mic

by wilmonism

“Steve is dating someone,” Dustin mutters, as though saying it out loud might break him.

Eddie laughs mirthlessly. “Of course he is,” he says, aiming for casual and missing by a mile. “It’s Steve fucking Harrington.”

Dustin swallows nervously, and Eddie really wishes he would just spit it out. There’s no point trying to spare his heart; it broke a long time ago, and he’s not sure it can be fixed. “It’s… It’s a guy.”

Oh, he thinks. Would you look at that? There were still some pieces left to break after all.

-

Or: Steve and Eddie used to date, but broke up after Steve confessed to not being ready to tell their friends. Years later, Steve is dating a man and everyone knows, and isn’t that unfair, Eddie thinks.

Words: 3224, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Stranger Things (TV 2016)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley, Dustin Henderson, Will Byers, Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, Wayne Munson, Mike Wheeler, Lucas Sinclair, Maxine “Max” Mayfield, Eleven | Jane Hopper, Original Male Character(s)

Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson

There are footsteps behind him, quick and sharp. 

There is blood roaring in his ears, nose burning from the humiliating hurt that’s no doubt splayed across his face for all to see. 

Simon rounds the corner, ducks under an archway, and tries to make himself as small as possible. The shadows in this little corner of hell are deep and he allows himself to sink into the blackness for a single, blissful moment. 

Simon

The Wille/Felice hook up hurt. So Simon went and threw a ball at Wille's head, which felt goood!!! But it was not enough! So when coming face to face with Wille the angry words are just tumbling out of his mouth, he can't help it.

But Wille was not supposed to mention Marcus, the kiss, their relationship status, so Simon is getting defensive. All his arguments are sounding a bit hollow and he knows it and he is angry at himself for getting into this argument empty handed and with his guard down. And in order to get the upper hand he ups his game.

And he goes too far.

Wille stops fighting back, he is beaten. Simon wanted to hurt Wille, but not like this... and as soon as the final words are out of his mouth there is immediate regret. "Shit."

Wille and Simon get detetion and have to ask each other the 36 Questions.

Aka the "cheating fic" by @girls-are-weird

Wille and Simon are roommates and make out "just for fun"... Sure, sure.

AU where Simon is a bartender by @simons-purplehoodie

Simon and Wille meet at a party. The "texting fic" by @wilmonism.

Wille + soft intimacy with Simon

Simon + soft intimacy with Wille

There seems to be a small debate on whether or not Simon wanted to make Wille jealous or not and I'm team hell yeah, he definitely did. I think it's very very obvious.

Before I continue I just want to make it very clear that I back him up on hundred percent both in his jealousy and with his other mistakes this season. I understand him completely and I think it was refreshing that he was allowed to be human.

He had just been through hell and more and Wille was a huge part of the reason why he was feeling like he did. Of course he was hurting because of Wille and wanted to hurt him back. It's not a mature response but a very natural reaction, human reaction. More importantly his jealousy was important for the story to like for instance @grizviser has pointed out in several posts. He also needed to still have feelings for Wille or there would be no reason to root for them and no reason to want them back together. Had it been only Wille chasing after Simon and watching Simon happily move on it would have been a very imbalanced relationship. And boring. And pointless.

But now back to the two balls, the dodge ball and the masquerade ball.

First we have the dodgeball scene that takes place almost right after Simon learnt about Felice and Wille.

So of course he's hurt and angry about it. Because it's making him feel alot of things.

And he does let Wille know pretty loud and clear by throwing that ball as hard as he possibly can.

And the challenging look afterwards as Wille awkwardly moves to the side with a small "yikes" written on his face.

I think Wille got it pretty clearly. Simon made his point clear.

If this isn't a look that screams pissed, I don't know what is. He was so hurt and angry at Wille for kissing Felice, because he doesn't want Wille with other people. He wants Wille to fight for him. He doesn't want Wille to let go because he can't let go. Because he still loves Wille.

And if that doesn't convince you, the scene afterwards definitely should. He waa very clear about his feelings about Wille and Felice.

He didn’t expect Wille to call him out on his behaviour about being angry about Felice when he himself was with Marcus. It definitely made him defensive.

He once again tries to provoke Wille with his listing of every reason why Marcus is a good choice for him, a better choice. To me it felt like it was an attempt to get Wille to fight for him harder again. But maybe it was also a way to try to convince himself.

And then thinfs got a little heated and it feels like he wanted Wille to hurt but when he ended up doing it, it made him feel terrible afterwards, because he's not a shitty person and he didn't like seeing Wille hurt.

And then we have the masquerade ball.

Simon, of course, arrives with Marcus. And from the get go we see him look for Wille in the crowd.

In my opinion it feels like maybe he was giving it another try to see if he could provoke something out of Wille again.

He wanted Wille to see him there with Marcus, hence why he keeps looking around for him to make sure Wille can see him.

He drags Marcus to the dancefloor and when he notices Wille he tries to make Marcus to dance even more with him so Wille can see him being intimate and moving on, likely hoping it will spark something in Wille.

Little does he know Wille has already given up and made himself ready to let Simon go forever.

Little does he know Wille cried as he made himself ready because he had given up and thought Simon was happier without him.

He wanted Wille to be jealous but he didn't want Wille to stop fighting for him.

And so when Wille walked up to them and silently gave them his blessing, Simkneas confused. He didn't expect Wille to take the highroad like that and he definitely didn't expect Wille to let him go.

Even if Wille did what he thought Simon wanted him to do Simon went pretty much:

Nope

He doesn't want Wille do be okay with him and Marcus. He doesn’t want Wille to say he isn't in love with him anymore. He doesn't want Wille to me cordial and nice to Marcus. He doesn't want Wille do give Marcus a compliment.

So it fruatrates and scares him.

So of course he chases after Wille, leaving Marcus right there.

I always smile a little at his "I'm just trying to move on"

He's so frustrated because it's not fair that Wille is letting him without a fight. It's not fair that Wille is so okay with it. So he has to justify it to Wille and to himself.

I'm just trying to move on

Yes, Simon, he knows and he's trying to let you. Even if it kills him.

The only problem is that he doesn't want to move on. And his whole plan to make Wille jealous just backfires. Instead of it having the affect he wished for he almost loses Wille forever because Wille is just tired of fighting when it feels like Simon doesn't want to.

So he's ready to let go. But Simon is not.

Thankfully it ends in probably the prettiest ans most vulnerable scene of of the entire show.

Simon after he learned about Felice:

“what will happen to us?” scene • episode 5 | part 2

here’s part 1

wilhelm’s active role in leading their motions. it’s something we are used to see from all their previous intimate moments, reflecting his need to not be controlled, but to be the one in control for once in his life.

then roles reverse, it’s simon who takes charge by guiding them on the bed and wilhelm letting himself be charged. he chooses to be vulnerable in a way.

highlights: wille’s hands on simon’s waist when he sits on his laps and them making out in front of the royal speech’s cards hanged up on the wall. iconic.

wide shots that emphasize them sharing the same little space and being so affectionate, living a moment that’s only for them to remember, are truly a gift.

intimacy always meant growth in their relationship, by exploring together and creating a comfort zone. they also know their bodies way much better by now, what the other likes and dislikes, how to turn each other on.

so this is not only simon’s eagerness, but them feeling extremely safe and comfortable too.

my fav shot of the scene: simon’s hands cupping wille’s face, fluid movements and eyes closed from melting into the kiss. they fit so perfectly.

this is exactly what i meant writing that wilhelm chooses to be vulnerable and let his guard down under simon’s weight, hands and kisses on him. he is completely carried away by the pleasure he’s feeling.

there’s not even need to say that wille closing the curtains is one of the most powerful and meaningful moments of all.

their smiles right after drives me insanely happy.

closing the same curtains that were left open at that time feels like closing that heartbreaking chapter of their story too. it doesn’t mean forgetting about it, but being ready to move on and not allowing it to ruin what they have anymore.

this is the image we’re left with: the sound of their chuckles in the background, the darker room, them finally having the privacy they should have gotten the first time and we also, as an audience, are not supposed to see any further.

it’s their moment. and for them only.

Perspective

(Wilhelm walking alone)