Steddie brain rot with some anti Tommy
So maybe I'm rewatching the original US QAF and maybe I'm thinking about that scene with Justin and Chris Hobbs on Liberty Ave.
Hawkins gay scene in the mid-1980s was nothing to write home about, but if you knew where to look, it was there. It was a block of their own, where the businesses were supportive, and the houses were all owned by the queers. Many people saw it as the bad part of the town, but for those who knew, it was a sanctuary. There had an unspoken agreement, they don't out anyone who doesn't want to be outed. There in thier space everyone was free to be themselves.
There was of course, the Hideout, a little dive bar who's clientele was definitely not straight. There was a convenient store next to it who's workers didn't think twice when two guys would come stumbling in, arms wrapped around each other, looking for condoms. In fact they hung information posters up, reminding people that condoms and safe sax wasn't just to prevent pregnancy. They were advocating for themselves, each other when the local government(or national) had failed to do so. There was a little shop, advertising 18+ that sold things that would have Regan yuppies and the moral majority raising thier nose and clutching thier pearls. But it was a place that accepted the queer community.
Finally, there was Diane's diner across from there, a 24 hour restaurant that has been a place of solace for the folks that usually have to hide. It's also a place where the local AIDs coalition meets to coordinate meal delivery for those in Hawkins and the surrounding small towns who cannot leave thier house, too sick. Many of them don't even have family of thier own to take care of them. Everyone from the Party, both older teens and the teens still is high school often went to these, volunteering to make food, and Steve promising to drive it wherever it needs to go.
But tonight Steve, Eddie, Robin, Nancy, Jonathan, and Argylewere here to hang out at the Hideout. Corroded Coffin wasn't playing but they wanted to get out, be themselves. They wanted to drink, and dance, and not have to pretend for one night.
They walked as a group out of the bar, all holding onto each other. Liquid courage helping them put down thier inhibitions. Jonathan holding Argyle close by the waist, Nancy letting Robin wrap her arm around her shoulders while she slides her hand into Robin's back pocket, and Eddie pulling Steve under his arm, forgetting the meaning of personal space.
They let themselves be free here. Even their clothes were a little louder, allowing themselves to dress more butch, dress more feminine, dress gaudy, dress slutty, just dress how they like. Robin wore a dress shirt and a loose tie, contrasting the tight pants and loud makeup, Nancy wore a sleeveless, fitted button down, cut to show off her torso and high waisted denim shorts and a belt. Argyle wore his regular clothes, already loud enough, but loved that Jonathan was wearing his torn Clash shirt held together with safety pins, and tight leather pants and heavy boots. Finally, Eddie, like Argyle usually dresses loud enough, but opting to pair his black jeans with a cropped Metallica shirt this time, showing off the little tattoo low on his stomach, just above his groan that says Steve, having Gareth stick and poke it on him in his living room 3 weeks before. He wore a black hankie in his left pocket. But Steve, the polo princess himself, was the most shocking change. He wore short black shorts with a cropped mesh top, he had mid calf socks on and tennis shoes. He even wore eyeliner and strawberry lip gloss(his favorite since the summer he worked at Scoops.) Of course he wore a matching hankie but in his right pocket, loving being put on display, being able to share that he's with Eddie.
They are all laughing and having fun, when suddenly Steve stops in his tracks, causing Eddie and the other's to stop too. "What is it baby?" Eddie whispers.
"Look." He points with his head getting them all to look over at the group of people coming from the other direction towards the bar. People didn't come down here unless they were queer, and this group had no right being their. It was Tommy, with his arm wrapped around Carol, a couple of the other keg boys Steve used to hang out with, and thier girlfriends. All of these people he has heard torment queer (or suspected queer) kids in high school even if he wasn't out yet(though Tommy knew) "Why are they here?!" He is pissed.
Robin grabs his shoulder softly, "It's fine, Steve. How about we just go home?" Steve looks back at her incredulously. Jonathan is nodding, agreement in his face. They both look nervous. Steve guesses that people like Robin and Jonathan didn't necessarily have the best experience in High school having to deal with people like Tommy...like him. And he wants to fix that.
"They have no right to be here." He says anger still in his voice. Eddie pulls him closer, kissing his cheek. "Stevie, what do you wanna do?"
"Just give me a moment..." He holds up a finger, before pulling away. They all watch as he walks up to the other group. The beer and the couple shots of vodka making him braver.
"Harrington?" Tommy asks, almost laughing. "What the fuck are you wearing? God, I knew you would eventually fuckin lose it and come out as fucking fairy." The rest of Steve's group coming up behind him, he wishes they wouldn't have since now they are going to get wrapped up in this. A few people walk the streets on either side of them, coming and going from the bar.
"What are you doing down here, Tommy?" Steve spits, ignoring the previous comments.
Tommy steps closer, Carol under his arm. "You know, checking out the freaks." He sneers.
Steve leans closer "Down here, you're the freak." He grins, matching the ugly sneer on Tommy's face.
"What did you call me, faggot?" He pushes closer getting to close to Steve. Hearing and seeing this, Eddie walks closer, stepping between the two men. But Steve barely notices. Instead he pulls away, turning to the crowd forming around them
"Hey excuse me. Ugh this is Tommy Hagan. He just called me a faggot." There were a few gasps, with Robin smiling at him as the other's in his group looking dumbfounded. Tommy's group was equally as confused.
"Tommy doesn't like faggots. Or.." a big smile forms across his face. "Maybe he likes them more than he thinks."
"Shut up, Harrington." Tommy says behind gritted teeth.
Steve just smirks and finishes. "He let me suck his cock. The faggot gave Tommy Hagan a blow job." Steve leans back in his face, past Eddie. "And he loved it."
He is referring to a time sophomore when Steve blew him after school in the locker room. Steve was just realizing he was bi, and they wanted to do it. But Tommy never wanted to talk about it again after it, even if Steve had made him cum moaning his name, too ashamed, gaslit Steve into believing for years it was just him, that Tommy didn't really like it.
Tommy is shaking with anger as his friends look at him. With the growing crowd, he knew he couldn’t fight Steve here. So he shoves his finger in Steve’s chest and says "You are so fucking dead, Harrington." Before turning around storming off.
His friends gather around him, so fucling proud of him, pulling him into hugs. Eddie wraps his arms around Steve’s waist from behind, pulling him close and kissing his cheek. "You go, baby girl."
And Steve can't help but glow, walking to his Beemer, clinging to his friends. He knows tomorrow when this gets out, his life will be hell but for tonight, he's happy.
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