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It has been ten years since they closed off the Upside Down and all of the Party are full adults. Steve gets to have his independence, he doesn't have half a dozen kids relying on him for rides to the arcade and/or survival.
So why does he feel pinned in place by Erica Sinclairs flat, implacable stare.
"I don't have to do this," Steve sputters. "Starcourt was a long time ago and anyway I promised you that ice cream under duress."
She doesn't say anything but her eyes narrow and her spine stiffens in a way Steve knows he can't fight.
"Come on," he begs. He hasn't worn a coordinating Halloween costume in years and he has no intention of starting now.
El's beseeching eyes and the devilish grin coming from Max on either side of the other girl only help to chip away at his resolve.
"Scoops Troop is forever, Steve," Erica said and she wasn't wrong, they had been through too much to deny it so he gave in.
"Fine. But I want to be Sporty Spice."
"Oh no," El said. "Robin is Sporty Spice. She said you would be Posh Spice."
Two weeks later found Steve tottering into the Hideout in a black mini dress and four inch tall wedges.
"Cannot believe you get to be Sporty Spice," he hissed to Robin. "You are the least sporty person I have ever met in my life. And I know Henderson."
"Counterpoint," she muttered back. "You think I can walk in those shoes? I would die, Steven. Do you want me dead?"
"Oh, grow up," Erica said. "You two are ruining the whole effect."
"Easy for you to say," Steve said, gesturing to Erica's outfit.
Her green tank top and blousey satin pajama pants weren't much different fron Robin's outfit.
He turned to El. "You get it, right?"
El looked down at her outfit, a baby pink dress and chunky white sneakers. She looked at Steve, concerned. "I do not understand. I think I look very nice. You look nice too, Steve."
He shook his head as El and Erica took Robin's hands and hauled her further into the crowd.
"I'll wait for the others," he called out after them, a wave from Erica the only acknowledgement.
Steve felt a hand slap his skirt covered ass and startled, heels wobbling underneath him. He turned sharply to see Max grinning fiercely at him. "Looking good, Harrington."
Before Steve could return the compliment for her Ginger Spice costume and matching decorated arm crutches he heard a low whistle and saw Eddie Munson walking up behind the redhead.
"I'll say so," he said, his voice low and growling.
Steve could feel the heat rush in his cheeks and it deepened as he saw his boyfriend's gaze tracing the flush down to where it covered Steve's mostly bare chest.
Steve clears his throat roughly, pulling his focus away from Eddie and back onto Max. He ran his fingers over the new bleached blonde streak in her hair, laughing as she pulls away. "You couldn't come to me for this? What's the point of knowing a hairdresser if you don't let them do your hair?"
"Aw," Eddie said, pulling Steve's hand away from Max and threading their fingers together. "She can't help it if she wanted someone cool to bleach her hair."
"Cool," Steve repeated, laughing, using their joined grasp to pull Eddie along as they walked through the crowd. "If she wanted someone cool to do her hair then she definitely would have come to me."
Together the three of them made their way to the bar where the others were waiting.
Steve disengaged from Eddie and took the cocktail Robin offered. He watched as tequila shots were distributed to the other girls and winced, both because of their impending hangovers and also because it was weird to seem them drinking. They were still kids. They were his kids.
Eddie stepped closer, resting his chin on Steve's shoulder. "They're all grown up, aren't they? Where have the years gone?"
Steve tipped his head to the side and leaned against Eddie. "Landslide, right? Children get older, I'm getting older too."
Eddie hummed and leaned back, pressing a kiss to Steve's cheek. "My Stevie knows Stevie. You know, your music taste is my favorite thing about you."
Steve laughed at that, a sharp bark that set Eddie grinning, sharp teeth on display.
The laughter drew the girls attention back to them and Steve leaned into Eddie as Erica approached.
"It's time, Steve."
Steve looked to Eddie before turning back. "Its not.. I never actually agreed to this."
"Scoops. Troop."
"Time for what, Stevie," Eddie asked, laughter in his voice.
Steve sighed before tossing back the rest of his drink. He handed his glass to his boyfriend before pressing a hard kiss to his mouth.
He dropped Eddie a wink before whispering, "You'll see," into his ear and steeping away as a heavy electronic beat started pumping over the sound system.
Steve found his spot standing behind Erica as she began to sing.
Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want