#also in my heart. Argyle is in the same spot as lucas. but I had to Prioritize and so...no Argyle

[sunflowersand-bees]

Everyone in this Group Chat is Gay

here’s the fic on ao3

Word Count: 3426

Summary: Murray is a meddler, and Mike and Will have a heart to heart.

Will and Jonathan were eating sandwiches for lunch, El sitting beside them with a plate of Eggos. Murray was in his usual spot in the kitchen, cooking what seemed like a meat pie. He shoved the pan into the oven, taking off his oven mitts and wiping his hands on the pink apron that Will had gotten him for Easter.

“Young Hopper-Byerses,” Murray started, taking a seat at the table in front of them. The siblings slowly raised their eyes from their food to his face, where he wore a grin that made Jonathan nervous. “Give me your phones.”

“What? Why?” Will asked, confused. His hand went protectively to his pocket.

“I’m really not gonna ask again. It’s very important,” Murray replied. He held his hands out. “Phones.”

Will rolled his eyes, but put his phone in Murray’s hand, El and Jonathan doing the same.

Murray quickly unlocked Will’s phone and clicked through his apps, ignoring Will’s questions about how Murray knew his passcode. After a few minutes, he placed the phone on the table in front of Will, smiling. “Thank you.”

He did the same to Jonathan’s phone and then El’s phone, making her glance at Jonathan and Will nervously. Jonathan just shrugged while Will scrolled through his phone, searching for the damage Murray had inflicted. No one could predict what Murray would do. Murray returned their phones, smiling sweetly. They found their answer when their phones pinged a moment later.

Mike: what???

Will clicked on the message, scrolling up to see what Murray had sent. Finding it, he sighed and  turned the screen towards the freeloader. “Really?”

The text was sent to a group chat with Mike, Robin, Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, El, Lucas, Max, Dustin and Argyle. And, of course, Murray himself.

Everyone in this gc is gay.

“Oh my God, Murray,” Will said, shaking his head and sighing.

Sorry, Murray stole my phone.

Robin: well hes not wrong

Murray: You guys are all v repressed. Stop being idiots. Listen to the Murrster.

Max: wth is the murrster

Murray: Yk, like the Meister. But the Murrster.

Max: yea we get it shut up now

Dustin: I get it!

Dustin: But I’m also fairly certain I’m the only one here who is straight.

Murray: Correct young sapling. You are here to moderate.

Dustin: Oh, okay.

Mike: i’m pretty sure he’s not the only one who is straight

Mike: you do realize me, Lucas, Argyle, Jonathan, and Steve have all either dated a girl or been interested in a girl right?

Murray: Dating a girl doesn’t make you straight.

Argyle: facts man

Murray: And if you’re saying you’ve been interested in a girl, you’re actually going to make me laugh.

Mike: i have!

El: I am very confused.

Murray: Anyway, you’re all gay, have fun with that discussion, don’t try and lie.

Murray: Friends. Don’t. Lie.

Murray: Bye!

Murray: Oh, and if you don’t get your shit sorted out, I will come to your basement, Michael Wheeler and sort your shit out for you. Idc when it doesn’t affect me, but you guys’ actions and moods have affected me. So stop.

Mike: why is that all targeted at me??

Max: why are you so defensive

Lucas: yeah, mike. why so defensive?

Dustin: Yeah, Mike.

Robin: seems pretty gay to me

Max: honestly same

Mike: you know what, I’m done with this bullshit.

Mike: sort out whatever the hell you want, just keep me out of it.

Robin: …did we fuck up?

Steve: No shit, dingus.

Robin: hey! you dont get to use my words against me!

Will: This is going to be a mess, isn't it

Max: hell yeah

Will stood up, putting his phone in his pocket. “Murray.”

“Yes, traumatized Byers?” Murray asked, tilting his head.

“Why did you do that? How has this helped anything?” Will asked, gesturing widely.

“Well, now people can admit their true feelings without being judged because everyone else has very similar feelings,” Murray said, leaving the table. “And I know that little Frog Wheeler is hurt and scared, but if I hadn’t done this, nobody would have moved forward! So it’s a win for us all.”

“No, it’s not,” Will disagreed, following Murray around the table and back into the kitchen. “If someone gets hurt, then it’s not a win. Especially if you don’t actually know how someone feels and you could be wrong.”

Murray raised an eyebrow at Will. “Clearly, you think I’m wrong. Specifically about your Frog Prince. You believe that he’s not gay. You believe that your feelings are entirely unrequited and one-sided because he dated a girl once. Make sure not to hold that against him in the future, he was a confused child. Still is, if you ask me.”

Seeing Will’s expression, Murray sighed. “Look, kid, can you just go along with this? You can tiptoe all you want, make sure not to step on any tails, but just try. Have hope for once. Have hope for yourself. You’ll thank me later.”

“Fine,” Will said. “Fine. But I really don’t think I’ll be thanking you.”

“Agree to disagree,” Murray replied. “Now get out of my kitchen.”

“This is my house!”

“Out!” Murray smacked him on his forehead with an oven mitt. “God, you kids are more trouble than you’re worth.” Will chuckled as he left the kitchen.

Jonathan: so anyone wanna get us started off?

Nancy: What do you mean

Jonathan: apparently we’re all gay, and since I didn’t know anyone was gay, does anyone have something to say?

Robin: guys

Robin: i have something to say

Robin: its very important

Robin: please dont laugh

Nancy: Of course we won’t laugh

Robin: here goes

Robin: im

Robin: straight

Steve: She likes boobies

Robin: steve!!!

Nancy: Steve!!!

Steve: Well its true

Argyle: wait isn’t that

Nancy: Why don’t we move on

Nancy: Steve, your turn

Steve: My turn? Whys it my turn?

Nancy: You know why

Steve: Fine whatever

Steve: I guess Im bi or something

Dustin: You didn’t tell me?

Robin: u didnt tell me?

Steve: Well I only realized it like last week so

Robin: fair

Dustin: Fair

Steve: Your turn Nancy girl

Nancy: I’m bi too

Max: if youre a bisexual, say bi

Max: bi

Nancy: Bi

Lucas: bi

Steve: bi

Jonathan: bi.

Argyle: im like pansexual

Argyle: so should i count that or

Max: do whatever tf u want

Argyle: tubular

Lucas: totally tubular

Dustin: Tooootally tubular

Lucas: TOTALLY TUBULAR

Dustin: Tuuuuuubulaaaarrrrr

Max: oh my god shut up you dorks

Lucas: only for you <3

Max: dumped

Lucas: noooo

Lucas: </3

El: What is pansexual?

Max: its liking all genders or not caring about people’s gender basically

El: Thank you, Max.

Max: ofc el

Steve: So what now?

Robin: wdym

Steve: Weve all come out and that sappy shit

Steve: Hooray love is love

Steve: Now what

Nancy: Murray usually has a bigger plan than this

Jonathan: ulterior motives of some kind.

Nancy: So there has to be more that he wanted

Nancy: Should we get into romance

Jonathan: i’d rather not.

Steve: Im gonna to have to agree with Jonathan here

Dustin: And we all know how rare that is, so treasure this moment.

Steve: Shut up asshole

Dustin: You can’t make me.

Steve: I will ground you so help me God

Dustin: I’d like to see you try.

Steve: Little shit

Dustin: That’s what I thought, Mom.

Steve: Go be heterosexual somewhere else man

Dustin: Low blow.

Lucas: yeah man

Max: u know he cant control that

Lucas: it’s not his fault

Dustin: Don’t attack me for something I can’t change.

Steve: Ok

Steve: Sorry

Dustin: Good.

Steve: We good?

Dustin: We’re good.

Steve: Good

Dustin: Good.

Max: holy shit someone put me out of my misery

Robin: suicide pact?

Max: done

Lucas: wait why are you guys dying?

Max: they wont shut the hell up

Steve: Stop backtalking your mother

Max: my mother is an alcoholic

Robin: …

Robin: on that cheery note, who wants to come over and watch fast times with me and steve at steves house

Steve: I just learned about this

Nancy: Sure

Dustin: Okay.

Max: alright

Lucas: yeah

Jonathan: ok

Argyle: hey guys its 420 make a wish

Jonathan: Argyle, it’s 1:20

Argyle: oh i love fast times

Jonathan: oh well.

Robin: see u guys in 20 at steves!

Steve: Wth man

Robin: <3<3

Steve: Im not speaking to you right now

Robin: see you in 20 minutes

Will observed the conversation, watching for any sign of Mike, but he never said anything, which worried Will. He guessed that Mike was upset, but he wasn’t quite sure what to do about it. He wasn’t quite sure why Mike was upset either. None of the reasons he could come up with seemed likely.

You okay?

Mike: yeah.

Are you sure?

Mike: of course.

Do you want to hang out?

The others are having a movie night.

Mike: i don’t really want to go.

Do you want some company?

Mike: if you want to keep me company

Okay. Well, I’ll be over in fifteen minutes.

Mike: see you then.

Will forced himself not to think about the fact that he and Mike would be alone, at Mike’s house, right after the gay group chat thing. It’s not like they would actually be alone though, Mike’s parents would probably be home and Holly. Besides, it’s not like anything would be different if they were alone versus if they weren’t alone, since, as Mike had said earlier, he’s straight. And Will knew that despite the fact that Mike wasn’t dating El, and that they weren’t in love, that didn’t mean Mike was available, especially not for Will. Since, again, Mike was straight.

He wasn’t thinking about it.

15 minutes later, Will parked his bike in front of Mike’s house, hurrying past Mrs. Wheeler, who was home, to the basement.

“Hey,” he said to Mike, who was sitting on the couch, looking a bit flustered. “What is it?”

“What is what?” Mike asked, voice high.

“You’re nervous and you’re looking at me like I have two heads,” Will replied, frowning.

“Oh.” Mike cleared his throat. “No, I’m fine, sorry.”

Will raised an eyebrow suspiciously, but let the topic go. “How are you?”

“Fine,” Mike repeated. “Just great.”

“Okay.” Will dragged out the word, fixing Mike under his gaze. The two sat in silence while Mike shifted uncomfortably.

“H-How are you?” Mike finally asked, not meeting Will’s eyes.

“I’m doing alright,” Will answered. “Funny earlier, right?”

“What?” Mike asked, confused.

“The…” Will hesitated. “The group chat thing.”

“Oh.” Mike’s eyebrows lifted in understanding. “Yeah, yeah. Funny.”

Will glanced down and his eye caught on the corner of a black binder.

“What’s this?” he asked, grabbing it and pulling it out from under the couch.

“Nothing,” Mike said, trying to pull the binder away from Will, but he couldn’t pry it from Will’s hands.

“Are these… my drawings?” Will was in disbelief.

“Yeah, sorry. It’s probably creepy of me or something, right?” Mike tried to laugh it off, but Will thumbed through the papers with a soft smile on his face.

“No. It’s not creepy,” Will disagreed. “It’s sweet. I didn’t know…”

“Didn’t know what?” Mike asked, fidgeting.

“That… you cared so much?”

“Well, I’m not the only one. We all have drawings of yours around and stuff,” Mike replied, motioning towards the numerous sketches littering Mike’s basement walls. Will knew about the drawings that were pinned up, but he’d never figured that Mike had kept all of his drawings.

“I… yeah, right.” Will nodded, but his smile faded a bit. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

Will didn’t reply, just smiling at Mike warmly and shutting the binder. He set it on the coffee table.

“Are you?” Mike asked suddenly.

Will turned towards Mike. “Am I what?”

Mike opened his mouth to reply before shutting it and shaking his head. “Never mind, it was stupid.”

Will knew it was more than that, but he also knew that Mike would get around to it if it was important.

“Sorry about earlier,” Will told Mike, looking at his hands, folded in his lap.

“Sorry about what earlier?” Mike asked.

“Sorry about the group chat,” Will elaborated. “Murray asked for my phone, said it was important, and I gave it to him. It’s my fault he made the chat.”

“No, it’s not your fault. You can’t know what Murray’s gonna do at any time,” Mike joked.

Will sighed. “And I’m sorry for bringing it up, I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

“Brought up the group chat?” Will nodded. “It’s fine. I’m fine. It’s not that big of a deal.” Mike reassured.

Will chewed his lip. “Then why were you so upset earlier? If it’s not a big deal, I mean.”

Mike tried to reply, but couldn’t find the words.

“You said you were straight, and so you shouldn’t be included in the group chat,” Will said. 

Mike winced at the echo of his earlier words to Murray. “Right, yeah, I did say that.”

“So at first I thought that was why you were upset, although it doesn’t make much sense. It… You were upset at being mislabeled?”

Mike scratched the back of his neck. “I don’t really…” He searched for the words, but came up empty. He shook his head helplessly.

“Never mind,” Will retreated quickly. “You said you were straight and I came over here to watch a movie.” Will grabbed the TV remote. “What do you want to watch?”

“Well, are you?” Mike burst out.

“Am I straight?” Will connected the dots instantly.

Mike’s face contorted and he nodded.

“I…” Will took a deep breath. “No, I’m not. I’m gay, Mike.”

“Oh.”

Will looked down and away from Mike. “Yeah. Sor-”

“Don’t apologize,” Mike interrupted. “I’m sorry. That was a lukewarm reaction. I was just processing.”

“If… I can go,” Will suggested.

Mike responded instantly. “Why would you leave?”

Will looked back up when he heard the tangible confusion in Mike’s voice. “If you’re… uncomfortable?”

“I could never be uncomfortable around you,” Mike replied, smiling warmly. Will relaxed, face softening with relief.

“You-” Mike stopped. “How long…?”

“How long have I known?” Will finished. Will’s breath caught in his throat. They were reaching dangerous territory. “A… long time.”

“Oh.” Mike’s face fell and he looked upset.

“Why?”

“Curious,” Mike said simply.

Will nodded. “So does that make you and Dustin the only straight people?” he half-joked.

Mike bit his lip, frowning. “Not necessarily.”

“What does that mean?” Will asked, confused by the ambiguity of this statement.

“When you say a long time, how long does that mean?” Mike changed the topic.

“I don’t really know,” Will said, ruffled at the course of the conversation. “Probably middle school.”

“Okay. And what made you realize it?” Mike pressed.

Will blushed, because he was not going to tell Mike Wheeler that he was the reason Will had realized he was gay. “Why are you so interested?”

“Never mind, it’s whatever,” Mike backtracked. “Sorry.”

“No, it’s fine,” Will said, putting a hand up to stop Mike. He dropped his hand onto his leg and Mike’s knee nudged Will’s, making him blush. “I fell in love with a guy. And I was probably in love with this guy for a while before middle school, I just figured it out in middle school.

“It wasn’t like lightning or whatever they tell you. He just… turned towards me one day and smiled and I smiled back. It was a small thing, not something anyone else would see as important, but to me, it was so important. He just cared about me. Or something like that.”

“What was he like?” Mike asked, and he wasn’t smiling. He looked solemn and thoughtful, with a hard set to his jaw. “Why did you like him?”

Will thought for a moment, smiling when he remembered certain memories. He met eyes with Mike, who tilted his head curiously. A smile split Will’s face. He loved Mike. “He’s thoughtful and reliable. He sticks by my side and he understands me. We share common interests and I alway have fun when he’s around. He’s so creative and smart. He makes sure I feel heard. He’s always so genuine and he’s one of the best people I know. He always knows how to cheer me up and comfort me. He makes me feel comfortable with myself and he likes me for who I am. He’s my-” Will cut himself off. He’d almost said “He’s my best friend.”

Will turned away from Mike, hoping to hide his flushed face. “Never mind. Sorry.”

“You deserve a guy like that,” Mike said, offering Will a sad smile.

“No, I don’t,” Will disagreed, shaking his head.

“Of course you do. You deserve the world, Will.” Mike sighed. “Any guy would be lucky to have you.”

“You deserve everything you want,” Will replied. “I hope you know that.”

Mike wore a small smile. “Thanks, Will. What I want, though, is out of reach.”

“What do you want? Maybe I can help you out,” Will offered.

Mike looked both sad and amused at this statement. “No, it’s all good.”

Will blinked, trusting Mike’s word. “Okay.”

“You really do deserve the world,” Mike said. “You’re too kind.”

“You’re amazing, Mike,” Will told him. “And I want to help you be happy.”

“You already do that. And I doubt I’m as amazing as the mystery guy you’ve got a crush on,” Mike joked.

“Yeah,” Will said, his voice trailing off.

Mike looked down at his lap. “I’m sorry, Will.”

“For what?” Will asked, peering at Mike’s face.

Mike put his head in his hands. “For lying.”

“For lying?” Will repeated, voice catching in his throat.

“I’m gay.”

Despite the flurry of emotions that were released upon hearing this confession, Will didn’t say anything, sensing that Mike wasn’t done.

“And I’m so scared. I’m sorry I didn’t ever say anything before, for these years, but I’m just so afraid. I know the shit you’ve been through and I was too afraid to say anything. I didn’t do anything to stop it. I didn’t want the same thing to happen to me, and I was a coward. I still am a coward, really.” Mike shifted his body away from Will, who instinctively moved with him, not letting Mike close himself off. “I should’ve done more. I should’ve done something. But I didn’t.” 

Will frowned, wanting to stop his friend. Mike was wrong. He didn’t need to do anything more, he was already doing plenty.

“I’m so sick of things changing and I’m so sick of fear,” Mike spat. Will put a hand on Mike’s shoulder, and Mike leaned into the touch. “I’m sorry.”

“Stop,” Will said softly. “You don’t have to be sorry.”

Mike nodded, blinking hard. Will saw a tear slip down his cheek, and he moved to wipe it away. Mike looked up at Will, who’s eyes began to water as well. Mike hesitated, opening his mouth to say something and then stopping. Will raised a curious eyebrow, and his unspoken question was answered when Mike leaned up and pressed a quick kiss to his lips.

It wasn’t much. Just the touch of skin. It might’ve lasted a second. But it changed everything.

At first, they just sat there in a stunned silence, before Mike stood up, retreating and heading for the door. “I am so, so sorry, please, I just- let me go, I will never say anything or do anything, I’m really sorry-”

Will quickly followed him, grabbing his arm before he could open the door. He leaned up, pulling Mike down a little bit to meet him in the middle. This kiss did not last a second. It was more than the touch of skin. And it was perfect.

Mike and Will’s eyes met, and they stood in the middle of Will’s bedroom, as if they were the only two people left in the world.

“I love you.”

Those three earth shattering words. Will said them. He finally said them. He was finally brave enough.

“I love you too.”

For the first time in a long time, Will was full of hope.

“Yeah?” Will breathed, blushing.

Mike nodded, smiling widely. “Yeah.”

Will felt like he was about to burst. “Cool.”

“Cool.” Mike finished, laughing a little bit.

Will laughed too, beaming brighter than he ever had before.

Mike leaned forward and kissed him again, grabbing Will’s hand and entwining their fingers. Will couldn’t think of a time when he’d been happier. But he really hoped that would change.

[eddiemunsonsteddybear]

Just Keep Swimming

Just a concept I’ve had in my head*

Triggers: panic attack

Description: Steve goes in water for the first time after being dragged down by Vecna, triggering a flashback. Eddie is there to help him.

Sorry I’m horrible at descriptions

Steve scrunches up his nose a little not enjoying the smell as he helps the kids fall out of the van. Mike, El, Will, Jonathan and Nancy and hall taken a flight up to make the load easier while Max, Lucas, Dustin, Robin, Argyle, Eddie and Steve all drove cross country in the van. Thankfully Argyle had a bed in the way back that the kids could share with Robin while Eddie slept in the passenger seat and Steve slept on the van floor. Now with all twelve of them there was barely any room to properly move and the vehicle looked like a fucking clown car.

The sound of waves filled Steve's ears as he closes his eyes tightly calming his breathing down for a second as everyone was to distracted laughing and running to get a good spot to sit at. Steve runs a hand through his hair as he grabs the towel bag, the food carrier and a beach chair. Walking behind all of his friends as he smiles softly seeing Robin racing Dustin to actually touch the water. He moves tossing everything down as he sets up his chair flopping himself down as he watches all the kids strip and going in the water. He keeps his own clothes on as he watches everyone slowly start to get in the water leaving him alone in his chair.

He crosses his legs and sits back and relaxes. Pushing his sunglasses down onto his eyes so that the sun wouldn’t bother them. He refused to take them off when it was on a day like this. The sun beaming bright and radiating a lot of heat in its wake. If it even touched his eyes without the glasses on it felt like he had to throw up, his head would also start to pound and he would have to close his eyes tightly and curl up hoping the feeling would go away. His doctor had told him that he had the same amount of concussions that a football player had and was impressed.

He was given some sort of medication for it that helped a little but the issue still bothered him, and probably would for the rest of his life. Steve hears one of the girls squeal and attempts to look up. Trying to shade his eyes even more from the sun as he attempts to catch what was currently happening in the water. Jonathan had Max over his shoulders and was currently against Argyle who was carrying El on his shoulders. Apparently this all sounded like a good idea as Mike carried Dustin, Lucas Carried Will fighting against each other next. This only left Robin, Nancy and Eddie all awkwardly standing together not having enough people to join.

All three of them were almost pouting before Nancy catches sight of Steve. Who was the only one of the group left on the beach with the other Mothers who were currently tanning as their children also played in the water. “Hey Robin, could you get Steve to join us?” She asks as Robin turns to check on the boy. Her damp hair was in front of her eyes and her make up was very much smudged but it was a good look on her. Her heart raises faster as she turns seeing Nancy smiling softly at her before she nods a little dumbly.

“I-yeah! Just give me a second.” The teen responds as she starts tripping over her feet trying to run out of the water. Scrunching her nose up in distaste when she reached the dryer stand that starts to stick to her feet. The feeling was revolting and she wanted to go rinse her feet out back in the water. The way each grain rubbed in-between her toes was disgusting and she didn’t understand anyone who enjoyed this.

Moving she makes sure to grab Steve’s attention as she cheekily grins at him. Steve raises his eyebrow as he looks up at her. “Yes Robby?” Immediately recognizing that his best friend wanted something.

“Could you, yah know. Join us in the water so Robin, Eddie and I can play chicken.” She smiles brightly as Steve frowns. Being in the water didn’t sound like a good idea. But she tilts her head a certain way that he knew meant that she wouldn’t ask him if she had any other choice. Not wanting to be a party pooper he groans standing up before he pulls his shirt off. Earning a playful whistle from Eddie who was now in the shallower part and waiting patiently for the two dorks to join. He didn’t know how he was going to hold up Robin, or even Nancy for that matter with still recovering from his injuries.

Steve hesitates for a second right before he dips his foot into the water. Squeezing his eyes shut as he shivers a little. Walking in further as he pushes his fears to the side and openly gets teases by Dustin about his sunglasses. “How are you going to keep those on in the water Steve? They are totally going to fall off and get lost.” He points out. Sure that may be true but Steve honestly didn’t care at the moment. He shrugs simply before he rubs his hands together trying to figure out what was happening. He was also still recovering from injuries but pretended he was okay to keep that smile on Robins face. Sure Nancy’s made it better, but he now accepted the fact that he would choose Robin’s friendship over Nancy and his relationship. That ship had drowned awhile ago.

It was quick to decide that Steve would pick up Eddie and Nancy would carry Robin. Steve meets Nancy’s eyes for a second as he starts to chuckle at the clumsy way Robin climbs on her shoulders. Making Nancy nearly fall on her face in the process. But thankfully they got there. Nancy had a lot of practice with Mike when they were younger and now their younger sister. She was used to keeping decent balance.

Steve moves his attention over to Eddie who awkwardly stands there for a second very hesitant on getting on his shoulders. Steve makes sure his glasses were on properly before waving his hand to get the other to come over. Holding back a amused look at the pot head. Eddie wasn’t any better then Robin but still attempts. Steve looks down hiding back his winces feeling the burn in his sides. “Eddie don’t pull anything.” He warns feeling the others body move in ways that it probably shouldn’t with still being in recovery. Then the metal head drops back down on his feet before Steve chuckles before turning his head to look at the other. Checking to see if he was good.

Then he groans, “are you seriously going to make me kneel for you?” He says with a soft chuckle before he moves onto his knees. Steve may not be as athletic as he was but he still had almost all the strength he had from when he was in high-school. Eddie looked like he barely weighed anything. Eddie looks down at the idiot with a chuckle.

“Oh someone take a photo. The king is bowing for the freak!” He jokes playfully before he’s moving and carefully moving and sitting on the others shoulders. Putting his hands in the others hair as he gasps out wobbling a little feeling Steve stand up. Then moving forward when Robin recommends going a little deeper. Eddie catches onto Steve’s shiver but brushes it off to the side thinking it was just the cold water.

When they get further from the others that’s when it starts. Eddie and robbing moving and trying to shove each other. Laughing loudly as they do. Steve chuckles holding balance while Nancy struggles a bit. The first couple of rounds Steve and Eddie win and Munson is laughing and looking down at Steve with excitement. His wet curls flying all over the place. Steve was having a lot of fun, his body now numb from pushing it to endure the pain. His sides ached a little once in a bit but other then that he was fine. As they kept going the further in the water they got and Steve was to busy to catch onto how deep they were.

He’s laughing softly before he feels something brush up against his foot and his face pales a little. It was slimy and disgusting and he wasn’t at the beach anymore. He was being dragged down in the middle of the lake. Running out of air as his lungs burned. Being flung out and attacked by bats. He tenses up and freezes causing his grip on Eddie to tighten. The metal head gets distracted and looks down trying to check if he was okay and Robin gets the opportunity to shove him off. Steve loses balance and both drop. Steves under the water and he’s freaking out. His sunglasses fell off his face and he was forcing himself to open his eyes and try to grab them before they were lost. He moves grabbing them quickly freezing up as he is once again being brought back to the red glowing light.

His mind was playing tricks on him, he wasn’t actually there but he was convinced he was as he freaks out a bit. When he’s being dragged through the red hole this time he isn’t brought up in the upside down. He’s now shaking and having a panic attack as he looks around trying to find where he was. Seeing Nancy and Robin now separated and freaking out a bit. “Steve!” Robins voice was just a fuzzy blur as he’s snapped back to her screaming as she was pulled back against the wall. Struggling to breath. He was struggling to breath as he tries to fight for air.

The veins were wrapped around his throat and he was starting to see black dots. But before he was completely passed out the vines were letting him go and he was dropping on the hard floor of the old Creel house. Though to his shock it isn’t the hard floor he is feeling but the dried sand as he feels someone trying to drag him out of the beach. Worried faces of strangers looking in his direction, and oh god he was making a scene. He groans moving his hand up to block the sun from his eyes as he feels his head pounding. If he was going to embarrass everyone he mind as well as do it now as he throws up in the sand.

Worried voices surrounding him as he sees a life guard running to them. He’s gasping for air as he shoves someone’s hand off from him. Overwhelmed and unsure what the fuck was happening to him. He squeezes his eyes shut as he try’s to find his sunglasses. “Sunglasses.” He groans out. No one hears him as they try to tell the life guard what happened. “Sunglasses?” He says louder. Someone must had heard him as he feels two hands gently pushing a pair of sunglasses on his nose. He melts a little the gentleness was welcoming compared to the rough beating that was happening inside his head.

Groaning he rubs his head as he opens his eyes being able to squint a little bit to see a concerned Eddie Munson trying to help him up again. The life guard has something else to say as he’s immediately taking Steve from the other. And having Steve sit on the sand next to his own vomit. “Everyone shut up!” The man yells causing the crowd of concerned children to do just that. Then he’s crouching in front of Steve as he moves pulling the others sun glasses off. Steve winces at the sun and literally whines.

He doesn’t remember much after that everything going by like a blur. Even at the hospital and when he’s discharged and being gently dragged to Joyce’s. Where he’s given a room by himself while everyone else stays out. He’s out like a light for a day and when he gets up walking the beat up house everyone was staring at him wide eyed as he stumbles into the kitchen. No one was making a peep as he stands next to Joyce who even stills a little. All of them not moving as he rubs his head. Hopper walks out of the bathroom the only normal one there apparently. He looks at everyone like they are ridiculous.

“He has PTSD not the fucking plague.” He comments a bit aggressive about it too. He moves into the kitchen carefully putting Steve’s back as he gives a small smile. It was sincere as he comments, “First PTSD attack?” He asks genuinely. As Joyce leaves the kitchen and gets anyone in the house to leave. The older kids were out doing god knows what.

“First what?” Steve asks confused. Not completely clued in on the whole situation.

Hopper doesn’t look at him like he’s dumb as he asks, “nightmares, hyper realistic flashbacks, the shakes; any of that ring a bell?” He asks. Steve frowns before nodding his head.

“Yeah but that’s just the concussions.” He points out. Hopper looks sadly at the other. Shaking his head no.

“Sorry kid, I thought the same thing when I came back from the war. Trust me, it’s better to recognize it now before you find yourself ass naked out of some bar.” Hopper comments before he adds. “When we get back to Hawkins you should totally come over and talk sometime.” He says gently. He was a little to kind about all of this. Hopper was normally miserable and the way he talked to the others was like that. But now he wasn’t to him. Steve can’t help but feel like he just joined some club. Because he’s only recognizes hopper being like this with Joyce and Eleven.

“I-okay.” He stutter out. Unsure what to do next.

💀💀💀💀

Things don’t go back to normal for awhile. Everyone was starting to pay closer attention to Steve after the attack. Especially Eddie who felt like he was one of the reasons why the other went into one in the first place. Everyone had packed up and headed back to Hawkins the day after Steve got out of the hospital. Against Joyce’s better wishes. So no one really discussed it or recognized it until a week passed and everything had settled. Everything felt normal to Steve, his nightmares were still there but he was fine.

Steve was tired and didn’t want a big gathering. It was only Eddie, Nancy and Robin. Jonathan and Argyle couldn’t make it because of something that came up. Steve was currently sitting on the couch as he laughs at something Robin just said. The girl was connected at his hip lately even though he said she could calm down. It was in the middle of the movie. Tonight Robin had eased up and sat next to Eddie who was on Steve’s left side. The armrest was next to him as he sits back and watches the tv. Getting lost into the movie.

The thing was, it wasn’t even that scary in his opinion. Johnny Depp being dragged down in the bed spraying blood all over wasn’t even that scary. Though part way through something in his brain clicks and his hands start to shake really badly watching Freddy on the screen. The face wasn’t Freddy’s anymore but Vecnas and he has to glance and see if the others were seeing the same thing. They weren’t. So he keeps it himself deciding it was just a him thing. Squeezes his hands together, and that works for a bit. Before hes shaking all over and quickly excusing himself as he heads to the bathroom. Breathing in and out. It just hit out of nowhere. When he exits the bathroom the Tv was still going but instead of Nightmare on Elm street it was now Top Gun.

None of them say anything about it but Eddie’s hand moves over and takes Steve’s and squeezes it trying to help the other out. This gesture must have opened some door as the two started to hang out more. Laughing and picking on each other. They were at the store when it happens. It was in the fucking cheese aisle of all places. Eddies quick on the spot and drags Steve out to his van. Shoving him in the back and hopping in. Steve’s shaking and his eyes are glossy. Eddie does everything that him and the others had secretly read up on. He makes sure the other is safe. and he doesn’t touch the other.

Though he thinks he’s safe to hold the other when his eyes focus on him instead of the wall. And he bursts into tears. Eddie’s there holding onto the other as he whispers soothing comments to the other.

“Everything’s okay Stevie.”

And sure Steve supposes that there wasn’t a actual cure for what he has. Just things that help him control it. But when he laid in the vans bed shaking against Eddie’s chest. He was sure that Eddie could be his. Closing his eyes he passes out completely worn out.

[tirednerd2012]

This turned out wayy longer and I’m so sorry

But More about Jonathan being Vecna’d cause I feel like everyone had headcanon for everyone but him getting attacked.

Just first it seems like a conversation with Will, but then Wills words turn sour, blaming him for what’s happened and not being there for him. It’s an easy vulnerable spot to get Jonathan not to fight back or try anything. The guilt just eats at him so badly. He deserves this, it’s better him than Will (or if an AU where the Byers come back early before Max, better than any of the kids)

Vecna just sensing this emotionally vulnerable person and it’s an even easier target. Everyone so on edge guarding Max getting caught off guard by Jonathan now floating into the air.

Will getting kicked into overdrive, he fumbles to get a mixtape of Jonathan’s while yelling at everyone to do something. He grabs the Walkman out of Max’s hands and pushes Steve or someone taller to pop the headphones on before Jonathan’s up too high.

If it’s like max the first time around, they get him down and Will is clinging like glue. He cannot risk losing his brother, but now everyone is suggesting they use him as a bait to Vecna? Fuck that. He hates the plan, only going along with it because Jonathan allows himself to be the key. He says something like “I’m just glad it’s a different Byers this time.” With a weak smile.

The whole plan happens, but with Will keeping guard like Lucas and making sure the plan works. Joyce, Hop, Mike, and Argyle are with El, the others in their original positions.

The illusion is the same, but Jonathan can easily understand what’s happening now. These harsh words aren’t Will, now he’s just got to fight his guilt and hop from memory to memory. Instead of the dance, he ends up somewhere positive associated with his family or even with Nancy. It works for a while until Vecna finds him, the fight with him and El happen once again.

Poor El, seeing all these guilt ridden memories and now being forced to watch Vecna kill her older brother. It’s too much. And will :( seeing it’s not working on the outside. The damage actually happening and feeling so hopeless because he can’t do anything. The Walkman fell and shattered from Jonathan’s pocket.

When Vecna disappears and Jonathan is left in the same state Max was in canonically, it’s terrifying. Will use sobbing and screaming for anyone to call an ambulance while trying to reassure Jonathan he’s okay. Its not that bad, they’ll fix it. He’ll help his big brother for a change. Jonathan is clinging to him weakly, shaking and letting himself be scared in that moment.

Everyone in the hospital after :( The Byers-Hopper clan haven’t moved since he was treated.

First of all, please never apologize to me for sending me long messages, especially when it's about one of my favorite things in the world.

Second of all, MY HEART.

Jonathan would be so emotionally vulnerable to the idea of Will also blaming him for everything. Will is Jonathan's one constant. His mom was always at worked to provide for them and their dad was... well, their dad. Will has been the one constant source of happiness and comfort for Jonathan. Will gave him purpose and he loves his brother so much. He loves Nancy and his mom, but Will is his greatest weakness because he holds himself personally responsible for Will.

And El watching her older brother die, especially in a situation where Jonathan would try to protect her while being in danger himself (like when Max tries to stab Vecna after he throws El), would destroy her. She'd be freaking out, Will would be freaking out (bonus points if Will has powers) because they're both watching their brother die in the inside and outside.

Will would refuse to leave his side. He would be devastated and he'd take it the hardest. He'd go off on everyone for wanting to use Jonathan as bait in the first place.

I agree. The Byers-Hoppers fam wouldn't leave his side. Will would be the one constantly right beside him, along with Joyce.

That would give Will motivation to kill Vecna, though.

[thesaunatest]

MY HUGE THEORY ON EL’S PLOTLINE IN S4

before you guys even start, YES I know that 99.9% of what I say is going to be wrong but this is literally just for fun.

its march 1986, middle of the school year and el HATES school

when we left her she was barely literate and had just started getting accostomed to speaking full sentences, NOWHERE NEAR a 9th grade level, so shes struggling in her classes to say the least

on top of that, she barely knows how to socialize with other people, so shes evidently getting picked on

with joyce and jonathan both working to keep the family afloat, will and el get left alone alot

but outside of the party, they socially have nothing in common

in fact, will is adapting to the new town a whole lot better than el. he fit right in with all the creative kids he met in class, but el didnt mesh with that crowd

anyway, our girl is sturggling

the only time she really has fun is when she visits hawkins, or when someone from the party visits them

which leads us to spring break

mike obviously comes to visit, and el doesnt want them to waste a single second so she begs mike and will to come explore the town with her

at this point joyce is already in her detective mode, hatching a rescue plan for hopper so she doesnt notice theyre gone

and jonathan is battling the heartbreak of nancy ghosting him when she was supposed to come visit

so the trio goes off on an adventure without anyone noticing.......... or so they think

because brenner is back, and he knows el is with the byers, but he cant go and snatch her because he doesnt have the resources all the way in california

in fact, he doesnt have the resources at all. his numbers experiment is seen as a catastrophic failure that lead to the deaths of hundreds of lab employees

the only way for him to redeem himself in the community, and gain his funding back is to present his peers with proof that the project can work, so he needs to get one of his numbers back

el is the only one he can track down, but he doesnt think he can do it himself. if she saw him, she could just kill him with her powers, he assumes because he doesnt know she lost them

so who does he employ to get el back to hawkins? lonnie byers

its almost too easy. it doesnt take much to bribe lonnie, and hey, its not like its his kid. so lonnie accepts the bribe, and goes all the way out to california to find el

he shows up at the byers house..... only to find it completely deserted. so he waits

and the trio finds him there after their day out (why are you here? what do you want? where are mom and jonathan?)

and lonnie, being as crafty as he is, comes up with a good excuse on the fly (hes craftier than i am because i genuinely have no idea what he would say)

anyway, he gets them in his car and on their way back to hawkins

jonathan shows up after theyve already left, and is too stoned tired to think anything of the empty house

and joyce is already halfway to russia

will knows his father. he knows that his father doesnt give a shit about him, the family, or anything about hawkins. he knows that his father wouldnt get involved in anything unless he had something to gain. so hes wraking his brain

maybe.... lonnie pulls over to take a suspicious phone call? maybe will figures out an inconsistency in his story? either way, the gang is onto lonnie and figures that they gotta get away from him and get back to joyce and jonathan

they tuck and roll out of the car. idk. all that matters is that they get out of there

as theyre rolling out of the car, el bonks her head a little and has a quick flashback to her time in the lab

since her intuition is always spot on, she takes this as a cue the breener is back and lonnie is working for him

she tells the boys it isnt safe to go back to california or hawkins, so they come up w an alternative plan, somewhere neither brenner nor lonnie would think to look for them

and while theyre on the road, they stop at a diner to eat (dont ask me where they got the money) and we get will leaving an emotional voicemail home, probably sobbing to jonathan about how much he means to will, which gives el an idea

because who has the resources to help her, as well as a desire for vengeance on brenner? kali

el uses her superb hitchiking skills to get them to chicago

maybe she just has some hints of her powers left, but it isnt too hard for el to find kali

she explains everything thats happened, and lets kali know that if she want revenge, the opportunity is hers

unfortunately, lonnie was hot on their trail, and called for reinforcements

theyre ambushed by the few employees brenner has working for him. initially, everyone is hiding, assisted by kali’s powers

but el knows they arent leaving empty handed, and would rather get taken away then have kali’s freedom taken from her

so el reveals herself, followed by mike because he wont leave her, followed by will because he wont leave mike

all three get taken away, back to hawkins lab, but now kali is even more motivated to bring down the lab once and for all

so kali and her gang get to hawkins, almost simultaniously with jonathan, who has been looking for his family in a frenzy since the morning he woke up to find eveyone gone, without even a note or a phone call, as well as argyle, who came along for the ride

the video store is being used as home base this season, so thats the first place they go, where they find steve, shortstaffed and not knowing whats going on because the whole team ditched him

they catch him up to speed on how EVERYONES GONE and steve catches them up to speed on how EVERYONE IS GETTING MURDERED

meanwhile, brenner has three predicaments

1) no matter what he does to el, what kind of torture he inflicts, she isnt using her powers because she doesnt have them. she tells him this several times. he refuses to believe it

2) lonnie byers is demanding his payment, which he didnt recieve because the deal was that he bring el to them, and he couldnt even do that

3) he has to find a way to dispose of mike and will, who he had no intention of bringing into the lab but theyre here and they know everything

and this is the moment where mike screws up by letting them know that people know theyre in the lab and people know about all the experiments and any second now, someones gonna come banging that door down to save us. nancy, jonathan, steve, robin max, lucas, dustin, kali-

and the second mike says her name he knows he screwed up

brenner decides in that moment that all he can do is round up everyone involved and get rid of them. conveniently, the string of murders occurring will serve as a good cover for what happened to them

and this is the part where joyce, murray, and hopper get back to hawkins

this is also the part where nancy and robin and the gang get back to hawkins

so nancy and robin immediately go to the video store armed with all the new information they learned from victor creel

..... and are met with jonathan, argyle, kali, and steve in pandemonium

they close the store for the day, and get ready to storm the lab

they realize that they need something from the school, so they head there to pick it up

and soon after arriving, theyre met with the all to familiar hawkins lab vans

they make a hasty escape, taking out some of the goons but they need to find a way to get the rest off their trail

they head for the woods, hoping to hide out in the cabin

meanwhile, the russia crew has taken the mostly demolished cabin as their haven to recover from whatever injuries they sustained

theyre all running through the woods, but they realize the people from the lab are closing in on them

and then nancy and jonathan pass a very familiar tree

they use whatever weapon they have on them to break through the bark, and head into the upside down

the lab people keep going into the woods, eventually finding hopper’s cabin

epic showdown between the russia crew and the lab people, joyce, murray and hopper win, they realize the lab is back, immediately head there realizing theyre gonna have to rescue someone

nancy and robin use the info they learned from victor creel to keep the gang alive in the upside down, max, argyle and eddie are freaking out because omg we’re in another dimention, we get some big reveal about the truth about the upside down and the gang makes their way out and head to the lab

and while this is all happening,we get some super emotional monologue between brenner and el (ala-the last 10 minutes of the truman show) and brenner realizes that el isnt going to be the naieve superweapn she used to be, and decides the best thing he can do with el is give her the standard punishment, time in the closet

and being in the closet triggers all sorts of flashbacks and emotions (mbb’s opportunity to show off her acting chops for an emmy)

joyce and hopper bust into the lab like they did in season 1, but this time they dont get caught

they decide to split up to cover more ground, and hopper finds el in the closet

and around the same time joyce finds mike and will and gets them out of there

here comes the REAL emotional performance

hopper sees her, we get a teary eyed “el!” “dad!”, and then hopper gets pulled away from el by lab workers

exactly the same way terry did

we’re watching this happen from el’s perspective, with a heart-wrenching “noooooooooo” from el, accompanied by cuts to every time el has had to be separated from someone she cares about (terry, the s1 ending, billy dying, her leaving kali in s2, saying goodbye to everyone on moving day, her being separated from mike and will when they got to the lab) accompanied by some terribly sad 80s song, then back to the present moment, she reaches her hand out and boom, the guards go flying. her powers are back

except she doesnt have control of them the way she did before, and now shes bringing the whole building down

her and hopper race to the the first floor, and meet joyce and the boys, they get out of the building at the very last second, and the whole thing collapses.

eventually they find the other group, the whole team is now together, they go and take down the big bad from the upside down, joyce almost KILLS lonnie

nancy and robin drop a huge bombshell that has to do with hawkins/the upside down, specifically pertaining to el, which they pieced together after talking to victor creel

we get a massive cliffhanger, season 5 starts like 10 minutes after the ending of season 4