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panickinganakin · 11 months

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stepping stones to hell ch. 11

hello!! all previous chapters can be found here! also if you’re interested you can find it on ao3, i typically post there a bit before i can update on here.

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The next few days passed in a blur. They had played more kickass shows and this tour was honestly one of the most fun they had ever done. As the second week was coming to a close Robin realized she was sad there was only a week left. However, on the opposite side of that, she was excited to go home and see Nancy.

Just like the week before the two had talked nearly every day on the phone with the exception of Monday. Nancy had a busy schedule and had to fly out for an interview. However, everyday before that they hadn’t missed an opportunity to talk to one another.

She learned so much more about Nancy. She learned her favorite flower was a pink orchid. Nancy had also mentioned that if she had to choose her very last meal it would be her mom’s twice baked potatoes and Salisbury steak but chicken cordon bleu was a close second.

There had even been a night where the band got to stay in a motel. That night Robin and Nancy had stayed on the phone until Nancy fell asleep. So Robin also learned how Nancy sounded as she fell into a deep sleep.

Robin had laid there for a while, phone pressed to her ear, listening to Nancy sleep before she finally hung up the phone and went to sleep herself.

It was finally Tuesday which meant they would have another day off tomorrow. Robin loved Nashville so playing a show in Franklin meant they were so close. She had already planned to make a trip out tomorrow and search all the local shops.

“Bubs,” Gareth called from behind Robin. She turned to see him holding up a cropped Dio shirt, her gray cargo shorts and a pair of fishnet gloves. “Eddie said wear this.”

“Why?” she sat down her eyeliner and stood up. She crossed the dressing room to take the articles of clothing from Gareth who gave a shrug in return.

“I don’t know. He said wear it. Something about how he dresses us better than we dress ourselves.” He added an eye roll for dramatic effect.

“Well, what are you wearing?” She looked over at his usual ripped jeans and Ozzy shirt.

“Me? This.”

“How come you can dress yourself?” she asked in an almost offended tone.

“Because I only spend a handful of songs out on stage.” He smiled before walking backwards toward the door.

Robin flipped her middle finger up and Gareth exited with a laugh. She waited for the door to close before she started to change into her new outfit. It was true, of course. Everything Eddie put them in was always their best looks. But, still. She at least had to pretend to be irritated because she would never admit to Eddie he was right. His ego was already big enough.

After she was in her newly assigned outfit, she finished the eyeliner she had been in the middle of when Gareth had come in. Digging through her make-up she found a dark red lipstick she decided to wear tonight. Usually she would opt out of dark make-up because washing her face on the bus was hard but tonight she would be in a hotel so it was the perfect opportunity to go all out.

She dug around her bag some more, pulling out some face glitter she had bought a couple months back. Eddie had shown her to dab some hair gel on her cheeks before dusting glitter on with a brush so the glitter would stay. She did as he had shown her before deciding on adding some to her chest and the exposed part of her stomach as well.

She took a few steps back, staring in the mirror. She looked really cool in her opinion. Feeling satisfied with herself she slid on her chucks before leaving the dressing room to venture to Eddie’s.

She knocked once before opening the door. Eddie was sitting in a chair and Steve was using a comb to tease parts of Eddie’s hair before spraying hair spray. “Damn, Bucks. You look badass,” Eddie grinned.

“Thank you! I thought the glitter added a nice touch.”

“Indeed,” he grinned.

Steve looked up from Eddie’s hair and smiled, “You look great.”

“Oh my god he learned to compliment you. It’s been years. This is incredible,” Eddie mused. Steve rolled his eyes and flicked Eddie’s ear who gave a dramatic yelp.

“What’s the occasion?” Robin asked, taking a seat on the floor in front of them. She motioned at her outfit then at Eddie’s more-eccentric-than-usual outfit.

Eddie bounced his leg quickly and Steve touched his shoulder, “Calm down.”

“We have guests tonight.”

“Who?”

“You’ll see,” Eddie gave a quick smile but it fell quickly. It was hard to read his expression but she was almost sure he was nervous.

She watched him wring his hands before he started to twist his rings. “Why are you nervous?” she finally asked.

Eddie bit his lip, “Do you know who played in Nashville last night that our record label invited to come to the show?”

“Who?” Robin raised an eyebrow, a little more confused now. The guest was an artist?

It wasn’t unusual for musicians to show up with VIP and watch side stage. In fact, they had met a lot of people in the industry because of their shows. However, Robin had never seen Eddie so nervous to meet someone.

“Metallica is going to be here. James, Jason, Kirk and Lars. All of them.”

Robin felt her jaw drop. Why did they want to see Corroded Coffin? I mean she knew they were good but Metallica was huge. How often were they able to make time for smaller bands? I mean, it’s true, Corroded Coffin was on the cusp of pretty heavy fame. A whole sold out tour? 5,000 people every night? That wasn’t small.

Robin just stared at Eddie, blinking. “W-what? Why would you tell me that? What if I fuck up?”

“Pffft, not possible. You’re practically the best drummer ever.” Steve said in a nice tone. “See. Compliment.”

Robin rolled her eyes; she knew that was not true at all. She hadn’t even been drumming for ten years of her life. She was good, she did know that. She had practiced hard to get this good in the time since she started. But, she wasn’t even close to a legend. Not to mention everyone else in the band had been playing their instruments years before she started. “I’m gonna be sick.” She announced, standing up.

“Where are you going?” Steve questioned after her.

“To find a heavy traffic sidewalk to lay on!” She shouted back as she walked through the door.

To say Robin was nervous would have been an understatement. She stood in the hall, trying to hold her hands together to keep them from shaking. Which was nearly impossible.

Down the hall she could hear a group of voices approaching, one of which was Steve’s. He was introducing people as he passed them. She knew he was with the band. They must have arrived not long ago and he was walking them down since the show was starting soon. Damn. Steve was truly cut out for the management job. He sounded so professional and calm when he motioned at Robin.

“Oh, this is Robin Buckley, our drummer.” Steve said with a huff followed by a smile. Though he sounded collected she could see his eyelid twitch when he looked at her. He was hiding his nervousness considerably well.

James held out his hand for Robin to shake followed by Jason, Lars and Kirk. “Huge fan of you guys, it’s crazy you're here,” she said, trying to make sure the tremble in her voice wasn’t noticeable.

“Likewise. We were psyched to hear you guys were playing tonight while we were still in town. We’ve been trying to catch a show for awhile,” James offered with a smile.

A while?! What the fuck did that mean? Metallica knew who they were and apparently had known for ‘a while’. What. The. Fuck. This made her chest feel slightly cold. She couldn’t blow this.

James turned to say something to Eddie who gave Robin a huge, shocked smile. Robin gave him a thumbs up before starting her walk to the curtain. She could hear the crowd chanting for the band which normally thrilled her but tonight made her feel more nervous.

“Here,” Gareth said, meeting her with a bottle of water. He glanced at the rest of the band in disbelief where they stood conversing with Metallica. “Can you believe this shit?”

“No!” Robin said quickly in a whisper. “Like, what the fuck? Right? It doesn’t seem real. Them? Us? A while? What the fuck?” she whispered.

“Dude, I know! I thought Eddie was lying. I almost shit a brick when I walked out and seen Lars fucking Ulrich standing two feet away from me.”

Robin felt better knowing she wasn’t the only one shocked. She sighed and grabbed Gareth’s shoulder. “Tell me I can do this.”

“Are you kidding?” He placed both hands on her shoulders and shook her easily. “You’ve got this shit! You’re gonna go out there and blow their minds.” He ruffled her hair slightly before a crew member of the venue called for thirty seconds.

She bounced on her toes anxiously, waiting for the cue to go. It didn’t take long before she, Lance and Jeff crossed the stage with Eddie a few seconds behind. The room erupted in cheers.

She took her seat, unable to see much of the room from the lights spilling over the stage and moving quickly. She waited for Jeff to start, followed by Lance before taking her sticks and bringing them down, falling into her usual rhythm.

Fog flowed over the stage from the machines set up at both ends of the stage. The lights changed to red as Eddie stepped up to the microphone and started to sing.

Robin was trying hard to focus on her breathing as well as keeping her time. You do this multiple nights a week, you’re fine.

They’re normal people just like you, Eddie, Lance, Gareth and Jeff.

She pushed her foot against the kick pedal and blew out a breath.

The first song came to an end and they immediately fell into the second song. She felt herself becoming less nervous as the song finished. She rested her arms in her lap for a second after adjusting her in-ear monitors. Eddie always talked for a minute between the second and third song.

Gareth rushed some water to her as Eddie whistled into the mic. “Franklin Tennessee, holy shit. You guys have really packed the house tonight.” He paused, giving them time to cheer. “Tonight we have some very special guests in the house. Some back here and I also see a familiar face down in the crowd.”

Robin raised an eyebrow, trying to see if she could notice whoever it was Eddie was talking about. The glare of the light shining right down on him made it impossible for her to see around. “Anyways, we just want to say thank you guys for always showing up. Did you know this leg of our tour is completely sold out?” As Eddie continued Robin pulled out one of her in-ears so she could hear just how loud the crowd actually was.

Her eyes widened. This was the best show yet. Wait until Wheeler hears about this. She thought.

Eddie finished up his speech and the band started on the next song. Robin looked around at the fans as the lights started to dim finally. She saw a woman with short wavy dark hair smiling directly at her. Robin’s heart skipped a beat.

Nancy was here.

Robin couldn’t help but smile in her direction. No one else in the crowd would have known but Nancy did. She held up a hand and gave a small wave at Robin.

Robin smiled again before stomping on the kick pedal. Seeing Nancy here seemed to make all of her anxiety about playing this show ebb away. An overwhelming feeling of confidence washed over Robin and seemed to extend right out of her hands as she continued to play.

Focusing on the show as best as she could, she only took a second to wonder why Nancy was here while she stopped for water. She met Steve at the curtain for water as Eddie took the stage with Jeff and their acoustic guitars. “What’s Nancy doing here?”

Steve smiled and shrugged, “I don’t know.” Robin raised an eyebrow and Steve raised his hands defensively, “I’ll let her explain it. But dude! You’re killing out there. And those guys,” Steve pointed his thumb in the direction of Metallica, “are eating it up. Keep it up!”

Robin waited for Eddie and Jeff to be almost to the end of the song before running back out to her platform and sitting herself on the stool. Nancy was singing along to the song but stopped to smile at Robin when she watched her return. Robin smiled, looking down at her hands, she knew everyone could see her face turning red if they were paying attention to her.

As they started the last half of their set Robin couldn’t help but to continue to steal glances at Nancy. Everytime she looked at Nancy, she was bouncing around, never missing a lyric or beat.

Damn. Tonight was wild. Metallica and Nancy had shown up, more than likely to surprise her. She couldn’t wait to tell Nancy how this really was the best show so far.

#ronance #robin buckley #nancy wheeler #robin x nancy #stranger things #st4 #the fruity four #fruity four #robin buckley x nancy wheeler #corroded coffin #corroded coffin au #steddie confirmed #stranger things fanfic #nancy x robin #nancy wheeler x robin buckley #nancy wheeler is gay #stepping stones #writing #fanfic

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irisaxkerman09 · 2 years

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OK if we ignore the fact that I’ve never posted on here before, but anyways

I was rewatching Stranger Things season 3 & 4 and I picked up on the fact that Steve and Robin held hands during an episode in season 3 (I don’t remember which one lmao) anyways, Robin was supposed to be Steve’s love interest before she was forced into being a lesbian thank god. During season 4, when robin and Nancy are in the entrance to the creel house (upside down) THEY HELD HANDS. Now, I’m probably reaching, but if we follow the pattern - it could mean the beginning of a romance???? Sorry if this made no sense lmao 😭😭

#ronance #robin x nancy #robin buckley x nancy wheeler #robin buckley #nancy wheeler #stranger things #I’m probably reaching and being delusional again😭#HELP MEEEE #i’m obsessed #I need help #JUST GRT THEM TOGETHER CQSHWFN #Why aren’t they a couple #NANCY WHEELER IS GAY

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robinbuckley1985 · 1 year

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"Sixth Times The Charm, Right?"

Prompt: The 5 times Nancy Wheeler wanted to tell Elyse Harrington she loved her + The one time she finally said it

Summary: Being in love with your best friend when you're both girls can put you in quite a difficult position.

Pairing: Nancy Wheeler X Elyse Harrington(OC)

Warnings: Major pining, fluff fluff and more fluff, Nancy being a gay mess, not proof read, my shitty writing.

A/N: Just want to quickly add that this somewhat follows my stranger things fan fic but not exactly. It also takes place before the show actually starts.

Nancy Wheeler was your average teenager living in Hawkins. She was a freshman in high school, living in the cul-de-sac with her parents, her little brother Mike and her little sister Holly. She seemed to be perfect. But, deep down, she had a secret. It was something she wouldn't dare speak out loud. Being in the 80's, no one liked people who were different and Nancy fit right into that. She had a crush on a girl. But, not just any girl. Her best friend. Elyse Harrington.

They had been best friends for as long as either of them could remember. Sure, there was a bit of a hiatus when Elyse had seemingly disappeared for five years. But, when she was back in the summer of seventh grade, the two girls fell right back into the friendship like nothing happened. And that's when Nancy's feelings flooded in. It seemed as though every time she was with Elyse she had to bite her tongue to keep her feelings in. Sure, Elyse didn't come off as the homophobic type, it was still Hawkins, Indiana. Practically everyone here was homophobic. Now, the night of July 4th, 1980 is where it all started. The two girls had gone to the annual Fourth of July carnival. As they sat at the top of the Ferris Wheel, Elyse's smile from ear to ear as she finally got to enjoy normalcy again, Nancy couldn't pull her eyes away. She was simply engulfed by the girl. And it didn't help when it seemed Elyse was looking at her the exact same way. Nancy had almost said it. "Elyse, I lov-" She had started, stopping when the girl looked into her eyes. "What was that, Nance?" She had asked. Nancy quickly cleared her throat, coming up with a quick excuse. "Um, I-I said I love this view. It's uh, great seeing the fireworks all the way up here." She said, following it with an awkward laugh.

"Oh, yeah. It is really cool." Elyse said, her eyes shifting out into the distance to watch the rest of the fireworks. Nancy leaned back slightly, letting out a small sigh. She couldn't tell her.

Now bringing us to the second moment when it was eating at Nancy alive to confess her feelings. March 13th, 1981. The two girls assumed their usual routine for Fridays. Walking the normal route to Nancy's house where they would talk, do homework and then probably watch a movie. They were always attached at the hip. No matter what it was. This weekend would be no different. However, over the months it had gotten increasingly more difficult for Nancy to keep her feelings in. And it seemed as though Elyse had started pulling away slightly. She talked less and she looked worried. Nancy was afraid that she had picked up on her crush. She had made a promise to herself to ask Elyse about it when they got to the house.

After a few hours of homework and gossip in between, the two girls were sat on the couch in the living room of the Wheeler house. A movie playing indistinctly on the TV. Nancy had barely been paying attention to it as her mind was going a million miles a minute. She had finally picked up the remote to pause the movie. Elyse looked up at Nancy, confusion swallowing her face. "Everything okay, Nance?" She asked, her voice slightly cracking from being silent for so long. "I wanted to ask you that. You've been off the past couple weeks. Did something happen?" Elyse's eyes went dark with fear. Like she had been caught. "Uh, no, no, no. Ever-everything's fine." She said quickly. She dropped her eyes slightly, avoiding Nancy's gaze. "Are you sure? You can talk to me." Nancy said, her voice soft and comforting. Elyse took a deep breath, slowly letting it out before sitting up to look Nancy right in the eyes.

Nancy's heart quickened at Elyse's gaze, she swallowed hard, anticipating what was about to be said. "If I tell you, you might hate me. I know my parents would." Elyse said, a single tear threatening to fall. Nancy's eyes softened, her hand absent-mindedly grabbing Elyse's. "I could never hate you. I promise." Her eyes were almost pleading. Elyse let out a shaky breath before opening her mouth to speak. "I'm.....gay." Tears fell down her face, her hands quickly covering her face. Nancy let out a small gasp, immediately pulling Elyse into a hug. "Why would I hate you for that? That's....it's okay." She said, her hand gently rubbing the girl's back. Elyse's head was nestled into the crook of Nancy's neck, her sobbing slowing down at the reassurance. The words were right on the tip of her tongue. But, just because Elyse likes girls, doesn't mean she automatically likes Nancy.

Now bringing us to the third time she wanted to say those three little words. She had been preparing Elyse’s birthday present for nearly two months, trying to make it perfect. Mainly the card. She had tried And rover and over to word it perfectly. She sat at her desk, nearly a hundred crumpled pieces of paper overflowing from her trash can. The words just never conveyed exactly how she felt. And the three simple words of I love you didn’t seem big enough anymore. So, she went with the simple Happy Birthday, Elyse. With a heart drawn next to it, she folded the piece of paper and slid it into an envelope before grabbing the gift back and rushing out the door.

Elyse wasn’t a huge fan of her birthday so she wanted something small. So, the two girls decided on going to the park. As Nancy waited not so patiently, she eventually saw the familiar silhouette of Elyse approaching. Her smile was hard to contain as she met the girl half way. The two immediately embrace in a hug, certainly holding onto it longer than people would deem platonic. Neither of them seemed to care though. Nancy pulled away first, despite not wanting to. She held out the bag to Elyse. “Happy birthday!” As Elyse took the bag, the two girls sat down at a picnic table. She opened the bag, revealing a small box. As she removed the lid, her eyes widened at the sight of the bracelet. It was a small silver bracelet that had half of a heart on it. Her gaze went to Nancy as she revealed her wrist. “I know it’s kind of cheesy but-” She was cut off by Elyse. “I love it! Thank you, Nance.” And right there she could’ve said it. But, she just smiled. The two girls fell into conversation, Nancy’s mind still on those three little words.

The fourth moment was arguably the hardest for Nancy. Now that Elyse was out to her, she finally had someone to talk to about her crush. Of course, the girl barely acknowledges Elyse’s existence, but man could she dream about it. Nancy had barely been paying attention, her mind wandering off to things that certainly would ruin her friendship. FOr instance, grabbing Elyse by the neckline of her shirt and kissing her. That certainly wouldn’t go well.

She fought back the impulsive thoughts, nodding along to whatever it was Elyse was saying about the stupid girl that she was eyeing. ELyse slowly stopped talking, noticing Nancy’s demeanor changing. “Are you okay?” She asked, her tone so sweet, of course not knowing why this would actually upset Nancy. “Yeah, sorry. Just…. a lot is going through my mind. Keep talking.” She said, mustering up the best smile she could. Elyse continued. Nancy sat there, trying to be a supportive friend. The thought of letting those three little words slip from her lips being all too tempting to listen to. Stll, she kept them to herself.

The fifth moment was certainly easier for her to keep her mouth shut as she was surrounded by plenty of people. The snowball could’ve been her chance to say something, but if she did, someone could overhear. And while she didn’t care what happened to her, she didn’t want anything happening to Elyse. And certainly not if it was her fault. So, she sat on the bottom bleacher, as she watched Elyse muster up the courage to talk to the girl she liked.

And a few moments later when she walked back over to Nancy like she had just gotten scolded, Nancy had to bite back the smile that was fighting its way through. Elyse sat down next to her, her head resting against Nancy’s shoulder. “That was the worst idea I have ever had. Why didn’t you try to stop me?” Elyse sighed. Nancy let out a small laugh. “Because you are way too stubborn to listen to me.” Elyse let out a small laugh. Nancy was right. In an instant, Elyse was standing and pulling Nancy with her. Elyse’s favorite song was playing and if she wasn’t going to get to dance with her crush, she might as well dance with her best friend, right?

As the two girls made it to the dance floor, with a few questioning stares from chaperones. The other students didn’t give either one a second glance. They were infamously known as being best friends. And of course best friends could dance together. Platonically, of course. So, the two danced together, those three words slowly inching their way up Nancy’s throat. She almost said them. Almost. But, they got stuck on the tip of her tongue. So, she swallowed them back down. She didn’t want to ruin this moment.

September 2nd, 1982. The two girls resumed their usual routine, however now as freshmen in high school. They sat in Nancy’s room, her parents gone for the night with her little sister. Her brother was at a friend’s house. She had done a pretty good job of trying to work through her feelings. Or so she told herself. In reality it had turned into denial. She just kept denying every thought she had about Elyse. Every thought about a future with her. She was convinced it would never happen.

So, as she sat there on the couch, a movie playing while Elyse laid with her head in Nancy’s lap, her mind was spiraling. Her hand was absent-mindedly running through the girl’s long wavy hair. She lost control of her words as she heard them slip out. “I love you.” Although she had just barely whispered it, Elyse heard, loud and clear. Her head slowly turned to look up at Nancy. “What?” She questioned, her voice quivering. She thought she was dreaming. “I-uh. Nothing. I said absolutely nothing.” Nancy panicked, her eyes going back to the TV.

Elyse sat up quickly, pausing the TV. She turned to face Nancy. “No. You said…you love me? Like, love me?” Elyse’s eyes were begging, she inched closer to Nancy. Before she could ask again, Nancy had cupped her cheeks, pulling her in for a chaste kiss. She only managed to pull away for a moment before Elyse was pulling her back in. As they both sunk into the kiss, Nancy realized what was happening. She pulled away, standing up and pacing the room. “You-we-what the fuck is going on?” She said to herself, her hand running through her hair. Elyse looked at her. She got up from the couch and walked over to Nancy. She gently grabbed her by her shoulders, stopping her from pacing. “Nance, if you keep going you’re gonna run a hole into the ground.” Both girls let out a small laugh. Nancy sighed. “I just…I kissed you.” Elyse nodded. “And you….kissed me back.” Elyse nodded again. “Why?” Elyse tilted her head. “Why, what.”

“Why did you kiss me back?” Elyse let out another small laugh. “Because….I like you. Why didn’t you tell me you were gay?” Nancy let out a small sigh. “I….don’t know. Scared of getting my heart broken I guess.” Elyse leaned her forehead against Nancy’s, their noses lightly brushing against the other. “Well, even if it took you a long time, I’m glad you finally kissed me.” She said it with a small smile before bringing her lips slightly down to gently kiss Nancy. “Me too.” Nancy said quietly as they stood there, holding each other. They were finally where they needed to be.

“I love you, Nancy Wheeler.”

“I love you too, Elyse Harrington.”

#nancy wheeler #natalia dyer #stranger things fluff #oc x nancy wheeler #oc stranger things #nancy wheeler is gay #stranger things #nancy wheeler blurb #nancy wheeler fluff

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thekeythief · 2 years

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The Kids Are Alright (alive) 💕🌈✨

#nancy wheeler #ronance #robin buckley #eddie munson #steve harrington #steddie #stranger things #all is well #they’re happy #living their lives #being gay and adorable #:)#I SAID THEYRE FINE

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princessdave · 1 year

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Hopper accidentally becomes the biggest ally in Hawkins out of hatred for Mike Wheeler. El wants to date Max? Perfect, Mike is terrified of Max. El wants to date Max and Lucas? Even better, more people to keep Mike away. Will comes out to Joyce and Hop? Hopper is immediately studying up on gay culture and flagging so he can find him a Hop ApprovedTM boyfriend. He sees that nice boy Gareth cuff his jeans one time and starts inviting him to family dinner. Mike seems annoyed that Steve is spending more time with Munson? A pamphlet titled “Accepting your Bisexuality” finds its way into Steve’s jacket pocket. Hopper has never seen Mike as furious as the day Steve and Munson arrive at dinner holding hands. It’s a good day. Hopper isn’t sure how Nancy dating the Buckley girl will annoy Mike, but he’s willing to give it a shot.

#mike enemy = gay ally #jim hopper #joyce x hopper #elmax stranger things #elumax #el hopper #max mayfield #lucas sinclair #mike wheeler #will byers #gareth stranger things #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #ronance #robin buckley #nancy wheeler #stranger things

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kennahjune · 4 months

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Having thoughts of The Party being touchy as all fuck after everything.

Like you cannot enter nor leave any kind of hang out without a hug, high-five, pat, or anything from everyone you were hanging out with.

And then, suddenly, you aren’t able to leave without a kiss or hug of some kind from Steve.

It started after the bullshit that was the Starcourt Mall. The kids were leaving Steve’s house from a DnD session maybe 2 months before the Byers left for Cali.

Dustin was taking forever to pull his shoes on and get out the house to his moms car and everyone was complaining. It was one of those rare times where Steve wasn’t the one carting them all around— they all had their own rides.

Dustin got his shoes on and Steve handed him his bag and— without thinking— pressed a kiss to the top of his hat before waving him out the door.

The rest of the kids are silent until Mike speaks up bitchily “what about us, asshole?”

Steve has no idea what they mean until El points to her head with a grin. Steve deals out head and forehead kisses for everyone and waves them off to their respective rides.

And then it just— sticks. At first it’s with just the kids whenever he sees them. He’ll usually greet them with a hug or an exasperated sigh and then say goodbye with a kiss to their foreheads.

Not even Mike complains. This is the kind of shit he never got while growing up— might as well make the best of it.

And then it migrates to Robin as well, and the Nancy is joining in on the hugs (they’re still too awkward for the kisses but the hugs are enough for now).

And Steve never holds back, not even in public. Again, no one complains.

And that’s how Hellfire finds out about the kissing arrangement (that might be the title of this if I make it an actual fic). They watch as Steve presses a forehead kiss to Mike, Lucas, and Dustin before waving them off and then presses a kiss to Max’s head and giving her a tight hug.

The guys try to make fun of the kids for it but none of them are embarrassed.

“It’s Steve, dude. He’s like a mom.”

“The kisses are actually really comforting.”

“It’s a Party thing.”

And then the fuckery of 1986 and Vecna happens and suddenly Eddie’s in on the hugs and pats and high-fives.

And then.

He’s in on the kisses.

Steve doles out the kisses like usual one night after Hellfire and gives one to everyone— including Eddie.

And Eddie panics and gives Steve one right back.

And then the kids are going feral about wanting to give Steve a kiss too.

And Eddie leaves during the chaos.

And then they don’t talk about it.

Until Steve and Eddie do it again.

And the kids accept is as the new normal; you have to give Steve a kiss back.

And then Steve and Eddie have an excuse to kiss each other on the foreheads and cheeks and noses.

One night they’re hanging out, just the two of them at the trailer after Wayne left for work.

Steve had greeted Eddie with a tight hug the moment he’d gotten in the trailer. Eddie had squeezed back just as tight if not tighter.

Steve was getting ready to leave, and on instinct leant in to kiss Eddie, but Eddie was also leaning in to kiss Steve. So they meet in the middle and accidentally kiss on the lips.

And then the new normal for Steve and Eddie is kissing on the lips goodbye.

Idk, just Steve being a very touchy feely person makes me so happy

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nyxi-pixie · 2 years

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pov anyone in hawkins comes out

#theyre all gay your honour they told me themselves #byler #ronance #steddie #elmax #theyre literally all gay idk how they managed to find each other its so slay of them #will byers #mike wheeler #robin buckley #nancy wheeler #steve harrington #eddie munson #max mayfield #stranger things season 4 #literally every character is queer

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bi-booklover · 2 years

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repeat after me.

QUEER CHARACTERS ARE NOT PLOT DEVICES FOR STRAIGHT CHARACTERS.

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loveinhawkins · 17 days

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ao3

Eddie falls asleep in the back of the RV. Steve watches it happen in stages, after the stop at The War Zone—driving a little further out for a food shop, away from prying eyes.

He announces that the coast is clear when the roads become reassuringly empty. For the first time in days, he relaxes into the rhythm of driving: he’s triple-checked that no-one’s tailing them, and if it weren’t for the hastily bought weapons, he could almost pretend that…

He glances at the rearview mirror, sensing movement. It’s Eddie, standing up from where he’d been huddled against the back of Steve’s seat. He looks like he’s relishing the freedom to stretch his legs—Steve thinks, with a pang, that he’s probably sick of hiding—and takes his time on his way to the back seat.

Keeps his balance for the most part, only stumbles once, briefly latches onto Robin’s shoulder with a sheepish smile, says something like, “Role reversal, Buckley,” and she laughs.

He settles with the kids in the back. Clearly tries to give them the most space, folding his legs awkwardly in the corner almost like he’s already back to hiding again, but they won’t let him; Dustin wiggles along to create more room, and Erica pins Eddie with a look—the most Steve can make out is, “You look like a…”, but whatever she says makes Eddie snort, then smile with obvious affection.

The next time Steve looks to find Eddie’s reflection, he’s relaxed into his seat, legs stretched out in front, the edge of one sneaker bouncing up and down absent-mindedly—but growing slower and slower.

He’s talking to Lucas, the speech drowned out by the RV engine; Steve can still see how it makes Lucas relax in turn, even giggle, which has been an all too rare occurrence lately. How Max, despite carrying the heaviness of the Walkman, looks on with a spark in her eyes.

If Steve had to guess, he’d say that Eddie doesn’t mean to fall asleep. Maybe it’s the motion of the RV or the angle of the sun through the windows. Maybe it’s just that he finally feels safe.

Either way, his blinks get longer and longer, and then he’s drifted off, out completely, and Steve watches with something close to pride as the kids all get off the bench in silent agreement—Max confidently lifting Eddie’s legs and swinging them up onto the cushions like it’s second nature. He barely stirs, head nodding a little until he’s lying down properly.

Steve splits the last of his cash with Nancy on the food. They make a trio with Robin for heading to the store, the kids on what they’ve dubbed ‘Eddie watch’ and what Steve has dubbed, “Yeah, I’ve left it running—that still means no driving unless, like—actually no, I’m not even gonna—yeah, Dustin, I’ll get you more Pringles, Jesus Christ.”

And because he’s weak, he still ends up caving to Max’s loophole that yes, if demodogs and/or bats and/or people that just look at them funny show up, she’s got permission to floor it; he’s not gonna tell her he’d scoped the place out well before he’d parked.

Ten minutes later, laden with bags, Nancy says, “We could use somewhere with more space. For…”

She indicates the supplies of a more grim variety than snacks.

Steve thinks about it, then exhales with a little laugh. “Yeah, I’ve got somewhere.”

Robin eyes him curiously. It’s like she’s heard through the laugh, can somehow feel the thing that wells up in the back of his throat—only for a second; he’s used to pushing it back.

She squeezes his shoulder. He pats the back of her hand before driving away. Sometimes words spill out between them, ever flowing. Sometimes they don’t need words at all.

There’s a strange kind of thrill in feeling the tires go right over the grass. Feels bigger than what it is—like something’s finally been unearthed.

They’re all quiet as the group starts to filter outside. Steve looks over his shoulder: Eddie is still fast asleep. His lips move every so often, drowsy half-formed words.

Steve wonders what he’s dreaming about. He hopes it’s something good.

He lets everyone go in front of him—Robin snatches a bag of food out of Dustin’s hands, whispering fondly, “That one’s mine, you animal.”

Nancy hesitates just outside, then turns back into the RV to sit on the step.

“It’s just…” She tilts her head to the side with meaning. “I don’t think he should wake up alone, you know?”

Steve nods. “Yeah, me too.”

And that’s how they end up sat together, half in the RV and half outside. Nancy dangles her feet above the grass—she could reach it, of course, but it seems deliberate, like she’s enjoying the breeze.

Or trying to, at any rate: there’s still a restlessness to her, an anxious pinch to her face, like she’s one step away from jumping to her feet and—

Steve squeezes her knee—hears the way she exhales, like she’s finally caught her breath.

“Food first,” Steve says gently.

She nods belatedly, like the words take a little while longer to reach her. “Food first.” She rustles through one of the bags, brings out something wrapped in foil. “Robin said this is for you…?”

Steve chuckles. It’s a sesame bagel: bacon, egg, and cheese.

He gives half to Nancy.

They eat in companionable silence—just listening to the breeze and the occasional shout of laughter: Robin’s formed a circle with everyone up ahead, a chaotic game of duck, duck, goose, which is a ridiculous choice because her run is ridiculous, and Steve feels his cheeks ache with a smile at the grass stains already on her shirt, as Dustin and Lucas pull her down in some kind of duck-goose uprising, and Max gets Erica up on her shoulders, joining the fray; and underneath it all, he can hear Eddie hum slightly in his sleep, but it’s not a noise of distress—like he knows subconsciously that he isn’t alone.

“Here,” Nancy says.

When Steve turns to her, she’s got a packet of chips open between them. Salt and vinegar.

He doesn’t mean to say it out loud, but—

“You remembered,” he says through a rush of affection; it hits him square in the chest.

Nancy smiles. “Can never forget you and Mike fighting for the last packet.”

Steve knocks their knees together. “Yeah, he fought dirty.”

They laugh together, hushed but heartfelt.

There’s a streak of ketchup across Nancy’s face that she hasn’t bothered wiping away. She looks years younger somehow—looks lighter, like the food in her stomach has settled something intangible.

Her smile turns even softer, thoughtful, and warmth settles behind Steve’s eyes.

I’m sorry, he thinks. I’m sorry I couldn’t be what…

You never deserved to hurt.

“Did you get changed in the dark?” Nancy says, eyes bright with mirth.

It’s so sudden that it startles Steve right out of his thoughts, a welling emotion halted.

“Excuse me, Nancy Wheeler?” he says with a faint grin.

“Steve Harrington,” Nancy returns teasingly. She ruffles a hand through the back of his hair with easy affection, “There. That’s more like it.”

“Am I presentable now?”

“Oh, you’ll do.”

She rests her chin in her hand, just considers him—but it’s a gentle kind of look. Almost like they’re back in English class, and he’s just answered a question without stumbling over his interpretation, and he glances across to her desk, finds her watching him with pride.

“You suited the denim,” she says sincerely. Mimes how he’d shrugged into Eddie’s vest.

Steve feels touched in a way that he can’t fully place, like she’s said something else. Maybe she has.

“Thanks,” he says.

They both look over to the field at a cry of victory. Dustin’s found the stash of 3 Musketeers, holding it aloft like he’s just won a science trophy.

“Hey,” Nancy calls, laughing, “at least one of those is mine!”

Steve can feel her shift, about to stand, and impulsively, he says, “Nance, wait.”

She’s stood already in the split second it took for him to speak, but she turns back.

Steve stands up. Hugs her.

He tries to put all he doesn’t know how to say into it; he does his best, pressing a chaste kiss to her temple. Thinks of how he swept her into an embrace next to the school lockers, her surprised shout of laughter, if you can be this for her, she’ll be happy, you’ll be…

And maybe she’s heard some of it, because her hold tightens around him, like she’s saying, you never deserved any of it, either.

She pulls back. Claps his shoulders to make him sit back down, and they both giggle slightly, both vulnerable. Nancy’s eyes are shining at the corners. But Steve knows they’re the good kind of tears.

He feels them, too.

Nancy nods, smiling wide, blinking in quick succession before the moment’s gone.

He nods back.

And then she’s running over to Dustin, and it almost looks like she’s flying, like she’s sixteen years old again, and nothing ever…

Steve has to close his eyes for just a second. Breathes through it.

Minutes pass before he catches a change in Eddie’s breathing—hears him shift and sigh as he stretches.

Steve tilts backwards, just enough to see Eddie slowly drifting awake on the bench.

“Hey,” Steve says as soft as he can, so Eddie can go back to sleep if he wants; so it can just be part of a dream.

For a moment, it looks like that’s exactly what Eddie will do. But then his eyes find Steve’s, and they light up in recognition.

And he smiles. Sits up.

“Shit, did I really…?” The rest of the question’s lost to a yawn, and he stretches again, rubs a hand across his face to wake himself up.

“Yup,” Steve says. There’s one last bag by his feet, which he picks up to put in Eddie’s view. “This has got your name on it, man.”

Eddie sits down next to him. Steve shifts closer as he hands the bag over, feels the gentle press of Eddie against his side, the warmth left over from sleep.

Eddie whistles at the assortment of food. “Thanks, Steve.”

“Yeah, no—like, thank Dustin, not me.”

Dustin had rattled off a list of Eddie’s favourites—“Actual food this time, Dustin, he’s not surviving on just cereal, it’s depressing,”—which Steve had written hastily on the back of his hand.

He knows that Eddie’s seen the evidence of the list on his skin, faded as it is from the dying pen he’d used, because he smiles when he says, “Mm-hmm, I will,” like they’re sharing a secret; and then he looks off into the distance, squinting against the sun with a hand over his eyes, barks a laugh. “Besides, he looks kinda busy, uh… I don’t actually know what he’s doing. Killing Buckley, maybe?”

Robin’s joking yell punctuates Eddie’s words; it looks like she’s somehow recruited Lucas over to her side, because Dustin’s trying to flatten the pair of them; Erica’s got Dustin’s thinking cap on backwards, while Max shouts, “That’s a foul!”; Nancy’s sat crosslegged, eating candy and throwing out words of amused encouragement.

Eddie chuckles so fondly. He eats some of his share, then sighs with contentment. He stands but doesn’t go far at all, drifts over to a patch of ground like he’s drawn to it. Sits down. Runs his hands through the blades of grass and flowers, even the weeds; it makes Steve smile.

He follows.

They sit close to each other almost like they’re still sharing the step, even though there’s more than enough room to…

Eddie keeps watching the roughhousing. His eyes crinkle at the corners. He looks… happy.

He sighs again, leaning back a little, “This is nice. Who’s idea was it to come here?”

“Nancy’s, really,” Steve says.

But he can tell that Eddie notices the evasion—there’s a barely perceptible twitch of his eyebrow as he listens. He’s getting almost scarily good at it, Steve thinks, but it’s not done in an intimidating way; it’s not like Eddie wants to catch him out in something. It’s more like he… just wants to know. Like he cares.

“But you knew a spot?” Eddie prompts.

“Yeah, I…”

Steve could still avoid it—could just say carelessly, ‘cause we drove past it, duh, and Eddie would let it drop, he knows he would. But…

“I came here when I was a kid. Like, years ago. It was summer, and I think the car broke down or something? So we had to wait for…” Steve shrugs, but it’s just movement for the sake of it, trying to conceal the way his throat’s tightening in slow increments. “It was… I liked it,” he adds. Nods towards the kids. “I thought they might like it, too.” He tries to laugh, “Guess that’s kinda stupid to—”

“I think it’s sweet,” Eddie interrupts firmly. “This place, it’s…” He smiles at Max’s squeal, Lucas lifting her up in a bridal carry. “It’s perfect, Steve.”

Steve tries to smile, because it is perfect, but that suddenly makes it hurt all the more. He’s gripped by a fierce, desperate urge to seize the weapons and burn them, to just let everyone fucking rest, to tell them they don’t have to do it anymore, they never have to—

“Steve,” Eddie says, soft, dismayed—sitting up and touching Steve’s hand where it rests in the grass, so delicately, so kind—

Steve swallows; he must not have pushed it all back in time. He doesn’t want to know what his face looks like, but he can guess, can feel the telltale burn in his eyes—and wavers on the brink. Almost falls. But he catches himself, only just, and when he’s forced to quickly swipe at his eyes with the back of his hand, he reasons that it’s okay. Only Eddie can see.

Still, he should—

“Sorry,” he waves a hand, tries to laugh at himself again, “just ignore me.”

When Eddie smiles, it looks as if he’s only doing it because he’s taking his lead from Steve. His eyes speak for him—like he’s thinking, you’re breaking my heart.

“Ignore you? Shit, man, that’s hard. Have you seen you?”

It’s said with a ridiculous amount of theatrics—so obviously done to lift Steve’s mood. But there’s a note of sincerity that Steve can hear above everything; Eddie isn’t hiding it.

Perhaps he doesn’t need to, either.

“I’m more than just a pretty face, Munson.”

He expects Eddie to laugh. And though he does, it’s quieter than he’d expected, and he says, “Oh, I know. Trust me.” He’s looking at the kids as he speaks. “They’ll be okay, you know.” He doesn’t say it like a platitude. He says it like a promise. “Wheeler, Buckley… me. We have them, too.”

And Steve doesn’t know how Eddie could ever accuse himself of cowardice. God, if you could only hear yourself, he thinks.

“I don’t want—I know. I know you do. I just—just wish—”

His voice fails him.

Eddie tilts his hand, palm up. Steve could act like he’d never seen it all. It’d be easy.

He takes Eddie’s hand. Breathes, and tries again.

“I just wish we didn’t have to—”

It’s as far as he can manage.

Eddie squeezes his hand. Murmurs, very gently, like a memory, “And so do all who live to see such times.”

Steve doesn’t need to ask. He can feel the weight of it through the words alone. Focuses on Eddie’s touch, the way his fingertips brush against Steve’s knuckles, over and over.

And then Steve lets go, but not before squeezing Eddie’s hand in return. Twice. He doesn’t know Morse code, but he hopes he’s understood.

He watches the kids play again. Glances over to the side when he feels another touch, Eddie’s shoulder briefly skimming his. This time he can tell it’s accidental; Eddie’s swaying a little where he sits.

“Shit, sorry. It’s the sun, it’s,” he yawns, “it’s making me…”

Steve’s reminded of the boathouse; of Eddie’s sunken face at Skull Rock.

“You’re just exhausted, Eddie,” he says.

He stands, briefly places his hands on Eddie’s forearms, tries to shield him from the worst of the vertigo. He feels Eddie jump beneath his touch, a forcible jolt back from the edge of sleep. Visceral.

Steve’s chest hurts.

“Wait there,” he says. “I’ll be right back. Hey, try to not fall asleep just yet, ‘kay?”

“M’not,” Eddie says, not very convincingly.

When Steve returns with a pillow from the RV, Eddie is lying in the grass, flat on his back. One hand floats in front of his face, fingers curling like he’s playing guitar chords—like he’s doing it to keep himself awake.

“Dude, that can’t be comfortable,” Steve says. He bends down, taps Eddie on the forehead, which makes Eddie blink slowly, looking at him upside down. “Can I…?”

“Yeah, whatever,” Eddie says softly. It sounds like I trust you.

Gently, Steve cups the back of Eddie’s head, moves it up ever so slightly and puts the pillow in between him and the ground. Eddie settles onto it with a sigh.

Steve moves away, sits back down; Eddie turns to lie on his side, facing him. His cheek presses into the pillow, one leg bending a little, like this is how he lies in bed; there’s a fragile vulnerability to the sight.

The sun draws attention to the grass in his hair. The slightest trace of freckles underneath his eyes; they’ll come out more in summer, Steve finds himself thinking. He wants to be there to see it.

It was summer when he first thought a boy was pretty. That day the car broke down, but his dad was laughing, making the most of it; he’d walked and walked to buy ice-cream and returned victorious to the field, where Steve was waiting with his mom.

They weren’t the only families there—the spot had been much busier years ago: people using it as a pit stop on road trips, Hawkins locals mixed in with folks from out of town, so it felt like the whole world was to be found here, stretching out before them in the grass.

Steve had seen the boy playing tag—it was over in barely a flash, but he still remembers how he held his breath when their eyes met, without understanding why.

He’s pretty, he’d thought, it was the only word he had for it—an instinct from his mom teaching him words, bouncing him on her hip, oh, Steve, look at the pretty flowers.

He’d known even then it was a thought he couldn’t share—like how a child comes to know that they’re not to touch a hot stove.

He’s pretty.

Steve could tell himself that he doesn’t know why he’s remembering it now. But it would be a lie.

Eddie’s tugging idly at the grass, but his hand keeps going slack, twitching with oncoming sleep.

“You know how t’whistle with ‘em?” he asks clumsily.

His eyes are closed. Steve stills his hand, slips a blade of grass out from his loose hold.

“No,” he says, drags it through his teeth like he’ll miraculously make it whistle just by doing that.

Nothing happens, of course; the grass tastes just a little sweet on his tongue. He takes it out from in between his lips and lets it go, to be lost on the wind.

When the taste dissipates, he misses it.

“Yeah, me neither,” Eddie says, amused. His voice is lilting with exhaustion. “My uncle tried to teach me once, but I couldn’t… maybe ‘cause… still had some of my baby teeth… maybe that makes it harder?”

“Maybe,” Steve agrees quietly. He picks some grass out of Eddie’s hair, as lightly as he can. “I’ll ask him for some tips.”

Eddie smiles at that. “He’ll like you,” he says.

He’s half-asleep, Steve reminds himself. He hardly knows what he’s saying.

But he can’t help feeling pleased at the thought.

“Oh, yeah? You think so?”

“Mm-hmm. He likes…” Eddie yawns. “Likes everyone I like. And I… I really like you.”

It’s said so easily. Like it’s simple.

Maybe it could be. Just this once.

Steve feels emotion creeping up his throat, resting heavy on his tongue. This time, he doesn’t push it back; he speaks through it.

“I really like you, too,” he whispers.

Eddie hums sweetly, like he’s heard even when almost all the way to dreaming. “Think there’s a trick to it,” he mumbles, and Steve realises he’s talking about whistling again, lost to a childhood memory.

Stay there, Eddie. Rest.

“A trick?” Steve says in hushed tones.

“Yeah, I… remember he’d… he’d say…”

Eddie falls asleep mid-sentence.

Steve watches him. Angles his shoulder to create shade, shielding him from the sun.

He looks over at the kids: they’re playing tag with Robin now, Nancy joining in—a little quieter, like maybe they’d seen…

If he unfocuses his eyes just slightly, he can almost see his dad coming over the hill with the tubs of ice-cream. His mom smiling, sunburn on her shoulder, and Steve hit with a wave of inexplicable sadness, like he already knew, she’ll never be this happy again.

Eddie sighs in his sleep.

Steve feels a subtle change in the sun on his skin, the afternoon dying.

Stay, he thinks. Mouths it with childish hope, stay, like he’s still the boy who fell asleep right here, in between his parents, wanting the day to stretch on and on—the one who couldn’t outrun the feeling, even then, that he was coming to the end of something.

#do you ever think about just how much Steve loves them all #gay steve harrington #implicit but it’s there #steve harrington fic #pre steddie #steddie fic #steve and nancy #steve and the party #eddie and the party #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #nancy wheeler #steve x eddie #steve and his parents

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