@steddiemicrofic prompt: guard | wc 532 | Gen
Eddie rolled out from under the Oldsmobile he was working on to see Thatcher — his boss — standing in the threshold of the mechanic’s shop and the main office, calling out for him.
“Your girlfriend’s here,” Thatcher supplied, gesturing for Eddie to move.
‘Girlfriend?’ Eddie mouthed to himself as pushed himself off the creeper and approached the office.
Thatcher stopped Eddie at the door. “She looks pissed,” he murmured. “Take her into the breakroom. I’ll keep the guys out for a bit.”
Eddie normally would be grateful for Thatcher. He’s a friend of Wayne and took Eddie under his wing when nobody else would hire him.
But Eddie’s so fucking confused.
What pissed off girlfriend?
He stepped into the office and froze like a deer in headlights.
That pissed off girlfriend.
There in the lobby, with arms crossed and a mean glare was Robin. He gestured for her to follow him into the breakroom. As soon as the door shut, Robin was in his space, a finger pointed to his nose. “You’re going to treat him right.”
“What?” Eddie asked. “Who, Steve?”
Eddie and Steve have been … something for about a month. Longer if you consider the time Steve sat by Eddie’s bedside in the hospital waiting for his body to heal. They’ve kissed. They’re close. They’re … not exactly dating. No labels. Casual. Friends with benefits, much to Eddie’s disappointment.
“Yeah, Steve,” she huffed. “You’re going to take him out on a proper date, a movie or bowling or the diner, whatever isn’t your couch or bed. You’re gonna hold his hand, tell him he’s pretty and kiss him good night. You got it?”
“What’s this coming from?” Eddie said, taking a step back. “What are you, his guard dog?”
“I want to make sure you’re treating him right,” Robin said. “He falls in love easy and I don’t need you breaking his heart.”
Eddie felt his heart stop. “He’s in love with me?”
“I’m tired of hearing him say that he’s not worthy of the same love —“
“I do!” Eddie nearly shouted, causing Robin jump. “Love him. I just — didn’t think he liked me like that.”
“I thought this was like — casual for him,” Eddie explained. “Experimenting or whatever.”
“He doesn’t do casual,” Robin said.
“I know, I — just wasn’t convinced that he could like me like that,” Eddie said softly. “I didn’t know I could.”
Eddie’s been weird all night.
First, he asked Steve on a date. Okay. Seemed normal. Hidden in the back row of the theater, Eddie sat pressed up next to Steve, hands held. Then, they picked up Enzo’s and went to Lover’s Lake, sitting on the dock under the stars. He opened doors for Steve and snuck gentle touches when he could.
“Okay,” Steve softly laughed as Eddie pulled out a piece of chocolate cake from the paper bag. “What’s your deal?”
“Will you be my boyfriend?” Eddie breathed, almost as if it was one word. “Please?”
Steve’s never kissed someone harder than he kissed Eddie in that moment.
He’s been waiting for Eddie to love him too.
