Chapter Text
I: December 23rd
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Eddie Munson was having a crisis, not one of serious vice or life or death, but one out of anxiety. Christmas was two days away, with Christmas Eve tomorrow, and Eddie hadn’t gotten anything for his boyfriend yet. He sucked at gifts, no matter the holiday. And now, having a boyfriend, he felt intense pressure on his shoulders, especially since his boyfriend was Steve Harrington, Prince of Hawkins and heir to the Hawkins’ throne.
The sky was cloudy with a slight windchill. The town square was decorated with beautiful lights and eye-catching Christmas decorations. The massive tree stood in the middle of the square, having been lit by the royal family earlier this month. The annual Royal Toy Drive was tomorrow, so the tree was decorated beautifully.
Eddie walked towards Urban Java Cafe, a local cafe in the two square. He shivered a little in the cold and felt his muscles relax in the warmth of the cafe. He looked around momentarily before spotting Robin sitting in the booth, eating a bagel in her work uniform. She was on a small snack break and knew Eddie would meet up with her.
Without a second thought, Eddie slid into the booth across from Robin. Instead, he greeted her with, “I need your help.”
Robin set down her coffee in confusion. Eddie’s text messages never said anything about needing help. “Jesus- alright, what did you do?”
”What? No- nothing,” Eddie responded, earning some hesitation from Robin. She crossed her arms and relaxed, “I’m serious; I didn’t do anything. I’m just- I’m stressed right now. I want to get something for Steve for Christmas-“
Robin cut him off with a small laugh, confusing him. “Eddie, god- you don’t need to get Steve anything. You know him, and so do I. You could make him a fruitcake, and he’d die from happiness.”
”I know, I know. But I want to get him something. Something to show that I love him.”
”He already knows you love him-“
”I don’t care about that, Robin!” He yelled a little, getting the attention of some customers. He pinched the bridge of the nose and rubbed his face, regaining his composure, “I care about his love, ‘n all that. But…I want to get him something nice. Something nice and pretty.” Eddie paused for a moment, bringing his hands back into his lap. Robin’s eyebrows furrowed as Eddie sighed, “I can’t afford it right now.”
Robin sighed as well, keeping her arms crossed. She knew of Eddie’s financial hardships all too well. “Look, I get it, Ed. Getting gifts is hard sometimes, but sometimes people don’t want gifts. Your presence can be enough of a gift, especially for Steve. He hates spending Christmas at the palace, especially with his asshole of a dad,” Robin spoke up, making sure to keep her voice down when speaking negatively of the king. She leaned forward, “But you know him best. How about…you make him something? He loves art. I-It can be a drawing, painting, or maybe even a sculpture-…you’re having an art block too, aren’t you?” Eddie nodded his elbow on the table with his head in his hand. “Eddie, he loves you no matter what. He adores you. No matter what you choose, he will be content because he loves you,” She reassured, grabbing Eddie’s cold hand. She could see the stress in his eyes, “How about I get you some coffee and a cookie? Will that help you feel better?” Eddie nodded, letting out a small chuckle.
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Eddie spent the rest of the day driving around town for gift ideas. He would stop at an occasional store to check out their products, yet he always left empty-handed. He went into one store and found a lovely silver bracelet for sale. Yet, when it came time for check out, he discovered it was over four hundred dollars. The cashier almost laughed in his face at Eddie's finances, and Eddie had to take a breather at Lover’s Lake. The last time he was this stressed was midterms just a few weeks ago.
The sun had set by the time Eddie returned to the trailer. Wayne was working the last shift before Christmas, but to Eddie’s surprise, a car was sitting outside the trailer. He saw it was Steve’s black Porsche, Steve’s favorite car. The Munsons had given Steve a key to their place to come over whenever, and neither one minded it.
Eddie entered his home to find Steve in the kitchen, and he could smell the delicious spaghetti from the doorway. “Hey,” Eddie greeted, shutting the door behind him. Steve turned to see his boyfriend, his pupils dilating and his posture changing.
Steve took the pot off the stove before approaching Eddie. “Hey,” he greeted in return. The two shared a quick kiss before embracing each other. The couple held each other momentarily. " I hope you don’t mind me making dinner. Robin told me you were stressed, so I wanted to do something nice for you.”
”What did she tell you?” Eddie asked, his eyes a little wide. He knew Robin probably didn’t tell Steve anything, but he’d rather be safe than sorry.
”Uh- just that you were stressed,” Steve responded, pulling away from the embrace. They kept each other in their grip still, “Why? Is something going on?”
”No! No- um, nothing you gotta worry about. Just…holiday stress is all, Stevie.” Eddie cupped Steve’s face, gently rubbing his cheekbones. Although Steve initially didn’t believe Eddie, he went with it.
“Right, well, dinner’s almost done. Fed the stray cats, too; hope you don’t mind that.”
”God, you’re a sweetheart. How’d I get so lucky?” Eddie asked rhetorically, “C’mere.” The two shared a proper and loving kiss momentarily before Steve returned to making dinner. Eddie felt his mind and body relax, and he turned on whatever was on the cable while he waited for dinner.
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Eddie felt almost as big as Santa Claus after eating that spaghetti dinner. He could taste Steve's love in the noodles, and it was clear that Steve loved cooking. After eating, the two decided to cuddle up on the couch, watching Home Alone two on Munson’s old TV.
After relaxing, Steve asked, " Do you and Wayne have any Christmas traditions?”
“Uh, I remember one Christmas mornin’ he took me sledding when it snowed. Stopped doing it when I get big, and the old man got old,” Eddie responded, holding the hand wrapped around his shoulders, “Other than opening gifts on Christmas mornin’, we don’t have much. What about you? Hm? What does my royal prince do for Christmas?”
Steve chuckled slightly at Eddie’s question, which confused his boyfriend. “Nothing.”
Eddie paused, turning his head with an eyebrow raised. He laughed loudly for a second at Steve’s response. “Oh, c’mon. Does the royal family not do anything on Christmas? You’ve got all these traditions: the Royal Toy Drive, the Christmas Eve dinner, the tree lighting ceremony. You don’t do anything on Christmas day?” He asked the prince, shaking his head, “Do you even open presents?”
“I don’t get any presents?” Another head shake from Steve. Eddie’s heart dropped instantly, and the color almost fell from his face. “Wait- time out, hold on-,” Eddie grabbed the remote to mute the TV, “You don’t get any presents on Christmas day? And you’re a prince?”
“I don’t ask for any from anyone,” Steve answered truthfully, “Plus, I don’t…I don’t get gifts anymore. My dad doesn’t allow it; I've been like this since I was…twelve, I think? Told me it was ‘time to grow up and stop with the childish festivities.’”
Eddie felt his heartbreak for his lover, and he turned his body to be able to cup his face. “Your dad’s an asshole, you know this. You’re the heir- why don’t you make your own rules?”
“Eds, I may be the heir, but I’m not the current ruler. My father makes the rules in the palace,” He answered softly, gently holding Eddie’s wrist, “Don’t pity me, please.”
“Not you, Steve. The child is what I pity Steve. You as a kid,” Eddie let out a small sigh before kissing his cheek. Steve closed his eyes as he held onto Eddie longer, “Let me get you something, okay? I’m your boyfriend, lover, companion, whatever. …let me make this a good Christmas for you, yeah?” Steve nodded, and the two exchanged loving kisses before Eddie unmuted the TV.
After the movie, Steve departed for the night, but not before the two shared a passionate kiss. Once the Porsche was out of Eddie’s sight, he found the dread returning. He cleaned the kitchen before Wayne got home and heated the rest of Steve's spaghetti. Steve always made sure to make some for Wayne.
Eddie got ready for bed, yet he found his mind wide awake. He sat on his bed with his sketchbook, hoping to find inspiration. Before passing out for the night, at least thirty crumpled pieces of paper were in the trash.
It was now December 24th, one more day until Christmas, yet Eddie still couldn’t think of a gift.