#harmungrove

Mustering up his strength he turns and comes face to face with, “Billy.” He breathes, and for some reason, tears spring to his eyes. He doesn’t know why- Well that’s wrong. While BIlly was an asshole, he was Steve’s.

And Steve was his.

He feels a bit numb as he stands with the help of his so thought, dead, pseudo-boyfriend. Really, they weren’t ever official, just a few dates and late night sessions here and there. Accompanied by shared trauma of bad dads and broken families. 

There are two collective gasps that break the staring spell he and Billy seemed to be caught in. Instinctively he grabs Billy’s hand tightly, much like he used to do those late nights at the quarry when one of them couldn’t keep it together. 

“Billy Hargrove, man. I thought you were dead.” Eddie says dumbly, walking over to him, reaching for a fist bump. Billy smirks at this, “Hey, Eddie. Guess I just couldn’t stay away,” He purrs, and Eddie’s cheeks go red.

Nancy is the one to break up the reunion, saying they need to get a move on.

“Wait. You’re telling me there’s a way out of here?” Billy asks, and he gets 3 collective nods, while Eddie shrugs, “I dunno, man. This is my first time.”

The ladies lead the way while Steve, Eddie and BIlly walk behind them, bumping shoulders softly as they walk.

“So… How ya been?”

Billy turns his head, “Still as awkward as ever, hey, Munson?” and Steve is thoroughly confused by now. “How do you guys know each other?” He asks, and they both go a little red.

Billy clears his throat, “Well. Sometimes I couldn’t afford to pay for my weed… So I paid him back in… Other ways.” He says, winking at the long haired boy on the other side of Steve. Steve shakes his head.

“Are you telling me, that the weed I gave you a blowjob for… You gave Eddie blowjobs for?”

“Well, Prettyboy. In a way, yes. But he’s a little bit more experienced than you. Do the math.”

Steve stops abruptly as does Eddie, “Wait. You were. You and- King Steve?” Eddie asks, a certain surprised tone in  his voice. “Look at the hair, Munson. You can’t expect a straight man to look this good. Certainly not… Well. Nevermind.” He cuts himself off, and Billy looks at him, now stopped a few feet away. 

“You haven’t told anyone else, have you?”

“This isn’t the time or the place, Bills.” The old nickname slipping out on accident. It’s Eddie's turn to look confused now, “Well, I’m pretty sure we’re all very close to death, so like. Perfect timing to let out your deepest, darkest secrets.” He says.

Steve sighs, “I wasn’t born a boy, Eddie.” 

“Huh?”

“I’m…”

“He’s trans, Eddie. He’s got tiddies.” Billy huffs out, to which Steve gives him a pointed look. 

“Hm. Okay.” He responds. Billy and Steve share a loo, one that says, “Yeah, he’s cool.” and Eddie feels a surge of pride, and also a pang of jealousy at their silent conversation. He wants that, but with who, he doesn’t know. 

Nancy and Robin are a few yards away now, stopped, looking at them. “Congratulations, dingus! Now let's go. We gotta get out of here!” Robin shouts. It’s almost like their feet are stuck to the ground, but they will themselves to move anyways.

It’s a silent agreement that they’ll carry on the rest of the conversation later, about Steve, and also about the budding feelings between… All of them. 

They’ve made it out, and the tearful reunion has finished between everyone. It starts with Billy apologizing, sincerely. Sinclair. Lucas, the way I acted has no excuse. But I want you to know that I’m not actually like… That.” He says with disgust.

“My old man… He made me, and well. I just felt stuck. I never should’ve done that to you. Or you, Steve.”

A silent debate happens between the younger teens, and when all is forgiven, they are quickly reminded of Steve’s injuries. 

He was the last one out, and he’s still laying on the mattress breathing heavily, face scrunched up in pain. Everyone jumps into action. Eddie grabs paper towels and a bottle of vodka from the kitchen, and Billy sits with Steve holding his hand. Robin is there too, trying to help Eddie disinfect her best friend's wounds. 

“Okay, now Stevie. This is gonna hurt.” 

Eddie warns, as he tilts the bottle downwards and the clear liquor comes spilling out. His cries of pain catch the attention of the rugrats, who come over to inspect. Dustin notices there's a fear in his eyes that doesn't quite match the mood. He grazes over Steve abdomen and chest, and notices two faint scars running along the underside of Steve’s pecs. 

He goes to poke at them, “Watch it, Henderson.” Billy says sternly, pushing his hand away, and Dustin is confused. “What are those, Steve?” He asks, worried. 

Now that Eddies is finished cleaning, he helps Steve sit up, “Look. I’ll tell you like I told Bill-” He’s cut off by Robin.

“He used to have tits, now he doesn’t.”

“Robs?!” 

“Sorry, Steve. They’re cool, though.”

He looks around the room, seeing confused, yet understanding faces, “Wait. So..  How did you and Nancy… If you don’t…”

“If I don’t have a dick? Yeah, that was pretty awkward but… We figured it out.” 

He says winking, and the mentioned girl's face blushes bright red. He the younger teens’ faces scrunch up in disgust. 

The moment passes, and it’s daytime. Steve, draped over both Billy and Eddie, wakes up first. He pats the peaceful faces of his boys. He hauls himself off the floor, carefully stepping over the rest of the people who slept at Eddies. Which was all of them.

Steve rummages through Eddie’s kitchen, cheering when he finds a small box of pancake mix. He steals a pan, and begins cooking.

“What a house husband you are, Steve.” 

Robin says, effectively scaring the shit out of him, he turns, clutching his chest. “Jesus Rob. When are you going to learn not to sneak up on someone who just almost died?” He teases, and she rolls her eyes. 

Grabbing a pancake and shoving it in her mouth without any syrup or toppings she goes to sit at the small kitchen table.

“So. What’s up with you and Eddie, and Billy?” 

She hums with her mouth full, crumbs falling out.

Steve’s face twists up in disgust at his friend's bad manners, and he shrugs. “I honestly don’t know. I just. I feel better when I’m around them. Like I can be myself.”

“I think we completely agree, Prettyboy,” Billy’s voice sounds from behind him, turning he sees Billy and Eddie standing there.

“Why’d you leave, you were keeping me warm,” Eddie says dramatically, draping himself over Steve’s shoulders, planting a kiss on his cheek. Steve turns bright red, and Robin takes this as her que to get out of there. 

Her chair scrapes the floor and Billy wastes no time putting himself in it as soon as she gets up. Eddie pulls Steve out of his own chair, sits down and pulls Steve gently into his lap. 

“We gotta talk.” Eddie starts, and Steve taps his fingers nervously against the table. “I don’t quite know… I just, you guys feel right.” He tells them, and he feels Eddie nodding as his hair brushes Steve’s back. He shifts to face him, “You’d be okay… Dating me and Billy?” He asks timidly. 

Billy flashes a charming smile at both of them,”C’mon. Who wouldn’t wanna go out with all this,” He says gesturing to his body. Which, honestly, doesn't look that good after months of being in another dimension. 

Eddie chuckles, chest rumbling against Steve’s rib cage as he leans against him. “I would love to date both of you. If you’ll have me.” He says, polite as always. 

With that statement, Steve presses a kiss against his lips. 

With a sigh he says, “I’ve been wanting to do that since you threatened me with a broken bottle.” He sinks further into his boyfriend's chest. Billy’s face contorts, “I feel like I missed something. But that doesn’t matter, both of you get over here and gimme your lips.” He demands.

Scrambling up, Steve reaches him first, diving into a deep kiss, moaning as Billy’s strong hands make his way to his hair tugging on it gently. 

He feels Eddie press behind them and Steve moves his head down to Billy’s collar bones, pressing soft smooches there, as Billy and Eddie lock lips above him.

He feels secure. 

He feels loved.

But the moment is ruined by demon child Dustin screeching, “Don’t go in the kitchen!”