the princess and the frog, steve harrington & eddie munson

iii. halloween is bullshit

Chapter three

trick or treat, freak!

Tina's Halloween party was different from any other party Tiana had attended. At Wakandan celebrations, everything was pristine and they wore gowns and tuxedos. She felt underdressed despite blending in.

Grabbing a cup from Steve's hand, she leaned against the wall. "This is the worst alcoholic beverage I've had in my life." Nancy chuckled, saying she thought it was pretty great. Pure fuel was fueling her downward spiral. Loud chanting echoed throughout the house. Tommy H paraded in with Billy Hargrove.

"Looks like we have a new Keg King, Harrington."

"Eat it, Harrington!" Tommy emphasized. Billy smirked and kissed Tiana's hand. She quickly snatched it away. Steve muttered something under his breath that sounded like 'whatever, Tommy.' Tommy snatched the crown from her head and gave it to Billy.

Tiana's next words were said through gritted teeth. "Really funny, American. Give it back. It's worth more than your life."

"Is that so, Africa?" Billy smirked, "then why don't we go upstairs and see how much you're willing to give to get it back?"

Tiana laughed when the Hargrove boy grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the stairs. She flipped him over earning "oohs" from the crowd. A purple glow lit in her eyes. "A simple no would have sufficed, princess."

Tiana chuckled snatching the vibranium crown from his head, "Clearly you lack English speaking skills more than me, Billy. I'm a black belt in karate. You Americans think I'd leave my country without learning to defend myself? It's funny, no? Enjoy the rest of the party."

Nancy latched onto Tiana's arm, guiding her toward the punchbowl. Steve observed from the wall. Nancy began pouring the toxic liquid into Tiana's cup and guiding it to her mouth. The girls headed to the dance floor. Tiana, unbeknownst to her drunken dance partner, poured her drink on the floor, winking at Steve.

Thirty minutes and four cups of pure fuel later, Nancy was clearly intoxicated and hysterical. Her concerned boyfriend's attempt to take the cup from her ended up ruining her costume. Tiana helped Steve get her to the bathroom. She held the Wheeler girl's hair back as she wretched.

"Nance, I'm sorry." he said, "it's not coming off."

"Let me take you girls home."

"You-you both wanted this."

"No." Steve said, "We didn't want this."

"It's bullshit."

"You. you're bullshit. Both of you. You're pretending like everything's okay. Like we didn't kill Barb. like it's great. Like we're in love and partying. It's bullshit."

"Like we're in love?"

"Bullshit." Nancy redirected her fire toward Tiana, "Like everything she's been telling us since she got here... she knows about Barb. she knows and you didn't trust me. Bullshit."

"You don't love me?"

"It's bullshit." Steve stormed out pulling Tiana behind him.

-

"Steve. Are you-?"

"Who are you?"

"Excuse me? I'm an exchange student."

"No. Nancy said it was bullshit. Are you even from Wakanada or whatever?" he was obviously drunk enough to not remember this conversation in the morning so if he was told the truth now, it wouldn't matter later. And that's exactly what he was told by the princess whose top priority right now was to get him home safely.

"Wakanda is very much real." Tiana said, "but it's not a third world country, like you Americans believe. We've been following the lab."

"You're with the lab?"

"No. They stole from us and opened the gate."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"I was only authorized to tell Hopper."

"Are you even a princess?"

"Second in line to lead the country."

"So you know about last year?"

"Everything. Because Hawkins lab stole our power source and used it to get to the upside down with that little girl. Telling you was a risk of international security."

"So you lied?"

"That lab knows my name. They have no idea what the princess really looks like, Harrington. So I did it for Wakanda, to help you."

Steve scoffed, "To help us? Nancy and I were fine before you came around."

"This was a mistake." Tiana said. "I should go back to my country and tell them I cannot do it anymore. It's too difficult."

A shadow covered the driveway. Everyone on the porch gasped in awe of the new presence's costume. He had a black metal arm and a leather jacket.

"You know him?" Steve asked.

"White Wolf."

"Good to see you again, princess."

"I'm sorry." Steve said, "That's Bucky Barnes. Was Keg King our freshman year before he... disappeared and came back with a metal arm."

Bucky flashed a smile, "Tried laying low for a few months. But Princess Tiana and I have an unresolved history."