Hello, happy end of 2023 🌟
I am on yet another mini hiatus due to holidays & overseas travel
I hope to be back in early Jan with two new fics and a new BOTW/TOTK lore project
Wishing you a lovely start to 2024 ❤️
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Before the Fire - Steddie Microfic
Getting my microfic in right under the wire...! @steddiemicrofic This month's prompt was pine, and I decided to do something a little "pre-steddie" inspired. Aka, they're not together-together yet, so not only is the practical word "pine" used here, but Eddie is also pining.
Page break/border by @/alderdoodle.bsky.social on Bluesky.
Length: 508 | Rating: G | CW: Suggested danger for a younger party member
"Watch this," Eddie said quietly, his tone almost conspiratorial as he waggled a pine cone at Steve and then wedged it into the fire pit.
Steve looked exhausted as he wiped his hand over his face and watched. It didn't look like he had the patience for this right now, but he was entertaining Eddie anyway.
Eddie flicked his lighter on and had to try a couple of times before the pine cone started to burn in a brilliant green flame.
"Where'd you learn that?" Steve asked as Eddie sat down beside him.
"You don't run a five-year campaign and not learn a couple useful things."
"DnD? Really?" Steve asked rhetorically, sounding exasperated.
Silence drew out between them as Steve watched the fire and Eddie watched Steve. It was chilly tonight and they both seen better days as Eddie took in the layer of grime on Steve's clothes and his hands.
"We'll find him," Eddie said quietly, tentatively reaching out and squeezing Steve's knee.
Steve just nodded and Eddie frowned before dropping his hand and staring at the fire as well. Steve was more than a little crestfallen; Eddie understood why, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to try and cheer Steve up a bit.
"You ever camp as a kid?" Eddie asked out of nowhere. He folded onto his thighs, and he put his hands out toward the fire to warm them.
"No…" Steve answered unenthusiastically.
"Me neither. Unless you count sleeping out of a car with your old man."
Eddie felt Steve glance at him, and he tried not to bristle; he had shared for a reason, and he hoped his sob-story was enough to distract Steve for the moment.
"It wasn't like he taught me any survival shit… well, he taught me that you can keep from getting hypothermia if you light a tea candle and put it on your car dash while you sleep."
"Is that true?" Steve asked, sounding vaguely interested.
"I don't fucking know," Eddie laughed, lulling his head and smiling at Steve. "I'm still alive, despite everything."
Steve huffed a small laugh at that; Eddie was glad his dark humour had cheered Steve up.
"He's just a kid… he shouldn't be by himself," Steve said after a beat.
Eddie pursed his lips and looked back at the fire, feeling his own gut twist with worry.
"You were the same age… when all this started, weren't you?" He asked, trying not to sound accusatory.
Steve's silence answered his question, and Eddie sat back up, not wanting to shame him.
"He's durable… had some great examples to follow. If I can survive this shit, I'm sure he's okay," Eddie encouraged, not certain if he believed it himself.
"Yeah…" Steve answered back quietly.
Eddie stilled as he felt Steve tip his head onto his shoulder, his hair brushing his cheek. He didn't say anything, but Eddie felt a warmth rush through his body at the contact. Steve was seeking out comfort and Eddie attempted to breathe even so he didn't break the spell.
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