PhantomWatcher

Steve is /tired/

Absolutely exhausted

And he doesn’t know if it’s mentally or physically or both (probably both)

But if another person asks about a movie that he hasn’t seen or where something is when it’s right. In front. Of their face.

He’s over it

Steve bites at his lip as he stocks tapes back into their place, his mind wondering to being home at the trailer and cuddling with Eddie.

Just being around Eddie.

He misses his teddy

Steve huffs and shakes his head, his mind can’t wonder at work

He hears the bell ring

Why can’t people just stay home?

“Helloo birdie Buckley”

Steve whips his head around at the sound of Eddie

“Hi Edward”

Steve imagines the grimace on Eddie’s face

“Gross, okay bucks where’s my boy” he asks, Steve just knows he’s leaning on the counter like he always does

“Uh horror section? I think? Just call him he can hear-kinda”

Steve pouts at that “hey! I hear just fine”

Steve hears Eddie before he sees him, the sound of metal jingling and boots thudding. Eddie bounds around the corner, smiling a bright smile with his cheeks a little flushed

“Hi baby” he greets

Steve suppresses a wide smile, the nickname making his mind fuzz

“Hi Ed’s” he looks down at the tapes he’s holding as if they were more interesting

“Hi baby” Eddie says again, but this time as if he knows. Can see right through Steve and tell right away. He can always tell

Steve flushes and turns, Eddie crowds towards him. Steve smiles feeling the pressure on his back. Eddie places a kiss on his shoulder, they’re safe behind the shelves.

Eddie moves to kiss his neck, nothing but innocent affection steve knows

“Missed you, honey” Eddie says softly, hugging Steve from behind

“Missed you too dork” steve rolls his eyes and leans back into eddie

“Just wanted to let you know that the guys wanted to go out tonight for guys night? I dunno I think gareth has a crush on this girl at the hideout and needs a wingman. Which-” Steve feels Eddie huff a laugh into his neck

Steve doesn’t reply, frown setting in. It’s been a while since Eddie’s went out with them outside of hellfire…usually at home with Steve or taking care of him when he regresses

He fights the urge to whine out and fuss. He’s big!

“Sounds fun Ed’s” Steve says softly

“You okay with that?” Eddie moves his hands up and massages at Steve’s shoulders

“Yeah babe, you should have fun” Steve shrugs lightly, tilting his head to place a kiss at Eddie’s hand

“Are you sure? You..” Eddie lowers his voice further “You seem a little small no?”

Steve bites his lip before responding “Just felt fuzzy for a bit, I’m okay though it’s already going away” Steve tries harder to pronúnciate his words

Eddie nuzzles into his neck, “You sure..?”

Steve let’s out a laugh, mind feeling distant before he tries to focus “Yes, Eddie. I’ll be okay, I’m a big boy. You don’t gotta take care of me all the time”

“Hey, you know I like doin it. You’re my baby anyway” Eddie pulls Steve close in a tight hug. Steve smiles before turning, finally meeting Eddie’s eye

“Hey” he smiles and placed a kiss on Eddie’s cheek

“Hi yourself” Eddie kisses his forehead then looks down at his watch “Ugh I gotta dip, promised I’d help dress gareth up” he rolls his eyes “he’s more of a girl than I am” Eddie ruffles his curls

Steve snorts “whatever Munson, get outta here” he places his hands on Eddie’s shoulders, Eddie melts for a second before leaning down, he kisses Steve properly. It’s tender and soft. Steve smiles into the kiss, all the worries melting away

“Okay..I’ll see you later tonight-I’ll try to hurry” he cups Steve’s cheek. Steve nods, kissing Eddie’s palm

“You better”

It takes another five minutes before Eddie leaves, lasts last kisses shared

Steve feels better after that, his shoulder less tense and his mood much less grumpy

Except it doesn’t last

It starts going down hill again, he has to work a double now that a new hire decided not to show. Robin offers to stay but Steve can tell she doesn’t want to so he shrugs and waves her off. He can handle it (he can’t)

People come in in an extra bad mood. Demanding to know why he sold an r rated film to 12 year olds (a tape which suspiciously had gone missing last week-)

Someone not paying attention when he asks them the usual check out questions.

People coming up and deciding they don’t want a tape and just giving it to him when they could just. Put it back.

And finally, people being upset at prices. As if he’s the one personally deciding prices- he doesn’t even know how that works. I mean do they price based on the film?

Based on how the tape was made? The casing?

Steve shakes his head as he locks up. He’s tired so so tired. He huffs and pulls at the doors, double checking that they locked. Finally, he gets to his car that has been there since 9:30am.

It’s 10pm.

he gets in. Shuts the door. Hands places on his steering wheel. He feels his eyes sting with tears

no. You gotta drive

He rubs at his eyes harshly and turns the car on. He can just. Just drive home and put on Scooby doo and eat a bowl of cereal and Steve is driving down the road now. Unfortunately the universe has decided to give him every. Single. Red light

His hands shake as they grip the wheel

Just a bit further-

And the drivers. It’s as if everyone and their mother didn’t pass their drivers test it’s a small town how do you almost merge into someone?Steve’s eye twitches as he honks at a driver that cut him off.

He takes a deep shaky breath

“Just gotta get home. Home home”

He stops again at a light, the last one before more open road that leads right to the trailer park. Steve speeds down the road finally, definitely going 55 in a 45 but fuck it! Eddie’s done worse.

Steve frowns at the thought of Eddie-Eddie isn’t home, he’s with the band. Steve let’s out a whine high in his throat as he turns into the park

Eddie’s not home

he stares sadly at the spot where Eddie parks the van

He’s alone tonight..

Maybe he should call up the bar and-

Steve bites him lip, hand coming up to fidget with his bottom lip. He can’t do that! He’s been small before Eddie even told him what it was!

He could do it again

Steve gathers all his usual things. A soft blanket Eddie gifted him, his favorite stuffie Benny, he grabbed a bowl of his favorite cereal (yes everything in his hands) He places the bowl down as he grabs the milk, carefully pouring it and smiles as he pours perfectly. He feels giddiness fill his chest. He goes to call out to Eddie but his smile falls as he remembers

“Alone t’night, stevie” he says to himself “we got this, dids it before an can do it’s again”

He plots down onto the couch now, arranges Benny into his lap and scoops cereal into his mouth. He nods to himself

“M doin good right benny?” He whispers down at the little dog stuffie Steve smiles and rubs a hand on its head. He finished eating no problem, places the bowl into the sink like teddy has told him to

He feels proud of himself! If eddie was here he’d definitely give Steve two little stars! Again, Steve frowns at the reminder of Eddie’s absence

“Nuh, just gotta wait and then can tell teddy I did good. Put milk, I eats, puts in sink” Steve nods with a smile and settles again on the couch, Benny in his lap

“Yeah and teddy gonna be so proud, gonna say I’m good”

With that Steve rubs his face into the soft fur of the stuffed animal. He turns the tv on and searches for Scooby doo. He knows by now that there’s always late showings. As the night goes on, Steve’s eyes get heavy he blinks sleepily at the tv. He’s not sure how long he’s been watching but it’s the second mystery solved. He blinks his eyes over to the clock on the wall

“Lil hand s’hour an..big hand is…is min-mm” Steve takes a deep breath blinking again to get his eyes to focus, he frowns when he finally reads the time

12:23

Eddie said he wouldn’t be back too late, but how late is too late when it’s boys night? Steve let’s out a whine. What if Eddie’s not back until 3am? What if he’s not back later? what if he doesn’t come back? Steve takes a couple quick breaths, hugging benny close. He feels his eyes start to water, hot tears running down his cheeks

“Ed’s gonna come back right Benny? He’s gotta” he nuzzled into the fur making it wet

what if m too much? And he doesn come back?

Another whine at the thought. Steve swallows harshly. No,,no he knows his teddy he’s just having fun! How could steve worry over silly things when he knows Eddie will be back soon

Just making him take care of you when he gets backs

he’s gonna be too tired to deal with you

Steve frowns and wipes at his cheeks. He can’t let Eddie see him little when he gets home, he is gonna be tired. Too tired to care for him-Steve shouldn’t even need to be cared for

He has to be big, he’s gotta be the one to care for Eddie when he gets back

He huffs and stands, benny and his blanket in hand. He marches right to their room, places the blanket on the bed before leaving Benny on his pillow and makes his way back out

(Before turning right back around and grabbing benny to sit besides him on the couch)

Steve huffs and grabs the remote. Flick through the few channels they have before a late horror movie clicks on. Thats good, it’ll make him big

Sadly it doesn’t work

If anything it’s just made Steve smaller. He hides behind his hands then his knees as he balls himself up on the couch.He refuses to grab for benny whose a few inches away. He doesn’t realise how late it is before the trailer door is opened. He jumps slightly, letting out a yelp and covering himself

“Stevie?”

Steve’s basically panting has he lowers his hands he blinks away tears he didn’t know were there

“Teddy?” He whispers

Eddie frowns, closes the door and toes off his boots before making his way to Steve

“Are you small?” He asks softly, kneeling down next to the couch. Steve shakes his head and wipes at his cheeks

“I’m big” he lowers his voice a bit

Eddie squints his eyes slightly, looks at the hoodie Steve’s wearing, benny next to him then at the tv that’s still playing the movie. He frowns

“Baby, Whyre you watching a scary movie? You’re too little for that” he grabs the remote and clicks it off

Steve pouts “I’m not little, I’m big” He crosses his arms, fighting the urge to melt at Eddie’s words and fall into his arms

“And why are you up so late sugar? It’s like 1am” he frowns again, ignoring Steve’s last response

Steve frowns, feels a tug in his chest at Eddie’s frown

you’re making him feel bad

“You gotta get to bed Ed’s” he whispers

Eddie’s eyebrows furrow

“Baby love” he cups at Steve’s cheek

Steve curses at the whine he lets out

“Stop Ed’s I’m big!” He pushes away Eddie’s hand

Eddie’s frown deepens at that, his baby never pushes him away unless somethings really wrong

“You’re big?” He asks, moving his hand onto Steve’s knee instead

Steve nods and a soft ‘mhmm’

“Are you sure? I was really missing my baby tonight” Eddie pouts. Steves eyes widen slightly before he looks away

“Not here” he shakes his head “big Steve. Not little”

Eddie shuffles closer and pokes at steves tummy,“But I reaaalyyy missed my steviebaby” he leans his head onto steves knee. “Can’t I get my baby?”

Steve hums to himself, more of a grumble “No cause he’s not here” he shakes his head

Eddie huffs before his eyes fall onto benny “Well I guess benny will have to do, I’ll just tell benny he’s been a good boy and give him a little star, I mean the little pup has had such a long day I bet he wants some cuddles”

Steve worries at his lip, eyebrows raising with his frown. Eddie hears a quiet whine

“Yep, cmon steve we gotta give bennyboy a sticker”

Steve nods wordlessly as Eddie picks up benny (gently holds him to his chest) Steve crosses his own arms and follows Eddie to their room. He watches Eddie pull out the star sticker pack and grab a little blue star

“You wanna give it to him?” Eddie asks softly

“No! You can do it” steve huffs and plops onto the bed both his arms and legs crossed. Eddie frowns, feels close but not quite.

“Okay then, here we go benny. For being such a good boy- oh you wanna tell me about your day?”

Steve turns away from Eddie, clearly grumpy

“Ah, you had a bad day? And you feel sad and grumpy? Oh benny it’s okay- thank you for telling me. Good boy for letting me know” Eddie pats at the stuffed animals head, looking towards Steve. He sees how scrunched up Steve’s should let’s are. “Baby?” He says gently “You wanna talk me whats wrong? Why you were crying honey?”

Steve mumbles softly, back still towards Eddie

“Babylove I can’t hear you” he places a hand gently onto Steve’s back

“I want a star!” Steve turns to him “I want a star cause-cause” he takes a shakey deep breath “a’cause I had a long day an-an Im upset an work was bad, an people were so mean teddy! An’ I did the milk and didn’t spill! I ate cereal an i put the bowl in the sink like you saids to! And I was good. I wanna be good too”

Eddie’s eyebrows are raised as Steve rambles, he pulls Steve into his chest and holds him close “Oh my baby” he pets at steves hair as the boy sniffles into his chest “You had such a hard day didn’t you? And you did it all alone” he rubs down Steve’s back

Steve nods and wraps his arms around Eddie

“Did alone, robbie went home and I kept workin” he mumbles

“You kept working? You had a double?” Eddie pulls back, Steve whines at the movement

“Hadda” he nods

“Oh Stevie” Eddie places a kiss onto his forehead “And you came home and took care of yourself didn’t you baby? You were a big boy for me and did all that?”

Steve flushes and nods “cn’I get star?” It’s raspy and it makes Eddie’s heart ache

“Baby you can get all the stars you want, I’m so proud of you baby boy, you did so good” he cups Steve’s cheeks and wipes away stray tears “My good boy, thank you for telling me honey- why didn’t you want to tell me before? Were you little at work? How long have you been small”

Steve giggles into his chest then sniffles

“Too many questions teddy” he tilts his head up and rubs at his eyes

Eddie smiles

“Sorry lovely, I’m just worried. But maybe we can talk about it tomorrow yeah? We can cuddle and get some sleep and sleep in and have a little day for you tomorrow okay?”

Eddie watches as the tips of Steve’s ears flush red

“Mm do you wanna? We can be big an I can drive to Uhm” Steve blinks up at him “the the movies? Can have a date?”

Eddie smiles down at him

“Baby, you had a bad day, you gotta rest and recharge. I don’t think you planning a date would be a good idea right now”

Steve pouts up at him “I can be big” he grumbles

“I know you can sweetthing but it’s okay to not be big- you know that”

“But-mmph” steve hides into Eddie’s chest

“But what Stevie?” Eddie pets Steve’s hair again, combs his finger through

“feel bad you take care a’me all the time” he shrugs “should be big an take care of you. Take care of everyone”

Eddie rubs down his back and hugs him close

“Baby, the first talk we had about this stuff was because you were taking care of people too much. You gotta let me take care of you yeah? If not who’s gonna do it Hm? Benny? That puppy is cute but I don’t think he can watch over my baby too much”

Steve looks up at him and gasps

“He can! Benny is good!” Steve turns to look for the stuffed animal, eddie grabs and hands him to Steve

Steve smiles and nuzzles into the soft fur

“But I want to take care of you too okay? I like taking care of my baby. Makes me feel good remember? I like helping you. Whats a king without his knight yeah?” Eddie rubs their noses together, Steve giggles

“You’re king” steve cups at Eddie’s cheek and rubs their noses together again

“Nah baby you are, in a good way. Or you wanna be my little prince?”

Steve giggles, he wraps his arms around Eddie’s shoulders making both of them fall sideways onto the bed

“I can be little Prince” He nods. “s new I like that one”

Eddie brushes away strand of hair fallen over Steve’s face

“Noted little Prince” he pulls the covers over both of them with some difficulty “Does the little Prince wanna sleep now?” Eddie pulls him close into his side

Steve hums “Kisses” he wraps an arm around Eddie’s stomach

“Gnight kisses for benny” Eddie places a kiss onto the stuffed animals head “And Gnight kisses for my baby” he places a kiss on each cheek then his forehead

“Gnight kisses for teddy” steve mumbles, bringing benny up and tapping Eddie’s cheek

“an Gnight kisses for teddy”

Eddie’s heart melts as Steve places a kiss on his cheek before settling back down

“My sweet boy” he mumbles closing his eyes

They finally drift to sleep around 2am. Holding each other close, Steve nuzzles into eddie even in his sleep

Eddie tightens his grip each time

and If Steve wakes up just as small, less fussy and more smiles