"And that is where we end our story tonight."
Eddie grins as his players groan and reluctantly start to gather their things. There's a bit of chatter as they all start to clean up, and Eddie's ears hone in on Dustin as the kid says "At least Steve will be happy we're ending on time for once."
That makes Eddie pause and he looks over. "Steve? Steve who?"
"Uh, Harrington? He usually drives us home after D&D?" Dustin says like it's obvious, like Eddie is a moron who should just know that Steve Harrington doubles as a taxi service for a gaggle of nerdy teens.
Eddie doesn't focus on the attitude though, because his eyes snap to the container of cookies Claudia had sent with Dustin for the game. "You're not taking those in his car, are you?"
Dustin gives him a look, which is fair. "Why is everyone so concerned about me getting crumbs in Steve's precious car??"
Eddie scoffs and grabs the tupperware, pulling it closer. "These are peanut butter cookies, dipshit. Are you trying to send the guy to the hospital?"
"Steve's not allergic to peanut butter," Mike says, piping up from across the table. "He keeps some at his house."
Are these children insane??
"Uh, he definitely is. I've watched him swell up like a balloon more than once from just touching the stuff. Speaking of, all of you to the bathroom now, you gotta wash your hands before you get in that car."
The boys all grumble as they finish packing up, but relent as Eddie practically forces them to the restroom down the hall. He stands in the door and watches like they're five-year-olds who need supervision, and only lets them leave once he's satisfied.
Eddie leaves his own things for a few minutes as he follows the three teens out to Steve's car, and watches the other boy step out to greet them. "Pop the trunk, Harrington. The kids got grubby peanut butter fingers all over their shit."
Steve gives the boys a look and says "Are you guys serious? Do you want me to stop breathing while driving you home?"
Dustin makes a bewildered noise. "You've never said anything about an allergy before! And you have peanut butter at your house!"
"That's almond butter, dickhead!" Steve replies as he opens the trunk of his car so the backpacks can be tossed in. "All of you put your shit in the back. And don't touch anything!"
Eddie moves closer as Steve shakes his head in disbelief. "I made them all wash their hands, hopefully that helps. And I've confiscated the rest of the batch, so you won't have to worry about any stray crumbs."
Steve looks at him and Eddie's stomach flips at having those hazel eyes locked on him. "I'm surprised that none of these shits knew about my allergy, but you seem to know even though we've never really talked."
Eddie shrugs, trying to be nonchalant. "Yeah, well. Watching someone go into anaphylactic shock multiple times in a year isn't really something you forget, Steve."
Steve flushes a bit at Eddie's words. "I like Reese's," he admits softly, like he's sharing a secret with Eddie. "And sometimes I don't think before I put something in my mouth."
It takes a moment for the words to register, but then they're both going red; Steve from horror and Eddie from absolute delight.
Eddie grins as Steve tries to stammer out some kind of explanation, but Eddie cuts him off with a "Don't worry, Harrington. I'm the last person to be judging what another man puts in his mouth."
He does a little flick of the tongue at the end, just for emphasis, and Steve's eyes snap down to it before going even further down, like he's thinking of something else he could have in his mouth.
Eddie is seconds away from saying fuck it and propositioning Steve against his better judgement, until Dustin snaps a "Hey! We gotta go! I can't be late for curfew."
Steve rolls his eyes before catching Eddie's gaze again. He gives him another quick once-over then says "See you around, Munson."
It almost feels like a promise, and Eddie grins. "I hope so, Harrington."
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