Chapter Text
The best October of Eddie’s life was coming to an end. He was almost sad to say goodbye, like the month itself had some larger part in bestowing Steve upon him. A party did seem like a fitting send off.
Steve was throwing a Halloween party. It wouldn’t be to quite the scale of the infamous Harrington high school parties, but the kids were excited. Eddie was already at Steve’s house, currently helping hang decorations and put out snacks. He held up another streamer and reached for the tape, coming up empty. His brows scrunched, and he searched for the roll. His hunt was soon successful, retrieving the tape from the last shelf he worked on.
Eddie had been buzzing all day, leaving him a bit scattered. Whether that was from the party anticipation or the fact that he’d spent the night, he couldn’t be certain. Waking up to Steve was like a dream. Eddie could have stayed in that warm embrace all day given the opportunity, but it was the quiet of the kitchen as they sat and drank coffee together that filled his chest with warmth.
Arms wrapped around Eddie’s midsection, lifting him from the step stool and sending him spinning. Eddie let out a surprised noise but quickly dissolved into laughter. He turned to face Steve and was quickly pulling into a kiss, sending a spark of electricity down his spine and giving him goosebumps. Steve carefully deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into Eddie's mouth, only to freeze and pull back with a furrowed brow.
“What do you…”
Eddie grinned wide, showing off the cheap, plastic vampire teeth, before laughing.
Steve smiled and shook his head. “How long have you been waiting for that little surprise?”
Eddie unceremoniously removed the fangs, wiping his mouth with his sleeve when a trail of spit followed. “Too long.”
Amusement made Steve’s features glow. Eddie always loved making him laugh.
“Did you need to get ready?” Steve asked, arms still wrapped around him.
Eddie glanced down at his well-worn Iron Maiden shirt and sweat pants. “Yeah, but it shouldn’t take me long. We still have an hour.”
Steve pressed a kiss to Eddie’s lips quickly before releasing him and heading for the stairs. “Well, I need to get changed, or I’m gonna be greeting everyone in my boxers.”
Eddie sighed, watching the turn of his hips as he headed upstairs. Steve in his boxers wasn’t a sight he’d ever get sick of. He was pretty sure they needed to make drastic changes to society so that Steve could stay that way forever. Eddie laughed at his own thoughts.
He wandered around, making sure everything was in place, before going to get ready.
As much as Eddie loved the theatrics, he always favored simple costumes, especially ones that made his friends laugh. He grinned at his ridiculous reflection, sure that he’d nailed it this year.
Steve was still in the bathroom. Eddie heard the hair dryer turn on and off at least a dozen times. He knew Steve’s beauty routines were elaborate, but he grew anxious to see what Steve was working so hard on.
The door swung open, finally, with a bit of steam from his shower puffing out into the room dramatically. Eddie’s jaw dropped.
Standing before him was his boyfriend, oozing confidence in the way only someone so sure they were hot could. Brown bomber jacket over a white tee shirt, dark jeans that stretched tight over his tights, heavy black boots, and mirrored subclasses to complete the look. Eddie recognized him instantly. Steve had fawned over Top Gun enough that Maverick was seared into Eddie’s mind with perfect clarity. With his hands on his hips, Steve’s attention focused on Eddie. His features twisted as he barked out a surprised laugh.
“What the fuck are you?” Steve asked incredulously.
Eddie looked down at his bright orange track suit and shrugged, giving the small cat ears on his head a flick. “Garfield- duh.” He grinned.
Steve doubled over laughing, leaning against the dresser for support. Satisfaction grew in Eddie’s chest.
“God- you’re such a dork. I love you,” Steve took off his glasses to wipe the tears from his eyes, shoulders still shaking with laughter.
Eddie froze. “What?”
Steve glanced up at him, smiling. “Hm? I said you're a dork and uh-“ Realization washed over Steve’s face.
Eddie drew a sharp breath. “No, it’s fine. It was a slip. You didn’t mean it like that. It’s fine,” Eddie quickly assured him. A chill settled over his skin, prickly, making him feel hollow for a moment. It wasn’t a big deal. Eddie knew that. People say things by accident all the time. A slip of the tongue. It was fine.
Steve stared back at him. He pressed his lips together in a thin line, looking determined. He shook his head.
“No, I meant it,” he stated confidently.
Eddie drew back, suddenly very aware that he was wearing cat ears while having this conversation.
“You… meant it,” Eddie repeated slowly.
Steve stepped closer, cautiously then all at once, taking Eddie’s arms in his hands.
“I did. I love you. I know it’s early, but it’s also not. I’ve loved you for a long time now,” Steve admitted softly, leaning further into Eddie space.
“Even though I’m dressed as Garfield?” Eddie choked out. Maybe it wasn’t important. Eddie had been the freak all his life, but now he was standing in Steve Harrington’s bedroom, with cat whiskers drawn across his cheeks in eyeliner. How could this perfect boy in front of him love him? Eddie felt like he was living out an episode of the Twilight Zone.
Steve’s expression softened. “Especially dressed as Garfield.”
“Really? That’s what got you?” Eddie’s brows shot up.
“What can I say… I’ve got a thing for nerds,” Steve shrugged with an easy smile.
Eddie shook his head and laughed, leaning his forehead into Steve’s chest.
“You’re ridiculous,” Eddie mumbled against him. “And I love you.”
A tension Eddie hadn’t noticed Steve was holding released. Eddie felt Steve relax against him ever so slightly.
“Did you really think there was a chance I didn’t? Steve, you’re- fuck, you’re everything to me,” Eddie pulled back to look him in the eyes.
Steve pulled him forward, kissing him with urgency. Eddie melted into the touch. He gripped the leather of Steve’s jacket, pressing against him, as Steve reached up to grab Eddie’s jaw, fingertips ghosting over his pulse point.
The doorbell pulled them from their fervor. Eddie took in the view of Steve’s darkened, unfocused eyes and his swollen lips. He forced himself not to pull Steve right back in.
“Time to party,” Eddie teased.
Steve nodded, blinking himself back to reality. Eddie loved the slightly disheveled look of him. He darted forward, pressing a quick kiss to Steve’s lips before crossing to the door.
“God, you’re too pretty. Seriously, it should be illegal,” Eddie called back to him.
He heard Steve turn to follow him before stopping abruptly, letting out a burst of laughter.
“Is that a tail?”