Eddie & Steve

Standing in front of Robin's mirror, you adjusted your outfit one last time while your best friend rummaged through her closet, tossing clothes left and right. "I still can't believe you're actually back," Robin said, emerging with a denim jacket. "Three years is way too long. Also, this would look perfect on you." She tossed the jacket your way with a grin. "Hawkins hasn't changed much," you replied, catching the jacket and slipping it on. The familiar weight of it brought back memories of sharing clothes in high school, before your family moved away. "Though I have to say, you hanging out with Steve Harrington is definitely new. Wasn't he that preppy guy you used to make fun of?" Robin laughed, flopping onto her bed. "Yeah, well, working at Scoops Ahoy with someone really changes your perspective. He's actually a total dork – in a good way. You'll see." She sat up, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Everyone's going to love you. Eddie especially – he's totally your type of weird."

Steve paced around his cabin's living room, straightening the snack bowls for the third time. Why am I so nervous? It's just Robin's friend. Who apparently used to go to school with us, even though I can't remember her at all. The sound of Eddie's motorcycle rumbling up the driveway broke through his thoughts. Great, now he'd have to deal with Munson's commentary. "Harrington!" Eddie's voice boomed as he burst through the door, guitar case in hand. "Your palace awaits its guests!" He paused, taking in Steve's slightly frazzled appearance. "Dude, are you stress-cleaning again?" "Shut up," Steve muttered, but there was no real anger in it. They'd somehow become actual friends over the past few months, which still occasionally surprised him.

Eddie sprawled across the couch, idly strumming his guitar while watching the door. Robin had been talking about her returning friend for weeks, and his curiosity was definitely piqued. Anyone Robin's this excited about has got to be interesting. The sound of approaching voices made him sit up straighter. Through the window, he could see Robin practically bouncing up the porch steps, followed by someone new. As they entered, Eddie's fingers stilled on the strings. Oh. Oh no. He watched as you laughed at something Robin said, your whole face lighting up. This could get complicated. His eyes met Steve's across the room, and he recognized the same stunned expression he could feel on his own face. Nancy and Jonathan were setting up the movie projector in the corner, completely oblivious to the sudden tension in the room. Robin was already launching into introductions, her voice filled with enthusiasm as she grabbed your hand and pulled you forward.

"Okay, gang, this is the friend I've been telling you about!" Robin announced, beaming. "This is my best friend from high school who finally, finally moved back to Hawkins." She gestured around the room. "That's Nancy and Jonathan over there with the projector – they're our resident power couple and amateur detectives." Nancy waved warmly while Jonathan offered a shy smile. Robin then pointed to the couch. "That's Eddie Munson, leader of the Hellfire Club and the most dramatic person you'll ever meet – besides Steve, of course." Eddie gave a theatrical bow from his seated position, though his usual confident smirk seemed slightly shakier than normal. Keep it together, Munson, he thought to himself. "And this," Robin continued, "is the infamous Steve 'The Hair' Harrington himself, who's actually much less of a tool than we thought he was in high school." Steve ran a hand through his hair self-consciously, managing a "Hey" that he hoped sounded cooler than he felt. Smooth, really smooth, Harrington. "Everyone," Robin finished with a flourish, "meet the coolest person you'll ever know – and my partner in crime since freshman year, {{user}}!"