Hi! I'm Apple. I currently write for Stranger Things. The majority is Steddie, but I do branch out from time to time, and you'll probably also notice some Gareth-centric fics popping up from me these days.
Last updated: June 24th, 2025.
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My hashtag #thisapplepielife: short fics gathers nearly every fic I post on Tumblr in one place. Short is relative, of course, but I've ended up using it for anything that isn't a long fic or series. There's gotta be 150+ standalone fics in there by now. With a lot of them not on ao3 at this time.
Note: As of 1/20/25 some of my fic tags are broken in some way that doesn't include all my fics anymore. Until I find the problem, they do work if searched on my blog, instead of all of tumblr, so I changed the links. If I ever get it corrected, I'll swap them back.
I've written a little connected end of the world universe set post-apocalypse. All those fics can be found in the end of the word au tag.
I also run the event blog @corrodedcoffinfest - if you'd like more Corroded Coffin fan works in your life, come join us!
Author's Self-Rec Fic: Tuesday's Gone With the Wind - this is my favorite thing I've written. So, if you wanna know what I'd tell you to read? It's that one.
(Some of my work is rated E, so please be mindful of ratings.)
I found myself way overdue for an updated masterlist, as my original one looks like I've only written three fics. So, here we go:
I've currently got three long fics all complete and ready to read in full. Tuesday's Gone With the Wind is my personal favorite, Take the Money and Run is my most popular and All Across the Universe is my most recent!
Tuesday's Gone With the Wind, Complete
Steddie, E, 184K, 9/9 Chapters (Read on AO3)
Corroded Coffin's leased plane went down on June 13th, 1995 in the woods of Louisiana.
Ten people on board died.
Eddie Munson survived.
Before he survived, he really lived.
Take the Money and Run, Complete
Steddie, E, 144K, 22/22 Chapters (Read on AO3)
โRules. Like, thereโll be no eating in my car. Youโre not driving my car. No heavy metal,โ Steve keeps listing, โyouโre not picking up women and fucking them in m-โ
โI'll try to control myself,โ Eddie interrupts with a quip, a smirk. Fucking girls in Steveโs car, or anywhere else for that matter, isnโt going to be an issue, unless something pretty fundamental shifts in him.
Steve continues, completely ignoring Eddie, โYouโll wipe your feet. Youโre not dragging dirt all over my car. No hitchhikers. No cutesy road games. No smoking in the car. Iโm not paying for all the gas.โ
โAss, gas or grass, got it,โ Eddie says, like he's taking this very seriously. He is not taking this seriously.
Or: Road trip!
All Across the Universe, Complete
Steddie, E, 135K, 16/16 Chapters (Read on AO3)
Steve Harrington knows this world isn't permanent. They never are.
He blinks into existence, brand new and disoriented. He might not know where he is, or when, but he knows he's searching for something, for someone, as he's called on and on, all across the universe.
He always finds him.
Eddie.
I've got four series so far, and they can be found below:
Wildflowers...and All the Rest, Complete
15/15, Various Ratings, 151K, (Read on AO3)
Wildflowers is a companion series to Tuesday's Gone With the Wind, but with a focus on Gareth. So, I'd recommend reading Tuesday's first, to get all the context needed for this series. But if you like Gareth, especially if you enjoyed the version of him I explored in Tuesday's, than this might be for you. (Steddie also features.) It's some of my favorite work of mine, to date.
Jagged Little Pill, Complete
2/2, M, 26K, (Read on AO3)
My first foray into writing for Stranger Things and Steddie! Set in the 90s. Eddie runs, and Steve and the kids decide to find him using El's powers.
First part from Steve's POV and the second is from Eddie's.
No Sign of (Goddamn, Motherfucking) Soulmates, Complete
2/2, E, 5K, (Read on AO3)
I actually got assigned the prompt "soulmates" on both of my Christmas and New Year's bingo cards. Instead of trying to double-up, I decided to just make them companion pieces.
First part from Steve's POV and the second is from Eddie's POV.
Naughty and Nice: The Adventures of Krampus & Santa, Complete
2/2, E, 5.2K, (Read on AO3)
I actually got assigned the prompts "Krampus" & "Santa" on my Christmas bingo card. So, this was the only logical path that I had to go down, lol.
My one shots that are a little bit longer than a 1000-ish word ficlet.
PS: I hit the max for links in a post, so if it says "also on ao3" just click the tumblr link, and it'll be linked to ao3 from there. Some I added to ao3 after the fact, and if they aren't linked in tumblr post, I prioritized leaving those links here.
Steddie:
No Loose Ends, E, 6.5k, ao3 or tumblr
Never Not Mine, E, 3.2k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Secret Santa, E, 6k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Permanent 99, E, 2.8k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Oh, He Wants, E, 4.6k, ao3 or tumblr
Ready For It, E, 2.5k, tumblr
Of Wolf and Man, E, 5.5k, ao3 or tumblr
Vigilante Shit, E, 7.7k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Men Are All Lining Up, to Put Me on a Pedestal, E, 8k, tumblr (also on ao3)
You, Me & A Christmas Tree, E, 1.7k, tumblr
we left our hearts on our sleeves (and the clothes all over the floor), E, 2k, tumblr (also on ao3)
A Stairway to Heaven, E, 4.6k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Sympathy for the Devil, E, 6.666k, tumblr (also on ao3)
i get stoned for survival (it helps with the healing), E, 9.4k, tumblr (also on ao3)
we went down swingin' (yes we did), E, 7.1k, tumblr (also on ao3)
i needed the shelter of someone's arms (and there you were), E, 3.6k, tumblr (also on ao3)
got a love like denim, E, 1.9k, tumblr (also on ao3)
King Steve, M, 9.9k, tumblr (also on ao3)
If You Only Believe, M, 4.9k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Let the Boy Be Merry, M, 3.3k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Yours For The Weekend, M, 8.3k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Gravity Always Wins, M, 6.4k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Despite All My Rage I'm Still Just a Rat In a Cage, M, 3.3k, tumblr (also on ao3)
What Happened, Happened, M, 1.5k, tumblr
Tip Your Driver, T, 4.1k, ao3 or tumblr
Different Lessons, T, 3.3k, ao3 or tumblr
I'm An Island, But You're An Ocean, T, 2.2k, tumblr
Can't Miss Us, T, 1.9k, tumblr
Bats in the Belfry, T, 2.4k, tumblr
Sometimes Dreams Change, T, 4,9k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Fool Me Twice, I'll Bring You Down, T, 3k, tumblr
Novel Movements, T, 2.7k, ao3 or tumblr
When I Think About Seventeen, T, 2.8k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Read the Coverage, T, 2.7k, tumblr (also on ao3)
he keeps on loving me (and i keep on wondering why), T, 3.5k, tumblr (also on ao3)
i want you to love me like my parrot does, honey, T, 3k, tumblr (also on ao3)
Not In His Nature, T, 3k, tumblr (also on ao3)
What Condition My Condition Was In, T, 2.8k, tumblr
Even Strokes, T, 5.4k, tumblr (also on ao3)
The Rush, T, 2.4k, tumblr
a charity case, T, 3.4k, tumblr
Born to Run, T, 2k, tumblr
he had a marvelous time ruining everything, T, 2.5k, tumblr
written all over his knuckles, T, 1.3k, tumblr
Others:
Broken Halos Never Mend, M, 7.4k, tumblr (also on ao3) (platonic stobin)
Firing on All Cylinders, T, 3k, tumblr (Jeff & Goodie, Corroded Coffin, Set in Tuesday's verse)
Save It For a Rainy Day, T, 1.9k, tumblr (Wayne, childhood Steddie)
Set Sail on Your Ocean Of Flavor, T, 2.5k, tumblr (Chrissy, Eddie, Steve, Robin)
You Hear That?, T, 3.8k, tumblr (Robin, Corroded Coffin, Pre-Steddie, The Party)
And I run the event @corrodedcoffinfest that is currently hosting pop-up events. If you'd like to join, please come on over there!
The current event is the Good Fortune pop-up scheduled for January 1st, 2025.
After writing Tuesday's, Gareth wormed his way into my brain. Since then, he's been featured quite often in my fics. Here are some of those things:
Tuesday's Gone With the Wind, E, 184k
Wildflowers...and all the Rest, E, 151k
Certified Freak, E, 18k
Damage, Lots of Damage, E, 14k
No Loose Ends, E, 6.5k
One Nap at a Time, T, 2k
Bang Dem Sticks, T, <1k
Rotten Little Shit, T, <1k
Corroded Coffin Fest
I've ran out of links so this is what cut, lol.
Gareth fanvid for a Corroded Coffin Fest pop-up event.
SO excited to announced my project, Project #071, for @steddiebbang, Love on the Menu!!!
Looking forrward to working with my lovely artist @thotpuppy and beta @sereinpetrichor
If you like unlikely roommates to friends to lovers, food as a love language, and classic rom-com tropes, this fic might be for you <3
Summary below the cut:
Things are finally looking up for Steve. Vecna is gone, Hawkins is free from the machinations of the Upside Down, and Steve has gotten accepted to the University of Chicago. Nothing could derail his new beginning.
Until Robin suggests that he ask Eddie Munson to be his roommate.
Eddie, who snores like a subwoofer.
Eddie, who leaves his dirty socks hither and yon across the apartment.
Eddie, who is apparently a culinary genius and likes to remind Steve of all the ways in which his cooking skills are inadequate.
But ... maybe Eddie can teach him a few things. Maybe they could even become friends ... or maybe something more?ย
I lowkey hate when programs talk to me in a friendly way. "don't worry, nearly there!" Shut up. It should say "loading 64.3% completed. Do not turn off device" and absolutely nothing else. You arent my friend you are computer. Act like it
Steve watches Eddie try to fix his hair after they see a concert.
Steve sits on Eddieโs desk chair and watches across the hallway as Eddie wrestles with a wide toothed comb at his bathroom sink. Heโs feeling goodโtired, but not like the night shouldโve been over hours agoโand despite the drying sweat and sobering up, he thinks heโd be happy just endlessly hanging out, drawing lines up and down Eddieโs body with his eyes, zoning out to the tendons in his hands.
Eddie had backcombed his hair earlier, because he wanted it BIG for the concert. That was goodโhe and Eddie had stayed at the edge of the pit. Heโs a natural wall, and Eddie lit up like a dog chasing a car as he got to shove people. When Steve found a loose shoe and handed it to a tall guy, Eddie had caught his eye and beamed at him like he was being useful and fitting in. Itโs easy, somehow. He was worried, looking like himself, in line at the thing, but there were other guys who looked regular too, and heโs not that preppy these days. Dressing for monster guts had changed him.
Eddieโs using oil on the knots in his hair. If he just got in the shower and used conditioner itโd go better, but Steveโs not going to suggest that because then he would have to find something else to look at while he simmers pleasantly under the echoes of their night out. Eddieโs gonna have to shower anyway, heโs not going to want to go to sleep with all the cooking oil in his hair, but thatโs later. Maybe Steve can time it so he suddenly has to piss when Eddieโs in there and then maybe they can hang out, like he and Robin do, with the curtain shut tightly but trusting each other to be cool.
Watching Eddie work at his hair is not like watching Robin get ready, though. He doesnโt stare her down from wherever he can and catalogue the cut-out of her body like he does to Eddieโlike he could take scissors and take him and put him on top of whatever picture he wanted to.
He could make a whole book of Eddie. Cut-outs of any second like a freeze frame in a movie and he couldโ
โJesus FUCK!โ
Steve jumps up and has to take a few breaths, watching Eddieโs frustrationโboiled over; pasta water all over the stoveโbefore he can swallow down his heartbeat and go into the bathroom.
โAlright. Iโm taking over,โ he declares, Coach style, like he never does with his friends but Eddie just gives him big eyes and holds the comb out. โTake off your shirt.โ
Eddie eyes get even bigger but he does, flinging it across the hallway to the corner where his laundry basket is buried under dirty clothes. Maybe later Steve will declare something about that too.
Steve surveys the bathroom and takes Eddieโs wrist for no good reason, guiding him into the kitchen with its big sink.
โRun the warm water,โ he says, lingering until Eddie nods, and even then he waits until the air gets awkward before he lets go. โNot too hot.โ
He grabs conditioner and a towel, folding it to cushion Eddieโs naked back against the counter.
โHow do you want me?โ Eddie grins, toothyโfunny. Steve wants to bend him face down and fit his hips to his ass, sink his fingers in his hair. Thatโs how.
โFace up, Iโll be careful.โ
Eddie lays himself back, waiting, and Steveโs mouth fills with spit with anticipation.
for @corrodedcoffinfest microfic prompt โknotโ
rated e, 18+, minors dni | 586 words | no cw | tags: friends to lovers, a/b/o dynamics, alpha Gareth, omega Jeff, knotting, feelings confessions (in their own way)
๐ชข๐ชข๐ชข๐ชข๐ชข๐ชข๐ชข๐ชข๐ชข๐ชข๐ชข
This is the fourth time and he still wonders when Jeff will just find an actual alpha to mate with. Itโs not that Gareth cares about getting his dick wet and his knot locked, but itโs Jeff. Heโs one of his best friends. At some point theyโve gotta call this quits so they can bond with someone.
Jeff sighs against his chest. Garethโs arms tighten around him.
Heโs asleep. At least, he thought he was asleep. Garethโs knot started going down a few minutes ago and he didnโt budge. Normally, when heโs aching for it as bad as he is at the start of his heats, he whines until Gareth fucks him again. Knots him again. This time seems different.
โYou awake?โ Gareth whispers.
Thereโs no answer.
Jeffโs dick twitches against his stomach.
โYouโre awake. Cโmon,โ Gareth pats his back. He wants to get up and at least get a quick rinse in the shower before Jeff needs him again. โLet me get the ice pack for you.โ
Jeff groans and rolls off of him. Thatโs different, too.
Garethโs brows crease as he sits up and looks down at Jeff. Heโs not as sweaty as he should be. His nipples arenโt swollen like they get during his heats. Heโs not curling into a ball the second Gareth needs some space. He doesnโt even seem bothered that Gareth needs some space.
โDid your heat pass already?โ Garethโs never seen him this calm after one knot. It usually takes three or four before heโs sated enough to sleep for a while. โAfter just one?โ
โNo.โ Jeff opens one eye for a moment, then both eyes, before closing them again. โJust needed your knot.โ
The words technically make sense. Gareth recognizes the meaning of those words in that order. He just doesnโt know why Jeff is saying them to him right now. Or what he actually means by them.
โRight. Because of your heat?โ It comes out as a question because Garethโs suddenly completely unsure about whatโs happening. He rewinds, completely backtracks to the events leading up to this.
Jeff called him this morning and asked if he could come over. Jeff said to bring his usual supplies and plan on staying a couple days. Jeff said nothing about his heat.
He didnโt smell like his heat, either. Just his usual green tea and honey smell. None of the burnt sugar that sharpened the air around them when he was at the start of his cycle.
โJeff.โ
โHm?โ
โAre you notโ is this notโโ Gareth rubs his face with a sticky hand, wincing when he remembers where it was only an hour ago. โYouโre not even having a heat.โ
โNo.โ
Itโs simple. Gareth is about to have a panic attack.
โSo why am I here?โ
โBecause I called you?โ Jeff opens his eyes again and sits up, one brow raised at Garethโs shocked face. โI wanted your knot, I asked for your knot, you gave me your knot.โ
โBecause I thought you needed it!โ Gareth stands from the bed, ignoring the slick and cum drying on his dick and stomach. Itโs the least of his problems.
โI did!โ Jeff argues.
โBut why?โ
โYouโre such an idiot sometimes. Seriously.โ Jeff leans over and tugs on his hand, pulling him down until his face is only an inch away. โWhy do you think?โ
Gareth blinks.
โOh.โ He laughs. โOh.โ
Jeff rolls his eyes and falls back on the bed. โOh.โ
โFor real?โ
Jeff pulls him close and kisses him. โFor real.โ
written for the @corrodedcoffinfest June microfic challenge
prompt: knot | wc: 586 | pov eddie | rated: T | tags: pre steddie, background robin/chrissy, eddie has a crush on steve, subtle flirting, eddie hates camping - until steve changes his mind | also on ao3
Eddie made a lot of bad choices in his life but this one might be his worst yet. Letting Chrissy talk him into a fucking camping trip with Buckley and Harrington, a whole damn weekend spend out in the wild, sleeping in tents and all, ugh.
There's a reason why Wayne looked at him like he'd grown a second head when he told him about the trip, knowing too well that his nephew is not made for the outdoors. They tried that once, when Eddie was 12, and agreed to never do it again for both their sakes.
He shouldโve stuck by that, but here he is now, sitting uncomfortably on a log, swatting at mosquitoes, feeling bored and itchy and useless. He offered to help the girls get the cooler from the van (โNo, Eddie. We do not have to hunt or fish for food,โ thank fucking god for that!) but got the hint when Chris said they're fine on their own.
So he sits there and mopes, watching Steve pile up twigs and newspaper scraps to build a fire, and as much as he hates to admit it, is impressed by how quickly he gets it started.
ย ย "Where d'you learn that?" he asks honestly curious, his heart skipping a beat when Steve turns to him with a proud, gorgeous smile.
ย ย "Oh, uh. Summer camp. When I was 13," he replies and shrugs it off like it's nothing.
ย ย ย Of course. Fucking rich kids and their fucking fancy Summer time activities.
ย ย "My parents went on a trip to Paris and didn't trust me to stay home alone."
ย ย ย No, actually? Fuck Steve's parents for going on vacation without him.
ย ย ย "What, like, some boy scout thing or something? Where they teach you how to tie knots and stuff?" Eddie jokes and Steve laughs, says "Yeah. Something like that."
Seemingly satisfied with his work, Steve takes his attention away from the steadily crackling fire and sits down beside Eddie.
ย ย "Had my first kiss there, too," he fake-whispers, leaning in like he's sharing a secret the trees and birds around them aren't supposed to hear.
Eddie's ears are burning, but it's definitely from the heat of the fire, not because Steve is suddenly so close now, their knees are touching.
ย ย "Oh, really? Did you sneak into the girls' quarters at night?" Eddie laughs weakly, feeling just a tiny bit jealous for reasons heโs not willing to give any thought right now.
ย ย "Hell no!โ Steve huffs out, โThe counsellors threatened to put anyone they caught breaking the rules on cleaning duty. Do you know how nasty the wash rooms were? Scarred me for life, man." Steve shakes his head and scrunches his nose in disgust, then his lips curl up into a cheeky grin. "Luckily, I didn't have to sneak out." Steve winks at him and it takes Eddie a second to get what heโs implying. "His name was Alex."
ย ย ย Oh, okay. Yep. Thatโs- great.
ย ย "Sounds like you had a lot of fun," Eddie says, acting casual when on the inside, he's having a minor (major) crisis.
ย ย "Mhm, yeah. Learned a lot at camp."
Steve stands, picking up some logs to feed the fire with, looking back over his shoulder when he suggests, "I could show you, while we're here."
Eddie swallows roughly.
He has the sinking feeling Steve is not talking about showing him how to start a fire, or how to tie a knot.
And suddenly, the thought of sharing a tent with him doesn't seem so horrible anymore.
for @corrodedcoffinfest million words celebration!
also on ao3
rated t | 2248 words | no cw | tags: established steddie, band breakup, birthday party, marriage proposal, grieving a loss of a future that never was so the future that was meant to be could exist and other such dramatics
Thereโs a million reasons that things didnโt work out for them. They argued about everything, had no money, their van broke down too much, and they never quite understood what sound they wanted as a group to name a few.
But they wanted it.ย God, did they want it.
Wanting it wasnโt enough.
Eddie always thought if they wanted it bad enough, and worked hard enough, theyโd get there. Turns out, you need a lot more luck and hope. And talent. That, too.
Heโs not an idiot, or oblivious. He knows theyโre good for Hawkins, maybe even Indiana. But they arenโt โgo to California on a dreamโ good. They probably never will be.
And now they wonโt.
Steve wraps his arms around him from behind, kissing his neck and then his shoulder, resting his nose against his pulse.
โYou should come to bed, babe,โ he whispers.
Heโs right. Heโs barely slept for days, and getting into bed and cuddling up to Steve will help his morose mood. Itโs just that heโs twitching to grab his guitar and write something. Heโs dying to get in his van and drive to Garethโs house a mile up the road and come up with a new plan thatโs doomed to fail. Itโs a habit now, one thatโs going to take a while to break now that they arenโt a band anymore. Not officially, anyway.
โEddie? You okay?โ Steve asks, voice louder now, laced with concern. He picks his head up, but Eddie quickly reaches back to tug him back into place.
โDonโt let go,โ Eddie tells him. โStay.โ
And because Steve is an angel, and Eddie doesnโt deserve him, he does. He doesnโt ask any questions or try to say anything to make him feel better. He doesnโt push him towards the bed to try to make him sleep. He just holds him.
Eventually, Eddie turns in his arms and cups his face, kissing the corner of his mouth and giving him a small smile.
โCan I play you something?โ Eddie asks.
Steve grins. โAlways.โ
He plays for a while. Too long, going off the yawns Steve tries to hide after a few songs. Heโs slowly sinking down into the bed while Eddie strums and hums, occasionally pausing to write in his notebook.
Eddie plays until Steveโs asleep, light snores coming from where he has his face buried in the pillow. When he looks up, he finally notices Steve wearing his cropped Corroded Coffin shirt.
It makes him cry. Heโs quiet about it, not wanting to wake Steve and see that worried look on his face again.
He wishes things turned out better for them. He wishes that Steve was visiting him on tour instead of sleeping in a trailer he promised heโd never come back to. He wishes he could say he accomplished what he set out to do, just one time.
โ
He writes songs often, but the inspiration isnโt there. Itโs harder without Gareth banging on his drums, trying to find any beat that works with the melody Eddie has in his head. They could try Gareth coming up with a beat first, but thatโs just not how they do things.
How theyย didย things.
Eddie looks around the record shop. He doesnโt mind this job. The ownerโs pretty cool, knows a lot about every genre of music. He plays guitar and bass, too. Sometimes on payroll days, he sets aside some time to jam with Eddie after they lock up.
Itโs fun as far as minimum wage, unskilled labor goes.
Jeff comes by every Friday when heโs done with his classes, flips through the new releases, even if he doesnโt like the artists. He just likes shooting the shit with Eddie. Theyโve always been like that. Even when they argued about band stuff, theyโd find common ground with something else.
Gareth practically lives at the trailer on Sundays, a desperate attempt to escape his own house. His grandparents visit every Sunday and turn it into a miserable place. Eddie doesnโt mind. Steve gives them space for hours before he usually yells for them to come eat. He always gives Gareth a long hug before he leaves, like he knows that Garethโs grieving, too.
Frankie mostly makes Eddie come to him, but he doesnโt mind. He knows itโs because he had a falling out with his parents and doesnโt want to step foot back in Hawkins if he can help it. Heโll go wherever he has to to see his friend.
But itโs tough not getting together anymore. He wishes they could all just hang out, not as a band, without the pressure, without the commitment. He wants them to be friends again, real friends.
He just doesnโt know how to make that happen.
โ
โCake is in the oven. Wayne will be here in ten to help me set up the tables and chairs. Robinโs got beer. Donโt ask me how,โ Steve shakes his head as he runs down his checklist for Eddieโs birthday party. โDustin might be late. Said heโs bringing his girlfriend and she takes forever to do her hair.โ
โSounds familiar,โ Eddie teases, wrapping his arms around Steveโs waist and kissing his neck. โYou want any help?โ
โItโs your birthday, youโre not allowed to help.โ Steve turns to kiss his cheek. โYou should go get changed, though. Pretty sure Gareth said he was coming early to avoid his grandma asking if heโd found a wife yet.โ
โBut he doesnโt even have to lie anymore!โ Eddie groans, throwing his hands up. โFine, fine. Iโll go. You wanna help me?โ
โYou donโt need my help to get dressed,โ Steve rolls his eyes.
โBut I could use help withโฆother thingsโฆโ Eddie wiggles his brows and winks. โYou said for my birthday we could-โ
โI know what I said. I meant after your party,โ Steveโs face is bright red as he looks back down at his list. โPlus, Iโm not wearing that under these clothes. Iโve got too much to do still.โ
Eddie smacks a kiss to his lips and rushes off to get ready for his party.
Everyoneโs coming.
Even Frankie.
Itโs not the first time theyโve all been together since the band broke up, but itโs the first time itโs happening under Eddieโs roof. It feels like thereโs more potential for something to go wrong here.
Itโs the biggest party heโs ever had for himself, but 30 is a big number according to everyone who cares about him. Thereโs a cake that Steve made sitting on the table surrounded by cards and gifts from everyone who loves him.
Jeff, Gareth, and Frankie are all standing together on the porch. Theyโre not arguing as far as Eddie can tell.
He joins them hoping it stays that way.
โThereโs the birthday guy!โ Jeff slaps his shoulder, nearly spilling the soda in his cup when he does. โHeard weโre cutting the cake in a few minutes.โ
โYeah, Steveโs got a pretty strict schedule for that apparently,โ Eddie rolls his eyes fondly. Heโs never been much for a schedule, but it makes Steve happy and heโs a big fan ofย that. โEnjoying the party? Need anything?โ
Gareth snorts. โItโsย yourย party. We donโt need you to take care of us.โ
โI know, but-โ Eddie freezes. He swallows back the sudden lump in his throat.
The final thing, the one thing out of the millions of things that ruined their band, was no doubt that Eddie could be a little overbearing and overprotective about them. He wanted things to work so badly. He pushed on things he shouldnโt have because he thought it was best for all of them. He turned down things that the others wanted to do because he thought it wouldnโt be right for their sound. He fought with Frankie to protect Gareth, he fought with Gareth to protect Jeff. He fought with Steve to protect all of them.
In the end, he tried to be too in control.
Happens to all the greats, right? Itโs just not a good story when you arenโt great first.
โI know.โ He says again. He gives them a smile before he rushes off to find Steve. They donโt stop him. Heโs sure his realization was written all over his face.
When he finds Steve, heโs pacing the kitchen floor, Wayne trying to calm him down about something quietly. Itโs a bit unnerving for a birthday party, especially when everyoneโs outside.
โSteve?โ
Steveโs head snaps up and over to Eddie, eyes widening comically. Wayne mumbles something about idiots and walks out the back door to rejoin the party.
โHey. Everything okay? Cake in a few minutes,โ Steve says, plastering on a fake smile. Eddie steps closer, watching the way Steveโs hands are shaking as he tries to shove them in his pockets.
โIโm good. Areย youย okay?โ Eddie cups the side of his neck, searching his face for any other clues about what could possibly be wrong. Could he be sick? He mentioned a headache yesterday, but he seemed fine this morning.
โIโm good! I promise,โ Steve reaches up to wrap his fingers around his wrist, smile changing to something more comforting and real. โAre you happy?โ
The question isnโt entirely unusual, but it still makes Eddie worry again.
โOf course I am. You brought everyone I love together and made my favorite cake. And weโve got naked plans tomorrow. How could I not be?โ Eddie tries to push his worry away as Steve leans in to kiss the corner of his mouth.
Itโs probably nothing. Steveโs a bit worried that the weather wonโt hold up for them and he doesnโt want everyone in the house, so maybe thatโs what heโs so riled up about. Wayne was probably just offering to help bring stuff inside if the storms start earlier than theyโre supposed to.
โGood. Thatโs all I want,โ Steve kisses him again before he leads Eddie back outside.
He brings him over to the cake and yells for everyone to come sing. He didnโt think people did that for adults, but he goes along with it because itโs entertaining watching a bunch of mostly tone deaf adults try to sing together. Heโs beaming by the end, almost forgetting he needs to blow out the candles until Steve nudges his arm.
When he blows them out and turns, Steveโs not there.
Well, he is there.
Heโs just not standing up.
Heโs on one knee, holding a very simple silver band. Everyone around them is quiet.
โI knew you werenโt just throwing a birthday party!โ Eddie laughs, leaning down to tug Steve up off his knee. Itโs his bad knee, because heโs an idiot. โYouโre gonna hurt yourself.โ
โIโm fine,โ Steve rolls his eyes. โLet me say this.โ
Eddie grins at him. โCarry on.โ
โI know lifeโs been different than what you wanted. You hoped to be the next big rock star and it didnโt work out. You didnโt wanna stay in Hawkins. You probably didnโt even think youโd end up with me, but here we are,โ everyone laughs as Steve smirks. โI think weโve got a pretty great thing going here. Even when itโs not perfect, and when we still hope for more, weโre together. Thatโs enough for me. And Iโm hoping that maybe thatโll be enough for you, too. We canโt file the papers to make it legal, but Wayneโs already got a speech ready for us to get married right here in this backyard someday if you say yes.โ
Eddie wipes a stray tear from his cheek. โYou have to ask me first.โ
โWhat?โ Steveโs brows raise before he realizes. โOh. Right. Eddie, will you please spend forever with me? Wherever that may lead us?โ
โYes. Of course I will. Iโd follow you anywhere.โ
Everyone cheers. They kiss. Itโs like a movie if movies ever showed the kind of love they have.
โBest birthday ever?โ Gareth claps him on the back. His girlfriend is standing off to the side. She looks like she was crying. โGuess that puts more pressure on me, huh?โ
โGuess so. Surprised you needed any,โ Eddie jokes, turning to give him a hug. โSurprised sheโs waited this long.โ
โIโve got a way with my hands, what can I say?โ
Jeff playfully shoves him and fake gags. โSure you do. Congrats, Eddie. Steveโs been stressed about this for months.โ
Eddie turns to see Wayne hugging Steve close, patting his back.
โHe shouldโve known Iโd say yes,โ Eddie smiles fondly as he turns back to them.
โHeโs just worried about tying you down for real,โ Frankie says as he steps closer. โYouโve never been much for staying in one spot forever.โ
โI donโt mind if itโs with him,โ Eddie admits. Heโs not even lying.
Saying yes doesnโtย reallyย change anything for them. Theyโll wear rings, have a little ceremony in their backyard, maybe theyโll refer to each other as husbands with their friends. But theyโve already been living together for years, seen each other through so much. They make plans together, they pay bills together, they struggle and win together.
He doesnโt think heโd have that if heย hadย become a rock star. Sure, Steve supported him while he tried. He probably wouldโve stuck around for a while if theyโd made it. But who knows what wouldโve happened a year down the road. Two.
Thereโs a million reasons why things didnโt work out for the band.
One of them is so he could have this life, this future with Steve.
youโre one of the three survivors after the apocalypse & the other two are visibly passing one of theirsโ phones back & forth having a secret conversation in a notes app
Eddie Munson's Guide to Demons, Hellhounds, and Other Minions of Satan
@steddiebbang project #013
Time to reveal my project for the 2026 Steddie Big Bang! Excited to work with tombfiends and @drwhoisginnyholmes this year, it's gonna be a blast.
Rating: M
Estimated Word Count: 10-15k
Relationships: Steve/Eddie, Steve & his parents, Eddie & Steve's parents, Eddie & the CC Boys, Steve & Dustin
Characters: Dan [Mr.] Harrington, Olivia [Mrs.] Harrington, the CC Boys, Dustin Henderson, Robin Buckley
Tags: Humor, Misunderstandings, Steve Harrington Has Good Parents, Catholic Wayne, D'art Lives, 'Demon' Steve Harrington, Strangers to Friends to Lovers, Eddie Munson is Oblivious and Bisexual, Bisexual Steve, Steve is Eddie's Bisexual Awakening, Aftermath of Starcourt, S5 Doesn't Happen Don't Worry About It, Minor Canon Divergence from S2 Onwards
Summary:
After El closes the inter-dimensional gate to the Upside Down in November 1984, D'art doesn't perish thanks to the protective powers of sugar. He goes on to form a bond with his new 'pack' of humans and continues to evolve in unexpected ways. The demodog eventually comes under the primary ownership of Steve Harrington. Steve, recovering from his severe concussion and without sports to keep him occupied, is still in search of a friend who isn't thirteen years old.
Enter Eddie Munson. Eddie's second senior year is supposed to be devoted to important things like figuring out how to break the spirits of the newest members of Hellfire with a diabolical 50-foot tall goose-dragon, or passing Kaminsky's next test for once. But that's before he comes across the fallen king of Hawkins High and his pet hellhound. And what is Eddie supposed to do with the information that Steve Harrington is apparently a demon in disguise besides figure out what the guy's diabolical intentions in the middle of nowhere Indiana are? He clearly has no choice but to undergo an undercover mission and befriend Steve, all while resisting his hellish charms as the two of them grow closer.
or:
Four times Eddie Munson is convinced Steve Harrington has to be a demon, and one time he finds out the much weirder truth
Enjoy a snippet below the cut!
February 1985
Two albums (filled with music that Eddie would never admit to finding catchy) later, Steve finally got up to use the bathroom.
Eddie sprung up and put his totally not all that ill-conceived plan into action, pulling out his canteen filled with the finest and holiest of waters Our Lady of Perpetual Mercy had to offer. Or more accurately, the finest water Eddie could pilfer while Wayne was busy talking to the priest outside, but that was fine. This was in service to ensuring the devil couldn't walk among them at full power!
Steve had left his glass of water sitting there completely defenseless and half-full on his desk, so Eddie gulped it down as fast as he could and replaced it with his contraband HโO. Surely this would prove his theories correct at last. Worst case Steve's human shell would melt off and he'd head back to hell for a little unexpected leave time.
When he returned, Steve took a sip andโฆnothing happened. He smacked his lips a couple times, scratched his stomach, then went right back to his spot at the top of the bed without a care in the world.
Goddammit!
You know, now that Eddie thought about it, maybe the anti-evil properties of holy water were lost when one committed a sin to obtain it. Perhaps it had to be freely distributed to the masses during Mass. Plus, Wayne had been thrilled he'd wanted to go on Sunday for once. The power of a disappointed father figure could really mess with the aura given off by theโฆwater. And Jesus. Or something.
Regardless of any higher authority's opinion on the subject, Eddie was back to square one once again.
Prompt: Knot | Word Count: 586 | Rating: E | CW: Sexual Content | POV: Eddie | Pairing: Steddie | Tags: AU, Omegaverse, Alpha Eddie, Alpha Steve, Alpha/Alpha, Freak 4 Freak
Eddie wants to know what it's like.ย
He can't really know, he knows that. He's not an omega. His body isn't going to give, not in that same way, but the desire to take has slowly scrambled his brain. It's all he can think about. And he needs to find someone, some other freak, willing to try to knot him. Now.
He scans the options from his spot at the end of his high table. Eyeballing every alpha that walks by, he knows they are all no good. Not for this, not for anything. There's nobody in this senior class he'd let anywhere near him.
Then, his eyes catch on a familiar head of hair.
Well, maybe one.
But he's not an idiot. Steve Harrington isn't gonna fuck another alpha. Especially not one that's such a freak. Not when he has all the omegas in their class throwing themselves at his feet. The stink of them is a cloying cloud that follows Harrington everywhere he goes.
Eddie flexes his ass, clenching, squirming in the cafeteria seat. This is ridiculous. He is a freak. At least his cock is, as it's currently getting all horny over another alpha.
Steve lifts his head from his tray, nose flaring, swiveling like a goddamn owl until his eyes lock on Eddie's. A knowing smirk curls on his lip.
Well, fuck. Just kill Eddie now.
Eddie gets cornered outside the school in the alley between the buildings, and it's fucking stupid. Everybody knows not to corner another alpha, especially not one their age. Young, dumb knotheads. All of them.
But Steve Harrington didn't seem to get that memo, and Eddie melts back against the brick. He doesn't want to fight Harrington. He wants to fuck him.
Correction: He wants to be fucked by him.ย
Eddie spreads his legs tilting his hips upwards. It's obscene, and forward, but Harrington seems to react to it positively.
"Yeah?" Eddie asks, and Harrington's eyes are blown wide as he scents him, extensively.ย
"Yeah. Let's go."ย
Steve wraps a big hand around both their cocks, stroking hard as Eddie looks around this very plaid room.ย
"Fuck," Steve says, "I love your cock. You gonna pop? Let me feel your knot against mine?"
God, he's a freak, too.ย
Eddie nods, frantically. Absolutely. He still wants. But they can start here.ย
He feels the beginnings of Steve's knot, and it just fuels his own.ย
Somehow, Steve's hand fits around them both, and he's jacking them both off, hard. Knots sliding together, getting bigger, catching against each other in a way that Eddie's never felt before.ย
Fuck.ย
Eddie comes, making a mess all over both of them. Steve follows, and they are just absolutely slick with it as Steve squeezes both of their knots, gently pulsating his grip. Eddie comes again. Groaning.ย
Eddie's knot starts going down first, and when Steve feels it, he loosens his grip, allowing his own to deflate as well.ย
Flopping onto his back, Eddie slings his forearm over his eyes.ย
Steve does the same, arm brushing Eddie's.ย
"That what you wanted?"ย
Eddie laughs, the sound vibrating throughout his chest.ย
"What?" Steve asks.ย
"I wanted you to knot me."ย
"But you're not โ oh."
Eddie's humiliated. He rolls onto his belly. He can't look at Steve.ย
The hand touching his ass cheek startles him, and he jumps.
Steve's wet thumb brushing against his hole is like lightning shooting up his spine.
"You think it's gonna fit?"ย
Eddie laughs, unhinged. Wouldn't you know it? Freak finds freak.ย
If you want to write your own, or see more entries for this challenge, pop on over to @corrodedcoffinfest and follow along with the fun! ๐ฆ
2026 Big Bang project reveal time! I'm so excited to get to work with @lamoabss as the artist for this Big Bang project! I'm thrilled you were interested in teaming up to work on my NFL Steve AU submission! I can't wait to have so much fun!โค๏ธ
Details:
Rating: E
Estimated Word Count: 60,000-65,000
Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson, Eddie Munson & Robin Buckley, Eddie Munson & Gareth, Steve Harrington & Robin Buckley
Characters: Robin, Gareth, Wayne, Dustin, Tommy, Chrissy, Goodie, Jeff
Tags: Sports AU, American Football, Modern Setting, NFL Football Player Steve Harrington, Hobby Shop Owner Eddie Munson, Getting Together, Falling in Love, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Closeted Steve Harrington, Gay Eddie Munson, Secret Relationship, Boys in Love, Happy Ending
Summary:
If there's anything Eddie Munson knows, it's that he doesn't give two shits about sports, or the people who play them. Professionally, or otherwise. It's practically the charter entry in The Munson Doctrine, despite growing up with his Uncle Wayne glued to games on the television year-round. Sports just don't interest Eddie. Never have, never will.
Enter, Steve Harrington.
Henderson dragging this football player into his store wasn't in Eddie's game plan, but, well, Eddie supposes there's an exception to every rule in the book. And now, here Eddie is, living a sports-filled life he never could have predicted.
Eddie learns about football.ย
Eddie cares about football.
It's honestly quite troubling.
Excerpt:
"Jesus H. Christ, look at that thing," Eddie says in a barely hushed whisper, reverent, eyes trained on Steve on the jumbotron screen at the end of the field. He looks to the other side of the field, because that screen is even bigger. It's trained on Steve as he swings his leg high into the air.ย
He's right there.
It's right there.
"Gareth. Look."
Gareth scoffs. "Would rather not."
"But you can see it, right?" Eddie asks, eyes glued to the live feed of Steve's lower body, his crotch, being projected into the stadium. It's all Eddie can focus on. The camera operator must be a perv. He deserves a raise. Why didn't Eddie bring binoculars? Fuck. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. "I'm not hallucinating it?"
"No, unfortunately everybody with eyes can see it. White pants? With that hog? Children are here."
Eddie laughs, "God bless tight white pants. I think I love football. I wonder if he'd wear them for me, up close and personal? For science."
The woman behind him says 'ew' through a laugh, but she leans forward, grasping both of Eddie's shoulders, making Eddie jump as she squeezes a little too hard, her lips resting near his ear, whispering, "Hi. Eddie? You're Eddie, right?"
Eddie nods. She continues:
"Great. He's not out. So can you just be cool? And less horny? Please?"
He turns. She's a cute lesbian. Well, he thinks so anyway. His gaydar is very rarely wrong. Steve did confuse it a little, he can't get everyone right on first impression. Why is she footballing? She doesn't look like she'd enjoy that any more than Eddie would. And why does she know his name?ย
"Nearly everybody around you are season ticket holders. They know exactly whose seats you're in. Just. Be quieter with your cock color commentary. Please and thank you."
Eddie swallows. He never would have thought of that.
"They come to every game?" Eddie asks, because, like. Seriously? That doesn't sound fun.ย
"Every game," she confirms, "and I'm really happy for him. You're cute. For a boy. But. Zip your lip. Got it?"
Eddie nods.
He knew she was as queer as he is.
"I'm Robin, I'm his best friend," she says, finally introducing herself.
Eddie turns, "Does Henderson know that?"
She rolls her eyes.
"He's a little shit. He can say whatever he wants, he's always running that mouth of his. But I know the truth. Who is here right now? Me. I don't see him, do you?"
Eddie grins, "I own a hobby shop. Henderson is a regular. That's how I met Steve."ย
She raises an eyebrow, "I am aware of exactly who you are, Eddie. If you have any other questions, just ask."
Eddie grins, wickedly. "I do have one."
"Okay," she says, suspicious. Rightfully so.
He leans back, getting closer to her, "Is it a cup?"
She sighs, rolling her eyes as she slumps back in her seat.ย
He raises an eyebrow, waiting.
"It's not," she grits out, and Eddie is delighted with this information.
She seems to be weighing something, but finally she leans forward, "Do you know what Reddit is?"
Eddie rolls his eyes. Yes. He's new football, not earth. He nods.
"Check the NFL Bulges subreddit, then. He's a frequent post subject. I hate that I know this. I should not have to know this."
Eddie laughs, absolutely thrilled that this is a real thing that exists. Maybe he can get down with football.
I'm very excited to announce project #073 of the @steddiebbang 2026! After doing a sci-fi space opera last year, I'm currently working on a new genre that is very dear to me: รฅรฑรฅศฝฬฎoฬฤ ศฬฎoฬศศฬฎoฬศ.
We're talking haunted TV monitor, tampered memories, things that look human but probably aren't, weird places that feel both familiar and uncanny...
This project is actually a crossover with a TTRPG game: Public Access. No need to know about it to enjoy the fic, I'll talk about why later in another post, but if you just take a look at the flavor text, you'll see why Public Access and Stranger Things are going to be besties.
"Public Accessย is a tabletop roleplaying game about a group of people in 2004โthe Deep Lake Latchkeysโwho find themselves investigating strange mysteries in and around the town of Deep Lake, New Mexico. In the โ80s and early โ90s, Deep Lake was the home of a notorious public access television station called TV Odyssey, the history and fate of whichโthe station literally disappearedโis the source of much speculation in certain corners of the internet."
I'm also going to be beta reading two other projects, and I can't wait to start working! I'll share those with you very soon ^^
The official summary isn't ready yet, because the one I shared with my team & other authors contains โ ๏ธ spoilers โ ๏ธ so I have to rework it before I can actually give you something.
But...here's a teaser video !
Oops, I'm sorry. Why isn't it working - wait, okay, here's the right link.
What the -
Okay, I swear to god, this has never happened befo๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
With his musician dreams on the rocks, a penniless Eddie finds himself taking on work in the most unlikely of places - on board a superyacht.
He expects the captain to be a stuck up, arrogant asshole. Steve Harrington turns out to be many things - haunted, withdrawn, but perhaps the kindest man Eddie has ever met.
What he doesn't expect is for that captain to change the course of his entire life.ย
*****
Snippet:
He's shirtless. Dozing in the morning light, eyes closed. Skin gold and radiant in the sun, spattered with moles. His waist lean, his shoulders broad, his chest covered in a layer of hair.
Against the railing, Eddie's hand squeezes. Hard.
There's only one person on board that he hasn't met yet.
Which means this man, the most attractive man Eddie has ever seen, the man that's got him frozen and sweating and listening to his own heartbeat thud in his ears, is his captain.
Steve.
Dumbly, he takes a few steps towards him.
And promptly kicks over the tray of dishes he'd deposited by his feet.
Glass clunks and something shatters, and Eddie curses, dropping to his knees and trying to brush it up. What a fucking great first impression, he curses in his head. That glass was probably worth more than a month's salary, you fucking idiot.
There's footsteps. Eddie feels a bead of sweat roll down the back of his neck. Great, he's probably coming over here to yell, to tell me I'm fired on day fucking two of this job, to tell me I'm a useless -
"Hey, careful, don't cut yourself on that."
Oh, his voice is soft.
Eddie pauses in his efforts to sweep up the glass in his hands. Swallows thickly, then looks up.
Fuck.
Close up, Steve is even hotter than Eddie had first thought.
Honey-brown eyes, thick tousled hair, jaw square and strong and - and he's squatting down in front of him, gently batting Eddie's hands away from the glass with his much larger ones. "This shit is sharp, we should get some gloves or something."
"Sorry," Eddie splutters. "I kicked it, sort ofโฆforgot I put it there, I was looking at - at the view, atโฆ" He flaps a hand towards the sea. "You can take it out of my wages to replace it, or whatever -"
Steve shakes his head. "No, that's ok. Don't worry, it was just an accident. You're Eddie, right? I'm sorry, I should've come and found you and introduced myself, I figured I'd let you settle in a little first. I'm Steve. Steve Harrington."
A little shakily, Eddie takes the hand offered to him.
It's warm, grip firm but gentle.
"Umโฆ.hi," Eddie croaks, kicks himself internally, remembers to snap his mouth closed again.
"Hi," Steve says with a soft chuckle.
Unbidden, Eddie's eyes flick to his.
Steve's eyes are kind, but despite the small smile tugging on his lips, Eddie can see the sadness there.
The captain lets go of his hand and pushes himself to his feet again. "There, think that's most of it. I'll get Lucas to bring the broom up here and make sure there's nothing left. I'll see you around, Eddie." With that, he turns back to the net at the bow, walking away from Eddie.
Eddie's only a man, and apparently a very weak one when it comes to Steve. He can't help but stare at the captain's ass as he walks away - it's not his fault it's hugged so well by his little blue shorts.
Steve's gait is slightly uneven, he notices. A little hitch in his step, like his right leg doesn't quite want to cooperate.
Finally, he drags his attention away. Grabs the rest of the dishes and makes a swift, ungraceful exit from the deck back into the stairwell.