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skyler10fic · 11 months

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Sweet Like Honey: Ch. 2 Pool Party

Summary:

Carol and Daisy meet some fellow guests at the pool (a few original and a few faces from the MCU), including giving Kate Bishop some bisexual encouragement and hope for her future.

Notes: This chapter is pure queer fluff, so if smut isn’t your thing, this one is for you.

Read on Ao3

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After lunch and some sun lounging, they made their way to the pool. They weren’t alone, though. More queer couples and groups floated around, gathered in corners, or relaxed in the hot tub.

One of the guys called out to the others as they stepped in. “We have newcomers!”

Daisy and Carol exchanged a look. They weren’t expecting this to be a social club.

“I’m David,” he introduced himself to them and pointed to the others. “That’s Harry, my partner, then we have Kate, Trish, and Sharon. Jessica is too cool for us so she’s over there hiding in the shade. Then Matteo, Braydon, Joey, and Anderson. Hot tub crew is the enbies: Casey, Flynn, and Sequoia.”

Daisy and Carol waved and said hello to the other guests whose names they had already forgotten. David was joined by Harry and some of the women.

“I’m Carol, and this is my wife, Daisy. How do you all know each other?” Carol asked. Before, she had assumed that they were all strangers, but clearly she and Daisy had interrupted some sort of gathering.

“Technically, we don’t,” one of the blond ones, Sharon, said cryptically.

Kate, a young brunette in a flamingo float ring, rolled her eyes. “We say what happens at Pegasus stays at Pegasus. Like Fire Island or Dinah Shore. Or so they tell me. I haven’t been to those yet. But the point is, not everyone you meet is 100% out yet, but here, you can be whoever you wanna be.” Kate smiled and traced her fingers whimsically over the water’s surface.

Daisy admitted, “We’ve never been to those either. Do you all meet up for vacation?”

David spoke up with his chin in the air. “Only because I am a master planner. If I didn’t, we’d never see each other again. Most of us met here in college, but we switch up the vacay location every year. It’s Harry and I’s 10th-anniversary trip, so we came back to where it all started.”

“I’m new too,” Kate explained. “I’m Trish’s cousin. She brought me as a college graduation trip before I start work. How about you two? First timers? What’s your story?”

Jessica sighed at Kate’s enthusiasm from where she sat on the pool wall in the shade. “Maybe their story is they came to the pool to relax and want you to leave them alone.”

Daisy dismissed Jessica’s comment. “No, no. It’s fine. It’s our honeymoon, and yes, our first time to the Cape in general for both of us.”

David slapped the water with his palms. “Shut up! First time here ever? Okay, we are here for you. What have you done so far?”

Carol tried to remember the name of the restaurant. “Um, we went to a fish place on the boardwalk down there?” She gestured to the area with all the restaurants along the shore.

Harry blinked. “Girl. That’s, like, all of them.”

Carol looked to Daisy for help, but Daisy just shrugged and said, “It was a long day. Week, really. Months. We started planning our wedding in February.”

“Of this year?!” David shrieked. “What?!”

“That’s a lot of work,” Trish affirmed.

Kate bounced in her flamingo ring. “Ooo I love weddings! Tell us about it! No, wait, tell us how your story of how you met and got together. Then the wedding.”

Daisy glanced at Carol and started, “We also met in college and were part of the same group of friends, then we got closer just the two of us and fell in love…”

“But I wasn’t out to my super homophobic parents yet. Then after we graduated, I lived with my best friend to help her with her little girl, my goddaughter.”

“But then,” Daisy picked up, “they moved out to a house and my roommate got married to another one of our friends, so I asked Carol to move in with me a year and a half ago at Christmas, and then a year later, last Christmas, we got engaged.”

Sharon asked, “Christmas proposal, nice. Who proposed?” Carol could tell she was trying to discern the dynamics of their relationship.

“We both did,” Carol answered, smiling at Daisy. “We had the same idea. I got her a ring and put it in her stocking, and she did the same for me with her grandmother’s engagement ring.”

“Aw, that’s adorable,” the others gushed.

“Not these, obviously,” Daisy explained. She held out her left hand with the silicone ring.

“Good,” David sassed. “Because whew, I’d be trying to figure out how to tell you, honey, your grandma lied.”

They laughed as Carol held out her left hand next to Daisy’s. “No,” Carol confirmed. “These we got from a queer-owned outdoors company. They were exactly what we needed.”

Upon closer inspection, the pool group saw that Carol’s was orange, white, pink, and maroon marbled and Daisy’s was purple, blue, and pink.

“Are those your Pride flag colors? That’s so cute,” Kate cooed. “I want one! Not as like a wedding ring. Just for the bi flag like that.”

Carol winked. “Catch me later and I’ll send you the link.”

“Okay!” Kate got them back on track. “So after the mutual proposal, which is adorable, by the way, then what happened?”

Of all of them, Kate and her genuine curiosity and friendliness charmed Carol most.

David spotted the bar was empty and led his entourage to the pool stairs. Only Kate stayed behind, eager to continue their conversation and hear more about the wedding.

“We’re getting drinks,” he said, looking back over his shoulder at Daisy and Carol. “Come if you want to.”

Daisy turned to Carol and touched her arm. “I could use a drink. Want me to get you something?” Her eyes flickered to Kate, signaling that they were clearly hitting it off and she didn’t want to take her away from her new admirer.

“That mango margarita on the sign? Or something like that. You know what I like.” Carol shrugged.

Daisy smiled and waggled her eyebrows in silly suggestiveness. “Yeah, I do.”

She climbed the stairs out of the pool with a little extra swing in her hips, knowing Carol was watching as she emerged from the water with her bikini clinging to her body.

“Hashtag goals,” Kate sighed. “Both of you. Hey, can I ask you a question?”

“Shoot.” Carol led them to the corner of the pool, and she leaned back and rested her arms over the side casually. For someone who got married two days ago, Carol was already feeling like a queer big sister to Kate.

“So, Daisy’s bi like me, right? That’s why she had that ring specifically?”

“Yep.”

“Do you ever worry—this is dumb, sorry.” Kate hid her face in her flamingo.

“No, go ahead, we’ve been together for a long time. I promise we’ve heard it before. And if it can help you, it’s worth asking.”

Kate looked off to the side and started again. “My last girlfriend broke up with me because she didn’t trust that she was really enough. She’d see me with boys and get so paranoid that I was going to leave her or cheat on her with my best guy friend because she thought it was easier for me being with him and pretending to be straight. She said I ‘acted straight’ with him. But I didn’t feel anything like that for him. I loved her so much, but no matter what I said, she didn’t believe me.” Kate sniffed and swallowed back her emotions. “Sorry, I don’t know why I’m telling you all this.”

Carol frowned and lightly touched Kate’s forearm for a second to get her attention back away from her fresh memories of heartbreak. “Hey. That sucks. I’m so sorry to hear that. That’s her problem, not yours.”

Kate nodded, so Carol continued.

“And to answer your question, no. It was hard to believe at first that we could be happy because I’d had so much fear about my future and about being gay, but I don’t doubt Daisy when she says she loves me or worry she’d leave me. And definitely not cheat. She’s had every opportunity to find someone else or say this was too hard. My parents cut off contact and kicked me out when I came out to them, but Daisy and her family became my family too. Even long before I came out to my parents, they basically adopted me.”

“Really?” Kate listened with interest.

“After that night, telling my parents about us, I literally walked to their house in the snow on Christmas Eve and they took me in,” Carol recalled. It had only been a year and a half, but it seemed so long ago now. “But don’t worry. The right person will accept all of you.”

“Even being bi? Girls don’t trust me, but guys think it is some sort of kink or about having threesomes or something.”

“Yeah, especially before we were engaged and had rings, sometimes guys would hit on one of us, assuming we’re just friends and not together like that. We laugh about it, but it sucks too. But my point is, she’s had plenty of offers if she wanted to find a guy, but she wants me and I trust her. I look at it this way,” Carol explained. “Out of everyone, of any gender, she chose me. She could have anyone she wanted, and she wants us. That’s true love.”

Daisy returned with their drinks, and Carol pushed herself up to sit next to her on the side of the pool with their feet in the water.

“I only heard the last bit about having anyone I wanted and something being true love,” Daisy confessed. “At least, I assume it was me? What are you two talking about?”

“Kate is bi too and she’s faced some really bad biphobia,” Carol explained.

Daisy sent Kate a look of sympathy. “Oh man, that sucks. I’m sorry. I’ve been there.”

Carol continued, “She asked if I ever worried about you leaving me for a man, which is what her ex-girlfriend was worried about.”

“And why she broke up with me.” Kate traced her finger in the water mournfully.

“And what did you say?” Daisy asked Carol, intrigued, and took a sip of her pink frozen cocktail.

“I said a girl worthy of her will feel honored that she chose her out of everyone,” Carol repeated, slightly paraphrasing to emphasize the lesson to Kate, though she was talking to Daisy. “I told her you could have anyone you wanted. But you’re mine.”

“And you’re mine,” Daisy returned in contentment and put her free hand on Carol’s knee. “My wife.”

Kate observed them with hope and heartache mixing in her big eyes and furrowed brow. “You didn’t ever wonder if life would be easier with a man?”

“God no. First, men are not easier. The problems are just different,” Daisy scoffed before adding more seriously. “Second, it’s not us who need to change. It’s the world. Yeah, life would be easier without homophobia and biphobia. That’s the enemy. Not each other. And third, she’s worth it. Sure, I’d die for her, but what’s more important is the life we share. That kind of life isn’t about what’s easy. It’s about what’s worth fighting for.”

Carol couldn’t help but peck a kiss to Daisy’s cheek. She moved her drink to her left hand and covered Daisy’s hand on her knee with her right.

Daisy giggled as her hand reflexively stiffened under Carol’s. “Oh my god. Your fingers are so cold from holding your drink.”

“So is yours!” Carol defended but moved her hand and didn’t know where else to put it. Daisy grabbed it with hers and intertwined their fingers.

“It’s okay, we’ll warm each other up,” Daisy said, satisfied at their object lesson for Kate of what true love looked like. “When you find your person, labels and fears don’t matter so much if you know from a million little things that you can trust them to be there.”

“Thanks,” Kate said. “For listening and for talking to me about this stuff. You guys have helped more than any of them all week.” She nodded to where David and company were lounging on the deck chairs. Trish called to her.

“What?” Kate called back and made her way over to the opposite side of the pool. Trish offered to buy Kate a drink if she’d get her a refill too. With that deal, Kate said goodbye to Carol and Daisy and headed over to the bar.

Alone again, Daisy leaned in and said quietly, “Did you notice the guys’ names were Harry and David?”

“What?”

“Like the fruit baskets. You know, those pear and apple boxes vendors send to the office at Christmas.”

Carol laughed and tried not to spit out her drink. “Is it offensive if we start calling their group the fruit box?”

Daisy thought for a second. “Hm, or even more specific… How about the pears?”

“The As and Ps, the apples and pears society.” Carol bumped Daisy’s shoulder with her own.

Daisy laughed and bumped her back. Carol put down her drink and tickled Daisy’s bare side with her cold fingers.

“Don’t! Don’t. You’re gonna make me spill my drink.” Daisy laughed but got up and moved away, protective of her pink margarita slushie, and Carol pouted.

“Come back! I promise I won’t.”

Daisy gave her another chance, and, as soon as she was back, Carol pulled her in for a kiss, just because she could with no hesitations or dread of judgmental looks from strangers here. Somehow, their cold fingers didn’t bother each other this time.

Carol pulled away from the kiss slowly but still kept her attention fully focused on Daisy.

“What are you thinking about?” Daisy asked, noting the pride in Carol’s expression.

Carol shook her head slightly. “Just so glad we’re the ones giving that talk now.”

“I didn’t think we ever needed that talk?” Daisy tilted her head. “At least I didn’t. Did you?”

“Okay, I didn’t know enough about queer stereotypes to need that talk specifically,” Carol confessed. “But I just meant like, being the mentors. Giving hope to the youth. True love lives!”

Daisy giggled. “The youth? She’s like three, four years younger than us?”

“Graduation feels like a lifetime ago.”

“True that.” Daisy raised her glass and Carol toasted it. To all the life experiences they’d been through since then: internships ended and jobs started, a post-grad degree completed and another abandoned, family gained and lost, tears cried and comfort given, fights and compromises, the ache of time apart and frustration of too much time in each other’s space, the reunion sex and the makeup sex and the lazy Saturday slow-burn sex just because they could. From anxious nights in a dorm wondering if they could make it work and someday have what they only dared to dream about to the blissful but real post-wedding exhaustion now.

They drank their frozen cocktails and enjoyed observing the other guests. It was rare to be in a place so predominantly queer. Like on the boardwalk the night before, they could relax here.

“I can tell why they keep coming back,” Daisy admitted and nodded to David’s group as they gathered up their stuff to leave and went back to their rooms. “It’s different than a normal vacation.”

“Yeah, we don’t normally see that, for instance.” Carol gestured with her near-empty drink to the hot tub off to their right, where the androgynous 20- and 30-somethings they had been introduced to earlier had been replaced by two large, graying men, whose kisses were turning more and more passionate. Their wet T-shirts came off, and Daisy and Carol averted their gazes to allow them some privacy.

The only one left from David’s group was Jessica, who was far on the other side of the pool on the deck chairs with her sunglasses on and earbuds in with a book on her chest.

“Either napping or pretending to nap so no one will bother her. Smart,” Carol remarked. “Seems like a good idea to me. What do you say, time to go back inside?”

Daisy yawned in response at the mere suggestion. “Yeah, I guess so. The sun is making me sleepy. And the alcohol.”

They toweled off, slipped on their flip-flops, and put their empty glasses on a return tray at the bar, then headed up to their room for showers and a nap before they needed to get ready for their fancy dinner reservation at the resort restaurant.

#daisy johnson #carol danvers #aos #agents of shield #captain marvel #daisy x carol #carol x daisy #wlw #sapphic fic #femslash #lesbian carol danvers #bisexual daisy johnson #skywriting #honeymoon #kate bishop #tw: biphobia #(Mentioned but not active in the chapter)

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schrijverr · 1 year

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Life Is Ours, We Live It Our Way 7

Chapter 7 out of 18

Genderqueer Stevie with platonic soulmates Robin and Eddie living their best queer life.

In this chapter, Will and Eddie have a talk, before he apologizes to Stevie. Later the party has a movie night and Stevie comes out to the kids as bisexual. Meanwhile, everyone is making plans for thanksgiving.

On AO3.

Ships: none

Warnings: Stevie's childhood mention, talks about biphobia and dysphoria and misgendering that comes with not being out.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Coming Out

No one is saying anything to the revelation Eddie just dropped. Will is staring at him with big, shocked eyes, but also like he’s in awe. The other boys are still processing and even Erica doesn’t seem to have a reply to it.

Stevie can see Eddie tense up as he starts to worry, so he steps in like Eddie has been doing for her and says: “Thank you, Eddie, for trusting us with that. I’m proud of you for sharing.”

Then he turns and gives each of the kids a glare that shows he means business and they need to get their acts together right now. She has never been more grateful that they decide to listen to her as they trip over themselves to assure Eddie it’s fine.

She can see how the stress and anxiety leaves Eddie’s body as they assure him. By the time they calm down he’s smiling again.

“Alright, alright,” Eddie says, blushing a bit as he swats away their attention. “Thanks for being cool. I get it. Thank you really. Now I propose we take a bit of a break, gather ourselves. Sound good?”

After everything that happened no one is in the arguing mood, so they all quickly agree.

Stevie makes sure to get out of there, before he can get dragged away by one of the kids, demanding answers or something. So, he makes his way to Robin, who is reading on the couch, walkman playing loudly.

When she sees Stevie she knows something must have happened by the look on his face. She takes her headphones off with a frown and asks: “Taking a break already? What happened?”

He falls down, practically on top of her, shuffling them so that she can be on top, since she knows how Robin hates being restrained. Needing to hold her and decompress. It’ll do nothing to dissuade the couple notion, which is good, though he doesn’t know why she feels so bad about it.

Softly she repeats to Robin what just went down at the table, letting Robin comfort him. In the background, he hears Eddie says: “Byers, with me. We need to have a little talk, okay?”

~ Eddie’s POV ~

Eddie is still slightly shaking. Holy shit. He just came out to the kids. Fuck. They at least took it well, so that’s nice. He’s been terrified about it for months, started playing with the idea after Stevie tested the waters. However, actually doing it? Fucking scary.

Still, there’s a relief there too. Because they were chill like he and Stevie predicted and now Eddie doesn’t feel like he has to put up some sort of performance. To tiptoe around who he is.

But the how it happens bothers him. It makes his skin crawl, really, to remember how Stevie froze up at Will’s words. How she’d panicked, eyes flicking to where Robin was reading, before turning back to Will and having to take it to protect Robin. The hurt in his eyes and the desperation as he failed to find a good yet safe explanation.

This is amplified when he calls for a break – needing one himself too honestly – and Stevie immediately stumbles away and into Robin’s arms.

“Byers, with me. We need to have a little talk, okay?” he calls out to the kid, knowing they need to clear the air, before they can continue the game.

Will looks like he would rather do anything else, but follows Eddie to the back porch anyway, falling into one of the chairs and looking down. He’s sulking in the way only fifteen year olds can do.

“You know why I want to talk right now?” Eddie asks.

“Because Steve is your favorite and you’re mad because I got mad at him,” Will answers, crossing his arms. He’s obviously still on the defensive.

Eddie sighs and sits down himself. He knows this is a delicate situation and he has to watch what he says, while also making Will understand that he’s with him but that what he did was very much not okay at all.

“That’s partially it,” he says. “I don’t do favorites, but I am mad about you yelling at Stevie like you did. I know that you’re feeling angry and hurt, probably betrayed even, but that doesn’t excuse how you nearly outed him in there.”

“What are you talking about? You saw what he did last time when he flirted with the barman,” Will frowns. “Everyone was there.”

Ah, there is where this has gotten crossed in his brain, Eddie gets it. Kindly he says: “That he did, yes. But in the game.”

He can see a bit of horror in Will’s eyes as he starts to understand. Eddie can’t know how Will connects the words to the advice Stevie had given him about coming out to his mother.

“Stevie told me he confirmed it with you later. Only with you,” Eddie gently explains. “He trusted you with that part of himself, because he thought you needed to hear it. If you said anything about yourself to him, then I never heard it, because he understands it’s not his place to do that. But you threw that in his face.”

“But I- I didn’t mean it like that. He told everyone last time,” Will replies, his voice is shaking as it comes crashing down on him. Guilt eating him up.

“No, he said Sir Stephen did that,” Eddie reminds him. “He kept it in the game, so that he could deny it if necessary. He isn’t ready to tell the others yet. And when he is ready, that's for him to tell them, not you. You really hurt him there.”

“God, I’m a terrible person,” Will exclaims, a few tears leaking from his face. “He must be so mad at me right now. He’s never going to forgive me.”

“I think he will,” Eddie tells him. Knowing Stevie, she already has honestly. “He loves you kids so much, he can’t stay mad, even if he was. But you might need to apologize to him, let him know you didn’t mean it.”

“I didn’t, honest,” Will quickly agrees. “He was just telling me all these things and then he shows up with a girlfriend all of a sudden.”

Eddie puts an arm on Will’s shoulder, before he can work himself into a panic, and says: “Hey, I understand. I get it, I do. But Stevie is bisexual. He can like girls and if he likes Robin, then he’s allowed to date her.” God, it’s weird to think of those actually being together, but he needs to sell it for Robbie. “That doesn’t make him less queer. He still gets the struggles. He knows. Trust me, kid.”

“I feel so bad now,” Will whispers, ears burning with shame.

“And it’s no use letting it tear you up,” Eddie says. “It happened. You can’t change that. However, you can learn from this and apologize to Stevie. How does that sound?”

“Good,” Will nods.

“That’s good to hear,” Eddie smiles, hugging Will. “I get it. Just take a moment. You need it. Do you want me to send Stevie to here so you can talk?”

“I would love that. Thank you,” Will says. “Also, sorry for being a dick during the game.”

“You’re forgiven,” Eddie says easily. He has been a kid himself after all. He knows that you have to learn these things, that sometimes you haven’t learned to control your emotions yet. That you just need some time.

In the end, Eddie is mostly glad he was there to step in before it went wrong and someone got outed and hurt. Glad he’s there to tell Will, before he can do it again.

~End Eddie’s POV ~

“He’ll come around,” Robin is assuring her, rubbing her cheek as they lie on the couch. Vaguely Stevie is aware of the kids fluttering around, pointedly not coming too close after the whole mess of emotions at the table. But he can’t really bring himself to care.

She’s startled out of her thoughts by a hand landing on his shoulder. He looks to the side and Eddie is kneeling next to the couch. His eyes are worried as he asks: “You okay, sweetheart?”

“Yeah,” Stevie assures him softly. “Just surprised me. Robbie’s been keeping the kids away, I’m more grateful than I should be for that. I don’t know what they’re going to say or what they’re thinking. It’s scary.”

“I know what Will is going to say,” Eddie offers.

Stevie perks up at that, remembering what she heard as she laid down. He asks: “What’s he gonna say? Did your talk go okay?”

“It went well, princess, don’t worry. Will is very sorry about what just happened and wants to apologize,” Eddie informs him and it’s like a burden has been removed from his shoulders. “He’s waiting on the back porch. I told him I’d get you. Now, I know you have that big heart, but don’t tell him it’s okay, sweetheart. You’re allowed to be hurt.”

“I don’t want to be mad at him,” Stevie says softly. “I get it. I would be confused too.”

“And I’m not saying you have to hold a grudge,” Eddie replies. “You can forgive him if that feels right. All I’m trying to say is that you’re allowed to be upset at him, Stevie, and you don’t have to pretend like you don’t have emotions to comfort him.”

Stevie doesn’t really agree with that, it hurt but he can take it. It wasn’t Will’s fault that he is Robin’s beard and that made it confusing.

“I’m with Eddie here,” Robin pipes up. “You’re this amazing mom and you always put them first and that’s great. Very you. But you also have feelings, Stevie. That’s okay.”

He’s quiet for a second, the sighs: “I guess,” which makes both Eddie and Robin smile.

“Now, go talk to Will and we can talk to the kids,” Eddie offer.

“We?” Robin protests. “They’re scary. Erica can, like, eat me. I don’t deserve to be eaten by children. I’m too young to go like that.”

That makes Stevie laugh, snorting in a very unflattering manner with Eddie joining in. They both laugh at an indignant Robin for a bit. Then Stevie gets herself under control and asks: “What will you tell them?”

“Nothing you don’t want me to,” Eddie promises. “Just that you and Will had a misunderstanding and made up now. And that they need to shut up about it if they want to survive the campaign. Robs will be your supportive girlfriend backing me up.”

Both Stevie and Robin pull a face at that. No matter how much they love each other and how close they are, people talking about them like they’re together is still weird. Though something they will have to get used to.

But she is grateful to Eddie for doing that for her. He smiles: “That would be nice. Thanks.”

“Hey, no problem, princess,” Eddie smiles back, before patting his leg and getting up. “Now, go talk with Will the Currently-Not-So-Wise.” And with that, they split ways.

When he gets outside, Will is looking very small, kind of like that time in ‘84 when he’d been taken over by the mind flayer. A pang of sympathy goes through him as he sits down. “Hey there, baby Byers. Eddie said you wanted to talk.”

Will looks up at her, guilt in his eyes turning to tears as he says: “I’m so, so sorry, Steve. I swear, I didn’t mean to out you.”

Stevie is able to ignore the name, just feeling connected to the kid. He knows firsthand how hard it can be. Where she isolated herself and floated away, Will became angry. It’s natural. The kid could use a bit more bite and to stand up for himself, it’s just a pity that it had been directed at Stevie when he finally did.

“Come here,” she offers, holding out his arms so that Will can fall into them. Something the teen does eagerly.

For a moment, Stevie holds him like he’d done on Halloween. They sway a bit, before Stevie murmurs into the top of Will’s head: “I’m not going to say it didn’t hurt, it did. I shared it with you to help you and it hurts that you don’t trust be to be honest with you, that you think I would lie to you about that.”

“I’m sorry,” Will replies, speaking into her chest. “I- I was just so happy that I wasn’t alone and that you were nice about it that I- I just got angry when I saw you with Robin. It just felt like you left me alone again. And I know that’s stupid now and I got mad at you for no reason and that’s really unfair and I’m so sorry.”

“I forgive you, kid, promise,” Stevie assures him. “All of this is so fucking hard when you think you’re alone and I can’t image what it feels like to think that has been taken from you.”

“Still, I never meant to make you feel like you faked it or something,” Will says. “I hadn’t even realized until Eddie reminded me that you can like girls too and that doesn’t mean you’re not still one of us.”

“Thank you, I’m glad to hear you say that,” Stevie smiles, holding Will closer.

God, the kid doesn’t even know how fucking queer Stevie is, even by gay standards is what she’s doing a lot. But he has learned not to care. Eddie and Robin have been accepting and he has Madame Tucker in the city. He has found people that accept her and that’s enough.

“It’s all just about finding your people,” Stevie says, pulling away so that she can look Will in the eyes as she presses: “I hope you won’t forget that I’m you people. I’m in your corner. Always. Talk to me next time, alright?”

“Of course,” Will promises. “Again sorry and thank you for letting me sort my stuff out and letting me apologize for my shit behavior.”

“Not a problem. If anyone knows the importance of second chances, it’s me,” Stevie says. “I don’t know if Jonathan ever told you about our fight when you were missing.” Will shakes his head. “I called him a queer,” Stevie admits. She has never told anyone, too ashamed of it now. “Bit ironic in hindsight, isn’t it?” Will nods. “Anyway, I learned to be better than that asshole. And let me tell you, that guy? Much worse than you are, you’re gonna be fine. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you, mom,” Will says again. “I won’t forget.”

“Good,” Stevie smiles. “Now how about we play some more DnD? I’ve heard Eddie mumble all day and if we don’t find out what’s in the dungeon I might rip my hair out.”

Will giggles and nods, returning to the boy Stevie has known these past three years. It’s good to see him again as they make their way back.

The others are all seated around the table, Eddie at the head, smiling reassuringly at them, which calms Stevie’s nerves. She can’t place the looks yet and it’s a bit unnerving. Surprisingly it’s Will, who breaks the silence: “Sorry for being a dick about nothing. I hope we can continue to play like normal.”

Dustin, Eric and Lucas assure him they can, but Mike raises his brows, looking suspiciously between the two. He asks: “You sure?”

“Yeah, I was in the wrong,” Will admits easily. He has always been the most emotionally mature out of them all and Stevie is incredibly grateful for that now.

Mike looks like he’s about to protest, but Eddie kicks his foot under the table, a move that is totally obvious with how he has to slouch to reach all the way there. Stevie snorts at it while Mike grumbles something agreeable.

It’s again a bit tense at first, but soon Mike misses a stealth check and miserably fails, flailing like an idiot. This has them all cracking up as they go back to normal and play for the rest of the night like usual.

At one point Robin comes in to complain that she’s hungry and Stevie has to make her favorite snack. He rolls his eyes, but Eddie calls a break and immediately demands that Stevie makes his favorite too. So, Stevie makes special popcorn for both, as well as a bunch for the kids.

When it’s time to leave, the kids put up their usual protest, none of them willing to leave yet. It’s nice to see them back like that. However, Stevie has to put his foot down.

This time Eddie is driving too, since their parents hadn’t driven them to school they have their bikes with them. Stevie can take one bike, so he’s taking the two Sinclairs and Will again, while Eddie drops off Mike and Dustin. Stevie is supposed to take Robin too, but she says: “No, I’m staying here. I told my mom I’d be with you. You can stay over too?”

She gives her eyes she’s never been able to say no to and both of them know he has nothing better to do. So, he just shrugs: “You checked with Eds if it’s okay?”

“Course, he said he slept well with us there and he can probably use the support after today,” she tells her and that’s all the convincing he needs.

He first drops of the Sinclairs and then it’s just him and Will again. They drive in companionable silence for a few moments, before Will says: “I was thinking about coming out to my mom and stuff.”

“Yeah?” Stevie replies, managing the right balance between interested and supportive to prompt Will more.

“I told her I read about Elton John being gay when his song was on the radio,” Will explains. “And she seemed nice about it. I want to be able to talk to her about this stuff, you know. I guess that has been putting me on edge.”

“That’s okay,” Stevie says. “Remember when I was out of it in July and August?” Will nods. “That was me figuring myself out. Everyone reacts differently.”

“You seem happier now,” Will notes.

“I got lucky with people who support me,” Stevie says honestly. “That makes all the difference in how you feel. And being comfortable with who you are. That’s the most important, becoming home in your own skin.”

“Yeah,” Will agrees. “California was really good for me in that regard. The school was much bigger and no one really knew us, so I found a bit more of myself.”

“That’s so good to hear, kid,” Stevie smiles.

“So what do you think? About telling my mom, I mean,” Will asks.

Stevie bites his lip, she doesn’t have any experience here. Deciding honesty is the best road, he replies: “I don’t know. I don’t have that relationship with my parents, they’re never going to know, but Joyce is different. She loves you very much. If you have faith, then I trust your judgment. In the end, you know what’s best for you.”

Will sighs, slumping in his seat. “I don’t know either.”

“Do you think you can tell El?” Stevie asks. “You’ve lived with her for a year, you’ve gotten closer, right?”

“Why?”

“Well – and I hate how we have to look at this – but strategically, she hasn’t grown up around the same bullshit as us, so she won’t be judgmental. You can explain to it her. Or let me explain it to her if that will make you more comfortable,” Stevie explains. “El also isn’t your mom, so if it’s bad, she won’t have the same emotional hurt. Think of it as a test run. Besides, if she is cool – which is more likely – you’ll have super powered back up.”

Will mulls it over, then says: “I guess you’re right. Thanks.” He’s quiet for a beat. “Will it always have to be like this when coming out? Like some sort of war meeting?”

He sounds defeated and Stevie’s heart breaks for him. “Hopefully not one day. And in some spaces there is already the acceptance. Once you’re old enough, I’ll take you to the big city. We can go to a gay club and you can be yourself. I promise.”

“A gay club?” Will repeats, sounding excited and surprised. “You’ve been to a gay club?”

“Contrary to popular belief, I do have a life,” Stevie laughs, Will joining in.

There’s a short silence, then Will says: “Would you talk to El for me?”

“Sure,” Stevie agrees easily. “Do you have a timeline in mind? Because I’ve been thinking about coming out to the whole party, Max and El too. Just not Hopper and Joyce yet. If I do that, it’ll be less suspicious for you.”

“You have?” Will asks.

“Yeah,” Stevie answers, though it’s the first time she’s admitted it like that. “I don’t know, I feel like I’ve found a piece of myself and I want to share that. I’m looking to move out, get a place of my own. I’m carving out my little spot and I want the people I care about to be part of that. Plus, I want to be able to tell Dustin that I only watch Star Wars because Han Solo is hot. His reaction will be hilarious.”

He covers up the serious with a joke, but it works as Will laughs and agrees that that will be funny and he must wait until Will can witness it.

“Well, I don’t have a timeline yet,” Will answers the earlier question. “But thank you.”

“I told you I would be looking out for you,” Stevie says as they pull up to the Byers house. Hopper waiting on the porch as he smokes. “Say hi to them from me. Bye.”

“Bye, will do!” Will greets him, running up to the house, looking more settled and at ease then when Stevie picked him up. She did well.

At Eddie’s bungalow, Robin is already waiting by the door alongside Eddie, van parked haphazardly in the driveway. Stevie easily pulls up next to it and gets out, asking: “How are you two? Eddie?”

“I’m doing good,” Eddie assures her. “Now get in here before you catch a cold. It’s fucking November.”

“And what about me?” Robin pouts. “Why does Eddie get a special shout out? Don’t you love your girlfriend?”

“Stop that,” Stevie grimaces. “You don’t get special girlfriend privileges. I refuse to give you that power.” He closes the door behind him. “I just wanted to check in since Eddie came out to the group and that got kind of overshadowed by my argument with Will.”

“It’s okay,” Eddie assures her. “It went well, I’m happy. And after tonight those kids know how to keep their mouths shut about it.”

“I’m glad,” Stevie says. Then hugs him as she whispers: “Also thank you so much for stepping in like you did. For coming out. For talking to Will.”

Eddie holds on just as tightly and says: “It wasn’t a problem, sweetheart.”

Robin wraps her arms around the two of them and says: “I was feeling left out of the feelings pile, disgusting as it may be,” which makes them all laugh.

They get ready for bed, all having stuff at all of their houses to sleep in, though Stevie slips back into the comfy clothes he picked up earlier. Now that she’s out, she’s going to be comfortable and after Eddie’s good reaction, he doesn’t think Robin’s will be bad.

Still, she’s a bit nervous as she steps into Eddie’s bedroom. Naturally that’s for nothing, because when Robin sees him, she squeals: “Oh my god, you look so cute!”

“Thank you,” Stevie smiles, unable to stop himself from doing a little twirl. It feels unreal that she only came out this morning. With everything that had happened and the reception from her friends, it feels longer.

Robin bounces over to him excitedly and asks: “Can I do your makeup? Is that a thing I can do? I know I’m not a girly girl in that sense, but I like doing makeup, I just don’t always like the feeling of it on my face, you know. Or is that not a thing for you? Because it’s fine if not, I was just offering. You can say no, no worries.”

His eyes glimmer and he’s nodding before she can finish. “You can 100% do my makeup at some point, Robbie. I’d love that. That is a thing for me, yeah.”

“Is there anything else that is a thing? Like something we can do or help you get?” Eddie asks.

“Uhm,” Stevie blushes, not sure if he’ll be able to admit this yet. She bites her lip and says: “I- I’ve stolen a few of my mother’s skirts. She hasn’t been home to notice. But I’m not really, you know, ready to wear one with anyone there. And it’s more about the figure of it anyway.”

“That’s okay,” Eddie smiles and Robin nods vigorously.

“It’s hard to explain,” he tells them. “It’s not like I want to drastically change things about myself or anything, but there are all these little things that just add up.”

“Add up in a bad way or a good way?” Robin asks, always observant.

“Depends on the day really,” she says, flopping down on the bed. He stares at the ceiling, which is starting to be taken over by Eddie’s posters. The whole room screams Eddie and it’s comforting, but makes him sad too, because her room isn’t like that at all. It’s picture perfect, like he’s supposed to be, but she isn’t.

“Stevie?” Robin nudges him, sitting down on one side, while Eddie gets on the other.

“I don’t want to bother you with it,” Stevie says. “It’s all probably nonsense. Sometimes I feel like it’s all in my head, you know.”

“Bother away,” Eddie tells her. “Robbie has complained at length about her love life and I have bothered you endlessly about hot guys. So now you get to bother us about this. It’s called mutual exchange, sweetheart.”

Stevie snorts at Eddie’s delivery of the words. Then takes a breath and says: “I’ve been growing my hair out and some days I really like it, makes me feel cute. But other days I feel like I’m a dad going through a midlife crises, you know. Or it’s my face that seems too sharp some days, but too broad on others. Like it will never be anything but masculine, which sucks.”

He rubs his face and sighs as Robin makes a soft noise and Eddie lays his head on Stevie’s shoulder for comfort.

“And then my arms,” Stevie goes on, encouraged. “They make me feel conflicted. Because I like being strong, knowing I can protect the kids and step in when necessary. That makes me feel good, that’s nice. But on bad days I just look at them and my shoulders and I’m a jock. A stupid jock, who won’t ever be anything else, no matter how hard I try.”

“Don’t call yourself stupid, sweetheart, we talked about this,” Eddie reminds her gently.

“Yeah, I’d have to fight you for being mean to my soulmate and honestly, I’m not coordinated enough to win that fight,” Robin adds.

Stevie laughs at her, Eddie joining in, before Robin whines that they shouldn’t be laughing at her serious struggles.

The laughter dies out and Stevie says: “Thanks. It’s just- ugh,” she makes a frustrated noise, “things that make me feel good one day, suck the next. And it’s never like I hate something huge about myself, which is nice, but it’s just little things. I try doing little things to balance it out, like the higher waists or things that flare out in the middle to give the illusion of hips. Sometimes it works, others it doesn’t. But it’s just little things. Does that makes sense?”

“I think it does,” Robin replies after a second. “It’s a bit like me and my anxiety, you know. I do get anxious over big things of course, but some days it’s just that the coffee machine didn’t work well and I ran a bit late and then I tripped and before I know it I’m having an anxiety attack about something that I’d usually just brush off. It makes sense. And I do, like, little things to soothe myself, like talk to you or like gesture as I ramble, but those don’t always work.”

“Huh, that does make sense,” Eddie comments. “You truly operate on the same frequency, it’s creepy.”

“You love us,” they say in sync, both giving the other a surprised look, before the three of them burst into laughter.

They talk for a little more, before getting into bed. Stevie doesn’t know when they’ve developed a usual placement, but they slot together like it’s natural. All the most comfortable. She tries not to think about how he’s being held so tenderly. How nice it is. How rarely it used to happen, before he met Robin and Eddie.

The night is peaceful and all of them couldn't be more grateful for it.

Next morning, they’re all up early, since they all have a morning shift. That means they run into Wayne, who is eating his dinner. Even if they are regular guests there, Wayne’s schedule made that they’re only familiar with the man in passing. Stevie freezes a little, highly aware of the outfit she’s wearing, but Wayne doesn’t say a thing.

So, Stevie makes breakfast, like she always does for the three of them, as they say their good mornings, while Eddie and Robin sit down. He’s familiar in the kitchen and he can feel Wayne’s eyes on her as he works, though he quickly gets distracted by his rambling nephew.

She puts down the plates and sits down, Eddie is telling Wayne something about the game last night, nonchalantly adding: “And I came out to them.”

There’s an immediate silence as Stevie and Robin give him ‘what the fuck are you doing’-looks at just telling his uncle that.

“That’s good, kid. Did they take it well?” is Wayne’s only response, which is all the more confusing.

Eddie catches their look and quickly assures them: “Oh, Wayne is cool. Didn’t you know that? I thought I mentioned that. Sorry. And yeah, they took it well.”

“I’m glad,” Wayne smiles and Stevie is reminded of their stay in the hospital, of Wayne’s casual acceptance of everything that makes Eddie, Eddie. How jealousy he was of that, how he still is, though she knows Eddie deserves it so much and she doesn’t begrudge him. How it apparently extends to this too. How much she wants that.

Then Wayne speaks up again, sounding a bit tentative. “Eddie told me you were good sports about it, you’re always welcome here. I know it’s none of my business, but if there’s a reason you took it so well, know that you’re safe here.”

Both Stevie and Robin stare at Wayne with wide eyes, as if he’s a miracle from the heavens, a mirage in the desert.

“I’m a lesbian,” Robin blurts out and Stevie whips her head around. This is the third time Robin has ever come out and he’s so proud of her, but also scared. He thinks they know Wayne, but what if Eddie miscalculated.

“Thank you for trusting me with that,” Wayne nods and Robin smiles, bright and happy.

The longing from before calls out again, tugging at Stevie’s chest and he hears herself say: “I’m bisexual. I like men and women.”

Again Wayne says: “Thank you for trusting me with that.”

It’s foreign, the acceptance of a parental figure, but it feels great even if he isn’t close with Wayne himself. She vows to make it soon so that he can talk to El and help Will come out to his mom. If anyone deserves this, it’s that kid.

All at once it hits him that this is what a parent is supposed to be. She hasn’t seen her own parents since a short visit in late September that lasted two days wherein he only saw them for a few hours total, sharing one dinner with them and breakfast before they had to leave.

In their brief visit, her father had taken the time to inform her how disappointed he is and how Stevie – sorry Steven – isn’t living up to the Harrington name and how he expected so much more from him. His mother had been in the background tutting and shaking her head. She never stepped in and has always taken his father’s side, despite the fact that he’s an asshole.

And it’s not like she didn’t know that already. He has long since known that she’s not going to be the businessman her father wants her to be, that he’s not going to keep the Harrington name high like his mother has always done, that he wants to move out and get away from them. That she wants to build her life away from them and their toxic ideals. A small part even subconsciously realizing that neither of them have ever loved him.

But it all just hits him again at Wayne’s easy acceptance. Wayne loves Eddie for everything. It’s unconditional and endless in supply.

And she suddenly accepts it, instead of just knowing it. His parents don’t love him and she doesn’t want to be a person they can love. It feels a bit like a burden is being lifted, a piece clicking in place as she works out who he wants to be. She doesn’t have to keep pleasing them.

Yet, he refuses to cry, looking up like she does when he’s wearing mascara and getting emotional about something. She’s not going to cry about parents that she doesn’t care about anymore. He has support. Wayne is there for him and hopefully so will Hopper and Joyce. He has made her own family and she’s not going to waste tears over those assholes.

“Are you okay there, kid?” Wayne asks when he stays silent. Eddie prompting: “Stevie?” as Robin asks the age old question if he ODed there.

She takes a breath and forces a smile. “I’m fine. Sorry. I refuse to fucking cry again. It’s bad for your skin.” Making Eddie and Robin huff with laughter. He turns to Wayne. “Thanks, that means a lot to me.”

“I could tell,” Wayne says and it doesn’t sound mean. Then he adds: “I went to school with your daddy. If you ever need to get out, you can come here.”

He nearly starts tearing up again, but manages to push it down as he says: “I’ll keep it in mind, but they’re hardly home. It’s not so bad. And I’m close to being able to move out.”

Eddie and Robin both smile sadly, they know of his rocky home life. He always insists it wasn’t that bad, but they shut her down every time, so he stopped trying. However, Wayne just frowns and asks: “When did you see them last?”

“I mean, they stopped by for two days in September and they called in August,” Stevie shrugs, decidedly over trying to maintain their image. “They were busy when me and Eddie were recovering, but they also came by in May. Business is moving to the West Coast. I think they have a house there too.”

“Fucking hell, kid, those assholes don’t know who they’re missing out on,” Wayne whistles, before saying, “If you want, you can come over for thanksgiving. We never do anything big, but it has to beat whatever they’ll do.”

Now Stevie is smiling so very wide, his parents are never in town for thanksgiving, since it’s supposed to be a holiday for family and therefore not something they can show off at. Still, it is a family holiday, so he asks: “Really? I wouldn’t want to intrude or anything.”

“Really,” Wayne assures him. “If you feel guilty, you can help in the cooking. Eddie has all his cooking skills from me, which are very little. And you looked plenty comfortable there.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Stevie says, feeling like her face is splitting in two.

After that Wayne finishes his dinner and bids them all a good day, before disappearing down the hall to his room to sleep. The new bungalow giving him the luxury of a room with good curtains, which have helped according to Eddie.

Fuck, Eddie, she turns to him and quickly asks: “You don’t mind me coming, right? I can not come if you want me to.”

“Stevie, sweetheart, I’d love nothing more,” Eddie assures him.

Robin complains: “Ahw man, I was hoping to invite you to my thanksgiving, since you’re supposed to be my boyfriend. You would make it so much more bearable to listen to auntie Linda and her stupid gossip.”

A warmth blooms his chest at the words. He knows his friends want her around, but it’s never not nice to hear. An idea pops in his head and he says: “I mean, if Wayne and Eddie agree you can tell them you’re celebrating thanksgiving with me.”

At the suggestion Robin’s eyes practically light up and she turns her puppy eyes on Eddie immediately, who laughs: “No need for the eyes, Robbie. Of course you’re welcome.”

“Hell yeah,” she cheers, already rambling on what she needs to tell her mother to get her to agree to let Robin come, which devolves into her complaining about said mother while they get ready for work.

Saturday is a busy day as is Sunday, but the week drags on rather peacefully after.

On Wednesday he calls Madame Tucker as has become customary to do every other week and fills her in on what has happened. “So Eddie and Robin took it well and I’m thinking about coming out to the kids as bisexual. The whole gender thing is further away, but you know, baby steps.”

“Oh, I’m so proud of you, honey,” Madame Tucker squeals into the phone. “It’s absolutely criminal that I can’t pinch your cheeks right now. I feel like a proud mother.”

Stevie laughs as he jokes: “Still a single mother?” before asking, “Or did your date work out? If he was a dick I can come up there and beat him up.”

“Don’t worry just yet, doll, I have my security beefy friends here too. And it’s not necessary at all, by the way,” Madame Tucker assures her. “The date was lovely. Brian was an utter gentleman. I’m seeing him again this weekend, actually.”

“Tell me everything,” Stevie demands and they’re on the phone for a few more hours.

Friday they play DnD and Stevie tells them that he’s invited them to her house for a sleepover tomorrow and that he got Hopper to agree to let El come and Max is coming too. Tells them it’ll be fun, just dick around with the only adult supervision him, Eddie and Robin.

The kids jump on the idea already making snack demands and arguing about what movies they’re going to watch. Stevie looks up at Robin in the door way, eyebrow raised, she nods at her, then looks to Eddie and smiles. He’s going to confirm it.

That Saturday she has a double shift wherein in the kids come in and annoy him about what to watch. All of them are there. Max with her crutches and big, thick glasses (she had confided how him wearing glasses too made her feel better about it, Stevie stopped looking into contacts) and El, who has never been, usually fine with the others picking.

El wins getting to pick something, since she never has before, which only leads to all the kids trying to influence her. It’s really funny when Mike tries to pull the boyfriend card and El tells him he doesn’t show her all the things, before turning to Max for a recommendation.

Max naturally dawns a smug grin as she leads El to the good movies as the boys protest. It’s nice to see them act like that, Stevie thinks. Like kids.

There is so much fondness in her heart for them, his own little family. He thinks they’re going to be solid after this. He hopes so. She never thought she would have this, but he’s getting more and more used to the idea of having people, who won’t leave. It would break her if they did now.

Eddie picks up a few of the kids, Stevie the others. It’s routine. They’ve fallen into a co-parenting act together, which Robin teases them for relentlessly. Stevie secretly thinks it’s nice. It’s nice to work together, to not be responsible alone.

The kids have settled on The Goonies and Top Gun. They all settle in to the blanket fortress they’ve built. They have so many snacks that Stevie just knows they’re going to be hyper before they all crash.

He decides it’s time while they’re watching Top Gun. They’re at the volleyball scene and she comments: “I get why Nance has a Tom Cruise poster. He’s fucking hot,” desperately trying to be casual about it.

“Hm, he does look like he’s sweating,” El, sweet innocent El, says in turn and they can’t help but crack up.

Max softly says: “He means hot as in attractive. Or at least I think so.” She gives Stevie a look asking for an explanation.

She nods: “Yeah, I’m bisexual.”

Stevie is studying all the reactions. Will look so proud and relieved as do Eddie and Robin, while the other Hellfire kids nod, they’ve been eased into it and already suspected. Max luckily looks like she knows what he’s talking about and is okay with it.

That leaves El, who looks incredibly confused as she asks: “Bisexual? What does that mean?”

“Well, it means that I like both girls and boys. In a romantic sense. If someone’s gay they’re a boy who likes other boys, while lesbians are girls that like girls, just like straight boys like girls and straight girls like boys. I like both and that’s bisexual,” Stevie explains patiently, glad the others have all shut up and don’t try to interrupt.

El nods in understanding, mouthing the word to herself, which makes Stevie smile. He knew that El would get it and be cool. Still, she’s glad to confirm it.

“I need to tell you something important about it, El. It’s important to me that you listen. Can you do that?” he asks, hating that he has to tell her this too.

She nods, frowning at the serious tone and confirms: “I am listening.”

“Not everyone is accepting of people who like people who are the same gender,” Stevie says, her own heart breaking as she does. “They think it’s outside the norm, unnatural, wrong. These people are of course incorrect, but they still attack gay people, if not physical then verbal. It’s very dangerous for people to know.”

Her frown deepens, anger mixing with the confusion, hardening her face which is starting to soften again as her curls get longer again.

“Me telling you is trusting you to tell no one, who wasn’t here. I know you take friends don’t lie very seriously and I can respect that, but you cannot tell Hopper or Joyce. Anyone,” he has to press to drive the point home, no matter how much it sucks. “If the wrong people find out, then I could be in serious danger. Do you understand?”

“But- But dad, Hopper, he’s not a bad man,” she says, like she can’t understand that Hopper would ever hurt a friend.

“I know he’s not,” Stevie assures her. “But even good people can have bad opinions. And until I think he’s safe, I’m not ready to tell him. Not to mention that this is something personal. It’s my thing to tell people, my decision. It’s polite not to say until someone has said so themselves. Please, tell me you won’t say. Promise.”

“I promise,” she says. “I won’t tell. People who think like that are stupid and if anyone hurts you I’ll crush them,” she adds to her promise in a matter of fact tone, making Stevie smile.

“Then you’re also safe to tell that I’m gay,” Eddie tells her, piggy backing on Stevie’s explanation to tell Max and El as well. “I only like boys.”

El looks at him just as seriously and says: “I won’t tell.”

“Thank you, supergirl,” Eddie smiles.

“I won’t either, by the way,” Max adds. “And I think it’s cool. Thanks for trusting us and shit.”

“No problem, Red,” Stevie smiles and Eddie winks with a thumbs up.

Then Max ruins the moment, by saying: “But really? Tom Cruise? Do you have to be a basic bitch about it?” which makes everyone laugh as the room returns to normal and they watch the move for a bit longer.

After they finish Top Gun Max reveals she has brought nail polish for her and El, trying to pull Robin into it too. They demand girl bonding and want gossip on her dating life with Stevie. With a suffering look, she goes with them, Stevie laughing at her misery.

Will has brought a few board games and they collectively discover that Stevie hasn’t played many of them, because she always portrayed himself as too cool for them, while not wanting to appear stupid in front of friends, who already knew the rules from playing with their families.

However, the kids don’t mind explaining at all, even if they yell over each other or correct the person who is speaking and devolve into arguments. It’s warm, homey.

He looks through the room, his parent’s house never feeling like home unless others are there. She meets Robin’s eyes, who winks at her, before making up a ridiculous date that never happened.

Robin doesn’t want to tell the kids just yet, Stevie asked when telling her and Eddie about wanting to come out. She now knows they’re cool, sure but she isn’t as close with the kids as Stevie and Eddie are. Save maybe Dustin and Erica.

Besides, Robin’s parents will disown her if they ever find out, no matter how nice they are, and she needs them to get through college, unless she gets a scholarship. So until Stevie has his own place (he doesn’t want to risk his parents coming back with her there), she is staying comfortably in the closet.

Nothing wrong with that, and if she has some fun with it, then it’s her business. And Stevie’s, who will have to endure the kids’ teasing over it. And Eddie, who will also make fun of the kids making fun of him.

In the end, he is right about all the kids crashing. It’s only the physical therapy that both Eddie and her have had to do, that allows them to carry the kids to the blanket fort.

Eddie, Robin and Stevie retreat upstairs to Stevie’s room, loving the kids, but being too old to sleep on couches and mattresses on the floor. So, they get into her bed, Robin muttering: “Stevie, your bed is the most comfortable, but your room is just creepy.”

“I think it’s because it feels like it’s from a catalog,” Eddie replies, getting behind Stevie. “When you move out, we’re gonna make sure your room has personality. I swear it, princess.”

Stevie is very excited for that day. He has never known what to do with his room that would make it feel more like home without angering his mother. She never succeeded, but he thinks he can without her mother’s expectations. He never fit in there anyway.

“Thank you,” she whispers. “I’m looking for something, you know.”

“Yeah?” Eddie hums.

“Found something yet?” Robin asks.

“I was thinking of trying to find something with two bedrooms. It’s easier with the house prices going down after everything, you know,” Stevie says. “And it’ll be a good investment for when we want to get out of here. Value should go up.”

“God, you’re such a business child sometimes, it’s creepy. Don’t sell into the capitalistic overlords, promise me, Stevie,” Eddie says.

Stevie rolls her eyes, but laughs. He says: “I won’t. What I was going to say, I don’t know how much either of you moving in is still a plan or possibility when it happens. However, with two bedrooms we can share, but still have a bed for if someone doesn’t feel like being touched. Plus, we can tell people that Robin and I share, because we’re supposed to be dating and Eddie can live there too without it being weird.”

They’re both quiet for a second, then Robin shuffles closer, hugging the other two as she says: “I can’t believe you’ve put this much thought into it. That sounds amazing, dingus. Gosh, we’d be the best roommates.”

“That’s smart,” Eddie agrees. “Though I don’t think I’m ever not sharing. I hate sleeping alone. I get nightmares easier and I move around more. I fell out bed last week, my ass hurt for days afterwards.”

All of them snicker, talking a bit more about how they’ll decorate. However, they also feel the exhaustion after the fun night, so they drift off during their conversation.

The next morning is naturally chaotic. Stevie is making breakfast but with him included there are ten people to cook for. Ten people who just woke up. Ten people who are grumbling as they get dressed. Ten people who have to use the bathroom.

It’s a lot.

However, this isn’t the first time he’s hosting the hoard and he has the mom pose and the voice down, so they do listen to her. Sometimes. Enough times.

After breakfast, Robin has to be brought to work, Stevie having afternoon shift. Eddie also has to work. So, they split the kids with what is handiest direction wise.

Eddie takes the Sinclairs and Mike, along with El, who is going to the Wheeler house. Stevie is bringing Robin to work, then dropping off Dustin, Max and Will in that order. Soon they’re loading in the kids, who all reluctantly say goodbye, only hurrying because of Eddie and Robin yelling at them about being late for work.

Stevie only speeds a little – trying not to think of the safety of the kids in Eddie’s car – but makes it on time for Robin’s shift, telling her she’ll see her later when he clocks in.

Dustin teases him the whole ride about his girlfriend, which she takes with an eyeroll, making up some embarrassing shit about Robin as a little act of revenge.

Will and Max together are pleasant company. Will is content to silently sit by, only offering his input from time to time, while Max tells Stevie about school. Max has a lot to make up after recovering, but she’s managing and Will says he’s been settling in okay after moving back over the summer.

Both are nice to hear. Good news is always nice.

They say goodbye to Max, watching her disappear into the Mayfield’s new government appointed bungalow. Then it’s just him and Will.

She drives in silence for a moment, then says: “El took it well.”

Will nods, staying quiet for a second, then he smiles: “Thank you, for talking to her. And explaining so I don’t have to. I really appreciate it. Especially after everything.”

“It’s okay,” Stevie assures him. “I don’t mind talking to El about it. And we all have to learn not to talk, I just got lucky with people to tell me before I did it. It worked out in the end. Plus, despite the fact that it was aimed at me, it’s nice to see you stand up for yourself. You deserve to take up space and I’m glad you’re learning that.”

“Thanks,” Will blushes. “Like I said, Cali was good for me. I’m glad we’re back, because I missed my friends and having more people that get it, but I needed a break from it all to accept myself more, I guess.”

“Yeah, I get that,” Stevie agrees.

It’s quiet for another moment, then Will says: “I’m going to come out at thanksgiving. It’ll be easier and Jonathan will be there. I want him to know.”

“That’s nice,” Stevie says. “I hope it goes well.”

“Me too,” Will sighs.

“Hey, look at me.” Will does. “It’s gonna go well. You’re going to have El there and you’re telling people who love you so so much. This isn’t going to change that. And when you’ve done it, you’re gonna get hugged and accepted and it’s going to be great. When that all happened, I want you to call me. Me and Robin are going to the Munson’s for thanksgiving. You know the number?”

“I do,” Will assures him, smiling with tears in his eyes.

“You’re going to call me and I’m going to congratulate the shit out of you and you will have another thing to be thankful for, okay?” she says, feeling a bit bad how part of this reassurance is for herself. How he subtly gave Will a number to call if it should go wrong.

“Thank you,” Will sound so sincere that it physically hurts.

“Of course, baby Byers,” Stevie says.

Then Will offers: “You could come to our thanksgiving. Mom adores you, Hopper too. You’re family, they would want you there.”

Stevie chokes up a bit and replies: “That means a lot, thank you. But I already said yes to Eddie and Wayne, maybe another time. Besides, Jonathan will be home. You guys should get to spend as much time together as possible. We see each other plenty.”

“I guess,” Will says. “But you can’t think you’re not welcome, you are. We’re each other’s people now, right? You look out for me, I look out for you.”

God, this kid is going to make him cry. “Yeah, yeah, of course,” she tells him with a lump in her throat, happy that he’s pulling up to the Byers house.

Joyce is already waiting on the steps, waving at them and offering Stevie a cup of coffee. For a change, Stevie accepts the offer. It’s nice to talk to Joyce again and to hear Will talk excitedly about the movie night, both her and Joyce smiling fondly at the kid.

Life is looking up.

A/N:

I know, random POV switch there, but I felt the need to show that conversation, because it is important, you know. We all had to learn. Lets hope this teaches someone before they can make the mistake themselves. Anyways, no hate to Will, he’s one of my favorites and deserves the world <3

And I will keep making my little PSA’s here in the notes, bc you don’t have to come out. Ever. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to, even if you know you can.

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