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steddiealltheway · 1 year

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Has this been done yet? (Oh, this is so much longer than intended)

Everyone knows Eddie is in love with Steve. It's not like he really tries to hide it. He's always flirting with him, taking up all his personal space, and finding excuses to constantly hang out with him.

The only person who refuses to believe this is Steve. He insists that Eddie is just dramatic, so all his feelings are larger than life, and flirting is just second nature to him. Really, it means nothing. Although Steve wants it to mean something.

He's come to terms with being bisexual after a quick discussion with Robin about what his feelings for Eddie meant. And really, after discovering a universe that is the parallel Hell to his own, being bi is the least of his concerns.

On the other hand, Eddie Munson is one of his greatest concerns. Every time Eddie flirts with him, his brain goes perfectly blank. And it doesn't help that Steve gets so distracted by the man's damn lips. But Steve can tell it's all just a part of who Eddie is. He draws people in until they're utterly enamored with him, and his means of flirting is his way of drawing Steve in.

Honestly, hearing everyone trying to convince him that Eddie has feelings for him just makes Steve uncomfortable because none of them have confirmation from Eddie about it. And it just fills the room with a weird tension whenever Eddie and Steve are with anyone else. Eddie has brought it up a few times with a quick whispered, "Why is everyone staring at us?" And Steve just brushes it off until Eddie moves onto some random topic that has Steve dropping everything he's doing to listen.

But one day when Eddie's at Family Video, he's grabbing a tape and suggesting him and Steve should watch it at nine that night. Steve instantly agrees which has Eddie fanning himself and flirting, "Watching a movie with the Steve Harrington. How will I ever be able to recover?"

Steve leans in and finally flirts back, "It's a date." Which has Eddie freezing in a place a moment before he clears his throat and slow-mo punches the counter.

"It's a date," Eddie confirms without his usual bravado that has Steve finally noticing it. The dilated pupils, the way his eyes flicker to his lips, the way he licks his lips when he leans in, and just the general soft look he gets when he looks at him.

Eddie likes him. And Steve is about to pull out all the moves at his trailer tonight.

Eddie leaves a bit after that, not sticking around like he usually does, but he tells Robin he has a date to prepare for when she comes out of the breakroom. As soon as he's out the door, Steve is spilling everything to Robin who agrees to help him before his date.

A few hours later, and a lot of arguments over outfits later, Steve is showing up on Eddie's doorstep with flowers in his hands. Eddie opens the door and accepts them with a laugh. "What a kind date you are," Eddie says and welcomes Steve inside.

Steve looks around and takes note of how the trailer doesn't really look any different, and Eddie hasn't changed since he left, so Steve's unsure of what he was preparing for unless... He shakes his head. Too soon.

Eddie flops down on the couch and offers Steve a beer which he gladly accepts to calm his nerves a bit. He sits right in Eddie's space and puts his arm around the back of the couch. Eddie looks at him and jokes, "And I thought you hated when I got in your personal space." Nonetheless, he leans into Steve as the movie starts.

And Steve has no idea what's happening on the screen. He goes through his beer fast and sets it on the table in front of them. He turns to Eddie and asks, "Where's your uncle?"

Eddie glances up at him and replies, "At work."

Steve gets distracted by how close his lips are to Eddie's but decides this is the perfect time to finally make a move. "Good," he says as he leans down.

Only, Eddie is shooting back and asking, "What are you doing?"

Steve freezes. Eddie doesn't look pleasantly surprised at all, instead he looks scared and confused. Fuck. "Uh, forget about it. Sorry," Steve says as he scoots away from him and slowly stands up.

"It's okay," Eddie says still looking a bit panicked. A few awkward moments pass by before he's talking again, "I...I should apologize for leading you on... with the flirting in stuff... I didn't know you were..." he trails off.

"Bisexual," Steve fills in for him. Eddie gives him a confused look. "It means I like men and women."

"Oh," Eddie says, eyes still wide but looking a bit lost in thought.

Steve just echoes, "Yeah, oh." He fidgets the edge of the stupid blue shirt Robin had said would make Eddie lose his mind. He feels a pressure behind his eyes that's wildly embarrassing. "I'm gonna go," Steve says and rushes out the trailer and into the pouring rain. He has no idea when it started raining, but it doesn't matter because Eddie doesn't even try to stop him.

Steve parks his car outside of Robin's and goes to the side of the one-story house and knocks on her window. Robin is unlatching it immediately and asking, "What the hell are you doing? It's raining out."

"You were wrong about Eddie. He doesn't like me. Why would you convince me he did?" Steve says loudly over the rain.

Robin's eyebrows furrow. "There's no way he doesn't. What makes you think that? And get inside, you're already soaked!"

"He apologized for leading me on, Robin!" Steve says, not caring about the rain or how loud he's getting. "He didn't even stop me when I left! So, don't try this whole setting people up with me thing again. I'm done with that." He stalks off as Robin calls out to him.

He knows he's being dramatic, but he doesn't care. He really liked Eddie, and he hadn't been prepared to be rejected by him. Worst of all, this is going to ruin their entire friendship. Who are they without the flirtatious banter and constant teasing? They weren't dating but Steve has never felt so heartbroken before.

When he gets home, he doesn't really think, just goes to his pool and dives in. He's already soaked, so it's not like it matters too much. He floats on the surface and closes his eyes, feeling the raindrops falling on his face which are noticeably colder than his tears, but at least he can pretend it hides them.

The sound of thunder in the distance is what drags him out of the pool. He's not going to let lightning be the thing that kills him after everything. Although his heartache feels a bit intent on killing him. But that just makes him angry at himself.

He isn't allowed to be this hurt over things. He really isn't. He should've known better. That's all. His thoughts wear him out until he's falling into a fitful sleep.

Work the next day sucks. Robin's acting all anxious around him, and Nancy comes in acting all sympathetic until Steve finally snaps, "If you're not here to get a movie, then you have no reason to be here."

After that, Robin lectures him about taking his anger out on other people. At least she isn't giving him that damn sad look anymore.

For the first time in weeks, Eddie doesn't show up during his shift, and Steve realizes he needs to get used to that.

A week later, the kids are giving him the same treatment Nancy did after they finally get Steve to spill the reason why Eddie doesn't come to the Family Video anymore. Steve slips away into the back after Robin tells him it's his break time - which is absolute bullshit, but Robin doesn't let the kids know that.

Steve has his head in his hands when he hears the door to the breakroom open. He doesn't look up, expecting Robin to tell him that the kids have left or something. Instead, he hears, "Just give him a while. If you're lucky, it won't take him years to figure things out."

Steve's head slowly comes up to reply, "Not all of us can be lucky like you and Mike."

Will shrugs. "If not, you know Eddie will still be friends with you. I give it a week before things are back to normal." Steve smiles at the kid. He's optimistic and determined in a way that makes Steve feel a glimmer of hope.

Two days later, Steve is wiping off the counter towards the end of his shift when he hears the bell to the front door ring. He glances up to find Eddie walking in looking slightly cautious as he looks around the empty store.

"Hey," Steve says as he approaches the counter.

Eddie smiles slightly and says, "Hey." Then, he's handing over a tape to return, and Steve tries not to flinch when he recognizes it as the one they were supposed to watch that night.

"A bit late," Steve jokes but automatically clears the fees before he sets it in the returns pile for the next day.

Eddie puts his hands in his pockets and shrugs. "I forgot." His eyes lock with Steve's for a moment before they begin to look at anywhere but him. "Where's Robin?"

"I let her go early," Steve explains. Another awkward silence settles between them.

"Well," Eddie says and removes a hand from his pocket to drum his fingers on the counter. "I'm gonna head out."

"Wait," Steve calls out as he turns around. Eddie freezes. "I'm about to lock up. Could you just wait around a few minutes?" Steve asks, trying not to cringe at the desperation in his tone.

Eddie turns around and gives him a small smile. "Of course."

Steve nods and rushes to clean up. It won't kill anyone to close the store a few minutes early. He grabs his stuff from the back and is slightly surprised when he finds Eddie still waiting for him when he returns. But he glances up and gives him a smile that makes Steve believe that maybe Will was right. Maybe things will return back to normal in a week.

And they do. Eddie starts showing up during Steve's shifts again, talking about something random which Steve listens to full heartedly although sometimes he doesn't get half of what he's saying. Then, Eddie is returning a tape that has been late for so long that Steve actually gasps when he sees the late fee. But Steve automatically clears it which has Eddie flirting, "Is this because you think I'm cute?"

It has both of them freezing for a second, but then Steve is firing back, "I'm just making sure you know that you owe me in the future." Eddie pouts ridiculously dramatically which has Steve laughing and saying, "And maybe because you're cute."

The compliment has Eddie's cheeks turning slightly red before they move on to a random topic. Steve is happy to find their dynamic shifts a little after this which allows Steve to flirt back easily. It confuses everyone else, but Steve is perfectly content with it, especially when he finds Eddie's smiles growing with every compliment he gets.

One afternoon, Eddie is looking through tapes and gives him the oddest deja vu when he holds one up and says, "We should watch this together."

It's said all casual, but Steve hasn't hung out with Eddie alone since... yeah. And he's kind of freaking out. "After my shift?" Steve asks.

"It's a date," Eddie says with a bright smile that has Steve excusing himself to go to the bathroom.

He splashes his face with cold water and takes a few deep breaths. It isn't actually a date this time - he knows that. But the memory of the last time might be a little too much for Steve to handle. He dries off his face with a thin paper towel, and exits the bathroom only to find Eddie anxiously fiddling with his rings at the counter.

"You okay?" Steve asks, and Eddie turns and nods with an unconvincing smile. Steve lets it go as Eddie talks about his most recent DnD session with the kids and how Will is a genius. Steve definitely agrees with him on that topic.

A few hours later, Steve finds himself in the Munson trailer on the same couch, drinking the same beer, but this time keeping a respectable distance from Eddie. Minutes later, Eddie is heading to the fridge to grab two more beers, and when he comes back, he sits right next to Steve.

Steve glances towards him in slight confusion, but Eddie remains staring at his TV as he practically chugs down his second beer. Before Steve can reach out for the other one, Eddie is opening it and starting on a third one.

Steve's hand comes up to settle on Eddie's hand on the bottle. Eddie slowly puts the bottle down and blurts out, "My uncle is working again."

Steve just slowly nods, not sure where he's going with this. Eddie looks at Steve and his eyes quickly flicker to his lips where they linger. Steve can't help but ask, "You okay?"

Eddie's eyes snap back up to Steve's eyes, and then he's taking his beer and taking a large gulp of it that has Steve on edge. He's definitely preparing for something, but Steve has no clue what it is.

Eddie turns to him and asks, "Remember when you told me you were..."

Steve racks his brain. Into you? Gutted when you didn't like me back? "Bisexual?" he asks.

Eddie nods quickly. "I... hadn't heard of that before, and it had me wondering if... I was bisexual."

"Oh," Steve says as his heart rate increases.

"Yeah, and then I thought about Chrissy and how I thought I might like her, but I think I just liked her the way Robin likes you. Completely platonically." Steve nods as Eddie builds up the courage for what he's going to say next. "And I kind of realized that maybe I didn't like girls at all. But then that freaked me out, and I realized that maybe I need to think less in labels and more about how I feel."

Steve tries not to smile as Eddie's face scrunches up as he mumbles out, "That's so fucking cheesy. Christ." In a normal volume, Eddie continues, "And I think that I have... feelings for you. Especially after you tried to kiss me. I just couldn't stop thinking about how I wanted you to, but I didn't know what that meant either. But then when you were flirting with me, I just... wanted that forever. And then fucking Mike had to talk to me about how it made me feel to imagine you with anyone else - which turns out to be really fucking not good."

Steve laughs, and Eddie finally looks at him with a big smile and says, "Don't laugh at me while I'm trying to admit I have feelings for you! That's rude!"

Steve laughs even harder and explains, "I'm laughing because you got the Mike lecture while I got the Will pep talk."

"Huh?"

"Will told me you would come to your senses eventually, and if not, you'd still be there - as a friend."

Eddie looks off for a second and shakes his head. "We can never tell them those worked. Dustin will be so pissed."

"You're right," Steve says with a laugh, but then he finally realizes what Eddie is saying. "So, you might like me?" Steve asks feeling every bit like a high school boy.

"Yeah," Eddie admits and turns to look towards his beer longingly.

Steve cups his jaw and turns his head to face him. "Want to find out?" Steve asks.

Eddie's eyes flicker to his lips again and his hand comes up to mimic Steve's as he rests his hand on his cheek. "Yes," Eddie breathes out.

Steve slowly leans into his space and lets Eddie meet him halfway for a slow kiss. Eddie pulls back after a moment and smiles wide, "Yeah, I'm definitely not straight. And I really like you."

Steve smiles and brings Eddie in again. "I really like you, too," Steve says before he kisses him again.

Posted on AO3 for @starkdusk

#steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie ficlet #stranger things

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lavendermunson · 5 months

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cards - eddie munson

day 3 of leia's christmas tree farm

cw eddie struggles with mental health, eddie's pov. henderson!reader (no physical descriptions). angst. exes to lovers. inspired by a scene from love actually.

Eddie is a mess right now. He sits on the couch of his trailer, his right leg bouncing as his foot taps loudly into the floor. In his head, breaking up with you was the best thing he could ever do to protect you from all his mood swings, tantrums, and anger episodes.

But he fucked up, you haven’t talked to him for a month and it’s killing him. He missed you, he let you go for a stupid, stupid reason and he regrets it every day of his damned existence.

The phone rings so loudly that it makes him flinch. As annoyed as Eddie can get, he picks up the phone and shouts “What do you want” to the person on the end of the line. As good as his luck can get, it’s only your brother, Dustin.

“I’ll be quick, my sister is going out with a weird guy. Well, he is not weird, he is just Drew and he isn't you, Eddie. I know she loves you, I know you love her and this guy isn’t good for her. Please do something! They are watching a movie at his house! GO NOW!”

Dustin hangs up the phone, leaving Eddie speechless. Jealousy crawls over his body, he holds the phone so tight his knuckles turn white. He knows this guy, he has been in his house for a couple of parties and even if Drew is not the worst person ever, he still has something that Eddie loves, something Eddie wants.

He makes a plan and after an hour Eddie gets in his van and turns on his walkie-talkie to talk to Dustin on his way. It has to be perfect.

When Eddie arrives at his destination, he hears the phone ring inside the house. That was his sign to knock on the door, not too hard but with his hand shaking in desperation.

You open the door and Eddie’s heart melts, you look so beautiful. Even more beautiful than he remembers, his memory doesn't do justice to your perfect and beautiful face. He lets out a nervous sigh as his breath comes out in a cloud from the cold. He holds the cue cards in his hands and presses the play button on the boombox to a Christmas song sung by a random caroling group. He begins to pass the cards.

He feels so lucky you didn’t close the door on his face, that was a great sign.

‘I’m sorry, I know I fucked up’

You cross your arms over your chest, wrapping the blanket you had around yourself to warm you up while the cold wind hits the front porch.

‘I love you, since that time in the sandbox’

‘Remember? I found a ladybug and gave it to you’

A voice comes from inside the house, you jump at the sudden scream.

“Hey, who is that?” your date asks while holding the phone in his hand. “I’m getting a huge deal on family video tapes over here!”

Oh, and Steve is going to kill Dustin.

“Great!” you reply, looking over at the guy with the red phone in his ear, excited to hear how a little kid tricks him. Only he is oblivious about it. “Just carol singers, I got it”

And you return your attention to Eddie, who nervously passes to the other cue cards as you read them carefully, while his knees keep shaking. He has been planning this for hours, and it’s not what you deserve but it’s just a start. He thinks he can do better and he is going to.

‘Because we used to believe ladybugs…’

“Are for good luck since one landed on my hand the day we kissed for the first time”

You say, and Eddie nods with the biggest smile on his face. His cheeks hurt with the cold weather. He feels his fingers cramp, his arms are about to give out and he needs a better jacket but that didn’t cross his mind because you are in it. All the time.

‘I’m in love with you, that’s never going to change’

‘You make me better, kind, smarter…’

‘I miss you’

‘My life has no meaning without you’

He sees you crying, tears rolling down your cheeks making Eddie’s heart break like shattered glass because he knows he caused all of this mess. He just wants to fix it because he has lost a million opportunities by running away, this time he is doing the opposite and he is trying, he is trying.

“Are you gonna watch the movie?” Right, you are on a date. With a guy who has never broken your heart, while Eddie begs for forgiveness feeling almost stupid for it.

The final cue card comes, and Eddie has lost all of his hope. But it’s worth a try.

‘You are the love of my life, the only one I want’

The music stops. Both standing in silence, while Eddie holds his bleeding heart on his hands and you keep crying, bottom lip quivering and red cheeks hurting while you try to hold a smile.

“I- I’m sorry Eddie”

You take a step back and close the door. The dungeon master admits his defeat, picking the cue cards from the floor and the boombox from the steps on the porch. Walking to his van before collapsing on the snow.

He had to try. He had hope, he lost it, he lost you and now he will be heartbroken for the rest of his life. No matter how many friends he has, how many metal records he owns, and how many concerts he performs. Life would be nothing without you.

Once he gets in his vehicle his hands grip the steering wheel and he starts crying. He touches his chest, just where his heart is. The cold, his heartbreak, the thought of him losing the only person he loved other than Wayne. It’s too much and he honestly doesn’t know if he can handle it.

His sobs get cut when someone knocks on the window of the passenger seat, Eddie glances at the door ready to scream the loudest ‘FUCK OFF’ of his life with all the anger in his chest.

“You are the love of my life too, Eddie. I love you”

You hop on the van and kiss him. A soft but gentle dance of lips, mixed with tears. It’s so tender, so soft… it erases the what-ifs, the sadness, and the tiny little voice in Eddie’s head that used to torture him. And now, as you hold him. He knows it was worth the risk, he knows he should stop running away from everything. And that Christmas miracles exist, according to Dustin.

reblog to support your creators! comments are appreciated !! ♡ thank you for following my christmas event, remember you can still request a gift!

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bbyhellfire · 27 days

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Best friend!Eddie Munson who is secretly in love with you, but doesn't have the guts to do anything about it. Instead, he takes every opportunity to remind you that your ex is a dirtbag whenever he can.

eddie munsion x fem!reader, previous reader x male oc 890 words no major warnings; unrequited love, jealous eddie, oblivious reader, pls excuse any typos!

If Eddie has to hear you mention your ex one more time, he is going to scream. Scream and scream until his rage could be heard in the deepest parts of the ocean. Fuck, maybe even aliens in another galaxy would hear how jealous Eddie Munson is.

If ever there was a physical embodiment of what it means to be a lying scumbag, it's your ex. Eddie doesn't know much about Rob (the Knob), but he's enough to make his blood boil at the slightest mention of him. And rightfully justified. Your ex, Rob, is a certified manwhore, fucking his way through half of Hawkins all while making you fall in love with a fantasy of you and him.

When you caught him with his dick shoved down Carol Perkins' throat, Eddie thought that'd be the last he would hear of him. You cried and cried, and he was there to glue back the pieces of your shattered heart. Just two months ago you had a ceremonial bonfire to burn the last of his possessions and now you're bouncing on your feet, giddy at the news that your ex is back for the summer.

It makes Eddie want to put his head through the wall.

You're hardly looking at him or else you'd see the annoyed look on his face. You're fluttering around his room, smiling and giddy even though you're trying to stay so casual about it. Your hands run over the various knickknacks and trash that cover his bedroom as he sits on his bed, counting his baggies in preparation for tonight's party.

"Do you think he'll be there tonight?"

Eddie groans, his hand flying to rub his face and he lets out an exasperated "Jesus Christ." Not that you hear him. You're too caught up remembering the good times with Rob. Granted there weren't exactly many happy memories, but enough for familiar happiness to spread through your veins. You don't even realize you're smiling

"Unless Harrington is making friends with lying scumbags who break their girlfriend's heart, I doubt it. But he used to be friends with Tommy Hagan so who knows."

He's not jealous. No, not at all. He's just protective. There's a difference.

Diverting his attention back to his black lunchbox, counting the baggies again just to distract himself. The green-eyed monster inside of him is making his stomach feel is a liter of Coke and you just dropped in a Mentos shaped like your shitty ex.

"He's changed, Eddieee," You whine, turning to face him. "You know he's studying business? That's like...really serious. Totally mature and grown up. You know, like what CEOs and accountants study."

That cuts deeper than Eddie would like to admit. He knows you don't mean to hurt him - you're just trying to justify wanting to see the person who shattered your heart - but it still makes his jaw clench.

Eddie wouldn't have the chance to go to university and get some stuffy degree that he wouldn't even care about. If clean up his act now, he might become a shift supervisor at the plant by the time he's 40. Maybe 35 if he cuts his hair.

He shakes his head, shoving the rest of the baggies into his lunchbox and locking it shut. Whatever. It doesn't matter. Not when you're hoping to run into Rob at tonight's party.

"Hey, come on now," He doesn't notice you've sat down across from him until you're holding his hand, your fingers fiddling with his rings. Your voice is more timid than before, "He's changed. He's maturing, he's not the same person he was. I know it."

It's like you're trying to convince yourself. He should say something comforting, but Eddie Munson doesn't do comfort if it means walking you towards another heartbreak like you're pig heading towards the slaughterhouse.

"Sweetheart, banging your university professor so you don't flunk your second semester is not how you mature."

"That's just a rumor," You dismiss, dropping his hand much to his dismay. You cross your arms over your chest to protect you from the truth. Deep down, you know Rob hasn't changed. Eddie's snark is justified no matter how much you wish it isn't.

"Maybe. But he and O'Donnell were awfully close, just saying."

Your face churns in disgust, which makes him chuckle. "Gross, Eddie."

"Just reminding you in case you forgot."

You groan, turning around so you can fall back ontothe bed, "No, you're right. You're always right." You cover your eyes with your forearm for extra dramatics. "I'm going to die alone."

"Not true," He chuckles, placing his lunchbox on his nightstand so he can lay down next to you. "I bet if you keep feeding those strays, you'll have your own army of stray cats."

You groan despite the smile spreading across your lips. "That's even worse! Who the hell wants the crazy cat lady?"

Me, I do. That's what Eddie wants to say. He wants to hold your hand and tell you that he'll take you with our without an army stray cats. He'd take you in any way you'd have him.

It's what he should say.

But that means potentially ruining your friendship and that scares him more than you and your ex reconnecting. So instead, he cracks another joke at Rob's expense and this time you laugh and Eddie thinks another time. He'll tell you another time.

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson x you #eddie munson blurb #stranger things fanfic #bbyhellfire

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cacoetheswriting · 11 months

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pearl: october 1980

pairing: eddie munson x fem!reader word count: 2.2k summary: eddie has a conversation with the girl of his dreams.

content warnings: best friends to lovers, part of a slow burn, a lil mutual pining, adult language, use of pet names, oblivious idiots, self-doubt / insecurities - if i missed anything, pls let me know!

pearl masterlist <- part of this lil series, but can definitely be read as a standalone.

When it came to starting a conversation with people, Eddie sure as hell was not the confident type.

Middle School didn’t allow for a lot of practice, especially since as a person with interests that differed from the norm, he was shunned quite early on into a category he couldn’t, and often still can’t get out of no matter how hard he tries: freak.

People weren’t lining up to spend time with him even in a platonic capacity, and they sure as hell didn’t want to get to know him in a romantic way.

But with time, Eddie learned to be okay with that.

Especially since, as it turns out, most girls in Hawkins had some sort of ‘bad boy’ fantasy they liked to keep a dirty little secret and he was happy to oblige.

Plus it’s not like he badly needed anyone to actually call his own. High School was apparently a time of self-discovery and what he discovered in the last month was that honestly, he really didn’t mind being the almost invisible freak.

That all changed when you came around.

Your entrance into his life was rather unexpected and Eddie quickly realised that he needed to up his game. Yeah, perhaps he still wanted to be left alone, but that thought took a back burner whenever you laughed.

Honey, the sound of your laughter. Every time he heard it, his heart would skip a beat and his palms would start to feel clammy, sweaty, as he gravitated towards the sound instantly. As he gravitated towards you.

Unfortunately for Eddie, so did everyone else in this godforsaken town.

Who could blame them? Your arrival right at the start of the school year was perhaps the most exciting thing to happen in Hawkins since that maniac Creel murdered his entire family in the late 50s.

You had quickly become the new it girl and in the blink of an eye, you two were running in different circles. Your reality had become so far removed from his own, any hopes or dreams he had of getting to know you on a deeper level had become just that: dreams.

God knows he still thought about you often.

“Care to share with the rest of the group, Mr. Saltzman?” the teacher calls out, causing all heads to turn simultaneously in the general direction of the distraction.

This includes Eddie's and he's glancing up from the scribbles in his notepad to focus instead on a few rows ahead where you, the girl everyone wanted to be friends with, sat.

The boy sitting next to you shifts uncomfortably in his seat, shaking his head.

“We were just discussing the history of Halloween,” you chime sweetly. The teacher doesn’t seem to believe you for a second, but with such a likeable personality like yours, there’s not much else to say.

“Blake here doesn't believe Halloween dates back to the Celts, and the ancient festival of Samhain,�� you continue with the quite convincing lie and Eddie's surprised you know these obscure facts, “He thinks I’m bluffing when I say the day marked the end of summer for the Celts, who believed on the night of October 31st the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred, thus what we now know and celebrate as Halloween.”

Your confidence certainly is admirable, although why you choose to protect the douche you called a ‘friend’ was beyond the young metalhead.

“I guess the conversation probably could have waited till after class so, won’t happen again. We’re sorry,” you add with a soft smile.

When the teacher returns to the blackboard, resuming the lesson no one was really paying attention to anyway, Eddie observes as you mumble something to Blake before turning your head ever so slightly in his direction.

The air hitches in his throat as he awaits the standard "What are you looking at, freak.", but it never comes.

Instead, you smile at him and Eddie can feel his face turn a gleaming shade of red — pathetic. He quickly ducks his head down, but can still feel your eyes on him. It takes everything he has to stop himself from looking up again, afraid of somehow making a fool of himself.

Luckily, he manages to keep distracted till the bell rings, but he's not completely in the clear 'cause as everyone disperses in a hurry, you approach him.

“What you doodlin’?”

When he doesn't immediately answer, or meet your gaze for that matter, your hand appears in his field of vision. Your moves are hesitant at first, but since Eddie doesn't protest, you twirl the notebook around on the desk.

“Well shit, Eddie. These are really fucking cool.”

He snaps his head up, possibly a little too quickly, a little too eagerly, but he couldn’t help the act of surprise 'cause he didn’t realise…

“You know my name?”

Your pretty eyes latch onto his momentarily and a smile circles your lips. “Of course I do. As the new kid in town, I had to make it my business to know who’s who since y’all ogled me and my family from day one as if we were from outer space.”

He let out a semi-nervous chuckle as you pause, glancing back down at the notebook.

“Plus, you’re pretty much the only person in this entire school who’s got a good taste in music,” you state casually, as if it’s no big deal. And to you it’s not. Though for Eddie, your admission causes his heart to flutter inside his chest since no one's ever admitted out loud to liking the same shit as him.

“Anyway, are you going to this Halloween party tonight? I’m thinking of dressing up as Janis Joplin and I could really use someone to be Peter Albin…”

“I’d love to!”

You giggle at his excitement and Eddie's thanking some lucky stars that his rather abrupt reaction doesn’t scare you off.

“I-I mean, I love Peter Albin. Janis too. Dressing up as them with you would be cool," he rambles.

“Cool,” you say and flick through some pages of his notebook and bend over slightly to scribble something down. “This is my address. Come by around six if you wanna make it for dinner, my mom’s making lasagna. Also, if you wanna stay over after the party, we have a spare room so bring a change of clothes or somethin’.”

Stay over at your house... Eddie swallows and does his best not to show how his insides are literally shaking at the thought of: a) going to a party with you, and b) this casual invite to what one could only call a sleepover.

The bell rings, signalling it’s time for next period.

A small part of the metalhead is angry since it means the two of you have to part ways, at least for now, but as he stands to gather his things, to his pleasant surprise, you wait.

A certain envious feeling spreads through Eddie because he was never good at making friends, yet it seemed to come so naturally to you. Then something crosses his mind. What if this is some elaborate joke? After all, you are friends with some of the worst people this school has to offer, however, he does his best to shake the thought away for now and follows you out into the crowded hallway.

“So, are you a big Joplin fan?” Eddie asks, his best attempt to continue the conversation.

“Pearl is my favourite album,” you reply, “I know that could be a little tame to someone who wears a Judas Priest t-shirt, but I promise I also take devil worship super seriously.”

He snorts at your joke and when your eyes meet his once again, his priorities shift and he swear he's willing to do quite possibly anything to become your friend.

To say you checked your appearance at least forty times wouldn’t be a gross over exaggeration.

You had the outfit planned long before you were even invited to this Halloween party, you knew it was perfect and something Janis Joplin herself would likely wear, yet ever since you asked Eddie Munson to not only join you, but also compliment the costume with his own, you were suddenly feeling nervous.

The curly-haired teen was by far the coolest person in this stingy town — although it didn’t seem like he knew that or like anyone else shared your belief.

His metalhead vibe reminded you a lot of the kids you grew up around, which is exactly the initial reason why you were so drawn to him. Though it took you weeks to finally approach him. Partially because you were scared he’d brush you off, but mainly because ever since you moved to Hawkins with your parents at the brink of August and September, the more popular kids latched onto you like leeches.

“Don’t waste your time with Munson,” Blake would say repeatedly, “He’s a freak.”

Unfortunately for your new group of friends, you didn’t care about social status and it also helped to know Eddie was just as fascinated with you as you were with him. His secret glances and soft smiles when no one else was looking only affirmed that belief.

So you bit the bullet and invited him out.

Bold move on your part. One you were almost starting to regret as you nervously flattened the crinkles of your loose shirt, glancing at the clock on the wall in anticipation.

Eddie doesn’t show up for dinner.

You try to hide the disappointment in front of your parents and eat the meal while actively listening to your dad retelling the events from his day at work.

“Kid, I tell ya, moving here was the best idea your mother’s ever had. Aside from marrying me and havin' you, of course. Wanna know the most exciting thing that’s happened? There was a mixup with our lunch order. Can you believe it?”

You help mom clean up after before going to quickly freshen up, brush your teeth, and grab your set of house keys. After saying a quick goodbye, still thinking about the boy that never showed, you walk outside and are about to begin your journey to the party you no longer wanted to go to when a figure emerges from the shadows.

“Shit,” you exhale and place a hand over your heart, “You scared me.”

“Sorry,” Eddie says sheepishly, running a hand through his brown locks. “I-I wasn’t sure if you were still home so…”

Your brows string together as you take a step towards him.

“How long have you been out here, Eddie?”

“Uhm, at least the last half hour,” he answers, “I noticed the light was on upstairs, but I wasn’t sure if that was your room or not. Figured I’d hang around and you’d either show up or I’d head home embarrassed.” He pauses. “Sorry I didn’t come for dinner.”

“It’s okay,” a white-lie. “Still wanna go to the party?”

“If you want to.”

Eddie slides his hands into the back pockets of his jeans and you notice then how good he looks under the dim street lamps. Peter Albin, eat your heart out.

“I like your outfit,” you compliment him with a genuine smile and you swear you can see him blush.

“Thanks,” he says with a little more confidence than he’s displayed thus far, “but you arguably look a hundred percent better than me.”

Heat rushes to your cheeks. “Thank you, Eddie. That’s very sweet.”

“You’re welcome.”

The two of you never make it to the party.

Instead, Eddie offers to show me Skull Rock and that’s how you end up laying down on the cold ground, arm-to-arm, somewhere in the middle of the forest.

Truth be told, if you were with anyone else, you wouldn’t have agreed to this in the first place. An eerily quiet night and the deep dark woods are like a recipe for disaster in most horror movies.

Things felt different with Eddie.

Despite only having three conversations in the span of one day, the doe-eyed boy made you feel safe.

The few hours hiding from the world under this rock also made you realise how much you actually have in common. The conversation flow was incredibly natural. You drifted from topic to topic as if you had known each other a lifetime and in the space of two hours, you went from sitting across from one another to being in the formerly named position — pinkies gently grazing.

His presence next to yours is soothing. It’s also exciting, thrilling even. You hadn’t experienced this sensation before, with anyone, and you quickly find yourself thinking perhaps this could be more than just a friendship.

Until Eddie says, “Friends are hard to come by in Hawkins. I’m glad we’re here and I hope we can hang out more.”

Darkness hides your disappointment.

Short lived, the idea of dating the boy next to you so it’s easy to extinguish the flame inside and convince yourself that perhaps this was for the best.

Relationships end. Sometimes they do so quite badly.

Friendships however, well, they have a tendency to last forever.

“From now on, Eddie, we’ll never not be hanging out.”

pearl masterlist

thank you for reading <3

& tagging some cool people that expressed interest in this lil series: @cactusangie , @spenciesprincess , @capitanostella , @ashlynnkennedy , @ms1oftheboys

#a prequel of sorts—#eddie munson #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson fanfiction #eddie munson fic #eddie munson fluff #eddie munson angst #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x y/n #eddie munson x best friend reader #eddie munson x fem!reader #eddie munson x female reader #bestfriend!eddie #pearl (eddies version)

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thedragonqueensblog · 7 months

Text

Edward Cullen///if I stay any longer Part Two

A/N: It's Part two is finally here I'm sorry for the delay I feel bad since a lot of you have been asking for a while. And it's barely getting posted. a lot of things have been going in my life. that's why I have been taking forever to post, but Here it is I hope you love it and once again I'm sorry for the delay

“Bella, you suggest Y/n to leave Forks with you?” Esme asks shocked as everyone glared at bella

She crossed her arms and nodded. “Yes, I did. I can't allow her to suffer any longer as a result of your son.”

“It's not any of your business so stay out of it.” Rosalie barks

“Y/n’s my best friend of course it's my business if it involves her it involves me as well.” Bella barks back

“Well Y/n’s pregnant she can’t leave the child without a father, and she needs to take care of the baby and her-.” Carlisle tries to explain but Bella didn't let him to

“Y/n has the right to do that since Edward has been treating her like shit. and I can take care of the baby and her. She doesn't need you guys.”

"Who do you think you are talking to us like this?” Rosalie asks frustrated

“ Y/n is my wife and she needs us, we are her family. I will not allow you or anyone to take my child away. I have the right to be a part of my child's life. ” Edward tells her

“Perhaps your family or you cursed her to become pregnant so she wouldn't have to leave you. ” Bella accused

Emmet walks to her and gets into a fighting position if needed “How dare you?”

“Bella, I think you should go, I'll talk to you later.” You tell her fearing for her safety

“But Y/n, I don’t trust them.” She tells you back

“It’s ok I’ll talk to you later when I’m done, right now I need to have a talk with them.” You smiled at her then you glance at them

“Fine but if you don’t call me or answer my calls I will come back here and with backup,” she glared at them before leaving

Edward crossed his arms "So you were planning to leave Forks?”

“I wasn't going to, but now that I know that I'm pregnant I'm leaving.” You respond

"You can't leave. You’re pregnant. and I have the right to see our child because I'm the father.” He tells you

You rolled your eyes "why would I have our child grow up with a father who hates his mother I at least show you some love but you don’t.”

Esme grabbed your hand “Y/n sweetie, I'll tell you what we can do about you staying in forks so Edward and us can still see the child.”

You nodded, not liking the fact that you have to stay but you want to know what Esme has in mind “Okay?”

"So you're going to be staying until the baby is born. Once the baby is born, you can live in a house that I have around here. It's going to be just the baby and you.” She smiles

"You can't do that if Y/n’s leaving I'm leaving with her and the baby.” Edward tells his adoptive mother

“Eddie, you will still see your kid on some days.” Esme tries to explain “if that makes Y/n want to stay in Forks it will happen.”

Everyone looks at you for your answer as soon as you nodded Edward storm off angrily

Alice shakes her head on how Edward reacted "Eddie should at least be happy that you're staying here in Forks.”

"Yeah, well you have to understand that he's not going to see his kid everyday and he's not going to live with them.” Jasper kinda agrees with Edward but at the same time he doesn't

“But just know that I'm still going to follow for divorce.” You said before going upstairs to call Bella

"Have you seen a future with them and their baby?” Rosaline asks with hope

She shook her head "sadly not yet, but I do see someone trying to get close to Y/n.”

"Who's that person?" Edward asks sadly

"It's someone that's been with her, and no I don't still see them being together.” Alice answers

“It’s Jacob.” Edward whispers quietly, but everyone heard him

You were talking on the phone with Bella telling her that you were okay. and that you were going to stay once the baby was born. you were going to move into a house that Esme owns. That it was just going to be your baby and you. and that Edward will visit the kid some days.

Bella smiles “I’m so happy you deserve better and are you still going to divorce him?”

You sat down on your bed “thank you and Yes the divorce is still happening.”

“Y/n, can we talk? ” You heard Edward voice asks you could tell that he has cried

You nodded and you told Bella that you were going to talk to her tomorrow and you put your phone away so Edward and you could talk

"I know our marriage hasn't been easy but I beg you to give me another chance to prove that I love you and our child.” Edward tells you

"Edward it hasn't been easy for me too but I at least show you love, it hurts me saying this but the divorce is still happening.” You try to not get emotion

"Why don't you think about it again? If you think it's for the best, I'll give it to you. But at the moment let me try to get back your love and you back. If it doesn't work, I'll leave you alone. And let you move on with your life.” Edward proposed hoping that you would agree with his offer

You thought about it before giving an answer to him. As you were thinking about it you nodded your head "fine you can do it."

He happily smiled "thank you Honey, I promise that you won't regret it.”

Ever since you kind of give Edward a chance he has been super romantic and sweet making you shocked that it seems that he wants to try it again

"Honey, where are you going?” He asked since he sees you getting already

you looked at him through the mirror "I'm going to hangout with Jacob for a little bit.”

"Honey, you shouldn't go you're pregnant and I don't want you to risk our baby and you.” he looks at you with hope

You rolled your eyes "it's fine I'm not going to risk the baby and me.”

He frowns, but smiles "okay but call me if anything happens.”

You nodded "I will."

Edward felt sad that you were leaving to hang out with Jacob. he hoped that you would’ve stayed with him. so he could spend more time with you and the baby instead of Jacob,

But he understands that you need some space and to think if you still do want to divorce him. He never wanted things to go far. He never wanted to lose you. but now he might lose you to Jacob. if he doesn’t try hard enough.

The pack and you were talking about how you found out that you were pregnant. Everyone was happy for you except for Jacob who was heartbroken, “how's that bloodsucker treating the baby and you?”

You looked at him confused on the way he said ‘the baby and you’ “he’s treating us good why?”

He looked at you with a smile, "just making sure that he's being a good father and husband.”

“Alice, how do I get Y/n to stay away from that wolf?” Edward asks walking into the living room

She shrugs her shoulders “try to be by her side, show her love and appreciation, maybe that will get her to stay away from him.”

He sat on the couch next to Alice and he gives her a look “that’s not helping your not giving me support.”

“Well, it’s not my fault that you didn't do those things to her either fight for her or let Jacob do the work that you should be doing.” She said

“It seems that everyone wants Y/n to be with that wolf but I won’t let that happen because I’m going to fight for her.” He promised

She patted him on the back.“Good job if you want her back you’ll need to fight for her no matter what.”

“What should I do to win her back?” He asks, wanting to hear her ideas so he can win you back

“Um.” She thinks “Maybe plan a trip for her and you once the baby is born you can take her to Isle Esme she'll probably won't mind if it’s a good cost.”

“You think that’s going to work? Because I really do want her back.” He sadly smiles

“It will if you do the things that I told you to do.” She reassured him “why don’t you take her shopping after she comes home.”

You stood up from the couch with the help of Jacob and Leah "thank you guys and I think I should start getting ready to leave.”

“It was nice having you over. you're always welcome here.” Sam smiles

Jacob got his jacket and wrapped it around your shoulders. “Y/n let me walk you home it's almost getting dark, I don't want you to be walking home by yourself.”

“It's okay wolf I'm here to take her home besides I want to take her shopping for her and our baby.” Edward grabs your hand

"Thank you Jake for offering to take me home." you smiled and gave him back his jacket

“Anything for you.” He grins

When Edward puts his jacket on you, Jacob stops grinning and felt heartbroken when Edward and you left his home holding hands

Jacob tries to conceal his emotions, but his friends notice and they all stare at each other. “If I were you, I wouldn't get my hopes up.”

He gives his friends a confused look "what are you talking about?"

“We all know that you love Y/n, but she doesn't feel the same for you.” Jared replies crossing his arms

Jacob rolls his eyes "how would you know?"

“It's easy to say that she still loves Edward, I'm sorry for saying this, but if she loved you she would have stayed with you instead of leaving with that blood sucker.” Jared replies again, not trying to be rude.

“Well Jared he's taking her shopping for her and their baby of course she would leave with him because he's the father but it doesn't mean that she still loves him.” Paul reassures "who knows Y/n might love our man Jacob.”

“And remember Bella told us that Y/n’s going to move to a different house around here once the baby is born and that she's going to divorce him.” Leah adds

“I know I just don't want Jacob to get his hopes up and for him to end suffering.” Jared explains

Jacob pulls him into a hug and smiles, "I know and I thank you for looking out for me and for being a good friend and a great family member.”

Edward and you were walking around holding hands but stopped when you felt a pain in your stomach and you felt that your water broke "Edward our baby is coming."

He panicked, but quickly he picked you up and carried you bridal style gently he speds to get you home

“Edward, what's happening to Y/n.” Esme asks worried

"Our baby is coming into the world.” Edward answers laying you on the couch gently

You pulled out your hand "Edward Can you grab my hand please."

He nods with a smile as he grabs your hand "please hurry, I don't want her to be suffering any longer."

Carlisle tries to comfort You and Edward "I know, but I'll try my best so Y/N doesn't suffer that much.”

“It might hurt more because you're a vampire giving birth, but I'll try to be as gentle as possible and you have Edward here to help you.” He tells you

Edward smiled when he saw his adopted father holding his daughter “I want to hold my daughter.”

Carlisle nods and gives his granddaughter to his son, and Edward smiles that he is finally hugging his daughter and

looks at you with a smile “Y/n sweetie she’s so beautiful just like her mother.”

You grin "she's going to be lucky to have you as her father.”

”And she's going to be so beautiful that she's going to break every single man's heart because she got your beauty.” He pulled you into a kiss

"You guys can be gross later now let me hug my niece.” Rosalie jokes but is happy that Edward and you seem to work out

"Are you ok? my love.” Edward aks worried since you just gave birth

You smiled again, "I'm fine, just happy that our baby is finally here.”

He kissed your hand “You can let your friends know that our baby was born and they can come visit if you want.”

You lean on his shoulder,”'It’s alright, I'll tell them later. Right now, it's about us, our family.”

Edward looks at everyone with a smile and they all smile back the moment stopped when there was a knock on the door

“I'll go and see who it is.” Jasper offers

"Y/n, it's for you." Jasper yells as he walks in with a person behind him

"Hey, Y/n how are you?” Bella asks as she sits down next to you

“I'm doing fine, I just gave birth right now but how about you?” You replied as Edward wrapped his arms around you

Bella looked at Edward and you with a confused look she had too many questions on her mind to ask

she clears her throat “so are you two not getting divorced?”

Edward wanted to reply, but he didn't want to be a liar, and he didn't want to cause any more pain to his heart by lying

You smiled at Edward as he put his hand on top of yours. “At the moment, no.”

She frowns, "oh, okay, it was nice talking to both of you. but I have to get going. Jake is waiting for me. but congrats on your baby girl. and I'm happy that Edward and you seem to work out.”

He beamed with hope “so you no longer want to divorce me?”

You exulted as you look at your family taking turns to carry your child “I feel like our daughter brought us together because when I saw you holding our daughter for the first time it made me realize that I don’t want the divorce that I want to stay by your side forever.”

He kissed your forehead “thank you love, I feel the same way and I always want to stay with you forever and love you and our family forever.”

“Edward tell the ladies of the house that they need to share Renesmee.” Emmett tells him

“Y/n tell Emmett and the guys to shut up and that they need to be patient.” Rosalie calls out

Edward and you let out a laugh as the both of you shake your heads watching them fight over your daughter “don’t forget that she’s our daughter.”

“We’re not talking to you, so mind your business.” Rosalie tells Edward playful

“Love, I was thinking why don’t we go on a trip just the two of us.” Edward asks pulling your attention from the scene

You smiled “I would love to but what about our daughter?”

“We can watch her as you both go on that trip, you both deserve it.” Jaspers tells you both

Emmett smirks, “Either way it might be a romantic trip for both of you so that’s why we’re going to look after her so Edward and you can enjoy the trip.”

You grinned as you nodded “so where are you planning to take me?”

He grabbed your hand and kissed it, “it’s a surprise we’re leaving later.”

“Did you know that Y/n got back together with Edward? Bella angrily asked

Jacob turned around and faced Bella with a sad and confused look, "What?"

She crossed her arms as she nodded "You heard right, I was there not a minute ago and I saw them sitting next to each other and he had his arms wrapped around her.”

“But I thought she was going to move out once the baby was born and that she was going to divorce him.” He asked with confusion thinking what changed your decision to not divorced Edward

She shook her head "not anymore she gave birth today and she told me that the divorce wasn't happening.”

“I have to go see her. I need an explanation from her.” he tried to walk past her. But she grabbed his arm "isn't it obvious? Edward being chosen over you shows that she loves him not you.”

He grabbed her hand, “but I am in love with her..”

“I understand, but she doesn't feel the same way about you. It's better to move on instead of waiting for her to love you because it's not likely to happen.” She noticed he was about to cry, so she hugged him

He accepted the hug "I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up even Jared told me not to but of course I never listen.”

“I love this place, thank you for bringing me.” You beamed since Edward and you were at Isle Esme

He hugs you from behind "I'm glad that you’re happy love thank you for giving me a second chance.”

With a smile on your face, you turned to face him, “Thank you for making me happy and giving me a daughter.”

He kissed your shoulder with a smirk, "let's go back inside and enjoy our vacation.”

You winked "what about inside?"

He kissed you as he closed the door. "We can also do it outside if you'd like on our second round.”

"So Alice, do you see a future with Edward and his family?” Japer curiously asked.

She smiles and nods. “Yes, and I anticipate a new family member joining us in the near future.”

"What do you mean by that?" Emmett asks, confused.

“She's implying that Renesmee will become a big sister, is that correct? Alicia?” Rosalie smiles

“We're going to be grandparents once more.” Esme embraces Carlisle with joy

“Does Edward and Y/n know about the great news”? Carlisle asks

She shook her head. “Not yet, I'm going to wait until they return from their trip.”

Week later

“We missed you guys so much.” You said pulling them each into a hug

“Careful there, we don't want to hurt the baby or you.” Jasper mumbled quietly but Edward and you heard him

“What?” You asked

Edward glanced at Jasper and then at you, “what did he say?”

"That they don't want to hurt the baby and me.” You replied

To confirm if it's true, he glances at Alice and smiles when she nods. “We’re going to be parents again, love.”

You smiled "it's another miracle that we got."

Renesmee was picked up by Edward. “Did you hear that princess? you're going to be a big sister.”

After putting her down, he went over to hug you and kiss you. “Our kids and you are my everything.”

You wrapped your arms around his neck "and you are to me I love you and our family.”

The moment was ruined when there was a knock on the door. Jasper went over to open the door Bella and Jacob stood there not happy. "Hi guys, welcome."

“We came here to let you Y/n know that you're no longer welcome in our houses and that you're no longer our friend.” Bella informs you as Jacob nodded

Edward tries to walk past you to defend you, but you stopped him. “I understand that Jacob and you are upset, but I wanted to give Edward a second chance. because he deserved it. but thank you for letting me know. I'll no longer bother you guys ever again. But you guys are no longer allowed to try to contact me as well.”

"Congrats on the baby." Jacob said before leaving with Bella

As Jasper closed the door, everyone looked at you as Edward hugged you. “Are you alright, love?”

You chuckled, "of course, why would I be sad? when I'm happy that we're going to have another child and why have friends? when I have you guys my family.”

“Exactly family is way better than to have friends.”

Tagging

@coralineyouareinterribledanger

#Twilight #twilight x y/n #twilight x reader #twilight x you #Edward Cullen #edward cullen x vampire reader #edward cullen x you #edward cullen x y/n #edward cullen x reader

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love-toxin · 2 years

Text

knowing me, knowing you - eddie munson & steve harrington

plot: new boyfriends eddie and steve overhear jason trying to ask angelface out, and they know they have to rescue you--not just because they're your friends, but because they can't let him steal you away from them and hurt you...even if you're not theirs, yet.

cws: established steddie, hurt/comfort, throuple, tw: homophobia, derogatory use of 'queer', bullying, threats, manipulation, jason's a huge dickhead, protective steve, mild violence, confessions, jealousy, threeway mutual pining, friends to lovers, eddie pov, fem reader.

word count: 2.6k

"...So we should go on a date, then. I'll take you to dinner."

Eddie sidles up quietly against the wall, risking a peek around the corner to check before he waves Steve over. Yep, Wheeler was right–there you are, leaning against the school outside with Jason fucking Carver, who cannot physically get any closer to you without it being considered a felony.

"No shit," Steve pokes his head out over his boyfriend's, whispering incredulously because Eddie knows he can't believe it either. Of course, the one person in the school that they both despise the most is making a move on you. Steve rubs Eddie's shoulder, hoping to soothe him as the two of them watch from their position of relative safety.

"Um, aren't you…aren't you and Chrissy..?" Jason shakes his head at you, but he's still smiling like he's still got it all under control.

"Nah, she…I heard she's been sleeping around. So I dumped her–girls like that aren't worth it. Not like you."

"That's not true!" Eddie whispers–he knows Chrissy, she's a sweet girl, and she definitely dumped him because he made one too many awful comments about her appearance. What a fucking liar. But he maybe says it a touch too loudly, because Jason's brow raises and just as he turns to look around, Steve grabs Eddie by the collar and yanks him back around the wall to hide. But once they hear you start talking again, they both slowly sneak a peek once more, knowing that Jason's eyes will be on you and you alone.

"Thank you, uh, I'm flattered, but…"

"But? Is there a but? C'mon, just one date." Such a pushy bastard, it's annoying enough to Eddie, but looking up he can see that Steve's practically got steam coming out of his ears. You fidget with your sleeve, the bag slung over your shoulder swaying as you do so while you try not to look him directly in the eye. "You're so cute when you get shy. C'mon, babe."

Oh, that "babe" is almost enough for Eddie to go fucking berserk, and he can feel that Steve is feeling the same–but they both agreed not to intervene unless it was totally necessary. They might be totally whipped for you, but they're not your babysitters and they both know that if they start acting like it, you'll just end up resenting them. Plus, the three of you are good friends right now, and you're one of the very few that doesn't think them dating is weird or somehow related to the devil, so to mess that up would result in a lot of nights moping around and watching sad movies in each other's laps that neither of them are emotionally prepared for at the moment.

"Y'know, we could even do some more stuff if you wanted…a little birdie told me that you have yet to lose something." You look scared. This is nowhere near good. Steve's hand digs into his shoulder, hard.

"Um…I-I…"

"It's okay to be inexperienced, babe. I can show you how to do it…show you how to make love. You can trust me–even if that's all you want, I'll let you use me for it." How manipulative can he be? Eddie knows there's no way you would ever do something like that, but he can also see now that Jason really just wants to get into your pants. Figures, he doesn't deserve your kindness or any part of you, so he's just scraping to get whatever he can, like a rat–and it gets worse when Jason starts touching your face, trying to get you to look at him. Steve quietly growls a "don't" from above him, kind of like a dog getting territorial. It's kinda hot, if he's being honest…focus. He has to focus.

"I'm not a virgin,"

You finally breathe, your eyes flicking up to meet the blond's whose hand is still on your chin.

"And you're not my type. Sorry." You gently push his hand away, and wait with shaky hands for him to back off. But both Eddie and Steve's anger increases when he just dips his face closer to you, almost like he's gonna kiss you–Eddie has to put a hand on Steve's chest to stop him from lunging forward, whispering a "Stevie, calm down!" quiet enough that neither you nor Jason notice while you're in your own little world.

"What do you mean by that? Explain it to me, so I can understand." His voice is low, but angry, fury simmering just below the surface like he's close to blowing up. But if he thinks he can just intimidate you into doing what he wants, then he's got another thing coming.

"What…What is there to explain? You're a bully. You're cruel. I saw what you did to Gareth's hand," Your brow furrows–god, you're so pretty when you're mad–and Eddie finds himself breathless as you raise your hand to your chest and push him, just hard enough for Jason to take a step back with an incredulous look on his face. "And you're always calling my friend a freak."

"Who, Munson? He is a freak! Why would you even want to be friends with someone like him? You're too good for that."

"No, I'm too good for you." Jason just shakes his head in disbelief, a scoff on his lips. Eddie's chest is so tight, heart beating so fast at the protectiveness in your voice as you say his name. "Eddie's my friend. He's sweet, and he would do anything for his friends. He's nothing like you–and that's why I like him."

You like him. He's on cloud nine right now, he wouldn't even notice if the world was ending. All his dreams are coming true, even if he never imagined Jason would be involved with them at all.

"You like that queer? Are you fucking serious?"

"Shut up! You're a cunt, Jason!" You shove him again, hard this time, your words spit with venom and your fists shaking with anger. But he's so proud of you for stepping away, you're so mature, and you don't even look back at him as you start walking towards the side of the building where they're hiding–until you stop suddenly, and Eddie realizes that Jason's grabbing you by the wrist to drag you back to him.

"You do not walk away from me, you understand that?!"

"Let go of me! I'm gonna tell-" Jason slaps a hand over your mouth, and yanks you close enough that your faces are only a few inches from each other. Too close.

"Who's gonna believe you?" Your eyes widen, and it is far past the last straw. Steve is shouldering past him and dashing towards the scene before Eddie even realizes he's gone from his side.

"Hey!"

With the kind of strength that befits a former high school athlete, Steve runs up and wedges himself between you two so he can shove Jason off, breaking his grip and sending him stumbling back while your friend stands protectively over you. You look a little dazed, confused, but when Eddie hustles over to take your arm in his and soothe you, it sets in that you're safe and you gladly melt into his embrace. You're so warm, and you're scared, but…he just can't help thinking about how soft you feel against his chest.

"You touch her again, and I'll make sure you regret it."

"The fuck are you doing here, Harrington?" Jason spits, flushed and clearly jumped up from getting interrupted. Eddie doesn't even want to think about what would have happened if Wheeler hadn't tipped them off, what Jason might have done to you if they weren't here–but if he somehow wasn't sure before that he always wants to be there for you, then he absolutely does now.

"Oh, y'know, hanging out. Seeing some old friends. Defending pretty girls against creepy douchebags. Whatever strikes my fancy." Jason's eyes slide over to Eddie, who feels and probably looks a lot braver with Steve in between them. He can feel you tense up against him when Steve says that, and he pulls his arms tighter around you to hug you closer. It's relieving to feel that you're comfortable with him, enough that you're clinging to his jacket and subtly nuzzling even deeper into him.

"What was that you said, again? 'Who's gonna believe you'? I think the school counselor would love to hear that. Probably would have to let the basketball coach know, though. And you can say bye bye to the rest of the season." Steve sounds so confident when he's ripping him apart, it's honestly kind of…well, it's not something you might find attractive, but Eddie certainly does, and by the awed look in your eyes he can sense that you feel the same. "Gimme a reason, dude, cause I would love to kick your ass right now."

Jason looks between all three of you, frustrated and wounded by the blow Steve's managed to deal him, but the intensity only lasts a couple seconds. Because before long, he's made his choice, and he brushes you all off and stalks away with his hands shoved in the pockets of his letterman jacket.

"Oh, Jason! Almost forgot!" Both you and Eddie are surprised to see him actually stop and turn his head when Steve calls out to him, his glare violent enough that all three of you can almost feel the holes burning through you. "You ever get near my boyfriend again, or Hellfire, or her, I'll rip you many, many new ones. You just gimme the word, big boy."

Jason says nothing, just spits, and gives all three of you the finger which Steve gladly returns before he turns and disappears through the door into the school. By the time Steve moves to walk back towards you two, Eddie's loosened his hug to let you slip out, but you're still clutching at his arm like it's a pier in a storm.

"Don't be scared, honey. You're okay." Steve affectionately rubs your head, ruffling your hair a bit in the process. But he's a lot more gentle than when he does it to Dustin or the other kids, careful, and fortunately so when you've still got such a disturbed expression.

"I..I thought he was gonna.."

"He won't. Stevie's got us–look how strong he is." Eddie smiles over at you, and rubs the hand you've got gripping his sleeve so you can feel his rings against your skin.

"Did you, um…I don't know how much you heard of that.."

"Well, we got to hear you call him a cunt. That was fun." Your eyes turn back to Eddie, big and doe-like, and god, there's rarely been a time he's wanted to kiss you more than he does right now. "...And I heard what you said about me."

Fear strikes across your face, and you quickly avert your gaze from him like it's too much to even meet his eyes. He hates how shaky you still are, even when the danger has passed–he never wants you to be afraid of him, scared of what he's gonna say next. Ever.

"I-I…Eddie, I…I don't want to ruin what we have. And I…Steve, I'm sorry I-" Your voice is trembling, and even though your head is turned away he can clearly tell you're on the brink of tears. But that's when Steve pipes up, a hand brushing your cheek as he guides you to look up at him.

"You had a crush on me, right?" You stutter, taken aback by his query, but he just keeps going. "You were younger, I remember. I was a senior. You used to wear your hair like,"

He motions around his head, trying to charade his way into describing it before his hands land on his hips.

"Like that. It was cute."

Eddie knows you're not nearly as close with Steve–you would definitely be considered friends, but you mostly know Harrington through him and you haven't spent much time together alone. Before they started going out, that fact would relieve him. He didn't even know that you and Steve knew each other before you all started hanging out.

"Listen, Eddie's not gonna say it, but he likes you. And I like you. And from what I can tell, you might feel the same. So," He raises both hands up to show he's being vulnerable, and steps around you to stand closer to Eddie's side. "If you don't, that's totally cool. We can pretend none of this happened–but if you do, and you don't mind sharing, well…we can stop running after you like lost puppies to make sure you're okay."

You're speechless, clearly. Your eyes dart from one boy to the next, searching for some sign that they're gonna burst into laughter and admit that it was all an elaborate prank. But all Eddie does is keep stroking your hand, until you slowly release it from his jacket and let him take hold of it.

"Is…this really happening? This isn't a dream, right?" You're the one who's incredulous now, and the two of them look between each other as a spark of fear ignites. It's just now occurring to Eddie and his boyfriend both that they might have made a huge mistake by saying this right now.

"I…y'know what, now I'm thinking this might have been a bad time to say all that. I'm sorry, I just, seeing you scared like that-"

"Did you mean it?" You interrupt Steve's near-frantic babbling, your eyes now intense in a way that Eddie has to mentally slap himself to not find as incredibly hot.

"Well yeah, of course. We mean it, right Eds?"

"Damn right." You look between the two of them. Are you still questioning, he wonders? Will you walk away, thinking they were liars this whole time, just waiting for a chance to make fun of you?

"Do you…wanna get some dinner?" Only now does your question come out as meek, soft, just like the absolute goddess that first came to Eddie to ask if you could get something from the theatre while Hellfire club was in session. He still remembers that day so fondly, the way the club members teased him for how gently he spoke to you and how he paused the game for a whole ten minutes just to explain what they were doing to you. And the first time you got frustrated with him, yelled at him for something stupid he did that he doesn't even remember anymore, and how whipped he realized he was when he witnessed how forceful you were when you were worried about him.

"Oh, like…now?" Steve's voice breaks him from his reverie, he didn't even realize he was staring at you, or that your eyes flicked over to stare right back.

"Yeah." You bite your lip. Mercy.

"Yes," Eddie sighs, his eyes totally fixated on you, like he's already lovesick. "Anywhere you want. I'll pay for yours."

"Think again, Munson. Keep your money, I'll cover everyone's. C'mon, beautiful." He snaps his fingers in front of Eddie's face to bring him back to reality, drawing a giggle out of you in the process as he loops an arm around your waist and leads you away towards his car. He might have been left behind, if he wasn't still holding your hand–you give him a tug to pull him along with you, and he hurries up to walk on your opposite side from Steve.

It might be impossible to tell what's gonna happen next, what you're gonna say when you all sit down at a booth at the diner and have the conversation that he's been waiting so long to have–but it doesn't matter, none of it does. Because all those nights of lying awake with Stevie and talking to each other about you, about how perfect it would be to pull you into their little universe with them…now, it might be possible for it to all come true. There's a chance. And that's more than either of them could ever ask for from an angel like you.

#steve harrington #eddie munson #eddie munson x reader x steve harrington #steve x reader x eddie #steve harrington x eddie munson #steddie #eddie's angelface #eddie munson x reader #steve harrington x reader #st 4 #stranger things #ellie writes #2k

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cosmolog · 11 months

Text

Help him

(Spider-Man X Female Venom!Reader)

This short will feature Spider-Man. You can imagine it as any Spider-Man but I just wanted to use this gif of Tom's version.

Enjoy!

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

"It's really quiet tonight." Y/n said, sitting on top of a building, looking down at the city below for any signs of trouble. But there was nothing but traffic and the bright lights of billboards and advertisements.

"Maybe the bad guys are having a party or something. Annual meet-up?" Venom suggested, his floating head shaking from side to side. He was extremely bored.

Y/n hummed then stood, taking one last look at the city to double check for signs of havoc. "I guess we get a night off" She said, beginning to turn away from the city when Venom suddenly called her name.

"Y/n! Look!" Y/n whipped around looking where Venom was looking. The sky. A huge portal-like hole in the sky, mixes of blues, reds and purples swirling around it like magic.

Next thing they knew, a figure was falling from that portal. Y/n cursed before Venom formed around her and started jumping across buildings to get to the person before they hit the ground.

Venom jumped through the air, catching the figure mid-air and landing on a flat building.

Venom put the body down, going back inside. Y/n hesitantly looked over the figure. It was a man, dressed in some weird red and blue costume, lined with a black web-like pattern. A spider symbol in the middle of his chest.

He looked badly hurt, and if this was a superhero or something, then what hurt him? Would it be following after him? Y/n looked up to the sky again, not seeing any other mysterious people fall from the portal. The portal seemed to shrink, getting smaller and smaller until it disappeared completely.

"Shit" Y/n looked back down at the man, crouching in order to get a better look at him.

Parts of his suit were ripped, showing some of the worst injuries the hero had gotten. She went to rest her hand on his chest to try and wake him up when Venom stopped her.

"I know this asshole." Venom said, his head popping out to go close to the man's mask. He looked like he wanted to eat him.

"Venom. Leave him alone" Y/n scolded, making Venom back away slightly.

"This is Spider-Bitch. Or Spider-Man, as he likes to call himself. I met him before when I was with Eddie. We fought him but he found our weakness. Eddie and I couldn't find his. But now I know...Whoever beat him up is his weakness..." There was a beat of silence before Venom exclaimed. "Perhaps it's his sister!"

Y/n looked confused. "Does he even have a sister?" She asked, looking at the man's mask, half of the material ripped off to show the skin underneath. "Should I wake him up?" She asked, unsure of how to proceed.

"Yeah, give him a slap across the face" Venom grinned mischievously.

She gave him a look in response before gently placing her hand onto the man's forehead. "He's hot" She said, a little worried.

"You just met him" Venom said, shocked.

"Not like that. I meant he's too warm, which doesn't really make any sense. He's been here for a good minute, he should be cooled down by now, especially on a freezing night like this" Y/n told him. "Let's take him home and see what we can do for him"

"What!? No! There's no way I'm helping someone who beat me up and tried to burn me alive. No!" Venom immediately protested.

"This is most likely not the Spider-Man who fought you. He fell from the sky through a magic portal, for fucks sake" Y/n rolled her eyes at him.

Venom was silent for a moment before groaning loudly. "Fine! But I better be getting chocolate out of this!"

Venom formed around her before picking Spidey up again and taking off towards Y/n's flat.

-----

When they arrived, Venom practically threw Spider-Man onto the couch carelessly, causing Y/n to scold him the minute he let her have control.

"Don't throw the guy around the place. He's probably really sore and we don't want you hurting him even more." Y/n said.

"Well, maybe I want to hurt him even more" Venom shot back like a snappy little teenager.

Y/n went to get some towels and cool water, placing the damp cloths on the man's head. The mask that he wore was missing an eye piece, allowing her to have a peek at his soft toned skin and closed eyes. She hesitantly began to remove the man's mask when he suddenly sprung to life, grabbing her wrist causing her to freeze and stare at him wide eyed.

"Don't...Please" He wheezed out, his voice broken. Yet his eyes held the most pain Y/n had ever seen in a person. By now Venom had gone inside to hide.

She let go of his mask. "Okay...But you have to cool down. Otherwise you'll get sick." She told him.

He looked away from her and stared up at the ceiling with soft sleepy eyes. "I just need to rest a little, that's all. I'll be fine in a couple minutes" He replied.

"Hate to break it to you, sir, but you've got loads of broken bones and shit. I shouldn't even have you at my house, you need a hospital" Y/n replied.

The man looked at her, shaking his head slowly. "I'm a fast healer. I'll be alright. Thank you" He gave her a small smile and rested his hands over his stomach, trying to get comfortable

Y/n looked down at his suit before glancing up at him. "I would ask your name but you're wearing a spider suit. I'll tell you now that we don't have Spider-Man here." She said, making the man look at her confused.

"Where am I?" He asked.

"San Francisco. But I assume it's not your San Francisco. You fell through some kind of magic portal. I saved you and brought you here. I'm Y/n L/n, by the way." The man stared at her, trying to wrap his head around what happened to him.

After a few beats of silence, he reached up, slowly taking his mask off to reveal a handsome face. He then spoke like saying his own name was unnatural to him. "I'm..Peter."

Y/n smiled a bit and nodded. "Nice to meet you, Peter." She stood up from her crouched position and headed to the kitchen. "I'll let you rest. Are you hungry at all?"

"Uh, yeah. If it's no problem-" Peter was cut off.

"It's no problem." Y/n smiled, before disappearing from Peter's sight into the kitchen. "Do you like curry?"

"Love it" Peter closed his eyes, relaxing more.

As Y/n got pans and other kitchen appliances out, Venom's head appeared beside her. "Why do you like him so much?" He asked, sounding almost..Jealous? Like a dog when their owner gets another pet.

Y/n glanced at him before retrieving the chicken from the fridge and curry from the press. "He's harmless. Like a little spider." She smiled.

If Venom could, he would've rolled his eyes. (Wait a minute, can he?) "Well, do remember that he tried and failed to kill me." He grumbled.

"And do remember that the Peter in there is not the one who tried to kill you" Y/n shot back.

"If he did it in one universe, he'll do it in all of them." Venom stated.

"No, V. If that were the case other universes wouldn't exist. Not one universe is the exact same as the other." Y/n corrected the Symbiote.

Venom rolled his eyes again. "You don't know Spider-Bitch like I do. He's dangerous, Y/n. You have no idea what he might do if he finds out about me" He tried to reason.

As soon as the food was cooking, Y/n peeped her head out of the kitchen, seeing Peter had fallen asleep.

"Just how dangerous is he? Look at him, V, he's a guy in cosplay" She chuckled at how Venom stayed hidden in the kitchen. "If he so much as thinks wrongly of us, I'll kick him out in a flash. You've got nothing to worry about, Venom. I'll protect you." Y/n teased.

Venom huffed. "And what are you going to do? Kill him with kindness?"

Y/n shrugged. "I was thinking about telling him to leave..?" She chuckled.

"Or we could just rip his face off while he's sleeping? He won't see us coming" Venom grinned at the thought, but his words flew over Y/n's head as she was too focused on the man sleeping on her couch.

His curly brown hair fell over his face, helping to shape it perfectly. Though he was riddled with bruises and cuts, he looked like an angel.

Meanwhile Venom was complaining to himself about how Y/n wasn't listening to him and they'd both end up dead by the end of this.

"I guarantee you; once he finds out about me, he'll kick us to Mars and back. You hear me? And it won't be pretty" Venom sneered his final warning.

"Calm down, Venom. As long as we stay on his good side, we won't end up on his bad side" Y/n finally replied.

Venom sighed in defeat, glaring over at Peter.

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

A good few minutes later, the curry was cooked. Y/n served it up onto two dishes. She grabbed the two plates while Venom held two glasses of water.

She placed the dishes, along with the glasses of water down on the coffee table. Venom made sure to stay hidden as Y/n lightly placed her hand on Peter's shoulder which immediately woke him up.

He shot up into a sitting position, whining at the sudden pain he'd caused himself. He looked around the room in confusion before his eyes landed on Y/n, who gave him a small smile.

"Sorry, you're a really light sleeper." She told him, sitting on the couch opposite Peter, the coffee table in between the two couches.

"It's alright." Peter shook his head, waving off her apology.

Y/n gestured to the dishes. "Curry's ready. I wanted to wake you so you wouldn't have to eat it cold. Um, I just got you a glass of water, do you want milk with the curry. It helps cool the spicy taste a lot better than water does" She offered.

Peter looked down at the dish and glass in front of him. "If it's no problem-"

Y/n chuckled. "It's no problem" She repeated, already standing up, grabbing the two glasses before heading to the kitchen. She came back in with milk in both and placed them in their original spots next to the dishes. "I hope you like it"

Peter smiled in thanks, lifting up the dish and beginning to take a small bite before quickly diving down for more.

Y/n smiled before eating her own serving. A comfortable silence fell as the two enjoyed their meals and each other's calm company.

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

"So after I helped Miles escape, 2099 came after me. I luckily walked away with just a few scrapes and bruises, that man is lethal" Peter stared at the ground as he finished telling his story.

It was a few days later, Y/n had allowed Peter to sleep in her spare room until he was back in shape again. Though his bruises and small cuts had healed, the big slash to his side still needed time.

"2099 sounds like the worst Spider-Man. He doesn't even sound like a hero." She said, shaking her head.

"He sounds like the key to the end of all Spider-People." Venom added.

"Don't get any ideas" She said to no one in particular.

Peter met her gaze as Venom said. "I wasn't getting anything."

"I have to go back there and stop him before something happens to Miles and his friends" Peter said, beginning to stand up only for Y/n to gently push him back down.

"You're in no shape for fighting." She reasoned.

"I'll heal on my way to kick 2099's ass" Peter said, stubborn as ever.

"We've had this conversation before, Peter. I know I've only known you for a week but you are hell-a stubborn." Y/n placed her hands on her hips.

Peter's eyes flickered down to them before quickly returning his gaze. "Look, I love this" He gestured to both her and her apartment. "But you gotta let me go do this. You can't keep me here forever, you know"

Y/n rolled her eyes. "Cocky as well.." She mumbled. "Fine, go ahead. Door's right there" She nodded in the general direction of the apartment door.

Peter stood up, this time not being pushed back down. He was really close to her now, their chests almost touching. "Thank you for your kindness" He gave her a small smile before starting to walk to the door, only to fall over after the first two steps. He face-planted, groaning into the wooden floor boards.

Y/n just crossed her arms and stared at him as he tried to crawl to the door, getting halfway only to give up again. "Huuuuuuuuh. Help me. Please" His voice was muffled slightly because his mouth was smashed against the floor.

Y/n tutted before helping him up. "Is that enough proof that you're not up to the task just yet, Spider-Man?"

"Who's cocky, now?" He just mumbled in response as Y/n helped him to the spare bedroom.

"We gotta get this guy out of our house, I'm suffocating" Venom whined.

All Y/n did in response was sigh. She helped Peter into bed. "In the morning I have something to share with you. So get some sleep."

"What is it?" Peter asked, now curious to know what she was going on about.

She went to close the bedroom door. "You'll find out tomorrow!" She chuckled. "Now sleep"

When she closed the door, Peter looked up at the ceiling, smiling to himself as he thought of what Y/n might tell him tomorrow.

On the other side of the door, Venom came out and stared at Y/n as she headed to her own bedroom. "Excuse me, what are you doing?" He asked.

"Nothing." She replied.

"Are you going to tell him about us?" Venom asked, irritated by the thought.

"I don't know." Y/n shrugged.

Venom moved in front of her so she would stop walking away from him. "You don't know? Why tell him you have something to tell him if you have nothing to tell him?"

"Because there's two things I could tell him. I could tell him I washed and fixed up his suit...Or I could tell him about us" She replied, heading to her wardrobe to pick out her bed clothes. "Which one would you like me to tell him?"

"The suit one. But I don't want you to tell him about us" Venom said.

"And why is that, V?" She asked.

"Because he will most definitely kill us" Venom replied.

She shook her head. "I can't see him doing that. He's too nice"

"Nice people are normally the ones that trick you" Venom stated. "Nice people can't be trusted"

"I'm nice" Y/n looked a little offended.

"Yes, but I'm taking the risk that you will not hurt me" Venom titled his head. "And you are doing the same for me"

"Goodnight, V" She smiled, getting into bed.

"Goodnight, Y/n"

#peter parker fanfiction #femalereader #peter parker x reader #xreader #Spider-Man #venom #venom!reader #spidermanvsvenom #fanfiction

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sailing-through-hawkins · 10 months

Text

Part 1 ✧ Part 2 ✧ Part 3 ✧ Part 4 (finale) of Harrington Charms Hellfire ✧ AO3

Sometimes Steve thinks the real Upside-Down is his life before any of it really happened, before the demogorgon, before Will going missing, before he ever even met Robin, because that life feels like such a distant memory it might as well be a completely different person's.

In the moments between all the chaos and yelling and laughing, when everyone's quiet and like, content? It hits him harder than any punch (obviously not any punch given all his experience with getting them, but he's allowed to exaggerate when he has Dustin, Robin, Erica and Eddie being dramatic as possible around him every single day) that this wasn't always his life.

He didn't always know the best way to bribe Dustin was by offering to take him to the diner with the most expensive fucking fries but totally worth the price.

He didn't always answer the phone to find Erica calling him up for another round of ice cream at the Sinclairs' while she goes on and on about how Chelsea has betrayed her by cozying up to Valerie after they already made a pact about it.

He didn't always have Robin gently reminding him about people's names and their plans for the week and what he had that morning because fuck, did he have breakfast? Robin, what - ("We had pancakes and that gross syrup you buy even though I keep telling you it's not sweet enough, which means I have to use like half the bottle in one go -")

It's pretty weird to think about. That all of that is some kind of after instead of an always. It's nice.

He could do without the repeated banging on his front door though. Like why do none of his people know how to knock?

"Ready to have your mind blown, Stevie?" Eddie Munson stands outside his house with a wide grin and guitar hanging over his back like a weapon. It kind of is, in some ways.

"Get in here, jackass," Steve rolls his eyes as Eddie cackles his way through the door and straight to the couch in the sunroom ("What does that even mean, sunroom? Who has a sunroom?! If it's facing the pool, shouldn't it be the poolroom? Give me answers, whoever constructed this hellish house!") without so much as a hug. He shuts the door and trails after the madman. "What, no 'hi Steve, nice to see you, thanks for letting me come over'?"

Eddie whips around with a manic grin and wild eyes. "Haven't you heard? Chivalry is dead, sweetheart."

He has such pretty eyes, Steve thinks idly as Eddie carefully takes off his guitar and jumps into the couch, the kind he really likes looking at in moments of peace and quiet. Sometimes they go big and wide and Eddie pulls a lock of hair over his mouth, but that doesn't hide the way his whole face flushes pink when Steve really leans in.

It's not something he actually knows about Eddie, but Steve does know that he - well, he likes Eddie.

"You said he was glaring at Frank after he gave you that Star Trek thing."

"I mean yeah, but that could have been for anything, maybe they fought before I came 'round or something."

"Hmm, true, but I am personally inclined to the idea that he was jealous."

"You just want to make fun of him."

"Absolutely I do."

Steve shakes his head and walks over to knock Eddie on his head, laughing when he immediately pouts up at him. "It's lunchtime, Munson, and we agreed to eat first before you pull me into one of your 'artist moments'."

Gasping, Eddie immediately launches into the same lecture he does every time Robin makes fun of how focused he is while writing out a campaign idea ("Can you believe we used to know nothing about this stuff? And now it's like, saved our lives and we play it every other week. Who even are we?"). Steve walks on to the kitchen as Eddie raves behind him and doesn't even bother pushing down the fondness in his chest, the fondness he knows is written all over his face.

Yeah, Steve and Robin are pretty sure he's like, totally in love with Eddie at this point. It probably should be a bigger deal than it is but honestly, a couple years surviving another apocalypse and being distrustful of most authority figures (including but not at all exclusive to the American fucking government) really puts that kinda shit into perspective.

"Robin, how do you ask a guy out?"

"Gee, that's a great question, I hope I never have to find out."

"...you were the wrong person to ask this."

"No shit, Stevie."

So yeah, Steve's in love with Eddie Munson and the whole world's gonna know about it.

Because he has a plan.

Step one: get the guy to come over for lunch - easily accomplished once Steve promises to make his pizza casserole, a Buckley-exclusive recipe until today (with said Buckley's approval of course, because it's the fanciest thing Steve can do without fucking up like three times in a row).

Step two: use said lunch as a way to make easy conversation and settle nerves - already in action, just need to get his oven mitts on first.

"Oh my god," Eddie moans when Steve pulls the casserole out of the oven, the melted cheese and crusted pasta looking delicious, way to go, Harrington. "Oh fuck, that smells so fucking good, oh my god."

Steve laughs, quickly setting the dish down and poking it with a fork so his face has time to cool down. "Buckley approved and Munson sanctioned, huh?"

"Jesus Christ, let me at it -" Eddie reaches for the dish, hands squeezing mid-air before Steve slaps them both, mitts and all. "Ow! What was that for?!"

"Have some fucking patience, man." Steve sets the casserole onto the trivet ("Our latest word of the week!") and carries the whole thing to the dining room. He calls out behind him before Eddie can even walk, "And bring over the plates from the sink, they're clean."

"No shit!" Eddie calls back and Steve just laughs again when he walks into the dining room with the plates held up over his head, knees and arms bending awkwardly like he's some sort of gangly creature with zero limb coordination. He sets down the plates with a bow and in a weird voice croaks, "Your plates, my liege."

Steve looks at the gremlin of a man in front of and his heart beats once, twice, saying 'yes, this one, this one too, please.'

"Okay, Smeagol," he snorts and jumps when Eddie smacks his shoulder. "Dude, what the hell, I'm -"

"Since when do you read Lord of the Rings?!" Eddie smacks his shoulder again when he rolls his eyes. "That reference is way too obscure for you to just know!"

The casserole is firm enough that he can lift a piece to a nearby plate with zero casualties, but he still doesn't take his eyes off it for a second. "Dustin and Lucas talk about it all the time, even Max does the whole 'my precious' thing. It's not that obscure."

"Steve Harrington," Eddie shakes his head and Steve sighs when both plates are set, the rest of the casserole intact. "You are something else, man."

When Steve turns around, he's struck by how fond Eddie's eyes are, staring at him, smiling at him, sweet and soft. It's heady, makes him smile back, makes him forget every step of his plan, makes him lean in. Eddie doesn't flinch, eyes fixed on him, but does inhale sharply when Steve takes his hand, slowly settling his fingers between Eddie's until they're holding hands warmly, gently, lovely.

"Steve?" Eddie murmurs, eyes flitting all over Steve's face like he's tracking every spot, mole and freckle he can find.

And that right there is what gives Steve the courage to say, "Look, I -"

Brrrrrrng!

Which is exactly why the doorbell rings. Because when Steve is brave, the universe just has to keep pushing him to find the limit of his patience too. God damn it.

"Be right back," he sighs, letting go of Eddie's hand to pat him on the shoulder with a weak smile. Eddie doesn't seem to mind, staring down at his hand like it has the answers to the universe. He walks to the door when the doorbell rings yet again. "Don't start without me."

Eddie doesn't reply and Steve sighs again, opening the door with a tilted head at whoever - "Harrington!"

Steve blinks and tilts his head even more. "Frankie? What's up, man?"

"It's time to discuss." Frank stands tall in his doorway, holding up what looks like a giant roll of paper under his arm. Steve doesn't even want to know what the plastic bag in his hand has. Frank glances around, as if there's anybody else out here, and his voice drops to a whisper. "We need a plan on how you're going to woo Eddie."

Eyes widening, Steve quickly shuts the door and shoves Frank away from the entrance ("I may have the pointy elbows but you've got the strong arms, so together our jabs would be like unstoppable!") . He glances back at the house, relieved when Eddie doesn't come shooting out at the very sensitive information. "What the hell, dude?"

"Listen to me," Frank continues, leaning against Steve's car as if he's not being cornered, setting Steve's teeth on a grind. "Procrastinating this is not the solution, and if you really want to court him properly -"

"Do you have to say it like that?!" Steve runs a hand through his hair. He should have known this would happen and he still got cocky. Fuck. "Look, this is stupid, I'm -"

"Strategy is never stupid, Harrington," Frank seethes, poking his chest harshly. Fuck, what's his deal with using last names anyway? "You want to ask Eddie out, so you asked Hellfire for aid. And our aid is about coordination, patience and a step-by-step tactical journey that includes failsafes for every occasion."

"Oh joy," Steve snorts. He crosses his arms and leans on one leg ("You're the one who said it's our bitchiest move! Besides, it always works, doesn't it?"), eyebrows raised high. "Look, I appreciate the help, but considering the fact that I've literally got Eddie in my house right now, I think I'm doing just fine."

"He's what?!" Frank's smug face turns pale and he whips a glance at the house before slapping Steve's arm with a hiss. "And you're mentioning this only now?! I had to take a bus here man!"

"Ow!" Steve glares back, rubbing the spot. It's basically nothing, barely a sting, but he feels the need to make a show of it to prove a point ("Oh my god, you have been hanging out with Eddie too much, he's infected you - fight it, Stevie! Only you and I can infect each other!"). "I would have said it earlier if someone hadn't -"

"Shh!" Frank rudely smacks Steve's arm again, the prick, and gives a...nervous smile to the house?

"What -" Steve turns around to find Eddie's glare through the window before it quickly turns to surprise and disappears. Steve sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, god fucking damn it. "Okay, well, this conversation is over because now I need to do damage control before any wooing."

Frank nods with a wince. "Perhaps...I could have called first."

"Perhaps," Steve mocks before letting out a laugh and patting Frankie's shoulder. "Don't worry about it, man, I'll just tell him you were trying to start another fight about the tribbles and fuzzies."

"It's a valid -"

"Frankie," Steve says sternly and watches amusedly when Frank deflates.

He still squints and pokes Steve's chest again. "Next time. You owe me the bus fare. Twice."

"Bring food over," Steve calls out as Frank starts to walk away. "I'm not cooking for you if I have to pay!"

"Eat shit, Harrington!"

And Steve laughs and laughs because he finally feels so light after all this time. With a sigh, he makes his way back to the house, startling when Eddie's face in the window makes another appearing-disappearing act.

Huh.

Well, in Eddie's defense, it's pretty suspicious that Frank came over with a roll of paper and bag of markers, right?

"Eds?" Steve walks in, a smile growing when he sees Eddie lying on the stairs in the most unnatural position possible, stretched out with one hand holding up his head and his leg crooked up on the other knee. He lets out a laugh when Eddie blinks at him. "Comfortable?"

"One hundred percent," Eddie croaks, sliding down the stairs, Jesus it's like he's made of liquid, until he's a pouting puddle on the floor. "Why'd Frank come over? I didn't tell him I was here."

"Eh," Steve shrugs, holding out a hand and, when he takes it in his own, pulling Eddie up. "Thought he could finally prove his conspiracy theory about the tribbles again."

Eddie doesn't reply, eyes flickering down to their hands, warm and connected. Steve purposefully doesn't make a remark or snatch his hand away the way the small, dark corner of his brain is insisting he should ("I think it's time we both stop listening to our dark corners, huh? I'll be your light if you'll be mine."), casually making his way back to the dining room. Something glows in his chest when Eddie's hand squeezes just enough for him to feel, before Steve squeezes back and lets it go so he can pull out a chair.

"Ready to have your tastebuds blown away?"

With a gulp and a very quick shake, Eddie grins at him before dropping into the chair. He squirms around until he settles, legs stretched out and hands behind his head, looking up at Steve with that same, wide grin. "I'm always ready for a Harrington Feast."

"Ew," Steve wrinkles his nose as he gently pushes the chair in, making his way over to the one directly opposite Eddie. "Yeah no, we're not doing that."

"But Harrington Habits -"

"I'm going to punch Gareth next time he says that," Steve grumbles. "I don't care how many movies he wants to try out."

It's honestly a little flattering how quickly Gareth warmed up to Steve after the whole 'Grease' thing, hell, the kid even asked (very angrily and with zero eye contact) if Steve knew how to style his hair to look like Danny Zuko's a couple weeks back. Steve had to take a minute before agreeing but then had to coax him out of the look when it very clearly wasn't working, and offered to help him look for a jacket like Danny's instead.

Nobody knows why or when exactly Hellfire started to mellow out against Steve ("I can't believe all it took was some music, movies and cookies, I'm gonna lose my mind! We should try getting Mrs Byers to invite us for dinner with that charm of yours."). Mike still suspects it started after he offered to host their next game night (they didn't take him up on the offer but Eddie barely took his big shiny eyes off him for the rest of the evening, so it was totally worth asking) but Dustin claims he just wore them down with his "- dad energy, Steve, I had to stop you from wearing your fanny pack to the pool."

Excuse him, Dustin, if El might need tissues in case of a nosebleed or if Robin gets another papercut on something that isn't even paper and needs a band-aid or -

Oh.

Oh god, he's the goddamn babysitter by instinct now, fuck.

"Steve," Eddie says as solemnly as he can with a giant piece of baked macaroni in his mouth. "This is fucking heaven."

Trying his best not to preen, Steve smiles and nods as he takes another bite. But apparently, Eddie isn't finished.

"No, seriously, this is like, if an angel stuffed liquid gold into my hands and told me I could chug it. I'm not even -"

"Dude," Steve laughs. "What does that even mean?"

"You think I know?!" Eddie says, his lips twitching like he's holding back his own laugh. "I'm just the messenger here!"

He doesn't know how they made it through lunch because Eddie kept pulling out stories and jokes that got Steve laughing so hard, he literally choked and needed five minutes just to breathe normally again ("Come on, Stevie, keep breathing for me, match me, come on, don't make me panic too -"). It's like he was doing his best to make Steve lose his shit.

Which.

Huh.

Interesting thought to come back to later, because step two has been completed.

On to step three: clean up lunch together as an excuse to be physically close and make some gentle, casual touches.

Casual, because outright holding his hand might be jumping ahead ("I feel like our impulse control gets better when we're together. Wha - that doesn't count, we were high off surviving the apocalypse and she was very pretty!"), and Steve definitely doesn't want to scare Eddie off.

"I am no coward!" Eddie declares, shoving his hands straight into the sink and under the running water as he turns his nose up at Steve. "If the dishes need be done, then they shall be done, good sir, so sweareth I, noble -"

"Oh my god, just start washing, y'goose," Steve lightly shoves at his shoulder and no surprise that step three is already going well, he's just that good at strategy, thanks Frankie. He picks up the already-washed cup and uses the towel he slapped onto his own shoulder to dry it off. "I don't know how you keep pulling those monologues out of nowhere like that."

"Observation, imitation and practice," Eddie says smugly, wiggling in place as he works on the plates. "It's not all pure talent, y'know, I gotta work at it."

"Ha ha," Steve rolls his eyes, barely able to keep his smile in. He nudges Eddie's shoulder once, lets him nudge back, does it again and repeat, until he just lets his shoulder rest against Eddie's. "Thanks for coming over, man."

"'S no problem," Eddie lightly shrugs his other shoulder. "I...like hanging out. With you."

Steve pauses. There's no "I know, crazy right?" or "The Hair and the Freak, who'da thunk?" or "But don't get sappy on me!" that follows.

There's just him and Eddie, side-to-side. There's gentle sunlight streaming in through the window and it makes his rings shine and there's -

"Eddie, what the fuck, you didn't take your rings off?!"

Without a second thought, Steve grabs his hands out of the water and immediately does a headcount (or is it a ringcount? Whatever, doesn't matter), drying off Eddie's hands with the not-damp side of the towel. None of them got lost ("You keep track of his rings? Stevie - no, that's different, stop turning your gay - sorry - bisexual pining on me!"), so he carefully dabs at them to let the shine through.

That's when it occurs to him that there is, in fact, a person attached to these rings.

Ah.

"I, uh -" Steve coughs. "If you're gonna help with the dishes - I mean, we wouldn't wanna lose any of these, right?"

Peeking up at Eddie, who's entire face is flushed pink, staring straight ("Haha, straight. What? Let me have this -") at him, Steve feels something roll through under his skin, making him stand taller, making his face relax, making him feel like - (You can do this, dingus. I believe in you.")

"Here," Steve says softly, pulling a ring off Eddie's pointer finger slowly, waiting for a refusal. When he peeks back up at Eddie, he's still frozen, wide eyed and blinking repeatedly. He gently pulls off the ring from his middle and ring fingers, and holds the silver collection up in the palm of his hand. "Keep them safe."

Frozen, Eddie doesn't say anything.

"Eddie?" It's impossible to hold back his smirk at this point, even harder not to let it widen when Eddie's eyes snap to his lips. "Did you want me to keep them?"

Before he can put them in his pocket, Eddie snatches them out of his hand and shoves the rings into his own pocket, the noise of clacking metal apparently breaking the spell. He squeaks out an, "All good, Stevie!" and quickly goes back to the sink to shove his hands under the water.

See, that would normally hurt, the idea that Steve's touch needed - needed to be washed off. But he saw Eddie's eyes, his expression whenever Steve touches his skin. That's not disgust.

Nah, that's not disgust at all actually.

Steve smiles as he watches Eddie curse when he almost drops a fork, hair bouncing against the sunlight so prettily. He lightly glides up behind Eddie, gathering the curls together, humming when Eddie freezes again.

"Uh -"

"Can I tie it up?"

Eddie seems to take a moment. "Sure," he says quietly.

Continuing to hum, Steve runs a hand through Eddie's hair, coaxing away any little tangles and knots. It's nice to see he's been keeping up with the new routine he and Mike have started together, even if it took Robin's horror stories of hair damage (which were definitely exaggerated just so she could see Mike's face) to get them to think about it. Once he's got all of Eddie's hair held up, he takes his time getting a hair tie out of his back pocket ("What if I need one and I forget? Or Erica? Or Max? Or -") so that he can stare at the nape of his neck, pale but littered with little pink scars.

How pretty can one guy be? Every little part of him, every expression, every -

And then the phone rings.

What the hell.

"For the record," Steve says before he finally ties up Eddie's hair into a bun that hangs low on his head. He starts slowly stepping away and out of the kitchen. "I like hanging out with you too, Eddie."

Speed walking his way to the phone, Steve lets it ring a few more times, taking in quiet and deep breaths because holy shit, did he just do that? He just did that ("I can't believe you fucking did that, oh my god. I mean - I always believed in you!"). With a grin and a glow in his chest that spreads across his veins like some kind of magic high, he answers the phone.

"Harrington Residence -"

"Steve!" Jeff's voice sounds winded and his heartbeat is already racing fast.

"What's wrong, are you okay?" His blood on fire, ready to hit back, where're the bad guys, his axe, where's his axe -

Jeff swallows a deep breath. "Yeah, no, yeah, yeah I'm fine. I wanted to warn you about Frank."

Steve blinks, moves the phone away to stare at it, before putting it back to his ear. "Why, what did he do?"

"He said he was coming over to help with that thing even though you said you'd handle it, and I know you're meeting up with you-know-who so like, be alert."

His eye is twitching. Fuck, he better not be getting a headache today, it's his day off to chill for once, he deserves better than this. "He already came by, dude. He just left like an hour ago."

Jeff swears colorfully enough that it relieves the tension of Steve's shoulders when he laughs. "That motherfucker lied to me, he said he was coming by for dinner."

"He probably knew you were gonna warn me," Steve grins as quiet sounds of plates and cupboards echo out from the kitchen. "Why are you even warning me anyways? I mean I know I backtracked but it was pretty neat of him to try helping out anyways.

"'Pretty neat' he says. God, Harrington, you're such a dad," Jeff teases and it's one of those rare times the joke makes Steve laugh without shame.

Out of everyone in Steve's life, Jeff is one of few who don't make Steve feel so bad about wanting a big family ("Platonic soulmates excluded, of course, right?"). Maybe it's because he gets it, especially after Trey had moved out so quickly. He gets how a house can be lonely without a bunch of family filling up the space.

Jeff hesitates. "Like I said, I know you wanted some alone time today." His voice softens to a murmur and Steve can't help but run a hand through his hair, fidgeting with a lock at the back of his neck. It's getting so long now. It makes him think of Eddie's nape, warm and so pale against the black of his hair but still so alive. "You said you were gonna make a move."

"I -" Steve blows out a breath, cupping his own neck and staring out the window into the greenery outside. The sunlight really does make everything look so much warmer. Alive. "Yeah. Yeah, I am. Today, actually."

"That's great!" Jeff whispers excitedly and Steve just laughs again. "Shit, okay, I should let you get back to it then. I'll phone Wayne for your check-in too, good luck man!"

"Thanks, Jeff. That...means a lot." Steve smiles. "Talk to you later."

Setting the phone against the wall ("You think you're so fancy with your wall phone, Harrington?! ...Yeah, you are, it's pretty cool actually. Should we crank call Hopper or would that be like, a crime?") feels like a weight's been lifted off his shoulders. Alive, safe, well.

The approval of Eddie's friends isn't exactly something he'd expected to want or to get really, but they keep surprising him. Even Wayne's been really supportive of Steve in general, always trusting him to take care of their people, even if he does ask everyone to check-in with him whenever Eddie visits. Sometimes the paranoia doesn't lift up and Steve definitely isn't going to give the man grief about it when he understands.

With a nod, Steve turns back to the kitchen and stops when he sees Eddie, who quickly stumbles back on the kitchen door when he tries hiding.

"Ow." Eddie rubs his elbow with a wince. He quickly hops along the wall to get to the sun room. "Pay no attention to the man behind - uh - out of the kitchen?"

"Eddie," Steve laughs as he follows, the panic of hurt, he's hurt, find him, bring him home, keep him safe fading away. "Eddie, wait, what were you even -"

"Upupup!" Eddie plugs his fingers into his ears and starts chanting. Steve has to lunge when he almost bangs his hip against the doorframe to pull him to the side instead. With a groan, Eddie hides his face in his hands. "Can we pretend none of that happened and that I was on my way to get my guitar without eavesdropping?"

"Nope," Steve says cheerfully, dragging Eddie along by hooking an arm over his shoulder. "I'm gonna be using that for weeks."

"Well excuuuuse me," Eddie squints, dropping down to pick up his guitar and sling it over one shoulder. "If I just wanna know why Jeff would be calling right after a house call from Frankie. You planning something I don't know about?"

"Don't worry your pretty little head about it. It's just some new tracks," Steve pats his shoulder and saunters his way to the stairs. "Now come on, you promised me a show."

It's silent, no footsteps, no quip, so Steve turns back just in case.

"Huwha?"

Yup, same flushed cheeks. Looks like his plan is working perfectly. Steve smiles, turns back around and makes his way up the staircase. It's almost time for the final step - actually fucking saying something.

He's got this. Right? ("Right.")

"So," Steve starts as they walk into his bedroom ("Keep your cool, keep it together, do not fuck this up - but also no pressure, this is a big step -"). "What exactly were you gonna show me anyways? All you said was a melody and -"

"Upupup," Eddie says, placing his hands on Steve's shoulders and walking him back towards his bed, where he ends up tripping on to. "Woah, shit! You okay?"

Shaking his head, Steve just laughs. The giddiness has finally cracked open in his chest, all his feelings floating up like - like they're in his blood, pouring out of him. "All good. You're that excited, huh?"

"Don't think you can trick me," Eddie pokes a finger at Steve's forehead, both hands coming down to rest at Steve's shoulders as he lightly shakes him. "This is very important, Harrington, no distractions or interruptions, alright?"

Steve lets his hands glide back behind him on the bed, leaning back on them and tilting his head. With a soft smile (practiced and well-worn with the amount of times he's used it for Robin, Max, Dustin, Erica, Eddie), he leans on his hands behind him, watching Eddie's cheeks turn pink in real time. "Alright. Impress me, Munson."

It takes a second, Eddie fumbling with his guitar and his jacket, his eyes flickering back to Steve before snapping away, but eventually he spins around and sits on the floor, leaning against the bed. Without the leather (a gift from Dustin, with Mike and Steve's help, that made Eddie cry that day, no matter how much he denies it), he looks smaller. His white shirt isn't thick enough, lets Steve see the skin underneath, the wounds and scars.

With a sigh, Steve brushes a hand along Eddie's shoulder, lets the warmth sink in -

"Woah!" Eddie chokes, twitching in place, shaking Steve's hand off. "I said no interruptions, my good sir!"

"Sorry," Steve says genuinely, totally went a bit far there, that's fair. He clears his throat and shuffles to lie down along the bed instead, careful not to hit Eddie with his feet ("You've gotten enough concussions for all of us, so it's my job to make sure it doesn't happen again, as your best friend and soulmate because I am not losing you.") and settles on his side. "Go ahead, I'm listening."

Eddie takes a deep breath, readjusts his guitar, tunes it, strumming and adjusting and tuning and looping over and over - "Okay, uh, could you like - uh, not like, stare at me? I mean, not - I'm just - uh, nervous I guess."

With a blink, Steve says, "'Course, man. Take your time," and reshuffles so he's staring up at the ceiling. The glow-in-the-dark stars he put up with Dustin are still up there. They don't glow that much but he thinks they're bright enough for him.

"Thanks," Eddie murmurs and clears his throat. With one final deep breath, he starts playing and...

It's good. It's great actually. Steve doesn't know much about music ("You're surrounded by musicians! You play music when you - you know, do the thing! I bet you know way more than you think."), but the melody is slower than he expected, less head-banging and more...just looking at his stars.

He lets his head turn so he can watch Eddie play, the little bun of hair pulled up higher than when he tied it up. It isn't anything special, but it makes the cracked-open glow in Steve's chest burn brighter, melt out of his ribcage like some kind of radioactive goop that he doesn't bother scooping back inside. Not when it feels like this.

The sunlight is dimmer now, but it shines over Steve's legs onto the back of Eddie, casting a shadow on the bedroom floor.

With that thought, the melody ends and Eddie turns a little in his spot to stare at Steve. He looks nervous, the light outside keeping him bright and Steve can't look away. "So, uh, what - what'd ya think?"

It isn't that easy, describing music. Usually Steve sticks to whatever makes him feel good, sometimes just whatever makes him feel in general. But this felt -

"That was amazing, Eddie." The words taste awkward on his tongue but it's blown away by the delight in Eddie's face.

"Yeah?! Yeah, I wanted to try something different, after everything, y'know, so I figured, well the world almost ended, maybe going easy for once wouldn't hurt and -"

He goes on. He goes on and smiles at Steve and the sunlight surrounds them and he can't take it anymore.

Sitting up and smoothly shifting back onto the bed, Steve leans over and reaches out. When his hand cups Eddie's jaw, the rambling stops. He stares down, Eddie stares up, the sunlight reaching out between them, and Steve lets out a soft chuckle.

"You're amazing," Steve says, bringing over his other hand so he's gently holding Eddie's face. He doesn't know what he looks like but he knows that in this moment, Eddie is stunning. Big wide eyes, pink flush and a shadow over his face -

Knock knock knock.

"Oh, you are fucking with me -" Steve shouts, leaping off to the other side of the bed to see - "Gareth?!"

"Open - the - window -" The scrawny asshole mouths up at him through the window, one hand wobbling on the frame. Steve has a quick, ruthless thought of pulling the blinds down but it'll never be more than a thought. With a sigh, he opens the window and reaches out, helping Gareth climb through. "Holy shit, that was so scary. How the hell did you do this every night?"

"I -" Steve sputters, shutting the window behind him. "I did not climb through people's windows every night! Just - like, on the occasion! Shut up, what are you even doing here?"

"Okay, so remember when you told me about -"

"Nope!"

Steve and Gareth jump, looking over to find a fuming Eddie, his guitar strewn on the bed and his expression manic.

"Nope, we're not doing this, actually, thanks Gary," Eddie says brightly, grabbing Gareth by the scruff of his shirt and dragging him out of the bedroom. "I'm sure whatever movie or album or debate or whatever you just couldn't wait to talk to Steve about, it actually can and will fucking wait!"

He shuts the door behind the poor kid before spinning around and stomping over to the window, where he pulls the blinds shut so they're left in shadows. Steve stares as Eddie breathes heavily, his shoulders hunched up and hair lifting up and down and -

Then Eddie spins around again, grabbing Steve by the shoulders and staring straight into his eyes.

Steve blinks.

"Listen up, Harrington," Eddie spits out, his glare vividly stuck on Steve's face. "You and I both know this little meet up wasn't just some meet up and I have no fucking clue why my band keeps interrupting us, but I'm going to fucking explode if I don't kiss you right here, right now after a whole fucking day of just - just you."

Steve blinks twice.

Eddie's breathing is still heavy but not harmful, his eyes wide and harsh on Steve's, so dark without the sun, so deep and obscure. His hair is still in the bun, messed up and frazzled as it is, a few curls coming down to brush against his cheek.

He really does light something up in Steve.

"Harrington, I swear -"

"Kiss me," Steve says and -

And he does.

And it's amazing.

Eddie mashes their faces together, knocking Steve's teeth with his own, bumping their noses, gripping Steve's shoulder too tightly.

It's everything.

Steve sighs into the kiss, running a hand up to Eddie's jaw, letting the other coax around Eddie's back and pull him in closer.

It's Eddie.

"Guys?"

With the very audible sound of skin on skin, Steve pulls away, heart fluttering when Eddie sighs and the breath touches his lips. He opens his eyes and stares at Steve, who rests his forehead against his.

Giggling, he shyly says, "Hi."

Steve grins, closing his eyes briefly to nuzzle their noses together. "Hey."

"Sooo," Eddie giggles again. "That was nice."

"Very nice," Steve hums. He strokes a thumb over Eddie's cheek, feeling the heat of the pink against it. "We should do it again."

"Yeah? Yeah, I think so too." Eddie leans in -

"Guys? What's happening?!"

"Gareth, I swear to GOD I am killing off your character," Eddie yells at the door, his arms wrapping around Steve's neck heatedly. It feels amazing. "In fact, I'm killing off all of your characters after the stunts you guys pulled today!"

"Wha - what did we do?! Wait, what did I do?"

"He's right," Steve leans closer, nuzzling Eddie's hair. "They were just trying to -"

"Oh no," Eddie half-heartedly smacks his chest, cheeks still a pretty, pretty pink. "Don't defend them, not when you're the one that used your weird charm on my friends and made them all 'Ooh, Steve this, Steve that' while I was trying not to think about your ass for the fifth time every goddamn day!"

Blinking, Steve smirks. "Think about my ass often, Munson?"

"Shut the fuck up," Eddie glares. "And get back here."

Lucky him, Steve doesn't think he'd want anything else.

if anyone else had wanted to be tagged but wasn't or if i accidentally tagged someone wrongly, my apologies tag list: @ramyayaya @alienace @5pac3g1r7 @emly03 @tell-me-a-secret-a-nice-one @maya-custodios-dionach @elliegrey2803 @bejeweledbaby @blanketlicker @messrs-weasley @estrellami-1 @stillfullofshit

#sailor✧writes #steddie #sailing✧harrington charms hellfire #writing #fanfic #au content #corroded coffin #hellfire club #HERE WE GO #THE DOOZY IS DONE

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try-set-me-on-fire · 1 year

Note

‘this is my husband/wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/partner etc.’ for soft fic prompts?

Send me soft fic prompts! Read the rest here!

Heather would say she's not having a great day. Sure, her and Tracy hadn't been on the most stable ground lately, but coming home from the San Francisco office to a two page (both sides!) handwritten letter full of incredibly beautiful prose that more or less boiled down to it’s not you, it’s me was still a shock. And, you know, maybe she had been spending too much time crunching for work, but she’d been trying to make senior art director for years and when she’d finally got the promotion she wanted to make sure the studio didn’t regret it. The studio who, 15 minutes after the whole ‘getting dumped, epistolary style’, called to tell her the promotion had been unpromotioned. Two steps, unpromotioned, actually, seeing as they were “taking the project in a new direction” and “felt she would be better suited to a support role rather than leadership.” And, you know, Heather thinks of herself as a relatively laid back person, she’s chill, she’s calm and collected, but after four straight months of 6 day work weeks pulling overtime almost every night she thought she deserved a face to face goddamn explanation for all of this, so she had climbed right back into the subaru she’d driven all night in and took off towards Burbank.

She’d made it three exits past her apartment when some asshole in a truck too big for him to control had swerved into her.

At least someone's already called 911, judging by the emergency vehicles pulling up, and this was a rental car paid for with company dime, so she doesn't even have to stress about it being crumpled up like a tin can. There's a tap on the window frame (the glass is gone, she hadn't even noticed) and she startles, peering out at the platonic ideal of a hot guy she might have described to friends as her "type" when she was sixteen and still trying to be straight. Ruffled dark hair, warm eyes, a kind look on his face. She can't see his arms under his firefighter coat, but she bets they're jacked.

"Hi," the apparition says. "My name's Eddie Diaz. Are you in any pain?"

"Uh," Heather says, trying to take stock. "Mostly shaky, I think."

He nods, shining a flashlight in her eyes. "Can you wiggle your fingers for me? How 'bout your toes?"

"Eyes and ears and mouth and nose," she sing songs as she does so, and Eddie Diaz has the good grace to laugh.

"Alright, you're a little scraped up but I don't think you have a concussion. Can you tell me your name, the date, and where we are?"

"Heather Pantry, July 23rd, the 5 somewhere near Atwater."

"Pantry?" Eddie quirks an eyebrow as he examines the car around her.

"Hand to god," she says, used to the double take. "From the proud Pantry line of middle of nowhere Massachusetts."

"Well, good to meet you Ms. Pantry. I have to go get-" Eddie straightens up and waved someone over. "Honey, can you stay with her? I'm gonna grab the jaws and some bandages."

Eddie steps away and a new man crouches in his place. He's blondish, has a red birthmark splotched above his eye, and is grinning cheerfully. "Hey, we're gonna get you out of here in no time."

"I bet you got shit from other kids about your name too, huh?" She smiles at him in commiseration, and then confusion as he looks at her questioningly. "Oh, you didn't hear- I'm Heather Pantry. And you're Honey, right? Food names."

His face stays puzzled for a second before he laughs. "Ah, no." He jabs a thumb in the direction Eddie walked. "I'm married to that guy." He says it proudly, and his grin gets somehow more cheerful.

"Oh, shit, sorry," she says as he flaps an understanding hand.

"Don't worry about it, just don't let our colleagues know he used a pet name at work or we'll never hear the end of it. My name's Buck Diaz." He holds out a hand.

She mimes a zipper over her mouth as she shakes it. Multi tasking! Take that, potential concussion! Her eye catches on his name tag as he pulls away and she frowns. Aw no, concussion. "Why does that say…"

Buck looks down at the letters. "Ah, right. Well, I took Eddie's name when I got married, but my- everyone calls me Buck, has for ages, but it's a nickname from my old last name, and I didn't want to be Evan Diaz with no tie to that, so I changed my first name too, because Evan just isn't really my name anymore. But," he gestures down at the name tag, and then over his shoulder at the back of his jacket. "The names on our turnouts are one of the ways we find each other in low visibility, and how we might be initially identified if something, uh, goes wrong, and everyone rejected my perfectly good idea of being labeled 'Diaz 1' and 'Diaz 2' so… I was born Evan Buckley, my legal name is Buck Diaz, my work name is Buckley, sometimes people call me Buckaroo, and Chimney says they should just start sending me out to explain all that as the new concussion protocol."

"Chimney?"

"You'd fit right in around here, Pantry. You looking for a career change?"

"Hah," she says. "The LAFD looking to recruit failed art directors who can't maintain a good relationship with the best girl they've ever known?"

Buck grimaces in sympathy. "You've had a rough day."

"I've certainly had better." She looks at her shit thrown all about the car, feeling a little pathetic, and then back at Buck. If something goes wrong… "Is it hard, working together? Do you- I mean, either of you could get hurt at any time. It's gotta be hard knowing that, or- seeing that. Being there."

Buck's smile turns a little rueful, and he looks back towards the firetruck for a moment. "Yeah… we've had our fair share of close calls." He laughs, though there's not much humor in it, and starts holding up fingers. "Eddie's been crushed in a collapsed well 40 feet underground, and he got shot standing two feet in front of me, and there was the whole thing with the freeway collapse - which is how we got together, actually - and I've been crushed under a firetruck, was on the pier with our kid when the tsunami hit, and I got struck by lightning." He does a little jazz hand. "I died for three minutes."

"And seventeen seconds," comes Eddie's quiet voice. He's standing there with the supplies, looking down at Buck, something too steps more sad than a frown on his face.

Buck looks up at him, eyes intense, smile small. "And seventeen seconds," he corrects, and then looks back at Heather with both eyebrows up. "I don't recommend it!"

"I'll do my best to not get deceased."

“But I think…” Buck looks thoughtful as he stands to let his husband press gauze to cuts Heather didn’t know she had. “I’d rather be here, than not. I want to be by Eddie’s side, even and especially when things are hard, and to, uh,” he laughs a private laugh, bumps his elbow with Eddie’s. “To have his back, like I know he has mine.” Together, they work the jaws into the door and finally wrench it open with a terrible metallic screech. “And anyway, some of that stuff happened while I wasn’t even at work, so bad things can happen at any time. I want to… know I had the chance to do something about it, when they do.”

Both of the men reach in to help Heather, moving around each other so easily, so familiar. Her eyes sting a little, and she could blame it on the scrapes but she’s thinking of Tracy singing while she does the dishes. She sniffs a little as Buck holds her elbow. “Wasn’t… the tsunami years before the freeway collapse? You guys had a son already?”

They make eye contact over her head (jesus, they’re tall, is that a firefighter requirement?) and Eddie laughs first but Buck really cracks up.

“We may have done things a little out of order,” Eddie says, loud enough to be heard over Buck’s guffaws. His eyes are crinkled up. “Let’s get you to the ambulance, Ms. Pantry.”

She’s handed over to other paramedics, who go through a more thorough checklist than Eddie’s field triage. She’s paying attention to the questions, she is, but the ambulance doors are still open and she sees Eddie in the shade of the fire truck look around before pulling Buck close, a hand gentle on his cheek. He kisses him, and they’re pretty far away but she thinks the small smile on his face is probably visible from Saturn.

The doors close, and she’s carted off towards Cedars-Sinai where as soon as she’s cleared to leave she’ll find the gift shop and buy a notepad, a get well soon card, a coloring book- anything she can write on. She has a letter to send.

#eddie diaz #buddie #evan buckley #911 fox #my writing

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