Nyx

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

Steve pulled forth any and all courage from within himself, breathed out, and looked over. Eddie looked back, expression open in raw devastation. That didn’t make sense to Steve. He looked down at his hands.

“I always move too fast, I know. Last time, I was told to wait til the other person said it first or wait at least a year, whichever came first. Apparently, falling in love in only a few months is too much pressure on the other person? So, if you don’t want to break up now, I really can wait til you say it first. I promise.”

“Fuck, baby. I can’t decide what to do first – hug you or strangle your ex. Nope, come here, I need to-” Eddie leaned across the couch, pulling Steve over the cushions and into his arms. Steve stiffened, but Eddie wiggled him til he relaxed into his hold, leaning his head against Eddie’s shoulder. “There, much better – I’ll save the murdering for later. Now, I think it’s time we stay the night at my place, hm? So why don’t we pack an overnight bag. I have to warn you, though, my bathroom isn’t nearly as stocked as yours.”

Steve breathed out a laugh and nodded against Eddie’s shoulder. He pulled back, breathing deep. Eddie wiped a wayward tear off his cheek and Steve swallowed down more that wanted to follow at the gesture. Suddenly not wanting to be far from him, he grabbed Eddie’s hand and pulled him around the apartment, filling up a gym bag with everything he’d need.

The drive to Eddie’s apartment was surprisingly short. Though, maybe it shouldn’t be too surprising with how quick he gets to Steve’s, no matter the time or day. What was very surprising though, was that he lived in the sleek, glass tower Steve always thought was an office building.

“What is this place?” Steve asked, as Eddie drove them beneath the building into a guarded parking structure. Eddie pulled into a spot, a bronze placard reading Eddie Munson lit up in the headlights. He turned the car off, twisting in his seat toward Steve, he picked at a thread on the middle console.

“Yeah, so, um- you remember a few years ago there was that 125 million dollar lottery jackpot? So, um, yeah, my uncle was the winner? He played the same numbers every week for most of his life and one day it just…came up him. He knew I wanted to move out to the city so we looked at a few different places, but this one has everything – restaurants, barber, movie theater, an ice cream parlor, and even a recording studio. I really do love it. I just…didn’t realize what ideas people would get of me if I brought them back here, especially after first dates.” – he glanced up at Steve – “So, I stopped bringing anyone home.”

Steve reached out, twining his fingers with Eddie’s. “Eddie. Thank you. I l- I appreciate you trusting me.”

Eddie tipped his head to the side, quirking a bemused smile at him. “Stevie, I love you. I have for a while now, really. I trust you to still see me as just me. But, the longer I put it off, the more weirded out I thought you might be? I just never thought of how it looked from your – or Robin’s – side.”

Steve had sucked in a breath at Eddie’s confession, his eyes going wide.

Eddie grinned. “Okay, let’s go in!”

💦

They held hands the entire long elevator ride up to Eddie’s floor. Steve joked about feeling like he was suddenly in star trek when Eddie used a thumb print to open the door. It’d been such an overwhelming evening, but Steve thought it was finally all sinking it. Eddie really felt the same way, Steve smiled to himself.

Eddie led him into the spacious apartment. “Okay, please don’t judge me to hard-”

“What? For the being the most you apartment I could imagine? I mean seriously, is that a Lord of the Rings painting?”

Eddie huffed, cupping the back of his neck. “It is! I commissioned an artist friend and she did an amazing job! But no. I mean, for this.”

He pulled Steve around a wall farther into the apartment, toward a living room. It was dim, but not dark, shifting shadows sliding along the walls and floor. Steve looked up.

There was water instead of a ceiling.

“Um. That’s…interesting.”

Eddie laughed. “Interesting is right! I was kinda worried this would be kinda too creepy to you. I mean, technically they can’t see in here! But we can definitely see everyone and everything happening up there. It was kinda weird at first, but really, you just get used to it.”

Steve watched a man slide through the water with smooth, well practiced strokes. “That’s definitely a different way to get to know the neighbors.”

Eddie snickered. “Oh, you have no idea. There’s this one couple who gets up to some freak-ay stuff in that pool. Always fun running into them in the building!”

Steve kept staring upwards. “So, uh, you ever take anyone up there?”

“I haven’t, but I could take you up there?” – Eddie wiggled his eyebrows at him. – “You know, in case you were thinking thoughts.”

Steve smirked at him. “Next time. Why don’t you show me the rest of this place? Starting with your room?”

“Yes! Such a smartie, let’s go!” He grabbed Steve’s hand, pulling him fast down a water lit hall, through a huge kitchen, down a short hall, and into the bedroom. Steve barely got to take any of it in, but he’d have plenty of time to explore later. The room was lit by the city outside the window that took up most of the far wall.

Steve dropped his bag at the foot of the bed as Eddie pushed him backwards. He bounced and kicked his shoes off to somewhere in the dark and crawled back, laying his head on the pillows. Eddie stood at the foot of the bed, frozen, arm up to pull his shirt off.

“Fuck, you look perfect in my bed,” Pulling off his shirt and pants, he crawled his way up the bed over Steve. He brushed his nose along Steve’s, “Hope you don’t mind if I keep you here forever.”

Steve slid his hands into Eddie’s hair, pulling their mouths close. “Lucky for you, I like the sound of forever.”

Joy lit up Eddie’s face in the moment before Steve pulled him in, kissing him hard and needy. Steve wanted, needed him so bad his belly tightened, quivering, He hooked a leg over Eddie’s hip and pulled him down. “Please Eddie, I need- I don’t- Wanna feel you. Please.”

“I’ve got you, baby.” Eddie kissed his nose, his forehead, before doing the opposite of what Steve wanted, and pulled back. “Come on, hands up. Can’t feel me if you’re still dressed, hm?”

Steve had forgotten he was still fully dressed, so focused how Eddie made him feel, all the love coursing between them. Eddie slowing stripped him, kissing the bare skin as he exposed him. With a flourish, he tossed the last sock off into parts unknown and slid back over Steve, bare skin against bare skin.

Slowly, surely, they moved together. Kissing, stroking, touching. Lost in the feel of each other’s love, they tethered themselves to each other in the darkness. Nothing else existed but Eddie’s mouth slick against his mouth, Eddie’s cock sliding against his cock.

Heat simmered, pooling and building between them, and Steve realized this was it. This was what he’d been searching for for so long. Because finally knowing Eddie loved him as much as he loved Eddie, he could finally let go of all the fear that’d been holding him back, keeping him from feeling so completely connected. They moved as one, heavy palms digging into backs, teeth in flesh, and Steve knew he was right – they were what forever sounded like.

Everyone came together more than ever before. People called and checked on each other, they made efforts for family video calls, had socially distanced parties in front yards and on balconies. Obviously he would never complain about the covid numbers going down, but still.

Steve liked how… tightly knitted everyone felt.

Everyone went right back to being rude to each other when things got back to normal. Worse, in fact. He thought he’d like being able to go to the movies again but it turned out people forgot how to act in public spaces.

Once or twice since the world started turning again, Steve went on dating apps and tried to explain to people that he wanted someone who understood that sort of bond.

He didn’t need hours of conversation or noise. What he discovered was that he wanted someone to be with.

Steve wanted someone he could sit across the room from while they read a book and he watched his favourite quiz show. He wanted to turn his head once in a while and say ‘you good?’ and for them to smile and nod and check back in an hour.

That’s what he’d learned in lockdown.

It was connection he craved, not company. He didn’t want to sit in a bar with fifteen people who he sort of knew and listen to them talk about things he didn’t know or care about.

He wanted one person who he truly enjoyed being with and the lack of pressure that came from it.

Finding something like that felt like too much of a risk these days for Steve. People would say ‘oh yeah totally I’m so on the same page’ and then by morning decide that him needing to putter around his place in silence was some sort of personality failure.

It was easier to stop trying to find it than it was to deal with the shame of being vulnerable and being mocked for it.

Steve found that being alone without anyone checking in was much the same as being with someone who never did, and he found he was truly fine with that.

Steve brought Charcoal to the park to play fetch and got lost in thought about all of this on a windy Saturday.

So lost, in fact, that he didn’t realise that the frisbee was sailing further than his last throw intended, and straight into the side of some poor man’s head.

Charcoal got there before he did, jumping around the man, who hadn’t quite fallen but decided knelling down was a safer option while he figured out if there were any more airborne missiles coming his way, expecting him to throw the toy for her.

“I am so sorry!” Steve huffed.

The man was laughing and petting Charcoal. Thank god, Steve thought.

“No problem,” he said. “My fault anyway, I wasn’t paying attention,”

“Neither was I,” Steve reasoned, helping him stand. “I’m Steve, by the way, I can bring you to the doctor if you want?”

The man smiled.

“Eddie,” he said, throwing the frisbee. “And she is?”

“Charcoal. She’s great in the car so we can go straight to the ER,”

“Nah” said Eddie, knocking a knuckle on his temple. “I’m tough enough, but thanks,”

Steve wrung his hands lightly. Eddie was watching Charcoal run back.

Steve however, was watching Eddie. The dimples that popped when he smiled, the five o clock shadow, the curly hair that was probably in a much neater ponytail until he got thunked on the head with a piece of hard plastic.

“Great name,” Eddie chuckled, as if he just got the joke.

Steve couldn’t quite look away from Eddie, and not just out of fear he’d keel over.

“We don’t usually see people out here on bad days,” Steve said, finding himself wanting to continue a conversation for the first time in years.

“Oh, yeah, well,” shrugged Eddie. “I like being by myself, don’t get to do that on sunny days,”

Steve hummed. He avoided the park on good days for that exact reason. Too many people who thought they were the only ones who deserved to be there.

“Me too,” he said. The dog returned and sat panting at his feet.

“Mind if I stay though?” Eddie asked, petting Charcoal on her muzzle and getting his hand thoroughly licked. “I’m listening to an audiobook and,” he cut himself off, laughing. “Sorry, never mind,”

“And what?” Steve asked, who was already about to say yes anyway.

“I dunno, thought it might be nice to watch you guys play while I listen,” Eddie explained. “Sounds weird to say it out loud. I’ll leave you to your game,”

“That’s not weird,” Steve said quickly. “That’s…. That sounds great actually. She might want you to throw it too though”

Eddie smiled again. “As long as I don’t need to pause my book that’s fine by me. You’re sure thats ok though? Most people find it strange to just want to hang around without doing anything,”

Steve felt his own grin grow sheepish.

“That’s perfect for me, don’t worry,”

Eddie took a seat on a nearby bench and hit play on his book while Steve threw the frisbee with renewed vigour. Sure enough Eddie was drafted for a handful of rounds too, never saying no when Charcoal bounded up to him.

Too soon, the wind started to carry drops of rain with it.

“Thanks for that,” Eddie said, approaching Steve to say goodbye. “That was actually better than I thought it’d be,”

“Don’t mention it,” he replied, silently thinking of ways to make it stop raining.

“I better go, there’s a tv show I like starting soon,” said Eddie. “I don’t like to miss the start,”

“What show is it?” Steve asked, still not wanting to leave.

“Oh, just, some…” Eddie cleared his throat. “Some British quiz show. Its pretty dumb, actually, I just like to watch it to relax. I never get any answers, it’s crazy hard,”

Something pinged in Steve’s brain.

“Do you mean Only Connect?”

“You know it?” Eddie’s eye lit up. It was fully raining now.

“I… I love it,” Steve said. And you know what? He decided that Eddie felt like someone who taking a risk with might just pay off this time.

“My cars right down the track, and we’re getting soaked so,” Steve gave a nervous laugh. “Maybe you can come watch it at my place? I’ll put your stuff in the drier,”

A slight crease appeared between Eddie’s brows and for a split second Steve realised how that might have sounded.

“You’re not making fun of me are you?” asked Eddie. “Its just a tv show, you can’t-“

“No!” Steve cut him off. “No, I swear. I really do love it. I tried to recreate it for trivia nights back in lockdown all the time,”

Eddie laughed again suddenly.

“Oh man,” he said. “I remember those days. It’s a shame everyone gave up on game nights,”

“Yeah,” Steve said with a soft smile. “It really is,”

Eddie looked up and blinked at the raindrops landing on his face. Charcoal shook herself eagerly, happy to sit wherever Steve stood.

Eddie scratched her head. “I mean, if you don’t mind, then… yeah, that sounds good,”

“Yeah?” Steve’s heart lifted. “Yeah, great, lets, lets go my cars down this way,”

All three of them ran towards the car, the rain getting even heavier.

Steve and Eddie laughed breathlessly at each other while they brushed wet hair from their faces. Charcoal settled happily in the back, content with chewing on the frisbee.

“Let’s go,” Steve said quietly, turning the car on.

Eddie just hummed cheerfully and looked out the window.

The ride back to Steve’s place was mostly silent, but he felt no obligation to fill it.

Eddie bopped his head along with the radio and occasionally pointed out something he saw on a billboard, but other that they didn’t speak. Charcoal snored lightly behind them.

When they pulled up outside Steve’s place, he grabbed the dog leash and prepared himself to wrestle a tired, heavy dog back inside through a rainstorm.

Eddie tapped him on the elbow and raised his eyebrows at the leash, holding out his hand to take it.

Steve wordlessly handed it over, accepting the quiet offer of help. Eddie looked back to assess the dog’s sleeping position before unbuckling his seatbelt. Before he opened the car door, he caught Steve’s eye again.

“You good?” Eddie asked.

Steve smiled, and nodded.

It was over an hour before they spoke to each other again.

Clothes had been put in the drier, spare pyjama pants and a hoodie had been exchanged, coffee had even been poured.

All without a word, all with being aware of the others’ presence and how they moved.

“You good?” Steve was the one to ask it this time. The sun had long set, the drier had long finished.

“I’m great,” Eddie said quietly.

“You can stay,” Steve said before he knew it. “If you want?”

Eddie smiled. “You sure?”