#went over entirely well with Keith

[waugh-bao]

Dennis Miller jokes around with Charlie (1995)

[love-fireflysong]

Got back from my super fun concert last night where I got to see not one, not two, but FOUR bands live! Which also means that I came home with a fun amount of merch! ....For me at least, got one item from each band whereas I was watching other people leave with like i stg the entire shirt/sweater collection from their favourite bands fhdjdlsbd

Anyways, the bands that I got to see were:

Escape the Fate

Hollywood Undead

Falling in Reverse

and Papa Roach

God the night was so fun and my throat hurt from screaming for like 5 straight hours. Totally worth it and I'm so glad that I decided to go 🤘

[mysticmunson]

imagine trying out that pheromone perfume on alpha steve…just to see if it’s legit and he comes home to you cooking or baking at the counter and his entire body is like ! where is my sweet angel princess omega!!! i need to touch her !

and he’s not sensing anything out of the ordinary esp since he’s missed you all day so he comes up behind you and wraps you in a hug, kissing against your cheek and jaw with a sweet “hi baby-” but as his lips meet your jaw he smells it (not knowing what it is but it changes his entire demeanor) he’s nuzzling into your neck, and rutting into your ass like “mmm baby you smell so fucking good. holy fuck.”

just grunting and groaning , sloppy kisses completely distracting you, and then he bends you over and ravishes you right on the kitchen counter🥰

oh this is beautiful, i’ve been having writers block so i apologize that this isn��t longer but i may come back to this bc… wow

Honestly, you thought it was a scam, something that people sell as gag gifts or well-intentioned hoaxes. But part of you hoped the pheromone perfume would work, not that your sex life with Steve had been anything except incredible since presenting together, rather out of curiosity.

With a dab to your neck, you faintly smelled something that felt reminiscent of the scent of need. Like going into a bakery and noting the aroma of pastries, unable to identify them specifically. Not precisely yours, but close.

So you grumbled over the waste of money, barely recalling it was there after a few minutes, and began cooking dinner. Steve had been working the closing shift, something Keith usually took, but it fell into your boyfriend's lap today.

The wooden door smacked against the frame as he entered, shoes coming off near the opening mat.

As it wore off on you, Steve noticed it instantly, the potent need filling his senses. Not recognizing the food you were prepping, he placed hands on your hips, pulling you close to him.

With your back against his chest, he nosed at your neck, growling so low that it sent vibrations down your spine.

“Smell so good, honey.” He manages to say, hands wandering across your midriff.

Feeling flushed, you wanted to remove your sweatshirt, but it seemed your alpha was a moment away from tearing it off.

“Thank you, Stevie, it’s your favorite pasta-“ You began, about to ask how his shift went until he grunted.

“Not what I’m talking about.” He stated, making you realize what the perfume was invoking in him as he adored your family recipe of tomato sauce.

Squeaking as he turned you around, kissing your neck feverishly, your own fingers going to his hair. He soon moved to your lips, enveloping yours with a hum, growing painfully aroused beneath his right jeans.

“Wait, Stevie-“ You laughed, his lips pulling away puffy and pink, his cheeks flushed red. You swiped the spit dripping onto his chin before grabbing the plate you had just made for him, “Need to eat first.”

“I don’t want to eat that right now,” He breathed with no malice or impatience. Setting the glassware on the counter, you grew embarrassed, making him furrow his brows.

“I bought this pheromone perfume, I thought it didn’t work.” You revealed, his interest peaking immediately as he went back to sniffing your neck, “Are you really getting-“

The answer to your inquiry came fast as he pulled your hand to the swelling beneath his jeans, a wonton gasp following.

“It doesn’t smell like you, but, shit, I need you. It’s like it’s making yours louder.” He groaned, impatient, he turned you around as your chest pressed onto the countertop.

“So needy,” You whisper, only getting a smack on the bottom, “Ow!”

“Watch it.” He scolded, though he could be further from irritated, too focused on the easiest way to remove your clothes without ripping them.

(He had ripped off your clothes twice before, fueled by the need to see you bare, which he earned complaints for. The agreement was that he could tear underwear, but he had to take you out to buy new ones afterward)

As if you could read his mind, some of his favorite words left your mouth, “You can rip them.”

Steve’s heart began racing, laughing against your neck, “Oh, you have no idea what you just did, honey.”

mutuals :) : @lilacletter @lesservillain @andvys @imjuststeddietrashatthispoint

[steddieas-shegoes]

read my lips

for @steddielovemonth prompt 'love is staring at his lips when he talks'

rated m | 1,799 words | cw: suggestive language, implied sexual content | tags: mutual pining, getting together, first kiss, platonic stobin

👄👄👄👄👄👄👄👄👄👄👄👄👄👄

"Steve? Earth to Steve." Robin waved her hand in front of his face, successfully pulling him out of the daydream he'd been in for who knows how long. "He walked away nearly two minutes ago. You gotta get your shit together, man."

Steve looked around, trying to find where Eddie went. He'd been talking to them both about a show his band was invited to perform in a few towns over in a couple weeks. Steve was listening to him go on about trying to buy a set of special edition picks at the record shop they'd be performing in when he got distracted by the way Eddie's lips kept smirking around his words.

The scarring along his cheek made his smile more crooked than it was before the bats, and Steve couldn't stop staring.

Not for the reasons strangers on the street would, not even in the way that Dustin or Wayne sometimes looked at him, like they were still upset at the way the world turned against Eddie.

No, this was entirely because every time Steve started to watch Eddie talk, he got distracted thinking about those lips on his. This time it was way less work appropriate.

He turned to Robin and groaned.

"God, this is bad."

"You don't say." Robin set a stack of tapes on the counter next to Steve. "All these still need to be checked in. Then you can go get distracted by thoughts of Eddie's lips on your neck or whatever."

"If only it had been my neck," Steve mumbled as Robin started humming loud enough to drown him out.

"Stevie, you work too hard," Eddie's voice said from right behind him only a minute later. "You should take a break."

"I just had my lunch 30 minutes ago. I can't take another break," Steve refused to make eye contact, refused to get captured by that sinful smile.

Eddie's hand landed on his shoulder. "Aren't you the one in charge right now?"

"You think I'm over Robin?"

"I think you think you're over Robin. And that should be enough. Just sneak away. She won't even notice. Look, she's yelling at a kid in the corner," Eddie poked him to get him to turn around and look. "Poor kid probably didn't think anyone who worked here cared if he snuck into the R section."

Steve finally turned around and let out a snort. "That's the third time that kid's tried to get back there in a week. He's just an idiot."

"Well...she's distracted. There's no other customers. Take a break!" Eddie was grinning at him and Steve was already under his spell.

"Fine, but only a few minutes. She'll be pissed if I leave her to do all the rewinding and shelving," Steve agreed because he had to.

Because Eddie was looking at him like he was up to something and he wanted Steve to be up to something with him. Because he'd do anything that made Eddie's crooked smile bigger, anything to hear him let out that giggle he tried to hide when he was being mischievous.

Eddie tugged on his arm and pulled him out from behind the counter, holding a finger to his lips to shush him when he started to tell him to stop.

He led him to the back office, which was usually locked if Keith wasn't in, but had been left unlocked the last two shifts because Robin was in charge of closing out the registers.

"I know for a fact you shouldn't be in here. I'm barely even allowed in here," Steve whispered.

"No one will know," Eddie said as he sat on the edge of the cluttered desk. "It's not like Family Video is stashing away government secrets."

"I said the same thing about Scoops Ahoy and then got tortured by Russians, so I'd watch what you say."

Eddie's smile dropped for a moment.

Steve had never gone into details and Robin had just shrugged it off when Eddie asked her about it. She said she was grateful she had Steve through it all and that was that.

"Do you suspect Russians might be hiding under Family Video?" Eddie eventually asked. "If so, I think we should head out. I'll get our coats."

Steve shook his head. "Nah. Think the Russians got the hell out of Hawkins after Starcourt."

"Good. Wouldn't wanna have to deal with Russian torture trauma on top of all the bats and being stuck in the Upside Down for days trauma," Eddie snorted. "So, what're you doin' after work today?"

"Uh." Steve admittedly didn't hear most of what Eddie said. He was too busy watching his lips form around words. "Hm?"

Eddie's smile fell. "I asked what you're doing after work. Are you okay? You seem kinda out of it today."

"Yep, I'm fine. Might just be getting a migraine or something." Steve looked down at the floor to try to concentrate. "I'm probably just gonna heat up some leftovers from movie night last night and shower and go to bed."

"You want company?" Eddie asked.

Steve felt his heart stop. "In the shower?"

He looked up at Eddie, that perfect smile growing on his face.

"I meant for dinner or just to hang out, but if you need help in the shower, I could probably arrange that," Eddie was teasing. He was kidding. He had to be. Right?

“I’m…I don’t-“

“Don’t hurt yourself, Stevie,” Eddie laughed. “Offer’s there if you want it.”

Steve was too busy staring at Eddie’s tongue licking his bottom lip, imagining that tongue licking along his bottom lip.

“Jesus Christ,” Eddie whispered.

“Hm?”

“You know, I started wearing chapstick and waited for you to finally give in.” Eddie’s lip quirked up. “But you haven’t done anything except stare. You gonna do something?”

“Do what?” Steve was clueless as to what he was talking about.

“You gonna see if they taste as good as they look?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Kiss me, Harrington. You gonna do it or not?” Eddie sighed.

“I-“

“It’s alright. Been waiting for weeks now. You wanna?” Eddie didn’t move from the desk. “Not sure they’re gonna be as great as you seem to be picturing every time I talk, but hopefully they aren’t a complete disappointment.”

Steve kinda figured he should go ahead and kiss him before he started to get lost in his own world again.

He stepped up to Eddie, watching as his face shifted from amused to anticipatory. Steve’s hand rested on Eddie’s knee, mostly to help keep his balance.

He was feeling a little lightheaded with the recent development.

“You really want me to kiss you?” Steve asked as he leaned in, resting his forehead against Eddie’s.

“Yeah, I really do.”

Steve watched his lips the entire time, enamored with the way every part of his mouth enunciated every word. Everything felt important when Eddie said it.

He tasted and felt better than he looked, especially when his hands came up to cup the sides of Steve’s neck, fingers scratching at the roots of his long hair.

Steve whined into his mouth, sinking against him as Eddie took control and deepened the kiss.

“You’re both lucky I’m willing to pretend that I’m not seeing what I’m seeing and that I’m willing to close this door and leave you alone for ten minutes. Mostly because I was so tired of Steve losing every remaining brain cell anytime Eddie talked.” Robin’s voice filtered through the small office, causing Steve and Eddie to pull apart quickly, both wiping at their mouths. “Ten minutes. Not a second more. Pants stay on. Got it?”

“Got it,” Eddie agreed.

“And hands stay out of pants!” Robin said as she closed the door.

“Dammit,” Eddie sighed.

“Ten minutes is long enough to make out,” Steve tried to suggest, leaning in to kiss him again.

“Ten minutes is long enough for a lot of things. Tell me where you want my lips.”

It would be rude teasing from anyone else, but from Eddie, it just made Steve feel seen.

“Anywhere. Everywhere. Wherever you want them,” Steve gasped out, still feeling like he might be dreaming.

“So you’d be okay with them…here?” Eddie whispered against his neck, soft presses of his lips against his skin. “Or here?” Steve’s shirt was pulled to the side for Eddie to suck a bruise into the crook of his neck. “Or maybe here?” Eddie’s hand pressed against his half-hard cock on his jeans. “Oh, sweetheart. Had no idea you’d be so ready for me.”

“Yes, you did,” Steve argued.

“You’re right. But it’s still nice to see and feel. Maybe I could taste?” Eddie asked as his hand wandered along his waist line.

“N-now?” Steve stuttered out.

“I have-“ Eddie checked his watch. “About eight minutes. I could get you off.”

“With your mouth?”

“Well, yeah. We can’t make a mess, can we? This is your place of employment, Stevie. And it’s a bitch getting cum out of a carpet like this.”

“You know from experience?”

Eddie dropped to his knees. "I made an educated guess. So. Mouth. Yes or no?"

"Yes," Steve replied, unbuttoning his own pants. "Jesus, yes."

Eddie's mouth was even better than Steve's imagination gave him credit for. They only need three of the minutes they had for Steve to finish, and another two minutes of Steve's hand working Eddie over for him to finish, too.

"You could've said something sooner," Eddie said as he tried to fix his hair. "Or just kissed me one of those times you were trying to stare through my lips."

"I didn't think I was being that obvious before today," Steve said as he tucked his shirt back into his pants and slid his vest back on.

"Sweetheart, you've been obvious since day one. I've just been waiting for you to realize that you needed to make a move," Eddie crowded him against the desk, hands on his hips and a playful smile on his face.

Steve watched his lips the entire time.

"Like that," Eddie continued, raising a finger to trace along Steve's lips. "You watch them when you don't even realize you are."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize, Stevie. Love it," Eddie kissed the corner of his mouth before stepping back. "You better get back before Robin comes in here and glares at us until we catch on fire or something."

"You comin' over after I get off?"

"You just got off," Eddie joked. "But yes. As long as I can actually help you in the shower."

"Help me? Or distract me?"

"It can be both!" Eddie opened the door and held it for Steve to go through. "I'll take care of you."

Steve smiled to himself as he walked away. "I'm sure you will."

[ciaomarie]

Waiting on my AO3 invite. Here's a one shot Sydcarmy story. Canon compliant. Post season 2. Please excuse the grammar/spelling mistakes. I need season 3 to get here quickly!

Title: Won't You Be My Neighbor

It was her break and for the 89th time in the last three days Sydney reassessed the apartments within 15 minutes walking distance from The Bear. As CDC she no longer wanted to depend on the train should there be some kind of accident, strike, or weather event. There were three that she could afford on her own and many more options if she were willing to become a roommate. She wasn't. If inspiration for a recipe struck her at 2am she wanted to get up and cook if she wanted. She loved the freedom of walking around naked after a shower, picking out her clothes or getting a snack. Most of all she missed turning up her music and dancing like an inflatable tube man in private.

She had sent a message to each leasing office to schedule an appointment next Monday and two of the three had confirmed a 10a and 11a showing. It had been more than 48 hours since she messaged the third so she called. The leasing agent informed her that the specific unit she wanted was no longer available, but they had a gorgeous 2 bedroom for $3800 a month if she was interested. "Okay, now that's just two options" Sydney muttered after getting off the phone.

"Hey mija, what you looking at?" Tina asked sitting down to eat lunch.

"Just apartments. I finally have the funds to move" Sydney answered with a sigh.

"What's wrong? Aren't you happy to be getting out on your own?"

"Oh, yeah for sure. It's just I'm really picky"

"Well, it doesn't have to be forever. Just make sure to read the reviews. You don't want roaches or bed bugs".

"Oh, I can't stand bugs! My dad still has to kill them for me, but I better get a fly swatter and spray now that I'll be on my own soon."

Break was over and Sydney stood up to resume her duties. First she needed to talk to Natalie about the upcoming private party. A celebrity had reserved the entire restaurant next Thursday evening. The names of all staff members on duty that night had to be submitted ahead of time with signed NDAs. It was all happening so fast and The Bear's debt was likely to be paid less than a year after opening. First there had been a Grio article about her being a rising black chef. That led to Keith Lee, the TikTok restaurant reviewer, raving about his to-go order that included the T-Bone and the Michael cannoli. It went viral and suddenly, they were booked for the next three months with a waiting list. She was working harder than ever, getting paid pretty well, and she deserved a place of her own.

After talking to Natalie, she found Carmy working on her prep.

"Hey, thanks! I can take over that now if you want"

"Actually….it's done. I wanted to take you somewhere for like 30 minutes" he said finishing up and cleaning the station.

Sydney folded her arms, her eyebrows raised high.

"Okay, where are we going?"

"I know you've been looking for a place and I think know the perfect apartment for you. Just a 10 minute walk from here. The landlord gave me the key so I could show you today" Carmy said trying to sound casual, but a deep pink flush rose in his cheeks.

"Why is he being weird?" Sydney thought but simply said "Okay, that's dope."

The Chicago air was soft and warm, the clean sunlight making everything look new. Summer afternoons like this made you forgive the brutal winters here. Carmy directed Sydney when to turn left and right, but refused to tell her where exactly they were going. Soon they were standing in front of his building.

The reason for his weirdness was now perfectly clear to Sydney and she felt so flattered that she had to avoid looking at Carmy when she said "So, there's an open unit in your building?"

"Uh, yeah. The people who lived just above me moved and I, uh, thought you might want to see it".

The apartment was on the fourth floor. Carmy unlocked the door and let Sydney go in first. The walls were freshly painted in "Cloud White" and the oak hardwood floors creaked comfortably under their feet. The layout was the same as Carmy's apartment with plenty of windows to let in natural light and a shockingly large kitchen for a 1 bedroom place in Chicago. As Sydney inspected the appliances and bathroom, she decided that if the rent was going to eat up even half of her check it was worth it. She had always admired Carmy's spacious apartment and with her sense of style she could make hers, a cozy bohemian oasis filled with plants, wall art, and actual furniture (eventually).

Carmy had let her roam around in silence for a few minutes, muttering and emitting tiny sounds of joy to herself. When she met him in the living room again, he said trying not to grin too widely, "If you like it, it's already yours."

"How? I know places like this are snatched up fast" Sydney said her eyes finally able to meet his again.

"The landlords, they're a couple, and their 20th wedding anniversary is coming up. They want reservations at The Bear." Carmy explained, desperately hoping to sound nonchalant about it.

"Oh, that's nice work, Carmy."

Then Sydney squealed and cried "This is just what I wanted!!" and she flung her arms around his shoulders in a wild hug. Carmy commanded his body not to shudder as he hugged her back. She was just wearing a t-shirt and without her usual layers of clothing he felt her delicate frame, her slim shoulder blades imprinting on his fingers.

In a moment Sydney pulled back shly and let her arms fall to her sides, her face burning. She made a mental note: Hugging Carmy. Not a safe activity for those who want to cook along side him using sharp objects or sleep peacefully at night dreaming innocent thoughts.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!" Sydney said taking another step back and making another turn around the room.

Carmy nodded and concentrated on not melting into the floorboards.

"You're okay with this? We already spend 60+ hours together at the restaurant every week and now I'd be in your building! And literally living on top of you."

"Yeah, well, I want you to. You deserve everything you want, Syd."

"Then I'll take it! Just a warning though. If you hear someone belting out Kpop and an occasional thud, that's just my weekly one woman concert, which will be over no later than 10pm. I'm not being murdered."

Carm was no longer unable to contain the width of his smile. This girl is so cute, his body physically ached. How would he get through service tonight?

With a happy shake of his head, he replied, "Thank you, for the heads up!"

With that Sydney marched towards the door and exclaimed "Take me to your landlord!"

Carmy floated behind her.

Cue: Maxwell's "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever"

[space-invading-pigeon]

Steve is the Mom Friend™, officially the most reliable member of the Party; it would be Dustin, but Dustin insists that they'd be lost without Steve there to help them. Steve doesn't argue, but he disagrees. He thinks he's too volatile to really be considered for Most Reliable.

For most of his childhood, he was isolated from his peers, who he was Not Allowed To Talk To Because They Aren't Worth A Harrington's Time, Stephen. Steve is young and still wants his parents to love him, so he obeys. He's a good boy, if a little sensitive, and therein lies the problem: he feels so much, and he doesn't have a clue on how to express any of it. He can't process his feelings, they're too big to fit in his body. It overwhelms him easily and makes his throat tight- impossible to speak. His father scolds him when he has these overwhelmed episodes, as if Steve is purposely ruining his off time at home by crying; his mother ignores him if he acts childishly. There isn't really anyone who teaches Steve how to cope with being a human.

Steve remembers that he was always angry. It felt like an itch under his skin, a low but steady humming in his veins that could explode at anything, and even back then, he despised that feeling, scared that it meant he would end up a Bad Person. He'd started getting into fights (the first one he could remember was when he was eight and Keith pushed him to get to the playground faster. Keith got a bloody nose and Steve got detention for a week) and never really stopped. By twelve, his entire school is afraid of him, except for a select few kids: Tommy H, whose dad worked with Steve's dad, Barb Holland, who thought Steve was both a good person and a blockhead, and the new Munson boy, who didn't say much of anything, but especially nothing about the time he caught Steve crying in the woods in April after his parents missed the sixth birthday in a row.

It didn't really get better until high school, when his father demanded suggested he sign up for the basketball team; practice and drills helped diffuse a lot of that stifled anger, and for the first time, Steve feels like he can breathe. He doesn't have to be angry all the time anymore, even if most of his calm is just a lack of energy. That isn't to say the anger is gone; he still gets into fights often, but he manages to tone down the violence and rely more on a sharp tongue and a lazy confidence whenever fighting is brought up.

Cue season one! Steve, at the top of his game, the bloody, undisputed King of Hawkins High, is absolutely head over heels for sweet, shy Nancy Wheeler. He bares his soul to Nancy, who, after hearing what he has to say, promises that she'll be there for him. They're together now, they look after each other. It's everything Steve had ever wanted.

When he finds out about the creepy photos Jonathan took of them at Steve's pool on the night Barb went missing (and I love Jonathan, I really do, but what the hell man), he feels that anger starting to boil over again and panics. He was doing so well! Nancy would help, though, just hearing that find "You're an idiot, Steve Harrington" would cool him off. But it worsens when he tries to sneak in to Nancy's room and Jonathan is SLEEPING in Nancy's bed, half-curled around her. Steve doesn't want to get the cops called on him again, so he goes home.

The next day, it all boils over. He tried to stay calm, really, but it was like using a wine cork to stop a volcano; he stands by while Carol and Tommy spread rumors about Nancy, smirks cruelly while Carol spray paints the slur on the movie theater sign, and does not give an inch when Nancy calls him an ass, tears in her eyes and flanked by Jonathan. He's trying his damnedest to keep his hands to himself, though (his father wasn't happy the last time Steve got arrested, and somehow Steve knew that he wouldn't be happy if it happened again), so he's caught off guard when Jonathan starts throwing punches. (Later, Steve will admit that he doesn't really remember what he'd said to make Jonathan so angry that he'd actually try to fight Steve, but he'll apologize anyway. Jonathan is quick to forgive, and apologizes for starting the fight, as well). Steve's memory gets spotty around this time; he remembers a sharp pain in his head, just above his left ear, and being so dizzy that he struggles not to throw up, but he doesn't remember Jonathan landing any other hits (he has three bruises, two around his sternum and one under his eye, as well as a split lip), and he definitely does not remember running from the police trying to break up the fight.

It takes him a few hours to calm down, but it's largely due to the gap in his memory keeping him confused and panicked; he can't remember what he said, and Jonathan Byers may be a girlfriend-stealer but Steve remembers that he's also the kid who held funerals for the mice caught in the traps behind the school gym. Whatever he said had to have been really, really messed up, and Steve genuinely hates that he gets angry, that it isn't uncommon for him to lose time to his anger, that his first response to anything is always anger. So he goes to apologize.

The loaded gun pointed at his face is somehow the least upsetting part of that night.

During season 2, there's a lot going on. Steve has been working so hard on his anger, on keeping a lid on it and actually processing his emotions (thank you, therapy that Hopper demanded Hawkins Lab provide), but it wasn't enough. Nancy resented him, had actually blamed him for Barb's death, and that bitterness came to a head on Halloween.

Without Nancy, Steve struggled a lot more. He had nothing, no one; he didn't have anyone to tell about his parents' death in early June, and he didn't like talking about his wealth. There was no support system- until Dustin decided that Steve was going to help him. The kid was relentless and demanding and trusted Steve to help him almost immediately. Steve could hardly keep up, but he loved the feeling. And, when they ended up in a junkyard bus surrounded by demon dogs, he had three people depending on him, and suddenly he had a way to channel his anger (Dr. Harris would be so proud when he told her). He had a bat and enough unresolved trauma to rival those people his dad used to talk about with shell shock, and by the gods he was going to use that. He went apeshit on some demodogs, saved the kid's lives, and apparently became a big brother to a genius boy and a little girl that could probably fight God and win. He also got his third concussion when Max's stepbrother threatened to kill Lucas, but the order of events for that night is skewed; he blames the concussion. The doctor Hopper forced him to go to after said that he may never hear out of his left side again.

Season 3 sees Steve with a little family that he built all on his own: there's Will (who's shy but has a smile like sunshine when Steve asks him about anything), Jonathan (who cried when Steve asks if they can be friends and then proceeds to infodump on musicians every time he hears Steve so much as hum in a mildly musical manner), Max (the girl with a keen sense and a quick wit, whose older brother terrifies Steve because that's exactly how he could have turned out had he not gotten help), Lucas (who treated Steve like the big brother he never had and often called him racist for trivial things ["Steve, can we order pizza?" No. "Is it because I'm black?"]) Erica (who just sorta showed up with Lucas on occasion and reminded Steve just how fun it could be to be That Bitch), Mike (who alternated between passive assholery and cartoon-esque assassination attempts), Nancy, shockingly (who sat Steve down soon after the massacre at the hospital and apologized for blaming him for- well, everything. They'd talked for a long time, hashing it out, and by the end of it, Steve felt like he had a friend), Eleven (who comes by every Wednesday and Saturday for homemade waffles and a secret knitting circle), and Dustin (who became like a real little brother in the span of three days and never looked back. Steve vowed to keep Dustin safe with everything in him that night in the tunnels.).

He meets Robin when he gets a job at Starcourt (he may be set for life but Hop had told him that hard work built character, and Hop was the kind of man Steve wanted to become). She's wary of him, at first, especially when she watches him break the ice cream machine in a (now rare) fit of anger after a customer blew up at him for their ice cream melting before they finished it. But then he stammers through an apology and brings her a batch of cookies the next day, and tries to explain that he's better now, really, and Robin decides that he's a good person deep down. Maybe not too deep down, though, because his cookies are the best she's ever had. Besides, watching his face turn cherry red as he hides behind the shelves to spy on the repair guy is the most entertaining thing she's seen all summer, possibly in her life.

("Steve, you're drooling," she warns, and Steve hurriedly checks his chin.

"I'm making sure he doesn't get his hair stuck in the machine!" He tries to defend.

"First, his hair is under that bandanna. Second, Eddie Munson would rather die than ruin his rockstar hair.")

Their ice cream machine breaks six more times before Dustin comes back from camp, and each time Steve is a flustered mess talking to Eddie Munson. To his credit, Eddie only gives Steve a half-fond, amused smile before chatting with him about nothing in particular. After the third time, Eddie starts calling Steve "big boy" and lightly teasing him over the fist-shaped dents in the side of the machine.

Steve fights the Russians in the secret Starcourt base, not because they're coming at him, but because one of them reaches out for Dustin/Erica. The edges of his vision blurs, and distantly he knows that he's experiencing something like his childhood episodes: all his can feel is fire in his soul, burning straight through his body, and he has to get it out, he has to protect his brother-

"Wow, Steve won a fight!" Dustin crows as Steve is coming back to himself, his whole body trembling with leftover rage and no one to take it out on. Steve just clutches Dustin to him and tries to breathe. Dustin allows it for two minutes, then starts to squirm, but Steve doesn't release him until they hear footsteps.

With Dustin and Erica safe, Steve surrenders pretty easily- he needed to save his energy. But then they started the "interrogation," and Robin sounded so scared, and they hurt his hands and there were drugs-

Steve faintly remembers jumping onto a man (so tall and broad that Steve briefly felt like he was just a backpack) and biting him, locking his jaw and clawing like a feral cat. Robin remembers Steve promising to "smack the red right out of you commie assholes" while forcing his way through the tunnels, but she can't be sure if it was real or the drugs they were given. Dustin recalls Steve giggling at the movie they were hiding in, like a dork. Erica will never forget that Steve has a Berserker mode, or that he protected her even though she was in the process of blackmailing him for free ice cream.

In October of '85, Jason Carver catches him in the high school parking lot one night as he waits for Hellfire to get out. Steve denies all memories of what was said between them, but Jason walks away without need for an ambulance, so he counts it as a win.

In December of '85, the day that the kids all get out for Christmas Break, Chrissy Cunningham finds him in the parking lot and they sit for nearly an hour talking about projects for their secret knitting circle with the police chief's daughter. As hellfire let's out, Chrissy leaves, and Steve gets to watch as the older members walk his kids to his car, like awkward little nerdy gentlemen. Eddie always hands them off with a flourish and a wink. ("The children, Your Highness," he would say confidently, his three nerds behind him giving him nervous looks. "Perhaps you'll join us next week, my liege?" Steve pretends to be unamused by his theatrics, but Eddie has an infectious grin and a genuinely happy shine to his eyes.)

Season 4, Steve is definitely on edge, twitchy as they search for Eddie. He's worried for Dustin, who is attracted to trouble and smart enough to drag everyone else into it too, but also for Eddie, who occasionally popped by Family Video to talk with Robin. According to Eddie, he's allowed in the break room and behind the counter because he and Robin are "friends of Dorothy". Steve doesn't even know a Dorothy. (Eddie usually waits until Steve walks away in a flustered, confused huff before whispering to Robin, "Dorothy says: be gay, do crime.")

Eddie held a jagged glass bottle to his neck and Steve didn't feel anything. He wasn't scared for his life like the news promised he would be, nor was he angry like he'd expected he would be. Eddie shuffles around nervously, but the only thing Steve feels is concern for him.

He gets dragged through the Watergate and immediately attacked by those godawful bats- he was almost in the boat, they had to help Max, he would not lose his baby sister, and boom, he's back to fighting. He fends them off with the help of Eddie, Robin, and Nancy, all of whom he is furious with for following him into the Upside Down like idiots.

"Harrington's got her. Don't ya, big boy?" Eddie teased, and Steve felt electricity through his whole being. His face flushed red and he stammered an affirmative, not noticing Robin or Eddie as they grinned at each other. Eddie stuck close the entire time they were in the RV, and if Steve didn't know better, he'd say Eddie was flirting with him. But he did know better, there was no way Eddie was flirting. He was on the run and desperate for human interaction.

Separating for the plan was the hardest thing Steve had ever done. While Dustin was getting ready, Steve pulled Eddie aside. "Please keep him safe. I'll do anything you want, just please, don't let anything happen to him," he begged, desperately clutching Eddie's sleeves. "He's my brother, Eddie, I can't lose him-"

"I promise, Steve," Eddie had interrupted. "I'll guard him with my life."

"Guard him with mine," Steve insisted. Eddie didn't get it at first, but it would hit him later that Steve wanted Eddie to keep them both safe.

Steve would never tell a soul, but he liked confronting Vecna. Armed with chemical weapons, Robin stayed a bit behind, but Nancy emptied round after round into One, and Steve? Steve got to use his bat.

It was exhilarating; as much as he hated his anger problems, he could not deny that it felt good to attack the source of all their problems. His arms grew tired after a while, though, and Vecna seemed distracted, disoriented, so Steve resorted to his usual tactics. He never fought fair: biting, scratching, clawing his way to victory in everyday scuffles, there was no way he'd give up this opportunity.

Something in him twists suddenly. He feels sick to his stomach and scared, but he has no idea why. All he can think about is Eddie and Dustin- he's hurt he's hurt he'shurtheshurtheshurt. So he makes the decision to go back; Nancy and Robin technically have the injured Vecna under control. He runs.

Eddie is being swarmed when he makes it to the trailer. One minute, Steve watches as they descend on his friend(?), and the next, he's supporting an injured Eddie as they hobble together to Wayne Munson's truck, Wayne on Eddie's other side and rambling about "what the hell is going on" so similarly to Hop that Steve feels the hollow sting of loss. Later, as they rest in the living room of Steve's empty house, Dustin tells Steve about what he saw: Eddie, going to the ground, unable to fight them off any longer, hope lost and grief already tearing its claws into Dustin's chest, and then out of nowhere Steve appears, covered in bits of vine and rock. He tells Steve about the enraged roar he could hear from the trailer (ten feet behind Dustin as his hobbling came to a stop) and the nail bat that had yet to leave Steve's hand swinging at each assailant with such a precision that, for a brief moment in the chaos, Dusting could hear the sounds of an orchestra playing a symphony, Steve as their ragged, bloodied maestro. He tells Steve about the wild look in Steve's eyes as he carried a half-conscious Eddie into the trailer, snarling about how stupid and careless Eddie was, and how moronic Dustin was for jumping through a gate the way he did. He tells Steve about the stray demobat that burst through the door, how Steve grabbed it with his bare hands and ripped it in half- Dustin's got stars in his eyes as he relays this, even now, days later.

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

This kinda got away from me I'm sorry

I'm still new to people wanting to read what I write so I'm just gonna tag the one person I know was also excited about steve being feral: @amoris-no-smut-allowed

[piratefishmama]

Fake it 'till you make it | Part 2

Steve went on his own. Dustin tried to call shotgun, tried saying he’d back Steve up cause his friend could be ‘jumpy’, but no. Steve had to do this on his own, because Dustin didn’t know. He could have told the little shrimp, he really could have, so far he’d come out to three people, and it’d gone surprisingly well, Robin not so surprising but his parents?

Damn. He’d have put his entire life savings on that going the other way.

The risk with Dustin, however, was his mother. Don’t get him wrong, Claudia was lovely, she always had a spot saved for him at the dinner table when his parents weren’t in town, she always greeted him with warmth and kindness, he didn’t have a single complaint about Claudia Henderson. He also unfortunately had no idea how she’d take a coming out if Dustin let it slip. The kid was talkative.

He couldn’t imagine no longer being able to see Dustin because his mother found out he wasn’t as straight as everyone thought. Couldn’t imagine the truth of life in a small rural ‘god fearing’ town, thrown in his face so cruelly, that people were small minded and based all their opinions on what everyone else was doing.

Especially when everyone else seemed to be following the bullshit the Church spewed.

Dustin would be safe, he trusted Dustin. But he simply couldn’t risk how talkative he was.

So he went on his own. Robin was working, he couldn’t kidnap Robin, Keith would kill them. Or at the very least dock their pay a little and glower. This, unfortunately, created one little problem that quickly presented itself when Steve found himself sat at a visible booth at Benny’s watching for anyone entering that door.

He didn’t know who Dustin’s ‘friend’ was, and Dustin’s friend didn’t know who he was, because Dustin had so wisely decided to not reveal that titbit of information over the phone.

All he knew, was that this friend was a guy and that he’d probably be there soon. So, disaster in the making, basically. He’d been there for five minutes, it’d been ten since the phone call, and so far three men had walked in.

All of them old older, it was early, Benny did early bird specials for the older folks in Hawkins, but he still looked up every time the door opened, looking for someone who might not belong, someone who stood out from the oldies, someone who—

Holy shit. Steve immediately ducked his head. Eddie Goddamn Munson. Eddie Munson in all his leather, chains, and curly haired glory walked in with his head on a swivel, eyes scanning the diner for someone who looked out of place, someone who’s identity he also wasn’t aware of. Steve could ditch.

He could ditch without hesitation, Eddie knew him, Steve could get the hell out of dodge, take the back door, and just run for the hills, suffer the inevitable cringe fest that was going to be the week away, take it like a champ. Maybe get a brief fling with someone he would never want to settle down with, or…

He peeked through his arms, Eddie was still looking, he was checking his watch, a little frown on his brow, what were the odds, honestly, that it was Eddie?

Knowing Dustin and his stupid DnD game? Pretty fuckin high that’s what the odds were. Eddie lived for that shit, it was a direct connection. He was going to kill that little snot. Maybe… if it didn’t work out. Because he wasn’t going to be a coward.

He was going to face his uncertainties like a badass. He was going to rise from his seat, and cross the very short distance, aaaand “Hey Munson, that you?” Be totally cool, completely ignore Benny’s curious eyes from behind his little judgement window, the window where he stood in the safety of his kitchen judging everyone who dared be weird in his diner.

“Not today Buckaroo, I’m busy” oh yeah he looked super busy.

“Cool, cool, super cool, you… come for the early bird specials often then?” Ohhhh he’d perfected the deadpan stare. He had that shit down. How did eyes that pretty so cut so deep? “Heh, sorry, look man I—I don’t mean any trouble, I was just—”

“M’not carrying shit, Harrington, the hell you want with that stuff this early anyway?” Stuff? Steve frowned a little, before visibly realising what Eddie was getting at, it looked like a genuine lightbulb went off behind his eyes. He knew because that little frown was broken by Eddie raising one eyebrow in curiosity.

“That’s not what I—shit, okay. Do over. Do you know Dustin? Dustin Henderson? Lil guy, bout yay high, curly hair, ridiculous meddler, no collar bones?” The frown was back, accompanied by the squinty eyes of suspicion. He knew Dustin, he had to know Dustin, it had to be Eddie, it had to be, nobody else had come in!

“I know the little shrimp, yeah, one of my little lost sheep, how do you know Dustin?” Holy shit it had to be him. Why else would the notoriously tardy Eddie Munson be up that early on a Sunday?

“Babysitting.” Eddie’s ever so expressive face seemed to slacken in surprise, Steve didn’t give him a chance to ask further as to why a rich guy like him had to babysit. He did it for free, he liked the little fuckers, explanation unnecessary. “You uh… wouldn’t happen to have uhm… gotten a call from him… about twenty minutes ago, would you?”

It took Eddie a minute. A little frown here, a squint there, a slight tilt of his body as he looked Steve up and down, not in a ‘you’re so hot oh my god’ way more in a ‘what the actual fuck’ kind of way.

Steve felt seen in the worst possible way, wanted to abort mission, just run away, that was a judgy bitch stare and he knew it, he’d COINED that stare, he was the master of it, and suddenly it was on him and he felt smaller than Dustin back in ‘83 with his baby squishy cheeks, and then— “Nope.” Eddie turned on his heel, ringed fingers waving in refusal, “nope, nope, nope—"

Steve should have let him go. Should have just chalked it up to Dustin having the worst friends ever outside of himself, Lucas, Will, Max, Jane, and maybe Mike. Maybe. On a semi-good day cause full good days didn’t exist with Mike.

But instead he was grabbing Eddie’s elbow and babbling “Wait-wait-wait, oh my god Eddie, please just wait, please” like some kind of moron. “You did right? It’s you?”

Eddie looked back and down at his own elbow, brows drawn tight in a frown, Steve let him go. Not out of fear just… slight intimidation. Eddie was scrappy! He was a biter and Steve didn’t wanna have to get a rabies shot.

“Fine, yeah I got a call, would have told him to shove his job up his ass if he’d have told me who it was for though, Steve.” Oof.

“Fair, that’s fair, can you just… maybe sit down and let me explain though? I’ll buy you breakfast!” Benny’s eyes hadn’t moved from them for the entire interaction, and he was feeling rightfully judged by it. Rich boy causing all that fuss and not one order of food. The audacity.

“Hmph, fine, but only because I haven’t had breakfast yet.” He pushed past Steve just to walk to the counter “Hey Benny! Can I get a full stack of pancakes and a hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows? On his tab.” Eddie motioned to Steve over his shoulder with his thumb

“Sure thing, kid. An what do you want, Harrington?”

“Uh… breakfast bagel, eggs sunny side up with a uh… another coffee please.” He’d already had breakfast, but he was a big dude! And Dustin always claimed Second Breakfast was like… an acceptable thing. “Thanks Benny” the tank of a man nodded his head and got to cooking without further word. “I was uh, sat over here” Steve motioned to the booth he’d been in, which Eddie seemed to mull over for a moment, before deciding he was going to sit in a completely different booth. “Alright.”

Power move. Steve could respect that. He sat down opposite him. “Talk, Harrington.”

“You… don’t wanna eat first?”

“I’m not sittin here in awkward silence with the King of Hawkins High, waiting for food when I could be hearing the details, eating, then bailing. The longer I’m here with you the more chance some asshole has of seeing me here with you. Now speak.” Ouch… but again, fair.

He’d been a shit in high school, older students had not gotten a free pass from it either. He was trying now though! Trying to be better. Robin helped, but she also fuelled his bitchy side way more than Carol and Tommy ever did. The kids helped the most, they humbled him. Brainy little fuckers.

“Right… okay. So. My parents have gotten it into their minds that I should be in some kind of long term relationship by now, so they’ve been throwing people at me, constantly, people I wouldn’t date even if you paid me to date them. There’s this thing coming up, a week away with them in a chalet, an I’m positive they’re going to bring someone to try and set me up with them, I’m certain of it, an I’d be stuck with this person for a whole damn week suffering.” It was an actual real fear, he couldn’t handle that, he’d simply evaporate, he’d perish, he’d spontaneously pop out of existence, poof, bye. “So… the job is basically to come with and pretend like we’re dating so they get off my back.”

“I think you’re missing a very important detail here, Steve.” Eddie tilted his head to the left, his smile almost cruel, Steve chose to ignore it. Eddie had his right to be defensive. “I’m a guy”

“Not important at all. They’ve been throwing men at me too.” Thank god Eddie wasn’t drinking anything because it’d have been all over the table.

He damn near choked on his own saliva, choking out a shocked “W-What?”

“I’m… I’m—” He looked around him, at the old people enjoying their meals, at Benny inconspicuously cooking behind his judgement window, risking glances through the open space every now and then to make sure his patrons weren’t causing shit or trying to dine and ditch. Old people were slow, but they could be crafty. Only when he was certain that nobody was listening, did he take a breath and let out “I’m… bi. Bisexual. And they know. But instead of being all ‘aaaaah get out of my hooouse’ they’re just… throwing guys at me instead, it’s torture. Painfully awkward torture I feel like I’m going to cringe myself to death.”

“You’re…”

“I know, I know, haha King Steve, secretly a freak of nature, a queer hiding in plain sight.” He’d heard the hatred spat at people like him, he’d been one of the people spitting hate once upon a time, before he’d grown, before he’d learned. Before he’d understood himself. It was terrifying, knowing how awful it could be if it got out “please don’t tell anyone okay? I’m… I’m putting a lot of faith in you here and that’s terrifying… I just… Dustin vouches for you… an I know you have every right to get back at me for Highschool but—”

“N-no… no I—I wouldn’t… I’d never. That’s… shit, Harrington, no… highschool shit? That shit is in a whole different category, I’ll get you back for that in some way but… not like that… never like that." He could breathe easily, even if Eddie vowed to get him back some other way, it wouldnt be that way. "So… what do you want me to do, freak em out? Go nuts? Sacrifice a chicken in the lounge? Shout a hail Satan prayer in the attic? Usually that does the trick to get parents to stop trying to set their kids up, more often than not gets em banned from dating entirely, give you a break—”

“W-What? No… no I—listen, my parents don’t stick around for long after these holidays, they’re usually gone within a couple of weeks on some business trip, dads off trying to restructure the company values or some shit to include people like me, which is cool cause he didn’t even know about me when he started that I—I didn’t know he was doing that… but that takes time, an mom’s going with him cause she doesn’t trust him to work out the legal shit on his own.” Benny chose that moment to venture to their table to place two mugs down on the surface, then silently returned to his task of plating food “I need to convince them that we’re dating… for real, and have them go off on their own believing that we’re still dating so they leave me alone… at least until they come back in god only knows how many months’ time and I can tell them we split up. Is… is that something you can do?”

Eddie took a long sip of his hot chocolate, a little splodge of cream lingering on the tip of his nose when he put the mug down that Steve almost reached over to wipe away, almost, so close. “…Usually I’m more of a freak em out kind of date, a one night done send em running for the hills kind of thing, you’re saying this is a week?” Eddie wiped his own nose clean, stuck the finger in his mouth. Steve chose to focus on his own mug.

“Mmhm, in a chalet in Canada for a week, all paid for, it’s basically a free holiday… that I’ll pay you for, whatever your usual rate is for this kind of thing, I’ll even double it… I just… I’m really hoping you say yes.”

Plates were finally delivered to the table by Benny with a friendly “eat up, boys” said in passing. Eddie drizzled syrup on his stack, then cut into it and shoved a whole layered chunk into his mouth in silence, clearly processing everything.

He chewed in silent thought, weighing the pros, the cons, the potential cash haul from such a job… the shit he might have to do… the lines they might have to cross, the revelations Steve might have about him… then remembered Steve claiming to be Bisexual and realising that part might not be all that scary.

What a wild Sunday.

“Alright…” he finally answered after swallowing his bite. “It’s fifty bucks a date though, Harrington, if I’m generous an switch that to a night to accomodate such a batshit scheme, doubled like you said is a hundred bucks per night, that’s—”

“Money’s not an issue.” Not for a Harrington. Even if he worked minimum wage, he’d get that money somehow.

“Well shit… Alright then, big guy. I guess i’m hired.”

Part 4

[estrellami-1]

Steddie Week 2023

May 22nd Prompt: Hunger

Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7

@steddie-week

Steve wakes up slowly, rolls over to look at his alarm clock, then bursts out of bed in a rush of limbs and sheets and curses.

3:42 blinks back at him. Sometime during the night the power had gone out, and Steve knows it is well past 9, when he was supposed to be opening at Family Video. He pulls on his jeans and a clean shirt, stuffs his feet in his shoes, runs a brush through his hair, and grabs his vest on his way out the door, sparing half a glance at his kitchen, but not having time to eat.

If it comes down to it, he thinks, there’s always the candy.

He gets to Family Video in record time, breathing out a sigh of relief when he yanks on the door to find it still locked. That means he’s the first one there. Keith might notice when he goes back through times this week to figure out pay, but Steve’s hopeful he’s gotten away with it this time.

He clocks in, computer reading 10:01 (an entire hour late, whoops), and takes a breath as he looks around the store. Robin’s scheduled to come in at three, meaning he has five hours alone.

No one comes in for the first hour. Steve finishes logging returns and winding back the tapes.

Halfway through the second hour, the bell above the door jingles, and Steve raises his voice from where he’s putting away tapes. “Welcome to Family Video!”

“Either you’re hiding or you’ve officially started haunting this place,” a voice calls back, and Steve laughs as he walks out of the aisle.

“Hey, Eddie.”

“Hiya, Stevie.” He grins. “Tell me if this is too forward? But I noticed the power went out last night and figured if I know you as well as I do, you slept in and missed breakfast.” He hands Steve a brown paper bag, creased nicely at the top.

“Lifesaver,” Steve gasps, opening the bag. Three muffins. He sniffs them, then groans. “You’re perfect, holy shit, thank you.” Banana nut, his favorite. His heart skips an odd beat, then again when he realizes Eddie’s blushing, pulling a piece of hair across his face.

“You’re welcome,” Eddie says quietly, chuckling slightly. “I guess I was right?”

“Yeah, I woke up, like, half an hour after my shift had started, immediately panicked, and got here as fast as I could. I don’t need another write-up.”

Eddie nods, a smirk crawling onto his face. “How about waiving the fees for your favorite customer?”

Steve makes a show of looking around. “Dustin’s here?”

Eddie just laughs. “I can’t even be mad at that one.”

“Steve,” Eddie says, eyes wide, adorably serious. Steve tries to school his face accordingly, but he can’t really feel his face. “I’m hungry.”

Steve thinks about it. “I am too,” he decides, then thinks some more. “Is there pizza left over?”

Eddie shrugs, looks at the blunt in his hand, then shrugs again, taking another drag. “Chips?”

“I have chips,” Steve agrees, grabbing for the blunt. “C’mon, share.”

Eddie hands it over. “Steve,” he says again, “I’m a genius.”

“Yup,” Steve agrees.

“We should watch a movie.”

“Oh my god,” Steve breathes. “With snacks?”

“Yeah. Yeah, with snacks, c’mon, help me, help me!” He pulls Steve up, laughing when Steve does.

“Eddie,” Steve says. It’s his turn to be serious. “What if we call Argyle? And Jon?”

“And they can bring pizza,” Eddie breathes. “Stevie, I think you’re the genius.”

“Yup,” Steve agrees again. “I’ll call. You get snacks. And movie.”

“Fuck off,” Eddie laughs, resting his head against the wall. “There’s no way.”

“I swear! That’s exactly what she said! And then she tried to blame me, like it isn’t all automated.” Steve huffs a breath.

Eddie shakes his head. “You have way more patience than I do, man.”

“That’s not true. We have different types. I could never sit like you do, painting your figurines.”

Eddie snorts. “I zone out and wake up four hours later. I don’t think that counts as patience.” He sighs. “As fun as this has been, Steve, I’ve gotta go get ready for my shift. I’ll talk to you later?”

“Yeah. Yeah, definitely. What time does your shift start?”

“Six.”

“That… Eds, that’s in twenty minutes.”

“No? I’m looking at a clock right here. It’s 4:40 right now. I’ve got an hour twenty.”

“Eds,” Steve says, sounding pained. “Daylight savings.”

“Oh, shit,” Eddie breathes. “Shit, shit, shit, you’re right, shit, fuck, okay, I’ve gotta go, love you, bye!”

He hangs up before Steve can say anything else, stuffing his feet in his shoes and grabbing his keys before racing out.

He’s halfway to work before he realizes he’s hungry. He lays his head on his steering wheel at a red light, breathes. “Just five hours,” he tells himself. “I can make it five hours.”

Half an hour in, he’s not so sure. His hands aren’t as steady as they should be, but he hides it from his coworkers, takes another few deep breaths, and tries to trick himself by drinking more water.

Ten minutes later, a familiar maroon Beemer pulls up. Eddie’s heart thuds in his chest as he goes out to meet Steve.

“Sorry I’m late,” Steve grins. “I think I got caught by all the lights possible.” He grabs something from the passenger seat. A brown paper bag.

“You didn’t,” Eddie breathes.

“I did,” Steve admits. “I hope turkey’s okay.”

“Turkey’s fantastic,” Eddie promises. “Freakin’ food for the gods, when I’m this hungry.” He opens the bag. A sandwich, a small bag of chips, an apple. He laughs. “Jesus wept, Steve, I brought you three little muffins!”

“Yeah, and I meant it when I called you a lifesaver.” He tilts his head. “I’m curious about something, though. If you meant it.”

Eddie pauses with the sandwich halfway to his mouth. “Meant what?”

“Gotta go, love you, bye.”

“Oh.” Nausea makes its presence known. He brings the sandwich down. “Steve, I-”

Steve’s fingers land on his forearm. “The truth, Eds. Please.” He’s whispering, eyes big and hopeful, and Eddie feels some of that same hope filling him.

“Yeah,” he whispers back.

Steve grins again, steps back. “I’m picking you up tomorrow. Seven o’clock.”

“Okay,” Eddie whispers, watches as Steve drives away.

“Hi,” Eddie says breathlessly, opening the door before Steve could knock.

“Hi.” Steve chuckles. “Ready?”

“Yeah. Where are you taking me?”

“Where do you wanna go?”

Eddie bites his lip, slides into the passenger seat. “Dinner? I’m starving.”

Steve grins at him as he puts the car in gear. “Me too.”

[wickedwitchofthesouth]

Keith can play the electric guitar, and shiro can play the drums, and Adam was an exceptional vocalist. Before everything went to shit shiro and Keith used to joke about how they would form a family band if the whole space thing didn't work out.

When shiro left, Adam encouraged Keith to keep playing as a hobby. When shiro went missing, Keiths passion for it staggered, but he continued playing because he wanted to show shiro how much better he'd gotten when he would come back- because shiro was going to come back. He had too

When Adam passed away, Keith gave up entirely. Maybe it was out of spite. Maybe he didn't see any point in practising anymore. Maybe the memory of better days was just too painful to revisit. Keith couldn't give you a reason. He'd really given up on all his hobbies and interests. Anything that wasn't directly needed to help him find shiro wasn't worth the effort.

He knew shiro would hate that. But shiro was the one who left. So did he really have any say in how Keith chose to ruin his nights finding him? Keith didn't think he did.

But its years later now and theyve all found their way back to earth, ready for one last mission before the end of the line comes into sight. Keith walks into his room for the first time in years to find shiro already sitting on his bed.

Hands cradling the dust covered guitar. The strings were britle from years of sitting in a corner and its once pristine glossy red finish had been replaced by the dulling of sun damage.

If the instrument could speak, it would curse him to the ends of the earth for abandoning it the same way he was abandoned - and Keith would let it.

Still, shiro smiles at him, handing over the guitar to his brother. "You still play?" He asks as if he doesn't already know the answer.

Keith feels like he's a kid again. He doesn't want to disappoint but he doesn't want to lie either. "Not really"

Shiro gets up to uncover all the old equipment from under the sheets. Keith can see the dust partials flying in the sunbeam that's shining through the blinds. He watches shrio plug everything in, the lights on the tuner take a while to flicker on but they get their eventually.

Keith remembered how he'd kept shiros drumsticks even though Adam had thrown out his drum set one night in a fit or rage. He'd cried all night after that, Keith remembered trying to comfort him to no avail. Little hands trying to wipe away the endless pools of tears that streamed down Adams face. He doesn't like thinking about it.

He walks over to his bedside drawer. It takes a bit of strength to wriggle the old thing open, but when he does, he's pleased to see they're still there. Shiros favourite pair of purple drumsticks. Adams favourite colour. Keith remembered, and he knows shiro can't forget.

"Aha!" Shrio cheers, and Keith is pulled back into the present. When he turns around, he finds shiro standing over the equipment. Overly satisfied with himself for still remembering how to set it up. "Still got it," he says, brushing his shoulder. Keith can't help but chuckle.

Keith holds up the drumsticks and he loves the way shiros face lights up ."Oh my god! you kept them?!" He cheers.

"Theyre all I could manage to hide from adam" Keith replies as shiro takes them out of his hand. He did not mean for it to sound as miserable as it came out.

Shrio smiles ever so softly as he turns them over in his hands. "It's okay," he says. Keith knows exactly what he's thinking about. it's an odd feeling to be able to know someone this well.

Shiro takes in a sharp breath before looking back up at keith. That excited spark finds its way back into his eyes as he pushes the guitar into Keith's chest. "Your turn." he smirks, patting him on the shoulder. "Show me what you've got"

Keith stands there for a moment like a deer in headlights. It's been years since he's even held the guitar in his hands. He's not sure if he's "got" anything left.

"Shiro I don't-"

"Oh come on!! I'm sure you've still got it just give it a try"

It's an even worse feeling being known this well. Keith doesn't know what to do with it.

He carefully slings the strap over his head. He's sure the dust will leave a mark on his jacket.

"Okay, but don't laugh if I suck." he points his pick at shiro, who holds up a finger to his lips in response, but Keith can already see the laugh creeping up on his face

Keith readjusts the guitar to try and get a better grip. Something doesn't feel right. He fiddles around with it a little longer. He holds up the pick and strums a few chords, but they don't sound right. He tries to tune them, strums the chords again, readjust the strap again-

"You need to try Keith," shiro finally says. "You won't know if you can play if you don't even try"

Keith looks back at his brother. It's been nearly a decade since he last heard shiro say that. He prays to any higher power that will listen to not let his eyes give away how those words make him feel now. He doesn't think anyone is listening.

Keith takes in the deepest breath before holding the guitar again. He tries to smile. "Okay, any requests?"

Shrio taps his chin in thought, "How about Bowie?" He recommends "life on Mars? Or maybe rebel rebel? You used to love those songs"

"I might remember rebel rebel," he says mostly to himself. He strums a few chords trying to remember the riff of the songs. It takes a few attempts, but he gets it eventually.

Keith hums the lyrics he doesn't remember and the ones he does he attempts to sing

Rebel rebel, you've torn your dress

Rebel rebel, your face is a mess

Shiro joins in the chours. Well- he certainly makes an attempt

Rebel rebel, how could they know?

Hot tramp! I love you so!

Somewhere between the awful singing and questionable guitar playing, keith finds himself lost in the music. His head rocks back and forth, and he's sure his hair is a mess but he feels like he's floating. He feels like he's 14 again. He feels like they're back in shiros garage on a hot summer day and the sound of drumsticks beating on his desk turns into drums actually being played, and Adams is about to walk through the door any moment now and grab the mic.

When the song finally ends, keith finds himself laughing in excitement. When he opens his eyes again, the drums have turned back into a desk, and the mic is nowhere to be found, but Keith is still smiling. He's got it.

He's still got it

"See" Shrio cheers, pulling Keith out of his head the for second time that afternoon "I told you"

"That was awesome," Keith says, pushing his hair out of his face as he pulls the guitar off. He wants to hug it and tell it he's sorry for leaving. Shiro will think he's lost his mind, but it's totally worth it.

When he looks back at shiro, he's giving him the fondest smile. Keith suddenly feels a knot forming his stomach, he's only seen shiro make that face twice his whole life. Once when Keith got his fighter pilot rank at the garrison and second when he was selected for the kerberos mission.

He opens his mouth as if to say something but closes it again and suddenly slings his arm around Keith's neck, pulling him down to ruffle his hair even further. Keith tries to protest, but every word just comes out as a laugh. "Look at you," shrio says amidst their play fight. "When did you get this cool, huh?"

Keith finally manages to pull away, stumbling a little before finding his balance again. "I've always been this cool," he retorts, trying to card his fingers through his hair. "You just refused to notice it before"

"Nope no I'm pretty sure this is a recent development" shiro mocks,

Keith rolls his eyes but the smile his still apparent on his lips "whatever" he says, crossing his arms over his chest

He's thrown slightly off balance again when shiro throws his arm around his shoulders. But this time, he only gently pulls him into a side hug as they walk out of the room. "Well, at least we still know one thing for sure"

"And whats that" Keith asks walking in tow

Shiro shrugs, one hand around his brother the other in his pocket "if this space thing doesn't work out, we've still got the band" he winks

Keith shakes his head laughing "and are we taking audtions for a new vocalist?"

"No need to, I've already got someone in mind" shiro replies "have you heard lance sing?"

"Lance can sing???"

"Oh that boy was built for a stage"

[bethecliche]

best friends l steve harrington x f!original character

summary: it is very difficult to be in love with your best friend and feel jealous every time another boy approached. masking his feelings with arrogance and dating other girls to forget her, steve reached his limit. word count: 3.9k content: female reader (no mention of genitalia), no mention of skin color (but mention of hair color), no use of y/n, non canon

In Steve's mind, he never had a chance for romance. At least not when it came to Nicole.

He had been in the girl's hands for a long time, he would do anything and more for her, everything. This included carrying her backpack with the excuse that she was too weak for the weight or sitting in the backseat of Keith's car because he knew she hated feeling left out of the conversation going on in the front seat. He also offered her his coat every time they went out with the excuse that her health was shit and she could get sick easily, when in reality he just wanted to see her wearing his clothes (and not get sick, of course). Although his attitudes were somewhat affectionate, she didn't seem to notice the signs.

They remained in a flirtatious relationship, always close to each other, even when nothing was happening. Of course he preferred them to be together, but he didn't have the courage to open his heart to another girl only to be rejected again. This dynamic was comfortable for Steve for months, however, he had to admit that lately seeing so many interactions between the blonde and his best friend made his fists clench.

The Incredible Q (short form Incredible Quartet, as they liked to call the group) was extremely functional. Steve and Robin were the unbeatable duo and they were more than happy when they met Keith and Nicole working at Family Video. The girls became close very quickly, while with Steve, he created a love-hate friendship with the blondie. He never interpreted the other pair's friendship as something more. For Steve, Keith and Nicole were like him and his lesbian best friend: it would never happen, they just got along really well.

Despite this, everything has changed in recent weeks. Keith was planning to work as a lifeguard over the summer and invited her to join him, which she agreed to immediately. The two were also always at the counter together, exchanging secret matters. It even got to the point where customers commented that the two were very cute together and made a great couple. He would be a liar if he said he wasn't bothered by it.

Today, in particular, this was clearer. The foursome had agreed to watch a movie at Keith's house and nothing bothered Steve more than the two of them talking during the entire plot being shown on television. They always did this, they always needed to analyze action films and plot their escapes in horror films, as well as incorporating each character's personality to decide whether or not to root for them. For whatever reason, that was not the case of the day. Nic was distant and barely opened her mouth to participate in the conversation. In Steve's mind, she was angry about something and in order not to be talking to her friends, one of them had to have done something and he was shaking his foot nervously thinking about what it could have been.

Nic sat on the floor with her knees drawn up to her chest, frowning as a murder scene played on the television. It seemed to be an important scene for understanding the movie, but Steve wasn't able to watch it, as it meant taking his eyes off the girl and having to focus on something that wasn't her. Could he have done something wrong to upset her? He talked nonsense all day long, he never got tired of being the group's comedian with his unwanted and off-key comments, but she was used to it... wasn't she? Nothing ever made her so angry that she was cold and distant. It was as if she was isolating herself from him on purpose. But why would she do such a thing?

“It's almost nine o'clock, Steve.” Keith said slowly, so distracted by the movie that he didn't bother to look in his friend's direction. “Didn't you need to be with the chosen girl of the night around this time?”

Looking at his wristwatch, Steve stretched his arms and glanced at Nic, trying to see if she was interested in the side conversation and the answer was no, she wasn't. Her eyes were focused exclusively on the television, not moving an inch since the last time he looked at her. For a moment, Steve remained motionless, waiting for someone to do or say something else. Maybe ask him to stay or make a joke, but the friends remained quiet. He sighed and got up from the floor where he was, wiping the back of his pants.

“Yeah, cool. I'm leaving now.” He said. “We’re going to the drive-in, I think I have a chance to make out with her.”

This was supposed to be a joke, something to lighten the mood or at least make Nic smile while rolling her eyes, but all the girl did was continue to be distracted by A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 playing in the back of the room, a new release that Robin snuck in from the video store.

“Have manners, asshole. The girls are here.” The boy rolled his eyes and Robin continued speaking with a jocular smile. “And if Chloe has a brain, I doubt she'll come up with anything involving you. I'll be impressed if she shows up.”

“Hilarious, Robs.” He pretended to laugh. “Do you need anything before I leave?”

Steve said half-heartedly wanting to stay. Keith raised his finger asking him to be quiet for a minute, paying attention to the exact moment he could pause without disturbing the immersion of the film. After the scene cooled down, he turned to his friend.

“Why would we need anything from you?”

“I don't know, man..” Steve shrugged, a little uncomfortable with his hands in his jeans pocket without looking directly at anyone. “I can bring some water, get more beers, make more popcorn…”

“We're good, Steve. You can enjoy the night your way.” Keith turned his attention to the TV and put his arm around Nicole, who rested her head on his shoulder.

“If you want privacy, just say it. I even give you some of my condoms, if you're going to use them, of course.” As if a demon had possessed his body, Steve began the greatest nonsense he could say with mockery in his voice. What was a joke in his head came out much more offensive than he expected. “Just don't do anything in front of Rob, she could be traumatized.”

“Fuck you, man.” Robin, who was lying on Keith’s bed, threw a pillow at the tall man. “Just get out of here and don't do anything stupid today, you hear?” She took a quick look at her friends sitting on the floor, who chose to ignore Steve in favor of peace. She knew what was wrong with her friend and wanted to make sure Steve didn't make the same mistake with another girl.

“Me?” He placed his hand on his chest, pretending to be offended. “I would never do something like that!”

Once again, he waited to see if anyone —especially Nic— would say anything. Anything. A goodbye or see you later, at least, but when he saw that wasn't going to happen, Steve rolled his eyes and left the house in long strides.

“Are you okay?” Asked Rob, getting out of bed and pausing the film to support her friend. Keith tried to calmly stroke her hair, showing that he was there for her.

The two of them were the only ones in the world who knew her true feelings towards Steve. Keith, as a great friend, noticed that she was enchanted as soon as the boy started working with them. Shortly thereafter, Robin caught her admiring him on her lunch break and connected one dot to the other. She didn't need to admit her feelings out loud, they were very clear and, like fate, her friends tried to protect her from the foolish things Steve did, especially not engaging when it came to the boy's love life, something she didn't like to know at all.

“Nic, how will he know how you feel if you never tell him? It's better than staying like this.”

“Hell, K. As if it were as easy to do as it is to say, don't you think?” The tears began to accumulate more in her eyes and she finally let out her tears in her friend's arms. “This idiot has a different girl drooling over him every day of the week. What can I do? Show up with a ring declaring my crush while he's there sticking his tongue down Saturday's girl's throat? I mean, does he need to show off the way he just did? This drives me crazy.”

“The atmosphere became very tense today, very quickly. Didn't you notice there was something strange? He acted more of a jerk than he usually does.”

“It's getting harder and harder to be around him... I've been thinking about taking a break from Family Video, you know.”

The two looked in shock and started talking over each other about how she shouldn't make that mistake.

“I need to go to the bathroom, like, now, but just wait, we'll have a serious talk about how you can't quit your job because of a boy. Especially for an idiot like our friend!” Rob ruffled the blonde's hair in a friendly way before running out of the room.

Nic nodded and got up from the floor, walking to the bedroom window to get some fresh air. Keith followed, smiling awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

“Hey, Harrington is a fucking idiot who doesn't see what's an inch from his own face.” He murmured, placing his hands on her face to wipe away her tears. She didn't always get to see Keith's loving side, so she took advantage of his friend's affection in his moment of weakness, letting go of his hands to hug him tightly.

“I can't take this anymore, liking him hurts too much. I need to move on before it hurts me more and damages our friendship.” Nic said between sniffles. “I swear, if he-”

“Wow!” Steve's voice echoed in the room and the two friends quickly separated. Nic turned her back so Steve wouldn't see the tears and her red eyes. “You two are fast, huh? I think you should go to the drive-in too, if you're looking for that much privacy… You waited until Rob left the room, didn't you?”

Nic rolled her eyes and went towards the bed, to sit away from the two. How audacious that stupid boy had to ruin the moment between friends.

“Hey, you don't need to be so ashamed, so shy.” He raised his hands in a sign of redemption. “I didn't want to interrupt you.”

“You didn't interrupt a damn thing and you know it. What are you doing here, anyway?” Keith complained.

“Made the girl give up? Five minutes seems to be the new record for how long someone can last being around you.” Murmured Nic. She didn't want him to notice her comment, but she also didn't want to stop speaking her mind.

“I forgot my wallet, hothead.” He went to Keith's nightstand, putting his wallet back in his pocket and while heading back to the door, he stopped in front of Nicole. “And what's your problem today? Are you having PMS? Or did you happen to fail to catch the attention of someone on the football team today?”

“Harrington, seriously, man. You're not being funny today and it's best to keep quiet while we're still cool.” The taller one warned, taking the remote control to play back the movie and distract his best friend.

“No, Keith, I want to know what her problem is. I'm curious to know why she has to treat me like shit all day long.”

"You know what? Enjoy your date, asshole." She grabbed her bag from the corner of the bed and stood up, looking Steve straight in the eyes. "I hope today's STI is different from the ones you may already have."

Steve watched in complete confusion as the girl left, but before he could follow her and continue to insist on the obvious problem, Keith pushed him to the other side of the room. A long, deep and heavy sigh escaped the taller's lips when he had to, once again, pause the movie. His eyes twitched with irritation and his arms crossed his chest in anger.

“I just wanted to watch the fucking movie. Is that too much to ask?” As soon as he finished the sentence, Rob returned to the room asking why Nicole had left suddenly.

“What's her deal?” Steve asked, ignoring their comments.

“‘What's her deal?’ You are really that stupid.” Rob cursed, lying down on the bed again and giving Keith a look that meant it was time to talk.

A few hours after the whole mess, Nic was home wearing her pink pajamas and ankle socks as she headed downstairs for a snack to watch a rerun of The Facts of Life on NBC. Since she hadn't finished the movie with her friends, at least she could end the day feeling like she did something.

A knock on the door made her stop in her tracks. Her parents had gone out for the night, and when she noticed the time, her stomach lurched with anxiety at who might be bothering her around midnight. She hated being alone.

Since the lights were off and she could just pretend not to be home, Nicole debated whether or not she should open the door. Already with her hand on the doorknob, a familiar voice shouted from outside.

“It's me, idiot. Open the door!” Steve shouted.

“What the fuck?” Whispered the confused girl before opening the door wide open.

There was Steve Harrington with his hands in his pockets and his shoulders forward, a little uncomfortable and with a worried look. For the first time in a long time, he looked like he didn't know what to say.

“What are you doing here at this hour? My parents could be here. Do you know how pissed they would be if they saw you knocking on the door late like this?” She shouted.

“Yes, sorry, but that couldn't wait.” Steve nodded asking for permission to enter the house and Nic granted, slamming the door behind him and turning on the lights in the room.

“What couldn't wait? Is Keith okay, Robs?”

He rolled his eyes.

“Yah, nothing has happened to the two of them since the last few hours you saw them. I'm fine too, thanks for asking.” He shook his head, already regretting having said that. “Sorry. I... Nic, I heard something today and I just need to know if it's true.”

Nic frowned at the request and tried to search her mind for a possible answer.

“If it is true? What are you talking about?” The only thing that could have happened since the last time they saw each other was Steve’s date. Anger was already starting to course through her body just thinking about him with another girl and even more so talking about her. Annoyed, Nic pointed her finger in his face. “That preppy said something about me, didn't she? I'm tired of your girlfriends picking on me or Rob.”

“No, Nic, it wasn't like that at all. I didn't even show up for my date with Sophie.”

“Chloe. There are so many that you can't even remember them.” She said the last part very quietly. Steve closed his eyes in annoyance and gestured with his hands for her to stop interrupting.

“Chloe, Sophie, it doesn't matter who it was.” He said with a shrug. “The important thing is that I didn't go. I stayed and talked to Keith and Robin after you left.”

His eyes showed a raw intensity and Nic could feel something different in his posture after he finished his sentence. Steve ran his hands through his hair, a little nervous, but he didn't look away, waiting for his friend's reaction. He did not reveal in her speech what he talked about with their friends, but by his attitude of coming to her house and wanting to question her, it was a little implicit what it was about.

Nic turned away and walked towards the other side of the room, leaning against the top of the fireplace and pretending to be interested in anything other than to keep the subject.

“Okay, you didn't need to come here at midnight to tell me what we do all the time, which is talk. That's it? You can go now.”

Steve got out of his stance and went to the other side of the room, where she was, pulling her by her shoulder so that she faced him.

“Stop this shit, Nic. You know what I talked to them about. It's been months, almost a year... Every day, at work or among friends, we were together and always had this atmosphere between us. We held hands the entire trip to Indianapolis in the fall and you know the looks we exchanged to the sound of Daryl Hall & John Oates. They were singing to us.”

Nicole looked down at the floor.

In early September, on a warm fall day, the Incredible Q took their first and only car trip to another city to enjoy a festival together. The long drive to Indiana's capital brought Steve and Nicole closer, who sat together in the back seat humming Out of Touch, their favorite song, eager to hear it live. As soon as the instrumental started, they jumped at each other, happy to be living that experience. Robs was flirting with a girl she met at the entrance and Keith was fixated on the performance, both too distracted to notice the passionate looks their friends were exchanging. If it weren't for the crowd pushing the two at the end of the song, it was quite possible that they would have kissed there and that the situation today would not have existed in their lives.

“But you and Keith... lately it feels like there's something more there and I don't want to get hurt again, so I shut myself down and act like I did today, like an idiot. Forgive me, please, I will never talk to you like that again.”

“Keith is like a brother to me, it's so obvious. Why on earth would you believe anything other than that? You are always by our side, seeing our relationship which is the same as yours and Robs!” She shook her head in pure confusion. “What has been happening to you recently?”

With long strides, she began to walk away, heading towards the door to ask Steve to leave and let her sleep in peace. The conversation was already making her stressed.

Once again, Steve tugged on her shoulder, although now he didn't let go. She bent forward, so she would be looking into his eyes and showing her sincerity.

“I'm in love with you, Nicole. Extremely in love. I don’t get how you didn’t realize this before. Soon I'm going to start charging you for running around my head all day.” He smiled, hoping to lighten the mood with the playful comment. Nicole, however, didn't move her face. Afraid of losing his attention, he cleared his throat and continued sternly. “After Nancy, I felt like I was losing the girl I like to the other guy once again. But now the pain wasn't going away, I couldn't think about anything other than you. I want you.”

The first time they watched movies together as a group, the work chosen was The Thing. Everyone there had already seen it, except the blonde, who wasn't used to the horror genre. Noticing the girl's fear, Steve covered her eyes every time a scary scene appeared. As soon as she regained her vision, the first thing she saw was the smiling boy looking at her, saying everything was fine.

Since the day she realized she was in love with Steve, since that movie session in '84 at Keith's house, Nicole dreamed of hearing from him that she was also in love. However, in the context they were in, the taste was bitter.

“When you went out with that guy from the team, I freaked out. I thought... I thought you would feel jealous if you saw me with another girl too. I know I'm an idiot and I don't owe you an apology alone. I enlarged a lot of things to look like a lady killer. In my head, for some reason, you would see me as someone experienced. If I wasn't going to be with you, I thought I would eventually move on with another girl, but I can't. The truth is, I don't even want to. So tell me, what they told me… is it true? Do you like me too?”

No response was given at first. She couldn't think of what would be more appropriate to say. Her body trembled the more she stared at Steve, but she also didn't have the courage to look anywhere other than his eyes.

“For months, have we been fooling ourselves about our feelings when the truth is that we could have been together from the beginning, no problem?” She took a step closer to Steve.

She wasn't sure if her heart was pounding or if that sound she heard was coming from the boy. On her face, validation of her confession, with the worried look of what his response might be. Taking a deep breath and gathering courage, Nicole spoke out the three words she had been holding back for so long.

“I like you. Like, a lot.” Her voice was soft and Steve started to smile when he heard the sentence. He was already melting inside when he pressed his forehead to hers. “Do you believe we can work it out?”

The answer they were both looking for came in the form of a kiss. Their first kiss.

The bitter taste of the day became sweet, chocolate to be more specific. Fulfilling a great wish, her hands went to the boy's hair, who smiled at the kiss and moved away.

“It's always been your dream to mess up my hair, hasn't it?” She nodded yes, also smiling. It was a relaxed moment they needed to calm down. “I'll let you do it again, then.”

His hands were initially on her back, cradling her gently in the comfort of his arms, and then went to her face, caressing the teenager's flushed cheeks. She shivered under his touch, feeling her body heat up more and more. She didn't go back to ruffling his hair, she was too distracted by how gently he was slowly kissing her. She was very shy, as if she had never kissed before, afraid of making a "mistake", however, it flowed naturally between the two.

She was feeling so good, enveloped in his presence, in his scent, in his touches as she deepened the kiss. His fingers slid from her face back to her body, specifically her waist, pulling her closer.

“Steve. We're not doing anything wrong, are we? Aren't we going to wake up tomorrow and fight again or are you going to forget everything you said to me out of the blue?” She murmured against his lips.

“We're kissing and there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, that’s the only right thing I did all day.” He replied with his eyes closed, whispering back, before returning to the kiss. It was as if he was hypnotized. “I want you to be mine, because I am completely yours.”

They could have a serious and detailed conversation the next day, pointing out all the failures of the past and the promises for the future. The feelings now, however, could no longer wait.

[jiyansthesis]

oooo can I request angst w keith? Maybe unrequited love ? Like reader and keith are childhood friends or sthm.

I ACTUALLY HATE WRITING ANGST. but it has to be done. i'm finishing writing a smut for him so 🙏I'LL TAKE THIS ONE. hint of klance?? really implied klance??. tbh i might make a second part if enough people want it

not proofread/really short because im ass at anything other than romance and smut

today was the day.

you straightened up from where you were sitting on your bed, holding a little letter in your hand. a letter you would give to keith if you were too scared to even say it straight to his face.

"i like you." it read. you slightly cringed at how it sounded like a middle schooler's confession letter.

but it was straightforward and got the point across. if it backfired, you could always make up some crazy backstory to the note, but you were sure it wasn't going to get to that point.

you were hoping it wouldn't.

you and keith have been basically tied together for as long as you could remember. you went through elementary school, middle school, and even the garrison academy, until he eventually dropped out.

somehow you had managed to follow him into space. a chance of fate, that one night you managed to follow lance and hunk and pidge.

now basically a medic, since you weren't meant to be a paladin and this was the best job you could fit into. and so far, you've been having the time of your life for the past few months.

of course, that didn't mean you were entirely relaxed all the time. it seemed way too often that one of the paladins have to come to you to fix up an injury they had received, either on a mission or even just practicing. keith was your most normal visitor, and you definitely weren't complaining. (but you were always worried for him.)

letting out a huge sigh, you stand up from your bed and make your way to the door, it sliding open once you were in close proximity. you began sweating as thoughts raced through your mind.

what if he genuinely doesn't like you like that?

what if this ruins what you guys have been building up for years?

what if this disgusts him and he never talks to you again?

what if he does something worse than him saying "no"?

you shook your head. you weren't too confident, but you also weren't going to dampen your mood. all you have to do is go up to him, hand him the note, and wait.

you were about to go search for keith, when it turns out you didn't have to move at all. he was making it down the hallway, and he perked up a little when he saw you standing there.

"hey, i have a question," he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck when he had finished jogging towards you.

he noticed the envelope in your hands, but paid no mind to it as you gestured for him to come inside your room.

"so, what do you want to talk about?" you held off on confessing, opting to hear him out first since he did come looking for you, and you were curious. you placed the envelope on the drawer, right next to a picture of you and keith as kids that you had always kept on you.

he slumped onto your bed, letting out a big sigh as you could see he was struggling to find words for what he wanted to say.

"i don't know what to tell lance."

"tell lance?" you questioned. maybe he needed your advice to just talk to lance about something important.

"well. . ." he hesitated.

"you can tell me anything, keith," you made your way over to him and sat next to him.

"i don't know how to tell lance i like him."

you sure as fuck weren't expecting that.

your jaw dropped, and keith watched as you turned away from, not wanting him to see your glossy eyes.

"w-well." your voice cracked, you quickly covering it up with a cough. "sorry, allergies."

when you finally faced him again, you saw him looking at you questioningly. "you alright?"

"yeah, yeah." you rubbed your eyes as if they were itchy, playing into the 'allergies' cover-up. at least he won't ask why your eyes were red and teary.

(but you knew he was smarter than that.)

"hm, well." you tried not to think about it too hard, lest you start tearing up again. "just be bold and do it. you miss all the shots you don't take."

very ironic.

he grunted as he sat up. "as if i haven't been telling myself that for months.

months?

you've been pinning for a man who's liked someone else for months. all those years of childish infatuation down the drain. all the years of thinking about a future with him.

you wished you never met him.

quickly standing up so he wouldn't see the tears threatening to fall, you excused yourself.

"i have to use the bathroom. sorry keith, i'll see you later." right before you left, you turned your head at an angle so you could see him from the corner of your eyes.

"and remember, what could go wrong?" everything went wrong for you.

but you couldn't be mad at him. you were mad you didn't see the signs. it's not his fault he wasn't in love with you, and there was nothing you could do to change that. the most you could do out of love for him is hope that him and lance get together.

the door shut behind you, leaving a very confused keith on your bed.

he also made his way to the door, trying to build up confidence to ask lance out. his eyes trailed to the picture of you and him, and he smiled. he loved you like a sister, and couldn't imagine losing you, although you did seem a bit more distant after he. . .

he realized.

looking at the letter you left on the drawer, he saw that it was addressed to him.

he didn't bother opening it, because he already knew what was in it.

"fuck," he ran a hand through his hair. you were the last person he should've asked for advice. rushing, he went looking for you.

you on the other hand were in a random hallway, rubbing your wet face to make it look as presentable as possible before you went to the training deck to work out all your feelings. is it a healthy coping mechanism? probably not. but you didn't care.

how did you not see the way the two of them interacted? they were obviously a lot closer than with the other paladins. you were stupid.

never would you ever be blinded by hopeless love ever agai-

"something wrong?" you lifted your head to see shiro gazing at you worriedly.

part 2 with shiro!?!?!?

[gerrystamour]

run it back (give me five whole minutes)

Rated T | Steddie Week Day 5: Together | 1700 Words | Complete

[ READ ON AO3 ]

“Maybe I can come help you?” “No, Eds, you need to sleep tonight. You and Wayne have a lot of driving to do tomorrow, don’t you?” “Yeah, just… we’re not gonna see each other for a week, and we haven’t really seen each other for a couple of days already…” “I know. I’m sorry…” If you're seeing me reposting it, no you aren't. ANYWAY this is my entry for @steddie-week Day 5: Established Relationship & Together CW: Some negative self-talk because I decided to inflict some of my RSD on Steeb.

By the time Steve left work, his entire head was full of static. There was a pounding, pulling feeling just behind his left eye and it felt like his eardrums were ready to rupture with how loud his ears rang. So much had been going on all day, and then some moron knocked over an entire shelf literally five minutes before the store closed.

Steve had been tempted to tidy it up as best as he could and leave a note, but he knew Keith would fire him if he did that. Normally, he wouldn’t really care because cleaning up the mess would normally help settle his mood before he went home to bed.

But he had plans. He had plans and now he had to cancel them to clean up a mess so he didn’t get fired.

The phone call had sucked to make, telling Eddie that he wasn’t going to be able to make it to his place after work.

“Maybe I can come help you?”

“No, Eds, you need to sleep tonight. You and Wayne have a lot of driving to do tomorrow, don’t you?”

“Yeah, just… we’re not gonna see each other for a week, and we haven’t really seen each other for a couple of days already…”

“I know. I’m sorry…”

Eddie had reassured Steve that it was okay, that he understood, that he wasn’t mad. But Steve couldn’t shake the repeating, screaming thoughts that he fucked up big time. That it was a mistake to prioritize his shitty minimum wage job over seeing his boyfriend before he left to visit the few extended family members he and Wayne still spoke to for a week.

Steve was just destined to be a shit boyfriend, apparently.

That thought had to be shut down quickly because he didn’t want to do something embarrassing like cry while he was still within the four walls of Family Video.

So he focused on righting the shelf and reorganizing the videos correctly. A few cases got damaged, so he set those aside with a note for Keith. By the time he finished, it was one in the morning.

There was a chance Eddie was still awake because if Steve knew his boyfriend, he knew the man didn’t have a healthy sleep schedule. But what good would calling him do? Steve already chose work over him, so calling now would just rub that in.

Steve locked up the store and drove home, tears welling up in his eyes and blurring his vision. He fucked up bad and he was going to have to figure out how to fix it fast. Steve kept replaying the distracted way Eddie said he loved him on the phone when they hung-up earlier, which made him think of all the times Nancy said she loved him.

Maybe if he woke up super early the next morning, he could get to Eddie’s trailer before he left, and he could apologize in person and see him? Waking up early after a shift like the one he had and working past one in the morning was a recipe for a migraine, or at least a tension headache from hell, but it would be worth it to make this up to Eddie.

Steve couldn’t lose Eddie over his stupid bullshit.

By the time Steve pulled into the driveway of his house, he was struggling to hold back the tears. He wasn’t normally a crier, just when he was exhausted, in pain, and a bit heartsick all at once. Steve couldn’t stand that about himself, especially in moments like this where it wasn’t even okay for him to be that upset. He fucked up, why was he upset?

Entering his dark, quiet house, Steve quickly locked the front door and tossed his keys at the bowl on the table near the front door before trudging loudly up the stairs without taking off his shoes. He barely cared that his keys missed the bowl entirely and clattered loudly to the floor.

Steve didn’t even notice there was already a set of keys sitting in the bowl.

He didn’t stop until he was in his bathroom, staring at his tear-streaked and miserable face. “Stupid,” he muttered to himself as he started taking off his clothes for a shower. “Worst fucking boyfriend, why does anyone even fucking bother with you?”

“Hey!”

Steve jumped, too startled even to shout, and he turned on the intruder with fists ready. He wasn’t prepared to see his boyfriend, sleep-soft and frowning at him.

“Eds?” he asked, confusion blurring with his self-loathing. Why was Eddie here? Shit, he must’ve felt so bad for Steve he came over. Once again, someone else was doing all the fucking emotional work in the relationship, and Eddie had to be up early—

“Don’t talk about my boyfriend like that,” Eddie said firmly, stepping into the bathroom to hold Steve’s face.

“What?” he asked, dazed now that Eddie was standing in his space and touching him.

“You were saying mean shit about my amazing boyfriend, Steve,” Eddie said, and Steve’s expression crumpled.

“Don’t—you don’t have to say that. You’re just being nice—” Steve started, but he was interrupted by Eddie scoffing.

“Sweetheart, when am I ever ‘just being nice’ to anyone?” Eddie asked and Steve couldn’t really argue that. Eddie wasn’t mean, and he wasn’t always forthcoming with talking about his feelings on matters, but he was never nice for the sake of being nice. If he was telling someone something with his words, then that meant something.

“But I didn’t leave work,” Steve said weakly, trying to find the justifications for why he was a terrible boyfriend. “You’re leaving tomorrow and I didn’t leave work to see you.”

“Stevie, that’s your job. You—did I even ask you to leave work?” Eddie asked, bewildered.

“You shouldn’t have to ask me!” Steve said with no small amount of frustration. What wasn’t Eddie understanding about this? Steve wasn’t being attentive, he wasn’t thinking three steps ahead, he wasn’t reading between the lines of Eddie’s questions and requests well enough.

“So if I asked you to leave that huge mess and lose your job, you would’ve?” Eddie asked skeptically, but something must have shown on Steve’s face because Eddie’s expression faltered. “Babe, staying behind at work was fine. I’m not so needy that you should drop everything and come running to comfort me.”

“But you were upset,” Steve insisted, taking a step back out of Eddie’s hands. “You were upset and I didn’t—”

“I was upset because you sounded so miserable on the phone! I wasn’t—fuck, Steve, I’m sorry I made you feel like I was upset with you,” Eddie said, stepping forward to cup Steve’s face again. Then he added, “Yeah, I wanted to see you before I went on the worst fucking trip ever, and yeah I was sad I wouldn’t, but I was mostly sad that you were having such a shitty day.”

“I didn’t even tell you about my day, though,” Steve said, a bit dazed.

“Didn’t have to, sweetheart,” Eddie replied with a sweet smile. “You did your Headache Brewing Sigh after every sentence,” he elaborated after a moment and Steve’s heart ached at being known so deeply.

“You should be sleeping, Eds,” Steve said weakly, stepping forward into Eddie’s embrace.

“I’m not going anymore. I didn’t wanna go in the first place, so I told Wayne I’m staying home,” Eddie replied, and his arms tightened around him when Steve tried to pull away. “Don’t, you beautiful little martyr. I didn’t want to go so I’m not going. There’s nothing more to it, don’t make it about you.”

Steve felt all the fight leave his body, resting his weight more heavily against Eddie with a shaky sigh, his head dropping to Eddie’s shoulder.

“Let’s go to bed, baby,” Eddie cooed, petting his hair, but Steve shook his head.

“I just need to shower first,” he said, and he could feel Eddie nodding.

“Alright, let’s do that, then bed,” Eddie said brightly, stepping back carefully to start taking off his pajamas. When Steve opened his mouth to argue, Eddie held a finger to his lips with a playfully stern expression. “I’m taking care of you tonight, Stevie. It’ll be over quicker if you just let me.”

At that, Steve huffed a tired laugh and rolled his eyes. “Fine,” he grumbled lightly and finished undressing.

The shower took them a long time, Eddie refusing to let Steve do any of the work to wash himself off. Eddie just grabbed each bottle Steve reached for and did everything for him. At one point, Steve let out a sigh that carried a small vocalization at the end, his body finally relaxing under the hot spray of the shower and his boyfriend’s cool hands.

Eddie took that moment to drop a soft, almost distracted kiss to the back of Steve’s shoulder and the tenderness of that tiny gesture broke through something in him. With a shaky inhale, Steve turned around and wrapped his arms around Eddie, burying his face into the junction of his boyfriend’s shoulder and neck with a sigh. There were tears in Steve’s eyes again, but this time they weren’t sad.

When Eddie immediately wrapped his own arms around him, Steve kissed the skin his mouth was closest to before tipping his head back to meet Eddie’s eyes.

“I love you,” Steve confessed so quietly that the shower almost drowned him out.

Eddie heard it though, or read his lips, and his big brown eyes widened a bit. Then a grin split his face and he dropped a kiss onto Steve’s mouth. “I love you, too,” Eddie said without pulling away and Steve pressed closer to deepen the kiss again.

Standing under the steady spray of the shower, they kissed each other slow and sweet, searching even if they knew their ways around each other’s mouths. It was different now that they’d said the word they had both been thinking since the day they first kissed.

Finally, the temperature of the water began to waver and they pulled away from the kiss.

“Holy shit, so there is an end to the Harrington water heater,” Eddie marveled as they quickly finished up and turned the water off.

Once they were tucked into bed, Steve reached across the space between them to pull Eddie into his arms tightly. Eddie laughed as he settled, wrapping himself around Steve and sighing happily.

“I love you,” Steve said again, yawning.

Eddie turned his head where it rested and kissed Steve’s chest. “Love you, too, Stevie.”

[AO3 LINK]

[ NEXT FIC ]

I hope you enjoy and please consider reblogging! Taglist! @steddie-there, @patchworkgargoyle, @scarcrossdlvrs, @indigohightide, @steddieas-shegoes, @steve-harringtits, @mylilplanet, @afewproblems, @xenon-demon, @inairbinad, @matchingbatbites

[ladykailitha]

Royal Pain Part 10

Hello! So I’m wondering if people aren’t seeing my posts, I got someone on one these (don’t remember if it was this one or Roads...but they said that somehow they had missed the last three). I also noticed that a couple of the writing tags *I* follow didn’t update when they put out a new part of their story, I only noticed that they put it out because I dig through the #steddie tag several times a day.

So let me know if you’re still seeing my tags or not.

The application process has begun! Just a note on Argyle’s last name. The fandom doesn’t have one for him and they usually don’t give him one. It took a lot of research (the character looks Native American but the actor is an American born to two Mexican parents.) So after some seriously thought I landed on Rivera.

Pt 1 Pt 2 Pt 3  Pt 4 Pt 5 Pt 6 Pt 7 Pt 8  Pt 9

***

The first guy’s name was Keith Langston and he had been learning to tattoo through buying large swaths of pig skin. The guy’s portfolio was entirely of pig skin tattoos.

“Have you ever tattooed human skin or on a live person?” Steve asked looking over the portfolio turning each page slowly. “It can even be yourself. Or even just drawing on yourself?” He added, because that’s how he got into tattooing.

Keith scoffed. “That’s what I’m here for. To tattoo other people. I only go to the best to get my body tattooed.”

Steve smiled. “And who are your favorite artists?”

Keith rolled his eyes. “Like only the greats. Leonard Killgrave, Ollie Peterson, Trent Sullivan. You know, those guys.”

How Steve managed to avoid wincing, he could only attest to years of customer service. Because he had never heard of any of them. And Hopper was no slouch in the social aspect of being a tattoo parlor owner. He knew most of the shop owners and good portion of the artists under them. They weren’t from Indy that was for sure.

And then it hit him. They weren’t from Indy. They were probably from Chicago or New York, maybe even Boston. This prick was traveling out of state to get his tattoos.

“I see,” was all Steve said. They talked some more about Keith’s abilities and where he hoped to be in five years.

“Well, you got to where you are in five years,” Keith sneered. “I fully expect to world renowned in that time.”

Steve’s eye twitched. “Thank you so much for your time.” He handed back the portfolio and didn’t even bother to stand.

Keith stormed off muttering about asshole douchebags who thought they were still in high school.

Yeah, Steve was not hiring Keith.

The next one was Eden Bingham. She was the Goth chick with the fluffy black hair and the piercings.

“Hello,” she greeted as Steve stood up to shake her hand.

“Hi,” he said, “tell me about yourself.”

Turned out she was Suzie’s older sister. She had moved out from Utah to get away from her strict parents and to be closer to Suzie after she married Dustin. Suzie was the one that had told her that he was looking for an apprentice and to try for it.

During the course of the interview, Steve was a little disappointed. Eden was good. Damn good in fact. And had been tattooing her friends and roommates for the last year, indie style. But he knew their personalities would clash so hard. And it wasn’t about the aesthetic. It wasn’t.

But he knew where she would flourish though and made a note to have Robin call Hop. Hop’s most recent apprentice had moved up to a chair and chose to move to Chicago to purse their career there and needed a new apprentice.

He thanked her for her time, stood up and shook her hand.

“Hey, look,” he said gently. “I don’t think you would be happy apprenticing under me.”

She smiled. “Probably not.”

“But I know someone who’s just barely had a spot open up,” Steve explained. “He hasn’t had time to put out feelers yet. I think you’d two would be a better fit.”

Eden’s eyes went wide. “Really? You’d do that for me?”

Steve nodded. “And not just because you’re Suzie’s sister, either. Because I think you’re good and deserve a shot. Even if it isn’t with me.”

“Thanks!”

He walked out with her to get Hopper’s number and address. She walked out talking excitedly to Suzie on the phone.

Robin bumped his shoulder. “That was nice of you.”

Steve blushed. “Hop will love her.” He looked at the remaining two. “Who’s next?”

“Argyle Rivera,” she murmured.

Steve turned to him. “Argyle, come on back.”

Argyle leapt to his feet. “Brochacho! I’m super excited.”

Steve smiled and led him to the back room. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Argyle handed him his portfolio. “I think it’s so cool you asked for a physical portfolio, dude. Most cats only want a link to some website.”

Steve grinned. “I don’t mind those, it’s just harder to talk while scrolling.”

Argyle grinned back. “Yeah.”

Steve opened it up to see the most beautiful Mexican styled tattoos he had ever laid eyes on in his life. Growing up in Hawkins made for a very thin Latino or Hispanic population so he didn’t see much of this kind of work, but he had always admired it.

“This is amazing,” he breathed. “How long have you been doing this?”

Argyle blushed. “I haven’t really done much. I used marker for the most part because permanent isn’t really my style, bro. But I’ve done a couple stick and poke stuff that was fun. And I am all about the fun. So a friend suggested I should try for this.”

“So you’ve never used an ink gun?” Steve asked.

Argyle shook his head. “Nope!”

Steve and Argyle talked for a bit longer and Steve was really impressed with how open and outgoing he was.

“How do you feel about doing tattoos not in your usual style?” he asked. This was the kicker for most artists.

Argyle lit up. “That would be awesome to learn how to do, dude! I love my style but branching out is what life is all about.”

“And how would you feel about starting off only doing simple tattoos, like the small ones or basic designs?” Steve asked.

Argyle’s face spread out into the biggest grin. “Everyone’s got to start out somewhere, my man!”

Steve was really leaning towards Argyle now. Which was too bad, because he really liked the spunky blonde. No, no, not like that.

He led Argyle back to the reception area and then Robin called the last out. “Chrissy Cunningham.”

Steve smiled at her. “Come on back.”

She jumped up and followed him. “You aren’t going to murder me for the no tattoo remark, are you?” she asked with a grin and a wink.

Steve burst out laughing. “If I killed everyone that thought that, Indy would be down three-fifths of its tattoo artist population.”

She laughed too. “Fair enough.”

“And since we’re on the topic,” he said, indicating for her to sit down, “you don’t look the type anymore than I do.”

She grinned. “I got my first tattoo when I sixteen. My mom didn’t want me cutting my hair so much so that I told her either let me cut my hair or let me get a tattoo, she let me get the tattoo.”

Steve’s eyes went wide. “Holy shit! I’ve never heard of that. It’s hair. It grows back.”

Chrissy grinned. “Her words were ‘At least a tattoo could be covered up, I’d have to look at the terrible hair cut!’.”

“That is fucking insane!” Steve said. “Can I see it?”

She nodded and pulled up her shirt sleeve. Steve could see the nine (yes nine, Pluto counts) planets and at the top was a howling fox.

“That’s cool,” he said. “Can I see your portfolio?”

She handed it over and Steve looked at it. She didn’t seem to have a firm style yet.

He found out they had both gone to Hawkins High. “Wait, no way.”

She nodded. “We all knew who Steve Harrington was. The basketball players all wanted to be him and all the cheerleaders wanted to be with him.”

Steve blushed into his hands. “Oh god that’s awful.”

Chrissy laughed. “Well, most of the cheerleaders anyway.”

“Not you?” he guessed.

“Kind of a large lesbian,” she said with a grimace. “Makes it a tad difficult.”

Steve laughed. “Fair enough.”

He talked with her a bit and then led her out like he had done with Eden and Argyle. He said goodbye and locked the door up behind him.

He turned to Robin. “What did you think of them? Be honest. They probably said a whole lot while they were waiting their turn.”

Robin nodded. “Argyle got Eden’s number.”

Steve burst out laughing. “Yeah, okay I needed that. Did he really?”

“Oh yeah,” Robin said. “It was mildly hilarious how well they hit it off. You couldn’t find a weirder couple.”

Steve put his hand over his heart in mock protest. “Have you supplanted our relationship as the weirdest ever? I’m hurt. Hurt I say!”

Robin laughed so hard she snorted. “All right you drama queen, weirdest romantic couple. How’s that?”

Steve beamed at her. “Perfect!”

She laughed again, shaking her head. They talked about the two candidates and both were really good.  

“I don’t want to pick between them,” Steve whined, hitting his head on the desk.

“So don’t.”

Steve lifted his head. “What do you mean?”

Robin licked her lips slowly. “Steve, I’ve been doing the numbers, if we add in the potential of what they can bring in, by the time school starts back up again not only will we have enough to pay for both of them to stay on, but Erica too, and the new receptionist.”

Steve jerked back. “Wait, what?”

She nodded. “I’m not lying, dingus. I’ll swear on it. In fact, we could probably hire the new receptionist by July.”

His eyes went wide. “Really?”

Robin took his face in her hands. “You are open and friendly. First timers and people who are just nervous in general love coming to you because you put them at ease. People who just want to get a tattoo as memorial or just as a one-time thing, love coming to you. There is this whole untapped market that you accidentally slid into and made it your own. We just need more people so you and I can enjoy our lives for a change.”

Steve blinked. “Oh.”

“Yeah,” Robin said. “You are so good at this. Don’t sell yourself short. You deserve this.”

He nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, okay. Let’s do it. Call them both and have them come in tomorrow at nine so that we can go over a few things and have them learn how to open.”

Robin nodded. “Sounds good.” She picked up the phone and started doing just that.

Steve watched her with a growing smile on his face. He had a really good feeling about this summer.

***

Part 11 Part 12  Part 13 Part 14  Part 15  Part 16  Part 17  Part 18 Part 19  Part 20  Part 21   Part 22  Part 23  Part 24  Part 25 Part 26  Part 27  Part 28  Epilogue

I figured as controlling as Chrissy’s mom was in the show about her weight, she would be controlling about the hair too. And ngl this is exactly what my oldest sister did to my youngest niece. It’s hair. It’ll grow back. Nope. The tattoo on my niece’s arm is the one I described here.

Tag List: @spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @artiststarme @swimmingbirdrunningrock @gregre369 @pyrohonk​ @renaissan-vvitch @goodolefashionedloverboi @chaoticlovingdreamer @maya-custodios-dionach @messrs-weasley @val-from-lawrence @plyerice27 @thedragonsaunt @chaoticlovingdreamer @sapphirecobalt-1 @a-little-unsteddie @i-must-potato @danili666 @carlyv @rozzieroos @wonderland-girl143-blog @itsall-taken @justforthedead89 @emly03 @bookworm0690 @aizawa-emma @redfreckledwolf @thesuninyaface @bookbinderbitch @yikes-a-bee @littlewildflowerkitten @scheodingers-muppet @archermightbegay @hallucinatedjosten @ellietheasexylibrarian @anne-bennett-cosplayer @cinnamon-mushroomabomination 

[callmelyc]

You can't really do much for Valentine's in space, especially if your boyfriend is on the other side of the Universe with the BoM.

No one says a word as Lance mopes through the castle. His messages to Keith were left on read, everyone else was too busy, and not even the mice were willing to spare him a stray moment of comfort.

So here Lance is, wandering around aimlessly sulking to himself dramatically. No one else seemed to know nor care what day it was, hell he only knew bc he happened to glance at the earth calendar Pidge made.

Not that is really mattered. Valentine's Day wasn't exactly a holiday people did a whole lot for if they weren't dating, but it made Lance miss Keith all the more.

A couples holiday Lance was sure Keith wasn't even aware of, spent alone in the castle halls on a slow day.

Oh woe is he.

Slowly but surely Lance realizes his feet carry him in a familiar direction. The path so ingrained that even when he yearns for a Keith that isn't there his feet will lead him straight to the other man's door.

Lance pauses before it, contemplating his options.

How pathetic. How rude. He is stronger than this! He's a bad bitch he doesn't need no man! He can totally survive without Keith!

. . .

Lance enters the room.

Simply walking in and existing in Keith's space makes Lances shoulders ease. He hates to admit how much he misses his boyfriend because Lance knows it hurts him when he does. Yet now he's alone looking at everything this man owns wishing he was here by his side.

He takes his time brushing fingers over the growing collection of photos and trinkets they'd finally managed to get Keith to agree to. They say cozily on the side table right in the entry way for him to look at every time he came and went. It had taken time to get the samurai to realize he was allowed to hold onto something no matter how small it may seem.

It started with a picture, a photo of the entire team on one rare day spent together between missions. From there his collection grew with gifts, trinkets, memories he could think back on with love. All gathered by his hands, all heartfelt gifts from the team, from his family.

Lance smiles softly at every single one. It's all proof that Keith was here, proof that he will return, proof that he considered this home.

It's when Lance lays down clutching a jacket Keith left behind that he realizes how special it is to have this space to see while he's gone. He has Keith's space to move in while Keith likely has nothing....

He makes a mental note to gather things to brighten up Keith's blade bunk, maybe it'll help brighten everyone's bunk. Lance has never been inside but he bets it's bland in there. Would Kolivan even allow such a thing? Lance doesn't care if he doesn't, he'll send Keith with things anyways! Maybe if he gathers enough things the whole of the blade can decorate their ship to be a little less doom and gloom–

Through all his thinking Lance tosses and turns in Keith's bed, rolling in his scent that lingers faintly in his absence. He'd be embarrassed but no one was there to judge him. Keith wouldn't ever know and neither would the team and even if they did Lance thinks he has a fair claim to Keith's room. It's his duty as his boyfriend to wallow in his absence! Lance is but a wife awaiting her husband to return from war....only, they're both at war...and–well, that's not the important part.

Lance squirms attempting to get his mind off the schematics. All his dramatics shuffle the blankets and pillows they'd both collected there for prime cuddle time, then, something pokes at Lances back.

He huffs, annoyed that something would dare cause discomfort during his time of pain and suffering.

When he flips over to look at the offending object he sees the sharp corner of an envelope folded up, it peeks just from under the pillow pile innocent in its appearance as if it always belonged there.

Lance slides it free, looking it over carefully only to find his name on the front.

It says nothing else so he opens it to pull free the folded paper inside.

Where would Keith even find paper in space? Not that it's the paper they were used to it's far too thick and oddly velvety but it's a novelty nonetheless.

He unfolds it. It's dated at the top to a time before Keith left and written like an old letter, not one too terribly long but it's even signed off like one you'd see in movies.

No one wrote letters anymore yet Keiths handwriting stares back at him so clearly.

Dear Lance,

I don't know when you'll find this and I don't know when I'll be back so I thought I'd leave something behind just in case. Hopefully you're reading this on Valentine's Day so that if we spend it apart you aren't without a symbol of my love to you.

Lance reads through the words like a dying man in the desert. He doesn't even make it halfway through the letter before the tears start to fall. Keith is so incredibly thoughtful when given the chance to show it and here's the proof right in Lances hands. The man had made sure Lance would know he was his Valentine because he knew how much Lance loved the silly holiday. It's so stupidly sweet itales Lances heart ache for him.

He writes the things he loves about Lance, he writes the way he feels when he looks at him. Keith writes like he's pouring his heart and soul into the papers pulp. As if he's allowing for Lance to hold his heart in his hands.

It's single handedly the most romantic gesture has ever received.

"Stupid...." Lance sniffles "I didn't get to send you off with any proof that I feel the same." He dries his eyes as to not get the paper wet before continuing to read.

You thanked me once, saying you were grateful to have met me, but all I could think was that I should be the one whose thanking you.

You changed my life, Lance. I should be the one thanking you, god, the entirety of the universe- whoever it is that needs to hear it- because I am thankful to have known you in this lifetime. I am thankful to know I will go the rest of my life with memories of you.

I never knew I was capable of love like this. It had always been imaginary before you. I love you Lance McClain, more than you'll ever know.

If your dream is to fly then mine is to watch you soar, to watch you smile,to watch you get everything I can possibly give to you because you deserve the world...no, the universe and if I could gift it to you I would on a silver platter. But, for now this letter will have to be enough, hopefully you can accept that for now sweetheart.

Happy valentines day, know I am always thinking of you.

-Keith K.

Lance immediately grabs his com-device, he doesn't care if Keith will leave him on read, doesn't care if that bastard won't pick up. He doesn't go to pour out his feelings just yet, no, he'll do that to Keith's stupid romantic face, but he does send him a warning.

Sharpshooter: If you don't come back soon I will hunt you down myself

It's marked read not long after. A brief . . . blinks before vanishing.

Samurai: Happy valentines day to you too Lance.

He blinks down at Keith's response, at the first response Lance has gotten from him in days.

"That son of a bitch!"

Nothing else he sends gains a response, every single message marked with that annoying little read checkmark.

OH. Now it's on! Lance thinks to himself as he begins to plot his revenge.

He will not be out romanced and if Keith thinks he knows what's coming? He hasn't the faintest clue.

Happy Valentines Day! 💘

[gilyoungroach]

(screenshot because im dumb lols thank u smmm @soulreapin )

Keith hated missions on humid planets. Especially ones with environments similar to that of Earth's jungles. Sure, he lived in the desert for most of his life, but the desert air was light and dry on most days. Jungles on the other hand were sweaty and moist, the atmosphere weighing heavier than he could bear.

He extended his bayard towards a bush of foliage as he heard a loud groan behind him. It was obvious who it was as he was alone with the last person he'd ever want to be trapped in a moist forest doing physical labor along side.

"I'm dying over hereeee!" The paladin moaned as he dragged his feet through overgrown roots.

Keith snarled in his direction, "We have no choice Lance, just get over it." He felt the same way as the boy, the thick atmosphere really getting to him and pulling at his last strands of patience.

"Keith why can't we go back and play it off as if we came up short!"

"Because this is a mission. Now, help me cut through these damn bushes."

Keith turned back towards the plants that were oozing strange goo more and more with each swipe of his blade. He could pick up small mutterings from behind him--most likely Lance mocking him.

Shoving his arm under a large leaf, parting it to the side he took a step forward but paused when he heard Lance take in a large breath.

"Shiro said to keep our armor on." He reminded sternly, turning to look back at the blue paladin.

Lance groaned as he dropped his helmet to his side, arms resting on his hips. "Can't you give me a break? I'm suffocating in this thing!"

Keith furrowed his brows at how disobedient Lance was being. He could ruin the entire mission with how selfishly reckless he was acting. It wasn't like he was the only one dying. All of the paladins were parted throughout the alien jungle, searching for a strange mineral that the citizens swore was enchanted.

"That's too bad. Put it back on bef-" His scolding was interrupted by a loud yelp.

Lance clapped his gloved hand on the back of his neck as he dropped down to his knees, bayard falling to the floor as well.

"Lance! You idiot what's wrong!?" Keith moved away from the plant he was stabbing, kneeling to Lance's side. The boy had he head dropped down as he groaned.

"I- I don't...something bit.."

Keith resisted the urge to slap himself in the face in annoyance, overwhelmed by concern for the fallen paladin.

"Shiro! Lance was bit by something get over here!" He spoke into the coms, voice filled with worry.

It took a few moments before Shiro's voice buzzed back. "That child..I told you guys to keep your armor on! I'm on my way over with Pidge."

Keith grabbed Lance by his shoulders. "The others are coming. Does it hurt?" The boy didn't respond so he continued, "Lance!" He shook his body.

"Quit shaking me.." Lance looked up at his worried face. "I'm.."

Lance's eyes went from slack to splaying as wide as physically possible. There was a purple trace to his dark brown eyes. Keith waited for him to continue speaking but he just stared as if Keith's face was the only thing left in the world.

"Lance?" Keith spoke, "Are you there?"

Lance visibly gulped as he raised a hand to Keith's face. He wanted to shift away but something in his chest kept him grounded.

"Keith.."

"Lance?"

Lance leaned forward as he let out raspily, "I wanna kiss you." His eyes flitted down to Keith's lips.

Keith's eyebrows shot to his hairline, now painfully aware of their lack of proximity and Lance's burning palm on his cheek. The boy's proclamation left him speechless, and yet he didn't pull away, as if he had been waiting for this moment for his entire life.

He knew deep down he would have swapped spit with Lance at that moment, in the humid alien jungle. He would have thrown his helmet off completely disregarding the possible dangers; He would have done it if it wasn't for the sudden voices from the other paladins' interruption.

"Keith! Lance!" Shiro's voice rang from behind them, and Keith shoved the suddenly love stricken boy away with a careless amount of force.

"What's wrong with Lance?" Pidges question directed all of the paladins' gaze towards the boy who was sprawled out on the floor.

"I don't know.." Keith answered, the blush conquering his face hidden by his helmet.

Shiro squatted down by Lance, lifting him up by the shoulders. "Where was he bitten?" He asked, not looking away from Lance.

Lance on the other hand, was staring at Keith. Their eyes meeting the moment he sat up.

"Earth to Keith..." Pidge spoke, waving her hand in front of his face.

"Oh, he had his hand covering the left side of his neck."

Shiro nodded, investigating the bite. It was a glowing purple, a concerning color for a wound as it could be the sign of a strange alien venom. "We should get him to the castle. Maybe Coran knows what it is." He said as he lifted Lance up, arm over his shoulder.

Lance, ignoring Shiro's aid, threw himself towards Keith like a damsel in distress. All of the paladins had the same reaction--utter confusion.

"Okay, what the fuck?" Pidge spoke first as she watched Lance basically koala himself onto the brooding teen.

Keith sputtered out a response as he held Lance in his arms. "I don't know he's been acting like this since he got bit.." As if Lance acting like this wasn't enough, him acting like this in front of all of their friends.

After many unsuccessful attempts at prying Lance off of Keith, many of which almost ended in someone getting bit, they decided it was best to leave Lance draped over him.

They walked back in silence--well almost silence, because the entire treck back to the castle consisted in Lance whispering sweet nothings into his ear.

"You're skin is so pretty I wanna bite it.."

"Thanks." Keith coughed out.

"I wanna hold your hands, I love your hands they're so large and your fingers are so long..I wanna see them-"

"Lance." Keith sputtered, face growing hotter with each comment.

Pidge stared back at them in disgust and a twinge of the urge to puke everywhere. "What kind of bug even does this?"

--

"It's a love bug!' Coran spoke enthusiastically.

The paladins were sitting at a table waiting for Coran's deduction--most at least. Lance sat in Keith's lap, arms slung desperately over his shoulders. They had left their armor in their hangers, so Keith's red face was left mercilessly on show.

Shiro eyed him with pity, "How long until the effects wear off?"

"That my dear paladins, I cannot answer."

"Why not!?" Keith spat out, his heart rushing faster at the idea of Lance being in love with him for an unknown amount of time, even more so because he had found himself almost liking the new affection.

"Yea! Why not!?" Lance yelled as well, most likely not understanding at all but following whatever Keith had said.

Coran sighed, "The Love Bug changes from plantary system to planatary system, there's no rhyme or reason behind their attributes. We'll unfortunately have to wait."

"So we're waiting until bite to wears off or until Keith dies of embrassment?" Pidge joked, "My votes are on Keith's early demise."

She glanced at Hunk, waiting for him to join in on the lighthearted poking, but instead, his eyes were focused on the blue paladin that was struck by an alien's cupid arrow. His face was cringing painfully with each move Lance made on Keith, as if a guilt was punching him in the gut.

Lance reached a hand up to Keith's jaw, pushing it to face him. "Where are you looking? I'm over here handsome." He purred with a smirked.

Keith felt like puking, not because he was disgusted but because Lance's entire being, every gesture, every love struck smirk, every dilation of his pupil once Keith made eye contact with him, was causing his stomach to flip and flood with butterflies.

"Lance you-"

The love struck boy suddenly craned his face up, landing a huge smooch on Keith's chin, and then another on his cheek.

If smoke could physically burst from his ears, it would have with how much heat Keith's face was producing. His brain spun uselessly as he let Lance pepper more and more small kisses on his face and neck.

"Lance!" Shiro yelled, pushing up from his chair. Pidge started dying with laughter, and to her left, Hunk let out the loudest, stressfilled sigh a human could possibly produce.

--

Quarantine hadn't boded well. They had all mutually agreed to lock Lance in his room until the bug's venom left his system, but it resulted in him wailing for Keith as he pounded and clawed at his bedroom door. It would have been cruel to leave him alone any longer, and with Keith's consent, he was let free.

But Keith was gravely reconsidering the decision as the moment he was out, he latched onto his arm, whispering drunk words once again.

Keith retreated to the training area. He couldn't stand the other paladins watching Lance act like an idiot, especially when Keith was the victim of his idiocy.

"I want to touch you again, please." He begged from his spot on the training deck floor. Keith had forced him to sit down a few hours ago as he set up.

Keith almost got stabbed in the stomach, completely thrown off guard by Lance's pleas. "Lance you can't say that when I'm training. You can't say that ever!" He snarled as he sliced into the metallic abdomin of the training bot, it decomposed into a hologram as the castle announced the next stage.

"But I love you!"

The robots acended from the floor as Keith held his sword firmly, his grip tightening til his fingers turned white. "Lance. Shut up."

"I can't help the way I feel!"

'Yea, because of that damn poison,' he thought in response, charging at the attack simulation.

"Please I just wanna feel your lips on mine! I wanna hold your hand, and hug your waist until the end of time! I wanna-"

"Lance." Keith spoke with ragged breaths, his face covered with an embarrassing red, "Please, shut up."

The castles automated voice silenced Lance's light footsteps, Keith hadn't even realized Lance was walking towards him until he felt warm lips on the back of his neck, revealed by his tied up hair.

A strange concoction of mirth and anxiety shivered up his spine as he spun around to face Lance. "You- I- Stop doing that!" He cupped the back of his sweaty neck that was tingling from Lance's touch.

--

The night didn't go well either. Once again, putting Lance in his room caused a tantrum and destruction so alternatively, Keith let him spend the night it his room.

Another decision that he regretted as the monent he slipped into bed, Lance jumped in with him, arms circling his waist. "Lance, I told you to sleep on the floor."

"How can I sleep so far away from you? It physically wounds me to be apart when you're within my reach."

"..Whatever." He huffed out, shoving his blushing face into his pillow.

Lance pulled their bodies closer together, shoving his face into Keith's slightly damp hair. (He had also asked to take a shower together, but Keith fervently refused the offer) His arms enclosed him, hands teasing the hem of his shirt. Keith felt a scream bubble in his throat but he swallowed it down.

"Sweet dreams my samurai.." Lance spoke with a soft voice as he put his lips on his shoulder one final time before passing out.

Keith, on the other hand, remained awake the entire night, staring at his dark wall until his eyes unfocused. Consciously aware of every movement the boy behind him was making, every breath that hit his nape, every sleeping nuzzle into his hair.

How could he sleep when a man he apparently is criminally attracted to was glued to his back?

The morning came both too soon and took way too long to approach. Keith's eyes throbbed from the lack of sleep, but all the pain went numb when he heard a small grunt from behind him. Lance rose from the bed, rubbing his eyes.

"What..." He slowly grumbled out, his voice a thousand octives deeper from drowsiness. His hands slowly came down from rubbing his face as he eyes shot open, head craning painfully slowly to Keith. "I-"

Keith shoved him off the bed, face red as a tomato. He winced when he heard a loud thump as Lance made contact with the floor.

"Ugh....Keith! What the hell man!?"

He was obviously back to normal.

"Why am I-" He was about to ask but suddenly interrupted himself, "Oh my god..."

Keith watched his slow approach to realization from atop his bed. His face grew even redder as the boy came to remember his mistakes from the past day.

"Keith, oh my god..." Lance's face was matching pigment of blood rushing red, his hands coming up to cover his features. "Fuck oh my god I'm- I'm so sorry."

Keith didn't know how to react. Cry? Laugh? Punch him in the face? All of the above?

Lance stood to his feet as he started pacing around the small room. "Shit. Fuck. Jesus.."

If Shiro was in the room he would have told him to watch his language, but he wasn't. It was just Keith and Lance, alone, left to deal with the aftermath of a strange love potion.

"I don't know what came over me, I just saw you and felt all of my urges lose rationality, the need to hold you, kiss you, touch you, they just exploded! Fuck I didn't mean to, I know you wanted none of that I'm so sorry. You can punch me if you want, actually you don't even need to I'll just eject myself into space-"

"Lance. It's...It's okay." Keith interrupted his spiraling rant, "I didn't...I didn't even hate it...that much.." He admitted, hiding his face with his gloved hand.

"You- I-"

"I'm saying I like you idiot. If anyone should be sorry it's me. I- I took advantage of you when you couldn't even control yourself..." Keith replied, ashamed of his actions.

Lance walked towards him, caging him between his arms as he pointed a long finger back and forth between them. "You. Me. You-"

"I'm sorry.."

Lance laughed, eyes scarily wide open as he tugged on Keith's shirt, connecting their lips together, "I- Fuck I like you too.."

Keith let out a laugh in utter disbelief. "What?"

"I've liked you since I saw that shitty mullet at the Garrison." He laughed again, physically on cloud nine.

"Kiss me again, do it before I throw you." Keith grinned, and before he could continue Lance tackled him, lips crashing into eachother.

The End byebye

>3<

[chrisbitchtree]

Of all the things Billy loves about Steve, how funny he is, how attentive he is in bed, how every Saturday night, he makes Billy’s favourite pasta, how he’s always flexible when plans change, like the time they got halfway to California before Billy broke down about leaving Max, so Steve turned the car around, broke the lease on their new place and endured living with his parents for another six months and grovelled to Keith to get his job back so they could afford to save for a place in Hawkins, what he loves the most is how Steve looks the other way when Billy needs to tell lies for self preservation.

Case in point - Billy went to therapy this morning. That had been Steve’s sole request when agreeing to head back to Hawkins, that Billy go to therapy, to work through his complicated emotions about his parents, his sexuality, and everything related to the Mindflayer and Starcourt. Billy had complied, of course he had. How could he not when Steve was giving up something so major for Billy?

Even though it was one of the most difficult things he’s ever done, Billy goes back week after week, talking to a kind older hippyish woman named Gladys about how it felt to have his mother abandon him when he was nine and his father so thoroughly reject everything about him for basically his entire life. It takes so much out of him, leaving him feeling exhausted but hopeful that he can find peace some day.

His sexuality was easier. It didn’t take long for Gladys to help him understand that there’s nothing wrong with who he is and the love that he and Steve share. It feels amazing to go in each week and excitedly tell Gladys about the dinners he and Steve made together or the hikes they’ve gone on, how they were bold enough to hold hands as they walked the unmarked trails.

This morning they did a deep dive into how it felt to have his father beat the sweet, caring, soft little boy out of him, turning Billy into someone that he couldn’t recognize as himself for a long time. Gladys let him cry for a long time, just sitting there patting his hand as the tears flowed.

He’d finally regained his composure long enough to walk to his car, but the second he’d closed the door and buckled his seatbelt, he’d started again, like his tears were a faucet he couldn’t turn off.

He takes Tuesdays, his therapy days, off work, because being around people after cracking his heart so wide open is too tough. It’s usually a good thing, the time to himself, but right now, he’d give anything to be around other people, to be forced to hold the tears back.

But Steve works until 5, so it’s just Billy sitting alone on the couch, crying on and off all afternoon. He barely manages to stop before he hears Steve’s key in the lock.

Steve finds him there, eyes puffy and rimmed red. He stops and takes the sight of him in for a minute before asking if he’s ok.

Billy’s not ready to fully disclose what he talks about in therapy to Steve. He doesn’t want him to think it’s hurting more than it helps, even if some weeks, that’s exactly what it feels like, so he thinks fast.

“Uh, yeah, it’s nothing. Just Days of Our Lives. Patch and Kayla were…” he can’t even finish the sentence before he’s welling up again.

Steve has to know that’s not what’s trouble Billy. Days is Steve’s show, not his. He’s not going to sit in the living room crying over the domestic troubles of the former marine turned mercenary and the love of his life.

But Steve is good and sweet and kind so he just nods and heads to the kitchen. He returns with a pint of ice cream and two spoons and then sits beside Billy, wrapping him in his arms and letting him cry between bites of the cool, creamy treat.

Some day, he’ll share everything with Steve, but for now, this is enough. More than enough. It’s perfect.