Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Eddie sipped his coke, wishing it was beer. He didn’t even like coke, it kinda tasted like sweet metal. But it was the only thing the bartender would give him. He guessed it was better than nothing.

Oliver slapped Eddie on the shoulder, making his drink spill onto his hand. “Yo dude, isn’t that your friend?”

“My friend?” he yelled over the music.

Oliver pointed and waved, causing the people around them to stare.

Eddie spun around, his shoes sticking to the sticky bar floor. His eyes landed on Steve, who stood out in his preppy clothes and bright color pallet. In comparison to the crowd full of people wearing leather, studs, and dark eyeliner; he couldn’t have looked more out of place.

God, he hoped Steve didn’t see Oliver pointing him out like a celebrity. It might make him think that Eddie spoke about Steve or something. Which he definitely doesn’t do. That often.

Eddie tugged on Steve’s elbow and led him over to a corner where it was quieter. Steve followed easily. “What are you doing here, Steve? I didn’t think this was your scene.”

“I’m here to watch the gigs. You know, like.” Steve gestured to a handmade flier on the wall. “Like, Broken Station Wagon.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “You… like metal?”

Steve nodded, his stupidly perfect hair bouncing with the movement. Eddie was surprised it could move, what with the amount of hair spray the man must use to make it defy gravity.

“Yep.”

“But you don’t know who Black Sabbath is?”

A small smirk played on Steve’s lips. “I like to support local.”

What the fuck was he supposed to say to that?

When Eddie didn’t answer, Steve walked off towards the stage, quickly swallowed by the crowd.

Eddie stood there, trying to put together how preppy Steve could be at a metal concert. The same Steve that looked at him like a confused puppy any time he said anything music-related.

Oliver called out, “Eddie! Eddie man, we’re on in 5. Come on.”

“Yeah, dude. I’m coming.” He rushed after Oliver. Apologising to the people he bumped into when the strobe lights became a little too much. Eddie wished he could say the people were there to see his band, but they were just opening for the night.

Their set went off without a hitch, he even played a couple of the new guitar solos that he’s been working on. After all, he’s had a lot of time to practice since he hasn’t been sleeping very well. Monsters could do that to you. The crowd seemed to like them too. Maybe they would even have more than their usual five drunks, the next time they played.

He pushed his way through the crowd, trying to find Steve. He had seen a couple of glimpses of him during the set. Steve had looked kind of adorable. Politely bopping his head, just a tad offbeat, while the people around him moshed. Eddie had almost played the wrong chord when he saw Steve look up at him. Steve's smile was wide and his brown eyes shone under the stage lights.

He had to know what Steve thought of the set, even if he had only been there for another band. The curiosity was killing him.

“Hey, have you seen Steve?” he asked a girl he remembered from Junior year Spanish.

The girl edged closer to him, before yelling over the music. “Steve?”

“Steve Harrington.”

Her eyes widened, and he could see that her mascara had smeared. “He was here? Why?”

“I have no idea. Thanks anyways…” He racked his brain for her name.

“Linda.” She smiled up at him.

“Right, Linda.” He gave her a little wave. “I’ll see you around.”

He asked around for a little while. The people he asked were either surprised that Steve was there in the first place, or they hadn’t seen him in a while.

Had he just left? Damn, Steve was weird. Or well, they were all pretty weird. Fucked up, really, after the whole horrifying events they went through with Vecna. But Steve was acting weird in a different way than usual.

Eventually, he gave up and drew his attention back to Broken Station Wagon’s set.

Chapter Text

“Eddie! Hey, Eddie.”

Eddie turned around to see Steve jogging through the school car park. A blue car with chipped paint slammed its breaks, only a few feet from hitting Steve. Steve waved at them cheerfully in thanks, not slowing from his jog.

Eddie had seen that man kill monsters with his bare hands, and yet he almost got taken out by a teenager in a parking lot. What an idiot.

“Steve?”

“Yeah, hey man.” Steve paused, catching his breath. “Good thing I caught you before you left. El said she felt something off with the upside down.”

A pool of dread settled in his stomach and clawed up, nestling against his ribs. “Wait, wait. Didn’t we just fix that?” He reached for his rings, twisting them with shaky hands. “What do you mean, again?”

Steve chucked, but Eddie could see his shoulders were tense under his polo. “You’ll get used to it.”

“I really, really, don’t think I want to get used to it,” he said, the words bleeding into each other. “We should move everyone out of this town, put a bubble on it or something. You know, so we don’t all like die-”

Steve cut him off gently, a big hand on his shoulder. “Eddie.”

Flashes of Chrissy’s disfigured body flooded him. The sound of bones grinding against each other and the wet squelch of her body hitting the floor. Over and over. Over and over. An endless loop. He just kept screaming, powerless to help her. And then he just ran.

All he ever does is run.

Two hands grabbed his upper arm, shaking him. Steve. “What?”

His vision focused enough to see Steve in front of him, his honey-brown eyes watching him closely. Steve gripped him tighter as Eddie shook under his hands.

“You’re freaking out. It’s ok, it could just be a false alarm,” Steve soothed. “If it’s not, well we’ll figure it out. Just breath, man.”

Eddie tried to do as he said, but his breathing was too fast and shallow, nothing more than painful pants. Goddamn, he was messed up. It had been months, but the fear still clung to him like bad cologne. Potent and cloying.

“Here, follow my breathing.” Steve drew in exaggerated breaths, murmuring ‘in’ and ‘out’ under his breath.

Eddie copied him for a while, his breaths getting deeper. Steve held him the entire time, the warmth from his hands bleeding through the leather of his jacket. It made his arms tingle and the sensation grounded him, keeping him present.

Steve nodded encouragingly. “Good job, just like that.”

Slowly, Eddie calmed. He looked around the empty parking lot, the only sign that time had passed. Shit, how long had he made Steve stand there with him?

Steve gave his arms a comforting squeeze before he let go, creating space between them. “You’re doing great.”

His cheeks heated. “Thanks, Stevie.”

“Anytime. Now, we’ve been put on the buddy system until we figure this out. And you’re in luck. I get to babysit you,” Steve said cheerfully. Eddie appreciated that the other man was trying to lighten the mood.

Eddie gestured between them. “We’re the same age.”

“Hmm, it’s not so much about age as it is maturity.”

Eddie gasped and clutched a hand to his heart. “I literally saw you play hopscotch on the sidewalk the other day.”

“You only saw me because you were there,” Steve argued while trying to stifle a laugh. “And you played too!”

Eddie nodded sagely. “As I said, same age.”

“Anyway, I gotta tag along to your band practice and stuff today.”

Eddie started to nod before he remembered that he hadn't told Steve about his schedule. Especially not for his band practice. Eddie had tried to talk to Steve more about music since he found out he liked metal. But each time he tried, Steve let him do all the talking.

“How did you know I had band practice?”

“Oh, Dustin told me where to find you if I missed you here.”

“Well, hop in.” Eddie tapped the side of his car.

Steve laughed humorlessly. “I don’t think so. I’ve seen how you drive, and I think I would almost prefer Max.” Steve threw an arm around his shoulder. “Come on, my cars over here.”

Eddie guided Steve into the garage and cringed as he looked around at the cluttered garage. Beer cans littered every available surface and the smell of weed clung thick in the air. Eddie wished he knew that Steve was coming, then he would have got the guys to tidy up a little. Oh well, it wasn’t his garage, so he wasn’t to blame. Even if half of those beer cans were probably his.

He clapped his hands, startling his bandmates. They really should have been used to him by now. “All right guys, we’ve got a special guest here tonight all the way from the fancy part of town. Give a hand for Steve!”

His bandmates gave a heart hearted cheer. Bloody useless, the lot of them.

Eddie threw his hands up at the poor effort. Paul, who had been subjected to one too many rants about Steve, grinned, his dimples deepening.

Eddie glared at him in warning. Daring him to say anything.

Paul whistled and cheered as if his favorite team had just won the championship. Or whatever sports people do.

He sighed. “Thank you, Paul.”

“Ahh hey,” Steve said with a little wave.

Eddie shoved Steve onto the couch in the corner before his friends could latch onto him. His hands lingered on his chest for a second too long. God, he was being obvious. He cleared his throat. “Got any special requests, dude?”

Steve thought for a while then said, “Always up for a good guitar solo.”

For fucks sake Steve was trying to kill Eddie at this point. He can’t just walk into his band practice all smiley and ready to protect him from monsters and then say that. His poor heart can’t take it.

“See guys?" he yelled. "The man has taste.”

He grinned when he saw Steve’s cheeks pinkening. No one was immune to flattery.

“Yeah, but four minutes is still a bit long for a guitar solo, Ed,” Tom pointed out.

Tom, the bassist, wouldn’t know a good guitar solo if I smacked him in the face. If he did, he would know that four minutes is a perfectly respectable length for a guitar solo.

Eddie ignored him. “Who were we thinking? Metallica, Iron Maiden?”

“Dealers choice,” Steve said, a glint in his eye that was almost challenging.

“Wise words.” He smirked. “You’re in for a treat.”

“I bet.”

Eddie winked at Steve and chuckled when he got an eye roll in response. There was something about winding Steve up that made him light up inside. Maybe it was a reminder that things might be able to go back to normal. That they could still mess around and have fun after everything they had been through. Or maybe he was just an attention whore.

Either way.

He told his band which song he wanted to play and then got straight to it. He purposely picked a song that not only sounded impressive but one that he could put on a show. And a show did he put on.

Eddie banged his head to the beat, his hair blocking most of his view. But at least he looked cool.

When it was finally time for the guitar solo, he put in his all, making sure every note was perfect. His fingers flew across the fretboard, his many rings catching the light.

The sound bounded off the walls filling up the space. The speakers behind him shook with the effort. Each note rung out clear and loud, and he could feel the vibrations in his bones.

When he looked up, Steve was staring at him, his eyes tracking his every movement. Eddie preened a little at the attention.

If his bandmates noticed that he was showing off more than usual, they didn’t say anything. Though, that wasn’t to say that they wouldn’t make fun of him for it later.

A few songs later- their own this time- Robin ducked under the garage door. Her hair was frazzled, and her smile looked a little less easy than usual. He guessed he wasn’t the only one a bit rattled.

He made a mental note to talk to her later.

“Oh, hey guys, Steve,” Robin said. “I thought I was supposed to be Eddie’s buddy for the day.”

Steve shook his head. “Nope, nope that was me on the list.”

“Right,” she said slowly. “I must have read it wrong, silly me.”

She plopped down on the couch next to Steve, elbowing him out of the way so that she could sit cross-legged. Steve huffed but moved.

Eddie still didn’t get what was up with them. It might have been wishful thinking, but he thought they acted like siblings. Yet the others still ribbed them about when they were going to get together.

Robin stuck her tongue out at Steve.

Nope, the others were definitely out of their mind.

“Maybe I’ll just hang out here for a little while,” Robin said after she had already made herself comfortable. “You don’t mind right?”

Eddie’s bandmates all shook their heads and said that they wouldn’t mind. Most of them already knew each other from the school band, so Eddie knew that they were being honest.

“Of course not,” Eddie said. “The more the merrier.”

Steve flicked her lightly. “Totally.”

Practice continued as usual. He and his friends argued over dumb stuff like who came in late, and what song they would practice next. He toned down his playing just a tad. Not because he wanted to impress Steve any less, but because he felt like Robin was the type to call him out on it.

He looked up as he played and saw Robin laughing at Steve. It was nice to see them joking around.

Chapter Text

Eddie squinted against the bright light that poured through the massive windows. Muscle memory took over as he played a song he had played a million times before.

He had been staying at Steve’s for a few days now. The buddy rule was firmly in place after they found out that shit was definitely up with the upside down. It was nice, hanging out with Steve in a normal setting. Or as normal as hiding out with your end of the world buddy could be.

Eddie startled a little when Steve sat down at the table near him. He hadn't heard his footsteps over the amp.

“Hey man, don’t stop on my accord," Steve said. "I’m just, ah reading the paper.”

Eddie looked over at the paper, recognising the cover from over a week ago. Eddie knew that Steve had problems reading, so seeing him read the paper for fun was odd. Especially one so old.

“The paper from two weeks ago?”

“Hey! I've been busy," Steve defended. "Plus, it's never too late to inform yourself about current affairs.”

Eddie snorted. What an idiot. “So current. You know, I didn't expect King Steve to be so weird.”

A burst of laughter left Steve and his eyes crinkled in the corners. “Eddie the Freak, is calling me weird?”

Eddie couldn't help himself from staring at Steve. Soak in the sight of Steve so happy. With a grin splitting his face in two, his eyes bright and warm.

“I didn't say it was a bad thing," Eddie said fondly.

Their eyes locked for a moment before Steve looked away.

“Oh," Steve mumbled.

“Us freaks have got to stick together, huh?" Eddie coughed. "Anyway, I better get back to it.”

“Sure man. Go ahead.”

Eddie stuck his pick between his teeth. The pliable plastic bent as he searched for the right sheet music. He should get a folder or something like he had for his D and D stuff. He made a noise of success when he found the perfect song.

As he played, his thoughts strayed to Steve, as they often did. He didn't know what it was about the other man that intrigued him so much. It was more than him being obnoxiously pretty, with his big puppy eyes and easy smile.

It could have been because he felt safe with him.

Trusted him.

It helped that he had seen Steve kill Demobats with his bare hands. But really, Eddie trusted him because he was a good guy.

Whatever it was, there was something inexplicable that drew him in. Made Eddie want to be around him. Like a magnet.

But right now, what intrigued him most, was that he was acting fucking weird. And if anyone knew what was up with him, it would be Dustin.

It was time for an intervention.

Eddie huddled into a closet, his long legs pressed up against a mop while an old radio dug into his hip. Hiding from Steve wasn't the bravest thing he’s ever done. But he never claimed to be brave.

“Dustin,” he hissed in the walkie talkie.

He waited a second. Nothing.

“Dustin, are you there?”

“Hello,” he tried.

What the hell was taking him so long? The kid practically slept with his walkie talkie.

Eddie smirked. He knew what would get Dustin’s attention.

“Code red.”

Within seconds Dustin's panicked voice came through the speaker. Eddie covered the microphone to try and muffle the noise. He really didn't want Steve to overhear this.

“Code red? What happened? Did you guys see something? Are you ok? What-”

Eddie felt a little bad for freaking him out, but this really was an emergency.

“Calm down.” He sighed. “There’s nothing spooky going on.”

“Then why did you call a code red?” Dustin scolded.

“This is a code red dude. Steve is acting weird.”

“Venca weird? Demogorgon weird?”

Eddie rolled his eyes. Damn, Dustin could be dramatic sometimes.

It’s why they got along so well.

“What- no! I just said nothing spooky's happening.”

“Then what’s weird,” Dustin said, sounding bored with the conversation already.

Eddie sunk deeper into the closet and coughed when a cloud of dust attacked him.

“He’s reading the paper,” he whispered.

“Ok...” Dustin trailed off.

“And!” Eddie paused for effect. “He’s doing the crossword puzzle.”

“And you’re sure he’s not possessed?” Dustin said, sounding interested now.

“Pretty sure. I was practicing in the living room and then he sits down and starts reading the paper from, get this, 2 weeks ago. That’s not even all of it. He was at my gig the other day. Well, not my gig, it was Broken Station Wagon’s gig but we were opening for them. But then he just left? But he likes metal?” Eddie rambled.

“Oh.”

“Why’d you say ‘oh’ like that?” He made quotation marks with his fingers. The mop was the only one to see them.

“Nothing, nothing. He’s fine,” Dustin squeaked. “Don’t worry about it.”

Eddie threw his hands up, hitting the shelf above him. He cradled his poor hand. “Don’t worry-”

Dustin cut him off. “Look I gotta go, but everything's fine.”

“Dustin!”

Nothing.

“Dustin. Get back here,” he hissed. “You can’t say everything’s fine and then leave.”

Eddie huffed. He deserved it for calling out a fake code red, but something was definitely up with Steve. And that little shit knew what it was. He would have to teach him how to lie better. It was his duty.

“Dustin, I swear to God if you don’t answer me.”

The closet door opened and Eddie winced at the sudden flood of light. When his eyes finally adjusted, they landed on Steve.

“What’s going on? Are you ok?” Steve asked, his head tilted.

“Yep! Yep, I’m totally great. Amazing. Everything is fine.”

Eddie got up as quickly as he could without knocking over even more stuff. He brushed off the dust that stood out against his black clothes and tried to act natural.

“Ok…” Steve said, a small frown on his lips.

Shit. He would have to find someone else to teach Dustin how to lie.

“How are you? Feeling ok?” Eddie asked.

When Steve didn’t instantly reply, Eddie checked Steve for a temperature. Placing the back of his hands against his forehead and cheeks. He seemed fine. Though Eddie wasn't sure what he was supposed to be feeling for, if he was being honest.

Steve made a noise and Eddie realized how close they were. With only an inch of space between their chests, their noses were almost touching. He could feel Steve’s warmth pour off him and sink into his skin.

He wanted to stay there forever.

Eddie stepped back, his heel hitting the door of the closet with a small bang.

Steve cleared his throat. “Robin and Nancy are coming over soon. Hope that’s ok.”

Oh, thank fuck. Since Dustin was hiding something from him (the traitor), he would have to ask the next best person. Nancy.

Well technically, Robin would be the next best person. But he already knew that Robin was too loyal to tell him what was going on with Steve.

“Totally!” he said. “Actually that’s great timing actually because Nancy was going to help me study. Something about flashcards.”

“Good luck with that man.” Steve chuckled and slapped him on the shoulder. “She’s great, but she can be a little intense when it comes to school.”

—
STEVE'S POV

Steve slouched against the side of his bed from his spot on the floor. Robin sat across from him with an amused look on her face.

“No, no, Robin. You don’t understand. He put his pick between his teeth and then looked at me,” Steve whined.

Robin raised her eyebrow. “That’s it?”

Steve gasped. “What do you mean that’s it? Did you not hear what I said?”

Robin inspected her nails looking bored. Which was ridiculous.

“Oh, I heard you.”

Steve leaned forward. “So why aren't you reacting?”

“Firstly, I am not, in any way, attracted to Eddie.” She pretended to gag. “Secondly, you are so, so easy. The man put his pick in his mouth- which is frankly unsanitary- and you’re what? Ready to propose?”

“Not his mouth, Robin! His teeth,” he corrected, pointing to teeth like it was obvious.

“Oh my god.” She groaned. “Is this what I sound like when I'm talking about girls?”

Steve thought back to the past few weeks. He had heard way, way, too much detail about every single thing Nancy had said or done.

Robin was in deep. But unlike with Tammy, Steve thought she might actually have a shot. That was if the heart eyes Nancy had been giving her were any indication. Especially since they've been attached at the hip because of the buddy system.

Steve so wanted credit if they got together. He was the one who changed the buddy system partners, after all.

“One hundred percent.”

Robin banged her head against his chest of draws.“We really are disasters, aren't we?”

“Yep. Certified,” he agreed.

Steve filled the silence. “Ok, but I haven't even mentioned his rings yet-”

“Steve,” Robin cut in.

He ignored her. He had days worth of stuff he’s been dying to get off his chest. “He’s got like one for every finger and when he does stuff you can kinda hear them clanging together and-”

“Steve. I love you man, but I really don't want to hear you talk about my friend's hands.”

He pouted and gave her his best puppy eyes. “But I'm your friend too.”

“Mmm and after this, I might just have to reconsider.”

“Two more minutes,” he bargained, “and then I’ll let you talk about Nancy killing those demobat monsters again.”

Robin glared at him for a moment before she cracked. “Ugh fine. You've got yourself a deal.”

They shook hands in agreement.

Now that he had permission, he was not going to hold back. Robin is never going to make this deal with him ever again. It would be worth it though.

“And then when he was on stage, he got hot and took off his long sleeve shirt. And he had a wife-beater underneath. I literally had to leave. It was too much. The tattoos Robin. The tattoos,” he said, his voice thick with awe.

Steve had wanted to reach out and traced the tiny little bats on his arm so many times he had lost count.

Robin nodded, a pained look on her face. “Ah huh. Right.”

Chapter Text

EDDIE'S POV

Nancy and Robin popped their heads through the front door, calling out their hellos. Their cheeks were pink from the sun and their smiles bright. Eddie could have sworn that Robin was wearing one of Nancy's denim jackets. Interesting. He would have to ask what was going on with them later.

Eddie ran past Steve and said a quick hello to Robin before he grabbed Nancy by the sleeve.

"Wheeler! So good to see you," Eddie said as he guided a confused Nancy to his room. "Now about that studying."

Nancy's eyes lit up. "We're going to study?"

"Oh fuck no." He laughed. "I just needed an excuse to talk to you."

Nancy raises an eyebrow.

Eddie winced, realizing that he just led a girl into his room under false pretenses and then said that.

"About Steve," he clarified.

Nancy smirked.

He swore she was way too smart for her own good. If he kept going at this rate the whole damn town is going to know about his crush on Steve.

Except for, you know, Steve.

"Oh. Ok, sure. What do you need to know?"

"Well he's been acting weird and when I tried to interrogate Dustin about it, he lied and said nothing. Then he hung up on me," he whined and flopped down onto his bed. "Well not hung up since it was the walkie talkies, but he stopped answering."

She sat down on the edge of his bed, making sure not to screw up his blankets. His bed was already a messy heap of blankets, all arranged in a way that only made sense to him. In conclusion: they were a lost cause.

"You interrogated Dustin?"

"That's what you got out of that? Yes, I interrogated a child. But it was for a good cause!" he defended. "Anyway, the little shit knows what's going on. But since he's not talking, I thought I'd come to you."

He forgoed mentioning that she was actually his second choice to ask, after Robin. Though, he didn't think someone as competitive as she was, would appreciate that.

"To interrogate me?"

"No, no." He held up his hands in a mollifying gesture. " Just to help me figure out what's up with Steve."

"Ok, tell me everything," Nancy said, a glint in her eye that Eddie guessed was the same one she had while investigating.

He hoped he never got on her bad side.

And so, Eddie started to recount every single weird thing Steve had done lately. Which was a lot. He didn't spare any details. He might have told her too many details actually if the bemused look on her face meant anything.

"Eddie." She looked him in the eye, her blue eyes wide and searching. "Are you sure you don't know what's going on?"

"What? Why would I ask you if I knew?"

"It's just." She paused. "From what you've told me, he kind of sounds like how he was when we first met. Well not exactly, since he was an arsehole then."

Eddie remembered when Nancy and Steve first started hanging out. He never really took much notice of it, past acknowledging that King Steve had got himself a smart new girlfriend.

Eddie had liked him even back then, but only in the way that you fall for someone that you walk past in the grocery store. All what-ifs and imagination.

Falling for the idea you've conjured up of them late at night, not the actual person. And when you find out what they're actually like -that they're not the person you imagined- the image breaks. The feelings fade into nothing but a passing memory.

Except for this time, when he met Steve, he realized that it wasn't like that at all. The image he had made paled in comparison to the real thing. Steve was nothing like he had imagined.

He was so, so much better.

He was nice and kind and protective. Fun in a way he didn't expect. He didn't even judge him for his interests. Only teased him a little. Sometimes, Steve even made him explain his references. Mainly so he could impress the kids with his new knowledge.

He frowned. "When you first met? But didn't you guys date?"

"Yep. We sure did."

"So... What you're trying to tell me is?" he prompted. A little scared of the answer.

"He likes you, Eddie," she said gently.

Eddie felt like the air had been punched out of his lungs. He tried to push down the burgeoning feeling of hope that threatened to overcome him.

"Me? No," he said, voice high. "No, that can't be right."

He couldn't afford to hope like that. It would kill him a little if he was wrong.

"Why not?"

"Well, he's Steve, the rich preppy King Steve, that everyone loves. And I'm a metalhead fantasy nerd." He curled up on his bed, his arms wrapped around his legs. His hair covered his face from its spot nestled against his knees

"Does Steve see you that way?" she asked, as she settled down beside him cross-legged. Close enough that he could smell her powdery lilac perfume.

He twisted his rings, the action soothing. "I mean... I don't know."

She hummed. "Do you see Steve as nothing but a preppy rich kid?"

"No, of course not," he said without hesitation.

Of course, he wasn't just a rich kid. He was Steve. He was everything.

She stared at him blankly and forced him to see how much of a hypocrite he was being.

"Damn, no need to look at me like that. I still don't know about Steve, um, liking me back though."

"Back?" she asked.

"Don't act like you didn't know. You wouldn't have told me if you didn't," he whispered.

She nodded simply.

"Ok, I don't expect you to believe me with no proof. I wouldn't either. So let's make a plan." Nancy clapped her hands together once. "Investigate."

"You're really into this journalism shit, huh? Ok Wheeler, work your magic."

Once she had permission she wasted no time. She jumped into explaining to him what the plan was. At one point she even pulled a notebook out of seemingly thin air, so that she could write down dot points for him.

He waited for her to finish before he clarified, "So let me see if I've got this straight. You want me to seduce him? And just, I don't know, see what happens? See how he reacts?"

She looked down at her notes. "Pretty much."

"What could go wrong?" he said, his mind already conjuring up 50 worst-case scenarios.

Her smile turned sharp, challenging. "That doesn't sound like the Eddie that helped save the world."

Goddamn, he couldn't say no now. She had practically dared him.

"Low blow Wheeler. Fine. I'll seduce him. You know, I can be pretty charming when I want to be." He flipped his hair over his shoulder.

"I've gone to the same school as you for years and I've never seen you talk to anyone but your Hellfire friends," she pointed out.

He gasped and held a fist to his heart like he had been stabbed. "How dare you slander my name like that, Wheeler!"

STEVE'S POV

Steve groaned as he counted up his points for rummy. Minus 20. Shit, he knew he shouldn't have kept those aces just in case.

Eddie smirked and picked up his cards in one smooth motion. "Another round?"

It had become something of a habit for them in the passing days. To play rummy after breakfast. The cards always slightly sticky with maple syrup. Eddie had taken to the game like a fish in water, and Steve lived for the cocky grin that Eddie made every time he won.

"Nope." Steve shook his head and a couple of strands of hair fell into his eyes. "I don't think I can take any more losses today."

"Aww, don't be a sore loser Stevie." Eddie ruffled his hair as he got up to take their plates to the sink. "It's not every day you get to play a master."

Steve took a moment too long to respond. His mind still stuck on Eddie running his fingers through his hair.

"I taught you how to play!"

"And you obviously did a spectacular job!" Eddie said as he dropped down into a dramatic curtsy.

"Ugh, whatever. How about we do something else?"

Eddie looked around the house questioningly. Steve had to admit that his house was boring. But before now he had never spent much time in it. There was no reason to, with no one else there.

"How about a guitar lesson?" Steve suggested. "I've been thinking of learning."

Well, Steve had been thinking more about Eddie teaching him than the learning itself. But learning an instrument never hurt anyone, right? Maybe it would be fun.

"You have? And you didn't tell me immediately? Stevie, you can't keep stuff like this from me. Come on, let's go!" Eddie grabbed his hand and dragged him towards his room.

Steve followed behind him and smiled. "Right now?"

"No time like the present!" Eddie yelled, practically vibrating out of his skin with energy.

Steve nodded along as Eddie explained the basics. Steve melted a little as he watched him ramble and gesture wildly. Eddie's wide grin showed off his straight white teeth.

He was a good teacher.

He demonstrated how to hold the pick, and mnemonics for remembering the string names.

But after a while, he started to show Steve the chords, and that was when he lost him. Steve kept getting distracted by Eddie's bright smile and long fingers. The way they moved from chord to chord lightning-quick and confident. Like they were born to do nothing else.

He had different rings on today. One of them had a little bat on it that matched the tattoo on his forearm. Steve wondered where he got them. He had never seen them at the stores he went to. Though, he was sure they shopped at different stores.

He wondered what Eddie would look like in his clothes. All soft and colorful. Maybe Eddie would let him wear some of his clothes. He seemed pretty happy to give him his vest.

"Steve," Eddie said.

Eddie waved his hand in front of his face. "Steve."

"Hmm hmm?" He hummed. "What?"

Eddie's big brown eyes looked fond as he placed the guitar gently in his lap. The weight grounded Steve and brought him back to the present.

"It's your turn now."

Steve squinted down at the guitar. "To do..."

"The E minor. Remember the 4th and 5th string on the second fret. And be careful with my baby," he said and blew his guitar a kiss.

Steve's heart sped up and he cursed himself for finding that cute. Robin was right, he was easy. He was never going to tell her.

"Right. Right, of course."

He counted along the fretboard and put his fingers in place. The tiny strings bit into his fingertips. Was it supposed to hurt a little? Maybe this way the whole 'metal' thing that Eddie always went on about.

Eddie shook his head and tapped the thicker copper-colored strings. "You count from the bottom up. So the 4th and 5th are near the top."

Steve moved his fingers up and Eddie smiled approvingly.
"Perfect. Now if you use your second and third fingers instead it will make it easier later on."

Steve tilted his head in confusion and Eddie chuckled.

"Here," Eddie said as he moved to stand behind him until they were pressed close. "I'll show you."

Eddie's sweet and smoky scent surrounded him as he crowded behind him. Steve held his breath, not knowing how to react. Eddie wrapped his hand around Steve's left one, the coldness of his rings a stark contrast to Eddie's warm, dry hands. Gently, he moved Steve's fingers into place.

"Perfect," Eddie said lowly.

A little thrill went through Steve at the praise. Eddie's smooth voice sunk into him and made him feel warm.

"Now," Eddie breathed, "strum for me."

Steve fumbled for a moment then strummed. The vibration kissed his fingertips. The sound was pitchy when his pick caught on some of the strings for a second too long. But it was the right note. And it didn't sound too awful.

Steve leant back against Eddie and let him take his weight. His head rested against Eddie's solid chest. "I did it!"

"You did," Eddie said softly.

STEVE'S POV

That night, Steve waited until the music stopped in Eddie's room which told him that he was asleep. Once he was sure, he crept down to the kitchen where the phone was.

He dialed Nancy's number, sure that Robin would be there. He knew she would pick up. Despite seeing each other at work, they spoke on the phone a lot.

Mainly becuase Steve couldn't stand the deafening silence of his too-big house and its too many empty rooms. And Robin was more than happy to chatter away about this and that.

After only a few seconds she answered. "Hello?"

"Robin," he said in lieu of hello.

She groaned dramatically. "Ugh, what, dweeb? It's late."

It wasn't. Robin was just a grandma at heart.

"I have so much to tell you."

Steve hopped up onto the counter, the marble cold against his skin. This would take a while, so he got comfortable.

She took a moment to respond. "But it hasn't even been 12 hours since we last spoke."

"And? Do you want to hear what happened or not?" If he knew anything about Robin, it was that she loved to make fun of Steve's loved life. Whether she would admit it, or not.

"Fine." She sighed. "Let me go get some snacks."

He pulled the phone away as the sound of her rifling through the Wheelers pantry crackled in the receiver.

"So," she said through a mouthful of food, "did you make a move?"

"Nope. Did you?"

"I stole her jacket," she whispered conspiratively.

God help them. They were going to be single forever.

"Stealing is not making a move."

"Ahh yeah, it is," she protested. "People do it in movies all the time."

"No, they give each other- forget about it. I'm sure Nance loved that."

"You think?"

He thought back to how happy they seemed walking in this morning. Moving around comfortably in each other's space. And he couldn't imagine Nancy staying quiet if she was upset about the jacket.

No. Nancy definitely didn't mind.

"Yeah, I do," he assured her.

They chatted for a while after, never running out of stuff to talk about. Robin told him about the games she had played with Holly. And they made fun of the terrible advice she had read in a teen magazine.

Later, Robin yawned. "You know, I'm so happy you finally figured out what you want. Even if you have turned into a pitiful, pining mess like me."

She was right. He finally knew what he wanted.

"Thanks. I think."

Chapter Text

STEVE'S POV

Steve looked up from his cereal when he heard the soft patter of footsteps on the hardwood. It was Eddie. In a towel. In nothing but a towel.

Draped so low around his hips that he could see the sharp jut of his hip bones.

Jesus fucking Christ.

Steve's breath hitched in his throat and his heart pounded loud in his ears as his eyes raked over Eddie.

His pale skin gleamed with a smattering of dark hair that disappeared under the towel. He wasn't exactly muscular, but he was lean with broad shoulders and a musician's arms.

Eddie also had more tattoos than Steve realized, stark against his skin. But even with his tattoos and chunky jewelry, he still looked soft without his usual clothes. Without them as a distraction, his big brown eyes stood out behind his long wet hair. Warm and wide. Almost puppy-like.

The frigid morning air was cold enough that he could see the hot water evaporate off his skin in a steamy haze. He looked almost angelic.

Beautiful.

Eddie waved cheekily. "Sorry, I forgot to bring my clothes with me."

Steve startled and looked away.

Fuck he was staring. He didn't know where to look now, so he kept his eyes on the other man's hair, still dripping from the shower.

"No problem," he wheezed.

Eddie smiled wide, his eyes creasing in the corners.

"Not worried about seeing a bit of skin are we, Stevie?" he teased. "Surely jocks like you would be used to it."

"Right. Totally used to it." He paused, then added, "I didn't realize you had so many tattoos."

Eddie gestured widely to his torso with his free hand. "You wanna see them?"

Steve nodded, not trusting his voice. Eddie came close, and he smelt like vanilla, sweet mandarin and the hint of weed that he had grown to associate with the other man. A thrill went through him when he realized it was Steve’s body wash that he smelt.

The tattoos were even more gorgeous up close, with their dark sweeping lines that moved with his body. Steve had never really paid much attention to tattoos before he met Eddie. He hadn't disliked them, unlike his parents. He had simply never thought about them.

But now, with them so close, he couldn't imagine ever not loving them. If only just Eddie's.

Steve trailed his fingers over the edge of a dark tattoo on Eddie's hip. It was of a hulking horned creature with too many teeth. The skin was soft and smooth until his fingers. He had almost expected to be able to feel the lines.

He traced the outline of one of the creatures' teeth and his hand brushed over the fluffy white towel.

A small sound left Eddie, and Steve flinched away like he had been burned.

"Sorry," Steve whispered.

Eddie smirked. "Don't be."

EDDIE'S POV

Eddie slumped back against the plush headboard on his bed. The sun shone through the trees, leaving the room bathed in soft, warm light. He shut his eyes, he tried to think of something else he could do to get Steve's attention. He felt like he had tried everything over the past week.

Well, everything that he could make an excuse for, if things went sideways, and Steve didn't actually like him.

He had made him breakfast, complimented him and flirted. He had even gotten desperate and 'forgotten' his clothes after the shower and walked around half-naked. But no matter what he did, how blatant he was, Steve didn't seem to react to him any differently than he usually did. Or at least, he never commented on it. Never made a move. Just business as usual.

Maybe Nancy was wrong.

He should just give up and continue pining from afar. That way he couldn't get hurt.

Being friends was enough, anyway.

He picked up his guitar, needing comfort. Through everything he had been through, it had never failed to make him feel a little better. If only to distract him for that short time. The music loud enough that it would drown out his thoughts. Give him a moment of peace from his forever chaotic mind.

If the songs he played were a little sadder than usual, no one had to know.

After a while he stumbled to the kitchen, to get himself a snack. He rinsed his dish off in the sink and made his way back to his room, humming a song under his breath.

On his bed lay, Steve snuggled up with a book. His chestnut hair mussed against the blue pillow. Eddie stood at the door and took in the sight of him in his bed, looking warm and happy.

"Stevie?" he questioned.

"Eddie!" He jumped. "Hey, sorry for not asking first. It's just that the light is better in here for reading. The overhead lights give me a headache. Do you mind?"

"No, of course not. You can steal my bed anytime, dude. It's your house, remember."

The conversation faded into a comfortable silence while Steve read and Eddie got back to practicing. Or playing sad songs. Whatever you wanted to call it. Steve didn't seem to mind the disruption either way. Eddie smiled when his head bopped to the beat, much like it did when he was at Eddie's gig.

Later, when Eddie looked back up at Steve, he was still and his brows were furrowed. A frown on his plush pink lips.

"Are you ok?" he asked and settled his guitar down. "You look frustrated."

Steve groaned and rubbed his eyes. "I feel like I've been on this page forever."

"What book is it?"

"The Hobbit." Steve held the book up lazily. "I know it's stupid, but I wanted to get all the references you and the kids make."

"I could read it to you," he offered. "You know. If you want."

"You'd do that?"

Eddie melted a little bit at the surprise in Steve's voice. As if he didn't expect someone to do something as simple as read to him. Even when he himself was going to so much effort to understand their interests.

"Yeah, dude!" He rubbed his hands together, and his rings clacked as they caught on each other. "I love doing all the voices. Plus, I'm due for a reread."

Steve still looked unsure.

The mattress protested when he jumped on it. "Just you wait! You'll be impressing the kids in no time."

Eddie lay down beside him, their elbows knocking together and he grabbed the book before Steve could change his mind. Steve was already a few pages in, but he flipped it back to the beginning. It felt wrong to start at some random page.

The pages were well worn under his fingers, the paper soft and the spin cracked. Steve must have borrowed it from one of the kids. When he looked over, Steve was staring at him. This close he could see that his eyes weren't only a warm brown, but they had tiny specks of green.

He cleared his throat.

“An Unexpected Party. In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit,” he read, making sure he didn't speak too fast.

He hadn't even gotten to the second chapter before Steve shuffled over, and rearranged Eddie's arms. Only letting them go when he was comfortable, with his head on Eddie's chest. Eddie stumbled over his words and stayed frozen for a second as his cheeks grew warm.

The smell of Steve's sweet vanilla shampoo enveloped him and his hands itched to run through his soft locks. But he read on, making sure to exaggerate the voices of each character, so Steve knew who was talking.

Steve still had a lot of questions, since he didn't have much experience with fantasy. Other than, you know, all the weird shit that went down in Hawkins. Jesus Christ, there was some fucked up stuff in Hawkins. No Hobbits, though.

Eddie tried his best to explain, and not get too sidetracked in the niche specifics of it all.

"You're good at this," Steve said.

Eddie chuckled. "At reading?"

Steve hummed and nuzzled closer. His warm breath on the sensitive skin on his neck sent shivers through him. "Yeah. I like the sound of your voice."

With that, Eddie gave in to his temptation and ran his fingers through Steves' thick hair. He hadn't styled it today and it was silky soft without the sticky hairspray. Eddie made tiny little circles with his nails along his scalp as he read. Steve pressed further into his hand, a pleased sound leaving his mouth.

They stayed like that until the sun set over the horizon and the room grew too dark to read.

His eyes softened when he saw that the other man was asleep, using him as a pillow.

Slowly, so as to not wake him, Eddie put the book down beside him. There was no way he was going to move now that Steve had trusted him enough to fall asleep.

He knew it was creepy to stare at someone while they slept. But he had nowhere else to look. Besides, he wasn't sure he would ever want to look away, anyway.

Even in the low light, he could still see the smattering of freckles and moles that dotted his skin. So many that if he tried, he could make constellations out of them.

Against his chest, Steve's cheeks were pink and the tension that often lingered in his jaw had relaxed. It made him look younger. Or maybe not younger, but like the 20-year-old he was.

Not the fearless monster killer he was forced into being.

Even though Nancy's plan had failed to work, and he still had no concrete evidence about if Steve liked him back, he knew one thing for sure. Steve was not going to judge him for being gay. And their friendship could handle a little unrequited feelings.

It might be awkward for a while if he was wrong. But if he didn't try, he risked missing out on the opportunity to have this every day. And Steve, here in his arms, felt like the most right thing in the world.

With that thought in mind, he devised his own plan.

But it wasn't long until he too fell asleep, lulled by the steady rise and fall of Steve's breathing. Surrounded by sweet vanilla and something that was distinctly Steve.

---

Eddie wrapped the phone cord around his fingers tightly as he waited for Robin to pick up.

She huffed a sigh of frustration, the receiver crackling. "Steve, I swear to God-"

Eddie cut her off. "Robin, I need to ask you a question, but you have to promise not to tell Steve." he practically begged.

Eddie held his breath and waited a long moment for her to reply.

"What do I get out of this?" she said, all business.

Chapter Text

Steve followed the muffled sound of the guitar that bled through the walls as the hardwood vibrated under his feet. He racked his brain for an excuse. Any reason to go into Eddie's room that would sound plausible enough.

Maybe now that he was learning guitar he could play it off as watching the master at work. Eddie would like that.

He hadn't expected to have grown so fond of learning to play. Once he had gotten past the aching fingertips, etched with red lines from the strings, he had found it fun. Satisfying even, when he finally got through a section without messing up.

He now understood why Eddie always reached for his guitar when stressed. Something about the way it kept your hands busy as you thought, grounded you just enough to not get lost. The music, even as bad as it was when you first started, was enough to drown out the worst of the memories.

Steve went to knock on his door and then stopped, his hand frozen in the air. No longer muffled, he could hear the song Eddie was playing. Even without the lyrics, he knew that melody like he knew his own name.

Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler.

Steve's favorite song.

The song was so far away from something Eddie would usually play. The antithesis of metal.

Eddie must know. There was no other explanation.

The door handle squeaked as he opened the door and Eddie looked up, his brown eyes wide.

"Eddie?"

Eddie stood quickly and lent his guitar up against the messy bed. "Stevie! What are you doing here?"

"How did you know?" he asked, trying to keep his voice from shaking.

His heart hammered in his ears as he waited for a response. Eddie bit at his thumbnail and stepped back and forth. His bright red socks stark against the hardwood.

"Robin told me," he said finally.

Steve had never expected her to tell Eddie the truth, no matter how much he ranted or how obvious he was. Now he had to fix this. Somehow convince Eddie that things could go back to normal and that they could forget all about Steve’s crush.

"She did? I'm sorry, I know it's creepy. I shouldn't have lied so that I could watch you play. Me liking you isn't an excuse to be weird, and I know that," he choked out, his chest tight.

"Steve."

"You don't have to learn that to let me down easy or whatever. Make it a joke. We can just go back to normal and-"

"Steve, stop," Eddie said and cradled Steve's jaw with his warm, calloused hands.

Eddie's deep brown eyes met his. "Can I kiss you?"

Steve's breath hitched."Yes. Wait, wha-"

Whatever he was going to say was lost in the soft press of Eddie's lips to his. Eddie was hesitant at first, the kiss chaste and questioning.

He didn’t know what the fuck was happening. But whatever it was, he was going to take full advantage.

Steve finally reacted, and kissed back with fervor, licking into Eddie's mouth, still syrupy sweet from breakfast.

After a second of hesitation, he ran his hand up Eddie's throat, into his soft hair and pulled gently at the roots. A strangled sound left Eddie and he did it again, this time harder.

Eddie groaned and nipped his bottom lip in response.

Steve pulled back and searched Eddie's face. Eddie's pupils were blown wide, making his already brown eyes impossibly dark. His pretty lips red and shiny.

Steve wanted to tear him apart and put him back together again.

Over and over.

EDDIE'S POV

Eddie could feel a blush spread over his cheeks under Steve’s stare.

He felt dazed after only one kiss. His blood pumping hot in his veins

Steve was going to kill him at this rate.

He took some deep breaths and tried to calm down, so he could have this conversation clear-headed.

Steve broke the silence. "You like me, too?"

Eddie was not doing a very good job at this confessing thing.

"Was that not convincing enough for you?" He pressed a kiss onto each cheek, right over the freckles that peppered his skin.

Steve pouted. "But you never said anything."

"Shit man, I thought I was being obvious. I literally walked around half-naked and blatantly flirted with you.”

A look of realization dawned on Steve’s handsome face. As if the planets had aligned and everything made sense again. "Oh."

"Yep. Plus you never said anything, either," Eddie protested weakly. He knew he should have just told Steve, instead of lamenting his own fears and anxiety. But sometimes, it was easier to run and hide, despite the very thing you wanted being right beside you.

"Eds, I think everyone we know figured out I had a crush on you,” Steve admitted shamelessly. “That or they put up with me talking about you like a pining mess. Robin deserves an award for putting up with me, honestly."

A thrill went through Eddie at the words. He had been a little worried that he felt things too strongly, and fell too fast for the other man. But it sounded like they were as bad as each other.

"Awww, Stevie. You have a crush on me?" Eddie teased. "That's so embarrassing."

Steve opened his mouth to object, but Eddie went on, trying to rile him up. “What did you tell them? Did you-”

Steve cut in. "Shut up."

"Make me," he dared with a smirk.

The air rushed out of Eddie's lungs as his back hit the wall. Steve's forearm against his chest, pinning him there. Despite their similar heights, Steve loomed over him, eyes dark, dangerous.

He was at his mercy.

Eddie froze.

Steve's breath was warm against his neck as he leaned close. "Mmm, that was easy."

A strangled noise left Eddie, helpless to do anything else. He couldn't think. His mind was blank, except for Steve. The weight of Steve’s stare. The sugary sweet smell of his soap mixed with the sharp scent of hairspray. Steve. Steve. Steve.

Nothing but Steve.

Soft lips trailed along his collar bone followed by the bite of blunt teeth. A thump sounded as he threw his head back against the wall, to give Steve more room. The fluorescent light above him haloed around Steve, and it made him glow. Look otherworldly.

“You look so pretty like this,” Steve breathed, punctuating his words with lingering kisses across his neck.

Eddie’s skin blazed under his lips. Every touch set his nerve endings on fire and a tingly wave washed over him. Steve’s words did nothing but fuel the fire.

Fuck.

---

STEVE'S POV
"You ruined my confession," Eddie complained later on after they had finished eating lunch and were doing the dishes.

Steve handed Eddie a plate to dry. "Well, you could do it properly now."

“I know you lied to watch me play, which is adorable by the way.” Eddie stared down at the plate, the dish rag tight in his hand. “But do you even like metal?”

Steve turned off the tap and dried the bubbles off his hands. Then he took the plate out of Eddie’s hands and placed it on the counter. Eddie’s hair was soft and fluffy under his fingertips as he tucked a stray strand behind his ear.

“I love it.”

Eddie looked up at him. “You do?”

Steve hummed. “I do if it’s yours. And it’s been growing on me lately. You should make me a mixtape or something.”

He wasn't lying, he had found himself tabbing along to the beat of the songs that flooded from Eddie’s room at all hours. The riffs were catchy and bold. Full of energy and emotion.

“You know you can't take that back now, right?” Eddie rambled. “You’re going to be swimming in mixtapes.”

“Listen to them with me. I want to hear you explain them.”

Eddie was nodding before Steve even finished his sentence, and puppy-like excitement shone on his face.

“I’ll be back,” he said before he rushed off.

Moments later he came back, walking slower this time now that his precious guitar was in hand. He truly treated the thing like a baby.

Eddie pointed at the couch with a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Ok, sit down."

Steve flopped down and sunk into the plush foam. "So bossy."

Eddie rolled his eyes. "Just sit."

"Ok, so I had to change a couple of things to make it work on guitar, but hopefully it still sounds ok. I also changed-"

"I'm sure I'll love it," Steve soothed before Eddie had a chance to freak himself out more.

Steve watched in amusement as Eddie spent way longer than was necessary messing with the amp and getting comfortable. Hyping himself up.

Steve sent him a thumbs up and Eddie laughed, his eyes squinting in the corners.

Then he started and the intro rang out crystal clear and curled around his heart.

Steve’s jaw dropped when he heard Eddie start to sing. His voice was quiet and unsure, but perfect.

Goosebumps washed over him. He had never heard Eddie sing before but Steve knew that he would never tire of hearing his voice. That nothing would ever sound as perfect as it did in that moment.

Steve's face split in two, his smile so wide his cheeks hurt.

Eddie sang louder now, more sure of himself and his voice turned deep and raspy. Like he had just woken up.

As the chorus broke Eddie's usual confidence seemed to come flooding back like a tidal wave. His long curly hair whipped around as he danced and showed off. Whether it was intentional or not, he added his own flair to the song. Balancing out the upbeat pop with a rich deeper sound that made his voice sound even more sinful.

Steve had always loved watching Eddie play. He was obsessed with it, really. But there was something incredible about watching him play something so upbeat. It was as if the facade Eddie often wore had dissolved, leaving nothing but the soft, playful Eddie he knew behind. Two sides of the same coin melding together.

Eddie stared at him as he sang, his eyes fond.

Steve watched, entranced as his hands flew across the fretboard, his long fingers impossibly fast. His silver bracelet shone with the movement and drew his eye to the corded muscle in his forearms. Goddamn, that man should not be allowed to wear jewelry.

Eddie locked eyes with him as he strode over to him and sang, "I need a hero."

Laughter burst from his chest as Eddie ran on the spot. "He's gotta be fast."

Eddie’s eyes never left him as he sang, and every word felt like it was written just for him. The words sunk through his skin and etched onto his soul like a love letter.

And in that moment, he felt seen.

Like someone saw him for who he was and didn’t expect more. Wasn't waiting for him to change into what they had imagined he would be. Like a priority, rather than someone to send postcards to every once in a while, when they remembered.

A hot tear ran down his cheek and he swiped it away quickly.

The song ended and Eddie rushed over to him and pulled him into his arms. The denim of his jacket was velvety soft from being washed so many times. He shoved his head into the crook of Eddie’s neck and hid under his hair. He just needed a moment.

Eddie rubbed soothing circles on his back for a moment before he asked, "Stevie, baby. Are you crying?"

"No," he hiccuped.

"Yes, you are,” Eddie said simply, no judgment in his voice. “Come here."

Eddie arranged him so that he lay in his lap, his calloused fingers carding through his hair. A sense of calm washed over him immediately. The scratch of short nails against his scalp was so familiar that he was defenseless to do anything but relax into the touch. He had never understood the whole Pavlov's dog thing in school, but he kind of got it now.

They stayed like that for a while, Eddie talking about everything and nothing. His animated voice was comforting.

Eddie had even explained to him that Robin had only told him what his favorite song was. He was going to use it for a dramatic confession. Which made much more sense than Robin suddenly betraying his trust. Which he knew she would never do.

But Steve had totally stolen his thunder by jumping to conclusions.

When he stopped crying, he expected the usual feeling of shame to overcome him. Shame for crying over something as simple as someone appreciating him. But the feeling never came. And Eddie’s voice never lost its calming and jovial tone.

The sound of rain outside pounded against the windows, the smell of petrichor and wet grass in the air.

Eddie wiped the last of his tears from his eyes. "Are you ok?"

"Never better,” Steve sighed. “Sorry for crying. I just never expected someone to do something like that for me."

Eddie hummed. “You deserve much more than a simple song. But I'm guessing you liked it?”

"No, I loved it. You looked so fucking hot," he admitted.

Eddie choked out a laugh."What happened to flustered Steve?"

He flipped over so he was facing Eddie and crawled over him. In one motion, he threw a leg over to bracket Eddie's jean-clad hips, straddling him. Eddie stared up at him, his lips parted in shock.

Eddie's skin was warm and soft under his lips as he kissed up his neck until he reached his ear. "Miss him?"

Eddie gripped his hips tight under his shirt, drawing little circles onto his skin. The coldness of his rings sent shivers up Steve's sides.

"Nope," Eddie rushed out. " Nope. Not at all."

—

A raucous knock sounded at the door, followed by voices and the heavy thud of boots being shoved into the shoe rack. Steve craned his neck around the book in Eddie’s hand so he could see who it was. From his spot on the couch, he could see Robin, Nancy, Dustin, Erica, Lucas, and Max in his front hall. All in varying states of disarray from the rain. He winced a little and tried to remember if he had the ingredients for soup.

They all rushed to the living room to crowd around the heater, frigid fingers stretched out. After the upside down, none of them reacted well to the cold. So this sudden cold snap was affecting them all.

Steve looked over each of them to see if they were ok. Max was swamped in a raincoat a few sizes too big for her, the green plastic pooling at her ankles. From the way Lucas’ sweatshirt was soaked through at the shoulders, he guessed he had given it to her.

But everyone looked happy enough, despite the circumstances.

Steve snuggled his face deeper into the crook of his neck and took a moment to appreciate how Eddie radiated heat like a furnace.

It was only after they had sufficiently warmed up that they seemed to notice him and Eddie.

Robin's eyes widened as she snorted and dissolved into squeaking laughter. Her arms wrapped around her sides like she was physically holding herself upright.

Steve guessed he deserved that reaction, after all the whining he had subjected her to.

“Oh my God,” she exclaimed, her voice still strained with laughter. “You actually did it. You made a move!”

Steve stuck his tongue out at her, not wanting to admit that he did nothing of the sort. If anything, he had sabotaged Eddie making a move. It was a miracle they had sorted it out in the end.

Steve pecked Eddie’s chest, just above his heart, before he sat up. Eddie blushed and grumbled under his breath. God, he was adorable.

Dustin raised his hand, a cheeky grin on his face. He was all wrapped up in warm layers, not surprised by the sudden rain. "Does this mean that you guys aren't going to fight over me, anymore?"

Eddie jumped up, his red socks sliding on the hardwood in his haste. He grabbed Dustin in a loose headlock and scrubbed at his hair. The younger cackled in glee, his dimples showing.

"Fight?” Eddie scoffed and stuck up his nose. “I would never fight over you, you little traitor. You clearly picked a favorite."

"Traitor?" Steve mouthed.

Eddie waved him off.

“I’m sorry! I couldn’t betray Steve like that.”

“Mm-hmm, don’t think you're getting away with this blatant favoritism scot-free, Scrimp,” Eddie warned and let Dustin go, his hair now a staticy mess.

“Thanks, kid!” Steve called out.

Dustin saluted in response.

Steve should have never introduced him to Robin. Soon, there would be two of them.

"How did you guys know?" Steve asked.

Lucas pulled a face of disbelief. "Umm, you guys were literally snuggling on the couch while Eddie read to you. What's not to figure out?"

Steve tilted his head. "But we did that before we got together?"

The gang just stared at him blankly. Somehow they still pulled off an air of superiority, despite their wet hair sticking to their face limply.

"See what I mean?" Eddie bemoaned. "Clueless."

“I thought you guys were already together,” Max said, sounding bored of the conversation.

Erica shook her head, her hair baubles jingling. “Y'all are so dumb, it amazes me.”

"You were getting platonic vibes from that?" Nancy teased and wiped a stray droplet of water from Robin’s check, an adoring look on her face.

A giddy rush of affection spread through him. They both deserved the world and seeing them happy together was all he could ever ask for.

But, he was still going to tell Nancy about Robin’s hopeless pining, now that they were together.

"Thank you!” Eddie gestured wildly at Nancy and his whole body vibrated with energy. “That's what I'm saying!"

"Oh, get off your high horse, Eddie.” Robin swotted his shoulder. “Steve has been giving you heart eyes since the moment you pinned him against a wall and threatened him with a broken bottle. He's so obvious it was physically painful to watch."

Eddie spun around to face him, his eyes bright and wicked. Steve was so not going to hear the end of this.

Steve felt a hot blush crawl up his neck as the others laughed.

She wasn't wrong. He had certainly thought about that moment far too many times to be healthy. The way Eddie had held him there so easily, powered by some hidden strength.

Steve hid his face in his hands and whined, "You can't even defend my honor without making fun of me, can you?"

Robin waved his hands from his face and replaced them with her own. Squeezing his cheeks tight, as a grandma would. "Nope. I gotta keep you humble. It's my duty as your best friend."

"I’m glad you two got your shit together, though," she said, softer this time. "Guess we're not completely hopeless, after all."

“I’m so happy for you, Robin. What happened? Did you confess?"

Robin snorted. "No, I told you, I made a move. She noticed I stole her jacket and put two and two together. Then she asked if I liked her."

Nancy nodded along, looking as smug as ever. He was happy at least one of them had their shit together. Though, he still maintained that him changing the buddy system partners was the push they needed. But he would let Nancy have her moment.

He also hadn't told Eddie about that yet. He would save that piece of information for another day. Preferably when all of his friends weren't there to laugh at him.

Eddie turned to Steve abruptly. "You mean that was an option all along? How come I got stuck with the dumbass?"

"Hey! You could have just told me," he protested.

Eddie wrapped his arms around him from behind and placed his chin on Steve’s shoulder. The smell of vanilla and weed surrounded him. Steve’s heart melted a little bit when he realized Eddie was on his tippy toes.

"I was trying to! What part of me walking around in a towel did you not pick up on?"

Steve thought back to when he ran his fingers over Eddie’s hips, nothing but a thin towel between them. The way that Eddie had teased him and offered to show him his tattoos. Or all the times Eddie had flirted with him and Steve had assumed he was joking.

Fuck, he was oblivious.

"Oh. Ok yeah, maybe it was my fault."

“Nope, I apparently missed out on months' worth of heart eyes and pining, too.” Eddie rested his head against Steve’s. “We’re practically perfect for each other.”