beauty-and-the-pirate

[beauty-and-the-pirate]

The queen has passed. Long live the queen!

[beauty-and-the-pirate]

This meeting happened at a Gay Pride event in Brussels, Belgium in 2009. The child is the son of a gay couple attending the event and he got curious about this punk’s spiked jacket. So he went over and asked whether he could touch the spikes as he wanted to check whether they were sharp or not. To give him better access, the punker knelt down, amused by the kid’s honest curiosity.

Photographed by M. Lambrechts.

[beauty-and-the-pirate]

I am in tears 🥹 This is so beautiful

Years after Eddie moves out and Wayne retires, Eddie comes by everyday to help around the house. Wayne doesn’t like the fuss, he won’t be a burden, but the company is nice. The new place isn't as homey as the trailer, his memory's fuzzy about why he ever moved.

One day, Eddie shows up with the Harrington boy of all people. Not a boy anymore, a man fully grown but Wayne remembers him driving that shiny Beamer around Hawkins like yesterday. Eddie says they're old pals, but Wayne can't recall Steve ever coming around with any of Eddie's friends.

It's an odd pair, but Steve’s good company. He chats about baseball, doesn't mind when Wayne mixes up last night's scores with a game 20 years ago. Then throughout the day, Wayne catches Steve giving Eddie the kind of looks and touches that make it clear what kind of pals they are, or at least what kind Steve wants them to be.

It warms Wayne's heart to see. He’s not gonna be around forever, and he always wanted Eddie to settle down with someone. It's hard for men like Eddie, for men like them, but he doesn't want that to stop Eddie from having the chance. So that night before they go, when Wayne's getting squared away in bed, he whispers to Eddie, "Steve's a good one, son. If you ever get ahold of him, don't you let him go."

Eddie just grins, almost something sad about it, and says, "Okay, old man. I'll keep him. I promise." The same thing he always says, every time this happens, but Wayne doesn't know that.

Every day is different, but sometimes Wayne remembers Eddie and Steve have been together for a decade. Sometimes he remembers the small backyard wedding, laughs about how it rained and Eddie slipped in the mud. Sometimes he remembers that he came to live with them when the dementia got worse.

But on days when it's all brand new, when he meets Steve for the first time again, he always knows that he's the right one for Eddie. So Eddie’s gonna listen and hang onto Steve with everything he’s got.

[beauty-and-the-pirate]

the first time wayne meets steve is actually far before the events of '86. in fact, it's in winter of '85.

he's on his way back from work when he pops a tire. he's pissed off, it's cold, still dark, and the beginnings of fucking snow are falling around him, and he doesn't have a spare. the nearest payphone is probably three miles walk, and he's just readying himself to make the journey when, miraculously, a pair of headlights turn onto the back road.

the car slows to a stop behind wayne's, and he's struck by how fucking nice it is. a brown bmw 733i, one he thinks he's seen around a couple times. when the driver steps out, he realises that, yes, he has seen this car. because the boy behind the wheel is the harrington boy, and wayne curses every god out there.

he expects some snark. a good attitude and for the kid to make him grovel for help or outright deny any assistance. instead, he approaches with these wide bambi eyes, the absolute picture of concern.

"are you alright, sir?" he asks, perfectly polite. wayne huffs.

"popped a tire, ain't got a spare." he doesn't- doesn't know why he's telling him. really doesn't. but something about the kid makes him falter, makes his steely exterior give way ever so slightly. the boy crouches down to the tire in question, frowning as he inspects it. then nods, grinning. he says nothing to wayne as he heads back to his car, and for moment he thinks the kid's gonna leave him in the dirt. but, instead, he pops the trunk and hauls out a spare, rolls it over to the car.

wayne only watches, fascinated, as he jogs back to retrieve a little set of tools. sits his ass by his tire and starts going at it. he's in a thin, short sleeved tshirt and jeans. he must be fucking freezing- wayne is, and he's got a thick coat, gloves and a hat on.

"what're you doin', boy?" he asks, unable to sound anything but bewildered. the kid blinks at him.

"changing your tire, sir?"

"i ain't got anything to pay you back with." wayne warns, wary. the kid shrugs, continues his task.

"that's okay, i wasn't going to ask you to." he pulls the popped tire off and lays it by his side. "it's just a good thing we have the same size, huh?" he grins, a little shy. wayne has never felt so thrown off in his life.

was this really james and cynthia harrington's boy? would someone of those people's blood really sit in the cold to change a strangers tire? expecting nothing in return? "where's your layers, kid? it's cold as ass out here, you'll catch a chill."

"oh, i gave it to my friend." seriously? seriously? "i'm alright sir, not to worry." he says this despite his red cheeks and reddening knuckles.

he finishes fitting the tire a second or two later, and once he's inspected it, gives wayne an endearingly dorky thumbs up. it reminds him of eddie in all the best ways. "all done, sir!" he collects up all his tools and threads an arm through the hole of the tire, balancing it on his shoulder. "i'll take this for you, i have to drive by the junkyard anyways." he doesn't. wayne knows the harrington's live in loch nora, and that's the opposite goddamn direction.

"you really a harrington?" he asks, not missing the confusion and maybe even slight disappointment he's met with. "just- no offence, son, but i always thought they were nothin' but bad." he deflates even more, if possible. "how did they raise such a kind boy?"

it's such a sudden change, how quickly he's smiling, bright enough to light the damn road if he wanted. it's all bashful and excited, it makes wayne wonder if he's never heard a good word about himself in his life, which seems insane.

"i still got a bit of an asshole gene," he jokes, a little dry, "but i'm trying to be better, you know?" he motions to the tire. "if you can help, why shouldn't you?"

wayne wants to squeeze him, but refrains. thanks him a couple times over and forces the boy to take his hat before he goes, (despite his complaints). harrington bids him farewell and a safe drive home, and he's driving off before either realise they never learnt each other's names.

(wayne finds his out later, though, when eddie meets him at the door, worried that he's late. only after he's walked his nephew through the story three times and sworn up and down, yes, it was true, and yes, it was definitely harrington. steve harrington.

when they meet again after '86, in eddie's hospital room, that boy from all that time ago holding his nephew's hand, he does give him that hug. thanks him, for both this time and the last.

steve wears the hat in winter of '86. it makes wayne smile.)

[beauty-and-the-pirate]

This has me in tears, literally ugly crying!

Dialogue Prompt #34 “Who cares? Who cares? I care!”

on ao3

Wayne Munson was not an easily angered man. Nor was he someone who tended to lose his temper much, but right now watching his nephew’s boyfriend he wanted to literally strangle someone.

Steve Harrington was not nor had he ever been Wayne’s favorite person, but seeing how in love and happy he was with Eddie and vice versa, the two men bonded. They’d watch sports together, or go to museums together and sometimes even cook and bake together.

In Steve, Wayne found a young man who adored his nephew dearly, who took joy in making his boy happy. The two of them watched sports together and screamed at the shitty TV in the new Munson trailer (a peace offering from the government) and Wayne found it invigorating. The two of them walked together as they both enjoyed hiking and jogging. 

But right now Wayne watched Steve’s face fall, his excited rambling stumbling into nothing. 

He wasn’t sure what had happened, he had gotten home to Steve excitedly pacing around their trailer holding a letter in his hand as he reread it over and over, mumbling quietly to himself. He had looked up and open seeing Wayne had come nearly running over and in an eager tone started talking. 

Wayne! Welcome back! How was work? I know you just got home, but look!” he shoved the paper in his hand at Wayne, movements wild and uncoordinated. 

Wayne took the paper and started to read the cover when he was interrupted by Steve’s breathless, “I got accepted into the program at Indiana Tech! I am starting in September! I’m taking the psychology course, it’s their guidance counselor program! I haven’t told anyone yet because the letter just came. They also have a specialty program which I am-” Steve paused to breathe and seemingly realized who he was rambling to. He flushed a deep red and all the excitement fled from his body, his posture shifted inward and Wayne hated it.  He waited for Steve to continue but the boy simply took the letter from Wayne and awkwardly coughed, “sorry that was a bit much. Dinner is in the oven warming-”

Wayne reached out for him and put a careful hand on his shoulder, “I didn’t know you applied, son. But tell me about it. What are the other courses in the program? What specialty are you looking into taking? How long is the program?”

He paused, voice gently with the hint of fond excitement. 

But Steve shuffled his feet and mumbled, “why? I’m not Eddie, you don’t have to fake it. It’s ok. I forgot that people wouldn’t care about this.”

“Son, look at me.” Wayne waited until Steve looked directly at him, “I care. You’re my boy as much as Eddie. And I care so much about you. I am so proud of you. Not because of anything other than I know you worked hard for this and you should be proud of yourself.” 

Steve scoffed to hide the tears, but Wayne knew his boy, Steve wasn’t used to people caring about his things. Wayne and Eddie had already made their silent promises to ensure that Steve would never doubt for even a second that they’d be proud of him. 

And when Eddie came home Wayne and Steve told him the good news, Wayne and Eddie planned a small party to congratulate him.

Years later at the graduation ceremony for Steve’s class, Wayne and Eddie watched with delight, as the person everyone was sure couldn’t succeed in school got his diploma and certification letter. They’d cheer the loudest, louder than Robin and the kids. Steve would turn bright red and flush in pleasure at the sight of his not yet legal father-in-law, and his husband (also not legal yet but Eddie didn’t do legal anyway so who cares? Not Steve that’s for sure). He would discover his people who did care about him. 

[beauty-and-the-pirate]

I AM DECEASED ☠️☠️

Hopper accidentally becomes the biggest ally in Hawkins out of hatred for Mike Wheeler. El wants to date Max? Perfect, Mike is terrified of Max. El wants to date Max and Lucas? Even better, more people to keep Mike away. Will comes out to Joyce and Hop? Hopper is immediately studying up on gay culture and flagging so he can find him a Hop ApprovedTM boyfriend. He sees that nice boy Gareth cuff his jeans one time and starts inviting him to family dinner. Mike seems annoyed that Steve is spending more time with Munson? A pamphlet titled “Accepting your Bisexuality” finds its way into Steve’s jacket pocket. Hopper has never seen Mike as furious as the day Steve and Munson arrive at dinner holding hands. It’s a good day. Hopper isn’t sure how Nancy dating the Buckley girl will annoy Mike, but he’s willing to give it a shot.

[beauty-and-the-pirate]

Honestly same, it's disturbing how much it consumes me...

about to make greatwise my whole personality

[beauty-and-the-pirate]

No going back now

I knew as soon as I found a good GreatWise fic it was going to give me brainrot - lo and behold! No other Will ship is going to do it for me now, will it.

[beauty-and-the-pirate]

Someone put it into words!

Listen, do I think Byler will be endgame? Yes.

However, there is something so fucking good about Greatwise and I can’t get it out of my brain.

Like Gareth has already gone through his internalized homophobia phase and wouldn’t project his insecurities onto Will. And Will would be so happy to have someone he can just talk to without them treating him like he’s going to fall apart at any moment.

Just Gareth and Will.