[ It's been a shitshow since Eddie came back from the Upside Down, recovering from his wounds and trying to recover from the reputation that stalks him just as painfully as the cuts did.
Somehow, Hopper - and it's fucking wild, being on good terms with the police chief - and whatever contacts he has with the world has managed to clear his name and Eddie is a free man, getting his classes done and dusted and finally walking across the stage. The middle finger had been up, his kids had cheered, and his uncle had cried; it had been one of the most freeing experiences of his young life but he is beyond glad to see the back of it.
Now he's holed up in the Harrington house, abandoned by the guy's parents and suddenly occupied by more kids than the old guys could probably imagine. He's settled on the sofa, legs crossed up under his legs as he flicks through his pages, trying to decide the best route that he wants to go down. Now that they have a handful more members he wants to make it a good campaign, and the knowledge that Steve is going to be joining them... He wants to make it the best he can get it to be.
He wants to impress Steve, and that notion makes something warm and nervous bubble inside of him. He wants to please Steve, wants him to enjoy himself, and when the other guy speaks he looks over. ]
You're kidding me, right? [ Eddie laughs aloud, reaching over and flicking the character sheet before he throws his head back to laugh. ] A paladin gets his magic from a God, y'know, from belief and worship. A ranger has innate power and doesn't rely on their faith. It depends if you want to be more strong and protective or a bit sneaky and hunter like. Your poison, dude.
[ steve looks over at him with a glare, which probably looks less intimmedating than he means it to because he's confused. ]
Shut up. [ he grumbles, nudging eddie's side with his elbow, because this isn't obvious shit. none of this is obvious but steve does want to play. part of it is because some of eddie's enthusiasm has rubbed off on him, part of it because he does want to see what the fuss is all about.
mostly, it's that eddie's really convincing. dustin complained that he'd asked him before and had been shut down, but it's not the same. ] Strong and protective, I guess? I'm shit at being sneaky. [ someone remind the man he's not playing as himself here. ]
[ All the glare does is make Eddie grin, leaning forward to rest his chin on his hand with a raised eyebrow. Was Steve Harrington supposed to be intimidating somehow? ]
Make me. [ It's a scoff, though, because no way that's going to happen. Not when Eddie is his D&D guru, teaching him the ways of the classes and the dice. Sure, Henderson or one of the others might be able to take over, but he gets the feeling Steve doesn't want to be lectured by a kid.
Instead, he just maintains his pleased little grin. ] Art doesn't have to imitate life, dude. You can be a ranger if you're bored of being super protective.
[ eddie's right next to him but not in ideal elbowing position or steve would go for it. ] I would but that would set a bad example for the children.
[ mr. mom over here thinking about not fighting but after he says it, his mind shifts to all the other ways he could make eddie shut up.
eddie has a too nice smile and steve's not sure what to do with himself when he's looking so pleased like that. like a cat with cream or something. ] I'm not good at creative, dude, but sure. A ranger. I'll be a ranger. [ he takes the character sheet and picks up the pencil, brows furrowing as he writes down the first thing he's chosen which is the class. ] Okay, now what?
The children you are absolutely not the mom of, right?
[ And every single day Steve is more and more maternal. It's endearing, the way that he cares about all the weird little nerds that track after him like lost ducklings. It makes Eddie tilt his head and smile softly, something warm and painfully fond inside of him.
Looking back over at the character sheets, Eddie picks up the Ranger again and flicks the top with a bright grin. ] The Ranger then, yeah. That's a good choice. It's gonna be real fun.
[ He lets Steve take it before he hums softly. ]
We gotta get your stats and then pick your weapons.
I'm not their mom. [ steve groans and flops back on the couch, then reaches out to smack eddie's leg for real.
except he does feel bad about that so he gives his leg a little pat. totally just, a casual one, before withdrawing it. he watches eddie for a moment, watches the way he grins looking at the page.
steve's almost jealous again. eddie has something he's passionate about and steve, well, steve really likes that. but he's also aware he doesn't have anything that excites him as much as eddie gets excited about a new twist in his campaign or new characters joining.
he takes the page back, looks over it. the stats mean nothing to him but-- ] Can I have a sword?
You're a little bit like their mom, c'mon, dude. [ Steve babysits them, scolds them, protects them, takes care of them... Sounds a little bit like a mom. It sounds like the sort of thing that he wished he had in his life - even if Wayne is fantastic.
Eddie glances down at his leg and then glances up over at Steve with a raised eyebrow. He doesn't know what to say for a moment, his mouth suddenly dry. He doesn't know what to do before he forces himself back to focussing on the character sheet.
These things are easy. There are rules, and steps to follow, things he knows how to do. He doesn't have to think too hard about it.
Breathing out, he nods. ] Sure, you can have that instead of a bow. I can make sure you get yourself a badass sword.
'm not. [ he's exasperated by it still, so the words come out like a whine and steve pretends to ignore the fact that dustin decides to sqwuak a 'mom doesn't love us anymore!' from where he's sitting.
steve doesn't turn, grabs a throw pillow of the couch to throw at him with the aim of a well-practiced baseball player. the jock genes are good for something. ] Watch it. [ there's some grumbling involved and then the kids settle, steve turns his attention back to eddie.
it's always been drawn back lately. he tries to not think about eddie arching his brow, tries not to read too much into it.
back to the paper he's still holding. right. ] Why can't I have both?
Yeah, yeah. You're mom and I'm dad. That's how it works. [ He's been parenting Henderson at their Dungeons and Dragons sessions thus far anyway, and all the nonsense with the Upside Down has just solidified that. He'd rather go down the 'cool big brother' route, but...
Still, he cackles out a laugh as Dustin is punished, shifting back and kicking his feet up with a shrug of his shoulders. ] Oh, no, the kids love you. The horror if it all! How will you possibly survive?
[ He snorts, arm resting along the back of the sofa. ]
You can buy another weapon later, but usually you only start off with one or two. Can't be too overpowered in the beginning.
[ steve mumbles 'i'm dad too' under his breath but doesn't focus on that much longer. not when his brain decides to fixate on them co-parenting together. together.
he's doomed.
he nudges eddie again, then settles back against the sofa with his head resting on the backrest. it ends up with him using eddie's arm as a pillow. total accident. ] Come on, Munsun. If you're dad and I'm mom, you gotta give me something extra. Consider it child support.
I've been a single mother struggling for so long. [ he tilts his head toward eddie and definitely tries to pout. ]
[ It just makes Eddie snort a little laugh, because of course it does. It's such a petulant thing that he would never have imagined coming out of Harrington's mouth a handful of years ago - but here they are.
Everything's a little bit different these days. It's hard getting his mind wrapped around it all.
Eddie doesn't move his arm, not even an inch, and instead looks over at Steve with something of a careful, fond smile on his face. Raising his eyebrow, he snorts a little laugh.
Ridiculous, but he kinda loves it. ] You think that matters in Dungeons and Dragons? You aren't married to me in the game - I'm the boss. You're going to have to work a lot harder than that.
Wow. What's a single mom got to do to be appreciated. ( he rolls his eyes, looking a bit put out before it melts into a grin and then a laugh.
steve can't take that seriously, can't believe he said that. he lifts a hand, rubbing his face before he drops it again. he doesn't get up, because this is pretty comfortable even if he's now holding eddie's arm hostage.) How do I marry you in game and get privileges then? Help me out, man.
You got to earn it in the game, dude. I can't just give you more weapons, wouldn't be fair to everyone else.
[ Eddie is close to bursting out into laughter too, to be fair, and he raises his eyebrows with a little wiggle. It doesn't even matter that his arm is close to curling around Steve, because it doesn't mean anything. It doesn't have to mean anything.
That's what he tells himself, at least.
The rest makes him laugh, though, snorting through his nose. ]
I guess you gotta find an NPC I play and hit on them.
Okay, okay. I'll work for it. [ steve knows a bit about hard work now, okay. they're past the king steve era where he'd still whine about it.
working for it will definitely mean finding that npc, though. ] Wanna give me a preview of your NPC roster? I have to have stats high enough to charm them, right?
That's more like it. That's the good old Scoops work ethic I heard so much about. [ It's not as if he can go a single moment without teasing the hell out of Steve anyway, is it?
Looking at the pile of papers, his own planning, sheets, plot notes, all Eddie can do is laugh. ] You want spoilers? You're gonna have to work and earn that, my good man.
( the teasing mixed with the fact it's praise somehow gets under steve's skin each time, makes him blush a little. he feels his neck heat up and shakes his head.
he sits up a little, rubs at the side of his neck as if it'll help the flush go down. ) I'll up the charm, man.
( which he can do. he's steve harrington. he has got his groove back! except not when it comes to soft boys with fluffy hair, apparently.
maybe. he decides that if eddie can tease him and fuck around like that, maybe so can he. he leans in a little, offers a smile. ) Pretty please, Mister Dungeon Master Sir?
[ It's all sort of cute, the way that Steve reacts to things, as if it's all brand new. Eddie knows there was some stuff going on with Nancy way back when, but now? Now he gets the one to get Harrington all flustered. It's kinda... Nice.
Not that he's going to dwell on it too much, not when Steve sits up and shifts, rubbing his neck. Eddie leans away just a bit, to give him some room, to stop... Smothering him. ]
I'll bet you will.
[ But then Steve leans in, and smiles, and Eddie stops breathing for a brief moment and has to force himself to calm down, to try and not give in immediately. ]
( when eddie leans back, for a moment, steve finds that he just wants to follow. it's strange when eddie's not in his space now, not leaning in or touching him some way.
right now, there's no point at which they connect and steve finds himself noticing that. he wants to lean back into his arm, kinda wants to reach out and pull eddie close which is--- it's not new for eddie but new. in truth, steve goes through a lot of the motions with the girls he goes on dates with (or went on, he hasn't recently) but he never genuinely wants to reach out. not anymore.
he is still smiling as eddie falters and steve feels like he's won something, though he doesn't quite get what exactly but he likes that flicker in eddie's eyes. ) Okay. I'll be really good if you do. ( because if nothing, once he learns something, steve can be pretty focused on pulling the thread. )
[ Eddie does want to lean in, does want to let his arm touch Steve, to brush his fingers over the skin on the back of his neck, but he doesn't dare. It's crossing a line that he can't put into words, and he sinks back into himself. He's too used to the rejection to dare cross that line here, in front of all of their kids.
Their kids, as if they're really parents. It's almost a joke.
Really good, Steve says, and Eddie swallows for a moment before he laughs. ]
Alright, alright. I'll keep it in mind and if you play your character right, well. I'm sure we can figure something out.
If I play him right? I thought the point was I can do whatever I want. ( he looks dubious for a moment, crosses his arms and raises one eyebrow as he regards eddie.
he leans forward then, pokes him in the side.
he's kind of forgotten about the kids, which, oops. )
You can, but you still have to impress my NPCs. You gotta be just the right amount of charming, big boy. [ He's grinning, as if he's come out of this conversation with some kind of victory, and he's about to say so when there's a finger poking him and he squawks like a bird.
Cue him lifting a hand to his mouth and glaring at Steve.
Then, mumbled through his fingers, ] Low blow, Harrington.
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no subject
Date: 2022-07-11 04:05 pm (UTC)Somehow, Hopper - and it's fucking wild, being on good terms with the police chief - and whatever contacts he has with the world has managed to clear his name and Eddie is a free man, getting his classes done and dusted and finally walking across the stage. The middle finger had been up, his kids had cheered, and his uncle had cried; it had been one of the most freeing experiences of his young life but he is beyond glad to see the back of it.
Now he's holed up in the Harrington house, abandoned by the guy's parents and suddenly occupied by more kids than the old guys could probably imagine. He's settled on the sofa, legs crossed up under his legs as he flicks through his pages, trying to decide the best route that he wants to go down. Now that they have a handful more members he wants to make it a good campaign, and the knowledge that Steve is going to be joining them... He wants to make it the best he can get it to be.
He wants to impress Steve, and that notion makes something warm and nervous bubble inside of him. He wants to please Steve, wants him to enjoy himself, and when the other guy speaks he looks over. ]
You're kidding me, right? [ Eddie laughs aloud, reaching over and flicking the character sheet before he throws his head back to laugh. ] A paladin gets his magic from a God, y'know, from belief and worship. A ranger has innate power and doesn't rely on their faith. It depends if you want to be more strong and protective or a bit sneaky and hunter like. Your poison, dude.
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Date: 2022-07-13 01:42 am (UTC)Shut up. [ he grumbles, nudging eddie's side with his elbow, because this isn't obvious shit. none of this is obvious but steve does want to play. part of it is because some of eddie's enthusiasm has rubbed off on him, part of it because he does want to see what the fuss is all about.
mostly, it's that eddie's really convincing. dustin complained that he'd asked him before and had been shut down, but it's not the same. ] Strong and protective, I guess? I'm shit at being sneaky. [ someone remind the man he's not playing as himself here. ]
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Date: 2022-07-13 08:19 pm (UTC)Make me. [ It's a scoff, though, because no way that's going to happen. Not when Eddie is his D&D guru, teaching him the ways of the classes and the dice. Sure, Henderson or one of the others might be able to take over, but he gets the feeling Steve doesn't want to be lectured by a kid.
Instead, he just maintains his pleased little grin. ] Art doesn't have to imitate life, dude. You can be a ranger if you're bored of being super protective.
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Date: 2022-07-15 07:25 pm (UTC)[ mr. mom over here thinking about not fighting but after he says it, his mind shifts to all the other ways he could make eddie shut up.
eddie has a too nice smile and steve's not sure what to do with himself when he's looking so pleased like that. like a cat with cream or something. ] I'm not good at creative, dude, but sure. A ranger. I'll be a ranger. [ he takes the character sheet and picks up the pencil, brows furrowing as he writes down the first thing he's chosen which is the class. ] Okay, now what?
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Date: 2022-07-19 07:18 pm (UTC)[ And every single day Steve is more and more maternal. It's endearing, the way that he cares about all the weird little nerds that track after him like lost ducklings. It makes Eddie tilt his head and smile softly, something warm and painfully fond inside of him.
Looking back over at the character sheets, Eddie picks up the Ranger again and flicks the top with a bright grin. ] The Ranger then, yeah. That's a good choice. It's gonna be real fun.
[ He lets Steve take it before he hums softly. ]
We gotta get your stats and then pick your weapons.
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Date: 2022-07-24 03:36 am (UTC)except he does feel bad about that so he gives his leg a little pat. totally just, a casual one, before withdrawing it. he watches eddie for a moment, watches the way he grins looking at the page.
steve's almost jealous again. eddie has something he's passionate about and steve, well, steve really likes that. but he's also aware he doesn't have anything that excites him as much as eddie gets excited about a new twist in his campaign or new characters joining.
he takes the page back, looks over it. the stats mean nothing to him but-- ] Can I have a sword?
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Date: 2022-07-24 03:05 pm (UTC)Eddie glances down at his leg and then glances up over at Steve with a raised eyebrow. He doesn't know what to say for a moment, his mouth suddenly dry. He doesn't know what to do before he forces himself back to focussing on the character sheet.
These things are easy. There are rules, and steps to follow, things he knows how to do. He doesn't have to think too hard about it.
Breathing out, he nods. ] Sure, you can have that instead of a bow. I can make sure you get yourself a badass sword.
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Date: 2022-07-27 02:37 am (UTC)steve doesn't turn, grabs a throw pillow of the couch to throw at him with the aim of a well-practiced baseball player. the jock genes are good for something. ] Watch it. [ there's some grumbling involved and then the kids settle, steve turns his attention back to eddie.
it's always been drawn back lately. he tries to not think about eddie arching his brow, tries not to read too much into it.
back to the paper he's still holding. right. ] Why can't I have both?
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Date: 2022-07-28 12:32 pm (UTC)Still, he cackles out a laugh as Dustin is punished, shifting back and kicking his feet up with a shrug of his shoulders. ] Oh, no, the kids love you. The horror if it all! How will you possibly survive?
[ He snorts, arm resting along the back of the sofa. ]
You can buy another weapon later, but usually you only start off with one or two. Can't be too overpowered in the beginning.
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Date: 2022-07-30 12:57 am (UTC)he's doomed.
he nudges eddie again, then settles back against the sofa with his head resting on the backrest. it ends up with him using eddie's arm as a pillow. total accident. ] Come on, Munsun. If you're dad and I'm mom, you gotta give me something extra. Consider it child support.
I've been a single mother struggling for so long. [ he tilts his head toward eddie and definitely tries to pout. ]
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Date: 2022-08-01 01:44 pm (UTC)Everything's a little bit different these days. It's hard getting his mind wrapped around it all.
Eddie doesn't move his arm, not even an inch, and instead looks over at Steve with something of a careful, fond smile on his face. Raising his eyebrow, he snorts a little laugh.
Ridiculous, but he kinda loves it. ] You think that matters in Dungeons and Dragons? You aren't married to me in the game - I'm the boss. You're going to have to work a lot harder than that.
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Date: 2022-08-03 04:34 am (UTC)steve can't take that seriously, can't believe he said that. he lifts a hand, rubbing his face before he drops it again. he doesn't get up, because this is pretty comfortable even if he's now holding eddie's arm hostage.) How do I marry you in game and get privileges then? Help me out, man.
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Date: 2022-08-04 11:10 am (UTC)[ Eddie is close to bursting out into laughter too, to be fair, and he raises his eyebrows with a little wiggle. It doesn't even matter that his arm is close to curling around Steve, because it doesn't mean anything. It doesn't have to mean anything.
That's what he tells himself, at least.
The rest makes him laugh, though, snorting through his nose. ]
I guess you gotta find an NPC I play and hit on them.
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Date: 2022-08-06 01:24 am (UTC)working for it will definitely mean finding that npc, though. ] Wanna give me a preview of your NPC roster? I have to have stats high enough to charm them, right?
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Date: 2022-08-06 10:22 am (UTC)Looking at the pile of papers, his own planning, sheets, plot notes, all Eddie can do is laugh. ] You want spoilers? You're gonna have to work and earn that, my good man.
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Date: 2022-08-07 02:45 am (UTC)he sits up a little, rubs at the side of his neck as if it'll help the flush go down. ) I'll up the charm, man.
( which he can do. he's steve harrington. he has got his groove back! except not when it comes to soft boys with fluffy hair, apparently.
maybe. he decides that if eddie can tease him and fuck around like that, maybe so can he. he leans in a little, offers a smile. ) Pretty please, Mister Dungeon Master Sir?
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Date: 2022-08-07 09:25 pm (UTC)Not that he's going to dwell on it too much, not when Steve sits up and shifts, rubbing his neck. Eddie leans away just a bit, to give him some room, to stop... Smothering him. ]
I'll bet you will.
[ But then Steve leans in, and smiles, and Eddie stops breathing for a brief moment and has to force himself to calm down, to try and not give in immediately. ]
I'll think about it, alright?
[ Especially if he keeps calling him sir. ]
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Date: 2022-08-12 05:46 pm (UTC)right now, there's no point at which they connect and steve finds himself noticing that. he wants to lean back into his arm, kinda wants to reach out and pull eddie close which is--- it's not new for eddie but new. in truth, steve goes through a lot of the motions with the girls he goes on dates with (or went on, he hasn't recently) but he never genuinely wants to reach out. not anymore.
he is still smiling as eddie falters and steve feels like he's won something, though he doesn't quite get what exactly but he likes that flicker in eddie's eyes. ) Okay. I'll be really good if you do. ( because if nothing, once he learns something, steve can be pretty focused on pulling the thread. )
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Date: 2022-08-19 03:26 pm (UTC)Their kids, as if they're really parents. It's almost a joke.
Really good, Steve says, and Eddie swallows for a moment before he laughs. ]
Alright, alright. I'll keep it in mind and if you play your character right, well. I'm sure we can figure something out.
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Date: 2022-09-03 10:59 pm (UTC)he leans forward then, pokes him in the side.
he's kind of forgotten about the kids, which, oops. )
no subject
Date: 2022-09-04 09:14 pm (UTC)Cue him lifting a hand to his mouth and glaring at Steve.
Then, mumbled through his fingers, ] Low blow, Harrington.