Steddie Underdog Fics

STEDDIE UNDERDOG JULY CALENDAR

This month, we are highlighting fics that are in-progress or incomplete, aka WIP fics.

We challenge you to comment on your favorite WIP this month or find a new fic that's currently posting to read!

Upcoming Challenge Mondays:

7/6 -- WIPs between 10k - 15k

7/13 -- WIPs w/o update in last three months

7/20 -- WIPs updated this month

7/27 -- WIP update email you're most excited for

Upcoming Writer’s Wednesdays:

7/8 -- @hbyrde36

7/22 -- @steviestits

Upcoming Theme Weekends:

7/11 - 7/12 -- Darker Themes

7/25 - 7/26 -- Post S4 Hospital Fics

The Last Friday of every month will have a new calendar release!

CHECK OUT OUR LINKS BELOW TO PARTICIPATE!

Nominate an author for WRITER’S SPOTLIGHT here!

Vote on our next THEME WEEK here!

Suggest a CHALLENGE for Challenge Mondays here!

Submit a fic through our ASK!

You can see our previously recommended fics spreadsheet here!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/83411951#work_endnotes

I think I like it better when you’re close by backtobeingbasic (couldbeluckyagain)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

7,022 words, 1/1 chapters

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tags: The rest of the party are minor characters, Getting Together, First Kiss, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Post-Season/Series 04, 5+1 Things, Alternate Universe - Everyone Lives/Nobody Dies, Idiots in Love, Friends to Lovers, more like idiots to lovers, Implied Sexual Content, Oblivious Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson Has a Crush on Steve Harrington, Fluff and Humor

Summary:

“This,” he said, moving his finger up and down: from Steve’s quiffed up hair down to his striped polo covered by the family video uniform vest. “This is the crisis we are solving today.” Steve lifted an unimpressed eyebrow at him and crossed his arms. He knew where this was going. “Dustin, no.” Beside him, Robin looked curiously between the two. “This seems interesting,” she said, smile just as mischievous as Dustin`s. “What is that, again?” ”Steve needs a date.” or: the 5 times Dustin tries to set him up and fails + the one time he doesn’t even have to try

Thanks for the rec!

He Ain't Heavy by Feelsripper

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

12,237 words, 3/7 chapters

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, No Archive Warnings Apply

Tags: Slice of Life, Good Uncle Wayne Munson, POV Wayne Munson, Canon-Typical Violence, Canon-Typical Behavior, Period-Typical Homophobia, Character Study, character study about trauma and growing through it--munson style, steddie in the background of chapter 7, Queer Eddie Munson, Eddie Munson Has ADHD, Found Family, Minor Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Kid Eddie Munson, Good Parent Wayne Munson, Hurt/Comfort, each chapter is a stand alone story

Summary:

Wayne Munson was a lot of things: brother, son, veteran, ex-husband, the whole gambit. He never thought 'parent' would be in that list, but here he was: legal guardian of one Eddie Munson. This kid was going to be both the best and the most stressful fucking thing that ever happened to him. AKA: Wayne and Eddie Munson become the family they never had, while learning to deal with love, heartbreak, and generational trauma.

This rec is a part of Challenge Monday. The challenge this week was WIPs w/o update in last three months.

My Grave is Mine to Dig by trashpocket

@trashpocket

Rating: Mature

56,231 words, 2/? chapters

Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Tags: Supernatural - Freeform, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Death and Mystery, Monsters, monster hunter!Steve, Trauma, Scars, Healing, Falling in love with your neighbor, Happy Ending, Found Family, Bonding, Steve Harrington taking care of kids, No beta we die like bob, Paranormal, Kissing, Almost desperate and obsessive love, not SO unhinged, but just eddie and Steve being so invested in the other person, PLATONIC STOBIN SUPREMACY, Soulmates, Blessings and Curses, Steve and Robin's guide on how to deal with monsters, Tommy and Carol are redeemed here, because I want them to be good people who have talked and tried to become better to Steve, just as Steve tried to become better too, bad past, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Gay Eddie Munson, Neurodivergent Steve Harrington, Trust Issues, Abandonment Issues, Early Thirties Steve Harrington, Neurodivergent Eddie Munson, Ghosts, Spirits, Hauntings, Fairies, Sprites, Astral Projection, Trauma Bonding, Possession, Demonic Possession, the Party comes together

Summary:

The way Steve Harrington burrowed into his heart wasn’t ordinary nor simple. Nothing about the man—at least, beyond the surface—had ever been. He lived his life as if he was in constant danger, just ramped up to a frighteningly high degree. Maybe head trauma did that to you. Maybe whatever life Steve had with his family did that to you. If those scars and the lack of parents in the picture weren’t a sign, he didn’t know what else was. Eddie still had to wonder about the things that haunted Steve every waking moment. -- Eddie Munson has heard all about that weird murder town, Hawkins, and its freak accidents. He's never really thought about it, though. It never came to mind. Not until Steve Harrington moved into the abandoned house across the street, scarred and wary, like he was hiding. Running away. Like he'd been fighting monsters his whole life. As if those monsters were even real. (Which, they were, but Eddie didn't know that.) __ Or: Eddie Munson has a new neighbor. Steve Harrington is a retired monster hunter, just needing a break from his past. An AU where monsters from fairy tales and folk lore come to life.

This rec is a part of Challenge Monday. The challenge this week was WIPs w/o update in last three months.

unring the bell by gayjinkies

@gayjinkies

Rating: Explicit

14,193 words, 3/? chapters

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tags: Post-Canon Fix-It, Friends to Lovers, cosmically-incompatible friends to lovers is maybe more apt, Eddie Munson Has a Crush on Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington Is a Mess, Steve Harrington Needs a Hug, and also for his house to be cleansed spiritually, Slow Burn, due to the incorporeal nature of one particular person, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, i cannot stress enough that the end will be happy, Steve Harrington Has a Bisexual Awakening, sponsored by the guy haunting him, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Grief/Mourning, but i’m gesturing to the ‘no archive warnings apply’ tag

Summary:

He can’t be staring down the barrel of an eternal afterlife. There has to be something more. “How is this fair? What’d I do to deserve this? Just—nothing? For eternity? That’s so goddamned fucked up!” He’s just rearing back to slam his hands down again when it happens. A piercing bright light blinds Eddie, his vision going from pitch black to stark white so instantly that he crumples in on himself, protecting his eyes. A deafening static roar fills his ears as he braces his arms over his head. “Shit, shit, shit, shit—” A force pushes him to his back, and as soon as his head collides with the ground, he’s gone. — Or; After dying in the upside down, Eddie wakes up in Steve Harrington’s bedroom. Problem is, Steve can’t see or hear Eddie. Problem is, Eddie Munson is a goddamn ghost.

This rec is a part of Challenge Monday. The challenge this week was WIPs w/o update in last three months.

Measure of Us by Marigold1718

Summary:

Steve counts the little stuff: Thursday Cokes, the buzz of the tape rewinder, that dumb postcard that won’t lie flat on Max’s fridge. One kiss, one really bad word, six weeks of radio silence—and a summer spent collecting receipts: Drummer magazine, a dance floor, Robin keeping him upright.

Non-linear Steve-POV; past and present call and response until they hit apologies, consent, found family, and the boy who keeps tilting the room. (Canon-divergent; ’87.)

Measure of Us by Marigold1718

Rating: Mature

39,993 words, 7/7 chapters

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tags: Eddie Munson Lives, Non-Linear Narrative, Friends to Lovers, Internalized Homophobia, queer identity crisis, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Steve Harrington Has Internalized Homophobia, Slow Burn, Light Dom/sub, Praise Kink, Resolved Sexual Tension

Summary:

Steve counts the little stuff: Thursday Cokes, the buzz of the tape rewinder, that dumb postcard that won’t lie flat on Max’s fridge. One kiss, one really bad word, six weeks of radio silence—and a summer spent collecting receipts: Drummer magazine, a dance floor, Robin keeping him upright. Non-linear Steve-POV; past and present call and response until they hit apologies, consent, found family, and the boy who keeps tilting the room. (Canon-divergent; ’87.)

Thanks for the rec!

8 Seconds Out of Reach by Little_Annie

Rating: Explicit

84,391 words, 7/9 chapters

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply

Tags: Gay Eddie Munson, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Confident Bisexual Steve Harrington, Memory Loss, Strangers to Lovers, Lovers to Enemies, Enemies With Benefits, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - No Upside Down (Stranger Things), Professional Bull Riders, Rodeo Competitions, Sports Injuries, Bathroom Sex, thigh fucking, Jealous Eddie Munson, Jealous Steve Harrington, Possessive Sex, Biting, Closet Sex, Blow Jobs, steve harrington has erectile dysfunction, Sex as a distraction, Sex as a Thank You, Wound Care, Switch Steve Harrington, Switch Eddie Munson, Misunderstandings, Injury Recovery, Blood and Injury, Anal Sex, Lingerie, Wet & Messy, Hospitals, Anxiety Disorder, Depression, Angst, Fluff and Humor, Steve Harrington Has Bad Parents, Alcohol, Smoking, mixtapes

Summary:

After what feels like an endless journey of injuries and close calls, Steve's more determined than ever to win the Professional Bull Riding Champion title. But when a newcomer that goes by the name “The Freak” enters the ring, and Steve's left longing for love just as much as he is a bed to keep his demons at bay, the 2025 PBR season kicks off to a rocky start. While tension in the ring wears thin, and the fire within their hearts only burns brighter, in the end, all it takes for that fraying tether to snap is eight breathless seconds.

This rec is a part of Challenge Monday. The challenge this week was WIPs w/o update in last three months.

Son by Nevertheless-5, ViceCaptain

If Darkness had a Son by Nevertheless_5, ViceCaptain

@annaevermore

Rating: Explicit

99,462 words, 11/11 chapters

Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con

Tags: Incubus Eddie Munson, Hunter Steve Harrington, Captive Eddie Munson, Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, dark fantasy AU, Incubus anatomy, Eddie's actually a hybrid, Eddie has tricks, and he's a slut, Brief mention of Jason Billy Tommy and Brenner, Dubious Consent, It gets muddy because of Eddie's powers and him being a captive, Steddie want each other though, Human/Monster Romance, Blood and Violence, Serious Injuries, Other types of monsters mentioned, They adopt a horse, Animals follow Eddie around like he's a Disney princess, You know Steve's hot but DAMN he's even hotter here????, Steve Harrington Has a Big Dick, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Gay Eddie Munson, Top Steve Harrington, Bottom Eddie Munson, Outdoor Sex, Lingerie, Eddie gets passed around by the other hunters, Reminder that Eddie's a captive, it's brief though, The bastards use slurs, Hurt/Comfort, Eddie Munson is a Sweetheart, Steve Harrington is a Sweetheart, art in the fic, RESANDE!!!!

Summary:

When Steve and his father’s band of hunters stumble across the Incubus they’ve been tracking, he doesn’t expect to be so intrigued, wanting to protect the demon from harm by his fellow hunters. It must be the creature’s powers working on him, making him seek more from Eddie than he should want. Shunned by both Humans and Incubi, Eddie's just trying to survive, keeping to himself in the woods and only venturing into towns whenever he needs to feed on sex. He knows danger is always lurking, but he doesn't expect a whole hunting party chasing him. Nor does he expect to get tangled up in his own tricks when he attempts to seduce Steve, wondering who is charming who.

This rec is a part of Theme Weekend. The theme this weekend is Darker Themes.

You’re an angel, I’m a dog (I'll destroy you like I am) by ChristinMKay

@transmascsteveharrington

Rating: Explicit

77,081 words, 21/21 chapters

Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tags: Stalker Steve Harrington, Dark Steve Harrington, Stalking, Steve Harrington is Obsessed with Eddie Munson, Eddie Munson is Obsessed with Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington Being Gross, Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Top Eddie Munson, Bottom Steve Harrington, Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, no beta we die like steve harrington's heterosexuality, Unreliable Narrator, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Happy Ending, if you consider being happy in a toxic relationship a happy ending, Freak4Freak Steddie, Murder Husbands, Murder, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Extremely Dubious Consent, Additional Warnings in Author's Note

Summary:

It starts out with a little bit of jealousy. Healthy. Steve doesn't like sharing. Typical only child. And every second word out of Dustin's mouth is Eddie Munson. Eddie Munson this, Eddie Munson that. Eddie thinks, Eddie said, Eddie doesn't like. Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. It's only natural to do a little background check. You wouldn't just let anyone babysit your kids. or: Steve Harrington starts stalking Eddie Munson. It might be more than he has bargained for.

This rec is a part of Theme Weekend. The theme this weekend is Darker Themes.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/73122986

mutualism by rogersharringtons

@rosynov

Rating: Explicit

22,580 words, 1/1 chapters

Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Tags: Dead Dove: Do Not Eat, Temporary Character Death, Angst, angst with a semi-happy ending, Immortal Eddie Munson, Fighter Steve Harrington, Smut, Gore, Violence, Dark Sexual Themes, Necrophilia, Drug Use, Intoxication, Blood, Body Horror, tfw you love someone so much you want them to fuck you to death, and when you come back to life you ask them to do it again, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms, Codependency, No beta we die like Barb, Suicidal Thoughts, Implied/Referenced Cannibalism

Summary:

mutualism [myü-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm] · noun the doctrine that mutual dependence is necessary to social well-being Eddie Munson has a body that can bend, a body that can break, a body that can piece itself back together over and over again. He can’t help but seek out every thrill his newfound immortality brings, running away from danger no more. And when he first sees Steve again, he knows exactly what he needs from him. Steve Harrington has a body made of rage, a body made of his father’s temper, a body made of explosives itching for a light. He can’t help but fight and claw his way to what he thinks may be a less lonely world with bloody knuckles and a half-crazed smile. And when he first sees Eddie again, he knows exactly what he wants from him. Against all odds, they somehow make it work. This is, after all, a love story.

This rec is a part of Theme Weekend. The theme this weekend is Darker Themes.