Corroded Coffin Are Celebrating An Album Release In Vegas. Eddie Gets Bored Of The VIP Area At The Club

I just noticed that in this clip Steve picks up the receiver with his right hand, tosses it to his left… and then passes it back to his right to clock the guy

I just know that if Steve had a sword or something he would be doing so much extra fancy twirly shit

Stobin sketch night 💜

"You just can't handle the fact that these people aren't falling all over themselves to get your attention for once in your life!" Eddie growls, arms thrown in the air in exasperation.

"I don't care about getting their attention, Eddie!" Steve says once again because it feels like they've been arguing in circles forever when it's really only been about half an hour. Steve wishes he could say that he didn't understand how they got here but he does.

Eddie and his new friends. Friends that don't like Steve and go out of their way to make sure he knows that. Friends that throw snide remarks that Eddie chuckles along with. Friends that make Steve feel unwanted in his own home.

It's infuriating and frustrating and hurtful that Eddie just lets them talk about Steve like that, lets them talk to Steve like that.

"Right, so you've said," Eddie scoffs and rolls his eyes, like Steve's the one being immature.

"Well, since you think I'm fucking lying or something, what do you think this is about?" Steve's says, hands on his hips as he stares down Eddie at the other end of the tiny galley kitchen of their apartment.

Eddie works his jaw, the way Steve's seen him do when he's holding back a comment he thinks is particularly scathing. It's been a while since Steve's been on the receiving end of this.

"Just say it, Eddie! We're never going to end this argument unless you do," Steve goads. If Eddie will just say the thing, they can talk it out. They can work through this. Steve can fix it, but only if Eddie tells him the truth.

"Maybe it's just fucking karma, Steve!" Eddie yells. "Maybe you just can't handle that I have friends who think you're not cool and they aren't going to pretend you are!"

Steve's jaw drops, the infuriating-frustrating-hurt feeling intensifying into what feels like a lead ball in Steve's gut. Karma. Karma? "Karma? Like because I was a self-centered asshole in school that I, what, deserve to be treated like trash by your so-called 'friends'!?" Steve goes as far as to make air quotes around the word friends.

"Yeah, maybe," Eddie says, quick and even like he... like he really believes that.

Like he really believes that this treatment is what Steve deserves.

"This situation is not the same," Steve shouts back.

"Seems the same to me. The group majority against the minority. It's not like you ever stood up for anyone when Hagan was trying to give everyone swirlies, or when Perkins would knock shit out of people's hands and fake laugh an apology. You just can't handle it now that you're the minority."

"That's not the fucking same! I didn't know you in high school!"

"Well, they don't know you, either!"

All the fight drains from Steve at those words. It's like Eddie has flipped the switch in his brain to see what is happening. To see it from Eddie's point of view. Or, if Steve is being kind, the point of view of Eddie's friends who don't know Steve because they refused to get to know him.

"So, what, they're allowed to treat me the way you think I treated you?" Steve asks, voice quiet and matter of fact.

"Yes," Eddie says and then his face pinches as he actually processes what Steve said. "Wait. No. That's not- It's not exactly like that. It's just, like- the guys were saying it was status quo or something."

The guys. Eddie's 'friends'.

It's strange how 'the guys' went from meaning Jeff, Gareth, and Grant to this new group of friends and Jeff, Gareth, and Grant have become The Band. A separate, new category, othering even them from Eddie's new friends.

"I- Are you even hearing yourself right now?" Steve says in disbelief. He can see Eddie getting worked up again, so he barrels on. "I'm not just some jock you don't know. I'm your boyfriend. Your fucking boyfriend, Eddie! If you were my boyfriend in high school, I wouldn't have ever let my friends speak to you the way you let them talk to me!

"And I can't even defend myself because then everything they're saying is fucking true! That I'm a bullshit dumb jock just waiting for a chance to get violent. And I'm not! I'm not a jock anymore. And I'm not dumb! And I'm not bullshit!" Steve's vision gets blurry, and he knows he's crying but he doesn't really register it. The hurt he's feeling is leaving his body and he's just feeling numb now. "Jesus Christ, Eddie, I would never let someone talk to you the way you let your friends talk to me, and about me! Because beyond it just being the goddamn decent thing to do is not let people speak about others like that, but I love you and I can't imagine ever allowing someone to treat you the way your friends treat me. Why do you like them more than you love me!?"

Eddie's face is doing something complicated, like it always does when Steve cries. Like Eddie wants to sooth him but isn't sure how.

And that's all it takes. Something in Steve crumbles but not in the way he wants it to. Steve was hoping that if they talked this out that they could be okay. They could figure out a way forward.

Because here is Eddie's face, showing how much he loves and cares for Steve and wants to help him, but all Steve realizes is that Eddie might love him, but not enough to tell his friends to treat Steve with some basic respect and kindness.

He can't be here anymore. He can't be in this kitchen and see his hurt reflected on Eddie's face. He can't be in this apartment that used to feel so cozy and comforting and now just feels like a prison. He doesn't know if he can even be in this relationship if Eddie doesn't love him the same way as he used it.

How did they get to this point? How did they get to a point where Eddie is just okay with people treating Steve this way? How did Steve let it go this long without addressing it sooner?

When did Eddie decide that the approval of his new friends was more important than his feelings for Steve?

"Steve, I-"

Steve doesn't stick around to hear whatever it is Eddie's going to say. He turns on heel, speed walking to the door where he pauses just long enough to grab his jacket from the coat rack before fleeing the apartment.

-

Inspired by @novacorpsrecruit's fic, It’s lonely at the top. Which has a happy ending, so you should read it.

Modern AU.

Steve is a bit clueless about social media. He had been on it for a few years but realized it was detrimental for his mental health and went on a much needed cleanse. And besides, he would get anything truly important from Robin, and anything not so important from Dustin.

And really, Dustin is the one blamed for this whole mess. It started with a clock sounding app that Steve kind of brushed off until it was everywhere. TikTok.

He didn’t download it because he heard several rants from Robin about how she swore she was going to spend ten minutes on it before suddenly realizing hours had passed. And Steve felt glad that that wasn’t him.

But soon enough, TikTok would get a little too involved in Steve’s life.

See, unbeknownst to him, Steve was getting a little famous on the app because of Dustin Henderson. The kid had posted some video of Steve giving him a lecture about the importance of calling and texting when he gets home that had gone a bit viral.

And it wasn’t because people were agreeing with what Steve was saying. They just thought he was hot.

And Dustin thought it wouldn’t hurt if Steve just… didn’t really know about the small fame he was racking up. He worked from home anyways, and he didn’t go out in public too much to be recognized. So Dustin kept up with the videos until Steve noticed one day that his phone was pointed at him.

“I’m just saying… Dude, are you filming me?”

In the video, the phone is put down and the screen goes black before some muffled arguing is heard in the background and the phone is picked up, showing Dustin shrieking while being held back. The camera flips to reveal Steve staring at it confused. “What the hell? Is this that Tiktok app you’re talking about?”

The video cuts itself off after reaching the time limit Dustin had set. But Steve is still confused and presses on a bit about it until Dustin confesses he has a bit of a fan following. Steve is now way more than confused until Dustin shows him all the videos and comments.

Of course, that leads to another lecture that has Dustin willingly admitting to being in the wrong. But Steve, as always, gives in a little and tells the kid that if he wants to keep filming then it’s fine, “But don’t post that video.”

“I won’t. I won’t. Jeez,” Dustin promises before going to his drafts and uploading the video.

And Steve thinks that maybe that’ll be the end to it. Maybe the people won’t like him now that he’s noticed the camera.

And that is definitely not the case.

The video goes very viral because not only does it show Steve closer up, but Eddie Munson, the up and coming artist, comments on it “👀”.

And fans kind of blow up over the comment, and they beg Dustin to ask him what he thinks of Eddie and his music. Of course, Dustin is more than willingly to comply.

He goes over to Steve’s and starts filming as Steve is putting the finishing touches on a homemade pizza, so he’s a bit distracted to notice. Dustin asks Alexa to play one of Eddie’s older song that’s been climbing the charts as Eddie’s name has become more well known. Steve kind of smiles and sings the words under his breath.

“So, Steve, you like this song?”

Steve rolls his eyes as he slides the pizza into the oven replying, “You know it’s my favorite.” Then he turns to Dustin and gives him a look before saying, “I told you, if you’re filming you have to tell me-”

The video cuts off and is posted with the caption @ eddiethefreakmunson this is for you.

And Steve goes on with his life without knowing anything about the way the internet is blowing up when Eddie comments, “Please tell me he’s single.”

And Dustin, being as sneaky and subtle as he can, brings up Eddie Munson that night after seeing the comment that is posted quickly after the post - he even follows Dustin, and it takes all his willpower not to freak out in front of Steve. But Steve just shakes his head and says he has no idea who Eddie is which doesn’t surprise Dustin much. Steve was never one to really look into bands.

Dustin calmly suggests, “So, I was wondering… there’s this like thing on TikTok where people are asking their parents and grandparents to rank celebrities that they don’t know. And I thought it would maybe be cool if we made a video of that.”

Steve looks at him for a few moments and thinks about it. It’s not like anything will happen if he voices his opinions about random famous people, right?

Wrong.

He just kind of shrugs, and Dustin asks to use his phone. Steve hands it over, and Dustin quickly unlocks it.

He sets up his camera and starts recording.

“Hey, you guys know Steve here. He’s agreed to rate some celebrities today, and we’re going to start with Eddie Munson. Steve, did you know that he sings one of your favorite songs?”

Steve eyes the camera uneasily and replies, “No?”

Dustin smiles. “The one I played earlier. Your favorite.”

“Oh,” Steve replies and just shrugs. “I just know it’s by Corroded Coffin or something.”

Dustin grin gets wider. “And have you ever seen a picture of the lead singer from the band?”

Steve looks at the camera again and back at Dustin. “No? But you know this. I’m not really too big on social media.”

“Alright, so can you close your eyes while I pull up a picture of Eddie Munson?”

Steve’s eyes narrow at Dustin. “I really don’t trust you but sure.” He sighs and puts his hands over his eyes not sure how he got here.

He assumes Dustin is talking to the camera as he says, “So, this is the picture I’m going to… Focus. Come on. Damn it-”

“Language,” Steve lectures with his hands still over his eyes.

“See what I have to put up with?” Dustin asks and Steve scoffs. “Oh, finally it’s focused. It’s this picture if you’re wondering.” There’s a bit of a clatter on the table below Steve before Dustin continues, “Now, Steve, you can open your eyes.”

Steve’s hands fall down dramatically as he glares at Dustin. He can see his phone is laying on the table in front of him. “Now was that really neces…” he trails off as he looks down and slowly finishes, “sary… Woah.”

On his phone is a picture of a guy with longer hair, holding a guitar, and grinning at the camera in a genuine way that tugs at Steve’s heart. He realizes Dustin typed the name into Google and just went to images, so he swipes to look at more. He smiles and even laughs at the more ridiculous images with him sticking out his tongue and making little horns with his fingers and even one where he’s completely mid air wiping out on a small stage.

“Steve’s scrolling through all the pictures you find when you search for ‘Eddie Munson’ on Google if you were wondering what he’s looking at.”

The voice snaps Steve back to reality and he slightly startles as he looks at the camera. He feels a blush rise on his face as he asks, “Is it still recording?”

“Yes it is,” Dustin says sounding a little too proud of himself. “And Steve, what would you rate this man on a scale of one to ten?”

Steve glances back down at the picture and smiles. “This is the one who sings my favorite song?”

“Yep!”

Steve looks at the camera and says, “He deserves way more than a scale from one to ten but even then he’s always going to be off the charts.”

“So a ten out of ten.”

Steve scoffs, “An eleven at least.”

“And Steve, one last question.”

He hums in response slightly confused.

“Are you single?”

“Dude, you know I’m single. Why are you asking?”

Dustin smiles. “And that’ll do for this video!” He giggles as he ends it and types up something before posting it.

Steve feels like he’s out of the loop about something, but he’s not sure what. He decides it’s better not to ask. “No more TikTok for the rest of your visit, okay?”

“More than okay,” Dustin says with a smile before launching into the latest drama in his life. Steve settles in and listens while the pizza cooks.

Eddie has already commented, “Marry me?”

-:-:-:-:-:-

The next day, Steve wakes up to his phone blowing up with notifications, but what worries him the most is the twelve missed calls from Robin. He calls her and she immediately answers, “Why didn’t you tell me you were dating Eddie Munson?!”

“I’m what?” Steve says groan and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

“Your name is everywhere, dingus, talking about how you’re Eddie’s TikTok boyfriend!” Robin yells.

“I thought you offloaded TikTok,” Steve replies confused.

“Oh my gosh, that is not what you should be worried about right now. Stop dodging my question!”

Steve grunts as he gets out of bed and makes his way to his coffeemaker. “Robin, don’t you think if I were dating some famous dude that I would’ve told you, my best friend?”

There’s a huff on the other line. “Well when you put it like that…”

Steve can’t help but laugh.

“Just, these sources are really convincing! Especially with all his comments on Dustin’s TikToks about you.”

Steve freezes. “He’s commented on those?”

“Yeah, dude. It’s all over how he recently commented on all videos that Dustin posted in the past few weeks saying stuff like ‘mine.’ and ‘Gareth is about to steal my phone because I can’t stop gushing over Steve.’ And blah blah blah Steve this Steve that.”

“Who’s Gareth?” Steve can’t help but ask as a bit of jealousy twists in his stomach.

“Oh my god! You cannot be jealous because of a stranger!”

“He’s a hot stranger who sings my favorite song!”

Robin laughs hard on the other line, “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“I can’t either,” Steve says with a laugh, fully in disbelief about it all. He almost expects Robin to tell him it’s a joke, but he puts her on speaker so he can scroll through his notifications all about Eddie Munson. He takes a deep breath and decides to Google Eddie again except this time one of the top search results is “Eddie Munson and TikTok Steve.” He clicks on it and feels his heart pound at the stupid articles that claim they’ve been dating for years and his “Marry me” comment was an actual marriage proposal.

“Oh, that is not a flattering picture of me,” Steve groans and keeps scrolls. “Shit! Robin, there’s a picture of you and me here!”

“No shit!” Robin shrieks.

Steve looks at the article and laughs, “They think that I’m straight and you’re my girlfriend.”

“No way!” Robin yells laughing. “Life cannot be real right now.”

Steve keeps scrolling until he suddenly closes out of the tab. Life really can’t be real. He takes a moment to settle in it. He’s probably going to be recognized a bit now until this whole thing dies down, and shit, they might try to dig into his personal life. Will this effect his job? His reputation? What are people going to find? Are they going to make crazy shit up about him?

Steve lets out a deep breath and runs his hands over his face. Some of the internet thinks he’s dating Eddie Munson. He scoffs at the idea but thinks about how Eddie has somehow commented on all these videos about him. But maybe he was drunk or something. Robin’s right. He doesn’t know the man.

“I’m in some deep shit, aren’t I?” Steve asks.

“We’re in this together, you know,” Robin replies. Then there’s a clattering sound and some freaking out on the other line.

“Robin?! Are you okay??” Steve yells into the phone.

“Yes! Yes! Sorry. Yes. It’s just…” she takes a deep breath. “Eddie Munson followed me on Instagram. And he messaged me. Oh my god.”

“What does it say?” Steve asks, stomach fluttering with butterflies.

“Holy shit, he wants to know if he can get your number and understands if not, but he can’t find your social media anywhere and now he’s freaking out about asking if you’re straight but then taking it back saying he doesn’t want to out you or anything. And this is actually really funny he just keeps sending stuff, but holy shit Steve! What do I say?”

Steve takes a moment to think about it. If he says no, the whole buzz will kind of die down, and his life might return back to normal. He could get Dustin to delete the videos, and maybe it would bruise Eddie’s ego but maybe the sources would just assume Steve was straight, it was some publicity stunt, or thing just didn’t work out. Everything would go back to normal, and he wouldn’t have to think about Eddie and the way some of his songs have gotten him through shit, or how his smile is easily the most gorgeous thing he’s ever seen.

He takes a deep breath and replies, “Okay. Uh, give him my number.” His eyes widen. This is happening.

Robin replies, “Sent! Oh my god. This is the coolest moment of my entire life.”

There’s a notification from a new number that appears on Steve’s phone soon after that says, hi uh this is Eddie :P

“He texted me,” Steve breathes out and shakily types out Hello, I’m Steve :). “And I replied.”

There’s already the bubbles that appear as Eddie types something else before they disappear and reappear and disappear again before reappearing. A message finally appears.

How do you feel about FaceTime?

Steve stares at the message and says, “Robin, I’m going to have to call you back. I’m about to FaceTime Eddie Munson.”

Life is not real.

Steve Harrington front row at a Corroded Coffin concert, holding up a sign asking Eddie to be his first kiss. Of course, Eddie’s never been particularly strong-willed when it comes to pretty guys, so he doesn’t hesitate to jump off the stage as soon as he clocks the sign. But the entire time they’re making out (and trust me, they are making out), he can’t help but think how good this guy is for a beginner. And because Eddie is immediately down bad, he calls him backstage after the show and tells him as much, but the guy just giggles and says “Actually, that wasn’t my first kiss. I just wanted to kiss you.”

So... I'm writing a fic. It's been sitting on my drafts for over six months, that's why I think it's time to post it even though I barely have anything more written.

Maybe now that it's published I'll have more motivation, anyways; here it is:

Erlking. / (ˈɜːlˌkɪŋ) / noun. German myth: a malevolent spirit who carries children off to death.

Jonathan just wanted to find his brother and was looking wherever he could, and if 'wherever' meant Harrington's backyard, he would look at it.

It was just that Jonathan was expecting to find his brother. Not... King Steve and Eddie 'The Freak' Munson having a pretty enthusiastic make up session.

Or. Stranger things through out the seasons with established steddie, Steve being friends with everyone, Hopper and Wayne being surrogate fathers and death lurking at every corner of Steve's life.

Archive Warnings:

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death (temporary).

Categories: Gen, M/M

Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016)

Relationships:

Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Jonathan Byers & Steve Harrington, Jonathan Byers & Steve Harrington & Nancy Wheeler, Steve Harrington & The Party, Steve Harrington & Wayne Munson, Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington & Jim "Chief" Hopper, Steve Harrington & Everyone, Minor or Background Relationship(s)

Additional Tags:

Steve Harrington-centric, Queer Steve Harrington, Queer Eddie Munson, Canon Rewrite, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Canon-Typical Violence, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Established Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Secret Relationship, Jonathan Byers & Steve Harrington Friendship, The Party as Family (Stranger Things), Steve Harrington Acting as The Party's Big Brother, Steve Harrington Has Bad Parents, Steve Harrington Has Absent Parents, Platonic Soulmates Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington, Protective Eddie MunsonProtective Wayne Munson, Protective Jim "Chief" Hopper, Found Family, Everyone Loves Steve Harrington, Final Boss Vecna, Death, Temporary Character Death, Major Character Undeath, Talks About Death, Body Horror, Torture, Suicidal Thoughts, Grief/Mourning, POV Multiple, POV Outsider, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Self-Indulgent, Gratuitous use of italics, Good Babysitter Steve Harrington, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Graphic Description, Tag – Freeform.

Steve and Eddie being chaotic childhood friends, gaslighting everyone they know.

It started when one of their teachers wanted the students to make pairs with someone they didn't know or get along with; therefore, friends couldn't make the project together.

Of course, Eddie wouldn't pass the opportunity to be dramatic and annoy a little bit the teacher, acting like it was the worst thing to ever happened to him and throwing himself on Steve's desk, making the other roll his eyes in a fond way.

It was the beginning of the year, but in small towns most of the kids knew each other since before, so it wasn't that weird of a request; but the teacher was also new, so they didn't know the relationships of the kids very well.

That's why when a small kid with a rebel vibe, starting to grow his hair and going to a more dark look, annoys them and says it would be a nightmare to do the project with a preppy kid, clearly rich boy vibes and in his way to be popular, they knew who they were putting the kid with.

The teacher smirked, thinking they did well; meanwhile, Steve and Eddie were trying not to grin and communicating with their eyes to not messed up and go along with it.

They ended up having to act like they hate each other in front of the teacher so they could carry on with the project, but what about the rest of the class who knew they were friends?

They follow along.

Maybe it's to gain Steve's favor, maybe they thought it was funny, or maybe they thought it was about damn time they stopped being friends, that it was a good way to finally separate them and make Steve fully part of the jocks and Eddie less intimidating for the rest of the outcast.

Anyway, the whole class goes along with it, and Steve and Eddie, like the dorks and drama queens they are, decided it's a funny bit to keep.

At some point they were too deep into it, having to act for the rest of the year like that because of the project and somehow convincing the whole school. Their friends to enemies story becoming popular knowledge.

Steve and Eddie now just think it's too funny to stop, so they continue to gaslight everyone.

Eddie? Steve? No, thanks; I hate that guy.

Anyway, they going to high school, and the whole mess with the upside down happens. At that moment, Steve is so happy to being able to keep Eddie away from it.

I just love a clueless Eddie trying to figure out what's happening to his (finally) boyfriend at the same time the Party is clueless about the relationship between their dungeon Master and their babysitter.

—

+Extra (imagine them being famous in the future)

AU where Eddie gets all his love advise from the exasperated cop that keeps arresting him only to later learn that Steve is Hopper’s adopted son.

Steve Harrington, who has a very “in name only” relationship with his parents, the people who claim they love him lots but have simply given him cash for his last six birthdays without bothering to send a card. 

Steven Harrington, who lost his connection to the only adults in his life who actually parented him when he had his final fight with Tommy and Carol-- not that they ever really did that much. Having an adult put a bandaid on his knee and complimenting him for being tough was plenty enough. 

Steve Harrington, who drove Dustin and co. to the Byers house that one Christmas and was told by Hopper not to come in; that Joyce was still mad at him about the ‘demodog in the fridge’ and figured his exclusion was fair--it wasn’t like Hopper actually liked him. Joyce certainly had no reason to. It wasn’t like he was doing anything for Christmas anyways. 

Steve Harrington, who is fairly certain Robin’s parents have clocked her as queer but who still treats him in that careful way many parents do when he’s hanging around their daughter. There’s a barrier there, in the way of firm handshakes and “get her back safe”’s that keep things formal. (It’s never bothered him before, and he swears it doesn’t bother him now.) 

Steve Harrington, whose relationships with adults are defined by words like “networking”, “proper connections”, “favors”, and “finances”, who has at best been treated like a miniature version of his father and at worst as a spoilt moron, who encounters Wayne Munson and has no idea what to do with the man. 

Wayne Munson, who asks him actual questions about his life. Who asks him to watch the game with him. Who calls him “boy” and “son” in ways that sound affectionate and not frustrated. Wayne, who shoos him away from the dishes and compliments his cooking, who has invited Steve over when Eddie isn’t even home.

Steve Harrington, who keeps apologizing to Eddie because “I’m not trying to steal your Uncle man, I promise.” and doesn’t believe Eddie when the latter just laughs at him.

(“You can’t steal Wayne, Steve.” Eddie says with a snicker, when he finally figures out what Steve is apologizing for.  The guy apologizes a lot for things that make no sense, it’s a bad habit Eddie’s working on him with. “Though I do believe he has been trying to steal you.” 

“Oh.” This does not relieve Steve. In fact, this seems to make him more nervous looking, which Eddie does not want. 

“I uh. I don’t want to come between you guys so I guess we can just hang at my house…?” The voice he trails off with is downright painful for Eddie to hear, and he’s already slashing his hand in the air in a wild ‘No’ before Steve can even finish speaking.

“Dude you’re fine. I’m glad you guys are getting along! Wayne needs someone to talk sportsball with and clearly so do you because you keep trying to talk about it to anyone who will listen.”

“I guess if you’re alright with it…”) 

Steve Harrington, who allows himself to be adopted by the Munsons much in the way a feral cat lets itself become domesticated, and who starts looking at Wayne like the man hung the moon. 

Wayne Munson, who is referred to by Steve as “Dad” exactly once, and feels so fucking happy about it he misses the panic attack Eddie has to talk Steve through. 

He also misses that that is the moment when Steve accidentally confesses his feelings to Eddie in the Munson’s (new) cramped bathroom, on grounds that “I can’t date you and also call Wayne dad like that, that’s weird! Isn’t that weird!? It feels weird!” 

(“Sweetheart,” Eddie says, trying not to smile and failing entirely. “I get what you’re saying, but I think in your panic you missed something kinda key, there.”) 

Steve Harrington, who gets himself an entire family in the end (and gets to both call Wayne “dad” and Eddie as his boyfriend, without issue, because “we’re not related babe, you can call your inlaw whatever you want.” 

“Now who's skipping steps? When did we get married?”

“The very second it’s legal, that’s when.”) 

--and has never been happier in his life.

You know that trope where Person A thinks Person B is just being nice but they’re actually flirting. What about the opposite? Person A misreading their behavior and being the only one falling impossibly in love.

Eddie really is just that nice and friendly, but Steve is convinced that Eddie is flirting with him. He’s flirting back, less confident and more subtle than he usually would, but he’s never liked a guy that way.

Not in a way that made him really want to spend every waking moment just hearing them ramble. Not in way that made Steve want to keep him the way he wants to keep Eddie. Everything is so new. It feels, delicate. Precious.

His heartbeat quickens each time Eddie leans into his space and it’s been happening all the time now that Steve worries he’ll develop a heart condition if he doesn’t deal with it soon. When Eddie laughs and leans his face closer to his own, looks into Steve’s eyes through those lashes in a way that Steve can’t help but take a quick glance at those lips curled is mischief.

He’s always so happy to see Steve, wasting no time in bouncing his way to greet him and pull him into the conversation with an arm slung around his shoulder. Then there’s the moments of shared glances when someone says something particularly astounding. And how Eddie will make his way into Steve’s space when they sit together, throwing his feet in his lap or leaning into his side.

Sure, Eddie is friendly but not to this extent. Not with everyone else. Steve feels it. Knows it. That electricity between them that makes this thing between them different. Special.

But one day (another that Steve spends trying to work up the courage to do something), they’re in the city shopping for music in an alternative store that’s tucked away. Steve is talking to Eddie, giddy and happy because it just them today, and Eddie is nodding along while he browses through the tapes and then,

Eddie looks up and stills, eyes widening just a bit. And Steve is still rambling along, but he can tell his words are just going through one ear and out the other. He trails of caught in the middle of his story because he’s never seen this look on Eddie face.

Eddie’s mouth is slightly agape, eyes alight caught in wonder and soft as he looks at something across the room and when Steve turns to see what caught his eye—

A guy stands a couple tables away looking at some vinyl and shyly smiling at Eddie in small glances. He’s a bit taller than them, dressed in black with a couple of piercings decorating his face, the sides of his head shaved short. Attractive, dementor coy and kind.

His heart skips a beat again, but it feels different this time.

Steve looks back at Eddie whose cheeks are slightly dusted in pink.

“Eddie-“

Eddie takes his lower lip between his teeth before smiling back at the guy and continuing without casting a second glance at Steve, “yeah, uh, give me a second, okay?” And he’s crossing the room without waiting for a response.

His chest. It feels…

Like those few seconds before plummeting down a rollercoaster… when your way up high, at the very top, the moment still with the anticipation of the fall, and there’s nowhere else to look but down.

You finally plummet and caught in the whiplash thinking you must have left your heart back at the top.

There’s static there on the bottoms of his feet and at the palm of his hands. The world goes a bit distant as he watches them.

Eddie’s leaning against the wall with a sultry smile adorning whatever sweet words he’s speaking.

Steve’s drowning in the honey, it’s palpable. doesn’t know if it’s better or worse that he can’t hear the words.

Eddie’s fiddling with a curl that’s draped over his shoulder, pulling it slightly over his face like a young school girl.

Steve doesn’t think he’s ever seen Eddie appear anything but confident and loud; the image of the person in front of him is foreign, strange.

Eddie’s speaking to him but his eyes are locked on the guy’s lips that are wet from the tongue that peaks to briefly lick them as he listens.

Eddie’s shoe is nudging the guys own, as he talks, playful.

Oh.

Oh.

Mouth dry, Steve’s throat clicks.

It’s hard to swallow.