Archive of Our Own

Had you asked him, Eddie wouldn't be able to tell you which exact external stimuli had awaken him: the light coming through the window and warming up his face, the smell of something frying in a different room, or the distant noise of radio playing some popular station he was sure his uncle would never listen to.

In fact, he was also sure his uncle wasn't supposed to be home, and especially not making breakfast. And that there wasn't a window in his room. That was not his room. As soon as Eddie realized that, he used his arms to raise his body, still tired – why was he tired, again? – scanning the bedroom. Car posters? A pretty big closet? Blue wallpaper? The type of blue you'd use for a newborn baby boy? Yeah, that was definitely Steve's bedroom.

Well, not definitely. It was a guess. He's never been there before, King Steve wasn't the type to invite outcasts and social rejects to his bedroom. So, it was a mere guess.

But as unlikely as it was, the two of them had gotten closer after the whole Vecna slash Demobats slash crazy last few weeks deal they had going on. Eddie would frequently stop by Family Video, not even interested in any movies, he just wanted to annoy Steve as much as he could.

It was fun, really! He'd ask a few specific questions, make him go all the way to the horror movie section just to tell Eddie about why " No, you can't just watch Evil Dead and The Thing and expect them to be similar just because they are both horror movies! ". Then realize Eddie was trying oh so hard to hold his laughter, and proceed to call him an asshole for wasting his time.

He didn't mean it though, he never meant it, and Eddie knew. That was sweet about Steve. They had just started hanging out, but somehow teasing and messing with each other was their way of getting closer. He soon realized Robin and Steve also worked like that, which made him a little jealous at first, though he would never admit it.

"She seems cool," Eddie commented, elbowing Steve while pointing at Robin with his chin, raising his head a little. He was sitting down on the floor next to Steve.

"Yeah, she is. You should start talking more to her, y'know? I think you'd be great friends," he smiled, kneeling down as he placed the VHS tapes on the empty bottom shelf.

Eddie rolled his eyes, he didn't even notice he did it, or understood why he did it. It was a reflex, he believed.

"Well I think," he started, emphasizing comically the I. "She's kinda into you."

Harrington chuckled at the sentence, then started laughing quietly, trying not to disturb the customers still around. At first, Eddie got confused, he furrowed his eyebrows and smiled awkwardly.

"What- What are you laughing at?"

Steve tried to control his breath, inhaling and exhaling as slow as he could, and trying not to start laughing again.

"No, no, it's- it's nothing, don't worry." He sighed, smiled again and looked at Eddie. "Why do you think she's into me, Munson?"

"I mean, she's always around you, talking to you about everything and anything, and she loves to annoy you! You've said it yourself when I first realized you two were working here." Eddie listed off, counting on his fingers as if it proved his point.

"Eddie," Steve started, his voice suddenly sweet and deep. The change of tone caught the other by surprise, who was staring at him. "You do realize you just described what you do to me, right?"

Eddie gulped. Loudly. God, it was too loud, Steve probably had heard it. That whole god-damned Family Video store probably had heard it too.

"Personally, I think it's more likely that you're into me than that Robin is." He smiled again, turning back to the shelf and going back to his job.

Embarrassed, Eddie got up and picked a random tape he later found out it was The Shining. He said something along the lines of 'whatever, Harrington' or 'you wish, Harrington', which might have come out as 'whatever you wish, Harrington'. And honestly? Eddie had no idea if he did say that, or if he just mumbled gibberish.

All he knows is that he walked to the balcony where Robin was, paid for the tape, made a joke about Steve's hair, heard Robin laugh louder than he expected, reply with another joke, also about Steve's hair, and then he left.

He remembered that evening way too vividly. In parts, because of how stupid he felt for being jealous over Robin, of all people. The person who became one of his very best friends! But also because later at night, Steve called him. He didn't know how he got his uncle's number, probably from when he registered at the store. Eddie assumed that was illegal, but hey, we've all been there.

"Hey Eddie," he started, his voice sounding nervous. "I just wanted to call because uh, yeah so, God this is weird…"

"You're starting to worry me, dude." Eddie sat down on the couch, pausing the movie he was just watching. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah! Totally, don't worry about it, I just-" he could hear a voice in the background rushing Steve, saying something like 'just tell him already, God!', and he was sure it was Robin. He smiled, they really were kind of similar, weren't they?

"You just..? C'mon, King Steve, I don't have the whole night!" Oh, how he loved annoying that poor guy.

"Don't start with that King shit, Munson." He sighed, and then there was the sound of a door closing. "I wanted to talk about earlier today. When I joked about you being into me and all."

Frozen. Eddie felt his body go cold, totally shocked. Why would anyone mention something like that after hours?

"I don't want you to be weirded out, man. I'm just saying it because when you left you looked," he stopped, thinking of the right word. "Sad."

It sounded like some sort of question, if anything. But Eddie was still frozen. Why was he frozen? He liked dudes, he was gay, he knew that already. And Steve seemed like an open minded guy, at least more than he used to be.

"I don't wanna upset you, okay? It was just a joke, that's all." The silence felt worse than when Harrington was saying all of that nice, polite, empathetic bullshit. It gripped tight on Eddie's neck, and not in the way he'd enjoy it. "C'mon man, say something. I know you're there."

"Cool," he replied shortly.

"Cool?" Steve said back.

"Yeah, cool." Eddie repeated, and he felt like an idiot. "It's all cool Harrington, you don't have to worry about me. I'm a big boy, I think I can handle some jokes."

He couldn't see it, but he was sure Steve had that look of pain and misunderstanding in his face. As he opened his mouth to say something, Eddie made up a story about a client arriving at his trailer, and that he was gonna have to hang up. They exchanged quick goodbyes and that was it.

Eddie spent the rest of the night staring at that paused scene of an angry dad he had yet to learn the name of writing in the middle of the hotel. He couldn't bring himself to go past that scene, it always reminded him of Steve. And Robin. And him being a jerk to Steve about Robin.

Why did that even happen, after all? It wasn't like he was interested in Steve besides being his friend. 

Sure, he had seen and heard the girls talk about him back in highschool. And yeah, he agreed with some stuff – mostly about his arms and fancy hair. And it wasn't his fault that at night, when trying to fall asleep, his mind would sometimes trail off to the thought of King Steve, years before even becoming friends with him. He was a personality at his highschool, everyone knew him. There was no escape.

You couldn't blame him for thinking of Steve in those private moments of his. You couldn't blame him for thinking of Steve. You couldn't blame him for liking Steve. Liking Steve? Oh God, he liked him.

Oh, fuck no.

"You're up!" Harrington's voice snapped him back to reality. So he really was in Steve's bedroom.

"I'm up." Eddie confirmed, getting up from the bed and being hit by a headache immediately. "Ow! My head hurts like a motherfucker…"

Munson hissed. Steve bit his lower lip, trying to keep a straight face, while also feeling bad for the other man. "You did drink a lot last night. Do you remember that? Like, the party?"

He did remember it. Well, parts of it. He remembers Steve coming over to his house, talking about some girl's party he obviously wasn't aware of. 

"Please!" Steve whined, sitting down on the couch.

"No. Fucking. Way, dude," he replied, not looking at Steve's puppy eyes. He was too busy tuning his guitar.

"C'mon man! If I go that girl's gonna be all over me, and-" he felt Eddie staring at him with raised eyebrows. "I know I sound like a douchebag, but it's true. I need someone to keep her away!"

"Wow, did you just call me a chick repellent?" Eddie kept the same expression he had before, adding a thumbs up sarcastically.

"You know what I meant." Steve sighed, waving him off. "Besides, I think we really need some fun after everything."

Eddie was silent, he didn't like talking about the upside down, or anything related to it. Being there was like a nightmare, and every night he got scared he'd wake up there the next morning.

"What about Robin?"

"What about her?"

"Well," he started, turning away from the guitar and meeting Steve's eyes. "Why don't you ask her to go with you?"

"She said she had to work today, she's saving up for her driver's license apparently," he was glancing at Eddie's face, maybe unconsciously. That was the beauty of it, though.

Eddie never got used to Steve looking at him like that; like someone who studies art and just saw one of their favorite paintings; like someone who knows what they're looking at, knows everything behind it, everything that made it look that way, and yet appreciates every single one of its details. So his cheeks always got flushed and his face felt warmer, but he hoped Steve wouldn't notice it, or he probably would tease him for God knows how long.

"You really wanna go to that stupid party, huh?" He chuckled, and that made Steve feel a little self-conscious, like he just noticed he'd been staring at the other's face for the last few minutes.

"To be honest, no," Steve replied, and he sounded like he meant it. "But I really want you to come with me."

And that sounded even more honest. God, Eddie hated feeling like Steve had his heart on his hand and like he had lost control over it. He was supposed to be the tough, rebellious metalhead, not a heart-eyed doofus.

"I guess I could get some customers there…" he sighed, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Steve raised his hands and then proceeded to hug Eddie tight.

"Thank you so, so much man!"

Tight. Too tight. Munson would go crazy if he didn't do anything to stop Steve.

"Ok, ok, you keep that to the girls, Harrington!" Eddie pushed him away, and he probably did it with unintentional strength, because Steve's face was a little weirded out by his response. "Don't start something you can't finish."

And then Steve laughed. He just started laughing like the man beside him wasn't having a full on gay panic. But maybe he just hadn't noticed? He couldn't be so dense, could he?

"Okay, well, I guess I'll pick you up at nine. Is that cool with you?" he offered, walking towards the door.

"Yep, super cool."

Super cool? , Eddie thought to himself. When did I turn into a fifteen year old again?

"Super cool," Steve repeated, just to spite Eddie. He waved as he left the trailer park in the blink of an eye.

The rest of the afternoon was spent on thinking about how that was not a date and how Steve's embrace was so warm and happy and God, he needed to get over that hug.

When Steve picked him up, the first thing Eddie noticed was how well dressed he looked. Not just that, he smelled pretty good too. Eddie knew that was probably not the case, but he hoped that he was the reason Steve had put so much effort on his looks.

At the party, it was just like he had imagined. A bunch of preps and jocks, mostly seniors, who looked in disbelief when seeing Steve and Eddie walk in together. Especially a blonde girl, who approached Steve as soon as they got inside.

"Steve Harrington, I'm so glad you're here!" She smiled, totally ignoring Munson's presence.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" He laughed, looking at Eddie. "This is my buddy, Eddie Munson. I hope you don't mind me bringing him with me."

"Oh," her smile faded a little, but came back as fake as she could. "No problem at all! I don't think we really know each other, I'm Martha!"

"Great meeting 'ya, Martha." Eddie raised his right hand, waiting for her to shake it. He had a wicked smile. "C'mon, I don't bite."

She looked down at his hand, back at him and giggled. As she was about to greet him, Eddie made a loud noise with his teeth, like he was going to bite her. She jumped back and yelled, while he bursted out laughing and hid his face on Steve's shoulder. At first he got worried he would push him away and apologize to the girl, or say something like "way to go, freak", but no. He was laughing too, quieter, keeping a hand over his face.

He had an arm around Eddie's back pushing him closer, for God's sake.

"I'm- I'm so sorry Martha, but you gotta admit that was kinda funny." The girl looked at them like both were nuts, but played it off because, well, because King Steve.

"Right, yeah… Uh, there's booze in the kitchen if you guys want some." She started walking towards a different room. "You guys feel right at home, I'll be around if you need anything!"

Both nodded and walked right to the kitchen.

Eddie's plan was to get hammered. Absolutely drunk. He didn't wanna deal with feelings tonight or tomorrow. If he didn't sell all his stash, he'd smoke too.

Steve's plan for the night was fairly similar, but for now Eddie only knew he also wanted to get drunk, not the reasons why.

He remembers drinking a can or two. But afterwards?

"Nothing?" Steve asked him.

They were both sitting on the bed, Eddie was still waiting for the medicine to deal with his hangover.

"Nope," he replied, slowly laying down and hiding his face on the pillows. Plural. "I don't wanna deal with any bullshit I did right now, okay? Just tell me the fun stuff while I appreciate your bed."

He heard Steve sigh, and got ready for any possible outcomes: he either had the worst or the best night of his life.

"You drank a lot of beer, and maybe two shots of vodka. You also tried to smoke your last joint but I made you sell it to a senior for like, twice the price," he began, counting down on his fingers. He picked that habit from Eddie. "So you're welcome."

"Thank you, big guy." Eddie's voice was muffled by the fabric.

"You made me dance ABBA with you, on the kitchen-"

Eddie raised his head. "Who saw us?"

"Uh, no one. We spent most of the party alone in the kitchen."

"Oh," he looked down. "What song did we dance to?"

Steve looked away, trying to recall it. "The one with the piano thing at the end. It has a funny name, and sounds like spanish."

"Chiquitita, dude," he snapped, then laid his head back on the pillows. Again, plural. "I like that song, it's fun. Not my favorite style though."

"Great to know, because I got worried that all that alcohol had taken my favorite metalhead friend away from me." Steve smiled, and scotched the other over so he could also lay down. Eddie was going to lose his mind.

"Your only metalhead friend," he corrected, still hiding his flushing face on the pillows.

Steve shrugged, shushing him. "Whatever, you're making me forget stuff!"

Eddie turned his face towards Steve, still laying on his stomach. "Okay, keep going, your highness."

His face was warm, like it always was when they got this close. Steve wasn't looking at him though, but he had a sweet smile through the whole conversation. "Shut up, Munson." 

"Make me, Harrington."

Steve looked at him quickly, and that expression was just so confusing. He didn't know what was going on inside his brain, what gears were turning, what sentences he was planning and erasing immediately. From his experience, he'd either be kissed or punched in the face.

"There's one more thing I remember." Steve laid on his side, looking at Eddie. "You told me that you saw someone you really liked at the party, but was scared of asking them out. Remember that?"

Eddie gulped. Being around Harrington was making him lose brain cells, that was the only way. Not in a million years would he drunkenly confess to his straight (straight?) crush .

"No, nope." It was true, he didn't recall that, but he knows it probably happened.

The other man raised his eyebrows. "Oh, okay. Then I'm gonna forget about it, you probably said it accidentally."

"No, no it's fine." What was he doing? What was he saying?! "Keep going, what else did I say?"

Harrington smiled, resting his head on his hand.

" Not having fun, Munson? " He whispered in the other's ear, finding him almost passed out, sitting on the top of the stairs.

His eyes were slightly opened, just staying awake felt like a difficult job. Everything was too much. The noise, the irritating voices all around him, the beer, the way Steve's voice caught him by surprise and yep, he had his arm around his shoulders. Again.

"I'd rather fight those fucking bats again," he started, pointing a finger to the crowd on the living room. "Than go to another party like this."

Steve chuckled, he smelled funny, there were still hints of his cologne on his neck and shirt.

"Were you smoking?" He asked, and made an offended noise when the other nodded. "And didn't even let me hit it? Not once? I thought we were friends, Harrington."

"I thought of that, so here you go," he handed him a small joint, so close to the end it looked painful at Eddie's eyes. "Before you say anything, I stole it from a random kid. For you."

"My hero," Eddie wouldn't look at Steve's eyes, he felt fragile, and that was terrifying.

Harrington couldn't stop staring at him. He just couldn't. There was something about his face being red from the adrenaline and the beer and something else Steve just couldn't put his finger on. Something about his hair being tied that made him look so cute to Steve's eyes. There was sweat on his forehead, and on his jawline, and it was falling on his neck. Steve couldn't stop peeking, his neck, his collarbone, his shirt, stupid fucking black shirt with a skeleton on it.

"My eyes are up here, jackass," Eddie smiled, exhaling the smoke and handing him back the joint.

"My bad," he felt his face get hotter, and only then realized his arm was still holding Munson. He stared at his own fingers, holding the joint, or what was left of it, his other arm still around Eddie. "Can I do a shotgun on you?"

"I don't know, Stevie, can you?" He dared to look at Harrington, who seemed like a nervous wreck. Good , Eddie thought, at least I'm not the only one.

"Why are you here anyway? If you wanted to leave, you could've just told me," he finished the joint, looking up and blowing the smoke.

He watched Steve, the way he rested his elbows on the stair, laying on his back, his still flushed face, his eyes shut and a smirk that felt natural.

"If I tell you why I stayed, you have to promise not to laugh," his voice was surprisingly serious.

Steve lowered his head a bit, looking Eddie in the eye. "I promise."

That was the difficult part. How the hell was he supposed to tell him about his huge and embarrassing crush on King Steve, and that every time he got close to him, or touched his skin, it made his stomach feel weird and a smile appear on his lips?

"So," he started, getting Steve's full attention. "There's this person I'm into. And they're here, but I don't know how to ask them out. Like, we're just so different, it wouldn't work."

"Aw, you've got a crush, Munson?" Eddie elbowed his leg for saying that. "Ow, hey!"

He looked towards the living room, turning away from Steve. "Fuck you, man. I should've stayed quiet."

Steve walked down a few steps and sat by Eddie's side. "Hey, hey, I'm not laughing at you! It's just that, I don't know, you're always looking so tough and sarcastic, it's cute to see you emotional like that."

Cute .

"So, what's her name?"

Fuck. What was the best option? Make up something, or tell him it was a man already?

"Uh, I'm not telling you. You're gonna go after them and play cupid."

"Them?" Fuck!  "You know you can tell me if it's a guy, right?"

Eddie looked at him a bit surprised, but quickly looked away. "Dude- Eddie-"

"Forget it, I'm- I'm going home." He got up and started walking towards the living room, glued to the staircase. He felt his eyes burn and some tears build up.

"Oh, okay, let's go," like he had noticed the tone shift on Eddie voice, he followed the man down the stairs.

Eddie started walking faster, almost stumbling on his feet. "No, I'm leaving. You can stay."

"What?" Steve stopped immediately, but kept going as soon as he realized it. He was just so confused, what was going on ? "How are you gonna get home? Do you have a ride or..?"

"Yeah? Uh, I don't- I don't know, but don't sweat it," he waved his hand and kept walking towards the front door. He just needed fresh air and to be five feet away from Steve Harrington. ASAP. "I can walk home if I have to."

Steve began walking faster, ready to tie Eddie down to the passenger's seat if he needed to. They were both outside, it was colder than when they first got there, and Munson was looking around, trying to remember where they came from and how the hell was he going to walk back to the trailer park.

"No way." Steve was trying to stay up, how was Eddie running and doing all of that while being out of his mind? "You're drunk and it's late, I'm gonna give you a ride home, c'mon."

"Dude, I said no!" He yelled, then covered his mouth with his hand. Steve knew how to make a sad face, but that look, those eyes, all of it was unintentional, and Eddie had caused it. "I- I didn't mean to yell, I just-"

He sighed, and Steve took a step ahead. Eddie walked back.

"I just wanna go home."

"I can take you home, Eddie. I'm not walking in if you don't want me to. I just need to know you'll get there safely."

Eddie's eyes were red, and Steve knew there was no way it was only because of the weed. He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Are you okay, man?"

"Yeah. No. No, I'm not," he smiled, then there were the tears. "I just need some time alone, that's all. So I'm going home, okay?"

Seeing Eddie like this was new, and scary. He wasn't used to seeing other guys show that much emotion, and maybe that was on him for having jerks as his only friends since middle school. But Eddie was different, he always showed what he was feeling, doesn't matter if it's happiness, sadness, fear, he shows it all. And Steve wanted to be like that, he wanted to be able to be so open, and fragile, and not feel like he had to be strong and confident all the time, because to be honest he felt like he was doing an awful job at being both things.

So he had an idea. "Okay."

Eddie thanked him, looked around one last time and decided to follow his heart, or technically, the left road. He waved goodbye and Steve saw him walk away from the front yard.

He felt stupid. So fucking stupid. And a terrible friend too. Who yells at someone just because they were trying to get you help? He crossed his arms, it really was colder. Where was he? Oh right, being a huge dick to Steve.

He noticed a car getting closer to him, moving slowly. Great, after everything he's been through, he's gonna die by a serial killer or kidnapper.

As the driver's window lowered, he cleaned his face, looking away so Steve wouldn't see his reddish face or puffy eyes.

"I'm not going in, Steve. You're wasting time and gas."

Harrington smiled. "I didn't say anything. I'm just driving home."

He rolled his eyes. "Why are you going so slow, then?"

"Because it's the law. I had a few beers, it's late at night, don't wanna cause an accident." He was still smiling, and Eddie didn't know if he wanted to kick his car and run away, start screaming and crying, kiss him or all of the above.

Munson snapped. "I'm not one of your little kids, Harrington, you don't have to babysit me."

"Actually, none of the kids I babysit behave like you. Usually they're nicer." His tone was so sweet, yet sarcastic. He probably practiced saying that in the mirror, the fucker. He was just waiting for a chance.

So Eddie kept walking, he held his chin up to show pride, even though that was the most embarrassed he's ever felt. After everything he's been through, and all the emotions Steve fucking Harrington made him feel, he still has pride, and he won't let him feel like he's winning. Technically, yes, he's winning, he's always been winning; when he made Eddie mix words up, when he made Eddie get all red and shy, when he started appearing in his dreams, he was always fucking winning. But not this time.

Lost in his thoughts, Eddie stumbled on his feet, again, and fell on the side of the road. Shit.

"Woah, are you okay?" Steve put his head out of the window, looking at the man sitting groggily on the pavement.

Eddie raised his hand with a thumbs up, and started getting up. "Never- shit - never been better."

"Do you need a ride?" He offered, and Eddie smirked, standing with a hand on his knee and another near his ear, pretending he couldn't hear Steve.

"If I need to be ridden?! I mean, it's a kind offer Stevie, but you're not my type." He started laughing, Harrington's face got hot, and he had a suddenly annoyed expression. He was tired, drunk, and really wanted to go home.

"Okay, I'm gonna go home then." He forced a smile. "Stay safe, Eddie! Don't let the Demogorgons get you."

The car started moving, still a little slow, but then getting faster. Shit, he had a point. Not that it wasn't already unsafe before, but dealing with a multidimensional monster was not on Eddie's plans. He noticed the car getting further and further.

"Harrington!" He yelled, waving both arms above his head.

Steve put his head outside the window again, and waited until Eddie had walked to his door, not looking at him. And thank God he wasn't, or he would get even more pissed at Steve's smirk. "How may I help you, sir?"

He exhaled, resting against the car door. "I'll take the ride."

"Pardon me, Munson?" He put his hand behind his ear just like the other had done before, and Eddie was ready to turn around. "I was joking, just a joke! Come in."

Eddie finally looked at him. His eyes were still red, just like his nose. He looked awful, lost, and exhausted. Munson walked around the car, opened the passenger door and sat there. Closed the door, put his seatbelt on and crossed his arms over his chest, still looking away from the other man's face.

Steve would occasionally glance at his face, to see if he was looking better.

"And how exactly did I end up sleeping at your place?" Eddie asked, still not believing everything he had done the other night. Burying his face on the pillows wasn't exactly helping him, so he hoped that Steve would just never mention it again.

"You said you forgot your keys, and decided to crash at my place." Harrington explained, surprisingly calm compared to the other man laying next to him.

"Convenient enough." Eddie said with a sarcastic tone, then put his hands on his pockets. He felt metal touch his fingers. Most of it was just his rings, but-

"My keys are in my back pocket. Jesus, now I get the hangover." He rolled his eyes and heard Steve laughing.

"Yeah, like I said, you were pretty drunk last night," he pat Eddie on his back.

"I doubt I looked pretty last night, but thank you for the compliment, man."

"You're right, my bad," he corrected himself. "You were awfully drunk last night."

"You wanna kiss me so bad, it makes you look stupid, Stevie."

Both looked at each other and smiled. Steve sighed, then laid on his back.

"You're probably right, I was never the brains of the group," he replied, looking at the ceiling. "You should really stop calling me that, though."

Eddie lifted his face a bit, enough to look at Steve properly. He could feel something  in his stomach. Butterflies? Upside down rabies? Did that work like the aliens that came out of that guy's stomach?!

He cleared his throat.

"Or what?"

Steve looked down at his face, then directly at his lips.

"Or I might just do something stupid."

Steve Harrington was going to be the end of him. Steve Harrington was going to make him melt down like a popsicle under the sun. And that was just so unfair.

"Maybe you should," Eddie whispered, like it was a secret they should keep to themselves.

Even though the rest of the house was completely empty, there was this feeling like someone - anyone - would walk in on them, and Steve would push him away and talk about how disgusted he was and how Eddie made him do it . And he felt bad for thinking of Steve like that, of course he did, but it just wouldn't go away. That fear that everything was going to fail and he'd never get any happy moments to remember.

But he was feeling Steve's hand brush the hair off his face and his eyes were so gentle on him; being watched never felt so good.

"Eddie, I really wanna kiss you," he whispered back, and it was childish in the sweetest way possible. "Can I?"

Sitting down next to him, Munson placed a hand on Steve's cheek, and he wished desperately that he wouldn't feel how much he was shaking. "Well, if you insist."

He couldn't recall how he imagined Steve's lips to feel like, but however it was, it was nothing like reality. The way he could feel Steve still smiling when he kissed him, his warm hand on Eddie's hip, the little sounds he heard coming from the back of his throat. Everything was building up to make this the only memory Eddie would keep from the weekend.

The feeling of Steve's digits tightening on his hip, moving him inches closer, like he was asking for permission to get closer to Eddie, that was something he could get used to. He moved his own hand behind Steve's neck, stroking the back of his head, and the noise he made was so cute, he'd definitely want to hear it again.

Suddenly, Eddie's knee was not so carefully poking between Steve's legs. And although that was definitely a yes to Harrington, he pulled away from the other man.

"Is that okay? Do you-?" Eddie started, looking up and down, trying to understand what was going on.

"No, no, it's super okay! I like it a lot!" Steve reassured him, caressing Munson's thigh. "I'm just, I- I don't know. I want it, but I've never been with a guy. Just kissing you is a whole new experience."

Eddie smiled. "Hey, it's alright! We don't have to do anything that you don't want to."

"Well," he cleared his throat, smiling awkwardly. "I really liked kissing you, and I wanna do it again."

"That is very cute, but also super embarrassing, dude," Eddie gave him a small kiss, before pulling him to a hug. "You're lucky I like you."

"It's hard to come up with cool flirting tactics when-"

" Cool flirting tactics ?" He mocked Steve, laughing almost immediately.

"I should've left you on that street where you were standing." Steve rolled his eyes, he had the hand that used to be on the other's thigh now caressing his back.

"But you didn't! You're stuck with me now," Eddie lifted his face and kissed Steve again. "For a long time, baby."

Steve shrugged. "I can deal with that."