I can see you awake anytime, in my head

*cools ur dashboard down*

He’s been replaced or brainwashed or SOMETHING.

Jeff can’t put his finger on it, but something’s wrong with him.

He’s never the first one to arrive for band practice, let alone early. But here he was in the garage tuning his guitar.

Jeff is watching from across the room. He’s punctual. He’s been playing his music at a lower volume. He hasn’t killed anyone’s character out of spite in at least a month. And Mike actually deserved it last week.

Jeff even heard him make comments about the cubs/cardinals game to Wayne in passing.

And there’s something wrong with Eddie’s hair.

It’s not frizzy like it normally is. It looked … soft. Defined. Conditioned —

“You’re sleeping with Steve Harrington!” Jeff snapped, pointing accusingly to Eddie.

Eddie’s face dropped.

His eyes darted between their friends — when did the other guys get here?

For a moment Jeff felt bad blurting it out, catching the fear in Eddie’s eyes. But just like everything else Eddie has faced, he’s replaced the fear with confidence.

Eddie’s eyes narrowed angrily at Jeff. “So what if I am?”

Jeff shrugged, plucking at his strings. “Good for you, man. Just hit me, that’s all.”

That made Eddie physically stumble. Like he wasn’t expecting that. “What?”

“You’ve been different,” Jeff said. “Not in a bad way. Good actually. Just — made me realize it.”

The garage was silent. As if everyone was afraid to make a move.

“Is there — is there gonna be a problem?” Eddie asked, all bravo drained from his voice.

“Nope,” Jeff said. “Like that we’re not waiting on you. Bring him by sometime.”

Eddie stood still, still trying to process everything.

“How did — how did you know?”

Jeff pointed to his own curls. “Your hair. Looks nice. Figured Steve washed it, huh?”

Eddie blushed, pulling a strand over his face. There was a mumbled of a ‘yeah.’

Gareth scoffed. Eddie’s glare quickly went to him. Gareth threw his hands up defensively. “No, it’s just that if anyone can take that mane of yours, it’s Steve ‘the hair’ Harrington.”

Eddie let out a laugh. “Whatever. Just play, bozos.”

Yeah, something’s different about Eddie.

He’s happier than he’s been in years. And Steve Harrington is to thank for that.