#pineapple king

"I've only been through this once, can't imagine going through this as many times as you guys have," Argyle said.

"What brings you out here?" Steve asked.

"I came to commune with nature and talk with the squirrels," Argyle said seriously.

"Oh, um. . .," Steve said, unsure of what to say.

"I'm messing with you, my man," Argyle said.

"I can't really tell with most people sometimes," Steve shrugged, laughing.

"Most people can't tell when I'm being serious or not," Argyle said. "Don't worry about it. I did come for a walk and to see how much life is returning these woods. The squirrels are pretty cute. I had to leave them, though. They were trying to make babies. Had to give them privacy."

"Trying to?" Steve asked.

"Oh, yeah, they're definitely not going to succeed. I'm pretty sure they're both dudes. No judgment from me, though," Argyle said.

"I don't judge, either. Well, not about that," Steve said and Argyle laughed.

"I would be a hypocrite," Argyle grinned as they started walking together.

"Oh, you're - ?" Steve started to ask.

"Argyle," he said.

Steve was suddenly aware of how short and tight Argyle's shorts were. They were also a bright yellow, and they looked nice against his skin. There was something missing about Argyle and it wasn't just his shirt. Or his shoes.

"You don't seem as cheerful as you usually do," Steve realized. "Is everything alright?"

"To be honest, Steve, I'm dealing with some heartbreak," Argyle said.

"Shit, I guess I should be honest," Steve sighed. "I'm dealing with heartbreak, too."

"Damn," Argyle said. "The world is trying to tell us something, Steve, but I'm not picking up what it's trying to tell us."

"Me neither," Steve said.

"I feel lucky, though, to have loved Jonathan even if he didn't return the feelings," Argyle said.

"I feel lucky, too," Steve said.

"Oh, you got your heartbroken by Jonathan, too?" Argyle asked.

"Nancy," Steve corrected him with a laugh.

"Small world," Argyle said. "I'm glad we still get to be a part of their lives."

"That's true," Steve said with a grin. "We're not alone, either."

"That is true, brochacho," Argyle said and smiled brightly. "Maybe we should find a way to make each other feel better."

"That sounds nice," Steve said.

Argyle grabbed Steve’s hand and led him into the woods. He hadn't hung out with him much, but Steve trusted Argyle almost as much as he trusted Robin. There was just something about him. He liked the way his hand wrapped around his. . .so safe and warm. Steve felt tingly. Argyle brought him to a small clearing in the middle of the woods. There was an open sky above them, and beautiful flowers starting to bloom around them. It looked like someone had already been there. There was an abandoned blanket and shirt lying on the ground.

"There's my blanket!" Argyle exclaimed. "Forgot where I put it."

It was a beautiful knitted piece, with a mixed arraignment of color. It was definitely Argyle's.

"This is a beautiful blanket," Steve said.

"Thanks, my abeula made it for me right before she died," Argyle said. "I miss her every day. She was the only one who ever understood me."

"Yeah, my grandfather Otis was the only one in my family who ever understood me," Steve said.

Argyle beamed and sat down on the blanket, patting the spot beside him. Steve plopped down next to him. Argyle laid all the way back.

"We're going to cloud watch," Argyle said. "That cloud looks like a bunny. His name is Ralph, and he's a nail-biter."

"Oh, yeah, he definitely looks like a nail-biter," Steve said as he laid down with him. "Ooh, that one looks like a wolf. When he gets nervous, he pulls out his tail hair and eats it."

"We all have our quirks," Argyle said. "Does he have a name?"

"Wesley," Steve decided.

"Wesley the wolf, nice," Argyle said. "Are Wesley and Ralph friends or enemies?"

"Oh, definitely friends, for sure," Steve said.

"Shweet!" Argyle exclaimed.

"I can't remember the last time that I've actually paused and just enjoyed nature like this," Steve said.

"Being on constant red alert will do that to you, I think," Argyle said.

Steve sighed and enjoyed the way the warmth of the sun felt on his face. Even though he was already hot and sweaty, it was a wonder feeling that left goosebumps on his arms. He peeled off his shirt, not caring that his scars were on display. A ladybug fluttered into view, hovered for a moment, and landed on Steve’s chest.

"You've been chosen, man!" Argyle exclaimed.

"I have?" Steve asked, smiling.

"Oh, yeah, the ladybug is enjoying the heck out of your boob forest," Argyle said.

Argyle had turned on his side and was now supporting himself on his elbow.

"Boob forest?" He asked. "You mean my chest hair?"

"That's what I said," Argyle replied, and Steve laughed. "Watch this."

Using his finger, he flattened the hairs on Steve’s chest and made a path for the ladybug. Steve watched with a smile as the ladybug went down the path made by Argyle's finger.

"Wow," Steve said.

"There's a whole world right here," Argyle whispered.

Steve’s heart began to race as he watched Argyle gaze at the ladybug. Argyle looked up at him. He wasn't just talking about the ladybug.

"Yeah," he whispered.

The ladybug flew off, and Argyle waved it off.

"Bye! Come again!" Argyle exclaimed.

"You're sweet," Steve said.

"Yeah, but I'm riddled with anxiety, though. It's why I smoke weed," Argyle said. "I try to play it off by being as goofy as much as possible. I feel everything all at once. It can be overwhelming. Jonathan always understood that."

Argyle shifted and folded his hands onto Steve’s chest. He rested his chin on his hands.

"I get that," Steve said. "Me and Robin both deal with severe anxiety. We try to help each the best we can."

"And you don't smoke weed?" Argyle asked.

"Honestly, we haven't gotten high since Starcourt," Steve said. "We don't even drink."

"You don't have to tell me, man, but why is that?" Argyle asked.

"The Russians, they, uh, drugged us without our consent," Steve said.

Argyle cursed in spanish. Steve smiled in amusement as he recognized the curse words that fell from Argyle's plump lips. He only really knew Italian, but he had a nanny who used to curse out his father in spanish. His dad had believed her when she said that she was complimenting him, not noticing she had discreetly sent a wink Steve’s way. Of course, his mother had to go and fire Rosa because she thought she was flirting with her husband. Steve had been so mad that he ran away to Rosa's house, and he had stayed there for weeks before he realized that his parents had left on business without noticing he was gone. He had to go back eventually because he didn't want to get her in trouble. He always went back and visited her as much as possible, especially after she died. He told Argyle all of this, trying not to think about the last time he had seen Rosa.

"Well, I'm glad you had her, man," Argyle said.

"Yeah, me too. She tried to teach me spanish, but according to her, I kept butchering the language. I'm no Robin, no one is, but I'm not terrible at reading the language. Italian either, it was my first language," Steve said. "I tend to get words wrong, especially in English. It makes me come off as an idiot. Only Robin knows how smart I am in Italian. Although Dustin is trying to learn now, which I think is sweet."

"Hm, I'm the same way, man. Spanish is my first language, too. . .so, those kids are like your pride and joy, huh?" He asked.

"As annoying as they are. . .yeah," Steve said. "He claims he's only doing it because he thinks Robin and I are talking shit about him in Italian. . .which we are, but I know why he's really doing it."

"He loves you," Argyle said.

"Yeah," Steve said, and he paused. "So, have you always know that you're - ?"

"Argyle?" He finished for Steve.

"Yeah," Steve said with a laugh.

"Abeula said my heart was always open to everyone, so she wasn't surprised when I came home with a boy after my first girlfriend," Argyle said. "My parents, on the other hand. . .Abuela always worried about how open my heart was, but I told her that it's always worth the risk."

"So, you never had any doubts about who you were or how you felt?" Steve asked.

"Well, I've had doubts about other things, but how I felt about people? No," Argyle said with a grin. "I did have a boyfriend who thought he was straight, but then one day, out of the blue, he asked to kiss me, so we kissed . . . then he later figured out he was bisexual."

"Right, bisexual?" Steve asked. "Like. . .?"

"Vickie," Argyle nodded. "Yeah, I know. For me, I was never into specific labels. I'm just. . ."

"Argyle," Steve said in amusement.

"What are you thinking about Steve?" Argyle asked.

"There's a whole world right here," Steve whispered, tucking a hair behind Argyle's ear.

"You know, if you and Robin ever want to smoke weed, I'll be right here to help you through it. . .whenever you're ready," Argyle said.

"That's nice," Steve said, his voice thick.

Why was he so nervous all of a sudden? His heart was racing, and he was sweatier than before. Steve was very aware of Argyle laying on top of him. He wanted more.

"You okay, Steve?" Argyle asked.

"You never told us your last name," Steve blurted out, his head all foggy.

"Didn't I?" Argyle asked.

"No," Steve said.

"Hernandez, it was my abuela's last name, I changed it after my parents kicked me out," Argyle said.

"I'm sorry," Steve said.

"Don't be, I found my home, and my abuela would be proud of me for keeping my heart open," he replied.

"I'd like to think Rosa would be proud of me, too," Steve said.

"Do you still need me to make you feel better?" Argyle asked.

"I think so. . .a little. . . "

"A little?"

"A lot."

Argyle moved up his body and threw a leg over him to straddle his waist. He stared at Steve, taking in his face as Steve did the same. Steve swallowed as he stared into Argyle's warm chocolate brown eyes. It felt as safe and warm as Argyle did. Argyle raised a questioning eyebrow at him and Steve nodding, trembling with anticipation. Argyle sank down onto him, pressing his body fully against his. Argyle's nose brushed against his, and Steve gasped as he felt Argyle's breath on his face. Argyle gently pressed his lips against Steve’s, finally closing the gap between them.

Steve let out another gasp and then a moan as he responded to Argyle's kiss. He kept soft and gentle, easing Steve into the kiss. It was his first time kissing a man, and he found that he enjoyed it just as much as he enjoyed kissing women. Argyle shifted, stretching his legs out and letting his hands brush against Steve’s waist. Argyle deepened the kiss, letting it grow harsher and more passionate. He touched his tongue against Steve’s lip, asking for Steve’s permission. Steve opened his mouth and let Argyle's tongue slip in. There was no fighting for dominance. . .it was just them trying to taste and explore every inch of each other.

Argyle pulled away with a gasp and trailed a bunch of kisses down from his cheek to his neck. He licked, bit, and sucked gently on Steve's neck. Steve moaned, cupping the back of his head before gripping Argyle's ponytail, gently tugging on it. He felt Argyle growl against his neck and rocked his hips up against him. Argyle gripped his thigh and hooked Steve’s leg over his hip before grinding into him. Both of their shorts were painfully tight.

"Are we really going to do this on your grandmother's blanket?" Steve gasped.

"Do you not want to?" Argyle asked.

"I was just making sure that you were okay with it," Steve said.

"Why do you think she made it?" He asked.

"Are you telling me that your abuela made you a sex blanket?"

"Yeah, she wanted me to be safe. It's for anything, really. Look, there's the pocket for the condoms!"

"Oh my God, there are condoms in there!"

"Well, it is the condom pocket."

Steve laughed and kissed him. This man was ridiculous, but he liked that. Argyle kissed his neck again, but this time, he kept going further until. . . .

"Oh. . .oh. . .OH. FUCK!"

Steve stumbled into his house, a grin on his face, as he ran up the stairs to his bedroom. He stripped and took a shower and even though he didn't want to wash away the smell of Argyle, Steve desperately needed a shower. He couldn't stop smiling even though his ass hurt. It was definitely a good kind of pain, though. After his shower, he went downstairs and ate before collapsing onto the couch in front of the TV. Steve couldn't even bother to get up to grab the remote. It didn't matter anyway. All he could think about was what happened in the woods with Argyle. Steve closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep with a happy sigh.

"DINGUS!"

Steve had been in the middle of picking up the phone to order pizza when he suddenly started thinking about Argyle. He had almost forgotten about hanging out with Robin and Vickie tonight when he woken up from his nap earlier. Luckily, Robin had left a message to remind him. Now, it was the evening, and he was tasked with ordering the pizza.

"Hmm?" Steve asked.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Robin asked.

"I just got lost in thought," Steve said.

"Well, get unlost! Vickie's hungry, and so am I!" Robin exclaimed.

"I don't mind waiting," Vickie said.

"Bless her, she doesn't know what she's saying she's so hungry," Robin said.

"Robin!"

"I guess that run from earlier really took it out of you," Robin said. "I noticed you were favoring your ass. What'd you do? Fall?"

"Something like that," Steve said.

"I told you that jogging is a pain in the ass," Robin said.

"You have no idea," he muttered.

He wasn't ready to tell Robin just yet. It hadn't even been a full 24 hours yet. He had gotten his heart broken by Nancy. Again. Went for a run in the woods where Arygle came to him like in a dream, and everything changed. That moment had opened him up to things he didn't even know about and things he didn't know about Argyle. It was too good to be true. . .Argyle was too good to be true, and he wondered if it had been a dream. He didn't want to rush in like he usually did. No, this time, he needed to know that it was serious. He needed to know for the both of them.

A FEW MONTHS LATER. . .

"Are you sure you want to tell everyone at the party, sweetness?" Argyle asked Steve.

Argyle was sprawled out on his bed, looking beautiful as always.

"Absolutely," Steve grinned. "I want everyone to know how much you mean to me."

"And how much do I mean to you?" Argyle asked.

"Hm, I don't know," Steve said. "I have to think about that."

Argyle laughed and grabbed Steve, pulling him into his arms.

"How much do I mean to you, mi amor?" Argyle asked. "Show me."

"We don't have time for this, Argy," Steve said. "We have to get ready."

"I beg to differ," Argyle said and rolled on top of him.

"You were on top last time. My turn."

It was all Hallow's Eve, and Steve was throwing a costume party at his house for the young adults. Mike had insisted on a party for him and the kids in his basement so they weren't there. Steve was pretty sure that they were going to play a Halloween themed D&D game. Nancy and Jonathan were away at college, but also still very single, so they wouldn't be joining them. It would be Steve, Argyle, Robin, Vickie, Eddie, and Chrissy. Of course, no one knew that Steve and Argyle were dating, so Steve had thought to announce it at the party. The thought had come to him when Eddie suggested that the couple costumes should be that they should dress up as their partners. Steve wondered if Eddie would be wearing Chrissy's cheerleading uniform. That's probably why he suggested the idea in the first place.

"Dingus, where's your costume?" Robin asked when she walked into the kitchen.

"I was making finishing touches on the food, and then I was going to change," Steve said. "Argyle and I made the pizza ourselves."

"Good, because we've all been dying to see who you've been dating these past few months," Robin said.

"Who says that I've been dating anyone?" Steve scoffed.

"You've been entirely too happy," Robin said.

"Maybe I'm just happy that we're all alive and together. Did you ever think about that, Robin? Hm?" He asked.

"I know when my best friend is in love," Robin said as she adjusted Vickie's hat on her head.

"Robin, you look great in Vickie's clothes, by the way," Steve said.

"Doesn't she?" Vickie beamed as she fiddled with Robin's tie. "Although, I much prefer her in her own clothes, or out of clothes all together - "

"Vickie!" Robin exclaimed with a smile before turning back to Steve. "And don't change the subject, Steve Harrington."

Suddenly, there came a loud knocking on his door.

"Oh, good, saved by the door," Steve said. "Food's done, by the way."

"Pineapple pizza? Ugh, that is scary," he heard Robin say.

Steve opened the door to find Chrissy and Eddie standing on his doorstep. Eddie was in full cheerleading uniform. His hair was up in a ponytail, and he had on makeup. Jesus, his legs were even shaved. Meanwhile, Chrissy was wearing dark jeans, a Hellfire shirt, and Eddie's vest.

"So, Eddie was very enthusiastic about dressing up as a cheerleader," Steve said.

"Yeah," Chrissy grinned.

"Should I ask why?" Steve asked.

"I wouldn't," Chrissy said, her grin growing wider.

"So, I'm surprised Eddie even knew how to knock," Steve grinned.

"Cheerleaders do NOT just barge into people's houses, Steve Harrington!" Eddie said in a very high falsetto, swinging his ponytail in an exaggerated fashion.

"I do not sound like that or look like that. You look demented, Eddie," Chrissy giggled.

"Careful Cunningham, or you're not getting the something extra I put under this uniform for you," Eddie said.

He flipped his skirt at her, giving her glimpse without showing Steve. Chrissy followed behind Eddie. She was bent over sideways, staring at Eddie's ass and trying to get another look under his skirt.

"Where the hell is your costume, Steve?" Eddie asked as they joined the others in the living room.

"I'm going to get changed now," Steve said.

"Good, because we've all placed bets on who you're dating," Eddie said. "And I'm looking forward to putting some more money in my bra."

"You're wearing a bra?" Chrissy asked.

"Authenticity, baby," Eddie said.

"None of you are going to win," Steve grinned.

"Hm, maybe he is right, and it is no one. Is it too late to change my answer?" Robin asked.

"Yes," Eddie said.

"Damn."

"Did I see Argyle's van out front?" Chrissy asked. "Who did he bring?"

Steve laughed all the way up the stairs and into his bedroom.

"Ready to change?" Argyle asked.

"Oh, yeah," Steve said.

Argyle kissed Steve before helping him out of his clothes and into Argyle's. Steve’s boyfriend had stood admiring him for far too long, and Steve ended up having to push him into his clothes. It was almost unsettling seeing Argyle in a polo instead of his usual bright colors, but Steve supposed that everyone was out of their element tonight. That was the whole point. They walked downstairs into the living room and into the group, having a rather loud debate over who Steve was dating. Well, Vickie and Chrissy had wisely chosen to stay out of it. It was really just Robin and Eddie screaming at each other. Steve clapped his hands to get his attention.

"Argyle! Did you bring anything DELIGHTful with you?" Eddie asked.

"Aw, Steve, you and Argyle have become such great friends that you decided to switch," Robin said. "Wow, it really was no one. I'm sorry, Steve."

"Wow, Robin, as smart as you are, you sure are dumb," Steve scoffed.

"Some people just don't get it," Argyle grinned. "Should I show them?"

"I think that's what it's going to take," Steve said, sharing a knowing smile with Argyle.

Argyle wrapped his arms around Steve, dipped him, and kissed him deeply. Steve smiled against Argyle's lips as everyone gasped.

"Did not fucking see that coming!" Eddie yelled.

"I thought it was Nancy for sure!" Robin exclaimed.

"I told you," Steve gasped as he pulled away from the kiss. "She rejected me."

"I thought you were telling me that just to spite me," Robin said.

Argyle laughed, sat down, and pulled Steve into his lap.

"I'm bisexual, Robin," Steve said.

"And you're - ," Robin turned to Argyle.

"Oh, I'm Argyle!" He exclaimed happily.

"He doesn't do labels," Steve shrugged, looking at him fondly.

"So, how did this happen?" Eddie asked.

Steve smiled and told them exactly how they got together. Unfortunately for Robin and to the delight of the others, he didn't leave out a single detail.

"Ugh, gross," Robin said with a smile. "Wait, how on earth did Argyle convince you to put pineapple on pizza?"

"He made an excellent point," Steve giggled.

"And the point was?" Eddie asked.

"Well, if he likes Mexican topping Italian, then he should definitely like pineapple topping pizza," Argyle said.

Eddie stared at him before bursting into laughter and high-fiving Argyle.

"He got you good, big boy," Eddie said.

"Ew, don't high-five my boyfriend for railing me," Steve said, struggling not to smile.

"You called him your boyfriend!" Robin squealed and started rambling in Italian.

Steve grinned and started talking back to her in Italian.

"They're talking shit about me, Christine, I know it," Eddie said.

"Yeah, they said you look hideous in that skirt," Chrissy said, and Eddie gasped dramatically.

"You don't even speak Italian!"

"You look good in my clothes, babe," Argyle whispered.

"You look good, too," Steve whispered. "You look better out of them."

Argyle laughed and kissed him. Steve peppered him with kisses and leaned his forehead against his.

"Steve," Robin called out.

"Yeah," Steve said.

"You look very happy," Robin said.

"I am," Steve said, continuing to gaze at Argyle.