#deaf steve

It was another year at a new school, Steve's parents had been moving him around since he was a toddler for their jobs and he never truly had roots, but they had explained to him they would be staying in Hawkins. They would be doing a lot of traveling however and leave him alone at home. He was nervous being a 10th grader and never having met anyone in town and the other problem, while it was his life, was he was deaf.

He was born this way, and while being deaf wasn't a problem per say it was perfectly normal and a life function for many people. Hardly anyone ever made the effort to help him or become his friend, so Steve read books. That was his social life, that was what he knew best.

Sitting in the library during a free period he felt eyes on him, he looked up and locked eyes with chocolate brown eyes. Steve studied the boys face and couldn't help but smile back. His curled hair fell almost perfectly under the light and it was clear to him that he was trying to get his attention he just hadn't noticed. Steve pulled his trusty notebook out, something he had learned form an early age, and wrote out a hello.

I'm Steve, I'm Deaf. What's your name?

He walked over to the boy who waved at him and dropped the notebook and a pen down Infront of him. Eddie looked over the paper and smirked before writing his name and a hello back.

Eddie.

That was a nice name, it felt warm to him. He just hoped Eddie would stay a friend, nearly everyone he had tried to become friends with didn't stay long not able to communicate with him how he wished they could. Eddie flipped the page over and began to write something out.

Steve cocked his head curious about what it was he was asking. I'm usually in the library during free periods, would you want to hang out?

Steve had a wide smile on his face, hardly anyone wanted to spend time with him. Steve nodded and signed yes, Eddie examined his face but smiled. It was clear he hadn't understood it but something flipped in Eddie and he wanted to understand, wanted to get to know him more then he could fully understand.

That's when it all started, how Eddie Munson fell in love with Steve Harrington and how Steve Harrington finally had someone who cared enough to stay.

Gym class was interesting for Steve, he was actually very athletic he just needed extra help. Everyone was interested in the new kid, as usual people were trying to figure them out. If they were going to be popular or not, and while Steve was deaf he was handsome which kept a few people interested. Steve had been excited to see Eddie was in his gym class, and the boy did his best to help Steve with the school curriculum.  Steve did okay reading lips and his teachers had been prewarned about their new student and most accommodated by writing out instructions for him before hand.

Eddie was jogging beside Steve during their laps, Steve smiled as he watched him try and keep up. He was going slower then he usually would but wanted the company. Steve nearly tripped over his own feet and Eddie quickly caught him. Steve watched as he said something but he didn't catch it, but he signed thank you to him.

Eddie narrowed his eyes a bit trying to understand. Steve did it again and mouthed the word as he had seen others do. Eddie smiled finally understanding and carefully said your welcome making sure to face Steve so he could read his lips. Steve patted his arm and they got back to their jog, Eddie felt butterflies every time the boys eyes landed on his him. Knowing that Steve wanted to look at him was important, it felt that way at least.

Leaving gym class Eddie continued to think about Steve the entire time, wondering what class he was in or how he was doing. If anyone else was getting to know him, if anyone cared enough to even try.

Steve didn't see Eddie the rest of the day, which was a bummer but he had met a girl named Robin who seemed cool, she had actually ran into him while running late for a class that they ended up sharing. He had watched her mouth moving about a million miles an hour and nothing seemed to make sense to him but as soon as he handed her the notebook she calmed and then apologized through writing and walked him to their class. She seemed cool and had a fun style that Steve was enamored with, she had even slipped him a pretty pen and told him to keep it so they could talk.

The next day Steve arrived at school and made his way to the library hoping Eddie may be there. He was a bit disappointed to not see him, but what he didn't know was Eddie was late to school because he had stayed up all night trying to learn as much ASL as possible. Every waking moment Eddie had from the time he had met Steve Harrington consumed him to make a move, do whatever he could to make sure Steve felt welcome in town.

Steve was sitting in math when he saw the same cool jacket Eddie had been wearing zoom past the window, he smiled hoping he had another class with him today, but knew during lunch he would be headed back to the library.

With each passing class Steve was hopeful Eddie may have a class with him, he was a bit disappointed when he didn't see him. When his free period started he raced to the library and couldn't help but grow red as he saw Eddie sitting at the same desk he had first seen him. Steve smiled and sat across from him and went to pull his journal from his bag when Eddie grabbed his hand, Steve looked up at him in confusion. At first he expected Eddie to point towards the door to send him away but instead Eddie began to sign. It was shaky and there were a few things he had messed up but in all Steve's years no one had learned to sign for him.

Steve was beaming, and then he began to sob. Eddie panicked thinking he had done something wrong or called him something he hadn't meant to, as he had found it hilarious to find he could swear at people and they would never know if he signed it. Eddie quickly grabbed some paper and wrote out his concerns but instead he heard what seemed to be a laugh come out of Steve's mouth. Steve took the paper covering it in tears as he responded.

No, you did really well, I've just never had anyone care this much about me. Not after one day.

Eddie sighed in relief as he rubbed his thumb across his cheek trying to end the tears. He stood up and hugged him, Steve cried into his shoulder but couldn't help but be happy they had moved again and come to Hawkins of all places.

Each day Steve and Eddie talked during classes or library through sign or passing notes back and forth. Oddly enough non of his teachers stopped their note passing assuming he was just asking for help, which worked out well for the two of them. Eddie was determined to stay by Steve's side for as long as he possibly could.

One day while sitting in a windowsill during lunch Steve was mesmerized to see Eddie sign I Love You. Steve felt his heart beating quickly, he couldn't stop himself from leaving forward and kissing him. Eddie melted as Steve cupped his cheek.

Eddie pulled Steve into his lips and kissed him back with passion. Steve finally pulled away and signed I Love You back. Eddie was shaking, he hadn't expected him to actually reciprocate his feelings but it was enough for him to keep pushing to give Steve the best life he could.