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15-year-old Steve gets a letter from Hawkins Juvenile Correctional Facility from Theodore Munson. "Theodore?"
"I have a lot to say to you, Steve. I have so much to say but I just don't know how to word it.
I noticed your eyes are always glued to me. You keep them there and it makes no sense at all. At first, I thought it was because you hated me. Except... I remember you watching me before high school too. In middle school, even in elementary, when you were shy and sat alone. I sat alone too. We sat alone together.
Maybe you just wanted to be my friend. Still want to be my friend. I'd like that. You were, by the way. But if that was the case, you wouldn't let your horrible friends say things like that to me.
Unless... They're getting in your head. Or are they tapping over your mouth and scribbling out the truth with their lies? Are they silencing you?
Your little spies. The king's spies. What have they told you about me, "King Steve"? That I'm trailer trash, a freak? I already know those, the words you don't stop them from saying to me day in and day out. I wish just once you'd stop them.
But I'm not the only kid they bully right? I know I'm the only one in the grade above you. You don't stop them from messing with anyone. Heck, you've even started joining in.
An unjust king indeed.
Yours sincerely, Eddie Munson.
P.S. They made me write to someone as part of our rehabilitation. You're lucky I chose you."
'Crush. Crush. Crush.' Steve's heart and mind sang as he reread the note before sighing sadly and holding it to his chest. "Teddie."
At 17 Steve receives another.
"King Steve, no king of mine.
Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone. Just the two of us, I was just counting on. You and me again. But that never happens, I guess I'm dreaming again.
Let's be more than this. This... One-sided feud. I miss being your friend, you know before Tommy stole you away and gave you popularity.
If you wanna play it like a game of cat and mouse. Well, come on, let's play. Because I'd rather waste my life pretending to hate your guts than have to forget you for one whole minute.
I know you didn't respond to my first note but I thought I should send you another. You won't be getting any more unless I'm sent to the big house. I'm eighteen in less than a month, a legal adult.
I'll end up there, I know it. For selling drugs or maybe just punching Tommy's lights out. His daddy's got enough money.
But I'll do it. And I hope I get to see your face as I do. Whether it's a happy or mad face I'll enjoy it. He has had it coming for a very long time, and it started the day you ran off with him just because your daddy told you to play together.
Ah, but I guess I'm dreaming again.
Let's be more than this now. We're adults. If you personally have a problem with me, say it to my face, away from your little, loyal subjects. Better do it before Tommy needs a new nose.
Yours dearly, Eddie Munson."
'Crush. Crush. Crush.' Steve's heart sings at the almost pleading words. "Teddie..."
Steve did answer him this time, in the school hallway. "Don't. He's not worth it. You graduate in a month. I'm sorry." He said simply before leaving. Eddie didn't get a word in.
~
But Eddie didn't graduate that year, or the year after. Steve and Tommy were gone but they had trained replacements, mainly in the form of Jason.
Eddie had to show up to at least one pep Rally to finally graduate. That's where he saw Steve again. Where Steve saw him, still getting relentlessly messed with.
Steve could see in Eddie's eyes that he was ready to fulfil his promises, but the recipient wasn't the same. Eddie's fist balled up, but before he could swing, his eyes met with Steve's. The younger, already-graduated man shook his head slowly while standing up.
Eddie groans and simply walks away. Steve chased after him but not before shoving Jason against a wall.
"Don't do that." He warned.
Jason laughed. "You're not king anymore. Plus who cares about Munson? You definitely didn't."
Steve just ignored him and followed Eddie outside. "Eddie." The man kept walking. "Eddie!" Steve called again, but there was no answer. "Theodore!' Steve yelled causing him to finally stop.
"Don't! You don't get to call me that." Eddie warned. He had never, not once raised his voice or growled at Steve. Even when Steve joined in on the name-calling, he would just laugh and joke back because he could see the hurt behind those rich eyes.
"Then listen to me."
"Fine. It's all just rock and roll, hey? Right? I could use this moment in a new song. Don't you know, baby, we're all alone now? Give me something to sing about." Eddie spat.
"I'm sorry, okay? I live in a different world from you."
Eddie laughed bitterly. "What a nice apologise for fucking up my life, more than it already was."
"It wasn't my choice, Eddie. I don't want to be rich and didn't want to be some dumb fucking kingshit whatever. I was scared."
"Of what? Not making varsity?" Eddie teased.
"Of my dad! I wasn't lucky like you, okay."
"Lucky?!" Eddie almost chokes.
Steve cuts him off. "My dad wasn't found abusive in any way. I didn't get taken away before my formative years were over. Fuck I still live in his house. I had to play the rich kid and get along with the other rich kids who are all fucked in the head, too, because of their parents."
"Oh, well, now I feel bad about my bullies." Eddie says sarcastically.
Steve drags his hand down his face. "Okay, fine. Hate me, I don't care. Yes, I fucked up. Too worried I'd be homeless at the age of fifteen." Steve laughs sadly. "I was, for like a week, before my mum begged him to let me back in." He admits quietly.
"You-"
"Don't pity me. I don't need it anymore. Just let me help you escape this hell without going to jail."
"How?"
"I'm not the best tutor, but I know one, and I'll help where I can. And once you graduate, and you will this time, I'll personally drive us both out of this shit hole forever. Heck, I'd let you punch someone before we leave."
"Your dad?" Eddie asks softly.
"I'd do it myself but I love my mother too much. At least with him in the hospital, she'll be safe for a little bit. Enough for me to file multiple reports against him. And then hey, you'll never have to see me again."
"Deal." Eddie nods.
"Man, I've missed you. When did we become so violent?"
"Probably when you started being on the other side of the trailer trash fight."
Steve chuckles. "You've been jealous this whole time?"
Eddie crosses his arms. "No, I've been upset that my friend started bullying me." He frowns.
Steve rubs his neck with a hiss. "Yeah, sorry about that."
Eddie sighs. "You don't need to help me graduate. I've got it this year. Just... Let's hang out. I'm in a D&D club with those kids you weirdly spend time with."
"Yeah, Henderson and his friends. He talks about you a lot. I always feel like shit whenever he mentions you but I never stop him because I want to hear how you are."
"Aw, Stevie. It sounds like you're confessing your love for me." Eddie teases, smirking.
'Crush.' Steve's heart beats loudly. He chuckles. "Yeah, almost."
"So you do care about me?" Eddie asks taking a step closer.
'Crush.' Steve shrugs. "I've never stopped caring. Just... Couldn't show it for a while." He says, blushing slightly, looking past Eddie's face.
Eddie smiles widely. "You know Steve... I'm starting to think you weren't watching me because you missed me. Could it be manslut King Steve is secretly a fag?" He says, grabbing Steve's shirt collar.
Steve's heart stops. "W-what!?" He chokes out. "I'm not..." He blushes wildly.
Eddie steps closer again so their chests are touching. "Relax, big boy. I won't tell anyone if you are. But maybe I'm dreaming again." He says softly, looking into Steve's eyes.
'CRUSH!' Steve gulps and smiles. "Please don't call me King Steve ever again." His hands unconsciously find their way to Eddie's hips.
"I've missed you so much." Eddie's arms rest on Steve's shoulders and he leans his forehead towards Steve's.
Steve follows and rests his forehead against Eddie's. "Me too." He says softly, wrapping his arms around Eddie's waist. "My Teddie."
Eddie blushes. "Don't bring that back."
Steve chuckles. "Too late."
"You know, it's not acceptable for a grown man to call someone pet names unless they're his lover or his child." Eddie mumbles.
Steve leans back and raises an eyebrow. "What hypocritical bullshit are you babbling on about? How many names do you call me again?"
"Shut up. That's different." Eddie rolls his eyes.
"No, it's not and you know it."
"They're to mess with you and they're not as embarrassing as..."
"As Teddie? My Teddie?" Steve teases, pulling Eddie closer.
"What happens to not wanting to be a fag?" Eddie whispers, still blushing.
Steve sighs and leans back. "Honestly, I'm starting to think I don't care. I mean, my reputation doesn't matter anymore, and I've almost got all the friends I need, real friends. I'm only still in town for them, so..." He shrugs.
"Almost all the friends you need?"
"Yeah, I mean you'd fit right in. You're already friends with three of the younger ones. And I wouldn't mind you being there. We're a band of misfits."
Eddie bites his lip. "And what if I don't want to be your friend?"
"Well, what do you want to be?"
Eddie rests his forehead against Steve's shoulder. "Your Teddie." He mumbles.