#swim instructor steve

[yearningagain]

don't let me drown

[PART ONE], PART TWO

so i had this thought and decided to elaborate on it, but i ended up having 1.5k words and i'm not even a third of the way done :,) so pls let me know if this would be something you guys would like more of!! this is my first time posting writing here except for a few snippets, so pls be nice but constructive criticism is welcome!

ft. modern au, Single(Seahorse)Dad!Eddie, SwimInstructor!Steve

Eddie Munson didn't know how to swim. Growing up in landlocked states while despising every swimsuit he was ever presented with, it just made sense. He didn't need to know how to swim, there was no reason for it, and he was perfectly fine with it.

Until Max.

Specifically, until Max decided, after watching the 2020 Olympic swimming, that she was going to be an olympic swimmer. She kept bugging Eddie, begging him to sign her up for swim lessons with all the umph a six year old could muster.

And Eddie was a weak willed man, especially when it comes to his daughter. So he said yes.

Eddie spent the next week and a half researching the best swim instructors around, googling and calling and looking at reviews. Eventually, he settled for the Hawkins Aquatic Center. With it being relatively close, a 20 minute drive at most, and having the best reviews out of any and all other pools in the area, it was a clear winner.

So that Tuesday, while Max was at day camp, Eddie made the call.

“Hawkins Aquatic Center, this is Robin! How can I help you today?” One of the bubbliest voices Eddie had ever heard answered the phone, immediately putting him a little more at ease.

“Hi, I was looking to set my daughter up for some swim lessons?” He asked, hoping Robin didn't pick up on his slight nervousness.

“Of course! I just need a little information. Her name, age and birthday, and skill level is what I need now, and I’ll ask for some more information about you once we schedule.”

“Yeah, for sure. Her name is Maxine Munson, but everyone calls her Max. She’s six, her birthday is June 14th, 2014. She doesn't really… know how to swim?” As he gave her the information, his nerves almost doubled. He couldn't swim, he wouldn't be able to practice with her! What if she drowns? What if something happens? What if-

“Alright, Mr. Munson, I’m assuming?” Robin asked sweetly, interrupting his spiral.

“Uh- yeah that's- that’s me. You can just call me Eddie. Eddie Munson, at your service! Ha! Sorry, that was, like, super lame.” He cringed at his antics, but a bubbly laugh filled the phone.

“Got it, Eddie! So from the information you’ve given to me, it seems like it’ll be best to put her in our beginners class for kids under 7. We typically have two instructors that rotate throughout the week, but one of them is on paternity leave, so she’ll only be with Coach Harrington. There's two options for this class. Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 5:30 in the afternoon, or three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 5 to 6:30 in the afternoon. Do either of those work for you?”

Eddie hesitated. He knew how much enthusiasm Max had about swimming, but he was nervous about taking her so often. But the more time she can get in the water, the more she’ll practice. Plus first grade homework isn't terrible, so she’ll be able to continue when school starts up again.

“Eddie? You still with me?” Robin asked. He must have taken too long to answer.

“Yeah, sorry! Just, uh, just thinking.” He replied lamely.

Robin seemed to catch on to his anxiety. “A lot of parents are nervous about teaching their kids how to swim, I get it! But Steve, or Coach Harrington I should say, is the best in the area. He’s been an instructor here for a few years and loves it. There’s always lifeguards on duty and all of our staff are trained in basic first aid and CPR. Parents are always welcome to sit in on lessons as well, there's seating in the instructional pool area. Max will be in great hands!”

Eddie took a breath. Robin's ramblings helped put him at ease, knowing all of the precautions the center takes to keep everyone safe.

“Thank you so much, Robin. I think three times a week will work best, Max has been bugging me for weeks! I know she’ll be ecstatic when I tell her I signed her up.” Eddie can already picture her reaction, grinning and hopping around in excitement.

“Sounds great, Eddie! I can guarantee she’ll love it. So now I just need to ask you a few questions! I just need your email, the best phone number to reach you at, an emergency contact other than you, and we can get her all set!” Eddie breathed a sigh of relief, giving her the information she asked for.

“Alright, we’ve got her in the system! You guys can come in any time this week for a tour of the place and meet Coach Harrington, but her first lesson will be next Monday, August 10th. We do ask that she brings goggles, but we have extras in case she forgets them. Do you have any other questions for me?”

Taking a second to think, Eddie replied. “I think we’ve got everything covered. Thank you, Robin. I really appreciate your help!”

“It’s really no problem! If you do think of any questions you may have, you can always ask when you tour, or call us! We look forward to seeing you!”

All that was left to do was to invest in a good swimsuit, some goggles, and tell Max.

—-------------------------

“Hey, stinker! How was camp today?” Eddie asked as Max climbed in the car and got herself situated in her seat.

“It was great! We did finger paintings ‘n played on the playground! There was a worm on the slide and Lucas was too afraid to touch it, so I got it ‘n brought it to the grass!” Max beamed at her father, showing her gap toothed smile. “I’m gonna bring home the art tomorrow, but Miss Joyce said we have to let it dry tonight. I did a picture of us!”

Eddie laughed lightly at his daughter's antics, smiling right back at her. “Sounds like today was fun, bug! I do have a little surprise for you when we get home though, okay?”

That got Max’s attention quickly, asking all sorts of questions about it. Eddie simply smiled at her and turned up the music, an old The Cure CD playing on the radio system. As the volume rose, all Eddie could hear was an exasperated “Daaaaaad!” from the back seat.

The ride home was short and sweet, the ending of Friday I’m in Love fading out as they pulled into the driveway. As soon as the car stopped, Max unbuckled and sprinted towards the door, abandoning her backpack and lunchbox.

“I know you're excited, Max, but you have to come get your stuff!” Eddie called out as he exited the driver's seat. The sound of her Skechers on the concrete and her small giggles approaching before receding back to the front door where she bounced on her feet in a poor attempt of patience.

Eddie sighed and shook his head, a small smile playing at his lips as he unlocked the front door. Immediately, Max ran inside, throwing her stuff on the couch and turning to her father expectantly.

“Where is it? What is it? Can I know now?” She asked, her little body practically vibrating in excitement and anticipation.

Eddie laughed warmly, dramatically rolling his eyes. “I guess you can know now, since you’ve been so patient.” Max snorted at his sarcasm, eyes going crinkly at the corners. “Go look in your room, love.”

And with that, she was off. Running as fast as her little legs could take her, not minding her dad’s warnings to not run in the house. Practically tearing her bedroom door off its hinges, she rushed into her room. Sat in a neat pile on her bed was a small black and red one piece swimsuit, a pair of black goggles, and a print out of the confirmation email from the Hawkins Aquatic Center.

Finally catching up and leaning on her door frame, Eddie quietly asked, “What do you think?”

It’s a miracle the neighbours didn't call the cops that day.

All of Max’s excitement and happiness seemed to explode out of her, letting out one of the loudest screams he had ever heard. Before he could blink, the small child tackled Eddie into a crushing hug, jumping onto him like a koala.

“Really? You’re for real?” She asked, pulling her head back from the embrace to look at her dad, unshed tears threatening to escape from her eyes.

“I’m for real, baby. I promise.”

#steddie #stranger things #steve harrington #stranger things steve #eddie munson #stranger things eddie #theo's silly little brain #modern au #modern #single dad eddie #singledad!eddie munson #swim instructor steve #swiminstructor!steve harrington #robin buckley is the best #trans eddie munson #that will be important at some point #max mayfield #maxine mayfield #max munson

[afewproblems]

I think Steve needs a secret creative hobby that he springs on the group, surprising everyone.

Sometimes, it can be a little depressing to believe that everyone you love sees you as this one guy, this dumb jock. Intellectually, he knows that the kids and Robin, Nance, and Eddie don't think he's stupid, but that doesn't make the feeling go away.

What if his mom had put him in a ballroom dancing class when he was younger? From age 7 to 12, he took dancing through an independent studio with the other rich kids. It started with ballroom, which continued into swing-dancing. He loved it.

And Steve was good.

He was fluid and graceful, an absolute natural the instructor would remark to his mother when she would come to pick him up. In fact, they were picking kids to participate in the upcoming tournament for the youth category, and Steve was a perfect candidate, the instructor said.

That was until his dad made the executive decision to pull Steve out and force him into sports after catching Steve dancing with his mom in the kitchen. Watching his son twirling around with Susan Harrington, a small indulgent smile on her face, was the final straw for Richard.

"No son of mine is going to prance around like that, like a little fairy," he snarled as he dragged Steve away from the kitchen, his firm white-knuckle grip holding Steve's small arm as they made their way up the stairs to his room.

Steve tried not to make a sound as he covered his ears to the yelling match taking place in room below him.

Steve ended up in little league the next day.

Steve still practiced though, on his own.

It wasn't as though he hadn't made friends in that class, kids who kept on with it.

He missed it, he missed them. He missed how he felt when dancing.

It was freeing.

Carla Neilson taught him the new steps, things she continued to learn while Steve played baseball, basketball, and eventually made the swim team in highschool.

Swimming would probably be the closest he would get to that feeling of gliding along the floor, that grace and fluidity never really leaving him.

He had been a decent player at one time because of his quick feet, but that was before Billy Hargrove rolled into town. Steve never quite learned how to plant his feet because dancing always kept him moving, Hargrove seemed to enjoy pointing out how truly 'fairy-like' he was as he made his way across the court. Those words, the same words his father had hissed at him, all those years ago left him cold and hurt.

He stops dancing after that.

It's not until years later, after Vecna, after Billy dies and his Father disowns him, after he kisses Eddie for the first time and he finally feels like he can breath again that the group finds out.

It's at a party. Everyone of age is a little tipsy or faded at this point in the evening and playing a question game, the kids roll their eyes at their older friends antics and stick to the Nintendo across the living room of Steve and Eddie's apartment.

The question of, 'What is your hidden talent,' comes up and everyone takes their turn.

Robin recites the alphabet backwards, not blinking or pausing the entire way which everyone applauds for once she's finished.

Nancy does a quick handstand and takes three steps backward before dropping her legs back to the ground, she curtsies with a sly smile and laughs as she sits next to Robin again who is staring at Nancy like shes never seen her before.

Eddie thinks for a moment before lifting his hand to his mouth and blows out an impressively loud whistle that prompts Mike to tell them all off for being loud.

Jonathan blows a giant smoke ring while Argyle moonwalks around the living room, earning the pair of them a chorus of woops and applause.

Everyone turns to Steve once Argyle drops back to his seat next to Jonathan, "Alright brochacho you're up man," he says with a hazy smile.

Steve thinks for a moment, looking around at everyone, all of these people who love him, and makes a decision.

"Uh, yeah okay, I've got one," he says slowly before standing up from the loveseat he's sharing with Eddie, "but I'll need a volunteer and some music".

"Oh my God," Robin stage whispers to Nancy, "is he going to do magic right now? Steven Harrington can you do magic??"

Steve snorts and rolls his eyes, "I think I found my volunteer," he holds out his hand for Robin to take as Eddie stands up to turn on their second-hand record player they got from Uncle Wayne as a house warming.

"Uh, one of mine Eds," Steve says with a slight shake to his voice, "something with a beat".

"Oh shit," Robin chokes out as Steve tugs her close. She nearly stumbles, but his arms hold her up.

Eddie smirks like it's a challenge and pulls out Whitney Houston, earning a smile from Jonathan and a small, 'really?' from Nancy.

Argyle laughs, "Heck Yeah man, Whitney rocks dude, turn that shit up!"

Steve smiles and takes a deep breath, his heart is racing but he doesn't care in this moment, he looks at Eddie who is grinning at him, a slightly curious look on his face.

And it's like riding a bike, he leads Robin across the small space twirling and dipping her as she squeals and tries to follow.

Steve probably could have picked a slightly less clumsy volunteer, but he loves Robin and showing her, showing them all, this part of himself after hiding it for so long just means the world to him.

He keeps his own feet fast, keeping the beat but moving Robin where she needs to be as they glide over the carpet, he spins her out and then back into his arms as the song ends, they are both breathing heavily by the time the last note rings out and Robin can't contain her hands from smacking into Steve's chest as she yells, "Who the fuck are you! Dingus how could you hide this!"

Steve blushes as Eddie comes up behind him to hook his head over his shoulder as his arms come up to wrap around Steve's waist.

"Fancy footwork dude," Argyle says nodding at Jonathan who is looking at Steve with fascination.

"When did you learn to dance?" Nancy asks, her voice soft and kind, as though she knows exactly how big this is for him.

"I will accept the fact that you did not pick me to dance just now if I can be your partner next time," Eddie says into Steve's ear, letting his teeth graze the lobe slightly making Steve shiver and laugh.

El and Max refuse to let him sit down for the rest of the night, insisting that he do that spinning move with each of them until all of the kids demand a turn.

Even Mike.

And he loves them all, happy to have finally shared this piece of himself with all of them. His heart is full.

#stranger things #steve harrington #steddie #eddie munson #the party #steve harrington is a dancer #let steve have hobbies #this turned out way longer than i meant it to #fanfiction #steve x eddie #stranger things season 4 #head canon #steddie drabble #steve harrinton has a bad dad #soft steve harrington #found family is the best family #this is so soft

[stevesbipanic]

Steve had to learn everything by himself.

It started with him learning to walk. There were no parents helping him up or waiting across the room with open arms and big smiles. Steve was alone, the nanny outside chain-smoking. Steve's sippy cup was out of reach from where he sat, he cried and cried with no avail, and so he stood. With many trips and bumps and tears and sobs, Steve managed to wobble his way over and get his drink. A milestone learnt alone.

Steve taught himself to read. His teachers were no help, sounding out the words didn't work when the letters didn't stay still. His teachers thought he was lying, being lazy, doing it for attention. Steve had borrowed a book from the school library, it had a picture of a puppy on the front and he really wanted to know the puppy's story. So every night, hidden under the covers, flashlight in hand, Steve taught himself to read. He figured out holding his hand over the words stopped them moving, he could sound them out now. The puppy travelled the world and Steve travelled with him.

Steve taught himself to swim. He was right when he fell in the pool. His mum and dad were out for dinner, they always were. They'd told him to stay away from the pool, they didn't want him making it dirty. Steve's ball had been kicked in, just out of reach. Steve felt himself sinking, he started flailing and thankfully, quickly learnt to push himself upwards. Steve's mother berated him when she saw he'd gotten the couch wet.

Steve taught himself to cook. By the time he was ten his parents were rarely home and he was apparently too old for a sitter. His parents always kept the fridge stocked with ingredients but nothing easy to make. Steve climbed up onto the counter and grabbed his Nonna's old recipe book. Through trial and error and a burnt hand Steve cooked himself spaghetti. He ate alone at the dinner table, but this wasn't new.

Steve taught himself basketball. Tryouts were happening the summer before high school started and his father wanted him to go. He asked his dad to teach him but he was pushed away. Instead he sat in front of the TV watching reruns of old games until he had a general idea of the rules. He practiced on his driveway day and night until he could make almost every shot. Steve made it onto the team, his dad didn't care.

Steve taught himself to fight. He had to. He wasn't very good at teaching himself this skill.

Steve taught himself to drive. His parents gave him a car for his sixteenth but his dad was never around to teach him. He pulled a tin box from under his bed where he kept money from every birthday and Christmas his parents missed. He used his money to buy some lessons. His instructor fell asleep after the third turn. So Steve drove slowly until he was driving smoothly down Main St. Steve passed his driver's test, he needed to if he was ever going to leave Hawkins.

Steve had to learn everything himself. He told Eddie all these stories, wrapped in his arms. The weight of his lost childhood sinking away as his boyfriend ran his fingers through his hair, listening to every word. When he was finished Eddie pressed his lips to Steve's temple and whispered softly to him.

"You didn't have to teach yourself everything sweetheart. You didn't have to learn to care, or to love or to be kind. You may have forgotten them sometimes, but they were all born inside you."

Steve smiled, "Had to know those Eds, had to have those ready for you."

#idk if this is angst or fluff or both #its something #a drabble of a ficlet #ficlet #stranger things #steve harrington #stranger things s4 #eddie munson #st4 #steddie #stranger things season 4

[thefreakandthehair]

I am a river / I am your river

written for ‘pool’ | wc: 442 | rated: m | cw: fake drowning (for training purposes) | @steddiemicrofic

It’s stupid. 

Steve’s been a lifeguard every summer since landing his teaching gig four years ago. He was co-captain of the swim team in high school, he’s spent more time in the water than he has on land since he was old enough to doggy-paddle, and he teaches basic CPR to the junior lifeguards. It makes no sense, then, that he’s wasting a valuable mid-summer Tuesday at the community pool for his biennial CPR certification class. At what point does experience trump arbitrary certification renewals? 

It’s stupid– until it’s not. 

Steve sees the fake-victim he’s supposed to pretend-rescue walking toward the pool and his own heart skips a few beats. Long, dark, curly hair sits in a messy bun on top of his head, tattoos litter his arms, chest, and torso visible with no shirt to cover them, and his swim trunks are just short enough to tease Steve with defined, hairy thighs. 

His immediate thought is a desperate need to bite them but he doesn’t have time to unpack that before the instructor starts barking instructions. 

“Rescuer, ready?”

“Ready.” Steve replies, trying to focus on the goal here. The goal being Rescue the fake drowning victim as much as Do not pop a boner mid-pool.

“Victim, ready?” 

“As ever.” Fake Victim’s voice is deeper than Steve expects and that does Steve zero favors in the way of his secondary goal.

“Go ahead and get ready to submerge, all the way to the bottom.”

“Alright,” the instructor turns to Steve. “Get him out onto the concrete and start CPR procedures. Thirty seconds. On my whistle.”

The whistle blows and Steve reacts immediately. It’s second nature, jumping into the pool and into action. He’s done this dozens of times between training and real emergencies, so swimming out to the center and pulling Fake Victim up onto his back at the surface takes no time at all. 

He must be an actor, or maybe a former theater kid, because he’s limp in Steve’s hands, complete dead weight. Steve would be concerned he’s actually nearly drowned if not for the one eye that cracks open and smirk that stretches across his face. 

“Hi handsome, come here often?” He teases with a wink before Steve reaches the edge and hauls him up onto the concrete, laying him on his back. 

Steve leans over and tries to focus, water falling from his hair in thick droplets as he gets in position for faux chest compressions and grins. “Oh, you know, just when I need to rescue pretty boys.”

Fake Victim’s eyebrows shoot up beneath his bangs as he pulls his bottom lip between his teeth. “I’m Eddie.”

#steddie #steddiemicroficjuly #steddie ficlet #steddie fic #steve harrington #eddie munson #steve harrington x eddie munson #eddie munson x steve harrington #st fic #st ficlet #myfic #myblurbs #i don't even know what this is exactly but here have a steddie meet-cute <333

[artiststarme]

Staying Alive, Staying Alive

I was feeling a little angsty today and now here we are. I hope you guys like this and please leave your thoughts in the comments!

Title brought to you by @lumoschild!

~*~*~*~

Steve’s stomach dropped when he heard Dustin’s screaming from the trailer park. He and the girls were only about halfway back in their trek when they started hearing his cries which caused Steve to sprint in his direction. Why was Dustin screaming and where was Eddie? They were supposed to be out of danger. They were the goddamn decoys and Steve told them not to be heroes! 

The sight he stumbled on when he broke through the barrier of the trees would forever haunt him. Just past the rows of trailer homes, Dustin was knelt on bloodied knees, sobbing, with an unmoving Eddie situated half on his lap. The two of them were sitting in a pond of blood that was growing ever larger. Steve had never seen Munson so still, he was always flamboyant and larger than life in everything he did. His face, usually so expressive and full of life, had never been so pale either, only made worse with the sluggishly bleeding wounds still leaking from his neck and torso. 

“Dustin!” Steve screamed for him as he ran closer and fell to his knees beside him in a careless slump. “What happened? When’d he stop breathing?”

“I-I don’t know, just before you got here, I guess. He-he saved me. He didn’t run away this time, Steve.” He grabbed onto Eddie’s shoulders even stronger in a desperate hug while tears ran down his cheeks.

“Okay, I know he didn’t. Munson’s a strong guy and he still has fight left. I need you to put him down so I can bring him back, okay?” Steve muttered soothingly. If Eddie had just lost his pulse a few minutes ago, there was still a chance that he could get his heart beating again.

“What? Steve-”

“Put him down, Dustin!” Steve would feel bad for yelling at him later but he had a very limited window for CPR to work and he didn’t have time for any more niceties. 

Dustin flinched back as if struck and let go of Eddie abruptly. His face screwed up in a vicious sob when Steve started applying forceful compressions to his friend’s chest. “Steve, you’re hurting him!”

“He can’t feel pain if he’s dead, Dustin! If this works, he can complain about it later.” Steve struck Eddie’s chest over and over again to the beat of Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees like he was taught to as a swim instructor. He never could’ve imagined then that this is how he’d be using his skills. 

Both Dustin and Steve winced when they heard Eddie’s ribs crack but Steve didn’t stop applying his full body weight into every push. Nancy and Robin showed up at some point between Steve giving compressions and breathing into Eddie’s mouth but he paid them no mind. In fact, he didn’t pay anything any mind until Eddie gasped for air on his own. 

“Eddie!” Dustin yelled and tried to scramble away from Nancy’s arms that restrained him. 

“Ouch,” Eddie whispered before his eyes slid shut once more.

“No, no, no. Munson, wake up. Keep your eyes open. We have to get out of here, c’mon. Robin, help me pick him up,” Steve ordered. She quickly stepped forward and helped situate Eddie bridal-style in his arms. With a few well-placed cloths to act as bandages, she patted Steve’s shoulder and he bolted towards the gate in the Munson trailer. The entire Upside Down started shaking and the ground started to fracture in a horrific version of  ‘the-floor-is-lava’ game. 

But Steve could only focus on holding pressure against a particularly deep wound on Eddie’s side and the soft breaths fanning his neck. One step in front of the other, he sprinted as fast as he could without jostling the injured man in his arms too much. His efforts proved fruitless if the muffled moans of pain into his ear indicated anything. 

When he got to the trailer, Robin was right behind him. She threw the door open and pushed the small kitchen table underneath the quaking gate and threw herself through first, ungraceful and uncoordinated as it was, in order to catch Eddie when Steve pushed him through the portal. Which she did. By falling with him and kneeing him in the spine. Seeing them mostly safe, Steve carefully guided Dustin onto the table and threw the gate with his injured leg and then offered a hand to Nancy and gave her a gentle push. 

As the gate started to close, he hardly had enough time to jump through the portal into the Rightside Up himself. He could feel the sizzling heat on his sides and burning on the outer parts of his leg until his back met a soft surface on the ground. He made it. 

They didn’t have time to celebrate though because Dustin was crying in pain about his leg, Robin was rubbing her side in discomfort, and Eddie was still groaning and bleeding out onto his own stained mattress. Steve’s sides were screaming but he didn’t have time to acknowledge his own wounds until he was sure his friends would survive. 

“Alright Nancy, where’s your car? We have to get to the hospital.” Steve asked her, easily falling into the position of leader once more.

“Um, it's right outside.” With a peek out the trailer’s window, Steve could definitely see that it was not. 

“No it isn’t. Where’d you park it?” 

“I swear,” Nancy promised. “I parked it right in front of the door. We’ll just have to call for an ambulance.”

Steve shook his head and ran a stressed hand through his hair. Eddie didn’t have time for an ambulance. With the earthquakes and the preexisting stigma around the people that lived at Forest Hills, an ambulance would take up to thirty minutes and he didn’t have that. Fuck, what were they going to do?!

He sent another glance out the window to see a small sedan parked outside the neighboring trailer. Bullseye. 

“Okay, new plan. Eddie and I are going to hotwire that car and drive to the hospital. You guys are going to call an ambulance and meet us there.” He nodded to himself and went to pick up a blurry-eyed Eddie. 

“Steve, we should stick together. It’s not smart to go off on our own,” Nancy expressed condescendingly. 

“Well, no one’s ever mistaken me for being smart so I guess that’s par for the course. We’ll see you at the hospital.” Then they were off. Steve was once again carrying Eddie as gently as he could but this time Eddie’s eyes were open and searching. 

“Who knew that Steve Harrington would be so adamant on keeping me alive?” He muttered.

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Munson.”

“I’m bleeding all over you, surely we’re on a first name basis now. Right Steve?” His tone was pretty challenging for a guy that was dead less than five minutes ago. 

“You can call me whatever you want, Eddie. Just keep your eyes open.”

“Okay, I’ll try my best. What’re you planning on doing? Lisa always leaves her car locked,” he said as soon as he saw the direction Steve was walking in.  

Steve didn’t dignify his question with a response. He just grabbed the ax from its position secured on his back and swung the dull edge towards the driver’s side window, shattering it instantly. 

“Holy shit,” Eddie murmured in amazement. Unknowingly to Steve, that was the exact moment that Eddie fell in love with him. He had risked his life to save him in the Upside Down and carried him bridal-style out of hell. Now he was committing crimes to keep him alive and looking hot while doing it. Eddie’s heart didn’t stand a chance. 

Steve gently leaned Eddie against the car while he worked to get the driver’s side door open and then picked him up again to gently settle him in across the backseats. His movements caused Eddie to whimper in pain but they were so close, they couldn’t stop now. 

“Okay Munson, focus. How do I hotwire this car?” Steve looked back at him and saw the seats quickly staining red. “Shit Eddie! Put pressure right there, we have to slow the bleeding. C’mon, how do I do this?

Eddie tried to press his bandana into his worst wound as he gave Steve directions. “Pull off the steering column and grab the wires. Did you get my pliers? You’ll need those to strip the coating.”

“Yep. Okay, I got the cover off and I see the wires. What next?”

“There-there should be… two wires. One red and one black. You have to s-strip them and tap them together until the ignition starts…” 

His voice started to taper off towards the end of his explanation and he could hardly keep his eyes open anymore. Steve pulled the wires from the steering column and stripped them just as Eddie had in the RV. When he looked into the backseat, he did a double take. Eddie’s skin was even paler and clammier than it had been before. Most worryingly though, his eyes were glazed and his breathing was labored. Steve reached an arm back to shake at his shoulder. 

“Don’t fucking die, Eddie! I didn’t carry you out of the goddamn Upside Down just for you to die in some stranger’s backseat.” He hissed in angered panic. 

“Ooo kinky.” Eddie mumbled through chapped lips. 

“Not kinky, dying is not kinky! Wake up, Eddie!” 

Just then, the engine turned over and the ignition started. “Yes, yes! Eddie, hold on. I got the car to start. C’mon man, five minutes to the hospital. You’ve got this.”

“Okay…” Eddie whispered. Steve could hardly breathe as he sped down the roads and broke every traffic law. He didn’t care about the consequences of his actions as long as Eddie lived. He didn’t care about speeding tickets or jail time, he just needed his new friend to survive. 

“Eddie, you doing okay?”

“I wouldn’t… characterize this as- as being… okay,” he answered between labored breaths. 

“You’re doing great, man,” Steve told him. He looked back at him in the rearview and saw Eddie’s eyes looking back at him. 

“Thanks for doing this, Stevie. You didn’t have to. You-you could’ve left me there-”

“Shut up, man. I wasn’t going to leave you after you risked your life to help us. You’re one of us now whether you like it or not.” Steve told him. He wasn’t going to stand for any self-deprecating comments after he’d almost died (did die for a few minutes) to save Dustin. 

Eddie hummed before the car lapsed into silence for the next minute or so, only broken by the sounds of Eddie wheezing for air and Steve’s fingers shaking against the steering wheel. When they arrived at the hospital, Steve pulled right in front of the emergency room and screamed for help. Nurses, doctors, and assistants came rushing out to help him and they placed Eddie on the gurney. 

His lips were red with blood and his face was ashen without it. But when Steve looked at him, he smiled wide. “I’ll see you later, Big Boy.”

Steve couldn’t even threaten the hospital staff to treat him well or tell them to ignore the rumors on TV (although he would find out later that Nancy and Robin did that well enough on their own). As soon as Eddie was wheeled out of sight, Steve collapsed from his own injuries. 

Just a few days later, Steve woke up from sedation to find himself in a hospital bed with Eddie as a roommate. And if his heartbeat sped up on the monitor when Eddie smiled at him, well, that wasn’t anyone’s business but theirs.

Permanent tag list:@doubleb11 @nburkhardt @zerokrox-blog @newtstabber @i-less-than-three-you @carlyv @pyrohonk @straight4joekeery @trippypancakes @conversesweetheart @estrellami-1 @suddenlyinlove @yikes-a-bee @swimmingbirdrunningrock @perseus-notjackson @anaibis @merricatty @maya-custodios-dionach @grtwdsmwhr @manda-panda-monium @lumoschild

#Robin walks into their shared hospital room just a few days later to find them kissing in the same bed #They end up clearing Eddie's name by blaming Jason and pointing out that he had connections to all the victims #unlike Eddie #Dustin is really happy that they're friends now until he walks into their hospital room to see them making out #then he's not so happy (they're both his brothers so its basically incest) #Wayne finds out about Steve carrying Eddie to safety and decides that the kid was going to become a Munson one way or another #whether he married Eddie or got adopted by Wayne #stranger things #steddie #fanfic #steve harrington #eddie munson #robin buckley #dustin henderson #nancy wheeler

[bowiebond]

Robin and Steve both failing at love so badly as they get well into their thirties and deciding to just marry each other since they’ve already been living together since they were 20 and share a mortgage. Steve had original planned to just have Robin as his roommate until she found someone, and he had like seven kids coming and going but would be out to college in just two years, so a decently sized place (much smaller than his original, empty mansion) filled with Robin’s knickknacks didn’t sound half bad when he was 20 and making the plan to use his inheritance to make the down payment.

They go through the whole she-bang; mostly because Steve always wanted a big wedding and Robin had assumed she’d never have one so she simply made it a big party they could both enjoy. Everyone was invited, and people who didn’t know Robin was a lesbian said their congrats, that they always saw it coming, and they both bare through it with false grins and sneaky eye rolls.

It’s an excuse to get drunk and confess their undying platonic love for each other, even if the ceremonies kiss was awkward and quick, the pair snickering about it later like teenagers even though Robin had kissed Steve plenty of times on the cheeks and Steve on her head when he left for work.

They’re 36 and 37 when Steve asks Robin if she ever considered kids of her own. Robin goes on a long spiel about how terrifying child birth seems but like, she was raised to want one you know? That having a kid is both terrifying but weirdly comforting as an idea.

Steve agrees. They get hammered beyond belief at 37 & 38 and fumble through the most awkward sex know to mankind and they cry-laugh for weeks about each others sex habits and how bad they both are in bed because “let’s never do that again, oh my god, I definitely like girls, Steve” and Steve’s not even offended because it was purely for one purpose and while he likes girls, Robin doesn’t do it for him. Not like that. Not since he was maybe 19 and had a weird lingering crush on her that faded after she came out and he started experimenting with guys.

Steve’s 38 when he finds out he’s gonna be a dad. He cries. A lot. Robin does too, mostly because she’s cries when he does, like how his laughter infects her too.

They argue a lot over the design of the nursery, and Robin complains that she’s too old to be carrying a baby as Steve rubs her feet while they watch a movie.

Robin sleeps in his room more often during the pregnancy. Says it helps her nerves, because she overthinks a lot and it’s kind of terrifying because there’s no going back now. They’re having a kid. An actual human being they’ll have to raise together. A lesbian woman and a bisexual man who are strictly platonic with a capital P, are having a baby in their late thirties, and are married by law but not by heart, and it’s kind of crazy to think about.

“I never imagined my life like this.”

“Honestly, Rob? Neither did I.”

Robin starts attending swim classes with pregnant ladies after El insists it helped her through hers, and there’s where she meets Heather Holloway again. She’s a full time swim instructor at the pool now, unmarried and thriving, and Robin has the biggest heart eyes known to man over her.

Steve hears all about her and encourages her to test the waters with Heather.

“Steve, I’m literally carrying your baby. Don’t you think that’s weird?”

“Say it’s an open marriage if she asks. I sleep around still, why can’t you?”

It’s enough to convince her to follow her heart. Heather is around the house a lot more after that, just to check in on Robin’s pregnancy of course, she must be exhausted after all!

Steve knows Heather is fucking his wife/best friend. Robin had a dopey grin on when she told him. Heather doesn’t beat around the bush either about Steve and Robin’s relationship.

“So Robin’s a lesbian, you’re gay, and you’re basically each other’s platonic soulmates right? So you got married?”

“I’m bi, but yeah. Basically. I can’t see myself living without her, honestly. She’s my soulmate just not…romantically, you know?”

“I get it.” Heather grins when she goes on about a certain blond up in California who’s planning to come visit real soon. That Steve should meet him.

Steve is shocked to see Billy Hargrove again; Heather’s own platonic soulmate.

“I mean, we fooled around once or twice back in the day, but that’s because he has mommy issues, not because he wants to settle down with me.” She joked and Billy has a ball flirting with Harrington until he’s red in the face like a teenager again instead of an almost 40 year old man.

Robin has a girl in the Summer. They name her June, the month she was born and the month they met decades ago. It feels fitting.

Of course, June ends up with a step mom, Heather, who somehow worms her way into their house. Steve’s got the room for it, so he’s not complaining. He likes a full house, likes knowing his daughter is being cared for when he’s at work by Robin and Heather (when she’s not working).

Somehow, Billy worms his way in too. It starts with visiting to see his ‘niece’ as he’d joke with a wide grin. Then slowly, he’s joining them for dinner more nights than he doesn’t, and the guest room starts to fill with his things and Steve catches Billy bathing June because Heather and Robin were exhausted and needed the rest and…

God, he’s falling in love with the blond, deep and so much harder than back in high school. Falls in love with the smile lines around his mouth and eyes, the silvery greys that streak his dark blond hair he cut shorter a few years back. Falls in love with the way he laughs at Robin’s jokes and snarks with Heather and coos at June, calling her ‘daddy’s little princess’ as he bounces her in his arms, Steve watching and always blushing when Billy catches his eye and grins, kissing the tuffs of light brown hair upon her head.

Robin tells him to go for it.

“To think we finally met our romantic soulmates after getting married and having a kid, this has to be God’s way of pulling our legs.” She snickers as they cuddle in Steve’s bed. Because that’s just how they were, touchy and close, and Steve loves her so much. She’s his best friend and the mother of his kid and he doesn’t regret marrying her at all. They’re not in love with each other, but they love each other.

Robins in love with Heather.

And Steve is pretty sure he’s in love with Billy.

“Maybe we should get married.” Billy says one night at dinner, driving an airplane towards June’s mouth. “Robin and Steve got a bunch of benefits. I want benefits. We could do our taxes together.” Heather laughs and looks at Robin.

“You think I should marry him? I could do better, right?” Robin snorts.

“He smells like a dirty gym bag.”

“Your husband likes how I smell.” Billy wriggled his brows and Steve flushed red as the words, head in his hands.

“Not in front of Junie, please.”

“She’s like, not even a year old. It’s fine.” Billy waved it off. “Back to the tax benefits,”

“It is easier when you’re married, in my opinion.” Robin chipped in and Heather sighs, long and loud before looking at Billy.

“…Fine. I want a nice ring though.”

“Well so do I, so I say we have a deal, babe.”

Steve thought he’d be jealous, at least a bit, but he’s grinning when Billy makes a show of dipping Heather at the altar, the pair laughing after their obnoxious kiss that has Robin and Max hollering.

June is cooing and squealing when she gets to dance with Billy and Steve later that night, clinging to her father and grasping at Billy’s curls that are starting to grow out again. Steve thinks he might be doing it just for him since he said he liked them, and it makes his stomach wild with butterflies.

“We should get married next.” Billy hums and Steve chokes on his own spit.

“You’ve barely taken me on a date, and now you’re talking marriage?”

“Didn’t take Robin on a date, now did you?” Billy grins, holding him close around his waist. “Come on, Harrington. Robin and you, Heather and me. Robin and Heather, you and me…it all works. We’re far from conventional. I’ve fucked Heather more than once, I’ve heard Heather talk about jumping you to her own girlfriend, and I know you want me.” He knocks their heads together and smiles, eyes soft. “This thing we’ve got going…it works. You don’t have to hold back on what you want out of this after giving Robin the option of anything and everything.”

And maybe he had been holding back a bit. All he ever wanted was June, a kid, and Robin gave him that, and in return he got her to date Heather, he let Heather drag Billy back into their lives, he let their daughter call Robin and Heather mom and mama before he even got called dada, worked hard to provide them the lifestyle they had with Heather and Billy chipping in and he…

He wanted more now. He wanted Billy. He wanted him to move in properly, for Heather to just come out and say Steve and Robin’s home was her home too, to put a bigger bed in the master bedroom so they could all share some nights because he wanted that. He wanted a big family since he was young and in a way — he was getting it. In Robin and Heather, in Billy and June. In the kids who still visited when they could.

“Take me on a date first, okay?” Billy grins.

“That can be arranged.” He kissed June’s head between them and Steve chuckled. “The little princess has to stay home though. I want her daddy all for myself.”

Steve laughed.

“Don’t call me daddy, you’re gonna make it weird.”

“Princess can share. Yeah? June, you can share right? Stevie can be both our daddy.” June giggled and wriggled between them, reaching for Billy with a small ‘Bibi’. The blond laughed and took her from Steve’s arms. “I’m afraid she can share you but not me, Daddy.”

Steve rolled his eyes before grinning deviously with a shrug.

“Whatever. I’ll teach her how to share, Mommy.”

Billy’s cheeks burned.

“Don’t make me pop a boner with a baby in my arms, Steve. People are gonna think I’m a creep.” He grumbled and Steve snorted.

“I’m going to go dance with my wife. Have fun with June.”

“Bitch.” Billy clicked his tongue as Steve walked off to find Robin on the floor.

Steve found his soulmate at 18 in an ice cream parlour. They were platonic with a capital P, and content. She made him laugh, they shared secrets, and they had no boundaries keeping them apart. Hell, they got married. Had a baby.

Now, at 39, Steve re-met his other soulmate. The kind that made his stomach twist and flutter, that made his cheeks hot and his heart full. Made him hot under the collar with his teasing.

And maybe, Robin and him share a soulmate in Heather, and maybe Heather and Billy are linked by a red string too, and maybe they’re just a tangled mess of strings with no definite end. Knotted up in the centre of the four of them.

Steve doesn’t know what the hell he’s gonna make of all of it. Where it will lead him. But for now, he’s happy.

His soul had been split into a dozen pieces at birth, and he had pieced every part back together.

Only took him 40 years to find every fragment.

#billy hargrove #steve harrington #Robin buckley #heather holloway #harringrove #platonic stobin #edging on queerplatonic? #polyamory #keg gang #og fruity four #buckleway #minor hollogrove

[half-oz-eddie]

Anyway imagine Billy faking his death and disappearing to an unknown location (with the help of the government and a lot of hush money) but Steve and Max go with him.

One day they’re watching a conspiracy theorist’s YouTube video about Billy’s “mysterious death” and Billy is criticizing the YouTuber.

Billy: That’s not even accurate. I wasn’t just a lifeguard. I was a swim instructor too.

Steve: Yeah, this guy’s an idiot he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Max: Well, at least he got the “no known girlfriends” part right.

Billy: go to hell, Maxine

#billy hargrove #harringrove #steve harrington #max mayfield #ivy.doc

[steddieasitgoes]

Sink or Swim

second entry for for ‘pool’ wc: #442 | rated: T | cw: none | @steddiemicrofic

Authors’s Note: Canonically, I know this doesn’t make sense since Eddie can swim but we’re just going to ignore that!

On page 13 of the Munson Doctrine reads the following:

Eddie Munson will never swim.

While all the other teenagers flocked to the Hawkins Community Pool or their rich friends’ houses to cool off, Eddie hid out in his bedroom. Sure, sometimes the water seemed alluring, especially when the shitty AC unit in his bedroom window took a shit on him.

But no, not even then was Eddie willing to break his rule.

It was easy to avoid swimming. The friends he collected were a lot like him. Preferring to hang out indoors, fucking around on their instruments, or playing days-long Dungeons and Dragons campaigns.

The only time he got any real pushback about it was during his sophomore year. As if PE wasn’t hell enough, the great state of Indiana decided that all sophomores must participate in a unit on swimming.

Eddie earned his first run-in with the law and detention for three months because of his reaction. Apparently, throwing a couple packets of red Kool-Aid into the pool and giving it a good stir does turn the entire thing blood-red.

But he got out of swimming, so it was worth it.

Most people thought Eddie’s disdain for swimming was because of his metalhead aesthetic. And Eddie never felt the need to correct them. Letting people blame his leather jacket and metal music was a lot easier than admitting the truth.

The truth is that Eddie can’t swim.

Unfortunately for Eddie, his secret was eventually discovered thanks to one curlyhead kid’s big mouth and his stupid, swimming-obsessed babysitter. And because these two idiots never take no for an answer, Eddie finds himself on the precipice of breaking another rule for them.

* * *

“Is this really necessary?” Eddie asks arms outstretched as Dustin and Steve wrestle inflatable armbands onto his pale arms. “I look ridiculous.”

“I’m sorry. Would you rather drown?”

“You were a lifeguard and swim instructor for three years. You wouldn’t let me drown.”

“I also never had to give lessons to a twenty-year-old man.”

“You wound me, Harrington,” Eddie winces, yanking his arm out of Dustin’s grasp to clutch his heart.

“Yeah, well, it wounds me that you can’t swim,” Steve says, stepping towards the pool before extending a hand toward Eddie. “You ready for this, Munson?”

Eddie glances over at Steve, eyes trailing from his upturned hand toward his sun-kissed torso and then down toward his snug swim trunks. Maybe, this whole swimming thing has its perks, after all, he thinks.

“Alright, Harrington,” Eddie says, accepting Steve's hand. “Don't let me sink."

"Never. It's time for you to swim," Steve says, yanking Eddie into the pool.

#look at me writing a second one for this prompt lol #steddiemicroficjuly #steddie #steddie ficlet #steddie fic #eddie munson #steve harrington #steve harrington x eddie munson #steve harrington/eddie munson #stranger things fic #st fic #steddie fluff #steddiemicrofic #dani writes

[neonponders]

Part 8 for @wrecked-fuse ‘s pocketverse 🌹🌹

~ Part 7 + ART!!! ~

~ on ao3 ~

• • •

Billy could not claim to have ever hung out at the Harrington residence. He had moved to Hawkins after Steve removed his crown and all interest in being Hawkins’ party king.

So the circumstances of walking into Steve’s house with two voices yell-singing out of a shoebox were not what Billy would have expected.

“Okay, little dudes. It’s food time,” Steve announced on his way to the kitchen.

Robin collapsed right onto the couch and turned the television on. Unsure what else to do with himself, Billy sat on the loveseat adjacent to the other couch. Then he asked, “Is it a good idea to have them in the kitchen?”

Robin answered, “They like having tasks. Little B, especially. Getting him to sit still is like a magic trick.”

Her gaze swept up with Billy standing to join Steve in the kitchen. “You antsy?”

He smiled venomously. “I think it’s rational to not trust anyone with a mini me.”

Her eyes rolled but her voice remained understanding. “If anyone’s capable of taking care of those little guys, it’s Steve. But by all means,” and she waved him away.

Billy navigated around the island counter to find his smaller self and the matching Steve standing on the pages of a cookbook. Larger Steve seemed to be trying and failing to sell them on mushrooms.

“It’s gway, Steve,” little Billy scolded over crossed arms. “Who wants gway food?”

“You don’t even notice it when it’s deep fried and covered in tomato sauce,” Steve reasoned, but the little ones moved out of his way to let him turn the page.

Large Billy leaned an elbow on the counter as they scrutinized the tomatoes stuffed with rice. “You’ll have better luck with that. Or Mexican food.”

Little Billy gazed up at him. “What’s Meckwican?”

“It’s colorful.”

“I like colwors.”

“I thought you might,” Billy confirmed with a smirk to Steve. “Who’s ordering?”

Steve took a deep breath and pushed off the counter to grab the collection of paper restaurant menus shoved between the refrigerator and the toaster. “Rob, what do you want?”

“Chicken sopes and a taco salad.”

“I’m not buying you two meals.”

“The salad is for tomorrow,” she reasoned.

“One bean burrito, coming right up,” Steve sassed, but his attention on the menu drifted up to little Steve and Billy climbing over the apples and pears in the fruit bowl like boulders. “Could you teach them how to swim?”

Big Billy’s eyes swung to him. “Excuse me?”

“I’ve got an old Barbie swimming pool - don’t look at me like that. Will you do it or not? It would save me the risk of a heart attack whenever they need a bath.”

Billy tipped his head to the side, not sparing Steve even a little bit. “What were you doing with Barbies, Steve?”

“This might not be relatable since you’re used to the ocean, but for a long time, I was the pool guy. The pool’s always been my ticket to making friends...or so I thought. Whatever. One summer, the only neighbor kids I had around me were girls. So I got a pool for their dolls. Are you a swimming instructor or not?”

Billy sighed and looked at his smaller self sitting on a pear like it were a horse and taking bites out of it. “I can get them started.”

Steve ordered their food and disappeared for a few minutes to get the small swimming pool out of storage. He cleaned it off in the sink, filled it with warm water, and Billy marveled, “You know, I would’ve said we could just use a casserole dish, but the slide and stairs are smart.”

Little Steve��s face lifted up to him, a blush making his cheeks go rosy as he smiled. “Smarwt Stevie.”

Big Steve waved some bathing suits in the air. “Are we skinny dipping or do you wanna change clothes?”

Billy’s eyes widened. “Where’d you get those? The sixties?”

Steve exhaled heavily. “We may or may not have a small doll collection, so what?”

“That’s such a rich people thing.”

“Yeah, well, they deserve a change of clothes and this is one less thing I have to explain to my mom when she looks at my card statements. Okay, B and Steve. Do you want the oranges or the flowers?”

He held up the swimming costumes for them to see and decide. All of a sudden, small Billy looked bashful as he tucked his chin and rolled his lips. Steve, meanwhile, hopped off the fruit bowl and pointed. “ ‘Wanges! Can I? Oh...Biwwy? Do you want the ‘wanges?”

He rubbed his tummy and admitted, “I want the fwowers.”

Large Billy’s brows pinched a little but he stayed quiet as big Steve encouraged, “You want the flowers one? That’s okay. It goes with your eyes.”

His lashes batted as he blinked up at him. “Weally?”

“Yeah,” Steve encouraged, “and they’re the same size. You can switch the next time you go swimming.”

Billy reached up for his swimsuit and they went to change in their shoebox. The larger Billy wondered aloud, “They have a sense of privacy?”

Steve shrugged. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to see themselves first before us.”

When they emerged, Steve spooned water over the slide. The little ones climbed the ladder and went down it together as if they rode a sled instead of a slide. The pool was shallow enough for them to stand, providing big Steve the relief he needed to answer the door. Robin followed behind him to help carry the bags, and they set up their feast on the island counter.

Billy had to use his Rec Center ID card as a floating board, but it fit both of them length-wise as they practiced their kicks. “Good job, guys. How about another ride on the slide while I get my food.”

Steve only just got a dishtowel down so they didn’t slip on their way around the pool. Robin passed Billy his bag and he held a nacho chip out for the little ones to take a bite at the top of the slide.

Big Steve scolded, “Aren’t you supposed to wait thirty minutes between swimming and eating or something?”

“I think they’ll be okay,” Billy disregarded, crunching loudly on his chips. “Swimming 101 is just getting comfortable in the water. So...isn’t this supposed to be a movie night?”

“Movwie! Movwie! Movwie!” the little Steve and Billy chanted, thoroughly locked in chasing each other down the slide and back around.

Big Steve nodded over his burrito. “When they start to slow down...then the movie seals the deal.”

Billy snorted softly and kept providing a nacho station for them to run past. Eventually, the exercise and food did take their toll, and they collapsed on the dishtowel. Given their old school, linen swimsuits, they dried off pretty fast, but little Steve eventually sat up and started patting Billy’s hair. The larger Billy observed this as the smaller one whined a tired sound.

“Biwwy, don’t get sick.”

“I won’ get sick. That’s what Stevie’s always sayin’.”

However, big Steve seconded with a restaurant napkin in hand. “Gimme those ears.”

Little Billy sat up in a huff, but sat still for Steve to gently push the napkin against his ears to siphon the water out of them. Then he folded it to get into the nooks and crannies of his ears and jaw. “Thank you, B. Okay, you next.”

That rosy hue filled little Billy’s cheeks as he mumbled a weak, “You’rwe wewlcome.”

Little Steve, meanwhile, stood up tall, blissful in his pampering. “Stevie? Can we have the honey tea?”

“ ‘Course you can. Go with Billy to the coffee table. He and Rob will get the movie going.”

It was little Steve’s turn to blossom a pink hue as they climbed onto Billy’s palms. They planted their butts down and held onto each other as Billy magic carpeted them to the setup of plushies on the coffee table. Small Steve gingerly stepped off his hand with a bashful, “Thankwou, Biwwy.”

“You’re welcome,” he answered quietly - 

Only to glare at Robin, who sat on the couch behind him. “You’re allowed to like them. I won’t spill.”

Small Billy lingered on the hand as he exclaimed, “Spiww what?”

She segued smoothly, “Won’t spill that we got Indiana Jones to watch. That is, if it’s not too scary.”

Billy finally got off the hand with a scoff. “Scawy? We watched the wed buwll and that wasn’t scawy.”

Little Steve perked up from the fluff of an otter. “It was a wittle scawy.”

“We can fast forward through the scary parts,” Robin promised, and slotted the VHS into the player. But as soon as she turned back around, her eyes widened. “Uh oh.”

“I knew it!” cried Billy from the doll box that had been placed on the coffee table. Little Billy climbed out, grinning victoriously with the tiny whip in hand and the hat on his head. “I’m weady!”

Robin glanced up at Steve in the kitchen, too busy trying to mix a safe temperature of water and honey together. “Uh, B? Can I talk to you about that - No no nonono...”

“Hey! Wobin? What gives?” little Billy exclaimed when she pinched the whip to keep him from waving it around.

“B, I’m sorry, but Steve doesn’t want you to have that.”

“Well Stevie can kiss my ass!”

That got a rankled Steve to come out of his otter plush. “Biwwy. Be nice.”

Robin corralled, “Billy, these things are use to hurt people. They’re not toys. You’ll see that in the movie.”

The fire started to go out of those blue eyes. “Hurwt peopwle?”

She nodded gravely. “We know you won’t mean to, but the whip might hurt your Steve. Even worse, you’re more likely to hurt yourself. That’s just how whips are. Big Steve loves you too much to tell you.”

His little body deflated as the large Steve finally arrived with a shot glass of honey tea. Seeing the body language on the coffee table, he sent inquiring looks to Billy and Robin.

Little Billy replied sadly, “Does Indiana Jwones hurt himself?”

“No, but it’s a movie, sweet B. It’s not real. You’re real and your Steve’s real. That’s way cooler than Indiana Jones.”

Big Steve sank onto the couch next to Billy. “What’s going on?”

“What’s going on, is that I’m not sure I like being sweet talked by proxy.”

Finding that unhelpful, Steve leaned forward to intercept. “Hey? Little man? Are you okay?”

Little Billy was absolutely not okay, because his bottom lip pushed up, his eyes went big, and he dropped the whip in order to run into Steve’s hands. Steve glared at Robin and mouthed, What did you do?

I handled it, she replied, dropping the whip back into the box.

Little Steve dragged his otter across the table, or as much as he could with stuff in his way. “Stevie! Helwp!”

“Okay, okay, come here,” he soothed, picking up all three so small Billy and Steve could cuddle together against the soft fur while being held in big Steve’s arms. Little Billy bawled his eyes out during the opening of the movie, warranting big Steve to peek at the large Hargrove next to him. “It’s kind of wild how much their little bodies can hold onto. I thought you’d have stepped in by now.”

However, Billy’s mouth had been set in a hard line for a while now, and he shook his head. “I’m out of my element here, man.”

“No crying kids at your pool?”

“I put shit heads in line. Beyond that, it’s the parents who cause more issues.”

Robin leaned across her armrest to query, “Steve, I thought you were lifeguard certified? You really were the pool guy for years, after all.”

“Sure, but I think they like having Billy around.”

“I wike having big Biwwy awround.”

They looked down at little Steve, who was practically lying on top of small Billy, who blinked sometimes at the movie, but otherwise seemed too tired to really watch it.

“Biwwy does too. I know it. Biwwy wants to be stwong, like big Biwwy.”

But Billy shook his head. “I’m not the kind of guy to look up to, Harrington.”

Big Steve absorbed that in silence. For all of the Hawkins’ renowned lifeguard’s peacocking, Billy had never said anything like that before.

“Then wook down to us. My Biwwy’s smarwt, and nice,” little Steve smiled and finished, “Hawgwove.”

For a brief moment, Billy lost control of his face and his features crumpled, his eyes glossing over as his brows furrowed together. But he got a hand over his mouth, scrubbing his features clean. “Just watch the movie, short stack. He’ll feel better after he sleeps.”

#harringrove #wrecked-fuse #neonponders #pocketverse #pocket!au #ficlet #they're channeling benoit blanc's pool loungewear #and i might be crying shut up

[yearningagain]

don't let me drown (part two!)

FINALLY got around to making a part two to this! should i put it on AO3 maybe? lmk!!!

PART ONE, [PART TWO]

Eddie hated the smell of chlorine.

They had decided to come in that Friday after Max’s camp to tour before her first class, not only to ease Eddie's nerves, but to keep Max’s excited momentum. The entire aquatic center smelled like it, and he could tell it would stick to his clothes. They had only just walked through the front door, Max bouncing with each step, her excitement obvious.

A woman with short strawberry blonde hair sat at the front desk, typing intently while almost glaring at the computer screen in front of her. As Eddie and Max approached, she quickly glanced their way.

“Hi! Give me one moment please, our system is being all wonky.” She aggressively pressed enter on her keyboard a few times with a scowl before turning her attention to them.

“Alrighty, sorry about that! What can I do for you?”

Eddie laughed lightly before responding. “It’s okay, no worries! Uh- I called earlier this week about signing Max up for lessons, and we wanted to see if we could get a quick tour before Monday?”

Max popped her head up, staring at the woman intently. “I’m gonna learn how to swim, I think!” She said with a huge grin.

“Ah, you must be Max!” Robin said, matching Max's grin before turning to Eddie. “And you must be Eddie! I’m Robin! Nice to meet you both!” She glanced at her watch. “Hold on one sec, I’m gonna grab someone to watch the desk so I can give you a tour.” She got up from her chair and went through a door, presumably to the staff room, before a short redhead emerged to take her place.

Robin came through a side door and looped around to meet them. “That’s Vickie, our other front desk operator and also one of our lifeguards, when needed!” Vickie gave a short smile and wave, turning to the computer.

“You guys can follow me!” Robin turned and walked towards what seemed to be a small café. “This is our Snack Shack! There's smoothies, soda, water, and gatorade to drink and all sorts of different snacks as well as hotdogs and hamburgers.”

Eddie nodded along, giving a short wave to the bored looking staff member at the counter. Robin turned and walked past the front desk to a stairwell. “This is the stairs to the pools. The locker rooms are to the right at the bottom. We’ll pass the instructional pool, but I’ll show you that one last.”

As they descended the stairs, they passed a doorway with a few parents loitering around, going through a bigger glass door to a huge pool.

“This is our competition pool for our swim team, but it's also used for open lap swim when there isn’t practice or a competition.” They breezed past, Eddie struggling to keep up with Robin and Max while he marveled at the size.

They passed through another doorway with both glass doors propped open, revealing another pool. This one was smaller, but not by much, and had a huge inflatable slide in it while being full of children.

“This is our program pool! It can be rented out for parties, like it is now, but it's also used for the more advanced swim lessons, open swim, and the junior swim team. People can also rent inflatables for parties from us, hence the giant slide!” Robin said, gesturing wildly.

Max gasped and tugged on Eddie's pant leg. “Dad, can I please have my next birthday party here? Please? Pretty please?” She begged with the biggest puppy dog eyes.

Eddie sighed loudly, Robin giggling quietly. “We’ll see, bug. You have to learn how to swim first.” Max nodded, pulling away with a determined look.

“Can we keep going, Miss Robin?” She asked, already walking towards the next set of doors.

At that, Robin gave a hearty laugh and continued walking. “Of course, Miss Max!” She pushed open the metal doors to an outdoor pool. “The last pool before the instructional pool, outdoors! This one is for private adult lessons, training, and open swim. Definitely our most popular for open swim.” Robin continued walking parallel to the building, revealing yet another set of doors.

“This place is huge.” Eddie muttered, earning a laugh from Robin.

“The biggest and the best! The outdoor pool actually opened just last year, so it's attracted a lot more people,” She leaned towards Eddie to whisper, “which was our goal.”

Eddie looked down at Max, immediately melting at her awestruck face. “What do you think so far, Max? You like it?”

Max turned towards her father, eyes lit up in astonishment. “I love it. I love you, Dad. Thank you!” She rushed towards Eddie to give his legs the biggest hug she could muster.

“I love you more, sunshine. C’mon, let's see where you’ll be learning!” He said, patting her head.

Robin stood by the doors, waiting patiently for their little pow wow. “Miss Max, would you like to open the doors for the big reveal?”

Immediately, Max rushed to the doors and pushed with all her might, revealing the instructional pool. As the group made their way inside, Eddie couldn't help but notice the prettiest man he’d ever seen in his life standing by the side of the pool in swim shorts with the center logo and a towel draped around his neck, surrounded by small children.

If this is the instructor, I am definitely going to sit in on every lesson, Eddie thought to himself.

“So this is our last stop, where you’ll be taking your lessons!” Robin said as Max looked around.

“‘S so small…” The girl said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Robin kneeled down to Max’s level. “Well, Max, you’re small. And in order to keep you safe while you learn, the pool has to be smaller so we can watch out for you. Once you learn and get bigger, you’ll be able to swim in the big pools!”

Max nodded, walking around the pool as if to inspect it. “M’kay, I guess.”

Robin stood up, following her. She cupped her hands around her mouth to shout, “Coach Harrington!”

The small crowd of children and lingering parents had dispersed, leaving Coach Harrington sitting in a metal folding chair. He winced at the sudden loud noise. “Geez, Robin, there's no need to shout so loud! You're like eight feet away!”

Eddie had never heard such a fitting voice. It was as handsome as him, slightly deep and very expressive.

Robin only grinned as she approached. “You’ve got some newcomers to meet.” The coach stood, glancing behind her, meeting Eddie's eyes (and turning a touch pink in the face) before looking at Max.

“Hello! I’m Coach Harrington, what’s your name?” He said, crouching a bit.

Max stuck out her hand for a handshake. “I’m Max! ‘N I’m gonna learn how to swim!”

Coach Harrington laughed lightly and shook her hand, despite it being larger by far. “Very nice to meet you, Max! I can tell you’re excited! I can’t wait to see how you do!”

He stood up, meeting the man's eyes once again. Eddie stuck his hand out in a similar fashion, trying to hide his slight blush. “I’m Eddie, Max’s dad. Nice to meet you, Coach Harrington.”

“Call me, Steve. Nice to meet you, too, Eddie.” Steve said with a small smile, grasping Eddie’s hand in a firm shake. His hands were warm for someone who just got out of a pool, and almost completely dry. Eddie stared at their hands dumbly before pulling away and shoving his hands in his pocket. Close up, he could see the abs, the chest hair, and the moles littering his face and chest. He wondered how far they went before shaking his head slightly as if to shake the thought away.

Robin clapped, startling the two men. “Alrighty! So, Max here will be in the 1A class three times a week. Now that you guys have met, we can head back upstairs!” She gave Steve an intense look before heading towards the door to the stairwell. Max and Eddie followed, with a final “I’m gonna blow your socks off, Coach Harrington!” That earned her a laugh from the coach that warmed Eddie from the inside out.

As they made their way to the front desk, Eddie turned to Robin. “Is… is he gonna be the instructor every time?”

She looked at him and smiled knowingly. “For now, yes. I think I mentioned our other instructor being on leave, and he’s still got a bit before he comes back. Steve is great though, promise.”

Eddie blushed, covering his face with some of his hair. Returning to the front desk, Robin turned to Max.

“You think you’re ready for Monday?” She asked, smirking at the child.

Max was undeterred, nodding determinedly once again. “I’m gonna swim so good. I know it.”

Turning to Eddie, Robin asked, “How about you? Ready for Monday?”

Eddie nodded as well, though with more hesitancy.

“Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”

#steddie #stranger things #steve harrington #stranger things steve #eddie munson #stranger things eddie #theo's silly little brain #modern au #modern!steve harrington #modern!eddie munson #single dad eddie #singledad!eddie munson #swim instructor steve #swiminstructor!steve harrington #robin buckley #robin buckley is the best #trans eddie munson #that will be important at some point #max mayfield #maxine mayfield #max munson #maxine munson #ficlet #fanfic #fanfiction

[afewproblems]

Here is a Ballet Dancer!Steve/Fruity Four Dancer AU - courtesy of @magpiemuseum and this post! Thank you for sending this! I adore this idea!!

I’ll diverge from it slightly and suggest that Steve and Nancy met through ballet.

They dance together, are often partnered with one another in productions, they work well with one another and start dating fairly quickly, it works. Steve loves Nancy, and she seems to care about him deeply as well. But after Will and Barb go missing and only Will comes home, well…

Nancy just doesn’t have the heart to stick with it after that.

So she moves into jazz to express some of that anger and grief. Karen is disappointed in her daughter, that she didn't stick with it the way Karen did but she isn't going to be like her own mother, not again, so she agrees. Nancy has a knack for it, picking up the movements and techniques quickly, just like everything she does, it's with fiery, furious determination.

Steve keeps going with ballet, he's only allowed to because his teachers insist he's good enough to get a free ride to any school once he graduates. His father begrudgingly agrees but never attends another production after Steve turns 15. They don't talk about it.

The multiple concussions over the years eventually begin to affect his performance, the fight with Jonathan, the plate with Billy, the one lift another dancer in their company attempted as a joke during break that ended with Steve having to go to urgent care for stitches. Just his luck.

Now, he can't even handle one rotation in a pirouette without having to sit down until the spots in his vision go away.

He keeps at it, practicing, avoiding spins as much as possible, but since this won't enable him to get into college and his grades are slipping with the absenses and lack of interest, his father finally has the opportunity to tell him its over.

Steve starts at Scoops the day after graduation.

He meets Robin, it's not an immediate spark which is fine by Steve, he's still mourning the loss of his company and all the friends he had made along the way, the wonderful instructors he met over the years. Robin ignores him for the most part until she catches him in the back room one day, humming along to a Madonna song on the mall speaker system as he easily jumps through a pas de chat across the small space.

She interrogates him about this, but it's not as though he ever hid his ability, it's just not something he ever did through school. He had swimming for that.

She studies him for a moment before launching into a quick tap solo as Tiffany's, I Think We're Alone Now, plays softly in the background.

Steve claps with the biggest grin on his face as Robin shyly explains how she's been taking tap for years, in between band practice and the drama club, she hopes it will help her get to Julliard eventually.

It's better after that.

And after the Russians and the awful truth-serum makes its way out of their system, they sit in the bathroom stalls of Star Court. Steve tells her he's never felt like this with almost anyone else, and Robin closes her eyes.

She tells him about Tammy Thompson, and about Nancy Wheeler who she's seen in passing after tap, aggressively dancing in the small studio in Indianapolis her mother takes her to. She tells him that she'd always been jealous of how they'd look at him, how they would never look at her that way, and how it crushed her.

And Steve gets it. He slides under the stall to sit with her, and his heart hurts as he sees her tense up in front of him, he can't have that.

Steve bites his lip as he softly tells her about the guy in their company, the one who had tried the lift with him, you know, as a joke. The one Steve had tried to kiss the day before, not as a joke.

Danny had insisted it was fine, he wasn't interested in Steve like that, but they could still be friends and it didn't have to be weird.

And then he dropped him the next day. You know, accidentally, as a joke.

Robin grabs his hand at this and squeezes it tightly.

He tells her Tammy Thompson sounds like a Muppet so maybe they both have terrible taste.

They don't talk about Nancy. Not quite yet.

After Star Court burns down they are inseparable, two halves of the same heart, platonic soulmates Robin will say in the same breath as she calls him dingus.

He loves it.

They start at Family Video together, complain about Keith and his aggressive annoyance with Steve, but the job is easy enough and actually pays a dollar above minimum wage so Steve tries not to complain too too much. They dance in the break-room, Robin tries to show him some simple tap sequences while Steve corrects her positions. It's harder for Steve to nail down the foot rhythm, but the movements are easy enough. Robin is a little stiff, but she manages to eventually mimic the positions enough to satisfy Steve.

But if course it couldn't last.

Vecna nearly tears apart the world, he succeeds with tearing apart Hawkins and the Upside Down monstes rear their ugly flower faces once again. They meet Eddie, Hopper comes back from the dead, they close the gates, and Steve carries Eddie out of the depths of hell without bleeding out.

Max dies, or nearly dies, the explanation goes over his head as they sit in the waiting room of the hospital after Steve is finally stitched and bandaged up.

They all make it.

It's a long road to recovery, especially for Max with the extensive damage to her eyes and legs, but eventually she walks again, now with a cane which she uses to catch Mike in the ankles every chance she gets, so it helps.

Mike has no idea how she always knows it's him, it's baffling.

It's harder for Steve to move now with the build-up of scar tissue on his sides, it isn't until he cries out in pain after trying a simple jete that he grieves yet another loss.

He stops dancing after that.

Steve tries to be happy for Robin and Nancy, who finally, finally, start dating. Jonathan seems to understand, but his grief has always been quiet. Argyle helps, the two of them are seen together more often than not in the wake of Jon and Nancy's breakup. Steve knows exactly how it feels not to have someone to lean on in the aftermath of Nancy Wheeler. He's happy for them, or he tries to be.

He wishes he had that.

Steve still see's Robin, they are soulmates after all, but it isnt quite the same anymore. Nancy seems to have taken up the mantel of the other half of Robin's heart, and Steve?

It's fine. He's fine.

He starts spending a lot of time with Eddie. They commiserate about the kids and their attitude, Steve tells Eddie more about the Upside Down and how he  got roped into it all.

The topic of dance comes up as an accident.

Eddie makes a comment about college and the future which prompts Steve to snort. It isn't as though he has any options anymore, he can't continue with ballet, he barely had the grades to graduate, he's going nowhere fast.

Eddie looks at him, his face surprised at first, whether by the information or by the dejected tone of Steve's voice.

He tells him about his own experience with dance, how after his uncle took him in that he found channeling his frenetic and nervous energy into contemporary dance.

Pouring his breath and emotions into the movements, it's always helped to slow his brain down from the constant mile-a-minute thoughts that used to over take him.

He tells Steve that despite the new scars that littler his torso, he's managed to keep up with the movements, that the practice seems to even help with the pain.

Steve is enraptured by the description, a small flicker of hope burns in his chest as he asks to see in a small voice.

Steve is immediately blinded by the 1000 watt smile Eddie gives him.

And oh.

Oh he's in trouble.

Eddie is beautiful when he dances, it's a fascinating departure from the precision of ballet and even the fast pace of tap that Robin has shown him. Eddie left his hair down so the curls sweep around him as he moves.

This is all storytelling and emotion, it's deliberate but free, and Steve can hardly breathe as Eddie finishes.

"So what's the verdict big boy?" Eddie pants as he pushes his wild curls out of his flushed face.

Fuck, and that image alone has Steve blushing as well.

Steve swallows roughly, "Think you could show me a thing or two Eds," he murmurs softly as Eddie laughs.

They spend the rest of the afternoon with Eddie correcting Steve's posture and positions, slowly directly his movement, and letting his hands linger on Steve.

He's still physically sore by the end of it, and he wants nothing more that a couple of tylenol and a long warm bath once he heads home for the night, but Eddie's smile and the memory of his hands and gentle patience leave Steve feeling warm and hopeful for the first time in a long time.

He doesn't have to give up something that had been such a large part of himself for so long.

He can still dance.

It feels like he can breath again.

Steve goes to sleep that night and dreams of dancing with Eddie.

And in this one, he doesn't drop him, not once.

#steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things #steddie #steve x eddie #stranger things season 4 #afewproblems writes #fanfic #head canon #steve harrington is a dancer #the fruity four #platonic stobin #robin buckley x nancy wheeler #the fruity four are dancers au #eddie munson is a dancers #another stranger things dance au? its more likely than you think #may as well give the people what they want! #@magpiemuseum

[undreaming-fanfiction]

So, my beloved moots and I were talking and I brought up the adorable video of Markiplier and Jacksepticeye learning to pole dance. And it got me thinking.

Steve and Eddie, both popular YouTube creators, Eddie with his Dungeons and Dragons channel (and another one for his band), Steve with a blend of fitness and housekeeping tricks. They both have the weirdest mix of content, but somehow it works, they're also friends IRL. They get roped into a pole dancing challenge and they are very, VERY competitive about it. Eddie is determined to prove to the ex-jock that strength isn't everything. Steve's livelihood is fitness for god's sake, of course he won't lose.

Enter their sweet instructor, Chrissy.

Chrissy was kind enough to prepare an easy routine for both of them, but they're asking for more, more complex, the advanced tricks, of course we can take it. At one point, after Steve almost throws up when hanging upside down on the pole, Eddie shouts "TO THE DEATH!" at the camera. He reconsiders the moment he starts sliding down the pole and his leg hair catches on it.

They vastly underestimated the grip they need for the pole. Chrissy is smiling, bright and cheerful, but she's very much enjoying seeing her childhood friend Eddie gawk at his crush's legs in those tiny shorts, the bare stripe of his back and stomach when he pulls himself up.

It all ends when Steve's top rakes up as he accidentally slides down the pole and the hair situation happens again, only with chest hair. And Eddie might be slightly partial to them, not that he's subscribed to all of Steve's content, especially swimming, and he immediately hoists Steve up, supporting him, shouting "SAVE THE CHEST HAIR!". Except now Steve is sitting on Eddie's shoulders, still grasping the pole, and they have no idea where to go from here.

Chrissy just beams at them, sits on the ground and rests her chin in the palms of her hands. "Well, you've found yourself in quite a situation," she says and watches how they both go red, struggling to figure out the best strategy. She will help them in a second, but first...she takes her phone and snaps several pictures. Then she asks her boyfriend and another friend of Eddie's, Gareth, to provide a few close up shots.

The video becomes a hit and eventually, when Eddie and Steve start dating and collaborate on some videos, their catchprase becomes "SAVE THE CHEST HAIR!"

#steddie #steddie drabble #steddie crack #stranger things #strangerthings #stranger things drabble #eddie munson #steve harrington #youtuber au

[fizzigigsimmer]

Modern Au. Steve spends that summer watching Billy Hargrove. It starts when Billy gets a job at the pool, and Steve is worried about him giving the kids a hard time, Max and her friends especially. But to his surprise, Billy doesn't pay the party much mind and he seems to be a big hit with the younger kids. At first he thinks it's in order to flirt with their big sisters and the moms, but no. Billy's just good with them, and then Steve learns that Billy teaches their swim classes and it kind of blows his mind a little. He struggles to picture it but there's no mistaking Billy's name listed as Swim Instructor on the flyer on the bulletin board.

Billy makes a friend that summer. He and Heather are the type of besties that just amp each other up. When they're together they just keep getting progressively louder and sillier with their antics the longer they're in the same space, until they dissolve into full blown hysterics. He's talking wheezing snotty laughter. Kill me now for it hurts to breathe laughter.

Steve kind of gets it because he and Robin are like that and quickly becoming the best part of each other's lives. But he is wary of the whole Billy &Heather thing. A little enthralled too maybe, because Hargrove is so different with Heather than he is with anyone else. In the corners of that bright smile and veracious laughter he keeps looking for the guy who used to shove him around on the court and broke a plate over his head once. But he keeps finding new versions of Billy instead. Sitting in a booth at Scoops, grinning teeth and rosey lips licking up drippy vanilla ice cream in the aftermath of an assault with an ice cream cone that ends with him and Heather taking a selfie instead of violence.

It puzzles Steve. Irritates him for reasons he can't quite understand and that Robin is tired of hearing about. He's not upset that Billy found a friend - a real friend and not the popular crowd that had propped him up on the abdicated throne - it was just simpler, somehow, when Billy was an asshole who didn't make them. Steve didn't have to think about Billy's (or himself thinking about Billy) when Billy was just some jerk.

Steve spends so much time looking at Billy Hargrove, but it's not until the lifeguards at the Hawkins Community Pool upload a TikTok that he finally realizes why. It's captioned 'We're ready to back you up Adele!' And features Billy and Heather front and center, the unapologetic ring leaders of this circus act full of flapping arms and legs and wagging butts.

The thing is, Billy looks good. A smile in his eyes even as he pretends at seriousness, smooth movements juxtaposed against the goofy flailing of this peers, broad hands slapping thick thighs, the tip of his tongue resting in the corner of this mouth turning his grin just a little bit wicked as he and Heather turn and shake their assess for the camera to the delight of the others.

Steve's face goes hot at the way his dick twitches in interest. 'Oh' he thinks for the first time. He wouldn't have thought anything about it at all, watching Heather dance that way in her red bathing suit. But Steve's eyes aren't on her; they're where they've been all summer long. With Billy.

#harringrove #short fics #modern aus #tiktok #I saw a video of a pair of nurses doing this and just thought this is tottally what Billy and Heather would do #lol and they would eat that shit up no crumbs #Steve's Bi Panic has its own real estate in my head right now

[she-wolf09231982]

Chapter 1-Protégé

Summary: Howard Stark plucked you from boot camp to conduct his first female test subject using preserved blood samples taken from Captain America in place of the original Super Soldier Serum

Author Note: Character Intro, Steve Rogers x Female!Avenger reader, Captain America x Female!Avenger reader, Y/N, L/N=Wolf, Avengers, Marvel movie references, Howard Stark, Peggy Carter, Story takes place in 1953, Reader Avenger name She-Wolf, Military terminology, Post Captain America: The First Avenger, Pre Avengers

~~~~~~~~

Howard Stark is known for his brilliant and innovative mind. He was an inventor, engineer, businessman, and most importantly, a scientist. During World War II he helped perfect the Super Soldier serum that led to the beginning of Captain America with the help of a young man with the willingness to serve his country: Steve Rogers.

Since Howard Stark was indeed a scientist, testing theories and experimentation was what the man did best. He was curious to see if the same dosage of this special serum that was injected into Steve Rogers could also be used on a female with the same results. However, because the concentrated components of the serum nearly killed Steve during infusion and transformation, the effects on a female could be equally (if not more) fatal.

1953

Howard had decided to seek out a female subject to test his theory. He had been pitching the idea since legislation formally allowed women to join the military in 1948. As the Korean War ended, he was finally granted permission to proceed with his experiment. Howard headed to Texas to find his next volunteer at Lackland Air Force Base. That’s where he discovered you.

You enlisted in the Air Force and was close to completing your basic training. You had just finished a vigorous physical training course when you were approached by your training instructor (T.I.) to report to the common room in the women’s bay of the squadron. As you walk into the room covered in sweat and dust from head to toe, there stood Howard Stark writing out some sort of equation on the chalkboard. You waited patiently for him to address you but he remained at the board with his back turned to you.

“Sir, Trainee Wolf reports as ordered.” You announce.

“No need for formalities here, Miss Wolf.” Howard responded without turning around.

“Sir?” You asked.

Howard turned around and spoke to you, “Relax, young lady. I’m only here to chat with you.”

You eased your stance, and exhaled since you had been holding your breath.

“Have a seat.” Howard gestured at the chair across from the desk he stood on the opposite side from.

You obliged, but sat rigid in your seat uncertain and suspicious of this interaction. Howard sat in the chair at the desk opposite you like a teacher with a student.

“My name is Howard Stark. Have you heard of me?” He began.

“Yes sir.” You responded.

“That’s good. Then you must know what I’ve accomplished in my career?” He continued.

“I do, sir.” You kept your answers short and sweet.

You don’t know what this meeting is or what this man was up to but you weren’t letting your guard down.

Howard smirked as he studied you.

You remain stiff in your chair, waiting, staring back at him.

“Well, I’ll cut right to the chase.” He finally said standing up.

You watched him carefully as he walked around the desk.

“You’ve heard of Operation: Rebirth?” He asked.

“I have, sir. It was one of our lessons in class.” You explained.

“Then as you know, that’s how Private Steve Rogers became Captain America.” Howard paused…You waited.

“I came to Lackland to find a female subject to test the Super Soldier Serum on to see if the outcome would be the same. I have been observing your flight behind the scenes as you and your fellow pupils have been training. The other day I saw you, without hesitation, jump into a moat to rescue a teammate who slipped in on the obstacle course. Why?” He asked.

You look at him confused.

“Because she didn’t know how to swim, sir.” You said plainly.

“But it effected your final score when you crossed the finish line.” He added.

“Yes, but her safety is a priority. I can always start the race over. A human life doesn’t work the same way.” You justified.

Howard nodded in approval. He was impressed by your principles and sense of integrity. You were a breath of fresh air restoring his faith in humanity. Not to mention you were extremely fit physically and mentally. He saw you keep your cool while single handedly carrying the drowning female out of the water filled trench that day. You were perfect for this test.

“I would like for you to return with me to my lab so we can construct our first female super soldier.” Howard finally declared.

You averted your eyes to the floor, processing what he just said.

“Dr. Abraham Erskine originally generated this formula and speculated that the effects of the serum depended on the persons’ personality. Captain America being the prime example. Unfortunately, Dr. Erskine was murdered by a HYDRA spy and any remaining vials we had left of the initial formula were destroyed. We are only left with blood samples taken from Rogers in an attempt to recreate Erskine’s concoction.” He explained.

“You want to use me, sir?” You queried.

He nodded. You paused, then thought of another troubling question.

“Could this kill me?” You asked with slight strain in your voice.

“Well, the serum alone almost killed Rogers. Obviously, he survived. Not to mention, he was skinny and weakly at the time of infusion. You would be receiving vials of his blood intravenously through our Vita-Ray Chamber which emits wavelengths of radiation designed to accelerate and stabilize the fluid’s effect on the body of the patient inside.” Howard tried to explain simply.

You look at him.

“So, my odds of survival are higher since the serum is basically diluted in Captain America’s blood?” You retranslated.

“That’s one theory.” He replied.

You narrow your eyes at him. He senses your skepticism, then continues.

“This is science. We test hypotheses without knowing the exact outcome. That’s why we have to test them…to see what outcome works.” He clarified.

“And how many theories have you tested?” You asked.

Howard hesitated. “You will be the first female subject.” He admitted.

Your eyes widened. It all seemed so risky, yet also an opportunity of a lifetime. To serve a greater good and make a difference. It was the whole reason you joined the military in the first place.

You take a deep breath then exhale.

“I’ll do it.” You decided out loud.

Howard was ecstatic. And it showed all over his face.

“Excellent! I’ll make arrangements with your commander immediately.” He crossed the room to the door exiting the room.

You remain in the chair, wondering if you made the right choice.

“You can do this.” You thought to yourself.

~~~~~~~~

Howard Stark brought you to New York where the Vita-Ray Chamber was located. He set you up with sleeping quarters on the compound where the experiment was to take place. This was a busy place.

As Mr. Stark gave you the grand tour, you noticed every person walking around was wearing a white lab coat and carrying clipboards. Multiple rooms with tons of glass beakers and tubes filled with different colored bubbling liquids. You swear you saw a huge glass ball with electricity pulsing through it. Looked like scenes from the Boris Karloff Frankenstein film you watched when you were a kid.

You look around wide eyed and awestruck, barely listening to Howard’s words.

He noticed how preoccupied your mind was and chuckled.

“I know this is quite overwhelming. All this buzzing around happening here. All I need you to worry about is maintaining your mental and physical health while you’re here. We will commence testing in a about a month or so after we’ve achieved and charted your initial physical examination to ensure your body is prepared for the infusion.” He explained.

“Yes sir, Mr. Stark.” You replied while nodding.

You both continue to walk through the building, your mind swirling with questions.

“Mr. Stark, do these people know why I’m here?” You ask.

“Of course.” He looked over at you. “You are the most popular topic circulating through the labs. I’ve been waiting for eight years to proceed with this project. You know, since we’ve lost Rogers in 1945.” He added.

“Right.” You remembered from your classroom lessons in basic what happened to Steve Rogers.

Crash landing an aircraft filled with HYDRA weaponry into the Arctic preventing mass casualties. A lot of your lectures stemmed from Steve Rogers/Captain America history as a matter of fact.

~~~~~~~~

You spent approximately six weeks preparing for the Vita-Ray Chamber. Your daily schedule consisted of three balanced meals, two-hour physical fitness routines with a personal trainer that increased with difficulty every week, marksmanship practices, and Special Operation lectures to enhance your combat skills. Howard Stark also ensured your schedule included at least eight hours a sleep every night. You never felt so healthy in your life.

The day has arrived for you to receive the serum. You were nervous, sitting on your bed, wearing what can only be described as a white pleated pajama set. Your hair neatly pulled back into a braid. You hear a knock at your door, then see Mr. Stark’s face appear.

“Ready?” He asked.

You nod, push up from the bed and join him in the hall. He sensed something weighed heavy on your mind.

“Having second thoughts?” He began.

“No, sir. But I do have a concern.” You reply.

“Go on?” He urged.

“In one of the lectures, my professor said you added a unique blend of preservatives to Captain America’s blood samples that I’m about to get.” You explained.

“I did.” He confirmed.

“Won’t that extra component effect the experiment somehow?” You question.

“It was necessary to add a stabilizer to the blood since it was unknown when we’d be able to conduct this experiment. The preservation ingredients are macrobiotic and were meticulously studied to ensure it wouldn’t tamper with the serum’s original basis.” Howard reassured.

“I see.” You say quietly.

He sees the concern wash over your face as you enter the elevator. Howard pressed the lower-level button, then folded his hands in front of him.

“I know you’re worried, Y/N. As the infusion is taking place, we will be closely monitoring your heart rate, oxygen levels, pulse, and blood pressure. If any of your vitals are even remotely irregular, we will abort the whole thing.” He clarified.

“Thank you, Mr. Stark.” You say looking at him with a weak smile.

You finally reach the door to the lab containing the chamber. You let out a long exhale as the door slides open and a team of people in white lab coats all turn to meet your gaze.

Howard gave you a gentle nudge forward to cross the threshold.

A woman appeared from behind a machine meeting you and Mr. Stark in the center of the room. A brunette with a British accent and a confident friendly face.

“Agent Carter, glad you could make it!” Howard greeted her.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world, Howard.” She replied shaking his hand. She looked at you.

“Agent Margaret Carter,” she extended her hand to you, “but, my friends call me ‘Peggy.’” She said with a smile and a wink as you shook her hand.

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” You returned.  

Peggy and Howard laughed.

“I appreciate the customs and courtesies, but please, Agent Carter or Peggy will suffice.” She clarified.

Peggy addressed Howard again.

“The Vita-Ray Chamber is prepped and ready. Whenever you’re ready.” She said placing her hand encouragingly on the side of your shoulder. She turned on her heel and joined one of the team members at one of many machines.

Howard faced you.

“It’s time, Y/N.” He stated.

You look to him, then at the sea of white lab coats in front of you. All of them staring at you, lined up on either side of the infusion machine, waiting for you to proceed onward to what could be a major success story, or a complete utter failure. You square yourself towards the chamber and take a deep breath.

“I’m ready.”

~~~~~~~~

#marvel #captain america #steve rogers #captain america x reader #howard stark #peggy carter #agent peggy carter #the avengers #marvel cinematic universe #marvel mcu #super soldier #air force #military #captain america x female reader #steve rogers x f!reader #steve rogers x female reader #captain america x you

[galaxiesandstarlightinherveins]

Hear me out:

Merman performer!Steve. So he still hasn’t figured out what he wants to do with his life. Maybe he’s working as a lifeguard or as a swim instructor and he meets someone who’s a professional mermaid and after hanging out, she convinces him to give it a try and he’s in love. Spends his government hush money on tails and starts performing at bars. He’s a natural. He starts doing stuff for kids, birthday parties and whatnot and the kids love him.

And he was terrified of his scars ruining the look he was trying to go for but they only add to it. Made him look like a warrior. The Party thinks this so fucking cool (except for Mike but no one cares what he thinks) cause now they know an actual merman. And they keep trying to get Steve to play D&D as a merman.

Eddie takes one look and almost dies on the spot. Steve as a merman was something he never knew he needed until he saw him perform. And if a merman NPC named Stephen started to show up in his campaigns, well that’s no one’s business except his. Shut up Robin.

#stranger things #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson

[marypsue]

It's Sneak Peek Sunday! And I totally forgot to put up a sample to celebrate finishing chapter eight (of a planned fifteen total, so now we're more than halfway through!) of former heroes who quit too late! So here's that!

...

Chrissy’d never thought she’d honestly be relieved to see Billy Hargrove. But then, she’s never had to close down the whole pool and fish out a turd that turned out not to be a turd, either. Today is just full of firsts.

There’s something about Billy that just puts her on edge. Nothing Chrissy can put her finger on, exactly. Heather thinks she’s being paranoid, that he’s a garden-variety jerk whose looks more than make up for every time he opens his mouth. And she’s probably not wrong. There’s plenty of those at Hawkins High.

It’s just – there’s something intense about him. Something Chrissy’s never really noticed in Jason, or Patrick, or, like, Steve Harrington or whoever else is riding on his looks to excuse his mouth this week. Something she thinks maybe Heather should take a little more seriously.

She has to concede one point to Heather, though. Billy Hargrove is not hard to look at. Too bad there’s no way Jason’d ever grow out his hair.

Still, the relief that sweeps over Chrissy when she looks up from the test strip she’s checking and sees Billy standing on the other side of the pool is unexpected. And it’s also short-lived. Billy doesn’t look like he’s here to pick up his abandoned shift at all. He doesn’t have his bag with him, and he’s not wearing swim trunks, or his lifeguard tank. Actually, those might be the same clothes he was wearing yesterday. Chrissy thinks that’s a twig caught in the dishevelled tangle of his hair. There are visible beads of sweat standing out on his forehead, and he’s all flushed, even though it’s not that hot out.

And he’s just – standing there. Watching her. Like a creep. Chrissy’s not really sure how long he was there, before she noticed. Or how long it’s been since the last time he blinked.

“Billy?” she asks, setting aside the water testing tools slowly, so she doesn’t spook him. Abruptly, and for no real reason, she’s reminded of the horses at the mountain lodge resort her parents took her to the summer after fifth grade. Of how the riding instructor had warned them all never to approach a horse in its blind spot. How if you startled a horse, it’d kick.

There’s something about Billy’s eyes, as he seems to shake himself awake, that makes Chrissy think of startled horses. Of their eyes, big, so wide the whites are visible almost all the way around, rolling with mad, helpless terror. It makes her wish Billy would look anywhere else.

But he doesn’t. Just says, flat and even and steady, “You need to come with me.”

Chrissy swallows the inexplicable lump of nerves sitting high in her throat. “Uh oh,” she tries, with what she knows is a weak attempt at a smile. “Do I need to get the mop and bucket?”

Billy doesn’t react to her admittedly kind of pathetic joke. Or actually answer the question. He just keeps standing and staring until Chrissy stands up. Then he turns without a word and starts walking toward the storage shed.

Chrissy looks over at Heather, who’d retreated into the shade of the building after she’d burned her back so badly. But Heather doesn’t seem concerned at all. She just meets Chrissy’s eyes and nods in the direction Billy just went, waiting until Chrissy starts to walk around the pool before coming over to join her. She keeps pace beside Chrissy as they both follow Billy over to the storage shed, but she doesn’t look over at Chrissy once. Chrissy tries not to feel like she’s being escorted, like she’s got bodyguards.

Like she’s being herded.

Billy’s waiting beside the door of the shed when Chrissy reaches it, pulling off the padlock and chain that’s the only thing keeping an army of kids in Jams and water wings from poisoning themselves with chlorine. He steps aside as Chrissy comes up to the door, with a sweeping little gesture and the first hint of an expression Chrissy’s seen him wear since he looked up from the pool. It’s his usual slow, sarcastic grin, crooked and somehow mocking. But somehow it seems stiffer than usual. Takes a little longer to spread across his face. “After you.”

Chrissy looks up at Heather. Heather doesn’t react at all. There’s a shadow of a smile on her face, too, patient and curiously vacant.

“We already re-treated the pool,” Chrissy says, to Billy. She still doesn’t think he’s blinked. “And it wasn’t even a real turd. Just somebody’s nasty prank.”

Billy’s smile doesn’t shift an inch.

“Chris,” Heather says, sounding vaguely annoyed.

Chrissy takes a deep breath in. Whatever practical joke these two are planning, Heather’s her friend.

Even if she doesn’t seem to take Billy seriously enough, she wouldn’t help him do anything that would actually get Chrissy hurt.

#this is mary's fic tag #stranger things #former heroes who quit too late #the hawkins indiana psychic baby boom #fighting for my life trying to get this fic done. it's outlined. i think all the major plot problems have solutions now. #it just needs to be. written. #feat. me attempting to write a character who appeared for five seconds and everybody seems to Know Things about that I don't #couldn't bring myself to finish season four so all of my chrissy cunningham knowledge is via fandom osmosis #so. please be kind to me