steddieholidaydrabbles - Tumblr blog

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

Welcome to the Steddie Big Bang 2024! This is our backup blog, as we woke up to find our beloved original blog completely gone with no rhyme or reason. We've contacted support and hope to regain access, but given that our posting season starts tomorrow, there's no time to wait.

We will be working to reblog all of the teaser posts we can find, and get this blog up and running as quickly as possible ahead of posting season tomorrow. If at all possible, please reblog and share this post so we can spread the word!

-SBB '24 Mods

Schedule || FAQ || Guidelines || Twitter

Author Pinch Hitter Sign Ups || Artist Pinch Hitter Sign Ups

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

If you’re looking for something to keep you busy until prompt announcements in October, check out this event for September!

welcome to steddie smutty september!

this event will take place for the entire month of september. there will be weekly prompts to choose from. you can write one of the prompts, multiple prompts, or combine all of them in one!

please keep in mind this event is for 18+ participants only. if your age is not in your bio, you will not be reblogged or added to the queue.

there will be no maximum word count, however the minimum word count is 500 words.

prompts can and should be interpreted however you want, but please include the prompt(s) you chose towards the top of the post.

all submissions should be rated m for mature or e for explicit. please put the rating at the top of your post, as well as any content warnings and tags you see appropriate. as a courtesy to tumblr users, please put any explicit content and/or anything more than 1000 words under a read more. please tag @steddiesmuttyseptember so it can be added to the queue of reblogs.

a '😏' will be commented once your post has been seen and added to the queue. please send this blog or @steddieas-shegoes a message if you don't see the emoji comment within two days of your submission.

feel free to add your submissions to Steddie Smutty September AO3 Collection once you receive confirmation of it being added to the queue on here!

ATTENTION ARTISTS!

art submissions are welcome and encouraged! same rules apply:

must be rated m or e (put explicit/nudity under a cut), and should follow at least one of the prompts for the week.

due to the way tumblr tends to react to nsfw art, if you’re more comfortable posting on another platform and linking it here, please do so! please include a preview if you’re able to on here.

a ‘😏’ will be commented once the art is added to the queue and masterlist.

———————————————

WEEK ONE PROMPTS (September 1st-7th)

make-up sex | service dom | mile high club | pillow princess

WEEK TWO PROMPTS (September 8th-14th)

soft and slow | backseat | bruise | clothes on

WEEK THREE PROMPTS (September 15th-21st)

rough | lingerie | aftercare | sneaking around

WEEK FOUR PROMPTS (September 22nd-28th)

breeding kink | slap | loud | vibrator

WEEK FIVE PROMPTS (September 29th-30th)

degradation | impact | silent | full

———————————————

A QUICK GUIDE TO RATING M VS. E

while there’s no strict definition for either, here’s what seems to be the most common practice among fic authors:

rated m for mature: descriptions of sex (usually more detailed than just mentioning sex), making out (if partially or fully nude), frottage (or above the clothes getting off of any kind), BDSM in discussion, dirty talk

rated e for explicit: handjobs, blowjobs, rimming, penetrative sex, BDSM in practice

it’s up to your discretion what your fic is rated, and there will always be cases where you may feel more comfortable rating something e that might usually fall under m. any ratings chosen by the author are the author’s decision. please heed all tags and content warnings before reading.

———————————————

if you have any questions, feel free to ask the blog or @steddieas-shegoes!

have fun! - mickala 😏

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

Summer Pop Up Event Masterlist

shirts off by @steddieas-shegoes | Rated M | no cw | tags: steve harrington has a big stupid crush on eddie munson, road trip, bad luck turned into a good situation, getting together, friends to lovers, implied sexual content

Heat of the Moment by @runninriot | Rated T | no cw | tags: eddie has a crush on steve, pining, steve's 'stupid tiny swim shorts' deserve their own tag, implied friends to lovers

Heat on your skin by @just-my-latest-hyperfixation | Rated E | no cw | tags: established relationship, sunburn, dom steve, sub eddie, dry humping, thigh fucking, lotion as lube, anal sex, orgasm denial

lazy summer nights in the back of the van art by @arelliann

Stays in Mexico by @thisapplepielife | Rated E | cw: recreational alcohol use, sex | tags: summer vacation, anniversary, long-term relationship, older married steddie, role playing in public, platonic stobin, long-suffering robin, putting up with these two dinguses

more than worth it by @lingeringmirth | Rated M | no cw | tags: past non-romantic steve/tommy, getting together, summer of 86, eddie lives, first kiss, eddie is steve's bisexual awakening, bisexual steve harrington

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

more than worth it

Written for the @steddieholidaydrabbles pop-up challenge Summer, using the quote: "It's too hot for clothes."

rating: M | cw: none | tags: past non-romantic Steve/Tommy, getting together, summer of -86, Eddie lives, first kiss, eddie is steve's bisexual awakening, bisexual steve harrington.

”Why are you naked?”

Steve has just been inside to get them more drinks, so coming back and find Eddie lounging on one of the deck-chairs completely naked is a bit of a shock, but not an unwelcome one, not if he’s being completely honest with himself.

”It’s too hot for clothes.”

Steve lets his eyes linger a little bit, if Eddie’s gotten undressed then he’s allowed to look, right? The man had finally made him stumble from denial into acceptance over his bisexuality, to admit to himself that it wasn’t just a hand is a hand type of situation. He had liked jerking Tommy off because he’d liked men, it hadn’t been just a friend thing.

”Is it?”

Eddie gives him a leer, lets one of his legs drop to the side and there is no heterosexual way to spin the way he’s sitting with one leg bent in front of him and the other open to the side so Steve can see practically everything, the way he stands at attention, in challenge.

So, Steve does the only thing he can do in this situation, with the summer sun scorching hot on his back, his beer leaking condensation down his arm and a pretty naked man in front of him. He puts his drink aside, shucks off his own clothes and meets Eddie’s eyes with a challenge, hands on his hips in what he’s trying not to think as his mom-pose.

Eddie’s eyes are dark with want, his body responding with need.

”Finally. Come here, sweetheart.”

They’re doing this now, there’s no going back, no trying to explain it away afterwards. Tommy had never called Steve sweetheart. No-one ever has. If he hadn’t already fallen for Eddie, that word alone would have made him stumble over the edge.

He stalks to the lounger Eddie is so brazenly displaying himself in, sits astride his lap and kisses him, hard and desperate.

They get even hotter after that, but it’s more than worth it.

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

Written for the @steddieholidaydrabbles pop-up Summer challenge.

Stays in Mexico

Prompt: Summer | Word Count: 1000 | Rating: E | CW: Recreational Alcohol Use, Sex | Tags: Summer Vacation, Anniversary, Long-Term Relationship, Older Married Steddie, Role Playing in Public, Platonic Stobin, Long-Suffering Robin, Putting Up With These Two Dinguses

Sitting at the bar in the Cabo Wabo Cantina, is a perfect golden god, all tanned skin, lush hair, and moles that Eddie would kill to trace with his tongue. Dressed a little dorky, for sure, like he's came straight from a Jimmy Buffett concert, but still fucking gorgeous. 

Eddie can overlook the Hawaiian shirt, the khaki dad cargo shorts and the flip flops. 

He can even overlook the gold wedding band. If Eddie can ignore the one on his own finger, he can ignore the one this guy is wearing.

And Eddie can't tear his fucking eyes away. He watches from across the room, tequila in hand. They couldn't be more different. Eddie is midnight. 

And he's sunshine. 

He's even got some sort of drink monstrosity in front of him, all fruit and umbrellas and a goddamn curly straw. 

It's endearing. 

Eddie bets he tastes like pineapple. 

He wants to find out. 

It's been decided. Eddie has to talk to him, has to shoot his shot, has to try and bite off more than he can chew tonight. There's no way around it. 

So, Eddie sidles up to him at the bar, leaning close.

"Are you a Parrot Head?" 

"Am I a what?" the guy asks, and Eddie chuckles. 

"Nevermind," Eddie says, the guy must just enjoy a loud shirt. "This your regular spot?" Eddie follows up. Like he can't tell he's a tourist. 

"No, it's my first time here," Steve says.

"Same," Eddie answers, and he asks questions, wanting to know more about this man sitting all alone tonight.

Turns out, his name is Steve. A first grade school teacher. Hawkins, Indiana.

Eddie pushes Steve up against the light pole in the bar parking lot, waiting for a cab back to the resort. Pressing his mouth against Steve's, thigh sliding between Steve's legs, pressing upwards. He's hard, Steve's hard, and he really, really wants Steve to come back to his room with him.

"The things I want you to do to me, they're fucking filthy," Steve whispers against Eddie's mouth.

"I'll do 'em. Anything, everything. We're in Mexico. There's shit down here the devil himself wouldn't do. But me? I will. With a goddamn smile." 

And Steve grins, pressing right up against Eddie, "You better." 

Steve's moaning, feet curled around Eddie's waist, squirming all over the bed. 

"Hold still, you wiggle worm," Eddie says and Steve laughs. It's gorgeous.

"It just feels too good," Steve whines, bucking, pushing himself back further onto Eddie's dick. 

"If you want to drive, just say so, sweetheart," Eddie says. 

"Just fuck me harder," Steve says. 

"Anyone ever told you you're bossy?"

"The nag I'm married to. All the time," Steve says, and that won't do. Not at all. 

Eddie pulls out, and Steve whines about it, but Eddie manhandles Steve over onto his knees, nudging him towards the head of the bed. 

Steve grabs the headboard, and leans forward, so Eddie can thrust back into him as hard as he can. They're both gonna feel it tomorrow. 

Good.

"Oh, god, oh, god," Steve chants. 

"Eddie is fine," Eddie says, and Steve laughs, shaking them both. Eddie grips his shoulder, looking at Steve's strong fucking back, with the miles and miles of freckles. 

"You're fucking hot," Eddie says and Steve tilts his head backwards, so he can look at Eddie. 

Eddie takes the opportunity, and kisses him, as he keeps snapping his hips. 

Steve finally pulls back from the kiss, and whispers right against Eddie's mouth, "Come in me." 

Jesus Christ, it takes everything Eddie has to not do it right that second. 

But Steve stills, tensing, moaning, and he's coming, clenching Eddie's cock. 

And Eddie comes in him, just as requested. Slumping forward, kissing his shoulder, his neck. 

Steve lets go of the headboard and stretches both arms behind him, wrapping them around Eddie's head, holding Eddie to him. In him. 

Holy shit. Steve Harrington. Eddie cannot believe his luck. 

The night rolls into day, and they stumble down the beach, finding chairs, drinking again. 

One more margarita, and Eddie's falling in love. Then it's shots of tequila, and he's licking the salt off Steve's warm skin. 

They wade out into the water, and Steve's skin is slick, slippery, as Eddie clings to him in the ocean. Floating with the motion of the waves, trying to look innocent as Eddie works his hand inside Steve's swim trunks, under the water.

Hard cock in hand, as Steve breathes in his ear, hot and heavy. 

Eddie's memorizing it all, before this ends.

The sand and seawater washed off, Eddie's holding the phone. 

"Your wife," Eddie says, covering the receiver, "Please don't tell her about me, and our torrid vacation love affair."

Steve rolls his eyes. 

"Hello, wife. How are the kids?" Steve asks.

Eddie put it on speakerphone before handing it over, and now Robin's voice is filling the room.

"Gross, no. Don't involve me in your kinky sex shit," she says, and Eddie laughs right along with Steve.

"You knew the risk when you befriended me, Buckley," Eddie shouts, starting to pack up their stuff.

"I befriended Steve-"

"Because he's your soulmate," Eddie teases.

"-and you just came along with him. An unwanted free gift with purchase."

"Hey!" Eddie laughs out, but he knows she loves him. Not as much as she loves Steve, but she does love him. Whether she likes that fact or not.

"When's your flight getting in?" Robin asks.

"Ten-fifteen."

"I hate you both, you know that, right? You couldn't arrange daytime flights?" 

"You love me," Steve says.

Eddie interrupts their banter, "Thanks for watching the kids. Let me say hi." 

"They won't come to the phone. They haven't missed you at all. They're hoping Aunt Robin stays forever." 

Eddie laughs, picturing their two black cats that Robin is only slightly allergic to, both happy and full of treats. 

They probably don't miss them. 

"Happy anniversary, dinguses. See you at eleven." 

"Ten-fifteen!" Steve screams, but she's already hung up. 

If you want to write your own, or see more entries for this challenge, pop on over to @steddieholidaydrabbles and follow along with the fun!

If you want to see more of my entries into this challenge, you can check them out in my Steddie Holiday Drabbles tag, right here!

Notes: This is based off the Toby Keith song Stays in Mexico and I've wanted to do something for Steddie with it for a long time. The first line is "His name was Steve..." and that obviously gave me ideas, haha.

Lots of the lyrics show up in the fic, in some fashion, but I flipped it so it was just role-playing cheating, not real cheating. Fun fact: I contemplated writing it as part of the Take the Money and Run epilogue in 2022, that's how long this has been kicking around my head.

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

Lazy summer nights in the back of the van

For the @steddieholidaydrabbles pop up event “summer”

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

Heat on your skin

Written for the June pop-up challenge of the @steddieholidaydrabbles

Prompt: summer

Rated: E

Tags: Established relationship; Sunburn; Dom!Steve; Sub!Eddie; Dry humping; Thigh fucking; Lotion as lube; Anal sex; Orgasm denial

Notes: Mickala said "anything you might do in summer" and my brain went "lather your badly sunburnt beau in lotion, then fuck him until he goes cross-eyed". You're all welcome.

“Impressive. I didn't know skin could turn that color.” 

Eddie unburies his sweaty face from the pillow to glower at his boyfriend. Steve is standing beside the bed, topless and perfect. His hair, still damp and disheveled, is alight with golden highlights. His skin is bronzed, a delicate flush blooming on his chest and cheekbones. He's flipping a bottle of lotion in one hand, eyeing Eddie’s shoulders and back. His expression is teetering between horror and fascination. 

“Go ahead,” Eddie grumbles. “Ogle me like I'm some circus freak. Sun-kissed bastard.” 

If the sun kissed Steve, it punched Eddie square in the teeth. Swept out his feet from under him as he went down, then kicked him in the ribs before stepping over his limp body and walking away, laughing at his misery. 

Steve chuckles. The bed dips as he straddles Eddie’s thighs. 

“To be fair, I told you to put on sunscreen. Which you not only refused to do-” 

“Because it's sticky, gross and smells horrible.” 

“But also,” Steve continues. The bottle plops as he uncaps it. “You fell asleep.” 

“And you didn't wake me,” Eddie gripes. “I think we're both to blame, at least a- fuck, what's that?” 

“Aloe,” Steve says. He sets the bottle down on the mattress, then starts spreading the cold gel between Eddie’s shoulders. “It might sting a little, but it'll help. Quit squirming.” 

It doesn't just sting a little, it burns like a bitch. Eddie fists his hands into the pillow and tries taking slow, measured breaths, but can't keep his shoulders from twitching. 

“I said,” Steve rumbles. “Hold still.” 

The touch of his hands stays featherlight, but his stance shifts, trapping Eddie a little more firmly against the mattress. Through the thin fabric of their swim shorts, Eddie can feel Steve’s cock pressing against his thigh. He exhales a long breath, forcing himself to go limp and pliant under those hands. 

“There you go,” Steve hums. “Good boy.” 

Eddie’s own cock twitches against the sheets. 

Steve takes his sweet time with him, working his way down his back. After a while, the burnt skin begins to feel cooler in the wake of his touch. Eddie sighs, letting himself drift on the sweet relief of it - and on the different, more urgent heat that’s building at the base of his spine. Steve notices, because of course he does, the sly little fucker. 

“Shhh, baby,” he soothes. His fingers are painting little circles over Eddie’s hip bones now, brushing the seams of his shorts almost as if by accident. Eddie lets out a shaky moan, and Steve rolls his hips, slow and languid, cock slotting between Eddie’s thighs. “Let me make you feel good, yeah?” 

“Shit,” Eddie breathes. And if it comes out more whimper than word? And if he sounds all desperate and pathetic, positively wrecked even though they’re both not even fully naked? So what? He’s red as a lobster, his skin will probably start coming off in flakes by tomorrow, and his perfect greek god of a boyfriend is slowly fucking his thighs through their shorts. He thinks he deserves to be cut some slack here. “Stevie, I’m not sure I can do that with my back. I can hardly even move, man.” 

“Told you, Eds,” Steve murmurs, and shifts his weight again. Eddie gasps as his shorts are yanked down, all the way to the hollows of his knees. “Don't want you to move.” 

Sun-warmed lips trace the base of his spine, only to be replaced by Steve’s fingers again, slick and wet with lotion. 

“And I'm not gonna touch your back,” Steve promises, voice tender and soothing as a caress. One of those large hands settles on Eddie’s hip. “I'm just gonna hold you in place like this and fuck you into this mattress, nice and slow. Would you like that?” 

“Yes,” Eddie sighs, as Steve starts to carefully open him up with one hand. “Oh God, Stevie, yes, please.” 

“Thought you'd say that,” Steve chuckles. “Always so greedy for me, aren't you?” 

How could he not be? How could he ever be anything but greedy for the care and attention that Steve showers him with? How could he ever be anything but desperate for the slow, delicious burn of being fucked open on those deft fingers. How could he ever do anything else but moan and shiver and beg for Steve’s cock as he finally lines himself up, grabbing Eddie’s hips on either side.

“Y’know,” he mutters as, after what feels like a beautiful eternity, Steve begins to move inside of him. He's starting to feel light-headed and tingly all over, and the words come out a bit slurred. “If this is what I get for forgetting my sunscreen, I might do it more often.” 

“Oh?” Steve laughs, all indulgent amusement. He snaps his hips sharply, once, before resuming his languid rhythm. Eddie moans as the motion squeezes at his hard, leaking dick, trapped between his own body weight and the mattress. “You sure about that?” 

“Huh?” Eddie wheezes. He's dizzy from the heat and drunk on Steve's touch, and he can’t fucking think straight. “What d’you mean?” 

“I mean,” Steve says, and picks up his pace. Eddie sucks in a sharp breath as the grip of those hands tightens, pulling him down a little deeper on Steve's cock with each thrust. “I said that I was gonna fuck you. I didn't say anything about letting you cum, did I?” 

“What the fuck?” Eddie squawks. “Oh no, Stevie, please, you're killing me here.” 

Steve tuts at him. 

“Don't be so dramatic, honey,” he scolds. The bed springs creak in time with his thrusts. “If you can take a little sunburn, blue balls won't kill you either, right?” 

And maybe the sun fried his head, and maybe Steve is slowly turning his brain into goo with each new thrust of his cock. The point is, Eddie can't really find the will to argue. 

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

written for today's @steddieholidaydrabbles pop-up event ☀️

Heat of the Moment

prompt: summer | wc: 1000 | rated: T | no cw | tags: Eddie has a crush on Steve, pining, Steve's 'stupid tiny swim shorts' deserve their own tag, (implied) friends to lovers

Eddie wipes a hand over the back of his neck, regrets it instantly when his palm comes back wet.

    Gross.

His hair is sticking to his forehead and no matter how little he moves, his body betrays him, wants to drown him in sweat.

It’s too fucking hot.

And Steve isn’t helping. He’s the reason for a different kind of heat wave just by lying there in these stupid tiny swim shorts, no shirt. Unfairly fucking beautiful, even in this unbearable heat, just blissfully existing.

Eddie is going to melt into a puddle on the floor if he doesn’t stop staring at him. If he doesn’t stop following the droplets running down his neck. He’d lick them right off, if he could. Would follow their trail down to where they collect in Steve’s glorious chest hair. Would swipe his tongue through the little rivulet that has formed in the groove between his abs, wouldn’t stop there.

    God.

It’s really not fair. How can someone look so good in this heat?

Steve always looks good. That’s why Eddie loves him. Or it’s one of the reasons. He has a thing for pretty boys, sue him! He wished it was different, too, but oh well.

The real tragedy is that Steve doesn’t know because he wouldn’t care – or worse. And Eddie really should stop staring if he wants to keep his little secret.

Steve is side-eyeing him when he stands up from where he was lying on his deck chair, his bronze skin covered in a sheer layer of sweat, glistening in the golden afternoon sun.

   “You good, Munson?”

Eddie swallows thickly, nods.

   “Want a beer?”

Another nod because Eddie doesn’t trust himself not to let out an embarrassing whimper if he dares to open his mouth.

Those shorts should be illegal.

It takes everything for Eddie to hold Steve’s gaze, to give him a polite smile in thanks for his offer, when his eyes are begging to drop down to where clingy fabric does shit all to hide Steve’s... form.

Steve thankfully seems unfazed by Eddie’s sudden inability to talk, just shrugs and walks inside, which – to Eddie’s blessing and misery – offers a whole other view that would send Eddie over the edge if he hadn’t at least one tiny bit of dignity left in him.

That. Ass.

    Jesus.

How is Eddie even allowed to exist in the same sphere as this perfection of a man?

And how is he supposed to ever get over his goddamn crush if Steve keeps inviting him over to spend time together, just the two of them, alone in this big ass house with no one around to save Eddie from his own dangerous mind, no one to keep him in check?

Had anyone told him he’d be spending the summer hanging around in Steve’s backyard, being served beer by the man himself, who’s walking around in these godforsaken shorts – Eddie would’ve laughed.

But now that it’s reality, all he can do is gawk and wonder and try not to lose his mind when Steve walks back out, two beers in one hand, the other outstretched to where Eddie is sitting.

   “Let’s sit by the pool, cool down a bit. Your face is so red, I don’t want you to have a heat stroke.”

    Oh god.

Eddie hesitantly takes Steve’s hand, lets himself be pulled up, hopes Steve doesn’t mind how sweaty his palm is. Hopes he doesn’t notice his staggered breathing, his trembling knees.

Maybe he does have a heat stroke? Maybe that’s the reason why he’s feeling a little dizzy right now.

Or maybe it’s the fact that Steve still hasn’t let go of his hand as he leads him to the pool.

Maybe, the fact that Steve is smiling at him brighter than the sun herself, is what’s making it harder to breathe.

They sit down on the edge of the pool, feet dangling in the refreshingly cool water. The bottle in his hand is cold, a stark contrast to the warmth of Steve’s hand he instantly misses, now that it’s gone.

   “Wanna go for a swim?”

The water is nice, perfect to cool down his overheated skin and mind.

Steve is just chilling there, both arms splayed out over the edge, his head tilted back, eyes closed; soaking his body in the water while enjoying the sun on his face. Just minding his own business, not even batting an eye at Eddie who’s awkwardly splashing around, watching the beautiful man from a safe distance.

A distance that’s keeping him from mindlessly swimming over to him, to cage him against the tiles with his arms on either side, one leg slotted between Steve’s, pressing his own wanting body up against the other man’s.

He wants to kiss him so bad.

It’s not the first time that thought hits him but it’s painful every time.

    Fucking hell.

Eddie closes his eyes, groans in frustration over his stupid heart’s stupid fluttering. What a waste of time and energy to pine after someone so far out of reach.

Eddie takes a deep breath before he dives down. Lets his body sink deeper into the pool until his toes reach the ground before he resurfaces with a loud gasp.

When he opens his eyes again, Steve is suddenly right there, right in front of him, smiling his pretty smile.

And then he reaches out, fingers playing with a rogue curl before tugging it back behind his ear.

Eddie feels like the water around him is boiling, feels too hot again now that Steve is so close.

So close, Eddie could easily reach out to pull him in and-

   “I want to kiss you.”

It is Steve who reveals Eddie’s secret back to him. It’s not a question; he’s stating a fact – unashamed and clear. No talking around it, no shy blush painting his cheeks.

Eddie feels brave, carried away by the heat of the moment.

   “Then what are you waiting for?”

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

shirts off

for @steddieholidaydrabbles warm up round 'summer'

rated m | 966 words | no cw | tags: steve harrington has a big stupid crush on eddie munson, road trip, bad luck turned into a good situation, getting together, friends to lovers, implied sexual content

☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

The tire popping was really only the start of the problems on this road trip.

The overwhelming heat and humidity was another.

Steve was trying to convince himself this road trip wasn't doomed, that it was just a short series of bad luck and everything from now on would be perfect. Eddie was grumbling as he tightened the lug nuts on the spare tire.

"You sure you don't need any help?" Steve asked him for the fifth time in as many minutes.

"If you ask me again, I'm leaving you here," Eddie replied, dropping the wrench on the ground and letting out a long sigh. "I'm done anyway. Please tell me there's cold water in the cooler."

Steve opened the cooler in the trunk and grabbed the last bottle of water they had for the road. Their plan was to stock up when they got to the beach, but clearly, they'd been derailed for longer than they hoped.

He handed it to Eddie, who proceeded to dump its entirety over his head.

"That was the last one," Steve said quietly, not wanting to admit that he hadn't planned for the worst.

Eddie looked up at him from the ground before closing his eyes and letting out an unamused laugh.

"We're still three hours away," Eddie complained. "We gotta stop at a gas station or something and grab a couple more. It's too fuckin' hot to not have water."

Steve was too busy staring at the way water was dripping down Eddie's neck to process anything he was saying.

"Hello? Earth to Harrington!" Eddie's fingers were snapping in his face, bringing him back from his daydream. He absolutely planned on blaming it on the heat. "Dude, you dehydrated or something?"

"Uh, yeah. Must be, sorry." Steve picked the wrench up off the ground and threw it in the trunk before slamming it shut and turning back to Eddie, who had his brows raised and an amused smirk on his face. "What?"

"Were you distracted by somethin', Stevie?"

Oh no. He'd gone all summer without Eddie being suspicious of anything. Nearly two months had gone by of Steve hiding his stupid crush that was probably a lot closer to love than he would admit out loud.

"Nope. Just hot," he gave a small smile before turning to the passenger door to open it. It was Eddie's turn to drive.

"I'm pretty hot, too," Eddie stood in his way, arms crossed over her chest. "You know what would probably help?"

Steve shook his head, but he could tell by the way Eddie was standing, so confident and knowing, this was going somewhere he wasn't prepared for.

"Ditching our shirts. Get some air on skin, ya know?"

"Right," Steve gulped. "I think once we get the air conditioner blowing, it'll be better."

"Sure, sure. But I'm all wet, and I wouldn't wanna get your seat wet. Might as well take it off until it's dry."

Steve watched as Eddie lifted his shirt off, throwing it in the open window into the backseat.

"I don't think it'll dry if it's bunched up like that-" Steve gasped as Eddie's hands gripped his hips, chests brushing together as Eddie's breath hit Steve's neck.

"I don't think I care, do you?" Eddie's low voice rumbled against Steve's skin. His lips were right there, grazing his pulse point.

Steve leaned his head back, offering himself up on a silver platter, hoping whatever was happening wasn't some heat-fueled daydream.

"So needy," Eddie groaned before licking a stripe up Steve's neck and nipping at his jaw. "Can't believe you didn't think I'd notice you staring for the last 20 minutes."

"I-" Steve couldn't fucking breathe. Eddie's hands were running up his sides, and his leg was pushing his own legs apart. "Eds, we're on the side of the road."

"A road no one has driven down in the last 20 minutes. It's fine," Eddie still pulled his head back, taking in Steve's ruffled appearance. "I'll stop if you're uncomfortable, though. Nothing we can't do when we get to the motel."

Steve's dick was already hard in his shorts, a fact that Eddie seemed to realize at the same moment as Steve.

"You can use my thigh. Take the edge off," Eddie offered.

"How the fuck am I gonna ride for three more hours in these shorts if I do that?" Steve wasn't completely opposed, he just wanted to see how far Eddie was willing to push.

"With the promise of being able to ride me for three hours when we get there," Eddie shrugged, completely nonchalant with what he was implying.

"Three hours? You think you can last that long?"

"For you? I can last all night, big boy." Eddie pushed his leg forward until it made contact with Steve's cock. "Wanna get one for the road though."

The heat was barely even a thought anymore as Steve rutted forward, knowing he wouldn't last long at all with Eddie's lips sucking a bruise into his shoulder.

He wasn't quiet, didn't even try to hold back.

It was the best thing he'd ever done, and he was still fully clothed.

When they got back in the car, Eddie handed Steve a bottle of water from the backseat. It was room temperature, but still refreshing.

"How long you been hiding water back there?"

"How long you been hiding your crush on me?" Eddie shot back.

Steve rolled his eyes, turning his face to hide his blush. "A while."

"I know, sweetheart." Eddie's hand covered Steve's knee as he pulled back onto the deserted road. "Don't have to anymore, though. I got you."

Steve's head fell back against the seat, turning over to stare at Eddie. He had a post-orgasm glow despite not getting off with Steve.

"Yeah, you do."

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

Welcome to another pop-up event! Today's prompt is summer and whatever you may associate with the word. The graphic above has some general themes/ideas and quotes that can be used or help inspire you to write.

[Themes: vacations, heat wave, swimming Quotes: "it's too hot for clothes", "i need these kids to go back to school", or "i have to get a summer job"]

Make sure you check the pinned post for the guidelines and have fun! Please note that this is a one day only period (June 15th).

Happy writing! ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

Graduation Pop Up Event Masterlist

naked under there by @steddieas-shegoes | Rated M | cw: mention of illness (flu symptoms), mentions of sexual content | tags: established relationship, modern au, college graduation, sick fic, the laziest possible handjob you may ever see

Along for the Ride by @thisapplepielife | Rated T | cw: language | tags: post s2, graduation day for the class of '85, eddie munson doesn't graduate, wayne loves eddie, unlikely duo for the day, pre-steddie, hanging out

Whatever the future may hold by @just-my-latest-hyperfixation | Rated M | no cw | tags: omegaverse, omega!eddie, alpha!steve, pregnancy, mentions of sex

not so different by @steddieas-shegoes | Rated T | cw: mentions of past character death, mention of alcohol, language | tags: childhood friends, friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, good uncle wayne munson

What's A Little Grand Theft Auto Between Friends by @thisapplepielife | Rated T | cw: language, nudity for comedy, smoking, brief mention of underage drinking | tags: post s2, class of '85 graduation party at the quarry, randomly teaming up, having fun together, steve gets an alternate introduction to eddie's hot-wiring skills, steve ain't body shy, he spent too many years in locker rooms, pre-steddie

On top of the world by @sidekick-hero | Rated T | no cw | tags: fix-it, steve is a sweetheart and takes care of eddie, first kiss

When I Grow Up by @mugloversonly | Rated G | no cw

Study Buddies art by @arelliann

untitled by @puppy-steve | Rated G | no cw | tags: emma verse, modern au, famous corroded coffin, steddie being over the top parents

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

G | 753 words

written for @steddieholidaydrabbles' prompt: graduation tags: emma verse, modern au, famous corroded coffin, steddie being over the top parents

tagging some of the emma fans: @steves-strapcollection @tboygareth @patchworkgargoyle @steddieas-shegoes @theheadlessphilosopher

@worstsequence @hammity-hammer

"Does she know where we're sitting?" Eddie asks as they shuffle down the rows of plastic seats, his bulky digital camera hanging around his neck by the strap.

(Eddie wanted to bring their tour photographer, Cody, but Steve had to gently remind him that the school already had one hired. Eddie only sulked for an hour.)

Steve levels him a look. "If she doesn't see us, then she'll spot one of these goons and follow the line." He points over his shoulder to their accompanying party.

Wayne is directly behind him, followed by Robin and Chrissy. Jeff, Gareth, Freak, and the kids shuffle in behind them. As much as Eddie doesn’t like flaunting his celebrity status around, he had to call ahead the week before to request an entire row to be reserved just to fit all of them.

His baby is graduating kindergarten, he'll be damned if he doesn't pull out all the stops. They’re even having a little graduation party for her at the house afterwards—a backyard BBQ with everyone and the rest of the tour crew and family who couldn't make it to the ceremony.

Not long after everyone is seated, Pomp and Circumstance crackles out of the loudspeakers and the kids start to walk down the aisle in pairs. It's definitely not perfect, some kids take too-eager steps and some stop to hug their parents, but the teachers do their best to guide them.

Steve starts recording with his phone the second they spot Emma, the digital chime of Eddie's camera shutter clicking away beside him. Her curls are barely tamed in the side pony she asked Eddie to put it in, but it matches the whole 'rocker' vibe she's got going on.

Amongst the sea of summer dresses and pressed toddler slacks, their little girl is wearing her black denim battle vest over a light purple Hannah Montana shirt Steve had gotten at a yard sale, with a pale blue frilly tutu and a pair of silver glitter leggings and her black boots.

She looks nervous, though. Tense. Her shoulders are drawn up and her hands are clasped in front of her. Brown eyes dart this way and that around the room trying to spot a familiar face in the crowd and it breaks Steve's heart to watch his kid be so anxious. Her teacher said she did great at practice yesterday, but that was without the fifty pairs of eyes on her.

Mike is sitting on the end and she finds him easily, her eyes lighting up in recognition, but there's still a worried crease between her eyebrows that doesn't smooth out until she's locking eyes with her dads. She gives them a tiny wave as she walks by.

They both give her encouraging thumbs up and Eddie wishes he could just snatch her up and run out of the building with her.

They eventually get all the kids filed in and the principal stands behind the podium on the stage to welcome everyone. She goes through the awards first (Emma receives one for reading above her grade level, something that Eddie is very proud of) before the kids line back up to receive their little diplomas.

Halfway through the list, Eddie suddenly elbows Steve. "Shit, I didn't hear her name, did we miss her?"

His phone is still recording. "Dude, her last name is M, we're still in the J's."

"Oh, right."

Emma's class is only about 50 or so kids so it doesn't really take that long to get to her name, but Steve and Eddie are still vibrating with the anticipation.

"Emma Munson."

Immediately, their entire entourage is up on their feet and cheering and yelling. It's way too loud for the cafeteria setting they're in, and it echos, and you can definitely tell which of them are in the famous metal band.

Emma's little cheeks turn the same color as her glasses but her grin is big and wide as she holds her certificate in front of her for the picture. Both Steve and Eddie are rapid fire pressing the shutter buttons on their cameras.

Once she's off the stage, the principal clears her throat. "A reminder to please hold all applause until the end of the ceremony, thank you." She gives them a not-so-subtle glare over the rims of her own glasses.

Sheepishly, their group sits back down and is quiet once more.

"We're gonna be worse during her eighth grade graduation, right?" Steve whispers to Eddie.

"Oh, absolutely. She'll want to kill us afterwards."

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

Study Buddies

For @steddieholidaydrabbles pop up event, for the theme 'graduation'

They're going to graduate together this year, so long as Steve doesn't keep getting distracted

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

When I Grow Up

This is for the Steddie Holiday Drabble Popup Event. @steddieholidaydrabbles

Rating: G; WC:726

Steve double checked his pockets while he waited for Eddie and Amelia. It was a big day for the new family. Amelia was graduating kindergarten and she needed to be spectacular. She wanted them all to wear matching outfits, and she wanted to wear her hair the same way her papa did. So, naturally Eddie was a blubbering mess all week.

His disposable cameras were secured and he called up to the two divas. “Time to go or we’ll be late!”

“Coming!” Eddie yelled back wetly. Steve grabbed an extra pack of travel tissues and shoved them in his pocket. He loved his cry baby husband. Speak of the devil, he glanced over his shoulder to watch him come down the steps, and had to suppress a giggle. Eddie was carrying Amelia down with him and both of them were wearing the same thing as Steve: a black button down with dark gray jeans and a pink bow tie. She’d developed a love of dark colors recently, but she still loved her pink. But what got Steve the most, was the hair.

The two of them were sporting matching double dutch braids with plastic roses weaved in. There was an absurd amount of glitter in both their hair and a crazy amount of hair clips. It was obvious that they worked as a team, with Eddie doing the braids and Amelia the accessories. “Dad! You need glitter too!” Amelia shouted. He sighed and knelt down for her to sprinkle his hair with the glitter. “Now we all match!” She jumped out of Eddie’s arms and ran through the garage door and into the car. Steve and Eddie shared a kiss before they followed her.

~~~

They were sitting with the other parents of the kindergartners as they sang their end of year song. They even did a bit of sign language to go along with it. Next was the section where all the kids said what they wanted to be when they grew up.

There were Astronauts, fire fighters, singers, and one very ambitious kid who wanted to be a mermaid scientist. Whether that was studying mermaids or inventing them, Eddie couldn’t tell. But finally it was Amelia’s turn. Eddie took a deep breath, trying his best to stay dry eyed. Steve already handed him a bundle of tissues but he was determined not to use them. That all went out the window the second his little girl spoke.

“Amelia Munson, what do you want to be when you grow up?” Her teacher asked. She smiled and looked at her dads.

“I want to grow up to be a tattoo artist like my papa.” She said. Eddie’s hands flew to his mouth as he gasped. He looked at Steve out of the corner of his eye and saw him pulling out some more tissues before handing them over without a word. He grabbed them gratefully and dabbed at his eyes.

Steve smiled fondly and wrapped his arm around Eddie as he blubbered. The parents around them awed and a few of their parent friends glanced at the pair. Funnily enough, even though Eddie looked like a scary dog, all the parents knew he was a big cry baby when it came to Amelia.

Thinking back to her first day, Eddie remembered how he had cried harder than any of the moms that were there with their kids as the class made their way inside. Steve had to practically drag him away and he made him park across the street for over an hour until they left, “just in case she gets too sad and wants to come home, Steve.” Eddie explained.

If Amelia was sick, he was the one to come pick her up. Not because Steve didn’t care, but it was a lot easier for Eddie to drop everything since he owned the studio he tattooed in. A high school guidance counselor couldn’t exactly drop everything at a moment’s notice.

He knew they had a special bond, the two had a similar background and early childhood. But he never expected their bond to be so special she’d want to grow up to be just like him. The thought filled his heart to bursting.

He looked at Steve and whispered “we really need to get her a cat.” Steve rolled his eyes fondly.

“The puppy wasn’t enough?”

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56184907

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

On top of the world

Written for the @steddieholidaydrabbles, prompt 'graduation' | 616 words | tags: fix it, Steve is a sweetheart and takes care of Eddie, first kiss

Before March 21st, Eddie would have said not graduating again was the worst thing that could happen to him. Now, Eddie knows better.

Nothing like almost dying to put things into perspective, right?

He misses the days when his biggest worry was convincing old witch O'Donnell to give him a "D" and let him leave Hawkins High. Now that he knows what a real hellhole looks like, he thinks he could survive another year under Higgins' thumb.

Still, he doesn't exactly mind when Nancy comes over to his and Wayne's new house—part of the government deal the kids cut for him while he was in a coma—to tell him that he's going to graduate with his class.

He doesn't question it either, just whoops enthusiastically enough to almost pull his stitches, which hurts but has the added bonus of Steve putting his big hands all over him to check his numerous healing wounds.

A week on the run and fighting interdimensional monsters with the guy has changed Eddie's perspective on what’s the best thing that could happen to him as well.

On graduation day, he walks across the stage with a cane for support, something he hadn’t thought possible. It was Steve who had made that happen, even if he refused to accept Eddie's praise. The moment Eddie had muttered under his breath after Nancy had left, ‘But how am I supposed to walk the fucking stage if I can't even go to the bathroom without taking a break?' Steve was a man on a mission.

They practiced every day, before or after Steve's work helping out at the hospital. They needed every helping hand they could get after the damage Vecna and the Upside Down monsters had caused. Eddie could attest to how wonderful Steve's hands were at helping. In fact, he could write songs about it once his hands stopped shaking whenever he held a pencil (or anything, really) for too long.

Eddie wondered if every one of Steve's patients was as in love with him as he was.

As Eddie snags his diploma from Higgins, who looks like he bit into a particularly bitter lemon, Eddie marvels that flipping him the bird isn’t as exhilarating as expected.

Maybe that’s because of last night and the way Steve’s lips felt on his. Every moment since then simply pales in comparison.

Steve had come over after another shift at the hospital, probably sore and exhausted, but giving Eddie one of his dazzling smiles that always made him weak in the knees. Which was kind of counterproductive, considering what they were trying to accomplish here.

They were both trying so hard but Eddie’s legs just wouldn’t cooperate. No matter what Steve tried, they buckled after a few steps, forcing Eddie to sit down or fall down. He had made progress, the muscles in his legs slowly coming back, but three weeks had been too short.

Or so he thought.

Eddie doesn’t know how or why, but this time, Steve had simply positioned himself as far away from Eddie as possible and spread his arms as wide as his smile. “I got you, Eds. I’ll never let you fall. If you can’t trust in yourself just yet, trust in me.”

He had, believing that those strong arms would wrap around him if he stumbled.

He didn’t stumble, didn’t fall, but wrap around him they did anyway. Steve had picked him up and twirled him around, and then he’d kissed him, grinning mouth to grinning mouth.

Eddie might not have graduated top of his class, but he sure feels like he’s on top of the world when he catches Steve’s eye among the cheering group of his friends.

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

Written for the @steddieholidaydrabbles pop-up Graduation challenge.

What's A Little Grand Theft Auto Between Friends?

Prompt: Graduation | Word Count: 1000 | Rating: T | CW: Language, Nudity for Comedy, Smoking, Brief Mention of Underage Drinking | Tags: Post S2, Class of '85 Graduation Party at the Quarry, Randomly Teaming Up, And Then Having Fun Together, Steve Gets an Alternate Introduction to Eddie's Hot-Wiring Skills, Steve Ain't Body Shy, He Spent Too Many Years in Locker Rooms, Pre-Steddie

Coming tonight was a mistake, he's realized, because Steve isn't comfortable with this crowd, not anymore. 

Decision made: He's leaving.

He places his plastic cup down on the open tailgate of a truck he's passing by.

"Thanks for the trash, Harrington," comes the snapping snarl, and Steve stops. He hadn't realized there was anyone sitting in the back of the truck. But there's Munson, in all black, blending into the night. The only thing visible, the cherry on the end of his lit cigarette.

"Sorry, man," Steve says, leaning up against the side of the pickup, "I didn't want to just, you know, throw it on the ground."

"How noble," Munson says, dripping with sarcasm.

Steve's too tired for another snotty showdown. Graduation party at the quarry sounded neutral enough, but he was wrong. He's done dealing with everyone, and everything, from Hawkins High.

Except Henderson and the kids. But they haven't started HHS yet, so they totally don't count, and tonight he can hate everything about the place.

Including the crown prince of shitty attitudes, Eddie "The Freak" Munson. 

Steve takes the few steps back, grabs the cup, slings the beer that was mostly untouched into the grass. Holding up the empty cup to show Munson he's corrected this horrible offense. 

"That's more like it," Munson says, cigarette dangling from his lip.

"Well, that's my cue," Steve says, and keeps walking.

"Wait! Wait a second," Munson asks, no demands, and Steve has no idea why he even thinks about going back, let alone does it.

But he does.

Backpedaling the few steps until he can almost see Munson again.

"What?" Steve asks. 

"You leaving already?" Munson questions, and Steve just bobbles his head, because yeah, obviously.

"Can I get a ride back to town?" Munson asks, and Steve arches an eyebrow.

"Is this not your truck?" Steve asks.

"Nope," Munson answers, and Steve's hand flies up to toss the empty cup right at Munson's forehead.

Munson bats it away, laughing, as it clatters around noisily in the truck bed.

"You're a dickhead," Steve says, but then just wheels his arm around, silently telling Munson to hurry up if he's coming. Munson grins, wide and wolfish, hopping over the side with ease, landing on both feet with a resounding thud.

Then he holds out his arm in a sweeping after you gesture. Steve shakes his head and starts walking back to his car, hoping like hell he's not blocked in.

He is. 

"Well, shit."

"I got this," Munson says, trying the doors of both cars boxing them in, nearly touching bumper. Billy and Tommy, of fucking course. 

The Camaro is locked, but Tommy's isn't, and Munson slides into the driver's seat. Curious, Steve sinks into the passenger seat. 

Munson pulls out a multi-tool of some kind, and before Steve has a chance to realize exactly what he's doing, Munson has the cables pulled out from under the dash.

"Holy shit," Steve says, leaning closer, "where'd you learn to do that?"

"Well, when the other dads were teaching their kids how to fish or play ball, my old man was teaching me how to hot-wire. Now, I swore I wouldn't wind up like he did, but they wanna be dickheads? We'll all be dickheads. What's a little grand theft auto between friends?"

Friends. They aren't friends, and Steve's aware of that fact, acutely. But he'd be lying if it didn't feel kinda nice to hear from someone, even as a lie.

So, Steve grins, "Not a thing. Friend."

Eddie backs up Tommy's car, then pulls the wires, killing the engine. Afterwards, he stuffs everything back up under the dash. 

"Won't that-" Steve starts.

"Yup," Eddie answers, "gonna be deader than shit and he's gonna have no idea why."

"My man," Steve says, holding up his fist, and Eddie eyes him, but eventually bumps it back. "Thanks. This is hilarious, and he'll never suspect me. Like, I can't do that, and Tommy knows it."

"That's why it's good to have shady characters on your side, Harrington."

"Guess so," Steve agrees, and once they're back in Steve's car, Steve backs up, pulling away, easily.

Eddie digs his cigarettes out of his jacket pocket, "Can I?"

"Only if you light me one," Steve answers, watching as Eddie slides the cigarette along his own bottom lip, into his mouth, puffing as he lights it, then reaches over to place it between Steve's parted lips.

Steve feels funny about it, in a way he doesn't exactly understand, just for a second, before shaking it off.

"So, why was King Steve bailing so early tonight?" Eddie asks.

"Eh, I don't know. Guess I realized I'd graduated and had no interest in seeing any of those assholes again."

"Well, I didn't graduate, but same."

"You didn't graduate?" 

"Nah, maybe the third time will be the charm," Eddie answers. "Going from King Steve, to running as fast as you can. I'm proud of you, big boy."

It's so unexpected, Steve's sure he looks stupid, before he busts out laughing, "Well, that's a new one."

"Really? Are the rumors not true? I'll be so disappointed," Eddie asks, looking dramatic, feet now resting on Steve's dashboard. Steve doesn't have the energy to tell him no.

"What rumors?"

"About your big dick, man. Girls talk. I listen."

What? That's. What?

"Well, I gotta piss, so you can take a gander for yourself, I guess," Steve banters, parking and hopping out of the car along the dirt road. 

He knows Eddie doesn't actually wanna look, but two can play this game.

So, Steve doesn't go to the trunk, to the cover of darkness. No, he heads right up front, illuminated by headlights, and takes his dick into his hand. Lays it on his palm, like he's presenting it.

He looks through the windshield, but can't really see Eddie's reaction. Bummer.

But, then Eddie's hand pops out of the passenger window, giving him a big thumbs up.

And Steve tosses his head back, laughing.

If you want to write your own, or see more entries for this challenge, pop on over to @steddieholidaydrabbles and follow along with the fun!

If you want to see more of my entries into this challenge, you can check them out in my Steddie Holiday Drabbles tag, right here!

[steddieholidaydrabbles]

not so different

for @steddieholidaydrabbles prompt ‘graduation’

rated t | 994 words | cw: mention of past character death, mention of alcohol, language | tags: childhood friends, friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, good uncle Wayne Munson

🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦

Steve Harrington didn’t cry, not even when he fell off the slide at the playground and his knee bled for 15 minutes and his nanny had to call his mom.

But this was a special instance where he was allowed to be sad. His nanny even said so. He watched all the kids in his kindergarten class taking pictures with their moms and dads, uncles and aunts, grandpas and grandmas, and wondered why he didn’t have anyone here for him.

He found an empty classroom in the big kid hall as soon as the ceremony was done, sat behind the teacher’s desk, and cried into his knees.

“Did your daddy not show up either?” A voice asked from in front of him.

He lifted his head, vision blurry and face wet, to see Eddie.

Eddie had already done kindergarten once, but he had trouble with his phonics, so they kept him behind. He was the first kid to talk to Steve in class, but within a few days, Tommy and Carol and Heather had scared him away from Steve entirely.

“Um, no.”

“What about your mama?”

“She’s with my dad.”

“My mama is with God. Or that’s what a lot of people say. I dunno if she was friends with him or not, though. I think she just got buried in the ground and people are scared to tell me,” Eddie was sitting next to Steve now, his leg knocking against Steve’s.

Eddie didn’t sit still very well, and the teacher always said he had ants in his pants. Steve hoped he didn’t have them in there now; he didn’t want any ants on him.

“Where’s your dad?”

“He’s probably getting ‘rested again. He showed up being silly and my Uncle Wayne had to take him outside,” Eddie shrugged.

“Is he tired?” Steve asked, sniffling and leaning more against Eddie.

“No. Uncle Wayne says sometimes he has too much of the drinks in the bottles I’m not allowed to touch and it makes him act like he don’t got a brain,” Eddie didn’t sound that sad, but Steve still wanted to hug him. “So your daddy isn’t here?”

“No. I think he forgot.”

“Sorry he forgot. My Uncle Wayne never forgets. He even came to the lunch room for my birthday. He brought me a piece of pizza!” Eddie always sounded more excited than anyone else. Most of the kids in the class thought it was stupid, but Steve kind of liked the way his eyes got wide and his smile got so big it took up most of his face. “Maybe he can bring you a piece for your birthday next year.”

“He doesn’t even know me.”

“You can come meet him!”

The classroom door opened just as Eddie started to stand and reach for Steve’s hands to pull him up.

“There ya are, Ed! Been lookin’ everywhere. You want some ice cream?” An older man stood by the door, button up plaid shirt only half-tucked into his jeans.

“Can we bring Steve? He’s my friend.”

Steve’s head turned, shocked that Eddie would say that.

“We gotta ask his parents first, Ed.”

“His parents didn’t come.”

“Oh.” The man looked Steve up and down before seemingly settling on something. He gave a small smile and gestured for him to come closer. “What’s your favorite flavor, then?”

“I dunno. Never had anything except vanilla,” Steve admitted, afraid to look at the man who had to be Eddie’s Uncle Wayne.

“Well, that just won’t do, will it? Let’s go try every flavor at the diner. Benny just added a few new ones. Think there’s even a bubblegum one.”

Eddie clapped his hands and dragged Steve out the door by his arm.

“I bet you’ll like mint chip,” he said as Wayne followed behind them, fond smile on his face.

🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦

Steve Harrington had only cried a few times in his life, but this was the second time it was happening in front of Eddie.

Eddie wasn’t conscious this time, though.

“If you wake up, I’ll take you to the diner and we can have ice cream. They’ve got a new raspberry white chocolate flavor that you’d like. I could use some mint chip right now,” Steve said around the tears.

Wayne had left the hospital an hour ago to freshen up and grab one of his crossword puzzle books. Steve had been crying for most of that hour, holding Eddie’s hand and quietly begging him to wake up.

Two days without hearing his voice or watching his smile light up the room was too long, especially after having it for the last 13 years.

“How’re you gonna walk at graduation if you’re still asleep here, huh?” Steve closed his eyes and wiped at his cheeks.

“You can walk with me.”

Steve’s head shot up at Eddie’s quiet, but surprisingly strong voice.

“Eddie!”

“Hey, Stevie. Heard you’re takin’ me for ice cream,” Eddie’s smile was crooked, the bandage on his cheek covering one of his dimples.

It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered except for Eddie being awake, being alive, being okay.

“Yeah, Eds. Every day if you want,” Steve wanted to crawl into the bed with him, hold him close and feel him breathing and listen to his heartbeat, be sure he was there.

“Gonna hold you to that.”

“Soon as you can leave, that’ll be our first stop. Promise.”

Eddie closed his eyes, but the smile remained on his face. “You slept?”

“A bit.”

“So no.”

Steve rolled his eyes. “A bit.”

“C’mere.”

“Honey, you’re hurt-“

“Come here.”

Steve got in bed slowly, making sure he kept space between himself and Eddie’s injuries.

“Think I’ll graduate?”

Steve snorted. “They’d be stupid to hold you back after you saved everyone.”

“Yeah. ‘M a hero. Fuck Hawkins High.”

Steve could feel more tears trickle down his cheeks, but these were different.

These were relieved tears, happy tears.

“Yeah, honey. Fuck them.”

“Love you, though.”

“Love you so much.”