#decideweekprompt

[rogueddie]

Runner / End Of Beginning

Steve has never seen his father as upset, as furious, as he was when he got home with his final exam results. He'd known- suspected- that his father would flip when his results came in...

His father got angry at small things. Hearing that he'd had a party while they were away, that a girl went missing at that party, had been the closest Steve thought he'd ever get to recieving a beating.

But when he came home with his grades... when his father realized that his son, his supposed prodigy, barely passed...

Steve has never ran as fast as he currently is.

As soon as he'd seen an openning, a clear line to the door, he'd stumbled to his feet and bolted. He'd picked a random direction and ran. He isn't going to stop running until he physically has to stop, knowing that his father is most likely in his car, trying to find him.

He can't stop. He has to keep running.

Eventually, he has to pause. He has to catch his breath.

He leans against a trailer, panting. He prays that no one thinks to look outside and spot him. He prays that no one will-

"Harrington?"

"Fuck." He hisses, squinting up at- "Munson?"

"What the fuck happened to you?" He says, eyes widenning when he finally gets a look at his face. "Second round with Hargrove, or what?"

"Nothing happened, I'm fine."

Munson eyes him for a moment, frowning. "Is someone after you?"

"What do you care?" Steve heaves a deep breath, forcing himself to stand up straight. He brings his knees up in a few knee highs, gearing up for another sprint.

"Ugh. Just- you can come into my trailer," Munson says, sounding as though Steve is forcing him to make the suggestion. "No one would think to look for you there. You can, like... I don't know. Drink some water? You jocks do that, right?"

"Wh- I don't need your help!"

"I'm not waiting for you all day, come on, let's go!" He makes a wide, exaggerated gesture for Steve to follow.

"You just assume I'm gonna follow?"

"Yeah."

He sounds so confident, so sure, that Steve can't think to do anything other thank blink and say, "fuck it, yeah, alright."

Steve is a little surprised at how much space Eddies trailer has. It's cramped, but in a nice way- the way a home gets when people actually live in it. When the people inside are actually happy and chase those joys.

Munson does get him a glass of water, mumbling at him to "sit anywhere", before flopping onto the sofa himself. He turns the TV on, focusing on that.

"Thanks," Steve eventually mutters, awkwardly sitting down.

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Nothing to talk about."

"Sure."

"There isn't," he insists, despite how casual and accepting Munson is acting. "It's my fault, anyway. I deserved it."

"Did you?" Munson turns to him, eyebrow raised. "All us freaks and losers can talk about these days is your change of heart. King of Hawkins High turned lame boytoy."

"Thanks, that makes me feel so much better," Steve sneers.

"Even Jeff thinks you're alright now," he barrels on. "Said he bumped into you, pretty hard, knocked all your shit down, and you apologized. Said his coffee ended up on an essay, or something. Thought he was about to get his ass kicked and you just..."

He waves his hand at him, as though that's explination enough.

Steve doesn't know a Jeff, but he's pretty sure he knows who Munson is talking about, and; "I wasn't looking where I was going. If anything, we were both at fault."

"See?" Munson waves his hand at him again, a little more pointed. "Don't doubt you've got a long way to go, but you're not half-bad. You didn't deserve whatever the fuck happened to your face."

"Whatever."

They fall quiet, both pretending to watch whatever is on the TV. Steve is so zoned out that, when someone clears their throat, he flinchs.

"Sorry to startle you boys," the man chuckles. But the humor quickly teeters out, once he gets a good look at Steve. "You alright, kid?"

"I'm fine."

"He's not," Munson grins wide when Steve glares at him.

"Staying the night?" The man continues, only looking at Eddie now.

"If I can convince him," Munson shrugs.

"I can't stay the night," Steve tries.

"Good," the man nods, as though Steve hadn't said anything. "I'll start making us all some dinner." He finally looks to Steve. "You got any allergies?"

"I can't stay," Steve tries again, insisting.

"No," Munson answers for him. "No problems with meat either."

The man gives Munson a thumbs up, heading through to the kitchen.

"I can't stay," Steve repeats, turning to Munson. "Really. I have to go back or... I have to go back."

"What will happen if you don't go back?"

Steve grimaces. "Nothing. Just- I can't stay here."

"Why not? They gonna hit me too?"

"You know what, Munson? Yeah, probably. And your- your dad?"

"Uncle," Munson snorts, standing, stretching. "No one messes with us though. We're too scary." He wiggles his fingers in Steves face as he passes by. "And call me Eddie."

"Why?"

"It's my name."

Steve awkwardly follows him to the kitchen, hovering a good distance from the two of them, watch how they move around each other with so much comfort and ease. It makes something in Steves chest ache.

"Oh, hey, you like football right?" Eddie asks, pointing to him.

"Uh, yeah, kinda. Not enough to have, like, a team." Steve shrugs.

Wayne turns around slowly, eyebrows raised. "You don't got a team?"

Talking football with Wayne is so easy that, until he's halfway through the dinner he cooked, Steve doesn't notice how fast the time is going. He can't bring himself to be bothered though. It's too nice.

Plus, Eddie is almost bouncing with joy at how well Steve and Wayne are getting along.

Someone starts banging on the door, loud and aggressive, as they make their way to the kitchen.

"Alright!" Wayne calls, rolling his eyes. "Hold your horses."

Steves stomach drops when the door opens and his father is on the other side. He smiles at Steve, sickly sweet and dangerously calm.

"Oh, thank God," he sighs. "Steve, your mother and I have been looking all over for you. When you didn't get home-"

Wayne blocks his way when he tries to step inside. "Who are you?"

"Robert Harrington," Steves dad sniffs, leaning back so he can physically look down at Wayne. "I'm here for my son."

"He ain't here."

Robert Harrington splutters, face tinting red with anger and frustration. He points to Steve, voice raising as he says, "he's right there! And he's coming with me."

Wayne turns, slow and casual. "Huh. That's odd. Don't see him."

"Steve," he snaps his fingers at Steve, like he's a dog. "Come on. We're going home."

Eddie shifts so he's standing slightly in front of him.

It's enough reassurance for him to finally snap back; "I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Steven-"

"Get off my property," Wayne snaps.

His father glares at them, waiting, as though he expects them to back down. When he doesn't, he snarls; "this is kidnapping."

"He's 18," Eddie drawls.

Grumbling, he stomps off.

"Asshole," Wayne mutters. He shuts and locks the door, sliding on the chain too.

Steve has to sit down, with how much his legs are shaking.

"You alright?" Eddie asks, hesitantly sitting beside him.

"Yeah," Steve says. He's surprised to find he means it. "Yeah, I'm good."

"You can stay here, long as you need," Wayne offers. "You'll have to bunk with Eds though. Not a lot of room."

"Why can't he use the sofa when you're-"

"Nope," Wayne cuts him off. There's a glint of mischief in his eyes that has Steve squinting in suspicion. "And you'll need those cuts looking at. Eddie, why don't you go with him. Medkits in the bathroom."

Steve goes ahead when Eddie points the way to the bathroom.

Eddie tries to give Wayne a warning look but he's unbothered and, with Steves back turned, he gives Eddie an encouraging wink.

#stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #wayne munson #steddie #steddie fic #ficlet #decideweekprompt #tw abuse #tw child abuse #better late than never

[rogueddie]

Change / Gloom

It's not hard to figure out that Eddie is gay- or bisexual? Steve isn't sure. All he knows, undoubtedly, is that Eddie Munson likes men.

The rumors from high school definitely do a lot of the heavy lifting in regards to Steves revelation. But he knows what it looks like when people are attracted to him. He knows exactly what it looks like when people try to hide that they're attracted to him.

His first test was simple; stretch. The bottom of his polo always rides up and, as expected, Eddies eyes lingered on the slither of skin on display.

A simple test. An easy one.

The second test is not so easy- it requires Robins help and she's not the most subtle. Luckily, she's as keen as he is on getting him a boyfriend (specifically, an Eddie-shaped boyfriend), so she puts in as much effort as she can at being convincing.

Eddie admitted to her that, yeah, Steve is attractive. That he also finds Steve attractive. And not in a straight way!

("What the hell does that even mean?" Robin had asked, when Steve insisted that she needs to clarify that. "If he's attracted to you, it can't be straight!"

"It totally can," Steve tutted. "Tommy was attracted to loads of guys in a straight way."

"I'm going to ignore that because we don't have time to unpack any of that-")

He hadn't expected Robin to be so convincing, or for Eddie to be so open yet. It ruins his very thought out plan in the best way- he only needs to confirm if it's more than just physical attraction now, and that's the easy part.

"You're late," Steve greets. He leans his hip against the doorway, crossing his arms.

Eddie rolls his eyes. "So sorry, princess. You gonna let me in?"

"Say please."

"Please." He shifts, trying to look annoyed, putting his hands on his hips. The hall light illuminates his face too well for Steve to miss the slight blush.

Steve steps back, beckoning him as dramatically as he can manage without feeling like an idiot.

"Eddie!" Dustin calls, waving him over to the couch.

Robin already helped Steve make it so there's only two spots left open... Eddie, like they'd hoped, choses the corner so he can lean over to talk to the kids.

Once he's checked the door is definitely locked, peeking into the kitchen to make sure the back door is also shut, he plops down on the sofa. He shifts, stretching his legs out so his thigh is pressed up against Eddies.

It's not until the movie starts that Eddie leans over and whispers; "what are you doing?"

Steve quietly hums, raising an eyebrow.

Eddie gently kicks his ankle. "That. And at the door."

"I can't be friendly?" Steve whispers, with a teasing little smirk- it always used to have girls stuttering.

"Not like this," Eddie hisses. "Back off."

"What? I was just-"

"I know. I'm telling you to stop."

Steve slowly pulls back so they aren't touching as much- where they're sat doesn't leave much space.

He feels unmoored. He's never felt so wrong about his chances- even at Scoops Ahoy, despite his attempts, he knew he was probably going to get rejected. He's not sure he has ever been so off.

"I'm getting some popcorn," Eddie says quietly, towards the mid-point of the movie.

"I'll help," Steve quickly offers, jumping to his feet before Eddie can turn his offer down.

"Hey," Robin pipes up, grabbing his arm and giving him a light squeeze- reassurance, comfort. "Make me that ice cream shake I like."

"Understood," Steve nods, giving her a lazy salute.

It takes a good few minutes to make, giving the two of them more time alone in the kitchen.

She's giving him the green light.

"Sorry about that," Steve says quietly, once they're in the kitchen. "Didn't mean to come on too strong. Or, like, if it's too public. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

He doesn't say anything for a long moment. He keeps his back turned to him, waiting in front of the microwave, shoulders hunched to his ears.

Steve isn't sure whether he should say anything else. He looks uncomfortable. Steve isn't sure if speaking up would make it worse or-

"Who told you?" He eventually asks. He finally turns around, expressions dangerously blank. "Was it Gareth?"

"What?"

"He probably meant well," he ponders. His smile doesn't reach his eyes- it makes something uncomfortable squirm in Steves stomach. "He never did have the displeasure of meeting King Steve."

"Eddie-"

"It's ok though, right? You didn't mean to make me uncomfortable."

"What the fuck are you talking about, man? Are you mad that I, like... know? Is that it?"

"Is that it?" Eddie repeats, mockingly. "No, Harrington. I don't care that you know- most people guessed it, what's one more? No, I care that you're making fun of me."

"I'm not making fun of you."

"Really? Could've fooled me."

He turns back to the microwave- it dings, but Eddie stays there, pretending to be busy.

Waiting for Steve to leave.

"I'm not making fun of you," Steve tries again, hating how wobbly his voice sounds. "I was- I mean, I thought maybe, you, um... but if not, that- that's ok, I can, like... fuck."

Eddie slowly turns, frowning, looking slightly more concerned- but the suspicion still lingers. "Spit it out."

"I thought you might like me but I don't know if it's just physical so I thought I'd try and flirt as a way of testing the waters before actually trying to ask you out," Steve rushes out in one breath.

"You were... actually flirting?" Eddie blinks at him, slowly. "Seriously? Not a joke? But... what? I thought you were straight?"

"So did I," Steve shrugs, scratching the back of his neck. "Never really, um... thought about romancing a guy before."

"Before..?"

"Before you."

"Holy shit." Eddie goes to pinch himself- stopping at the last second with a shake of his head. "If I'm dreaming, don't wake me up."

"This is your idea of a good dream?"

"You know damn well it is, you little brat." Eddie laughs, shaking his head again, in disbelief. "I've fucked this up a bit, huh? Can we start again?"

"Oh. yeah, sure, of course, uh-"

"Wait, no, I don't have the patience for that," he quickly darts around the kitchen table, grabbing Steves waist and pulling him close. "This alright? Not gonna say psych?"

"If you don't kiss me right now, I just might."

"Say please."

#stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie #steddie fic #ficlet #decideweekprompt

[rogueddie]

On and On / Figure You Out

Corroded Coffin are at the peak of their popularity. They're not mainstream, or in any way big, but they're known enough that they're kept busy. Touring as an opening act, special appearences in little underground places...

Eddie hasn't been home for months. He'd known that he'd most likely be kept away when their manager started talking to them excitedly about all the opportunities.

He hadn't expected it to take such a toll on his and Steves relationship.

It had taken him a while to notice the problems too. He's always so tired after gigs... it takes him two weeks to notice how tired Steve sounds.

"Are you ok?" He blurts, as soon as he notices.

"I'm fine," Steve says.

Eddie can hear the lie.

"Are you tired?" He pushes. "Long day?"

"No. You don't need to worry about me. What were you saying about Jeff? Something about a solo, right?"

No, Eddie wants to scream. I was talking about us!

He doesn't say that though. He rattles off the things that happened in their last show- the things that are interesting, anyway. He doesn't mention how hard it had hit him, after the show, how lonely he is.

It's the same sort of conversation they always have. There isn't really anything different.

It feels different.

After saying their goodbyes, hanging up, Eddie hovers by the phone for a few minutes. Long enough for the others, who had been waiting nearby, to worry.

"Eddie?" Jeff is the one to walk over, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You ok, man?"

"Yeah," Eddie replies, automatically. But, frowning, he starts shaking his head. "No. I don't know. It's..."

"Hey, stay calm, it's ok. Did something happen? Is Steve ok?"

"Yeah, it... no. No. Nothing happened, but... I just have this feeling, man, like something really bad is happened and I'm seeing it too late and now-"

"Hey, hey, Eddie, breathe. Whatever it is, we'll help you out, ok? We can fix this, right?"

"Right," Eddie says. He looks to Gareth and Grant, then back to Jeff. "I need to go home. I need..."

"It's that big? Are you sure you're not overreacitng?"

"I don't know. I don't want to risk it. Like, it feels like something is about to break. I can't fix it from here- if I wait, it'll be too late, and-"

"Ok," Jeff cuts in, turning to gesture the other two over. "You go home, we'll find someone to cover for a few dates."

"I know someone who could cover for Chicago," Gareth offers.

"Thank you," Eddie manages to choke out. He knows it's not enough but, by their expressions, they at least understand some of what he can't bring himself to say.

"Go get your man," Grant encourages. "We'll be fine."

"Thank you," Eddie repeats. "So much, it-"

"Jesus, man!" Gareth cuts in, nudging him. "We know. We love you too. Now, go!"

"Go," Jeff says, nodding, when Eddie looks to him. "He won't wait forever, right?"

It takes too long to get a flight back to Indiana, and even longer to find a taxi willing to take him all the way to Hawkins. It ends up taking him 36 hours to get home, to get to Steve, after the phone call.

Steve is sleeping on the couch when he gets in, curled up in one of Eddies old sweaters.

"Sweetheart," Eddie whispers, brushing his hair back, gentle and soft.

Steve mumbles, nose scrunching in annoyance as he wakes up. He blinks at Eddie a few times, confused. "Eds? What- how are you here?"

"I missed you." Eddie isn't sure why he's whispering. The moment feels so fragile. "I needed to see you."

"But your tour-"

"Can wait. You're more important."

"What about that, uh... upward swing?" Steve pulls his hand off his hair, holding in both his own. "Once in a lifetime opportunity, right?"

"I don't care about that. On the phone, you... I had to come home, Stevie. You sounded so... I don't know. Tired?"

Steve is quiet for a moment, before admitting; "I missed you. Doesn't feel like home when you're gone."

"Good job I'm back then, huh?"

"For how long? One night and then you're gone again?"

"Forever, if you want. Or I can drag you out with us. Whatever it takes. Whatever you need."

"Just... don't leave me for so long."

"I won't. I promise."

"Ok," Steve finally smiles. It's a small, frail thing, but it's a smile. "Thank you, Eds. For coming here."

"Anytime." Eddie kisses the back of his hand. "Seriously, anytime. Call me and I'll come running. Whenever and whatever. I love you, so much. You know that, right?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I know. I love you, too."

#stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie #steddie fic #ficlet #decideweekprompt

[rogueddie]

Fool / Go For It

Eddie is playful, teasing, with all of his friends. It's how he shows affection- with light nudges, light ribbing... it's all done in good faith.

A lot of the teasing he aims at Steve, however, have a sting to them. He cracks a lot of jokes about 'King Steve', about his old friends and his families wealth- all sore spots for Steve.

They don't feel like jokes, even though Steve knows that's all they are.

"I can't just tell him," Steve insists as he, once again, complains about Eddies teasing.

"Yes, you can," Robin says. Her voice is monotone, having repeated her arguments so many times that it's exhausting. "He's your boyfriend. He likes you. If he's upsetting you, he'll want to know."

"But you tease me like he does! All the time!"

"That's different. We're, like, soulmates."

"Rob," Steve groans, flopping his head down so his face is pressed into her bed sheets. His voice is muffled when he continues; "I don't want him to feel like he's second best."

"Steve, for Christs sake, he won't think that! And if he does, he's an idiot."

Lifting his head, he gives her his best puppy-dog eyes. "I can't risk that. I think I might be in love with him."

"That's just more reason to tell him."

He groans, dropping his head again. He always forgets how immune she is to his pleading looks.

"We're seeing him soon," she continues, ignoring his muffled complaints. "You'll tell him then, or I will. And I won't be nice about it, either."

Steve only groans in complaint.

"Come on, dingus," she teases, lightly slapping his shoulder. "You can help me pick out an outfit."

"You never take my advice," he reminds her, getting up to follow her to the closet anyway.

It's almost a routine for them, at this point; she'll pick an outfit, Steve will point out the things wrong with it and, when he makes his own suggestion, she'll point out how horrible his idea would look on her.

Both understand what the other is actually saying- Robin does end up trading the vest that she originally picked out for her black denim jacket, like Steve suggested.

"See?" Steve teases, bumping his shoulder into hers as they head out.

"It's ok, I guess," she ribs back. "You've had worse ideas."

"Ha," he deadpans.

Robin is practically giddy as she climbs in the car. She glances at him, pointedly, when he turns the music up as soon as she says Eddies name. She doesn't fight him on it though.

She knows him well enough, instinctively, to know that he needs the time to himself.

When they pull up, he flings the door open as soon as he can, so she's interrupted when-

"Steve!" Eddie yells in greeting. He jumps up, speedwalking to meet them half way. "You made it!"

"I said we would," Steve grins. The amount of affection they can show, in the schools parking lot, is limited- but Steve can't help but pull Eddie in for a hug. "I always keep my word."

"Unless it's about the pool," Eddie teases, patting his side before turning to his friends.

"Right," Steve forces a laugh.

He hadn't realized that Eddie would remember that- it was so long ago and probably the longest conversation they'd had, pre-Upside Down.

Steve hadn't thought it'd been that bad. He'd actually been trying to look out for Eddie, with how late in the night it was- he'd assumed that he'd been drinking, like everyone else, and going in the pool-

"Steve?" Robin asks, gently shaking him.

"Hm?"

"The pool?"

"Oh, long story. It's... it's an old story, too. It's nothing, really."

"Steve, if he-" Robin starts, hands jumping to her hips.

"Hey," Eddie calls. "Guys, come on, we're gonna set up!"

Steve takes the opportunity, jogging over. "How long does it take to set up?"

Eddie eagerly jumps into a long winded explination, which quickly devolves into explaining rules of the game- things Eddie has already told him, multiple times, but Steve loves how excited he gets.

They finish setting everything up by the time the kids start filtering in- and the door opening knocks Eddie out of his ramble about a certain NPC he's still figuring out.

"You understand any of that?" Grant raises an eyebrow at him.

It's softened with how gentle Eddie is when reaches out to hold his hand, just for a moment.

Mike snorts, loudly.

"Yeah, I did," Steve says.

"Of course you did," Eddie teases, ruffling his hair. "Such a clever big boy. Now!" Eddie claps his hands together, turning to the table.

"Say something," Robin hisses, leaning close.

"I'm trying to listen," Steve whispers back.

She grumbles, but sits back.

It's more fun that he thought it would be, watching the group of them play D&D. It's not as headache inducing as reading, but somehow more fascinating than simply watching a movie.

He groans, almost as loud as the kids, when Eddie announces that they're at a good point to stop for the day.

"That was great," Steve says, siddling up to the table, leaning against the throne Eddies sat on while they all pack up. "I'm starting to get you nerds are so obsessed with this shit."

"What, you wanna sit in on our next game?"

Eddie says it like it's absurd, like it's a joke, but Steve is serious when he replies; "if that's alright with you lot, I'd love to."

"Really?" Eddie leans back, fully turning to him.

Mike scoffs. "He just wants to impress you."

"It was interesting!" Steve defends.

"You probably didn't understand half of what was going on."

"I understand the story. That's, like, the most important part!"

"Of course it it," Eddie gently pats his shoulder. "And I'm sure it'd be fine with everyone here to have an audience, right?"

"Right," Jeff answers. He offers Steve a genuine, friendly, smile.

"On one condition," Robin pipes up. "No more jabs at Steve."

"We're just teasing," Dustin points out. "Steve knows that- don't you, Steve."

"Uh, yeah, I mean-"

"Steve-" Robin tries.

"You do know that we're just joking, right?" Eddie asks, worried. He steps close, hand resting on Steves hip so he can rub circles in his skin. "We don't think any less of you for not knowing D&D. It is just a game."

"Yeah, I know," Steve agrees easily. It's easy to forget why it's a problem when Eddie is being so careful, worried, and affectionate.

And he smiles so wide, almost blindingly. He kisses Steve on the cheek, despite the others complaints, and starts asking about what time is best for their next meeting.

Robin steps up beside him, arms crossed, eyebrow raised.

"What?"

"You're a fool."

#stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie #robin buckley #platonic with a capital p #steddie fic #ficlet #decideweekprompt #thinking about nuking that side blog but its also kinda funny to have a whole blog and then only me take part lmao

[rogueddie]

Half Life / I Want Your Video

The world doesn't end. Somehow, they win. Somehow, they all make it out the other side- not unharmed, not by any stretch of the imagination, but they're alive. They're going to heal, recover...

It's Nancy who suggests they have a big celebration. And, with the town almost completely, they have free reign of The Hideout.

Joyce somehow talks Hopper out of supervising, convinsing him that Mrs Henderson will be fine on her own.

She is- but not for the reason Joyce might have told Hopper.

"Steve!" Robin screams over the music, stumbling into him. "Shut up talking to Eddie! It's our song!"

"Nooo!" Steve whines, despite stumbling after her. "It was going so well! He was blushing!"

"I don't care! Dance with me!"

Steve tries to give Eddie an apologetic wave, whooping at him instead when he notices that he's blushing ever more.

They're both drunk enough that they don't realize that they're the only ones actually using the space they'd cleared, acting as a makeshift dancefloor.

Not that it would bother them if they'd noticed; it simply means that, in their attempts to hear each other over the music and 'crowd', they're shouting loud enough for anyone and everyone to hear what they're saying.

Most people can't understand them through their slurring.

Steve isn't sure when Robin took her shoes off, only knows that at some point they end up in his hands.

"Bobbie!" He eventually yells, struggling to grab onto her shoulder as she bounces around. "Gotta break! Taking a break!"

"No! Eve, this is our song!"

"I don't know this song!"

"It's ours!"

"I'm- smoke!"

She pretends to gag, but doesn't try to stop him when he tries to head outside this time.

He doesn't realize that he's been followed, until the door squeaks open almost as soon as it clicks shut behind him.

"You doin' alright?" Eddie asks. He grabs the lighter out his hand, lighting his cig for him.

"Thanks. Jus'a headache, no worries."

"I can take you home if it's getting too bad," Eddie offers.

Steve stumbles with how hard he shakes his head, so much that Eddie has to dart forward to hold him steady.

"Can't go!" Steve complains. "Bobbie wants to stay till the end of the night!"

"I'm sure she can survive one night without you. If your head is hurting you-"

"Noooo," Steve tries to slap Eddies hands off him, flailing slightly. It only makes Eddie smile, like his sloppiness is something endearing.

Damn sober drivers, Steve thinks.

Eddie heaves a great sigh, throwing his head back dramatically. "Alright! But if I even think you have a migraine, I'm dragging you out of here."

"Promise?" He tries fluttering his eyelashes. It looks more like he's struggling to squint.

"What are you doing? Stop that."

"No," Steve teases, patting his cheek. It only makes the blush more obvious.

He darts back inside, laughing with how giddy he feels. He's been struggling to make progress with Eddie for weeks- who knew some alcohol-enduced confidence is all he needed?

"There you are!" Robin shouts, skipping over to him. She thrusts her small bag inte the hand not holding her shoes. "Why were you do long? I almost died! Of lonliness!"

"As if! You can never die! I got your back!"

She whoops- in response, or to the song, Steve isn't sure.

#stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie #robin buckley #platonic with a capital p #ficlet #decideweekprompt #cw drinking

[rogueddie]

Climax / Decide (Free Space)

The hospital room that Max is staying in is never silent, the humming of machines and the beep of the heart monitor constantly filling the space. But it's always quiet. Even when Lucas visits, reading and talking to her. He speaks softly, voice almost drowned out by the machine.

They don't want to risk hearing anything. They wait, on bated breath.

Steve has taken permanent residence in one of the chairs, pulled up close to the bed so he can hold her hand- it's the only way he's able to get to sleep anymore.

"Hey, sweetheart," one of the nurse greets, voice so hushed that she may as well whisper. She's holding Steves blanket, freshly washed. "The showers are free too, if you want to get washed up."

"Max," is all he manages to say in response.

"I'll stay and keep an eye on her. I need to check how she's doing anyway."

"Thank you."

She's one of the nurses that is supposed to coax him back to his own room. She never has though, only insisting that he takes regular showers and that she regularly change his bandages.

He can never remember her name. He's sure he'll feel bad about that later, but he doesn't have the energy.

The showers aren't great, and he doesn't have any of his skin or hair products. He barely has the energy to stand under the water, nevermind clean properly.

He's exhausted. And, looking in the mirror as he tries to style his freshly cleaned hair, he can see it.

His eyes look almost purple, sunken into his face. Even his cheeks look hollow. Thin. Something about him almost lifeless.

It feels like years since he went to the school, to help the relief efforts with Robin and Dustin.

Eyeing himself, looking at himself fully over, he has to wonder how he managed to act like everything was ok for as long as he did. He's not sure, in retrospect, how he even managed to stay on his feet.

"Alright?" The nurse smiles when he gets back.

"Yellow," he answers.

She nods, gestures for him to perch on Max's bed so she can check for herself.

He left the bandages off, tossed in one of the hospital bins. He's not sure why he still needs them- sure, his wounds are still bad, but they're not as colorful as they were when he collapsed.

"You're doing so much better," the nurse comments. "You'll probably be allowed to go home soon."

"No," he responds. He turns to Max.

She would be alone. Lucas can't stay all the time and, with the gates open, everyone is busy. He can't leave her alone, knowing that she wouldn't have anyone who truly loves her there when she wakes.

"Ok," the nurse sighs. "A couple weeks. That's as long as we can keep you."

It's not enough, but it's more than he could ask for.

"Thank you."

"Don't," she shakes her head. She pats his shoulder as she pulls back- he hadn't even noticed that she'd started wrapping a new bandage around him. "I have a baby sister. I'd be losing my mind if I couldn't be with her."

"I'm not-" Steve tries.

"You are," she smiles. "Maybe not by blood, but I've seen how you are with her. I know family when I see it."

He doesn't know what to say. She doesn't seem bothered though- she never is. She gives him another pat, before heading out.

Steve moves back to his seat, taking hold of Max's hand again, mulling over her words.

She's right, he knows. Not that he'd ever say it to Max, could never take that spot, but he finally admits it to himself.

She's his sister. She, and the other kids, are his real family.

#stranger things #steve harrington #steve & max #ficlet #decideweekprompt

[rogueddie]

Is That All It Takes / Slither

At the end of the world, Steve is sure that there's no better time for romance. They need all the positives they can get and, in his mind, resolving potential romantic tension is great.

Even if he ends up rejected, like with Robin, he knows that it has the potential to make them better friends. He's not sure he would be as tightly bonded to Robin if he hadn't tried to ask her out- it's a decision he's always been strangely proud of.

The only problem? Steve is usually put into different groups- Robin, Nancy, the kids...

"Good job you've both got tonight off," Robin points out.

Steve qucikly sits up. "What? The whole night?"

With the teams they have, almost everyone is on rotation for patrol of their little camp every night. Having a night off, completely, is rare. Having a night off at the same time as Argyle?

"The whole night," Robin confirms. "Someone said something about him being the only one in that group not on rotation tonight, so I offered to cover for you."

"I was supposed to be with Nancy, wasn't I?"

She throws a notebook at him. It's the one she uses for her notes and doodles- as well as her 'poems'.

When he catches the book, she immediately realizes her mistake and dives after it. They're tangled on the floor, giggling from their attempt at wrestling, when Hopper pokes his head in to call Robin out for her turn on patrol.

"You kids having fun?" He asks.

They both scramble to their feet, despite the smile he has that reassures them that they aren't in trouble.

"Sorry," Steve smiles sheepishly.

"It's fine," Hopper waves him off. "You ready, Buckley?"

"Yep! Let's go!"

A beat after she leaves, Steve realizes he forgot to ask where Argyle will actually be for the night.

It shouldn't be hard, he thinks, trying to reassure himself. From what Steve has seen, or heard through Robin, he usually sticks to the same three spots. It shouldn't take too long to check them out.

And, hopefully, Argyle won't be in his bunk already. Steve crosses his fingers as he heads out.

He finds him in the second place he checks- he's just behind the building they use for storage. He's smoking.

"Hi," Steve greets. He tries to smile, hope it doesn't look as awkward as it feels. "You doing alright?"

"Not bad," Argyle nods. He offers his cigerrette, but Steve shakes his head. He shrugs as he gestures towards the woods. "Quiet."

"Yeah," Steve agrees, not sure what else to say.

He leans against the wall, crossing his arms, slowly realizing that he should have thought of something to actually talk about before he went looking for him.

"We should grow weed," he blurts out. He nearly slaps himself, barely holding back a wince.

Argyle hums, thankfully keeping his eyes forward as he thinks it over. "Yeah. We should. It'd be nice to be able to chill again. Shit's stressful."

"Right," Steve agrees. He does wince this time, hating how lame he sounds. He's sure he's better at this sort of thing.

"How you doing?" Argyle asks, turning to him. "Never see much of you."

"Oh, yeah, I'm alright. This sort of thing is like... well, it's becoming a sort of comfort. I'm kinda thankful for it." He pauses, almost stumbling over his words when he tries to quickly point out; "patroling, I mean! Like, guarding and... that."

"Mm, yeah. One of the small ones mentioned that you're, like, the babysitter. Patrolling is another way of keeping an eye on the kids."

"Right, exactly. Yeah."

"It's good, you know," Argyle continues, before Steve can start to internally scold himself again. "Nice to know you're looking out for us."

"I'm on a good a good team," he shrugs.

"You're not very good at this, huh?"

"What?"

"There you are!" Someone calls suddenly, loud enough to make Steve flinch. It's Mike, leaning around the corner, frowning. "You said five minutes!"

"Slow your roll, dude! I'm on my way!"

"Hurry up!"

Argyle snorts. He turns to Steve, raising an eyebrow. "You know which one is my room, right?"

"Uh, yeah, I think so?"

"Cool. See you in, like, an hour."

Steve wants to feel frustrated. If Argyle wasn't the one to take initiative, the whole interaction would have gone to shit. Steve could feel any potential slipping straight through his fingers.

But, judging by the implications... well. At least he knows that Argyle is also interested.

#stranger things #argyle #steve harrington #stargyle #stargyle fic #ficlet #decideweekprompt