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saw this pic on pinterest and knew immediately that i had to steddify it

or: my favorite Steddie reads of the year

{all fics are complete unless notated with +}

Among the Wildflowers (E, 29k) by @paradimeshifts7: an AU in which Wayne and Eddie move to Idaho for a fresh start, and a broken Steve follows, heartbroken and in need of a home. Beautiful falling in love, emotional and sensual and sexy. One of the best Waynes I’ve ever read.

Exactly What It Looks Like (E, 31k) by @bilbosmom-belladonna: S&E start as friends who find the porn channel late one night and jerk off next to each other. Over time, they become increasingly involved, ending up in love and having really romantic sex. Big fat feelings, but also mainly pwp (the best combination imo).

Is Your Light On? (E, 267k+) by @toburnup: THE yearning S&E fic for me. Picking up soon after vol4, Eddie is disabled yet healing, Steve learns how to be there for him. They grow up, go down different paths, but they keep colliding— for better or for worse, unable to live without the other. Equally beautiful and heart-wrenching. (Song rec: iwanttobeyourlightagain by Parcels. Or honestly just put on the whole album while you read. Trust me.)

Tempest Empire (E, 20k) by @paradimeshifts7: the lighthouse AU! Steve washes up on the shore where Eddie and Wayne run a lighthouse with no memory of who he was before. Lovely and well-written, excels in setting the mood in a cold and coastal town.

Start By Pulling Him Out of the Fire (E, 85k) by @messessentialist: a Wayne-centric telling of how Eddie first came to live with him, really detailed and heartbreakingly sweet. The rest of the story is a recovering Eddie (post-s4) falling in love with Steve. “A story about the families we find and the love that finds us.”

Searching for the Elephant (E, 52k) by @toburnup: the Brokeback Mountain AU! Eddie is a ranch hand on Steve’s dad’s ranch, where Steve spends his summers helping out. Slow burn, virgin!Eddie, lots of unexpressed feelings that result in coming in their pants. Immaculate storytelling.

honorable mention: smoke signal, same author. Similar vibes to above.

Seeing Daylight (E, 33k) by ayes and itskleo: cityboy!Eddie goes to spend some time at his Uncle Wayne’s cattle ranch, where he meets cowboy!Steve. If you think #barnsex sounds unromantic, prepare to be proven wrong. Really well paced. Fantastic artwork, too.

The Most Remarkable Thing (E, 62k): by @greatunironic: steddie but a lot of the kids and Jopp and mom!Steve as well. It’s 15 years later, and everyone gathers around Hopp at the end of his life. Counselor!Steve, rockstar!Eddie. The main story is linked, but I recommend the other vignettes too.

Honeymoon Phase (E, 37k) by ayes, coincidental, and itskleo: When Steve doesn’t marry Nancy, Eddie goes on their planned honeymoon with Steve to keep him company. Mechanic Eddie, Italian Steve, friends-to-lovers done right.

Carve Your Name into my Chest (E, 43k) by @hexiewrites: the hockey AU! They’re rivals on opposing teams, but have played together since they were kids (and hooking up since they were teens). Then a photo leaks of them together, and they have to face coming out together. Enemies to fuckbuddies to friends to lovers? iykyk

written for @steddieholidaydrabbles day 28

prompt: polar express | wc: 1.000 | rated: T | tags: best friend Robin Buckley, pining, Eddie and Steve are oblivious idiots and Robin's had enough of it, not actually unrequited love, friends to lovers | also on ao3

Eddie's keeping a safe distance from where Robin is currently wielding a knife, cutting up limes for another round of Mojitos. It's not like he's afraid of her or anything, but the tone in which she'd told him to follow her to the kitchen left him feeling slightly unsettled.

She hasn't said a word since, and it's making him nervous. He knows he can get on people's nerves sometimes but no matter how hard he tries, he just can't figure out why she'd be mad at him.

Once she's done, Robin turns around to face him, knife still in hand, and Eddie waits with bated breath.

   "Polar Express? Really?" she huffs out and, yeah, she's definitely mad but Eddie still has no clue what she's on about.

   "W-what?"

Eddie moves into an actual apartment. Of course steve and tags along and dustin is there as many times as humanly possible

The home my heart searched for

Written for day 27 of the @steddieholidaydrabbles (prompt: Grinch) Rated: G Tags: Future fic; Rockstar Eddie; Single dad Steve; Exes to lovers; Second chances Notes: Part 1 | Part 2

“Bad news,” Steve says. “You’re not the only one who wanted Return of the King. They’re all out.”

Eddie, leaning against Steve’s kitchen counter, wedges his phone between his shoulder and ear so that he can pour the chicken soup he just opened into a pot.

“Can’t blame people for having excellent taste. What else is there?”

There’s a beat of silence, only interrupted by the sound of Steve rifling through the DVDs.

“Shaun of the Dead.”

“I hear that one’s hilarious.”

“Yeah, no. I’m not letting my fifteen-year-old watch an R-rated movie. How about Princess Diaries part two?”

ON AO3! CLICK HERE!

Build a Mini Fic Answers || Theme: Meet Cute || Activity: Tied - Delayed Flight & Holiday Baking || Color: Green || Angst: just a pinch || Tags: Steve POV, modern au, no upside down, light cannabis use, shitty exes, LAX—>Chicago || 6.7k

✈️♥️💚🎄

3 hours. Steve got to the airport 3 hours ago. He liked being early to his flights, extra time to account for traffic, plenty of time to get through security, and use whatever is leftover to sit and catch up on however many episodes of Great British Bake Off that he needed to. So when he hears the speaker's static blare ominously from somewhere within the airport ceiling he pauses his baking and lifts one side of his headphones to listen. His flight number is stated, “Flight 7886 to Chicago, we are still waiting for the plane to arrive. Flight 7886 has been delayed, it is now set to arrive at 5pm.”

Steve groans, moving his headphones back over his ears and checks the time. 5pm? That's another 2 hours from now. His head falls back, bumping the wall behind his chair, and lets his eyes graze over the full crowd of people also exhausted at the thought of being stuck in LAX on a holiday. The waiting area in front of the gate is full right now except for a few empty seats sprinkled throughout, one of which is empty next to him which he was grateful for. He takes a breath accepting his fate and pulls out his phone to text Robin the upsetting news.

Steve: Flight delayed 2 hrs and the plane isn’t here yet

Robs: that SUCKS! Keep me updated, still ready to pick you up when you land.

It was just his luck that his flight back home would get delayed. He got a flight on Christmas Eve because it was supposed to be an easier travel day. It was supposed to be cheaper, which it was cheaper financially but emotionally? Emotionally, it fueled his depression now that his time was being wasted with debating the best way to die in fucking LAX. His phone buzzed, Robin again.

Robs: and don’t kill yourself. You’ll survive.

Steve: stop reading my mind please

Robs: stop thinking so loud pleeeaaase

Steve huffed a laugh, God he misses her and their shitty little 2 bedroom apartment. He breathes a sigh of relief that she’s at least with her family right now. He was only out here to visit his mom. Thank whatever is holy in the universe that she finally divorced his Dad but this whole flying to one of the biggest most atrociously designed airports during the busiest holiday month of the year was only growing less worth it with each passing second. She moved to LA, wanting to be by the beach, she won enough money in the divorce to buy a nice condo for herself so he couldn’t blame her. But now he was doomed to spend Christmas Eve alone, his precious holiday gone. No late night Christmas cookies. No hot toddies. No shitty Hallmark movie time with Robin. No Robin, no his only true family. It sucked. This sucks.

He pocketed his phone again, catching a large black mass of leather and denim and frizzy curls races from his periphery to his main line of sight in seconds. The man, frazzled, yelled, “Wait! I’m here! Don’t leave without me!”

Steve removed his headphones again, ears perked curiously, honing in on the guy huffing and clumsily maneuvering his way to the flight attendants desk of the gate for his flight. Muttered apologies for bumping people with his things escaped him until he made it to the desk. Upon closer inspection, the nest of curls was wearing a well worn leather jacket, ripped black jeans, and -hold on? Is that one shoe? The missing shoe was wedged in between the guy’s duffle bag straps and his other hand was white knuckling the thick strap of the guitar bag slung across his shoulder. But his face, worried as it was, contained a sprinkle of freckles made bolder by the red of his cheeks and holy shit he’s hot. Silver jewelry decorated his profile, a single lip ring and two small hoops hugged his eyebrow. They way they caught the LED light made them twinkle through the stray curls twisting haphazardly around his face.

The desk wasn’t too far away from his seat, so he could make out most of the conversation given he took an ounce of effort to muffle the chatter from the rest of the airport.

The flight attendant spoke, “We aren’t taking off yet sir. You can take a seat while waiting.”

The man questioned, confusion taking place over stress, “Oh? So you didn’t call my name? Eddie Munson? That wasn’t the call over the speaker?”

The flight attendant shook her head, “No this flight has been delayed. The plane hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Oh, I see. I just heard the flight number from TSA, I thought you must have been calling names, well my name,” the man, Eddie, looked entirely depressed at the news, possibly worse than Steve felt, “How much longer has it been delayed?”

The grip on the guitar strap grew impossibly tighter, the flight attendant answered, seeming to take some pity on him, “Well not for another 2 hours but we just got wind of a snow storm in Dallas where the plane is flying in from. So that could be longer once we find out if the plane took off yet or not. It may be much longer.”

“Shit.” The man looked down at his feet, eyes getting glassier by the second before he inhaled, compiling himself and asking, “There’s no other flights to Chicago going out tonight, is there?”

The flight attendant shook her head, “No I’m sorry. There will be more announcements as soon as we hear from Dallas.”

Eddie nods in defeat, thanks the woman then turns, shoulders slumping even more as Steve watches him scan the area for a place to sit most likely. And before Steve can stop himself he’s waving his hand and moving his jacket from the empty seat to his lap. Hopefully signaling the man to sit next to him. The man’s expression becomes hopeful as he walks over with a limp only because he still has one shoe on, the guy drops his duffle on the floor, and carefully slides the guitar off his shoulder and leans it next to the empty chair at the very end of the row.

“Take a seat man,” Steve says, not knowing how else to break the ice.

Eddie plops down hard, continuously slumping, wiggling his butt against the vinyl navy blue seat trying to make it softer for himself as he did. It reminded Steve of all the times he’s seen animals walk in a circle before sitting, making their momentary place of rest softer regardless of the ground underneath them. The man sighed then introduced himself, “Thanks so much, I was worried I was going to have to waste away at a bar downing far too expensive drinks, in a measly attempt at drowning my sorrows but I don’t need that temptation right now. Name’s Eddie, Eddie Munson.”

Eddie held his hand out for a handshake which Steve took. His hand was littered with rings, the designs large and protruding, tape wound around the silver in his palm, clearly a cheap fix to fixing the size of them in favor of the jewels and miniature sculptures on display. He replied, “Nice to meet you, I’m Steve Harrington.”

Eddie was opening his mouth about to continue the conversation but he stopped before words escaped him, pulling out his phone from his pocket as it buzzed, “Shit, I gotta take this.”

Steve nodded, turning his attention back to his iPad, back to the Great British Bake Off, but his ears stayed locked on Eddie’s phone call.

“Hey Wayne,” Eddie said, followed by muffles through the line he couldn’t hear, “I know. I’m sorry. I forgot to text. I was running late– Uh huh. Yep. Uh huh, yes well– What? No- no Wayne- hold on. No don’t leave the house. …you already did? Well how far have you gone? Ok that’s not too far, you should turn around,” Eddie leaned forward and pinched the bridge of his nose with his free hand and squeezing his eyes shut, “Wayne, no turn around please. My flight got delayed, the plane isn’t even at the gate yet. They don’t even know if it left from the place it is supposed to be leaving from yet… yes I'll update you. Yes I promise. Just stay home until I know more,” there was a pause from Eddie he was picking at the threads of the jeans where the rips were on his knees as he listened, “uh huh, Wayne, I promise. I’m sorry, with any luck I’ll be there tomorrow, by some miracle tonight. No- Jesus H. Christ don’t drive up, you’ll get stuck in Chicago and you can’t afford a motel anywhere. -well I’ll bum a ride back home,” his tone shifted as if feigning offense, “How dare you question my charm Uncle. Of course I can, I’m enjoyable when I want to be,” Eddie’s tone fell back to concern and uncertainty, “I’m sorry Wayne, truly. We’ll watch Charlie Brown tomorrow? If that’s ok? I’ll even watch that musical version of Christmas Carol you like so much. Ya, the one from the 70s with the unbearably long opening and I won’t even make you skip through that. Uh huh, uh huh, ok. Love you Wayne. Thanks.”

Eddie hung up, letting his phone drop to his knee and leaned back again, drained and devastated, he peaked towards Steve who looked away quickly trying not to get caught staring, “Sorry you had to hear that.”

“No problem man. I get it. Stuck in LAX on Christmas Eve. Right there with you,” Steve offered sympathy, both of them not acknowledging that he definitely heard all of Eddie’s side of the call.

“Sooooooo,” Eddie began, “If you don’t mind me asking what is a generous and handsome soul such as yourself doing at the airport on this sunny Christmas afternoon?”

Steve ignored the soft blush of his cheeks to flirt along, “This generous and handsome soul is trying to get back home, but is instead doomed with the worst luck and stuck here.”

“Aww so it’s your bad luck that stuck us here, not mine. Good to know,” he smirked, dimples blossoming in the man’s cheeks.

“Yep, all on me. I’d apologize but then I wouldn’t get the story behind your one shoe fiasco and I’m just too curious how that happened.”

Eddie snorted, looking down like he didn’t even realize his unkempt appearance, “Fuck, how did I forget that?”

He scrambled, getting his shoe from the duffle and shoved his foot into it, the back heel getting caught forcing Eddie to loosen the laces over the course of several attempts before the reboks decided to cooperate and slide on, “Geez that was a fucking struggle. I’m usually more graceful than this, I promise.”

Steve chuckled, “Sure you are. Could’ve fooled me.”

Eddie looked over, his smile wider than before surprised at Steve’s quip but not offended in the slightest. He jested but the humor fell a little flat and a little more self-deprecating than Steve thinks Eddie intended, “Bold of you to roast a stranger like that but I guess I had it coming. What can I say? I’m- I’m a mess.”

Steve ignored his urge to pry and pouted, going along now with Eddie’s melancholy but still kept a teasing tone, “Awww bad break up?”

Oddly enough that got another laugh out of Eddie, “Yes actually? Really bad, really messy. That obvious huh? Well good news for you, your 10 just got upgraded to an 11 now that I’m sitting next to you.”

“I don’t know… That’s giving yourself a lot of credit,” Steve smirked, “I’m at least a 12 now.”

“My apologies your majesty,” Eddie bowed his head, forcing laughter down, “Clearly I am incomparable to thee, but surely you’d take pity on a poor creature such as myself?”

Steve nodded in acknowledgement, taking on a kingly manner, “Maybe I was too harsh… I shall rate you a royal 8.”

“Such an honor my leige. A royal 8 tis a high peasant 9. I accept it with honor,” Eddie laughed, full bellied now like their banter is actively relieving the pain of sitting alone.

And holy shit is that laugh contagious. Steve doesn’t want to stop hearing it, and as he chuckles along at their ridiculous antics a new worry plants itself in the back of his mind. Don’t start to fall for him. It was bad enough he already survived several blind dates his mother set him up on during his visit, but falling for a stranger he’ll probably never encounter again would be far worse for his love life. Far more tragic and far more hopeless. But he can’t help himself, he’ll remain a hopeless romantic because when had he ever been able to stop himself from falling fast, so he decides fuck it, if flirting with an attractive stranger is the only Christmas gift I’ll get today then flirting is what I’ll do.

“So, how shall we kill time?” Steve asked, no longer interested in the Great British Bake Off.

“We?” Eddie repeats, looking like he misheard.

“Yes we. Unless you have somewhere better to go.”

“Nope, not at all. If you want my company, then my company you shall have. I may be stupid but I’m not dumb enough to decline a Royal 12 wanting my presence.”

They laughed, Steve continued, “Good. So lets kill time here to catch their new announcement then we could roam around?”

“Sounds positively wonderful to me. But first I’m going to throw sweatpants on. No way in hell am I going to stay in jeans in an airport for who knows how fucking long. Can I trust you to watch my precious sweetheart?” Eddie asked, and Steve couldn’t help the flicker of disappointment that flickered deep within his stomach. Sweetheart? Is he with someone? Did he not notice? But before he got too saddened, Eddie reached behind himself, grabbing his guitar, “She is my one and only. Treat her with care and I’ll be right back?”

“Sure thing. Of course I’ll protect your guitar. Consider her fully under the King’s protection,” Steve answered, fending off a physical cringe at the person he had so quickly become under the heat of Eddie’s tender gaze. King? Since when was the last time I ever referred to myself as King? He was starting to sound like his younger half-brother Dustin. Nerdy and sappy when it comes to crushes.

Eddie jogged off towards a restroom, duffle bag in hand, both shoes on now but untied and it's a wonder how he doesn’t trip. Steve watches him shimmy through the crowd and if that includes checking out the subtle sway of the man’s small but muscular ass in his tight jeans then let cupid strike him with the horny arrow and nothing else.

🎄

Eddie comes back 35 minutes later, not that Steve was counting, in purple pajama pants covered in devil gingerbread men and gingerbread Krampus. They fit him loose, the hem resting just below the line of clearly candy cane briefs, and the hem of his Black Sabbath shirt barely closing the gap of skin scandalously hiding underneath. Eddie looks so cozy now, and it awakes the butterflies in his stomach. Cute and hot? Unfair. Steve debates changing himself in favor of comfiness but he’s already got on some black joggers, and Forest green shirt with a single Christmas tree on it so that wouldn’t really make sense. He’s not comfortable wearing straight up pajamas in public anyway.

Eddie sat back down, “My baby is safe! Need to defend any thieves in my stead?”

Steve shook his head, “Well that depends, there's good news and bad news. What do you want first?”

“Bad news first, always.”

“Well bad news is unrelated to your baby, the plane hasn’t even left Dallas. It’s stuck on the tarmac because of the snow storm that hit. So we are delayed indefinitely until they get the ok to fly.”

“Fuck, ok. That is bad.”

“Good news, is no one tried to steal your baby. And there’s room under the cabin to store extra items, if you want to check anything in with the flight attendants you can.”

“Ok that’s good. I have some of my own possibly good news too but first I need to call my uncle.”

“Sure thing, I’m in no rush.”

Eddie rolled his eyes but his grin betrayed him and he pulled out his phone to make his call. Steve turned to his own device to text Robin.

Steve: Flight delayed indefinitely. Plane is stuck in Dallas snow storm.

Robs: Nooooo! But hot toddies and Single All the Way!!!!

Steve: I know! I’m just as devastated as you!

Robs: want to facetime at least?

He paused considering the offer but looked to Eddie who was zoned out next to him listening to his uncle and picking at the skin on his thumbs. The urge, no the need to keep making the man next to him smile over ruled any logic that could save him from himself.

Steve: No I’m ok. I promise. I actually made a friend, so I’ll be ok.

Robs: 👀👀👀oh? Who is the lucky lady?

Steve: shut up

Steve: and HE’S a HE thank you very much

Robs: my apologies. Who’s the lucky FELLA?

Steve: ew don’t say that

Robs: go get em tiger 😉lmk if I need to bust out the you suck board for old times sake

Steve left her on read.

Robs: don’t leave me on read! Rude!

Robs: ok fine maybe i deserve it, but only a little

Steve: merry Christmas robin

Robs: merry Christmas dingus

He pocketed his phone again, Eddie too as they caught each other side eyes patiently seeing if the other was done notifying their rides back in Chicago.

Eddie spoke first, “Well we’re in LAX, booooo, but because LA is ever so bougie I noticed a Holiday baking class pop-up on the way to el baño. Fancy yourself a bake and bake?”

Steve snorted, “bake and bake? What’s that?”

“Well let’s just say I like to do my traveling, California sober… if you know what I mean?”

Eddie's smile was mischievous, like the spirit of Jack Frost possessed him.

“California sober you say,” Steve repeated, “What is it exactly you’re suggesting?”

Eddie pulled his duffle to his lap and zipped open a secret side pocket, inside contained an unopened tin of edibles. A special holiday Cranberry flavor. “I’m definitely taking one, would you like one? No pressure by the way.”

Steve shrugged, “What the hell? Merry Cali Christmas!”

Eddie’s face lit up, as he opened the container and placed one edible in Steve’s outstretched palm and one in his mouth, then tucked the tin safely away. Together they stood up and Eddie checked his guitar in so he wouldn’t have to carry it around the airport, both of them opting to keep their carry-ons just in case they needed any personal items. Steve followed him to where he found the random baking class, realizing too late that he just took California weed on a nearly empty stomach. Mistake? Most likely. They stopped at the sign at the entrance containing pricing, the pop-up kitchen was decorated floor to ceiling in Christmas reds and greens, giant cane canes were painted on the back wall and the sweet sugary smell of cookies danced in the air making his stomach grumble.

“I don’t know man,” Eddie looked down, shaking his head, “This is kinda expensive.”

Steve squinted at the sign, it was $60 per person but he noticed they were running a holiday special, $90 for couples and/or families. There was a ding from an oven inside perfectly timed with a brilliant idea, “Why don’t we do the couples special? My treat!”

“But we’re –“ Eddie paused momentary confusion giving way to mischievous understanding, “Oh I see. Yes, the couples special, I didn’t notice… sweetheart,” Eddie nudged his arm and Steve looked away failing to hide his blush, “but you’re sure you’re ok with paying?”

Steve thought for a second, what else was he going to do with all the cash his mom sent him home with, “I promise, my treat. You provide drugs, I provide munchies.”

“Deal,” Eddie agreed.

Steve slung his arm around Eddie’s waist pulling him closer, trying not to think about the fluttering of his stomach and Eddie’s pink cheeks turning an unmistakable red, startled by the touch maybe?

“Is this ok?” Steve asked, referring to his hold on the man.

Eddie stuttered, cleared his throat then settled into Steve’s grip, “Y- yes. More than ok.”

They walked over, steps fell easily in tandem as the wisps of haze started to work their magic, but the full drop of the edible had yet to hit. They were greeted by a young woman in a pink elf costume, who seemed immediately suspicious of them.

“Season’s Greetings,” the elf began, “Are you here to bake some cookies?”

Eddie spoke first, leaning his elbow on the counter and pushing his hip closer to Steve’s. Proximity definitely isn’t an issue then, he thought far too aware how close Eddie’s ass is to his dick. “We sure are! Delayed flight got the hubby and I roaming around, we have plenty of time to kill.”

Hubby? Steve quickly turned his chuckle into a cough.

“Isn’t that right sweetie?” Eddie stood up and wrapped his arm around Steve’s shoulders giving him a playful squeeze, honestly selling the lie well.

“That’s right. No point in moping about on Christmas.”

The elf squinted at them still not fully believing them, “Right well if you’re husbands where are your rings?”

Oh shit, was the only worry Steve got out before Eddie continued the lie without hesitation, “Oh my, I did it again hun. Let hubby slip. We actually just got engaged-“

Steve interjected his tone teasing with a hint of annoyance, “I keep telling you hun, not until the rings arrive.”

“I know, I know. Find it in your heart to forgive me?” Eddie batted his long lashes, brown eyes shining under the fluorescents, and Steve swore he could get lost in those deep swirling seas of coffee forever.

His next words were spoken softer than Steve expected, not fully hearing them until they were said, “I forgive you.”

Eddie placed a kiss on Steve’s temple, which officially convinced the elf of their partnership. She rang them up with the couple's price of $90, which Steve happily slid cash over, she put christmas tree stamps on their hands and told them to take the table set up in the back left corner. They set their suitcase and bag along the wall behind, the room filled with two families, a few other straight couples and one last couple that was either really close best friends or they were lesbians. It was hard to tell. The table in front of them had one large mixing bowl, several whisks, spoons and spatulas, as well as pre-measured ingredients. Steve’s stomach growled again, its rumble loud amidst the soft christmas music playing around them. Eddie looked at his stomach then him as he patted his jacket pockets until a crinkle of a wrapper was heard within the leather.

He pulled out a peanut butter protein bar, “Here. Take this.”

Steve declined, “No, it's ok. I can’t take your food. Besides, I'm supposed to be providing munchies.”

Eddie raised his brow, “Are you sure? If you’re hungry you definitely won’t want that edible hitting you on an empty stomach. And being surrounded by cookie baking? You’re playing with fire sweetheart.”

Eddie waved the protein bar closer to his face, his eyes pleading for him to take it. Steve did, his stomach having a stronger sway over his decision making than his politeness. “Alright, fine. Thank you.”

When Steve took a bite he immediately began to feel better, the floating feeling that was already creeping in began to mellow out into a subtle incline rather than a rollercoaster clicking its way to the top of the tracks.

“Better?” Eddie nudged him.

“Yes honey,” he quipped.

Steve couldn’t tell if Eddie blushed again or not, his cheeks had been some varying shades of pinks and reds since he noticed him. Eddie took a strand of his hair and pulled it over his face regardless of his cheek color. It was cute and bashful as he did and Steve wanted nothing more than to move his wild hair from obscuring the dimples underneath.

The next several minutes went on with them joking and making up the life stories of fellow patrons paying for a baking experience. Conversation flowing so easily between them, it was refreshing. Steve couldn’t remember the last time it was so easy to get along with someone since he met Robin. Everytime the song changed Eddie would roll his eyes and make some sort of comment about why people couldn’t branch out with Christmas songs.

“Uggghh, If I have to hear the lyrics ‘simply having a wonderful Christmas time’ again I’ll go eat glass. Like I love you Paul McCartney but this is the most repetitive song,” Eddie complained.

Steve chortled, not knowing he could even make a snort that atrocious. Ok the edible is definitely starting to kick in. His noise made Eddie snort too then they both giggled as the room was fuller now and it got harder to stop as they collected more stares. It was only made worse by the teacher of their baking course walking out to the front of the class, attempting to gather everyone’s attention. Eddie kept making silly faces at all the other patrons doing their best to pay attention leaving Steve to fend for himself in stifling his amusement.

“Is everything ok back there?” The teacher asked in their direction, his tone was sincere despite them clearly losing their minds.

Steve smacked Eddie’s arm, stopping him from making devil horns at a toddler who was very entertained despite its mother’s look of disapproval. He cleared his throat, “Yep, all good back here!”

Steve attempted to level a look at Eddie who shrugged, the wicked grin never truly leaving his face. Both boys silently communicate “this is fun, but we should try not getting kicked out”. After a boring history of the sugar cookie was delivered they tried their best to follow along with their first set of tasks which was combining the ingredients to make their cookie dough. The teacher did verbally give them instructions but Steve was too distracted by Eddie humming along to Carol of the Bells, making it sound more rock and roll than its origins. He scanned the table and found printed instructions laminated next to the mixing bowl in front of him but as he lifted it up to read it was too late. Eddie had begun pouring all the ingredients in the single bowl.

Steve snatched the pre-measured cup of sugar out of his hands, “Hey! You’re going to ruin the cookies! You have to mix the wet ingredients then the dry ingredients then combine them!”

Eddie laughed, jumping to try and reach the sugar, “Why does it matter? It’s all going in the same place!”

“It matters! That is why we are here sweetheart, to learn.”

Eddie relented when Steve dropped his endearing sweetheart, “Ugh fine, but I won’t let you gatekeep my frosting skills.”

“Whatever you say, I just want these to actually taste good.”

Eddie gasped, holding a hand over his heart as if wounded, “My methods would not have contributed to a poor taste. But since you enjoy following the rules then by all means, I shall listen.”

Steve huffed, shaking his head but amused nonetheless, “Are you always this dramatic?”

“Hmmm about 90% of the time yes.”

“Oh? And what about the other 10%?”

“The other 10 is busy trying to figure out how I can be unlucky and lucky all at once,” Eddie started handing Steve the next ingredient. He took it and or it into the bowl, all the wet ingredients now ready for mixing.

“How so?”

Eddie leaned into him, but Steve didn’t think the guy noticed he was doing it. Just a natural pull and the hovering of a man with no regard for personal space. Steve didn’t mention how it caused the butterflies in his tummy to flutter, just leaned back meeting Eddie half way as he stirred.

“If being stuck in an airport means I got to meet you. It’s worth it.”

Steve kept stirring and stirring, his daydreams getting caught up in a fantasy. He let his eyes drift to Eddie’s face, his cheeks fully red again and his big brown eyes averting Steve’s gaze. He stirred and stared and stirred and then the edible dropped, and he felt his jaw loosen. His motor functions feeling slower yet his mind was racing his heart beat until he heard what he said as he was saying it, “You’re so pretty when you get nervous.”

Eddie’s eyes darted to meet Steve’s. His face red, pupils blown wide, and the slightest hint of red lined his eyelids. They stared, heat rising between them and all Steve could think about was kissing him, dropping his bowl, grabbing his frizzy hair, and tugging him closer by the waistband of his stupid spooky gingerbread sweatpants. Something nudged his foot as he stood, then soft cotton was pressed against his arm leaving him wondering who took a step closer and when it happened.

“Be careful there! Don’t want to over stir,” the teacher critiqued as he walked by breaking Steve out of his trance.

He put the bowl down, “Right. Sorry.”

But when he looked back to Eddie, the man was turned away trying to focus on reading the cooking instructions like he was committing them to memory. Like he was desperately trying to not think about the exact same things Steve was. It left them silent for a moment, debating how far it was actually possible to take things, and how far it could go despite the inevitable heartbreak. They finished the dough together that way, in peaceful focus, working in tandem as Steve gave inspirations that Eddie followed. It should’ve been awkward, it really should’ve, but it wasn’t. There was comfort in that thought, and their banter found its footing once cookie cutters got involved.

Steve listened to the teacher as Eddie fiddled with the cookie cutters shapes, knowing he’d need a recap once the next part of the lesson finished.

“Can you tell what this is supposed to be? I think it's supposed to be a reindeer but it just looks like Greece with less islands,” Eddie inspected the hollowed shape, consistently flipping it around not knowing which way to face it.

Steve picked up another cookie cutter, with a misshapen leaf maybe? And three lumps on one side, “What do you suppose this is?”

Eddie snorted looking at it, laughter bubbling to the surface again, “Thats a fucked up dick with 3 balls.”

Steve burst out laughing, “Oh my god, you’re so right.”

A parent from the next door table leaned over, her voice harsh and hushed as if her whiny child wasn’t the loudest thing in the room, “You know there are children in here.”

Steve fixed his posture, blushed because of embarrassment and was about to whisper back sorry but Eddie had different plans. He draped his arm over Steve’s shoulder and smirked, “My apologies, I’ll make sure to keep my messed up dick cookies away from you and your child.”

She just scoffed, too tired with her hurricane of a toddler to make another retort, but clearly annoyed.

Eddie smiled like he hadn’t offended her further and simply went back flipping around all the cookie cutters.

I am now determined to make the most inappropriate Christmas cookies,” Eddie claimed, straightened his posture and puffed out his chest like he was about to go on a quest, “How do you want your cookies to look?”

“Hmmm…” Steve started, lost in the tornado of dramatics that is Eddie Munson with his hmmmm being used to buy him thinking time, “Not sure yet. Snowflakes maybe?”

“And beautiful snowflakes they will be!” Eddie exclaimed, startling some of the people around them at his sudden volume increase, but he paid them no mind.

Steve chuckled, admiring how little fucks Eddie gave about those around him. He wished he was more like that, but the people pleaser in him would never allow it. It was admirable, how much he outwardly refused to be anything else but himself, heart on his sleeve brave and unashamed. Its too bad this would most likely be the only day they will ever share together.

Eddie has finally finished selecting his cookie cutters by the time Steve rolled out the dough and they began presenting their cookies. Eddie’s were all the unfortunately shaped Holly and a few gingerbread people, while Steve’s were mostly the wonky reindeer and circles. They placed their cookies on the tray and some helpers dressed as elves took everyone’s trays in the class and put them in the oven. They only required a 15 minute bake time, so now it was just downtime for the class and chatter continued to fill the space. Ella Fitzgerald’s Sleigh Ride began to blare and Steve couldn’t help but sing along happily high waiting for cookies with a cute boy. Eddie joined in with him, taking his hands in his, swinging their arms to the melody. Swaying turned to dancing turned to spinning each other around, giggling through their karaoke.

“You’re a good singer you know,” Eddie winked as Steve was spun and pulled into his arms.

Steve ignored the compliment, “You don’t have to sell us being a couple anymore we already got in.”

“Who said I was still trying to do that?”

“You dance with strangers often then?”

“Nope, only you.”

Steve felt blood rush to his cheeks, still in Eddie’s arms. Geez this guy was smooth, he needed to up his game.

“Do you fake marriage with strangers often?” Eddie shot back.

“Nope, only you,” Steve answered, spinning out of Eddie’s arms, keeping a grip on one of Eddie’s hands and spun him as they both smiled like they were the only ones in the room.

When Ella’s singing ended and new music began they settled down to catch their breath, chests heaving in sync. Steve pulled Eddie close like he did when they walked in partly because he needed something to balance him and partly because he knew he could. They continued to chat, neither boy willing to create more space between them. He loved how easily Eddie fit into his bubble, his high working well at snuffing out any doubts making it so easy for him to be present in this moment. Eddie even listened to him when he got into rambling about the sports he liked and how he just started to really get into Hockey. He asked questions when he didn’t understand something which led Steve into a several minute long rant about how Hockey leagues worked, to which Eddie asked if he’d heard about the new women's rugby league and how cool their mascots are. Steve was reeling at the fact that Eddie even knew about that, but apparently one of the girls from his old D&D club announced on their discord she got on the Twin City Geminis which is why he knew.

In more time at all the oven timer beeped, and the elves rang jingle bells to get the class's attention, ripping them away from their lovely conversation. Steve slowly loosened his grip on Eddie’s waist so they could begin decorating. Eddie stayed close though, their hips or elbows would brush against each other, like he too wished Steve could’ve held on. He watched Eddie get to work right away, making the human shaped cookies nude by giving them frosting boobs and butts.

“I’d you don’t start your snowflakes you’ll have plain cookies,” Eddie nudged him playfully with his hip.

Steve rolled his eyes but bumped him back, “I was just admiring your work.”

His weed induced hyperfocus on making perfect snowflakes kicked in and he got to work right away. Drawing straight lines with frosting while high next to the World’s biggest distraction presented challenges for him never faced before. His first snowflake came out uneven with shaky lines as he adjusted his hand grip on the piping bag and figured out a good groove swatting along with Eddie’s movements rather than against them which got him those first zig zag lines. The next snowflake came out a lot better, and he got another one done before he moved onto the reindeer. These ones he made for Eddie, trying his best to make them look like zombie rudolphs. When the elf helpers rang the jingle bells again signaling to class that time was up Eddie was adding some finishing touches onto the holly cookies that he literally made into dicks.

They set their tools down and Eddie grabbed one of the cookies holding it up next to his face smiling wide at Steve, “This one is yours! A crown for you my king!”

It was absolutely a crown, drawn in yellow frosting with M&Ms for jewels and gold sprinkles pressed in the lines. He ignored the shape of the cookie entirely to draw it but that didn’t matter, the joy exuding from Eddie’s entire being however did. So Steve took it with grace, setting it aside then presenting Eddie with the cookie he made for him.

“It’s not as good as the crown, but I tried,” Steve offered and Eddie’s smile grew, and he couldn’t help but stare at the prominent dimples he had somehow missed a moment before.

“I love it Steve! Thank you so much! Omg wait! You matched my pjs?”

Steve nodded yes enthusiastically. Eddie set down the cookie, they each took photos of them all laid out before placing them in the cookie tins provided as part of the baking class package, leaving out the ones they made for each other.

“Shall we?” Eddie asked, picking up the crown cookie and holding it up to Steve’s mouth.

He took the reindeer zombie and held it up to Eddie’s mouth, “We shall.”

They fed each other the first bite, but because of all the frosting and how fresh the cookies were the reindeer began to crumble and fall apart which Eddie tried to catch with his mouth. Frosting got all over his nose but he did catch a majority of it with his free hand as well.

“You got something right there,” Steve pointed, gesturing at Eddie’s nose and overall face.

“Oh do I?”

“Yep, just right there.”

Eddie wiped his nose but there was still more frosting on his upper lip, “Did I get it all?”

“Nope.”

“Damn,” Eddie wiped his nose again, “How ‘bout now?”

Steve shook his head no, “Here let me…”

They were still close so grabbing Eddie’s waistband was easy, pulling him ever more closer. He reached his other hand up to the back of his neck, maneuvering the very pliant Eddie into a kiss. The man was a little shocked at first but quickly relaxed into it. Steve felt fingers softly slide up his back, it was sweet in taste and touch. All frosting and chocolate, because Eddie was definitely stealing M&Ms while decorating. Steve slid his fingers up higher into Eddie’s curls and he felt the man melt even more into his touch. Their kiss grew hungrier the longer it lasted. Their mouths opening more to tongue inside in little bursts until—

“Really? Get a room please!” The woman from before scoffed.

They pulled apart, laughing and smiling but Eddie simply flipped her off and gave Steve one more big long peck on the mouth.

“Ugh! Come on Hunter, let’s go.” The woman said most likely collecting her child and turning away but Steve was too busy getting a big ol’ smooch.

When they pulled away again Eddie asked, “Do you kiss strangers in the airport often?”

Pick a path and get a gift! All paths bring good luck. 💛

And a little close-up 💖💖

@corrodedbisexual love your username and your tags.

I’m imagining Steve sitting in a restaurant with a complimentary (pity) piece of pie, waiting. Waiting. Waiting until…

It takes way too long for him to realize that he’s being stood up because it’s never happened before. It wasn’t even on the radar of things that could happen so…

It’s probably what’s happening but this is Hawkins.

Hawkins has monsters in it and the last time he didn’t check up on someone, Barb died.

He drives out to Forest Hills just to make sure and -

“Did you stand me up?”

That’s not what Eddie was expecting when he heard a knock at the door. He was kinda expecting pizza not - definitely not Steve Harrington in a date night shirt.

“Uh…” He looks out over the trailer park for any other jocks and seeing none. “Yeah?”

“Oh.”

Steve just stands there for a second. Eddie doesn’t know what is even going on so he just stands there too.

“Okay,” Steve says and then turns on his feet. “Bye.”

And like, what the fuck?

What kind of prank is this?

So I didn’t even mean to open tumblr but it’s the same colour as the app I wanted so basically I am v sorry and I hope @morganbritton132 doesn’t mind if I quick get out this little bit of thing that got stuck in my head as a result of the tags from @vecnuthy / @aidaronan

/

Because honestly, Steve’s not even watching Nancy. At no point is he watching Nancy except for when he’s very clearly directed to watch Nancy by whatever cynical-eyes-bullshit he’s currently being force-fed: no

No, Steve is watching Eddie. Steve’s been watching Eddie for ages now and asking himself repeatedly, every time: what about him was specifically not good enough for this asshole?

Because Steve’s a lot of things. Self-aware is one of those things that’s mostly come along slowly, and gradually, since the Russians kinda tortured him and a melted-people monster chased his car. But the self-awareness made Steve very clear about his fresh-out-of-the-box appeal: he’s got enough money for a good dinner, he’s got a enough hairspray for a good look, and he’s got enough experience for a good fucking night. He gets he’s not everyone’s bag for the long haul, his approach to relationships does have a tendency to be panned as bullshit-adjacent despite him actually starting to understand that it’s not automatically bullshit to want love, and commitment, and someone who wants the long haul with you.

It’s just, y’know. Not common. And not broadly expected from Steve’s…presumably-advertised qualifications on the aforementioned box.

Point is, in the short term? Steve is a goddamn catch.

And this asshole, who stole his kids and now thinks he knows better with regard to his ex, is the one and only person who saw fit to throw the catch back in the pond without a second glance, hook still in.

Dickhead.

It doesn’t help that he’s wrapped in the dickhead’s vest, which smells of sweat and dirt and enough lake water that Steve’s face screws up automatically—just keep throwing the fucking catch back in the pond—but weirdly, and confusingly, because, see: the dickhead. Who remains the single person to ever stand Steve Harrington up on a date.

That dickhead, despite standing him up, despite throwing his catch-of-a-self back without a second glance, keeps…taking more than a second fucking glance. The vest continues to present problems there, since the dickhead can’t seem to keep his eyes off Steve’s chest. And then later, with the leaning and the hip-swaying and the big boy and the way he called Steve back as they split up at the finish, and looked at Steve’s lips for a long fucking moment none of them had to spare before he very clearly swallowed whatever he’d wanted to say and covered with some horseshit, but still nodded all meaningful at him in parting with his eyes still on Steve’s lips like it’s been less about what he’d planned and failed to say and more about what he’d wanted to failed to lean further this time and do—

And see: Steve’s a lot of things. And even before the legitimately self-aware thing, Steve knew very well that one of his greatest strengths in life was that what he lacked in book smarts, he made up for in charm. People smarts.

And so when they’re done, and he’s flambéed the wrinkled ballsac of a villain they went after with half a hope and no prayer in sight? Steve’s decided.

He’s gonna fucking find out why he wasn’t enough of a catch in the first place. Might—might—even take whatever bit of knowledge he gets as an answer to try to…present a more appealing box. Be a more desirable catch.

Maybe Eddie just doesn’t like nice dinners, y’know?

But, of course, the dickhead he wants to ask isn’t fucking breathing when Steve gets back to him, so he can’t fucking ask.

Again: dickhead.

But Steve? Is a lot of things.

Including being specifically pretty smart about some pretty specific things. Namely: the pretty specific training he did to be a lifeguard, and then kept up-to-date, maybe stayed the extra hours for advanced techniques after absolutely nothing happened in late ‘83 that would make him think it was worthwhile to have a little extra in the tank when it came to his lifesaving repertoire.

So when the motherfucking dickhead, whose bedside he's been sitting at for the past whole week, decides to open his eyes and turn and frown and try about four times to speak before Steve offers him the little cup water with the flimsy straw, before he swallows, before he asks:

"Am I dead?"

And Steve: he just snorts. Deadpans hard:

"You did your best, but. Sorry man, didn't quite manage."

"He does not!" Robin huffs, she looks ready to start pulling her hair out, or Eddie's hair out, her hands are claw-grips and she can't decide where they need to claw.

"He does! He stares at Nancy like that!" Eddie points out, it's not the best gotcha given the circumstances, but he's sure it counts for something.

"They dated!" That was a good point, but--

"He stares at you like that!" aha! Critical Hit! The beast (the illusion of hope) is slain! XP for Eddie!

"Yeah! Cause. He. Loves. Me!" Robin states, cutting the side of her hand into her palm to enunciate every word,

"As a friend!" he insists, he knows he's right! He has to be right, the alternative doesn't bear thinking about,

"No, I mean, yes, now, but that dingus fell for me, he confessed his feelings to me, I had to break his precious little heart! It was awful. He can't just switch it off no matter how Platonic we are now!" That shocks Eddie a little, but no, there's no way!

"That can't be right..." he's less argumentative and more quietly confused now, pulling his hair across his face shyly as he looks down and off to the side, trying to process what Robin has said.

Robin's hands finally find him, they're gentle now, all frustration melted away as she makes him look her in the eye and squishes his cheeks until his lips pout.

"He loves you, Eddie, he has so much love inside him, too much! He is overflowing with syrupy affection. It just pours out and gets everywhere, and so much of it has gotten on you." She says it with such uncharacteristic sincerity that Eddie has to believe her, even if the imagery is questionable.

"That sounds disgusting..." Eddie mumbles, muffled a little by the way she's squeezing his face,