#H&H Ficlet

[mychemicalimagines]

We Scare Because We Care - Steve Harrington

Summary: YN Henderson has shown up to Family Video ready to see her best friend and her boyfriend when an idea pops into her head. 

Warnings: Language, Fluff, Scaring of Loved Ones. AU: No Upside Down. If there is anymore, let me know!

Words: 1,363

Tag List: Reblogged.

A/N: Now, we have never seen Stranger Things but I love the characters so I’ve decided to make my own AU. I want to make this into a Ficlet so please send in some requests for Steve x Henderson!Reader. I already have a whole timeline ready for requests!! 

Since we’ve not seen the show, and are only comfortable writing AU, this ficlet, and all requests/one shots we do will be for this AU Version of Stranger Things. And, at this current time, this is the only thing we’ll be taking requests for since we’re still working on several chaptered series’. Thank you for the understand and hope you enjoy!! 

To be tagged in this Universe of Steve x Henderson!Reader: Comment, Message Me, Submit an Ask or Tag Yourself In My Bio!

October 1985

YN steps out of her car with the movie her, Steve Harrington and her little brother, Dustin, watched the night before. She just dropped Dustin off at the Byers’ house and decided to return the movie early so she can see her best friend, Robin, and her boyfriend. As she approaches the building, she can see Robin facing the window as she stands next to Steve, who’s back is to the door. 

YN smirks to herself before waving to capture Robin’s attention. Her concentration in the conversation with Steve is broken as she looks over to the window to see her other best friend standing beside a movie poster. She raises an eyebrow slightly, wondering why the girl didn’t just walk into the store. 

YN smirks and gestures to Steve, who hasn’t noticed his co-worker has stopped paying attention to him. Robin grins and nods slightly before turning back to her co-worker. He raises an eyebrow and glances over his shoulder. 

“What are you looking at?” He asks, looking toward the window. 

She looks to where YN was hiding to notice she’s gone. 

“I thought I saw Vicki!” She quickly lies, knowing what her best friend is going to do. “Go get that box of movies that Keith wants us to put out.”

Standing straight, Steve uncrosses his arms and walks toward the counter doorway.

“Why do I have to do it?” He playfully whines. “I thought he wanted YN to do it tomorrow morning?”

“Because I’d rather do it right now than help her in the morning, Dingus.” She leans back and crosses her arms. 

He shakes his head and mumbles himself as he walks through the backroom door. Robin quickly turns toward the door and waves YN in. She runs in the door and quickly over to the counter. She tosses the movie to Robin, who catches it and watches as her best friend jumps, sliding over the counter. 

YN drops to the ground and puts her back against the movies below the counter and waits for her boyfriend to walk out of the backroom. Robin puts the movie against the register and leans back again, acting as if she never moved from her position. Steve walks out a few seconds later with a large box in his hands. 

Not knowing what just happened, he puts the box on the counter and looks through it. 

“Anyway! As I was saying before, Dustin decided it would be a good idea to…” 

As he continues his story about the night before, which Robin is definitely not paying attention to, YN turns slowly, still crouched, as to not alert her boyfriend that she’s behind the counter. Robin bites her lip, trying not to laugh. Steve pulls out a pile of movies from the box and puts them on the counter as he looks up at her. 

“Why are you acting…”

YN jumps up quickly, yelling out, “Steve!!”

He screams and jumps back, accidentally pushing the tapes off the counter. Together, YN and Robin burst out into laughter as he grabs his chest and pants. 

“Holy shit.” He says, hoping to calm down his heart. “You scared the shit out of me!”

“That was the point, Dingus.” Robin giggles, giving her best friend a high five.

“Why would you do that?” He asks, walking around the counter to his girlfriend. 

“Gotta keep you on your toes, Harrington.” She grins, wrapping her arms around his neck. 

“I can tell, Henderson.” He shakes his head with a smile before leaning down toward her. 

Before their lips can meet, they hear a fake gag come from beside them. They sigh softly before looking toward Robin whose arms are crossed as she leans against the counter. 

“Do you really have to do that in the store?” She raises an eyebrow. 

“Hi, Vicki!” Steve says, waving toward the door.

She whips around and looks over the register to see if her crush is standing there. When she sees no one is at the door, she turns back around to see the lovely couple locked at the lip. She playfully gags again before shaking her head. 

“If you’re going to do that, go to the back.”

Steve pulls away and looks at her with a grin. “We’ll be back! Thanks, Robin!”

“I wasn’t serious!!” She stands straight as a customer walks in the door.

He completely ignores her and grabs YN by the arm and pulls her toward the backroom door, causing her to laugh. 

***

It’s been two weeks and Steve has decided that it's been enough time for YN to forget that she scared him at Family Video. Since she brought Robin into her ‘master plan’, he decided to bring someone else in to help him with his own. He knocks at the Henderson door, waiting impatiently, praying that YN doesn’t open the door. 

“I got it!” He hears before the door opens to reveal Dustin. 

Before the younger boy can open his mouth, Steve immediately covers it with the palm of his hand.

“Don’t let her know I’m here.” He whispers, glancing into the house for a moment. “I need your help.”

Dustin raises an eyebrow, confused. Steve leans down slightly and begins whispering in his ear, revealing his own plan. As he talks, Dustin’s eyes widen before he smirks against Steve’s hand. When he removes his hand, the younger boy nods fast and slowly opens the door more to allow the older teen to enter the house. 

Together, they walk to the living room, away from the hallway to get their plan in motion. 

“Dustin, who was at the door?” YN calls out from her room. 

“It was just Mike! He was bringing my backpack back! I forgot it at his house yesterday!” He easily lies.

Normally, he wouldn’t lie to his sister. She is his best friend after all, aside from The Party of course, but this is important. Well, not important, but important to them. 

“I could have driven you.” She calls back.

“I didn’t realize it!”

She doesn’t answer, allowing their plan to continue. Steve hides behind the wall and waits. A few seconds later, Dustin throws one of his DND books down on the floor before screaming out. 

“YN! YN! Come here, quick! OW! Shit!”

Her door slams open and she runs down the hallway, her sock covered feet padding against the hardwood her mother had put in earlier that summer. As she slides around the corner, Steve jumps out.

“YN!” He yells, causing her to scream and jump backward.

Due to her not expecting it, she slips and falls to her ass with a loud thunk. His eyes widen but he relaxes once he sees her start to laugh. She lays back on the floor, laughing hard, holding her stomach, causing the two boys in the room to start laughing with her.  

“Jesus!” She giggles. “I was not…Holy shit.”

“Payback, sweetheart.” Steve smirks as he calms down and walks over to her. 

“I didn’t make you fall though!” She laughs and takes his hand after he offers it. 

“Still. You scared me so I paid you back.” He leans and kisses her cheek as she stands.

“This just means I have to get you back.” She smirks.  

“Why not turn this into a competition?” Dustin asks, walking over to them. 

“I like that idea.” YN grins. “Looks like I have Robin on my team and you guys are a team.”

“Any rules?” He asks, looking up at his sister. 

“Just two rules: No repeating your turn. If we scare you, we can’t scare you again until you scare us and vice versa.”

“Reasonable.” Steve nods at her words. 

“Rule two: If you bring anyone into your team, like Mike or Will, they officially join your team and they have the chance to be scared.” She smirks. 

 “Deal.” Steve smirks and puts his hand out toward her. 

She happily shakes his hand before rushing down the hallway toward her bedroom to call her best friend. A scoreboard ended up on the wall of the Family Video backroom, confusing the hell out of Keith. 

Team Hair vs Team Scare Queens.

May the best team win.

[shares-a-vest]

@steddieangstyaugust Day 30: Vampire

wc: 546 | Rated: T | cw: Bullying (Tommy chases after Eddie and taunts him), Mild descriptions of Blood & Injury, Hospital Setting

Tags: Alternate Meeting, Childhood Friendship, Tommy Hagan, Carol Perkins, The Upside Down, Post Season 4 (Canon Divergence, Eddie Lives), Hawkins General Hospital

'Monsters Are Real'

Steve frowns and places his hands on his hips as he watches his best friend run around the playground. Tommy is pretending to be a vampire, hissing and spitting, shouting, "I 'vant to suck your blood," as he sticks his fingers near his mouth to look like he has fangs.

He said he had watched some old movie at his grandparents' house starring Dracula and boasted that his Pa promised that he'd have a cape ready and waiting for him the next time Tommy visited.

Tommy races towards Carol now, who is sitting with Heather Holloway and both the girls shriek. Their screams make Tommy cackle with laughter and he runs a loop around them before he turns his attention elsewhere.

This time, he heads towards a boy sitting at the far end of the playground by a tree.

It's the new boy at school, Steve realises. He remembers Carol telling him that the boy's name is Eddie and that he is in the grade above them. Carol said other things too, about Eddie's family. Steve doesn't know how she knows these things, or why she is mean about them either.

"Whatcha reading, Eddie the Freak!" Tommy says in sing-song and loudly hisses as he approaches.

Eddie startles, dropping his book and cowering, "What are you doing?"

Steve runs towards them, deciding this is not funny anymore.

"Leave him alone!" he calls after his best friend, who is now towering over Eddie and pretending to flap wings and a cape.

"S'not funny!" Eddie yells, his cheeks reddening with anger.

He looks up at Steve like he might join in. But Steve pushes Tommy away.

"Get lost, Tommy!" he says, "Go and kiss Carol, why don't you!"

Tommy pauses and pokes his tongue out before spitting out one final, "Freak!"

He runs back to the girls, flapping his invisible cape as he shouts out more silly Dracula nonsense.

"I'm sorry," Steve says, crouching down on his knees. He picks up the book Eddie dropped and hands it over, "Tommy is stupid."

"Sure is," Eddie sniffles, snatching the book back and holding it close to his chest, "I'm scared of monsters."

"Monsters aren't real," Steve says, patting Eddie on the shoulder.

But, as Steve sits by Eddie's bedside, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest as monitors beep around him, he feels like he lied all those years ago.

Monsters are real, it turns out. They still have fangs and flapping wings. They hunt in the undead hours of an eternal night.

But they attack and maim in ways that are so much worse than any stupid version of Dracula Tommy H. might have ever encountered.

Steve reaches out a trembling hand and places it over Eddie's right, which is one of the only spots on him that doesn't have bloodied scrapes or bandages. Right now, even his brilliant smile is obscured by a sticky bandage that runs from the corner of his mouth to his ear.

He doesn't care if the nurses think he's a bother. As long as Eddie's uncle is okay with him being here, Steve will stay.

He needs to.

He promised Eddie he was safe. He told him that everything would be okay.

And he knows Eddie is scared of monsters.

[jubilantmedusa]

Untitled Zukka Hurt/Comfort Ficlet #1 (because practicing drawing means I need to write little mini fics I guess...)

“You’re sick.” Sokka’s voice was as calm as the surface of water on a still night. Not a hint of accusation or contempt. No softness, no sting. Only observation. Reflection.

Zuko took a breath, deep to sooth his limbs that were threatening to shake. “I’m fine.”

Sokka frowned, and Zuko felt a knot form instantly in his stomach. His shivered, vision swimming as he saw the flash of another frown, superimposed. A different frown. Harsh. Sharp.

Sokka’s movements were calm. Fluid. Gentle as he raised his hand to Zuko’s forehead and pressed with just the right amount of pressure. “You have a fever.” Zuko felt his heartbeat pick up as Sokka’s lip began to curl, but as his expression settled Zuko realized that Sokka wasn’t angry, just concerned.

Zuko breathed deeply, pinning his arms to his sides before the other boy could notice that he was shaking now. Only, he must not have been fast enough because Sokka dropped his hand from Zuko’s forehead to grab Zuko’s trembling fingers. 

“Your hands are freezing.” Sokka hand tightened around Zuko’s as he pulled it upwards, pressing it against his mouth. Zuko couldn’t stop his hands from shaking even harder as Sokka’s breath warmed his skin.

—

“I can do that.” Zuko reached to grab his sleeping bag. “I’m fine.” Sokka lifted it over his head like they were kids playing keep away. Zuko huffed, crossing his arms, but let Sokka keep it.

“You’re not fine.” Sokka spread of the blanket. “How long have you been feeling sick?”

“Ugg.” Sokka paused. He looked up, holding  Zuko’s gaze until Zuko finally drawled, two days? maybe three.”

“Three days?!” Zuko felt his pulse quickening again, his shoulders bracing. “Why didn’t you say anything!” Even though Sokka’s voice voice was high he didn’t sound angry. In fact… Sokka’s eyebrows were scrunched, lips pressed thin. “You were training Aang this morning. Zuko, you shouldn’t be bending like that if you’re sick “ Sokka was worried.

“I’m fine.” How many times had Zuko said that now? “It’s just a fever. It’ll go away.”

“I mean, sure it will, if you rest. Can you, uh…” He gestured towards the sleeping bag, laid out and waiting.

“Oh.” It felt awkward to lower himself down when his legs felt so much like jelly, Zuko was sure it wasn’t graceful. But Sokka didn’t say anything, just stood there, eyebrow raised. Waiting. Zuko realized, then, that he was supposed to lay all the way down. So he did, somehow feeling boneless now that he wasn’t holding himself up. 

He blinked as Sokka settled a blanket over to his shoulders. It took Zuko and absurd number of seconds to realize that it was a blue blanket, one of Sokka’s own. Woven. Thick. Soft.

“Comfortable?” Sokka asked. When Zuko met his eyes he smiled.

It was nice, seeing Sokka smile. Zuko wanted to smile back, but he… there was a quivering in his stomach. Not sickness, just… waiting. “I’m fine,” Zukp said. When Sokka raised an eyebrow, he added, “I… feel fine.”

“I doubt that,” Sokka said.

“I do,” Zuko insisted. Yes, his body felt suddenly heavy. And his skin buzzed strange sensitivity that made event he gentlest touch feel like a scratch. But he was lying on his side, on something soft, and he was warm. “I… thank you.”

Sokka shrugged. “I didn’t do much,” he said. “Do you need anything else?”

Zuko thought for a moment. “Water?” He croaked.

“Coming right up, bud.”

Zuko let his eyes close for a moment, just listening to the sound of Sokka’s footsteps as he went back to the packs, the rustling of fabric as he was digging through something. Then there was a feeling, something hard brushing his fingers. Zuko opened his eyes to see a small, green glass. “A Ba Sing Se souvenir cup?”

“It was on sale,” Sokka said, chuckling. “Drink it. It’s medicine.”

“For what?” Zuko asked.

“The fever?” Sokka reminded him. “Do they… umm… not treat fevers in the Fire Nation or something?”

“Of course they do.” Zuko propped himself up just enough to tip the bitter liquid into his mouth before settling down again.

More sounds of shuffling as Sokka lowered himself, and then Zuko felt weight on his back as Sokka pressed into him, a hand settling itself onto his arm. Sokka’s touch was firm, but quiet. Soft. Sweet. “But not yours?” Sokka sounded sad.

Zuko swallowed. He remembered that feeling, tossing and turning as his skin crawled and his stomach churned. Waking up with a sweat drenched face but father still expected Zuko to do his katas. Run through his katas, go to school, sit up straight. There was punishment for slouching, even if he only slouched because he was shivering so hard he couldn’t mind his posture. “We were being trained to rule, Azula and I. Countries don’t stop because you have a cold.”

Sokka didn’t say anything, just started rubbing his arm. 

“You can rest now,” Sokka said after a while. “I can take care of you.”

Take care of him? Zuko tried to remember the last time someone had taken care of him. His Uncle had tried, of course, but Zuko had always pushed him away. He couldn’t let himself be seen that way - weak, sick. So he ignored the quiver in his Uncle’s voice when Iroh spoke to him from the other side of a metal door. And before that… before that his mother would, when father would let her. When Zuko was so sick that she’d block his bed with her body to keep father away, even if it cost her. Then sit with him and fuss his hair back with slender fingers.

“I’ll take good care of you,” Sokka said.

Zuko took a deep breath in. Not a sigh, just a breath, one to fill him up. He could feel his heart starting to race again, but... nicer this time, with Sokka so warm and solid against his back. He let the breath out. Slow. Controlled. Eyes still closed, he whispered, “Okay.”

[gregorovitch-adler]

A Chemical Defect

The mild sunshine in the afternoon hit softly on Sherlock's face, lifting his mood quite a bit. He took in the fresh breeze as he kept walking along the pavement, with John by his side, towards 221, Baker Street.

"How would you define love?" John asked, carrying a grocery bag in his hand to their way home.

Sherlock was carrying the other bag.

The two of them had been out shopping, because it was time they went to the supermarket this week. And because it was a Sunday. Sherlock had oddly felt like accompanying John today, so he did.

They had been talking about what romantic attraction was like, how it felt, etc., when they were shopping. Though what had triggered that topic exactly, Sherlock had no idea.

Sherlock parted his lips and blinked, feeling thrown off by this sudden question. How should he respond?

"How would I know? I'm just a sociopath." He couldn't think of anything else to say.

John shook his head immediately at that. "No, that's not true at all. 'Sociopath' isn't even the correct term. And I know that you feel things." John let out a bitter laugh. "God knows I've personally witnessed you feel it."

They had arrived at their apartment building.

Sherlock turned to look at him with his eyebrows knitted and nose scrunched. "When?"

John turned around to face him too with disbelief in his expressive, blue eyes. "When? Seriously?" He shook his head again and opened the door to get in.

Sherlock followed him, and now they were both climbing the stairs leading to their flat.

Sherlock's hands were trembling, and his heart raced as his stomach churned in horror.

Did John know how Sherlock felt for him? Shit. Now what? How was Sherlock supposed to explain himself? Why did John bring this up today? Was this supposed to be a call-out? Oh no.

They both walked into their flat, closed the door, and John went straight to the kitchen with the bag in his hand.

Sherlock went to the kitchen too. It was dimly-lit with natural sunlight coming from the outside.

The table was a mess from Sherlock's latest experiment. Now John had also spread everything out that they had just bought, adding to the mess even more.

John was arranging everything properly in the fridge.

What was Sherlock to do now? Might as well out with the truth, he thought. It was time.

"Turns out I was in love. With you." Sherlock paused. "I still am," he added, as he set the bag of groceries on the kitchen table. He kept staring at John - whose back was facing him - holding his breath.

You were right, John. You always are.

John stopped in his tracks with a pack of yoghurt in his hand. "Come again?" John placed the pack in the fridge, closed it, and finally looked around at Sherlock.

They were both facing each other now.

"I won't repeat myself, John," he said briskly, bracing himself on the kitchen table, waiting for John's reaction.

"What about The Woman?"

Sherlock's initial reaction was to flinch in self defense. Disappointment followed through shortly.

Here he thought John was talking about the two of them.

The Woman. Why now?

Sherlock closed his eyes as a faint memory of a beautiful face with soft, feminine features showed up.

The violin tune that he had composed was playing in the background in his mind.

Sherlock shook his head and opened his eyes. He took a deep breath and swallowed. "Ancient history," he blurted out.

Truth meant a complete and accurate information about something. He was not going to hide anything from John.

"So, there was a history." John folded his arms across his chest.

Sherlock sighed deeply. "Doesn't matter now."

John slammed one of his hands on the kitchen table. "It matters to me, Sherlock! I've spent ages wondering why you looked so abnormally interested in her when she was practically a stranger - especially when you'd specified that you weren't interested in relationships - and more importantly, where I went wrong if you were interested in romantic entanglements, after all. So, yes. It does matter even now. Very much." His chest was heaving with his face flushed.

Sherlock felt his jaw drop. "John? I never thought you -"

"Yes, you idiot. I feel the same. Have been for ages. So tell me: did you or did you not feel for Irene Adler?"

"I did."

John's face fell and his eyes looked considerably sadder than before, so Sherlock continued hastily, "Doesn't mean I didn't care about you, then. Because I did. A lot.

"And now you're so important to me that if you were to leave this place, right now, I'd feel lost. In the middle of a barren desert." Sherlock swallowed. "I've felt this way about you for ridiculously long. I am in love with you. Is that clear enough, now?" His voice broke with desperation at the last sentence.

John quickly walked up close to Sherlock and grabbed his waist. Sherlock wrapped his arms around his shoulders and sighed. John rested his head against Sherlock's chest and they both fell silent for a few seconds.

John looked up at him with a soft gaze. The amount of sentiments in those eyes was unbelievable. Sherlock was looking at him in wonder.

"Yes, it is," said John, in a voice just above a whisper.

Sherlock placed a hand on John's cheek as he ducked to kiss him. John moved one of his hands from Sherlock's waist to his nape as he kissed him back with abandon.

Sherlock hoped that any feelings of jealousy, disappointment, etc., between him and John would fade away now.

They had each other by their sides. They knew they would handle their future lives better from now on.

*

Prompt: Jealousy by @calaisreno

Tags: @jamielovesjam , @peanitbear , @helloliriels , @topsyturvy-turtely , @gaylilsherlock , @totallysilvergirl , @lisbeth-kk , @keirgreeneyes , @nowiamcoveredinyou , etc.

Let me know if you want to be added/removed from the tags. :)

[thetarttfuldickhead]

And Jamie is getting better and better, isn’t he, getting closer and closer to being the best (not just of Richmond; not just of England; of the whole fucking world), and it’s all great, all fucking fantastic, only it gets into his head for a little bit, same way being the perfect team mate got into his head after his first call-up for England, and it starts to gnaw at him again, eat away at him again, every tiny little mistake (every tiny little thing that isn’t even a mistake, is just a thing that might have, possibly and in another world, been better), and he doesn’t let it show, doesn’t let it affect him, he works hard, chin up lad, gotta be good for his team, right, gotta be perfect for them, and mostly he really is all right, having the time of his life, yeah; on top of the fucking world because he very nearly is as good as they ever get, but eventually there’s an important game where he misses a pass or a penalty or a sitter and it happens to everybody, and everybody knows it happens to everybody, but it isn’t supposed to happen to him, is it, and what fucking good is he if—

And it’s the dressing room after and he doesn’t have even know how to fucking start but before he can say a word Isaac just fixes him with a stare, “No, bruv. We don’t wanna hear it.”

And in spite of everything that’s not fair, is it, ‘cause sure he made a mistake, “But—!“

And there’s Sam, who shakes his head and puts his hand on Jamie’s shoulder, eyes so very serious and sincere. “We are not your father, Jamie. We don’t stop loving you if you’re not perfect.”

[domsaysstuff]

Steve's kindness is, like all self-taught one, a mirage of borrowed expressions, a collage of habits picked from people he loved, a bit stilled but eager and well-meaning, sometimes a bit chopped at the sides, a growing want to let the good feelings out in front of the right people.

Eddie liked to sometimes watch him and find all the signs of other people in him, try to match them up to right people.

He would watch and think - this is Nancy's stubbornness to never give up on people and Dustin's loyalty, he would see him trying to give advice to Dustin and see Johnathan's akward pep-talks to Will. The way he would always try to have snacks for the kids screamed both Joyce's and Mrs. Henderson motherly kindness. His willingness to sit in silence, a steady presence, when somebody needed it shined with Will's warmth. How he fights for the people he cares about, letting his meaness be a defense for them all, a barier and a shield similar to Max's snark.

And whenever he found himself to be the matching person? It made him feel loved, so fucking loved and seen that he would choke on it.

Eddie sometimes would make a game out of it, to found the matching puzzle whenever Steve's kindness shone (and it was a lot of the time). It was always someone from the party and he would always find himself with a strange fond warmth whenever he realized who it was. And usually he was good at it, it wasn't really hard when he loved and knew all those people too

There were exceptions though. The first one was Robin and it wasn't for the lack of Eddie's knowledge and love for her and moreso because of the whole RobinandSteve being always so SteveandRobin, never really separate. Whatever was Steve's was also Robin's, their clothes, habits or sometimes even their smiles shone in the same way. They were mismatched in a funny melted together sort of way, his kindness was her and hers was his and it was hard to difference between the two when even they didn't know where one ended and the other began, they traded traits like they traded clothes, wore them bright pink socks with yellow soft sweater, a joke to cheer you up with a soft you can tell me anything in the same breath.

He didn't really knew whose kindness it was the innate one that must have been deep within Steve before he let it shine or Robin's. He didn't think it would really matter anyway, they would trade it between themselves like shiny cards anyway.

The other one was a smile. An unique one, one that Eddie swore he saw somewhere before and that lacked the freckles and a missing teeth except noone in the party had these two traits, at least not as Eddie knew them and he could never find that one puzzle. It was boyish and full of mischief, usually with a starry reflection in Steve's eyes.

The last one was a lift in his tone, the way he would make his voice honey-like sweet when he tells Robin her new haircut suits her or El's new shirt brought out her eyes. The intonation always made Eddie think of bubble gum and sugared summers.

He couldn't place the last two to nobody. At least not until Steve told him about Tommy Hagan and Carol Perkins.

Obviously Eddie knew about them, but Stevie didn't talk about how they are. But how they used to be.

"Sweet." he said while passing the joint they shared laying on Eddie's bed, pressed from shoulders to their ankles. "Carol used to be sweet, warm with the naive love only kids hold" Steve's eyes were looking out the window of Eddie's room, as if he could see the young version of them just outside playing childlish games. "and Tommy used to be wild. But not like bad wild, more like he was always chasing trouble, adventure. Like kids do."

And Eddie couldn't see it, not with how the world twisted them into different people, cruel. More cold, all sharp teeth and autumn's rain.

Except he could, he could in Steve's special smile and the sound of his voice, he could see it and he could see the love that Steve Harrington had for them.

"They're douchebags now," he said when Eddie voiced it out loud "but I did loved them once, sometimes I feel like I've never stopped, they just... Grew out of my love, grew into something I couldn't."

It should be strange, to love something someone isn't anymore, but to Eddie it just spoke of the way Steve Harrington threw himself into love, how he never really stopped loving and caring. It was admirable, it was so lovable and it was so Steve-like. Earnest in the sweetest way.

It made sense that Steve Harrington would love people even through his expression of it.

[halevetica]

Sterek Masterlist

Here I will list all of my stories that are Sterek specific. These do not include crossovers, but can include other pairings.

One Shots:

Mr. and Mr. Hale(Sterek)

Chinese for Dinner(Sterek)

Do Me a Favor(Sterek)

Lie to Me(Sterek)

Comforting(Sterek)

Doppelganger(Sterek)

Alternate Reality(Sterek)

Thoughts(Sterek)

Secret(Sterek/Steter)

In Trouble(Sterek)

Temporary Bliss(Sterek)

Believe me(Sterek)

E/A Con(Sterek)

Triskelion(Sterek)

Separated(Sterek)

The Fox and The Wolf(Sterek)

The Wolf and The Fox(Sterek)

Raven(Sterek)

Weakness(Sterek)

Significance(Sterek)

Pack Mom(Sterek)

The Wolf With Emerald Eyes(Sterek)

Paranoia(Sterek)

Unsigned(Sterek)

I never existed(Sterek)

Same Old Song and Dance(Sterek)

Hawaii five-0(Sterek)

Riddled(Sterek)

Halloween(Sterek)

I Wasn’t Ready(Sterek)

Nice Things(Sterek)

Trust me(Sterek/Steo)

Tell Me(Sterek)

His Shirt(Sterek)

Oh Calamity(Sterek)

As The Seconds Go By(Sterek)

Will you still be here tomorrow?(Sterek)

Feels Like Home(Sterek)

Promise(Sterek)

Cute Together(Sterek)

Full length fics:

The Spark Within(Sterek)

Lie Ability(Sterek)

All Hale the King(Sterek)

Suffer Well(Sterek)

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before(Sterek)

Two of a Kind(Sterek)

A Poison I Drink Often(Sterek)

For the Love of Chaos(Sterek)

Flirt Responsibly(Sterek)

I Would Fake Forever With You(Sterek)

Same Old Song and Dance(Sterek)

Forget Me Not(Sterek)

Wake Up(Sterek)

Leave Me in Ruins(Sterek)

Like it or Not(Sterek)

Shatter my Reality(Sterek)

Podfics:

Temporary Bliss(Sterek)__10-20 mins

Chinese for Dinner(Sterek)__10-20 mins

In Trouble(Sterek)__0-10 mins

A Real Ass(Sterek)__20-30 mins

Secret(Sterek)(Steter)__10-20 mins

Weakness(Sterek)__10-20 mins

All Hale the King(Sterek)6-8 hours  Ch.0-10   Ch.11-20  Ch.21-30  Ch.31-40  Ch.41-53 

The Fox and the wolf(Sterek)__0-10 mins

Riddled(Sterek)__0-10 mins

Tell Me(Sterek)__10-20 mins

If you like my writing, consider buying me a coffee, I would really appreciate it!

[a-kind-of-merry-war]

Peach-coloured silk rips beneath leather-gloved hands. Pearlescent buttons pop and skitter across the newly waxed floorboards of the ship. The Gentleman Pirate is forced back, forced down, his legs colliding with the edge of the bed before he’s pushed onto his back.

The Kraken leans over him, looms over him, hair falling into his face. He pushes it back, smudging the kohl thickly applied in huge dark rings around his eyes. Those eyes, those wonderful eyes - they flash, in the low light of the cabin - hungry and eager and desperate.

“The Gentleman Pirate,” he growls. “I have you at last.”

The Gentleman Pirate says nothing. There is nothing he can say, not when pinned under that stare. His heart is in his throat, choking him.

The Kraken rips off one of his gloves, places his hand to the Gentleman Pirate’s jaw. His palm is warm and calloused.

“You will pay,” he says, still in that same low timbre, “for what you did to me.”

Trapped in the nook of the bed, the Gentleman Pirate can do nothing. “I'm sorry,” he says at last, finding his voice.

The Kraken rumbles. “Show me.”

He takes him apart with brutal reverence. His hands are firm but gentle, his touches sure - but each one is a question, too. The Gentleman Pirate is helpless against his ministrations on his back against the silk sheets. He doesn’t know where he ends and the Kraken begins, where Edward begins, where Ed begins, or Stede. It’s just them, in the shadows, and the purpling pleasure-bruises left on his skin.

Afterwards, breathless and panting and utterly spent, the Kraken pillows him in his arms, pressing his head to his bare chest. 

“Breathe,” he says. “There— that’s it. Breathe for me, love.”

He does, eventually. A hand strokes his back. He removes himself at last, peering up at a shock of golden hair and a pair of wide, concerned eyes.

“Was that— was that okay, Ed?” Stede asks, the kohl smudged across his face and his lips dark. He’s still wearing Ed’s jacket. “Are you okay?”

Ed shuffles the remnants of Stede’s silk robe from his shoulders; better to feel all of Stede’s skin, the softness of him. 

“Yeah.”

Stede bends down, catches him in a kiss. “I love you,” he mutters.

Ed lets his eyes close. In the breath he releases, he nearly says it back.

[yllirya]

Red Blanket

[wriolette drabble of a gifted red blanket. see the full drabble collection here]

After Wriothesley becomes the administrator of the Fortress, and Neuvillette gets closer to him (for official matters first), one day, the Judge gifts him a very soft, fluffy, red blanket. 

Neuvillette feels embarrassed but he explains – he feels after Wriothesley's hard days, this could be comfort.

He thinks it’s a silly action, but it was something like a winter bazaar in Fontaine. And when he strolled there on his way back to the Palais, his eyes got caught up on that blanket. 

At this point, Wriothesley is only the head of Meropide for a short time, and when he becomes that, Neuvillette helps him to settle the new arrangement with the overworld. He voted to trust him and put faith in the young man. As all prisoners stood behind him, it would have been a riot to remove him anyway, even if some governors would have wanted that. Anyhow, Wriothesley takes over Meropide, and Neuvillette offers him help to settle the correct paperwork regarding some changes - all by the laws.

They spend some time together but Wriothesley also has to make order by his gauntlets to shut down riots at their core. Neuvillette can see him halfway beaten up during their meetings, sometimes before Sigewinne could heal him. They never speak any of this.

Wriothesley always just shakes it off as if it'd be nothing. But Neuvillette wonders when he got comfort - even if only in the sense of having a good night's rest. Because not on the streets. Not in a cell in Meropide under the old regime.

So when Neuvillette sees that red blanket, he just can't help but think of Wriothesley and he buys it. Do humans gift blankets? He does not know. He keeps a straight face while Wriothesley opens it, and he gets a rather neutral "Thank you" in return.

It's many years later that Neuvillette learns Wriothesley cried himself to sleep that night, alone, wrapped up in the blanket – and that he still has it and never intends to throw it away, ever. For his next birthday, Neuvillette buys him a new one – and he gets a warm hug in return this time.

[weird-an]

It had been a prank - putting pink hair dye in Billy's shampoo.

He had been so annoying about Max' being late for the hundredth time the last weeks. She just wants to hang out with her friends. Why is he always there, knocking at the door, getting on her nerves about a stupid curfew that isn't even meant for him? Can't he be happy for her that she's making friends?

"Max!" Billy screams, barging into the living room where Max sits with Neil and her mother, watching a movie. "What did you do?"

For a second Max is really proud of herself. Billy's mullet is all pink, only the roots are still a bit blonde. It looks surprisingly pretty.

She can't hold back a smug grin. "What are you talking about?"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Billy yells.

The smile drops from her lips when Neil turns to Billy.

"You need to cut it off."

Billy freezes. Max isn't sure he's breathing. "No."

"Billy, you can't be seen like this. We just moved here, we can't afford that kind of reputation." Neil gets up from the couch. "If you don't do it, I do it."

"No, dad. Sir." Billy's eyes get big and wide, reminding her of a deer caught in the spotlight of a car. She has never seen him like this. Even when Neil slaps him, he never looks scared. Now he does.

"It will be gone in a few days," Max says, feeling sick all of a sudden. She didn't want to get Billy in trouble with Neil. Neil's anger isn't good for anyone, especially Billy.

Neil walks over to Billy, looming over him. Billy's back hits the wall.

"Either you cut it off or I will."

A tear runs down Billy's cheek which he doesn't even seem to notice, because he's still staring at Neil.

"Please, dad."

"It's my fault," Max says. "Neil, I didn't-"

"It's okay, Maxine," Neil smiles at her. "His hair is too long anyway."

[mychemicalimagines]

H&H Ficlet Master List

These one shots do belong to me. The characters used do NOT belong to me. They are all from the same timeline. AU: No Upside Down. This is a Steve Harrington x Henderson!Reader Ficlet. I try not to describe the reader in anyway and have used 80s aesthetics for looks in the banner. I do not have any looks in mind as I write.  

We Scare Because We Care - October 1985

[highfunctioningflailgirl]

Suptober 2023 Master List

Here’s the list with all my Suptober fics for this year.

Many thanks to @winchester-reload for organizing this wonderful event!

Liminal - Close Call

Pumpkin Patch - Pumpkins, Mist and Zombrits

Inspired - Piece of Art

Nimbus - In Good Hands

Portrait - ID

Full Spread - A Study in Wings

Black Cat - Beast Of A Different Kind

Satanic Panic - The One Who Still Grips Him Tight

Starlight - The Stars Above, The Ground Below

Close Shave - Someone (Not) To Lose

Epic - Epic

Swap-Meat - Maintenance

Flirt - 10mg of Truth

Fever - Catching On

Abstract - Empty

Bonus 31. Trick or Treat - Just A Trick

It’s been my first year of writing for Supernatural, and my first time participating in Suptober, and I’ve enjoyed it a lot! So many wonderful artists that I’ve discovered! I wish I could draw or paint like they can. But I can only write.

[fuckyeahfightlock]

Whumpril 2024

-15- Mind Games

Sunday morning lie-in, asking each other questions.

"Do you have a favourite number?" Harry asked.

"When I was in my twenties, I heard somewhere that if you were aware of it you'd see 23 everywhere. So I do see 23's everywhere; I can't remember what it was supposed to mean--some conspiracy theory thing. But it's like if you buy a blue car; suddenly every other one you see is blue. But it's just your mind's bias to find what it's looking for."

"So 23's your favourite?"

"Not really. I don't think I have a favourite number. I just have a bias toward finding 23." Adam laughed at himself a little, scratched his upper arm. "Are you generally organised, or disorganised?"

"Organised messy, I think," Harry said. "I don't tidy much, but I know where everything is when I need it."

Adam turned onto his side so they were face to face, and Harry's gaze wandered over his shoulders, biceps, his bare chest. He reached for Adam's hand, raised it so he could place a small kiss on the back of each of his fingers. "What was," he asked, between kisses, "Your happiest day?"

Adam hummed as if considering, and Harry went on kissing, each finger, his thumb. Folded Adam's hand into a soft fist so he could kiss the bumps of each knuckle. The silence grew longer, and Harry opened his eyes, expecting to prompt Adam's response. Instead, he found him with wet eyelashes, his expression exquisitely sad, downturned mouth and lower lip quivering, though Adam struggled not to let it.

"I can't remember," he said, matter-of-fact but shaking his head. Shrugged. 'Too many were unhappy. Drowned it all out."

Harry reached for him, wrapped him up tight in his arms.

[medusapelagia]

Raisins and nuts

I 'm trying to stretch my Stommy's muscle so here it is a little something with a tiny touch of enemies to lovers if you squint. (I know… four fluffy fics in two weeks… who am I? I don't recognize myself anymore!!!)

written for @stommybang Prompt: Food/Cooking Rating: Teen and Up Relationship: Steve/Tommy TW: none Words: 2273

Read it here or on AO3

Sometimes food is just food. It’s your body’s fuel. It’s a series of things you eat to keep yourself healthy and alive.

Other times food has a deeper meaning. It’s not the thing you’re eating, it’s the fact that someone cooked that thing for you, knowing that it's one of your favorites, without thinking about calories or nutrients.

Steve’s Nonna used to ask him what he wanted for lunch while he was having breakfast, and Steve always gave her a very annoyed reply, complaining that he couldn't think about lunch at that hour in the morning. Nonna Rosa never got offended, she used to nod quietly, pinching Steve's rosy cheeks, another really annoying habit of hers, and return to the kitchen where at least three boiling pots and pans were waiting for her.

Nonna loved him, and the only way she knew to express her feelings were Parmigiana, Crocché, and cheeks pinches, but Steve didn't understand that till the day she died and his parents started to hire nanny after nanny.

None of them ever asked Steve what he wanted for lunch, or even if he liked all the plates they cooked for him. They just make these flavorless but nutritious plates and give him raisins and nuts for a snack.

Everyone at school laughed at him and his raisins and nuts snack, but even if Steve tried to ask for some cereal for breakfast or a donut to eat during the break, the nanny of the month always denied him, condemning Steve to a life of raisins and nuts, hidden in the back of the cafeteria.

At least until Tommy moved.

Tommy H, as everyone called him to differentiate him from Tommy Bennet and Tommy Ramos, preceded Steve in the alphabetical order, which meant that Thomas Hagan Jr and Steve Harrington were destined to be friends, whether they liked it or not. 

Every time the teachers made them work in teams, Tommy and Steve were on the same team. When they had a school trip, Steve and Tommy were sitting side by side. Even during PE, their team was always the one with the boys whose surname started with the letter A to the ones whose surname started with L.

Even their houses were close, and Steve's nanny started to drive both boys to school and back.

One day Tommy's mom was busy, so she asked Lauren, Steve's new nanny, if she minded keeping an eye on both kids for a few hours, offering to pay for her services. Lauren, who was smart and knew perfectly well that both the kids were old enough not to cause too much trouble, immediately accepted and that was their first official playdate.

Once they became friends, Steve's snacks, usually made of raisins and nuts, finally transformed into every kind of snack Tommy had in his school bag. Whatever it was: chocolate, chips, crackers, or candy bars, they always shared them. And if Steve had a bad day, his parents didn’t call or he didn’t pass a test, Tommy was always ready to come to his place to cheer him up, bringing some snacks.

That's probably why, just a few hours after Nancy Wheeler dumped Steve in front of everyone, Tommy is at Steve's place, holding a six-pack.

Steve’s first instinct is to tell him to fuck off. Their friendship started to crumble since he fell in love with Nancy and he’s not in the mood to be morally beaten by his ex-best friend. They stare at each other in complete silence for a long moment, then Steve clenches his jaw and crosses his arms, ready to face Tommy’s attack.

"Are you here to gloat?” he snarls, “Because if it's so-"

"If it's so, what? Huh? Are you going to punch me in the face?" Tommy chuckles, leaning against the wall with the same self-confidence he always had. "Come on. Let me in." Tommy asks, pushing Steve out of the way.

The house is exactly as it always was: huge, cold, and empty. 

Tommy makes himself comfortable on the cream couch, grabs the television remote control, and puts his feet on the coffee table just to piss Steve off, giving him a bold stare, but Steve has already had an awful night, so he sits next to him, snatches a beer from the beer pack and puts his feet next to Tommy's. He cracks it open, not caring about the golden liquid that spills on the Persian rug.

"What happened?" Tommy inquires, picking a beer while in the background some fake laughs from the television fill the uncomfortable silence.

"Didn’t you see? Nancy dumped me."

"Why?" 

Steve is handsome and rich, no girl in her right mind would dump in. And surely not like that, in front of everyone.

"Because she's smart," Steve replies, gulping down the beer and throwing the can against the television like an angry old drunk.

"If she dumped you she's not that smart." Tommy simply states, sipping his own beer.

"What do you want, Tommy?" Steve asks, his eyes are red and puffy and he’s slouching on his mother's expensive couch like he has all the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Check on a friend?" Tommy replies, lifting an eyebrow.

This time Steve and the television laugh simultaneously.

"We're not friends anymore. And I saw you with Hargrove at Tina's party," he replies, snatching another beer.

"What, do you demand to be my only friend? Like when we were kids? Sorry to break it to you, Harrington, but you're the one who chose a girl instead of me."

"What about Carol? Huh?" Steve hisses, projecting all his venom into those words, trying to make Tommy bleed and retreat. But he doesn’t.

"We were a fucking trio, Steve. You, Carol, and I. We were invincible. Then you fell head over heels for Little Miss Perfect and everything went to hell." Tommy growls back, crushing the tin can in his hand.

It’s the truth. They were a trio. They were always together. Carol was the only constant in their life. Tommy and Steve fought and made peace so many times, but Carol was always there, popping a Big Babble annoyed and pushing their foreheads one against the other until they didn’t get into their thick skulls that they were best friends.

“I man up,” Steve replies, his stare pinned on the TV show to avoid looking at Tommy.

The light flickers and the television cracks for a moment. Power outages happen a lot in Hawkins, but Steve can’t avoid shivering in his seat looking at the wall with terror.

"You man up, huh?” Tommy mocks him, bumping a fit in Steve’s shoulder, then he adds, in a soft voice, “You ok?"

"I..." Steve rubs a hand through his hair, "I'm a bit nervous I guess." Steve lies. 

Monsters are gone, Steve reminds himself, they made sure of it. Still, every flickering light makes him jump.

"I got a couple of Musketeers.” Tommy says, fishing a couple of candy bars from his jacket, “I hope they're still your favorite because I had to beat a kid to get them." 

Steve lifts an eyebrow, unimpressed, "Did you beat a kid for real?"

"Nah, but I scared the shit out of him." Tommy chuckles, while Steve unwraps the candy bar, breaks it in two, and gives half to Tommy. It’s a reflex. They always splitted everything.

"I have another one." Tommy reminds him, staring at the half-candy bar.

"I know."

Tommy snorts, and then he asks, "Do you remember when you used to come to school with those stupid raisins?" 

"Of course I do. I fucking hated them."

"I didn’t.” Tommy replies, biting his candy bar, “That's how we became friends. Real friends, you know? The kind of friends who can tell each other everything. The kind of friends that spend all the time together. That sleep in the same bed.” 

There was a time when Tommy and Steve experimented with one another. It was normal, they used to say to each other. If they were always the last ones to leave the lockers was just because they kept making pranks, not because they took advantage of those few minutes to steal a kiss or a rushed hand job against the sink.

For a moment, Steve stares at Tommy’s profile. The dim light of the television emphasizes all his freckles, the same freckles Steve tried to count so many times, only to lose count and start kissing his best friend. He turns his head toward the television, "We're too drunk for his kind of discourse."

"We're the perfect amount of drunk for this kind of discourse," Tommy replies, turning toward him. Their legs are so closed that Steve can feel the warmth of Tommy’s leg against his and the stare he’s giving him leaves no space for misunderstandings.

"I had a girlfriend, Tommy. And she dumped me." Steve reminds him while he drinks his beer.

"I have a girlfriend too. But I'm here. We're here. Eating candy bars and drinking beer. And I'm wondering… Do you miss it? The intimacy we used to have?"

“It’s not… I like girls ok? I like boobs and-”

“I like both.” Tommy simply states, taking a last bite of candy, “I like both. Women and men.”

“So Carol…”

“She knows. And she’s the one that kicked my ass and told me to come here. That this could have been my chance.”

“Your chance to do what?”

“This.” Tommy’s hand moves to the back of Steve’s head, getting them closer enough that they are sharing the same air. Steve’s warm puffs of breath hit Tommy’s lips when he stalls for a moment to give him the time to pull back, and when he doesn’t he closes his eyes and kisses him.

They both taste of cheap beer and melted chocolate, but the electricity that runs through them is the same they felt that first night they kiss in Steve’s bed during a storm. 

Steve's second can of beer falls on the rug, spilling everywhere, but Steve doesn’t care, he opens his mouth and moves his tongue gently, licking Tommy’s lips like he was asking permission before kissing him with a passion that Tommy reciprocates.

“We shouldn’t…” Steve says, pulling back, “It’s the alcohol. You know it makes me horny.” he says, trying to escape from Tommy’s tight grip.

“Do you want to know what I think, Steve? It’s not the alcohol that makes you horny. It makes you free. No more mental walls, just desires that want to be fulfilled. Am I wrong?”

Steve stares at Tommy, ready to tell him that he’s wrong, that Steve is not like that. Only… only maybe he is. Maybe he fought with Nancy because he saw Tommy with Billy. Maybe…

“I have one condition.” Steve says, seriously, “Don’t leave. After… Don’t leave.”

“Did I ever leave?” Tommy snorts, but quickly promises, “I won’t leave. I swear.” 

Steve takes his hand and guides him upstairs, to his room, the same room where they have played, and slept, and kissed. And shared everything.

Even raisins and nuts.

Permanent taglist: @katyawriteswhump

[anarcoqueer1994]

Some angst with Steddie fluff.

TW use of homophobic slurs

When Steve was 13, he realized that he may be into other boys. Sure, he thought plenty of girls in his 7th grade class were pretty, but he couldn't help that he also thought some of the boys were pretty, and he may even have a crush on one, namely Tommy.

Tommy had been his best friend for years, it made sense. Their dads were business associates and they were often stuck going to the same stuffy events. They just ended up spending a lot of time together.

The summer between 7th and 8th grade, they spent nearly everyday together, playing basketball, running around town, and just trying to past the time on those long hot days. One day in particular stands out in Steve’s mind. They were sitting by Steve's pool, drying off in the sun. Even at that age, Steve's parents began leaving him home alone, gone for days at a time, not even bothering with a nanny anymore. Needless to say, they were there by themselves.

He doesn't remember how exactly the topic came up, but he does remember asking Tommy. "Hey, do you think it's like possible to like boys and girls?" He was trying gage his reaction, playing dumb.

Tommy looks confused, but not...angry. "Yea, I mean, I guess. Why?"

Steve hesitates, still nervous but reminds himself that Tommy is his best friend. "I don’t know. I mean, like I kissed Tina R. last year at the Snowball and that was great. But I've been thinking about kissing boys too." He quickly looks away, afraid to meet the other boy's face.

After what seems like an eternity, Tommy responds, "That makes sense, I guess. I thought about kissing a boy before, you know..." He pauses, "Just to see how it feels."

Steve risks eye contact. "Really?"

"Uh, yeah." Tommy fidgets nervously.

A burst of bravery comes over Steve as he scoots a little closer to his friend. "Do you want to, um, maybe try it then?" Steve holds his breath once the words leave his mouth, bravery leaving him.

But Tommy nods and starts leaning in, and before Steve knew what was happening, his lips were against Tommy's. The kiss was chaste and awkward, but Steve loved it. When they pull apart, he can't help but smile.

Tommy, though, suddenly stands up, panic covering his face. "I gotta go."

"Wait...please..." Steve tries but Tommy is already running out of his backyard, leaving Steve alone.

After that, they don't talk about it. Steve tried once, only for Tommy to say "Look man, I'm not some faggot. I'm sorry you came onto me, but I'm just not like you. And if I were you, I would keep this whole thing to yourself. Try being normal. Wouldn't want your old man finding out."

And that feels like a knife in Steve’s chest, he knows what he saw, he knows Tommy wanted to kiss him too. But he just nods, never mentioning it again.

Tommy starts dating Carol the following year, and Steve takes his advice. He tries being "normal." He becomes the stereotypical high school popular boy, good with the girls, and no one knew his secret.

Even today he keeps his secret from all but Robin. He had a word for it now, bisexual, but that doesn't mean he goes out announcing it. He liked guys and girls, though is crush on Tommy had long since disappeared. But he does like someone new, Eddie.

He'd first realized he liked Eddie after they had saved the world together. He still remembers the terrified feeling in his chest as he ran with Eddie’s body out of the Upside-Down, praying to whoever might be listening to save him. And he made it, and Steve couldn't be more thankful.

Now, Eddie has become a permanent fixture in his life, often hanging out with the larger group. Sometimes, they even hang out alone. Steve likes those times a lot. Eddie makes him feel comfortable, like he can be himself, well for the most part. He still isn’t ready to tell him he is bisexual, and he definitely is not ready for the heartbreak of telling he likes him. He isn’t even sure Eddie likes guys, let alone him.

Tonight, is one of those times where they are alone. It is a few days before Thanksgiving. Steve and Eddie are at the only diner left in town, grabbing a bite to eat before going to a movie. Everyone else was busy. Steve doesn’t know when they started doing it, but when it is the two of them, they find themselves squeezed together on the same side of the booth. Eddie insists it’s so Steve can hear him better. Steve won’t admit it, but the various head injuries have started to affect his hearing, and Eddie seemed to be the only one who noticed. Steve just likes being close to Eddie. Their heads were close together, laughing over something Steve said.

“Steve.” A voice behind them calls out, its Tommy. He must be back in town for the holiday, home from college. Steve instinctively grates his teeth as he walks up, arm wrapped around Carol’s waist. “How’s it been, man?”

“What do you want, Tommy?” Steve says, not hiding his annoyance. It’s not like they hung out sense that fight in the parking lot, only talking to Steve to fuck with him.

“We’re adults now, can’t we just put that stuff in the past and catch up?” He puts on a condescending smile before scooting into the booth across from them, Carol following behind. She quietly adds “Hi, Steve.”

Steve only glares at him, ignoring Carol. Before he can say anything, Tommy gets a look at who is sitting beside him. “Eddie Munson?”

Eddie not phased, just gives a cocky grin “In the flesh…”

“Wow, how the mighty have fallen.” He laughs towards Steve. “I had to see if the rumors were true, some of the guys told me you were hanging out with the town freak, and I guess you were.”

Steve sees anger flash in front of his eyes, pissed off that Tommy thinks he can come in here and just treat his friends like that. He doesn’t even give Eddie the chance to defend himself. “You better watch your fucking mouth.” His voice in angry, a shakiness to it like he is about to lose control.

“Or what? You going to fight me? You didn’t last time, and I doubt you can now. All I am doing is telling the truth. He’s a freak.” He smirks. Steve balls his fists at his side.

He is about to stand up, ready to make his way across the table and kick Tommy’s ass, when he feels a hand on his thigh. Eddie softly says “It’s okay, Stevie. Let’s just get out of here.” Steve takes a deep breath, before nodding, beginning to walk away when Tommy opens his mouth again.

“Listen to your boyfriend, Stevie!” Tommy mocks as they are halfway to the door. “I’m glad you found yourself another faggot to hang out with!” The restaurant is quiet now staring between the boys now. Steve is so focused on Tommy, he does not even notice the panic look in Eddie’s eyes when Tommy said those words.

Suddenly the conversation from years before plays in Steve’s head, and he feels stupid for ever liking the other man. He doesn’t know what comes over him but before he can think better of it, he looks Tommy in the face and says, “I may be a faggot but at least I’m not an asshole!” He raise his voice even louder, making sure everyone can hear him. “And just for the record, everyone, Tommy let the faggot kiss him.” Steve smiles, ready self-destruct and pull everyone down with him. Eddie stands behind him mouth ajar, not sure what to say or do.

Tommy is fuming, and before anyone registers what is happening, he lunges at Steve, knocking him the floor and landing punch after punch to his face. Steve was unable to react in time, knowing he’s not the best fighter. He does get a good few punches in, landing one that cracks the bone in Tommy’s nose. In the background he can hear Carol screaming stop, and it isn’t until Eddie knocks Tommy off of him that he is able to get up. He walks out of diner, bloodied face, without a word. Eddie follows close behind. In the distance they can hear police sirens.

They get to Steve’s car, where much to Eddie’s surprise he gets into the passenger seat. “I’m not feeling too good, Eds…” He says softly. “Can you please just get us out of here?”

Eddie nods, taking the keys and driving them back to his trailer. Neither of them saying much, but Eddie periodically looking at Steve to make sure he is alright and still conscious.

It isn’t until they pull up to Eddie’s home that Steve says, “I’m…I’m sorry.”

“What? Why?” Eddie is confused, he has nothing to apologize for.

“For Tommy… and for pulling you into all that bullshit. I don’t want to make things harder for you…you know since my grand announcement inside the restaurant. It’s a small town, I’m sure word will spread.” He laughs sadly to himself. “Steve Harrington, into dudes. I’m sure my dad is going to be happy with that one. What I am saying is I would get if it’s easier for you not to be seen with me.” It hurts to say, not wanting to lose Eddie, even as a friend but he would get it. He looks down.

“Steve, the last thing I want to do is stop hanging out with you. What you did in there, standing up to Tommy, was pretty metal. Even if you got your ass kicked.” He laughs, but his eyes are kind.

Steve hides his face in his hands “Ugh thanks for reminding me.” Steve says, embarrassed.

“That’s not the point I am trying to make. I just think it’s cool how you were able to be open, even if not the best circumstances.” He pauses. “I wish I could do that.”

Now it is Steve’s turn to look at Eddie confused. Even with the bloody nose and black eye, Eddie still thinks he is the prettiest person he knows. “What do you mean? You are one of the most unapologetically you person I know, Eddie. You don’t have all that fake bullshit everyone else has. You’re just you….and I love that about you.” He voice shifts, sounding shyer.

“Being a freak is easy.” Eddie jokes, Steve cringes at the word that he himself used to describe Eddie months earlier. “But um, I’m not ready to come out…like you did. When Tommy called us…you know, I just assumed he was only calling you that because you were hanging out with me. To be honest, I was terrified that someone saw through me, knew I was one.”

Steve is not used to the lack of confidence in Eddie’s voice. He tries not think about what this confession could mean for them, tries not to get his hopes up, focuses on helping Eddie instead. “You don’t owe anyone in this town shit. Eds, if you aren’t ready to have a pride parade in the middle Hawkins, that’s fine. You could find a boyfriend, get married and live happily ever after and it still wouldn’t be anyone’s business if you don’t want it to be.  It can be our secret.” Steve puts his hand on Eddie’s shoulder, squeezing gently.

“Thanks, sweetheart…” Suddenly Eddie’s face is bright red, realizing what he just said. He calls Steve little nicknames all the time, but never in serious moments, and never so sincerely. Eddie expects him to freak out. Sure, Steve just said he liked guys, but that doesn’t mean he like him.

But Steve smiles, moving his hand from Eddie’s shoulder to the small of his neck, shifting in his seat so he is staring into Eddie’s eyes. “Can…can you call me that again?”

Eddie can’t believe this is happening, but he goes with it. “Sweetheart…” he puts his hand on Steve’s thigh, leaning closer. “Can…can I kiss you?”

And Steve gives him the prettiest smile he has ever seen, loving the way his nose scrunches when he smiles too big. Its adorable and Eddie has been hooked since the first time he saw it. Steve leans closer in response, resting his forehead against Eddie’s. Steve is inches away from his lips when he says “Only if you promise me you won’t run away from me after…” Steve doesn’t think he could handle someone…Eddie, changing his mind on him.”

“Oh princess, I could never.” Eddie says in breathy voice, desperate for Steve.

Steve’s face tinges pink at the sweet name, but he doesn’t hate it. Instead, he closes the gap between them, lips connecting with Eddie’s, his hands twist in the other man’s hair, the kiss is desperate and needy and everything Steve wanted.

When they break apart for air, Steve notices that he got some of his blood on Eddie’s face. “Oh god, Eds…I’m so sorry.”

Eddie just laughs before pulling Steve close. “Doesn’t bother me…” Before connecting their lips again.

[hawkp]

@charleshawk4077 I’m still planning on circling back around and doing your second choice! Also, I don’t know why I chose a holiday?? And food??? And I didn’t proofread at all so proceed with caution???? Definitely could expand on the end if I ever come back and fix it to transfer to AO3.

It was so much fun though! Thanks for the suggestion and I hope you enjoy. :)

Charles says he misses cranberry sauce and it’s all Hawkeye focused on for days. For the past year, every time Hawkeye had the chance to make someone happy, he’s done everything in his power to make them so. Cranberry sauce shouldn’t be too hard to procure two days before Thanksgiving he thinks to himself …right?

He’s on his fifth connection when he finally gets through to the base in Seoul.

“Hi, hello. Greetings! Good holiday spirits and all that jazz.” He pushes the friendly tone. In reality he’d just come off of an eight hour O.R. shift and he’d rather be screaming. “I was hoping you could help me perform an early Christmas miracle. What? Sorry? This is—,” he lowered the timber in his tone, trying to get that southern twang just right, “this is Sherm T.. Potter. Sherman Potter. I’d like to see if I could get a case of cranberry sauce down here to my unit.” He pursed his lips, the way he’d seen the colonel do a hundred times. “PDQ!” He added. “It’d really lift these folks spirits if we had it in time for turkey dinner. You can?” He said excitedly, momentarily slipping back into his own voice. “Hot diggity dog! Private, you’re a real Clarence Odbody.” He spun in the chair, elated that he’d been able to seal the deal so easily. “Thank you. Uhuh, thanks so much. You too, Happy Thanksgiving!”

He dropped the phone back into its holder and clapped his hands together, grinning widely.

“Pierce.” He heard from the office entryway. He froze, then turned in the chair with a sickly sweet smile.

“Colonel!” He chuckled nervously. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“In my office?” He asked, with a brow raised. Hawkeye put an elbow on the table and smoothed his hair back.

“Can I buy you a drink soldier?” He said in the most sultry voice he could manage. Potter laughed, shaking his head as he walked past him and towards his office.

“Oh, Pierce.” He said, holding the door open with a hand. “PDQ was a nice touch.” Hawkeye rolled his eyes and broke out into a full body laugh. An exhausted, but nevertheless completely Hawkeye laugh.

The camp spent the next day brainstorming pseudo holiday treats with the limited ingredients they had on hand. Hawkeye was bursting with holiday cheer, annoyingly so, depending on who you asked. The only person that had been able to handle, as well as match his energy was Francis, and they ended the night drunk and happy in the Officers Club, singing every holiday song they could think of… as well as inventing a few new ones.

Hawkeye was still up before almost everyone else.

“Charlessss. Chuckieeee.” He nudged at Winchester’s side and Charles peered up at him.

“Pierceeee.” He echoed in sleepy irritation. “Go give your jolly’s to Hunnicutt.” Hawkeye shook his head, a wild look in his eyes.

“I’ve got a jolly just for you!” He said excitedly. “I waited as long as I could manage.” He snatched Charles blue robe off tithe hook above him. “C’mon. I’ve got a surprise for you.” Charles narrowed his eyes at him. “A good surprise, something you’ll love!” Hawkeye tried to placate. “Cross my heart.” Charles sighed, hoping that the holiday cheer that was spilling over the man, of which he was putting his trust in, was not a cover for a rotten trick.

“Alright.” He muttered, earning a yelp of elation from Hawkeye. “Alright, alright! Quiet down before you wake the beast.” He said in reference to their bunk mate. He stood and Hawkeye draped the robe over his shoulders as he slid his waiting slipper on. “And we’re going straight to coffee afterwards.”

Hawkeye nodded, holding the door open, his limbs bent in an almost vaudeville like posture. The sight of him made Charles snort.

He was led to colonel Potter’s office and immediately Hawkeye started to dance around a little crate that sat on the desk.

“Came in this morning. I wanted you to do the honors.” Hawkeye told him, wiggling a sturdy letter opener in his hands. Charles brow creased into a questioning line. “No jokes. I promise.”

The sincerity in his eyes was clear as day.

Charles carefully wedged the little knife under the lid and pushed, the pins popping up with a satisfying pop, and looked inside.

It was cranberry sauce, he realized to his heart's delight. But his taste buds dulled as he realized that the sweet, sweet nectar was swimming in broken glass.

“What?” Hawkeye said next to him, whispy like someone had died. “They didn’t pad it?” Charles gave the ruined food one last longing look before turning to Hawkeye.

“I appreciate the sentiment, Pierce. I really—,” he swallowed as he looked up at him as saw tears glistening in the man’s eyes, “Pierce?” Hawkeye had been staring at the glittering burgundy mess but he sniffled sharply and wiped at his eyes with his sleeve. “It’s just cranberry sauce, my good man.” Hawkeye nodded quickly, trying to right himself. “What on earth is wrong?” The words were uncharacteristically soft and Hawkeye wrapped his arms tightly around himself, trying to somehow physically guard his heart.

He opened his mouth to speak and ended up just laughing at the fool he’d made of himself. Charles' worry changed to stubbornness and he stood straight and tall, waiting patiently for an answer.

“It’s really not— it’s stupid. Unnecessary.” He flicked a dismissive hand at the office doors, shifting uneasily on his feet as he fought a quivering lip. Charles could see the perfect image of a little seven-year-old Hawkeye in his head. “Go back to bed. Happy Thanksgiving.”

Charles didn’t budge, and Hawkeye caved.

“You said you liked cranberry sauce.” He shrugged, voice wobbling horribly as he shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at the floor. Five-years-old now. “I wanted to make you happy. For the holiday.” He said, barely above a whisper. “It makes me happy… to see people happy.”

It was like a punch to the gut, sympathy and endearment taking his breath away.

“Hawkeye.” He said slowly, surprising even himself at the use of the name. “This is the single kindest thing anyone has ever done for me.” He reached a hand out to Hawkeye’s shoulder. “I don’t care that I can’t eat it.” He shook him slightly, dipping his head so that he could see how serious he was in his words. “I’ll never forget what you did for me.”

A smile started across Hawkeye’s face, blooming into a grin before he wrapped his arms around Charles in a strong hug. They both slapped each other's backs and laughed away any lingering embarrassment.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Pierce.” Charles said, his tone husky with the joy of the holiday.

“Happy Thanksgiving, Charles.” Hawkeye offered back.

And from that point on, Charles knew that this would be the happiest Thanksgiving he’d ever had.