little things; stranger things littlespace oneshots

♡ 6 - brat ♡

request from 19eking :-)
cg!steve
little!eddie (3-4)
note: idk why but i just love sad stories so yk there's bouta be some sad parts in here😭

"C'mon Eds, you gotta eat something." Steve sighed.
"No, no, no!" Eddie refused.

It was a typical summer day in Hawkins. Since school was out, Eddie had more time to be little, and Steve was his designated caregiver. They hadn't seen each other much lately, it had been over a month surely. And since Steve came along, he didn't slip alone very often. It had been awhile since Eddie had been little.

And Steve enjoyed taking care of him, little or not.

But not on days like these.

Some days, Eddie would put up a fuss about anything and everything. It was almost impossible to understand what he wanted. Heck, Steve thought maybe even Eddie didn't understand what he wanted. Days like these never happened often, but when they did, it was a real.. treat.

"Please, buddy, you didn't eat last night so you gotta have something now." Steve pleaded.
"Nuh-uh!" Eddie frowned, shaking his head.
"I'll make you some toast, and just eat what you can, okay?" Steve offered.
"I don' want it!" Eddie fought. He crossed his arms and looked away from Steve with a small "hmph".

Steve disregarded his bickering and put a few slices of bread into the toaster. Eddie kicked his feet and fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve.
After a few minutes, the toaster went off. Steve put a slice onto a plate and put it in front of Eddie, who just stared at it with an unamused look on his face.
"What? What do you want? Butter? Jam?" Steve asked, not receiving an answer but instead a piece of bread flying at his face.

Steve closed his eyes and scrunched his nose as the toast hit his face and fell onto the floor with a small plop. He squinted as he wiped crumbs off his face.
"Oookay. Neither it is." Steve said, picking up the bread and dropping it into the trash.
"That was mean, Eds. I'm just trying to help you. Will you please apologize?"
Eddie only frowned and looked away again in silence.
"Alright. But let's not waste food, please." Steve said.

While it may have seemed that Steve was composed and accommodating, he was starting to lose his patience. He grabbed a child-safe plastic bowl from a cabinet and poured a bowl of cheerios and milk. He brought the bowl to the table and slid it towards Eddie.
"Have a spoon." Steve said.
"No."
"Just try it." Steve argued.
"No!" Eddie yelled, shoving the bowl away. It tipped over, launching a massive spill of milk and cereal across the table and onto the floor.

"EDDIE!" Steve yelled, visibly angered.
The moment the bowl had spilled, a look of fear crossed Eddie's face. He didn't mean to shove it so hard and spill it. Eddie just wanted attention, he just wanted for Steve to care. He didn't want to be a brat. He was just sad. And tired. Eddie didn't know how he felt, he only knew that he felt bad. But it was too late- the damage had been done, and Steve was angry.

"Wh, what's wrong with you?!" Steve exclaimed. Eddie only stared at him, feeling guilty.
"I'm just trying to help you. I'm just trying to feed you some god damn food. Why do you have to act like such a brat?"

"oh." Eddie whispered to himself. He swallowed in an attempt to prevent any forming tears. He didn't want to bother Steve any further. He stared at his lap and tightened his lips shut, thinking that it would be better for the both of them that way. The words instantly lingered in his head. Steve was right. Why did he have to be so awful? He didn't mean to be so repulsive. He just missed Steve.

"Go. Go to your room." Steve said.
Hearing this, Eddie looked up at him with despondency and regret.
"Now." he ordered, looking him dead in the eyes.
Eddie knew he deserved it. He felt terrible for being so difficult. The way Steve yelled at him broke his heart, and he didn't want to test him anymore. Eddie gave a small nod, getting up and walking away.

Steve sighed and looked at the mess all over the table and the floor and began to clean it up. As he spent the next ten minutes wiping down milk and cereal bits, he thought to himself.

Little Eddie was normally very polite and reserved. Why was he acting like that? Almost.. attention seeking.
"Maybe that that's it," Steve thought.
"It has been awhile since Eds has been little, with me being busy with jobs and all."

So close..

"So if I just snapped at him.. on top of Eddie not regressing for awhile.." Steve said, putting together the pieces.
"I screwed up."

He rushed down the hall to Eddie's bedroom and peered into the doorframe. There, he heard small sniffles coming from Eddie as he sat curled up on his bed, his head in his knees. It was obvious he was trying not to cry.
The floor creaked as Steve slowly walked in. Eddie's head jerked towards the noise and their eyes met. He backed up, so Steve wouldn't have to be near a freak like himself.
"stevie.. m' sorry. i didn't mean to.." he choked out.

Steve rushed over and hugged Eddie, leaning the boy's head on his shoulder and running his fingers through his hair.
"Oh, no, no buddy. I'm sorry. I should have understood that you were frustrated. I know you haven't been little for awhile. You're not a brat." Steve reassured him.
"You're the sweetest, most lovely boy ever. You didn't do anything. It was my fault. I acted like a big dummy."

Eddie giggled at Steve's words.
"I'm sorry, bud. Will you forgive me?" Steve pouted.
Eddie pretended to think for a moment before nodding and smiling widely.
"Alright! Thanks, Eds. Now I'll be good if you be good, okay?" Steve asked.
"mmm.. okay.." Eddie said with a sly grin. No doubt he would start a little mischief later. Steve sighed and laughed, preparing himself for the rest of the day.

But for the moment, they just sat there and held each other in peace.

- 1039 words
sometimes i stalk the profiles of the ppl who interact with my story😦😦
that's how i find other good stories tho LMAO

this was a super fun request to do, thank you!