michael-the-rouge

[michael-the-rouge]

[michael-the-rouge]

ms paint study from 2021

[michael-the-rouge]

(◡‿◡✿)

(ʘ‿ʘ✿) “what you say ‘bout me”

(ʘ‿ʘ)ノ✿ “hold my flower”

[michael-the-rouge]

Six months. For six months Steve has been listening to this radio show and not ever one time did he expect to hear the host, Eddie Munson, growl out the words “Hawkins, Indiana," but here they are. The name said.

Steve stops the car dead in the middle of the road, can’t hear anything aside from the radio show host listing Hawkins facts in his sonorous voice.

He should have known. Like rationally, he should have considered it a possibility that Hawkins might come up on this late night talk radio show called Hellfire about monsters, cryptids, folklore. 

It’s just. He thought. Hawkins hadn’t exactly made national news, and what had was about a toxic gas leak and a government coverup, not exactly this show’s focus. 

But enough, apparently. Obviously. 

Eddie starts talking about the disappearance of Will Byers, and Steve lays his head on his steering wheel, tries to ignore the way his hands tremble. 

For six months Hellfire brought him comfort and companionship as he roams the dark street of Hawkins on what Robin calls his patrols. It’s not like he can sleep, not anymore, so what better to do than make sure everyone is safe? That there’s no signs of the Upside Down? That the gates are still closed? 

Hellfire has been his companion through it all and now—now—

Eddie’s talking about the Department of Energy, MK Ultra, a fake body in the quarry. 

He could turn it off. Or better yet, go home. But he sits in his car out by Lover’s Lake and he listens to Eddie detail the rumors and speculation. Listens to the callers who share their two cents and conspiracy theories—none close to the truth. 

The thing is. He’s become—fond of Eddie, of Hellfire. He doesn’t care about cryptids, isn’t interested in Big Foot, but he was captivated by Eddie. Not just him, though, it’s the whole thing with his producer, Gareth, and his two other best friends who pop in from time to time. They’re funny, nerdy, love that dork game the kids play. And if the low resonance of Eddie’s voice makes him a little melty? Well, that’s between him and 3am. 

Steve calls in, sometimes. Has called in. Just, you know, once a week or so. It's not like he knows anything about the monsters, but he asks questions, likes to listen to Eddie talk no matter if he understands.

They finish with a caller and Eddie says, "unfortunately, we'll probably never know what happened."

And Gareth cuts in to say, "Hawkins is only an hour a way. You know. If you find that interesting."

"What are you saying, Gar?" Eddie asks. "That we should go?" He laughs.

"Why not? We could do our own investigation. Maybe we'll find something the authorities don't want us to."

"Hmm, what do you think, listeners? Should we don our adventurer caps and head into the unknown?"

He doesn't remember putting the car into drive, but he knows he's speeding toward the little two-pump gas station on the edge of town and the deserted pay phone there.

The line beeps and beeps when he dials. He tries again and again, until finally there's a click, and Eddie's radio voice booming in his ear.

"Thank you for calling Hellfire," he laughs, manic. "You're--

"You can't go to Hawkins," he interrupts.

"Sweetheart," Eddie croons. "Haven't heard from you in a while. How are you?"

"I'm Fine. Stay out of Hawkins."

"You gotta ease into it a little, baby. Little small talk first."

"Eddie..."

"What do you know about Hawkins?"

"N--nothing. I've heard bad things about it. Cops."

"Cops," Eddie snorts. "I'm not afraid of Hawkins PD. Are you calling because you're worried for my well-being, sweetheart?"

"Yes." Steve doesn't hesitate.

"You're my favorite listener, you know that?"

"I'm being serious."

"It's cute."

"It's a really bad idea to go to Hawkins."

"Do you know what's funny? You didn't know what a chupacabra was, but you know about Hawkins."

"I--" he swallows. "Have specific interests."

Eddie laughs. "What do you know about Hawkins?"

"Nothing," too quick.

"Are you lying to me?"

"I can't say."

"You just keep getting more and more mysterious."

"Please, stay away. It's--there are things, people--you don't want their attention. Just, please. Trust me."

"I'll agree on one condition. Tell me how you know this."

"I can't," he whispers. "That's why you need to trust me."

"What's stopping you?"

He flashes back to an interrogation room, Hopper's stern face, the even sterner ones of the government agents, the four-inch high stack of papers to sign, again and again and again.

"NDAs."

Dead silence on the other line until Eddie asks, "wait, PLURAL?" excitement spikes through the speakers.

That's when Steve hears the distant click down the line, knows it isn't him or Eddie, knows--

The line goes dead.

"Fuck."

He goes straight to the cabin. It's late enough in the morning now that he's unsurprised to see the glowing ember of a cigarette near the porch steps.

"What'd you do, kid?" Hopper asks when Steve gets out of his car.

"Called into a radio show about monsters."

The chief sighs, drops his hands to his sides, muttering. The crunch of gravel way up the long drive has them both turning.

"Guess we're in for a long day." Hopper stomps out his cigarette.

---

Steve isn't allowed to listen to Hellfire anymore. Is forbidden from calling in. And he gets it, okay, he knows. He said too much on the radio, but he hopes that he didn't get Eddie in trouble, that they don't try to come to Hawkins.

He gets a late start on his patrols one night. Took the kids to the movies, caved within minutes when they begged to go for ice cream after, Robin giving him a fond eye roll when he stops.

It's late, summer sun set for hours already, and he's driving on backroads behind the lab. And it's been--it's been a few weeks, okay, since the last call, long enough that he's stopped thinking Eddie will show, so when he sees the van on the side of the road--when he sees the van he doesn't stop right away.

It's tan and white or maybe grey, old, from the 70's or something; spiky black lettering on the side. It says Hellfire.

Steve slams on the breaks so hard the tires squeal, car skidding. He parks haphazardly on the side of the road, only grabbing a flashlight before hurling himself into the woods.

He figures Eddie and the guys will be easy to find, bumbling through unfamiliar forest, but minutes pass with nothing but his own feet crushing through the underbrush. He's afraid to yell, afraid it will draw the wrong kind of attention, but he does a kind of hoarse whisper, knowing it's not enough.

There's a small rock formation that he skirts past, mind everywhere but on his surroundings. He hears a rustle, he thinks, turns, and in the space of a breath, collides with something distinctly solid, warm, and judging by the pained grunt, human.

"Fuck. Gareth?" A very familiar voice asks.

"Eddie??" He responds. His fingers scrabble for his flashlight, illuminating the leaf strewn forest floor and some nearby tree roots.

A beam of light illuminates his chest and face, forcing his eyes down. "Who are you?"Eddie demands.

Steve finally grabs his flashlight, points it at Eddie's middle. Has a second to take in his long, curly hair, his cut-off t-shirt, pale skin and the swirl of inky black tattoos. "I'm--I--I called into your show. I--I told you not to--"

"Oh," Eddie's breath hitches. "Sweetheart. You said not to come to Hawkins and then you--you--" He blinks, seems to struggle to find words. "I didn't expect you to be so beautiful."

He smiles. "i--your show, I loved it. I miss listening to you. I miss--" He takes a step, closes the distance. Eddie smiles and it grips something in his stomach, doesn't let go.

Over Eddie's shoulder, there's a flash of movement, catches in Steve's periphery. It's an unfurling, an opening, there's a shine of saliva, teeth.

His heart stops.

"Eddie--"

"Yeah, baby?"

"Run."

[michael-the-rouge]

[michael-the-rouge]

“Lilo and Stitch” 2002

Deleted Scene

Lilo plays a trick on the tourists.

[michael-the-rouge]

[michael-the-rouge]

Reblog art guys. Seriously.

[michael-the-rouge]

reblog to give your headache to elon musk instead

[michael-the-rouge]

Loosely inspired by this idea by @scoops-aboy86 but AU where you have a soulmark of an animal that represents your soulmate. People can have multiples, depending on if it's a romantic, platonic, or familial soulmate, and Steve is one of the lucky ones that has all three.

He doesn't know why they're crows, of all things (won't learn until later that it's because all three of his soulmates like shiny things and love to heckle him, lovingly of course). They hop around on his skin, sitting across his collar bones like a power line, nesting down in the shell of his ear.

The unique thing about the soulmarks, is the first time you touch your soulmate, your animals swap. It's only temporary, with them swapping again at the second touch, but it's a way to signify when you've found your match.

He realizes that Dustin is one of his matches during the season 2 mess, when he grabs Dustin to pull him from danger and later finds a fancy bird nesting with his crows. It has an orange face and a green body, and is incredibly vain. When he swaps back Dustin shows him the other one - this time yellow with a peach face and blue tail - and tells Steve that they're love birds. Steve thinks it's fitting, not just for himself, but for Suzie as well.

Robin happens during the Russians. Their hands brush where they're tied behind them and next thing Steve knows there's a fish swimming across his thigh, his crows hopping along after it, and he swears to do everything he can to get her out safely. It's not until the bathroom confession that he learns she's his platonic match, and he won't lie, he feels a little sad as he watches his betta swim up to another fish.

"A pinktail triggerfish," Robin explains, "They're protective and dangerous."

Steve smiles as he holds Robin's hand. "Can't wait to meet the girl that represents."

His swap with Eddie happens at the boat house, but Steve doesn't even realize it until after he's back home for the night and changing. There's a golden retriever bounding across his chest, chasing after the crows that are- playing with it. They're flying around it and egging it on, and he only worries a little until later, when he finds the dog sprawled out, relaxed even as the crows tug on its ears. It makes him happy to see the patience and joy the dog exudes, clearly at home with his birds.

They're walking through the upside down when Eddie holds out a hand and gives a hesitant "I uh, think this is yours." On the back of his hand is Steve's crow, and Steve smiles at the sight of it.

"Yeah, it is," Steve says. He brushes their hands together and the animals swap again. Steve watches as a different dog - a rottweiler, maybe - bounds up to the retriever on Eddie's hand and the dogs start to tussle playfully. He glances at his own hand to find his crows tumbling over each other, happy to be reunited.

"So, Jeff is my platonic, if you, uh-" Eddie starts, but Steve knows there's more important things to worry about right now. Even though all Steve wants is to know if Eddie wants Steve the way he wants Eddie.

"After," he cuts in as he takes Eddie's hand, the smallest relief he can offer right now. "We can talk after."

[michael-the-rouge]

[michael-the-rouge]

reblog to give your headache to elon musk instead

[michael-the-rouge]

Thank you 🥰 i loved every single detail that you had put and what others put in comments/tags. At one point, I kept flipping back and forth between your post and the fanfic to make sure I stayed as true to your original idea as possible

Spirit medium! Steve

Guys, it’s almost Halloween (I say in March) so I was thinking of Steve being a medium but not really knowing. He works completely on vibes alone and just never questions them.

This, of course, concerns Eddie who, despite his dark aesthetic, really does not fuck with the paranormal. He’s Appalachian, the general rule is: if you see something, no you didn’t.

It starts with something small and more confusing than creepy. Quirky even! Eddie takes Steve with him to the thrift—more like Steve has latched himself onto Eddie and now each time Eddie runs the most mundane of tasks like looking for winter coat, Steve insists on coming—and Steve drifts from his side over to the shelves of trinkets to closely inspect a small doll.

It’s tiny, palm sized, and would be cute if Eddie didn’t have an innate fear of porcelain dolls. Steve picks it up and follows Eddie around for 30minutes and all the way to the register with the thing where he proceeds to purchase it for 50 cents.

“Dude, why?”

“I just like it. She’s cool.” Note, Steve says this as he places the tiny doll in is shirt pocket, it’s creepy little face peaking out.

Eddie laughs, thinks Steve is trying to be silly. “So what are you gonna name it then?”

“Why would I name her, she already has a name. Her names Felicity and she’s an old woman, really sweet actually, used to be a teacher.”

“Okay??” Whatever, maybe robins eccentricities and imagination is rubbing off on him.

Except the next time Eddie visits Steve, the thing—Felicity—is perched on the kitchen window sill, staring out into the yard.

“So what’s she doing here?” Eddie is hovering by the door of the kitchen like a nervous dog. He did NOT expect to have another encounter with the doll.

“She likes to look at the birds.”

“The doll, likes birdwatching.” Steve kicks his shoe.

“Don’t be rude.”

At this point Eddie is throughly creeped out and just nervously laughs. He quickly and awkwardly offers a “sorry ma’am” towards the doll just in case and walks out of the kitchen.

Eddie brings this up one day with Robin who just makes it worse.

“Oh yeah, that’s just Steve’s thing. I think he can tell when stuff is haunted or something, it’s really eerie actually. I try not to think about it.”

“You believe in ghosts?” Eddie is judging hard.

“I saw a monster made out of melted people parts, Eddie. At this point, the paranormal may as well exist.” Fair.

“So you don’t mind that Steve just has a doll around in the kitchen?”

“Felicity is pretty chill, actually. Not like— Steve brought home an old teacup one day, said he feels like it belonged to a little girl named Debra. Except he kept it in sunroom and suddenly the room felt really fucking weird all the time. Like your being watched, you know?”

“Sure.”

“Anyways, one day it was just gone, I noticed cuz the room felt lighter somehow, and Steve said he had to get rid of it cuz he didn’t like that Debra gave him nightmares.”

“What the fuck.”

“Yeah, that’s what I said. Felicity hasn’t done anything freaky though, so I guess she’s alright.”

Eddie does not like this little hobby thing—whatever you can fuckin call it. He doesn’t like Felicity, he doesn’t like how Steve will sometimes seemingly name random objects, and he certainly does not like how Steve doesn’t even seem to think that any of it is weird.

But Eddie likes Steve, like-likes Steve, so Eddie has learned to deal with Felicity, and Bernard (this chewed up looking teddy bear that sits on the bookshelf that apparently does not like when people don’t use their inside voices, and Cherry.

(Cherry being a mug that used to belong to Wayne, but when Steve came over and pointed to it, said Cherry liked that mug because it was from one of her favorite places on her last roadtrip, Wayne just took it down from where it hung on the wall and gave it to Steve without a word. Steve looked absolutely stoked. Neither Wayne nor Eddie have brought it up, and it’s unlikely they ever will.)

[michael-the-rouge]

The Munsons and the Medium (5+1)

Five different events where Steve's hidden medium "vibes" creeps out either or both Appalachian Eddie and Wayne Munson. Robin is there too.

I wrote this in a span of 5, maybe 6 hours. If there are any spelling or grammar errors, no, there is not.

Spirit medium! Steve

Guys, it’s almost Halloween (I say in March) so I was thinking of Steve being a medium but not really knowing. He works completely on vibes alone and just never questions them.

This, of course, concerns Eddie who, despite his dark aesthetic, really does not fuck with the paranormal. He’s Appalachian, the general rule is: if you see something, no you didn’t.

It starts with something small and more confusing than creepy. Quirky even! Eddie takes Steve with him to the thrift—more like Steve has latched himself onto Eddie and now each time Eddie runs the most mundane of tasks like looking for winter coat, Steve insists on coming—and Steve drifts from his side over to the shelves of trinkets to closely inspect a small doll.

It’s tiny, palm sized, and would be cute if Eddie didn’t have an innate fear of porcelain dolls. Steve picks it up and follows Eddie around for 30minutes and all the way to the register with the thing where he proceeds to purchase it for 50 cents.

“Dude, why?”

“I just like it. She’s cool.” Note, Steve says this as he places the tiny doll in is shirt pocket, it’s creepy little face peaking out.

Eddie laughs, thinks Steve is trying to be silly. “So what are you gonna name it then?”

“Why would I name her, she already has a name. Her names Felicity and she’s an old woman, really sweet actually, used to be a teacher.”

“Okay??” Whatever, maybe robins eccentricities and imagination is rubbing off on him.

Except the next time Eddie visits Steve, the thing—Felicity—is perched on the kitchen window sill, staring out into the yard.

“So what’s she doing here?” Eddie is hovering by the door of the kitchen like a nervous dog. He did NOT expect to have another encounter with the doll.

“She likes to look at the birds.”

“The doll, likes birdwatching.” Steve kicks his shoe.

“Don’t be rude.”

At this point Eddie is throughly creeped out and just nervously laughs. He quickly and awkwardly offers a “sorry ma’am” towards the doll just in case and walks out of the kitchen.

Eddie brings this up one day with Robin who just makes it worse.

“Oh yeah, that’s just Steve’s thing. I think he can tell when stuff is haunted or something, it’s really eerie actually. I try not to think about it.”

“You believe in ghosts?” Eddie is judging hard.

“I saw a monster made out of melted people parts, Eddie. At this point, the paranormal may as well exist.” Fair.

“So you don’t mind that Steve just has a doll around in the kitchen?”

“Felicity is pretty chill, actually. Not like— Steve brought home an old teacup one day, said he feels like it belonged to a little girl named Debra. Except he kept it in sunroom and suddenly the room felt really fucking weird all the time. Like your being watched, you know?”

“Sure.”

“Anyways, one day it was just gone, I noticed cuz the room felt lighter somehow, and Steve said he had to get rid of it cuz he didn’t like that Debra gave him nightmares.”

“What the fuck.”

“Yeah, that’s what I said. Felicity hasn’t done anything freaky though, so I guess she’s alright.”

Eddie does not like this little hobby thing—whatever you can fuckin call it. He doesn’t like Felicity, he doesn’t like how Steve will sometimes seemingly name random objects, and he certainly does not like how Steve doesn’t even seem to think that any of it is weird.

But Eddie likes Steve, like-likes Steve, so Eddie has learned to deal with Felicity, and Bernard (this chewed up looking teddy bear that sits on the bookshelf that apparently does not like when people don’t use their inside voices, and Cherry.

(Cherry being a mug that used to belong to Wayne, but when Steve came over and pointed to it, said Cherry liked that mug because it was from one of her favorite places on her last roadtrip, Wayne just took it down from where it hung on the wall and gave it to Steve without a word. Steve looked absolutely stoked. Neither Wayne nor Eddie have brought it up, and it’s unlikely they ever will.)

[michael-the-rouge]

Me explaining my family dynamic to my therapist: My mom and brother are bi (bitch) where as my dad is bi bi (bipolar bitch). I'm also bi bi (bitch bisexual) but my sister is just bi bi bi (bitch bipolar bisexual)

[michael-the-rouge]

#Repost @gogreensavegreen

You might be more than one. You might be different ones at different times. 🫶🏽🫶🏽 you might not be one of these. There are more roles 💪🏽 but this is an amazing intro.

You can’t just like the idea and envision yourself in one of these roles you have to figure out how to be about it ♥️🫶🏽

Via @deiloh & @fablefulart

[michael-the-rouge]

Thinking about Steddie au 1985 by Bowling for Soup. I can't decide if it's in Steve's POV or Eddie's. Some of the references in the song does fit Steve, but the song as a whole fits Eddie. Let's do from Eddie because it fits a little more in my opinion.

Eddie, who did make some attempt at being a Rockstar but loved Steve. Eddie, who couldn't imagine a life without Steve, decided to stay to be with Steve because Eddie values him more than any other dream. Several years down the road, Steddie has several children. The younger ones still obviously adore Eddie's wild antics, but the older ones going through puberty are pulling away. Eddie, who had a horrible moment when one of the older kids was listening to Ozzy Osborne, told him that "he wouldn't get it since he is a dad." What do they mean, I wouldn't get it? Steve, I should be the first in like who gets it. Steve, I'm still Rockstar cool, right? Steve tries his best to comfort his partner. (They have been together for so long. Gay marriage is freshly legal but they haven't talked about an official wedding yet.) Unfortunately, Steve attempting to comfort Eddie actually turned into an argument where some how Eddie let's slip that he wished he did leave back then and become the Rockstar he always had wanted to be. How Eddie feels he missed out on the rush of being on stage, meeting other artists, maybe by now he could have been on tv if he did leave after high school! Steve knows that Eddie doesn't actually regret staying with him, going to school, becoming a literary and drama teacher, and them having kids. Steve knows that, but it still hurts, and Steve decides to go hang out with Robin for the evening, canceling their date night.

At first, Eddie doesn't get why. Steve knew Eddie always had this dream. He had accepted that it wouldn't happen, but he could still want it, right? Just because he wished he went to Chicago to try and become a famous musician doesn't mean that he doesn't love his life now. Eddie, who starts to think about what would be different. Steve and him would have officially settled much later in life. Even when they officially settle, Eddie would still be going on the road, Steve, at home with the kids. But, if they went that route, who knows if they would even still have their kids. Eddie remembered something Steve said long ago how much it pained him for his parents to leave him behind and would never want that for their kids. That must be why Steve is upset. The fear of their kids feeling abandoned and Eddie wanted to kick himself. Eddie did actually get up and kicked himself before going to each of the kids rooms to check that they were going to bed. The very last one, the child who said he doesn't understand and is uncool, is laying in bed with their head phones on. Eddie gets their attention and let's them know that they should take the headphones off soon so they don't damage it in their sleep and that he loves them. As he is leaving their room, his kid tells him that they're sorry and that they do still think Eddie is cool and if he knew any of the songs on the album they're listening to. Eddie was elated and for the next half hour, they sat on their bed talking about music and artists.

It wasn't until almost an hour later that they heard a cough and knock that the two realized how late it was. Steve was standing at the door smiling and reminded them that it was time for bed. Eddie and their kid groaned but agreed, wishing each other a good night and would pick the conversation back up on the weekend.

When back in the bedroom, Eddie apologized, telling Steve that he didn't mean to imply that he would prefer to be a parent that is hardly around. Eddie loves their kids and does want to be here for every moment. Sure, he would love to tour, but IF that life was possible, it would have been scheduled around the kids. Steve gave him a confused look, then smiled and laughed a little. Steve confesses that when Eddie had said he wished he had gone to Chicago, Steve had taken it that he wished he hadn't stayed to be with him. "You could be out meeting so many amazing people who would have dreams similar to yours. Instead, you stayed and became a dad and a partner."

"Wait, so you thought I would have just left you? "

"Eddie, at the time, Dustin and the others were still in high school. I couldn't just leave."

"Yeah, I know why we stayed. But I think we are miscommunication. I would never ever leave you behind. I didn't leave because I love you more than being famous and playing music across the country. I would never love anything more than I love you. That dream would have only existed if you came with me. Instead, we stayed here to be closer to Dustin and the others. While staying here, we both found enjoyment in careers. By the time they had graduated, we were halfway to being able to afford a home. You wanted to be married and have kids, and all I truly wanted was to be with you."

Steve started to cry, which made Eddie cry. They laid in bed that night going over their own personal wants and desires that didn't include the other or their kids and started to make a plan on how to fulfill their own small selfish dreams.

That might have led to the fact that Eddie got corroded coffin back together for a night so that they could perform at Steve and Eddie's wedding party.