#i want eddie to talk to steve keeping him awake during the car ride asking him the randomest questions and learning so much about him | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

apomaro-mellow · 1 year

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Turkey Day

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"So help me god Dustin if you make us late-"

"I'm almost ready! Jesus! Keep your pants on!"

Dustin was stuffing things into his suitcase. He had procrastinated on packing and last night he totally meant to finish it but lost track talking to Suzie and Eddie was a total hypocrite.

"I bet if I had to wait on you and Steve you'd tell me patience is a virtue."

"Steve and I never made you miss a plane!"

Dustin ignored him and hefted the suitcase, going past him to leave his room and bound down the stairs. Steve was waiting in the car, having won rock, paper, scissors on going to get Dustin.

"Bye mom!"

"Have fun Dusty!", Claudia called out.

When she had finally relented to letting Dustin go all the way to California for Thanksgiving, she thought at first that she'd simply mope around the house. She and Dustin had only a few more holidays together before he went off to college after all. But then Karen had handed her a pamphlet to a resort and now Claudia was also off to a sunny destination for the next few days.

"We'll keep him out of trouble Mrs. Henderson!", Steve called out from the driver's seat.

"Alright, alright, let's go let's gooooo", Eddie urged.

"What's his deal?", Dustin asked as he fell into the backseat. "We've still got a ton of time."

"He's a little nervous", Steve said as he began to pull out.

Dustin took a closer look and saw Eddie was restlessly tapping his finger on his leg and bobbing his knee at the same time. "Oh. Is it your first time flying?"

Eddie looked in the rearview mirror and saw the look of glee on the kid's face. "Don't look so happy about it."

They drove up to the Sinclair's and Erica was waiting on the front porch while Lucas was just coming out of the house.

"Took you long enough. You said this time on the DOT", Erica said while Steve put her suitcase in the trunk.

"Watch the turkey!", Eddie shouted from the front seat.

"He's actually bringing that thing on the plane?", Lucas looked incredulously at the cooler sitting in the trunk.

"You'd think that thing was his baby it's so precious to him", Steve said as he closed the trunk.

-------------------

Nancy prided herself on her planning. When she had a goal, she executed it. Even if the person with her wasn't the most competent person. She loved Robin dearly, but past experiences had put her in that 'not so competent' category. It was mostly her nerves. Robin was brilliant and insightful but when her nerves got the better of her, that part of her brain basically shut down.

So Nancy was totally prepared to have to drag her to the plane and coax her until take off and soothe her during the ride and gave them plenty of cushion time during her planning so that there was no way they'd be late.

But Robin was not afraid of flying. Not even a little anxious. Nancy almost brought it up to ask why but didn't want to seem like she was belittling or underestimating her.

In fact, it was about two hours into the flight, that Nancy was being comforted by Robin. Nancy had fallen asleep. The ride had been smooth so far. But suddenly there was turbulence and Nancy was being shaken awake.

The rumbling of the Upside Down.

Being shaken by Steve as Vecna released her from her nightmare.

The earthquake that shook her home.

She let out a sound and even though no one turned to look at her, she felt like she might as well have been screeching in fear.

"Hey, hey, you doin' alright there?", Robin asked, touching the top of Nancy's hand.

She took it like a lifeline and held it tight, trying to take some deep breaths. "Just...", she gulped deep, trying not to seem like a madwoman on a plane. "Just a little surprised by the bump."

"I know right? Whoever thought of speed bumps in the air? Guess there's no air cops to keep pilots honest so they gotta think of other ways." Robin left off with a little chuckle and for the first time today she sounded nervous.

Nancy rubbed his thumb across her knuckles, only catching at the last second how Robin's breath hitched. Robin then started to fill the silence with school work. This thing they had was still new and exciting. And getting to explore it while at college, away from Hawkins, and Steve, and Jonathan, was probably the best thing that had ever happened to her.

In the dark of the plane's cabin, Nancy kissed Robin's knuckles and that made her rambling even more frantic. Nancy let her go on, it was exactly what she needed.

------------------

"Check the turkey."

"I'm not checkin' the turkey."

"Eddie I know I said it's like your baby, but I didn't mean it."

"Too late. My baby goes where I go."

Steve leveled a look. One that said 'it's me or the bird'. And Eddie honest to god looked like he was considering it before handing off the turkey to be checked under the plane.

For all his posturing, Eddie was glad that he wasn't clutching a cooler when they finally settled into their seats. He'd much rather be clutching Steve's hand.

"Just breathe", Steve said whenever the hold turned to iron.

Steve was in the aisle seat. Eddie was in the middle with Erica at the window. Dustin and Lucas sat behind them. Eddie kept from shouting during take off but had yet to get comfortable, his entire body stiff as a board.

It wasn't until Erica started talking to him, first nudging him on hints for the next campaign, which Eddie was always tightlipped about, and then getting his advice on this one boy at school, did Steve feel his grip loosen, his body soften, and then eventually Eddie let go of his hand altogether.

--------------------------

Max watched as Joyce and Nancy moved about the kitchen like a well oiled machine, getting things prepped for cooking tomorrow. Sometimes Jonathan came in as well to help. Sometimes Mike tried to get a snack and Nancy would bat him away while Joyce handed him a little something and sent him on his way. She always gave Robin something though.

It was odd having this many people in the house and no shouting. At least, no mad shouting. Well, no mad shouting with violent intent. Nancy and Mike bickered a lot. She had left Hawkins earlier than anyone else, having the excuse of needing extra travel time. She was still in a wheelchair, and that made most things more difficult, but it also meant she got prime seating in the Byer household.

It meant she could watch the magic of Thanksgiving right before her eyes. Joyce and Jonathan had taken care of most of the shopping, apparently Eddie Munson was adamant about bringing the turkey, but since Nancy arrived with Robin, things were taking shape.

Honestly, it was an atmosphere she was unfamiliar with, but one she could get used to.

Thanksgiving Day - Meal time: Six Hours

It was early in the morning, about six when the Byers phone began to ring. Nancy had been finalizing the menu, so she was the one to answer, much to Steve's chagrin. He would've preferred if someone answered and could've just told Nancy themselves.

"What do you mean, you're going to be late?", Nancy asked. In her attempt to whisper in order to keep from waking anyone, it came out more like a hiss. She turned her voice a little more gentle. "What happened?"

"They lost the turkey."

If Nancy strained to hear, she could make out Eddie's voice, distressed, presumably speaking with an airport employee. Nancy really sympathized with Steve's position. It couldn't be easy dealing with Eddie and three kids but-

"You're supposed to be here to help."

"Argyle's already here to pick us up, we just gotta find the bird and we're off."

"Steve..."

"Trust me, Nance."

"I trust you", she said, leaving it unspoken that she was still unsure about Eddie.

"And that's all I need."

The call ended and Steve turned to see Eddie staring at the baggage claim carousel like he was contemplating going down the tunnel to find the turkey himself. Steve grabbed him by the back of the shirt and felt like he was grabbing a puppy by the scruff and not his intelligent boyfriend.

Meanwhile, back at the house, people were starting to wake up. Joyce, Hopper, and El were making breakfast. The smells from the kitchen were already beginning to fill the house and rouse the rest from their sleep. Breakfast was a lazy affair where the residents and guests came in as they pleased, sampled some and then went off.

Once everyone had eaten, Nancy basically closed off the kitchen to anyone who wasn't involved with the dinner.

Meal time: 4 hours and 15 minutes

The phone rang again and this time Robin answered and Steve thanked all powers that be.

"Tell Nancy we're gonna be a little late."

"Something's holding up Steve and the gang", Robin announced to the kitchen.

"What?!" Nancy stopped her chopping to take the phone. "What is it this time, did Eddie lose his head?"

"No, Dustin lost his lunch, or his breakfast I guess. Argyle was taking us to this place for breakfast burritos, you know I figured you guys'd be done with breakfast by the time we got there and Argyle said get anything but the fish and you know Dustin, that kid hears 'don't' and goes right for it and-"

Steve paused and Nancy could hear retching in the background. "Is he okay?"

"He will be. Just needs to get it out of his system. We're gonna be here til he does."

"I found my turkey, Wheeler!", Eddie crashed into the conversation.

"That's great news!", Nancy said, genuinely happy. It wasn't Thanksgiving without one. "But Steve, you really have to get here soon."

"We're coming. I promise, I won't let you down."

"Can't you give me a little more than that?"

Steve glanced at Eddie, who gave him a look of confusion. "Can you go and check on the kids?', Steve asked.

"Yeah, sure thing man."

Eddie walked away but turned back to see Steve practically whispering into the pay phone. Now what kind of secrets was he sharing with Nancy Wheeler?

Meal time: 3 hours

Robin was talking with Murray while Max was broadening El's horizons via the Thanksgiving Day Parade on tv. Will chimed in whenever he could. Mike was being surly in the corner, having been officially banned from the kitchen.

Nancy and Jonathan were helping Joyce with some of it but it was slow goings without Steve and every time someone outside the kitchen asked about it, Nancy wanted to tell but couldn't. It was that they needed Steve's assistance. But he had something they desperately needed. Just as Nancy was about to throw in the towel (right into the sink), a bunch of voices were heard from the front door.

"Where's my better half?", Steve called out right before Robin launched herself at him. The separation due to college had been torture. Eddie didn't balk at Steve's choice of words. He'd come to accept that Steve and Robin were basically two halves a whole.

"Alright, let's get this party started right!", Eddie made a beeline for the kitchen to get ready with the turkey.

"Get in there dingus, I'm starving!", Robin began shoving Steve towards it as well.

"Damn, I don't even get a break? I've been shuffling around a gaggle of kids since yesterday."

"Hungry!", Robin shouted.

Once in the kitchen, Nancy looked at him expectantly. Eddie was already preparing the turkey, suddenly in his element.

"I got the stuff", Steve said with a confident smile.

Nancy let out a breath of relief. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's get started", she beamed.

The kitchen was a rotation of Nancy, Steve, Joyce, Hopper, Jonathan, and Eddie. Robin was the only one allowed in to get snacks for herself and others. The rotation allowed some to take a break and rest their feet before continuing the time honored tradition of Thanksgiving day cooking.

As the time neared, stomach growls reached their peak and the kids were glancing at the kitchen more often, weighing their odds at sneaking something more substantial. When the turkey was in the oven, Eddie took over the entertainment, having been handed the grand task to keep little fingers out of pies.

There was a moment when Steve was taking a breather and watching Eddie re-tell a story from his freshman year, voices and all, totally enthralling every young ear and he couldn't keep the adoration off his face if he tried. Eddie caught his gaze and winked. Neither noticed Murray watching them from over the rim of his hot cider.

"Dinner is served!", Joyce announced.

It was a near stampede and Hopper had to raise his voice like he was corralling wild animals. The dining room was set with extra, mismatched chairs and at first no one noticed the index cards that accompanied every dish, figuring it was just to tell what it was. Seemed a bit unnnecessary with the fairly tradiitonal spread until Dustin recognized the handwriting on one.

"Is this my mom's glazed ham?"

"Dude, gross", Mike said.

Dustin slapped him on the arm. "Her ham recipe!"

Sure enough, Claudia Henderson's handwriting was on the card, detailing how to make her famous ham.

"And this is dad's potatoes", Erica pointed out.

"You got our parents to write down our favorites?", Max asked as she saw her mom's recipe for sweet potato casserole. Something she hadn't actually had in years, but had fond memories of when she had been much younger. She couldn't belive her mother actually remembered how much she liked it.

"It was Steve's idea", Nancy smiled.

"I just thought even if you weren't home, you should have the taste of it."

"Which is why I needed him to be on time with the recipe cards", she jabbed him with her finger.

"So that's the secret you two were hiding", Eddie said.

"Sorry I didn't tell ya dude, but you can't keep a secret to save your life", Steve grinned.

With the sweet gesture recognized, dinner started in earnest. Eddie's turkey was amazing and totally worth it. But you didn't hear that from Lucas. After the meal, there was a laze for about ten minutes before the kids were up again, some starting a football game outside, others watching specials and going for seconds and dessert.

As the sun got low, there was an argument on what movie to end the day with. Some were ready to get the next holiday started with a Christmas movie while others were staunchly against it.

"I can't believe you're siding with the enemy", Eddie said.

Steve rolled his eyes. "Christmas is about family, being grateful, and a big meal. It's practically the same holiday."

"But you don't get presents on Thanksgiving", Erica said. "Unless I missed something."

They eventually settled on a non-holiday themed family film, something to lull most of the house to sleep with a full belly. Partway through the movie, both Steve and Eddie got up to go to the kitchen to nibble on something and Murray followed soon after. He came in just at the right time to see Eddie hip-check Steve away from the apple pie to get himself a bite and to watch Steve gaze intensely at Eddie's lips while he licked the crumbs away.

"Okay, let's just cut to the chase", Murray said, startling them both. "Which is that you two need to cut to the chase before any of these kids see something they're not supposed to see."

"What is he talking about?", Eddie asked.

Steve shrugged. "I have no idea. The pie? That we should get a plate?"

"I'm talking about you two", Murray clarified. "The glances. The touches. The bickering like an old married couple. Just put us and yourselves out of this misery and admit you're into each other."

Eddie's eyes got big and Steve's jaw dropped.

"I know for a fact Joyce has got a guest room in here. It won't be empty for long but I figure two healthy young men can hash it out in the time it takes for a kid's movie to end."

"But we-he and I-the two of us are-"

"No, no, no Stevie, he's right", Eddie said, interrupting his boyfriend's attempt at an explanation. "We need to be honest with our feelings. The feelings we've been feeling for so long but never once spoke out loud."

"Eddie-"

"I won't hear a word of it until you hear my full confession", Eddie took Steve's hand and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm absolutely crazy about you, Steve Harrington."

Steve bit his lip and surrounded by Eddie like this it was easy to forget there was a strange man just a few feet from them. "Fuck it. Let's go."

"Have fun boys", Murray saw them off as they went up the stairs.

Another couple actualized, thanks to him. Too wrapped up in patting himself on the back, he missed the giggling and Steve batting Eddie's hands away before they were out of sight of the rest of the house.

The movie went on and by the end of it, just about everyone was asleep. Joyce and Hopper looked at them all, and decided to leave them there except for Max, who had a proper inflatable bed to sleep in.

Seeing all of the kids, all of their kids, slumbering peacefully, safe and warm and full of love not just from them but from all of their families, they truly had a lot to be grateful for.

#stranger things #apo writes #fanfiction #steddie #ronance #steddie gets murrayed but not really

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