#streamerau

The sound of keyboard clicks fills your apartment while you lay sprawled half asleep on his bed, the room is dark and the only source of light came from Vernon's monitor and RGB keyboard. His voice echoes in the room as he speaks to his chat.

"Yo chat, should I go to bed?" Vernon mumbled lazily, leaning back in his chair, making it creak beneath his weight.

"My girl is sleepy and I think I should log off before she gets mad at me for staying up this late"

He glanced back at you before looking at his chat again, the comments already exploding with people begging him to play one more game

"Okay then, one more game" he hummed quietly into the mic, adjusting his posture to sit straight as he started yet another round of the game he'd been playing all night. You let out a tired groan from his bed, burying your face deeper into his pillow, the fabric had a faint scent of his cologne. Vernon glanced back for a second, his headset almost slipping off as he smiled softly at your sleepy form

"See? she's already mad" the chat flooded with messages telling him to go sleep

"Relax chat, I'll survive" he mumbled, running a hand through his hair as he continued playing Not even ten minutes later you felt the mattress dip slightly beside you "You lost already?" you mumbled sleepily

“Is this supposed to be a nice thing?” Eddie asks as he walks out, sniffling again when he feels congestion shift in his head. 

“Nah, casual I’m pretty sure. That or I’m going to get shit,” Steve jokes with a smile. 

Sometimes Eddie wonders who he must have pleased in the universe to make Steve Harrington want to date him. Steve, who’s so handsome and popular and wants to make everyone happy. Steve, who somehow loves Eddie despite his occasional grumpiness, his extreme energy and dramatics, his love for all things horror and metal music. They’re opposites in all the good ways, and they mesh well. Maybe the universe can be right about things. 

“Okay, cool. Think the fans will say something if I wear my striped shirt agai-hh! iiHGKtSCHew! hihGhhKSHew! h’IHNGkshhEW! - again? Jesus, sorry,” Eddie sniffles wetly and turns back to Steve, having turned away to sneeze into his arm. 

“Bless you. Probably yeah, but it’s also your favorite shirt, so who cares,” Steve shrugs. “ But remember it’s cold outside now, and it’s always colder in the mall.” 

“Okay mom,” Eddie smirks, finding his favorite striped, black and white ringer tee. 

Shaking it out so the wrinkles fall and then yanking it on, the long haired man goes to his and Steve’s closet, looking through the sweater options. It takes a minute, but the twenty six year old decides on a simple black sweater of Steve’s. It’s a little more form fitting than he’d usually wear, but his boyfriend is right- it’s October, it’ll be cold in the mall, and if he’s honest, he’s already a little chilly. 

Nose running, Eddie grabs a tissue from the box on their bedside table; the one that usually only Steve uses, and blows his nose quietly, annoyed when he hears just how gross he sounds. Washing his hands, the long haired man pulls his hair up in a bun to keep it away from his face, letting it be looser than it usually is, not bothering to redo it when it deflates a little. He hears Steve call him so he finishes up, shivering as he makes his way down the hallway to their living room and attached kitchen. 

“Hey, they’re about five away. Do you want anything to eat before we leave?” 

Steve’s munching on a granola bar and a banana, both of which sound awful to Eddie. He shakes his head and then lays it against his boyfriend’s just slightly taller shoulder, tired already. The other man lays a hand on Eddie’s back, rubbing up and down gently. 

“Thank you for wearing something warm and not just your t-shirt,” Steve says softly, dropping a kiss to Eddie’s curls. 

“Mm, kinda cold anyway. Thanks for being a mom,” Eddie teases, then scrunches his nose up, eyes fluttering as his nostrils twitch. He turns to the side, pressing his arm tightly to his face. 

“ihKhgTchew! hihnKtSHuhew! iinGKshEW!” 

The last sneeze is messier than Eddie anticipates and he keeps his nose buried into the sweater, turning slightly. 

“Can you grab me a tissue?” 

“Yeah, sure babe. Bless you, you feeling okay?” Steve grabs a tissue from the living room and hands it to him, frowning as Eddie quickly replaces his arm with the tissue wiping his nose and then blowing it. This time, both men wince. 

“Think I finally caught that cold you had a couple weeks back,” Eddie rubs at his nose again with the now balled up tissue, the tip and edges going pink. 

“Take it easy today okay? That shit took me and Robin out quick,” Steve puts a hand on Eddie’s forehead, which makes the other huff. 

He remembers just how quickly Steve had gotten sick, waking up fine and by 2pm he’d crawled into bed with a miserable sore throat, sounding like his head was filled with concrete. They’d had to call and cancel dinner with Wayne, who ended up driving out with plates of food he’d already cooked, giving them enough for a few days. 

“I will, but you don’t get to fuss, worry about you and your adoring fans,” Eddie cracks a smile, finally moving away from his boyfriend to wash his hands again. “Sounds like the girls are here,” he adds, gesturing to Steve’s phone that’s buzzing on the counter. 

Steve opens it and nods, laughing when he sees a selfie or Nance and Robin, both looking annoyed that they’re not instantly there. They meet them down where Nancy’s waiting, sliding into the back of her Honda. 80’s pop is playing, and the girls are holding hands, singing along. 

“Okay you two, tone the pda down,” Steve huffs, rolling his eyes fondly. 

“Hey guys,” Robin ignores the words, looking back at them. 

“You ready to hang out with teens who are in love with Nancy and Steve all day Birdie?” Eddie laughs, making Robin snort. 

“Oh definitely, maybe we’ll just join them.”  “Oh please, do you know how many people I see look at both of you?” Nancy rolls her eyes, turning the music down some. 

“Yeah, but we’re like, the sidekicks, ya know?” Robin gestures to them, Steve laughs loudly, gently smacking her shoulder. 

“Please, that’s why whats-his-name from that one show wanted to ask you out before he found out you were a lesbian. Definitely sounds like a sidekick.” 

Eddie leans his head against Steve’s shoulder, smiling when the younger of the two starts drawing random patterns on the palm of his hand, something they’ve done with each other for years. It’s calming and lets Eddie relax, eyes drooping as he listens to Robin and Steve bicker. 

“Is he okay?” Nancy asks, and the long haired man is sure if he opened his eyes he’d see the same almost parental worry that Steve sometimes exudes coming off of her as well. 

“Finally coming down with that cold we all had,” Steve informs, running a hand down his shoulder and arm. 

“Oh that sucks, on today of all days, damn,” Robin murmurs quietly. 

In less than fifteen minutes the four of them step into the mall. Eddie doesn’t go into malls often unless there’s some funko pop that Hot Topic or Box Lunch is releasing. As they walk past numerous clothing stores, Steve then makes a noise and gestures in front of them. 

“Oh man.” 

There’s a long line outside of the newly opened Microsoft store, a line that’s undeniably, mostly for them. There’s a lot of younger fans, but all of them recognize a few older ones that they’ve met before or can tell from what they’re wearing or how they’re talking. 

“Todays going to be so fun guys,” Robin grins as they get closer to the large number of people. 

Eddie coughs to the side and Steve looks at him worriedly, squeezes his hand, then smiles and says hello to a few people as they pass to go into the store to get a rundown on what they’ll be doing all day. Eddie follows, saying hi and grinning, excited and hoping that this cold will hold off long enough for him to enjoy the day. 

The employees are almost overly nice. Eddie always expects older people to scoff or tell them that what they do for a living is a joke. But no one ever has, at least to their faces. Today is no different. Everyone who works there is kind and incredibly helpful. Eddie takes to a middle aged woman, Claire. who claims that she’s the most tech savvy of any of them in the entire place. She reminds him of his mom before she let drugs waste her life away. 

“So we’ll let you guys just do your thing, talk to people, play with them. We have security just in case someone decides to ruin the fun, but hopefully that will be avoided today.” 

They all know what the guy; Rick the manager, is referring to. Back four months ago some guy had basically pushed himself on Nancy, tried to feel her up, and it had been a big thing in the gaming community. Eddie still thinks Nancy’s the most badass person he knows for continuing the meet and greet she had instead of stopping, and for not letting the guy go freely, pulling charges on him. 

They’re moments away from opening the doors, the four of them standing there with some employees, when Eddie’s nose starts running, making it feel sensitive and itchy. He turns away from everyone and hugs the crook of his arm to his face. 

“ihGkTshhhew! iiHGktCHEW! ihHgGKshhEW!” 

Steve and a few workers bless him and he nods his thanks, the large glass doors sliding open. Everyone walks in, and the chaos begins. 

All four of the streamers are happy to talk to their fans, play with them and joke around. Eddie pushes his energy, staying as upbeat as usual, as if he wasn’t lying in bed two hours ago wishing desperately for more sleep. He jumps around and claps and laughs, all his usual dramatics coming out as he poses for a few photos, jumping on Steve’s back for one, clinging to him. As the girls walk away, Eddie stays attached to his boyfriend, who’s chuckling. 

“You good babe?” 

“Yeah, just tired,” Eddie smiles, hopping off and once again falling into his usual madness, a few guys walking up, excited to show the couple something they’ve made. 

By noon, Eddie’s energy starts to waver. His throat’s feeling worse, sharp and jagged every time he swallows. His head’s getting stuffier, pressure behind his eyes starting to make bouncing around feel more like a chore. Between the runny nose and sore throat, the long haired man wonders if he sounds like he’s getting sick. 

“iiHGkTSH’ew! snf! hihKgSHhhew! snfsnf! ihEhgKSHhEW! Jesus, sorry guys,” Eddie turns around from where he’s sneezed into the neck of his shirt, wanting to shield everyone from his germs as much as possible. 

“Bless you! It’s totally ok, are you sick?” One of the teens asks, and Eddie shrugs, brushing the comment off entirely. 

He doesn’t want to sound rude, but he also knows that fans, especially the 18-22 year old girls, can get a little intense when it comes to them. Eddie’s feeling just sick enough that he can admit to himself he doesn’t want to deal with the drama of fans coming up and worrying over him. As vain as it sounds, he knows they will. He’s seen the way people fawn all over Steve when he’s been sick, how they ask him how he’s feeling, if he needs anything. 

“I’m fine,” he assures, smiling and asking about a tattoo she has, steering her to a different topic. 

When there’s a slight lull, and Eddie gets a moment where no fans seem to be aging attention to him, he walks into the back of the store. There’s a large hallway with a few doors; a manager's office, a break room, and a bathroom. He heads to the bathroom and locks it when the door shuts, then grabs a paper towel from the tray on the sink and blows his nose a few times. It doesn’t help to make his nose any less pink than it’s already become from the numerous quick swipes and rubs he’s done throughout the past few hours, but it helps with the runniness and the sheen around his nostrils. 

Washing his hands, the twenty six year old pauses before he gets to the door, eyes fluttering. 

“ihGKtCHuhew! hih-ikTSHhew! hh! iiGKshh’EW!”

Catching the sneezes in his hand, Eddie grimaces and grabs another paper towel, repeating the process of blowing his nose and washing his hands. When he’s satisfied he’s not going to need to do everything again, the long haired man steps back out and onto the floor. 

“You get lost?” Robin jokes, walking up to him. 

“No, sorry, had to pee,” he lies, though he’s not even sure why he does. 

Though he doesn’t get sick often, Eddie’s never had a problem admitting when he is, never been like Steve who refuses to slow down, to admit he feels bad, who will run himself into the ground till he’s laid up for days. The musician can easily admit when he feels like shit, when he needs to take a break. He’s already admitted it to Steve, so what’s the issue with everyone else? Why today does he feel the need to hide everything, he’s not entirely sure. Maybe it’s because they’re at a meet up, and he has responsibilities, or that he doesn’t want to bring everybody else’s mood down.

“Steve said you weren’t feeling well, you ok?” 

“I’m fine, you sound like the girls I just talked to,” Eddie rolls his eyes fondly, knowing she’s just coming from a place of love. 

He is fine, he tells himself, straightening a bit. He’s getting a silly cold. Maybe he’s a little tired, maybe his throat is aching and the congestion is starting to make it feel like he’s got concrete in his head. But it’s not a big deal, he has people who want to meet him, who have been excited for weeks to hang out with the four of them. 

Eddie starts talking to a few people, asking them what type of games they’re into, what they like. As more pictures are taken, silly and goofy, Eddie photobombing a few of the others, it’s clear to fans something’s up. He’s trying, he is, to keep up his usual energy, but as the minutes tick by, he can’t. Steve walks over and smiles, joining in on a conversation he and another guy are having, and when the man leaves, Steve guides Eddie to the back hallway. 

“How’re you feeling?” 

“I’m fine Steve,” Eddie doesn’t mean to get prickly, but he wishes people would stop asking him that. 

“Hey, I’m just checking in. I know that cold sucks ass,” Steve frowns. 

“Well I’m fine. You and Robin can stop worrying,” he grumps, rubbing a hand over his face. 

Nose sensitive, it starts tickling when his fingers brush over it. Eddie turns away, pulling the neck of his shirt up, angling his face down. 

“ihGKish’EW! hihhHKTschh’EW! ihKSHhUHew!” 

The sneezes sound messy- are messy, and Eddie sniffles soupily, coughing a little. He looks back up at Steve, who’s staring at him worriedly. The musician bristles, feeling petulant and moody. He doesn’t need Steve to hover over him, and certainly doesn’t need him to play mother hen. 

“Eddi-“ 

“Leave it. It’s fine, I’m fine. I have a cold, Steve, not the plague.” 

Before Eddie can continue, Steve steps closer and presses a palm to Eddie’s forehead, who sets his jaw and glares. 

“Baby, you’re warm, warmer than I thought you’d be. We need to take a break.” 

“I don’t need a break, I’m not a child!” Everything is suddenly too much. Eddie’s whole body feels sensitive, stretched too tight, and he feels anxious. 

“Really? Because you sure are acting like one right now,” Steve scoffs. 

Freezing, Eddie stares at his boyfriend before rolling his eyes, anger flaring inside of him. He turns on his heel and walks back out, leaving Steve standing there. 

The vibe in the store noticeably shifts. Both men are a little more tense, a little less enthusiastic. A few fans ask Robin and Nancy if something happened, and while both wave it off, telling them everything is fine, the women can’t help but wonder the same thing. 

“What’s going on with you and Steve? Did you fight or something?” Nancy asks Eddie, who turns slowly to look at her, his expression resembling a rain cloud. 

“Why don’t you ask him? I’m the child, apparently.” 

“Riggght. Okay, so you two definitely fought,” the brunette grimaces. 

“No, Steve decided he was going to become my keeper,” Eddie grumbles, sniffling and coughing into his arm. 

“I’m sure he’s just worried since you’re not feeling w-“ 

“I’m fine, Jesus fucking Christ!” Eddie doesn’t mean to let his voice get as loud as it does. A few fans look over at them curiously, another has his phone out. Steve and Robin watch with confusion. 

Of course that’s going to be put on Twitter. He can imagine it now. 

Guys, Eddie blew up at Nancy and he’s obviously upset with Steve. What a dick. Canceled. 

Swallowing, making his ears tug uncomfortably, Eddie plays with one of his rings. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell. I’m just tired of you guys worrying so much. I’m sorry.” 

“It’s fine.” 

Nancy’s tone tells Eddie it’s anything but, but he doesn’t press it. Not when they’re in front of people. Instead, the curly haired man nods and rubs his face, then his eyes get back to Nancy’s. 

“I’m taking a five minute break.” 

He walks to the back for the third time, trying to calm down. He feels like garbage, he realizes. He’s uncomfortable and tired, everything in his head hurts. His nose is itching again, and he rubs it roughly as he leans against the gray wall. Vaguely surprised no one’s followed him, he tops his head back and lets out a breathy sigh. 

“Are you okay? You’ve never yelled at Nancy before, or anyone.” 

Eddie straightens up immediately. Diagonally in front of him is a girl, maybe early twenties, looking curious, her eyes locked on his. He shoves his hands into his pockets and gives her what he hopes is a convincing smile. 

“We’re friends, all friends have arguments. We should uh, probably get back out to the floor,” he suggests uncomfortably, feeling awkward. 

“Yeah, but you seemed seriously upset. And you’ve been weird this whole time.” 

Damn. When did people start getting bolder? He would have never talked to someone like this when he was younger. 

“Look, it’s nice you care, but it’s kind of private, and-“ he rubs at his nose wrinkling it to hopefully keep the tickle in his head at bay. “-we really should be back out there. I don’t know if you’re allowed to be back here.” 

“I’m just worried, everyone on Twitter is worried. You’re not yourself today.” 

Twitter. Jesus, that website is going to be the death of him. Eddie takes a step forward to start moving, but then freezes, turning away quickly. 

“ihhGuhKTschhew! iihgkshEW! hihkGSHhew!” 

“Bless you.” 

“Thank you,” Eddie sniffles and blinks slowly, wishing the girl would leave. “Alright, let’s get back,” he adds, gesturing to the door that’s not but ten feet away. 

Side stepping the girl, he walks quickly back out into the store. Everyone around him looks at him, making him feel more on edge, so he tries to ignore them. A few people walk up to him and he gives a smile. 

“I actually need to find Steve guys, I’m sorry.” 

He tries not to feel bad that they all look disappointed. Seeing his boyfriend playing Fortnite in the corner on a large tv screen, Eddie heads over, leaning against the wall as he waits for them to finish. Steve glances up at him and rolls his eyes, but when they finish, he too excuses himself, making the others walk off. 

“Yeah?” 

“I want to go home. You were right. I feel like shit, and I want to go home. I’m not having fun anymore.” 

Steve softens and takes his hand, feels his forehead again. Eddie’s aware people are snapping photos but he can’t bring himself to care. Instead he leans into the cool palm, and his boyfriend frowns. 

“Go grab our stuff, yeah? I’ll tell the girls and Rick.” 

The walk to the break room takes longer than it should. A few people stop to talk to him but he politely explains he’s not feeling well, and that he’s sorry, but he’s actually trying to grab stuff so they can head out. Most of them seem to understand, telling him they hope he feels better. A few don’t get it, and Eddie has to be a little more direct. 

“Yeah, I’m just feeling pretty shitty, so I’m not in the mood to try and talk much more. My throat’s on fire,” he gives a tight lipped smile and when they nod, he keeps moving. 

God, this is definitely the worst meet up he’s been to. He’s not sure if it’s because of his awful he feels, or if it’s the fact their fans probably think he’s a dick now, but whatever the cause, when he steps back out with his and Steve’s backpacks, his mood is somehow even more sour. 

As someone snaps another photo of him ‘discreetly’, Eddie almost turns around and asks them to delete it. Instead, he stays quiet aside from his sniffles, finally letting himself deflate when they walk out into the parking lot of the mall. 

“Nance, I’m really sorry,” Eddie mumbles after coughing into his arm. “I didn’t mean to be such an asshole.” 

“I know. You’re sick, and I know you don’t normally do that. I’m sorry you feel so shitty.” 

Eddie shakes his head, sniffling more. 

“No, that’s not an excuse, I was a dick.” 

“Yeah you were,” Robin smirks from the passenger seat. 

“Alright, alright. Let’s just…all relax ok? We’ll deal with it later.” Steve says, his voice tired.

The musician feels guilty. When they get dropped off back at their apartment, and they’re finally inside and away from everyone, even their friends, Eddie grabs Steve’s hand. 

“I’m sorry I was an asshole to you too, Stevie.” 

“You were, but I shouldn’t have said what I said either. I knew you were sick and still picked a fight. So I’m sorry too. Now get your ass in bed so I can take your temperature and figure out what meds I should give you.” 

Eddie groans but does as he’s told, the bed sounding nicer and nicer. Yanking off the clothes he’s in, he tosses them in the hamper then shimmies on sweatpants and his oldest Dio tee. It feels nicer on his skin than the sweater had, and when he crawls into bed, he lets out an almost inhuman moan. God he feels awful. 

Debating, the long haired man finally grabs his phone and hesitantly opens Twitter. Instantly he regrets it. He’s got hundreds of notifications. Some are pictures of him and some fans, others are slamming him for acting the way he did towards Nancy. Some are defending him, some are asking if he’s okay. It all makes his head hurt worse. 

“Hey, got the thermometer,” Steve walks in, frowning when he sees Eddie’s face. “You okay?” 

“Fans are calling me out, which isn’t surprising. Still sucks though, that I even did it in the first place.” 

“Eds. You’re sick, and a little feverish. Nancy will explain. You can explain. And if they still have an issue, then their idiots. Everyone gets prickly when they’re sick. And you and Nance are friends, it’s not like it was a fan.” 

Oh fuck. 

“Oh fuck.” 

“What?” 

Eddie groans, rubbing his face and looking at his boyfriend anxiously. 

“There was a girl…she kind of ambushed me after I yelled at Nancy. Came into the back to try and talk, and she kept ignoring me when I told her she needed to go back. So I kind of just left her there.” 

Steve rolls his eyes. 

“These people need to learn personal space, Jesus. It’ll be fine. You didn’t yell at her, and you didn’t say anything rude. It’s fine Eds.” 

Steve slips the thermometer into Eddie’s mouth, effectively silencing him. It beeps twenty seconds later. 

“100.5. Definitely up enough to make you feel like crap. I’ll grab some Motrin and DayQuil. Just relax okay babe? It’ll all be ok.” 

Sighing, the older man knows he’s right, so he shuts his eyes and sniffles. Minutes later, he’s drinking disgusting fake cherry flavored DayQuil and swallowing two Motrin. 

“Thanks…I love you Stevie.” 

“Love you too Eddie. Let’s just rest now.”