ℭ𝔬𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝔚𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤: some coarse language, angst, airport tomfoolery
TSA!Eddie who’s assigned to the lavish VIP queues (terminal) due to seniority but upmost his friendly-charming nature.
Receiving praises for the manner in which he handles uppity entitled snobs, mainly trust fund babies, celebrities and well - yups. When they demand he rush the process or use his favorite line “don’t you know who I am!” Or “I’m famous!” to which he will normally reply.
“Pardon my ignorance, I had no idea I was in the presence of royalty. I’ll move faster as to not detain you any further.” Never picking up on his sarcasm, he’s so subtle about his facetious ways.
The first time he met his only VIP “knocked the wind outta him, bees knees” unexpected crush (though he’ll say nay-nay), Ed was merely trying to speed up the line for his own benefit.
Tis a known fact TSA agents are not allowed to ask for numbers, pictures or autographs, against company policy. Not to mention, it’s a “privilege” to be assigned this queue. Therefore all agents are to hold themselves in the highest of professional standard.
This occurres during lunch; Waiting in line to get his usual drink when the person before him began patting their pockets, letting out a flustered groan. Eddie could tell the male was just not having the best of days.
“I-left my wallet in my..”
“Next!”
“I’m fully capable of paying for my drink! And of course I didn’t bring my phone with me..I’ll come right back.”
“Sure, when you do-you’ll get back in line to reorder, next.”
The male crossed his arms in a show of defiance, a sexy swivel of his hips with a pinch of sass. Oh god, Eddie was in a serious dilema, not only were his eyes glued to those audacious hips, he’s nearing the end of his lunch, caffeine is necessary for him to finish his shift with ease and a good attitude, the agent stepped up, clearing his throat.
“I’ll have my usual, add his drink to my bill.”
“I can pay for my own drink.” Without turning to acknowledge him or the generous offer.
“I’m sure you can- but you’re coming between me and my only guilty pleasure of the day. So, allow me this-welcome to L.A or adios and hope my city was kind to you and showed you all of it’s beauty and grit.”
The male finally turned to give Eddie a piece of his mind, ended up seemingly unreadable while Eddie let out a squeak, mortified, he paid then reached to grab his drink, lifts it up, flashes a smile. As quickly as it occurred, it was - over.
“Umm-alright.. well safe travels.” salvaged the remaining dignity he had left and scurried off, slapping his hand over his head. That had to have been the single most yummiest, drop dead gorgeous man he’s ever had the pleasure of laying sight on.
He refers to him as dreamboat, gets lost fantasizing how differently he would’ve liked the interaction to play out. Eddie who hasn’t been in a relationship since .. the debacle named Hargrove. Who broke his heart, took the good pots and left him in debt.
“I have no way of paying you?”
“Oh I’m sure there’s other forms of payment we could— workout?!”
It ends with the duo making out sloppy, lewd, hot and heavy inside a bathroom stall. What did you think? They’d be bumping uglies? Eddie’s not that kinda—ok he is, but something about this felt, fortuitous.
“Munson did I lose you?”
Snapped from his thoughts, sadly returning to his reality.
“What-huh..sorry. Huh?”
“Lucky Garner didn’t see you come in late!”
“I’m sure he did, just hasn’t had the chance to ring my as…..why hello! Pass on through, have a safe flight.”
“I fly first class! It’s always safe!”
“Of course! First class is safer than any other part of the plane.” Eddie added, he continues waving them off.
“Ass! But it was for a good cause! I did a good deed.”
“You? Good deed on your lunch?”
“Shocker!”
A half hour goes by when Garner stomped over finally approaching Eddie’s section, his features spelled out “trouble”.
“You were 5 minutes late Munson, that’s a write up.”
“Wait! It wasn’t my fault an..”
Garners full focus shifts behind Eddie, demeanor instantly changing, adjusting himself, even standing up straight and professional with the fakest smile he’s ever seen this man plaster, leaving Ed a little flabbergasted.
“I was told I could find Edward Munson working this terminal?”
The freshly buzzed cut agent turned so quick, recognizing the voice from earlier, the gorgeous reason he was going to be written up. He shifts, greeted by the single most enthralling amber eyes and damn that smile, wait - he’s.. smiling! If asked to choose his best feature, those..freckles. He’s got a genuine smile with a tint of blush over his heated cheeks.
“Umm-hi! Did you come to reimburse me for that drink?”
“Munson! How dare you! To even insinuate that..”
“To the contrary, I came to personally apologize if I made you late or caused any trouble on your end. I sincerely hope not.” Half way through his speech, he shifts his gaze over to Garner, who clears his throat, catching on, why’s he so—anxious around this guy? I mean—yeah, he’s hot, but Jesus, Eddie thought to himself.
“Oh—he was just in the middle of explaining himself, if I’d of known it was you he wa…”
“Why would that be of relevance? I mean, the experience given should be for all passengers flying out or in, not just—“
Eyes looking over the VIP section, sure they pay more, but the experience should not change was what he was getting at.
“Of—course sir, my apologies.”
Returning his attention to Eddie who was now nervous, wondering who exactly was this man that had Garner switch to an apologizing, bumbling jackass! Not many were capable of such a thing.
“I’m stealing Munson for a moment!” It wasn’t a request, Garner shoos Ed away with his hands while he takes over his spot, continuing the check in process.
Eddie follows behind quietly, unsure what to make of it just yet. Being lead behind the scenes, into an interrogation room which now he’s alarmed, is he getting fired? He knows he hasn’t done anything wrong, shit! He must’ve failed a surprise inspection, that’s gotta be it.
“Please, have a seat.”
Nervously he does, observes the male look up at the camera giving it some sort of signal.
“Am—I in some sort of trouble?” The confusion written all over Eddie’s face and choice of words has the other man shake his head, offering a warm smile, one that tames Eddie’s worries.
“Oh, right —I should’ve started with introductions, where’s my head or manners gone? Hello, my name’s Steven Harrington, you can call me Steve.”
Extending his hand out, still unsure, cautiously Ed reaches out for a proper greeting.
“You already knew my name.”
“I wanted to formally thank you for earlier, with the coffee incident. I’ll admit, I was - curt, kind of presumed there was some hidden agenda, sad when kindness isn’t the norm anymore.”
Eddie’s mouth forms an “o”, he’s left puzzled. Can’t help but question.
“All of this was to say—thank you for being a decent human being?”
“I don’t get the privilege of coming across people such as yourself, took me by surprise.”
“People like me? Well mannered, working class kind of being? Lemme guess - you’re used to people being nice with some ulterior motive?”
Steve tapped his nose, smiles once more, damn if that doesn’t have Ed feeling the entire zoo stampeding in his belly, wondering how would it feel to wake up having that smile be the first thing he sees, immediately to his feet, extending his hand out once more. Shutting the thought out.
“Well—think nothing of it, would’ve done it for anyone else that needed it. If that’s all, I need to return to my post.”
“Of course, it was nice meeting you—formally Eddie.”
He leaves it at that, maybe he’ll pay it forward. Makes Eddie think about how being well off leads to other troubles, all goes back to normal—until he see’s Steve come through VIP - frequently, he’ll usually give a little wave with a smile. Eddie mirrors his actions, then onto the next passenger. He won’t admit these minor interactions have become the highlight of his shifts.
It’s not until another agent questions the whole interaction.
“How the hell do you know Steven Harrington?”
“Bought his coffee once when he forgot his wallet.”
“There’s no way! He never has to pay for anything.”
“What - does that mean? You know what - I don’t even wanna know.”
Everyday goes on like normal, then one day he’s asked to conduct a full body check, Ed’s slapping on his rubber gloves, walks inside the private room, begins the usual screening procedure lingo when he looks up to an amused Steve.
“Hi Eddie.”
“Wha—what is this?”
Steve’s face blooms a beet tint, gaze drops then away.
“I—just, I wanted to say hi and chat..”
“Chat? Ok, allow me to go first. How is it that - from one day to the next outta the blue I see you frequently now Mr Harrington? If I may, I have no clue what you do other than fly VIP rather lucratively, which ok, means you’re well off. But—come out with it, is this a test? Is this some secret boss type stuff? I—just don’t see why..”
“Can’t help myself with you, I’m - intrigued.”
“Is this your thing? You find some-what? Working class..conquest or bet to br..”
Steve quickly returns his focus on Eddie, dread spreads over his once beaming features, he’s gone about this all wrong. So— so wrong, decides to go with the truth, finally.
“No, nothing like that. If I gave that..impression.. I sincerely apologize. I wasn’t lying when I told you I’m not..used to people being honest. So, I’ll start. You know LAWA owns this airport and many others. Well, my family - has a significant investment in many different aspects of the state amongst others. I’m going to be running the family business as soon as I graduate.”
“That still doesn’t answer my question, unless what - you looking for normal people to keep you grounded?”
“It’s my job to - read people, you know, study them. I’ve nearly thought I had it down until..you, I just—can’t.”
“So - I’m some experiment for school? To better your people skills?”
Steve is taken aback by Eddie’s hone nature, cautiously taking a step forward.
“To the contrary, you’re the only person that talks to me-like I’m any other normal person. You don’t fuss over me or sugar coat things, you say it like it is, I-like that, plus..I’m drawn to you, the moment we met at the coffee shop, you threw me off. I know I must sound crazy, only knowing what you’ve heard from others.”
“I don’t listen to gossip, plus-we’re not allowed to..befriend anyone from work. So..”
“But-if there was a way around it?”
“Mr Harrington, whether I felt a connection or.. I’m not gonna be some—glorified L.A groupie, around whenever you land into Cali, if this is a proposition then I dec…”
“So-you do feel it?! This, connection.”
“That’s all you heard?”
“Well then, I won’t fly out through LAX! That solves that! So, you’ll go out with me?”
“You’re insane Steve Harrington, why would you even cons…I’m-just, no one special.”
“To the contrary Eddie Munson, because you’re you! I don’t see-class, I see the person who didn’t have to - yet bought my drink even when I wasn’t being grateful, when I first laid eyes on you, it was - Do you believe in..”
“Love at first sight? No!”
“Fortuitous, how-we met, I never get in line, just have someone bring me my-I stopped taking the jet. I only flew first class because that’s the terminal you worked, if you were anywhere else, that’s where I’d be. When I see you-I feel this..”
“Pull.”
“Orbiting.”
Steve misses his flight, once Eddie clocks out for the day he agrees to meet for coffee outside of LAX, makes the mistake of asking how far does the Harrington money reach. He’d like to go somewhere he can pay. Steve adorably clueless pulls out his phone and begins checking.
“I’m joking Steve, how bout we go somewhere near my neighborhood. There’s this local cafe that has the best lattes you’ll ever taste.”
“Sure, so - your car or?”
“I ride a bike, doubt you’ll wanna flatten those luscious locks of yours with a helmet.”
“My car it is then.”
As they leave, Eddie can’t help but gasp at his “car”. Giving him the eye roll of death as he steps inside.
“Do you have some sorta - seat cover, don’t wanna ruin the leather seat”
Steve glanced over at Eddie offering an amused grin, reaching over his chest. Bringing the seat belt over his lap and clasping it. To then press the push start, the car rumbles to life. The vibrations send chills through out Eddie’s body, as if that alone wasn’t enough, what cemented that Eddie would most definitely be allowing Steve into his pants later was what he said when they pulled out the private sector of parking.
“It’s just a car - besides, I’m more worried about my precious cargo.”
Because you said to
@gri959
