Your Post Just Made Me Think--ok So Steve's Ready With Foods For Every Part Of Your Cycle. He Comes Home

For a few weeks, Claudia thinks that she’s collecting her son from the hospital after he’s visited Max Mayfield.

Then she finds out that’s only partly the truth.

Usually Dustin’s already waiting in the parking lot for her, Steve by his side. They chat, Steve insisting that he could drive Dustin home, it’s no trouble, and Claudia thanks him for the offer, kindly refuses; the poor boy looks run ragged these days.

One day neither of them are there, so she heads inside. There’s still a long line at reception, the aftermath of the earthquake, so she finds a nurse in a corridor, describes Dustin—my boy, about this high, curly hair (smiles like the sun, she wants to add)—and the nurse smiles, says, “Follow me, ma’am.”

She has a passing thought that this isn’t the direction to Max’s room, but reasons that she must’ve been moved. The nurse leaves her at the door before being called away.

Claudia opens the door quietly.

It’s not Max who’s in the bed.

She recognises him from the posters—his eyes first, then his long hair. He’s holding a battered copy of The Hobbit, the spine broken, and he’s reading so softly that she can’t quite make out the words.

And there, lying so peacefully against Eddie Munson’s shoulder, is Dustin. He’s fast asleep.

Eddie’s got an arm around him, and he’s slowly running his fingers through Dustin’s hair the way she used to when he was little, to help him drift off.

He looks up from his book at the sound of her entering the room, and his face goes as white as the bedsheets.

She takes one step forward.

Eddie inhales, breath stuttering, and it’s a fragile, heartbreaking sound.

Dustin stirs. “Hmm? Wha’s wrong?” He lifts his head up from Eddie’s shoulder, and his eyes meet Claudia’s, and he’s suddenly wide awake, scrabbling upright. “Mom.”

Eddie’s mouth keeps moving, like he’s desperately searching for words. “I-I’m not—” His breathing catches again, eyes wide; Claudia realises, with a heavy heart, that he’s deeply afraid of her. “It’s just a stupid board game, I swear.”

“Mom,” Dustin says again. Pleading.

And of course, Claudia never once believed the frenzied cries about Satanic rituals. Still, throughout that awful Spring Break, knowing that her son was lying to her, all she could think was that she was once a teenager, too—remembered how easy it could be to get caught up in something scary, something beyond your control.

She looks into Eddie Munson’s eyes, and knows deep in her bones that she has nothing to fear from him.

She beckons Dustin over, hands him the car keys.

“There’s a pillow on your seat, hon,” she says softly, because there’s a sleepy haze returning to his eyes despite his obvious concern for Eddie.

Dustin blinks, so unsure.

She smiles reassuringly. It’s okay. I promise.

“Okay,” Dustin says slowly, and he looks back at Eddie, raising his eyebrows like he wants to convince him of something. “See you tomorrow, Eddie.”

Eddie nods, but doesn’t speak.

He lifts his hand in a weak wave as Dustin leaves. It’s shaking. Claudia sits down by the bed. Puts her hand in his.

Eddie stares at her.

“I’m so sorry,” she says. “I’m so sorry for what we did to you.”

Eddie shakes his head, like he can’t believe what he’s hearing. “You didn’t—” He clears his throat. “It wasn’t you.”

Claudia shakes her head, too, slowly—prays that he can really hear this. “No, no, please. Listen to me. I’m so sorry.”

It would be an easy thing to say, that the town of Hawkins wronged Eddie Munson. But that would make it sound so impersonal: like it was inevitable, just one of these tragic things that happened, nothing to be done about it. Like earthquakes.

But that wasn’t true. People were behind this, and Claudia knows that they are all the town, every single one of them. And what did it say about them, that the fear and mistrust and cruelty spread like wildfire? That not one adult in the town hall stood up, begged people to stop, to think again?

“Th-thank you,” Eddie says. It sounds so uncertain, almost like a question.

Claudia squeezes his hand. “You were with Dustin, weren’t you?” she asks. “When the earthquake…”

His hand is shaking again.

“Yes,” he whispers. “I-I’m sorry, I—” He swallows. “I didn’t want a-anything to happen to him.”

“Oh, honey.” She reaches out cautiously, and when he doesn’t freeze up, she cups his cheek; her heart breaks at the rough indent of a scar beneath her palm. “You’re not God.”

Eddie reaches up, pressing her hand further against his cheek. He’s crying.

Claudia wipes his tears away as much as she can. She keeps up a steady murmur: “Shh, shh. I know you kept him as safe as you could. I know, I know. Shh.”

When he starts to calm, she thanks him again, but for something lighter.

“Dusty… he was so nervous, starting high school. But his first day, when I picked him up, all he could talk about was getting invited to have lunch with… well, a club.” Claudia smiles. “Oh, he was talking a mile a minute, I could hardly keep up. But I… oh, Eddie, I understand now. That was you.”

Eddie grins back. His cheeks are still wet.

“I didn’t do much,” he says. “You’ve…” For a moment, his eyes fill up again, but they look like happy tears. “You’ve got some kid, Mrs Henderson. He’s—he’s a real gem.”

She laughs. “Oh, I know.”

It’s one of the many things she loves about Dustin: that he’s always been so unashamedly, so joyously himself.

And Eddie had clearly seen that in him, had taken him in and nurtured everything that made him so.

The door abruptly slams open.

Steve’s in the doorway; he must’ve been running, is still gasping for breath as he says, panicked, “Claudia, I can—”

“Steve,” Eddie says softly, and that’s all.

But it’s clearly enough, because Steve’s shoulders drop in relief, and then he’s shutting the door, coming to Eddie’s bedside like he belongs there, and Eddie’s smiling at him, so tenderly…

And oh, she was young, once. She knows what she’s looking at.

Of course, she doesn’t mention it, can still sense some residual anxiety radiating from them.

Instead she looks around the room, spots a pile of laundry in the corner. It’s been stuffed into a bag; she recognises that as belonging to Steve, but there’s some shirts in there that are definitely Eddie’s, entwined with Steve’s things.

She stands, but before she can even pick up the bag, it seems like Steve’s read her mind, because he’s stepping forward, stopping her with a touch to her forearm.

“Oh, you don’t have to—I’m taking care of it, Claudia.”

She pats his cheek, lingers there until he smiles. “I know, sweetheart. But… would you let me? It’s the least I can do.”

Eddie reaches up from the bed, squeezes Steve’s elbow. Steve sighs, briefly leaning into him.

“Okay,” he says. “That’s… thank you.”

“As long as you do one thing for me.”

“Of course,” Steve says immediately. “Anything.”

Claudia brings out a notepad and pen from her bag. “Write me a list? Anything you’d like, I’ll be shopping anyway.” She looks Steve in the eyes, adds firmly but with a smile, “It’s no trouble.”

Steve takes the notepad, twirls the pen hesitantly.

“Anything you’d like,” Claudia repeats. She glances at Eddie, says, “You know, if you want a different shampoo than what they have here, things like that, or—”

“Oh, uh, it’s okay,” Eddie says quickly. “Whatever’s on sale is—”

“I know, honey,” Claudia says patiently, “but what would you actually like?”

The last extended hospital stay she’d had was fifteen years ago; Dustin had been a preemie, and one of the few things that kept her calm was the familiar: scents, food, people…

Steve chuckles. “I’ve got it.” He writes on the notepad, and Eddie must be able to read it, because he suddenly turns a little pink.

“How did you know that?”

Steve shrugs, smiles. “I notice things.” He writes down just a couple more things, then hands the list back. “Thank you so much, Claudia.”

“Any time, sweetie, I mean it.” She hugs Steve goodbye, then reaches one last time for Eddie’s hand on the bedspread. “It was lovely to meet you, Eddie. Hope you can go home soon.”

“Yeah, me—me too. Thank you, Mrs Hend—” Steve squeezes Eddie’s shoulder, and Eddie stops. Smiles. “Thank you, Claudia.”

She looks back once to shut the door behind her. Steve’s pulling up a chair, as close as he can get, and as the door closes, she hears him tut softly, gently swiping at the remaining trail of tears on Eddie’s face: “Hey, what—?”

They look like they belong together. Dustin’s boys.

Dustin’s asleep in the car, pillow pressed against the window. Claudia puts the bag of laundry in the trunk before quietly slipping into her seat.

Dustin wakes anyway as they drive out of the parking lot. “Eddie… okay?”

“He is, honey. Steve’s with him.”

“Mm… good.” There’s a pause, and Claudia thinks he’s fallen asleep again, but then he says, tentative, “Mom?”

“Yes, Dusty?”

“If I tell you something… d’you promise to keep it private?”

“As long as it’s not hurting anyone.”

“It’s not,” Dustin says firmly. “Um. Steve and Eddie, I think… I think they’re…”

Claudia smiles, nods encouragingly. “Oh, that’s lovely.”

Dustin hums in agreement. “They’ve not told me. Did I… do something wrong?”

“No, baby. You just keep doing what you’re doing.” Claudia feels a lump in her throat. “You’re a good friend.”

Dustin makes an uncertain noise.

“You are, baby. They love you very much, you know that, right?”

“Yeah.” Dustin sighs. “I know.” His eyes are closing.

“Sorry, baby, just before you sleep—are there any candies Steve and Eddie like?”

Dustin nods. “Eddie likes anything sweet. An’ Steve…” He yawns. “Anything w’peanut butter.”

“Great. Thank you, honey.”

Dustin’s already asleep.

Claudia knows that even with what she’s learned today, she still only has half a story, if that. That there’s something more to Dustin’s exhaustion, to just how Eddie ended up in a hospital bed.

Today, she’ll do all she can. It’s not a lot, but it’s something. Laundry and shopping, reading the brand of shampoo Steve wrote with a careful eye. She’ll fill her cart up with treats, things that won’t solve anything; they might make staying in that hospital room just a little easier, though. Make it feel a little warmer, a little more like home.

But first, she’ll take her boy home; she’ll park the car as close to the front door as she can get, and when he doesn’t stir, she’ll run a hand through his hair, gently put him to bed.

Learning to Love Again

Steve Harrington x reader

Inspired by this post @forevermoreharrington

Steve had always been the life of the party. With his charming smile and quick wit, he could make anyone feel at ease. But behind that confident exterior, he was hiding a deep insecurity that he had never quite been able to shake.

Steve had always been a romantic at heart. He loved the idea of being in a relationship, of sharing his life with someone special. But every time he tried to get close to someone, it always seemed to backfire.

In his early relationships, Steve would try to be affectionate and attentive, showering his partner with compliments and gifts. But he quickly learned that not everyone appreciated his brand of romance. Some of his partners would pull away, telling him that he was being too intense or that he needed to give them space.

This rejection hurt Steve deeply. He couldn't understand why his efforts to show his love were being met with such resistance. As a result, he began to hold back, to keep his feelings to himself for fear of scaring his partner away.

But even that didn't work. His partners would accuse him of being distant, of not being emotionally available. Steve couldn't win. It seemed like no matter what he did, he always managed to push his partners away.

But then he met you.

From the moment you first smiled at him, Steve felt something shift inside of him. It was a small gesture, just a quick flash of teeth, but for Steve, it was like a bolt of lightning had struck him. He couldn't explain why, but he felt an instant connection to you. Maybe it was the way your eyes crinkled at the corners, or the way your hair fell in soft waves around your face. Whatever it was, Steve was hooked. It was as if all of his insecurities melted away in your presence. You were so warm and open, so eager to be close to him, that he couldn't help but be drawn to you.

At first, it was scary for Steve. In the early days of your relationship, Steve was almost overwhelmed by the sheer amount of affection you showed him. It was like a dam had burst, and suddenly he was being showered with love and attention in a way that he had never experienced before.

At first, he was a little unsure of how to respond. He would feel himself tense up when you reached for his hand or leaned in for a kiss. He wasn't used to this level of physical intimacy, and it took him some time to get comfortable with it.

But you were patient with him. You could tell that he was struggling, and you didn't want to push him too hard too fast. So you started small, with gentle touches and soft kisses. You let Steve set the pace, always waiting for him to take the lead. But as time went on, he began to relax into your touch, to let himself be vulnerable with you in a way that he never had before. He found himself craving your touch, yearning for the warmth of your body next to his. He loved the way you would run your fingers through his hair, tracing lazy patterns on his scalp. It was like all of the walls he had built up around himself were starting to crumble.

And then there were the kisses. Steve had never been much of a public display of affection kind of guy, but with you, he couldn't resist. He loved the way you would pull him in for a kiss in the middle of the street, not caring who saw you. It was like you were telling the world that he was yours, and he loved the possessiveness of it.

You would stay up late talking, laughing at each other's jokes and sharing stories about your lives. You would hold hands as you walked down the street, fingers intertwined in a way that felt like you were meant to be together.

And whenever Steve would start to feel that old familiar pang of insecurity, you were always there to reassure him. You would tell him how much you adored him, how much you loved being close to him, how you could never imagine being with anyone else.

It was one of those nights, lying in bed together, that you finally said the words that Steve had been waiting to hear.

"I love you," you whispered, your voice soft and sweet.

Steve's heart skipped a beat. He had wanted to say those words to you for so long, but he had been too afraid of scaring you away. Now, as he looked into your eyes, he knew that he had nothing to fear.

"I love you too," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I've loved you since the moment I met you, but I was too scared to say it. I didn't want to mess things up."

You reached out to stroke his hair, your fingers trailing softly over his scalp.

"You could never mess things up with me," you said, your voice filled with sincerity. "I'm here for you, always."

And as Steve held you close, he knew that he had finally found the person who could chase away his insecurities, who could make him feel loved and cherished in a way that he had never thought possible. With you by his side, he knew that he could face anything that life threw his way.

I’ve had an idea - a gender reveal party for Steve and the single mom series (I was alive in the 80’s so I know they weren’t a thing back then, just baby showers) but the idea just came to me - Robin or Nancy would know the sex if the baby (thinking boy) and they would arrange the party. Totally understand if you think it’s a silly idea! (Congrats on almost 5000 followers btw!)

Thank you!

I really love this idea. Let’s just ignore the fact that gender reveal parties weren’t a thing yet and say they were for the sake of this cuteness! Funny you say a boy because…baby #3 as I’ve written in another fic, the one daydream they had (so I’m gonna write it like that) is going to turn out to be baby 3 AND 4. It’s twins!

Robin is definitely the head of this party, she would have an absolute BLAST planning it. Especially when she knows it’s twins (because they haven’t found out yet).

Imagine this is Steve when he finds out cause he’s SURE she’s fucking with them lol

Part of the Dad Steve x SingleTeenMom!Reader ‘verse

Dad Steve x SingleTeenMom!Reader Series masterlist

“Daddy, auntie Robin won’t tell me if the baby a boy or a girl!”

Abbie ran up to Steve, looking frustrated, her hands on her little hips. It made him chuckle cause damnit if she wasn’t a spitting image of him when he was frustrated.

He held Arabella on his hip while she was busy eating the snack that you’d given her earlier. So far today, she’d been wanting to cling to daddy, much to your relief. Your back was hurting enough between carrying a baby both inside you and on your hip.

“Abbie, that’s the point of the party,” he smiled, “We’re finding out if the baby is a boy or a girl. That’s why auntie Robin planned this party.”

“How we gonna find out?” she asked, confused.

“Well,” he said, shifting Arabella to his other hip, “You see the pretty cake over there?”

He pointed to the table where a bakery designed cake sat with other finger foods and refreshments. Robin had really outdone herself and had been so excited to plan this party. It wasn’t something Steve was familiar with, but Robin claimed gender reveal parties were the newest “thing”.

“Yes,” she nodded, “We’ll get to eat it, right?”

“Of course honey,” he smiled, “But that cake is important. Mommy will cut it open and the color of the inside will reveal the surprise of if it’s a boy or a girl.”

“So if it’s pink it means I’m right in thinking it’s a baby sister?” she asked.

“Mhm. Blue for a boy like mommy thinks.”

She scrunched up her nose.

“I don’t want a baby brother. Boys are icky.”

“Hey,” he mock pouted, “I’m a boy. You don’t like daddy?”

She sighed dramatically.

“That’s different daddy. You the only boy that’s not icky.”

“Let’s hope she still has the same attitude in about ten years,” Steve muttered as you passed by, catching the tail end of the conversation.

You snorted, giving him a look.

“If she’s as boy crazy as her mommy then you stand no chance of that, Steve,” you smirked.

He groaned, already dreading it.

“Stay four forever for me, sweetheart, okay?”

“Sure daddy!” she smiled, “So when do we eat cake?”

•

Robin was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet, she was so excited.

“Do you have any idea how hard it’s been to keep this secret? I’m dying already, cut the cake!”

Everyone had finally arrived and they all chuckled and smiled, agreeing to her sentiment. They were all eager to find out just as much as you and Steve were.

“Okay, okay,” you chuckled, grabbing the knife off the table.

Steve was at one side of you, baby free for a change. She was happily snuggling Joyce—no shock there. Abbie was on the other side of you, watching the cake intently like it would give her clues before you even cut it.

“Go for it, babe,” Steve said.

You made the first cut, pulling the knife out to see if you could spot any colored crumbs. All you spotted was the white icing that coated the outside and most likely the inside too. You made a second cut on the opposite side then slid the blade under the slice, pulling it out.

You blinked at it, not sure what you were seeing.

You heard one of your friends gasp.

“Holy shit.”

That had come from Joyce.

“I don’t get it, mommy,” Abbie said, looking up at you.

“Oh my god,” Steve huffed a disbelieving laugh.

It was a simple two layer cake, but instead of being solid pink or solid blue, the top layer was pink and the bottom was blue.

“It’s twins!” Robin squealed.

You had no memory of depositing the slice of cake onto a plate and setting down the knife because the next thing you knew, you were flinging yourself into his arms.

Steve had wanted another girl, you had been hoping for a boy. Turns out, you were getting both.

“Twins,” you mumbled, dazed, “Can you believe that?”

The hoots and hollers were drowned out when a beaming Steve leaned down to kiss you.

“I can’t wait,” he smiled.

You heard a huff of annoyance from behind you—coming from your eldest daughter.

“Now can we eat the cake?”

Baby blurb of reader and Eddie where reader sleeps with her teddy when she has anxiety and it’s all soft and fluffy lol. Yes I have just turned 20 and still sleep with my teddy and I am not ashamed 😤💖

i love him 😭 so much 😭

A hand on your forehead. 

You blink awake. It takes you a second to realise what you're seeing. Eddie, your boyfriend, handsome and frowning across from you.

"Are you okay?" you whisper, voice thick with sleep.

"Me?" he asks. He turns his hand. His knuckles skip over your cheek, down to under your chin where he rubs a small line, back and forth. "You're sleeping with Mr. Bear?" 

"Oh…" That's the soft weight on your chest. 

Eddie kneels beside your bed. Where his right hand is soothing at your chin, the left strokes over Mr. Bear's worn tummy. 

You feel instantly embarrassed, the kind of shame that makes your face white hot. 

"Are you doing okay, sweet thing?" he asks. The sweet thing isn't strictly sincere. He says it with a smile, like he's hoping you'll laugh. 

You try your best. "I'm okay." 

"Yeah?" 

His touch is so soft. Feather-light. The kiss of a butterfly's wing to your chin. His eyes are distracted by somewhere on your cheek and his mouth is still worried. Pulled down at the corners. 

"Move over?" he asks eventually. 

You nod obligingly and shuffle aside. Eddie shakes out of his jacket and climbs into bed next to you, your shoulders kissing, your eyes on the ceiling. 

"You can tell me anything," he says. His voice is gruff like he's a little abashed to say it, but sincere. 

You sigh. "I know." 

Eddie hums before taking Mr. Bear into careful hands, waving one of Mr. Bear's small arms at you. "Do you tell him what's wrong?" he asks, holding your bear in front of his mouth. 

"Sometimes." 

Eddie brings Mr. Bear's mouth to his ear. "Oh," he says thoughtfully. "Gotcha." 

You roll your eyes as Eddie sets the stuffie back over your chest, positioning him to be comfortable. 

"What did he tell you?" you ask, curious.

Eddie glares at you theatrically. "Is nothing sacred?" 

"He's my bear." 

"And you won't award him any privacy? You cruel woman." 

You huff, equally theatrical, and let your head loll back to the ceiling. Eddie cups your neck, his hand hot to your skin. He tilts your head towards him again very slowly. 

You break character when he presses his nose to yours, laughing under your breath as he says, "Let me be your confidante, babe. I'm as good a listener as that dude and twice as cuddly." 

"Twice," you laugh. 

"I have better hair." 

You reach out to stroke his dark curls. He really does.

Can someone please write more Tyler Hoechlin fanfics?

i think my favorite thing non-writers say is along the lines of “well if you’re writing the story can’t you just make the characters do what you want?”

oh, my sweet summer child. you have the naivety of a newborn baby. i love your adorable ignorance. let me lay this out for you, friend:

i am no puppet master. i am merely the person who tippy-tappies on the keyboard and hopes that something legible comes out. the characters run the show and i am at best an exhausted stage manager trying desperately to get through tech week. no listens to me. i’m a documentarian hoping to nab a good shot, you know? just…Trying My Best while the characters set the scenery on fire even though i just told them we’ll need that in act three. they do not care. and i just have to roll with it. i have never once been in control of this circus.

Steddie with Nurse!steve

I can’t get out of my head the idea of Steve becoming a nurse.

Most likely he doesn’t even see college as an option, so when someone (Robin) suggests becoming a nurse, he laughs it off with “I need college to do that” and “that’s a woman’s job”.

After being kindly smacked for saying that (Robin again), he starts to think about it more seriously.

He does it when he babysits his favorite fifteen year olds, when he helps Lucas out after a minor basketball injury, but especially whenever he’s taking care of Eddie’s battlefield wounds.

He feels a sense of pride and accomplishment every time he changes his bandages, helps him out with simple tasks or relieves him from the pain, but he also grows frustrated when Eddie has symptoms he has not the knowledge to recognize and has to take him to the doctors for check ups.

«Why not a doctor?» He asks Robin one day, completely out of the blue.

«You hate doctors» she replies, after one second of astonishment.

«Do I?»

«Yes??? Don’t you remember how pissed you were when we brought Eddie to the hospital and you kept cursing at them?»

«They were all assholes! None of them cared about him, even if he was half dead! They barely spoke to any of us, and he stayed for like, a month??»

«They were fine, they helped him right?»

«It wouldn’t kill them to be a little kinder…”»

«… like a nurse?»

Steve flips her off and she laughs.

Contrarily to any prediction, he tells Eddie first.

He doesn’t want to give Robin any chance to say “I told you so” before being 100% sure about his choice. He and Eddie got insanely closer since Steve decided to take care of him until he got back in shape, and after that their routine was so entangled that felt more natural to keep it up.

Steve knows they’re weirdly attached to one another, he drives Eddie everywhere, they spend the night at each other’s places, they sleep in the same bed, they talk about the smallest things to their deepest thoughts and fears. Every time his minds wonders about their dynamic, Steve brushes it off as “Platonic with a capital P” like what he has with Robin, but he’s lying to himself.

He doesn’t look at Robin the way he does with Eddie, he doesn’t think about holding hands with her and well, kissing her. But he knows he can’t do any of that, so he buries these thoughts and hides them under the “platonic with a capital P” like he did with Robin months ago.

They will go away, he hopes.

«I’m thinking about becoming a nurse» he says, casually one day. They’re hanging out in Eddie’s trailer, lazily sprawled on the couch.

Eddie sits up, rigid, and looks at him like he has grown a second head.

«Eddie?»

«I fucking hate you» Eddie bursts «do you enjoy making me suffer?»

Steve is absolutely shocked by the reaction «w-what?»

«taking care of me daily like I had a hot personal nurse wasn’t enough?? You want to do the real thing? I bet it’s because of some selfless reasons like “I wanna help others” “think about the kids” and all of that bullshit» he gets up, pacing around the small space as he speaks «it was hard enough to make sure you wouldn’t notice how it made me feel- fuck, you’re going to wear the uniform to? Fucking hell-»

Steve stands up as Eddie is pouring out every single thought he had bottled up, pretty much like Steve Did, probably not realizing fully what he is doing.

Steve steps closer while Eddie is too busy with his stream of consciousness to notice «-just a poor man Stevie, what can I do when you take off my shirt and touch me everywhere? I even dream about it! And I don’t know why I’m telling you this and why are you so close I told you I-» his sentence dies as Steve presses their lips together.

The kiss effectively shuts him up, not that Steve wasn’t enjoying the heated confession, but knowing they feel the same about each other, he doesn’t want to waist one second more.

Bonus:

«are you ready?»

«no I’m not» Eddie groans, sitting on the bed «just come out already»

Steve steps into their bedroom, wearing his nurse uniform for the first time.

«Fuck!» Eddie groans, dramatically throwing himself on the bed. He brings a hand over his heart «help! I’m having a stroke, I need a hot nurse to do CPR on me!»

Steve laughs «there’s so many wrong things with everything you said I don’t know where to begin» but he leans down to kiss him nonetheless.

Wayne thought perhaps Eddie had a cold after the third sniffle sounded from behind Eddie's closed bedroom door, and made a mental note to check the date on the back of the medicine bottle left over from the previous time sickness had struck the Munsons down.

But then he heard a muffled sob, followed by a whimper and a sniffle and then -

Wayne was up and out of his seat in seconds. Didn't hesitate as he rapped with a knuckle on the bedroom door. "Eddie?"

A rough sniffle, a quiet, "shit, shit" and then rustling before the door cracked open. Eddie looked rough; his eyes all red, his cheeks damp and sticky with tears, skin blotchy, some hair stuck to his face where he'd roughly smeared tears across his skin.

Wayne suppressed a sigh, motioned towards the bed as he let himself in, sat down with Eddie. He didn't say anything; Eddie would open up when he was ready to, and not before. If Wayne tried to pry, Eddie would put his walls back up so fast he'd never know that Eddie was ready and willing to let them down in the first place.

His blue eyes were soft as he looked at the boy he had raised so well - given the circumstances, Eddie had turned out beautifully - and Eddie cracked yet again, turning his head away so Wayne could only see the dark curtain of Eddie's hair. He pinched the bridge of his nose and Wayne let him hide in himself.

He'd come out of his shell when he was ready - clearly, he wanted to talk. If Eddie didn't want to, he would have left the room or otherwise made it known.

"Do you - " Eddie exhaled roughly, shook his head, his hair brushing the tops of his shoulders, "believe them?"

Wayne winced, immediately knowing what Eddie was referring to.

Freak. Cult leader. Dangerous. Devil worshipper. Drug dealer.

Only one of those things were true; Wayne didn't necessarily approve of it, but Eddie had his reasons and he trusted him. He defended Eddie against ignorant people every day and now he had to defend Eddie on his own behalf... it put a bitter taste in his mouth but he swallowed it down, focused on his Eddie. His kind, sweet, greatly misunderstood boy.

Wayne shook his head. "No, son. You know I don't."

Eddie choked and his head whipped around to look at his Uncle, eyes wide, glistening with tears.

Wayne continued. Had to hammer the moment home.

"You're innocent." At Eddie's incredulous look, Wayne smirked, "I've seen you cry at Bambi, my boy. It's just not in your nature to be what the town says." Wayne shrugged easily, raising his arm as he saw Eddie shuffling over. His boy folded himself into Wayne's side and Wayne rubbed his hand up and down Eddie's arm, squeezing him in a half hug.

Eddie sniffled and leaned his head on Wayne's shoulder, dark curls spilling over red and blue plaid. They stayed there together for long enough that Eddie stopped crying into Wayne's shoulder and slumped down until his head was on his lap. Wayne's hands found Eddie's hair and brushed his fringe away.

"More'n you know, Eddie." Wayne patted Eddie's shoulder, "You're more'n you know. S'bout time someone showed you."

Eddie wiped a hand over his face, sat up and gave Wayne a shaky smile. It was full of gratitude and affection, soaked his next words. "You do, dad. Every day."

Wayne's heart squeezed and now he was the one who wanted to cry.

Munson family tags @hellfirebabe @eddiemunsonshoney @alliecheer007-88 missfangirl-slightly-obsessive @bakerstreethound @gemstone-roses @sweetpeapod

“I’m so lonely” - Eddie Munson x Reader

Summary: you finally confess to Eddie how lonely you’ve been feeling. Emotional hurt/comfort

A/N: my first posted ST fic! I’m so nervous. I hope people enjoy this, it may or may not have been heavily inspired by my own feelings of loneliness. If only I had an Eddie lol. Please reblog or comment if you enjoy my work! My requests are open, my rules can be found in my navigation post which is linked in my bio >3

Warnings: discussions of loneliness. Reader sits in Eddie’s lap but no mention is made of size or appearance of the reader. 'Princess' is used as a term of endearment but the reader is gender neutral. No use of Y/N. Not proofread sorry

Word Count: 1.3k

Eddie Munson was the best boyfriend on the planet. You were certain that no one could hold a candle to your Eddie. 

He told you he loved you a hundred times a day - quite literally, he always counted. He’d gaze at you like you’d hung the moon, even when he was meant to be focused on the movie showing in the cinema or the road in front of him as he drove his van. He’d make sure you drank enough water every single day. He’d tie up your shoelaces if they came undone in the street. He was perceptive enough to realise whenever something was wrong, and he’d listen while you vented, before attempting to kiss the hurt away. Eddie was everything to you. But that was part of the problem. 

Eddie wasn’t just your boyfriend, he was your best friend. Which sounds cute. Yet he was your best friend because he was your only friend. Sure, you had fun with Robin and Steve, and occasionally you and Eddie would invite Max and Lucas over to his trailer for a movie night. Although you loved your family, it was a small one. 

In essence, you often felt that the only person you made a difference to in life was Eddie. That the only person who’d notice your absence was Eddie. Sometimes you’d berate yourself for feeling this way - ‘why isn’t that enough?’ - but it simply wasn’t. 

Eddie made you feel loved, constantly. He made you feel seen, he made you feel heard, he made you feel beautiful. 

But whenever he was gone, the loneliness would gnaw away inside you, consuming your mind. A sense of isolation from those around you grew. You could be sitting next to someone on the sofa but they might as well have been a million miles away. The nights you didn’t spend with Eddie, you’d cry and cry until you fell into an exhausted stupor and finally drifted off to sleep. 

Loneliness had even begun to creep into your moments with Eddie. Sometimes you’d drift off into your own little world, especially when he’d mention something he’d done with his own friends, which served as a painful reminder that you didn’t really have any of your own. 

He’d noticed lately that your face seemed to pinch into a frown more often. He tried to convince himself that your sorrowful expressions weren’t because of him, but you had been pulling away lately, skipping plans and coming up with bullshit excuses. 

“You’ve been avoiding me,” Eddie murmurs as he plops down on the bed next to you. You silently curse whichever member of your family had let him in the house. Because Eddie is right, you have been avoiding him. 

“No I haven’t,” you mumble back, studiously avoiding eye contact. 

“C’mon, don’t lie to me. Please.” If you hear the quiver in his plea, you don’t acknowledge it. 

“Am not.” Eddie huffs at your second lie, dropping off the bed and coming to kneel at your feet. The way his big soft eyes gaze up at you reminds you of the labrador you had as a kid and the way it would beg for treats. Eddie, on the other hand, was begging for something more serious. 

“I love you.” Your voice breaks slightly and you sigh deeply, feeling the tears welling up in your eyes. You squeeze them shut, willing them away, but you can feel Eddie’s eyes glued to your face and the tears can’t help but fall. They betray you, as if your poor attempts at lying hadn’t already. 

“I love you too baby.” He knows better than to press you. Shuffling in closer, Eddie places his hands in your lap, letting you fiddle with his rings. You lean forward to press your forehead to his as you sniffle, basking in the scent of his shampoo as his curls draw a curtain around your face. You try to speak but choke on your sobs, squeezing his hands. 

He shifts back up onto the bed next to you, and pulls you into his lap so your chest is touching his. You have no idea how long you spend sitting in his embrace, willing yourself to speak. 

“I just…” Your voice cracks. Silence. He waits. You swallow. 

“I feel like a burden to you sometimes. You’re my only person.” Eddie’s brow furrows. 

“What do you mean sweetheart?” His soft caress on your face is soothing, and encourages you to continue. 

“I know I have family and sometimes we look after the kids and see Robin and Steve, but…” Deep breath. “You’re… you’re the only person who I really have. I feel like you’re the only person who loves me. The only person who’d miss me if I wasn’t here.” 

Tears roll down your cheeks but you make no move to stop them this time. Eddie does the job instead, his thumb gently wiping the moisture away, repeating the action as more tears fall. 

“And I love you so much, it should be enough that the only person I’m important to is you. I don’t know why that isn’t enough, but it isn’t. You make me feel so loved, Eddie. More loved than I’ve ever felt. But I feel so fucking lonely.” At your final admission, your throat closes and you can’t carry on speaking as sobs rack your body. 

“Hey, hey, it’s okay. It’s okay my love.” Eddie rocks you back and forth slightly in an attempt to calm you as you sob into his shoulder. You both stay in the same position for a while, Eddie as patient as he always is with you, waiting until you exhausted yourself with your sobs before speaking again. 

“Will you promise me something?” Nodding, you pull away to face him. His thumb wipes the tear tracks on your cheeks with such a gentleness you find yourself wanting to cry again, although this time for a happier reason. 

“Will you promise to tell me when you feel like this? I know I can’t make it all go away but you don’t need to bottle this shit up, princess. You don’t have to fight it on your own.” You crash into his chest and squeeze him tight, prompting him to chuckle into your hair as he draws his arms back around you. 

“I promise,” you mumble into his torso. “I love you, teddy bear.” He flushes and presses a gentle kiss to the top of your head. 

“Do you want to talk about it more?” You ponder his question for a few quiet moments, but you’re physically and mentally exhausted from the sobs that had racked your body. 

“I’m too tired Eds, but maybe tomorrow? If you’re really sure you want to listen.” 

“Of course I want to listen. You’re my girl, and that means you never have to deal with anything on your own. I’m right here, sweetheart. Always.” 

Eddie sticks to his word in the morning. Not that you ever doubted he would. 

You guess that Eddie has at least told the others that you need some TLC in the following few days when Will calls just to remind you he loves you, with a sincerity that no one could mistake; when Mike concedes that you’re pretty cool, followed by the awkwardest shoulder punch known to man; when Nancy and Robin rope you into their weekly movie nights - you’d never confess to them that the films they chose were far too highbrow for your taste. 

You don’t think it’s a coincidence either when Lucas invites you on his and Max’s upcoming pinecone collecting adventure in the woods next to Hawkins. You’re absolutely certain it’s not a coincidence when Steve offers to teach you how to drive in his precious BMW, knowing that he’d never willingly let anyone else behind the wheel. 

While Eddie would absolutely claim it’s a coincidence if you called him out, it’s entirely intentional on his part that he now tells you I love you a hundred-and-one times a day.

Please help a writer out and reblog if you enjoyed my work! 💗

From SEBASTIAN STAN's IG Stories June 2022.