friendship tattoos
word count: 4.9k
tags: Protective Robin Buckley; Grieving Steve Harrington; Eddie Munson lives; they just don't know yet; Tattoo Artist Eddie Munson; Hurt/Comfort; Fix- It of Sorts; I'm Sorry; they get a happy ending i promise; Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington are best friends; platonic soulmates Robin Buckley & Steve Harrington; Eddie Munson is a Mess, but he tries his best
summary: Steve is still mourning his boyfriend Eddie when Robin and him decide to get a friendship tattoo together. The two of them moved to Miami beach once they were sure Vecna was gone for good and all of the kids where of to college. Unknown to them so did Eddie. Under a different name. Years ago. The Upside Down fiasco back in '86 left them thinking Eddie didn't make it. They saw him dying in Dustin's arms. Or so they thought. They learn how wrong they were as soon as they set foot into the tattoostudio they choose to get their friendship tattoo with a little hint of Steves love of his life.
a/n: This happend during a boring day of OT school. I'm sorry. Originally I just doodled the tattoo idea and boom now we have a nearly 5k whatever this is. have fun with it!! <3
Steve and Robin moved to Miami beach once they were sure Vecna was gone for good and all of the kids where of to college.
Unknown to them so did Eddie. Under a different name. Years ago.
The Upside Down fiasco back in '86 left them thinking Eddie didn't make it. They saw him dying in Dustin's arms.
Or so they thought.
Unknown to the party he did in fact survive.
He might have stoped breathing but turns out, the government has way better chances to bring someone back to live than a bunch of also terribly hurt teenagers.
Dr. Owens himself has safed his life that night.
He gave him a new identity and moved him around the country every time Eddie tried to break the one rule. No contact to Hawkins. After all they moved him out of Hawkins to prevent the witch hunt that would surely have happened if he stayed there. He even payed for his moving everytime, new housing and everything.
The only crux: Eddie didn't get to say goodbye to any of his friends. All the chances he could have had cut by Owens.
To "protect him" they said. Eddie was furious, even threatened them, but in the end there was nothing he could do, afterall he owed them his life, sadly. He the rebel, the freak, the anti conformatist, owing the government his life, it's awful.
No one questioned why Wayne moved after his nephew was framed with murder and apparently died at the earthquake. No one will ever question what a grieving men does, Wayne never was the middle of town but he was well respected under his colleagues, everyone knew that.
The last move Dr. Owens did for Wayne and Eddie was to the east coast, to Miami beach.
He got them a nice little house, just for the two of them. Free of rent so they didn't need to worry about jobs so soon after Eddie fully recovered.
And enough hush money so Wayne could finally retire like he should have years ago, after he came back from the war.
Once Eddie has fully recovered, about a year and a half after that tragic spring break, he found friends. One of which helped him to improve his tattooing skills.
He got really good at it over time, made a little side hustle out of it by tattooing his friends on the weekends.
He ended up opening a small tattoo shop right next to where they lived. It wasn't much but it was his, more than he ever thought he could achieve.
A bunch of coincidence later and now Robin and Steve are in their way to said Tattoo shop, without knowing they are about to find their long lost (dead) friend.
"I don't know Robs do you really think this is a good idea?" Steve mumbled.
"Yes, dingus. I do think it's a good Idea."
"But this is supposed to be just for us and here I am dragging him into it again like I always do. I should be over it, shouldn't I?" Steve stops in his tracks to look at Robin next to him.
"Listen to me carefully right now, Steven." She stops next to him and takes his face in her hands. "I know you loved him. Still do. This is for us. But he will forever be a part of us, because he is a part of you, okay?"
"But-"
"No buts right now Steve. I am dead serious. It is okay to grief. I can't even imagine, what it must be like to loose the love of your live just hours after you tell them, you love them. I can't even imagine this pain." Tears well up in her eyes. "But what I know is, how much it hurts me to see you hurting and if we can lift even a little pain off of you today, I'll be more than happy."
She pulls a piece of paper out of her pocket and unfolds it so both of them can look at it.
Staring back from the paper is an ice cone, Ahoy written on it, with a cute little bat sitting on top of one of the two scoops.
"He will always be a part of you too if we go through with this Robs. People will ask questions. Maybe we should drop the bat and just get the cone. Maybe add another scoop so it doesn't look as empty." Steve rambled with a tear heavy voice starring down at the paper.
"Steve. Hey Steve, look at me." Robin grabs his chin once again slightly crumbling the paper while doing so.
"We choose this because it represents us. It's us. The two scoops, the two of us. The bat, Eddie, he us looking over us. He always will. If we add anther scoop, because it would be so empty without him, who would that stand for? Its just the three of us. This is for us. He is just as much a part of this, as you and I are. He might mean more, or better, something different to you than to me, but that doesn't change anything"
Steve sniffles lightly but didn't interrupt her.
"He will forever be a part of you, so he will forever be a part of me. That's how we work. Platonic soulmates, remember?" Robin pulled him onto a hug as he started crying.
After a few minutes Steve managed to calm down a little, enough to pull his head out from its hiding spot at Robin chest.
"Thank you." And that little thank you held so much more emotional vulnerability than it seems, they both know it.
"You're very welcome babe. If you need me to repeat it, tell me. My opinion will not change one bit." She says with a tone that doesn't allow any argument.
"Thank you" Steve repeats again, with a little smile this time.
"Are you okay to go one? Its about a 2 minutes walk form here." Robin asks with slight concern. "Or should we go get a milkshake before the appointment?"
"Milkshake sounds good." Steve says looking shyly at the ground to his feet.
"Milkshakes it is then. Give me a moment I'll call the shop and tell them we'll run a little late." Steve opens his mouth to protest, but Robin is quicker. "Don't even start. Let me handle this, Alex told me they always run late anyway. Those 5 minutes won't kill the business, trust me."
And so it was decided, Robin walked over to the next payphone and made the call.
She smiled and gave Steve a thumbs up signalizing it's no problem if they run a little late.
As she walked out of the booth again, she took Steve's hand and dragged him towards the nearest dinner.
As they walk through the doors of said dinner Steve spots their friend Alex at one of the tables with a guy he has never seen before, but he is covered in tattoos. He gives him a little wave as they walk by, not wanting to interrupt the two.
As Alex spots him he gives him a huge smile and waves right back at Steve.
The line is short, there are just 2 people in front of them. While they wait Steve feels Robins gaze on him he chooses to ignore her, but feels the silly warm feeling ,he once thought was romantic love, creep up once again. He feels his cheeks getting a little warmer and knows he is blushing.
Robins concerned eyes turn soft as she notices, he turns towards her and gives her a quick smile. They don't need words, they know they love each other.
As it came time to order Robin choose a simple chocolate milkshake without any sauces, Steve goes for his usual, it wasn’t his favorite but he can't help but choose what Eddie would have chosen.
Vanilla with coffee and chocolate sauce, Steve, to this day, is unsure if that is even a legal combination, but he just accepted back when Eddie asked for it, back when he was stuck at the boathouse.
It always gets him a sympathetic look from Robin, but he doesn’t care.
If this stupid criminal milkshake is what he has to drink so he feels closer to his boyfriend, by god he will. Anything to ease the pain. Even after over four years.
As they get their order he takes a sip and his brain immediately goes back to the one and only kiss they shared.
The way they shared, how much they love each other without saying a single word.
How all their friends just stood there speechless, in this hellhole of the Upside Down, as they were about to split up to finally finish that asshole of Vecna.
How they failed.
How he failed.
How he failed Eddie.
How he told Eddie he loved him, while his love took his last breaths.
Tears well up in his eyes, before he could loose himself in the emotion Robin was there tipping him on his shoulder and pointing at Alex's table.
Alex was waving again but this time more firmly as if to ask them, if they want to come over.
Robin checked Steve's eye's for signs he is uncomfortable but doesn't seem to find any.
So they do. Robin and Steve walk over the boy's table where they are greeted warmly.
"Hey there, long time no see. How have you been? What are you up to?" Alex asks friendly.
"Just on our way through. We have an appointment at the tattoo shop you recommended a while ago. Just a quick snack for the way, to get some sugar in our system before." Robin answers for them, which Steve is more than grateful for.
"Oh nice! Do you have your design ready? By the way this is my buddy, who works at the shop, his name is Luke." Luke waved at them grinning. "Anyway who is your artist today?"
"Hey Luke, you're the Co - owner right? Our artists name is Richard is think, I haven't talked to him yet, just talked to the person who picked up the phone. Dunno what their name was. Is he nice? Richard I mean?" Robin asks curiously eying Luke a little.
Luke giggles and answers "Well, he is the owner. But yes, he is really nice, he is just… a lot I would say. But from what I heard about you two from Alex, you are a handful too, so I do think you will get along well."
"Nice, sounds great." Robin smiles elbowing Steve who seems to drift away again.
The motion brought Alex's and Luke's gaze to Steve and what he is holding.
"That milkshake looks interesting what did you put in it?" Alex eyed him and his drink suspiciously.
"Oh it's just vanilla with chocolate and coffee sirup" Steve answers still a little out of it.
"Wait what? Another one??" Luke seems shocked. "That can't be that milkshake is a crime to all milkshakes. You drink that stuff too?"
"I- Yeah. My boyf-" he abruptly interrupted himself. " a friend of ours who passed, it was his favorite, I always choose it."
Robin laid an arm around him and asked. "You know another one who drinks this stuff? Who? Maybe we should meet the ominous other milkshake offender." She tried for a light laugh but it sounds more like she was choking on air.
"You will actually meet him in a few. He is your artist today. Richard swears on his milkshake, never let us bring him something different. Demanding little shit." Luke tells them
"Maybe you should bring him one, when you go over there soon" Alex says jokingly.
Steve and Robin look at each other and have the same thought. Eddie.
The actually decide to bring their artist his milkshake as a peace offering for being late. Steve get a little weirded out look from the cashier but he doesn't care, he is used to it by now.
They say goodbye to Alex and Luke, and then they are on their way.
As they walk towards the shop Steve feels his heartbeat rising, oblivious Robin notices. She has been giving him side eyes the whole time since they left the dinner.
"How are you doing babe?" She asks concerned.
"I'm fine. Don't worries I just have a off feeling right now. Guess I'm just nervous." He looks down at the milkshake in his hand that is not occupied by Robins.
Robins eyes have something understanding in them, she squeezes his hand and flashes him a reassuring smile. But she doesn't say anything, she never does, when he needs a moment and he is more that grateful for that.
As they arrived at the shop, there is just a bored looking girl at the counter, she looks up as they enter.
"Hey are you the once that called earlier? Richard isn't ready yet anyway, just sit down over there, he'll pick you up in a minute." The girl tells them not even letting them time to answer and leaves the entry room.
"Yes we are, thanks we will just be over here then, I guess." Even Robin doesn't really know how to respond to that.
She turns towards Steven checking on him once again, "Are you okay? Still wanna go through with this? We can go anytime. I'll even go first so you can get used to the environment. I'm here if you need anything, I even have some water and snacks in my- what's wrong?"
Steve completely went stiff in her arms, he can't move. He seems to have stopped breathing even. Eyes fixed on something behind Robin.
As Robin turns around to see what has set of Steve that much. Even her breath stocks. She feels like her heart stops beating.
There in front of them stands someone who looks exactly like Eddie. His hair a little longer, way more tattoos, he is not in his signature jeans vest, that one is still safe and sound in Steve's closet, nor his leather jacked.
But he looks undeniably Eddie. But that can't be, can it?
But yet: Same big brown eyes, hair still as chaotic as ever, still wearing black ripped up jeans.
It has to be him.
Steve can't breath. Nor can Eddie.
Never in his life he would have thought he would have the chance to see the love of his life again or even just talk to him over the phone.
Dr. Owens still screens all his phone calls he had to go through this whole new identity three times now because he just wouldn't listen to not trying to contact Steve or the others. He always ended up trying anyway.
Eddie panicked a little as he realized non of them have said anything yet, he is terrified of their reaction unsure if they realized its him, after all there is the name Richard written on his name tag.
A name he had chosen because he knows how bad Richard Harrington has hurt Steve.
He abandoned him so early in life. And Eddie was in fact not much better.
He couldn't manage find a loophole, couldn't be there for his love. He hurt him just as bad as his dad did, if not even worse.
"You two must be my 3 o'clock." He smiled and aimed his tone for casual.
"We were your 3 o'clock. We are leaving." Robin's voice broke as she said it. As she turned back around to Steve she realized, there is no way in hell they are leaving any time soon, but they can for sure not stay where they are.
Robin moved a little closer to Steve and mumbles into his ear "Babe, are you with me? We need to move." She takes his hand again and pulls him towards the door.
Steve doesn’t move. But with Robin out of the way Eddie has full view of him now, his eyes move to their joined hands and then to the other one still clutching the damn milkshake.
Eddies eye's grew impossible wider at that. That was his order. And his order only no one else ever even wanted to take a sip of his. How did he know? Does he remember? Hasn't he moved on? Its been 4 years after all.
"Eddie." a soft whisper of his real name interrupted his train of thoughts. His head snapped up and eyes met.
The spark, the loss, the pain, the hurt, the love, the lost years, the betrayal.
All that lays in their eyes, both of theirs.
"Stevie." And that is all it takes for Steve to get out of his stupor. He launched forward, milkshake meeting the ground, Robins hand abandoned to her side, Steve's shoes sound loud on the ground as he moves over to Eddie.
Everything goes so fast, Eddie doesn't even know that it happened, when he feels a sharp sting on his right cheek.
The next thing he knows his left one stings too and once he is orientated again he sees a ball off Robin and Steve on the floor. Steve is heavily sobbing into Robins shoulder, mumbling words Eddie couldn't quite make out.
Steve must have told Robin to show him something, because she searches around in her jacket to pull out a crumbled piece of paper and hands it up to him without ever looking away from Steve.
As Eddie unfolds it his breath hatched. He knew this was supposed to be a double tattoo appointment. He is not surprised to see a Ice cone with two scoops of ice on top of it, the two have met at summer job at scoops after all.
What surprises him though is the little bat sitting on to of it. It can't be can it?
He looks down on his own arm where he got a little nail bat tattoo as soon as he had the possibility and Dr. Owners freed him a little for the tight leash he was on at the beginning.
Tears welling up in his eyes.
"Stevie." He tried. But got no reaction.
"Sweetheart." he tried again, with the same outcome.
He kneels down next the the duo "Princess." This time it worked.
Tearful eyes peaked out over Robins shoulder seeking to meet his. So full of pain, full of betrayal, full of love it breaks Eddie's heart all over again.
He slowly lifts the paper and his right arm so Steve could see it from where he sits on the floor. At first Steve doesn't understand his eyes swimming in confusion and pain, but as he gets it. That is even worse for Eddie, Steve just sobs deeply one time before he sinks into Robins shoulder again.
That motion gets him a confused look from Robin who has her back turned to the situation and didn't see. As Eddie shows her too, she broke the silence.
"Are you that stupid Eddie or is there a very good reason you broke my soulmates heart? You have exactly 3 minutes to explain yourself or you will never see us again. I won't allow you to hurt him even further." She says in a serious tone that doesn't allow to argue once again today.
Eddie flinched a little as he sees how Steve's breathing stuttered on what Robin said.
He sinks into himself a little but starts to explain.
"Back when we were in the Upside Down, I heard everything. I knew, you all were there even after my breathing stopped. I was still conscious just not in my body, it was like I was flying or better hovering over my own body that shit was fucking scary let me tell you that."
"You heard? You heard and still-" Steve's whispering voice broke.
"I am so sorry, sweetheart. Let me explain I promise I can." Eddie tried.
Robin scuffed at that but let him continue.
"You all tried to bring me back, but you couldn't get me through the roof. The closer we got to the gate the more I felt a weight on me, like something wanted to keep me there."
"Yeah we felt that too you seemed to get heavier the further we got to the trailer." Robin says lost in thoughts.
The door behind them opened and all three of them shot up at the sound of Luke's voice. Eddie moves fast and pulls Robin up to her feet and towards his both. Steve, who is still clinging to Robin, right there with them.
As Eddie closes the door to his artist room, Steve once again peaked out over Robins shoulder, like he wanted to check if Eddie is real and still there.
"Do you two need anything? I have water and snacks back here if you want." Eddie offered.
Robin just glared at him and says "It would be great if you could continue so I know, if I have to knock you teeth out or not."
Steve smiled at that a little, he likes when someone is protective over him, happens rarely enough.
"Right yeah sorry. So when you left me there in the Upside Down." Steve sobbed loudly at that. "Its okay sweetheart, I know why you did. It's okay." He tries to reach for him but Robin yeets his hand away and just stares at him in unsaid warning.
"Sorry." Eddie says lowly. "I stayed down there a little after you left there were soldiers and Dr. Owens. I don't remember much of that, but I do remember one moment I looked at the back of Dr. Owens and the next I looked at his face and he told me not to move one bit."
Eddie grows quiet for a moment before he continues to speak.
"The first thing I did was ask for you." He looks at the brown mess that is Steve's hair in Robins arms. "He told me you're safe and that I don't need to worry. He told me they will take care of everything. After that I don't remember anything, I must have passed out or something. Was in a coma for about 6 months. They moved me and Wayne to Chicago at first. New names. New identity. No contact."
Eddie sights, his eyes already swimming in tears.
"They told me I can't contact anyone, when I woke up. Once they led me out of the hospital I tried anyways. Tried to get a car to drive over to Hawkins, if I must move I wanted to at least say goodbye." And slightly quieter he adds. "I wanted to ask you to come with me, run away together, and even if you couldn't, I would have wanted to get one last genuine kiss. Without a life or death situation sitting over all of it."
Steve lifts his head to look at him, fresh tears in his eyes. "So why didn’t you? Why didn't you say goodbye?"
The pain in his voice nearly gets Eddie to fall apart right there. "I couldn't get a car. Dr. Owen's didn't get me a new driver's license. He knew I would do something like that, turns out you can't rent a car without a license." His voice broke a little.
"As soon as Dr. Owens got the news that I tried to break his rules he made us move and change identity once again, this time further away to Atlanta. Fuckin' hated it there. Hated it so much in fact that I tried to break the rule in a different way this time." He smiles as he says it but it looked forced, like it's something he tried to forget a long time ago.
"At that point it had been a year since I had contact to any of you. So I tried the only two numbers I had memorized and hoped it would go through on one of them. It worked. Kind of at least. On the second try. I got a hold of Mrs. Henderson but the line went dead as soon as I tried to speak." The pain in his voice is heavy.
"Turns out Dr. Owens and his little minions were listening to all my calls." His voice dripping in disgust. "So as soon as they realized what I was trying to do…"
"They cut you of. Again." Steve's eyes try to find his. "Is that how you ended up here? In Miami? Because they move you again?" His voice sounds shaky.
"Exactly." Eddie sights. "On the last move they pushed on us, I was allowed to choose our names and the place. I guess, they hoped I would finally cooperate.
I guess, I did.
I feel terrible.
I should have fought more. God damn.
I should have walked to Hawkins from Chicago. It's not like it's that far." Now Eddie was crying too, he turned away so Steve wouldn't see it.
"I am so sorry my love. I should have done more. Should have fought harder. I don't deserve you. But just know I love you. And I always will." Eddie admits with a broken voice he failed to compose.
He didn't expect to feel arms wrap around him from behind. He turned his head a little and locked eyes with Steve who still looks a little starstruck and sits a few feet beside him. That's when it clicks.
The sobbing mess on his back is in fact Robin. The same Robin who threatened to punch his teeth out just minutes ago.
He turns towards her a little and tries to get an arm around her while also keep the other free if Steve wants to join them.
"I missed you so badly, asshole." Robin states sobbing.
"I missed you too, Robs." He answers not one bit less tearful.
"I miss you too." A small almost childlike voice came from besides them.
Both looked over at Steve who curled himself up into a ball, chin on his knees looking at them still with teary eyes, but not as much fresh once on his cheeks anymore.
Eddie slowly lifts his free hand in Steve's direction, who jolts forward into his arms, nearly kicking Robin in the face in the process.
Steve buries his face in the crook of Eddie's neck and inhales his smell. He still smells kind of the same as he remembers, different cigarettes and less leather but not less Eddie.
"Why did you choose Richard for your new name?" Steve asks into the quiet.
"I feel like I deserve to wear that name. I hurt you, not in a way that he did but in a worse one. I knew what it did to you and I still didn't do enough to fix this mess. to prevent you from your pain. I should have done better than that. I am deeply sorry, princess." Eddie answers with a strained voice.
Steve pulled away a little to look into Eddies eyes. As soon as they find each others gaze, they got lost in the others eyes. They don't even notice as Robin pulls away and gives them space.
Their heads move closer towards each other, eyes flicking down at lips.
Just before they can kiss Eddie asks. "Are you sure about this? You don't have to, I know I hurt you. You don't have to forgive me. But just know I will be here regretting what happened and waiting for you all my life."
Steve doesn't answer with words, instead he moves to close the small gap that is between them still to finally reunite their lips.
It's been way too long since he felt those gorgeous soft lips on his.
They move against each other like they dance to a rhythm only they can hear.
Like they have done this a million times before, not just once before today.
As they pull apart again, trying to catch their breath, Steve similes at Eddie.
"We have a lot to talk about, I want to hear everything that happened the past four years but I don't want you to torture yourself by wearing his name. You didn't do it on purpose, you had no chance as it seems. I am hurt. I don't think that will fully go away anytime soon but I want you to know that I love you. I never stopped since I first said it to you." Steve told him with a steady confident voice.
Eddie couldn't help but believe him. He started crying again but this time those were happy tears.
"It seems like you two have a lot to discuss. I would give you the shovel talk right now, Eds, but something tells me you don't need it. Or at least not right now. I'll give you two some space to sort shit out, when you are finish I'm out front with Alex." Robin says from the door, not waiting for an answer as she closes the door behind her.
