#hidden gem friday

[withacapitalp]

Hidden Gem Friday

DID I FORGET ITS FRIDAY??? YEAH BUT MY LITTLE SISTER IS HERE SO UHHHHH Hey it's here!!! As always still taking prompts for this!!! The way I'm gonna do these now I think is the first rec above the read more and then the rest below! Hope you guys like that haha

In Eddie's Honour by literaldisneyprincess aka the amazing @maxinemaxmayfield !!!! Recced by me bc this fic is literally a treasure 5.8k- Steddie (Complete)

Summary:

Without thinking, he reaches down and slides his fingers over the indent made by the pen. Eddie must have pressed down harder than necessary, leaving a tactile mark as well as the visual one.  Steve’s hit by the realisation that Eddie will never write his name again. Never write or draw, or even hold a pen again. Ever.  For the first time in two weeks, he stops. He looks around his room, feeling lost, feeling alone and so achingly, horribly empty. - - - Steve struggles with the grief left behind after Eddie's death and how he can move past it without forgetting.

My Thoughts:

I WROTE AN ENTIRE THREE PARAGRAPH THOUGHTS AND THEN TUMBLR DELETED IT NAYHHH. Okay I'm going to try and recreate it. The thing that always gets me about Morgan's writing is the level of detail. It's not just writing like it becomes a whole experience? the font and the notebook page and all these little add ons that just sink you so deep into the story!!! My favorite scene has to be the tattoo scene I remember Morgan talking about this one with us and workshopping it and watching this story come to fruition was such an utter joy. it's on my short list of fics to read when I need a good grief moment haha

I'll feel the sickness less and less by softshr3k Recced by an anon 3.6k (Complete) - Platonic Stobin

Summary:

“What did they do to you?” she finally asks, her voice a whisper. Steve shuts his eyes, breathing in slowly. Everybody seems to want to ask him questions he doesn’t have the right answers to lately. “It doesn’t matter. I’m fine, it’s over.” When he opens his eyes again he can tell she doesn’t believe him, but she doesn’t ask again. Steve thinks he might love her for it. (or, the immediate aftermath of Starcourt, because Steve and Robin are traumatized and also platonic soulmates)

My thoughts:

Okay so I wrote a fic really similar to this one because I NEEDED more of early Stobin, and damn if this didn't hit that niche so perfectly!!!! Like ough I just Robin and Steve have such a lovely really complicated relationship. Both of them have no idea how love works, but they do love each other and it's real OMG I loveeeeeee they're so good! I also love the characterizations here. Steve and Robin still figuring out how this deep confusing real thing between them works ough I love them

staring into all man's plateglass, faces, questioning after who loves by TolkienGirl 1.2k Gen pre-Stoncy being friends (Complete) recced by me

Summary:

Jonathan quirks half a smile in her direction. “Do you want to be right, or do you want me to have lunch with you?” “Both,” Nancy says.

My Thoughts:

This one is like ough a Hershey kiss!! It's short and so so perfect. I love Jonathan POV stuff and this has such a good take on him and how he would feel barely knowing Steve but really wanting to know Nancy and having these emotions for her There's this amazing line in here about Jonathan 'seeing' Steve by being the empty house behind him in the photograph. How Steve is so desperate and hollow, but Jonathan because he's into Nancy sees that and sees it as a flaw of Steve instead of having sympathy for that and it's so OGUH it's amazing

I was open to pain and crossed by the rain by sparklyslug recced by @serpentinegraphite AND @daisiescorduroyandcoffee 20k (COMPLETE)- Gen Wayne and Eddie

Summary:

Little Eddie is born, and Wayne isn't there. Eddie is four. Is eight. Is thirteen. Is eighteen. Is twenty. And his uncle is there. His uncle is right there.

My Thoughts:

I LOVE A WAYNE AND EDDIE FIC AGH! Okay the Munson Lore!!! I love how every writer was like yeah yk what I must include some backstory here for Wayne and Eddie and we are all right LMAO god the scene with Eddie's shaved head it HURTS me like genuinely the way Wayne asks if its what he wants and its so good. IT's hard to explain like there's so so much going on in this fic and it's longer but it's this really well crafted one shot with hints I also adore the way Steve and Wayne develop a relationship here it's not a focus but it's always one of my fave thigns to see in fics!!!! Anyway it's great

[withacapitalp]

Hidden Gem Friday

We're back on Hidden Gem Friday lads! How is it Friday again :OOOOO As always I'm still taking recs for these! You can even send them anonymously if you like (That's how I got one o them today!!)

Someone's a Cuddler by not_a_smooth_man recced to me by the author on anon! 6.7k words (COMPLETE) Steddie- Eddie Centric

Summary:

That morning, though, Eddie came to following what was truly a deep, dreamless sleep. He was cocooned by a warmth that was lulling him into a wakeful state. As he regained consciousness, he began to realize that his left arm was numb, trapped under something warm and heavy. He also noticed that his head was perched on said heavy thing, rising and falling gently. That was the moment Eddie finally realized that he was cuddling Steve’s chest. And oh, not just Steve’s chest, but his bare chest. He had wrapped his arms entirely around him, their legs tangling under the thick comforter. Steve’s body must have responded in their sleep because his arms were draped over Eddie’s form. And because it was just his luck, it seemed that Steve was waking up too. “Mmh,” grunted Steve. He yawned. “Morning,” he said, muffled by Eddie’s hair. “Um.” Eddie said intelligently. Eddie felt Steve chuckle, his chest vibrating with the sound. “Someone’s a cuddler,” Steve said, a hint of teasing in his voice, still heavy with sleep. - Or, Eddie Munson is in love with Steve and accidentally cuddles with him.

My Thoughts:

Okay I really enjoyed this one! It has so much sentiment in it but it isn't saccharine? And I feel like this could have very easily gotten very cheesy but not in the good way. I love cheese, but some cheese is a no. I'm digressing but yes this just felt very nice when you're reading it. It's a trope I've seen used a lot, but I'm never disappointed to read it again, and this is a super cute version of it. I love that you sent it to me dear author!!! Techhhhnically it's not exactly a Hidden Gem because it was only published a few days ago, BUT the author asked me if I could tell people about their fic, so since it's under 2k I thought I would put it in here

A Life For Every Year (And One For After) by Kedreeva recced by me but initially shown to me by @horsegirleddiemunson! 4.7k words (Complete) Generic with Steve & Jonathan at core

Summary:

Steve meets her when he is nine years old. She is skin and bones, and fits in the cup of his hands like a tiny, furry tennis ball and her purr rattles against the skin of his palms. ---- Or, the one where baby Steve adopts the same stray kitten as baby Jonathan.

My Thoughts:

Ough THIS FIC. Okay first off I'll just say I LOVE when people take advantage of canon location settings and the fact that Steve and Jonathan lived in the same woods (and probably ran into those woods to escape from their terrible houses a lot if Castle Byers is any indication) is soooooooo yes The way this is written is so. It just feels good. Like so much of it is heartbreaking (the dog, the moment with Steve explaining why he got Daisy spayed, the Max and Daisy) but it's so heartwarming too. I just really enjoyed reading it, and I loved the reread. It has less than 500 hits and that's simply incomprehensible to me

This Is Why I Need You by beestlesandstars recced by me 3k words (Complete) Stobin Platonic Background Steddie

Summary:

It’s three AM and Robin is trying to remember how Steve liked his coffee.

My Thoughts:

Okay so I have not read this elusive glasses fic that apparently everyone has based fics off of, but I have read this one and it hurt me sm. I've written about one of the duo dying but Robin and not Steve, so seeing it flipped is OUCH. It just gives you that weird hollow chest feeling right before tears? Augh anyway painful but I love it . V V V Good and a super short read because you just flow with it

It's a Date by FeatherForARose aka @steddiealltheway also recced by me 2.7k (Complete)- Steddie w some side Stobin

Summary:

Everyone knows that Eddie is into Steve. It's common knowledge like saying the sky is blue. Only Steve is hesitant to believe it, but when he finally makes a move, it does not go as planned.

My Thoughts:

Omg I read this on Tumblr so long ago and then I found it on ao3 and died reading it all over again. I love common tropes, but I ADORE when writers subvert them. Eddie who didn't know he was gay? Eddie who saw his QPR in Chrissy and didn't realize it wasn't just a crush like Steve didn't realize? ITS SO Augh the recreation of the failed first attempt? Steve using anger as a shield for being upset? Okay I'm just saying plot points but seriously this fic is just such an enjoyable experience from start to finish. Also great characterization of everyone involved :DDD

does it get any easier? by vissers recced by me 5.7k (Complete) Get Dustin and Will w some Dustin and Mike and Dustin and Max

Summary:

“It’s nothing special, just—“ Will began, fighting against the smile that was brewing on his face. He paused, biting down on his lip and squeezing his eyes shut for just a second. “God, this is really embarrassing. We’ve been talking about this dumb crush I have. Among other things, obviously, but… yeah.” If the world hadn’t already been rocked by that giant fucking ‘earthquake’, the prospect of Will Byers having a crush would have had the same effect. Dustin was sure of it. --- Dustin and Will talk D&D, PTSD, and unfortunate crushes.  (part two of will coming out to the party)

My Thoughts:

Oh my goddddddd. YOU GUYS KNOW I love my boys but damn if party centric fics don't just get me right in my heart. This one is so well done with the characters. They feel like themselves, they joke, they get annoyed, and this is a really good Dustin Centric. It deals with his PTSD about Eddie, and there's all these little details thrown in that are clearly put there with such care but only make the story more intricate. It's so well written, and I love Will here and I just. Yeah read this read it nowwww

[withacapitalp]

Hidden Gem Friday

Another Friday, more hidden gems! Most of these are my reccs I think, just because I didn't do a lot of looking at my list this week (It was a time)

As always, I'm taking more reccs for this!! It's really fun to see fics get a second lift!

Thirteen by towardthesun recced by me (haha my own fic) written for @thefreakandthehair 2.7k (Complete)- Gen focus on Eddie and Wayne

Summary:

Eddie had never exactly had the best track record with birthdays. If he was lucky, his mom would get him a cheap toy car, or a lollipop that she swiped from the gas station — little ways to make the day special. She tried, she really did, but that was mostly at the start. By ten, she seemed to have forgotten her son even had a birthday, too lost in the drugs to see him waiting for her to notice. But…but today was his thirteenth birthday.

My Thoughts:

My thoughts on my own fic? Well yeah I really like this one! I was sad to see that it didn't really connect to a ton of people, but it also just felt very soft when I was writing it? Plus I wrote it for one of my dearest friends, so ultimately I really like it still <333

it's christmas eve again by thatsadorable recced by me 21k (WIP)- Steddie

Eddie didn’t know why he was sharing this, he usually never shared this much about himself. But something about how this man’s eyes twinkled seemed to almost compel him. “Holidays you know? And I’m looking forward to seeing my Uncle, but so much has changed… and I got a dumb blind date to go to before I head home.” The man raised fluffy white eyebrows in reply. “Maybe it will be a good one? You never know, a date on Christmas Eve? Could be magical.” A laugh slipped past Eddie’s lips. “Magical? With a guy named Steven? I don’t think so, sorry. I really doubt it, he evidently used to babysit my Uncle’s fiancee’s kid. I mean I like the kid alright. But his old babysitter? I don’t think so.” The plane jerked to a halt and people started moving towards their carry-on bags. “Well, never laugh at fate, my boy, it might just laugh back.”  or: fate very much laughs at one Eddie Munson and he finds himself searching for some holiday magic. or: Santa was trying to set him up with Steve fucking Harrington.

My Thoughts:

God, this fic is fun!!! I loved watching this one get put together, an the final (well almost final) product is such a joy to read. There's a really cool twist in this one I won't spoil, but I have to admit I've been on the edge of my seat waiting for an update!! I really really need to know how this one endsssss

who you gonna call? by dharmainitiative recced by @andrea-csenge 65k (Complete)- Stoncy

Summary:

“Just because you can’t see a ghost doesn’t mean it isn’t real,” Robin says. “There are plenty of things we can’t see that are real.” Jonathan raises his eyebrows. “Name one.” “Uh, fucking gravity?” Steve says. “Yeah, I can drop an apple,” Jonathan deadpans. Nancy clears her throat. “Is this an important conversation, or can we get back to the ghosts now?” Or: a ghost files AU

My Thoughts:

I adore stoncy, and the way they're characterized here is so cute!!!! Augh I just love having a fic that really moves? The dialogue is quick but it hits right and the flow on this one is very enjoyable. If you're looking for a classic hidden gem, this is a perfect example

Still The One by Legitcookie recced by me 5.4k (Complete)- Steddie w heavy focus on the Party

Summary:

”Why do you have to make everything so fucking difficult, Eddie?” Max's eyes widened, hand stopping just before making contact with the closed door to Steve and Eddie's apartment. ”Oh, I'm so sorry, your highness. Please keep telling me the same thing over and over again. I can't wait to hear if you put a new spin on it!” “Quit the bullshit, I wouldn't have to keep telling you if you did it this century.” This was not what Max had been expecting when she drove over that morning. She expected to knock on the door, be greeted by two lovesick buffoons that had recently moved in together, and grab the Dungeons & Dragons book Mike had left there. Apparently having a car made everyone think they could ask for favors. Well after this lovely start to the morning, that wasn't going to happen again any time soon. She should leave. She definitely shouldn't press her ear to the door to hear better. ~Or, Max overhears an argument thinking a breakup is imminent and gets The Party to help

My Thoughts:

I loooooooove the party. I ovethepartyIlovethepartyIlovetheparty. This is the best way to write them. They're so meddling and they love everyone so much and they care! so! god! damn! much! Even if they're going about it in the wrong way. Steve and Eddie are also so so cute here but this one is really being recced for the party relationship here!!

[withacapitalp]

Hidden Gem Friday

Hey guys! It's time for our second Hidden Gem Friday. If you don't already know the drill, here's how it works. You guys send me fics you like that have less than 2k hits on ao3 or less than 200 notes here on Tumblr, and I read them and put them out as reccs on Fridays. I also like to add in my own reccs, because there's some stuff I've read that just really needs more engagement. I really like doing this, but I have a few asks. If you read these fics, please leave a comment! Comments are the lifeblood of keeping authors invested in writing for a lot of us, and it makes us feel super happy to know people enjoyed the fics. Secondly, if you comment, let the author know where you got it from! I always love to hear I was added to a recc list. Okay Reccs under read more as always. If you want to see the others look at the tag #Hidden Gem Friday

Still So Much To Learn by BonitaBreezy recced by me. @bonitabreezy on here! 4k words (Complete)- Steddie

Summary:

Steve Harrington knows he’s stupid. Everyone has made that very clear to him. But sometimes it hurts to hear, especially from the people you love.

My Thoughts:

Ough you guysssss. Okay so I watched this being written, and I got it in bits and pieces slowly over the course of four(? maybe five) hours. It was so fucking intenseeeeeeee. This fic is really well written, and it deals with one of my favorite headcanons, and I really like that it didn't pull the usual route of 'Eddie is the only one who never calls him stupid'. I love that sm but like this is so much more realistic? These kinds of miscommunications happen allllllll the time, and we do things and say things we don't mean, and I just yeah everyone should read this one!!!!!

Go At Your Own Pace by Cardigains recced by @andrea-csenge 17k words (Complete)- Gen El focused

Summary:

“Write down three things,” Hopper says, ducking his head to catch her eye. “Three things you want to make happen this year, and we’ll do everything in our power to help you. How about that?” or New place, new school, not new but new-together parents—after last year, El is more than happy to let the world pass her by from the safety inside of their home, but her friends and family have different ideas. How they work to prove to El she is not alone and can succeed at anything she sets her mind to.

My Thoughts

This one is really really good. It's canon to season four ending, and I didn't even have time to doubt, because this El is so good. This is an El who is past the traumatic events, but still impacted by them. She feels older but still El? I love it. All of the characters are super realistic, amazing jopper, WONDERTWINS, it's all jsut really well written, and it floooooows god does this flow. It is awesome

uh-oh, love comes to town by 96 tears recced by @daysarestranger 13k words (Complete)- Steddie w side of Robin/Vickie

Summary:

It’s not like Steve thought Eddie would stay single forever, but he figured he’d have a girlfriend by the time Eddie got a boyfriend. So, when Vickie and Robin set Eddie up on a blind date with Vickie’s cousin, Steve figures he feels weird about it because he’s the only one without a date.But an annoying little voice starts telling him maybe there’s more to it than that. He just has to figure out what it is.

My Thoughts:

This one is so fricken sweet!! I love the way Vickie is characterized in this one, we don't see her a lot (except for people saying her and Robin didn't work) but this person took the time to think about it. There's also a good dollop of QPR stobin which I always love, and a badass little granny for Steve, but the main thing here is the awesome Steddie! It's really well written, you an see them doing this complicated little dance around each other and the ending is so so sweet. It's also really funny I laughed at least three times

down on the timeline by annabeeus recced by @silverysnake 6k words (Complete)- Steddie with Ronance and a little Jargyle

Summary:

In a slightly altered universe where the Demogorgon never became more than a D&D character - The Party are semi-famous Youtubers. Steve, one-half of movie commentary channel BLOCKBUSTERS, and Eddie, the leader of D&D channel THE HELLFIRE SOCIETY, can't help but start falling for each other after meeting through a mutual friend.

My thoughts:

I always wanna try to be honest with my thoughts here- I did not think I was going to like this story. The way it was formatted isn't something I'm used to and it threw me off, but I stuck with it and I'm glad I did! It's really funny, and I love the little references thrown in everywhere. You know when you can feel an author probably worked harder on something then they initially planned, and the result is fucking awesome? Yeah that's this fic. It's super cute, it's told in this really unique kind of outsider perspective, and I so so enjoyed it.

i wish i knew how (your eyes are like starlight now) by MacksDramaticShenanigans aka @stevethehairington this one is also a me recc bc it's my list! I can do as I please haha. 10k words (Complete)- Steddie

Summary:

“Mistletoe!” Robin cheers, and Steve’s heart stutters so hard in his chest that he thinks it might crack his ribcage and drop right out the bottom of his stomach. His eyes fly up, and, sure enough, there hangs one of the many sprigs hung all around the apartment. Small and inconspicuous, but unmistakable. That ridiculous little plant has no idea that it’s just turned Steve’s entire world on its axis. Across from him, Eddie’s eyes are trained up too, big and round and wide where they stick on the mistletoe. His lips are parted in surprise, and Steve can’t help but stare and think am I going to kiss those now? When Eddie finally tears his gaze from the plant and lets it flicker down to Steve, a pretty pink dusting blooms across the bridge of his nose and spreads into the apples of his cheeks when he finds Steve already looking back. Steve spares the mistletoe one last quick peek before he takes a deep breath and steels himself. This is it. He sticks his hands on his hips, aiming for casual, and asks, “What do you say, Munson?” Or, Steve makes a promise, Robin likes to meddle, and the spirit of Christmas strikes (out) again. And again. And again. (Until it doesn’t.)

My Thoughts:

Okay I'm going to be frank I may be biased bc I betad this fic, except I'm not because it's so goddman spectacular. I'll start with how funny it is. I reread it today to have it fresh in my mind, and it's hilarious. Secondly the reveal and the moment where Steve thinks Eddie doesn't want him is so quietly heartbreaking, but perfectly written. Characterization is awesome, I watched every iteration of this as it grew and grew into something absolutely magnificent, and I'm so lucky to have gotten to beta for it!!

[withacapitalp]

Hidden Gem Friday

Hi guys!!! Okay so today is the first Hidden Gem Friday!!! I'm super pumped to be able to do this, I think it's gonna be so much fun. I have like 30 prompts already, so I'm going to try and do a little bit of a variety in these? Anyways!! I'm super psyched about this and I hope you guys leave comments for these writers when you read their stuff!!! Also let the writer know how you found them bc I always wonder when I get a random uptick in hits/comments/kudos! Anyways here's the actual rec list

Shoot by alligator_writes recced by me written by @riality-check! 1.2k words (Complete)- Jancy

Summary:

Jonathan shoots to capture. Nancy shoots to kill.  OR A character study of the two of them and their relationship.

My Thoughts:

WOW Honestly that's my thought with everything Ria writes, but this one is so overlooked!!! It's so short but every word packs an incredibly punch and it's the epitome of quality over quantity. The characterization is perfect, the parallels are so well written. Ah I just love this one

always surprised by what i do for love by birthdaycandles recced by @andrea-csenge 6.3k words (Complete)- Gen

Summary:

“He’s dressed like Steve.” Dustin says plainly, monotone in that way he gets when he’s genuinely upset and not just worked up for show. “Why?” Mike is asking because he still hasn’t processed the ugly fact of the matter, reasonably so considering how bizarre it is to witness someone be so braindead in public, but Lucas would like an answer that addresses the other type of why. Like, why is Conner Marrigan such a fucking asshole? “Clearly, uh, Marrigan wanted to have a costume no one else would think of.” Eddie chimes in. For once he sounds almost nervous, though Lucas has no idea why. “I figured I’d let you know, considering your allegiance to Harrington and also the general fact that it’s a pretty fucked up thing to do.”

My thoughts:

I love this one so much!!!! It's really well written first of all, and secondly the characterization of Lucas here is so unique!! This is my kind of Lucas, and the thought behind the premise is really interesting. Plus the Jason here is accurate to real Jason and I like that a lot (So many people just make irredeemable monster Jason when like before he went cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs he was just your regular small town jock asshole)

It has been a beautiful fight. (it still is.) by througheden aka the amazing @thefreakandthehair !!!!! Recced by Lex technically, but also by me bc wowwww 3.3k words (Complete) - Steddie

Summary:

Steve wasn’t sure how the fuck he ended up at The Hideout on a Tuesday night.  Okay, that wasn’t true— Eddie invited him, he was loath to admit that he was still harboring an unexpected and ill-fated crush, and he’d agreed to go before his brain could catch up with his mouth. That's how he ended up at The Hideout on a Tuesday night.

My thoughts

Augh I just love the way you write. Something about it is so flowy, like a river or a silk dress. Anyways this is such a sweet little one shot, I always get so eeeeeee over a first kiss, and this was perfect!!!! I have a v similar idea for a story ending that is taking place soon, so great minds lolol but yes amazing show stopping wonderful etc. etc.

Words caught in my throat (who talks first?) by fragilecapric0rn recced by @flashyysins 12.2k (Complete)- Steddie

Summary:

Steve and Eddie get snowed in together. Emotional constipation and all the things left unsaid are also in attendance.

My Thoughts:

Okay so I said to myself I would put at least one WIP on this, but then I just read this one and Was going to skim it, but I literally couldn't put it down. It's so fucking good and I got choked up more than once I loved all the characterizations they felt so in synch. There are some spicy bits in this so fair warning, but there's also dad hopper and Wayne and stobin soulmate moments and just AUGH this is amazing it really honestly Is everyone should go read this and the fact that it only has 886 hits is a fucking travesty. I could easily see this as one of the seminal steddie fics tbh.