Steddie · Explicit · Vampire!Eddie came back wrong - Enemies to Lovers · Part 1/3 · Read it HERE

Summary:

‘Your blood. I know your blood.’ ‘Probably from when we fought, you fucking monster!’ ‘When?’ ‘It was nine years ago. We killed you, or… or you died when your master died, when Vecna—’ The hand is back, gripping tight again and this time it lifts Steve clean up in the air, feet dangling uselessly. ‘Master is Father and Father would not red trail to one like you,’ Eddie says, deceptively soft but it’s clearly a warning. ‘Echo Three is Father’s best weapon. You…’ he sneers, ‘are meat.’ Incredibly, Steve rallies enough to spit in Eddie’s face. ‘Fucking eat me then,’ Steve chokes out.

TAGS:

Small little sneak peek into Chapter 5 of Mortal Projections. ❤️‍🔥 thank you @effortlesslytired

Steddie | Little_Annie | Ao3

---

It started with whispers so faint he could have sworn they were nothing but the wind. Cool and quiet, ghosting over his ear with a light breeze.

It started with the subtle run of invisible fingers down his arm, tracing over muscle and flesh, setting nerves on fire for something that was just out of touch.

It started in the nights where he'd awake from the horrors of his nightmares to a sudden chill that'd linger at his side. An eerie but oddly comforting feeling that'd press against his body with intent. Pressure at his back and wrapping around his waist, a touch he'd longed for but never had the chance to experience. A touch he'd been desperate for since spring break of 86'. A touch he'd wish to experience in the aftermath of hell but never once had the opportunity before it was taken away and left to rot in the barren wasteland of the Upside Down.

A touch of a man he knows he could have grown to love.

In reality it started with glances in the halls and a twist in his gut that at the time he was yet to recognize as desire. It wasn't until years down the road with a jagged bottle pressed millimetres from spilling the source of his life at his feet that Steve Harrington recognized that need. It came in the form of piercing dark eyes, a mess of curls and skin so pale it resembled the beauty of porcelain. 

But it came too late. It came in a time of distress and fear and the sheer unknowingness of survival. It came only mere hours before he watched the life drain from those very dark eyes, screams dulling around him and blood pooling in his hands.

It came and so suddenly it went. It went but it never truly faded away and when those gentle touches and brushes of what felt like fingers on his skin returned, well so did that desire.

—---

It was mid June when he was sitting at home alone, blissfully enjoying the rarity that was peace and quiet, when suddenly the lights flickered and the TV switched on only to flash through channels of heavy metal music videos and what only appeared to be very sudden flashes of what looked like the Upside Down. 

His heart was racing in a matter of seconds. Was Vecna back? Was it something else? Was the form of sinew and stardust known to the universe as Steve Harrington about to finally perish to some unholy demonic god from another dimension?

But then the radio in the kitchen buzzed on in a surge of static. A name, one so familiar to the screams that haunted his dreams poured from its speakers in a frantic rush of words. 

'Eddie,' 'Eddie,' 'Eddie.'

As if it was on repeat the man's name was chanted through the radio, its stations skipping in a fury between songs and voices, each one scratchy and hardly audible except for the definite 'Eddie,' that came through crystal clear.

Only when Steve's heart was threatening to beat out of his chest did the screaming of sound halt, the Radio buzzing stop and the TV shutting off with a flash. 

"What the fuck?" He huffed to himself, trying to ease his breath when he felt pressure on the couch next to him, the scent of pine and menthols bleeding into the air around him.

He pinched his eyes shut and for a moment he could have sworn he felt Eddie's hand on his own, the unmistakable feeling of calluses and chunky metal rings against his skin.

It was a wild thought, fucking insane even, but it felt right, like whatever the hell just happened was nothing bad, nothing scary, just a ways of communication and he couldn't help but ask into the empty room around him, "Munson?"

The hand he felt on his own squeezed and he could've sworn he heard the faintest whisper of, "You betcha Big Boy." 

He couldn't help the shuddered sob that racked his body as he collapsed further into the couch. This couldn't be happening, there's no way this could be real. Maybe the head injuries had finally gotten to him and he'd finally lost it.

"It's not real," he gasped to himself, only to feel the pressure on his hand tighten and a force press against his side like he was being held.

He laid like that for quite some time, trying to wrap his mind around the insanity of the situation but in reality, he'd seen so much in the last years that the idea of Eddie Munson's ghost sitting by his side wasn't such a far out thought.

It was only when he felt the gentle scratch of fingers against his scalp that his heartbeat eased and he leaned further into the touch asking a desperate, "Is it really you? How do I know it's you?"

The movement on his scalp stilled for a moment as if the being attached to it were in thought and then like it was nothing there was a gentle pressure against his cheek and a nudge against his ear, words whispered like a breeze in the air, "It's me Big Boy, don't worry your pretty little head."

But as those words were whispered and the pressure on his cheek crept to his lips, the phone rang and the tether that'd been keeping him grounded faded into nothing.

He'd gone to sleep that night thinking he was insane, the phantom touch of what he could only wish was Eddie Munson lingering on the entire left side of his body. 

A week later it started again, though this time albeit much more subtle. Gentle touches and whispers of words in the breeze. He found himself confessing to the darkness of his room only to fall asleep later that night with the feeling of a hand clasped in his own.

He'd awake from the horrors of his dreams to a comforting sensation pressed into his side and eventually wrapped around his body.

The gentle touches and hardly audible voices continued for a month and it was when Steve had come to the conclusion that this couldn't be anything else but Eddie, he took his chance, whispering the words he'd longed to say into the emptiness of the world around him, "Kiss me."

The sensation of fingers dancing over his shoulder ceased, but only for a moment, the touch he'd experienced only that single day in June returned and he felt the warmth of lips on his cheek, slow, nervous as if they were unsure of Steve's conviction. But it was when Steve shuddered a breath and leaned blindly into the touch that the sensation deepened.

Still hesitant, nervous, a gentle but wanting thing.

With a slow releasing breath Steve felt what could only be a hand on his thigh and breath against his cheek, he couldn't help the whisper of a whine that escaped him, "Eddie Please."

The pressure on his cheek faded, leaving him gutted and wanting for only a moment, but a second later there was a weight settling in his lap, firm, heavy, warm. The sensation of hands resting on either side of his neck followed. Then a brush of his nose and then finally, finally a press to his lips.

Gentle and slow and so goddamn sweet. It was a kiss like none other, in the truest sense of it feeling other worldly. He swears he could taste the lingering burn of menthols on tongue, the slide of the other man's smooth with intent. 

It was a heartbreaking feeling, but if this was all he could get from the Eddie Munson he once knew, he'd take it. He'd take it and hold it close to his heart and never let it go.

He sighed with the feeling of warmth in his chest, pressing his palms in the mattress below until he was fully upright, leaning with his back pressed to the headboard and a still invisible force weighing down his lap.

He couldn't imagine how ridiculous he looked, making out with a ghost, but everything about it felt so right. The heat that surrounded him, warm and wanting. The hands in his hair, unbelievably able to grasp and give a spine tingling gentle pull. 

They remained that way for what could have been minutes or hours, only pulling apart when the pink hue of the sky hinted to the sun rising for the land of the living. It was then that Eddie pulled away, pressing a single lingering kiss to Steve's forehead before settling like a weight on his chest until the late hours of the morning.

It continued like that, Eddie's spirit lingering like an invisible force, stealing kisses in the emptiness of the Harrington house, ghosting fingerings through Steve's hair or stealing a peck in passing. Many times did Steve find himself standing with a firm line of pressure against his back and breath trickling over his ear, the occasional whisper of laughter breaching the barriers of the universe making their conversations seem not so one sided.

There'd be times when Eddie could talk, but they were quick, subtle things, the burst of words through the television or the radio, the man saving his greatest amounts of energy to tell Steve he's beautiful through a staticy hum.

It's the most they'd ever feel like they were together, the closest they'd get to something that could have been.

The kisses continued and the touches were ever present, but eventually Steve needed more. He wanted to feel all of Eddie, every part of him he was robbed of when he was taken from their world too soon.

It's an evening like any other, music playing quietly in the background, a tattered copy of the Hobbit in Steve's hand and gentle kisses begging to trail their way down his neck. The bed dips next to him with the weight of the man Steve knows he loves and when Eddie stops where he always does, lips halting at the collar of Steve's shirt, it's hardly even a thought when he drops the book off to the side and pulls his shirt over his head, encouraging Eddie to continue further.

It's a slow thing, beautiful and bleeding intention.

They'd learnt long ago that they can feel every ounce of the other under their fingertips, every hill, every valley, every new and old scar and raised tattoo. All it took was for Eddie to grab Steve's hand and place it on his cheek. He'd gasped at the sensation of stubble beneath his palm and couldn't help but let a few tears slip as he mapped out every feature of the man's invisible being. 

Since that night he'd fall asleep with fingerings tracing the raised lines of Eddie's tattoos or combing through the softness of his curls.

But tonight he feels himself needing to feel more and when the sensation of Eddie's tongue over his nipple forces his back to arch and a gasp to break past his lips, he can't help but to say, "More. Eddie. I wanna feel more."

He might be hysterical or even absolutely insane, maybe this isn't even happening at all and he totally lost it, but logistics and sanity be damned, he wants every part of Eddie Munson that he can have.

The movement of lips and tongue and teeth on his abdomen still long enough for him to clarify, "Ed's I want you to fuck me." 

There's a pause, the room's still but there's the pressure of hands on his waist and the indented of a body kneeling on the bed, it's not more than a few seconds later that the grip on his waist tightens and there's a brushing kiss being laid to his hip.

Steve watches in awe as a purple swells beneath his skin, painting him like a piece of art work as Eddie claims him as his own. Minutes later there's a watercolour of bruises littering his body, between and over each one a kiss was laid and a few even the faintest of bite marks that still indent his skin.

He'd lost his sleep shorts long ago, Eddie's artwork spread all the way from his hip to thigh to where he's now and Steve swears the man's trying to suck a hickey into the tip of his dick which only makes him wither in a delicious sort of pain. 

There's gasps and moans and when he feels himself hit the back of Eddie's throat Steve knows he's already so embarrassingly close. When his back is arching off the bed and he's chanting Eddie's name like it's a prayer, the man only sends him further into orbit when there's pressure against his ass. Slow and circling and ever so slowly pressing in.

Steve knows he would've come by now, feels like he has a million times already, but he can feel Eddie's iron grip at the base of his cock stopping him from reaching release, leaving him to toe the waters of insanity as he babbles and whines for more, pressing his hips down and welcoming Eddie into his last knuckle.

The sheets are clenched in his hands, his knuckles flushing white and his throat sore from every gasp that's left his lips. He whines and withers and feels his toes curl when he assumes Eddie presses a second finger in, bobbing his head down and taking Steve to the root in the process, forcing a choked out moan to rattle through the air.

With a press of his finger to just the right spot, Eddie sends an absolutely spine tingling sensation through Steve's body. He feels himself jump and his legs shake and what he can only assume is a laugh vibrate around his length as Eddie continues.

"Are you laughing? Don't fucking lau-" Steve tries to scold through the euphoria only to be cut off with another press of Eddies fingers at turns his complaining into a breathless, "-oh fuck."

They don't continue like that for long, soon enough Steve can feel lips on his own once again as a heat and pressure settle against his ass. Moving in sync, licking lovingly into each other's mouth, he breathes out a helpless, "Please Eddie."

And it's with a gentle shuffle that there's a hand in his hair and lips locked onto his own that that pressure builds and he feels the stretch of Eddie finally pushing into him.

Down to the hilt Steve can feel the rise and fall of his own chest against Eddie's, the way the man is entirely wrapped around him with every speck of his celestial being. And then there's a push, a gentle rock of hips that forces a moan to be caught between lips.

Slowly and intentionally Eddie rocks into him, his already sensitive cock leaking against his stomach, waiting impatiently for the release it's been denied for far too long.

Eventually Eddie picks up the pace, though not much. The bed shakes around them and Steve can feel the flex of muscle beneath his finger tips, every rock of the man's hips accompanied by the twist of corded muscle under his grasp.

Lost in the moment and the feel of Eddie around him, Steve's release sneaks up on him. It's a sudden thing and when there's the pressure of ringed fingers wrapping around his dick, a single twist of a wrist is all it takes and there's heat pooling on his abdomen while comes with a choked out moan against Eddie's lips.

Not long after does the man follow behind, lips searing against his own, a grip on his waist that's sure to leave a bruise and Steve's sure he hears a shuddered breath as Eddie's body tenses above him. 

They remain still for a few moments and as their chest heave together, Steve refuses to open his eyes, knowing he'll find nothing truly above him. He'd pinched them shut at some point, trying to imagine the man above him in his entirety. 

He can still feel Eddie under his hands, the plains of his back, the ridges of his scars and he can't help but let a tear fall with the image of dark eyes above his own that he knows will never truly be present. In that moment he can't help but whisper, "I wish I had the chance to love you."

—

It'd been months. Weeks and hours and days and seconds spent with Eddie, or at least the closest thing Steve could get to the man himself.

They'd kissed, they'd cuddled and they'd made love countless times. It was still such a wild thing, but Eddie did what he could to prove to Steve that he was real. That he was there. Real and there and loving. Leaving picked flowers on the table in the kitchen, switching the radio on for songs they'd dance to for hours.

Always leaving Steve littered in the beautiful bruising evidence of their love. Bites and fingertips pressed into flesh. A wash of purple and blues and beauty, sucked into his skin by the mouth he kissed every morning and evening. And every minute in between.

They'd visit, mostly one-sided conversations but when Eddie found the energy there'd be words whispered into Steve's ear or crackled through the static of the radio.

They were attached at the hip, or so Steve imagined he supposed. But he could always feel Eddie's presence at his side, warm and caring, a pressure leaning into his being, grounding and tethering him to the very earth.

He hadn't thought much of it when he eventually invited the whole crew of monster hunters over for a pool party.

Robin and Nancy were sitting poolside giggling about god knows what. Dustin, Mike, Lucas and Max, flailing in the pool screaming and laughing over nonsense. 

Steve and his ever present loving force sat curled up on a daybed. He could feel Eddie's legs over his own, the press of lips against his cheek, but no one was the wiser and he was growing to get used to that. Something for just the two of them, though he'd never stop wishing for more.

It wasn't until the Hopper-Byers clan arrived for the first time since the whole Upside Down shit show that Steve realised that dream could be a very possible reality.

El had stopped stone cold in the doorway, looking an inch or two to Steve's right and pondering something for a moment before she turned to see Will grabbing the back of his neck and staring in the same direction.

Dark, tortured eyes now locked onto Steve, so casually did El say, "He is still there."

The entire party stilled, laughter ceasing, conversations stilling and the press of lips against Steve's cheek retreating. 

He was breathless for a moment, his heart pounding, his mind racing, and maybe his face gave away something akin to confusion, because El simply continued with, "That young man, he was a hero."

Steve, among the rest of the group that were there that day, remained shell shocked but all nodded, confirming El's statement to be true.

"Do you not want to save him?"

Steve's brows furrowed and suddenly reality dawned on him, he could have Eddie. The real Eddie. With a phantom kiss to his temple and squeeze of his hand, there was a whisper of a voice in his ear, low and raspy and so completely perfect, "Come find me baby."

—

With El's and surprisingly Will's help, they'd managed to open a single gate into the Upside Down, the stench of death and decay leaking into the atmosphere as they tore a hole between the two dimensions.

Upon stepping into the nearly collapsed wasteland, Steve took in his surroundings, it was eerily quiet, but there was a call of his name, gentle and loving, like a tether pulling him in the right direction.

It seemed after they killed Vecna, the grotesque flora and fauna of the Upside Down had died along with him, leaving the rotting corpses of Demogorgan's and Demobat's littered around the once deadly hellscape. 

They'd managed to open a gate deep into the woods, hoping to find shelter there if anything had come to find them, but it was a rather laughable turn of events when the voice calling Steve's name led him right back to his own home. Well the Upside Down version of it at least. He'd entered the house alone, asking everyone to wait for his call of 'all clear' before they entered but upon stepping through his bedroom door he came face to face with the last man he thought he'd ever see again.

Lying there, makeshift bandages wrapped around his torso, Steve's clothes concealing his now thinner figure was Eddie Munson. A beautiful smile across his face, a stark contrast to the world of decay around him. His eyes shone the moment they met Steve's and he moved with a wince, hand flying to clutch his side but failing to give up as he flung his body into Steve's.

Steve held him as tight as he could manage without inflicting any more pain, burying his face in Eddie's shoulder as they held each other and let the tears fall and stain their skin with salt and the words they've managed to let go unsaid.

It wasn't much longer though that Steve felt lips on his own, skin soft and stained with tears, finally pressed together. He shuddered a breath, tears streaming down his cheeks as he choked out an unbelieving laugh, their embrace more teeth than anything as they leaned into one another, smiling, bodies held so close for the first time 

Steve had so many questions. How was this all possible, being the main one. None of this made sense, but as Eddie's lips pressed to his again and the warmth of the man in his arms flooded his heart, Steve's need to know faded.

And it was with a soft kiss to his nose, and dark brown eyes looking into his own, that Steve knew he'd finally get his chance to love Eddie Munson.

---

three years, they loved each other.

for three years, they gave it their all, until they couldn’t.

—

twelve years later, steve’s married. has a family and kids. and eddie? touring the united states, with his band the wrath of inferno.

they meet by chance, in a bar in indianapolis.

steve has glasses now, has to clean them to make sure he isn’t seeing things. like the man that got away isn’t sitting a mere few inches away from him.

eddie’s got salt and pepper hair, a silver band on his ring finger, and an arm around another guy.

steve swallows thickly, brings the liquid courage to his mouth, and takes a few gulps.

“eddie?”

“….steve?”

Steve looked at the clock for the fifth time within a ten-minute span. He groaned loudly and Robin chuckled behind him.

“Looking at the clock isn’t going to make it go any faster Steve.” She said as he turned to look at her. She was flipping through yet another magazine, occasionally showing him a page that had a half-naked model promoting Coca-Cola or fancy perfume. Sex sells as they say.

“I know.” He said but he turned his eyes once more to look at the clock. “I just don’t know how it’s only been ten minutes.” He whined. The shift had been dragging on more than usual, it was extremely slow for a Tuesday. Even if they had a two-for-one deal going on for the summer. Keith had implemented the system to draw more traffic to the store, and most days it worked. Today was the odd exception.

The bell chimed, indicating that someone had walked in. Steve turned to the door about to welcome whoever came through. But stopped once he saw Dustin walk through the door, well it was more of a limp. His leg is still in the process of healing from the jump he made into the upside down to save Eddie.

“Hey Dusty!” He said with a smirk. He knew the boy got tired of the constant teasing surrounding the nickname that Suzie had given him. But Steve was allowed to poke fun at the kid, occasionally.

“Hey, Steven.” He shot back with his eyes scowling at Steve, he knew that was one of the things he could not stand to be called.

Steve rolled his eyes at the comment. And even though he wouldn’t admit it, he was glad Dustin came into the store on occasion, especially today. He needed any distraction from the time loop he felt he was in.

“What’s up?” He asked leaning on the counter, watching Dustin immediately go to the mature section of the store. Had Keith been in, Steve would have not allowed Dustin the chance to even browse the films they had located at the back of the store. But he couldn’t care less, as long as he didn’t get caught renting a rated R film to the kid.

“Why don’t we have a movie night, my mom won’t let me take home a horror movie that is above PG-13. So, I was thinking you could host? He says casually, picking up The Shining.

Robin finally looks up from her magazine. “Ooh, I love that movie!” Dustin looks proud of his choice when Robin says this. It was quite adorable how much the kids liked Robin; she was always on their side, so it made sense.

“So, what do you say? Friday?”

They both look at him with big eyes and how can he say no to them? He rolls his eyes and nods “Sure why not, my parents are at a work event.” The house gets lonely without anyone in it anyway, he thinks but chooses to keep that to himself.

“Yes!!” Dustin and Robin high-five.

-

The next few shifts at Family Video roll by, thankfully being a bit steadier with customers. Steve was working alone on Friday; he was okay with the quiet, but he did miss Robin’s entertaining ranting about Vickie. They had gotten closer since that day making sandwiches together. Steve felt proud of how far Robin had gone from only observing Vickie in private to finally getting to hang out with her more.

He was finishing up with sweeping, moving on to the next task that needed to be done before closing. He still had an hour, so he wasn’t rushing through the list. He sorted the tapes that had been returned into the correct genre, moving them to their designated spot on the shelves.

The familiar sound of the doorbell rang through the store.

“Welcome to the family video, how can I help you?” He turned and was met with none other than Eddie Munson, his all-familiar grin stretched across his face.

“Howdy Harrington.” He walked over to where Steve was standing and grabbed one of the tapes from his hand. The movement caused their hands to brush against one another gently. “Oh Labyrinth! I’ve been meaning to watch this one.” The movie had just been released the month He had wanted to watch it himself, mainly because David Bowie looked kind of badass in the film and he would probably watch anything with the man in it.

Shaking off thoughts of Bowie he grabbed the tape and set it in its correct slot, under recently released. “Couldn’t wait to see me, Munson, you just had to stop in huh?” Steve says returning two other tapes to their spot before moving behind the counter, slightly leaning over it.

“Wait do we have plans that I forgot about or something?” Eddie says looking confused and that’s when it hits Steve, he forgot to invite him to movie night.

“Shit! I forgot to call you after my shift Tuesday. Dustin wanted to have a movie night and I thought I had mentioned it to you.”

“Oh. Well, I don’t have to come, I don’t want you to feel forced to invite me or something” Eddie says as he shifts around awkwardly, while he avoids looking at Steve.

“No! Of course, you’re invited. I want you to come.”

“Really?” He then looks at Steve, a small smile creeping onto his face.

“Of course, I mean if you don’t have anything on the go tonight. It also wouldn’t hurt to have an extra person to tame the kids,” Steve says, and Eddie lets out a loud laugh.

“Well, if you insist on my presence Stevie, of course, I’ll come.”

Steve rolls his eyes but can’t hide the smile on his face. “Good. It starts at 9 tonight, at my place, so I’ll see you then?”

“See you then,” Eddie nods at him before turning and walking out of the store.

Steve runs a hand through his hair, looking over at the time. It’s nearly time for him to go home, so he begins to clean the rest of the store. As he walks past the shelf of new releases, he grabs Labyrinth and rents the film before closing.

Any excuse to see Eddie again. -

“Okay, so we have snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, alcoholic drinks, cups, napkins.” Robin lists all the things that Steve has shoved into the cart. “And we’re ordering pizza, correct? Do you think this is enough?” She asks as she pushes the cart towards the checkout.

“I think we’re good. On another note, I almost forgot to invite Eddie, he came into work before I realized I hadn’t called him Tuesday.”

“I knew you would forget! This is why I plan things.” She says and he wants to roll his eyes, but he knows she’s right.

They make their way to the cash to pay and then they load everything in Steve’s car before making their way to his house.

-

Just after they’ve set everything up the doorbell rings and Robin yells that she’s going to answer. Mike and Will are the first to arrive. They greet Steve and he lets them know to help themselves to any of the snacks that are displayed in front of him.

“So what are we watching?” Will asked grabbing a drink from the counter and opening it.

“The Shining,” Steve replies.

“Shit.” Will looks a little bummed out at the movie selection, he hadn’t admitted to anyone that he didn’t enjoy horror movies anymore. Not since being trapped in the upside down.

“Hey, I’m here. You can hold my hand if you get too scared.” Mike says, bumping his shoulder into Will’s.

Will smiles and looks down before a blush covered his cheeks.

Steve can’t help but think about how cute the gesture was as Robin answers the door once again.

Dustin, Lucas, Max, and El all come into the kitchen. Dustin helps himself to some of the munchies and Steve looks at the time.

It was only 9 now but he hoped Eddie hadn’t forgotten about the plans they had made.

“Alright! Let’s get set up.” Steve claps his hands together and leads the kids into the living room.

Robin sets up the movie but doesn’t press play just yet. They all break out into their own conversations, as they wait to see if Eddie joins them.

“I wish I dared to invite Vickie. But I don’t want to freak her out and rush into things” Robin says her leg bouncing up and down quickly.

“Hey, don’t overthink things. Next time we all hang out just casually bring it up and see how she reacts.” Steve attempts to comfort her but before he can continue there’s a knock at the door. “I got it.”

He swings the door open, Eddie’s standing there wearing his usual get-up. He had on black ripped jeans and a band tee. He smiles at Steve looking a little out of place.

“Hey! You came.” Steve smiles and stands to the side, gesturing for him to come in.

“Of course I did. I wouldn’t miss the chance to mess with you.” Eddie grins at him, walking into the house.

Steve rolls his eyes, trying to fight a smile. “In my own house too. Want a beer?” He asks, walking over to the fridge and grabbing two but then he grabs another for Robin.

“Thanks.” Eddie winks at him as he turns to walk into the living room.

Steve lets out a quick sigh, cracking open the drink to distract himself before joining the others who were impatiently waiting, mainly Dustin.

-

Horror movies had never been Steve’s favourite genre to watch but he didn’t mind if it made the kids happy. He sat between Robin and Eddie.

The opening credits began and Steve shifted a bit in his seat. Eddie glances over at him and gives him a look that asks if he’s okay.

Steve smiles at him and nods. Then Eddie moves his leg slightly so that it’s touching Steve’s leg.

A blush creeps onto Steve’s face but thankfully it’s dark in the room as the movie starts.

-

Jack is screaming on screen, surrounded by the cold and Steve lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding in. He’s relieved that the movie is over, although it wasn’t too scary he jumped at a few scenes only to have a hand placed on his thigh to ground him.

He was thankful that the room was even darker than when the film started, he didn’t know why he was reacting so strongly to Eddie’s slight touches but he couldn’t help it.

The two hadn’t always been close, but after almost dying in the upside down together they grew closer. Eddie would come to visit him and Robin at work, teasing Steve any chance he got, and even though they were constantly bickering Steve wouldn’t trade it for the world.

He stood up as the end credits rolled on screen, grabbed the empty cans that littered his living room, and walked off to the kitchen.

Robin was behind him with the empty bowls they had used for popcorn, “So did you like the movie?” She asked as she set them down on the counter.

“Yeah, it was good.” He spoke as he grabbed another beer from the fridge.

“I wasn’t sure if you were even paying attention.” She teased with a soft smile on her face.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You and - Eddie seemed to be distracted.” She whispered his name as a way of keeping their conversation for their ears only.

Steve took a drink and narrowed his eyes at her. “We we’re watching the movie, Robin.”

“I know, I know. I just noticed how close you two got. That’s all.” She wasn’t saying this to call him out but he certainly felt like it was.

“I think he knows I don’t like horror movies, I guess I might’ve mentioned that I still have nightmares about what happened and he was just trying to be nice.”

She looked sympathetic at this and she nodded. “I wish I could talk to Vickie about mine. But she wouldn’t understand.”

“ Steve had just dropped off Max, her trailer being the last stop before heading across the street to Eddie’s. He was well aware of the fact that he could drop them both off at the same time but he always wanted to make sure he saw everyone enter their house safely. Eddie pointed out this fact.

“I want to make sure you get home safe,” Steve mutters under his breath.

“What was that Harrington? Could barely hear ya.” He has a smirk on his face.

“Your face is gonna get stuck like that someday you know that right?” Steve says with a laugh. He parks the car as they reach Eddie’s trailer.

Silence fills the car but not for long before Steve reaches over Eddie to open the compartment on his side. He pulls out the Labyrinth tape and hands it to Eddie.

“I thought you might want to watch this, it’s been getting rented like crazy so I figured I’d grab it while I could.”

Eddie looks at the tape and then back at Steve, his big brown eyes looking at him and he grins. “Thank you, man I’ve wanted to see David Bowie’s ass in -“ He stops suddenly realizing what he just said.

“Can’t say I blame you,” Steve replies cooly, not wanting to make him feel embarrassed about his confession.

“We could watch it together if you wanted to.”

“I’d like that.”

Eddie opens the door to get out of the car, but he turns suddenly and gives Steve a half hug. Steve can’t help but take in the scent of cigarettes and a woodsy musk smell. “Thank you again for tonight and this.”

“Of course.” He says, biting his lip to refrain himself from saying something dumb like how good he thinks Eddie smells.

“Goodnight Stevie.”

“Goodnight Eddie.”

-

Steve gets home to his now empty house, he unlocks the door and walks in. He had gotten used to the fact that his parents were never home. As a teenager, he had been thankful but now he didn’t know how to feel.

After a shower he sits on his bed, looking at the bare walls in his bedroom. He felt out of place in his room. His thoughts always got dark as the night went on, the later it got the more he was consumed with loneliness.

He looks over to the phone on his nightstand, he debates calling Robin but remembers she was having a sleepover with Vickie. The thought crosses his mind before he realizes he’s dialed Eddie’s number.

He almost hangs up after the second ring but instead, he hears him pick up the phone.

“Hello?”

He sighs before saying, “Hey.” His voice comes out softer than intended.

“Haven’t had enough of me yet huh Harrington.” He can almost see the smirk stretched across his face.

He laughs softly. “Guess not, you’re just too irresistible Eddie.” He says it jokingly but he knows he means the words.

“What’s up? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, listen this might be stupid but I was wondering if I could maybe, like buy some weed off you?” He asks and then continues “But it’s super late and I know I should’ve asked earlier. So it's okay if you can’t.”

“No- yeah of course. You’re in luck. I just got a delivery yesterday. Premium shit, I’m telling you.” Eddie doesn’t sound annoyed and he sighs a sigh of relief. “Come over in 10?”

Steve nods and then realizes that he can’t see him. “See you soon.”

-

He doesn’t know why he’s so nervous as he pulls into Eddie’s driveway. Or maybe he does but doesn’t want to admit to it. He shuts off the car and bites his lip nervously.

“You got this, it’s just Eddie.” He mutters to himself, just Eddie.

He locks the car behind him and walks up the steps. Knocking gently on the door. He hears shuffling inside and the door swings open. Eddie was wearing a pair of sweatpants which shocks Steve. He’s never seen the boy in anything but jeans and a t-shirt, alongside his jean jacket. He shakes off the thought and notices Eddie staring at him.

“Earth to Steve!” He waves a hand in front of his face.

“Sorry,” Steve says quietly before Eddie bows his arms out dramatically in front of him.

“You may enter my humble abode.” To which Steve chuckles but he walks by him and into the dimly lit trailer.

“So how much are you looking to buy?” Eddie questions him as he leads him into his bedroom and motions for him to sit on his bed. He opens his metal lunch box and grabs a huge baggie filled with weed.

“Uh, I don’t know. I haven’t smoked in a while.” He says hesitantly and scratches the back of his neck looking at Eddie. “I brought 50$, Is that even enough?”

Eddie lets out a loud laugh, “Dude, be my guest and buy 50$ worth. But I don’t think you’ll be needing that much Harrington.”

Steve feels slightly embarrassed by his lack of knowledge when it comes to a drug deal. Eddie must notice the change in demeanor so he sits down next to him.

“Hey, how about you start with 5g. It’s plenty of bang for your buck, and should last you quite a while.” He reaches to touch Steve’s arm gently, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to poke fun at you.”

Steve can feel the heat radiating off his arm, he looks down to see Eddie’s ring-covered hand on him. “No, it’s okay. Don’t apologize. I just feel kinda silly doing this.”

“Since you’re my newest customer, how about you sample some product before you commit to buying.” He wiggles his eyebrows at Steve with a smile on his face.

“You do this with all your customers?” Steve asks.

“Just my favourites.” Eddie says with a wink. He then stands up, opening the first drawer of his dresser. Pulling out a small tin, removing a perfectly rolled joint out and a lighter.

“Come with me.”

-

They make their way onto Eddie’s roof. Steve somehow manages to hoist himself up without much of a struggle. Not wanting to face-plant in front of Eddie.

He sits next to him and watches as Eddie cups a hand to light the joint. Eddie takes a long drag, the tip of the joint lighting bright red as he sucks in.

“Enjoying the view?” He laughs passing Steve the joint.

“Yeah, yeah.” He mumbles before cautiously lifting the joint to his lips. Inhaling deeply before passing it back to Eddie. As soon as he does, he’s coughing up a lung. Eddie laughs softly next to him.

“You good?”

Steve coughs a few more times before raising his thumb at him.

“Never better.” He says before coughing once more.

Eddie chuckles and takes a few more hits before once again handing it to Steve.

He grabs it, and brings it to his lips before inhaling. He doesn’t breathe in as aggressively this time. He breathes out, the smoke spilling out of his mouth. He takes another hit before handing it back to Eddie, who’s been watching him closely the whole time.

“Enjoying the view?” He says smugly, using Eddie’s words against him.

“I am actually.”

Steve can’t tell if he’s imagining the words coming out of his mouth or if he’s truly said it so casually. He feels his face get hot, but he’s not sure if it’s because of his comment or the weed having its effect. Steve giggles bumping their shoulders together, before he lays down looking up at the sky.

“Shit, it’s so pretty.” He gasps as he watches the night sky above him. He feels Eddie lay down next to him after putting out the joint on the roof.

“Why do you think I come out here to smoke?” He asks before looking at Steve next to him. He smiles just watching Steve be so enthralled with the stars.

“I could get used to this.”

“You know you’re always welcome to come smoke with me.” Eddie says before adding “or you know, to just hang out.”

Steve suddenly feels dizzy looking at the sky, so he turns on his side just looking at Eddie. “I’d like that.”

“Man, your eyes are so red!” Eddie laughs as Steve protests.

“Are not!”

“They so are. Your eyes don’t usually look like that. As if they could get any prettier.” He seems to almost regret the words as soon as they come out.

“If anyone has pretty eyes, it’s you,” Steve said calmly looking up into said pretty eyes.

Eddie was pretty. Everything about him made Steve nervous. And the way he looked at him made him melt. The way he was looking at him now was dangerous. The high he was feeling was nothing compared to being around him.

Steve reaches his hand out to poke Eddie’s nose. “Boop!”

Eddie laughs which makes Steve laugh and they sit there giggling like children.

-

Steve stumbles down the roof, still not managing to stifle his laughter.

“Jump and I’ll catch you.” He says up to Eddie whose legs are dangling off the side of the trailer.

“Absolutely not!”

“Come on, you scared?” Steve challenges him and he can see Eddie’s made up his mind. Without much warning, he jumps down.

Steve manages to catch him, well for a moment at least. They both fall to the ground and Eddie groans next to him. Hitting his shoulder lightly.

“You said you’d catch me, you dick.” But he’s laughing so hard he can barely breathe.

“I did catch you!” He protests but he knows he barely did.

Eddie finally catches his breath and stands up, reaching a hand down to help Steve up.

Steve grabs his hand and is then yanked upwards, his head spins from the abrupt movement.

Then he’s chest to chest with Eddie, they are a lot closer than he anticipated but he’s not complaining. He feels Eddie’s hand snake behind his waist to stabilize him and his breath catches in his throat.

“You okay?” He asks softly. And Steve can only manage to nod, not trusting his voice. It would be so easy to just tilt his head up and kiss him but he pulls away.

“Just really baked.” He says, flushed because of the thoughts swirling around in his head.

“Let’s head to bed, yeah?”

-

They make their way into Eddie’s room. The unspoken agreement that Steve was not driving home made him relax a bit.

“Here.” Eddie handed him a pair of pants and a shirt to wear since Steve had been dressed in his usual jeans and polo tee. He thanked him before heading into the bathroom to change. He glances at himself in the mirror and immediately knows why Eddie commented on his eyes being red. They were glossy and his pupils were larger than usual.

He strips down, changing into the comfy clothes that he had been given. The shirt smells comforting, even though it's probably a generic laundry detergent lingering on the clothes. It still smelled like Eddie.

He walks over to the bedroom door that’s open ajar, he tells himself not to peek before knocking but he can’t help but steal a glance at Eddie who’s putting on a shirt. He then backs away from the door quickly so he isn’t caught creeping on him. He knocks gently and Eddie swings the door open.

They both head to the bed and Steve yawns as he lays down. It’s quiet for a minute or two before he turns on his side, similar to the position they had been in on the roof.

“Thanks for letting me come over tonight, I just didn’t want to be alone tonight.” He says the weed in his system makes it easier to be vulnerable without too much regret.

“I know what you mean, I used to like being alone. But ever since…” Eddie trails off and Steve puts his hand over him, rubbing his thumb gently over his hand.

Eddie looks up at him before continuing “It’s like I wake up from a dream and think I’m back there.”

Silence fills the room once again as Steve thinks about what to say.

“I’m really glad you’re here. I don’t know how I could’ve gone on without you.” He admits looking up at him again.

“Steve..”

“I mean it, Eddie, I know I dance around things sometimes but I’m so glad I got there in time. Because you mean a lot to me. Okay?”

Steve hadn’t noticed that they were practically holding hands by this point. But as soon as he looked down, a blush crept onto his face. He looked back up and he could’ve sworn Eddie was blushing too.

“I think we should go to bed before I do something stupid,” Eddie said quietly.

Steve was too high to question what he meant, so he nodded in agreement. He frowned as he felt Eddie pull his hand from under his own until he felt Eddie move closer to him and reach out his hand to trace small circles into Steve’s side.

He sighed contently and began drifting off to sleep.

-

Morning came way too early for Steve’s liking. He shifted around slightly in his sleep but found he wasn’t able to move around much. He opens his eyes slowly and sees Eddie in front of him, his hair is a mess and his mouth is open snoring softly.

He smiles and looks at the time, it was still relatively early so he wasn’t in a rush to jump out of bed. He looks down and sees his hand is intertwined with Eddie’s. His smile grows at the sight. Eddie suddenly begins moving around, his hand leaving Steve’s as he does.

After a minute or two Eddie’s eyes flutter and he’s now looking straight at Steve.

“Hey.” He groans, his voice is deeper than usual and it sends a shiver down Steve’s spine.

“Hey,” Steve replies unable to contain his smile as he looks at the boy laying in front of him. If only he could wake up to this more often.

Steve reaches a hand out to move a piece of hair that was on Eddie’s face. He gently strokes his cheek before pulling back his hand.

Choosing to ignore what he had just done he shifts onto his back, now looking up to Eddie’s ceiling.

“How’d you sleep?” Eddie asks.

“I haven’t slept that good in months.” He admitted.

“Me either, honestly.”

Steve then turns on his side again, not being able to tear himself away from Eddie.

“Maybe we should do this more often,” Eddie says jokingly but both of them wanted to. They were just too timid to admit that they wanted to be surrounded by one another’s presence.

-

After eventually getting up and sorting themselves out, the boys got dressed and made their way to Steve’s car. He did have to leave to get ready to work, he would’ve gladly called in to spend more time with Eddie but he knew that Robin would be disappointed if he didn’t show up.

Eddie stood at Steve’s window before speaking. “So I was thinking, maybe you’d want to come over and watch Labyrinth with me? We could meet up on your next day off.”

“I’d like that.” Steve smiles, wanting to spend more time with him regardless of what they did. “How about tomorrow night? I don’t work Monday so we wouldn’t have to get up early or anything. And we could do it at my place if you want, my parents are out of town until next week.”

Eddie nodded and with that, they said their goodbyes.

-

Steve walked into Family Video still reeling from the night he had. He clocked in before turning to Robin.

“How was your sleepover?“ He asked, wiggling his eyebrows at Robin. She rolled her eyes at his question but then her face lit up.

“I kissed Vickie!” She announced and Steve raised his eyebrows in response.

“And?” He pushed for more details. Which she would gladly give to him whether he wanted them or not.

“So we played a movie, and I sat closer to her than normal. She moved her arm around me, and I felt like that was my way into making a move.” She stated clearly on cloud nine after the experience. “And then after the movie, we changed and laid together in my bed. My bed Steve!” She repeated.

“Then what?”

“We were just talking and I don’t know one thing led to another and I kissed her. But get this, she kissed me back!” She shouted, no one was in the store so he wasn’t too worried about anyone overhearing her retelling the experience.

“I’m so happy for you Rob.” He said, genuinely smiling as she recounted the events to him.

“The rest of the night was a blur, we didn’t do anything much more than kissing but this is progress, Steve!” She was speaking while pacing around the store.

He laughed at her behavior but then said “Why do you look so stressed?”

“What if she didn’t want to kiss me?”

“What do you mean? Someone kisses you and you kiss back, typically means they want it to happen.”

“But what if she didn’t want to?” She looks worried as she asks this.

“Robin. Enjoy this. She wanted to kiss you back, or she wouldn’t have. Let yourself have this.”

“You’re right.” She conceded but she was grinning from ear to ear. “I can’t believe she likes me!”

“Well, I can. You’re amazing Robin. Any girl would be lucky to have you.” And he meant every word, he knew how gravitating Robin’s personality was. He had even fallen for her before she told him she was gay. Not that he thought differently of her. But he knew how likable she was. Knowing Vickie liked her made him smile. She deserved it after all the questioning she had done regarding her.

After she was done talking about Vickie, Steve wanted to ask her a question but he was worried. He knew if anyone wouldn’t judge him it would be Robin. But he was scared to admit to himself that he was feeling this way.

“You look like someone ran over your childhood dog, what’s going on?” She asked, initiating the conversation. He gnawed at the inside of his cheek before deciding to just spill.

“How did you know you weren’t straight?” He asked and she looked puzzled.

“I always knew, I was never attracted to boys. I always wanted to be noticed by women and never really questioned it.” She admitted, “Why do you ask?“

“I don’t think I’m straight.” He decided against dancing around the subject. He felt so exposed having confessed to her but he shrugged off the shame.

“Did anything happen to make you realize this?” She asked curiously. The store was dead anyway so he didn’t mind diving into the topic of his sexuality.

“I think I like Eddie.” He said, kinda shocked at his bluntness but it was the truth. He had just never said it out loud.

“Oh?” She asked, raising both brows as she sat in front of him. He was trying to avoid eye contact, feeling a little too exposed enough as it is.

“I went over to his place last night and I don’t know I just can’t deny how good it feels when he touches me. Even when he’s joking around I blush like a madman!” He says not knowing where he was going with his rant.

“Have you wanted more?”

“I almost kissed him last night, if that answers your question.” He says as he throws his head in his hands. “Like what kind of friends want to kiss each other?”

“Steve, calm down.” She walks over and puts a hand on his shoulder. “You know there’s such a thing as liking both men and women right?”

He raises his head from his hands and looks at her with confusion.

“You could be bisexual, which just means you aren’t exclusively attracted to men or women. But both.”

“That’s a thing?” He asks and she nods in response. “I feel crazy because I loved Nancy but now I feel the same way towards him and I’m so confused.”

“There doesn’t have to be a label to what you’re attracted to, y'know. Screw labels!”

This conversation grounded him, making him feel accepted. He didn’t know why he had been so nervous to talk to Robin about this, well maybe it was because once he admitted it to her he had to revel in his newfound confession. He liked Eddie.

-

Sunday rolled around and Steve was anxiously waiting for his meeting with Eddie. He still had to get through the next hour of work. He was working alone because Robin had called in sick, to hang out with Vickie. He didn’t mind, Sunday’s were usually slow anyway.

He was watching Top Gun on the store tv, although he had seen the film multiple times he couldn’t help but gawk at Tom Cruise on the screen.

He was pulled from the movie when he saw Eddie walking into the store. He stood up quickly, trying to look busy. He grabbed random papers from the counter and scribbled on one of them.

“Howdy Harrington.” He greeted him walking over to the counter, leaning over the counter with his hands propped beneath him.

“Hey, Eddie.” Steve smiled at him, discarding the page he was doodling on. “What brings you in? Did you change your mind about the movie tonight?” He asked trying not to show that he was overthinking their plans that evening.

“Are you kidding? I’ve been waiting to see Labyrinth since it came out. I came by to see if you wanted to get a second movie. In case we get… bored.” He said hesitating slightly.

“Oh! Yeah, that’s a good idea. What kinda movie are you thinking of?”

“I was thinking we could switch things up with a classic horror movie.” He suggested and Steve didn’t even care that he disliked scary movies.

“What about Nightmare on Elm Street?” He suggested as they browsed the horror movie section.

“Oh, so you do have good taste?” Eddie said in a teasing manner. Which earned a roll of the eyes from Steve.

“Ha, very funny Munson.”

They chatted for a bit longer before Steve had to kick the man out of the store, he was eager to get home and get ready for their date. Well, a date was a stretch but it was what he was going with.

-

After nearly 30 minutes of changing his outfit, Steve settled on wearing a pair of jeans alongside a basic black t-shirt. He saw Eddie’s vest sitting in the corner of his room and decided fuck it, why not wear that as well?

He grabbed a case of beer from his fridge alongside a bottle of expensive liquor. He figured they might not even drink tonight but he didn’t feel like driving all the way home for alcohol if they decided to.

He grabs his keys and heads over to Eddie’s trailer. The radio is playing in the background. Steve is so goddamn nervous that his palms are sweating as he gets closer to reaching his destination.

He parks his car in the driveway, locking it but then he sees Max standing on the porch of her trailer. He lifts a hand to wave but decides to just go and say hi to the girl.

“Hey!” He says as approaches the girl who’s standing outside in her pj’s. “What are you doing outside so late?” He asks, his motherly instincts kicking in.

“Couldn’t sleep.” She claims simply. “What are you doing here so late?” She says in an accusing tone.

“Just going to hang out with Eddie.” He says to which she nods.

“I saw you two hanging out the other night. Didn’t know you guys were so close.”

“Were you spying on us, Mayfield?” He asks and she shrugs.

“You guys were smoking on the roof and laughing like you saw the funniest shit. So I was hardly spying.”

Fair enough, he hadn’t even thought about if other people could hear them that night. He was so enthralled with Eddie’s presence that he hadn’t cared.

“He seems to make you happy,” She shifts around on the deck, probably trying to warm up. “I’m glad you finally came to your senses. Anyway, I’m going to bed.”

Steve pauses before saying goodnight to Max, he couldn’t help but think about what she said as he walked over to the trailer across the street.

Before he could even knock the door swung open.

“Jesus!” He cries out as Eddie nearly walks into him. Holding onto his chest only getting a laugh in return. “And I thought the only thing scaring me tonight would be Freddy Kruger.”

“Sorry.” Eddie managed to say between laughs. “No, I saw you had parked there a few minutes ago and I was wondering where you went.”

“Oh, I was just talking to Max.” He says, motioning towards the girl's trailer.

“How’s she doing?”

“She’s good. Just mentioned that we woke her up the other night.” Steve comments, keeping the other thing she had said.

“Shit, well at least we weren’t fucking. Then we really would’ve woken her up.” Eddie teases and Steve’s mouth gapes open for a second before he straightens himself out.

“In your dreams Munson.” And with that, both boys enter the trailer.

“You brought tequila?” Eddie asks as he motions towards the bottle in Steve’s hand.

“I didn’t know if you wanted to drink tonight, figured I’d bring it just in case.”

“Tryna get me drunk Stevie?” He jokes but takes the bottle and shoves it into the freezer.

“Maybe I am,” Steve says with a wink.

Eddie looks unsure of how to react to this so he clears his throat loudly and grabs a beer from the case Steve had set on the table. He tosses it to Steve who still had a slightly smug look on his face. He then grabs one for himself, cracking it open and taking a long drink.

“Where did your tv go?” Steve asks looking in the living room.

“Oh I uh put it in my bedroom because I don’t love being in the living room, you know since Chrissy.” He barely whispers the last part. Steve nods in understanding.

“Well your bed is pretty comfortable so I’m not complaining.”

-

Eddie’s room looked a lot more organized and clean than the last time he had seen it. Not that he had been bothered by the mess before but it made him wonder if Eddie cleaned because of him.

“So which movie did you want to start with?” Eddie asks setting the two tapes on the bed next to where Steve was sitting.

“Maybe Nightmare on Elm Street. I don’t want to watch it right before bed. I’d rather not have nightmares about Freddie Krueger murdering me in my sleep.”

Eddie lets out a soft laugh, nodding as he begins to set up the movie. He walks back over to the bed, sitting gently and he then realizes how close the two are going to be sitting. His bed wasn’t small but it wasn’t that spacious either.

Steve pats the side of him and Eddie moves closer to him, their thighs are pressed against one another and both of them feel warm despite it being the middle of September.

As the movie went on Steve noticed how they would occasionally inch closer to each other. Not that he was complaining.

As he focused back on the screen, Nancy just finished saying “I’m crazy after all.” When Freddy pops up behind her.

“Jesus!” Steve jumps, his hand grabbing Eddie’s as his heart pounds in his chest.

Eddie tries to hold in a laugh as he turns to Steve. “You okay?”

Steve just nods still focused on the movie. He hadn’t noticed that his hand was intertwined with Eddie’s.

Eddie had a hard time focusing on the movie, he was more engaged with the fact that he had Steve’s hand in his and that he had bigger hands than Steve did.

Eddie tried to focus back on the movie when Steve looked down, blushing as he let go of his hand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize-“

But Eddie just clasped their hands back together. “It’s okay, I don’t mind.”

They both struggled to focus on the movie, just enjoying each other's presence and touch.

-

“So how was that? Too scary?” Eddie asked, standing up to stop the movie.

“It wasn’t too bad actually.” Steve says, before muttering “Although I wasn’t super focused on the movie.”

“What was that?” Eddie asks turning his head towards Steve, a smile on his lips. He had heard what Steve said, but he just wanted to tease the boy a bit.

“Nothing!”

Eddie looks at the time, realizing it was kinda late now. “So did you still want to watch another movie or should we save it for another night?”

“How about we just chill for a bit and see how we feel after?” Steve suggests.

“I’m gonna grab another beer, want one?” To which Steve nods, “Or we could crack open the tequila?”

“I’m down if you are Munson.”

Eddie runs out to the kitchen and Steve can hear him clattering things around before he reappears in the doorway, looking at him with a devilish grin and two shot glasses.

This might be a bad idea but Steve couldn’t care less.

Eddie sat criss-crossed on the bed facing Steve, handed him a shot glass, and poured some tequila in it, spilling some onto his hand. Steve chuckled as he licked his hand, the two held eye contact and Eddie had to force his eyes away after watching it.

They clinked their glasses together, trying not to spill any more and they both downed them.

Eddie groaned, his face puckering slightly at the strong taste of alcohol. “God that fucking burns.” He stated as his core got hot from the liquor he drank.

Steve just rolled his eyes and laughed. “Didn’t know that Eddie Munson didn’t like the taste of tequila.”

“Oh shut it, I smoke more than I drink. And need I remind you that you choked after one drag off a joint!” Eddie cackles as he watches Steve’s face scrunch up with embarrassment.

“I don’t smoke often!” He argued trying to defend himself to Eddie who was looking at him intensely.

“And I don’t drink often! So fuck off!” Eddie shakes his head trying to hide the smile on his face. “Want another?” He asks lifting the bottle of tequila in front of him. Steve nods eager to get tipsy, he couldn’t handle how much he was paying attention to the boy in front of him. He figured that if he got drunk he would be able to focus more. And so what if he was wrong in thinking this?

-

A couple of shots in the two are bickering over Steve’s music taste.

“I don’t understand why you’re so set in your ways! Admit it Lay all your love on me is a classic!”

“I would rather chug this whole bottle!” Eddie laughs holding up the bottle in front of Steve’s face. It was nearing halfway empty. The two had had more than a few shots, just talking and getting in each other’s faces.

“Speaking of, pour me one bartender,” Steve exclaimed, he was already tipsy but he didn’t care.

Eddie poured a shot, spilling it all over Steve’s hand again.

“Dude!” Steve began speaking but Eddie looked at him, licking his hand. Steve inhaled sharply as he felt Eddie’s tongue on his skin. Their eyes were locked on one another.

“Wouldn’t want to waste any now would we?” Eddie said as he licked his lips. Steve was stunned, to say the least, he was staring at the man sitting in front of him. Who had somehow moved closer to him during this exchange?

Steve was drunk at this point, he could feel the warmth the alcohol had spread through his chest. He placed a hand on Eddie’s, just wanting to touch him. He had denied any physical interaction between them because he didn’t know if he could handle it.

Eddie looked down and joined their fingers together. Before quietly mumbling, “Steve..”

With a burst of confidence, Steve leaned in, his lips were barely brushing against Eddie’s. “Can I do something stupid?” He asked as he glanced down at Eddie’s lips. Eddie just nodded, speechless at the close contact between them.

Steve closed the gap, his lips softly brushing against Eddie’s. To which he cursed softly. Eddie brought his hand up, snaking it behind Steve’s neck, and brought them together.

Steve felt his face get hot as they kissed, it started gentle and soft but quickly turned into a desperate attempt to get each other closer.

“Fuck.” Steve gasped out as Eddie pulled him on top of him.

Steve’s hands made their way down to Eddie’s waist, grabbing on tightly as their lips seemed to glide against one another’s. His eyes were clamped shut as pleasure shot down his body.

They separated, breathing heavily. Eddie looked at Steve with a hunger he had never seen before letting out a soft grunt.

“Shit.”

Steve might have been drunk but he couldn’t help but feel stupid for kissing Eddie. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I just-“

Eddie shut him up, kissing him again. Their lips fit so well together it felt like they had done this a thousand times before. Steve’s hand tangled into Eddie’s hair, pulling gently which resulted in Eddie moaning against his lips.

“Fuck Steve.”

He loved the way the words sounded leaving Eddie’s lips. He was still reeling from touching him, let alone kissing him.

Eddie collapsed next to him, still breathing heavily. After a moment of observing him, he reaches out a hand to gently caress Steve’s face. “God, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

“Why didn’t you?” Steve asks, leaning into Eddie’s touch.

“I didn’t think you were into me.” He confesses, “or into guys?”

“I guess I didn’t even really know I was into guys either. Not until I started having feelings for you.” Steve spoke softly, “And I am really into you Eddie.”

Eddie’s face turns a light shade of pink as he hears those words.

“God, you’re cute,” Steve says which only deepens the color flushed across Eddie’s face.

“Shut up.” Eddie pulls him in and kisses him again. Steve’s head spins, the mix of alcohol and Eddie being too much for him. But he couldn’t stop.

Eddie grabs Steve by the waist, pulling him so that he’s sitting on his lap. The tension between the two only grew as Steve unintentionally moved his hips, grinding down on Eddie.

A moan slipped out of Eddie, as he ran a hand through Steve’s hair and tugged at it. Now it was his turn to let out a moan. The kiss got slightly sloppy but neither of them was complaining, Steve pulled away only to attach his mouth to Eddie’s neck. Sucking and nipping at the soft skin.

Steve leans back up, kissing Eddie softly. “As much as I don’t want to stop, I don’t want to take advantage of the fact that we’re both drunk.”

“Such a gentleman Harrington,” Eddie says smiling but pulling him down for one final kiss. It's gentle and slow and they savor the seconds before pulling away. Steve gets off of him and lays down next to him.

“You said you didn’t know if I liked you. I didn’t think I’d be your type.” Steve admits as he strokes random shapes into Eddie’s side.

“If I can be honest, I didn’t think you’d be my type either. But you’re so damn charming and I feel safe with you. You never fail to make me smile, and if I can be even more honest. I’m falling for you, Steve.”

“Would it be okay that I might be falling for you too?” Steve asks looking up at him and melting at the look Eddie was giving him.

“That would be more than okay.”

“Good because I’m falling for you, Eddie Munson.”

straight for the throat (you’re an animal) by sirencalls explicit ♡ 4.7k ♡ steddie

Eddie’s eyes go soft with understanding. He looks down at his feet. “Yeah, the nightmares kick ass, don’t they?”

Steve swallows, feeling his cheeks heat up. “Something like that.”

Eddie looks up at Steve through his lashes, seemingly assessing him, and whatever he finds causes his face to break out into a wide grin. “Oh, I know that look. How did you end up with the steamy sex dreams and I got stuck with the gory shit?”