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#asshole Eddie munson
italiansteebie · 1 year
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Being followed around and getting recognized was something Eddie hated.
Sure, he was used to it but it didn’t make him hate it any less. So when this random pretty boy started talking to him like he was a random stranger on the street, it took him by surprise. And he has to admit he reacted in a… Not so great way. 
“Hey, man I-”
“Not right now.” He cut him off quickly and harshly. The guy flinched slightly, which did make Eddie feel the slightest bit guilty, but still didn’t want to talk to anyone right now. The guy frowned, “I was just going to ask if you knew the bus route I’m supposed to take to get downtown. You don’t have to be a douche about it.” The guy scoffed, turning to walk away. “Wait.” Eddie called, “Sorry, I just get a lot of people comin’ up to me… It gets annoying.” Pretty boy shrugged. “I mean. I get it, I guess. I have days where I don’t want anyone to talk to me either. Look, don’t worry about it. I’ll figure it out eventually.” Eddie sighed, the nonchalant way the guy was speaking to him, and the clueless look on his face, kind of hinted that this guy really had no Idea who he is. And yeah, that does sound pompous but… Oh well. 
Eddie thrust his hand out towards the guy, pulling another small flinch out of him, “Sorry. Uh. Im…” He quickly contemplated telling the pretty boy his real name. “I uh. I’m Eddie. Sorry for being a dick.” The guy flashed him a smile, “No worries, Eddie. I’m Steve.” Grabbing his hand and shaking it. Eddie looked at the map Steve was holding, “You’re going down town right?” Watching Steve nod in response. “Alright, you’re going to want to take bus 4, and your stop is going to be 112. It’s a bit of a ride, though. It may be faster to get a taxi.” Eddie suggested. Steve shrugged again, “I can’t afford the fare unfortunately, so the bus it is.” 
“Why don’t I drive you?” Steve looked surprised, Eddie did too, he had suggested it before he even thought about it. “Oh, uhm. You’d do that?” Steve looked apprehensive. Eddie shrugged, “Consider it me making up for being a douche earlier.” Steve giggled at that, and Eddie thought for a moment he had ascended into heaven. “My car is this way,” He gestured vaguely, grabbing Steve’s hand and leading him in the direction of his van. 
—-
Eddie had never been embarrassed of the van before, but with this cute guy and his puffy hair, he got a little insecure. He had to admit, his van wasn’t the newest car, and it smelt a lot like weed. Like a lot. But Steve looked unfazed. The nonreaction extended to the interior of the van, even as it got ‘loud’ when they opened the doors. He watched as Steve hopped up and situated himself in the passenger seat. “Thanks for driving me!” He said, a bright smile on his face. 
“No problem, Steve-o!”
“Oh. We’re already at the nickname stage? You move fast.” Steve teased, pushing at Eddie’s shoulder gently. Eddie almost crashed the van, was Steve flirting with him? This cannot be happening. He doesn't even know about Eddie’s band. “Ahaha… Yeah.” He pushed out awkwardly, cringing at his own response. Steve faltered at this, “Hey, sorry. I shouldn’t have said that… I mean, who even knows if you like guys? Shit. I can get out, it’s alright.” Steve rambled. “Hey, no. It’s okay. I do, I mean it’s fine. I thought it was cute. You just make me nervous. It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone like you.” And that testimony made the smile creep back onto Steve’s face. “Well. I can’t say I’ve ever met anyone like you, Eddie.” He reached over and grabbed his hand. 
“You like music, Steve?” 
“I mean, who doesn't?” 
Eddie popped a Corroded Coffin CD into the car CD player, “This is Corroded Coffin’s newest album. They’re good, a little different though.” Steve nodded along as the first song started playing. The drums were a bit heavier than what Steve typically listened to but it was good, the guitar played the melody instead of a vocalist, which was also something Steve wasn’t used to. “They’re good, but I have to ask why they don’t have a singer?” Eddie shrugged. “I’ve… Heard they were never able to find one. Why? You sing?” “A little,” Steve hummed. “Don’t get me wrong, I like the lead guitarist, but lyrics can really expand a song, y’know?” Eddie nodded. “I heard they’re holding auditions for a singer today.” Steve smiled. “Yeah, that’s actually where I’m headed to. I have to admit I should’ve listened to them a little more before the audition but… Oh well.” Eddie choked at that, which earned a concerned look from Steve. “You okay?” Eddie nodded, “Yeah, just choked on my spit,” he breathed. 
The ride fell into a comfortable silence after that, sounds only coming from the radio and Eddie humming along with the band. They arrived at the venue, and before Steve got out of the car Eddie grabbed his hand. “Hey, you’re gonna do great. I hear the guitarist has a thing for guys like you.” Steve blushed, “Well I can only hope!” And with that he slid out of the van and walked through the venue doors. 
—-
Auditions were dragging on for what seemed like forever, and Steev still hadn’t had his yet. Eddie felt like he was going to die from anticipation, and was about to call for a break when Steve poked his head into the audition room. “Hi, sorry. Were you guys ready for m- Eddie?” 
“Surprise?” 
“What’s going on, Eddie? You know this guy?” Gareth said. 
Eddie shrugged, “Kind of. We drove here together. I was a douche, he was just trying to ask a question, so I gave him a ride.” Steve nodded in agreement with his summary. “Why didn’t you tell me? We even listened to your band on the way over!” Steve scolded. “I don’t know! I was just enjoying talking to someone who had no idea who I am!” Eddie groaned. Steve’s cheeks went red. “I can’t believe I admitted that I didn’t prepare for this to the guy who was holding the audition!” He slapped a hand over his face. “Well. I have no idea who you are. So! On with the audition! And, to make it fair. Eddie, go wait in the bathroom.” Gareth instructed, earning a pretty fierce side eye from Eddie. He got up begrudgingly, groaning and ultimately making a show of it.
Once he was gone, Gareth gestured to the open space, “Floors yours, kid.”
Steve sighed, deep breaths, he reminded himself. 
“Hello, I’m Steve. Harrington. Uh, Steve Harrington. Yeah, I’m 23 years old, I’ve been singing for a while, dive bars here and there, y’know… I’m uh. I’m going to sing an original song. I have others though… If you wanna hear something else…” He rambled, word vomit spewing out due to his nerves. 
He took a deep breath and let the song flow out of him, it was a blur as he sang, letting muscle memory take the reigns as he belted out. He opened his eyes as the song finished, breathing heavy, and he took a small bow. “Thanks for your time.” He began to walk out, following typical audition protocall. “Wait.” Gareth said. Steve turned, watching as Gareth and the other members, not including Eddie, of course, deliberated. “You were good. Sing this for me,” Gareth sang a short melody, which Steve repeated shortly after. He watched as the band nodded, small smiles forming on their faces. 
“Eddie! Come meet the new vocalist!” Gareth called. Steve fell to his knees, “You’re joking.” “Nope.” 
Eddie sauntered out, stopping short when he saw Steve still there. “Hey! You? Him? YEAH! Way to go Steve!” He cheered, running to hug him in celebration. They held each other for a moment before Eddie planted a quick kiss, again, acting before thinking. Steve paused, pulling away, before cracking a smile so big Eddie thought his face might split in half, and pulling Eddie back in for another smooch. The rest of the band behind them was clapping, congratulating Steve and moving to tell the other candidates that they’ve found their vocalist. 
“I’m so glad you were a dick to me this morning.”
Eddie smiled, “Me too.”
--
Sorry for another one of these, it's been locked in my brain
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lithium80writer · 7 months
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Bad Things (Eddie Munson Short Story)
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⚠️Warnings: Explicit sexual content. MINORS DNI. Toxic relationship. Drugs. Angst.⚠️
Summary: Modern AU. Rockstar Eddie. Nova Gray is a pop star and the on again/off again girlfriend of rockstar Eddie Munson. Both of them are at the height of their career. Fame and trouble follow these two everywhere they go. They both know they are no good for each other but can they stay away? Just a heads up that this will not be typical sweet Eddie. He's kind of an asshole. But a hot one.
******
Chapter one, Chapter two, Chapter three
Chapter four: Scars
**** Scars on my body so I can take you wherever.****
Eddie's POV
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"God, Eddie... I'm.. oh shit!" she moans as she grinds her pussy on your face. Her hands grip the headboard tighter as her hips roll wildly.
You taste her all over your tongue, you feel her slickness as her pussy slides from your chin to your nose and back again. Her head falls back as she cums for the.. well, I don't know, I've lost count..
She's been here all night. You've taken her in about every place possible. The bed, the couch, the kitchen, the pool table... and you still weren't done.
Her thighs tremble around your head as she lifts slightly, removing herself from her seat on your face. You take a deep breath before grabbing her ass and bringing her back to your lips.
She whimpers in response. "Too much..." she pants but she doesn't move as you slowly slide your tongue back through her sweetness. You kiss her warmth gently and she moans softly.
Fuck, she tastes so good.
"I... I missed your tongue." she hums softly as you continue your slow pace. You work your tongue to her entrance, dipping it inside causing another small whimper to leave her lips.
"I... I have to go home, Eddie." she whispers and your fingers tighten on her skin, holding her in place. She brings her hand to the top of your head running her fingers lightly through your curls.
She yanks roughly causing you to release her ass as your head falls back. She climbs off of you and you roll over glaring at her.
"You know that just made me even harder." you growl and she smirks at you.
"I know." she burns as you crawl on top of her.
"Eddie.. I'm sore.." she whines as you guide yourself inside her slowly.
"Want me to stop?" you look at her with a grin.
"No.. no, don't stop." she breathes as you slowly begin thrusting into her.
I feel so alive when I'm with her. Don't get me wrong, I'm obsessed with every inch of her body but I'm also obsessed with her. My crazy little fiend.
You speed up just a bit, pumping deep inside her and her nails begin to dig into your skin.
It's my favorite fucking feeling. All pleasure comes with a little pain. I happen to like a lot of pain.
"More, Nova.." you demand and her nails sink into you even deeper.
"Mmm... that's it, baby." you grunt lowly and she drags her nails down your back fiercely. You bring your hand to her throat and she lets out a choked moan as you increase your speed, slamming into her again and again.
I'm gonna cum... I've got to get her there first..
Her mouth falls open with a squeak as you hit her sweet spot. You bring your fingers to her clit, rubbing fast circles and her back lifts slightly off the bed.
"Cum for me... I want you to cum with me.." you move your fingers even faster as you drive into her pussy.
"S-so close..." she stammers as her eyes shut and her head sinks into the pillow.
"Fuck.. I'm gonna.." you moan just as she screams out in pleasure. You feel her flood your cock as you release into her. You grin down at her flushed cheeks, her chest is rising and falling quickly, her perfect breasts bouncing slightly.
You smack her thigh and she lets out a little yelp. "I fucking missed you." you lean down kissing her lips before nuzzling into her. Her nails rake across your back gently this time.
"I swear I could eat that pussy for every fucking meal of the day." you mumble into her neck before latching onto her skin, sucking harshly.
"Is that right?" she giggles.
"Mhmm.. I swear to god. Come back to me, Nova. We can do this all day, every day if you just come home." you whisper into her ear.
"I can't, Eddie." she replies softly.
"You don't want to be with me? That's bullshit and you know it." you sit up and look at her, anger bubbling inside of you.
I don't want her to leave. She's mine.
"Eddie, stop." she meets your eyes as she pulls you back down.
"We're not good together.. you know we're not..." she says as her hand comes to your cheek.
"Then fucking leave, Nova. Run back home to Max." you spit as you remove her hand from your face. You jump out of the bed and throw on your boxers.
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"Eddie..."
"What?!" you snap at her.
"Nothing. Nevermind." she snaps back as she climbs out of the bed. You watch as she digs around for her clothes.
Don't leave, baby. How do I make her stay?
She goes to slip back into her bodysuit and you quickly make your way to her. Your hands land on her hips and she looks up into your eyes.
Fuck, I made her cry... again. Damn it, Eddie.
"I didn't mean to snap at you." you say gently as you tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear.
"I shouldn't have come here." she says as she takes a shaky breath.
"That's not true... you belong here. Just stay... baby, just stay." you press your forehead against hers.
"Eddie... I haven't even looked at my phone.. Max is probably freaking the fuck out... I shouldn't be here... this is wrong..." she whimpers and you slowly bring your lips to hers.
Her eyes shut as she melts into your kiss.
I know you don't understand. I know I seem like an asshole. But she's my girl. She's mine. I want her with me all the time. I want to fall asleep next to her and I want to wake up next to her. Even when my dick is stuck in someone else I'm still thinking about her. We both just have some... anger issues. Love makes you fucking crazy. I have the scars to prove it.
***Flashback***
"I fucking hate you!" she screams drunkenly as she waves around a bottle of Hennessy.
"You're acting insane, Nova. Go the fuck to bed!" you shout back at her as you reach for your pack of cigarettes.
"Go to bed.. you want me to go to bed? Fuck you and that stupid bitch... she's not even.. she's not even that pretty.." she glares at you before taking another sip from the bottle. She's standing there in nothing but her panties as she continues sipping the alcohol.
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"We're working on a song together. Jesus Christ, you're so paranoid." you grumble as you light up a smoke.
"And whose fault is that? Huh, Eddie? Eddie Munson... King of the fucking world... you know what I think?" she slurs as her eyes meet yours.
"You're gonna tell me anyways..." you sigh as you see an evil smirk spread across her lips. Shit.
You dodge the bottle swiftly and it crashes against the wall behind you. A piece of the thick glass flies into your face, slicing you straight across your eyebrow.
"Fucking hell!" you roar as your hand comes to your face. You feel the sticky substance coat your hand.
"Eddie... shit, I didn't mean to..."
"Nova, just stop talking for a second..." you make your way to the bathroom and flip on the light. You see a steady stream of blood running down your face and across your lip.
You taste a metallic flavor as it hits your tongue. Nova comes in grabbing a rag and running it under the sink.
"Baby, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." she says again as she brings the rag to your face cleaning off the excess blood.
"Just call Jimmy, tell him I need medical." you say as you take the rag from her hand.
"Are you mad at me?" she wraps her arms around your waist and buries her face in your chest.
"I'm not mad, Nova... but I do need some fucking stitches.." you grumble and she squeezes you tightly before looking up at you. Her mascara is running down her cheeks, leaving little black streaks across her face.
She leans up and her lips press hard against yours. "Nova.. Jimmy.." you mumble against her lips.
"Mhmm.." she hums as her arms come around your neck. Her tongue slips in your mouth and your arms wrap instinctively around her waist. You taste blood mixed with Hennessy and cigarettes as her tongue swirls with yours.
I can't stay mad at her. It doesn't matter what she does.
"I.. love.. you." she moans into your mouth.
"Sweetheart.." you pull away and she looks up at you with a pout.
"I love you, too... now please.. call Jimmy. And go the fuck to bed." you say and she flutters her eyelashes up at you.
"Are you gonna come to bed?" she purrs as her hand runs across your clothed cock.
Jesus H. Christ.
"I promise. I'm gonna come to bed. Just let me get fixed up." you kiss her lips one more time.
"Okay... it was an accident, baby." she hiccups.
"I know, baby. I know."
I ended up getting the broken bottle pieces made into a piece of art and slapped that shit right on my wall. What can I say? I'm a sadistic fucker. I love every piece of her. Even the little piece of psycho.
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********
Nova's POV
You can taste yourself on his tongue as his hand slides around your neck, gripping firmly. Everything in you wants to stay. But it's a bad idea.. it's always a bad idea.
"One more night, baby. Please." he begs as he moves to kiss your neck.
"Max is gonna kill me." you groan and you can feel Eddie smile against your skin. His lips move up your neck and to your ear slowly.
"I love you, baby." he says deeply.
"Not your baby, Eds." you sigh as your head falls back, exposing more of your neck to him.
"Whatever you say, sweetheart. Whatever you say."
******
I have to say something.
You hear Eddie start the shower as you stare at your phone in your hands. Shit.
Your stomach turns as you hold down the button on the side and wait for it to power up. As soon as it's on the messages come flooding in.
Max: We still on for lunch?
Max: Baby?
Max: Nova, where the hell are you?
Max: Babe.. I'm worried.
Max: Are you with him?
Your heart sinks and a feeling of guilt floods your stomach.
Chloe: Bitch.
Chloe: You're with Munson, aren't you?
Chloe: I'm telling Max you're with me. CALL ME.
Chloe: How was it? ;)
You toss your phone aside and lay back on the bed and cover your face with the blanket.
I don't know what I'm doing. I can't stay away from him. No matter what I do. No matter how hard I try. Max is good to me. He's so kind. So sweet. I'm such a bitch.
"Nova, sweetheart?"
Your stomach flutters.
"You coming? I bought a new shower head since the last time you were here... could be fun!" he yells from the bathroom and you can't help but smile.
"Be right there!" you yell back before grabbing your phone one more time.
You click on your messages and scroll past Max, landing on Chloe instead.
Me: Call you tonight. Promise.
Chloe: Better. And I hope you made him wash his dick before he touched you.
Me: 🖕🏼 🖕🏼 🖕🏼
Chloe: Love you my little slut.
Me: Love you more. 😘
I'm going to hell.
Eddie's POV
She looks like an angel laying there naked. Her pink hair bright against your black pillowcase. The silk sheets clinging to her body. She looks peaceful. Happy. A little smile on her lips as she sleeps.
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Your phone buzzes on the nightstand and you reach over swiping it open.
A text from and unknown number appears.
I know she's there. We need to talk.
Fuck you, Max.
You put your phone back down and slide closer to her. You slip your arm under her and pull her into your body. Her hair tickles your face as she sighs sleepily.
She'll be gone tomorrow. I'm gonna hold her for as long as I can.
You kiss her forehead lightly and her arm comes to your chest as her leg wraps around your waist. "I love you, Eddie." she mumbles.
There it is.
"I love you, Nova Gray."
Chapter five 🖤
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liightsnow · 1 year
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I bet Steve really likes rootbeer floats, he use to ask Nancy to share them on their dates, him and Robin make them late at night, but then he finds out Eddie hates rootbeer and it loses all its magic. Eddie says something about how it’s “gross and childish” for Steve to order them so he stops. He misses his comfort drink but he likes Eddie and besides, it’s just one thing right?
Pj Jesus fuck just go ahead and shoot me next time and finish the job if you're gonna stab me kn the heart-Because if you don't ill just make everything you send me even worse :>
He's absolutely devastated when Eddie says it. They're not dating yet, but Steve knows that he has a crush at this point. He's fine though. Really he is, it's just a single thing that he loves and Eddie makes fun of.
Then the list keeps getting bigger.
Eddie hates Abba, he hates sports, he hates almost everything thay Steve loves, and he hates it all so loudly. Steves clothes become something that everyone picks on just because Eddie said a single word. Sometimes he wonders if Eddie just hates him. He was hoping that with another adult in the group, maybe he wouldn't be the target of every joke, maybe the kids would see the 3 time senior and joke about HIS intelligence... but sometimes it just seemed like Eddie thrived off of making Steve feel like shit, and like the rest of his friends laughed along because they enjoyed it too.
Then Eddie asks Steve out. Steve's ecstatic, he thinks this could be a good thing. That going out with Eddie will solve both his crushing problem, and the problem of him being made fun of but...
"You're lucky you're so pretty Harrington"
"Look at you, not a single thought behind those beautiful eyes, huh?"
"Oh don't worry your pretty little head about this Stevie, you've got someone with brains to help you out now"
He feels stupid. No. He just knows he's stupid. All Steve Harrington is good for is being nice to look at, and sometimes he even doubts that.
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harrywavycurly · 1 year
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I really want just want a blurb of every Eddie in the same room with all the good Eddie’s just talking about how much they love reader and then their reactions to cheater Eddie opening his mouth to start talking shit.
Hiii babes so I’m too lazy for a blurb but…I give you a group chat😂🙈 it’s short but you’ll get the picture of how they feel about Cheater Eddie😂💖
- Reminder there’s Husband Eddie, FWB Eddie, Fake Dating Eddie, Princess Series Eddie and Asshole Eddie✨
*The Eddies are all clingy but then there’s Asshole Eddie who everyone hates*
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manicformunson · 2 years
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Heyyyy can u do some toxic Eddie stuff pls haha xxx angst and everything like maybe going to parties and getting into drunk fights etc xx
watercolor eyes
pairing asshole!eddie munson x fem!reader
summary every other week they were broken up, then back together then broken up again. it was giving reader whiplash.
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"Fuck Eddie."
Y/N huffed out, pressing the bag of half melted ice a little harder than necessary against Eddie's busted lip. He winced and moved away from her hand.
"I was defending your honor."
"I didn't need defending."
Y/N was pissed to say the least. It hadn't even been a week since her and Eddie broke up and here he was -- at a party he wasn't invited too picking fights with guys she was dancing with.
He was insufferable.
It felt like Eddie broke up with Y/N sometimes just to make her mad, just to see how long it would take for them to get back together -- and knowing Y/N it had never taken long.
Y/N was exhausted but she loved him. She loved him more than she thinks she could ever love anyone.
Loving Eddie felt like a constant battle. Y/N could almost always physically feel daggers in her heart with lemon just make it sting more.
She did love Eddie but fuck if he didn't give her the biggest headache known to man. It felt like she couldn't escape him.
Eddie was everywhere.
"Don't be like that sweetheart." He had brought his hand up to rub her thigh with a bloody smile. Y/N slapped his hand away. "We're broken up, or do I have to remind you? It was your idea Eddie."
"Can't help it Y/N, I'm addicted to you."
His hand was on her cheek now, leaning in to plant a bittersweet kiss against her lips and against her better judgement -- she let him.
Y/N always thought Eddie tasted like rock-candy along with his cigarettes; he tasted like heaven, her heaven.
"Say you love me pretty girl." Eddie whispered ever so softly. Y/N was almost used to this routine by now, she should just walk away but something about him always made her stay.
Every. Fucking. Time.
He held her heart in his hands and he knew exactly what strings to pluck to get her absolutely craving him.
It was unfair to her, Eddie knew it but he couldn't help it.
He couldn't let her leave him, not ever. So he smiled down at Y/N as she whispered the three little words his ears were begging to hear just to know that she was once again completely under his thumb.
"I love you Eddie."
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lilpomelito · 2 months
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i need a fic or something where steve tells eddie "hey you were a dick in high school too. jumping on tables and screaming at people who just want to eat their lunch about their conformism to the man or whatever was annoying as fuck. also why did lucas have to choose between a sport and your nerd game that's normal. people are multidimensional. I'm not alone in this, who wasn't a total dick at 16. where is your redemption arc mister."
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rogueddie · 2 years
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"Something is really wrong with Steve," Robin says.
The party look up, startled. They wait for her to continue, but she starts pacing nervously. It immediately sets the kids on edge, glancing at each other uneasy.
"What do you mean?" Dustin eventually speaks up. "Is he... ill?"
"No, no, it's... his parents came home, right?"
"Yeah, we know," Max snorts. "Dustins mom had to ban him from the house because he wouldn't leave."
"He can't avoid them forever," Dustin points out. "I get that it's hard to talk to them when you have to lie all the time but they're, like, paying for all his shit."
"No they aren't!" Robins voice cracks. "They cut him off years ago! Dude, he hates them and now he's writing up a resignation letter so he can go work for his dad."
"Why is that a bad thing?" El asks, eyes a little wide.
"He'd have to train for a few months in New York for one."
"New York?!" All of them burst out. They all try to speak at once, loud and panicked. They're so loud that Hopper bursts out, confused and tired and panicked.
"What the hell is going on?" He snaps.
The kids all look a little guilty. El stands up so he looks at her. "We are worried about Steve."
"What? Jeez, that's what you're yelling about?"
"He's moving away!" Mike snaps. "To New York! For months!"
Hopper frowns at him like he's not making sense. "New York?"
"To work with his dad," Robin adds. "I didn't know if I should talk him out-"
"They're back?" Hopper asks. He's gone still, voice devoid of emotion and dangerously calm. "How long?"
"A month? Maybe more, it-"
"And they're home now? Do you know if Steve is there with them? It's not one of his shifts, is it? That'd make it easier."
"What? No, he's home. Make what easier?"
Hopper ignores the question, grabbing his coat and shoes. "Stay here, I won't be long."
He ignores the questions that grow frantic and panicked when he picks up his gun, stomping out the door at a fast pace. Robin is yelling from the door as he climbs into his car. She's too taken aback to even begin to think of how to answer to avalanche of questions the kids throw at her.
Hopper gets to the Harrington house in record time, having sped just a little to get there. Mrs Harrington is the one who opens the door and looks a little guilty when she sees him.
"Where is he?" Hopper asks.
She steps back, letting him in. "In his room."
Hopper pushes past her, taking the stairs two at a time. Steve is sat at his desk when he enters the room without knocking, head snapping up and looking startled. He looks a little ashamed when he realizes that it's Hopper.
"Hop," Steves voice is strained. He frowns when Hopper ignores him, pulling his closet open. "Uh, Hopper? What are you doing?"
"Taking you home," Hopper mutters. He pulls out the three bags he knows Steve has been keeping hidden, just in case. "Come on, pack up."
"I can't just-"
"Yes you can. Pack. Up."
Steve only hesitates for a moment. He slowly fills up one with his few sentimental things and some things he considers important (his scoops uniform, the drawings from Will). Hopper stuffs the other two with clothes. It doesn't take them long.
"I'll come back for the rest, if you want any of it," Hopper hands Steve his car keys, waving him toward the stairs. "Wait in the car. I'll be a minute."
Steve hesitates at the door, glancing between Hopper and his mom. He leaves though, doesn't say goodbye.
"Right, here's what's going to happen; I'm going to come back for the rest of his things. I've seen that room, I'll know if somethings missing. And that shit is his, don't try to bullshit me." Hopper eyes her with visible distaste. "He's an adult now. You can't take him back and if I hear that either of you've been trying to harass him again, I'll press charges."
She nods, which is enough of an answer for him. He throws the two bags in the back with the third before climbing in the drivers seat. The air is thick with tension as he pulls out the drive, starting the drive back to the cabin.
"Um... could you, uh, drop me off at the trailer park?" Steve asks, quiet and timid in a way that is horribly familiar to Hopper. "I, uh... I need to see Eddie."
Hopper grunts. He grits his teeth to stop himself snapping. It wouldn't be fair on Steve. So he drives him there, quiet and tense.
"Thanks," Steve mumbles.
But Hopper climbs out too, gently grabbing Steves jacket lapels to drag him over to the Munsons trailer. Hopper knocks.
"Oh," Waynes eyebrows raise. He looks Hopper up and down before turning his eyes on Steve, who he gives a soft smile. "Harrington, you doing alright?"
"No," Hopper answers for him. "Could we come in for a moment?"
"Sure?" Wayne shuffles out the way, shutting the door behind them. "Eddie's in his room, if you want me to get him?"
"You want your boy to see?" Hopper asks Steve.
Steve ducks his head, fiddling with the sleeves of his jacket. He mutters, "he probably will anyway."
"Ok. Do you want him here for this?"
"Here for what?" Eddie asks, hovering in the doorway, worried. "What's happened?"
"Nothing," Steve tries to say. "It's... really, it's nothing."
"Steve," Hopper calmly says. Waits for Steve to look back at him, simply raises an eyebrow. "Where?"
"Hopper, it's fine, really."
"Where?"
Steve tries to stare him down, unsuccessfully. He huffs, annoyed, glancing at Wayne and Eddie who, understandably, look confused.
He slowly takes his jacket off, keeping his eyes on the floor. There's a sharp intake of breath when the dark, almost black, bruises on his arms are revealed. They litter the entirety of both arms, the ones around his left wrist and right bicep standing out the most- the ones shaped like hands.
"Steve," Eddie whispers, walking forward slowly. He's careful, brushing his fingers against his skin. "Oh, baby, who did this?"
"It's fine," Steve tries to insist.
Hopper clears his throat though. "Where else?"
Steve doesn't try to argue this time. He grabs the back of his collar, lifting his top off. His ribs have the worst of his bruises.
"Fuck," Eddie carefully, gently, pulls Steve into a hug. Presses gentle, ever so soft kisses to his neck. His hand is just as gentle when he rubs his back. Steve clings to him, grip looking almost painful, but Eddie doesn't complain.
Hopper turns to Wayne, who is also pointedly looking away so the two can have their moment. "His parents are gonna try to find him. Direct them to me if they try here."
"Don't worry about Steve," Wayne glances at the pair, still wrapped around each other, at the bruises. "Worry about them. If they try to come by here, they'll be leaving in a body bag. I'm sick of assholes treating my kids like this."
Hopper looks over at Eddie, who's pulling back so he can hold Steves face, eyes painfully understanding. He nods at Wayne, pats his shoulder. "I'm getting the rest of his stuff, he's got no reason to go back there. It's my cabin he's coming home to."
"I'll drive him there myself," Wayne glances at the pair, who think they're being subtle and sneaky as they giggle their way towards Eddies room. "Tomorrow."
Hopper chuckles, glancing towards the hall the two disappeared down. "Tomorrow."
11K notes · View notes
sp0o0kylights · 4 months
Text
Part One
Hellfire did in fact, have cookies to sell.
More than cookies, which Dustin practically preened over when Eddie dragged himself back to their table. 
The ornaments they had made were still there, but now the centerpiece was an array of baked goods. Spread out in a spiral, it started from the large cake in the center and spun out into miniature cookies held in tiny decorated bags, all while Harrington stood over them like a proud parent. 
It smelled mockingly delicious. 
Eddie glared at the display, resisting the urge to upend the whole thing onto the floor.
Cookies and cakes and (--was that frickin bread pudding?) whatever other treats Harrington had shown up with might look good, but Eddie didn’t trust it. 
Didn’t trust Harrington, even if the bastard had never really done anything himself--but then, he never had to, had he? 
That was the point of all that money, after all. So he could pay other people to do his dirty work while he kept his hands squeaky clean. 
“Inch a bit to the left--there, stop!” Harrington was saying, like the bossy asshole he was.
Like he thought he could just come in and expect everyone to follow his lead. 
“Perfect! Now don’t touch it.” 
God, Eddie had to nip this in the butt, now. Before King Horrorton harassed his sheep all day, and cemented the club's undeserved bad name in the minds of Hawkins.
“Dustin what did I just say--” 
Eddie stepped up to the front of their table, preparing himself for war. Looked over to his friends knowing they'd likely need a nod of reassurance. A show from him that said he had this handled.
There was no cowering. 
No pleading, helpless, 'What do we do Eddie!?' gazes aimed his direction.
Hellfire wasn’t even looking at him, and not because they were all avoiding Harrington's line of sight.
No, the fucking traiters were flanking the King. Like they were buddies with the bastard instead of mortal enemies. 
“Hey, Ed’s, Harrington brought pies. Cakes too!” Gareth said around a mouthful of said cookie when he noticed Eddie standing before him. 
It came out a garbled mess, but years of experience had Eddie understanding him anyway. 
Jeff was busy playing what sounded like twenty fucking questions regarding the setup, and even Grant appeared comfortable, happily letting Harrington order him around as they finished setting up. 
Like this was some kind of cutesy Disney movie where they all held hands and sang songs instead of a hostile takeover situation. 
Eddie’s eye twitched.
Sensing a disturbance in the force, Jeff looked up and immediately interrupted himself to point to a series of red and green cookies placed dead center, delighted. 
“Check it out man, Steve made some shaped like dice!” 
(And he did say ‘Steve.’ 
Not Harrington, or This Asshole, or The Invading Evil Forces of Darkness.
Just Steve, like Steve was someone Jeff hung out with everyday.
Jeff’s cleric was a dead elf walking.) 
Eddie took note of what was in fact, dice cookies. 
He hated how good they looked.
“There’s four flavors.” Steve told him, cocky little grin on his face as he observed his work.  “Chocolate chip, peanut butter, snickerdoodle--and the dice ones are sugar cookies.” 
He licked his lips before finally turning to look at Eddie, hair curling over his face and making him wave a hand to brush them out of his eyes. 
Eddie hated how good he looked too. 
‘Hate, hate, hate, absolutely loathe-’ 
“Great, sure, wonderful.” Eddie managed, though given the look Grant and Jeff both shot him it might have come out as more of a growl. 
Dustin rolled his eyes, and Eddie couldn’t help but notice that Hellfire’s other two youngest hadn’t dared to show their faces yet. 
Likely they knew Eddie was having an absolute meltdown over Steve’s presence and were waiting for his reaction to blow over. 
(Their characters were dead too.) 
“I have two full cakes--one chocolate, on vanilla--and a few individual slices we can sell.” Steve was continuing, as if Eddie wasn’t glaring a hole in his forehead. “Those did really well last year when I made them for the basketball team.” 
Insults fought for space on Eddie’s tongue, but he managed to roll a 20 to pick the best one, opening his mouth to let it fly.
"Harr-" is as far as he got before he was rudely interrupted.
“Steve? Is that you?” A woman Eddie didn’t recognize but was clearly someone's mom came up cautiously to the table, side eyeing the Hellfire banner like a nervous horse. “That can’t be your famous tiramisu, is it?”
Steve beamed at her. “Well hi Miss Carpenter. It is!” 
Eddie was bumped aside by a massive purse, the woman not even glancing in his direction as she stepped up to the table. 
With a sneer, he finally slumped to the back of their little spot as Miss Carpenter looked over all Steve’s (not Hellfire’s and absolutely not Eddie’s) offerings. 
Didn’t care to wipe it off right then, even if he knew he needed to if he wanted to make sales. 
Jeff sent him a look.
The same one he usually aimed Eddie’s way when he thought Eddie’s antics were going to cause problems. 
He ignored it, on grounds that traitors don’t get to be judgy. 
“Oh,” Miss Caprtender tittered, the draw of Harrington’s baked goods clearly overcoming whatever fear she had about Hellfire. “Well I just can’t pass that up. The swim team meets aren’t the same without you!”
Eddie pretended to gag.  
Waited for her to comment on Hellfire--their clothes, their music, hell even the length of Eddie’s hair--and found he was almost disappointed when there wasn't even a single question about Hawkins precious golden child was slumming it with the weirdos. 
Instead, Miss Carpenter's hand went fishing in her purse for her wallet as she loudly called out over her shoulder, to presumably another annoying woman; 
“Terry, Steve’s here! He’s been baking!” 
For two terrifying seconds, there was a notable dip in the conversations around them. 
Grant’s eyes went wide as several women responded to the announcement like dogs hearing food hit the floor, and within seconds their table was absolutely swarmed by the mothers of Hawkins.
Even Eddie’s eyes went wide at the sheer number of them. 
“Hold, men, hold.” Dustin cautioned as Jeff and Grant both took a step back. “Come on, we need to get our gold!” 
“They’re scary though.” Gareth whispered in horror as four women tried to talk at once, jostling each other so hard they shook the table menacingly. 
“Ladies, ladies there’s enough here for everyone!” Steve laughed, showing off his disgustingly cute dimples as he did, getting several of the mom’s to blush at their own behavior in the process. 
The sheer amount of attention of course, drew in even more people, and Dustin quickly took up directing, planting Jeff and Grant at either end of their table while he and Steve fended off the hoard from the front. 
(Given the way he and Steve were equally ordering Hellfire around, Eddie finally knew where the little shit had picked that attitude up from. He was going to have to cure Dustin of it, ASAP.  ) 
“Here you go Miss Harper.” Steve said sweetly, handing over yet another stack of baked goods.
Without turning his head, and in the tone of voice one used to warn a misbehaving dog, he added; “Gareth don’t think I can’t fucking see you, get back up here.” 
Caught trying to sink under the table with another cookie in his mouth, Gareth found himself hauled back to his feet by his collar, putting a snarl on Eddie’s face immediately. 
“Hey--” He started, defensive and more than ready to intercede, except Gareth wasn’t flinching or cursing or doing that thing he did with his mouth when he was desperately trying to hold in his temper. 
Instead he was giving a sheepish grin and a half-assed apology while he hung in Harrington’s grasp, before doing what the guy told him to do. 
(It did not help that Steve patted him on the shoulder when he released him, before handing Gareth a third fucking cookie.)
Eddie’s eye twitched a second time.
(He told it to knock it off.
It didn’t listen.) 
No one acknowledged Eddie or his outburst, which meant he was just skulking behind the boys while they all worked. 
Arms crossed, rings tapping a rhythm on his forearm, far too keyed up to do anything other than glare at the back of Harrington's skull.
The King seemed perfectly happy to ignore him.
Likewise, Gareth and Grant knew better than to bother him when he was in a snit. 
Henderson made the occasional snappy little comment, but the brat had mostly left him alone now that they were well into the swing of selling, chortling over the increasing stack of cash Steve kept trying to get him to put into a “safe place.” 
Eddie was seconds away from walking up and snatching the cash himself when Jeff decided it was on him to attempt the impossible. 
Get him to help Harrington. 
“More hands would be nice, Eddie!” Jeff called, looking more than a little harassed as the mom he was helping changed her order a second time, snaking out the last single slice of chocolate cake from another mom who was eyeing it. “Steve and I could really use your assistance over here!” 
Eddie’s glare, which had been doing its level best to try and vaporize the King’s brain, switched targets instantly. 
“I’m supervising.” 
Jeff made a face like he was about to argue, but the King beat him to it. 
“It must be tough,” Harrington said, tilting his head to look back towards Eddie, “to supervise people who are working so much harder than you.” 
Which promptly set the mood for the next full hour. 
xXx 
Harrington was matching him tit for tat.
Every shitty, sneered word out of Eddie’s mouth was met with an equally mean toned barb, though given the repeated looks everyone kept shooting him, Eddie was very much considered the aggressor here.
A fact he cannot believe is coming from his own friends.
What happened to comradery? To Eddie stepping in and protecting them, from the likes of people just like Harrington? 
But no, Eddie makes one fucking comment about how the cookies are probably half hair-spray and suddenly he’s the bad guy.
(Nevermind that Steve had fired right back, telling Eddie that any hair-spray taste was probably from all the drugs he did.)
Was somewhat, halfway--okay maybe amazing, Eddie might have snuck a cookie himself--food really all it took to get them all to turn on him like this?
Erase the years of Eddie being their shield in high school? 
Act like Harrington wasn’t just as bitchy and awful as he had been in high school (even if he was, admittedly, being nicer about it all right now? Almost--aloof, like he couldn’t figure out why Eddie hated him so much, but likewise wasn’t going to take even one eye roll sitting down--and no, no, Eddie wasn't derailing this by thinking about his stupid eyes, he wasn't!) 
Frankly he would have flipped them all the bird and stormed off, if it weren’t for the increasingly weird little comments people were making. 
‘Oh Steve, it's a shock to see you here.’ 
‘Are you doing someone a favor?’ 
‘You know Pastor Jim said something about this game…’
The last one had put Eddie’s teeth on edge, even if Dustin had brushed it off. It hadn’t been aimed at Steve directly but the women saying it had absolutely been looking at the King, as if waiting for his reaction.
Not that Harrington would take the bait this soon, though. 
There were too many people buying fricken…cupcakes and shit, while the King enjoyed the attention of the masses. 
Eventually this tiny crowd would die down though, and that’s when Harrington would change his tune. Start answering some of the questions he seemed to be dodging as more and more people got braver about coming up to the table.
This whole thing was a ticking time bomb, and Eddie would be ready when it inevitably blew. 
To defend his table, his club, his friends. 
Even Henderson, who absolutely didn’t deserve it just then. 
“Dude perk up would you? You look like you’re going to stab somebody.” Jeff hissed at him ten minutes later, when there was finally a break in the flood. 
Eddie ignored him in place of taking stock of the table. (And maybe, sneaking another cookie.)
“Hope you brought more than this, Harrington.” He said, knowing he sounded like a stuck up ass and not feeling an iota of guilt about it. “Unless you plan to run home and bake more like a good little housewife.”  
“Dude.” Grant said, casting him a look like King Dick might leave and take the cookies with him.
“Oh I brought more.” Harrington dismissed, with a small flick of his fingers. “And I’ll have you know you’d never find a housewife more perfect than I am, Munson.” 
Then he turned to nail Eddie with the most shit eating grin he’d ever seen the King wear. 
Facing flaming a brilliant red, Eddie sputtered for a second before finally getting ahold of himself and spitting; 
“How delightful. I--” 
“Okay.” Jeff cut in, forever the mediator. “Gary, Dustin can you help Steve pull the extra stuff out from under the tables? While I go talk to Eddie?” 
“Can I try the tiramisu?” Gareth asked, inching hopefully towards the treat while keeping an eye on Harrington’s hands, lest he get smacked again. 
“Only if you’re a good boy.” Harrington told him sarcastically and goddammit why did that make Eddie blush harder!? 
Jeff sighed, before grabbing his arm and hauling Eddie back, away from the table, right as a younger man in some stupid sport’s jacket asked questions about one of the dice cookies.
“Look I get it man, I do,” Jeff started, voice talking on the sort of wheelding, pleading tone it did when he really wanted something and knew Eddie was opposed. “but Steve’s actually been super cool. We might actually make money off this, and he’s giving us all of it. Can you just… not antagonize him for five minutes?” 
Eddie stared at his best friend in abject horror. 
“You couldn’t have talked to him for more than twenty minutes total. Half of which he spent bitching that you were bagging a cake wrong! At what point was Harrington "being cool!?"
The asterisks were made by his fingers, which Eddie mockingly framed his face with. 
He got a flat, unimpressed stare in return. 
“It was a very informative twenty minutes and he was right about the cake. Now are you going to help or are you going to glower in the corner?” 
Eddie gaped. 
“I cannot believe you right now--”
Jeff didn’t even wait to hear him out.
 “You’ve chosen to glower. I can’t help you man, but we’d all have a much better day if you weren’t at Harrington’s throat every five seconds.” Jeff turned smoothly on his heel.
Over his shoulder he added; “Seriously, don’t come back until you’ve worked your way out of your snit.” 
Shocked, Eddie watched Jeff float back to the front, inserting himself easily between Grant and Steve and immediately striking up a conversation.
With the enemy. 
“I didn’t know you baked.” Jeff told Steve loudly (and very obviously, for Eddie to see.) 
Steve gave a bashful little smile, then shrugged. “It’s a hobby. Got into it back when the basketball team needed to fundraise a few years ago and Tommy’s mom got it in her head we should sell home baked goods. Turns out its kinda fun.” 
“Please never get out of it.” Gareth insisted, a piece of God knows what crammed in his mouth.
“Dude, how many of those have you gotten into!? Stop eating the merchandise!” Dustin commanded, smacking at Gareth’s shoulder. 
“I physically cannot stop man.” Gareth dodged, reaching out for another cookie. “I’m not sorry.” 
Steve just laughed. All charming and buddy-buddy, like it was natural for him to be here. 
Wearing a Hellfire shirt. Making jokes and teasing the guys. 
In Eddie’s fucking place. 
He seethed, fingers twitching, and envisioned the very unsexy murder of one Steve Harrington.  
Cartoon X’s for eyes and all. 
xXx
Trouble didn't hit the table.
It in fact, seemed to stay away as if on purpose, to shove in Eddie's face that he was the one in the wrong here.
Even the questions toned done, as the second wave of moms showed up, this round prompted by some former teammate of Steve’s Eddie didn’t recognize yelling about his apple pie.
Instead, Eddie’s wayward sheep finally made their appearance Mike and Lucas trying to sneak in as if Eddie wouldn’t notice during the new rush.
(Eddie himself almost caused trouble when he realized Lucas was wearing a Not-A-Hellfire shirt, which solved the mystery of where Harrington had gotten his.
He was inching his way towards them, a snarky word on his tongue when he saw Sinclair said something about how he was “already on Eddie’s shitlist for joining the basketball team,” in relation to what must have been a question about his Hellfire shirt, that caused Eddie to freeze.
With the air of a sad, wet kitten, Lucas followed it with; “I’m sure it won’t be long before he kicks me out of Hellfire anyway.” 
Like he'd been punched in the gut, all the air left Eddie’s lungs.
Because before Lucas had said that, Eddie had been thinking it. 
Not really--he’d never kick anyone out of Hellfire.
It was more that he'd thought about it in the way one does when you know you're right, and are having to resort to underhanded tactics to force the other party to come to their senses.
Like a sort of shitty, angry “I should kick you out, let you see what happens when you don’t have us!” kind of innervation.
The same kind he had heard the jocks sling before, when they were mad at each other and--God he wasn’t--he couldn’t be, like them...could he?
Like fucking Harrington, who oh fuck, was patting Lucas sympathetically on the shoulder and giving him some kind of whispered advice. 
Sonovabitch. 
“I’m going for a smoke.” Eddie bit out, vision tunneling.
He knew he needed to go sit down somewhere, before he fucking lost it in front of Hawkin, Harrington and everyone. 
And wouldn’t that just be a treat for King Steve?
To watch Eddie realize he had turned into the very thing he hated, preached against, even? 
That Steve was, maybe, possibly, doing a better job of following Eddie’s own Munson Doctrine than he was?
Eddie barely saw the room anymore--waived off whatever Grant was trying to say to him as flew past, shaking hands fishing for a desperately needed cigarette.
Maybe a hope and a prayer too, because apparently he needed it.
How long had he been like this? 
Been a douchebag asshole? 
Was it the whole year? More than? Or was it just now, with stupid Steve involved? Could he trace this back to that stupidly cute--no, no, annoying, asshole?
Was this some fucked up way of coping with his growing crush!?
Lost in thought and growing self hatred he nearly careened right into Robin Buckley.
Her slightly bent paper reindeer ears marking her as a member of the band kids who had been absolutely butchering ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ a few minutes earlier. 
Vaguely heard her yell Steve’s name as he ran off (because that’s what he was doing. What he always did.
Run--from himself and his own fucking feelings, like a total cliche.)
--but didn’t take in that she was doing more than saying hi to, oh fuck him sideways--her friend.
Because she and Steve were friends.
Good ones, if the freshmen were to be believed.
Rather than go outside and catastrophize in the cold, Eddie threw himself threw the doors at the end of the hall, then up the stairwell, to the second floor.
Tucked himself right into a corner, right there by the stairs.
Sank down into a crouch, hands scrubbing up his face before tangling in his hair, head dropping between his knees, cigarette shoved into his mouth.
Somehow, Eddie decided, this was Steve’s fault. 
He'd have come up with a reason for that, he was sure. A good one even, except he forgot one of the key features of his life.
He was a Munson, and as a general rule of life, nice neat things did not happen to Munson's--but they did get kicked while they were down.
“Okay, what happened?” Steve fucking Harrington asked, voice loudly echoing up the stairwell from down below, and Eddie threw his head back, nearly slamming it against the wall. 
(Maybe he’d pissed off a witch. His life would make a lot more sense if someone had cursed it.)
“She gave me her number!”
That was Buckley, the shrill timber identifiable even as she whispered the words. 
Eddie can’t really see them without giving himself away--could probably make his escape if he got down and army-crawled past the railing he’s huddled by, but figured this is their fault anyway. 
Not his problem if he overhears a private conversation if they’re both too stupid to check to see if someone was seated literally right up above them.
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?" Steve was saying. "That’s what we wanted!” 
“Is it!? What if she’s just, you know, giving it to me?” 
“...I’m not following.” 
“Like in a friend way. Not a--”
“Romantic way?”
Harrington has the smarts to say the words quietly.  So quietly in fact, that had Eddie not been in the exact right position he wouldn’t have heard--but he almost swallowed his unlit (he should have lit it, maybe they'd have smelled the smoke and fucked off) cigarette anyway. 
“Sssshh!” Robin hissed, and Eddie can’t see either of them but he imagined her jamming her hand over Harrington’s big fat mouth. 
“Not so loud, Steve!” 
“Sorry, God.” Sure enough, Harrington’s voice is muffled. “How did she give it to you? Did she say anything?” 
“She asked if I want to hang out after band, but because I have that stupid family thing, I told her I couldn’t today, but I can literally any other day, and she said she’d call me, and I said--” 
“Robs, breathe.” 
“Don’t interrupt me, Dingus!” Robin said, voice shrill again, before she clearly listened to Harrington and took a breath. 
 It was big, and deep, and she blasted it back out loud enough for the fucking birds on the roof to hear. 
In a calmer voice, Robin continued; “I said we never traded phone numbers so I didn’t have hers. She grabbed my arm and wrote her number on it. Look, she added a heart!” 
“Okay, here you go! A hearts a good sign!"  
And Harrington sounded--sounds happy for her, practically ecstatic, which doesn’t make much sense given Robin is talking about a ‘her’ and-
And-and-and--
Eddie’s always been quick to connect the dots. 
It’s something he inherited from his old man. A Munson trait he’s tried to make his own through being an excellent DM (and not by robbing people blind or boosting cars.) 
Here, the dots clearly screamed that Robin Buckley was trying to ask a woman out. 
You know, in a gay way. 
Which Harrington not only knew, but was supportive of. 
Steve Harrington, who famously called Jonathan Byers' a queer before smashing the guy's beloved camera into the ground. 
Eddie’s head exploded. 
Or was in the process of exploding--he’s not entirely sure given the tunnel vision was back and his soul felt like it had exited his body entirely. 
Just knew that his world was being remade for a second time in five minutes, and that he was dealing with it pretty damn poorly.
(Maybe God would be nice for once, and just give him the aneurism he clearly deserved.)
Which was of course, when trouble finally did decide to show face, in the form of Dustin Henderson barging through the doors and into Steve and Robin's little meeting.
Eddie knew, because Eddie could hear him.
“Steve! Steve we have a problem!” 
“I’m busy Dustin--”
“Be busy later, we have an emergency on our hands!” 
“And what, pray tell, do you think is an emergency?” 
Eddie, who had instantly latched onto the conversation by the sheer need to have something distract him from his own thoughts, wondered the very same.
“Jason Carver showed up at the table, with a priest. They’re trying to do some whole kind of crazy sermon--is that a good enough emergency for you!?” 
“Oh shit. ” Steve spat, at the same time Eddie yelled it from up high. 
He sprang up, all thoughts of Robin and Steve knowing he’d eavesdropped vanishing entirely from his head as he lunged for the stairs.
Flew down them, because the thing he'd been waiting all fucking day for had finally happened.
He nearly crashed into Robin once again as he blew through the barely closed doors, Steve and Dustin already far ahead of him.
“Eddie?” Robin asked, voice noticeably nervous. "Were you--"
"Not now Starbuck, but we can talk later." Eddie told her, flying right past.
After he saved Hellfire. 
1K notes · View notes
a-little-unsteddie · 1 year
Text
Steve had known it was a bad idea from the beginning.
Dustin had come barreling in to Family Video, dragging a disgruntled Eddie Munson behind him, begging him to host Hellfire because the school was hosting some christmas fundraiser and didn’t want the Dungeons and Dragons club interfering with the event.
“Steve,” Dustin cried, eyes wide, lip jutting out, “please let us have Hellfire in your house.”
Steve stared at Dustin, unimpressed. He had one eyebrow raised, with his hands on his hips. “Why can’t you have it at one of the other members’ houses? Y’know, as they’re in the club. I’m sure one of them can play host for your dumb little game.” He argued, ignoring Munson behind Dustin. Well, trying to. The Dungeon Master looked wildly uncomfortable to be there, glaring directly behind Steve in defiance.
“Because, none of their houses are big enough for all of us,” Dustin explained, leaning over the counter. Steve scrunched his nose up at the action, gently pushing him back a few inches. Robin was standing next to him, looking amused, gaze flickering back and fourth while watching the scene unfold. Traitor.
“Right, so why can’t you just postpone the game then?” Steve asked, sighing. He grabbed a few tapes from the returns bin, walking around the counter to actually do his job.
At that question, Eddie finally spoke, “We can’t just postpone the session, that’d be stupid. I told you he wouldn’t do it, Henderson.” Steve paused, cursing himself for being affected by the tone that Eddie had taken on. He knew that tone, that was a ‘why would King Steve do anything to help others’ tone, or worse a tone that implied he didn’t believe Steve was actually friends — or whatever — with Henderson.
Steve turned around slowly, white knuckling a tape in his right hand by his side. He saw Dustin deflating, before seeing him puff up, getting ready to defend Steve.
“He always does this,” Dustin explained, “acts like he’s not gonna give in when he’s totally going to give in.” Steve watched as Eddie scoffed and rolled his eyes in disbelief, opening his mouth to make some scathing remark. Steve narrowed his eyes, absolutely not.
“Right, because you—”
Steve cut Eddie off, turning around so he wouldn’t have to face Dustin as he finally gave in. “Fine,” he sighed, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling. He heard something fall, but refused to turn to see what it was before he continued. “You can have your Dorks and Demons meeting at my house.” Robin snorted from behind the counter, meeting Steve’s glare with an amused grin.
“Yes! Told you, Eddie! Thank you—” Dustin began, but Steve cut him off.
“You’re cleaning up after, and you’re all gone by 9 P.M.,” Steve said, turning to face Dustin. The freshman grinned at Steve toothily, not fading even as he took in Steve’s stern look.
“Absolutely!” Dustin agreed, bobbing his head in agreement rapidly. He turned to Eddie, who looked surprised. Dustin either didnt see, or didn’t care, as he continued babbling away to Eddie as he dragged him out of the shop as quickly as they came in. Steve felt a knot at the pit of his stomach forming, twisting uncomfortably as he took deep breaths to try and soothe it.
“That was nice,” Robin commented, leaning on the counter with her chin resting on the palm of her hand. Steve schooled his expression to be one of nonchalance before turning to face her.
“Well, someone’s gotta do it. I guess,” he sighed, returning the final movie finally before making his way behind the counter. Once securely next to Robin, he looked at her with wide eyes. “Eddie Munson hates me and this is a terrible idea. Will you be there? Please?” He asked, pouting at his best friend.
“I’m sorry, dingus. Family dinner tonight, otherwise I would,” Robin said, looking apologetically at Steve. While she didn’t want to go, she also knew how bad Steve’s anxiety had gotten over the last few months after Starcourt. Steve groaned, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling.
“It’s fine, I know how your family is,” he sighed heavily, closing his eyes.
“Call if anything happens, though,” Robin said, nudging Steve’s side.
Steve knew it was a bad idea when at 3:30pm, Dustin knocked on his door with the rest of Hellfire standing behind him. Still, Steve wanted them to have a good time and made sure he had a variety of drinks and snacks available. He had taken the dining room table and moved it to the living room, so that way they would have more space.
“Hey, Steve!” Dustin greeted, barreling past him. Steve rolled his eyes fondly, a small smile gracing his face as he watched the curly haired boy run past, quickly followed by Lucas and Mike.
“Hey, losers,” Steve greeted the kids, “your favorites are already at the table, help yourself.” He called out to them, before turning to face the older members of Hellfire. They all looked vaguely uncomfortable, if not a little upset to be there. Steve felt his stomach twist again, clearing his throat to dislodge the anxiety a bit.
“Welcome, feel free to help yourselves to the kitchen. Snacks are on the island and drinks are in the fridge. Grab whatever,” he explained, opening the door wide enough to let everyone in. They all looked between each other before walking into the house. Steve let out a weary sigh once he shut the door, making his way after them.
Once everyone had taken their spots around the table, Steve noticed only the kids had the snacks still. He hesitated for a moment before awkwardly making his way to the table of nerds. Immediately, everyone’s eyes were on him, the kids with curious looks and the older boys with suspicion and confusion.
“Uh, there’s Coke, Sprite, Mt. Dew, Dr. Pepper and Strawberry Soda in the kitchen. Anyone want anything?” Steve asked tentatively, glancing at each of the older Hellfire members.
Gareth scoffed, rolling his eyes. “We don’t need your drinks, Harrington.” The name was spoken with vitriol, leaving a sour taste in Steve’s mouth. “Figures you’d try to buy us.” Dustin and Lucas frowned at the words, while the others laughed. Mike stayed silent, looking a bit amused, but still unsure if he should laugh. Steve swallowed thickly, leaving the room.
“Now that he’s gone, we can get started,” Eddie said, clapping his hands together. The kids were easily distracted by the words, their discomfort quickly leaving to be replaced with anticipation over the start of a new campaign.
For the next few hours, Steve stuck to the dining room, listening to the campaign. He had to admit, it sounded pretty interesting. Eddie had called it ‘the Cult of Vecna’, which seemed to get everyone pumped for the rest of the game. He would occasionally try to offer drinks or snacks, only to be rebuked every time. He eventually decided to just silently deliver Dustin, Lucas and Mike’s refills, before leaving quickly again to avoid the scathing remarks from the older members. After the first few times, even Mike had gotten uncomfortable with the remarks. It seemed to drain the kids energy, watching Steve get belittled at every turn.
“We can get our own drinks.”
“No, Harrington. We don’t want your damn snacks.”
The last comment he got before giving up entirely was one that hurt him the most, he thought.
“We’re not going to steal anything, you can stop hovering.”
So he stopped trying, sticking to the kitchen or dining area.
Around six thirty in the evening, Steve made everyone sandwiches. Dustin had told him about Jeff being a vegetarian and made sure there were options for him as well. He hesitated for a moment, staring at the table with apprehension. Unfortunately for him, he hesitated long enough for Dustin to notice him hovering again.
“Steve made sandwiches!” Dustin said excitedly. Lucas and Mike perked right up, turning to face the babysitter. Steve flushed, shrugging helplessly.
“It’s dinner time and I’ve only seen the kids eating, so I made sandwiches,” he said quietly, avoiding the gazes of the older members. He focused on Dustin, who grinned toothily at him, making grabby hands. Steve snorted at it, walking forward and placing the tray of sandwiches on the table, purposely standing between Lucas and Mike to not have to stand near the older members.
“Uh, these ones are vegetarian,” he said, placing the second plate down near Jeff. Jeff looked at him surprised before grabbing one of the sandwiches. Frankie groaned, rolling his eyes at Steve.
“What are we? Twelve? We can take care of ourselves, Harrington.”
Jeff hesitated for a moment, but still grabbed the sandwiches Steve had made specifically for him. Gareth looked vaguely uncomfortable, while Frankie just openly glared at Steve.
“We didn’t ask for these,” Eddie said, tone sharp. “Leave us alone, man. Don’t need to bullshit with us.”
Steve felt his stomach drop and tensed at the words that Eddie spoke, tears immediately filling his eyes. He turned abruptly and walked towards the front door, slamming it behind him as the tears began to fall.
Yeah, Steve knew it was a bad idea to let Dustin convince him to host Hellfire.
The table stared after him in shock, flinching at the door slamming. Dustin turned to face the older members, eyes fiery with rage.
“What the fuck was that?”
———
listen i just wanted to write unresolved angst. not my best work honestly, but i still like it. not beta’d because why would i. i doubt i’ll continue this, because it’s just intended to be Sad.
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momotonescreaming · 4 months
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Part One (You are Here) | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five
“So.” Jeff starts, voice rising over the Dio cassette Eddie put on, volume down low for once. It makes good background noise. Filling the space of Eddie’s bedroom. Not that it’s not full already.
“Okay so we’re doing this?” Eddie asks, turning around from where he was sorting through the pile of stuff on top of his dresser, stray D20 in hand. He flings himself onto his bed, bouncing on the mattress. He’s looking at Jeff with a shit-eating grin, although it’s not unkind.
“Doing what?” he replies, frowning, turning from where he’s sat at the small desk by the door. There’s not a lot of space, not a lot of wiggle room, so Jeff is immediately faced with Eddie staring at him knowingly from the mattress. They’ve known each other since middle school, since Eddie moved into town, and he can tell with just a glance that Eddie is seeing straight through him. 
It’s only fair, he concedes, he saw straight through Eddie.
“This thing you can’t stop thinking about, but haven’t told anyone. That thing?” Eddie starts, resting his head in his hands. It almost looks like he’s going to start kicking his feet like a girl in a sleepover. The kind of scenes you see in movies. All cliche and shit. “We’re talking about it?”
“Yeah.” Jeff sighs. Takes a deep breath. He looks over at Eddie, watches as his best friend raises an eyebrow, smiles, silently prompts him along.
“You know your horrific crush on Steve Harrington?” he eventually starts, fingers absently tapping at the wood of the chair he’s claimed. He can feel it swirling in his chest. The words, the feelings, all the stuff he had been running through his mind. Eddie won’t be mean about it, of course he won’t, but there’s going to be gentle ribbing and he’s really not sure if he’s ready for it. Maybe with just the two of them it'll be okay. Eddie gets it, after all, maybe better than anyone. 
Eddie just snorts. “I’m aware, yes.”
“And how I teased you for being into the preppiest jock in Hawkins?” He adds, resisting the urge to tap his foot, bounce his knee, run his socked foot along the carpeted floor.
“Also, yes.” 
“Well.” Jeff says, and he grimaces. Leaves the sentence there. He doesn’t need to finish it just yet, Eddie will pick up the pieces. Slot them into place.
He sees the exact second Eddie gets it. Watches his eyes light up as it clicks. The glee on his face is evident, the bastard. It's fucking radiating out of him, leaking out through his pores. 
“No,” Eddie gasps, scrambling to sit up on his bed, inching towards Jeff. He's gripping the sheets, the tan floral fabric strained between his fingers. “No fucking way. You have a crush?”
He just nods, humming in affirmation. 
“Well who is it?” Eddie asks, bouncing in place. He's giddy, fidgeting and not quite staying still. “C’mon, tell me. Are they more attainable than Steve Harrington, at least?”
“On one hand they're more attainable,” Jeff starts, gesturing with his hands. “Because, y'know, straight.” 
Eddie hums, nodding, eyes wide. He wouldn't ever admit it, but he was an incorrigible gossip at heart. Always wanting to know things about people. Listening when Wayne talks about the guys from the plant, picking up rumours from people who bought from him, slowly learning what's happening in the trailer park. Who was sleeping with who, who doesn't do their job, who was moving in.
So when Jeff hinted he had a crush? Eddie was all over it. He was also his best friend, so that helped.
“But on the other hand they're less attainable,” Jeff says, taking a deep breath. Bracing himself for whatever dramatic reaction Eddie was going to spout. “Because it's Chrissy Cunningham.” 
His traitorous heart leaps in his chest the second he says her name. A smile threatens to creep across his face. Chrissy Cunningham. Out of all the cheerleaders, she was the one who stood out. She was cute, and kind, with a smile that lit up the room. The curl of her bangs that framed her face, the way she matches her eyeshadow to her scrunchie. Jeff couldn’t stop staring at her. Couldn’t stop noticing things about her. 
Eddie looks positively giddy, bouncing on the worn springs of his mattress, grinning like the devil himself. Wide eyes and bared teeth, ringed fingers gripping his sheets even tighter. He’s electric, he’s vibrating out of his skin. If he were wearing his wallet chain, Jeff would hear him jingling. 
“Yes!” He exclaims, hair swinging around his face as he moves. Not unlike he’s headbanging. “Jeffery! Jefferson! Join me in Hell!”
Jeff can’t help but concede a laugh, ducking his head, almost pressing his chin to his chest. Hiding a smile, almost shy. It’s kind of nice, having it out in the open now. Having Eddie welcome him into the world of crushes on the most popular kids in school. 
“The fucking karma is so juicy right now Jeffington, oh my god! Eat shit!” Eddie adds, excitedly tapping his feet. He bounces back onto his bed, patting a spare spot of mattress beside him. “But I’m just too excited, Jesus Christ, you get it now!”
“I fucking get it now,” Jeff laughs, getting up off the chair and flopping onto the bed beside Eddie. Feeling the worn sheets beneath his back, looking up at the yellowed ceiling of the trailer. “There’s no way in Hell anything is going to happen, I know this, but fuck, she’s the cutest girl I’ve ever seen.”
“Yeah, says you and half of Hawkins High,” Eddie replies, laughing, looking over at Jeff, crossing his legs underneath him. 
“Like you’re one to judge, ‘Mr I have a crush on Steve Harrington,’ the most popular guy in school. Even him stopping throwing those parties didn't make people hate him.” Jeff laughs, gently shoving at Eddie, moving him towards the edge of the bed. “You call him an asshole and then turn around and daydream about his laugh, or his eyes, or his hair.”
“Listen,” He retorts, splaying his hands out when he talks. “I am but a humble homosexual, and even I can’t deny the fact that that preppy, douchey, jock is a fucking smokeshow.”
“What?” Jeff laughs. “You want him to slap your ass and hook up with you in the locker room? Woo you with all his dumb jock shit?”
“Literally, yes,” Eddie laughs, flopping down onto his bed now next to Jeff, the corner of his mouth pulling up into a grin as Jeff snorts. Locks eyes with his best friend, and lets his gaze soften a bit. “But tell me about Chrissy, how did this happen?”
Jeff sighs, and is only a little embarrassed at how wistful it sounds. His stomach swoops, organs melting into something soft and gooey as he paints her in his minds eye. As he pictures her. 
“I just,” He starts, and then stops. Sighs again. “I always noticed Chrissy, always thought she was pretty — because y’know, cheerleader, it's a given — but I didn’t think much further than that.” 
“Until?” Eddie asks, drawing out the word. He nudges Jeff's leg with a socked foot.
“Until I held open a door for her one time,” he sighs, giving into Eddie's prompting. “And she giggled, and thanked me, and it sort of hit me just how much I wanted to kiss her.” 
Eddie fucking yelps, grabbing and shoving at Jeff's shoulder. He laughs along with him, his energy infectious. Let's himself move along with the motions, shoving back at Eddie, bedsprings creaking underneath the pair of them. A part of him absently wonders how much of this Wayne can hear. Raising Eddie, he's probably used to it — the noise. The energy. “Jeff, you sly dog!” 
“I didn't actually kiss her,” Jeff laughs. “I just thought about it.” 
“Oh I bet you thought about it,” Eddie teases, wiggling his eyebrows, continuing to grip and shove at Jeff's arm. 
“Oh shut up,” Jeff laughs. “Like you're one to judge.” 
“Oh, I'm not judging,” he replies, stopping his shoving so they're just resting on his bed together. Hair splayed out across the mattress, fingers absently picking at his sheets. “You remember the things I've said to you about Steve.” 
“I do, yes.” 
“But,” Eddie says, rolling over onto his side, propping himself up and looking down at Jeff. “We’re not talking about how much I’ve talked about wanting to suck Steve’s dick right now.”
Jeff snorts.
“It’s more than that, isn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Jeff exhales, the air leaving his lungs softly, as he lets himself melt a little further into Eddie’s mattress. It’s easy, here with Eddie. His best friend, whom he knows everything about and knows everything about him in return. “I see Jason hold her hand as they walk through the halls, and hold her books for her. One time I saw them at a movie date together at The Hawk when I was out with my parents, and I want that.”
Eddie makes a noise, low and soft, as he looks over at Jeff. 
“I’ll never get it, not with her, but oh man,” he adds. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“I get it.” Eddie adds, voice still soft and low. “I know I talk about how hot Steve is, but I saw him and that Wheeler chick in the halls. How he’d swing her round and kiss her.”
It sort of hits him, just then, just how much Eddie wants this as well. Wants soft kisses, and romantic gestures. Intimate dates and someone happy to see him. But he can’t be seen wanting things he’ll never get. It hurts too much. 
“When we get out of Hawkins,” Jeff says simply. “We’ll get this. We’ll find people who find our metal music and shitty garage band endearing. You’ll find someone who wants to kiss you in the halls.”
Eddie snorts, but he’s smiling sort of bittersweetly while he does it. “And you’ll bag yourself a cheerleader.”
Jeff smacks Eddie’s side, waving his arm out half-heartedly. They stay like that, sitting in the silence, chilling on Eddie’s bed together. It’s nice. 
“So we agree we’re not telling Gareth about this?” Jeff says, propping himself up to look at Eddie.
“Oh we’re absolutely not telling Gareth about this. '' Eddie replies automatically. “He’ll be so annoying about it.”
“One day he’ll get a crush on a prep,” Jeff replies, smiling. “And then we’ll tell him.”
“The Corroded Coffin curse?” Eddie laughs. “Getting a crush on a prep?”
“Definitely,” he replies. “First you, now me. Frank’s next, and then Gareth is going to eat his words about those hot metal chicks he definitely has a crush on.”
“Who are definitely real, and absolutely not just models in magazines he jerks off too,” Eddie laughs, and it’s nice. Sharing this. Sharing this with someone who gets it. It’s not just that their crushes are preps, or jocks. It’s that their crushes are popular, and hot, and people who are never going to look at them twice. 
Jeff laughs, an exhale of air, and nudges his foot against Eddie’s. 
Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five
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morganbritton132 · 10 months
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Eddie posts a Tiktok of Steve standing in the kitchen, opening their mail with a big ass knife which, you know. Eddie’s not crazy about.
He’s got on a striped polo, the same Member’s Only jacket he’s been wearing since the 80s, jeans, and a pair of blue Nikes. The smile he gives Eddie is a little confused, “Why are you staring at me?”
“Hold this,” Eddie says in lieu of an answer, and then shoved his phone at Steve. You can hear him running away.
There’s a cut to Eddie taking the phone back and him holding up a picture of Steve from ‘87.
In the picture, he’s wearing a blue and white striped polo, a member’s only jacket, jeans, and blue Nikes. He is also opening the mail in Wayne’s tiny kitchen with Eddie’s pocketknife.
Steve just asks, “What?”
Eddie smiles back, “Never change, Steve Harrington.”
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livwritesstuff · 4 months
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Eddie gets home one day to find his and Steve’s oldest daughter, Moe (5), absolutely stewing at the bottom of the stairs (i.e. the designated “time-out spot”).
Eddie: Uh-oh.
Eddie: What’d you do?
Moe: Nothing.
Eddie: Nothing? I find that hard to believe.
Moe, scrunching her nose: Papa’s an asshole–
Eddie: Excuse me?
Eddie: Okay, never once has Papa said that to you, so you’re not gonna start saying it to him.
Eddie: Especially when he’s not here to defend himself.
Eddie: Re-evaluate, my girl.
Eddie: *finds Steve upstairs*
Eddie: What’s up with Moe?
Steve, not even looking up from his book: I put a stop to her and Robbie making a swing in the living room out of yarn.
Eddie: Why’s Robbie not pissed at you, then?
Steve: She was, but she got a splinter in her foot, like, an hour later.
Eddie: *laughs*
Eddie: Bet she forgave you real fuckin’ quick after that.
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TV show: look at this characters. They’re bullied bc they’re an outcast and don’t fit in.
Neurotypicals: Omg they’re so quirky and relatable. I love them.
Neurodivergents: They’re my new comfort character bc I’m and outcast and don’t fit in and am bullied bc of it.
Neurotypicals: lol eww cringe
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atimeofyourlife · 11 months
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Steve loved people easily. Too easily. He thought there was something wrong with him, because no one ever seemed to love him back in the same way.
The first time he loved anyone was his parents. It was the natural, unconditional love that a child would hold for their parents. Even from a young age, he would do anything he could to make them happy, make them proud. For the first few years, it seemed to work. His mother would show him off to her friends, who would coo over how adorable he was. His father would brag to his associates about how good Steve was, how he would grow up to be strong, athletic, smart. Occasionally, he'd be left with a babysitter, or his grandparents, for a weekend if his parents had to attend a conference, but it wasn't enough for him to feel left behind.
That changed shortly after he turned four. His parents decided he was old enough to be left with nannies most of the time, so they could travel whenever to fit the needs of the business. Even when they were home, which was often little more than a week out of each month, most of the childcare was passed off to the nannies. They didn't seem to care enough to talk about, or even to him anymore. Any attempt he made to show them love was met with "Not now, Steven," or "Don't be so childish, Steven." And as he got older, they cared less and less. After he turned nine, they decided he was old enough to look after himself outside of that one week each month, only having the housekeeper checking in on him twice a week when cleaning the house and restocking the groceries. By the time he was twelve, the amount of time they were home had dropped to one week every two months, and they started missing holidays, coming home two days after Thanksgiving, and then not being home again until well into the new year. He was thirteen the first time they forgot his birthday.
Once he'd turned fifteen and got his learner's permit, they cut the housekeeper. He was more than old enough to take care of the house on his own, and as he could drive, he could get the groceries himself. They'd leave money each time they were home, a little over what was enough for the two months of groceries. A few days before they were due home, they'd call with a list of groceries they expected to be stocked by the time they got back. They actually remembered his sixteenth birthday, buying him a brand new BMW to replace the small second-hand black car they'd got for him to learn to drive in. But they missed the date by six weeks.
At eighteen, he only saw or heard from them if there was something they weren't happy about. Like his poor grades, or not getting into college. They didn't bother to acknowledge his graduation, taking the attitude that it didn't matter as he wasn't going to be making anything of himself. They made him get a job to cover his own expenses, believing that he needed to take life seriously if he wanted their help. They didn't even make the time to come home after hearing he'd been injured in the mall fire. Just leaving him a message saying that they'd give him a two-month grace period before he would be expected to find another job.
He hadn't even reached nineteen the last time he heard from them. After the earthquake he got a call, not to find out if he was injured, just to find out if the house was ok. A couple of days after that, they called again to inform him that they'd found a new house and movers would be coming in to collect the rest of their belongings. They'd wanted to sell the house, but the property market in Hawkins was nearly impossible after everything that had happened, so they were going to sign it over to him. It was after the movers had left Steve realized, they hadn't even left a forwarding address or their new number.
------
Steve loved each of his babysitters and nannies until he realized that they were being paid to take care of him. They gave him a love and attention that he didn't receive from his parents. They cared enough to let him ramble about his day. They spent enough time with him to know his likes and dislikes. To keep track of his hobbies. They were the ones to look after him when he was sick or injured, to comfort him after a bad dream. They would see when he needed new clothes, either from wearing through or growing out of his old ones.
But they were temporary. They only loved and cared about him for as long as they were getting paid to. Two or three times a year, a new nanny would take the place of the old one. He was seven when he realized that they didn't actually care about him, they only cared about getting paid. Overhearing one talking on the phone, "This kid is a bit too clingy, but at least the pay is good for this family." Once he was old enough to be left alone, he missed the companionship of having a nanny, but he couldn't bring himself to miss the false love they brought.
------
As soon as Steve met Tommy and Carol, they meant everything to him. Meeting Tommy at age six, and Carol two years later, when she moved to Hawkins at age eight. He clung to them, the first people his age that seemed to return his love for them. And it was all good, at least while they were young. They spent most of the time together, with each of them inviting Steve over at least once a week. Bringing him into their families, giving Steve a chance to see how bad his own was.
Steve couldn't see it at first, but the friendship between him, Tommy, and Carol became less about the love they had for each other, and more about the love they had for what he could provide. When they were eleven, they realized that Steve having the house to himself most of the time meant that they had somewhere to escape from supervision, and to get away with doing whatever they wanted. As they got older, it meant they had a place where they could have sex without being caught by their parents, siblings, or the police. They loved that he would feed them, always having the best snacks, learning how to cook their favorite meals, giving them food off his lunch tray at school. Once they started high school, they loved the empty house for the ability to throw the biggest parties, securing them top spots on the Hawkins High social ladder. After Steve had received his car, they loved the free rides, basically treating him as a taxi service. His car was much nicer than anything either of them could afford, and gave them a taste of freedom as long as they could give to them.
Steve noticed it after his fight with Jonathan. When they cared more about getting even than how Steve felt. They'd wanted to get revenge on Nancy, framing it as them helping Steve, rather than finding out what Steve actually needed them to do. Wanting to get back at Jonathan instead of being concerned about how Steve was after the fight. Steve couldn't help mourning the friendship, as they had meant so much to him for so long. But he couldn't believe how long it had taken him to realise that they had stopped loving him, and instead loved what he could give to them.
------
He fell in love with Nancy hard and fast. She was beautiful and smart, ambitious and determined. He didn't care what his friends thought of the relationship, he just wanted to make it work. He tried to find ways to bring her into his world, trying to include her in plans with his friends, inviting her to parties. Then Barb went missing from his yard. He knew he handled it poorly, but he felt lost on what he could actually do. Paired with the uncertainty of what his parents would do upon hearing about it, and the encouragement from Tommy and Carol, it pushed him to do things he later regretted.
He apologized, and she accepted it. They got back together a month after the Upside Down happened, just in time for Christmas. He vowed to himself that he would do better, be better for her. He made her happiness his top priority. He used small surprises to cheer her up, little gifts and imaginative dates. He comforted her through the sadness, grief, and guilt, making himself available whenever she needed him. He supported her in the difficult moments, like going to regular dinners with Barb's parents. And he found himself falling deeper and deeper in love with her. She seemed to hold the same love for him, so he didn't feel wrong for daydreaming about a future together. A family together. Every word of love from her, every action that showed her interest, it cemented it a little more. She would show up to the pool while he was lifeguarding over the summer, with the excuse of bringing Holly, but really just staring at him while he was on duty, and chatting during his breaks. She would be at every basketball game, every baseball game, every swim meet. For the first time in his life, he consistently had someone to cheer him on in the stands. Despite the difficulties they'd had, Steve felt like nothing could bring them down.
Then it crashed and burned. Steve genuinely didn't see any issue with the relationship, any sign that the love was unrequited, until his heart was being ripped out and shattered on the bathroom floor of Tina's Halloween party. His head spun with the words. "Like we're in love," and "You're bullshit." He started questioning himself, how long had she felt like that? Had she ever loved him? How had he never noticed? He got Jonathan to take her home, feeling hurt but with the love and care he had for her, he wanted to make sure she got home safe. He tried to isolate himself from her, not picking her up for school. But she wanted to talk while he was in gym. Pinning the problems on him. Denying the words she said while drunk, refusing to take responsibility for them. Not even being able to lie and say she loved him. It was like a knife to the chest finding out from Tommy that she'd run off with Jonathan after less than a day. He still tried to make it right, showing up at her house to apologize, for her not to be home. When everyone finally grouped together, seeing her with Jonathan, the confirmation he hadn't wanted. Nancy looked at Jonathan with a love and adoration that Steve had never seen directed at him. If it weren't for the fight needed for the Upside Down, he would've isolated himself and broken down, wondering why he wasn't good enough. Why he was unloveable.
------
Having a younger brother figure thrust on him wasn't something Steve expected at seventeen, but he would be eternally grateful. Dustin burst into his life at possibly the best time for him. After Nancy broke his heart, he needed somewhere for the love to go. He gave advice, was a listening ear. Doing what he could to help build Dustin's confidence. He was there for the kid whenever he was needed. And Dustin gave him so much in return. A place where he could take himself less seriously, where he didn't need to be Steve Harrington, or King Steve, or 'The Hair'. He could just be Steve, with no expectations or strings attached. Dustin showed up to his graduation, was there to cheer and clap for him when no one else was, and singlehandedly organised the other kids into surprising Steve after. With a grocery store cake that they'd pooled their money to buy, and a handmade card that they'd all signed. He'd missed him like crazy while he was away at camp. And having him back after improved his mood so much, despite being thrown into the Russians.
Steve could feel it changing slowly. Right from the first mention of Eddie Munson and Hellfire Club. He knew he was being replaced as the older brother friend, being swapped out for someone Dustin considered cooler because of the shared love of D&D. Dustin had become more abrasive to him, and was spending less and less time around. It almost felt like a repeat of losing the love of Tommy and Carol, only being wanted when he was useful, for what he could provide. Even after the fight with Vecna, Eddie was still the preferred older brother friend. The one Dustin sought for rides and advice, only coming to Steve if Eddie wasn't available. Dustin had endless patience for Eddie's questions, despite not extending Steve the same courtesy. He never once insulted Eddie's intelligence, despite the fact that the man took three years and a shady government department intervening to complete his senior year of high school, whereas Steve's intelligence was a free for all, overlooking the fact he was the one that was able to pass enough classes to graduate on his first attempt, just because he didn't have much direction in life. Losing the love of Dustin hurt, but it wasn't surprising. Steve knew he was replaceable, expendable. Only needed until a better choice came along.
------
The love he had for Robin was unexpected. He denied it and pushed it away at first. Partly because he felt certain that she didn't like him back, but mostly because he felt wary about loving again. Not wanting to get hurt again, to feel unloved again. It was slow at first, the playful insults having a charming quality to them. Then it hit fast, when he saw how smart she was, how brilliant she was. He could picture being happy with her as his girlfriend, different to other girls he'd dated or been with. He confessed his love while high on Russian truth serum.
She didn't love him back like that. She couldn't love him back in a romantic sense. He didn't have time to feel hurt about it, being caught in the centre of the action. By the time his head had cleared enough to be able to think clearly, he realized that a different kind of love between them could be just as good. Loving each other platonically, best friends, soulmates. It wasn't the love he'd first thought of and expected, but it was the most love he'd ever received. And he didn't doubt it for a second.
------
The love he had for Eddie scared him. It was unplanned, unexpected. What he initially felt for Eddie was mostly distaste, and a little jealousy. Until spring break. He was wary at first, knowing Eddie's reputation. In any other town, it would have been as simple as a drug deal gone wrong. But Hawkins had to be different. Eddie got dragged into the mess of the Upside Down in the worst way possible. Steve didn't really notice the change in his feelings, other than that of friendship, until after it was over. It wasn't until they'd got out of there, injured but alive, that Steve let himself read into the comments, the flirting. Steve started to love Eddie quickly and it terrified him for two reasons, it was his first time having romantic feelings for another guy, and he didn't have a good track record of people loving him back.
Eddie was the one to start it. Steve had come out to Eddie and Robin, and it was a few weeks later while they were a little drunk. Eddie kissed Steve, and took him to bed. Eddie was the one to address it the next morning, asking Steve out. Steve allowed himself to fall again. He loved all of Eddie's quirks, how passionate he was about his music and D&D. How he was anything but a morning person, but always wake up enough to kiss Steve goodbye in the mornings before work. How when he was sat doing nothing, or just watching the tv, his fingers would be constantly moving as if they were moving across the frets on a guitar. Eddie was the first to say I love you. That was what pushed Steve further, into believing it couldn't go wrong. Because there'd never been a time where he hadn't been the first.
And it seemed to go right. Weeks, months passed. It was nearing the year before it fell apart. Steve had noticed that Eddie kept him separate from his other friends, his bandmates. He didn't blame him for it, he'd been an asshole in high school, and while he couldn't remember doing anything to Eddie's bandmates, he'd never given them much reason to trust him either. He would have liked a chance to meet them properly, to make it right, but he wasn't going to push it. He didn't want to give Eddie a reason to have second thoughts about the relationship. It blew up when Steve was planning to surprise Eddie at the trailer. He let himself in using the key Wayne had given him, trying to keep as quiet as possible. It threw him a little, to see a couple of boxes stacked by the tv that hadn't been there a few days before. He started to make his way down the hall, but stopped short when he heard voices. "You're not going to call off whatever you've got going with Harrington before you leave?" It was one of Eddie's bandmates, but Steve couldn't identify which one. He held his breath while waiting for Eddie's reply.
"It's not like it's anything serious. I just keep him around because he's hot and a good fuck." Steve's heart shattered at Eddie's words. He was torn between running out of the trailer, bursting in to confront Eddie, or staying put to try to hear more. In his inner turmoil, he missed the other guy's response, but he heard Eddie's next words loud and clear. "It's not like I even care about him that much. I'll leave town and in a week he'll be back to chasing skirts. He'd probably just strike out, because look at him. I don't understand how could anyone love Steve Harrington."
Steve fled the trailer, not caring about the noise as he moved, choking back sobs that were desperate to burst out of his throat. He threw himself into his car and just drove until the tears blurred his vision so much he couldn't see the road. He couldn't understand how he'd been so stupid, so blind. It was the same pattern repeating again, and Eddie's words had destroyed him, it was the question he'd asked himself so many times before.
How could anyone love Steve Harrington?
My last fic ended fluffier than I first planned, so my brain went have 3k of angst with just a brief fluffy platonic stobin interlude. I'm sorry. I did plan to get this up like 2 days ago but migraines decided otherwise.
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delta-piscium · 1 year
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I wrote this in September and it’s been collecting dust in my docs and staring back at me with judgement whenever I post or write something else so here 
“Steve” a familiar voice shouts across the room.
Steve turns around, and there, on the other side of the crowded room is Tommy. It really shouldn’t be as big of a shock to see him as it is. Steve is at a house party on a Friday night, it would have been weirder if Tommy wasn’t here. But still, that doesn’t mean he’s prepared to see him, they basically haven’t talked in three years, ever since Steve ‘chose’ Nancy over him and Carol (aka finally dropped them because they were horrible and didn’t drop Nancy because she isn’t). 
Still, he plasters on a smile, making it as polite as he can, and waves. Hopes it will be enough but of course, it isn’t. Tommy starts weaving through people, pushing and elbowing his way toward Steve.
“Its been ages,” he says clapping his hand on Steve’s shoulder, “how have you been man.”
Steve resists the urge to shrug his hand off, but it’s a close thing. 
“It has.” Steve doesn’t add ‘because you’re an asshole and I hate who I am around you’ and he feels very mature for it. “I’m good.” He very deliberately does not ask Tommy how he’s been. 
“Me too, me too.” He responds anyways, at least he finally removes his hand from Steve’s shoulder which makes him relax marginally. “Still dating Nancy?” 
And, okay yeah, he and Tommy haven’t really spoken since he and Nancy were still together but Hawkins is a small town and he’s sure Tommy knows that Nancy had both broken up with Steve, gone on to date Jonathan for two years, and recently broken up with him as well. Actually, he thinks he remembers a shower conversation with Billy just days after she dumped him and went off to Murray with Jonathan, a conversation that Tommy was also present for.
“No, we broke up years ago.” He dutifully replies anyways, because what else can he say? 
“Yeah, heard she dumped you?” 
Steve is gonna remain calm, play along in whatever game Tommy is playing, and not react. 
“She did,” he agrees easily.
“And got with Jonathan right after? Should have listened to us and stayed away.” He grins as he speaks, grins as if Steve is gonna agree with him. 
“We’re still friends,” Steve shrugs, letting the fall of Tommy’s smile bring one to his own lips.
“Was for the best that we broke up, we’re much better as friends.” 
Tommy squints a bit, his hackles raising and Steve only notices because he once knew him so well. Why he’s still getting defensive talking about Nancy Steve doesn’t know.
“Oh Stevie, you still hung up on her huh?” 
It’s deliberate, he’s trying to press Steve’s buttons. ‘Well, tough Tommy-boy.’ Steve thinks, ‘those ones don’t work anymore, have been defunct for ages. You’re gonna have to do better than that if you want a reaction.’ 
“Nah,” he says, lets his smile be a bit more genuine when he continues, “she’s great but I’m dating someone else.” 
“Rebound?” Tommy whistles, “she hot?” 
Why Tommy is convinced Steve is still pining after Nancy he can’t say, or maybe it’s the only angle he has on Steve nowadays? Except they basically lived in each other's pockets all through high school and if Tommy really wants to get under Steve’s skin there are other things, better things. Things he has used against Steve before and seen the effect of. Why he isn’t he using them now when he clearly has some agenda Steve can’t say.
Steve is about to respond, has his mouth open and ready to speak when someone calls his name again. Thankfully this time the source is a lot more pleasant. 
Tommy turns around to see who it is, completely exposing his back to Steve. It’s probably the last few years of fighting hell monsters that has ingrained a distrust in Steve. Making him hyper-aware of his surroundings and never willing to leave his back open like this to people he doesn’t trust. He knows this but still, he thinks there should be some primal instinct in Tommy to stop him from making himself so vulnerable to Steve, the action speaks of leftover trust that Steve isn’t ready to face. 
“Munson? You know Munson?” He turns back around, an incredulous look on his face.
It snaps Steve out of his thoughts and reminds him Eddie had called for him. He leans to the side, stretching out so he’s visible behind Tommy, catching Eddie’s eye and waving him over.
“I do, yeah.”
Tommy’s face twists into something Steve can’t immediately place. He recognizes it, knows he’s seen Tommy make that face before. It’s not disgust or confusion but maybe something in between? Before he can figure it out it clears.
“Oh, King Steve getting drugs? Who would have thought?” 
Steve rolls his eyes, the only reason he had stopped smoking weed for a while in high school was because athletes got tested. Why Tommy is pretending Steve ever had some moral issue with it now is beyond him but not much of this interaction has made sense to him so far so what’s one more thing?
“What Steve doing drugs? He’s a very responsible young man and would never” Eddie says, twisting past the last couple of people.
“Right Stevie? You wouldn’t touch the stuff?” Eddie–knowing very well that Steve would in fact ‘touch the stuff’–asks. 
“Not with a ten-foot pole.” Steve–who smoked yesterday–deadpans. 
“Knew I could trust in you to stay a good boy.” Eddie coos as he steps into Steve's space and kisses him despite where they are. It’s quick enough that no one who isn’t watching would catch it though and the only one who is watching is Tommy. When Steve looks back at him his face slack with shock. 
“Hagan,” Eddie says with a short nod. 
“You-?” Tommy looks between them, that same look as before flashing on his face, still just out of Steve’s grasp.
Steve contemplates what he should do for a second but Tommy already saw them kiss, already knows. And honestly, Steve doesn’t really care what he thinks and he knows Tommy won't say anything. Steve has too much dirt on him.
“Oh sorry, Tommy this is my boyfriend.” His voice is deceptively sweet as he introduces Eddie as if that’s what Tommy had been getting at.
Steve turns to Eddie, “baby, you know who Tommy is right?” 
He’s laying it on thick, asks despite Eddie greeting him by name two seconds ago. Knows others' unabashed confidence and being on the outside are things Tommy can’t handle.
“I think so,” Eddie plays along, “you were friends once right? Before you found better people?” 
It’s mean but Steve wouldn't have thought too much of it if it weren’t for the wounded noise Tommy makes. When Steve looks at him again his face is cracked open and it finally clicks what that expression is.
“Aw, you jealous?” Eddie says in a mocking tone, hitting the nail on the head because that’s exactly what that expression is, jealousy. 
It’s the same look he had whenever Steve told him about a new girl, the look he’d have when Steve started bringing Nancy around. It’s deeper though, not only jealousy. He also looks like he did when Steve told him and Carol to leave him alone. He doesn’t just look jealous, Tommy looks heartbroken. 
He tries to pull it together, scrunching his nose up in disdain, and scowls at them. Quickly looks away from Steve when their eyes catch and his mask falls a bit, instead focusing on Eddie who raises one eyebrow in response. 
“Hardly,” he scoffs, it comes out strained, “I would love to stay and chat but-” 
He doesn’t elaborate, just turns on his heel and disappears into the crowd.
Steve is frozen to the spot, a war going on in his head. Puzzle pieces he didn’t know were missing falling into place.
“Come on, let's get out of here.” Eddie grabs Steve’s wrist and starts pulling him outside, away from the party. He gets them in his car and doesn’t try to speak to Steve, probably sensing he’s having some earth-shattering realizations right now. 
“He liked me,” he finally manages to say. “That’s why he hated Nancy so much. He was...” he trails off, knows it’s true but can’t quite say it.
“Jealous,” Eddie finishes softly.
“You knew?” Steve asks because Eddie doesn’t sound or look surprised at all.
He shrugs, “I had my suspicions.”
“But how-”
“We looked at you the same,” his smile is wry, self-deprecating, “I recognized it.”
And Steve can’t really process this right now even though he knows it’s true so he grasps at straws, “Carol, he was with Carol?”
Eddie reaches out one arm and cups his face in his hand, glances at him quickly before he looks back at the road with a sad smile.
“If you’re in love with your best friend, your male best friend who you believe is straight, you do what you need to do to push it down, to hide it. Especially in high school and in a small town.”
“In love?” Steve rasps because he’d said ‘like’.
“Yeah, sweetheart. In love.”
Eddie brushes his fingers under Steve’s eye and he realizes it’s because he’s crying.
“I’m sorry,” he says, “I don’t know why I'm reacting like this.” 
And it’s true, he really doesn’t understand why it feels like a big hole has opened in him. He never liked Tommy, not like that, yet it feels like he’s lost something, fucked something up.
“He used to be your best friend, it’s a big thing to realize.” Eddie parks outside of his trailer, turns to Steve making no move to get out of the car. “Kind of changes everything, or at least puts it in a new context, explains some things.”
Steve feels the blood drain from his face because he’s suddenly remembered something and oh god does it put it in a new fucking context.
“Baby?” Eddie asks when Steve sits frozen again.
“We used to get wasted and make out,” he whispers the words, shame coursing through his veins.
Eddie goes still and Steve rushes the explain.
“Not often and not after he got with Carol, just,” he takes a shallow breath, “It happened a few times. We’d steal my dad's whiskey and get so beyond drunk and, well, kiss a lot.” 
He’d smile at the memory if he wasn’t so horrified by it at the moment. 
“The first time Tommy had never kissed anyone, asked me to teach him so he wouldn’t fuck it up when it mattered. Then after that it just kind of continued to happen. We’d get drunk, make out, and pretend like nothing. It stopped when he started seeing Carol, he tried but I stopped him. Told him he didn’t need to practice now when he had the real deal. We never talked about or even mentioned it.”
Steve sees Eddie’s arms shake and when he looks up he sees Eddie holding back laughter, eyes filled with barely concealed amusement.
“Are you laughing right now?”
Eddie stops holding back, letting the laughter burst out of him and Steve is so confused because he thought Eddie would be mad at him. He’s not sure why, it’s just that this has been such a deeply buried secret wrapped in shame for years with a big ‘do not talk or even think about it’ sign placed in front of it. That it would be met with laughter was never a possibility.
“I’m sorry,” he gasps through it, “It’s just such a cliche.”
Steve’s confused face only makes Eddie laugh harder. When he calms down he takes Steve's face in both his hands holding him firmly and looking him in the eyes.
“Steve, baby, sweetheart. Tommy used the oldest trick in the book on you, asking you to teach him how to kiss and you did it multiple times because what? he needed practice? That’s the flimsiest excuse to gay kiss your best friend and it’s also fucking done, it’s a cliche.”
Steve blinks, realizes that while he never had feelings for Tommy he had definitely found him attractive, had enjoyed kissing him. Had very deliberately not thought too deeply about his or Tommy's motives because that would have made it something he would have had to face.
“Oh,” he says.
Eddie smiles, wide and warm, ���yeah, oh.”
“You don’t think I used him?” Steve has to ask, “if he had feelings for me and I didn’t have any for him.”
“No,” Eddie says, “not more than he did you. And you were kids, just messing around and trying to figure yourselves out in a not-very-accommodating world.”
Eddie squints a bit in thought, “though he probably thought you were more on the same page, that you could continue even though he was with Carol. Must have stung to be rejected.”
Steve snorts, “wasn’t really interested in helping anyone cheat, even under all the pretenses.”
“I know.” 
Eddie's eyes are soft, looking at him with so much warmth that Steve momentarily forgets what they were talking about until Eddie's mouth twists into a sly grin.
“I can’t believe your first gay experience was with Tommy fucking Hagan.”
Steve gives him an unimpressed look, “at least I didn’t come in my pants ten seconds in, like some people I know.”
Eddie draws back, clutching his chest with his hands, “harsh words, love. It was at least a minute.”
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rogueddie · 1 year
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Eddie would undoubtedly bitch about Nancy to Steve and Steve, resident mean girl, would be just as willing to bitch back. They're not being malicious or mean hearted, they're just two bitches. And, with each other, they're finally able to say that shit without fear. They both understand that neither really mean any of the nasty shit they're saying, they're just easily frustrated.
No one else understands how Steve and Eddie get so close so fast and neither of them are gonna tell. They're bitching sessions are a secret that no one will ever know about, on pain of death.
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