#steddiefic

[azrielgreen]

Chapter 11 is FINALLY UP! Please take breaks💜💜💜

[little-annie]

Ghostly

Steddie | Little_Annie | Ao3

---

It started with whispers so faint he could have sworn they were nothing but the wind. Cool and quiet, ghosting over his ear with a light breeze.

It started with the subtle run of invisible fingers down his arm, tracing over muscle and flesh, setting nerves on fire for something that was just out of touch.

It started in the nights where he'd awake from the horrors of his nightmares to a sudden chill that'd linger at his side. An eerie but oddly comforting feeling that'd press against his body with intent. Pressure at his back and wrapping around his waist, a touch he'd longed for but never had the chance to experience. A touch he'd been desperate for since spring break of 86'. A touch he'd wish to experience in the aftermath of hell but never once had the opportunity before it was taken away and left to rot in the barren wasteland of the Upside Down.

A touch of a man he knows he could have grown to love.

In reality it started with glances in the halls and a twist in his gut that at the time he was yet to recognize as desire. It wasn't until years down the road with a jagged bottle pressed millimetres from spilling the source of his life at his feet that Steve Harrington recognized that need. It came in the form of piercing dark eyes, a mess of curls and skin so pale it resembled the beauty of porcelain. 

But it came too late. It came in a time of distress and fear and the sheer unknowingness of survival. It came only mere hours before he watched the life drain from those very dark eyes, screams dulling around him and blood pooling in his hands.

It came and so suddenly it went. It went but it never truly faded away and when those gentle touches and brushes of what felt like fingers on his skin returned, well so did that desire.

—---

It was mid June when he was sitting at home alone, blissfully enjoying the rarity that was peace and quiet, when suddenly the lights flickered and the TV switched on only to flash through channels of heavy metal music videos and what only appeared to be very sudden flashes of what looked like the Upside Down. 

His heart was racing in a matter of seconds. Was Vecna back? Was it something else? Was the form of sinew and stardust known to the universe as Steve Harrington about to finally perish to some unholy demonic god from another dimension?

But then the radio in the kitchen buzzed on in a surge of static. A name, one so familiar to the screams that haunted his dreams poured from its speakers in a frantic rush of words. 

'Eddie,' 'Eddie,' 'Eddie.'

As if it was on repeat the man's name was chanted through the radio, its stations skipping in a fury between songs and voices, each one scratchy and hardly audible except for the definite 'Eddie,' that came through crystal clear.

Only when Steve's heart was threatening to beat out of his chest did the screaming of sound halt, the Radio buzzing stop and the TV shutting off with a flash. 

"What the fuck?" He huffed to himself, trying to ease his breath when he felt pressure on the couch next to him, the scent of pine and menthols bleeding into the air around him.

He pinched his eyes shut and for a moment he could have sworn he felt Eddie's hand on his own, the unmistakable feeling of calluses and chunky metal rings against his skin.

It was a wild thought, fucking insane even, but it felt right, like whatever the hell just happened was nothing bad, nothing scary, just a ways of communication and he couldn't help but ask into the empty room around him, "Munson?"

The hand he felt on his own squeezed and he could've sworn he heard the faintest whisper of, "You betcha Big Boy." 

He couldn't help the shuddered sob that racked his body as he collapsed further into the couch. This couldn't be happening, there's no way this could be real. Maybe the head injuries had finally gotten to him and he'd finally lost it.

"It's not real," he gasped to himself, only to feel the pressure on his hand tighten and a force press against his side like he was being held.

He laid like that for quite some time, trying to wrap his mind around the insanity of the situation but in reality, he'd seen so much in the last years that the idea of Eddie Munson's ghost sitting by his side wasn't such a far out thought.

It was only when he felt the gentle scratch of fingers against his scalp that his heartbeat eased and he leaned further into the touch asking a desperate, "Is it really you? How do I know it's you?"

The movement on his scalp stilled for a moment as if the being attached to it were in thought and then like it was nothing there was a gentle pressure against his cheek and a nudge against his ear, words whispered like a breeze in the air, "It's me Big Boy, don't worry your pretty little head."

But as those words were whispered and the pressure on his cheek crept to his lips, the phone rang and the tether that'd been keeping him grounded faded into nothing.

He'd gone to sleep that night thinking he was insane, the phantom touch of what he could only wish was Eddie Munson lingering on the entire left side of his body. 

A week later it started again, though this time albeit much more subtle. Gentle touches and whispers of words in the breeze. He found himself confessing to the darkness of his room only to fall asleep later that night with the feeling of a hand clasped in his own.

He'd awake from the horrors of his dreams to a comforting sensation pressed into his side and eventually wrapped around his body.

The gentle touches and hardly audible voices continued for a month and it was when Steve had come to the conclusion that this couldn't be anything else but Eddie, he took his chance, whispering the words he'd longed to say into the emptiness of the world around him, "Kiss me."

The sensation of fingers dancing over his shoulder ceased, but only for a moment, the touch he'd experienced only that single day in June returned and he felt the warmth of lips on his cheek, slow, nervous as if they were unsure of Steve's conviction. But it was when Steve shuddered a breath and leaned blindly into the touch that the sensation deepened.

Still hesitant, nervous, a gentle but wanting thing.

With a slow releasing breath Steve felt what could only be a hand on his thigh and breath against his cheek, he couldn't help the whisper of a whine that escaped him, "Eddie Please."

The pressure on his cheek faded, leaving him gutted and wanting for only a moment, but a second later there was a weight settling in his lap, firm, heavy, warm. The sensation of hands resting on either side of his neck followed. Then a brush of his nose and then finally, finally a press to his lips.

Gentle and slow and so goddamn sweet. It was a kiss like none other, in the truest sense of it feeling other worldly. He swears he could taste the lingering burn of menthols on tongue, the slide of the other man's smooth with intent. 

It was a heartbreaking feeling, but if this was all he could get from the Eddie Munson he once knew, he'd take it. He'd take it and hold it close to his heart and never let it go.

He sighed with the feeling of warmth in his chest, pressing his palms in the mattress below until he was fully upright, leaning with his back pressed to the headboard and a still invisible force weighing down his lap.

He couldn't imagine how ridiculous he looked, making out with a ghost, but everything about it felt so right. The heat that surrounded him, warm and wanting. The hands in his hair, unbelievably able to grasp and give a spine tingling gentle pull. 

They remained that way for what could have been minutes or hours, only pulling apart when the pink hue of the sky hinted to the sun rising for the land of the living. It was then that Eddie pulled away, pressing a single lingering kiss to Steve's forehead before settling like a weight on his chest until the late hours of the morning.

It continued like that, Eddie's spirit lingering like an invisible force, stealing kisses in the emptiness of the Harrington house, ghosting fingerings through Steve's hair or stealing a peck in passing. Many times did Steve find himself standing with a firm line of pressure against his back and breath trickling over his ear, the occasional whisper of laughter breaching the barriers of the universe making their conversations seem not so one sided.

There'd be times when Eddie could talk, but they were quick, subtle things, the burst of words through the television or the radio, the man saving his greatest amounts of energy to tell Steve he's beautiful through a staticy hum.

It's the most they'd ever feel like they were together, the closest they'd get to something that could have been.

The kisses continued and the touches were ever present, but eventually Steve needed more. He wanted to feel all of Eddie, every part of him he was robbed of when he was taken from their world too soon.

It's an evening like any other, music playing quietly in the background, a tattered copy of the Hobbit in Steve's hand and gentle kisses begging to trail their way down his neck. The bed dips next to him with the weight of the man Steve knows he loves and when Eddie stops where he always does, lips halting at the collar of Steve's shirt, it's hardly even a thought when he drops the book off to the side and pulls his shirt over his head, encouraging Eddie to continue further.

It's a slow thing, beautiful and bleeding intention.

They'd learnt long ago that they can feel every ounce of the other under their fingertips, every hill, every valley, every new and old scar and raised tattoo. All it took was for Eddie to grab Steve's hand and place it on his cheek. He'd gasped at the sensation of stubble beneath his palm and couldn't help but let a few tears slip as he mapped out every feature of the man's invisible being. 

Since that night he'd fall asleep with fingerings tracing the raised lines of Eddie's tattoos or combing through the softness of his curls.

But tonight he feels himself needing to feel more and when the sensation of Eddie's tongue over his nipple forces his back to arch and a gasp to break past his lips, he can't help but to say, "More. Eddie. I wanna feel more."

He might be hysterical or even absolutely insane, maybe this isn't even happening at all and he totally lost it, but logistics and sanity be damned, he wants every part of Eddie Munson that he can have.

The movement of lips and tongue and teeth on his abdomen still long enough for him to clarify, "Ed's I want you to fuck me." 

There's a pause, the room's still but there's the pressure of hands on his waist and the indented of a body kneeling on the bed, it's not more than a few seconds later that the grip on his waist tightens and there's a brushing kiss being laid to his hip.

Steve watches in awe as a purple swells beneath his skin, painting him like a piece of art work as Eddie claims him as his own. Minutes later there's a watercolour of bruises littering his body, between and over each one a kiss was laid and a few even the faintest of bite marks that still indent his skin.

He'd lost his sleep shorts long ago, Eddie's artwork spread all the way from his hip to thigh to where he's now and Steve swears the man's trying to suck a hickey into the tip of his dick which only makes him wither in a delicious sort of pain. 

There's gasps and moans and when he feels himself hit the back of Eddie's throat Steve knows he's already so embarrassingly close. When his back is arching off the bed and he's chanting Eddie's name like it's a prayer, the man only sends him further into orbit when there's pressure against his ass. Slow and circling and ever so slowly pressing in.

Steve knows he would've come by now, feels like he has a million times already, but he can feel Eddie's iron grip at the base of his cock stopping him from reaching release, leaving him to toe the waters of insanity as he babbles and whines for more, pressing his hips down and welcoming Eddie into his last knuckle.

The sheets are clenched in his hands, his knuckles flushing white and his throat sore from every gasp that's left his lips. He whines and withers and feels his toes curl when he assumes Eddie presses a second finger in, bobbing his head down and taking Steve to the root in the process, forcing a choked out moan to rattle through the air.

With a press of his finger to just the right spot, Eddie sends an absolutely spine tingling sensation through Steve's body. He feels himself jump and his legs shake and what he can only assume is a laugh vibrate around his length as Eddie continues.

"Are you laughing? Don't fucking lau-" Steve tries to scold through the euphoria only to be cut off with another press of Eddies fingers at turns his complaining into a breathless, "-oh fuck."

They don't continue like that for long, soon enough Steve can feel lips on his own once again as a heat and pressure settle against his ass. Moving in sync, licking lovingly into each other's mouth, he breathes out a helpless, "Please Eddie."

And it's with a gentle shuffle that there's a hand in his hair and lips locked onto his own that that pressure builds and he feels the stretch of Eddie finally pushing into him.

Down to the hilt Steve can feel the rise and fall of his own chest against Eddie's, the way the man is entirely wrapped around him with every speck of his celestial being. And then there's a push, a gentle rock of hips that forces a moan to be caught between lips.

Slowly and intentionally Eddie rocks into him, his already sensitive cock leaking against his stomach, waiting impatiently for the release it's been denied for far too long.

Eventually Eddie picks up the pace, though not much. The bed shakes around them and Steve can feel the flex of muscle beneath his finger tips, every rock of the man's hips accompanied by the twist of corded muscle under his grasp.

Lost in the moment and the feel of Eddie around him, Steve's release sneaks up on him. It's a sudden thing and when there's the pressure of ringed fingers wrapping around his dick, a single twist of a wrist is all it takes and there's heat pooling on his abdomen while comes with a choked out moan against Eddie's lips.

Not long after does the man follow behind, lips searing against his own, a grip on his waist that's sure to leave a bruise and Steve's sure he hears a shuddered breath as Eddie's body tenses above him. 

They remain still for a few moments and as their chest heave together, Steve refuses to open his eyes, knowing he'll find nothing truly above him. He'd pinched them shut at some point, trying to imagine the man above him in his entirety. 

He can still feel Eddie under his hands, the plains of his back, the ridges of his scars and he can't help but let a tear fall with the image of dark eyes above his own that he knows will never truly be present. In that moment he can't help but whisper, "I wish I had the chance to love you."

—

It'd been months. Weeks and hours and days and seconds spent with Eddie, or at least the closest thing Steve could get to the man himself.

They'd kissed, they'd cuddled and they'd made love countless times. It was still such a wild thing, but Eddie did what he could to prove to Steve that he was real. That he was there. Real and there and loving. Leaving picked flowers on the table in the kitchen, switching the radio on for songs they'd dance to for hours.

Always leaving Steve littered in the beautiful bruising evidence of their love. Bites and fingertips pressed into flesh. A wash of purple and blues and beauty, sucked into his skin by the mouth he kissed every morning and evening. And every minute in between.

They'd visit, mostly one-sided conversations but when Eddie found the energy there'd be words whispered into Steve's ear or crackled through the static of the radio.

They were attached at the hip, or so Steve imagined he supposed. But he could always feel Eddie's presence at his side, warm and caring, a pressure leaning into his being, grounding and tethering him to the very earth.

He hadn't thought much of it when he eventually invited the whole crew of monster hunters over for a pool party.

Robin and Nancy were sitting poolside giggling about god knows what. Dustin, Mike, Lucas and Max, flailing in the pool screaming and laughing over nonsense. 

Steve and his ever present loving force sat curled up on a daybed. He could feel Eddie's legs over his own, the press of lips against his cheek, but no one was the wiser and he was growing to get used to that. Something for just the two of them, though he'd never stop wishing for more.

It wasn't until the Hopper-Byers clan arrived for the first time since the whole Upside Down shit show that Steve realised that dream could be a very possible reality.

El had stopped stone cold in the doorway, looking an inch or two to Steve's right and pondering something for a moment before she turned to see Will grabbing the back of his neck and staring in the same direction.

Dark, tortured eyes now locked onto Steve, so casually did El say, "He is still there."

The entire party stilled, laughter ceasing, conversations stilling and the press of lips against Steve's cheek retreating. 

He was breathless for a moment, his heart pounding, his mind racing, and maybe his face gave away something akin to confusion, because El simply continued with, "That young man, he was a hero."

Steve, among the rest of the group that were there that day, remained shell shocked but all nodded, confirming El's statement to be true.

"Do you not want to save him?"

Steve's brows furrowed and suddenly reality dawned on him, he could have Eddie. The real Eddie. With a phantom kiss to his temple and squeeze of his hand, there was a whisper of a voice in his ear, low and raspy and so completely perfect, "Come find me baby."

—

With El's and surprisingly Will's help, they'd managed to open a single gate into the Upside Down, the stench of death and decay leaking into the atmosphere as they tore a hole between the two dimensions.

Upon stepping into the nearly collapsed wasteland, Steve took in his surroundings, it was eerily quiet, but there was a call of his name, gentle and loving, like a tether pulling him in the right direction.

It seemed after they killed Vecna, the grotesque flora and fauna of the Upside Down had died along with him, leaving the rotting corpses of Demogorgan's and Demobat's littered around the once deadly hellscape. 

They'd managed to open a gate deep into the woods, hoping to find shelter there if anything had come to find them, but it was a rather laughable turn of events when the voice calling Steve's name led him right back to his own home. Well the Upside Down version of it at least. He'd entered the house alone, asking everyone to wait for his call of 'all clear' before they entered but upon stepping through his bedroom door he came face to face with the last man he thought he'd ever see again.

Lying there, makeshift bandages wrapped around his torso, Steve's clothes concealing his now thinner figure was Eddie Munson. A beautiful smile across his face, a stark contrast to the world of decay around him. His eyes shone the moment they met Steve's and he moved with a wince, hand flying to clutch his side but failing to give up as he flung his body into Steve's.

Steve held him as tight as he could manage without inflicting any more pain, burying his face in Eddie's shoulder as they held each other and let the tears fall and stain their skin with salt and the words they've managed to let go unsaid.

It wasn't much longer though that Steve felt lips on his own, skin soft and stained with tears, finally pressed together. He shuddered a breath, tears streaming down his cheeks as he choked out an unbelieving laugh, their embrace more teeth than anything as they leaned into one another, smiling, bodies held so close for the first time 

Steve had so many questions. How was this all possible, being the main one. None of this made sense, but as Eddie's lips pressed to his again and the warmth of the man in his arms flooded his heart, Steve's need to know faded.

And it was with a soft kiss to his nose, and dark brown eyes looking into his own, that Steve knew he'd finally get his chance to love Eddie Munson.

---

[stevestark]

I started writing this in 2022 and never finished it and then I got fired yesterday and spent my entire afternoon and most of this morning filling out job applications and filing for unemployment and my brain broke so I decided to reread what I'd written and sort of just cranked out 3k more words and wrapped the whole thing up. whoops.

anyway it's been a while since I watched ST so I kind of just stuck to the voices I had in the pre-written 10k and I apologize if any of the timeline is screwy but also it's fic so suspend your disbelief if you have to thanks xoxo

READ IT HERE!

[digital-squirrel]

Steddienation help a girl out. I swear I read a fic where Steve and Eddie have been hanging out and one night Steve leaves Eddie's trailer but before he does, without thinking, he just kisses Eddie and gets into his car until it ACTUALLY REGISTERS what he just did and then he goes back to Eddie's trailer and Eddie is still just standing there in shock. And Steve is just like I have no idea why I did that- my brain is so used to kissing my dates goodbye at the door?? I remember nothing else about the story, but does anyone know this fic??

[eiddets]

steve and eddie dated for three years after the fall of vecna.

three years, they loved each other.

for three years, they gave it their all, until they couldn’t.

—

twelve years later, steve’s married. has a family and kids. and eddie? touring the united states, with his band the wrath of inferno.

they meet by chance, in a bar in indianapolis.

steve has glasses now, has to clean them to make sure he isn’t seeing things. like the man that got away isn’t sitting a mere few inches away from him.

eddie’s got salt and pepper hair, a silver band on his ring finger, and an arm around another guy.

steve swallows thickly, brings the liquid courage to his mouth, and takes a few gulps.

“eddie?”

“….steve?”

[willbyerslove]

Does anyone have a steddie fic rec where they lose touch after vecna is defeated and then meet again years later?? I’ve been wanting to read this forever but can’t find a fic like it 😭

[steddieassheg0es]

Jump in the Fire

Eddie Munson doesn’t know how to listen to good sense. Don’t go flirting with pretty boys. Definitely don’t go falling for pretty boys. Don’t go poking around where you don’t belong. Don’t go back into the mall where a giant spider monster is trying to kill your friends… Or: a story of how Eddie Munson stumbles into something so much bigger than he ever planned by walking into Scoops Ahoy. Read or listen on AO3

Author: Me :) @steddieassheg0es / SteddieAsSheGoes AO3

Podfic and Cover art by : @n0connections / NoConnections AO3

Thank you so much to @steddiebang for the Steddie Big Bang 2023, I'm so thrilled to have been involved!

And a HUGE thank you to @n0connections for choosing my fic, creating an amazing podfic, and having endless patience with my temperamental writer brain. I couldn't have done it without you.

[colorlesseyes]

before i knew it - steddie oneshot

Steve looked at the clock for the fifth time within a ten-minute span. He groaned loudly and Robin chuckled behind him.

“Looking at the clock isn’t going to make it go any faster Steve.” She said as he turned to look at her. She was flipping through yet another magazine, occasionally showing him a page that had a half-naked model promoting Coca-Cola or fancy perfume. Sex sells as they say.

“I know.” He said but he turned his eyes once more to look at the clock. “I just don’t know how it’s only been ten minutes.” He whined. The shift had been dragging on more than usual, it was extremely slow for a Tuesday. Even if they had a two-for-one deal going on for the summer. Keith had implemented the system to draw more traffic to the store, and most days it worked. Today was the odd exception.

The bell chimed, indicating that someone had walked in. Steve turned to the door about to welcome whoever came through. But stopped once he saw Dustin walk through the door, well it was more of a limp. His leg is still in the process of healing from the jump he made into the upside down to save Eddie.

“Hey Dusty!” He said with a smirk. He knew the boy got tired of the constant teasing surrounding the nickname that Suzie had given him. But Steve was allowed to poke fun at the kid, occasionally.

“Hey, Steven.” He shot back with his eyes scowling at Steve, he knew that was one of the things he could not stand to be called.

Steve rolled his eyes at the comment. And even though he wouldn’t admit it, he was glad Dustin came into the store on occasion, especially today. He needed any distraction from the time loop he felt he was in.

“What’s up?” He asked leaning on the counter, watching Dustin immediately go to the mature section of the store. Had Keith been in, Steve would have not allowed Dustin the chance to even browse the films they had located at the back of the store. But he couldn’t care less, as long as he didn’t get caught renting a rated R film to the kid.

“Why don’t we have a movie night, my mom won’t let me take home a horror movie that is above PG-13. So, I was thinking you could host? He says casually, picking up The Shining.

Robin finally looks up from her magazine. “Ooh, I love that movie!” Dustin looks proud of his choice when Robin says this. It was quite adorable how much the kids liked Robin; she was always on their side, so it made sense.

“So, what do you say? Friday?”

They both look at him with big eyes and how can he say no to them? He rolls his eyes and nods “Sure why not, my parents are at a work event.” The house gets lonely without anyone in it anyway, he thinks but chooses to keep that to himself.

“Yes!!” Dustin and Robin high-five.

-

The next few shifts at Family Video roll by, thankfully being a bit steadier with customers. Steve was working alone on Friday; he was okay with the quiet, but he did miss Robin’s entertaining ranting about Vickie. They had gotten closer since that day making sandwiches together. Steve felt proud of how far Robin had gone from only observing Vickie in private to finally getting to hang out with her more.

He was finishing up with sweeping, moving on to the next task that needed to be done before closing. He still had an hour, so he wasn’t rushing through the list. He sorted the tapes that had been returned into the correct genre, moving them to their designated spot on the shelves.

The familiar sound of the doorbell rang through the store.

“Welcome to the family video, how can I help you?” He turned and was met with none other than Eddie Munson, his all-familiar grin stretched across his face.

“Howdy Harrington.” He walked over to where Steve was standing and grabbed one of the tapes from his hand. The movement caused their hands to brush against one another gently. “Oh Labyrinth! I’ve been meaning to watch this one.” The movie had just been released the month He had wanted to watch it himself, mainly because David Bowie looked kind of badass in the film and he would probably watch anything with the man in it.

Shaking off thoughts of Bowie he grabbed the tape and set it in its correct slot, under recently released. “Couldn’t wait to see me, Munson, you just had to stop in huh?” Steve says returning two other tapes to their spot before moving behind the counter, slightly leaning over it.

“Wait do we have plans that I forgot about or something?” Eddie says looking confused and that’s when it hits Steve, he forgot to invite him to movie night.

“Shit! I forgot to call you after my shift Tuesday. Dustin wanted to have a movie night and I thought I had mentioned it to you.”

“Oh. Well, I don’t have to come, I don’t want you to feel forced to invite me or something” Eddie says as he shifts around awkwardly, while he avoids looking at Steve.

“No! Of course, you’re invited. I want you to come.”

“Really?” He then looks at Steve, a small smile creeping onto his face.

“Of course, I mean if you don’t have anything on the go tonight. It also wouldn’t hurt to have an extra person to tame the kids,” Steve says, and Eddie lets out a loud laugh.

“Well, if you insist on my presence Stevie, of course, I’ll come.”

Steve rolls his eyes but can’t hide the smile on his face. “Good. It starts at 9 tonight, at my place, so I’ll see you then?”

“See you then,” Eddie nods at him before turning and walking out of the store.

Steve runs a hand through his hair, looking over at the time. It’s nearly time for him to go home, so he begins to clean the rest of the store. As he walks past the shelf of new releases, he grabs Labyrinth and rents the film before closing.

Any excuse to see Eddie again. -

“Okay, so we have snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, alcoholic drinks, cups, napkins.” Robin lists all the things that Steve has shoved into the cart. “And we’re ordering pizza, correct? Do you think this is enough?” She asks as she pushes the cart towards the checkout.

“I think we’re good. On another note, I almost forgot to invite Eddie, he came into work before I realized I hadn’t called him Tuesday.”

“I knew you would forget! This is why I plan things.” She says and he wants to roll his eyes, but he knows she’s right.

They make their way to the cash to pay and then they load everything in Steve’s car before making their way to his house.

-

Just after they’ve set everything up the doorbell rings and Robin yells that she’s going to answer. Mike and Will are the first to arrive. They greet Steve and he lets them know to help themselves to any of the snacks that are displayed in front of him.

“So what are we watching?” Will asked grabbing a drink from the counter and opening it.

“The Shining,” Steve replies.

“Shit.” Will looks a little bummed out at the movie selection, he hadn’t admitted to anyone that he didn’t enjoy horror movies anymore. Not since being trapped in the upside down.

“Hey, I’m here. You can hold my hand if you get too scared.” Mike says, bumping his shoulder into Will’s.

Will smiles and looks down before a blush covered his cheeks.

Steve can’t help but think about how cute the gesture was as Robin answers the door once again.

Dustin, Lucas, Max, and El all come into the kitchen. Dustin helps himself to some of the munchies and Steve looks at the time.

It was only 9 now but he hoped Eddie hadn’t forgotten about the plans they had made.

“Alright! Let’s get set up.” Steve claps his hands together and leads the kids into the living room.

Robin sets up the movie but doesn’t press play just yet. They all break out into their own conversations, as they wait to see if Eddie joins them.

“I wish I dared to invite Vickie. But I don’t want to freak her out and rush into things” Robin says her leg bouncing up and down quickly.

“Hey, don’t overthink things. Next time we all hang out just casually bring it up and see how she reacts.” Steve attempts to comfort her but before he can continue there’s a knock at the door. “I got it.”

He swings the door open, Eddie’s standing there wearing his usual get-up. He had on black ripped jeans and a band tee. He smiles at Steve looking a little out of place.

“Hey! You came.” Steve smiles and stands to the side, gesturing for him to come in.

“Of course I did. I wouldn’t miss the chance to mess with you.” Eddie grins at him, walking into the house.

Steve rolls his eyes, trying to fight a smile. “In my own house too. Want a beer?” He asks, walking over to the fridge and grabbing two but then he grabs another for Robin.

“Thanks.” Eddie winks at him as he turns to walk into the living room.

Steve lets out a quick sigh, cracking open the drink to distract himself before joining the others who were impatiently waiting, mainly Dustin.

-

Horror movies had never been Steve’s favourite genre to watch but he didn’t mind if it made the kids happy. He sat between Robin and Eddie.

The opening credits began and Steve shifted a bit in his seat. Eddie glances over at him and gives him a look that asks if he’s okay.

Steve smiles at him and nods. Then Eddie moves his leg slightly so that it’s touching Steve’s leg.

A blush creeps onto Steve’s face but thankfully it’s dark in the room as the movie starts.

-

Jack is screaming on screen, surrounded by the cold and Steve lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding in. He’s relieved that the movie is over, although it wasn’t too scary he jumped at a few scenes only to have a hand placed on his thigh to ground him.

He was thankful that the room was even darker than when the film started, he didn’t know why he was reacting so strongly to Eddie’s slight touches but he couldn’t help it.

The two hadn’t always been close, but after almost dying in the upside down together they grew closer. Eddie would come to visit him and Robin at work, teasing Steve any chance he got, and even though they were constantly bickering Steve wouldn’t trade it for the world.

He stood up as the end credits rolled on screen, grabbed the empty cans that littered his living room, and walked off to the kitchen.

Robin was behind him with the empty bowls they had used for popcorn, “So did you like the movie?” She asked as she set them down on the counter.

“Yeah, it was good.” He spoke as he grabbed another beer from the fridge.

“I wasn’t sure if you were even paying attention.” She teased with a soft smile on her face.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You and - Eddie seemed to be distracted.” She whispered his name as a way of keeping their conversation for their ears only.

Steve took a drink and narrowed his eyes at her. “We we’re watching the movie, Robin.”

“I know, I know. I just noticed how close you two got. That’s all.” She wasn’t saying this to call him out but he certainly felt like it was.

“I think he knows I don’t like horror movies, I guess I might’ve mentioned that I still have nightmares about what happened and he was just trying to be nice.”

She looked sympathetic at this and she nodded. “I wish I could talk to Vickie about mine. But she wouldn’t understand.”

“ Steve had just dropped off Max, her trailer being the last stop before heading across the street to Eddie’s. He was well aware of the fact that he could drop them both off at the same time but he always wanted to make sure he saw everyone enter their house safely. Eddie pointed out this fact.

“I want to make sure you get home safe,” Steve mutters under his breath.

“What was that Harrington? Could barely hear ya.” He has a smirk on his face.

“Your face is gonna get stuck like that someday you know that right?” Steve says with a laugh. He parks the car as they reach Eddie’s trailer.

Silence fills the car but not for long before Steve reaches over Eddie to open the compartment on his side. He pulls out the Labyrinth tape and hands it to Eddie.

“I thought you might want to watch this, it’s been getting rented like crazy so I figured I’d grab it while I could.”

Eddie looks at the tape and then back at Steve, his big brown eyes looking at him and he grins. “Thank you, man I’ve wanted to see David Bowie’s ass in -“ He stops suddenly realizing what he just said.

“Can’t say I blame you,” Steve replies cooly, not wanting to make him feel embarrassed about his confession.

“We could watch it together if you wanted to.”

“I’d like that.”

Eddie opens the door to get out of the car, but he turns suddenly and gives Steve a half hug. Steve can’t help but take in the scent of cigarettes and a woodsy musk smell. “Thank you again for tonight and this.”

“Of course.” He says, biting his lip to refrain himself from saying something dumb like how good he thinks Eddie smells.

“Goodnight Stevie.”

“Goodnight Eddie.”

-

Steve gets home to his now empty house, he unlocks the door and walks in. He had gotten used to the fact that his parents were never home. As a teenager, he had been thankful but now he didn’t know how to feel.

After a shower he sits on his bed, looking at the bare walls in his bedroom. He felt out of place in his room. His thoughts always got dark as the night went on, the later it got the more he was consumed with loneliness.

He looks over to the phone on his nightstand, he debates calling Robin but remembers she was having a sleepover with Vickie. The thought crosses his mind before he realizes he’s dialed Eddie’s number.

He almost hangs up after the second ring but instead, he hears him pick up the phone.

“Hello?”

He sighs before saying, “Hey.” His voice comes out softer than intended.

“Haven’t had enough of me yet huh Harrington.” He can almost see the smirk stretched across his face.

He laughs softly. “Guess not, you’re just too irresistible Eddie.” He says it jokingly but he knows he means the words.

“What’s up? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, listen this might be stupid but I was wondering if I could maybe, like buy some weed off you?” He asks and then continues “But it’s super late and I know I should’ve asked earlier. So it's okay if you can’t.”

“No- yeah of course. You’re in luck. I just got a delivery yesterday. Premium shit, I’m telling you.” Eddie doesn’t sound annoyed and he sighs a sigh of relief. “Come over in 10?”

Steve nods and then realizes that he can’t see him. “See you soon.”

-

He doesn’t know why he’s so nervous as he pulls into Eddie’s driveway. Or maybe he does but doesn’t want to admit to it. He shuts off the car and bites his lip nervously.

“You got this, it’s just Eddie.” He mutters to himself, just Eddie.

He locks the car behind him and walks up the steps. Knocking gently on the door. He hears shuffling inside and the door swings open. Eddie was wearing a pair of sweatpants which shocks Steve. He’s never seen the boy in anything but jeans and a t-shirt, alongside his jean jacket. He shakes off the thought and notices Eddie staring at him.

“Earth to Steve!” He waves a hand in front of his face.

“Sorry,” Steve says quietly before Eddie bows his arms out dramatically in front of him.

“You may enter my humble abode.” To which Steve chuckles but he walks by him and into the dimly lit trailer.

“So how much are you looking to buy?” Eddie questions him as he leads him into his bedroom and motions for him to sit on his bed. He opens his metal lunch box and grabs a huge baggie filled with weed.

“Uh, I don’t know. I haven’t smoked in a while.” He says hesitantly and scratches the back of his neck looking at Eddie. “I brought 50$, Is that even enough?”

Eddie lets out a loud laugh, “Dude, be my guest and buy 50$ worth. But I don’t think you’ll be needing that much Harrington.”

Steve feels slightly embarrassed by his lack of knowledge when it comes to a drug deal. Eddie must notice the change in demeanor so he sits down next to him.

“Hey, how about you start with 5g. It’s plenty of bang for your buck, and should last you quite a while.” He reaches to touch Steve’s arm gently, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to poke fun at you.”

Steve can feel the heat radiating off his arm, he looks down to see Eddie’s ring-covered hand on him. “No, it’s okay. Don’t apologize. I just feel kinda silly doing this.”

“Since you’re my newest customer, how about you sample some product before you commit to buying.” He wiggles his eyebrows at Steve with a smile on his face.

“You do this with all your customers?” Steve asks.

“Just my favourites.” Eddie says with a wink. He then stands up, opening the first drawer of his dresser. Pulling out a small tin, removing a perfectly rolled joint out and a lighter.

“Come with me.”

-

They make their way onto Eddie’s roof. Steve somehow manages to hoist himself up without much of a struggle. Not wanting to face-plant in front of Eddie.

He sits next to him and watches as Eddie cups a hand to light the joint. Eddie takes a long drag, the tip of the joint lighting bright red as he sucks in.

“Enjoying the view?” He laughs passing Steve the joint.

“Yeah, yeah.” He mumbles before cautiously lifting the joint to his lips. Inhaling deeply before passing it back to Eddie. As soon as he does, he’s coughing up a lung. Eddie laughs softly next to him.

“You good?”

Steve coughs a few more times before raising his thumb at him.

“Never better.” He says before coughing once more.

Eddie chuckles and takes a few more hits before once again handing it to Steve.

He grabs it, and brings it to his lips before inhaling. He doesn’t breathe in as aggressively this time. He breathes out, the smoke spilling out of his mouth. He takes another hit before handing it back to Eddie, who’s been watching him closely the whole time.

“Enjoying the view?” He says smugly, using Eddie’s words against him.

“I am actually.”

Steve can’t tell if he’s imagining the words coming out of his mouth or if he’s truly said it so casually. He feels his face get hot, but he’s not sure if it’s because of his comment or the weed having its effect. Steve giggles bumping their shoulders together, before he lays down looking up at the sky.

“Shit, it’s so pretty.” He gasps as he watches the night sky above him. He feels Eddie lay down next to him after putting out the joint on the roof.

“Why do you think I come out here to smoke?” He asks before looking at Steve next to him. He smiles just watching Steve be so enthralled with the stars.

“I could get used to this.”

“You know you’re always welcome to come smoke with me.” Eddie says before adding “or you know, to just hang out.”

Steve suddenly feels dizzy looking at the sky, so he turns on his side just looking at Eddie. “I’d like that.”

“Man, your eyes are so red!” Eddie laughs as Steve protests.

“Are not!”

“They so are. Your eyes don’t usually look like that. As if they could get any prettier.” He seems to almost regret the words as soon as they come out.

“If anyone has pretty eyes, it’s you,” Steve said calmly looking up into said pretty eyes.

Eddie was pretty. Everything about him made Steve nervous. And the way he looked at him made him melt. The way he was looking at him now was dangerous. The high he was feeling was nothing compared to being around him.

Steve reaches his hand out to poke Eddie’s nose. “Boop!”

Eddie laughs which makes Steve laugh and they sit there giggling like children.

-

Steve stumbles down the roof, still not managing to stifle his laughter.

“Jump and I’ll catch you.” He says up to Eddie whose legs are dangling off the side of the trailer.

“Absolutely not!”

“Come on, you scared?” Steve challenges him and he can see Eddie’s made up his mind. Without much warning, he jumps down.

Steve manages to catch him, well for a moment at least. They both fall to the ground and Eddie groans next to him. Hitting his shoulder lightly.

“You said you’d catch me, you dick.” But he’s laughing so hard he can barely breathe.

“I did catch you!” He protests but he knows he barely did.

Eddie finally catches his breath and stands up, reaching a hand down to help Steve up.

Steve grabs his hand and is then yanked upwards, his head spins from the abrupt movement.

Then he’s chest to chest with Eddie, they are a lot closer than he anticipated but he’s not complaining. He feels Eddie’s hand snake behind his waist to stabilize him and his breath catches in his throat.

“You okay?” He asks softly. And Steve can only manage to nod, not trusting his voice. It would be so easy to just tilt his head up and kiss him but he pulls away.

“Just really baked.” He says, flushed because of the thoughts swirling around in his head.

“Let’s head to bed, yeah?”

-

They make their way into Eddie’s room. The unspoken agreement that Steve was not driving home made him relax a bit.

“Here.” Eddie handed him a pair of pants and a shirt to wear since Steve had been dressed in his usual jeans and polo tee. He thanked him before heading into the bathroom to change. He glances at himself in the mirror and immediately knows why Eddie commented on his eyes being red. They were glossy and his pupils were larger than usual.

He strips down, changing into the comfy clothes that he had been given. The shirt smells comforting, even though it's probably a generic laundry detergent lingering on the clothes. It still smelled like Eddie.

He walks over to the bedroom door that’s open ajar, he tells himself not to peek before knocking but he can’t help but steal a glance at Eddie who’s putting on a shirt. He then backs away from the door quickly so he isn’t caught creeping on him. He knocks gently and Eddie swings the door open.

They both head to the bed and Steve yawns as he lays down. It’s quiet for a minute or two before he turns on his side, similar to the position they had been in on the roof.

“Thanks for letting me come over tonight, I just didn’t want to be alone tonight.” He says the weed in his system makes it easier to be vulnerable without too much regret.

“I know what you mean, I used to like being alone. But ever since…” Eddie trails off and Steve puts his hand over him, rubbing his thumb gently over his hand.

Eddie looks up at him before continuing “It’s like I wake up from a dream and think I’m back there.”

Silence fills the room once again as Steve thinks about what to say.

“I’m really glad you’re here. I don’t know how I could’ve gone on without you.” He admits looking up at him again.

“Steve..”

“I mean it, Eddie, I know I dance around things sometimes but I’m so glad I got there in time. Because you mean a lot to me. Okay?”

Steve hadn’t noticed that they were practically holding hands by this point. But as soon as he looked down, a blush crept onto his face. He looked back up and he could’ve sworn Eddie was blushing too.

“I think we should go to bed before I do something stupid,” Eddie said quietly.

Steve was too high to question what he meant, so he nodded in agreement. He frowned as he felt Eddie pull his hand from under his own until he felt Eddie move closer to him and reach out his hand to trace small circles into Steve’s side.

He sighed contently and began drifting off to sleep.

-

Morning came way too early for Steve’s liking. He shifted around slightly in his sleep but found he wasn’t able to move around much. He opens his eyes slowly and sees Eddie in front of him, his hair is a mess and his mouth is open snoring softly.

He smiles and looks at the time, it was still relatively early so he wasn’t in a rush to jump out of bed. He looks down and sees his hand is intertwined with Eddie’s. His smile grows at the sight. Eddie suddenly begins moving around, his hand leaving Steve’s as he does.

After a minute or two Eddie’s eyes flutter and he’s now looking straight at Steve.

“Hey.” He groans, his voice is deeper than usual and it sends a shiver down Steve’s spine.

“Hey,” Steve replies unable to contain his smile as he looks at the boy laying in front of him. If only he could wake up to this more often.

Steve reaches a hand out to move a piece of hair that was on Eddie’s face. He gently strokes his cheek before pulling back his hand.

Choosing to ignore what he had just done he shifts onto his back, now looking up to Eddie’s ceiling.

“How’d you sleep?” Eddie asks.

“I haven’t slept that good in months.” He admitted.

“Me either, honestly.”

Steve then turns on his side again, not being able to tear himself away from Eddie.

“Maybe we should do this more often,” Eddie says jokingly but both of them wanted to. They were just too timid to admit that they wanted to be surrounded by one another’s presence.

-

After eventually getting up and sorting themselves out, the boys got dressed and made their way to Steve’s car. He did have to leave to get ready to work, he would’ve gladly called in to spend more time with Eddie but he knew that Robin would be disappointed if he didn’t show up.

Eddie stood at Steve’s window before speaking. “So I was thinking, maybe you’d want to come over and watch Labyrinth with me? We could meet up on your next day off.”

“I’d like that.” Steve smiles, wanting to spend more time with him regardless of what they did. “How about tomorrow night? I don’t work Monday so we wouldn’t have to get up early or anything. And we could do it at my place if you want, my parents are out of town until next week.”

Eddie nodded and with that, they said their goodbyes.

-

Steve walked into Family Video still reeling from the night he had. He clocked in before turning to Robin.

“How was your sleepover?“ He asked, wiggling his eyebrows at Robin. She rolled her eyes at his question but then her face lit up.

“I kissed Vickie!” She announced and Steve raised his eyebrows in response.

“And?” He pushed for more details. Which she would gladly give to him whether he wanted them or not.

“So we played a movie, and I sat closer to her than normal. She moved her arm around me, and I felt like that was my way into making a move.” She stated clearly on cloud nine after the experience. “And then after the movie, we changed and laid together in my bed. My bed Steve!” She repeated.

“Then what?”

“We were just talking and I don’t know one thing led to another and I kissed her. But get this, she kissed me back!” She shouted, no one was in the store so he wasn’t too worried about anyone overhearing her retelling the experience.

“I’m so happy for you Rob.” He said, genuinely smiling as she recounted the events to him.

“The rest of the night was a blur, we didn’t do anything much more than kissing but this is progress, Steve!” She was speaking while pacing around the store.

He laughed at her behavior but then said “Why do you look so stressed?”

“What if she didn’t want to kiss me?”

“What do you mean? Someone kisses you and you kiss back, typically means they want it to happen.”

“But what if she didn’t want to?” She looks worried as she asks this.

“Robin. Enjoy this. She wanted to kiss you back, or she wouldn’t have. Let yourself have this.”

“You’re right.” She conceded but she was grinning from ear to ear. “I can’t believe she likes me!”

“Well, I can. You’re amazing Robin. Any girl would be lucky to have you.” And he meant every word, he knew how gravitating Robin’s personality was. He had even fallen for her before she told him she was gay. Not that he thought differently of her. But he knew how likable she was. Knowing Vickie liked her made him smile. She deserved it after all the questioning she had done regarding her.

After she was done talking about Vickie, Steve wanted to ask her a question but he was worried. He knew if anyone wouldn’t judge him it would be Robin. But he was scared to admit to himself that he was feeling this way.

“You look like someone ran over your childhood dog, what’s going on?” She asked, initiating the conversation. He gnawed at the inside of his cheek before deciding to just spill.

“How did you know you weren’t straight?” He asked and she looked puzzled.

“I always knew, I was never attracted to boys. I always wanted to be noticed by women and never really questioned it.” She admitted, “Why do you ask?“

“I don’t think I’m straight.” He decided against dancing around the subject. He felt so exposed having confessed to her but he shrugged off the shame.

“Did anything happen to make you realize this?” She asked curiously. The store was dead anyway so he didn’t mind diving into the topic of his sexuality.

“I think I like Eddie.” He said, kinda shocked at his bluntness but it was the truth. He had just never said it out loud.

“Oh?” She asked, raising both brows as she sat in front of him. He was trying to avoid eye contact, feeling a little too exposed enough as it is.

“I went over to his place last night and I don’t know I just can’t deny how good it feels when he touches me. Even when he’s joking around I blush like a madman!” He says not knowing where he was going with his rant.

“Have you wanted more?”

“I almost kissed him last night, if that answers your question.” He says as he throws his head in his hands. “Like what kind of friends want to kiss each other?”

“Steve, calm down.” She walks over and puts a hand on his shoulder. “You know there’s such a thing as liking both men and women right?”

He raises his head from his hands and looks at her with confusion.

“You could be bisexual, which just means you aren’t exclusively attracted to men or women. But both.”

“That’s a thing?” He asks and she nods in response. “I feel crazy because I loved Nancy but now I feel the same way towards him and I’m so confused.”

“There doesn’t have to be a label to what you’re attracted to, y'know. Screw labels!”

This conversation grounded him, making him feel accepted. He didn’t know why he had been so nervous to talk to Robin about this, well maybe it was because once he admitted it to her he had to revel in his newfound confession. He liked Eddie.

-

Sunday rolled around and Steve was anxiously waiting for his meeting with Eddie. He still had to get through the next hour of work. He was working alone because Robin had called in sick, to hang out with Vickie. He didn’t mind, Sunday’s were usually slow anyway.

He was watching Top Gun on the store tv, although he had seen the film multiple times he couldn’t help but gawk at Tom Cruise on the screen.

He was pulled from the movie when he saw Eddie walking into the store. He stood up quickly, trying to look busy. He grabbed random papers from the counter and scribbled on one of them.

“Howdy Harrington.” He greeted him walking over to the counter, leaning over the counter with his hands propped beneath him.

“Hey, Eddie.” Steve smiled at him, discarding the page he was doodling on. “What brings you in? Did you change your mind about the movie tonight?” He asked trying not to show that he was overthinking their plans that evening.

“Are you kidding? I’ve been waiting to see Labyrinth since it came out. I came by to see if you wanted to get a second movie. In case we get… bored.” He said hesitating slightly.

“Oh! Yeah, that’s a good idea. What kinda movie are you thinking of?”

“I was thinking we could switch things up with a classic horror movie.” He suggested and Steve didn’t even care that he disliked scary movies.

“What about Nightmare on Elm Street?” He suggested as they browsed the horror movie section.

“Oh, so you do have good taste?” Eddie said in a teasing manner. Which earned a roll of the eyes from Steve.

“Ha, very funny Munson.”

They chatted for a bit longer before Steve had to kick the man out of the store, he was eager to get home and get ready for their date. Well, a date was a stretch but it was what he was going with.

-

After nearly 30 minutes of changing his outfit, Steve settled on wearing a pair of jeans alongside a basic black t-shirt. He saw Eddie’s vest sitting in the corner of his room and decided fuck it, why not wear that as well?

He grabbed a case of beer from his fridge alongside a bottle of expensive liquor. He figured they might not even drink tonight but he didn’t feel like driving all the way home for alcohol if they decided to.

He grabs his keys and heads over to Eddie’s trailer. The radio is playing in the background. Steve is so goddamn nervous that his palms are sweating as he gets closer to reaching his destination.

He parks his car in the driveway, locking it but then he sees Max standing on the porch of her trailer. He lifts a hand to wave but decides to just go and say hi to the girl.

“Hey!” He says as approaches the girl who’s standing outside in her pj’s. “What are you doing outside so late?” He asks, his motherly instincts kicking in.

“Couldn’t sleep.” She claims simply. “What are you doing here so late?” She says in an accusing tone.

“Just going to hang out with Eddie.” He says to which she nods.

“I saw you two hanging out the other night. Didn’t know you guys were so close.”

“Were you spying on us, Mayfield?” He asks and she shrugs.

“You guys were smoking on the roof and laughing like you saw the funniest shit. So I was hardly spying.”

Fair enough, he hadn’t even thought about if other people could hear them that night. He was so enthralled with Eddie’s presence that he hadn’t cared.

“He seems to make you happy,” She shifts around on the deck, probably trying to warm up. “I’m glad you finally came to your senses. Anyway, I’m going to bed.”

Steve pauses before saying goodnight to Max, he couldn’t help but think about what she said as he walked over to the trailer across the street.

Before he could even knock the door swung open.

“Jesus!” He cries out as Eddie nearly walks into him. Holding onto his chest only getting a laugh in return. “And I thought the only thing scaring me tonight would be Freddy Kruger.”

“Sorry.” Eddie managed to say between laughs. “No, I saw you had parked there a few minutes ago and I was wondering where you went.”

“Oh, I was just talking to Max.” He says, motioning towards the girl's trailer.

“How’s she doing?”

“She’s good. Just mentioned that we woke her up the other night.” Steve comments, keeping the other thing she had said.

“Shit, well at least we weren’t fucking. Then we really would’ve woken her up.” Eddie teases and Steve’s mouth gapes open for a second before he straightens himself out.

“In your dreams Munson.” And with that, both boys enter the trailer.

“You brought tequila?” Eddie asks as he motions towards the bottle in Steve’s hand.

“I didn’t know if you wanted to drink tonight, figured I’d bring it just in case.”

“Tryna get me drunk Stevie?” He jokes but takes the bottle and shoves it into the freezer.

“Maybe I am,” Steve says with a wink.

Eddie looks unsure of how to react to this so he clears his throat loudly and grabs a beer from the case Steve had set on the table. He tosses it to Steve who still had a slightly smug look on his face. He then grabs one for himself, cracking it open and taking a long drink.

“Where did your tv go?” Steve asks looking in the living room.

“Oh I uh put it in my bedroom because I don’t love being in the living room, you know since Chrissy.” He barely whispers the last part. Steve nods in understanding.

“Well your bed is pretty comfortable so I’m not complaining.”

-

Eddie’s room looked a lot more organized and clean than the last time he had seen it. Not that he had been bothered by the mess before but it made him wonder if Eddie cleaned because of him.

“So which movie did you want to start with?” Eddie asks setting the two tapes on the bed next to where Steve was sitting.

“Maybe Nightmare on Elm Street. I don’t want to watch it right before bed. I’d rather not have nightmares about Freddie Krueger murdering me in my sleep.”

Eddie lets out a soft laugh, nodding as he begins to set up the movie. He walks back over to the bed, sitting gently and he then realizes how close the two are going to be sitting. His bed wasn’t small but it wasn’t that spacious either.

Steve pats the side of him and Eddie moves closer to him, their thighs are pressed against one another and both of them feel warm despite it being the middle of September.

As the movie went on Steve noticed how they would occasionally inch closer to each other. Not that he was complaining.

As he focused back on the screen, Nancy just finished saying “I’m crazy after all.” When Freddy pops up behind her.

“Jesus!” Steve jumps, his hand grabbing Eddie’s as his heart pounds in his chest.

Eddie tries to hold in a laugh as he turns to Steve. “You okay?”

Steve just nods still focused on the movie. He hadn’t noticed that his hand was intertwined with Eddie’s.

Eddie had a hard time focusing on the movie, he was more engaged with the fact that he had Steve’s hand in his and that he had bigger hands than Steve did.

Eddie tried to focus back on the movie when Steve looked down, blushing as he let go of his hand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize-“

But Eddie just clasped their hands back together. “It’s okay, I don’t mind.”

They both struggled to focus on the movie, just enjoying each other's presence and touch.

-

“So how was that? Too scary?” Eddie asked, standing up to stop the movie.

“It wasn’t too bad actually.” Steve says, before muttering “Although I wasn’t super focused on the movie.”

“What was that?” Eddie asks turning his head towards Steve, a smile on his lips. He had heard what Steve said, but he just wanted to tease the boy a bit.

“Nothing!”

Eddie looks at the time, realizing it was kinda late now. “So did you still want to watch another movie or should we save it for another night?”

“How about we just chill for a bit and see how we feel after?” Steve suggests.

“I’m gonna grab another beer, want one?” To which Steve nods, “Or we could crack open the tequila?”

“I’m down if you are Munson.”

Eddie runs out to the kitchen and Steve can hear him clattering things around before he reappears in the doorway, looking at him with a devilish grin and two shot glasses.

This might be a bad idea but Steve couldn’t care less.

Eddie sat criss-crossed on the bed facing Steve, handed him a shot glass, and poured some tequila in it, spilling some onto his hand. Steve chuckled as he licked his hand, the two held eye contact and Eddie had to force his eyes away after watching it.

They clinked their glasses together, trying not to spill any more and they both downed them.

Eddie groaned, his face puckering slightly at the strong taste of alcohol. “God that fucking burns.” He stated as his core got hot from the liquor he drank.

Steve just rolled his eyes and laughed. “Didn’t know that Eddie Munson didn’t like the taste of tequila.”

“Oh shut it, I smoke more than I drink. And need I remind you that you choked after one drag off a joint!” Eddie cackles as he watches Steve’s face scrunch up with embarrassment.

“I don’t smoke often!” He argued trying to defend himself to Eddie who was looking at him intensely.

“And I don’t drink often! So fuck off!” Eddie shakes his head trying to hide the smile on his face. “Want another?” He asks lifting the bottle of tequila in front of him. Steve nods eager to get tipsy, he couldn’t handle how much he was paying attention to the boy in front of him. He figured that if he got drunk he would be able to focus more. And so what if he was wrong in thinking this?

-

A couple of shots in the two are bickering over Steve’s music taste.

“I don’t understand why you’re so set in your ways! Admit it Lay all your love on me is a classic!”

“I would rather chug this whole bottle!” Eddie laughs holding up the bottle in front of Steve’s face. It was nearing halfway empty. The two had had more than a few shots, just talking and getting in each other’s faces.

“Speaking of, pour me one bartender,” Steve exclaimed, he was already tipsy but he didn’t care.

Eddie poured a shot, spilling it all over Steve’s hand again.

“Dude!” Steve began speaking but Eddie looked at him, licking his hand. Steve inhaled sharply as he felt Eddie’s tongue on his skin. Their eyes were locked on one another.

“Wouldn’t want to waste any now would we?” Eddie said as he licked his lips. Steve was stunned, to say the least, he was staring at the man sitting in front of him. Who had somehow moved closer to him during this exchange?

Steve was drunk at this point, he could feel the warmth the alcohol had spread through his chest. He placed a hand on Eddie’s, just wanting to touch him. He had denied any physical interaction between them because he didn’t know if he could handle it.

Eddie looked down and joined their fingers together. Before quietly mumbling, “Steve..”

With a burst of confidence, Steve leaned in, his lips were barely brushing against Eddie’s. “Can I do something stupid?” He asked as he glanced down at Eddie’s lips. Eddie just nodded, speechless at the close contact between them.

Steve closed the gap, his lips softly brushing against Eddie’s. To which he cursed softly. Eddie brought his hand up, snaking it behind Steve’s neck, and brought them together.

Steve felt his face get hot as they kissed, it started gentle and soft but quickly turned into a desperate attempt to get each other closer.

“Fuck.” Steve gasped out as Eddie pulled him on top of him.

Steve’s hands made their way down to Eddie’s waist, grabbing on tightly as their lips seemed to glide against one another’s. His eyes were clamped shut as pleasure shot down his body.

They separated, breathing heavily. Eddie looked at Steve with a hunger he had never seen before letting out a soft grunt.

“Shit.”

Steve might have been drunk but he couldn’t help but feel stupid for kissing Eddie. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I just-“

Eddie shut him up, kissing him again. Their lips fit so well together it felt like they had done this a thousand times before. Steve’s hand tangled into Eddie’s hair, pulling gently which resulted in Eddie moaning against his lips.

“Fuck Steve.”

He loved the way the words sounded leaving Eddie’s lips. He was still reeling from touching him, let alone kissing him.

Eddie collapsed next to him, still breathing heavily. After a moment of observing him, he reaches out a hand to gently caress Steve’s face. “God, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

“Why didn’t you?” Steve asks, leaning into Eddie’s touch.

“I didn’t think you were into me.” He confesses, “or into guys?”

“I guess I didn’t even really know I was into guys either. Not until I started having feelings for you.” Steve spoke softly, “And I am really into you Eddie.”

Eddie’s face turns a light shade of pink as he hears those words.

“God, you’re cute,” Steve says which only deepens the color flushed across Eddie’s face.

“Shut up.” Eddie pulls him in and kisses him again. Steve’s head spins, the mix of alcohol and Eddie being too much for him. But he couldn’t stop.

Eddie grabs Steve by the waist, pulling him so that he’s sitting on his lap. The tension between the two only grew as Steve unintentionally moved his hips, grinding down on Eddie.

A moan slipped out of Eddie, as he ran a hand through Steve’s hair and tugged at it. Now it was his turn to let out a moan. The kiss got slightly sloppy but neither of them was complaining, Steve pulled away only to attach his mouth to Eddie’s neck. Sucking and nipping at the soft skin.

Steve leans back up, kissing Eddie softly. “As much as I don’t want to stop, I don’t want to take advantage of the fact that we’re both drunk.”

“Such a gentleman Harrington,” Eddie says smiling but pulling him down for one final kiss. It's gentle and slow and they savor the seconds before pulling away. Steve gets off of him and lays down next to him.

“You said you didn’t know if I liked you. I didn’t think I’d be your type.” Steve admits as he strokes random shapes into Eddie’s side.

“If I can be honest, I didn’t think you’d be my type either. But you’re so damn charming and I feel safe with you. You never fail to make me smile, and if I can be even more honest. I’m falling for you, Steve.”

“Would it be okay that I might be falling for you too?” Steve asks looking up at him and melting at the look Eddie was giving him.

“That would be more than okay.”

“Good because I’m falling for you, Eddie Munson.”

“And I’m falling for you, Steve Harrington.”

[usersiren]

straight for the throat (you’re an animal) by sirencalls explicit ♡ 4.7k ♡ steddie

Eddie’s eyes go soft with understanding. He looks down at his feet. “Yeah, the nightmares kick ass, don’t they?”

Steve swallows, feeling his cheeks heat up. “Something like that.”

Eddie looks up at Steve through his lashes, seemingly assessing him, and whatever he finds causes his face to break out into a wide grin. “Oh, I know that look. How did you end up with the steamy sex dreams and I got stuck with the gory shit?”

buy me a coffee

[thecallofthedeep]

Chapters: 7/7 Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington's Parents, Eddie Munson, Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, Mike Wheeler, Eleven | Jane Hopper, Lucas Sinclair, Dustin Henderson, Will Byers, Maxine "Max" Mayfield, Erica Sinclair, Tommy Hagan, Carol Perkins, Billy Hargrove, Joyce Byers, Jim "Chief" Hopper, Wayne Munson, Robin Buckley, Vickie (Stranger Things), The Party (Stranger Things), Demo-Dogs (Stranger Things), Demo-Bats (Stranger Things), Demogorgon (Stranger Things) Additional Tags: Character Study, Hurt Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington Needs a Hug, Good Babysitter Steve Harrington, Protective Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington & Dustin Henderson Friendship, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington Friendship, Past Steve Harrington/Nancy Wheeler, Eddie Munson Lives, Gay Eddie Munson, Protective Eddie Munson, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Family Issues, Team as Family, Child Neglect, Good Uncle Wayne Munson, Daddy Issues, Mommy Issues, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Non-Graphic Smut, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Good Friend Robin Buckley, Period-Typical Homophobia, Steve Harrington Has Internalized Homophobia, Internalized Homophobia, Codependency, Canon-Typical Violence, Steve Harrington-centric, Touch-Starved, Falsettos References, Eating Disorders, Not Beta Read, Not Canon Compliant Series: Part 1 of march of the falsettos Summary:

Mrs Harrington loved her son and he loved her right back. She was the isolated wife to a distant man and Steve was her entire world. He followed her around the house like a little duckling, preferred sitting with her as she got ready instead of playing with his toys. There was something so magical about her careful ritual to him.

She’d always turn to him, hair done and make-up beautiful and do a little “Tadah!” Steve would smile at her and tell her she looked like a princess. She’d smile back at him and scoop him up in her arms to twirl him around the room. “If I’m a princess, you’re my little prince.”

His father told her she shouldn’t encourage him to sit with her. He thought it would make him soft. He was a boy, after all. He told Steve his mother had always wanted a daughter, but he was glad he’d gotten a son. “Plenty of time to turn you into a proper man, son.”

A little prince.

Or: Steve Harrington, a collection of cracked ribs, black eyes and a bleeding heart.

[matt-the-blind-cinnamon-roll]

I'm back on my bullshit folks. Here's chapter two of my latest work "Halleljuah".

It's a fix-it fic, where everyone lives.

“I don’t wanna put you out, Eddie. I don’t have to stay there.” Steve wasn’t sure if staying the night was part of their little thing. It seemed a little too intimate, a little too much like boyfriends, which they clearly weren’t. They would never work out; they’re just too different. Steve is Steve and Eddie is Eddie and without the kids they have nothing in common. Steve felt an odd aching pang in his chest at that, but then Eddie’s head turned to him and he scoffed.

[azrielgreen]

Steve lets his head fall into his hands, the need to cry accepting slow death and strangulation instead of release, unfair exchange that is a constant in his life. He’s good at this, at swallowing. Keeping dead things inside, rather than letting them go. Like the bird he found, once. Small and frozen solid at the base of a tree in Aspen. Steve had lost his gloves, so his hands were red from touching snow, they burned with the icy bite of white and as he wandered, he found a little bird, fallen from the tree. Dead, solid, quiet. Inanimate. Steve took it back to the cabin, curled in his frost-bitten fingers, eight years old and gripped by the loss of something he never even had. He wrapped the bird, a woodpecker, in cashmere; sat by the fire and stroked it’s silky feathers, willing life back where it had been once. And while he waited, he told himself the bird would be his friend, it would go with him everywhere when he travelled, he would keep it in his coat pocket and feed it seeds, all kinds. They two, always and forever, alone no more. Steve named the bird Peck and he waited, hoped, squeezed his eyes so tight they hurt and begged to a god he still believed in then, for his friend to breathe, wake, come back. The bird was dead, though. It couldn’t come back. And Steve couldn’t let go, all the same. He kept Peck for weeks, wrapped in navy blue cashmere, right beside his pillow every night. He spoke to it, drew pictures of how it might have looked once, before. In flight, wings out, soaring through the air. Just because it was dead, didn’t mean it had to be alone. Steve worried all the time about the loneliness of still things; those objects unable to go and seek their own friends, their own fun. The bird was dead and it would never fly again, but it could still be Steve’s friend. He remembers the day his Dad found the bird, traced the smell to the sorry bundle within his Mom’s missing scarf. He remembers his Dad yelling, taking it away while Steve screamed, while he fought until his Dad screamed right back, eyes wide, like the grown man was afraid of his tiny child. He remembers his Dad throwing the bird and scarf in the outside trash and then furiously firing the Nanny they’d hired for this ski trip. Steve went through the trash that night, bare feet burning in the fresh snow, the skies above dully orange and heavy with more of that killer white. He remembers how he cried when he couldn’t find Peck. Filth on his hands, up his wrists, old rotten food, but one of his parents knew he’d come back and try, so they moved it elsewhere, too far for Steve to follow or find. He’d cried and said sorry over and over. Until he fell asleep in the snow. He doesn’t have any memories after that for a while. Steve Harrington was never any good at letting go.

-- Black Out Days (Fairground Nights) CH4

[little-annie]

All I Want | Ch7

Steddie | Little_Annie | Ao3

Ch.6 ⤵️

---

Wayne's POV

It was a rare thing; the evening he got to spend with Eddie. It'd been a long while since the last time they actually had time to spend together, what with Wayne taking up more shifts at the plant and Eddie spending a good deal of time resting, running errands or jamming with his band.

But tonight had been nice, sharing the monotonous stories of their day over a beer before Wayne had to go help Mrs. Kelly with her car, only to come back and catch the last few minutes of Eddie's horror fic. 

Just the fact of existing in a space together warmed Wayne's heart. Especially after so many days of worrying the boy would never wake up. It'd been tough sitting there alongside Steve Harrington, consoling the young man while they sat watching Eddie breathe through a tube.

Since Eddie had gotten home -aside from the first week- they'd communicated purely through sticky notes left around the trailer and the odd graphic mug left with coffee on the countertop.

He'd noticed some things about the boy since his return. The longing look in his eyes, the points throughout the day when he'd catch himself doing something that just didn't quite make sense, a furrowed brow and inquisitive look on his face while he tried to process his intentions. 

There'd been a few times Wayne had caught Eddie preparing breakfast for two, albeit when he knew Wayne was leaving and was nearly already out the door. It was Steve's favourite. The smell of peppers and onions that carried through the trailer was enough to go by. It made Wayne's heart pinch with a weird sort of grief.

He himself hadn't lost much, he still had Eddie and generally the boy was the same kid he was a few months ago, though maybe that's because he didn't realise what he was missing quite yet. 

When Steve Harrington and his gaggle of children came into Eddie's life, they'd brought a sort of light with them. A happiness Eddie had yet to experience until the moments Dustin Henderson was yelling something down the phone line or the Harrington boy was sharing what he thought to be a private smile. And well, now that light was gone.

It'd show in what Wayne could only hope were glimmers of recognition in his nephew's eyes; the times Steve's favourite song would come on the radio and Eddie's lip would twitch with a smile before he'd switch stations. Or moments like today when Wayne came back from Mrs. Kelly's to find Eddie on the couch in Steve's yellow sweater, burrowed comfortably into the couch with a beer in hand.

It was moments like these when he'd feel that a piece of hope spark in his own chest.

Maybe Eddie remembered.

But upon further interrogation, he'd found the boy just liked the thing. Though Wayne couldn't help but think something deep inside the boy knew better and connected the garment to the love he once shared with its previous owner.

It was when he'd gone to bed, the late night moon hanging high in the sky that the evening got interesting. He was asleep, happily curled into the couch when the phone rang and he couldn't help but pray Eddie would answer the damn thing. He was a breath away from yelling for the boy when he heard a groggy 'hello.' 

Wayne huffed to himself, rolling over to shove his face into his pillow, drowning out Eddie's conversation with whoever was on the other end of the line.

He dozed off only to hear the phone ring minutes later, Eddie answering on the last ring with a growl.

It was then that Wayne pulled himself from the couch, stomping to the phone in the dark to demand the phone from Eddie, the poor boy looking exhausted with his rat's nest askew and yellow sweater bunched around his torso.

Only a minute or so later did he find himself sat on the steps of the trailer, Eddie's leather jacket pulled tight around his shoulders with a smoke stuck between his lips as he helped to ease Steve Harrington off the ledge of another breakdown.

His heart broke with every shuddered breath that rang into his ear, sudden and sharp and erratic. The boy was damn near suffocating.

This unfortunately wasn't a foreign thing, waking at odd hours to a grieving, panicking man on the other end of the line. It'd happened enough times that Wayne knew what to do in the situation, easing Steve back into reality by guided breaths, reassurance and redirected attention.

At one point he even considered going over to the Harrington house to be with the boy in his time of need, but thought against it thinking his presence may possibly worsen the situation.

Eventually he'd gotten the young man calmed down to the point of steady breaths and un-stuttered words, only to feel his heart break as Steve asked to wish Eddie a good night.

With a hand holding the phone into the darkness of Eddie's room, Wayne's sure around the rasp of Eddie's snores that he could hear the whispers of a faint, 'I love you Eds' coming from the phone. He'd hung up not much later and made his way back to the couch, settling with his decision then to call into work tomorrow and check in on Steve in the morning.

Steve's POV

Things weren't always like this. 

Waking up on the kitchen floor, phone still clutched in hand with a foggy vision of last night's events burned into his very being. Blurs of distant, contorted memories, flashes of gore and loss that washed over him like a sudden wave; having snuck up on him with a crash, knocking him off kilter and leaving him to drown. Feeling like he'd done as much with the ache in his chest and burn in his lungs. Having gasped for breath, choking on oxygen like it's water flooding his lungs.

His body a canvas of blues and purples and reds, welts on his palms and bruises on his arms, scratches laid by his own nails intersecting the still healing wound on his neck.  

No.

Things weren't always like this. 

But, now they were. 

Now Steve peels himself from the floor with a groan, stretching his limbs and rubbing the crescent moons he'd pierced into his palms. Now, he dusts himself off and tries to carry on with his day, the late morning sun blinding as he rounds into the living room, making his way to the stairs and eventually up to his bedroom.

The plaid monstrosity he's called home over the last twenty years, a bitter reminder of last night's events. Blankets a heap on the floor, once the delirious feeling of vines around his legs. The pulse of pain from his neck, currently doing much the same. He raises a palm to the sensation, feeling the raised scars and still healing wounds, the crust of dried blood from last night's frantic clawing at his skin.

It isn't much of a thought when he steps into his ensuite and cleans the freshly opened wounds, an unfortunate re-occurrence since his most recent time in the Upside Down. Though, well, it's not like he had someone to ease him out of the self abuse during those times anymore. Eddie, having been there for the times he'd wake up pulling at his own hair and skin, babbling nonsensically about Russians and Demogorgans. Or Eddie being there to help bandage him up when things got a little too intense.

But Steve was alone this time as he applied the alcohol to the gash on his neck, hissing in pain but savouring the ability to feel anything at all. 

He'd like to think he was getting better, coping with his past traumas and the loss of a man who he loved so deeply, but, by last night's events, that'd be a rather blatant lie.

It'd been nearly a week since he'd last seen Eddie, rosy cheeked in the aisle of the grocery store, chatting animatedly with Dustin over D&D. At the time he'd thought it was enough to hold him over until the Hellfire meeting he and the kids were supposed to attend -well the kids, but he was going too goddammit- but it definitely was not. The ache for the man he held in his chest was raw and gaping, only so subtly soothed by the sound of Eddie's voice he'd heard through the phone late last night.

Steve sighs, long and winded, leaning back into the wall of his bathroom, taking in the image in front of him. He looks exhausted, hair dishevelled and flat, dark bags blooming under his eyes and a now painful reminder of last night's memories bloodied and throbbing over the pulse on his neck.

He could shower, could wash the painful memories down the drain along with the tears and sweat that clung to his skin, but what's the use? The pain wouldn't truly be gone and the physical evidence of his grief would only reappear.

Yeah, he definitely wasn't getting better. No matter how much he tried to tell himself so.

Time passed in a blur after that, at some point he'd made his way onto his bedroom floor, staring up at the ceiling, fiddling with one of Eddie's many hair ties that'd made its home on the carpet.

It could have been fifteen minutes or three hours, seconds being lost to once valuable time. No less than a few months ago, at the very least this time would have been spent with Eddie at his side, quiet and whispering words of endearment, sneaking kisses and not so subtle touches. Or the man would be lost in a story, joyvally retelling tales of fantastical creatures and other worlds. Steve, in either scenario would be sat with a dopey love struck smile on his face, his fingers laced with Eddie's and the intensity of love burning in his chest.

But it was now as those memories began to pull tears to the surface that there was a knock at the door, loud, deliberate, coming in an unsteady rhythm.

Steve cursed under his breath, heaving himself from the floor and wiping the back of his fist across his teary eyes. His vision still blurry, he stooped down the stairs.

The knocking had ceased but Steve could see a weathered ball cap through the small window near the top of the door. One that he'd grown quite familiar with over the last several months.

He tried to feign composure, straightening his back, squaring his jaw, sucking back any of the remaining emotions that'd been bleeding from him for the last several weeks.

It was with a shaky hand that he opened the door to find Wayne Munson standing there on the porch, a lopsided grin, equal parts endearing and concerned creasing the lines of his face. It wasn't often that the man dropped in unannounced, especially since Eddie had been home. It kind of struck Steve with a pang of concern.

Before he could even process the moment his shoulders fell and he asked with a worried breath, "Is he okay?" His immediate thoughts going to Eddie, thinking something had to be wrong for Wayne to just show up out of the blue, but the old man simply huffed a laugh and shouldered his way into the house.

Steve watched as Wayne surveyed the living room, its contents untouched, blankets still folded and dust collecting on every surface. It'd remained the same since the days leading up to Vecna and Eddie's murder allegations. Nowadays he couldn't bring himself to spend time anywhere else other than his room.

Paying no mind to Steve still standing in the doorway, Wayne continued to make his way through the house, yelling back to Steve as he passed into the kitchen, "Ed's fine kid! Go wash up, I'm taking you out for lunch!"

Steve's brow furrowed at the statement, he was happy Eddie was fine, but why would Wayne want to take him out for lunch? He didn't really want to go anywhere, last night's events still weighing heavily on his shoulders, grief and loss and trauma still thick and flowing like a cancer through his veins. He didn't feel like going anywhere and he didn't feel like seeing people or having to deal with the stares folks sent his way upon seeing the damage done to his body. 

He'd hardly left the house in recent weeks and when he did, it was a constant thing. The stares, the judgement, the whispers. The few times he'd managed to drag himself to the grocery store and the rare occasions he'd made it into work, it was a repeating occurrence to find someone's eyes locked onto the still healing scar on his neck.

It wasn't hard to figure out how people saw it, he'd heard the whispers soon enough, most of them seemed to settle on the fact that it was from a failed suicide attempt. Unfortunately it's not a far off thing to say he's considered it, though he'd never admit it to anyone, let alone ever actually go through with it. But the temptation of the hurt and trauma and grief leaving his body didn't sound like such an awful thing. The pain would be gone, the emptiness and soullessness that crept through his veins would cease to exist.

Though so would he. 

But there was Eddie and the sliver of possibility that his memories would return and Steve could have his old life back. The joy, the happiness, the love.

That wasn't something he'd chance leaving behind.

He was still standing there, staring off in the direction Wayne had gone, a pang of grief eating away at his chest and a sense of dread creeping into his lungs. He didn't want to do this. He didn't want to have to endure the public and their whispers and their stares, but before he could even begin to protest, Wayne hollered back, "You're not getting the option. Now go bathe, you fuckin' stink."

Steve huffed to himself, he didn't want to do this but he supposed it'd be better than sitting at home and reliving the horrors of last night's memories. 

Maybe it'd be a good distraction from the haunting darkness that surrounded him in his own home.

He glared in Wayne's general direction, raising an arm to smell his underarms, grumbling a hardly audible, "I don't fuckin' stink," but he was proved wrong, grimacing at the truth of Wayne's statement.

He didn't know where Wayne was or what he was doing, let alone the man's plan for the approaching afternoon. But with the promise of something to keep his mind busy for the next few hours, Steve pulled himself up the stairs.

Showering longer than he probably should have, it was nearly an hour by the time Steve returned downstairs to Wayne. He found the man in the kitchen, tea towel over his shoulder and the once mountain of dishes that flooded the sink, dry and stashed away.

At least he still had Wayne, Steve told himself as he let his shoulders sag with a fraction of relief.

He sucked in a grounding breath before thanking Wayne and following the man out the front door and to his pick-up truck. 

He assumed they were going to Benny's, though he wasn't quite sure what for or why. In the last weeks this had grown to be something familiar, not Wayne showing up out of the blue, but sitting in the comfortable silence with the old man at his side. Their gatherings had been cut short lately with Eddie being home again, which wasn't bad, but Steve had been lonely without the company. The time he'd normally spend with Eddie had recently been in Wayne's company, but lately it had been spent with himself and his thoughts, and well, that wasn't the best company to have.

—

It was quiet in the truck, the hum of the radio hardly audible, the occasional tick of the motor struggling to keep up; a faint noise in the cab. Then there was Wayne releasing a shaky breath to Steve's left before he spoke, "You doin' alright kid?"

Steve's automatic thought was a straight up 'No,' followed by a, 'No Wayne, I'm fucking miserable, what do you think?' But it's not like he could say as much, he respected the man, loved him even and he knew Wayne didn't deserve the attitude that was clawing its way up his throat. Steve sighed to himself, weighing his options knowing if anyone, he could tell Wayne everything, talk to him about anything. 

The fact was though, he wasn't fine. He was nearly the furthest thing from it but a pinch in his gut reminded him that things could be worse. Other people had much more difficult struggles in life than being unloved and lonely. In the grand scheme of the world, the struggles of Steve Harrington didn't matter. Plus he didn't want to complain or bitch or whine, Wayne heard enough of that last night anyway.

All he could manage was a hardly visible shake of his head.

Wayne hummed next to him, not sounding very satisfied with his provided response. At the moment Steve couldn't bear to look at the man. Keeping his gaze set on the flashes of trees and houses passing in the distance, his forehead pressed to the cool glass of the window, his body sore and slumping against the door.

That's how the drive remained, quiet, the air riddled with unspoken words and heavy emotions. Wayne didn't pry, didn't send Steve any sideways glances, only focused on the road ahead and let the quietness envelope them. It was one of the things Steve loved about the man. He didn't push, he didn't pry, but he was there for you when you were ready. 

Though Steve didn't know if he'd ever truly be ready. Everything flowing through him was so overwhelming, a whirling mess of emotions that swelled like a disease in his chest. 

The heaviest of it being his loss of Eddie.

—

Ten minutes later they found themselves sat in a booth at Benny's, the general public sending them odd stares and the waitress taking a second glance. Everyone seemed to be enamoured with the idea of seeing Steve Harrington and 'The Freak's' uncle sitting together in a booth. 

Steve supposed he and Wayne were an odd pairing to the public eye, but to the two of them it wasn't really anything out of the ordinary. In fact it was quite a regular thing in the last several weeks.

They'd spent hours in each other's company, albeit most of it in silence but still, it was the presence of another Steve wouldn't have had otherwise. Maybe it was a little awkward at the start without Eddie there as a buffer, but they soon fell into a rhythm and it was comfortable.

Sitting in the booth it'd taken a while for Steve to loosen up, the numbness that riddled his bones slowly fading by the minute. Something about being with Wayne took the edge off, lessened the hurt in a way. Maybe it was the fact that he was his only connection to Eddie or maybe it had something to do with the father son bond they'd forged. Either way, Steve appreciated Wayne's presence in his life.

They'd sat silently for quite some time, skimming the menus and eventually ordering food. It wasn't until their meals arrived that Wayne spoke again, words mumbled around the straw of his chocolate shake, "You going to the Hellfire thing tonight?"

Oh

Shit

Steve's gut twists at the reminder. He wasn't entirely sure if he was excited or down right terrified. He hadn't seen Eddie or the kids for a week. Hadn't seen the guys from Hellfire since before Vecna. He wasn't entirely sure how it would all go. If he'd be welcome. If Gareth and Jeff and the guys would even remember him.

Through the whirlwind that was last night's emotions and general freak out, he'd forgotten about his plan to take the kids to Hellfire today. Christ, Dustin's probably already waiting on the front porch, pouting and ready to go. 

God, kids are gonna be unbearable.

And then there's the whole Eddie of it all.

Sour and aching, anxiety twists in his gut, endless possibilities threaten to run through his head. But he sucks in a breath, counts to three and shoves it the fuck down.

He can do this.

—

Not more than a few hours later and Steve finds himself on the verge of a headache.

There's music blaring, voices screeching, he's sure Dustin just spilt his slushie on the floor and there's a letter from Robin burning a hole in his pocket.

He hadn't seen any of the kids post Vecna, not really anyways. Maybe in passing or throughout the hospital, but other than that, their attempted visits and that day at the grocery store with Dustin, this is really the first time he's seen them in a while. First time he's had to endure them in a while. He'd forgotten how loud they were,  how obnoxious, how fucking annoying. But goddammit, he forgot how much he loved them. Loved this.

The ache in his chest is a little less tense, even as Dustin wailes next to him and Mike complains to his rear. It's utter chaos, but now as tension pounds in his skull and red syrup stains the carpet of his front floorboards, he remembers why he loved this so much.

The feeling of being needed.

The feeling of the swell in his chest and the warmth in his heart.

The feeling of his ear drums shattering and his nerves wearing thin.

The feeling of family and warmth and the loneliness in his heart feeling a little less expansive.

They pull up to the school, parking in the empty lot and suddenly it's so quiet. Dustin's looking at him from the passenger seat, Mike and Lucas stare at him through the rear view mirror.

"So, what's the plan?"

It's Lucas asking this time, he and Mike now included into this scheme of theirs to win Eddie over once again. 

Steve shrugs, looking to Dustin for guidance only to be met with a mirror of his own actions.

"I dunno," Steve says, looking back to the boys in the back seat, "Just pretend it's your first time at Hellfire, pretend you've never met him before."

"What about the other guys?" Mike asks, not an ounce of his regular attitude in his tone

"I guess Wayne talked to Gareth. They know Eddie has memory loss, but that's about it."

"Well there's not much more to know anyways, is there?" Lucas asks, eyeing Steve with something suspicious

Steve stutters then, he forgets the kids don't know about his and Eddie's relationship sometimes. He supposes to them anyways there's not much more to know.

He shakes his head, eyes darting away to stare into the distance. He can feel the kids staring at him, but he ignores it. 

Dustin's watch beeps next to him, a high pitched, shrieking thing and like it's reactionary the kids pile out of the car and stride towards the school.

Steve takes a moment to collect himself, sucking in a grounding breath and counting down from three, his grip on the steering wheel growing painful as his anxiety begins to creep back in.

This isn't just another random bump in at the grocery store, this is hours confined to one room with the love of his life. The love of his life who has no idea who the hell he is.

The love of his life that Steve notices isn't here yet.

He scans the parking lot, watching as the kids enter the school and the sun slowly begins to fade, he can't help but notice the absence of Eddie's van. 

It's not a normal thing for Eddie to be late, at least not to Hellfire. Everything else in his life? Absolutely. Strolling in ten, twenty minutes late, a whirlwind of wild hair and manic energy. But he's always at least ten minutes early for his campaigns, setting up the table, taking time to unpack his bags and decompress before flipping the switch to Dungeon Master mode.

But seeing the empty spot where Eddie's van is normally parked makes something akin to dread swell in Steve's gut. This isn't like him.

Maybe Gareth knows something.

When he opens the doors to the drama room, he's met with several sets of eyes. The kids looking at him expectantly and the guys from Corroded Coffin sitting with their arms crossed over their chests, their brows furrowed.

"You got any idea where Ed's at?" Jeff asks, eyeing Steve as he moves through the room to settle on a chair in the corner, out of the way.

"No," Steve says as he settles in, "I was hoping one of you guys would know. "

The three metalheads look at him with a raised brow or some expression of confusion, his skin prickles under their scrutiny, "What?"

"Why you sitting over there?"

Steve grits his teeth, steeling himself while he speaks, "He doesn't remember me. Remember?"

The guys nod, Gareth sending him a saddened glance before he turns to say something to Jeff, the other man mimicking Gareth's reaction only a second later.

They sit there for what feels like forever, waiting for Eddie. Each passing moment only makes the nerves in Steve's chest tighten.

But just as he's thinking of turning in for the night and taking the kids home, there's a loud crash and the door flies open with Eddie falling in behind. His hair's a mess, his cheeks are red and there's a tear in his shirt. The guys erupt with sarcastic jibs before they fall silent and watch Eddie stumble into the room.

Through the dim light above Steve can see now that the red on Eddie's cheeks isn't a flush and that the crimson that spreads across his lips is too streaked across the white of his shirt.

There's sounds, voices and movement but as Steve's on his feet and making his way to Eddie just in time to stop him from crashing to the floor, it's all background noise. 

All he can think about is Eddie. All he can see is the blood smeared across his face and dripping from the cut in his lip. He's hurt and the sheer image of seeing blood on Eddie's face is a horrific reminder of the day he nearly died. He's sure Dustin's verging on a panic attack, just like he himself.

Pulse quickening, the flashing images of Eddie's lifeless body in his arms, it's nearly too much. Eddie's weak against him, trying to stay upright while he pushes away from Steve and mumbles something of reassurance. Like Steve can't see the blood dripping from his face.

Gripping solid on the leather of Eddie's jacket, Steve hears Dustin, a voice that cuts quietly through the rest, words he'd heard screamed into the darkness of the Upside Down weeks ago, "Steve, help him."

He sounds desperate, pleading.

But with a turn of his head he sees Mike with a hand on his shoulder and Lucas saying something in his ear that seems to ease the tension. He'll be okay.

Eddie jumps like a scared animal when Steve tries to pull him closer, jerking away, hiding his face in his hair, muttering something lost to the wound gaping on his lip.

It's times like these that Steve's thankful for his anxious tendencies, having stashed a first aid kit in the car after the gates of hell opened up back in 83'.

He wants to coddle, to pull Eddie close and kiss the top of his head, tell him it'll be alright. But he doesn't. He's not allowed to. Instead he tightens his grip on Eddie's arm and pulls him out of the room, down the hall and to his car. Eddie fights him for what feels like three steps, but follows easily by the time they make it outside.

Steve can hear what he says now, tone sharp, breath raspy, he leans against the hood of the Beemer, arms crossed over the tear in his shirt, eyes refusing to meet Steve's, he looks off to the side, "Gonna finish me off, huh Harrington? Finish what those fuckers started."

He tries to ignore the jab, leaving Eddie at the front of the car while he goes to dig in the back seat for his first aid kit. It hurts to think Eddie believes he's capable of that, especially now, especially after everything they've been through. But it hurts even more to know Eddie's going through this alone, probably running from the same people who hunted him after Chrissy died.

Eventually he finds the little white box with a red cross on top, pulling it from beneath the back seat with a sharp tug.

Eddie's still there when Steve comes back to the front of the car, arms still crossed,  head hanging low, chipped black painted nails picking at the tear in his lip. Steve watches as Eddie's eyes find the first aid kit in his hand, those beautiful brown eyes fluttering with surprise before they meet Steve's.

All he can offer is a weak smile, tapping the hood of the car telling Eddie to jump up and sit.

For a while it's a quiet, intimate exchange, Steve can feel Eddie's eyes following him, intense and wondering and locked onto his every movement. 

Standing off to the side, Steve sets the first aid kit down on the hood of the car, grabbing the alcohol wipes and a set of bandaids. He grits his teeth, knowing what he's about to do next is going to be so painfully difficult. That the feeling of Eddie's skin beneath his fingertips is going to force tears to his eyes and a sob to claw at his throat.

He counts to three, takes a breath then moves to stand in front of Eddie.

Brown eyes continue to follow his movements. They look sad, exhausted, lost, but something deep inside seems to glimmer like the sun when they lock onto Steve's. 

Steve takes a guilty moment to pause, take in Eddie's features, the curve of his nose, the arch of his lips, the gold and amber and mahogany looking back at him. He takes it in, swallows it deep and stores it in his soul for those moments when he feels restless and lost and lonely.

"Harrington." 

Eddie's voice pulls him back to reality, it's just short of a whisper, calm, quiet, housing none of the venom his earlier, accusatory words had. 

He sounds breathless 

Steve apologises with a whispered 'sorry,' scared to break whatever this is lingering between them.

Mindlessly his fingers find Eddie's chin, gentle, soft, tilting his head to better examine the damage done. It's a subtle thing, but with his motions Steve hears a shuddered breath come from in front of him. It's hardly audible, but it's there, there along with the blush creeping across Eddie's cheeks. Dusty pink beneath freckles and scars and blood.

In the sunlight he looks worse, pale skin stained pink and blooming purple beneath the hollow of his left cheek. There's the obvious mark of knuckles pressed into his flesh, a gash of split skin running along the raised bone of his jaw. His brows's bleeding and bruised and his lip looks sore where it drips wet and red.

His poor boy.

"Let me know if this hurts, okay?" Steve says in a hush

Eddie nods as much as he can with Steve's grasp on his chin, eyes never once detaching from those in front of him.

In the moments to follow Steve steps closer, standing between Eddie's thighs and wiping away the gore from the man's face. With each swipe of the alcohol wipe Steve restrains himself from pressing a kiss to Eddie's blood stained skin. He wants nothing more than to comfort and hold, to whisper words of love against the split in Eddie's lip. He wants nothing more than to pull the man close, hold him to his chest and tell him how much he misses him.

But he can't.

He can't, so he settles for what he's allowed, he settles for letting his hands linger and his touch comfort. It's a small thing but when he cups Eddie's cheek to wipe away the blood on his brow, he can feel Eddie lean into the touch. The fullness of his cheek pressing into Steve's palm, Eddie's chest rises and falls with an expanded breath like it's something he longs for. 

It'd be so easy just to lean in right now.

But he can't, so in that moment when he wants nothing more than to press their lips together in a kiss, Steve brushes his thumb over torn flesh, dragging blood across Eddie's bottom lip, tinting the once clean skin red.

Eddie's breath is hot and shaky as it spills from his nose, the breeze of it falling over Steve's knuckles with a quiet shuddered gasp.

Eddie's eyes are dark and wide as they take in Steve's, searching and finding and analysing. Steve swears Eddie sees something, pinching his eyes shut and gritting his teeth, he pulls back slowly from the hold Steve still has on his cheek.

They're not touching anymore and where Eddie's skin once laid beneath Steve's fingertips, it burns, hot and aching. He wants to reach out again but forces his arms to fall to his sides as he takes a step back.

"Sorry," Steve whispers again, feeling caught in something he knows he's not allowed to feel. Not right now anyways. Not for the unsuspecting man in front of him. He feels caught in his stare and his longing and the gasping, gaping something for what he misses every waking moment of the day. 

He feels caught and he can't help but wonder what it was that Eddie's saw that made him pull away.

---

Ao3 ⤵️

[stevestark]

Hark, a herald angel sings!

She's actually back from the dead y'all, can you believe it? It's not like it's been almost 2 years since the last chapter or anything. Anyway please enjoy, we are absolutely returning to our favorite dummies, this fic was never abandoned, my soul was simply being crushed by work

[martyrdumbnvk]

steddie one shot, enjoy

[eiddets]

fic where steve and eddie have connected dreams and confess their feelings for each other, have passionate heated sex only to completely disregard each other irl, until coincidences of what they said to each other in the dreams start to melt into real life