#but with Billy’s ass stuck in the upside down

[worth-the-chaos]

Adventures in Babysitting - Steve Harrington x female!reader - Chapter 5

Chapter Summary: The situation with the demogorgons gets increasingly more dire, leading you to the Byers’ house to wrangle four kids that can’t listen to save their lives (literally) while everyone tries desperately to save Will and the world.

Content Warning: swearing, upside down scary shit, billy being an actual complete asshole, physical violence

Word Count: 8.9k

Author’s Note: This chapter was pretty fun to write! Things get pretty intense in this part, so heed the content warning. I hope you all enjoy :)

Series Masterlist | Part 4 | Next Part

***

There wasn’t a clear path through to Hawkins Lab, making it pretty damn difficult to traverse through the woods, especially in the dark. Regardless of this fact, you were hauling ass, desperate to make it to the lab so you could take these demogorgons out, and maybe, just maybe, put all of this bullshit behind you. Steve was right on your tail, a little overwhelmed between making sure the kids were keeping up and that you weren’t getting too far ahead.

You tripped on a tree root, and you would have face planted if it weren’t for Steve quickly grabbing you by the elbow, aggressively pulling you backwards to counteract your forward momentum.

“Y/n, you need to slow down,” Steve said, his voice serious. His face was twisted in annoyance, which irritated you as you scoffed and shook out of his grip.

“This is time sensitive. We’re not here to take a nice stroll through the hiking trails. We’ve got shit to do,” you grumbled as you went to turn around, but Steve grabbed your arm again, pulling you closer. The kids were still lagging behind, but he kept his voice low to make sure they didn’t hear.

“Listen to me. We’ve got three kids mixed up in all this shit with us. I get that it might be time sensitive, but if you break an ankle, then we’re stuck out here defenseless, moving three times slower. You need to be a little bit fucking cautious. I can’t do this by myself.”

You took a deep breath to calm yourself down, trying to push the anger aside as you nodded. You hated to admit it, but Steve was right. You were being impulsive and it was putting everyone’s life in jeopardy. Steve could tell you were still anxious to get there, the anticipation being all too overwhelming. His hand fell from your arm as he grabbed your trembling hand, giving it a tight squeeze.

“I’ve got you, alright? So let’s do this together like we promised, yeah?”

“Okay,” you agreed quietly. He dropped your hand as the kids caught up. He cleared his throat as the air became slightly awkward between you.

After about fifteen more minutes of hiking, the trees started to become less and less dense, until you were almost out of the tree line. Suddenly you heard a voice shout out, which made you jump as your heart stopped in your chest.

“Hello? Who’s there?!”

You all finally made it out of the thicket, finally realizing who had called out.

“Steve?!” Jonathan and Nancy asked in unison.

“Nancy?” Steve stepped forwards just as confused as they were.

“Jonathan!” Dustin chimed in with a smile on his face, relieved to see someone else that could help them.

“Y/n, Dustin, Lucas, Max,” you said, rolling your eyes as you pointed to the rest of you, “now that we’re done with introductions, what the hell is going on?”

“What are you doing here?” Nancy asked, frustration leaking into her tone.

“What are you doing here?” Steve shot back, still not happy with Nancy’s recent actions. In his mind, he didn’t owe her an explanation.

“We’re looking for Mike and Will,” Nancy answered, cutting to the chase.

“They’re not in there, are they?” You asked hesitantly.

“We’re not sure,” Nancy replied, concern flashing across her face as she picked up the seriousness in your tone.

“Why?” Jonathan asked cautiously, but before you could answer, you all heard screeching coming from the lab, finally noticing that the lights were flashing outside in an orderly fashion, indicating that some alarm system was likely enabled.

You all began arguing, attempting to figure out when the last time anyone had seen Will and Mike, when suddenly each floor of Hawkins Lab began lighting up again, one by one.

“The power’s back,” you breathed out, unsure if it was a good or a bad sign. Jonathan sprinted back to the operator’s booth, rapidly pushing the button to open the gate with no such luck.

“Let me try,” Dustin tried to push past Jonathan, but he didn’t budge, “let me try, Jonathan!”

You rolled your eyes as Dustin whined, his pushing of the button making no difference than when Jonathan had been pressing it before. “Shocker, it’s not working,” you called out, sarcasm lacing your voice.

“Son of a bitch!” The boy exclaimed as he continued to shove at the button repeatedly. After a few minutes of button pushing, the gate finally began to roll open, Dustin celebrating the fact that he had saved the day. This kid’s a fucking idiot, you thought, rolling your eyes, confident that the gate opening was the doing of someone inside the building.

Jonathan and Nancy piled into his car as they drove off towards the facility, leaving the five of you behind.

“Should we try to follow them?” Dustin suggested. You glanced back over at the lab, lights still flashing and alarm still sounding. Though you desperately wanted to help in any way you could, you weren’t going to risk the safety of the kids, knowing that if you went, they’d be close behind regardless of whether or not you told them to stay put.

“No. We’ll let them handle this part. If they don’t come back soon, we’ll follow, but until then we’re all staying right here. Understood?” You asked, swinging your flashlight to point it at each of the kids while you waited for their response. They all nodded in agreement; they knew better than to mess with you.

And so you waited, you picking at your fingernails, Steve tossing his flashlight up and down, and the kids pacing and kicking the ground.

“Guys?” Max spoke up as she paused in the middle of the road, noticing two cars quickly approaching. You recognized the first one as Jonathan’s and he laid on the horn, clearly not slowing down.

“Get out of the way!” Steve shouted, grabbing Max by the arm and pulling her to the side. You swiftly followed suit, grabbing the two boys by their collars and yanking them to safety just in time for Jonathan to fly past you. Something was clearly imminent and you didn’t want to be there when it arrived.

The second car screeched to a halt, and you were met with the face of Jim Hopper as he shouted out the window, “let’s go!”

Steve threw the door open, hurrying the kids along to get in the back of the police vehicle, placing a hand on your back to guide you into the back of the van before jumping in the passenger seat and slamming the door. “Okay! Let’s go!” He gave Hopper the all clear, patting the side of the police vehicle to signal that everyone was safely boarded in the car.

“What the fuck is going on?” You asked from the backseat, leaning forward between Steve and Hopper.

Hopper looked at you a bit annoyed, but he knew enough about you to know that you were a good kid, so he tried to stay calm. “I’m assuming you know about the demogorgons given the fact you’ve got a golf club and a baseball bat. What else do you know?”

“Other than that shit is clearly bad again, not much,” you breathed out. What more was there to know? Hopper’s words scared you, and Steve was quick to put a gentle hand on your shoulder to help you settle down.

“There are these tunnels. Under Hawkins. The demogorgons have been using them to travel around town and all this shit from the Upside Down is leaking in. All the ash and shit from last year is there and there’s rot all across town,” he started. You looked wide eyed at Steve, both of you remembering the gaping hole in Dustin’s cellar.

“I noticed a tree in the woods earlier, its trunk was rotting from the inside out. It was marked…with-with a yellow flag. That was you?” You asked to clarify.

“Yes, but that’s probably the least of our concerns. The gate is still open, and those assholes at Hawkins Lab thought it was contained but it’s clearly not. They’ve been doing controlled burns, trying to tame it back, but it’s not working,” Hopper gripped the steering wheel tighter, his eyes fixed on the road ahead of him.

“What are we gonna do?” Dustin spoke up from the backseat, attempting to push around you to be a part of the conversation in the front. You shoved him back and rolled your eyes, giving him a look that told him to watch himself.

“Right now we’re going back to Joyce’s house where it’s safe. And you’re not going to do anything. We’re going to go home and wait for backup,” Hopper glanced back at the boy. You were about the protest, when Steve elbowed you and shook his head. Now was not the time. Besides, Steve wasn’t too upset about the idea. He wanted to be far away from the danger. He wanted you to be far away from the danger.

You sighed and flopped back. Shit was about to hit the fan, and you weren’t sure how prepared you were to deal with it.

***

The Byers’ house was equally as disheveled as it was the year before, but this time, instead of lights, there were crayon drawings scattered and taped all over the house. Steve watched as Nancy comforted Jonathan while Hopper yelled on the phone, his call for backup clearly not going the way he had hoped it would. Steve entered the kitchen, going to lean up against the counter with you. You could see the hurt on his face, and you gently nudged him in the side to get his attention.

“Hey, chin up,” you reminded him softly. You knew Nancy had hurt him and even though you wanted to be mad at her, you couldn’t. She was hurting too, still grappling with all this shit that life kept throwing in your direction. You couldn’t blame her for wanting different things; for realizing she needed to make changes to be happier. You still couldn’t understand how she wasn’t happy with Steve, though. He’d been your saving grace through all of this and you were envious of the ways that he had been able to be there for her that he couldn’t be for you. You pushed the thought aside and tried to take your own advice, straightening up in the face of it all.

“They didn’t believe you, did they?” Dustin asked as Hopper aggressively hung up the phone.

“We’ll see,” he shot back, not happy with the incessant questioning from these damn kids.

“‘We’ll see’? We can’t just sit here while those things are loose!” Mike yelled, frustrated with the lack of action that Hopper was suggesting.

“We stay here, and we wait for help,” Hopper slowly articulated, his tone making it clear that it wasn’t up for discussion. He exited the kitchen before anyone else could chime in. You rolled your eyes.

Mike began talking about Bob Newby, and your heart sank in your chest as you tried not to let your eyes well up with tears. All day, you’d been trying to prevent anymore deaths; to keep everyone safe. You had failed, but you were starting to find the grace to understand that this wasn’t on you. Despite that, it still hurt.

“We can’t let him die in vain,” Mike begged. You couldn’t agree more, but in more ways than one, your hands were tied.

“Well, what do you want to do, Mike? The chief’s right about this. I mean, we can’t stop those demo-dogs on our own” Dustin spat, clearly feeling just as frustrated as you had felt.

“Demo-dogs?” You asked incredulously. That might be some of the dumbest shit you’ve ever heard.

“Demogorgons. Dogs…Demo-dogs,” Dustin reiterated, and you scoffed.

“When it was just Dart, maybe, but now there’s a fucking army and we don’t have the manpower or resources to take that many fucking monsters out,” Steve spoke up. He still was partial to staying back, letting the grown ups figure this shit out.

“His army,” Mike spoke up and you could see the glint of realization in his eyes.

“What do you mean?” Steve asked.

“His army!” Mike repeated. “Maybe if we stop him, we can stop his army too!” He quickly stood up from his chair moving to pick up one of Will’s drawings. You gently grabbed it and your heart ached knowing that Will had been seeing this thing in his nightmares. By the looks of it, it was huge, its crooked arms reaching out and infecting every inch of town. You shuddered.

“The shadow monster,” Dustin clarified for those of you that weren’t privy, still not quite sure what Mike was going on about.

“It got Will that day in the field. The doctor said it was like a virus, it infected him.”

“And so this virus, it’s connecting him to the tunnels?” Max chimed in.

“To the tunnels, to the monsters, to the Upside Down. Everything,” Mike emphasized.

“Woah, slow down, slow down,” Steve spoke up, clearly not following the boy’s line of reasoning.

“The shadow monster’s inside everything. And if the vines feel something, like pain, then so does Will,” Mike explained.

“And so does Dart,” you added, following.

“Yeah, it’s like what Mr. Clarke taught us about the hive mind,” Mike confirmed as he looked at Lucas and Dustin.

“Hive mind?” Steve asked. Goodness gracious this boy was stupid, you thought, taking a deep breath to avoid snapping at him.

“A collective consciousness. It’s a super-organism,” you explained. The boys looked at you in awe, impressed that you also knew about this shit. Maybe you were more of a nerd than you thought.

“And this is the thing that controls everything. It’s the brain,” Mike pointed at the picture in your hands.

“Like the mind flayer!” Dustin exclaimed. The three boys shared a knowing look, leaving you, Steve, and Max in the dark. Dustin scoured the house, locating a book and slamming it down on the table. Hopper and Nancy had joined the kitchen after all the commotion, interested in knowing what had the kids so worked up.

“The mind flayer,” Dustin repeated.

Hopper looked at him exasperated. He didn’t have time for these kids pulling some imaginary bullshit. “What the hell is that?”

“It’s a monster from an unknown dimension. It’s so ancient that it doesn’t even know it’s true home. It enslaves races of other dimensions by taking over their brains using its highly-developed psionic powers,” Dustin explained.

“None of this is real,” Hopper groaned.

“Yeah, Dustin, this is a kids’ game,” you added incredulously.

“No, it’s a manual…and it’s not for kids. And unless you know something that we don’t, this is the best metaphor for understanding whatever the hell this is,” Dustin defended himself.

“Okay, so this mind flamer thing—“ Nancy started, trying to understand.

“Flayer,” Dustin corrected.

“—flayer—what does it want?”

“To conquer us, basically. It believes it’s the master race.”

“Oh, uh, like the Germans,” Steve stammered, trying to understand via his own metaphor. You all looked at him in disbelief.

“Uh, the nazis?” Dustin corrected and Steve nodded in agreement, “if the nazis were from a different dimension, then totally. It views other races like us as inferior.”

“Yeah, and it wants to spread to other dimensions,” Mike added.

“We are talking about the destruction of our world as we know it,” Lucas emphasized.

You felt the anxiety creep back up, and all of this was way too overwhelming. How the hell were you supposed to fight something that had control over an expansive and complex army?

“This is just great, this is fantastic!” Steve groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose and stepped away. You made your way out of the kitchen, connecting the dots well enough to not need any further explanation. Steve followed you, wanting to make sure you were okay.

“This is insane, Steve,” you breathed out. “We’re not talking about just one demogorgon anymore. Not even a couple. This is a whole fucking army. Imagine the carnage! We can’t fucking do this! I can’t fucking do this!” You began rambling as you quickly began to spiral. The fate of the world was in your hands and you couldn’t do anything to save it.

“Hey, hey, hey, chill out,” Steve sounded exasperated. He was just as tense and overwhelmed about the situation as you were, but ruminating over it didn’t help anything. “When you freak out about it, it just makes everything ten times harder, so just take a deep breath, think about something else, and chill the fuck out,” Steve reiterated. It was tough love, but it helped. He was right; stressing about it wasn’t going to change anything.

The conversation from the kitchen moved into the family room with you as Mike followed Hopper into the hall, “how are they supposed to stop this? You can’t just shoot this with guns!” Mike exclaimed, talking about Hopper’s military backup.

“We don’t know that! We don’t know anything!” Hopper argued.

“We know it’s already killed everyone in that lab,” Mike shot back.

“And we know the monsters are going to molt again,” Dustin added.

“And it’s only a matter of time before those tunnels reach this town,” you finally spoke up, your voice even. You were more confident now after Steve’s words. You might not be able to save the world, but you could damn sure try.

“They’re right,” Joyce joined you all, making her way down the hallway. She looked distraught, and your heart broke for her. “We have to kill this thing…I want to kill this thing.”

“Me too, me too, Joyce, but how do we do it? We don’t exactly know what we’re dealing with here,” Hopper reminded her.

“No, but he does. If anyone knows how to destroy this thing, it’s Will. He’s connected to it; he’ll know its weakness,” Mike spoke up.

“I thought he was a spy for the mind flayer now?” Max asked.

“Yeah, but he can’t spy if he doesn’t know where he is.”

Everyone quickly got to work attempting to disguise the Byers’ shed so that it was unrecognizable to Will. You were outside, breaking down pieces of cardboard with Jonathan, while Nancy helped Steve hang tarps to cover the walls inside.

“So, you and Nancy?” You asked, getting deja vu to when you had asked Steve a very similar question during your car ride together that fateful day last November.

“What do you mean?” Jonathan was immediately defensive. You cocked your head to the side, shooting him a knowing look and chuckling before you spoke.

“Dude, it’s so obvious.”

“Well, what about you and Steve?” Jonathan fired back, aggressively ripping more cardboard.

“That is so not the same thing,” you whispered, hoping that Nancy and Steve didn’t hear him. The last thing you needed was to be on Nancy’s bad side. She was super badass and if she knew that things had been weird between you and her boyfriend (ex boyfriend?) you were sure there’d be hell to pay.

“I mean, it seems pretty similar to me,” Jonathan replied frustrated, “it doesn’t matter anyway; they’re not together anymore.”

“I mean, I know they argued, but I didn’t know they officially ended things,” you responded, doubtful of Jonathan’s words.

“Trust me. I know,” he remarked, saying the words with such finality that you could connect the dots to confirm that something had happened between the two of them. You dropped the subject, not wanting to piss Jonathan off further. After twenty more minutes of stapling and duct taping cardboard and newspapers to the walls of the shed, it was finally done, and everyone except for Hopper, Mike, Joyce, and Jonathan retreated to the inside of the Byers’ house.

There wasn’t much else to do other than wait, so you sat on the family room couch as Steve practiced his swing with the nail bat over and over and over again. It was weird, sitting and doing nothing while all of this was going on. You finally felt how tired your legs were from walking all throughout the’ woods and you really just wanted to take a nap.

“Did you put anymore thought into that essay?” You broke the silence as you asked Steve. His concentration broke as he stopped swinging the bat to look at you. The question caught him off guard and he wasn’t really sure what to say. What could he say? This had all been such a huge distraction that he hadn’t even really had the time to think about what his college essay should be about. Every time he thought about it, his mind would just go back to you and then he would push it aside.

“Uh, no. Not really, I mean…there’s kind of been a lot going on,” he chuckled, gesturing to the papers strewn about the house, a reminder of all of the shit you’d been through.

“That’s fair, that’s fair,” you replied, a bit bummed that your question hadn’t struck up a conversation like you had hoped it would; you hoped it would provide you an opportunity to be helpful in at least some capacity while you sat and twiddled your thumbs.

“What about you? What are your post grad plans?” He asked in return.

“You know, I’m honestly not really sure anymore,” you replied, your voice shrinking down into something meek and small.

“What do you mean? You work so damn hard all the time, I thought you had everything figured out,” Steve questioned. It was a red flag to him that you were expressing such uncertainty; it just didn’t make sense.

“I guess…I don’t know, it sounds stupid,” you prefaced, trying to save yourself the embarrassment of your vulnerability before continuing, “but I guess it just feels a bit futile to make these plans for the future when I don’t even know what that’s going to look like. I mean, I was always so set on going to college, but aside from the questions about feasibility—like can I afford it, will I get scholarships, how far can I go if I don’t have a car—I’m now starting to question if it’s something I even want to do. I mean, with all of this shit going on, who even knows if I’ll even live long enough to make it to—“

Steve cut you off, “woah, woah, woah! Y/n, we’re not doomsday prepping here. And if you think there’s a chance you’re not going to get a shit ton of scholarships, well then you’re not as smart as I thought you were…which now that I’m saying it, is a bit…a bit paradoxical but that’s besides the point. The point is, you’re gonna go to some fancy school—as far away as you want to go—collect a shit ton of degrees, and then you’re gonna live until you’re so old you forget how much a pain in the ass we all are.”

You couldn’t help but smile. You were glad that someone was in your corner. Your past self would have dropped dead if she knew it was Steve that was your biggest supporter. Sometimes you felt so lost in the shuffle, not having the social status to feel like your efforts really mattered—or that they were going to be rewarded. Life had a way of very distinctively not going your way, but it was nice to know that you at least had someone who believed in you when you couldn’t believe in yourself. Before you could get too sentimental about it, the lights started flashing like crazy and you could tell that Will had woken up.

It went on like that for several minutes, as you all moved to the front of the house, ready for whatever threat would find you. You jumped when Hopper burst through the door, grabbing a scrap sheet of paper and writing out morse code.

“What happened?” You were quick to ask.

“I think he’s talking, just not with words?” Jim replied. You all watched as he wrote out a series of dots and dashes, translating it as he wrote their corresponding letters.

“What is that?” Steve asked, confused by the mess of symbols on the page.

“Morse code,” you all replied in unison. He shrugged and you wondered for a moment if you’d truly been attending the same school. You looked at the paper, “HERE” spelled out, clear as day.

“Will’s still in there. He’s talking to us,” Hopper explained. So then began the operation of translating Will’s messages. Mike, Joyce, and Jonathan in the shed sharing memories with him while Hopper clicked Will’s communication through the walkie talkie. Huddled around the kitchen table were the rest of you, cheat sheets and scrap paper in hand, as you received Will’s message, letter by letter.

When Nancy wrote down the last letter, you all leaned over to read what Will had covertly been able to communicate to you.

“Close gate,” you all read. Suddenly the phone rang, and you all froze for a second. It was a dead giveaway that Will was still at his house. Dustin quickly scrambled to hang it up, but it rang again, likely Hopper’s military backup. You ran beside him, ripping the phone from the wall and tossing it across the room.

“Do you think he heard that?” Max asked hesitantly.

“It’s just a phone. It could be anywhere, right?” Steve added, trying to quell the anxiety permeating around the room, the air thick with worry. Steve was proved wrong, when Hopper came flying through the back door with his rifle, grabbing another gun as he shouted at all of you.

“Hey! Hey, get away from the windows!” He pulled the kids away from the front of the room. “Can you use this?” He held his gun out to Jonathan. The boy stammered in response, and Him didn’t have time for this. “I said, can you use this?”

“I can,” Nancy spoke up and you felt a bit relieved that she would have the gun. You trusted her with a gun more than anyone else, glad that it was her and not you. Everyone who had weapons held them up, aiming them towards the door. You gripped your knife tightly; this was a fight you were going to finish.

Your breath hitched in your throat when you heard the familiar screeching and chattering of the demogorgons outside of the house. It kept getting closer and closer, and your jaw set as you tried to focus your energy on the task at hand. You knew that after this, you were going to fall apart, and you just hoped that someone would be there to pick up the pieces.

Suddenly, the screeching stopped and a demo-dog—as Dustin had so idiotically coined them—came crashing through the glass of the window, falling in a heap on the family room floor. Dead.

“Holy shit,” Dustin whispered and you couldn’t help but agree. Holy shit was right, this was fucking insane.

You all turned as you heard noise by the front door. You reached up and grasped the back of Steve’s shirt out of fear, as the locks were undone from outside. You almost couldn’t believe your eyes, but you had seen a lot weirder shit, so this was pretty tame in comparison. Despite how ready you had been earlier, in the face of the impending threat, your confidence started to falter, as you pressed yourself up against Steve in hopes that holding on to him would make you feel more secure.

The door slowly swung open, and in stepped a girl about the same age as the other kids, her short hair slicked back, dark makeup applied around her eyes. Everyone lowered their weapons, Steve going to put an arm around you, squeezing your arm. You realized that this must be Eleven, the girl with the telepathic abilities that Dustin had told you about. Mike swiftly stepped forward to hug her as she burst into tears. Your heart broke for her; you couldn’t imagine what it was like to be someone’s science experiment for your whole life.

Hopper stepped forward to pull the girl in for a hug and that was when you all connected the dots that he had been hiding her since she disappeared last year. You were shocked, but not as shocked as Mike.

And he was mad.

***

Hopper had calmed Mike down, leading to a very long discussion of how you were able to kill this mind flayer without hurting Will in the process. Jonathan, Nancy, and Joyce had left with Will to steam the mind flayer out of him so that Hopper could take Eleven back to Hawkins Lab to close the gate.

That left you and Steve in charge of the four remaining kids…which really just made you want to cry. Because now your babysitting consisted of Dustin throwing all of the food from the Byers’ fridge onto the floor while Steve shoved a dead monster from an unknown dimension into it. And you weren’t even getting paid for it.

“Fine, but you’re explaining this to Mrs. Byers,” Steve reluctantly agreed, holding the demogorgon like a damn baby before the boys worked together to slam the fridge closed. Good riddance, you thought as it disappeared from view. Steve put his hand on the boy’s head, jostling his hat, before turning away from the fridge. The sight would’ve been endearing if they hadn’t just bonded over a dead monster that had almost tried to kill you.

Mike began pacing back and forth, frustrated that you were all stuck at Will’s instead of helping Eleven close the gate. The kids swiftly started arguing over it and you pinched the bridge of your nose, unable to take another second of their bickering.

“Would you all just shut the fuck up? Please?” You begged, but no one listened. Steve noticed your frustration and tried to help in the best way he knew how: with a sports metaphor.

“Listen, dude, a coach calls a play in the game, bottom line, you execute it, alright?”

“First of all, this isn’t some stupid sports game. And second, we’re not even in the game, we’re on the bench,” Mike argued. You sighed at how little Steve had thought this through. He noticed you glaring at him and tried and failed to salvage what he could of his life lesson to the impressionable young children.

“So…so yeah, my point is…” he stammered, and you all watched him expectantly as he paused. “Right, yeah, we’re on the bench, so, uh, there’s nothing we can do.”

“That’s not exactly true. When we were at the bus, the demo-dogs got called away,” Dustin reminded you all.

“So if we get their attention, maybe we can draw them away from the lab,” Max continued.

“Clear a path to the gate,” you chimed in. Steve looked at you, betrayed. He needed you to back him up on this otherwise this babysitting shit wasn’t going to work.

“Uh, yeah. And then we all die!” Steve threw his hands up in exasperation.

“That’s one point of view,” Dustin argued.

“That is not a point of view, man, that is a fact.”

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s a fact or a point of view, the point is, it’s still dangerous,” you added, coming to your senses. There was no way you could attract these monsters without someone getting hurt. You’d rather be on the bench than lose a teammate to a career ending injury. Fucking hell, I hate these sports metaphors. Who am I?

“I got it! This is where the chief dug his hole and it’s our way into the tunnels,” Mike explained, showing you a spot on Will’s map, “right here, this is a hub, it connects to all the other tunnels. Maybe if we set this on fire—“

“Yeah, that’s a no!” Steve yelled.

“The mind flayer would call away his army. They’d come to stop us,” Dustin continued.

“We circle back to the exit, by the time they realize we’re gone—“ Mike started.

“El would be at the gate,” Max finished his thought.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Steve clapped to draw the kids out of their batshit crazy plans. “This is not fucking happening.”

“But—“

“No, no, no, no, no. No buts. I promised I’d keep you shitheads safe, and that’s exactly what I plan on doing. We’re staying here—on the bench—and we’re waiting for the starting team to do their job. Does everybody understand that?”

“This isn’t some stupid sports game,” Mike shot back, annoyed that his sister’s now ex boyfriend was trying to tell him what he could and couldn’t do.

“I said, does everybody understand that?” Steve seemed scary, and honestly it was kind of a turn on. You didn’t mind him telling you what to do if he looked that damn hot doing it. You tried to shake the thought away, but you couldn’t help but enjoy the way he seemed so paternal. He was stepping up as a babysitter and you couldn’t be prouder.

“I need a yes,” you added when none of the children responded, trying to demonstrate to Steve that you were on his team. While Steve was scary, Dustin still thought you were a thousand times scarier, even though you’d only said four words. Before Dustin could open his mouth to speak, you were all distracted by an engine revving outside.

Max ran to the window, recognizing the car as her heart leapt to her throat. “That’s my brother. He can’t know we’re here. He’ll kill me. He’ll kill us!” Max rambled, clearly intimidated by her step brother. You went to put an arm on the girl’s shoulder in an attempt to calm her down.

“Don’t worry about it Max, I’ll handle it. I promise,” you told the girl as you stepped towards the door.

“Uh uh. No way. Not happening,” Steve pulled you behind him a bit aggressively as he had recognized the plates from sunny California, connecting the dots to figure that Max had the misfortune of being related to the biggest asshole he had ever met. Before you could protest, he swiftly exited the house, slamming the door behind him.

“Am I dreaming or is that you Harrington?” Billy asked with a shit eating grin on his face, stepping out of his car.

“Yeah it’s me. Don’t cream your pants.”

“What are you doing here amigo?” Billy asked.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Steve replied, wanting to give him as little information as possible.

“Looking for my step sister. A little birdie told me she was here. Small? Redhead? Bit of a bitch?”

“Sorry doesn’t ring a bell.”

“I don’t know, this whole situation, Harrington, is giving me a bit of the heebie-jeebies. My thirteen year old sister goes missing all day and I find her with you at a stranger’s house, and you lie to me about it.”

“Man, were you dropped too much as a child? I told you, she’s not here,” Steve was surprised he was able to keep his voice even. He was face to face with Billy and all he wanted to do was beat the shit out of him. He had been an ass to you and clearly Max was afraid of him too, so he deserved to have the shit kicked out of him. All things considered, Steve thought he was being pretty damn civil.

“Then who is that?” Billy asked, pointing his cigarette at the window. Steve turned around and watched as all four kids ducked out of view. Where the fuck were you when all of this was happening?

“Oh shit,” he whispered before turning back around to face Billy, “Listen—“

His explanation was cut off when Billy shoved him to the ground. “I told you to plant your feet,” he seethed, kicking Steve in the stomach before entering the house.

When Billy slammed open the door, there you were, in a protective stance in front of the kids, slowly backing them towards the kitchen. “What the fuck is this, y/n?” He approached you. Your breath hitched in your throat and you were scared out of your mind. But in that moment, all that mattered was those kids, as you took a step towards Billy, chin up.

“And look who it is, Lucas Sinclair,” he added, looking past you. He turned to Max, “you disobeyed me. And you know what happens when you disobey me…I break things.” He lunged to grab Lucas but you shoved him back enough to knock him off kilter, redirecting his focus as he grabbed the collar of your windbreaker instead, forcing you into a corner of the room. Your shoulders tensed up and you froze, struggling as you attempted to pry yourself out of his grip.

“Y/n, I’ve gotta say. I’m disappointed. I’ve been nothing but nice to you and this—” he dropped your collar, hand shooting to grab your wrist to prevent you from moving away as he gestured to his sister, “—this is how you repay me?”

���Let me go!” You seethed as you kicked him where it hurt. He groaned as he backed up, but it wasn’t enough room for you to escape. He slapped you across the face, grabbing you by the shoulders and slamming you back against the wall. He threw another punch to your face and your nose began to gush blood, most likely broken.

“You bitch! You’re dead!” He shouted, pulling you towards him to slam you into the wall again, when Steve suddenly grabbed his arm.

“No. You are,” he said before throwing a solid punch at Billy. You fell to the floor, grateful you were in the kitchen as you reached for a towel to hold up to your nose. He doubled over before twisting back up to face Steve, cackling with a wide smile on his face. He was absolutely insane, as you sat horrified. You wanted to get up, help Steve, say anything, but you were struggling to keep your eyes open as you began to hyperventilate.

“Looks like you got some fire in you after all, huh? I’ve been waiting to meet this King Steve everybody’s been telling me so much about,” Billy stepped towards him again.

“Get the fuck out,” Steve warned, pushing him away. There was a moment of stillness in the kitchen before Billy swung at Steve, but he ducked at the last minute, throwing another punch back that landed at Billy’s temple. He backed up and the kitchen erupted into a chorus of cheers for Steve to fuck Billy up as Steve threw another punch.

Steve’s advantage didn’t last for long, as Billy grabbed a dinner plate, breaking it over Steve’s head. Steve moved back into the family room, clutching his head as Billy followed him, throwing a punch that knocked Steve off balance.

“No one tells me what to do,” Billy seethed, shoving Steve to the ground before getting on top of him throwing punch after punch his way. Seeing Steve hurt gave you the strength you needed to stand up. You wobbled slightly, grabbing the golf club from your backpack and heading over to the family room where Steve was getting the shit beat out of him.

You swung back, your vision blurred as you attempted to line up your swing. You didn’t want to kill the boy, but you did want to incapacitate him, and there seemed to be a very fine line between those things when you could barely see straight to swing with accuracy. Billy must have seen you in his peripheral as he swiftly stood, Steve long passed out, and grabbed the club from your hand. Your eyes fluttered as you attempted to stay standing, wanting to crumble under Billy’s wild gaze. He shoved you to the floor, your head hitting the ground hard. Your ears were ringing as he got on top of you, pinning your hands down beside your head. A tear escaped your eye as the ringing stopped and he got dangerously close to your ear to whisper in it.

“You should’ve just been a good girl and listened on Halloween.”

A small cry escaped your lips as he grabbed your shoulders and slammed you into the ground again. Your eyes were fluttering shut, but the last thing you saw was Max appear behind the boy, a needle plunging deep into Billy’s neck. He shouted out in pain as Max administered the sedative, Billy standing up to face her. You wanted to say something, anything, stand up to protect the young girl, wrapped up in fighting these monsters even though she lived with one.

You wanted to fight for her, but she disappeared as the world went dark.

***

Steve woke up in the backseat of a car, double vision making it hard to make out anything in the dark. He saw someone holding a can of gasoline and thought the features seemed familiar.

“Nancy?” He croaked out. But as his vision cleared, he was met with the confused gaze of Mike Wheeler. He felt a deep pain in his face and he went up to feel his nose, which was undoubtedly broken, when a hand pushed his away.

“No, don’t touch it,” he heard Dustin’s voice, turning to look him in the eyes “Hey, buddy. It’s okay, you put up a good fight. He kicked your ass but you put up a good fight.” At least the boy was honest, but couldn’t he at least sugarcoat it a little bit?

The rest of his body started to wake up, and that was when he noticed the weight across his chest, lifting his head which ached in such an indescribable way, to notice you, brightly covered band-aids littering your bruised and battered face, unconscious on top of him.

He heard Lucas giving the driver directions and that was when it all clicked for him and his mind finally showed up. If you were unconscious then who was driving the fucking car?!

“Oh my god!” Steve choked out causing you to stir. His hands grabbed onto you as groaned, eyes slowly fluttering open.

You came to much faster than Steve had, pretty much immediately noticing that Max was driving the car. “What the fuck!” You exclaimed, attempting to sit up, but Dustin pushed you back into Steve.

“Just relax. She’s driven before,” Dustin assured you.

“Yeah, in a parking lot,” Mike shot back, clearly not happy about this plan either.

“That counts!” Lucas chimed in from the passenger seat.

“Oh my god,” Steve repeated gripping onto you tighter.

“They were going to leave you behind. I promised that you’d be cool!” Dustin told him, trying to convince him to behave.

“Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah, what’s going on?” He yelled out as Max accelerated. “Ohhhh, woah! No! Stop the car, slow down!” He yelled and you shrieked as you buried your face in his neck. His arm instinctively curled around your waist, holding you tight against his body.

“I told you he’d freak out!” Mike yelled, annoyed that they hadn’t just left him behind. To be honest, he knew you’d freak out too but he couldn’t in good conscience leave you there. Especially if Billy woke up.

“Stop the car!” You screamed, but it was slightly muffled as you were unwilling to leave the safe haven that was Steve’s neck, head still buried there as if your life depended on it.

“Everybody shut up! I’m trying to focus!” Max shouted.

“Make a left! Make a left!” Lucas shouted pointing at the turn Max was about to pass up. She cut it hard, the inertia throwing you all to the right of the car, as Steve squeezed his eyes shut, wrapping his other arm around you as he held onto you with all his might. Max, swerved as she attempted to regain control of the vehicle, taking out a mailbox in the process. Well, that’s a felony, you thought as she continued on. You’d faced monsters of unimaginable terror and this was how you were going to go out: in the backseat of a car with a child at the wheel.

After several more minutes that felt like hours of reckless driving, the car screeched to a halt at the opening of the tunnel Hopper had dug into. “I told you. Zoomer,” Max exclaimed confidently from the front seat.

“What the fuck does that even mean?” You cried out, done with this hellish car ride. The kids all swiftly made their way out of the car, you and Steve having a bit more trouble. Neither of you were able to gain your footing too quickly, as you stumbled into him. He caught you, allowing you to brace yourself against him as you righted yourself.

“Oh no, guys!” Steve groaned, “hey! Where do you think you’re going?” He added as Dustin made his way over to the opening of the tunnel, can of gasoline in hand. “We are not going down there! I made myself clear!”

No one was listening as the kids all moved around the two of you, grabbing supplies and preparing for their descent. “Hey! There is no chance we’re going in that hole, alright? This ends right now!” He moved away from you gripping the backpack out of the trunk before Dustin could grab it.

“Steve! You’re upset, I get it. But bottom line is a party member requires assistance, and it is our duty to provide that assistance. Now, I know you promised Nance you’d keep us safe, so keep us safe,” Dustin emphasized the end as he held out Steve’s backpack and tossed you your sheathed blade.

Donning bandanas and goggles, you and Steve descended into the tunnel before the rest of the kids.

“It’s this way!” Mike announced, following his crudely drawn map. Steve snatched it out of his hand.

“Hey, I don’t think so. If any of you shits die down here, I’m getting the blame, got it dipshit? From here on out I’m leading the way. Come on let’s go!” He yelled. You joined him at the front of the group to talk to him as the kids formed their own group in the rear to talk.

“I’m sorry, Steve,” you apologized. He turned to look at you and you wished you could see his face to determine the look on it.

“What the fuck do you mean you’re sorry? You have nothing to be sorry for,” he replied, shocked that you would even think that was necessary.

“It’s just, you stopped Billy from hitting me and then he beat the shit out of you. So I’m sorry because that should’ve been me,” you answered him, your eyes welling up with tears. You willed yourself not to cry. The last thing you needed was these dumbass swim goggles filling with water.

“I’m fucking glad it wasn’t you y/n. And I’m not gonna let him touch you ever again, okay? I promise.”

You nodded, too choked up to trust your voice as you continued down the tunnels. You pushed away the anxiety you were feeling about getting lost, trusting that the map the kids had drawn was correct. It took a while but finally the tunnels opened up and you saw countless other ones that fed to this location.

“I think we found your hub,” you exclaimed taking in the sight. It was pretty insane to look at and you couldn’t quite believe that all of this was here in Hawkins.

“Let’s drench it,” Mike replied, ready to kill the fucking thing; hit it where it hurt. You all poured gasoline all around the hub, the smell almost nauseating, making you glad you had the bandana around your face. When it was all finally said and done, you all retreated to the tunnel that you came from, facing your gasoline soaked work.

“Alright. Are you ready?” Steve asked.

“Light her up,” you replied.

“I am in such deep shit,” Steve added before sparking his lighter and tossing it into the hub. It erupted into flames and your mind flashed back to the fire Jonathan had set last year in his hallway, burning the demogorgon that had nearly killed you.

“Go, go, go!” Steve yelled, the kids running ahead of you as you and Steve took up the rear this time, wanting to make sure that if all else failed, the kids got out. You ran through the tunnels as swiftly as you could, attempting not to trip on the vines scattered haphazardly across the ground. Suddenly, Mike began screaming for help as you realized a vine had wrapped around his ankle, pulling him to the floor.

“Everybody back!” You yelled as you unsheathed your knife, slashing the vine and releasing Mike from its grip. He stood and you geared up to continue your way through the tunnels, when you came face to face with one of the demo-dogs.

“Dart?” Dustin asked. You all screamed at Dustin to get back but he didn’t listen. “Trust me. Hey it’s me. It’s your friend, Dustin. You remember me? Will you let us pass?”

The demogorgon opened its mouth to shriek at him and you were about to lunge forward to grab Dustin, but Steve stopped you.

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry about the cellar. You hungry?” Dustin asked reaching into his backpack, pulling out a three musketeers. “I’ve got our favorite! Nougat,” he unwrapped the candy placing it in front of the demogorgon waving all of you to go ahead of him. You hesitated but finally listened, going against all instinct and trusting that the boy might know what he’s doing.

You all finally made your way back to the rope when the ground began to shake and you heard the shrieking of demogorgons in the distance. They were coming, and they were coming fast.

Steve lifted up each kid, boosting them up so they could climb the rope and exit the tunnels, until it was just you and him. They were gaining on you and there was no time. Steve had his bat ready to swing, and you braced for impact knowing that there was nothing the two of you could do to stop the dozens of demo-dogs that were inevitably coming. You shut your eyes, hearing the growl of the demogorgons and the cries from the kids above you, but the impact never came instead, you clutched Steve to keep your balance, as the demo-dogs sprinted past you, headed somewhere else.

You chuckled in disbelief, hugging Steve, burying your face in his chest as his hand went to the nape of your neck. You both swayed like that for a moment, holding each other in relief before the kids broke the magic of the moment.

“Hey lovebirds! We need to get out of here!” Dustin yelled down the hole.

Those damn kids.

***

Steve agreed to drive Dustin to the Snowball, and you begged to go with. Despite all of the bullshit he’d put you through, you loved the kid more than you loved most things, and you weren’t going to miss the opportunity to see him all dressed up for this school dance.

“Alright, buddy. Here we are,” Steve said as he pulled up to Hawkins Middle. “Just remember, go in there—“

“And pretend I don’t care.”

“There you go. You’re learning, my friend,” Steve smiled and you rolled your eyes from the backseat. Dustin leaned forward to check the visor mirror, but Steve slammed it back shut before he could open it.

“Hey, come on. You look great, okay? You’re gonna go in there—you look like a million bucks—and you’re gonna slay ‘em dead, okay?”

“Like a lion,” Dustin replied, rolling his r’s in a weird purr that had you cringing behind him.

“Yeah, don’t do that, okay?” Steve warned and Dustin nodded. “Good luck,” he added as he shook Dustin’s hand before Dustin exited the car, making his way into the gym.

You moved to the front seat a wide grin on your face. “That was sweet,” you told Steve and he rolled his eyes.

“Whatever, freak,” Steve grumbled.

“Hey, that’s a good thing you know,” you reminded him as he began to pull away, making his way back towards his house. “Are you sure you’re okay with me staying at yours again?” You asked. You two were beginning to blur the line between friends and something more.

“Yeah, yeah! Of course. I wouldn’t want to go home to an empty house after all of that shit either,” Steve told you, though most days he did go home to an empty house, his parents on various different business trips. Your parents just worked nights occasionally, and every once in a while they coincided. Since Eleven closed the gate, even though things were better, you still weren’t too keen on staying home alone, so you’d made it a habit to stay at Steve’s, so long as his parents were gone (which they usually were).

Steve wasn’t going to complain. And he definitely wasn’t going to tell you no. He wanted more than anything to be there for you and if company was what you needed, he made damn sure he could provide it. Plus, you still shared a bed with him when you stayed the night.

As Steve looked at you, moonlight hitting your face and making all your features look soft as you hummed and nodded along to the music on the radio, he knew he wasn’t going to write that damn college essay. College wasn’t really for him, and deep down he’d always known it.

And besides, he wasn’t quite ready to leave you yet.

***

a/n: I hope you enjoyed this part! I’m excited to start writing for season 3! Comment and reblog if you enjoyed it! I’d love to know what you think ;)

#stranger things #joe keery #steve harrington #netflix #friends to lovers #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington friends to lovers #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington stranger things #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington fanfiction #stranger things x reader #steve harrington the babysitter #steve harrington x reader fanfic #steve harrington angst #steve harrington x you #stranger things fanfiction

[gravedigginbbydoll]

His Best Girl

Eddie Munson x Latina! OC

AN: Hi. So this lil blurb is very personal to me and my own experiences (and a few of those of loved ones) as the daughter of a latina immigrant. This is heavily based on Your Best American Girl by Mitski. Also I'm sorry for making Steve an ass at the beginning, I just think pre-upside down and Nancy, he was a bit misguided. And to all my immigrant daughters out there: please know that you are not out of place or just pieces and not a whole. You are a human with multiple facets and pieces and parts to make up something amazing. Anyways, like and reblog if you enjoy as per usual. Love y'all ❤️

CW: Xenophobia, stereotypes, internalized xenophobia and anti-latinidad, pressure of fitting in, strenuous relationship with mother, toxic motherly relationship at times, anxiety, bullying. Fear of not being accepted, etc. Mentions of food. Slightly suggestive thoughts.

I stuck out like a sore thumb in Hawkins. It didn't matter that we had lived there for longer than Billy Hargrove, we got more sneers than he ever did. Teased for lunches homemade by my mother, now rotting in a garbage can behind school. Teased for the poncho I wore in grade school, chubby cheeks wet with tears as I sobbed over the laughter. Teased for my mother’s pronunciation of words like Illinois, too many syllables crowded into her mouth for the english language. 

It didn’t matter how far I distanced myself. I stopped speaking my mother’s native tongue, pushing down the hurt I saw in her eyes that now her own daughter was pitted against her. I stayed silent at my father’s snide comments about her heritage and pretended to be busy when her family called. I tried to get involved in cheerleading and dance, trying to show that I too could be part of the American Dream. Yet still, like a birthmark unable to be scrubbed away, Hawkins remembered me as a stranger. 

It seemed like the effort finally paid off when Steve Harrington got interested in me. I wasn’t ugly, but I wasn't Molly Ringwall. He flirted with me after basketball practice, messing with my scrunchy, stealing my pom poms. I felt my heart soar. I’d finally made it. I’d finally been made a resident in my own community. When he finally asked me out, I felt my chest burst with pride, my sense of belonging almost fulfilled. Yes, my home was tense and sad. But now I could exist outside our little bubble without fear of being ostracized. 

Then came the roadblocks. 

Steve liked my hair straight, down and perfected with hairspray. Liked me clean shaven and bare. Wanted me to do makeup like Carol, simple. Wanted me dressed in pinks and perfect baby blues, the style as All-American and feminine as possible. Wanted me to stop carrying around the small rosary and evil eye bracelet I’d hidden from the rest of the world. I obliged, sugary smiles and gut wrenching nerves, just wanting to stay enough, be enough. 

Then it went deeper. Steve wanted to hear me speak Spanish in private, words hushed and filthy, pushing limits I knew I’d be thinking of later in confession. But in public, he only wanted English, urged me to take French at school instead. He never asked to meet my mother, who had showered me in affection despite my cold shoulder. Who only spoke in proud words over me on the phone whether it be about my latest test, my excelling in dance classes, or just my part on the cheer team. And as we went further, he’d scrutinize little things, like the way I looked, the little superstitions I picked up from my mother, the small bits and pieces of her folded into me. 

It all bubbled over the night I met his family. He warned me that they were tough but his mother was sweet. I sat, makeup perfect, smile shining, and careful to seem like the picture perfect girl they’d approve of. I nibbled at the meal his mother prepared, my heart longing for the familiar comfort of my mamá’s cooking wafting in the kitchen, the laughter in the kitchen as she made milanesa or empanadas. Steve’s mother’s cooking felt cold, lifeless. The casserole was lightly salted, and the energy at the table stale and somehow tense all at once. 

“So, what’s your mother do? Stay at home?,” Steve’s father asked nonchalantly. 

I felt my stomach sink. Wealthy mothers in Hawkins didn’t work. They stayed home while their husbands hopped around their business meetings and towns nearby. My smile faltered, but I decided to be honest. After all, they’d know sooner or later. 

“No, sir. She works at an Italian restaurant downtown.” 

“Well, I suppose Italian isn’t all that different from speaking Spanish,” He offered, shrugging. 

My stomach sank to the floor, my heart squeezed. Something about his inflection, something about his writing off my mother speaking English, stirred something in me. 

Steve stayed silent, his eyes begging me to let it go. 

“My mamá speaks English, sir. As well as Spanish,” My voice shook softly, my hands clenched under the table. 

“Ah, okay. Wasn’t sure. Seems a lot of Hispanics nowadays can’t just try to learn the language when they come into our country, for god's sake. But I should have known. You’re such a…well-adjusted girl.” 

I felt the small thread holding together my façade crack. I breathed in, trying to stop myself from screaming. How could such wealthy and lucky people be so small minded? I gritted my teeth. 

“English is surprisingly a hard language. My mother still struggles with it even after living here longer than she did in her home country.” 

He scoffed, shaking his head. “Well, I’m not struggling. Just don’t understand why they can’t come here and assimilate. I mean, when Steve told us he was dating an ethnic girl, I questioned-” 

Steve paled at the mention of this, turning to me and trying to explain himself through his eyes but staying silent. 

I held up a hand, trying to keep my composure, my words cold and my anger boiling. “We try. Plenty. We try to squeeze into your boxes and norms and bend to your will and it’s never good enough. I still get notes taped to my back that say ‘river crossing’ or slurs that aren’t even correct for my heritage. I still get called ‘gorilla arms’ despite waxing and shaving daily since 6th grade. I get spit on daily and if I even look at some of the people in this town, I worry one day that I’ll be dead in a ditch. And I’m one of the lucky ones. My father is American, and I am fairly pale. I was born two towns over, for christ’s sake. I am just as American as you. My mother and any latino who steps foot in this country deserves to be here as much as you, if not more.” 

I felt my hands shake and my cheeks wet as I wiped at them, the mascara I had been wearing smearing a streaky black as I stood, brushing my hands off on my dress, my heart feeling freed, my chest tempted to break open to allow me to let go more. 

“Now if you excuse me, I must go home.” 

I turned and walked out, leaving behind the big house full of dreams of all-star American athletes and nuclear households, tired mothers and fathers obsessed with infidelity. Part of my heart hoped Steve would run after me, apologize, kiss my cheeks and promise to love all the pieces and intricacies of me, promise to stand up next time. 

But he never did. 

Steve never called back, stopped speaking to me after practice, stopped trying to squeeze himself into my life. Maybe it was me embracing the soft curls of my hair and not shaving day in and out. Maybe it was me wearing what I wanted and quitting cheer to join the newspaper, and finding more people who accepted me for myself. 

I won’t deny that it stung how he found Nancy Wheeler, perfectly American girl without any question. Straight A’s, beautiful, sweet, well-off family. I was happy for him. But I couldn’t deny that my chest stung with the idea that no matter what I did, I’d never be her. 

My mother and I started mending our relationship, and while it always had that complicated knot of trauma and things she wouldn’t discuss, it was better than the frayed edges I’d left. She still pushed me hard, she still was stubborn and said things that would sting for a lifetime. I still cried alone when we fought, guilt over her giving up a life and home to make one mine, and yet I still got upset when she would refuse to budge and claim I'd ‘regret saying these things when (she) was dead and gone.’ 

But I felt less like a broken piece of glass trying to fit into a puzzle. 

I met Eddie while eating lunch outside, still sensitive to classmates upturned noses and sniggering laughs behind their hands. I was at the bleachers, enjoying the fresh air and the empanadas I had reheated secretly in the front office. My mom had made the monthly trek to the latin supermarket to get ingredients and stock up on comforts. I was relishing in the flaky dough and savory inside when a voice startled me. 

“What is that smell?”

I felt shame and embarrassment sink into my bones, knowing some of the kids at Hawkins hated the smell of the food I brought from home, claiming it was ‘too weird’. I turned to look at the voice, feeling my voice caught in my throat at the sight. 

Eddie Munson. 

I recognized the outgoing and loud metalhead anywhere. He was what I tried to distance myself from for so many years, trying to squeeze into Hawkins small sect of acceptable behavior and praised individuals. He always scared me, his clear and blatant middle finger to the idea of blending in, his behavior and interests always villainized in this town. But I also respected him immensely and was almost envious that he could do that, not consumed by thoughts of others mistreating him. 

And yet now here he was, about to join the flock of Hawkins xenophobes, it seemed.

He scrambled to sit down next to me, his lean legs climbing over the seats easily as he sat by me. He had a pack of cigarettes in hand along with what seemed to be Twinkie. He smiled down on me, his wide grin causing my cheeks to heat quickly. Eddie was more attractive than the town of Hawkins gave him credit for, his smile dazzling and his eyes a warm brown. He white Reeboks rested against the bleachers in front of us as he leaned back on his hands, smiling over at me. His bangs came over his eyes a little with the wind, causing him to squint. 

“I’ll trade you one of whatever that delicious thing is for my Twinkie. I forgot to pack a lunch,” he joked, dimples popping out. 

I felt my hands clam up as I fidgeted nervously. 

“I mean, sure, but are you sure you’ll like-” 

“Princess, trust me. I love food. And that little doughy pocket you are currently munching on smells heavenly…Please?” 

I nodded, feeling my stomach twist with nerves as I handed him the food, smiling at him sheepishly. He took it with eager hands, his own nimble fingers brushing mine and swiftly handing me the slightly squashed Twinkie. 

“Sorry, it got a little beat up.” 

I shook my head, shrugging. I had pocketed the twinkie, instead focused on his face while he took an eager bite into the dough, his moan coming soon after, his eyes rolling back into his head, his head thrown back. 

I felt my skin heat up to blazing temperatures, my thighs squirming. 

Who knew Eddie Munson’s moans sounded so… sinful?

He turned to me after chewing and swallowing, his eyes sparkling with interest as he sat up and faced me, scooting closer to me. 

“You’ve got to tell me what that was. That was the best thing I’ve ever eaten. I need like fifty. Seriously. I’ll give you a free stash if you just bring me one like everyday.”

I laughed, my cheeks still heated and my heart squeezed at the excitement. 

He liked it. He didn’t laugh. He didn’t spit it out. 

“It’s an empanada. My mom makes them.” 

“Em-pan-ahd-a,” He sounded out, stumbling over his words a bit and then grinning at me, his dimples popping up. 

“Seriously though, I’ll pay you to get more of these.” 

Eddie and I formed a bond tighter than anyone I’d ever known. After that meeting, we’d exchanged names and he offered to bring me one sweet each day in exchange for half of my mother’s cooking. 

I was terrified at first, scared he’d turn away a dish or gag at the things she made. But as it turned out, that fear was short-lived. 

Eddie Munson scarfed down empanadas, milanesa, cassava, rice, and soup. He acted as if each meal was worthy of a restaurant, praising my mother's cooking over and over again. I watched with swelling pride as he asked about the dishes and ingredients, how to cook them, and what my favorites were. He took extra care to express his love for the dishes I had assisted with the night before, his sweet words imprinted on my heart like ink. 

We grew from that to more and more hanging out, me being an honorary member of Hellfire, and Corroded Coffin’s number 1 fan. I learned Eddie never got to learn how to ride a bike but could fix cars up pretty well due to working at an auto shop. I learned how Eddie sometimes would visit his dad at the jail but always came out of it bitter. I knew Eddie liked his eggs over medium, not scrambled (‘it looks like brains’), and how he had a tiny chip in his tooth from eating shit at a little league game when he was about 11 (‘I was never athletic, okay?’). And with each small piece of Eddie I got to know more and more, I felt a stronger tug at my heart. A pull to know all the parts of him, to familiarize myself with the calluses on his fingers and the dip in his collarbone. I wanted to consume all the pieces of him and feel our bones lock together. 

One night, I had invited him over to help my mamá and I cook dinner, her over the top doting and affection causing us both to have heated cheeks, his a bright red. She was showing him how to make milanesa, her fingers already coated in eggy breadcrumbs. He listened intently, still joking around and making her laugh. She doted on him despite my fear, affectionately reprimanding him for not wearing socks on the cold floor and having his hair a mess. We laughed and sang along to old traditional love songs wafting in from the record spinning in the living room, Eddie taking my hand and swaying with me in the kitchen. My mother looked over at me with warm eyes, her smile soft and sad. 

I never felt freer than that moment, all the small pieces that made me me visible to Eddie. He looked at me with warm and caring eyes, his smile soft but still bringing out his dimples. He liked me. He liked who I was. He didn’t mind that my mother had an accent or that she was overbearing sometimes, or that she burned palo santo to repel bad spirits and insects alike. He didn’t let Jason stick xenophobic notes to my back without a fight, and never made me feel like I needed to push down my heritage. 

After dinner, I helped my mother wash the dishes while she urged Eddie to talk with my Dad and tour our home. I stayed in the kitchen speaking in hushed tones in Spanish with her, feeling frustration bubble up at her listing of all of Eddie’s flaws. 

He’s too rebellious. 

Ya se, mamá. Pero-

He has too many tattoos.

Sí, pero-

His hair is too long. 

Mamá-

I had just about accepted defeat when she stayed silent for a beat before turning over to me.

“But does he make you happy, mijita? 

I felt my heart skip a bit and a glimmer of hope shine through as I nodded my head and her expression softened. She turned back to her plate that she was scrubbing, looking into the suds rather than me. 

“Good.” 

We sat out on my porch hours after that dinner, our pinkies brushing as we sipped on water, Eddie smoking a cigarette but careful to not let the smoke come my direction. We had slipped into a comfortable silence that was familiar to us. Eddie dropped the cigarette, stomping out the smoke before turning to me and smiling. 

“This was nice. I want more of this. More of us. What do you say, princesa? Be my girl?”

I felt my heart swell as my cheeks burned from my grin, my eyes watering over as I nodded enthusiastically. He pulled my hand closer to him with our connecting pinkies, interlacing the fingers and smiling as I answered. 

“Yes. Always.”

I was on a date with Eddie when I finally saw Steve again. I mean, I had seen him in the hallways in passing, his arm usually wrapped around Nancy. However, I’d heard a rumor that the two had broken up. Steve wasn’t as popular as before and seemed to stop hanging around his group of usual assholes that included Carol and Tommy. But I had never expected to see him at the local mall working at Scoops Ahoy, serving me and Eddie. 

Eddie had a protective arm wrapped around me, his expression guarded as he ordered some ice cream for the both of us. Eddie actively hated the mall, but this was the only place in town that really served ice cream and the two of us combined had a dangerous sweet tooth. He also was aware of me and Steve’s past, and our sour ending. He had soothed and comforted me when I felt afraid he would react the same way to my home and family. 

While Steve rang us up, his expression was pained, which would have been laughable in his uniform if I wasn’t still stung by his behavior. He looked up at me, his eyes sincere as he sighed, his expression guilty. 

“Look…I’m sorry I was such an ass while we were dating. I shouldn’t have let anyone talk to you like that. I shouldn’t have pushed you like that. I’m really sorry.” 

Eddie’s arm wrapped tighter around me, ready to defend me if needed, his gaze on my face. 

But strangely, I felt a sense of closure. A sense of forgiveness. I didn’t need approval from Steve or Hawkins or even Eddie. I could be all the little pieces of myself and my mother, all the parts of Midwest America and Latin America by myself. I deserved to be whole. 

“Thank you. I deserve to be myself and feel proud of where I come from. I appreciate that you know that now.” 

Eddie smiled softly down at me, kissing my forehead as his expression was filled with pride. He paid and tugged me away from the counter, his smile soft as he handed me my ice cream and held my hand with his free one, the other clutching his own. 

“Sweet treat for my favorite girl.” 

I smiled down at the cone, the phrase not lost on me.  Maybe I wasn’t the All-American Girl. But I was Eddie’s girl. And that was more than enough.

#eddie munson #stranger things 4 #stranger things #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson x fem!oc #eddie munson x latina! oc #eddie munson x latina! #eddie munson blurb #steve harrington #steve harrington fic #steve harrington angst #steve harrington fanfiction #eddie munson au #stranger things fanfiction #stranger things angst #stranger things blurb #Youtube #Eddie Munson imagine #eddie munson x oc #eddie munson stranger thing #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson x you

[tenebrous-academic]

The way Billy was constantly brought up in Vol 2 and then never utilized in a meaningful way makes me so disappointed.

It would have been so easy to have Billy be in the upside down and stuck there since Starcourt Mall - there was an entire scene showing him met a clone of himself in Season 3, why was that never addressed? It would have made sense that the real Billy was locked away and the Upside Down Clone was the one walking around. Even his sacrifice at the end would still be in character - clearly a mental link was established so in that moment the real Billy took over and tried to save his sister and El.

Instead of Mike (a wet Pringle of a human being) talk to El and “inspire her” into fighting back, how ridiculously badass would it have been to have Billy burst in the door ready to kick ass and begin his redemption arc? There was literally so many moments that would have been the perfect foreshadowing. And yet they dropped the ball and let one of the most complex and heartbreaking characters of the show be reduced to nothing but his worst actions. He deserved so much better than being seen only through the lens of his little sister who had no real idea of what was happening in that house and how awful Neil was.

#vol 2 stranger things #vol 2 spoilers #stranger things #stranger things spoilers #billy hargrove #Billy Hargrove redemption #harringrove #billy stranger things

[joequiinn]

Masterlist (updated 4/23/24)

my fics are kinda posted all over the place because my dumb ass is chaotic and also all over the place. nothing is currently nsfw, but i'll make note of mature content on fics when we get to that point. 🖤 = personal favs | ✔️ = completed | 💭 = blurbs/previews

STRANGER THINGS eddie munson x reader

the dos and don'ts of fake dating: you propose a crazy idea to the resident freak of hawkins, eddie munson. but maybe he was even crazier for agreeing to it 🖤 cirice: Eddie wakes up in the Upside Down, undead and trapped. A Reaper of Death begins to take a particular interest in the undead man who doesn’t belong… 💭

billy hargrove x reader

you can have my hate: Unfortunately, you got stuck with Billy fucking Hargrove as your partner for your final assignment in history class. Also unfortunately, Billy discovers you have a killer body underneath all those baggy clothes… 💭

STAR WARS cassian andor x oc

saudade: a year in the life of a rebel with a cause and a rebel in search of one 🖤 *posted on my star wars sideblog

ELSEWHERE ao3 : all of my personal favs are here, although some are also on ff. i'll also post chapters of works i've already shared on tumblr.

crown of thorns: gotham | zsasz x oc 🖤 saudade: rogue one | cassian x oc 🖤 ragazza veleno: dark knight trilogy | jonathan x oc (rewritten) 🖤 the dos and don'ts of fake dating: stranger things | eddie x reader 🖤

ff.net : i’ve been on here since 2010 and i’m never leaving, okay.

caught in a goodbye: avengers | clint x natasha ✔️ dark light: x-men | gambit x oc ✔️ shell shock: les miserables | enjolras x eponine ✔️ charcoal and snow breeze: rise of the guardians | jack x oc ✔️ ragazza veleno: dark knight trilogy | jonathan x oc crown of thorns: gotham | zsasz x oc saudade: rogue one | cassian x oc

#a

[i-used-to-wear-the-fedora]

Left Behind

For the @harringrove-flip-reverse-it prompt, angst becomes fluff (sort of in this case): Left Behind

Most people would probably be scared shitless if they woke up in the underground hellscape that was the aptly named upside down. Red sky with lightning and thunder sounding constantly? All kinds of hellish creatures screeching in the distance, ready to tear you to shreds? Tentacles that got way too handsy sometimes? Yeah. Terrifying. But not to Billy Hargrove.

Sure, it took some getting used to. Especially since the last thing he remembered was dying in the middle of a raging fire. But with time, he got used to his new weird surroundings. It was actually pretty sweet compared to the shit he'd been dealing with since moving to Hawkins. He could do whatever he wanted without worrying about steeping on his old man's toes. Yeah, sure, he had to hunt down these nasty ass demon bats things for food, but for the first time in his whole life, Billy felt like he could actually breathe.

Wherever he was acted as a dark mirror to the town above him. Going house to house, Billy found himself near the edge of town out of reach from most of the creatures that resided in this dimension at the largest house in Hawkins. Going inside revealed it was Steve fucking Harrington's house. Billy almost laughed at the thought as he carved himself a space in the house. Claiming the ugly checkerboard room that apparently belonged to the King of Hawkins himself as his own, Billy was set. This place was great. Well, except for one thing.

As the only person seemingly stuck in this hellhole, Billy found himself incredibly lonely. You could only read so many books and listen to so much music before you realized his much you missed doing this kind of thing of with someone else. Billy had been keeping track of the time since he woke up. Just over nine months since he'd died and gone to Hell. Whether or not it was actual Hell, he still wasn't sure. Maybe he'd just been left behind by the whole universe at this point. But it was fine. Just fine.

Day two hundred and eighty-one had started out like most of his days did. Rolling out of Harrington's ugly bedsheets and grabbing the mom's fluffy pink bathrobe to wear. If there was one good thing about no one being around, it was that there was no one around to judge him for not changing out of his pajamas. Going down to the kitchen, Billy started a small fire to boil the gross water that came out of the sink. Digging through the cabinets, Billy frowned as he pulled out the last baggie of coffee. Damn it, that meant he'd actually have to venture out to town for a supply run. The teen winced as he ran a hand along the scar he earned a few weeks back from one of the bats that latched onto the side of his stomach. Still, he'd rather fight those things again than go without his caffeine fix.

Billy grabbed the axe he'd pilfered from the garden shed out back and suited up in his protective gear (winter clothes to cover up any bare skin) before venturing out into the dangerous outside. Billy swung the axe around as he hummed to himself. It might have just been his mind slowly going crazy but he could've sworn he heard music in the distance the day before.

'Be running your that road...be running....damn it, what was that next line?' Billy thought to himself, annoyed when he heard the sounds of loud shrieks. Instinctively, Billy raised his axe as he watched a herd of the demon bats fly past him overhead. The boy's head turned as he watched the bats completely ignore him, instead flying straight towards the edge of the nearby lake. He raised an eyebrow. They seemed to be targeting something. The blonde hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow them to whatever their target was.

Billy jogged towards Lovers Lake and froze when he heard a very distinct human voice screaming out in pain. Billy stood in shock. Did someone else get pulled down here? Adrenaline took over. Billy ran over to the figure the bats had pinned down, and he let out an attempt at an intimidating roar. Swinging the axe at the creature's, he ignored the beasts flying around him as he chopped bat after bat into pieces. Billy made his way through the swarm until he was able to see the person he just rescued, staring up at him with a look of shock. Billy was just as confused by the familiar face laid out before him.

"Harrington?"

"Hargrove?"

#stranger things #fanfiction #stranger things au #steve harrington #billy hargrove #harringrove #billy lives au #the upside down rules are murky #both in canon and my story #billy being ignorant to everything vecna related in the upside down

[nerodmcdevilslayer]

In Her Eyes

tw Omegaverse tw loss tw single parent

Steve opens his eyes when he hears a little crying voice from the crib in his bedroom. He sits up, turns on his lamp, and looks at the time. 3 AM. Well, at least she was sleeping a little longer than she has been been. Usually she woke him up at 12 or 1 AM. He had to get up to feed and change his daughter.

He hauls himself out of bed and goes to her, reaching in and scooping up a curly haired baby girl. He coos and gently soothes her. She grabs at his shirt with her little hands and he takes her to the bed and sits down, lifting his shirt so he could feed her. He looks into her eyes, all half lidded and sleepy, hearing her little noises as she feeds from him. Her eyes... beautiful eyes that reminded him of California's oceans. A perfect Azure. They look just like his. His Alpha. The one who had given him his baby.

It had been eight months since that day. The day Starcourt burned down, the day Steve Harrington had to watch as his mate sacrificed himself to save the freaking world.

Steve had been nine months along when it happened. His grief had been immeasurable. He lost a part of him that day, a part of his heart. The person who came into his life and totally rocked his world. Seeing him die and the way it affected him all at once caused him to go into labor, having to be carried out of the burning Starcourt and leave his mate behind. It had been too late anyway. He was gone. Nothing Steve could do.

Billy had brought so much light and excitement to Hawkins. Pulling up in his loud ass car with his loud ass music… Hell, Steve had been swept off of his feet immediately. He had prayed for something new in this town, something to cut through his mundane existence. Disrupt his preplanned destiny of getting married young and popping out kids. Well… Seems that last part stuck.

Oh the plans Steve would talk about with Billy. Their desire to run away from here and live in Cali. Go to the beach every day, party at night. Kids weren’t in the equation. Steve did want them eventually. Billy was hesitant. Reminded of his father. He was afraid of becoming him, despite Steve saying he was nothing like him. His hands were gentle on Steve’s skin, treating him like a treasure. Hadn’t really come as a surprise when Steve got pregnant. After all, they weren’t exactly that careful. Putting a young Alpha with a young Omega spelled out desire.

Billy’s reaction had been… a little lackluster at first. He was scared. Steve understood, and gently guided him into comfort at the thought of a family. A real one, one that loved him and would never hurt him. Steve taught him that love could be unconditional, and even gave him the inspiration to reconcile his relationship with Max.

Each day, Steve’s belly grew more and more. Billy would sit and gently rub and it made Steve purr. He was so happy. He was looking forward to their future.

Until their line had been cut short. Billy had been taken from him. A piece cut from his heart by the blade of his own lover’s sacrifice. He had cursed Billy for leaving him. He had thanked him for saving their lives.

But in their baby’s eyes, he could see Billy. On her face, see where the sun had kissed her and left freckles behind. Just like her father. In her eyes, he could see the future. Bright and strong, free of the darkness of the Upside Down. It wasn’t gone. Part of him knew it was still there. Billy’s sacrifice had not been in vain.

No. Steve could see the light in her eyes.

#stranger things #billy hargrove #steve harrington #harringrove #omegaverse #trigger warning #tw loss #tw mpreg #tw birth #tw major character death

[exhuastedpigeon]

Modern Steddie musician AU

Steve is the front man for a pop-y indie rock band, Upside Down (think Bleachers-esque music). They came out of the Chicago music scene in the mid-2010s and have released 4 critically acclaimed albums that get moderate Top-40 radio play, but mostly they own play the indie stations.

Eddie is the front man for a rock band, Hellfire. They're is known for genre crossing - their music is a mix of metal, hip hop, electronic, and sometimes pop depending on the album and Eddie's mood when he's writing (think Linkin Park-esque). They also came out of the Chicago music scene in the mid-2010s and are critical darlings who get a ton of radio play on rock stations and occasionally they break onto the Top-40 stations.

Steve and Robin founded Upside Down out of their basement apartment when they were both going to DePaul. Nancy and Jonathan were the other two founding members. Sometimes they joked that they were a modern day Fleetwood Mac, just without the drama because they had all hooked up with or dated at least one other band member (or in Nancy's case, all of them and in Steve and Jonathan's cases, everyone except Robin).

Eddie founded Hellfire in his uncle's trailer in Indiana before moving to Chicago with three of the band members, Gareth, Jeff, and Chrissy. They'd picked up a dickhead named Billy when they got to Chicago who fucking murdered on the drums and wasn't that bad once they helped him deal with some of the trauma from his shitty ass, racist, homophobic, dad.

The bands shouldn't exactly run in the same circles on paper, except they do because the music scene in Chicago is extremely supportive and collaborative. Plus, they get lumped together all the time since they both released their debut albums in 2013. Both groups are close friends, they even shared studio when recording their demos and when Upside Down got picked up, they introduced Hellfire to their record label.

Since debuting both bands had played Lollapalooza a few times. One memorable year they played the same stage back-to-back and Eddie had almost fallen off stage when he saw Steve fucking Harrington moshing during their set. And maybe Eddie stuck around for Upside Down's set and almost died when Steve took his shirt off mid-show and tossed it into the crowd (if Eddie caught it and kept it, that's his business, not yours. If Steve threw it at Eddie on purpose, no he didn't shut your mouth). Both incidents have been caught by fans and put online, spurring a small but hardcore group of "Steddie" shippers.

Both bands headline Lollapalooza in 2022, Upside Down plays Friday night, Hellfire plays Saturday night.

Upside Down brings Hellfire out during their set to play a cover of Poison's Talk Dirty to Me. He and Eddie share a mic and the internet has a meltdown when Eddie dances up on Steve, only for Steve to come back with a a kiss on Eddie's cheek and grabbing a handful of his ass (the song and dancing were Steve's idea, he was never good at subtly).

The internet has a full on meltdown. Both bands trend on Twitter, along with #Steddie and #TalkDirtyToSteve with a gif of Eddie whispering something in Steve's ear. Tumblr is full of breakdowns of the set, including body language analysis and so many gifs. The Ao3 tag for Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson had been small but mightly (463 fics) before that performance, but by Saturday morning there were almost 1500.

The next night Hellfire brings Upside Down out they play a rock-y cover of (I've Had) The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing. The song is full sexual tension, especially because they incorporate a lot of touching into their performance. But that set really breaks the internet when the song ends and Steve says "Keep playing it" into the mic, then adds "Wanna do the movie, Baby?"

Eddie just winks before running at Steve. Steve lifts him over his head like it's easy, like Eddie isn't almost the same height as Steve, like they've done it before.

Everyone online is trying to figure out if Steve was calling Eddie 'baby' like a pet name or 'Baby' like the name of the main character in Dirty Dancing (spoiler, it's both).

There are plenty of haters and people who think it's just for show and to sell albums. The selling albums is a perk, but it wasn't the point. There really wasn't a point of it, they were just having fun.

By Sunday there are 4000 fics under their tag on Ao3 and they've been trending on Twitter for almost 48 hours. They extend that trending streak by posting a joint picture on Instagram of Steve and Eddie practicing the lift. The next slide on the Instagram post is a video of the practice, ending in a pretty un-platonic kiss.

#Steddie #Stranger Things #Stranger Things AU #modern Steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson

[brianwashere]

The Fortunate Son AU

Chapter 1: Pulled from Hell

Rest of the series here

**I do not own any characters or part of the franchise from stranger things**

Pairing: eventual Steve/Billy/Eddie

Genre: angst but a happy ending. I promise. Trust me.

Summary: Billy never expected to make it back. Thankfully he was unintentionally found by people more than willing to take him back.

Tw: cussing, mentions of death, Billy’s just a lil bit traumatized

The Upside Down is cold. That was the hardest adjustment he had to make. Billy had been in the Upside Down for god knows how long now. Days? Months? Years?

You didn’t have time to even try to keep track of how long it’s been when you were there.

He’d done everything. Every fucking thing possible to try and escape. But it wouldn’t let him.

He wouldn’t let him.

Billy doesn’t remember when he’d first seen Him. All he knows is that He was hideous. Hideous and terrifying.

Being stuck in the Upside Down sucked ass of course but it had given him time to think. Think about the Mind Flayer, his ‘sacrifice’, what’d he’d do when he got back.

The look on his little sister’s face when he died.

The mullet wearing teen had nearly lost all hope of ever getting back home at all.

Until he heard Him talk. He was talking to his little sister. To Max. He sprinted to the house the dammed house and by the time he got there he saw his little sister jumping out into Hawkins—regular Hawkins.

That had been what was keeping Billy going.

His little sister had escaped. He could too.

⋆﹥━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━﹤⋆

Billy sighed as he began to shuffle out from under the bed. Well—the guest bed at the Wheeler’s house. The Wheeler’s house was the closest one he found (as well as the safest), and he slept under the bed to reduce being found or taken or anything else that was on the bottom of his to-do list.

‘Jesus Christ the hell am I doing?’

While this wasn’t the first time he thought this, it was certainly the first time it set so heavy on his chest.

‘What’s the point? What’s the damn point?’

His thoughts plagued his own mind.

‘No no no. Don’t think that. You will see Max again. She needs you.’

He began to continue pulling himself on the wooden floorboards until he heard loud noises downstairs.

“Shit.” He cussed quietly to himself.

Billy grabbed his rusty trusty old crowbar that would give any damn thing tetanus if it came into a 10 foot radius of it.

He scrambled out from under the bed. He learned the hard way that it was better to be ready to fight instead of them finding you. They’ll always find you.

You learn things like that when you’re here. Things like walking from toe to heel. Things like barricading yourself when you sleep to give you time if they find you. When they find you.

He opened the door quietly; he heard voices. Billy felt like crying right there. People actual people! The paranoid part of his brain kicked in then.

‘If it’s too good to be true it probably is.’

That’s when he heard a voice he never thought he’d hear again. Steve Harrington. Steve fucking Harrington.

He was shouting to one of his freshman kids.

“Dustin! Dustin! Can you hear me Dustin? Dustin!” The brunette was shouting.

Billy carefully rounded the stair railing, his crowbar ready to swing. He approached silently.

Four people: two he didn’t recognize, Nancy Wheeler, and Steve Harrington. He nearly dropped his crowbar. They were there. And there was hope.

His hopefulness was brought down by the guy he didn’t recognize spotting him and screaming.

The four of them immediately clumped together. Harrington was in front, protecting the others like a goose protects her goslings. He needed to act fast.

“Stay away! Stay back or I’ll hit you all the way back to that damn portal!” Steve yelled.

Billy lowered his crowbar and cleared his throat; it had been so long since he talked.

“Well well well Harrington a little late to the party wouldn’t ya say?” Billy croaked.

Steve didn’t try to hide his surprise.

“Billy…?” He asked.

Billy slowly stepped into the light; Steve’s posse huddled back in response.

“In the damn flesh.” He chuckled bitterly.

Nancy began stepping towards him only to be pushed back by Steve.

“Tell me something only the real Billy would know.” Steve demanded.

Billy sighed. Harrington was always the skeptic wasn’t he? He fumbled the beginning of his sentence.

“…once I caught you in the gym shower signing along to Madonna’s ‘Material Girl’—“ He started.

“Ok that’s proof enough!” Harrington yelped.

Nancy began coming closer.

“How are you alive?” She whispered.

“Beats me, doll.” Billy responded.

“Holy shit. You’re Billy Hargrove! The notorious high school bully!” The other one he didn’t recognize pointed out.

He had long wavy brown hair and the biggest brown eyes he’d ever seen before. He was also wearing a shirt for that weirdo DnD club he’d seen before he—died—before he went missing.

“Yeah and you’re that fucking weirdo who plays pretend with figurines.” Billy retorted.

“The name’s Eddie Munson. Asshole.” Eddie mumbled the last part.

Billy rolled his eyes until they caught on the fourth member. He squinted at the other girl. Her blonde hair and freckles looked familiar.

“Are you Rose…?”

“Robin Buckley.” She spoke in a clipped tone.

Understandable, he was assumed dead for however long it’s been, he also tried to run her over with his car.

“Ok enough chit chat! We need to communicate with Dustin!” Harrington said.

“Guys wait. When Will was in the Upside Down he used the lights to communicate.” Nancy pointed out.

They all turned and looked at the kitchen light fixture.

⋆﹥━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━﹤⋆

Nancy’s high IQ led them to Munson’s trailer.

“So how the hell are we supposed to get there?” Billy asked.

“Wait there’s something there.” Eddie pointed out.

That’s when a wooden handle of some sort broke through the portal. The five of them hesitantly moved forward to see Harrington’s kids staring back on top of a questionably stained mattress. Both groups waved to each other.

Dustin took a rope made out of what appeared to be pillowcases and sheets and threw it up into the portal. It dropped down on their side.

“And if my calculations are correct…” Dustin said as he let go and the make shift rope stayed in place.

The group of freshman walked off of the old mattress.

“The stains are…I don’t know what the stains are from.” Eddie admitted awkwardly.

Everyone stepped back for Eddie to go first. They watched as he shimmied up and then fell when the gravity from Hawkins kicked in.

Robin was next, then Nancy. He looked at Steve. Billy signaled him to go first.

“Oh hey woah woah woah you’ve been stuck here long enough, you should go first.” Harrington explained.

“Quit being a pussy and just go, Harrington.” Billy sighed.

Steve stared at him for a long moment before deciding against arguing and he climbed up.

This was it. After so long, he was coming back. So many thoughts swirled through the blond’s head. As he pulled himself up

“Wait wait wait we’ve got someone else coming in.” He heard Steve’s voice.

“What? Only four of you went in.” Lucas questioned.

Gravity yanked Billy down onto the mattress he let out a grunt. He squinted, adjusting to the rediscovered brightness of the world. He tried sitting up but was immediately pushed back down by a heavy force.

“Billy!” Max practically screamed as she through her arms around him.

Billy gripped her back without hesitation. Tears weld in his eyes, but he’d never admit it. Max was crying. Billy buried his dirty face into her red hair.

The room was silent.

“Hey I don’t wanna ruin the moment but we should get the hell outta here before hell’s creations crawl out of the portal we just opened.” Robin spoke up.

Billy sat up, still holding Max with one arm. He gulped before speaking.

“Yeah I second that.”

#stranger things fanfic #stranger things #billy hargrove x steve harrington #billy hargrove #Billy Hargrove x Eddie Munson #eddie munson x steve harrington #bi steve harrington #dustin henderson #Lucas Sinclair #gay Eddie Munson #robin buckley #Nancy wheeler #Billy Hargrove redemption arc #pansexual billy hargrove #fanfic #fanfic writing #series #slow burn #stranger things season 4 #stranger things post season 4 #canon divergent au #canon divergence #stranger things canon divergence #everybody lives au #everybody lives/nobody dies #harringroveson #max mayfield #steddilly

[ashes-writing]

the power of love | stranger things ; s.harrington

A/N ;  …. so …. I couldn’t pick between Eddie and Steve. And apparently, my idiot brain decided well hey, just write similar versions/plots for both your babies, Ashes. So here we are. This is yet another x reader mini series. Each version has it’s own take on a Henderson!fem reader -this one is artsy/stoner/smart as fuck but also kind of an airhead / likes to be a little antagonist / a huuuuge caretaker vibe, just an fyi. I’ll keep them both going but feedback is a motivator as to how frequently they’ll get updated. Right now, this is all I got, babes. So if you wanna see more, idk. We’ll see.

An fyi, this starts off kind of similar / has a similar plot to the Eddie one I just posted which is found -> here and yes... both are named after songs.

PAIRING ; Steve Harrington x Henderson!Fem reader

TIMELINE / OTHER STUFF TO NOTE ;  As stated in all my other x reader fics that belong to Stranger things, the Upside Down and all it’s unholy horrors are left out. The timeline for this is 84 almost the weekend after Nancy and Steve's break-up. If you like normal / slice of life / romance-y type shit, this is that.

TAG LIST ; @musichealsscars @hcloangcls @allelitesmut and @aries-arcade are the only ones currently on my Stranger Things tag. I throw out a courtesy tag to @rampagewriting -feel free to ignore if you wanna bb. if you’d like to be added to my taglists for ANYTHING including Stranger Things, please let me know or add yourself -> here.

WARNINGS ; reader is a bit of an airheaded troublemaker, kissing/making out / eventual filth, spontaneous + wild daredevil reader (trust me. this needs a warning), mention of the devils lettuce, mention of underage drinking, at some point there's a real good possibility that Billy gets told tf off because he picks on steve and intimidates Lucas and those kids are readers babies i s2g.

OTHER STUFF ; tag list doc || my rules - fandoms and some characters I write for || REQUESTS ARE OPEN (PLS.. PLS… SEND ME THINGS) BUT THEY’RE LIMITED TO HEADCANON ASKS + FILTH/FLUFF ALPHABET LETTERS AND I’M NOT ACCEPTING WRESTLING / WRESTLERS IN MY ASK BOX. ANY OTHER FANDOM/CHARACTER BUT WRESTLING THAT I HAPPEN TO WRITE FOR IS FINE AND I BEG OF YOU -> SEND ME THINGS.

I DO NOT CONSENT TO MY WORK BEING REPOSTED ELSEWHERE OR COPIED/REWORKED/REWRITTEN AND REPOSTED HERE OR ELSEWHERE. YOU DON’T OWN THIS, I DO. SO LIKE… DON’T STEAL MY SHIT.

You dash down the noisy hallway, your clothes and body a multitude of different colors. You’re wielding a paintbrush as you chase down your friend Valerie, taunting her with what will happen when you finally catch her. As you all but baseball slide around a corner in the hallway because the floor is wet, you smash into Steve Harrington, who is standing in the middle of the hallway, shooting the shit with Tommy Hagan..

The collision sends you onto the floor with an unceremonious “Hmmph.” as you settle on it on your ass. You’re about to quickly scramble to your feet but Steve reaches down and grabs hold of your hand wordlessly, hauling you up off the floor. When he pulls just a little too hard, you’re thrust right up against him and for a second or two, you linger. Because the scent of his hairspray and his cologne are calming somehow and you need to catch your breath before you go hauling ass away to find Valerie and finish your little paint war.

And then, with a cute little smile as you begrudgingly pull yourself away from the guy, you’re off to the races again. Steve breathes in and out. His breath is just a little shakier and he can’t help but notice it. The scent of vanilla, apple shampoo and something spicier are clinging to his body and stuck in his nose. Tommy snickers to himself quietly.

“She’s been in our homeroom class the past three years, Harrington. You seriously noticed Nancy Wheeler before her?” Tommy’s brow is raised as if the realization has him puzzled. Steve scowls at Tommy and tries to downplay as if everything is absolutely fine and there’s absolutely nothing  going on in his head at the moment.

To be fair, there really isn’t.

When he pulled you up off the hallway floor and the end result was your body gently catapulted right up against his, it’s as if his brain went brrr.

“You’re an idiot. There’s no nice way to say it, man. If given the choice between her and Nancy Wheeler…” Tommy chuckles and throws up his hands when Steve’s response to his words is a cross scowl. 

“The worst you’d have to worry about outta her is what weird fuckin awkward situation she’s gonna get in the middle of next, Harrington. Like… she’s real smart… Just isn’t on a first name basis with common sense or thinking things through… It’s an artist thing, I think.” Tommy points out, his words dying away in a quiet laugh.

Steve’s brow raises. Tommy goes on to explain that you’re just a little on the wild side. That so far, you’ve had at least three  detentions just this month alone and one of them was all due to some guy on the basketball team with them cornering you and you, putting said guy on his back in front of the entire class. That when all of them were up at the quarry swimming over the summer, you dove off of the second highest cliff and your friend had to swim out and get you because you didn’t stop to think, oh hey, can’t swim, probably shouldn’t do that. Then he goes on to tell Steve about the fact that you’re one of the so-called artsy stoner kids. The ones who always reek of patchouli -according to Tommy, at least, and more often than not are either found in the art class, the shop class or the lawn outside the cafeteria if the weather is nice enough, usually kicking around a soccer ball or tossing a frisbee.

Steve takes it all in. He spots you down the hallway around the same time he hears the laughter and the yelling. You’re running back towards him and now you have a bright yellow handprint on the left side of your face. Valerie is hot on your heels with wet red paint on her raised right hand. 

The teacher swears under his breath when he steps out, putting a halt to your run and Valerie’s run.

“No running!”

“Sorry.” Valerie giggles.

“Oopsie.” you give a little cringe as you say it.

Somehow, Steve can look at the teacher and just tell that the teacher doesn’t believe either one of you as you act all sheepish and apologetic, but you’re giving the old man this little pout and with more grumbling, he steps back into the teachers lounge.

You dart back down the hall in the direction of him and Tommy again, this time, you shove between them. Tommy’s laughing and he calls out to you as you go, “Hey! Guy just said no runnin, woman!”

You turn and fix your gaze on Tommy Hagan. Then you stick your  tongue out. “Yeah? Well since I don’t see him…” you shrug and then you smirk. “You gonna snitch on me, Hagan?” you pout a little and Tommy laughs, shaking his head no. “Nah, you’re good.”

 Your eyes wind up fixed on Steve Harrington but you’re not entirely sure why. 

After all, he is the boyfriend of Nancy Wheeler and you don’t really speak to her unless it’s something pertaining to your little brothers because they  happen to be friends. Beyond that, you really don’t bother. You’re like night and day, the two of you. It’s not that you don’t like her, it’s more or less that she’s not one of your favorite people for a few different reasons.

So it’s not as if you and Steve Harrington run in the same circle. It’s not as if you want to, either. The only reason you’re even a little nice to his friend Tommy is because when you were kids, Tommy used to beat up the boys who picked on you until you cried. Your mom says Tommy Hagan was your first -and only, boyfriend -to date. You beg to differ. In Carol’s case, you were bunkmates several years in a row at summer camp. And while you don’t really like each other, you don’t entirely hate her, either.

But it’s not as if you really talk to Tommy or Carol much at all during school hours. Or if you see them out around town, for that matter. You’re just not that close.

Your hand raises and you tangle your fingers in your hair as you pop a bubble with your gum. Steve grimaces because as your hand lowers from your hair, there’s vibrant purple paint stuck to it. You shrug it off because a little paint in your hair will be a tame day at school in the eyes of your mom, Claudia and your little brother, Dustin.

Steve can’t help but laugh and given the way things have been with him lately, laughter feels good. He’s sizing you up before he even realizes it. And he tries not to, but he thinks back to a few minutes earlier, when you were sort of awkwardly leaned against him, probably trying to just catch your breath after running breakneck speed down the hallway.

Your forehead is just barely level with the center of his chest. And Steve’s always had this thing about the shorter ones. He’s drawn to it, he literally eats it up.

“Hey!” your friend shouting at you from the double doors on the end of the hallway are what finally drag you out of the depths of Steve’s stupid big brown eyes. You bite your lip, give a little wave and you shove your way through the throng of students until you’re gone from his sight.

Tommy lets out a low whistle.

“Damn.” he fans himself.

Steve blinks. “What?”

“Don’t what me, Harrington. You know exactly what just happened. How’d it feel to have your little six second staredown trick turned back on you, hm?” Tommy taunts. Steve rolls his eyes and laughs. “That is not what just happened.”

“Mhm. It is. I timed it, buddy.” Tommy smirks as he says it. Steve grumbles, “Of course you did, asshole. Did she really stare for exactly six seconds, though? It..” he drags his hand through his hair, giving it a good tousle to keep the volume how he likes it, “It felt longer, Hagan, I’ll be honest.”

Tommy laughs and rolls his eyes. “Outta the frying pan and into the fire, huh?”

Steve scoffs. “What the fuck, no. Nope. No way. I am… Done after the thing with Nance. Done.”

“Mhm. Riiiight.” Tommy taunts as the two boys disappear into the gym.

— ( around lunchtime )

The grape landed on the plate in front of him and Steve grumbled, picking it up to thump it back at Carol. Tommy smirks and the next thing he does is to point you out.

It’s not like he had to, Steve saw you when you slipped into the cafeteria with your nose stuck in a book as you attempted to navigate a crowded lunchroom. When Carol happens to catch on to the fact that Steve is slightly… Distracted, she can’t help but gaze in the direction to try and identify the source.

“Seriously?” she rolls her eyes at Steve, “You couldn’t notice her before Nancy Wheeler broke your heart?”

“How do you know her?” Steve asks.

“She went to the same camp as me when we were all in middle school. She was pretty badass.” Carol drags her spoon across her pudding. “She’s been in your homeroom for three years, idiot. It’s not like you don’t know her too…” Carol points out before going silent.

The fact that Carol didn’t immediately rip into you only makes Steve a little more curious. And wary, because Carol is nothing if not a bitch for the most part.

To be fair, she didn’t exactly praise you, either. What she said could easily have been a backhanded compliment.

Across the lunch room, you’re sitting at your usual table in the back of the cafeteria and you’re staring out a window, just bored and counting down the hours until you can finally be done with your typical Monday at Hawkins High.

Valerie clears her throat.

You glance away from the window. “Yeah?”

“Did you hear what happened at Tina’s party on Friday night?”

“Nope.” you start to zone out again because gossip doesn’t really interest you.

“Nancy Wheeler broke up with Steve Harrington… For Jonathan Byers.”

You nearly choke on the cherry you’ve just popped into your mouth. “Wait.. Back up? What now? For who?”

“You heard me. She dumped Steve for Jonathan. I mean, he’s cute, but Steve is a fox.” Valerie gets a dreamy look in her eyes and you can’t help but laugh as you close the battered copy of some horror book you found in the library earlier when you were helping out during homeroom.

“He’s okay. If you like the whole fluffy hair and not a thought in his brain thing.” you shrug. You don’t mean a damn thing you’ve just said, but you’ll pretend you meant every word until your dying day. Steve Harrington probably has all the girls who aren’t falling at Billy’s feet still falling at his. The way you see it, you are not about to contribute to the growth of what’s most likely already a massive ego.

“He changed so much for her. Then she goes and does that. And cheating on him last year on top of it.” Valerie slurps her chocolate milk and you take a sip of your soda from the vending machine. You find yourself glancing over at Steve’s table in the front of the cafeteria. Where nearly all the popular kids tend to sit.

When you happen to catch him looking your way, you quickly turn your attention back to the book and pretend to be reading it. It’s obvious enough that Valerie happens to glance over at the table they’re all sitting at.

“Oh my god.” Valerie’s hand goes to her mouth and her cheeks are burning red. She’s giggling.

“What, V?” you ask, but you know your best friend well enough to know it could be anything and nine out of ten, you’re just not real sure you wanna know.

“It’s Steve… He’s staring over here. Do I have any lipstick on my teeth? C’mon, help me out.” Valerie pleads. “What do I do?”

You shrug and take a bite of your yogurt. “Breathe. He’s a normal fuckin guy, holy shit.”

“Yeah now.. I mean, I suppose with Billy Hargrove coming to Hawkins he’s on his way down from the ranks. But he used to be King Steve.”

You snicker quietly. “Sorry, It’s just absurd. He’s just a normal guy. He’s not some celebrity or anything. I mean, he’s pretty enough to be an underwear model, yeah.. But he’s not. And they aren’t demigods or something. None of them. They just pretend they are.”

“And yet, you’re kind of friends with two of them.” Valerie points out that on occasion, you do talk to Tommy Hagan and his girlfriend Carol.

“Not really though?” you shrug off Valerie’s statement and you dig into your yogurt. When you find yourself looking over yet again and you find Steve just kind of watching you… again… You stick out your tongue at him, hold his gaze for six seconds exactly and then you look down, the whole thing quickly forgotten about in favor of the horror story you’re reading.

As you make your way out of the cafeteria, you wind up walking right into Steve's back because you’re walking and reading still and totally unaware of anything going on around you and Steve was standing there, waiting on Tommy and Carol to get their trays put away. Steve turns and clears his throat, reaching out to lower the book.

“Y’know, that’s not a good habit to have.” he nods to the book. You tilt your head a little, gazing up at him with a little smirk. “Reading? Or reading while walking?”

“Readin when you’re walkin.” Steve coughs when he says it and he shuffles his feet. His eyes settle on your mouth and you lick your lips. Laughing softly as you shrug. “Hasn’t ever hurt me before.”

“It nearly got you knocked down just now though.” Steve is looking at you with concern.

“But it didn’t.” you argue, this little twinkle in your eyes that leads Steve to assume that yes, you’re being a little shit and you’re probably doing it deliberately.

Tommy wasn’t lying earlier when he issued the warning that you were a handful.

Before he can come up with some kind of argument to respond with, you’ve already started to walk away, vanishing through the double doors and into the hallway while he stood there, grumbling about the way you like to walk away like you seem to.

It’s a grumbled rant that Carol happens to overhear and promptly doubles over in laughter. “She does it to everybody. If she’s done with the conversation, she’s done.”

“Kind of like a cat.” Steve blurts out, making Carol laugh even harder. “Yeah. I guess so.”

— after school

The screech of brakes being slammed on from the street that runs past Hawkins High and Hawkins Middle has you and Valerie cringing. You happen to spot the cause of the commotion right around the time that both the drivers are out in the middle of the street arguing. One driver slammed on brakes to avoid hitting a puppy and the other driver, who wasn’t watching the line and flow of traffic, rear ended the other driver. The puppy is limping away, trying to hurry but it’s been injured.

You’re about to shove your backpack at Valerie but she takes it. “Go on. Want me to hang around and wait?” she’s laughing. This is not the first time you’ve rescued an animal. Far from it.

You turn back to give her the thumbs up and in the process, you nearly wind up sideswiped by a lime green Pinto, the driver wasn’t even paying attention to the road in front of him, otherwise, he’d have seen you about to try and cross the street... If not for Steve picking you up by the hips and moving you out of the way, you would’ve gotten hit trying to get to the injured puppy.

“Fuckin prick. The hell did he get his license anyway, a crackerjack box?”  you grumble to yourself as you extract yourself from Steve’s strong grip and stand in the middle of the sidewalk next to the road you’d been about to cross to get to the puppy. You’re holding up your middle finger in the hopes that the driver of the speeding car sees you doing it in his rearview.

“What the fuck were you thinking?” Steve doesn’t mean for it to come out so harsh, but it does. You bite your lip and nod towards the park across the street wordlessly. The two cars involved in the little fender bender minutes ago are still there, holding up traffic, the drivers arguing. “When that idiot rear-ended the other one,” you pause and point to the fender-bender and the drivers arguing, “ a puppy got hit or something. I was going to get it.” 

Steve is still trying to get his heart down out of his throat because if Tommy hadn’t seen and tried to shout, he wouldn’t have seen the car speeding towards you like a bat out of hell, the driver not paying a lick of attention to the road in front of him and you, as per usual, not paying any attention to your surroundings like you should.

“You have got to pay attention to your surroundings, holy fuck.” Steve grumbles, rubbing his temples. He gazes at the park across the street and then glances back at you. “Okay, alright. Let’s go find this puppy.”

You raise a brow. “I can handle it.”

“You nearly got run over. I’m comin too.” Steve insists, adding a second or two later, “Look, it’ll make me feel better, alright?”

“Ugh, fiiine.” you blow at hair that’s fallen into your eyes. The two of you start across the road, Steve grabbing hold of your hand halfway across. Your eyes settle on the way his hand covers your hand and you start to say something or pull your hand back but for some reason, you decide not to.

By now, Valerie -as well as Tommy and Carol are hurrying across the street too, curious.

You spot the puppy just as it darts into a cluster of flower bushes and you bolt in the direction, just barely missing a good chance to grab the puppy. You scowl and get down on all fours, trying to push the bushes apart enough that you can at least see where the puppy might have gone.

Steve goes around to the other side and when he sees the fuzzy little pup poke its head out, he reaches in and grabs it. Then he makes his way around to where you’re perched on all fours on the other side of the bushes trying to call the pup to you and he taps your shoulder.

“Be gentle.” he advises as he places the puppy into your arms once you’re on your feet again. As he’s handing you the puppy, his hands linger on your arms. You can’t help but notice it.

“Thank you.” you give him another cute little smile before taking off over to where your best friend is sitting on the rail of the gazebo with Tommy and Carol.

All three of them completely stop talking as you approach with Steve lagging behind you.

Valerie gives Carol this little wink that she tends to give when she’s up to something but you don’t really think about it at the time.

“Aw! Let me see the little guy!” Valerie takes the puppy out of your arms and the two of you sit down on the whitewashed wood plank floor of the gazebo as you check the puppy for any obvious injuries. You find a wound on one of its legs and you cringe as you look closer. “Oh no, poor little guy.”

“We’ll take him over to my mom’s clinic when we drop our brothers off at the arcade.” Valerie says it and you nod. “Yeah, yeah.. Definitely. We wanna make sure he doesn’t have any internal injuries.” you agree.

Steve is leaned against a gazebo post, watching you quietly.

Tommy stops beside him and clears his throat while laughing. “You comin with me and Carol to the diner, man?”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go.” Steve walks away with Tommy and Carol, back to where he parked his car in the high school parking lot.

— ( the next day )

The bell is just a mere two seconds from ringing and there’s still no sign of you. Just as the bell starts, the door bursts open and you rush in, breathless. Like you’ve run a marathon.

“Nice of you to join us, Ms. Henderson. However, you are late.”

You mimic the teacher while they’re distracted and unwrap the slice of gum, popping it into your mouth. Steve taps the guy sitting behind you on the shoulder.

“Switch seats, Parker?”

The other guy shrugs and as quick and quiet as possible, Steve and Kenneth switch seats. You’re drumming your pen against your notebook and from over your shoulder, Steve can see that the page your notebook is open to is covered in doodles on the margins.

About halfway through the class, you feel a tap to your shoulder. You turn slightly, gaping when you find Steve sitting behind you instead of Kenny Parker.

“How was that uh.. The puppy?” Steve asks quietly.

You smile to yourself and whisper back, “He’s good. I’m picking him up later. Gonna name 'im Wolverine. Wolfie for short...” without looking up. You don’t dare, the teacher is a hardass. If he catches you talking during study hall, he will have something to say about it and you’re already on thin enough ice with the man this week because you were late on Monday and then again today.

You go back to doodling on the sheet of paper in the open notebook in front of you and when you hear Steve snore quietly at one point, you raise your hand to your mouth to giggle quietly. When the bell rings, he’s still sleeping.

“Hey! Hey!” you try to wake him up verbally first. But it doesn’t work.

You reach out and gingerly shake his shoulders and he comes alive. You move out of the way of his flailing arms and laugh with your hand over your mouth. “You snore like a buzzsaw, Steve.”

Steve pouts a little. And he shuffles his feet, quick to hold his notebook down to strain the tent pitched in his jeans because if you happen to look down, he’s screwed because naturally, he started to have himself a dirty dream and pitched a tent, right there in the middle of study hall.

And things are weird. More than a little awkward.

He’s painfully aware of you since you nearly took him and yourself down in the middle of the hallway yesterday morning. It’s driving him crazy and right now, with the breakup with Nance still so fresh in his mind and hurting so bad, it’s the last thing he wants to be going through and yet… It’s happening. Whether he wants it to or not.

You’re staring again, like an idiot.

It’s almost like your brain just goes brr when it comes to him since yesterday morning.

And you’re not sure why you do it because it’s definitely not a good idea, but you step closer to him and you reach up, fixing the collar on his jacket.

“I,uh.. It was bothering me the way it stands up.” you gently pat his shoulder and laugh softly. You intend to step away, put a little space between you both but it kind of feels like your feet are rooted in place. “I uh… Snoring like a buzzsaw isn’t that bad, alright? I mean… It can be kinda cute?”

You instantly begin to pray for a hole in the floor to open up and suck you down. Luckily, your feet finally seem to be working again so nearly the second you’ve blurted out the stupid random thing you just did, you can bolt immediately. And you do. In a hurry. 

— ( after school - a slightly different spin on dustin and steve meeting )

Claudia is in the kitchen putting the last minute touches on pot roast. Dustin is out in the garage tinkering around with a robot he’s been working on for over a month now and you’re up in your room, sprawled across your bed with the puppy you rescued curled up against your side. As you work on homework you put off until the last minute, you’re listening to your favorite rock station, the one at least three towns over. It barely picks up, but you can just faintly hear The Runaways playing their song Cherrybomb. The puppy nuzzles it’s cold wet nose against your side and you giggle, pausing mid-sentence to look down and pet it.

Your mother calls up from the bottom of the stairs. “Sweetie!”

You slip off the bed and gently pick up the puppy. The puppy goes almost everywhere with you when you’re home. You pull open your bedroom door and peer down the stairs. The second you see Steve Harrington leaned in the doorway just chatting your mother up like it’s nothin out of the ordinary, you remember you’re not wearing pants with the oversized off the shoulder sweater and the knee socks.

You almost duck back into your room really quick but ultimately, you decide that Steve’s probably only here to begin with because he saw you listed as a tutor on the bulletin board at school. Because that has to be the only reason, right?

Claudia is definitely charmed by the teen boy standing in her doorway. When Dustin wanders in from the garage in search of a bandage and swearing up a storm about the welder being a piece of shit, he goes quiet mid-sentence upon seeing Steve Harrington hanging out in the front doorway, chatting up his mom like it’s no big deal at all.

“What are you doing here, Harrington?” Dustin questions.

Steve awkwardly drags a hand through fluffy, thick hair. “I,uh… Wait.. You’re her little brother? Hey, kid.”

“Uh-huh.” Dustin answers. Giving Steve a very wary staredown. “I thought you were dating Mike’s sister.”

“Nance broke up with me.” Steve grimaces when he says it.

Dustin remembers the conversation from the day before when he bumped into him on his way home from the arcade. Suddenly, the statement Steve made about girls hurting you and the warning not to fall in love made every bit of sense.

And Dustin could easily tell Steve that he knows at least one girl -you, who doesn’t enjoy hurting people, but at the time, he just hadn’t. He’d kept his mouth shut and nodded along, letting the older boy dispense advice because apparently, Steve Harrington just needed to get stuff off his chest.

“There a reason you’re here, Harrington?” Dustin questions.

Your mother gazes at him and gives him a light smack on the back of his head. “Dustin, don’t be rude.”

“It’s just a question, Ma.”

“It’s rude, Dusty. Go wash your hands. The pot roast should be done in five minutes. Get your sister too, while you’re up there.” 

Since you could feel the awkwardness in the whole little exchange from the top of the stairs,  you take a deep breath and you calmly wander down. Right past Steve and into the kitchen because you just… Need a second or two to pull yourself together because your heart is beating like crazy and you’re still reeling from the two or three really stupid things you said to him during school.

You grab yourself a Tab soda from the fridge and after opening a can of Alpo for the puppy so he can eat, you wander to the doorway of the kitchen and lean against the frame. “Steve, hi.”

“Oh my god, put on pants, what the hell is wrong with you?” Dustin’s overreaction only draws attention to the sweater and knee socks combo but to be fair, when Steve glances down, the sweater actually stops right above your knees and despite it being baggy and for the most part shapeless, it’s the bare legs and the white knee socks that get him.

He has to swallow down a lump in his throat.

All you do is give him that cute little smirking grin. It’s almost as if you’re fully aware of what you’re doing and maybe you’re trying to make things uncomfortable.

Tommy mentioned you kind of enjoyed being an antagonist on occasion. And when Carol gave him a massive infodump courtesy of her own talk with your best friend Valerie earlier, it stood to reason that Tommy wasn’t wrong. And Steve might not be imagining that you were smirking and yes, fully aware of what you were doing.

“So uh… Not that I mind, Harrington but like..” you pause and glance down at the soft pink sleeves of your Def Leppard sweater, fidgeting with the ends and the way they cover your fingers, “Why are you here, hm?”

Dustin glanced from you to Steve. 

Steve shuffles his feet.

Your mother speaks up, laughing softly. “If you’d like to stay for dinner, we’re having pot roast tonight.”

You nearly choke on your tongue.

The puppy wanders right up to Steve and sits down on it’s hind end, staring up at him. Steve chuckles and bends down, carefully picking up the puppy.

“Wolfie, don’t give him kisses, buddy.” you groan when Wolverine’s first instinct is to start covering Steve’s face with dog drool as he licks him. “Sorry, oh my god.” you laugh and you’re reaching for the puppy because the last thing you want to do is have it bother Steve somehow.

Steve chuckles quietly.

“Do you mind if I stick around? I uh..” he drags his hand through his hair. Then it hits him. You did sign up to tutor this year and the coach has been really riding him about his grades.

Nance, she did too… But then she kind of stopped trying because he never wanted to listen or anything when she tried to study with him.

“I wanted to ask if you were tutoring anybody?”

You feel a little more at ease. But also, that sliver of hope you were dumb enough to let grow for the past minute or two, it died.

You were right. It had to be tutoring.

You smile. “Yeah, it’s fine. I’m gonna go up to my room real quick but I’ll be right back down.” you say it and you bolt up the stairs, finding a pair of cut offs to pull on.

It’s not like anything about you is any sort of distraction and you probably don’t need to, but you just feel awkward now, especially when you stopped to think and you realized that Steve Harrington has seen way better looking girls than you and he’s seen them totally naked. So your little power move in trying to make him feel uncomfortable, well.. It probably wasn’t even  noticed.

Dustin peeks into your bedroom. “What the hell is he doing here?”

“You heard the guy, Dustball. He wants tutoring.”

Dustin scoffs. Because he knows from Mike that Steve is not interested in school or academics, not even a little. Study is code for make out. “You really believe that?”

“Well, yeah.. I mean.. Why else would he ask, hm?”

“He wants to make out with you! That’s what Mike said he always did when he studied with Nancy.”

You double over laughing as you point at yourself. “You’re delusional, dustbucket.”

“You’re oblivious, gremlin.” Dustin retorts.

“I think Nancy..” Dustin shuffles his feet. “I know you’re gonna laugh, but I think Nancy really hurt him.”

You raise a brow. You do laugh a little, but then you think about it. Steve’s not the same smug, loud and cocky guy he used to be. He hasn’t been for at least a month now and you’ve heard them fighting in the hall at school before.

You nod. “Yeah. I think you’re right.”

Dustin chuckles. “We should probably get down there… Before Mom adopts him and things get really weird.”

You laugh and nod. “Yeah.”

And with any pressure you thought you might have felt before he confirmed he was only here to ask you to tutor him, you put down the red lipstick you’d picked up a few seconds before Dustin wandered in. It’s not like you have to make yourself look good. It’s not like anything will come from just tutoring the guy.

Right?

#steve harrington #steve harrington fanfiction #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fanfic #steve harrington x henderson!fem reader #steve harrington x henderson!fem reader imagine #steve harrington x henderson!fem reader fanfiction

[miserablekingsteve]

My kinda lover; Part 1 Steve's POV 1/1 Part 2 Eddie's POV 1/2

Rating: T Word count: 8k You can also read this on AO3 <:)

Eddie laid in bed, eyes wide and heart hammering in his chest. The sound of tires on gravel crunched outside and Steve drove off with Robin. Once he was sure the coast was clear, he threw the duvet off and all but ran to the bathroom. He’d woken up entangled with Steve, who was trying to leave the bed, probably because Eddie was trying to hold the guy's fucking hand. He stared at himself in the mirror; curls stuck up and around his head, his bangs stood straight off his forehead, cheeks flushed a light pink, and the bags under his eyes were puffy. He looked like a mess. 

 Sighing, Eddie gripped the faucet of the tap and turned the cold water on full blast. When the cold liquid hit his hands, a shockwave vibrated throughout his body, and goosebumps appeared on his arms while he splashed the water on his face. 

 He’d had this stupid crush on Steve ever since 12th grade, when that switch had arrived where the asshole gorgeous jock suddenly had a heart of gold, dropping the shitty friends and smiling at Nancy like she held the world. When Steve stood up to Billy Hargrove and his face was all fucked up at school, yeah, that was a turn on for him.  

 “Argh,” He growled to himself, looking in the mirror again and rubbing his hands with aggression over his eyes and cheeks, “Stupid, it’s stupid!” 

 This had only happened to him once before, and by this he meant the very normal human thing to do in having a crush on someone. It was some boy named Clarke. God knows what the kid's last name was, in 5th grade; he had bright blonde hair and a ridiculous amount of freckles, he and Eddie used to sneak off the elementary grounds into the forest that resided next door and pick up sticks to play fight with. Then Eddie had moved to Hawkins to live with Wayne and he never saw Clarke again. 

 Pushing himself off the sink, giving up on the desperate search for something in his own face that he knew he’d never find. He’d done such a good job at avoiding his feelings for his friend the whole Upside Down adventure, then even more when the two of them sat together in a hospital room. The memory of making the ugliest fart jokes imaginable and actually made King Steve laugh, squeezing his eyes closed tight at the mere thought of the man’s laughter. Shit. 

 “Fucking… soft and, ugh, such a jock,” Eddie muttered under his breath as he searched the pockets of his many coats that sat in a pile behind his bedroom door. A bubble of frustration blossomed as each pocket came up empty, “Where the fu—Aha!”

 He held up the prized possession of a squashed pack of cigarettes to the sun that beamed through the window. His ears were met with a resounding silence, as he was home alone and it was just him at his trailer. 

 Throwing on a jacket and some jeans, he made his way outside, glancing at the clock and reading that it was only 8:30 am. Fuck, he wouldn’t be surprised if someone called the cops just having seen him up this early. A pop came from his knees as he sat down on the hard metal doorstep, face scrunching up in discomfort when the prongs poked at his ass through the denim of his worn down pants. 

 “Fucking, shouldn’t have invited him,” He continued to mutter under his breath, telling himself off as he ignited the smoke. 

 “Why was Steve at your house?” A sleep addled voice asked. He grunted in response before he made eye contact with none other than Max Mayfield; the ginger's arms were crossed tightly over her sleep shirt, her thick locks were wrapped in two braids, an accusatory smirk written across her freckled face. 

 “That’s none of your business, Red,” Eddie mumbled around the pale smoke that curled above his head and then promptly disappeared. A brow raised when he noticed the lack of cane or brace support being used by the girl that morning, the scars from the massive stitches on her legs looked calm today.

 “See, I think it is,” Max argued. He rolled his eyes while he stretched his back out, letting the notches of his spine decompress and crack satisfactorily. Next time, he would make sure to not let himself sleep in a twin bed with another full grown man. 

 “It was movie night. Robin and Steve stayed over. There, now shoo, let a grown man express his hangover alone,” Eddie explained, waving her away with a flick of his wrist. The girl scoffed at him and then trudged her slippered feet away from his trailer. 

 After his cigarette was finished, he stubbed it out on the rusted metal of the stairs and threw the butt toward his and Uncle Wayne’s ashtray. He had one foot in the door when the phone rang loudly, his headache from emotions and weed pulsed against his eyes. 

 “I’m coming, I’m coming,” He uttered out loud, picking the yellow stained phone off the receiver, “Hello?” 

 “Eddie!” A very awake and ecstatic Gareth called through the phone, “I didn’t think you’d be awake!” 

 “Yeah, well I am,” Eddie pressed fingers to his left eye where most of the pain from his headache was isolated. 

 “Dude, you sound rough,” Gareth supplied, he could almost see the face the boy’s face was making. 

 “Late night,” He heard a soft ‘ooh’ from his friend, assuming he had a date, “Not like that, you ass.” 

 “Pfft, if you say so. I was just calling to confirm practice at Jeff’s tonight?” Gareth asked. Eddie’s heart skipped a beat when he remembered his half asleep conversation with Steve, oh god, he’d invited the man to their show. 

 “Uhh, yep! Yeah! That sounds great, I’ve gotta go man!” Eddie rushed out, suddenly in a state of panic, “I’ll see you tonight.” 

 “Uh, you oka—” Before Gareth could finish whatever he was going to ask, Eddie slammed the phone onto the wall and rushed out his front door. 

 Dew collected and seeped through his socks, in his haste he had forgotten to slip on his sneakers. Luckily, he was just going across to his neighbors. He paused at the Mayfield's door and started smacking the flat of his palm on the plastic film. 

 “I’m coming, hold on,” Max yelled angrily, the teen opened the door with her toothbrush in her mouth and a robe on, “What, Munson?” 

 “I-uh,” He actually did not know what his plan was, his palms were sweaty as he tugged on his fingers and flickered his eyes around anxiously. 

 “Ugh, my mum’s not home, get your scrawny butt in here,” Max said, voice muffled by the toothpaste collecting in her mouth. 

 Curls fell in front of his eyes when he bowed in thanks, hopping through the door. Her place was dark, the natural light blocked out by heavy orange curtains and the tv playing some random cooking show. 

 “Hold on,” Max told him before she walked away to the bathroom to evacuate the spit and rinse her mouth out. 

 “It’s so dark in here!” Eddie yelled after her, peering around curiously. There were rice krispie wrappers piled on the coffee table where a steaming mug of something sat. 

 “Yeah, well, some of us don’t want to be watched by our neighbors,” Max said, shuffling back into the living room, “So, what do you want?” 

 “I’ve got a problem… I don’t really have anyone else to go to about it,” He finished lamely, gripping his upper forearm in a tight grasp. 

 One of Max’s eyebrows rose, a small smile perked up on her lips, “Is it Robin?” 

 Eddie almost laughed outwardly at her from the absurdity of that, yeah sure he and Robin had talked about being each other's beards before, but then they contemplated when they found someone who was interested, how would everyone else take the sudden break up. So he schooled his face and lied to his young friend, “Yes, I- I invited her to my show in a couple of weeks, now I’m freaking out.” 

 She clapped her hands together and made a happy noise, “Oh! This is so exciting!” 

 “Yeah, yeah, don’t get your hopes up, you’ll make yourself sick,” Eddie joked as he moved and slumped down into a brown chair with an ashtray next to it. 

 “Shut up. So, why are you mainly freaking out?” Her eyes widened as if she got it, “Are you worried about Steve? Because, honestly I would be.” 

 He bit his lip to hold back another bark of laughter, sure he’d lied, but she was just spinning a tale of her own at that point. A smile creased the corners of his mouth and he placed his left hand over it so she wouldn’t become suspicious. 

 “I-How do you get it across that you like someone without, how do I put this,” Eddie sat and thought for a moment, “Making sure they don’t get scared and think you're overstepping?” 

 Frowning at the question raised, did he even want to press this problem further? His mind brought back the hazy images of the night before. Steve had closed his eyes one moment, and then the jock’s head lulled to the side and landed on Eddie’s bare shoulder. That single touch had sent Eddie flying toward the sun. A fire pit burned across his cheeks, but it hadn’t stopped there. No, Steve had to make the situation even worse by curling into his side even more than he had been before. And the position they’d been in before held Eddie’s arm that was thrown over the couch up, making it fall and wrap around the other man’s middle. 

 Eddie just chalked it up to being high. He’d cuddled with Gareth before. There were also times at a get together at Steve’s with Nancy and Jonathan where he and Robin curled up together while they all watched a movie. So, it was totally fine—

 “Earth to Eddie,” Max dragged him out of thought, one hand waving in front of his face. 

 “Well, she’s coming to your show, yeah?” She asked. Eddie nodded wordlessly, stomach flipping when the girl's grin grew 3 sizes larger than it already was, “Sing her a song then.” 

 “Absolutely. Not.” Eddie stated harshly. Max threw her head back in laughter, pointing a mocking finger at him. 

 “No, you definitely should!” Max hurried out, sliding down the couch to sidle up next to him, “Like, if she likes it and understands the message, she’ll come after you! But if she doesn’t, then no worries and you can move on!” 

 Shit, the girl had a point.

 “And luckily, Robin’s not a blundering idiot. Ha!” Max keeled over and rushed out a truth Eddie didn’t want to hear, “At least you’re not trying to seduce Steve!” 

 The blood drained from his face, fiddling with the bare space where his rings usually sat. Max fixed him with a questioning gaze when he didn’t join in her laughter and then he saw it sink in, “Oh, you’re screwed.” 

 There had never been an instance in his life when someone had figured him out so quickly. Her face hardened, and she sat back slightly. 

 “I’m sorry, I’m going to go,” He rushed out, spinning around almost as in time with how much his mind was turning.

 “Eddie! Wait!” Max called after him, creaking coming from the couch as she got up from it. Still slower on her feet since Vecna, “You ass, I don’t have my brace, sit your ass back down in my stinky chair!” 

 “No, thank you!” He called over his shoulder, the door handle cold in his grip. 

 He went to yank it open but Max confessed something that stopped him dead in his tracks, “I like girls!” 

 Slowly, his hand fell limp from the handle. He turned his body back toward the teen, eyes wide and mouth agape. He was in his early twenties and he’d only told all but 3 people; Wayne, Robin and Gareth. And here was this girl who hardly knew him and she just came out to him selflessly, so she could help. Right then was another moment, where he saw how cowardice truly presented itself. 

 Eddie crept back into the living room and sat cautiously next to her, not too sure what to do. Should he hug her and tell her some shit lie about being gay in America? 

 “And boys, I like both. A lot.” 

 Now, that was new, his eyes widened, “People can do that?” 

 Max shrugged, “I don’t know, but that’s what I feel. So why would it matter?” 

 Eddie swallowed and bobbed his head, “Right, totally.” 

 “Now… What are we going to do with you and your oblivious cotton swab head of a crush?” Max sighed, wiggling herself deep into the couch once again. 

 “Me? I’m fine,” Eddie scrunched his face up and fixed her with a confused glare. 

 “You looked like a wet chihuahua shivering when I figured out the truth,” Max scoffed and stared at him with a knowing look. 

 He gawked at her and then shook his head in denial, “No way, not me.” 

 “Shut up, and let me help you,” Max scolded. 

 “Ugh, fine,” Eddie gave in, turning his body so he and Max were face to face. 

X

 An unknown amount of time passed, Eddie didn’t know what time it was, but the sun had gotten low in the time he and Max had sat, concocting a plan that would help Steve figure it out a bit more. It was heavily detailed and there were lots of disagreements, Max always winning because at the end of the day, Eddie knew she was right. 

 “...So, all you really have to do is find out what song, or band he’s listening to right now and cover them, maybe drop some hints while you ask him about it,” Max explained, a yellow note pad held in her hand. 

 “Fuck,” He cursed when after all those hours he finally checked his watch, “I’ve gotten run, but it sounds like a plan. Also, thanks for all your help, truly.” 

 Max smiled at him, for maybe the first time since he’d known her, it set him on edge, “No, don’t smile at me, kid, it’s weird.” 

 “What the shit, dude? I just took my entire day helping you!” Max stuttered, a blush spread over her cheeks and he immediately felt bad. 

 “No! You’ve got a very nice smile, I’m just not used to seeing it! That’s all, shit I’m so bad at this,” Eddie hid his face in his hands. 

 “You’re good, I’m just messing with you,” Her trademark smirk on her lips once again. Eddie leaned forward and ruffled her head. 

 “That’s better,” He lilted, chuckling when the girl swatted at his hand. 

 “Remember the plan!” She called after him as he once again that day ran for the door. 

 “Promise!” That being his last word to the girl before he ran over to his place to pack up his guitar and get in the van. Checking again, he realized he probably had just enough time to make a quick sandwich before he hit the road. 

 “Sorry for the wait, sweetheart,” Eddie crooned to his beautiful guitar that saved his ass in the Upside Down. 

 Sliding on his dried socks to the kitchen, he threw deli meat, sub buns and mayo and mustard. Peeking down at the crisper where some wilted lettuce sat neglected. He shook his head in disgust, not wanting to smell the off green. As fast as he could, he slapped together the sandwich, shoving it in his mouth and hiking the sling of his guitar case over his shoulder. 

 Banshee was parked out front precariously, the blue paint glinting in the sunset. He smiled and stumbled down to her exterior. Carefully, he slid his precious instrument into the back, surrounded by a bunch of blankets to keep it from sliding around. Eddie would’ve loved to watch himself rushing, he always felt like everything would go wrong when he was, and if it wasn’t happening to him, he’d be cackling away like a hyena. 

 But when he turned his key in the ignition and the engine spluttered and then crashed, he wanted to vanish into a thin veil of smoke. 

 “Fuck!” He smacked his hands on the steering wheel. Reigning his thoughts back down, he tried to think of anyone he could call, Gareth lived all the way on the other side of Hawkins and there was no way he’d be caught dead dragging his most prized possession out in public. Especially with Jason’s goons still out to get him, they’d mug him just to fuck up his life. 

 He checked his watch again and realized he had 20 minutes to be there, “Shit, shit, sh—Oh!” An idea spurred in his head, maybe a small Max lived on his shoulder now, because no way would he have thought of this on his own. 

 Grabbing his guitar and jogging back inside, booking it to the kitchen to search the junk cupboard. The smell of aging paper and old metal hit Eddie’s nose, and he waved at the dust that puffed out in his haste. Flipping things up and over, searching for the thick bindings of, “Aha! The phonebook!” 

 Flipping the pages open he scanned through the H’s, quickly finding Harrington. He was surprised when he saw their household was the only one living in Hawkins with that last name. 

 Chanting Steve’s home number under his breath, he ran back over to the phone and punched the digits in. As the phone line rang, a pit formed in his stomach, and a whole litany of awful what ifs plagued his mind; what if one of Steve’s parents answered? Did they know who he was? Would they hang up and not tell Steve?

 “Harrington residence, Steve speaking. How may I help you?” 

 Eddie let out the breath he was holding and chuckled at the formal greeting, “That’s an interesting way to answer the phone, Big Boy.” He palmed himself in the face when the nickname slipped out, not on purpose like the other times had been. 

 “Hello, Eddie,” Steve laughed, “To what do I owe the pleasure, you ju--” 

 “Look, I’m so sorry to bother you man, but my van’s dead, and I really need to get to band practice and I was just wondering if it was no issue, maybe you could, I don’t know. Do me a solid and drive me over there?” Eddie rushed out, cringing when he cut Steve off, but it was too late to stop. 

 “Huh, oh sure,” Steve stumbled through the phone. 

 “Could you also pick me up after? I’ll make it a short practice,” Eddie added before he fucked himself over. He did not want to end up sleeping on Gareth’s garage couch again, the last time the cushions had fucked his neck up for weeks. 

 “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be right over,” Steve assured through the phone. And Eddie relaxed his shoulders. 

 “Thanks, Steve,” He almost whispered. 

 “Okay, I’m uh, coming over now!” Steve declared before he hung up the phone. 

 “Stupid,” Eddie grumbled at himself again, leaning his forehead onto the wood where the phone lived. 

X 

 Thoughts of earlier that morning and late last night ran in circles in his head; the soft feeling of Steve cradled in his arm on the couch and soft murmurs that made him crack his eye open just to make sure the jock was okay in the middle of the night, if someone allowed it he could go on about it forever. He bounced his knee to expel some of his pent up nerves, while he waited for Steve to pull up in that stupidly beautiful BMW. As if on cue, the very car turned into the trailer park, gravel crunching under the wheels and coming to a halt outside his home. 

 There was music muffled inside the car, Steve leaned forward and turned it down before he lifted a hand and waved Eddie in. A blush painted his cheeks, waving back and pointing to the back seat, then at his guitar. Carefully, he slid sweetheart onto the leather bench..

 “Hey,” Steve’s tone was soft, and Eddie pinched his eyes close while his heart swooped. 

 Anxiety vibrated off him as he slid down into the passenger seat. His armpits sweat against the confines of his leather jacket, the insides of the car warmer than he expected. His chest felt tight as he huffed out harshly, as though he’d been running for the last 10 minutes. Steve hummed along to the song that lilted out of the speakers softly, his deft fingers tapped gently on the steering wheel. 

 “Thank you so much, you’re an absolute lifesaver,” Eddie greeted, eyes sliding over to Steve so he could watch the jock closely. The quirk of that flirtatious grin picked up at the corners of Steve’s mouth, but there was something deeper about it, like the thank you meant more to the man than he was letting on. 

 “Yeah, of course, dude. Least I can do. Thanks for letting me crash last night,” Steve laughed, ducking his head in embarrassment. Eddie recognized it to be that charming, shy way he’d witnessed the man do when he was talking to Nancy last March in the Winnebago. 

 “My pleasure, Harrington,” Eddie drawled, finding comfort in the car's darkness. Freddie Mercury’s voice wafted in the enclosed space. That intrigued him, he wasn’t an avid Queen listener but he could recognise that voice anywhere.

 Steve hummed along mindlessly, Eddie tapped along to the bass beat. He opened his mouth to compliment Steve on his less awful choice of music but was cut off by the soft sound of Steve singing; 

‘You masquerade, you're the catch of the season every night and day,’

 Eddie almost choked on the air, blushing furiously and staring straight ahead so the jock wouldn’t be able to see his shocked face. 

‘You you you don't have any time for me

You just keep foolin' around with me,’

 The lyrics were pointing and laughing at him. This man had shown no interest in him, and yet here was plotting with a 15-year-old girl how to subtly get him to pick up on the signals he accidentally puts out when they hung out. He chanced a peek out of the corner of his eye and blushed, which he didn’t think was possible when he saw Steve’s little smile and wave of his head. 

 “So, ahem, you do like actual music then?” Eddie deepened his voice and schooled his face into one that he hoped was collected and cool. 

 Steve scoffed and rolled his eyes, turning onto the road, Eddie had directed him too, “Shut up, you’re just upset you can’t listen to whatever you want and not caring what people think about it.” 

 "Oh, trust me, people care, Stevie baby,” Eddie laughed, continuing to poke fun at the man who just rolled his eyes and turned up the music, “Some people only make fun of your music taste. And by some people, I mean me, I do.” 

 “You’re an asshole,” Steve cawed, as he drummed into the chorus of the next song on the cassette. 

 “Oh, shit. That’s the house,” Eddie pointed out, causing Steve to slam on the brakes. 

 “You’ve got my phone number to call me to come get you, yeah?” Steve asked, brow raised in question as those eyes gazed into his own. 

 Heart beating hard under his scarred chest, Eddie gulped and forced a huge grin on his face, showing Steve his number scrawled onto his hand, “You bet.” Winking awkwardly at Steve, who ducked his head bashfully again. 

 “Cool, see ya later, man,” Steve cleared his throat and then put both hands back on the wheel and got ready to drive away. 

‘I wanna be your kind of lover, give a little bit of feeling,’

 The BMW cruised away, leaving Eddie lost in thought in the middle of the road as the last lyrics of the song he’d heard replayed in his mind. After a beat of Freddie’s voice echoing against his skull, a light bulb went off as he got an idea, a huge grin spreading over his lips. 

 “Eddie?” Gareth’s confused voice called out from the open garage. The senior stood there waiting for Eddie to rush over. 

 “Shit, hey man, sorry. Banshee died on me,” Eddie explained, skidding to a halt inside with his friends. 

 “No worries, dude, we were just a bit…” Gareth’s eyes flickered to the two other members of Corroded Coffin, “...worried.”

 “Shit, sorry,” His brows turned upward in guilt. 

 “Well, nothin’ happened, so it’s behind us!” Jeff clapped, all of them nodded as they took in each other for the first time in months. Not usually practicing until right before the gig, so they won’t tire of the songs. 

 “So, we’ve got the whole setlist figured out, except for the cover song,” Gareth handed Eddie a folded piece of paper with pen scribbled names of their songs. He nodded along in agreement and then smiled at them with a crazed glint in his eye. 

 “I’ve got that covered, I’ll bring the sheet music next week. Let's just focus on this for now,” Eddie reassured his friends, unpacking his guitar and throwing the strand over his neck, “Shall we, boys?” 

 And with a couple of thundering hits from Gareth on the drums, they flowed into the first song easily. 

X

 Two weeks passed, and Eddie’s armpits reeked of nervous sweat. Jeff wrinkled his nose at him while the band hauled all their shit into the green room of the Hideout, which was just a cramped office off the side of the bar. There weren’t many people at the venue and that made him even more anxious. What if it was so isolated that the performance was stilted and weird.

 Jeff noticed his nervous fidgeting and raised a curious brow at him, “What’s got your knickers in a knot?” 

 “Huh? Oh, no I’m good,” Eddie replied, eyes flickering to the entrance then scanning the room. 

 “Sure, buddy,” Jeff said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. Gareth smacked the other man’s chest in a warning before placing his drum equipment down gently. 

 “What?” Jeff splayed his hands out in question, provoking Gareth. 

 Eddie left the two to squabble and wandered outside to have a pre-show smoke—He knew Tristan would tell him off if he’d mentioned what he was doing, but in that moment it was probably going to be the only thing that would calm his fried nerves. 

 Breaching the doors out into the Spring air, Eddie had one hand down in the inside pocket of his leather jacket and pulled out his squashed pack. The lighter clicked as he flicked it on, inhaling deep to ignite the end of the cigarette. Curiously, he checked left and right to keep an eye out for any more people arriving for the show. 

 “Keeping that all to yourself?” An unfamiliar voice said from his left. Eddie jumped and turned to capture whoever was talking to him. 

 There was a tall blond man who was leaning against the door with a smirk painted on his hairy face. He raised an eyebrow and kept his mouth shut around his smoke; the guy didn’t seem very thrilled by his disinterest. 

 “Never mind, jeez,” The man said, before pushing off the wall and thundering through the door of The Hideout. 

 “—The fuck,” Eddie wondered aloud, eyes wide with bewilderment as he took the smoke out of his mouth so he could stub it out with his boot. 

 Eddie reached for the grimy brass knob of the black painted door, some of the brown wood showed through from where it was chipping away. Before he could swing it open and breach the inside, a friendly honk sounded out behind him. He swiveled around with a huge grin on his face. Sure enough, packed into Jonathan Byers’ Ford Galaxie was Nancy Wheeler, Robin and the person he was so eager to see, Steve. Jon gave him a two finger salute as he continued his way forward to find parking. 

 He wrung his hands out, the bands of the rings on his fingers dug into his knuckles. Everything was fine, Steve AND Nancy were here—at his show—about to watch him play and sing. Robin and Jon had both swung by at some point when Corroded Coffin started up again. It had pleasantly surprised him when Jon showed up, explaining that he’d seen the post up at Cassettes and Things, which was their barren record shop. Most of the tapes and vinyl's there were hand-me downs from people’s dead grandparents. 

 But Nancy had never came along, which he was fine with. There was no reason for her to want to, Corroded Coffin wasn’t exactly Wheeler friendly, and he knew that from the way Mike tended to wrinkle his nose every time Eddie tried to play his music louder in the van or after D&D when they were cleaning up. 

 Tapping his foot anxiously against the pavement waiting for his friends, he felt the sudden urge to throw up, but he pushed it down. Not needing to feed the apparent beast that was hungering for his impending embarrassment. 

 “Hey, man,” Jon greeted, hand reaching out to clap and grasp Eddie’s. He grinned and gladly responded to the notion. 

“Glad you could make it,” Eddie said before his eyes left the stoner’s and scanned Nancy, the girl was dressed in a nice black dress with a long sleeve white shirt underneath, clearly these people had no sense of how to dress for a metal show, “Wheeler, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

 She chuckled softly and ducked her head, arms looped underneath the jacket she had for later, “Don’t let it get to your head, I’m just here to make sure these airheads make it home alright.” 

 He bobbed his head in understanding, eyes flickering over to where Robin and Steve were. Robin was fussing over something that supposedly was on Steve’s lapel. 

 “Get off, Robin, it’s fine!” Steve crowed, pushing the grabbing hands of his friend. And, oh man, did he look good. Again, none of these normies knew at all how to dress for a metal show, but he was just happy Steve for once in his life ditched the polo shirts and instead a choppy cut Boston crop top, exposing his torso only a smidge before that was cut off by the tight hug from a pair of gray denim jeans. He felt faint of the sight of even a bit of lax, laid back on Steve. One that didn’t care so much about his appearance… so close to how he’d seen the jock in the Upside Down, only this time he wasn’t covered in blood and wearing Eddie’s battle vest. No, unfortunately Steve was not. 

 “So, whose clothes did you steal this time, Steve?” Eddie drawled, the pit that had formed in his stomach minutes before eased when Steve’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. 

 “Huh, what? No,” Steve spluttered, looking at Robin with wide eyes. 

 The girl shrugged and leaned forward to wipe a spot on the front of his jeans. Eddie almost felt jealous, but then remembered that very important detail he knew about Robin. 

 “They’re mine. And he got Pringle dust all over the pants,” Robin whined, trying her best to wipe away the chip remnants. Steve once again pushed her hands away with his own, an embarrassed smile plastered on his face. 

 “Robin’s?! How in the world did you fit into those jeans?” Eddie asked incredulously, leaning to the side to check Steve out openly. Mentally fist bumped himself by the squeamish look that crossed over Steve’s features.

 Like clockwork, Gareth poked his head out of the door, brows scrunched in confusion, and then smiling when he saw Eddie outside. 

 “Eddie, hey man, we’re uh—” The drummer’s eyes widened when they landed on the eclectic group of normal people he knew from high school, “We’re, ready to set up.” 

 “I’ll be down in a second,” Eddie explained, his friend nodding and taking one last look at Eddie’s 3 other friends before disappearing back into the Hide Out. 

 “Well,” He clapped, palms sweating and that pit hardened uncomfortably, “I’ve gotta get back in there. Don’t be nervous and they don’t check IDs.” 

 And with those words left standing for them, Eddie all but threw himself back into the venue. Holy shit, this was really happening, he was about to make a goddamn fool of himself on this tiny stage in Hawkins Indiana and there was no damn way he could back out now. 

X

 While Jeff, Gareth, and Tristan tested their own instruments, Eddie fumbled his way through the scribbled lyrics of the song he’d chosen. It was a song aggressively removed from what the band usually played, Corroded Coffin’s sound verged on black metal the more the band wrote and discussed where they wanted to go. He was the most nervous that people would be upset by the sudden change up, luckily it was the last song though. 

 “Alright, you guys just about ready?” A buff man wearing a black battle vest with patches sewn in all over it asked, his hair slicked back with so much gel that it glistened off in the bar's darkened belly. His name was Diablo, and he was the one who let them do their first show here, and stood by him when he came back after the murder accusations and still let him play. Eddie’s expression hardened, and he nodded, his friends throwing up a few distracted sign of the horns.

 “Great,” The man grunted as he stepped up to the mic, waving at them to get sorted (and seated in Gareth’s case). 

 Eddie shuffled foot to foot in uneasiness, watching Diablo introduce himself to the patrons, the music cutting and an excited hum hovering in the crowd. 

 “Now, you know the rules, moshing is fun but if you bleed, you’re out,” Diablo declared, a beefed up hand held out pointing to some poor schmuck in the crowd. 

 Eddie’s eyes scanned the back in search of his friends but was out of luck, the spotlight obscuring his sight. 

 “This is a band I’d like to continue supporting. So, any assholes can shut the fuck up and sit down, you’re in my bar and I’ll put on whoever I damn please,” Diablo looked out into the audience with a fierce look, “And, without further ado, Corroded Coffin.” 

 There was awkward applause Eddie could only assume was from Robin or Nancy. Jon knew the way around a dingy bar show and Steve was too uncomfortable all the time to make a mistake that big. 

 “Good luck, kid,” Diablo whispered in his ear while he passed him on the stage, one of those enormous paws landed heavily on his shoulder. 

 “Thanks, man,” Eddie shot back, shouldering his guitar and stomping up to the mic. He gulped down any fear that had crept up from the tar ball of anxiety that sat heavy in his stomach; if he could face off a cauldron of Demobats and also sacrifice himself to those tiny, gnashing mouths, he could perform in front of fucking Steve Harrington. 

 “The devil… has come to Hawkins,” He spoke deep into the mic, voice reverberating through the floor and seeping into the crowd. With a flick of his wrist, he motioned for Gareth to start. 

 Adrenaline pumped through Eddie’s veins after the first two songs. The mosh pit came to a slow stop, some people still shoving and moving in jerking moves. Sweat dripped down his arms and made the leather sleeves of his jacket rub against the hair there. Right before their last song, he made a timeout signal with his hands. Eddie’s guitar made a whiny twang as he pulled her off his shoulders so he could shuck off the jacket. Some women hollered when his Iron Maiden crop top was revealed, it sat just shy of exposing his entire chest and his treasure trail was on full display. His low-rise black pants hugged his hips in such a way, a small glint of hope sat in his heart that a certain someone would notice. 

 “Heads up guys, this next song is a cover. Please give us the benefit of the doubt, though. Sometimes we just need to let these feelings out, y’know,” Eddie mumbled into the mic, eyes cast down into the sea of people who all stared up at him expectantly. 

 Inhaling a deep breath, Eddie slung his guitar back over his neck and wailed on her, to rile up the crowd once more. He grinned as the mosher's pushed back and forth again. After a few more screams from his guitar, he transitioned into the first chords of the song. 

 Gareth smashed the drums, which was Eddie’s cue, so he let his voice growl into the mic; 

‘You got me runnin' baby

You give me somethin' way beyond revenue,’

 The mosher's stopped but still stayed, enjoying Eddie’s vocals and the bands' more intense take of the Billy Squier song. Some women pushed their way up to the front of the stage, he played into it. Leaning forward so his curls hung around his neck, chains clinking against the mic as he played up the flirtatious act. 

 Goosebumps flushed up his arms when he saw the flash of Robin’s pixie face off to his right. Stomping his foot on top of the amp next to him, he turned his body toward where Steve had moved to. Robin was pressed to the man’s side and both of them stared at him with glassy eyes. 

 Eddie winked down at the two of them and moved his head in a snake-like motion, a wicked grin slipped onto his lips; 

‘When you come 'round I never get down, I fly across the floor

I can see you comin' on me and I can't ask for more,’

In quick succession, Eddie jumped down from the stage and let the audience part as he sauntered over to Robin and played it up in her face; 

‘You got my motor racin', I find my thoughts embracin' your every move,’

He broke the song briefly to chuckle low as Robin blushed furiously, Steve pointing and laughing at her. That didn’t last long though, Eddie fixed Steve with a pout before he licked his lips and all but growled the next couple of lines right in Steve’s face; 

‘I've been thinkin' 'bout you for so long, a nd I don't wanna lose you

You're my kinda lover,’

 Eddie swiveled away and missed Steve’s reaction, not wanting to spend too much time with his attention on the jock. Someone could notice the context clues before they were in a safe space, and a hate crime would be a shitty way to end his night. He hopped back onto the stage and made passing eye contact with Gareth, he just raised a curious brow at him and shook his fluffy head. 

 As he sang the rest of the song, he pounded his fist against the ground, amping up the dramatics as he repeated the lyrics, ‘my kinda lover’ . On the last one, he sat back on his feet, thighs on display for God and head thrown back in a very sinful portrait he hoped, sweat dripped down his back and onto the stage. The song came to a close, and he sat still in that position, chest heaving and eyes closed. 

 There was a beat of silence and then an uproar of applause, people shouted again and other slurries of words he couldn’t understand. But Eddie got the message, he nodded at Gareth who understood the message, starting up a heavy song they’d written the summer of ‘86. 

 Tristan and Jeff followed suit once they realized which song it was, hammering it out for the wanting crowd. The mosh pit started again, and that time around, Steve stayed off on the outskirts, but closer to the stage. Eyes wide with something Eddie couldn’t read, and damn, he wanted to know. Wanted to lose himself in the sea of hazel eyes and flirtatious teasing, allow Steve to take him however he wanted. 

 Corroded Coffin’s set closed out, Eddie never minded playing first, it always meant he could enjoy the music afterward. In quick succession, they lugged all their equipment off so the next band could start setting up. 

 All he wanted to do once his guitar was locked up in the back of his van was find Steve, but he knew that would be too obvious, so instead he followed his bandmates to the bar where Diablo poured them two shots of vodka each, on the house the bartender had said with a massive grin plastered on his sweaty face. 

 The vodka hit Eddie’s empty stomach, making him feel woozy as it burned away at the pit of nerves that had been sitting there all week. 

 “Eddie!” Robin’s ecstatic voice yelled out over the buzzing crowd, he turned to meet her with open arms and a hazy grin. 

 “Robbie, be honest, was it as good as last time!?” He asked, trying to keep his gaze on hers as he noticed Steve following closely on the girl’s heel. 

 “Amazing, as always!” Robin gushed, pulling away and waving a small hello to the rest of the band. 

 Steve was carrying a full pint, eyes reflecting the lights almost like they were shining like a beacon for Eddie, but he had a huge smile plastered on his lips. Eddie sidled up to him and threw a casual arm around his neck. He ignored the stiff response of Steve’s shoulders.

 “Well, Harrington, what d'ya think?” Eddie drawled, lips brushing the outside of Steve’s flushed warm ear. 

 Steve coughed lightly, like there was a twig caught in his throat, facial expression hidden in the dark, “It, it was great!” 

 “Huh, cat got your tongue, Harrington?” The post performance adrenaline and a small amount of liquid courage fueled Eddie as he pushed his way into Steve’s space, looking at him through his eyelashes. 

 Something curious happened visible to Steve, and Eddie’s heart skipped a beat as the jock returned the grin with his signature look down, a chuckle and then flickering his wide hazel eyes back up to meet Eddie’s, the hand not occupied with his beer landing on his cocked hip, those damn jeans hugged his waist in a tight embrace and it made Eddie’s throat dry up like a desert. 

 “No, just maybe curious about who the lucky lady you were singing about is,” Steve explained, but something told Eddie that the plan he and Max concocted had worked. 

 “You don’t know her,” Eddie supplied, leaning back against the bar casually, not breaking eye contact with Steve. 

 “Is she here tonight?” Nancy asked, surprising Eddie out of his tunnel vision and reminding him he was, in fact, flirting with Steve openly in front of all their friends. 

 “She is,” Eddie nodded, eyes still locked with Steve’s, trying to read him as he straightened his spine, which made him appear just half an inch taller than Eddie. 

 Steve broke their tethered staring contest, eyes scanning the people meandering and trying to find some imaginary girl Eddie had made up, the jock pointed secretly at a girl with long teased curls and her torso pale shining out against her all black getup, “Is it her?” 

 Mentally, Eddie slapped his forehead, forgetting that Steve was oblivious and just because they were flirting doesn’t mean he’s aware of it and Eddie probably still had to push him off the edge. Images of how he could convey to this man that he was the one the song was about made his brain ache. 

 “Nope! Well, I’m going out for a smoke,” Eddie clapped. Turning around and signaling to Diablo he’d like another shot, if he was going to make any insinuation, he needed a bit more bravery that wasn’t conjured from his adrenaline, from past shows he knew it wouldn’t last very long. 

 Pouring the shot back, he felt Steve watching him closely, just the thought that Steve was checking him out gave him goosebumps. He shook his curly head as the awful liquid slipped down his throat, leaving the awful burn it always did. Turning and clapping Gareth on the shoulder, the younger man gave him a knowing look and eyes flickering briefly to Steve with a grin on his mischievous face. 

 Eddie pursed his lips and tried to telekinetically explain not to fuck with the fine bridge he was building, and that he would explain later. However, it was hard to convey in one measly glance. 

 Sauntering away from his friends and letting his exposed bicep brush Steve on his way out. The area on his bicep burned from the one faint touch. Once he knew he wasn’t in eye sight, he took the stairs two at a time, mouth open in a silent scream. Fuck, he was horrible at this.

 Outside was cool, a small Spring breeze passed over his bare skin and dried out his sweat. It was refreshing, and cleared his frazzled mind. Igniting the cigarette he took out of his pocket, inhaling the smoke deep into his lungs and throwing his head back to gaze longingly up at the stars. There was a crowd of other people all smoking, chatting amongst themselves, laughing and some rough housing from the mosh pit still, but he knew they’d all retreat inside soon because the next band was about to play. Throwing a smile their way and then retreating around the corner, not wanting any of them to come over and talk with him. 

 He was pathetic, just a love sick guy who couldn’t have what he wanted. It would always be like this probably, he’d grow old and live with a bunch of cats, never having left he and Uncle Wayne’s trailer and—His self deprecating thoughts of loneliness of being gay in a small hick town were interrupted by the scuff of sneakers on the cement behind him.

 “Mind sharing that?” Steve’s voice filled the steady hum of a vent that was keeping Eddie company. The scene reminded him of when that other guy from earlier had asked to share and Eddie had all but ignored him, this however was Steve. This was who he'd been waiting for. That's all they needed, a cigarette, cheapest date he'd ever been on he thought. 

 “Sure, Harrington,” Eddie grinned, passing off the cigarette so Steve could take it with his outstretched hand. Eddie leaned back, shivering when his bare skin pressed against the brick wall. He eyed Steve warily, watching the way his pink lips wrapped around the orange end of the filter, the smoke creeping out of the corners of his mouth before he exhaled it into the night sky. 

 “Is she scary?” Steve asked, leaning in close to Eddie as he dragged a couple more puffs from the cigarette. Eddie’s brows scrunched, what was he talking about? Oh, the imaginary girl he’d told the crew about. 

 “Yeah, she’s scary all right,” Eddie grinned, heart pounding in his chest smacking his forehead over and over, wishing that this was going to be easier. Hoping that his heart wouldn’t have to be broken in order to confess his feelings. 

 “It’s a shame really,” Steve whispered, neck extended and eyes searching the night for something. The day that Eddie found answers on Steve’s face when he stared at him longingly would be an exuberant and profound day. 

 “What’s a shame?” Eddie smirked, crossing his arms and obscuring the image of the album Master of Puppets. He watched Steve’s Adam's apple bob as the man swallowed nervously, his hand around a loose thread on the Boston shirt Robin had hastily cut for him. 

 Steve scratched the back of his head, suddenly all of the jock's confidence drained from his aura and he was left to suspiciously peek over his shoulder as if to make sure they had some privacy. Eddie breathed heavily, his heart sped up and hammered away uncomfortably against his ribcage. 

 “I was… just hoping, well,” Steve stuttered, voice dropping to a whisper, “That I wasn’t reading into things wrong?”

 “You’re going to have to spell whatever you’re talking out for me, big boy,” Eddie breathed, was this it, was this the moment he’d only dreamed of? 

 “Maybe you were singing about…” Steve dropped his head down and chuckled low and self-deprecatingly, “Well, about me.”

 Stuttering heart beats faded to nothing as his heart skipped a beat. The big confession, Steve’s cheeks were flushed pink and if it wasn’t springtime, Eddie was sure the man would’ve been sweating profusely. And after all of his chaotic thoughts over the last couple of weeks the only sound that he made was a devilish chuckle. 

 “Damn, Mayfield was right,” He said, fixing Steve with an emotional stare. 

 Those perfect brows scrunched in confusion and Eddie wanted to kiss the look right off of Steve’s face, “Max? What?” 

 “She may have, uh… helped me plan this,” Eddie trailed off, wringing out his fingers and tapping his boot on the concrete. 

 “You, wait what?!” Steve blurted out, a goofy smile spread onto his plush lips. Eddie's heart fluttered, opening his mouth to respond and being so rudely interrupted by the sound of mocking bird, none other than Robin Buckley

 “Steve! We’re… uh, heading out! Nance has to work early tomorrow morning!” Robin was clearly tipsy as she hollered behind them. Steve swirled around and stuttered out incomprehensible words. 

 Eddie ducked his head, feeling the great sorrow of having to wait even longer, but if he’d been able to stick around for this long, one more night would not hurt him. 

“Hold on,” Steve growled out, jogging over to where his friends were standing and waiting for him. Eddie waved at the group, squashing his long forgotten cigarette under his shoe. Robin’s grin was wicked, mouthing something at him that he couldn’t understand. 

 Scrunching his face at her, he raised his hands in question and shook his head, trying to explain he did not know what she was trying to convey. The girl rolled her eyes and waved, calling out a goodbye to him. 

 Steve’s side profile was illuminated by a streetlamp above, the orange light really worked for him, especially with the crop top and sweater tied around his scarred hips. He talked to Robin, hands waving around as he tried to weasel his way into staying, Eddie assumed. While the metalhead took his time admiring Steve, he jumped when the man was back standing in front of him, his large warm hands resting on his shoulders and pulling Eddie into a hug. 

 “Wait for me?” Steve whispered, a shiver ran down Eddie’s spine at his words and all he could do in response was nod. 

 And with that, Steve jogged back over to Nancy and the others, turning around as they walked away to wave at him until the group was no longer in sight. Once he truly knew they weren’t coming back, Eddie rolled against the wall and knocked his forehead against the hard brick. 

 “Stupid, I am so stupid.” He muttered into the night, Steve once again leaving him in the dust to wallow in a deep pool of anxiety. 

#steddie fanfic #steddie fic rec #eddie munson #steddie #stranger things #steve harrington #stranger things s4 #eddie munson stranger things #ao3 #fanfiction #look I’m a sucker for cliffhangers also when I wrote this it was supposed to be 2 one shots from both POVS #and Steve’s was 5k so when Eddie’s hit 8k I was like damn CALM DOWN aslan #anyway we love oblivious blundering Eddie #always #I hope u like it 🥰 #my writing #steve x eddie #eddie x steve

[strangerthings4theories]

Okay but— and I’m not sure if you already have a theory on this. Why is the Upside down two years back in time? Couldn’t they theoretically use it to get Billy back? The clock is such an important motif that it’s got to be used somehow. Right? All I’m saying is that the could potentially get his ass idk. I just can’t accept that Will and Billy are not connected. Maybe it will be season 5.

Yeah that was my first thought when I learned the Upside Down is stuck in 1983. It's definitely a possible mechanism for Billy's return. Especially since Billy has already been symbolically connected to clocks 🤷‍♀️

This shot is a big deal bc it's the moment he meets his 'mirror image,' El. So you bet your ass I'm gonna wonder WHY THE DUFFERS PUT A CLOCK IN THE BACKGROUND

Consider, also, how S3 shows an actual clip from Back to the Future, which the production had to pay good money for. And what's the movie about? Going back in time and changing the future. (But first messing up the future, and then accidentally changing it in a way that makes it better. Your lame parents are suddenly cool, and your family has money now)

So that might be a hint of things to come.

Just think, it wouldn't take much work to undo Billy's death. There are like, a thousand moments where a different decision would've averted it 🤷‍♀️

#just one of many MANY ways billy could come back #i've said it once i'll say it a hundred times #there's nothing stopping them story-wise #they have multiple pathways. multiple. #billy hargrove #stranger things theory #stranger things analysis #answering your mail #stranger things spoilers

[buggyzwrld]

method of modern love (highschool AU! henry creel/gn! reader) - chap 1

chapter 1 - cloudbusting.

(chap namesake: cloudbusting by kate bush. i love her.)

fic summary: you have it all, popularity, good grades, and at the top of the social hierarchy of hawkins high. never once have you ever needed help, you got it all on your own, and you certainly never messed with those considered beneath you.

however, that all changes when one night, your mom suddenly never comes back home from work, and her disappearance flips your life as you know it, upside down. you reluctantly seek the help of the weird girl, jane hopper, her d&d playing friends, and the supposed wizard boy with powers, henry.

angst, fluff, enemies to lovers, reader is an ass, gud stuff.

a/n: hey guys! my name is bug and I’m not very new to tumblr, however, I’ve lurked so much and I wanted to write my own story! So this is one of my first ever st fanfictions, constructive criticism is welcomed, i have two chapters so far of this fic! I’ve had this AU in my head for awhile! :)

Some notes about this au for less confusing purposes:

Takes place in Season 4 time frame, 1986, in Hawkins.

Some canonical events, such as Hopper’s “death,” Will & El moving to California, Henry’s age, Vecna, Chrissy’s death, etc. did not happen for the sake of this universe.

The lab massacre happened, and this is how Henry & El escape blah blah, he struggles with this, blah, blah lol. 

Season 3’s finale did happen (minus Hopper death), and El lost her powers. Billy's death happened also. 

Henry is 18 for the sake of a highschool AU, and a senior, he & El live with Hopper, and assume the names Jane Hopper & Henry Hopper, taking on a big brother/little sister relationship.

This is basically what I imagined would happen if Henry wasn’t batshit crazy (well, actually he still kind of is but... lawful evil maybe??) , and assumed a normal life. I’m explaining too much lol, but I hope y'all enjoy! :)

Reader is gender neutral, assumes "they" pronouns so the story is accessible to everyone to read! You can replace the pronouns with whatever you like, and reader can be as fem, masc, or in between as you like.) 

this was written before vol. 2! so, if there are reveals that aren't stated here, remember this is just an au. thank you so much for reading :) !

~

The warm, humid spring air shrouded itself through the open windows, as the curtains danced lightly with the calm breeze in a tango. You stuck your head out the window, and took a big, heavy inhale of the air, and you could feel it. 

 This was your year.

        You’d been saying it since January 1st, 1986, as soon as the clock struck midnight, this was your year. Looking over in your bedroom vanity, you smiled confidently, feeling content with what you saw staring back. Yes, you had good grades, you were considered popular, attractive, you quite honestly had all a teenager could want in their high school life, right? However, these things didn’t come easily to you, you worked hard for them, you fought tooth, nail, and sacrificed much of yourself for your position you acquired right now. You were finally considered one of “them,” enough to be of their social caliber, enough of their stature, and you knew now you never had to worry again about reckless teasing. 

        You had it all, and you looked with slight remorse upon the ones who were once in your place. Sure, you could feel a small empathy for them, you were no stranger to the way they were treated, but you kept it to yourself. 

        Shaking your thoughts, you finished the rest of your morning routine, brushing your teeth, fixing your hair the way you liked, putting in as much hair spray to maintain the style. Yes, to assume the popularity role, you had to conform just a bit, as much as you hated to admit, but anything to keep up appearances and not fall back in the deep end of being at the bottom of the social totem pole. 

        Walking into the kitchen, you saw your sweet, tired mother looking over the bills of the house, she smiled small at you, her lips pursed, and you could see the eyebags forming under her eyes, from closing up the shop late last night. 

“Good morning, love,” She greeted, “you look awfully cute this morning.” 

        You looked your outfit up and down, blue jean shorts, with a brown button up shirt that had a funky pattern on it, tucked into the waistline, “I always look cute mom, what’s new?

        She chuckled, “Well, that’s certainly not a lie.” She went back to sorting through the bills, organizing, writing things down in her tiny green notebook she kept for important matters. You popped two pieces of bread in the toaster, and dug around in the refrigerator for some strawberry jelly, when you heard her emit a deep sigh. 

“What’s the bills looking like this month?” You turned around, face concerned, and eyebrows furrowing, as you knew the stress was formed on her face.

        “Not good, pumpkin, you might have to help me out more in the parlor this month, and maybe,” She looked off to the side, “get a part time job elsewhere, too.” 

        You stared deeply at her, and gulped, you didn’t mind helping in the pizza parlor, after all it was a family business, and every one of your friends thought it was cool that your mom owned the hottest pizza joint in Hawkins. To keep them happy, you even cooked and offered them free food, at your mom’s expense. But the feeling was different, you had it all right? That's what you always told yourself. Your friends, who had two parents with nice jobs, a nice house, a nice neighborhood… you contemplated your thoughts, but pushed them out of your head. You were as good as anyone else, whether or not you had to put on a façade, you did it just as well. 

        “Okay, but my ACT tests are coming up soon,” You played with the beltline of your shorts as you spoke, “and you know this is important for my future in college..” 

        “Yes, honey, I understand of course.” She smiled weakly, and you couldn’t help but feel a feeling of guilt form in your heart, your toast popping out of the oven. You didn’t even want it anymore, but you smothered it with jelly and grabbed your keys, and bid your mom goodbye as you left for school. 

        Starting up your fairly modest car, which was fancy by no means, you drove to school, popping in a “Tears for Fears” tape, “Head Over Heels,” to play first. You bopped your head slightly to the beat, shoving the first piece of toast in your mouth, quickly eating it, tapping your finger to the beat against the steering wheel as you maintained a steady pace on the road. 

        Finally, you reached the Hawkins High parking lot, the brown school now in view, with students walking in to begin classes. However, as you were only paying attention to the students walking in, with the music blaring, you failed to notice almost hitting a girl, and a few other kids with your car. 

        “Hey!” You heard a loud yell, and you braced for the inevitable, as you knew it was possibly too late to put on the brake without some type of collision. However, your car abruptly stopped without you hitting the brake, and you looked over to see that weird girl Angela always bullied, Jane, and her ragtag group of weird friend boys. She stared you down intently, however behind her you noticed another figure you had only seen around slightly, Henry. He pierced you with a look of resentment you’d never seen before, and you could’ve sworn you saw some blood dribble from his nose, however he quickly took his sleeve across his face. 

        “Hey! You could’ve killed her!” You heard one of the boys yell, Dustin Henderson, you just rolled your eyes, not interested in offering an apology or arguing with a freshman. 

“What an ass…” The other boy, Mike Wheeler, muttered as he watched you drive off, the others agreeing, making sure Jane was okay, and continued their walk on into the school building. 

        You pulled into a parking space, pulled your keys out, leaned back into the seat and emitted a deep, heavy sigh. You already had a run in with those weirdos, now what was next? Hopefully, nothing else surprising that you couldn’t act out your rehearsed emotions. 

        You heard a knock on your passenger side door, and you looked over to see none other than Chrissy Cunningham. She smiled brightly at you as she opened your passenger door and sat in the seat. “Ready for another day, (___)?” Her cheeks brightened as she smiled, eyes twinkling. 

“If you say so,” you retorted sarcastically, smirking slightly, “I just had a sticky run in with the Hellfire weirdos and their supposed wizard, but to be fair, I almost hit her with my car.” 

        “(___!)” She exclaimed suddenly, “you’ve got to pay more attention than that when driving..” She stated the obvious, but I just gave her an “I know, I know” look, and she giggled a little. Chrissy was extremely sweet, one of the only few of the popular group that you truly felt was genuine, and that you felt had actual emotions. You weren’t sure how she fell in with such the likes as Angela, and her crowd; cold, ruthless, mean, and calculating, sometimes it made you shudder with the type of antics they would pull. 

        “Well, let’s get going,” You huffed, “we don’t want to miss the wonderful Mr. Brown’s Biology II class!” She shot you a “really?” look, as you knew it was her least favorite class. Although you were the age of a junior, you were graduating early this year due to how fast you excelled in your studies in your previous years, taking all senior classes. You were the salutatorian of the class as you knew so far, and this frustrated you. You had no idea who was valedictorian, but you knew you wanted to surpass them, it was only fair.  

        As you walked into class, you scanned the area. The regular people here of course, Bobbie, Ariel, Jamie… you made it to your seat, the middle of the classroom, second seat from the window, third row, you remembered. However, as you sat down, you took notice of the blonde locks, slightly lean figure, and blue eyes that sat in the seat directly next to you. 

Henry. 

Henry Hopper to be exact.

        He made eye contact with you, as he must’ve felt you staring, shooting an uninteresting look as if you were a mere fly on the wall, and you sneered at him back. 

        How did you not notice? You’ve been in this class since January, it was now March, and you never noticed Henry sitting beside you? The incident this morning must’ve made you take notice, Henry was extremely quiet and never spoke a peep to anyone, besides his sister, and that whole crew. You still stared at the side of his profile in disgusting curiosity as he was now doodling something in his notebook, you taking note, peered over, it looked to be a spider. You shuddered. You hated those ugly creatures. He glared at you again. You glared back.

        Freak, you thought, turning your attention elsewhere.

        “Alright! Alright! Everyone!” Mr. Brown loudly exclaimed as he walked in the classroom, slamming the door shut, “today I’ve got something interesting for you all!”

        You noticed Henry quickly flipping his page to a clean sheet, dammit, why were you noticing everything he was doing today? It pissed you off. 

        Everyone sat up begrudgingly at this news, whatever Mr. Brown, who gave 60-questioned tests, deemed “exciting,” couldn’t have been an amusement park field trip. 

        “Don't look so miserable!” He smiled, pushing his big brown glasses on his face as he whirled around, and wrote on the chalkboard, “Science PROJECT!”

        He whirled back around and continued, “Today I decided, instead of another BORING lecture, to go ahead and begin our frog dissections!” Everyone looked at each other excitedly, hoping he would let them choose their partners. Chrissy and I made eye contact and she smiled, while I mouthed, “Pick me,” with a little wink. 

        “However, most unfortunate for you all,” He smirked devilishly, “I will pick your partners, wouldn’t be high school without the uncomfortable social aspects, now would it?”  

Loud groans emitted from the class, specifically from the back, from Eddie Munson, the 2 year super senior. 

        “So! I put all your name on these little popsicle sticks, and arranged to pull two out from this hat!” He chortled a laugh, “Now, let’s see who’s our first two victims on the list!”

He shook the black top hat, everyone antsy in anticipation, hoping, praying they would be with a friend, or their hot crush, or a decent partner at least. “First,” he pulled out two sticks, “Christina and Laurie!” A small “yes!” could be heard from the girls. 

“Second..” He pulled out two more, “Chrissy and. . .”

Your throat tightened with anticipation, hoping it would be you. 

        “Eddie!” Your heart sunk, you looked up at her, and she looked like a doe in headlights, looking to the back of the class, seeing Eddie roll his eyes a bit, mutter something, but nothing too judgmental, surprisingly. She then gave you a small smile, to which you could not return. 

        This went on for a few more names, your name not being called, and suddenly your stomach dropped with anticipation, why was it taking so long? Dammit, just call my name already, you thought. 

        Maybe, you begin to think, I’ll work on this solo, I wouldn’t mind that. You smiled at the thought, but the small hope came crashing down at Mr. Brown’s next names uttered. 

“(Name) and….” He flipped the popsicle around as if he couldn’t read his own handwriting, squinting as he slowly spoke, “...Henry.”  

        Your eyes shot up from their daze of being out of space, and you looked over to the boy sitting beside you in utter disgust, he looked at you indifferently first, but after seeing your expression, he returned the look back. 

        How lovely.

(edit: chapter 2 here)

#henry creel x you #henry creel #henry creel x reader #001 stranger things #001 x you #peter ballard #peter ballard x you #stranger things #stranger things 4 #im so nervous lol this is my first fic #i feel like its bad lol #moml series #bugs fics

[justan-0-t-h-3-r]

How do you think Billy reacts if Steve picks him up?( I mean fighting demodogs and chasing after teens is no easy task) Like maybe Steve picking him up by the back of his collar?

Ooohhhh...Good point, he'd be absolutely hench by now. Interesting. 🤔

I'm gonna take them back to the Upside Down for the first time. Steve's already wrangled some of the kids into Nancy's arms so to say so she can get them out but now it's El, Max, Steve and Billy, and they're stuck, so Billy gets on his hero shit, specifically because it's his favourite people, but he'd do it anyway, and Steve is absolutely having none of it. He's been here too many times to lose anyone now, so he sends the girls running ahead and he literally picks Billy up and puts him over his shoulder with such ease.

"Not fucking around today, Hargrove." Is all he says as he's quite literally holding Billy against him, and safe to say, Billy is stunned. He is absolutely in shock that Steve Harrington, who looks unsuspecting weighs probably half of what Billy does, has just...Thrown him over his shoulder like he was one of the kids. The views not bad though, his face is practically at Steve's ass height.

To start with he'd fight it, he's meant to be the hero, the strong one but when he realises he's not getting out of Steve's grip, he has some fun with it, when they're safe though. Billy probably end up grabbing Steve's ass, making jokes about his new strength.

"Damn, Harrington...You're definitely picking me up and pinning me to the wall when we get home."

Steve is in disbelief. They nearly died, and Billy's already making jokes. But it's a welcome break from all the fighting.

Any other situation other than life or death and sex, he'd probably start punching out, blushing unbelievably red as he fought to be put back down. However, it does now mean Billy can jump up at him and know Steve won't drop him.

#billy hargrove #stranger things #steve harrington #harringrove #riley writes random shit because he can #another fun one #thank you #i never thought about Steve being that strong before #now im here for it #riley answers

[made-ofmemories]

When Life Tears You Asunder, But You’re Not Alone

(Chapter 4/17)

General Warnings/tags: Found family, implied Wayne/Susan in future chapters, Max & Eddie have a sibling like relationship, fluff, hurt/comfort

Chapter specific warnings/tags: A little LuMax and a lot of found family vibes,  the rest of the gang make an appearance this chapter (see the tags on this post for specific characters).

Word count: 2515

Summary: Billy was a pretty shitty brother, there was no denying it, but Max still finds herself mourning for the sibling relationship they never got to have. With him gone she thinks so are her chances of ever having the big brother figure she’s always wanted. Then in a turn of events that she never saw coming, Eddie Munson waltzes into her life. Or more like, almost runs her over.

Notes: It’s a long one this week! This is one of my personal favorite chapters from this series so I would love to know what you guys think of it too. Comments and/or reblogs are always greatly appreciated.

Co-written with the wonderful @ladydorian05 and crossposted on AO3. Updates every Friday. 

Series Masterlist

-------

The fall chill sets in sometime around the beginning of October and by the end of the month it’s turning more and more wintry by the day. Eddie is painfully aware of the drop in temperature because the heater in his van sucks and no amount of tinkering seems to be able to fix it. To top it all off, he’s had a long day at work, and now all 6 of the little brats he’s meant to be picking up are late and he’s stuck in this stupid high school parking lot he thought he’d never have to see again after graduation freezing his ass off. 

Max is the first one to make an appearance, “You could have washed your face before coming here.” She states, grimacing at the black smudges smattered across Eddie's cheeks when she hops into the passenger seat of his van. 

“Well jeez, nice to see you too, Red. How has your day been?” He asks, voice dripping with sarcasm. She rolls her eyes at him and he frowns then twists the rearview mirror so he can see what the fuss is about, “It’s just grease.” He shrugs, moving the mirror back to its original position. 

“You’re so gross.” She complains, leaning over the center console and swiping at the dirt on his face using the sleeve of her jacket. He lets out a childlike whine and leans back to dodge her hands.

They’re going to Steve’s house for some Halloween movie night Dustin and Robin had convinced him to host, whenever the other 5 he’d agreed to drive eventually turn up that is. It’s not like everyone who’s going to be there hasn’t already seen him covered head to toe in demobat (and his own) blood and general upside-down grime. He really doesn’t see the big deal in a bit of grease. Besides, he’d changed out of his work coveralls, what more did she expect?

“Stop.” He scrunches his nose up and swats her hand away, which only seems to make her more determined, “Maaaaax. Stoppppp.” 

“Oh my god, you’re such a child.” 

“I’m 5 years older than you.” He reminds her which earns him another one of her signature glares. 

He’s sure she’s about to bite back with some quip about his immaturity, as she usually does, but she doesn’t get a chance. Dustin pulls the passenger side door to the van open, clearly expecting the seat to be empty. He blinks slowly as if he can’t believe what he’s seeing.

“You’re in my seat.” 

“I was here first.” 

He turns his attention to Eddie, recognizing right away that arguing with Max is never going to end in his favor. He gestures towards Max and gives him a wide-eyed ‘you’re going to allow this?’ expression.

“She’s got a point, dude.” He shrugs, not particularly eager to insert himself into the middle of this disagreement. Dustin begrudgingly joins the others in the back, not without any complaints.

Dustin is the first one to the front door when they get to Steve's house. He doesn’t knock, just waltzes right in without hesitation followed by the rest of the gaggle of teenagers Eddie has been tasked with looking out for.

He follows them to the living room where all the furniture has been rearranged for the night, making sure they’re settled before he leaves them to go find Robin and Steve. Most of them have gathered into a large group in the center of the room, except for Lucas and Max who are off to the side where no one will be paying attention to them. Max is leaning into Lucas’ side and giggling at something he said. 

Robin and Steve are in the kitchen. Steve is hovering by the stove making popcorn and Robin is sitting on one of the counter-tops, swinging her legs back and forth as she chats to Steve. They both turn to look in Eddie's direction when they hear him enter the room and their conversation falls silent the moment they lay eyes on him, followed quickly by Robin’s snorting laughter. 

“What happened to your face?” She questions, hopping down from the counter and grabbing a damp cloth from next to the sink on her way over to him. 

“It’s just grease.” He protests, squirming in the grip Robin has on his face. His words are a little muffled from the way she’s squishing his cheeks, “I work with cars, remember?”

“How can I forget when you take your job with you on your face.”

“Very funny.” He deadpans, scrunching his nose up when she wipes at the grease smeared across it, “See if I help you out when your car breaks down, Buckley.”

“I don’t have a car, dingus.” She smiles smugly.

“Harrington’s car then.”

“Hey!” Steve protests, one hand on his hip when he turns to look at them, “I didn’t say anything.”

“But you drive her, so you’re screwed by association.” 

Dustin interrupts Steve’s complaints when he screeches Eddie’s name from the other room, “Sorry, gotta go, sounds like I’ve been summoned.” Eddie says, sounding as far from sorry as he possibly could be as he uses the excuse to duck away from Robin and her fussing. 

He catches a glimpse of his reflection in a mirror hanging in the hallway. She had managed to wipe away most of the grease despite his valiant efforts to avoid her, squirm, and generally make the task much more difficult than it needs to be. 

He finds Dustin and Lucas in front of the TV arguing over 2 VHS tapes. The others are watching on from their seats on the chairs and couches scattered throughout the room. He’s pretty sure Harrington’s living room is bigger than his entire trailer. 

“Are you kidding? Michael Myers is the greatest horror movie villain of all time.” Lucas is insisting.

“Better than Freddy Kreuger? No way.” Dustin argues back before looking up at Eddie with an exasperated expression,  “Eddie! Halloween or Nightmare on Elm street?” 

“Halloween every time, man.” The look of betrayal on Dustin's face is almost comical, but still makes him feel just a little bit guilty, “Alright, why don’t we vote on it? We watch whichever gets the most votes.”

Dustin and Lucas share a look then nod in unison. Halloween wins by a landslide with only Dustin and Mike voting for a nightmare on elm street. Eddie was hoping the vote would settle the debate, but it somehow only manages to make the situation worse and everyone erupts into a cacophony of overlapping arguments.

Steve walks into the room, popcorn, and snacks in hand, right in the middle of the fallout of their decision. He breaks up the squabbling with an ease that has Eddie realizing why Max had jokingly referred to him as ‘Steve Harrington, single mother of 6’ just the other day. 

“Hey!” Steve yells over the noise and to Eddie's surprise, the room falls quiet, “What’s going on in here?”

“Lucas and Dustin couldn’t decide on a movie so we voted on it.” Will explains.

“Ok. So what’s the problem?”

“They’re all wrong is the problem,” Dustin adds and Steve lets out a heavy sigh.

“Alright, Lucas go help Robin with the drinks. Dustin, come help me with some of these.” He says nodding in the direction of the bags of candy he’s carrying. Neither of them move, “Now!”

They jump into action, Lucas scurrying off to the kitchen to find Robin and Dustin taking the bags of candy that Steve dumps into his arms and moving them to the coffee table.

“Eddie,” Steve says as he sets the bowl of popcorn down then gestures to the tv.

“Yeah, I got it.”

The opening of the movie starts to roll just as Robin and Lucas walk in carrying cans of soda which are passed around the room. Eddie thinks for a moment another argument is about to begin over the last can of coke, but Will swaps with Mike and the confrontation is avoided. 

Eddie had grabbed a bag of candy from the table on his way over from the tv and taken the empty seat next to Max who was quick to commandeer the candy from him and is digging through it looking for the best ones. 

“Don’t eat all the red ones.” He huffs trying to snatch the bag back but she pulls it out of his reach.

He gives up on the candy and accepts the can of soda Robin hands to him before she takes her seat next to Steve, leaving Lucas hovering at the edge of the room looking for somewhere to sit.

Eddie glances at Max beside him and then at Lucas. He thinks back to Max’s giggling earlier when she and Lucas had thought no one was looking and all the times he’s seen Max’s expression soften when Lucas is mentioned or the times he’s had to sit and listen to Lucas gushing about something she’s said.

“Hey, Sinclair.” He says getting to his feet. Max is confused for a second if her expression is anything to go by, but quickly catches on, “You can sit here.”

“Thanks, man.” Lucas is wearing a broad smile as he crosses the room.

“I know what you’re doing.” Max hisses at him, quietly enough that the others won’t hear.

“Thank me later.” He bounds off to the small couch where Will, Mike, and Dustin are seated and grabs another bag of candy as he passes the table. He shoos Dustin along and wedges himself into the end space on a couch most definitely not designed to seat 4 people. 

“Are you trying to crush me?” Dustin asks in his familiar sarcastic tone.

Eddie wraps an arm around Dustin pulling him closer to his side in a loose headlock and using his other hand to rub his knuckles against the top of his head despite Dustin's best attempts to shove him off. He stops when he notices the glare they’re getting from Steve.

He can't help but get distracted, he's seen the movie so many times that he’d be able to recite the lines along with the characters if he wanted to. He finds his eyes wandering around the room instead. It's not the first time he's been at Steve's house, most of the time they all hang out at his place, he has the biggest house out of all of them and his parents are never around. He thinks it must feel cold and lonely to live in it on your own. Note to self, hang out with Harrington more often. 

His eyes wander from the Halloween decorations scattered around the room, observing the contrast between the fake spiderwebs and the fancy vases and everyday decor of the Harrington's, until eventually, his gaze falls to the faces of his friends. His gaze lands on Lucas and Max, they're sharing the bag of candy Max took from him, her head resting on Lucas' shoulder.

El is sitting to their left on the same couch as Robin and Steve, she's leaning towards Steve and she jumps when the first kill of the movie happens on the screen, gripping onto Steve’s arm in her panic. Steve doesn’t seem bothered despite the fact Eddie can see even from a distance the indents her firm grip is leaving on his skin. Steve places his other hand over her wrist in a comforting gesture, his attention seemingly never wavering from the movie.  Robin is whispering something in his right ear and he sees him, not for the first time, squinting his eyes at the screen of the tv.

Eddie is startled out of his thoughts, not by the gruesome scenes playing out on the tv in front of them, but by Dustin's hand trying to sneak into his bag of candies to steal some. The little shit gives him a toothy grin when he realizes he's been caught as Eddie clasps his hand around the opening of the bag and looks at him with a raised eyebrow. He holds the expression until Dustin's smile starts to waver, he shakes his head and offers the bag of candy to the teen with a fond smile. His attention goes back to the movie after that. He's so glad they all made it out of that hellish place.

They call it a night after the second movie. Steve had fallen asleep not even halfway into the first and only wakes when Robin's elbow collides with his ribs, firmly enough to wake him, but not enough to actually hurt. He blinks himself awake still groggy as he takes in his surroundings and finds most of the group watching him with amused smiles on their faces.

“Sorry to interrupt nap time, but you’re my ride and it’s time to go,” Robin says.

 “What? I was just resting my eyes.” He grumbles, doing a terrible job at pretending he hasn’t been asleep for the past 2 hours.

“Sure you were, Stevie,” She emphasizes the sarcasm with a pat on the shoulder as she stands.

Steve agrees to also drive Mike, Lucas, and Dustin home, leaving Eddie to drop off Max, El, and Will. 

El and Will are quiet, even quieter than Max had been before she’d gotten comfortable around him. He finds that he enjoys their company regardless, they’re good kids. He had played DnD with Will over summer when Eddie had hosted a short campaign for the hellfire club. El he’s had less interaction with but in the few times they’ve met she’s seemed nice if not a little curious, anytime she does speak it’s to ask him a question and she’s especially fascinated by his tattoos.

The Hopper-Byers live in the middle of nowhere, he almost gets lost at least 3 times trying to find the cabin and has to be corrected by Will before he takes a wrong turn. Will and El thank him when they climb out of the van, leaving just him and Max on their way back to the trailer park.

“So…” He draws out the ‘o’ and Max lets her head tip back against the headrest of her seat, “You and Lucas looked comfortable.”

“Please stop.”

“What?” He asks, all feigned innocence and big doe eyes, “I’m just saying. You like him right?”

“I guess.” She shrugs, her gaze fixed pointedly on the dash of the van.

“You guess?” He chuckles, “Wow, Red. How romantic of you, it’s a wonder you haven’t swept him off his feet already.” 

“Alright.” She throws her hands up, the hint of a smile creeping across her face, “Yes, I like him. We’re uh, kind of back together?”

“Oh shit, does this mean I have to give him the shovel talk now?” He’s joking… mostly. He laughs when she reaches over to swat at his arm. 

“Don’t you dare!” 

Max is still smiling when they reach the trailer park. Eddie doesn’t think he’s ever seen her so happy. Maybe he won’t need to have that conversation with Lucas after all, they could be good for each other, he thinks. 

#stranger things #max mayfield #eddie munson #steve harrington #dustin henderson #Lucas Sinclair #robin buckley #mike wheeler #will byers #eleven #el hopper #st4 #st4 fic #stranger things fic

[i-used-to-wear-the-fedora]

Reach Out and Touch

For @mungroveweek Day 2

"Well, great, Munson. Thanks to you, we're going to starve to death down here."

"Me? You're the one that stepped on the vine!"

"Well, this wouldn't have stepped on it if you weren't distracting me!" Billy sniped at the other teen tied to his back, trying to face him only to get a mouthful of Eddie's hair. Billy spat the strands of hair out as he pulled at the gross slimey tentacles that bound the two together. This seemed to anger the appendages as they tightened their grip. The blonde grunted as Eddie's back slammed into his. It had been almost a year since he "died" and ended up in wherever the hell this place was, Billy wasn't exactly sure. At first, he thought it was hell. It had to be, he thought. After all those things that creature who stole his body made him do, Billy figured it was divine punishment. But then he found out that he was very much alive and if he wasn't careful, the creatures that roamed the land he was stuck in could very easily kill him. He learned to survive and he adjusted.

Then he ran into the idiot pinned to his back. Eddie freaking Munson. His former drug dealer and the only other human in the upside down (apparently, that's what his sister and her shit rat friends called it) . He remembered finding the guy half dead near the trailer park. He spent weeks taking care of the other teen, making sure he didn't die. The guy was kind of annoying, but he had pretty good taste in music. And while he wouldn't let Eddie know it, Billy had been desperate for any human contact since he woke up here.

Billy wasn't exactly sure how long it had been now. A few weeks? Or maybe a few months. It was kind of hard to keep track of time here. Eddie was still learning how to survive this place and, as a result, often messed up. They'd had a lot of close calls. But this? While not as deadly (so far, at least), the grabby tentacles were far more annoying. Billy's axe had been tossed to the side by another vine, leaving the two unarmed in the middle of the woods by Lover's Lake.

"Come on, dude, don't worry." Eddie assured Billy as he rolled his shoulders. "Listen, I can't reach it, but I have a knife in my back pocket. You can use it to cut us free."

"This better not be a ploy to get me to grab your ass."

"If I wanted that, I'd just ask." Billy couldn't see it, but he knew Eddie winked as he said this. The younger teen sighed with a roll of his eyes before maneuvering the arm bound to his right side behind him. Running his palm along Eddie's jeans to which the metalhead let out a laugh. "Oh yeah, get a feel for it-"

"Shut up, I'm trying to focus." Billy grunted as he dug into the first pocket. Nothing.

"Wrong pocket~," Eddie called out in his sing-song phone. Billy's hand retracted and reached for the other pocket. His fingers found the blade's handle and quickly pulled it out. Lifting his arm as much as physically possible and using it to slice at the viscous vine wrapped around his chest. It took a few minutes of sawing before slicing the vines down the middle. They fell in a pile, allowing the two boys to stand up as Billy caught his breath. "Hey, are you okay?" Billy turned to face Eddie. Despite the earlier teasing, the metalhead looked genuinely concerned.

"Yeah. I'm fine." Billy shrugged as he tossed the knife back to Eddie. "Just be more careful next time."

"But I-whatever." Eddie threw his hands in the air, and it was Billy's turn to laugh. There were worse people to be stuck with down here.

#stranger things #fanfiction #stranger things au #eddie munson #billy hargrove #billy x eddie #mungrove #mungrove week #billy lives au #eddie lives au

[jonathans-boyfriend]

ST4 Vol2 Ep9

- yuri, i hate you

- joyce and hopper <333

- lasagna and breadsticks. hopper its okay hun

- JOYCE AND HOPPER ARE CUTE TOGETHERRR

- please kiss omg pleaseeee

- THEY KISSED ! OMG THEY KISSEDDD

- LEADER NANCY IS HOT

- nancy wheeler i love you so fucking much

- dustin, sweetie, do not get hurt or i will throw H A N D S

- steve, that was so hot

- ROBNANCE OR NOBIN IDK I LOVE THEM

- steve, stop making moves in jonathan’s girlfriend

- ediie and dustin are heroes !

- MAKE VECNA PAY !

- the new monster hunting trio is so sexy tho. nancy leading.

- the zoom in on nancy? consider me peaked

- jonathan is stressed. means im stressed.

- hi eleven, my beloved.

- argyle, you beautiful dumbass

- eleven is going to piggyback in max’s mind

- argyle has an idea:D

- max !!!

- the faint running up that hill. im so terrified.

- hi lucas, my loveeee

- ERICA, please GO HOME! i dont want you hurt :(

- PHASE ONE is on. oh no.

- JASON! put that damn gun away. you ain’t going to do shit

- stay away from the kids or i will sadako your ass

- Russia team is getting ready? i hope…

- hopper is pissed.

- joyce and hopper are ready to protect their kids

- hopper holding a flamethrower. consider me scared and aroused.

- argyle and fellow high dumbass

- purple palm tree delight. again.

- jonathan, go save your friends from afar. i love you

- eddie and dustin, better make it out it here it i will actually cry

- HIS AXE IS IN THE UPSIDE DOWN

- eddie, sweetheart, dont get hurt

- steve, do not make any moves on nancy. isrg j will STOP watching the show

- i love how seeing nancy smile but please stop flirting steve.

- please. steve stop. steve stop.

- nancy no. NANCY NO.

- nancy does not seem to feel the same. i hope.

- murray and jim on a first name basis. love it.

- its a warzone. the demogorgon IS NOT DEAD.

- why is enzo kinda 🥴

- exactly enzo. put yuri in his fucking place.

- yuri is a veteran?

- enzo is so hotttt

- exactly yuri. do the right thing. please.

- im so scared for max. please dont hurt max…

- max and lucas are so cute. they are a power couple. they have stood the test of time and truly love one another

“ hi!” “hi :)” “im glad you are here” “me too!” “movie friday?” *lengthy writing* “*a picture if them together 👩🏼‍🤝‍👨🏿*”

- the lovebirds have copied!

- ericas sassss

- phase two begins. poor max…

- its game time.

- "hey asshole!” — max (s4) "hey asshole!” — nancy (s2) - girls getting shit done.

- mileven! <3

- im happy they are talkin.

- PINEAPPLE ON PIZZA?! now i gotta try it

- will and jonathan…please talk omg

- byers brothers memories

- larry the lego man.

- silly will got a lego man stuck up his nose

- jon doing surgery on his brothers nose lmao

- jon loves his brother so much.

- he doesnt wanna lose his baby brother.

- “or stoned.” - sass, matter of a fact

- “or stoned.” - agreement

- jonathan KNOWS. omg he knows. he loves his brother and supports him.

- THEIR HUG. jonathan is THE best brother to exist and my favorite stranger things character. i love you byers.

- its go time.

- el, max, and lucas together again. . .sorta

- this is max’s season.

- aw max 🥺

- max wanting billy dead. yikes 😳

- i wish i could hug max.

- el is listening and her heart is breaking.

- max can’t forgive herself and wants to die? i feel you max

- I WAS SO SCARED. i THOT LUCAS WAS REALLY SAYING THAT TO MAX

- RUN MAX! fucking RUN

- el is in.

- eddie. my love.

- “chrissy, this is for you!” <3 SHRED EDDIE

- i just realized the demobats have demogorgon heads

- JASON GET AWAY FROM ERICA

- BILLY

- ERICA! MY LOVE NOOO :(

- THE SNOWBALL! THE BIRTH OF LUMAX

- DUSTIN AND EDDIE CELEBRATING GIVES ME LIFE

- back to the russia crew :)

- BURN THE MFKING MIND FLAYER >:)

- EVERYTHING ESCAPED OUT OF THEIR CAGES OMG

- the mind flayer has risen

- please be careful monster hunters 2.0

- robin and nancy holding each other’s hands for safety. love it.

- little baby max riding a skateboard and flipping people off <3

- he FOUND HER NO

- EL HuURRY!

- SHES IN THE UPSIDE DOWN VERSION OF THE SNOW BALL

- DO NOT HURT ERICA

- JASON I WILL LITERALLY MURDER YOU

- joyce remembering bob breaks my heart

- joyce and hopper have a date. hes going to survive 🥺🥺

- THEY KISSED AGAIN— hopper, do not fail miss byers or i will wake you up and kill you myself

- dustin trying to be scary is so funny. i love him.

- STUPID DEMOBAT SCARED ME

- dustin and eddie stabbing stuff makes me smile <3

- LET GO OF ROBIN AND STEVE!

- NANCY NO!

- FUCKIN HELL!

- DONT HURT MY BABIES

- IT IS ON SIGHT VECNA

- RUN HOPPER

- EDDIE NO! EDDIE NO

- MAX NO MAX NO

- LUCAS YOU BADASS! FIGHT!

- the SINCLAIRS ARE KICKING SO MUCH ASS

- STAY AWAY FROM MAX HENRY/ONE/VECNA

- SHUT THE FUCK UP VECNA I WILL KILL YOU MYSELF

- EL WHEREARE YOU

- THERE YOU ARE MY LOVE

- ELMAX ARE REUNITED

- PRESENTING THE QUEEN, ELEVEN

- “YOU!” “hi. :)” *yeet*

- DUSTIN YOU BADASS ILY

- EDDIE NO

- DUSTIN OMG GET UP BABY

- EDDIE STOP PLEASE

- PLEASE GTFO HOPPER

- KICK HIS ASS LUCAS

- NO JASON YOU A-HOLE

- my girls are back together and that makes me so happy <3

- “im real :)”

- “i piggybacked from a pizza dough freezer :)” “WHAT?!”

- SAVE MAX EL

- “if you touch her again, i will KILL you again.”

- STAY AWAY FROM EL

- dustin’s leg is broken…no…baby no…

- eddie sweetheart. you are so brave.

- i admire max for trying to protect her friend

- NO ELEVEN! FIGHT IT

- EL PLEASE FIGHT BACK! YOU ARE SO POWERFUL!

- MAX NO! LET GO OF MAX! PLEASE NO

- I CANT LOSE HER…

- el, sweetie, its not going to work. . .

- yes. keep him busy el.

- ew. he is so ugly… — me about vecna

- THE MIND FLAYER?!

- HENRY CREATED THE MIND FLAYER! OMG

- henry created the upside down.

- it all started with henry.

- NO! THEY HAVE NOT LOST!

- EDDIE NO!

- NO PLEASE! I CANT LOSE ANYONE ELSE

- FIGHT EL FIGHT!

- NO MAX OH MY GOD! MAX PLEASE NO!

- YOU ARE SO POWERFUL!

- YOU SAVED MAX OMG

- EVERYONES OKAY!

- NANCY IS PISSED.

- HOPPER IS PISSED

- EVERYONE IS PISSED

- FUCK OFF VECNA! FUCK OFF

- “you’ve already lost.” “no. you have.”

- BURN VECNA! BURN

- RUNNING UP THAT HILL!

- kill the son of a bitch

- TAKE YOUR SHOTS NANCY

- GOD IS A WOMAN

- NANCY DOES NOT BACK DOWN FOR SHIT

- that would’ve been a perfect, “go. to. hell!” line from nancy, not gonna lie

- im so glad shes okay

- THEY WON but at what cost…

- EDDIE?! PLEASE NO EDDIE

- NO FUCK THIS SHOW! FUCK THIS SHOW!

- EDDIE YOU FUCKING MAD LAD. I LOVE YOU. REST EASY.

- FUCK THIS SHOW. FUCK THIS STUPID SHOW.

- THEY FUCKING KILLED MAX! I HATE THIS STUPID SHOW!

- I AM CRYING! LITERALY SOBBING

- NO MAX PLEASE

- GET UP MAX

- please get up max

- shes dead? holy fuck. fuck this stupid show! please get up max

- NO NO NO NO! THIS IS A HORRIBLE SHOW!

- the ritual was complete…they lost

- WAIT DID JASON JUST DIE! omg the upside down opening up literally killed jason. THANK GAWD

- TWO DAYS LATER?!!

- TWENTY TWO?! DEAD! holly and karen better be okay.

- they’re okay. thank god.

- JANCY REUNITE OMG

- please tell me they hug

- jancy is supreme. THEY STAYED STRONG. THEY ARE STILL TOGETHER

- max is alive?

- nevermind…

- she is fighting for her life! come home max. come home.

- elmax reunites in person….in the worst circumstances.

- the code cracking trio is back and helping out

- rob and vickie reunite

- vickie is pulling a robin in episode one! oh my fucking god!

- ROBIN is getting a girlfriend :) im happy

- steve is proud of his bff

- aw dustin…baby…sweetheart.

- rest easy eddie munson. you were an angel. a true hero. you were innocent. and you did it for chrissy <3

- they are cleaning up hopper’s cabin for el.

- please talk to each other, jon and nance.

- jonathan is jealoussss

- he wont tell her? come on jonny! communicate! she is the love of your LIFE!

- she feels like she lost. poor baby.

- HOLY FUCK. the upside down connection is back. run will. gtfo.

- vecna is going to die.

- grab a gun nancy. its the government.

- el spins the bottle, the game she played with max in season three on who to use her powers on.

- el is trying to find max in her mind.

- dont lose hope. max is okay.

- OMG HOP AND EL ARE REUNITED! IM GOING TO CRY AGAIN

- IM SO HAPPY THEY ARE TOGETHER AGAIN.

- she kept the door open three inches for hopper. omg.

- they are both without their luscious locks.

- “yeah…i kinda stole your look.”

“yeah :)”

“ how does it look?”

“bitchin’l

- THEY ARE SO HAPPY TO HAVE ONE ANOTHER AGAIN

- “im happy you went to your conference.” YES ME TOO EL! me too

- welcome home hopper

- “you’ve grown :)”

“you’ve shrunk.”

- will senses vecna.

- shit is about to go down.

- the music building. this score…

- the upside down is coming to hawkins.

- war is coming to hawkins, indiana

the five deaths of stranger things vol.2

i. brenner

ii. eddie

iii. max (resurrected)

iv. jason

v. hawkins itself.

bro this show is the reason i need therapy again. thanks stranger things 4. thank you soooo much

#stranger things 4 #stranger things spoilers #live writing