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silly little thing for my @steddiebingo prompt: nerds | 758 words | T |
"Hey, maybe he can help," Robin says, sweeping a hand towards Dustin who's just walked into Family Video for his regularly scheduled afterschool bug Steve and Robin time, interrupting their conversation.
"Oh come on." Steve shakes his head. "The kid doesn't want to hear about my trash heap of a love life."
"Oh, no, I absolutely want to hear about that." Dustin perks up at the opportunity to learn about Steve's trivial suffering.
"We're trying to figure out why Steve goes on a million dates but can't seem to find someone he actually likes," Robin fills Dustin in. "Tell him, Steve."
Steve groans, dragging his hands over his face before splaying them out sarcastically, as that's the only thing he can really do in protest right now. Dustin's looking at him expectantly, and Steve has no choice but to tell the kid all about Linda and Heidi and Brenda and Lucy and whoever else he's been out with recently, doing his best to answer any subsequent questions as PG as possible.
"Well of course you haven't found the one yet, you keep trying to date a bunch of normal, basic, girly girls. That's not your type," Dustin informs him once Steve's done talking.
Steve raises his eyebrows. "Oh, it isn't?"
"You can't really be that stupid, can you?"
"No, please, Henderson, enlighten me on what you think my type is."
"You're into nerds," he says like it's completely obvious.
Steve scoffs. "I am not into nerds. You know, just because I hang around you little weirdos all the time does not actually mean I want to hang around even more weirdos in all the other aspects of my life too."
"Seriously, Steve, think about it," Dustin argues. "Think of all the girls you've actually been really genuinely into in your life. They've all been nerds! Nancy-"
"- is not a nerd."
"She's a straight-A student and a journalism super geek. She's a nerd."
Steve rolls his eyes and sighs grudgingly. "Alright, fine, but-"
"And you were into Robin-"
Robin wrinkles her nose. "Ugh, don't remind me."
"-who you can't deny is definitely a nerd," Dustin continues.
"You know what, actually, he does have a point," Robin says.
Steve looks at her in betrayal. "Don't encourage him!"
"That girl you told me about that you liked in middle school who was super into Star Trek, and the other one who wanted to write a fantasy novel one day- oh and the elementary school crush who was always reading a new book every day..." Robin lists, ticking each one off on her fingers.
"I told you all that in confidence!"
"They were all nerds!"
"Exactly." Dustin grins, vindicated and insufferably smug. "Ergo, you, Steve Harrington, need to find yourself a nerd."
"I am not into nerds!" Steve protests hopelessly.
"What more proof do you need?" Dustin says. "You're into nerds."
"Totally into nerds," Robin concurs.
Steve huffs and throws up his hands. "Fine! I'll admit I'm into nerds if it will make you two shut up about it!"
Eddie happens to wander into the previously empty store at that exact moment, catching the tail end of the conversation as he approaches the counter. "What's all this about nerds?"
Steve freezes, glances Eddie over and stares at him strangely for a few long seconds. "Holy shit," he mutters.
His gaze cuts to Robin, whose eyes go wide when she meets his look. "Holy shit," she agrees.
"Oh my god."
"Oh my god."
"Dude."
"Dude!"
Eddie blinks at them. "Are you two having some sort of joint stroke or something?" He looks at Dustin as if the kid might have a better clue of what's going on. "Can you understand them?"
The incomprehensible parroting conversation is still going on.
"Okay," Steve's saying, taking a deep breath in through his nose and exhaling determinedly.
"Okay?"
"Okay."
"Okay." Robin grins and shoves at his shoulder.
Steve finally turns back around and leans on the counter in front of Eddie with a classically charming smile. "So, Eddie, are you free on Saturday?"
Eddie smiles back despite his confusion. "Yeah-"
"Oh my god!" Dustin bursts out suddenly.
"Oh my god," Robin agrees with a knowing smirk.
Eddie glances at Dustin. "Oh no, not you too."
Steve exhales a long-suffering sigh and pushes himself off the counter, marching around to grab Eddie by the hand and drag him away from Dustin and Robin. "So. Saturday?"
Hello and welcome to the penultimate chapter. There is literally only one more chapter after this.
Steve enjoys the weekend for a change, and Eddie is sneaky.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
****
Dustin had called to hang out Saturday afternoon and Steve really couldnât say no to that kid even if he tried. And he had. It never worked. The big eyes with chubby cheeks and gap-toothed smile, Steve would give in every fucking time.
It was annoying.
Of course the kid went on and on about the AV club and D&D and how cool it was going to be to join the D&D club his freshman year.
Steve thought hard on that last one. He wasnât sure if they accepted freshmen. Or even what the club was called. Dustin couldnât remember. Only that he had heard some older kids talking about it once while he was at the library.
Steve scoffed and rolled his eyes. âThen how do you know it was even about D&D?â
âBecause, Steve,â Dustin said rolling his eyes right back, âthey were talking about THaC0.â
Steve tilted his head to the side in confusion. âWhatâs thayco?â
ââTo Hit Armor Class Zeroâ, it means what you have to roll to hit a monster or for the monster to hit you,â he explained cheerfully.
âThen why isnât it pronounced thaycz?â
Dustin reared his head back in disgust. âBecause itâs too hard to say?â
Steve looked up with raised eyebrows and then nodded. âYeah, that makes sense.â
And then the conversation moved on from there.
Steve stayed for dinner as Claudia, like her son, never took no for answer.
As he drove home he thought about his afternoon with Dustin. Yeah, it sucked that he didnât have people his own age to hang out with these days, he could always count on that little twerp to make him feel better.
When he got home there was a single pink heart stuck to one of his front doors. Steve pulled it off with a smile. It was from Kas again.
-Stevie
Youâre a great friend. I wish more people knew that.
Kas
He slipped it in next to the others in his wallet and then opened the door. He slipped off his shoes and jacket, leaving both by the front door. He thudded up the stairs to his room and tossed his wallet and keys on the small dish he kept on his desk.
It was a deformed ceramic little lily pad with its leaves bent slightly to form the dish with a misshapen frog in the middle. There was a chip on one of the leaves and the frog was missing an eye. It was supposed to be an ashtray for his mom for Motherâs Day. But that was the year she âquitâ smoking that year and had thrown it in the trash. That night he had dug it out and hid it way for years until he got his license. His mom never commented on it, so he assumed she didnât remember what it was originally for.
Like most of his childhood, if he was honest.
He sat down in his chair and looked over at his wallet a moment. He sighed and picked it, opening it to take out the pink hearts.
Steve laid them out on his desk and made a little discovery. When he laid them out in order he received them the paper had gone from really pale pink to a lighter pink. He wondered what that was about.
With a sigh, he decided to go for a run again. To clear his head. Only this time he was going to bring water and properly stretch. His coach had been decidedly unimpressed when he explained why he was so sluggish on Monday.
Secretly Steve was with him on that one. It had been stupid, but his mom yelling at him had set him off and he ended up paying for it.
He had been grateful for Eddieâs rescue. Hell, he had been grateful for Eddie just being around the last few days. He was always hanging out at Steveâs locker between classes or waiting for him by his car after school.
It was... nice.
****
Eddie had successfully delivered the Saturday heart out of sheer dumb luck. He had pulled onto the street when he saw Steveâs BMW pull out of the driveway and turn the other direction further up the street.
Eddie had hurriedly taped the heart to the door and booked it before any of Steveâs neighbors could even peek out of their windows.
What was worse was that he knew he couldnât capture lightning in a bottle twice. He couldnât bet on Steve leaving twice. But he didnât know how to get it to Steve without the gig being up.
He chewed on his nail until he bit the bullet.
He pulled out the White Pages and went looking for the right Harringtons. Sure enough about half way down the list was Harrington, Clint and the right address.
He picked up the phone and called.
âThe Harrington residence, this is Steve,â the warm voice greeted. âHow can I help you?â
Eddie let out a little snort. âYour parents make you answer the phone like that, Stevie?â
âEddie?â Steve asked.
âOne and the same, darlinâ,â he replied. âI got the number from the White Pages if thatâs all right?â
âThatâs fine!â Steve hurried to reassure. âIâm glad you called!â
Eddie preened in the comfort of his kitchen where only Wayne would laugh at him and considering the man was sleeping because he worked the night shift, couldnât.
âHey, did you want to hang out today?â
There was silence on the line for a beat or two. Long enough that Eddie feared the line had gone dead.
âIâIâd like that,â Steve finally stammered out. âDo you want to hang out at my place or yours?â
Eddie hummed like he was thinking about it, but secretly he was doing a happy dance. âIs yours okay? My uncle Wayne is sleeping right now because he has to work.â
âAre you going to feel comfortable coming over in your van?â Steve asked, a little hesitant and shy.
Eddie frowned for a moment before he realized what Steve meant. âIâm borrowing Wayneâs truck, itâs newer and in better condition. As long as I get back before he goes into work, Iâll be fine.â
âYeah,â Steve said. âCome on over whenever you want. Iâll be here all day.â
Eddie fist pumped. Seriously the D&D gods must really be in favor of him hanging out with Steve if everything kept lining up so fucking perfectly.
âIâll be there in an hour.â
They said their goodbyes and Eddie hung up. He went into the front of the trailer and gently shook Wayne awake.
Wayne rubbed his eye a moment. âYou heading out?â
He nodded. âIâm taking your truck, but Iâll be back before you have to go.â
Wayne waved him off. âGo have fun. Iâll just borrow your van. It wonât kill me if I take it this once.â
Eddie kissed his forehead and told him he was the best. Wayne buried under covers grumbling about having his image ruined, to Eddieâs cackling glee.
****
Wayneâs truck was a bronze 1973 Ford F150 with a white camper shell. It was hideous as fuck, but respectable and serviceable and the damn thing ran like a dream. Best part was that it wouldnât stick out in neighborhood like Steveâs.
Eddie pulled up to the curb and parked, hopping out of the truck. He locked it up tight and came up to the door.
He stuck the little heart on the door and then knocked. While he waited he pulled the paper off the door.
Steve threw open the door and smiled. Then he looked down at the heart in Eddieâs hand, eyes wide.
âI found it on your door just now,â Eddie replied with a grin. âGood thing I came over, huh? Otherwise it might have been hanging there for awhile and you would have never have known.â
Steve blinked and then his smile grew. âYeah, triple bonus because itâs supposed to rain tonight.â
Eddie beamed at him and followed him inside.
âMy parents are gone until the weekend so make yourself at home,â Steve said, indicating the room to his right.
Eddie frowned and tilted his head to the side. âIsnât already the weekend?â
He flopped on the large beige sofa and looked up at Steve expectantly. Steve padded over to sit down next to him.
âMy dad is taking my mom to Paris for Valentineâs day so they wonât be home until late Friday early Saturday if they come home at all.â
âThat sucks, man.â
Steve shrugged. He plucked the heart from Eddieâs grasp.
âOh, itâs another Kas one,â he said with a soft smile. âThese arenât as awkward as the others Iâve gotten.â
Eddie huffed a laugh. âYou get some pretty awkward hearts there, Stevie?â
âThese are high school students and very few of them have any kind of social skill,â he said with a snort. âTheyâre almost all awkward as fuck, dude.â
âYou get any red hearts?â Eddie asked, far more curious than sane.
Steve shook his head. âThey arenât handing those out until Thursday. And to be honest, Iâm not expecting any.â
Eddie tilted his head to the side. âYou donât think that the female masses at our great school arenât going to give Steve Harrington a single red heart? There must be some that see past the bullshit social mores.â
He just shrugged. He set the heart down on the coffee table and then picked up Eddieâs hand. It took every ounce of will power that Eddie had not to read into that.
âI always wondered about this ring,â he said softly. âItâs so unlike the other rings you have. It isnât big or flashy, itâs not over the top. The others are a pig, a skull, and a coffin but this is just a simple gemstone. So beautiful.â
Christ! If Eddie had been a cartoon steam would have been coming out of his ears.
âIt was my mamaâs,â he said just as soft. âMy Uncle Wayne hid from my dad so he couldnât sell it for drugs. He gave it to me for my eighteenth birthday. It was supposed to be a graduation present.â
âItâs exquisite, Eds,â Steve breathed. âMy mom has a lot of jewelry, but nothing like this. Itâs all over the top and gaudy. Iâm glad your uncle was able to keep it safe for you.â
If Eddie could have turned any redder, heâd be a tomato. âThanks.â
They were silent for a moment and then Steve cleared his throat and sat against the arm of the sofa. Still nearby by but no longer pressed to Eddieâs side. His poor frazzled brain wasnât sure if that was a good thing or not.
âWe could watch movies,â Steve suggested. âOr Iâve got some board games around here somewhere.â
Eddie straightened up. âIâll tell you what. I pick the movie and you pick the game and we can do both at the same time.â
Steve brightened. âI like that idea. Pick one youâve seen so we donât have to pay attention to it if we donât want to and Iâll grab the game.â
Eddie agreed and wandered over to the cabinet that held the Harrington family VHS tapes. They had a lot of sports movies and family friendly stuff. A bit of Disney but nothing since Steve turned twelve. A couple of westerns, too.
He picked a western that he could tolerate and slipped into in the player. He turned on the TV and let it play through the trailers at the beginning.
Steve came out with Life. âWhatcha pick?â
Eddie told him as they both set up the game. Steve nodded approvingly. Westerns werenât his thing either, but âThe Good, the Bad, and the Uglyâ had a good plot.
Eddie won. Steve kept landing on all the children places and had to grab a second car just to hold all of them.
Steve laughed. âNow thereâs the dream, a good paying job, six kids, and Winnebago.â
âNo mention of a wife there, Stevie,â Eddie said, nudging his shoulder with his own.
âIâm waiting to see if my partner is male or female,â Steve said with a shrug.
Eddie put the now boxed up game on the coffee table and sat back up on the sofa. âI know Iâm shit at school, but Iâm pretty sure two dudes canât make babies.â
âIâd adopt all the ones like me,â Steve said. âThe ones with shit parents who only care about how a child makes them look good and not about raising someone with love.â
âSounds good, Stevie.â
Soon it as time for Eddie to leave and Steve went back to put the game away. When he picked up the box, the little pink heart fluttered to the ground.
-Stevie
Watching you make the best of out shit situation,
inspires me to be a better person.
Kas
Steve smiled down at the paper with a wistful sigh. He looked up out the window to where Eddie was pulling out of his driveway.
And not for the first time he wished it was Eddie giving him the Kas hearts.
The sequel is coming along great I just have one more part to do and it'll be done. Sweet Home Indiana is nearing its end too.
Heads up! I will be going on vacation on Tuesday and won't be back until next week. So no WIP Wednesday this week as that is the day of my niece's graduation and I will be away from laptop all day.
I will still be uploading chapters and should be able to do WIP Wednesday next week. But if not I'll let you know.
In this we have the Corroded Coffin boys being silly and a wild Dustin appears.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
****
Eddie rolled up to band practice fashionably late as always. The other three boys were doing a sound check and making sure everything was in order.
Gareth looked up first. âDid you bring the hearts?â he asked excitedly.
Eddie held up his bag and the other boys cheered.
âSo how are we going to do this?â Eddie asked flopping on the sofa after gently setting his sweetheart to the side. âDo we want to do the hearts first or practice first?â
They all look around at each for a moment.
âLetâs get the heart thing out of the way,â Jeff suggested, âget it out of the way so we can focus on practicing.â
âSounds good to me, man,â Gareth said. âIn case practice runs over or some shit.â
Eddie pulled his backpack closer and began digging through it. He pulled out the hearts that heâd put in a plastic baggie so they wouldnât get bent in the maw that was his bag.
He tossed the bag onto the table in front of them and then dug around for his notebook. He pulled it out with a bunch of pens.
âYou donât have to,â he murmured, âbut Iâd recommend changing up your handwriting a couple of times so he doesnât realize theyâre from the same four people.â
âWe were doing anonymous and initials, right?â Brian asked, picking up the bag and opening it up.
Eddie lit up, a huge smile on his face. âI actually had an idea about that. I was thinking of famous groups with four dudes in it and I thought it would be hilarious if we mixed it up a bit with some of those to avoid the whole repetition thing.â
Jeff licked his top lip. âShow us what youâve got,â he said jutting out his chin.
He opened up his notebook and flipped to the right page. âAlright, so I was thinking the Three Musketeers plus DâArtagnan.â
âWho would be who?â Gareth asked, wrinkling his nose.
âGareth is absolutely DâArtagnan,â Brian said without hesitation. âNo question.â
Jeff straightened up and looked over at him in confusion. âWhyâs that?â
âBecause my dearest Jeffy,â Eddie said with a grin, âbecause heâs the youngest and not an original member. Therefore DâArtagnan.â
Gareth and Brian glanced at each. Brian shrugged and Gareth blinked a moment or two before he shrugged, too.
âYeah, that tracks.â
âIâll take Aramis,â Eddie said with a grin. âThe smooth talker with religious trauma.â
The other boys just cackled.
âIâll be Porthos,â Brian said. âThe compulsive liar with a flare for the dramatic.â
âWhy am I left with the dude with serious romantic woââ Jeff stopped. âRight, scratch that. Iâm Athos.â
They cackled again. Eddie had had some wild crushes, but it was nothing on Jeff. He even had a slightly tragic love story. Heâd actually dated Vicki Carmichael before she became a popular kid and hanging out with Steveâs crowd. They had both loved metal music, but Jeff was pretty sure she stopped listening to it once she joined the cool kids.
âAnd I have a list of other ones too,â Eddie said breaking into the resulting silence. âThe four winds from Greek mythology. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...um...letâs see...â he looked at the notebook again. âThe members of Metallica. The four horsemen of the apocalypseââ
Jeff winced. âProbably not that one, man. Itâs for Valentineâs day and that kinda screams the opposite.â
Eddie blinked at him for a moment and then scratched out that idea. âFair enough.â
âThe four hobbits from Lord of the Rings?â Gareth suggested.
âYes!â Brian cried. âI get to be Samwise!â
Jeff cackled. âGareth and Eddie are sooo Merry and Pippin!â
âOh god! Yes! Which one is which, though?â Brian said joining in the laughter.
âIâm Merry, of course,â Eddie said proudly. âIâm the instigator and Gareth goes where I lead.â
Gareth grumped in the corner, crossing his arms and glaring at all of them. âBut that makes Jeff Frodo though.â
Jeff straightened up, smug. âI could handle that.â
Eddie shook his head at his friends. âAll right, also on my list are the Ghostbusters and The A-Team.â
The other boys shook their heads at either suggestion but they had a pretty good list anyway. Plus their D&D names sprinkled in here and there and theyâve got in the bag.
They spent the next half hour coming up with nice things about Steve. Eddie did have nix a couple of their ideas because they came off as stalker-esque. Which was not the look they were going for.
****
To say that Eddie got a kick out of seeing Steve light up every time he opened his locker and more pink hearts fluttered out of it was an understatement.
The goofy smile the former jock got on his face was worth every second of the time theyâd spent on the project.
And it was working, too. That was the really impressive part.
Even Tommy H. was baffled.
âHow the hell are you getting so many pink hearts, Harrington?â he said on Friday, just four days into Eddieâs plan.
Steve shrugged in that dorky way that made Eddieâs heart stop. âI guess people are deciding to hell with social constructs and stupid cliques and are telling me even if they donât dare to be open about that they still like me.â
Tommyâs mouth open and closed like a goldfish then he turned around and stormed off.
Eddie lean against the lock above Steve. âBack to being king again, huh, Stevie?â
âNot really,â he said, closing his locker and standing up. âMost of them are anonymous or fake names. But there are a few that real names.â
âYou think someone is stuffing the ballot box as it were?â Eddie asked, worried the jig was up.
Steve shook his head. âAt least I donât think so. But itâs sad that they think they have to hide who they are to tell me that they still think Iâm a cool dude or whatever.â
âFor what itâs worth,â Eddie said, pushing off from the locker, âI think youâre a pretty cool dude.â
Steve blushed and mumbled his thanks.
God, did Eddie just want to bite those flushed cheeks. They were just too cute.
âItâs worth a lot, actually,â Steve whispered. He stood up and shouldered his backpack. âCatch you later, Eds.â
Shit that little nickname had Eddieâs heart doing overtime.
****
Steve was outside the middle school waiting for Dustin to come out. His mom had asked Steve to pick him because she had to stay after hours at work for a meeting.
He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he hummed to the music in his head. He could have turned on the radio but Dustin hated his music didnât like him blaring it for the whole school to hear.
His eyes kept flicking to the rearview mirror to see his backpack on the backseat. He wanted to go over the ones he got today. There had been some really good ones. Ones that melted his insides and turned them to goo.
He bit his lip and checked the mirror again. He looked at his watch and he still had a couple minutes until the bell rang.
Steve whirled around and grabbed the bag. He ripped it open and pulled out his trapper keeper. Tucked in the front pocket were the hearts. He ran his fingers over the outline the hearts made on the plastic pocket.
He pulled out the hearts and read over each one. Tracing the names of the givers, thinking about each name and wondering where they were from.
There was a thump on his window startling him. He looked up to see Dustin making faces at him through the glass.
Steve shook his head and unlocked the passenger door to let the twerp in.
âLooking at pink hearts, Steve?â Dustin asked with the shake of his head. âSo pathetic.â
Steve rolled his eyes and tried to put the hearts back in the folder, but Dustin snatched them from him and wouldnât let him take them back.
âCome on, man!â Steve whined. âTheyâre none of your business.â
âI want to see which girls are giving the Steve Harrington Valentineâs hearts,â Dustin said, wagging his eyebrows.
âDude, give it up,â he growled. âThe pink hearts are friendship hearts, the red ones are the romantic ones. So give it back.â
The younger teen cocked his head to the side and said, âNo.â
Steve folded his arms and glared at him.
âArenât you going to take me home?â Dustin asked after they sat in silence for a minute or two.
âNot until you give them back.â
Dustin just shrugged. âItâs your funeral if we get home after my mom does.â
Steve threw his arms in the air, but turned the engine and started the car toward the Hendersons.
âThese are actually really sweet, Steve,â Dustin said after a couple of minutes. âI like the idea of friendship hearts. That way you donât accidentally send the wrong message.â
Steve just shrugged.
âYou do know that some of these are fake names, right?â
Steve rolled his eyes and dared to look over at him. âYes, of course I do. I am familiar with DâArtagnan after you named a fucking demodog after him, thanks.â
Dustin cocked his head to the side and then shrugged. âThatâs fair. What you probably donât know is that Aramis, Porthos, and Athos are the names of the Three Musketeers.â
Steve pursed his lips and nodded. âThatâs cool.â They hit a stop sign and Steve looked over and pulled out one. âWhat about this one? Tommy H. thinks itâs short for Kassie, but none of the girls at our school spell it like that.â
Dustin took the heart and looked at it. âKas. Kas. Yeah, okay. That does sound familiar. Can I get back to you on that one?â
âSure thing, bud.â
Steve pulled up to curb to let Dustin out. âYou got your key? If you donât, you can hang out with me until your mom gets home.â
Dustin began rummaging around in his bag and Steve snatched the hearts away before he could bend them.
The kid pulled out his keys with a triumphant, âEureka!â
Steve shook his head. âYou are such a dweeb. Go on, get.â
âBye, Steve!â
âNext time say thank you, asshole!â Steve called out the window.
Dustin turned around and gave him the double middle finger.
Steve shook his head and drove off. Why he loved that kid, he had no idea.
When he got home he pulled out the little notebook and placed the pink hearts in with the rest. All but the one from Kas. Those he kept in his wallet. He really couldnât place why. There was just something about what they said that made him feel warm and not in the fuzzy friendship way that the others did.
There was the first one:
-Stevie
I like the way youâre kind even when it doesnât benefit you.
Kas
Which Steve loved but the others were just as sweet.
-Stevie
You have a great laugh, you donât have to hide it.
Kas
-Stevie
That shirt today really brings out the color in your eyes.
Kas
And Steveâs personal favorite:
-Stevie
Each day is brighter because youâre in it.
Kas
There was one for each day he got hearts in his locker so he assumed it was all the same person.
He slid it next to the other three hearts in the billfold portion of his wallet and put the wallet next to his keys on his desk. Then he put the little notebook back, careful to make sure it was well hidden.
He wasnât sure what his dad would do about the mementos but Steve really didnât want to find out.
He was really going to miss getting the hearts over the weekend. They really had become the highlight of his day.
He sighed and buckled down to work on his homework. It wasnât as though he had anything better to do with his time. He wasnât invited to any parties, he didnât have friends to hang out with, and the people who would hang with him were fourteen year olds and they all had bedtimes.
He briefly thought about calling Eddie, but the guy had friends, unlike Steve and was probably doing something with them. Probably that nerd game that Eddie had a club for.
He buried his head in his hands.
Steve sighed. Fuck his life was depressing as shit.
With another sigh, he resigned himself to another lonely weekend.
I have no restraint. I have NO restraint. I HAVE NO RESTRAINT!!! So guess who starting writing a SEQUEL to this because she was feeling too sad to write Sweet Home Indiana? Yup! I would apologize, but this story is too cute for words.
We have a mild panic attack about the ending of the chapter from Steve, Eddie's plan, and Steve accepting an offer that made mostly in jest, but also in deep earnest.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
TAG LIST IS CLOSED!!!
But if the people on my list that haven't interacted on my stuff lately don't reply by Sunday slots may open up. So don't despair just yet if you want to be on the list and can't.
****
Steve banged his head on his locker in frustration. Why did he do that? Why did he tell Eddie he was interested in boys, too? Why did he trust the other boy to have his back? Especially when no one else seemed to.
He sighed.
He wrenched open his locker and a little pink heart fluttered to the floor. He frowned as he picked it up.
They werenât going to hand out the hearts until Valentineâs Day so what was this then?
-Stevie
I like the way youâre kind even when it doesnât benefit you.
Kas
Steve blinked down at the little heart in confusion. It wasnât the exactly the same color as the hearts they were going to give out for the holiday. But it was close. He rubbed his thumb over the senderâs name.
Kas.
He knew it wasnât a real name, having recently poured over the yearbook. So it had to be a reference to something, but what he didnât know. He stuck it in his jacket pocket and grabbed what he needed for his next class, vowing to worry about it later.
As he sat in his chemistry class waiting for it to start he pulled it out of his pocket to look at it again. The pen was red ink and bold. Steve found himself smiling at the strange little pink heart.
Suddenly it was ripped out of his hand.
His head snapped up to see Tommy H. standing there with it in his hand. âSomeone is sending Harrington Valentineâs hearts?â
âGive it back, Tommy,â Steve growled. âItâs none of your business. Not anymore.â
Tommy looked him in the eye before tossing it to the ground and walking off. âWhatever.â
Steve bent over to pick it up.
âSome girl named Kassy or whatever,â Tommy was telling Nicole. âCould be anyone from the younger grades.â
âI suppose so,â she said, tossing her red hair over her shoulder. âBut anyone with sense would know heâs the plague now.â
Tina rolled her eyes. âJust because he refuses to suck either of you two off doesnât mean heâs still not the hottest guy in school.â
Tommy rounded on her and called her a bitch.
She just scoffed and swung back around just as the teacher walked into the room. The tardy bell rang and he called the class to order, effectively squashing all gossip.
Steve ducked his head to hide his smile. He might feel a bit bitter that it was her party that Nancy threw their relationship in his face at, but it wasnât her fault his girlfriend had gotten so pissed drunk that she lost her ironclad control. And right now he was feeling especially grateful to her for that comment.
He managed to get through his class just from riding that high alone.
His last class was algebra and it really should have been made illegal by now. The way the numbers and letters seemed to float off of the page as he struggled to parse their meaning. He just had to pass one quarter of this shit and he could graduate.
So he put his head down to learn and just suffer through it.
After school, he got to his locker and knelt down to open it.
Again a pink heart fluttered out of it. But this time it had a couple of friends. Steve stuck them in his jacket pocket again and exchanged books. He grabbed his English and history homework so that he could get them done for tomorrow.
He opened the back door of his car and threw in his backpack. He went to open his door when Eddie was suddenly at his side.
He leaned up against the door, preventing Steve from opening it.
âSo the king swings for both teams?â he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Steve looked around, but they were alone for the most part, so he just shrugged. âSome guys are hot and for some reason I canât fathom, I trust you not have it all over the school by lunch tomorrow.â
Eddie chuckled and crossed his legs at the ankles. âI wouldnât do that to ya.â
âYeah and why would that be?â Steve asked turning around and sticking his hands in his front pockets.
âThat would be because it would be hypocritical of me to go spreading around the school someone likes guys,â he said, bumping their shoulders together.
Steve looked at him for a long time before he nodded. âYou know by now I donât put much stock into rumors. I did that once and got my shit rocked for it. Lesson learned, man.â
âI heard about the infamous Byers left hook,â Eddie agreed. âThat was some pretty major shit rocking.â
The jock rolled his eyes. âIâm pretty sure he was my first concussion.â
The older boy looked up at the sky as he thought about it and then nodded. âBilly Hargrove would be round two, Iâm assuming?â
Steve nodded and then threw his head back. âThis year has gone from bad to worse and Iâm barely keeping my head above water.â
Eddie hummed his agreement. It really has seemed like Steve couldnât catch a break. âI feel that. Iâm really struggling this year. Last year I didnât graduate because I so focused on getting out of here, making it with my music that I forgot the promise I made to my mom that I would. Graduate I mean. But this year is just hell.â
âThat sucks, Eds,â he agreed.
âYou think youâre going to graduate?â
âGod, I hope so,â Steve murmured, collapsing against the side of his car. âI just want to get out of this town.â
Eddie chuckled and shook his head. âWhere would you even go, man?â
âIâd pick a direction and just drive for as long as I could,â he admitted softly. âI just need to be as far away from this place as I can.â
The metalhead nodded. âIf we both graduate we should hop into my van and just run for the coast.â
Steve smiled fondly. âI think Iâd like that.â
Eddie pushed himself off the car and then waved Steve goodbye.
The younger boy got into his car with a sigh of relief. Not only did Eddie promise not to out him, he came out to Steve, too. Now it was mutually assured destruction.
Steve smiled and started the car for home. Maybe this year was starting to get a little better.
****
Eddie shoved his hands in his back pockets as he made his way to his van. He didnât know what possessed him to ask Steve to runaway with him or what possessed Steve to agree but it left a warm fuzzy feeling in his chest.
He hauled himself into the van and sat there for a moment just thinking about it. Of course that meant graduating himself, so he would have to focus on that. His van roared to life and he drove off.
It took him a couple of tries but he finally found the construction paper he needed. He had even found some black construction paper that he was going to use to make little paper bats to tape on the inside of his locker to make it less miserable.
Especially as he was told he couldnât have his metal band posters up in there. They were too âevilâ and âSatanicâ and he should be more âChrist likeâ as if they were epitome of Christian virtue with all the hate they had for anyone not like them.
But Eddie got down to work and started making as many pink hearts as he could. He had thought briefly about adding a couple of red hearts in the mix, but he thought that was a step too far. He didnât want to get Steveâs hopes up that he had multiple crushes on him if that wasnât true.
He still planned on giving Steve his one red heart that he had bought. That wasnât in question. He had already filled it out and returned it to the great big baskets that had been in the main hall.
It simply read:
Stevie,
You make being in this town worth living in,
Love,
Kas
He let out a slow shuddering breath. That was one of the scariest things he had to do since choosing to live with an uncle he had only met twice his entire life over being in the system. He knew his life was infinitely greater being with Uncle Wayne and he hoped this would yield a similar result.
Because he had made a promise and with all signs pointing toward Steve at least being receptive to a date, he had to shoot his shot and hope for the best.
He had made roughly fifty or so of the pink hearts and set about dividing them into four piles. With Jeff, Gareth, and Brian offering to help with the friendship hearts he wanted to make sure everyone got a few of them. Plus it made it easier to come up with things. Because even if they came up with similar ideas, they at least would be phrased slightly different so Steve wouldnât figure it out.
He also had the idea of using pseudonyms so that it wasnât all anonymous and initials, though there would some of those too.
But it was time for band practice, so he gathered up his things and the hearts and trotted off to his van, a wave and goodbye to Wayne on his way out.
****
Steve finally opened the other three hearts. Two were anonymous but the third surprisingly was from Tina.
It read it in the tiniest print that was still legible:
Steve,
I know weâre supposed to turn these in or whatever,
But I just wanted to say youâre still A-OK in my book.
-Tina
He blushed. That was nice of her and after she stuck up for him in chemistry, he was feeling a little better about himself.
The other two were just as sweet if a tad unusual in their delivery. The first one said:
Steve,
Iâm sorry you lost your crown,
you kept the bullies from being their worst selves.
And the other read:
Steve,
You are a good dude.
Sorry people are shit right now.
Steve shook his head. They were well-tended, he had no doubt but they were odd. Like they were trying to find something nice to say and didnât know how to word it.
Which, fair.
He knew he had a hard time coming up with complements for the twenty girls heâd picked out for his little project. He had to make sure the message wasnât creepy or would come across as stalker-y.
He smiled down at the messages. He pulled out a little notebook that he had used to collect all the little things that the kids had given him over the past couple years and put the hearts on their own little page. He carefully put the book back, hidden between two textbooks from his freshman year.
âSteven!â his mom called. âWeâre home!â
âComing, Mom!â he cried, hurrying down the stairs.
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I finished it!! It will have 8 chapters. I'm excited for you guys to see where this goes! I'm still working on Sweet Home Indiana and will be focusing on that until ITS done. Then we'll be back our regularly schedule WIPs.
We have Eddie's big plan and Steve gets his flirt on.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
****
Steve slipped into the kitchen and there in his motherâs neat handwriting was a note telling him that there were leftovers in the fridge and that they would be home again next Friday.
He sighed and opened the fridge. He immediately closed it when he saw what the leftovers were.
Boiled cabbage with chopped bacon and carrots. It wasnât bad if it was made correctly, but his mother boiled any flavor and nutrients out of the poor vegetables and then tossed in cooked bacon to hide its sins.
He opened the cupboard and pulled out a small can of Campbellâs chicken noodle soup and made that. He was craving the sodium. Eddieâs beef was good to get his body to stop shaking, but he had sweat so much he needed to replenish the salt heâd lost.
Once Steve had eaten and drank another glass of water he went to go get a shower and get ready for bed. It was no use trying to get back to his homework now. He had managed to blow up his whole evening by getting lost.
He had no idea how he got to Forest Hills or even why his feet carried him there in the first place. He could feel the weariness seeping into his bones from running for so long.
He undressed and got under the scorching water, letting the heat carry away his pains. His mind ran through all the things that Munson had done for him. The guy had no reason to be nice to him, but he had been more than gracious.
Then it hit him. Munson had called him Stevie, and without thinking Steve had called him Eds.
Eds.
Where the fuck did that come from? They werenât friends, they could barely be considered acquaintances. Was his brain reaching out to the guy subconsciously? Is that why he ended up at the trailer park? Everyone knew thatâs where Munson lived. Who knew how many times the guy had been called trailer trash, but the older teen seemed to rise above the insult.
Steve shook his head, spraying water everywhere. Just because Munson picked up lost sheep, didnât mean heâd be willing to taken in an injured wolf. Because thatâs what he was, reformed or not, Steve would never be a sheep. He would always be a wolf. A predator.
But at least as a wolf he could protect those kids with everything he had. And he would, even if it killed him.
The water had long since turned cold by the time Steve stepped out of the shower. He completed his after shower routine mostly on autopilot as he kept going over his interactions with both Munson men. He didnât really have good interactions with dads or in this case uncles. But Munsonâs uncle Wayne treated him with kindness and he could see where the older boy got it from.
He dressed into his pajamas and slid under the covers. He rolled over on his back and tucked one arm under his pillow, staring up at the ceiling.
Steve thought back to the apology. One Munson really didnât have to give but did anyway. He thought about the other jocks that bragged about hurting his hand. He held it up and looked at the fading bruise. It wasnât as though he was even basketball anymore. Hurting his hand wouldnât do anything but make it hard to do his homework and all he had to do is show his teachers his hurt hand and heâd get extensions for that. Like he had for his concussion last November.
But then again Tommy H. never had reasons for the people he hurt either. He just liked the power he got seeing the person helpless.
He placed his hand over his heart and let himself drift off the sleep, brown eyes and dark curls haunting his dreams.
****
Eddie had originally bought the red heart for himself like he had told the two juniors. But staring at it now, he had a better plan for it. Because that last wall, that last bastion of defense crumbled to ashes when he realized that despite the fancy car, the big house, and the expensive clothes, Steve Harrington was more like Eddie than he thought possible.
Wayneâs approval of the boy cemented that for him. Because if he could take one look at Steve and decide he was worth saving, then Eddie raring to go full steam ahead for a rescue mission.
Eddie could tell that the hearts were made from simple construction paper, like the kind found just about anywhere. He knew it would be technically cheating to just simply make more instead of buying them, but he had no intention of contributing to a dance he was never going to go to because one, it wasnât his year; two, the whole gay thing; and three, the one person he would want to go with if the gay thing wouldnât get him hate crimed, wouldnât give him the time of day.
Well, all right, that might have changed with the whole rescuing him from wandering alone in the dark thing.
He forgave Eddie about being a dumbass, so maybe there was hope for, at the very least, a vast decrease in hostility. And he was willing to take what he could get.
He decided to wait until tomorrow after school to get the construction paper and hope that the high school hadnât bought up the townâs supply.
On his way out the next morning, Wayne stopped him.
âYou donât have to tell me, son,â he said gently, âbut you got feelings for that boy?â
Eddie froze and turned slowly to face his uncle. âWhat gave you that idea?â
Wayne chuckled and shook his head fondly. âBoy, when youâd go on rants about the Harrington boy, youâd describe his floppy hair, his hazel eyes and how unfairly good looking the kid was. I didnât say anything because it did sound like heâd been a bit of an ass. Only after last night I got to thinking and was wondering is all.â
Eddie closed his eyes and opened them slowly. He let out a long shuddering breath, his bottom lip quivering.
âIâI donât...â he closed his eyes again. This wasnât Al. He wasnât going to get beat for admitting it, but still it was so hard to say. So he just nodded.
Wayne came up and wrapped his arms around his nephew. âItâs a hell of a lot tougher batting for the other team, but I trust your judgment. Just promise me that if he shows signs of liking you back, you take the chance to tell him how you feel because...â
âYou miss one hundred percent of the chances you donât take,â they said together.
Eddie dropped his bag to the floor and hugged him back. âI know, old man. But I promise if there is a chance, Iâll be brave enough to take it.â
âGet going,â Wayne said, voicing cracking with emotion.
He pulled back and nodded. He reshouldered his backpack and got in his van.
He had a lot to think about and that really wasnât conducive to paying attention in class or to his friends as they talked about their upcoming D&D session.
Gareth kicked his shin causing him to yelp.
âWhat the fuck, dude?â Eddie hissed.
âWhat the fuck is up with you?â Gareth hissed back. âYouâve been going on and on about the mind flayer for weeks and now that itâs literally this weekend, and youâre off in some other realm.â
Eddie blinked at him for a moment before his brain came back on. He shook his head to clear it.
âYeah, sorry, man,â he said around a pretzel. âWeird night last night.â
âWhat happened?â Jeff asked, tilting his head to the side.
So Eddie told them. âHe was like a ghost, guys. If Wayne hadnât seen him too, I would have thought I was hitting Mary Jane a little too hard, you know?â
âI didnât realize he was getting bullied,â Brian said, frowning. âI would have thought with Hargrove giving the dude a wide berth, that everyone else would have too.â
âUntouchable,â Jeff agreed. âThe fact that jocks are now splintering into factions tells you what kind of control Steve actually had on them.â
Eddie rubbed his chin. âI donât know how true this is, but if Harrington wasnât lying, heâs a real sweetheart, too.â
Then he leaned forward and explained about the pink heart scheme.
âSo,â Gareth said, steepling his fingers and resting his chin on them, âyouâre telling us is that we have been seriously remiss in our duties in collecting lost sheep.â
The older teen sighed and shook his head. âIâd like to collect him, but Iâm afraid the wolves might decide to rip him apart before we got him to safety if we tried.â
Jeff winced. He knew what Eddie was talking about. Steve Harrington wasnât the usual lost sheep. He might be bullied now, but as King, Harrington had run far too long with the wolves to think that they could protect him one hundred percent of the time.
âSo what are we going to do?â Brian asked. âBecause if we let this slide, weâre throwing our lot in with the bullies and thatâs something I refuse to do.â
A grin spread out over Eddieâs face, closed lips and dimples entrenched into his cheeks. âWeâre going to make the school think that heâs just as popular as he ever was.â
The other three boys looked at each other in confusion.
âSo what have you got?â Gareth asked, his own grin starting to take over his face.
****
Eddie made sure to get to class early so he could see where Steve was going to sit. He tried to tell himself it was about the dudeâs hand, but it wasnât working. He wanted to see if the former Hawkins royalty would chose to sit with his old friends or by him again.
He didnât have long to wait. Steve walked in not long after he did, just as the bell rang. He didnât even look at his old desk near the front and beelined it for the chair he had sat in on Friday.
The teacher picked up on the change immediately and wrinkled her nose. âI am to suppose that you are taking up permanent residence in the back with Mr. Munson, Mr. Harrington?â
Steve half shrugged as he began to pull out his things for class. âI got more work done, Mrs. Dixon and I really want to graduate on time.â
Mrs. Dixon nodded. âAgreed and as long as you continue the level of attention from last week, you are permitted to stay there.â
About half way through class while Mrs. Dixon was grading papers, Tommy H. turned around and kicked Steveâs chair. âSuck up,â he hissed.
Steve puckered his lips and wagged his eyebrows. âWhy? Do you want to be next?â
Tommy turned back around, his face bright red.
Eddie raised an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side as he considered everything about that interaction.
A little blossom of hope sprouted in his chest and he fought to keep it down. Steve had insinuated that other people were gay for years, but to Eddieâs highly trained gay ears, that sounded like Steve was offering to suck Tommy H.âs dick and that Tommy didnât exactly turn him down.
Curiouser and curiouser, he thought tapping his lips thoughtfully. More research would have to be done.
He pulled out a different notebook, the one he used for campaign notes and song lyrics.
He wrote girls over one column and boys over the other and began tallying what he knew about the former King of Hawkins.
A shit ton went into the Steve liking girls column, but there was surprisingly more in the liking boys column then he would have thought possible. He looked up to catch Steve smirking at him.
Eddie quickly covered his notebook and stuck his tongue out at Steve.
The other boy shook his head and went back to doing the assignment. Eddie was more careful about what he left out in the open because he didnât want Steve teased for it nor did he want him to see that Eddie was trying to figure him out.
The bell rang and the notebook was suddenly whisked off his desk.
âHey!â Eddie cried, looking up to see Steve dancing away with the notebook teasingly. âStevie!â He grabbed his bag and chased after the other boy. But the other boy was a jock and Eddie was wheezing for breath by the time he caught up with him at his locker.
âGive that back,â he huffed.
Steve gave him a bright smile and handed it back. âI just made a minor addition.â
Eddie frowned as he flipped through the pages but didnât see anything. Steve took it back and turned to the correct page and leaned close so that only Eddie could hear.
âI trust youâll keep my secret,â he whispered and then dropped to one knee to start getting into his locker.
Eddie gulped at the sight and turned to the paper to avoid saying something stupid. There in bold capital letters under his girls/guys columns was the word BOTH.
He looked up at Steve who had stood up. Steve winked at him and then walked away, leaving a shocked Eddie behind.
Thank you for the lovely response to this story, it makes me warm and fuzzy inside.
This chapter is just 2000 words of Wayne and Eddie being sweethearts to Steve.
Part 1 Part 2
****
Eddie led the way through his trailer to the kitchen past Wayne, who was sitting in his armchair reading the newspaper, a defeated Harrington limping behind.
âWhat did I tell you about bringing home strays, Ed?â Wayne huffed, a small, gentle smile on his face.
Eddie shook his head, his curls flying. âIâm just watering and feeding this one before I return it back to its owners.â
Harrington blushed and ducked his head. âI got lost.â
Wayneâs eyebrows shot up. He looked over at Eddie who nodded his confirmation.
âThis is my Uncle Wayne,â Eddie introduced them. âThis is Steve Harrington, Uncle.â
Wayneâs eyebrows stayed raised. Of all the people Eddie could have brought home, he was pretty sure this was the biggest surprise.
âYou got your car?â he asked.
âThis dumbass was out running around with his head in the fucking clouds,â Eddie scoffed.
Wayneâs glance at Harrington was far more appraising. He looked him up and down, taking in the sweat on his brow, the limping, the slumped shoulders, and vacant expression.
âYou do that often, son?â he asked Harrington, folding up his newspaper.
Harrington just shrugged. âI like running to get out of my head.â
Wayne licked his upper lip slowly, calculating. âUh-huh.â He looked over at his nephew, who had his hands on his lower back and staring at the floor. âThere is some leftover beef from Sunday.â
Eddie jumped excitedly. âYes! That would be perfect.â
He loped over to fridge and pulled out a Tupperware container. He set it on the counter. He got out two plates and a glass. He filled the glass with water and handed it to Harrington.
âDonât worry, princess,â he huffed. âOur water comes from the same place as yours does.â
Harrington rolled his eyes. âIâm not worried about you poisoning me.â
âYouâd be the first,â Wayne said with a chuckle.
Harrington furrowed his brows and looked between them in confusion.
âSurely,â Wayne said in amusement, âyouâve heard about Edâs reputation going to that school of yours.â
Harrington shook his head. He looked down at his feet. âI mean, I hear rumors and shit, but I really donât believe that he chased three freshmen with a hunting knife.â
Eddie threw back his head and laughed. âYou would pick the one rumor that was actually true.â
Harringtonâs head snapped up. âWhat? Why would you do that?â
Behind him the microwave beeped and Eddie hurried to get their food out. He piled on the food and handed it to him.
âBecause they were trying to buy drugs off me,â Eddie muttered as he handed Harrington a fork.
Harrington blinked at him a moment and then nodded. âIs there an age that you do start selling to high school students?â His eyes went wide and looked at Wayne in panic. âI mean, if you were selling drugs. Not that you do or anything.â
Wayne chuckled and shook his head. âI am more than perfectly aware of my nephewâs side business, thank you. I wish he didnât have to do it, but he hasnât had a lot of choices in the legal employment racket, not for someone like Ed. But sometimes a couple of grams sold is the difference between not having to chose to pay the water bill or the power bill.â
âUncle Wayne and I set down ground rules when I started dealing,â Eddie huffed. âOne of them was not selling to anyone under the age of sixteen.â
âYeah, that makes sense.â
Harrington ate his food in silence.
âDo you need to call your parents?â Wayne asked. âWonât they be worried where you are?â
Harrington shook his head. âTheyâre going to scream the same amount if I was five hours late or on time. Iâd rather just deal with it the once thanks.â
Eddie and Wayne shared a worried glance over his head. Eddie was far too familiar with that nugget of parental discipline, because thatâs exactly what Al would do with him.
âYou ready to go, Stevie?â Eddie asked as he set their now empty plates in the sink.
âDonât worry about cleaning up, Ed,â Wayne said. âIâll take care of it while you take him home.â
Harrington blinked up at Eddie after he used his given name. âOh, yeah. Of course. Thanks for dinner and the water.â
Wayne nodded. Eddie led the way back out to the van.
âAll righty,â he said, pulling his door closed. âYouâre gonna have to give me directions, pretty boy.â
HarriâSteve blinked at him for a moment. âI thought everyone had been to my house at one point or another.â
Eddie raised an eyebrow. âSeriously, dude?â
Steve just curled his hands on his lap and then mumbled directions.
Eddie cursed himself in his head. He had gotten the other boy to come out of his shell a little bit while they were talking to Wayne, but now the lid had slammed shut.
Because Steve was right. Even though he only invited the popular kids, his parties always exploded way past the original guest list. But Eddie had avoided it when it was Steveâs place though. Dealing at Haganâs or any of Steveâs former pals was easy enough, his van fit right in with all the vehicles no problem. But in Loch Nora? Yeah... that was like showing up to a funeral in torn up jeans and smelling strongly like booze.
âLetâs just say my van is a little more conspicuous in Loch Nora,â he said after they had driven in silence for a couple of miles.
Steveâs head snapped up. âOh. Shit. Yeah. My neighbors might not call the cops on any of my parties but they would absolutely be on the horn if they saw your van parked anywhere on the street.â He picked at his nails. âI keep forgetting shit like that.â
Eddie risked a glance at the other boy, whose shoulders were rounded against being bullied.
âDude,â he huffed, âthe whole fucking school saw what you looked like when you came back after tangling with Billy that kind of damage leaves lasting affects. Donât be so hard on yourself.â
Steve scoffed. âAsshole fucking cheated. Took a plate to my head and then just started wailing on me. Probably would have killed me too.â
âSo what stopped him?â
âBeing tranqâed by his step-sister,â he snorted. âShe was visiting a friend of hers. One Billy didnât approve of because of the color of his skin. Billy threatened to kill the kid, so I hit him. Would have won, too, if he hadnât fucked me up with the plate.â He took a deep breath. âAnyways, they had some tranquilizers because one of their parents were having trouble sleeping. She grabbed one and jabbed it into his neck.â
âPretty brave thing to do,â Eddie conceded. âSounds like there were two badasses there that night.â Then he shook his head. âSo you got the shit beat out of you for defending little sheep and Wheeler still went for Byers? I donât know, man, sounds like she wouldnât know a good thing if it bit her in the ass.â
Steve huffed out a breath of laughter before he caught himself. He hid his smile under his fist. âSomething like that, yeah.â
They pulled up to his house and Steve let out this strange little pained noise. Like it was relief and disappointment all rolled into one. A sound Eddie was far too familiar with.
âMy parents arenât home.â
Eddie looked over at him in curiosity. âHow can you tell?â Because yeah, the front lights were off and the house seemed quiet, Eddie knew these houses were big enough that if there was a light on in the back of the house, it couldnât be seen from the road.
âThe garage is closed,â Steve huffed. âThey only close it when they leave. They have to show off to the whole neighborhood the cars they drive.â
Eddie blinked at Steve in confusion. âArenât they worried someone will steal their car?â
Steve shook his head. âItâs insured, plus they donât believe anyone would rob them in their fancy house while theyâre home.â
Eddie looked up at the large house, so big it could only really be called a mansion. âAre they stupid or arrogant?â
âBoth.â
âLook, Steve,â Eddie said, stopping him briefly. âI need to apologize and every time I see you you distract me. So Iâm just going to come out and say it. Iâm the one that shoulder checked you the day you hurt your hand.â He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed dramatically.
âYou see, you had this far off look my uncle gets sometimes and the best thing to do is make a noise or bump into him. Just something that reminds him that his not where ever his mind is and thatâs in the present. But I heard these assholes saying that they got their kicks out of kicking your stuff and stomping on your hand and I realized that it was my fault that happened and Iâm really, really sorry.â
Steve stared at him for a moment. âOh. Hey, itâs not your fault, you were only doing what you thought would help. I wasnât spacing out or whatever. I was just feeling sorry for myself over a stupid holiday. But apology accepted, I guess.â
Eddie nodded, feeling a little bit better about it.
Steve hopped out of the van and he turned back to Eddie. âThanks for the ride, Eds.â
He slammed the door behind him and walked up to his big, dark, lonely, still house and Eddie felt a small pang of something like pity for the guy. And wasnât that a kick in the teeth.
When he got home, Wayne was waiting up for him.
âDid that boy get into any trouble when he got home?â were the first words out of his uncleâs mouth. Not so much as a âhelloâ or âby your leaveâ.
Eddie shook his head. âThey werenât home. I donât know if they went out to dinner without him or if they just went on one of their infamous business trips.â
Wayne cocked his head to the side. âWhatâs so infamous about them?â
âThey leave so often,â Eddie murmured, âthat Steve is pretty famous for the ârich kid, empty houseâ trope you see movies these days.â
âHeâs got friends he can stay with, doesnât he?â Wayne pressed.
Again Eddie shook his head. âHe blew up his friends group awhile back, called them all assholes and bullies over some chick. Then the chick broke up with him over the eldest Byers boy.â
Wayne patted the spot next to him on the sofa. âTell me about this Harrington kid. You used to all the time, ranting and raving about something or another that he did and then you just stopped.â
Eddie flopped down on the sofa with a heavy sigh. âLike there wasnât anything to tell after that, you know. He just faded into the background. Gave up his title of King of Hawkins High and then Friday happened.â
âAnd you found out he was being bullied,â Wayne finished. âI see. Thatâs got to be rough to go from being surrounded by people to not having anyone there for him.â
Eddie threw his head back onto the back of the sofa and let out a loud groan. âLike itâs my thing. Picking up the lost and the lonely. But this one comes with a lot more baggage than the others and Iâm not afraid for me or the rest of my friends but...â He buried his fingers into his hair and screamed.
Wayne nodded. Eddie befriending Steve could make things worse for him and not better. But inaction might hurt the boy in the long run.
âMaybe do something for him that he doesnât know itâs you,â he suggested to his nephew. âThat way he knows heâs not alone, but your reputation wonât make things worse for him.â
Eddie frowned for a moment and then his eyes went wide. âOh! I think I know exactly what to do!â
I'm loving the response for this. Thank you so much!!!
In this we have a couple of cameos, Steve gets into some trouble and Eddie comes to his rescue.
Pt 1
****
Steve checked with the nurse on Monday, more as a precaution then because his hand was feeling worse. Because Eddie was right. If he didnât take care of himself no else would.
She signed off on the hand and said that it was doing better, but to still take it easy for a couple more days.
He tried to focus in class, but he was buzzing out of his skin with barely contained excitement.
Finally it was time for lunch and he ducked into library. He pulled out the year book and began jotting down a few names. He decided to stick to just seniors as that would prevent people thinking he was being a creep and of course the add bonus of avoiding a certain Juniorâs ire.
Once he got about twenty names compiled he took the list up to the girls manning the paper hearts booth.
âHey,â he greeted warmly.
âHow can I help you?â the blonde haired girl asked.
âThese can be anonymous right?â Steve asked chewing on his bottom lip.
The other girl, a cute bubbly red-head in a cheerleaderâs uniform smiled up at him. âSure! Is there a certain lady you would like to buy a red heart for?â
He shook his head. âUm...no. Can I get twenty pink hearts please?â
The two girls shared a shocked glance.
âHow many?â the blonde asked.
âTwenty.â Steve pulled out his wallet and handed them two ten dollar bills.
The stunned blonde took the money as the red-head counted out the twenty pink hearts.
âThere you go!â she said cheerfully. âThank you for your donation!â
âI just have one question,â Steve asked. âWhy are a couple of juniors manning the booth for senior prom?â
The girlsâ jaws dropped in surprise that he recognized them as juniors.
The blonde managed to overcome her shock first. âThey were asking for volunteers. We get extra credit.â
Steve nodded. âThanks, ladies!â
He turned around and nearly collided with Munson.
âOof!â he cried. âSorry!â
Munson eyed him warily. âWhy so many pink hearts, Harrington?â He crossed his arms and licked his bottom lip slowly.
Steve looked back at the two girls and then back at him. âI donât have a girlfriend this year and but still have all this money, so I thought that instead of blowing it on junk food and soda to be all sad that night, I do something nice with the money.â
Eddie cocked his head to the side and considered him a moment. âAnd what would that be?â
Steve blushed and looked down at the paper hearts in his hands. He mumbled something Eddie couldnât quite catch.
âSay that again?â
âI said I was going to write something nice for the girls not likely to get one,â he hissed, this time loud enough for the other boy to hear, but no one else.
Eddie blinked at him a moment. âOh. Thatâs actually really sweet of you.â
Steveâs blush deepened and promptly turned on his heel and dashed away.
The red-head asked, âWhat was all that about?â
Eddie looked over at Chrissy Cunningham, the girl he had no doubt would be queen of Hawkins high next year with her perfect boyfriend, her bubbly personality, and cheerful nature.
He debated telling her what Steveâs plan was, but he didnât want to ruin it for the guy.
âI honestly donât know.â
Which to be fair was true. He didnât know what that was about. How former king of Hawkins could be so sweet? Because hooboy did that throw a wrench in Eddieâs plans to never ever give into his crush on the guy. If Steve wasnât the bitchy, annoying jock anymore than that last bastion of defense was going to fall and he would be like every other girl with a pair of eyes at this school.
In love with Steve Harrington.
He opened his wallet and counted how much money he had. He rationed gas and other expenses before he nodded to himself.
He walked over to the booth and asked for a single red heart.
âOoh...â the blonde girl cooed. âWhoâs the lucky lady?â
Eddie noticed her for the first as he handed her the money. It was Robin Buckley from band. Eddie had tried it out for a semester hoping to get enough credits to graduate last year. It didnât work. But he recognized a fellow queer when he saw one.
âMaybe Iâm sending it to myself?â he teased.
Chrissy giggled into her hand. âThatâs what I would do if I didnât have a boyfriend.â
Robin blushed a dark pink.
âYouâd never have to worry about that,â Eddie said.
She handed him the heart and he thanked her before heading on his way.
****
Steve suddenly felt self-conscious after telling Munson what he was going to to. But he resolved to go through with his plan.
That night he painstakingly wrote each girlâs name and something nice he remembered about them. Once he was finished he used a paper clip to keep them together and put it between the pages of his English workbook for safety.
He finished his homework. Or at least he tried to. After about an hour, the words on the pages started to blur.
It didnât help that it was chemistry and that just made his head spin. He would have called Dustin, but the kid would have just done it for him after five minutes of trying to explain it to him.
He decided it was time for a break.
Steve stood up and stretched. Below him he could hear the hum of the TV in his fatherâs den and the prattling of his mother on the phone. He wasnât sure how they managed it in a house as big as theirs but they always made sure Steve was aware they were home.
He always thought it was a weird control thing they had. They were always gone on trips but when they were home they made sure he knew it.
He changed into a pair of sweats, grabbed a jacket and pulled on his Nikes, having decided that a run would be the perfect thing to wake him up so that he could finish his homework. He stood by the front doors and stretched out his legs, making sure they were warmed up enough.
Steve was finishing the last of his stretches when his mother came out the kitchen.
âAnd where do you think youâre going, young man?â she hissed.
He looked at her in confusion. He had one leg bent all the way back so that his foot was nearly touching his ass. He was managing his balance by using his free hand to touch the door frame.
âGoing for a run?â he said, making the statement more of a question.
âAt this time of night?â Mrs. Harrington said sharply.
Steve looked at his watch and then back up at her, again in confusion. It was only a little after five oâclock in the evening.
âI wanted to get it before it too dark to,â he explained.
She looked at her watch and then huffed, storming back into the kitchen.
That was the problem with his mother. You could never tell when she was just going to let it go or fly off the handle.
Steve let out a shuddering breath and then opened the door. He closed it behind him and sighed.
He should have told her he was going for a run, but even with them making noise, he had forgotten that he was supposed to tell them where he was going. Having gotten too used to them not being home.
He let out a shiver as he shook his arms to warm them up. If he had been doing anything other than running he would have worn a warmer coat, but while he was cold now, he sure as hell wasnât going to be in five minutes.
Steve took off running. Just sprinting down the street to get away from his parents, his responsibilities, his troubles, and his cares. He got to the end of the street and slowed his sprint into a marathon. Going for endurance over speed.
He wasnât sure how long he ran only that when he stopped for breath he was standing in front of a large sign that read: Forest Hills Trailer Park. He squinted up at it like he was seeing things.
Despite what the haves in Loch Nora thought, the trailer park was a lot closer than they wanted it to be. It was literally on the other side of the forest behind his house. But as he hadnât taken off through the forest, he was a little surprised to be standing there, hands on his hips and panting for breath.
If he was going to mindlessly go somewhere he thought for sure he would have ended up at the Hendersons.
But, nope.
Steve ran his fingers through his hair. How was he supposed to get home now? He squinted down at his watch trying to make out the time, but full dark had taken a hold on this god forsaken town and he couldnât make out shit.
He wasnât even sure he could find the entrance to the forest that would lead him back home. Not that he wanted to go through that part of the woods this late at night. The Department of Energyâs assurances be damned.
âFuck!â
He heard the vehicle before he saw the headlights. He stepped out of the way and hoped that whoever it was would be willing to give him a lift home.
âFuck!â he cursed again.
Because it was Munson. Of course it was. This day was really out to get him.
âHarrington!â Munson called out, slowing to stop next to him. âWhat the hell are you doing here?â
Steve buried his head in his hands. He had to take a chance with Munson because he didnât know if there would even be someone else coming in anytime in the near future.
âWould you believe me if I told you I got lost?â he asked, hands back on his hips.
Munson laughed and threw open his passenger side door. âGet in, dumbass. I have to stop at my place to let my uncle know Iâm taking you home.â
Steve nodded and walked in front of the van. Mainly because thatâs where the lights where, but also because he didnât want Munson to drive off without him. If he tried that, heâd have to run Steve over. Which at this point would have been an improvement.
He hopped into the van and closed the door. âThanks. Iâm serious about the getting lost thing though.â He buckled in.
Munson gunned it and then gave him the side eye. âYeah, how does that work for a Hawkins native?â
âBecause Iâm not?â Steve said. âI moved here when I was eight. Iâm no more a native than you are, man.â
Munson slammed on the breaks, Steveâs hand shooting out in front of him. âWait, youâre really not a Hawkins native?â
He shook his head. âI swear it.â
Munson started going down the road again. âSo you managed to get lost?â
âYeah, I sometimes run to get out of my head,â he explained. âI somehow I ended up here.â He looked at the road out in front of him. âMy parents are probably going to kick my ass when I get home. I left before dinner and there is no way itâs not way passed that now.â
Munson pressed a button on his watch and it lit up. âYeah, man. Itâs almost seven.â
Suddenly every muscle in Steveâs body started screaming in protest.
âShit,â he muttered and he buried his head in his hands. âIâve been running for about two hours.â
Munson slammed on his breaks again. âThe fuck, Harrington!â
âI know!â Steve cried. âI barely warmed up and I didnât have any water with me. But I didnât mean to run that long. I thought I was just going to go around the block a couple of times and then go in for dinner.â
âWeâre getting you water and food before I send you home, man,â Munson mutter. âAnd I donât want to hear a god damn complaint from you. Do you understand? Even Iâm not stupid enough to go for two hours without stopping for breaks and drinking water.â
Steve just nodded. He had already gotten yelled at by Munson about not taking care of himself, he wasnât about to endure another lecture.
Remember how my posting schedule was going to be based on strictly vibes from now on? Yeah this is why. I have three chapters of this completed and only two of most everything else because I hurt my right wrist on Wednesday evening (I think I overextended my elbow and it fucked up the tendons in my wrist, because I've done that before on my arm and it feels like that).
So instead of getting more work done on stuff that is literally paragraphs away from the end of the chapter I'm having to tap into my backlog. Which is what it's for. But it is annoying.
I am also aware it's nearly May, but my muse was never one for sense.
Summary: Hawkins High is selling paper hearts to help raise for senior prom. $3 for red romantic hearts and $1 for pink friendship hearts. Steve hasn't dated anyone since the horrific breakup with Nancy on Halloween and so he decides that he's going to send pink hearts to senior girls who wouldn't normally get any hearts at all. When Eddie hears about this he can't help be intrigued. It goes against his very well curated Munson Doctrine. But as events keep throwing them together, Eddie learns there is more to King Steve then meets the eye.
Also a note: the use of the other's last name when it's their point of view is deliberate. As they get to know each other more, the more first names get used.
****
Steve was staring at the huge sign with a sense of dread. In big pink and white letters on a red background screamed the words:
PAPER HEARTS FOR YOUR VALENTINE
$1 FOR PINK FRIENDSHIP HEARTS
$3 FOR RED ROMANTIC HEARTS
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO CLASS OF 1985
SENIOR BALL
Valentineâs Day. That time of year for lovers and romantics. That used to be him. But not since Nancy broke his heart by breaking up with him for Jonathan Byers.
There would be no paper hearts in locker this year. Not even pink ones. Nancy had well and truly blown up his life and she got to walk away scott free.
He didnât know what to do anymore. He pinched his nosed and rubbed the end. He wasnât going to cry in the middle of the fucking main hall of Hawkins High.
Just before he was about to start moving again someone shoulder checked him, sending back to the floor and all his stuff sprawling around it like some fucked flower.
âWatch it, Harrington!â the voice growled as whoever it was sped off down the hall.
Steve didnât even bother looking to see who it was. It could have been anyone these days. His former friends. Billy and his ilk. Hell, even the nerds and geeks got in on the action lately.
He knelt down to start cleaning it up when someone else kicked his books toward the lockers. He managed to get most of it picked up when he reached for the last notebook. Someone stepped on his hand and ground down, hurting Steve and ripping the cover off the notebook, crinkling the first couple of pages.
He shoved it into his bag and cradled his hand to his chest. He looked at his watch and sighed. Lunch was nearly over and he hadnât even made it to the cafeteria yet.
There was nothing for it, he had to get to his next class. He walked into the class room just as the bell rang, but instead of heading for his usual spot near the front he made for the back of the class. There were always a few empty seats around Munson. The guy was terrifying on a good day.
And Steve hoped it was a good day.
****
Eddie made to class on time by the skin of his teeth. He slid through door just as the bell rang above his head. He was about to lope over to his usual spot in the back when he stopped dead in his tracks.
He looked up at the front at the deliberately left open seat and back at the seat next to his with a raised eyebrow. He wisely said nothing as he flopped into the torture device known as the chesk. Dair? Whatever the hell it was called where some unspeakable horror thought to combine a desk and a chair.
Eddie glanced sidelong at his new companion. The recently deposed king of Hawkins High sat slumped in his chesk, head down, just staring at its surface as if held the meaning to life the universe and everything.
Which if Harrington asked him, he would have been told forty-two.
He pulled out his notebook and noticed that Harrington did not do the same. Curiouser and curiouser. He pulled out a pencil and settled in to avoid falling to sleep today.
He was taking notes and doing the assignment like he was supposed to when about half way through class the teacher called out to him.
âMr. Harrington!â she shrieked. âIf you are going to be sitting in the back, please have the decency to pay attention in class!â
A couple of kids snickered.
âYou were talking about how the Fool is used to lighten the absolutely horrific scene above him of Lady Macbeth as she tries to get blood out of her gown,â he muttered, scratching his cheek with his left hand.
That was when the teacher and Eddie noticed the same thing at the same time.
Harrington was cradling his right hand to his chest.
âMr. Harrington is there something wrong with your right hand?â
âI accidentally hurt it during lunch,â he said with wince.
The teacher tapped her foot and crossed her arms. âAnd why didnât you see the nurse?â
âIt happened right before class,â Harrington muttered, âand I didnât want to be late.â
The teacher huffed and shook her head. âI will give you note for your next teacher, but you will see the nurse after class, am I understood?â
He nodded.
âMr. Munson,â she cried out, shrill. âIf youâll share your notes with Mr. Harrington after class so he does not fall behind.â
âYes, maâam.â
He continued to keep an eye on Harrington throughout the whole class but whenever their English teacher tried to catch him out, she would fail every time.
When the bell rang Eddie started shoving his stuff into his backpack. âYou sure you even need my notes, Harrington? That was pretty impressive shit you pulled out of your ass today.â
Harrington just shrugged. âJust because I was paying attention doesnât mean it wonât bleed out of my ears with all the algebra and chemistry stuff I have later.â
Eddie winced in sympathy. âYeah, I hear that. Whatâs your locker number and Iâll just slip a copy of my notes in the slots.â
â323B.â
âThey got you on a lower locker?â he asked with a grimace. âThatâs jacked up. Even Mr. Super Senior here got a top locker. Does the secretary hate you or some shit?â
Again Harrington shrugged. âIâve got to go. Iâll catch you later.â
Eddie folded his arms at looked at him. âYouâre not going to the nurseâs station, are you?â
This time it was Harrington who winced.
âThatâs what I thought,â he huffed. âIâm walking you to said nurseâs station because it could be broken and if you donât get that looked at, youâll be in more than just a world of hurt, man. You could fuck up your hand for life and you wouldnât be able to anything in that hand ever again.â
Steveâs eyes went wide as all color drained from his face.
âShit.â
Eddie grabbed both of their backpacks and headed for the door. âYeah, shit.â
Harrington hurried to catch up, hand still cradled to his chest.
âHow did you know that could happen to my hand?â he asked softly.
Eddie eyed him sidelong, but the kid wasnât being an ass. In fact he would say Harrington was being earnest.
âMy uncle works at the machinist plant up the road,â Eddie explained. âOne of his buddies broke his hand on the machine and refused to get it looked at. Guess how well that worked?â
âWas it the plantâs fault?â Harrington asked. Eddie cocked his head to the side. âThat you uncleâs friend got hurt?â
Eddie reared his head back in shock that Harrington would even ask.
âNo, man,â he said shaking his head. âHe was goofing off, being a dick. Uncle Wayne always said that if you knock on every door asking for the devil, one day heâs gonna answer.â
âWhat happens when the devil comes looking for you?â Harrington muttered to himself and Eddie couldnât help but wonder what this kid had seen.
Because he knows haunted. And Harrington looks like he has an attic full of ghosts.
Once they got to the nurseâs station Eddie waited for him. When the other boy came out he asked how it went.
âShe says it doesnât feel broken,â he huffed. âBut that if it doesnât improve over the weekend after icing at least three times a day, to come back on Monday and sheâll order an x-ray.â
Eddie nodded. âRight. See you around, Harrington.â
He had barely turned around when Harrington called out to him. âWait!â
Eddie turned back around to have a piece of paper shoved into his hand. âI got the nurse to excuse us both.â
And before he could even reply the other boy was tearing off down the hall as if the devil himself was chasing him.
And after that comment heâd heard, Eddie couldnât be sure he wasnât.
****
Steve was curled up on his bed, icing his hand, staring up at the ceiling, and wondering where the fuck his life had gone so wrong.
Okay so he could answer that one, actually. Demogorgon ate his girlfriendâs best friend while in his backyard. While him and said girlfriend were having sex for the first time.
Yeah... that was all kinds of fucked up.
He still couldnât believe that Nancy sided with Jonathan about him taking pictures of their first time.
So now Valentineâs Day was two week away and he was dateless, friendless, and unpopular. He wished he could just be called a loner. But a loner was cool and Steve wasnât even that anymore.
He just had to make until the end of may and then he could graduate, leaving this town in his rearview mirror for good.
Steve knew that he would have to struggle through this fucking holiday and Senior prom then it would be smooth sailing from there.
He had all this money that he would normally spend on his girlfriends, but now he didnât even have that. He supposed he could blow it all on beer and weed and then he could enjoy the weekend for a change.
Steve sat up suddenly, the ice pack falling from his hand to hit the floor with sploosh!
Now that was an idea.
He still had one thing in the school that was nonpareil and that was gossip. In fact, it was easier to hear all the dirty little secrets because no one cared if he was standing there.
A smile spread over his face.
That could actually work. It would be a great way to spend his allowance and it would be fun.
He got up and put the ice pack back in the freezer. He couldnât do anything about it right then but once his hand was better he would formulate his little plan.
Steve was suddenly excited for the first time since he dropped Dustin off at the middle schoolâs Snow Ball.
He was going to make this holiday fun even if he had to manufacture the fun himself.
****
Eddie was pissed. A little at himself, but mostly at how Harrington was being treated.
He had to sit through lunch and listen a bunch of stupid jocks brag about stomping on Harringtonâs hand when he was trying to pick up his stuff off the floor in the hallway yesterday.
They had been hoping for an actual break, but the asshole thought heâd only bruised it.
The reason Eddie was a little mad at himself for this was because he was the one that had shoulder checked Harrington. He had only been trying to get the guy out of his daze. Not send his shit flying.
And then to have someone deliberately stepping on his hand. Fuck. Not even Hagan ever went that far.
StevâHarrington didnât deserve that kind of bullying. No one did.
But he could see the twisted sort of appeal, though. And fuck if that didnât make his stomach turn.
To see the deposed king and want to mock that? Want to dig the hurt in as deep as he could? To drive home the lesson that popularity was fleeting and that existence was a curse?
Yeah, Eddie could see the appeal.
But he wouldnât. He might make fun of literally everyone and everything but his own interests, but to make turn that into actual cruelty? That was were he drew the line in the sand.
He went home feeling sick to his stomach. And of course Wayne picked up on it immediately.
He jutted his chin at the chicken and rice on Eddie plate that he had only merely pushed around with his fork.
âWhatâs got you so twisted around the bend?â
Eddie put his fork down and hid his mouth with his clasped hands, elbows on the table.
âI fucked up today,â he murmured. âI didnât mean for it to go as it did.â
âWhat did you do?â
So Eddie told him. âI wasnât trying to hurt him, but he got hurt anyway.â
âThat does sound pretty bad,â Wayne agreed. âAnd as you say, you were trying to help only for it to go very awry. And since you didnât about it until after the fact you couldnât apologize and thatâs whatâs eating you up inside.â
Eddie nodded around his fists, his lower lip quivering.
âYouâll just have to find a way to apologize on Monday,â Wayne said wisely.
Eddie sighed. It was the best he could do. It wasnât as though he could call the guy up or show up at his house. The first because he didnât have the guyâs number and the second because heâd get the cops called on him so fast by the neighbors.
I was daydreaming on the train yesterday and this happened
Baron climbed not only onto the bed but onto Otis's lap. He'd been reading a book while Baron was getting ready for bed. Baron took it from him and placed it on the nightstand, making sure to bookmark his page first.
Otis's hands fell naturally to Baron's hips and Baron's started on Otis's biceps before moving up to his shoulders as he took in Otis's shirtless chest.
"I wanted to ask you something," Otis said, his words pulling Baron's gaze to his face. Some people would be a little nervous when someone said that to them but all he saw on Baron's face was trust and a little curiosity.
"Would you come with me?" Otis realized he was the nervous one. Baron tilted his head in question -fuck, he's adorable- with a slight furrow of the brow and a pout. "To Jamaica."
"I get to meet your mama?" Baron's smile was like the sun. "You really want me to?"
"I really do. Ever since I told her about you she keeps asking when I'm gonna bring you over. I think she's almost as obsessed with you as I am."
Otis used his forearms to pull Baron closer, wrapping his arms tight around his waist. Baron started nuzzling him and placing little kisses wherever he could. Again, adorable.
"Is that a yes then?"
Baron pulled back to look Otis in the eye when he nodded his answer, and then leaned back in to kiss him properly
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vaguely modern au because idk how answering machines worked in the 80s
Eddie almost feels bad when Steve opens his door, hair a limp mess on his forehead and eyes squinting in the light. He looks like he literally just woke up.
Which is great news for Eddie, because that means he's not had time to do anything yet today. Like... check his landline for voicemails, for example.
Which is great for Eddie! Drunk Eddie made some bad decisions last night relating to said voicemail. And Eddie intends to fix said decisions. Immediately.
"Eddie..? What's up, man?" Steve asks with a yawn, and then scrunches his eyes closed then open a few times in an effort to wake himself up a little.
"Uh, so, I need to- have you used your phone yet today?" Eddie asks, unable to help the stuttering, and Steve tilts his head and then shakes it slowly.
"No, why?"
"Oh. I, um, my phone's broken... Can I use your landline?"
Steve examines him for a second, eyes still a little squinted, and then nods with a huff.
"Knock yourself out."
And with that, Steve trudges back toward his bedroom, and Eddie's pretty sure he hears another yawn escape him as he goes. Again, he almost feels bad.
But then he thinks about the friendship he's saving by doing this, and the awkwardness he's avoiding, and the pitying look he'll inevitably get from Steve after the fact and- the guilt goes away. This is the right thing to do.
As soon as he gets to the phone, he holds it up to his ear and starts to play the voicemails.
"Heyyy Stevie-bee... I just got home from.. a night with Jeff. You know Jeff, he's great.. Anyway. I saw this guy at the club and Jeff thought I should- should hit on him! We were at a, you know.. a safe club for it, but. I didn't wanna- I couldn't. Y'know why? The guy wasn't you, Stevie. He wasn't you, and I didn'-"
He abruptly presses the delete button.
"Can't believe the beep cut me off when I was sayin' how much I wanna... kiss yo-"
Delete.
"Just realised the time. You're probably asleep right now. I bet you look so cute and your face is doin' that... scrunched up thing-"
Inspired by @henderdads fic. A little thing that entered my brain fully formed and had to come out. (if I did anything wrong here let me know and I'll take it down)
It's not exactly what Steve thought he'd be doing on a friday night, he and Robin have their laptops open doing a personality quiz that the school heavily encouraged them to take.
He highly doubts a few questions (okay so there's at least 50, whatever) will tell him anything about himself that he didn't already know but Robin insisted they do it together. The part that actually interests Steve is they'll get a list of the ten people they're most compatible with, it'll even say whether that's in a romantic way or not. The last question asks about their preference (Men/Women/Any/None).
Early sunday morning Steve is lying in bed scrolling his emails and it's there! The results. He skims over all the stuff about him (he'll make a great parent someday, blah blah blah, maybe he'll read it properly later) until he finds the list. Unsurprisingly, Robin is at the top with 98.2% but the second... What? No way?
He video calls Robin immediately, it actually takes three tries to wake her up.
"Steve? It's," she looks up to the time on her phone, "7:18. Why? It's sunday."
"The email, Robin, it's here." He watches her face as she tries to understand what's happening, barely containing his amusement at that, and then waits as she checks hers.
"Aww we're compatible Stevie," she says with a silly, overly sweet smile, "like we didn't know that already. Who'd you get first with a heart?"
Steve now has his open on his laptop, staring at the little pink heart next the name second on his list.
"Steve?"
"It's... I mean, it can't be right."
"Why not? It got us didn't it?"
"It's Eddie Munson. 97.6%." The rest are all mid 80s or lower and might as well be zero for all Steve cares about them right now. Robin's jaw drops.
"He doesn't exactly seem the type to even take the quiz," she says, "you have to talk to him tomorrow."
"I don't know anything about him."
"Well you've got all the time in the world to find out."
He doesn't stop thinking about it for the rest of the day.
He sees Eddie's van pull into the parking lot and Robin pushes him towards it before the engine is even off.
"Can I talk to you?" he asks as soon as the door is open. "Privately?"
"Alright," Eddie says, confusion on his face as he follows Steve away from everyone else. "What's this about Harrington?"
"The quiz? The other night?" Did Eddie think Steve was just going to leave it?
"Oh, that's in already?" He digs his phone out of his pocket. He doesn't know.
Steve watches him read, getting more and more nervous as he gets closer to the end. Eddie looks up at him in shock. All Steve can do is nod.
"And the... heart? That's not a mistake?" He's kind of breathless.
"Huh?"
"Like, you could have accidentally checked men instead of women and that's what you came to tell me."
"Oh," Steve says with a giggle, "no, I'm bi."
The nervous energy from a few minutes ago is turning into bubbling excitement as they stare at each other, both with tentative, hopeful smiles.
"I don't know about you but I really wanna kiss you." Steve says, stepping closer. Eddie bridges the gap and their lips meet. Before they can get too into it, the school bell rings and they have to start heading to class.
"Can't believe we got each other at the top of our lists," Eddie says knocking his shoulder into Steve's.
"Hate to break it to you but you're number two on mine," Steve replies with a grin. Eddie stops walking for a few seconds and has to jog to catch up.
"Oh, of course, Buckley right?"
Steve nods, still grinning. "See you after class?" he asks when they get to his room.
"Definitely." Eddie kisses him again, a peck this time. Steve watches him leave and marvels at the fact a stupid piece of homework may have just changed his life forever.
Happy Valentineâs Day to my amazing friend @steddieasitgoes!! I really hope you like what I did with your prompt and that youâve had a nice day. I love you lots and am grateful youâve entered my life! đđ
Rating: G | WC: 2,101 | CW: none
Ao3 Link
Steve stares at his laptop screen as he pulls up the compatibility test that he and his other classmates were encouraged to take during morning announcements.
This is incredibly stupid. But if thereâs one thing he knows, heâs going to get matched with the girl of his dreams.
Heâd already lost her once sure, but Steve knows that he and Nancy are meant to be together, and this stupid quiz is going to prove it.
His eyes blur as he goes from question to question.
What are your important life values?
Do you believe in giving people second chances?
Do you know how to keep a secret?
Would you choose a romantic relationship over monetary success?
Does your ego stop you from apologizing even when youâre wrong?
Thereâs 100 questions to click through, some of them asking for a more complicated response while others are yes/no questions.
As he reaches the end, he takes a deep breath as his cursor hovers over the submit button. He knows itâs just some dumb quiz and that the results shouldnât matter all that much, but if heâs matched with Nancy then maybe he can prove his point.
She should be going to the Sweethearts dance with him. Not anyone else, especially Byers of all people.
Steve decides to distract himself as he waits for his results to be emailed to him, failing miserably as he canât think of anything else.
Eventually, he reaches for his phone and goes to face time Robin, wondering if sheâs got her results yet.
She answers after the second ring, popping up on his screen which makes him smile.
âHey, have you got your results yet?â He asks immediately.
âOh, for that dumb compatibility test thing? Nah. What about you?â
âNope.â He responds, popping the p.
âLet me guess, youâre pining over your ex and want to prove to her you should get back together? Give it up, dingus. Thereâs someone out there who is better than Nancy Wheeler.â
âOuch.â He pauses for a moment. âWho are you hoping you get? Vickie?â
Robin shrugs. âEh, Iâm kind of over her. I think these tests donât mean shit, but if I had it my why I wouldnât be mad about being paired with Chrissy.â
Steve scoffs, âThe cheerleader?â
âHey! Sheâs cute. Also, what if youâre matched with a guy?â Robin asks.
Heâd come out to her as bi just a few weeks ago, but honestly he doesnât find the male population of Hawkins all that promising. His ex jock friends are all painfully straight and annoying, no matter how attractive he might find them, and the others? Well they arenât really his type.
âWhat guy would be a good match for me, Robs?â He replies, reaching to take a sip from his water bottle.
âOh my god, what if youâre set up with Munson?! He and Chrissy are super close right? How funny would that be?â
Steve immediately spits his water out, leaving specks of water on his phone screen.
âMunson? Like Eddie? Metalhead, nerd, completely obsessed with that game Dustin and the others like so much? That Munson?â
âYeah! Heâs got kind of an interesting vibe. Plus everyone knows heâs gay.â
âRobin. I need you to think about what youâre saying. Even if we did get matched up by some strange coincidence do you really think thatâs a good idea?â
âCome on, Steve. Iâve seen you check him out before.â
âI have not!â Steve is quick to defend himself, despite knowing that sheâs right.
He hears a ding from the other line and sees Robin run to sit down and check the notification.
âOh my god, okay my results are in!â She quietly reads the email, dropping the phone as she screams in excitement, âChrissy! I got matched with Chrissy!â
âThe band geek and the cheerleader. What kind of romantic comedy is that?â Steve jokes, smiling fondly at his best friend.
âItâs a real life fairytale. Oh my god, okay. How do I ask her to the dance?! Thereâs so much I need to plan forâŚâ Robin starts rambling and Steve feels a little bad for letting his mind wander.
Not long after, his phone dings and he sees the email notification pop up for him.
âRobs.â He tries, hoping sheâll stop talking and pay attention to no avail. âRobs.â He tries again, a little louder which makes her go quiet.
âIt just came in.â
âAnd?â
Steve scans the email and his heart drops as he sees the name.
Eddie Munson
There is absolutely no way thatâs correct. Robin notices the way his face falls and the mood changes.
âIâm guessing itâs not Nancy?â
âUh, itâs Eddie.â Steve says.
âWait, what?! I was joking!â
âNot helping Robs.â
âYou could still ask her to the dance? See if she says yes?â
Steve tosses his phone across the bed and shoves his face in his hands as he groans.
He picks the phone back up and feels even worse when he sees the way Robin is looking at him.
âWhy Eddie? We have nothing in common!â
Robin falls silent as she lets him rant.
Steve had an itch beforehand that heâd get someone who isnât Nancy, and quite honestly he knows sheâd end up going to the dance with Byers anyway, considering sheâd moved on months ago and she seemed happy with Jonathan, but if heâs being completely honest, the breakup has taken a toll on him and he really just wanted this one thing to prove that maybe there was a chance of getting back together.
âSo what are you going to do?â Robin asks after he eventually falls silent.
âI donât know.â
âI still think you should try to go. Itâs our senior year. Thereâs not many school dances left. And, you might not agree with me, but I think you and Eddie might have more in common than you realize.â Robin responds, choosing her words carefully.
Steve scoffs but falls silent as he starts to think about it⌠Eddie Munson is⌠heâs interesting. Heâs loud, has this way about him of always speaking his mind. He has an obvious armor built up around him with how often Steveâs old friends pick on him. He takes most of the beatings from bullies in order to keep them away from his younger peers.
The metal head vibe is interesting. Heâs got the tight black pants with rips, the chains, tattoos, long dark hair. But thereâs also something about him that draws you in, the dimples on full display as he smiles. He might talk shit, but Steveâs noticed things he does that clearly makes that whole âI donât careâ attitude seem to crumble.
Steve wonders what Eddie might be thinking, assuming he got Steve as his match too.
Maybe talking to him could be a good thing.
âEarth to dingus?â Robin asks, pulling him from his thoughts.
âI⌠sorry. I should probably get started on homework. Iâll see you at school tomorrow.â Steve says, saying goodbye again before hanging up.
He lays down and stares up at the ceiling, his mind racing as he thinks about Eddie and how they would supposedly be a good match if some compatibility test is anything to go off of.
Robin wasnât wrong when she said Steve found him attractive. Thereâs definitely something about him that pulls you in. Eddie is a mystery to Steve and the longer he thinks about it, the more he wants to try to solve that mystery.
-
The next morning, Steve makes his way out to the picnic table he knows Eddie would likely be at, not far from the school.
He takes a breath of relief as he finds Eddie sitting there on top of the table, feet on the bench with his lunchbox next to him, scrolling through his phone as he ignores his surroundings.
âMunson?â Steve calls out, accidentally startling him as he jumps up.
âJesus Christ!â Eddie pauses for a moment as he sets his phone down and places a hand over his heart. âSome warning wouldâve been ni- Harrington? What are you doing here?â
Steve nervously kicks at a rock as he shoves his hands in his pockets. âI uh, I wanted to talk to you.â
Eddie reaches for the lunchbox and begins to open it, pausing when Steve speaks up again.
âIâm not here for drugs, man.â
âWhat are you here for then?â Eddie asks with a furrowed brow.
âThe uh, that test they had us take. You uh, you took it right?â
Eddie chuckles. âYou really believe those results mean anything? Yeah, I took it. Yes, I know we were matched, but no, Iâm not interested in what you have to say because clearly it was a mistake on their part.â
Eddie slams the lunchbox shut and starts to walk away.
âWhat if it wasnât?â Steve calls out, Eddie stopping in his tracks before turning to look at him again.
âI highly doubt that. I figured it was probably some dumb prank the student council was playing.â
Steve looks at him confused. âWhy would they do that?â
âLook who youâre asking.â Eddie says, gesturing to himself.
Steve sighs, âFor what itâs worth, Iâve thought about it. I want to ask you to go to Sweethearts with me.â
Eddie bursts out laughing. âYou canât be serious! Plus, school dances arenât my thing.â
âWhyâd you take the test then?â Steve asks, standing his ground.
âIt was purely out of curiosity and I wasnât expecting anything to come from it.â
âI ended up not getting what I wanted, but Iâm not gonna mope about it man. Just⌠think about it? Iâll be right here the night of the dance if you change your mind.â Steve says, turning on his heel as he leaves Eddie standing alone.
If heâs gonna be an ass about it, maybe Steve would rather spend the night alone at home where he listens to Taylor Swift and Hozier and eats junk food while he doesnât pay attention to whatever Nicholas Sparks movie he decides to put on.
Though Robin would drag him to the dance anyway. So maybe heâll get lucky and Munson will pull his head out of his ass, or Nancy will decide to break up with Byers and come running back to him.
Heâll have to table those thoughts for later.
-
The night of the dance finally comes along and Steve stares at his reflection in the mirror. After some back and forth, he decides to leave the top few buttons undone and forgo the tie, quickly putting on his matching red suit jacket before heading out to go get stood up. Because letâs be realistic here, thereâs no way Eddie is actually showing up.
As he enters the clearing where the picnic table is, he finds Eddie there waiting for him, wearing a simple black suit with his hair pinned up, holding a single red rose.
âI was kind of an asshole.â Eddie says, gently handing Steve the flower as he curiously steps towards him. âIâm not good with this shit. Honestly, I took that stupid test because I secretly hoped the universe would be on my side for once and tell me if I had a chance with you, but I think I may have blown it when you came to talk to me the other day. I- Iâm sorry, and if youâll give me a chance Iâd love to be your date tonight.â
Steve softly smiles as he lifts the rose to smell it, placing it on the table gently as he reaches into his suit pocket for the boutonniere heâd bought on the off chance Eddie would actually show up.
âWell Iâm here arent I? Iâd say thatâs giving you a chance.â
âI donât think I deserve it.â
âShut up.â Steve says, kissing his cheek quickly before reaching for his hand. âCome on, Chrissy and Robin are waiting for us right through those doors.â
Eddie giggles as he lets Steve pull him along to the entrance of the school, the music growing louder as they inch closer.
As soon as they find the girls, they make their way onto the dance floor, focusing on being together in the moment.
As Steve wraps his arms around Eddie as the first slow song of the night comes on, he realizes how right it feels, and as he glances over in the direction of Nancy and Jonathan, he smiles.
He never needed Nancy and while theyâre far from actually being a couple, Steve has a feeling the person he belongs with is already in his arms.
Steve parks at Eddie's, a plastic wrapped bouquet of roses so purple they're almost black carefully buckled into the passenger seat, and a nervous twist to his stomach. He didn't plan to do this. It's just, he was agonizing about his crush to Robin and she goaded him until it seemed like a great fucking idea to ask Eddie out on Valentine's Day, of all days.
The flowers were an accident. He saw them in the front window of the little flower shop in town, and it felt like fate, like they were practically made for Eddie Munson.
With a deep breath and a gritted teeth, he swings out of the car, flowers in hand. He's doing this, he's got this, he can ask Eddie out.
Music rocks from the trailer, drowning out Steve's knock. They didn't exactly have plans tonight, only they hangout every night since Vecna, so he figured...well, Eddie never said they weren't getting together.
He's a little miffed when his knock isn't answered. Even when the music is up, the walls of the trailer vibrating, Eddie always comes to the door. But the minutes tick by with no response until the annoyance turns to anxiety.
He stretches over, up on tiptoe, craning through the window to see if he can spot Eddie, probably distracted by planning for dnd or working on a song.
The kitchen is deserted, pots steaming on the stove. The two-seater table is covered in one of those paper tablecloths they have at Melvald's for a buck, patterned with bright red hearts. The table is set, two plates, two beers, a candle burning in the center of it all.
God, he's stupid. So stupid, with his nearly black flowers and his silly crush. Of course Eddie already had someone to spend Valentine's Day with.
He stumbles down the stairs, stomach fighting up his throat. The loud music makes so much sense now. He has to leave. He can't stand the thought of Eddie finding him here, letting him down easy; can stand even less seeing him with the date he has over.
Steve almost makes it back to the car before he hears the screen door slam, Eddie's voice calling his name. For a second, he considers ignoring him; for a second, he thinks about jumping in the car and driving off and forgetting this ever happened. But he could never do that to Eddie, not even when the consequence is his own heart.
"Oh, uh. Hey, man," Steve says. He runs his fingers through his hair, swallows. "Didn't mean to interrupt, thought we had plans but I guess they weren't set in stone." He's rambling and he knows it, but can't stop. "I didn't realize you--I'll get out of your hair."
Eddie's eyes flicker from Steve to the flowers clutched in his fist, the wrapping now sweaty and rumpled. "Are those for me?" Eddie asks.
Steve's mouth open and closes a few times, thrown off the track of his monologue and trying to think of a plausible lie. "I--they're--it's--"
There's nothing for it. He has to tell the truth and eat the humiliation. "I saw them today and--They're perfect for you. So, I wanted--" he shakes his head, shoves the bouquet into Eddie's arms. "Happy Valentine's Day. I'll let you get back to your date."
Eddie's face scrunches and it would be cute except for all the way Steve's heart is breaking. "Aren't you my date?"
"What?"
"Steve. We hang out every night. I thought--"
"But. For me--" He splutters. "The table?"
"Harrington, it's Valentine's Day! You bought me flowers!"
"Yeah, cause I was going to ask you out!"
This is what breaks Eddie, and he bursts out into helpless giggles.
"Don't laugh at me, Munson." But he's starting to laugh too.
"I'm sorry! I just--you," and Eddie isn't laughing anymore, he's looking at Steve with clear, shining eyes. "You brought me flowers."
Steve sobers too, hands over the bouquet. "I brought you flowers. You made me dinner."
"Yeah." He glances up at Steve from under his eyelashes. "I made you dinner."
"Sorry for--" He gestures broadly around himself.
Eddie shakes his head, soft smile on his lips. "You're something else, Stevie." The words are so fond they make Steve's heart flip. "Now, come inside before the food gets cold."
Steve walks to do the door, pausing before he climbs the stairs.
"What is it?" Eddie's eyebrows lift.
"Nothing. Just--" Steve licks his lips, notices the way Eddie tracks the movement. "I'm really falling for you, is all."
"No duh," Eddie says with a broad, smitten grin. "You bought me flowers."
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply, mention of alcohol and financial exploitation of child stars
Tags: Famous Steve Harrington, Bartender Eddie Munson, Alternate Universe - No Upside Down (Stranger Things), Fluff, Mild Hurt/Comfort, Light Angst, Happy Ending, Eddie Munson Has a Crush on Steve Harrington, Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Snapshots
Summary: A drop dead gorgeous man walks into The Hideout one night while Eddie's bartending, and Eddie's absolutely determined to flirt with him. What follows is snapshots of the two of them growing closer and closer, all while Eddie's absolutely oblivious to the fact that Steve's secretly one half of the famous pop duo Scoops Troop.
This fic is a part of the @steddieholidayexchange
-----
The prettiest man that Eddie has ever seen walks through the door of the Hideout, and Eddie damn near drops the glass he was rinsing out. It's not like their town's small enough that Eddie could actually recognize everyone in it, and the Hideout gets enough business that Eddie doesn't know everyone who comes in, but still, he was not expecting to get hit in the face with that kind of handsome on his shift tonight.
Sure, the nearby resort is a particular favorite among the wealthy elite - Eddie even heard there was one douchebag pop singer who booked the entire place for two weeks in the spring, apparently just so he wouldn't have to associate with any other guests - but they usually stay on the resort. It's rare for any of them to venture out into the town itself.
Pretty boy is wearing a dark blue polo with Hawkins Hope in Action stitched in yellow across his shirt pocket, which Eddie definitely does not notice purely because he's admiring the way it stretches across his chest. He takes an empty seat at the bar, pushing one hand through his hair as he scans the chalkboard specials they've got on display.
"You think it's as soft as it looks?" Chrissy asks, nudging him with her hip as she joins him in absolutely not just staring at the guy from the backroom.
He huffs out a little laugh. "I think you've got a better chance at me than figuring that out, Chris."
Still, he's fully prepared to head out there and try on at least a little bit of charm, until Jeff comes up next to them.
"I think Chrissy should head out there for a while," he says.
Eddie turns to fix him with a betrayed look. "What? Come on, man, I said Chrissy had a better chance, not that I had no chance."
Jeff nods towards the guy. "Look at him, he's all on edge."
And it's true - the guy's perched on the bar stool like he expects to have to bolt at any minute, and he's started to hunch in on himself like he's trying to take up as little space as possible.
It's kind of sad, actually, which unfortunately doesn't make him any less cute.
"So?" Eddie asks.
"So you know I love you, man, but you can be kind of a lot," Jeff says apologetically.
Eddie gasps, whirling to face Chrissy. "Can you believe this?"
Her nose is a little crinkled, lips turned down the way she does when there's a hard truth she doesn't want to tell him. "You're not always the most soothing presence," she admits.
He lurches back dramatically, hand over his heart. "Complete and utter betrayal, from my own best friends no less."
Jeff pats him on the shoulder. "You'll get over it."
"You can talk to him next time," Chrissy offers.
Which, considering pretty boy is probably staying at the resort and not going to come back, is small consolation.
But, well. He's probably staying at the resort and not coming back, so Eddie guesses he really isn't losing out on much by not getting to talk to him.
At least he can enjoy the eye candy.
He keeps an eye on them at first, only partially because of said eye candy - Chrissy can handle herself, but if the guy is going to be the typical resort douche, Eddie won't hesitate to come back her up. Pretty boy starts to relax a little the longer he's there, though, and Chrissy's doing the genuine smile she does when she has a good customer, so he doesn't worry about it.
By the time the guy leaves, Eddie's heard the sound of them laughing a few times.
"His laugh is just as pretty as the rest of him," Eddie sighs to Chrissy as they watch him leave.
"His name is Steve," Chrissy replies. "He works for that charity that's booked the resort this weekend for a fundraising event."
"That explains what he was doing here," Eddie jokes. "I knew we wouldn't see a resort guest slumming it at the Hideout."
Chrissy rolls her eyes at him, but she doesn't disagree. "They work with kids in the foster care system," she says mildly. "They put on camps and events and things for the kids to come to, do fundraising to get money to support them. He spends most of his time with the kids.â
Eddie groans. âNo, come on, that's not fair,â he whines. âHandsome and a pretty laugh and he works for a charity and it's for foster kids and he's likes spending time with them? He's gotta have some flaws. Maybe he's actually terrible with kids, maybe they all hate him.â
Chrissy giggles. âMaybe he leaves his wet towels all over the floor.â
Eddie nods. âMaybe he sings off key in the shower and it's awful and he won't stop.â
Chrissy gives him a little shove. âWell, Steve says they've booked the resort for a few camps and events throughout the rest of the year, so you'll have plenty of time to find out.â
âIf he comes back,â Eddie points out.
âOh, I have a feeling he'll come back,â she replies.
â
Steve comes back.
It's just him behind the bar tonight, with Gareth and Grant back in the kitchen, so Eddie spends a moment quietly collecting himself before he heads over.
Eddie shoots him a smile. "Hi."
"Hey," Steve returns, smiling at him in return - though it seems practiced, nothing like the soft, warm smile Eddie'd seen him give Chrissy when he left the other night.
Ouch.
"Chrissy's not working tonight," Eddie says, trying not to let his disappointment show.
Steve's face scrunches in confusion, a little furrow between his brow that Eddie has the immediate urge to reach out to try to smooth with his thumb.
What is wrong with him? He's usually way better at not letting customers get under his skin.
"Thanks for telling me?" Steve says, the end of the sentence raised up in a question like he's not quite sure he's giving the correct response.
"Just thought I'd let you know, in case you came back in hoping to see her again," Eddie says.
Steve's expression smooths out. "Oh. Nah, I just really liked the⌠atmosphereâŚ"
He trails off, clearly aware of how what he's saying sounds, but Eddie makes a point of scanning around the bar anyway - it isn't empty, but it's not exactly crowded, either, occupied mostly by small groups who stick to themselves or solo patrons who are more interested in their drinks than engaging in conversation with other customers.
No one's paying the slightest bit of attention to them.
He cocks an eyebrow as he looks back at Steve, and now the smile he gets is a little less practiced, a little more genuinely pleased - maybe even a little teasing.
"Exactly," Steve agrees. "What's not to like about a place where nobody knows your name?
Eddie barks out a little laugh. "Not nobody," he returns. "It's Steve, right? I'm Eddie. What can I get you?"
He calls Steve's order of onion rings back to Gareth, then grabs a glass to get his beer.
"So, Chrissy said you work with the charity that rented out the resort?" he asks. "What do you do for them?"
Steve lights up a little at the question, which, unfortunately, makes him even prettier.
"I'm the activities director," Steve replies.
Eddie raises his eyebrows as he sets Steve's beer in front of him, inviting him to continue.
âI plan all the stuff for the kids to do at camp,â Steve clarifies.
His eyebrows go even higher. âThat sounds exhausting.â
Steve huffs out a little laugh. âSometimes,â he admits. âBut I don't, like, personally do all of them. Some of the other staff will take lead on things that interest them - like Nancy does journalism and writing workshops, and Lucas picked up basketball, Jon does photography, and Robin's doing film watching and analysis. We actually do a lot of partnerships, too, get people to come in and do guest spots leading activities for like a week.â
Right, Eddie's pretty sure he heard that Hawkins Hope was a celebrity sponsored charity. Makes sense why they're able to afford using the resort for things.
âSo what do you take lead on, then?â Eddie asks, mentally hi-fiving himself for finding an effortless way to ask Steve about his interests.
He's pretty sure it doesn't go unnoticed, because Steve blinks at him for a moment before he gives him just a little bit of a smirk.
It's a good look on him, though, so Eddie doesn't mind one bit.
âSwimming,â Steve replies. âMostly lifeguarding, if we're somewhere on the water, and I do lessons. Baseball in the summer. Ice skating in the winter. Music, sometimes. Cooking. I'll pretty much fill in whenever I need to.â
Eddie's not surprised that the majority of those were sports, but it does mean he flounders a little bit in the next step of his plan - find a common interest and get his flirt on. He's a decent enough cook, but it's not exactly something he does for fun. Which means he's got one option left, and he latches onto it eagerly.
âWhat kind of music?â he asks.
Steve watches him for a moment, like he's waiting for the punchline. Or waiting to be judged, maybe - maybe the guy only likes Top 40s and is used to being looked down on from guys wearing Dio t-shirts.
And all right, Eddie might judge him a little - but only teasingly, and only if he knew him better. So he just waits, hoping he looks as genuine as he means to.
âI'm not picky,â Steve says finally. âI can find the merit in just about anything. It's not about the genre to me - it's about how the song makes you feel, if you can connect with the lyrics or if the music stirs some kind of emotion in you that you didn't even know was there.â
Oh.
âI get that,â Eddie says.
âYeah?â Steve asks.
âYeah,â Eddie agrees. âLike - it's not what I usually listen to, and it's not what people expect, but my mom loved Bluegrass and country. I hear it now and it makes me think of her. I still end up singing Hazel Dickens or Loretta Lynn when I clean the kitchen, makes me feel like she's there with me.â
And there's that soft, warm smile that Eddie'd briefly seen him give Chrissy - only now it's even worse because it's directed at him, and it keeps lingering.
âYeah,â Steve says again, but this time it sounds like you really do get it.
âSo, it, uh, sounds like you like what you do,â Eddie says.
âI love what I do,â Steve agrees. âWhat about you?â
Eddie shrugs. âCan't complain. I get a lot of freedom here, actually. I'm the one that comes up with most of the drinks on our specials list.â
That's usually the most he goes into it, but Steve's still looking at him, so much less closed off than he was when he first came in, and he leans in like he's interested.
So when Steve asks him to tell him more about it, Eddie does. How it's not what he thought he'd be doing after high school, but then, he hadn't really given a lot of thought to much of anything after high school while he was still there, too busy just trying to graduate. How he likes the people he works with and the Hideout itself, how much fun it is coming up with his own drinks, how he's gotten to the point where he can figure out the best drink for someone before they even know what it is themselves.
And all right, he'd maybe been bragging a little, maybe said that with just a little bit of a cocky smirk to see the reaction he gets, but he's still a little bit surprised when Steve picks up on it and gives it back.
âYeah?â Steve asks. âDo me, then.â
Eddie smiles at him, pleased. âWhat's the first cocktail you order when you go somewhere new?â
âHouse special,â Steve replies immediately, shooting him a little smirk.
Eddie gives him a look.
âIt's true!â Steve insists. âI can get an old fashioned or a margarita anywhere, but the house special is usually something unique.â
Eddie considers that. âWhat's your go to drink if you're making yourself something at home?â
âLemon drop,â Steve says. âThey're my best friend's favorite, I learned how to make them for her. It's the only drink I can pull off that isn't just popping a can of beer or pouring a glass of wine.â
Eddie hums. He already knows Steve's taste in beers, so - âRed or white wine?â
âWhite in the summer, red in the winter,â Steve replies.
âWhiskey or tequila?â
âWhiskey.â
âApple cider or hot chocolate?â
âApple cider.â
Eddie manages to fire off questions like that for a while, and Steve even plays along when he asks him something that clearly has little to do with his drink preferences - though Eddie is absolutely ready to spin a tale about how it's vital to know if someone is a summer or a winter person for flavor choices, and being a romance or a horror fan will tell him how adventurous they are if Steve questions it.
Steve doesn't call him on it, though he does raise one eyebrow and give him a little smirk at each one, which leads to Eddie dropping into his explanation, anyway.
He wants someone to appreciate his brilliance.
It makes Steve laugh, warm and a little surprised, like he hadn't been expecting it. âDoes that excuse work?â
âI don't know,â Eddie admits. âI haven't tried it on anyone else. What do you think?â
Steve hums, eying Eddie up and down in a way that, ridiculously, makes Eddie want to hide behind his hair.
âYeah,â Steve says. âI could see it working. Depends on how good your drink ends up being.â
That gets Eddie back on more confident ground, and he points dramatically at him. âPrepare to be wowed.â
Steve's an autumn person who likes apple cider, whiskey, and action films, so Eddie makes him a spin on a whiskey highball with ginger ale, apple juice, and cinnamon simple syrup.
Steve takes one sip and immediately looks delighted. It's far from the first time that Eddie's gotten that reaction, but coming from Steve, well.
Eddie doesn't want to say that it makes his whole week, but it kind of makes his whole week.
âThis is amazing,â Steve says. âYou do this all the time?â
âEh, just when I feel like showing off,â Eddie finds himself saying, which is true but is definitely not what he wanted to admit to.
Steve's finally looking reasonably relaxed, though, so he can't bring himself to regret it.
âI hope you know you've set yourself up for having to do this every time I come in,â Steve tells him.
Eddie grins. âI'm holding you to that. Better not see you getting drinks from one of the other bartenders here,â he teases.
He's joking - really, he is - but when Steve laughs and agrees, well.
Okay, maybe he kind of means it.
â
It's Eddie's day off, but he's at the Hideout anyway.
He'd feel more pathetic about that if it weren't for the fact that it's Jeff and Gareth's night off, too, and they're also at the Hideout.
It's a slower night, so they're just sitting at the bar drinking beer and heckling Grant while the regulars ignore them and their antics. Or, well, he and Gareth are heckling Grant - Jeff is shifting back and forth between taking their side and taking Grant's, claiming neutrality with a gleam in his eyes that says he knows exactly what he's doing.
Even though he's not working, Eddie still looks up on instinct when the door opens - and then grins when he recognizes Steve.
He flings himself around the other side of the bar, ignoring Jeff and Gareth's surprised exclamations, and very heroically manages to not immediately wave Steve over. He plans to wait until Steve's come to sit at the far corner of the bar, then slide on up to him, but - Steve sees him and immediately makes a beeline to grab a seat in front of him.
Oh.
âHey, Eddie,â Steve greets with a smile.
âHey, Steve, what can I get you?â Eddie asks.
âI don't know.â Steve raises an eyebrow at him, expression almost playful. âYou're the expert, right? What can you get me?â
âWhat is happening right now?â Gareth asks, immediately squashing the little thrill Eddie'd gotten at Steve's words.
âWhat's happening right now is that I'm trying to serve an actual paying customer, so why don't you two go find a table to sit at and shoo,â Eddie grumbles at him.
âCome on, Gar, let's quit bothering Eddie,â Jeff says, pushing away from the bar and tugging Gareth with him.
Fuck, Jeff is Eddie's favorite forever, he's going to owe him -
âEddie's apparently decided to throw in a little free labor for us tonight,â Jeff calls back as they saunter off towards an open table.
Never mind, Eddie hates him.
Steve's brow furrows, and he looks up at Eddie expectantly.
âIt's my night off,â Eddie admits.
âEddie!â Steve chides.
âIt's just one drink,â Eddie protests.
Steve rolls his eyes at him. âUh-huh. What if I wanted more than one drink, were you going to hang out here all night?â
âMaybe,â Eddie grumbles.
Steve laughs at him, but it's soft and - well. It might just be Eddie's wishful thinking, but it sounds almost fond. âGo hang out with your friends. You can get me next time.â
Eddie sulks for a moment - like they're friends, like Steve is scolding him over a stupid decision and Eddie's whining at him about how it totally makes sense, really.
Wait.
âCome sit at the table with us,â Eddie says. âI can give you recommendations on what to order.â
Steve hesitates. âYour friends won't mind?â
âNah. They love heckling me, so I'm sure they'll get a kick out of it. Come on, it'll be fun.â
Despite his words, Eddie's actually a little nervous that Steve won't get along with Jeff and Gareth, or that the tense, rigid way Steve had held himself when he first came to the bar will come back, but by the time Steve's two drinks in, he's folded almost seamlessly in with the three of them.
Jeff and Steve like the same baseball team, apparently, and he gets Gareth talking about ice skating in a way that makes him light up - a way that might make Eddie a little jealous, if Steve didn't keep catching Eddie's eyes and smiling at him.
Steve even gets a couple of their Lord of the Rings jokes, though he admits he hasn't read the books himself, just picked up on some things from the kids he used to babysit. The way he talks about this Dustin kid makes him sound more like a little brother than anything else, and it's really sweet.
Shit, he's probably not terrible with the kids. Maybe Eddie better hold out hope for the wet towels or the terrible shower singing.
It's probably pretty damn late when Eddie hears the door open, and glances over. The man walking in is unfamiliar, but he's looking around the bar with a sense of purpose that makes Eddie grimace.
âWe're all up to date on our liquor license and everything, right?â Eddie asks in a low voice.
Jeff frowns at him. âOf course. Why?â
âCheck your ten o'clock,â Eddie says, purposefully adding in a little flair like he's a spy operative keeping an eye out for the enemy. âHe's just screaming off duty cop.â
Both Jeff and Gareth crane their heads to look, leaving Eddie to sigh internally, but Steve plays along, tipping his head in towards Eddie like they're sharing a moment.
Steve's face is so close to his that he can feel the soft puff of air on his cheek when he breathes out, can see the whites of his eyes as his gaze flicks towards the door. Then he grins, and Eddie can see the way it makes his eyes crinkle at the corners.
Fuck, Eddie should be ridiculous around Steve more often.
âRetired cop, maybe,â Steve replies. âHe's here for me. I, uh. I must have missed my curfew.â
Eddie looks back over at the guy, who must have spotted Steve, because he's making his way towards them.
âYou still have a curfew?â Eddie teases.
âShut up,â Steve says, but his smile hasn't faded.
âNo, it's cute,â Eddie says. And honestly - it is. âYour dad is your ride when you've had a few too many to drink?â
Steve's eyes darken briefly. âMy dad's an asshole,â he mutters, something cracked and bitter in his tone that Eddie's pretty sure wouldn't be there if Steve was entirely sober. âHe wouldn't be caught anywhere near somewhere like this, or me in general.â
Well, shit, leave it to Eddie to open his mouth and accidentally step in it.
âHey,â Eddie says, bumping his shoulder against Steve's. âMine, too. Fuck âem, right? We're better off without them.â
âBetter off without who?â Retired Cop asks as he stops in front of their table.
âOur terrible, horrible, no good, very bad fathers,â Eddie replies immediately, shooting Retired Cop what he hopes is a very charming grin.
It must be, considering Steve is back to smiling, and now he's looking at Eddie all soft and pleased.
Retired Cop grunts in what Eddie is going to optimistically assume is agreement.
âHey, Hopper,â Steve greets. âThis is Eddie, Jeff, and Gareth. Hopper's the head of security for Hawkins Heroes.â
âAmong other things,â Hopper comments drily.
Eddie's going to guess those other things include picking up wayward activity directors when they stay out too late.
Steve looks a little abashed. âSorry, lost track of time.â
âYeah, yeah,â Hopper grumbles. âGet your shit and let's get going.â
âThanks for letting me hang out with you guys,â Steve tells them.
âYou kidding?â Jeff asks. âIt was great, man.â
âCome back any time,â Gareth agrees.
âI'll have a new drink ready for you,â Eddie promises.
Somewhat foolishly, considering he knows that Jeff and Gareth are going to tease him about that, but the smile he gets flashed at him is well worth it.
âI still gotta settle the tab,â he hears Steve tell Hopper as they head out, but he's too distracted by Jeff and Gareth's smirks to think anything of it.
âNot a word,â Eddie threatens before either of them can say anything.
âWouldn't dream of it,â Gareth replies, batting his eyelashes at him instead of saying anything.
âJust let me know when you have the drink ready,â Jeff agrees mildly. âWe can call it Steve's Special.â
Gareth and Jeff fistbump each other while Eddie rolls his eyes and shoves himself up out of his chair.
He ignores their laughter as he heads over April, who's behind the register at the moment.
âWhat's my damage for the night?â he asks.
âYour friend already paid,â she tells him.
âOkay?â He frowns at her, a little too tipsy to make any kind of connection between his question and her answer. âI mean, I'm glad he didn't duck out on his tab and leave me stuck with it, but I'd still like to pay mine?â
She rolls her eyes. âNo, you moron, he paid for all of you.â
Eddie gapes at her. âHe what?â
April smirks at him. âGuy that good looking, and he picks up the tab for you and those two? I'd hang onto him.â
Eddie's pretty sure his cheeks are bright red. He covers it up by muttering, âSon of a bitch. I'll get him for this.â
â
Steve's already at the bar when Eddie arrives for his shift that night, which instantly makes him perk up.
His crush on the guy is probably a little bit out of control, but eh, that's future Eddie's problem. Tonight Eddie gets the pleasure of some very nice eye candy all night, on top of the security of knowing he's going to have an awesome interaction with at least one patron.
Steve's clearly been there at least a little while, since there's a half eaten plate of loaded fries and a beer in front of him, and he's chatting enthusiastically with Grant.
Well.
Maybe chatting is the wrong word for it, now that Eddie gets a closer look at them.
Steve's leaning in, one elbow braced on the bartop with his gaze focused intently on Grant, as if he was the only person in the room. He's saying something in what must be a low tone, considering Grant's leaning back in to hear him. And is that -
Yup, that's a faint pink flush to Grant's cheeks.
Eddie gapes.
"Is Steve flirting with Grant?" he hisses the moment he finds Chrissy.
Chrissy rolls her eyes. "They got into an argument about pick up lines. Grant said pick up lines are shitty and cliche and don't work, and Steve insisted it's not about them being lines, it's about delivery and intention."
"So they're⌠flirting to prove a point?"
Damn it, why didn't Eddie think of that?
Chrissy's smiling at him, that sweet little grin she gives him when she knows exactly what's going on in his head. "Why don't you go over there and tell Steve where you sit on the pick up line debate?"
Eddie hip checks her, but, well.
It's not a bad idea.
He does go over, if only because he wants to say hi before he actually starts working.
He hears Grant laughing as he gets closer, but it sounds a little strained.
"Hey," Steve says quietly. "I meant all of it, you know. I wouldn't have said anything I didn't think was true. Any girl would be lucky to have you. Or, uh, guy, if you swung that way."
"You're kind of making me wish I swung that way," Grant teases, but there's something sincerely appreciative in his voice that tells Eddie that they'd been talking about more than just an argument about pick up lines.
If Steve could stop being so kind to his friends, that would really help out Eddie's stupid heart.
He tells himself very firmly to absolutely not think into the fact that Steve's apparently okay with guys dating other guys.
Instead, he stalks up to the counter as Grant walks away, pointing accusingly at Steve.
âI caught you!â he informs him. âWhat, did you think you could hide it from me? That I wouldn't notice? You're in so much trouble.â
Eddie's not sure what he's expecting, but it isn't for Steve's expression to completely crumble. He sags in the chair for a moment, then Eddie watches him visibly pull himself together, straightening up and looking solemnly at Eddie.
âOkay,â Steve says, very quietly. âHow do you want to do this?â
And that - completely deflates the wind in Eddie's sails.
âYou're not like, actually in trouble, dude,â Eddie tells him. âI just can't believe you thought you could pay our tabs and we wouldn't realize it.â
Steve's brow furrows, then smooths out. âOh!â
It's clearly a startled little realization, which immediately makes Eddie narrow his eyes.
âWhat did you think I was talking about?â he asks.
âI, uh. I guess I just wasn't sure what I did to upset you?â
Eddie considers that. It's possible - but Steve hadn't looked confused, he'd looked resigned. Like there was a secret that he was keeping, and he hadn't been expecting to be able to continue to keep it, and he was pretty sure Eddie knowing it wasn't going to be anything good. But what could he -
And then he remembers that he walked over in the middle of Steve flirting with another guy, and clearly implying that he was okay with guys dating other guys, and -
And the first thing that Eddie said was that he caught Steve and he was in big trouble.
Shit.
âIt, uh,â Eddie starts, then stops, pausing to think about how he wants to say this. âThere's a rainbow flag pinned up at the corner of the bar.â
Steve gives him a tiny smile. âI noticed,â he says softly. âIt's one of the things that made me come back here.â
âReally?â Eddie asks, immediately derailed. âIt was my idea to put it up. I wanted people to know the Hideout is a safe space, even if it doesn't look like it.â
âIt worked,â Steve tells him. âYou're a good guy, Eddie, that was a great thought.â
Eddie flushes, ducking his head for a moment before he determinedly gets this conversation back on track. âSo, uh, I just wanted to make sure you knew that none of the staff here are going to hassle you no matter what way you swing. Especially not me.â
Steve looks at him for a long moment. âEspecially not you?â he repeats.
Eddie swallows, then nods. âYeah.â
Steve's quiet at first. Then, âThanks, Eddie.â
Eddie nods again, letting the moment sit for a little bit. Then he shoots him a teasing little grin, tipping his head at the beer in front of Steve. âWhat you're really in trouble for is getting a drink from another bartender here.â
Steve smirks at him. âOh, that's not mine. It's Robin's.â
âRobin?â Eddie asks.
âMy best friend, the one who likes lemon drops? She came with me today, said she wanted to meet the guys who got me to stay out so late,â Steve replies.
Oh!
Eddie straightens up, looking around. âWhere is she? I want to meet her.â
âShe was going to the bathroom, but I think she got distracted on her way back,â Steve says drily. He nods over towards where Chrissy is talking animatedly with a girl he's never seen before. âSo you might have to wait a bit on that.â
Chrissy's smiling in a way he hasn't seen her do in a long time, which immediately makes him like this Robin girl.
âGuess you're stuck with me until then,â Steve adds.
âOh, no,â Eddie says, voice monotone. âHowever will I get over my disappointment.â
Steve laughs. âYou can start by getting me a drink.â
Yeah, okay, Eddie guesses he can do that.
He's going to finish the night by making the best impression possible on Steve's best friend, though.
Even if his own best friend seems to have gotten there first.
â
It's D&D night the next time Steve shows up at the bar.
The other regulars are pretty used to it, by now, and seem content to let the D&D crews take over the back half of the bar, but Steve hasn't seen it before. He's not sure when he started thinking of Steve as a regular - can someone be a regular if he doesn't live here, even if he does seem to come in every time he's in town? - but that's beside the point.
D&D nights were Eddie's idea. He'd wanted to do something similar to what he did in high school, give them a safe place to be able to play - only this time, some place fun, where they'd be welcome as adults instead of laughed at for playing a "kid's game." Even the nights when he isn't playing or DMing, he has a lot of fun with coming up with campaign themed drinks.
It's stupid, but he's kind of nervous about what Steve thinks of it. It's not like anything's going to happen with Eddie's crush, but he enjoys it anyway, enjoys Steve's company. It's going to suck if Steve laughs at it.
Steve beelines for the corner of the bar where Eddie's at as soon as he sees him, which makes Eddie smile involuntarily, despite the clench in his stomach when he sees Steve staring intently at the group in the back.
"Is that Dungeons and Dragons?" Steve asks.
"You know D&D?" Eddie asks. His stomach is still clenching, but now it's in a very, very different way.
"Yeah," Steve replies, shooting him a little smile. "Some of my friends play it. We actually used to have it as an activity for the kids, but Mike and Will are at college and Erica had this huge project she needs to finish for school, so it's on hold now."
"Have you ever played?" Eddie asks.
"A couple of times," Steve replies. "I did, uh. The side characters? For the kids a few times. Do you play?"
"Yeah. I used to run a D&D club in high school, actually, and I started D&D night here."
"Dude, that's really cool," Steve says, so genuine that it makes Eddie want to hide behind his hair. "Oh, hey, I know it's kind of a lot to ask, but would you be interested in doing it for camp this week? Some of the kids coming have really missed it. We'd pay you for your time, of course."
Eddie opens his mouth, then closes it again. "You want to pay me to DM a D&D game for summer camp?"
"Yes?" Steve says, like he's not sure why Eddie's in a little bit of disbelief here. "Only it's October now, so not summer camp anymore."
Right, because that's the unbelievable part.
"You know what? Sure. Do you want a one shot, or a short campaign?" Eddie asks.
Steve's face scrunches a bit in confusion.
"How many days do you want me there?" Eddie clarifies.
"All of them?" Steve blurts out.
Eddie's eyes widen, and Steve's ears go a little pink.
"I mean, how many can you do?" Steve asks.
Eddie considers. He could use some extra cash, and he's really missed throwing himself into D&D - he actually thinks he has the perfect campaign, one he used leading up to Halloween back in high school. A few tweaks and he thinks it'll be perfect.
"How about four days, five hour sessions each? Is that too long for the kids?" Eddie asks.
Steve shakes his head. "Nah, I've seen them spend like ten hours playing before, five should be perfect. Come by the resort around noon tomorrow and I'll have the paperwork all ready for you?"
â
There's more security at the resort than Eddie remembers there being the handful of times that he's been there before.
Makes sense, he guesses, since there's more kids than adults there now. It'd probably look bad if the resort let just anyone onto the grounds and some of the kids got kidnapped or something. And if they've got celebrities coming in to get their good PR by volunteering, too, they've probably got to be at the top of their game.
Eddie must be on the approved list, though, because once he's shown his ID and proven who he is, he's given a âguest staffâ badge, a map of the resort, and a list of which amenities he's allowed to use for the next week.
Nice. Steve hadn't mentioned that, but Eddie is definitely going to take advantage of it.
He's a little early to meet Steve, so he wanders around the inside of the resort instead, taking in everything.
Eventually he stumbles onto a lounge with a roaring fire and a massive plush sofa, occupied by a teenage girl and a bunch of textbooks.
âCan I help you?â she asks, for all the world like she's a busy executive behind a fancy desk and he's already wasting her time, instead of a teenager sprawled out on a couch doing her homework.
âI'm looking for Steve,â he says.
Her eyes narrow as she sits up. âWhy?â There's an edge in her voice now, something a little bit protective.
That's kind of sweet, actually.
âI'm meeting him here about a temporary gig,â Eddie says. âHi, I'm Eddie.â
Her expression shifts from wary to downright skeptical. âYou're the DM who that hairbrain thinks will do a better job than me?â
Yeah, Eddie's taking back that sweet comment.
âYou must be Erica,â he says.
âThat's Lady Applejack to you,â she retorts with a sniff. âYou better be at the top of your game, or I will sneak behind any monster you throw my way and stab them in the back with my poison-soaked kukri. And I'll smile as I watch them die a slow, agonizing death.â
Oh, fuck, Eddie likes this kid.
He raises one eyebrow at her. âI thought you had a big project that you're supposed to be working on?â
She stares right back at him, unimpressed. âYou going to rat me out if I come play?â
Eddie hams it up a little, making a big show of thinking it over. Before he can tell her that obviously, he's the last one to give any kind of quibble about playing D&D instead of doing homework, the sound of heavy footsteps approaching echoes through the lounge.
âHey, Erica?â Steve's voice calls, sounding a little strained. âCan you keep an eye out for Eddie, tell him I'm going to be a little late? I gotta - oh. You're here!â
Steve's rounded the corner, and now Eddie can see the reason for the heavier footsteps. He's giving a piggyback ride to a kid, who looks about eleven or twelve. The kid's face is screwed up in pain, and Eddie spots a bloody, skinned knee peeking through ripped jeans.
âHey, man,â Steve greets. âGive me a minute? I've got to get this guy to the nurse.â
âI don't want to go see Nurse Henderson,â the kid sulks. âCan't you just patch it up yourself? Max is going to tell me I should have just walked it off!â
âProbably,â Steve admits. âBut she'd also want you to get looked at if you're really hurt. And Nurse Henderson is the only one who's qualified to decide that, right? Besides, didn't we already talk about not doing stupid things just for a girl?â
âEspecially for a girl like Max, who's way too old for me,â the kid replies, in a tone of voice that says, yes, he's heard all of this before. âFine, I'll go to the nurse.â
âI'll keep Eddie company,â Erica volunteers.
Steve looks at her with narrowed eyes.
âI'm just making sure his campaign is up to snuff,â she informs him.
Steve relaxes, though he still cuts his gaze over to Eddie and waits for him to nod before he takes off.
Eddie tilts his head at Erica. âHow would you feel about a little extra backstory? A little party betrayal, maybe?â
Her eyes light up. âI'm listening.â
By the time Steve comes back, Eddie and Erica and hunched over character sheets, and they've got a frankly amazing tie in for Lady Applejack into his slightly tweaked campaign.
âI take it things went well?â Steve asks.
Erica stuffs her character sheets into her folder. âHe'll do.â
Eddie gets the feeling that's high praise, coming from her.
âPleasure doing business with you, Lady Applejack,â he says solemnly.
She rolls her eyes, but accepts the hug that Steve gives her, and Eddie's pretty sure he hears Steve whisper thank you.
âCome on, let's go see Joyce,â Steve says. âShe's the director of Hawkins Hope, she's amazing. Then we can grab lunch after.â
âAre you bribing me with fancy resort food?â Eddie asks.
Steve grins at him. âMaybe.â
Joyce is amazing, but lunch with Steve is even better. Eddie makes a big deal of moaning over how good the food is, but really, making Steve laugh is the best part.
Yeah, Eddie's in way too deep.
â
"Eddie!" Steve greets when he comes into the Hideout a few days after the final session. He sounds a little bit breathless, and Eddie immediately smiles.
It's amazing how much having a favorite regular there improves his night, on top of the fact that he thinks he and Steve are actually friends now.
"Hey, man," he greets. "The kids all get where they're supposed to be okay?"
Steve looks at him like he did something amazing, instead of just asking a question that any decent human being would ask, but Eddie's not going to protest.
"Yeah, just the staff left now. Hey, I wanted to ask - we're doing a masquerade event on Halloween as a fundraiser. I mean, the event itself is going to be kind of shitty, catering to a bunch of semi famous people, but the staff are having an after party. Do you want to come?"
Eddie swallows, trying not to get his hopes up. "Me?"
"Well, yeah, you were basically staff this week, so you should come."
"Oh." Turns out it didn't work, not getting his hopes up, and now he's fighting disappointment.
Steve must take that for reluctance, though, because he adds, "Chrissy and Jeff and Grant and Gareth are all welcome too, so you don't have to worry about not knowing anyone there? Unless you guys already had plans."
"Nah, I think we were just going to hang out and watch shitty horror movies, I'm sure they'd rather go to an after party at the resort," Eddie says.
It sounds like a much better night than anything they had planned, even if it isn't what he thought Steve might be asking.
"Good! Uh, that's good." Steve looks uncertain for a moment, like he's having a debate with himself. Whatever it is, he must come to a decision, because he leans over the counter a little. "What about you?"
âŚokay, maybe he's not completely out of luck here.
"Me?" Eddie asks again, but this time he keeps his gaze locked on Steve's.
"You," Steve says again. "I was really hoping you'd come, Eds."
"Yeah? What do I get if I go?"
Steve smiles at him, this soft little hopeful thing, and his eyes drop briefly down to Eddie's lips. "I got a few things in mind."
Oh fuck, this is happening.
"Well now you've got me intrigued. I guess I better make an appearance."
Steve's expression lights up. âSee you at the resort at ten?â
â
There's even more security when Eddie arrives at the resort on Halloween. He isn't driving - he's pretty sure there's going to be free alcohol tonight, and he's planning on taking full advantage of it - but the cab he and the others took gets stopped three times by security guards, and each time they have to show their IDs.
âWho the hell is going to the stupid masquerade?â Eddie grumbles after they finally get dropped off at a side entrance to the resort.
âCelebrities,â Gareth says with a roll of his eyes.
There's still a small crowd of people exiting the resort through the main entrance a little bit away, and despite the grumbling and eye rolling, none of them can help craning their heads just a little, to see if there's anyone they recognize.
There isn't - looks mostly like people with press badges and cameras.
There's a little bit of a commotion, though, and that makes them pause, just for a moment.
âHe owes us!â someone is shouting. âOne song for the bronze tier donors, that's it? What does Alistair think he's trying to pull?â
âOh, wow,â Chrissy says. âI mean, I knew Alistair was the celebrity endorser for the charity, but I didn't think he'd be here tonight.â
Eddie shrugs. âSteve said it was for the semi famous.â
âAlistair and Hawk are a little more than semi famous,â Jeff points out.
There's more shouting at the front entrance that distracts them, though - looks like whoever it was that was complaining is getting very firmly escorted out to the parking lot by security.
âWhat are you losers still doing out here?â someone asks, and Eddie turns over to see Erica scowling at him from the side entrance.
He beams at her. âLady Applejack, destroyer of Vecna, light of my life!â
Erica rolls her eyes. âGet your butts in here,â she orders, disappearing through the side entrance.
Eddie and his friends dutifully follow her, down a few hallways and into a massive ballroom that's all decorated in orange and black lights, fake cobwebs, swooping bats, and even a fog machine. There's about thirty or so people mingling about, but fortunately, she leads them to where Steve and Robin are standing together. They're both dressed in black tuxedos, but Robin has a twinkling gold halo crowned on her head and a pair of feathery wings, and Steve has a pair of devil horns. There's a cup of something bright orange in each of their hands.
Jesus, Steve looks even more gorgeous.
âHey!â Steve greets, lighting up. âYou guys made it!â
There's a round of greetings, finished by Steve pointing out the tables laden with food - some of it is clearly fancy shit that was probably left over from the masquerade, but a decent chunk of it is freshly made, mixed in with a ton of boxes of pizza and pitchers of various drinks.
âCome on,â Steve says, circling his fingers around Eddie's wrist and giving it a tug. âI want to introduce you to my friends.â
Steve leads him around the room, weaving through the small crowd and stopping whenever he finds someone. Eddie meets Jonathon Byers, Argyle, and Nancy Wheeler - Steve's ex, apparently, which throws him for a moment when he sees that they're clearly good friends.
Eddie can't imagine being friends with any of the small handful of exes he has.
Steve shrugs when he says as much. âNancy and I are much better as friends,â he admits. âOur break up was⌠all right, it was pretty bad. But it was a long time coming. We just didn't work, you know? We wanted different things.â
âNot a great point in favor of you still being friends,â Eddie points out.
Steve laughs. âNancy's amazing at what she does. She's an investigative reporter for her real job - she just volunteers here, because it's family. It's a lot easier being her friend.â
Eddie's not completely convinced, but he'll take Steve's word for it.
Nancy seems pretty great, anyway, when both of their circles of friends end up spending most of the party together. She and Robin and Chrissy keep ducking their heads together and giggling, and Jeff and Jonathon are having some kind of emphatic discussion about something Eddie doesn't really understand, and he's pretty sure Gareth and Grant and Argyle have snuck off somewhere to smoke weed.
Eddie's a little disappointed they didn't invite him, except, well, Steve's been pretty much plastered to his side the whole time, so he can't really complain.
âYou want to get out of here?â Steve asks, when Eddie has definitely had too many candy corn jello shots to be effectively considering the ramifications of that question.
He agrees anyway, wholeheartedly, and hopes he doesn't come across as way, way too eager.
Steve is beaming at him, though, and he leads him out of the room.
âLet's go for a walk?â Steve suggests, which isn't quite where Eddie's mind had been going, but he can admit it's probably a better idea than anything he might have come up with.
So they grab their coats, and Steve winds a scarf around Eddie's neck even though Eddie insists it isn't that cold out.
He's pretty sure the scarf is Steve's, though - it smells like his cologne - so he doesn't actually try to stop him.
âThis is definitely a date, right?â Eddie asks as they're walking along the path to the lake, their fingers laced together.
You know, just to make absolutely certain.
âYeah, it's definitely a date,â Steve says with a little laugh.
âIt's technically our fourth date,â Eddie points out.
There's a little furrow between Steve's brow as he frowns at him. âWhat?â
Eddie holds up his free hand so he can tick them off his fingers. âOne, you bought me drinks and dinner at the Hideout.â
âI paid for Jeff and Gareth too!â Steve protests.
âTwo,â Eddie says, ignoring him. âYou bought me lunch at the resort.â
âWe're staff, we get free lunch!â Steve says.
âThree, you invited me to go to a Halloween party with you. And four, moonlight walk by the lake,â he finishes triumphantly.
âThose are the same date!â Steve's clearly trying to sound exasperated, but he's grinning, so Eddie's calling it a win. âAnd the other two are like, half dates. So if you really want to, we can call this our second date.â
âCome on, sneaking away from the Halloween party to get time alone is at least worth a half date on its own.â
Steve rolls his eyes. âOkay, two and a half dates.â
Eddie pumps his fist in victory, but he doesn't get time to crow too much about it.
Steve kisses him for the first time out by the lake, leaves rustling in the wind and the reflection of the moon hanging heavy and orange.
It's perfect.
At the end of the night, after they've been gone from the party for so long that people have had to notice - though no one says anything - Steve gives him a piece of paper with his number on it.
âYou don't have to call me,â Steve tells him, like there's any chance that Eddie won't use it immediately. âBut I'd like it if you did.â
Eddie steals a pen and paper from the front desk, sprawls down his own phone number and shoves it at Steve.
âHere,â he says. âSo you'll know it's me when I call you as soon as I get home.â
â
Eddie expected it to be a little awkward, trying to keep up a relationship - or whatever this is, is it a relationship when they've only had two and a half dates? - via phone, but it really isn't. Steve remembers his work schedule, and he calls him every day after he gets home from work, and it -
It's almost as good as having him there. They talk about their days, about everything and nothing, and it's so fucking good it helps distract him from knowing he's not going to be able to see Steve in person again until December.
Or at least, he wasn't supposed to see him until December.
But about a week after Steve's gone, when he's hanging out with Chrissy and trying to pretend like he doesn't miss him an unreasonable amount, Eddie asks, âWho is Alistair, anyway?â
Chrissy raises her eyebrows at him. âYou don't know?â
Eddie shrugs. âIt hasn't come up.â
âScoops Troop?â Chrissy asks, like that's supposed to mean something. âThe pop duo?â
And yeah, all right, the name sounds vaguely familiar, but it's not anything that Eddie looks for, and he shrugs again. âI mean, sure, I've probably heard some of their songs on the radio.â
She rolls her eyes. âYou're ridiculous. I have a poster of Alistair in my bedroom, it's your favorite one. You've listened to him with me, he does that cover you really like, the one you said at least he wasn't a coward who changes the gender when he covers female songs.â
Shit, okay, yeah, now Eddie knows who she's talking about. He remembers that poster - a blown up shot of the pop star wearing a pair of tight jeans with the button popped, bare chested, head tilted back so all you could see was the line of his neck and the underside of his chin. He remembers sitting with Chrissy a year or so after they graduated high school, listening to one of his albums, hearing the guy sing about how it feels to watch the man he loves kiss some other girl, remembers how the song had stuck with him.
Huh. Handsome, good singer, funds charities - maybe he should have given more of his songs a chance.
âOh,â Eddie says.
Chrissy laughs softly. âYeah, oh. Should I tell Steve to watch out for your crush?â
Eddie bumps his shoulders into hers. âSteve is prettier,â he says confidently. âAnd sweeter, and funnier, and - everything-er.â
He does know to cut himself off before he starts going into too much detail, though, and instead he flops down on his bed.
âWhat's his deal, then? You have a poster, you probably know some things.â
Chrissy shrugs, flopping down next to him. âHe's pretty private. Teenage pop star, made it big pretty quickly, had a huge, blow up falling out with his manager and record label. Went quiet for a while, made a massive comeback with a new manager and label as part of a duo with Hawk.â
Eddie hums softly. Nothing all that interesting - or nothing out of the ordinary from things he's read about in the music industry before.
âWhat was the blow up about?â he asks, curious. He could go look it up himself, of course, but it's easier to ask Chrissy.
âSomething about his manager and label mismanaging his earnings. There was some kind of scandal back then about exploitation of child stars, it's why you don't see Harrington Studios or Brenner Talent Acquisition around much anymore.â
Jesus.
âWait,â Eddie says. âHarrington Studios? Like Steve Harrington?â
Chrissy frowns. âMaybe?â
âShit, Steve did say his dad was an asshole who wouldn't want to be anywhere near him,â Eddie says. âI wonder if that's why Steve cut ties.â
âYou could call him and ask him,â Chrissy says mildly. âDidn't he say he and Robin were just going to be hanging around at home the next few days?â
Eddie narrows his eyes at her. âYou just want to talk to Robin,â he protests, even though he's already picking up the phone.
Steve and Robin are home, and Steve sounds so happy to hear from him that Eddie almost immediately forgets everything else.
âI miss you,â Eddie says before he thinks better of it, before he wonders if maybe that's too much.
âI miss you too,â Steve says immediately, sounding a little bit relieved - like maybe he was worried it was too much, too. âI wish I could see you.â
âHawkins isn't too far from here,â Eddie points out. âAnd I've got a guest room.â
âYeah?â Steve asks, his voice a little soft, a little hopeful.
âYeah. Come stay the night, we'll get pizza and watch bad movies.â
Steve hums a little like he's considering it, but it's playful, and Eddie's pretty sure he's going to say yes. âAre we counting this as a whole date, or is this another half date?â
Eddie breaks out into a grin. âHalf date,â he decides. âThat'll bring us up to three, and tomorrow we can make four.â
âDeal,â Steve agrees. âSee you soon.â
Steve kisses him the second he and Robin arrive, crowding him in against the wall in the narrow hallway like it's been so much longer than a week since they last saw each other.
âHi,â Steve murmurs when they break for air.
âHi,â Eddie replies breathlessly, smiling so wide it hurts.
They end up squished together on the couch, Steve and Robin in the middle with Eddie and Chrissy on either side of them. After the pizza's gone, and they're mid way through their second movie - Eddie glances over, sees Robin's feet tucked under Steve's thigh, Steve's hand curled loosely around her ankle, Chrissy's head pillowed on Robin's shoulder.
Which sounds like a fantastic idea, actually, and he squishes down so he can lean into Steve's chest, Steve's arm wrapped around his shoulders.
Later, after the girls have disappeared into the guest room and Steve and Eddie are getting ready for bed, Steve seems⌠nervous, almost, as they climb under the covers.
âEverything okay?â Eddie asks.
âThere's things you don't know about me,â Steve admits quietly. âImportant things.â
Things like his dad owning a record label and working with a manager who exploits children, Eddie'd guess. Not a great thing for a guy who now works so closely with kids.
But Eddie trusts him.
âHey,â he says softly. âIt's okay. I mean, you don't know everything about me either, right? We're only at date three. It's okay if you want to take this slow, to get to know each other before we jump into the messy stuff.â
Steve looks like he's thinking about that. âThat's okay?â
âYeah, of course. If you want to feel each other out, keep this low commitment, even see other people, that's fine.â
It's not really fine, but now Eddie's said it, so he can't take it back.
Steve frowns at him. âI don't want to keep this low commitment,â he protests. âEds - I'm in this. I don't want to date anyone else.â
âOh,â Eddie says, a little shaky.
Steve's expression shutters a little. âDid you want to?â
âNo!â Eddie replies, a little too quickly. âNo, of course not. I just didn't want to pressure you. I, uh, I'm in this too.â
âGood.â Steve tips his head in to kiss him softly. âBut - maybe slow is good? I haven't really had a serious relationship since Nancy and I broke up.â
âIt's been a while for me, too,â Eddie admits. ââŚis it bad that it kind of makes me feel better? That we're both figuring this out together?â
Steve snorts. âNah. Not bad. I kind of like the idea of figuring things out with you.â
â
âHey, Munson!â April shouts from the office, when he's elbow deep in sudsy water doing the dishes. âYou got a phone call!â
âWho is it?â Eddie yells back. He doesn't want to lose his groove if it's just a crank call, or one of his friends with something far from urgent.
âSome guy named Steve! Want me to tell him to get lost?â she asks.
âNo!â Eddie yelps immediately. Then, in what he hopes is a calmer voice, âNo, I'll come get it.â
He dries off his hands, passes April on the way to the office and has to put up with her smirking at him, but he pointedly ignores her.
âHey, Stevie,â Eddie greets, already feeling himself smiling.
âHey,â Steve says back. âAm I interrupting a busy shift?â
He sounds - just a little bit off. Almost like his normal self, but more like he's forcing himself to sound normal.
Eddie frowns. âEven if you were, it'd be a welcome interruption. What's up?â
âIt's nothing really important,â Steve says. âI just - wanted to hear your voice, I guess.â
Oh.
Eddie lets himself feel soft and gushy over that for a moment before he leans out to shout, âApril, I'm taking my lunch!â and closes the door to the office.
âEds, you don't have to do that,â Steve protests. âI just wan-â
âSweetheart,â Eddie cuts him off gently. âI can tell something's wrong. Taking my lunch is nothing - I'd drive to Hawkins right now to see you if you wanted.â
Eddie can Steve breathe out, a slow, ragged exhale.
âWhat happened?â Eddie asks.
âMy dad happened,â Steve mutters.
Shit.
âWell, if anyone gets how hard it can throw you off when your shitty dad pops back up in your life, it's me,â Eddie says. âYou want to talk about it?â
Steve's quiet for a moment. âI don't know why I let him still get to me,â he says after a while. âHe didn't even talk directly to me. He hasn't tried to reach out since I cut him off, but he still knows exactly what to say to get under my skin, and he knows where to do it so it'll get right back to me. God, it's so stupid. I don't even care about his opinion, butâŚâ
âBut he's your dad,â Eddie finishes for him when he trails off. âEven if he's terrible, even if you don't want to be anything like him, even if you don't really want his good opinion, it's always going to matter a little.â
There's another exhale, though this one's tinged with something like relief. âYeah. Exactly.â
âWhat'd he say?â Eddie asks.
Steve snorts. âJust the usual shit. I'm not living up to my potential, I'm wasting my time on publicity stunts, I've lost sight of what's really important.â
âJesus Christ,â Eddie mutters. âYour dad really is an asshole.â
âGrade A,â Steve confirms.
âYou sure you don't want me to drive down there?â Eddie offers.
âNah,â Steve says, though Eddie can hear a smile in his voice. âI'm with Robin. She just went to pick up dinner, she should be back soon. Just, uh. Like I said, I wanted to hear your voice. It always makes me feel better.â
âYou can't say stuff like that to me when you're not in kissing range,â Eddie teases. Mostly to cover up the way it makes his heart beat a little too fast.
âSorry,â Steve replies, not sounding apologetic at all.
âUh-huh,â Eddie says. âI'll still stay on the phone with you until Robin gets back. What do you want me to talk about?â
Steve hesitates for a moment before asking, âIs it too much to ask about what happened the last time your dad popped up?â
Part of Eddie wants to say that nothing Steve could ask him for would be too much, but he does the responsible thing and actually thinks about it before he answers.
âI was seventeen,â he says, once he's decided that yeah, he's okay with Steve knowing this. âI'd been living with my Uncle Wayne for almost five years. He blows back into town, claims he has something of my mom's that she'd always wanted me to get, before she got sick.â
âWhat was it?â Steve asks.
Eddie snorts. âNothing. I already had everything of hers that she left behind. He didn't realize I'd already emptied out the old house after he left the last time. But he said he missed me, said he needed me. That he really wanted it to be the two of us this time, the way we always talked about when I was younger and he was teaching me things.â
Steve makes a little encouraging noise.
âShitty things,â Eddie clarifies. âOther dads taught their kids how to fish or play ball, but mine? He taught me how to hotwire cars. Even at seventeen, he had me convinced. I wanted to believe him so bad, I went along with his idea. Ended up with him skipping town and me in a jail cell taking the fall. My uncle had to come bail me out.â
âI'm sorry, Eddie,â Steve says quietly.
Eddie shrugs, even though Steve can't see him. âIt's not your fault.â
âThat's not why I'm sorry,â Steve retorts, in a tone that Eddie knows means he's rolling his eyes. âI'm sorry that he couldn't see how amazing you are. You deserve better.â
Eddie feels his cheeks heat up. âSo do you,â he replies. âFuck our dads, all right?â
âYeah,â Steve agrees empathetically. âFuck âem. Who needs them when we have people who actually give a shit about us?â
Eddie wishes they were together, so he could take Steve's hand or tug him in for a hug or something, to make it clear that Eddie is one of those people who gives a shit about Steve.
âYeah,â he settles for saying. âYou can call me anytime, you know that, right?â
âI do now,â Steve says softly. âThanks, Eds.â
Fuck.
âAny time,â Eddie managed to get out.
âYou too, okay? Any time. Even if I don't answer right away, I'll always call you back.â
â
Eddie's pulling his boxes of Christmas decorations out of the storage space off of his little balcony when he notices one of the boxes is damaged.
He's not sure what happened. Water leaking, maybe, or maybe just the box giving out, but it's sagging in on itself, and when Eddie opens it he - he sees the remains of some of his oldest Christmas decorations. The ones that belonged to his mom.
Eddie stares at them for a long time, fighting back tears, and then goes inside to call his boyfriend.
âHey, Stevie,â he says when he gets his answering machine. He doesn't even bother trying to sound like he isn't bummed. âIt's not urgent, just - some of the Christmass stuff I had from my mom got wrecked. Guess I just wanted to hear your voice. Give me a call when you get this, yeah?â
There's an awkward pause that he almost fills with love you, before he hangs up real quick so he doesn't end up going there on a fucking voicemail of all things.
He doesn't really know how long it's going to be before Steve's able to call him back, and it's stupid to just wait around waiting, but⌠he can't actually bring himself to do the only thing he had planned today and get the Christmas decorations up.
Eddie's still dithering around hours later when the doorbell rings, and he considers ignoring it and pretending he isn't home. He's not in the mood to be any kind of good company, after all.
But then he hears Steve's voice calling his name through the door, and he's on his feet and opening it up before he knows it.
âYou're here,â Eddie says, a little gobsmacked.
Steve shifts his weight, looking a little hesitant. âIs that okay? I mean, I know you said you wouldn't mind driving down to Hawkins for me if -â
Steve cuts off, because Eddie's dragged him inside the apartment and pressed him against the back of the door, doing his level best to kiss him senseless.
âIt's not too much?â Steve manages to ask in between kisses.
âIt's so far from too much,â Eddie returns.
Eddie's not really sure he knows what to do with someone who drove all the way here just for him, just because he was sad, but Jesus, he's not going to complain about it now.
They're both a little disheveled by the time they manage to get away from the door, and Steve gives him a tentative little smile.
âI brought you this,â Steve says, holding something out to him.
Eddie takes it, and it's - a copy of Loretta Lynn's Country Christmas. A signed copy. A signed copy specifically addressed to Eddie, wishing him a merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season.
He looks back up, gaping at Steve a little. âSteve?â
âIt was supposed to be your Christmas present,â Steve says. âBut I thought - maybe you could use it now.â
Jesus Christ, Eddie's pretty sure he's really close to crying. He squeezes his eyes shut, taking a ragged breath.
âThank you,â he says quietly.
He sets the album down, then practically launches himself at Steve, folding him into his arms and hugging him tight. Steve lets himself be held, sinking into the embrace and hugging him back just as strong.
Eventually, when Eddie's reasonably certain he's not in danger of crying - or blurting out a love confession - Eddie pulls back.
âHow long are you here for?â he asks.
Steve shrugs. âI don't have any where to be now. I finished work up early, so I've got a few days before we have to get started on winter camp and the Hawkins Hope Christmas gala.â
âStay here?â Eddie asks, even though he's a little afraid he's pushing it. The guy drove here for him after one upset voicemail, he's pretty sure he's not going to be turned off by the suggestion of staying over a few days.
âShit, yeah, I'd love to. You want me to help decorate?â Steve offers.
Eddie swallows past the lump in his throat and nods. âYeah, that'd be great.â
He puts on Loretta Lynn, and before he knows it he's laughing along with Steve as they bicker about where to put some of the decorations and immediately agree on others.
It's a much better day than Eddie could have ever imagined.
â
âHow'd you guys even find this place?â
It's mid December, and the Hawkins Hope crew officially have the resort for the rest of the year.
Which means Eddie's been hanging out there pretty much all of his days off, to the point where the security staff don't even bother to check his ID anymore. They just let him waltz right into the resort to meet Steve at one of the lounges.
Or in the room Steve's staying in, which is where they're at now.
âWe rented it out for a couple of weeks back in the spring. Or I guess, technically Scoops Troop did, but when Joyce saw it we figured it would be the perfect place.â
âThat was you guys?â Eddie asks. âI figured it was some doucebag pop singer.â
âWell, I guess you'd be kind of right, depending on how you feel about Scoops Troop.â Steve says it too casually, like he's trying to pretend that he doesn't care about Eddie's response - but he clearly cares about Eddie's response.
Eddie hums softly. âHow do you feel about Scoops Troop?â
âHawk is fantastic,â Steve replies immediately. âShe's so, so talented, she could do just about anything, you know? She's funny, and so damn smart, she's just amazing.â
Briefly, Eddie wonders if he should be jealous, but nah. Steve'd sounded similar to the way he does when he talks about Robin, and Eddie knows there's nothing going on there.
âWhat about Alistair?â Eddie asks.
Steve gives a one shouldered shrug. âI don't think my opinion really matters all that much.â
âOf course it matters, Stevie, your opinion always matters,â Eddie says.
Steve smiles at him, soft and fond. âThank you.â
Eddie waits, but apparently Steve is going to play hard to get on the subject of Alistair. âDo you like him?â
Steve shrugs again. âYeah, sure.â
Eddie raises his eyebrows, squirming a little so he's draped across Steve's lap, staring up at him expectantly.
Steve huffs out a little laugh, carding his fingers through Eddie's hair.
âIt was touch and go there for a little bit,â Steve admits. âThere was some pretty dicklike behavior going on for a while.â
Eddie gives a dramatic gasp. âA teenage idol? Being a dick? You don't say.â
There's another little laugh, which Eddie's going to count as a win.
âAnd now?â Eddie asks. âThe charity thing, is that all a cover?â
âNah,â Steve says. âThat's genuine. You go through some shit, get a couple of good thumps on the head, it can change your perspective on a lot of things. Makes you realize what's important, and what's just bullshit, you know?â
It sounds like Steve's speaking from experience, and Eddie makes a little encouraging noise.
âMy dad did some pretty shitty things to some of my friends,â he says quietly. âAnd to me. There was a time when I was probably too much like him. I mean, I wasn't ever that bad, but - I put popularity and shit above the things that really mattered.â
âIt's hard to imagine you like that,â Eddie says.
Steve frowns a little. âReally?â
âWell, okay, you're kind of a preppy jock, and back in high school I would have thought you were a huge asshole. But I mean, I was kind of a dick back then, too. I probably would have judged you without even knowing you. And now, knowing you? Shit, you're amazing, Steve.â
Steve swallows, leaning down to kiss him.
âI kind of like that you don't know a lot about Alistair,â Steve admits quietly.
âReally?â Eddie asks.
âYeah,â Steve says. âMost of the people that I work with, aside from the core staff? They're in this because it's a good look for them, or because of their connections with Scoops Troop. You're one of the few who helped out just because of the kids.â
âYou guys did pay me,â Eddie points out.
Steve rolls his eyes. âYeah, yeah, but you said yes before you even knew how much. It wasn't because of some celebrity, it was just because you're a good guy.â
Something squirms around in Eddie's gut, in a way that he can't decide is good or not. Don't get him wrong, Steve telling him he's a good guy's got his heart beating a little quicker, but he also feels like Steve's got the wrong impression of him.
âI mean, I also did it because you asked me to,â he says, before Steve goes thinking it was entirely selfless. âAnd you're the prettiest guy I've ever seen.â
Steve huffs out a little laugh. âYou agreed to help out just to get paid and to get in my pants?â
âWell, not just that. It worked though, didn't it?â
There's another laugh, and Steve jostles him with his knee a little. âSeriously, though. There's not a lot of people in my life that aren't here because of Alistair.â
It's Eddie's turn to swallow. âWell, now you've got me.â
âYeah,â Steve says, still far too serious. His eyes are so intense as he looks down at Eddie, like he's seeing straight through him - like he's on the verge of saying something big, something maybe too big.
âSo what are you going to do with me, then?â Eddie asks, light and teasing, wiggling his eyebrows.
It works to break the moment, though Steve's still looking at him almost too closely.
âKeep you,â Steve says. âIf you'll let me.â
Jesus Christ.
âYeah,â Eddie replies. âYeah, I'll let you.â
â
The sound of a piano playing draws him down one of the resort hallways, smiling softly as he recognizes it as a Billy Joel song.
âLa, la-la, di-di-da,â echoes along with the notes of the piano. âLa-la di-di-da da-dum.â
He follows the sound, until he reaches another one of the resort's many little lounging areas. This one has the customary fireplace, wide open windows with gorgeous scenery, and cozy seating. It also has a baby grand piano, and Eddie's a little shocked to see Steve sitting at it, eyes closed as he plays.
âSing us a song, you're the piano man,â Steve croons. His voice is a little raspy, a little rough, low and soft and so fucking gorgeous that it makes Eddie catch his breath. âSing us a song tonight. Well, we're all in the mood for a melody.â
âAnd you've got us feeling all right,â Eddie chimes in.
Steve's eyes fly open, and he looks a little panicked for a moment before his gaze catches on Eddie. The tension in his body relaxes a little, though there's something about him that seems a bit wary.
It makes Eddie feel like maybe he shouldn't make a big deal about this, shouldn't exclaim that he didn't know Steve could play or tell him that he should sing more often.
âPracticing for a music activity with the kids?â Eddie asks.
Steve's expression lights up with a smile, and Eddie immediately feels like he's said the right thing.
Which isn't all that common of an occurrence, honestly. Makes it feel pretty damn good that he just about always gets it right with Steve.
âDoing a piano lesson later,â Steve says.
âAnd you're going to teach them Billy Joel?â he asks.
Steve huffs out a little laugh. âChristmas carols, actually. I was just trying to warm up a little.â
âDon't mind me,â Eddie says, plopping down at the bench next to him and leaning against him. âWarm up away. Hey, you play one I know, and I'll even sing.â
Steve's expression goes contemplative for a moment. âHow about we sing together?â
âYou don't have to,â Eddie says a little guiltily, kind of worried that he'd made him feel pressured.
Steve shakes his head. âI want to. What's your favorite Christmas song?â
âCarol of the Bells,â Eddie says immediately.
Steve barks out a little laugh.
âWhat?â Eddie demands, bumping his shoulder. âIt's a good one!â
âI know,â Steve says. âIt's my favorite, too. It's just not a great dueting song.â
âNah, come on, give me some notes. We got this,â Eddie insists.
Steve rolls his eyes, but his fingers dance over the keys as he starts playing.
âHark how the bells, sweet silver bells, all seem to say, throw cares away.â Eddie's not exactly singing so much as he's whispering the words into Steve's ear, lips brushing up right against his skin.
It makes Steve's breath catch. He tips his head to face Eddie, playing without looking.
âChristmas is here, bringing good cheer, to young and old, meek and the bold,â Steve whisper sings back. Even like this, he sounds good - Eddie can tell he must have gotten some training, but with who Steve's dad is, he's not surprised.
Eddie kind of figures that's why any musical ability Steve has would be a sore subject, so he doesn't ask about it. âDing dong ding dong, that is their song, with joyful ring, all caroling.â
âOne seems to hear, words of good cheer,â Steve sings, lips so close to Eddie's that they're practically breathing the same air. âFrom everywhere, filling the air.â
Steve joins him in singing, âOh how they pound, raising the sound,â their voices melding together in a way that Eddie's not sure is technically good, but fuck it feels downright magical.
They make it through a few more verses like that, but Steve kisses him before they finish out the song, and they're too distracted to get back to it.
Really, it's not like Eddie's going to complain.
Steve's amazing with the kids, he's clearly not a terrible shower singer, and Eddie's not holding out much hope for the wet towels on the floor at this point.
Eddie just doesn't know how he got so lucky.
â
When Eddie opens the door, Chrissy immediately smacks him with a magazine, but doesn't say anything until she and Jeff have pushed their way into his apartment and shut the door behind them.
Eddie blinks at them, bewildered.
âWhen were you going to tell us?â she asks in a low, excited whisper.
âTell you what?â he asks.
âHe probably swore you to secrecy, right?â Jeff asks.
âCan we talk about it now that we know?â Chrissy says. âOh, wait, you probably had to sign an NDA or something, right?â
Jeff makes a face. âAre we going to have to sign an NDA?â
âAn NDA about what?â Eddie demands.
Chrissy thrusts the magazine at him, shaking it until he takes it.
Oh.
That's Steve and Robin on the cover, wearing matching Christmas sweaters, with glitter on their eyelids and cheeks and snowflakes in their hair.
He can feel his expression go a little dopey and fond, but hey, how is he supposed to help it?
Eddie assumes it's some kind of article about the Christmas gala Hawkins Hope is throwing, but the caption of the picture catches his eye as he's looking up.
Christmastime With Scoops Troop! Alistair and Hawk spill about their holiday traditions.
It's not until Eddie hears Chrissy saying, âOhâ and Jeff going, âOh shit, you didn't know,â that Eddie realizes he's gaping.
Eddie slams his jaw shut. âNo,â he says tightly, feeling a sharp stab of hurt covered up immediately by a blinding rush of anger. âNo, I didn't know that my boyfriend is famous. Apparently that's something that he didn't feel was important to tell me.â
He throws the magazine down onto the couch, stalking around the living room. âApparently Alistair likes to play games with poor, hick bartenders, make them think they've found something amazing, while Mr. Famous Douchebag is probably off laughing with his other celebrity friends about what an idiot I am.â
âEddie,â Chrissy says, sounding a little shocked. âI don't know if that's fair.â
âFair?â Eddie demands. âFair would have been leaving me the hell out of however he gets his rocks off. It wasn't coming into the Hideout again and again, hanging out with us and getting to know us, all the time keeping something like this!â
âHey,â Jeff cuts in. âCome on, man, Steve didn't owe us anything then. He was just a guy coming into a bar to get some drinks, getting along with the staff there.â
Eddie snarls, because he wants to be as furious as possible, and he isn't thrilled that Jeff's making a logical point. âFine,â he concedes. âBut he owed me something. He should have told me what I was getting into before I got too deep. I don't - what, was his plan to just keep quiet about this forever and hope I wouldn't find out? How stupid does he think I am?â
Chrissy and Jeff are silent at that, but that just deflates Eddie more than if they had tried to argue with him.
âWhat am I supposed to do with this?â he asks.
âDo you want to break up with him?â Chrissy asks.
Eddie startles. âNo!â Then he pauses, considering. âI don't know.â
âYou don't know?â Jeff prompts.
âWhat if all of this was a game? What if he never liked me at all, and he was just a celebrity asshole having some fun?â
âWhat if it wasn't?â Chrissy counters gently. âWhat if he's just a guy who found someone he really liked and was too scared to tell him about this?â
Eddie drops down into the couch, burying his head in his hands. âI have to talk to him, don't I?â
â
Eddie goes to talk to him.
He asks the resort staff to let Steve know that he's here, waits around in the front entrance until one of the staff tells him they got the go ahead to let Eddie wait in Steve's room.
Eddie's sitting on the bed when Steve there.
âEddie? Are you okay, they told me you-â Steve cuts off, and Eddie's going to assume that he saw the magazine in Eddie's hands.
He can't bring himself to look up to see him, to check for sure.
âWas any of it real?â he asks. His voice comes out rough, though he manages not to sound like he's on the verge of tears.
âGod, Eds, of course it's real, how can-â
âDon't,â Eddie cuts him off, harsh and sharp.
Steve makes a little wounded sound before he falls silent, and this time Eddie can't help but look up at him.
Steve looks - he looks like a fucking wreck. His eyes are wet and sad, and he looks like everything that he'd been trying to balance on his shoulders has come crashing down. Eddie wishes he could say with confidence that the guy he knows, the guy he's fallen in love with, is the same guy he's seeing now, is who Steve really is.
Still, Eddie isn't here to purposefully hurt him. Chrissy and Jeff had talked sense into him - he just wants answers.
âI don't think it's fair for you to act like I'm out of line for doubting that,â Eddie says.
Steve crumples like a wet paper bag.
âYou're right,â he says, which honestly - Eddie wasn't expecting. âIt's not fair, I'm sorry. Of course you'd think that if I was hiding this, what else wasn't I telling the truth about?â
Eddie rolls up the magazine to hide how his hands want to shake, crinkling it with the force of his grip. âWere you ever going to tell me?â
âNot at first,â Steve admits, lips twisted in a humorless little smile. âThis summer, I just - it was nice, spending time with people who had no idea who I was. I thought that would be it, but then the more time I spent with you, the more I fell for you, and by the time I realized I didn't want to let you go, I was afraid. Afraid of your reaction, afraid of what it would mean for us. There's so many people that think they know me as Alistair, and so few that know the real me. I knew, just - even if you didn't hate me, even if you still wanted to be with me, things were going to change. I wouldn't just be Steve anymore.â
âBut⌠you are Alistair. I'm not getting the real you unless I can have both.â
Steve swallows. âDo you want both?â
Eddie blinks at him, a little thrown. âWhat kind of question is that?â
âMost people want to date Alistair, the pop singer. I haven't had anyone since Nancy who knew me as Steve first, and I - I don't know. I kind of thought it would work the other way, too,â Steve admits. âThat you wouldn't want any part of Alistair.â
Eddie raises an eyebrow at him. âDude, you keep talking about Steve and Alistair like they're different people. They're both still you, right? I mean, sure, you've got to put on a different front when you're out there with the press and the celebrities, but we all do that a little. You think I act the same way with most customers that I do with you?â
âI - no. Okay, well, I hope not,â Steve adds, just a little bit teasing.
âDefinitely not,â Eddie says, giving him the tiniest smile. âSo if you're really in this, I want you to be in it. I don't want you to have to hide something so huge from me. I think I deserve the chance to know all of you.â
âOkay,â Steve says softly. âYou're right. You're - yeah. If you still want this, if I didn't fuck everything up, then I promise no more secrets.â
Eddie lets out a slow, ragged exhale. Then, âIt was real, right?â
âEvery bit of it,â Steve says. He inches closer, then when Eddie doesn't stop him, he comes to sit next to him.
âEverything I've told you is true,â Steve says solemnly. âIt's okay if you can't believe that yet. I promise I'll work really hard to show you.â
Eddie shakes his head. âMaybe I'm stupid, but I do believe you. There's a lot of things that make sense now.â
Thinking back on it - he doesn't think Steve ever actually directly lied to him, not once. Just by omission.
âFuck, your dad is even worse than I thought,â Eddie swears. âI assumed you guys had a falling out because he fucked over your friends, but he fucked over you.â
âAnd my friends,â Steve says. âJane, Hopper's adopted daughter - she got it the worst. I mean, it was mostly our manager, Brenner, who was the real piece of work, but it's not like my dad gave a shit.â
âFuck him even more,â Eddie mutters. âAm I allowed to ask what happened? Will I have to sign an NDA or something?â
Steve huffs out a little laugh. âNo NDAs, and yeah, you can ask. Hopper and Joyce were the ones that uncovered a lot of it, at first, and then Nancy and Jonathan did this massive push and got all the details to leak to the press. They're in investigative journalism half because of how good of a job they did. Robs and I both almost quit music after, but Joyce and Hop knew this guy who was a really good manager, and Murray knew Dimitri who had a small record label, and it just⌠fell together.â
Eddie narrows his eyes. âHopper's your head of security, isn't he?â
Steve grins. âAnd the security for Hawkins Hope, but yeah, mostly me and Robin. Jonathan also does most of our pictures for album covers and stuff, and Argyle actually handles our PR.â
Eddie hums. âWait, why didn't I have to sign an NDA? What if I was secretly a reporter just pretending to be a bartender?â
Steve raises an eyebrow. âBut you weren't.â
âWhat if I was?â Eddie insists. âOr, okay, what if it didn't work out and I was the kind of guy who liked petty revenge? What if some shady paparazzi comes up to me and promises a huge pay day if I spill all of the secrets I learned?â
âYou wouldn't,â Steve says confidently.
Which, okay, yes, Eddie very much appreciates Steve's trust in him and it kind of makes him feel a little gooey inside, but Eddie's on a roll and he has a point to make.
âI could!â Eddie protests. âWhat if I was just a huge asshole? What do Hopper and Argyle think of you dating someone without an NDA?â
âI don't think I've ever had anyone mad at me that I didn't ask them to sign an NDA,â Steve says thoughtfully.
âWell clearly you've been dating douchebags,â Eddie grumbles. âYou have to look out for yourself more, okay, what if I was just the worst person in the world and - what?â
Steve's smiling at him way too fondly. âI'm pretty sure I'm in love with you,â he says softly.
Eddie's breath catches. âIs that, uh. Is that a confession, or the reason you didn't have me sign an NDA?â
âBoth?â Steve admits. âLook, I know it's kind of early, so I'm not expecting -â
âNo, fuck that, I'm definitely in love with you,â Eddie cuts in. âI've wanted to say it since the time you called me at work.â
âOh,â Steve breathes out. âStill?â
âStill.â Eddie makes a little face at himself. âI do trust you, Steve. It might take me a while to get used to everything, but I don't think there's anything I'm going to learn that will change that.â
Steve kisses him, tangling his fingers in Eddie's hair.
âCome to the Christmas gala with me?â he asks.
âWon't the press and stuff be there?â Eddie says.
âYeah. It's okay if you're not ready for that, but I - I think I'd like to tell people that I have a boyfriend. To introduce you whenever you are ready.â
Eddie considers that. He's honestly not sure he is ready, but - shit, is he ever going to feel ready? âYeah,â he says. âJesus, yeah, let's do it.â
âYeah?â Steve says, his face lighting up.
âYeah,â Eddie says again. âJust, uh, let me call my uncle and tell him first. Unless - do you want to come with me, tell him together?â
Steve kisses him again. âI'd really like that. We're still in this, still figuring this all out together, right?â
Eddie follows after him for another kiss. âTogether,â he agrees.
Yeah, Eddie can handle that. As long as they're together.
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Eddie wouldnât necessarily call himself poor. Yes. He lived in a trailer park. But he wouldnât necessarily call himself poor. He had money, he made bank on being weird for the women of Hawkins, heâd made an easy quick buck dealing back in his high school years, and he had many marketable skills that could get him some kind of menial labour kind of job.
Barback, auto repair, retail, manual labour, and of course, music among the few.
So he was never really poor enough to see moths fly from his wallet in place of cash, never poor enough to miss meals on purpose to save money, or to worry about where his next meal was going to come from while hunger gnawed at his gut.
But being able to just. Walk through a supermarket, without having to look at the price of things before putting them into the cart?
That was a level of financial security that heâd not yet attained, and yet there he was. After being given a second cart for himself, and being assured that he could get anything he thought he and Steve might want while John would grab things for himself and Lynda in his own cart, he was set loose with the simple instruction to meet at the checkouts, John would wait for him if he ended up there first and vice versa.
Eddie didnât think heâd be finishing first though. There were options. He had options. He didnât have to look at prices, he didnât have to grab the cheapest things on the shelf, or look for things reduced in price cause they were about to expire.
He didnât even have to do mental mathematics for taxes because it didnât matter!
The only thing he had to worry about, the only thing that made Eddie completely certain in the fact that heâd be making John wait for him at the checkouts, was figuring out what Steve might want to eat without making it way too obvious that he didnât actually know Steve all that well at all.
He was really starting to wish that heâd just sided with Steve about the pizza.
Okay so, contrary to popular belief given his whole. Keg King persona back in high school. Steve Harrington⌠couldnât hold his drink.
At least not anymore. He couldnât even do a hand stand anymore.
Before, heâd been a killer at it, he could drink and drink and drink, he was like a fish with it, king of the drinking games, lording it over the popular crowd as if it were something to actually be proud of, as if it were a genuine accomplishment to be able to out drink your peers.
But he didnât drink anymore. At least not nearly as often as he used to.
Alcohol was expensive, and he worked minimum wage.
The most he could do was a six pack from the gas station that he and Robin would split out on a picnic blanket in his back yard, staring up at the sky with nothing but the glow of the pool lights to dim the stars above, laughing about their failed conquests and making plans neither of them could really afford to see through.
Back to the point, Steve, and Lynda Harrington, had found ol Magsâ stash of cheaper reds.
Not quite the big bucks bottles lining the shelves of the wine cellar which Steve, despite them being his now thank you very much grandparents and their ridiculously generous will, wouldnât touch, but definitely heavy hitting enough to lighten any terrible lows that may have lingered after their earlier spat.
Which led them to their current predicament. Laying on the rug in the living room in front of a crackling fireplace, two glasses of wine between them, and two half empty bottles.
One each of course, they werenât going to share just one, what were they? Poor?
Steve, feeling curious about a thing thatâd come up once as a small, throwaway thought, now the only thing he could think about as he stared at the wooden beams that made up the ceiling and having zero inhibitions stopping him from asking it, so he asked, âHow come you never brought up Robin?â
âHm?â His mother turned to him, cheeks flushed a warm pink, she never could hold her alcohol, heâd gotten that skill from his dad, however fleeting his use of it had been. âYour friend?â
âYeah, Robbieâs great, whyâd you never⌠whyâd you never tryân set me up with Robbie, whâts wrong with Robbie?â He didnât think she meant to laugh quite as condescendingly as she had, but it definitely sounded like that as she burst out laughing. âTried every girl but Robbieâsânot funny!â
âOh, sweetheart, my little baby boy, Eddie⌠Eddie is lovely. Youâre not⌠not thinking of leaving him for Robin are you?â That slight infliction on her name, what was wrong with Robin?! And thenâ âBâcause, cause⌠Jesusâbaby, sweetie, youâre notâ sheâs notâitâs not⌠hm.â She looked at her almost empty glass as if itâd offended her, then placed it down to look at him again âItâs sânot my place⌠if you donât know, sânot my place to tell you!â
âWhat do you know?â He pushed himself up onto his rear, shaking his head for a moment to clear up the spinny feeling that followed him moving âIâI know everything, Robbie tells me everythin but you⌠you donâtâwhat do you know about Robbie?â
âPfft, sweetheart if you want a chance with Robin then, Iâm sorry youâre definitely not aware of everything and thatâs surprising, does she know youâre⌠you know⌠safe? To talk to I mean? You seemed so close I thought sheâd have told you!â Granted, half of the words she was saying were slurred, but not slurred enough that he couldnât make them out, and they were ringing all the alarm bells his brain could possibly conjure.
What did his mother know, and how had she found it out? âI donât, I justâI was just wondering why you neverâI thought maybe you didnât think she cut it or something stupid, sheâs told me everythin but that doesnât explain why you know⌠or what you know, what do you know?â
And now his mother was up, sitting up straight doing the exact same thing as him, shaking off that little spinny spin the world decided to do as she sat up too fast. âRobin is perfect, Steven. Truly a one of a kind, kind of young woman.â The slurring had reduced the more serious sheâd become, as if the alcohol couldnât quite touch the severity of what they were now talking about âshe also doodles quite obscene things on her shoes. I saw them in the rack not the last time we were home, the time before it? When she stayed the night? Those ratty old canvas things she wore covered in marker scribbles⌠most young ladies don't doodle breasts on their shoes, and they certainly donât write about going 'down' on someoneâs sister⌠I⌠figured it out. I also know that this isnât something we should be talking about without her being aware of it.â Or at all, really.
She was right. As usual, his mother was right, he even knew she was right about the pizza, he always broke out a little after Tonyâs, a few spots would always appear around his mouth thatâd drive him insane, so he knew she was right about the groceries too, but yetâŚ
It was so hard to admit that she was right.
âShe uh⌠she was talking about what you guys were doin before we came out here yâknow?â But if his mother knew about Robin then⌠maybe it wasnât bad to talk about it. His mom regarded him with a curious expression but didnât ask him to elaborate, didnât stop him from elaborating either though âthe matchmaking thing? I was complaining about it, cause⌠yâknow⌠I had someone alreadyâ no he didnât, but the excuse of âthey all suckedâ probably wouldnât go down very well. âAnd she said she wished youâd try setting her up with someoneâŚâ it was probably a joke but thenâŚ
Robin had been struggling.
The uncertainty in approaching queer dating in a small town like Hawkins was⌠scary. It was terrifying. They were only getting older, thereâd only be so many more chances to experience things and trying to experience things later in life while being a big ol bundle of inexperienced anxiety?
Not fun, Steve didnât want that for Robin. He wanted her to experience things. To be confident in herself because he loved her. He wanted nice things for her. And nice things involved kissing pretty ladies.
âReally?â Oh that little lightbulb, the devious little twinkle in her eyes, her passion reignited, aimed at a much more deserving and probably receptive target âOh! Sweetie she should have said, second we get home, give her my personal number, okay? Itâs up to her to call me but I wouldâ I have a rolodex of names, an itâll only the best forâfor Robin.â Lynda would find that girl a hot sugar mama even if it killed her.
âYouâd do that for her?â Steve put a hand to his chest, touched in a way he couldnât really describe.
âOh sweetheart, of course Iâd do that for her, she makes you so happy, you just⌠you light up whenever youâre around her an I know itâs not cause youâre dating her because, unless thereâs another conversation we need to be having, youâre really not her type. I know she makes you happy. And I knowâI know I donât say it very oftenââ her voice was wibbling, and oh boy if she was going to cry, then heâd start crying and theyâd be a mess âbut Iâdâ" her voice cracked, oh no âIâd move mountains forâfor anythingâanyone that makes you happy, sweetheart.â
And that was how Eddie and John found them ten minutes later after shaking the snow from their bodies, grocery bags in hand. The mother and son duo bawling together on the carpet, two bottles into the reds, wondering a very simple âwhat the fuck...?â voiced by a very confused Eddie.
Will only knows he fell asleep at all by the way the lights coming in through the open curtains. It feels like he blinked and dawn crept its way into the world.
His eyes are unfocused, filled with sand as he lets them drift from body to body, letting the rise and fall of his bundled friendâs breathing settle into him. It must be early still â none of the blanketed lumps are stirring.Â
Will feels surrounded, swaddled by the love of his friends and the blanket someone must have draped over him in the night. Heâs warm, even in the cold of the living room.
It doesnât last.
His foot is pressed against something cold and yielding. He blinks the sand from his eyes, mind ticking away at the puzzle of the inhabited couch. He kicks it, gently with his socked toes and feels the give of flesh.
The cold settles into his bones. He knows, without even looking, that itâs not a what but a who on the couch beside him.Â
He turns his head, slowly, afraid of what heâll find. But, Steve just looks like Steve. Heâs sitting in the middle of the couch, Willâs foot against his bare thigh, Eddieâs head lolled against his shoulder. It would be domestic if not for the way Steveâs hunched over, shoulders curled in on themselves as he rubs the back of his head like heâs trying to acu-pressure away its ache.
âSteve?â Will whispers, quiet enough that the bodies surrounding him donât stir.
Steve turns his head slowly. Eddieâs head slips down a little further on his shoulder. He mumbles quietly before turning in his sleep and huddling into Steveâs neck like itâs where he belongs.
Will would agree, except when their eyes meet, heâs not sure that itâs Steve looking back.
Thereâs no recognition, just a blank nothing that makes the pit in his stomach bloom with something poisonous. He wants to call for his Mom, the same way he did in the shed as he watched the Demogorgon walk through the door like it wasnât there at all.Â
Worse, he wants to call for Steve. Steve, whoâs back has always been broad and straight and sheltering. Itâs curved now, caving in with the weight of all he isnât anymore.Â
Steve blinks, and something crawls back behind his eyes. Something blinking and human and alive with recognition. âWill?â He says it like Willâs a revelation.
Will nods. He stays still as Steve reaches out, cold fingers brushing against his cheek gently. Will doesnât recoil, even as something in his sternum urges him back, as it tries to connect and barely grasps onto Steve at all.Â
âAre you okay?â Will asks, knowing as the words tumble out that itâs a fruitless question.
Something reaches his eyes, but itâs not Steve's smile. âI will be.â He shakes his head, seemingly not noticing when the movement makes Eddie slip further down his shoulder, his hot breaths turning the skin of Steveâs collarbone a concerning pink.Â
âSorry, itâs hard to hear over him,â Steve says, rubbing that same spot at the back of his skull as Eddie sits up, blinking foggily.
âOver who?â Will asks, even though he knows. He can still see the shadow looming over Steve, over all of them, as it chokes the life out of their protector while neither Eddie or Will could do anything at all. Itâs branded into his irises so completely, Will could paint it without any reference at all. He wonât, doesnât want to ever see Steve like that again, thinks maybe black is his least favorite color on his palette now.Â
Steve doesnât answer. Will doesnât need him to â he can see it looking back at him from behind Steveâs eyes. Â
Eddie clears his throat, a smokerâs scratch sticking with his words when he asks, âdoes that mean we brought that thing back with you, a la hitchhikerâs guide to the galaxy?â
âGalaxy?â Steve asks, looking confusedly over at Eddie before saying Eddieâs name with just as much awe as heâd said Willâs.
Eddieâs cheeks pinken and he shifts his gaze guiltily over Steveâs shoulder, making eye contact with Will like heâd been caught in the act. Willâs not sure what act, but he smiles as best he can. Eddie clears his throat, shifting his body back into the arm of the couch as he says, ânever mind that, which realm is that shadow creature residing in Sir Steven, the Gallant?â
Steve blinks blurily over at Eddie, so Will cuts in, âis he here or the Upside-Down?â He doesnât clarify who he is. They all know.
âSome of him is there, and some of him is here, too.â He pats the back of his head, leaving no wiggle room in what he means by âhere.âÂ
Eddie meets Willâs eyes as Steve hunches down again, rubbing at that same spot, like heâs either trying to push something out or push it further in. Either one makes Will feel queasy.
Eddieâs eyes are wide and distant the same way they had been when Steve had gone on his suicide mission last year in Willâs Upside-Down living room, nothing but a shotgun and a wish between him and the Demogorgon.Â
Eddieâd disappeared into himself in the aftermath, losing chunks of time to staring at something Will couldnât see. Heâs doing the same thing now.Â
Will wants to reach over Steve to slap him, to shake him until he snaps back into himself because Will canât lose them both in one fell swoop. Heâs not strong enough to feel both of their tethers snap, to feel the reverb of the strings tying them all together lashing back into him and stay standing.Â
âHow do we get him out?â Will asks.
Eddieâs eyes zero in and focus, but Steve doesnât look up from the carpet between his shoes. He just keeps rubbing his head.
Will swallows the bird lodged in his throat, itâs a canary in a coal mine in no oneâs listening. No oneâs ever listening.Â
The sound of a door opening breaks up the stagnant air. Will feels the bird sink into his stomach, stop its incessant squawking as his Mom walks out of her room. Sheâs wearing the same clothes as yesterday, and there are dark smudges beneath her eyes, but sheâs smiling.Â
âHowâd you sleep, sweetie?â she asks, looking at Will.
The bodies on the floor stir at the sound of her voice, heads popping out of blankets hesitantly as noses meet cold air.Â
âFine,â he murmurs, and he thinks itâs even true. She purses her lips anyway, even as her gaze moves around the room, across Wayne dozing in the arm chair, the party on the floor, Eddie on the couch. She doesnât look at Steve, but itâs not like she doesnât notice him. Itâs like her eyes are repelled from him. Like she canât bear to let them settle on him. Like thatâll all make it too real.Â
âWell, everyone get ready for school,â she says, raising her voice until Willâs stirring friends groan.
âI canât go to school,â Will says, pushing his foot harder into Steveâs thigh. He wants to reach over and latch onto Steveâs forearm hard, keep them tethered together as long as he can, but heâs afraid the touch will burn.
His Mom reaches out, clasping his hand, smiling small and sad at him, just him. âI know, sweetie,â she says quietly. âBut your friends have to go or their parents will get worried.â
As if waiting for his moment, Dustin butts in, âI want to stay with Steve!â His voice comes out in a nasally whine, the way it always does when he just wakes up. Itâs loud enough that Wayneâs snoring stops, and he sits up abruptly, the way old men on TV do when theyâre startled awake. Itâs like a snort, snort, gasp, with wide eyes.Â
Lucas giggles, and it breaks the tension just enough the Mom sighs, turning her back on the couch, on Steve, to pat Dustin consolingly on his mussed hair.Â
âYou can see Steve later,â she says, as Wayne ratchets the recliner of the chair down and plants his still-booted feet onto the carpet to lever himself upright. âWe wouldnât want you to get grounded.â
âI can take âem,â Wayne says, rubbing his face roughly. Itâs hard to tell what wrinkles are his usual wear and whatâs from a bad nightâs sleep. âGotta head to work anyway.â
The room fills with grumbling, but Lucas and Mike pull a still-protesting Dustin into the bathroom to get ready.Â
Wayne routes around Mom to crouch in front of the couch. He reaches out his hand to clutch Steveâs knee before drawing it back before making contact. âIâve gotta go to work, son,â he says, quietly enough to pretend at privacy. âBut, you call me if something happens, okay?â
Heâs not looking at Eddie. Heâs looking right into Steveâs eyes, waiting for a response. Steve swallows, nods, says, âOkay,â quietly, before continuing with that same reverence, âWayne,â like heâs collecting their names for safe-keeping.
It should be sweet, but Willâs not sure what heâs keeping them safe from, and when he turns to look, his Momâs still standing in the same place, fists balled, and a look on her face Willâs never seen before. âMomââ he starts, but itâs too late. Sheâs already turned and strode into the kitchen.
âIâll start a pot of coffee,â she says, breezily, as if nothing is wrong at all. âIâve got a carafe you can take to work, Wayne.â
Wayneâs still-raised hand tightens into a fist, and he says, âcall me again,â this time, looking at Eddie. When he nods as well, Wayne uncurls his fist and pats Willâs knee instead, turning on his heel to follow Mom into the kitchen.Â
The house empties and quiets. Grows colder and lonelier with Steve between he and Eddie, taking up a space Willâs not sure this version fits in anymore.Â
Mom flits around the house, like doing the dishes, or mopping the floor, or hanging the laundry will make everything normal again. Eddieâs never been this still in his life.Â
Itâs a standstill; a stick-up where the gun is a shadow, and the convenience store is in Steveâs head. Itâs a standstill, until Steve curls so far into himself that his head disappears entirely, groaning loudly enough that it can be heard over the vacuum cleaner.
âStevie?â Eddie asks, reaching out to cup his neck, seemingly uncaring of the red marks that immediately bloom in his wake. âAre you okay?â
The vacuum shuts off, and Mom comes running, dropping to her knees and sliding against the carpet in a way that must hurt, even through her sweatpants. âWhat hurts?â she asks, like that noise was all it took to break whatever flimsy wall sheâd put up to keep her from looking at Steve Harrington.Â
Will knew it wouldnât last. Sheâd been won over the first time she realized his parents werenât coming back. The first time she saw him small and bandaged in the hospital. The first time sheâd heard Will say, he saved me.
âWhat can we do?â she asks, gripping onto the couch by Steveâs knee hard.Â
Steve uncurls, eyes unfocused as they settle onto her without seeming to see anything at all. Theyâre fogged. Will almost thinks he can see shadows dancing around in them. He yanks the thread tying them together, slumps his shoulders when he feels a tiny tug back.
âSomethingâs wrong,â Steve says distantly, as if that hasnât been obvious for days. âSomethingâs wrong.â