wordynerdygurl

[wordynerdygurl]

🪑

[wordynerdygurl]

Eddie rounds the corner with his drink and stumbles over the threshold when he sees Steve. Steve is wearing the most obscene white shirt- it's just a shirt a mere mortal might say, but Eddie knows better. It's a tight shirt, so tight that even not hard, the nubs of his nipples are pressed against it. So tight, the hair on his chest that runs down to his belly button and runs from that down- Eddie about chokes on his tongue thinking about where it goes- is faintly visible. So tight it looks like his biceps are bulging and so white he looks like a tanned golden God.

Except it wasn't a metaphorical trip. It was a literal trip. Eddie is literally falling as his eyes bless him with the most beautiful image he's going to think about in bed and the shower and- and he's still falling.

But Steve thinks fast and catches him, mostly with his own body. Except Eddie's water spills all over Steve and somehow ends up in Eddie's hair and its just a mess.

And Eddie is going to apologize, already is stammering out apology after apology, when he steps back after he gains footing and promptly goes mute.

Cause that once obscene white shirt is obscener- that may not be a word but Eddie is writing it in the dictionary with the caption "Steve wet t-shirt contest". Because Steve's shirt is now see-through. And because of the cold air and the water, Steve's nipples have started to harden. And his belly button is now visible and Eddie didn't even realize he had a thing for belly buttons but he does for Steve's. Every glorious inch of chest and stomach is visible to Eddie's wandering eyes, God his wants to kiss and bite it.

And Steve is just smirking at him and he should say something damnit anything but all he does is make a noise which Steve will later mimic and laugh about. But for now Steve is smirking and basically shirtless and looking so hot and-

[wordynerdygurl]

please, leave me stranded

written for this month’s @steddiemicrofic prompt “delay, 408 words” | rated: g | no cw | tags: modern setting, meet cute, crush at first sight, singer steve

When Eddie‘s flight is delayed a whole day, he’s left stranded in Chicago.

Maybe not stranded– the airline gets him a room, of course, but now he has sixteen hours to kill, and he’s not gonna spend them in some stupid airport hotel watching cheap TV. It’s only been two hours, and he already feels like climbing the walls.

So he takes a cab to the city, and after some walking around, he finds a bar with live music.

The music is good, not exactly Eddie’s type but the guy singing definitely is.

He’s hot– skin dotted with moles, sweaty strands of hair sticking to his face or pointing every which way, chest hair peeking out of his shirt. He’s also goofy, making faces at the crowd and joking with the band.

Eddie gets a beer and sits at the bar, facing the small stage so he can watch the guy’s set.

Once it’s over, he says hi to a few people before sitting down next to Eddie, waving at the bartender.

Eddie doesn’t know what makes him speak. This guy is probably straight and way out of his league, but he’s in Chicago for only one night, so–

“Hey, man. That was good,” he blurts out, shifting closer to be heard over the chatter and the music.

The guy looks at Eddie, and his breath catches. He’s even more beautiful up close.

Especially when he grins, brushing his hair back. “Thanks!” He tilts his head like a puppy, too adorable for someone so hot. “Don’t think I’ve seen you around.”

“Well, I’m from Indiana.”

The guy’s eyebrows shoot up. “No way! Me too! Robin and I moved here a few years ago.”

He points at a girl at the end of the bar. During his set, she was singing along to his songs, and now she’s talking to the drummer.

“Your girlfriend?” Eddie asks. It’d make sense– high school sweethearts moving to the big city together.

“Best friend,” he corrects, spinning the stool so his knees press against Eddie’s thigh. “I’m not dating anyone. You know, in case you wanted to buy me a drink."

Eddie perks up. “I’d love to buy you a drink, sweetheart.”

“Steve,” he says, scooting closer.

“Eddie.”

“So, Eddie.” Steve props his chin on his palm, fluttering his eyelashes. “What brings you to Chicago?”

Eddie waves the bartender over. “You know, Steve,” he says, smirking. “I’m starting to think it was fate.”

[wordynerdygurl]

This is Eddie. My poor, sweet baby!!

❤️❤️❤️

Forbidden Fruit - Chapter 15

Rating: 18+ minors gtfo

Anyone else need to disassociate right now?? Maybe hide from The Horrors? Here, have a chapter a day early! Chapter Summary: Alone in his heartbreak, Eddie tells Wayne and his band what's been going on. CW: Age gap, broken hearted Eddie, weed, alcohol Pairing: Older!Steve x Younger!Eddie (Single Dad!Steve) Word Count: 2.2k

Chapter 14<<Masterlist>>Chapter 16

It’s been about a month since Steve ended things and Eddie is still as heartbroken as he was when they kissed for the last time.

They haven’t talked at all. It stings. 

He’s been marinating in this heartache alone, day in and day out, and can’t pull himself out of it. He’s been blowing off band practice and their regular Tuesday gigs at The Hideout. He’s been ignoring texts from Will, Mike, and Lucas about getting together for Hellfire. The only person he’s been talking to is Wayne, and that’s just been short conversations about work and the weather. He’s picked up extra hours at the shop just to lessen the amount of time he spends wallowing in his apartment.

There are too many reminders there. Steve’s toothbrush still sits in the little cup on his bathroom counter. His shampoo and conditioner bottles are still in the shower, albeit empty because Eddie used all of it to have the scent of Steve on him. He uses the soup mug every day. The pillow Steve slept on is held tight to his chest every night. 

Eddie’s miserable. He’s never felt so gutted. So hollow. And nobody knew about their relationship, so it’s not like he has anyone to lean on. He’s in this shit alone and the one person he wants to talk to, is the one person he can’t talk to. 

Despite the pain, he still loves Steve. That’s probably why there’s so much pain when he stops to think about it. Love doesn’t just go away. And they didn’t even get a chance to be in it. To drown in those sticky gooey feelings and love each other up like two idiots in a romance novel. 

They barely even had a day. 

He wishes he could be mad. That he could feel anything other than this. He can’t find any anger in himself, though. He gets why Steve did what he did. His kid was hurting, it was his fault, he had to fix it. He can’t blame Dustin either. Poor kid was blindsided seeing the two of them together.

Steve is doing his best to be a good father. Eddie can’t, and won’t, stop him from doing that. Even if his heart has been smashed to pieces in the process. 

His avoidance of other people comes to an end when Wayne puts his foot down and insists Eddie comes over for their usual Thanksgiving together. He shows up at the trailer freshly showered and hoping he doesn’t reek of despair, with a six pack of Hamms and a couple joints.

Wayne welcomes him with open arms and a sturdy pat on the back. “Bout damn time you came around, kid. Been so busy with work you can’t come see your uncle anymore?”

“Sorry Wayne. I’m here now though. Need any help with dinner?”

It’s not the typical holiday spread. It’s been just the two of them for so long that they made their own traditions. Memaw’s meatloaf, canned green beans, and baked potatoes are the staples they make every year.��

Weed for dessert.

Eddie helps him get the food on the table and they crack open their beers, cheers to a trailer park Thanksgiving, and dig in. It’s easy with Wayne. He doesn’t usually pry. Eddie knows he cares, knows his uncle loves him, but the old man respects his privacy and was never one to stick his nose in where it doesn’t belong.

They talk about work and Eddie nods along when Wayne bitches about his football team, when he knows full well that Eddie’s never followed sports. He’s pretty sure Wayne does it just to make him roll his eyes. After dinner they clean up and throw on their coats, head to the old couch on the porch outside, and light up their joints.

They smoke in comfortable silence and Eddie’s feeling more relaxed than he has in the last month, with a full belly and loose limbs. He’s zoning out, staring at the darkening sky, when Wayne pops his peaceful bubble.

“What’s got you so down, son?”

“Huh?”

“Come on, Ed. I may be gettin’ old, but I’m not blind. You’ve been happier than a pig in shit since summer and now all of a sudden you don’t call, you don’t come by, and when I do talk to ya, you sound like someone pissed in your Cheerios. What’s got ya so turned around?”

Eddie closes his eyes and lets his head fall back on the couch. “It’s nothing, Wayne. I’m fine.”

“Bull. I know we don’t do these heart to hearts very often, but I’m here Ed. I can see you’re hurtin’ and I want you to know you can talk to me. What’s goin’ on?”

He sighs and scrubs his face with the hand not holding the joint, and takes another drag. “I was seeing someone. It got serious. And now it’s over.”

“Just like that?”

“Yeah. Just like that.”

Wayne takes another drag and Eddie’s hoping that he’ll let it go. He doesn’t.

“Anyone I know? Need me to crack some heads?”

Eddie snorts and looks over at his uncle. “Nah, no head cracking needed. And uh…” He hasn’t told anyone about it. Eddie’s been dealing with it alone and he’s so tired. He’s with the one person he can trust more than anyone and figures he might as well tell him. “It was Steve. Harrington.”

Wayne makes a face like he’s going through his mental Rolodex of all the people he’s ever met. “Steve…wait, that loud curly haired kid’s dad? Ed, are you shittin’ me?”

”The one and only.”

“He ain’t married, is he?”

“Jesus! No!”

Wayne finishes his joint and stubs it out on the bottom of his boot. “Well that’s a relief. The hell you doin’ screwin’ around with someone twice your age, kid?”

“Ok first off, not a kid, I’ve been a legal adult for three years. And second, he’s not twice my age. He’s 37. We weren’t…we weren’t screwing around. We were together. He was…he was my boyfriend, Wayne.” Eddie can’t stop his eyes from welling with tears. God, he’s so sick of crying. He thought for sure the tears would run out by now.

Wayne sighs heavily next to him. “Can’t say I think it’s a good idea for you to be seein’ someone so much older. Seemed like an alright fella, though. So what happened? Why’s he got ya so torn up?”

“Fuck.” Eddie swipes a tear off of his cheek and takes a deep breath. “We started seeing each other in June. It got serious kinda fast. We had to keep it quiet though so his kid wouldn’t find out. Wanted to wait for the right time to tell him. Then last month…we had this amazing night. He told me…he told me he loved me. Said he was ready to tell Dustin about us. But before we could, the kid just showed up at my apartment the next morning when Steve was leaving. Put two and two together pretty fast. God, he was so pissed Wayne. Screamed at us, rode off on his bike. Steve took off after him. He came over the next day…and ended it.”

Eddie leans forward, bracing his elbows on his knees and cries into his hands. The couch shifts, and Wayne’s work-worn hand is rubbing circles on his back. “He say why he did it?”

“Yeah…yeah uh…Dustin couldn’t handle it. And Steve couldn’t lie to him anymore. His kid has to come first, you know? And I get that. I totally get that, and I respect the hell out of him for being such a good father. Lord knows Al would never do anything to put me first. But god damn, it fucking hurts, Wayne. We didn’t even get a day. Not even a full fucking day to just be with each other and love each other. It’s not fucking fair.”

Wayne scoots closer and wraps an arm around Eddie’s shoulder. He slumps into his uncle and soaks in the rare physical comfort. They love the shit out of each other, but usually it’s in quiet, subtle ways. The one-armed embraced is the most affection he’s gotten in the last month and Eddie soaks it up like a sponge.

“You’re right, kid. It ain’t fair. But sometimes that’s what parents gotta do. When they care, they make sacrifices. Even if it hurts themselves doin’ it. M’sorry you’re goin’ through this, Ed. What’s the old sayin’ though? If you love somethin’ set it free. If it comes back, it’s yours. Ya never know. Things could turn around. I hope for your sake it does.”

Eddie lets that all sink in. He knows the sacrifices Wayne made for him. He doesn’t blame Steve for doing what he had to do. It doesn’t make it hurt any less, though. And the thought of Steve coming back to him…as much as he’d like to believe that could happen, he can’t let himself think it. He can’t break his own heart with that kind of hope.

It’s easier to bury himself work. To try to distract himself from his heartache and try to ignore how fucking shitty he feels. After Thanksgiving he takes on the Black Friday shift that nobody ever wants to work and runs himself into the ground all day until his boss forces him to stop and go home after working nearly 12 hours. 

He gets to his apartment, ready to shower off the grease from the day and stuff himself with Hot Pockets in front of the tv, but his plans are thrown out the window when he sees his bandmates lingering outside of his door. He feels like a dick. He’s been blowing them off since everything happened and really it was only a matter of time until they stormed in and demanded to know what the fuck was going on.

He approaches and they wordlessly step aside to let him unlock the door. They all follow him in and Eddie collapses on the couch in defeat. Jeff and Doug sit on either side of him, and Gareth perches himself on the coffee table in front of him. He’s the baby of the group, but the de facto leader when someone’s being an asshole and needs to be called out.

“You gonna tell us what the fuck is up with you?”

Jesus. Nice approach, Gare. “Do I have to?”

“Yes, you do, dickhead. I get it if you have to work or whatever, but we haven’t seen you for like a month! You never blow off shows, Eddie. So stop fucking around and tell us what the hell is going on.”

This is too much. He feels too raw after his conversation with Wayne last night. Eddie figures it’s probably just easiest to spit it out and get this over with. “I was seeing someone. It ended. That’s it.”

“So what, you’ve just been moping this whole time?”

Eddie shoots him a look. 

Next to him Jeff asks, “It’s more than that, isn’t it?” 

Eddie can’t say it. It hurts too much. He just nods.

“Shit.” Gareth has the decency to look like a scolded puppy. “Eddie, man…it was serious?”

“Yeah,” he croaks. Eddie loses his battle with his stupid fucking eyeballs. Burying his face in his hands, he cries again, this time surrounded by his oldest and closest friends. They wrap him in an awkward group hug and normally Eddie would push them away for being so fucking weird, but today…he’ll take it. 

“Who was it?” Doug asks when the tears finally slow.

“I uh…I don’t wanna say.” He really can’t say is what he means.

Gareth dips his head to meet Eddie’s eyes. “Dude…was it the older guy? You were asking about thirsting after some older dude a while back. It’s him, isn’t it?”

Nat 20 on perception. This fucking kid is too sharp for his own good. Eddie just nods again and slumps back on the couch. None of them thankfully ask any more prying questions about who it is. No way in hell is he telling them. He can’t risk anything getting back to the kids. If they found out through the grapevine that he was seeing Dustin’s dad? He doesn’t want to think about how bad the fallout would be.

His friends stick around for the rest of the night and he appreciates the moral support, even if all they do is order pizza and watch horror movies. Before they head home, they corner him about the missed practices and shows. 

Doug unleashes the puppy dog eyes. “Are you gonna come to practice Monday? We’ve really missed you, Ed.”

Eddie sighs. He can’t hide in his misery forever. And now that his friends know at least a little of what he’s been going through, a distraction other than work does sound like a good idea. “Yeah. Yeah, I’ll be there.”

They all look ecstatic to have their lead singer back. Jeff nudges him and asks, “What about Hellfire? You haven’t been to a session in forever.”

Yeah, that he can’t do. “Um…I think I’m gonna sit that out for a while. Leave it to the kids and all that. I passed the baton on to Will. It’s his now, you know?”

Jeff and Doug look bummed, but accept and hug him goodbye. Gareth is looking at him suspiciously, though. He thankfully doesn’t press any further. Just hugs Eddie and gives him a slap on the back before they leave.

Eddie closes the door behind them and rests his forehead against it. He’s still devastated by the loss of his boyfriend. But it’s a little easier to carry the hurt knowing he’s got Wayne and the guys to lean on.

Chapter 14<<Masterlist>>Chapter 16

Eddie you sweet baby angel.

Taglist is open! Thank you so much for reading! Comments and reblogs are a writer's best friend!

@mrsjellymunson @the-unforgivenn @watermelonmite @micheledawn1975 @renfrisol @themoonagainstmers @ellietheasexylibrarian

[wordynerdygurl]

Imagine Eddie's surprise when he and the boys go to Hooters for wings one night and he sees Steve Harrington for the first time since high school. It's been years, and the guy is as beautiful as ever—veiled in a glow of confidence he hadn't even possessed during his ‘king era.’

Hair a touch longer, somehow looking softer than ever. Lips pink and shiny, and surely tasting of the strawberry lip balm he was always rumored to wear in high-school. Skin tanned and glowing, speckled with freckles and moles just as stunning as the constellations that decorate the night sky. Not to mention the single gold earring, or the stud in his nose. Hell—he even looks like he's wearing mascara and blush.

Jesus H Christ.

He's beautiful.

And then there's the uniform of it all. Because not only is Steve at Hooters, he apparently works there now too.

Eddie's never seen so much of the man's ass before.

He wants to see more.

Helpless but to suddenly turn into a pathetic excuse of a man, Eddie can't even fathom words when Steve approaches their table with a sway in his hips and a flirty smile as he writes his name on a napkin and lays it on their table, introducing himself as their server.

With a valiant effort, Eddie tries his damndest to not look at where he knows Steve has a considerable bulge in his tiny tiny shorts. Though, unfortunately, that allows his eyes to stray upwards to thick chest hair and a gold chain.

Christ alive he's going to die here.

The wink Steve flashes him when he catches him staring makes him think that he might have already. 

Seeing Steve Harrington in the Hooters girl get up really does sound like Eddie's personal brand of heaven.

Chancing a look at Gareth and his dropped jaw, Eddie thinks his friend might feel the same.

Eventually Steve takes their drink orders and Eddie squeaks out a pathetic little ‘thank you’ as he's left thanking the stars above while he's left to watch Steve saunter away. 

What he would give to suffocate in between those thighs.

●

By the time drinks arrive and they order food, Eddie's dick is hard and straining in his jeans. 

The sultry glances, coy touches and the way Steve rasps his name obviously does nothing to help the matter.

He's hardly able to scarf down his wings—too focused on what he'd rather be eating instead.

And apparently he's being obvious, because of course Jeff calls him out saying something about not seeing Steve's ass on the menu. 

The prick.

● 

When it comes time to pay and Eddie thinks he's devised a plan to come here for wings every day for the rest of his life, until Steve's still in those tight little shorts and his balls are dragging on the ground—it’s then that he feels the soft squeeze of Steve's hand on his arm.

When he looks up, the guys are too distracted with trying to pool enough change together to notice the way Steve's looking at him…and…and slipping him his number?

AND SLIPPING HIM HIS NUMBER.

He's too gobsmacked to say anything. 

Let alone when Steve winks at him once again and whispers just loud enough for him to hear. “Call me later. I'll keep the shorts on.”

[wordynerdygurl]

he's a bit swishy

(Get the original on my ko-fi)

[wordynerdygurl]

When Steve was a kid sleeping over at Tommy’s house, he would periodically check in with Tommy’s parents to make sure they (1) still liked him, (2) didn’t want him to go home, and (3) didn’t think he was being loud and annoying.

Very clearly things someone (his parents) had said to him so Tommy’s parents always patiently reminded him that they (1) love him, (2) love when he’s here, (3) think he’s no louder than their boys and he’s definitely not annoying.

He kinda grows out of it as he got older but it always comes back when those boys were up to no good.

Maria Hagan is in her kitchen, scrubbing mud out of one of her son’s cleats when she hears the front door open and then ease shut. Tommy calls in a very measured voice that they’re back from a school friend’s birthday party and are going to bed. This is followed by - “Steve, don’t-“

It’s really the only warning she gets before Steve is next to her, thirteen and smelling like he swam in a pool of beer. She opens her arms and he falls into a hug, asking, “Are you mad at me?”

“Of course not, sweetie,” She tells them, giving Tommy a look when he reluctantly comes into the room. “But you’re grounded. Both of you.”

Maria watches her fifteen year old and his friends act suspicious at the family reunion they’re hosting, disappear, and come back red-eyed and giggly. Ten minutes later, her husband comes up to her and informs her that the kids are high, “Steve asked if I was disappointed in him.”

“Did you say yes?” She asks and gets only silence back. She wouldn’t have been able to say yes either. It doesn’t stop her from calling her husband a, “Coward.”

There’s a fallout in Tommy’s friend group and one less mouth at her kitchen table. She tries not to let it feel like she’s lost a son.

Life goes on. A couple years go by. And then she’s walking out into the emergency room lobby to alert Eddie Munson’s family that he’s going to surgery and - “Steve?”

“Oh, uh. Hi, Mrs Hagan.”

She ignores that he hasn’t called her that since he was five years old because there are cuts on his neck, bruises. He’s dirty and bleeding. She says, “Sweetie…”

And it’s all she needs to say before she has her arms full of dirty teenager. He squeezes her tight, shoulders shaking, asking, “Do you hate me?”

She hugs him right back, “Never.”

[wordynerdygurl]

Literally meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

❤️❤️❤️

Forbidden Fruit - Chapter 14

Rating: 18+ minors gtfo Chapter Summary: Dustin finds out about their secret relationship and doesn't take it well. Steve has a difficult talk with him, and an even harder one with Eddie. CW: Age gap, hurt/no comfort (yet) Pairing: Older!Steve x Younger!Eddie (Single Dad!Steve) Word Count: 2.4k

Chapter 13<<Masterlist>>Chapter 15

Shit.

Steve turns his head and there on his bike, looking confused and hurt, is his son.

“Dustin. What…what are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here?” He looks past Steve through the open door and his expression turns thunderous. 

Steve turns back, looking at Eddie, taking in his red cheeks and messy hair and shirtless torso littered in hickeys, and fuck. There’s no mistaking what this looks like. He whips his head back around, and before he can even try to think of any explanation, Dustin is already screeching at them.

“What the shit is this?! Are you fucking kidding me?!”

“Hey! Language!”

“Fuck your language! Are you serious right now?! What the fuck!”

“Dusty, please. Let me explain.”

“I don’t want to hear it! Fuck you! Fuck both of you!” Tears are welling in his eyes and Steve feels about an inch tall. He’s frozen in the doorway as his son peels away on his bike, taking off down the street.

“Shit.” Steve’s hands are shaking so much his keys are jangling. “Shit! Goddamnit, what the fuck have I done?!” He starts taking off towards his car and realizes the door is still open and Eddie is still standing there. He spins around in a panic, torn between chasing after Dustin and reassuring Eddie that…something. He doesn’t even know what.

Eddie just shakes his head. “Go. Just go. Call me later ok? Or let me know if you want me to come help.”

Steve shakily nods and blinks backs tears of his own. This is so fucked. “I gotta go. I’ll call you.”

He runs to his car and gets in, fires up the engine, and hauls ass down the street. Dustin hasn’t gotten far, he’s only a few blocks away, but Steve follows him making sure he’s ok until they’re at their house. 

Dustin practically throws his bike into the yard and storms up the walkway to the front door. By the time Steve gets there, the door is being slammed in his face. He takes a deep breath and follows his son inside.

“Don’t fucking talk to me,” he shouts as he rushes down the hallway. Dustin’s got himself locked in his room by the time Steve makes it there. He braces himself on the doorframe and his heart is in his fucking throat.

“Dusty.”

“Fuck you! I don’t want to talk to you! Just leave me the fuck alone!”

Steve can tell he’s crying. He closes his eyes and rests his forehead on the door. Why the fuck did he wait so long to tell him? He should have done this months ago. He was being a fucking coward and now his son is so upset Steve’s not sure if he’s ever going to forgive him. They’ve argued before, but Dustin’s never shut him out like this. Never spoke to him like this. He’s got every right to be this pissed. 

Steve backs away from the door, leans against the opposite wall, and sinks down to the floor. “I know you’re mad, but we need to talk about this. I get that you’re not ready, and that’s fine. But I’m not leaving you. I’m not walking away. I’m gonna stay right here until you’re ready to talk to me.”

Other than muffled sniffling and the sounds of things being tossed around the room, he doesn’t hear anything else. After a while, it goes silent. Steve rests his elbows on his bent knees and buries his face in his hands. He’s never fucked up this badly. His life just went from its highest high to its lowest low in no time at all, and it’s like emotional whiplash. For hours he sits there, lifting his head at any little sound he hears, hoping that it’ll be Dustin opening the door, ready to talk. 

It never is. 

When the sun starts setting, he gets up off the floor with a groan and knocks. “Dustin? You need to eat, buddy. I’m gonna make something for us, ok?”

“Go away.”

He sounds so small and Steve fucking hates himself for making that happen. In the kitchen he works on autopilot, getting a pizza in the oven, onion rings in the air fryer, and catching up on dishes from yesterday morning. When the food is ready, he makes two plates and takes them to the hallway with a couple water bottles tucked under his arm. He sets them down and makes himself comfortable on the floor. “Dusty? There’s pizza.”

Silence.

Steve picks at his food. His stomach is in knots. He thought for sure Dustin would be ready to come out by now. He tries a few more times but doesn’t get a response. Just hears some shuffling from the other side of the door that at least lets him know the kid didn’t escape through the window. 

When his back can’t take it anymore, and it’s nearing midnight, he finally gives up for the day. The uneaten pizza gets wrapped up and put in the fridge. He knocks one more time. “Hey bud. If you’re still up I just want you to know I’m going to bed. Food’s in the fridge if you want it. I know you’re mad at me…but I love you, Dusty. Please know that. I’ll be in my room if you wanna talk.”

He’s ignored again, but waits a few minutes just in case. 

Not getting any response, he trudges to his room and gets ready for bed. He feels like he’s been put through an emotional meat grinder when he climbs under the covers. Plugging in his phone, his gut twists again seeing messages from Eddie that came throughout the day. He was so focused on staring at a closed door and listening for any signs of life that he never even thought to check his phone or call his boyfriend like he promised.

Eddie: Hey Stevie. Is he ok?

Eddie: Are you ok?

Eddie: It’s bad isn’t it? Fuck. Do you want me to come over, or should I stay away?

Eddie: Is this a “no news is good news” situation?

Eddie: Sorry I keep texting you, it’s been hours and I’m worried

Eddie: Any updates? 

💕Steve💕: Hey baby, sorry I just saw this

💕Steve💕: He’s been locked in his room all day and won’t talk to me

Eddie: Fuck. I’m so sorry Stevie

💕Steve💕: No, don’t apologize for anything. This is my fault

💕Steve💕: I should have told him sooner. He shouldn’t have found out like this

Eddie: Still, I feel fucking awful. 

Eddie: It’s not just you, I’ve been lying to him too. 

💕Steve💕: This sucks

💕Steve💕: He’s never been this mad at me

💕Steve💕: Fuck, and I was so fucking happy this morning!

Eddie: Ugh me too

Eddie: I’m fucking emotionally drained right now. Can’t imagine you’re any better.

💕Steve💕: Yeah I’m tapped

Eddie: Get some sleep, baby. Try again in the morning. 

Eddie: And call me, ok? I’ll be around all day probably pacing a hole in my floor.

💕Steve💕: I will. 

💕Steve💕: I love you

Eddie: 🥰 I love you too

It’s not until late the next morning when Dustin finally emerges from his room. His eyes are red and puffy and it looks like he barely slept. Steve can relate. 

“Hey. Are you hungry?”

Dustin shakes his head and takes a seat at the kitchen island. Steve sits on the other side with a cup of coffee and just waits. He knows his kid. If he made the effort to come out here and sit down with him, it means he’s ready to talk. Steve just has to give him the space to do it.

“I’m really fucking mad at you.”

It hurts like hell to hear that, but Steve deserves it. “I know. And I’m really sorry, Dusty. I never meant to hurt you. I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

He chews on his lip to keep it from wobbling and Steve can tell he’s fighting back tears. “It’s fucked up, dad. And like…super inappropriate. He’s practically half your age. It’s messed up.”

Steve wants to argue, to defend himself, defend Eddie, but Dustin keeps talking. 

“It’s so messed up. He’s my friend, dad. I looked up to him. Looked up to you. And both of you guys…you fucking lied to me.” 

Steve is up out of his chair the second his son starts sobbing. He wraps his arms around Dustin and lets him cry it out. He’s pretty much feeling like the worst dad on the planet right now.

“How could you do this? What if my friends found out?! What if their parents found out?” Dustin has his face buried in his hands as he cries and yeah, it’s crossed Steve’s mind many times. But he was hoping he could ease Dustin into this. Have him get used to the idea of him and Eddie being together before everyone else knew. 

“Dusty, I’m so sorry. I never meant for this to happen.”

Dustin pulls away and wipes at the tears streaming down his cheeks. He looks so fucking hurt and betrayed. He did that. He made this fucking mess and now his son is more upset than he’s ever seen him. “So you’ll stop right? You’re gonna stop seeing him.”

“...What?”

“You said yourself. You never meant for this to happen so just…don’t let it happen again.”

Fuck. That is absolutely not what he was saying. He never meant for this to happen. Dustin finding out like this. “Buddy…it’s not that simple-”

“Of course it is! This is fucked, dad! Just stop seeing him, and it doesn’t have to be a fucking problem anymore. I can’t…I can’t be ok with this.”

Steve is speechless. He did not think this is how the conversation would go. He had no intention of breaking things off with Eddie. He’s so fucking in love with him, the thought never crossed his mind. But…now his kid is looking at him like his whole world is falling apart and what the fuck is he supposed to do? He’s already spent the last four months lying to him and sneaking around behind his back. He can’t do that again. 

His own father was a lying piece of shit, and he promised himself he would never be like that. But here he is. Breaking his son’s heart for his own selfish reasons. It’s not fair to him. None of this is fair to any of them. He loves Eddie. He really loves Eddie. But his own flesh and blood will always come first. 

“Ok. Yeah, ok…I’ll uh…I’ll talk to Eddie. Tell him it’s over.” Steve has to choke back his own sob as he forces the words out. 

Dustin gets up off his chair and throws his arms around Steve's middle. He returns the hug and rests his head on top of Dustin’s curls. “Thank you. And please…don’t ever lie to me again.”

Steve squeezes his eyes shut to stop the tears. “I won’t, Dusty. I promise.”

The drive to Eddie’s apartment is surreal. When he parks out front, he takes a few minutes to breathe. He feels like he’s going to pass out. But it’s not like he can put this off forever. He gets out, approaches the door, and knocks. There’s some shuffling from the other side, and when it opens, Eddie is wide-eyed and looks like he barely slept himself.

“Stevie. Baby, are you ok? How did it go?”

He ushers Steve inside and wraps his arms around him as soon as the door closes. This is going to be the hardest conversation of his life.

“Eddie…can we talk?”

His boyfriend pulls away and looks over his face. His jaw clenches and he nods. They take a seat next to each other on the couch and it’s quiet for a minute while he tries to find the words.

“Steve. Just tell me.”

The tears start falling as soon as he looks up at Eddie’s dark eyes. “I’m so sorry. Baby, I’m so sorry.”

Eddie shakes his head and his chin starts to wobble. “No…Stevie, please. Don’t do this.”

“I have to,” he chokes out. “This is the last thing I want to do, but Dustin…god, Eddie, he’s so fucking upset. You didn’t see him, ok? I really fucking hurt him.”

Eddie takes a shuddering breath and his face crumples. “But I love you. You told me you loved me, too. That meant everything to me. We can’t just throw this away.”

Steve holds his face in his hands and tries to wipe away the tears that start running down Eddie’s cheeks. “I do love you. I do. I don’t want to end this, Eddie. But as much as I love you, my kid will always come first. I lied to him…I went behind his back…and I really, really hurt him. I can’t do that again. I have to make things right with him.”

“I know,” Eddie says quietly. “I know he comes first. You’re a great dad, Steve. God, this is so fucked. I don’t want to let you go.”

“Neither do I. But he can’t handle this. He’s so fucking mad at me. He doesn’t want me seeing you anymore, and I can’t lie to him again. I can’t sneak around and risk him finding out. He would never forgive me. He’d never trust me. I don’t want this to end, baby…but…it has to.” He breaks into a sob and Eddie pulls him in close.  They’re soaking each other’s shirts with tears and Steve fucking hates himself for breaking both of their hearts. He hates that he doesn’t have any other choice.

“Can we still talk?” Eddie asks into his shoulder. “Can we still be there for each other?”

Steve has to answer honestly. “I don’t know. I might need some time for things to calm down with Dusty.”

Eddie just nods and holds Steve tighter.

When their tears start to slow and they’re able to let go, Eddie walks him to the door. Steve takes a good long look at him, his big watery eyes, his flushed cheeks, his pouting lip. Steve loves him so much. This is killing him. “I’m so sorry, Eds.”

“Will you…will you please kiss me? Just one last time?”

Steve never thought a kiss would hurt so much. As he presses his lips to Eddie’s, so soft and gentle, it feels like a knife is twisting in his gut. “I love you, Eddie.”

“I love you too, Stevie.”

He steps through the door and when it closes behind him, his heart shatters hearing Eddie’s sobs through the wood barrier. Twice in the last 24 hours he’s been responsible for hurting two of the most important people in his life.

Steve gets into his car, closes the door, and cries harder than he ever has before.

Chapter 13<<Masterlist>>Chapter 15

I'm so sorry!!! I promise I'll make it better!!

Taglist is open!

@mrsjellymunson @the-unforgivenn @watermelonmite @micheledawn1975 @renfrisol @themoonagainstmers @ellietheasexylibrarian

[wordynerdygurl]

In a Deep Sea of Blankets

Written for the @steddiebingo prompt “company” and inspired by the @stmarchmm prompt “nests” | wc: 1,965 | rated: T | cw: none | tags: Steddie, Alpha Eddie, Omega Steve, Dustin Henderson, alpha/beta/omega dynamics, hurt/comfort, trauma and alpha drop recovery, found family, domestic fluff, scenting, cuddles galore

This was inspired by @alwaysurvalentine’s tags on As You Fall All Around, requesting lots of cuddles and a dog pile with Dustin.

———

The drive from Reefer Rick’s place to Steve’s house seems to take forever, mostly because it’s hard for Steve to actually operate a vehicle with Eddie clinging to him. With Robin crammed in the back with the pups, they have the front seat to themselves with plenty of room for Eddie to curl up beside Steve, his nose tucked securely against Steve’s scent gland.

The Alpha is quiet in the aftermath of his drop. It’s like the events of the past twenty-four hours have hit him all at once and Eddie doesn’t have the energy to do anything but breathe in his Omega’s soothing cinnamon-sugar scent. It’s a comfort to Steve, too, having his Alpha so close— the steady rhythm of Eddie’s exhales against his skin, the firm embrace of Eddie’s arms around his waist, the press of their bodies warm even through their clothes.

They stay close while Steve herds everyone into the house, holding Eddie’s hand as he guides him upstairs, down the hallway, through Steve’s bedroom and into the en suite. It’s an awkward journey; Eddie is capable of walking, just not particularly interested in doing so if it requires him to lift his head away from Steve’s neck and look where he’s going.

Steve can be patient. It’s easy when he remembers Eddie shaking and whimpering in the throes of his drop, remembers that he would do anything for his Alpha to never have to feel that way again.

He turns on the shower and strips away Eddie’s clothes. Excavating layers of leather and cotton, peeling away the lingering dirt and sour sweat clinging to the fabric, it’s a relief to scent Eddie beneath it all. His smell isn’t fully back to normal, more of a smoldering log than a roaring campfire, but it’s lost the sickly edge of distress.

“You gonna join me?” Eddie rasps.

Steve almost cracks a joke, but there’s still something raw in the way Eddie is watching him— a little uncertain, almost embarrassed— that stops him. “Of course,” he says instead, already undoing the fly of his jeans.

It’s one of the more efficient showers they’ve shared, more focused on actually getting Eddie clean than on enjoying each other’s wet and soapy bodies. Steve might prefer this, if he’s honest: Eddie relaxing under Steve’s hands as he messages shampoo into his scalp, his burnt wood smell blooming beneath unscented soap. It taps into Steve’s lifelong craving for domesticity. After so much time spent alone in an empty, echoing house, it soothes him to have someone else sharing his space and letting him care for them.

Somehow, Steve resists the urge to kiss him until they’re dried off. Eddie is stepping into a pair of boxers fresh from Steve’s drawer, hair dripping despite the towel wrapped around his shoulders, and Steve just has to grab the edges of the towel and pull him in until their lips meet.

“What was that for?” Eddie asks when he pulls away.

“Just because.” He’s not sure he wants to explain why the mere sight of Eddie in his house does it for him, if he could even articulate it. Instead, he presses another kiss to Eddie’s lips, then his cheek and his temple, and finishes with a final peck on the lips when Eddie leans into the touch. It almost hurts how tender Eddie can make him feel; how much he makes Steve want to bundle up Eddie in his clothes, keep him safe and warm in his nest and never let him leave.

Maybe that’s not a feasible solution in the long term, but he can have it for now.

He gently steers Eddie in the direction of his bed, wet hair and all, with a minor detour to his dresser for some clean clothes for both of them. Then they crawl under the blankets of Steve’s bed, which already smell like them, and Eddie curls up with his head on Steve’s chest, and Steve feels like he can breathe again for the first time since he entered the boat house.

Eddie feels the same, if his long, satisfied sigh is anything to go by. He burrows more firmly into the familiar contours of Steve’s body, easily fitting them together even while half-asleep. Steve’s hands comb through Eddie’s hair in a steady rhythm that matches Eddie’s breaths as they get deeper and slower.

Steve’s eyes grow heavy, too, weighed down by the warmth of his Alpha in his nest and the comfort of his woodsy scent mixing with Steve’s own spicy sweetness. As it always does when Eddie is around, something settles in Steve’s chest. It’s like a puzzle piece snapping into place, a key fitting neatly into a lock, overflowing the spaces within Steve that he thought were too deep to ever be filled.

He doesn’t let himself fully fall asleep, just drifts in the calm space where he’s just barely aware of his surroundings. His Alpha is there and they’re cozy and safe, and that’s all that matters. If it were up to Steve, they would stay like this forever. No Upside Down, no murders, no hiding, just holding each other until they both rotted away.

All thoughts of peace rush from his mind like the tide when he hears a knock on his bedroom door.

“Steve?” The gentle lisp is clearly Dustin’s but he sounds quieter and more unsure than Steve has ever heard him.

“Come in,” Steve tells him, strained as he tries to project his voice across the room without disturbing Eddie.

Dustin’s head peeks around the edge of the door to make sure the older boys are decent. He must be satisfied with what he sees, since he doesn’t hesitate to enter and shut the door behind him. “He’s asleep?” he asks, tilting his head in Eddie’s direction.

Eddie hums in denial, though it’s not coherent enough to make much of an argument.

“Mostly,” Steve confirms. “He dropped pretty hard.”

“But he’s okay now?” Dustin presses. He shifts his weight from one foot to the other— uneasy, guilty.

It makes Steve’s chest ache. Eddie may be his Alpha, but Dustin has been part of his pack for years. His instincts itch to comfort the pup and pull him into the nest where Steve and Eddie can both look after him. “C’mere.” Steve holds out the edge of the blanket closest to Dustin, gesturing for him to come join their cuddling.

“Are you sure?” he hesitates.

“Eddie won’t mind. He’ll barely notice you’re here.”

Dustin toes out of his sneakers and slips into the nest on Steve’s other side. He smells warm and vaguely sweet in the way Steve associates with all of his pups, complementing his and Eddie’s scents in a way that just feels right.

Dustin seems to agree, considering how easily he snuggles against Steve. He mirrors Eddie’s position so both heads of messy curls rise and fall against Steve’s chest with each breath he takes. The resemblance is so striking that Steve can almost pretend that Dustin is really their pup, just for a second– a smaller Dustin, with that same glorious hair and Eddie’s curiosity and Steve’s attitude, could easily be mistaken for their biological child. God, Steve wishes.

It must bleed into Steve’s scent, that hint of wistfulness that almost tips into melancholy. Dustin whines into Steve’s chest when his cinnamon-sweetness goes a little sour.

“Hey, no.” Steve wraps his free arm around Dustin’s back, rubbing soothing circles through his shirt. “We’re okay, bud, it’s okay.”

“Are you mad at me?”

It’s so abrupt that it takes Steve’s breath away, like a punch to the gut. “What? No, why would I–?”

“I shouldn’t have reacted like that when you called Eddie ‘Alpha.’ That’s probably why you didn’t tell us, huh?” It comes out muffled with how close he’s pressing himself against Steve’s side. “You knew I would be a little shit about it.”

Steve hugs him tighter. “You’re always a little shit. It’s kind of your thing,” he says teasingly, trying to lighten the mood. “But that’s what we love about you.”

“I just wish you didn’t feel like you had to hide it, you know?”

And that’s a whole other can of worms that Steve doesn’t think he can open tonight. He and Eddie would mostly be accepted as an Omega and Alpha couple, even in a town as small as Hawkins, but… He can’t help but remember how his father had reacted when he presented, how he’d introduced Steve to so many Alpha daughters of his coworkers over the years since. There were expectations, still, even if they went unvoiced, and there would be consequences if Steve couldn’t meet them.

He tries to explain without explaining, “We weren’t hiding it from you. We just wanted to keep it to ourselves for a while, just the two of us.” It’s not a lie.

“And he makes you happy?”

“Yeah.” Steve can’t suppress his smile, not that he would want to. ‘Happy’ feels like too small a word for everything Eddie makes him feel. Steve wants everyone to know how much he loves him, what a good Alpha he is, all the little things he does to make Steve feel safe and cared for. Despite their superficial differences, they understand each other in a way nobody else ever has. “Yeah, he does. I hope I make him happy, too.”

Dustin nods to himself. For a long moment, he’s quiet enough that Steve thinks he might have fallen asleep until he admits, “I was scared. For both of you.”

Steve blinks against the memory of Eddie, broken bottle in his hand, half-feral and snarling at one of their pups, smelling wrong and trembling in Steve’s arms. “Yeah. I was, too.”

“Me, too.” Eddie makes both of them jump when his hand settles on Dustin’s shoulder, brushing across Steve’s belly on the way.

“Jesus.” Steve tries to stifle his smile but it’s hard when Dustin is giggling into his armpit and Eddie is patting them both, clumsy with drowsiness. “Go back to sleep, you idiot.”

“Nooo,” he whines. “Two of my favorite people are here, and I don’t wa–” A massive yawn cuts him off mid-word. “Don’t wanna miss out on the action.”

They’ve all had more than enough action for one day, Steve thinks, but he gets Eddie’s desire to be a part of everything. It’s one of the things he loves about him. “I promise we’re not doing anything fun. Just rest, sweetheart.” He rubs his chin over the top of Eddie’s head, comforting and scent-marking him all at once.

“You’re gonna stay here, right?” Eddie sounds nervous and embarrassed about it.

This is why Steve never wanted to tell him about the Upside Down. He didn’t want Eddie to know that fear, the kind that makes darkness darker and silence louder and keeps you awake even while it drains you of any energy you had left. Now Eddie not only knows about it but has seen it, and there’s nothing Steve can do to fix it.

Before Steve can respond, Dustin snorts. “It’s his house, dipshit. Where else would he go?”

Part of Steve wants to be horrified but a much bigger part is relieved when Eddie starts to laugh. His punch-drunk giggles are so normal, like this is just another sleepover with the two of them huddled under Steve’s blankets, enjoying each other’s company too much to go to sleep.

“I’ll be here,” Steve reassures him anyway. “But feel free to kick Dustin out whenever you get sick of him.”

Dustin squawks, affronted, and Eddie laughs even harder and tucks his nose against Steve’s scent gland. Steve, feeling warm inside and out, pulls them both a little closer and lets their presence lull him to sleep.

[wordynerdygurl]

Wizard worm just emerged from a wizarding hole! Lucky you!!!✨🪱🪄🍀

[wordynerdygurl]

Wizard worm just emerged from a wizarding hole! Lucky you!!!✨🪱🪄🍀

[wordynerdygurl]

18+ MDNI!

bestfriend!eddie fucks you

it’s hot and tight where eddie’s thick length stretches you open, your slickness coating him more and more with every careful stroke he makes.

his hand is spread wide on your inner thigh, cold metal rings mark your skin as he keeps your leg pushed back enough to let more of himself sink in. you swear can you feel him growing bigger inside of you- pulsating and hard, his tip is a cherry red as it fucks itself further into your warmth, making himself right at home.

“you’re- so fuckin’ soaked, baby.” his voice is strained and his face holds a grimace that tells you he's doing his absolute best to hold it together and not totally blow his load- it'd been hardly a few minutes of kissing you and he's ready to go. so lovesick it's pathetic.

seating himself as deep as he can, he finally halts any movement until he's sat cozy and snug inside of you, right where he belongs. "feel so full, eds. your dick's so big- fucking me so good, baby." your leg twitches where you wrap around his waist, locking him into place. you're no less lovesick or pathetic, either.

"i've barely got to fuckin' you yet, sweetheart," he purrs, cupping your face with his free hand.

"so- good." you babble on while he lowers himself to leave kisses on your neck, stroking your cheek with his thumb, it somewhat helps to ground you to earth.

it's when you start to let out more of those sweet sounds that he starts to lose some of that self-control; you tug at the hair on the back of his neck while his sucks a mark onto your skin causing you to whine out "eddie, please!" you feel him twitch inside of you, and he lets out a noise that sounds like a growl, when he happily relents and begins to pound into you. "shit. think i can fuck some more pretty moans out of you, baby? get you all loud and riled up for me, hmm? let me make you my pretty girl and cover you in my cum. that okay?"

"yes, eds. want it all from you, need it all," you croak out, "always wanna be your pretty girl."

and it doesn't take long for you to unravel one another; between his feral thrusting and dirty words- your moans spurring him on and tits bouncing right beneath him. he makes sure you come first, and after your intense release, feeling heavy and hazy- eddie gets his wish and paints your pretty body with his cum.

"my sweet girl," he pants out, kissing your shoulders and chest while you lie in your blissful haze, safe in his strong hold and warm embrace. "thank you, thank you, thank you. my perfect girl. always my pretty girl, no matter what, sweetheart."

[wordynerdygurl]

Steddie where Steve and Eddie are childhood friends because Wayne used to work for the Harringtons and the two boys end up growing up together.

It’s all good and well whilst they are kids. Steve’s parents don’t mind their friendship because they are sure the boys will eventually grow apart as time passes and their different upbringings become more obvious.

The problem is that their friendship just gets stronger with time and, by the time they’re in High School they’re inseparable and Steve’s crush on Eddie is so embarrassingly obvious anyone with eyes can see it.

The Harringtons are not happy when they realize their son is getting way too close to the Munson kid, and things get ugly when Richard Harrington is made aware that most of Hawkins believe Wayne’s nephew is queer.

They send Steve away. Send him to a boarding school in New Jersey, where Richard’s mother lives, and don’t even give him a chance to say goodbye to anyone.

Their efforts are useless, though.

Steve finds a way to keep in touch with Eddie by sneaking out of school to send him letters. The school eventually finds out Steve is sneaking out and contacts his grandmother, his closest family, to let her know what’s happening.

When she asks Steve about it, he tells her everything. He tells her his parents sent him away because they found out he had feelings for another boy and people around town were saying shit behind his back, that his father didn’t let him say goodbye to any of his friends and that he’s lying to everybody that Steve got a scholarship in some fancy school.

“Dear Lord, I knew Richard was a dumbass, but I had no idea how much.”

And that’s how Steve ends up getting his grandmother’s help and they come up with a whole plan so he can keep sending his letters to Eddie without his father knowing.

By the time Steve graduates, he and Eddie are happily dating. They elope as soon as both of them are free from High School, and only Wayne and Steve’s grandmother get the courtesy of knowing their whereabouts.

[wordynerdygurl]

GUYS, it's all there! Every scene!

[wordynerdygurl]

Here’s the thing about natural—or unnatural, as it were—disasters.

Regular social norms go right out the fucking window.

In Tommy’s case, all it took was to see one news report, highlighting the burning husk of Starcourt, for him to turn to his girlfriend and ask “Do you think…?”

He didn’t bother to finish his sentence.

Didn’t need too—Carol immediately and instantly knew what he was on about.

They were in Tommy’s house, but that didn’t matter. Carol went right for the phone like she owned it (or like she’d been practically raised in said house given she’d known Tommy since he was seven, which meant she might as well own it.)

“He’s not answering.” She reported after a tense moment,

Tommy bit his lip.

“Think he’s still messing around with Wheeler enough to be at her house right now?” He asked, but it was a hail mary and they both knew it.

Carol rewarded his stupidity with a flat stare. “He’s not dating anyone right now, he’s person non grata with that hideous uniform.”

And for other reasons, not that either of them bothered to voice it all.

Tommy opened his mouth again, no doubt to ask something else idiotic in his growing panic, but was stopped by a finger held loftily in the air.

Carol expertly dialed with her other hand, before once again returning the phone to her ear.

This time she got someone.

“Hi Miss Maple, is Mindy home?” 

A pause, and then a rapid-fire back and forth took place, in which Carol:

Assured Miss Maple she was not at the mall.

Was happy to know Mindy was also not at the mall.

Made an appropriate gasping noise upon finding out Mindy had left only an hour before the mall had caught fire and could she talk to Mindy? Pretty please? This is so scary!

--Until Carol was finally connected to Mindy herself.

“No, I'm glad you’re safe.” Carol was saying, after another exchange that to Tommy, felt like some kind of over-complicated girl language where they both made soft reassuring noises until they finally got down to business.

Which in this case, was asking if Mindy saw Steve Harrington, their wayward third, at the mall.

“He was there.” Carol confirmed a scant few minutes later, frown slashing across her face as she hung up the phone. “She said he had the closing shift.” 

Tommy panicked harder. 

“What do we do?”

Carol, bless her, gave him the easiest answer in the world. 

With steel in her eyes, she calmly determined: “We go get him.”

They did.

xXx

Steve was not at the mall. 

One of his obnoxious children was however, and insisted Steve was both fine and had gone home. 

(As if anyone was ever fine after escaping out of a burning building.) 

Lucky for Carol’s temper and Steve both, that proved to be true. 

 “Hello Steven.” Carol greeted the second one of the Harrington’s double doors swung open. “You look like shit.” 

“‘Ro?” Steve asked in blatantly disbelief, squinting at her. 

Give how fucked up one of his eyes was, Carol wouldn’t be surprised if he honestly could’t make her out. 

Steve’s messed up face moved to the left with another blatant squint before he warbled out: “‘Tommy?” 

“Yes, yes, it’s us. Move over.” She flicked her hands into a “shoo” gesture, as Steve dutifully stepped back, allowing them in. 

“What are you doing here?” He asked, somehow managing to sound normal for that one singular line. 

Carol beelined right for the cabinet with the medkit, while Tommy went for the fridge. 

“Taking care of you, idiot. How the hell did you get a black eye in a mall fire?” 

Or choke marks, or any of his other wounds she’d taken in at first glance, none of which looked to be a burn. 

It took a long, long moment for her to get an answer, during which Steve had trailed them both to his kitchen, confused but not fighting their presence.  

“Part of the building collapsed. I--there was--” He struggled for a moment, looking lost in his own kitchen. “A lot happened.” 

“No shit.” Tommy snorted, wrapping a  hand towel around an ice pack before dutifully handing it to Steve. 

“Put that on your eye.” He muttered, when all he got was a blank stare back. 

“Oh.” Steve stared at him, without moving. “Thanks.” 

With another loud snort, Tommy shoved it in his hands, then forced Steve to actually put it against his eye. 

An interaction that did not bode well for the state of Steve’s head. 

“Take that disgusting shirt off.” Carol commanded a few seconds later as she finished laying out medical supplies on the counter. Lined them up like little soldiers gearing up to ship out. 

Bandages, neosporin, alcohol wipes and various other little bits and bobs weren’t going to fix whatever the hell happened to Steve, but given his aversion to hospitals, Carol knew this was as good as she was getting. 

“Buy me dinner first, jeez.” Steve grumbled, but thankfully, complied. 

Or tried too, anyway--he seemed to be reluctant to take the ice pack off his eye now that he figured out that's where it should go, and equally seemed to be having issues raising his arms above his shoulders. 

Carol sent a pointed look at her boyfriend, then jerked her eyes in Steve’s direction when the idiot just stared at her. 

“Let me help you.” Tommy said a moment later, right before Carol decided to throw something at him. 

It took them both a minute, during which Carol rolled her eyes twice at their incompetence, but eventually they managed to get Steve’s busted torso out in open air, and the ice pack firmly back on his eye. 

Carol turned to survey the damage, and nearly dropped the bandages she was holding in shock. 

Tommy too seemed at a loss for words, eyes wide at the sheer amount of bruising. 

Steve was a mess.

More than, a mess--this was the worst state Carol had ever seen anyone in, and the fact that he was on his feet still was a fucking miracle. 

‘Staring won’t fix it.’ Carol told herself harshly, and she knew damn well Steve wasn’t going to fix it either unless someone forced him. 

Hence of course, why they were there. 

“Steven Harrington, did you run from the paramedics?” She demanded, as she finally picked her first weapon (a disinfectant wipe) and strode over to begin her battle. “There is no way they let you go looking like this!”

“They had other priorities.” Steve said defensively, then hissed as Carol got to work. 

“You should have been one of said priorities, idiot!” 

Tommy thankfully, had decided to make himself useful by retreating to the other side of the kitchen and pulling various items out of the fridge and pantry. 

Inbetween her runs for more supplies and hissing insults at how fucking stupid Steve was, Carol identified the makings of grilled cheese sandwiches--their little groups go to favorite. 

Which was good, because it both got him out of the way and meant they could get something in Steve’s stomach before she forced every pain pill she had down his throat. 

“I’m fine guys, really.” Steve protested, as if constantly repeating it would somehow make his words true. 

Carol stared deep into his watery eyes, before jabbing a finger into the center of the largest bruise on his side. 

“Carol!” He howled, bending double and away, panting harshly. 

“That,” She informed him with a pitiless stare, “was for lying.” 

Thankfully the damage wasn’t as bad as she first thought--it seemed to be mostly just bruises. 

Possibly a cracked rib or two, at worst. 

The worst of it was Steve’s eye, and of course, his head, because there was no way he didn’t have a concussion amongst all this. 

(Only time would tell how bad it was.) 

When Steve was as doctored up as Carol could make him, she promptly turned and frog marched him to his parents' overstuffed couch.

“Sit and stay sitting, while I clean up.” She ordered, not waiting to see if Steve would obey. 

She passed Tommy on her way back to the kitchen, a plate piled high with food in his hands. 

“Make sure he takes at least a few bites.” She added, low enough so only he heard. 

He nodded, and for the first time since the three of them had fallen out, Carol felt something in her finally relax. 

Figured it was likely the same for the boys, given their dynamic had always been something one step away from a normal friendship. 

(it wasn’t the relationship her mother had once accused her of having, though granted, they had tested those waters once, but something that sat in between ‘family’ and ‘mutual ownership.’ 

Losing Steve had carved something hollow in her and Tommy both. She’d put on a good show of not caring. Pretended it hadn’t cut deep. 

Getting even a taste of it like she was? 

Carol wasn’t letting him go again.) 

Cleaning up took a minute, long enough hopefully, for the pain meds to kick in, and she didn’t feel too guilty when she came back into the living room and collapsed on the couch, next to Steve (and thus putting him in the middle, between herself and Tommy.) 

He didn’t say anything at first, just leaned into her the second she sat down, like he’d been waiting for her to return. There was a pause, like he was bracing to be pushed off, but when she scooted closer, the tension left him in a silent exhale. 

“I missed you.” He whined softly into her shoulder.

She ran her nails through his hair, silently bemoaning the state of it. “We missed you too, Stevie.”

“I want to be friends again but,” Steve sighed, and Carol watched Tommy tense, staring at Steve with such intensity one would think Steve was about to announce whether Tommy would live or die.

(Honestly, her boys were so stupid sometimes.)

“We can't be mean anymore.” Steve finished. “Not me—but also not, not you guys.”

With an (unfortunately) adorable wrinkle of his nose, he added, “We were too mean.”

Carol rolled her eyes, but only when she was certain Steve was paying more attention to her sweater than her face.

“Compromise. I’ll only be openly mean to people who deserve it.” She countered, as Tommy finally relaxed.

“I can be nicer.” He agreed, slowly sinking down into Steve’s other side.

“Way less mean. No--no more pranks or insults.” Steve continued.

Carol nodded. “Not in public.” She agreed. 

She was not giving up her own personality in private, thank you very much. If that made her an asshole that was fine--it wasn’t like she hadn't been told she was nasty before this. 

“And I’m friends with Robin now. So you hav’ to be friends with her too.” 

“Buckley?” Carol made another face, and knew she fucked up when Steve instantly tried to sit up.

“Robin Buckley. She’s really cool, and--” He started, with that kind of stubbornness Carol knew all too well meant he’d made up his mind and would refuse to change it.

“Fine, fine!” She said quickly, though not without an eye roll. “You have got to stop adopting weirdos though. The kids are enough.”

Steve slowly laid back down. 

“You know about the kids?” 

“Steve Harrington, town babysitter?” Tommy said, something teasing threading through his voice. “Everybody knows, man. You give so many rides home your beamer has gained several bus themed nicknames.” 

“Huh. I hadn’t noticed.” 

“Of course you didn’t.” Carol snorted, before laying her cheek atop Steve’s head. Tommy cuddled up close to his other side, the same way they all used to before their parents started insisting their cuddle piles were “inappropriate.”  

(That hadn’t stopped them. Nothing had stopped them, until Steve had a crisis of consciousness while dating Wheeler. 

It was only half the reason Carol wanted to put her head through a wall.) 

“That’s what you have me for.” She informed him. 

“Yeah.” Carol could feel Steve’s smile, gentle and radiant as always. “Guess I do.”

A nice, perfect moment followed, the one she knew both her and Tommy had been craving. 

Steve, of course, was a creature who required constant reassurance because his awful, neglecting parents never provided any, and she was prepared when he fought against both his pain and sleep to seek it. 

“You guys promise to be nice to Robin? And Nancy, and Jonathan?” He asked it quietly, like he wasn’t sure what they'd do if they said no. 

“Oh God,” Tommy moaned, “I have to be nice to Byers?” 

 Steve stiffened once again, snapping out; “Yes--” 

“We promise, Steve.” Carol interrupted before Tommy’s giant fat mouth could ruin things.  

She moved a hand down to rub gently at his neck, a soothing gesture. 

Tommy, of course, wasn’t done, because Tommy was a moron. “Wasn’t he the guy Wheeler cheated on you with?” 

“We said we promise.” Carol repeated, steel in her voice. 

Tommy met her eyes over Steve’s head, and was greeted with the steel core of his girlfriend’s ‘do as I say or die’ personality. 

“Fine.” Tommy conceded with a pout. “I’ll be nice to fucking Byers.”

 In a mutter he added;  

“Not happy about it though.”

“That’s okay.” Steve mumbled back, seeming to have finally tired himself out. 

“Go to sleep, Steve. We’ll be here in the morning.” Carol told him.

It was a longstanding fear of Steve’s--that people just left in the night without saying goodbye. 

(Likely because his parents kept doing it.)

It didn’t take long, Steve was the kind of guy who fell asleep quickly. 

It was a nice mend to the hole Steve’s departure in her life had made. Carol hadn’t truly been looking forward to living her life without him. 

She’d get him back however she could.

Even if it meant being nice. 

(Carol hated being nice, but she’d do it, for Steve. 

Well. Less for Steve and more to complete the Tommy-Steve-Carol super trio that Carol had lived most of her life in, at least, but she wasn’t stupid enough to say that out loud.

Not now, anyway.) 

xXx

Close to a year later, Carol stood with her arms crossed, staring coolly at one Edward Munson, drug dealer extraordinaire and former (even if he was cleared) criminal. 

He grinned at her, the jerk.

With a supernatural slowness, she turned her gaze to Steve.

“I swear to God Steve you better housebreak him before you bring him anywhere near me.” She said, loud and clear.

Hadn’t she warned him about adopting more weirdos!?

Steve winced. 

“Come on ‘Ro, you promised not to be mean.” He wheedled. 

“I promised to not be mean to people who didn’t deserve it.” She shot back, as Tommy, wisely, stayed silent behind her.

(Robin, she noted, was equally quiet on Steve’s other side.

Normally this would raise alarms—Robin was quick to defend people if she thought Carol was being shitty and as a general rule was never quiet, but it would appear in this case she’d already clocked where Carol was taking this.

Smart girl.)

“Eddie doesn’t deserve—” Steve started but she cut him off with a blue tipped nail, shoved right against his lips.

“Not yet he doesn’t. But Munson,” She leveled her glare on him now, and let him feel the weight of it. “If Steve so much as says your name in a sad tone of voice, I will make your life into the kind of hell that Jason Carver can only dream of. Understand?”  

Behind her, Tommy cracked his knuckles, which was overkill and she’d get on his ass later for being dramatic, but presently she was too busy letting Munson figure out just how serious she was. 

Eddie’s gaze traveled from Carol, to Tommy, Robin, Steve and finally back to Carol in an assessment she frankly, hadn’t thought him capable of. 

She pushed him anyway. 

“I’m waiting, Munson.” 

In a somber tone of voice, Eddie replied; “It’s gotten. Very, very gotten.” 

“Okay, I’m lost.” Steve said, because, as always, he was the last person to know he was in love.

Moron. 

“Good. As long as we understand each other. Now.” Carol tossed her hair back with a quick snap of her hand. “Milkshakes?” 

“Robin--” Steve whined, no doubt wanting her to spell things out since Carol was refusing, but thankfully Buckley also seemed to realize staying quiet was the best course of action, and instead of answering quickly got Steve off track with a jab at his milkshake order. 

Which was of course, why Carol liked her.

(She wasn’t about to share that with Robin just yet. Integrating someone into a trio like theirs was delicate business—and she had a sinking feeling Robin might be sticking around, just like Steve and Tommy had.

As for Eddie Munson? 

Only time would tell.)

[wordynerdygurl]

Prism CH21

Steve watches him for a few beats. ‘You’re hard to read sometimes.’ ‘I know.’ ‘So, tell me a secret and be less hard to read.’ ‘What kind of secret do you want, Little Star?’ In the following quiet, Steve is thinking. He’s doing something he rarely does, which is to gather the jagged pieces of his life with Eddie and his life without, bring them central and see them in close proximity. It would be much nicer to talk about lovely things, about the kids and winter fun and the next Game Night. Instead, Steve keeps a steady gaze set on Eddie and says, ‘Tell me a secret about me.’

Art by @stervruchtSter

Read the latest chapter here

@thorniest-rose

[wordynerdygurl]

#little tantrum baby