#post vecna

[lioniheart]

(It was based on a take I saw earlier today but I think it got deleted)

"Why don't you like me?" Steve asks, not meeting his eyes.

They were on the new Hopper-Byers's back porch, a little bit after dark. The rest of the party had gone inside a while ago but Steve wanted a smoke and Eddie decided to have one as well. It was quite chilly for a summer night, and the wind made both of them shiever a bit.

"Excuse me?!" Eddie replied, after a half a minute of confusion. "Who said I didn't like you?"

"C'mon, man, I know the kids say it a lot, but I'm not actually an idiot!"

"What the fuck are you talking about, princess?"

"See?! Right there! Look, I just don't get it. I know you overheard that conversation I had with Will last week, but I thought you were all for that non-conformist bullshit, and let me tell you, fucking with someone because of their sexuality is very "the man" of you!" His voice was still hushed, but Steve had turned all the way to Eddie's direction now, glaring at the metalhead with what he tried to make look like defiance on his eyes, but were clearly just hurt.

"Steve-"

"The thing is, you've been treating Will just like always, so maybe that isn't it, wich is so more confusing, because I really thought we were getting closer, but now you keep making these jokes and... I don't get it! Did I do something wrong?"

"What?! No--" the other tried to interrupt, but Steve's rambling just kept on coming.

"Is it because of high school? Is the ‘princess’ thing some kind of payback for the whole King Steve bullshit? Dude, I know I was a douchebag- hmpf!"

Eddie, sensing Steve was about to spiral, clasped his hand on top of the boy's mouth.

"Stevie, I'm going to need you to stop right there, okay?" His voice was calm, but his heart was racing. Steve's eyes were wide, his cheeks pink, and Eddie couldn't help but notice how much closer they were now. "I'm so sorry I made you feel like I was mocking you. That was definitely not the intention. The total opposite, actually.” Steve made a questioning noise behind the ringed hand “The princess thing was me being an idiot, actually. I was just..” Deep breath in, deep breath out. “I was trying to flirt with you, sweetheart. Apparently, I’m really bad at it.”

#i was gonna write more but i got sleepy #steddie #stranger things #steve x eddie #steddie brainrot #steve harrington is a very confused guy #toxic masculinity and billy hargrove are to blame #pre steddie #post vecna #idk i never actually write anything but here we are #steddie ficlet

[steddieas-shegoes]

take my hand, we'll make it i swear

for @steddielovemonth prompt 'love is a hand reaching out'

rated m | 2,343 words | cw: blood, injury, temporary character death, nightmares | tags: coming back barely right, post-vecna, realizing feelings, getting together

🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻🖐🏻

Hawkins has been torn apart for eight days. Eddie's been dead for eight days.

Everyone's been mourning for eight days.

A week doesn't seem like a long time until you're in the throes of the world ending and a group of teenagers mourning one of their friends. A week starts to feel like a year when all you've done is cry and hope for any other ending than the one you got.

Steve was just trying to be there for them, be there for the people who didn't run from Hawkins, and somehow still take care of himself. It wasn't going well.

He'd barely slept more than a few hours at a time, and that sleep was anything but restful, nightmares invading his mind from the moment he closed his eyes to the time he woke up in a cold sweat with gory images seared into his brain.

One in particular had happened three times in a row now: Steve was walking in the Upside Down, searching for something but he didn't know what. He'd be surrounded by demodogs and demobats, but none would attack him. He'd keep walking and walking, yelling something he was unable to decipher. Eventually, he'd see a hand sticking out of the ground. A very recognizable hand, one that he'd last seen covered in blood, his rings no longer a shiny metallic, but a dirty and dull gray. When he tried to reach for the hand, it disappeared. He woke up.

And then he pretended he hadn't just had a nightmare about Eddie.

Robin saw through it. She made him talk about it, said the only way to get through it was to talk and actually receive comfort.

But so far, it wasn't helping.

The nightmares got worse.

By day 12, he was convinced Vecna had managed to get into his head.

By day 18, he was so sleep deprived, he started sleep walking. Robin insisted on staying with him to make sure he didn't try to drive or walk into the road or something.

It was bad.

And then suddenly, on day 19, they just. Stopped.

He didn't dream at all. In fact, he slept for nearly seven hours with no movement at all.

Robin figured maybe his body was just so exhausted, it finally gave up on torturing him. He figured she might be right.

But on day 20, things got weird.

He was awake, he knew he was.

He was sitting in his car with the radio on low, staring out at the only place not touched by Vecna and the Upside Down: the quarry.

It was quiet other than the radio, which is why he jumped when the radio suddenly flipped to a different station. White noise filled the car as he tried to put it back to his usual station, but then the car just...shut off.

His keys were still in the ignition, but the car wasn't running.

A technical problem was the last thing he needed right now; All the mechanics had left town and he wasn't very handy with anything except changing a tire.

But then it started up again, the radio on the right station, and nothing seemed to sound or look wrong.

"Okay then," Steve said to himself. He gave it a minute to make sure it wouldn't shut off again before putting it in reverse and leaving the parking area. He could try to take a look at it at home.

But when he got home, Dustin and Mike were in his driveway waiting for him, pacing, looking far too worried.

"Where've you been?" Mike asked.

"We've tried to get you on the walkie for an hour!" Dustin whined.

"I was busy," Steve said. "What's wrong? Is everyone okay?"

"El said she felt something," Mike spit out. "She said it's not Vecna, but it's powerful, or at least seems to be."

"Mindflayer?" Steve asked.

"Don't think so. Will didn't feel it."

Steve gestured for them to throw their bikes into his trunk so they could go back to El and find out more of what was going on. He decided not to say anything about the weird incident with his radio for now, wanting to hear what El suspected about things before he worried people for no reason.

When they got to Hopper's cabin, still in quite a bit of disrepair, but livable, El was drinking a glass of water on the couch, pale and eyes constantly moving from person to person.

"Sorry, we had to wait on Steve to get back from whatever he was doing," Mike rolled his eyes as he sat next to El and reached for her hand.

"It is Eddie."

The room was silent as everyone processed what El said.

"It can't be," Hopper said, though softer than he would normally. He knew the kids were still having a hard time. "Steve checked his pulse. Nancy checked his pulse. He lost so much blood. It's-"

"You know better than to say impossible," Joyce spoke up from her spot next to Will. "With everything we've seen, impossible is an impossible word."

"But he wouldn't be human if he was alive. And we couldn't really know if he was on our side," Hopper said to her. "We can't trust anything that comes out of that place, even if they have the face of our friends."

"So you do not trust me?" El asked.

"Or me?" Will asked.

Hopper sighed. "No, that's different."

"It's not that different," Will said. "I was down there for a week and everyone thought I was dead. We all know I have a connection to the place. Eddie may just be like me."

El suddenly stood. "We must go to him. He needs our help."

"El-"

"I am going. Steve?"

Everyone's eyes shot to him, his face turning a bright red.

"You have seen him in your dreams. You know where to find him."

"Uh..."

"You can take me and Hopper to him. I can't see him, I can only sense him."

"Uh." Robin shoved at his shoulder. "Okay, yeah. I can try. But they were just dreams. They might be wrong."

"They are not wrong."

So, despite Steve's promise to himself that he would never go back into the Upside Down without the help of the entire military, Steve held his bat in one hand and El's hand in the other while Hopper walked behind them with a flamethrower ready to go.

He didn't think about where he was going, he just walked.

They had a walkie with them for communication, but told everyone to stay silent unless there was an emergency topside. El assured them there wouldn't be, but she wasn't always right.

Steve felt goosebumps on his skin as they approached a more dense wooded area. If you looked hard enough, you could see the trailer through the trees, but it was unrecognizable, somehow even more dilapidated and gross than the last time they were down here.

El squeezed his hand, but nobody spoke.

They walked further.

It started to feel like one of his nightmares, the darkness and thickness in the air starting to weigh heavy on his chest.

But a small movement caught his eye, and before he could even think it through, he pulled away from El and ran towards it.

A hand.

It was his hand.

Eddie's hand was reaching over a fallen tree, just as bloody and dirty as Steve's nightmares showed.

God, why hadn't he said something to El? Why had he thought they were only nightmares? He knew better.

"Eddie!" Steve said as he cleared the trunk of the tree, nearly landing on Eddie's body. "Shit, Eddie. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Steve wasn't think about this being a trap, wouldn't even care if it was. It was Eddie. He was alive, or at least a form of alive that they could get him out of there, and that was the only positive thing that happened for weeks now.

"Steve." Hopper's voice was right behind him, and El was standing just on the other side of the tree. "Back up. He could be dangerous."

"Shut up! He's barely alive, Hop! He needs help."

Steve was working quickly to check over where the injuries looked the worst. But everything seemed healed, all the blood on him dried and some of the smaller bites already scarring over. But he looked incredibly thin, dangerously thin, and there were dark circles under his eyes as his hand started to reach for Steve shakily.

Steve grabbed it, didn't want him doing more than he could handle. "It's okay. You're okay. We're taking you home, okay? I'm not letting you die here again."

"Didn't die the first time, Stevie," he whispered, his lips curling into a smirk.

Steve let out a disbelieving laugh that tried so hard to be a sob. "I guess not, huh?"

"Don't know if I can walk," Eddie said.

Steve looked to Hopper, who gave one small nod.

He turned back to Eddie. "Anything bleeding?"

"No."

"This probably won't be fun."

"What-"

But Steve's arms were under him, lifting him, carrying him before he could finish his question.

"Didn't think you'd sweep me off my feet like this," Eddie joked breathlessly.

"How else would I have?" Steve played along.

Or maybe he wasn't playing. Maybe the reason he couldn't get Eddie out of his head even in his sleep was because there was a connection. Maybe he was here because he actually cared about Eddie, not about the way the kids mourned him. Maybe Robin was right about expanding his horizons.

"I dunno. Kinda figured I'd actually die before you got here."

"What do you mean?"

"Did you see me in dreams?"

El was following right behind them, probably listening to everything. Steve nodded as he kept walking the way they came.

"I felt this pull. I dunno how to explain it, man." Eddie coughed and it wracked through his entire body, almost causing Steve to lose his balance. "Sorry. Um, but like, I kept seeing flashes of you. Not anyone else. Just you. And if I thought about you hard enough, I could almost like...sense you?"

"Me? Why me?" Steve looked to El for an explanation.

"I do not know," she replied.

"I thought I was just crazy. Like, the crush I had on you shouldn't be enough to cause this."

"You had a crush on me?"

"Have, present tense, Stevie. Kinda hard not to when you're carrying me out of here like a bride on her wedding day," Eddie's eyes closed as they got closer to the gate in the road they used before. It was the only one marked safe by the entire group. "Hurts."

"What hurts?" Steve ignored everything else for now.

"Everything."

"I'll fix it, okay? Just a bit longer."

Eddie passed out less than a minute later after a whine left his mouth and his hand curled into Steve's shirt against his chest.

******

When he woke up again, Eddie was certain he died for real.

20 days in an alternate dimension puts things into a different perspective.

Steve Harrington was next to him, in a large bed, a bed that was definitely not his in a home that was not his. He wasn't in a hospital, at least not the one in Hawkins.

"Shit, Eds. Hi. Hey." Steve scrambled to sit up as quickly and carefully as possible. "How are you? I mean, obviously not great, but like, does anything hurt more than anything else? Are you bleeding? Shit, I was supposed to check while you slept and didn't."

"Steve. Jesus, man, it's okay." Eddie huffed a laugh. "I feel better than I have in a while."

"Good. That's probably the fluids and drugs we've been pumping into you for two days," Steve smiled apologetically at him, like he had to apologize for taking care of him. "You were out of it when we made it back. Hopper made the kids leave."

"Did I say something?" Eddie had no memory of getting back to... "Where are we?"

"Oh, this is my house. Safest place for you right now. Close enough to everyone if there's an emergency, but far away from where most people who stuck around Hawkins are living that no one will see you." Steve shrugged. "Joyce comes three times a day to check on you. I stick around the rest of the time."

"You've been here for almost two full days just...watching me?" Eddie should be uncomfortable with that, at least a little. But he should be a lot of things that he isn't.

"Making sure you don't die, mostly. Keeping the IV fluids switched around at night. Um, changing the bag," Steve looked down at his lap, face bright red.

Eddie realized exactly what he was talking about the moment he moved. "Jesus Christ. You've changed my pee bags? Just let me die. I can't go on like this."

Steve giggled. "It's not a big deal, Eds. Just part of taking care of you right now. Since you're awake, maybe Joyce can get rid of that on her next visit."

"Maybe she would do me the honor of killing me so I don't die of embarrassment."

"Eddie-"

Something about Steve's voice made him look up.

He reached his hand towards Steve's, suddenly not caring about the embarrassment at all.

"Steve, I'm okay. I promise. My pride may be wounded, but I will survive," Eddie said quietly. "You got me out of there. You did what I needed you to do. You did good."

It was easy to hold hands for the next hour while Steve caught him up on what happened.

It was easy to hold hands when Joyce came by and Eddie experienced more embarrassment at the realization of what she'd have to do to remove the pee bag.

It was even easier to hold hands as they both fell asleep in Steve's bed, finally finding rest without nightmares and without the threat of the Upside Down immediately surrounding them.

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things #steddielovemonth #love is a hand reaching out #cw: blood #cw: injury #post vecna #cw: temporary character death

[stevieschrodinger]

Just imagine Alpha Steve after everything that happened. Alpha Steve who was King Steve, not just because of the money and the popularity and everything else that came with it, but King Steve because he was also Alpha. How aloof he kept himself from everything, simply because he knew, deep down, that it was all empty and meaningless and what was the point of being the most popular kid in the school if literally no one actually liked him. Just wanted him because of what he was and what he had and what advantages his friendship gave.

And then, after Vecna, after everything, Steve who had a group of people who knew him. Actually knew him, and suddenly he had pack. Learned what it was to make a family, to have people he would fight and die for because he knew they would do the same. Knew the deep satisfaction of caring for the people in his pack.

Alpha Steve who checks in with everyone. Alpha Steve who has to leave his scent on everyone, every time they part. Even Argyle, despite no one being able to smell it over the weed. Steve who has to mark and protect his people, finds that it soothes his soul. Alpha Steve who always has food in the house, knows the likes and dislikes of everyone of his pups, even if he would never call them that out loud.

When Eddie finally wakes up, Wayne sheds a few quiet tears, puts his book away, gently grips at Eddie's hand and calls him a stupid, stupid, brave boy. Because Alpha Steve couldn't tell Wayne many of the details, but he told him Eddie was a hero who saved the world.

Once he's been checked over and the hustle settles down again, the doctor finally clearing out, Eddie starts to realise why he's relaxed, why he's stayed so calm through waking up.

"Smells like Steve," Eddie says, as every thing comes down and his senses slowly warm back up. There's soft blankets under his fingertips, definitely not hospital cushions stacked around his head. Under his shoulder, comfortably soft, a yellow polo, folded up neat.

"Yeah," Wayne agrees quietly, "he's here...a lot."

"What's all this?" Eddie shifts, finding another shirt and a plaid woolen throw wedged between Eddie and the bedrail.

"Steve," Wayne answers simply.

"I'm not an Omega," Eddie answers weakly, bringing the soft corner of a blanket up to his nose.

"Doesn't seem to matter to Harrington."

Eddie doesn't want to be hopeful, not about this. That way lies heartache, "he's such an Alpha, got his wires crossed. I got hurt, that's all."

Wayne hums quietly in answer, "recon' he wouldn't be scenting stuff like this for just anyone, Eds."

"Nah," Eddie laughs brokenly, "not anyone, just every Omega in Hawkins."

Wayne looks at him, gaze too knowing but full of sad understanding, "still, he's clearly very fond of you Eds," it's a nice thing to say, warms Eddie's chest. And then Wayne completely ruins it, "that boys so territorial of you, reckon' he'd piss on you if he thought he'd get away with it."

And that sets a fire in Eddie's guts. Not the pissing part, because, gross, no, but what Wayne means by it. The implication.

"Wayne," Eddie says, and that's enough, because Wayne's always been good at boundaries and he knows Eddie, probably better than Eddie knows himself.

"He'll be here in a minute, knows I've got a shift. Won't let you be alone if he can help it."

And Wayne just drops that bomb and leaves Eddie to deal with it, like it's nothing. Like it's normal that King Steve has been building a nest around Eddie while he sleeps.

Like they summoned him, there he is, sucking in a shocked breath and dropping the bag he was carrying, "Eddie," it's a soft exhalation of surprise, and then Steve is at his side, pushing Eddie's hair out of his face and shifting his blankets. Steve moves on autopilot while he talks, touches Eddie with a sureness and familiarity that Eddie knows, in his soul, means that Steve's been doing the same while he was out cold.

"I'll leave you boys too it," Wayne says on his way out of the door, and while Eddie looks over and responds with a weak wave, Steve doesn't even acknowledge the other man. Can't seem to look away from Eddie.

"I have more, uhm, stuff, if you're uncomfortable.". Steve pulls more soft things out of the duffel he's retrieved from the doorway, "and..." Two shirts also make an appearance.

"I'm not an Omega, Steve," Eddie says again, like this time he will get an explanation.

"I'm ...very aware of that, Eds."

Eds. Steve called him Eds. He has been spending time with Wayne then. Jesus, they would have talked about him, Eddie would have been the only thing they had in common at the start.

"Right, well, I'm awake, doc says I'll get better, so you don't have to..." Eddie starts to shift, weakly lifts the plaid blanket to offer it back to Steve.

Steve grips the blanket, not letting Eddie give it to him, pushing it back towards Eddie. Steve's grip is white knuckle tight on the material, "I want to. I really, really want to.". And he stares Eddie down like he's desperately trying to make him understand.

"Oh," Eddie says weakly, heart all twisted up. He doesn't know what his face is showing, can't control it in the moment, but Steve, whose scent has always been strong and appealing to Eddie's weaker Beta senses, is speaking loud and clear. "Oh," Eddie says again, like it'll help. Letting Steve tuck in blankets and and generally fuss over him some more, touches featherlight when he tidies Eddie's hair yet again.

"Is that...okay, how do you feel about...this?"

"About us?" Eddie clarifies, he has to be absolutely certain he's not misreading the intention in Steve's scent. He's not an Omega, he isn't built to pick up the nuances, he has to ask. Even if Steve's scent is kind of a battering ram of want and need and longing and fierce protectiveness.

"yeah, about there being an us," Steve looks uncertain in a way Eddie's never seen before.

If this is Eddie's chance to reassure Steve that he's on board, he's going all in, "kind of like I won a gold medal and got to play on stage with Metallica and I saved the actual wold but like...better and all at once."

"That good, huh?" Steve runs his fingers through his hair, hiding his face a moment, all bashful despite the big grin that's split his face in half, "even though I'm an Alpha and you're...people won't approve."

"Fuck people."

"I'd rather be fucking you."

Eddie face flames, he knows it does. He must have had plenty of blood transfusions because he's pretty certain all that blood is in his cheeks right now. Well, not all of it, half of it must go to his dick. As soon as the thought of Steve between his legs, making him wet and opening him up, catches up to him, Steve leans forward. There's a rumble coming from Steve's chest as he nuzzles his face in between Eddie's head and shoulder, rubbing and scenting against his neck.

He suckles, gently, at the skin there. It's enough to get Eddie humming with pleasure and the rest of the way hard. It's a good job he's swamped in so many blankets, otherwise it would be very obvious; not that it isn't, Steve can clearly smell it on him.

"Can I mark you?" Steve asks, hovering awkwardly over the edge of the bed to get to Eddie.

"I'd usually insist you take a girl to dinner first-"

"I'd feel better Eddie, please," there's no way he could resist Steve Harrington being so vulnerable and sincere.

And, Eddie figures, well, what's one more bruise?

#steddie headcanon #eddie munson #steddie #steve harrington #stranger things #post vecna #the party #alpha steve Harrington #beta eddie munson #a/b/o universe #a/b/o headcanon #a/b/o dynamics #local hero wayne munson

[midnightsxxvi]

the picnic blanket

Steddie x fem!reader

a/n: I somehow hit 500 followers a while back (I block bots I swear) somehow despite not posting any of my writing in months (I’m mentally ill. Idk what to tell you). So anyway here’s a little something!

header image from littleststarfightter (I asked for permission i promise)

description: first real date with the three of you, each ready to really make this work

contains: mentions of injury (vecna happened but everyone lived); hints to sexual content MDNI 18+ !!!; a lot of soft vibes and a tinge of angst. Post Vecna/everyone lives!!

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

“I would like to go on a date,” You finally let out after gathering up all your confidence. You stood tall, hands clasped together, chin up. 

Steve was already grinning like an idiot, but Eddie just raised a brow. 

There was a beat of silence before Eddie let out a long whistle. He then looked back and forth between you and Steve. “A date? Like… all three of us?” 

“Yes, that’s what I mean.”

Eddie huffed out a laugh. “Alright, Princess. A date it is. What were you thinking of doing?”

“Um,” your cheeks heated, “Well this is about as far as my thinking went— hey, don’t laugh. Why are you—listen, if you don’t want to it’s okay! We don’t have to! I know we haven’t really decided what’s going on between the three of us—“

“Sweetheart,” Eddie cut you off, getting to his feet and walking over to you. “I said yes. You’re just being cute.” 

“Oh. Well. What would you like to do then?”

“Dinner and a movie? A classic.”

“I’m not—“ Steve interrupted, briefly holding his hand out but then stepping back nervously. He cleared his throat, and at first you thought he was turning you down, but he explained: “I’m not ready. To, uh, be out? This is a small town and I don’t want to worry about others yet, you know? I don’t know if that sounds shitty of me—“

“It’s not shitty,” you assured him. “You’re right. Dustin will never shut up about this if word gets to him.”

Eddie smirked, “I'm pretty sure Dustin already knows we are a thing?”

“Pssh, no he doesn’t,” Steve scoffed. Although he didn’t quite believe his own words. 

“We could do a drive in movie?” Eddie suggested. 

Steve leaned against the counter. “And have one of us third wheel in the back the whole time? No thanks.”

Eddie winked at him, “Squish into the back seat with me.”

“Uh, then we can’t see the movie?”

“Feelin’ shy now?” 

You pursed your lips, hating how frazzled Steve looked. Out of all of you, he had the most to lose if it came to the wrong person seeing you three together. Together, together. People knew his parents; they had a reputation. He didn’t know how they’d take him being queer, in whatever the sense. 

“Stevie, if you don’t want to come, it’s okay. We don’t have to do something—“

“No, no,” he raised his hands up a little, afraid that you were already backing out. Then, he snapped his fingers in the literal sense. “Let’s go on a picnic.” 

Eddie snorted. “A picnic?”

“Don't look at me like that. It’s romantic.” Steve’s ears blushed at the word. Who knew he’d get so flustered about wanting to give the two of you a little romance. 

He approached you and Eddie, still nervous, but he seemed more sure of this. “We could pack snacks, maybe some wine? Be nice and classy?”

You bit back a grin. “We could find somewhere private. Get out of this damn trailer. Maybe go by one of the lakes?”

Eddie looked between you two, an entertained grin on his face. “Didn’t know you two were so cheesy?”

Steve laughed lightly, “So what?”

Eddie swung his arm around Steve, one of his fingers playing with a curl at the end of Steve’s hair. “Why don’t we go all out and go to Lover’s Lake?”

“I mean, if you really want to,” Steve teased, although he was grinning like an idiot again. He didn’t back up as Eddie’s face got closer into his space. He just accepted Eddie’s nose as it nudged his cheek. 

“Okay, so. Picnic at Lover’s Lake?” You wanted to clarify. “A date. In a romantic sense. The three of us.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Eddie smiled at you brightly. 

“Then, um, let’s talk logistics.”

“Now, that doesn’t sound romantic.”

You giggled a little and shook it off. “I just mean, when should we go! Do we all meet up and go together? Or, I don’t know! What time of day? Who brings the snacks!”

Eddie reached out, his arm around your shoulders as well, pulling you in toward the two men. “Now, sweetheart, relax. We’ve got it covered. I’ll pick up snacks. You bring drinks. Stevie here can drive and maybe bring a blanket.”

“I don’t have a picnic blanket,” Steve told him. 

“Then get one. You’re the one who suggested this.”

“Alright, alright.  I can pick you both up, and drive the three of us out. Are you both free tomorrow afternoon?”

“I don’t work?” You shrugged. 

“Same,” Eddie said, “And classes are done for the semester.”

“Can I take you both out tomorrow then?” Steve looked at the both of you. His normal self was coming back, ready to charm. “I don’t think I can wait more than a day. I’ve been wanting something like this for a long time.”

You pressed your lips together. Your heart thudded a little stronger, absorbing the sweet smile on his face. His words were so soft that you couldn’t help but reach over and kiss his cheek. 

“I’d love to, Stevie. Tomorrow sounds perfect.”

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

Steve didn’t say hello, but instead, the moment you opened your door he said, “The picnic blanket I got is going to woo you.”

“Woo me?” You grinned, trying not to ogle too much at his appearance. Standing on your front porch under the midday sun, he looked like summer personified. Steve had on his swim shorts, and a light blue button up. The cherry on top was the way a few buttons were undone, and the soft hair on his chest poked out from underneath the blue.

Steve seemed to ogle you though. He glanced at your summery outfit, admiring your figure, and he couldn’t even remember what else he was going to say.

“Steve?”

“Sorry. Uh. You look good,” he cleared his throat. “You ready to go?”

A quick nod, you got on your shoes, and then you were following him out.

“Eddie is in the car,” he explained, although you could see the guy sitting in the front of Steve’s car. “We made a deal where I’d go to the door to pick you up, and then he could walk you to the door later when we drop you off.”

“How polite.”

Steve had glitched a moment ago when seeing you, but his confidence was back again and he swung his arm over your shoulder as you walked to the car. In his head, he was hoping that later they wouldn’t actually be dropping you off at home but instead taking you back to his or Eddie’s place. He was being polite though, so he kept those thoughts to himself.

The car windows were rolled down, and Eddie had both his arms leaning out, a big grin plastered on his face. He had his hair down, but some dark sunglasses and you could see a black tank top on.

“Hey there, sweetheart,” He called out to you, raising his sunglasses onto his head. He wasn’t shy in the way he looked you up and down, and then even looked Steve up and down. “You two look hot as hell together. Look at you, beach bag and all? Have we ever dressed this classy?”

You giggled as you got closer to the car. “Nope. This is my classiest outfit.”

Eddie extended his hand out, grasping the air and giving grabby hands. “C’mere.”

Steve let you leave from under his arm, and you skipped forward to hold Eddie’s hand. Eddie pulled you in right away, his other hand holding the back of your head to get you even closer.

You had to bend down a bit, falling into a searing kiss. It took you a little by surprise, how he held you to him, his lips moving against yours warmly.

It wasn’t the first time you’d kissed, but it wasn’t something you were used to yet. Your tummy fluttered and you worried that your hands were already clammy, especially in the heat of the sun.

When he pulled back, his grin only increased at your soft expression. The grin then increased somehow even more when his eyes flickered behind you to see Steve’s reaction.

“Hey,” Steve was glaring, “You get her at drop off.”

“You completed your duty of picking her up!”

“I’m not property,” you huffed, feigning insult.

“Of course not,” Eddie’s thumb traced over the back of your hand. “You do have to sit in the back of the car though. Sorry.”

Your mouth parted in the exasperation as he let go of your hand, sat back in the car and then put on his sunglasses as though nothing happened.

You turned to look at Steve who looked apologetic but wasn’t denying Eddie’s claim.

Steve’s hand found the small of your back, and his other opened the back door for you like a gentleman. “Sorry. You can switch on the way back. Promise.”

“I guess that’s alright.”

Just then, Eddie turned the music up on the stereo, causing Steve to roll his eyes as some Van Halen song played. Still, Steve gave your cheek a quick kiss before you got into the car.

And like that, the three of you were off to begin your very first date.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

It was early July, a few months after you all escaped the Upside Down; escaped Vecna. It hadn’t been long ago, yet in that time, everyone worked through a lot of healing. Some things may never heal, but you’d be damned if you let the trauma stop you from enjoying the sunshine again.

Time had eased the physical pain inflicted upon Steve and Eddie in the spring. Still, their bodies had been prodded at, wounded, bitten. Steve still shied away from showing anyone the wound spread across his stomach, and Eddie was still anxious about the scabbed flesh around his legs. He still had a limp when he walked, and it still hurt to cough.

You didn’t notice until each of you piled out of the car, that Eddie had put on shorts for the first time all season. They weren’t short like Steve’s, but instead he had ripped some pants just above the knee.

Back when Eddie first got injured, covered in bandages at the hospital, he had cracked some joke on how he’d ‘tell people in the future that the scars are from shark attacks.’ Plural. Not just one. But he insisted that he’d tell people he was involved in multiple shark attacks. That was quite hardcore, in his eyes.

“Babe,” Steve called, although you weren’t sure if he meant you or Eddie. Probably both. “Let me show you this spiffy blanket.”

Eddie was not helping you grab the picnic basket and snacks he’d so kindly bought. He took out a cigarette from Steve’s glove box that he’d created a habit of storing. Steve didn’t mind. Walking to the back of the car, Eddie smoked and watched the both of you.

“I’m swooning,” you grinned when Steve swung the blanket over his shoulder. It was a soft green gingham fabric, and Steve looked very proud of himself.

“You better be. I worked so hard to find this. I needed to make sure you had the best place to sit.”

Eddie raised a brow at that, the corner of his mouth upturning as he thought about Steve’s words differently.

Steve slammed the trunk shut and patted the car’s exterior. “Alright, let’s find us a good spot!”

Eddie was smooth in the way he grabbed drinks from you to free one of your hands, and then he put his free arm around your shoulders. He had to reach his hand sort of above your head to get the cigarette from his mouth and whisper to you, “I didn’t know he was so chipper about the lake.”

It was a sight to see: Steve had dashed ahead of you two, sandals flapping away as he ran closer to the lake. You let out a breathy giggle, snuggling into Eddie’s side.

He put the cigarette back in his mouth and the two of you strolled toward Steve.

“Hey, Eds?” You said quietly.

“Hm?”

“Is this a mistake, coming here?”

He had to do the hand maneuver again, pulling your head toward him a bit as he had to grab his smoke. It was clumsy, but it worked. “No, I told you, I want us to have a date.”

“No, I mean here specifically.”

“Oh.”

Oh, as in, Oh, this lake could possibly bring up memories I’m trying to heal from.

Eddie clicked his tongue and you could see the way his eyes squinted under his glasses, staring at the water.

“No,” he finally said. “It’s okay. I mean, I suggested it, didnt I? It’s different in the day, plus…” Eddie looked your way, his hard stare softening, “Plus, there’s nothing we need to run from, is there?”

“No,” you agreed.

“Now, are you okay with being here?”

“With you? Always.”

“Oh shit,” he grinned, teasing you a bit, “You flatter me.”

You shied away, smiling against his shoulder.

Ahead, Steve was clapping. Seriously. The guy clapped his hands before putting them on his hips and calling out, “Come on, slackers! Skedaddle over!”

“Relax, Harrington!” Eddie called back, “We’ve got all day.”

Still, Steve was satisfied to see that both of you actually did speed it up a bit, bringing over everything.

The three of you placed your things around the picnic blanket. You had a beach bag, Eddie brought a literal basket with food inside, and a pack of beers. Steve had also brought along towels for himself and Eddie, and threw in extra clothes because even though Eddie insisted he wasn’t going in the water, Steve thought just in case.

“Did you both put on sunscreen?” Steve asked, on his knees as he looked through the picnic basket. He didn’t pull anything out yet; he was just getting a look at what Eddie brought, mentally rating it in his head.

“Nope,” you said.

“Absolutely not,” Eddie said.

Steve raised his gaze at both of you. “Mhm. Not surprised. Good thing papa Steve brought along plenty.”

“I see we’re talking in third person now,” Eddie commented with a grin, resting his back on the blanket. You saw the reflection of the trees and blue sky in the lenses of his glasses.

“Please don’t call yourself papa?” You added.

Eddie shook a finger in your general direction. “Nah, you see, I don’t hate that.”

Steve was smirking to himself, finding the sunblock he’d packed.

You took a spot beside Eddie, your bare legs enjoying the feel of the blanket. There wasn’t a breeze today, only the hot sun and the calm waves on the lake.

Steve had been closer to Eddie, shifting nearer and holding the sunblock. He leaned his head over Eddie’s and said, “Can you do it yourself or do you require assistance?”

Eddie reached up and pinched Steve’s cheek. “I was hoping you’d ask. Lather me up, sugar.”

Steve’s smile reached his eyes. He gently took off Eddie’s sunglasses so that he could put the lotion on his face.

Steve gently smoothed it over, starting at Eddie’s nose and then his cheeks in strokes and saying, “One of my babysitters when I was like, I don’t know, six? She told me to apply sunscreen to my face like a bunny.”

“I beg your pardon?” Eddie muttered, not wanting to move, and in awe of Steve’s close face.

“Put a bit on the nose first— see, you’re even doing the bunny nose scrunch thing.”

“No I’m not.”

“Yes you are! Then let me just make your little bunny whiskers, and bunny ears,” he applied some to Eddie’s forehead, “And beautiful!”

“Aren’t you supposed to rub it in?”

“Yeah, but I think you look kinda cute with your bunny nose.”

Eddie broke out of his little trance and started rubbing his nose himself, “Yeah, yeah.”

Steve sat up on his knees again, “Now up. Lemme get your back.”

“I have a shirt on.”

“But you still have skin exposed?”

“My hair covers it.”

Steve sighed and shook his head. “Why do you have to be difficult? Your shoulders are visible! You’re a pale guy! You’ll burn!”

“I don’t want to get up, I’m comfy.”

“Christ,” Steve huffed and Eddie only beamed.

You got involved by placing your fingers delicately on Eddie’s shoulder. Your nails snuck under the fabric on the sleeve, and you grazed the skin underneath his top. His eyes flickered your way in an instant.

“What if Steve puts on mine first?” You offer.

“So, we’re making deals like children, now?” Steve muttered to himself.

You tilted your head, glancing at Steve, “I think that’d help Eddie, don’t you, Stevie?”

Eddie wasn’t confirming nor denying. As far as you know, he was not going to let anyone put sunscreen on him, and he would harm his skin more than it needed to be. He just laid back, pushing his sunglasses back to their spot, and he smoked what was left of his cigarette.

“C‘mere,” Steve leaned back and gestured to the space beside him. You obliged of course, stepping over Eddie to get there.

With your back to Steve, you sat, and started undoing your top.

Because you really didn’t want some silence to go along with the stares you could feel on your skin, you asked, “You two going for a swim today? I think it’s too nice out not to.”

You felt Steve’s hand brush your shoulders, gently moving hair away from your neck as you dropped your shirt to the ground.

“Maybe,” he muttered. “You want me to?”

You took a peak at him over your shoulder, “I’d love it. But you don’t have to. I’m a big girl. I can handle floating alone.”

You went back to looking at the lake. Where you guys had found space, you were in a quiet area, far from other beach-goers. The lake hadn’t been as lively with people as it was last summer, considering what had just occurred here months before. Things like that reasonably gave a majority of people the heebie jeebies. And the public didn’t even know the half of it.

But out of spite, against all the shit the three of you went through, you couldn’t let beautiful places be ruined.

“Maybe I’ll eat first,” Steve declared. “A-and then, Yunno, they say you shouldn’t swim right after eating. Maybe it’s just not my day!”

Still lying down, Eddie asked, “Why do they even say that?”

“Actually, I don’t know?”

You heard the lotion being squished out onto Steve’s hand. Soon after, the cold of it tickled your back, and he started applying it properly.

Those hands of his were large enough to easily cover a lot of space rather quickly. He massaged the sunblock in, taking special care to your upper back and shoulders. It felt good, having his warm hands on you like that. So good that you let your eyes fall closed, and leaned into his touch.

He worked on your skin carefully, his fingers finding every exposed spot on your back. You hummed when he touched the back of your neck, and hummed again when his fingers glided over your shoulder. Both of his hands worked then, moving to your chest, fingers grazing your collarbones.

Then, he drew his hands back, but they didn’t go far. He tapped at your waist and demanded in a quiet voice, “Turn around.”

You got to your knees, shifting to face him.

Steves hands were back on you in an instant, the sunblock being spread over your chest first. Steve continued onto every exposed area even though you were perfectly capable of doing it yourself.

It was when he started applying sunblock to your thighs that you giggled. “Stevie, I can get it.”

“I know. But I want to.”

Your cheeks already felt warm, but his comment had you biting back a smile. Not knowing what to do with your hands, you decided to pick up the sunscreen bottle that rested on his lap. He paid no mind at first until you applied a little onto your hand, and brought your fingers to his face.

Steve’s nose scrunched but he was smiling. His eyes found yours, the brown looking light and sparkling with the sun. “Hey.”

“Little bunny,” you told him, dabbing some on his noses and then covering his cheeks the same way he’d done to Eddie. “Adorable.”

Steve seemed to have completed his work on you for now, and both his hands rested on your waist. “I hate to break it to you but I already put sunscreen on.”

“You can never be too safe,” you shrugged. You gently massaged it into his face, aware that he was watching your eyes the entire time.

You were aware that Eddie was also very much watching the entire interaction. Even though he had his sunglasses on, his curious eyes followed you.

“There,” you said softly as the sunscreen was rubbed in properly on his face, leaving behind just a glimmering warmth to Steve’s skin. “All done.”

“Thank you, bunny,” he let out just as gently, without giving it a second though.

You pressed your lips together and hummed. Your eyes fell to his lips. You realized you were a lot closer to each other than you’d thought. Steve’s tongue darted out to lick his lips.

There was a hand that started touching your upper thigh, and it took you a moment to realize it was Eddie’s. His fingers rubbed into the plush skin for just a moment before he rested a little lower. “Missed a spot,” he said casually. His hand didn’t leave your leg.

Steve eyed Eddie’s hand, locked on your sweet thighs. So much of you was bared to both of them, and they were getting tired of holding back from soaking you in.

Steve then moved away, sitting up on the towel, leaning back on his palms. “Eddie?”

Eddie’s hand was just above the knee, but felt burning hot anyway. It was the way he held you firmly, fingers not shy, and the way you could feel him stare from behind his dark shades. “Steve?” He said low.

“Sit up. Let me put on your sunscreen.”

Eddie groaned, “Fine.”

Steve smirked, watching Eddie sit up. You sat to the side, missing Eddie’s hand as he moved.

Eddie wasn’t hesitant with Steve, he just hadn’t had his skin so bare since everything happened, and it was new to him to have someone see this up close. But he trusted you, and he trusted Steve. The sun lotion squirted onto Steve’s hand, but he touched Eddie’s shoulder with his dry hand first. You noticed the subtle way Eddie jumped at the touch, but quickly eased up.

“I’m going to start on your arm, okay?”

Eddie mumbled a “sure,” and embraced Steve’s hands, gliding across his skin.

The process was sweet to watch. Eddie was growing comfortable, and Steve’s fingers spread on every inch of skin, gentle and smooth. He inched to his shoulders, fingers peaking under the fabric of Eddie’s top. Steve did his best to go around, wanting Eddie’s neck covered. Eddie had never let him touch him there. No one had, in this new body of his.

But it was Steve. And you were you.

“Is this a good time to tell you I’m nervous?” Eddie broke the silence, cutting through the sound of the lake’s current.

Steve didn’t falter. “About?”

“This. All of it.” Eddie huffed out a laugh that didn’t hold much humour.

“Us?” Steve said, and it was like a first verbal acknowledgment mdent that there was an us you all shared. He didn’t stop his hands though. He didn’t want Eddie to think he needed to shy away.

“A little. But I trust you. Both of you.”

Steve had been finishing up Eddie’s other arm, and he tried to grasp what Eddie was saying. Setting aside the lotion for a moment, Steve leaned and pressed a kiss to Eddie’s shoulder.

Surprising you, Eddie’s hand found your thigh again. Your eyes found his, but his quickly fluttered closed when Steve gave a second kiss against the nook of Eddie’s neck.

“Can we try to get in the water?” Eddie said airily.

“Can I take this off then?” Steve tugged lightly at the fabric of Eddie’s tank top. “You don’t have to, but I think I’d like it if you did.”

Eddie smirked, joking away his insecurities. “You think you’d like it, huh?”

“Shut up,” Steve kissed his shoulder again, jusy longer this time.

“You’ll finish getting all this sunscreen on me, big boy?”

“If you’ll have me.”

Eddie pulled aside so that he could glance at Steve. “You’re such a sucker. Steve Harrington. My oh my.”

Steve rolled his eyes but smiled sheepishly. “Yeah, yeah. Take your top off.”

“So demanding,” Eddie clicked his tongue. Still, despite his teasing tone, his hands fiddled with the hem of his top.

You scooted over, your hand placing over one of his. You hadn’t noticed the slight shake. Wordlessly, you were an offering hand that he accepted. He helped you lift his shirt above his stomach, over his shoulder, then off his head.

Steve licked his lips. He grabbed the lotion.

Eddie watched you watch him. He wanted to shy away but let it happen. He let you happen.

You remembered the way his body was torn up before. You expected it to look painful and raw, but you didn’t expect to be so in awe of it all.

One of the toughest spots was by his bellybutton, and the other on the left of his chest. Still red and harsh, under healing skin. But he had his freckles, he had the ridges where his body flexed under the skin. It was all him. He wasn’t someone to shy away from.

“Can I?” Steve asked, gesturing to the lotion.

“Yes.”

Steve delicately applied to Eddie’s back first, then his torso, which felt more intimate somehow.

You let them have the moment, choosing to stand up instead. You stretched out your body, secretly enjoying the way the two of them couldn’t help their wandering eyes.

“Now, where are you going?” Eddie asked.

“To take a dip. Come over when you’re ready, lover boys.”

You heard Steve chuckle, but you were already stepping to the lake.

The sun somehow already felt warmer against your skin than it had when you all arrived. It hadn’t even been that long, but it was like summer was giving you a hug, saying it’s hello’s.

You kicked your sandals aside, stepping cautiously on the rough sand. A few steps, and you dipped your toes in the water. It was refreshing and gave you a shiver. The excitement of it all killed you. Things would be okay after everything that happened. Things were already okay.

Steve and Eddie eventually joined you, the two of them close at each other’s side. You turned, glancing at both of them.

“Gimme a sec,” Eddie said. He stood back a bit, brows furrowed at the shoreline. He watched each rise and fall, staring at it as though the pattern would change and everything was ruined.

You let him have the space he needed. You found Steve’s gaze.

You extended your hand to him, “Come in. It’s not too bad.”

Steve scrunched his nose, not quite believing you but grabbing your hand anyways. He stepped forward, following your lead. A hiss left his lips from the temperature change before he adjusted. “Not too bad?”

“You’re so dramatic,” you giggled, bringing him in more.

He squeaked your name when he followed in to his ankles. Then his shins. Then above his knees. His shoulders were tense, but as he kicked his legs around he relaxed.

“Yeah?” You raised a brow.

He hummed. “Okay, this is nice.”

“Yes.”

He gave your hand a squeeze. “I think it’s refreshing.”

While you two had this moment, you hadn’t realized that Eddie had inched forward on his own. He hadn’t waited for you; he wanted to take this step without the help.

He also made a noise as his toes touched the water. You and Steve watched for a moment. Steve walked in deeper, the ends of his fingers grazing the water. He soon started to splash around. The water hit your body causing you to giggle and kick water his way.

“I—“ Eddie’s voice caught in his throat as he looked down at the water enveloping his feet. It tickled at his ankles, and Eddie tucked some hair behind his ear. “I don’t want to go further.”

“That’s cool,” Steve shrugged with a little smile on his face. “This is as far as you need. You can officially say you went in the lake.”

Eddie cracked a smile. A tinge in his eye looked like he was proud of himself. It wasn’t in him to admit that though.

You stepped up beside him and touched your hand against his waist. “Eddie?”

“Hm?” He faced you fully. With your touch, he subconsciously stepped closer to you, facing the shore. He felt a flutter in his stomach as you wrapped your arms around his waist and pulled him closer, his feet only feeling the edge of the water.

“Summer looks good on you.”

He gave you a bit of a lopsided grin. “And what does that entail exactly? Do tell.”

“The sun makes ya all sweaty and stuff,” you grinned wide as his hands moved to your hips. “It’s hot.”

“Something is seriously wrong with you.”

He tickled your sides a bit causing you to laugh, stepping even closer to him. The water tickled your toes as you stood taller. Through a smile, you leaned in to him. His skin was sweaty and warm, sure, and you had never seen him so— “You’re kinda beautiful, Yunno?” You told him, your thoughts spitting out.

“You’re beautiful,” he said back, his voice breathier than before.

Your nose nudged his. His fingers dipped against your skin. And then you kissed him. Safe and warm, and all that you hoped this summer would be.

***

#steddie x fem!reader #steddie x female reader #steddie x reader #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie fic #fix it au #post vecna #steddie fluff #steddie angst #Steve Harrington x reader #Eddie Munson x reader #eddie munson fem!reader #steve harrington x eddie munson #folks be careful if ur gonna go in a lake with wounds ok. don’t get infections u stinkers

[italiansteebie]

Find The Silver Lining

Also on ao3

Somethings wrong with Steve Harrington.

He’s been looking at Eddie. And not in the snooty “I’m better than you” way, but more of a longing way.

That’s not really an issue, but the fact that Eddie is looking back at him in the same way, is. Look, Gareth knows his best friend is gay, Eddie wasn’t exactly secretive when it comes to people he’s comfortable with, but Steve Harrington? That’s where Gareth takes issue. 

He knows something big happened over spring break, something that landed Eddie in the hospital big. But he doesn’t know how Steve of all people fits into the whole thing. In fact, Gareth was more than shocked to see Steve sitting by Eddie’s hospital bed, rather than Wayne, or even Dustin. Gareth thinks about that day sometimes, thinks about the bags under Steve’s eyes and the blood stained shirt he was wearing. Did he even go home? Gareth doesn’t think so, because other than his appearance, he was flinching at every noise, and pretty insistent that he had to stay with Eddie and make sure he was safe. Safe from what, Gareth doesn’t know. 

If he had to guess, Steve was there when whatever happened, happened, and he didn’t make it out unscathed either, he could see the matching scars peering out from under Harrington’s shirt when it lifted. The guy seemed to be pretty self conscious about them too, because whenever he noticed his shirt riding up, he pulled it down in a flash. 

Gareth, personally, finds this interesting, because he’s heard Steve reassuring Eddie about his own scars, to the point where Eddie practically flaunts them now. He’s beginning to wonder where Steve’s support is in all of this.

He’s been hanging around a lot more recently, even offered up his house for their DnD sessions, and he hovers around the twerps all the time. They don’t even seem to mind, and maybe it’s because they were involved in whatever went down over spring break. Gareth highly doubts that it was just an earthquake. Ash doesn’t just rain from the sky, okay? He knows something bigger is going on, he just doesn’t know what, but it seems that Eddie and Steve and their gaggle of children do. 

Long story short, the longing looks aren’t slowing down anytime soon, and Gareth needs Steve to know that he can’t hurt his best friend, he won’t let it happen. 

So over the course of a few weeks, Gareth really gets to know Steve, what are his motives? Why does he always seem to be there? He knows finding out what really happened is a long shot, he’d overheard Steve and the Buckley girl whispering about NDA’s in the hospital, but he wants to know why Steve seems to be hanging on to Eddie’s every word.  

So they get close, and Gareth finds that, Steve? He’s not such a bad guy, in fact, he’s really cool. He follows the twerps around like he’s their brother, driving them and acting all exasperated and annoyed whenever they ask for a favor, but does it anyways with a smile on his face. And the guy can cook. He’s made them food a few times for their campaigns and, holy shit. That was something he was NOT expecting from Harrington. When he worked up the nerve to ask Steve about it, he got a pitiful sigh and a “Well, parents wouldn’t feed me, so I had to feed myself. I want it to taste good, y’know?” And no, Gareth does not know. In fact, he thinks his mother would have a heart attack if she saw him cooking by himself in the kitchen, but he smiles and nods anyways, giving Steve a gentle pat on the back. 

Him and Steve become established friends and that’s when he realizes that he hasn’t talked to Eddie about any of this. Of course they’ve talked, just. Not about Steve. It’s mostly about the campaign or when they can get back to rehearsing for their gigs at the Hideout. In his efforts to be Steve’s friend, he’d found that Steve really does like Eddie. Pure infatuation, almost, and now Gareth is kind of worried that he needs to talk to Eddie about hurting Steve instead of the other way around. He knows how his friend can be, he’s a flirt, he likes to make people comfortable with flattery. Gareth wants to make sure Eddie isn’t leading Steve on. He loves his friend, but he can be a bit manipulative, kind words, and gentle smiles can go a long way, and well… They needed a new place to host Hell Fire. 

Gareth doesn’t think Eddie’d do that, but. The guy’s a good actor.

So before their next campaign, Gareth talks to Eddie while Steve is up stairs, fussing about in the kitchen. “So… Steve.” Eddie eyes him, “Yeahhhh? What about him?”

“Well, he’s… I dunno. Kinda cute, right?”

Eddie’s eyes widen in a way that’s almost comical, “Oh My God, Gareth Bareth, do you have a crush on Steve? I thought you were straight. Steve is a good first gay crush though, I mean, the hair, his eyes, his smile, the way that one pair of jeans just… Hugs his ass, damn. But anyways. Gary!” And that was all Gareth needed. 

“No, dummy, not for me. I am straight. But for YOU!” 

Eddie blushes, “Nah, man. Steve's straight and even if he wasn’t… He wouldn’t be into me.” Now Gareth knows the dangers of outing people, but it’s his best friend, his GAY best friend, so… He gives a few hints to move the process along. “We’ve actually gotten pretty close, and… Let's just say I wouldn’t count him out.” Now, Gareth doesn’t know if it's shock, or love, or what, but Eddie just kind of… Freezes. And he stays that way until Steve comes down stairs. “Hey guys- Eddie?” Steve turns to Gareth, “What happened?” There’s a worried glint in his eyes. “I don't really know, we were talking, and he just kind of… Froze.” 

Steve begins pacing, “Okay, okay. Okay, okay, okay, okay. Calm down, we’ve done it before we can do it again, it’s okay.” Steve’s practically hyperventilating at this point and if Gareth didn’t know any better, he’d say it was a panic attack. “Steve? Buddy? Why don’t you sit down?” 

Steve’s hands are shaking as he runs them through his hair, Gareth can see tears forming, “Steve?” 

“I- I need, uhm. His favorite song, what’s. Eddie’s-”

And Eddie chooses that moment to snap out of whatever trance he was in, “Stevie?”

Steve’s head whips around, “Eddie! I thought, you- You were just standing there and I got scared and- I- I can’t do it again, I can't. I can't, I can’t, I can’t,” Gareth is worried, if Steve doesn’t take a breath he’s for sure going to pass out.

“Is there anything I can do?” He asks unsurely, Eddie shakes his head, “We’ve just gotta ride it out, oh. Um, help me get him to the couch actually,”

They maneuvered themselves over to the couch, lowering Steve down slowly, Eddie sinking down beside him. “Try to match my breathing, okay, Stevie?” Gareth watches, slightly in awe as Eddie grabs Steve’s hand, placing it over his own chest. “I’m here, right here. I’m not going anywhere, it’s over. Okay? We got out, you saved me, Stevie. I’m not leavin’” And soon enough, Steve’s breathing returns to normal, save for a few sobs and sniffles. “Sorry,” He whispered, voice coming out cracked and raw. Gareth scoffs, “I know you did not just apologize for having a panic attack. C’mon Steve, remember what we talked about? Our feelings are our feelings.” Gareth reassured, Eddie nodding in agreement. 

Steve laughed and wiped his eyes, “Thanks guys, Thank you, Eds.”

“You’re welcome, baby. You’ve done this so many times for me, the least I can do is help you too.” Eddie places a soft kiss on Steve’s lips, and Gareth just about shits his pants. He completely ruins the tender moment between them. “What the fuck?” 

Eddie smiles sheepishly, “Sorry Garebear. We wanted to tell you sooner, we were actually going to tell you tonight after the campaign but I realized you were trying to set us up and just froze and started thinking that we were being too obvious. Neither of us are really ready to come out to everyone, just. You and Robin, really.” Steve nodded, “Wait, that’s why you froze? Eddie. I almost had a heart attack. We’ve talked about this, if you’re going to think, you need to move so I know you’re alive.” 

Now, that doesn’t make ANY sense to Gareth, but the longing looks, and lingering touches really do. And maybe it should’ve clicked sooner, because Eddie never leaves at the same time they do after campaigns always stays to “help clean up.” Oh my god. Gareth is an idiot. “I’m an idiot.”

“What? No you’re not.”

“I should've seen it sooner! Look, to everyone, you guys aren’t obvious but I know you, Eddie.”

Eddie smiles, “It’s alright. You weren’t supposed to catch it Gare, that was the whole point. If you had, we weren't being careful enough.” Gareth ponders this, he’s right, he tends to be, anyways. “Well. Either way, I’m… I’m happy for you guys, I didn’t give you enough credit to get yourselves together, but, it’s better that you did.”

And since the night was going in the direction of secrets, after the campaign, Gareth stayed behind with Eddie, and learned about the events of spring break. He can see why it had brought them all together the way it did, and he can see why Steve had panicked earlier that night. He doesn't know if he likes being in the know or not, he almost liked the mystery more, but, now… Now he has the chance to help. Maybe he can help save one of them too, the way they save each other.  

Despite the tragic happenings, Gareth can’t but be grateful for the outcome, a tight knit family, and a new friend. Maybe that’s what everyone means by finding the silver lining.

#steve harrington #eddie munson #best friend gareth #gareth stranger things #gareth emerson #gareth is a good friend #wingman gareth #steddie #established steddie #secret steddie #post vecna #hell fire #gareth knows about vecna #soft steve harrington #soft eddie munson #soft steddie #stranger things #steddie ficlet #steddie fic

[maikaartwork]

September 1986.

Just Wayne and Eddie, chilling on their new porch.

They brought that old, ratty couch there, the one they had on the porch of the old trailer, because they’re both sentimental men.

They tell people that they took it with them only because it’s comfy and there’s no point in wasting money on something new. Truth is, the couch is full of all the best memories that they cherish.

#eddie munson #wayne munson #wholesome moment #post vecna #Eddie lives #stranger things fanart #chaoscreations

[steddieunderdogfics]

For Challenge Monday: “The Epiphany of His Touch” by saintmares. It's a completed fic posted in September of 2022 and one of my faves. https://archiveofourown.org/works/41775165

The Epiphany of His Touch by saintmares

Rating: Teen and Up

2,205 words, 1/1 chapters

Archive Warning: No Warning

Tags: Not Canon Compliant - Stranger Things 4 Vol. 2, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Post-Vecna (Stranger Things), Eddie Munson Lives, Eddie Munson Has Body Image Issues, Eddie Munson Needs a Hug, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, Insecurity, Body Worship, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Scars, Kissing, Established Relationship, Non-Sexual Intimacy, No Beta Reader — Grammarly is my only friend

Summary:

Steve Harrington is beautiful, and Eddie knows it. Steve Harrington is beautiful, and Eddie feels like he’s known it all his life. Steve Harrington is beautiful, and he always has been but not once in his life had Eddie even gotten close. Instead, he’s something else. Instead, He’s gapped teeth and calloused hands. Too long limbs and tangled hair. Well-loved clothes and varying shades of the color black. He’s sharp where Steve’s soft, and soft where Steve’s sharp. They’re opposites in every sense of the word, and for most of his life, it wasn’t something Eddie had cared about... Until now.

Or: Eddie struggles with the way he sees himself, and Steve tries to help him through it.

Thanks for the rec!

Know a fic that deserves extra love? Submit through our asks or the submission box!

#steddie #steddie fic recs #steve harrington #eddie munson #steve x eddie #stranger things #canon divergent #post vecna #emotional hurt/comfort #teen and up

[a-strangers-thoughtss]

Ok, so like hear me out

The party post-upsidedown

-They move into a house together after to go to to school and just try to lead normal lives

- Max vies to become a paraylympic skate-boarder

- El decides she wants to be an art teacher for elementary school and picks up her education in stride

- Will majors in art and Mike in language arts. They start writing a comic book together based loosely on the events of the upsideown

- Lucas gets a basketball scholarship and plays professionally

- Dustin majors in science (bio) and becomes a biologist

- Erica follows them later and double majors in politics and Math (becoming a politician)

- Suzi ends up in some prestigious collage and gets a computer science degree (Prolly makes some funky computer system)

- They all end up famous in some way, accept El (who prefers it that way)

Like you can not tell me they wouldn’t go on to do great things.

They may have scars but they’re all so smart or athletic they would still do so many cool things.

Like imagine an interview in 2024 (when they would all be around 53?) with them all talking about how they’ve been friends from elementary/middle school and went through some shit together so they’re all rlly close still.

Everyone pokes about what they went through and they all make up the randomist scenarios (that are actually kinda close to the truth, but no one knows that)

“Oh we’ve been close ever since we survived vecnas curse together” (everyone thinks they’re talking about dnd)

“It’s actually how I got this cool scar, we got attacked by like fifty killer dogs”

“I stoped listening to music one day and, Bam, I’m dead for like 5 minutes.”

“Funny story, I got kidnapped my an inter dimensional demon and they saved me like 4 times.”

“Have you ever been possessed?”

But the government can’t do anything about it bc no one actually ever believes them (accept the chronicley online conspiracy theorists)

#byler #mike wheeler #will byers #el hopper #lucas sinclair #dustin henderson #erica sinclair #suzi #stranger things #post vecna #elumax #Then byler can talk about their experience of being two queer men growing up in the 80’s in rural Indiana #and Elumax can be together #they all talk about their experiences with ptsd and disability #do you see the vision #I’m kind of obsessed with them

[lightwoodbanethings]

Murrayed

AO3

Part two || part three || part four || part five

Oh hey, I wrote something based off of this post I made a while ago!

Keep reading for some Murray and Steddie shenanigans!

Things had calmed down since the final showdown with Vecna, at least calmed down in an ‘upside down’ sense. Hawkins had slowly been stitched back together and the community had rallied together in a way no one had expected, but had been pleasantly surprised by. The actual party was still as chaotic as ever, especially with the Hopper-Byers clan merging together and moving back to Hawkins. But things were normal, or as normal as they could be. 

Everyone had now been introduced to each other during the months that had followed saving the world and they were like one big, happy and dysfunctional family. Some were closer than others and some formed unexpected friendships. If anyone had told Robin half a year ago she’d consider Miss Nancy ‘the priss’ Wheeler a close friend, she would have laughed in their face. But here the girls were, having sleepovers and talking about unsolved crimes and their love for solving mysteries. Then of course there was Steve and Eddie, The King and The Freak respectively. Dustin had been over the moon about his two favourite older friends bonding, though a little annoyed at times that it meant they had less time for him.

Once the chaos after the ‘almost end of the world’ had settled, Murray had been invited to the Hopper-Byers housewarming BBQ and was very impressed with Hopper and Joyce’s new place. Due to everything that had happened in Hawkins the past few years, housing prices had plummeted and so the merged family had managed to get a really good deal on a beautiful home that had plenty of space for the family and guests. The backyard in particular was stunning, Joyce had planted bright rows of flowers and there was a decently sized pool and lounging area. 

As Murray arrived, almost everyone was already here and Hopper had already got the BBQ going and had made a start on the food. He was wearing a ridiculous apron that read ‘kiss the cook, but don’t touch the buns!’ and looked as though he was showing El how to cook using the grill. Murray couldn’t help but smile at the pair, Hopper seemed to be glowing with pride as El used a spatula to turn over one of the burger patties. 

“‘scuse me”

Murray stepped to the side to let a slightly disheveled Joyce pass, carrying a bowl of salad in her arms whilst grasping some spoons in one of her hands. He watched her place the salad bowl on a nearby table and put the spoons into what he assumed to be various dips. Murray could tell Joyce had been rushing around to set everything up and make it perfect, she didn’t even acknowledge him when she hurried back inside the house, presumably to grab more food. 

Jonathan and Argyle were sitting on the edge of the pool, Jonathan's trousers rolled up and Argyle in a pair of shorts as their feet dangled into the water. Will and Dustin were engaged in conversation whilst a confused looking Steve stood by them, arms folded across his chest and brows furrowed as though he was trying hard to follow the conversation. Max was laid on a sun lounger whilst Lucas sat at the bottom of it with her feet in his lap, resting on his hands that were stretched out behind him. Robin and Nancy were standing near a table of drinks chatting, though Robin mainly seemed to be the one doing the talking. Nancy didn’t seem to mind, smiling and nodding her head as she listened and watched Robin throw her arms around excitedly. Murray almost didn’t spot the youngest of the bunch floating on their back in the pool, Erica. The one who Murray, though he would never admit this to anyone, was low key terrified of but also made him rather proud at the same time. He was sure she was going to end up running the country at some point. 

He couldn’t spot the younger Wheeler sibling anywhere, which quite frankly he preferred. He could see how it was tearing Will up watching his best friend playing boyfriend (albeit it badly) to his sister. 

As Murray made his way over to the table of food, offering Hopper a curt nod on his way, his attention was suddenly brought back to the house as a boisterous figure entered the backyard through the patio doors.

“Don’t worry folks, your jester has arrived!” and with a dramatic bow, Eddie Munson had arrived at the BBQ. 

Even in the middle of the scolding summer, the young man was still wearing his battle vest over his t-shirt (though his t-shirt did at least have short sleeves) and ridiculously tight black jeans.

Murray rolled his eyes and went to put his attention back on the food but as he glanced over he noticed something. Dustin was gesturing and calling for Eddie to come over with a big grin on his face and little Byers was smiling towards him too, but their reactions weren’t what stood out to Murray. Oh no. It was Steve Harrington’s reaction that caught his eye. As the charismatic metal head made his way over, Steve couldn’t take his eyes off of him. He had relaxed his arms and let them fall to his sides and had the most genuine smile on his face. Murray recognised the sparkle in his eyes as Eddie ruffled both the younger boys' hair before moving in to hug Steve. The hug lasted on the side of a little bit too long and Steve continued to smile brightly and keep his focus on Eddie as his little proteges brought him into their conversation. 

Murray let out a little sigh and shook his head as he smiled to himself, he reached into the pocket of his shorts and took out a small flask. 

“Here we go again…” he muttered to himself before throwing his head back and taking a big glug from the liquid in the flask. 

#stranger things #murray bauman #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie #steve and eddie #steve harrington x eddie munson #getting murrayed #sort of #the whole gang #post vecna #joyce x hopper #steddie hc #fanfic #steddie fic

[resident-gay-bitch]

Eddie hadn’t been doing so good lately. After he was discharged from the hospital, his wounds ended up getting infected because he struggled to get out of bed to shower and change his dressings. He’d lie to Wayne and tell him Steve or someone else had changed them, and he’d lie to Steve and tell him the same. Steve wanted to get mad, but he got it. The reality of Chrissy’s death - witnessing that - had only recently started to sink in. The reality of everything slowly started to sink in, and the fact that he almost died weighed heavy on his heart. Steve got it. After each round with the Upside Down he’d end up the same, useless pile of tears on dirty bed sheets. He couldn’t get mad. 

Eddie’s physiotherapy wasn’t going well either. He couldn’t walk on his own still, and every time his legs trembled whilst using a walker or leaning on someone he’d get angry and turn on himself for it. He was taking one step forward and two steps back, it felt like. 

For the first time in all these monster fighting years, Steve had a reason to get up and keep going everyday. Sure, he’d always had the kids to look out for, and eventually Robin, but that was easy enough. Now he had someone to look after. Someone he had to constantly remind he was loved because Eddie was so deeply insecure and had been told by basically everyone in his life that he was undeserving of affection. Someone he had to call every night he wasn’t around to whisper good night too because they both wouldn’t sleep properly without it. Someone to cuddle up to every night and wake up with kisses every morning because it was good, and they loved each other. He had someone that needed him, and Steve loved to be needed. 

But Eddie was doing even worse this week. 

Steve had come over after popping home after his shift this afternoon, and he had a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup that he knew Eddie loved. It was a regular occurrence with them. Often Steve would go home every few days and put some washing on, make sure the house was okay, make sure his parents hadn’t come home, pack some fresh clothes for the next few days, cook up a big meal in his open kitchen and bring it over for the Munsons. 

But when Steve had gone into Eddie’s room to wake him up and get him to eat, Eddie snapped at him. He’d been crying already, curled in on himself and hurting, Steve could see one of his bandages was soaking with fresh blood, and to make matters worse, it was a no touching day. 

Sometimes Eddie had these days - or sometimes it would only last a few hours or sometimes multiple days - where he couldn’t fathom being touched. Anything on his skin just bugged him out, especially people. It would make him feel sick or freak out, and Steve knew not to take it personally anymore. He did the first few times, but then he noticed how Eddie would do the same with Wayne, and Dustin, and Robin, and Jeff or Gareth, or anyone at all. He just couldn’t be touched, and he most certainly couldn’t be cuddled. 

Changing bandages on those days was never easy. 

After an hour or so of back and forth arguing, and Eddie crying to Steve on the other side of the room, curled in on himself, they finally found some middle ground. Eddie could change the bandage himself, as long as he let Steve clean the wound properly. So they did, and then Eddie refused to re-wrap it, and they had another hour long argument and melt down, and eventually Steve managed to wrangle Eddie into getting it wrapped again. And then Eddie didn’t want to eat, even though he hadn’t eaten in forty eight hours, and he wouldn’t drink water either, wouldn’t get up to pee. 

Steve didn’t get mad at him, he couldn’t get mad at him, he used to do the same. 

But it hurt to see Eddie like this. To see him in as much pain- worse pain than Steve was in all those months ago. 

It hurt to see the man he loved withering away like this. 

But Steve was patient. 

When night came, Steve climbed into bed with Eddie and picked up The Two Towers, and opened it back up to the page they were on. Steve wanted to understand Eddie’s favorite book series, and so Eddie had started reading it to him. It made it all the more interesting. But sometimes, on Eddie’s worse days, Steve would do his best to read to Eddie. He couldn’t do the cool voices like Eddie could, or animate himself the same, and sometimes he got stuck on the words or got confused or had to start a paragraph again, but he knew Eddie appreciated it. He knew it calmed Eddie. 

Eddie had told him one night, whilst crying and vulnerable, that something as simple as the sound of Steve's voice could make him feel instantly safer. 

Steve cried. He’d never felt so loved before. 

He never wanted to let go of Eddie. 

Steve started to read the book out loud, doing the best he could. He sat as close to the edge of the bed as he could to give Eddie the space he needed, tackled back his own hand as it mindlessly reached out and almost started to sift through Eddie’s unwashed hair. Eddiw was curled in on himself again, sobbing into his pillow, his back to Steve. 

Steve knew this is all he could do for Eddie right now. 

He hoped it would be enough. 

“Down the hillside the young En- En…t- Entwash, leaping from it’s springs high- high above, ran nose- noisily-”

“Stop.” Eddie muttered, his sobs falling quiet. 

“Hmm?” Steve furrowed his brow and turned his head towards Eddie, folded the book over in his lap, “You okay, Eddie?” 

“No.” Eddie gritted, an angry tone spiking through, “No, I’m not fucking okay, Steve.”

Steve swallowed, stayed as calm as he could, like he always did, “Okay… why’d you ask me to stop.” 

“Don’t wanna hear it.” Eddie muttered and pulled the covers over his shoulders, “Wanna sleep.” 

“Okay.” Steve nodded, “I thought you liked falling asleep to the sound of my voice?” 

“Yeah, well… not anymore.” 

He swallowed again, “That- that’s okay. Would you like something-”

“Just shuddup, Steve.” 

Steve. 

Twice? 

Eddie always called him pretty names, or at the very least Stevie (which was his favourite), and so getting called Steve always meant he was in a real bad mood. 

Steve meant he wasn’t fucking around. 

“Yeah, okay.” Steve nodded and turned out the light, rolling over and curling down in bed, “I love you, Eddie.” 

“Mhm.” Eddie huffed, and then the room fell silent, “You still there?” 

“Of course.” 

“Leave.” 

Steve’s throat felt very tight, “You want me to give you some space?” 

“Leave.” Eddie said, sternly, and he clearly didn’t want Steve to hear the sob that followed, “Don’t what you here.”

“Okay.” Steve sighed, because this wasn’t the first time this has happened either.

Sometimes Eddie just needs his space, and so Steve goes out and sleeps on the couch, or if Wayne was working, like tonight, he’d sleep on the fold up mattress in the living room.

Steve sat up and grabbed his pillow, “Callout if you need something.” 

“Get out, Steve.” Eddie pressed again. 

“I am.” Steve said, trying his best not to get mad back, “I’m going.” 

“Out.” Eddie’s voice was so wet, and he wasn’t trying to hide his crying so much anymore, it was breaking Steve's heart. He wanted to stay, “Fucking leave.” 

“Okay.” Steve swallowed, “I’m- I’m gonna move the mattress right by your door, okay?”

 “No, get out.” Eddie gritted his teeth and choked on a sob, “Get out of my house, Steve. Go. home.” 

Eddie had never requested that before. 

“You don’t want me here?” 

“Of course I don’t fucking want you here!” Eddie snapped, “You just make everything worse.” 

Steve did his very best not to cry, “O- okay… uhm, do- do you-”

“Get. Out.” 

“Why-”

“I fucking said get out, Steve!” Eddie shouted, looking back over his shoulder at Steve, and he looked far worse than he did thisafternoon, “I don’t want you here. I don’t want you. I don’t want you.” 

Steve’s eyes felt very tight and his throat was hurting, “You don’t-”

“Leave.” Eddie cried and curled back in on himself, “Don’t fucking want you here- you make it worse. You make everything worse.” 

Steve closed his eyes. He knew now that this was a defence mechanism. This was Eddie wanting to feel those horrible feelings, thinking he deserved them. Thinking he deserved the pain. Steve's voice soothed him, Steve's presence calmed him, Steve reminded him he was loved, and good, and deserving. 

Eddie wanted to hurt right now, and Steve was stopping that from happening. 

“Okay.” Steve said simply, “Okay, that’s okay… I’m… I’m just going to go sleep in my car, okay?” 

“Leave!” Eddie sobbed again, “I don’t want you near me.” 

“Okay, I’ll leave you alone, Eddie. You can come out to me when you-”

“It’s fucking bullshit, Steve.” Eddie said, and he knew how that word shattered Steve last time. 

He knew. 

Steve couldn’t help the tears this time, “What did you say?” 

“It’s fucking bullshit.” He muttered, “You’re fucking bullshit. Everything’s fucking bullshit. Don’t- don’t want you here. Just… just leave.” 

Steve gritted his teeth and tried his best to stay calm, but the tears were making that very hard to do, “You-” he swallowed, “You don’t mean that. You love me.” 

Eddie sobbed and took a deep breath in, silence fell over the room for a moment, “Love is fucking bullshit.” 

That was the nail in the coffin. 

Steve grabbed his shit and left faster than you could say fuck you, because he couldn’t do this. He just couldn’t. 

So Steve left. He got in his car and left. 

And everything was bullshit. 

#jay writes #steddie #steddie angst #bullshit #hurt #oop #steve harrington pov #eddie munson #steve harrington #this one doesn't have a happy ending lol #stranger things #stranger things 4 #ficlet #angst #post vecna

[pearlypairings]

Eddie: Here ya go Chriss—pose with this the way you used it on the demo bats. Don't worry about anything else—

Chrissy: Eddie, is it really necessary for your album cover to be of me with a chainsaw? What about Gareth, Jeff and Grant?

Eddie: I have a vision, hun. That was the most metal thing I've ever seen anyone do. Ever. We need to honor that.

Gareth (from behind the camera): It's cool, there should be more cheerleaders in metal music.

*Jeff and Grant high-five*

Chrissy *rolls eyes and starts the chainsaw* : Fiiiiiine.

✨brought to you by conversations with @1lostsoul0fishbowl about hellcheer, Corroded Coffin, and Chainsaw Girl from banned in boise lmao, all creds to losty's beautiful influence from showing me Banned in Boise and being so creative and funny ✨

#hellcheer #chrissy cunningham x eddie munson #chrissy cunningham #eddie munson #corroded coffin #banned in boise #chainsaw girl #album photoshoot #post vecna #everybody lives au #chrissy with a chainsaw? I think yes

[theoncelee]

Give me Steve who crochets

Give me Steve who got bored all the years left home alone by his parents at a young age and picked it up to pass the time.

Give me Steve who although he forgot about it during his King Steve days falls back into the hobby post Vecna to deal with the trauma.

Give me Steve who loves to give things to people so he’s constantly giving people crochet blankets, clothes, hats, scarves, etc.

Now give me Steddie where Steve constantly supplies Eddie with buckets of brightly colored crochet clothes that are just the absolute opposite of his aesthetic.

And give me Eddie who wears all of them all the time because they came from Steve.

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #post vecna #everyone lives au #fluff #headcannons

[hellcheerficdatabase]

I’m Over My Head, Out of My Head…

Author: ArcaneSword

Rating/Warning: Explicit

Chapter Count: 1/1

Description: Chrissy bobs back up in the water and floats on her back. Her pink nipples are peaked from the cold air hitting her wet body and Eddie’s dick is taking over his cognitive functions. His mouth gapes open as he watches her do a lazy back stroke and he really should leave. This can’t be okay even if his dick and his id try to assure him that clandestinely watching Chrissy swim naked is completely fine.

Tags: Alternate universe- canon divergence, alternate universe- everyone lives and nobody dies, post vecna, 5 years in the future, fluff, unrequited crushes, idiots in love, happy ending, smut, Eddie POV, one-shot, status: completed

#Alternate universe- canon divergence #alternate universe- everyone lives and nobody dies #post vecna #5 years in the future #fluff #unrequited crushes #idiots in love #happy ending #smut #Eddie POV #one-shot #status: completed #eddie munson #eddissy #eddie and chrissy #eddie x chrissy #chrissy deserved better #eddsy #munningham #chreddie #hellcheer #stranger things #chrissy cunningham

[idiotcurls]

For Auld Long Syne, My Dear

Chapter Two: Dinner

Chapter one is here. The whole thing on AO3 is here.   After Steve finally arrived to the New Year’s Party at the Byers-Hopper house, the gang is sitting at the dinner table, bantering, eating and drinking. Nancy and Robin are forcing Hopper into a speech, which he hates but reluctantly accepts.  Mike and Will have some sort of issue with eachother and are making it everyones problem. When emotions boil over, Steve goes into mum mode and Eddie finds himself as a bigger brother figure to Mike.  Pairing: StevexEddie but they are idiots, WillxMike but they don’t know that yet, established NancyxRobin, platonic Stobin d’uh

Tags: slow burn, found family, post vecna world, dealing with trauma, coming of age, hurt/comfort, eddie is alive obviously The kitchen is filled with laughter and conversation. Plates are empty, bellies are full. Steve is sat next to Joyce and Jonathan, his thumb in a brand new band-aid, provided by Joyce. He had gotten his glasses from the car earlier too, to avoid more mishaps like this.

During dinner, Steve politely reminded Hopper that he wasn't becoming a teacher, but a guidance councilor again, when he asked how the studying was coming along.

That concept was foreign to Hop, but Steve had no problem explaining it all over, every time they met, even though he knew Hop would keep on calling him 'Teach'. The kids were bickering, Dustin screeched about something Max had said. Steve rolls his eyes but was in all good spirits. He was happy to see them laugh. Glances between him and Eddie were exchanged during the dinner.

Eddie basically inhaled Joyce's Lasagne. When she got up to put a third load of Lasagne on his dish he almost didn't dare to decline.

„You will make the boy explode, Joyce.“ Hopper intervened. „Oh well, they're still growing.“, she deflected. „That is a grown man.“, he pointed at Eddie with his fork. „I once arrested him.“ Eddie seemed to flinch. „That was a long time ago!“ Eddie added quickly, looking between Steve and Joyce. “That's probably like... statue-barred or something.”

Eddie being so damn lovely with Joyce and Hopper made Steve's heart feel warm. He acted like a polite son in law, trying really hard to impress some girl's parents. Steve swallowed hard. 

“Well, I think by now you can say, he redeemed himself, don't you think?“ Joyce reached across the table to give Eddie's hand a quick, affectionate squeeze and he froze for a second there. He just nodded. “Th-thanks, yeah.”Jonathan sighed. 

„I think we all suffered 3 times worth all of our respective sins.“ Nancy gave Jonathan a serious side eye.

„Since when do you believe in the concept of sin?“, she asked.Jonathan shrugged. „Argyle's mum is italian catholic. It comes up in conversation.“ Robin made a 'uh huh?' sound, while she looked into her glass of orange juice, but didn't dig deeper into the topic. 

“Speaking of, where is Argyle?”Jonathan apparently just came back from a short holiday in California, where he stayed with Argyle, his mum and his abuelita. Steve noticed he was tan. For Jonathan at least. He looked happy and healthy.

“They would kill him, if he wasn't at home for the holidays.”, Jonathan explained. “But he doesn't seem to mind that, at all. He likes being molly coddled by them.” Jonathan looked into the middle distance. Steve couldn't help but wonder, what Argyle's family dynamics were like. And why they made Jonathan weary.

Speaking of sins, Steve looked over to Eddie. He looked down on his band-aided finger and back at him. He watched him smile while listening to conversations on the table. He didn't talk too much, almost seemed shy. Steve would have never thought, that a family dinner (of sorts) was the one thing that made Eddie shut up. 

Steve's eyes got stuck on Eddies lips, on his dimples, that appeared when he smiled like that. There was Eddie's sharp jaw line, in contrast to his big brown eyes, that searched everybody's faces with curiosity. Sometimes he added insightful comments. This time about Catholicism. How can one person be so smart and so bad at school at the same time?

But the school system made Steve feel less than as well. He still sometimes thought he was dumb. And in Eddie's case, maybe the teachers just didn't like him, or had preconceived notions. He wore being an outcast well. But Steve sometimes wondered, if it came to him that easy. The snarky comments, the no fucks given attitude.

It must have been lonely behind that mask in school. But it was a mask and a loneliness Steve knew too. The mask just had a different colour. Steve promised to himself, that he would never treat any of his kids like this. Once he got through the course. Once he was a guidance councilor. It was either that, or becoming a hairdresser. He chuckled to himself, imagining doing Eddie's hair in a salon.

On the other side of the table, Nancy and Robin whispered something, they seemed to hatch out some sort of scheme, he saw it in their eyes. That always rang an alarm bell in Steve's head, so he tried to take his eyes off Eddie and watch out for those two agents of chaos. 

For some reason Robin brought out a more playful, joyous side in Nancy. He loved their dynamics, even thought, truth be told, sometimes they got on his nerves. But this light-hearted Nancy, he hasn't seen that version of her since before Barb died. Not with him and not with Jonathan. So he was grateful.

Mike seemed to chew El's ears off about a topic she didn't seem to be interested in. Will and Dustin talked about that 60s movie they watched before. He had a feeling Robin also talked about it before. She wanted to watch it with him, to broaden his horizon. 

He saw Will for the first time this evening at the dinner table. Will didn't seem to be in a very chatty mood, so Steve decided not to pester him with too many questions. Will was stabbing his food with the fork and provided short answers, when someone talked to him. Max was in a chatty mood today, but Steve learned not to disrupt her quiet phases aswell. It was a time where she intently listened to what was going on around her. He saw her quietly smile into herself sometimes, when one of the boys said some stupid shit.

Robin and Nancy's whispering turned into a giggle and then into a chant, far away from quiet. “Speech! Speech! Speech!” They looked at Hopper, starting to bang their fists on the table. Hop rolled his eyes and mouthed a stern 'No!' Nancy seemed to have sobered up a bit, still red cheeks, but she had this determination in her eyes, that Steve loved so much about her. El watched the girls chant and bang on the table for a second, before she chimed in, ignoring Mike's monologue. The more Hopper refused, which he did, the louder everyone got. Max was quietly smiling to herself. She put her hands on the table, like she tried to feel the vibration of the bangs on her hands. “Okay, okay, okay.“, Hop finally said. He got up, taking his glass of scotch into his right hand and put his left hand gently on Joyce's shoulder. Clapping and whoo-ing ensued. Well, from almost the whole table. Eddie didn't shout as loud as the other participants, but clapped. Apparently he still had a lot of respect, or maybe some sort of god's fear of Hop, which Steve found hilarious in a way. Mr. „Fuck the rules“ in awe of a cop. Steve smiled. He wondered why Hop arrested Eddie back then and how it all went down. He had a faint idea, since he sometimes bought weed off of him, back in high school. But that is a story for a different time. „Y'people are cruel, you know that, right? Y'know I'm bad with words.” He cleared his throat. “But uh, I will try my best.“ He seemed like he didn't quite know what to do with his hands or face. Joyce looked up to him, a sparkle in her eyes. She patted Hopper's hand on her shoulder and whispered „You can do this.“  Hopper was wearing a nice shirt and Steve was 200% sure it was a gift from one of the girls. It was very colourful, so he figured El gave it to him and it mattered so much to him, he wore it anyway, like a proud dad. A proud dad. Steve had a bitter sweet feeling in his stomach. But he couldn't imagine anyone other, that deserved a proud dad as much as El and Max. „I want to thank you all for coming here. It's uh... nice to have a full house. I guess we're still making this house a home...“ He looked around the table at all the eyes fixed on him and seemed to get honestly emotional. As if he felt...touched. „I never reckoned, that I would have a wife and four children to boss me 'round.“, he looked at the kids intently. His voice broke a little, Steve was sure about it, he heard it! “And...-“ „She's not your wife yet!“, Max interrupted with a smug smile on her lips. Hopper sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose with two fingers. „Yeah, well. That is a fact. A fact that I was going to get into, if you would let me finish...” „They are getting married in spring!!“ El blurted out. „That is why Robin and Nancy wanted to hear a speech.“ El was proud. Mike next to her, seemed somewhat disconnected from the ruckus on the table. Will, who was sitting next to Mike, just watched the burning candle in front of him intently. Joyce laughed. „Don't steal his thunder! Come on now, go on, now.“ Her smile was wide and genuine. Something clicked in Steve's head. He looked at Joyce's hand and saw a new ring which she didn't wear the last time he visited. Joyce seemed to notice him connecting the dots and winked at him. He raised his eyebrows in disbelieve and shot Robin a look. She winked at Steve too, she knew already, but didn't say a word to him. Wow. Steve was surprised, Robin could shut up that long. Especially in front of him. Good for her. All the times they spoke on the phone and yet. He was almost proud.

If there hasn't been the conversation he had with Joyce when he came in, one could have thought everything was alright. Just a happy, big family celebrating new year's. Steve wished it could at least be true for the evening. He had a feeling they all shared that wish.

„Who's gonna be your best man? Can I be your best man?“ Dustin piped up. Mike punched his shoulder. 

„You can't be a best man, you're way to young! You have to be like, 30 to be a best man.“ „Ow, dude, that is so disrespectful.“ Dustin shot back. „I'm allowed to ask!?“„As a matter of fact-“ Hopper raised his voice to interrupt the fighting, looking between Mike and Dustin. „We are getting married in spring. And uh I... we! We wanted to inform you, that you're all invited. We want you to be there.” Dustin looked at Hopper with big eyes, waiting for an answer. „I'm sorry kid, but Jonathan is going to be my best man.“, he said, not unkind. Dustin frowned. “Damn it.“ „See, I told you!“, Mike hissed at him under his breath across the table. “I am allowed to ask!!!”, Dustin hissed back.Jonathan who was just watching the back and forth between the kids, raised his hands in defense and shook his head. „First of all, I'm not 30? And you are very welcome to help me prepare stuff.” Dustin nodded enthusiastically, ignoring Mike's sour expression. It was the first wedding he was invited to, so Dustin thought, he had every right to be excited.He could practice wedding stuff, for when Suzie and him would get married, once they were old enough. Even though he didn't really know if Mormons married differently. He only knew weddings only from TV anyway, so this was a good place to start. El searched for Steve's attention. „I'm going to be a flower girl.“, she said unable to contain her excitement. „Me and Max both. That means we will go down the isle and throw flower petals on the ground.“, she explained. „Before Joyce walks down to get married.“ She was so proud. Her cheeks turned a rosy hue.Steve nodded. „That is very nice, I love that.“, he said sincerity in his voice. He looked over at Eddie. He had his hand on his chin, leaning on the table, just listening. If he wouldn't have known better, Steve thought, he was moved. But he couldn't read his face, since Eddie hid half of it and avoided eye-contact with Steve. Maybe he felt embarrassed about earlier. „So, please remember the date. 7th of may. I want us all to be together. It's important to celebrate, even during hard times.“, Joyce added. „You will get the invitations later. Oh, and thank you Robin for helping us make them!“ „Hear, hear!“ Robin raised her glass, putting her arm around Nancy. “I'm happy I could help.“, she smiled her beautiful, broad smile. Nancy looked up to her, studying her profile, flustered. Steve knew that look, but hasn't seen it in a while. Apparently Robin had helped them craft beautiful typography and added some flowers into their design.Hopper was so concentrated to provide a speech, he couldn't be annoyed by their blatant flirting. Steve knew, it wasn't because they were both young women. It was just because it was...them. „So now that that is out of the way...“, Hopper said after he kissed Joyce's head. „Let's have a nice evening together, but let's not get over board.“, Hopper continued, looking at Nancy. Steve couldn't help but laugh. Nancy shot him a look. Neither Will nor Mike had any emotional reaction to the situation, that was appropriate. Steve was wondering what was going on behind the scenes on this one. He had a little suspicion. “To Hopper and Joyce!” Nancy raised her cup. Everyone followed her. Even so Mike, who seemed to watch Will from the corner of his eyes the whole time. The only person who didn't raise his glass to the happy occasion, was Will. Steve was surprised. „This is not right.“, he said quietly still staring at the candle. The table grew quiet all of a sudden and everybody looked at Will. Raised hands sank back down. Mike rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.Maybe Will had been in a mood all day. Which was unusual, because that role was solely Mike's, commonly. „Honey, let's talk about this again later...“, Joyce said, reaching out to her son. „No, I don't want to talk. I'm so sick of everyone pretending everything is fine, when it's clearly not!“ Joyce couldn't speak for a second, she was taken aback. And hurt, Steve figured. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again, afraid of saying something to make it worse. “Will....”, Jonathan started. „I can't take this talk of us all being together, when people are missing from 'together' and everyone is just, like, ignoring the truth.“ „Do you want to talk about this truth? Now?“ Hoppers voice was not unkind, but stern. „Enlighten us?“ Steve didn't think it was possible for the room to get even more silent but somehow it did. Dustin put his glass of sunny D down quietly, as if he was afraid to be noticed. “We're just playing pretend. Lucas and Erica are gone and Max-“ He stopped. His voice broke. The sound of his chair grinding back on the kitchen floor seemed to ripple through the room. „I have to go.“ He looked at the shocked faces around him and seemed to grow smaller. Will walked out of the kitchen.  They could hear his steps ascending up the stairs into his room, followed by a door closing.Max lowered her head. Nobody dared to say anything. Joyce let her head sink into her hands, rubbing her forehead. “I'm sorry” she said softly to no one in particular. „He is going through a lot.“ “Puberty.”, Dustin nodded knowingly. Steve shot him a look and mouthed 'not now', shaking his head slightly. Dustin folded and shut up. Hopper laid his hand on Max's and whispered something to her. She nodded, but her expression seemed conflicted, still. Everyone missed Lucas and Erica the way Will did, but they were all faced with the same helplessness in the situation. Steve's stomach turned. It reminded him of the helplessness he felt, when Nancy was grieving Barbara. And he was a shit boyfriend back then. But also a teenager facing impossible situations. Not knowing where they are, made him lose sleep as well. He looked at Eddie. He seemed to want to add something to the conversation, but didn't dare to. He loved Lucas and had grown more fond of Erica ever since she called him a long haired freak. Everyone looked hurt, staring down at the table. Except for Mike. Mike seemed furious, like he could barely swallow his rage. Not annoyed, like he usually was. A more common sight, but fire burning furiously. Steve had a feeling, Max blamed herself partly for them leaving. Even though none of them had confirmation on how the situation took place and it surely wasn't Max's fault. He knew Max was smart. Smart beyond her years. But knowing something doesn't immediately mean, you know how to deal with your emotions. He knew that for sure.Jonathan cleared is throat and put down his bottle of beer. „I'm going to talk to him.“, he uttered under his breath and got up to follow his little brother upstairs. Mike watched Jonathan go after Will and something in him was about to snap. He shook his head. You could see the white on his knuckles, he was balling his fists so hard on the table. El looked at his fist and back up to him. But before she could say anything, Mike finally snapped. „This is so stupid.“, he spit out. „He should be happy he has all of this!“, he waved across the room. “Mike! Stop it!”, Nancy snapped at him.  Mike shot his sister an angry look across the table, before the second time a chair grinned the kitchen floor. “Don't act like you know whats going on at home!” He left the room, put on his shoes and slammed the front door behind him, without grabbing a coat on the way out. El didn't follow him. She looked the other way and grabbed Max's hand. Max seemed relieved. Everyone else was looking at the table, perplexed on how fast a general mood can switch.Nancy shook her head and furrowed her brows. “Just ...let him calm down.”, she said, defeated and waved her hand. Robin put an arm around her. Just being there, a silent support. “They are always angry, lately.”, Max said quietly. El nodded, knowingly. “They are.”, she said with a lowered tone. “Something is changing.“, she added. Steve couldn't make out if Hopper was extremely angry or extremely sad. He did work a lot on his anger lately, he knew that from Joyce. So maybe it was somehow both.

„Sometimes people are angry when things change.“, Joyce offered them softly. The candles were flickering on the table and the TV had since started broadcasting the New Year's eve celebrations on times square. 1988. Almost a new era. “Let's just clean up a bit. We'll give you guys some time.” Robin said towards Joyce and Hopper, as she got up. Nancy seemed to snap out of a trance and got up too. Steve knew, Hop wanted the best for his new family. Steve respected that. But it also must be a lot of work and “new territory” so to say. “I'll go out to check on the fire.”, Hopper said, getting off the table.Joyce got up too, to frantically put plates together. “Come on let's all help. Dustin! Grab a tea towel. I wash, you dry.”, Steve announced. Dustin groaned. “Do I have to?” “Yes. You do.” Steve said with a stern voice and gestured towards him. In reality Dustin was probably relieved. He didn't seem to know what to do with his hands, or the Situation as a whole, if we were perfectly honest. “Go be with Hopper. We got this”, Nancy said softly, touching Joyce's arm. She sighed and laughed thinly. “Thank you. I'm sorry about this.” “Don't be.” Nancy was serious. Steve saw Joyce grab a packet of cigarettes out of one of the kitchen drawers, before she grabbed a coat and left into the night to talk to Jim. El pushed Max's wheelchair out of the kitchen, towards her room. El nodded to Nancy before they left. Nancy nodded back and touched El's shoulder affectionately before they left. It wasn't close to midnight yet, but still a good time to have a little festive fight, Steve figured. Nancy and Robin were clearing off the table, bringing used plates and cutlery to Steve and Dustin. Eddie had gotten up from the table and stood in the room awkwardly, not knowing what his role in this was exactly. He looked towards Steve, helplessly. Crisis-mode Steve was pretty good at diffusing situations and just reacting to problems. So he did. Steve turned on the water and plugged the drain, before looking over his shoulder at Eddie, nodding towards the door, raising his eyebrows. He seemed to have forgotten that Eddie doesn't really have a code to follow in “family situations” like that.“I think I, uh... I want to go smoke a cigarette?”, Eddie asked

“Yes. Yes you want to do that.” Steve answered and nodded towards the door again. Someone should check on Mike. “Right. Got it.” Eddie snapped his fingers and walked out the kitchen towards the front door, grabbing the ear warmers and his coat, following to where ever Mike Wheeler turned to hide himself. Steve sighed, already feeling bad for being bossy. But he knew Mike looked up to Eddie. Mike grew his hair out, despite his father threatening, that he would somehow end up in prison with a haircut like that or worse, unemployed. The kid was a sucker for Eddie. Even today, he wore his Hellfire shirt, hanging on every word Eddie uttered, all evening. When he wasn't sulky or angry. If he didn't know it any better, he thought Mike had a crush on Eddie. Nancy for one, didn't quite get the infatuation her brother had, but decided, there were worse role models to pick. At least Eddie was someone who tried to make high school a tolerable place for kids like them. He basically ran around high school adopting kids. Which was cute. She remembered wanting to look out for Jonathan, when they were in school. And he had proven himself to Nancy Wheeler since. She put a stack of used plates next to Steve and sighed, watching him scrub away on the dirty plates, brows furrowed. He loved to stress-clean. He used to stress-clean a lot, when they were dating. Back then, she found it endearing. Now it's just comedy relieve. Also, Robin was a slob and she already got used to that. But it was Steve's way of helping and dealing with complicated situations. “You know he had a hard time, since Robin and me got together.”, Nancy's big dark eyes seemed still seemed a bit clouded. Steve listened to her, keeping his eyes on the warm water and bubbles. “He is so fucking angry all the time, we don't know what to do.”, she said, sighing again. “I don't know what to do and he is not talking about it, like, at all.” Dustin shook his head and scoffed. “We have been talking, aaall the time! But nobody can fucking tell me what's wrong.” Dustin sounded defeated drying another plate, Steve put into his hands. „Maybe, they just need a little bit more time. To figure things out.“ Robin's voice was quiet, and soft like velvet, her eyes rested on Steve. Then she leaned over to Dustin and gave him a little nudge. “Don't worry too much about it, Dusty-Bun.” Dusty-Bun groaned loudly.“Yes! But we know Will is gay. We don't care! The party does not care!”, Dustin was obviously annoyed by the whole Situation. “Eddie had this one gay character in DnD and we all decided we loved her!” he almost screamed. “It is just FINE. So what else could it possibly be?” Robin decided to ignore him. She remembered Sapphire the Sapphic all to well. When Eddie told her about Sapphire, she knew, that motherfucker wasn't totally straight. How else would he know the word sapphic and why else would he tell that to her. They had a silent agreement since. But Robin was happy he seemed to try to teach the kids something.Robin had seen Eddie with girls around Hawkins High. But she had a suspicion. The same suspicion she held with Steve. Not all that easy to read, but the moment Eddie appeared in their lives, she could smell something was off with Steve too. Since they knew each other, she had never seen Steve look at a girl the way he looked at Eddie. Steve never looked at her that way, when he thought he was in love with her too. “Is he angry about you and Robin?”, Steve asked Nancy and gave Dustin yet another wet plate to shush him, lovingly. “He seemed to take it fine. When we told him. Together. ” Nancy said. “But then, all of a sudden he decided to be a huge dick. To everyone.” “More than before?” Steve couldn't hide his undertone. Which was fine in that situation, he figured.“Uh, Yes. A lot more.”, Dustin said, swinging his towel. “I would have told you, if you'd pick up your phone more often. Instead of, uh, I don't know, going on hot dates with lots of girls or whatever.” Robin poured herself a cup of mulled wine from the stove and laughed out loud, leaning on the counter.“How are those hot dates going, Harrington?” Steve dropped a plate back into the foamy water, to look at her, eyebrows raised. “Okay, ouch. I don't like either of you two very much, right now. I'm actually studying and working. Trying to become my own man, you know?” Steve shrugged. “I'm trying to become a better man.” He nodded to himself. He wasn't quite sure if he believed it, or what it meant, exactly. His glasses fogged up from the hot water, so he took them off and placed them on his head. “Jeez, that shouldn't distract you from being a good older male role model for me, Steve.” Dustin threw the tea towel over his shoulder, like an old lady, perfectly mimicing the way Steve did it. Steve didn't say anything to that. He just looked at Dustin and shook his head.„What do you think about it, Buckley? I mean, about Mike and Will.”, Steve finally asked, going on to investigate his suspicion. She sighed deeply, taking a sip of the hot wine, contemplating.„I think they are teenagers. We weren't any better, were we? Figuring stuff out. Fighting, being mad. There IS a lot of change happening right now. We're still trying to cope too. And their brains aren't really fully developed yet. You should know that, Mr. Councilor? The prefrontal cortex and everything? Do you have yours?”Steve scoffed and nodded. “Yeah, haven't taken that class yet. Next semester. Too busy being a rolemodle.”, he looked at Dustin theatrically, who sighed.The warm water in the sink felt good on his hands. In the beginning he tried not to get his band-aid wet, but aborted the mission half way through. Scrubbing plates gave him something productive to do. From the kitchen window, he saw Joyce and Hopper standing by the fire. Hop was shaking his head while Joyce was talking and blowing blue smoke into the cold winter air. „What are we figuring out though?“ Dustin put a salad bowl on top of the pile of clean plates. „Stuff. Teenager Stuff.“, Steve said. „I want to be included. I can't trust you to figure the case out by yourself. You need me. You know, to connect the dots.“ “I don't know man. I am still not sleeping well either. At least sometimes. So I guess that?” Dustin nodded. He seemed to understand that.  “I talk to Suzie a lot when I can't sleep.”, his voice went a little bit more quiet. “Some teenagers have to figure stuff out, other teenagers don't have to.” Steve pondered, thinking of Mike and Will. „Also, you can't put a half dry bowl to the dry dishes! Jesus!“ Steve took the tea towel from Dustin's shoulder and put it on his own. Robin smiled kindly. “That is actually true. You know you can still figure things out even though you're not a teenager anymore, right Steve?” Steve and Robin locked eyes. Nancy looked between them, confused about the tension in the room. Outside the house, Eddie stomped through the crisp snow, silently hating himself for jumping on whatever Steve tells him to. He could imagine a thousand things that were better than running after an angry teenager on a night he looked forward to for weeks. Could he say no to Steve though? Not exactly. Would he do anything for that rag-tag family type situation going on in there? Yeah, probably. He figured it was safe to feel that way. They did that for each other all the time, he knew. Eddie did actually know a thing or two about being a teenager and being an angry one, so.

 Steve knew that. That's why he sent him out to talk to Mike, he figured. It made him feel a little proud. Steve knew the kids longer than he had. So Eddie loved, that Steve trusted him with looking after one of the difficult ones. 

They both cared about the little shrimps. He felt included. It warmed Eddie's heart, something to examine later, after the mission.And Eddie also knew very well, that he could have used someone in situations like that. Needed someone to understand him. Dads and uncles sometimes couldn't do that in a way that actually helped. 

Even though, he regarded himself lucky, to even have an uncle, to go after him when he stormed out into the dark of night. Which he did frequently, back in the day. Why he never got eaten by a Demogorgon or something like that, in hindsight, he couldn't explain. The fool's luck.

„Shit.“ He rubbed his hands together, looking around to find any sign of Mike. He looked up to the sky. The moon was a very thin sickle. Only sparse clouds in the sky. Which made sense. It's to cold for much clouds if it's too cold for snow. And there wasn't any snow in a while. It made sense, because of the lack of moisture. He really liked the colour of the sky though.

The footsteps in the snow he followed, led him behind his own Van. Mike was crouched down, leaning on a dirty front tire. He angrily wiped away a tear or two in an hectic movement, when he heard Eddie's footsteps approach. Little Idiot, Eddie thought. He looked younger.

„Hey there. It's a bit cold to hang around out here.“, Eddie said.

„What else is new.“ Mike's tone was cold. He clearly didn't want any company. Yet, there Eddie was. Feeling like he was in a different dimensions, where the roles were reversed and he was the one to strike up a meaningful conversation. No biggie, though. The van's door was cold on Eddies back, as he leaned against it, while crouching down next to Mike. He reached into the pocket of his too big jacket and produced a packet of cigarettes and a zippo lighter, with an intricate design on it. There was only a zzsk, zzsk noise abd a small orange flame from the lighter, as he lit his cigarette.

He casually blew the smoke into the cold December air, like he didn't just got sent out into the cold to retrieve a teenager. He offered the package over to Mike, who raised his hand to take one out, but Eddie pulled back in a quick motion. “Gotcha. I know you smoked before. Don't start it.” Mike shook his head, defeated. He knew he earned that. “I had to throw up after.”, he confessed quietly. Eddie nodded. “I thought that much.“, he said ashing into the snow.When he saw Mike the first time, he got bullied by some jock from Mike's English class. The perfect victim for becoming a new member of Hellfire. But that was why Eddie started Hellfire for. A refuge for nerds, freaks and outcasts. And they flocked to him.Now the situation was a different one. The “shared trauma” as Robin and Steve called it, was a bit more than some assholes in a cafeteria calling you a name. It was new for him, he barely survived. Thinking that those kids have done this since they were so small, blew his mind. Made him feel small in comparison.Since then a lot changed, times changed and the kids grew up a lot. But hell, so did he. 

If somebody would have traveled back in time and told him, that he would spend New Year's with Steve Harrington, Nancy Wheeler and a Cop in 3 years time, he would have spat into the time traveler's face, despite being impressed by, you know, the time traveling.Once you graduate and leave the small little bubble of high school, get thrown into real life, a lot of important things seemed silly. It almost made Eddie feel nostalgic.

Like he yearned for easier times with less at stake. Jocks against Nerds. Nothing more. Black and White. Not all of this greyish hues that bloomed in front of him, like boring but insightful flowers of early adulthood.He wondered if the little spark he had with Chrissy could have bloomed into a friendship too after high school, if... if things happened differently. 

Their friendship would have have had pink and yellow petals, he thought. Eddie imagined her at college. He imagined her having fun with her friends and grow up to become a woman. He saw her smiling. She would have been so amazing. It stung.But despite all of it, Mike was still partly in this bubble, with his stupid views on the stupid world and his big anxieties, that were very real. The kids were pushing 18, learning and growing and being dumb.

„So... what was that all about?“ Eddie tried to swallow his teasing tone. „What do you mean?“, Mike spat, looking at the cigarettes tip glistening in Eddie's hand.

„Come on.“ Eddie leaned into Mike's space. „You're going to tell me, Baby-Byers storming off and then you storming off are not in perfect correlation?“ „I know you think of me as this wise old man, but I'm actually not too unfamiliar with the teenage drama.“ Mike shook his head and rolled his eyes. "It's not that." Mike said. “It's not drama... It's just... I'm just...Will got all of this attention from being 'out' and everyone is walking on eggshells around him. He gets to start over at a new place and Joyce and Hopper are madly in love with each other, it's gross.“, it bubbled out of him. Ding, Ding, Ding. Jackpot, Eddie thought, but let the kid continue.„He is living with El and Max and Jonathan is there a lot. Everyone loves him, despite... you know? But he runs around being depressed and angry and anxious. What does he have to be angry about all the time?!“ Mike was angry, too.

Eddie took the last drag off the cigarette and flipped it into the snow. They both watched the little light go out. Eddie decided to not follow up the 'despite', not yet. He also swallowed the 'what are you so angry about?' question. That was for another time.

„Are you jealous?.“, Eddie said, breathing out smoke. Mike was hesitant, breathing out through his nose, like a child that got caught. He seemed to gather his thoughts together, so Eddie let him.

„I'm alone a lot. Everyone is here. Lucas is gone. I barely get to see them.“ Mike's voices cracked.

„What about Dustin?“ „He is in a total nerd mode. Only cares about finishing school. And talking to Suzie.“ He scoffed. "He wants to marry her?" Eddie nodded. "That's young." He knew about that. Not feeling included, being alone. Except Mike gets to do it from a nice home with a family around him. He did not know a lot about his parents, despite the fact, that they don't seem to love eachother .„And El and you...“, Eddie started. „We're taking a break!“, the answer shot out of him. „It's just a matter of time. We'll be together again soon.“ 'We will be happy again', Mike wanted to say but didn't. Eddie had a feeling that this wasn't exactly true on what he had observed that evening. But the boy needed something to hang on to, so he wouldn't drown. Eddie wasn't going to be the one to take the straw away from him.

The first heart break was always the worst one. But he'll get over it, Eddie knew that too. „I can't say anything about you and El. But you guys all love each other. And you won't live in your parent's place forever. You can all venture out into the world together one day.“, Eddie mused, gesturing towards the sky.„I know, but what if...“ Mike's voice gave out completely. „What if they forget me? Just move on?“ He turned to look at Eddie with genuine sadness and fear in his eyes. A tear on the brink of rolling over his pale cheek. Oh god. Genuine emotions made Eddie feel weird. Who could blame him, when he had to swallow all of his own grievances and hurt for so long, just to survive. Those kids were emotionally so much more in tune with themselves than he was at their age. He swallowed. Don't mess this up, Munson. „Well...I for one, haven't been a part of what ever this is for a long time.“ He nodded towards the house. „But I can assure you, those people in there love you as much as you love them, man.“ Eddie chuckled. „I'm just a sort of bystander and I have felt sick all evening from all of this love and understanding going on in there.“ Mike laughed a little. „It's pretty bad.“, he admitted.„Yeah it is. And I think nobody would like, shoot you if you talked to them about it. You could even say, that you uh, miss them or something.“ Mike nodded. He knew Eddie was right. There was a small pause. Far away, there was the noise of fireworks going off, prematurely. And the cracking of the fire in the backyard. „You're not a bystander, Eddie...“, Mike said after that long pause, looking at his shoes. The tables have turned, Eddie thought. But that was the way those kids worked.„Sshh. I wasn't the one storming out of a family event just now.”, Eddie deflected. “Try to swallow your pride. You think you can do that?“ Mike nodded, bated. “And maybe you can work up some understanding for Will? Doing what he is doing, isn't that easy either.“, Eddie said with a stern voice. “And doing what you're doing is hard aswell. Be soft.” Mike nodded. He didn't quite know what Eddie meant, but he liked to feel acknowledged. He wondered what 'being soft' meant. „Okay. Good. So let's get up and go back inside. Your sister is going to skin me alive if you get sick because of me. “Mike seemed to understand those worries and reluctantly got up to walk back inside the house. For a second Eddie stopped in front of Steve's Beemer, looked at the leather seats and his bags neatly put together in the back.

When he raised his head, he took in the sight of a house filled with light and love and smelled the burnt wood from the backyard. There was some sort of commotion coming from the kitchen, a crash, like broken glass and something that could be a cat dying or Dustin. Eddie and Mike shared an amused look, before they entered the patio, to walk back inside. Eddie put one Hand on Mike's back, ushering him inside. He looked over his shoulder to check the woods, before he closed the door behind them. Old habits die hard. Maybe there was a slight chance for a nice evening, after all. People were still scattered around the house. When Eddie walked in, he immediately loved the warmth. He seemed to melt into it. Steve and Dustin were still cleaning and arguing. Apparently Dustin had dropped a plate and Steve was ushering him around to get out of the way, for Steve to sweep up the shards. In case any one of them went downstairs to get a cheeky sandwich, barefoot in the middle of the night, so nobody would get hurt. Seeing Steve, wearing his glasses on his head, a tea towel over his shoulder, bossing around a kid, Eddie felt a strange sense of longing for domesticity. Not that he ever had the nuclear family, mum-dad-kid holy trinity of the American dream at his disposal, but he liked evenings in, when him and Wayne would cook a proper meal together and watch a sitcom on TV. When he was younger, Wayne let him stay up longer and watch things that, in hindsight were not appropriate for 12 year old kids, but it was what it was. And Eddie was thankful for every minute of it. Bonding time. After they made their way back into the kitchen, Eddie noticed, Dustin also put his tea towel on his shoulder, the way Steve did. It was so absurdly cute how much Dustin looked up to Steve. One time Eddie asked him, if he'd share the secret of Steve's perfect hair, if he knew it. As a joke. Dustin got this really serious expression and told him, “I am not at liberty to discuss that with you, or anyone as a matter of fact.” and shut down the conversation. It took quite a lot out of Eddie not to laugh out loud. But that meant, he did share his sacred hair regimen with Dustin. And Dustin guarded it like it was the declaration of independence. In that moment, Eddie had a vision of him and Steve in an imaginary shared flat, where Steve was at the stove, in the middle of making dinner, on a random Tuesday night and Eddie hugged him from behind, to kiss his neck and smell his hair. He imagined them making out between chopped vegetables and bubbling sauce. Greetings from the kitchen, or whatever rich people called it. Maybe it started with something benign like Steve letting Eddie taste test his homemade tomato sauce, excuse him, Sugo, the one with the fresh basilico and authentic grana padano. But it ended with him whispering into Steve's ear, how much he loved him and his Sugo. The three course menu for Eddie was Steve, Steve, Steve. He immediately felt bad after imagining that. He had fever dreams like this all the time. He felt double bad, because Steve was obviously straight and it made his gut turn, that he imagined stuff like this about a friend. He felt like a stupid horny teenager, when there was more pressing matters to attend to.Eddie's eyes were glazed over, standing in the doorway to the kitchen. Mike, whom Eddie forgot about for a second there, didn't seem to want to disrupt whatever was happening with Eddie. He cleared his throat semi-politely and announced he was going to sit with Nancy and Robin to watch the festivities as they unfolded on TV for a bit. Nancy and Robin were graceful and didn't make a big deal of the disgruntled teenager returning back to the mothership. Bless them. Eddie's and Steve's glance met, when Steve put away the last pieces of broken china. Eddie immediately looked away, a pink shimmer on his cheeks. Steve sighed and washed his hands. “Can you go sit with Mike?”, he said towards Dustin. “I want to talk to Eddie.” “There's a lot of talking going on today, that's for sure.”, Dustin grumbled passive aggressively, walking out of the kitchen. Steve felt a bit bad about it, but he was going to make up for it later on, he figured.

When Eddie sat down at the table, he had a beautiful smile on his face, that also seemed sad or embarrassed, Steve could not tell. The cold from outside must have turned his cheeks a rosy hue. There were some candles still burning, other ones were already out.Steve swung the tea towel over his shoulder yet again and put some little bowles of chips and other snacks on the table. “So...What's up?” Eddie shook his head. “Angsty teenager stuff.”  Steve laughed. Eddie patted on the empty chair beside him. Steve followed, pulling up the chair, using it backwards, leaning his arms on the back rest. “Thanks for talking to him.” He nodded towards the living room, where Mike awkwardly sat on the rest of the couch, while Dustin joined them, immediately diving into the popcorn. “Yeah, no problem. He's just, you know, Mike.”

Steve snorted. “Yeah, he is.” “And I think. They're still having a hard time.”, Eddie continued. Steve sighed and leaned his chin on his forearms. “They miss them. A lot. Hell, even I miss that snarky little Erica voice.”, Eddie continued. “Who could blame them?”, Steve said more to himself.

“I think Mike feels lonely in Hawkins.”, Eddie said quietly, tilting his head towards the living room. Steve didn't say anything for a bit. The kitchen felt weirdly quiet after all that noise before. “Do you feel lonely in Hawkins?” Eddie scoffed. “Got lots to do. M'shifts at the mechanic. People don't have money to buy new tractors and cars. I'm in the back, so nobody gets to me.” He sighed. “Uncle Wayne is giving me a hard fucking time about that government housing. Constantly wants me to help him fix shit, or change shit. He hates it there.” “Move.”, Steve said, simply. Eddies eyebrows furrowed. “What?” “Move away. Doesn't Wayne have friends from the army somewhere?” Eddie was surprised, that Steve remembered that. “Yeah, but they live somewhere secluded, in east Jesus nowhere.”Some of the vets were not happy how they were treated after serving. And they did not get the assistance they needed to get back into civilian life. They lived somewhat self organized, somewhere in the desert. Wayne sometimes got letters from them, Eddie remembered Wayne chuckling to himself, while reading. And the only time he saw him writing was when he had to do tax returns or write back to his friends.

“It's not that easy, Steve... I can't just leave Uncle Wayne and the money...” “But we did get a good amount. You could start off somewhere new.” Steve offered.Eddies eyes got darker. He felt a little burning pit in his belly. “I don't have the same opportunities you do.” What he wanted to say was, I only have Uncle Wayne left. Where was he supposed to go? With whom?“I'm just saying-” Eddie sighed loudly, interrupted Steve with it. “I don't really think, you understand my situation here, Harrington.”Steve sat up in his chair. The 'Harrington' stung. Eddie hasn't called him that since before. It was a reminder of their past roles and Steve's status from before. Even if before didn't exist anymore and Steve was sure they let that part of the past behind them. Because it wasn't relevant anymore, not to him, at least. El and Max entered the kitchen again, Max's hands full of fire crackers and small fire works. Not the big ones, because no one liked loud noises at this point. “Do you guys want to go out and cause some chaos?”Steve looked at Eddie and raised his eyebrows. Eddie nodded. “Sure, why not. Get dressed.”, Steve said to the girls. Eddie watched Steve get up to get coats and shoes ready for outside. A tiny voice in him shouted derogatory terms. He didn't quiet know why he was so defensive right then. Defensive and a little bit mean. But he got up to follow them, anyway, cursing under his breath.

#steddie #steve harrington #steve harrington x eddie munson #eddie munson #eddie munson lives #steddie fics #mike wheeler #will byers #byler #found family #hurt/comfort #dustin henderson #stranger things #stranger things fanfiction #post vecna #joyce byers is a good mum #st fanfiction #slow burn #ao3 #max mayfield #chief hopper #jonathan byers #nancy wheeler #platonic stobin #ronance #steve is becoming a councilor #bisexual steve harrington #bisexual eddie munson #gay stuff

[little-annie]

All I Want

| Ch.4 Teaser

For those of you following my Steddie Memory Loss fic on Ao3, here's a snippet of Ch.4

#eddie munson #steve harrington #steddie #steve x eddie #eddie x steve #steddie fic #steddie fic rec #steddieficwip #steddie angst #steddie hurt/comfort #steddie memory loss #post vecna #steddie post vecna #stranger things fanfiction #steddie fanfiction #stranger things fan fiction #steddie fanfic #steddie au #stranger things #steddie fandom #stranger things fandom #eddie stranger things #steve stranger things

[italiansteebie]

There's a Time and a Place to Act Like John Bender; And It's Not in My Bedroom

---------

Steve Harrington has never celebrated halloween.

And sure, he threw parties and got wasted, but proper dressing up and trick or treating. Not even once. Fathersaid it wasn’t becoming of the Harrington name, and it wasn’t something “real men” did. Now Steve wasn’t exactly sure why his father was so concerned with him being a man at a ripe 8 years old, but he digresses.

Now of course he was a little sad that he never got in on the experience, but it was never a huge deal. In fact when he still hung out with Tommy H. it was thought of as something pretty cool. Steve, then, didn’t understand how having no one to take him was cool but… Well. We’re not talking about that right now.

So when he met Robin Buckley for th first time, and hearing her complain over and over again about how she elt like a kid on halloween in her stupid uniformmade these things come to a head. “Wow.” She scoffed. “Of course you’d be too cool even as a kid.” Marked with an eye roll. At the time he’d shrugged it off. They weren’t friends, so why would she be interested in hearing some boring sob story about poor little Steve Harrington?

It didn’t come up for a while again after this, and Steve thought he was home free. That is until Eddie Munson joined their ragtag group of end of the world survivors And when he found out.

Oh boy.

It was October 25th, and they were having their weekly sleep over at Steve’s when it was brought up. It started off as a simple question, a measly “What are you guys going as for Halloween this year?” Followed up with a timid “Are we going trick or treating?” From Will. Eddie’s eyes lit up, “We should all go together!” And Steve made a face at this, “Aren’t we,” He gestured to the young adults, “A little too old to go trick or treating?” And Eddie scoffed at that, waving a dismissive hand at him. Well it was settled, they were all going. Including Steve.

And as pathetic as it is, he was a bit nervous. Steve was wallowing in his nerves when he sensed eyes on him, “What?” Dustin rolled his eyes, “Geezzus, Steve. Please pay attention, this is important!” He ragged lightly, pushing on Steve’s shoulder. “We were asking about the first times we all can remember going trick or treating!” And the blush rose to his face. He opened his mouth and closed it a few times, trying to figure out how to break the news.

And suddenly Robin lit up in remembrance. “Oh my god. OH MY GOD. That’s right! He’s never been trick or treating.” She’d screeched, heads whipping around from all directions, effectively making Steve shrink in his seat. There was an overlapping of words, and commotion, all sounding something vaguely blasphemous and cursing in Steve's direction.

He shushed them with a simple hand wave.

“It’s not that I didn’t want to go! No one would take me.” He started off light, voice wavering as he finished his sentence. And boy that was almost worse than the group finding out he hadn’t gone in the first place.

Eddie clapped his hands. “Alright! We have…” He counted on his fingers “approximately seven days to figure out what we’re going as!” He cheered, everyone joining in save for Robin and Steve who side-eyed each other, sharing a small giggle at the use of approximate.

—----

It was five days later that Steve found himself in a Walmart looking through clothes and odds and ends with Robin to find something for their costumes. The older kids were going as the “Breakfast Club” gang and appropriately Steve was Claire, because of course, of course, Eddie was Bender. Because who else would he be? Steve fought hard for Nancy to be Claire, but to no avail. She was going as the little nerd boy, Steve couldn’t be bothered to remember his name no matter how many times Nancy yelled it at him, exhaustedly. Jonathan was going as the jock, to which Steve laughed at the irony for longer than appropriate, earning him smacks to the back of the head. (To which earned Jon a chasting to “Be careful! He’s got enough brain damage!”)

So Yeah. Here they were in the middle of the Women’s underwear section of a Walmart, getting enough side eyes as it is, save for the loud grumbling coming from Robin. “Just chill, Rob! You pretty much dress like her already, anyway!” Which was the wrong thing to say because he got a bra lobbed at his face in response. Chucking it away from him at lightning speed as a disgruntled mother made a disgusted face in his direction. He flashed her the “Steve Smile,” before turning to Robin and whispering harshly, “Can we please go?!” She rolled her eyes, grabbing a pair of fishnet stockings and tossing them into the basket, along with the pale pink shirt from Steve’s costume.

As much as they both hate to admit it, they only really needed the finishing touches to their costumes, having had most of the garments in their own closets. And it’d really take forever to get Steve to admit he took clothes out of Robin’s closet. Mainly socks, but still.

And on the other side, Eddie didn’t have to shop to look like Bender, he’ll all he had to do was tweak his daily dress. Jonathan had most of the stuff, just having to do his hair up and having to begrudgingly ask Steve to borrow his letterman jacket. Nancy didn’t have to shop at all, much like Eddie, though she did have to go into Mike's closet and mess with her hair for a bit to get the right look. She thought to herself at least 4 times during the whole ordeal that she was going to go 60’s and just cut her hair off.

The younger kids were going as the GhostBusters Crew. With Will as Winston, because of the “W” he claimed, when really it’s because he didn’t want a repeat of what happened the last time. Max was the receptionist, Janine, plotting Lucas as Egon, for…. Obvious reasons. Mike and Dustin fought over who was going to be Venkman, which eventually landed on Dustin for his argument that Mike has already been Venkman once. Mike fought for El to be Dana, but she was too dead set on being the ghost.

When they shared that with the older kids, Steve let out a giggle, fist bumping El and saying “That’s what I would’ve picked too.” That same night, it had been determined that Mike’s neighborhood was the best for trick or treating, due to the large population of young, middle class families. The game plan was to start out there, and see where the night takes them, Eddie in charge of bringing Max, and Steve in charge of bringing everyone else. El was going to be spending the night, so she would already be there, along with Will.

—--------

It had hit the 31st, and the morning air was cool, and crisp.

And to be completely honest, Steve was almost shaking in anticipation. Like that guy- girl, from that weirdly erotic movie Robin made him watch. He’d liked it, but it was still weird. In fact, he had pushed for that to be their group costume but the idea was outvoted by the breakfast club idea. He thought about guilt tripping them into it, putting on a whole show and whining about how it was his first halloween, but he refrained. If there was one thing Steve wasn’t, it was a brat. Most of the time.

The day went by slowly, too slowly in Steve’s opinion, he was probably more excited than he should be, but he couldn’t help it. He paced practically the whole day. So when it finally hit Five O’clock, he practically jumped out of his skin, packing his bag with his costume and racing out the door. He couldn’t keep the child like smile off his face, no matter how hard he tried.

By the time they all reached the Wheeler house, it was 6 pm, and the excited vibration had turned into a contagious buzz. Everyone was getting gradually excited with Steve, especially El, who was also celebrating her first proper Halloween.

They ate dinner, and shimmied into their respective costumes, Mrs. Wheeler took as many pictures as she could manage, with Jonathan assisting. “You guys are just SO cute!” Mrs. Wheeler bubbled, laughing brightly. “Say cheese everyone!” she cheered, gathering the teens and young adults all into frame, “This is going to be a keeper!” She said, and the flash went off with a bright crack.

“Okay, okay. Now everyone stay together, a-and don’t wander off! Oh! And if you feel unsafe, come home right away, okay!” She rambled as she ushered everyone out the door, pressing a kiss to both Mike and Nancy’s foreheads.

The group trotted down the road, waving at the other costumed groups, and eventually wandered up to their first house. Steve was pushed to the front, and he couldn’t help but feel the anxiety well up in his throat.

He moved to turn back and let one of the kids do it but he was blocked and spun back around by his very own Bender. “Nope! You gotta do it! It’s the rite of passage princess,” The metal head teased, pushing the pink clad man towards the door.

He knocked with a shaky hand, and was met with a calm hand on his shoulder from Robin, who winked at him. The door swung open, “Trick or treat!” The group chimed, almost in unison. And the lady answering the door did a double take, which looking back was actually quite funny.

“Well I’ll be! Steve Harrington! Now I have been waiting to see you out here for years!” She gushed, and a bright smile etched its way onto his face. “Yup! It’s his first time!” Dustin said, with a cheeky grin. And the old woman, who was soft and what Steve expected a Grandma to look like, reached out and pinched his cheek. “Well, well. Let's see what we have here.” She squinted at the group, pointing at each one of them and naming their costumes, only faltering once she reached El. “Ghost.” Was all she said. And the lady smiled yet another cheery smile and said, “Well. I guess those ghostbusters are doing a pretty good job then!” Finishing the interaction by dropping candy into each of their bags and buckets. El and Steve had been graced with classic pumpkin pails, while the rest carried pillowcases. At first El had tried to argue saying that a pillow case would fit way more candy, but was appeased by her brothers assuring her that they could share.

Overall, the night was a huge success.

The first house really set the tone and interactions only went up from there! There were a few side eyes towards the odd group, from parents who were walking with their young kids, but Eddie convinced them all to just wave them off. It was sweet, and Steve means that both literally and figuratively.

They make it back to the Wheelers all in one piece with no complications, and began the mandatory candy sort and trade session that took much longer than Steve anticipated. With candy sorted and put back into respective owners possessions, they switched on a movie, and snacked on their collections. It was a puppy pile of siblings and friends, and it was the safest any of them had ever felt at night.

It wasn’t supposed to be a sleepover, but with bellies full of candy, they couldn’t help but start to doze, and when a snore rumbled from the throat of their beloved babysitter, they knew they weren’t going anywhere. A quick call to home to avoid panicking mothers, and everyone was settled in for the night.

It was nice for them all to see a day full of spookiness and not terror, or a fear of losing their lives. A successful Samhain indeed.

#steve harrington #stranger things #robin buckley #eddie munson #best friend robin #halloween #trick or treat #gen fluff #soft steve harrington #soft eddie munson #soft robin buckley #soft soft soft soft #wholesome #wholesome fic #post vecna #eddie lives