Archive of Our Own

Dustin's eyes narrow as he watches Steve and Eddie in the middle of another heated argument. It goes about the same as always– the two bickering about something before one of them–  usually Steve– throws up his hands and storms away while the other watches them go with a weird frown on their face. 

"I don't know why they can't just get along," Dustin complains. "It's been weeks, and they still hate each other."

"What are you talking about?" Lucas asks him.

"Eddie and Steve!" Dustin says, throwing his hands up. "They're always arguing and glaring at each other."

Mike looks up from his game for the first time in half an hour after losing yet again to Will. He sighs and throws his remote down, and turns to Dustin. "Yeah, so?" 

"So , they don't like each other."

"I don't think that's what it is," Will says. 

"No? Then what is it?"

"I've been back in town for all of five minutes, and I can tell they're clearly into each other," Will says. "They just can't admit it."

"So they're arguing as a way to hide their feelings," Max says. 

Dustin is about to tell them they're all crazy. Steve and Eddie don't have feelings for each other. Then he thinks back on the last few weeks. How at first, they had gotten along okay. They'd smiled and laughed– had a few inside jokes. But then something changed, and the arguing started. 

"Huh."

"You see it now?" Will asks.

Dustin nods. "I can't believe I never saw it before. How could I be so blind?"

"You didn't know to look," Mike says. 

"Well, now I do, and we're going to have to do something about it," Dustin says.

"Oh no," Lucas says. "Don't tell me you've cooked up some plan already."

"Of course I have," Dustin says.

"Are you sure you want to get involved?" Mike asks. "Shouldn't we just let them figure it out on their own?"

"We could wait years if we do that," Dustin argues. "So, no. We're going to do this now."

"I'm almost afraid to ask what we're doing," Will says. 

"We're gonna parent trap them,"  Dustin decides.

"They're not parents," Max points out. "Unless I'm missing something."

"They're totally Dustin's parents," Mike says. "Obviously."

"Wasn't the whole point of the parent trap to get people back together?" Lucas asks. "Steve and Eddie never dated."

Dustin waves them off. "Semantics. The point is we need to get them alone together in a romantic setting, and they'll have no choice but to admit their undying love for each other."

"Because nothing could possibly go wrong there," Max mutters. 

"Nothing is going to go wrong," Dustin says. "It's going to work out perfectly. You'll see."

Something’s going on with Dustin. 

He's acting weird– or at least weirder than usual when it comes to him. And Steve can't figure out why.

If Steve didn't know any better, he'd say it had something to do with him. 

When he says as much to Eddie, he just rolls his eyes. "Not everything is about you, King Steve."

"Never said it was," Steve mutters. He falls back on the bed next to Eddie and glances over at him. "It's not just me he's avoiding, you know?"

"What?"

"It's you too."

"Please, Henderson isn't avoiding me," Eddie says, though he doesn't look as sure as before. "He's not avoiding you either. Are you forgetting that kid worships you?"

"He doesn't…."

Eddie waves him off. "He does. But that's not the point."

"Then what is your point?"

"He's a kid," Eddie says. "Maybe he just wants to hang out with people his own age. And you know, that wouldn't be a bad thing for you to do either."

"Isn't that why you're here?" Steve counters.

Eddie grins, and Steve tries to ignore the way that smile makes his stomach flip. "And here I thought you just enjoyed my company."

I do, Steve thinks. But admitting that out loud feels too much like putting his heart on full display for Eddie to see. So he holds his tongue. He shoves him lightly and snags the remote from Eddie's grip while he's distracted. "Let's just watch the damn movie."

Eddie mock bows. There's a twinkle in his eyes that Steve has gotten used to over the last few weeks. "Of course. Because King Steve always gets what he wants."

"Not everything," Steve mutters. He looks away then, can't bear to see the look on Eddie's face as he admits it. Because there's one thing he does want– has been wanting– that he's sure he'll never have. "And stop calling me that."

"Of course, King Steve. As you wish."

"Eddie…" Steve warns.

"Yes, my liege?"

Steve doesn't think. He lunges at him, tackling Eddie back against the bed. Eddie cries out in surprise at first, before his eyes narrow, and then he's trying to throw Steve off. Which only serves to send them both toppling off the bed and onto the floor. 

They roll around, each trying and failing to maintain the upper hand. 

Steve's laugh is almost breathless when Eddie digs his fingers into his sides and starts tickling him. A low blow since Steve had just admitted to Eddie a few days ago how ticklish he is. "Eddie. No."

Eddie chuckles against his ear. Steve hadn't realized they were so close. "Eddie, yes."

Steve pulls back, prepared to tell Eddie off. 

Then time stops. Steve stares down at Eddie. His face is flushed, hair a mess, brown eyes wide, mouth parted as he pants, trying to catch his breath. 

He's beautiful. It's not the first time Steve has been hit by the thought. But not like this. It's never been like this. Not with Eddie so close. 

There's a twinkle in his eyes again, familiar, but different somehow. His eyes drift down and back up, and Steve knows that look. He's looking at him like he wants to… 

But no. That can't be. Eddie doesn't want him. Not like that. Steve's just seeing what he wants to see– projecting his feelings onto him– and that's not fair to Eddie.

Steve jumps up– stumbles back until his legs hit the bed, and he collapses. 

From the corner of his eye, he sees Eddie lift himself up onto his elbows. His eyes are on him, but Steve can't look. 

"Steve?"

"Let's just watch the movie, yeah?" Steve says. His voice cracks slightly, and he hates it. Hates how it probably gives him away. He clears his throat and tries again. "You can pick."

"Maybe I should just go," Eddie says softly.

"You don't have to."

"I know," Eddie sighs. "But maybe it's best. At least for now. I'm uh… I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

Steve's eyes snap up to look at Eddie finally. He's rubbing the back of his neck and biting his lip, but his eyes are down. He won't look at Steve.

"Eddie, no. You didn't…."

"It's okay, man," Eddie says. "I thought maybe…." He trails off and shakes his head. "But I was wrong."

"Wrong about what?" Silence. "Eddie?"

"It doesn't matter," Eddie says. "I'm gonna go. We can forget this whole thing. I'll uh… I'll see you later, Harrington."

He turns and walks away, bounding down the stairs before Steve can stop him.

What in the hell just happened?

The next time Steve sees Eddie, it's a week later. He's tried calling, but Eddie rarely picks up, and when he does, it's to tell him he's busy and can't talk. 

He's avoiding him. Steve knows it. He can almost picture Eddie's eye roll at the thought. His words reverberating in his head:

Not everything is about you. 

Except this is. It can't be a coincidence that Eddie's suddenly not wanting to talk to him after their… moment, or whatever you want to call it. Steve still isn't sure, and he's replayed it all in his head constantly since that night.

So when Steve walks into the Wheeler's basement and sees Eddie sitting on the couch, he's a little surprised. Eddie, for his part, doesn't look the least bit surprised. His eyes widen minutely at first before he schools his features and nods– at the very least acknowledging Steve– before he looks away.

Steve shakes his head to himself and grabs a coke from the table, and leans against the wall. Sure, it stings a little that Eddie barely even looked at him, but he can do this. He can be cool. Cool is his middle name.

"You two are acting weirder than usual," Dustin says.

"Who's acting weird? No one's acting weird." Dustin just stares at him, as if willing Steve to crack. He won't. Not about this. Not here. Not now. "Everything's cool, man."

"If you say so."

"I do."

Steve half expects Dustin to push. He's not one to give up that easily. Except for this time, apparently. He gives Steve another long look before he walks away to join Will, Mike, and Lucas.

"What was that about?" Robin asks him.

"What?"

"Whatever that was with you and Dustin," Robin says.

"Oh, that? That was nothing," Steve says. "Just Henderson poking his nose where he shouldn't."

"Right," Robin says. "But that's not anything new, is it?"

Steve shrugs and takes a drink from his coke. "S'pose not."

"Is everything okay?" Robin questions. "You've been acting off this past week."

"Everything's fine, Robin."

"Are you sure?" Robin presses. "I haven't seen Eddie around the store lately. At least not while you're there. Did you two have a fight or something?"

"No, we didn't have a fight." It's not a lie. They would have to speak to have a fight. And Eddie seems dead set against that.

Robin places a hand on Steve's arm and lowers her voice. "Steve, you know you can talk to me, right? If something happened…."

"Nothing happened." Another half truth. It's what almost happened that's been keeping Steve awake at night. That has Eddie avoiding him. Because it's clear now that he is.

"But you want it to," Robin says softly. "Don't you?"

"It doesn't matter what I want," Steve says.

"Steve…"

"Look, can you just let this go?" Steve pleads. "Please?"

"Just… talk to him, okay?" Robin says.

"I've been trying all week," Steve tells her. "He doesn't want to talk to me."

"Well, he's here now, isn't he? You could at least try."

Steve's a little grateful when Dustin calls his name, giving him an out. "Yo! Steve! Come here a sec."

"I should see what he wants," Steve says. 

"Right. Of course."

Steve hadn't been paying attention to where Dustin had moved to while he was talking to Robin. So when he sees him sitting next to Eddie on the couch, his steps falter.

"There you are!" Dustin says. He scoots over on the couch to make room. But rather than moving to the middle, he moves to the end, leaving the only available spot between him and Eddie. When Steve stands frozen, Dustin huffs in frustration and grabs his arm, yanking him down onto the couch next to him.

"Ouch, Henderson, watch it," Steve complains as he rubs his arm. "When did you get so damn strong?"

Dustin grins. "Fighting monsters will do that to you."

"Right."

"It's worked for you, right?" Dustin asks. Before Steve can answer, he leans back on the couch and looks to the other side. "Eddie, don't you think the monster hunting is working for him?"

"Uhh…" Eddie looks from Dustin to Steve as if unsure how he's been dragged into the conversation. "I guess?"

Dustin rolls his eyes. "Oh, come on. Look at the guy! Steve, just show him…."

He grabs Steve's shirt and moves to pull it up. He swats his hands away and stands quickly. He can feel his heart racing and hear the pounding in his ears. He backs away towards the stairs, all too aware of the eyes on him. 

"I uh… I appreciate the invite. But I'm gonna go," Steve says.

"You just got here," Dustin complains. "You can't go yet. We haven’t even started the movie."

"Some other time, dude," Steve tells him. 

He barely hears his name being called as he bounds back to the stairs and stumbles his way towards the front door. 

"Steve!" 

He just needs to make it to his car. That's all. Once he's inside, he can lock the doors and block all this shit out. 

Except it doesn't want to be blocked out. 

The memories of claws piercing into his skin, of teeth tearing into his flesh are there, more vivid than ever. Steve wants to run– to fight– but his feet feel frozen to the spot.

"Dude, Harrington." 

"I'm okay," Steve mumbles, hoping that whoever it is will leave him alone.

He should have known better, of course. A hand settles on his shoulder, the cool metal of rings brushes across the skin of his throat, and he knows who it is.

"No offense, man, but you look far from okay," Eddie says. "You kind of look like shit."

Steve snorts. "Sweet as always, Munson."

Eddie grins and rocks back on his heels. "Always happy to be of service."

"What do you want, Eddie?"

"I wanted to check on you," Eddie says. "You kind of tore out of there. The kids were worried."

"Right. Yeah. The kids." Steve closes his eyes and tries to take a deep breath. It's hard when it still feels like something is sitting on his chest. God. Is he having a heart attack? 

"You're not having a heart attack," Eddie assures him. "Panic attack, maybe."

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Steve snaps.

"In the sense that you're not dying, I guess," Eddie says. "Look, just– come here."

Steve doesn't get to ask where. A hand on his back guides him down the driveway to his car. "I can't drive like this."

"You're not driving," Eddie says. "We're just gonna sit, okay?"

"Okay."

Eddie opens the door and nudges Steve until he gets the hint and gets inside. Steve leans his head back against the seat and tries to calm his still racing heart. He hears the door open on the passenger's side, but doesn't open his eyes. He knows it's Eddie.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Eddie asks him.

Steve wants to say no. He wants to say he has it under control, and the last thing he needs is to talk about it. But instead, the words start spilling out of their own volition.

"I almost died," he says softly. "I was sure I was going to. Probably would have if you and Nance and Robin hadn't shown up when you did. I try to forget. I try to move on, but every time I start to feel like I am, I'm hit in the face with another reminder. Especially–" he gestures down at himself, face pulled into a grimace– "because of this."

Eddie nods. "Is it… I mean, has it healed at all?"

"Kind of," Steve says. "It's a slow process. The doctors here don't exactly have a quick fix for this sort of thing, especially since I couldn't tell them what did it. Maybe that's why I'm having such a hard time getting over it. I don't know."

"You'll get there," Eddie says. "There's not exactly a time frame for dealing with this sort of thing. Or so I've been told."

"You seem to be doing a pretty good job of it."

Eddie laughs and runs a hand through his hair. "Are you kidding me? I'm still having nightmares and jumping at every weird sound, man."

"Well, you're doing a pretty good job of hiding it," Steve says.

"You were, too," Eddie says. "Until…"

"Until I flipped out the moment someone got too close to my wound," Steve guesses.

"Yeah."

"I guess we're both just good at hiding our feelings," Steve sighs. Eddie's quiet next to him. Too quiet, almost. Steve turns his head to look at him to find him already staring back. "You good, man?"

"I'm sorry," Eddie says. "For ignoring your calls this past week. I've just been umm…."

"Busy?" Steve says, giving him an out if he wants it. 

"I've just been working through some stuff," Eddie says.

"Anything I can help with?"

Eddie smiles. "Nah. You have your own shit going on. I wouldn’t want to…."

His words cut off when Steve places a hand on his thigh. "You've been here for me, so let me be here for you. Whatever shit you're working through, you don't have to do it alone."

"Yeah, okay," Eddie says. "Thanks, man."

Steve smiles. "Any time."

“You feeling any better?” Eddie asks him.

Steve’s surprised to find that he is. It’s easier to breathe, at least, and he doesn’t feel like he’s about to crawl out of his skin. “Yeah, I do. Thanks, man.”

“Don’t mention it,” Eddie says. “What are friends for?”

Friends. Right. Steve tries not to let the word sting so much. No matter how he feels, he has Eddie as his friend. That can be enough. 

It starts happening more and more– Steve and Eddie hanging out on their own. Sometimes it's on purpose, but it's becoming more frequent that the kids will make plans and then bail at the last minute. Steve tries not to be suspicious. He knows it's summer, and they're teenagers. They have lives of their own. Girlfriends. Things to do that don't involve him. 

Yeah, that might sting just a bit. But he's still happy for them. 

And he doesn't mind hanging out with Eddie. 

But he still can't help but be suspicious when he gets a call from Dustin telling him to meet him at Skull Rock of all places. 

Still, he goes. His curiosity gets the better of him. 

It shouldn't be a surprise when he gets there and sees not Dustin, but Eddie.

"Let me guess," Steve says. "Dustin bailed again."

Eddie chuckles and shakes his head. "He left a note this time."

Steve raises an eyebrow as he reaches out and takes the note from Eddie. 

Something came up. Sorry. Enjoy your picnic, you two. 

Picnic? What—?

It's then that Steve notices that Eddie's leaning back on a blanket that's been laid across the grass. Next to him is a wicker basket. 

"A picnic?" Steve asks, kneeling down next to Eddie. "Really?"

"It's pretty legit," Eddie says. "There's fresh fruit and everything."

"Seriously?"

Eddie gestures towards the basket. "See for yourself, man."

Steve opens the lid and looks inside. Sure enough, there's fresh fruit– strawberries, grapes, and of all things, peaches. There's also the standard sandwiches and some chips, but also sparkling cider. 

"Henderson really went all out," Eddie says.

"Looks like it," Steve says. Something feels off here. This feels less like a meeting between friends and more like a date. But that can't be right. 

"Be a shame to let it go to waste," Eddie comments.

Steve looks at him, unsurprised to find him grinning. "It would be. The kids did put in all this hard work."

Eddie hums and reaches into the basket. He pulls out the bag of grapes. "Just don't expect me to feed these to you."

Steve puts a hand to his chest. "And here I thought you cared."

"I do," Eddie says. "Enough to let you feed your damn self. We can't have you forgetting how to take care of yourself and withering away to nothing before you reach 25."

Steve snorts. "No, we certainly can't."

Eddie grins. "Glad we're on the same page."

They eat mostly in silence for a while, munching on the food now spread out between them and just enjoying the other's company. 

That is until something hits the side of Steve's head. He looks down at the blanket to see a grape next to him and then over at Eddie to see him looking up at the trees in interest.

"Did you just throw a grape at me?" Steve accuses.

Eddie puts a hand to his heart. "I would never."

"Then how do you explain the grape that just hit me in the head."

"I have no idea," Eddie says. "You know, maybe we're having one of those fruit raining occurrences."

"Fruit raining occurrences."

"Yeah, they're super rare, but I've heard it happens," Eddie says. "And they can be very dangerous if you're not careful."

Steve laughs. He can't help it. "Seriously, Eddie?"

Eddie shrugs. "Just what I heard on the news."

"Because we can believe everything the news says," Steve mutters.

"Hey, you're the one that got hit with a grape," Eddie says.

"Because you threw it at me!"

"Again with the accusations!" Eddie says. "I already told you…."

"That it's raining fruit, yeah I heard you," Steve says. 

"You know, with everything you've seen, you'd think you'd be a little more open-minded, Steve Harrington," Eddie chides.

"I am perfectly open-minded!" Steve says. "I also know you're bullshitting me because it is not raining fruit!"

He barely gets the words out before a loud clap of thunder sounds. Eddie's eyes widen, and he looks to the skies. "What was that?"

"That is just a normal storm," Steve says. He won't admit he's a little less sure than he sounds. Damn Eddie. "It is not going to rain fruit."

"Of course not," Eddie says. "But it is about to rain something, so maybe we should…."

"Go, yeah," Steve says. "The last thing I want is to get soaked."

The universe really must be mocking him today. They've barely packed up and started back to the car when it starts to pour. 

"Jesus, fuck!" Eddie shouts over the rain. "Let's get the hell out of here!"

"That's what we're doing!" Steve shouts back. 

"Not fast enough," Eddie says. "Let's go !"

He doesn't give Steve a chance to respond. Just grabs his hand and takes off running through the trees. They stumble their way towards the car, ducking low-hanging branches and trying not to trip over roots. By the time they reach the car, they're both soaked to the bone. They jump in, closing the doors quickly behind them, and then just sit here a moment, trying to catch their breath. 

Steve looks at Eddie, who in turn looks at him. Their eyes meet, and Steve can't help it. He laughs. Eddie's a wet mess next to him, his hair sticking to his skin, his face red and blotchy. Steve knows he can't look much better. 

Soon enough, Eddie is joining him. He throws his head back against the seat and laughs. Steve can't take his eyes off him. 

Sure, he looks a mess, but a beautiful one. Especially when he's laughing like this. 

"This is your fault," Steve says. Because he needs to say something. Anything to distract himself, so he doesn't do something stupid like reach out and smooth Eddie's hair back from his eyes or some shit. 

"My fault?" Eddie asks. "How is the rain my fault ?"

"You're the one that said it was raining fruit, Eddie," Steve says. 

"I don't know if you can tell the difference or not, Steve, but that isn't fruit out there; that's water," Eddie says. 

Steve rolls his eyes. "I know the difference. And it doesn't matter."

"No?"

"No. You spoke this into existence just by mentioning rain."

"You're ridiculous," Eddie says. "You know that, right?"

"Says the guy who said it was raining grapes."

"Oh my god!" Eddie exclaims. "You're never going to let this go, are you?"

"Well, it's only been like thirty minutes," Steve says. "You have to give me at least an hour."

Eddie shakes his head, a smile playing on his lips. "You're something else."

"A good something?"

That familiar twinkle is back in his eye. "Yeah, Steve. A good something."

"Good. You're uh… you're a good something too."

"Thank you?"

Steve clears his throat and starts the car. "Let's get out of here and go get warmed up, yeah?"

"Please," Eddie groans. "I'm freezing in these wet clothes."

"Your place or mine?"

"Yours is closer," Eddie points out.

Steve nods and points the car in the direction of his house, thankful that his parents are once again out of town. 

"You can take the upstairs shower," Steve says. "And just borrow whatever clothes you want."

"Always a gracious host," Eddie says. He gives a dramatic bow and takes off up the stairs. 

Steve goes to his room and grabs a change of clothes before going back downstairs to the other bathroom. He probably spends too long standing under the warm spray, trying to chase away the lingering chill from the rain.

His traitorous mind drifts to Eddie, wondering if he's doing the same. He immediately pushes the thought away. The last thing he needs to be thinking about is Eddie naked in the shower when he's upstairs at that very moment using said shower. It's a dangerous path to go down.

He shuts the water off and opens the curtain. He towels off quickly and slips into a pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt. Not the most fashionable, but it's comfortable, and that's what he needs right now. 

He shuts the light off and heads to the kitchen to grab some drinks and snacks. "Eddie? You want a beer?"

"Sure, man!" Eddie calls back.

Steve grabs the two beers and a bag of chips and heads for the stairs. His bedroom door is half-open, so he nudges it the rest of the way and steps inside, only to stop in his tracks when he sees Eddie standing with his back to him as he sorts through his dresser. 

"Dude, where's that blue sweatshirt of yours?" Eddie asks him. 

Steve clears his throat and makes himself turn away in favor of putting down the drinks. "In my closet."

Eddie moves to the closet and starts looking through it. Steve sits on the bed and grabs the remote to his TV, and turns it on. He tries to focus on finding something to watch, but his eyes keep drifting towards the closest of their own volition. Finally, Eddie gives a triumphant cry and pulls out the sweatshirt he was looking for. 

He puts it on as he walks towards the bed to join Steve. "I don't know what it is about this sweater, man, but it's the most comfortable shit I've ever worn."

"My grandma knit it for me," Steve admits.

"That explains it," Eddie says. "You can just feel that this was made with love. Thanks for letting me borrow it."

"Yeah, of course, man," Steve says.

Eddie falls back against the pillows and looks up at Steve. "So, what are we watching?"

"Not a lot on right now," Steve admits. He tosses the remote to Eddie. "You can pick."

"Truly an honor," Eddie says as he takes the remote. 

Steve's eyes drift closed as he listens to Eddie flip through the channels. He doesn't mean to fall asleep, but he must drift off at some point because the next thing he's aware of is a hand lightly squeezing his arm.

"Are you still with me?" Eddie asks him.

"Always," Steve murmurs.

There's a light chuckle next to his ear before a warmth settles around him. Not a blanket, but something more solid. 

"Is this okay?" Steve questions. "I'm still a little cold."

Steve nods and opens his arms, which Eddie takes as an invitation to press closer. Steve's arms drop around him, and he has a moment to think as he drifts off that this is more than okay. 

They don't talk about it– like they don't talk about most things these days. It's just another thing that's happened. Another thing to leave Steve yearning for something more– something he can't have. 

"And how do you know that you can't have him?" Robin asks him one night after Steve went on another rant about his pathetic crush that he's pretty sure has developed into more than a crush at this point.

"Because he doesn't see me like that, Robin," Steve says.

"Has he told you that?"

"No, not exactly, but…."

"Then talk to him," Robin says. 

"Aren't you the one that was just saying a few weeks ago how scary it is to put yourself out there like this?" Steve questions.

"Yes, I was," Robin says. "And that's fair, but our situations are completely different."

"How?" Steve asks her.

"They just are," Robin says. "So talk to him. Tonight."

"What's tonight?"

"The dinner Dustin invited us all to at the Wheeler's," Robin says. "Duh."

"Are we actually sure it's going to happen?" Steve asks. "Because the kid keeps bailing."

"Trust me. This is happening."

She has a look in her eye like she knows something he doesn't, which wouldn't be the first time. But he doesn't like it. 

"What aren't you telling me?" 

"Nothing," Robin says. "Just be there at eight, and wear something nice."

Steve's still suspicious when he leaves work an hour later to go home and shower before dinner. Robin's definitely up to something, and he has a feeling Dustin is involved. He thinks about not going, but that would mean not seeing Eddie. And he really wants to see Eddie.

So that's why he finds himself pulling up outside the Wheeler's at eight that night. Eddie's standing outside on the porch when he walks up. 

"What are you doing standing out here?" Steve asks him.

"They wouldn't let me in until you got here," Eddie says. "Which honestly seems a little suspicious to me, but I'm not sure what to make of it yet."

Steve sighs. "I guess we're about to find out."

He rings the doorbell and waits, listening to the sound of shuffling and shouting from inside. Then the door opens, and El grins out at them. "You're here!"

"We are," Steve says.

"I've been here," Eddie points out. He raises his voice as he shouts around El. "I don't appreciate being left out in the cold, Henderson."

"Well, you can come in now," El says. "Everything is ready." 

She steps back, letting Eddie and Steve walk past her into the house. The strangely empty-looking house. 

"Are the others downstairs?" Steve asks her.

El nods. "They're waiting on you."

"Is it just me, or does this all feel super weird?" Eddie whispers as they move towards the stairs.

"Definitely weird," Steve agrees. 

He follows Eddie down onto the basement, but when they get there, it's empty. Before Steve can move, the door above them slams shut.

"What the hell is this?" Steve asks, incredulously looking around the room.

"Looks pretty romantic to me," Eddie says. He turns to Steve with a laugh. "It looks as if the little shits are setting us up."

Steve takes in the table set in front of them, a new lace tablecloth on it. There are flowers on top along with two wine glasses and plates. Hell, there's even fancy silverware. Around the room, at least ten candles are lit. Maybe more. Steve swallows. "You might be right."

"You're not leaving," Dustin calls down to them. "You're going to stay and enjoy your damn meal and each other's company."

"Henderson!"

"Just shut up and drink your wine, Steve," Dustin says, cutting off any argument. "And know you two did this to yourselves."

"He really is bossy, isn't he?" Eddie says, a hint of nervous amusement in his voice. 

He takes a seat, and Steve raises an eyebrow as he paces a napkin on his lap. "What are you doing?"

"We might as well enjoy the food and see where the night takes us," Eddie says. "Unless you detest my company that bad."

"You know I don't," Steve mutters. He takes the seat across from Eddie and receives a smile in return. 

As if on cue, Robin saunters in. She has an apron around her waist and a towel thrown over her shoulder. She's also carrying a bottle of wine, which she starts to pour into his glass. 

Steve grimaces. "Robin, you know I don't drink that shit."

"Have you ever tried it?" Robin asks as she moves to Eddie's glass.

"Well, no, but…."

"Well, then tonight will be full of firsts for you. Enjoy."

With that, she winks and turns away. She at least leaves the bottle on the table. 

Steve looks at Eddie, whose looking at his glass of wine, a contemplative look on his face. "Did you ever think of why they're doing this?"

"Because they like to meddle in things that aren't their business," Steve says.

Eddie chuckles and meets Steve's gaze. He holds out his glass and nods towards Steve's, who gets the hint and raises his to meet Eddie's.

"To a night of new adventures," Eddie says.

He raises his glass to his lips and takes a sip. He doesn't pull a face, so Steve does the same. The taste is bitter and dry. But it's not as bad as he was expecting. Not something he would usually pick for himself, but actually kind of pleasant– nice. 

And isn't that true for this whole situation with him and Eddie?

"So," Eddie says, leaning back in his seat and waving his free hand in Steve's direction. "Tell me something about yourself."

Steve mirrors his position and rubs his chin in thought. Christ, he hates these questions. They always sound so simple but feel anything but. Especially when he's been feeling like he's been piecing himself together since high school and trying to figure out who he really is. Not some jock. Not Steve "The Hair" Harrington. Just Steve.

He must be silent for too long because Eddie leans across the table and snaps his fingers in front of his face. "Yo, Steve, man. You still with me?"

"Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking."

Eddie nods. "That's fine and all. But uh… maybe don't think so hard next time. After that Vecna bullshit, it's uh… you were just too still there for a minute."

Steve gets it. Of course he does. They all do. Still, Steve can't help but smile. "Were you worried about me, Munson?"

"Maybe a little bit," Eddie says. "You know, for the kid's sake. They are quite fond of you."

"Just the kids?"

Eddie drops his gaze for a moment and takes a sip of his wine. "No, not just the kids."

Serve grins and nudges Eddie's foot with his own. "Ditto."

"Ditto? Really? What are we, in some rom-com?"

Steve waves his hand at the room around them. "Certainly feels like it."

Eddie chuckles. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Your dinner, kind sirs."

Steve almost jumps at the sound of Dustin's voice next to him. Mike and Will are with him, each holding covered plates. They're all dressed like Robin, down to the towel across their shoulders. 

"Jesus, Henderson. Announce yourself next time."

"I did," Dustin says. "You must have been too wrapped up in the romance of the moment to notice."

"What on earth are you on about?"

"It's okay, Steve," Dustin says. "You can admit you were too caught up in your lover's gaze to care about anything else."

Steve glares at him for a moment before turning to Eddie, who looks to be fighting back a laugh. "Jesus, kid. What movies have you been watching?"

"I've done my research," Dustin tells them. "And I've been watching you. So I know this will work."

"You've been watching us?" Steve questions. "Because that's not creepy at all."

"I can see what's there," Dustin says. "Even if you can't."

"That's bullshit," Lucas calls down the stairs. "You didn't even know until Will and Mike pointed it out to you!"

"Stay out of this, Lucas!"

Steve turns to Will and Mike with a raised eyebrow. "What exactly did you two point out?"

"Nothing!" Will says a little too quickly.

"We just noticed some things," Mike says.

"Things?"

"You know, looks and stuff," Mike says.

"We should go," Will says, pulling on Mike and Dustin's sleeves. He glances at Steve and Eddie with a nervous smile. "We're all cool with it, you know? Enjoy your dinner!"

Steve watches them go with a bemused smile. Across from him, Eddie makes a strangled noise. Steve jumps up and moves to his side, concerned. "Eddie, dude, you okay?"

It's until he puts a hand on Eddie's shoulder and kneels next to him to get a better look at his face that he realizes Eddie is laughing. Full-on tears streaming down his face laughing.

"Eddie?"

"We're hopeless," Eddie gets out between laughs. "Hopeless!"

"Okay," Steve says slowly. "Why don't you calm down a little and talk to me?"

"These kids," Eddie says, gesturing to the stairs. "Set us the fuck up. On a date, man. With fucking candles and wine and a God damn lace tablecloth. They're serving us fucking dinner, Steve!"

Steve frowns. "Yeah, I know."

"And you don't see anything wrong with that?" Eddie asks him.

He hadn't, no. Sure, he'd thought it was a little much that the kids were meddling in his love life. But he'd looked at Eddie tonight and started to hope. Started to believe this all wasn't just him. That maybe Eddie was on the same page. But he'd been wrong. So very wrong. 

He drops his hand from Eddie's shoulder and moves back until his back hits the wall. He leans his head back and closes his eyes. 

"Steve?"

"I'm sorry," Steve says, hating how his voice cracks. "This is my fault."

"Your fault?" Eddie says. "Steve, what–"

Steve laughs, the sound bitter to his own ears. "Yes, my fault. The kids must have… they must have picked up on something from me, and I don't know. So much for being able to hide my fucking feelings, I guess. I'm sorry they dragged you into it and made things weird."

"Whoa whoa whoa, slow down there, man," Eddie says.

"You must hate me now."

"Hate you? Steve, I don't hate you," Eddie says. Steve jumps when he feels a hand on his shoulder. But he doesn't open his eyes. He can't. It's going to be hard enough hearing the rejection from Eddie. He can't see the look on his face when he does it. "Steve," Eddie says softly. "Can you look at me? Please?"

Steve shakes his head. "No."

Eddie sighs. He surprises Steve when he takes his face in his hands, his cool rings brushing across his cheek and making him shiver. "God, I don't even know where to begin here. Our wires have gotten so severely screwed up. And this would be so much easier if you would open those pretty brown eyes and look at me."  Steve blinks his eyes open, and Eddie smiles. "There he is."

"You think my eyes are pretty?"

Eddie leans in closer, his grin spreading. "Steve, I think all of you is pretty."

Steve frowns. "What? But you said…."

"What?" Eddie asks. "Tell me what I said that activated mopey Steve so I can fix it."

"You said there was something wrong with the kids wanting to set us up," Steve says. "With us."

Eddie groans and rests his head on Steve's shoulder. Only for a moment. But still, enough for Steve to miss the warmth when it's gone and Eddie pulls back. "First of all, I never said there was something wrong with us. Because there's not. I have been pining after you for weeks, Steve."

"But you said…."

Eddie taps his nose. "No. Nuh-uh. Let me finish." He waits for Steve to nod before he goes on. "I only said there was something wrong with the kids setting us up because I wanted to be the one to ask you out myself, okay? I wanted to get you flowers or chocolates or whatever cheesy bullshit you're into and show up to your house with my palms sweating because I'm so damn nervous and take you to see some crappy movie neither of us gives a shit about and have dinner afterward where we laugh about how shitty the movie was. Then I'd drive you home, and maybe just maybe, if you let me, I'd finally fucking kiss you like I've wanted to for weeks."

Steve feels like his head is spinning. Eddie's words sinking in little by little. There's so much he wants to say. So much he wants Eddie to know. But all he can do is grin and whisper, "I'd let you."

Eddie blinks. "What?"

"I'd let you kiss me. I mean all that other stuff, too but damn it, Eddie. I've been wanting to kiss you for so long, so if you could just–"

His words cut off when suddenly there's a pair of lips on his. Not just any lips, but Eddie's lips. Because Eddie is kissing him. He's kissing him. It takes a few long seconds for Steve's body to catch up with his brain, but once it does, he's quick to act–  kissing Eddie back like he's been dreaming about. One of his hand's fists in Eddie's jacket, pulling him closer while the other moves up, tangling in his curls.

Eddie smiles against his lips. "Should have known you'd be a hair guy."

Steve shrugs. "For you, I'm an everything guy."

Eddie laughs, and Steve can feel it down to his bones when he presses kisses along Steve's jaw, his body still shaking with laughter. "What does that even mean?"

"Don't know," Steve says. "Maybe that I'm just really into you."

"Maybe?"

"Completely."

"Good," Eddie says. "Because I'm pretty into you, too."

"You know the kids are going to try to take credit for this," Steve says.

Eddie sighs and nuzzles into his neck. "Let them."

"They'll be insufferable," Steve says. "Especially Dustin."

"He can be as insufferable as he wants," Eddie says. "I don't care. Because I got the guy in the end."

"We both did," Steve says.

Eddie looks up at him, that familiar grin on his face. "Lucky us."

"Yeah," Steve agrees. He kisses the top of his head and pulls him closer. "Lucky us."