Archive of Our Own

***

"I'm sorry, repeat that?" Steve sat in the diner in Chicago and stared at his mother.

"You're cursed," Deborah Harrington said.

"Is this some sort of anger from the divorce?" Steve asked. "Like, blaming me for Dad leaving? Because if it is -"

"No, honey, no." Deborah reached out and took Steve's hand. "You are the best thing to ever happen to me."

Steve frowned and stared down at his mom's hand - before everything with the Upside Down, his parents had left town trying to rekindle their marriage and then … Richard Harrington had filed for divorce. It had been strangely amiable and Deborah had been given the house, along with alimony and child support. His dad was now traipsing around Europe 'finding himself'.

Deborah had sold the house and found an apartment in Chicago and had bought Steve a small place in Hawkins. The two of them had regular dinners together where Deborah worked to repair the relationship with her son and Steve tried to delicately explain the goings on in Hawkins.

"Okay," Steve said slowly. "Then I'm really confused."

"I know," Deborah said. "And I'll do my best to explain. Your father and I were high school sweethearts and I was so sure he was the one for me. And I was so scared that he was going to leave me. But then, me and all my friends went down to New Orleans for a long weekend and while we were there, we ended up in a Hoodoo shop."

"Mom."

"And I bought a love potion from the woman there," Deborah continued. "She warned me, said it shouldn't be used long term, but I didn't listen."

"Christ." Steve ran a hand over his face. "Are you telling me that Dad divorced you because the love potion ran out?"

"It ran out when you were about ten," Deborah replied. "But Richard stayed and we tried to hard to make it work."

"But then what's this about a curse?" Steve asked.

"The woman told me that, above all things, I must not have a child while using the love potion," Deborah whispered. "But I didn't listen. She warned me that any child would be cursed."

"Cursed, how?" Steve pressed.

"Cursed in love," Deborah said. "She said that any child would be cursed in love until …"

"Until?"

"I can't remember," Deborah admitted. "I am so sorry, I was so desperate to keep him, so sure he was the one, that I didn't think -"

"Clearly," Steve snapped, then sighed and ran a hand over his face. "Do you know where this shop is? Or where it was?"

"Yes," Deborah said slowly. "Why?"

"Because if you can't remember, maybe this woman will," Steve said. "So I'm going to go down there, find her and ask what will break this alleged curse."

"Son, I don't think it's alleged," Deborah said gently. "You don't have the best luck when it comes to dating."

"Thanks, Mom," Steve muttered. "I'm just in a bit of a slump."

"Honey, your relationships always end - sometimes in disaster," Deborah added. "And that is my fault."

"Well, I for one am glad I'm here," Steve said. "That you had me."

"Oh no, I am definitely glad I had you," Deborah replied. "I know that I wasn't the most attentive, and that's on me."

"We're working on it now, though," Steve said. "So, about that shop?"

"You really want to go down there?" Deborah asked.

"If I am cursed, I want to find a way to break it," Steve answered. "So … please?"

"Okay," Deborah replied. "It's been a while, but I can give you the general location."

"Thanks, Mom," Steve said. "Really."

***

It took Steve a few days to get everything ready for his trip - he made sure to get his car serviced and stopped by AAA so he could plot out his route to New Orleans and prebook his hotels. He also made sure to buy a bunch of snacks and water and purchased a new cooler.

He hadn't told anyone about his roadtrip because it was going to open the door to a lot of questions. But as the trip approached, Steve couldn't avoid it any longer. He gathered everyone together and sat them all down.

Robin wanted to come with, Dustin had so many questions and everyone else just seemed stunned.

"Cursed?" Nancy asked.

"That was my response," Steve replied. "I didn't really believe her at first, but -"

"You are kind of cursed," Robin interrupted.

"Robs!" Steve said indignantly.

"What? I'm not wrong," Robin said.

"But how do you fix the curse?" Dustin asked.

"That's why he's going down to New Orleans, dingus," Robin replied with an eye roll. "To figure out how to fix the curse."

"Right," Dustin said, then frowned. "What about your call with Eddie?"

"Well, I planned to stop by Wayne's and let him know I'm leaving town for a while so I won't be able to talk to Eddie," Steve replied.

Eddie. He'd somehow miraculously survived the Upside Down and patched up by Wayne, Joyce, Hopper and Nancy and then kept in seclusion until they'd dealt with the Upside Down and were able to clear Eddie of the charges. Once that had all been handled, Wayne had sent Eddie to stay with his mom's side for a while while he fully recovered. Being protective of his nephew, Wayne hadn't told anyone where he'd gone, so calls and mail went through him.

"Do you know how long you'll be gone?" Dustin asked.

"Well, hopefully only a week, but it all depends," Steve answered. "But I'll keep in touch through Robin."

"When are you leaving?" Nancy asked.

"Tomorrow," Steve said. "Early."

"Are you all packed?" Robin asked.

"Do you need anything?" Nancy added.

"No, I got everything," Steve replied. "And I just have to pack my toiletries."

"Well, I bet it's all gonna go great!" Dustin said. "You'll be back in no time curse free!"

"That's the plan," Steve said. "Now, everyone scram so I can eat dinner and then get to bed."

Steve let everyone give him a goodbye hug and wish him a safe trip and then he was finally alone. He was still having a bit of trouble processing the 'cursed' thing, but everyone seemed so convinced … maybe he was?

***

Early the next morning, before the sun was up, Steve packed up the car and set off. He stopped by Forest Hills first and caught Wayne has he was coming home from swing shift to let him know he was going out of town for a bit and to relay that to Eddie for him.

Then he was off, headed for New Orleans. He drove for about eight hours the first day and stopped for the night, then drove the other six hours the next day and found himself in New Orleans in the late afternoon. Based on where his mom thought the shop had been, Steve had found the closest hotel and booked a room.

Once Steve had checked in and got settled in the hotel room, he'd immediately set off to find the shop. His mother had given what she thought the name of the shop had been, so Steve walked the streets looking at all the signs to try to find it and then …

Lune Mystique

There it was - the shop his mother had visited so many years ago. Steve's hand shook as he rested it on the doorknob and slowly pushed the door in.

The shop was cluttered, the lights dim and the space smells of a mix of lavender, cedar and … leather?

"Hello?" Steve called softly.

"Hello there, been waitin' for you to come for a long time now." The voice was rough and crackled with age, thick with the Creole accent Steve had been hearing in the very short time he'd been in the city.

"Me?" Steve carefully picked his way through the shop and approached the counter, where an elderly woman sat behind the register. Her white hair was piled on her head in a mess of braids and she had silver half moon glasses perched on her nose.

"Come closer so's I can see you bett'r," the woman continued. "Eyesight's not as good as it once was, child."

Steve smiled despite his trepidation and got closer.

"Oh, you look just like 'er," the woman continued. "Told 'er not to do i', felt it the moment you was born." A pause. "You are quite the beauty, child."

Steve ducked his head shyly and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"My mom told me everything," Steve said. "Well, almost everything. She said I was cursed but not how to break it."

"What's your name, child?"

"Steve."

"Well, Steve -" the woman started.

"MawMaw! I know you not ou' there helpin' cust'mers! Doc told you to take it easy!" A voice floated from the back room and Steve turned to the sound.

That voice felt familiar, but Steve needed to hear it more to place it because he felt he'd know it better without the soft accent.

"And doc tol' you to take it easy too! So tell me why I done saw you on a stepladder jus' this mornin' gettin' Dragon's Blood for a cust'mer!" the woman hollered back, then turned to Steve with a smile. "Apol'gies for my great-grandson, he's protective."

"Your great-grandson?"

"Yep, kid's been stayin' here a while recoverin'," the woman continued. "And heavens, I forgot to introduce m'self! I'm Henriette, but you can call me MawMaw."

"Oh, ma'am, I couldn't," Steve stammered.

"O'course you can!" Henriette admonished. "Now, 'bout that curse."

"Yes, ma'am - sorry, MawMaw," Steve hurried to correct himself. "My mom said I was cursed in love but she couldn't remember how to break it."

"Cuz I never tol' 'er!" Henriette exclaimed. "Was hopin' it'd deter her from doin' somthin' silly. But here y'are!"

"Here I am," Steve replied with a sigh. "So -"

"MawMaw! Let me - Steve?"

Steve watched as Eddie came out from the backroom - dressed in a pair of soft linen trousers and a dark blue button up, with a cane in his right hand … he was a sight for sore eyes.

"You know 'im?" Henriette asked.

"Steve Harrington. From Hawkins," Eddie said.

"Fought dem demons wi' you?" Henriette asked. "That Steve?"

"That Steve," Eddie replied. "What're you doin' here?"

"Hoping to break a curse," Steve said.

"What's wrong? Who's cursed?" Eddie asked.

"Me." Steve gave a shrug.

"Child is blessed in beau'y, but cursed in love," Henriette said. "'s wha' happ'ns when you have a child wi' a love potion."

"My mom just told me," Steve explained. "So I came to find out how to break it."

"That … actually 'splains a lot," Eddie said after a moment.

"Hey!" Steve frowned.

"Y'know, think Imma need to go fin' my notes," Henriette interjected. "Not as young as I once was. Eddie, cher, why don' you take Steve here for some dinner, show him roun' the neighborhood."

Steve glanced at the clock on the wall behind Henriette and noticed it was right around dinner time.

"Oh no, that's not necessary at all," Steve protested. "I'm sure I can find a place to eat."

"Nonsense!" Henriette exclaimed. "Time to close up shop anyway. Eddie?"

"Be happy to," Eddie said with a smile. "And I promise to stay close and not overexert m'self."

"Well, I appear to be outnumbered," Steve said, but he didn't really mind. "And I promise to make sure Eddie rests."

"Good," Henriette said. "Imma consult all m'notes and you come back tomorrow mornin' first thing and I'll have an answer for ya."

Steve smiled and nodded, smiling when Eddie gave his great-grandmother a hug and a peck on the cheek before slowly moving to Steve's side.

"You be sure to take him to Remy's for some gumbo," Henriette ordered.

"And Yvette's for beignets," Eddie replied. "I know, I know. All th'good stuff."

Steve gave a soft chuckle at their banter, at how much lighter Eddie seemed.

"Exactement," Henriette said with a firm nod. "You show that beauty the best."

"MawMaw!" Eddie exclaimed, giving Steve an embarrassed smile.

"It's fine," Steve murmured, his own cheeks flushed. "Let's, erm, let's just go."

"Yeah, and you can tell me all 'bout this curse," Eddie said with a smile.

Steve offered his arm to Eddie, smiling when Eddie tucked his hand into the crook of Steve's elbow, leaning a bit on him as they exited the shop and set off down the street.

"You seem to be doing well," Steve said.

"Nope, not talkin' 'bout me righ' now," Eddie drawled. "Gon' talk 'bout you."

"Fine, fine," Steve replied with a grin. "Short story is I am cursed because my mom had … ambitions."

"Okay … what's the long stoy?" Eddie asked.

"You'll get that once we're sitting for dinner," Steve answered.

"Fine, fine."

They ambled down the street, Eddie pointing out all the various shops and curiosities until they stopped in front of a brightly colored restaurant front.

"Remy's," Eddie said. "Gumbo?"

"Gumbo," Steve agreed.

Eddie led the two of them inside and Steve smiled at the familiarity between Eddie and the hostess and wait staff. They were led to what was clearly the best table in the place and water and rolls came out almost immediately.

"Mmmhmm, they love you," Steve teased.

"They love MawMaw, so I get to reap the benefits," Eddie replied. "When I first got here, they'd run gumbo down to help 'get meat on my bones'." Eddie paused. "So, cursed?"

"Right." Steve sighed and rubbed his face. "Mom told me at our last dinner that she'd come down here with her girlfriends and found herself in your MawMaw's shop, where she bought a love potion to keep Dad from leaving her."

Eddie gave a low whistle and Steve just nodded.

"Yeah. Guess she was told it wasn't for long term use and to not have a baby while using it, but … Mom didn't listen. And here I am."

"Well shit," Eddie said. "That's a lot to throw at you."

"In other circumstances, maybe," Steve replied. "But given all the Upside Down shit, it felt … normal?"

"I guess, but it still sucks. So, you came down here to -"

"Break the curse," Steve finished, smiling when two bowls of gumbo were dropped at their table. "Guess your MawMaw called ahead?"

"Guess so," Eddie answered with a laugh. "I've been learnin' a lot 'bout … her work."

"Have you ever heard of this?" Steve asked.

"Nah, but if anyone can help, she can," Eddie said. "But let's forget that for a bit and enjoy the food, yeah?"

"Yeah," Steve replied, dropping his napkin in his lap and taking a small bite of gumbo. "Oh damn, this is amazing."

"Best gumbo in town," Eddie agreed. "Won't find no better."

Steve hummed and ate heartily, even using rolls to wipe the bowl clean and get every last morsel, ignoring Eddie's knowing chuckle.

"Think you have room for dessert?" Eddie asked, throwing a couple of bills onto the table.

"Eddie, I can pay for dinner," Steve protested.

"My town, I pay," Eddie replied. "Deal with it, Stevie."

Steve felt his cheeks flush again, but nodded and let Eddie pay, then helped Eddie to his feet and got him his cane. The staff all bade him and Eddie farewell with hugs and promises to return- they found themselves back on the sidewalk and Steve took a moment to just appreciate the ambiance. The scents of spices and magnolia, the sound of music floating by from one of the various apartments or storefronts, the bright colors and beautiful architecture around him.

"Different from home, huh?" Eddie asked softly.

"Yeah," Steve breathed. "Really different."

Eddie didn't reply, just bumped his shoulder against Steve's as the set off for their next stop - beignets. They walked a few storefronts down to a small cafe packed with people in the early evening.

"Have you ever had one?" Eddie asked as he held the door open for Steve.

"A beignet?" The word felt foreign on Steve's tongue. "No."

"Didn't think so - you're in for a treat."

Again the workers in the cafe seemed to know Eddie, greeted him warmly and found a small pocket of counter space for the two of them to sit at. The cafe was incredibly full, such that Eddie was almost sitting on Steve's lap as they waited for the waitress to come take their order.

"Your hair looks really good," Eddie said softly after a few minutes.

"Oh, thanks," Steve replied with a soft smile. "When I saw Mom last, she took me to her hoity-toity salon in Chicago before we had dinner. Got some highlights and a deep conditioning treatment." Steve paused. "Yours looks good, too."

"MawMaw gave me some tips," Eddie admitted shyly, patting the bun at the back of his head a bit self consciously.

"Looks good," Steve repeated just as a waitress arrived and delivered a brown paper bag of beignets and two mugs topped with whipped cream.

"The sweetheart special - six beignets and two hot chocolates," the waitress announced with a bright smile. "Enjoy!"

"The sweehart special," Steve repeated, his cheeks warm. "So, how does one enjoy a beignet?"

"First, take the bag," Eddie instructed.

Steve lifted the bag, watching as a bit of powered sugar puffed from the top - a quick glance around showed a thin coat of powered sugar all over the counter, tables and floor.

"Now you're gon' shake it," Eddie continued.

Steve held the bottom of the bag and was just about to start shaking when suddenly Eddie's hands were on his.

"No, no!" Eddie said between laughs. "Not like that or you'll find you'self all covered in sugar."

Steve felt butterflies in his stomach as Eddie moved his hands into the proper position.

"Now shake?" Steve asked softly.

"Now shake."

Steve shook the bag vigorously, grinning despite his momentary embarrassment. He stopped a few moments later and put the bag back onto the counter, watching as Eddie rearranged the bag and then carefully ripped it open, reveealing the delicate looking pastries.

"They smell amazing," Steve said.

"Taste amazing, too," Eddie replied as he grabbed one and took a bite. "Go on, try."

Steve carefully picked up a beignet and took a bite, closing his eyes and humming appreciatively at the taste of warm bread and powered sugar. He licked the sugar from his fingers and opened his eyes to find Eddie watching him.

"You have a bit o' sugar," Eddie whispered.

"I do? Where?" Steve asked, then froze when Eddie reached out and gently wiped a bit of powered sugar from his upper lip. Steve's eyes were transfixed on Eddie's thumb, licking his lips as Eddie licked the sugar off his thumb.

"Got it," Eddie murmured.

"Th-thanks." Steve's hand was shaking a bit as he reached for his hot chocolate, taking a moment to stir the whipped cream in before having a drink.

"Missed you," Eddie said after a few moments. "I mean, miss everyone but … I missed you. Phonecalls are good, but I missed seeing you."

"M-me too," Steve said softly. "Missed seeing you, too."

The tension between them was so thick that Steve was sure everyone in the cafe could see it as they finished their dessert. The waitress who'd dropped of their food gave them a bright smile and waved off Eddie's attempt to pay.

"On the house, lovebirds!" she said.

Steve nearly tripped over Eddie's cane at that and just barely managed to get control of his limbs as they left the cafe.

"Want to sit for a bit before I walk you back to the hotel?" Eddie asked.

Steve swallowed and nodded, letting Eddie lead the way down the street to a small little greenbelt between a couple shops with a few benches. Steve sat down heavily in one and felt Eddie sit down next to him - close, but not close enough that they were touching.

"I'm cursed," Steve whispered.

"So you said," Eddie replied.

"All my relationships end," Steve continued.

"MawMaw's gonna find the cure," Eddie said.

"But what if she can't? What if I'm stuck cursed? I don't want …" Steve took a deep breath and locked eyes with Eddie. "I don't to start something with you if it's going to end … I won't survive that."

"Start something with me?"

Steve swallowed and nodded; before he could explain any further, Eddie was right there, lips pressed to Steve's in a sweet kiss. Steve's hand went to the back of Eddie's head, keeping it there even as one of Eddie's hands entrenched itself in Steve's hair. Steve shifted, trying to climb onto Eddie's lap, but stopped when Eddie gave a sharp gasp.

"Fuck, fuckl!" Steve slid away, eyes wide with horror. "I'm so sorry! I didn't -"

"Come back here," Eddie ordered softly. "I'm fine. Just a twinge."

Steve scooted a bit closer and reached for Eddie's hand.

"I don't ever want to hurt you," Steve whispered.

"I know you'd never, not intentionally," Eddie whispered back. "How 'bout I walk you back to your hotel and then you come back to the shop first thing in the mornin' for brea'fast. I'm makin' biscuits, grits and calas."

"You cook?" Steve asked.

"I do now," Eddie replied with a smile. "And then we can talk to MawMaw and figure out this curse."

"Okay."

Steve stood and offered Eddie his arm, smiling when Eddie gripped it carefully and levered himself to his feet. He gave Eddie's hand a pat, waiting for Eddie to get his cane under him before they carefully walked back towards Steve's hotel. The city felt alive around them, but Steve only had eyes for Eddie …

The two walked in companionable silence through the city to Steve's hotel, where Steve came to a stop near the front doors.

"Want me to come get you in the mornin'?" Eddie asked softly.

"Nah, I can make my way over," Steve replied. "When should I be there?"

"Early," Eddie said with a grin. "I'll be cookin' 'fore the sun comes up."

"Maybe I'll take a sunrise walk," Steve murmured, then leaned over and pressed a kiss to Eddie's cheek.

"Go through the alley to the back of the shop," Eddie said. "Just come in, the door'll be open."

"Okay." Steve gave Eddie a soft smile. "G'night."

"Night."

Steve sighed a bit regretfully as Eddie pulled away and walked back to the shop, waiting till he'd turned the corner and was out of sight to go inside. Once inside is room, Steve changed into pajamas and gave Robin a call to check in - he did not tell her everything (something that was going to bite him in the ass later), but just told her he'd made it to New Orleans, found the shop and was going back in the morning to try to get answers. He felt a bit bad, but didn't want to explain it all or expose Eddie's location that Wayne had fought to keep secret so Eddie could have a chance to heal.

The guilt lingered as Steve ended the call and finished getting ready for bed, but once his head hit the pillow Steve was asleep, his sleep filled with big brown eyes and dark curls.

***

Steve woke just as the sun was starting to rise and immediately climbed out of bed and get dressed. He spent a few extra minutes in the bathroom fixing his bedhead and brushing his teeth, then checked to make sure he had his room key and wallet before exiting the hotel and heading back to Lune Mystique. He followed Eddie's instructions from the night before and went down the alley to the back of the shop, smiling as he saw Eddie through the screendoor, moving carefully around the kitchen.

He ascended the steps and gently knocked on the screen before entering.

"Mornin'," Eddie said with a smile.

"Good morning," Steve replied. "It smells amazing."

"Thanks - hungry?"

Steve nodded and smiled as Eddie immediately began fixing him a plate. Steve accepted the plate and sat down at the small kitchen table, watching Eddie continue to cook with a smile.

"That's a lot of food," Steve commented.

"Got family all around the Quarter checkin' on me, so I make 'nough in case they stop by," Eddie replied. "Otherwise 's just me and MawMaw here."

"That's sweet," Steve replied. "Um … coffee?"

"Comin' right up."

A cup of coffee appeared and Steve cupped it in his hands, giving it an appreciative sniff before taking a sip.

Creaking and shuffling announced the entrance of Henriette, her hair up in a silk wrap, dressed in a bright purple robe. Wordlessly, she fixed herself a plate and some coffee, pressing a quick kiss to Eddie's cheek before sitting down across from Steve.

"Mornin', cher," Henriette greeted Steve.

"Good morning," Steve replied with a smile.

"Was gon' tell you 'bout the curse, but looks like you fixed it," Henriette said as she sipped her coffee.

"I … what?" Steve glanced over to Eddie, who wore a matching look of confusion. "I did? How?"

"The way most curses are broken - true love's kiss." Henriette wore a smug smile as she ate breakfast.

"Remy's and Yvette's! You called ahead and told them it was a date?" Eddie added.

"True love … " Steve blinked slowly, breakfast momentarily forgotten.

"'course," Henriette replied. "Would you've listened if I'd said to go kiss my great-grandson? Nah, child, you'd've protested and balked. But the second you walked in that door, your aura was seekin' 'is and 'is was seekin' yours. True love."

"So … I'm not cursed." Steve looked back over to Eddie.

"Not anymore," Henriette said.

"I'm not cursed," Steve repeated, giving Eddie a soft smile.

"You're not cursed," Eddie said with a smile. "Meaning -"

"We can start something," Steve interrupted. "Have something."

"I like that," Eddie murmured. "Have something." A pause. "How long are you here for?"

"I have the hotel room for a week," Steve replied. "And I'll have to check in with Robin a few times or she'll drive down here and find me."

"So very true," Eddie said with a laugh. "We can cross that bridge when we get to it. Also, I have a doctor's appointment later this week and he might actually clear me to be able to go home."

"Back to Hawkins?" Steve asked.

"Back to Hawkins," Eddie agreed. "Got room in your car for me?"

"I think I can find the space," Steve teased.

"So long as you come back every year for Mardi Gras," Henriette interjected. "And next time, you bring that family o' yours,"

"That we can do," Steve promised, still smiling at Eddie. "So, any plans this week?"

"Anything that involves you," Eddie said.

"Awww lookit you two lovebirds," Henriette cooed. "You two go explore th' city. Don' expect to see you 'gain 'till nightfall, y'hear?"

"Yes, MawMaw," Steve and Eddie said in unison.

"So, Steve," Eddie said. "Care to go on a date with me?"

"I would love to," Steve replied.

And they lived happily ever after.