( fuck. if only Henderson was a freshman. it would be less embarrassing, than the fact he hangs out with a middle schooler some times. hell, it's more like an entire pack of rabid middle schoolers, most of the time, because you can never get just one. hey, Steve, can you give me a ride to the arcade. seems innocent enough. just one twerp, not a big deal. and then you roll up and four of them wanna cram in your backseat, somehow. Dustin insists he gets shotgun as a "finder's fee". )
Just a kid I babysit sometimes. ( that's true, and it's very not true, all at once. but Steve's reputation is trashed enough without Eddie Munson telling all of Hawkins High his only friends are 13, and friend is generous since they mostly just want to use him as a taxi service. Steve hopes his tone does not imply that he's open to further questions on the subject. because he's definitely not.
Steve is still smarting, feeling stupid about not knowing that you don't get your grass pre-rolled. maybe Tommy wasn't a complete dickhead, if he made it easier to toke. Eddie gets a dark look from behind darker glasses for the your highness, though. somehow the icy glare still translates. there's a defensive shitty comeback crawling up his throat — something about it being rich coming from somebody that goes by freak, maybe — when Eddie offers to show him how it works, instead of just laughing him off or selling him a shit ton of weed and leaving him to figure it out himself. that's... well, probably a lot of it is being not shitty to buyers means they'll buy again. but still, it's not shitty, and it'd be easy to be.
if Eddie isn't going to be shitty, Steve can probably manage to not be shitty, either. )
Yeah, okay. ( maybe he should have given Eddie an out, an are you sure. but he needs a smoke and could use the help, so, why not. at least he wouldn't be hanging out with a 13 year old, though, hanging out with a drug dealer is not exactly a huge step up. ) Tonight when?
[ as much as it would probably amuse Eddie, it might endear him to Steve. everything he thought he knew about Harrington has already been tested, though he still has a healthy bit of skepticism that even though he doesn't hang around the likes of Tommy and Carol doesn't mean he's completely turned over a new leaf. there are still some things that just seem engrained in a person and don't change overnight. ]
Didn't really take you for a babysitter. [ probably because Steve's an only child, and he always envisioned his parents leaving him in the hands of a nanny, because that's just what rich people do. spoiled, rich kids didn't need babysitting money.
instead of shrinking back, like Steve probably hoped he would, Eddie just grins at that look. he expects a biting remark, but instead Steve just...accepts it. and sure, maybe that attitude has something to do with Eddie being generous with his time. maybe Eddie's generosity has something to do with an overwhelming sense of loneliness. maybe the both of them are about to crash and burn miserably, but he can lie to himself, tell himself that Steve would be more likely to continue buying from him if he knows how to prepare and smoke the damn stuff, but he knows deep down he could have said nothing and let Steve deal with it. ]
Anytime after 9. My uncle works night so we'll have the place all to ourselves.
Me neither, ( Steve says wryly. he's gotta stop making private jokes to himself, somebody is gonna start asking questions at some point. it's the truth, though, he really never figured he'd end up chasing after somebody else's kids. funny how it happened. and he could stop chasing after them now, he supposes, it's just... somebody has to look after them. right? they've been through a lot, been through things nobody else would understand. and while all of them are occasionally different shades of bratty, annoying, and demanding, they're all good kids. Steve doesn't mind keeping an eye on them and driving them around, not really.
he just minds that he doesn't have much else going on besides that.
he does notice that Eddie doesn't shrink back from the dismissive glower. it is... annoying, a little. a reminder that his title of fallen king of bullshit doesn't get him very far. maybe he shouldn't be leaning on his old tricks, anyway. they never did get him very far. it is a little interesting, though. Eddie Munson is a bit notorious, not necessarily in good ways — everyone knows the guy doesn't give a shit about the things most of the school cares about. in a way, it is sort of a strange relief. finding someone else drifting in the aimless outside. because Steve can't manage to give much of a shit these days. and with Hawkin High's most notorious outsider, there's not much need to pretend he does, either. )
Ten, then. ( arbitrarily later than 9, just to pretend he's more aloof about this than he is. having an uncle that works all night is curious, though, Steve has parents that are gone days and even weeks at a time. so maybe it isn't that curious, actually. ) Should I bring anything else, or just the money?
[ Eddie really never cared for the petty politics of the Hawkins High court. when Billy rolled in with all his machismo Eddie just rolled his eyes and only made nice enough so that he can make bank off the new guy. all Eddie really cares about is how many suckers he can get as customers. if there's anything else there to it when it comes to Steve, well...it's probably for the best that he keeps that one close to his chest.
because that kind of line of thought can get him beat up in this town, and he's been doing so well lately. ]
Cool, ten it is then. [ he tones down his grin a little bit, offers Steve more of a genuine smile. he might be looking forward to this rendezvous a lot more than he's letting on. which might have something to do with the fact that his social life, more often than not, tends to revolve around his D&D club or band rehearsal, neither of which he happens to have for the rest of this week. it'll be nice to have some company around the trailer that night. ] Just the money's fine. Unless you planning on sleeping over? [ and there's that wolfish grin again, always prodding at Steve's buttons. ]
You wish, ( Steve huffs, petulant. though, it's less defensive than it really should be, all things considered. he should probably take that personal; make it wildly clear that he doesn't swing that way. that Munson should watch his mouth, insinuating to the contrary. maybe about 9 months ago, he would have. now, well... Steve isn't swimming in social options, here. and he really wants that weed. he knows Eddie is full of shit so he doesn't need to clutch his pearls about a sleepover that definitely isn't happening. it feels like some kind of mantle has been thrown down, like he might not be able to take a little taunting.
well, jokes on you, Eddie. Steve can, in fact, tolerate some weird not-quite-flirting for the promise of weed.
Steve stands up, stubs out the rest of his cigarette. gives Eddie a once over, like he's trying to tell if the guy is full of shit or not. if he is, Steve can't quite tell. the manic ear to ear goblin smile does read like the guy is completely full of it. this one, well, it's not so bad. harder to read, though. ) Fine. ( and, because apparently he can't depart this conversation without some degree of bad attitude, ) If you're bullshiting me and I gotta make nice with your uncle you're gonna make it worth my while.
( this is delivered sternly, with a poke in Eddie's direction. old people love him, Eddie. he's parent catnip. there's not much air in the threat, because... what is he gonna do? rat the guy out for dealing? either his uncle knows or Steve screws himself out of a supply. still, he's gotta at least pretend to have some control over this situation. he's gotta have control over something.
with that, there's no good reason to stick around. Steve installs his sunglasses back on his face because even the halfhearted light is too bright. he throws a farewell behind his shoulder instead of looking the guy in the eye. ) See you then, Munson.
( and see him then Eddie will. though... it's verging more on 10:30, than 10:00. not that Steve intended to be late, though that is for sure a King Steve move he used to pull. he fell asleep on the couch on accident. good thing, since sleeping has been so rough lately. bad thing, when he woke up with his heart in his throat. arguably he's not in the best state to have company, much less unknown company. however, he's in a great state to get high, actually. so trying to ignore the jitters in his hands and how every shadow in the house seems a little too dark, he gets himself together and drives to the trailer park across town.
he should have figured out a more subtle way of getting here, Steve realizes wryly, when he pulls up in his signature BMW. his car might be worth more than some of these trailers, and if some patrol officer swings by it'll stick out like a sore thumb. well, too fucking late, Steve supposes. what the hell would it matter if they did? so he parks and strolls up to the trailer he is pretty sure is Eddie's. he should have confirmed that before he agreed to this, shouldn't he?
fortune favors the bold and Steve is confident enough in his ability to bullshit if he's got the wrong one. so he knocks. knocks again, impatient. stuffs his hands in his pockets and stares uncomfortably out into the dark like it might secretly have teeth. to be fair, Steve has found out that it does a little too often for his liking. is it that weird to be on edge? )
( Eddie has always been quite terrible when it comes to toeing the line. it's probably why he gets pushed around, shoved around so often by the men who purport themselves to be macho, large and in charge, because fucking forbid Eddie just show any amount of kindness to someone else, no, it has to be flirting. although when it comes to Steve it most definitely is, but Harrington doesn't need to know that.
besides, he's not an idiot. he doesn't truly believe in a million years that there's a single guy in Hawkins worth putting himself and his sexuality on the line for. no matter how attractive they may or may not be.
so, he pines from afar, and resolves himself to getting the fuck out of this town as soon as he graduates. so what if it happens to be taking a bit longer than he really meant to?
leaving Steve to his own devices, Eddie carries on with the day as if nothing unusual just happened. as if he hadn't just witnessed another side of Steve that caused his world to go a little off kilter. he's able to brush all thoughts of this encounter from his mind until ten o'clock rolls around and he realizes he needs to get ready for Steve's visit. which probably shouldn't require that much effort, but for some bizarre reason Eddie can't shake the desire to clear up what little mess there is and fuss over his own appearance, as if Steve would even care about it.
when Steve does eventually show up, Eddie is wearing a slightly tighter pair of pants, ripped at the knees, and a band tee that looks a little tighter around the chest. he's donning his denim vest sans leather jacket and his hair is pulled up in a loose ponytail, strands of hair framing his face, and he greets Steve with a manic grin. )
Ah, welcome to the Munson abode, come in, come in, lest you alert the entire trailer park to your presence. ( as if Steve hasn't already done so. but he still figures a little bit of discreetness was still necessary for the purpose of his visit. )
( it feels almost like it takes a lifetime for Eddie to answer. long enough that Steve has a hand up to knock again, though he gets too distracted by distant wind in the trees, crunching of branches underfoot that he wouldn't have even noticed a year ago. his mouth feels dry and the trailer park seems a little too quiet. too precarious, though to be fair when it came down to it no place was particularly safe from the Upside Down.
he flinches when the door opens, his hand dropping loosely. Steve never figured he'd be relieved to see Eddie "The Freak" Munson, but, here he is. it's weird how just seeing another face makes the shadows seem to recede a little. he was just being paranoid. all that shit is over with, done, the portal sealed up. the only thing left are the creepy crawly memories and Steve knows he isn't doing himself any favors getting stuck on them.
he steps past Eddie to the inside of the trailer, eyes doing a wide scan of the perimeter and fussing mildly with one of the coffee cups right by the door. weird, but somewhat charming. compared to his house, that still looks like it's staged to convince people to buy it. )
Worried about being seen with me, Munson? ( Steve asks, just to say something. shake off the weird discomfort that doesn't make any sense, really, even this isn't his part of town. he knows what Eddie meant — better if he's not spotted, considering the nature of his visit. there's still something funny (the bitter kind, more than the ha ha kind) that the anti establishment metalhead being concerned about being seen with him. just desserts or something, right? )
( he steps to the side, and instead of waiting for Steve to follow him in like a normal person, grabs and arm and pulls him inside, insistently. as if there's the possibility that someone will come bursting out the door of his neighbor's trailer across the park, or Hopper will suddenly appear and break up their little party. it wouldn't be the weirdest thing, considering this town's reputation.
he rolls his eyes at Steve's words and leads him further into the trailer, grabbing his metal lunchbox from off the kitchen counter, along with his lighter, rolling papers, and a grinder. ) And here I figured you'd be the one worried about being seen with me.
Now, for the million dollar question, though. My uncle doesn't mind if we smoke while he's not around, so long as it's either outside or in my bedroom with a window cracked open. Your choice.
( if he's suddenly nervous at the thought of bringing Steve Harrington into his bedroom, even if it's just under the pretense of showing him how to roll a joint, well, he's trying to do his damnedest not to let it show. it's not like this is going to be a common occurrence, after all. after tonight he doubts he'll see Steve ever again, except for when he wants to restock. )
( at some point, maybe that would have been true. now, Steve doesn't figure there's much of his reputation to salvage. Hawkins High seems to relish in his fall from grace. he rejected the crown and in turn the girl he left it for rejected him. he's either pitied or resented, and general consensus seems to be he got what he deserved. maybe he did. and if it's possible to climb back up the ranks, Steve hasn't bothered to try. it just... doesn't really matter, does it. so it doesn't seem likely that buying weed from Eddie Munson could make things any worse. the whole idea is that hopefully it'll make things a bit more bearable.
Steve crosses his arms, glancing around the dimly lit accommodations. living room into kitchen into a straight shot to the rest of the trailer. lately his house has felt too big, like he's a ghost haunting it and he can't even make it to every room. but the trailer feels a little cramped and while Steve is pretty sure Eddie's uncle doesn't know his dad at all, he'd rather not be wrong and have this blow up in his face later. Wayne wouldn't be the first stranger that seemed to think they were obligated to inform his old man what he was up to. )
Your room, ( Steve decides, and if Eddie is nervous about having him in his bedroom, he shouldn't have given it as an option. that's on him! the ability to close a door and have some privacy trumps the weirdness of being in another guy's bedroom. and to be fair, back when Tommy wasn't insane, they'd hang out in his room. not that weird. right? )
( well, Eddie did give it as an option, so now he has to deal with the consequences. which, in the long run, are not at all terrible. he leads Steve into the bedroom, cursing the fact that no matter how much of the mess he did pick up, it still feels like it's not nearly clean enough for Steve's presence. but it's too late, and they're not here to admire the wallpaper, so it won't be an issue once the high kicks in.
but first, things first. ) Please, make yourself at home, mi casa es su casa. ( he flashes a smile at Steve and settles down on the bed, spreading out all of his paraphernalia. ) Let's get started, shall we? This is what you're gonna want to use to grind the weed up so it's better for smoking.
( he holds up the small metal grinder, and shows Steve how to place the buds into the grinder and close the lid, how many twists it takes to get it into the right consistency. ) It takes a bit of practice and experimenting to figure out how fine you like it, but then you take your rolling paper like so, and fill it evenly. ( he demonstrates for Steve, before pinching the ends and rolling it up to secure it. ) Et voila, ready to smoke. Any questions before liftoff, captain?
( it's sure messier than Steve's own room. notably, with piles of something covering most surfaces, and band posters and album art splashed up across the walls. it's... overwhelming, a little, all the everything going on everywhere. but it has a bed and it has a door and there's no neon glow reflected on the walls so it's better than what he's been dealing with lately, so it'll do.
su casa es mi casa means he can help himself to the chair that seems to have been mostly neglected at Eddie's desk. seems slightly less weird than sitting on his bed. Steve perches on it backwards, elbow on the back and his head propped in his hand like he's a little bored. his body language conflicts with his expression, though, because he's definitely paying attention. he'd like to be self sufficient after this — and god knows he doesn't pick up anything quickly, so he really has gotta focus up. he doesn't say much, just listens. but it is somewhat of a relief Eddie doesn't treat it all like it's fucking obvious, when maybe it should be. Steve's smoked before, he's just ... never had to do this part. he'd hand off money and Tommy would show up with a joint and he got to take the credit without doing any of the leg work and it used to be as easy as that.
there are some parts of being king that are hard not to miss, even though he knows he's better off.
his hand droops away from his face and he straightens as Eddie asks if he has any questions. Captain? what the fuck? there's a crook of an amused look on his face. geez this guy is weird, but, weird isn't always bad. he's been learning that lately. goddamn Henderson, making geeks seem so tolerable! ) Nah, ( Steve says, and his lack of willingness to ask questions is probably why he is barely passing most of his classes, but right about now all he cares about is breaking even. if he's gotta fail a couple times in the privacy of his own home to roll a joint, he'll survive. he pads through his windbreaker to find his lighter, it makes a metallic zing through the air as he clicks the lid and underhand tosses it toward Eddie so he can get to the point already. the toss is pointedly slow, like maybe he does not trust Eddie can catch it otherwise. ) Where'd you learn all this shit?
( is that ... too bare a question to ask your drug dealer? haha. maybe. but he's sleepless and miserable, maybe that's a good excuse for prying. )
( it's probably pretty telling that Eddie isn't treating Steve like an idiot all throughout this demonstration. he wouldn't expect the jock to be able to pick this up through osmosis, realistically, but if it had been anyone else that Steve had formerly been friends with, he absolutely would have been an asshole to them. it would have been warranted, though, considering how much hell they'd put him and his friends through in their short tenure in school. it didn't seem to matter that Eddie had been a senior while they were juniors. as far as they were concerned, his freak status made him lesser.
but Steve, well. maybe Eddie should have still been resentful despite the fact that Harrington never joined in and actively bullied the nerd table, but he certainly was a passive bystander. maybe he should be thankful that it isn't so incredibly obvious to the average person why Eddie might be so forgiving. it would never occur to Steve that he might have more interest in him than meets the eye.
of course, he's nothing more than a drug dealer to Steve, so he puts the kibosh into that line of thought as quickly as he can. )
Yeah, uh, about that. ( he laughs, almost nervously. nobody has ever fucking asked him that before, and so naturally it takes Eddie by surprise. they all just assume he came out of his mother's womb armed with the knowledge. ) Surprised you don't know already. Thought that my origin story was plastered all across town. ( he dispenses with the cryptic talk when he realizes that he's likely done nothing more than just confuse Steve further. as cute as his puzzled look does, he has mercy on the poor guy, and clarifies. ) My old man. He, uh, he's the one who introduced me to the lovely world of drug dealing.
( if anything, Steve likely deserves Eddie to treat him like shit on principle. while most of his days at the top were served rolling his eyes and even occasionally laughing at Tommy Hagan's rancid antics, he wasn't exactly a sparkling soul himself. mostly he was a bystander — occasionally feeling guilty, often tuning out of the worst of it, instead of trying to deescalate — he didn't bother with small time shit like playing D&D and repeating a grade. Steve's cruelty tended toward intentional ignorance, in not seeing anyone arbitrarily decided to not be worthy of his time. however, that surely didn't make him incapable of being awful. the rare occasions he decided to push someone down a peg or twenty, it wasn't talking shit on the sidelines or giving a guy a shiner. intentionally breaking a guy's camera was bad enough without knowing said guy had likely no way to replace it. when Steve had a bone to pick he tended to tear things raw and let the vultures have at the rest.
having a reason for being awful doesn't really absolve one very much. motives don't just the means any more than the end. he got Byers a new camera and he'd sure as shit had his reasons for it, but Steve doesn't really blame the guy for not forgiving him. he can't much blame Nancy for giving up on him, either. he deserved it.
Steve can't quite guess why Eddie isn't being more of a dick to him. maybe he figures he's got to stay in good graces of a potential customer. or maybe he's just not as big of a dick as all the people Steve is used to hanging out with. Eddie has the reputation of being too much and disliking sports and liking things most people don't. wasn't too long ago Steve was happy to take public perception as fact. it is only recently he's learning to look beyond that. he's not exactly good at it yet. but it isn't lost on him that Eddie is not what he thought he would be. )
Your old man. ( Steve ... is not sure what answer he was expecting. was he expecting an answer?? but whatever he was thinking, it sure wasn't that. ) Shit. ( this is an umbrella term to describe how that's kind of fucked up, and that he feels a little bad for asking, and is somewhat sympathetic all at once. )
Yeah, yeah, don't cry about it. ( Eddie mutters as he leans towards Steve and hands the joint to him along with the lighter, allowing him the first hit seeing as how they were assembled here on Steve's account. ) He's in jail now, and I'm still dealing so I'm pretty sure I'm having the last laugh. Is that how that works?
( he laughs derisively as he pointedly ignores any brushing of fingers that might happen during the handoff. he's heard well enough about the kinds of words Steve hurled at Byers the week after the two had their altercation in the alleyway, when Harrington reappeared at school with a black eye and a lack of lackeys at his side. and yet, the version of Steve that's right here in front of him, about to share a joint, couldn't be further from the King Steve he's used to. )
Anyway, it's fine now, I'm gonna graduate, first of the family, and show this town I'm worth more than my dear old dad.
( okay. touchy. Steve knows he deserves it, with all the prying dad questions. hell, his old man isn't doing hard time and Steve still doesn't exactly like talking about him with just about anyone. the bitterness resonates with him, instead of turning him off. though he's sure Eddie would laugh if he tried to relate on what it is like to have a shitty dad. ) Sounds like an ass, ( Steve decides, and maybe he shouldn't be declaring somebody's dad an ass. he's just calling it like he sees it, that's all. generally people don't end up in the slammer because of the strength of their character, it feels like a safe assumption.
while Steve may not have experience with... any other part of smoking, until tonight, he at least has experience lighting a joint. he's picky about the cherry, takes his time. there's a satisfaction in the burn across the back of his throat, it feels like relief when he breathes out the cloying smoke above his head. Eddie might just assume he checked out in the ritual of a first drag, but when he comes to he notes, ) You graduate this year too, huh?
( it is obvious, on paper, that Eddie is graduating this year. besides the fact Steve is pretty sure he was also supposed to graduate last year. it is something they have in common that he hadn't bothered to think about, though. graduation is the only goalpost in his life to keep slogging towards. for a bit there he'd felt sorry enough for himself that the idea of flunking out didn't bother him at all. since then his face has healed up and he knows how stupid that would be. so he's trying to put the pieces back together again, now, though his grades sure as shit aren't great now that he can't study with Nancy anymore. he suspects he'll make it just by the skin of his teeth, but for right now that'll have to be good enough. )
Here's to the class of '85, then. ( he offers the joint back, finally. without a hint of nerves, either. it isn't the first joint he's shared, it doesn't occur to him to feel weird about it. )
( Steve continues to be full of surprises. it prompts Eddie to look up at Steve with a look of surprise that he isn't falling into the usual relentless teasing that the Tommy H's of the world had often done, insinuating that Eddie would never amount to anything. there isn't even a hint of arrogance in how Steve responds, calling Al Munson, a man Steve never even met, an ass based on what Eddie told him.
before Eddie can agree, Steve brings up how Eddie is supposed to graduate this year. he tries to look hopeful, but after the abysmal year last year, one can hardly blame him for being skeptical that he will suddenly be able to string together good enough grades to please the powers that be. Mrs. O'Donnell seems adamant about teaching him a lesson or something despite turning in passable essays and showing up to class on time, but maybe if he aces the final, she won't have any choice but to give him a C. )
To the class of '85. ( he smiles wryly as he takes the joint back from Steve, this time feeling himself shiver as their fingers brush in spite of his attempts to act totally normal about this. ) You got any big plans after you graduate?
( ah, yes, the Hagan classic. tear people apart so you feel a little less small and miserable. Steve doesn't miss it, having to tune out and occasionally telling Tommy to stuff it if the routine went on too long. he's keeping odd company these days, but it is funny how a drug dealer is proving more companionable than the best friend he'd had since third grade.
if Steve notices the jitters in Eddie's hands, he assumes it's that he's tweaking rather than nerves. which is a rude assumption, but look. he's aware the guy sells more than grass. who knows how much of his own product he samples. Steve props his head in his hand, trying to focus on the smoky fuzz in his throat and in his head. the sooner it hits, the better he will feel. and he's felt like shit for awhile now, so, soon can't happen fast enough.
Eddie asking about what he'll do after he graduates isn't helping, either. Steve opens his eyes, like he's coming to or waking up and isn't sure he was ready. ) Who knows, ( he says, and truly, as much as he'd like a better answer he doesn't have one. any application letter he sent came back with red ink, working for his old man seems less and less likely and what else is he supposed to do with himself? wait around for more monsters to slink out of the woodwork? )
Maybe I'll follow your lead and take another year to think about it. ( okay so maybe Tommy wasn't the ONLY dick in that friendship. they're probably not close enough to rib each other like that. but it's too late!!! it's toothless, locker room jibe material, playful at best. paired with a tired smirk, like Steve is proud of himself for being a brat. surely nerds also poke and prod at each other for sport, right? Eddie will get it. )
( it's weird. before the arrival of Billy Hargrove, Eddie would have never laughed at Steve's gentle ribbing. he would have immediately jumped to the defensive. at least, he likes to think so, but if he were to be well and truly honest with himself, he would maybe admit that his ceaseless crush on the jock does tend to cloud his judgment. it's something Jeff has called him out on before, though nobody else in Hellfire knows the extent of his sexuality and the hypocrisy that is born out of such a crush.
but Steve has shown him to be a different person than he was when Eddie made his first attempt in his senior year. coupled with the relaxation that comes with being stoned, he does find himself laughing, pointing at Steve as if that were well and truly clever. )
Nice one. Word of advice, though, don't follow in my footsteps too much, or Mrs. O'Donnell might end up with a crush on you so bad she wants to keep you for another year. ( and if he adds a wink to that to cover what he truly thinks of all of this...well, he's only human, after all. )
( unlike some people ( cough cough BILLY HARGROVE cough cough ), Steve is not particularly inclined to ladies old enough to be his mother. while it is a fairly normal boy thing to crow about hot for teacher, Steve makes a face, unimpressed. ) Ugh, ( he says, smile creeping up at the corners of his mouth. but it's paired with a huff of a laugh too, because it's so much closer to normal he's felt in weeks. months maybe. stupid jokes about school. weed smoke clinging to the polyester of his windbreaker. someone his own goddamn age to hang out with. while all the circumstances are still far from ideal, somehow they're just a little bit better than they had been even 24 hours ago.
he's actually kinda grateful, though it's surely not something he can explain to Eddie Goddamn Munson. that he's so sore desperate for something normal that this moment feels like the old torn throw his grandma made that he keeps in the den so his mom will stop trying to toss it. comfortable, reassuring, maybe in a way that doesn't even make sense. it's just... nice. even if he barely knows the guy, the company makes him feel a little more human. the loneliness gets about as bad as the shadows turning sinister. and it turns out Eddie isn't half as bad as Steve expected, from his showboating on top of tables in the cafeteria, which is kinda a surprise too. )
Nah, I think I'm good. She's not my type. ( discussions of type are a bit bittersweet right about now, because what even IS his type? nothing like Nancy is a bit too broad of a spectrum, and honestly maybe he's not even ready to contemplate a new answer yet. what he is ready for, however, is the joint. he impatiently waggles his fingers, even gives Eddie a slight pout. if accused of it, he would deny it. ) C'mon, I thought we were sharing, here.
( it has the intended effect, and Eddie has an easy smile on his face in response. although it's slim pickings for someone of Eddie's, well, preferences, he can safely assure you that none of the teachers at Hawkins High fit that bill. it really does feel like hell on earth sometimes, with the occasional breath of fresh air to remind Eddie that once he's out of this hellhole, there's a world worth living in.
but damn if Principal Higgins doesn't make it incredibly difficult to get to the finish line.
and while Eddie has his friends, has the nerds that Harrington's former cronies would regularly shove into lockers while Harrington disapproved, he has to admit that this is pleasant. it's pleasant in a way that surprises him, that makes this town feel just a little less suffocating. though he expects this friendliness might not last once Steve leaves his trailer, Eddie can pretend that when he walks into the doors of Hawkins High next time, he might be well on his way to making a new friend.
it's a pipe dream, but he's clinging to it.
he laughs at Steve's antics and takes another hit before passing the joint over, ignoring the jolts of something charged that bounce up his arm when their fingers touch. )
There you go, big boy. You can finish it off.
( yeah, this might be the only night he gets this, but at least he gets to have this at all. )
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Date: 2023-01-24 05:20 am (UTC)Just a kid I babysit sometimes. ( that's true, and it's very not true, all at once. but Steve's reputation is trashed enough without Eddie Munson telling all of Hawkins High his only friends are 13, and friend is generous since they mostly just want to use him as a taxi service. Steve hopes his tone does not imply that he's open to further questions on the subject. because he's definitely not.
Steve is still smarting, feeling stupid about not knowing that you don't get your grass pre-rolled. maybe Tommy wasn't a complete dickhead, if he made it easier to toke. Eddie gets a dark look from behind darker glasses for the your highness, though. somehow the icy glare still translates. there's a defensive shitty comeback crawling up his throat — something about it being rich coming from somebody that goes by freak, maybe — when Eddie offers to show him how it works, instead of just laughing him off or selling him a shit ton of weed and leaving him to figure it out himself. that's... well, probably a lot of it is being not shitty to buyers means they'll buy again. but still, it's not shitty, and it'd be easy to be.
if Eddie isn't going to be shitty, Steve can probably manage to not be shitty, either. )
Yeah, okay. ( maybe he should have given Eddie an out, an are you sure. but he needs a smoke and could use the help, so, why not. at least he wouldn't be hanging out with a 13 year old, though, hanging out with a drug dealer is not exactly a huge step up. ) Tonight when?
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Date: 2023-02-04 06:09 pm (UTC)Didn't really take you for a babysitter. [ probably because Steve's an only child, and he always envisioned his parents leaving him in the hands of a nanny, because that's just what rich people do. spoiled, rich kids didn't need babysitting money.
instead of shrinking back, like Steve probably hoped he would, Eddie just grins at that look. he expects a biting remark, but instead Steve just...accepts it. and sure, maybe that attitude has something to do with Eddie being generous with his time. maybe Eddie's generosity has something to do with an overwhelming sense of loneliness. maybe the both of them are about to crash and burn miserably, but he can lie to himself, tell himself that Steve would be more likely to continue buying from him if he knows how to prepare and smoke the damn stuff, but he knows deep down he could have said nothing and let Steve deal with it. ]
Anytime after 9. My uncle works night so we'll have the place all to ourselves.
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Date: 2023-02-26 10:40 pm (UTC)he just minds that he doesn't have much else going on besides that.
he does notice that Eddie doesn't shrink back from the dismissive glower. it is... annoying, a little. a reminder that his title of fallen king of bullshit doesn't get him very far. maybe he shouldn't be leaning on his old tricks, anyway. they never did get him very far. it is a little interesting, though. Eddie Munson is a bit notorious, not necessarily in good ways — everyone knows the guy doesn't give a shit about the things most of the school cares about. in a way, it is sort of a strange relief. finding someone else drifting in the aimless outside. because Steve can't manage to give much of a shit these days. and with Hawkin High's most notorious outsider, there's not much need to pretend he does, either. )
Ten, then. ( arbitrarily later than 9, just to pretend he's more aloof about this than he is. having an uncle that works all night is curious, though, Steve has parents that are gone days and even weeks at a time. so maybe it isn't that curious, actually. ) Should I bring anything else, or just the money?
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Date: 2023-03-13 12:11 am (UTC)because that kind of line of thought can get him beat up in this town, and he's been doing so well lately. ]
Cool, ten it is then. [ he tones down his grin a little bit, offers Steve more of a genuine smile. he might be looking forward to this rendezvous a lot more than he's letting on. which might have something to do with the fact that his social life, more often than not, tends to revolve around his D&D club or band rehearsal, neither of which he happens to have for the rest of this week. it'll be nice to have some company around the trailer that night. ] Just the money's fine. Unless you planning on sleeping over? [ and there's that wolfish grin again, always prodding at Steve's buttons. ]
tw: 80s period homophobia srry yyy yy ANNNDDD mildly jumps ahead? ?? if u are keen
Date: 2023-04-03 03:03 am (UTC)well, jokes on you, Eddie. Steve can, in fact, tolerate some weird not-quite-flirting for the promise of weed.
Steve stands up, stubs out the rest of his cigarette. gives Eddie a once over, like he's trying to tell if the guy is full of shit or not. if he is, Steve can't quite tell. the manic ear to ear goblin smile does read like the guy is completely full of it. this one, well, it's not so bad. harder to read, though. ) Fine. ( and, because apparently he can't depart this conversation without some degree of bad attitude, ) If you're bullshiting me and I gotta make nice with your uncle you're gonna make it worth my while.
( this is delivered sternly, with a poke in Eddie's direction. old people love him, Eddie. he's parent catnip. there's not much air in the threat, because... what is he gonna do? rat the guy out for dealing? either his uncle knows or Steve screws himself out of a supply. still, he's gotta at least pretend to have some control over this situation. he's gotta have control over something.
with that, there's no good reason to stick around. Steve installs his sunglasses back on his face because even the halfhearted light is too bright. he throws a farewell behind his shoulder instead of looking the guy in the eye. ) See you then, Munson.
( and see him then Eddie will. though... it's verging more on 10:30, than 10:00. not that Steve intended to be late, though that is for sure a King Steve move he used to pull. he fell asleep on the couch on accident. good thing, since sleeping has been so rough lately. bad thing, when he woke up with his heart in his throat. arguably he's not in the best state to have company, much less unknown company. however, he's in a great state to get high, actually. so trying to ignore the jitters in his hands and how every shadow in the house seems a little too dark, he gets himself together and drives to the trailer park across town.
he should have figured out a more subtle way of getting here, Steve realizes wryly, when he pulls up in his signature BMW. his car might be worth more than some of these trailers, and if some patrol officer swings by it'll stick out like a sore thumb. well, too fucking late, Steve supposes. what the hell would it matter if they did? so he parks and strolls up to the trailer he is pretty sure is Eddie's. he should have confirmed that before he agreed to this, shouldn't he?
fortune favors the bold and Steve is confident enough in his ability to bullshit if he's got the wrong one. so he knocks. knocks again, impatient. stuffs his hands in his pockets and stares uncomfortably out into the dark like it might secretly have teeth. to be fair, Steve has found out that it does a little too often for his liking. is it that weird to be on edge? )
i am so very keen
Date: 2023-04-16 04:10 pm (UTC)besides, he's not an idiot. he doesn't truly believe in a million years that there's a single guy in Hawkins worth putting himself and his sexuality on the line for. no matter how attractive they may or may not be.
so, he pines from afar, and resolves himself to getting the fuck out of this town as soon as he graduates. so what if it happens to be taking a bit longer than he really meant to?
leaving Steve to his own devices, Eddie carries on with the day as if nothing unusual just happened. as if he hadn't just witnessed another side of Steve that caused his world to go a little off kilter. he's able to brush all thoughts of this encounter from his mind until ten o'clock rolls around and he realizes he needs to get ready for Steve's visit. which probably shouldn't require that much effort, but for some bizarre reason Eddie can't shake the desire to clear up what little mess there is and fuss over his own appearance, as if Steve would even care about it.
when Steve does eventually show up, Eddie is wearing a slightly tighter pair of pants, ripped at the knees, and a band tee that looks a little tighter around the chest. he's donning his denim vest sans leather jacket and his hair is pulled up in a loose ponytail, strands of hair framing his face, and he greets Steve with a manic grin. )
Ah, welcome to the Munson abode, come in, come in, lest you alert the entire trailer park to your presence. ( as if Steve hasn't already done so. but he still figures a little bit of discreetness was still necessary for the purpose of his visit. )
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Date: 2023-04-30 10:57 pm (UTC)he flinches when the door opens, his hand dropping loosely. Steve never figured he'd be relieved to see Eddie "The Freak" Munson, but, here he is. it's weird how just seeing another face makes the shadows seem to recede a little. he was just being paranoid. all that shit is over with, done, the portal sealed up. the only thing left are the creepy crawly memories and Steve knows he isn't doing himself any favors getting stuck on them.
he steps past Eddie to the inside of the trailer, eyes doing a wide scan of the perimeter and fussing mildly with one of the coffee cups right by the door. weird, but somewhat charming. compared to his house, that still looks like it's staged to convince people to buy it. )
Worried about being seen with me, Munson? ( Steve asks, just to say something. shake off the weird discomfort that doesn't make any sense, really, even this isn't his part of town. he knows what Eddie meant — better if he's not spotted, considering the nature of his visit. there's still something funny (the bitter kind, more than the ha ha kind) that the anti establishment metalhead being concerned about being seen with him. just desserts or something, right? )
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Date: 2023-05-10 01:25 pm (UTC)he rolls his eyes at Steve's words and leads him further into the trailer, grabbing his metal lunchbox from off the kitchen counter, along with his lighter, rolling papers, and a grinder. ) And here I figured you'd be the one worried about being seen with me.
Now, for the million dollar question, though. My uncle doesn't mind if we smoke while he's not around, so long as it's either outside or in my bedroom with a window cracked open. Your choice.
( if he's suddenly nervous at the thought of bringing Steve Harrington into his bedroom, even if it's just under the pretense of showing him how to roll a joint, well, he's trying to do his damnedest not to let it show. it's not like this is going to be a common occurrence, after all. after tonight he doubts he'll see Steve ever again, except for when he wants to restock. )
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Date: 2023-05-24 10:25 pm (UTC)Steve crosses his arms, glancing around the dimly lit accommodations. living room into kitchen into a straight shot to the rest of the trailer. lately his house has felt too big, like he's a ghost haunting it and he can't even make it to every room. but the trailer feels a little cramped and while Steve is pretty sure Eddie's uncle doesn't know his dad at all, he'd rather not be wrong and have this blow up in his face later. Wayne wouldn't be the first stranger that seemed to think they were obligated to inform his old man what he was up to. )
Your room, ( Steve decides, and if Eddie is nervous about having him in his bedroom, he shouldn't have given it as an option. that's on him! the ability to close a door and have some privacy trumps the weirdness of being in another guy's bedroom. and to be fair, back when Tommy wasn't insane, they'd hang out in his room. not that weird. right? )
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Date: 2023-06-03 07:33 pm (UTC)but first, things first. ) Please, make yourself at home, mi casa es su casa. ( he flashes a smile at Steve and settles down on the bed, spreading out all of his paraphernalia. ) Let's get started, shall we? This is what you're gonna want to use to grind the weed up so it's better for smoking.
( he holds up the small metal grinder, and shows Steve how to place the buds into the grinder and close the lid, how many twists it takes to get it into the right consistency. ) It takes a bit of practice and experimenting to figure out how fine you like it, but then you take your rolling paper like so, and fill it evenly. ( he demonstrates for Steve, before pinching the ends and rolling it up to secure it. ) Et voila, ready to smoke. Any questions before liftoff, captain?
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Date: 2023-07-02 10:31 pm (UTC)su casa es mi casa means he can help himself to the chair that seems to have been mostly neglected at Eddie's desk. seems slightly less weird than sitting on his bed. Steve perches on it backwards, elbow on the back and his head propped in his hand like he's a little bored. his body language conflicts with his expression, though, because he's definitely paying attention. he'd like to be self sufficient after this — and god knows he doesn't pick up anything quickly, so he really has gotta focus up. he doesn't say much, just listens. but it is somewhat of a relief Eddie doesn't treat it all like it's fucking obvious, when maybe it should be. Steve's smoked before, he's just ... never had to do this part. he'd hand off money and Tommy would show up with a joint and he got to take the credit without doing any of the leg work and it used to be as easy as that.
there are some parts of being king that are hard not to miss, even though he knows he's better off.
his hand droops away from his face and he straightens as Eddie asks if he has any questions. Captain? what the fuck? there's a crook of an amused look on his face. geez this guy is weird, but, weird isn't always bad. he's been learning that lately. goddamn Henderson, making geeks seem so tolerable! ) Nah, ( Steve says, and his lack of willingness to ask questions is probably why he is barely passing most of his classes, but right about now all he cares about is breaking even. if he's gotta fail a couple times in the privacy of his own home to roll a joint, he'll survive. he pads through his windbreaker to find his lighter, it makes a metallic zing through the air as he clicks the lid and underhand tosses it toward Eddie so he can get to the point already. the toss is pointedly slow, like maybe he does not trust Eddie can catch it otherwise. ) Where'd you learn all this shit?
( is that ... too bare a question to ask your drug dealer? haha. maybe. but he's sleepless and miserable, maybe that's a good excuse for prying. )
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Date: 2023-07-07 01:17 pm (UTC)but Steve, well. maybe Eddie should have still been resentful despite the fact that Harrington never joined in and actively bullied the nerd table, but he certainly was a passive bystander. maybe he should be thankful that it isn't so incredibly obvious to the average person why Eddie might be so forgiving. it would never occur to Steve that he might have more interest in him than meets the eye.
of course, he's nothing more than a drug dealer to Steve, so he puts the kibosh into that line of thought as quickly as he can. )
Yeah, uh, about that. ( he laughs, almost nervously. nobody has ever fucking asked him that before, and so naturally it takes Eddie by surprise. they all just assume he came out of his mother's womb armed with the knowledge. ) Surprised you don't know already. Thought that my origin story was plastered all across town. ( he dispenses with the cryptic talk when he realizes that he's likely done nothing more than just confuse Steve further. as cute as his puzzled look does, he has mercy on the poor guy, and clarifies. ) My old man. He, uh, he's the one who introduced me to the lovely world of drug dealing.
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Date: 2023-07-17 03:38 pm (UTC)having a reason for being awful doesn't really absolve one very much. motives don't just the means any more than the end. he got Byers a new camera and he'd sure as shit had his reasons for it, but Steve doesn't really blame the guy for not forgiving him. he can't much blame Nancy for giving up on him, either. he deserved it.
Steve can't quite guess why Eddie isn't being more of a dick to him. maybe he figures he's got to stay in good graces of a potential customer. or maybe he's just not as big of a dick as all the people Steve is used to hanging out with. Eddie has the reputation of being too much and disliking sports and liking things most people don't. wasn't too long ago Steve was happy to take public perception as fact. it is only recently he's learning to look beyond that. he's not exactly good at it yet. but it isn't lost on him that Eddie is not what he thought he would be. )
Your old man. ( Steve ... is not sure what answer he was expecting. was he expecting an answer?? but whatever he was thinking, it sure wasn't that. ) Shit. ( this is an umbrella term to describe how that's kind of fucked up, and that he feels a little bad for asking, and is somewhat sympathetic all at once. )
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Date: 2023-07-26 12:09 pm (UTC)( he laughs derisively as he pointedly ignores any brushing of fingers that might happen during the handoff. he's heard well enough about the kinds of words Steve hurled at Byers the week after the two had their altercation in the alleyway, when Harrington reappeared at school with a black eye and a lack of lackeys at his side. and yet, the version of Steve that's right here in front of him, about to share a joint, couldn't be further from the King Steve he's used to. )
Anyway, it's fine now, I'm gonna graduate, first of the family, and show this town I'm worth more than my dear old dad.
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Date: 2023-09-05 03:18 am (UTC)while Steve may not have experience with... any other part of smoking, until tonight, he at least has experience lighting a joint. he's picky about the cherry, takes his time. there's a satisfaction in the burn across the back of his throat, it feels like relief when he breathes out the cloying smoke above his head. Eddie might just assume he checked out in the ritual of a first drag, but when he comes to he notes, ) You graduate this year too, huh?
( it is obvious, on paper, that Eddie is graduating this year. besides the fact Steve is pretty sure he was also supposed to graduate last year. it is something they have in common that he hadn't bothered to think about, though. graduation is the only goalpost in his life to keep slogging towards. for a bit there he'd felt sorry enough for himself that the idea of flunking out didn't bother him at all. since then his face has healed up and he knows how stupid that would be. so he's trying to put the pieces back together again, now, though his grades sure as shit aren't great now that he can't study with Nancy anymore. he suspects he'll make it just by the skin of his teeth, but for right now that'll have to be good enough. )
Here's to the class of '85, then. ( he offers the joint back, finally. without a hint of nerves, either. it isn't the first joint he's shared, it doesn't occur to him to feel weird about it. )
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Date: 2023-09-23 08:26 pm (UTC)before Eddie can agree, Steve brings up how Eddie is supposed to graduate this year. he tries to look hopeful, but after the abysmal year last year, one can hardly blame him for being skeptical that he will suddenly be able to string together good enough grades to please the powers that be. Mrs. O'Donnell seems adamant about teaching him a lesson or something despite turning in passable essays and showing up to class on time, but maybe if he aces the final, she won't have any choice but to give him a C. )
To the class of '85. ( he smiles wryly as he takes the joint back from Steve, this time feeling himself shiver as their fingers brush in spite of his attempts to act totally normal about this. ) You got any big plans after you graduate?
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Date: 2023-10-24 05:35 pm (UTC)if Steve notices the jitters in Eddie's hands, he assumes it's that he's tweaking rather than nerves. which is a rude assumption, but look. he's aware the guy sells more than grass. who knows how much of his own product he samples. Steve props his head in his hand, trying to focus on the smoky fuzz in his throat and in his head. the sooner it hits, the better he will feel. and he's felt like shit for awhile now, so, soon can't happen fast enough.
Eddie asking about what he'll do after he graduates isn't helping, either. Steve opens his eyes, like he's coming to or waking up and isn't sure he was ready. ) Who knows, ( he says, and truly, as much as he'd like a better answer he doesn't have one. any application letter he sent came back with red ink, working for his old man seems less and less likely and what else is he supposed to do with himself? wait around for more monsters to slink out of the woodwork? )
Maybe I'll follow your lead and take another year to think about it. ( okay so maybe Tommy wasn't the ONLY dick in that friendship. they're probably not close enough to rib each other like that. but it's too late!!! it's toothless, locker room jibe material, playful at best. paired with a tired smirk, like Steve is proud of himself for being a brat. surely nerds also poke and prod at each other for sport, right? Eddie will get it. )
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Date: 2023-10-29 12:59 am (UTC)but Steve has shown him to be a different person than he was when Eddie made his first attempt in his senior year. coupled with the relaxation that comes with being stoned, he does find himself laughing, pointing at Steve as if that were well and truly clever. )
Nice one. Word of advice, though, don't follow in my footsteps too much, or Mrs. O'Donnell might end up with a crush on you so bad she wants to keep you for another year. ( and if he adds a wink to that to cover what he truly thinks of all of this...well, he's only human, after all. )
wrap on yours? 🎀
Date: 2023-11-11 06:51 am (UTC)he's actually kinda grateful, though it's surely not something he can explain to Eddie Goddamn Munson. that he's so sore desperate for something normal that this moment feels like the old torn throw his grandma made that he keeps in the den so his mom will stop trying to toss it. comfortable, reassuring, maybe in a way that doesn't even make sense. it's just... nice. even if he barely knows the guy, the company makes him feel a little more human. the loneliness gets about as bad as the shadows turning sinister. and it turns out Eddie isn't half as bad as Steve expected, from his showboating on top of tables in the cafeteria, which is kinda a surprise too. )
Nah, I think I'm good. She's not my type. ( discussions of type are a bit bittersweet right about now, because what even IS his type? nothing like Nancy is a bit too broad of a spectrum, and honestly maybe he's not even ready to contemplate a new answer yet. what he is ready for, however, is the joint. he impatiently waggles his fingers, even gives Eddie a slight pout. if accused of it, he would deny it. ) C'mon, I thought we were sharing, here.
✅
Date: 2023-11-13 02:18 pm (UTC)but damn if Principal Higgins doesn't make it incredibly difficult to get to the finish line.
and while Eddie has his friends, has the nerds that Harrington's former cronies would regularly shove into lockers while Harrington disapproved, he has to admit that this is pleasant. it's pleasant in a way that surprises him, that makes this town feel just a little less suffocating. though he expects this friendliness might not last once Steve leaves his trailer, Eddie can pretend that when he walks into the doors of Hawkins High next time, he might be well on his way to making a new friend.
it's a pipe dream, but he's clinging to it.
he laughs at Steve's antics and takes another hit before passing the joint over, ignoring the jolts of something charged that bounce up his arm when their fingers touch. )
There you go, big boy. You can finish it off.
( yeah, this might be the only night he gets this, but at least he gets to have this at all. )