LOOKIN AT DUSTIN DRESSED LIKE EDDIE AND STEVE DRESSED LIKE EDDIE YOU KNOW THAT MAN IS LOOKING AT HIS SON AND HIS HUSBAND FROM HIS BASTARDIZED VAMPIRE AFTERLIFE SCREAMING HIS HEAD OFF AND GNAWING AT STICKS

The Party has a youtube/twitch channel where they mostly play dnd but they also talk about books, films, music, science... just anything they are interested in, really.

They are doing a ranking of their favourite guitar players (based more on vibes because they are not experts), the picture of one Eddie Munson big on the screen when Steve comes into the room, right in the centre of the frame, and squints at the screen.

"Smash"

"What?"

"Isn't that the game? Smash or pass?"

"No, we are-" "What do you mean SMASH?"

It doesn't matter, Steve left the room as soon as they started talking.

The clip goes viral, and of course Corroded Coffin's account likes the post.

Joe Keery widening his stance unnaturally to lessen the height difference between him and Gaten and putting Dustin right at heart level on Steve is so important to me actually

Tell me that Dustin isn’t listening Steve’s heartbeat and then apologize because you’re wrong

Eddie becomes popular simply for the fact that he's the popular kids' go to guy for weed and cheap alcohol. They don't want to get on his bad side and get cut off, so they're all extra nice to him even though he dresses and behaves in a way that would incite bullying if it were anyone else. But no, the jocks actually look out for him and defend him if someone from a rival school tries to start shit, and the cheerleaders pull him into games at parties and gossip during lunch.  

Eddie hates it because he knows it's an entirely transactional thing, the popular kids are only nice to him because there's something he can do for them which makes him useful. Most of them still treat his friends and other people who are different like hot garbage. Plus it's ruining his image.

Trying to shake them off always seems to work in the opposite direction though. He comes to school dressed over the top, with thick eyeliner and black lipstick, and it just so happens to be the day the cheer squad is running a costume fundraiser for new gym equipment. 

Acting outlandish in class just gets him detention and people talking about how cool it is that he just doesn’t care what anyone thinks. Telling them to fuck off either makes them laugh and tell him he’s funny or offer more money the next time they buy from him depending on who he says it to. He even loudly and dramatically trash talked popularity in the cafeteria and one of the jocks told him he should audition for the next school play because he’d get the lead role for sure. 

He decides there’s only one way to make these people stop trying to talk to him and get closer to him for better deals and that’s to come out. He announces that he likes men in his typical dramatic style and at first it works. The jocks start giving him a wide berth, and the cheerleaders are worried he’s going to try and go after their boyfriends. That part actually does kind of hurt him a little but mostly because they think his taste in men is that horrendous and not because of the homophobic undertones. 

But then there’s Steve Harrington, the last person he expects to be an ally, who tries to talk to him even more often. 

It starts with him telling the other guys to knock it off when they shove Eddie into some lockers, helping him up while they act like Steve’s somehow going to catch homosexuality from touching his hand. Then he seeks Eddie out while he’s alone to tell him how brave he thinks he is. After that he’s making jokes about ridiculous things the teachers say in class and leaving notes in Eddie’s locker that are unfortunately very sweet and never fail to brighten his day.  

Eddie wants to hate Steve, he wants to be angry at him for ruining his plan, but he just can’t bring himself to. Because it turns out Steve didn’t get the memo that Eddie’s wares were the only reason the rest of the popular crowd acted nice to him. Steve is genuinely a great guy. He doesn’t give a shit about the weed; he just cares about Eddie.  

This is the only reason Eddie can think of for why he says yes when Steve approaches him looking all nervous and pretty in a goddamn polo shirt and asks if he wants to come over for movies and takeout on Friday. 

Ronance is hilarious because robin would sit Nancy down all somber in a way she rarely gets, and be like “just a warning. Before we get serious. You need to know that Steve and I? We’re a package deal. You can’t have me without him. We have a signed contract saying we’ll never take a job without each other. Never live more than four blocks apart. Never leave each other and never die without each other. So. You don’t have to fuck him or anything but know he’s like our platonic trophy husband.” And Nancy would sigh. Look to Karen (regularly pays Steve to babysit holly when she needs a break), holly (loves getting babysat by Steve, who makes her cinnamon toast with sprinkles), and Mike (reluctantly refers to Steve as his babysitter, would lay down his life for the guy, secretly thinks of him as a cool older brother figure) and just mutter, “why the fuck can’t ANYONE in my life be normal about my ex”

Despite being absolutely prime targets, Vecna is unwilling to possess, or take on the likness of, Robin or Steve.

Robin because he just cannot nail her character right.

Steve because he tried once in a dream and Steve was such a catty bitch to him he had high school flashbacks and fled.

(Hes extremely sour about it, moreso when Max found out and made a point to make a related dig every time they crossed paths.)

stancy but steve is nancy's ex who's now her bestie and every guy she dates is extremely threatened by him bc he is so beautiful and kind and muscular and they have all these inside jokes and he always calls her nance and nancy's bfs are always like god i'm So fucked it's so over for me. and then they catch steve making out with their frat brother and they're like OHHHHH nancy why didn't you just tell me he's gay?? and nancy's like he's what?

Random Steddie Headcanons

After an altercation between Tommy and Eddie, Steve was the one buying the occasional weed

- Eddie only overcharged him the first time and immediately felt bad because Steve was surprisingly nice to him and even apologized for Tommy's behavior

- Steve realized the 'discount' but never mentioned it. Tommy still doesn't know Steve pocketed the rest of the money (Tommy paid for the weed)

After Starcourt, Steve went to Eddie for painkillers.

- Eddie didn't ask questions about the injuries but gave Steve the painkillers, a bed for the night and a shoulder to lean on

- Steve stayed at Eddie's for 3 days

- Eddie made sure to monitor Steve and wake him up every so often for the concussion

Steve accidentally walked in on Eddie making out with a guy at the picnic table.

- The guy was scared shitless and neither Steve nor Eddie saw him ever again

- Eddie came out to Steve as gay after that

- Steve told Eddie he might be bi-curious

Steve actually really likes Metal music but pretends not to just to annoy Eddie and the kids.

- Once Steve hummed a Dio song without realizing and Eddie had on the biggest smile for the rest of the day.

Steve went to The Hideout every week to see Corroded Coffin. Eddie had no idea because Steve was surprisingly good at blending in and hiding.

- Gareth saw him once and Steve practically begged him not to tell Eddie. He left with an eyeroll and no response.

- Eddie never did bring it up. Gareth kept his secret.

Steve still has Eddie's vest

- He stashed the vest in the winnebago after they changed their clothes for the final fight and when everything calmed down immediately went to go get it. No one but Robin knows he has it

- He wears it around the house all the time

Steve visits Wayne every week and they have dinner and watch the games.

- They don't talk about Eddie but there's a mutual understanding.

- The first time Wayne called him 'son', Steve cried

Steddie AU where Eddie really did have a proper, if strange, bullying incident with King Steve, only to discover years later it was all because Steve absolutely loathes chipped nail polish

Carol and his mom had painstakingly trained Steve in the art of nail maintenance and polish. Hes not a fan of wearing it himself (he's into hair care) but he damn well made sure every woman in his orbit had immaculate nails.

This is a guy who had a line going the last celebratory after game party. He can do cute little flower designs. He keeps top coat in his pocket. Nails are Serious Buisness for Steve.

So Eddie’s beaten-to-hell, sloppily repainted, chewed-up polish?

Yeah that shits talking to him like the ring talks to Golumn, Steve can't be held accountable for his actions, dammit!