Funniest (fantasy) Way To Find Out You're Trans I Think. Assigned Male By Ancient Prophecy

I'm trying to prove a point to my brain: Reblog if you think fanfiction does not need sex to be good.

There is a trend I’ve noticed that smut fics tend to be much more popular than anything else and honestly I just want to have something to look at to remind myself and that writing doesn’t have to have sex to be worth putting out into the community.

Cursed or Blessed

Summary: Witches come to Hawkins from the power in the area due to everything with the Upside Down. The party gets in their way and Dustin ends up cursed to have a female body. When trying to get the curse removed, the same spell is directed at Steve, who doesn't find it such an issue.

Author's Note:

According to my Works page, this is my 500th Fic posted to AO3. I could do math to argue it cause there's some anonymous in collections and one fic that's actually a collection of others from when I started using the site, but still a brilliant milestone to have reached and I wanted to share that. Also yes, I am muddled over how to tag this fic cause of the curse shenanigans. If you wanna correct me, please do. I just had a day or two where the fics I was reading kept including a sex change curse where the person cursed hated it but was forced to conform to the gender presentations their new body made people expect of them and thought hell No, we've got trans care now, why wouldn't that get used? And then I got distracted entirely by Steve's gender euphoria when I started writing. She's cute.

~

Monsters and unethical experiments, Steve could get. He had even accepted a kid having superpowers and classing everyone from the lab she was tortured in as siblings. Magic however was taking longer to understand and he wasn’t happy about its presence at all.

The fact these so called magic users looked like Macbeth rejects wasn’t helping him believe a word they’d said either. He’d hated being forced to study that in English class.

“What tech do they have and can we steal it? Use it to fight them?” Dustin was questioning beside him, clearly also refusing to accept magic as an explanation.

“It’s magic, Dustin! There’s nothing to steal.” Mike snapped, which, given it was the fifth time the suggestion had been repeated, made sense.

~

The plan to try stealing the tech of the people claiming to be witches failed in its attempt. Dustin had been the one yelling about it, demanding to know where it was, so he was the one magic was directed at when the witches decided they’d had enough and were leaving.

He fell to the floor and half the group ran to him, while Nancy and Jonathan gave chase to the witches and Steve waited to see where he’d be most useful.

“What the hell? No, no, no, this is wrong. It’s not me. I am not comfortable!” Dustin woke up yelling from where he’d fallen during the confrontation.

“Guess we’re going dress shopping.” Mike stated, helping him up while looking him over an uncomfortable amount.

Steve tugged Dustin away from him, seeing the glower forming, “Are you fucking sick? No, he’s not happy about this and we’re not making it worse for him.”

“He can pretend he’s in fancy dress, a female NPC.” Lucas tried suggesting, only to have matching glares levelled at him.

“And you just volunteered to express order a binder and a few sets of men’s clothes in the sizes he’ll now need.”

Dustin blinked at Steve in something like awe at the words, “Genius? Thank you? That! Please, whatever you just spoke about, that. This feels so wrong.”

“But you look-” Nancy had turned back to the room but as she spoke Steve lifted his bat, clearly ready to attack her if the wrong thing was said. “Weapons down please?”

“Objectifying anyone is bad, forcing anyone to dress in a way they’re uncomfortable with is bad, especially towards Dustin who’s just been cursed. I’m taking him to mine and getting the numbers to order the stuff I mentioned.” Steve kept an arm on Dustin’s shoulder as he led them out, clearly ready to protect his brother from anyone, friends or not.

~

Tracking down the witches was relatively easy, and Steve had thought that getting the curse undone would be easy too. That was why only him, Robin and Nancy had come along to confront them now.

Looking at the gathered witches he was starting to doubt the logic in that decision but knew between the three of them, they could fight a lot of things. “Undo your curse on Dustin.”

“No. The little prick deserved it, keeping up from the power.” The central witch scoffed, glaring at him.

“I’m not asking. Remove the curse.” Steve raised his bat, knowing that behind him Nancy would be raising her gun and Robin keeping watch with golf balls in case one tried attacking before he noticed.

“No, in fact, I think you should see what it’s like.” The witch started gesturing, muttering too quiet to be heard but Steve wasn’t trying to hear anyway.

As soon as the gestures began he was attacking, his bat making contact with at least two of the witches there before it dropped and he fell soon after, the magic overtaking him.

Robin had started throwing but as he fell darted to grab the bat to keep fighting, trusting Nancy’s aim wouldn’t stray to her even as gun shots sounded behind her.

Two of the witches managed to escape through doors behind them but neither woman pursued them, hurrying instead to Steve’s side, already expecting for him to look different given the transformation Dustin had been cursed with the day before.

“The hell just-” Steve groaned, pushing himself to sit up, “Okay, that’s new.” He looked down at the breasts he now had before looking hopefully at Robin, “Does this mean we can have sleepovers at yours Rob? Can you braid my hair too?”

“Steve?” Robin asked, sounding a little confused by the reaction but nodded, “Yeah, I guess we can. Do you need clothes that’ll fit you?”

“Clothes shopping?” Steve grinned in excitement, “When I can actually try on all the skirts and dresses? Yes, we’re doing that right now!” He hurried to get up and was heading straight for the door they’d entered by.

Nancy groaned, shaking her head, “Can’t that wait until there’s not someone potentially wanting to kill us?”

Pouting at her, Steve nodded, now looking around the room they were stood in, “So are we trying to get any information on what they’re doing while we’re here then? Or just escaping in case some of them survived?”

“Look around quickly, but we know two escaped the room. I think we saw them all though so hopefully two will cause a lot less trouble now.” Nancy decided.

They didn’t find much, but when they left Steve was carrying an old handwritten book that the witch they’d thought was the leader had been holding. He could only hope it was useful since he couldn’t make out what the words written in it were in the poor lighting.

~

Much to Steve’s frustration, they didn’t let him stop at any of the clothes shops on the way back to the Wheeler’s. Nancy insisted that they should update everyone on what had happened instead, especially since Dustin was still hoping they’d have a reversing for his curse.

Steve did at least manage to convince her to let him get changed into one of her dresses before telling everyone else what had happened.

Nancy went straight to the basement with the book they’d found, saying she’d let Dustin start looking it over while Robin helped Steve.

“What?” Mike exclaimed first when Steve entered the basement.

Everyone turned at that, staring at Steve who smiled and did a twirl for them.

Robin glared from behind him, “What what, Michael? Never seen such a gorgeous woman before?”

“You yelled at me for saying Dustin needed dresses but have turned around and forced them on Steve?” He yelled back, gesturing to her forcefully.

Steve rolled his eyes, “Hey, shithead, I chose this. It’s like the best thing to me. Dustin hates it so he gets binders and help staying who he is, cursed or not. Capiche?”

“You want to be a girl?” Erica goaded, looking her over sceptically.

Steve fluffed her skirt out, smiling a little before raising an eyebrow at her, “What’s with the judgement, Erica?”

“Yeah! My sister is awesome.” Dustin called out, looking up from the book he’d been reading since taking a moment to stare at Steve’s change.

Steve moved over to ruffle his hair, smiling at the support and the way Dustin was still claiming them as siblings, whatever gender they had. “Thanks Dustin, you think you’ll find much in that book?”

“Witch’s handwriting is terrible. I think they failed to become doctors, it’s that bad. There’s probably something, but I’ve only found gruesome spells and power tracers so far.”

“We’ll keep looking. Together we’ll get it sorted, I know.” She reassured him.

~

After they’d all eaten, and confused Karen even more than she already was by the group calling two girls she’d never met Steve and Dustin , Steve started asking about going shopping again.

Robin leant on her shoulder, patting the opposite one comfortingly, “Stevie, we don’t have time for a shopping spree. They’ll all be shut now.”

“Okay, I guess that can be for after the witches are gone, but I need clothes now, soo-” He paused thinking for a moment before grinning, “Robin!”

“Yeah?” She glared from her shoulder since there had been no need to yell when they were cuddled up together.

Steve nudged her playfully, “I have a list of clothes you’ve got to lend me. Fashion show during our sleepover tonight?”

She squinted at her, “You’ve got an agenda for the night, haven’t you?”

“Fashion show, make-up, hair, nails, face masks, and gossip. We’re going it all!” Steve ticked off the activities she wanted to do on her fingers as she spoke.

“What fun.” Robin murmured tiredly, “Can I put on a movie while you do all that?”

Steve pouted, poking at her, “Robinnnnnnnn.”

She snorted, nuzzling him, “Fine, we’ll do it. Any other girls joining us? Also can we just like fetch whatever clothes you want to borrow and do the sleepover at your house?”

“But the fun is about getting to stay at someone else’s house.” Steve didn’t protest much, even if he looked a little disgruntled at the request.

El came to sit with them before the pair could debate which home to use. “If it’s okay.” She said seriously.

“Definitely in.” Max called from where she was currently leaning against Lucas.

“Sounds hilarious. I’m in.” Erica agreed too.

Nancy looked at Steve for a moment before shaking her head, “Never been my thing. I’ll skip it.”

Robin wanted to argue, but Steve pinched her side. He was fairly sure that sleepovers had been something Nancy had done with Barb and never since so didn’t want that subject bringing up when planning a pleasant evening.

“Maybe Dustin should-” Mike started in a goading tone, but Steve clicked at him.

“Thin ice, Wheeler,” She warned.

After taking a deep breath, Mike finished carefully, “Should DM a one shot and the rest of us stay at the Byers tonight to avoid explaining what’s going on to everyone if we’re going to reverse the curse soon enough.”

“Good idea to stay in bigger groups in case the witches come back too.” Steve agreed, glancing around at the group, “Whichever house we have our sleepover in, let’s catch up at my house tomorrow to try and get a plan to take on the witches properly.”

~

Robin hadn’t seen Steve so free with her emotions before, nor so excited to be doing things that seemed pretty normal. It had made the sleepover more fun for her, to see her best friend enjoying being a girl so much, even if it was tiring too.

El, Max and Erica had all drifted off to sleep a while back, and how Steve knew when to get the face masks washed off so it didn’t happen with them on felt like one of life’s great mysteries.

They were a different mystery of Steve that Robin wanted to ask about though, and the quiet of the night seemed like a safe time to ask it. “Hey Stevie?”

“Yeah Robs?” She sounded half asleep already.

“How’d you know how to help Dustin? With binding and all that?”

Steve made a thoughtful slow noise before replying, “Wandered away from my parents the last time I got dragged on one of their trips, asked some questions that got some guys trying to direct me back concerned and learnt a lot of weird stuff. Useful stuff too.”

Robin hummed, “Including how a woman can become a man?”

“Yeah, I’d actually been trying to ask if doing this was possible. They got confused by fourteen year old me.” He remembered after thinking for a while. “Realised pretty quickly my parents would have had horrible reactions if I’d got the actual answers or acted on them.”

“What’ll you do if this is temporary?” She asked after taking in the story for a moment.

Steve stretched. “Find answers to those questions now and take you to a city where I could actually do it.” She decided.

~

The next afternoon found everyone scattered around Steve’s home. Nancy had spent the morning looking for their own sources of information on magic and was currently going through them with Jonathan and a few of the kids.

Steve and Dustin were sat closely together reading from the witches book about transformations and speculating on whether the general transformation reversal spell would work for Dustin or not. The spell used on them hadn’t been found yet but Dustin needed a pause from deciphering the handwriting.

El and Robin were sat with them. They had been taking turns to write down what Dustin managed to read so they had an easier to read copy to keep. Now they were reading through their notes and wondering if magic was similar to El’s powers as well as if they were bothered about finding out.

“Give us our spell book back!” One of the two witches still alive demanding, slamming the doors to Steve’s home open, hands primed as if they’d start cursing any minute.

Steve and Dustin glanced at each other and the girls in front of them before jumping up and over the back of the sofa to face the witches, “You came to us? That’s-” Steve paused as if thinking, “Nice. Isn’t that nice of them, Dustin?”

“Dumb too, cause now they’re reversing the curse on me.” Dustin agreed.

“Why would we do that, little girl?” The second witch sneered.

Steve and Dustin shared a smirk before stepping away from each other, revealing El, already standing with her arm outstretched.

“Because I’ll make you.” She said, flinging the pair into the wall.

The display of power shocked the witches visibly and they were quick to beg forgiveness as well as that they’d reverse the spell as long as El didn’t do anything more to them.

Everyone else came through, having heard the commotion, and Nancy quickly picked up the spell book, levelling a stern glare at the witches. “I don’t think you should have this any more. Try being decent humans for a while.”

For a moment one of the witches glared, ready to argue, but stayed silent when El moved her arm.

Dustin hugged himself as soon as the curse was undone, laughing and hurrying up to one of the spare rooms Steve had kept a change of clothes for him in. “I’m me again! Couldn’t be happier to be in this body!”

Steve stepped back when the witches attention turned on him. “I’m getting the Hawkins lab to take the blame for this and give me new papers. You’re doing nothing except leaving this town!” She stated, pointing to the door of her home.

“It’s not meant to be permanent.” One of them muttered as they headed to the door.

Robin stepped in their way, looking them over carefully. “Not meant to be, but you had to do a reversal. Do you know how long it would last if you hadn’t?”

“Never tested it. Book doesn’t specify.” was the curt response.

“Then we will and since we have the book, we’ll find a way to renew it if it fails at some point.” She opened the door for them satisfied in their ignorance.

Monster Au? - Part 5

partone parttwo partthree partfour II partsix TW: Panic attacks, references to past/current child abuse, a little bit of body horror (as always), mentions of disordered eating. ---

Steve whines loud and distressed even with his Mama cooing into his hair, his sides hurt- and he wants Dad too. But Dad isn’t here- and it’s not safe. 

She’s running her fingers through his hair, he knows she’s trying to calm him into shifting down, making himself his shapeless form. He can’t he’s not supposed to be and, and everything hurts- and- 

“Shhh, come on Baby. It’s okay, just relax it’s okay. Mama’s right here.” She clicks, and Steve pressed his face harder against her stomach, tucking his legs up. Mama dragged her fingers through his hair, cooing and talking softly. 

The door cracked open, and another body joined them on the bed. Steve curled towards his Dad like he was the sun. Big hands pressed against his skin- “Hey Bubba, deep breaths.” And Steve listened, sucked in a sharp breath, hard enough to start coughing. If Steve had thought his sides had hurt before they burned now, he whined, the noise scraping across a throat that wasn’t used to making any kind of noise.  Mama crooned, and Dad just, Dad just rubbed circles against his skin, over the edges of his spine. Over the scarring over road burns on his back. Down each visible knot of his bones, the way his skin was pulled taunt over a frame that it wasn’t built for. Steve sobbed, his body wrung out, exhausted despite the hours of actual sleep he had gotten for the first time in probably years.

Everything hurt, and he just wanted it to stop. 

His ears were ringing, and his head hurt, Steve choked on a sob. A hand cupped the back of his head, curling through his hair, Dad- Steve whined, pressing into the touch, craving the soft affection, deprived and desperate. Please, please- he warbled, pressing his face further against his Mama’s stomach. 

They were talking, he could tell, not that he could hear them, or understand them even if he wanted to. Everything was supposed to be safe, and now it wasn’t- and the house was violated- and he just wanted everything to be normal. 

Steve didn’t want to be like this, didn’t want to live like this. Maybe, maybe if he was human it wouldn't hurt so much, the isolation, and lashing out. He let out a soft cry, his lungs rattling at the force of his distress. He felt like someone had shoved him against something too hot, too warm. 

Lips were pressed against his ear, and Steve wished, wished he could understand- before.

Fingers closed around the back of his neck, pressure. It was, scruffed. His mind went empty, his mouth opened soundlessly. His Mama was still running her hands through his hair, lengthening hair, curling down his neck a little more, over his face. His body falling limp under the gentle pressure of his Dad’s big hands on the back of his neck. Ears still ringing, but the comfort was pleasant and- and, and familiar.  Steve was a frantic child, anxious and nervous. He cried easily, which wasn't that un-normal for young shapeshifters, dependent on parents, and gathered pack, Cubs were normally shuffled away for years before anyone outside of a close knit group would ever see them.

It was harder for Steve when he was really small, carried a lot, scruffed when tears and panic couldn’t be quelled with words. If the body and mind were distressed enough, it would calm, a simple level of pressure around the back of his neck.

Steve cooed, the first comfort noise he’d let out in months. It soothed over the rough treatment of his throat, he cooed again, letting out a soft click, relaxing down against the bed. His fingers curling and uncurling.

His body relaxed for the first time in months, slipping shapeless and more monsterish. Steve hummed, shifting his face against the warmth of his parents and blinked sluggishly. 

Mind pleasantly quiet. It was just as easy to fall asleep as it had been last night, fuzzy around the edges, calm. Empty of anxiety. Sure Steve knows logically he was about to have several uncomfortable conversations with his parents, and the anxiety was going to come back. And Everything would be bad, because the Party- Pack, was going to be so fucking upset with him. Steve would be lucky if they even wanted anything to do with him ever again- 

But, his Dad gave his neck another gentle squeeze. 

It was fine right now, it was fine, and it would continue to be fine because his parents were here, and they’d make sure it was fine. ---

It had been three weeks since anyone had seen Steve. 

Robin had been inconsolable. Eddie wasn’t fairing much better. 

The Harrington’s where staying in town indefinitely apparently, their fancy as hell car seen around town. Eddie only really knows all of this because the Kids won’t stop bitching about how they won’t leave so they can go back to the house. No matter how many times someone tells them that they can’t go back. 

Shit, Eddie had to bodily remove Dustin from the Hopper-Byer’s house for being a dick to Hopper for no reason. Loud and angry, yelling about how they can’t just lose their spot, and why did they even leave, it was theirs. 

Eddie doesn’t think that any of the kids get that Hopper could have been murdered in that house. That they didn’t see just how not human the Harrington’s had appeared. Almost half feral and more than ready to kill for their baby.

He glances at the group of adults sitting around the small table in the kitchen. Their voices were low, but- Eddie makes eye contact with Wayne, who stares back at him for a long moment before jerking his head in the most come here motion Eddie’s seen his uncle make to this date. He’s quiet, moving in the room, at least of all the whole group in the living room goes back up in arms over something that isn’t an easy fix. 

Joyce’s mouth snaps shut the second she catches sight of him, and Eddie rolls his eyes a little, sinking down slightly to rest his arms over the back of his uncle's chair. “Yeah Pops?” Eddie stares at Hopper over the top of Wayne’s head. Wayne grunts, lifting his head slightly, just slightly- to look up at him. “How’s Harrington doin’?” There’s a tone in his voice, rough but also defiant. Hopper growls, the noise quiet, but enough that his displeasure at Wayne’s question is known. Eddie snorts softly. 

His Uncle was older than probably anyone in this town. Wayne wasn’t even a part of “The Pack” not really, and he was only here because Eddie asked him to be. Well, because Hopper wanted another opinion on what to do about the whole “Harrington Family, and House” Situation. And Murray had been very loud in his displeasure at their actions. 

The Human had yelled loud enough that the whole house had been set off. Ranting on about laws, and how they could literally face so many legal issues due to their actions against Steve. The Harrington’s had a lot of power. A lot. 

Hopper had yelled back, it ended with Murray shouting about how they didn’t even know what kind of Creature- Supernatural Steve even was. And depending on that, there would be fucking hell to pay.

They all wanted to go back into the house, the kids were just being shits about it.

Eddie twisted his head to the side, he unfocussed on the boy’s in the living room. For a moment, he was a little overwhelmed by the almost sudden silence, but latched on to what he remembered Steve’s heartbeat sounding like. It was a steady thump against his ears. 

A little fast, but given that the boy was almost always anxious- it was a good sound. Some of the tension in his shoulders he didn’t even realize was there soothed out. Eddie hadn’t given himself the chance, or even the thought of checking in on Steve. Anger burning under his skin, but now- 

He slumped forwards a bit more. “Sounds good. Better,” He ran his tongue over his teeth, pushing flat against the sharpness of his canines. Eddie works his jaw, thinking over, focusing a little more on the faint thump. “It’s better than I remember it being.” 

Which really doesn’t say anything, Eddie focused in when Steve was dying, and clearly he’s been dying this entire time. So yeah, Steve’s heart beat is incredibly strong compared to what it had been three weeks ago. “Why’d ya wanna know Pops?” Wayne for all his years, and for all he puts up with Eddie, always makes that face when Eddie mimics some of Wayne’s accent. 

Or maybe he made that face because he doesn’t want to share with the rest of the table. “I just remember the Elder Harrington Boys bein’ rather cruel pair in School. Worried about the boy s’all.” Eddie blinked at his Uncle but nodded, that made sense. Part of him curled guilt, hot, angry. 

Steve felt so outcasted, so desperate for affection- that he possibly put himself in danger by calling for his parents. Steve’s heart gives a soft thump against his ears, if he focuses enough he feels like he should be able to hear the younger boy’s laugh. Ghost over his ears, make them twitch. 

Eddie’s chest feels empty when he realizes he can’t even really remember what it sounded like. Can’t remember the last time he heard it. 

“Could mean nothing,” He shrugs, making eye contact with Hopper across the table. “I mean, he might be, fine. Or the steady heartbeat is because we aren’t stressing him out so badly he’s self isolating.” Eddie’s not bitter. Not really, he can’t be mad at Hop, this isn’t his fault, and it’s certainly not Eddie’s. Sure it’s a group collaborative effort that they apparently all banded together to accidentally try and kill Steve-

All the blame isn’t going to fall on one person, no matter what Dustin wants to think. Steve was dying. From what they have gathered, Steve’s of course some kind of Supernatural. What kind, they really don’t fucking know. He’s not a Witch, they are all far too human for that.

Something a little less human, from the sounds, to the reactions- the noise Steve made when his mother opened that door. The clicking- Steve had hidden himself away to die, like a cat does when they know it's time. And they were going to let him. Because they were too caught up in thinking Steve was human. Eddie was too angry to even think about the fact that Steve smelled so distinctly like death- and sickness. Too used to the scent clinging to him- to his skin, to his blood, to his heart. 

“I still don’t see why we can’t approach the Harrington’s.” Joyce’s voice is quiet, she’s human enough to get away with not knowing everything the rest of them do. Eddie’s kind of jealous of the Witches in their group, they aren’t as torn up about the loss of the House as the rest of them are. But he’s grinding his teeth flat every time they try and offer what they think is an easy and viable solution.

Hopper makes a grunt-like noise, “It’s not that easy Joy. The Harrington’s have every right to kill me if I even get close to the house.” Hopper takes a deep breath, “And I’d let him.” It’s there, that point. They know, they’ve failed Steve. And it seems only a handful of people really want to accept that fact. 

It took Hopper a little, he’s still rougher about it, gruff and very Chief-like about it. But Eddie thinks he gets that just Hopper realizing he’s failed Steve. 

However Eddie has to hear “Friends don’t tell Lies” one more fucking time about Steve not telling them he was supernatural. He was going to start biting people. Better yet! Maybe actually sacrifice something to a higher power. Just to the kids to shut the fuck up. Better, better yet! Eddie might just kill Mike, just because. 

They sit in silence for a long moment.

Eddie stares at his hands, curled over the back of his uncle's chair. At the adults trying to pick apart the situation. “What, what if we didn’t bother with the house right now. Sure, it would be nice to go back.” Not really, Eddie can almost still smell the ghost of the depression that coated the surface of everything the second you left the communal living areas. “But, I-” Everyone is just looking at him. “I’d rather be talking to Steve again, than go back to that house. It’s not like we, you, don’t have space.” The Byers-Hopper house was more than big enough, they didn’t need all the extra rooms of the Harrington house, they didn’t need the room, not really. Eddie taps his lips with his shortened fangs.

Murray, who was surprisingly silent, for all that Eddie knows about the human. “No one in this house is getting back into the Harrington’s Home.” His voice was dry, but strangely firm. Lacking its regular holier than thou’ tone, Eddie stared at him for a long moment. “Legally or otherwise. The Harrington brood are mean, and vicious. With or without the high paid lawyers. Digging I can do to figure out what kind of Monster I’m working with here, but there’s not enough dirt I can dig up for that Shitshow. Not if I want to get out of it with my life, and I am rather attached to my life.” 

Hopper snorts, and Joyce laughs. Both noises are a little bitter. But at this point in these people's lives, after what Eddie has seen, they are a little entitled to bitterness. His tongue is heavy, anger is coating his teeth he can’t stand it- and his gums itch. “Russians of various origins, but unknown Supernatural is the line?” Joyce’s tone was teasing, but also sharper. Eddie wouldn’t want to do anything like that either. They’d already tested the limits, especially Steve’s limits.

Murray scoffed, “Yes, because Russians are all distinctly the same, they want to kill me. Supernatural? With unknown origins, I didn’t sign up for that shit. Not outside crossing dimensions.” No one said anything for a moment, and Eddie shifted. Listening to the thump of Steve’s pulse a little more. It was a faint noise from the distance, and sure. Eddie would never be able to actually track it. Not like this. 

But it was nice to actually feel like he could still listen to it. Eddie doesn’t want to say how many nights he spent listening to it before going to bed. He works his jaw again, grinding his teeth together. Wayne shot him a look, and he paused. Right, he ducked his head, bangs falling in his face to hide behind. Eddie picked at the wood on the back of the chair, running his bitten down nails over the chipping gloss on the chair.

Wayne taps his leg, and Eddie draws his attention back up. “Buckley’s too-” His uncle works his jaw, Eddie can tell his teeth never touch. “Hysterical,” Eddie snorts, just slightly, the drawl of his voice, and the way Wayne shapes it around his teeth. “about it’all.” Eyes are on his skin, and it feels like they are trying to worm their ways into his skin. “But Eds, Steve might, might- letya around.” 

He gives a slow nod, Wayne’s not asking in a way back into the house, he’s telling Eddie this in a make sure Steve’s going to be okay when his parents leave, way. Not alone and dying without anyone knowing, way. Eddie wouldn’t even let any of these people in this house use that against him. Not against Steve, not in this way- never in any way actually. Imprinting is special. And Steve probably knows Eddie’s imprinted on him anyway. Supernatural and all, even if he’s never actually acted like he’s imprinted on Steve. 

A mistake, a mistake that Eddie desperately needs to rectify. To fix. Un-fuck up. “Imprinted.” Murray says, and Eddie hisses, low at the tone. The bald man tends to have a rather crashness, when it comes down to it. And while Eddie appreciates it, he doesn’t in this sense. “That could work.” Eddie gnashes his teeth, standing up, Wayne makes an aggressive, displeased noise. Clearly whatever Murray is implying wasn’t what his uncle was going to talk about.

Murray looks unphased, but Hopper’s tensed, and so has Joyce. The fucking Russian guy that hangs around hasn’t said a word, and he doesn’t now. He smells distinctly Wolvish too- but Eddie’s never paid him mind, he is now. Threat- threat. 

“That, could get you back in the house.” Eddie snarled, and so did Wayne. Tension was heavy, and the living room had gone silent. He could care fucking less, what the hell was wrong with this man. His teeth itched. “Like Hell-” Wayne’s tone was sharp, smoother-

“How fucking dare you.” Eddie would apologize for cutting his Uncle off later- “I know you get off on riling people up, and generally just being a fucking prick. But jacking off to this? Playing with it? I’ll rip your throat out with my teeth.” It’s not a threat, it's a promise. The older man pales, and Eddie grins, he knows he looks half feral, knows he looks like he can follow up on this request. And it’s, it’s so good. 

Maybe, maybe, the feeling of regret will show up later, mixed in with the heavy coat of guilt, and bitterness, and anger, that already coats his bones. But right now, now Eddie’s protecting something sacred. Do not touch. 

“Never, like hell. I would never do that. Using someone else. What is wrong with-” “Munson.” Hopper’s voice is sharp, low. Eddie curled his lips back further. “No ones going to ask anyone to do that.” Eddie watches the wolf cut his eyes over to Murray, who jerks his gaze away, embarrassment written in his features. Good. His teeth itch, and so does his skin- blood pooled on his tongue. Wayne was on his feet now, slower, and he tried not to think too hard about how his uncle positioned himself in front of him. 

Eddie snapped his jaw, teeth clicking together hard enough they rattled in his skull. Pain flaring across the roof of his mouth and over his jaw. Eddie hisses at Hopper, knows that the other probably thought about it, knows that they all probably have.

“You could get us back in the house?” Mike’s voice is high, loud- Eddie’s going to kill him. He snaps his head around to stare at the teenager, Hopper Growls lower- maybe he’s now realizing just what Murray set loose in his house. Wayne answers the noise sharply with his own snarl. Eddie’s old man is sharp, and protective without question.

“You could have done that this entire time, and you haven’t? What the fuck Eddie.” Baby Wheeler’s voice is accusing, angry- and Eddie isn’t dealing with this. 

Dustin is by his side, looking at him with almost the same expression, and all the kids are poised for a fight- And Eddie hates being like this, but he’s also not doing this- not like this. He spins on his heel, and pushes past the kids, shoving Mike a little harder than he needs to, as he moves past.

The doorknob is frigid under his touch, and he slams it behind him. Eddie climbs into his van and waits for Wayne to follow him out. Doesn’t remember the drive back to the Trailer, doesn’t remember any of it.

Eddie’s not sure if he wants to. All of this is just bad. IT's bad, and he's so fucking angry it's not even funny. How- how. Wayne doesn't say anything to him

--- I lied about part 5, I procrastinated literally all of my work because I didn't want to do anything for a long weekend. Nothing was done, not for anything. I also didn't post, or work on anything for ao3, shocker. I was going to have this posted like hours ago, but my laptop died in the middle of class... which was fun. This part is also not my favorite of the parts if Imma be honest. I hate Dialogue, so much- and there's so much dialogue. You know, this has like an actual title... but I'm also a Long Title enjoyer. So for now I'll just stick to Monster Au? Because it works. At least for now. If it ever goes up on ao3, which it probably will; it'll be under that title. I'd like to actually post a Steddie One-shot that stays a one-shot. *cries over 138k words* (And yes I'm going to keep pushing this link because that fic is my motherfuckin baby-) Anyway, I'm going to go see if I can get a few hours of sleep. That would be nice. I again, ask, where the hell did all of you come from???? You are all incredibly sweet. <3 (I Think this is all who asked to be tagged? I think? They also messed up halfway through making this- so I might have fucked something up possibly) @theghostinmymachine @sadcanadianwinter @failedstarsandgoldenclouds @a-huge-nerdy-nerd @bisexualdisastersworld @intergalactic-president-awesome @vampireinthesun @estrellami-1 @raysreads @knightofthieves @sassysleeplord @gezell-igg @ledleaf @haluton @h0n3y-dw @thegingerrapunzel @finalmoondragon @warrior-616 @lexyvey @thesuninyaface @whalesharksart @two-faced-biatch @plasticcrotches

The only adhd tips that actually work:

1. Never tell anyone what you're planning to do until you do it (you will get a premature dopamine hit and sense of accomplishment from telling them and lose motivation to actually do it)

2. Never sit down (never sit down)

Steve and Eddie, who are both in a city for some music awards the next day, who both decide to go out for a couple of drinks the night before, who entirely thanks to destiny sit next to each other at the bar, who hit it off quickly and start talking and go on and on and on and on...

Steve knows that he recognizes Eddie from somewhere, but he is not entirely sure where from until a guy approaches them asking for a picture with him, that Steve takes very amused, and he realises he's the metal guy Dustin had asked him to take a picture with if he saw him at the awards.

Eddie, on the other hand, doesn't recognise Steve at all, even though he is objectively way more famous than him. It's just that Steve always wears a wig and sunglasses, a moustache that is sometimes fake. It's not like his identity is a secret, he does some interviews without the costume. It's what robin has called his 'drag persona' and not his hannah montana. Gives him some peace in the way that only dedicated fans recognise him when he's out.

The night is coming to an end and Eddie gets a brilliant idea to see Steve again. He asks him to be his date to the award show, like a full date, stand at his side at the red carpet and pose with him and everything, he thinks it will be fun and a very amused Steve agrees.

Eddie is very confused and surprised when the photographers ask to take pictures of his date alone at the red carpet, when some interviewers call out to him and he goes to them easily, but he is too caught up on his own interviews with his band to really pay attention to whatever shenanigans his very hot "anonymous" date has decided to pull.

Eddie is absolutely shocked when his hot "anonymous" date wins artist of the year and kisses him before going on the stage.

secret admirer part four

1,321 words

one two three

Eddie the hobbit, huh? i haven’t read that one (which isn’t saying much cause i've only read books from class) it’s probably good i’d love to hear you talk about it i’d love to hear you talk about anything, though, so maybe i’m biased p.s. i know it makes me sound like an inconsiderate asshole and maybe i am but i’m only now realizing that i don't know if you want me to stop with these i’m sorry if you do promise i’ll figure out a way to ask -H

Eddie finding a way to reply to him about the book gives Steve peace of mind that he doesn’t want him to stop with the notes, but he still feels sort of weird about it. His thoughts go round and round all day and by the time the dismissal bell rings, he has a bit of a headache. 

After checking that he has enough cash on him, Steve goes out to the picnic table behind the school where Mark Jones sells pot most days. 

He makes his way into the clearing only to see someone who is certainly not Mark Jones perched on top of the table. 

Steve stops dead in his tracks.

Eddie grins sharply and holds his arms out wide. “What have I done to be blessed with his highness’ presence?”

Steve wants to talk to him. Wants to tell him to just call him Steve, wants to ask about his book, but all that comes out of his mouth is, “What are you doing here?”

Eddie’s arms drop to his sides and he raises his eyebrows in question.

“Where’s Jones?” Steve clarifies, taking slow steps forward.

“Ah, I see. You’re here for my wares.” Eddie abruptly jumps from his seat and stretches with a groan that has Steve’s cheeks heating up. Eddie meanders over to the other side of the table before looking back at Steve and tilting his head in amusement. “Unfortunately, Mark has been let go. He had a nasty pilfering habit.” 

Whatever the fuck that means.

Steve can’t help the small smile that grows on his face, but he lifts his hand up to wipe it off inconspicuously. He’s never talked to Eddie before. 

Eddie drops onto the bench and gestures for Steve to sit across from him. As he does, Eddie opens his lunchbox and begins to rifle through it. Steve lets his eyes trail to Eddie’s hands while his focus is elsewhere. This close, Steve can finally see what shape the chunky silver ring is. A skull with fangs. Of course, it’s a skull. He should’ve known. 

Steve thinks about complimenting it but decides it would only make Eddie suspicious and he doesn’t wanna be found out (yet, he thinks then immediately backtracks. He can’t let anyone know that he’s writing love notes to a boy. Especially not the boy himself. Who knows how Eddie would react. Even though Steve hasn’t been trying to come off as a girl through the notes, and even though no one could possibly mistake his chicken scratch penmanship for that of a girl’s, still. No one can know).

“So.” Eddie claps his hands and Steve’s eyes snap to his face. “What’ll it be, my liege?”

Steve clears his throat. “Uh, I usually just go for a couple of pre-rolls.”

“Mhm, great choice. Prepared these myself.” Eddie swipes a baggie with two in it and holds it out. When Steve goes to grab it, though, Eddie pulls it out of his reach. “Ah ah ah, Harrington, no freebies.”

Steve rolls his eyes and huffs a laugh. “Yeah, alright, man.” He pulls his wallet out and hands him what he usually pays. Eddie takes the money and counts it leisurely. “You’re five bucks short.”

Steve stares at him deadpan. 

“Birthday fee,” Eddie offers in explanation, shrugging like 'what can you do?’ “Can’t a guy make some extra change for his special day?” Eddie bats his eyelashes.

This boy is trying to kill him. Steve looks heavenward for strength. He counts down from five in his head and only then does he risk looking back at Eddie. “It’s your birthday?”

Eddie grins. “Yup,” he says, popping the p, “Tomorrow. The big one eight.”

Steve stands and tosses a ten onto the table. Eddie passes him the baggie and starts shuffling through his lunchbox. He pulls out a five and holds it out.

Steve waves him off and Eddie peers up at him suspiciously before shrugging and returning the bill to his stash. Steve turns on his heel and begins his journey back to the parking lot. “Happy birthday to me, I guess,” Eddie mutters and Steve smiles to himself. He shoves his hands in his pockets and pivots to walk backwards. 

“Happy birthday, Munson,” he calls and Eddie’s head snaps up.

Steve grins before turning back around and breaking into a jog. 

It’s not often that Steve finds himself in the thrift store. Not ever, actually, but with all that Eddie complains about capitalism and The Man (who the fuck is the man) and whatnot, he supposes this is his best bet. 

Steve wanders around, not even really knowing what he’s looking for. He’s idly skimming over the women’s jewelry section when he finds it. A silver ring with a blackish blueish stone in the center. It’s not that far off from the one Eddie already has, is it?

Steve tries it on and it’s a bit snug. Steve will admit that he spent far too much time earlier looking at Eddie’s hands and he thinks they were about the same size as his own, if not a bit thinner. 

It’s perfect. 

…He hopes it’s perfect. 

Eddie heard through the grapevine today’s someone’s b-day i left a gift for you under the dealer’s table p.s. it didn’t fit in the locker p.s.s sorry if this is weird but you’ll understand once you see it -H

He jogs to plant the present in its place. He’d rolled the second note up and slipped the ring onto it. It kinda looks like a scroll.

happy birthday eddie i don’t know if you want me to keep writing or if you think it’s weird or what if you want me to stop just don’t wear the ring and i’ll back off i hope you have a good day and that you like the ring <3 p.s. you’re older than me now

Steve is so anxious that he feels nauseous by the time he makes his way back to practice and it must show because coach tells him to take the bench. Tommy shoots him a worried glance but Steve just waves him off.  

By lunchtime, Steve doesn’t think he can look. He doesn’t know why it feels like this. Like Eddie not wearing the ring would be the end of the world. 

He manages to avoid looking for the first ten minutes and is seriously worried that he won’t have the guts to do it. Just as he’s resigned himself to his fate, Tommy groans from where he’s sitting in Steve’s usual seat (he hadn’t questioned the change) and then he cups his hands around his mouth and shouts.

“Get down, freak!”

Steve only just manages to not flinch. Slowly, he turns in his seat. Eddie pays no mind to Tommy other than flipping him off without even looking in his direction or pausing in his speech.

Eddie is currently using a lunch table as a stage as his friends grin up at him, egging him on. He’s passionate about whatever it is he’s talking about. Steve can tell from the way he begins gesturing wildly as he speaks. 

Steve can't tear his eyes away. He feels like he's finally been given permission to look since half of the cafeteria has their attention on him. 

It’s then that Steve glimpses the ring on Eddie's right hand. His ring.

tag list

@sofadofax @noodle-shenaniganery @queenie-ofthe-void @friendlyneighborhoodgaycousin @devondespresso @dreamingtheimpossibe @plutoshelm @jaywhohasthegay @scarlet-malfoy @hotluncheddie @dreamy-jeans137 @justdrugsformethanks @estrellami-1 @travelingtwentysomething @sleepy-steve @wheneverfeasible @bisexual-and-broke @lil-gremlin-things @n0-1-important @xxbottlecapx @tinyplanet95

sorry if i missed anyone!!

This made my brain go brr, therefore it’ll make your brain go brr too if you’re following me <3

Sometimes I think of a Steve Harrington that is absolutely exhausted by all the horror and bullshit and trying to keep the kids alive through said horror and bullshit, who watches Eddie rock up to him at the beginning of S4 with a dead eyed, flat stare.

"Steeeeve Harrington." Eddie taunts and peacocks and twirls around him, and all Steve wanted was for a couple months to process the trauma, maybe feel safe enough to start thinking about the future instead of stuck in a never ending anxiety loop of what might happen to Dumbass Near-Deatherson, should Steve go to college or move out of Hawkins (bc all the bad nicknames in the world won't erase the fact that Dustin's family, now. They're all family. And when they need help, they go to Steve.) and now he's suffering the unjust ordeal of being haunted by the high school drug dealer.

"His highness has come down from his castle!" Munson will crow, making a show out of Steve picking up the kids like this is a great battle of wits, a scoreboard between them and not like Steve is half dead on his feet, head aching, dreams full of too many teeth. "Quickly hide behind me, he'll try to cut off your heads!"

"Wouldn't he just cut yours off too?" Lucas asked, though the tone was slightly timid, Sinclair unsure if his joke would be well recieved.

(Steve doesn't care if the kid outright insults him. He still recalls the junkyard, the fight with Billy, the blood staining the kid's headband. Lucas lived, therefore, he can be a shit if wants.)

"Mine? Oh, the King wouldn't dare." Munson tosses his head, full of cartoon energy, too big for his body and grin both. "Many have tried you see, but no one had ever succeeded!"

Steve, equally, does not give a single shit that Eddie Munson has decided to play these games with him--until he realizes he's maybe been a little too exhausted and depressed and morose around the kids.

Watches them getting worried over him, whispering urgently and making dramatic gestures and talking to Robin and suddenly, playing a little tug of war over them the way Munson seems to want feels like a good idea. A way to hide all the rough edges, a way to be fine so they can be fine.

"How about you guys skip the dork brigade tonight," Steve taunts back the next time they're all together, standing like the man he used to be, wearing a dead personality. "And we go do something actually fun instead?"

Eddie laughs, lights up, is all too happy to match him tit for tat, and it's so easy to fake this kind of interaction, rolling his eyes and snapping his gum. Steve could match this energy in his sleep, and never once does Munson catch on that Steve's not doing this for him.

That he's not even looking at him half the time, eyes askew, locked on the kids. Seeing them relax as he banters, seeing Dustin glow as he returns to his favorite position, being the center of attention.

So long as they think he's okay, Steve will be okay. If that means putting up with Munson, then so be it.

Its not like he'll catch on.

Eddie doesnt.

(Or rather, he does--but Its months and several deaths later, when they're in the RV, chasing what feels like literal demons, does it dawn on Eddie what Steve is doing.

Has been doing, the whole time.

Steve, sassy, ridiculous, jock- brained Steve makes the mistake of doing it again, using the same trick he had on the kids to convince them he was fine on Eddie. To further convince Eddie that they were fine as a group.

That they'll survive, they'll figure it out, they'll make it.

Loudly bantering with dead eyes, smiling with a mouth robotically locked in. Jokes on jokes on jokes and all of them making the kids take their minds off VecnaHenryOne to screech ineffectively at their babysitter. Winks tossed to the girls, who both roll their eyed at him. A sly look given to Eddie, to include him.

Its then, that Eddie decides to cement his life with Steve's. Because this loyal bastard of a paladin is too good hearted to die, too protective to not try it anyway. The idiot is cutting himself to ribbons to tie them all together and Eddie can't undo the damage but he can grab all the pieces he can, loop them together.

He can make those dead eyes light up again.

And he does.

This time when things are over Steve finds himself unable to pull those little tricks of his. Every time he slides the mask over his face Eddie rips it right back off again.

They fight, a lot, until they start kissing instead and for a while that also, somehow, feels like fighting but Eddie's real good at this. The emotional part, not so much the kissing, but he knows how to draw Steve out. How to break down walls, and annoying his real personality out.

The kissing was just an odd little side benefit.

A thing they don't talk about.

There's a benefit to it, one he doesn't look very hard into, until strangely, one day, Eddie wakes with Steve's head pillowed on his shoulder and comes to the abrupt conclusion that he's screwed.

Or so he thinks--until bright, loving eyes blink awake, and turn on him, and Eddie realizes just how long it's been since they looked dead.

He wonders, vaguely, how long it'll take for Steve to catch on, that this just got serious.

Will laugh at himself when he learns that Steve already knew.

Guess that's what he gets for finally paying attention.)

One thing that has made me a much more well-adjusted person is a clip I once saw of Hank Green saying that anyone can be in amazing shape as long as being in amazing shape is one of their top three priorities.

(This is obviously a generalization that isn't true for everyone. But it is true for most people and I'm proceeding from there.)

This "top three priorities" framing has genuinely reduced my tendency toward jealousy and self-comparison a lot. Now when I feel envious of someone’s spotless, aesthetic home, I think to myself, “Having a spotless, aesthetic home is probably one of their top three priorities. It’s definitely not one of mine, so I shouldn’t expect my home to look like that.”

Or when I see an influencer with a body that takes a ton of work to maintain: “Maintaining that body is obviously one of her top three priorities, because it’s her livelihood. My livelihood is my brain, so I’m never going to prioritize my body like that.”

It also helps me to identify areas that I actually DO want to prioritize more. I realized in recent years that my envy for my friends who prioritized writing more than I did was NOT going away, so I started to prioritize writing more. (Not top three, but higher priority than it has been in the past.)

Finished it, as promised! Porn with some plot, a lotta teasing, some of which in a public place, overstimulation, pet play if you squint, 5.3k words. I haven’t read over it thoroughly to check for spelling errors and tbh i prolly wont (edit: i did.) This was my first time really writing smut so i hope it turned out well. Have fun, hope y’all enjoy <3

P.S. Skip to the second text splitter thingy if you just wanna get to the smut faster :)

They had just dropped off the last kid- Dustin. Now it was just Eddie and Steve in the front two seats of Steve’s BMW. “So, you want me to drop you off at the trailer park?” Steve asked as he turned to face Eddie.

"Uh- Actually my shift starts soon. Could you drop me off at work?" The question made Eddie nervous. He preferred not to tell anyone where he worked due to the oddity of it. The taboo-ness.

It's not like it's a normal job that is easily accepted, especially not in Hawkins in year 1986.

It's actually the reason it's an establishment you can only get into with a code or invitation from a friend. It's a supportive community but to be supportive they have to take certain precautions.

"Oh shit, yeah I forgot you took that night job. What was it again?" Steve looked at Eddie so sweetly. Wide eyed and innocent. Eddie wondered how much that would change soon.

Maybe he could just be discreet about it? Tell Steve a half truth. "Oh uh, just this bar. It's pretty new and small and you need an invitation to get in typically. Chrissy's cousin's friend's something's something owns it so she gave them a good recommendation about me. Its called Stonewall."

Stonewall is a gay bar that hosts quite a few people in the kink and bdsm community. Eddie assumes that its not really Steve's scene. Eddie wonders if Steve even knows what kink is. 'King Steve' is quite known for being a good pleaser in bed, but that's usually with Hawkins innocent cheer team or sweet book nerds like Nancy Wheeler. He's gotten close with Steve so he wants to be honest about his own identity, but he's worried how it would go.

"Ah, I like bars. You'll have to show me around when we get there. Just give me the directions as we go, that cool?" Steve smiled at Eddie as he started backing out of Dustin’s driveway without an answer and Eddie's stomach just. Dropped.

"Hah yeah sure sounds great!" Eddie muttered out with an uneasy smile.

———————————:)—————————————

"Hey Steve," Eddie started as they got out of Steve's car. "once we get in there just wait by the door while I change into my work clothes alright. Then I'll show you the bar and everything. Just a warning, people here are very uh... flirty, and touchy. You may have to pretty assertive if you don't want that kinda attention."

Steve smirked at that. "Ya'know how my charm is, I cant turn it off even if I wanted to." And god the way he was looking at Eddie, he did know, he knew too well. He wished he would’ve just shut up and had Steve drive him back to the trailer park so Eddie could've driven himself to work, even if that meant being late to his shift.

Eddie rolled his eyes and started walking to the entrance. "Yeah, sure Stevie." He knocked on the door. The building had no giant signs stating the name of the establishment, or anything indicating that it was anything at all.

There was a slider on the door for a girl on the inside to peak through. She took a moment to take them in. "Heya Eds, who you got there?"

"Hey Micky, this is my friend Steve."

"Ah Steve!" She looked over to him standing kind of awkwardly next to Eddie, then back at Eddie. “Can he uh.. be trusted?"

Eddie shifted his feet and looked nervously at her. He glanced at Steve who looked curiously at Eddie. Seemingly clueless. "’M not sure yet, Mick. But if there is any trouble I'll deal with it." Micky hummed suspiciously, glanced at Steve again, then unlocked the door.

Steve and Eddie stepped in, Steve even more confused than before at the interaction. Everything seemed so secretive and mysterious. What was happening in this building? Money laundering? Mafia meetings? Is that a thing? Was there a mafia in Indiana? It sounds ridiculous but there were Russians under Starcourt, a mall, so who knew?

"He seems harmless, but I swear to god Eddie, don't blow this. You're a good dude and I like ya as a coworker alright? Don't get fired." Micky made her statement, then walked away and disappeared into the crowd of people.

As Steve looked around he noticed the bar had a similar setting to that of a club. Rowdy music, flashing lights, the crowd looked as if it consisted of a lot of grinding and kissing. Before Steve could look too close, Eddie stepped in front of him and forced eye contact.

"I'm gonna go change. If you see anything uh... weird. Don't act rashly alright? I'll explain whatever you wanna know once im behind the bar." Eddie seemed jittery and nervous.

Steve cocked his head to the side - which should not have been as cute as it was - clearly confused, but he shrugged it off. "Alright Eds, just be quick, don't wanna be late for your shift." Steve smirked at Eddie which made him grow hot. He started to flush as he turned away and started for the bathroom.

As Steve started to look around more he noticed the place was a bit run down, as if it was previously abandoned. But it seemed fairly kept. The bar seems nice enough for a small business and there was a decent crowd.

Before Steve could analyze more he noticed someone approaching. A big guy, maybe a little taller than Steve, tatted kinda like Eddie but... much more. He looked Steve up and down.

"Hey." He said simply.

"Hey." Steve returned.

"Are ya with him?" The guy asked gesturing toward the bathroom Eddie just went into.

"Yeah! Thats my bud, Eddie, he's just gonna show me around his work place a bit." Steve smiled up at him, slightly uneasy from the unfamiliar territory and knew faces and being approached randomly.

"Ah, gotcha. Well, I'm Ben. Er whats your name?" Ben asked then leaned forward a bit to hear Steve better. Something is Steve's stomach flipped.

"Uh, Steve!" Steve called, just noticing the loud noise Ben was clearly trying to hear him over.

"Nice to meet ya. Say, Steve, are you a friend of Dorothy's?"

Steve furrowed his eyebrows, "uh, who-?"

"Hey Ben." Eddie was walking up to them. He wore black jeans similar to his usual pairs, except this pair had several holes and rips, showing much more leg than Eddie typically did. His shirt - Steve's mind about froze - for a top Eddie wore nothing but a black mesh crop top. It showed off a pair of nipple piercings Steve never knew Eddie had. Steve huffed at the sight without even noticing.

"Hey Eddie, hows it going man." He went to dap Eddie up.

Eddie returned the dap which evolved into a hug. "Pretty good pretty good, about to start my shift"

"Cool cool." Ben nodded then paused, "hey uh, Steve doesn't know Dorothy."

Eddie nervously chuckled, "yeahhh man, I'm working on that don't worry."

Ben hummed, nodded, regarded Steve and Eddie before walking away into the crowd.

Steve turned to Eddie with an odd look on his face. "Okay, two things. One, respectfully, you look hot as hell man. I can see why you'd wanna be a bartender, im sure you get tipped heavily." Eddie flushed not expecting the compliment. He avoided Steve's eye contact shyly for a moment. He had his hair up which prevented him from hiding behind a curl or two. "Two, I feel as though theres something really secretive about this place that im just bot catching onto and no one will tell me. What's goin on Eds?"

Eddie sheepishly looked at Steve through his eyelashes then sighed. "Come, sit at the bar. Let me clock in and I'll fill you in."

Once they had settled, Steve sat at the bar stool and Eddie took over for the person previously manning the bar. Eddie went to lean on the countertop in front of Steve.

"Steve... I you're a good friend and we've been growing very close recently. I enjoy that- a lot. So I want to be honest with you." Eddie paused for any sort of reaction out of Steve, but Steve just looked intently at Eddie with care in his eyes. It was driving Eddie insane. "This is a gay bar, Steve. A lot of people here are looking for an accepting community for being queer and into the kink and bdsm type scenes. I am... also gay"

Eddie had been intently avoiding Steve's gaze by looking at the surface of the bar. Then he heard Steve chuckle and his eyes snapped up to make eye contact once again. Steve, as usual, was smiling at Eddie. His eyes seemed to sing acceptance, but there was still a knot in Eddie's gut that said he was wrong. That said he compromised a safe space. That said he was going to lose one of his closest friends. That said he was going to be beaten half to death soon by ‘King Steve.’

"Eds..." Steve started, making a point to hold eye contact. "I know." Eddie probably looked horrified and so utterly confused. He tried to mutter out something but he just stumbled on his words. He didn't struggle long because Steve start talking again. "I mean," he leaned back and rubbed his hand on his neck, "I obviously didn't know about this place, that explanation makes a lotta sense. However, you." Steve leaned forward again, just forward enough to be intruding on Eddies personal bubble. "I knew. Of course I knew Eddie. Do you think I don't know hanky code?"

Eddie scoffed at that, struggling to process all thats being said to him. "You don't know Dorothy."

Steve's smile softened. He rested his elbow on the bar and used his fingers to lightly brush a stray strand fallen from Eddie's bun behind his ear. Eddie tensed, wanting to fall into the touch, but still hesitant. As Steve made the move, he spoke. "I... lied." He looked shyly at Eddie, then chuckled at Eddie's confusion and put his hand down again. "I got the feeling this was a safe space with all the secrecy, but I wasn't sure and wasn't about to risk it. Ben seems nice though."

Eddie looked long and hard at Steve. He seemed to be internally fighting with himself. "How long did you know?"

"Well since I first met you I had a little inkling because of your hanky- which I was looking at as an excuse to look at your ass fyi. But I also asked Robin and she said she thought so just due to your behavior. Gaydar or something, I guess. But if she ever found out for sure she didn't tell me due to respect of your privacy."

"Steve Harrington," Eddie gasped out. Steve cocked his head to the side (still adorable). "You were ogling my ass" Eddie acted offended and playfully smirked at Steve.

"Oh Eddie," Steve said slyly, looking somewhere far below Eddies eyes. Steve licked his lips and returned his gaze to Eddies through his own eyelashes. "I've been ogling so much more than your ass."

Eddie froze in place. His smile faltered for a moment and Steve caught it. Steve caught how a flushed pink crawled onto Eddie's skin in the dimmed lights of the bar. Then just at that moment- "Hey! Barkeep, stop googly eyein your boy you brought in huh? Ya gotta customer. Do your job" Micky shouted at Eddie.

Eddie cleared his throat and clumsily stumbled to the girl waiting to have her order taken. He felt Steve's eyes on him heavily as he took the orders. Even more so when he was making the drinks, using the silver cups to mix the fancy alcoholic drinks that they probably charged a little too much for. Once he poured the drink for the last person in line, Eddie looked over to Steve. "What do you fancy, Steve?" Steve started to smile but Eddie cut in, "I swear to god if you say something cheesy like 'you' im gonna lose it."

Steve's smile fell into a look of mild surprise. Then he chuckled, "Do you just have a beer?"

"Sure, babe." Eddie said out of habit. He always said that to customers. When Steve lifted an eyebrow Eddie tried to ignore it. He grabbed Steve their most popular beer and slid it over. "On me."

"Thanks 'babe." Steve grinned.

"Oh shut up." Eddie groaned at the tease.

Steve popped the tab on the can. "Oh what, you don't like it?"

Eddie ignored the question, "So, what's your story, Steve? Are you gay or are you just messing with me now?"

Steve seemed... shocked, even concerned by the question. “Oh uhm. Man,” Steve laughed awkwardly, “I thought you realized by now.” Eddie looked confused. “I’ve been flirting with you this whole time Eds, not just tonight, but for a while.

Eddie’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “What, why?”

Steve continued to look at him awkwardly. “Because I like you..? You’re hot and I wanna flirt with you because the way you react is really funny and cute. I mean, you’re so easy to fluster but you don’t realize other people even know you’re flustered. You think you’re being discreet but you’re really not.”

Eddie flushed at that, just proving Steve’s point. “So what, I've just been too shallow to notice you’re gay and into me?”

“Bisexual, actually. And yeah I guess. Rob has even tried to drop you hints, but you never act on anything so we assumed you either weren’t into it or you just weren’t picking up on it.”

Eddie huffed, “definitely the latter.”

“Oh, so you’re into it?”

Eddie’s eyes snapped to Steve’s. “Uh, I wouldn’t say im not..”

“So you’re indifferent?” Steve pestered.

“I'm into it, okay? I'm into you, Steve, I have been. I'm just really surprised that for once in my life I’m getting just- handed what I want. This isn’t typical and I’m just waiting to wake up.” Eddie rushed the words out as if they could bite him if he didn’t.

Steve placed a hand on Eddie’s. “You won't, I'm not a dream. And I hope its obvious but, I’m into you too. In fact this whole conversation has been driving me crazy because I’m so into you. I wanna slam you onto this bar and fuck you senseless but noooo,” he dragged out the ‘o’ dramaticaly, “you’re working… technically, and we have to be talking about feelings and being surprised that we’re both gay or something.” Steve looked at Eddie pointedly.

Eddie’s breath hitched at the confession. At the idea of Steve fucking him here, now, right over this counter where everyone can see. It drove him kinda crazy.

“And these,” Steve reached over the counter to grab Eddie’s waist and pull him closer. Once he had done so, he let his hand slowly drift up to Eddie’s chest. When Eddie looked at Steve, all he saw was Steve looking back at him, biting his lip. Something clearly eager on his face. Then Eddie jolted as he felt his nipple piercing being toyed with. “This fucking piercing Eddie, god, and this slutty fucking shirt. Really, how much do you usually make in tips? How much do you get laid? Every night you work?” Steve flicked the piercing again at the end of his sentence before putting his hands back to himself.

Eddie felt so hyper aware of the fact that they are in his place of work. Many people around them that could be watching. Most of which would probably understand what is happening a little too well- being in the bdsm and kink community. He still felt hot where Steve had touched him. Eddie took a deep breath, and once he felt somewhat calm again he said, “I haven’t worked many shifts yet,” He cleared his throat and regained his posture, “but I like to think most of the guys in this building wanna fuck me bad and hard.”

Steve’s eyes widened but he smirked. It made him seem a little manic. “Oh is that so? Are there any you’d let fuck you, ‘bad and hard’?”

A customer walked up to the bar. There hadn't been many of them. Maybe most people felt the tension between Steve and Eddie and decided to steer clear.

“Maybe one.” Eddie winked at Steve in the same moment he flicked his own piercing, then spared no moment to help the customer. Steve scoffed in disbelief. This boy was gonna be the death of him. He couldn’t wait.

Once Eddie finished up with the customer, Steve was getting ready to leave. Eddie raised an eyebrow at him. “When does your shift end? I’ll be back then to pick you up since you don’t have a ride.”

“Uh- seven.” Eddie stumbled, confused.

“Great, I’ll be back then. And in the meantime, how bout you think about all the surfaces in this place I could bend you over. Then let me know if you’d actually wanna act it out at my place once you get off work. Bye.” And before Eddie could even respond or process half of what was said Steve grabbed him by the jaw and pulled him into a deep kiss. Eddie melted into it faster than he would have liked to admit. Steve swiped at Eddie’s lips with his tongue and then just as fast as the kiss started, it ended. Then Steve was leaving. Was this how he always got his girls back in highschool? Get them riled up then leave then wanting more? Hell of a way… it was working.

———————————:)—————————————

Eddie was jittery for the rest of his shift. He wanted to do what Steve said and just fantasize about what that man could do to him all night. However, Eddie had work. He didn’t think popping… another, boner would help anything. So he focused on cleaning and serving as many people as he could until Steve came back for him.

When Steve did come back, he had changed his outfit. He was previously wearing one of his cozy mom sweaters and jeans, now he’s still sporting the jeans, but now he had his hair more puffy and well done. He's wearing a white shirt and a brown jacket over it, and some cool guy shades.

Eddie got into the car and choked out a muttered “you look nice.”

Steve smiled at him, “you too.”

Eddie rolled his eyes. “Oh please, I just worked a seven hour shift, you don't need to lie to me.”

Steve furrowed his eyebrows. “I'm not.” He then started the car. “What did you decide, my house or yours?”

“Please, your house. Of course.” Eddie rushed out, but then tried to not seem that desperate.

“Oh?” Steve asked simply as he started the drive.

Eddie hummed agreeably.

“No elaboration?” Steve asked playfully.

“Steve, we’ve established I want you. I want to be in your house while you’re in me. Get that?”

Now it was Steve’s turn to hum agreeably. “Did you think about what I told you to?”

“No, Steve, I didn't think getting hard at work again was a good idea.”

Steve raised his eyebrows. “Again?” He glanced over at Eddie who looked away shyly. “Aw, poor thing, did I get you riled up?” Steve patted his hand on Eddie’s thigh as if he was trying to soothe him, then just rested it there.

His hand wasn't near Eddie’s knee, but it wasn't on his crotch either. The position along with the comment was enough to make Eddie hot. He tried to close his eyes and control his breathing to calm down. Once Steve noticed what he was doing he moved his hand ever so slightly higher, barely brushing his pinky against Eddie’s dick.

This drew an involuntary whine out of Eddie, it was soft and quiet but Eddie knew it was loud enough for Steve to hear. He saw Steve smirk right before he noticed them pulling up to Steve’s house. Eddie felt nervous, the past 8 hours have already had so many twists he wasn't expecting. Now, when they walk through Steve’s door, what's going to happen could change their friendship forever.

Eddie decided he wanted to take hold of that change. The moment they got through the door Eddie pushed Steve into the closest wall he could and got his mouth on Steve’s the moment he was able.

The kiss was heated immediately. Steve shoved his tongue into Eddie’s mouth and basically shoving it down his throat. Eddie held onto Steve’s waist under his shirt, feeling and taking in his skin. The prickle of Steve’s hair of his happy trail, scars he has from demonic fights of the upside down and some which were probably from highschool fights and sports.

Steve put his hands in Eddie’s hair and began pulling and teasing it at the same time that he pulled on Eddie’s lip with his teeth. Eddie whined at the bite. His hair eventually fell from the bun he had it up in. His hips involuntarily bucked up when Steve latched onto his throat, teeth grazing his skin before biting down lightly, but still hard enough for Eddie to feel a sting.

Steve lifted his mouth off of Eddie completely to look Eddie in the eyes. Steve pulled Eddie’s hair back as he pushed his thigh in between Eddie’s legs. He moved his arms onto the sides of Eddie’s ribs, just above his waist.

Eddie groaned and dropped his head onto Steve’s shoulder. He braced himself by moving his own hands to the sides of Steve’s arms.

“Little bit of touching and you just go pliant, huh?” Steve teased breathlessly to which Eddie huffed at. Steve flipped them so that Eddie was against the wall and Steve was still pressing against Eddie’s sensitive hardon. Steve grabbed onto Eddie’s waist and moved Eddie to grind on his thigh. Eddie threw his head back into the wall with a loud thud and bit his lip. Steve watched, chuckling at the submission and openness. Steve continued to guide Eddie’s hips, “Aw Eds, you can do better than this.” He enunciated the last word by replacing his thigh with his hand, cupping Eddie’s dick and pressing into it.

“Mmmfgh, Steve, shut up.” Eddie pushed Steve off of him. Steve seemed confused for a moment, as if he’d messed up somehow, until Eddie dropped to his knees and fiddled with Steve’s pants. He tried to get the button undone but damn, Steve wore tight pants, and the button was so big for the hole it was supposed to fit in.

Steve smiled at Eddie’s struggle before he pulled Eddie’s head back by his hair with his left hand and swatted Eddie’s away with his right. He then undid the button expertly with the one hand, and let go of Eddie’s hair so he could continue his work.

As quick as he could get his hands on Steve, Eddie pulled down Steve’s pants just as much as he needed then did the same with his boxers. “Shit.” Eddie muttered out once he pulled out Steve’s dick.

Steve smirked, “they don’t call me King Steve for nothing, Eddie.”

It was a solid eight to nine inches. Thick and heavy. Prettiest dick Eddie has ever laid eyes on. It was beading with precum at the tip. Eddie felt his own cock twitch at the sight. He licked his lips and his mouth watered. His head spun.

Steve tried to bite down a chuckle, but once Eddie licked at the tip and put his lips around it, the chuckle came out at an odd noise like “ha!-aughmmm, hmm” humming at the end of it. Eddie dragged his fingernails over the fabric on Steve’s thigh. Eddie looked up and made eye contact with Steve, giving him his best ‘fuck me’ eyes. Steve’s jaw dropped open and his breath got heavier.

Once Eddie realized his effect on Steve, that he had him right where he wanted him, he went down on Steve’s dick as far as he could. He felt it hit the back of his throat and there was still about two inches of Steve’s shaft he couldn’t fit in. He put his hands around what he couldn’t fit and swallowed around him, tightening his throat. Steve braced his hand over Eddie's head, against the wall.

“Eddie, holy shit man.” Eddie responded by humming. Steve’s other hand immediately flew back to Eddie’s hair and pulled him off his cock. Eddie looked at Steve, confused with puffy lips. “Be a good boy for me and go slow, yeah?” Steve guided Eddie’s head back to his tip.

Eddie made a show of sticking out his tongue in the sluttiest way he could. He then gently put it to Steve’s tip. Steve said go slow, so he’d go slow. He licked up the slit ungodly slow, then started to circle around the whole tip at the same pace, all while holding eye contact.

Steve breathed out a sigh. “Fuckin brat, get up.” He pulled on Eddie’s hair till he stood up, then dragged him by the hair to his room. Eddie shouldn’t be turned on by it, it was almost disrespectful. They hadn’t talked anything through and god- Eddie didn’t think Steve would be into anything non-vanilla but he is clearly into some sort of kink. Already, mild degradation and pet play are shown. Eddie was here for it.

When they got to the entrance of Steve’s room Steve stopped them and let go of Eddie’s hair. “Before we continue, you doing okay? If you want me to stop or change anything at any point just say the word.”

Checking in, consent. Maybe Eddie didn’t give Steve enough credit. More than Eddie gave him before slamming him into the wall but… seems like Steve was into it so- “uh yeah, everything’s great Steve. Still hard as a rock though.” Eddie smirked playfully.

Steve smirked back at him and licked his lips. He looked Eddie up and down. “First, how much do you like that shirt?”

Eddie swears his eyes dilated at that. “Do whatever the fuck you want to it, Steve.”

“Awsome, now get on the bed. I want those slutty ass jeans off and your ass up.” Without an answer, Steve walked into his room and looked in his night stand for something. Eddie immediately stumbled to take his pants off along with his boxers and dove onto the bed. He arched his back as pretty as he could and rested his head on a pillow. The pillow smelt like Steve and his hair products.

Steve started walking to the foot of his bed, dragging his fingers along Eddie’s spine. Once he reached the foot of the bed he crawled onto it. He swiped his fingers over Eddie’s ass, leaving behind a glob of lube. He then, without much warning, dipped a finger in. Eddie’s body jumped and shook at the sensation.

Once Steve could fit a second finger in he took them out, lined up his cock, and held onto Eddie’s waist. “You like pain at all baby? Or do you think you need more prep?”

Eddie groaned, “mm-mmn” and pushed his ass back onto Steve’s dick. But before Eddie could get anything, Steve pulled his dick away.

“Uh-uh. Use your words, Eddie.”

Eddie whined, “Steve c’mon.”

“Alright.” Steve started to get off of the bed before Eddie nearly shouted.

“No! No, alright? Okay, Steve, please- please put it in? I need it so bad, need you. Been wanting this for so fucking long, don’t make me wait longer.” Eddie’s curls cascaded over the pillow as his almost muffled voice came out tentatively but stern.

Without saying anything else Steve pressed his head against Eddie’s ass once again, then slowly slipped it in. Eddie’s hole stretched around it, he moaned through the pain. A sadist and a masochist. Perfect pairing. Eddie started moving with Steve’s thrusts, fucking himself on his cock.

Steve reached up and grabbed the back of Eddie’s shirt by the collar, pulling until Eddie got the memo. Eddie pushed off his hands and got on his knees. Steve reached around, under Eddie’s arms, and grabbed the front part of Eddie’s collar of his shirt. Steve bit into the junction of Eddie’s shoulder and neck right as he pulled down on the collar.

The shirt ripped easily enough, and Eddie’s chest was exposed. Steve’s hands immediately went to Eddie's nipples and those godforsaken piercings. He toyed and twisted them and bit harder into Eddie, who moaned at all the different sensations.

Then they were all gone, Steve unlatched and pulled out. “Huh-“ Eddie panted.

”On your back.” Steve commanded.

Eddie flipped onto his back, with his legs on either side of Steve. Steve’s right hand went to stroke Eddie’s dick at the same time that he latched his mouth onto Eddie’s nipple, finally feeling the bar of metal in his mouth. Then he paused.

“What-“ Steve leaned back to look at Eddie. “You really like putting metal through your sensitive parts, don’t ya baby?”

“Mhmm” Eddie whined and bucked his hips up into Steve’s hand, which Steve just chuckled at. He latched his tongue back onto Eddie’s nipple and started stroking him faster than before. “Augh, Steve, pl-please.” Eddie put his hand in Steve’s hair, ruffling it and gripping and pulling.

Steve’s hand was going up and down so fast Eddie’s head spun. He felt his stomach tighten and noises were falling out of his throat uncontrollably. “Mmph, Steve, im gonna- im gonna come.” And once again all sensations were lost. Steve sat up and took his hands off Eddie, instead he moved to put his dick back inside him. Instead of going slow like he did before, he slammed into him. He fucked into Eddie like an eager hound dog. He used his hands to toy with Eddie’s piercings and his chest.

“You’re so good for me baby-“ Steve groaned out before smashing his lips into Eddie’s, putting his hand into Eddie’s hair. Steve shoved his tongue down Eddie’s throat for the second time that night. Steve began to stroke Eddie again. Eddie felt like his body was on fire, so much was happening and all of it felt so good. He barely processed his climax coming back up.

“Steve- Steve!” Eddie yelled out as a warning before he came. Come spurting out over Steve’s fingers as he continued his brutal pace. “Steve please-“ Eddie cried out from the beginning of the overstimulation. Eddie started to tear up, but he refused to say ‘stop’ because the pain was honestly too good. Steve never stopped stroking Eddie and the stimulation on Eddie’s prostate and dick was driving him insane. Soon he was full fledge crying. He tried to hide his face with his arm but the moment Steve noticed what he was doing, he took his free hand and pulled Eddie’s arm away. Once Steve saw his face, tears streaking down his cheeks, eyes bloodshot, lips puffy, he came immediately. His brutal pace just got faster, fucking through the orgasm. His body shook along with Eddie’s, who came for a second time purely from the sweet feeling of pain.

Soon enough Steve slowed down and pulled out of Eddie and looked over at him. “You okay, Eds?”

Eddie sighed shakily. “More than, thank you Stevie. Can we uh.. sleep? I'm exhausted.”

“Sure baby. First, here.” Steve pulled off what remained of Eddie’s shirt off him and used it to wipe off Eddie's cum from his hands and Eddie’s dick. “There.” He then kissed Eddie on the forehead and laid down next to him so they could both fall asleep.