Changes
@genderthings ST Women's Day: bouquet T | 805 | Pre-Steddie | Transfem Eddie, coming out, canon adjacent, phone calls | I am not sponsored by Lego but they can call me wink wink | Ao3
"Hey, you're good at making gifts, right?"
"Who is this?"
For a second, Steve blanks, wondering if he's dialed the right number. But the voice in his ear sounds right.
"Steve? Steve Harrington?"
"Dude, I haven't heard from you in forever."
"Come on, it's been a couple of months at best," Steve protests, but as he starts doing calculations in his head, it doesn't sound as short anymore.
"Uh-huh, try half a year."
"Shit. Sorry, Eddie. Moving had been... a lot. Guess I've lost track of time. How's life?"
"A lot of work. We have a few labels interested in working with us, but we have to make a few more demos to get signed for an album. But it's... It's good, it feels good."
Steve smiles at the receiver, happy that another one of his friends is following his dreams.
"That's great! I'm happy for you guys. We should meet up when you're less busy."
"Yeah, totally," Eddie agrees quickly. "I have something to tell you, actually."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"I, uh... So much has changed, man. Different city, different life... It's not Hawkins anymore, you know"
"Tell me about it," Steve chuckles.
"And I'm changing too. And I'm worried it might be too much."
Steve frowns. Change was always scary, and often meant someone would be left behind, usually him. But he soldiers on with a joke.
"What, you got even more tattoos? Human painting style?"
"You bet your ass I did," Eddie laughs.
"Well, Hawkins might hate it, but as long as you're happy, your friends will have your back. We didn't save the world for nothing, right?"
"Right," he parrots. "So, what did you want to ask me?"
"Ah! Women's Day is coming up and I'm completely blank on what to give Robin."
"Dude." There's a shuffle in the other side, like Eddie changed his position to be more comfortable. "You're her weird cosmic bestie, shouldn't you know her best? How could I possibly be of service?"
"Well," Steve draws out the word, slumping against the wall. "She buys all the books she wants, she's against expensive clothes, we're stocked on candy for a year, and we have limited space. But she said she'd like something to decorate her room, make it more homey."
"Uh, a plant?" Eddie suggests.
"Eddie. Would I be calling you if the answer was as simple as a plant."
"I'm guessing Buckley is a serial plant killer then."
"She murdered my basil plant and I haven't forgiven her yet."
Eddie snorts before making a loud hum.
"Alright then, well. A painting, a poster?"
"She already has so many posters," Steve groans. "I'm not sure there's even space left on the wall, not after she stole that huge Madonna one."
"I see the big city is doing her good, huh?"
"I need ideas."
"I don't know, man. You're close enough, get her a vibrator or something."
"Already got her one for Christmas."
It's Eddie's turn to groan.
"Just give her fake flowers, Jesu— wait. Does she like puzzles?"
"Uh, yeah? But we have nowhere to display them, so—"
"Did you know Lego has flower sets?"
