One word prompt: Bone(s)
Whatever ship you feel like writing!
It is, to be fair to himself, pretty disgusting.
“Oh my god, hk-okay, I’m okay, it’s–” Eddie makes himself shut his mouth. He can feel how much blood has left his face to pool in his feet, abandoning him in his time of great need.
Eddie makes himself turn away, trying to banish the sight from his memory. He lists all the chords in Master of Puppets from start to finish, calming his churning stomach.
He jolts as a hand lands on his shoulder. “You okay, man?” Steve asks.
Eddie swallows and closes his eyes, forcing out a shaky breath. “Yeah, yep. Just peachy. It’s not like I’m the one with a bone sticking out of my skin right now.” Normally, he would be embarrassed by how squeaky his voice has become in front of his crush, but he’s in a crisis right now.
Watching Lucas and Steve shoot hoops before Hellfire had become a bit of a tradition. Ostensibly, it was a way to mend bridges, to ensure that all people in their little apocalypse cohort felt seen and welcome, jocks included.
In reality, it was a convenient excuse for Eddie to ogle his crush without anyone noticing. Steve, sweaty and glistening, leg muscles taut and attention singularly focused, was the hottest thing Eddie had ever seen. Plus, he was cute when he was competitive. A couple of well placed heckles had Steve running around trying to prove a point, letting Eddie indulge in fantasies of having a boyfriend who liked to show off for him.
It was a good deal. An hour of lusting and daydreaming.
Until Lucas hit the deck hard and his pinky bent out of place.
“Okay, well, nothing is sticking out, just a break, but I’ll give it to you, it looks pretty nasty.” Steve’s hand rubs comforting circles across his back, sending tingles all the way down to his toes. Today has been havoc on his nervous system.
After a second, he feels brave enough to take a peek back at the group around Lucas. Max, well versed in broken fingers from years of skateboarding, took over for Steve once the finger was splinted. Lucas looks a little pale and is taking big, heaving breaths, but Max has him laughing already.
Steve squeezed the back of his neck. “You ready to get back in there, champ? We gotta get that kid of ours to the hospital.” Steve’s face is so close that Eddie can feel his breath on his face. Eddie’s neck is definitely sweaty, but Steve keeps his hand where it is.
Eddie takes a deep breath. “Yeah, yes. Can’t leave my lovely wife to slave away over our children on his own. I’m good.” Steve gives him the look he does every time Eddie calls him his wife, which is a mix of exasperation and something Eddie is too scared to name directly.
Steve squeezes his neck one more time, just a little harder than before, and lets go. Eddie has to fumble for the set of keys Steve tosses to him as he walks away, calling back. “You’re driving. You better not throw up on the wheel.”
And despite the harrowing experience and the imminent postponement of Hellfire, it’s worth it all to watch that ass in those shorts for a couple of extra minutes.
