Archive of Our Own

Steve smiles delicately and unknowingly, as he watches Eddie finish the study guide for his science final. Robin and Nancy are on the other side of the table, finishing the same guide, except Steve doesn’t think they're actually doing the paper, but flirting and giggling quietly. He turns back to Eddie to see him setting down his pencil, cracking his ring-laden fingers, and meeting Steve’s eyes. Steve quickly averts his gaze.

“Lookin’ at anything interesting Harrington?” Eddie asks, leaning back in his chair.

“No, not really, not at all.” Steve sasses, fiddling with a pencil, spinning it lazily.

Eddie quirks an eyebrow and chuckles.

Robin and Nancy both smiled, picking up on what was going on between the two. The two women set down their pencils as well.

"You finished it yet?" Nancy inquires, slipping her sheet into a folder.

Eddie proudly holds up the completed paper and smiles "Look at that shit, all done!"

"You might actually pass this final dude."

Robin laughs loudly and Eddie raises an eyebrow. "Stuff it Harrington."

Steve smirks and tilts his head ever so slightly as Eddie rolls his eyes.

They all pack up and move to Steve's bedroom to watch some movie Eddie has picked out.

They all pile in the room, Nancy situated on the bed between Robin's legs and Eddie on a chair off to the side.

For some reason, Steve finds himself distracted by the wild bush of curls that is Eddie's hair, the shape of his face, and his lips. He tries to pull his eyes away, to focus on the movie, desperately trying to, but his eyes drift back to Eddie. Steve's face is red and hot, he knows he's staring but he doesn't stop.

Eddie turns right at that second and their eyes meet once again. Steve knows his eyes flicker down to Eddie’s lips and back to his eyes and he knows Eddie notices. Steve then notices the light blush on the other's face and the fact his tongue runs over his lips quickly. What feels like electricity runs down Steve's back, like sexual electricity, like the one he usually feels when a pretty lady walks his way.

It feels like an eternity that they stare at each other, but it’s over quickly and Steve tries to focus on the movie. Except, he notices Eddie’s gaze shifting over to him, eyeing him up and down and it’s mind-numbingly distracting.

Steve finds time being lost and soon the movie is over and Robin is taking Nancy home.

Eddie has now moved onto Steve’s bed, laid back and flipping through a magazine he found on the floor. Steve walks into his room and sighs, “Jeez Munson, can you not go through someone’s shit?”

Eddie sits up with a wild smile across his face, “But that's so boring.” He promptly lays back down to continue his peruse of the magazine.

Steve rolls his eyes and plops onto the bed next to Eddie. He finds himself staring again, tracing Eddie’s side profile with his eyes, the way his eyes dart across the pages as he reads quickly. The fact his lips are parted ever so slightly drives Steve so crazy, that he thinks he might die.

“Do you ever stop staring, Harrington?”

“I wasn’t staring asshole!” Steve says loudly, sitting up and crossing his arms.

“Yes, you were! Don’t bullshit me.” Eddie argues back grinning, sitting upright as well, eyes meeting with Steve’s again.

“I wasn’t, but you were” was Steve’s weak and pathetic defense.

“You were, and so was I, but, but, but, I never said I didn’t,” Eddie pauses, inching closer to Steve, taking his chin in his fingertips, “you know, like your eyes on me.”

"What're you sayin' dude?" Steve mumbles, from this close Eddie's eyes, feel hypnotizing, a mesmerizing collision of various browns and specks of gold.

Rather than provide an answer, Eddie brings Steve in closer, hand moving to caress his cheek. Chills run up Steve's back feeling the icy cold rings against his face. Men were never attractive to him, and he never wanted to kiss a man like he does Eddie right now, at this very moment.

"Eddie I-" he stammers, scared of what this could be, what this could mean, the implications of staring at Eddie like this, of wanting to do what he does.

Steve's interrupted by their lips meeting, gently and almost scared. They part and Steve's eyes flutter open, Eddie's meeting his.

“Damn,” Steve mumbles breathily, the fear gets shoved away by a warm melty feeling.

Steve brings him in again, this time, the kiss is passionate, and it ends up with Steve in Eddie's lap. And it was sweet and it was red hot and it was one of the few times a kiss made Steve's heart pound and his stomach flutter. He’s kissed dozens of women, and those kisses, they were all amazing, but this, this was something else, something so new and a little scary. But Eddie puts his hand on the small of his back and Steve feels like he’s disintegrating away, like putty in Eddie’s capable hands.

They once again separate, Eddie takes a deep breath and smirks.

"You're pretty good at that, Harrington."

Steve feels a blush rise on his already red face and he clears his throat. "I have a lot of practice."

“Well, let’s keep practicing, pretty boy.” Eddie pulls Steve down with him as he lays down, their lips collide and it’s sloppy and quick.

—

Steve slides a tape away and turns around to see Eddie Munson smiling goofily at the counter.

"Eddie, what are you doing here?" Steve asks lightly, not meaning to offend but feeling a small panic rise in him as he scans the store for other people.

They hadn't talked about what they were since that night if they were anything at all.

"Just came to get a movie, or two, or you know, take some stud back to mine, that is, if the stud wanted." He winks, still smiling giddily.

Steve feels his face go red and thanks whatever God out there, that no one else was in the store.

"Shit, yea. Sure. Let me close up real quick."

Eddie watches as Steve does whatever it is that a Family Video employee does to close the store. His eyes drift between a tape he's looking at and Steve's soft hair and focused demeanor. His arms are toned and flexed as he reaches for something. Eddie shifts in his place and crosses his arms over his chest, watching as Steve places a box on a high shelf and his shirt lifts to reveal a part of his back. Eddie blows a deep and steady breath out and bites his lip before waltzing to behind where Steve is quickly putting things away and cleaning this and that.

“Let’s hurry this up Harrington,” he whispers into his ear, Steve jumps and swats him away.

“Knock it off shithead. Let me finish my damn job.” Steve turns and despite the harsh sound, he’s smiling and he chuckles. “Now scram so I can finish up, jeez”

Eddie smiles and decides to not listen to Steve, following him about the empty Family Video. He feels his stomach turn pleasantly whenever Steve's stupid eyes would meet his or when Steve would bite his lip in concentration.

“I’m all finished now, let's go.” He motions Eddie out with his hand.

Eddie smirks and follows Steve out, and to his car. When they get settled in and Steve begins driving, Eddie places an absent-minded hand on his, and it's peaceful. He doesn’t feel scared of the beating in his chest or the pretty nausea in his stomach, he doesn’t fear its repercussions, just Eddie’s worn hand on his. It’s just them.

The drive is quiet and peaceful, so unlike Hawkins, but so needed. Steve pulls into Eddie’s home and Eddie rushes to get out of the car and open Steve’s car door and offer him a hand.

“My highness,” He smiles, wiggling his fingers.

“Wow, quite the gentleman,” Steve jests, turning his body to get out of the car, staring at the hand he’s offering before looking around the area for people who may be watching.

Eddie notices this and frowns, kneeling to be near Steve’s line of vision, placing a hand on his knee gently.

“Steve, look at me, there’s no one watchin’, it’s just me and you, and you have nothing to be scared of. I promise you.”

Steve nods and takes a deep breath, sliding his hand into Eddie’s, following him up to the door.

“My Uncle isn’t home either, so we got the place to ourselves, okay?”

“Yea,” Steve wipes his free and sweaty hand on his pants and he looks around the home.

It’s so Eddie, with weed paraphernalia everywhere, and empty bottles placed sporadically, but it feels homey.

“Don’t mind the mess.” He comments, kicking a beer can away from the walkway.

“I wouldn’t expect anything else from you, Eddie.”

“You’re an ass, Steve.” Eddie chuckles and pulls him into his room.

“So I’ve been told.”

Eddie lets go of Steve’s hand and spreads out his arms, “Welcome to the Eddie Cave.”

“The Eddie Cave?” Steve snorts, “God you’re so lame.”

Eddie feigns hurt and grabs Steve’s hand, pulling him onto his bed.

“You can talk about how lame I am all you want Steve, but I’m still the lameass you made out with.”

He scoffs and rolls his eyes.

Thinking about the night of their first kiss made Steve want to melt, and it made Eddie feel like he was floating away into a higher plane. They both want that again, but within both of the men lies an anxious fear, a silly worry, and anxiety.

“Are we like dating now?” Steve asks, chuckling a bit stupidly, looking at Eddie, heart pounding like crazy. “I don’t want to sound like a love-sick chick, but I’ve never been with a dude before.”

“Steve, I get it,” Eddie scoots closer to him and runs a hand through his luscious hair, “Don’t worry your stupid little head, we can be dating if you want to be, we can be whatever the hell you want.”

He smiles and brings Eddie in for a kiss. “Then we’re dating. Me and you, lameass.”

“And oh thank God for that huh?” Eddie pulls away to mumble that before kissing him again, the two reclining onto the bed slowly.

Eddie kisses down his face and onto his neck, Steve’s eyes blow wide, being on the receiving end of this felt fucking amazing, he slides his hands up Eddie’s shirt. There he finds abs. Eddie The Freak Munson has abs.

Eddie smiles against Steve’s neck before pulling away and knocking his hands away from his waist, sliding off his shirt.

“Damn Eddie. Your tattoos are so fucking sexy.” Steve compliments while panting slightly, reaching to trace the ones on his chest.

“Thanks, babe.” Eddie’s smile is so big it is ridiculous, and now he’s working on Steve’s shirt too.

Oh, that was certainly new, not unwelcome, but new.

Eddie throws the shirt over his shoulder and returns to kissing Steve, hands finding their way to his pants and their buckle.

“Are you okay with this?” He asks Steve who’s mesmerized by Eddie's upper half, his tattoos and his abs, and Jesus those pecs.

“God yes,” He confirms, bringing Eddie in for a delicate kiss “Let’s see if you live up to that nickname of yours,” He murmurs against his lips.

“Trust me,” he chuckles, “I do.”

—

Eddie sits in the rows of students graduating from Hawkins high, searching the crowd around the students for his boyfriend. When he doesn’t see his stupid hair and his even stupider face, he frowns and stops looking for him. The graduation ceremony is about to begin and Steve is still nowhere to be found.

That’s when someone runs into the auditorium, clutching a box, with stupid hair and an even stupider face. Eddie grins so god damn hard he fears his face might break. Steve waves at him as he sits and Eddie waves back enthusiastically.

Steve shifts in his seat next to the Wheelers, Dustin, Max, and Lucas, nervously awaiting the oncoming ceremony.

Robin’s name gets announced and the group cheers as she walks across the stage. Steve claps the loudest, of course.

They’re nearing the M’s and Steve is on the edge of his seat, just waiting for Eddie’s name to be called.

“Eddie Munson.” and there it is, Steve jumps to his feet and is easily the loudest person in the room, cheering and clapping.

The kids want to question Steve’s sudden friendship with Eddie, but don’t, just glad they’re friends. Eddie grabs his diploma and throws up devil horns before looking at Steve going wild and smiling at him all stupid.

Nancy walks and Mike cheers loudly alongside Steve.

The group reunites after the ceremony and Robin runs up to Steve, “Dingus! We did it!”

“You did it!!!!” He cheers, throwing his arms out for a hug.

Robin hugs him tightly, before going to hug her parents and get high fives from the kids.

Nancy smiles at Steve and offers a hug to him, which he takes her up on. “Proud of you Nance.”

“Thanks, Steve.”

“Of course dude,” Steve lets her go so she can be with her family.

When Steve notices the fact Eddie wasn’t with them he gives everyone a quick, “I’ll be right back.” as he runs off to find him. He scans the room and sees Eddie leave the auditorium. Steve furrows his brows and follows him out to the halls of Hawkins High.

“Jesus Christ Eddie,” he mumbles as he turns a corner to spot Eddie rushing into the men's restroom.

Steve follows after him and swings open the restroom door to the visual of Eddie's hands on his hips, beaming, ear to ear.

“What’s up, baby? Lay one on the man of the hour why don’t ya?”

Steve rolls his eyes and sets his present for Eddie on the sink, he grabs Eddie by his graduation gown, slowly bringing him in inch by inch, finally meeting their lips together. Eddie wraps his arms around Steve to bring him in tighter.

“God damn, that was hot,” Eddie comments as they part, leaning in for another kiss.

Steve obliges and slides a hand to Eddie’s face, holding it gently. They separate and Steve hugs him tight.

“I got you a gift.”

“Oh really?”

“Yup,” Steve hands him the box, and Eddie holds it, looking questioningly at Steve.

“Open it.” he motions with his hand towards the box.

He does and pulls a few Dungeons & Dragon books out, the newer guides.

“No way dude! Shit!” He chuckles, staring at the book in disbelief, then looking at his boyfriend, “This is so fucking sick dude!”

“I’m proud of you, Eds.” He smiles, watching Eddie flip through the pages.

“Thank you, so much.” He slides the books back into the box and laces their fingers together.

Steve leans in for another kiss. “You’re welcome.”

—

Eddie passes Steve the joint and Steve holds it between his fingertips, staring at it strangely.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never smoked before.”

“I mean dude,” He begins to explain why he’s never smoked a puff of weed, but Eddie puts up his hand, shutting him up.

He takes the joint back and places it between Steve’s lips, “Suck.”

Steve blushes and locks eyes with Eddie, who’s climbing onto his lap.

“I said to suck in, sugar.”

Steve does so and Eddie nods, “Now hold it in and fully breathe in the smoke and shit.”

He immediately has a coughing fit, spilling any smoke he accumulated back into free air.

“Jesus fuck-” Eddie laughs at Steve’s cough attack and hands him a beer to calm it down.

“That means you’re doing it right.”

Steve breaks away from downing the beer and clears his throat, his voice is strained and he asks “Why aren’t you coughing then?”

“I have more practice.” He takes a puff and blows the smoke into Steve’s face.

“Oh yea, real nice Eds.”

“You wanna try again?”

Steve nods and takes the joint, this time, he coughs less, but still does. The two take turns, Steve turning out to be significantly higher than Eddie did. Steve ends up slumped into Eddie’s chest, eyes red & burning.

“I feel weird.” He notes out loud to Eddie.

“Yea, weed will do that to ya. You feelin’ okay though?”

“Mm, yea, I feel fine, fuzzy, light.”

“That’s good, tell me if you start feelin’ shitty.”

“Mmm, okay,” he says quietly, reaching for Eddie’s hand to hold.

Eddie places a kiss on the top of Steve’s head and leans back, Steve’s slack body coming with him.

"One day we'll leave this shit town," Eddie takes a hit, "and we'll move to whatever fucking place we want."

Steve hums and thinks, "I'd like that."

"Yea?"

Steve nods, "I fucking hate Hawkins sometimes."

Eddie takes Steve's hand and grasps it tightly. Steve looks down at Eddie's hand and a dopey smile graces his face.

“I love you, Eddie.”

“You don’t mean that,” Eddie says, smoking what's left of the joint.

“I do,” he leans back so he and Eddie are at eye level with each other, faces centimeters close. “I love you.” he smiles stupidly, yet to Eddie, insanely sweetly.

“Sugar, don’t say shit you’re gonna regret, you’re high, like really high.”

“I don’t fucking care if I’m high, man!” Steve begins to shout, “I love you Eddie Munson, and you don’t have to say it back, because saying that is scary, and I get it.” he rambles,

Eddie smiles sadly. “It is scary huh?”

The kissing, calling him his boyfriend or babe or Sugar, or pretty boy, gifts, hand holding, and sex, that was all so surface level to Eddie. It’s not that Eddie doesn’t love Steve, he does, he’s just so scared of saying it, of letting his vulnerabilities be known. He wishes he could say it, let Steve know how hard he fell, how he wants to spend every minute with him, how moments where Steve is laughing at something dumb and looking at Eddie to see if he’s laughing because he just loves Eddie’s stupid smile, how that makes his heart pound and his face burn. Or how the fact Steve sits in on DnD campaigns because he wants to learn about the “stupid nerd shit” he’s into, makes him want to kiss the ever-living shit out of him. He wants to let him know all this without feeling the shame of saying things like that. The regret the moment after he lets it slip.

“Steve?” Eddie asks, reaching a hand out to caress Steve’s face.

“Yea?”

Maybe Eddie's a little higher than he thought because he lets it slip. “I, you know, love you too, a lot.”

Steve’s smile is so big his cheeks hurt and lunges forward, taking his boyfriend in a sloppy kiss, “Who knew you could be so damn sweet Eds?”

“Only only babes, only you.” He gives him a small peck, running his hands through Steve’s soft hair.

“You’ll make me blush,” he chuckles stupidly, smiling and squeezing Eddie tighter.

“You’re gonna squeeze me to death there, Steve.”

“Sorry, I just love you so much.” He yawns, cuddling into Eddie further.

“Love you too.”

Steve ends up falling asleep on Eddie’s chest and it’s the cutest thing Eddie has ever seen. He’s still got his arms wrapped around Eddie so tight. Eddie never thought he’d experience something so sweet and domestic as this.

Maybe Eddie could afford to let one person see his vulnerabilities. And maybe, he won’t regret saying these things.

—

Steve wakes up and is laid out on his back, in some dirty alley, spitting out blood and feeling a full body ache begin in him, knowing he just got his shit rocked.

“Jesus Christ.” he groans, rolling onto his stomach and sitting up slowly, bringing a bloody hand to his face, which was equally as bloody.

He squints at what looked like a payphone at the end of the alley, but his now swelling black eye made it hard to see. He gets to his feet in what seems like slow motion, stumbling towards the opposite wall for support. He sighs as he makes his way to that payphone. He pulls change from his pocket, fumbles with a few quarters, and slides one in, quickly dialing Eddie’s number.

“This is The Eddie Munson speaking. What can I do ya for?” There’s distant speaking heard faintly from Eddie’s home and he shushes them quickly.

“Eds, I fucked up man.” He groans, pain wracking his weak body as he tries to keep himself upright.

“Steve?” Eddie asks, suddenly dread dawns on him.

“Yea, it’s me.”

“Sugar, what’s wrong?” Worry seeps off every word he speaks, as his voice lowers.

“I need you to pick me up, please.” he knows Eddie has a new car, gifted to him by the government as a hush gift, “I’m sorry Eds, I shouldn’t-”

“Where, Steve? Please tell me where you are!” He feels the panic rise in his chest, nearly shouting at Steve.

“Fuck,” Steve murmurs in pain, “Right by the theatre, in an alley,” he says, body so very close to giving out.

“Shit, shit, shit, I’ll be there in a fucking second, don’t you dare move from where you are.”

Eddie hangs up, leaving Steve to slide down the alley wall and let himself slip into semi-unconsciousness.

Eddie turns to the three teens sitting in his dining room that are now staring at him. “Okay little shits, I’ve got a mega emergency-”

“What’s wrong with Steve?!” Dustin asks or rather screams.

“I- I don’t know, but I, I need to go get him. So you either get the fuck in the car, or you get on your way home. Right. Now.” Eddie points at the door, clutching his keys.

Mike, Lucas, and Dustin stand straight up and begin running to the door as does Eddie. They all pile into Eddie’s car, holding onto each other as Eddie drives far over the speed limit. The turns are sharp and Eddie nearly crashes every few seconds. As they approach the alley, Eddie taps against the steering wheel impatiently.

“Come on, come on, come on.” He slows down nearly to a stop as the four come into view of a small crowd forming in an alley.

Eddie barely stops his car before jumping out of the car, the kids in tow. He runs up to the crowd, trying to shove through them, but instead gets shoved away.

“Get the fuck out of my fucking way!” Eddie screams, the crowd parting in accordance, he runs up to Steve’s unmoving form.

“Fuck, fuck fuck.” Dustin mutters as Eddie kneels beside Steve.

Eddie reaches forward, hands shaking, he feels his insides churn. He feels frozen in place, stuck to the dirty alley ground. The world around the two melts away as Eddie hyper-focuses on his bruised and beaten boyfriend. He doesn’t know what he needs to do, what he should do.

“Are we taking him to the hospital?” Mike asks, pulling Eddie from his shock.

Eddie didn’t even think about that. “Damn,” he sniffles, “Yea, we probably should.”

“Help me get him up,” Eddie says, fixated on the damage visible to him, wondering what he couldn’t see, tears struggle to fall, but Eddie fights them enough to only let them pool in his eyes.

“Lift better Dustin!” Lucas yells as they struggle to bring Steve to the car.

“I am trying! It’s not easy when he’s heavy as fuck!”

Eddie doesn’t hear them, his heart is pounding in his ears, his stomach burns, and he wants to hold Steve close and tell him how much he loves him and that he’s gonna be okay.

“Open the door,” Eddie tells them, almost too calm, the teens stare at him, “open the damn door Henderson!”

He nods and opens the passenger side door, all of them lifting Steve into the seat.

“Let’s get going,” Eddie says, starting the car and making the quick drive to the nearest hospital.

Before they could even get there, Steve wakes up and looks over at his boyfriend. “Eds?”

The car screeches to a halt, “Steve?!” they all shout.

“Wha? Stop screamin’ jesus fuck.”

“Steve, are you okay?” Eddie asks frantically, staring at the now awake man.

“I dunno. I just wanna go home.” He leans over, setting his head on the window.

“Steve, we should get you to a hospital,” Lucas says to the man, fully thinking Steve would agree.

“No! Just let me go home, dude.”

“Steve, we can’t make you do shit, but we’re just worried about you.” Eddie tries to explain, reaching for Steve shoulder.

“Yea, you were kinda passed out back there,” Dustin adds in.

“What if you have a concussion?!” Eddie asks.

“Then I need to rest, at home,” he explains slowly, in too much pain to argue further.

Eddie sighs, “I’m taking them home first.”

Steve shrugs and is quiet for the rest of the drive. After the kids are all dropped off Eddie looks over to Steve, who still hasn’t spoken one word.

“Mine or yours?” he asks,

“Yours.” He knows his parents are home, and doesn’t want to deal with his homophobic dad questioning Eddie or the situation or why he’s beaten to a pulp.

Eddie tries his best to not talk about it, but his boyfriend is brutalized in his passenger seat and he doesn’t know why. As they pull into Eddie’s driveway, Steve gets out of the car himself and waits at the front door for Eddie. They silently get into the house and Steve immediately walks into Eddie’s room, rather quickly for a man who was just beaten up. Maybe his little nap in the alley, if that’s what you could call it, helped some.

Eddie watches as Steve sits on his bed, and stares down at his feet.

“You gonna tell me what happened?”

Steve looks up as Eddie sits beside him. “I was just being stupid. Made a bad choice.”

“Steve.” He pleads, holding his hand tightly.

“I heard some fucking guys.” He clears his throat, “They were shit-talking you, saying stuff about how you’re a druggie and a murderer. I dunno, I confronted them.” He looks to the side and fiddles with the hem of his shirt. “Then they started calling me and you slurs and shit, man. I punched one of them, I wasn’t thinking straight. I just got fucking angry. Obviously, I got the shit beaten out of me.” He sighs and tears gather in his eyes “They said you deserved to die, Eddie. What was I supposed to do? That’s fucked up man. Fuck, dude.” He wipes away the tears that mix with dry blood.

“Jesus Steve, stay right here, I’m gonna clean you up.” Eddie runs off to get the first aid kit.

Steve has been beaten up far too many times, but this one stung the worst. The homophobia mixed with the untrue things about his boyfriend, made him want to fight those assholes all over again, maybe win this time. Eddie returns with hydrogen peroxide, a wet rag, gauze and bandages, and ice packs.

“Take off your shirt.”

Steve’s too over it to question it and takes off his shirt.

“Shit, dude you’re bruising up. What the fuck did they do?” He asks, wiping the blood from his face gently, grasping Steve’s face in the kindest way possible.

“I’m sorry.” Steve apologizes as Eddie works away at the blood.

“Don’t apologize. Please.” He sighs and shakes his head “Thank you for defending me, but you don’t need to. I’ve been called every name in the book, every gay slur you could think of. I can’t have you getting beat up like this defending me, because I don’t care what they have to say..”

“But-”

“No buts Steve. You gave me a goddamn heart attack today. I don’t want a phone call like that ever again.” His hand drops from Steve’s face and the two lock eyes. “Please.”

Steve nods. Eddie smiles and kisses the scars that are newly cleaned. He wipes them all down with the peroxide, causing Steve to flinch, but Eddie quickly slaps bandages on all of them. “All clean, now lay down and I’ll put all the ice packs on.”

Steve lays back, grunting in pain, Eddie sets the ice packs on all the bruising, and when he’s done he lays down next to him, draping a soft arm across his chest. Steve relishes the feeling of Eddie cuddling him, it’s safe and it feels like heaven compared to what he just went through.

“As long as you’re mine, Steve Harrington, you're gonna be safe. I gotta keep you safe. I can’t see you go through this shit, you’re my person, Steve. I don’t want to see you get hurt.” Eddie mumbles, kissing his shoulder, face burning in embarrassment from what he’s saying. “And you’re gonna be mine as long as we live, that’s a promise.”

“Eddie, god, I love you,” Steve smiles, closing his eyes and soaking in the peace of the moment.

“I love you so much,” Eddie finally let the tears he had been holding back go. He tries not to sniffle or anything that’d give his away current state, his body is shaking as he begins to cry.

“Are you crying?” Steve asks, turning his head to see Eddie’s head buried into his shoulder.

“I was so fucking worried man,” he inhales shakily, “I didn’t know what to do, the kids got all worried and I froze up. Steve, I was so god damn terrified. I just wanted you to be safe, I need you to be safe.”

“You did good Eddie. Thank you for coming to rescue me.” He half-jokes.

“I’d do anything for you, sugar,” Eddie admits, wiping away his tears, “anything”

—

Was having a make-out session in the Wheeler’s bathroom a good idea?

No.

But Steve was over at the house watching the kid’s and Eddie’s newest campaign and needed to take a piss. He was finishing up in the restroom and Eddie was standing outside of the door waiting to take a leak and Steve kissed him.

Could they be caught at literally any moment?

Yes, absolutely.

But Eddie’s lips felt so fucking good, and these little moments where it’s just them, no one else, they’re so special to the two. Eddie’s back is pinned against the door and Steve is frantically grasping at Eddie’s body, wanting more. Steve worms his way under Eddie’s hellfire club tee, hands caressing Eddie’s bare chest. He slots his leg between Eddie’s parting them, grinding against him, drawing a strangled noise from Eddie.

“Fuck, mm, fuck, Steve, quit it we gotta get back.” Eddie pulls away or at least tries to, as Steve marks up his neck.

“In a second, you’re sexy.”

“Yea, so are you hot stuff, but they’re gonna get suspicious dude.” He uncharacteristically groans as Steve sucks at his neck.

“Fuck,” Steve sighs and parts from Eddie, planting a kiss on his forehead and whispering a quick “Love ya.” before exiting the restroom.

Eddie stands in the restroom, red and on fire, willing himself to calm the fuck down. ‘Fuck you, Steve.’ He thinks repeatedly as he splashes cold water on his face, and shakes out the tension in his body.

Steve hits the kitchen for some drinks and returns to the basement.

“Shit dude, what took you so long?” Dustin asks, looking up from the table where the campaign was set up.

“Drinks,” Steve said, presenting the drinks.

“Hell yea thank you!” Lucas grabs a drink and sits back down.

“No problem, kiddos.” he plops onto the couch as they all grab drinks.

Eddie comes back down to the basement and looks at Steve, who winks at him. Eddie clears his throat and claps once, gaining everyone's attention.

“I have returned!” He announces and sits back at the table.

As soon as they resume, Steve promptly sets his sights on Eddie and his eccentric narration of the campaign.

—

Eddie’s smoking a cigarette, leaning against an alley wall, waiting for a special someone to make his way into the alley. Seeing the man enter the alley, he stomps out his cigarette and walks up to him.

“Hey, there pretty boy.” Eddie wraps an arm around Steve’s waist, pulling him in for a quick kiss.

“Hi, Eds.” Steve wraps his arm around him as well, walking him to his car parked not too far away.

The two climb into the car and Steve drives away, Eddie’s hand finding its usual spot on top of Steve’s. Eddie lays back in his seat, just watching Steve drive, watching his hand move this wheel, his eyes scan the road, and his mouth move as he passionately tells him a story from his shift at work. It’s all so domestic and peaceful, idyllic and warm.

They make it to an empty field, the location of their date. Eddie climbs out of the car to grab the blankets for Steve. The other man grabs the food and drinks, leading him to the perfect spot in the middle of the field. Eddie drops the blankets and Steve starts to lay them out. They set up the picnic, getting distracted to kiss or laughing at a terrible joke the other made. At some point Eddie ambushes Steve, picking him up by the waist and spinning him around. Steve kicks his feet and begs to be put back on the grass.

Eventually, everything is all set up and the two settle down, eating the food and passing a bottle of wine between them. They share kisses and soon enough, Eddie finds himself cuddled into Steve’s side, telling him about the band's latest gig Steve couldn’t make it out to. He over exaggerates with big hand movements and Steve couldn’t be more interested in anything anyone could say ever. Apparently, the band had a run-in with a rival band over set time, Eddie told the story like it was one of his campaigns, which made it, to Steve at least, the most interesting thing in the world.

Soon the sun is setting and is creating one of those beautiful near-end of summer sunsets, casting an orange hue over the men. The empty wine bottle has been cast aside and the two faces burn with a slight tipsiness. Steve’s arms hold Eddie close to him, face tucked into the crook of his neck.

“It’s been a perfect day,” Steve says, running his hand up and down Eddie’s arm.

“Mhm.” Eddie hums into Steve’s neck, “Perfect.”

The sun fully sets and the chill, crisp night causes Eddie to shiver and retreat further into Steve's side

“You cold?” Steve asks, reaching for a blanket to cover the man up with.

“Shit, thanks.”

The two sit in a comfortable silence, the world, the consequences of being who they are, the judgment, can’t get them in these moments. These moments they have to have in secret, these moments where it genuinely feels like it is just them.

“Steve,” Eddie says, breaking the silence, sitting up.

“Eddie.”

Eddie can’t figure out how to word this, how to make this not hurt, how to not ruin their perfect night. But he can’t so he just spits it out.

“My uncle and I are moving to Oregon in August.”

“What?” Steve asks, mind blank and ears ringing.

“You can come with though, you can leave this shit hole with me, you could live with me and my uncle, he's not homophobic and, and, my uncle loves you and we-”

“Eddie.” Steve stops him from rambling further, “I want more than like anything ever, to be with you, but I don’t think I can just drop everything and go.”

“But-”

“I don’t think I could leave the kids, Nance and Robin are leaving after the summer, I don’t want them to be alone.”

“They’re not kids, Steve, and they have parents,” Eddie argues, arms crossed.

Steve rolls his eyes, “Their parents never stopped them from being killed multiple times.”

"Besides that, why can't you just stay here?" Steve asks, eyebrows furrowed

"I don't have a job or any place to live if I don't go with him. I sure as hell can't crash at yours. I don't want to leave everyone but I don't have a choice man." Eddie sighs, kissing Steve softly, “Can you just think about it for more than one second, please Steve.”

“Yea, okay.”

“Thank you.” Eddie kisses Steve’s jaw before going back to fitting his head perfectly in the crook of Steve’s neck.

—

A week before Eddie is set to leave, Steve knocks on the door to Eddie’s home and is told to come in. He opens the door to see everything all packed up into boxes, and Eddie sipping on a beer.

“I, uh, thought about it, I haven’t really stopped thinking about it.”

“Oh, yea?”

“I want to come with you,” Eddie is nodding at this, inching closer to Steve. “But I’m not going to.”

Eddie stops dead in his tracks.

“God fucking dammit Steve.”

“I’m sorry I know that you-.”

“You don’t- Don’t apologize, I can't force you to come with me. Just let me have this last week, dude. Please.”

“I wouldn’t want anything else.”

Eddie sets aside his beer and takes Steve’s hand, pulling him into the “Eddie Cave”. They plop down into the bed, Steve hugging Eddie into his chest, face pressed into Steve’s neck, how they both like it. Eddie wants to yell, to throw his arms up in defeat. But Steve kissed his cheek, and for a second, it was all okay. God did he want this feeling to last forever. So he makes it last for a little longer, bringing Steve in for a sloppy kiss, escalating it further when he stands up and begins undressing.

“You sure?” Steve asks, sitting up, watching as Eddie strips.

“Yes, now come here, pretty boy.” Eddie pushes Steve onto his back, straddling him.

—

Steve has his arms crossed over his chest tightly, watching Eddie place the last bag into his uncle’s car. Eddie jogs up to Steve, grasping his face.

“I gotta go, sugar.”

“I know,” Steve says, laying a hand over Eddie’s.

“I’m so-” Eddie tries to say, bringing their faces closer.

“Don’t say sorry, man.”

Steve closes the gap between them, lips meeting gently and kindly. They part, lips centimeters apart, but closing that again. The kiss is heart-stopping, earth-shattering, and languid.

“I love you, Steve Harrington,” Eddie whispers against his lips, pressing himself against the other man.

“I love you more, Eddie Munson.” Steve sets their foreheads together.

“Not possible.”

“It totally is asshole.” Steve laughs softly, kissing Eddie.

His uncle honks the car's horn repeatedly.

“Fuck. I need to go.” He kisses Steve, hugging him tightly.

“Don’t forget about this pretty face.”

“I’ll try not to.” Eddie chuckles, turning away.

“Wait, wait.” Eddie stops in place, turning back quickly, handing Steve an envelope.

“Hope you can read Harrington.”

“You little shit.” He chuckles, taking the envelope and sliding it into his pocket.

“One more thing,”

“And here I thought you had to go.”

“Shut up dude, I’m doing something sweet.”

Eddie removes his leather jacket and places it over Steve’s shoulders.

“Eddie, no, no, no, no.”

“I’m giving it to you Steve.”

He puts his arms through the sleeves and crosses his arms, trying not to mind the awkward silence. “So I guess all this means we have to break up huh?”

“Yea, I guess we do.” He looks to the side, and back to Steve, his uncle honks the horn again.

“Bye Eddie.” Steve hugs himself tightly.

Eddie tries to smile but his lip quivers and he takes a deep breath, “Bye Steve.”

Steve watches and Eddie walks defeatedly to the car and they drive away. He covers his mouth with his hand and he feels tears surface in his eyes. He tries to ignore them, getting in his car, opening the envelope, and he pulls out a letter.

‘Steve,

I’m not gonna get all fucking sappy, or whatever, and I’m gonna try and make this quick because I’m not too good at writing. But these few months have been fucking awesome, being with you. And you made me so fucking happy. I’m glad that we know each other, I’m glad I kissed you that one time. I dunno man, I’m not very good and being all vulnerable and shit, but like you made me real happy, and you’re sweet and despite you kinda being annoying, I love you so much. Don’t forget about me.

Eddie’

Steve inhales Eddie’s scent, the musky cigarette mixed with weed and a sharp cologne elicits a feeling of comfort as he feels tears roll down his cheeks.

—

Steve wakes up, the sun is shining through the curtains and the alarm radio announces it’s 7:00 am on the 5th of May, 1991. Steve sighs, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Getting out of bed, hygiene, breakfast, coffee, kiss the girlfriend and take the dog out for a walk. The same, nuclear routine every day. Get ready for work, drive to work, and run the shop his father bought for him.

Steve loves his girlfriend, his dog, and his house, he thinks at least. He doesn’t really know anymore, maybe he didn’t. The door to his shop opens, sending a jingle throughout the room, ending Steve’s deep thoughts about the direction of his life.

“Welcome,” Steve says in his most customer service voice possible.

He looks up to see a man walking in with an all too familiar face and curly hair, cropped far shorter than it used to be, hitting his neck.

“Ed-”

The man stops in place and drops the cup he was holding.

“Steve!” He runs up to the man and pulls him into the tightest hug possible.

“Holy shit, Eddie!”

“Fuck! Dude!” Eddie lets him go, smiling at Steve, with that same type of look he used to all those years ago.

“What are you even doing in Hawkins?”

“You know, returning to the homeland and such!”

“Welcome back!” Steve says, the goofiest and biggest smile on his face.

"I'm so glad to be back."

—

Eddie agreed to meet Steve at the store later to pick him up from work. The time was going by slower than he wanted it to, just waiting for Eddie to walk back into the store, take him by the hand and drag him into a storage closet to make out, or tell him to hurry it up so they could leave back to his, just like old times. He shakes his head, trying to rid his mind from this.

That’s when Eddie walks in, motioning him out of the store. “Let’s go Harrington.”

Steve hops over the counter and follows Eddie out to his car.

“Eddie, you don’t understand how stoked I am to see you,” Steve tells him, hopping into his car.

“Dude, it has been way too long.” Eddie chuckles.

“I thought you would have left Hawkins by now though.”

“My dad bought me the shop, so I stayed, and now I have like a girlfriend and a dog.” He explains, just now realizing, with Eddie Munson, his first boyfriend, sitting next to him, that his life is just like his parents, boring and dull and so so normal.

Eddie almost mentions how sad Steve sounded when he said that, but chooses to leave it alone.

“What about you Eddie?”

“Doin’ the band thing full time now, moved to California, I’m doing pretty well actually.”

“That’s fucking awesome man.” Steve leans back, eyes following the shape of Eddie’s side profile and scanning over his body, eyes finding out that Eddie had stacked on more muscle over the years.

He tries not to think about Eddie like that, he has a girlfriend, but he finds it hard, with the real deal in front of him.

They pull into a diner and they make their way into the restaurant.

“As a welcome back, Lunch is on me,” Steve offers as they sit down.

“If you say so, Harrington.”

After ordering their drinks and the server dishing out coffee, Steve finds himself curious, “How long are you gonna be here?”

“Two weeks, but, uh, in truth, I, uh, I’ve been thinking about moving back. I dunno.”

“But aren’t you all cool and successful in California?”

“I like Cali, but I think I need to get away from all of it. I missed the people here. I missed you, Steve.”

Steve feels a blush dusting his cheeks "I missed you too." He clears his throat and taps his thumb against the table.

“Everything going well over here?” Eddie changes the topic quickly.

“Yea. No, not really, not at all actually. I'm afraid I don't like the life I have anymore. I don't even know if I love my girl anymore. I don’t know, life was hard and I think I thought having someone there would help and it didn't.” Steve chuckles, taking a swig of coffee.

“Yea. I get it." He sarcastically tips his mug, finishing off that conversation.

The drinks come around and they order food.

Eddie watches as Steve finishes off his cup of coffee, wondering how they got here, Eddie was so sure that he’d make it back to Hawkins after a short stint in Oregon and Steve would be here to kiss him and hold him. Then they'd leave Hawkins, move somewhere that didn't hate who they were as much, and they'd be happy, together.

Maybe he was too hopeful when he thought that. Maybe he should have tried harder to make it back to Hawkins for Steve.

Eventually, the food comes out to their tables and they eat in comfortable silence. Both of them only thought about how much they wanted to kiss each other a little bit.

—

Eddie drops Steve off back at the store so he could drive back home. Before Steve can make it to his car, Eddie grabs him by the wrist.

"Can you meet me at Skull Rock tonight at like 8?"

"Eddie, dude, I have a girlfriend," Steve says in pure disbelief.

"Not to makeout Steve! Jeez, man." He sighs, "Please just meet me there yea?"

"Uh, yeah sure."

"See you then, pretty boy."

Steve wants to pretend he doesn't blush at that all too familiar and far too missed nickname.

Steve makes his way back to his apartment complex, parks his car, and walks up to his apartment.

Inside he finds it empty, not too unusual nowadays, she's usually out and about with her friends. Steve sighs and snatches a beer from the fridge, sitting at the small table in the kitchen.

He looks up at the clock, telling him it's only 6:30. He swirls his beer around, willing to sit there until he could leave again.

But instead, he changes out of his work clothes into something nice and does his hair all pretty. He makes sure that it's beautiful and fluffy. He takes his sweet time perfecting every bit of his appearance.

He pauses in front of the bathroom mirror and his arms fall to his side as he comes to a sick realization.

"What the fuck am I doing? Getting ready to see him like this is some fucking date? Grow up Steve, you have a girlfriend!" He scolds himself, crossing his arms.

Just then the apartment door opens and his girlfriend walks in.

"Steve?" She calls out, unsure where he was.

"Yea?" He asks, exiting the bathroom and facing her in their living room.

"Where the hell are you going dressed like that?"

"Meeting a high school friend," he says, almost dismissively.

"Must be some friend." She states, walking past Steve.

"Cheryl, don't be like that." he turns, hands on his hips.

"Like what Steve?"

"I don't know, cold, distant?" He shrugs defeatedly

"You're one to talk." She stares at him.

"I know it's been weird recently, but that doesn't mean I'm not trying. I am." He tries to explain weakly, moving towards her.

"Don't bullshit me, Steve. We both know that isn't true. If you don't want this relationship to go any further, you need to tell me. Don't act like I'm the only one who's been acting distant and shit. You're not trying, neither am I and it's time we stop pretending and we deal with our shit."

"You're right." Steve admits, "I haven't been a good boyfriend. And I'm sorry. But could we possibly not do this right now?"

"Really Steve? Are you kidding me?"

"No, can we do this tomorrow? Please."

"Fine. We can do this tomorrow. Now go meet your friend." She sighs, waving him away.

Steve looks at the clock and he can definitely head over to Skull Rock now.

"Thank you." he turns out of the apartment and practically runs to his car.

—

Steve is sitting under the rock just as Eddie had been while on the run. He nervously fidgets until he hears footsteps approaching.

"Eddie!" Steve jumps up to his feet.

"I’m glad you could make it.” Eddie smiles, leaning against the rock, hand stuffed in his pocket.

He can’t help but notice how Steve looks like he cleaned up, his hair is utterly perfect and he’s dressed well, like really well. Really pretty, Eddie makes believe that his stomach doesn't flutter at the thought of Steve prettying himself up to see him.

“Of course dude, of course,” He assures, nodding before holding up his pointer finger “One thing, why’d we have to meet here?”

Eddie smirks and produces a joint from who knows where, handing it over to Steve, just like old times.

“You made me come all the way out here to smoke weed?”

“Yes.” He nods, taking out a lighter.

Steve side-eyes him and takes the lighter for himself, placing the joint in his mouth, and lighting it. He takes a long and drawn-out hit before blowing the smoke into Eddie’s face. Eddie can only smirk at this as he takes a hit himself.

Steve feels the long-forgotten feeling of Eddie’s arm around his waist. As he’s about to acknowledge this, Eddie hands him the joint back, and Steve takes a hit.

"Thank you for coming out here, dude."

"Of course."

Anything for you, Steve almost says but restrains himself.

It’s quiet and it’s calm, like a bubble formed around the two men, filling with smoke and underlying sexual tension.

“Steve?” Eddie breaks the silence softly.

“What’s up, dude?” Steve asks, taking a long and deep hit.

“Do you ever think about what would have happened if you came with me?”

Steve sighs and forces himself to look away from Eddie, “Yea. Maybe if I did, I would have actually been happy all these years. Maybe I wouldn’t regret every choice I made after you left.”

“Woah, Steve.”

“I don’t know man, I just-”

Steve’s response is muffled by Eddie pulling him into a hug. “I’m sorry. You deserve to be happy.”

“Thank you.” Steve melts into the embrace, missing what he and Eddie had in their late teens.

—

Steve gets home from work the next day and Cheryl is waiting for him on the couch, ready to talk.

“Hey.”

“Sit down, please.” She watches as he cautiously takes a place beside her.

“Look, I’m sorry about yesterday.” Steve quickly says.

She inhales slowly, “It’s okay.”

“It isn’t and I need to be honest Cheryl.” She nods and Steve debates even saying what he wants to.

“I don’t think I can be in this relationship anymore.” He sets his head in his hands, “I’m sorry.”

“Look, I can’t say I didn’t see this coming Steve. Things haven’t been good in a while. I think we both wanted to try to make this work, but at some point, we have to be adult enough to understand our limitations.” She sits back, setting a hand on Steve’s shoulder.

“Yea. I’m sorry for not telling you earlier, I wasted your time.”

“Steve, I have to come clean. I haven’t felt good about the relationship for quite a bit and I didn’t want to say anything. I should have told you sooner too.”

He looked at her in shock, “I felt like we had some semblance of a normal life and I guess wanted to hold onto that.”

Cheryl chuckles sadly, “Exactly that.”

“We’re stupid messes huh?”

She nods, “Seems that way, doesn't it?”

They sit in their living room, it's dead silent and it’s broken and fractured in ways neither of them knows how to fix.

“Also I’m bisexual!” Steve bursts out, slapping a hand over his mouth.

“Thank you for telling me and for trusting me enough to do so.”

“Despite everything you’re still my best friend and you deserve to know Cheryl.” He looks at her, hugging her gently.

“Best friends aye?”

“Yea, best friends.”

“I’m glad we can be like that.”

The two sit there for what feels like forever, taking in what they both just decided to do. There’s so much to take care of, but for now, they sit on that couch and they plan their next steps.

Steve knows that he’ll go running to Eddie, but he didn’t do this for Eddie. He didn’t want to give Cheryl or Eddie that impression. He needs time, time to figure out what he wanted for himself, not what he thought would impress his family who he knew would never accept who he was, not who everyone in high school thought he would be, but what he wanted to be.

—

Eddie leaves his hotel the next day, driving to Steve’s store straight away. He notices Steve helping out a customer, one of the only ones in the store. He enters, drawing Steve’s attention away from the woman in front of him. He browses the aisles up and down until that customer leaves.

“Mornin' Steve!” He runs up to the counter where Steve is standing.

Steve can’t help but grin watching Eddie approaching. “Good morning.”

He closes his eyes while Eddie hugs him and for a moment everything was okay, and he didn’t have an apartment to move out of, a store to sell, or a life to figure out and he knew what he wanted.

“How are we today?” Eddie doesn’t let him go, still hugging him close.

“I could be better, but the day’s looking up.”

“You okay?”

“Yea, it’s fine, man, don’t worry about it.”

“Steve,” Eddie warns, stepping back to be able to look Steve in the eyes.

“It’s nothing, I promise.”

“Okay, as long as you promise.” He smiles and jumps onto the counter to sit.

Steve merely looks on as Eddie fiddles with something he found on the counter.

“Are you going to do anything other than sit in here all day?”

“I was gonna look at some apartments, walk around, visit some old shit, but who knows!”

Steve smiles as Eddie continues to fidget with the item he picked up. “Well, I’m outta here at like 3, so I can do something with you if you’d like.”

Eddie’s face lights up “Of course, I’d like to!”

“Go do your thing, I’ll be here!” Steve shoos him out of the store.

Eddie hightails it out of there and sets on his mission to look at living situations. Steve waits for his return.

—

It goes on for the entire time Eddie is there, he visits the store, Steve asks what he’s doing today and then they agree to hang out later in the day. Except, now Steve has all his shit moved into the back of the store, and he was still sleeping in the apartment until he couldn’t any longer. He was on his last legs as Eddie was on the last days of his stay.

The day before Eddie leaves is different though, Steve doesn’t ask what he’s doing, he’s oddly quiet and it terrifies Eddie to the core.

“Steve, what’s wrong?” He asks, noticing Steve’s undereye bags and his general demeanor.

Steve feels guilt flood him, seeing Eddie’s expression and feeling the way he grasping him.

“I-” he begins before gulping, “Me and my girl broke up. I don’t have a place to live and I don’t know what to do with my life.”

“Oh, sugar, come ‘ere.” He hugs the other close and tight, rocking back and forth.

“It’s not even about the breakup, it was mutual and good, but now I have no reason to be here, I never knew what I wanted. I’m just tired and lost, man. I was just stalling the inevitable by spending time with you instead of dealing with my shit. And now you’re leaving, I don’t know what to do.” His voice is strained and wavering.

“Fuck, Steve. I’m sorry.” He rubs a circle on Steve’s back, trying to calm him down.

“Don’t apologize. I just need to figure it all out.” He sighs.

“Do you want me to stay longer?”

“God no Eddie. Live your rocker lifestyle, I’m a grown adult, I can figure it out.”

“It’s okay to need help, Steve. You don’t always need to be helping or doing things by yourself, dude.”

Steve nods “Thank you.”

“Anything for you.”

They stay like that until Steve has calmed down slightly.

“How’s this? Seeing as you don’t have any place to go, why don’t you move in with me?”

“Really?”

“Fuck yea dude, I’d miss you too much to leave you here, especially knowing I’d leave you like this.”

“Eddie, thank you so much.”

“You figure out what you wanna do, I’ll do my rocker thing, it’s perfect.”

“Yea, perfect.” Steve smiles.

—

Steve walks into Eddie’s apartment for the first time, a few weeks after Eddie’s initial leave date, looking around at the bongs and the various metal and rock band merch, and Eddie’s precious guitar in its stand in a corner by an amp.

“Welcome home,” Eddie says from behind Steve, wrapping an arm around his waist.

‘Home’ he thinks happily, shifting his gaze to Eddie, who was already looking at him.

They both blush and Eddie leads him into the apartment.

“I think you’re gonna like it here.” Eddie kisses his cheek and pulls him close.

“As long as you’re here, I’ll love it.”

—

Steve turns off the stove and serves up the dinner he had just prepared for him and Eddie. As it turns out, Steve loved cooking, it helped him focus and it felt good to create something that Eddie could enjoy so much. He sets them at the table and walks off to their room to find Eddie strumming his beloved guitar. Steve leans against the door frame, watching his boyfriend do his rocker thing, he looks so hot when he plays, his finger moving expertly and hair moving with his body.

“Hate to interrupt, Ozzy, but dinners ready,” Steve calls out.

“Fuck yea!” He sets his guitar aside carefully and meets Steve at the doorway.

He kisses his forehead “Thank you for dinner, sugar.”

“You’re welcome, Eds.”

Eddie yanks Steve out into the living room, spinning him around before lifting him off his feet.

“Jesus fuck! Eddie! Put me down!” He laughs, weakly struggling against Eddie’s grasp.

“Never!”

Steve resigns himself to defeat and wraps his legs around Eddie’s waist.

“How did I get so lucky to get you back in my life?” Eddie asks, lips inching closer and closer.

“I like to think I’m the lucky one,” Steve argues, cupping Eddie’s face.

“We can both be lucky, how’s that?”

“Perfect.”

Their lips meet gently, Steve grasping his face tighter to bring him deeper into the kiss. They break away when they can no longer breathe.

“Absolutely perfect.” Steve breathes.