#eddie lived and kissed steve after defeating vecna that's it

[matchingbatbites]

Steve proposes to Eddie during DND.

He's played about a dozen times since the Vecna ordeal three years ago, just one-off stories with no real consequences, and while it took him a little bit to get a feel for the game, he's finally reached a point where he doesn't feel totally out of place.

It helps that Eddie absolutely lights up every time Steve agrees to play, that his boyfriend tends to go a little easier on the rest of the table because they all help Steve half-fumble through the mechanics. It's worth it when Eddie beams at him for figuring something out first, for suggesting a dumb play that has the table screaming when it works.

It's the summer after the kids' senior year, and when Eddie offers to run an all-day one shot to celebrate their graduation, Steve instantly starts planning. He talks to Robin, who absolutely gushes over his idea, and along with Dustin they plan it all out.

He learns the premise of the one-shot from Eddie - there's a big bad who's been taking people from the kingdom, and the king is finally forced to do something when his own son, the prince, is also taken - and Dustin helps him make a character, a fighter who is the personal guard of the prince, whose goal is to find and bring him back safely.

Eddie seems pleased with the character when Steve explains it to him, even more so when Steve suggests the idea that they've fallen for each other and have been lovers in secret. "You're such a romantic, sweetheart," Eddie says before kissing him, and Steve knows it’s a tease and a compliment, knows that Eddie loves how soft he can get over things like that.

The game happens about two weeks later, and Eddie wasn’t joking when he called it an all-day affair.

They get started at about ten that morning, Steve and Eddie, their four boys, and Erica all crowded around the little dining table in Steve and Eddie's little apartment, with Robin, El, and Max entertaining themselves in the adjacent living room.

At Eddie’s insistence, they take a break every couple of hours so everyone can get up and stretch and use the toilet, with slightly longer breaks for lunch and dinner (sandwiches and pizza, respectively, both provided by Steve and Eddie).

The big bad is defeated at around nine that night, and everyone is elated as Eddie takes them through the aftermath, letting each player character have a short moment to reunite with their stolen friends and loved ones.

Robin and the girls have moved to sit on the nearby kitchen counter to listen, partly because El always enjoys these soft moments in the story, and partly because Robin knows what’s going to happen soon.

Steve stays quiet, letting the others have their moment as he fights down the sudden anxiety that sparks through him, knowing what he’s about to do. He looks up when Eddie says his name, takes a steadying breath, and asks "Do I see the prince?"

Eddie nods, says "You do."

"I go over to him."

"He sees you approaching and he rushes to you, meeting you halfway. As soon as you're close enough, he throws his arms around you and says 'I knew you would save me, darling.'"

Steve smiles. "I say, 'I always will, my love' and then I kiss him."

The teens hoot and holler a little as Eddie grins. "He kisses you back, and for a moment it's like everything else fades to the background. All that matters is him, back where he belongs, safe in your arms."

Steve nods, and before he loses his nerve asks "Can I do something?"

Eddie quirks a brow, curious. "Of course,” he says, and Steve takes a breath to steady himself.

"I take his hand, and then I drop to one knee."

A couple of the teens give little 'ooh's as Eddie looks at him, clearly a little surprised, and Steve continues before he can say anything.

"Three years ago, I took my place by your side as your personal guard. I swore to care for you, to protect you from anything that would want to hurt you, and somewhere along the way, we fell in love."

Steve swallows, knows he's blurring the line of character and person as he speaks, staring at Eddie across the table.

"The last three years have been everything to me. Any time I'm not with you, you're the only thing I can think about, and every day spent with you is a fucking gift, because I know just how close I came to losing you."

The sudden urge to touch Eddie becomes overwhelming and he stands, watches Eddie's shocked face as he rounds the table and drops to a knee in front of his lover. Eddie's eyes are wide and he gives a soft "Steve?" as Steve takes a slender hand in his own, remembers the words he had practiced over and over with Dustin.

"I don't want to be just a fighter anymore. I want to be a paladin, set on a righteous path, and if you'll let me, I want to make an Oath of Devotion. Not to any god or angel, but to you, the love of my life."

Steve pulls the ring from his pocket and offers it to Eddie. It's very much not traditional, and at first glance seems to be just another chunky ring that blends in with Eddie's current selection. But Steve had to get it, the shield molded onto the band and the new 'beloved' engraved on the inside repeating what Steve always says, I'll protect you, I love you.

Eddie is in tears as Steve stares him down, as he gently asks "Eddie Munson, will you marry me?"

For just a second, Eddie is completely still, save for his shaky breathing. Steve doesn't get scared, he knows that sometimes it takes Eddie a second to register things when he's overwhelmed. He waits it out, and after a few seconds Eddie blinks rapidly before jerking forward, dropping to his knees as he throws his arms around Steve. "Fuck yes! Of course I will!"

Cheers erupt through the room, and a flash goes off when they meet in a kiss. Eddie looks over to see Robin with a camera in her hand and tears streaming down her face. “Don’t mind me,” she says, a bit choked up even as she beams at them, and Eddie’s head whips back to Steve.

“You planned this!” he yells, unable to stop his own tears from falling, and Steve laughs. “Of course I did!” is his reply as he takes Eddie’s hand back so he can slide the ring onto it, and he ignores the second flash from where Robin sits.

“Wanted it to be perfect,” Steve says softly, stroking his thumb over the ring, now at its new home on Eddie’s finger. “Wanted you to know how much you mean to me, and I figured something nerdy would hit all the right buttons.”

“I helped with the nerd stuff!” Dustin calls from his seat, and Eddie laughs wetly as he scrubs at the tear tracks on his cheeks. “I should have known something was up with you, Henderson. You’ve been bouncing off the walls for weeks.”

Steve stands up from the floor before helping Eddie up, and they both grunt as Dustin practically slams into them for a hug, quickly followed by a more reserved El. They hug each of the kids in turn and accept their congratulations, and after a few minutes Eddie is put together enough to actually finish out the one-shot.

Later that night as they're getting ready for bed, Eddie presses up behind Steve, one hand sliding to rest on his stomach and the other opening in front of them, revealing a simple, gold band.

"You beat me to it, you dick," he says with so much tenderness, and Steve laughs as he takes the ring.

"You can still do your proposal, if you want," Steve replies, heart swelling as he looks over the band, sees the little 'sweetheart' engraved on the inside.

"Nah, there's no way I can top what you did for me."

"I dunno, you normally top me pretty well," Steve teases, just to hear Eddie's delighted little cackle.

He turns and hands the ring back to Eddie, asks "Put it on me?" and Eddie smiles. He takes the ring and slides it onto Steve's finger, his thumb brushing over shiny metal, and Steve feels so fucking happy as they meet in the middle for a kiss.

[unclewaynemunson]

After Vecna is defeated and the world goes back to normal for good, Steve thinks he can get on with his life. And for a while that's exactly what happens: his scars heal and, against everything he would have ever expected, Eddie heals right beside him.

But a year later, his life gets turned upside down in a whole new way. He gets one more hit to the head. It's a stupid accident, really, something involving a broken lightbulb, an old stepladder and an unfortunate fall. He loses pretty much all his sight. His once expressive brown eyes become hollow shells, one staring right ahead and one turned sideways, but both equally useless.

At first, the darkness is scary. It's frustrating, to be robbed of one of the few things he could always rely on. He has to get to know the world around him in a whole new way. There are days when he hates it, days when he wants to stay in bed in his room forever. There are days when he wants to scream, even days when he wants to cut his own eyes out like Victor Creel did before him.

But slowly, little by little, he learns to live with it. He grows a new appreciation for beautiful music and good food, things that stimulate his other senses that he now relies more heavily on. He develops a sharp ear for people's voices and intonations to make up for the loss of seeing their facial expressions. Where he used to love seeing Robin's bright eyes and Dustin's excited smile, he now treasures the sound of Dustin's laughter and the scent of Robin's cologne.

The one thing he will never stop missing, though, is Eddie's face. The way his eyes light up when he smiles. The way his mouth curves into that mischievous grin that Steve once fell in love with. The way his fluffy curls cascade over his back. Those are the things he misses the most.

There's a lot that makes up for that loss: he can cling to Eddie's arm whenever he wants, without having to worry about people taking their affectionate touches the wrong way. He gets to rely on Eddie's helping hand and to bask in Eddie's scent. And, most importantly: he gets to listen to Eddie's voice all the time, when he describes what's happening around them in lively phrases and with passion in his voice like the true storyteller he is.

“Do you know that there's one thing you're always leaving out when you're describing things to me?” Steve asks him one day, when he feels Eddie's hands move through the air around them during his excited monologue about the orange cat that is currently visiting their garden, chasing after butterflies and going after its own tail in the flowerbeds.

“Huh?” Eddie sounds confused.

“You're always leaving out the most important part,” Steve continues. He lifts his hand and slowly moves it to find Eddie's face. He feels his curls underneath his fingertips, then slides them further over Eddie's features.

“What do you mean, Stevie?”

“You never mention how you look. Only what you see. But if I could see, I'd be looking at you, Eddie. I'd watch your face. I can still remember that curve of your mouth, that crease between your eyebrows...” He lets his hand linger on the places he mentions. “But it's all becoming less clear. I'll never see it again. I don't wanna lose that.”

Steve feels his hand getting covered by another one, lets his fingers be guided across Eddie's cheek.

“You won't,” Eddie tells him softly. “There's no way I'll let you lose that.”

Steve can already feel the change in temperature underneath his fingers before Eddie speaks.

“I'm blushing right now, Stevie. Cause of what you said. And...” He guides Steve's hand further down over the uneven skin of his scarred cheek. “I'm smiling. Just a little bit. Not that wide smile I have when I'm messing with you, but the smaller one, the one that's just for you.”

Eddie squeezes his hand before he lets go. A moment later, his lips brush softly against Steve's, something that's not quite a kiss. Steve can feel that Eddie is about to pull back before it becomes anything more, but he presses back into Eddie's space, chases his warm lips with his own, and wraps his arms around Eddie's body to pull him closer.

Kissing is best without looking anyway.

[corrodedbisexual]

Helping hands (& nails)

Steddie | T | ~5.3k | AO3 link

Written for @steddie-week Day 2: hands

Featuring: Fluff and Humor, Hurt/Comfort, Homoerotic Wound Care, Flirting, First Kiss, Inexperienced Eddie Munson, Gay Eddie Munson, Confident Bisexual Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Eddie Munson Takes Care of Steve Harrington, Post-Stranger Things 4 Vol. 2, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, POV Steve Harrington

“You literally want me to scratch your back.” Steve groans. “Yes. Definitely, do that. Please.” “Hmm, I love it when they beg.” Steve freezes, speechless for a second. His face suddenly feels several degrees warmer. “Oh my god, shit, sorry, that was—” Eddie begins mumbling awkwardly, moving away, and Steve won’t have it. “Dude, you mind not flirting with me while I’m suffering here?”

It’s a little over a week since Vecna got defeated, and Steve’s got an uninvited guest at his house.

Uninvited is not the same as unwelcome, obviously. Frankly, Steve’s glad to have some company. Really glad. Although technically, Eddie Munson is still supposed to be on bed rest.

Doctor’s orders were two weeks; the demobats got the guy pretty roughed up, taking several juicy bites out of his torso before they all went down along with their master. He got patched up pretty quickly, but his overall weakened state from massive blood loss, the doctors’ concerns of infection and possible Upside Down creature-related consequences, and that annoying little matter of clearing him of the ridiculous murder charges all kept Eddie on a government-sealed floor of the hospital for a whole week, with no visitors allowed.

It’s no wonder that when he was finally discharged to go home, he lasted three whole days before showing up on Steve’s doorstep, unceremoniously inviting himself in and complaining about being so bored he was about to start clawing at the walls of his bedroom.

And, well… It’s Steve’s day off anyway, and his entire planned entertainment for the day was a potential lunch phone call from Robin to gossip and complain about how impossible Kieth is to survive a shift with.

Plus, at least it’s better if Eddie hangs out at his place instead of going out somewhere and doing something stupid that would get him to pop his stitches. Like climbing a tree. Steve hasn’t known Eddie for long, but in a way, he’s known enough to suspect something like that might happen.

But the best part is, Eddie Munson turns out to be really good company. For the first few minutes after the guy arrived, Steve’s a bit worried it would be quiet and awkward; after all, what did they have in common besides the whole Upside Down trauma (definitely not a fun conversation topic)? But the idea that it could be quiet with Eddie around turns out to be absolutely laughable. The guy keeps chatting about anything and everything, from how annoying it is to keep track of all the meds he’s supposed to take to random gossip from the trailer park. He’s vibrant and chaotic, and has a dry deadpan sense of humor that Steve finds himself genuinely laughing at; and pretty soon, he starts wondering if him and Eddie could actually be friends back in high school if the whole ridiculous system of social circles didn’t exist.

Halfway through some other half-finished thought, Eddie suddenly asks, “You hungry? I’m kinda starving, Wayne’s getting groceries tonight and the only option I had for breakfast was, I shit you not, a fucking box of Honeycombs, and honestly? I’d rather eat a demobat. Well, if it was cooked, maybe. Hey, d’you think roasted demobats could be a thing?”

He keeps rambling as he walks, with Steve trailing behind him, grinning and shaking his head because… well, damn. This guy sure is something else. Maybe exactly the kinda something Steve didn’t even know he needed in his life. Honestly, he’d probably say the same thing about Robin last year. Is this some profound universal balance thing? Out of something horrible must come something really good?

Read on AO3 | Divider credit

[steviewashere]

There's something so beautiful, so appealing, yet so sad about vampire Eddie Munson and normal dude Steve Harrington as a pairing. Cause like—

Just walk with me. Imagine Eddie turning into a vampire spawn, not Kas, just a normal fucking vampire spawn. A vampire spawn who exists by the normal rules of vampirism.

He can't go in the sun. He isn't invited into places unless otherwise told. He must stay in the dark, hidden away. And, the worst part of his new form—

Eddie Munson, the man who was supposed to die saving the people that mattered, is immortal.

He's immortal. He makes friends. He works alongside annoying coworkers. He lives with his wonderful uncle. He falls in love.

And slowly, over time, he watches as everybody around him ages. The finer wrinkles, the grey hairs, the knobby joints, and collapsing postures. Their fragile voices and softer bellies, as they grow accustomed and comfortable with life. Life after violence.

But Eddie gets older, sure. He turns twenty-five. And thirty. Fifty-five. Seventy. His hair remains a dark brown. Face forever twenty. Body as lithe and malleable as it was before the Upside Down. And yet, for all that he's sacrificed—

The biggest sacrifice is the people he eventually loses.

Uncle Wayne dies peacefully in his sleep. And Eddie's forty-four, Wayne would've been eighty-three. That's normal. That's a normal death. A normal age. Except that Eddie is still...twenty.

Dustin Henderson and the rest of his friends, Robin Buckley and Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, Argyle. They all die, too. They go grey and they gain soft bellies. They have crows feet. Grandchildren that look the exact same age as Eddie. They think that Eddie is a really young cousin, they think he's some lucrative relative.

The one that hurts the most, in the end, is the loss of one Steve Harrington. Who stole Eddie's heart. Red and raw between his hands. Kissed the tender outside with his beautiful, charismatic mouth. He was what sustained Eddie's dire cravings, blood and skin and tender moments. Steve shared many nights with Eddie in the dark, under the stars, in the glow of the moon. He shared interests, poked fun at Eddie, loved Eddie. He loved Eddie. And Eddie...God, he loved Steve.

Loved him so bad, that when Steve died, Eddie knew he lost himself, too. Because nobody will be as lovely and as young and as...and as lovely, as Steve Harrington. You don't grow to love a boy with golden skin, somebody who can go under the sun and bring home sunflowers. You don't grow to love the boy who knows your worst trauma and all your messy secrets. You don't just grow to love a boy. You come to love the man, the spirit, the hole that he leaves.

And Eddie Munson is immortal, cursed by his vampirism. He may have helped them defeat Vecna, he may have been able to aid his friends and his lover to their beautiful life-long end—seen them age and grow comfortable and happy. But, he assumes that the true sacrifice wasn't his death, it was his liveliness.

How is he supposed to continue on without the ones who know him best? So Eddie Munson is immortal.

You know what they say kills vampires. Does Eddie do it? Or does he reign himself to a million lifetimes of friendships and warm dinners, yet the loneliness at the mere fact that nothing can ever be replicated? Does he reign himself to a million lovers, hoping that in one instance, Steve will be the reincarnated body next to him in bed?

Or does he join the tender souls of his loved ones? Stake through the heart and a thousand new stories to tell.

[apomaro-mellow]

Hey, have you done "awakening" yet, from your bingo? That'll be lovely.

I have done awakening but I'm always down to do it from another angle :) bonus jealous Steve

There was a lot the group didn't expect to happen after defeating Vecna. They didn't expect Eddie to live (he did), they didn't expect the government to actually step in and clear his name (they did), and they most certainly didn't expect him to get a girlfriend-

"You didn't", Mike squeaked, voice still in its breaking stage.

"I did. Thar she blows", Eddie gestured to the young woman currently going toe-to-toe with Robin at that air hockey table.

Her name was Eliza and in Steve's personal opinion, she wasn't good enough for Eddie. It didn't matter that they dressed in a similar way or that they had similar interests. He just knew there was something wrong with her.

"Why do you have that look on your face?", Robin asked, after winning her game against Eliza. She and Steve leaned against a game console while she sipped a soda. Steve was glaring at the new couple, wrapped up in each other while at the ticket counter.

"How do we know she's not a spy or something?", Steve asked.

"Why would a spy be interested in Eddie?", Robin asked.

"Why were Russians under the mall, Robin? Nothing ever makes sense in this town." Steve huffed and crossed his arms.

Robin eyed him. "You saying a girl liking Eddie makes no sense?"

"Eddie is a catch", Steve said without a second thought. "I just think he could do better. Oh, come on! Do they have no shame?"

Eddie and Eliza were simply kissing, unabashedly. Robin's lips twisted in a grimace, but directed at Steve.

"Need I remind you how gross you and Nancy were when you were together?"

"Jealous much?", Steve put a hand on his hip.

"No." Robin swirled her drink around, mostly ice now. "Are you jealous?"

"Me? Please. I just said she's not good enough for Eddie, why would I want her for myself?"

"Not jealous of Eddie. Jealous of Eliza."

Steve shot up straight and rounded on Robin. "I-!" Oh. Hm...oh...

...."Hello, Earth to Steve?"

He turned back to look at the fresh couple, imagining just for a moment that he was in Eliza's place, with Eddie's hands on his hips, gazing at him in adoration.

"I uh, um, yeah..."

"Yeah?", Robin raised a brow.

"Yeah", Steve sighed.

Steddie bingo under the cut

[ronancexists]

Things I would like to see in Stranger Things 5:

- Since Robin has done quite a few doodles on her red converse, I like to think she's quite good at drawing, so that can be a way for her to start up a conversation with Will

- And then Will confides in Robin about being gay and being in love with Mike because he had a feeling that she was like him and Robin confirming she was indeed like him and becoming his gay mentor (like you don't understand I NEED ROBIN AND WILL TO HAVE A CONVO ABOUT BEING GAY)

- Will (finally!) tells the party that he's gay (and Byler becomes a thing) but not before Robin comes out to the party in order to make Will feel more comfortable and to show him that they will accept him because that's totally something she would do as his gay mentor

- More Steve and Robin being "Platonic with a Capital P" cause we didn't get enough in st4

- Hopper and Joyce trying to corral the kids and control the situation as best as they can

- Joyce being a mother figure to Robin like she is with the rest of the kids and Robin becoming better acquainted with El, Jonathan, and ESPECIALLY Will because she didn't really get a chance to get to know the California crew before they packed up and moved so ya

- El traveling into Vecna's/Henry's/One's mind in order to be able to wake Max up and free her from his control because he said his victims stay with him in his mind so like 👀

- Max wakes up after El successfully rescues her from Vecna/Henry/One but she is severely incapacitated, like she's probably blind in one or both eyes and is going to need assistance walking for the rest of her life and is going to be stuck in the hospital for a few more weeks (possibly months)

- How and when the Upside Down was created

- What Will's connection to Vecna/Henry/One and the Upside Down really entails and how that could affect both him and The Party during this final stretch

- Vecna/Henry/One, the Demogorgons, the Demodogs, the Demobats, the Mindflayer, and the Upside Down along with whatever other monsters are down there get destroyed once and for all because I don't think shutting the gates is gonna do it this time

- Kali comes back to help El defeat Vecna/Henry/One

- Murray tries to figure Steve and Robin out but he can't because he's never seen anything like the two of them and it frustrates him to no end

- Then when he tries to psychoanalyze Robin she does it right back to him because she's a freaking genius and everyone is in awe of her because they've never seen Murray speechless before

- KAREN WHEELER DESERVES TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON IN HAWKINS!!!!!!!!

- And I hate to say it but if Steve dies Robin dies too because despite the fact that she is my favorite character (close seconds are Nancy and Will) Steve is her platonic soulmate and they are codependent on one another and one just simply cannot survive without the other

- Like it would absolutely break my heart to have to see Robin try to live without her dingus of a best friend and to have to see Steve try to live without his wing woman of a bestie so if one dies both of them die

- Lucas defending Max's unconscious body with Erica from whatever creatures from the Upside Down want to try and take and/or kill her

- Mike and El break up because El realizes she needs to be her own person and because Mike is in love with Will

- Dustin is even more protective and stubborn about Steve heading into danger because of what happened to Eddie and he absolutely refuses to leave his side through the entire season

- RONANCE RONANCE RONANCE RONANCE (i know it's probably not gonna be canon but a girl can dream)

- Robin finally getting an onscreen kiss with her girlfriend or a girl she really likes (cough cough Nancy cough cough) (sorry Vickie but I feel like ur just too similar to Robin)

- And if Steve doesn't die (hopefully🤞) then please please please DO NOT have Steve and Nancy get back together after she breaks up with Jonathan when she finds out he lied to her about Emerson along with everything else that's been piling up between them

- Instead Nancy decides she's better off not being in a relationship (or better yet she gets together with Robin) and focuses on what she's absolutely sure she wants which is getting her journalism degree at Emerson (and Robin decides to go there too if they become a thing 😊)

- Because Nancy Wheeler is a smart, strong, fierce, badass, independent woman and she does not need to be kept in a cage by becoming a housewife who gives birth to SIX KIDS

- NANCY WHEELER DOES NOT WANT SIX KIDS

- I REPEAT, NANCY WHEELER DOES NOT WANT SIX KIDS

- Steve and Robin move in together and attend a community college together (Steve's either getting a teaching degree or a child psychology degree while Robin is doing something with linguistics) or they follow Nancy to Boston because Robin and Nancy are absolutely smitten with one another :)

- Meeting Steve and Robin's respective parents

Ok I think that's all for now 😅

[hbyrde36]

The Crawl

Part 4 of 5

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 AO3

WC: 5670

-Eddie-

Eddie thought the weirdest thing that would ever happen to him was Steve Harrington, of all people, trying and eventually succeeding in becoming his friend. 

It was unexpected, the way they got along so well and discovered that they actually had more in common than either of them would have thought, but not as unexpected as Eddie realizing that his unrequited crush on the former king of Hawkins High was possibly not as unrequited as he’d initially thought. 

That became his new weirdest thing, for a while. 

Eddie would have never dreamed that someone like Steve, queer or not, would be interested in someone like him, but after he caught the guy staring at his bare chest for nearly a full minute the first time he answered his door shirtless, and subsequently every time he was shirtless thereafter, it was too obvious to deny. 

Not that he ever intended to do anything with that information. 

Eddie was, in certain situations at least, a coward after all. The closer that they got, and the more Steve started to mean to him, the more afraid he became to ruin things. Steve never said anything outright, never acknowledged the electricity between them, so Eddie didn't either, happy to live in the liminal space where they danced around it, because it was safer. Steve stopped dating, Eddie continued his streak of not dating, and they never talked about it. 

Then Chrissy Cunningham was murdered by an unseen evil wizard right there in the middle of his living room, and he found out just how naive he’d been about how weird shit could get. 

Along with that epiphany came another one. Life was too fucking short to keep playing games, and Eddie was so tired of being scared. 

Angry hick mob launching a witch hunt? 

Scary. 

The Upside Down? 

Fucking terrifying. 

But, Steve? 

Steve was safe, he was comfort, he was home.

Eddie wasn’t afraid of Steve anymore, he was afraid for him, terrified that once they parted on the brink of battle they’d never see each other again, that he’d never get to tell Steve that he loved him.

He’d done it, in the end. Eddie was brave. He called out for Steve and they’d gotten their moment, a few feverish kisses at the end of the world, and a promise.

Afterwards he climbed up on top of that trailer with his audience of two to play Master of Puppets with a new fire running through his veins. 

This was for Chrissy, who’d died a terrible agonizing death at the hands of a foe she could never have imagined. It was for Max, who'd been targeted because of her suffering, as if the suffering itself wasn’t enough. It was for El, who endured a hellish upbringing that no one should ever have been subjected to. For the boys and Erica, whose childhoods were cut short by simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time and helping their friends. For the older teens, Steve, Robin, Nancy, and Jonathan, who were still kids in their own right, forced to grow up in an instant and become protectors, crushed under the weight of that responsibility. Hopper and Joyce, who despite their efforts had little choice but to let all of these children become soldiers in a war none of them signed up for. 

And finally, for himself. Eddie knew his life would never be the same after this. Whether they defeated Vecna or not, whether his name was cleared or not, some people would choose to continue to see the worst, to see him as a murderer.

He did everything Steve asked him to do. Well, almost everything. 

As soon as he spotted the bats on the horizon, a rapidly approaching cloud of wings and gnashing teeth, and it was clear that the creatures had taken the bait, he abandoned his concert and took the two boys back down into the house. The entire trailer had been reinforced, doors and windows boarded up with bits of wood and corrugated metal, and, at Steve’s curiously specific request, Eddie made sure the air vents were sufficiently blocked. 

It held them off for a while, but eventually a few of the little fuckers managed to squeeze their way inside and Eddie knew he had to act fast. He rushed Dustin and Will up the rope and fully intended to follow after them, really he did, but the demobats seemed to have the same idea. 

It wasn’t even a choice. 

He couldn't risk letting the bats get through the gate and go after the boys, or be let loose into the Right-Side-Up. Eddie used his spear to dispatch the winged menaces closest to the portal and then took off, screaming and shouting like a lunatic to entice the remaining monsters to follow after him as he ran outside. He kept up a litany of loudly delivered taunts and jabs as he mounted one of the bikes that they’d left behind before and managed to draw the horde away from the trailer, chasing after him alone instead. 

He didn't remember hitting the ground. When one of the creatures pulled away from the pack and swooped down to knock him from the bike, he only barely registered the sensation of falling before the world went black. 

He swam in and out of consciousness several times before finally waking up for good. 

At the time he hadn’t even been sure if any of it was real, thinking maybe he’d died and it was all some kinda weird hallucination on his way to the afterlife. 

Eddie’s eyelids fluttered open and he found his face pressed against an unfamiliar chest. He must have moved because the arms around him tightened protectively as the man attached to them spoke, his voice low and rumbling. “Don’t worry, kid. We’re gonna get you out of here.” 

It sounded like Hopper, but before Eddie could get a look at him to be sure, he blinked and was suddenly being jostled around in a car, cradled against a body he was a little more familiar with. 

Steve.

He tried to say it out loud, all but screaming the name inside his own head but no matter how hard he tried all that would come out of his mouth was a whimper. Steve shushed him and whispered soothing nonsense as he pushed Eddie's hair back to press kisses against his forehead. He tried hard to stay that time, but he was powerless to resist the pull of the darkness. 

He blinked again and was surrounded by strangers in a cold room with too much light. He squinted against the brightness, realizing only after he’d started panicking that the beeping he heard was mimicking his own heartbeat. He was in a hospital, and the strangers around him were nurses and a doctor. He relaxed, finally accepting that he wasn’t dead and the beeping slowed to match his pulse. He sank into sleep less reluctantly then, knowing he would wake again eventually and hopefully this time someone he knew would be there to tell him what the hell had happened. 

When Eddie finally woke up for real, it was a gradual ascent into consciousness. He took a deep breath before opening his eyes, turning his head slowly and carefully to take in his surroundings. The room was dimly lit now and the night sky was visible through the open blinds on the windows. There was no one in sight save for a lone figure with their arm in a sling slumped over in a chair next to his hospital bed.

“Steve?” Eddie croaked out, dry throat causing him to break out into a coughing fit. 

The other boy jumped up from his seat, instantly awake and quickly grabbed a nearby cup of water before returning to his side.  

Eddie took a few grateful sips but couldn't take his eyes off of Steve’s arm. When he could speak again it was the first thing he had to know. “Are you hurt? What happened to your arm?”

Steve shook his head, the ghost of a smile coming over his face as he settled back into the chair, taking one of Eddie’s hands with his good one. “You just woke up after being nearly eaten alive by demobats and the first thing you ask is if I’m hurt?”

“I just want to make sure you’re okay.” Eddie grumbled, sinking back into his pillows. “And I didn’t almost get eaten… I don’t think.” He paused trying to think back. “Okay, honestly I'm not sure. I don’t really remember anything after falling off the bike.”

Steve nodded as if he’d been expecting that. “Yeah, you hit your head when you fell. You’ve got a lump on the back of your head, and some bites. There, on your cheek” He said, eyeing up the bandage Eddie could feel taped to his face. ”And a few more on your leg.”

That, Eddie hadn’t known. He wasn’t really feeling any pain at the moment. They were probably pumping him full of pain meds, so between that and the adrenaline from seeing Steve and finally being awake, he was feeling pretty good. 

“Oh.” Eddie began, letting it all process slowly. “How long has it been?”

“A little less than a day, it’s only the next night.”

“Did we do it? Is he gone? What about Dustin and Will, are they… Did everybody make it?”

Steve started to laugh but it cut off abruptly on a choked sob. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears and he looked away for the first time since Eddie had woken up. 

Eddie’s heart sank, the sudden racing of his pulse given away by the sound of the heart monitor. 

Steve squeezed his hand, wiping his eyes on his own shoulder and finally looked back up. “Vecna’s dead. The Upside Down is gone, for real this time. They’re all okay, you were the only one who got hurt. I promise.”

Eddie raised his eyebrows, looking pointedly at the dark blue sling the other boy was currently wearing. 

“I’m fine.” Steve insisted. 

Eddie frowned. He could accept that maybe Steve’s arm wasn’t bothering him, but it was clear that he wasn’t, in fact, fine.

“If everyone’s okay then why do you look so sad?” He asked softly.

“Sorry. I’m… it’s just… “ Steve stuttered. “I’m just so glad you’re okay, Eds.”

He knew Steve meant it, even if it felt like he was leaving something out, but Eddie didn’t want to push the issue. He gave a little nod. “I’m glad you’re okay too, Stevie.”

He let the silence settle around them for a moment, hoping that Steve would say a little more. When it was obvious that he wasn’t going to do that, he pressed on. 

“What else did I miss? Tell me everything. What’s the cover story? Am I going to be arrested when I get out of here? Has anyone gotten in touch with Wayne? He must be worried sick. Are the-”

Steve cut him off mid question, laughing again, only this time without the tears, to Eddie’s  immense relief. 

“Slow down! Jesus! You’re supposed to be taking it easy.”

“I’m literally laying in bed, Harrington. I couldn't be taking it any easier if I tried.”

“Alright.” Steve said, blowing out a long breath. “You were passed out on the ground when we got back from the Creel house. There were bats laying dead on the ground all over the place. We figure they must have dropped when we killed Vecna. I, um, tried to pick you up but I dislocated my shoulder fighting the vines so Hopper carried you out and we rushed you here, to the hospital. Like I said, no one else was really hurt. Officially you’ve been cleared, but no details have been released to the public yet. Hopper said they’re still working on the story.”

“They?”

“The lab, I guess? Or the government? Both? I don’t know, I was always a little confused about all that.”

“Okay.” Eddie said. Fair enough, it’s not like he had any better idea of what was going on behind the scenes. Who was in league with who, shadowy government conspiracies and all that. 

“They do have an officer on your door, Powell and Callahan are taking turns keeping watch, but it's for your protection, not the other way around. Just until word spreads that you’re innocent.”

Eddie didn’t have the heart to argue that it probably wouldn’t be as simple as that. Steve would see in time, or maybe the citizens of Hawkins would surprise him, prove him wrong. Either way that was a problem for another day. 

“Innocent is a strong word, baby.” Eddie teased. The term of endearment sliding off his tongue so easily. He nearly winced at his own use of it, but Steve didn't seem to mind.

“We haven't been able to get in touch with Wayne yet, but Hopper is on it. We know he was put up in a motel somewhere so it’s just a matter of finding out which one. 

“It’s probably for the best. I don’t know what I'd even tell him, or how to explain where I've been.”

“We’ll figure it out.”

Eddie was overtaken by a huge yawn, his eyelids suddenly felt heavy and drooping. All the talking really had taken a lot out of him. 

“You should get some sleep, I'll still be here in the morning. You need rest.” Steve said.

“So do you.”

“Hey, I was sleeping just fine in this chair here until you woke me up.”

Eddie hesitated, he didn’t really want to be alone but he felt guilty. He didn’t want Steve to feel like he had to stay. “You should go home, you need real sleep. In a bed.”

A look of hurt crossed Steve’s face, but was gone again as quick as it had come, as if he was carefully schooling his expressions. It was concerning, and it made Eddie’s throat tight.

“Do you want me to leave?”

“No.” Eddie answered honestly.

“Okay.” Steve said, and that settled that, apparently. 

Eddie dropped off to sleep pretty quickly. It was easy with Steve's hand still resting warm in his. It had to be uncomfortable, reaching his arm across from the chair like that. He almost asked Steve to join him in the bed. It would be a tight squeeze for sure, though Eddie wouldn't have minded, but they still hadn’t talked about what happened between them in the Upside Down.

He dreamed. 

Or would it be considered a nightmare, he wondered, since the slightly off scene was set in the woods of the Upside Down. He and Steve were walking beside each other, just as they had done in real life. Steve was shirtless again and wearing Eddie’s battle vest, a combined visual that had gone a long way in making Eddie feel better about where they were, and what they were doing at the time. The big difference here was that Steve was hurt. His middle was wrapped in a makeshift bandage of some sort and he was bleeding. A ring-like wound wrapped around his neck, making it look like someone had tried to hang him. Before Eddie could make sense of it the ground beneath his feet in the dream shook, and he jolted awake. 

Though to him it felt like hardly any time had passed, he must have been asleep for quite a while because it was morning, and late morning at that judging by the light, confirmed when he finally spotted a clock that hung above his room’s door. He could also see the silhouette of a person standing just outside of it. Whichever cop that had drawn the short straw on being his bodyguard today, he supposed. 

To his disappointment, Steve was gone. He wondered if the other boy had just stepped out, or if he had finally taken Eddie’s advice in the night and gone home to his nice warm bed. Part of him hoped so, the other part tried not to be upset by the absence.. 

He didn’t have long to dwell on it though, because only a few minutes later Uncle Wayne came walking through the door. 

Eddie wanted nothing more than to get up from the bed he was stuck in. To stand and hug the man who maybe hadn’t raised him, but had, with absolutely no hesitation, taken in a troubled teenager that showed up on his doorstep unannounced and cared for him like he was his own. 

He settled for pushing himself up into a sitting position and accepting the gentle one armed embrace his uncle could manage while hovering over the bed. 

“I’m sorry.” Eddie blurted out.

Wayne waved him off like it was ridiculous, but how could he not be sorry for upending his uncle’s life like this. Eddie let it go for now, they could come back to that later. 

“Christ, boy. I thought I'd never see you again. How you feelin’? They tell me you’re pretty banged up.”

Shit.

“Yeah, I feel okay, actually. Considering, uh… '' Eddie trailed off, hesitating. He still had no idea what he was supposed to say, allowed to say?

“Don’t worry, son. You don’t gotta tell me nothing. Hop already warned me not to ask if I wanted to be allowed in to see ya.”

Eddie was a little taken aback, it wasn’t like Wayne to accept an ultimatum like that. He must have really been worried. It was a relief. He didn’t enjoy keeping things from Wayne, but this was bigger than just the two of them. 

“Sorry,” he said again, for lack of what else to say. 

“If you don’t stop apologizing.” Wayne muttered, shaking his head. “I only wish I coulda been here sooner.”

“It’s fine. Steve was here- for a while.” Eddie said, not quite managing to keep the disappointment he’d felt earlier at waking up alone off his face. 

“No need to look so glum, he’s only down in the cafeteria getting coffee with that girl who’s always hanging around with you two.”

“Robin?”

Wayne snapped his fingers in recognition. “That’s the one.”

“Oh.”

“He was headed this way when we bumped into each other in the hall. I told him he was welcome to come along a’course but he said he wanted to give us some time to ourselves.”

“That was… thoughtful of him.” Eddie said and began to worry at his lower lip, forgetting about the wound on his cheek. He winced as the movement pulled at the stitches there.

Wayne eyed him curiously. “Something on your mind, Ed?”

“Nah, it’s nothing, compared to everything else going on.”

It was the truth, he was being ridiculous. Not that him being worried about Steve was ridiculous, but the fact that Eddie was starting to wonder if it had something to do with him, with them, as whatever it was they were to each other now. There were more important things. 

“Not if it’s bothering you this much.”

Eddie sighed. “It’s Steve.”

“I gathered. What about him?”

Eddie wasn’t dumb. He was sure his uncle knew he had a giant crush on his friend, Steve hung around the trailer so much that he had his own mug and everything, but he didn’t want to out Steve by talking about what happened between them without his permission. 

“I think something’s wrong and he won't tell me what it is. He said…” Eddie paused, choosing his words. “He gave me an explanation, but I could tell that wasn’t all there was to it. It feels like he’s keeping something from me.”

“And you feel like this thing, the something that’s wrong, is to do with you?”

“Maybe.”

“Hmm.” Wayne hummed thoughtfully. “He know you're freaking out about it?”

“I’m not freaking out about it.” Eddie huffed.

“Whatever you say, but you should try and talk to him about it again. He wouldn’t like knowing he’s got you this twisted up over it. Whatever it is.”

“I’m not twisted– how do you know?”

“I might be getting older but I'm not blind.”

Wayne wound up sitting with him for over an hour, and it was the most relaxed he’d felt since before this all started. Wayne kept it light, updating Eddie on all the work drama he’d missed and the trailer park gossip, steering clear of anything related to the events of the past week.

He was still there when Eddie’s doctor and a nurse came to check on him, surprising them both with the news that, barring any new complications, he could be released in just a few days. He’d had only a minor concussion and the wounds on his legs weren’t as deep as it was initially thought. 

He stood for the first time, with help of course, and found that while it was painful, it was doable. He might have to use a cane for support until everything healed completely but that was a small price to pay.

Eventually Steve and Robin appeared, and at Eddie's insistence, uncle Wayne took his leave. He would have stayed all day, all night if Eddie had asked him to, but he knew Wayne would be more comfortable back at his motel, and selfishly he hoped to get more alone time with Steve. 

Steve, who he couldn't help noticing had deep bags under his eyes. It didn’t look like he’d gotten any sleep the previous night. 

Eddie didn't say that out loud though, and he never got to bring up what was bothering him either. Robin stuck around for the day and the three of them hung out until well after visiting hours were supposed to be over. He couldn't complain, it was nice to spend time with his friends even in these conditions, and he appreciated the little play-by-play that Robin acted out for him detailing their takedown of Vecna. 

By the time her parents showed up to drag her away and drive her back home, Eddie was beyond exhausted, and Steve could tell. With very little effort he coaxed him into laying down, wordlessly assuming the same position they had been in the night before, Steve slouched uncomfortably in the chair with his arm stretched out and propped up on the bed rail so he could hold Eddie’s hand. He was asleep before he could even consider rethinking asking Steve to share the bed. 

Another dream plagued Eddie's rest. This one a little more vivid than the last. It was odd, usually once you know you’re dreaming you either wake up or are able to take some control of the events around you, but in this case Eddie could only hold on tight and go along for the ride.

Steve was wearing his vest again- still? And watching over Eddie’s shoulder as he hotwired his neighbor’s RV. They talked while he worked. It was a story he’d told Steve before, albeit under very different circumstances. His father, being the great fucking influence he was, had taught a little bright-eyed bushy-tailed 8 year old Eddie how to hotwire a car. A skill he no doubt thought would be useful for an up and coming Munson, assuming Eddie would grow up to carry on the legacy of the family name. Even then he knew he didn’t want to wind up like his father, it was why he’d run to Wayne when the shit hit the fan. He knew his uncle was a good man and a better parental figure than Al could ever be.

The dream warped and changed. They were headed to The War Zone. In reality they had called Hopper and the chief had been in charge of outfitting them all with weapons. Now, Steve was behind the wheel of their stolen camper and Eddie was sitting in the back with some of the kids and Robin, watching as he flirted awkwardly with Nancy who had taken up the passenger seat. 

It was truly a bizarre scene, but that was dream logic, he reasoned. Steve and Nancy had been broken up for years, they were friends now and nothing more. Steve hardly looked at her twice these days. Eddie knew that and still the sight before him, fake or not, made his stomach tense and his chest ache. 

He woke abruptly, eyes snapping open though he was unsure at first of what had disturbed him. He registered several things at once. 

It was still dark outside and he had the feeling that not much time had passed, a fact that was proven true when he glanced at the clock and found it was only 11pm.

Steve was no longer holding his hand, he was curled into a ball in the chair, arms wrapped around himself as he wept like his heart was breaking. It was completely silent but Eddie could see how the great big sobs shook and wracked his body. 

Pain be damned, he began to get out of the bed, sliding his legs over the side to try putting weight onto them. There was a walker next to his bed, the same one he'd used earlier to make an agonizingly slow trip to and from the bathroom. He just needed to get to Steve, to comfort him and–

“Eddie, what are you doing? Get back in bed.” Steve said, clearing his throat to try and hide the fact that he was sniffling, and desperately wiping away his tears as if his red rimmed eyes wouldn’t give him away regardless. 

“Fine.” Eddie conceded, lifting his legs careful back onto the mattress and scooting back up against his pillows. “Just… come over here and sit with me then?”

“Eddie.”

“Please?”

He did as Eddie asked and came to sit next to him on the edge of the bed, but refused to look him in the eye. It hurt, and Eddie started to spiral. 

Maybe Steve didn’t want to be here at all. Maybe he just felt like he had to, out of some misplaced obligation or something. Did he regret what they said to each other? The kisses? Everything? Had Steve only done those things because there was a chance they were both about to die? Eddie hadn’t thought so at the time but his confusion over Steve’s sadness was making him question everything. 

He swallowed it down, not voicing any of those anxieties, at first. 

“Are you okay?” Eddie asked.

Steve rubbed his face hard, something he did often when he was tired and frustrated. “I’m fine. Everything is good. I told you. I… I’m just tired.”

“I’m sorry but I don't believe that, and I know I shouldn’t push but I know there’s something you’re not telling me. Please, Steve. Just tell me what’s wrong.“  Eddie laid a tentative hand on Steve's arm, aiming for comfort, but the other boy stiffened under his touch. It was a bad sign, all but confirming his fears, but he pressed on anyway. “I care about you so much and I hate that you're hurting. I just want to help.” 

He prayed that Steve would say something, anything, but he remained frustratingly silent. 

“Is it me? Did I do something? If you… we can forget about what happened between us If that’s what you need, Steve. I just want you to be okay.”

He was met with only more silence and this time Eddie couldn't bring himself to break it. 

Several agonizing minutes passed before Steve finally raised his eyes to look at him and spoke.

“I don’t want to forget about it.”

Eddie froze, almost afraid to even breathe.

“I love you. I’m in love with you, Eddie.”

Eddie gasped. “Oh.”

“You don’t have to say it back. I just needed you to know.”

“I do, though.”

“What?”

“Love you- too.”

The invisible wall that had been building between them finally broke as Steve leaned in to press the gentlest of kisses to Eddie’s lips. As much as he wanted to deepen the kiss, he allowed the act to remain soft and chaste, appreciating that Steve was trying to be careful of disturbing the wound on his cheek, but as far as Eddie was concerned, kissing Steve properly was worth a ripped stitch or two. 

All too soon Steve pulled back, though he kept his arm tucked around Eddie’s waist. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you think any of those things you said.”

Eddie moved over as far as he could in the bed and pulled Steve in close, encouraging him to lay down beside him. He remained quiet, stroking Steve’s hair. He had a feeling the other boy was on the verge of opening up and he wanted to give him the time and space to do it at his own pace.

“There’s some things about all this, about the Upside Down that we haven't told you, that I didn’t tell you. I was trying to protect you, it was already so much… but you deserve to know, if you want. It would be nice to talk about it with someone.”

“With someone other than Robin, you mean?”

“How do you know Robin knows?”

“Is there anything you don’t tell her?

Steve smiled despite himself and rolled his eyes, but the expression quickly fell, replaced with something more worried and serious. “Are you sure you want to know this?”

“It’s about me, isn’t it?” Eddie guessed. 

Steve nodded solemnly. “Yes.”

“Tell me.”

Over the next few hours Steve told Eddie all about his other self and what he’d done for the party. How there was an alternate timeline where everything that they’d just been through had happened before, except Vecna had won and Eddie had died, only to rise again and discover that time worked differently in the Upside Down and that maybe all hope wasn’t lost. Steve made him sound like a hero.

He was glassy eyed as he talked about meeting the other Eddie for the first time, when he got pulled through the gate at Lover’s Lake, and wept again when he spoke of their final meeting at the edge of the trailer park as the other dimension and everything residing in it was dying.

Eddie didn’t blame Steve for keeping this from him. He was right, it was too much, a heavy burden when they already had so many other things to carry, but he was happy that he knew the full truth. 

He understood Steve’s sorrow now. He was mourning Eddie– even as Eddie was still sitting right here in front of him, alive… It had to be a bit of a mind fuck. He wasn’t sure if he could have handled it had their roles been reversed. To have to say goodbye to Steve like that, alternate version or not, might have broken him. 

He knew he should have been more freaked out about the time travel of it all, and the fact that he’d died, or be obsessing over the differences between that reality and this one, but there would be plenty of time for that later. For now he just wanted to comfort Steve and enjoy the fact that he was alive, that they all were.

They fell asleep like that, smashed together in the too-small bed holding on to whichever part of the other person they could manage, too tired and emotionally drained to care if a nurse came in to catch them in such a compromising position. 

Eddie dreamed once again, as he had every time he’d closed his eyes for the past 24 hours, but this time it truly was a nightmare. 

He was back on the bike in the Upside Down, pedaling as fast and as hard as could, glancing back every now and then to keep an eye on the swarm that flew ever closer. The feeling of deja vu was intense as he was knocked to the ground, but this time he didn’t lose consciousness. He got up, and he stood his ground, and he fought to the very end. He hated himself a little bit for what he put Dustin through, having to watch him die like that, though he was so grateful to have not been alone in the end. 

He woke with a big gasping breath feeling a little hysterical. It had all been a bit too real, he’d felt himself die. Steve was startled awake by his outburst, and he held Eddie close while he tried to calm down and relearn how to breathe. 

“Bad dream?” Steve asked.

Was it just a dream? Was it a coincidence that he’d dreamt of the exact circumstances of his other self’s death, a way for his subconscious to work through everything he’d learned that night? Or was it something more. 

If it was just the one nightmare he might have dismissed it, but knowing what he knew now…

He thought back on the other things he’d seen in his sleep, the walk through the woods, familiar yet different, the adventure in the RV, an alternative way to gather weapons in a world where Hopper was gone. He could feel it in his bones, there was a reason he was seeing these things. 

“I don’t think they’re dreams.”

“What do you mean? You’ve had others?” 

“Yeah. I think… Steve, I think they might be memories.”

Steve was skeptical at first but once Eddie detailed everything he’d seen and felt, even he had to admit it seemed possible. 

Steve stared at him for a long time, studying his face intently as if he might be able to see the other Eddie inside, looking out through his eyes.

“Maybe when he died the two of you sort of… '' Steve trailed off sounding hopeful, weaving his fingers together with Eddie’s to signify what he meant, instead of finishing the thought out loud.  

Eddie hummed noncommittally, raising their joined hands to his mouth and kissing the back of Steve’s “I guess we’ll find out one way or another, if it keeps happening.”

Part 5 (final)

Thanks forever to @penny00dreadful for being the best friend, cheerleader, and beta in the whole fucking world 💜 truly could not do it without you. Also special thanks to @hitlikehammers for all the discussion and encouragement on this!

@hissunflowers @sadisticaltarts @gutterflower77 @epiclazershark @yeahhhh-suga @soapyscoobert @thetrueghostqueen @guppynuggets @reh-hateshumans @katdeerly @kolorzapster @useless-nb-bisexual @sammyammi @ellietheasexylibrarian @thesecondfate @eleganttidalwavecloud @localcrustrat @letsmo6 @justaquietnerd @marvelobessed @femmeratale @carriethesaint @novelnovella

[sweatervest-obsessed]

Kiss in the Kitchen, Like it's a Dance Floor

Pairing: Steve Harrington x gn!reader

WC: 1.7k (exactly, which is wild)

TW: Teasing, kissing, pg-13 make out, sexual innuendos, mentions of sex and orgasms, this is literally just the foreplay before kitchen sex without the actual must part, mentions of previous trauma, mention of blood, kitchen weaponry,

A/N: I just wanted to write some fluff, also Eddie survived because he is a plot device, no matter how small, and I need him to be alive for this. I really tried to keep it as ambiguous descriptions of the reader as possible, if something needs to be edited, lemme know and I'll 100% change it since I really want this to be actually gender neutral!

You loved to cook. It was one of your favorite things on the planet. You were one of those people that just tossed things into a bowl, and managed to make a perfect four course meal, including dessert. Which is why you adored your kitchen so much. Steve had let you take the head on designing the kitchen, since you were going to be in there more than him. Steve could cook, in fact, when Steve cooked, it was quite the welcome surprise for you. He had to learn since no one was home to make him dinner, or even teach him. To Steve, cooking was not enjoyable, it was survival only. But for you? It was an art form, it was a way of showing your love.

You and Steve had gotten lucky–as lucky as two people who survived the apocalypse, lost the tail end of their childhoods, fought monsters beyond their wildest nightmares, and have the scars and trauma to prove it all, can be. After the earth split, swallowing most of Hawkins whole, a lot of people fled the area, desperately trying to sell their homes. Once Vecna had been defeated, You and Steve took complete advantage of it, and bought a small ranch-like house about fifteen minutes outside of Hawkins. It was only one story, but it came with over three acres of land. You were able to get it even cheaper, saying that you would be doing all of  the renovations yourself, saving the previous owners a lot of money in the process. 

Truly, it was the definition of a fixer upper, barely inhabitable. 

There was a lot of work that needed to be done, so when Steve was away at work, you would fix the hinges on doors, figure out the electrical wiring for the plugs in the kitchen, reupholster furniture. And while you were away at classes, or at work, Steve would build your bed, or paint the walls, or have Eddie or Jonathan help him install new windows. But you both loved unpacking your things together, because it meant that the space was becoming your own. Slowly but surely, the house was coming together.

The kitchen was the second thing you two had finished, the bedroom being the first (obviously). The final touch were the cabinets. They were the absolutely perfect color, with a glass front to see the minimal dishes you and Steve actually owned, but they brought the room together perfectly. There were pictures of you both attached to the front of the fridge with magnets. There were a couple of small pots on the windowsill over the kitchen sink, holding a couple of herbs like basil and cilantro and mint. It was just perfect.

It was early in the morning, way earlier than you usually woke up, but you wanted to get a head start on breakfast, letting Steve wake up to some food before you both started painting the living room area today. 

After the night you had last night, you felt like Steve deserved to be spoiled. Especially since he completely spoiled you last night. Repeatedly. Repeatedly.

As you slowly  slipped out of bed, Steve groaned. His arms reached out to your side of the bed, confused as to why you weren’t there, but you quickly nudged your pillow into his arms. It seemed to do the trick as you slowly crept out of the room, your door closing with a soft click. As you walked towards the kitchen, you opened every single curtain, and every single window in the living room/dining room area, letting the cool, late summer, morning breeze sweep through the house, as you slowly padded into the kitchen. 

The first thing you and Steve had purchased was a cassette player. It sat proudly on the kitchen bar, music playing all the time, whenever you were home. So naturally, at 6 am, you had it playing softly, while you quietly shuffled around, looking for the one skillet you did have. 

Two weeks ago, you and Steve had a date night at the movies. Just like everyone else, you had gone to see Dirty Dancing, and you had found yourself obsessed with the soundtrack. After an intense bribing session involving a cake, a bottle of vodka, and three advanced promises of skipping a night class to go and watch Corroded Coffin at their shows, Eddie was willing/managed to set aside one of the copies for you. You had kissed him on the cheek making him turn bright red and Steve turn bright green. It was a miracle the tape wasn’t worn through since you haven’t stopped listening to it. 

Love is Strange by Mickey and Slvia was softly playing in the background, and instead of singing it, aware of your sleeping boyfriend, you were only humming it. 

You let out a little “aha!” when you found the skillet, crouching down and grabbing it from the cabinet. You both were still figuring out which things were going where, so it was a bit of a guessing game when it came to finding things in the kitchen. When you stood up, you twirled it in your hand, singing a little bit, adding in a dance. You gave it a little swing, hitting a home run across the room. As you twirled around, pan in air, your eyes went from playful to absolute terror. Steve was behind you. Luckily his reflexes were still working, despite the sleep coming off of him, because he ducked quickly while you let out a gasp. 

The last thing Steve Harrington needed was another concussion. 

“Oh my god Steve I’m so—“

“Didn’t know I was dating Babe Ruth.” He mumbled, joking, standing completely up again, yawning in the middle of his stance. His arms went over head as the sweats he was wearing sank a little bit lower on his hips. You should’ve eyed him up and down right then and there. You should’ve made a cheeky comment about the hickies you had left on his hips last night. But instead, you panicked.

“Are you okay?” You dropped the skillet on the counter, immediately placing your hands on his cheeks, tilting his head around, attempting to locate any sort of imperfection you just added to your boyfriend's skin. It was getting more and more difficult to breathe. All you could think about was how many people had hurt him, and now suddenly your name was lumped in with theirs. 

“Babe.” 

Your eyes were frantic, repeatedly scanning his face, his head, his hair. 

“Baby—hey.” He took your hands from his face and brought them to his lips. “I would be knocked out on the floor if you managed to get me. I forgot how good of a swing you have….” His usual humor to calm you down going right over your head.  He knew you heard him, but something wasn’t getting through. 

Your eyes squeezed shut, trying not to let past memories fill your mind. Steve knocked out on the floor, bruised. His face bloodied. Blood from his stomach across Lover’s Lake. Neck red and irritated. Bandages turned a deep red. Vines tightening around his skin. 

“Hey.” Steve kissed your hands again. “Where’d you go?” 

Your eyes opened and scanned over his face, quickly dashing from his eyes towards his neck, and then at his stomach, but back to his eyes. 

“Ah.” He whispered, placing your hands around his neck as he pulled you into a hug. He always managed to ground you, it felt like a sick joke sometimes. Steve being your person was one of the best things to happen to you, but watching him get beaten up over and over again was difficult. It took a toll on you too. Everytime, he would chance fate a little more than before, and some day the luck was going to run out, and you didn’t want to even entertain the idea of a next time.

Steve ran his hand along your back, smiling slightly at your choice of music, completely unsurprised. He had woken up as soon as the door clicked shut, not really understanding why you had been replaced by a pillow. Watching as you danced around the kitchen was a vision for him, and him only. So when you almost gave him another concussion, he felt kind of bad for sneaking up on you. 

“Why are you awake?” You asked after a minute or two of silence, enjoying the comfort of one another, basking in the morning glow of the sun shining through the windows. 

“You abandoned me.” 

“I know, I’m sorry.” You mumbled into his chest. Feeling slightly better, you teased him a bit. “Could you ever forgive me?” 

Steve pondered for a moment, twisting his face into faux consideration before smiling. “I think a good morning kiss would be an acceptable apology.” 

“Okay Lover Boy,” You laughed softly, pressing your lips to his, enjoying the feeling. It was a tender kiss, filled with love. Steve deepened the kiss slightly, but you had other things in mind, like making breakfast for the both of you. 

You bit his lip and tugged on it slightly before breaking off the kiss, not afraid to tease back. “I wanted to make you breakfast.” Providing the final piece of your explanation, moving to turn and grab the potential murder weapon off of the counter again.

But Steve wasn’t ready to let you move out of his arms quite yet. He groaned and pulled your back against his bare chest. Because Steve slept in a pair of sweatpants, and that was about it, he always made your morning views quite stunning–his freckles and moles were constellations across his skin, his summer tan bringing out more of them. 

He swayed back and forth with you, kissing your neck. “What did I do to deserve you?” He whispered into your neck. “Only wearing my shirt and shit, making me breakfast.” 

His hands slid downwards, thumbing with the edge of his crewneck, fingers brushing your bare skin. 

“Steve….” You hummed. 

“What baby.” He moved slowly, kissing your shoulders next, stretching out the neck of the crewneck you were wearing. 

Your breath hitched as he slid one of his hands downward, toying with the edge of your underwear. His other hand slid up, warm fingers gliding over your chest, your brain getting more and more fuzzy by the second. 

“I-I was—fuck Steve.” You mumbled, rolling your hips into his, craving more contact than he was giving. “I wanted to-to-to.” You let out a soft moan while Steve continues to tease you, love on you. “To cook and s-surprise y–” 

“Oh sweetheart.” He kissed the tender spot on your neck, causing you to moan again, this time louder, breathier—needier. “You can cook for me later, I already know what I’m having for breakfast.” 

[hairstevington]

That '90s Fic

Eddie Munson x Steve Harrington

Summary: Eight years after defeating Vecna, the Hawkins crew has done their best to forget their past (and the ones they lost along the way). You can only imagine Steve's surprise when he runs into a very-alive Eddie at a coffee shop. (Ao3 link here)

Word Count: 5.5K

Warnings: Fluffy shit as always, canon universe, first kiss, Steddie reunites and eventually gets together, it takes way too damn long because they're idiots, angst, implied sex, also mentions of the rest of the characters!

A/N: This fic is for @detachedfacade and I wrote it for the Steddie Valentine's fic exchange!! Enjoyyyy

The year was 1993. Steve Harrington and Robin Buckley had remained best friends and followed each other from shitty apartment to shitty apartment. They’d skipped town pretty much the moment she’d graduated, once they knew the rest of their loved ones were safe from the absolute hell they once called their home - Hawkins, Indiana. 

After that final battle, everyone pretty much scattered, and while they would always feel connected from the experiences they’d shared in the upside down, they didn’t keep in touch nearly as much as they’d used to. It was one of those things where, if any of them were to call another, they would be there. But everybody had moved on from their lives. They didn’t want to be a slave to their trauma anymore. 

It had been eight years since they’d defeated Vecna. Once they’d gotten through the 80’s, they started to settle back into normalcy. Robin and Steve stuck together, but they rarely talked about their past - it was no longer relevant.

The two of them were out of town for a week, taking a trip to a big city and draining their bank account to have a little fun for once. It was, more or less, a yearly tradition. This year, they’d chosen Philadelphia, mostly because there was a concert there that they wanted to go to. 

Their first full day, they didn’t have much planned other than to scope out fun things to do that were near their motel. Robin slept in, as always, but Steve was up, so he decided to go for a walk (he left a note for Robin so she knew he was okay). He found this cute cafe a block away from where they were staying, and decided he could use a bit of a caffeine boost, so he went in. 

It’s funny how such a mundane morning can turn into something extraordinary.

“Thanks, doll. Have a good one,” a voice said from beside him in line. Steve looked up to see a person he hadn’t thought about in years, not since -

No. That would be crazy. There’s absolutely no way Steve was seeing this right. The man in front of him just looked so incredibly familiar, like an old friend, but that’s all. A doppelganger. 

He was wearing black jeans with a black t-shirt tucked into it, a belt holding the ensemble together. His long hair was tied in a ponytail at the back of his neck, a guitar pick necklace hanging against his chest. 

He was the spitting image of Eddie Munson. It was freaky.

Steve ordered his coffee and tried his best to shake off the fact that he’d basically just seen a ghost. He averted his gaze and tried to convince himself that he was somehow still high from the night before. That was a thing that could happen sometimes, right?

As they waited for their coffees side by side, Steve decided he had to ask. 

“Hey, you look really familiar,” he began. “Do we know each other?” The man chuckled, amused, then put the back of his hand to his forehead and dramatically stumbled backwards, as if he was fainting. Steve reached out to catch him (as if that wouldn’t have taken them both down), but then Eddie stood up straight again, completely unharmed. 

“Steeeve Harrington, how you break my heart.” No fucking way. “You don’t remember me?”

“Oh, I remember you,” Steve replied. “But you - I mean we - and then -”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “I know.”

“How?!”

“Magic,” Eddie said, wiggling his fingers around his face. “Just kidding, nothing too exciting. Some government people found me, had a quick coma, blah blah blah, started a new life in a new town because I would have been sent to the electric chair if I stayed in Hawkins, by the time they found out I was innocent I’d already settled into my new life, and uh, yeah. That’s about it.” 

Steve stared at Eddie, wide-eyed. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. I’m dreaming. I’m high. I’m high AND I’m dreaming.

“Black coffee for Ron,” the barista said. To Steve’s surprise, Eddie reached over to pick up the cup. 

“I’m sorry, Ron?!” Eddie laughed, then lowered his voice. 

“They told me to pick a new name,” he whispered, his lips dangerously close to Steve’s ear. “I was twenty, and obsessed with Dio. Thought it would be cute to choose Ronnie and pay tribute to the lead singer. I hate it, but I’m too damn lazy to go through the trouble of changing it again.”

“Oat milk latte for Steve,” the barista called again. Steve grabbed his coffee, then turned back to Eddie.

“Okay, so this is obviously all insane, but Ron? Really? There’s no way you could pass for a guy named Ron,” he teased.

“Oh, but Steve, I’ve been doing it for years now,” he replied playfully. “So, are we gonna catch up over coffee or what?”

-

Eight years since Steve had left Eddie in the upside down. He was dead. He was absolutely, 100% no longer living, his injuries far too serious to fix with the limited first aid they had access to - aka pieces of fabric torn from their own backs. Things had been so complicated then - the extent of Eddie’s interactions with Steve were done while they were highly stressed, traumatized, and managing the upcoming apocalypse. Even so, their friendship (if you could call it that), was cut short, and Steve refused to think about those few days together since then. He’d successfully managed to shove it down deep inside. It barely hurt anymore. 

Now, it was brought to the forefront of his attention again. Eddie looked happy and healthy, which was great, but still - how the fuck had he been alive this whole time and nobody knew? Steve thought about asking, but it wasn’t his business, not really. Plus, he had to get a new name and everything, so he likely wasn’t able to reach out. And they weren’t even that close in the first place. And, Steve had tried to forget about it all, so he couldn’t judge Eddie for doing the same. Jesus.

“Steve, you look like you’ve seen a ghost, man.” Eddie smirked as he sipped his coffee. “Relax.” 

“Relax?” Steve raised his eyebrows. “You’re not the one who just found out their friend who they’ve been grieving for years never actually died.” 

“Friend?” Eddie cocked his eyebrow and grinned devilishly, as if he was mocking Steve’s words.

“I don’t know what else we’d call it.” 

“I usually go with ‘unlikely companion against the forces of evil,’ personally,” Eddie replied. 

“Usually, huh? So you talk about me a lot then?” Steve drank his latte and tried to focus on the sweet taste to combat his angst. It all felt like a dream, but somehow a stupid oat milk latte grounded him back to reality.

“I mean, not a lot,” Eddie clarified. “I can’t really disclose the full story or anything, but I do talk about the popular jock from my hometown who ended up being a lot cooler than he had any right to be. And Wheeler? Who the hell knew, am I right? And - oh, Robin!” Eddie waved towards the door, where Robin burst in. Steve had called her about ten minutes prior telling her the news. Her hair was a mess, and she was still in her pajamas. 

“Holy shit,” she said as she ran frantically towards the table. “You’re real.” She pinched Eddie’s arm to make sure, causing him to laugh.

“In theory,” he responded. Steve pulled up a chair next to him and gestured for Robin to sit. She did so, moving on autopilot, her eyes still fixed to Eddie. 

“You didn’t have to rush, Robbie,” Steve said, using his thumb to clean a bit of toothpaste off the corner of her mouth. She was unfazed by his touch.

“Of course I did, Steve. What the hell?”

“I didn’t know you guys were still -” Eddie hesitated. “- Still in touch. Friends. Or are you guys, like…?” Robin cackled. 

“Noooo, no, no, no,” she said. 

“Okay, let’s not be mean about it,” Steve huffed. 

“Sorry Stevie, you know I love you.” She turned back to Eddie. “I’m a lesbian. Steve was actually the only one I was out to in high school.”

“No shit,” Eddie said, leaning until his elbows were on the table. “Ohhhh, that explains so much.”

“Does it?” she asked, confused.

“Well, just because you guys obviously were close, but insisted upon being just friends, which usually means you’re not just friends,” Eddie explained. “I don’t know, I was kind of thrust into a lot of shit back then without any context. Mostly I was just trying not to die, and then, well - I mean, you get it.” 

“Oof,” Robin winced. 

“You guys, it’s fine.” Eddie laughed again, then leaned back in his chair. “Water under the upside down bridge, am I right?” Robin and Steve grimaced. “What?”

“We don’t really talk about that time of our lives anymore,” Robin shrugged. “All of us just tried to leave it all behind.”

“Yeah,” Steve agreed. “It’s great to see you again, I think, and I’m glad you’re okay and all, it’s just -”

“Weird,” Robin finished his sentence. “Not in a bad way, just in a way where we might need a moment to act semi-normal.”

“Ugh, normal?” Eddie groaned. “I didn’t like you guys so much because you were normal. I liked you because you were batshit crazy.” He chuckled at the double meaning of his words. “Ha ha, bat-shit. Those things were nasty. I can’t believe you took a straight-up bite out of one, dude.” 

“Jesus Christ, I forgot about that.” Steve put his head in his hands before running them through his hair. “This is crazy. So crazy.”

“Sorry,” Eddie said with a shrug. “You know, you’re the first people I’ve been able to talk about this with. I didn’t think I’d ever seen any of you again, but here we are.” 

“Are you even supposed to be talking about it?” Steve asked.

“I dunno, maybe not. But it’s been long enough. No trouble in Hawkins since, right?”

“Nope,” Robin confirmed.

“Not that we’ve been back,” Steve added.

“No? What about the others? Dustin?” Steve smiled, remembering that Eddie and Dustin had their own brotherly thing going on. 

“He’s good. Everyone’s okay,” Steve smiled. “Dustin and I still talk sometimes. I’m sure he’d love to hear from you actually, if you wanted. I mean, he was really shaken up over your ‘death’ and all.” Steve used quotations when he talked about Eddie’s death now. Insanity.

“Yeah, for sure,” Eddie agreed. “Steve, man. It’s genuinely so good to see you. I’ve wondered a lot about what happened to the King of Hawkins High.”

“Really? I guess I didn’t realize I left such an impression,” Steve said with surprise. It had been a while since he’d been reminded of his King Steve days. Eddie chuckled again, rolling up his sleeves absentmindedly as he continued talking. 

“Oh my god, Harrington, I wanted you so bad back then. I didn’t realize it until shit went down, but yeah. I thought I was making it really obvious.” Steve’s eyes widened. 

“Oh,” he said. “Well, um, I mean -”

“You were,” Robin interjected. “And you were totally jealous of him and Nancy, which is hilarious because -”

“Robin!” Steve groaned. “Anyway, yeah. There was that, and the whole ‘big boy’ thing.” 

“Really? Eight years later and that’s still fresh in your mind, huh?”

“He used to talk about it every time he got drunk,” Robin laughed. 

“I will kill you,” Steve threatened. “Fine, yeah, whatever. You helped me realize I like guys. I owe it all to you - the big man himself - Ron.” Eddie practically snorted at the way Steve said his fake name. 

“God, it’s so bad,” he agreed. “But Ron has been good to me. Things are good.” They all smiled, realizing things had somehow all turned out okay. Normal, in their own messed up way. “So! How long are you guys in town?”

-

The three of them hung out in Philadelphia a few more times that week, catching up and getting friendlier with every passing moment. Steve started to relax around Eddie, something he never had the chance to do before. Eddie was touchy, and called Steve things like babe and sweetie and once, Big Boy for old time’s sake. 

But the week was coming to an end, and the Dynamic Duo was scheduled to return home the following morning. They decided to go out one last time, and made sure to exchange numbers to stay in contact. Steve promised he’d reach out to Dustin and break the news, but he wasn’t sure when he’d see Dustin again. 

Robin went home first, insisting that she get her beauty sleep before their flight. This left Eddie and Steve alone at the bar, where they continued to chat until eventually, Steve decided he needed to get home, too. 

He didn’t really want to go, at all. He didn’t want to say goodbye to Eddie. Reconnecting with him had genuinely been great, weird as it was. Plus, he couldn’t stop thinking about what Eddie had told him in that cafe. Harrington, I wanted you so bad back then. Enough time had passed where Steve wasn’t sure that statement still applied, or if he even wanted it to. The whole week had been a whirlwind of the past becoming present, the lost being found, the gone returning. 

Eddie walked Steve home, and it was too short. Eight years ago, when their budding friendship(?) was cut short, Steve didn’t know the extent of his sexuality, or understand the feelings he was having. But he knew then, with Eddie at his door, and he decided to be bold.

“Ya know,” Eddie said, “usually when I walk a guy home like this, I kiss him goodnight.” He had said it so casually, in the same joking manner he’d done everything else. He said it in a way where, if Steve hadn’t been into it, he could just as easily say he was kidding and move on. Steve knew it well, and he wasn’t going to take it this time.

“Okay, so kiss me then.”

“What?” His eyes went wide in shock. Steve smirked at the way he was finally able to catch Eddie off guard. 

“You heard me. Come on, I dareeee youuuu.” Steve had quite a few drinks at the bar, a deadly combination for a guy who was already pretty confident in the flirting department. 

“Where the hell is this coming from?” Eddie asked, still unsure. He couldn’t believe what Steve was saying. Even though Steve had said Eddie was his bisexual awakening, that had been ages ago. Eddie never in a million years thought he had a shot with Steve in actuality.

“I knew it, I knew you wouldn’t do it.” Steve gently pushed against Eddie’s chest, then leaned against his door. “All those flirty glances and the pet names and talking about how you used to have a crush on me when-“

And then Eddie was kissing him. 

It was awkward for a split second, as Eddie had all but smashed his lips against Steve’s, but they quickly melted into each other, reaching an unspoken groove. 

It was nice. So incredibly nice. Eddie was warm and inviting and sensual, his hands explorative and firm around Steve’s body. 

As they broke away from each other, Steve pouted at the thought of never finding out what kissing Eddie while sober would be like - it’s just that they were about to be separated by a few hundred miles, so the possibility seemed unlikely. 

“Just as good as I thought it would be,” Eddie grinned as he let go of Steve’s waist. “Now you have a new thing to talk about when you get drunk, Harrrington.”

That he would, Eddie. That he would.

-

So, Steve and Robin returned home, still somewhat unconvinced they hadn’t had some sort of mutual acid trip and hallucinated the whole thing. He told her about the kiss, which she was entirely unsurprised by, and asked if he’d call once they got home. 

Steve wasn’t sure. After all, he’d left that whole life behind, and he wasn’t interested in anything long distance. It felt weird to return to a life he so deliberately ran away from. He’d spent so long shoving away those memories, but they were back, and they were back with a vengeance. 

And now, there were new memories too - the ones of them in Philadelphia, catching up under new circumstances, haunted by the old ones. 

He didn’t end up calling Eddie, in fear of it getting even more complicated, and eventually the events of their week in Philly became a dream-like visit to the land of what-ifs.

-

In 1994, Dustin came to visit. It had been the longest Steve and Robin had ever stayed in the same apartment. In fact, not much had changed at all in the last year - Except that Robin started going to grad school, and Steve was promoted at work, which worked out well considering Robin’s income dropped when switching to part-time. 

Robin was engaged - she’d been dating the same person for years now, and it had been long overdue. They were happy together, but waiting to get married until Robin finished school. Well, they wouldn’t be legally married, thanks to the government being homophobic, but they wanted to celebrate with their friends and family nonetheless. 

Steve had also begun dating a woman from Robin’s class. She was kind and quiet, and it had been going well for a month or two already. 

Catching up with Dustin was always a whirlwind, because they didn’t do it nearly enough. He spoke quickly and without abandoning, covering so many topics in such a short amount of time that Steve could hardly keep up. Robin, on the other hand, followed beautifully, and filled in Steve whenever he got confused. 

“So I was telling the head of DETRA,” Dustin said. Steve turned to Robin. 

“His company,” she muttered. Steve nodded. 

“And he basically said that Justin was going to get the promotion, even though I was the one who came up with, developed, and perfected the prototype for G-TER.”

“The robot,” Robin clarified, quiet enough only for Steve to hear. 

“Oh, right,” Steve said in recognition. “The thing you’ve been working on for like a year now?”

“That’s the one,” Dustin confirmed. 

It went on like this as he continued to talk about engineering and robotics, things that went way over Steve’s head, but he listened the best he could anyway. Once he was done updating them on his first official post-college job, he asked them what they’d been up to. 

“School,” Robin answered. 

“Work,” Steve added. “And Diana, who I’ve told you about.”

“Still going good?” Dustin asked. Steve nodded. “Sweet. How’d the trip to Philly go?”

Steve and Robin froze, glancing at each other nervously. Once again, it was something they had pushed deep down into oblivion, in fear of opening the can of worms yet again. They hadn’t talked about it since the plane ride home. 

“So fun,” Robin responded at last. 

“Concert was great,” Steve added. 

“You guys are so comically bad at lying,” Dustin said with a roll of his eyes. “What happened?” They paused, knowing the upcoming conversation was a big bomb to drop. 

“It’s…serious,” Steve began. “Has to do with Hawkins stuff.” Dustin’s face dropped into sincerity, understanding the weight of the situation. 

“Is everything okay? Do we have to go back?”

“Everyone is fine,” Robin blurted out. “Everyone.” She stressed the word as if that would be enough to break the news. When Dustin was still confused, Steve decided to just go for it. 

“Eddie Munson is alive, Dustin.” 

“What?!”

“It’s true,” Robin said. “He lives in Philadelphia under a different name now.”

“But how??”

They continued to explain the situation, going over the story that Eddie had told them, and the time they’d spent together. They left out the kiss, of course, but that wasn’t relevant.

Dustin processed the news slowly, before running to his computer and urgently looking something up. 

“What are you doing?” Steve asked. 

“I’m gonna go to Philadelphia,” he answered. As Steve peered over, he noticed Dustin looking at flights. 

“Woah, seriously?” Steve asked, shocked. “Don’t you want to call him first?”

“Well, yeah, duh,” Dustin said. “We call him, then we go. Or, I go. I mean, if you can’t.” He sighed, putting his phone down. “You knew about this for a year and didn’t tell me?”

Robin and Steve felt the weight of their secret. They’d been protecting themselves, or so they thought.

“I’m sorry, man,” Steve apologized. “We didn’t wanna -”

“It’s whatever. Just call him.” 

-

Even though Robin and Steve hadn’t planned their annual getaway yet, it was far too short-notice to go with Dustin. It did, however, mean that his visit with them was cut off after only a day, and that kinda sucked. They really tried to make it work, but between Steve’s job and Robin’s classes, there was no way they could join in on the action. 

So, Steve called Eddie

“Steve Harrington,” he greeted as always. 

“Edd- I mean, Ron,” Steve replied. Eddie chuckled. 

“I didn’t think you’d ever call me. It’s been what, a year?” Steve grimaced at the realization. 

“I’m sorry, I just -”

“It’s cool. What’s up, man?”

And so, Steve told him what was up. Eddie was thrilled at the prospect of seeing Dustin again, and together they arranged a place to meet up. Eddie also gave Steve his address to give to Dustin, although Steve couldn’t help but wonder if he had ulterior motives. 

No, Steve. Don’t do that, he thought to himself. You closed that book, and you’re with Diana now.

It was probably for the best Steve couldn’t go, honestly. Because the moment he heard Eddie’s voice, he realized he was an idiot for not calling the moment he got home. 

-

By 1995, Robin had moved out to live with her fiance. They’d even set a wedding date for the following year. Steve was still dating Diana, and things were good there, but he had no plans for proposing just yet. He felt as though he needed to live with her first to see for sure how compatible they’d be, so she joined his lease once hers ended - her name replacing Robin’s. 

Steve had a business trip in Philadelphia. He considered visiting Eddie, but thought better of it. 

They ran into each other anyway at the grocery store. 

“Well, if it isn’t the heartbreaker himself?” Eddie teased. Steve froze, feeling immediate guilt and panic. 

“E - I mean, Ron!” Steve said, as he always did. 

“You know, I finally legally changed my name back, so you can stop doing that.” 

“Oh,” Steve said. “Okay.” 

“I’m not mad at you, Steve,” Eddie assured him. 

“Why would you be?” Steve asked, as casually as possible. Eddie opened his mouth, but before he could explain the very valid reason he’d be upset, Steve continued. “Don’t answer that. I’m sorry. I’m still sorry.”

“It is what it is,” Eddie said nonchalantly. He genuinely seemed unbothered. “So, what brings you back?”

“Work,” Steve answered. “I’m only here for the weekend this time.”

“Would you want to grab a drink, then?” Eddie asked. Steve swallowed. 

“I - I shouldn’t.” Eddie seemed confused for a moment, then lit up in understanding. 

“Ah, I see,” he said with a smirk. “You’re still with the lady.”

“You know about her?”

“‘Course. Dustin told me about it when he was here.”

“Oh,” Steve said, unsure how he felt about that. “How’d that go for you guys, by the way?”

“It was great,” Eddie answered. “You don’t even want to go out in a completely platonic, friend way?”

Admitting that being just friends with Eddie seemed impossible felt worse than it did to go and inevitably act weird and closed off. In any case, Steve agreed to one drink.

-

Three drinks later, he felt relaxed again, and almost forgot why he was so nervous about this in the first place. Like, he and Eddie didn’t know each other that well, and they lived in different states, and they’d kissed one time. That was it. It was practically nothing other than them both being queer, flirtatious, and enjoying each other’s company. 

“I’d really like to be friends,” Eddie had said at the end of the night.

“I think I’d like that, too,” Steve agreed. 

He went back home, relieved that the guilt he felt was no longer relevant. 

-

Eddie and Steve were friends in the sense that they occasionally called each other to talk about new movies, or to rave about the amazing things Dustin was doing, and eventually, they talked about Robin’s wedding. 

Robin had decided to invite Eddie after he and Steve became friendly in a genuine way. She tended to have a sense for these things, and they really did just seem like good friends. 

She was wrong. 

Diana worked overnights, and Steve would end up on the phone until well past midnight talking to Eddie. It was a gradual change from the conversations they’d had before, but an important one. Eddie was giddy at the thought of being reunited with the Hawkins gang - they joked that Steve shouldn’t tell anyone so Eddie could surprise them, but ultimately decided they could never stir up that much drama on Robin’s wedding day. 

“Maybe during the rehearsal dinner,” Eddie suggested.

“Yeah, maybe,” Steve replied. 

Steve broke up with Diana a few months before the wedding, where she was supposed to be his plus one. It was a clean break, or as clean as it could have possibly been. Steve just knew that if they went to the wedding together, she’d think about the possibility of marrying him, and he knew she wasn’t the one he wanted to spend his life with. 

He had an inkling he knew someone he would marry. Well, if marriage between them had been legal, anyway. 

He didn’t tell Eddie about his change in relationship status, though. Even when they still talked late into the night, when Steve had to wake up early the next morning. He didn’t tell him, because he still lived so far away, and he didn’t want to ruin something so perfect. 

-

Robin’s wedding was in the Spring of 1996. Steve was going stag, as he’d decided when Robin asked whether she should eliminate a place setting or invite someone else. He could have found another date to replace Diana, but he didn’t want to. 

It was the first time he was going to see Eddie since they’d gotten a drink a year prior, which would have been exciting enough - it was just that Steve was single now. And if Eddie was too, and if he was still interested, there was no way Steve was going to miss out yet again. 

It didn’t matter that they lived far away from each other, or that they’d spent very little time together in the same physical space - Steve knew there was something there. He knew it. 

Steve was, of course, in the bridal party. In fact, he was technically Maid of Honor, although the role wasn’t really defined that clearly because Robin didn’t want to follow any of the normal traditions. She really just wanted Steve as her best friend and right-hand man. His tasks mainly included making sure she didn’t fall over, and handing her various fidget toys when she got antsy.

The rehearsal dinner was the night before the ceremony, and was mainly just close family and friends. It was the first time the entire Hawkins gang reunited in ten years. 

Hopper and Joyce were happily married. The kids were now 24 and figuring their lives out. Dustin was already rich, and everyone else was financially okay as well due to El having rigged a lottery one time to split the reward (Mike’s idea - but it worked out pretty well). 

It was so nice to see everyone again under non-apocalypse circumstances. Everybody seemed happy in their respective lives, and catching up seemed entirely normal.

Eddie showed up late - he had told everyone in advance he would, so it wasn’t rude or anything, but it did mean that they were already sitting down and deep into conversation when he snuck in and sat down beside Steve - the last empty seat.

(Which was pretty much exactly what Steve hoped would happen)

They waved to each other and smiled, and then the conversation resumed as normal. They ate, they drank, they laughed, and then the group split - half of them going home, the other half going out. 

-

“Where’s Diana?” Eddie asked at the bar while sipping his beer. “Is she sick or something?” Steve froze, realizing the time had come to break the news. 

“Uh, no, she’s not sick.” Eddie looked at him curiously, having no idea where this was going. “We broke up a few months ago.”

“What?!” Eddie asked, a thousand emotions in his voice. He was confused, concerned, and a little upset. “Why didn’t you tell me? I talk to you all the time!”

“I don’t know!” Steve responded, shrugging. “I don’t know why I didn’t, I just -”

“Wait, before we go there. Are you okay?”

Steve was taken aback by the question. He was okay, but a few months ago? Shit was tough. 

“Yeah, I’m okay. It’s what I needed to do,” Steve answered. 

“Why?” Eddie’s voice dropped in volume ever so slightly. “I mean, what happened?”

“She just wasn’t -” Steve averted his gaze, as though eye contact was too intimate in the moment. “She wasn’t the one.” 

Their conversation was interrupted when Dustin insisted they all play a game. And that was that - at least, that’s what Steve thought. 

-

He was getting ready for bed after everyone else had split off to their own hotel rooms. He showered and brushed his teeth, then climbed into bed to watch TV. He wasn’t tired yet, but he hoped the sounds of Friends would lull him to sleep eventually. 

Then, there was a knock at the door. 

It was late, and as Steve jumped out of bed and walked towards the noise, he worried it was Robin or that something terrible had happened. 

Instead, it was Eddie. 

“Hey,” Steve greeted him. 

“Hey,” Eddie echoed. “Tell me if I’m reading this wrong.” 

Eddie knew it was a bold move, showing up like this, assuming that their friendship had transcended into something more. Or, perhaps they were never really just friends. 

“Okay,” Steve responded. 

And then, Eddie was kissing him again. 

Steve shut the door as soon as they’d crossed the threshold into his hotel room. They were alone, single, and clearly into each other. Clothes came off before Steve even had a chance to catch his breath. 

Eddie started giggling when they fell to the bed. 

“I’ve always wanted to hook up with a Bridesmaid,” he joked. Steve rolled his eyes, but couldn’t stop himself from laughing, too. 

“Can we turn the show off?” he asked, distracted by the antics on screen. 

“What, Rachel doesn’t do it for you?” Eddie teased. Steve reached over to find the remote, then pressed the off button - leaving them in silence. 

“I’m more of a Chandler guy, myself,” Steve replied with a smirk. 

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

-

Robin’s wedding was beautiful. Eddie and Steve snuck knowing glances at each other throughout, but made sure not to make it obvious they’d hooked up to avoid stealing any thunder. 

Everyone knew pretty much immediately, anyway. 

-

It was New Year's Eve, 1999. Eddie and Steve had gotten their own apartment after the wedding, and had been together ever since. Steve insisted they stay in the same town as Robin, and Eddie obliged - there wasn’t much tying him to Philly except that it was where he’d been for a decade, and a little location change seemed like the perfect way to enter the next phase of his life. 

“I can’t believe the world is going to end in five minutes,” Steve said sarcastically. Eddie rolled his eyes. 

“You don’t really believe that shit, right?”

“Well, the world wouldn’t end,” Robin interjected, “just all the computers in the world might crash, which would be just as not fun.”

“Exactly,” Steve agreed. Robin smiled, then was whisked away by her wife. Steve turned back to Eddie. “You’re not nervous at all?” Eddie shook his head. 

“No, not really. We’ve already been through an apocalypse together, you know? And we got through that.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Steve realized. “So what’s one more?”

“What’s one more?” Eddie agreed, kissing Steve into the new millennium. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[canumoveurseatup-no]

It’s Time

summary: it’s hard to accept the truth

pairings : eddie x Sinclair!reader

warnings: angst, grief, in denial about death, breaking down

a/n: I don’t know if anyone did this concept for Eddie already but if they did I’m not trying to copy anyone!🤍

————

“Hey, Y/N are you coming to Steve’s tonight?,” Dustin asked. Everyone has been tiptoeing around you since you all defeated Vecna and you’re not sure why. Sure some lives were lost but you still have Eddie and your little siblings and that’s what matters most.

“Uuuh I don’t think so, I have some studying to do,” you give the freshman a smile, even with you smiling, Dustin looked at you like he had something to say, “I’ll catch you all at lunch though, okay?”

“Yeah!” He gave a weak smile and turned to walk over to his friends, seeing your younger brother.

“How is she able to smile?,”

“I don’t know, but I’ll take it as long as she’s okay. She doesn’t talk about that night,” Lucas shrugged, “Literally the next day she woke up happy as ever asking Erica if they wanted to go on a shopping date,”

“We all wear grief differently,” Max added in, “I drowned myself in music and isolation. At least she’s trying to move forward and remain normal,”

Dustin frowned, knowing the pain you’re avoiding. He knows it’s going to build up and he doesn’t want that for you. Dustin hasn’t been able to sleep well since that night and everyone has just been able to move forward. He knows issues with the upside down have been a reoccurring issue, but something about this time around just stuck with him and no one else understands because they’re in such a rush to move on and live normal lives.

“Avoiding grief isn’t normal,”

———

“Baby why don’t we go spend time with your friends?,” Eddie questioned. Mindlessly strumming his guitar, admiring the little frown you have on your face from focusing, “you’ve been studying super hard with no free time,”

“The only free time I need is with you,” looking up at him and smiling, “I almost lost you that night,”

“You almost lost all of us,” Eddie corrected.

“Yeah but you’re the one I plan on spending the rest of my life with so that night solidified it that I need to be with you more, especially after your name was cleared,”

“Thank God,” he huffed, setting his guitar back on the wall to come over to you, towering over you to give you a kiss on your cheek, “orange isn’t my color and I don’t think I’d be able to survive not being with you all the time,”

“It’s okay, I’d break you out,” you giggle and just stare at him. He looks much more tired than usual, everyone does but Eddie has been through a lot. Being blamed for murder, being in the run being attacked in the Upside Down and having to heal from that.

“Cmon, let’s stop studying for tonight and go be with your friends,” he helped you stand up but you wrapped your arms around him bringing him down for a kiss.

“How about we just stay in and talk about our plans to leave this hellhole,”

Eddie just smiled at you and you both got ready for bed, once you are, you’re wrapped in his arms and feel so safe.

“I’m thinking we should just go to California like you said before,” you started, right before all this Vecna bullshit you Eddie was actually starting to get the attention of record label executives and had many offers, he just couldn’t figure out which deal to go for, then shit hit the fan.

But everything is fine now.

“Why the change of heart?”

“I think we’ll just thrive better there. You have your music, I’ll graduate with my cosmetology license so I don’t have to go to college. We could be big out there, Eddie!” You signed dreamily.

“Eddie and Y/N Munson. We could be big names in a big city,” you added. Eddie squeezed you tighter as you dreamed about your near future together.

“California it is. You sure you’re going to be able to leave this place behind? Your home?”

“Home is wherever you are, Eddie”

———

Eddie had some deals to make and told you he’d meet you at school. When you pull up, Lucas wastes no time jumping out of the car to be with his friends and Erica jumped out walking over to her friends over at the middle school. Nancy pulled up beside you to drop Mike off and waved happily when she saw you. She hasn’t seen you in a few days because you lock yourself away studying and spending time with Eddie.

You quickly get out of your car and get to her. She gets out and gives you a big hug, “I’ve missed you!” She squeals.

“I miss you too! Sorry I’ve been busy studying for my cosmetology license so it’s been time consuming,”

She smiles and nods, happy that you’re at least keeping up with your grades in the midst of grief.

“They’re going to do a moment of silence for Chrissy today,” you let her know. She knows Chrissy was your best friend and she knows what it’s like to lose a best friend, so she empathizes, “It’s been a month since she’s passed”

“I’m glad they’re doing that for her, I’ve seen the vigils for all those who were lost during that time. You let me know if you need anything okay? Any of us, we’re here,”

“I know, Nance and I love you guys for it. I’ll meet up with you guys after school,”

“Sounds good, I’ll see you later,”

You two say your goodbyes and Nancy goes over to meet with Jonathan as you head into school, waving to your brother’s friends who you have adopted as little siblings as well. Will and El are back so it’s good to see them finally have a normal life and school year.

You meet up with Robin as you two have lockers right beside each other. She sees you in your cheerleading uniform, white cardigan with a button that has Chrissy’s face on it. She doesn’t want to bring it up, she knows you’re hurting.

“Hey, how you holding up?,” She asks quietly. While you have been moving through life normally, you still haven’t really been chatting much.

“I’m okay!! How are you?” You question, she looks exhausted, you all are. The school year ends in a few months so it’s crunch time.

“Classes are kicking my ass but I’m hanging in there. We miss you, we’re going to Lover’s Lake after school for a bonfire if you’d like to come,”

You weigh your options, not knowing if you want to stay in with Eddie or go with them. You figured you’d take Eddie’s advice and hang out with your friends, he’d probably just go over Rick’s.

“I know the lake is still a sore spot but we figured we could give it a new history,” she adds.

“Y-yeah,” you send a soft smile, “I’ll be there after I stop by to see Chrissy’s family. We’re having a memorial for her,”

“That’s so sweet,” Robin gives you a hug and takes a deep breath, it seems like she needed this hug more than you did, “Be safe and we’ll see you later okay? We’ll be at the lake at 6:30,”

“I’ll be there,”

———

By the time lunch came you were finally able to see Eddie. You did tell Jonathan in third hour that you were going to sit with them at lunch but you hadn’t seen Eddie since this morning. So, you took your lunch box and walked out to the clearing with the picnic table and he was sitting there, smiling at you.

You’d never forget that smile, nor get sick of it.

“Hey there, handsome,” you say softly as you walk closer.

“Hey, sweets,” his big brown eyes looked at you like you hand painted all the stars in the universe.

“I packed your favorite,” you sat down and opened your lunchbox handing him a bologna sandwich with pickles, mustard and pepper Jack cheese. He thanks you and waits for you to get all of your lunch out before eating, he always waited for you to start eating before he did.

“Chrissy’s memorial is tonight,” you tell him.

“Yeah I heard. I don’t know if I should go. Even though my name is cleared I feel awful,”

“It’s okay, baby. It’s something small so don’t feel pressured, okay?” You reached over to squeeze his hands to comfort him, this entire situation has been traumatizing for everyone but especially Eddie.

“Robin also invited us down to Lover’s Lake if you wanna come but I know you probably have some deals to make, it’s a Friday night,”

“Yeah me and Rick have a party to deal to so it might take a while,”

“Don’t worry if you can’t make it. I don’t think I’m gonna stay long anyway,”

“Yeah I’ll probably get up with Steve and tell him I can’t make it,”

A comfortable silence fell between you two as the both of you ate. You were the first to finish, you hadn’t eaten breakfast this morning because you overslept. Eddie’s arms are just too comfortable, so it’s safe to say you were hungry.

“I love you,” you let him know. Adoring his smile lines, his frizzy hair, his hands, everything about him. You wear your favorite ring of his 24/7. It was the skull one, you always played with his hands and that’s the ring you gravitated to.

“I love you more,” he stared at you with this longing, like he missed you and never wanted to let go.

The two of you sat and talked for the remainder of lunch. Cracking jokes and talking about movies and conspiracy theories. It was always fun like this, until the bell rang.

“Ugh, booooo,” you huff packing up your belongings and trash from lunch.

“It’s okay, we’re done with classes soon so it’s okay,”

“Yeah yeah” you pout. He kisses your poked out lip, pushing it back to its normal position and smiles against your lip.

“You’re just too cute. I’ll see you at the memorial okay?”

“You’re coming?!” You smile brightly. You know Chrissy would want him there.

“Of course. For you and for her,”

———

The memorial was emotional as expected. No one batted an eye that Eddie was there and that was a relief to both of you. You had talked to Chrissy’s mom, even though she wasn’t the best mother, that was still her daughter that is no longer here. Your cheer team performed a routine in Chrissy’s honor and the basketball team was there too. It was a short gathering, you were glad you two went.

You miss Chrissy more than words can describe. You can’t take anymore loss.

“All right, sweets. I gotta go meet Rick okay?,” he helps you get in your car and gives you a soft kiss before whispering “I’ll see ya later. I’ll even bring you a surprise,”

“Well now I can’t wait,” you laughed. You sat and made sure he got in his car okay and then you both went your different ways, honking at each other and waving as you two went opposite directions.

You went home and had dinner with your family. You were quiet, still emotional after the memorial.

“You okay, Y/N? You’ve been very quiet lately,”

“Yeah dad, just… I lost my best friend a month ago today. Still fresh,” you mutter.

Lucas and Erica make eye contact that you don’t notice. Talking without using their mouths, they understood there’s more going on that you’re not talking about and they’re trying to be patient with you.

“We’re having a gathering at Lover’s Lake. I can take the kids to hang with their friends. We’ll be home by 9,”

“9?!” Lucas exasperates

“It’s a Friday, Y/N!,” Erica rolls her eyes.

“Well I’ll be leaving at 8:45. I don’t want to stay out all night,”

“Yeah cause all you’ll do is sulk in your room about-,”

“Lucas!” Your mom reacts, wide eyes and glaring at your brother.

“It’s fine,” you tell her shaking your head. You’re not even hungry anymore, “Be ready by 6:15 if you guys are going,”

———

You couldn’t really enjoy the night without Eddie there. You were hoping he was safe and not getting in any fights or robbed since he’s making deals tonight. You just want him by your side so you know he’s safe.

“Earth to Y/N!” Steve shouts. You’ve been doing that a lot lately and they never mention it, but best believe they notice it. Before all of this went down, you didn’t zone out like that. They know zoning out here and there is normal, but it’s a constant state of mind for you when you’re around them.

“Yeah?” You snap out of it and look to see him across from you. Once you’re brought back to focus, you can feel the heat of the fire on your face, you can hear the wind rustling the leaves, you can hear the water rippling, you can feel them staring at you with concern.

“Have you decided what you’re going to do after we graduate?,”

“Going to California,” you deadpan. There was no doubt in your mind about it.

“California?,” Robin screeches, “When the hell were you going to tell us?”

“I just decided it,” you shrugged, “Eddie always talks about going there and making it big. So I’m going to try and make it big,”

All of their eyes soften at your words and you don’t know why.

“You can make it big here,” Mike adds.

“I’d crash and burn if I stayed here,” you answer. Sulking once again. Thinking about all of those who were unfortunate, unsuspecting victims to the dark secrets of Hawkins. You don’t want to stay here anymore. You need to move out and move on. It’s time.

“But family is here,” Erica said. Sure she was a little brat but she’d miss you if you left, because she knows if you did… you’d never come back.

“Pain.. is here,” you looked to her and take a sip of your drink, getting up and walking to the edge of the lake, staring out at the moonlit water. Your mind flashed to that night. You, Eddie, Nancy, Steve and Robin diving in through the gate, you all fought tooth and nail to get out, fighting against the creatures that lived there, even through the final battle.

A shiver runs down your back at that thought. You all made it out but at what cost? Now you barely sleep, barely eat, barely talk. All of this left a stain on your soul and it won’t come off, it’ll be there forever.

That ache will never leave.

———

For the next few days you avoid the others. You haven’t been wanting to hangout, you’ve been staying at home, locking yourself away from your siblings in your room, making the plans for California with Eddie.

It’s been a week since you’ve talked to any of them. Avoiding them in the halls, at lunch, after school- you haven’t even muttered a word to Lucas or Erica, they were more worried now than ever.

Nancy and Robin always tried to invite you out to the movie or out for milkshakes but you always declined. Dustin always tried to come to you about science things and what not but you’d just tell him you’d catch him later. Max would try to tell you she was there and she understands the pain of losing someone and to not shut yourself away.

You’re not shutting yourself away though, you’re just focusing on yourself and your relationship. Mike and Will always tried to get you to join them at Hellfire Club but you denied them that satisfaction, leaving that to be Eddie’s thing, you never did understand D&D much so you gave up a while ago. El would come to you about girly things but you wouldn’t engage much. Steve and Jonathan always invited you to smoke but you didn’t have time for that- you had plans to make.

So it’s been a week of torture for them. You ignoring them and when they are finally face to face with you it’s like you don’t see them. They even invited you to Max’s tonight for a horror movie marathon but you declined, you’ve had enough jumpscares to last a lifetime.

So instead, said you couldn’t make it and planned a movie night with Eddie at his trailer. Wayne would be at work and you have a spare key, Wayne telling you you’re welcome over at any time. You brought snacks and drinks and his favorite pizza, BBQ chicken.

What you don’t know is that Steve sees your car pull up at Eddie’s trailer.

“What’s Y/N doing?” He asks aloud.

“She’s not here what are you talking about?” Lucas questions.

“Yeah because she’s over at Eddie’s,” the other come join him in the kitchen to watch you through the window struggling with all the items in your hand. They can hear you talking, but… no one is home? They know what Wayne’s truck looks like and he left an hour ago.

“I got your favorites! and I got that new comedy movie you were talking about,”

They don’t know who you were talking to and majority of them got a sinking feeling in their stomach.

On the other side of Eddie’s trailer though, he had his arms wrapped around your waist, smothering you in kisses and muttering I love yous and I miss yous.

“Hahaha okay okay! I’m excited to see you too, handsome,” you kiss him deeply and pull away, just smiling. You were so glad you had someone like him in your life.

You get everything set up and you and Eddie are talking about your day when you hear a knock on the door.

“You expecting anyone?” You ask him as you walk to the door

“Only you, that’s it,”

You open the door and see the others staring at you with questioning eyes and skeptical looks. Looks of pity and looks of concern.

“Hey what are you guys doing here?,” you smile brightly and move aside to let them in.

“We were going to ask you the same thing,” Dustin says.

“Well,” you look around you, smiling at everything put together, “We’re about to have a movie night!”

“We?” Robin looks between all of you, “our movie night is at Max’s,”

“Not us, silly. Me and Eddie,” you say and that’s when the room gets eerily quiet.

“Y/N,” Steve mutters your name as if it’s a warning.

“What?,” you ask, eyes wide as you lick the barbecue sauce off your finger.

You really aren’t acknowledging it.

“You’re serious?” He gives an airy chuckle, this isn’t funny he just doesn’t understand.

“Yes! Eddie wanted to see this movie so we’re watching. Right babe?” You turn to him and he nods, “See?”

“Y/N… Eddie is gone,” Max steps forward but you move around them all to finish setting up. You got the drink and your cups, setting them on the table.

They notice the two plates, two cups, two drinks.

“Why are you talking about him as if he’s not standing right here?!” You snap, “He saved your lives have some respect,”

You never raise your voice at any of them but their attitudes are pissing you off.

“Because he’s not,” Lucas says, “Y/N, you need to snap out of it and realize this is an unhealthy coping mechanism. Eddie died a month ago,”

“Shut up!,” you scoff, you weren’t believing their words not when Eddie was standing right beside you.

“He mattered time too,” Dustin stepped in, getting real close, “What you’re experiencing is called bereavement hallucinations,”

“What are you trying to say? That I’m crazy?!” You’re angry now. How dare they come in here, making space for themselves and hurl these words at you?!

All of them realize your anger is just masking you being in denial.

“No, what I’m saying is you’re grieving and you’re trying to keep yourself together and this is how you’re doing it… but it’s not helping. It’s going to hurt you more in the long run,”

“He’s standing right..,” you look and he’s not there, “Eddie?”

Your voice cracks and you look around to look for him but he’s not there. You run to his bedroom calling his name, “Eddie, where did you go?” You call out, sadness bleeding into your tone.

“He’s here. H-he’s still here. This isn’t funny!,” you shout as you enter the living room again.

“This isn’t some joke,” Lucas says softly. He can see you cracking around the edges. Reality was seeping into the cracks and dripping down into your perception. You were starting to see the truth. “You’re my big sister, Y/N. I can’t stand seeing you like this,”

You close your eyes and use emotional tape to heal those cracks. Then you hear his voice again.

“I’m right here, baby,” he whispers and you calm down again, wiping your tears.

“Can you tell them to leave? They’re ruining our movie night,” you plead, looking over your shoulder.

But there’s no one there. Not for them to see. They were watching you talk to a wall and they didn’t know how to handle it. Their dearest friend was falling apart at the seams and they can’t do anything to make it instantly better.

“Y/N seriously,” Erica softly begs, “you’re scaring me… a-and I’ve seen some freaky shit,”

“Get out!!,” you scream, “Eddie tell them to leave!”

“Y/N… maybe you should listen to them,” Eddie says softly. He’d been wanting to say this. This part of your conscience, has been wanting to say this.

You snap your head to him and your demeanor softens

“N-no! No they’re ruining everything!,”

“Eddie is gone,” Dustin says.

“No,”

“He died in the upside down. You were there. You held him in your arms,” Robin adds. She knows how all of this went. She found you with his lifeless body, you weren’t even crying, you were just talking to him. Holding him.

“No! You’re lying! He made it out, he’s been here the whole time”

“Eddie died shortly after Chrissy did,” Max says sadly, “You stayed there with his body for two days. We thought you were gone too,”

“Why are you guys lying? Why are you doing this to me?”

“Because you’re hurting yourself with these illusions,” Robin comes forwards. There’s so many of them here. Too many and all you want is Eddie.

“No,” you wrap your arms around yourself, the smell of his hoodie engulfing you, “W-we were just talking the other day about moving to California, starting a family a-and… and,”

You turn to Eddie and he’s there but… not fully. It looks like he’s disappearing and you start to dry heave.

“You were there for his funeral. You wouldn’t leave his tombstone,” Nancy speaks up.

They’re all trying to snap you out of it. It may seem harsh but you’re hurting more when you’re doing this to yourself.

“He was just playing guitar for me!” You sob. Hands flying over your ears to shut them up.

“He died saving us all, he died for you,” Mike interjects.

“He wouldn’t leave me,” you shake your head, glaring at Mike, you turn to Eddie and shake your head even harder, “You wouldn’t leave me,”

“It’s okay,” Eddie nods and it makes your chest hurt. You can barely keep yourself up, stumbling backwards.

“He didn’t leave to hurt you, Y/N. He’s a hero. He saved us and I know it hurts but you’re going to be okay,” Steve comes forward and grabs your wrists, but you fall and slip through his grasp, clenching at your chest.

“No! No! Shut up, shut up, SHUT THE FUCK UP!!” Voice hoarse, eyes burning with tears.

Eddie comes over and kneels down to be to your level, lifting your chin up and giving you the softest kiss ever. It was a goodbye kiss.

“It’s time,” he says.

The scream that you let out is one that shakes the trailer. He disappears before your eyes and you’re so lightheaded you feel as though you could pass out.

“Eddiiiiiee!!!,” calling for him wouldn’t work. He wouldn’t answer. You’re hyperventilating and you’re crying out his name.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay. It’s going to be okay!,” Lucas rushes to you and engulfs you in a hug but it doesn’t help, it’s not Eddie’s touch.

“No please! Pl-please. This.. this is some sick joke!” You push him off. He doesn’t take offense though. Your fairytale world is crashing around you and the debris is suffocating you.

“He’s still h-here. He’s st-still here,”

“No, Y/N… he’s gone,” Dustin cries. Dustin is crying because he knows the pain of losing Eddie. The others are crying because they’re seeing their sister and loved one have a completely emotional breakdown and it’s hurting them to not be able to fix it.

“You’re l-lying,” you spit. You’re violently shaking, choking on your own saliva as you cry. Your body is aching as you’re finally allowing grief to consume your body.

“Y/N.” El comes forward to console you even if it wouldn’t 100% help.

“W-we we’re just talking about California… w-were sup-supposed to be Eddie and Y/N Munson…”

You held on tight to your brother as he rocked you, Erica holding your hand.

He’s gone… he’s never coming back.

And it’s time to move forward.

———

You finished packing the last of Eddie’s things that you wanted to bring with you. The last few months have been hard and it’s been even more difficult to keep your head above water but you did it.

You did it for him.

You were heading to California. You made sure to spend as much time with everyone as possible, making up for lost time. You slammed the trunk to your car shut and put your sunglasses on. You double checked everything , making sure you had all the important things. Your money, your cards.

Your license… the new license that had your new name on it. Y/N Munson.

Even if he wasn’t here, he’s still with you.

You pull out of the trailer park driving past the sign. You take one last look in your rear view mirror and see the apparition of Eddie Munson blowing you a kiss and slowly waving. A deep sob escapes your lips as you move your eyes from the mirror, focusing forward.

This is what he would want.

You have to embrace your pain, that is the only place you can truly heal and find growth.

—————

IM CRYIIING I CRIED WRITING THIS OMFG 😭 I probably won’t be doing a tag list for this so please reblog, comment and like!!!

I love you all and will be coming back full force very soon 🤍

tags: @blackreaders-assemble @mbaku-babygirl @babybubastis @honeyjasminetea @warmchick @valentinevirgo @persephones24 @dumbchick @micki-smiles @here-for-your-bullshit @dayasvalkyrie @xye-weirdo @disaster-rose @dumbchickwrites @pastelastronomy24 @baphomet-wears-gucci @buckybarnesplumwhore @valkryienymph @mariahthelioness29 @taylortheeshowpony @alyssaj23 @endlesslymedusa @areubeingserved @9daykrisr @missdforever @bitchacho25 @ijustrepost @suchababie @queenoftheworldisdead @beautiful-loserr @the2daily4scoop @jin0 @smoothy-ve @oh-nohoney @sambucky8 @princess-toshii @sebbyslut @titty-teetee @ilovefanfic86 @topshopwhxre @berrybimbo

[thyla]

@machine-slays-dragons​ asked for a steddie fic rec. thought it might be easier to do a post and share. on request there will be no vampire!eddie fics on this list. and also i’m fairly new to steddie so i’m sure a lot of these fics have been read by lots of people. But I will try to stay clear of adding very popular ones to this list. so anz, hopefully there’s at least one fic on this list you haven’t read!! this isn’t even close to everything i’ve read just ones i’ve recently read. so here’s a short fic rec! Also! it’ll be a mixture of fics i’ve read on here and also fics i’ve read over on ao3.

Eddie’s Memory Log or read it here (starting here because I just finished this fic and it’s amazing 😘 go read!) 38,523 words

The only reason Steve volunteers to keep a journal to track Eddie Munson’s skim-milk memories, is because of the twerps. They have school, they can’t commute to the government-protected hospital that’s all the way in the city. That, and they gave Steve this well-rehearsed, tearjerker performance about how grateful they would be. About how grateful Eddie would be. Pfft like shit on a stick, he’ll be grateful. The dude doesn’t even remember how old he is, how the hell is supposed to be grateful for Steve Harrington jotting down notes in binder? But those kids have been through Spielberg-level disaster shit. Steve has too, but they’re just kids. So he’ll do it. He’ll do it for them and only them.

never been kissed (26,726 words)

Someone should... definitely check on how his brain is doing, after Eddie’s confession. Virginity is bullshit anyway, right? Robin told him about it, how it’s a completely made-up societal construct that invalidates a lot of queer people’s sexual experiences, and how toxic it can be to straight relationships too, so he can take her lesson to heart and be normal about it. Totally. “That’s so fucking hot,” he blurts out. Okay Harrington, way to be normal about it!Or, Steve is experienced, and Eddie is a virgin.

in breakable heaven (23,724 words)

"Dustin…” Nancy asks slowly. “Do they know we know?”

“No?” Dustin tries, but the way his voice goes up an octave or two betrays him.

“Dustin.” The girls say in unison.

“Okay, yes, they know you know!” Dustin finally gives in, throwing his hands in the air in defeat. It’s been one long summer and he just wants this thing to be over with already.

"Wait." Robin says. "They don't know that we know they know."

OR: Steve and Eddie are trying to hide their budding relationship, but their friends keep finding out anyway. Things take a turn for the worse when their friends try to mess with them to get revenge (based on Friends s5ep14 The One Where Everyone Finds Out)

slowly learning that life is okay series (35,112 words)

Under a much different circumstance, Eddie would have loved to have Steve’s eyes looking over him like that, would love to have that determination focused on him, but Eddie is very much dying, he knows it, so he smiles at Steve’s misplaced confidence instead, “High expectations, Stevie. Where’d you learn to swing like that anyway?”

“I’ll tell you,” Steve’s voice is a bit shaky, his tone wavering, even as he puts on a brave face, “but you have to stay alive, Munson.”

If he had more strength, he’d consider testing his luck one last time, tease Steve by asking if he swings for Eddie’s team, but- he’s tired.

Dying young. What a fucking nightmare.

Or, what if the Party defeats Vecna in time, and Eddie lives?

There id a Light That Never Goes Out series (73,886 words)

It’s not even the nightmares most of the time. At this point, Steve would totally settle for some up close and personal time in his brainpan with the Upside Down if it meant he could actually fucking sleep.

Crimson and Clover verse (20,685 words)

“There’s no immediate supernatural danger to our universe currently, not at this exact moment. I’ll be sure to let you know if there is. I’m just trying to get a little buzzed and have a good night, okay? Not everyone has to be perpetually horny all the time.” “It’s like I don’t even know you anymore!” Robin says, mock-hurt.

Or, Steve has a bisexual identity crisis and Eddie just wants to make him feel good.

or or or I saw a post about Eddie having a black hankie in his back pocket which in gay hankie code in the eighties meant that you were into S&M.

don’t ruin this on me (2,298 words)

Steve had always loved making his partners feel good. Watching people cum just from his mouth, their legs clamped around his ears–it was his favourite thing.

Or it was, before Eddie Munson ruined it for him. Ruined him..

(Or: Eddie sets out to Destroy Steve in the best way.)

Seems to Satisfy (5,348 words)

“I can’t like… get hard. At all. Since, uhhh -” he trailed off awkwardly.

There was silence, for a second. Steve’s fingers dug into his thighs.

“You… what?” said Eddie, finally.

love is like ghosts (7,780 words)

They stand at the base of a short flight of stairs leading up to the old university library. From everything Steve’s read, it’s one of the most haunted places in Indiana… within a tank of gas’ drive… that would let them in after hours.

“It’s the witching hour,” Eddie says spookily. He’s come up behind Steve, pressing close and wiggling his fingers on Steve’s shoulders.

Steve huffs a laugh and starts double checking his pockets for his share of the gear. Something to focus on that’s not the way Eddie’s breath ruffles his hair and skims over his cheek, raising goosebumps in its wake.

It’s not like he doesn’t like the attention, the closeness, the physicality of Eddie. He does. Probably too much. Especially since they’re just friends. Steve knows he’s not special to be on the receiving end, it’s how Eddie is with everyone.

the lathe (82,547 words)

"This time, do it right. This time Eddie won’t bleed out in his arms, in anyone’s arms. This time, Steve will do it right."

— or, steve relives the day they try to kill vecna over and over, and eddie just can't seem to stop dying. steve finds this totally unacceptable.

flight risk (81,321 words)

Eddie Munson is famous for giving his bodyguards the slip. Enter Steve Harrington. Has this bratty rock star finally met a babysitter that can keep up with him?

Rock My World (23,160 words)

After a lot of nagging from Dustin, Steve agrees to take him to see Eddie’s band, Corroded Coffin, play at the Hideout. He finds himself focused on more than just the music…

—

Or, Steve has a hell of a revelation.

In Your Eyes series (48,965 words)

It was decided then and there in the Buckley residence’s lounge, on their weird Persian carpet while staring up at the off-white ceiling and Robin giggling at his side. He was going to rock Steve Harrington’s platonic world, man. And nothing was going to get in his way.

Or... Eddie notices Steve struggles with touch and in trying to help his new friend, develops feelings along the way.

i don’t ask much (i just want you) (8,224 words)

"The fuck are you doing, Harrington?"

"Getting comfortable." Is the only response Eddie receives before Steve's head lands on his shoulder, half on his chest as he scoots up in the bed. Eddie freezes, mid air guitar solo, and frowns.

"Personal space, dude." He's so proud of his voice for not cracking when he says it, "Heard of it?"

Steve snorts and takes a puff, smoke clouding around his mouth before he blows it away, lips pursed in the air. "Don't think you're one to talk about personal space but I'll move if you want."

the affliction of the feelings (27,203 words)

“Hold on,” Robin interrupts. “Hold on, is this— are you, like. Do you know what masochism is?”

“I know I act like it sometimes, Robin, but I’m not actually fucking twelve,” Steve says.

OR: Eddie has a black hanky in his back pocket.

Steve and Eddie: Alternative ‘First’ meeting (read here on tumblr)

The Shire is NOT on Fire (54,148 words)

The kids convince Steve to take them all to a Renaissance Faire and LARP event. Steve has more fun than he admits. And then Steve has a LOT more fun than he admits.

November Paramedic (read here on tumblr) or on ao3 (25,662 words)

Eddie has had his fair share of fantasies, but none of them involved fucking a paramedic.

Until two years ago.

That's when the "sexy men at work"-calendar got added to his porn stash and orgasms as he knew them changed forever. All the men in the calendar are hot, but none of them hold a candle to the paramedic. He's got this look in his eyes, this slant to his mouth. Like he knows he's the hottest guy in it.

And everything is fine. Everything is great. Eddie's been single forever and he has no idea where he's headed in life, but he's fine.

At least until he's collateral damage in a bar fight after a gig, and none other than his sexy November-paramedic arrives to treat his wounds.

[steddieunderdogfics]

samson by stellarpoint (pettifogger)

Rating: Teen and Up

2,547 words, 1/1 chapters

Archive Warning: No Warnings

Tags: Established Relationship, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Future Fic, Steve Harrington-centric, Steve Harrington Needs a Hug, Haircuts, cutting hair as a love language, Misquoting the Bible (Abrahamic Religions), Sleepy Kisses, Domestic Boyfriends, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Identity Issues, Period-Typical Homophobia

Summary: Years after defeating Vecna and leaving Hawkins behind, Steve Harrington sees a once-familiar face at the grocery store. Confronting ghosts from his past makes him realize it’s time to let some things go. Or: Steve is becoming someone new, and the first step is letting Eddie cut his hair.

This is a MOD rec as a part of our Fic Fridays.

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

[steddie-fanfic-recs]

samson

by stellarpoint (pettifogger)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationship: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Tommy Hagan Additional Tags: Established Relationship, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Future Fic, Steve Harrington-centric, Steve Harrington Needs a Hug, Haircuts, cutting hair as a love language, Misquoting the Bible (Abrahamic Religions), Sleepy Kisses, Domestic Boyfriends, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Identity Issues, Period-Typical Homophobia Words: 2,547 Chapters: 1/1

Summary

Years after defeating Vecna and leaving Hawkins behind, Steve Harrington sees a once-familiar face at the grocery store. Confronting ghosts from his past makes him realize it’s time to let some things go. Or: Steve is becoming someone new, and the first step is letting Eddie cut his hair.

[sky-neverending]

hey steddie fans! looking for something to read? (probably not, but its worth a try)

here's a list of some of my favorite steddie works I've done (as well as a few others that are Byler and Ronance)

STEDDIE:

How To Keep Your Head Above Water When You Want To Sink | wip, rated M, currently 24,391 words and 9 chapters, please check the tws!! summary: 5 months after Vecna is defeated, Steve Harrington is still not dealing with it well. Falling into a crippling depression and alcohol abuse, he mindlessly turns to the last person he expected for comfort: Eddie Munson

Ink | completed, oneshot, 1,838 words, rated G, summary: When Steve sees Eddies new tattoo, he asks for one of his own.

Break My Heart (tear it in two) | completed, 2/2 chapters, 300,2 words, rated T, summary: Everyone seems to know Eddie and Steve are dating except Eddie. He fucks up royally.

Dying By Your Side (such a pretty way to go) | Complete, Ficlet, 504 words, non-graphic MCD, rated T, summary: Eddie and Steve spend their final moments on the dirty Upside Down floor, and Eddie doesn’t take his last breath without saying a few things first.

OTHER:

Finding Yourself | Complete, Oneshot, Byler and Steve & Mike, rating T, 864 words, summary: Mike Wheeler is pretty sure he's bisexual. He's also even more sure he likes Will Byers. So. with the help of Steve, what is he going to do about it?

Let's Live (so I can kiss you again) | Complete, oneshot/ficlet, 750 words, rated T, paring: Ronance, summary: Nancy and Robin find themselves trapped alone together in the Upside Down, and while Robin wants to give up, Nancy is determined to make it out alive.

[be-steddie-myheart]

secret relationship steddie hiding from the party until they slowly find out one by one

~~okay i havent written anything in a while so im sorry if this isnt that good but here ya go!~~

Steve fell for Eddie pretty fast after Vecna was taken care of. After him, Dustin and the girls dragged his bloodied and broken body out of the upside down, Steve started visiting Eddie in the hospital. Not sure what the tight feeling in his chest was, or why he was pleading, begging, for him to wake up and look at Steve. When that day finally came Steve felt like he could kiss Eddie! Eddie was alive, Eddie was going to be okay, Eddie helped defeat Vecna. A few months after Eddie woke up, and him and Steve got closer, he finally did kiss him, and Eddie kissed him back.

It’s nearing the end of the Summer of ‘86 and Steve and Eddie have been in a peaceful, blissful little bubble of secret romance. To the party, they’re just bros being bros, but to themselves in the cover of nightfall or eddies cozy trailer or Steves big empty house theyre boyfriends. Boyfriends. Steve still couldnt wrap his head around it, but knowing that the sweet little kisses peppered all around his face and the strong arms cuddling him from behind were all his to cherish made it absolutely okay that no one suspected a thing. That is until their shared little shitbird child, Dustin, started asking too many questions.

It started off innocent enough, Dustin bursting through the doors of Family Video, “STEVE! I need a ride to the arcade tomorrow, im GOING TO beat Maxs’ high score on dig dug, i can feel it.”

“Sorry bud but i am busy busy tomorrow, I have a shift here, and then I have to take my car to the mechanic, its making an awful clicking sound, and then ive got a doct..”

“Jesus okay, a simple no would have sufficed”

“It really wouldnt have.” Steve said, sarcastically.

Dustins whole face lit up as he said, “thats okay ill just ask Eddie!” before turning heel and running to the door, Steve swearing he saw a cloud of dust following him he went so fast.

“Youre busy too?! What the hell man?! Whats the point of having two older friends with cars if i cant get rides from them?!” Dustin yelled a little too loud in Eddies little trailer.

“Sorry dude, ive gotta help Wayne out around the house, probably gonna take all day and night.” Eddie said with a smile forming on his face. Tomorrow, Steve had told Eddie to keep the whole entire 24 hours free, as he planned something cheesy, romantic and that would probably make Eddies heart swell a million times bigger.

“Ugh! whatever ill just ride my bike!” Dustin exclaimed.

“Its good to exercise!” Eddie called out the door as Dustin stomped off.

Mike and Dustin were sitting in the basement at Mikes house complaining about having no ride to the arcade the next day.

“Have you noticed how Steve and Eddie are always busy at the same time lately? Do you think theyre hanging out together without us?” Mike asks.

“Yeah you know, now that you say something it does seem like that. They didnt even know each other before us! You’d think they would be more grateful!” Dustin exclaims.

“Eddie, baby, come on in.” Steve smiles as he opens the door to his house. Once Eddie is inside it doesnt feel so empty. So cold.

“So what do you have planned for us, sweetheart?” Eddie asks, voice low, clearly excited to get the plans in action.

“Well i figured we could do some barbecuing together, skinny dip in the pool, watch the sunset and then lay under the stars,” Steve takes Eddies hand and leads him into the living room to the couch, “but right now i just really need to kiss you.” Steve spins Eddie around and gently pushes him onto the couch before crawling into his lap and planting his knees firmly on either side of Eddies waist. Steves arms drape over Eddies shoulder as their lips connect. Steve flicks his tongue out trace Eddies pouty bottom lip and Eddie opens his mouth to let Steve in. The kiss is passionate and hot and heavy and pretty soon both boys are frantically tearing at each others clothes. They try to get Steves shorts off without him having to give up his seat on Eddies lap and bump heads, giggling, as they get back into exploring each others mouths like its the first time again.

“I knew Eddie was going to be here! I knew they were hanging out without us, those jerks.” Dustin says as he hops off his bike and lets it fall into Steves front yard, Mike coming up right behind him. “Im catching them in the act of having fun without us.” He said smugly as he bursts through the front door. “Aha! Assho- OH MY GOD!”

Steve startles and jumps off of eddies lap, hiding himself behind the couch while Eddie grabs a pillow and covers his lap.

“What the actual fuck Henderson?!” Eddie exclaims. Mike walks in at that moment.

“Oh dude were you guys kissing?! Gross youre like my parents.” He said with a disgusted groan.

“Are you guys dating?” Dustin asks at the same time.

Steve holds his finger towards the boys, “First of all, its not gross because we literally are not your parents and second of all,” he looks down at Eddie, who is already looking up at him, giving him the go ahead with his eyes, “yes we are dating. But please dont tell anyone else, its still kinda new and we dont want a bunch of people knowing.”

Steve makes Dustin and Mike pinky swear they wont tell anyone what they saw. They also get a ride to the arcade by a grumpy Steve Harrington and a giggly Eddie Munson.

Two days later, at Eddies trailer, Steve is preparing breakfast for the two after a lovely night spent together.

“Kiss the chef, eh? Dont mind if i do.” Eddie giggles and gives Steve a chaste little kiss on the lips, “smells delicious sweetheart, I cant wait to eat.”

Steve smiles at the compliment and now he cant wait for Eddie to try what hes making.

The bext trailer over, El rips the blindfold down from her eyes as they almost bulge out of her skull.

“What?! Was Steve with a girl?!” Max asks frantically, the makeshift spin board with everyones names on it between them.

“No, Steve is at Eddies house and he is kissing him and making him breakfast” El says with a hint of surprise in her voice.

“No way.” Max gets up and goes to leave her trailer with El following closely behind her. They dont even knock on Eddies door, they just slam it open as Steve and Eddie jump apart from each other.

“What the hell is up with you twerps and not fucking knocking on doors?!” Steve yells.

“El saw you guys kissing so we had to come over and see if if it was really happening. Gross by the way.” Max said.

“Maybe dont spy on people if you dont want to be grossed out” Eddie laughed.

Lucas and Will found out the next day because Lucas wanted to get some basketball tips from Steve and Will tagged along because, come on, its Steve Harrington, who doesnt wanna look at that. After the boys apologized for the precarious situation they were found in, Will stayed behind after Lucas started to leave.

“Im really happy for you guys” Will spoke softly.

Eddie ruffles his hair, “thanks baby Byers, anytime you wanna talk you know you can come to us” Will thanked him and left before Lucas got curious as to why he wasnt following.

Robin and Nancy walked in on a hot and heavy makeout sesh at a party at the Hoppers-Byers household.

“Im surprised but im happy for you guys! you seem to fit well together” Nancy smiled after the inital awkwardness was over. She looked expectedly at Robin.

“Oh yeah i totally did not, didnt know you guys were together. What a complete shock but im- im happy for you” Robin spit out quick, knowing she was the only one who knew because she helped Steve through his bi-panic when we he realized he wanted to kiss Eddie.

At that same party, Steve and Eddie were interrupted again by a very high Argyle and Jonathon.

“You guys are cute. Know where we can go make-out?” Argyle asked while Jonathon blushed.

[jadeylovesmarvelxo]

Magic in the air

I have a good one. Y/n is a witch. A very powerful and scary witch however, her two golden retriever boyfriends don’t think so. Eddie loves to talk her head off and show her his music collection (which she adores and won’t trade for the world) and he clings to her when the go out to the store(because people still want him dead) and she gives off the ‘scary girlfriend’ vibe. Steve just loves to cuddle with her and give her kisses when he can. He loves to tell her stories about the upside down(they won and the upside down doesn’t exist anymore) and she will sit and listen to him talk all day. When they get ready for dinner, Eddie is clinging to her arm and Steve is curled into her side. Y/n just loves her boys.

Request by @wonderinghawkinsindiana

Warnings; Fluff, tiny bits of angst.

💞

Yn had been living in Hawkins for a year now and to the residents of the town, she was very mysterious.

Two guys though had fallen head over heels ok love with her. Eddie and Steve had been in a relationship for three months when they met yn and the three of them fell in love.

It was the first time the three of them had been in a poly relationship but they were such a natural fit that everything felt completely right.

Like the three of them were always meant to be together.

A lot of people didn't know that yn was a very powerful and sometimes very scary witch, not that Eddie or Steve ever thought she was scary.

Eddie loved chatting to her about his music collection and was fascinated by her spellcasting. Steve loved to talk for hours about his and Eddie's adventures in the Upside Down.

Vecna had been defeated and The Upside Down had been closed for a long time.

It's a little chilly out today so she suggests going to the store to make some soup. Eddie always got a little nervous about going out because once in a while someone would notice him and think he was still the murderer in the case of Chrissy, Jordan and the others during Vecna's reign.

Some wanted him dead and yn would glare at them protecting her love and they would soon run off.

She was scary when anybody threatened those she loved, especially her boys.

Once they had the ingredients for the soup they headed back home and she began to make dinner.

Magic helped her with cutting up the veggies and measuring the right ingredients, etc.

Eddie and Steve watched her fascinated and loved when she did spells in front of them.

"Can you do the one where you magic flowers?" Steve asks shyly and she obliges conjuring Roses, Sunflowers, Gerberas and Peonies.

Eddie grins as he wraps his arms around Steve.

"Princess, can you do the spell you did last night in bed?" Eddie asks mischievously, grinning she kisses them both and nods.

"Later, my loves later" she teases and once they are settled up on the sofa and after dinner they are all very content.

Eddie is a little clingy but she doesn't mind and strokes his hair as he cuddles up on her chest.

"Hey! Steve pouts. I want cuddles" he curls up at her side and settles on her stomach.

After a little while, her boys fall asleep and she dims the lights with a flick of her hand and lights the candles she has around the room and decides to nap too.

A little nap will refresh her and her loves will certainly need all their energy for what she has planned for them later.

Smirking and feeling a sense of anticipation she falls asleep.

💞💫