#(oops angst)

Steve can feel Eddie shake his head as he paddles them towards the edge of the pool. “In your jeans?” Eddie questions but Steve doesn’t reply. He pulls himself out of the pool and lays on the concrete reaching out for another beer he knows lays nearby.

His hand is smacked out of the way, then Eddie sits next to him. “What’s going on, Steve?”

Steve looks Eddie in the eyes and instead asks, “Why are you here?”

“Well, we had Hellfire tonight and-”

“Dustin!” Steve sits up and gasps.

Eddie instantly grabs Steve by the shoulders. “Hey, hey, hey, it’s okay. I gave him a ride home. Told him I would check on you.”

Steve nods. He isn’t even a good babysitter anymore. It’s stupid, but the thought pushes him over the edge. Eddie’s pulling him into his side in no time, letting Steve bury his head into his neck and wet hair. Maybe he won’t notice the tears added into the mix of pool water.

Eddie runs a hand through his hair, and pulls him in closer. “Let’s get you inside before you get hyperthermia and Dustin never forgives me.”

Steve didn’t even realize he was shaking. He guides Eddie into his house, not making eye contact with him. He hears the chatter of teeth behind him though and slowly turns, taking in the sight of Eddie with his nose red and lips blue. He’s almost forgotten that he had jumped in after him.

Steve rushes upstairs into his bathroom and turns on the water for the tub. He yanks a towel out of the closet and goes to hand it to Eddie. Instead, Eddie reaches into the closet and grabs three towels saying, “Don’t worry about me right now. Let me take care of you.”

Steve melts at the words, but he immediately wants to protest. This isn’t him. That isn’t his role. He wants to say something, but Eddie beats him to it and demands, “Take off the wet clothes.”

Steve’s eyes widen and his heart races. Eddie must notice this because he rushes to say, “Except your underwear! I’m… I’m going to as well. If that’s okay with you. Can’t exactly take a bath and avoid hypothermia with wet clothes on.”

Steve just nods because it makes sense and he’s too tired to think. He sluggishly tugs off his shirt but struggles to undo the button on his pants with shaking hands. He finds Eddie’s hands hovering above his. “May I?” Eddie asks.

Steve whispers, “Yes.”

Eddie easily pops the button off and pulls down the zipper sliding the jeans down. Steve swallows thickly. Eddie helps to remove his wet socks as well and throws the clothes into a pile. “Get in the tub please.”

Steve doesn’t protest. He climbs in noticing that Eddie must’ve turned off the water at some point. How long did it take for him to take off his sweater? He almost asks but then Eddie is shucking off his clothes ungracefully, and Steve loses all track of his thoughts.

He makes his way to the tub, awkwardly crossing his arms slightly shivering. Steve can’t decide if he’s trying to cover up, warm himself up, or both. Probably both.

Steve stands up and gestures for Eddie to climb in. He does with his eyebrows raised in confusion. “You sit first,” Steve mumbles, hoping Eddie doesn’t refuse or question him.

He doesn’t. Steve looks down at Eddie and settles between his legs, pressing his back against his cool bare chest. Eddie doesn’t tense up like he expects him to. Instead, he reaches out and grabs the shampoo off the ledge. Steve hears the telltale squirt of the shampoo bottle and feels Eddie massage his scalp.

He relaxes into the touch and closes his eyes. “What were you thinking about earlier?” Eddie prompts.

Steve’s too tired to fight the question. “I’m unloveable.” It’s simple. It’s fact.

Eddie’s hands pause for a few moments and then resume their motion. “And why do you think that?”

Steve sighs. “The only real girlfriend I had was Nancy, and according to her I’m just bullshit and that was all bullshit. And I can’t, for the life of me, find another girl on all these dates that I can actually connect with. And the one time I do it turns out… she’s not even interested in me. And never will be.” His head starts swimming simultaneously drowning with all his thoughts. “Plus, all these fucking kids don’t need me now that the world is saved for good. Maybe every once in a while for a ride, but I don’t know. But I can’t even remember to pick up Dustin. Robin has Nancy and doesn’t ever talk unless we’re working. So. Maybe… Maybe Vecna should’ve chosen me or something.”

Eddie’s heart thuds against Steve’s back and he can hear his breathing speed up after the admission. His soapy hands drop from Steve’s hair to his waist, thumbs making little circles near the scars from the bat bites. Eddie hesitates before dropping a quick, hard kiss on Steve’s temple. “You, Steve Harrington, are anything but unlovable.”

A tear falls slowly down Steve’s face and at first he thinks it’s Eddie’s, but as one falls on the other side, he realizes it’s his own.

“You are the most metal person I’ve ever met. With apparently the softest fucking hair.” Steve laughs at that and relishes in the feeling. Eddie continues, “And all the kids adore you. Need I remind you that Dustin worships you? Still does. In fact, tonight he spent half an hour going on about you because Will and Lucas were there to supply more things about the great Steve Harrington. And… I may have also joined in for a while.”

Steve tilts his chin up to look at Eddie, convinced that he’s joking with him, but the usual telltale smile is gone, replaced with sincere, watery eyes. Eddie stares down at him and adds on, “And Nancy adores you. Even though you and her didn’t work out, she would still die for you and nearly did. Robin is just caught up in a new relationship and will eventually come down from that high. She loves you every bit as much as she loves Nancy just not… romantically. And those failed dates well…” Eddie trails off dramatically before finishing, “Maybe you’re looking in the wrong area.”

Steve shoots him a confused look and asks, “Somewhere not in Hawkins?”

Eddie’s expression is incomprehensible. He takes a deep breath and says, “All I’m saying is, I find you pretty damn lovable.”

Steve stares at Eddie for a few minutes, letting the words sink in. Something has shifted between them, and Steve can’t understand what it is. Then, Eddie’s eyes flicker down to his lips.

Oh.

Oh.

Steve stares at Eddie and asks, “Are you saying that maybe the solution to those failed dates is right in front of me?”

Eddie freezes for a moment and replies, “Well, I would say right behind you, but depends on how figuratively or literally you’re asking.”

It’s such an Eddie thing to say, and it’s exactly what Steve needs right now. Laughter begins bubbling out of him, and he hopes Eddie doesn’t take it unkindly. But it’s so funny to Steve. Eddie was literally right in front of him the whole time.

Eddie the one who saved the world and nearly died doing it. Eddie the one who stayed by his side and went through the same process of recovery from the demobats. Eddie who is the fucking leader of the hellfire club, and still sometimes targeted in the community as a serial killer. Eddie who jumps into freezing pools and cradles Steve in the bath while listening to his darkest thoughts.

Steve laughter dies down immediately as he thinks - Eddie who is right in front of him now looking scared out of his mind, and Eddie who he needs to kiss right now.

Steve’s eyes flicker to his lips and he leans in the small distance that is separating them. He goes slowly, giving Eddie the time to lean in and meet him in the middle.

It takes a moment, but then Eddie is leaning in, too. They kiss gently, and it’s the most comforting kiss Steve has ever had in his life. He deepens it momentarily, hoping it gives Eddie the promise of more to come. As soon as he breaks away, he settles back against Eddie’s chest.

Eddie’s hands come up and continue running the shampoo through his hair while kissing him on the cheek every few moments, listing more and more reasons why Steve is loved.