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cocrante · 8 months

Note

12 ♡

Hi anon ʕ•ᴥ•ʔﾉ♡

Thank you for choosing draft number 12 :3

#12 The Hero's Ring

note: is the first time I try to write a steddie ahah I hope my first attempt is appreciated. It's also the first time I've used Dungeons and Dragons as a theme, I hope I've done my best ⤷ currently this oneshot is not in my ao3 list, but it will be as soon as I've finished the other twelve oneshots

THE clock was about to strike eleven. They had been sitting around that table playing, shouting and rejoicing at every roll of the dice and cursing when their rolls went awry for a good eight hours. They had made quite a few mistakes that evening: luck was clearly not on their side. Too many times, they found themselves lost in the dense thickets of thorns and brambles, so sharp they tore through their flesh. Too many times, they got lost in the Valley of Mists, having to start over and retrace their steps multiple times. It was madness to reach that castle, it was madness to try to save the enchanted village from the forces of evil.

But with a bit of luck and many failed attempts, they managed to arrive near a dilapidated house where an old man with one eye lived. The man welcomed them, offering water and a crust of bread, while he warmed up some coffee, and he told the legend that surrounded the Castle of Shadows they were seeking. «No one has ever returned» the old man said with a melancholic voice «But no one had this» then he pulled out a golden medallion from his dirty shirt. It didn't look special until the old man spoke again. «This is an ancient permit that the defeated king handed over to me. He told me: “it will come a time when you will know how to make good use of it” and I believe that time has now arrived" with a toothless smile, the old man handed the magical object to the adventurers. «When in doubt, clutch the medallion, it will lead you where you need to go».

The four thanked the old man and resumed their journey, unaware that the house they had rested in had vanished behind them. But the old man was right about the medallion. Holding it tightly, they managed to pinpoint the path that separated them from the mysterious castle, ready now to enter and put an end to the cruel reign of the Damned King.

"We're almost there guys, stay focused" Dustin announced with tension in his voice as they arrived at the gates of the Damned King's castle, shrouded in thick fog that concealed the bones and deformed bodies of heroes who had tried to cross the threshold before them. "The castle gates creak open ominously" spoke the dungeon master with their customary veil of mystery. "Our heroes enter the dark corridor, with only the pale moonlight illuminating the path for our intrepid travelers".

They had reached the end, but everyone was holding their breath. The castle corridors were empty, unusual, the four adventurers whispered to each other. They had faced all sorts of dangers during their journey.

The cautious heroes reached the throne room, where they were supposed to find the Damned King and defeat him. However, the room was empty, dark and menacing. "Guys, I don't like this" Dustin whimpered. "Why isn't the king here?" he began to tap his fingers loudly on the table, and it was then that Eddie, with a laugh, announced it was a trap. "The exits are sealed" he clapped his hands loudly on the table, simulating the sound of doors being closed forcefully. "From the ground, a dark cloud rises, enveloping all of you and dragging you into the true realm of the Damned King" and with a dramatic gesture, he placed the figurine representing the king above the four adventurers. "Damn" one of Eddie's friends exclaimed, looking at him darkly for that twist, but Eddie chuckled. "So, what will you do?" the boy encouraged, observing them with curiosity, elbows propped on the table and chin resting on intertwined hands. He looked at each of them, but he fixed his gaze more intensely on one of them in particular. He had promised him the best game for his debut evening, and this, yes sir, was the best adventure he had ever thought of, written and directed. "We have few moves" Eddie's friend reminded them. "We're injured, tired and that crust of bread didn't sustain us enough" he continued. "If I may, I can cast a protective shield for you, it should give you enough time to inflict him with significant damage. What do you think?" the other players looked at each other, Steve hadn't spoken much that evening; it was his first time officially venturing into the game.

He had more or less understood the rules, spending a lot of time with Eddie, even though they had sometimes dedicated that time to other things... but Steve was determined to figure out how all that stuff worked. He had had it explained to him countless times, and he had managed to grasp something.

"Assuming it doesn't work" Steve spoke up. "What are our other alternatives?"

The other players tried to avoid giving him malicious looks, but his seemingly obtuse questions made things less straightforward.

"Steve" Dustin intervened, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You shouldn't say things like that in a delicate moment like this" the boy looked confused and lost, casting a pleading look at Eddie, who was struggling to hold back a laugh behind his fingers.

"But anyway" Dustin continued. "There's a remote chance that this might not work. Luck is not on our side tonight and the darkness is stronger than ever. So, our only hope lies in the Sword of Light we recovered from the Bone Cavern. But it's a risky move, nearly impossible. We have to hope for an even roll and receive the shield" he concluded the explanation, giving permission to roll the dice, which spun and twirled on the table, leaving everyone breathless, their eyes fixed on those moving cubes.

"Bad news, my brave ones, it's an odd number" Eddie announced with an amused smile. "We're screwed" Dustin sighed, slumping back in his chair.

"Guys, guys, it's okay" Steve tried to boost morale. "The game isn't over yet, we have one last move before the king takes over the entire world. We can do it! Remember what the old man said? When tough times come, we clutch the medallion and it will lead us to safety. We can still make it, I believe in us" he didn't think he could give such a motivational speech, but there he was, the beloved Steve Harrington talking about D&D and trying to uplift his team of players. Everything would be okay.

"You need to roll triple zero, man" except the team's mood was now below zero.

"The medallion lost its power the moment we entered the castle" the other player reminded him. Steve blushed, but Dustin gave him a pat on the back to bring him back. "You can do it" he handed Steve the dice. Steve let out a heavy sigh, shaking the dice vigorously in his hands, thinking he had to roll triple zero. It had to come out now. The dice spun on the table, everyone watching with anxiety and anticipation. One die showed a zero, making everyone's throats go dry. The second die trembled a bit before coming to a stop.The players stared at each other, no one spoke. Suddenly, silence descended upon the walls that had been filled with shouts and cheers, but at that moment, everything fell quiet. Then a burst of joyful screams filled the room as the boys jumped to their feet, embracing each other, jumping around, happy and enthusiastic because on that table, before the astonishment and incredulity of all, there was a triple zero. Our brave heroes had won.

"We've won!" Steve shouted, incredulous, unable to believe that he, too, was celebrating the game that had seemed absurd and ridiculous to him just a few months ago. Was this the adrenaline that Eddie had explained to him? It was incredible, he felt inexplicably euphoric.

"My gentlemen" Eddie called them back, pleased with their success, but the story wasn't over yet. "Please, have a seat" he invited them to take their places, looking at each other with anxiety and suspicion. The king had been defeated, there shouldn't have been any more surprises. But after all those hours spent wandering through treacherous enchanted and cursed valleys, they weren't sure of anything anymore.

Eddie cleared his throat, continuing his monologue. "The Sword of Light pierces the thick fog of terror that had surrounded our heroes, bringing the warmth of hope to that deserted and dark realm. The Damned King dissolves into a gray cloud of vapor, carrying away all the darkness that had been ravaging the valley. The kingdom is now safe" the game concluded with applause from the dungeon master.

The boys looked at each other once again, dazed but euphoric. The game had finally ended: the heroes had won and the village from which everything had begun was saved. Our heroes could happily return home.

The friends bid their farewells, chatting until their voices dispersed into the street, still talking about their magical adventure. Only two remained in the house, Steve staying a bit longer to help tidy up, but not just that. It wasn't easy for them to be alone, without someone interrupting their occasional flirting, they had to seize every good opportunity to play the role of lovers.

"Not bad for your official debut, Harrington" Eddie teasingly remarked as he was putting the game and figurines back into the box. "I had a good teacher" Steve replied slyly, helping clean the table from snack crumbs.

"Really" Eddie purred, approaching like a cat, lightly running his fingers over the table until he was in front of his partner. "In that case, I should give you a reward for your remarkable learning ability" he said playfully and suggestively, caressing Steve's hips with a grin and locking eyes with him, with the sole intention of making his boyfriend blush.

"Oh yeah?" Steve smiled, willingly playing along, feeling a jolt where Eddie was touching him. "Don't get your hopes up, big boy" Eddie laughed, lowering his hands from Steve's hips, brushing his lips with a kiss before stepping back to retrieve a small box he had hidden on a shelf.

"It's just a little something" he announced cheerfully, holding the box and returning to his man, who watched him with a mix of curiosity and anticipation. "I thought it was the perfect gift to give to the perfect guy after an engaging and, dare I say, magnificently orchestrated, D&D game" he then took a ring out of the box, sliding it onto his lover's finger. It wasn't flashy at all, just a simple silver ring with a maple wood core running through the middle, delicately engraved with symbols on the shining metal.

Steve couldn't stop staring at it, his heart was racing. "For the hero who saved the realm from darkness, may this ring always bring you back to me" Eddie kissed the tips of his fingers, hoping deep down he wasn't overdoing it, but this was who he was, and this was how he felt. They had been together for so long now, they had done much more than he thought he would do with another man, and he believed it was time to make it all official, even though in their hearts, it already was.

"Steve?" Eddie called out, smiling nervously because since he had given him the ring, Steve hadn't said a word. But when he heard his name, the boy raised his head, looking into his lover's worried eyes.

"I—I don't know what to say" he reply hesitantly, feeling embarrassed. In that moment, Eddie blushed, maybe he had gone overboard and made him uncomfortable. They should have talked about this together before doing all of this.

"If it's too soon, you can—"

"No." Steve interrupted, gazing at the ring and carefully turning it with the fingers of his other hand. "I like it" he smiled. Everything was so strange, their whole story was actually strange, yet he felt an inexplicable warmth in the company of this peculiar man who made his world easier to face. "It's perfect" it was absolutely the perfect gift from the perfect guy.

Those words reassured Eddie's heart, making him feel calmer, knowing that Steve had accepted his gift. Everything in that room had suddenly become quieter, the two slightly embarrassed by the recent event. It was all real, it was truly official.

At that moment, Steve approached Eddie, wrapping his arms around his neck to bring him as close as possible. "You know, Eddie Munson” he whispered close to his lips. "I think I love you" he chuckled between his lips, gazing lovingly into his lover eyes.

"Well, Steve Harrington" Eddie replied, holding him tight. "I think I love you too" he smiled, resting his forehead against his boyfriend's, staying embraced and cuddled for a while.

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