Chapters: 19/?Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016)Rating: Explicit Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships:

Chapters: 19/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Wayne Munson Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Bisexual Eddie Munson Summary:

Decided to do a Steddie one shot. Might do more, requests are open if you'd like me to make one for you

Second Chance

1989. It had been two years since Eddie had died in the Upside Down. In those two years Steve had taken the time to figure out why Eddie's death had hit him so hard. He'd fallen in love with him. He was always upkeeping Eddie's grave, removing vandalism, laying down fresh flowers and sitting there for hours on end, just to imagine that he could feel Eddie's presence.

But things were changing again. Steve could feel it in his bones, in his soul. Vecna was rising again. Nancy's visions were going to come true. It was just a gut feeling. And then one of them did. It was a town wide panic. The Upside Down pouring into Hawkins.

Demobats, Demodogs, Demogorgons, other monsters, Vecna himself. Pouring out of four giant gates that had split Hawkins open. Most of Hawkins ran screaming for the hills, tried to evacuate. Some were not successful. But Steve was right in the thick of it with his trusty nail bat, along with Joyce, Hopper, Murry, Johnathon, Nancy, Robin, Dustin, Mike, El, Lucas, Erica and Max, who had thankfully woken up from her coma.

She was blind but she moved better than anyone with her other senses heightened. Steve was swinging his way through a group of Demodogs when he saw it. Eddie. He was climbing his way up through one of the gates. He looked normal, aside from his torn, blood and dirt covered clothing, the outfit he'd died in. But his eyes were not his beautiful vibrant chocolate brown. They were blood red. 

There was no recognition on Eddie's face, just pure hunger. And then fangs, right where his canines should be. Despite looking the same, he was stronger, faster. Sinking fangs into flesh, blood spurting out, drinking it down like a man starved. This definitely wouldn't help his false murder accusations. And Steve was stock still, the breath leaving his lungs.

His heart was pounding in his chest as he watched Eddie drain a body and then let go, letting it collapse to the ground. Fresh blood was smeared across his chin, trickling down the corners of his lips. It was like he was in slow motion as he turned to face Steve, blood red eyes locking on his whiskey colored ones. No recognition.

Eddie looked properly dangerous now. Gone was the sweet, funny childlike man. In his place stood a dangerous predator, locking onto its next meal. For a moment the two had a stare down. And then Eddie was lunging forward, teeth bared, fangs glistening with blood and an animalistic growl ripping from his throat.

Steve was frozen until Eddie moved, and on sheer instict he brought up his bat to block Eddie's body from colliding with his. Blood streaked lips were curled into a snarl as they wrestled with the bat until Eddie managed to rip it away, tossing it out of reach. Eddie was circling him now. Stalking his pray.

And then he lunged forward again, tackling Steve to the ground. The weight of his body pressed down on him, hands pinning him to the ground and teeth gnashing together, desperately trying to reach Steve's throat. Steve was just as desperate, grunts escaping and arm thrown out to try and reach his bat, lying just out of reach. 

If he could just stretch his arm a little further the bat would brush against his fingertips. The other arm was pressed up against Eddie's chest to hold him off, but Eddie was strong. Steve was growing weaker while Eddie wasn't wearing out at all. Tears stung the corner of Steve's eyes.

"Eddie please. Please it's me, it's Steve. You have to remember."

Still no recognition. Finally he managed to grab the bat, bringing the base to slam against Eddie's ribs. Once. Twice. Three times. Eddie's grip loosened, and it was just enough for Steve to get his knee up, right in the groin. A howl escaped from Eddie as he finally let go. Dropping the bat, Steve shifted them, one swift movement and now his body had Eddie pinned to the ground.

"Eddie come on, it's me! It's Steve!" He shouted, grabbing Eddie by the shoulders and shaking him.

He kept yelling for Eddie to remember, kept shaking him, tears blurring his vision but nothing was working. In a last desperate attempt, Steve did the only thing he could think of. He kissed Eddie. Mouth crashing down, lips and teeth colliding, tongue tasting the copper of blood and the plush softness of Eddie's lips.

It was a desperate and needy kiss, and it clearly did something because Eddie stopped thrashing. He went still, but Steve didn't care. He kissed Eddie until he had to come up for air. Chest heaving, he brushed away his tears, his own mouth now smeared with blood. And Eddie was staring at him.

No more uncontrollable hunger, just wide eyes, lips parted and panting. Then finally he spoke, voice cracked and shaky.

"Steve?"

Steve wasn't sure who moved first, but they were kissing again, just as needy, just as hungry as the first kiss, hands tangled in hair, soft sobs of relief escaping Steve between kisses.

"Steve. Baby."

Steve pulled back, trembling slightly.

"Fuck I'm so sorry. I could've killed you, shit I have killed people, my god I'm gonna end up in jail, death penalty..."

"Shhh, shhh," Steve hushed him, a gentle kiss to his lips.

"It's ok. It's gonna be ok. We're gonna win this time. And um. Fairly certain we can tell the truth now without fear of being called crazy. It's gonna be ok, it's all gonna be ok. We'll figure it out."

"I'm scared Steve. About all of this."

"I know. But I'll be with you through all of it. It'll be ok. You're gonna get your second chance. I promise."

"Second chance."

"Yeah. Second chance."

They were in their own little bubble, battle raging around them, but neither cared. Right now, all they needed was each other. An unspoken promise that they were going to get through it. All of it. Together.

Chapters: 17/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Wayne Munson Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Bisexual Eddie Munson Summary:

Decided to do a Steddie one shot. Might do more, requests are open if you'd like me to make one for you

(Inspired by Another Life by Motionless In White)

Another Life

1986. Steve discovers he's bisexual. Falls head over heels in love with Eddie Munson. They never make it to a kiss or confessions. Because Eddie dies. But Steve vows, that he'll meet Eddie again. In another life. He'll find Eddie again. In another life. Steve dies two years later fighting Vecna. 

In 1990 Steve is reborn. Born to two lovely supporting parents in New York and they name him Alex. But by the time Alex is old enough to start remembering things, memories flood back. He remembers Hawkins. He remembers the 80's. He remembers his life. He remembers the Upside Down. And most of all. He remembers Eddie.

By the age of ten Alex came out to his parents as bisexual. The Harringtons had been homophobic. But Alex's parents were loving. Supportive. Accepting. In the year 2010 Alex is 20 years old. He's spent his life, searching and searching for Eddie. A new life.

Finally on a slow Thursday afternoon he spots it. A tattoo parlor called Aces and Spades. What caught his attention was the person in the window. Alex looked slightly different, but mostly the same as when he was Steve. He still loved his hair just as much, though it was a lighter color, blondish brown. His eyes were more amber gold than anything, but the rest of him remained the same.

And standing at the counter inside the tattoo parlor was a man that had plagued Alex's dreams his whole life. He looked exactly the same. Same wild brown curls down to his shoulders. Same beautidul vibrant chocolate brown eyes. Same style in fashion, though this man added eyeliner and black nail polish.

Alex's heart leapt to his throat. He'd vowed in his previous life to fond Eddie in the next one. And he had. The shop didn't seem to have any customers and immediately he knee what to do. He was going to get a tattoo. He prayed that Eddie remembered just like Alex do. Taking a deep breath Alex opened the door and stepped inside.

And the second Eddie's head lofted and that beautiful smile appeared, the wind was knocked out of him. He was just as beautiful as Alex remembered. This Eddie had much more tattoos and different tattoos than the previous life's Eddie, but he still looked gorgeous. Eddie stuck out his hand. 

"Hi, I'm Jayden. What can I do for you?"

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Alex shook Jayden's hand.

"I'm Alex. Um. I was. Wanting to get a tattoo."

There was no recognition on Jayden's face, just a kind smile that lit up when Alex said he wanted a tattoo.

"Sure thing, you have an idea?"

"Oh, yeah."

Together the two of them worked out what Alex wanted and Jayden drew it up. Then Alex was sitting in a chair with his shirt off. Jayden shaved half his chest so the tattoo could go right above Alex's heart. The two chatted throughout the long session, easy conversation. And Jayden was much the same as he had been when he was Eddie.

"So. The 80's look," Alex says.

Jayden's face lit up.

"Oh yeah! I really like the look. My dad was a big 80's metalhead fan so I kinda grew up with it."

Alex couldn't help but smile.

"It suits you."

Alex kept throwing out hints of their previous life, hoping Jayden remembered something. But nothing came of it. When Jayden finished the tattoo it was beautiful. Exactly what Alex wanted. Eddie's Warlock guitar crossed with Steve's nail bat.

He hoped the tattoo would stir something. And now that Jayden was actually looking at the finished tattoo, he was frowning.

"These look familiar. Don't know why, but they do."

Alex sucked in a breath.

"You don't remember your previous life, do you?"

Jayden's eyes lifted to meet Alex's, his eyebrows shooting up.

"I don't think anybody remembers their previous life."

"I remember mine. I was born in 1966. Lived in Hawkins Indiana. Rich parents who were. Pretty shitty actually. I played basketball and baseball, was on the swim team. And after high school. I met you. I mean previous life you. This," Alex says tapping on the Warlock guitar tattooed on his chest.

"Was your guitar. You were in a metal band, Corroded Coffin. A year older than me, but still in high school. And the nail bat was mine. Because we fought against an alternate dimension, supernatural creatures in 1986. That was. That was the year you died. And I died two years later. Fighting the same thing."

Jayden was staring at him now, blinking and trying to process this information.

"I. This sounds. It sounds crazy."

"I know. I know it doesn't make sense, but I remember. I remember everything. I remember vowing. That I would find you in another life. The next life. And maybe that vow is why I remember that life, I don't know."

Jayden's eyes were wide, mouth opening and closing.

"How do you know it was me? I mean in this life, how do you know it's me?"

"You look the same. Nothing about you has changed. Maybe your life and your family, but your soul. Your soul has remained the same, who you are has remained the same. What you look like has remained the same."

Jayden blinked again. 

"If all of this is true. Why. Why would you make a vow like that, I mean what was I to you?"

Alex's mouth went dry.

"We never got the chance to figure that out. We never got the chance to talk about it. We were dealing with bigger things, scarier things. But I. Jesus, I fell in love with you. And I never got to tell you and then you. You died. So I vowed that in another life I would find you again."

Jayden sucked in another breath.

"How am I supposed to believe any of this?"

"I don't know. And even if you never do. I just. At least I got to tell you this time. What you mean to me."

Alex could tell Jayden needed time so they awkwardly finished up, Alex paid, left his address and phone number just in case. And then left.

Over the next week Jayden took time off and started doing as much research as he could. He searched Hawkins Indiana 1986, pulled up as many articles as he could find. And then obituaries. He found Steve Harrington's from 1989. And then he found Eddie Munson's from 1986. 

He had been branded a murderer, accused of killing three high school students and had gone missing and was presumed dead in an earthquake. Seeing the picture of Steve Harrington had already had him questioning if all of this was real because he looked almost exactly like Alex.

And then he saw Eddie Munson's picture from his Hellfire Club group in the yearbook. And Jayden looked just like Eddie. And then visions flooded Jayden's mind. Vivid ones. Chrissy's death. Meeting Steve. Patrick's death. The Upside Down. The bats. Shredding Metallica's Master Of Puppets. Bats tearing at his flesh.

Memories. Jayden gasped and rubbed his head which was now starting to hurt. He remembered. He remembered it all. He scrambled off his chair, searching frantically for Alex's address, because calling him just wouldn't do. Once he found it, he got in his car and drove to Alex's apartment.

Alex was eating a frozen dinner and watching a rerun of Friends when he heard frantic knocking on his door. Frowning he got up and went to the door, swinging it open. Jayden was there, eyes wide and breathing heavily.

"I remember. Steve. I remember."

Alex blinked a few times.

"Eddie?"

Jayden surged forward then, mouths crashing together and hands cupping Alex's cheeks. It was a hungry and desperate kiss, mouths and tongues tangling as Alex pulled him in, kicking the door shut behind them. They kissed until they could barely breathe and finally they pulled away.

"You remember?"

"I remember it all. God, why did I tell you to make him pay instead of fucking kissing you?"

Alex started crying then. Because Jayden did remember. He held Jayden tighter. 

"God, why didn't I kiss you? I knew that wasn't what you really wanted to say, I knew there was something else there."

"Neither of us expected it to be the last time we would see each other. But Steve you found me. In another life, you fucking found me."

"I was always looking. Always looking, and I never gave up. I would spend this entire life looking for you if I had to."

"God I love you so fucking much."

"I love you too Eddie. In our previous life. In this life. In the next one. In every life."

Chapters: 4/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Wayne Munson Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Bisexual Eddie Munson Summary:

Forbidden Love Part Two

"Fuck." 

Steve rubbed his hands down his face, heaving a sigh before he started cleaning up. It took hours and he had to take a break to eat breakfast, but finally the house was clean again, no trace of the previous nights party. He still couldn't remember what had happened after Eddie sat next to him at the pool and he knew that if he wanted answers he would have to actually talk to Eddie.

After getting dressed and styling his hair, Steve left the house and drove out to Forest Hills Trailer Park. Once he'd pulled up next to Eddie's van, he sat there for a moment, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. Eddie's trailer wasn't grand, in fact it looked run down. There was a very small porch and on it was a porch swing that swayed gently in the breeze.

Gathering his courage he shut off the engine and got out of the car, walking up to the front door. He pushed down the nerves, the incessant fluttering in his stomach before knocking on the door. It was quiet for a moment before a light flickered on through the window and the door swung open.

Eddie stood there, looking like he'd just woken up. A simple pair of black pajama pants, hair a little wild and disheveled, a sleepy look on his face. And shirtless. He wasn't jacked, but he was lithe and lean. Muscles hidden because he did have them from moving guitars and equipment all the time, they just weren't defined. But they were there. And then the tattoos.

Vibrant black ink, a stark contrast to his pale skin. Intricate designs, the Wyvern above his right elbow, the swarm of bats on his forearm below his right elbow, the puppeteer on the inside of his right forearm and the demon head on his chest just above his heart. Steve had to swallow and stop his gaze from lingering. Because somehow, Eddie looked even better shirtless.

"Harrington?"

"Hey. Um. Can we uh. Talk?" Steve said rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

Eddie studied him for a moment before swinging the door open wider and stepping aside to let Steve in. Stepping inside, he closed the door behind him, his eyes taking in the trailer. A tube tv with a box of VHS tapes sat in front of an old couch. The walls were lined with mugs and ballcaps and the kitchen was small, then the small hallway.

"Listen um. I don't. Really remember much. About last night. What exactly. Did I do?"

"What do you remember?" Eddie asked, walking over to the couch and sitting down. Steve awkwardly stood where he was. 

"Everything up until you sat beside me at the pool. After that it's kinda hazy."

Eddie sucked in a breath.

"Well you were pretty drunk by then. Then we shared a joint, talked."

"What did we talk about?"

"You mostly talked about how shitty your parents are. How you're different from who you used to be. And you giggled. A lot."

"Yeah I. Kinda get giggly when I'm high."

"Well then I ended the party, helped you to your room and get settled. And then..." Eddie trailed off.

Steve's heart jumped into his throat. What had happened then? Why had Eddie trailed off? Had they done something together? Had they made out? Hooked up? Steve wasn't sure.

"Then what?"

Eddie sucked in another breath.

"Then you cane on to me."

Steve's face burned bright red.

"Shit. I, I'm sorry."

"It's fine. It's fine, it was nothing, right? You are straight as an arrow, ladies man."

Eddie sounded like he was upset about it and Steve shuffled on his feet.

"Not as straight as you might think."

Eddie's head snapped in Steve's direction, eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

"What?"

"It's kind of something I've been struggling with for a while. I just sort of recently figured out that I'm bisexual."

Eddie stared, blinked a few times. He looked like he wanted to say something, his mouth opening and closing but nothing came out. 

"Oh. Just. Recently."

"Yeah. So uh. If I made you uncomfortable its. I'm sorry."

Eddie simply shrugged.

"It's fine."

"So. Is that. All that happened or?"

"Yeah you passed out pretty quickly after that. Then I left."

Steve nodded. 

"Listen um. I really am different. I don't think you're a bad guy. Maybe we could. I don't know, get to know each other I guess."

Steve stuck his hands in his pockets. Eddie nodded, twisting one of his rings.

"Alright. Yeah. Sounds cool. Um. Tuesday. My band plays at the Hideout. If you wanna. Come."

"Sure. Yeah. What time?"

"Nine. We only play for an hour but. It's something."

Steve nodded again. 

"Well uh. I'll be there then."

The air was thick with tension and after an awkward agreement and goodbyes, Steve left. Tuesday was going to prove interesting

Chapters: 5/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Wayne Munson Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Bisexual Eddie Munson Summary:

Forbidden Love Part Three

Tuesday was an agonizingly slow day. The beginning of the week was never that busy for Family Video, so he was bored most of the day. At least he had Robin to talk to. He knew he could come out to her, but he also knew that she would start her rambling if he told her he'd figured it out because of Eddie Munson. 

As Steve aimlessly rewound tapes, restocked shelves and reorgnized tapes, he let his mind wander. If he wasn't eyeing the clock to watch it tick by so very slowly.

"Earth to Steve," Robin says waving her hand in Steve's face.

"Shit Rob, sorry."

"What's gotten into you today?"

"Just. Distracted."

"Oooo is it a girl?"

Steve's face flushed. 

"No."

"No? You're bright red face says otherwise."

"It's not a girl."

"Well if it's not a girl then..."

Steve could see as the gears in Robin's head begin to turn, things slotting into place and then her face lit up. She leaned forward, resting her arms on the counter.

"Is it a boy?" She whispered, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Steve's blush deepened and he ducked his head away.

"Come on Steve, you can tell me!"

"Yeah, I know, it's just. I'm a little caught off guard myself. And our first couple of interactions were kind of. Awkward."

"Awkward how?"

"Well the first time I was drunk and high at my party. And the second time. Uh. Recounting with him what happened with him at the party because I didn't remember. It was. Just awkward."

Robin gasped.

"Did you guys kiss? Full on make out? Sex?" 

Steve fixed her with a look and she was hiding a laugh behind her hand.

"No. He ended the party, helped me to my room. And I uh. Came onto him."

Robin started laughing, trying to hold it in which only caused snorts to escape. Steve's face was as red as a tomato now.

"Yeah yeah, laugh it up."

"Sorry. Sorry, I'm sorry. You. Who just figured out you're bisexual. Came onto him. While you were drunk and high."

"Yeah, I know, stupid. And I'm. Seeing him again tonight."

"Ooooo a date?"

"No, not a date. Just. Getting to know each other."

"Is he attractive? I mean obviously men are not my type, but do you think he's attractive?"

"Very. Like you have no idea. Hotter than Billy Hargrove attractive."

Robin let out a whistle.

"So who's the lucky guy?"

Flustered, Steve dropped the tape he was holding. He attempted to catch it but he fumbled it a few times before it clattered to the floor. He shot Robin a playful glare and her eyes were dancing with mirth.

"Let's not talk about that," Steve says bending down to pick up the tape.

"Why not? You like him right?"

"Yeah but. I mean I don't know him well. And if you were to find out who it is, you would. You would be shocked."

"Steeeeeeeeeve!" 

Her tone had taken on a whine now and instead of being annoyed he just shook his head.

"Come on! I want to know! Please, please, please, please, pleeeeeaaaaase?"

"Okay! Okay. It's um."

Steve fidgeted with his hands.

"Eddie Munson," he muttered under his breath.

"Who?"

"Eddie Munson."

This time it came out so fast Robin could barely understand what he was saying.

"Steve..."

"Eddie Munson!" 

Steve's eyes went wide with shock, slapping a hand over his mouth at how loud he'd shouted Eddie's name. Thankfully there were no customers. Robin blinked a few times.

"Eddie Munson."

"Uh huh."

"The Eddie Munson!?"

"Yes! Ok, shhh!"

She blinked again.

"Holy shit, you have the hots for Eddie Munson."

"Shut up."

"What are you guys doing tonight?"

"Um. His band is playing tonight. I'm going to watch."

"You don't like metal music."

"Yeah, but. I told him I wanted to get to know him. And he invited me to his band's show so..."

"So you're going."

"Yep. Oh god. What do I wear? Because I'm not in the metal scene, is preppy not good enough, it's probably not appropriate, I don't have any metal like clothes, what if I mess this up, what if he doesn't like me after tonight..."

"Steve!"

"What?"

"Now who's the one rambling?"

Steve snapped his mouth shut, his cheeks flushing red again, and Robin giggled.

"Oh my god, you're already so far gone."

"Don't make fun of me. He's just so. How do I put it. Pretty. I mean have you seen those eyes, they're like a whole galaxy on their own. And those lips, they look so. Soft, I mean imagine kissing lips that are soft and full and just. Perfect. And I mean, he pulls off the jewelry and the tattoos and shirtless, dear god."

Steve knew he was rambling again, and just recounting some of Eddie's physical features had him half hard and he had to adjust himself to hide his. Well, problem.

"Steve, you're hopeless."

"Don't remind me."

"Just be yourself. Wear what's comfortable for you. If he likes you, he'll like you for you."

"Yeah. I guess your right."

After their conversation about Eddie, Steve was happy to talk to Robin about Vickie, though he more listened while she rambled, but he didn't mind. And thankfully, their conversations were enough to fill the agonizingly slow time till their shift was over. Now he had to get ready to go to the Hideout. He had some time to kill but he wanted everything to be just right.

Chapters: 11/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Wayne Munson Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Bisexual Eddie Munson Summary:

It was a week later, another Saturday. Steve had invited everyone over for a movie party, ordering pizza and gathering movies to watch. He'd already talked to Eddie about coming out, what they were to each other and Eddie had expressed that he wanted them to be together, which Steve very much agreed to. 

With the living room now set up, there was popcorn made, pizza on its way, sleeping bags sprawled out on the floor, the tv set up with the first movie. And everybody was getting settled, Dustin, Will, Max, Lucas and Mike were on the floor with the sleeping bags. Nancy, Jonathon and Robin were settled around the couch. And then there was Steve and Eddie.

Eddie had sprawled out on the couch and then opened his arms. And Steve smiled, immediately climbing into Eddie's arms and settling on top of him, head on Eddie's chest. Eddie's arms wrapped around him, fingers tangling in Steve's hair to play with it, and lips dropping a kiss to the top of Steve's head.

Everybody was too busy talking to notice what Eddie and Steve were doing and then the movie was playing. They were content to lay like this, not hiding anything but waiting to see how long it would take everyone to figure it out. It was ten minutes into the movie when Dustin turned around to tell Eddie something, but the words got stuck in his throat, mouth dropping open in shock.

And then Eddie and Steve were laughing, which caught everyone else's attention. Everybody was in shock except for Robin, because she already knew. Steve was laughing so hard now that snorts were escaping and he buried his face in Eddie's chest, shoulders shaking from the laughter.

"You're adorable when you snort," Eddie says smiling as he playfully pokes Steve's side. Steve huffed, playfully swatting Eddie's hand away.

"What the fuck is going on?" Dustin says.

"Hey, language," Steve says lifting his head from Eddie's chest now. Dustin started protesting, everybody started asking questions and then the doorbell rang. And Steve got up, but before he headed for the door to get the pizza, he kissed Eddie. Right on the lips.

The room erupted in a chorus of gasps and exclamations of shock, but Steve just smiled.

"Oh by the way, I'm bisexual, and Eddie and I are dating."

He knew his friends would accept it, they were just surprised right now. And sure enough, once their bellies were full of pizza and they were on the second movie they all spoke their happiness and congratulations.

Everybody ended up staying the night and of course Steve and Eddie shared Steve's bedroom. But it was two days later when Steve's parents came home. Richard and Charlotte Harrington were the epitome of perfect rich life. They were never the best parents, always leaving Steve alone while they went on business trips, they didn't really act like parents, his father wanted him to work for his company and his mother was upset he didn't have the grades to go to college.

Suffice to say, the tension in the air when they returned was thick. Steve was making himself lunch when his parents sat down. They let him finish and sit himself down before his father cleared his throat.

"Steve we need to talk to you."

"About what?"

"About your future."

Steve's body stiffened. He had a future. He didn't want one predetermined by his parents. He was happy with his life, working at Family Video with Robin, his beautiful relationship with Eddie, spending time with his friends. He was happy and he didn't want it to change.

"I have a future," Steve snipped.

"Working at a video rental store for four dollars an hour is not a future Steven," his mother says.

"I like my life. I'm not changing it to fit your expectations."

"Steve your future has already been decided," his father says firmly. Steve paused, eyes flicking up to meet his fathers. 

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"You're going to quit your job and come to my company. And you're going to marry a nice girl, in three months time. Her name is Marissa, she's from Indianapolis and she's already agreed to the marriage."

Steve's world came crashing down. He blinked. Once. Twice.

"You're fucking with me."

His voice was quiet now. He didn't want to believe this, he didn't want that life. He didn't want to end up like the Wheelers, in an unhappy marriage, when he was so utterly happy with Eddie.

"This is happening Steven. It's been decided," his mother says reaching out to take his hand. He quickly snatched it away, anger and fear beginning to seep in.

"No. No, it is not happening."

He stood up.

"I am not marrying some random girl that I don't know! I am not going to end up in an unhappy marriage with a job that I hate! This is my life! And you know what? You can cut me off from your money, you can take my car. But I am happy where I am. And for the record. I'm already in a relationship."

His parents stared at him for a moment in surprise.

"Well is she nice?"

Steve scoffed. His parents were not exactly fond of queers. But Steve didn't care.

"He. He is wonderful. Guess I forgot to tell you. I'm bisexual. I like guys just as much as I like girls, and I am in a happy relationship. With a man."

His father sucked in a breath and his mother looked like she'd been slapped.

"You will end that. Immediately. Not in this family, never. You will marry Marissa," his father hissed.

"Or what? Do your worst. I'm not marrying her. And if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go spend the night with my boyfriend."

Steve turned on his heel and grabbed his keys, slipping his shoes on and exiting. The drive to Eddie's trailer felt longer than it actually was and he could feel tears stinging in the corners of his eyes. He didn't want any of this. He just wanted to live his life the way he wanted to.

And yes, he was terrified of losing his home, his car, his money and admittedly, he still had hoped his parents cared about him at all. But that hope was dashed now. He was terrified of losing those things, but Eddie was worth it. His life was worth it. He would stay with Eddie, whether he was broke or rich, or homeless or not. Nothing mattered except Eddie.

When he arrived the tears were freely falling and when Eddie opened the door, concern immediately crossed his features.

"Steve?"

Steve sucked in a watery breath.

"Can I come in?"

"Of course."

Eddie stepped aside, allowing Steve to enter, and closed the door behind him. Then his hands were on Steve's face, soft and gentle, brushing away his falling tears.

"Sweetheart what's wrong?"

The nickname had his heart fluttering and the dam broke. He told Eddie everything his parents had told him, everything that he told his parents and that he was afraid of what he was going to do with his life now. And Eddie held him, arms wrapping around him, lips planting kisses on the top of his head and whispering soft words of reassurance.

"We're gonna figure everything out ok? I promise. Everything's gonna be ok baby. I'm right here."

Steve clung to Eddie.

"I don't want to marry some girl. I want to be with you, I'm happy with you."

Eddie cupped his cheeks again, allowing Steve to look at him.

"And we are staying together. No matter what. You and me sweetheart, you and me. No one's gonna take that away from us. They can't make you do it."

Steve nodded and Eddie brushed away the rest of his tears. Once Steve was clam enough, Eddie let Steve borrow some clothes, a pair of sweats and his Iron Maiden tshirt and then he was cuddling up with Steve in his bed, gently playing with his hair.

"Sleep Steve. I'll be right here."

Somehow, Eddie knew that he was exhausted. And he loved that. He loved everything about Eddie. He loved Eddie. That realization had Steve relaxing. He loved Eddie. In Eddie's arms, he was safe. Happy. Wanted. Accepted. Adored. In Eddie's arms was the only place he wanted to be. And slowly, he drifted off.

Chapters: 6/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Wayne Munson Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Bisexual Eddie Munson Summary

Another little Steddie one shot. Really proud of this one

Scars To Your Beautiful

Eddie had survived the Upside Down. He'd clung to the little bit of life he had and Steve had dragged him through the gate and into a hospital, effectively saving his life. Owens had cleared his name, the government had given them all hush money and Eddie and Wayne had gotten a new place. Eddie now had a new solid group of friends and Wayne was good in taking care of him when he could. But Steve was there too.

Steve would spend his free days visiting Eddie, and taking care of him when Wayne needed sleep or was at work. Eddie was difficult to work with but Steve was patient. It'd been three months now and his wounds were almost healed. But his body was littered with scars. He didn't think anyone would find him attractive now.

Fresh pink scars, jagged lines littered his sides, some on his arms and by some miracle his tattoos had been missed and then a thick jagged scar running from his jawline and down his throat. It was one of Eddie's rough days. He'd just finished a shower and now he was staring at himself in the mirror.

His fingers ghosted over every scar, so many of them, and the eyes that stared back at him weren't his usual warmth and excitement. They were sad. Haunted. Eddie heaved a sigh, his eyes sliding shut and rubbing his hands across his face. He was feeling so incredibly insecure. He wouldn't change what he'd done, he sacrificed himself to save everyone else. But along with Survivors guilt and the insecurities with his scars, and how he wasn't really doing much with his life right now, he was having quite the bad day.

"Eddie?"

A voice startled Eddie out of his thoughts and his eyes snapped open. He could see Steve in the reflection of the bathroom mirror, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed and a look of concern on his face. That was another complicated thing. Steve. Eddie was head over heels in love, but Steve was. Well straight.

This had always been Eddie's problem. Falling hard and fast. It had led to a lot of heartbreak. He'd tried to stop this one, but his feelings for Steve had blindsighted him. One minute Steve was an aquantence who was trying to help clear his name, and the next. He was saving Eddie's life and Eddie had tumbled heart first into his feelings.

"You ok?"

Eddie shook the thoughts from his head, letting his breath out through his nose that he didn't even realize he was holding. 

"Yeah. Fine."

Eddie had always been a terrible liar and it was clear Steve wasn't convinced. Eddie's unrequited feelings were bad enough, but then Steve had to be confusing. A man Eddie very much knew was straight and yet. Throughout spring break Steve had never protested against Eddie's playful flirting. And Steve had been. Well touchy, he'd make his own subtle advances. And Eddie wasn't sure if it was on purpose or if Steve genuinely had no idea what he was doing.

"What's wrong?"

Eddie wanted to lie again. But he was a weak man when it came to Steve. Sighing again, Eddie moved to sit on the toilet seat, the lid already put down because his towel had been sitting there. He rubbed his hands across his face again.

"Just a bad day."

It was quiet for a moment.

"Seems like more than just a bad day."

Eddie's head snapped up, because Steve's voice sounded much closer. And Steve was standing right in front of him now, that same look of concern etched onto his beautiful features. Eddie sucked in a breath. When had Steve gotten so close?

"It's nothing." 

Steve frowned before crouching in front of him, taking Eddie's hands in his. His touch was soft, gentle, rubbing soothing circles into his skin with the pads of his thumbs. And Eddie would be lying if he said that didn't make his heart flutter, his belly swoop and butterflies erupt, his heart now pounding in his chest. His gaze locked with Steve's, warm brown eyes looking back at him.

"It doesn't seem like nothing."

Steve was being patient, his voice was soft and gentle and he was allowing Eddie time to gather his thoughts. 

"I just. I feel...." 

Eddie trailed off, trying to figure out how to put his thoughts into words.

"I feel ugly."

Understanding dawned on Steve's features and Eddie wasn't sure how he was going to react. But what Steve did was not at all what Eddie expected. Maybe for him to reassure him that he wasn't ugly but not this. His breath hitched in his throat because Steve's lips were on his skin. Kissing every little scar, starting from his jaw and throat, down to his arms and sides, and every scar in between.

They were gentle kisses, filled with adoration, affection and Eddie's heart did another flutter, his belly did another swoop. Everywhere Steve's lips touched left a tingling sensation that burned through Eddie's veins, his very soul. Another bought of confusion washed over him. Maybe Steve wasn't as straight as he thought he was.

"You are not ugly. You are beautiful. So utterly beautiful. And every little scar. It doesn't take away from your beauty. They add to it. You're scars are just as beautiful as you are. Because they tell a story. That what you've been through, you fought. You survived. And you are stronger than you were before. Be proud of these scars. They're a part of you. And I wouldn't change a single part of you."

Eddie could feel his eyes misting over. Steve's words were the sweetest anyone had ever said to him. Eddie was well and thoroughly fucked. There was no coming back from this. He was hopelessly in love. Steve owned his heart, and part of Eddie wanted to just rip it out of his chest and put it in Steve's hands.

He didn't even realize he was crying until Steve was kissing away those tears. Finally his shoulders sagged, a choked sob escaping from the back of his throat, because he felt relieved. He was still beautiful. He was wanted. Accepted. For exactly the way that he was and it felt like a giant weight had been lifted from his chest.

"God, could you get anymore perfect?"

An affectionate chuckle escaped from Steve and he was gently tugging Eddie closer.

"I'm just being honest. Telling you what I see," Steve says, reaching up to brush some of Eddie's curls out of his face.

Eddie sucked in a breath, gathered all of his courage and finally asked the question he needed the answer to.

"What is this? Between us? I mean. As far as I know you're straight. And I'm. Well, not straight." 

Eddie clamped his mouth shut, biting down on his lower lip, eyes watching Steve for any indication of what he was thinking.

"I thought I was. But if I'm being completely honest with myself. I'm not. I mean I still like women, but..."

"So you're bisexual then."

"Is that what it is?"

Eddie nodded.

"It's what I am."

Steve tilted his head, a pensive look crossing his features. 

"That makes sense. Looking back, I should've known. Should've figured it out. You're not. The first guy that I've wanted to kiss."

Eddie's breath hitched again.

"You want to kiss me?"

The question came out almost like a whisper. Steve bit his lip before nodding.

"Yeah. Yeah, I want to kiss you. And so much more. And we'll get there. For now. For now, I just want to kiss you. If I can."

Eddie didn't hesitate, diving in for that first kiss. His hands gently cupped Steve's cheeks, his mouth meeting Steve's in a desperate, yet soft kiss. And Steve was kissing him back, lips moving languidly against each other, tongues darting out to taste and tease. Eddie felt like he could live in this moment forever. And maybe it sounded cliché but this kiss was like magic. Perfect in every way. For the first time, Eddie truly loved himself. Because Steve saw him for who he was. And he wanted him. 

They finally broke the kiss when they needed air. And with one look at each other, they knew they didn't need to talk about it. Because it was there, in their eyes. What they were to each other. No words needed to be spoken. They just knew. Eddie pulled another kiss from Steve, this one slower, sweeter, as if conveying everything that he was feeling. 

"You're perfect," Steve whispered against his lips, and Eddie swallowed down the words, a soft whimper escaping, because those words went straight to his heart. Where they would remain, for as long as Eddie lived.