Stranger Things, A-Side

We are Stranger Aspec Things, a community striving to create a place where asexual, aromantic, and everything-in-between people can showcase their works. We also aim to encourage some more aspec works in the fandom, so whether you’re aspec yourself, or you have related works/headcanons/idea, hop on in! We’d love to hear you!

[strangerthings-a-side]

Welcome to Stranger Things, A-Side!

Hello there! Ty and Jay here. 😉

We started this as a way to encourage and uplift more aspec Stranger Things creators and their creations! There are several events planned for throughout the year to get you started.

So whether you’re aspec yourself, or you have all manners of aspec creations you want to share, hop on in! We’d love to hear you!

[strangerthings-a-side]

Navigation

How to participate | Aro Visibility Week | Pride Month | Ace Visibility Week

[stellarspecter]

i don't need a lover, i just need a friend

written for @strangerthings-a-side day 6: QPR and stobin month!

Summary: “Robs,” Steve said as soon as she picked up. “I think I love you.”

“I love you too, Dingus,” she responded automatically. “Why are you calling? Aren’t you out with Eddie?”

“Yeah,” he responded. “He just told me about — have you heard of queerplatonic relationships?”

“No,” she said slowly. “Should I have?”

“I think we’re in one,” he told her.

Read on AO3

[rogueddie]

Sanctuary Prompt for strangerthings-a-side's aromantic visibility week, day 2: Library AU

Sat in Max's hospital room, listening to Lucas reading books aloud for her, felt like the only place that Erica could find any safety in the aftermath of Vecnas victory.

Even when Max woke, blind and confused, Lucas kept reading to her. The stories offered an escape, and Lucas' voice helped keep her grounded. Helped her keep positive.

Lucas is ok, and that was the thing Erica cared about most in those moments.

It wasn't until the next year that they would finally defeat Vecna, until they finally started the slow and arduous task of rebuilding Hawkins from the ground up.

Almost everything had been destroyed in the fighting.

Including the library.

Thinking of those days in the hospital, in those quiet moments when she was finally able to find peace through Lucas and his books...

She insisted on doing anything and everything she could to help rebuild the library. She was volunteering as soon as it opened.

The head librarian often joked about how she was going to take his job one day.

She didn't think he was serious. But, as soon as she turned twenty, he sat her down in his office and explained how the transfer will work.

"I'm old," he told her. "I've done all I can for this place. I can't think of anyone better for the job."

Erica thrived as the head librarian. Having the authority to finally make changes that she's been thinking about feels more like relief than a pressuring position.

None of the issues she assumes to occur ever come around either.

"You're such a pretty young woman," one of the women she works with comments, patting her arm. "Are you ever going to find yourself a man?"

"No," Erica says. She barely looks away from the bookshelf she's organising. "All I need are my books. No man will ever make me this happy."

"Good for you," the woman chuckles. "Never disappointed, huh?"

"I guess," Erica shrugs. "I just don't want that type of love."

"That type?"

"Yeah. I love my family, especially my brother. His fiance always comes over with him too and she's actually cool. I got friends. Tina. I can't imagine needing anyone else."

The woman hums, going quiet for a moment, considering.

Erica almost forgets about her and the conversation for the rest of the day, continuing on with her daily routine.

It's not until the end of the day, as they're preparing to close the library, that she comes up again.

"Sorry if this is crossing a line," the woman starts, before gently putting a little book on the desk. "But you fought hard to get this book in here..."

"I'm not gay."

"Oh. You're not?"

"No. I don't like either."

She frowns, looking down at the book. "Is that something in here?"

"Maybe. I don't know, and I don't care."

"Of course not," the woman huffs, smiling. "Well, as long as you're happy."

"Yes... yes, I really am."

[strangerthings-a-side]

Aromantic Week Round Up!

We're a little on the late side, but we wanted to thank everyone who took part this week!

And to those who wanted to participate, but couldn't, we have full intention of reblogging aspec works year-round! Just keep using the #staside tag!

Now for the works we got!

Self-Discovery, by stellarspecter

New Friends, by stellarspecter

The Mystery of Stobin, by killianthebee

Exception, Not The Rule, by rogueddie

Sanctuary, by rogueddie

If we've missed anything that was posted up to this date, shoot us a message or an ask to let us know!

And lastly, thank you for everyone who joined! We hope to see y'all soon! 😉

[rogueddie]

Exception, Not The Rule  Prompt for strangerthings-a-side's aromantic visibility week, day 1: self-discovery

Steve lays on his bedroom floor, limps splayed out like a starfish, staring at his ceiling in hopes that he might find answers there.

"It's not bad," Robin continues, shifting so she can peer down at him from where she's perched on his bed. Her face is upside down from his perspective. "A lot of people fall in love slowly."

"Yeah? You met any that take as long as me?"

"Uh... no... but they have to be out there! There's nothing wrong with you, so there can't be anything wrong with how you feel!"

"If there's something wrong with how I feel then that's something wrong with me."

"Oh my god," Robin groans, rolling her eyes, falling back, out of sight. "This is ridiculous!"

"You're telling me."

He's not sure how they ended up like they are. The conversation had started so simple- fun, even. They'd been joking about his miserable attempts at romance, which somehow twisted into Robin pausing and starting to question him.

When she'd asked him why he didn't love any of the girls, even after dating them longer than he had Nancy... he didn't have an answer.

But, worse, he had dated his last girlfriend for almost two years.

"Explain it to me again," Robin finally says.

"Robs-"

"Please?"

"It's like you said," he rolls over onto his stomach, propped up on his forearms. "I did love her, just... the way I love you."

"And you don't love me romantically."

It's a statement, not a question, but Steve repeats it in confirmation anyway.

"She asked you out, right?"

"Yeah."

"Why did you say yes?"

Steve frowns, shifting again, kneeling next to the bed so he can rest his forearms on the bed and look Robin in the eye. "What do you mean?"

"Why did you say yes?" Robin repeats, emphatically. "Why did you agree to date her? Why did you want to date her?"

"She asked me!"

"That's not what I'm asking!"

Steve huffs, frustrated, falling back so he's laying on his back again.

"Alright, rephrase," Robin says after a pause, rolling around so she's laying with her head poking off the bed, looking down at him. "Why did you continue to date her, after that first date?"

"I... she's cute?"

"Are you asking me?"

"... no? It's just- it sounds bad."

"Steve, it's me."

"I know, it... I like dating. It's fun, it's easy, it's..."

"What?"

Steve glances away from her, despite how comforting it is to see her unflinching at his confessions.

"It's what I'm supposed to want," he admits in a whisper.

"Eve, babe, you don't have to be what people expect of you. I'm not supposed to want girls and-"

"No!"

Steve jumps to his feet, starting to pace. He has to tug at his hair, using the sting in his scalp to push himself into saying it.

"I don't want to date, at all!" He finally blurts. "Not in the 'people expect me to date girls' way! Nancy is the only girl- the only person- that has ever made me really want to actually date! I mean, I like dating, dating is great, but... you talk about Vickie and- I don't feel like that. I don't want people like that. There's something wrong with me, Rob!"

"That's enough."

"Rob-"

"No!" She jumps to her feet, grabbing him by the shoulders, forcing him to stand still. "There is nothing wrong with you. Nothing."

"But-"

"No buts. You're my Steve, and you're perfect as you are. I would never change anything about you. Never."

"Yeah, I love you too, but this is still... something."

"So we'll figure it out. We have friends who know people. We're not alone anymore. We can find answers."

"What? No, this isn't a gay thing."

"I didn't say that it is. But I don't think it's a straight thing either."

"Did you forget about the Nancy part?"

"The one and only girl you've ever loved or wanted to date, right?"

"Exactly. I want to date girls. This is definitely a straight thing."

"No, Steve, that's the thing. You don't want to date girls, you want to date a girl. Nancy might be the exception."

"I don't want to date boys either."

"Ok? Vickie was telling me the other day about a girl she met through the bar who has never dated anyone and never will. She doesn't feel attraction to anyone, at all."

"Wait, is that why you've been interrogating me?"

"I mean... kinda? You've just been so worried about this for so long and if this is the answer then, like, that's amazing, right? No more confusion! You'll know you aren't wrong or alone too!"

Steve is silent for a moment, staring at a wall. When he finally turns back to Robin, he immediately pulls her into a hug, squeezing her uncomfortably tight.

"Are you sure?" He asks, quiet, voice breaking.

"What?"

"That there's nothing... I mean, others feel like this?"

"Yeah, Steve. I'm sure. I'm pretty sure it has a name or something. It's not common, but there are others. You're not alone. There's nothing wrong with you."

[killianthebee]

@strangerthings-a-side Aromantic Visibility Week Day 6: QPR

Summary:

Eddie needs to know if Robin and Steve are dating or not. He wasn't expecting the answer.

-

“So, what's up with them?” Eddie asked.

Dustin looked up and followed Eddie's line of sight. Steve and Robin were cuddling on the couch, laughing and giggling.

“What?”

Eddie looked confused, “Are they dating?”

“Oh, no. They're just best friends or soulmates or whatever you want to call them. They're strictly platonic.”

“Yeah, they told me but I saw them kiss yesterday.”

Dustin didn't seem like he cared despite the fact a couple of months ago he would've been moaning about how Steve and Robin were meant for each other.

Dustin said, “Well, that's just what they do. I don't understand it either.”

He shrugged and went back to what he was doing. Eddie rolled his eyes. Steve probably had to lecture Dustin for hours to get him to be cool about…whatever was happening with those two.

He watched the two some more. Steve leaned in and whispered close to her ear and Robin blushed.

He narrowed his eyes. There's no way they aren't dating but it doesn't make sense. He could've sworn Robin was a lesbian. Her shoes had boobs on them, her jacket had a pink triangle, and she commented on his bandana one time!

He sighed.

Read the rest on A03

[stellarspecter]

@strangerthings-a-side Aromantic Visibility Week Day 4: Coming Out

Pairing: Steve & Eddie, implied pre-Steve/Eddie, background Steve & Robin and Eddie & Chrissy

Summary: Steve eyed the coffeeshop skeptically. Robin had told him this was a good idea, no doubt about it, you’ll like him, Steve, I promise, but he wasn’t so sure.

The place looked nice, at least. A classic first date location. Steve could see other couples inside, chatting as they sipped their overpriced lattes. He grimaced.

OR: Our friends tricked us into a blind date, but it's "I haven't figured out how to tell everyone I'm aroace" 🤝 "I keep telling my friends I'm not ready after my last relationship went bad but they're not listening" solidarity.

Read on AO3

[stellarspecter]

@strangerthings-a-side Aromantic Visibility Week Day 1: Self-Discovery

Pairing: Steve & Robin, past Steve/Nancy

Summary: “Did you hear about Nancy?” Robin asks, plopping down beside him on the couch. She hands him the bowl of popcorn, and he takes a few before setting it down on the end table.

“Hear what about Nancy?” Steve asks cautiously. He had spoken to her recently, and she had told him some news, but he wasn’t about to share it with Robin if it wasn’t what she was talking about.

“About her breaking up with Jonathan,” Robin says. Steve relaxes a bit.

“Oh. Yeah, she told me about that.” She had also told him some other stuff about it too, but Steve was a good secret keeper. He would keep her confidence.

“And she came out as aro!” Robin says happily, and completely shatters Steve’s expectations for where this conversation was going.

Continue on AO3

[strangerthings-a-side]

Hello, everyone, and welcome to our very first event, Aromantic Visibility Week!

You can double check how to participate in this post, but, in short:

Make sure the focus or featured character(s) is on the aromantic spectrum.

All creations are welcome!

Tag properly, as if tagging for AO3.

Mentions us, and use the tags #staside and #ASideAroWeek!

Posting starts on Feb. 18!

Don't worry about submitting late. We'll keep an eye out all year long!

And now, for the prompts!

Day 1: Self-discovery | Supernatural Creature AU

Day 2: Community | Library AU

Day 3: Family | "I said 'movie day', not 'moving day'!"

Day 4: Coming out | "I am not eating frozen pizza for the third time this week."

Day 5: Attraction | "You're hot. Shame about the personality."

Day 6: QPR | Royalty AU

Day 7: FREE SPACE!

[strangerthings-a-side]

Here's a little reminder of the prompts for this week!

We look forward to see what you guys create!

[strangerthings-a-side]

Hello, everyone, and welcome to our very first event, Aromantic Visibility Week!

You can double check how to participate in this post, but, in short:

Make sure the focus or featured character(s) is on the aromantic spectrum.

All creations are welcome!

Tag properly, as if tagging for AO3.

Mentions us, and use the tags #staside and #ASideAroWeek!

Posting starts on Feb. 18!

Don't worry about submitting late. We'll keep an eye out all year long!

And now, for the prompts!

Day 1: Self-discovery | Supernatural Creature AU

Day 2: Community | Library AU

Day 3: Family | "I said 'movie day', not 'moving day'!"

Day 4: Coming out | "I am not eating frozen pizza for the third time this week."

Day 5: Attraction | "You're hot. Shame about the personality."

Day 6: QPR | Royalty AU

Day 7: FREE SPACE!

[strangerthings-a-side]

Hey everyone!! Excited to start the aro week off, we can’t wait to see what y’all come up with! Don’t forget to tag us if you post anything and happy aro visibility week!

[strangerthings-a-side]

Hello, everyone, and welcome to our very first event, Aromantic Visibility Week!

You can double check how to participate in this post, but, in short:

Make sure the focus or featured character(s) is on the aromantic spectrum.

All creations are welcome!

Tag properly, as if tagging for AO3.

Mentions us, and use the tags #staside and #ASideAroWeek!

Posting starts on Feb. 18!

Don't worry about submitting late. We'll keep an eye out all year long!

And now, for the prompts!

Day 1: Self-discovery | Supernatural Creature AU

Day 2: Community | Library AU

Day 3: Family | "I said 'movie day', not 'moving day'!"

Day 4: Coming out | "I am not eating frozen pizza for the third time this week."

Day 5: Attraction | "You're hot. Shame about the personality."

Day 6: QPR | Royalty AU

Day 7: FREE SPACE!

[strangerthings-a-side]

Hello, everyone, and welcome to our very first event, Aromantic Visibility Week!

You can double check how to participate in this post, but, in short:

Make sure the focus or featured character(s) is on the aromantic spectrum.

All creations are welcome!

Tag properly, as if tagging for AO3.

Mentions us, and use the tags #staside and #ASideAroWeek!

Posting starts on Feb. 18!

Don't worry about submitting late. We'll keep an eye out all year long!

And now, for the prompts!

Day 1: Self-discovery | Supernatural Creature AU

Day 2: Community | Library AU

Day 3: Family | "I said 'movie day', not 'moving day'!"

Day 4: Coming out | "I am not eating frozen pizza for the third time this week."

Day 5: Attraction | "You're hot. Shame about the personality."

Day 6: QPR | Royalty AU

Day 7: FREE SPACE!

[strangerthings-a-side]

How to participate

During the visibility weeks, we ask you to make sure the focus or featured character(s) is on the respective spectrum.

You can create whatever you like for each event; fics, art, gifsets, edits, moodboards, and so on. All is valid!

Please tag properly. The tags range from whether it's NSFW, to characters, ships and warnings. Basically, if you would tag it on AO3, tag it here.

We've tried to combine prompts that go well together, but you are free to use only one, or mix and match them as your creativity demands.

Mention us ( @strangerthings-a-side ) in your post, and use the tag #staside so we can keep track of reblogs. If you want to share a work with us, even outside of the events, use the tag! We're going to keep an eye out 😉

Feel free to submit late for the events! We will keep reblogging as long as people are posting things. Just make sure to mention what day/event it is for!

Once again, welcome to the A-Side, and we hope you have fun!

[strangerthings-a-side]

Welcome to Stranger Things, A-Side!

Hello there! Ty and Jay here. 😉

We started this as a way to encourage and uplift more aspec Stranger Things creators and their creations! There are several events planned for throughout the year to get you started.

So whether you’re aspec yourself, or you have all manners of aspec creations you want to share, hop on in! We’d love to hear you!