Chapter Text
YEARS LATER
It’s Steve’s senior year, and he’s so excited . Being the king of high school was a plus, and he knew in the moment he walked at the parking lot all eyes were on him and at the new girl he’s around with – getting anyone he wanted was also not a problem.
To be honest he forgot the names, so he just call them ‘babe’, it’s easier and they seem to like the nickname (or at least to pretend they like it). Who wouldn’t adore to be Steve Harrington’s (weekly) chosen one?
The girl was a brunet, and she was talking non-stop about the next school dance, and that she’s already thinking about the dress, and how to match with her date’s suit; she wasn’t very sutble, keeping looking at Steve while talking about her ‘date’, but he didn’t want to ruin the spirit. It’s still Wednesday, and he normally dumps the girl at Friday morning.
So when the school bell rang Steve was kind relieved, and he kissed the girl in the cheek, looking a bit disapointed – but not really – to leave her, and he walked – or ran – to his History class. Maybe he’d need to change the pattern and dump the girl tomorrow.
The class was crowded, and Steve liked to sit in the back, next to his friends Carol and Tommy. They were making out, not caring about the audience, but Steve really didn’t like to see that. It’s always weird for him to see a couple kissing, even at the movies.
If Steve would be honest, he didn’t like to kiss, but he couldn’t say that out loud. Not even to his best friend Tommy.
The severely old History teacher came in and started to read at the board, the class silently doing the same. It’s a boring class, which normally Steve kept chewing gum and throwing at someone’s head, and he’s about to do it when the door opened.
Some people loudly moaned when Eddie Munson came in, smelling like pot. He just smiled, victorious, and walked to his chair. The teeacher looked up and said “Late again, Mr Munson. This time you want to fail by missing classes?”
“I always try something new, Mr Connor.” smirked Eddie.
Eddie looked around and his eyes landed at Steve’s, and he saw Steve blushing lightly.
“What, Harrington?” asked Eddie, no fear on his voice.
That took Tommy’s attention, and he said “Hey, don’t talk with Steve like that, you freak!”
Eddie smiled, liking the other’s reaction, and before anyone could say anything, the teacher said “Mr Hagan, shut up and pay attention to class, because your grades aren’t great in my class either.”
-
The History class looked like a whole day. Mr Connor’s voice was preachy, and the subject as well, and Steve could see people holding themselves to sleep. He prefered to look at the trash can, to not fall into the boredom. Only the nerds were really paying attention, but that’s their jobs.
He only went back to reality when he heard the words ‘pair project’. Carol looked at a friend in class, already making a deal to do it together, and Steve and Tommy shared a looked too, but before they could seal the deal, the teacher spoke again.
“This time I will choose the pair.” In the second all students started to groan in dislike, Steve joining them.
It’s useless to discuss with Mr Connor, who’s now writing the pair’s names at the board. Steve laughed when heard Tommy saying under his breath ‘old fuck’ about the teacher, and he only could hope that he stayed with a nerd, so he didn’t have to do the hard work. Not that he’s a dumb student, but well, being popular has his advantages, like people want to do his homework just to be in good terms with him, so Steve could prevent any bullying at them.
Steve saw his name being written at the board. Right now only Stevens and Mulligan were the nerds available, but he could use his charm on them. But Mr Connor had someone else at mind.
Steve Harrington & Eddie Munson.
“Fuck.” He heard Eddie saying.
They shared a look for one – maybe two – seconds, and both went to talk with the teacher.
“Mr Connor, I’m okay doing alone, seriously.” Eddie said.
“Me too. I already did a lot of essays on my own.” Steve added.
“I don’t need a jock to tell me what to do.”
Steve looked at Eddie, almost wanting to snap at him, but Eddie stared back, daring him to do it.
“Boys, I won’t accept you to tell me how to conduct my class. It’s you two together or it’s a F.” The teacher was firm, nodding in the end.
“Fuck it.” and Eddie walked away.
Steve was a bit taken by the other’s behavior, but the teacher told him to go back to his sit. Steve didn’t want to see much at Eddie’s reaction; it’s been a while since they had an interaction, and to be honest he didn’t want to think much about it. Not in front of Carol and Tommy.
Talking at them, both were laughing when Steve sat again at his chair.
“Wow, you’re with The Freak Munson now. Well done.” Joked Carol.
“And why he stormed off class like that?” asked Tommy, hints of malice on his voice. “Couldn’t handle Big Steve?”
None of them knew Steve and Eddie were once friends. And Steve wanted to stay that way.
“Just said he didn’t want a jock to tell him what to do.” Steve just shuggred.
Tommy’s expression changed and Steve got scared. Tommy always has this protective atitude about his team; some people could say it’s borderline psycho.
“You think we should give him a lesson to not talk back at you?” Tommy asked, serious.
He knew his friend’s favorite answer to anything was using his fists, and he didn’t like the idea of Eddie being punched. “No. He doesn’t scare me. I can talk with him.”
Tommy accepted the answer, but didn’t look to like it.
-
Steve found Eddie above the bleachers, making a deal with two cheerleaders. They waved to Steve and walked away, giggling. When Eddie saw him he leaned at the steel structure. “Wanna something, my king?” asked him, already opening his bag.
“No, no, man.” Steve came closer. “Just wanna talk about the essay. It’s to write about something that happened at Hawkings. A historical event.”
Eddie nodded, sinking the information. “Okay, then. I write it and put your name. We don’t need to do it together.”
If anyone at that class said that to him, Steve would be relieved and accept it right away. But he knew why Eddie was doing it, and what he’d think about Steve if he said yes to that. And he didn’t want that Eddie thought he’s a coward. Or worst, that he’s scared of him.
“No, man. We’ll do it together.” Steve assured with a nod. “After class we can could to my house and –”
“I won’t go into your house, Steve!” Eddie said louder than he wanted to.
That made Steve look at him. The younger one could see a glimpse of the child Eddie was right now: ashamed of a world he’s not a part of. His face was slightly pink, but maybe was just the weather. Steve wanted to believe in that.
“Ok. We can do it at your house, then. You still live in your uncle’s trailer?” asked Steve.
“Of course.” Eddie gave a sarcastic smile. “Are we done? I have other things to do.”
It was palpable that was awkward for both of them. Maybe that was the longest they talk they had with each other in years – which, at Hawkings, it’s a record, since the whole town somehow knows one another. Steve somehow didn’t want to move away, while Eddie was desperate to run away; he actually did, hours before.
“Yeah, man. After class, then?” assured Steve.
“Can wait.” Eddie said, and he walked.
Steve was afraid. And maybe Eddie as well.
-
Eddie was walking around the trailer, thinking how to prevent the afternoon he had to have. He didn’t want Steve there. Not again.
He could faint; hold breath to avoid something unpleasant was Eddie’s specialty. He could walk into the woods and get high and then pretend he forgot his deal with Steve, and tomorrow appear at school with the essay done, so Steve couldn’t argue. They say goodbye and live their lives again.
Say goodbye. Like it was possible to do that when the fucker was everywhere at school.
‘One more year, Eddie’, he say to himself. This year he wanted to finish high school and jump out from Hawkings. Find a good place for him and for his uncle. Maybe Indianapolis. Anywhere but this town that hates him for being himself.
Anywhere where Steve Harrington doesn’t exist.
Someone knocked the door, and Eddie shivered. Fuck, he needed to deal with that. It’s inevitable now.
Eddie opened the door and there was Steve, looking a bit ashamed. Eddie didn’t intend to make it easier for him, so he just move aside to let him get into the trailer.
Steve looked around, and smiled. “Wow, it’s just like I remember, man.”
Just a second Eddie wanted to smile – because if Steve remember anything it wasn’t just a distant dream of his – but instead he said “That happens when we only have money enough for food and rent, unlike other people.”
Maybe Steve understood, because he gave an apologetic smile, and he sat at the couch.
It’s late enough to go to the woods and get high?
They could hear the neighbour’s radio playing Everybody Wants to Rule the World – and Eddie kept thinking that song it’s so Steve, but he kept to himself – and they looked at anything but each other. Like their stares could kill the other one; maybe it would.
Eddie cleared his throat and asked “How about we find the subject we want for the essay? When it’s the deadline, anyway?”
“Next week.” Answered Steve, looking uncomfortable.
“Look, the deal stands. If you want to go home or, I don’t know, go make out with your next lady, I don’t mind. I can do this on my own and put you name on it.”
“And let you win the argument? No way.”
Eddie didn’t help but laughed. That was so stupid, but that’s Steve, making laugh for the stupidiest things.
Steve liked Eddie’s laugh. That’s a sound he didn’t hear in a while, or at least not directioned for him. Eddie has some friends at school, Steve knew, and from times to times, he could see Eddie getting along with them, laughing at something he couldn’t hear. And for some moments he’d desire to be there and make Eddie laugh, or at least being around to know what makes him.
But Steve was never around.
And the moment was gone in the second Eddie realized the attention Steve was giving to him. He stopped and went back to the paper, writing the name ‘subject’ in the top.
“So, what’s our subject?” asked Eddie, tapping the pen at the paper.
“We can talk about the Starcourt Mall.” suggested Steve.
Eddie rolled his eyes. “That’s not such a historical event.”
“We never had a mall!”
“You really think Mr Connor will care about that?”
“Mr Connor only cares about his cat and –”
“Mrs Donnavan.” They said in unisson. Now both are laughing.
Steve liked to see that it’s still easy to be around Eddie, and he could see inside something warm. Something good.
He felt that, years and years ago, for the same boy in front of him.
Eddie looked at him, and felt it was too dangerous to be around Steve. He’d be weak again, like years and years ago.
“Ok. Starcourt Mall it is. Your dad may know some people that can talk us about the building and why they chose Hawkings and stuff, right?” he said while writing down the name of the subject.
Steve didn’t want to think or talk about his dad around Eddie. “Can I go to the bathroom?” asked Steve.
“Yeah, it’s –” started Eddie, but then stopped. “You know where.”
Steve smiled and went to the bathroom. He could feel himself shaking, but he didn’t know why. It’s just Eddie Munson, he knows him – or at least he knew – so there’s no need to be nervous around him.
When he went out of the bathroom he noticed Eddie’s room’s door opened. He didn’t think much, just got in.
If the rest of trailer was just the same as Steve’s memories, Eddie’s room was different. A lot of posters of bands Steve never heard of, some guitars, a lot of tapes next to a stereo, some paper at the wall, and when the boy was getting closer he could see were poems.
Besides the forniture, the only things Steve could see were still there were Eddie’s action figure.
“What are you doing here?” Steve jumped when he heard Eddie behind him.
Steve didn’t know how to defend himself. “Sorry, I just...I got curious. The door was open.”
Eddie looked at Steve’s direction, at where he’d be looking, and his eyes got bigger.
“Why you’re looking at my stuff?” Eddie walked around Steve and started to push him out of the room.
“I didn’t know you’re a poet, Eddie.” Steve commented, smiling.
Eddie stopped. Steve could think he’s embarassed at his discovered, but the red on his face soon looked as anger boiling up.
“You don’t know me! You don’t know anything about me, Harrington!” Eddie shouted. “You really think that the person you were friends so long ago still exist? Because he’s gone, and so any kind of relationship you and me had.”
That hurt more than any punch Eddie could’ve given at Steve.
“Now get out.” Eddie demanded.
“But the es –”
“Fuck the essay. I don’t wanna talk with you right now.”
Steve just silently grabbed his things and walked out the trailer. Seconds after he could hear a screaming inside the place.