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strangersteddierthings · 7 months

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No Regrets - Part One

Content Warning: mentions of main character deaths but these are temporary because this is a time travel two-to-four-shot and so, they start dead but then get better :3 Also maybe a whiplash warning? In that it starts off kind of dark for a story that's pretty light-hearted in the end.

Here's the first part of the threatened season 4 AU time travel fic where Steve gets thrown back to the moment in family video when Dustin and Max show up demanding the phones. Previously he was 5 years into a grueling apocalypse.

Part One🦇 Part Two🦇Part Three🦇Part Four🦇Part Five🦇Part Six

Steve has lived his life in regret. Replaying scenarios in his head over and over late at night when sleep eludes him. And sleep is always eluding him these days, weeks, past five years. Steve hasn't known a day without regret since the day they failed to kill Vecna, the day Max almost died. The day Eddie did.

It's five years to the day today.

Steve spends endless nights thinking about how he'd change that spring break. It was the start of the end of everything. Eddie's death wasn't world ending for Steve. It was the end of a what-if. A maybe. But for Dustin. Oh God, Dustin. Who had blamed himself for Eddie's death, who was broken and then never able to get time to recover. To grieve.

Dustin, who pulled away from everyone, from Steve, because of it.

He's not dead, Steve knows, because he still hears his voice on the radio. Separated from the group but vital to their survival. He spread intel on Demo-creature movements, where safe spaces are, news from across the broken and destroyed America, and how to survive the hellscape.

There have been losses. Terrible, tragic losses.

Murray Baughman. Lucas Sinclair. Karen and Holly Wheeler. Will Byers. And those are just the ones he knows. A lot of people scattered to the wind when Hawkins became overran with the Upside Down and its creatures.

He's still two days out on this supply run. Two more days and he'll get to know who is still around. Who they lost this time. It's not always someone they know, but the horrors never cease, and Steve's been gone a total of three weeks.

"Hey," Robin breaks him from his thoughts as she leans over to whisper in his ear, "since you're gonna daydream, you might as well actually dream. Scouts say it'll be a while before we can continue moving."

"I'm not daydreaming, I'm thinking."

"Well, be sleeping instead. You'll be more useful with some rest," Robin pats her shoulder, inviting him to lean his head against it.

"Don't use my weakness against me. You know I love being useful," Steve sighs as he drops his head onto her shoulder.

"I know. It makes you easy to manipulate," Robin teases. He can hear the smile in her voice. "Now, shut up and sleep."

Steve grumbles under his breath. No real words, just grumpy noises as he does shift and get as comfortable as he can leaned against Robin. He is tired, and with nothing else he can be doing, he won't feel too guilty about it.

He closes his eyes.

He opens his eyes, blinking rapidly at the sudden brightness of the sun shining through the glass storefront of Family Video. Usually when he dreams of the past, the sun's never this bright. It's been years since he's seen the sun at all, with the red-black sky of the Upside Down looming above them constantly.

He takes a deep breath, basking in the fresh(ish) air of Family Video. How long has it been since he's taken a breath without his mouth covered by a mask, bandana, some cloth or another? Well, he's not really breathing without a mask on, his conscious self has one on, but it still feels good to fill his lungs and release. He has half a mind to jump the counter and go outside to repeat that; see if his unconscious mind will provide a difference in the air, if it remembers enough to do so.

"Hey Steve," Dustin says as he is stepping through the doors with Max at his side. It's then that Steve takes in where the dream has started. The doors have just opened, and Steve's looking partially over his shoulder, towards the doors instead of the TV as it plays the news of Chrissy's death on the screen. The world fades back into motion, instead of the slowness the beginning of his dream started as Dustin finishes his question, "how many phones do you have?"

"Are you seeing this?" Steve asks on autopilot, playing out the scene he knows, but he holds off from stating the someone was murdered part. He's tired of saying it.

"How many phones do you have?" Dustin asks with more urgency.

Steve takes in Dustin and Max while Robin explains the phone situation. It's been so fucking long since he's seen Dustin. Since Max was able to see him. God. He can't let this play out like normal. It's not going to fix reality, he knows that logically, but what would it hurt to live out his fantasy of getting a re-do while he dreams? Wasn't that what he was thinking about while awake?

He tunes back into the conversation when Dustin shoves his backpack across the counter, and then himself. Instead of whining about the tapes, he reaches for the pen and notepad they keep close to the till. "Hey, what's this about?"

"Max, fill them in while I do this," Dustin replies.

Max turns to him and Robin, who is eyeing both Steve and Max but listening. Max explains what Steve already knows. The lights going crazy, Eddie fleeing his own home, and that it might be Upside Down related.

There's a script here. Responses he has memorized because of how often he dreams this moment over and over. An answer Steve usually gives, but this time he finds he can hold his tongue. He doesn't have to speak. Doesn't have to follow the script.

"Okay," Steve says instead. "Dustin, what's the number for the Byers now?

Surprisingly, that actually pulls Dustin from the computer. He spins on the stool to give Steve a confused look. "What? Why?"

If he's being honest with himself, he's never really had this much control over his dreams before. Having this control makes him want to do all the things he's daydreamed about. To change the choices that fill him with regret and guilt. "I want to leave a message for Jonathan," Steve lies, "or talk to him if he's home. Give him a heads up that Upside Down shit might be going on again."

Dustin narrows his eyes at Steve, suspicious, "Jonathan?"

"Yeah. Jonathan," Steve says in his bitchiest voice. "Number, dude."

He can tell Dustin doesn't fully believe the lie, but he recites the number anyway.

"Thanks," Steve says as he scoots around Robin and heads to Keith's office to use the phone there. The first thing he does is call the police station and let them know that he saw Eddie Munson at Rick Lipton's place, up by Lover's Lake on Holland Road. The lady who answered starts to ask questions, Steve just says he recognized the trailer on TV as the Munson's and hangs up. He'll swing by later once everyone else has pieced together the Rick Lipton part of this all themselves. If Eddie's still there, he'll drag him to the station himself.

'Cause the thing is, Steve has thought of many scenarios. So many. And even if nothing else changes, this is the bit that will. Eddie cannot be killed in the Upside Down if he is in a jail cell instead. And if the police do follow up on his tip, then they'll take Eddie in for questioning before Fred dies. And that's.

Well.

Steve's living through the end of the world and that changes people. It's changed Steve. Once there would have been a time when allowing someone to die, knowing it was going to happen and not stopping it, would have filled Steve with guilt, regret, maybe even some self-loathing. But Steve's made enough sacrifices for this town. Lost enough of the people he loves to be jaded. Maybe even cruel. If Fred has to die to prove that Eddie didn't do it, then that's what will happen.

His next step is to call the Byers. It surprises him that Joyce actually answers with a hesitant hello. That never happens in the dreams.

"Joyce. I mean, Ms. Byers. It's Steve. Uhh, Steve Harrington," he says.

"Oh. Hello Steve. What, uh, what can I do for you?" Joyce's voice is still hesitant.

"Listen, the Upside Down is back. Or, like, it was never gone? I don't know. But I needed to tell you."

"Oh my God," Joyce sounds horrified, and Steve can hear Murray in the background asking questions. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. Vec- sorry, it has already killed a girl. Max was a witness. Well, of the aftermath. But that's not important. What I need is for you to tell El that she's never been a monster and never will be. That everything has been the fault of One. And I think you should tell her Hopper is alive and you're going to rescue him."

There's not an immediate answer. A rustling sound and then faint voices he can't make out. She must be covering the phone with her hand as she and Murray talk. Or argue, knowing Murray. After a moment, Murray's voice comes through the line, "How do we know you are who you say you are?"

It's followed by Joyce shouting, "How do you know about Hopper?" and Murray quickly shushing her and some shuffling noises before Joyce says, "Okay. We're both listening."

"Look, I know you have no reason to believe me so I'll give you something that might serve as proof that I know things I shouldn't. When everyone gets back from the roller rink, be there for El. She's going to- to have a bad night, because of a girl that's been, like, bullying her at school. Then, I need you to get them headed this way tomorrow morning, because you gotta be gone then, too, but like. Be there for El tonight. There will be an incident involving a roller skate. So, if you believe me, call me back after that."

"How do we know you're who you claim to be, Steve?" Murray questions again, while Joyce says, horrified, "El's been being bullied?"

"I can't exactly prove I'm me. But call my house tonight after you've spoken to El and I'll answer. That's the best I can do. I... I don't know if Jonathan or Mike have my number, but Mike can call home and get my number from Nancy. That'll be proof, right? Or Will can get it from Dustin. Whichever."

"And how do you know about something happening tonight at the roller rink?" Joyce demands.

"I know more than I should. So, if the roller rink thing holds up, and you decide to at least hear me all the way out, call my house," Steve hangs up then, not wanting to get into a loop of explanation.

"Steve! Hurry up and come help people while I help Thing One and Thing Two!" Robin calls through the door and Steve takes a step towards the closed door to comply but he stops, hand hanging just above the doorknob. That's how the dream goes. That's what 19-year-old Steve would have done.

But that's a Steve that died five years ago, when the world ended, when the apocalypse started. Steve's not 19 anymore, though he must look it, a master of his own puppet. He's never sought himself out in a mirror when he dreams; he's too busy taking in everyone who has been lost to him in his waking life to bother with himself.

What does he want to do this time?

What does he want to do right now?

He leaves Keith's office to beeline to Dustin, pausing only to pat Robin on the shoulder. He slides around Max and comes to a stop beside Dustin.

"I already told you, I need this for-" Dustin starts to speak but cuts off with a squawk that sounds like a mixture of indignation and confusion as Steve just reaching out and bodily turns Dustin towards him. "Steve, this is important!"

"I know," Steve says and then hugs Dustin. Dustin doesn't hug back, but neither does he pull away. Steve knows he's missed Dustin, felt his loss for many years now, but holding Dustin now, feeling him solid and here feels Steve what he can only equate to grief.

Dustin lets himself be hugged for what is, undoubtedly, an awkward amount of time for him before he thumps Steve's back twice and says, "okay... You can stop now."

Steve lets go and turns to Max, who immediately puts her hands up, "No. Absolutely not."

He chuckles and steps around her. He won't force his affection on her.

Then he takes off the family video vest and sets it on the counter.

"Steve?" Robin asks.

"Sorry, Robs, I can't stay and help customers. I have some things I got to do."

"Steve, you cannot abandon me on a Saturday!"

He can't quite bring himself to feel bad for abandoning her. It is a shit thing to do but right now saving Eddie and Max from Vecna is more important. He's already wasting daylight, so instead of answering his gives her his best 'I'm so sorry' face and bolts out the door. All three of them shout after him but he doesn't slow.

He's got a list of regrets to change.

Tagging the besties and all the people that expressed interest when I posted the lil blurb about this. Sorry if I missed you!

@i-less-than-three-you @nburkhardt @afewproblems @skepsiss @music9009 @apomaro-mellow @soaringornithopter @reighnofdreams @eddie-munsons-lunchbox @sirsnacksalot @livelifeliketheresnotomorow @sageclipse @schnukiputz @mbloggotdeletedsothisismybackup @lumoschildextra @vampirestevie @alex-axolotl @juleswashere3 @yet-still-more-banched

#steddie #my fic #it's a late birthday fic to myself #not at light-hearted as I wanted #but I'm in a less light-hearted place now than when I first wanted to write this. So my mood has changed the story a bit

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imfinereallyy · 1 year

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Father Figures, pt. 2

I swear it was a one-shot. But then my hand slipped and "oh oops there's Wayne". You can access part 1 here. This is rated m btw. The full version will be available on ao3 (my first time posting on there...) which is linked here. Anyway, enjoy :)

The first time Wayne Allen Munson meets Steve Harrington is in a hospital room. Sure, he has seen and heard about the kid in passing. It was hard not to in a town like Hawkins. With the kind of money his old man has and the pretty face his mother parades around, the Harringtons become a sort of household name. Especially in Wayne's household.

See, Wayne may not be much of a talker, but his nephew sure is. Especially when he gets angry about something. And boy did Steve Harrington make his Eddie mad. During Eddie's first time around with Senior Year, Steve's name comes out of that boy's mouth so often that if not for that tone of his, he would have thought the kid had a crush on him.

Actually, Wayne regretfully asks at one point if he does have a crush. Wayne finds out pretty quickly that Eddie doesn't, which isn't the problem nor why he regrets asking. The problem is apparently at that very moment in time, Eddie hasn't exactly come out to Wayne. The boy shakes so much that Wayne is afraid that Eddie might cause an earthquake. Wayne has to calm Eddie down and explain very carefully he doesn't care, he's his kid no matter what. Eddie cries, and asks "Dad, what made you think to just casually bring that up?"

Wayne shrugs and simply says "Didn't think it was a secret."

Eddie lets out a wet laugh. Wayne doesn't mention how it's the first time since Eddie showed up on his doorstep that he calls him Dad.

His heart swells.

So, with absolutely no crush in sight god Wayne he's an asshole, Steve's name is brought up quite often.

"Steve Harrington just parades himself around like he's a king."

"Steve Harrington just stands there while Tommy continues to be a piece of shit. Worse, he acts like he's bored."

"Girls just hang off of Harrington, he's even got Nancy Wheeler on his arm now. What a prick, thought she was smarter than that."

"Looks like Harrington got the shit kicked out of him by Byer's. You gotta love Karma sometimes."

Wayne watches Eddie frown at the last one before saying, "Kinda gotta back Steve up on the pictures though. That was creepy."

Eddie shakes his head then continues to rant "But smashing his camera? Dick move. Doesn't understand what it's like to be poor."

Wayne is still not completely convinced it's not a crush.

Wayne Allen Munson seems to know all about Steve Harrington before he actually has the chance to meet him. None of which he has learned makes Steve seem all that good.

Imagine Wayne's surprise when he finds the Harrington boy next to his son's hospital bed.

"What're you doin' here?" Wayne asks, startling Steve from his chair. Wayne watches as he hops up from the ground, straightening himself out.

"Sorry sir, I was just uh, keeping him company. The kid's families won't let them out of their sight and Dustin wanted him to have a familiar face with him if, sorry when he wakes up. Because we weren't sure we were allowed to grab you yet. So I volunteered to stay with him, seeing as I don't have a job anymore, and well I sort of feel responsible for Eddie now. And, god I am hanging out with Robin too much because I am rambling. Sorry, Sir. "

Wayne raises an eyebrow at him. He has seen Steve around town before, hard not to in a small place like Hawkins. Eddie points him out once, scoffing at his perfect hair and holier-than-thou attitude. Wayne originally is prepared to yell at him. The sight of a boy who looks very much like the very ones who hunted his Eddie down just a few days ago ignites something protective within him. Hearing this boy ramble though, flustered and making himself hopelessly small in front of Wayne, makes him hesitate.

"Boy, I don't know half-em names you're sayin' right now. I do recognize that kid Dustin though, ya know him?"

Steve nods his head up and down, "He's like my brother sir. Our brother." He looks down towards Eddie's bed.

Wayne avoids looking at his boy and chooses to look directly at Steve. "Well, he's a good kid. Came to me when Ed was missing, at the school. Told me he was a hero, and that he'll be missed. Guess now it was probably cause he wasn't sure if he was gonna make it and didn't want to get my hopes up. Don't know what made him change his mind either when he found me again today, told me they had him here."

Steve's face softens as Wayne talks about Dustin. Wayne pushes on, "If that kid trusts you, I don't got a reason not to trust you either. Well, until Eds here wakes up at least. He can tell me otherwise."

"Okay, Sir." Steve makes his way to move around Wayne and leave. Wayne grabs him by the wrist to stop him, and Steve flinches. Wayne decides to file that away for later and lets him go.

"No need to leave kid. And stop calling me sir. I'm not your old man. "

Steve's lips lift a little bit like Wayne just brought up an inside joke he isn't a part of. "Okay, sir—I mean Wayne. Okay, Wayne."

Steve and Wayne sit side by side next to Eddie. It's then Wayne finally looks down at his kid. He can't help but the rush of tears that come up at the sight of him. He is paler than usual, curls flat and dirty, tubes coming out of every part of him.

"My boy." He chokes.

Steve thankfully stays silent as Wayne weeps. They sit for a while in silence before Wayne asks, "You gonna tell me what happened?"

Steve, who Wayne doesn't point out has bloodshot eyes, says "You going to believe me?"

Wayne simply returns "I'm willing to try."

So Steve tells him. Tells him everything that has happened over the last week. Tells him of monsters and other worlds. How it isn't the first time, how it is hopefully the last. How scary it is for them. How Eddie is stupid but incredibly brave. How Eddie barely makes it. How Steve will be the first to yell at him when he wakes up.

Wayne listens carefully through the whole thing and can't help but think of how fond Steve sounds when Eddie's name comes up. This isn't the boy Eddie once spoke of. Albeit, it has been a long time since Eddie's spoken his name. Wayne isn't used to tigers changing their stripes though. It's a pleasant surprise he doesn't comment on.

Wayne rubs his thumb across Eddie's hand. "How did he get out? If he was practically dead?"

"Oh, I carried him Sir."

Wayne's head snaps to Steve. "What?"

Steve shrinks a bit, "Sorry I mean Wayne. Sorry I didn't mean to disrepe—"

Wayne cuts him off, "Dammit kid, I'm not mad at that. I'm not mad at all. It's just—you saved him. You carried him out of what I can only understand is what I think hell is, and you didn't think to mention that when I first saw you?" Wayne looks at Steve for a moment. Really looks at him. He's in clean jeans and a polo, but that's where his old persona ends. When Wayne looks at him closely, he can see the dark bags under his eyes, the purple bruising all over his body, and the angry red scar around his neck. Steve looks exhausted, physically and emotionally. Steve looks like a boy, desperately trying to be a man. He looks like a soldier after war.

"It's not a big deal. I did what anyone else would do."

Wayne shakes his head. "Steve. That's just the thing, I'm pretty sure no one else woulda done that. And even if they would, it doesn't make what you did any less important. So, thank you."

Steve's eyes mist a bit when Wayne says "it doesn't make what you did any less important." He looks away from Wayne and just nods.

"Okay?"

"Okay, Sir. Okay, Wayne."

---

When Eddie wakes a few days later, after a night of breathing on his own without the tubes, he interrupts Steve and Wayne's conversation on the Chicago Cubs, and says "Dad?"

Wayne is up in an instant, crowding his boy's face. "Oh, Eds. I am so glad yer alright. You scared me."

"Mmm sorry," Eddie mumbles nuzzling Wayne's chest. He then looks up towards Steve, who is watching the interaction between the two men. "Harrington?"

Steve leans forward on his elbows, and chokes out "I told you not to be cute."

Eddie giggles, his tears reflecting Steve's "Sorry big boy, can't help what you're born with."

Steve looks up at the ceiling with a wet laugh. It eventually turns into a deep sob. The only other time Wayne witnesses Steve break like this over the past few days is when he's reunited with Hopper. "You shithead, you're not allowed to be funny right now. Don't. Don't do that again. Okay? You really scared us." Wayne can hear Steve's unspoken you really scared me.

Eddie's tears are rushing down his face now. "I'm sorry Steve. I'm so sorry."

"You didn't do anything wrong. Just—next time, don't let there be a next time. Okay?" Steve's not making much sense to Wayne as he leans his head on Eddie's bed face down.

Eddie seems to get it though. He hesitantly strokes Steve's head with his fingers. "Okay, Stevie. I promise. Now, get some sleep. It's your turn, I've had enough."

Steve's shoulders sag as he gives in. Wayne shares a look with Eddie, and Wayne knows right there they have the same thought.

They've collected another stray.

———

When Eddie is home, Steve becomes a regular occurrence in their newly acquired government-funded house. He helps a lot the first month especially. Takes Eddie and the Mayfield girl to and from physical therapy. Cooks dinner on the nights Wayne works (which is most nights) and makes sure to have leftovers specifically labeled for Wayne. Keeps both Wayne and Eddie company when one of their stress becomes too much for the other. Steve's even there on the nights the nightmares get bad. Spends his time on the couch until Eddie wakes up screaming, and calms him back to sleep so Wayne doesn't worry about him at work. Or so Wayne can get a full night when he's off.

Steve's there so often enough, that when one night he isn't, Wayne's concerned.

"You're going to pace a hole into the floor boy." Wayne looks at Eddie in their living room from the couch. Wayne doesn't tell Eddie he's concerned too. Doesn't think it would help much.

"I'm sure he's just held up, or got plans Eds. Not like he was plannin' on coming here tonight."

Eddie stops and faces Wayne, biting his thumbnail instead. "Sure we didn't have plans. But Steve's been here every day for the past month Wayne. And when he hasn't he's called. I haven't heard from him in like 22 hours—" Wayne doesn't point out that Eddie did the actual math "—and that's weird. He doesn't do that. We don't do that."

Eddie's anxiety starts to seep into Wayne's. He can't help but think of the worst-case scenario. Car accident. A run-in with that Andy kid. His mind even jumps to when Eddie was in the hospital, and his stomach sinks. Wayne can't help it, he has grown attached to Steve.

"Why don't we call some of yer friends, yeah? Maybe they've seen your boy."

Eddie is so incredibly distressed and doesn't even rebuke Wayne calling Steve his like he usually does. "Yeah okay, good idea."

As Eddie reaches for the phone though, there is a light knock on the door. Eddie rushes to answer it.

"Steve thank god I was wondering—Oh my god sweetheart what happened?" Eddie drags Steve in and places him on the couch. It's then that Wayne sees him.

There on Steve's jaw, is a bruise the size of Indiana. Steve's eye is swollen, and he is breathing heavily while clutching his ribs. Wayne remains frozen and Eddie frets over Steve.

"Stevie, who did this? Where does it hurt? What can I do?"

"Eds I'm fine."

Eddie looks like he's about to yell but restrains himself. "You are most certainly not fine. Do not give me that look Harrington—"

"Oh I'm Harrington now."

"—Yes you are Harrington right now because only a Harrington would be this stubborn and ridiculous. Now tell me what happened and tell me what hurts."

Steve's resolve loosens slightly, and his head falls onto Eddie's shoulder. He lets out a painful whine, "My stomach. It—fuck—it hurts so bad Eds."

Eddie brushes his fingers through his hair and whispers to him gently. "It's okay baby, I got you."

Wayne realizes three things at once.

One, Wayne isn't sure Eddie has called Steve that before. He calls him names across the board. But baby isn't one of them. Wayne knows for a fact the two aren't together yet. They have been dancing along the line for a few weeks now. Wayne thinks about pushing the timeline along, but the boys don't seem to be there quite yet. This seems like a step in the right direction.

Two, in the past month and a half Wayne has gotten to know Steve, he realizes that the boy doesn't do well around older men. He flinches at every sudden movement Wayne makes, and won't even let him give him a pat on the back let alone a hug. Also in that time, Steve has barely gone home. Knows his parents didn't visit him at the hospital, but did come home two weeks later to make sure nothing is damaged from the earthquake. Assholes.

And three, Steve avoids the question as to what happened. Eddie seems to let it slide. Wayne doesn't give the same courtesy.

"Who did this?" Wayne says abruptly, startling Steve who seems to realize Wayne's presence only now.

"Wh-what?" Steve shakes.

"I'm not mad boy. But I'm not stupid. I know this ain't a what but a who. And I think we can both conclude who. But I'm going to ask you anyway. Who. Did. This?"

The last of Steve's resolve crumbles as Wayne puts a gentle hand on his shoulder. It is as if he hadn't known a gentle touch from a father before. Maybe he hasn't.

"My dad. He uh, we got into a fight last night. Found out how much time I was spending here, with Eddie, with the kids. He started saying how I was spending time with the wrong people. I tried to just nod and go upstairs because it was just easier to ignore him than fight him sometimes. Like what's he going to do right? He's only here a couple of days a year. But then he mentioned Robin and he called her a slur, and that said her kind was an abomination. And oh god I don't even know how he found that out Robs is going to be pissed she's been so careful—"

"Babe." Eddie squeezes Steve's hand.

"Right sorry, he just was going off about Robin. And it just set me off, I just lost it on him. How dare he talk about her that way? And I just told him that if he's got a problem with her, then he's got a problem with me too. And God Wayne, the silence that came after. It was like all the words had been sucked out of the room. Next thing I know he's grabbing me by the jaw and throwing me on the floor. And he just starts kicking me, screaming about how I am no son of his. I didn't know what to do. My mom just watched it all. I just laid there... I should have fought back—I—" Steve trails off trying to collect himself.

"When he was done he sent me to my room and told me to think about what I'm doing to this family. I just laid there all night and all day, just waiting for them to leave. I had to wait til they left for dinner tonight to get out. I can't—I can't go back there. Me and Robs were planning on moving in together next week, we made a deposit on this two-bedroom downtown, but I don't think I can spend another week there, and oh god, all my stuff is there. What have I done." Steve puts his head in his hands.

Eddie is crying with Steve by the end of it. Neither he nor Wayne comments on how Steve just came out to the both of them. It doesn't seem important at that moment. Wayne crouches down to eye level with Steve.

"You did nothing wrong. There is nothing wrong with you. You did what you had to do to survive, and even if you didn't it still wouldn't be your fault."

Wayne stands back to his full height. "Now, you can stay here until you and the bird girl have your place. Do not fight me on it. Anyway Steve, I know it's difficult right now. But I'm going to need you to let me know what you need from your house."

"What, why?"

Wayne just sighs, "I know you ain't stupid. Just tell me."

Steve seems hesitant but tells Wayne anyway.

He nods at both his boys when he speaks next. "You two stay put. I'll be back soon."

Steve and Eddie both look like they want to fight Wayne on it. Steve wants to stop him from leaving at all, and Eddie probably wants to stop him from going without him. They both smartly stay silent.

"Okay, Uncle Wayne."

"Okay, Wayne."

———

Later, Wayne comes back with three duffle bags and bruised knuckles.

Steve hugs him without a second thought.

———-

A few days pass and the three of them are in the kitchen when Eddie asks. "Did ya tell hop?"

Steve snorts in his coffee. "Hell no."

Wayne can't help his curiosity as he watches the both of them across the table.

"Steve, you have to tell Hop. He's going to find out anyway." Eddie pushes as he puts an ungodly amount of sugar in his coffee.

"No I don't. He'll just flip out, there is no good reason to tell him."

Eddie puts his hands on his hips. It reminds Wayne of Steve the past couple of times he's seen him around the kids. "I can think of one good reason. He's practically your dad. And I'm pretty sure your Dad would want to know what your old man did to ya."

Wayne can't help but hum in agreement. He knows if Eddie's old man comes around, he wants to be the first to find out.

Steve looks at Wayne briefly before saying, "No he's not. He's just like that with everyone."

"No, he's not. With El? Yea, that's his daughter. Maybe even Will. But not with anyone else. Except you. Why do you think I'm afraid of him?"

Steve gives him a look, "Cause he's an ex-cop Eds."

"Please that doesn't scare me. Didn't scare me when he was an actual cop either."

Wayne isn't sure that's entirely true. He remembers a very specific incident of Eddie tripping over his laces to get away from Jim.

Eddie carries on, "No, he scares me 'cause he's your dad, and I know he'll hang me by my toenails if I so much as make you cry. So yea, I think you should let him know. Besides, we both know he's going to be way more pissed when he finds out from literally anyone else. And we both know he will because you told Robin, who definitely told Nancy, who probably told Joyce, and you can see where I am heading with this."

Steve throws his head back and groans. "He's going to full government name me when he finds out."

Eddie lets out a manic giggle, "Ooo, you never told me what your full name is. Now you gotta tell me, Stevie."

Steve gives Eddie an exasperated look, "It's Steven James Harrington."

It's now Eddie's turn to groan. "Of course, you have his name. Well, I guess it's better than Richard. Hop must love that. Was kinda hoping you had my name or something."

Wayne makes a mental note to talk to Jim himself. Knows Steve will avoid it. But Wayne's got to make sure someone is looking after Steve when he can't. Wayne's been meaning to thank the man anyway. For all his done for Eddie. And now, for all he's done for Steve.

"Want me to make you feel better Eds?" Steve says with a smirk.

"Please. I'm not sure if I can go on any further with the torture of knowledge that contains your middle name."

"Hopper's middle name is Edward."

The scream of joy Eddie lets out nearly punctures what's left of Wayne's hearing.

———

By midsummer, the boys are an item. They haven't said anything to Wayne but he can tell. One day, the boys come back from their friend's weekly dinner holding hands. So they didn't have to tell Wayne. Not really.

It is just that, Wayne has gotten to know Steve Harrington over the past few months. He has gotten to know him as "Friend Steve" and "Brother Steve", and even after one intense game night, "King Steve". Wayne has a feeling though that "Boyfriend Steve" is different. As much as he likes the boy, his kid comes first. Wayne feels he needs to give Steve a talk.

The problem is he can't really give him a talk if neither of them has really told him. He has made that mistake once with Eddie, assuming, he won't be making it again.

So Wayne waits. And waits. And waits. And just as he is thinking he might never get the verbal confirmation from the two, he gets the image clear as day of what the two are on a Tuesday when he gets to go home early from work.

It's just not in the way he expects or wants.

Wayne can't really blame the boys. They didn't know Wayne would be coming home early, it was a surprise to Wayne himself. So they probably didn't think that anyone would be coming around the Munson household on Tuesday at midnight.

That doesn't make the situation any less scarring.

See, Wayne Allen Munson wasn't a god-fearing man. He can't be with what his Eddie had been through. But he can't help but think this is some sort of cosmic punishment when he gets home and hears moaning.

Wayne stands there in the foyer as a loud, "Yes baby just like that" and "Oh god, harder" and even the unfortunate "You're so tight, it's like you were made for me."

Wayne thinks god might be laughing at him. Wayne can't really go upstairs and stop them. They are both adults and he feels that having an image of what they are doing would be substantially worse than the noises.

Wayne decides to put some earplugs in (which thankfully cut off the noise, since his age made him half deaf anyway), sat in his armchair, and waits it out.

About an hour later (jesus an hour later) Steve comes downstairs to the kitchen in only his boxers. He doesn't seem to notice Wayne. His head is in the freezer when Wayne decides to clear his throat loudly.

Steve slams his head in fright and whips around with an icepack in his hand. "Oh shit."

"Oh shit is right."

All the color drains from Steve's face. "How much did you hear?"

Wayne appreciates that Steve cuts right to the chase. "Enough." He knows he can explain to the boy that he didn't really hear that much, and the earplugs are firmly in his hands as evidence, but he decides to torture Steve.

Just a little bit, can't have him too comfortable.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Munson, I—"

Wayne cuts him off. "No need to apologize, just as long as you boys are being safe that's all I care about. No that ain't what I want to talk to you about."

Steve visibly swallows as he sits across the counter from Wayne. "What about then?"

"Look, I'm awfully happy for the two of you. It's about time you boys got your shit together—"

Steve lets out a small laugh at the comment. Wayne continues. "—but I need to make things clear with you Steve. You hurt my kid, I hurt you. Eds has been through a lot. Not just with the whole spring break situation. I mean his whole life. He bounced around from place to place until he landed on my doorstep. He's used to giving his all, and not getting much in return. Eddie loves with his whole chest, and he doesn't know how to do it any other way. You better make sure you're worthy of it because I am not sure anyone is...including me. You're pretty damn close though, I know it. I can see it. You're a good person. But that boy is my whole world. I know where to hide a body if need be."

Wayne expects Steve to cower in fear, but instead, he smiles softly at him. "Don't worry. I'll dig the grave myself. I'll try my best not to hurt him, sir. I can't promise much, but I can promise I'll love him every day without fail."

"You tell him that yet kid?"

Steve shakes his head, "No. I think soon though sir."

Wayne nods feeling satisfied. "Good, and enough of this sir crap I thought we've been over this."

"Okay, Wayne."

"Better. Now, who's the ice pack for? You or him, because I don't want to have to grab the shovel outta the shed tonight."

Steve's blush spreads from his cheeks all the way down to his chest. "Uuuh, for me sir. I mean Wayne."

"Good. Go grab my son for me now will ya?"

Steve stutters, "Wh-what? Why?"

"Just go grab 'em."

Steve runs upstairs and brings down a smug-looking Eddie. Wayne's sure Steve gave him the rundown of what he heard, and Eddie doesn't appear to be ashamed like Steve had the smarts to do.

Little shit.

"Sorry Wayne didn't know you were home. Was that what you wanted to talk about?"

Wayne looks from Steve to Eddie, before narrowing his eyes at the latter. "Nope. It's your turn."

"My turn?" Eddie's confident face turns confused while Steve's flashes surprise.

"Yea kid your turn." Wayne contemplates for a second what to say, but knows in the end that Eddie will get the message loud and clear from one sentence alone.

"You hurt him—" Wayne turns to point at Steve, before facing Eddie again "—I hurt you. Got it?"

All the color drains from Eddie's face. That's the reaction he is looking for.

"Got it." Eddie grabs Steve's hand to make his way back upstairs. Before they are completely out of sight, Steve catches Wayne's eye. The boy looks softer than he did before. He looks like he wants to say something but settles on,

"Goodnight Wayne."

"Goodnight Steve."

———

Steve doesn't ask Wayne about that night until months later in October. Wayne is on the couch with a beer when Steve walks in (he has the key Eddie gave him in September). "Eddie's not here right now. Think he's running late with band practice."

"Oh I'm sorry. I can come back later." Steve stands awkwardly in the doorway.

"Don't be silly come sit. I'm just watching the game. It's no cubs considering they didn't make it far, but it's still a good game."

Steve nods and makes himself comfortable on the couch. Since spring break, Wayne and Steve have built a friendship of sorts. Steve still shows signs of apprehension in the first few seconds, but the conversation becomes an easy flow after a while. They usually talk about sports, cars, or cooking. All stuff Wayne enjoys but Eds won't show the slightest interest in. It's nice, to have someone to share this stuff with.

Today they mostly talk about the game on tv and Eddie's habit of running late. It's after a particularly funny joke about Eddie being late to his own birth that Steve asks, "Hey Wayne, can I ask you something?"

"Ya just did kid."

"God, you sound like Eddie."

Wayne chuckles, "Sure Steve. Shoot."

"Why did you talk to Eddie too? About the whole, hurting each other stuff? I mean Eddie's your kid, and I'm just the guy who gets to spend time with him." Steve waves his hands around, it reminds Wayne of Ed.

"Well, I love ya both," Wayne says easily while he takes a sip of his beer, like it isn't hard to say. And it isn't really. It was quite simple to Wayne. Just like Eddie, Steve might not be his kid by blood but he is close as he can come.

"Oh." Steve takes a deep breath, as if he is holding back tears, and says "Thanks, Wayne. I love you too."

Wayne almost mistakes the pain as Steve's voice as reluctance. The happiness that shines in his eyes says something else. Says he doesn't hear that from fathers very often. Says he hopes Wayne means it.

He does mean it.

Eddie walks in the doorway to find the two men silently staring at each other, and Steve close to tears. "Well hello there my lovely family how are—Wayne what did you do to Steve? Did you yell at him? I promise the bruise on my face was from dropping a wrench while trying to fix the van. Nothing else." Eddie pulls Steve up and squishes his face between his hands. "What did he say to you, baby?"

Steve shakes his head and laughs lightly at Eddie's antics. "Nothing bad. Promise. Happy tears."

"Happy tears?"

"Happy tears."

Eddie stares at him for long moment before deciding he believes him. "Okay. Okay. I relent." He grabs Steve's hand and throws a wave at Wayne. "Let's go upstairs though, I have to tell you about practice and how Gareth brought a boy with him! And you'll never believe what boy it was! It was our little baby Byers himself..."

Wayne hears Steve's gasp and Eddie's giggle as he continues on up the stairs. Wayne can't help the warmth that settles in his chest.

Because Wayne Allen Munson is lucky to have two wonderful boys. And he is even luckier that his two boys love each other. Because they deserve that and so much more.

———

Okay, it’s a lot I know. I just couldn’t resist. I wanted to write Steve and Wayne too. I think this one is less sad and more funny but I think that kind of speaks for the kind of relationship the two of them would have. Also it contains much more steddie than the last one. I’m thinking about maybe writing a part 3 with Steve’s relationship with the kids and how he’s their father figure? But for now it ends here. Also this took me like two days to write? I’m sorry for any mistakes or rushed parts. I am one woman show. Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed :)

Also I have finally posted on ao3!!! Can’t believe it, I’ve been so nervous about it especially because I am still without a beta. But this felt long enough to put there and I wanted to be able to share with more people.

access part. 1 here and ao3 here

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loveshotzz · 2 years

Note

Hello, hello, so, I love Eddie (don't we all?) But I know you take requests for Steve too...I just rewatched season 3 and I'm just craving some nerdy/naive Steve? I feel like we've all made him out to be this suave and dirty man, but I need Steve falling in Nancy's window, Steve playing a fake trumpet, Steve yelling too loudly, "Ahoy ladies! I didn't see you there!"

So maybe something where Steve is just absolutely clumsy and dorky, knocking things over and flustered by readers charm and confidence? Needs to be told what to do and will gladly do it, but he's going to make you laugh while it's happening.

If you're not into writing it or have NYE and other WIP that are filling your time, thats a-okay, I just love your style of writing and thought I'd throw it out there!

Sending love, good writing vibes, & all the Eddie/Steve thoughts your way! 💕

I’d write anything for you! But we’ve talked and there’s just something about a Scoops Ahoy Steve that’s irresistible. I hope you enjoy this <3

Steve Harrington x Reader

Warnings: Fluff, suggestive Innuendo’s and a very flustered Steve under the cut. Pretty SFW but still my blog is 18plus.

You’ve had crush on Steve Harrington for as long as you could remember. It started all the way back in middle school when he shared half his PB&J with you having accidentally forgot your lunch at home.

Even through out high school the feelings you harbored never changed, but with your lack of interest in the hierarchy of the popular crowd you decided admiring from a far was for the best.

Steve wasn’t the person he presented himself to be around them, even you knew that. Waiting patiently for him to get the bump on his head he needed, there was a part of you that was grateful when Nancy Wheeler showed up. After watching him chase her around for the better half of year the opportunity to take your shot finally presented itself after you both had graduated.

It was the Scoops Ahoy uniform that really did it for you, it humbled him in a way he needed. Working at the mall yourself, you’d spend every lunch break watching what used to be the King of Hawkins become a bumbling mess around women. There was something charming about the way he never gave up, day in and day out you watched him desperately try to find someone to help him get over Nancy.

Finally one night after your shift you walked passed the food court, glancing his direction you noticed he was behind the counter alone. Legs dangling with a look of pure boredom on his handsome features.

Feet faltering you stop before you can get any further. Taking your bottom lip between your teeth your eyes dart between the boy on the counter and the double glass doors of the entrance. The mall was practically empty at this point in the evening, with only an hour till close the families of the small town of Hawkins were already tucked into their homes.

Turning on your heal you descend towards the ice cream shop determined to be the one that finally makes him forget about Wheeler.

It takes Steve a minute to notice you walking towards him, but when he does his eyes widen and he’s snatching off his sailor cap as quick as he can. Jumping off the counter a nervous hand runs through his infamous locks, trying desperately to tame them before you get to him.

“Ahoy!” Steve coughs in his hand nervously when he sees just how beautiful you are up close. It wasn’t like he didn’t know who you were, he just couldn’t remember the last time he was this close to you. “I mean, um, yeah hi, I don’t know why I just yelled that at you. The mall is empty, you can clearly hear me. You’re standing right in front of me.”

The fact that you had Steve a rambling mess without even speaking a word yet only adds to your confidence.

“Ahoy Sailor.” Planting both hands on the counter you lean in with a sweet smile enjoying the pink that suddenly flushes his cheeks.

Licking his lips, his eyes go big at your obvious advance. Puffing his chest out a little he tries his best to put on a confident front, but the way your eyes were roaming his body was making his brain short circuit.

“What brings you to uhh my vessel of flavor?” With a hand on his hip he pinches the bridge of his nose, even he knows how stupid that was. But it was too late, it already left his mouth.

Stifling your giggle, you act unfazed by the bad pick up line. You’ll let him have this one.

“Hmm, I don’t know. What do you suggest Captain Harrington?” Dropping your voice lower when you say his name you turn towards the ice cream flavors. Running a finger along the glass as you move, never breaking eye contact with the glazed over hazel ones in front of you.

Clearing his throat again the blush from his cheeks spreads down to his neck, running another hand through his hair he meets you on the other side of the glass.

“Depends on what you’re in the mood for gorgeous.” Flashing you the kinda smile that makes your knees weak, it was your turn to blush.

“Definitely something creamy.” Biting your bottom lip you look up at him through your lashes. “And salty.”

Steve’s jaw drops at your lack of subtly, but your confidence has him so flustered he doesn’t know what else to do but keep playing along. Feeling his blue shorts tighten he pushes himself closer to the counter desperate to hide how badly you were already effecting him.

“Something creamy and salty? That’s my-“ Clearing his throat again, all of the tension starts to make him feel like it’s closing. “That’s my kinda gal.” Laughing nervously Steve focuses in on the Ice cream flavors in front him, refusing to meet your hungry stare as he does his best to try and calm himself down.

“Butterscotch, I like butterscotch.” Tapping your nails on the glass lightly you want his attention again.

“We happen to have the best butterscotch in Hawkins.” Steve finally musters enough strength to meet your gaze again and god, he wished he hadn’t. The way your eyes are trained on him makes the bulge in his shorts grow even more.

“Can I have a sample Stevie?” You can’t help but notice the way the nickname makes him bite his lip.

“You can taste every flavor on my ship if that’s what your heart desires.” His words are smooth when they come out, but when he reaches over to grab a spoon his elbow hits the ice cream scoop next to him sending it crashing to the ground.

The sound of the metal hitting the tile echos loudly through out the mall. Scrambling to pick it up, the pink tint in his cheeks turns a deep red when he sets it back down on the counter.

“I just hate when that happens.” Throwing a wink his way you can’t help how much you’re enjoying this.

“Hah, yeah, those metal ice cream scoops. Menaces I tell you.” A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips, reaching back over he finally gets a hold of the tester spoon he had set out for.

With a trembling hand Steve scoops the caramel colored ice cream, sucking in a sharp breath as your finger tips brush against his when you take it from him.

Making a show of eating it like a popsicle, your tongue darts out first collecting the sweet treat before your lips wrap tightly around the end. Humming lowly you close your eyes enjoying the way the sugar coats your mouth.

“Jesus Christ.” Steve breathes louder then he intended. “You’re doing this on purpose aren’t you? Like I can’t be imagining this right?”

Opening your eyes, you see his torn expression. Lips spreading into a smile around the spoon you let it fall from your lips with a small pop.

“Doing what on purpose? Hitting on you? I thought that was obvious Harrington.”

#request #Steve Harrington #steve harringon smut #steve harrington imagines #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x y/n #steve harrington fan fiction #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington x you #steve stranger things #stranger things #joe keery

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shiro-s2e2-erukinzu · 10 months

Text

Anime only watchers and people who aren't caught up with the Manga, BEWARE... Cuz I'm about to discuss Spy X Family Mission 83... You have been warned...! 👌

[SPOILERS AHEAD FROM THIS POINT ON]

OH MY GOD ENDO...!! HOW DO YOU KEEP DOING IT!?!? 😵 HOW DO YOU KEEP MAKING BANGER AFTER BANGER...!?!? 👏😆

So, to start things off...:

TWILIGHT DID GET SHOT!! 😱

So while he had the chance, Yuri kicked Twilight's gun out of his hands, and now they stand face to face...

While Twilight questions why he hesitated, Yuri (after calling Twilight "creepy" 😖) thinks THIS to himself...:

And with that, the two of them square off in AN AMAZING FIGHT!! 😆

After a few hits, Twilight grabs his belt and knocks Yuri with it (and somehow looking FINE AS HELL dress as Yuri...!! 😳):

But, just like near the end of the "Epic Monster Battle" song from Phineas and Ferb:

youtube

"THE OTHER GUY...

...GETS UP AGAIN...!!"

So Twilight and Yuri keep having this back and forth, where Twilight knocks Yuri down, but he keeps getting back up...!! (Just like in the song... 😖) And then, we get one of my favorite parts of this chapter...:

LIKE SISTER, LIKE BROTHER...!! THE BRIAR SIBLINGS ARE JUST A DIFFERENT BREED YO!! 😆

(Also, I loved Twilight's comment about being raised by Yor...!! 🤣)

After a few more hits (and Twilight freaking out about Yuri getting back up so much one last time), Yuri is finally down for the count... And it's time for Twilight to finish the job:

But...:

He couldn't bring himself to do it, and just leaves Yuri in the sewer...

This scene isn't only about Twilight having conflicting feelings, but it also shows one of the ways that Twilight still sees Yor as... An innocent civilian... Which means killing Yuri would take away the only "real" family Yor has left... Especially when Operation Strix is over with... And I believe that Twilight just couldn't bring himself to do that to her...

...

Moving on, we catch back up with Agent Mustache and Nightfall, who decide to change the plan after Wheeler doesn't show at their location...!

Agent Mustache disguises himself as the SSS agent that Twilight (disguised as Wheeler) met up with at the park and as he starts heading out, we finally see where Wheeler's been at this whole time:

Wheeler went to where him and the other SSS agents were gonna meet up (which tells me that Twilight was definitely the Wheeler that talked to Yuri back in Mission 81...! 😁), but no one showed up. Then, Wheeler spots Gascoigne (the guy that Agent Mustache is disguised as) and heads out...!

After that, Agent Mustache tries to lure Wheeler out, but the plan doesn't seem to be working until Nightfall looks over the area and spots someone suspicious in the crowd... It was in fact Wheeler, and now Nightfall is on the hunt...!!

Gosh, I just love seeing Nightfall in action...!! She's just SO BADASS...!! 😆 (When Twilight isn't around of course... 😌) The only thing that takes away from this badass image of Nightfall would be her earrings...

WHY DOES WISE HAVE TO PUT THEIR LOGO ON EVERYTHING, AND WHY DO THESE AGENTS WEAR THEM... EVEN. 👏 IN. 👏DISGUISE...!?!? 👏

That fact will never not be funny to me...!! 🤭

Anyway, Nightfall and the other agents chase after Wheeler and now have him cornered...:

And then, the chapter ends... And what an incredible chapter it was!! 😆 Mission 83 is shaping up to be a new favorite of mine, as well as this arc thus far...!! 👏😆👏😆👏😆

Honestly, I could probably gush about this chapter for longer, but I think I'll stop for now and just patiently wait for Mission 84...! ⏰⌛⌚ So until the next Mission... Take care and be safe out there y'all!! BYE!! 👋😄

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calliesadeckis · 5 months

Note

Hi love can you please write some Callie x fem reader hcs

of course!!! writing headcanons is so much faster and easier than actually writing one shots (literally need to write/finish my other two current requests ahsjdjdj) also callie my babygirl, i love her SO bad

your guys' relationship is a bit of a slow burn. because 1. she's with kyle but also 2. mommy issues. she knows her parents relationship isn't as perfect as they make it seem and it takes a toll on her a bit (kind of like nancy wheeler, but at least with callie, jeff actually cares about his family, with shauna.... it's complicated, but we're well aware of that)

even as friends, callie wants to keep her distance. like yeah, she does have alana but with you, it was different. something that was stronger (yet again, i don't think callie let alana sleep over at her house and i wouldn't blame her)

but when you do, callie REALLY wants to make sure you don't come to her house mainly because of shauna. it's just lesbian with mommy issues (callie is a lesbian to me, i will die on that hill)

and well, it takes her a while to build of the courage to tell you how she feels about you. like a loooooooong while. but she does eventually because you help her open up more, making you feel like safe space for her

but it takes a bit longer after you guys get together for her to let you meet her parents

when she does, she literally begs shauna and jeff to not be weird about it at all

jeff tries to keep his cool about it, to be an ally (he literally searches online about "what to do when your daughter brings home a girl?")

shauna, at first, isn't fond of you, but over time, she comes around to the idea especially since you make her daughter happy. like genuinely happy. shauna does live her daughter, she just..... has a hard time showing it

you and callie aren't very touchy, and you guys don't have to be. when you're watching tv together, she has her head on your shoulder (or vice versa)

and if you aren't as affectionate as she is, that's fine. both of you have your boundaries and you set them and respect one another

same if you are physically affectionate. she let's you hug her, lay your head on her shoulder or her lap, cheek kisses, but you don't go overboard. just the small little things she enjoys

it takes her a while to say "i love you" but she eventually does when she feels that you're the one. and you are!

everytime you stay for dinner, jeff always tries to make you feel apart of the family. he just wants his little girl to be happy

and does this mean you'll be dragged into their family messes? yup. you are officially apart of the family, you are joining in their disasters whether you like it or not

and that means bonding with shauna a bit more as she slowly sees you as trustworthy and knows you're a good fit for callie (i know for a fact that she did not like kyle at all when callie was dating him and obviously, she hates that fucking cop and as she should. acab)

honestly, callie's parents become family to you, and accepting you into it because you make her happy (they are a dysfunctional murder family, but they are happy, in a weird fucked up way)

and yes, jeff invites you to holiday dinners, which makes callie flush in embarrassment

did this turn out to be more of you meeting shauna and jeff while dating callie? yes. but come on, the experience would be hilarious like "yeah, i'm apart of my girlfriend's crazy family that covers up murders. no big deal :)"

#yellowjackets #yellowjackets x reader #callie sadecki x reader #headcanons #yellowjackets imagine #jaiden writes things #anon

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kingofjohto · 2 years

Text

Pairing: mostly platonic friendship moment between the reader and Eddie, Robin, and Steve but the main romantic part is Will Byers X M!reader

Word Count: 1.4K

Summary: You confide in your friend Eddie Munson about your feelings towards Will Byers, and he enlists the help of his friends Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley and they help you ask Will out.

A/N: this takes place after season 4 but hypothetically speaking everyone survives and Jopper is real because I said so! Also I’m too lazy to fix the spacing rn sorry ❤️❤️

So It’s A Date?

As the Campaign had just ended, and everyone was starting to leave, you felt that same feeling gnawing at the back of your mind.

“See ya Eddie, see ya Y/n” your friend Dustin called out as he and Mike Wheeler walked out of the basement.

You were getting your things together, but you couldn’t hide your true emotions from your best friend Eddie Munson.

“Is something wrong young one?” He asked in his usual goofy tone.

You let out a sigh, and then a groan.

“I need help Eddie!” You said dropping your bag and dropping yourself back onto the table.

“Woah, what’s going on with you?” He said, a bit surprised at your over the top response.

“Well, we’ve been friends for a while now, haven’t we?” You say, trying to ease into the topic.

“Woah, Y/n you didn’t kill anyone did you?” Eddie joked.

You tried to force out a laugh but all that came out was a little exhale with an awkward smile.

“Oh this must be serious, you usually love my lighthearted murder jokes.” Eddie said with a slight frown.

“It’s just… well… ya know. I’m not exactly… normal. Like most guys… I don’t really..” you murmured.

“Alright let’s not dance around it. You’re saying you’re into guys? While I’m flattered, I think you’re a bit too young for m-“

You quickly silenced him.

“No Eddie, I'm not into you!” You laughed.

“Well? Who is it? Is it Henderson? Or maybe Wheeler? It couldn’t be that no show Sinclair, or is it?” Eddie asked.

You shot him a look that he could only describe as repulsed.

“Of course not. All 4 of you are like the brothers that I never really wanted.” You said jokingly.

“Soo… then it must be… well it can only be Byers.” He said

You froze up for a moment, but sighed as you sank your head into your hand.

“Yup. Right in the money.” You sighed.

“What do you need help with there?” Eddie asked.

“It’s just… I really like him. I always have. I just don’t know what to do. I can't really tell if he even likes guys, but if he did I’m sure he’d like Mike more than me.” You said as you sank further into yourself.

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that my friend. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.” Eddie said encouragingly.

“But have you seen the way he looks at Mike!” You groaned.

Eddie paused for a moment, before you felt him shake your shoulder with a firm grip.

“Listen my friend, I’ve seen the way he looks at Mike. And I’ve seen the way he looks at you. When he looks at Mike, I see an abandoned puppy looking at an owner who couldn’t care less about it. However, when he looks at you?! It’s completely different. Instead of a feeling of fear I get hope. You should go for it kid.” He affirmed.

“How?” You asked.

“Well, Y/n, you know I’m not really that good with romance. However, I do know a certain someone who’s really good at that kind of thing.” He said.

You both quickly packed up your things and both got into Eddie’s car and drove off. You soon pulled up to the local Family Video.

“What are we doing here?” You asked as he pulled up.

“Getting help from the two people who could probably help you more than I can.” He said.

As the two of you walked in, you noticed faces you hadn’t seen in a while.

“Oh! Munson and l/n, what are you two doing here?” Steve asked, seemingly happy to finally see some familiar faces.

“Whatever it is, make it quick, we get off in 5.” Robin added.

You quickly looked to Eddie who then looked to you.

“Do you want to say it or should I?” Eddie asked.

“I don’t think I can say it again.” You sighed.

“Alright then, I will.” Eddie said.

“4 minutes, hurry up with it.” Robin reminded.

“Alright so basically-“

“I have a crush on Will Byers and I need help asking him out.” You blurted out.

Everyone was a bit surprised, but Robin was the first to break the silence.

“Oh wow… that’s…” she muttered.

“A lot.” Steve finished.

“So can you help or not?” Eddie asked.

Steve and Robin looked at each other, then to the clock.

“We get off in 2 minutes.” Robin said.

“Get ready, I’m gonna give you the Harrington Special.” Steve said.

“So? How do I look?” You asked.

The three looked at you as Steve finished working with your hair.

“I gotta say Y/n… it’s definitely a look.” Eddie said.

“Yeah well… I’m sure it’ll work.” Steve said.

“If it does he’ll beat your 0-16 record.” Robin laughed.

“Alright, let’s go.” Eddie said.

“Go where?” You ask.

“Isn’t it obvious? We’re going to the Byers place.” Eddie said.

“Wha-?”

Before you could even say anything you were already pulling up on the Byers new household that they moved into.

“Eddie are you sure about this?” You asked as he pulled to a stop.

“Listen kid, you’ll do great.” Eddie said.

“But what if-“

Steve quickly poked his head out from the back seat.

“Remember l/n. No ‘what if’s.’ Just go for it.” Steve said.

“Don't steal advice that I’ve told you before Harrington.” Robin said from the back seat.

“Right. I’m going for it.” You said.

You quickly got out of the car and walked up to the door. You looked back at your three friends staring intently, they all gave you a thumbs up so you made your move. Your finger pressed lightly on the doorbell, and thankfully Will answered.

“Oh, hey Y/n! What’s up?” He asked.

“Well…” you froze up a bit, “there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Wait. Actually, can I ask you something first? I’ve… kinda been meaning to ask you.” Will said.

“Huh? Yeah of course.” You said.

“I um… I wanted to know if you wanted to go to the movies with me? I know you like Comedy, and the reviews for this movie called Crocodile Dundee seem really good.” Will said.

“Oh, I’d love to!” You said.

“Um… also, I was wondering if we could maybe consider it… well…” before Will could finish a voice called from the car.

“Did you ask him out yet?!” Eddie yelled.

You felt your face heat up and you became flustered. Will on the other hand, started laughing.

“What’s so funny?” You asked, feeling a bit defeated.

“I was wondering why you were dressed up like that.” Will said, “that and… well… I was kinda just asking Johnathan how I could ask you out.” He laughed.

You looked over and sure enough, both Johnathan, Eleven, Hopper and Joyce were pressed up against their front window.

“So, do you think you’d be free tomorrow?” He asked.

“Yeah, I am. Do you wanna maybe go to the arcade before?” You asked sheepishly.

“Yeah, I’d really like that.” He said.

“Well… looks like it’s a date.” You said.

“Yeah.” Will said.

You both looked at each other awkwardly. The moment you were both worrying about all day, all week even, just came to fruition so easily.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.” You said, still not believing what just happened.

“Right, see you then. For our date.” Will said, also in disbelief.

You walked back to Eddie’s car and he walked back inside his house.

“So?” Eddie asked.

“We’ve got a date. Tomorrow.” You said.

“YES, see Robin, I told you I could still work magic.” Steve said.

“And yet you still have yet to pick up a single girl in the last two months.” Robin laughed.

Everyone in the car laughed as Eddie drove back to the Family Video to drop off Robin and Steve at their car. As Eddie pulled up to your house you just had to ask him something.

“Eddie, why did you yell that.” You asked.

He froze up for a moment.

“Well, there was a point in time when I had someone I cared about that much. I finally built up the courage to ask him out, but I backed out last minute. I’ve regretted it since.” Eddie said, a bit of sadness in his tone.

“Thank you for that. I mean it.” You said.

You got out of his car and waved as he pulled out. Now all you had to worry about was what you were going to wear tomorrow.

Part Two:

https://kingofjohto.tumblr.com/post/687096028474867712/so-its-a-date

#will byers x male reader #stranger things fic #stranger things #stranger things x reader #will byers x reader #will byers #will byers x male!reader #x male y/n #y/n

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alwaysmoncheri · 7 months

Text

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐒

pairings ❧ steve harrington x reader

summary ❧ nancy, jonathan, and (y/n) begin their search for a mysterious creature that has been lurking in the shadows of their small town

warnings ❧ female!reader, shit writing, will’s funeral, mentions of guns, mentions of trauma/family issues, mentions of blood/dying deer

word count ❧ 2.4k

additional notes ❧ i wrote this back in august ´･ᴗ･`

I stand next to Nancy, my brother and his friends in front of us as we watch Will's funeral service. A solemn atmosphere surrounds us as we stand around the casket that holds Will's body.

"Just wait 'till we tell Will that Jennifer Hayes was crying at his funeral," Dustin snickers to his friends, pointing at the crying girl.

"Shut up, Dustin," I whisper kicking his foot lightly before turning my attention back to the man speaking.

"Ow!" Dustin whines, bringing his leg up to rub it, stumbling in the process.

"Shhhh." Mrs. Wheeler leans down to shush my brother.

I drop my white rose into the ground where Will's casket lies and embrace Jonathan to offer my support.

"Hey," I give the boy a gentle smile after pulling away from our hug.

"Hi, thanks for coming." He says softly before shoving his hands in his suit pockets.

"Of course." I say as I move over to Joyce and gently rub her shoulder lovingly, noticing she wouldn't appreciate a hug at the moment.

"Hey, Joyce." I say, "I'm always here if you need anything, okay?" She only offers a small nod in return.

Nancy slowly approaches Jonathan and I and we silently walk together, sitting by a near fence where headstones sit within.

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

This is where we know for sure it's been, right?" Jonathan says, showing Nancy and I a map of Hawkins.

"So that's..." I say pointing at the x on the paper in front of us.

"Steve's house." Jonathan confirms with a nod, "And that's the woods where they found Will's bike and... that's my house." Jonathan continues, pointing at the paper.

"It's all so close." Nancy comments and I shift nervously on the ground, looking towards the woods surrounding us.

"Yeah. Exactly." Jonathan says.

"I mean, that's gotta be all within a mile or something." I say, glancing back at the two.

"Whatever this thing is, it's not traveling far." Jonathan finishes with a determined expression as he glances at Nancy and I.

"You want to go out there." Nancy concludes looking back at Jonathan.

"We might not find anything." Jonathan replies with a sigh.

"We found something." I say gesturing between Nancy and I and Jonathan nods.

"And if we do see it..." Nancy adds, "Then what?”

"We kill it."

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

Jonathan leads Nancy and I over to a car, opens the passenger side door and starts picking the lock of the glove box.

"What are you doing?" I ask confused, crossing my arms nervously.

"Just give me a second..." Jonathan says as Nancy and I look around uncomfortably.

Jonathan successfully picks the lock, pulling out a gun, checking at the components and stuffing the extra bullets into his pockets.

"Are you serious?" Nancy asks, looking around again to make sure nobody can see us.

"What? You want to find this thing and take another picture?" Jonathan asks sarcastically, "Yell at it?" He gets out of the car, shutting the door behind him.

"This is a terrible idea." Nancy says, tugging her jacket tighter.

"Yeah, well, it's the best we've got." Jonathan replies shoving the gun in his jacket pocket and Nancy rolls her eyes, "What? You can tell someone, but they're not gonna believe you." He adds.

"You know that."

"Your mom would." I pipe up, trying to break the tension between the two.

"She's been through enough, (Y/n)." Jonathan says sadly.

"She deserves to know." I continue and Nancy glances at me, nodding her head in agreement.

"Yeah, and I'll tell her..." Jonathan says determinedly.

"When this thing is dead.”

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

Standing alongside Jonathan in the woods, gun in hand, I aim at the cans in front of me. With a click and a loud shot, I hit three cans dead center. I turn to Jonathan a smug look on my face, and he chuckles before checking his watch for the fifth time.

"Calm down, lover boy." I say, crossing my arms, "She's on her way." Jonathan shakes his head with a chuckle and takes the gun from me, walking up to where I just stood.

Taking aim at the cans, Jonathan fires off multiple shots, only to miss each one. He lowers the gun with a sigh, frustrated with his failure.

"You're supposed to hit the cans, right?" Nancy says, walking over to Jonathan and I with a baseball bat in hand.

"No, actually, you see the spaces in between the cans?" Jonathan says sarcastically, "I'm aiming for those."

"Ah," Nancy replies, setting down her bag and bat.

"You ever shot a gun before?" Jonathan asks.

Nancy scoffs.

"Have you met my parents?" Nancy asks jokingly and Jonathan laughs.

"Yeah, I haven't shot one since I was ten. My dad took me hunting on my birthday." Jonathan explains, "He made me kill a rabbit."

"A rabbit?" I ask softly, kicking the dirt beneath my feet.

"Yeah. I guess he thought it would make me more of a man or something." Jonathan says, "I cried for a week."

"Jesus." Nancy whispers, shoving her hands in the pockets of her jacket.

"What? I'm a fan of Thumper." Jonathan says, shrugging and I chuckle lightly.

"I meant your father." Nancy says, looking at Jonathan sadly.

"Yeah..." Jonathan replies, "I guess he and my mother loved each other at some point, but..." He cocks the gun, "I wasn't around for that part."

"Welcome to the club." I sigh, glancing at the ground.

Nancy gestures towards the gun in Jonathan's hand, eager to take her turn shooting at the cans.

"Um, yeah" Jonathan says and gently hands her the gun, "Just, uh, point and shoot. (Y/n) caught on pretty quickly."

"You could say I'm a natural," I comment with a light smile.

"Of course," Nancy returns my smile and adjusts her grip on the gun, "I don't think my parents ever loved each other." She adds returning to Jonathan's previous point.

"They must've married for some reason." Jonathan says, looking at the girl with all too familiar eyes.

There's something there.

"My mom was young. My dad was older," Nancy begins, aiming the gun, "But he had a cushy job, money, came from a good family. So they bought a nice house at the end of the cul-de-sac and started their nuclear family." She finishes, gripping the gun tightly.

"Screw that." I say crossing the arms.

"Yeah, screw that." Nancy agrees before releasing the trigger, hitting the can dead on.

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

Nancy, Jonathan, and I walk through the forest, each of us carrying our weapon of choice. Jonathan grasps the baseball bat that Nancy had brought, while Nancy held the gun. And I carried a crowbar I found in the top shelf in my garage.

"You never said what I was saying." Nancy says quietly as we're walking.

"What?" Jonathan exhales.

"Yesterday." Nancy replies casually, "You said we were saying something and that's why you took our pictures."

"Oh uh, I don't know," Jonathan mutters to the ground before Nancy turns to glance at the boy, urging him to go on.

"I guess, I saw this girl, you know, trying to be someone else," Jonathan says to Nancy sincerely, "But for that moment, it was like you were alone, or you thought you were. And you know, you could just be yourself." He finishes glancing at Nancy for her reaction.

"That is such bullshit." She replies.

"What?" Jonathan says, stopping, Nancy walks ahead before turning back around to face us.

"I am not trying to be someone else." She says taking a couple steps towards Jonathan and I, "Just because I'm dating Steve and you don't like him—"

"You know what? Forget it." Jonathan comments, walking ahead, "I just thought it was a good picture." He adds.

"He's actually a good guy." Nancy says, trying to defend herself. She didn't need to but she did anyway.

"Okay," Jonathan stammers.

"Yesterday with the camera... He's not like that, at all." Nancy says walking inline with Jonathan now, "He was just being protective." She shrugs.

"Yeah, I've been friends with him all my life. He's always been a good guy." I say and Nancy gestures in me direction sending a pointed look a Jonathan almost to say 'see', "He just gets in with the wrong people sometimes." I mumble, kicking the leaves beneath my feet again.

"Yeah, that's one way to put it," Jonathan sasses.

"Oh, and I guess what you did was okay?" Nancy retorts.

"No, I never said that." Jonathan says quickly.

"He had every right to be pissed—" Nancy starts, frustrated. I stay back letting them work out their differences. Even if I did have opinions.

"Okay, alright," Jonathan cuts her off frantically, "Does that mean I have to like him?" He asks turning to look at her again.

"No." She replies.

"Listen, don't take it so personally, okay?" Jonathan says angrily, "I don't like most people. He's in the vast majority." He shrugs before walking ahead again.

"You know, I was actually starting to think that you were okay." Nancy says stopping in place.

"Yeah?" Jonathan says back.

"Yeah." Nancy confirms, "Yeah, I was thinking, "Jonathan Byers" maybe he's not the pretentious creep everyone says he is."

"Guys..." I whisper, being ignored, I shove my hands in my pockets and let the argument play out.

"Well, I was just starting to think you were okay." Jonathan replies walking back towards Nancy again, who's mouth turns into an "o" shape, egging the boy on, "I was thinking, "Nancy Wheeler" she's not just another suburban girl who thinks she's rebelling by doing exactly what every other suburban girl does. Until that phase passes and they marry some boring one-time jock, who now works sales, and they live out a perfectly boring little life at the end of a cul-de-sac. Exactly like their parents, who they thought were so depressing, but now, hey, they get it." Jonathan breaths out before scoffing and walking away for the last time.

I cast one last sympathetic look towards Nancy before jogging up to Jonathan. Together, we walk in silence, Nancy not far behind us.

"What was I saying?" I whisper curiously, "In my picture?"

Jonathan looks up at me in question and I nod confirming I would like to know.

"Uh, you were saying that you wanted nothing more than to be with this guy, but you can't, so you hide away. But it was like, that moment, made you realize that when you're next to him it feels so right." He says truthfully, trudging along beside me.

"Oh..." I felt exposed, Jonathan knew exactly what and who he was talking about. Which made me feel like he saw straight through me, the rough exterior easily cracked with a single picture.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry, (Y/n)," Jonathan says sincerely, "I shouldn't have taken that."

"Hey, it's okay. And don't worry," I say glancing back at Nancy, "She'll come around."

|☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆|

As the sun set, casting a dark blanket over the woods, the three of us walk in-line with each other. However, the tension between Jonathan and Nancy is still so thick, you could probably cut it with a knife.

Just as we thought all was quiet, a noise suddenly comes from afar, causing me to flinch lightly. Nancy and I exchange a glance and come to a halt, looking around. Jonathan unaware, continues walking until he notices the two of us are stopped.

"What are you tired?" Jonathan turns, asking sarcastically.

"Shut up." Nancy responds, looking around the forest.

"What?" Jonathan says, confused with our actions.

"I heard something..." Nancy whispers.

We hear a whimpering noise, slow and distant, causing us to head cautiously in it's direction until we discover its source. We find an injured, bloodied dear lying on the ground in front of us. It's labored breathing and pained cries makes my heart sink.

"Oh my god..." I whisper, clasping my hand over my mouth.

Nancy has a distraught look on her face before her kneels down in front of the deer. Jonathan sighs and glances towards my teary eyes, touching my shoulder lightly, before bringing his hand back to his side.

"It's been hit by a car," Nancy says softly. The deer lifts it's head slightly before continuing to whimper, "We can't just leave it." Nancy whispers as she slowly holds up the gun.

"I'll do it." Jonathan says confidently.

A few silent tears run down my cheeks.

"I thought you said—" Nancy starts, hesitant.

"I'm not nine anymore." Jonathan replies as Nancy slowly hands him the gun and stands up next to me, rubbing my back comfortingly.

As Jonathan cocks the gun, ready to end the deer's suffering, Nancy and I cling to each other tightly, not wanting to witness the violence. Just as Jonathan prepares to pull the trigger, the deer is violently dragged away, leaving us to stumble backward as we stare at the empty spot where the deer once lay.

"What was that?" I ask breathlessly, clutching my crowbar tight.

"I don't know..." Nancy replies, just as breathless. She starts walking forward, flashlight in hand, following the trail of blood and Jonathan and I trail close behind her.

The trail of blood suddenly stops in an opening in the woods. The three of us looking around frantically, searching for the thing that snatched the deer.

"Where'd it go?" I ask whipping my flashlight around to shine through the trees.

"I don't know," Jonathan replies, confused, "Do you guys see anymore blood?" He asks, pointing his gun.

"No." Nancy and I reply at the same time.

My eyes suddenly spot a drop of blood trailing onto a nearby tree branch. Curious, I wander off in that direction, and discover a tree with an opening covered in a gooey substance. Kneeling down to get a closer look, I reach out and touch it, only for the substance to stick between my fingers. Stretching as I pull them apart.

"Ew..." I whisper to myself. I then notice the trail of blood leading into the tree.

"Nancy?" I call out and look behind me, where my friends once were, "Jonathan?"

"Shit... Here goes nothing." I say, before slowly crawling into the tree.

After squeezing my way out of the opening, slime covers my skin. With my crowbar firmly in hand, I raise it nervously at the sound of a disturbing noise nearby. Hesitantly moving forward, my eyes land on a horrifying scene, so unexpected that I draw in a sharp breath.

"Holy shit."

previous chapter . next chapter . my masterlist . my taglist

#my works #masterlist #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington imagines #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington x y/n #steve x reader #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x reader #stranger things steve #stranger things #stranger things s1 #wattpad

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zerokrox-blog · 1 year

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Its an innocent enough letter in the mail. A sprawling 'Merry Christmas!' in flowing cursive. Gloria Harrington opened the off-white envelope and pulled out a neat stack of family photos and a bright Christmas card with a group of kids and older teenagers in a dog pile atop her son, Steve who was mid-laugh, they were in front of a brightly lit christmas tree. In the right corner she could see a service dog (a small chocolate lab-husky mix with a service vest on) standing in front of a group of laughing adults. All of them were in matching ugly Christmas sweaters and jeans. Gloria opened the letter with a shaking hand and read,

Merry Christmas from the Hopper-Byers, Sinclair's, Munson-Henderson, Hargrove, Wheeler's, Cunningham-Buckley-Harrington families!

Please welcome to the family Ozzy Harrington he is the puppy in the corner for our son/brother Steve.

This year was one of many ups and downs but thankfully all is well. Our family is whole.

We had to much fun taking photos for the Christmas card so we included all of them.

Gloria shut the card and took the stack into her hand and began looking through them. The first one was the older kids in matching red-and-white striped pajamas sitting in a neat line leaning against each other, faces dead serious. In the middle was Steve, on his right side was a short-blonde haired girl with bangs, leaning against her was the Wheeler girl, and the older Byers boy. On his left side was another girl, leaning against her was the Munson boy and a different boy with short blonde hair that she didn't know (she assumed he was the Hargrove mentioned above.) Once she flipped it over she saw that someone had neatly labeled everyone in the photo from right to left (Jonathon, Nancy, Chrissy, Steve, Robin, Eddie & Billy).

The next photo was Steve and his dog Ozzy. Gloria finally took her son's face and felt her heart shatter, he had a thick red-corded scar across his face from right above his left eyebrow down to the middle of his right cheek just shy of his eyes, he wore thick glasses and snaking down his left shoulder to his hand (which was openly displayed against his dog's head) was a sharp spider-web lightening scar. Her son's face was full of joy. The next picture was one with all the kids, pillows flying. The next one was Steve, Robin, Chrissy and Eddie tackling Jonathon to the floor while Nancy, in the background, laughed hysterically. The next one was the adults Jim, Joyce, Claudia, Wayne, Sue and Charles sitting on chairs with Steve, Jonathan, Eddie, Billy, Chrissy, Nancy and Robin behind them while the younger kids made dramatic faces on the floor in the front. The next one was family shots. The Sinclair's were first, Sue and Charles standing proudly in their ugly Christmas sweaters, while in front of them were their kids Lucas and Erica, both of whom had clearly tugged a confused Steve with them. Sue and Charles had a hand on each of his shoulders while Erica and Lucas were tucked into his sides. The family photos consisted of each family but Steve was pulled into them all. The last few were of each of the kids with Steve. And the last one was a photo of Steve, Eddie and Billy standing together, Billy and Eddie kissing one of Steve's cheeks while he looked surprised.

Gloria felt ill. What had she missed in the past few years of her son's life? What other moments of joy or pain had she and her husband missed out on?

When she showed them to Richard later that day she could see the same confusion and hurt on his face as she had felt. She decided to look into it to see what had happened. So she pulled out her cell phone and typed into the google search bar 'Hawkins Indiana', and found something about a serial killer? She was confused.

Richard however typed into his search bar 'Hawkins Indiana' and 'Steve Harrington' and his face went white at the first article. He called out to his wife and showed her. Watching the horror cross her face at the title of the article:

'Serial killer found, after victim Steve Harrington helped two people escape his cluthes'

What the hell had they missed?

#steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie #stranger things #billy hargrove #Billy/Eddie/Steve #my stuff #this will be a part of a story I have planned #modern day au #i have no self control #eddie my beloved #zerowrites #they're too cute #steve harrington and his parents #steve's parents are neglectful and negligent #its a part of a fanfic I desperatly want to write

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madwheelerz · 2 years

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Madwheeler Dissection- Family Edition

A talk in the similarities and differences between Mike and Max’s family situations. This actually drives me insane, and I personally think it’s wild.

First let’s talk about the lack of positive father figures in their lives.

Mike’s father, Ted Wheeler, is very inattentive. From the little interactions Mike has with him we see that Mike is very annoyed with him and doesn’t seem to like or care much about him at all. This is pretty vice-versa as well. Ted seems pretty willing to let Brenner and his men do whatever while Karen is expressing skepticism regarding what they could possibly want with her son. It’s also interesting how in all of season one Mike reassures El using his mother. He never says that his father will help her he just says his mom will. He also says that El would have sisters in Holly and Nancy. There is no mention of his dad. It’s like his dad is an afterthought, most likely due to Ted’s own negligence which we see Dustin callout pretty often.

Now Max, oh boy Max. Max’s biological father is all the way in California, so we don’t see or hear much about him, but it doesn’t seem like he keeps contact with her. Max does remark at some point that she misses him though. Max’s mom seems to want nothing to do with him, but notably Max has kept his name. He’s absent from her lift in any case. Then we have Max’s stepfather, Neil Hargrove. Neil is legitimately an awful person. He abuses his son and it’s unclear if he does this to Max or Susan. The most that Max says about Neil is that she’s glad her mother divorced him even if their lives are more difficult for it.

Now the estranged opposite gender older sibling. This isn’t an invite to compare Nancy and B*lly. He sucks. She doesn’t.

I know a lot of people want a Mike and Nancy family bond, but let’s be real it’s pretty nonexistence. Nancy doesn’t seem to show much care for Mike unless he’s in immediate danger and even then, it’s a fifty-fifty shot. She doesn’t dance with him like she does for Dustin. She promises to be there, but she never is when he reaches out. Mike seeks her out first when it came to finding a substitute for DnD and she looked at him as if he’d committed some sort of war crime. We also know Vecna showed her a horrible vision of something happening to Mike, most likely his death, and that she doesn’t approach with any sort of affection even with that hanging over their heads.

I think maybe we brush past exactly how bad their dynamic was in season one. This isn’t new. Mike was convinced Nancy would sell him out to the government. We have multiple characters question the idea of Nancy and Mike working together. Even the ever-inattentive Ted knows that. When the boys are hiding with El we have Lucas remark how weird the idea of Nancy contacting Mike is. Their relationship was never all that. Even after promising not to keep secrets, we immediately see a huge distance between the two again. While Jonathan is constantly with Will whenever danger arises, Nancy is never really with Mike. In season one she’s with him briefly at the school. In season two we only really see them together when driving away from the lab. In season three she literally leaves him in the mall. You can’t tell me you see Jonathan doing any of this. Yikes.

Obviously then we have Max and her strained relationship with B*lly. The entirety of season three is basically Max trying desperately to push away the notion that there could be something wrong. Now Max struggles with her feelings when it comes to B*lly because he is a pretty sucky guy to have as an older sibling, but she doesn’t want him to be possessed even if she’s not sure she likes him. B*lly is the source of many traumas for Max. She watches him nearly run over the party because she refused to do what he said. She also watches him attack Lucas because of her. Her relationship with her brother is mentally abusive (I don’t think he’s hit her until he was possessed).

She bares the unfortunate burden of these conflicting feelings of relief when B*lly is gone, but it’s coupled with guilt. In conclusion her relationship with B*lly is messy. She doesn’t really like him, but she doesn’t want him dead except his death relieved some part of her. This a response to the mental abuse that she suffers from him.

An odd little add-on is the fact that Nancy drives Mike to school just like B*lly used to do with Max and both sibling relationships are strained.

The neglectful without meaning to be mother.

Karen Wheeler while we know she cares about Mike, does he? I don’t think so. Throughout the series Mike experiences various encounters with loss and the supernatural. He goes home and he’s upset, but no one really approaches him about it. Sure, we have Karen tell him that he can tell her anything, but that only occurred once in season one. She never does it again for Mike, but she does it twice for Nancy. She reaches out to Nancy in season one and in season three. With Mike it’s always him kinda exploding under the weight of his emotions until he can’t handle it then him seeking out his mother’s comfort. This is probably at least partially why he’s so surprised when his mom hugs him at the end of season four since she’s never really the one reaching out.

Susan Hargrove also cares about Max a lot. We see her express concern when she returns home and Max is gone out with Lucas. We also see her affectionately prepare Max for the Snowball. She isn’t around often though. This is extremely evident in season four after she gets her second divorce. Susan comes home and drinks often. She doesn’t seem all there given everything that’s happened, but she tries to do her best by Max by making enough money for them to live on. She’s neglecting Max without meaning to.

In conclusion, even their family lives seem extremely intertwined. The one piece that Mike’s family has without direct comparison to Max is their youngest, Holly, and we don’t see her often.

#madwheeler #platonic madwheeler #madwheeler dissection #thoughts and theories #max and mike #same person different font #I hope I did this well #but this is what won out

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boysdontcryboycry · 1 year

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so i just scoured all four seasons on UrnWatch leaping from @wheelercore's post(s) because This Shit Is Fascinating and the wheeler family keeps me up at night and i need answers anyway this one's a doozy

i might've missed a few because i was just going by memory and didn't rewatch the entire show, but these are the important ones for sure.

first is the golden urn that falls during the earthquake, which isn't actually golden! it only looks golden in that specific scene, presumably from all the bright, warm yellow lights in the room, but the timing of the change being exactly when the four gates converged is a little suspect. in every other appearance, the titular urn is a silvery black and fairly large.

the first appearance of The Urn is in 1.01, right behind mike and ted as he fiddles with the tv antennae, watching what we now know is possibly the next week's episode of knight rider, as mike asks for 20 more minutes to keep playing

next is when el is looking at the wheeler mantle photos in 1.02, and in 1.04 when karen and nancy argue about nancy lying to the cops about sleeping with steve

in season 2, it's visible in the 2.02 flashback when ted insists the wheelers' patriotism to the lab agents, and in 2.05 when karen yells for ted to answer dustin's incessant ringing of the doorbell

we don't spend much time at the wheeler residence in season 3, but it still is just barely visible behind nancy's head in 3.05 when nancy and karen joke about nancy's fighting spirit coming from ted

and in season 4, The Urn returns in full force, lurking behind mike for the sweetie pie scene in 4.01,

for a flash behind dustin in 4.07 as holly menacingly dodges him with her white rabbit lite-brite, and hiding behind the fridge and dustin's head as he starts to put together the pieces about watergate and vecna opening portals and also erica threatens to reveal lucas' secret,

again in 4.07 when dustin and lucas steal holly's white rabbit lite-brite,

and finally The urn shot in 4.09 as it tumbles from the mantle along with several family photos

we don't see it again for the rest of the season, the camera stubbornly avoiding its designated location as we get a new angle of ted in his chair, turning off the news and rejecting the societal hysteria as holly continues to built her white rabbit on her lite-brite, as karen tucks nancy's old rabbit toy into a donation box

and it's times like these i wish i used desktop because i'm limited to ten photos on mobile because let's just say there is a LOT going on with the wheelers and urns, and either karen just really likes collecting decorative urns or the wheeler extended family are dropping like flies. i hope i can reblog with more photos. hold please.

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undersilverlake · 2 years

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My Guardian Angel

Eddie Munson x GN!Reader

Description: while on a mission to find Nancy Wheeler, you stumble upon Eddie Munson instead and you decide to help him out of a dangerous situation

💭: this low-key boarders on a Nancy Wheeler x reader fic, why is reader so determined to find her? You in love with her or something?

You worked for the newspaper alongside Nancy and you had noticed that after the recent murder in town, she had become distant. This was the biggest story in Hawkin’s ever since the mall fire last year and you were eager to work on a story with her but after the both of you had sneaked into the trailer park where the crime took place to interview the residents and the prime suspects uncle, it was as if she had vanished off the face of the earth.

After she failed to meet you at the office, where you were going to write up a story together on the information you had both gathered at the trailer park yesterday, you had called her home to check if she was unwell.

When her mother, Karen, answered the phone, you introduced yourself and asked her if her daughter wasn’t feeling well, you weren’t expecting Karen to tell you that Nancy wasn’t home because she had gone out to hangout with a couple of her friends.

Nancy wasn’t the sort of person who blew off work to go and “hangout” with her friends, she was very passionate about journalism, as were you, and with how eager she was about gathering information yesterday, she even lied to a police officer to sneak into the crime scene, it didn’t make sense to you that she would stand you up to go and randomly hangout with her friends. You knew something wasn’t right and your curiosity wouldn’t let you settle.

After asking for the names of Nancy’s friends, you made a little note in your little writing pad where you kept all your information. Robin and Steve, you knew them, they worked at the video store. That would be where you would start your investigation.

“Welcome to Family Video, how may I help you today?” the greasy teen drawled in the most monotone voice, without once taking his eyes off of the TV that hung on the wall behind the checkout and was currently playing a scene from Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

“Yes, I was hoping you could help me.” you smiled, showing him more courtesy than he had offered you, “I’m looking for Robin and Steve.”

At the mention of their names, the greasy teenager finally span around in his office chair to face you and you could finally read his name tag, discovering his name was Kieth.

“You won’t find them here, those lazy shits bailed on me today. They’re probably swapping saliva and other bodily fluids up at Lover’s Lake as we speak.” Kieth scoffed and you grimaced.

“If you find them, tell them they’re on thin ice. One more strike and they’re out.” you pulled your face back when Kieth pointed at you with a Cheeto dust covered finger.

Something strange was definitely going on and your curious mind couldn’t let it go. Why would Nancy, Steve and Robin all bail on their commitments the same day?

You thanked Kieth for his help and stepped back out of the video store wondering where to search next. Keith had mentioned Lover’s Lake, although it seemed like a long shot, you didn’t really have any other leads. So you jumped in your car and headed in that direction.

By the time you arrived at the cabin by Lover’s Lake, the sun was beginning to set, casting the entire lake in a pink and orange hue. You couldn’t deny how romantic the scene looked, you could certainly see how it had earned it’s name.

As you were approaching the cabin, the sound of a car engine caught your attention. You saw a group of men in black suits climb out of a black SUV, carrying baseball bats and crowbars and your blood ran cold through your body.

As they marched closer, you realised they were being lead by the captain of the Hawkin’s High basketball team and the boyfriend of the recent murder victim.

“Jason Carver?” you squinted at him and his teammates, before you jogged towards them to meet them halfway down the drive. “What are you doing here?” you asked as you cautiously eyed their weapons.

“We’ve reason to believe the freak that killed my Chrissy is hiding out here.” Jason told you as he rested a hand on your shoulder, which you were sure he intended to be comforting, but instead caused your whole frame to go rigid. “It’s not safe for you to be here with that psycho on the loose.”

Your brows scrunched together, “shouldn’t we call the police instead?”

“So they can let him slip through their fingers again? I’m not going to let that happen.” Jason spoke through a clenched jaw, his voice filled with venom and his eyes filled with rage. “The freak deserves to feel the exact same pain he made Chrissy feel when he stole her life away from her.”

“You don’t even know for sure that Eddie—”

“Are you defending him?” Jason quickly cut you off and his once gentle grip on your shoulder tightened threateningly.

“I’m not.” you quickly appeased him, even though you honestly believed the man at least deserved a fair trail before he was bludgeoned to death, but you weren’t going to argue with Jason in the current state he was in.

“Good.” he nodded curtly, before he gave you a nudge towards the end of the drive. “Now get outta here.”

As you walked back towards your car, you kept glancing behind you as Jason and his teammates entered the cabin one by one. Once they had all disappeared, you looked over to the boathouse and your eyes widened when you saw a shadow move behind one of the windows.

With one final glance towards the cabin, you sneaked towards the boathouse, making sure to duck below any windows that they might have saw you through.

You quickly slid through the door and pulled it shut behind you, leaning your back against it for a moment to rest your racing heart.

Your eyes wandered over every inch of the boathouse, it appeared completely abandoned, until you saw empty snack packets and cans of pop littering the worktop.

As you began to investigate deeper into the boathouse, you tiptoed towards a boat covered in tarp and with a deep breath you yanked it back, almost losing your balance from the fright of Eddie rising up along with it.

In an instant you both put your palms over the others mouth, to prevent each other from screaming and gaining the attention of Jason and his teammates.

Your faces were inches apart and you silently communicated to one another through your eyes. Fear and trauma spilled from Eddie’s doe eyes as they pleaded with your own.

Arriving to the conclusion that neither of you were going to scream, you gave each other a brief nod before you lowered your hands from over each other’s mouths.

“Jason and his friends are in the cabin looking for you.” you warned Eddie.

“If they find me I’m as good as dead.” Eddie’s voice trembled as he spoke, while he slightly rocked back and forth with a bowed head before he lifted his gaze back to yours.

“Who are you? Why are you helping me? Are you a friend of Dustin or Steve or Nancy? Are they okay?” questions rolled off of Eddie’s tongue faster than you could process them but one name in particular caught your attention.

“You know Nancy?” you asked him. “That’s why I’m here, I’m looking for her.”

“She’s helping me with Dustin, Steve and Robin. They told me they could clear my name.” Eddie whispered to you and your head spun at the realisation of how little you knew about anything that was going on, but you knew if Nancy trusted Eddie then you could trust him as well.

“I’m going to help you get out of here.” you told Eddie with determination.

“How?” Eddie eyed you curiously.

You had helped Eddie sneak out the boathouse and sent him running through the woods in one direction, while you began running in the opposite. Once you had put some distance between yourself and the cabin, you stopped and rested your hands over your knees for a moment and bent over to catch your breath.

Once you had enough air in your lungs, you began screaming as loud as you could, so loud your throat burned but you didn’t stop, you continued to scream until you heard several footsteps running towards you and through the trees you saw Jason and his friends approaching you.

“Help!” you cried as you ran towards them, sobbing hysterically.

“I told you to get out of here!” Jason reprimanded you.

“I know,” you cried through fake sobs, “but before I left I saw something in the woods, so I followed it and then-” you cut yourself off as you heaved air into your lungs and tried to fight your uncontrollable sobs.

“Which way did he go?” Jason pressed you.

“That way.” you pointed a trembling finger in the opposite direction which you had sent Eddie running.

Jason threw his car keys at one of his friends, ordering them to drive you home, before he and the rest of his friends went on your wild goose chase through the woods. You tried to hide your triumphant smirk, but it was hard.

When you arrived back home, you tried contacting Nancy again, most frustratingly you couldn’t even leave her a voicemail because the last thing you wanted was her parents to find out their daughter was harbouring a fugitive.

The shrill sound of your bedside phone yanked you out of a sleep you hadn’t realised you had fallen into and you immediately shot up, sending a serge of dizziness through your whole body.

“Hello? Nancy, is that you?” you spoke with a raspy morning voice.

“What on Earth is going on? My mom told me you kept calling last night.” Nancy’s voice answered through the receiver and you never thought you would be so relieved to hear it.

“Have you spoken to Eddie recently?” you asked her.

“No,” she answered far too quickly, as her voice raised in pitch, “why would I have spoken to Eddie? He’s on the run, no one knows where he is.”

“Stop lying to me.” you sighed, “I spoke to him yesterday, he told me you’re trying to clear his name.”

“You spoke to Eddie?” Nancy asked you.

“Yes, I had to save him from Jason and his goons. I sent him running into the woods and sent Jason on a while goose chase in the opposite direction. Have you heard from him since last night?” you asked, suddenly realising just how concerned you were for him.

Nancy stuttered for a moment as she processed what you just told her, before you heard her talk to some other people, while you waited not so patiently for her to answer your question.

“Meet me at my place. Be quick.” she instructed you and hung up before you could ask anymore questions.

When you reached Nancy’s, you were quickly dragged down to her basement to where you found Steve, Robin and three kids you didn’t know the names of, but you recalled Eddie mentioning a Dustin last night.

Nancy quickly introduced all of you and you found out the other kids names were Max and Lucas.

“Have you heard from Eddie yet?” was the first question you asked after all the formal introductions were out the way.

“Don’t worry, we have spoken to Eddie. He is safe, thanks to you.” Dustin assured you and you let out a sigh of relief you felt like you had been holding in all night.

“Yeah, he told us what you did. That was pretty smart.” Steve told you from where he was sat on the old couch.

“God knows what would’ve happened if you weren’t there.” Robin mumbled to herself.

“What were you doing there exactly?” Nancy asked you.

“I was looking for you because you stood me up,” you answered, “and when I called to check up on you, your mom told me you were hanging out with Robin and Steve so I went to the video store and Kieth told me Robin and Steve were at Lover’s Lake.”

“How did Kieth know we had been Lover’s Lake?” Robin thought out loud.

“I don’t think he actually knew you had been to Lover’s Lake. He seemed to be under the impression that you and Steve had skipped work to hookup there.” there was a silent pause before Robin started gagging and Steve broke into a fit of laughter, meanwhile the rest of you felt as though you were missing out on some sort of inside joke.

You trailed behind Dustin and Steve as they squabbled like an old married couple over something to do with the directions to Skull Rock, that was the place where Eddie had told you all to meet him and you had no idea where it was, so you were relying on either Steve or Dustin to get it right.

“Oh boom!” Steve cheered as he pushed through some branches, “bada bing, bada boom! There she is, Henderson. Skull Rock! In your face, man. In your stupid cocky little face.”

“It doesn’t make sense?” you heard Dustin say to himself as you walked past him and you drowned out Steve’s voice as he continued to argue with the teenager, while you kept an eye out for Eddie but you couldn’t see him anywhere.

That was until you heard a thud behind you, which caused you to yelp as you span around on the spot to see Eddie stood there.

“I concur. You, Dustin Henderson, are a total butthead.” Eddie added to Steve’s argument.

“Jesus we thought you were a goner.” Dustin smiled as he pulled Eddie into a hug and as he hesitantly returned it, seemingly startled by the display of affection, his eyes met yours and his lips curved into a smile, causing your own to copy.

“I was safe and sound thanks to my Guardian Angel over there.” Eddie nodded towards you, “for a moment I swore you weren’t real.”

Your cheeks heated at the name Eddie used to referred to you.

“No, I’m very much real,” you laughed as you poked at your own stomach to prove it. “I was just in the right place at the right time.” you humbly replied as Eddie stepped closer to you.

He mimicked you by gently poking one of his ringed fingers into your side and you started giggling at the ticklish sensation it sent through your body, before Eddie was wrapping his arms around you without warning.

“I can’t thank you enough for saving me last night.” his breath fanned over your neck since had snuggled his face between your neck and your shoulder.

You reciprocated the hug, by stroking your hand over Eddie’s denim clad back, realising how much comfort he probably needed right now, after everything he had been though these past couple days.

“I don’t even know your name.” Eddie spoke as you both separated from the hug and you smiled as you finally told him your name.

“My Guardian Angel.” Eddie repeated, as if that was your actual name but if that’s what he wanted to call you, he would hear no complaints from you.

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #stranger things #nancy wheeler

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barclaysangel · 1 year

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Junior Wheeler finding out he has a younger half-sister headcanons

This just spiraled out of control from a random idea and then it grew more and more so here we are! I just had to write this as a set of headcanons or I would combust. It did take months to write this due to lack of motivation but I finally did it! If you guys like this, please tell me! I just MIGHT make a fic or one-shot series of the adventures of Big Bro Junior™. Besides, comments always make me feel accomplished and it gives me motivation to continue this AU!

Tags: @arthurpendragonlove @streets-in-paradise @rogertaylorismyking @marvelxchucky @the-carlos-cow-eyes

Warnings: Mentions of Logan Wheeler, mentions of kinda inappropriate relationships, some swearing, not proofread because proofreading is for losers

Word count: 3.2K

Summary: After surviving from being stabbed by a killer doll, Junior thought nothing could surprise him. Then they found out that he had a half-sister, a product from Logan Wheeler’s affair. And somehow, Junior’s life changes for the better once they become a big brother.

Notes: Takes place about a year and a half after the events of season 1, no mention of season 2 because I despise 98.5% of the plot of season 2, a shit ton of the ideas were created between me and @arthurpendragonlove , purposefully not saying who takes in Jake and Junior because I haven’t decided yet (maybe Miss Fairchild or Andy Barclay but I’ll admit, I’m leaning WAY MORE towards the latter if I make a fic based on this), Harper’s faceclaim is Victoria Pedretti and Eden’s faceclaim is Violet McGraw, Junior is my own personal interpretation of how his character arc could evolve after everything that’s happened to him, Junior is biromantic asexual and a demiboy who uses he/they pronouns (this has been a headcanon I've had for a year and I'm absolutely implementing Junior being a demiboy for the first time in these headcanons).

~Junior Wheeler was almost 16 years old when he found out about their father’s former mistress and child.

~After surviving his stab wound, Junior started to get better. They opened himself up more, made amends and became better friends with Jake, Devon, and Lexy, got therapy, and explored their identity and who he truly was. They truly were in a good place.

~And then Junior happened to meet a woman named Harper Murphy.

~Harper never knew that Logan Wheeler was married and had a teenage son. She had only found that out on the news after his body had been discovered due to the “mysterious” massacre that happened in Hackensack.

~Harper felt so guilty now knowing that she had been the other woman, even producing a child with a married man, that she tried for over a year to find Junior to explain herself.

~And that’s exactly what she tried to do when she showed up on his doorstep by herself.

~It was safe to say that Junior didn’t react well.

~They were already shaking with rage upon finding out that his father DID in fact cheat on their mom, but hearing that he now had a half-sister made them force her to leave before he could explode.

~Jake thankfully had been there to be the voice of reason and took the slip of paper that had Harper’s phone number because Junior refused to take it.

~For a couple weeks, Junior wasn’t themself.

~He was prone to snapping more and refused to talk about their father’s mistress and child to anyone, including his friends, girlfriend, caretaker, and therapist. Their anger was starting to get almost out of control because of how much he was now bottling up.

~It was when Junior got a week’s worth of detention for throwing his textbook at the head of a classmate that was bothering them when Jake finally forced his cousin to sit down and talk it over.

~There were many things that Junior was angry about. One, their father actually being a cheater and having a whole other family. Two, the fact that the other woman was much younger than his mother. And three, that Chucky was right in a way about their father having an affair.

~By now, Junior knew about Chucky’s manipulation. He was used as a pawn in his game, manipulated into believing that their mom killed herself and his father cheated on her, leading to her suicide and causing them to kill his father. Junior now knew what really happened to her.

~But finding out about this affair has led Junior into hating the fact that Chucky was right about something.

~Jake was able to be there and reassure Junior, somehow even convincing them to call Harper and hear her full side of the story.

~So after two weeks, Junior gave in and had Jake call her—because he didn’t have it in them to call her herself without losing it again, so he needed the calmer of the two cousins to make the phone call.

~When Harper came by, once again alone, it was a meeting between her, Junior, Jake, and their caretaker. Junior couldn’t be trusted to be left alone, so they were with him in case their temper decided to strike again.

~It did happen a few times throughout Harper’s story, leading Junior to get up and “take a lap”, which included storming angrily around the house once or twice until he was calm enough to sit down and listen again.

~Some reasons that caused Junior to “take a lap” was when he found out that Harper was 21 years old and still at college when she met their father, when he found out that she was 27 now and that made her only 11 years older than them and he was 11 years older than her daughter, and even when Harper told them about how Logan isolated her from her parents to the point where she only had her daughter and occasionally his father whenever he felt like visiting.

~Knowing just how much of a manipulative piece of shit their father was made Junior want to explode. But he could see how weary and anxious Harper looked so they forced himself to be as calm as they could…which wasn’t a lot but it was the thought that counts.

~It was much harder when Harper brought up the topic of her daughter, Eden.

~Junior didn’t want to know about her. Whether it was because she was the product of his father’s affair or another connection that bound them to the man they wanted so desperately to forget, he didn’t know at the moment. They just absolutely didn’t want to know about her or see a picture when Harper offered.

~Jake took her up on that offer though and looked at the picture of his new five year old cousin on Harper’s phone. Junior kept his back turned as Jake complimented Eden, attempting to persuade Junior to look with each thing she said.

~He did capture Junior’s attention by one thing only.

~“She looks nothing like her father.”

~For some reason, that was enough for Junior to finally peer over Jake’s shoulder and look at the picture of their half-sister.

~Eden was a carbon copy of her mother, with dark brown hair and vibrant blue eyes. The more Junior stared at her, the more he realized that she truly didn’t look like Logan.

~Seems that their father had another child that looked exactly like their mother and not him.

~Maybe the Wheeler genes were a lot weaker than he expected.

~“…she’s cute, I guess.”

~But during that meeting, Junior didn’t agree to wanting to see their half-sister. He didn’t know if they had it in him to see her in person.

~It took more persuasion and another week until Junior was the one to call Harper and set up a meeting.

~They did emphasize that he most likely wouldn’t want to have a relationship with Eden but he figured that they should meet her, just once.

~In a way, Junior figured that this was something his mother would want them to do. She was a good woman with a big heart, she would want him to at the very least meet their half-sister, especially if she knew Harper’s story and how she was also a victim in Logan’s manipulation.

~Junior was absolutely nervous to meet Eden. He hardly slept and ate during the days leading up to the meeting, riddled with so much anxiety that it started to affect them physically.

~When they finally met, Junior didn’t know how to act.

~Eden was obviously shy, clinging to her mother’s arm but staring at her half-brother with curiosity. And Junior was trying to function in a way that was considered calm because while he didn’t know if they would like her or not, he still didn’t want to frighten her.

~After a couple minutes of staring, Junior finally gathered the courage to speak.

~“Hi.”

~“I’m Junior.”

~“I’m Eden.”

~“Cool.”

~Then Eden smiled at them.

~Junior couldn’t quite explain it. But something in her smile was so sweet and so genuine, that he melted and fell under her spell.

~Junior began to slowly open themself up more and the more he did, the more they realized that there wasn’t a single trace of their father in her. She wasn’t like Logan at all. Eden was shy, sweet, kind, polite, and so much more, all the complete opposite of Logan.

~Eventually the two siblings were trusted enough to be left alone and they spent the rest of the day watching a Disney movie together, The Little Mermaid, Eden’s favorite that also happened to be Junior’s favorite.

~When it was time for them to go, Eden gave them the biggest hug and Junior came to the realization that this couldn’t be the first and last time he’ll ever meet her. They had to see her again, to get to know her more.

~It was something he made known to Harper and the rest of their family.

~“I’ve only known Eden for a few hours…but if anything happened to her, I would kill everyone in this room and then myself.”

~“…I know you’re basically quoting B99 but it actually sounds terrifying when you say it.”

~After that, Junior and Eden became inseparable.

~They did just about everything together. They watched movies, listened to music, and went to the park and zoo a lot.

~Most of the movies were Disney movies, so it involved a lot of singing and dancing from both of them.

~Eden became fascinated with Junior’s guitar and would beg him to play for her all the time. They always obliged and eventually, he let her hold the guitar.

~The sight was absolutely adorable because their guitar looked so much bigger than her, but Eden was holding it to her chest with a big smile.

~Junior lost count over how many times he took her to the park. They always pushed her on the swings and would hold her hand if she was too nervous to go down a steep slide.

~Junior also spends so much money on Eden whenever they go to the gift shop at the zoo. He just couldn’t say no to her.

~Over time, they stopped calling her his half-sister. Eden was Junior’s sister. No half of anything.

~Eden doing their makeup and nails was always a must.

~Junior sometimes did his own makeup and painted their nails, but always let Eden do whatever she wanted. Her technique was sloppy when it came to the nail polish and he looked like a mess with the amount of eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick she would put on them.

~But it was always fun and worth it to let Eden doll him up because of the big smile she would get on her face.

~The amount of photos of Eden and Junior together on Junior, Lexy, Jake, Devon, and Harper’s phones are enough to fill up ten scrapbooks.

~A month after they met, Junior turned 16. Eden made tons of pictures of the two of them together, all of which are hung up on his wall, and even a friendship bracelet.

~They never take that bracelet off.

~Piggy back rides happened hundreds of times.

~Junior constantly has Eden on his back and she just clings onto them while he’s walking or running.

~Sometimes they’ll carry her in his arms too, especially when she falls asleep.

~Or have her thrown over their shoulder like she was a sack of potatoes.

~All of these actions would leave Junior sore but her big smile and hysterical giggles were always worth it.

~He’s lost count over how often they’ve played Princess with Eden.

~Junior would admit, he enjoyed partially wearing a pink dress that certainly didn’t fit with a plastic crown on their head, despite the teasing he would get sometimes.

~“Oh…my…god.”

~“Don’t be jealous that I make a prettier princess than you do, Jacob.”

~Junior has tons of nicknames for Eden.

~The most popular are Edie, Eeds, Darling, Pumpkin, Sweetness, and Sweetheart.

~Eden doesn’t have a lot of nicknames for Junior except for just a few, which are all variations of their name.

~Jun, Junie, JJ, and her absolute favorite, Juna.

~No one is allowed to call Junior Juna except Eden.

~Jake made that mistake once and found out what it felt to be stomped on his bare foot by Junior’s strong boot.

~When Halloween rolls around, they do matching costumes. Eden insisted and as Junior has shown many times, he just can’t say no to her.

~They also take her to the houses that have the best and biggest candies.

~It’s no secret how close they are. The others have joked about Eden being Junior’s “mini me” or “shadow.”

~He’d be lying if they said that he didn’t like it. It was absolutely adorable how much she wanted to be like them. But he still encouraged her to be her own person and how she didn’t need to like everything that they liked.

~He didn’t want her growing up the way they did, willing to change everything about himself and mold themself into another version of his father.

~It would just fill her with emptiness and resentment and she sure as hell didn’t deserve that. Eden deserved to be happy and loved for being the way she was.

~Junior learned how to braid hair for their sister.

~It took some practice with Lexy and a couple others but eventually, he got it down enough to do all kinds of braids on Eden.

~Eden would also braid their hair since Junior had been growing it out so the tips of his hair now touched their shoulders.

~Her technique wasn’t as good, pretty sloppy with quite a bit of hair pulling, but she was five years old after all.

~And Junior did think he looked quite cute in braids.

~Junior tries their hardest not to swear around Eden…

~…but fails constantly.

~“Ow! Fuck!”

~“Fuck!”

~“NONONONONONONONO—!”

~Music was something that was always playing in Junior’s room. It helped not only to relax him, but also to inspire them to write his own music.

~It didn’t take long for them to realize that Eden loved rock and heavy metal music.

It was both cute and disturbing for those watching a child screaming “DISRESPECT YOUR SURROUNDINGS” in a high-pitched voice while aggressively head banging while her teenage brother did the exact same thing.

~While Junior always had fun with Eden, there was always a sense of fear that never left him.

~Chucky.

~They lived in terror that one day Chucky could come back because he just knew that that fucker would never truly die.

~And it scared them to know what could happen if Chucky came back and found out about the little sister of the teenager he didn’t manage to kill.

~The most Junior could do without telling Eden the full story about Chucky was to make her promise him that she would not play with that doll and would call them immediately if it ever showed up.

~“Darling, I need you to promise me something. If a Good Guy doll like that ever comes to your house, you tell your mom to call me and…say you want to play with dolls with me. Okay? That doll isn’t good, it’s bad. So you need to tell me IMMEDIATELY and I’ll make sure it goes away. Pinkie promise?”

~“Pinkie promise, Juna!”

~Junior hardly had any regrets about killing his father.

~What they regretted was how he unknowingly helped with Chucky’s plan, used as a pawn in his game.

~When they met Eden, he started to feel some more regret because their little sister would grow up never knowing their father. Even now, the memories she has of him are basically blips of a dream because she was only 3 years old when she last saw him.

~But Junior becomes confident in the decision that he made when Harper confided in them about how Logan would be controlling over how Eden should dress or act.

~His sister was a pink dress wearing girl that could be rowdy and enjoyed getting dirty. The latter were things that Logan didn’t want a girl to be doing.

~It was only a matter of time before their father would start controlling and manipulating her as she grew older.

He’d try to control her just like he controlled Junior.

~So it was better for Eden growing up with little to no memories of an emotionally abusive man.

~Junior truly is a chaotic soul. There’s no level to their chaos. So it didn’t take long for his chaos to rub off on Eden.

~They would pull pranks together on everyone. Especially Jake. He was their favorite victim.

~“Don’t be such a baby, Jake!”

~“Yeah! Don’t be such a baby, Jake!”

~“Hey! Stop corrupting my kid cousin!”

~Really, their combined chaos cannot be stopped.

~“I’m begging you two…please just be good.”

~“We would rather die.”

~“Die! Die! Die!”

~Junior knows that one day, they would have to explain almost everything to Eden, such as why they’re half siblings.

~She wouldn’t understand everything now because she’s too young. So far, Eden’s content just knowing that she has a brother now and doesn’t need to know the details just yet.

~That’s something he’ll worry about another day. Right now, they would rather enjoy being by her side and being her protector.

~Speaking of protector, lord help anyone who tries to bully Eden.

~“Junior, you can’t physically fight a kindergartener.”

~“Like hell! My hands are rated E for EVERYONE!”

~Junior did once catch a little boy pushing Eden at the park and he scared the kid so badly by threatening him that the boy peed his pants.

~Eden thought it was absolutely hilarious and it made her feel a lot better about being pushed.

~Junior was glad that it made her feel better too, but they still wanted Eden to defend herself.

~“Eeds, if someone ever pushes you again...push them back. Hit them. Make them regret it. Just don’t tell your mom I said that, okay?”

~“Okay! Can we get ice cream now?”

~“Yeah, sure, let’s go get ice cream.”

~Their personalities are both very similar yet different.

~Junior and Eden are both introverted and then chaotic and mischievous to those who get to know them. But Junior prefers to only open himself up to their closest friends and family while Eden opens herself up fairly quickly to anyone who is nice to her.

~Eden’s kindness makes Junior want to be a better person. She has a heart of gold and sees the good in everyone, the complete opposite of her brother.

~He could only hope that no one ever tarnishes her light.

~Christmas was always a hard holiday for Junior without their mother. It was something he didn’t expect would ever change.

~Until they spent his first Christmas with Eden.

~Seeing her give them badly wrapped gifts—Harper told him that Eden insisted on wrapping them herself—with the biggest smile on her face made Junior forget about how much the holiday pained them.

~Sitting with his new family in front of the fireplace, stomach filled to the brim with food, exchanging stories with Eden sleeping peacefully on their lap with her head on his chest put things into perspective for them for the first time in a long time.

~In the end, he found the peace and happiness they had been looking for so long.

~Junior finally felt whole.

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wheelercore · 1 year

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Whats interesting to me, I think, is that how every cliche of the nuclear family has fully been subverted since the beginning but the clueless father.

You've got the doting diligent housewife being subverted with the Karen and Virginia- Virginia being implied to be abusive to Henry and perhaps with more secrets that have not been revealed to us that perhaps point to her being pretty manipulative. Karen being a more average example of an unhappy housewife in a dead marriage who struggles with getting her kids to open up to her + parenting.

The favored first sibling with Nancy and Alice. We don't know much about Alice, but I think it's clearly implied that she might have been the golden child to Henry's scapegoat. Nancy, again, is a more average example of the "mature, perfect" child who doesn't get in trouble- thus when she actually gets in hot water she struggles to convey this to Karen, believing her parents don't listen to her because they emotionally neglect her.

Mike and Henry being the second child, the contrast to the "mature and perfect" oldest sibling. Henry again, implied to having been abused by Virginia most likely due to his "differences" being neurodivergency or queercoding. He's the scapegoat, the one that was made to feel like the broken one in the family. Mike being the sibling that is always being disciplined at the dinner table, compared to Nancy who always gets away scot free. He is the cliche "ignored middle child", which is amplified by the fact that he struggles with his sexuality and not being open to his family (particularly Karen) about it.

Holly being the youngest/3rd child who's more obviously doted on by her parents. She's the only one who's seen the most consistently with Karen and Ted, and the only child we've seen Ted show any sort of outwardly affection to. But the subtext here is that they are only together with Holly when they are pretending to be a perfect family unit. The sight of Holly and Ted is what keeps Karen from having an affair with Billy. Most likely Holly IS the doted on youngest child because she is the one that Karen and Ted had to save their marriage, both trying to maintain some shred of cooperation and love in raising Holly while neglecting Nancy and Mike. She is the physical reminder to both Wheeler parents of the lie they keep telling themselves.

Victor and Ted however are interesting because they are portrayed 100% this far as clueless, or so they seem. We have more of an insight into Victor than with Ted, but there is so much that portrays that Victor wasn't clueless, he just refused to see the truth. Him blinding himself to be with the image of his family that he maintained in his head. The camera work done when the Creels first entered the their home, panning closer to Virginia and Victor, cutting an unhappy Henry out of the shot. His unprompted insistence that Henry was just sensitive, accompanied by a line from Henry's POV that was taken out of the final script, that Victor may have suspected it was Henry all along but always lied to himself regardless. The abuse Virginia inflicted on Henry and the fact that Henry chose to kill her at the dinner table (Wheeler parallel to Karen always getting on Mike's case over dinner), while Victor most likely never intervened (Victor being Ted's Creel counterpart).

Victor just didn't want to believe what was happening in his family. Possibly influenced by his guilty conscience and his possible untreated PTSD, the "family man" persona is a coping mechanism for him to maintain a semblance of control or normalcy, otherwise it all might spiral out of control. A societally endorsed coping mechanism at that as men were pressured into getting jobs, finding wives, and starting a family at a young age at the time (mid to early 20s), lest they were seen as immature at best and uninterested in women (gay) at worst.

This directly influenced Mike's insistence that he "needed to grow up" and get a girlfriend in S3. It's a smaller, more childish version of how conservative society viewed the role of the man at the time: the "family man" was seen as more mature and competent. Older unmarried men were even discriminated in the workplace, passed for promotions or not even hired in favor of their married (with children) counterparts.

Many career advisers contend that the people who make hiring and promotion decisions - many of them older men - tend to perceive married men as more stable, more dedicated to their careers, better able to get along with others, and less likely to cost the company money by changing jobs.

Men who are specialists in corporate finance begin to feel some pressure to marry at the age of 30, according to another commercial-bank executive, because ''you've got to hobnob with the public and clients.''

Older men who have not married may be perceived as being homosexual. Career consultants said that when such men applied for a job, that perception might be accompanied by concerns about their life expectancy because of the AIDS epidemic.

- Young Men Pressed To Wed For Success (A New York Times Article, 1986)

Men usually started to receive pressure from their workplace and most likely their families (Ted had a "good job" and came from a "good family") to get married by age 30, and Ted coincidentally didn't get married to Karen until around that same age ("he was older" but also do the math). So "grow up and get a girlfriend" was most likely a sentiment Mike learned from his father, funnily enough because Ted had that pushed onto him (stares hard at theme of s4 being that people who have been forced into a corner often perpetuate that same cycle onto others and how that doesn't make them "the monster" even though they're often portrayed as so).

Karen and Ted's marriage was obviously one of convenience, which is a festering wound in their family life that doesn't heal no matter how many children they have and raise together. One that Karen is frustrated by and one that Ted actively ignores.

However the "family man" image is obviously important to both Ted and Victor's reputations in many facets of their life. Which is why they're portrayed as "clueless" but most likely they are not. They have an active investment in lying to themselves and pretending to not see what is actively happening in their "perfect" families. If their families are destroyed, then so is what they've built since the first date with their wives.

Thus Victor can't acknowledge Virginia's abuse of Victor and Henry's issues and Ted can't acknowledge his dead marriage with Karen and the affect it's had on their family. They will perform in the "silly, terrible play" and just wait to die. Which is why the clueless dad cliche, in a show that is clearly about SUBVERSION at it's core, has not been deconstructed as of yet. They put the most into a lie that will begin to unravel if they acknowledge it.

#mike wheeler #henry creel #stranger things #ted wheeler #karen wheeler #nancy wheeler #virginia creel #holly wheeler #victor creel #alice creel

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harringtonlovers · 10 months

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COME AND GET YOUR LOVE | STANCY

chapter 2

“ steve harrington, journalist ”

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Steve Harrington was never a morning person. He was known to stay up all hours of the night, listening to the radio while throwing a ball in the air. If he wasn't doing that, he was attending a party, or even out smoking and drinking with his friends. His last resort was to take a late-night swim. His last, last resort was doing homework. Homework was his least favorite thing to do, but he knew he had to try somehow.

This morning was different. Different in a horrible way. His coach forced all the players to sign up for a meeting with the school's guidance counselor for a check-up. The goal was to see if any of the boys were having issues with class, their home life, or their social life. Steve felt that the checkup was pointless since nothing was out of the ordinary for him. His parents were most likely preparing for a business trip again, his grades were as average as they could be, and he loved everything about his social life.

Ever since he joined the basketball team freshman year, life seemed to turn upside down. Growing up, he had few friends and rarely went out of the house. But ever since his father showed him how to play basketball, Steve was done for. He was head over heels for the game, loving everything about it. Hawkins was known for their team, so when Steve was placed on varsity, it was a win for the Harrington household. But now, it seemed dreadful to be a part of the team due to the checkup.

His alarm clock went off a half-hour earlier than normal. Steve usually skipped homeroom because it was a waste of his time, and he used that extra half-hour to sleep. But now he had to get to school for the meeting. Steve wasn't surprised at all when Ms. Kelley called the landline and told the family that his appointment would be during homeroom. Granted, Steve was going to be excused for not showing up for once. However, he would rather be sleeping than talking about his feelings or school life.

Rolling out of bed, Steve decided to just show up at school with his pajamas on, being the usual gray sweatpants and a cut-off tank top that advertised the Hawkins basketball team. All he had to do was slip on the nearest shoes and pack his bag for the day. If anything was missing or he felt like changing, Steve knew he could skip out of school and come back without a problem. The boy stuffed random things into his school bag. His Walkman went last, being placed gently onto the top of his Hawkins High School Varsity sweatshirt. He figured he'd wear that if it was too cold outside.

Heading out, Steve grabbed his varsity jacket. He slipped the green and white piece of leather on, letting out a sigh as he walked out of the door. He didn't even bother saying bye to his parents because he knew they would be gone all day. Steve would see them eventually.

The next thing he knew, Steve was slumped in his chair. He listened to the sound of the front office phone ringing, growing tired of the same expression the secretary would say. His scowl only seemed to grow as each minute passed. Steve was itching to use his Walkman, but he didn't want to accidentally miss his name being called. Glancing down at his watch, Steve squinted his eyes. "What the hell is happening in there?"

Steve shot up as he heard the door slam shut. His eyes adjusted to the scene in front of him. It was none other than Nancy Wheeler, forehead pressed against the door with a look of defeat written all over her face. Steve crossed his leg over the other, a grin appearing on his lips. He loved to admit it, but watching Nancy Wheeler walk out of the guidance office completely wrecked made his heart swell a bit. "Is she done?"

Steve watched as Nancy looked over. "Excuse me?" She replied, words full of disgust.

Steve rarely messed around with Nancy, but whenever he did, he knew he had to make it last long. Since the ripe age of six, the two of them have rarely gotten along. In first grade, Steve and Nancy were forced to sit at the same table. Their teacher had noticed the constant bickering between the two. Steve would shove Nancy and Nancy would trip Steve. The two battled back and forth, making it hard for their teacher. But one day, Steve had taken it too far by cutting off a chunk of Nancy's hair during recess. Nancy avoided him like the plague ever since, and that's when Steve figured he started to not care for school.

Since Nancy despised him, Steve made it his mission in life to annoy her. They managed to share classes in grade school, but the two started to drift off during middle school. Nancy moved up, Steve stayed stagnant. Nancy found her passion—school—while Steve decided to pursue sports. However, they never failed to share lunch, and that's when Steve would bother her the most. He made it a point to approach Nancy at lunch during middle school, in which he pulled at her hair and talked her ear off.

The bickering started to dwindle when the two entered high school. Steve put his focus on basketball and girls, barely paying any attention to Nancy. They also barely crossed paths since Nancy steered clear of the gymnasium. However, the same as in middle school, they shared lunch. Steve liked to think of himself as more mature, considering he left Nancy alone at lunch now. He took any chance to steal a few glances, though, in hopes she would look at him. He always enjoyed flashing his signature grin while Nancy rolled her eyes.

"Ms. Kelley." Steve sat up a bit. "Is she done?"

Nancy's brows furrowed which only made the grin on Steve's face grow. "I just left the office, didn't I?"

Steve knew why Nancy disliked him. Sure, he made the mistake of cutting her hair off in front of everyone in the first grade. But why hadn't she moved on? It drove him absolutely insane, but he was slowly trying to move on from his feud with Nancy Wheeler. He felt it was fair to take a few jabs, though, because Nancy was too easy to mess with. "Didn't know if I was next, sweetheart."

"Please don't call me sweetheart, Jackass."

Steve scoffed. He watched Nancy hurry off to homeroom, causing the boy to let out a huff. He placed his hands on his hips before getting the last words in. "God, you better go before you're late for homeroom!"

It wasn't his best comeback, but he got the last laugh. That's all that mattered. Steve listened to the front office doors closing before glancing at Ms. Kelley's room. His sigh echoed as he trudged toward the door. Knocking softly, Steve said a little prayer, hoping she wouldn't be in the office.

"Come in!"

Steve muttered a quick 'damn it!' under his breath before entering. He turned on his charm, flashing a smile before taking a seat in front of the guidance counselor. "Morning Ms. Kelley!"

Ms. Kelley returned the smile. "Nice to see you, Mr. Harrington."

"Steve's fine." The boy's grin grew wider. He would do anything to hurry this meeting up.

"Alright, Steve." She smiled. "So, your coach set up these meetings?"

"Yeah." He sighed, shaking his head. "'M not sure why. I feel that I'm doing fine. Socially, I've got great friends. Been trying to go out with this cheerleader for a while and I think she'll accept a date soon."

The thought of his cheerleader brought a smile to his lips, along with a soft blush. Steve had been after Chrissy Cunningham, captain of the cheer squad, since their sophomore year of high school. Chrissy was the perfect girl for him: sweet, full of positivity, and smarter than a whip. She had the softest voice known to man, making Steve's knees turn into jelly. He was head over heels for her and wanted nothing more than to score a date with her.

The two had been friends for a while, but Steve started to notice Chrissy was more talkative around him. They shared a lunch period and physical education. The two sat at the same table, side by side, and stole glances at one another during PE. The only downside was that Chrissy went off to journalism every afternoon with some of the other guys on the team. Eddie Munson and Billy Hargrove, Steve's closest friends and biggest jerks he had ever met, shared that class with her. He envied them.

"Family life is good because they're barely home. So much privacy, ya know?" Steve continued. "And my grades are av—"

"That's why your coach sent you here."

Steve froze. Had his coach set up these meetings for people who were struggling? Steve didn't feel as if he was struggling. Was there something he was missing? "Excuse me?"

"Your grades." Ms. Kelley said.

"My grades? What about them?"

"Mr. Harrington.."

"Steve."

"Right. Steve." Ms. Kelley snickered. "You're not doing too hot right now. C's in History and English, a D in Science? An F in Math? You've skipped psychology more times than I can count. Your attendance is out of control. You're doing fine in physical education, but you're lacking in everything else. Is there anything that's preventing you from doing your work?"

Steve gulped. His mind began to race with all kinds of excuses. He was too busy with basketball, barely had any help at home, and just wasn't good at school. The boy struggled to come up with a solution. He found himself scratching at his fingers, an anxious tick he seemed to have. It occurred most before a game. "N-No...nothing is preventing my work."

"Are you motivated?" Ms. Kelley asked.

"Motivated? Of course I am." Steve chuckled nervously. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Your grades show otherwise, Mr. Harrington."

The boy didn't even feel like correcting her. "What happens if I don't improve my grades?"

Ms. Kelley sighed before leaning back into her chair. "Well, your GPA will drop more than anticipated. This could detour college applications because schools wouldn't be too happy. And you could potentially get kicked off the basketball team."

Alarms went off in Steve's head. Kicked off the team? How could he have let his grades slip so badly? "Kicked off the team? You've got to be joking, right?"

"Afraid not, sir. You're required to have a 3.0 GPA to be on a sports team. You're at a 2.7."

Steve huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. He slumped down into his seat, unable to process what was happening. How was he supposed to bring his grades up before applying to college? The boy had been struggling all summer with what to put on his application, but now he feared there wouldn't be an application at all. Schools were interested in him, but there was no chance in hell that the schools would accept him after seeing his grades. "Jesus." He muttered before looking up at Ms. Kelley.

The boy felt horrible. He was having a mini panic attack, fidgeting with his fingers and letting his leg bounce up and down. Steve didn't like to show this in front of others, but he figured it would be fine in front of Ms. Kelley. She was the guidance counselor, after all. "Everything alright?" Ms. Kelly asked, concern written all over her face.

"How am I supposed to bring my GPA up before applications are due? Miss, if you can't tell, I'm freaking out over here. I can't get kicked off the team! You've got to help me." Steve begged.

Ms. Kelley flashed a smile. "Of course, of course."

He watched as Ms. Kelley tried to process his situation. Steve hoped and prayed that no one would call his parents and tell them the bad news. The last thing he needed was to disappoint his family. "Any solutions?"

Ms. Kelley's face lit up, indicating she had some sort of idea for Steve. "I can set you up with a tutor."

Steve winced. "A tutor?"

"Yes, yes. She's one of the best, I swear." Ms. Kelley smiled before grabbing a piece of paper and a pen. She wrote down a phone number and slid it over to Steve. "Here's her number."

Steve snatched the paper. He glanced over the numbers, curious to know who they belonged to. "I'm sorry, but who is this that I'm supposed to call?"

"Nancy Wheeler. Do you know her? She's the sweetest and so bright." Ms. Kelley gloated.

Steve's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Nancy's name. Nancy Wheeler was a tutor? He remembered her scurrying off into the library a couple of years ago, but he just thought that she was going to study or do homework. It never occurred to him that Nancy was a tutor, though it made absolute sense. "Nancy Wheeler? Oh, yes, I've heard of her. Curly brown hair, blue eyes? Wears grandma sweaters all the time?"

Ms. Kelley's face scrunched a bit. "Uh, yeah. Her."

Steve nodded before letting his smirk reappear. "Nancy Wheeler. I guess I should give it a shot, no?"

"If you want to raise your GPA, then yes. Absolutely." Ms. Kelley nodded.

Steve had never felt more ecstatic in his life. It gave him the perfect opportunity to bother the living crap out of Nancy for a night and move on once he rejects her. Then he would have to go back to square one with tricks to get his grades up. He figured he could pay someone to do his work if all else failed. "I'll give her a call then."

Ms. Kelley nodded. "Perfect. I am also going to suggest a change to your schedule. I'd love to see you join some kind of club. Perhaps art? Maybe a music class? How about..."

"Journalism!" Steve shouted.

Ms. Kelley jumped a bit, holding her chest out of shock.

Steve exhaled before chuckling nervously. "Sorry."

Ms. Kelley nodded. "Journalism? Do you like to write?"

Steve nodded frantically. Writing pieces seemed pointless, but getting an easy A to write about whatever he wanted seemed perfect. Another idea flashed through his mind like a bolt of lightning. This was the perfect chance to get some time with Chrissy. It was also great to get Eddie and Billy off of her back. He would—hopefully -get the opportunity to muster up the courage to properly ask her out. "I love it! One of my many passions, honestly."

"Amazing! How come you haven't signed up before?"

Steve froze. "Uh..." he chuckled. Steve was usually quick on his feet, but it was hard to lie to someone like Ms. Kelley. "Dad preferred me to stay in sports. Crazy right? But I can totally pursue this passion now!"

Ms. Kelley nodded. "Yes, yes. Absolutely." She smiled before reaching into one of her drawers. She pulled out a slip and wrote down something quick. "Bring this to the front desk so they can get the transfer in. You should be able to start today, fifth period, but if you get a call, then you won't be starting until tomorrow. Sound good?"

"Sounds great!" Steve snatched the paper. "You've been lots of help."

"You're so welcome. I would love to see you come back in two weeks, okay? Don't forget to call Nancy Wheeler, too. Speaking of which, she's in your new journalism class as well! What are the odds?"

Steve's day just seemed to be getting better and better. How did he get so lucky to be placed in a room with two of his closest friends, his crush, and the girl he loved to bother the most? He could skip down the hallway and let out a squeal if he wanted to. "No way! I hope we can be friends then."

Ms. Kelley nodded once more. "I hope so too. Well..thank you for meeting with me. Two weeks you should come back, okay?"

Steve nodded before grabbing his bag. He slung it over his shoulder before heading toward the door. "I'll see you in two weeks, ma'am."

Steve left the office before Ms. Kelley could say anything else. Before leaving the office, he dropped off the transfer slip at the front desk. Afterward, he paraded down the hallway. He knew his friends would get a kick out of the transfer into journalism, and he hoped Chrissy would be thrilled. However, his biggest excitement had to do with Nancy Wheeler. He was going to be able to bother her at least once a day. Granted, he backed off for the most part. But deep down, he knew his presence alone annoyed the shit out of her.

Only more motivation to go into journalism today.

———

As the bell rang, Steve found himself smiling. He had managed to make it through the day without skipping any of his classes. It was the start of the fifth period, also known as his new class. Journalism was right down the hall, so the boy took his dear sweet time. Usually, he'd walk to class with his friends, but he felt the need to do a dramatic entrance. It was the only way he knew he could make an impression on Chrissy, all while annoying Nancy.

Approaching the door, Steve did a quick crack of his fingers. He felt the sweat on his palms as he reached for the door and popped it open. His eyes went wide to the vastness of the journalism room.

It seemed that the room was divided into two. One side seemed to be more typewriters with wider desks, while the other side was more computers with compacted desks. His eyes scanned the room and immediately found his red-headed crush. A smile spread across his face as he watched Chrissy type away on the nearest typewriter. Her strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she wore her infamous cheer uniform.

"Harrington?"

Steve spun around and his smile only grew wider. "Munson! Billy!"

Eddie Munson and Billy Hargrove were best known as Steve's best friends, as well as his teammates on the Hawkins High basketball team. The three were closer than most, hanging out with one another since joining the team their freshman year of high school. Even after four years, they were inseparable. The three had gone through a lot together, mainly with heartbreaks and loss, but they managed to stick by one another when they needed it the most.

Billy Hargrove originated from California but relocated to Hawkins after a brutal divorce between his parents. He went with his dad, earning him a new stepmother and stepsister. Billy usually drowned his sorrows in cigarettes and beer, burning all the calories off by partaking in late-night basketball sessions. He dabbled in girls, too, taking them to Lovers Lake and showing them a good time. He held the group together by being the jackass he was, but the others learned to love him that way.

Eddie Munson stuck out like a sore thumb. His hair was dark, long, and curly. When he wasn't sporting the Hawkins basketball uniform or varsity jacket, he loved to wear all black and participate in his club called Hellfire. The boy had two different personalities, but somehow everyone loved him. His smile was contagious and full of light, making anyone he meets fall to their knees in a heartbeat. He played guitar and wore rings, which made the girls swoon.

It was safe to say that the three of them were an attractive, dynamic group.

The two boys stood in front of Steve with a dead stare. "What the hell are you doing here?" Billy asked, toothpick in mouth and hands on his hips.

"Just transferred into here. Surprise!" Steve smiled.

Eddie felt his lips tug up into a grin. "You're lying, you piece of shit."

"I swear." Steve drew a quick cross over his heart. "Ms. Kelley told me that transferring would be good for my grades. Besides, I knew I'd be with you guys!"

"And Chrissy," Billy smirked.

Steve felt his cheeks heat up. "Chrissy's in this class? Wow, I had...I had no clue!"

"Cut the shit, Harrington." Eddie shoved his friend. "Welcome to the class, but you might have to check in with our Editor-in-Chief."

Steve snorted and waved his hand in the air, excusing the instruction. As he continued his fits of laughter, Steve slowed as he noticed Eddie and Billy weren't laughing along. "You're serious?"

"Dead." Billy motioned toward the front of the room.

"I can't just write about sports?" Steve asked.

"Sure, but you gotta be assigned to it. Obviously. Come on, Harrington, you should know this." Eddie rolled his eyes.

"I'll send a prayer to you." Billy patted Steve's shoulder.

"A prayer? For what?" Steve questioned.

"For her." Eddie pointed toward the center of the room.

Steve whipped around. The moment he saw Nancy Wheeler sitting at the biggest desk known to man, he knew he was screwed. "Nancy Wheeler is the Editor-in-Chief?" Steve knew she was in this class, but had no idea that Nancy ran the class.

"Are you surprised?" Eddie questioned. He crossed his arms over his chest as he huffed. "She's a monster. Terrifying but so smart."

"No way you're scared of her." Steve chuckled. "She's completely harmless."

"Maybe to you," Billy said. "She can be a little..."

"Bitchy?" Steve finished the sentence. The boys nodded. The brunette flashed a smile at his friends. "Right. Well, I can handle her."

Those were the last words he said before making his way toward Nancy. The closer he got, the more concentrated Nancy looked. It was going to be difficult to share a class with her, but Steve knew it was going to be a walk in the park. "Excuse me?"

"Give me a moment." Nancy held her finger up. "I'm making some flyers!"

Steve took the moment to place his palms on the desk. His knuckles gripped the desk as he glanced over Nancy's flyers. They were a bit pathetic, but he loved knowing that she was going to get a call about tutoring from him later on. "Wheelers Wisdom? How clever."

"What are you doing here?" The flare of Nancy's nostrils was more than enough to make Steve grin.

"I just transferred into this class."

Steve watched as Nancy's face twisted in disgust. "No, that must be a mistake."

Steve pulled out the slip of approval from Ms. Kelley. He flaunted it to Nancy. "No, no it's not. See?" Steve handed it over to her. "Journalism. Yeah?"

"Who the hell approved this?"

Steve leaned closer to Nancy, his grin growing wider. "Take a look, darling."

Steve watched as Nancy's eyes flickered to the piece of paper. His face relaxed as hers tightened. "She didn't."

"Oh, but she did. So, what's my job?"

Nancy took a moment to reply. All Steve knew to do was sit back and relax, watching the Nancy Wheeler Not Getting Her Way show. It was his favorite television show, honestly.

"Can you clean?"

Steve wondered why she would ask. Of course, he could clean. Couldn't everyone? "Can I clean?"

The boy watched as Nancy went under her desk and came back with a bottle of cleaning spray with a rag. Where did that come from? And why was he being assigned to cleaning duty while everyone else got to write something? "You're serious? I thought this was a writing class."

"Yeah, but I'm the boss here." Her finger pointed to her desk to show off her marking. Steve hated that Nancy owned the title of Editor-in-Chief. "Editor-in-Chief. I approve and delegate. And right now, I'm delegating you to clean the windows. Sound fair?"

Steve didn't know what else to do. How could he fight Nancy's wishes? If he screwed up again, who knows what kind of class he'd be forced into? He at least had a shot of getting a B in journalism, considering his writing skills were decent and he knew how to wipe down a window and some desks. "Whatever you say, princess." Steve backed up, all while shaking his head. "Tomorrow, I expect to be writing something. Maybe sports?"

Nancy rolled her eyes, which only made Steve smirk some more. "Doubtful, very doubtful!"

Steve turned his attention away from his new boss. Once his back faced her direction, he did a quick roll of the eyes with a mocking face. Nancy Wheeler was truly a nightmare. He flung the rag over his shoulder before looking up. His eyes found Chrissy, making his mocking face relax.

Striding over to her desk, Steve sat on top of her desk. "Chrissy! You're looking beautiful as ever."

The redhead looked up, her eyes brightening at the sight of Steve. "Steve? What are you doing here?" Her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"Just transferred. Isn't that great?" Steve always had a way with words, especially when it came to girls like Chrissy.

"It's fantastic!" A smile fell upon her lips. "Have you talked to Nancy?"

Steve could melt at the sight of Chrissy. Her smile overtook her face, and it made his knees weak. "Sadly."

"For a geek, she truly is a bitch." Chrissy mumbled. "Oops. I usually don't think that way of people." The girl sighed. "If the shoe fits, though..."

Chrissy's words stung Steve a bit. He was notorious for calling her names behind her back, but it felt wrong when someone else did it and his words were more mild. Especially someone like Chrissy. "She's a handful. Who put her in charge?"

"Well, she's great with journalism. She's just such a bitch." Chrissy rolled her eyes. "Anyway, what are you writing?"

Steve showed her his rag and spray. "Cleaning duty."

"Ouch!" Chrissy giggled. "She truly does hate you, huh?"

"So you've heard? We don't get along the best. I screw up once in first grade and she can't seem to move on." Steve's eyes flicked up to look at Nancy. Feeling the crease in his eyebrow, Steve took in the scene in front of him.

Jonathan Byers was standing next to Nancy, showing her pictures he had recently developed. What seemed like an innocent scene to others was far different from Steve. He watched as Nancy's smile grew wider whenever Jonathan looked at her. She fidgeted with her hands as they spoke. Nancy occasionally placed her hand on Jonathan's shoulder, shoving him playfully. It was something Steve was used to witnessing with girls.

Nancy Wheeler had a crush on Jonathan Byers.

"Chrissy?" Steve questioned without taking his eyes off Nancy and Jonathan.

"Hmm?" The girl looked up.

"What's with them?" Steve gestured to Nancy and Jonathan.

"Who, Jonathan? Oh, he's in charge of the yearbook. They talk all the time. Usually with updates about their separate workloads." Chrissy followed Steve's eyes. "Why?"

"Just wondering." The boy smiled before lifting himself off of Chrissy's desk. "I'll catch you later, Chris."

"See you at practice!"

Steve sent a wink to Chrissy but missed her reaction as he turned his back to her. He figured that she was blushing and or thinking about him. His ego wanted to tell him that, at least.

Making his way toward the window, Steve glanced back at Nancy. Jonathan Byers was still at her desk, and her antics never stopped. It felt pathetic watching her be so painfully obvious about her crush. But that's when an idea settled into his mind. He had the perfect solution to his problems and potentially some for Nancy.

All he needed to do was call her.

———

Steve threw himself onto his bed. Sweat dripped down his body as he exhaled. Wiping his forehead, Steve's mind went empty.

The rest of his day was filled with meaningless activities. He continued with his classes, skipping the last two to sneak in a cigarette and go to multiple periods of physical education. He stole glances at Chrissy throughout practice, getting distracted to the point he ran into Eddie and Billy multiple times. This crush was having him fall head over heels.

Steve took his sweet time getting home, making quick conversation with Chrissy after practice. However, his friends and hers had crowded them, making it impossible for them to have some time alone. That was the leading factor to him going home right off the bat instead of stopping by Eddie's or Billy's. Plus, he had more important things to take care of than messing around with Eddie and Billy all night. He was feeling responsible for once.

Once he pulled up to his house, his parents' car was gone. He figured they went out to some fancy dinner with one of his dad's clients. Steve liked it that way. Having the house to himself allowed him to do whatever he wanted. But in reality, Steve didn't partake in illegal activities unless he was out with his friends. He barely even snuck extra junk food into his mouth or turned the volume up too loud on the tv. When he was home, he used the time for himself. Time to unwind from his exhausting days of high school.

His eyes darted around the room, immediately landing on his landline. Sitting up in his bed, Steve ripped off his t-shirt. He exposed his abs, exhaling as soon as the cool air from his fan hit his stomach. He grabbed the landline before fishing in his bag for the piece of paper Ms. Kelley had given to him. "Come on..." He mumbled before grabbing onto the paper.

Steve pulled it out and stared at the numbers. He found it weird how easy it was to get access to Nancy's phone number. He hoped and prayed that Nancy would be home to answer the phone. But who was he kidding? He knew that Nancy would be home, probably studying or getting ready for bed.

Dialing the number, he let out a sigh. What if Nancy decided to reject his idea? It seemed like a good one, at least to Steve. The thought benefitted the both of them so he hoped that Nancy would at least consider the offer.

Finishing off the number, Steve tossed the paper to the other side of his bed. The boy laid back down in his bed, listening to the dial tone. His leg began to bounce up and down anxiously as he waited for someone to pick up the phone. Moments passed and there was no answer in sight. Steve was about to give up before he heard an all too familiar voice.

"Hello?"

Steve shot up in his bed, mouth open ajar. He took a moment to collect his thoughts before potentially scaring Nancy off. "Nancy? It's Steve Harrington."

Steve listened to her soft breaths, biting down on his lip anxiously. The sounds of her breathing seemed to fade, causing Steve to panic. "Before you hang up!" Steve begged.

Silence fell between the two.

"I have a solution to all of our problems!" Steve concluded.

All he could do now was hope and pray that Nancy Wheeler was willing to listen to Steve's pleas.

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