#strangerthingsfestivefun

A big thank you to @unclewaynemunson for creating this event (and @thefreakandthehair for hosting the connected fic challenge)!!!!

He didn’t understand why he was forced to participate in this thing that wasn’t even his. He didn’t understand why his teachers never allowed him share the stories that his uncle always told him during the darkest days of the year: stories about the bravery of the Maccabees, the holiness of the Temple far away in Jerusalem, and the miracle of the candles. His uncle usually never talked much, but whenever they had a holiday to celebrate, he’d share the most wonderful and captivating stories in his slow, solemn voice. (Eddie had believed that his uncle was a rabbi until an embarrassingly late age).

When the first Christmas after he started dating Steve came around, he dreaded it. It was obvious to him that Steve was the kind of guy who’d care a great deal about Christmas. He’d probably want to do it all properly: hang a ridiculous amount of lights, have a big dinner, put presents under a neatly decorated tree... Eddie wanted to be on board with that, for Steve, but by G’d, he hated Christmas.

Finally my contribution for @thefreakandthehair spicy six winter challenge. This was a lot of fun, my prompt was “Um, I got you something.” / “You got me something?” Hope you enjoy!

The first Christmas after the defeat of Vecna was an important one. It was the first Christmas that they didn’t have to worry about seeing flickering lights or brandishing weapons. The kids could be kids, and the adults could be too.

Steve Harrington could count on one hand the number of good Christmas’ he could remember. He assumed that the Christmas’ before he was 5 were adequate enough, but, the year he turned 5 he remembers his mother baking gingerbread with him and his dad playing basketball with him out on the driveway Christmas morning. They never would again. When he was 19, he spent Christmas with the Buckley’s. It was a warm Christmas filled with love and laughter; one he’ll treasure forever. This year, age 20, Steve hopes to add another good Christmas to his collection.

Joyce insisted on hosting, and no one was going to tell her no. After all, the Hopper-Byers now lived in a beautiful house just on the edge of the woods, you could bike to Hopper’s old cabin which had now been turned into a sort of club house for the kids, Hellfire was regularly held there now that Eddie had graduated. Steve had spent all of November getting gifts for his family, not his parents, he hadn’t heard from them since they sold the house and moved to Washington after the earthquake. No, his real family, he spent weeks making sure everyone got the perfect gift. He had had to hide Robin’s gift at Dustin’s now that he shared an apartment with her and was quite the snoop, not that Steve minded, he liked how intertwined their lives were. He had thought of hiding it at Nancy’s new place, but she had become less tight-lipped about secrets since her and Robin had gotten together.

That was another new thing, Robin and Nancy, the two who fell together so perfectly after everything that happened. Steve was the least surprised, when they told him he’d claimed it made sense due to him having great taste in women, they knew he was joking. Steve knew because he could see how well the two of the complimented each other. Nancy was patient and happy to listen and let Robin work through a problem by rambling. Robin was supportive but tough when it came to both Nancy’s goals but also her health. They had both taken gap years to revaluate their goals and desires while also taking a well-deserved break. The future could wait another year for them to have time to heal hidden wounds.

Steve was glad there was no bad blood between them and Jonathan, they’d all repaired their relationships over the years, figuring out platonic and romantic loves and wants, Steve could call Jonathan his brother (he was suspicious that Joyce had filled out adoption papers somewhere) and let old demons lie. With Jonathan had come Argyle, someone Steve didn’t know how the party went so long without. Argyle was a steadying presence, reminding them that they’re not defined by what happened to them and telling deep truths, usually high but the fact still stood. Steve was glad the two of them had each other, he could see years of emotional weight be lifted off Jon’s shoulders whenever Argyle was around.

Even the kids had matured, and not just in the way that trauma matures someone. Steve could see them let go of childish desires like the first love romance between Mike and El that grew into more a relationship like Steve and Nancy, stronger as friends. Dustin still called Suzie every weekend but Steve knew they both had a good head on their shoulders, he liked to think any kid that came from them would probably solve all the world’s problems in a day. Lucas and Max had worked so much on their communication, understanding each other’s needs now more than ever.

Maybe it’s why Steve had spent so long making sure they all had the perfect gift. A small part of Steve that still held doubt, a grain of doubt so rooted inside of him from childhood that it may never leave. The part of him that worried about being forgotten and left behind, the part of him that drove him to always be useful. He’d gotten high with Eddie in the first week of December and poured his heart out to him about it, Eddie hadn’t said anything in reply, he hadn’t needed to, Steve could see in his eyes they shared the same fears.

Eddie’s gift had been the most important, for reasons Steve could only confront in the safety of his own apartment, huddled under blankets with Robin late at night. Reasons that simultaneously made him feel whole and completely exposed. In the end the gift had been a mixtape, a perfect blend of their music tastes woven together with Steve telling Eddie about how the songs make him feel, about life, about Eddie, ending with his final confession. Steve hopes he doesn’t hear it until he gets home.

The party is in full swing, it had snowed the night before leaving plenty of soft snow to play in, distracting the kids from asking about presents until after dinner. They had all gathered around the tree, slowly but surely passing out gifts. Hugs and thanks were shared amongst the group, Steve felt his heart fill with warmth with every piece of gratitude or handmade card sent his way. Eddie’s eyes had twinkled when he’d read the tape’s description as being “Eddie’s Mix”, a promise for later dancing across his features. Paper picked up and clothes changed, the kids had settled in front of the television with mattress’ pulled from every room. Joyce and Hopper had retired with promises of making breakfast in the morning. The remaining two couples had either joined the kids or disappeared for their own festive celebration, leaving only Eddie and Steve finishing the dishes in the kitchen.

“So, a mix tape, Stevie? Do I have to worry about an hour long “Last Christmas” brainwashing?”

Steve had laughed putting away the last plate, Eddie had come over to help wrap presents and Steve’s record had gotten caught on the same track, they both nearly lost their minds.

“I can’t promise no Wham! but I think Last Christmas has had enough of a turn this year, Eds.”

Eddie smiled and took the edge of Steve’s sweater in his hands, grabbing a blanket and leading Steve out onto the porch. The two boys sat in the cold, huddled together under the blanket, listening to the quiet of the woods. The quiet brought them so much peace, no calls for help, no creatures to go bump in the night, just them and their heartbeats.

“Um, I got you something.”

“You got me something?” 

Eddie chuckled, “Of course I did, sweetheart, just didn’t want to put it with the rest of the gifts, didn’t think it would fit.”

Steve raised an eyebrow at this, “What is it?”

Eddie looked nervous now, slowly he pulled off one of his rings, it was one of the simpler ones. Steve always thought it stood out against the skulls and horror of the others. A small black stone set in silver, vines slicing through the metal. Eddie took Steve’s hand and slid the ring onto his finger.

“You always play with this one when you’re upset about something, figured it’d be better if you had it even when I wasn’t around.”

Steve felt seen, Eddie had comforted him through a lot after March, offering words and touch and even his ring to make Steve feel better.

“Eddie. Thank you.”

“Of course, Stevie.”

“But wait, how couldn’t this fit under the tree?”

“Well, there’s a second part to it, if you want it.”

Steve had missed many things in his life, but he didn’t miss the question in Eddie’s eyes.

“I’d really like the rest of my gift, Eddie.”

Eddie leant in slowly, still giving Steve the opportunity to move away, to say no, to leave Eddie behind. Steve didn’t though, he was never going to leave Eddie behind, would never forget him. Their lips touched, cold from the night air, and it felt like the final puzzle slotting into place. Eventually, they pulled away, just enough to catch their breath, foreheads still touching.

“Yeah, you would’ve looked weird with a bow on your head under the tree.”

“Maybe next year I’ll do it just for you.”

Steve Harrington wasn't big on Christmas.

As a kid, his parents dragged him to stuffy dinners where he was made to sit at the kid’s table with his father’s associates’ children he didn't know or care for. Eventually, those evolved into Christmas parties at the Harrington household, a different headache altogether. Steve hated both equally, because who the fuck wears a suit during Christmas besides, like, maybe the president? What?

But then, just as he entered highschool, the parties… Stopped. His parents were invited by big people to join them in festivities all around the world, and Steve went to New York City once and never again. Apparently, having a kid around made his parents look… Cheap. Like they didn't have anyone to take care of him. So, from then on, he was left at home. All alone. During Christmas.

Somehow, the silence was worse than any type of stuffy party.

That didn't matter, though, because he met Nancy. And then the Upside Down happened. And, suddenly, Christmas wasn't silent anymore.

Although, he might have to backtrack on that one – Christmas was silent. Just not… Lonely.

Eddie had helped him set up all the Christmas lights and the dingy little tree they found last minute, making a day of it where they lit up the fireplace and got tipsy on Joyce's nutmeg. There, backlit by the golden lights and surrounded by the smell of pine and holly, they could forget of the pains that lingered even after all the danger had been blown to bits. There, Steve was simply Steve, and he could exist next to Eddie (who was just Eddie, too) and their laughter filled every corner of the hauntingly big house.

Somewhere around midnight of that same day, when they'd been lazy and cozy by the fire, Eddie had gotten up excitedly and signed, quickly, I want to show you something – even though Steve’s hearing aid was turned on, even though it was just them, even though he didn’t necessarily have to.

Go on, Steve signed back, smiling despite his confusion.

Suddenly, Eddie ran upstairs but quickly came down again, bringing his boombox and sitting it beside Steve, ignoring his boyfriend's puzzled stare to fiddle with whatever tape he was sticking in there. A second later, Eddie gently grabbed his hand and placed it on top of the speaker, mouthing don't move and turning it on. Steve’s hand felt warm where the boombox vibrated, one of his favorite pastimes for when he was alone and could listen to Bruce Springsteen as loud as he wanted – the saxophone and drums and bass and guitars sitting nicely against his hands, like he could hold bare music with his fingers and play with the sound waves.

This wasn't Bruce Springsteen, though – Steve looked down at the cassette tape and found A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra staring back at him.

What? He whispered, just as Eddie gripped his chin gently and brought his attention back to himself, clearly wanting to be watched.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas, he started, mouthing and signing at the same time, brow furrowed in concentration as he tried not to mess up.

Immediately, Steve's eyes watered something fierce, fogging up his glasses and making his cheeks ache with the strength of his smile. Sign Language didn't come naturally for someone as loud and bright and fast paced as Eddie – he had struggled at first, frustrated with words that didn't translate directly and with how fast he thought, hands fumbling as he tried to communicate with Steve. Even now, as he signed make christmas happy, an adaptation to the original lyric, Steve could see his frustration at not being able to make a joke about it being gay.

The learning process had been long and wasn't finished yet (and, as all languages tended to evolve, never really would be), but the sweet gesture – the thought behind it, the preparation – made Steve feel cherished. Overwhelmingly loved.

From now on, our troubles will be miles away, Eddie signed, and added or so I hope with a goofy smile that made Steve laugh.

With quick fingers, Steve turned the boombox off, ignoring Eddie's sound of protest before pulling him in for a kiss.

“I wasn't – finished – with that,” he said against his mouth in between kisses, holding Steve’s head and running his fingers through his hair, not really looking like he wanted to stop.

“Should I let you get back to it?” Steve murmured, biting Eddie’s neck where his heart pulsed the strongest and feeling his throat vibrate as he moaned.

“Naughty,” Eddie laughed, joyous and bright, Steve’s very own shining star.

So, I adore the Fruity Four Advent Calendar that @unclewaynemunson posted. I am also crazy busy and kind of stressed out, so I didn't want to start something that would end up stressing me even more.

So what did I do? I bought the teeniest tiniest notebook I could find (seriously, it's like a bottom of a bottle or something) and decided to scribble my way towards happiness. Will it be childish? Yes. Will it be simple? Also yes. Will it bring me joy? I fucking hope so.

Eddie’s favorite part of Christmas had always been the lights. 

They just made everything look so cozy. Big, small, white, rainbow, it didn’t matter. He loved them all. 

All his life Eddie had held a secret dream close to his heart, a quiet silly one that made things easier when his Dad would run off, or his Mom would leave him behind. Eddie would dream about the house he was going to have one day, and how it would look at Christmas time. 

i wish i knew how (your eyes are like starlight now)

MacksDramaticShenanigans

“Mistletoe!” Robin cheers, and Steve’s heart stutters so hard in his chest that he thinks it might crack his ribcage and drop right out the bottom of his stomach.

His eyes fly up, and, sure enough, there hangs one of the many sprigs hung all around the apartment. Small and inconspicuous, but unmistakable. That ridiculous little plant has no idea that it’s just turned Steve’s entire world on its axis.

Across from him, Eddie’s eyes are trained up too, big and round and wide where they stick on the mistletoe. His lips are parted in surprise, and Steve can’t help but stare and think am I going to kiss those now?

When Eddie finally tears his gaze from the plant and lets it flicker down to Steve, a pretty pink dusting blooms across the bridge of his nose and spreads into the apples of his cheeks when he finds Steve already looking back.

Steve spares the mistletoe one last quick peek before he takes a deep breath and steels himself. This is it. He sticks his hands on his hips, aiming for casual, and asks, “What do you say, Munson?”

Or, Steve makes a promise, Robin likes to meddle, and the spirit of Christmas strikes (out) again. And again. And again.

(Until it doesn’t.)

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written for the prompt "how much mistletoe did you put up?" for @thefreakandthehair's Spicy Six Winter Prompt Challenge! 🌿🍒

It’s been three, almost four weeks since the disaster of the gift exchange party (not that he’s counting), and Steve hasn’t seen or heard from Eddie since. He doesn’t know when he’s coming back, or if he even liked his present. Tonight, there’s a bonfire at the Byers-Hopper’s and Steve’s resigned to sulk play fifth-wheel between two happy couples. That is, until Eddie and the rest of the band arrive… Now he has to play ninth-wheel and somehow deal with the fact that Eddie’s actually wearing the gift Steve got him. But he’s probably just being polite, right?

written for lex's spicy six fic challenge and the prompt 'bonfire'. featuring pouting, pining, and presents.

For maximum ambiance: a bonfire and a playlist

shoutouts to the squad @thefreakandthehair @solosnail @flashyysins @legitcookie @corrodedcoughin. this one really took a village and would not exist without y'all