The last thing on Steve's mind was Eddie Munson. Even when he was all Dustin could talk about. He barely spared the guy a thought when they were in school together to begin with. Eddie occupied precisely zero percent of his brain space.
So it was kind of jarring to have him suddenly take up all the space he had. Steve had come to the school to pick up Dustin, Mike, and Lucas only to see them crowding around Eddie, who was holding one of the nurse's trusty ice packs to his face.
Steve usually just honked his horn to get them to run up and get in, but there was no separating them right now. And the moment Steve walked over, there was a cacophony of voices, shouting over each other. He had to shout even louder to get them to stop and Eddie's wince didn't go unnoticed.
Once it was quiet, Steve only asked. "Who?"
"Jason and his cronies", Mike spat out.
"All of you, car. Now."
"But-!"
"Now!", Steve ordered. The three of them shifted and Steve realized he needed to be specific because obviously they weren't going to leave Eddie behind. And leaving him wasn't a part of Steve's plan either.
"All of you. Munson, you get to ride shotgun."
He didn't wait long enough to see Eddie's expression before turning to get in his car. There was a mad scramble and once again they continued to shout at each other, trying to tell the story. Steve didn't even bother trying to quiet them then, settling for having to piece together the story.
He knew Lucas had tried out for basketball. Between Steve and Mr. Sinclair, he'd gone from hopeless to hopeful. Steve even warned Lucas that sometimes the team did a little hazing for the new recruits. Apparently the hazing went too far in Lucas' case and Eddie stepped in.
Steve never would have expected Eddie to care. To actually step between Lucas and danger when he'd gone out for sports instead of his weird nerd club. Steve found it easy to relate. When they got to his house, he didn't mean to, but basically manhandled Eddie to the bathroom where the first aid kit was.
"Umm-"
"Don't talk", Steve said. Both because he needed to work on his face and also because he wasn't sure what Eddie would say. This was weird, of course it was. But it was the right thing to do. Steve wondered when the right thing would start to feel less weird. After patching Eddie up, he sent him to the living room. Dustin had already turned the tv to something, taking advantage of the Harrington's sound system. And Mike and Lucas were already raiding the fridge.
"Don't get too comfortable", Steve said, hands on his hips. He sighed before heading up to his room. The nail bat was still in his trunk, but he wouldn't need a weapon that rough. When he came back downstairs, bat hanging over his shoulder, Eddie's non-swollen eye got wide.
"Where are you going with that?"
"Taking care of some business", Steve said. "If I'm not back in an hour, order some pizza. Eddie and only Eddie is allowed to drink the beers in the fridge."
There was a trio of groans, but Eddie was still to gobsmacked to speak.
"What the hell is he about to do?", he finally found the words once Steve was out the door.
"Probably gonna bust some kneecaps on Lucas' behalf", Mike said before crunching on a handful of potato chips.
Eddie looked to Dustin for confirmation. There was no way, right? But Dustin only grinned.
"I told you. Bad. Ass."
Eddie still didn't believe it even when Steve returned, a bit sweaty and hair slightly mussed, the beginning of a bruise on his cheek but otherwise unscathed.
He had to believe it when he found out Jason and a few other players suddenly had broken hands or legs.
Inspired by this post. I used some of the dialogue bc I can't rewrite perfection but maybe I can expand on it.
Steve thought he did a pretty good job living up to the expectations of other people. Even when those expectations shifted. It started with his parents, then his friend, the school, eventually the whole town had expectations for him. To be strong, good looking, athletic, authoritative, successful. Being all of that had meant so much to Steve but his priorities shifted a bit when he found out monsters were real.
He was still strong for his friends, his true friends. And being athletic definitely saved his ass more than once. But he wouldn't exactly call himself successful at the moment. Currently he was sitting with two jobs under his belt. And part time scooping ice cream and handing out videos wasn't all that impressive. Especially when both were for less than a year.
What meager savings he had were nearly depleted after months out of work. The government spared no expense when it came to patching up Hawkins (Eddie too) but nothing for the heroes who actually vanquished the evil.
His lack of fundage was really taking the air out of his tires when it came to spoiling Eddie. No one expected Steve to start dating the biggest black sheep of them all but, again, shifting priorities. One expectation he didn't mind rising to was the idea that he had to be a provider. He loved the look on his date's faces when he presented them with a great gift or a really satisfying outing.
And with Eddie it felt like he was flying every time he made him smile. So the lightness of his wallet was really taking the wind from his sails.
He was lamenting as such to Eddie as they leaned against Skull Rock. Steve was determined to turn it back into a makeout spot and not just the place Eddie escaped to while on the run. They were taking a smoke break as Steve spoke.
“I could— ugh. I don’t know, I could maybe try throwing the Harrington name around? See if it gets me a pity hire or something. And then I’d have my own money, and you- you could stop selling if you wanted to.”
He didn't have a problem with Eddie's dealing, per say. Steve just didn't want him to have to do it. He'd managed to graduate and he should have had the time to pursue his real interests now. Instead, he was working at record shop in the next town and still dealing on top of that. He had two jobs while Steve was still struggling to find just one.
Eddie gave pause at his words and blew out a stream of smoke, his lips curling up into a grin after. “What? Want me to be your kept boy, is that it?”
And the way Steve didn't answer, the way his shoulders reached his ears, which were currently burning red, Eddie knew he'd hit the nail on the head. And wasn't that just precious?
“Yeah, Harrington, see. The thing is", he said as he tossed the cigarette. “I much prefer to be the keeper.”
There wasn't much talking after that, Steve's own smoke also discarded as lips met each other. But there wasn't much to talk about. Eddie had already decided for the both of them. The dynamic shifted almost immediately and yet it was so easy for Steve to fall into. Eddie started picking out their dates and that alone was such a load off of Steve's shoulders.
"I can't believe you chose batting cages", Steve beamed. "I thought sports wasn't your thing."
"I don't support how this country worships athletes and lets them get away with anything. That's a cult. Hitting a ball with a bat's a good way to let off steam, though."
Eddie's hand was in Steve's back pocket as they walked up to the place and he dared anyone to say shit. He'd nearly died for this and he was going to enjoy it until his natural death. Plus he knew the owner and in addition to getting dealer discounts, he got other kinds of special treatment. He got Steve set up at one of the stations while he went to get them some snacks.
"Looks like your boy's enjoying himself", the owner said as he handed the tray over.
Eddie turned to look at Steve, a satisfying 'ping!' sounding each time he made a hit, his smile never faltering. His boy. That had a nice ring to it.
-----------------
"What're you up to today?", Eddie asked as he got his lunch box set up for his rounds at the kitchen table.
"Going by the shop to get brake fluid, having lunch with Robin after", Steve said, placing dishes onto the drying rack and getting a towel for his hands.
Eddie grabbed some cash from his box and stood, going to put it in Steve's front pocket. "Lunch is on me", he said as he kissed Steve.
Steve snickered against his mouth. "We're not eating at the Ritz."
"Hmm, then you'll have just enough to get those highlights you've been talking about. Summer's coming soon."
Steve bit his lip. "If I'm doing a walk-in, Pamela might get annoyed with me."
Eddie kissed the worry away and slipped some more money into his pocket. "Gotta make sure Pamela takes care of my boy. And get Will's birthday present while you're at it. It should be ready by now."
And just like that, Steve's list of errands had doubled. And he couldn't be happier.
--------------------------
Eddie honestly didn't put much thought into any of it until years later. And even then, he figured it was just a response to his childhood. He'd never been able to take care of anyone, not even himself. So when he had someone like Steve, he wanted to keep him so well that Steve didn't even need to think, didn't need to worry. Considering they'd been together for six years and were now living in a house together, Eddie figured he'd done a damn good job of living up to that expectation.
There might be something a little dated about the way he handled all the financial business and Steve mostly took care of the house, but everything else they did was modern enough. They still got the odd look from time to time when they walked together, hand in hand or not. Eddie didn't give a damn.
And neither did Steve. He still lit up with glee when Eddie had done their expenses and handed Steve an envelope of cash for the grocery shopping. Steve kissed his cheek before going on his merry way. Eddie not only always put just enough for the shopping, but some extra as well. That was always for Steve to get himself a little something more while he was out. Be that a treat, maybe something for the bedroom, or a trip to the salon.
Sitting with the ladies, hearing about how some of them had secret funds, taking here and there just in case the worst happened, their husband dying or running off. Steve didn't understand living in fear like that. Eddie had declared himself the keeper and had kept that promise ever since.
Steve got home with the groceries the same time Eddie returned and together they brought them inside, talking about their day as they put everything away. In the midst of the conversation, Eddie mentioned they had a few new engagements and Steve added them to the kitchen calendar.
Trying to be the guy Hawkins' wanted him to be had been killing him. He could see that now. But he was pretty good at being Eddie's.
steddie famous au as toxic exes that leave a trail of broken hearts in their wake.
Colin asked after a month of dating, "So why'd you break up?"
Steve just rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Because he was an asshole."
Honestly, that was all Colin needed to hear. Both because it seemed pretty simple and because Steve's hands started to drift and he never could think straight when his boyfriend got frisky.
--------------------
Steve sat at his vanity as he did himself up for the evening. Colin shook his head as he adjusted his sleeves.
"Aren't they just gonna sit you up in a makeup chair before anyone ever sees you?"
"Someone is always watching", Steve said. "Case in point." He found Colin's eyes in the mirror.
Colin, endeared, came over and kissed the top of my head. "That's what I get for dating an actor", he said playfully.
Steve didn't retort with the fact that he was in front of cameras just as much playing baseball. The flashes were endless as they stepped out of the car and onto the carpet. Colin's smile was genuine. How could it not be when he bagged someone as gorgeous as THE Steve Harrington. They'd met when Steve happened to catch a ball at one of his games. Colin signed it. And then by mere coincidence saw Steve gift the ball to a small girl who was drowning in a jersey with his name on it.
Colin was sure of it. He was gonna marry this man.
And the whole world agreed when they saw them together. #Coleve trended every time they went in public.
There was a roar when someone appeared on the carpet down the line behind them. Colin didn't even think to look back. It could be anyone.
Inside, they mingled and Colin kept his arm around Steve. It just felt right. Perfect. Taking a breather at the bar, Colin opened his mouth to order Steve's drink for him when a ringed hand slammed down on the bar.
"Barman, I'll take all the olives you got. And he'll have a Moscow mule, heavy on the lime." None other than winner of Album of the Year, multiple Grammy recipient, and owner of several platinum records Eddie Monstrous winked at his boyfriend (future fiance).
Steve didn't look impressed. "What the hell are you planning with all those olives?"
"Tossing them at folks during the show, the usual mischief." Eddie looked Steve up and down. Taking in the way the Steve's gold and black tuxedo hugged his form. His eyes looked hungry. "You look just as untouchable as always."
Colin knew what Steve's expression meant right now. He was trying really hard to not preen under the attention but that was like trying to cover up the sun. A little light always shined through. Steve said nothing and instead grabbed and sipped the drink when it came.
So Eddie grinned and turned his gaze to Colin instead. "You're the new beau?"
"And you're the old one", Colin said.
One of the most infamous exploits of the musician was his torrid love affair with Steve. Officially off and yet somehow always in the other's orbit somehow.
"Guilty as charged~"
Steve cleared his throat. "I just saw that one guy who said red isn't my color, you two can go ahead and measure your dicks though."
"Wouldn't dream of whipping it out with you gone", Eddie blew a kiss as Steve flipped him off. Eddie bit his lip, eyes drifting down while Steve walked away.
"You really think you'll get him back riling him up like that?", Colin asked.
Eddie chuckled, warmth gone like Steve took the sun with him. "You're new here, so I'll take it easy on you. Normally I don't...exposit like this, but you seem like a nice guy. See Stevie and I, we got a whole red string of fate thing going on. Sometimes that rope chokes us a bit and we loosen it a little. But we're always-always-gonna be connected."
The bartender slid a small bowl of olives across and Eddie popped one into his mouth.
Colin wasn't intimidated. He and Steve fell together in bed every night. They'd been dating six months and he'd narrowed it down to three rings and two venues. Steve had talked about Eddie from time to time, but it was never fondly.
"I don't know what world you're living in, but Steve is on my arm tonight."
"Your arm now, my dick later", Eddie wagged his tongue. His grin didn't falter even as Colin grabbed him by the lapels of his suit.
"Watch how you talk about him", Colin growled lowly, releasing Eddie before anyone else could see.
He stood up to go and find Steve and when he did, his arm went back around his waist. This was right. He wouldn't have even mentioned it if Steve didn't say anything, still sipping on the drink Eddie had ordered him.
"You don't need to be afraid of him", Steve said.
"I'm not", Colin replied.
"The last guy he fought didn't even end up in the hospital", Steve almost sounded disappointed.
Colin started to lead Steve out to a balcony. "What? Does he try and fight your boyfriends or something?"
Steve scoffed. "It was so fucking stupid. I had already kicked him out of the apartment and he saw me talking with some guy at a bar a few days later and Eddie gave him a black eye." Steve laughed softly as he leaned against the railing. "He's such a brute. Honestly. He's nothing like you."
Steve lifted the glass up to his lips when Colin gently pulled it away, taking his hand and kissing the back of it. "Glad to hear it. I'd like to think I'll be a little more permanent."
Smiling, Steve leaned in to kiss him. Before pulling away completely though, he whispered, "I love you, but don't ever take a drink from my hand."
Colin scoffed. It wasn't important, but it was. "Don't you want something sweeter? I know you like a good rum and coke."
"Offering me a second drink before I finish my first? Maybe you are a little dangerous~"
"Finish that one or set it down, 'cause I want both of your hands in mine right now", Colin said.
Steve gulped the last of the mule and held both of Colin's hands, ready to kiss him when his nose tingled with something peppery and tangy. When he opened his eyes, a familiar ringed hand holding another drink was there.
"Figured you'd finished your first by now", Eddie said, pulling Steve's hand from Colin's and placing a spicy fifty there instead. "I had them muddle the chili for your, darling. I know you like it hot."
"Fuck you", Steve said as he brought it to his lips. His eyes stayed train on Eddie's as he took a taste, then licked his lips. He simply hummed and then pulled Colin's arm around his shoulders, walking around Eddie to go back inside.
Colin honestly put Eddie in the back of his mind. He only thought of him when the guy happened to lurk in the corner of his eye throughout the night. Eddie didn't approach either of them for the rest of the night.
At the end of the event, Colin was in front of a camera, giving a few sound bites, ready to call it a night. Steve had been off giggling with Robin Buckley, actress turned director. But when he finished with the interview, Steve was nowhere to be found.
-----------------------
Eddie moaned at the zesty spice on Steve's tongue. He loved the chase and nothing felt sweeter than the spoils of victory. He bit down on Steve's lips, drawing a ragged breath from him.
"You motherfucker."
With a smirk, Eddie gripped his ass and pressed him against the wall. "Just call me daddy then~"
Steve rolled his eyes but then Eddie pulled back and his hands immediately reached for him. "No, wait."
"Say it, sweetheart."
Steve hummed and let his hand trail down Eddie's body. "You remember when I broke your precious $50,000 guitar with one hand?"
"What were we even arguing about, baby?"
"I can't remember. But if you don't fuck me in a backseat right now, I'm gonna break something else", Steve threatened, squeezing his cock.
Eddie groaned, thinking of what his driver was about to hear because Steve couldn't be quiet to save his life. Not that he'd even try. Steve craved attention. And Eddie would give it to him. He'd keep pulling on that red string until they were so wrapped up no one could ever untangle them.
-------------------------
Colin called and texted Steve's phone repeatedly that night. He didn't know for sure what happened until the morning when the gossip mongers had gotten a hold of of photos of the musician and actor running off into the night together and one very incriminating one of Eddie pinning Steve to an elevator door.
In addition to that, Colin woke up to a break up text and olives in his coat pocket.
steve is pretty pent up and has been missing affection so much. steve is so excited for eddie to come into his life because no one has wanted him since he suddenly grew. (is he permanently a giant or does his size fluctuate? i am assuming it is permanent, if not that's interesting too) i can definitely imagine eddie,sitting along the curve of the side of steve's neck and shoulder, curled up to steve's ear to say sweet,flirty and some downright raunchy things.
Ohhhhhhh my god I love them so much.
The day they met, the very first words Eddie hit him with after a quick up and down with his eyes were: "So what can you do? Charm people so hard they melt?"
"I grow", Steve had said.
"I bet you do, big boy."
Eddie had awakened quite a bit in him. Ever since his mutant ability had awakened, Steve thought if he found love, it would be with someone who simply accepted his power. He never imagined finding someone that did more than that.
Someone like Eddie.
"Steve, do you mind clearing some of the trees?", Clarke asked.
"How many?"
"Like this", Kali showed an illusion of cleared, flat land next to the school. They were expanding a little.
Steve grew, towering over the trees and was able to pick them from their roots with ease. Eddie whistled.
"My sexy Paul Bunyan~"
"Paul Bunyan wasn't sexy", Steve chuckled.
"That's why I added it." Eddie held his arms up, wordlessly asking to be picked up.
Steve rolled his eyes but held his hand out anyway. At his current size, Eddie was about the size of a doll to him. He brought Eddie to his shoulder and continued his work. He really should've known better. The moment Eddie got comfortable, he used his position to whisper in his ear. Both sweet nothings and naughty somethings.
"Eddie", Steve hissed. He couldn't exactly whisper, as big as he was. It would still carry. But if Eddie got him excited now, literally everyone would see. It would cast an actual shadow.
"What, baby? I'm just talkin'", Eddie said innocently.
"You've lost your shoulder privileges."
Eddie pouted the rest of the time and Steve enjoyed it. He was used to being wanted. Before his life turned inside out, everyone wanted him. But his power forced him to start keeping people at a distance, even when he learned to control it. Someone wanting all of him? It was intoxicating.
"Why Steve of all people?", Mike asked one day. Right in front of Steve's face, mind you. A group of them were outside, enjoying lunch on a sunny day.
"What can I say? I like a man who can crush me", Eddie answered without a hint of shame.
"I can do that without using my powers", Steve said, rolling his eyes mostly for show.
Steve couldn't really see who was attacking him. But that didn't matter.
"Grab him! GRAB HIM!"
"Shit! AH! Fuck!"
He wasn't gonna let a bunch of random guys get the best of him. Who cared that it was four on one? They had the element of surprise, sure. Steve hadn't expected to get jumped in the space between the Hawkins gym and his car. Serves him right for trying to get extra basketball practice, he supposed.
Steve felt pretty good about holding his own. Two of them were holding themselves where he'd landed a good blow. He could finish this. There was only one guy left (the other must've bolted) and his car was in sight. Steve threw one more punch and booked it, reaching for his keys in his jacket pocket when pain bloomed on his entire left side. Then his right decided to match it when he hit the ground.
'Did I just get hit by a fucking car?'
There was screaming coming from above him but it was cut off as Steve's world went black.
------------------------
Eddie took a deep drag, holding it in before releasing his breath.
"You don't like it", Gareth said, half finished beer in hand.
"Didn't say I didn't like it", Eddie said.
"Dude, we can tell when you approve and when you don't", Jeff pushed up from the crate of whatever Doug's dad kept in the garage.
Doug was nursing a beer too. His second one. "What don't you like about a battle of the bands? We've got the sound."
"And the personality!", Gareth added.
Eddie nodded. "All solid points. But we're missing the money."
"Entry fee's only fifty bucks, man", Jeff said. "I know you got that much."
"$50 to get it", Eddie began to list off his fingers. "Gas money to get us all the way to Chicago-"
"It's like three hours away, Eds", Doug griped.
"Not done! Plus food, plus hotels, plus fixing up our equipment. Jeff and I both need new strings if we're gonna have any chance of winning."
"Well fuck me, I guess", Doug rolled his eyes.
"Dude, the bass guy always gets the most puss at these things. You don't need new strings", Gareth said. "If anything, my drums-"
"If I don't need new strings, why should you get new drums?", Doug argued.
"Ladies, ladies, you're both beautiful", Jeff came between them. "And need I remind you, we're trying to get Eddie on board? Not double our expenses?"
"We're already over budget", Eddie said. "'Sides, we'd be taking my van to get there and old Bessie needs some work done too. 'Specially if she's gonna be hauling our stuff."
It wasn't that Eddie didn't want to go. He just wasn't particularly keen on following pipe dreams. Chicago wasn't far-far. But what were the odds of them going all the way there and hitting it big? It wasn't strictly a metal competition. There'd be rock and probably pop, maybe even country too, who knew. The point was, metal wasn't much of a crowd-pleaser unless the crowd was already primed for it.
He snuffed the joint in his hand and then lit up another one that they all passed around while coming up with get rich quick schemes. It started innocent enough with the suggestions. Blood donations (Doug hated needles, Eddie hated hospitals), garage sale ("Nobody wants our shit."), and even if they all somehow got like three part time jobs by tomorrow, they wouldn't earn enough to get Eddie on board with this whole idea.
The more they talked about it, the more Eddie got riled up. Why should they be left out of something just because they didn't have the money for it? That was bullshit! There were people out there drowning in money and between the four of them they couldn't scrounge up enough just to get them over the state line?
"Blame whoever you want, but the fact is, money's been in the wrong hands for too damn long!", Eddie said, jumping to his feet. "They tell us all the goddamn time that kids are starvin' in Africa but are they doing anything about it?"
"Not a damn thing", Gareth shook his head.
"Meanwhile, there's kids over here that are starving! And they're still not liftin' a finger to help", Eddie gestured with the joint in his hand, half finished between him and Jeff. "No, the rich fucks of the world don't give, they only take. So we've gotta take it back somehow."
"What? Rob a bank?", Jeff snickered.
The others snickered in return at the absurdity of the idea but Eddie was thinking. Of course not a bank heist. But there were people in Hawkins with money...yeah...for sure there was.
"Not a bank", Eddie said, starting to pace around. But there's a couple of rich bastards in town who could stand to part with their cash."
"You wanna rob the mayor's house or something?", Doug offered. He was on his third beer.
"Eddie's got the stealth of a newborn deer", Gareth said.
"Bad analogy, Gare-bear. Prey animals are notoriously stealthy, even from birth", Eddie grinned.
"Still though. If it's really valuable, we wouldn't be able to pawn it without painting a target on our backs", Gareth sighed.
"Wait, what if we did a ransom?", Doug said.
"Yeah, yeah", Jeff nodded. "We get somethin' valuable and basically sell it back to 'em."
Eddie grinned. "A ransom, huh? Now, stay with me boys, but what if-what IF we took someone. Someone important enough that his folks would go through hell or high water to get him back?"
The other three were silent as the realization dawned on them. Eddie could only be talking about one person.
"You're crazy man...", Jeff said, taking the joint from his hand to use it for himself.
"Like a fox", Eddie smirked.
----------------------------
When they talked about it after sobering up, it still sounded like a good idea. The target: Steve Harrington. Rich enough to have a big house, a nice car, and always have the newest things. Dumb enough that he should be easy to get. Sure, he probably had some muscle, being a jock and all, but Harrington notoriously didn't get into fights. Which probably meant he couldn't. But Eddie and his friends had been in scraps before. The perks of being an outcast, he supposed.
Getting him alone was probably going to be the hardest part of all of this. But Eddie happened to know that sometimes Harrington would come to the school's gym early to practice. It was the perfect opportunity.
It meant they had to wake up early on break and take Bessie and sit in the lot without the heat on, freezing their tits while they waited on Harrington to come out of the gym.
"Why are we w-waiting?", Gareth asked, shivering.
"Need him fatigued and all that", Eddie said. Despite the layers, his teeth were clacking. But if the motor was on, Harrington would hear and they'd lose the element of surprise. He reminded himself that this had to be the hardest part - waiting in the cold, especially when they left the van to be closer to the door of the gym. The masks they were provided only minimal warmth.
But after grabbing and bagging Harrington, they'd leave the note, his parents would get it and they'd have their money and return their hostage by Christmas. Easy peasy.
They didn't count on Steve actually being able to hold his own against all four of them. Maybe it was the fact that they'd been out in the cold, maybe it was the lack of muscle mass between them or general lack of coordination. Whatever it was, somehow, Harrington was wrecking their shit single handedly.
Eddie wasn't the best thinker when he panicked. But right now Gareth was holding his nose and Jeff and Doug wouldn't be far behind. So he ran. To his van.
He saw Harrington making a break for it and stomped down on the gas.
Eddie didn't really register what he'd done until he heard Gareth screaming.
"Shut up! Shut up man!", Jeff shouted back.
"Get him in the van!", Doug screamed.
"The note! Shit, the note! Put it in his windshield!", Eddie reminded him.
It was chaos until they were a good distance away from the school. Nothing could be heard but their panting. Steve Harrington was limp and unconscious in the back of his van. Eddie didn't stop until they were at Gareth's.
"How long are your parents gone for?", he asked as they tied Steve down to a chair in the basement.
"They won't be back until New Year's. My aunt just had a new baby." He was holding his nose again now that Steve was secure.
"How long until he wakes up, do you think?", Doug asked.
Steve's gasp as he suddenly sat up straight and struggled against his ropes answered that question. Thankfully, they all still had their masks on.
"Munson?"
"Well, fuck, these things don't work for shit", Gareth said as he pulled his mask off.
"Who the hell are you?", Steve raised a brow.
Eddie just barely held back the bark of laughter. This was stupid, this was so stupid! But they were in it now. And apparently Steve Harrington knew him by...by some defining characteristic.
"How'd you know it was me?", he asked as he took the mask off.
"Your hair's pretty distinct", Steve said. "What the hell is this? What's going on?"
Eddie grinned and bent over, getting into Steve's face. "Well, Stevie dearest, all you need to know is that you're going to make us very rich."
Steve recognized Eddie Munson. The guy was hard to ignore, what with the way he leapt onto lunch tables and hooted down the halls. The other three guys....well once they took off their ski masks, Steve still didn't really recognize them outside of the fact that they must be Munson's friends.
Telling him he was going to make them rich didn't really explain why he was tied up in a basement. His wrists were behind his back and his ankles were bound together. If he was left alone, he could hop to safety and find a knife or something to cut himself loose. But first-
"How the hell am I supposed to make you money when I'm tied up like this?"
"This might be the most useful you've ever been", one of them said. He had brown, curly hair and looked a little surly.
Steve resented that. And it still didn't tell him about what was happening right now.
"Let's no tease", Eddie said, still grinning. "It's real simple, Harrington. We need some quick cash. So we left a little note on your car, telling your folks that if they want you back, they better fork over the money. Once we get it, we return the princess to the palace and our transaction's done."
"You're....holding me hostage...to ransom me?"
"That's the plan", Eddie said. "So just hold tight. Your folks are bound to notice you missing soon and-"
"They won't", Steve cut him off.
"What?"
"They won't notice I'm gone. Or pay the ransom even when they do. This is pointless."
"He's lying", one of them said. They had moved behind Steve, so he couldn't tell who it was. He wouldn't know their name, even if he could.
Steve sighed and leaned back in the chair. "I'm telling the truth. You might as well let me go. This is gonna get you nowhere."
Eddie crossed his arms. "You just sit tight right there. He's tied up, right?"
"Yeah, he's not goin' anywhere."
Munson nodded, leaving with the other three and going up the stairs. Steve huffed. He couldn't tell what time it was, but with it being winter, night time probably wasn't far off. God his body hurt. Nothing felt broken but getting hit by a vehicle at any speed was bound to leave him sore. But he was alone now. So he had to at least try to get free.
-------------------
"He's bluffing, right?", Doug asked once they were up and in the living room. Gareth had gone to the kitchen to grab sodas.
"He's gotta be. I bet his parents will be trying to get him back before the hour's up", Jeff said. "There's no way they wouldn't notice him missing."
Eddie's knee bounced as he sat on the couch. For some reason, he wasn't so sure. There was something in the way Steve had said it. It wasn't in desperation for his situation. He'd said it so matter of fact. Almost like he was trying to save them time.
"Shit, what if his folks went out of town?", Eddie suddenly stood up.
"They wouldn't go on vacation without him", Gareth said, cracking open a soda.
"Yours did", Jeff pointed out.
"Yeah, but I'm the family disappointment. Steve's probably their golden child."
Suddenly, Eddie wasn't so sure. And when he got an itch, he had to move. "I'm gonna go and check something out. Keep an eye on Harrington."
Eddie ignored the questions as he put his winter gear back on and went out to his van. He drove to Steve's house, and very easily picked the lock to the back door and got in. He checked for any sort of signs that Steve's parents were gone. He checked the garage and looked out onto the driveway, no car. No one was home. And after a bit of snooping, he found it.
A planner in a drawer that was marked. The Harringtons had left town for a trip almost a week ago. They wouldn't be back until the week after New Year's.
"Well fuck."
Eddie drove back in time to see Steve bursting through the front door of Gareth's house, arms and legs still tied, hopping down the steps of the porch. Before Eddie could get out of the van, Doug was tackling him onto the snow covered lawn and the other two followed behind.
"What the hell?! I wasn't even gone for half an hour!"
Doug had his arms around Steve as he got up from the ground. "He just got loose somehow!"
"Well get him back inside before someone sees!", Eddie shouted.
Somehow, despite Steve's kicking and thrashing, they managed to get him tied back down in the chair much more securely than before. Eddie leaned in, putting his hands on the armrests.
"That wasn't very nice of you."
"Screw you! You guys kidnapped me!"
"Yeah. Yeah we did", Eddie nodded, standing up straight. "Conference, boys."
The four of them turned away from Steve, talking in hushed whispered. Steve sighed and rolled his eyes. The rope was starting to burn his wrists and he could really use a beer and a smoke. He heard one of them curse under their breaths and the whispers got more hurried and louder under Munson was gripping two of them by the back of the neck to get them back in line.
They whispered some more and then turned back to face Steve. Great. They looked like they had an idea and their last idea ended with him tied to this chair. Before Munson could open his mouth again, Steve spoke up.
"Look, if it's money you need, I can probably get it for you."
Eddie held up a hand to keep the others from responding too quickly. "We demanded $5,000 from your parents. You can get us that on your own?"
It was more than what they needed for the battle of the bands. But they figured, go big or go home. But instead of looking like he'd just dug himself into a hole, Steve looked almost relieved.
eddie looking up at giant steve practically salivating all "i'm gonna climb him like a tree" vs robin dogging on steve and shouting up at him to trim his nose hair.
She doesn't allow him a single day of peace but sometimes she does regret it.
"You know, you could start cutting off your hair and selling it when you grow", Robin said. "You'd make a fortune selling wigs."
"Cut my hair? Do you even hear yourself?" Steve ran a hand through his luxurious locks to prove his point. They had a few moments before they had to go to Hopper's class.
"You've got hair in other places. Like your chest. You could wax it."
It was at that moment that Eddie passed them by. "Don't know what you're discussing but if it's about waxing, you better be talkin' about cars, Buckley."
"I am in fact talking about Steve." Robin leaned her elbow against Steve's shoulder. "Shouldn't he get big and shave off some hair to make wigs? ......Eddie?"
"Hm? I stopped listening after 'get big'."
Robin scoffed. "When he...gets to a certain size, his chest hair alone is probably a whole forest."
Steve crossed his arms, continuing the conversation about not only the logistics but who would even want a wig made from chest hair but all Eddie could think of was a wonderland of hair that he could quite literally roll in. He only tuned back in when Steve tapped his chin.
"Wipe the drool off, sailor."
"God, you need a mop", Robin pulled Steve along so they wouldn't be late.
"You should know better than to mention my body around him of all people. I don't know what you expected." Steve looked back to give Eddie a final wink before allowing Robin to lead him to class.
Steve gets the wrong number and starts texting an interesting guy. Steddie, modern au, no upside down
Steve had been feeling pretty good. He’d gone out, had a nice conversation with a girl at the bar and gotten her number. He didn’t feel sparks but she was nice and cute. They didn’t talk about anything too deep but when Steve had asked for her number she put it in and then left with her friends.
He tried not to be too desperate. But he wanted to let her know he was serious and that he would (eventually) be good boyfriend material. So a little before midnight, he shot a text to her to make sure she was alright.
[11:47] Hey this is Steve just making sure you got home okay 🙂
He had debated on the emoji but figured it was harmless and innocent in the end. He put his phone down and got ready for bed, expecting her to text back after a couple of minutes. Unless she didn’t get home safely. Steve tried not to think about that.
After changing his clothes and brushing his teeth he checked his phone. He lit up when he saw that Misty had replied.
(11:52) Sure did Steve-o
(11:53) Thanks for your concern 🫡
Misty texted a little different from the way she talked. A bit more…well he wasn’t sure how to describe it. Misty seemed like a really straight-laced woman. She was in the process of getting her education degree.
Steve shot back another message, saying that he had a good time tonight and he really hoped to see her again. There it was. A clear intention. If she responded positively, he’d ask her out right then. But the reply didn’t come as quick as he wanted. When it got around 12:30, Steve finally called it a night. Misty had probably gone to sleep as well.
-------------------------------------------
[11:47] Hey this is Steve just making sure you got home okay 🙂
Eddie stared at the text he just received. He racked his brain for whoever Steve must be and what he had done all day today, wondering if he met someone but their name just slipped his mind.
But nope. He had spent this lovely Saturday at home, lounging around in his apartment on his day off. He hadn’t gone out. And he hadn’t met anyone named Steve. The message came when he was in the middle of making his near-midnight dinner of mac and cheese. Whoever this guy was, he was clearly checking in on someone.
Eddie looked at his surroundings. Decent place, a bit cramped but big enough for just him and for anyone who needed to crash on his couch. He had popped out earlier to get some cigs and he had in fact made it back safely.
(11:52) Sure did Steve-o
(11:53) Thanks for your concern 🫡
And who said he didn’t have impulse control? He thought about it for at least two minutes before sending the message.
[11:55] I had a nice time tonight. Hope to see you again.
Eddie looked at the new text, his chewing slowing to a stop. This Steve guy had met someone, spent some time with them, and was now trying to set up another date. There were a few ways to go about this. For just a moment he considered what a rational person would do, just a moment though.
A rational person might’ve said right away ‘wrong number’ or ‘wires crossed’. But Eddie’s brain didn’t function on rationality. So even though Steve clearly meant to text someone else, Eddie thought of the best way to reply. It did take him a bit to send it, the macaroni was calling to him. But by 1, Eddie had sent something back.
(1:07) You saw me?
(1:09) From my apartment?
(1:10) Creepy
He went to bed, thinking he’d wake up to a very confused man and when morning came he wasn’t disappointed.
[8:13] What are you talking about? It’s Steve? From the bar?
Eddie checked his clock. It was ten in the morning. Who got up at eight on a Sunday? Eddie’s first thought was a church-goer. Those folks were early risers. But they didn’t frequent bars too much.
(10:29) Sorry man
(10:30) I think you got the wrong number
(10:30) I didn’t go to a bar last night.
Once he sent it, Eddie belatedly hoped the words weren’t too blunt. It couldn’t feel nice, getting a number error. But after a moment of thinking, he started coming around to the idea that maybe Steve wasn’t such a catch. People didn’t give wrong numbers after a good time. Maybe he actually was a creep.
[10:36] Oh. Well, I’m sorry to bother you.
Eddie rolled from his back onto his stomach. Curse his soft heart. He didn’t know anything about this man and somehow he felt sorry for him. But he wasn’t about to go gushing to a stranger. Who knows what kind of interactions Steve had with this mystery number? So instead, he went the typical Eddie route and tried to lighten the mood.
(10:38) Probably dodged a bullet
(10:38) They could’ve been a serial killer
(10:39) Or worse someone who jogs in the morning
He put that little dig there just to feel out Steve. If he wasn’t at church, maybe he was the kind to go and workout in the morning. In the middle of making his coffee, Eddie realized he was trying to learn about the dude and thought he might be courting danger. Then he heard a ‘ping!’ and any ideas of caution were thrown to the wind.
Leaning against the counter, the only sound was the percolating as he read what Steve had said.
[10:46] Okay confession. I did actually go for a jog this morning. Is that weird?
Eddie started to visualize this man and another alarm went off in his mind that he promptly shooed away.
(10:47) No not weird at all
(10:47) It’s perfectly natural for an insane person
(10:48) Didn’t you go drinking last night?
(10:48) And then you went for a jog this morning?
(10:49) You might just be more scary than a murderer
(10:50) Scratch that
(10:50) This seems like text book serial killer behavior
(10:51) Bet this is how you scope out your targets
The coffee finished brewing and Eddie starting pouring it and it was only then he realized the wall he’d sent Steve accusing him of being a killer. It looked like texts from a crazy person. He looked crazy. His friends had complained more than once about him sending these streams of texts instead of keeping it all in one response. Steve was going to see that and leave him on read, or just block his number.
[10:57] Damn guess I better come up with a new tactic.
Eddie didn’t realize how hard he was smiling until he tried to drink and spilled hot coffee on himself. Alarms were ringing in his head again but he might as well be deaf.
