Work Text:
Steve slid out from under the car he was working on, to be met with Eddie, crouching next to him, a bottle of water in his hand.
Eddie leaned down to press a kiss to Steve’s forehead, uncaring of how sweaty his boyfriend was, before passing him the water bottle.
Steve sat up, cracking the lid, and taking a long gulp, heaving a sigh.
Eddie grinned at him, looking at the car Steve had been working on.
“She’s gonna love it,” He murmured, pressing a peck against Steve’s lips.
+++
Max had been coming over to the Harrington house more often, especially now that Steve’s parents were on some trip or other to Europe, meaning that their little family had the place to themselves.
It was a bit out of nowhere, however, because they had plans to gather together and watch a movie the very next day, which was incredibly bizarre, because they didn’t usually make plans two days in a row.
(Max wondered if making plans two days in a row would feel too much like she was living there, too much like they really were a family.)
But, no matter how strange, Max hopped into Eddie’s van that morning, as they made the long journey to Steve’s house.
Steve was waiting to greet them in a driveway, with a hug for Max, and a kiss for Eddie.
“EW, gross!” Max cried out, faking a gag, as Steve kissed Eddie on the cheek.
“Don’t be such a brat, brat,” Eddie huffed, however, there was no malice behind it as he reached out to ruffle her hair.
Max stuck her tongue out at Eddie before reaching up to smooth out her hair.
Then, she turned her attention back to Steve.
“Now, mom, I love a good mystery,” She began, a teasing lilt accompanying the ‘mom’ as she tried not to show how much she meant the parental title. “But what’s this all about?”
“Well, I have a surprise for you, Max.” Steve explained, as he and Eddie moved to stand in front of the garage. “As I am sure you’re aware, you’re fifteen now, which means you can start studying to get your learner’s permit.”
Max nodded eagerly.
Ever since that fiasco where she had tried to drive Steve’s car, all while Steve bled out in the backseat, she’d been desperate for an opportunity to prove how good of a driver she could be.
“We are all well aware that you're not the greatest driver, Maxine,” Eddie said, with a soft laugh, as Steve squeezed his hand, in what Max would consider an almost reprimanding sort of way.
“Exactly, which is why, I figured,” Steve took a deep breath, exhaled, then spoke again. “I would teach you how to drive.”
The words took a moment to process, as Max blinked, trying to absorb the information.
As she understood exactly what was said, her face split into a massive grin, then she clasped her hands in front of her chest, bouncing on her toes in excitement.
“Really?!” She exclaimed. “You’re going to teach me how to drive?!”
Steve nodded, which Eddie took as his cue to start lifting the garage door.
“Not just in any old car, though,” Steve said, and Max could sense nerves underlying his tone.
As the garage door rose, Max could see a familiar car.
The scuffs and dents had been smoothed out of the midnight blue exterior, the windshield was entirely replaced, as were the wheels, although the hubcaps had been restored, rather than replaced.
It looked as new as it had that day Billy had brought it home, smiling for once in his life, eyes shining with joy as he talked about how well he was going to take care of it.
That stupid, 1979 Camaro that Max was sure had gotten crushed during Starcourt.
Max’s lip wobbled as tears threatened to spill from her eyes.
She couldn’t bring herself to speak around the lump in her throat, instead rushing forward and throwing her arms around Steve’s waist, burying her face against his chest.
“Do you like it?” Steve asked, in a soft murmur, reaching up to stroke her head soothingly.
“I love it, I love it, thank you,” She choked out, wetting his shirt with her tears.
Eddie stepped forward to rub soothing circles against Max's back, then reaching up with his other hand and clasping it against the back of Steve's neck, rubbing his thumb up and down.
"Thank you, mom," Max wept, entirely unaware of what she was saying.
Steve seemed caught off guard for a moment, but his face softened and he held Max a little tighter.
"You're welcome, kiddo."