#no upside down au

[katyawriteswhump]

(i'm still) watching you—harringrove microfic

my first attempt at harringrove and probably totally weird like my usual shit, so… yeah, nervous. but I love prompts/challenges too much to resist… Pls be kind 🙂 

WC: 914. For @harringrovemicrofic prompt, green (I also got a passing mention of Jason Carver in for the additional prompt.)

CW: None. Tags: angst, pining, chronic illness (Fibro/Chronic fatigue), enemies to lovers, h/c, no Upside Down AU, slightly soft Billy? Rating: M.

…

Steve hated sitting in the stands watching the Tigers win without him.

Hargrove rained all over the hoop, right until the full-time whistle ripped through Steve’s skull. Simultaneously, Billy ripped his vest off—shouting, thudding his chest, scanning the crowd.

His crazily soft-blue eyes rested on Steve. That smug grin faltered, and Steve’s heart gave a crazy little squeeze.

Billy’s attention snapped away. His teammates carried him on a lap of victory, and Steve shaded his eyes. Too fucking much. Since he’d got sick, the doctors had droned on about Steve having to pace himself. Today, that’d been a bust—all for the torture of watching Hargrove play.

Even though Steve hated him.

And he’d chew on that image of shirtless Billy for goddamn weeks.

“Stop bawling, Harrington.” Steve startled, squinted into the suddenly too-bright light. Tommy H waggled a stuffed tiger in front of his nose: “You can be team mascot. This one’s got even less backbone than you.”

“Jesus, I’m gonna punch your stupid face in!”

Steve pushed himself up. Despite his dumb threat, it took all his strength to stumble away. Halfway to the exit, he collapsed onto a seat, slumping forward with his head in his hands. The crowd stomped by, sending shockwaves through his aching bones. Nobody offered to help. Probably figured he’d bite their heads off…

A hand landed on his shoulder. “You okay?” asked Billy.

WTF? Steve flinched away. Up close, he couldn’t handle those stupidly long lashes and gorgeous eyes. “M’fine.”

“Want a ride?”

“You leaving already?” Steve gawked at Billy’s pecs. “Guess there’s only so much showboating even your fat ego can take.”

Billy arched his brow. “I’m sick of this shit. Your ex-teammates are fucking losers, you know that?”

Uh… Yeah?

“Whatever, dude. I’m leaving with Nance.” Steve had just spotted her with freshman golden-boy, Jason Carver, scribbling madly in her notebook.

“She’s writing an essay on that asshole. Couldn’t bag me. Seriously, I need space. Figured you might too.”

Space with me? “Jesus, you still never stop talking! You hate me. What’s your game?”

Billy shrugged. “I don’t hate you, man. It genuinely sucks you had to be benched. Don’t have to believe me, but I actually miss you.”

Miss humiliating me? Miss me rubbing my ass against you while you shoved me around!?! Guess I enjoyed touching you as much as I hated you. I mean, uh, I STILL hate you…

“I don’t need your fucking sympathy, Hargrove.”

“Not offering fucking sympathy.”

Steve’s heart repeated that crazy squeeze. He’d grabbed the hem of Billy’s green shorts before he knew it.

Don’t leave. I honestly can’t get up without help right now. Won’t ask for help, either.

Billy harrumphed vaguely, casually offered a hand. Steve clasped it—since when did he dig slippery palms?—let Billy draw him up and sling an arm around him. Even with Billy’s help, the effort of walking consumed Steve completely till he sank into the Camaro.

Billy winked at him from the driver’s seat. “Don’t worry, I’ll go gentle.”

“Jesus, I’m not gonna break.”

“You wanna go home?”

Yeah, I totally should. “No fucking way. Anywhere but this dump.”  

With minimal wheelspin, Billy tore from the school grounds. He didn’t play loud music. They didn’t talk much either. Seemed Billy did occasionally shut up. Only Steve fizzing nerves—WTF AM I DOING?—kept him awake until Billy slammed to a halt.

Steve blinked. “Where are we?”

“One of the few places in this shithole that’s not a shithole.” Billy hurried around and helped Steve from the car.

“I’m not a fucking princess,” Steve bitched.

“Whatever you say, pretty boy.”

“Screw you.” Steve’s glare melted into a laugh that he almost felt.

They’d arrived somewhere in the hills, which smelled of spring grasses. Steve slipped from Billy’s warm grasp—not without a dumbass pang—lay flat on the soft turf. Beyond the trickle of a stream, it was so quiet, he dozed almost instantly.

Then, through the blur of his lashes, he spotted Billy stripping his shorts. Christ, that ass!

Billy headed for the stream. His smirk was as mind-blowing as his body. “I skipped showers.”

“Fucking show-boater.” Steve snickered.

He watched Billy wade thigh deep, splash sparkling droplets over that lick-able, lithely muscled torso. He wished he could watch this a billion times over, ached to join Billy, then his eyelids grew too heavy, his fatigue winning, and… Shit!

Deep inside, something snapped. He slung an arm across his face and cried, drifted, then cried again, shamelessly sniffling. A brush against his arm stirred him. Billy lay stretched beside him, towel around his waist, chin rested on a fist.

“Tears are cathartic, huh?”

Steve rolled to full-on sneer at Billy. Ended up fixed on Billy’s lush mouth, fretting his own lower lip. “Quit mocking me.”

“I’m not. Tears help. Apart from when they’re too damn painful. You don’t have to say which those are.”

Billy reached out, as if to push hair from Steve’s damp eyes, then hesitated. Steve grabbed Billy’s fingers, like he’d grabbed for his shorts. He barely breathed. He clasped Billy’s stream-chilled knuckles to his own burning face, like his life depended on it.

“Meant what I said about missing you,” murmured Billy, as Steve drowned in those adoring eyes. “None of those dicks are half-decent rivals. It sucks we never got a chance to work through that tension and…"

This is a dream, right?

Billy’s fingers slid up through Steve’s hair, gently drawing him closer, and they tumbled into a kiss.

[piratefishmama]

There was just something magical about a good Renaissance Faire. Something in the air that set Eddie’s little crow brain alight with excitement. Especially around December when Christmas loomed around the corner and snow dusted the ground.

Be it the shiny trinkets dangling from wooden hooks amidst the old wooden stalls, be it the haggling voices of stall vendors and customers, all dressed in garbs they’d likely sewn, dyed, modelled themselves, the smells of the food stalls, the glow of twinkling fairy lights reflecting on the snow, the music played on lutes and sang from haybales for gathering crowds, be it the energy of likeminded folks all there to be a little bit weird, joyously, freely, without shame or judgement.

He could be himself there.

Dressed to the nines in layered fabrics purposefully aged and torn to simulate era appropriate wear and tear. His hair held silver trinkets, tied up by lengths of dark fabric in a messy up-do that’d taken Wayne a good few hours to figure out, and would no doubt take them both a hell of a lot of huffing and puffing to remove without cutting it out later. He had a cloak made out of a thick set of curtains he’d thrifted, dyed, and repurposed.

He had his bag, something he’d sewn himself out of extra fabric from those curtains, made with plenty of little pockets and places to put his spoils, he’d saved up for months to get as much out of this faire as possible because things weren’t CHEAP there.

Most things were handmade, most things were lovingly crafted by gifted individuals. He didn’t even want to haggle, he had money specifically for the faire! He was going to spend money on the endlessly talented individuals at the faire!

He got himself a new journal, leather bound with thick blank pages for sketching in. it was embossed with intricate swirling patterns around a pentagram that he’d absolutely get shit for if he ever pulled it out in public but it was beautiful, and it had a cool swing lock clasp.

He got himself a pretty necklace, wire wrapped with a fancy gem that he’d keep safe to use as a prop at some point.

He found some beautiful homemade dice, made in such a way that it looked like liquid moved inside of the dice, little flecks of glitter sloshing around a cloudy liquid inside the green tinted gold leaf inlaid resin with every roll, beautiful, eye catching, immensely satisfying to his little crow brain. Surprisingly enough they were the most expensive purchase he’d made at the faire, tiny little dice, fifty whole dollars. Not the most expensive thing he’d seen there, but definitely the most expensive thing he now owned from the trip.

They came with an incredibly pretty velvet dice bag though, which he hadn’t expected to get as a little freebie but the girl at the stall winked at him when she handed it over and wasn’t that a trip. The fabric was dyed to look like some kind of galaxy, with little silver and gold stars embroidered into it.

It made those dice a steal and he would treasure it and them, always.

He perused the fabric stalls, getting himself a cool hand painted scarf, detailed with a beautiful dragon that he’d find a good frame for later to hang up because it would not be worn, no siree. He grabbed a cool hand carved wooden mug for Wayne that looked like something straight out of a Viking’s mead hall, he’d give it to him for Christmas.

He got himself some food. He watched a joust, got a photo with the riders and their horses, one of which tried nibbling his hair, tipped the riders, and very quickly found himself running low on cash.

All that scrimping, and saving, and dealing… worth it. So very worth it.

So sue him if he looped back around and walked through again, he couldn’t afford much of anything else, he’d spent his last ten spot on a fridge magnet, had five left for gas station snacks on the way home, but that was fine, he could take photos, he’d borrowed Gareth’s camera, Gareth would have come but his parents had one stipulation for him attending the faire, and that was taking his failing grade in biology, and upping it to something that at least predicted a pass before thanksgiving.

He’d failed, and no amount of grovelling could fix it. No Ren Faire for you good sir!

Jeff was out of town with his family on some ‘visit all the out of state family members before Christmas snowstorms lock everything down’ country wide tour. And Dougie couldn’t get the time off his part time job to go.

So Eddie had promised plenty of photos to show them what they missed out on.

It was the very last stall at the end of the strip that caught his attention. Maybe it was the way the dying sunlight hit it, or the way the wind caught the chimes dangling from its flimsy rafters, he felt… called to it. Drawn to it like a moth to a flame and who was he, but a lowly little moth, to ignore the call of the fire?

So he wandered over, let himself be drawn in, offered a friendly little finger wave to the greying woman sat behind a makeshift counter wrapped in shawls and decorated in silver jewellery that jingled as she worked a single crotchet hook into a slowly coming together wine red shawl. The woman offered him a simple bow of her head and a small smile in response but no sales pitch.

No conversation of any kind really, she simply sat there while he looked, crocheting away without a care in the world. He could appreciate that, not being bothered by pushy sales tactic, especially when he had so few funds left to play with, he always felt guilty when he couldn’t afford what they were selling.

Like why was he even there if he had no money to spend?

The old woman didn’t do that, allowing him to wander through her surprisingly large stall full of little trinkets and goodies uninterrupted, which was for the best because had she spoke, he might not have stayed long enough to spot it. Amidst the little boxes decorated with carved patterns and pretty gemstones, amidst the scarves, crocheted bags, amidst the leather work belts, and wallets sat a single, solitary little bottle.

Sealed with a cork coated in wax and pressed with a decorative seal in a shape too worn down to really make out but obvious that it’d at one point had a shape. The bottle was hand blown, not manufactured, lightly frosted a dark brown to a brilliant amber around its square base, the colour crept up the smooth sides towards its seal, like a diamond in shape.

The bottle wasn’t empty either.

Much like the dice that’d caught his crow brain hook line and sinker earlier, this little bottle was filled with some kind of liquid. It swirled like a galaxy inside, and at the centre a brilliant light that looked like it held its own sun, always at the centre of the swirl, never distorting or shifting out of place, eternal in its circular flow.

It was warm in his hands. He didn’t even realise he’d picked it up.

“Two dollars.” Eddie damn near jumped out of his skin, whirling around, the bottle tight in his grip. That old woman had moved. And she’d done so with a quiet stealth some might attribute to a ninja, which was impressive considering how much jewellery she wore.

“Huh?” So eloquent of him.

“Just two dollars, child. The bottle? It is… calling to you, yes?” He couldn’t place her accent, something foreign, European maybe, he had no idea but it definitely didn’t sound any parts American. “I take two dollars for it, will bring you luck.” He looked back to the bottle, eyeing the swirl that still held its pattern even as he’d jostled it, like nothing could knock it out of its gentle swirl, then back to the old woman.

What was two dollars, really?

He had five left, if nothing else the bottle could make a really cool prop, and if it did bring him luck, then hey bonus. Who was he to argue with a mysterious old lady at a Renaissance Faire? “You uh… you got yourself a deal, ma’am.” She smiled brightly at him, eyes alight with both happiness and… something else, something that reflected in the light that he didn’t think hard enough about. She accepted the five dollars he had left, she gave him his change, and a little paper bag filled with tissue to hold his new purchase, which he didn’t really need as he put it right into his own bag after receiving his change, and then she sent him on his way, uncaring as to whether or not he wanted to look at her other wares.

He’d gotten the bottle. Nothing else mattered apparently. Maybe he should have found that suspicious, but why would he?

As soon as he left the little stall, all thought of it seemed to wash away from his mind leaving him freely wandering back to the entrance where his trusty steed, his Van, awaited him to take him home. Blissfully unaware of the little bottle he’d just purchased. Blissfully forgetful of the stall he’d visited, of the old woman he’d just met, of her smile, her eyes, her mysterious accent.

All of which was for the best, really, as if he’d thought about it, if he’d taken a single moment to stop and look back to the little stall at the end of the row, the little stall that held more treasures than it should have been able to for its size, if he’d looked back to wave his goodbyes to the old woman and her treasures, he’d have found nothing.

No stall, no woman, no trinkets or treasures. Just a single row of recycling bins and benches.

But he didn’t look back.

Definitely for the best.

Part 2

[steddieas-shegoes]

you're not jonathan

for @steddieholidaydrabbles prompt 'no upside down au' rated t wc: 997 cw: recreational drug use, language tags: meet-ugly turned meet-cute, flirting, somewhat ambiguous ending but we all know what's gonna happen

🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿

Steve was not supposed to be the one picking up the drugs for the party.

He wasn't even going to the party.

But Jonathan couldn't get it from his usual guy, said he was back home in California for the summer, and it wasn't like Robin had a hookup.

Eddie Munson didn't technically deal anymore, but he made exceptions for previous customers, and Jonathan had been a regular during high school.

It wasn't shocking news to Steve, but what was shocking was hearing all these stories about how Eddie didn't even usually meet someone during daylight hours. Except today, apparently.

Steve tripped over another branch, barely caught himself before falling on his face.

"I better get so high off this shit," he said to himself.

"I only sell the good shit."

Steve froze.

Somehow, he'd missed a person walking up to him, probably when he nearly ate dirt.

"Is there any reason a hike is required to get some weed?" Steve asked, brushing his hands on his pants to get the remnants of the tree trunk he saved himself on.

Eddie crossed his arms in front of him, raising an unimpressed brow.

"No. Jonathan suggested the place."

Hard to believe the guy who hated being outside for more than a few minutes would have suggested a half mile trek into the woods, but Steve didn't really care to argue.

"O...kay. Well, I've got the cash if you wanna get this over with," Steve said as he reached into his pockets that were..."Fuck."

He started patting his pockets, his shirt, looking around him at the ground to try to find his wallet.

"Everything okay?" Eddie asked, coming closer.

"I lost my wallet. Shit!"

"Alright, I can help you look, man. It's not a big deal. Gotta be somewhere, right?" Eddie started looking around him, though it was half-hearted at best. "What's it look like?"

"It's brown. Um, leather?" Steve suddenly forgot any other details about his wallet. How convenient.

"Okay, so the color of the ground. Should be easy."

Steve snorted.

Eddie was smirking as he walked the way Steve came, checking the ground around him as he did so.

Steve followed behind, but he was pretty certain they wouldn't find it.

After ten minutes of looking, Eddie sighed.

"We should just smoke a bit. Take the edge off. Ya know?"

"I don't think that's a good idea. I can't pay you until I find my wallet," Steve said as he continued looking, bending down to get a closer look at a spot that seemed like the color of his wallet.

"On the house."

Steve stood straight up.

"Really?"

"Can't really kick ya when you're down, can I? Plus, I planned on smoking after you left anyway. We can share," Eddie shrugged, like it was no big deal.

Steve had never gotten high outside of house parties, the comfort of his own home or a friend's home soothing his anxieties about losing his inhibitions.

But out here? With Eddie? It didn't seem like a smart thing to do.

"Alright," Steve shrugged back.

Eddie must have sensed something about him, though, because he didn't let him take more than three puffs of the joint before he put it out and found a collection of boulders for them to sit on.

"You ever think about how trees are alive but they don't have ears?" Steve asked a minute later.

"Oh, you're that kind of high." Eddie poked his hand, making him look over at him. "You eat today?"

"Maybe. I've been busy. Do you think trees get hungry?" Steve replied.

Eddie searched his face before letting his pinky rest against Steve's hand on the rock.

It felt like fire.

"They do."

"But they don't have pancakes or cheeseburgers. Like, we can't grind it up and put it in the dirt for them, right?" Steve's jaw dropped. "Can we?"

Eddie watched as Steve looked over at some of the trees surrounding them.

"I don't think we can, no."

"A shame. They're missin' out. You know who else is missin' out? Jonathan! He made me come here and he didn't even tell me you had long hair or like the nicest eyelashes. Which is weird because he didn't shut up about anything else about you but he forgot about the eyelashes!" Steve's hand curled around Eddie's pinky. "And you look warm."

Eddie's brows raised.

He wasn't sure who Steve was. Jonathan had just insisted he was cool.

But Jonathan hadn't mentioned that his hair looked softer than silk, or that his eyes were wide and innocent despite his lip curling up in the corner in annoyance.

Jonathan seemed to have left a lot of things out.

"Well, it is summer. It's pretty warm," Eddie gulped. "But you do look a little cold."

"I get cold easy. Robin says it's because I don't eat enough red meat or something. Low irony or something."

Eddie was so endeared.

"I could help you stay warm? Walk you back to your car if you want?"

Eddie did not want that, but he knew Steve probably needed to walk off some of this high before his friends started to worry about him.

"Don't wanna walk," Steve leaned his head on Eddie's shoulder. "My head is walking."

"Should I try to head back and get one of your friends?"

Steve shook his head.

"Be fine in an hour."

"Okay," Eddie put his arm around Steve's shoulder, surprised to find that Steve was shivering. "Hey, you okay?"

"You do have good shit."

"That's not an answer," Eddie chuckled.

"I'm good. Best."

Eddie let him burrow further into his side and waited for his shivering to subside before he suggested heading back to his car again.

Steve still refused, and Eddie didn't have it in him to push.

Not when they were finding shapes in the clouds and he was holding Steve close.

He'd definitely owe Jonathan a lot of product if this went the way he wanted it to.

[atimeofyourlife]

A group thing?

written for @steddieholidaydrabbles prompt: no upside down au | rated: t | wc: 944 | tags: no upside down au, pre-steddie, steve x corroded coffin Steve gets a job in a record store in Chicago, and a familiar group of guys come in looking for a place for their band to play. Who knows where it could go

Getting out of Hawkins was the best thing that had ever happened to Steve. The plan had been cemented between him and Robin when they started working at Family Video after the freak fire at Starcourt, the result of an electrical fault caused by the cut corners and corrupt construction. They were both going to work as many hours as possible at Family Video, so they could save up ready to move away after Robin graduated high school, with Steve planning to follow her to wherever she went to college.

The plan led them to Chicago, with Robin getting accepted to study linguistics at the University of Chicago. They found a small, relatively affordable two bed apartment, and did everything they could to make it theirs. While Robin worked on her degree, Steve found work at an independent record store. Even though it was still retail, he found it much better than working at Family Video and Scoops Ahoy had been. There was no uniform, the manager was pretty chill, and employees could choose anything from stock to play over the store's sound system. Steve did tend to play a lot of Queen when it was his turn to pick, but he was learning a lot about other genres from his coworkers' tastes in music.

But Steve's favorite part of the job was the live music. There was a small stage area that local bands could book and come in and play for free, in a chance to get more experience playing. Some of them weren't the best, but some of them were amazing. It was something that made it feel less like work. Some bands were pretty regular, and Steve was starting to form a real friendship with some of them.

"Hi, how can I help?" Steve asked as he came back to the counter from the stock room where he'd been processing a delivery with his coworker. There were a group of guys all waiting around, so he assumed that they were a band wanting to get a play spot. There was something familiar about them, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what.

"Er, hi. We've just moved to the area, and a buddy of ours told us you let bands play here for free." The guy at the front with long hair said, seeming to be the leader.

"Yeah, we do that. Just give me a moment." Steve ducked down to grab the folder from under the counter. "So the boss is the one who makes the final decisions on all the bands, so I'll just need to take your details, and she'll call you back to arrange everything. And I can give you the information sheet with everything you need to know."

The band took the sheet, and murmured a little amongst themselves.

"Okay, so if I can start with the band name?" Steve asked, pulling out a sign up sheet.

"Corroded Coffin." One of them replied.

Steve wrote it down, and tried to make conversation as he did. "You said you guys just moved here? Where'd you come from?"

"This shitty, small town in Indiana. You've probably never heard of it."

"Uh huh. And a phone number we can contact you on?"

The number got rattled off for Steve to note down.

"That sounds a lot like where I'm from. You wouldn't be from Hawkins, would you?"

"Yeah, we are."

"I thought you guys seemed familiar. We probably went to high school together." Steve said. "And your names?"

Each said their names as Steve wrote them down. The last one, who had seemed to be the leader, "Eddie Munson."

Steve looked down at the sheet, before looking up at Eddie. "You used to sell, right? At a picnic bench in the woods behind the school."

"You used to buy? Then do we get your name, big boy." Eddie asked, leaning on the counter.

"Steve. Harrington." Steve replied, watching hesitantly as they all seemed surprised.

"King Steve, what brings you to working in a place like this?"

"Trying to make rent. My parents cut me off after I graduated, and I'm pretty sure it would be a total disownment if they knew half the shit I got up to now. So me and my best friend moved up here after she graduated. She's in college and I'm making sure we can afford our shitty two bedroom apartment."

"Now I want to know what you get up to." One of the others said, Steve was pretty sure he'd said his name was Gareth.

"Let's just say I know what the bandanna in Munson's back pocket stands for." Steve winked as he said it, and couldn't help laughing as they all spluttered slightly. "I've got all the information I need, and I'll make sure to put in a good word with the boss for you."

Steve was working when Corroded Coffin were playing at the store for the first time. He was on hand to help them get set up and make sure everything went smoothly.

"I think that's everything, you guys can start playing when you're ready, and I'll let you know when your time is nearly up. Do you need anything else?"

"How about a kiss for good luck?" Eddie asked.

Steve smiled before pulling Eddie in by the shirt and kissing him deeply.

"Hey, what about the rest of us?" Gareth called from behind his drum kit.

Steve just shrugged, before going around and kissing each of them softly on the lips.

He made his way back behind the counter, looking forward to what could come between him and the band. Friendship, or maybe even something more.

[xspeter]

soon :)

[hornedqueenofhell]

Holiday in... Handcuffs? Pt. 2

Pt 1

“Okay Dustin, tell me one more time why you think Steve was kidnapped.” Hopper says while pinching the ridge of his nose. It’s not that he didn’t believe the boy, it's just, he highly doubts one guy would be capable of taking Steve down easily.

“He told me he was! I heard a struggle, he said kidnapped, I heard the kidnappers voice!” Dustin shrieks while waving his phone at Hopper. Will, Mike and Lucas had come to join him, they were staying quiet though, still in shock. The girls had been skeptical and refused to stop their girls day for what they thought was a cry for attention.

“Did Steve perhaps call you accidentally if he was… busy with someone?” He has caught Steve with his pants down too many times to assume the guy didn’t have varied interests in bed. Dustin just scowls and puts his hands on his hips exactly like Steve does.

“No, he was calling to tell me something. That he wasn’t going to be able to do something and then the struggle started. I heard swearing and panting like Steve was trying to get away, his speaker sounded like it had been hit because all his audio started getting really fuzzy. He was trying to say something about his kidnapper that he was weird or something like that. And then I heard the guy's voice really clearly, he said ‘in you go princess.”

“I understand Dustin, I'm just asking if there are any other possibilities. Steve is an adult man who doesn’t look like he’d be easy to kidnap, on top of that he was on the phone actively talking to a witness which is the last thing a criminal wants. Kidnappers go after people who won’t be missed, who they can convince to get out of the public eye.”

“He said goodbye to me, Hopper. He said goodbye and that he loves me.” Steve normally did this but he just had this gut feeling that something horrible had happened. “If you won’t help me I’ll go looking for him myself.”

“Slow your roll Dustin Henderson. I didn’t say I wouldn’t help, I just need as much information as possible. Did Steve tell you where he was when he was taken?”

“His phone tracking shows him around the corner from the shop when he made the call.” Dustin pulls up the map and shows him the screenshot he took of the dot in front of the corner bodega. “Now the tracking on it is spotty, wherever they’re taking him it has a bad signal, and they’re moving.”

Fuck that’s not good. Hopper stands from his desk and grabs his jacket. “Okay, I’m going to check out where Steve was last seen. You tell me if the tracking ever reappears and what direction it’s heading in, that could help us predict where they may be headed. Stay here. Do not, do anything stupid.” Hopper orders before heading out the door and getting in his cruiser to go by the bakery.

~O~

They had stopped at a gas station about twenty minutes out from the cabin because Eddie wanted s'mores supplies and some beers. Steve was kind of hungry so he picked up some snacks for them too. The two of them giggled and playfully shoved each other until the gas station owner, full of fond exasperation, said that she was going to confiscate their ID’s as fakes if they didn’t stop acting like children. Steve looked concerned while Eddie just snorted.

“Like you haven’t been letting me buy beers here since I was 19 Terry.” He winks and she flips him off. They set their haul on the counter and Steve insists on paying, smacking Eddie’s hands away when he tries to steal the other man’s card. Eventually Eddie just folds his arms over Steve’s shoulders and rests his chin on Steve’s head.

“Shall I give Wayne your best then?” He teases wiggling his eyebrows. Terry scoffs and reaches across the counter to swat him.

“You’ll be keeping your mouth shut if you know what’s good for you Edward Theodore Munson. And thank your young man for buying your groceries, what were you raised in a barn?”

“Oh trust me Lady Theressa I would like nothing more than to thank him, long and often but he has rebuffed my advances because all of you keep telling him I’m such a scoundrel!” Eddie dramatically swoons against Steve’s back, swooning a little in reality at how easily Steve holds his weight. “My knight in shining armor has rebuked me, leaving me without favor or token to get me through the dark, lonely nights!”

“Are you sure you want to be seen in public with this guy?” Terry stage whispers to Steve. Steve laughs and rubs his hand over Eddie’s forearms, the metalhead squeezing him tighter in response.

“God help me but doe-eyed, curly hair nerds are kinda my type.” That response has Eddie blushing and ducking his head to hide behind his curls against Steve’s neck. He meant it when he said he’d earn that kiss, whatever Steve needed to know his interest was in something real.

“That’s on you then. You boys stay safe out there, got it?” She gives them both an ‘I’m watching you’ gesture as they gather up their bags of snacks and offer her holiday wishes in return as they head out.

Eddie squeezes Steve’s hand once they’re back in the car warming up. Steve’s eyes are glittering and Eddie squeezes his hand again so he doesn’t lean over and accidentally steal that kiss. “If you’re not completely sick of me after this trip, and you’re willing to give this a shot, I’d like to take you to dinner.”

“I think I’d like that.” Steve murmurs. Honestly if Eddie asked he’d definitely kiss him right here and now. No one has made him laugh this much in a while, has listened to Steve talk about the bakery and the youth basketball team he’s an assistant coach for with such rapt attention. He hasn’t felt this seen since Robin, who is the other half of his brain cell, they are two halves of a whole idiot and they do just about everything together. She knows he’s thought Eddie was cute from the first time he walked into the bakery, with a grease smudge on his forehead and his hair tied up in a clip.

“Is there something on my face, you’re staring.” Eddie asks, he’s actually got a smear of chocolate from a cookie on his lip but Steve just smiles and shakes his head.

“Just think you’re beautiful, that’s all.” And as color floods Eddie’s face, prompting him to hide behind his hair again as he turns to watch the road, Steve can’t help but be unrepentantly charmed. It’s silly to think about but Steve feels like he’s fallen into one of those goofy Hallmark Christmas movies. The ones where unexpected circumstances end up bringing you exactly where you’re supposed to be to meet The One or something ridiculous like that. It’s silly he knows but he has a good feeling about this Christmas.

~O~

Most of the shops had closed by the time Hopper got there, the bodega included unfortunately. But there was a pawn shop across the street that was still open. He walked in and went to the counter where a nervous, sweaty little man stared him down.

“H-hello offfficer. What can I do for you?” He dabs at his receding hairline with a stained hanky.

“That camera out front work?” He asks and the man nods.

“Yes, I-I haven’t had many customers come in today and I have all the goods I’ve had sold to me today right over here if you need to see any of them for any reason. I do feel like I should inform you-”

“I don’t care about possible stolen goods at the moment, does that camera reach to across the street?” Hopper cuts him off not wanting to be here a second longer than he needed to. 

“A little. Um, right this way officer.” He scurries over to the door to lock it and switch the sign to closed before taking Hopper to the backroom where the camera controls were set up.

“I want you to show me just before 7 to 7:15 today.” Hopper says and the man is quick to comply. He wasn’t exaggerating about the little, Hopper couldn’t see faces or anything significantly higher than people’s waists. He scanned the footage intently for anything suspicious and then he saw it. An inconspicuous looking black vehicle driving too close to the curb, kicking up sludge as it goes. He sees sharp movements and then two bodies hitting the ground. They’re almost out of frame when the incident occurs but he catches a glimpse of Steve. The young man is indeed on his phone, the device clutched in his hand as a body with its back to the camera lands on top of him. The figure is wearing what looks like jeans and a thick, dark sweater, heavy combat boots and chains dangling from one of the pockets. So definitely not Steve’s usual crowd. He watches Steve’s feet scrabble against the icy pavement before he’s pulled up and out of frame. About a minute later a similar black vehicle drives back in the other direction. 

So that must be the play. Knock them off balance by driving too close, then while the victim is disoriented loading them into the vehicle and taking off back in the opposite direction. Unfortunately this camera angle didn’t provide plate details for the vehicle so that would have to wait until morning. He just hoped Steve could hold on that long.

“Rewind a bit, I want you to print out some of these frames for me.” Hopper says, pulling up another chair.

By the time he gets back to the office he’s frustrated and worried for Steve. And he knows Joyce has got to be getting worried about him too, he should have been home almost two hours ago by now.

The kids have all gone but they pinned a map to a whiteboard they commandeered and drew a trail of dots with each check in point where they could get a signal from Steve’s phone. It looks like the kidnappers are headed towards the mountains which is not a good sign for Steve’s life expectancy. He can’t despair yet though and adds the printouts of the attack to the board. 

Steve is his boy and if these fuckers have hurt a single hair on his head, they’ll never find the bodies. No matter how much his heart and mind rage though there’s no new information to gather right now. He needs to go home, to tell Joyce what happened. He needs her help to figure out what to tell the kids if the worst comes to pass.

~O~

Wayne is standing in the open door as they pull up. Eddie can barely help the child-like grin on his face as he dashes up onto the porch, ignoring the crack of ice under his boots as he pulls his uncle into a tight hug.

“I’ve missed you.” He groans as Wayne squeezes him back just as tight,

“Missed you too son, now get in here so I can meet your boy finally.”

And oh how Eddie’s heart soared at hearing Wayne call Steve his boy, but first he had to tell Wayne the truth about what happened.

“About that Wayne, this is Steve, he’s a friend of mine. Hector won’t be joining us because he decided to be a two-timing scumbag.” Steve, absolute gentleman that he is, has all their bags with him that he sets down before offering Wayne his hand to shake.

“Steve Harrington sir, Eddie has been telling me so much about you.” Wayne returns the gesture with a small grin, so similar to Eddie’s.

“Just Wayne please, you gonna make an honest man of my boy before these knees are too old to walk him down the aisle?”

“Wayne!” Eddie sputters, resisting the urge to throw himself in the nearest snowdrift and just stay there until the spring thaw. He’s burning up so much right now he could possibly melt through the ice on the lake and just drown there too. Steve barely seems phased though and just gives Eddie a soft look.

“Well, we were going to maybe start with dinner. Save the wedding plans for the third date you know.” He winks and Eddie buries his face in his hands with a whine, great they get along too well.

“I’m going to bed!” He declares loudly, he’s had a shit day and the drive up into the mountains always stresses him out. Wayne just gives him the stink eye.

“You drag this boy all the way out here and just plan on disappearing? Show him around at least!” Wayne turns back to Steve and pats him on the shoulder, “I really tried to raise him with manners I swear.”

Steve throws his head back and laughs, looking so radiant and happy that Eddie barely feels his heart slip from his chest and splat down at his feet. Freely offered to the gorgeous man who offered to come here for him, who looks at him like he’s hoping as hard as Eddie is that this thing starting to take shape between them could be something wonderful.

“I think he’s just the way he’s supposed to be.” Steve says, looking at him so warmly. Eddie flushes and reaches for Steve again, craving the way their fingers feel folded together already and starts showing him around the cabin. It’s not massive or really even anything special. Living room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom across the way. There’s a little gazebo outside right on the edge of a lake which was why Wayne wanted the place to begin with. There’s boxes of decorations sitting out but no tree, when Steve asks about it Eddie just grins.

“Munson family tradition, we have to go get one. Then we spend the whole day decorating and drinking and snacking on whatever we have on hand. Sometimes we stay inside and just read while Wayne plays his old records. Or I’ll take the kids out to go skate if my cousins are around.”

“That sounds really nice Eddie. I never really got to have traditions like that growing up.” Steve had talked a bit about his cold, lonely upbringing, and how he’d never had people to celebrate the holidays with until Robin and his group of shitheads. Eddie had suspected that Steve had to be at least a bit lonely to volunteer to go to a practical stranger’s house for Christmas but Eddie was really happy he had.

“Then I’m all too happy to share ours with you.” Steve’s lip wobbles a touch as he pulls Eddie into a gentle hug.

“I feel like a horrible person for crying when you’re the one who went through so much today, but thank you for having me.” Eddie wraps his arms around Steve and holds him back just as gently, fingers sinking into Steve’s thick waves.

“Thank you for offering to come. I feel so much braver, facing everything that happened today because I wasn’t going through it alone.” The held each other for a moment longer before drifting back to their own spaces. “Want some cocoa before we head to bed? It’s a queen if you don’t mind sharing, the couch is…” he inhales sharply, “not great.”

“I feel like we’re going about things in a very weird order. Haven’t kissed, haven't been on a date but going straight to sharing a bed. Yeah, cocoa sounds nice.”

“It’s from a packet so temper your fine artisanal drink crafting expectations.” Eddie says tugging Steve into the kitchen, 

Steve just shakes his head and giggles, “Just how pretentious do you think I am?”

Wayne watches them from his seat in the living room, two of them wrapped up in their own little world of new romance as they stand hip to hip in the kitchen, sipping hot chocolate and watching each other with stars in their eyes. They might actually start discussing marriage before their third date.

Pt 3

[spectrum-spectre]

my brain is fucking Vibrating rn

YET ANOTHER STEDDIE AU IDEA!!!!!!!

There's this tv show called Chuck, right? Awkward nerdy dude (Eddie) working at an off-brand Best Buy with his even lamer, nerdier best friend (let's say Dustin). Eddie accidentally gets a super computer installed into his brain and suddenly knows a bunch of top secret government information (and is now the only person on the planet with access to said info, making him a liability asset). Super cool and drop-dead gorgeous CIA agent Steve Harrington is tasked with working alongside gruff, seasoned war veteran/FBI agent Jim Hopper to protect the asset.

[kennahjune]

Another Gareth and Steve Idea

I’ve mentioned before my idea of step-brothers Steve and Gareth.

This is another one of those.

Steve and Gareth who— after their parents finally marry— move to Hawkins Indiana just in time for Steve’s Senior year of high school.

Steve’s not at all happy about it but he tries to keep the brooding to a minimum. His anger issues tend to spark up Gareth’s anger issues which would just make everything worse.

So Steve deals. It’s fine. It’s Gareth’s Freshman year, and he himself isn’t to happy about starting in Hawkins. But it’s whatever, not like he had any friends back in (insert wherever Tf it was they moved from).

Except when they start at Hawkins nobody knows they’re brothers. Gareth kept the Emerson last name in honor of his late mother and Steve’s last name remains Harrington from before his mom and dads divorce when he was 12.

Not to mention that they immediately run in different social circles.

Well— they try to.

Steve isn’t too good about sticking to a circle. Sometimes he’s hanging out with the “nerds” others he’s hanging out with the band kids. He’s often found talking with the cheerleaders in the halls and the jocks and popular crew at lunch. But he doesn’t seem to have any trouble talking to just about everyone.

Gareth goes on to meet Eddie and Jeff. He shares a few classes with Jeff, even though he’s in the year above. He starts running with the freaks of the school and he quickly becomes a target for bullies.

Steve doesn’t know Gareth’s being bullied until later, when he hears some of the jocks he sits with at lunch laughing about him.

Idk where I was going with this.

The jocks end up going home early in the nurses office.

Eddie and Jeff and Brian are all very skeptical about Steve and Gareth finds it hilarious to no ends.

“Steve? Who cried over a dead bird in the road literally last week?”

The guys don’t know they’re brothers. And it’s not like Gareth is keeping it from them or anything, it’s just never quite come up.

They both manage to get over half way through the year before Steve finally meets Hellfire.

The drama club room is being used the night of Hellfire so Gareth offers up his place because his parents won’t be home, only his older brother.

The guys come over and it’s Steve who opens the door.

They’re fully convinced they have the wrong house until Steve’s like “oh yeah that Dorks and Dumbasses game with Gare, right?”

And that’s when everyone finds out they’re brothers.

Steve and Gareth had no idea that they had no idea that they were brothers. They thought everyone knew???

Apparently, nobody in the school knows.

Idk where this continues but uh— eventual Steddie!!

[estrellami-1]

Jemma

I’m not super happy with the ending but I would die for Jemma.

When the bell rings, Robin wearily sighs, stands, and affixes her hat on her head. “I hate you,” she mutters to Steve on her way out the door. “You and your stupid fair plan.”

Steve chuckles, knowing she doesn’t actually hate him or his plan; she just hates when it’s her turn to serve someone.

It’s a fairly straightforward procedure, which means Steve is surprised—and a little concerned—when through the door, he can hear Robin floundering her words. “Oh, no- don’t cry, please, it’s- it’s okay, it’ll be okay, um- Steve? A little help here?”

He forgets the hat, walks out of the break room in three long strides. “What’s wrong?”

He blinks when he sees a little girl standing in front of them, big blue eyes watering. “Oh,” he murmurs. “Hi, there. Where’s your mommy?”

Her lip quivers even more. “Calaf’wnya.”

Steve’s brows hit his hairline. “Okay, uh, where’s your daddy?”

That, apparently, was the wrong question to ask. She bursts into tears. “I dunno!” She sobs and hiccups, and Steve and Robin turn wide eyes onto each other.

“I do not know how to handle kids, Steven,” Robin hisses at him, looking about four seconds from her own breakdown.

Steve doesn’t think he’s fantastic with kids, but he’s at least better than Robin, so he nods. “Can you handle the store while I help her find her dad?”

Robin nods. “Please.”

He nods to her, then moves to crouch in front of the little girl. “Oh, hey, it’ll be okay. I’ll help you find your daddy, okay?”

Her eyes seem even bigger and bluer with the tears. “Pwomise?”

“I promise,” he nods. “Can you tell me your name?”

“Jemma.” She crosses a black curl in front of her face, like she’s embarrassed.

“That’s a beautiful name, Jemma. I’m Steve. Can I guess how old you are?” He grins at her excited nod. “Okay. Hmm… are you… three?” She shakes her head and holds four fingers up. “You’re four? Oh, wow. You’re so big! Can you guess how old I am?”

She looks at him with big eyes and asks wonderingly, “Two hundwed?”

He ignores Robin’s snort as he picks Jemma up. “Not quite,” he answers. “I’m twenty-six.”

Her eyes get even bigger. “That’s so many,” she says wonderingly. “Do you know evewything?”

Steve stifles a laugh. “Not quite everything, but I do know a lot. But I bet you know a lot, too. D’you know your daddy’s name?” She shakes her head. “That’s okay. Do you know what your mommy calls your daddy?”

Her face brightens. “Asshole!”

Robin collapses in giggles onto the countertop. Steve fights not to follow her example. “Okay,” he says. It only comes out a little shaky. “Does she call him anything else?”

“Eddie,” she nods. “Sometimes baby, but that’s when she has hew juice and is happy.”

Steve’s heart clenches. “Okay,” he answers. “How about if I put you up on my shoulders, so you can be way up high and see everything, and we go yell for your daddy?”

“M’kay’!” She agrees, so Steve situates her on his shoulders before turning back to Robin.

“You gonna be okay for a few minutes?”

“I’ll be fine,” Robin nods, grinning at Jemma. “You’d better help her. She needs it more than me.”

Steve chuckles. “You’re the best.”

“And don’t you forget it!” She calls on his way out of the store.

In the main hall of the mall now, Steve’s breath tries to catch in his throat. There’s a lot of people, and he’s not exactly sure how to do this. Finally, he decides to just go for it, parading up and down as he yells. “Eddie! Jemma is looking for you!”

“Daddy!” Jemma tries to help, even if her voice is too small. Steve gives her a high-five anyways.

On his way down a side hall, he hears someone behind him. “Jemma!”

“Daddy?” Jemma squirms on Steve’s shoulders, and he turns around to see a man running their direction. “Daddy!” She squeals, kicking in earnest, trying her best to swan dive off Steve’s shoulders.

He quickly lifts her off and holds her securely enough she won’t fall as he and Jemma’s father move towards each other.

“Oh, Jem, I was so worried about you,” he says quietly, taking her from Steve. “You can’t do that, okay? You can’t run off, remember?”

Jemma’s lip wobbles. “‘M sowwy, Daddy,” she says. “I wanted ice cweam.”

He kisses her forehead and hugs her close. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” he whispers, then looks at Steve. “Thank you so much for helping her.”

Jemma wiggles in his grasp. “Daddy! Daddy he wowks in the ice cweam stowe! An’ he helped me! An’ his name is-” she frowns, turns to look at Steve. “I fowgot.”

Steve chuckles. “My name is Steve,” he tells both her and her father. “Eddie, right?”

“That’s me,” he confirms with a nod. “Please tell me she wasn’t too much trouble.”

“None at all,” Steve promises, then grins. “She’s an absolute riot, actually.”

Eddie winces. “What did she say this time?”

“I think this might be my fault,” Steve admits. “I was trying to find out your name, so I asked what her mom calls you.”

“Oh no,” Eddie whispers.

Steve nods. “She was very confident. And, uh, very willing to share.”

Eddie winces again. “Baby? Or-”

“Both,” Steve nods, then smiles. “But it worked out in the end, we found you. And maybe you two could get a couple of cones? On me?” He grins. “I’ve found there’s not much that a good ice cream cone can’t fix.”

Eddie smiles apologetically. “We’ve actually got to go,” he says, then shifts. “But maybe I could give you my number? Buy you dinner to thank you?”

Steve grins as he looks Eddie up and down. “Just dinner?”

Eddie stares at him. “I’ll try to get a sitter.”

“Deal,” Steve grins, offering his hand to shake.

When he makes it back to the store, he grins at Robin. “Put a tally on the scoreboard, Robin, I’ve got a number. And, if I play it right, a date.”

Robin judges him with her eyebrows. “Did you really hit on a girl out there?”

Steve snorts. “No. But Jemma’s dad is very appreciative. He wants to thank me over dinner.” He smirks and leans over the counter to get into her space in a way he knows annoys her. “And he’s gonna get a sitter.”

Robin narrows her eyes at him. “I don’t know what you are, Steve Harrington, but one day I’ll figure you out.”

Steve snorts. “I don’t doubt it.”

Permanent Taglist: @justforthedead89 @ilovecupcakesandtea @madigoround @bookbinderbitch @suddenlyinlove @nburkhardt @artiststarme @paintsplatteredandimperfect @i-less-than-three-you @alyelf @quarble @messrs-weasley @littlewildflowerkitten @vankaar @starman-jpg @bornonthesavage @steddie-there @goodolefashionedloverboi @mischivarien @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @platinum-sunset @just-ladyme @steddiestains @swimmingbirdrunningrock @imhereforthelolzdontyellatme @martinskis-lydias @notaqueenakhaleesi @sleepyboosstuff @bestwifehaver @m-owo-n @thatonebadideapanda @finalmoondragon @velocitytimes2 @callmeanythjing @ajeff855 @ilikeititspretty @knitsforthetrail @sillysparrow @that-one-corvid @ace-is-bored @inadequatecowboy @harpymoth @weirdandabsurd42

[thisapplepielife]

Written for the @steddieholidaydrabbles December challenge.

Paint It, Black

Prompt Day 9: No Upside Down AU | Word Count: 1000 | Rating: M | CW: Referenced Drug Use | Tags: AU, Corroded Coffin, Established Relationship, Eddie & Gareth Are Best Friends, Motel Room, Road Manager Steve Harrington Has Had Enough, It's Like Herding Cats

This is set during my fic Tuesday's Gone With the Wind, but this can be read alone. All you need to know is Corroded Coffin is a struggling band on the road, and Steve Harrington, Eddie's boyfriend, has recently taken a job as their Road Manager.

1990 Fresno, California

Holy. Fucking. Shit. 

What the actual fuck?

Steve can't even believe what he’s seeing. Can’t fathom it. It’s madness, absolute fucking insanity. What on earth has he signed up for? This isn’t normal. None of this is normal.

"What the fuck are you two dickheads doing?!" Steve finally shouts, unable to modulate his tone even a little bit. He’s a goddamn babysitter. No, being a babysitter would be better than this. Kids don’t know any better. These two assholes definitely do. Goddamn. Fuck.

Eddie barely turns to look at him, and that just makes Steve even madder. 

"Eddie, look at me!" Steve yells, and Eddie turns to look.

"Hi. What are you doing?" Steve asks, though it’s very fucking obvious what they’re doing. They’re painting their motel room black. 

Eddie doesn’t answer, but Gareth does. "Eddie has a thing about orange and green," Gareth says, like that’s a fucking excuse for this. Gareth keeps painting the wallpaper of the dingy motel room. 

"Stop it!" Steve yells, and they both freeze for just a second, then their brushes are moving again. 

He’s quitting. He’s going home. He can’t manage these people. They’re crazy. This is crazy.

"That’s…that’s not even how you paint a wall!" Steve screams at Gareth.

And don’t even get him started on the ceiling. That’s just bullshit. They’re gonna get arrested. Like, for sure. They need a lawyer on retainer, but they can’t afford a lawyer. And they definitely can’t afford to pay for these kinds of damages.

"Looks like it's getting painted to me," Gareth says, slapping more black paint on the wall.

"Do you know how much this is going to cost?" Steve snaps, putting his hands on his hips. He tries to guess, and can’t even come up with a number that seems plausible. They’ve ruined the wallpaper, the carpet, the bedding…the ceiling. The goddamn ceiling.

Eddie’s standing on the desk, which, also ruined. 

"Hey, assholes! What are you on?!" Steve yells. 

Because it must be drugs, there's no other excuse for this kind of behavior. Or they're psychopaths, and he doesn’t think that’s true. He loves Eddie. He’s kind, and sweet, and fucking unhinged, apparently.  

"Little coke," Gareth says, "that's all." 

"That's all? That's all?! Where are Jeff and Goodie?" 

"They’re at a bar. They didn't want to go to Sherwin Williams with us," Eddie says. 

Why would any store sell these two dickheads two gallons of black paint? It was never gonna be used for good. Never, ever.

Where's the satanic panic when you need it? 

"You two dickheads are explaining this. I don't have the words to even try," Steve snaps, but he knows that’s not true. He’ll take care of it. That’s what they’re paying him for. He’s not sure this is the job for him. He loves Eddie, but this is stupid. Cocaine, no cocaine, they both have to know better. Have to know you can’t just paint a motel room because it has a fucking ugly color scheme. 

He gives himself a few minutes to calm down, and then heads for the front desk and asks for the manager. 

"I’m Steve Harrington, road manager for Corroded Coffin. We’re in room 420. Two band members have painted the room partially black," Steve says, unable to believe he’s actually saying these words. "I’m sorry. We’ll pay for the damages."

They go back and forth. When the manager demands to go see the damage, Steve gets there and takes the brushes away, and sends Eddie and Gareth outside to wait. They are definitely banned from this motel for life.

They want to have them arrested for vandalism, and Steve thinks that’s a fucking fair assessment of what happened here. He talks them out of it. Offers to write a big check. They finally agree, and tell him to get their shit out, and never come back.

Jeff’s camera is in its bag, so Steve takes it out and films the damage. They might need this, if they end up slapped with a lawsuit.

The band doesn’t have this kind of money, not at all, so Steve gets out his personal checkbook and pays for the damages. If he doesn’t do that, he’ll have to pay to bail Eddie, and Gareth, out of jail, and he’d rather Eddie not have something so stupid on his record.

He packs up everybody’s shit, and when he gets outside with it, they are both sitting on a curb, as far from the lobby as they can get. Smoking a cigarette, passing it back and forth. Steve snaps his fingers, and points to the van. He has everybody’s shit piled on a cart, and they are gonna load it all up. Then they have to find Jeff and Goodie, because they’re gonna stumble back to a motel they’re no longer welcome in.

Eddie’s hands are a little shaky, Steve can tell he’s sobered up, and now he’s embarrassed. Or worried. Both, probably.

Gareth crawls in the backseat, seemingly unbothered, as always. Figures. Steve gets in the driver’s seat, and Eddie climbs in beside him.

"Do you still love me?" Eddie asks, looking at him, hair in his face.

"Unfortunately, yes," Steve says, and reaches for Eddie’s black paint-stained hand, kissing his knuckles. 

"How 'bout me? Do you love me?" Gareth asks, sticking his head between them. 

"No, never. Sit back," Steve snaps. 

Gareth does. 

"I’m sorry," Eddie says, and Steve is pretty sure he means it.

"I know," Steve says, "but that’s the end of that. We can’t afford to damage rooms like that again."

"Did we have enough to settle up tonight?" Eddie asks, looking worried.

Steve nods, "Yeah, it’s taken care of. Don’t worry."

"Thanks," Eddie says, "we won’t do anything like that again. I swear."

"Good. Thank you. I’m not paid enough for that kind of headache," Steve says, and it makes Eddie smile. 

This is a terrible job. 

But Eddie's here, and Steve's pretty fond of him. So, he'll stay.

Notes: This incident was mentioned in Wake Up Time, but I thought it'd be fun to get Steve's POV on these two dickheads for once. In Tuesday's Eddie had mentioned their property damage in this documentary segment:

Eddie Munson, Rhythm Guitar & Songwriter  "Our tours were a clusterfuck before Steve whipped us into shape. The property damage alone. Bunch of assholes, we were. He eventually broke us of it, it just took a while and a lot of money."

And this is that story, lol.

This idea is based off these lyrics from a Willie & Waylon song:

And there's a motel out in Fresno Where neither one of us can go back You had a thing about yellow and green So you painted the whole room black

Which is total Eddie and Gareth BFF vibes from this universe. (I changed it to orange, to match the Hawkins HS colors.)

And I've said it before, and I'll say it again, this gifset is the perfect embodiment of Road Manager Steve's energy.

If you want to write your own, or see more entries for this challenge, pop on over to @steddieholidaydrabbles and follow along with the fun!

If you want to see more of my entries into this month-long challenge, you can check them out in my Steddie Holiday Drabbles tag, right here!

[piratefishmama]

Nest | Part 17

A Steddie A/B/O ficlet

It’d been a week.

An entire week since Steve had last seen Eddie. He’d holed up in his apartment, spent the majority of his forced holiday time curled up in bed, or camping out on the sofa watching reruns of bad television. Robin had told him mid-way through the week that they weren’t in trouble, Wayne Munson didn’t intend to press for any complaints or legal action, but she’d heard nothing from Eddie.

Steve wasn’t in trouble, Owens wasn’t in trouble, he already had his next shift lined up at the end of the following week, already a new patient on the books to be seen to although he swore to himself that he wouldn’t be remotely as hands on as he’d been with Eddie. He’d do the minimum just like everyone else, he’d be there when he was needed, would provide care as required, but that was it.

He’d already had two complaints from other tenants shoved under his door about the stench though. Depressed alpha wasn’t a good smell, for Steve, people compared it to mould spores. Like walking into a bakery after a month of it being closed, only nobody had taken the produce away leaving everything to rot.

And the smell spread.

It didn’t matter that the owner of the building had boasted proper padding and ventilation in the ‘Alpha Safe’ apartments before he’d moved in, the smell seeped into every single corner, settled into fabrics, snuck under the front door and out into the hallway. He wanted his Omega.

He didn’t even really know his omega, but he wanted him. He’d made promises, promises he couldn’t keep with Eddie so far away. Promises he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to keep and wasn’t that just a terrifying notion. Eddie was alone again. His heat would come again, he’d be alone for it, there was no way he’d be able to get a clinic trip for free again. Freebies happen once and only in dire situations, after that you have a month to sort yourself out an alpha to join you, or you’re on your own.

It didn’t matter if a week of that month was spent recovering from an unsuccessful heat, you had a month, and Steve was well aware of the ticking clock, he spent most of the time just, looking at it on the wall. Ticking away, precious minutes going by tick by tock. It was ridiculous, he’d barely thought about Eddie Munson for years until he walked into that clinic and all of a sudden he was all Steve could think about. He pined, he yearned, he ached to see him, to make sure he was okay, and yet he couldn’t make himself take that trip to the trailer park where he knew Eddie lived.

It was an invasion of privacy, he’d already broken most of the policies at Nest, he didn’t want to break the last one too, even if he didn’t get Eddie’s address from the database at the clinic, even if he already kind of knew where Eddie lived beforehand.

Eddie deserved his privacy, he deserved his space to heal, to figure out what’d happened on his own time, to get himself and his head clear, to—screw it.

Steve had waited an entire week, he was going to get himself up, get himself showered, dressed, apply patches to his scent glands, he was going to open his front door and— stop dead in place because stood there, with a hand raised, poised to knock, was one Eddie Munson, his big brown doe eyes wide in surprise. “Uhm…” Eddie dropped his hand “hey, Steve, can… can we talk?”

“Eddie…” he rocked forwards, hands flexing as if to reach out, only to catch himself at the last minute, releasing a pained little whine from his throat, he wanted to touch, wanted to hold, to bury his face into all that hair and just breathe he was so close, so, so very close and every inch of Steve’s very being screamed at him to pull Eddie closer, to hold him as tightly as possible and never let him go again, but he couldn’t, he couldn’t, he wasn’t allowed, he didn’t have permission, he didn’t—

“It’s okay, alpha… you can touch, it’s okay” the dam broke in an instant, the second those consenting words reached his ears, he was wrapping Eddie up in his arms and holding him as tightly as he could, face buried into the side of his neck, arms squeezing him tight, if he could get any closer, if they could merge into one being, he’d do it. “Christ, big boy” Eddie huffed into his shoulder, even as he curled his own arms around Steve, even as he buried his nose into the fabric of Steve’s sweater and breathed deeply, letting himself be held.

Steve whined, squeezing him to his chest, desperate to smell him, but unable to, the Omega had patches on, hiding his scent from the world. Fuck he hated those blasted little things. “How are you here?”

Eddie eased back, forcing Steve to loosen his grip just so Eddie could look at him face to face “Buckley came by the trailer… can… can we go inside?” Robin. You scheming, rule breaking, beautiful human being. “We can talk in the hallway if you want but I’d rather—”

“No! Yeah, uhm. Yes, come in, sorry.” He stepped aside, motioning with his hand to let Eddie in, if he could think about anything other than the fact that Eddie was there, maybe he’d have felt self-conscious, maybe he’d have worried about the mess that’d built from him just wallowing, but no, he was just glad Eddie was there. No longer drenched in the sweet smell of heat, but still everything Steve could ever want.

He was back to his old self, leather, ripped denim, his rings clunky on his fingers, he didn’t look like an omega and likely sure as hell didn’t act like one either.

He was still the most beautiful thing Steve had ever seen in his life. Maybe that was the rose tinted glasses, Steve didn’t care. Eddie was there, in his living room, making himself comfortable on the couch, seemingly uncaring about the smell.

“You can close the door, Steve, I’m okay.” Right, he’d been holding it open. He closed it, they were together. In the same room. Eddie had closed himself in with Steve voluntarily.

Honestly he could just cry. Eddie was there, he was safe. He was okay.

“Eddie I— I didn’t—”

“Didn’t hurt me, I know, Steve. I know you spent the whole night holding me while I slept, making sure I was okay. I know. I know you’re a good Alpha Stevie, I know.”

“You… you know?”

“Mmhm, Buckley. I mean… I kind of figured, once my head cleared up a little, nothing felt different and I wasn’t in any pain, which… I figured I probably would have been had you—y’know, but Robin came by with a tape from your boss. It just confirmed what I figured out myself. I’d have come sooner but… well, cramps. Can you sit down?” Steve startled into action, quickly sitting himself down in his arm chair, opposite where Eddie had sat on the couch to give him some space. “Look… I uh… I know… I know things were said at the clinic, and like… I get that you had a job to do, and that included making me feel better an all that shit, so—if—if you want, I can just—just forget that you said anything, y’know? Just… I don’t expect anything from you, I mean… You were just doing your job, an I was super inappropriate with you like, the whole time, the shit I said—I—I’m sorry dude, I—I wasn’t in my right mind an I know you were probably just bein nice an I appreciate that—”

“Eddie, what the hell are you talking about?”

“You said you wanted to spend my next heat with me, right? An uh… other stuff…” Stuff that’d made his knees weak when he’d remembered it. When the memories of Steve so close, his firm body pressed so tightly against his, when he’d remembered everything, when it’d all slammed back into his brain at breakneck pace leaving him horny and breathless, desperate for something thicker than his own fingers, endlessly frustrated that he didn’t have anything close to what he needed. “But I figured that was probably just to make me feel better or some shit, an I get it, I get that, I mean… there’s no hard feelings, I don’t expect anything from yo—”

“Eddie, do you want me?”

“What?” The poor Omega struck just a little stupid by the abrupt question.

“Simple question” Steve slipped from the arm chair, lowering himself down to his knees in front of his Omega, he reached both hands up to cup those perfectly soft cheeks, in awe of how beautiful Eddie was up close, the way those plush lips parted ever so slightly to breath a little heavier, the way his beautiful doe eyes widened, chocolate brown disappearing as black pupils blew wide, locked on Steve, the way his cheeks warmed under Steve’s palms. He only wished he could smell him. Wished Eddie hadn’t come out wearing those blasted patches. “Do you want me?”

“If… If I say yes will you finally kiss me?” There was only one way Steve could possibly answer that question, and that was by closing the gap between their lips, finally claiming the very first of many promised kisses still to come.

Part 19 (The End)

[hbyrde36]

No Vacancy

When Eddie Munson arrives at the Buckingham Beach Motel to spend the summer with his BFF Chrissy and her business partner Robin, the last person he expects to see waiting in the lobby is former king of Hawkins High and asshole extraordinaire, Steve fucking Harrington.

ao3

CW: Smut! light now, more in later chapters

Chapter 1: Checking In

Eddie grinned as he pulled his trusty van, the very same rust-bucket he’d been driving since high school that he liked to refer to as Van Halen, if only to elicit the groans of both friends and strangers, into the small parking lot beside the Buckingham beach motel. He hadn’t been on vacation for, well, okay, he’d never been on a true vacation before, and sure, he was going to be working a part time job while he was visiting his best friend in this seaside paradise, but it was still the closest thing to a holiday he’d ever had. Needless to say, he was hell bent on thoroughly enjoying himself. Sun, sand, and shirtless men in speedos? Sign him up!

He hopped out of the car, relieved to finally stretch his legs after the long drive, and threw open the back doors. He stared down at the collection of boxes, duffel bags, and one large black trunk, that made up the entirety of his worldly possessions, and sighed. 

The day after he finally graduated from Hawkins High, back in 1986, Eddie had cut and run and never looked back. He’d been living as a sort of nomad ever since, never feeling comfortable enough to stay in one town or city for too long. He was usually able to find work as a bartender or bouncer to fund his stay at whatever hostel or efficiency he could find, and when all else failed he slept in his van. It wasn’t all bad, he’d seen a lot of cool places and met a lot of interesting people, but lately he’d been missing the stability of a home, of putting down roots. He craved the support and community that could be found with friendships that lasted longer than a few months. He still visited Hawkins on occasion, a necessary evil to be endured only so he could spend time with his beloved uncle, but that place would never be home for him again.

He grabbed the two largest bags that held the majority of his clothes, and the backpack that held the rest of his essentials and headed towards the lobby. He could come back out for the rest later.

The first thing Eddie noticed when he walked in the door was the spectacular pair of legs and delicious ass in too-short shorts that belonged to a man who was leaning over the counter talking to Robin. Unfortunately, the second thing he noticed was that same man’s oddly familiar swoop of chestnut brown hair. Eddie’s stomach dropped. What in the world was Steve fucking Harrington doing here?

“You made it!” Chrissy squealed as she came barreling out of the office door, having spotted him through the window.

Eddie knew what was coming, but he was a little slow on the uptake in his current shocked state, and only just managed to drop his bags in time to catch the former cheerleader as she launched herself at him, wrapping her legs around his waist. He held her tight, letting go of all thoughts about former jocks and high school rivalries for a moment, and just enjoyed the fact that he was here with his best girl, finally seeing her in person after six long months apart. He inhaled deeply, appreciating the familiar scent of Ex'cla-ma'tion. He used to hate her perfume, but it’s amazing what you start to miss when you're separated from your loved ones for so long. 

“Missed you.” Eddie whispered into her hair before finally letting her down.

She giggled as he swung her to the floor, and then proceeded to punch him in the arm as hard as she could, which was pretty fucking hard for such a tiny little thing.

“Hey! What was that for?” Eddie sputtered.

“For waiting so long to come visit this time! I missed you too, jerk.”

He rubbed at the spot where she’d hit him. It didn’t actually hurt all that much, but he liked to play along. “Jeez, Chris. Funny way of showing it.” 

“You love it.”

“Keep it in your pants, lady, you’re not my type.” Eddie teased.

“Freak!”

“Priss!”

The two of them dissolved into hysterics, falling into another hug just to keep eachother upright. 

When they both finally calmed down enough to behave normally again, Chrissy’s expression turned serious. She spoke low. “So, as I'm sure you noticed, we have another hometown guest joining us.”

“Yeah, what's he doing here anyway?”

“He’s visiting Robin for the summer.” Chrissy said it as if it should have been obvious.

It wasn’t.

“...Why?”

Chrissy rolled her eyes. “He’s her best friend! I’ve told you this a million times, how do you always forget?”

She was right, he did always forget that when Robin talked about her friend Steve, that it was Harrington she was talking about. It was such an odd pairing that Eddie just sort of blocked it out. He couldn’t reconcile the Steve from Robin’s stories with the guy he remembered from Hawkins. 

“Right, fine, sorry. What about him?”

“Well, you know this is our first season, and the booking system is so new and confusing. We… might have accidentally overbooked, but it's okay! Because the three of us were talking about it, and since the one room we do have left is a double queen we thought.. ”

Eddie interrupted, grabbing her by the hand and tugging her roughly across the lobby as far from the other two people as he could.

“Are you crazy? You want me to be roommates with King Steve?!” Eddie hissed. “Have you completely forgotten what a giant asshole the guy is?!”

“We’re not in high school anymore, Eds. He’s always been nice to me, and if what Robin tells me is true, then Steve isn’t like that anymore. Maybe he never was.”

Eddie's jaw tightened. “Right.”

“Look at me! I changed, and we became friends. Why couldn’t Steve be a good guy underneath it all too?”

“That’s different, you were always a good person, you just ran with a bad crowd for a while, not to mention the boyfriend we do not speak of.”

“Exactly! So isn't it possible Steve is the same?”

“No!”

“I’m serious! Think about it, do you remember him ever doing or saying anything shitty to you directly? Or was he just there in the background while his friends did?”

Eddie crossed his arms over his chest. “Assholery by proxy is still assholery.”

“I don’t think that’s a word.”

“Come on Chris!” Eddie whined. Had they been alone he might have even stomped his feet. “Don’t make me do this. Can’t I share with you?”

“You know I live with Robin.”

“Okay, and? It’s only for the Summer. She can stay with Steve, since they are apparently best friends, and I can stay with you! It’s a perfect solution.”

Chrissy shook her head. “Our room is a single and I love the shit out of you, but I draw the line at sharing a bed.”

Eddie’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait, does that mean you finally got your act together and told her how you feel?”

Chrissy turned bright red and threw her hand over his mouth. “Oh my god. SHUT. UP. Of course I haven't told her!!” She whisper-shouted.

Eddie scrunched his face and tried to talk, but Chrissy refused to move her hand. So, naturally, he licked it. 

“Gross!” Chrissy yanked her hand back with a look of disgust.

“Jeez, I know it’s not the tongue you were hoping for, but it wasn’t that bad!” Eddie said, cackling.

Chrissy whirled around, probably worried that Robin had overheard them, but Eddie was a good friend. As much as he liked to mess with her, he’d been keeping a close eye on the other side of the room, and Steve and Robin were too engrossed in their own whisper-shouting match to pay them any attention. 

Eddie leaned forward, speaking close to her ear. “Are you telling me that you and Robin run this place together all day, and share a bed every night, and you still don’t think she likes you back?” 

“It’s not like that!” Chrissy insisted. “We make more money from the doubles. Financially it made more sense for us to live in one of the singles. We’re just…two really good friends having a never ending sleepover.”

Eddie wasn’t convinced and honestly it didn’t sound like she was either, but he’d drop it for now. “Whatever you say.”

“So, what do you think about sharing with Steve?” 

Eddie groaned. “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”

“C’mon, it’ll be fun! I’m sure you two will get along fine. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover you have some things in common.” She sounded so optimistic, it was her one flaw.

Eddie rolled his eyes. “Yes, I'm sure we’ll come out of this as the best of friends.” 

“That’s the spirit!” Chrissy cheered.

“I was being sarcastic!!” Eddie hissed.

Apparently Steve had also agreed to this outrageous living arrangement, reluctantly Eddie guessed, though he did an excellent job at hiding how unhappy he must be about it. The guy was all smiles. It made Eddie want to punch him in the face.  

Eddie, on the other hand, would not be making any effort to hide his true feelings. Partly because he didn’t care, but mostly because he’d never been any good at it. For better or worse Eddie lived his life as something of an open book. From the time he was a small child he was told by friends, family, and teachers that they could practically read every thought as it crossed his face.

Chrissy had to leave for a meeting with the bank, nothing bad she assured him, they were just looking into an additional small loan to make more improvements on the place, but that left Robin to show him and Steve to their room. 

Eddie liked Robin well enough, but he’d only ever hung out with her and Chrissy. He worried that she might act differently or something with Steve around. It became clear, however, when he heard her call the guy dingus for the 3rd time during their 5 minute journey, that his worry was unfounded. Robin was Robin, and she changed for no one. He appreciated that, and kept his guard up, ready to defend her if need be. He expected Steve to finally have enough and lash out, to be the mean girl he remembered from years ago, but it never happened. 

Man, this guy was good. 

The Buckingham was the kind of motel where all the doors opened to the outside. Some towards the front street, giving a beautiful view of the ocean, others opened up to the pool area in the backyard. Eddie wasn’t sure if it was a perk of being friends with the owner, or a consolation for the mix up, but he and Steve were given a room on the second floor, ocean side. There was even a cute little wooden bench next to their door, "In case you two ever want to sit out and watch the sunrise,” or so said Robin. 

Eddie hadn’t woken before 10am voluntarily since he graduated and he didn’t think the lure of a few pretty colors in the sky was going to end that streak, but he politely kept that thought to himself.

“That’s a nice thought, Robs, though I think I'll get to see plenty of sunrises at work too” Steve chuckled.

Robin shuddered. “You’re a better man than me.” She said. 

“What does that mean?” Eddie asked, unable to quell his curiosity.

“I’m working as a lifeguard on the beach, so I'll be up at the crack of dawn nearly every day anyway.”

Eddie grimaced. Jesus Christ, a prick and an early riser. Lovely. 

“Don’t worry.” Steve added quickly. “I'll be careful not to wake you up. I know how to be stealthy, like a ninja.”

It was the dorkiest way he could have said it, and Eddie almost cracked a smile, but he held firm in his grumpiness by the skin of his teeth. “You’d better.”

Steve performed a little cross-your-heart gesture. “Seriously, my roommate in college was a really light sleeper, so I have a lot of practice being quiet.”

Eddie’s lip nearly betrayed him, twitching upwards like a traitor. Luckily, Robin drew Steve’s attention away, allowing him a moment to regain control.

“Oh, I’ll just bet you do.” Robin teased.

Steve’s cheeks flushed, but he ignored her and turned back to Eddie. “What about you? Are you getting a job, or just hanging out?”

“Hate to break it to you, Harrington, but I got a part time gig bartending at a place a few blocks over. The guy even said he’d let me play sometimes when the regular live acts are on break. Looks like we’ll be living on opposite schedules. We may never see each other awake.” The last part was said almost gleefully. 

Steve’s smile wavered for a second, but quickly returned to its full power. “Well, lucky for you I’m a very heavy sleeper, so you don't have to worry about waking me up when you come home. Even if you did, I usually have no trouble going back to sleep, so it’s not a big deal.”

Eddie grit his teeth. He was annoyed. What did he have to do to get a rise out of this guy, huh? To get a peek behind the mask? And who did he think he was, saying ‘lucky for you’? The only person it was lucky for was Steve, because he would be damned if he’d be tip-toeing around his own place.

Robin handed them each a key to the room and left them to it, once she confirmed that both keys worked and that they didn’t have any questions.

The room was small.

Two queen beds made up the majority of the space, with a single nightstand wedged between them. A T.V. sat on top of a small dresser with six drawers. There was a tiny closet, and an efficiency kitchen consisting of a small sink, mini-fridge, microwave, two burner cooktop, and a little table with two chairs. 

Eddie dropped his bags in the middle of the floor. As much as he would have liked to just keep ignoring Steve, the space was tight enough that they would have to dance around each other the whole time they were unpacking. They also needed to figure out how they were going to split everything.

“Alright, how do you want to do this?” 

The only thing Steve expressed a preference for was taking the bed closest to the door, which sounded like some alpha male bullshit to Eddie, honestly. As if Steve needed to be the first line of defense if someone were to break in while they were sleeping. The idea was ridiculous and definitely not at all sexy.

Eddie wanted the bed by the window anyway, so it was fine.

Once that was negotiated, they began to put their things away. It was all too easy, Steve kept deferring to him, even offering to give up one of his drawers when he realized how much stuff Eddie had. It was infuriating, borderline suspicious. What did he expect to get out of all this politeness and generosity? There was no one here to impress!

Eddie curtly refused the offer, which Steve only shrugged at, saying there would be plenty of extra closet space anyway, as he only had a few dress shirts to hang up. Eddie gave up then, leaving about half of his band tees in one of the bags and kicked it under the bed before throwing himself on top of it. He watched through barely open eyelids as Steve pulled his extensive collection of very tiny swim trunks out of his bag, and contemplated the injustices of the world.

He laid there quietly brooding as Steve found a home for every single item he’d managed to squeeze into the small suitcase. It was frankly impressive, not that Eddie would ever tell him that. 

Finally, Steve picked up a rather large toiletry bag and wandered away. Eddie followed. This was something he had to see, the guy hadn’t been called ‘The Hair’ for nothing. 

He stood in the doorway and watched through the mirror as Steve hummed softly to himself, arranging his plethora of hair and skin care products in their small bathroom, being ever so careful to only take up half of the counter space.

For some reason, that was the final straw.

“What’s your deal?” Eddie snapped. It was more of an accusation than a question, and he prayed Steve would rise to the bait. 

Of course he didn’t, remaining frustratingly calm and collected as he asked in return, “What do you mean?”

Eddie growled. “I just don’t appreciate the nice act, okay, King Steve? I’d rather you be real, and be a dick, than this fake polite bullshit.”

For half a second Steve looked almost sad, like Eddie had hurt his feelings, but it was gone so quickly that he assumed he imagined it. 

Steve smiled and shook his head, finally looking up to make eye contact with Eddie’s reflection.  “I don’t know what to tell you, man. What you see is pretty much what you get. King Steve? Now that shit was an act.”

Fine, if Steve wanted to pretend he was a good guy now, Eddie would just have to see how far he could push him. Sure his BFF was an out and proud lesbian, but how would he react knowing that the guy he was going to share a room with for the next 12 weeks was gay?

“Y’know, we should probably work out a system for when we want to bring dates home. I remember your reputation for getting around with the ladies, and I know I'm hoping to bring more than a few guys back for a nightcap after the bar closes, if you catch my drift. So, what do you think?” Eddie had started out his little speech feeling brave and a bit cocky, but by the end of it there was sweat pooling on his upper lip, and he was thinking maybe this wasn’t the best way to come out to a former jock who could probably snap him in two with half a thought.

It elicited exactly zero reaction. Steve didn’t miss a beat, didn’t even bat an eye before he asked, “What, like, putting a tie on the door or something?”

Eddie wanted to scream. 

“I’m sure we can do better than that.” He huffed, looking erratically around the rest of their room until he spotted the set of hang tags sitting on the table in the kitchen area. 

Eddie beamed.Most hotels just had the standard ‘please service’ or ‘do not disturb’ messages on their tags, but of course the girls would try and get creative with it.

“Here, these’ll work.” Eddie said, barely managing to hold back a laugh as he held the first one up for Harrington to look at.

Steve read aloud. “Out to sea. Cute.”

“Right, so we can use this one when the coast is clear, and this one when one of us has a guest.” Eddie’s eyes sparkled as he raised the other sign. 

“My boat is docked. Do not disturb.” Steve said, cheeks turning pink as he read.

“See?! It’s perfect.” Eddie beamed.

As it turned out, Eddie was right. He and Steve had been cohabitating for 4 days already and he hadn’t seen the guy awake since they went to bed that first night after a meal of chinese takeout and a bad movie. 

Steve was already asleep when Eddie got back from the bar at 2am each night, and he was long gone by the time Eddie rolled out of bed in the morning. Though, in his continued campaign to act like a good person, Steve had made a habit of leaving half a pot of coffee on the warmer for him. Eddie thought about dumping it out of spite, but it was…nice. 

It brought back memories of Wayne doing the same, leaving coffee and often food out on the kitchen table for him to easily grab on his way out the door, because his uncle knew he wouldn’t have anything otherwise. It was comforting, and though he knew Steve didn’t really mean it that way, it made Eddie feel taken care of. He’d take that feeling where he could get it for now, even if it came from someone he couldn’t stand.

Work was busy that night. It was his first Saturday night behind the bar, and the place was absolutely heaving with sweaty bodies grinding themselves together to the tune of whatever shitty top 40’s cover the band played. Anytime he had a moment to breathe he found himself scanning the crowd. Chrissy had assured him that their part of town was queer friendly, though there was no actual gay bar to speak of, but he had yet to notice a single guy that set his radar off, until now.

He was tall, blonde, insanely tanned, and sure, Eddie usually preferred brunettes, but when the pickings were slim, beggars couldn’t be choosers. He was cute enough, and he was looking at Eddie like he wanted to eat him alive. 

Perfect.

Eddie knew he looked good. He’d put a little more thought into getting ready than he had on previous days, knowing that the weekend crowd would give him a better chance. His black jeans were skin tight, and the boss had let him cut his white uniform t-shirt into a crop top, showing off a strip of pale skin and trim waist anytime he raised his arms. To top it all off, he’d worn his hair up today with just a few tendrils falling around his face. Honestly, that had been mostly to ward off the heat, but he also knew it was one of his best looks.  He met the nameless man’s gaze from across the room and held it firm as he dried a pint glass, raising his eyebrow in question.

The man smiled glancing at his friends, who were far too busy chatting up a group of barely legal young girls to pay him any mind, before sauntering up to lean across the bar. 

“What time do you get off, gorgeous?”

Eddie smirked. “Meet me by the side door in an hour.”

The streets were quiet as Eddie and his new friend walked the few blocks from the bar to the motel. A fact they took full advantage of, stopping to shove their tongues down each other's throats at regular intervals along the way. 

So caught up in finally getting a little action, it wasn’t until Eddie was leading the way up the stairs to their floor that he remembered Steve. It was late, guaranteeing that he would already be in bed fast asleep. Somehow, Eddie hadn’t considered this little problem when they’d worked out the whole do-not-disturb sign system. Oh well, he’d just have to wake Steve up and tell him to get out for a while. 

He told his date to wait outside while he got rid of his roommate and slipped inside the dark room. He looked down at Steve’s sleeping form and almost changed his mind. It didn’t feel right to kick him out of his own bed just so he could get off, but then Eddie remembered the way Tommy Hagan, Steve’s second in command, used to spit the word queer in his face as he shoved him into the lockers, and he found all the motivation he needed. 

“Hey, Harrington?” Eddie murmured as he shook Steve's shoulder.

Steve stirred, waking slowly and frowning up at Eddie with heavy eyelids.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?” His voice was thick with sleep but also with worry.

Eddie’s breath caught in his throat. Oh.

He hesitated to answer for a moment, but quickly shook himself out of it. 

Don’t start feeling bad about this now, Munson, get your shit together. 

“Nothing, I, um, just need the room for a bit?”

Real smooth.

Steve frowned harder. “What? I don’t…”

Eddie saw the moment it clicked.

“Oh. Ok, I'll just take a blanket down to one of the pool loungers.”

“Great. I’ll let you know when.. he’s gone.” Eddie said, opening the door and moving aside to let Steve pass. 

He had expected to feel a sense of satisfaction for managing a hook up before Steve did, but as Eddie watched him shuffle off wrapped up in a blanket after giving the blonde an awkward nod, he just kinda felt like a jerk.

Bar guy hurried inside and shut the door behind him, kissing Eddie hard and crowding him into the wall before dropping to his knees right there. He made quick work of the fly on Eddie’s jeans and had them pulled down around his thighs in a matter of seconds. Eddie moaned as his length was engulfed by the warm wetness of an eager mouth, and all thoughts of feeling bad about Steve drifted away under the attention of a stranger's talented tongue. Eddie came quickly and eagerly returned the favor. After a quick cleanup and no cuddling, blondie was gone, and Eddie went down to the pool to wake Steve. 

Chapter 2

Tagging a few folks who I think were interested, just let me know if you want to be removed. If you'd like to be added to the tag list, i'd be more than happy to do so!

@penny00dreadful @every-aj-needs-an-angel @manda-panda-monium @hellion-child @dreamwatch @brbsoulnomming

[writer-freak]

Summer Rain - Eddie Munson x Gn reader (Fluff)

Summary: You promised your neighbor Eddie to bring him over some cake and you keep that promise even if it's storming outside.

Warnings: reader borrows some of Eddie's clothes (it isn't described how they fit though), gender neutral reader, pure fluff, english isn't my first language so please excuse if there are some mistakes wordcount: 1.2k

A/n: I'm terrible at coming up with names for my fanfictions so this title is taken from the song Summer Rain by Johnny Rivers. My mom had this song playing while I was writing this and it fits.

Comments, likes and reblogs are always appreciated and it makes me very happy to see and hear that people enjoy my writing.

━━━━━━☆━━━━━━

Rain pounded relentlessly against the windows, its drumming synchronizing with the rapid rhythm of your heart as you hurriedly made your way to Eddie Munson's house. Your neighbor's place was just a few doors down the street, and despite the inclement weather, you were determined to uphold your promise of sharing the leftover cake. You tugged the hood of your raincoat closer around your face, attempting to shield yourself from the downpour. The weather worsened, and within moments, you were thoroughly drenched.

With a determined exhale, you reached Eddie's front porch, your pulse racing like the distant thunder. You knocked on the door, hoping he was home. The door swung open, revealing Eddie, who looked surprised to see you standing there, dripping wet.

"(Y/N)? Hey, what are you doing out in this storm?" Eddie's voice was laced with genuine concern, his brows furrowed as he scanned your drenched form.

You offered a soggy smile, determined to keep your spirits high despite your sodden state. "Brought over the cake as promised," you announced, holding the Tupperware container with a cheerful smile.

A hint of protest danced in Eddie's eyes, his lips twitching as he glanced at the storm outside. "You shouldn't have; it could have waited until tomorrow," he insisted, his voice a mix of appreciation and worry. "Come in, I can't have you going back out there." With that, he stepped aside, ushering you into the warmth of his home.

You carefully stepped inside but didn't venture further as a puddle was already forming under you. Eddie, ever the gentleman, quickly fetched a towel and offered it to you with an understanding smile. "Here, take this. You're soaked!"

You accepted the towel with gratitude, the soft fabric offering a welcomed reprieve from the rain's icy embrace. As Eddie took your coat to hang it up, you took a moment to survey your surroundings, absorbing the essence of his living space.

"Do you maybe want to take a shower? They say this storm won't end any time soon, and it would be best to wait it out." Eddie's voice pierced through your thoughts, anchoring you to the present. His concern pulled you from your contemplative daze, and you met his gaze with a thoughtful nod.

"Um, yeah, that might be a good idea. Though, do you maybe have something else for me to wear? I don't exactly want to wear my wet jeans after coming out of the shower," you confessed, a shy smile tugging at the corners of your lips. The idea of borrowing his clothes added a layer of unexpected excitement to the situation.

Eddie looked at you for a second, surprise flashing across his face before it quickly faded.

Eddie: "Oh, uh, yeah, sure! I can find you something comfy to wear. Let me grab you some clothes. You can go ahead to the bathroom," he gestured, pointing you in the right direction.

Stepping into the bathroom, you took a moment to absorb the unfamiliar yet strangely inviting environment. Before long, a soft knock sounded on the door, and Eddie's voice seeped through the crack. "I, uh, hope those fit okay. Let me know if you need anything else."

You acknowledged his words with a genuine smile, feeling a sense of comfort settle over you. "Again, thank you."

With the door closed, you made quick work of the shower, reveling in the warmth that enveloped your chilled skin. Emerging from the bathroom, you felt transformed, the weight of wet clothes exchanged for a pair of sweatpants and a slightly faded band tee. The garments carried Eddie's scent, a subtle reminder of your unexpected visit.

Eddie needed a moment to process when you reentered the living room. Seeing you in his clothing was a sight he had only ever dared to imagine in his dreams.

"You, uh, you look good in my clothes. I mean, you look good... always." Eddie stumbled over his words, unable to sort his thoughts.

Then you settled in the living room, a blanket wrapped around you to escape the chill of the room. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and lightning illuminated the room every few seconds. Eddie asked you what you wanted to watch. "Hmm, how about we watch that new thriller series I mentioned last time? It seems fitting for the weather," you proposed, a grin curving your lips. Eddie nodded in agreement before navigating through the entertainment options to put on the chosen show on the screen.

The rumbling outside grew worse, and you couldn't help but feel a little uneasy, but Eddie being by your side made you feel safer somehow.

The desire to be closer to him surged within you, an instinctual urge to seek solace in his company. You entertained the thought of nuzzling into the crook of his neck, nestled against the warmth that radiated from his skin. It was a fleeting fancy, one that you simultaneously craved and hesitated to indulge, for fear of overstepping boundaries.

As the storm continued outside, you started to chat about everything and discovered that you shared more interests than you thought before. The rain was a mere backdrop to the conversation between the two of you. Time seemed to fly by, and the storm showed no signs of letting up.

"You know," Eddie began, his voice sounding soothing amidst the storm, "I'm really glad you came over. It's nice having someone to keep me company during this storm."

"Me too," you responded, your words bearing a soft undertone of gratitude. A warmth engulfed your chest, something you had never felt before.

Gazing into Eddie's eyes, you felt as though the two of you existed in a world of your own, completely separate from everything that was happening outside.

The storm continued, not letting up by your shared laughter and whispered secrets. The rain drummed a relentless rhythm against the windows, and the TV's glow flickered just like the flashes of lightning outside. Yet, your focus remained squarely on each other, the growing connection between you amplifying with every passing moment.

Finally, with a distant rumble of thunder, the rain started to subside. Despite the calming storm, a surge of hesitation tugged at your thoughts. You really didn't want to leave yet.

The allure of the present moment held you in place, coaxing you to take a daring leap.

"Eddie, I... I really enjoy spending time with you," you confessed, feeling your face heating up.

Eddie's eyes softened, his lips curling into a tender smile. "I feel the same way, (Y/N). You're amazing."

At that moment, the world seemed to stand still. The angry storm was replaced by the tension that crackled between you. Warmth enveloped you, tugging you closer to Eddie until your fingers naturally entwined.

"I like you, Eddie," you admitted, your heartbeat quickening with each passing second.

His smile broadened, the reflection of his emotions dancing in his eyes. "I like you too, (Y/N). More than you could ever imagine."

With those whispered words hanging in the air, you closed the distance between you, a delicate connection brought by the pull of mutual affection. Lips met in a tender kiss, a sweet and passionate show of your blossoming romance against the storm.

As always thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this. ^^

[allthingssteddie]

Eddie and the rest of the hellfire decided to go to the local carnival and right when he got there he couldn’t believe his eyes king Steve participating in a kissing booth. Gareth dares Eddie to go up to Steve and try his luck which Eddie agrees he figured Steve would say no but he wanted to mess with him a little. But what he didn’t expect for Steve to actually kiss him.

Steve was pressured into this by his parents and he wasn’t looking forward to it but when he sees Eddie the freak Munson he figures this would be a good way to get back at his parents so he kisses him not expecting to actually enjoy it.

Side note I figure they could have a fake relationship to piss Steve’s parents off but they can’t really kick Steve out because technically the house is Steve’s since Steve’s grandparents left it to him. I also have not written it. It’s just a idea

[hornedqueenofhell]

Holiday in... Handcuffs? Pt. 4

Pt 3

They didn’t bother with any space between them that night, Eddie lays his head on Steve’s shoulder because that’s where it belonged, the same way Steve’s fingers belong on his lower back, tucked under the hem of Eddie’s hoodie. Their legs tangled together as Eddie trails a finger over Steve lips and asks to kiss him.

“Ask me again in the morning sweetheart. I don’t want to be half asleep when I taste you.”

Eddie groans at that, hips shifting against Steve’s, “Baby you can’t say shit like that to me and expect me to go to sleep.”

“Watch me.” He tips Eddie’s chin up and tugs his lower lip between his teeth, scraping until the tender flesh snaps back and leaves Eddie whining and arching under his hands.

“I’m going to fucking ruin you the second I get you in my bed princess.” He hisses and Steve laughs in his face.

“Try that one again when you can stop grinding against my thigh helplessly…princess.” Steve purrs right back. “Until I say so, you’re at my mercy and I’m going to enjoy it.”

Eddie wants to make him eat those words, wants to place his lips everywhere else since Steve’s own mouth is off limits. But Steve’s eyelids are drooping and he can feel a yawn behind his teeth, so he just presses a kiss to Steve’s forehead and whispers, “Enjoy it then big boy. Good night.”

They drift off tangled together while Steve’s family plans a raid on the Munson cabin first thing in the morning.

~O~

The Hopper-Byers house woke up solemnly and got dressed, their living room floor full of sleeping bags and piles of blankets. The kids were riding with Nancy and Jon in the station wagon while Joyce and Hopper took the cruiser. Robin was out of town and no one wanted to stress her out until they had safely gotten Steve back home.

Nancy was loaded down with her handgun and sawed off that Hopper was pretending not to see at this moment. Lucas was fiddling with his wrist rocket while El, Max, and Will talked quietly amongst themselves. Dustin had used his spare key to get Steve’s home defense bat which was tucked between his knees, hands gripping the end until his knuckles go white. Mike had been strangely silent since the news broke, guilt over everything he’d said to Steve eating him alive.

“We’re going to get him Hop, one way or another.” Joyce swears, their backseat has enough supplies in the back to make sure that the corpses of Eddie and Wayne Munson are never found again. They’d send Steve back with the kids, let them take care of him back at home base. Hopper would get his testimony later, after Joyce had put some good meals in him and let him rest off the trauma.

And then they’d get Steve whatever help and therapy he would need depending on what he’d had to live through. They would offer him all the support and love that his family had never been able to. Joyce would call Steve her son the way she’d always hesitated to, afraid she had been overstepping. Hopper would ask if Steve would like to change his last name, had wanted to since the Harrington’s had disowned him for being bisexual.

Everyone was making silent promises to apologize, to hold, to talk, to give Steve all the things they realized they’d been holding back or neglecting. Because it was either they got the chance to or they’d be begging forgiveness at Steve’s grave.

Joyce consulted the map they’d brought with all of the satellite dots from Steve’s phone as they passed a gas station about half an hour from their destination. “They stopped there according to the map, the last one before they got to the cabin.”

Hopper squeezes her hand quietly, “One way or another.”

~O~

“I know it’s not much because I’m afraid I don’t know you very well yet son, but I didn’t want you to be here empty handed so this is for you.” Wayne says as he nudges a box across the coffee table to Steve.

“Wayne, you didn’t have to.” Steve carefully slipped off the paper, something Eddie found so endlessly endearing. He looked forward to watching Steve do this with the rest of his gifts once they got back to town tomorrow. And then Eddie was ordering take out and making out with Steve in the other man’s apartment until Steve kicked him out.

The box contained a pair of slippers and a soft bathrobe, not Steve’s normal style but probably a soon to be necessity if he didn’t want Robin to murder him if Eddie ever stayed over. “I get the feeling this will be very useful soon. Thank you so much Wayne.” He offers sincerely as Wayne reaches over to pat his knee fondly with a warm smile.

“You’re welcome Steve. I’m so happy to have met you, and how happy you make Eddie… it warms this old man's heart.”

“You’re not even that old Wayne.” Steve snorts, making them all laugh. He shifts back against the sofa to tuck under Eddie’s arm, eyes closing with happiness as Eddie’s lips press to his temple.

“Do you want another cup of coffee?” He asks and Steve nods gently so Eddie gathers up their mugs and heads into the kitchen.

“Go get your boy.” Wayne encourages him with a wink. Grinning Steve hops up and follows Eddie into the kitchen. He grabs some snacks for them to nibble on while Eddie refills their mugs. Before he can step back into the living room Steve stops him.

“Look up sweetheart.”

Eddie looks up and sees a sprig of mistletoe taped over the doorway, “Really? Really Wayne?” 

Wayne just laughs at him and waves them off, “Just kiss the man Eddie, I’m sick of whatever weird mating dance you two are doing.”

Eddie looks to Steve who is grinning at him with his own little eyebrow wiggle, he grips Steve’s hips and reels him in close. “May I Steve, may I kiss you?”

“Yes, please Eddie kiss me.” Steve whispers against his lips, hands coming up to cup his face and tug him down until their lips finally meet.

And then the cabin door bursts open.

“Freeze!”

Steve and Eddie’s lips break apart, whipping towards the door in sync as Eddie’s arms tighten around Steve.

“Release him now!”

This time the voice registers and Steve’s jaw drops open. “Hop?”

“Steve! We came to rescue you!” Dustin bursts past Hopper branding his bat and swinging wildly.

“Rescue me? What the hell are you talking about?” Steve studies all their tense faces as he carefully moves Eddie behind him.

“Wait was this all a joke? Were you just playing a prank on Dustin, pretending to be kidnapped?” Mike spits, getting defensive now that they are on the backfoot.

“Kidnapped? Dustin, were you even listening when I called you? I told you I was staying with a friend for Christmas. I specifically said I wasn’t being kidnapped.”

“Your phone was breaking up, I heard a struggle. I heard the horrible thing he said to you!” Tears beaded in Dustin’s eyes as he gestured wildly at Eddie, “I thought I was never going to see you again.”

“Oh Dusty, come here.” Dustin drops the bat and sprints across the room, throwing himself into Steve’s arms with a sob. Steve squeezes him tight and lets Dustin wail with relief as he holds fistfuls of Steve’s sweatshirt.

“Thank you for coming to rescue me Dusty bun. You were so brave.” Steve tells him as he starts to calm down, he turns them slightly and offers a hand out, “Dustn, I’d like you to meet my friend and supposed kidnapper Eddie Munson.”

“...Hi,” Eddie offers gently, he awkwardly holds out a paper towel for Dustin to dry his eyes with, “Steve tells me you’re his little brother.”

“This is sweet and I’m sorry to interrupt but could the lot of you stop letting the cold in and maybe see if my front door can still close?” Wayne interrupts and the rest of Steve’s family blushes before shuffling into the cabin and doing their best to close the door. The handle was completely fucked but the deadbolt hadn’t been pushed so they just used that to hold the door closed. The frame was ruined but at least the draft was minimal.

“Thank you, now someone explain to me why my nephew is being accused of kidnapping.” Everyone continues to fidget awkwardly until Wayne gestures for them to sit.

Wayne has one armchair while Steve and Eddie share the other, Dustin leaning against Steve’s legs. Joyce, Hopper, Nancy, and Jon all squeeze together on the couch while the other kids scatter on the floor. There’s still wrapping paper from their gifts scattered around.

“Why didn’t any of you just call me to ask if I was kidnapped? Or Robin for that matter, I texted her everything about where I was.” Everyone winces at the mention of Robin since they’d left her out of the loop for her own safety, turns out she was the loop.

“Since you didn’t reach out again after the kidnapping message we weren’t sure if you or your kidnapper had the phone and we didn’t want to risk them getting angry and killing you.” Hopper says taking lead on this debacle. Joyce is squeezing his thigh tightly so she doesn’t run over and snatch Steve into her arms.

“I texted Dustin a picture of the cabin yesterday after we finished decorating.” Steve points out, Dustin hasn’t released his sleep pants since they sat down.

“With the other evidence we had gathered it looked more like you trying to help us find you.”

“Other evidence? I’m sorry but what fucking evidence are you talking about?” Eddie snaps, more scared than angry. This man burst into his home and pointed a gun at him so he’s a little on edge right now, even with Steve’s hand in his.

Hopper clears his throat uncomfortably and holds his hands up in surrender, “Sorry, sorry. When Dustin reported the abduction I went to the ‘scene’ and there was some video footage of what appeared to be a large black vehicle driving too close to the curb, and then you pushing Steve to the ground. You went out of frame but another camera shows you driving another black vehicle with Steve in the passenger seat shortly after.”

Eddie huffs, looking very much like he wants to go one one of his tirades until Steve leans more into him and Eddie deflates. This is Steve’s family, who thought they were protecting someone who means a lot to them. Eddie can be justifiably angry for feeling profiled and accused but he won’t take it out on his not quite boyfriends loved ones.

“There was a truck,” Eddie says through gritted teeth. After another glance at Steve he manages to take a deep breath and the words come out a little easier, “it was taking the corner too fast and kicking up a lot of icy road slush. I pushed us both out of the way so we wouldn’t end up soaked. And last I checked, owning a black vehicle wasn’t a crime.”

“It’s not honey and we’re so sorry that this happened.” Joyce speaks up, intervening and diffusing the attention with her genuine warmth, “This was all an unfortunate misunderstanding but what matters is that Steve is okay and that you’re both happy. And we’re sorry for messing up your sweet moment.”

This time Steve and Eddie were the ones blushing, Steve’s entire family had burst in on the two of them kissing after all.

“Could we maybe start over?” Joyce continues, “Would you all like to come over for Christmas dinner? And we can have a repair guy come out and fix your door tomorrow.”

Eddie and Steve glance at each other before looking at Wayne who just shrugs, “I’ll follow along with whatever you boys want.” They turn back to each other and Steve offers him a small smile.

“I know it’s a little fast, and certainly not how I would have planned for this to go. But since I’ve met your family, would you like to meet mine?”

Eddie lets out a snort laugh and squeezes Steve’s hand, lifting it to press a kiss to his knuckles, “Sure Stevie. At least this time I don’t have to worry about somehow making a worse impression than the one that’s already been made of me.”

“They’re going to love you, I know they will.”

With the new plans set Steve, Eddie and Wayne go get dressed while Hopper uses the tarp they brought the tree in with to try and keep the elements from seeping into Wayne’s cabin. Steve’s family goes back to their cars with the exception of Dustin who choses to clamber into the Range Rover with Steve and the Munsons. 

“Is Eddie your boyfriend Steve?” He asks bluntly as they head out, their vehicle taking up the rear of their little caravan.

“Not yet, but I think we’re getting there.” Eddie throws him a cheeky wink as he flicks on some low music to fill the background.

“Cool, hey is that a dungeons and dragons tattoo?”

The older man grins and with a faux annoyed groan Steve settles back in his seat as his family starts to get to know his soon to be boyfriend. This might be the strangest Christmas Steve has ever had but it’s also one of the happiest.

[dyslexicsquirrel]

This is a super rough draft and I'm working to polish it up for AO3 but have some childhood friends who kissed (no homo) second chance romance(?) Harringrove

I haven't posted anything in forever and this idea took over my body so uh I hope you like it? If you don't? Don't tell me lmao

Now I'm thinking about childhood friends Steve and Billy who practice kissing and whatever it's totally not gay. But Steve is like imagining their life after high school together, how they're gonna go to the same college and be roommates. Maybe if they get to kiss sometimes still that would be fine.

He tells Billy about it cause they're best friends and they tell each other everything. He thought Billy was on board. He helped Steve study, made sure he graduated.

So he's a little surprised when he gets to the school and Billy's Camaro isn't there cause he was running late but Billy always did like to make an entrance. Except Steve keeps checking down their row in the stadium and Billy never shows up. Doesn't come running onto the field when they call his name.

When he goes to return the cap and gown and pick up his diploma after the ceremony, the lady at the table check's her list and tells Steve "Looks like Billy picked his up the last day of class."

There's a big hole in the middle of Steve's chest that never really quite goes away. Not through college and parties or meeting his wife and getting married. Having his kids helps a bit but it's always there, sharp and jagged just like the boy who made it.

Steve focuses on work and raising his kids and maybe that's why his marriage falls apart. His wife handed him a big Manila envelope with sadness in her eyes. "You're a great dad and there's a part of me that will always love you, but I don't think you ever loved me, Steve, and I deserve better than that. We both do."

He agreed to everything, got split custody, and moved into an apartment in the city. It was beige and empty, but he covered it with pictures of his kids and ignored the way the hole in his chest started crumbling inward, growing every morning he woke up to silence until he felt hollow.

Steve got the kids for the summer and rented an RV. They were driving to California cause the kids had never seen the Pacific, he told his ex. She shrugged and sent them all off with hugs and kisses on the forehead. If a tiny voice in the back of his head called him a liar, he ignored it.

They ate at hole in the wall diners off the highway, but Steve splurged on hotels with pools cause sue him he was too high maintenance to live without soft sheets and good shower pressure.

Somewhere in Kansas or Colorado, Steve couldn't remember where they were right then, he saw the gas gauge getting low and pulling off at the next exit to find a place to get gas.

Steve almost ran a red light when he saw the sign at the convenience store on the corner. It had his brain lighting up like fireworks, memories of a past he didn't normally let himself think about crashing against the inside of his skull like waves.

There was no way. It was just a coincidence. He made sure the kids were fine and swung into the parking lot after the light turned green. "Dad's just a little tired. We'll find a place to check in after I fill up the tank."

The gas pump was old fashioned, not a single card reader in sight, and Steve shook his head with a chuckle, before rounding up the kids and heading inside. They dumped way too many snacks on the counter when they got to the front of the line. "Can I also get $40 on pump 3?" here told the guy behind the counter who was restocking cigarettes.

Short blonde hair, wide shoulders under a worn t-shirt, jeans so tight they molded to his ass and had Steve biting the inside of his cheek because he was in public, for fuck's sake.

He had to be really hard up if he was on the verge of making a spectacle of himself over some rando in a gas station. A grunt and the guy turned, pinning Steve with the brightest blue eyes Steve had ever seen.

Ones that haunted his dreams. "Billy?" he whispered, wallet slipping out of his numb fingers.

The guy who couldn't be Billy blinked at him, except he said, "Steve."

Robbie tugged on the hem of his shirt. "Who's that, dad?"

"Dad?" Billy repeated, sounding confused and a little accusatory. And seriously, fuck him.

"Just someone I used to know." He needed to get out of there before he made a scene of a different kind by jumping over the counter and punching Billy in his stupid, perfect face. "How much do I owe you?"

Billy's frown deepened. He bagged up all of the snacks, no longer meeting Steve's eyes and said, "Don't worry about it" when he handed them over.

Nope. He was not making it that easy. *You left. You left me. Why did you leave me?* clamored to get passed his lips, but Steve refused to be that pathetic when Billy obviously hadn't cared as much as Steve. He got his wallet off the floor and slapped his credit card on the counter, handing the kids the bags to hold.

Billy rolled his eyes, the way he had whenever they were kids and Steve did something Billy thought was stupid. They stood on silence except for the chatter of his kids and the bell chiming over the door when someone else came in. Steve took his receipt without a word.

"Come on, you two, let's go." He herded the kids toward the door, determined to walk out on Billy the way the other man had walked out on him, but Steve never did have much self control.

Billy was still watching him and their eyes met when Steve looked over his shoulder. "You know a good hotel around here?"

"There's a Best Western a few blocks down. Nicest place in town."

Was he imagining the question in Billy's eyes? Steve didn't know. Grace whined, "Come on, dad," the way only teenagers could and Steve let the door swing closed behind him.

Part of Steve was anticipating the knock at the door after the sun had set and the kids were both curled up in their beds. The other part called him an idiot for still holding a torch for the guy who broke his heart.

The rap on the door was soft, but Steve still jumped, tripping over his feet when he got off the couch.

There was Billy on the other side of the door, a cigarette dangling from his lips, hands shoved into his pockets.

Mindful of his kids, Steve stepped outside, leaving the door cracked behind him, while they stared at each other, the weight of all the years between them.

Billy broke the silence first, pulling the cigarette from his mouth, ash flicked from the tip in a cascade of sparks. "Where's Mrs. Harrington?"

That was about all Steve could take. He shoved at Billy's chest, still as solid as it had been back in high school, the prick. Billy didn't budge an inch. "I got divorced last year."

Billy took a long drag, a quiet "Shit" exhaled on a cloud of smoke.

"Yeah." Steve took the cigarette from Billy like they used to. He hadn't had a drag in years and almost choked.

There was no laughter, no jibe at Steve forgetting how to smoke. Instead, one of Billy's hands rubbed circles against Steve's back. Just that one touch unlocked something in Steve, all the years of longing, of loneliness, of regret. He wrapped his free hand around Billy's waist and tucked his face into the other man's chest.

"Why?" It came out garbled and wet from his tears but Billy understood all the same.

His answer made his tears run faster. But it was okay because size Billy's arms wrapped around him, holding Steve together. "Because I loved you too much."

"You're a fucking asshole."

"I know."

"I loved you too."

"I know." Of course he had.

They stayed like that until Steve got himself back together, the cigarette left to snuff itself out on the concrete. His eyes red and puffy and Billy wiped the moisture off his cheeks with his thumbs.

Steve leaned into Billy’s calloused palms, pulling the scent of Marlboroughs and warm skin into his lungs. He sniffed loud, echoed by the crickets and the distant traffic. He needed to say something or else he’d start crying again because Billy was looking at him the way Steve always secretly dreamed Billy would look at him one day.

He wanted to know what the hell he ‘loved him too much’ to stay meant, but this thing—could he call it a thing? Robin would probably call him a dingus right about now—was too shaky, like a house built on a cliff during an earthquake.

So instead, he said, “You know I meant why’d you pick that name when I asked why, but thanks for the declaration, I guess.”

Steve felt Billy’s chuckle where their chests still touched. “Now who’s the asshole?”

And, okay, Steve really was curious because Billy had to be the one who owned that place and had the balls to slap Pretty Boy on the front of a building.

Which meant he thought about Steve and the nickname he bestowed upon him enough to name his business after him. To have to see it every day and think about Steve.

So he was curious, but not enough to stop and ask when Billy was angling Steve’s head with the hand still holding his cheek to press their lips together.

It had been decades since the last time Steve and Billy kissed and it was still the best feeling in the world. The feeling of a full beard was new, but Billy’s hands felt the same, cradling the back of Steve’s head, the other pressed low on his back.

He still tasted like cigarettes and the mint gum he liked to chew.

Steve didn’t pull away until he heard the bathroom door close inside the room and even then he didn’t go far, pressing their foreheads together so they were still sharing the same air for as long as possible.

“How long are you here for?” Billy whispered, like he was afraid if he spoke too loudly, he would shatter the moment like spun glass.

“Just until tomorrow. The kids and I are going to California for the summer.” Saying it out loud, in front of Billy, made it feel like a dirty little secret. Billy knew why Steve was going there of all places if they way one side of his mouth kicked up. Steve had missed that smirk. He’d missed a lot of things if her were being honest.

“Maybe you can swing back through on your way back.”

The hopeful note Steve heard made him feel bold, reckless. “You should come with us.”

“What?”

“To California. You should come with us. I got an RV so there’s plenty of room. We could take turns driving. Grace and Robbie are cool kids, I swear. I’m realizing now that I said that that it’s kind of weird. Forget it—” His nervous rambling was cut off by Billy’s lips.

“Shut up, pretty boy. I’ve been wanting to go to California with you my whole life.” And, oh. Well, Steve was done for. His hands curled into the fabric of Billy’s shirt, holding on for dear life, scared if he let go Billy would disappear. “Besides, I should probably get to know your rugrats before I ask their dad to marry me.”

Steve's eye went comically wide and his heart stopped and that hole in his chest felt like Billy had slapped a patch over it. He wheezed. “Huh?”

“You think I’m letting you go again, Harrington?”

That was fine with Steve.