Work Text:
Eddie hadn't heard the footsteps going up to the bathroom door. Hadn't heard the doorknob jiggle. If he had, he probably would've hid the nail polish before Steve walked in.
"What are you doing there, Ed?"
"Steve, holy shit" Eddie yelped, startled. In his moment of panic, he knocked over the small container of black nail polish as he hid his hands behind his back. Steve was confused by the reaction, then he saw the splattered bottle of nail polish spilled across the sink. Eddie followed his eyes and felt his anxiety increase tenfold. What was Steve gonna say? Would he say anything? Was he gonna finally wake up and realize how much of a freak-
"You're painting your nails?" Steve asked, no sign of malice in his tone. Eddie chuckled nervously.
"Yeah, haha" he responded, voice shaking. "That's weird, right? A guy... Painting his nails. You probably think I'm a freak now, um..." he cleared his throat. "Sorry, I should-"
"Hey, no" Steve cut him off, blocking the doorway. Eddie looked up at him with a panicked expression. "I don't think you're a freak" Steve assured him. The dungeon master avoided the other boy's gaze. "I don't" Steve insisted. "Can I see them?"
"See what?"
"Your nails"
Eddie wanted to cry. If Steve was gonna bully him, couldn't he just get to it? Did he really have to see it? He wasn't ready for Steve to see this side of him. With the others, he didn't care, but Steve was different. He liked Steve, as more than just a friend. Holy shit, Munson he thought to himself, feeling shame wash over him as he slowly pulled his hands out from behind his back to show Steve his nails. You really are a freak
Steve inspected his work for a little longer than seemed necessary, but Eddie was too afraid to say anything. He wasn't exactly a muscular guy, so he wanted to avoid the possibility of a physical altercation as much as possible.
"Do you want me to make these a little neater?"
...
"What?"
"It doesn't look bad, but there are a few spots where the nail polish also got onto your skin" Steve clarified, gesturing at Eddie's hands. "Do you want me to make them neater for you?"
"Wait, you aren't upset with me?"
"Why would I be upset with you?" Steve asked, chuckling slightly. Eddie just swallowed. "Dude, first off, I don't think there's anything wrong with you doing this, but also it might help you to stop biting your nails so damn much" he explained, smiling as Eddie visibly relaxed a little bit. "Now, answer my question"
"What question?"
"Do you want me to help make them neat? Yes or no?"
"Oh, um..." Eddie swallowed. "Yeah, if you don't mind"
"Sure thing"