thatlookback

Tao, we've been friends since the first day of year 7 I was so shy, and scared of everyone, but I immediately thought how cool and funny and kind you were. You were the only person I met that day that I really wanted to be friends with.

bonus+:

Wait, this is not a book review ?

Nope. I'm switching things up a bit today, and talking to you about a comedy show available on Netflix (because as much as I love books, I am 1- a bit slow in my reading, and 2- fond of other art forms and I thought it might interest others as well).

This is not a new show, since it was apparently launched in 2020, but I only found out about it just now. So for those who don't know, it's a series made of three episodes. Each are little sketches of about 50 minutes, and are totally improvised.

First of all : I'd seen Ben Schwartz in his role in "Space Force" (I looove that series as well by the way) and I really liked him. So when I saw that he was also doing stand up, I was more than happy to check it out.

And let me tell you : I was impressed. I'd never seen an improvised show before. So basically the comedians ask the crowd a general question, and then focus on a particular answer and try to learn more information about it, which will become the basis for their sketch.

Obviously they know each other very well and probably have some "techniques" that can be applied to any situation, but honestly I was bluffed. They make up the characters as they go, and just roll with the flow. And I've been laughing for real. Like sometimes you watch a sketch and just puff a little laugh every now and then. This was not the case. I was busting out laughing so many times.

But my favorite part ? When they forgot their characters for a second and showed their true selves, like "wait I don't remember, who am I supposed to be again ?" and other small comments that just make it even more enjoyable, because they are being so genuine with their audience. You can tell they are having fun, and therefore so are you.

He thinks it might be his rings, thinks it might be annoying Steve. But then, he remembers Steve telling him how much he loves them.

He thinks it might be because he sweats when they hold hands for too long. But then, he remembers Steve trying to hug him after work and telling him he couldn't care less if Eddie's sweating or smells like oil.

He thinks it might be— no. He doesn't— Steve might be ashamed of him? And doesn't want to be seen with him, their hands slot together so perfectly the whole world may crumble? No. That's definitely not right. Steve is open to the people who matter, tells Dustin of their last endeavor, tells Robin about how good Eddie is to him, tells Hop that Eddie is good and kind and everything to him. He kisses him in the Wheeler basement, slots his head on his shoulders in between the empty aisles of Family Video, takes Eddie in his arms in the trailer in front of Wayne. That can't be it.

Eddie finds out in the middle of a campaign. Steve, Robin, Max and El hanging out on the sides while the boys busy themselves with defense and strategy. He didn't mean to look Steve’s way, but like a boat, his eyes will always find his lighthouse, bright and guiding in the dark.

Steve is holding Max's wrist, just like he always does with him. At first, it's weird because Max doesn't really like prolonged physical touch. They stay like that for half of the game, whenever Eddie looks back, Steve's hand is still wrapped around Max's wrist.

When Eddie calls for a break, and Steve rushes upstairs to help the boys get a snack, Eddie sits beside Max.

"Hey, Red." Max gives him a nod of acknowledgment as she reads the latest comics.

"Can I ask you a question?" Max hums in agreement, eyes still glued on the page.

"Why was Steve holding your wrist like that?" Max freezes, eyes looking up to meet Eddie's. Eddie is aware of how it sounds like, so he word vomits, "I— I am just curious. He does the same for me and I've never understood why."

Max squints at him behind her thick glasses, "It helps him calm."

Eddie tilts his head in confusion, "Calm?"

Max takes his hands, wrapping a hand around his wrist, just directly above where his pulse is, "When he found us after the Upside Down, we were barely alive. Now, he feels our pulse and it's a reminder that we're alive, we're okay. It calms him down, helps him stay in the moment."

It hits him like a bucket of cold water. How Steve makes it his mission to burrow his head on Eddie's chest, directly above his beating heart, his hand always wrapped just above his pulse, Steve staring at his eyes first thing in the morning like he's looking for something in it.

It's a reminder that Eddie's alive, that Max's alive, that they're all alive and that they get to live and breathe in peace without the impending doom looming over the edge.

Eddie never brings it up. He lets Steve hold his pulse, splay a hand on his chest to feel his heart, lets Steve fall asleep to the sound of Eddie breathing.

Eddie's never gonna bring it up. Steve can do it for the rest of their life for all he cares.