#96tears

[ropesbypatricia]

~ You're way on top now, since you left me ~

[steddiefanfictionforbillylovers]

'Uh-oh, love comes to town' by 96tears

It’s not like Steve thought Eddie would stay single forever, but he figured he’d have a girlfriend by the time Eddie got a boyfriend. So, when Vickie and Robin set Eddie up on a blind date with Vickie’s cousin, Steve figures he feels weird about it because he’s the only one without a date.

But an annoying little voice starts telling him maybe there’s more to it than that. He just has to figure out what it is.

Tags under the cut:

Relationship:

Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson

Characters:

Robin Buckley

Vickie (Stranger Things)

Original Characters

Steve Harrington's Grandmother

Additional Tags:

background Robin Buckley/Vickie

brief Eddie Munson/Other(s)

Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence

Jealousy

Misunderstandings

Feelings Realization

Getting Together

First Kiss

Happy Ending

brief recreational drug use

POV Steve Harrington

Carnival

Pining

Note: The tropes/Tags/Kinks in these fics do not always represent my personal likes/dislikes. I will post fics that are Friendly/Neutral or Critically Positive to this site regardless of my own opinion of the fic.

[urlasage]

too many teardrops for one heart to be crying too many teardrops for one heart to carry on

         .

.

and when the sun comes up, I'll be on top you'll be right down there, looking up

.

             . and I might wave, come up here but I don't see you waving now

               .

. I'm way down here, wondering how I'm gonna get you but I know now

                        . I'll just cry, cry

                     .               I'll just cry

         .

.

too many teardrops for one heart to be crying too many teardrops for one heart to carry on

.

         .

you're gonna cry ninety-six tears

[steddieunderdogfics]

For the "Fics with Playlists" challenge on the 13th, I'd like to shoutout and rec "The Pizza Box Pact" by 96tears. (@pizzaqueen)

It was so utterly adorable, soft, and absolutely made me feel some wonderful big, big feelings. And, yes, it has a great 90s playlist that I definitely go back and listen to, even now, months after reading it! ❤️

The Pizza Box Pact by 96tears

Listen to the official playlist here!

@pizzaqueen

Rating: Teen and Up

24,257 words, 3/3 chapters

Archive Warning: No Warnings

Tags: Future Fic, 1990s, Roommates, Mutual Pining, Misunderstandings, Bad Matchmaking, Fluff and Angst, Light Angst, Happy Ending, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Getting Together, POV Eddie Munson, Friends to Lovers, Feelings Realization, Eddie Munson in Denial

Summary:

Eddie and Steve have been living together, working together, and raising their cat together for a few years, now, but they’re not together together. They’re friends—the best of—nothing more, and they’re happy. At least, Eddie is, and he thought Steve was too. But then he finds a pact they made, one drunken night ten years ago, where they pledged to ‘marry’ each other if they were still single by the time they’re thirty, and everything changes. Steve isn’t amused by the reappearance of the pledge, seems almost upset by it, and Eddie figures it’s because he’s going to be thirty soon and doesn’t have a girlfriend. So, he does what any best friend would do: promises to find Steve his perfect woman, setting him up on a series of unsuccessful blind dates. But somewhere along the way, Eddie rediscovers feelings that he thought he’d put aside years ago. He just hopes he hasn’t discovered them too late.

Thanks for the rec!

This rec is a part of Challenge Monday. The challenge this week was Fics with playlists.

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

[steddielations]

Oh my gosh! The smut recs were amazing! DO YOU HAVE ANY LIKE TOOTH ROTTING STEDDIE FLUFF??? OR ANY ACCOUNTS IM DYING

*putting these in your pocket*

little things mean a lot by 96tears

(96tears has so many good fluffy one shots)

waving down the wind - MacksDramaticShenanigans

(mack also has so many perfect fluffy one-shots, I’m just gonna recommend their entire ao3)

if i was brave (i’d climb up to you on the mountain) by hexiewrites

Dots and Dashes by alligator_writes

run my heart through your gentle cycle by cheatghosts

the seventh heaven (when i kissed the teacher) by judasofsuburbia

linger by yournowheregirl

temptations of trouble by MacksDramativShenanigans

what you feel is what you are (and what you are is beautiful) by througheden

steve harrington’s six step guide to getting the guy by oaseas

some of my favorite accounts that post fluffy steddie ficlets and headcanons are:

steveshairychest stevethehairington pizzaqueen babyboymunson henderdads punkharringtxn metal-dads

also i have a steddie fic rec tag with even more in there!

[steddie-fanfic-recs]

The Pizza Box Pact

by 96tears

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington & Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington/Other(s) Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Original Characters Additional Tags: Future Fic, 1990s, Roommates, Mutual Pining, Misunderstandings, Bad Matchmaking, Fluff and Angst, Light Angst, Happy Ending, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Getting Together, POV Eddie Munson, Friends to Lovers, Feelings Realization, Eddie Munson in Denial Words: 24,257 Chapters: 3/3

Summary

Eddie and Steve have been living together, working together, and raising their cat together for a few years, now, but they’re not together together. They’re friends—the best of—nothing more, and they’re happy. At least, Eddie is, and he thought Steve was too. But then he finds a pact they made, one drunken night ten years ago, where they pledged to ‘marry’ each other if they were still single by the time they’re thirty, and everything changes. Steve isn’t amused by the reappearance of the pledge, seems almost upset by it, and Eddie figures it’s because he’s going to be thirty soon and doesn’t have a girlfriend. So, he does what any best friend would do: promises to find Steve his perfect woman, setting him up on a series of unsuccessful blind dates. But somewhere along the way, Eddie rediscovers feelings that he thought he’d put aside years ago. He just hopes he hasn’t discovered them too late.

[steddiebang]

Steddie Bigbang Weekly Round-up: November 5 - November 11

The Pizza Box Pact Author: 96tears/pizzaqueen / Artist: Cousin Itt / Artist: goingsteddi3 Eddie and Steve have been living together, working together, and raising their cat together for a few years, now, but they’re not together together. They’re friends—the best of—nothing more, and they’re happy.

At least, Eddie is, and he thought Steve was too. But then he finds a pact they made, one drunken night ten years ago, where they pledged to ‘marry’ each other if they were still single by the time they’re thirty, and everything changes.

Steve isn’t amused by the reappearance of the pledge, seems almost upset by it, and Eddie figures it’s because he’s going to be thirty soon and doesn’t have a girlfriend. So, he does what any best friend would do: promises to find Steve his perfect woman, setting him up on a series of unsuccessful blind dates.

But somewhere along the way, Eddie rediscovers feelings that he thought he’d put aside years ago. He just hopes he hasn’t discovered them too late.

Suitcase of Memories Author: sidekick-hero / AO3 / Author: legitcookie / AO3 / Artist: luna-fortunaa / Twitter / Instagram / Artist: maikaartwork / Twitter / Bluesky/ Instagram  In a bygone era, two men overcome all societal norms and find an instant, powerful connection that defies all odds. Their secret love blossoms in the shadows, forming an unbreakable bond. However, fate eventually intervenes, cruelly tearing them apart.

Fast forward to the present day, Steve awakens from a startling dream that feels surprisingly real, like he was really there. The memory of it haunts his every waking moment, making him question if he somehow recognizes the mysterious, curly-haired stranger playing his guitar at a street-corner, although they have never met before. Steve continues to cross paths with this enigmatic figure, Eddie, until they surrender to fate and their instant attraction.

As their relationship deepens, Steve’s dreams become increasingly vivid, detailed, and intense, leaving him with an uncanny sense of familiarity. They also strangely reflect the growing romance and struggles of his newfound relationship. Is it all just a coincidence, or is there a deeper connection that defies the boundaries of time and fate?

I’m Shy & Shameless (Nocturnal & Nameless) Author: theeblackplague / TikTok / Artist: @kaspurrcat / Twitter / Instagram / Artist: Marie.melancia / Instagram Bodies are washing up in the Chicago River and the newspapers say there’s a serial killer on the loose. Steve Harrington is new in town and in his dump of an apartment, he’s found a box of tapes under the floorboards. They appear to be the video diary of the previous tenant, some guy named Eddie Munson.

Paint the Devil on the Wall Author: @museumgiftshoperaser / Artist: @melonalemonade & @dreaminginpencil If Eddie had known that sharing his New York City art studio with Robin would include her buddy Steve, he never would’ve offered it in the first place. There. He said it. If that makes him a bad friend, so be it.

Because Steve is around all the time. Pastel and prissy. Sculpted from marble, yet dressed like a Macy’s mannequin. Always hovering.

They got Robin’s potters wheel up the stairs last week, a three man effort he can still feel in his lower back, and now she’s fucking teaching him. Full on, arms wrapped around his waist, hands guiding hands. Someone grab him a bucket, ‘cause Eddie’s about to throw up.

He’s not even good at it. Steve can barely get the hump of clay centered on the wheel and he refuses to get stains on his clothes. It’s fucking clay. It comes out in the wash. Steve’s shirtless approach to pottery is borderline offensive to the arts.

The Eddie Munson Hallucination Crisis Author: @feryerhealth / @FerYerHealth (ao3) / Artist: @protosstar​ / @protosstar​ (twitter) Eddie was concerned, but not 100% sure that he died. He had to be dead if he got stuck in the Upsidedown. Except. Sometimes he got out. Sometimes he flickered about topside and enjoyed his new favorite hobby: Haunting Steve Harrington.

Steve was concerned that he lost his mind. He kept hearing things. Seeing things. Smelling things. And by “things” of course, he meant Eddie Munson. It’s enough to drive him up a wall. Or at least out of the closet. With help from Robin, of course.

The Party was concerned. Steve’s behavior of late, was… weird. He started talking to himself. Max saw him breaking into Eddie’s trailer in the middle of the night. Lucas noticed some pretty questionable hickeys when they played basketball. How could he be hooking up with someone when Steve never left the house? One thing became clear: it was time for an intervention.

all of me changed like midnight. Author: @antithetical-dream-girl / Artist: @hellfiredemon / Artist: @steves-strapcollection In the fall of 1986, Eddie invites Steve and Robin to one of his shows at the Hideout. Steve is mesmerized by Eddie’s performance, captivated by the way Eddie’s hands move up and down his guitar, by the way Eddie’s measured breaths that deliver a strong and confident lyrical performance. When Steve compliments him after the show, Eddie offers to teach Steve to play the guitar. Steve is completely taken by the whole project and a romance blooms, tender and soft, as they begin to speak through the music they play for each other.

Shortly after Steve confesses his love for Eddie, Eddie flees Hawkins, determined to live out his dreams as a rockstar and convinced that’s not what Steve wants for himself. Steve and Robin move to Indy, where they begin playing open mics at the coffeeshop Steve works at. Steve finds that songwriting is the perfect way to give voice to his feelings of grief, love, and abandonment.

The fic spans ten years as Eddie and Steve weave their way in and out of each other’s lives, writing songs that can only be meant for each other.

Damocles Author: @wingedquill / Artist: @calxeria / Artist: @yelenaboiko Ever since Eddie was a kid, he’s known that he would die at nineteen. He never really came up with a plan for how to spend his last year. But if he’d had to guess, it would have involved spending lots of time with Wayne, and his band, and the Hellfire Club.He certainly couldn’t predict that he’d fall in love with Steve Harrington over a summer of early morning swims and smashing shit in the junkyard. Or the whole monster fighting thing.(Or: Eddie and Steve navigate a little-to-the-left world where technology exists to predict the age a person will be when they die. Don’t worry, no one stays dead.)

‘Cause I’m still seeing colours that are red (If I close my chest and let it take me) Author: @callmenewbie / callme_newbie / Artist: @inflomora-art/ inflomora_art / Artist: @acidicbarkbeast They were almost at the trailer park when Eddie finally broke the silence. “You know for a second there, I thought I wasn’t gonna make it.” He said, still looking out the window, voice low and even, like he wasn’t even speaking to Steve, just airing thoughts out into the heavy space of the car. “What?” Steve peeked at him from the side, while still keeping his eyes on the road that was shimmering in the night; millions of tiny drops illuminated by the streetlights and the moon, distorting his vision. “That’s what you think about, right? When it rains.” He clarified. Or Ever since they came back from the Upside Down, Steve has been struggling on rainy days, but Eddie’s there to provide support and a maybe even a little more than that.

Mistakes Were Made; We’re Ending Retrograde Author: @salamandergoo / SalamanderGoo / Artist: @pink-luna-moth / @pinklunamoth In November of 1983, Steve is forced to confront a few realities. One being that monsters are real. They steal people from their homes and from pools and come out of ceilings. The other reality being that he’s an asshole. And well, he can only change one of those, so it’s time to ditch the friends that make him the worst version of himself and find some new ones.

After a mishap at school, freshman Gareth Emerson ushers Steve into a world he’d only been partially aware of, full of fantasy and laughter. He’s unsure about senior Eddie Munson, who doesn’t seem to believe he’s changed. He hopes to change his mind and avoid more monsters, and maybe along the way he’ll learn to love himself too.

Ready to Grow Young Again Author: @bonitabreezy​ / Artist: @thidwickdoodles​ / Artist: @sailing-through-hawkins​  As a baby, Steve Harrington is gifted a ragdoll. Were he to ask, no one would remember who exactly gifted it, but Steve doesn’t ask. Eddie is his best friend, his partner in crime. Eddie is always there for him. As Steve grows older, Eddie becomes more than just a doll to him. He’s a personality, a force of nature. He lets Steve cry on his shoulder and protects him from nightmares.

No one else seems to notice that Eddie can speak and move and grow larger in a way a doll shouldn’t.

But why would that matter? Everyone has an imaginary friend.

23 upcoming projects to be posted next week (Nov 12 - Nov 18).

*To keep up with all the Steddie Bigbang 2023 posting, be sure to follow us @steddiebang or track tags #steddiebang23 masterposts, #steddiebang23 project promo, or #steddiebang23 upcoming projects.

[goingsteddi3]

Hey!! Today's the day for my next big bang project!

The Pizza Box Pact / Written by @pizzaqueen

Other Art by @cousin-itt

Go read part one!!

[stevethehairington]

Mack! I just finished your Christmas fic and I adored it so much! I was wondering if you have any other fic or author recs because I’ve read all your stuff and am in desperate need of something else! Ty x

ahh hi!! thank you SO much!! i'm so glad you liked it!! 💕💕💕 (also omg THANK YOU for reading all of my fics!!! that means the WORLD to me 🥺🥺)

ooh i am very bad at remembering the titles of my favorites fics, and tbh i always end up looking through all the other works from the authors of my favorite fics so i will just give you a list of author recs!

if you do want some specific fic recs, let me know! or you can always check out my bookmarks on ao3! (and the bookmarks of these authors too! they've got great taste too!)

all of these authors are authors that i absolutely adore! they all write incredible fics that are SO ridiculously good; they Do Not Miss and i cannot recommend them enough!

there's a pretty good variety in here i'd say, some fluff writers, some angst writers, some smut writers, a little bit of it all! they've all got great concepts, great characterizations, great dialogue and action! just all around Top Tier Golden Stuff right here👏 i'm pretty sure most of them are majority steddie writers, but they do have some other ships and some gen stuff mixed in too!

it is an absolute joy and such a privilege to call most of them my friends, and it makes me so happy to see that new fic notification pop up when its from these writers! i hope you enjoy their works as much as i do!

i've linked both their tumblrs and their ao3s in the list below the cut! ⬇️

@toburnup (adure on ao3!)

@riality-check (alligator_writes on ao3!)

@hexmionegranger (hexmionegranger on ao3!)

@rougenancy (saintmares on ao3!)

@aidaronan (aidaronan on ao3!)

@withacapitalp (towardthesun on ao3!)

@thefreakandthehair (througheden on ao3!)

@henrystars (roughvoiced on ao3!)

@maxinemaxmayfield (literaldisneyprincess on ao3)

@reindeerrobin (thatsadorable on ao3!)

@komiraidon (whatahawkguy on ao3!)

@ruthofrhythm (genesisofrhythm on ao3!)

@eddiehashands (hippopotamus on ao3!)

@stargyles (gravehag on ao3!)

@strawberryspence (strawberryspence on ao3!)

@steveshairychest (steveshairychest on ao3!)

@stevesbipanic (stevesbipanic on ao3!)

@aberfaeth (thewestwinged on ao3!)

@sparklyslug (sparklyslug on ao3!)

@greenlikethesea (materialism on ao3!)

@red-0ak-tree (redoaktree on ao3!)

@songbvrd (songbvrd on ao3!)

@pizzaqueen (96tears on ao3!)

@fastcardotmp3 (fastcardotmp3 on ao3!)

@oatflatwhite (iphigenias on ao3!)

@eddieunbanished (daigina on ao3!)

@annethecatdetective (annethecatdetective on ao3!)

@bonitabreezy (bonitabreezy on ao3!)

@horsegirleddiemunson (whatsthatfor on ao3!)

@kedreeva (kedreeva on ao3!)

@greatunironic (greatunironic on ao3!)

@stereobone (stereobone on ao3!)

@babyboymunson (belladonnax on ao3!)

@laundrybiscuits (laundrybiscuits on ao3!)

@sparkle-fiend (sparkle_fiend on ao3!)

@futureboy-ao3 (nbfutureboy on ao3!)

@anniebibananie (anniebibananie on ao3!)

@beetlesandstarss (beetlesandstars on ao3!)

@palmviolet (palmviolet on ao3!)

@metaldeads (oases on ao3!)

@steddielations (indelicate on ao3!)

@alchemistc (alchemystique on ao3!)

@toedenandbackagain (toedenandbackagain on ao3!)

@anniebass (ann_anotherthing on ao3!)

@steveharrington (birthdaycandles on ao3!)

@lesbianrobin (lesbianrobin on ao3!)

[museumgiftshoperaser]

Decided to make a Steddie fic rec list because I’m bored and love seeing these. No theme or anything. Just some of my absolute favorites from the top of my head. All of these are completed and all of them have happy endings because I’m a sap! These are also all really good writers so you should probably check out their other stuff too! Took You For A Working Boy by Pukner (M, 43K) - Set during a lowkey apocalypse after season 4. Eddie comes out as gay and Steve tries to figure out why he feels so upset about it. Explores genderqueer Steve Harrington in such a beautiful and delicate way. Also focusses a lot on Steve and Robin’s friendship, which I always love. Straight up cried over how sweet they all are. cause in the back of my mind, i’m in the back of your car by GreatUnironic (E, 68K) - Modern, Formula 1 AU, but don’t let that stop you if you’re not into racing!! I feel like most people know one of their other fics (The Greatest Thing About You Standing In The Doorway Is That It’s You), but I also really love this one and I think everyone should read it. Deals with Steve becoming injured after a racing accident and staying at Eddie’s house to recover. Handles Steve’s injuries very well, great exploration of long term effects of internalized homophobia. Also just so sweet. The Party Crashers by how_about_no (M, 35K) - Real romcom energy in this one. No upside down. Eddie and Steve are practically strangers when Eddie invites him to crash a party together and it becomes a habit. Such well written flirty dialogue, incredibly charming. Makes me kick my feet and giggle every time I read it. Instant serotonin boost.

Till I Kissed You by 96tears (T, 18K) - Eddie tells Steve he never really understood the big deal about kissing. Steve concludes he must be bad at it and they decide to kiss to settle it once and for all. Both of them spiral into a sexuality crisis when they like it a lot more than expected. Such well written oblivousness, it kinda reminded me of my high school self. Packs a lot of punch while still being really funny and sweet. I love stories where Eddie also doesn’t know he’s queer yet.

Doing Nothing With You by Red0akTree (M, 106K) - Steve and Robin get a place together and Eddie and Nancy start coming over all the time. Really nice, slow slice-of-life feeling as Steve and Eddie grow closer. Deals with the struggles of becoming and adult and worrying about your friends moving away and accidentaly kissing your friend when your drunk and panicking about it. All very relatable stuff!! Incredibly sweet! Also features Jonathan and Steve and Eddie smoking weed together, which I always think is fun. Star Star by poorlittlegreenie (M, 93K) - more fake dating, in a modern NYC AU this time. Robin joins a new band which means Steve has to hang out with frontman Eddie and they get off on the wrong foot. Jonathan asks the two of them to pretend to date for a little bit to show Will an example of a happy gay couple. Enemies to lovers vibe even if they start to get along pretty quickly. Incredibly fun but then also kinda angsty. Both of these boys have some attachment issues to work through, but they get there in the end! Might do more in the future!

[cottagepodfics]

alone again, or - *Now Complete!*

Written by 96tears (@pizzaqueen) Rated M - 2 hrs 2 min

Stream or download each chapter individually, or download the complete fic as a podbook (audiobook). Link in chapter 1.

It’s 1991 and Steve is still in Hawkins, still living with his mother, still single, and still working at Family Video. At least he’s the manager now, for whatever that’s worth. But he’s stuck here while Robin and Dustin and everyone else have moved away. Moved on. Well, everyone except for Eddie. They're best friends, spend most of their time together, and it's nice to have a friend like that. But Steve is still looking for love with a capital "L". At least, he thinks he is.

P.S. Authors, if you're interested in having other creators make podfics, art, etc. of your works, please consider adding a blanket permission statement to your AO3 profile! It can be as simple as, "I give permission for creators to make fanworks based on my fics." I promise that a permission statement will be noticed and appreciated, and we will likely take you up on it!

[pizzaqueen]

Thought I'd put together a masterlist and do a little bit of an intro:

You can call me Queenie! Pronouns are she/her. I'm old to some and young to others. I'm mostly here for Steddie but other ships may pop up occasionally (like Chrissy/Robin aka Buckingham or Jancy)

I co-ran @steddie-week in 2023 and will hopefully run it again in 2024

Fanart, podfics, moodboards, fanmixes, and translations of my fics are all welcome! Fanbinding is also welcome :D

Please credit me as 96tears on AO3 and/or pizzaqueen on tumblr and I'd love to know so I can gush over it!

Asks are always open for fic talk or headcanons or anything else 😊 or even feel free to just say hi!

Some tags:

My fic / text/ headcanon posts / writing / art prompts

Some playlists:

Steddie / Eddie / Steve / Buckingham

And a timestamps post of all Steve's scenes in ST

(All fic links below the cut because it's long; updated November 2023)

MULTI-CHAPTERED FICS

alone again, or

20k / M / June 2022

It’s 1991 and Steve is still in Hawkins, still living with his mother, still single, and still working at Family Video. At least he’s the manager now, for whatever that’s worth. But he’s stuck here while Robin and Dustin and everyone else have moved away. Moved on. Well, everyone except for Eddie. They're best friends, spend most of their time together, and it's nice to have a friend like that. But Steve is still looking for love with a capital "L". At least, he thinks he is.

Playlist / Podfic by @cottagepodfics

Till I Kissed You

18k / T / August - September 2022

When Eddie confesses he’s never got the big deal about kissing, Steve teases him about it, saying maybe it’s because Eddie’s a bad kisser. Pride wounded, Eddie can’t let that go and decides he needs an unbiased opinion on his kissing skills. It’s weird but it’s only one kiss, no big deal, right? So, Steve says yes. Eddie gets the answer he wanted, but then he and Steve are left with a whole new set of questions to navigate. Now they just have to find new answers.

Moodboard / Playlist

uh-oh, love comes to town

13k / T / December 2022

It’s not like Steve thought Eddie would stay single forever, but he figured he’d have a girlfriend by the time Eddie got a boyfriend. So, when Vickie and Robin set Eddie up on a blind date with Vickie’s cousin, Steve figures he feels weird about it because he’s the only one without a date.

But an annoying little voice starts telling him maybe there’s more to it than that. He just has to figure out what it is.

Moodboard / Playlist

picnic time with you

12.2k / T / April-May 2023

“Why are you so keen on this, anyway?” Steve looks at Eddie, pulse skipping. He drums his fingers on the floor. “You can’t be that bored.” Eddie turns to Steve, lit by the flickering glow of the projector, and says, “I like knowing things about you.” When Eddie convinces Steve to show him some old family photos and home movies, it unearths a happy memory of a picnic Steve went on as a child. It was just an ordinary picnic, but it was weirdly special to Steve, and, more importantly, it gives him an idea. He's going to take Eddie on a picnic—a romantic one—and finally tell him how he feels. And Robin’s going to help him plan it.

The Pizza Box Pact

24k / T / November 2023

Eddie and Steve have been living together, working together, and raising their cat together for a few years, now, but they’re not together together. They’re friends—the best of—nothing more, and they’re happy. At least, Eddie is, and he thought Steve was too. But then he finds a pact they made, one drunken night ten years ago, where they pledged to ‘marry’ each other if they were still single by the time they’re thirty, and everything changes. Steve isn’t amused by the reappearance of the pledge, seems almost upset by it, and Eddie figures it’s because he’s going to be thirty soon and doesn’t have a girlfriend. So, he does what any best friend would do: promises to find Steve his perfect woman, setting him up on a series of unsuccessful blind dates. But somewhere along the way, Eddie rediscovers feelings that he thought he’d put aside years ago. He just hopes he hasn’t discovered them too late.

Art by goingsteddi3 / Art by Cousin Itt / Promo / Playlist

ONE SHOTS

fighting monsters, holding hands

387 / G / June 2022

As much as a huge part of Eddie still wants to wait here, cowering, he manages to nod. And that’s when there’s a loud boom, and he just about jumps out of his skin, hand flailing out to grab onto anything solid. Anything grounding.

stumbling in

1.3k / T / June 2022

The thing is, it was just one kiss. And it’s not… Steve’s not… It’s not like he wants to kiss Eddie again, or anything. And if it wasn’t a joke, and Eddie is gay, then, whatever. That’s fine, isn’t it? Steve’s fine with Robin—well, more than fine, obviously—so he’d be fine with Eddie, too.

But it’s… It’s natural to be curious when someone kisses you, right? Anyone would be.

Eddie's Badass Metal Mixtape (For Steve)

2.4k / T / June 2022

This is the closest thing in existence to a definitive collection of Eddie’s favorite songs. No, they’re not just his favorite songs. These songs are a part of him. They are him. Or maybe he’s them. Whatever.

The point is, this tape has taken him a week to put together, with one particular person in mind, and it is perfect. Finally.

Podfic by @daysarestranger

turn on your light

2.5k / T / July 2022

After they take down the bad guy, there’s still the issue of a gaping hole in the roof of Eddie’s trailer. Not exactly ideal living conditions. But Steve Harrington, who is not only not a douchebag but a genuine good dude and real-life superhero, says Eddie can stay with him. So, Eddie is in Steve Harrington’s bedroom, wearing Steve Harrington’s clothes, and about to sleep in Steve Harrington’s bed. It’s not the weirdest thing to happen to him this week, but it’s still totally fucking surreal.

a brush with love

1.8k / T / July 2022

“Dude,” Steve says, “when was the last time you brushed your hair?”

The one where Steve brushes Eddie’s hair (because Eddie hasn't done it in...a while, much to Steve's horror.)

when bad dreams become

3.9k / T / July 2022

A movie night during a storm leads to nightmares and the nightmares lead to some confessions. The urge to put his arm around Steve is almost overwhelming, but Eddie fights it. He hooks his ankle around Steve’s, though, which might not be any less obvious, but Steve seems to relax a little at the touch. At the next boom of thunder, Eddie runs his knuckles down Steve’s bicep, letting his hand rest in the crook of his elbow a moment, before he pulls it away.

Bowl Me Over

3.7k / T / July 2022

Eddie’s been kind of different lately—nothing Steve can really put his finger on, but not exactly himself. Steve figures he’s missing the guys from his band, or something. Whatever it is, Steve feels bad about it. It will be nice to do something to cheer Eddie up, so Steve, Robin, Nancy and Eddie go bowling. And then Steve figures some things out with the help of a stray comment from Robin and a stuffed toy bat. Across the table, Robin makes a strangled noise and says, “Holy shit,” eyes wide. Steve clears his throat. “What?”  “I can’t believe I didn’t see it.” Steve folds his arms over his stomach and Eddie sobers, setting the bat on the table and poking at his food. Nancy’s brow furrows and she says, “See what?”

strange currencies

4.3k / T / August 2022

When Steve steps in to break up a bar fight at The Hideout, the owner thanks him with free booze. A lot of free booze. By the time Eddie gets him home, Steve can barely stand, let alone wash his hair. But there’s puke in Steve’s hair, and he can’t sleep like that, so what’s Eddie to do? He washes Steve’s hair for him, and he expects it to be weird, but he doesn’t expect it to come with any revelations.

(Basically: Steve is drunk; Eddie gives him a bath and has feelings)

fix you up

2.5k / T / September 2022

It’s been a while since someone touched him like this. With this kind of…tenderness. And it’s all because he got punched in the face. Again. It’s not because Eddie wants to. Then again, Steve thinks as Eddie takes his time tending to Steve, he could’ve steered Steve toward the bathroom and let him patch himself up. He didn’t have to do it himself. Maybe… Eddie patches Steve up after he gets into a fight at The Hideout.

more than a feeling (that’s the power of love)

5.6k / T / October 2022

This was meant to be a fun weekend away for Steve and Eddie. Leave Hawkins, and all the memories there, behind for a few days. Drink some beers, maybe do some fishing or outdoorsy shit. Get some R&R. But now they’re tied up in some weirdo’s basement, facing imminent death, and Steve’s never told Eddie he wishes they were more than friends.

Not exactly the relaxing weekend he was hoping for.

never can say goodbye

2.3k / T / November 2022

Eddie watches as Steve slips his keys down the back of the couch, followed by his wallet on the other side. Then he takes off his jacket, balls it up, and stuffs it under the coffee table.

It’s like he’s setting up a bizarre treasure hunt, that’s the only way Eddie can explain it; Eddie’s about to say something along the lines of Having fun? or maybe What’s my prize if I find everything? when Steve takes off his watch and slips it under the couch. That’s when Eddie decides not to say anything, see where this goes. If Steve wants to play whatever game this is, Eddie’s more than curious enough to let him.

but the fire is so delightful

6.6k / T / December 2022

When Robin and Dustin back out of a trip to Steve’s grandparents’ cabin over Christmas break, Steve’s a little disappointed. But he can’t lie: the idea of spending the weekend alone with Eddie is pretty damn appealing. He’d been hoping to get Eddie away from the others, so he could finally tell him how he feels, and now he’s got the whole weekend to do it.

a single resolution

1.8k / T / December 2022

It’s New Year’s Eve and Steve doesn’t want to be the only one without someone to kiss at midnight, so he slips away to spend the rest of 1989 alone in his room. And then Eddie finds him.

(A New Year’s Eve first kiss)

Another year—another decade—is coming to a close and Steve is still alone. A burst of laughter sounds behind him, reminding him of his apartment is full of friends, the ones who called earlier because they can’t be here, and he amends alone to single.

Most of the time, he can bear it, but it’s harder at night. And harder still on New Year’s Eve, surrounded by happy couples. He loves his friends and he’s happy for them, but seeing them so in love only makes the ache in him grow.

Podfic by Amanita_Fierce

little things mean a lot

1.7 k / T / January 2023

Shafts of light dance over the room as a sweetly cool breeze flutters the curtains. One catches on a small glass bottle sitting on Steve’s dresser. It reminds him there’s something he’s been wanting to ask Eddie for a while now:

“How come you don’t bring me stuff anymore?”

(The one where Eddie used to bring Steve random trinkets but there was a small misunderstanding)

single / taken / pining

4.4 k / T / February 2023

When a girl Steve’s trying to flirt with starts flirting with Eddie, Steve says the only thing that comes to mind: he tells her Eddie’s married. It’s not his smoothest moment, but it works, and Eddie goes along with it. It's not like Eddie was interested, anyway, and he figures Steve wanted the ladies to himself. So, Steve figures that must be it, too.

But a little later it hits him: he doesn’t want to keep the ladies to himself. He wants to keep Eddie to himself.

Also posted in parts on tumblr

Table for Two

3.4 k / T / February 2023

And maybe Eddie still thinks Valentine’s Day, specifically, is kind of bullshit, but looking at Steve standing in front of him, so fucking handsome and making Eddie’s pulse skip just by being there, he gets why so many people fall for it.

Eddie doesn’t think when Steve mentions Valentine’s Day, just goes into his usual spiel, not realizing he might be trampling all over Steve’s hopes and plans until it’s too late. And that’s how he ends up determined to give Steve the best Valentine’s Day ever.

to be close to you

1.6k / T / March 2023

Eddie picks up the sweater, cradling it in his hands. It’s soft, and Eddie already knows it smells like Steve, but he brings it to his face and inhales anyway. Fuck, it smells good. Steve smells good. A wave of heat washes through Eddie, and he flops back again, face still covered by the sweater. What is he doing? Steve leaves his sweater behind after he and Eddie hang out, and Eddie has feelings about it.

those magic fingers

2.4k / T / March 2023

Eddie has a sore back, Steve offers the solution: one back rub. Totally platonic. No ulterior motives or hidden feelings whatsoever. “Okay, just—” Steve pauses, suddenly wondering what the hell he’s doing and why he offered to do this. But he did, and if he backs down, Eddie will know something’s up. So, he draws in a deep breath and says, “Tell me if it hurts.”

the sweetest words

1.2k / T / March 2023

“Why do you have a favorite part of my face?” “Why wouldn’t I?” “Why would you?” “Because.” “That’s not an answer.” “Oh, my friend, but it is.” (Wherein Eddie likes Steve's face and tells him all about his favorite parts)

Whenever you need shelter

4.4k / T / May 2023

Steve locks himself out of the house on a stormy night when his parents are out of town. It’s not an ideal situation, but it leads him to Eddie’s where he gets warm and dry and learns a few things about himself. “You know, seeing Steve Harrington in a Slayer shirt might just make my whole week.” He pushes off the dresser he’s leaning against and claps a hand to Steve’s arm. His brows shoot up and he says, “Shit, dude, you’re freezing,” rubbing his hands over Steve’s arms. Warmth flows through Steve and, distantly, he thinks it might be from more than the motion of Eddie’s hands making Steve’s blood circulate. He raises a brow, heart beating inexplicably hard.

half as much

1.8k / T / July 2023

A wish. The last thing Steve needs tonight. But he closes his eyes all the same, wishes coming too easily, the first that he could have this every night. Or, not this exactly, but being with Eddie. More and more, all Steve wants to do is hang out with him. Be near him. There’s something about him, and the way being with him makes Steve feel—he wishes it was like this with the girls he’s been dating lately.

Inspired by this beautiful art

always be like this

2.1k / T / July 2023

This thing with Eddie started on the first day of summer, and Steve feels good about that. Every now and then, he wonders if it’s a summer romance, period, wishing the summer could last forever so he’ll never have to find out, but… No. It feels more solid than that. Like it's going to last. He splashes Eddie again, and Eddie splashes him back, and it turns into a game of who can splash each other the most (Steve wins, no matter what Eddie says) and they wrestle and dunk each other until Steve’s lungs ache with laughing and Eddie finally admits defeat.

Under the Porch Light

1.9k / T / August 2023

After that, it kind of becomes a thing: the two of them on the step outside Eddie’s trailer, talking and talking. It’s gradual, and it’s not something they do consciously, so Eddie doesn’t realize that it’s becoming a thing, but it’s not long before those nights with Steve become a highlight in his life.

Inspired by this beautiful art

[steddieficrecs]

Chapters: 4/4 Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Eddie Munson & Wayne Munson, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson & Eddie Munson Characters: Steve Harrington's Parents, Corroded Coffin (Stranger Things), Robin Buckley, Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson Additional Tags: Feelings Realization, Sexuality Crisis, Angst with a Happy Ending, First Kiss, POV Alternating, Practice Kissing, References to Period-Typical Homophobia, Falling In Love, Friends to Lovers Summary:

When Eddie confesses he’s never got the big deal about kissing, Steve teases him about it, saying maybe it’s because Eddie’s a bad kisser. Pride wounded, Eddie can’t let that go and decides he needs an unbiased opinion on his kissing skills. It’s weird but it’s only one kiss, no big deal, right? So, Steve says yes.

Eddie gets the answer he wanted, but then he and Steve are left with a whole new set of questions to navigate. Now they just have to find new answers.

[fastcardotmp3]

Currently working my way through your writings and they are incredible! 👏🏼 Very sad that I’m almost finished so I was wondering if you had any other recs for when I’m done? Completed, WIPs, anything lol. Great writers are usually great reccers so i trust you ❣️

I'm so glad you're liking my little worlds!! I would love to share some other amazing little worlds!!

A good place to start is always my ao3 bookmarks, but I also forget to bookmark things more often than I'd care to admit, so I here's some stuff that deserves your love:

WIPs:

Find Me a Find (Catch Me a Catch) by Humanities_Handbag - I just discovered this one maybe a day and a half ago and have already blown my way through it. The Wayne POV of your dreams, I swear to god. So much good in Wayne's shifting of perception of Steve, his unconditional love for Eddie, his frustration of watching these two care so deeply for each other and still shying away from what it means MWAH. splendid.

If I Ever Leave (You're Coming With Me) by @sharpbutsoft and @henrystars - I've yearned for someone to do a boys on the run from the law fic and this one is checking every single one of my boxes. The intimacy of close proximity? The distance of shared trauma? The complexity of having only each other? literally holds my heart in its hands and I will be allowing it to squeeze until I'm dead if need be.

show me the place where he inserted the blade by @solosnail - Eddie dragged into witness protection fic EXCEPT he gets a full year to really integrate into his found family and accidentally fall in love first so it hurts all the more in the most delicious way. There are so many good motifs in here and the way the forced separation jumps off the page is VISCERAL. When they stumble back into each other's lives I WILL be weeping and you should join me.

Complete Works:

Weakened Like Achilles, With You Always at My Heels by HMSLusitania - Such a clever take on Eddie getting stuck in the Upside Down but being presumed dead, the first chapter alone will hook you swear to god. One of the most unique premises I've found, come here for all of your ghost!eddie needs

alone again, or by 96tears - 5 years post-Vecna and the boys are the only ones still in Hawkins full time, this one does quiet intimacy and stumbling into a real and true love so well I could cry. I need to reread this one and seeing it in my bookmarks just now reminded me of that

don't forget to comment and kudos if you like what you read! not only will you get to participate in the joy of fandom community but you very well might trick more words out of these talented folks 🥳

[steddieunderdogfics]

For challenge monday (2-26) “single/taken/pining” by 96tears. loooooove a good realization of feelings!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/44932858

single / taken / pining by 96tears

@pizzaqueen

Rating: Teen and Up

4,435 words, 1/1 chapters

Archive Warning: No Warnings

Tags: Feelings Realization, Pining, Getting Together, Friends to Lovers, First Kiss, Flirting, Attempt at Humor, Fluff, Misunderstandings, Jealousy, Originally Posted on Tumblr, POV Alternating

Summary:

When a girl Steve’s trying to flirt with starts flirting with Eddie, Steve says the only thing that comes to mind: he tells her Eddie’s married. It’s not his smoothest moment, but it works, and Eddie goes along with it. It's not like Eddie was interested, anyway, and he figures Steve wanted the ladies to himself. So, Steve figures that must be it, too. But a little later it hits him: he doesn’t want to keep the ladies to himself. He wants to keep Eddie to himself.

Thanks for the rec!

This rec is a part of Challenge Monday. The challenge this week was find fics under 10,000 words.

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

[callunavulgari]

Scrapbook 2024 | February

Fuck Tumblr's absolute bullshit new formatting. I used to be able to get three-four months out of this before I hit the limit, now I get one. Seriously. Fuck them.

Anyway, for anyone that’s new to this, this is how I keep track of all of the things that I enjoy and/or create throughout the year. I have literally been doing this since I had a livejournal.

It’s a nice little snippet of my life and helps to organize my brain.

A reminder:

Normal font - Indifferent/Neutral Italicized font - Enjoyed bold font - Loved with an asterisk* - All time favorite (bracketed titles) - Re-watches/Re-reads strikethough - Disliked

Goals are: read 70 books and write at least 50k of original content.

Past Years

MOVIES

(The Breakfast Club)

(Pacific Rim)

(Dune)

TV SHOWS

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

Avatar: TLA

(X-Files, s1)

Hazbin Hotel

Helluva Boss

YOUTUBE CHANNELS

Watcher: Top Five Beatdown

Try Guys? Eats Disney?

Beryl

BOOKS

System Collapse by Martha Wells

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross [Fin]

PODCASTS

Watcher Podcast

VIDEO GAMES

Stardew Valley: Dipper

POSTED FIC

you can have my isolation | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 4,618 words | “Pretty sure that I owe you a blowjob,” Eddie says flatly, eying Steve over the smoldering end of his cigarette.

baby, is he good to you? | Stranger Things | Steve/Eddie | 9,106 words | “I don’t—” Steve sputters, setting his food aside before she jumps him. “Christ, Robin. I didn’t— I don’t have a thing for him!”

WIPS | UNPUBLISHED | ORIGINAL

February

486 words of Steddie singing neighbor meet cute

4336 words of Dead Girl Walking

1362 words of Steddie Tattoo AU

587 words of Breakfast Club AU

Fanmixes/Spotify Playlists/Graphics

February

steddie feelz: what it says on the tin

eddissy feelz: also what it says on the tin

rage mallgoth monday morning

eerie post-apocalyptic night

DELIGHTFUL FIC

February

paradise by the dashboard light. by oaseas | Stranger Things | Steddie | 154k | Things were weird in Hawkins. The fields were rotting, there was something in the woods, and Steve Harrington's Beemer had a new problem every week.

Run Me Through by GriefAbyss | Stranger Things | Steddie | 9k | Eddie and Steve have an arrangement - every Wednesday they meet up and have fantastic sex, even if they barely even talk to each other.

Shout if you want my heart by rustypeopleskillz | Stranger Things | Steddie | Eddie asks Steve to be his fake boyfriend so Wayne will stop pestering him to get out of Hawkins to stretch his wings. Steve says yes.

rising moon by jk_rockin | Stranger Things | Steddie | 13k | Steve gets bitten by a strange dog one hot summer night. It takes him a month, and a little outside help, to work out what's wrong with him.

Till I Kissed You by 96tears | Stranger Things | Steddie | 18k | When Eddie confesses he’s never got the big deal about kissing, Steve teases him about it, saying maybe it’s because Eddie’s a bad kisser.

you gotta get a reaction by jk_rockin | Stranger Things | Steddie | 10k | Steve actually likes Judas Priest.

blinking red light by cuips_not_cute | Stranger Things | Steddie | WIP | 11k | A sex tape is…crazy.

The Shire is NOT on Fire by kissesforcas | Stranger Things | Steddie | 54k | The kids convince Steve to take them all to a Renaissance Faire and LARP event.

like a heartbeat drives you mad by redbelles | Stranger Things | Eddissy | 5k | “Oh,” she squeaks out. “You mean like— like? Sex?”

Duality by broomclosetkink | Stranger Things | Eddissy | 55k | “Holy fuck, did I take acid?” he asks. Because he’s staring at himself in the mirror, but he is Chrissy Cunningham.

Big wheel keep on turning by prufrocks | Stranger Things | Steddie | 27k | A few months after Starcourt, Steve moves out of his parents' house and into a friend of a friend's empty RV.

Dying of love but it's okay by prufrocks | Stranger Things | Steddie | 16k | “But this,” Steve says, waving his hands between the two of them, “this is a one-time thing.”

Love’s A Hand-Me-Down Brew by beetlesandstars | ST | Steddie | “I think Eddie Munson flirted with me today.”

Looks like we're in for nasty weather by prufrocks | ST | Steddie | 41k | Steve doesn't know what the invisible force that attacked him in the woods is.

Right Where You Belong by WabiSabiPapi | ST | Steddie | 32k | “…Eddie?” the guy chokes out.

this time I'll sing along by jk_rockin | ST | Steddie | 7k | When Eddie laughs, it’s not a mean laugh; he’s not really laughing at Steve.

Honey, Honey (How You Thrill Me) by beetlesandstars | ST | Steddie | 5k | The second Steve steps inside, his nostrils flare, eyes widening.

Wanna See What You Can Take by a_lil_a_lot | ST | Steddie | 13k | So, never in a million years did Eddie expect to see Stevie in a random swimming pool in Indianapolis almost a decade later. Especially not like this.

soulmate soundtrack by hexiewrites | ST | Steddie | 10k | It's fucking LAST CHRISTMAS, by WHAM.

carve your name into my chest by hexiewrites | ST | Steddie | 42k | Eddie Munson just wanted to play hockey.

make some room by Adure | ST | Chrissy/Steve/Eddie | 15k | Eddie, down on his luck and back in Hawkins, crashes on his friends' couch while he licks his wounds.

don't go wastin your emotions by kissesforcas | ST | Steddie | 51k | "Steve 'the Hair' Harrington, a rage-filled barbarian, who knew?" Eddie says, like its a compliment, like Steve has ANY idea what that means.

sleep it off by Adure | ST | Steddie | 22k | "Why is this happening?" Eddie says, voice tight. Steve doesn't know. Steve barely knows what is happening, much less the why.

DELIGHTFUL FANVIDS

February

Eddie Munson || In The End

DELIGHTFUL MUSIC

February

all american bitch - olivia rodrigo

magic pill - summamore

timezone - maneskin

harder, faster - wasp

teenage dirtbag - wheatus

heaven is a place on earth - belinda carlisle

18 - anarbor

white rabbit

sweet dreams - marilyn manson

hazbin hotel soundtrack

street spirit - radiohead

troubadour - perceval

hayloft ii - mother mother

bad feeling - jagward twin

chateau - djo

gloom - djo

petite fleur - jill barber

fire eater - charming disaster

teenage dream - girl puppy