“Don’t worry, she took me through her schedule-”

“When she wouldn’t leave you alone? During sex? In your dreams?”

“Alright alright, shut the fuck up.” He mumbles while taking your hand to walk towards Enzo’s. “And it was the morning after by the way.” You roll your eyes as you enter, the smell of fresh food and the faint sounds of Italian Opera fill the room. “Hi, uh table for two under Munson please.” The hostess smiles and ushers you to your seats. As you sit Eddie takes a look around, eyes darting from each table and server.

You look up from your menu, perplexed. “Eddie, you need to calm down.”

“What do you mean?” He questions, leg bobbing and hands crossed together on top of his menu.

“You’re nervous and jittery. Why are you always so freaked out seeing her outside of The Hideout?”

“Because I just want this to work.” 

“But it is working. Okay it’s been…two, close to three months now. We have her in the palm of our hands.”

“What if she’s still suspicious?”

You sigh, speaking low just for him, “Hey.” You reach your hand out, he stares but slowly grabs it. You give him a small squeeze, “You’ve been doing great, we’ve been doing great. You gotta stop second guessing yourself or acting all wonky at times.” He nods, tracing his thumb over the top of your knucles. “You look good by the way.”

“What?” He looks back up at you, finally making eye contact for the first time since arriving at the restaurant.

“You look good. For what you have you cleaned up nicely for our ‘date’.” You used your other hand to air quote ‘date’. 

“Oh yeah, thanks.” He looks down hiding his face, a light shade of pink painting his face.

You chuckle to yourself, rubbing your thumb on his palm. “No problem.”

“Good evening, welcome to Enzo’s. I’m Clarie and I’ll be your server. And yes I am forced to say that even though I know you guys.” She smiles, giving a small nod while taking out her pad.

You give Eddie’s hand another light squeeze before speaking up. “It’s good to see you Claire, I had no idea you worked here until Eddie mentioned it when we were sitting down.” 

“Oh yeah, I probably told him…awhile ago.” She fake coughs, realizing she almost began to ramble. “Anyway, what can I get you to drink?”

“Hope you both enjoyed your meal. Here’s your bill.” She places the check holder in the center of the table, but Eddie is too quick to grab it and places his card inside. “...okay then. I’ll be right back.” Clarie takes it back and walks away.

“You don’t have to pay for the whole thing ya know, we could have split it.”

“What kind of a gentleman would I be if I had my lady pay the bill on what technically is our first date?”

“Your lady? Seriously?” He shrugs, picking up his straw paper and throwing it at you. You shake your head as it hits the center of your forehead.

“Here you go-Oh wait, I have to ask you guys something.”

“What’s up?” This time Eddie is the first to talk, which is a first tonight, shocking to say the least.

“Have you been invited to Steve and Robin’s joint birthday party in a few days?” You both look at each other and back up to Claire.

“Actually yes we have, I’m assuming we’ll see you there?”

“Yeah you will, I know a few people going. Figured you both would be as well but I just wanted to circle back.”

“Thanks for asking, we’ll definitely look for you to say hello.” You answer, giving her a small smile.

“Awesome, I’ll see you then. Have a goodnight.”

“Thanks! Get home safe after your shift.”

“I’m kinda shocked at you Munson.”

“Why’s that?” You hand him his cup of coffee, taking a seat next to him at the kitchen island.

“You took the lead when talking to Claire tonight, normally I’m the one who has to do all the talking. Why the sudden change in confidence?”

“Dunno, guess it finally hit me that I need to stop being such a pussy about all this and just…go with the flow I guess?” You stifle, looking over at him.

“I’m proud of you.” 

“Thanks, I guess.” You cheer your drinks and take a sip, silence finding comfort between you both just staring at your mugs. “You look really pretty by the way.”

“Hm?” You look back up at him.

“You look really pretty. Never seen you all dolled up before.”

“That’s because I’m normally wearing all black, covered in alcohol dripping sweat. Or in leggings and a shirt when we hangout with everyone.” 

“Almost knocked me off my feet there babe.”

“Just wait until a formal event comes up, then you won’t know what to do with yourself.” This time he laughs, pushing your shoulder with his. You cackle leaning back into him as the front door opens.

“Oh, are we interrupting something?” Smith comes in wiggling his eyebrows, Will trailing behind him.

“Hey. I didn’t know you were coming home so early.”

“Someone is tired.” Will says, pointing to Smith.

“We had a long shift last night, it was exhausting. I don’t know how we made it through.”

“I can vouch for that.” You raise your cup in the air, taking another sip as Smith walks off to his bedroom to change into more comfortable clothing.

“Sorry if we did interrupt though, we didn’t think you would be home.” Will takes a seat next to Eddie.

“Never a problem. Mi casa su casa. But as his best friend it is my duty to threaten you now that we’re alone. Break his heart, and you shall pay Byers.”

“I can assure you that won’t happen.” You smile, Eddie looks over smiling at you as well. “You guys make a cute couple by the way, how long have you been dating?” 

Eddie sighs, drumming on his coffee mug. “Well…”

“Wow, what a plan. Do you think it’s working?”

“It is working. Trust me.” Smith comes back in, taking a seat next to Will. The conversation has moved to the living room couch, with everyone more relaxed after reiterating yours and Eddie’s love story.

Eddie continued explaining, “We went to Enzo’s earlier for a ‘date’ and she was our waitress. And then she brought up Robin and Steve’s party coming up.”

“Which leads me to my next question,” you interrupt, “do you guys want to join us for the party? Just so we have a bit of a group and it’s not just us two?”

Will shrugs, “I don’t see why not, it sounds fun-”

“We have plans though, don’t you remember?” Smith cuts him off rather quickly. You raise your eyebrows, not remembering Smith mentioning anything that particular weekend or any upcoming plans with Will in general.

“We do…?” Smith nods to Will, his eyes getting wide. “We do! That’s right! I forgot we have a thing!” He laughs (very fakely you notice) as he slaps his forehead 

“That’s a shame, guess we gotta face the music alone.” Eddie says, as you look back over with a questioning face. 

“You have plans? Seriously?" Smith shrugs, smiling while skipping away. Everyone left a while ago. “Don’t skip away from me!”

“Look,” he turns around fully facing you, a maniacal smile forming, “you both need to be alone more.”

“What do you mean alone?”

“Clarie is always at the Hideout-”

“She’s seen us alone twice.”

“Exatly, twice. Just two times, you need more alone time.”

“But Robin and Steve will be there it’s literally their party-”

“Yes but they’ll be busy with everyone, not just you. So you and Eddie will have eachother…alone. Which you both need, alone time. Like you did tonight at Enzo’s. Just you two…alooooone.”

“Okay, okay I get it”You cross your arms, “I hate you.”

“But you know I’m right. And you’ll thank me for this later.”

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