#mike wheeler sugar

[elsmirrorball]

he's a mess but is the mess that i wanted

[kennahjune]

My favorite occupations for Steddie fics

Steve- baker, teacher, guidance counselor, artist, musician/singer, florist (cannot get over florist Steve), NANNY/BABYSITTER STEVE

Eddie- tattoo artist, singer/musician, celebrity (does that count?), mechanic (I LOVE MECHANIC EDDIE), WRITER EDDIE

And I love mixing them so randomly.

Bitchy Florist Steve who has a “rivalry” with Asshole Mechanic Eddie next door because he plays his music obnoxiously loud? Absolutely.

Sweetheart Baker Steve who listens to all types of music while working to “get in the zone” listens to Corroded Coffin for the first time and is absolutely enamored by Lead Singer Eddie?? Sign me the fuck up.

Badass Guidance Counselor Steve who helps Tattoo Artist Eddie’s little sister Max and Eddie falls ass over tea kettle because “Jesus H Christ Max that’s your /guidance counselor/?”? HELL YEAH.

Musician Eddie who finds most of his inspiration from these beautiful art pieces he sees online that are made by Under-appreciated Artist Steve?? I’m already working on it!!

Celebrity Eddie who needs to find someone to watch his kid (Max) and Absolutely Amazing Babysitter Steve bringing his own kids (Dustin and Mike) along to play with Max and Eddie being floored by this stunning man who is so good with kids????? Would you believe me if I said I was working on it?

I just really like mixing and matching odd occupations.

[sugarcubetikki]

I don’t usually post for this fandom but let’s just say I’m way too invested and before Vol 2 comes out I really really needed to compile a long list of explanations to why requited Byler being confirmed on Friday would be REVOLUTIONARY. The long-term signifance of this narrative move is just going to be truly amazing and so so meaningful no matter what reaction we get immediately after (and even now it’ll be a big reaction because the gen audience won’t be ready for it).

Stranger Things is a mainstream show, one of the most popular on Netflix, and it’s really rare for us to get a main queer couple on mainstream shows as most of them are fueled by the pure existance and hyping up of straight ships to appeal to a wider audience. It would open up a gateway for more queer representation between main characters on mainstream shows in general because like if a big show like Stranger Things can take such a big step forward, it makes it possible for more shows to do this in the future. It’s like what happened with more lgbtq representation within animation and how it expanded throughout shows as more creators took the initiative. 

Byler is such a nuanced queer ship and subverts so many tropes as well as fighting some of those gay stereotypes. Both Mike and Will as characters are different in their journeys to discovering themselves and their sexualities. The show also incorporates a wide range of queer themes and it’s much more than the obvious ones but also ones that we don’t really see portrayed on tv enough like internalised homophobia and comphet. 

More on Byler being nuanced as a ship in general! It’s a ship that heavily relies on emotional chemistry between characters and the love they share between them is something so pure and realistic, they aren’t dramatised in any way. The buildup between them would feel so natural: childhood best friends to lovers. They already share a very intimate level of comfort and I think later on in S5 when you’d get to see their relationship dynamic it’ll truly be so heartwarming. I know it may come as a surprise to casual viewers after Vol 2 and we might get some very annoying reactions but I think after it being blatantly confirmed once we get to see their relationship dynamic in S5 a lot more of them will warm up to it because I mean these two are adorable and if you’re really looking you can see it!

The time period is something to note: show set in the 80s having one of their main couples being gay! It’s quite iconic because a lot of people use the time period as an argument against to why the show might not make it canon which is just heteronormative and ugh because gay people did exist in the 80s! Their struggles were quite different then however as society was more heteronormative and less accepting so them just casually normalising depicting gay characters even in a show set in the 80s goes against that problematic idea of why it would be unrealistic for shows set in the past to have lgbtq characters. We also really get some interesting storylines about being lgbtq in the 80s as well. Besides, the existance of Robin Buckley already refutes that idea (I love her she’s amazing and iconic) and having two more confirmed gay characters within the main cast IN A RELATIONSHIP would be so amazing in terms of queer representation. Plus, it wouldn’t be unrealistic at all because as a show that focuses on social outcasts and rebelling against social expectations it would make so much sense for them to be depicting exactly that through their range of characters.

The problematic pattern of gay ships being sunk in the favour of the “ultimate straight ship” would be challenged and subverted. People go in expecting that this one ship would become canon because it makes sense on a surface level and fans are just used to being fed the straight ship they’ve rooted for since day one becoming canon eventually. This has been a pattern that media has created that feeds into fanservice and heteronormativity that’s why majority of the general audience are under the assumption that the they won’t go through with Byler and that Mike and El will have to end up together because it makes sense according to conventional storytelling patterns of the past. However, ST making Byler canon is just a complete subversion of those conventional storytelling patterns and heteronormative expectations, it’ll make media history for sure when the gay ship is given preference and made endgame over the highly hyped up straight ship, it’s just so revolutionary and also breaks so any problematic tropes of gay characters and ships being easily disregarded to favour the straights because so many people right now assume that Will is just going to be rejected and this is just all forced representation because Mike and El are endgame, right?

I think a lot of people would go over and re-watch the show if Mike and Will were made canon to look for signs and hints especially because I’m sure the writers/the cast would do so many interviews explaining how it’s been built up for sometime now. I mean Noah, David Harbour and the Duffers have already said that in regards to Will’s feelings for Mike. And watching the show through “romantic Byler lens” there are a lot of things people will pick up for sure like everything about the crazy together scene, the tragedy of the Byler fight and a lot of queercoding too. Mike’s eccentric behaviour in S3/4 would also be viewed in a much different light if you take him being gay into consideration and people would just really understand his character more. Also, a lot of people would go over the many byler proofs the fanbase has collected over the years and that will definitely gear people in! This would just tell people to look deeper into details that shows place as well instead of what’s surface level obvious. Plus, encouraging stranger things fans to look deeper is a good mindset to have going into S5, I feel like with the last season coming, they want us to find as many Easter eggs as possible! As for concerns about people just being negative and ignorant of everything in relation to Byler, it doesn’t matter, I think S5 would truly build up Byler more blatantly as most of the audience would be in on it at this point and fans who may not want to look into deeper details may change their mind after more blatant depiction of Byler.

Ultimately, the ship being made canon is just so so good for queer fans in general. Queer fans who see two characters of the same sex having as much chemistry as two of the opposite and having great reasons for why they should become canon/them becoming canon being a possibility. We have to compile proofs after proofs, explanations after explanations and people who don’t understand see it as delusional behaviour which is not the case. We live in a world where we’re marginalised and deprived of representation. Characters of the opposite sex can intimately look at each other and that’s enough for the fanbase to be rooting for them and for the show to make them canon because heteronormativity is a drug. However, the same isn’t true for same-sex characters, we have to compile reasons and make lists and constantly try to prove queerness and we never know whether we’re going to get the good end of the bargain or not. We can get so much queercoding at times and at times even get queerbaited with the creators actually having no intention to make our ship canon because staying heteronormative is the safe option but rather feeding off of our support which is so frustrating time and time again. (The biggest reason to why I don’t believe the Duffers are tricking us is because of their decision to not only confirm Will as gay and involve a narrative about it this season but also have it center around him having feelings for Mike which is just crazy to think about how that’s confirmed and directly shown after years and years of subtext). 

I do believe based on what we’ve gotten so far from all the narrative evidence, the reactions from the cast, details matching up with Byler so perfectly and them confirming Will as gay after so much queercoding in previous seasons that they are going down the requited Byler route and for all the reasons I’ve stated it will truly be so wonderful and revolutionary and a huge win. If they don’t, I genuinely will be disappointed as it would be so much wasted potential and queerbaiting due to all the promo they’ve done especially this pride month but I am keeping my fingers crossed here and as of now based on all the signs I’m sure we’re heading towards a win! 

[paranormeow7]

GIVE US BACK SEASON 1-2 MIKE WHEELER WHATEVER THE HELL HAPPENED TO HIM IN SEASONS 3-4 IS NOT OUR MIKE

[lighthouseas]

dies and dies and dies and screams and dies. what if i told you that thinking about mike wheeler for too long makes me jump and shake and bounce

[alex-the-bringer-of-chaos]

Well the byler brainrot really did settle! This songs just started playing from my liked songs and dammit

This is Byler, this is Mike talking to Will. My heart! My eyes, watery over here! DAMN YOU BYLER BRAINROT!!!

[wynnyfryd]

Trailer Park Steve AU part 6

part 1 | part 5

October

It's Wednesday night, which means dinner at the Hendersons. Steve finally decided to show his face — and no, not because Dustin's doorstep song and dance had any effect on him; it was partly because he was sick of hearing muted metal music from across the street and mostly because he hadn't left the trailer in three days and he was starting to feel and smell like shit.

So, anyway. Dinner. Ma Henderson's pulled out all the stops: prepped a homemade lasagna, stocked the fridge with full-sugar sodas and bought the good brand of key lime pie; invited the Sinclair and Wheeler kids to make a little party of it. (Nancy was 'unfortunately too busy to attend,' thank fucking god.)

But then Ma got stuck late at work, so now it's all hands on deck. Mike and Erica are setting the table — Steve can hear Mike bitching at her because she told him the knives go the other way, dumbass; Lucas is at the fridge filling cups with ice and Pepsi and muttering to himself about how much better Coke is; Steve's got an eye on the oven, waiting for the cheese on the lasagna to bubble up juuust right; and Dustin is using "prepping the salad" as an excuse to corner Steve and annoy the ever-loving crap out of him.

“What do you mean it’s hard?” Dustin whines, dropping a handful of shredded carrots into the wooden bowl. “Just talk to him!”

Steve takes a deep breath. Mourns, briefly, for the night he could have had; the girls he could be doing hand stuff with in the back of the Beemer instead of putting up with this kid's shit. “I don’t wanna Just Talk to Him." He bends to peek through the oven door. "And, also: get off my ass about it, alright? I came to dinner, I'm heating up the lasagna. I'm, like, participating or whatever. What more do you want?”

“For you to talk to Eddie! Obviously!" Dustin's tossing the greens so aggressively that it kinda feels like he wishes he was pummeling Steve instead, and when he throws his hands up, little flecks of iceberg lettuce go raining to the floor.

Steve eyes the leafy green confetti. "You're cleaning that up."

"Come on, dude," Dustin begs. "It's been two weeks! What's the point of having friends who are next door neighbors if they refuse to get along?”

Behind them, Lucas supplies in a weirdly strangled tone: “This really doesn’t seem like the way to get him to talk to Eddie."

Thank you. Steve couldn't agree more. He turns to tell him as much and realizes the reason Lucas' voice sounded like that is because he's trying to make one trip to the dining room at any fucking cost. He's got an armful of drinking glasses and three cans of Pepsi tucked under his chin, and he's about to fumble the whole wobbly stack.

"Jesus Christ, man, cut that out!" Steve swoops in to grab the cans before they can join the lettuce shower Dustin just made. He doesn't care how much he loves Claudia, he will leave without helping if they splatter soda all over this floor. Mews the Second can lick it clean for all he cares, he's so for real. "Two at a time," he says sternly, taking the extra cups from Lucas’ hold and handing him back a reasonable amoint. He sends Lucas out of the room with a knee to the ass.

"Hey!" Lucas pouts.

"Hey yourself," he grins.

Lucas sticks out his tongue like a child (because he is one, Steve reminds himself), and when he shoulders the swinging door to the dining room he almost brains his little sister, who makes a graceful side-step and comes strutting through undeterred.

"Are you two nerds done playing good cop, annoying cop with Steve?"

"Ah-!" Dustin gawps. "I better not be the annoying cop!"

"Uh, yeah. Obviously, you are." She props a fist on her hip, a little tyrant in the making, and Steve’s ribs go tender with a fond, vaguely proud ache. He really loves her so much. "Now scram. I need to borrow Steve."

On second thought.

Surely at some point these kids, like, owe him money or some shit for the amount of weary sighs they've caused him to let out. Like, financial compensation for the years taken off his life? Something?

"Yes, Erica?" he asks, nostrils flared; eyes closed.

"You should talk to Eddie."

"Oh, Jesus fucking Christ." Steve looks up to the ceiling, pleading for anyone to grant him strength, then he turns to pull the lasagna out of the oven and watches the bubbles sizzle and pop in the hot cheese until he no longer feels like blowing up at a little girl. "Okay. Okay. And I should listen to you because…?"

Screw financial compensation.

He deserves a presidential medal for how calm he's keeping his tone.

Erica's glaring fiercely at him when he glances her way, and why is every kid he knows such a brave, confrontational little shit? "Because," she explains, "He's being mean to my brother."

Oh, fuck no. "What do you mean?" he asks, voice dropping to an urgent hiss as he feels his hackles raise. Like hell is he letting some Billy 2.0 hang around his kids. "Is he, like- Is he saying shit about you guys?"

She spares him from trying to find a tactful way to ask what he's really asking. "No," she says shortly. "But he is being a bastard about him joining the basketball team—"

"Language—" Oh, what's the point.

"—and those two nerds out there? Are obsessed with him. Especially Mike. Like, ob-sessed.” She writes the letters out in the air in front of her to really drive home the point. “Mike likes whatever Eddie likes, so you need to convince Eddie to like Lucas before Lucas loses his friends over this stupid 'jocks versus freaks' crap." She lowers her voice and jabs the skywriting finger into his shoulder hard enough to bruise. "And if you tell Lucas I said any of this? It is on. sight, Steve. I will crush you."

"Jesus Christ."

"So, we good?"

"Uh huh," Steve stammers. "Y-yep. Understood."

Wow. So dignified, Steve. Really loved how you let a ten year old intimidate you. He's saved from any further bullying by the sound of keys jangling in the lock.

"Dusty!" Claudia calls out through the door, "Dustybunny, can you come help? My hands are full!"

In the dining room Steve hears Dustin groan while Mike and Lucas start immediately tearing into him for the name, mocking 'Dustybunny; oh, Dustybun!' in stupid sing-song tones.

"So I'm just gonna..." Steve says awkwardly, inching toward the door. "Go get that."

"Mhmm." Erica gives him an unimpressed look. "You do that."

—

"Oh, Steve, sweetie, thank you!" Claudia says when he opens the door, cheerful and sweet as always. He goes to take her bags from her, but she drops them all at her feet and steps forward to give him a hug, a firm and tender thing that makes an annoying lump form in his throat.

"How are you?" she asks, stepping back to look at him; eyes raking over his face, hands on his cheeks. Really looks. She frowns at whatever she sees. "How's your mom?"

"Can you please just talk to me?" Steve begs, shivering in the hallway because they haven't budgeted for turning on the heat just yet. Wasn't supposed to get this cold for another pay cycle. He tugs the ends of his sweatshirt sleeves. His limbs feel stiff and tense, a budding anxiety like there’s a bomb in the base of his spine.

"Steven, darling, not now," his mother sighs as she sinks demurely onto the couch. "Then when!" he explodes. He doesn't want to yell at her, but, "Seriously, when? When are we going to say anything to each other that actually fucking matters, mom? I feel like I barely even know you anymore!"

"Yes, and I feel a migraine coming on; are you quite finished?"

"….She's fine," Steve answers.

Could be true, for all he knows.

The wrinkles between Claudia's brows deepen, like she wants to press the subject but decides to hold her tongue. "That's good to hear," she settles on after a moment, giving him a gentle pat on the cheek before stepping away with a subtle look that’s not mad, just disappointed.

Steve kind of wants to cry.

"Mom! Food!" Dustin hollers from the other room.

Steve rolls his eyes. "I swear I try to teach him manners."

"Well, good luck with that," she grins, the shadow of tension between them dissipating. Her mood is good like that. Resilient. Strong. Immune to outside force.

Steve’s moods, on the other hand, are more like those stainless steel fridges that promise to remain spotless but then end up covered in grubby handprints. (Exhibit A: he’s doing it right now.)

Thankfully Claudia’s got enough sunshine in her for the both of them. “Come on,” she says, extending a hand and wiggling her fingers for him to grab hold. “Let's eat."

—

part 7

[stevesbipanic]

To my most lovely @undreaming-fanfiction Happy Valentine's Day love youuuu 💕💕💕 I hope I managed to do all three of your prompts justice (small routines, learning new things about each other, and ghosts of your past) ENJOY!!!!! And Ty @artbean for putting this together 💕💕💕

After five years together there's not a lot of things Eddie doesn't know about Steve.

He knows that Steve likes to colour co-ordinate the calendar on their fridge and that his favourite day of the month is the first since he gets to write out everything on a clean slate.

He also knows that Steve has a particular way he does his hair, and that it was a big deal just seeing it done let alone being taught how to do it, it helps he now knows Steve loves a good head scratch.

He knows that Steve is an early riser and always goes on a run, but will shower and curl back in bed with him if Eddie is still asleep.

He knows that there's an order to how and when he checks on their family. The Sinclairs are first, making sure he's waited until Lucas should be back from training and Erica back from Tracey's, calling there too if there's a sleepover. Next is the Wheelers, Nancy promising him they're all ok if they're visiting and Mike letting him know if she's available that night if she's at college. Then the Hendersons, Claudia inviting him to dinner in the background as Dustin regales his day. Max is next, letting Steve know if she wants to stay over that night. The Byers are the end of the kids, El and Will promising him it's really over. Wayne is near the end, back from his shift safe and sound. Before they dated Eddie was during this time too, helping him to sleep just hearing Steve's voice. Robin is last and she'll be on the line until they're both safely in dreamland.

Eddie loves learning new things about Steve, especially when now they're further and far between. It comes as a suprise when it's something as simple as tea that teaches him something new about his sweetheart.

They're visiting Steve's grandma, who was a lot cooler about the whole boyfriend thing than Steve's parents were.

"Your grandpa, Otis, had a friend, Freddie, who kept a picture of his boy in his pocket, would've gotten him in a lot of trouble back then but love like that was worth dying for."

She had been I'll lately so him and Steve had taken a drive up to visit her, now living in a retirement home in Indy. She was a riot in Eddie's opinion, and made a mental note to make sure they visited her more, he was happy to drive them, anything for Steve.

They were halfway through a game of Scrabble, where Eddie had successfully convinced Steve that Megadeth should be allowed (it shouldn't), when the question was raised.

Edith, yes Eddie also got a delight out of the fact that they shared a name, buzzed her nurse who popped her head in knowing there were visitors.

"Everything good, Eds?" Eddie's eyes twinkled in mischief, he was teasing Steve about the name similarities when they got home.

"A spot of tea, darling? I'm parched and I'm sure these lovely boys are too. Steve, sweetheart?"

"Oh yes, milk and two sugars please, but cubes on the side instead of scoops of it's not trouble."

Eddie's heart skipped a beat at his answer, "Eddie, you want a tea?"

"Oh um, yes, same as him, please ma'am."

"Such polite boys, we need more grandsons like you visiting," she laughed leaving to make the tea. It was surely just a coincidence that Steve took his tea like that, he's sure plenty of people do.

The real suprise came when the tea was set down, cubes on the side, and Steve picked one up and mixed it in, leaving the other alone. The game continued, Eddie eyeing that lone cube, a similar one on his own saucer. When Steve took his last sip of tea he picked up the cube and popped it into his mouth, crunching it. Eddie did the same.

"Done that since you were a kid, always a sweet tooth."

Steve laughed, "It's how my nanny did it when we played tea party with Carol."

Edith smiled, "She was a lovely woman, shamed they moved outta town."

Something settled deep in Eddie's heart. The rest of the afternoon it sat there, and through the goodbyes and hugs, all through the drive home too.

Eddie didn't mention it as they made dinner, Steve doing the chopping and as always Eddie dutifully stirring. The feeling sat there through the night as they watched tv, curled up in a blanket built for one not two. Nothing was brought up as they cleaned up, Steve washing, Eddie drying. It wasn't until bed, in the safety and quiet of their room that Eddie asked.

"Your nanny? What was she like?"

Steve's eyes lit up, "Oh she was the best, noone as good before her and no-one as good after. She loved taking me to the park, sometimes if his dad said it was ok her son would come too, he was fun, built the best sandcastles. She always baked me cookies too, especially if Carol was coming over for a tea party. And she would tell me the little extra sugar was a treat and that I should always have something a little sweet in life."

Eddie's eyes were tearing up by the time Steve finished, "Eds, baby are you ok?"

"What was her name?"

Steve's eyebrows crinkled, "Sarah, why? Oh." He said, remembering the dark curls that surrounded her face, the ones on her son, the boy laying across from him.

"Your mum, oh Eds, so when the tea? I'm sorry." Steve knew about his mum and how when she died it left Eddie all alone.

"Can't believe in five years, we've never had tea," a wet chuckle followed Eddie's words.

A sad smile graced Steve's face, "We should have more, need a bit more sweetness in my life."

Eddie smiled at him, "Knew there was a reason I called you sweetheart, and I clearly won you over with my awesome sandcastles."

A laugh burst out of Steve and that sound was sweeter than any sugar Eddie could eat.

[elsmirrorball]

today i dreamt i hugged mike wheeler what do you guys have

[evilkaeya]

The fruity four calling each other endearing pet names to confuse everyone

It starts off as a joke between Steve and Robin, calling each other babe casually cause why not? It’s funny until Dustin hears them and immediately latches on their backs saying “oh my god, you guys are dating, I knew it” and this time he’s persistent on making them admit it. 

Then, like an angel sent from the above (words Steve would not use to describe the man in any other situation), Eddie walks in Family Video and Steve decides to make one sober bad decision. He smiles at the metalhead and says, “hey baby, wasn’t expecting to see you here today.” And Eddie, bless him and his cute surprised expression, is shocked at first but then takes one good glance at Dustin and then at Steve and Robin and somehow grasps on the situation. He stops next to Dustin, pinches Steve’s cheek and says, “why, can’t I come just to see your pretty face sometimes, angel?” and maybe Steve blushes a little, maybe but that’s besides the point. The point is that it gets the little nerd to shut up and he looks like his head is going to explode trying to comprehend the situation.

To Dustin’s utter disapproval though, they don’t stop. The three casually keeps calling each other pet names, ranging from babe and baby to honeybunch, pumpkin, sugar and so on. Dustin can’t make heads or tails of it, seriously, who was dating who?

What’s even more frustrating is that no one seems to find it weird other than him.

They’re sitting on the floor of Mike’s basement, doing a little dnd play. Eddie’s sitting on one end of the table and Steve has his legs thrown over Eddie’s laps, his head on Robin’s thigh and he has a bag of chip in his hands. And that’s not the end of it, he’s sitting up every two minutes to feed Eddie and no one seems to bat an eye at them. He even wiped salt off Eddie’s lips with his thumb a couple of times and went back to laying on Robin’s thighs like his fingers weren’t on a man’s lips seconds ago.

At one point Nancy comes downstairs to ask, “hey guys, movie night after the kids go to bed?” Eddie and Steve show her a thumbs up and Robin excitedly yells “Yes! I get to choose the movie this time by the way.” Nancy nods and turns to leave when Eddie calls after her, “Nance, love, get me a glass of water please?” 

Not again

“Yeah sure-” but surely, surely, Nancy isn’t a part of this right? There’s no way Nancy Wheeler was going to call Eddie Munson babe or something like that- “babe”

Dustin groans and Will chuckles next to him. What was Will getting here that he wasn’t?

And then Robin stands up, jogs over to her and kisses her cheek saying, “let me tag along, baby” and honestly? Dustin can’t take it anymore. He slams his hands on the table, shouting, “NO, no one leaves. I need answers, right now,” and this time Will actually starts laughing.

(It takes a minute for Steve to tell him that he’s dating Eddie and Robin’s dating Nancy and they were only calling each other pet names to confuse him and twenty minutes for Dustin to get over it because, really, the hints were right there. How the fuck did he not realize sooner?)

[formosusiniquis]

There's something about the idea that every adult that spends more than ten minutes alone with Steve Harrington is instantly enamored with him 

The King Steve era house parties don't get broken up by the cops anymore. Steve is too far from his nearest neighbors for a noise complaint and the cops who would do it like Steve. They know they don't have to worry about any underage drinking and driving incidents after a Steve Harrington party because anyone who doesn't have a DD just crashes at the Harrington place, it's not like they have to worry about getting out of there before his parents get home.

His teachers can't help but let certain things slide. Excusing a middle school Steve's tardiness, the Harrington house is such a long bike ride away from the school and the bus route doesn't reach the grounds of Loch Nora. High School Steve's grades are average at best and his attention drifts, but his questions if poorly worded are insightful at heart and if you catch him away from the friends he tries too hard to keep he's polite and willing to spend time discussing his school work. By senior year they're excusing his tardiness again, they all know he has to swing by the middle school on his way over; and his forgetfulness too, two concussions in as many years it's a wonder he's not worse.

Joyce Byers, who by all accounts should hate this boy who fought her son and belittled her family, already has a snag in her armor thinking about a little boy who used to bike to Melvalds all alone for more milk and the sugar dusted cereal his mother didn't like him to have. Has her walls damaged by Jonathan coming home with a Christmas present they both know Nancy Wheeler even in her middle class glory couldn't afford. Has the adoption papers ready to be notarized when that same little boy, just a little bit bigger, offers to cart her Will around town since he knows she and Jon are busy and he has nothing better to do; really, and Will is the only one that ever says please or thank you.

Hopper, who largely left the everyday police work to the other officers, didn't interact with Steve much until the Upside Down business started. He's ready to add Harrington to the list of kids he'd die to protect the second the bloodstained boy cracks open a bleary eye from the Byers' sofa. Concussed and happy for it since it meant the youngest ones were safe.

Claudia Henderson has decided that the law has little to do with family. She's seen too many young men in the hospital grieving loved ones they can't see while parents who don't care make decisions for the dying. Steve Harrington is hers now has been since he did her Dusty's hair. The Sinclairs only let Erica roam the mall on her own on days they know Steve is working. They know no matter what Erica and Lucas promise the two of them aren't staying together. There's something rotten in Hawkins, and the kids don't whisper as quietly as they think they do. They know there's something they are missing, but they don't need to know everything to know they can trust the boy who put himself bodily in front of their child to protect him. Karen still occasionally mourns the loss of Steve as a son-in-law but the fact that he still drives Mike around even on his surliest days, she couldn't ask for more.

Wayne Munson lasted the longest. A product of night shifts and a powerful wariness around anyone whose tax bracket exceeds his by more than one jump. But he knows the kind of skittish that Steve is, remembers an eight year old boy with eyes he hadn't grown into who used to skitter away from a sharp tongue or raised hand just the same. Even then all it takes is sitting next to Steve on a rare night off, the game fuzzing in and out on the TV, listening to him softly explain the rules of it all to his boy relating it back to the ones of that dragon game Eddie likes so much and he's gone. Steve's a hard worker, a wage slave as much as Wayne these days, seems wrong to begrudge him just cause the house he's kept at is a little bigger than theirs. There are worse boys to have as future in-laws, even if he is a Cubs fan.

The only person who doesn't seem to get the memo is Richard Harrington. So rarely around his own son he isn't swept up in the charm. Richard and Stephanie Harrington make their way back to Hawkins, unannounced on a Tuesday. The sleepy morning hours are still lingering when they make their way into the house, through the foyer, and onto the kitchen; following the sounds of crooning oldies. Richard has long thought his son a disappointment, too lazy to get into college and too spoiled to leave home, catching him dancing around the kitchen like a fairy with some trailer trash punk is really the last straw. He lets the wife he wishes he didn't have make some asinine comment to this freak that's in his kitchen, and turns to the child he never wanted to say, "I want you out, I won't have a queer living under my roof."

Stephanie and that long haired bastard both rear back like they've been slapped. While Richard is forced to watch as the son he's neglected straightens up, every ounce the man every other adult on Hawkins has watched him become, look him in the eye and say, "It's not your house, it never was. Grandpa Otis left it to me. So if you've got a problem with me or my fucking boyfriend, you can get out of my house. Looks like you're already packed."

That empty house gets emptier as Richard, alone, takes the furniture he paid for and the clothes that lingered in the closet; but it's quickly filled with the hand-me-downs of everyone who has ever fallen for that Harrington charm. They're all too happy to help Steve fill what's his.

[sugarcubetikki]

One of the few Muggle scenes from S1 that us bylers like to debate over is the “pretty” scene between Mike and El.

As on the surface level, with how the scene is framed and shot, it seems to be a blatantly romantic scene between the two of them where Mike’s showing attraction to El.

Mike appearing shocked and letting it slip out that El looked “pretty” but taking it back and saying “pretty good” does come off strongly as romantically coded. However, the shot that follows the closeup interaction between the two is a fascinating one.

We have El looking at herself in the mirror and admiring this new look. It’s important as she’s in Nancy’s clothing as she’s depicted a fascination with Nancy and Nancy’s things reflecting her desire to live like a normal girl. Be pretty like a normal girl as it’s something she’s never had and El wants to fit in.

If this moment is supposed to be so validating to El, why do we have Mike in the frame? They did not have to have him in this scene that’s supposed to be El-centred with that expression on his face.

Judging by his facial expression and body language, he appears to be feeling a bit uneasy, anxious and confused. It’s not really the facial expression that screams oh god she’s so pretty I think I like her what do I do. His nervousness has an uneasy tint to it and it’s not something I’d say is reflective of romantic interest because he’s too tense…tense like he’s going through some inner conflict and almost dissatisfied with something.

I’d also like to point out the significance of a mirror being used to illustrate this.

In literature, mirrors are carriers of truth and are meant to reflect what one’s truth is. Psychology describes mirrors to be a barrier between the conscious and unconscious and thus, by looking deep into a mirror, we’re looking deep inside ourselves in a conscious manner.

I’d say the symbolism lines up perfectly with El, who I’d argue is looking deep inside herself in this scene, she’s introspecting and acknowledging validation to her innermost desires of normalcy and fitting in within this season.

The mirror being used for Mike to illustrate a duality within his reaction to El being pretty and his confused facial expression is also very interesting and with the idea that mirrors are reflectors of truth then what Mike is feeling here is showing us a preview of his innermost desires and how they’re different to what they seem.

It’s not really the first time the show has used a mirror to convey dualities and truth. Van scene?

This scene is literally the most blatant example of this and key because the dualities presented in that scene are intentional as the Duffers interview article stated.

In this scene, the duality is between Will’s lie and him concealing his true feelings through El’s name, the audience/Jonathan can tell he’s not being entirely honest here and the rearview mirror shots especially highlights that duality as well as revealing truths (I’d argue there’s also a duality with Mike’s feelings here because the rearview mirror shots seem to highlight moments of Mike’s confusion/his smile also dropping when Will states the painting was commissioned by El).

I think it’s therefore safe to say that a similar argument can be made with the “pretty” scene from S1 because why have Mike in the frame? why have Mike make that expression? That one scene doesn’t add up with what we’ve deducted so far. That’s the only time we have a strong romantically coded pretty scene between them too, the one in S3 was dry on Mike’s end (also the other compliment scenes are “bitchin” that parallel to Hopper and El isn’t great).

In conclusion, Mercury is dead and Mike Wheeler is gay, it’s the only thing that makes sense and this one scene doesn’t disregard anything!

[paranormeow7]

cw a lotta blood

4got 2 post this but um here’s smthn 4 a dtiys I did on insta a lil while ago hope y’all like :]

[upsidedownwithsteve]

“Jeez, did we travel back in time?” Mike Wheeler appeared at your elbow, his hand held out for the giant marshmallows you were supposed to be handing out to your group. “Why do you and Steve hate each other? Again?”

“That’s none of your business, Wheeler,” you replied witheringly, making sure you squished his marshmallow as you handed it to him.

“They don’t hate each other,” Dustin materialised at your other side, melted mallow dripping down his fingers, sticky sugar coating his hand. He looked up at you from under his curls, wide eyed and earnest. “Right?”

You looked down at the boy with sad eyes, a smile that was even sadder. You shrugged and pulled at a curl, watching as it bounced back. “Right,” you told him, even if you weren’t sure you believed it yourself.

MEET ME IN THE AFTERGLOW | COMING JUNE

[quits-writing]

stranger things x older brother figure! rich! reader

a/n: to celebrate stranger things s4 vol 2 coming out today in a few hours, i’ve decided to give us all masc aligned people a treat before shit goes down, enjoy.

cw: contains some scenes from the series (not enough to spoil), mentioned homophobia & fragile masculinity, bullying scenario, messy cuz i just put whatever random shit pops up to my mind and im also writing this at 1:30 am, NOT PROOFREAD!!

depending on your personality, it’s either the group would see you as the “cool” brother like in the movies or the “annoying” brother in real life

as kids, you’d have to defend them against bullies, seniority scares majority of the kids.

but if they don’t want you to interfere, they’d just ask you on how to defend theirselves

tell them some witty comebacks

yeah i don’t think they can do it without it leading into a physical fight so you’d have to watch their back before it becomes one

spoil them! buy them action figures, comics, new set of dnd miniatures. they’d worship you…for 5 mins before hyper-focusing on that same item you bought for them

you’d be such a big help to joyce and jonathan if you decide to fund and help them with the will situation in s1

jonathan actually talked to you, also joyce’ll treat you as her other son

imagine having a platonic relationship with max, your relationship is the relationship she wishes she has with billy

billy would probably spite you for it (he’s jealous and doesn’t want to admit it lol)

oh, and the group would probably jokingly make you compete with steve for the “best mom older brother” award (dustin would also make eddie compete too if you’ve met each other already)

somehow, they’ll find a way to turn your words against you

okay. imagine s3, the vent scene with erica

m/n: alright. how much do you want, kid? hundred? thousand? a million bucks?

robin: you’re gonna offer, a child, a million? do you even have a million on-hand?

m/n, a rich teen: uh yeah??? 🧍

robin: okay, what the actual fu–!

if you’re part of the LGBTQIA+, and openly into men or in touch with your femininity. mike’s dad would try and tell mike to not be associated with you again (sorry but he reeks of homophobia and fragile masculinity)

remember that one scene in s4 (ep 5, 1:00:52) where he’s so salty at dustin and the gang for hanging out in their house? that but insert m/n there

mr. wheeler: –why not? take us for all we’re worth

dustin: oka–

*slam*

m/n: if you care so much about your money, then here’s a fucking stack. thank you so much for your hospitality”

mr. wheeler: *is baffled by the amount of cash a teen could have* how’d you get this money??

m/n: oh i’m actually am a stripper and i have a sugar daddy– of course, i worked for it, obviously. i have a job.

dustin: *whispering* holy fucking shit, you’re so cool

if you have “old rich” money than “hard earned” money, it’s the same thing but probably less “cooler” in their eyes

if not all of them, at least one would keep bugging you on what job you have to earn a lot of money

some would say, they’re still bugging what you do for a living ‘til today

[steddieficrec]

Some Of My Favorite Smut

more than you bargained for by anonymous

(1/1 I 2,432)

"Mike leans in closer, forehead almost touching the door, just in time to hear Steve shushing the girl gently. He gathers her curls with one hand, the other settling around her throat, and pulls–

Their eyes meet.

It’s definitely not a girl.

Eddie Munson stares at him through the tears in his eyes, lips parted in ecstasy as Steve Harrington fucks him within an inch of his life."

OR

Mike kind of regrets staying over at Steve and Eddie's.

#1 crush by pizzabones

(1/1 I 5,713)

"'That was a big sigh. Whatcha thinking about?'

Eddie opens his mouth to say ‘ah nothing’, but he stops himself. Maybe it’s time to let the proverbial embarrassing cat out of the bag and let Steve know just how long he’d wanted this domestic scene with him. He hums, 'You, actually.'"

or

Eddie tells Steve about his long-term crush, Steve tells him a secret of his own.

Somewhere it Hides a Well by teddywesworl

(1/1 I 7,610)

Eddie ducks his head briefly, a gesture that doesn’t quite fit with the guy’s overall image: buzz cut, obvious ink, scars on his jaw. A bunch of his shirt buttons are undone, and Steve can see a white tank and a gold chain underneath.

“Yeah,” Eddie says. “I’m at a shop in Uptown.” It’s rote, sounds sort of disinterested. Steve might think he’s being dismissed if Eddie Munson’s eyes weren’t raking over him, lingering at his jawline, his throat, his hands when he adjusts his cuffs.

Or: At Lumax’s wedding in 2003, slutty bisexual physical therapist Steve sets his eye on inked up tough guy mechanic Eddie and peels away his mask.

sugar hiccup by 02tilt

(1/1 I 9.101)

His fingers brush over a tiny valley on his forearm. A rough, pink divot where a demobat didn’t bite, but— slipped? Or something. It’s interesting, actually, because if he lowers that arm to his side, he can see where that scar leads. Where the thing managed to latch on and rip a chunk out.

If it weren’t invading his dreams and turning him into an insomniac, he’d congratulate it. Good effort, man, but you didn’t get me. Just made me look a little cooler.

He could call someone. That’s an idea. And by someone, well. Who else is missing a few pieces?

The Honey Inside Your Hive (Director's Cut) by biggest_mistake

(1/1 I 10,764)

Steve Harrington is on his own in a big new city and running out of money. The clock is ticking and if he doesn’t find a source of income soon he’ll be forced to admit his father was right when he said Steve couldn’t make it on his own. Desperate, he scours the classifieds and comes across a vague ad promising a big payout for only a few hours of work.

If Steve had been a little more cautious—or a little less proud—maybe he wouldn’t be losing his virginity on camera.

Or: Steve unknowingly auditions for a porno. Eddie’s more than happy to help him get the role—and lose his virginity. Jim’s there to document the occasion.

(It’s a Casting Couch fic.)

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails by pinkiequinn

(1/1 I 15,121)

The Harrington-Wheeler’s have it all. They’re newlyweds. They’ve just moved into a beautiful new apartment. Nancy’s career has taken off. And they are finally, finally starting a family.

But there’s something not quite right with the neighbours. And the building is so cold. And Nancy’s never home.

And Steve’s has been having the strangest dreams.

the most remarkable thing about you standing in the doorway is that it’s you by greatunironic

(5/5 I 34,987)

Sixteen years after the world didn't end for the last time, Max Mayfield showed up on Steve’s doorstep and said, “You gonna walk me down the aisle in May or what?” Or, it’s 2002 and Steve Harrington attends a wedding, a funeral, and a birth.

Are You Flagging? by soidade

(17/17 I 40,991)

“Look, I’m just asking, okay? Not– I don't mean anything by it. But, uh.” His eyes darted back and forth, then he leaned in close to Steve. Steve had gotten used to that, kind of. The guy had no concept of personal space. “Are you flagging?” Eddie finally finished.

Steve shook his head slowly, eyes narrowed. He had no idea what that meant. He had no answer. “What?”

Eddie leaned away from Steve, facing forward again and nodding. “Okay, got it. That answers my question. Carry on.”

-------------------------------------------------

A (mostly) innocent question leads Steve Harrington on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, sex, and romance.

flight risk by Ayes, itskleo

(16/16 I 81,324)

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?