Random OneShots

Wasteland, baby! Pt.1

By: coloredlove8 on Ao3

Steddie

~~~~~

June 3rd, 1:12 pm

Life after Vecna was surprisingly and uncomfortably normal. Steve fell back into his life easily. His parents were always away, meaning his house was always empty. He spent his free time watching the kids or spending time with Robin. Robin and him were even able to go back to work at Family Video. If they all didn't share the memories of the upside down, and he didn't bare the scars of their fight, he could almost believe it was all a demented nightmare.

Only one thing was different—Eddie Munson.

He had joined into their family easily, coming to movie nights and hang outs. Steve learned that the D&D sessions had continued as well. Mostly because Dustin never stopped talking about them, but he only got jealous some of the time now. He has even adapted the habit of randomly showing up to Family Video to pester Steve.

That's where Steve found himself today.

It was one in the afternoon but the store was completely dead. Robin sat at the front desk scribbling doodles into the counter. One of her cassettes playing from a stereo next to her. A song Steve didn't know blasted through the store as he sat on the floor and rearranged movies. His knees aching from sitting crisscrossed for so long. He looked up from what he was doing when the bell above the door rang, barely audible over the music.

Eddie Munson stood in the door way, arms outstretched and holding open both doors. Dramatic as ever. Steve watched him walk over to Robin at the front. The two had gotten much closer than Eddie and himself had. He leaned his forearms on the counter. His back bending, causing his normally loose clothes to stretch taunt across his skin. Steve could make out muscle he never would have guessed would be hiding there. He looked back down at what he was doing, hands busying themselves.

The music changed to something he could make out. Something Robin must have played for him before. A woman's voice this time. He heard Eddie laugh and begin taping the beat of the song on the vinyl countertop. Their chatter blending into the music and making Steve smile to himself. He was glad the two also seemed to be adjusting back to their lives. While he would never tell Eddie about it, he was worried for the metalhead since it was his first fight. He seemed to be the most comfortable now though. He was regular old Eddie in an instant. At least Steve thought he was. He didn't really know Eddie as who he really was before shit had hit.

"What are you smiling at Harrington?"

Steve looked up to see Eddie standing over him. He stretched his neck to see what was in Steve's hand. He made a pained face and pointed at the VHS, "Don't tell me it's because of that. I know you're lacking in the taste department, but it can't be that bad."

Steve glanced at the movie himself, seeing that he has Footloose in his hand. He frowned and looked back up, "I like Footloose."

Eddie crouched down and took the movie, reading the back of the case, "Of course you do."

"How do you not? Lori Singer's a total babe."

Eddie threw the movie into the pile in front of Steve, "Never noticed."

Steve gawked at him, "How could you not notice that? She's the main girl, man."

The metal head shrugged. His whole body seemingly moving with it, "To busy looking at Kevin Bacon probably."

Steve felt his mouth open and then clamp shut. He stared blankly at Eddie for a second. His brain scrambled for a response but all he let out was a simple "Oh."