#steve and wayne

[stevesbipanic]

@steddielovemonth Day 20: Love is a warm hug @unclewaynemunson

One of Steve's earliest memories is his mother hugging him. Coincidentally it's also one of the few memories he has of his mom hugging him at all. Still, he remembers the day perfectly, it was his fourth birthday, his mom got him a racecar cake, and hugged him so tightly that night. She started joining his dad's trips the next day, leaving Steve with a babysitter.

Steve had always been a hugger than a kisser, despite the rumours. Much prefering the cuddling in bed than the sex before. Which meant it was all the more heartbreaking when they were out the door before Steve even could ask them to stay.

Nancy wasn't exactly the cuddling type, liked sleeping in her own bed and Ted didn't like Steve staying over. Cuddling with her was more about breaks from studying, allowing her a moment to unwind.

The kids were growing into that phase where they were "too cool" for hugs, although it didn't stop him from guilting one out of Henderson when he went off for camp.

Robin told him cuddling helped with the nightmares, something about the tight strong pressure grounding her. It wasn't the same, but Steve felt loved and useful every time her arms reached for him.

Eddie was a cuddler, a toucher and clingy. Steve loved it. Casual touches at hang outs, cuddles in bed and on the couch. Nightmares chased away by tangling each other's limbs til they didn't know where one of them ended and next began.

Nothing compared though to when Steve sat, battered and bruised by Eddie's bedside and all he wanted was to be four years old again, he wanted to feel safe and loved but his anchor laid still beside him.

"Steve, son?"

Wayne was in the doorway, he'd called him as soon as Eddie was out of his arms and in surgery. Barely got the hospital name out through the tears. But Wayne had come, rushed from work the moment he heard Eddie's name.

"Wayne."

The tears spring up in Steve's eyes again, he'd promised Wayne he would look after Eddie when they began dating.

"I'm sorry."

Wayne shook his head stepping forward and wrapping Steve up in his arms.

"He's alive, son, you made sure of it."

Tight pressure grounding him, home, family, parent, safe. Eddie would be ok, and til he was, Wayne was here to keep Steve together.

[estrellami-1]

Writer prompt: i want this in everyone I like's writing so Steve having a panic attack/migraine (both at the same time are also fine) and he goes to where he knows he is safe Wayne Munson (Wayne found him the 1st time it happened & took care of him). So now when he feels it happening he goes to Wayne, who comforts him & takes care of him

Okay I was literally JUST talking to @i-less-than-three-you about this fic by @xiaq about how the world needs more Wayne and Steve interactions and then I remembered this ask exists and I got SO excited 😂

Anyways. I’m sorry it’s here so late but hopefully it suffices! ❤️

The first time Steve meets Wayne, really meets him, in any way that matters, he’s halfway into a panic attack.

Eddie isn’t answering his walkie. This in itself isn’t immediate cause for concern; he’s usually one of three places, so Steve takes it one step at a time, rationally.

He calls Gareth, because maybe the band had a practice today that he’d forgotten about.

Gareth says no, he hasn’t seen him since Sunday at Steve’s for Hellfire.

Okay. Take a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Feel the pressure release. Call the garage.

“Nah, boy, Munson ain’t been ‘ere for ‘bout two days,” the man drawls.

Steve takes a breath, politely thanks the man. Hangs up.

Considers his options. He could call Eddie’s trailer, but he knows himself, knows the anxiety coiling in his stomach, gripping at his lungs, and he knows talking to him won’t be enough; he needs to be able to see him, to touch him, to hear his heartbeat.

He drives to the Munson trailer. Wayne opens the door. “Steve,” he nods.

“Hi,” Steve says. “Um. Sorry. Is- is Eddie here?”

Wayne frowns. “Eddie? He hasn’t been here for three days.”

Air evades him. Gravity doubles, and he stumbles, reaching out to the doorframe for support. “Th-three days?”

“That’s right,” Wayne confirms, and Steve’s head fills with static, with wrong wrong wrong, with the need to find Eddie, to talk to him, to make sure he’s okay, because they think the Upside Down is gone, there aren’t any more gates that they know about, but never say never and Eddie’s been missing for three days-

“Steve,” Wayne says firmly. Steve distantly recognizes they’re both kneeling: Steve just outside the door, Wayne just inside it. “Take a breath, kid.”

Steve tries, but he can’t, it stutters and gets stuck halfway in and he has to fight to get it out again, finally does in one big explosive sob, and Wayne slowly extends his open hands, places them on Steve’s shoulders when he doesn’t flinch away. “Steve,” Wayne says again, still just as even, but how can he be calm when Eddie’s missing, except he doesn’t know about the Upside Down, does he, so he wouldn’t know to- “Take another breath,” Wayne continues. “In and out, nice and slow.”

His hands are rubbing on Steve’s shoulders, two points of white-hot contact where the rest of him is numb, and Steve follows his hands, breathes in when his hands stroke up, breathes out when his hands go back down. In, out. Up, down. “Good,” Wayne says after a few moments. “Can you hear me?”

Steve manages a shaky nod, still trying to time his breathing.

“M’kay then. First things first, Eddie’s okay, he left Monday to visit family in Kentucky. He’ll be back by Friday.”

Steve deflates, scrubbing his face as he sighs. “Sorry.”

“‘S alright,” Wayne murmurs. “Wanna tell me what that was about, son?”

Steve bites his lip. “Nothing. Just… Eddie didn’t answer his walkie. Then I called Gareth and the garage, and they hadn’t seen him-”

Wayne curses softly. “And I didn’t help with my answer,” he says grimly, then sighs and stands, offering Steve a hand up. “C’mon in,” he says. “I’ll get you somethin’ to drink, and we can call the idiot and yell at him.”

Steve huffs out a breath of a laugh, accepts Wayne’s hand. “Thank you,” he murmurs.

Wayne waves him off, directs him to the couch. “Tea first,” he says. “I swear by it after somethin’ like that.”

Steve nods. Tries to not panic again, grabs a blanket to fidget with. Stills when he hears Wayne’s voice as he putters around in the kitchen. “I swear, I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve told that boy to tell people where he’s goin’,” Wayne gripes. “But does he listen? No. God knows why. ‘M pretty sure it’s punishment for everythin’ I got up to as a kid that my parents had to deal with.” He sighs, eventually brings a mug over to Steve. Wraps both his hands around the warm ceramic. “Slow sips,” he says. “Take your time.”

Steve dutifully takes a sip. “Sorry again,” he murmurs, looking down at the blanket in his lap. “I’m sure you’ve got things to do.”

“Right now, my priority’s makin’ sure you’re okay,” Wayne answers.

Steve takes another sip, swallows the responses on his tongue. “How’d you know what to do?”

He smirks self-deprecatingly. “‘M a vet, Steve,” he answers. “I’ve seen shit. I’ve seen how people deal with the shit I’ve seen. I had to learn, real quick, how to calm them down. And how to calm myself down.”

“Oh,” Steve whispers. “Um. You said Eddie’s visiting family?”

“Yeah, his momma’s brother’s out there. Got a wife and three kids, Eddie adores ‘em. Spent near a whole summer out there once, I swear he got back and I barely recognized him. And the accent, Lord Almighty, he says mine’s thick.”

Steve chuckles. “You said he’ll be back Friday?”

Wayne hums. “Should be. Might be Saturday, if he finally gets his shit together too late in the day to make the trip.”

Steve giggles. “So probably Saturday.”

“So probably Saturday,” Wayne agrees, checking his watch. “Eds should be back at the house by now, wanna see if we can’t reach him?”

Steve shifts. “If- if you don’t mind.”

Wayne makes a face like he’s offended Steve would think that, then waves him over to the phone. He dials and waits. “Hey, Diane.” A pause. “Yeah, that’d be great, thanks.”

Soon enough Eddie’s on the line, and Steve can hear him even though his ear isn’t the one pressed to the receiver. “Wayne! Holy shit, they’re all so big, ‘s like I’ve missed ten years ‘stead’a ten months, did’ja know Elsie’s got braces-”

“Eds,” Wayne says, stopping Eddie’s rant in its tracks.

“Yeah?”

“You didn’t tell your friends.”

Silence, then, “Shit.”

“Uh-huh. And you didn’t answer your walkie.”

“Oh, shit, shit, who- I don’t think I brought it, what- was it a code red, who called-”

“Eddie.”

“Yeah?”

“Steve’s here.”

“Fuck,” Eddie murmurs. “‘S he pissed?”

“No, but I am.”

“Panicked?”

“Bingo.”

“Can I talk to him?”

“Maybe this’ll finally teach you your lesson,” Wayne says before handing the phone to Steve.

“Eds?”

“Stevie.”

Steve sighs, presses his forehead to the wall. “I was worried, asshole.”

“I’m so sorry,” Eddie says quietly. He sounds it. “I- d’you want me to come home? I can, I mean it’ll take me a couple’a hours, like six, but I can.”

“Eddie, you love your family.”

“Well, yeah, but if you want me there-”

Steve sighs, feels a small smile stretching across his face. “No. But you can tell me about your family.”

Eddie does. Wayne stays by his side the entire time, a comforting presence. When Steve hangs up, he smiles at him. “Wanna stay over Friday? Wait for him?”

Steve bites his lip. “I don’t want to intrude.”

Wayne sighs, gestures him back over to the couch. “You love him,” he says. “And he loves you enough to drive six hours back here just because you want to see him. You’re gonna be in each other’s lives for a long, long time. Might as well get comfortable now.”

Steve gapes at him. “He- he loves me?”

Wayne tilts his head to the side. “You didn’t know?”

“No- I mean, I know he flirts with me, but he’s also just like that-”

Wayne laughs. “He absolutely is not,” he informs Steve. “He’ll plan his entire day around seeing you at work.”

Steve blinks. “He only comes in for a little bit!”

“Yet it’s only when you’re there,” Wayne says, then sighs. “Maybe I shouldn’t’ve interfered. I figured you two woulda gotten around to it sooner or later. Just also figured I could help it along. You’re welcome here Friday. Or any day.” He stares at Steve. “I’ve never been rich. But I’ve been lonely. It don’t matter how much money you got. It can’t hide the fact that you’re still alone.”

Steve stares back, then slowly nods. “Okay,” he whispers, slowly stands from the couch. “I, uh. Guess I’ll see you Friday.”

Wayne tsks. “You got work?”

“No?”

“Then come sit down and watch baseball with me. Lord knows Eddie never will.”

Steve smiles at that, sits back down on the couch. “Who’re you rooting for?”

Wayne hums. “Cubs. Always do, if they’re playing. You?”

“The Mets.”

Wayne stares at him. “Boy, what the hell you sayin’?”

Steve shrugs, smiles. “I like rooting for the underdogs. And hey, they won last time!”

“Yeah, against the fuckin’ Pirates,” Wayne all but spits, causing Steve to collapse in laughter.

They watch the rest of the game. And if Steve falls asleep midway through the second inning, and if Wayne covers him with a blanket, well.

That’ll stay between them.

[fuctacles]

Wayne and Steve getting uncomfortably close and teaming up against Eddie

[k1tk4ttt]

when you just finished one of the most beautiful fics ever written and you see that the author has a masterlist full of other fics

[babymangosworld]

Me when y/n is acting like a little fucking child for male validation

[12welveinched]

Me after clicking a p link thinking it was a fic rec.

Jumpscare.

[pedroschka]

1976

1986

inspired by this post by @criticaloser 🥰

please support creators by reblogging

do not repost

[kurogxrix]

me when the READER in the X READER has a name:

like babe the fic ate but i do NOT look like an Aurora🙁

[morganbritton132]

AU where Steve hears that his girlfriend is cheating on him with the town freak but never suspects it’s with his good friend Jonathan.

So now, Eddie had a sad jock at his door threatening to beat him up but like, through tears. A lot of tears. He’s crying pretty hard and it’s getting really awkward.

[jiimeniita]

[alixandra-multifandom-version]

Writing fanfiction isn't enough anymore I need that character to kiss me breathless

[hairmetal666]

Six months. For six months Steve has been listening to this radio show and not ever one time did he expect to hear the host, Eddie Munson, growl out the words “Hawkins, Indiana," but here they are. The name said.

Steve stops the car dead in the middle of the road, can’t hear anything aside from the radio show host listing Hawkins facts in his sonorous voice.

He should have known. Like rationally, he should have considered it a possibility that Hawkins might come up on this late night talk radio show called Hellfire about monsters, cryptids, folklore. 

It’s just. He thought. Hawkins hadn’t exactly made national news, and what had was about a toxic gas leak and a government coverup, not exactly this show’s focus. 

But enough, apparently. Obviously. 

Eddie starts talking about the disappearance of Will Byers, and Steve lays his head on his steering wheel, tries to ignore the way his hands tremble. 

For six months Hellfire brought him comfort and companionship as he roams the dark street of Hawkins on what Robin calls his patrols. It’s not like he can sleep, not anymore, so what better to do than make sure everyone is safe? That there’s no signs of the Upside Down? That the gates are still closed? 

Hellfire has been his companion through it all and now—now—

Eddie’s talking about the Department of Energy, MK Ultra, a fake body in the quarry. 

He could turn it off. Or better yet, go home. But he sits in his car out by Lover’s Lake and he listens to Eddie detail the rumors and speculation. Listens to the callers who share their two cents and conspiracy theories—none close to the truth. 

The thing is. He’s become—fond of Eddie, of Hellfire. He doesn’t care about cryptids, isn’t interested in Big Foot, but he was captivated by Eddie. Not just him, though, it’s the whole thing with his producer, Gareth, and his two other best friends who pop in from time to time. They’re funny, nerdy, love that dork game the kids play. And if the low resonance of Eddie’s voice makes him a little melty? Well, that’s between him and 3am. 

Steve calls in, sometimes. Has called in. Just, you know, once a week or so. It's not like he knows anything about the monsters, but he asks questions, likes to listen to Eddie talk no matter if he understands.

They finish with a caller and Eddie says, "unfortunately, we'll probably never know what happened."

And Gareth cuts in to say, "Hawkins is only an hour a way. You know. If you find that interesting."

"What are you saying, Gar?" Eddie asks. "That we should go?" He laughs.

"Why not? We could do our own investigation. Maybe we'll find something the authorities don't want us to."

"Hmm, what do you think, listeners? Should we don our adventurer caps and head into the unknown?"

He doesn't remember putting the car into drive, but he knows he's speeding toward the little two-pump gas station on the edge of town and the deserted pay phone there.

The line beeps and beeps when he dials. He tries again and again, until finally there's a click, and Eddie's radio voice booming in his ear.

"Thank you for calling Hellfire," he laughs, manic. "You're--

"You can't go to Hawkins," he interrupts.

"Sweetheart," Eddie croons. "Haven't heard from you in a while. How are you?"

"I'm Fine. Stay out of Hawkins."

"You gotta ease into it a little, baby. Little small talk first."

"Eddie..."

"What do you know about Hawkins?"

"N--nothing. I've heard bad things about it. Cops."

"Cops," Eddie snorts. "I'm not afraid of Hawkins PD. Are you calling because you're worried for my well-being, sweetheart?"

"Yes." Steve doesn't hesitate.

"You're my favorite listener, you know that?"

"I'm being serious."

"It's cute."

"It's a really bad idea to go to Hawkins."

"Do you know what's funny? You didn't know what a chupacabra was, but you know about Hawkins."

"I--" he swallows. "Have specific interests."

Eddie laughs. "What do you know about Hawkins?"

"Nothing," too quick.

"Are you lying to me?"

"I can't say."

"You just keep getting more and more mysterious."

"Please, stay away. It's--there are things, people--you don't want their attention. Just, please. Trust me."

"I'll agree on one condition. Tell me how you know this."

"I can't," he whispers. "That's why you need to trust me."

"What's stopping you?"

He flashes back to an interrogation room, Hopper's stern face, the even sterner ones of the government agents, the four-inch high stack of papers to sign, again and again and again.

"NDAs."

Dead silence on the other line until Eddie asks, "wait, PLURAL?" excitement spikes through the speakers.

That's when Steve hears the distant click down the line, knows it isn't him or Eddie, knows--

The line goes dead.

"Fuck."

He goes straight to the cabin. It's late enough in the morning now that he's unsurprised to see the glowing ember of a cigarette near the porch steps.

"What'd you do, kid?" Hopper asks when Steve gets out of his car.

"Called into a radio show about monsters."

The chief sighs, drops his hands to his sides, muttering. The crunch of gravel way up the long drive has them both turning.

"Guess we're in for a long day." Hopper stomps out his cigarette.

---

Steve isn't allowed to listen to Hellfire anymore. Is forbidden from calling in. And he gets it, okay, he knows. He said too much on the radio, but he hopes that he didn't get Eddie in trouble, that they don't try to come to Hawkins.

He gets a late start on his patrols one night. Took the kids to the movies, caved within minutes when they begged to go for ice cream after, Robin giving him a fond eye roll when he stops.

It's late, summer sun set for hours already, and he's driving on backroads behind the lab. And it's been--it's been a few weeks, okay, since the last call, long enough that he's stopped thinking Eddie will show, so when he sees the van on the side of the road--when he sees the van he doesn't stop right away.

It's tan and white or maybe grey, old, from the 70's or something; spiky black lettering on the side. It says Hellfire.

Steve slams on the breaks so hard the tires squeal, car skidding. He parks haphazardly on the side of the road, only grabbing a flashlight before hurling himself into the woods.

He figures Eddie and the guys will be easy to find, bumbling through unfamiliar forest, but minutes pass with nothing but his own feet crushing through the underbrush. He's afraid to yell, afraid it will draw the wrong kind of attention, but he does a kind of hoarse whisper, knowing it's not enough.

There's a small rock formation that he skirts past, mind everywhere but on his surroundings. He hears a rustle, he thinks, turns, and in the space of a breath, collides with something distinctly solid, warm, and judging by the pained grunt, human.

"Fuck. Gareth?" A very familiar voice asks.

"Eddie??" He responds. His fingers scrabble for his flashlight, illuminating the leaf strewn forest floor and some nearby tree roots.

A beam of light illuminates his chest and face, forcing his eyes down. "Who are you?"Eddie demands.

Steve finally grabs his flashlight, points it at Eddie's middle. Has a second to take in his long, curly hair, his cut-off t-shirt, pale skin and the swirl of inky black tattoos. "I'm--I--I called into your show. I--I told you not to--"

"Oh," Eddie's breath hitches. "Sweetheart. You said not to come to Hawkins and then you--you--" He blinks, seems to struggle to find words. "I didn't expect you to be so beautiful."

He smiles. "i--your show, I loved it. I miss listening to you. I miss--" He takes a step, closes the distance. Eddie smiles and it grips something in his stomach, doesn't let go.

Over Eddie's shoulder, there's a flash of movement, catches in Steve's periphery. It's an unfurling, an opening, there's a shine of saliva, teeth.

His heart stops.

"Eddie--"

"Yeah, baby?"

"Run."

[lillyrob]

Actual footage of me patently waiting for my favorite author to upload😫😫😫

[luffyssa]

[k1tk4ttt]

[sp0o0kylights]

Steve Harrington, who has a very “in name only” relationship with his parents, the people who claim they love him lots but have simply given him cash for his last six birthdays without bothering to send a card. 

Steven Harrington, who lost his connection to the only adults in his life who actually parented him when he had his final fight with Tommy and Carol-- not that they ever really did that much. Having an adult put a bandaid on his knee and complimenting him for being tough was plenty enough. 

Steve Harrington, who drove Dustin and co. to the Byers house that one Christmas and was told by Hopper not to come in; that Joyce was still mad at him about the ‘demodog in the fridge’ and figured his exclusion was fair--it wasn’t like Hopper actually liked him. Joyce certainly had no reason to. It wasn’t like he was doing anything for Christmas anyways. 

Steve Harrington, who is fairly certain Robin’s parents have clocked her as queer but who still treats him in that careful way many parents do when he’s hanging around their daughter. There’s a barrier there, in the way of firm handshakes and “get her back safe”’s that keep things formal. (It’s never bothered him before, and he swears it doesn’t bother him now.) 

Steve Harrington, whose relationships with adults are defined by words like “networking”, “proper connections”, “favors”, and “finances”, who has at best been treated like a miniature version of his father and at worst as a spoilt moron, who encounters Wayne Munson and has no idea what to do with the man. 

Wayne Munson, who asks him actual questions about his life. Who asks him to watch the game with him. Who calls him “boy” and “son” in ways that sound affectionate and not frustrated. Wayne, who shoos him away from the dishes and compliments his cooking, who has invited Steve over when Eddie isn’t even home.

Steve Harrington, who keeps apologizing to Eddie because “I’m not trying to steal your Uncle man, I promise.” and doesn’t believe Eddie when the latter just laughs at him.

(“You can’t steal Wayne, Steve.” Eddie says with a snicker, when he finally figures out what Steve is apologizing for.  The guy apologizes a lot for things that make no sense, it’s a bad habit Eddie’s working on him with. “Though I do believe he has been trying to steal you.” 

“Oh.” This does not relieve Steve. In fact, this seems to make him more nervous looking, which Eddie does not want. 

“I uh. I don’t want to come between you guys so I guess we can just hang at my house…?” The voice he trails off with is downright painful for Eddie to hear, and he’s already slashing his hand in the air in a wild ‘No’ before Steve can even finish speaking.

“Dude you’re fine. I’m glad you guys are getting along! Wayne needs someone to talk sportsball with and clearly so do you because you keep trying to talk about it to anyone who will listen.”

“I guess if you’re alright with it…”) 

Steve Harrington, who allows himself to be adopted by the Munsons much in the way a feral cat lets itself become domesticated, and who starts looking at Wayne like the man hung the moon. 

Wayne Munson, who is referred to by Steve as “Dad” exactly once, and feels so fucking happy about it he misses the panic attack Eddie has to talk Steve through. 

He also misses that that is the moment when Steve accidentally confesses his feelings to Eddie in the Munson’s (new) cramped bathroom, on grounds that “I can’t date you and also call Wayne dad like that, that’s weird! Isn’t that weird!? It feels weird!” 

(“Sweetheart,” Eddie says, trying not to smile and failing entirely. “I get what you’re saying, but I think in your panic you missed something kinda key, there.”) 

Steve Harrington, who gets himself an entire family in the end (and gets to both call Wayne “dad” and Eddie as his boyfriend, without issue, because “we’re not related babe, you can call your inlaw whatever you want.” 

“Now who's skipping steps? When did we get married?”

“The very second it’s legal, that’s when.”) 

--and has never been happier in his life.