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navnae · 1 year

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For awhile before Eddie would walk out on stage he would have to calm himself down because he was anxious and nervous during every performance. Of course when he was actually performing no one could tell that he had a million thoughts in his head telling him that he wasn’t doing good. When the show was over he left the stage with shaky hands and uneven breathing. No one there by his side to comfort him, he was always left alone. When he started dating Steve all of those things weren’t a problem for Eddie anymore. Whenever Eddie felt his hand shaking Steve would take his hand into his own and softly squeeze it before placing soft kisses on it. Eddie would blush just from Steve being affectionate and he always did it at the right time too. Now when Eddie leaves the stage he doesn’t have to steady his breathing, he didn’t feel like he wasn’t good, he wasn’t alone.

Steve praised him after every performance, held him, loved him. Eddie has never felt that even when he was supposed to have it. He couldn’t go one day without Steve being on his mind especially when there was an upcoming show. Eddie would pray that he could have Steve there with him and he would be the happiest man alive. This wasn’t what Eddie expected, he wasn’t supposed to fall in love because that’s not even close to the image he portrayed, hardcore was all he knew. Eddie was a different man now. He wanted nothing more than to be a softie, the little spoon, a boyfriend, husband, parent ect. All of those things he wanted now and he wanted to do it with Steve. The more they hung out to watch those cliche movies that Eddie hated but loved because Steve loved them made him realize that he wouldn’t want to do any of this with anybody else.

Eddie fell, way harder than anyone who has walked this planet and he was fine with that.

Here’s the Steve one

(Woah this got a little emotional, might make a Steve one 😭)

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maatdraws · 11 months

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ZZzzzZZZzzz...

#steddie #steve x eddie #eddie x steve #steve harrington #eddie munson #stranger things #fanart #myart #MY SOFTIES #reposting old art on here #sorry tumblr i'm tryg my best to be active on here too #full of blorbos incoming

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imfinereallyy · 6 months

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Eddie coming home drunk and staring longingly at a picture of Steve. “I wonder when my husband will come back from the war. I miss you so.”

Steve walks out to see his boyfriend plastered, almost kissing the frame. “Babe, I was in the bathroom. Also, as much as this pains me, we aren’t married.

Eddie, completely unfazed by his misplaced longing. “Yet, we aren’t married yet.”

Steve's face softens as he walks over to kiss Eddie on the forehead, “Yea, babe. Not yet.”

#steddie #drunk and in love #Steve Harrington being the biggest softy we know #steddie headcannon #steve harrington #eddie munson #my writing #stranger things

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hainethehero · 2 years

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Knowing what we know now about Vecna, you HAVE to admit that Billy was an absolute badass for looking this thing dead in the eye and going FACE TO FACE with it. He must've been so scared, and Vecna called him weak and fragile. But that's Henry's ego talking. He put down El too when she refused to join him. Billy was powerful in this moment. With a little help from El, he was able to break Vecna's mind control and stand up to him. A measly human, with LITERALLY NO IDEA of what exactly he was facing. (Eddie and Robin were still brought into the fold and had an idea of what was going on.)

And for that, I say rock on Billy Hargrove. You're a hero too. You saved lives too.

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thegoblinboy · 10 months

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inspired by @rogueddie 's post. Right Here.

120 minutes

2 hours they have been standing in front of this stupid claw machine. All because Eddie saw something inside that he was desperate to get. Whatever it was he was refusing to tell Steve who was now pressed up against the wall between the claw machine and some arcade machine. He’s confident that the other has blown at least a hundred dollars trying to get whatever he wanted.

His tongue stuck out in concentration, refusing to let Steve talk to him as it would distract him. Steve doesn’t think much of what the other is doing. The other boy did wacky things all the time. This was one of those times as he waits patiently for the other to finish. Willing to stay all night if that meant he was able to spend time with Eddie.

Five minutes later, when the boy starts hopping up and down and throwing his hands excitedly in the air. Smiling brightly at Steve before he’s turning, bending down, and grabbing whatever he caught from the slot. Pulling it back and putting it behind his back quickly before Steve could see. Moving forward into his space, a smile tugged on the scar on his face. Not leaving any space between them. A look of confusion crossed over Steve’s face trying to figure out what the other was doing.

“So what did you win?” He asks curiously, wondering what the other had spent all that time on. Must’ve been worth it by the smile on his face.

“Oh nothing,” Eddie says tiling his head to the side dramatically. “Just, you know. A bat.” He takes the moment to pull the plushie up holding it by the wing as he dangles it in front of Steve who was starting to think confusion was his default setting.

“Oh?”

“Oh? A man spends two hours winning you a stuffed bat and all you have to say is oh?” Eddie’s teasing is continuous. Constantly wrapping itself around Steve with a soft flush as a result.

Steve begins to stutter over his words as he lifts his hand up, holding the stuffy carefully in both hands. His heart swells up as he realizes Eddie spent all that time for him. As the realization hits a dopey smile grows on Steve’s face, seemingly what Eddie had been searching for as his eyes flicker down to the other's lips. Moving a hand up and carefully setting it on the wall next to Steve’s head. Not caring how close they were. Both of their faces were pink and their hearts beating fast.

“So, watcha gonna name it?” Eddie asks with a smile, one that was reserved for Steve.

“Ozzy.”

“Holy shit, I am just a simple peasant to your royalty. Oh holy one, please grace me with your presence at mine tonight.” Eddie pulls back starting to bow down at the other as Steve laughs at his antics.

“Is that your way of asking me out?” He teases playfully.

“Yes, I guess it is,” Eddie responds, hand aimlessly moving to twirl the bat's wing with his finger as he smiles brightly at the other.

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nburkhardt · 4 months

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A bit of omegaverse slice of life 🥰

Steve wakes up first in the morning with his face pressed into Eddie’s back with their legs tangled together. Just before he can close his eyes to sleep more, he’s hit with nausea. Throwing the blanket off him, he stumbles his way into the bathroom. Falling next to the toilet and throwing up all of last night’s dinner.

As he groans, forehead resting against the edge of the seat, he flinches as he feels a hand rub up and down on his back. Shifting a little, he looks up to find Eddie crouching next to him with concern coloring his face. “You alright there, Honeybun?”

Sighing, he closes his eyes. “Yeah, yeah- fuck, I feel gross”

Eddie huffs a laugh before helping him stand, placing a kiss to his forehead, “how about you take a shower? I’ll make some breakfast and wait for Claudia to get here”

All he can do is nod and as Eddie walks out, he undresses before stepping in the shower. Doesn’t take him long to shower, he’s brushing his teeth when he hears the front door open and it closes again and he hears the giggling.

A smile works it’s way onto his face and he quickly finishes before making his way towards the sound of Melody’s giggling and as he turns the corner finds Eddie twirling around with Melody safely against his shoulder. If he wasn’t already so in love with the alpha, that sight would’ve sold him immediately.

“Oh! M’lady we have an audience here!” Eddie exclaims, turning Melody in his arms and his daughter’s eyes light up the minute they land on him and a giggle-shriek comes out of her mouth. He quickly moves forward before she falls straight onto the floor trying to escape Eddie’s arms.

Snuggling Melody in his arms, he began to sway and take in her sweet baby scent. He opens his eyes to find Eddie watching with a look of adoration and love written all over his face. The omega opened his free arm and the Alpha laughed before circling them into his own arms.

Steve has never felt more safe in his life.

I was reading over some of my ramblings in my notes app and got this perfect little moment and thought to share it with everyone! 🥰🥰

Permanent tag list under the cut. (NOTE: omegaverse isn’t your thing, let me know and I’ll make a note to no include you in these posts)

@spectrum-spectre @sunnythespookyghost @mysticcrownshipper @artiststarme @thereindeerlady @justforthedead89 @ronniescontinuum @freyaforestafay @littlewildflowerkitten @gregre369 @zerokrox-blog @flustratedcas @carlprocastinator1000 @marvelmwah @solliesolesito @navnae @i-less-than-three-you @grimmfitzz @estrellami-1 @cartercaptainofthemoon

#steddie #omegaverse #steddie omegaverse #omega steve harrington #alpha eddie munson #implied mpreg #nburkhardt writes #a/b/o dynamics #past mpreg #tw mpreg #they’re such softies

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eddieintheupsidedown · 1 year

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Eddie: I'm a very tough person, nothing can break me. I don't even remember the last time I cried

Steve: we passed by a cat on our way home yesterday and you cried when you accidentally stepped on his tail

Eddie, tearing up: he didn't deserve that, i betrayed his trust

#eddie is such a softie #stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #incorrect stranger things #steddie #incorrect steve harrington #incorrect eddie munson #incorrect steddie #domestic steddie

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suspiciouslackofclowns · 1 year

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"I'm liking this angle," Steve lilts.

Billy smirks as he shifts, straddling Steve's hips and flattening his palms against his chest.

"Yeah?"

"Mhmm." Steve rubs his lover's outer thighs. "I just love looking at you."

"God, you're such a flirt. It's making me wanna drag you to bed and put a sock on the door."

"Gross," Max interjects.

Steve chuckles when Billy casts a faux glare at his sister.

"If gay shit makes you uncomfortable, you can leave."

"If gay shit made me uncomfortable, I wouldn't have come over," Max retorts. "I reserve my right to get the icks from hearing you talk about sex stuff."

"Oh, does gay sex gross you out, shitbird?"

"Any sex that you have grosses me out." Max glances up from her homework. "No offense, Steve."

"None taken. Your brother's pretty gross."

Steve whines dramatically when Billy smacks him on the chest.

"So much for romance," Billy tuts.

"Aw, c'mon, I'm just teasing."

Billy sits up and crosses his arms. Pouting silently. Steve slides one of his hands up to his partner's waist and rubs softly from side to side.

"Can I have a kiss?" he coos.

His tone has the blond relaxing, leaning down and complying with the request after a moment. Their bodies are flush. Steve would never say it out loud, but the full weight of his partner on top like this feels comparable to being smothered.

In the best possible way.

Steve hums, smoothing his palms up and wrapping his arms around Billy's lower back. When they part, Billy shifts downward so he can rest his head on Steve's chest.

"Am I crushing you?"

"Never."

"Mm, one of these days we're gonna be cuddling like this and you're gonna die in your sleep because you're too polite."

"Just be sure to put that I died doing what I loved on my headstone."

Billy chuckles and Steve spreads a smile.

"C'mon," Billy says.

He shifts off of Steve and lies on his side, opening his arm. Without the pressure, Steve is able to breathe deeper, and he can see a flush of heat cross Billy's expression when he sucks in a quiet breath.

Without protest, Steve rolls over to face his lover, moving into his chest and relishing in the feeling of strong arms wrapping around him.

"Y'know," Billy begins. He pets Steve's hair and noses a kiss on the top of his head. "If I'm seriously too heavy, it won't hurt my feelings if you tell me to get off. I know we joke about it but I really don't wanna make you uncomfortable."

"I love it, though," he coos.

"I know. I'm just saying."

"You're a big guy, sure, but I can handle you perfectly fine. I'm not scrawny, y'know."

Steve smooths his hand up and down Billy's back. Nuzzles into his chest and breathes in his scent.

"Okay, okay," Billy chuckles. "I just worry about it sometimes is all."

"I don't."

"No?"

"I really like how it feels when you lie on top of me. Like, yeah, you're heavy, but it's like all of my stress is washed out whenever I’m under you, and I'm finally able to relax."

Billy is quiet for a moment. He presses another kiss to Steve's hair and squeezes him.

"Didn't know you felt like that," he coos.

"I thought if I told you, you'd only hear the part about you being heavy and not wanna do it anymore."

"Mm, we can still snuggle like that. Do I need to start giving you stronger hugs, Stevie?"

Steve sighs, closing his eyes.

"I'd like that."

Almost immediately, Billy wraps him up tighter in his arms and hugs him close, pulling an involuntary sound from Steve's lips.

Rather than say anything, Billy just continues cuddling like that. Keeps Steve pressed against him and smudges kisses on the top of his head. At least, he does for a little while. When he finally relaxes his grip, Steve sucks in another quiet breath and sighs deeply, his entire body going limp.

"That was nice," he hums.

"Better?"

"Mhmm," Steve sighs. "I love you so much, sweet thing."

"I love you too," Billy chuckles.

He pets Steve's hair. It's quiet for a beat until Max drops her pencil on the coffee table and leans back on her hands.

"Sometimes I wish I could just live here," she says.

Steve rolls over and raises his eyebrows.

"You kinda already do."

"No, I mean like all the time." She looks over at the couple and then back at the coffee table. "Being around my parents is exhausting, and they don't ever let Lucas come around because he's a boy. Not to mention that they don't even like each other, not like you guys do."

Billy props himself up on his elbow and dawns a sympathetic expression.

"You know you're welcome to come over anytime, right? And that it's okay to invite Sinclair," he coos.

"Mhm," Steve adds. "Just let us know, and we're fine with picking you guys up and stuff too."

Max nods to herself. Redness quickly overtakes her complexion and Billy and Steve are quick to sit up when she sniffles.

"It's just so different coming over here. Being around you guys when you talk about going on dates and how much you love each other, even your arguments, is making me realize how shitty things are at home."

Billy slides off of the sofa and sits next to his sister on the floor, reaching around her shoulders and pulling her into his chest. She complies almost immediately, buries her face into his shoulder and takes handfuls of his shirt as tears spill down her cheeks.

He shushes her quietly. Rubs her back and squeezes her tighter. After a few moments, her breath evens out, and she sighs.

Steve joins them on the floor and sets a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Do you want me to talk to Susan about it?" Billy asks softly.

Max nods. Squeezing her eyes shut and sniffling. Billy glances at Steve and the brunet offers a smile.

"Of course," he says.

"I'll talk to her about it tomorrow, then." Billy gives Max one last squeeze before he loosens his grip and she leans back to wipe her eyes. "How about you take a break from homework and we go out to eat somewhere? Would that make you feel better, Squirt?"

Max smiles and nods, giggling when Billy playfully nudges her shoulder with his arm as he stands up.

"You do give really good hugs, by the way," she says.

"Can it and go put your shoes on."

She giggles again and gets up as well, padding into her bedroom and sitting on the bed to lace her sneakers up.

Steve leans into his partner's side and smooths his hand over his chest, tilting his face up to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"You're such a big sweetheart," he croons.

"Mm, you really don't mind? I know I was asking a lot just to have her live here sometimes, but this is like—"

He's cut off by Steve sealing their lips together. It lasts for a beat, and when they part, Steve is smiling fondly at him.

"I'm more than okay with it. I know you're worried about her, and I don't mind her living here with us at all," Steve says. He pats Billy's chest and smirks. "We're probably gonna have to get her noise-cancelling headphones, though. I can't really imagine you succeeding at being quiet."

"Oh my god, gross," Max groans.

Billy scoffs and nods towards the door.

"Go put your bike in the garage, brat, we'll be out in a second."

Max rolls her eyes and trudges to the front door, leaving it open behind her once she goes outside and Billy tsks as he snatches his keys off the hook.

"Wait, does this mean no more couch sex?"

Max runs back up the steps, swinging into the doorframe with a look of horror on her face.

"What? I am never sitting on that couch ever again!"

"Bike. Garage. Now," Billy hisses.

Steve clasps his hand over his mouth and resists the urge to laugh, especially when their sibling banter continues out on the porch. He simply shakes his head and grabs his coat before following them out the door.

This will be added to my things from tumblr series on ao3 here shortly under the title Big Brothers if you’re looking to save it on there <3

#harringrove #billy hargrove #steve harrington #max mayfield #max and billy #chubby billy hargrove #autistic!steve harrington #he needs that deep compression real bad #fluff fic #I think Billy is a big ol softie and so does everyone else #it’s canon #I wrote it down #my writing #ficlet

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navnae · 1 year

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After a long day of performing on stage Eddie always come home extremely tired and he never has enough energy to wipe of his makeup. When Steve sees Eddie laying in bed sleeping with his eyeliner and a little bit of eyeshadow along with a little bit of lip gloss. Steve knew that Eddie would be a goner as soon as he hit the front door, so Steve took it upon himself to take out some of his makeup wipes that he carries with him every time Eddie goes on tour. With a few wipes in his hand Steve sat on the side of the bed and faces towards Eddie who was sleeping peacefully like he always did. Steve smiled softly before taking his hand and placing it under Eddie’s chin to angle his face towards him. Light snores escaped Eddie’s lips by the little bit of movement that Steve was making and it was the cutest thing. Steve took his other hand with the wipe then gently started to wipe the eyeshadow off of Eddie’s eyelids before lightly angling the wipe and he was somewhat able to wipe away a little bit of the eyeliner that he was able to reach. A few seconds of wiping made Eddie shuffle around under Steve’s touch before his eyes slowly opened and he looked at Steve with confusion.

“Stevie?” Eddie said softly as he adjusted his eyes. It didn’t take long for him realize what was going on on eve he saw the wipes in Steve’s hand. Steve smiled before kissing Eddie’s forehead and softly brushing his bangs to the side.

“I’m just wiping off your makeup for you, baby. I’ll be done soon so you can go back to sleep.” Steve said sweetly. Eddie hummed before closing his eyes and Steve continued with getting the makeup off of Eddie’s eyes. He even took the wipe and rubbed it against Eddie’s lips to get off the light lipgloss he was wearing.

When Steve got done with everything he started to get himself ready for bed like usual and join Eddie a few minutes later. As he got into bed, Eddie was already throwing his arms around Steve’s waist as if he was going to run away in an instant. Steve laughed lightly then wrapped his arms around Eddie and they started to cuddle.

“Thank you.” Eddie mumbled against Steve’s chest. Steve smiled to himself and gave Eddie a tight squeeze.

“You’re welcome.” Steve responded. Eddie tilted his head slightly to look up at Steve.

“You really didn’t have to you know.” Eddie felt a little guilty that Steve went out of his way to wipe his makeup off but little did he know that Steve didn’t mind it at all.

“I know but I know you better than you know yourself and you would’ve regretted keeping it on in the morning.” Steve joked and he earned an eye roll from Eddie but he still laughed in the process. He couldn’t deny that besides Wayne, Steve definitely knew more about him than he liked to admit. Eddie moved closer to Steve and held him even tighter than before.

They shared a few kisses and goodnights then went to sleep. Eddie had to be on the road early in the morning so having these sweet moments with Steve from time to time was such a blessing.

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withacapitalp · 1 year

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Take a Joke

Normally, Steve could take a joke.

He had built his entire high school career on taking a joke. That was how things had to run when you were popular. You sharpened your fangs against your ‘friends’ with thinly veiled insults and haughty looks to keep them in line. And, if you were the coolest and the coldest, you got treated like royalty, because everyone was too afraid of what you might do to even dream of tearing you down.

Steve, who had spent his entire life watching his parents be cool and cold had risen to the top of the food chain with ease. He had become an Apex Predator in just his sophomore year, somehow hiding that he wasn’t like the rest of them in the slightest. He managed to conceal the fact that he cried every single time his father cut him to ribbons, and that he would sometimes have silent breakdowns in the bathroom when he got another failing grade.

He never let them see his underbelly, never let them know when the words they casually shot at him carved into soft flesh, instead of the core of solid rock they all thought he had.

It was survival, and Steve was good at surviving.

Until he wasn’t.

Read the rest on ao3!

#Steve harrington #Eddie munson #steddie #steddie fic #st #stranger things #st4 #stranger things 4 #Steve and eddie #Yeah these boys are both softies #idk if I need other tags but #yeah they both need some softer words for each other #Liam speaks up #Writing(withacapitalW)

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imfinereallyy · 1 year

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Steve Harrington isn't sure he's ever felt beautiful.

He is sure it would be a surprise to most.

However, Steve is overwhelmed with himself. And not in a good way. The constant feeling of the stretch of his skin, every lump, every scar. It's hard to breathe sometimes for Steve.

There is too much of him. Hair everywhere. Worried lips. Voice fluctuating.

Too many errors. Picked cuticles, bitten nails, and crooked noses.

Too many flaws. Loudmouth has nothing to show for it. Big money, but not enough to fix.

When Steve Harrington looks at himself, he doesn't see something he defines as beauty.

Sure he's been called many things across the board. Hot, sexy, and even the occasional handsome. That is typically reserved though for old women at Family Video and his mother's book club in 79' (a disaster of an idea considering it was mostly day drinking). And although Steve is called all these things and more, he hasn't really felt them. They are just more meaningless words he is supposed to nod his head along to. It's rude not to take a compliment, he can hear his mother's voice saying.

But Steve Harrington does not feel beautiful. He knows it's not a masculine word. He can almost hear the unspoken slur every time his father calls Steve a pretty boy, good for nothing but his looks.

(Steve doesn't think it's his father's insults that make him feel this way. He thinks that his comments might have to do more with his repressed bisexuality though. That's a talk for Robin for sure.)

Steve knows he shouldn't feel this way. Should be grateful for the compliments, the praise. It's rude, he knows. To be so ungracious. He can't just push them off, he can't argue.

He knows it isn't good, and isn't healthy to put this on other people. That he should work from the inside than out. Even so, Steve can't help but wonder if it's all his years being put inside a particular box that is the problem.

Who is he to argue with everyone else too? They always know better. The girls at school have told him what eye candy he is. His old buddies would tell him they wish they looked like him. Even the kids would mostly compliment him aesthetically. Talk about his way with women. Talk about how he's lucky he's got looks.

(He thinks he should be bothered more by the value of his looks than his intelligence, but that problem feels separate to Steve. He isn't really sure if he can explain it.)

Maybe that is the problem. People talk more about his looks than to him. Around him, through him, but not to him. Or maybe it's because Steve thinks they are just being kind, being pitiful. If Steve can't be smart, can't be creative, can't be talented all that is left is looks. People can't bullshit the other things, but they can all pretend he's a good-looking guy.

He is probably being dramatic if he's being honest. He can feel the sinking weight of the words selfish, self-centered, vain. It's like a horrible thrumming in his chest, every time he thinks too hard about it. Thankless and paranoid, Steve usually keeps quiet.

It's when Steve meets Robin Buckley, things start to change just a little bit. She's the first to come the closest to making him believe he can maybe be beautiful.

It's after a shift at Family Video. Robin and Steve are sitting on the hood of his BMW at the quarry. They're stargazing. Something that before Robin, Steve would have considered a waste of time.

He is so very glad he met Robin.

Steve has never really told anyone how he feels about himself. He doesn't think it would do him any good. He comes close though when suddenly Robin turns from looking at the sky, looks directly at his face, and says, "Sometimes, you remind me of the stars."

Steve startles and comes up with an eloquent "Huh?"

Robin giggles softly. "It's the moles. Reminds me of the constellations. I sometimes want to connect them, see if they match."

Steve just stares, unsure of what to say. Feels captured by her. Can feel that familial love between them grow even more.

Robin reaches out. Carefully, delicately, as if Steve might stop her. She brushes against the moles across his face and lightly connects them. "Pretty."

It's just one word, but for a moment Steve believes it's true. It's only a second, but he thinks he might remember this moment forever.

"Thanks Rob." He whispers, afraid to break the moment.

Rob pauses for a second before continuing the journey back and forth on his face. It's if she can tell how fragile he is when she whispers back "No problem Dingus."

He doesn't believe it for very long, but it at least makes him more grateful for Robin.

———

Steve Harrington isn't sure he's ever felt beautiful.

Well, until he meets Eddie Munson.

It's small at first. From the second Eddie meets Steve, it's almost as if he can read every single thought that comes across his mind.

And when they become friends, after Vecna, after it all, it's as if Eddie can see completely through Steve.

Eddie notices when Steve gets uncomfortable with backhanded compliments on his looks. When Steve tenses in the slightest towards what the kids, customers, or even Nance are saying (he remembers a distinct can't believe another woman hasn't been fooled by the Harrington looks yet, from her). And at first, Eddie seems to just catch on and change the subject. Shifts the attention to himself instead.

Steve's grateful.

But then Eddie starts to correct people. Shape the compliments better, more suited to Steve. There is a girl trying to flirt with him in Family Video once when Eddie is visiting. Steve isn't super receptive to it and even shrinks away a bit when the girl—Sadie he thinks her name is—looks him up and down and says "Sorry I'm taking so long, just I can't help if you're so distracting. You look so good today Steve,"

It doesn't feel good, even though he wants it to. But then there is Eddie cutting Sadie off by saying, "It's the smile isn't it?"

Eddie looks directly at Steve, chin in his hands as he leans across the counter. There is a slight uptilt to his lips while ignores Sadie's confused "Huh?"

"Can't look away when you see a smile that bright."

Steve doesn't think too badly about himself for the rest of the day.

After that something shifts in Eddie too. The verbal comments don't become fewer, but the looks do become more frequent. It's these absolutely intoxicating looks, that shake Steve to his core.

Eddie's eyes trail him, whisper to him, fucking follow his every movement.

There is this one time when Steve throws his head back and laughs harder than has in his life when Robin trips into Nancy's lap. He is sure it really isn't that funny, and he knows he looks awful with the snorting and tears running down his face. But Eddie, Eddie's eyes just follow the line of Steve's neck, connect all of his moles with his gaze, and just beams at Steve.

For a moment, Steve feels gorgeous.

———

Even with these little things, Steve Harrington doesn't feel beautiful.

After everything with Vecna, what little he liked about himself is quite literally torn apart. The stares are mixed now. Some admire him, some look upon him in horror. He can't decide which feels worse. They both make him feel so distinctly other. Something to look at, something to hang on the wall and contemplate.

And moments like these ones, sitting in his backyard in broad daylight, in 90-degree weather for a pool party the kids begged him to have, he can't help but cover himself up. Hide away.

Eddie sits next to him in the lounge chair on his right with a distinct plop, shaking Steve from his spiral momentarily.

"You doing alright there big boy?" Eddie raises an eyebrow.

"Yea. I'm good man." Steve tries to shake off.

"Really? Cause like I know you and Rambo—" Eddie points at Nancy "—don't exactly go in the water anymore, but the least you can do is take your shirt off. It's hotter than Satan's ass out here, and that's a lot coming from me. Considering my reputation with knowing him personally and all."

Steve looks out at the backyard, at the kids in the water, at Robin trying hopelessly not to stare at Nancy, and he contemplates for a moment. He could lie to Eddie, but that didn't feel right. They had grown too close for that. He could tell him to shove off, and Steve knows that Eddie would, no questions asked. It doesn't feel right either. Because for once, Steve wants. Steve aches. So he turns to Eddie slowly and says "I don't want them to stare."

Steve doesn't specify who. He doesn't think he needs to. It's not really anyone really. Or maybe it's everyone.

Instead of telling him they won't stare, or he has nothing to be ashamed or that he's a hot piece of ass, Eddie says "Why don't you want them to?"

Steve feels like he's been hit by a truck.

He takes a sharp breath "I—I just feel—" He tilts his head back trying to hold back tears before looking at Eddie again "—It just makes me feel like a thing. Like something to observe. The scars, they are just awful. And I know yours are the same but it's just different. It fits you, not me. I'm not sure anything fits me really. And—and even if it's not the scars they stare cause they think I like it, like it's a compliment. But I don't believe it. It's not true. It never has been, even before the Upside Down. I'm just Steve. I'm just here and..." he trails off. Steve doesn't even think he is making any sense in the slightest. But then he sees Eddie's face through the tears, so serious and kind, and Steve sees that Eddie just gets it.

Without hesitation, Eddie stands up and grabs Steve's wrist lightly, and drags him up. "C'mon" is all he says before taking Steve inside.

Steve expects a speech, Eddie is famous for them, but instead all he does is pull him into the kitchen. "Let's make the kids lunch, yeah?"

So they do. For the next five minutes, they work in comfortable silence, preparing sandwiches. Steve's shoulder's relax, the tension begins to leave his body. He can feel Eddie's warmth at his side. Can hear Eddie start to hum the tune of "Everybody wants to Rule the World" next to him, even though Steve is certain Eddie hates Tears for Fears. And because Steve knows it's for him he can't help the smile that blooms across his face, dimples and all.

Suddenly, Eddie stops humming and takes Steve's face into his hands, caressing his cheeks with his thumbs. Back and forth. Back and forth.

Steve's smile, albeit softer now, remains on his face when he asks, "What?"

Eddie leans in, a whisper away from his lips, and replies "Beautiful."

He then kisses Steve in the only way that can be described as devoted affection. It's warm and true. It's like coming home.

And Steve Harrington for the first time feels beautiful.

———

When time moves on, and Steve has bad days, where he feels like he's rotting from the inside out, he remembers this moment. He remembers when his boyfriend saw him covered in sweat, tears, and mayo, and can't help but kiss him for the first anyway.

He remembers Eddie can't see anything beyond Steve's smile and think that he was anything but beautiful.

———

Do I develop Steve's character more than necessary? yes. Will it ever stop me? no. Sorry I love a good character study. I need to do one for Eddie next.

Not much to say here except, like steve says this might not make a whole lot of sense, but it felt good to get out. Sometimes it's okay to want to be called pretty. It's not shallow or vain. It's good for the soul. Hope the pacing was okay. Llet me know what to write next <3

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