Cas

Steve wraps his arms around him from behind, kissing his neck and then his shoulder, resting his nose against his pulse.

“You should come to bed, babe,” he whispers.

He’s right. He’s barely slept for days, and getting into bed and cuddling up to Steve will help his morose mood. It’s just that he’s twitching to grab his guitar and write something. He’s dying to get in his van and drive to Gareth’s house a mile up the road and come up with a new plan that’s doomed to fail. It’s a habit now, one that’s going to take a while to break now that they aren’t a band anymore. Not officially, anyway.

“Eddie? You okay?” Steve asks, voice louder now, laced with concern. He picks his head up, but Eddie quickly reaches back to tug him back into place.

“Don’t let go,” Eddie tells him. “Stay.”

And because Steve is an angel, and Eddie doesn’t deserve him, he does. He doesn’t ask any questions or try to say anything to make him feel better. He doesn’t push him towards the bed to try to make him sleep. He just holds him.

Eventually, Eddie turns in his arms and cups his face, kissing the corner of his mouth and giving him a small smile.

“Can I play you something?” Eddie asks.

Steve grins. “Always.”

He plays for a while. Too long, going off the yawns Steve tries to hide after a few songs. He’s slowly sinking down into the bed while Eddie strums and hums, occasionally pausing to write in his notebook.

Eddie plays until Steve’s asleep, light snores coming from where he has his face buried in the pillow. When he looks up, he finally notices Steve wearing his cropped Corroded Coffin shirt.

It makes him cry. He’s quiet about it, not wanting to wake Steve and see that worried look on his face again.

He wishes things turned out better for them. He wishes that Steve was visiting him on tour instead of sleeping in a trailer he promised he’d never come back to. He wishes he could say he accomplished what he set out to do, just one time.

—

He writes songs often, but the inspiration isn’t there. It’s harder without Gareth banging on his drums, trying to find any beat that works with the melody Eddie has in his head. They could try Gareth coming up with a beat first, but that’s just not how they do things.

How they did things.

Eddie looks around the record shop. He doesn’t mind this job. The owner’s pretty cool, knows a lot about every genre of music. He plays guitar and bass, too. Sometimes on payroll days, he sets aside some time to jam with Eddie after they lock up.

It’s fun as far as minimum wage, unskilled labor goes.

Jeff comes by every Friday when he’s done with his classes, flips through the new releases, even if he doesn’t like the artists. He just likes shooting the shit with Eddie. They’ve always been like that. Even when they argued about band stuff, they’d find common ground with something else.

Gareth practically lives at the trailer on Sundays, a desperate attempt to escape his own house. His grandparents visit every Sunday and turn it into a miserable place. Eddie doesn’t mind. Steve gives them space for hours before he usually yells for them to come eat. He always gives Gareth a long hug before he leaves, like he knows that Gareth’s grieving, too.

Frankie mostly makes Eddie come to him, but he doesn’t mind. He knows it’s because he had a falling out with his parents and doesn’t want to step foot back in Hawkins if he can help it. He’ll go wherever he has to to see his friend.

But it’s tough not getting together anymore. He wishes they could all just hang out, not as a band, without the pressure, without the commitment. He wants them to be friends again, real friends.

He just doesn’t know how to make that happen.

—

“Cake is in the oven. Wayne will be here in ten to help me set up the tables and chairs. Robin’s got beer. Don’t ask me how,” Steve shakes his head as he runs down his checklist for Eddie’s birthday party. “Dustin might be late. Said he’s bringing his girlfriend and she takes forever to do her hair.”

“Sounds familiar,” Eddie teases, wrapping his arms around Steve’s waist and kissing his neck. “You want any help?”

“It’s your birthday, you’re not allowed to help.” Steve turns to kiss his cheek. “You should go get changed, though. Pretty sure Gareth said he was coming early to avoid his grandma asking if he’d found a wife yet.”

“But he doesn’t even have to lie anymore!” Eddie groans, throwing his hands up. “Fine, fine. I’ll go. You wanna help me?”

“You don’t need my help to get dressed,” Steve rolls his eyes.

“But I could use help with…other things…” Eddie wiggles his brows and winks. “You said for my birthday we could-“

“I know what I said. I meant after your party,” Steve’s face is bright red as he looks back down at his list. “Plus, I’m not wearing that under these clothes. I’ve got too much to do still.”

Eddie smacks a kiss to his lips and rushes off to get ready for his party.

Everyone’s coming.

Even Frankie.

It’s not the first time they’ve all been together since the band broke up, but it’s the first time it’s happening under Eddie’s roof. It feels like there’s more potential for something to go wrong here.

It’s the biggest party he’s ever had for himself, but 30 is a big number according to everyone who cares about him. There’s a cake that Steve made sitting on the table surrounded by cards and gifts from everyone who loves him.

Jeff, Gareth, and Frankie are all standing together on the porch. They’re not arguing as far as Eddie can tell.

He joins them hoping it stays that way.

“There’s the birthday guy!” Jeff slaps his shoulder, nearly spilling the soda in his cup when he does. “Heard we’re cutting the cake in a few minutes.”

“Yeah, Steve’s got a pretty strict schedule for that apparently,” Eddie rolls his eyes fondly. He’s never been much for a schedule, but it makes Steve happy and he’s a big fan of that. “Enjoying the party? Need anything?”

Gareth snorts. “It’s your party. We don’t need you to take care of us.”

“I know, but-“ Eddie freezes. He swallows back the sudden lump in his throat.

The final thing, the one thing out of the millions of things that ruined their band, was no doubt that Eddie could be a little overbearing and overprotective about them. He wanted things to work so badly. He pushed on things he shouldn’t have because he thought it was best for all of them. He turned down things that the others wanted to do because he thought it wouldn’t be right for their sound. He fought with Frankie to protect Gareth, he fought with Gareth to protect Jeff. He fought with Steve to protect all of them.

In the end, he tried to be too in control.

Happens to all the greats, right? It’s just not a good story when you aren’t great first.

“I know.” He says again. He gives them a smile before he rushes off to find Steve. They don’t stop him. He’s sure his realization was written all over his face.

When he finds Steve, he’s pacing the kitchen floor, Wayne trying to calm him down about something quietly. It’s a bit unnerving for a birthday party, especially when everyone’s outside.

“Steve?”

Steve’s head snaps up and over to Eddie, eyes widening comically. Wayne mumbles something about idiots and walks out the back door to rejoin the party.

“Hey. Everything okay? Cake in a few minutes,” Steve says, plastering on a fake smile. Eddie steps closer, watching the way Steve’s hands are shaking as he tries to shove them in his pockets.

“I’m good. Are you okay?” Eddie cups the side of his neck, searching his face for any other clues about what could possibly be wrong. Could he be sick? He mentioned a headache yesterday, but he seemed fine this morning.

“I’m good! I promise,” Steve reaches up to wrap his fingers around his wrist, smile changing to something more comforting and real. “Are you happy?”

The question isn’t entirely unusual, but it still makes Eddie worry again.

“Of course I am. You brought everyone I love together and made my favorite cake. And we’ve got naked plans tomorrow. How could I not be?” Eddie tries to push his worry away as Steve leans in to kiss the corner of his mouth.

It’s probably nothing. Steve’s a bit worried that the weather won’t hold up for them and he doesn’t want everyone in the house, so maybe that’s what he’s so riled up about. Wayne was probably just offering to help bring stuff inside if the storms start earlier than they’re supposed to.

“Good. That’s all I want,” Steve kisses him again before he leads Eddie back outside.

He brings him over to the cake and yells for everyone to come sing. He didn’t think people did that for adults, but he goes along with it because it’s entertaining watching a bunch of mostly tone deaf adults try to sing together. He’s beaming by the end, almost forgetting he needs to blow out the candles until Steve nudges his arm.

When he blows them out and turns, Steve’s not there.

Well, he is there.

He’s just not standing up.

He’s on one knee, holding a very simple silver band. Everyone around them is quiet.

“I knew you weren’t just throwing a birthday party!” Eddie laughs, leaning down to tug Steve up off his knee. It’s his bad knee, because he’s an idiot. “You’re gonna hurt yourself.”

“I’m fine,” Steve rolls his eyes. “Let me say this.”

Eddie grins at him. “Carry on.”

“I know life’s been different than what you wanted. You hoped to be the next big rock star and it didn’t work out. You didn’t wanna stay in Hawkins. You probably didn’t even think you’d end up with me, but here we are,” everyone laughs as Steve smirks. “I think we’ve got a pretty great thing going here. Even when it’s not perfect, and when we still hope for more, we’re together. That’s enough for me. And I’m hoping that maybe that’ll be enough for you, too. We can’t file the papers to make it legal, but Wayne’s already got a speech ready for us to get married right here in this backyard someday if you say yes.”

Eddie wipes a stray tear from his cheek. “You have to ask me first.”

“What?” Steve’s brows raise before he realizes. “Oh. Right. Eddie, will you please spend forever with me? Wherever that may lead us?”

“Yes. Of course I will. I’d follow you anywhere.”

Everyone cheers. They kiss. It’s like a movie if movies ever showed the kind of love they have.

“Best birthday ever?” Gareth claps him on the back. His girlfriend is standing off to the side. She looks like she was crying. “Guess that puts more pressure on me, huh?”

“Guess so. Surprised you needed any,” Eddie jokes, turning to give him a hug. “Surprised she’s waited this long.”

“I’ve got a way with my hands, what can I say?”

Jeff playfully shoves him and fake gags. “Sure you do. Congrats, Eddie. Steve’s been stressed about this for months.”

Eddie turns to see Wayne hugging Steve close, patting his back.

“He should’ve known I’d say yes,” Eddie smiles fondly as he turns back to them.

“He’s just worried about tying you down for real,” Frankie says as he steps closer. “You’ve never been much for staying in one spot forever.”

“I don’t mind if it’s with him,” Eddie admits. He’s not even lying.

Saying yes doesn’t really change anything for them. They’ll wear rings, have a little ceremony in their backyard, maybe they’ll refer to each other as husbands with their friends. But they’ve already been living together for years, seen each other through so much. They make plans together, they pay bills together, they struggle and win together.

He doesn’t think he’d have that if he had become a rock star. Sure, Steve supported him while he tried. He probably would’ve stuck around for a while if they’d made it. But who knows what would’ve happened a year down the road. Two.

There’s a million reasons why things didn’t work out for the band.

"I didn't mean that serious", Diane said.

"Well all of this means nothing if we can't find anyone."

"Are you guys still talking about my love life? Which I remind you is none of your business?", Steve asked, chosen shorts in hand.

"Actually, we were talking about our love life", Jonas said before pulling his wife close and kissing her cheek.

It got the desired reaction from their son, a groan as he averted his eyes. After getting a couple of things to spruce up their wardrobe, Steve thought he could break free, but they truly planned to make a day of the trip.

His mom wanted some new sunglasses and his dad spent an inhuman amount of time searching for a new wallet. When he was younger, his parents rewarded his patience with an ice cream cone or something to that effect.

Now that he was older, he preferred other things. But his folks still knew his tells well, so it only took him glancing at the music store before Diane was leading them towards it.

"If we take a road trip, we need something to listen to. Pick something good."

She said this to both her husband and son, but Steve was the one moving, slowly towards a standee in the store.

"Holy...I can't believe it!"

"You like this guy?", Diane asked. The standee was of a man, with what must be their latest music in cassette form.

Steve looked at her like she was living under a rock. "Mom, you don't just 'like' Bon Jovi you...This", he picked up one of the cassette tapes, "Is something to be treasured."

"So you really like him."

"Not just him!", Steve said quickly, his face getting a little pink. "It's a whole band not just one guy."

While Steve was talking to his mother about what was apparently a well-liked music group, Jonas was having a moment of enlightenment. Because he saw the standee and then he saw the cashier. It was like the two of them were cut from the same cloth. Like they had the same mold.

Jonas wasn't crazy about the long hair and ripped jeans, but at least the t-shirt with the store's logo was clean. And he was wearing a nametag too. That showed some level of professionalism. He spent probably a little too long looking at him because the guy looked up as if he could feel eyes on him.

Jonas tried to meet his wife's gaze and bless her, she met his eyes right away. He sort of gave a nod towards the cashier and she looked, her lips widening into a smile as she regarded both the flesh and blood man and the one made out of cardboard. They were both thinking the same thing.

He's perfect.

Moving in sync, Diane kept Steve busy looking at other musical selections while Jonas stepped up to the counter.

"Sooo", Jonas started.

"Sooo, you ready to check out?", the cashier, Eddie said.

"I'm not actually purchasing just yet. But speaking of checking out...", Jonas turned slightly and to turn the attention to his son. "What do you think of him?"

"Umm..."

"He's a handsome fella, right?"

"Iiiis this entrapment?"

"Oh! Oh god no, don't worry, I'm his father."

"That doesn't make this any less awkward", Eddie said.

"Let me explain. My son...We want him to find someone special. And my wife and I think you might be a favorable suitor."

Eddie looked to Steve again, checking him out just a little. "And he's uh, you know, open to being courted? By someone like me?"

"Pretty open", Jonas nodded, keeping his voice low so their conversation remained as private as it could be in such a public place.

Eddie's hands were braced against the counter as he tilted his head and looked at Steve once again and Jonas could tell when someone was interested, even if they played for the other team.

"What the hell, I'll go for it."

"Perfect." Jonas beamed and moved away from the register.

After pretending to peruse for a bit more, Jonas sent Steve with some cash to buy the music they'd all picked out. He put an arm around his wife as they watched him approach Eddie.

"Well? Do I know how to pick 'em or what?"

"You got lucky", Diane said, annoyed but fond. "So, what's he like?"

"....I don't know."

"Jonas!", Diane hissed in a whisper and smacked his shoulder. "You sent our son to go flirt with a stranger and you don't even know what kind of man he is?"

"He looks like Steve's type. And he seemed nice. Has a stable job-"

"You're not a fan of the hair, are you?", Diane clocked her husband.

"It's a little lengthy. Not quite marriage material. But maybe he'll cut it before proposing."

"Who's talking about marriage?"

Jonas gave her a look. "He's a man now. And we said he needs to get serious."

"You'd let your son marry a bad boy?"

"You did", Jonas grinned.

Diane kissed his cheek. "You were barely a miscreant. And you mellowed out in your old age."

Jonas was about to say something back when Steve returned to them, music bought and bagged up.

"So uh, that cashier was somethin' huh?", Jonas said.

"What? Yeah, I guess."

While Steve was walking out of the store, Diane and Jonas shared a worried look. It had looked like he was having a fine talk with Eddie but maybe they had been mistaken. But even if they had miscalculated, they could still course correct.

Part 3

Tag Team

“Jesus, has all the feedback from your amps made you deaf? Or did the headbanging liquify your brain or something? No.” Steve stopped short when he noticed Eddie at the end of the aisle. “Cornering me won't change my answer. You have six overdue tapes between the four of you.” He put back a copy of Peggy Sue Got Married before barrelling down the aisle, stack of tapes in hand. “Move,” he snapped a foot short of Eddie.

“Where are your manners, Stevie?” Eddie asked, taking a step aside. 

“Out the window,” he said, knocking Eddie's shoulder with his own. “With my patience and my last nerve.” 

Four sets of footsteps followed him into the next aisle.

As he picked up the next tape, a copy of Sid and Nancy, the whole of Corroded Coffin surrounded him.

“Come on, Steve,” Gareth begged. “I'll bring back the other tapes I owe you tomorrow. Promise.”

“Yeah, me, too,” Freak pleaded.

Jeff shrugged when Steve eyed him. “I returned my tapes on time.”

Steve rolled his eyes. “Drop box at the last possible minute-”

“Counts,” Jeff interrupted. “My record is clean.”

Eddie, Freak, and Gareth shared a look before grinning.

“Please, Steve?”

“Yeah! Jeff's a good boy.”

“We can check it out under him!”

“Jesus.” Steve set the pile on a half open shelf before turning to them. “Your four are worse than Henderson’s gaggle of shitheads!”

They all stared at him, wide eyed and hopeful.

After a moment to even his breathing, Steve caved. “Go get the goddamn tape.”

“Yes!”

“If Keith finds out about this-”

“We're dead,” they chorased, running off.

Though, Eddie stayed, smiling slyly. 

Rocky Horror had been missing from the shelves of Family Video for well over a month. Mostly because Eddie Munson was a hurricane who didn't understand due dates. Primarily because Steve Harrington had no backbone when it came to Eddie Munson. “I won't do it again.”

“Oh, come on.”

“I've already been through the ringer for their missing tapes. I told you last time, I need the physical copy to change the return date.” He gestured with his hands as he continued. “I check it in, then I check it out again. Simple mechanics, Munson.”

“Yes, but last time, you used that pretty computer of yours and overrode it anyway.”

Steve sighed, grabbing his stack of tapes. He walked off, not bothering to argue. He would have already done it by now if the four of them hadn't run in like bulls in a China shop.

“Is that a yes?”

Happy to be facing away from the aisle, Steve didn't bother to hide his grin. 

“Come on, Stevie! Please?”

“Go get a candy, Munson,” Steve mumbled, smiling to himself when Eddie cheered from behind him.

“Yes!”

“You need to bring it back eventually.”

“We’ll see,” Eddie said, voice lilting playfully as he raced by to the check out counter.

Steve had been out in the sun all day, lathered in sunscreen at Robin's behest. Happy to lounge around in the heat, like the animal he was.

Max, Nancy, and Robin had laid out beside him for hours like a handful of grapes for the California Raisins company.

Eddie had spent the day in and out of the pool with the younger Hellfire members and their- rather extended -friend group. Intermittently, he had run over with a random hey, Steve and a quickly and utterly awkward retort.

Oddly enough, Steve had eaten it up. 

Even though only the band and Steve remained, Steve had laid out on his lounger long after the sun went down.

Eddie had changed into clothes sometime around the time Henderson and everyone else went home.

“You think he’ll ever say anything?”

Freak shook his head. “Maybe Harrington-”

“No way,” Jeff interrupted. “He’s wound too tight. Eddie’s got looser lips than Deep Throat.”

Freak raised a brow.

“Yeah, you know what I meant.”

“Maybe we could get Eddie drunk-”

“Whatever you're about to talk him into-” Gareth said, taking a seat between them. He popped the cap open on another beer before taking a sip. “No.”

Jeff glanced over at Freak, grinning.

“Hey! Wait!” Eddie screamed from the other side of the pool. He laughed, clinging to Steve as he was held at the edge of the pool, arms wrapped around Steve’s neck. Feet firmly off the ground. “Put me down!” he laughed, fingers digging into Steve’s shoulder.

“Oh, Jesus Christ,” Freak grumbled.

“Insane,” Jeff said. “Both of them.”

“They're unbelievable,” Gareth agreed.

Steve flashed Eddie a grin before taking a step forward.

Confusion and then panic flashed over Eddie's face before the rising water level swallowed them whole.

“You want a beer?” Gareth mumbled, reaching into the cooler behind him.

“No,” Freak said, taking another drag. “Actually,” he said, exhaling a plume of smoke that flew off away from them. “You know what? Yeah, why not?”

Eddie surfaced with a gasping breath as Gareth passed Freak his beer. “You're a jackass,” Eddie screamed, treading towards the stairs. His hair lay over his eyes, making him look like a wet dog.

“Oh, come on!” Steve laughed, following after him. He managed to beat Eddie out of the water running after a towel.

Eddie waved him off when he got closer. “Fuck you and your towel, Harrington!”

“I’m just trying to help.”

“After taking me for a swim?” Eddie asked sarcastically. “Why I have half a mind-” He cut himself off, charging towards the house.

“Where’re you going?”

“To take a nap in your bed. I'm not changing by the way!”

Wordlessly, Steve chased after him. 

When Eddie realized he had a tail, he took off. Unfortunately, Eddie was no match for the track star that was Steve Harrington. 

The boys sighed, turning away.

No one flinched when Eddie screamed before breaking into laughter again.

“Think we can talk Steve into S’mores?” Gareth asked. “You know, after they spend way too much time changing and come back acting all secretive and shy?”

Freak huffed. 

“Definitely,” Jeff said.

They all sipped on their beers.

That’s not too bad. Eddie’s twenty-three; if he’s fooling around with someone, it’s not Wayne’s place to intrude even if he wanted to.

The second time he sees it, it’s parked outside Claudia Henderson’s place. That still isn’t odd—Eddie and her Dustin run in the same circles. What Wayne isn’t counting on is who’ll walk out the front door just as he’s passing the house.

Steve Harrington waves over his shoulder to Claudia, who laughs at something he said while he climbs into the driver’s seat.

Since when does Harrington’s boy drive a truck? Wayne thinks, followed by, My Eddie is fooling around with Harrington’s boy?!

Wayne isn’t going to butt in, but this is one of those instances that reminds him despite how loud and uninhibited Eddie is, he’s far from a great communicator. Steve’s never been anything but polite to Wayne in passing, but he can’t help worrying about the implications of the two of them sneaking around.

The third time Wayne sees the Chevy, it’s back in his driveway. He steels himself to enter the house.

Eddie greets him with an enthusiastic, “Wayne!” Steve stands beside him.

“How’s it going, Ed?” Wayne tries.

“Great. Listen, I…want you to meet my boyfriend. Steve.”

Boyfriend. The word fills him with relief. It’s serious enough; it means something. 

Steve smiles and offers a handshake. “Sorry it took so long. I’ve been begging Eddie to introduce us for weeks.”