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One day he finds this cool shirt and buys it, not realizing it's a band shirt. He wears it constantly because it's soft and comfortable from years of wear, likes how it feels against it skin.

This not only embarrassed Steve but also pissed him off so he's now dedicating himself to befriending all of Eddie's friend and turning them against him.

It's finally time to reveal my project for this year's Steddie Big Bang! If you are into tattoo shop AUs and fix it fics (and the idea of Steve Harrington with a massive back tattoo), this one is for you!

I will be working with the incredible @sammichtastic (for the second year in a row, can you believe it???) and I can't WAIT to see the amazing art they will create for this!!!

Summary and snippet under the cut

Steve shows up to band practice in black skinny jeans, eye liner, a black leather jacket, and one of Eddie's band shirts. Eddie's eyes go huge but not in a good way. He can't help the way his nose scrunches up in distaste. "Please go put on a polo and a puffer jacket this is not my boyfriend."

Eddie tries to dress nicely for some event, maybe a work thing for Steve, but instead of doing it his own way, he just raids Steve's closet. He's wearing a white button up under a beige sweater, light wash jeans, and his hair in a slick bun. Steve immediately pulls a face like he wants to be sick and makes Eddie at least take off the sweater and undo some buttons so at least he can roll up the sleeves and show off his tattoos.

They love each other exactly as they are and don't want the other to change for them at all.

"Hey, idiot don't forget your dice." and he tosses the pouch at Dustin, who barely catches it because he's an unathletic loser. He scoffs and smiles anyway, "Thanks dad."

Before Eddie can process that, Dustin walks out, completely oblivious to the fact that he'd even said the D-word. Eddie stands there for way longer than he should, circling through pride, affection, and offense because he is NOT old enough to be a father!

A few weeks go by, Eddie pretty much forgets about it and chooses not to bring it up, because despite what everyone thinks, he isn't the biggest douchebag in the word. (He still is one of course but not the biggest!) Eddie forgets about it until another hellfire session is over, but Dustin took a little too long, and Steve Harrington comes marching into the school.

"Dude, I told you to be quick today! I promised Max and Lucas I'd take them to the movies!" The perfectly styled brunette started to scold, Eddie found himself a little hot under the collar as he glanced between Dustin and his much taller, much more attractive friend.

Dustin rolled his eyes, "Okay, okay, jesus, you're such a nag, mom." He added the "mom" mockingly, Harrington didn't even bristle. "I'm flattered to be compared to your mother, now move your ass." He demanded, dragging Dustin away by his bag.

Eddie was once again, stuck standing there for a little longer than he should've, before his feet were suddenly moving and he burst into the parking lot and luckily, somehow, Harrington and Dustin weren't in their cars yet.

"Henderson called me dad once!" He shouted over at them, a little out of breath. "If you're his mother I think I owe you a date! Or at least child support!" He called, giving Harrington a sharp grin even though a part of him was horrified at his own actions.

Dustin looked ten times more horrified than Eddie felt, but Steve just turned, glanced Eddie over, and paused. "That can be arranged." He smirked a little before getting in his car, Dustin followed, and even over the engine starting Eddie could hear the kid screeching about dignity or something.

They drove away but Eddie's heart was pounding louder than them turning out of the parking lot.

for @steddiesongfics microfic may challenge, based on 'orbiter' by noah kahan

rated t | 555 words | no cw | tags: possibly unrequited love, but not actually unrequited love, friends to lovers, first kiss, post-vecna

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The house is quiet tonight. Robin's on a date, her fifth or sixth with the same woman. Eddie's on a date, too. Another random person he met at the bar. Steve's lost count of the amount of first dates he has that end in him spending the night with someone he'll never see again. He isn't judging, he's just...heartbroken.

Because it didn't take long after they left Hawkins for Steve to realize that the protectiveness he felt towards Eddie, the racing of his heart and warmth in his stomach when they touched, the sinking in his gut when Eddie talked about being with someone else, meant he had much more than just friendly feelings for the man. He thought it was a proximity crush, as Robin so kindly put it when he talked to her about it.

"He's the only person other than me that you spend a lot of time with. You just need to get out there!"

But he tried that. He went on a few dates with women. One with a guy who played guitar in a band and had long curly hair, but didn't shine nearly as bright as Eddie. He hasn't tried again since that one went pretty badly.

He's alone with his thoughts, eating leftover pasta from the dinner he made with Eddie the night before. It was a new recipe that Eddie insisted on trying, and then ended up not liking it nearly as much as Steve. That's how it usually goes.

Steve smiles to himself at the memory of Eddie's hands on his hips, gently moving him out of the way every time he needed to get into a cabinet or drawer for something. He doesn't stop smiling as he remembers the way Eddie sat on the counter to steal bites of the pasta before Steve had it in bowls, convincing him he needed to make sure it was done before it was served.

The smile drops when he remembers Eddie telling him about his date while they washed dishes.

He knows he needs to be honest with Eddie about his feelings. Maybe it will ruin everything, or maybe it won't. He just needs to know one way or another.

He's here because Eddie needed to get out. He's stayed because he loves Eddie too much to leave.

He's stuck in his orbit and he has no idea if he even wants to be out of it.

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He startles awake when the door slams closed. Steve sits up and wipes his eyes, trying to get them to focus.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you up," Eddie says from next to the couch. "Why aren't you in bed?"

"Tried waiting up for you," Steve yawns. "Date go okay?"

Eddie snorts. "I'm here, aren't I?"

Do it now, Steve.

"Hungry?" Steve asks instead.

"Only if there's cereal."

Steve huffs a laugh and stands. "I can get you some."

While he eats, Eddie recounts every terrible moment of the date. Steve laughs along, unable to hide his amusement at how shitty it was.

"Gotta be a reason these dates suck, right?"

Steve takes a deep breath.

"Yeah." He leans in close. "Gotta be."

He finally kisses him.

Because if he's gonna lose Eddie either way, he wants to know what he'll be missing.

Love is a Three Letter Word, Sweetheart

for @thefreakandthehair and their @strangerthingsbigbang