Modern AU! Steve Harrington x Reader, past Eddie Munson x Reader, past Steddie
Word Count: 3.6K
Warning(s): mention of slight non-consensual leg touching, Platonic Stobin of course, lowkey heavy platonic Stobin based at the end, Eddie is lowkey a bad friend, mentions of poker and drinking, maybe some angst?, memory fogginess after drinking, unrealistic promises let’s be real. Lowkey not beta read.
a/n: so like I disappeared.. I got so caught up with trying to make this chapter perfect that I kept getting frustrated so…I didn’t work on it for months. BUT I AM SOOO BACK! Taglist is open… we are so up
Spacer by @saradika-graphics
Masterlist
The aromatic smell of simmering garlic and rosemary hit you first, the dim lighting making you blink a few times to see inside of the little gem of an Italian restaurant Eddie had found. The ride over was less than uneventful, save for finding out Eddie and Hudson were no more. Shocking. When the words left Eddie’s lips, you couldn’t help the look that you gave Steve.
And to your surprise, he was giving you the same look back. That commute to Eddie’s had made you understand him and him, you, a bit more. Maybe not fully, but there was that connection. He couldn’t deny that you were exactly what Eddie described in those rare phone calls years ago; funny, kind, and fucking talented. So why was he still feeling that sinking feeling in his gut when Eddie stood too close, looking at you like you hung the moon?
He didn’t have much time to ponder, attention being pulled to happy squeals. Robin had bolted from her seat at the corner booth to greet her friends, and in turn, you. Her blue eyes glimmered as she rapidly talked to Steve, wrapping her arms tightly around him only to move that affection to Eddie.
“Whoaaa Robin! Hey!” A surprised laugh left the taller man, arms wrapping around his friend before patting her back. Then her attention turned to you, eyes widening and sparkling at the sight of you.
‘Oh god’ Eddie thought, reading Robin’s expression like a children’s book. The way her eyes shone while drinking you in, breath stuttering as you introduced yourself. God, even your voice was perfect.
Watching Robin slowly snap back to reality, you giggle as a “fuck, shit. Sorry” worriedly escaped her lips before waving at you.
“I’m Robin! I’ve heard so much about you!”
”Nice to meet you Robin! Hopefully it wasn’t anything crazy.” chuckling, you enjoyed the pace at which Robin functioned at, fast enough that you weren’t bored but slow enough you weren’t overwhelmed. On the other hand, if Eddie ever got excited it was all encompassing. While that’s fun, it also became overstimulating. God, why were you comparing everyone to him again?
“Robs,” Steve cut through, hand on his friend’s shoulder, “where are we sat?” That’s true, you were supposed to meet Nancy and Jonathan here, too. Your eyes traced around the restaurant but with the dim lighting, it was so hard to see.
“Oh! Over here!” Robin bopped off, rushing ahead of you, Eddie, and Steve with a pep in her step. Weaving between tables filled with couples and business executives, it hit you how fancy this place really was.
Private.
Lost in thought, you almost run into Robin’s back. Steve’s arm immediately jutted out to stop you from creating, what might’ve been, the most embarrassing scene you’d probably experience the whole year. Mumbling a thanks, you watched the other girl, Nancy, slide out of the booth to greet the three of you with a smile. She’s stunning, brown hair styled perfectly, eyes shimmering brightly. She exuded comfort the same way Robin exuded a playful energy. Introducing yourself to her, you then look at Jonathan and wave.
You’ve met him before, before Eddie, actually. He was looking for a female subject for his student film and you were the perfect answer to his call. A year under him at NYU, you were a music production student with more time on your hands since your internship hadn’t started yet.
The fact you two met naturally never came up, not wanting to bruise Eddie’s ego because it would. It would catch him in a lie; that he never wholeheartedly watched the art Jonathan made. It was a topic over drinks one night with Jonathan only to never be talked about again.
Sliding into the circular booth, you were again pressed between Steve and Eddie, heart pounding in your chest as Eddie’s hand mindlessly found your knee under the table. A habit he slipped into, one that he promised he broke. One that you swore you didn’t mind once in a while.
Steve noticed immediately, the hot, bubbling feeling coming back to the pit of his stomach. Was it because he was jealous? No, couldn’t be. Genuinely, he was over Eddie romantically and your experience with him solidified that for him. So what was it?
He noticed the way you stiffened, though you kept joking along with Nancy, asking her about her career and asking about how she got into journalism. He noticed how you attempted to nudge his hand off with a jolt of your knee while talking about Jonathan’s film career which, unsurprisingly, had begun to take off.
”Yeah, it’s crazy. My last script just got picked up by Neon! I begin filming in September!” His voice buzzing with pride that was met with praises and excited chatter. Yet even through that, he was half there as he watched Eddie look at you like a hurt puppy when you directly fixed Eddie’s touch. A smirk came across Steve’s lips, he couldn’t help it. Even though Eddie had mumbled an apology and something about it being a ‘habit,’ you quietly scolded him while the rest of the table conversed freely, without notice. All but Steve, that is.
”Eddie, you know the boundaries I’ve set after what happened. I don’t care if it’s a ‘habit’ for you, stop.” There was strength in your whispers, eyes focusing on the taller man before rejoining the conversation.
‘Good for you.’ Steve thought to himself, hiding his smirk behind the pint of the beer he’d ordered. Hopping right back to conversations with his friends, it was like they all hadn’t been all across the states. Like they never left one another’s sides.
-
“No! Like I felt soooo bad!” Nancy laughed, nudging your shoulder with her own as the group walked down the street. Dinner was otherwise uneventful, stories of what it was like living in the Midwest, how Eddie was deemed a ‘cult leader’ by the jocks, and how Jonathan and Steve used to hate one another.
What also came up was Steve’s past relationship with Nancy, brought up by Robin. Intrigued, you kept probing questions until the six of you were warmed by the summer air and alcohol in your bellies.
”I kept telling him it was bullshit! Like that was the only word I knew!”
“All because he accidentally spilled punch on you?! Fuck, you must’ve loved that shirt.” That made Nancy burst out in another wave of laughs, shaking her head as she clung to Robin. Eddie, Jonathan, and Steve were a few paces behind the trio of girls, talking about what Steve’s plans were, how long he’s staying, and what his night looks like.
Yet he was only half interested in the conversation, eyes following your form hanging onto Nancy and Robin. Your laugh pierced his ears and caused him to short circuit, the way that you immediately got along with his friends stirred something in him that he hadn’t felt since sophomore year when Nancy and him were first sneaking around. He never felt it again after they had broken up but now here you were, an anvil on his chest that, with pressure, pushed out feelings he never thought he’d have again.
Now here he was, happily following you and his friends back to your apartment for an ‘early nightcap,’ not wanting to dull the night. Energy palpable as the packed streets and concrete scenery turned into a small park and decorated building facades that seemed out of a movie.
Turning from your conversation with Nancy and Robin, you caught Steve’s eyes first. The two glasses of wine in your system making you a bit looser with your reactions and words. With pink cheeks, you pointed to him and tried not to giggle.
“S’you and Jonathan were, like, mindlessly competing for Nancy f’like a year? Shit, man!” With a shake of your head, you took hold of Robin’s hand and she took hold of Nancy’s as you three skipped hand in hand down the street. Steve tried to spit out an excuse, some explanation that fell on deaf ears as your speed with the two girls far outpaced the three men who strolled behind. Jonathan couldn’t help but laugh at the attempt made, hand on Steve’s shoulder while shaking his head with a chuckle. Everything felt brighter, warmer, kinder. It had been a while since you had a group of friends who were just existing. Living life without the worry of social media followers and how things would look on an algorithm, it was refreshing.
Eddie noticed it first, the way you slipped into comfort. Pride bursted in his chest.
Jonathan noticed something different, though. He noticed the way Steve’s eyes focused on you and only you. Even if it was without him realizing, he made a note to bring it up to Steve when he sees him next.
-
The next morning came with a pang behind your eyes and a clammy stickiness on your skin. Groaning, you rolled in your bed to shield your face from the sun only to hit something solid. Someone. Peaking through your lashes, it took a moment to blink away the sleep that blurred your sight. The form slowly turned from a blob to a shape to a detailed human being. Steve laid beside you, sleeping soundly, while still dressed in his clothes from the night before. Behind you, there was another shift. Rolling to your other side, Robin lay with a drool puddle under her mouth and her hair stuck to her face. She wore one of your old NYU shirts and pajama shorts that you assumed you lent her.
Clambering over Robin, you padded to the connected bathroom to splash water on your face while trying to recall the night after dinner. Red wine, penne alla vodka, an all you can eat bread basket (which turned into warfare over the last roll).
That was a good start. Exiting back into your room, the sight before you caused a laugh to bubble in your chest. Robin laying diagonally, feet pushed to Steve’s back, practically pushing him off the bed. Rolling your eyes, you snuck out to the kitchen.
Coffee was calling your name and so was the bisquick pancake mix that you’d just got from the store. Padding over the linoleum, your hands worked on their own. Filter, coffee grounds, water on the side section, brew. You then began to work on actual breakfast food. The headache that resided behind your eyes had migrated to your temples, causing you to work in the kitchen with only the sunlight to guide you.
Rum and coke, vodka soda’s, Cards Against Humanity, and a heated round of UNO. Eddie suggested poker, real money at stake. Fuck. Nancy and Jonathan left for home, sober enough to agree on sharing an uber. It was all coming back to you in pieces but at least it was there. Memories of laughter, faux cruel words being thrown around when you won the final round of poker.
Steve. Vanilla, cedar wood, juniper berries, Irish Spring soap. Flecks of green in brown, beauty marked skin. Warm skin, flushed with a blush. Warm breath dusting your cheek, cold metal pressed on your back. Cigarette forgotten in the ashtray, just like the friends inside. Music and voices muffled by the sliding glass door and city sound.
What the hell happened? You couldn’t piece that together, not with the other memories from the night.
Dejected looks, hurt and confusion on Eddie’s face that was so well hidden it was barely noticeable. But you noticed. You remembered. His voice hung in your head, realization in his voice as he spoke to you. It was muffled in your memory but you could remember the icy feeling down your spine and the heated rage in your stomach. Bile bit down for the sake of saving face in front of friends. Eddie left when Nancy and Jonathan did, saying he had a flight to Los Angeles early in the morning.
What the hell set Eddie off and why did you have flashes of Steve’s lips close to your neck?
“Mornin’ oh lovely host.” Jumping a bit, you relax under Robin’s sleepy gaze. Her hands rubbing her eyes as she joined you in the small kitchenette, pale skin gaunt with temporary exhaustion.
“G’mornin, birdy.” You hum back, pushing a mug across the counter to her. Her blue eyes widening at the nickname before huffing a laugh.
“Y’know, if anyone else called me that, they’d get an earful.”
“I’m not because..?” You cooed, whisking the pancake mix once more, making sure all the tiny lumps were beaten out.
”’Cuz you’re makin’ me breakfast and ‘cuz you’re being cute.” A groan escaped Robin as she sipped her coffee happily. She had found the mini bar of syrups you had and pumped her mug full of vanilla and caramel flavoring. The only thing the coffee gave her at that point was caffeine.
“Well aren’t I lucky then. D’ya like chocolate chips in your pancakes and d’ya think Steve would mind?” Turning to look at your new friend wholly, now, you couldn’t help the laugh that fell from your lips. Your hand flew to your mouth to stop but you couldn’t help it.
Standing in front of you was Robin hunched over her coffee mug. Her hair was a nest on one side and a streak of dry drool painted her cheek. It was a sight to behold and just as you were about to crack a joke, there was a thump from your room.
“Huh? God fuck, ow!” Steve’s voice filled your ears, annoyed and sleep-ridden. You heard the fan to your bathroom flick on then off.
“Y’think I look like a model, wait til you see Mr. Hair in the morning. Looks like Ben Franklin himself tied the key and kite to Steve.” Motioning to her head, she mouthed ‘electrocuted’ to you before the man stood at the archway of the kitchen. He stalled, eyes finding yours immediately and he sucked in a breath. There you were, in an oversized shirt and silk pajama shorts similar to the one’s Robin loaned.
You stood there, holding a bag of chocolate chips in one hand, coffee mug in another as you brought it to your lips. There was some eyeliner from the day before smudging under your eyes, skin free of any foundation or concealer. You were simply there, in your pajamas, comfortable and making breakfast, and yet all he could focus on was how soft you looked. How soft you felt.
How sweet you smelled.
God, he couldn’t get the sight of you against the cityscape out of his head. The way the breeze had whipped around you and how the alcohol in his system made him feel all warm and fuzzy. Staring at you now with your messy hair and inquisitive eyes, Steve quickly realized you had asked a question.
“Sorry…what?” He asked sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck while a blush creeped up his neck.
“Do you want chocolate chips in your pancakes?” Motioning to the bag in your hand, you stood up straighter and held it up higher like a man on tinder holding a fish.
”Nice catch, but yes, those are fine.” Scooting past Robin in the kitchenette, Steve grabbed the mug you had taken out earlier before filling it with coffee. Some almond milk, some sugar, and siiip. A sigh escaped his lips as Robin’s voice filled his head. Something about cramping up the kitchen but he was too lost in his head to fully register.
Did you remember last night? Did you remember the way a shared cigarette turned into an almost. Then Eddie’s face, the jealousy that simmered underneath the flicker of shock then mask he had put up. But you also remember bickering, long stares and a tense tone in a deep voice. Everything was muddled like mint in a mojito. It was probably another stupid argument with Eddie. That’s what you wrote it off as for the time being, at least.
Padding over to the couch, Robin plopped down with her coffee while still talking over to Steve who leaned over the counter. All the while you’re pouring pancake mix into a skillet and humming away. The vibe was peaceful, calm. Domestic even.
”So did you find a place yet, Stevie boy?” Robin cooed over her mug, looking to Steve who migrated to the opposite side of the couch and sprawled out. A groan escaped his lips as he sipped at his mug. “Why can’t I move in with you? Do you hate me?”
Bickering filled the small living area, Robin dead staring at Steve. “I think you and I have a different recollection of what it was like living together back in Hawkins.” Looking over your shoulder at the two, a breathy laugh escapes your lips at the shocked face he displayed at his friend. Faux hurt as his hand laid across his sternum. “I thought it was rather pleasant!”
“Honey, you were a mess. Not with your things but godddd… the drama.” Splayed with her hand over her forehead, Robin quickly recalled the first date Steve had after he and Eddie had broken up. Then the next. Then the next. Then they all found out about one another, though each was nothing but casual. It was like a scene from Love Island or some other trashy TV show when they all showed up at their small apartment.
Casual or not, Steve agreed it was messy of him to do that but with a raised hand in defense, he spoke over his coffee. “Hey, I was young and dumb still. Now I’m young, kind of dumb, but matured. My frontal lobe is developed and all. Plus, I don’t think I would date yet.” A casual shrug of his shoulders was comedic with Robin’s immediate reaction. Jaw on the ground, brows furrowed in concern as her gaze bore a hole into him. It was such a funny thing to watch as you dished pancake after pancake onto a large plate.
“Are you…okay? Did you hit your head?”
Robin knew Steve like the back of her hand, his heart of gold complimented his understood hopeless romantic state. It was like..his top third right after deeply loyal and surprisingly selfless, especially after high school. ‘Re: Asshole King Steve’ Robin would remind him during late night calls, groaned questions about ‘what was wrong’ with him with a hand dragged over his face. But this is different. He was...serious. No dramatic tone, no rolling eyes and limp wave when met with Robin’s side eye. He was genuine, serious. No dating..yet. Not now. Not with the move and being in a new city, which most guys would jump at the new faces. New women to discover, new beginnings to have, new stories to weave.
Steve was an outlier with not seizing that opportunity. Robin knew her best friend was a sucker for love and, honestly, it was one of the things she loved about him. He loved his friends, he loved his chosen family, he loved the way life unraveled because, if it was any different, he wouldn’t be who he was or where he was today. If he had to go through Hell over and over again to just be where he was, he’d do it in a heartbeat.
”I just don’t..” a pause, a gaze between the two women in front of him, “I don’t want to fuck up anything that’s happening. I don’t want to get involved then it just…implode. That’s been my streak recently.” Running his thumb up and down the side of the mug he held, Steve caught your gaze. Bleary eyes still rimmed with sleep as you put plates on the bar top.
“I commend you.” Breaking the silence, you served two of the pancakes on each plate before pushing them towards your new friends. “Most people would jump at the opportunity of a new dating pool. New city, new you.”
“Yeah! Sorry!” Robin plopped herself on one of the barstools before grabbing maple syrup and slathering it on before taking a forkful and feeding it to her mouth. “I just thought after the months long dry spell and sudden life change that, y’know, there might be a slight reappearance of ‘King Steve.’” with a wave of her hand, In response, he just shrugged, shoving his own forkful into his mouth before speaking a ‘valid assumption’ with a mouthful of food.
That earned a grown from you, waving a hand with an offended face. “Dude, don’t talk with your mouth full! Ewww.” The smirk that crossed your lips told that you meant no harm, that it was in jest.
“Sorry, habit of living alone. Most morning talks were over the phone or awkward goodbyes.” With a wiggle, another roll of your eyes was earned before Robin shoved his arm gently.
“So, let’s make a deal.” Robin started, forking off another pancake onto her plate, “you can move in with me on the promise that for the first month and a half you won’t date.”
”Forty-Five days?!”
”Forty-six. BUT! After you have free reign or whatever.”
Through his lashes, Steve ran a free hand through his hair whilst casting a gaze to Robin. Furrowed brows as he thought of the payoffs. He could realistically do that. What’s forty-six more days of an already months long dry spell of romance?
But then there’s you.
You standing in your kitchen sipping on your own coffee in the most comfortable, worn in shirt he’s ever seen.
You whose poise, kindness, and grace was admirable and made his heart speed up just a beat faster.
You who, last night, shared the same breath as him. Who smelt the sweetness of your perfume, unbridled and unfiltered.
With a look back to Robin, Steve shrugged before nodding to Robin.
people are always like "Oh a vampire wouldn't get horny while drinking someone's blood, that's like getting horny while eating a sandwich" and like man have you never had a really good fucking sandwich?
"nobody likes a complainer" you say, like an idiot, as if thriving ecosystems of friendships aren't blossoming every day based solely on people vocally disliking the same things in similar ways
the pitt fic idea: patient comes in with a emotional support dog and the pup just sticks to robby’s side for the entirety of the shift and everyone thinks it’s adorable until they learn it’s a suicide prevention dog
one cool thing about having an autistic dad whose special interest is underwater spearfishing is that when he catches fish he'll just call up a nearby chinese restaurant like "hi. i caught a fish. can you cook it and i'll bring my family by?" and they're like "yeah sure come on over white boy" and the fish is delicious.
it's worth adding that my mom is chinese and she always gets embarrassed by this. like she doesn't want to come to the restaurant with us. she doesn't want to be seen with the white man she caught plus the fish that her white man caught. everyone who works at the restaurant thinks my dad is awesome and compliments him + her for choosing him and we all find this very fun except for her.
listening to a man break up with his partner on the train and the first sentence I heard was "I just don't appreciate you cheating on me six different times, once with my own father."
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