoring his protests as she bounded down the hall to the living room. “Jay!”

“Go. Away.”

“Jaaaaaaaaay!”

Bex dodged the pillow that was thrown her way and leaned over the back of the couch to poke Jay in his sides. “Get up, get up, get up!”

Jay slapped at her hands before giving up and grabbing her. Bex shrieked as he pulled her over the top of the couch and wrestled her to the ground. “We got home after two,” he grumbled as he gave her noogies. “How are you this cheerful? And don’t say because it’s Christmas.”

“But it’s—”

Her sentence dissolved into laughter as Jay tried to cover her mouth and Will came stumbling out of his room, bleary eyed.

“Why do we have to be awake now?” Will asked, stepping over the two of them to collapse into the arm chair. “We’re adults.” He eyed their ongoing struggle on the floor. “Allegedly.”

Bex elbowed Jay in the stomach and wiggled away, scrambling to her feet. “Because it’s present time! And look—” She waved a hand toward the tree. “Santa came.”

Will and Jay stared at her and then peered at the tree where three stockings lay, one with each of their names embroidered on them. A parcel in shiny red wrapping paper lay beside each stocking while the other presents they’d all bought for each other sat behind them.

Jay let out a little bemused laugh before giving her a sideways look. “Bex,” he said. “Did you seriously set out Santa stuff for us?”

Did she?

Absolutely.

There was no denying that they’d had some rough patches this year and Jay was still going through it. So yeah, she thought they could use some extra Christmas cheer.

Was she going to admit that she’d done it?

Absolutely not.

“Me?” She pressed a hand against her chest. “Jay Halstead, are you questioning the magic of Christmas?”

“Maybe he just can’t believe he made the nice list,” Will quipped. Jay shot him a look and Bex laughed.

“Okay,” she clapped her hands together. “Stockings and Santa presents first. Then I’ll make breakfast and we can open everything else?”

“Well, we’re awake now,” Jay said, slightly less grumbly than before. “So why not?”

He settled back on the couch and Bex distributed the stockings.

Each one had a pair of festive socks, chocolates and candy, some of each of their favourite shower products, an orange which was a tradition Cindy had brought to the family, the little bottle of lock de-icer that Jay was always on her to keep in her bag, glow in the dark band-aids that Will would definitely get a kick out of, and some colour changing pens, just because.

After stockings, she handed out the red-wrapped Santa presents.

“Bex…” Will had his resting on his lap and was looking at her pensively. “You didn’t have to—”

“I know you’re not about to question the magic, Will,” she said, pointing a serious finger at him.

“As long as Santa didn’t go overboard,” Jay chimed in. He was also looking a bit serious and she rolled her eyes (affectionately) at the two of them.

“Santa was very sensible,” she said. “At least I assume he was because I have no idea what’s in here.”

“Okay, fine,” Will laughed and started opening up his present which was a new pair of running shoes he’d had his eye on…and had been on sale for a super good deal last month.

“Oh, just what I wanted!” he exclaimed. “Thanks, Santa!”

Jay opened up his to find the next novel by his favourite author that he’d been dying to read, but was impatiently waiting until it came out in paperback to buy. “What! No,” he whipped his head up to frown at Bex. “This is too—”

“Pretty sure Santa had a coupon for that,” she said as she dug into her own gift. “Oh, look! New baking tins! Santa knows me so well!”

Will and Jay laughed at her and then got up for hugs. She was happy to see them both smiling so much—even if those smiles were still a bit tired. “Pancakes?” she asked and was met with enthusiastic yesses.

They plowed their way through a truly astounding amount of pancakes, bacon, and hot beverages before returning to the tree to open their gifts to each other. They’d be doing a second round of gifts once they headed over to Chris and Cindy’s later.

Her actual presents for them both were well received. She’d made them each a painting this year. Will’s was a view of the street he used to live on in Brooklyn. “Bex!” He looked a little shocked when he first opened it, but then a big smile quickly grew across his face. “This is amazing,” he said. “Exactly like I remember it.”

Jay’s was of his favourite park in Chicago—one she knew he visited often when he needed to have some quiet time. Now he had a little slice of that view for his room at home. “I love it,” he said quietly, smiling at her.

Will had picked up more art supplies for her. He’d clearly checked out her stash and had managed to pick up quite a few things she really needed. “Thanks, Will,” she said, touched.

He had a happy little grin at that and it only grew when Jay was equally pleased with his gift of tickets to go see a hockey game together.

Jay laughed as he handed over his gift to Will. “You might as well open this now,” he said. “Great minds think alike.”

Will started chuckling too when he opened his gift to reveal…another pair of hockey tickets. Thankfully for a different date.

Bex received her present from Jay next. “Jay,” she gasped, staring down at the one year membership to the Art Institute of Chicago. “This is too amazing! Thank you!”

After another round of hugs, they all took their time getting ready to head over to Cindy and Chris’s place. Will and Jay rode together since they were stopping off for their perfunctory visit with Pat first. Bex was headed right over to Cindy and Chris’s.

She just had a stop to make first.

***

Bex dashed up the steps of the precinct and headed in to the front desk. A large box of cookies was enough to bribe Sergeant Kilbourne into letting her sneak downstairs.

Mouse was working away at his desk when she made it into the basement.

“Pssst!”

His head snapped up and he whirled around in his chair. “Bex?”

“Merry Christmas, Mouse!” She hopped over to sit on the desk beside him and handed over his present.

Mouse frowned down at the neatly wrapped parcel in his hands. “What uh, we don’t usually, uh—” He looked up at her in confusion. “I didn’t get you anything…”

“Oh, no, it’s not—it’s just something funny that I saw when I was out shopping with Will,” she reassured him. “I thought it would make you laugh. It’s not a big deal. Really.”

He still looked a bit confused, but opened the present anyway. He unfolded the apron and got a good look at the front. “Bex,” Mouse snorted. “This is…”

“Ridiculous and yet amazing and you don’t know how you’ve lived without it in your life this whole time?” she suggested.

Mouse held the apron up to his chest showing off the image of a cartoon mouse wearing a chef’s outfit holding up a piece of cheese with a snooty expression on its face. The caption read ‘This cheese is no gouda.’

“Exactly,” Mouse grinned at her. “I’ll treasure it always.”

“Fantastic,” Bex smiled back at him. “Glad to hear it. How’s your day been here so far?”

“Nothing very exciting up until now,” Mouse shrugged. “Slogging through some files. Getting caught up on paperwork.”

“Sounds like you need some sustenance to get through the rest of your day.” She pulled a small tin out of her bag and handed it over as well.

Mouse’s eyes lit up. “More Christmas cookies?”

She nodded. “I heard the other ones got devoured pretty quickly.”

“It was a baked goods massacre,” Mouse agreed. His smile faded. “Now you’ve brought me two things and I didn’t get you anything.”

“The cookies don’t count—”

“The cookies always count—”

“If you really want to give me something, I have an idea,” she said and Mouse perked up in his seat. “Come over to Cindy and Chris’s for dinner when you’re done your shift.”

She waved off his protests, talking quickly.

“I know Jay already asked you and you said no like you always do, but I don’t know how many times we have to tell you that you’re part of the family, Mouse. We always want you there. You’re not intruding.” She knows she’s making a face on that last word, but she can’t help it. It annoys Bex that he ever thinks that.

His face was a conflicting mixture of pleased yet uneasy. She played her last card.

“Jay’s still having a hard time with everything,” she said quietly. “It would mean a lot to him if you were able to come. I think he needs all of his people, you know?”

Mouse sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

And that was the closest to a yes they’d ever gotten so she’d take that as progress.

“I’ll text you the address,” she said, even though she knew he knew where they lived. Better to not leave any excuses. “And no matter what, you’re coming to Jay’s tomorrow, right? Boxing Day sloth fest?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” he nodded, lips quirking at the edges.

She squeezed his shoulder before hopping off the desk and heading out to join the chaos of Herrmann Family Christmas.

***

The kids went wild went she came through the door—mostly because now they could open the rest of their presents.

“Where’ve you been?” Chris demanded, bringing her in for a hug.

“Trying to work one last Christmas miracle,” she said, squeezing him back.

“Did it work?”

She grinned at him. “I’ll let you know.” Bex spotted Will and Jay pulling into the drive and turned to the kids who were vibrating behind Chris. “Who’s ready for presents?”

Chris groaned as they went wild all over again. “Thank you for that.”

“Aunt privileges,” Bex sniffed. “Riling them is in the job description.”

Once Will and Jay were inside, they all gathered around the tree and did the second round of gift giving. Chris and Cindy were pleased by the amount of books the kids received and extra happy for the amount of quiet time it gifted them as the kids flaked out around the living room reading while the adults started prepping for dinner.

Just as they were getting ready to eat, the doorbell rang.

Chris and Cindy glanced at each other. “You expecting anyone else?” he asked and she shook her head.

Bex caught a glimpse of a silhouette through the frosted window in the door and smiled. “I think Jay should answer it.”

He sent her a questioning look, but headed over to open the door. “Mouse?” His excited cheer rang through the house. “I didn’t think you were coming, man! This is awesome!” Jay grabbed Mouse in a bear hug, thumping him on the back and dragged him inside.

Mouse had a Santa hat on and a shy smile on his face as he saw everyone gathered in the living room, watching them. “I was told you might have room for one more?” he shrugged. “If that’s okay?”

“Always,” Cindy said warmly, moving forward to grab his coat and welcome him inside. “Lee Henry, set another place please!”

Introductions were made and Annabelle stared at Mouse suspiciously. “Mouse is a weird name,” she said. “Did you make that up?”

“Well, uh, everyone’s name had to be made up at some point, right? Like one day, someone said I like the name Anna and I like the name Belle, but wouldn’t it be even better if they were one name together?”

Annabelle thought that over before nodding seriously. “Come on,” she took his hand, bringing him to the dining room. “You should sit beside me.”

Mouse looked over at Bex, slightly panicked and she thought she should help him out a bit. “Annabelle,” she called out. “You should have Uncle Jay sit with you too.”

“Oh, yes,” Annabelle agreed, grabbing Jay with her other hand. “Good idea, Auntie Bex.”

Bex laughed at the two men being dragged by a tiny child and smiled to herself.

This was turning out to be a pretty excellent holiday after all.

Click here to read IT'S DECEMBER 23RD, WILL!!! on ao3:

#chicago fire #chicago med #chicago pd #one chicago #jay halstead #will halstead #halstead brothers #oc character #rebecca 'bex' herrmann #greg 'mouse' gerwitz #mouse gerwitz #christopher herrmann #a herrmann/halstead production #christmas fluff #holiday ficlet #A Herrmann/Halstead Production #ficlet #alternate universe #not canon #not beta read

[steddie-island]

@steddiemas day 7 - mall and/or workplace WC: 952 | Rating: M (for language) No content warnings, full tags on ao3

Update: @doomcheese made lovely lovely art of them and you should go look at it and show it and her all the love!!! 🥰

Jingle Boy Rock

Wearing the usual Scoops Ahoy uniform was bad enough 11 months out of the year. Wearing it in December was fucking miserable. 

Gone were their usual hats, and in their place were elf hats– the kind that were red with green trim, with a bell on the end and giant felt elf ears on the sides. They were given bright red shorts, with a green and red striped shirt that had bells hanging from the spikes around the collar. 

Steve would have preferred to wear the regular uniform everywhere every day for the rest of his life than wear the goddamned elf outfit all month long. 

Especially when Eddie fucking Munson, the goddamn bane of his existence, worked right across the mall, at the record store. Eddie had taken one look at the Scoops uniform and decided that he was going to be the biggest nuisance in Steve’s life. Every lunch break, every time he was bored, every time he just felt like it, he was there. Leaning against the freezer and smiling that crooked smile. Steve really didn’t want to know how much worse the wheedling was going to get when Eddie saw their holiday uniforms. 

“Jingle boy!” 

Steve groaned– he hadn’t been at work for five fucking minutes, and already Eddie was calling across the mall to him. He pushed both hands over his face and grabbed the hat to pull it off. “He only does that because he always gets a reaction out of you,” Robin pointed out. At least her outfit– a red dress with a green shirt underneath it and matching white and green striped tights— was cute. 

“He does that because he’s a pain in the ass,” Steve said. He dropped the elf ears onto the counter and leaned back against it with his arms crossed over his chest. “I can’t deal with this today.” “Right. Like you don’t love it.” Robin shook her head. “Just kiss him already, dingus.” Steve had heard this at least five times already, and just like he had every other time he waved it away. “Do you say that shit to him, too?”

“No, just to you.” She pushed away from the counter. “Hey, Eddie.” “Hey Buck!” Eddie sauntered over to the counter. Surprisingly he was wearing a hat, too, but it was black velvet with white fur trim. 

“Santa’s goth now?” Steve asked. “Metal, actually. I have to shake things up somehow, right?” Eddie leaned against the freezer. “I like the new getup. It’s very… ‘Hallmark threw up on me.’”

Steve rolled his eyes. “Do you need something, Munson? Some of us actually have work to do.”

“No one’s here,” Robin pointed out. She just grinned when Steve glared at her. 

“I’m actually here ‘cause I have something for you,” Eddie said. For the first time that Steve could recall, Eddie actually looked… nervous. 

“You have something… for me?” he asked. 

“Yeah.” Eddie pulled a box out of his pocket. “It’s not a big thing, just… something that made me think of you.” He slid the box across the counter and tapped the lid with his fingers. “Go ahead, open it.”

“It’s only the 7th,” Steve said. 

“I know, but I want you to open it early.” Eddie tucked his hands into his back pockets. “Please?”

“You said ‘please.’ Does that mean something’s gonna jump out of the box at me?” Steve joked. He untied the pretty red ribbon and took the lid off. Inside was the cutting of a plant, just a stem with a few little shoots that ended in green leaves and little white berries. There was a matching red ribbon tied around it. 

“Is this…” Steve looked at Eddie. He wondered vaguely if his cheeks were as pink as Eddie’s were. “...mistletoe?”

“Yeah.” Eddie ducked his head so his hair fell into his face. “I, um… I realized that I don’t think my flirting has been working? And I figured, before I turned you off of me forever…”

“Wait– wait, you’ve been flirting with me?” Steve asked. “Since when?”

Eddie looked at him with those big, deep eyes. “Since I walked in and said ‘hey, big boy’? What did you think I was doing?”

“Trying to get under my skin!” Steve said. “Are you– really?”

“I wasn’t trying to get under your skin. Maybe in your pan–” “Hey! Maybe you two should go to the breakroom to finish this conversation!” Robin said. “Quickly, though, Santa’s almost here and that means we’re gonna be packed.”

Steve caught Eddie’s hand and tugged him towards the back room that had a couch, two folding chairs, and a wobbly card table. “You’ve really been flirting with me?” he asked. 

It made sense, when he thought back to all the time Eddie spent tugging at his scarf or flicking his hat, talking about his shorts and–

“Oh my god, I’m an idiot.” Steve shook his head and lightly hit himself in the forehead with his fist– a move he wanted to repeat when the bells around his neck jingled with the movement. “Oh my god!”

Eddie giggled and wrapped his fingers around Steve’s hand to stop him from doing that. “Be nice to yourself,” he said, and Steve was shocked when Eddie leaned forward to kiss his forehead. “Anyway, Stevie… my gift. What’d you think?”

“I think… that it’s bad luck, if we let it go to waste.” Steve lifted it out of the box by the stem and leaned in with a smile. 

He wasn’t sure what the mistletoe was supposed to mean exactly, but as their lips met, and as his fingers curled into Eddie’s soft hair, Steve found that he was more than willing to find out. 

#steddiemas #Steddie #Steddie ficlet #Steddie holiday drabble

[steddieasitgoes]

Steve, Eddie, and Robin move into a house in Boston in the 90s. Their neighbors are a nice, older couple who Steve’s pretty sure used to be Olympic runners. Every morning they go for a jog around the city and it’s only a matter of weeks before Steve is joining them. As Thanksgiving approaches, the couple tells Steve about the annual turkey trot the city hosts.

Still new to town, Steve convinces Eddie and Robin that the turkey trot is a fun tradition that they have to attend. Taking the name literally, they agree because they want to see wild turkeys running through the streets of Boston

(“Let them run for their freedom!” Eddie chants.

"It's what they deserve," Robin agrees. ) 

Flash forward to an hour into the festivities, Eddie and Robin are sweating and panting, practically falling over each other. They’re glaring at Steve while trying to keep up with him, muttering that he’s a traitor and how they thought they would see turkeys not be the turkeys. 

At one point Robin shouts at Steve to “Save himself” while Eddie collapses to the floor in a dramatic fit shouting “Leave me here to die.” 

When Steve finishes the race, he has to double back to rescue the fallen "turkeys." As punishment for his scheme, they make him cook and clean the entire feast of dessert and carbs (no turkey in sight) they demand after participating in physical activity. 

The following year, Steve is the only one running while Eddie and Robin cheer him on from the sidelines in awful, homemade turkey outfits. 

#just a little something cute for this dumb holiday #Steve is absolutely a turkey trotter and eddie and robin HATE it #running is bad enough let alone on a holiday built around food #steddie #stobin #steddie ficlet #stobin ficlet #steve harrington ficlet #eddie munson ficlet #robin buckley ficlet #steve harrington #eddie munson #robin buckley #dani writes

[thefatedthoughtofyou]

{ This is my little gift for you all! I had to do something! So i wipped this up toot sweet!!! I hope you all have a good Holiday Season!!!! }

🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄

Eddie's not sure why he lied. Told the party, Hopper and Joyce, and Steve, that he couldn't stay for Christmas. He'd gotten everyone gifts. Brought them all to the house. Steve had rushed out the door when Eddie was struggling to grab them all, like he'd been watching out the window for Eddie to arrive or something.

Steve's warm smile and laugh as he steadied Eddie on the sidewalk, and unloaded several boxes into his own arms, had made Eddie's stomach all swishy. But he'd walked through the door, into the, very loud, house. He'd seen everyone. All of them shouting hello's and asking for presents and telling him where to put things and what they were eating and what time.

Eddie's chest felt tight. He didn't know why. He hadn't even smiled at any of them, except maybe Steve, he couldn't remember. But he'd set the gifts down, cleared his throat and the words had tumbled out of his mouth.

"Sadly gremlins. I cannot stay. Wayne just got home from his shift at work. They finally let them have a Christmas off. And I promised we'd do a nice quiet Christmas, just the two of us." And he unceremoniously ran for the door, the disappointed sounds of the house full of his friends following him as he ran, his heart pounding. He thought he might have heard Steve tell him to wait, but he couldn't. He ducked out the door, nearly slipped on the ice on the stairs and booked it down the sidewalk before scrambling into his van.

Steve was standing on the pourch when he chanced a glance that way as he was backing out, his arms wrapped around himself to fend off the cold. He raised his hand, waving at Eddie as he drove away.

He could feel the tears coming before he managed to get back to the trailer park. His vision swimming. He wiped at his face and slowed down a bit. It had started snowing again, big fluffy flakes falling down. He pulled up to the trailer, it's windows dark, the way he'd left it after Wayne had gone to work, and he'd headed out to Hopper and Joyce's house.

He slammed the van door and stood standing in the falling snow, looking at the empty trailer, tears falling down his cheeks.

"You're so fucking stupid." He hissed at himself, turned, kicked his tire several times and yelled before stomping up the steps and ducking inside.

He kicks his shoes off, yanks his clothes off, struggles into his pajama pants and his ratty comfy old Dio shirt and crawls into bed. He hadn't turned on one light in the trailer. Preferred to do his self loathing in the dark.

He doesn't know how long he lays there, crying into his pillow, listening to the wind and the light patter of chunky snowflakes hitting his window. But he barely hears the knock. He sniffles, lifts his head, waits.

Two knocks. Gentle but insistent.

His chest tightens but he tosses his blanket off and pads slowly to the door. His hand reaching out as two more knocks hit the door. He bites his lip and turns the small lock, pulls the door open to find exactly who he knew he'd find.

"Steve." His name. That's all he can manage right now. He's so tired.

"Hey." Steve responds, looking up at Eddie from the second step of his porch. There are snowflakes in his hair and his eyes are bright as he looks at Eddie, he's got a look on his face Eddie can't decipher right now.

"Are you okay?" Steve ask, blurts really, his hands shoving into his pockets, shoulders bunching around his neck. And oh. Nervous. Steve is nervous.

"I'm fine Steve. Just-" he sighs, deeply, covers his face with his hands and groans.

"You don't seem fine. And- and Wayne's clearly not here. And you just ran, man. What- what's wrong?" Steve had stepped up the last step, moved toward Eddie. Eddie missed his hands reaching out and dropping back down. But he didn't miss Steve pressing into his space. He could feel the warmth of Steve's chest against his arm, tears welling in his eyes again.

"I don't know." He whispers into his hands, before dropping them and looking at Steve, finally, his face wet.

"Hey. It's okay. Let's- can we go inside, you're gonna freeze." Steve's hands land on his shoulders, in comfort, and question, and guide him inside when Eddie nods.

Steve kicks his wet shoes off and grabs the blanket from the back of the couch. He wraps it around Eddie and then sits them both on the couch, their knees gently pressed together. His hands soothing over Eddie's arms. The comfort just makes Eddie feel like crying more. He shivers, fights the urge to  push Steve's hands away.

"Tell me what's going on in your head Ed's." Steve says, his voice quiet and soft.

"It was just... too much." Eddie shrugs, doesn't look up at Steve, just stares into his lap. He hears Steve sigh.

"I get that. Everyone in one place is definitely a lot." Steve moves his hands down, curls his fingers over Eddie's hands.

"I've never had that." Eddie admits, looks up at Steve then, finds his eyes wide and open and waiting.

"It was always me and my mom. Or me and Wayne. Sometimes my dad but he always disappeared at some point and no one really missed him." Eddie shrugged. Steve nodded, squeezed his hands.

"I don't know why I lied I'm sorry." Eddie's throat feels tight again, his voice tilting into a whine.

"Hey it's okay. You don't have to be sorry. It's okay. Come here." Steve grabs Eddie, pulls him agaisnt his chest. It's awkard, the angle, but it feels safe. Steve always makes him feel safe. Eddie takes a few deep breaths, breathing in Steve, his face smooshed against his deep red sweater.

"Did everyone like their gifts?" Eddie asks, he feels Steve laugh and then he's leaning back, letting Eddie sit up to look at him.

"What makes you think they opened them?" Steve gives him a look. Eddie gives him one right back that makes him laugh again.

"Yeah they loved them. Mike tried to touch Erica's without asking and she smacked him. She's gonna be busy painting those for awhile." He smiled at the memory.

"Oh. And you made Nancy cry. She didn't even know you knew Barb. Where'd you even get that picture?" Steve asked, smiling. Eddie sighed.

"I didn't know her super well. She was in my theater class two years in a row though. We did a skit together. A Shakespeare thing. Our teacher said her calm manner was the only one in class that could offset my manic energy." Eddie laughed, remembering how Barb had smiled at him when their teacher had said that.

"She was always nice to me. Even when people called me a devil worshiper. She never cared, or believed that, I don't think." Eddie shook his head.

"Anyway, one of the girls in stagecrew took the picture, it was during rehearsals. We were just goofin off." He shrugged again. Steve reached out, took his hand.

"She loved it Ed's. It was perfect. You uh, you're quite the gift giver." Steve says, a small smile creeping over his features.

"I like giving gifts." Eddie says, keeps his eyes on their hands as Steve's thumb moves over his skin, gentle and warm.

"Did you-" Eddie clears his throat.

"Did you open yours?" He asks, his teeth digging into his lip. Steve mirrors him, and then drops his head, looks up at Eddie through his bangs.

"Yeah. How long did it take you to make it?" He asks, his fingers twitching agaisnt Eddie's.

"Not as long as you'd think probably. Finding the right patches took the longest." He shrugged again, aiming for nonchalance.

"Mhm. And you left room for more. You'll have to sew them on for me if I find some. I don't know how to do that." Steve ducks his head again, trying to get Eddie to look at him.

"I could teach you how. It's not hard really, once you figure it out." Eddie looks up then, giving Steve a reassuring smile.

"Mhm. That could be nice." He squeezes Eddie's hand again and guilt shoots through Eddie. He scrunches his face as Steve looks at him.

"What? What's that face for?" Steve laughs.

"I finished your vest months ago." He blurts, his hands starting to shake in Steve's grasp.

"Oh." Is all Steve says, because he doesn't get it. He doesn't understand why that's a problem. Or a secret. Or whatever it is. But now that Eddie's said it, he can't not tell him why. Can't stop his mouth from telling Steve the things he's shouldn't tell him.

"I was afraid to give it to you." He says, Steve tilts his head to the side, looking like a fucking lost puppy with those fucking eyes of his.

"Why?" He finally asks when Eddie just stares at him.

"Because. I knew if you saw it. You'd know." Eddie says, his shoulders drooping.

"Know what?" Steve asks, Eddie's feels his hands clench, just barely. Eddie sighs, takes a deep breath, lets it out again.

"How I feel about you." Eddie says, in a sort of rush, and then his mouth really gets going.

"So ya know I figured, Christmas. That would solve it. I could give it to you at Christmas, when everyone gives gifts, that's a normal, friendly thing, to do. And I figured ya know, in a crowd, that it would be less... intimate? And maybe it wouldn't feel, so much... like what it so fucking clearly is. But I ruined that too. Cuz I fucking ran. And I didn't even get to see you open it." His hands flail out of Steve's grasp, and he stands, starts pacing.

"And maybe that's for the best. That I didn't see it. That might have made it worse. Seeing your gut reaction, not a reaction after the fact, that you had time to rehearse. Cuz if you actually hated it. And I saw that. God that would have been embarrassing. Here's me just fucking, declaring my love for you on a fucking peice of painstakingly perfected fabric and then there you would have been, opening it in front of everyone! Oh my god why did I think this was a good idea? This was so stupid. I'm a fucking idiot what the fuck was I- whoa what are you-" Eddie's words die in the air as Steve grabs him and yanks him to his chest, his fingers curled into Eddie's shirt, their chests pressed together firmly.

"Stop. Talking." Steve says, his mouth a crooked line as he smirks at Eddie.

"What?" Eddie asks, brows furrowed. Steve closes his eyes, shakes his head.

"You're ridiculous." He huffs, opens his eyes.

"I didn't hate it. Eddie. I'd never hate anything you made for me. But especially not that. I loved it." He breathes, leaning closer, just a fraction, Eddie can feel his breath ghosting over his skin. Steve's face hardens from the fond look into something more serious. He licks his lips. Takes a breath.

"I love you." He says, his hands uncurling and pressing flat against Eddie's chest, surly he can feel Eddie's heart pounding. Eddie nods.

"I love you too. Like a lot. Like it hurts sometimes how much. Does that make sense?" His face scrunches, Steve presses closer, slowly closing the small distance between.

"It makes perfect sense to me." He whispers agaisnt Eddie's lips, and kisses him. He hums into Eddie's mouth when Eddie gasps and scrambles for purchase on Steve's back.

Steve pulls back and brushes his nose against Eddie's. Resting his forehead against his as they breathe in each others air.

"Come back to the party. You can stay in your jammies." Steve whispers between then, giving Eddie's hips a squeeze. He squirms, further into Steve's grip.

"My jim jams." Eddie whispers, almost laughing.

"Mhm. Wanna spend Christmas with you. Was kinda really looking forward to it." Steve is still whispering. Eddie pulls back, shocked, for some reason.

"Really?" He asks. Steve bites his lip and nods.

"Yeah. Of course. Plus," he dips forward, presses a chaste kiss to Eddie's lips, because he can now.

"You've got gifts to open Mister." Steve smiles at him, tucks a strand of his hair behind his ear.

"Aww really. Gifts for lil ol me?" Eddie teases, but he feels his chest grow warm.

"Yeah. And if the party gets too much just tell me, and me and Rob and Nance will yell at everyone to shut the hell up." Steve shrugs, kisses Eddie's cheek.

"Yeah. Yeah okay. I'll get my coat." Eddie nods, untangling himself from Steve. Steve lets him go, but smacks Eddie's ass as he's walking away. Eddie yelps, jumps, and rubs at his butt as he walks down the hall.

Steve drives them back, carefully in the still falling snow. Eddie's sure Hawkins has never been so beautiful as it is right now. Eddie sitting in Steve's car, quiet Christmas music playing through the speakers as Steve takes them back to a house full of people who love him, and missed him, and want him there. Eddie watches the snow fall, tightens his fingers where they're laced with Steve's, and decides maybe Christmas isn't so bad after all.

#steddie #steddie fic #steddie ficlet #steve harrington x eddie munson #steve x eddie #Christmas fic #holiday fic #mine #my writing #my fic

[artiststarme]

If there was one holiday Eddie hated, it was Christmas. He hated the cold weather that painted the trailer park in ice he always managed to slip on and the cold air that penetrated the leather jacket since he couldn’t afford a winter coat. Most of all, he hated the expectations. He didn’t like how all of his peers in school assumed everyone else was spending their break with family and opening presents under a brightly lit tree. He never had that. He and Wayne had a trailer they could barely coexist in. They had a small living room that wasn’t big enough to fit a tree and wallets too empty to afford anything but necessities.

Eddie was used to spending Christmas Day alone. Wayne always worked overtime at the plant to get enough holiday pay to keep them afloat. His parents were hell knows where, always had been. Just like any other day, any other holiday, Eddie was always alone.

On Christmas Eve of 1986 though, Eddie was hopeful. He sat in the Harrington dining room surrounded by the kids of the Party and his friends from Hellfire while he DMed his first ever DnD Christmas special. If he peeked around the corner, he could even see Will the Wise and little Wheeler flirting with each other and blushing.

Above the arguing of the Party, he could hear Steve and Robin yelling at something and the faint smell of something burning. Wayne was seated in the living room watching a toy train wreck ins around its track with a glass of eggnog in hand as he and Hop talked about “the good ole days”.

Eddie finally had people around, he was no longer alone but rather surrounded by the people he loved. He knew right then that Christmas of 1986 would be his best yet.

(Even after Steve and Robin set the stove on fire trying to make gingerbread cookies. No one got any Christmas cookies that year but Eddie did get a kiss and some loveful snuggling that night from Steve in apology, a trade he would make any day.)

#holiday cheer for the queers! #happy holidays #stranger things #steddie #Christmas ficlet #eddie munson #steve harrington #robin buckley #will byers #mike wheeler #uncle wayne #chief jim hopper

[just-my-latest-hyperfixation]

Eddie Munson's royal fuck-up

Written for the @steddieholidaydrabbles, day 11

Prompt: Royalty AU

Rated: G

CW: none

Tags: Rockstar Eddie Munson; Royal Steve Harrington; Meet cute; Flirting; Secret Identity; Sort of angsty/open ending

"So, tommorow…" Chrissy says from behind the folder they've been provided. It looks so posh with its dark green binding, the royal sigil embossed on it in gold print. Eddie hates it. It probably thinks it's so much better than the other folders. "When you're introduced to Prince Steven, you're to address him as Your Royal Highness. After that, you call him Sir." 

"What, really? Dude, at least buy me dinner before we start with the kinky shit." 

Chrissy shoves his feet off the desk, which almost makes him topple off his chair. 

"Can you take this seriously? A royal visit is an important matter. We can certainly use the publicity-" 

Eddie's hand crashes down on the desk. "I'm a fucking rockstar, Chris. That ain't enough publicity? This place is my baby, mine. What does that royal asshole know about what it's like to have a rough childhood? He thinks he can come here, give a little speech, smile for the cameras, and suddenly it's all about him?" 

"What, now you care?" 

He whirls on her, but the look she gives him makes him freeze. Chrissy sighs. 

"Eds, you are so busy with the new album and the tour, you haven't even met the new volunteers. I said I'd manage the place, and that's fine. But you must trust me. Just do it for me. Please?" 

*

The skate park has new graffiti, and he hasn't even seen it yet. Eddie exhales his cigarette smoke and watches how it curls up to the sign spelling Hellfire Youth Center.

Maybe Chrissy is right. Maybe he should be here more. Maybe he's been so caught up in the whole fame and fortune thing, he's losing sight of what's important, like- 

"Watch out!" 

Like guys on skateboards barrelling towards him. 

Eddie throws up his hands. The guy tries to swerve, completely tips his precarious balance, and goes flying off the board and right into him. They land on the asphalt with an undignified oomph. 

"Shit, sorry," babbles the guy and tries to disentangle his limbs from Eddie’s. "Couldn't brake-" 

"S alright," Eddie hears himself say, even though his ass hurts like a bitch from the impact and he can already feel the bruises forming. "You can fall into my arms any time." 

Skateboard guy blinks up at him and - fuuuck, he's cute! In a scrungly, beanie-stuffed-over-chestnut-locks, black-rimmed-nerd-glasses kind of way. 

For a second, nobody says anything. 

"For fuck’s sake," someone swears, and then little Max Mayfield is running towards them, ginger braids jumping with the movement. "I told you to be careful." 

"Sorry," cutie with the glasses says again. Eddie has never seen him around. He must be one of the new volunteers Chrissy mentioned. "Guess I'll need to practice some mo- ow, shit!" 

His hands fly up to cradle his knee. There's a hole and a rapidly spreading bloodstain in the fabric of his jeans. 

"Oh fuck," Eddie says, and whips his bandana from his back pocket to press it to the wound. "Red, why don't you hop inside and get the first aid kit? I'll stay here with …" 

He trails off expectantly. Cutie's eyes go wide. 

"I, erm … Dustin." 

"I'll stay here with Dustin." 

*

Dustin, it turns out, isn't just cute, but also fun to talk to. He doesn’t gush about what a huge fan he is or ask for an autograph once. Eddie never thought he'd appreciate that one day, but it gets really old really quick. 

Instead, they jump from one topic to the next, sitting on one of the benches and watching Max go on her board. Dustin has a quick, sharp wit and isn't afraid to counter Eddie’s jabs with his own, delightfully bitchy sense of humor. Damn, to think he almost missed this one. He really needs to be around more.

"I love this place, y’know? You created something great for these kids." 

Eddie jerks to attention. The sun has started to dip, casting Dustin’s smile and the hair poking from his beanie in a soft golden light. 

"Thanks man," Eddie murmurs, and feels the bitterness boil back up. "Some people seem to think it needs better publicity, though." 

Dustin shuffles awkwardly, winces when the movement pulls on the Care Bears bandaids Max has plastered all over his knee. 

"You mean the royal visit?"

Eddie huffs. 

"Yeah, man. I mean, what are they expecting me to do, bow and grovel while his Royal Doucheness prances all over the place with his perfect hair and fancy suit and thank him for it? It's not like he cares about these kids, it's all just a gig to him."

Dustin draws his bottom lip between his teeth.

"You can't know that. Maybe he does care. Maybe he's-" 

Eddie barks a laugh. "Oh, give me a break. All the royals are good at is looking important and spending our tax money. I can fucking do without-" 

"Steve? We gotta leave, c'mon." 

They both whip around. A fancy black limousine with tinted windows has pulled up in the parking lot behind them. A gruff looking man is holding the back door open and looking at them expectantly. 

Dustin sighs and stands. 

"Coming, Hop." 

"Wait, wait, what?" Eddie babbles as he walks towards the car, shoulders in a sad little hunch. "What's going on? Who's that guy? Why's he calling you-" 

And then it clicks. 

"Oh fuck," Eddie says. 

Dustin … no, Steve … no, Steven - Crown Prince Steven fucking Harrington - gives him a tight smile while the man ushers him into the backseat. 

"Thank you for your time, Mr Munson, I'll see you tomorrow. I'll try not to be too much of a douchebag, I promise." 

The door clicks shut. 

The car glides away. 

Eddie buries his face in his palms. 

"Jesus fucking Christ. He's the fucking Prince."

Beside him, wheels grate on asphalt as Max brakes.

"Wow," she deadpans. "You're in some deep shit." 

Eddie groans. 

Tomorrow is gonna be a long-ass fucking day. 

Part 2

All my holiday drabbles

#steddie #steve harrington x eddie munson #steve x eddie #steddie brainrot #steddie fanfic #fanfiction writer #fanfiction #fanfic #my writing #steddie ficlet #steddie holiday drabbles #hype's holiday drabbles

[stevesbipanic]

@steddiemas Day 8: Hanukkah Traditions

Steve was nervous. He'd moved in with Eddie and Wayne a month ago since his parents told him in no uncertain terms to be out by the time they got back. The past month had felt so warm and loving. But Hanukkah was beginning tomorrow and Steve was freaking out.

"Sweetheart, you don't need to stress out about it, you don't even need to join in the traditions if you don't want to. Plus Wayne and I are very chill about it, I think Wayne just likes to remember his mother's stories the most, she would've loved you."

"But it is important, Eds! You and Wayne have been so good to me and I want to show you that I appreciate that."

Eddie sighed moving towards him, curling Steve's clenched hands and intertwining their fingers.

"We know you appreciate it, Stevie, and we both love you so much, secretly I think Wayne prefers you." Steve has a quirk of a smile for a moment.

"Only cause I don't burn the toast when I make breakfast."

"It was one time and I was 12, sorry for putting effort into father's day for him," Eddie joked. "C'mon let's go help Wayne finish letting up."

Later, when the menorah was set and ready on the windowsill, cabinets stocked with ingredients for all the food they'd make, and gifts wrapped for the week ahead, the three men sat with mugs of coffee despite the late hour.

"You ready for your first Hanukkah, Steve?" Wayne asked.

"I think so, Eddie has told me a bit but I'm excited to learn."

"That's good of you, son, don't worry if you don't get it all right away, Eddie tried lighting all the candles at once when he was little."

"Can we lay off poor baby Eddie, he was a sweet boy."

"A sweet boy that brought toads home as pets."

"The frogs are mean to them."

Wayne chuckled at his nephews antics.

"Would you like to hear the story of Judah and the Maccabees, Steve? My memory isn't as good as it used to be but I'm sure I can make it as exciting as my Ma used to tell it."

"I'd love to," Steve smiled. Wayne smiled softly, getting comfy in his chair and began to tell the tale. Steve leaned into Eddie as he listened, he might not know all the traditions yet, but it already feels more like home and family than Christmas with his parents ever did.

Ao3

#forgive me as someone with few jewish friends if any of this is wrong and please correct me if it is ❤️ #hanukkah isnt as big in Australia probably because we dont have as big population of people that observe the holiday #but jewish eddie is def one i can see #and steve just wants to learn and be a good bf #stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie #steddiemas #ficlet #jewish eddie munson

[wormdebut]

Call Me

For @steddieholidaydrabbles prompt Day 29 'Free Space Spicy' When Mickala showed me her STELLAR Sports AU I went a little bananas. BLESS her for letting me tag along and create a slutty little part two for it.

Rated: E || Word Count: 995 || Tags: Phone Sex, football player Steve, Rockstar Eddie, slutty dudes, masturbation MINORS DO NOT LOOK. Anywhozle, @steddieas-shegoes I think you're hot. Everyone enjoy. ---

Steve is antsy. Sure, he had just gotten off in the locker room—in his damn uniform, Robin was going to have a field day with this one—but it wasn’t enough. It was never enough when it came to Eddie.

These next two weeks could not move fast enough. Steve wanted to see his boyfriend. Steve wanted to get absolutely railed by his boyfriend. 

They made it work. Seeing each other as often both of their hectic schedules allowed. They had just seen each other a few days ago, but Eddie was right. Steve was insatiable.

He made his way to his hotel room, throwing himself onto the massive bed. He huffed into the pillows before grabbing his phone.

He had a text.

‘Call me, when you get in, precious.’

Steve quickly hits the FaceTime button, thrown by his boyfriend's (hot) angry expression. 

Steve cocks his head, “Eds, What’s wrong?”

Eddie clicked his tongue behind his teeth, shaking his head. “I didn’t ask you to FaceTime me, did I?”

The confusion on Steve’s face was clear. He did…he said call him when—call him.

Oh.

Steve’s eyes went wide and Eddie smirked through the screen.

“See, there’s my smart boy. I’ll give you one more chance, baby. Call me.”

Steve’s lip barely has time to jut out before Eddie hangs up. 

Asshole.

Steve huffs to himself–calls anyway.

Eddie’s answering greeting is drenched in saccharine sweetness. Steve can practically taste it on his tongue.

“Hi baby boy.” Steve is fucked and they haven’t even done anything yet. “See? Following directions isn’t too hard.”

Steve whines. He’d like to deny it, but–he has needs. “I wanted to see you.” 

Eddies answering laugh is low. Steve would like to deny the answering shiver that runs down his spine, but again…needs. “Well, Princess, we can do that, or you can be a good boy and listen.”

Steve nods before realizing Eddie can’t fucking see him. “Yes—I can listen.” He breathes. Eddie hums over the line.

“There you are, precious. Wanna tell me what’s got you so horned up that you had to jack off in the locker room?” Eddie purrs, voice low–firm. Steve loves when he gets like this.

“Missed you.” He breathes.

 “Baby, you have a whole team that can take care of you. I know Hagan would fuck you in a heartbeat.” Eddie teases and Steve pouts. 

“Eddie.” Steve snaps. “I don’t–they aren’t–”

Eddie clicks his tongue. “They aren’t what, pet?”

“They aren’t you Eds.” Steve didn’t want to push–he’d already pissed Eddie off and he needs–he needs. 

“What do you need, baby? Tell me.”

Steve felt the blush rush his cheeks. He didn’t mean to say that out loud. “S-sorry, I just–I need you. I need your cock. I need you to fuck me until I can’t see straight, Eddie. Tonight’s game was insane. I miss my boyfriend and I need your cock in me so bad I think I might die.” 

“God, what would your teammates say if they knew you were this fucking needy, baby. Big ol’ tough jock Steve Harrington begging for cock? You just need to be taken care of don’t you baby boy.” Steve whimpers, as Eddie laughs over the line. “Take your pretty cock out for me.” Eddie commands. Steve listens, like the good boy that he is. Still in his stupid fucking uniform. He’ll wash the set twice, it’s fine, alright?

He’s hard, the tip of his dick red and leaking. Steve runs his finger along the vein on the underside just like Eddie would. “Ed–” Steve moans, “Please I–”

Eddie tsks again. “Did I say you could fucking touch? I don’t think so, I said: Take. It. Out.”

Steve is quick to let himself go, can’t help the whine that escapes his throat, breathy and needy. He pants into the speaker and Eddie growls on the other end.

“God. I love the pretty noises you make. You needy needy boy. What do you need?” Eddie huffs. Steve thinks he can hear a zipper being pulled down. Hypocrite.

“Need to come. Need you to make me come. Please.” Steve’s panting, his gaze frozen on his leaking cock, his free hand is curled up in a ball on his side. Waiting for permission. Waiting for Eddie to tell him what to do. 

Eddie doesn’t say anything. Steve is stuck, just listening to the sounds of a slick fist and Eddie’s heavy breaths. When Eddie talks, it’s breathy–strung out. “God, you looked so hot on the field princess. I can’t wait to see you, to kiss those pretty fucking lips, dig my fingers into your perfect tight little ass and make you beg for it.”

Steve is simply a whimpering mess at this point, his cock jerks in vain, he won’t touch. Eddie told him not to.

“C’mon pretty baby. Beg for it.” Eddie commands and Steve–well–

“Please, Eds, let me touch. Please let me come with you. Come for you. I need it.”

“There’s my perfect boy. Touch your pretty little cock for me, baby girl.”

Steve takes himself in hand, keening as he does. Listens to his perfect fucking boyfriend jerking himself off and god–he’s close already.

“Eds–Eddie. Please, please. Let me come, baby. Please.” Steve breathes.

“Come for me, pretty boy.”

Steve wails as he comes, white streaking his jersey. He pants through his release and can’t help the smile that breaks out across his face as Eddie comes on the other end of the line. He listens to Eddie’s deep breathing, praises offered up easily in between breaths. 

It’s only when Steve starts laughing, an uncontrollable thing, that Eddie cuts himself off.

“What baby?” He asks. “What’s so funny?”

Steve hiccups trying to slow his breathing. “Do you think they would just send me a new uniform if I asked?”

Eddie joins him in his laughter and Steve is perfect. Happy in this headspace, with his hot ass rockstar boyfriend. Two weeks would go by in a flash.

—-

#STEDDIE #football player stevie #steve harrington #eddie munson #rockstar eddie munson #steddie fic #steddie drabble #steddie ficlet #steddieholidaydrabbles #of course this would be the only holiday drabble i do #of course #mmkay love you bye #worm brain

[vegasol]

«3! 2! 1! Happy new year!» Everyone screams excitedly all around them.

Then, as they tend to do, all the couples kiss. And for a stupid second, it feels like the whole world consists of only couples. It makes Eddie feel like there’s a giant spotlight on him, pointing him out in the crowd. Look, there’s the single guy. The virgin, with no one to kiss.

He looks at Steve, who’s right next to him. Steve’s got his arms around Robin, she’s got her arms around his neck, and they’re just done giving each other a kiss too, a big ol’ smack of puckered lips. Eddie wonders if he should look away, but then they release each other and Steve turns to look at Eddie, catching him looking.

So Eddie just hovers, awkwardly frozen in place by Steve’s gaze.

“You alright, Eddie?” Steve prompts, reaching out a hand to place it comfortingly on Eddie’s lower back. It feels so warm, makes Eddie feel all fuzzy. Or maybe that’s the champagne.

“I don’t have anyone to kiss,” he blurts, tongue loosened by alcohol and way more honest than what is good for him. “I’ve never kissed anyone before,” he adds lamely, because his drunk self apparently thought that was an important amendment to be making.

“Uhh..” Steve stares at him, confused. Like his gears are grinding away ever so slowly. He’s had plenty of the champagne too, Eddie knows.

“You could kiss me? I don’t mind,” Steve offers, and it suddenly feels simple. Yeah, why shouldn’t he? Steve’s just offering to help, it doesn’t have to mean anything. He kissed Robin too, so it’s no big deal, right?

He lets Steve’s hand on his lower back pull him in gently. They’re the same height, no need for Eddie to bend his neck at an awkward angle or anything. He just steps right into Steve’s space, their lips suddenly just an inch away from touching, their breath suddenly mingling.

I don’t know how, Eddie is about to say, but he doesn’t have time to before Steve closes the rest of the gap. His lips are soft and warm and plush as he puckers them against Eddie’s. It’s nice. And Eddie thinks that’s going to be it: just a sweet, chaste, innocent kiss among friends, before Steve will pull away again. He’d be okay with that.

But instead of pulling away, Steve presses his lips harder to Eddie’s. In surprise, Eddie parts his lips, to draw a breath, to say something maybe, and again Steve surprises him by catching Eddie’s bottom lip in his. Eddie’s breath stutters and he forgets everything about everything. He forgets that people are watching, he forgets that this wasn’t going to mean anything. He forgets how to stand on his own two legs, so he sinks into Steve’s arms, holding on to him desperately as he lets Steve deepen the kiss.

It's like fireworks are going off, not just in the sky all around them, but inside Eddie, too.

When Steve finally breaks the kiss and lets him go, Eddie feels like a changed person. New year, new Eddie. Now that he’s tried it, he never wants to stop kissing Steve.

And Steve, King Steve, he’s gotta know, the way he’s looking at Eddie grinning all smugly. It must be written clearly all over Eddie’s face.

“Maybe you can return the favor next year,” Steve says, and Eddie can only nod.

“Uh huh. I will.”

#look; i spent way too long on this and am going to bed way too late because of this; not to share #I fully wrote it sleep deprived at 1-2am so please don't hold any typos or grammatical errors against me gfjdklshfs #hope this can bring a bit of new year cheer to y'all #steddie #steddie drabble #steddie fanfic #steddie fanfiction #steve/eddie #steve x eddie #stwgdailyprompt #steddie ficlet #steddie fic #stranger things fic #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie holiday fic #vega writes #my writing #happy new year everyone!

[redlegumes]

Dec 8th: Dead Give Away, Innit?

Written for @steddieholidaydrabbles

prompt: Idiots to Lovers | AO3: link | wc: 861 | rating: G | cw: none | tags: Wayne POV, first kiss, oblivious

Summary: Wayne is tired of Steve and Eddie, beating around the bush. It's obvious that when their 'kids' ask them to host a holiday party together they're ready for these two to get together too.

❆˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗❆

Wayne ducked his head out of the kitchen to see Eddie struggling, arms full ,trying to get through their small home’s door. He was about to help when he saw a familiar tan hand and scarred wrist help his nephew. Steve Harrington, back again.

Wayne waited a beat and then headed out after them. Eavesdropping was something he rarely did around Eddie, the boy deserved his privacy, but… he was curious what the two were up to this time. He hung back a little, listening to the young men while standing just inside the front door.

continues after the cut

He didn’t quite hear what Eddie said but he caught Steve’s reply.

“No, this time Max called.”

“What?”

“Yeah, she wanted to make sure we weren’t just ‘throwing it together’ last minute.”

“What a little ingrate,” Eddie exclaimed.

Wayne cracked the door open and watched as Steve leaned in toward Eddie, startling him into a low chuckle. “You love her.”

“You… no, you ‘Mama’ Harrington,” Eddie said, poking Steve in the chest, inches away from his face now. “You know, that’s what they call you.”

Wayne held his breath. Is this it?

Steve stepped back. “I guess I’ve got a reputation to uphold. So you better be bringing your ‘a’ game Eddie.”

“Sports ref-”

Wayne exhaled and stepped outside into the chill, Indiana winter air. Idiots. “-what’s all this now boys?”

Steve waved, and Eddie grinned before picking his gear back up. “The kids insisted we host a holiday party for them,” he huffed, loading an amp and his guitar into the back of the van.

“Yeah, very specific that we head it up,” Steve added, grimacing. “I don’t know why. I mean I’ve thrown some parties but-”

“Oh, really Stevie?”

Wayne folded his arms over his chest as he watched his boy hip check the always well groomed Harrington, slightly throwing him off balance. He also watched as the blush covered the young man’s face, and groaned lightly. The two had been fawning over each other, teasing, and then pulling back every time it looked like they might be finally getting somewhere. It’d been like that since April, and Wayne had just about had his fill.

Steve had already won him over. Harrington wasn’t given a free pass just for saving his nephew’s life, but in the following months he’d proven to be no fair weather friend to the Munsons. He shepherded those kids Eddie cared about too back and forth to physical therapy and just about anywhere else they begged him to. Steve would put on a show, all put upon, but Wayne saw the protective glint in his eye and the smile he hid every time he was ‘pressed’ to help them out. Steve was good people. But tripping over his tongue in front of Eddie was getting a little old.

Wayne suspected their extended friend group felt the same way if Steve and Eddie had been pushed to plan a holiday celebration together.

“The ‘Hair’ and his masterful party skills squandered on a lil event for a group of sophomores,” Eddie wheedled.

“Hey,” Steve protested. “And us, and Robin, she’s bringing Vickie. Jonathan and Nancy will be back in town, your DnD guys-”

“-my bandmates-”

“-both.” Steve tugged on one of Eddie’s curls. “It’s not just the kids.”

Wayne shifted his weight, fighting the urge to light up a cigarette. This has gone on long enough. “So, it sounds like you two are planning. Are the other older teens bringing anything to help out? You know, the couples other than you two. Decorations? Food?”

Steve blinked slowly. “Um, Everyone is bringing white elephant gifts. I recommended they bring snacks and drinks, but I don’t expect anyone to so I make sure to have plenty.”

“Who all is dating who now,” Wayne asked as casually as possible. If these two knuckleheads are going to keep being dense I might as well act oblivious. “I know the redhead is with Sinclair. But I never seem to know who Hopper’s kid is or isn’t seeing. And your Robin is seeing the Carmichael girl.” Steve was mouthing words without sound. Eddie had frozen where he stood. “But I suppose they wanted you two to host since you're the ones who have been together the longest and are still in town.”

Eddie’s face steadily turned bright scarlet. “What would, Wayne, what… Steve and me?”

“Aw, don’t worry none boy.” Eddie’s jaw dropped. “What,” Wayne chuckled, “was it supposed to be a secret? Jeez, you both doing this holiday get together is a bit of a dead give away innit?”

Steve’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Dustin, it was Dustin’s suggestion, and then everyone said we should…”

“Hmmm?” Wayne chose not to catch what he was saying. “Well, my two cents, if you care, is don’t get too worried about making it all perfect. Make sure you both have a good time too.” Wayne turned back to the house to hide his smile. “And don’t forget the mistletoe.”

…

Wayne parted the blinds a few minutes later to catch a quick glimpse of Steve and Eddie wrapped up in each other, kissing as flurries began to fall.

Finally.

2023 RedLegumes Steddiemas 1 2 3 4 5 6 10 SteddieHolidayDrabbles 1 2 3 4 6 8 9 10

#steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie #i write things #holiday drabbles #ficlet #steddie ficlet #steddieholidaydrabbles #first kiss #wayne pov #wayne munson #idiots in love #idiots to lovers

[bisexualvampires]

Castiel remembered the first frost on this infant planet. Recalled the majesty of each fallen snowflake, each so beautiful in vastly different shapes than the next. He remembered the first sunrise on the first ocean. The first breath of life in the first creature. The first light of the first stars.

He remembered the first sight of Dean Winchester’s soul in hell. Remembered each freckle, each pore, every hair on his head as he wove the stardust he was made of back into existence.

He remembered the first time he felt awe, felt curiosity, felt devotion. He felt all of it now as his life’s breath plumed between them in the icy air. Saw all the beauty in all of history in the green eyes studying him sheepishly in the way the angel was akin to when Dean thought he wasn’t looking. It was far from the first time Cas wished to close the distance between them. To taste and feel and experience the beauty and explosion of life and death and all things in between that was Dean Winchester. He’d imagined it many times on many nights, darker and less snowy than this.

But for the first time it seemed their story left them on the same page. Dean’s lips were warm upon his own. His hands nervous on the angel’s cheeks; his lashes brushing against Castiel’s own.

The universe was a vast thing. Full of infinite possibilities and timelines. Castiel had seen so much — felt so much regret and guilt, even before his inevitable fall. But for this moment with the miracle of Dean’s warm lips upon his own, the soft sigh of relief and frantic beat of his heart, it was worth the wait. All of it.

#happy holidays besties!! rest assured they are kissing rn 😌 #destiel #deancas #dean winchester #castiel #my writing #ficlet

[mari-writes]

Koutarou attends The Nutcracker for his sister, Kai, who's dancing as the Snow Queen. 

This is her second year in the role, but he missed last time, so he’s so excited! He can’t wait to see his big sister dance! 

And then he sees him. 

In the role of the Snow King is a young prodigy named Akaashi Keiji. He’s a year younger than Koutarou, and his sister says Akaashi is “the best dance partner she’s ever had.”

Koutarou is immediately enamored. His eyes follow Akaashi wherever he goes on stage, despite Kai being the focal point of the routine. He’s lean, but obviously so strong, capable of lifting, throwing and catching his sister flawlessly. Effortlessly.

(Also, those tights look so good on him.)

Koutarou pretty much begs his sister to introduce them. “Please! I’ll do anything!” He cries as he unleashes the full force of his pout. “I don’t even care if he’s not available or interested in me! I just want to meet him!”

She finally relents after a week of his hassling. Koutarou attends the show again on closing night. He’s a bit nervous. The Nutcracker has been a huge hit, with critics and audiences alike praising the Snow Queen and King specifically. Akaashi’s name is on everyone’s lips; he's “the next big thing” in the Tokyo dance scene.

“Calm down, Kou,” Kai hisses as she leads him down the hall and towards the theater’s green room. “He’s just a person just like you. Trust me, it’ll be fine.”

Koutarou nods. Swallows. He holds his breath as they finally step into the room.

They find Akaashi casually leaning against the back wall, munching on an apple and swiping through his phone. Koutarou’s eyes roam his form. He’s wearing a cropped, midnight blue hoodie that cuts off at the hem of his black joggers, displaying his slim build. His feet are covered in a pair of beat-up sneakers.

“Keiji dear, do you have a moment?”

Akaashi looks up, and Koutarou sucks in a breath. The man has perhaps the prettiest eyes Koutarou has ever seen. A devastating mix of blue-green-grey, piercing, with heavy lids and long lashes.

Surprisingly, those eyes widen when as they land on Koutarou, and his mouth drops open. “Of course,” he nods, “um, hello.” His voice is like velvet, soft yet with a gravely texture that send a shiver through Koutarou. He also can’t help but notice that Akaashi is a few inches shorter, which forces the man to look up at him as they approach.

Oh my god, he's an actual angel.

Kai pulls her brother forward until the two men are a few paces apart. She squeezes his arm, a gesture she’s been using since they were kids to lend him comfort, encouragement. He leans appreciatively into the warm touch.

“It’s, um, it’s wonderful to finally meet you, Bokuto-san.”

Koutarou blinks, confused. Akaashi is addressing him as if he knows who he is. “Oh! Uh, it’s nice to meet you, too!” He grins sheepishly. “Did Kai tell you I was coming, or..?”

The man shakes his head. Now that they’re so close, Koutarou notices leftover sparkles and flecks of fake snow still clinging to Akaashi’s wavy black hair.

Enchanting. 

“Well, I did know you were her brother… but I didn’t know you would be here tonight.” His eyes narrow at Kai, who chuckles.

“Keiji here is a big fan of volleyball,” she smirks at her brother, who nearly chokes at the new information. "He watched every single one your matches at the last Olympics. Apparently.”

“Really?!” Koutarou can’t believe his ears. Akaashi Keiji, the beautiful man who he’s been obsessing over the last few weeks, is a fan of him, too? It’s a bonafide Christmas miracle!

“Yes,” Akaashi’s lips twitch upward. It’s not quite a smile, but close. “I’ve, ah, been hoping Kai would introduce us someday.”

Koutarou beams. He can’t even be angry at his sister for keeping the secret. He’s just too happy right now. "I'm so glad she did!"

They end up at the closing night after party, sitting side by side in a booth, surrounded by family and friends. Conversation flows easily. Akaashi is rather quiet, but he seems content to just listen to Koutarou talk. He occasionally barks out a dry, sarcastic comment that only enamors Koutarou further.

He also smells nice. Like sandalwood and rose. Koutarou has to restrain himself from taking a big, long whiff.

“Y-you know, Bokuto-san,” Akaashi says, words slurring a bit from the whiskey shots he’d just downed. “I actually played a bit volleyball when I was younger.”

Koutarou gasps. “You did?!” 

Akaashi giggles, then hiccups, and it’s the cutest thing Koutarou has ever heard. “I did,” Akaashi nods, “but only into middle school. Dance sort of took over my life after that. I’ve continued to follow the sport, though.”

Koutarou is having trouble containing his excitement. He grips his beer with one hand and reaches to grip Akaashi’s forearm lightly with the other. “You have to play with me someday!”

Akaashi snorts (wait, no, that is the cutest thing Koutarou has ever heard) and shakes his head. “I couldn’t possibly keep up with a pro player like you…”

“And I can’t keep up with your dancing,” Koutarou winks. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to do that with you sometime. If you want, that is...”

For a brief moment, Akaashi just stares, and Koutarou wonders if he’s being too forward. But then Akaashi’s lips settle into a sweet smile, and he glances down into his drink. His sharp cheekbones bloom with color. “Are you asking me on a date, Bokuto-san?”

Well then. Koutarou hadn’t expected things to progress this quickly, but sometimes, fate has other plans. “I mean,” he clears his throat, “maybe..?”

Akaashi looks up, and Koutarou is suddenly drowning. He swears his sees an entire future in those stormy eyes, just waiting to pull him under. 

(And Koutarou would go, gladly.)

“I would love to,” Akaashi says, leaning forward to clank their glasses together. “Merry Christmas, Bokuto-san.”

//

A short advert ft. The Nutcracker's snow scene 💙❄️

Thank you for reading this sappy little thing I wrote after working a week straight of Nutcracker performances (eight shows in one week; it was insane). If you enjoyed this, PLEASE reblog! It really helps me out, way more than just a like (though I appreciate those, too). You can also share my post on Twitter! Thanks everyone for your support this year. It’s been rough, for many reasons. I hope you all have a happy holiday season. Here’s to 2024! 🥰

#bokuaka #akaboku #akaashi keiji #bokuto koutarou #haikyuu fanfiction #haikyuu!! #fanfic #my writing #ficlet #drabble #HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE #the nutcracker #ballet

[steddie-island]

Maybe it's not so obvious

@steddiemas day 16 - Angst themed sentence starters | WC: 996 | Rating: M (for language) | CW for light angst See full list of tags on ao3

“Just leave already. You obviously don’t want to be here.” 

Steve looked like he’d been kicked, and Eddie regretted his words immediately. Still, he had to put how he felt out there. He had to let Steve know that he was doing a terrible goddamn job of concealing the fact that he was miserable here. “Stop looking at me like that, like I just grew a second head. It’s true, and you know it.” 

“No it isn’t.” Steve was still frowning, and Eddie had the urge to reach out and smooth a thumb over his brow. He was going to get wrinkles if he kept doing that– not that Eddie had a problem with that, but the hundreds of dollars of skincare shit in Steve’s bathroom probably didn’t appreciate him making the problem worse. Eddie shifted where he stood and carefully made his way past the boxes of Christmas decorations scattered around the living room. The crutches made it easier for him to get around, but he’d proven a few times now that he could still fall while he was using them. “Just– stop lying, Steve. I’ve seen the way you’ve been acting, man. You– you’ve barely touched me, you won’t look at me. Just– stop pretending, all right? Do us both a favor and– go.” He fell onto the couch with a grunt, spent several long moments getting comfortable before he finally looked up at Steve.

Steve, whose eyes were wide and wet. “Eddie, you don’t– you don’t really think I don’t want to be here, do you?” he asked quietly.

“I’m pretty goddamn sure I just made it obvious that I know you don’t want to be,” he said. His voice was soft, despite the heat he meant to be behind his words. “You don’t want to be here, and maybe– maybe I don’t want you here, either.” Lie. That was a lie. Eddie wanted Steve here so bad that it made him ache, which made Steve’s wanting to be gone so bad hurt that much more. 

“You don’t… want me here?” Steve whispered. It was different if Eddie thought he didn’t want to be here, but if Eddie didn’t want him here… 

Eddie couldn’t answer, though, was suddenly very interested in the hole in the knee of his jeans. He’d barely gotten the lie out once, if Steve poked and prodded it was all going to come spilling out. 

“Eddie.” Steve took a second to move two boxes of decorations out of the way so Eddie could get around better later– always so goddamn thoughtful, even when he was being yelled at. “Eddie. Do… do you really not want me here?”

Eddie made a soft sound but didn’t look away from his knee. Why would Steve want to be here? Why would Steve choose to be in their shitty government bought trailer– which was less shitty than the trailer they’d lived in before, to be sure, but it was still a shitty trailer. Why would he want to be with Eddie when he had that big beautiful house, that he was sure was just dripping with decorations put up by some overpriced professional who carried a fucking chihuahua in her purse, even here in fucking Hawkins. His parents might not be there, but he could have Robin there, and the kids. Steve had no fucking reason to want to be here. With him. 

“Eddie.” Steve’s voice was small, quiet, and when Eddie looked over at him and saw the hurt on his face, he wanted to kick his own ass. 

“C’mon, Steve. I mean– why would you want to be here?” he asked, voicing some of his feelings finally. “I’ve seen you. The last few days you’ve walked around looking like you want to puke. I touch you, you pull away like you can catch something from me. If you’re tired of me–” He was cut off with a kiss, with Steve simultaneously pulling him in and surging forward himself, until their lips met in a kiss that was messy and clumsy. 

It certainly did the job, though, and when they broke apart Eddie’s eyes were wide. 

“I didn’t realize– I wasn’t trying to tell you that I don’t want to be here.” Steve swallowed hard. “I’ve been– trying not to let it out that I’m– these past few months, since you got out of the hospital… they’ve meant the world to me. Getting to know you, and your uncle… Fuck, Eddie. How could I want to be anywhere but here with you?” He swallowed. “I’ve been trying not to be a creep. I mean– I’ve helped you in the bath. What kind of pervert does that make me? And then the other day– you made a joke about mistletoe and I let myself hope for just a moment that maybe you could want me, too, but if you don’t–”

It was Steve’s turn to get cut off as Eddie gripped the lapels of his stupid fucking polo and pulled him in close. This kiss was clumsy, too, but as Steve wrapped an arm around Eddie’s waist and slipped closer, as Eddie leaned back into the corner of the couch and pulled Steve into his lap, it melted into something better, something warm and soft and so fucking tender. 

“I want you here,” Eddie whispered. “I’ve wanted you here the whole time, Stevie baby.”

“And I want to be here,” Steve murmured back. He lifted a hand to comb through Eddie’s hair, like he’d done a dozen times before, only this time he wasn’t just trying to help Eddie keep it untangled after a bath. “I’ve wanted to be here the whole time. Since before you woke up.” 

“I’m a fucking idiot.” Eddie shook his head and pulled Steve closer, until the other boy was practically lying on top of him. “Forgive me?” Steve bumped their noses together. “Only if you kiss me again.”

Eddie grinned, and was more than happy to comply. 

#Steddiemas #Steddie fic #Steddie ficlet #Steddie #Steddie drabble #Steve x Eddie #Holiday drabble #My fic #My writing

[hephaestn]

The twinkling lights from Tommy’s garage were all blurred out in his vision, colors mixing together. Blue and green. Green and red. Red and yellow. He wanted to get up, tear the Christmas lights down, step on them, crush the stupid plastic with the heel of his boot.

Steve and Nancy sat on the couch opposite of him, across the room, underneath the stupid, glowing, awful Christmas lights. Kissing and giggling.

He felt Tommy’s elbow on his ribs. Billy knew the freckled-face boy sat next to him was about to make a joke of some sort, as he always did after elbowing Billy.

“They’re worse now than before their breakup. Always joined at the mouth,” Tommy slurred against his beer bottle.

“It’s disgusting,” Billy spit out.

“What, Hargrove? Did you want Wheeler all for yourself?” Tommy giggled as he took another sip of beer.

Billy could barely stand up but he tried anyway. He needed to get out of here as soon as possible. The alcohol in his bloodstream was dizzying, heating up his muscles, making him want to take off his leather jacket. He craved a cool breeze, freezing cold rain splattering against his skin.

He made his way out of the garage door and let his lungs get filled by the cold air. It dissipated some of the alcohol from his mind, made him feel more himself, somehow. The hot, sweaty air within the room behind him was driving him insane. A small part of his brain wanted to tell him it wasn’t the stuffy air that was driving him insane; it was them—him. His stupid love-sick smiles at anything the stuck-up Wheeler bimbo said and did. His hand moving away her hair before he kissed her. His eyes staring at Billy from across the room in a fleeting moment, as if Billy’s gaze was something shameful to look at for more than a second.

Billy felt like throwing up, his stomach twisting and turning at the flooding memories of him and Steve in the back of the Camaro. He had been so stupid—stupid, stupid, stupid. Billy repeatedly hit the side of his head with the palm of his hand as he tried to swallow the knot of tears in his throat that attempted to drown him.

“Do you feel alright?”

Billy turned at the sudden voice behind him only to encounter his worst nightmare.

“Yes,” Billy said as his voice broke.

Steve stared at him with furrowed brows. “You sure? You’re looking a little pale.”

“I said I’m fucking fine, Harrington,” Billy barked as he walked past Steve on his way back to the garage.

Their shoulders brushed as Billy bumped into him. It made him squeeze his eyes shut at the electrifying feeling that run through his body.

“I’m sorry,” Steve muttered.

Billy thought he imagined them—words so faint, so subtle that the cold breeze almost carried them away.

“For what I did to you. I’m sorry,” Steve said a bit louder this time around.

He didn’t have anything to apologize for, Billy thought. He had been the one to be foolish, to be dumb enough to fall for Steve’s lies. He had mistaken Steve’s warm touch and words for love when they had been nothing but a means to an end—getting laid, have some fun.

Billy didn’t turn around, didn’t say a word. He stepped inside the garage to grab his car keys and kept his teary eyes on the concrete as he made his way to the Camaro. Steve was still there, outside, his eyes on Billy; he could feel them, boring into his skull as he rested his hands on the roof of the car. Billy was still dizzy from the alcohol, from the pain too, trying to steady himself before he could drive.

He felt a gentle touch on his right hand, fingers intertwining with his, the weight of his car keys being lifted. When Billy looked up, Steve was there offering him a soft smile. Billy hated himself for how much it made him melt.

“I’ll drive you. You had a lot to drink.”

Billy wanted to talk back, say something hurtful, something awful that would echo in Steve’s mind forever—but he was so tired.

“I can’t go home. Not like this,” Billy mumbled.

Steve knew about his father. Billy had gotten comfortable with him, way too comfortable, had shared so many secrets, so many parts of him that he kept hidden from everyone else.

“We’ll go to mine.” Steve didn’t think it through, blurted it out almost instantly.

But Billy knew this didn’t mean anything, that they were over, that they had never been. He knew this was only Steve being kind out of pity for the drunk, beaten up, stupid California kid who had fallen in love with an impossible.

#harringrove #billy hargrove #billy x steve #steve x billy #misc: ficlet #lu tries to write #i started this over the holidays but since i have the WORST time getting inspired to write i finished it now… #anyway i hope you enjoy 🤍🤍 #sorry for the angst i don’t know how to write anything else