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Steve and Eddie were stupidly happy before their friends found out about their relationship, and now that they know they are over the moon. They both talk about the other any chance they get, gushing about the love of their life, much to the disdain of the others.
If Dustin has to hear Steve talk about how pretty Eddie’s eyes are one more time, he thinks he might just snap. Despite how lovey and annoying they are, however, their friends truly couldn't be happier for them.
They’ve done a good job hiding it, all things considered. After everyone found out it made it a lot easier. They never were good at hiding their affection for one another, so it’s a good thing they don’t have to anymore. Not really at least.
The only thing is, there’s still a few people in their little family that don’t know, and Eddie and Steve really don’t know how to break the news to them. They talk it through for a long time before coming to a decision.
They don’t really want a big ‘coming out’ moment. The thought of sitting down and explaining everything makes them both a little nauseous. So they decide they’re just going to leave it be and let the others figure it out on their own.
In hindsight, maybe not their best idea, but to be fair they never claimed to be the smartest of the group. That was Dustin, and they wouldn’t dare take that title away from him.
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The Byers, now the Byers-Hopper family, moved back to Hawkins after everything. The kids seem to be soaking up as much time with Will and El as humanly possible, meaning Steve and Eddie are also spending lots of time with them.
They really don’t mind. Steve has always had a soft spot for the two of them, and is glad to see them looking so happy all the time. Watching Eddie interact with them is just the cherry on top. He knows Eddie is good with kids, having seen him interact with Dustin, Mike, Lucas, and Max, but seeing it never fails to make him fall just a little bit more in love.
Eddie is someone Steve can imagine starting a family with, and oh isn’t that thought something? He never thought he would find someone so utterly perfect, but there Eddie Munson is.
The whole group is hanging out in the Wheeler’s basement. Eddie has been DMing a DnD game for the kids for a few weeks now, and today is another session. Not all of them join the game, some content to just sit off to the side and watch the campaign.
Steve is sitting on a beanbag chair, El in the seat to his left, and Max is across the room conversing with Robin and Chrissy. That’s another new addition, Chrissy. She and Eddie had gotten closer recently. She didn’t know about the Upside Down, so they had to be careful what they talked about while hanging out, but other than that she fit right in.
If Steve is being completely honest, he had been a little jealous of Chrissy at first. I mean, can you blame him? She is cute and charming, and makes Eddie laugh. After he got to know her better though, and Eddie reassured him that he doesn’t want anyone else, Steve and Chrissy had gotten closer too.
They still aren’t super close, but he likes her and enjoys her company. She seems to get along swimmingly with the others as well, which is a huge plus. He remembers how nervous she was the first time Eddie invited her to hang out with all of them.
She is much more at ease now, and Steve can’t help but let a small smile bloom on his face at the thought. He turns his gaze back to Eddie, watching as he moves about animatedly, talking in a loud voice.
His smile grows at the sight. Eddie always looks so happy and in his element when playing DnD. Steve loves watching him, enjoying this other side of his boyfriend he doesn’t often get to see. He is pulled out of his thoughts when he hears El softly calling his name from beside him. He turns to look at her, and sees she has a slightly confused look on her face, as if she were thinking something over.
“Hey, what’s up kid?” He asks, feeling a little worried all of a sudden. He and El aren’t super close, but he still cares about her just as much as the other kids, and if something is wrong he wants to help. El looks up at him, before glancing at the table to Eddie for a moment.
“Are you and Eddie in love?” She asks, blunt as ever. Steve stares at her for a moment, feeling a little dumbstruck if he’s honest. He clears his throat, glimpsing at Eddie before turning his attention back to El.
“Oh, um. Yeah, kid. We are.” He replies, tripping over his words. He feels a little silly at how off guard the question catches him. Yeah, obviously he and Eddie tell each other they love each other all the time, but the phrasing of if they are ‘in love’ does something to Steve’s heart he can’t quite place.
El looks thoughtful, staring into Steve’s eyes for a long moment, making him squirm where he is sitting a little bit. She seems to come to a conclusion, nodding her head before turning her gaze back to the game in front of them.
Steve stays staring at her confused before shrugging and turning back to watch the game as well. These kids are weird as shit, he thinks to himself, a small smile on his face.
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They had expected Will to ask them about their relationship at some point, they just really did not expect it to be like this.
Steve is over at Eddie’s trailer, along with his Uncle. They didn’t often get to have dinner with the three of them, Steve and Wayne both often working, but Eddie always enjoys it when they get to be together. It makes him feel safe and loved. His own happy little family.
Steve and Wayne are discussing some sports game that had happened, or something. Eddie doesn’t really know, he is just happy to be listening to the two most important people in his life have a conversation. Steve really does fit in perfectly.
He jumps slightly, pulled out of his head by a frantic knock on the door. He and Steve are immediately on high alert, Steve rushing to the door while Eddie stays seated and out of sight, just in case. Wayne gives them a slightly strange look, but he’s mostly gotten used to their strange behavior.
He may not know everything they went through, but he knows Eddie has gone through some shit, so he supposes he can't blame him for acting a little jumpy.
Steve opens the door, getting ready to fight if he has to, but stops short when he sees the sight of Will Byers standing on the steps to Eddie’s trailer with tears in his eyes.
“Will? What are you doing here, kid?” Steve asks, looking around to make sure there is no immediate danger, and ushering the younger boy into the safety of the trailer. He does one last sweep of the land in front of him, deeming it safe, closing and locking the door behind him.
Eddie has gotten out of his seat, and rushed over to Will, looking him over to make sure he isn’t hurt. Will sniffles, wiping his eyes, before freezing a little at the realization that Eddie’s Uncle is there too. He quickly composes himself, standing up straighter, and schooling his face into something stonier.
“Uh, sorry. I should go. It’s nothing.” Will says, voice trembling slightly, as he turns towards the door. Steve stands in front of it, blocking his way with his hands outstretched.
“Woah, kid. No way am I letting you bike home at this time of night, in this state.”
Will glances nervously around the room, wrapping his arms around himself, almost as if he’s trying to make himself as small as possible while still standing up. Eddie immediately walks over to him, pulling him into a big bear hug that he instantly returns. He clings to the back of Eddie’s Hellfire shirt, while he silently sobs into his chest.
Steve comes over and rubs the boy’s back, shushing him as Eddie continues to hold him. Wayne goes to their kitchen and grabs a glass of water for the boy, knowing he’ll be dehydrated after that much crying. He places it on the table, before looking the boys over. He then decides he would probably feel more comfortable to just be around people he knows, so he retreats to his bedroom, giving the other three some privacy.
It takes Will a little while to calm down, Steve and Eddie holding him through it. After 20 minutes or so, his breathing finally evens out, and he pulls away from Eddie’s chest, looking down at his now wet shirt.
“Sorry,” he whispers, sounding guilty. Eddie just shrugs, looking at Will with a smile.
“Don’t worry about it. I needed to wash this shirt anyway.”
Will relaxes some at his words, before glancing to the sofa clearly too polite to ask if he can sit down. Thankfully Steve notices and guides the kid over to the couch, sitting him down between him and Eddie.
Steve keeps stroking his back, hoping it is helping calm him down. It seems to do the trick as Will melts where he is sitting. He looks so young like this, and Steve feels his heart constrict as he thinks about how young all the kids really are. They all seem so grown up most of the time, but right now Steve is painfully reminded that’s not really the case.
“Hey. Do you wanna tell us what that was about?” Eddie asks, voice uncharacteristically soft and quiet. Will glances at Eddie, before glancing at Steve too, finally settling his gaze on his hands in his lap.
“I think I’m in love with Mike,” Will whispers so quietly Steve and Eddie have to strain their ears to hear. Steve and Eddie share a look, both feeling horribly out of their depths, before turning their attention back to the boy in front of them.
“Okay, that’s okay, Will.” Steve says, still rubbing his back, not sure how else to help. This seems to be the wrong thing to say, as Will starts softly crying again.
“No it’s not! Because he definitely doesn’t feel the same way and it just hurts so much! I hate being different! I just want to be able to go on stupid dates with girls and have a good time. Instead I’m stuck being in love with my best friend who will hate me if I tell him!” Will cries, Eddie and Steve are shocked at the anger in his voice. Neither of them have ever seen him this upset, and they had definitely never seen him angry.
Eddie pulls him back into his arms, leaning him sideways so he’s pressed into his chest. Will’s hands come up to wrap around Eddie’s arms, burying his face into his chest. Steve keeps stroking his back, looking up at Eddie with fear in his eyes. He doesn’t know what to do. He doesn’t know how to help, and it scares the shit out of him.
Eddie gives him a reassuring nod, but Steve can see the worry in his eyes as well. Eddie starts rocking them a little, holding onto Will even tighter.
“Did you know that when I first met Steve it was in middle school?” Eddie asks, both Steve and Will looking up at him with confusion. Eddie just pushes on, still holding Will in his arms and rocking them lightly.
“He was a grade below me, and he was the kindest boy I had ever met. High school turned him into kind of a douche bag for a bit, but before that he was a very sweet kid. I remember one day I was getting picked on for how I dressed and acted, and little Stevie came up and defended me. He told those mean bullies to go away, and then made sure I was okay afterwards. I don’t know if he remembers doing that, but I remember it. It was the first time I realized I might be a little different. No one had ever stood up for me before and seeing little Steve Harrington come up and protect me, melted little Eddie Munson’s heart.
I thought there was something wrong with me. That I was a freak. I asked my uncle what was wrong with me. He looked at me for a very long time and just said to me, ‘ain't nothing wrong with lovin’ who you love’” Eddie says imitating his Uncle’s accent. Will laughs a little, Eddie smiling as well at the sight of the boy happy.
“As it would turn out, a few years later that crush worked out just fine for me,” Eddie says, looking up at Steve with a soft look in his eyes.
“Yeah, I’d say so,” Steve says back, reaching up to interlace their fingers, while Eddie’s arms are still wrapped around Will. Will looks between the two, realization dawning on his face.
“Oh,” he says, a smile slowly growing on his face. Steve and Eddie smile back, relief flooding through their bodies at seeing Will acting a little more himself again.
“Everything is gonna be okay, kid. Even if it feels stupidly scary and like you’re a freak, I promise you’re not. You’re gonna be just fine, kid. You’re Will the Wise, and there has never been a battle I’ve seen Will the Wise back down from,” Eddie says, smiling genuinely at the boy in his arms.
Will smiles back, leaning into Eddie’s embrace once more, feeling significantly calmer than before. They spend another half hour or so talking, before Steve realizes they should probably get Will home before Joyce starts to worry too much.
Steve gives Eddie a quick peck on the lips and a promise to come back once Will is home, before leading Will and himself out to his car. He gets in the driver’s seat, Will in the passengers. He puts the car in reverse, before pulling out of the park and starting to drive to Will’s.
Steve glances at Will once they are about half way to his house, before quickly turning his gaze back to the road.
“Eddie’s right, you know. It really is going to be okay. You don’t have to, but I think you should talk to Mike. Even if he doesn’t feel the same way, he could never hate you. Especially not for something like this.” Steve says, hoping it’s comforting. He never has been the best at pep talks. That’s more Eddie’s thing.
Will nods, but doesn’t say anything else, but Steve thinks he sees the hint of a smile on his face before he turns away.
Joyce thanks Steve profusely once he gets Will home, hugging him tightly. Steve laughs as he extracts himself from her slightly suffocating grip, letting her know it’s nothing. He watches Will and Joyce walk back inside, Will giving him a small wave as he leaves.
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Steve and Eddie are at Steve’s place tonight. Both he and Eddie have work off, so they had decided to spend the night together. They had a movie playing softly in the background, neither of them can remember what movie it is as they are much more interested in each other at the moment.
They are lazily making out on the couch, having smoked a little earlier. Not enough for them to be high, just a little fuzzy. Steve is on top of Eddie, his hands tangled in his hair, as Eddie’s hands rest on his thighs.
It’s soft and unhurried, just mouths moving together nothing more. Normally they would be working up to something else at this point, but tonight they are both tired and just content kissing.
They are so caught up in each other they don’t hear the slam of a car door outside, or the jingle of keys in the lock before it’s too late. They are startled apart by a loud scream, both of them shooting up, ready to fight whatever monster has taken over this time.
Instead of a monster from the upside down, however, they are just met with the sight of Steve’s horrified looking mother, and livid father. Steve looks between the two, eyes wide and breathing heavily.
“I, uh, I didn’t know you guys were coming home today,” Steve says nervously. His mother has tears in her eyes and she looks so distraught you would think she had just found her son dead, instead of just making out with his boyfriend.
“What is this?” His father demands, stepping closer to him, jabbing his pointer finger into his chest. Steve swallows harshly, looking down at the floor.
“Nothing!” He says, voice cracking slightly, knowing his protests are useless.
“Oh really? Because it looks to me like my son is a fag.” His father spits. Steve can feel tears welling in his own eyes, trying desperately to push them back but failing a little miserably.
“No, sir. It’s not what it looks like, I swe-” he is cut off by a harsh slap to his face. His head swings to the side as his father stands above him breathing heavily, looking angrier than Steve has ever seen him. It snaps something in him, rage filling his body as he starts laughing a little disbelievingly.
“What do you think you’re laughing at, boy? You think this is funny?!” His father yells, grabbing him by the hair and pulling so roughly he thinks his scalp is going to fall off. He whimpers a little at the pain, but the smile doesn’t leave his face.
Eddie comes up behind him, clearly ready to beat the shit out of Steve’s father. Steve sees him in his periphery and holds him back with a hand on his chest. Eddie gives him a confused look, opening his mouth to protest, but Steve just gives him a look and mouths, ‘trust me.’
And he does. More than anything. So he backs off. For now, but if anything gets any worse he will not hesitate to kill his father if he needs to. Steve turns his attention back to his father, looking him in the eyes, grin growing even wider.
“That make you feel good, dad? Make you feel like a man hitting your kid?” Steve mocks, his father’s face growing angrier.
“You are not my son.” He growls, pulling harder at Steve’s hair.
“Thank god. I would hate to share genes with someone as big a prick as you,” Steve says, before bringing his knee up and kneeing him as hard as he can in the balls. His father cries out in pain, letting go of Steve’s hair, temporarily distracted. Steve takes the opportunity to push him away from him, stepping back slightly to admire the sight of his father in pain.
It doesn’t last long however, as he quickly reorients himself, standing up straight and throwing a punch at Steve. He tries to duck away from it, but he’s too slow, still a little stoned, so it ends up hitting him right on his left eye.
The adrenaline just spurs him on more as he charges at his dad, grabbing him around the waist and throwing him to the floor. It temporarily knocks the wind out of him, so Steve takes the opportunity to bring his fist back and connect it with his father’s nose, hearing a sickening crack under his fist as blood starts pouring out of his nose.
His mother races to the phone while they’re fighting, calling the cops. Eddie stays back still. He wants to join. To fight, but Steve had asked him to trust him, and as long as Steve had the upper hand, he would.
They hear sirens in the background, Steve snapping his head up, temporarily distracted enough that his father gains the upper hand again, shoving him off and landing a hard kick to his ribs. He lands another punch to Steve’s face, splitting his lip. He brings his fist back again, but is stopped by a hand on his wrist.
He turns around ready to fight whoever had stopped him, but he’s met with the face of Jim Hopper. Hopper pulls him up, throwing him against the wall and cuffing him. He struggles against his hold, yelling that he didn’t do anything wrong.
Steve spits some blood on the floor, groaning as he tries to sit up. Eddie is immediately at his side, helping him with a comforting hand on his back. Hopper has a strong grip on Steve’s father’s wrists, holding him in place enough he won’t be able to escape.
“What the hell happened here?” He demands, looking between Eddie and Steve and Steve’s mother who is standing in the doorway to the kitchen.
“My son is a fucking queer. That’s what happened,” Steve’s father spits, looking down at Steve and Eddie with disgust. Hopper looks at Steve and Eddie with a raised eyebrow as if asking if that’s true. Steve just gives him a little shrug and nod, a small smile on his face seeing his dad in cuffs.
“You fucking hit your kid!” Eddie yells, trying not to jostle Steve too much as he gets up in his father’s face, furious. Hopper holds him back with a soft hand on his chest, Eddie looking up at him with rage. Hopper gives him a sympathetic look, but keeps his hand in place. They don’t need any more issues. Eddie steps back, returning to Steve’s side, still glaring at his father.
“Here’s what’s gonna happen. I’m taking you to the station,” Hopper says, addressing Steve’s father, before turning his attention to Steve and Eddie. “Do you have somewhere you can stay?” He asks, Eddie immediately nodding.
“He can stay with me,” Eddie says, leaving no room for protest.
“Good. I’ll take you back here tomorrow to grab your things, but for now go home and clean yourselves up.” He says to Steve and Eddie, the two of them nodding in agreement. Hopper pulls Steve’s father out the door, shoving him towards the truck. He makes sure he ‘accidentally’ hits his head on the door of the truck while he’s pushing him into the back seat.
He watches as Eddie helps Steve out of the house, one arm around his shoulders as he holds him up. He walks over to them, an uncharacteristically kind look on his face. Steve has only ever seen him use that look with El or Joyce, and he feels his heart warm at the sight of it directed at him.
“Take care of each other, yeah?” Hopper says, clapping them both on the shoulders, looking them over a little to make sure they aren’t too hurt.
“We will, Hop.” Steve confirms with a smile, leaning further into Eddie’s side.
“Good.” Hopper says, before turning around to leave. He stops after a couple steps, turning around to look at Steve and Eddie again, “I’m happy for you boys, truly. Just try not to get into any more fist fights, yeah?”
Eddie and Steve laugh, nodding, Eddie giving a little salute that Hopper rolls his eyes at, as he turns back around and gets in his truck to drive away. Eddie helps Steve into the passenger’s side, despite his protests.
“There is no way I’m letting you drive, babe. Your left eye is almost swollen shut.”
Steve grumbles, but he knows Eddie’s right. Once Steve is buckled in, Eddie gets in the driver’s side, holding his hands out for Steve’s keys, which he grumpily hands over. Eddie pulls out of the driveway, driving much safer than usual, not wanting to hurt Steve’s ribs in case they’re broken.
They make it back to the trailer, Eddie helping Steve inside, before sitting him on the couch. Wayne is there, sitting at the dining table, and immediately rushing to the bathroom to grab the first aid kit. He walks back into the living room, first aid kit in hand, as he pulls the coffee table closer to the couch sitting himself down on it so he’s in front of Steve.
“Grab me an ice pack, will you?” He asks Eddie, looking Steve’s face over. Eddie nods, quickly rushing to the fridge and coming back a moment later with an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Wayne has gathered the supplies he needs from the first aid kit, spreading them out on the table next to him.
He is gently cleaning a cut on Steve’s eyebrow, Steve hissing slightly at the pain. He quickly cleans him up, bandaging his knuckles and face, before having him pull his shirt up so he can look at his ribs. He feels around the area gently, there are some bruises already starting to bloom where he had been kicked, but thankfully nothing seems broken.
He helps him gently lower his shirt again, as he starts picking up, putting things back in their place in the first aid kit. Eddie is sat next to Steve, helping him hold the ice pack up to his black eye, his free hand resting soothingly on the back of his neck.
“Well, nothings broken so that's good. Are you boys gonna tell me what happened here?” He asks, his voice gruff but not unkind. Steve looks to Eddie for reassurance, not really wanting to recount the events of the night.
Eddie gives the back of his neck a small squeeze, understanding Steve’s silent question. He turns back to his uncle, before speaking.
“Steve’s parents found out about us.” He says, sounding angry, not that they found out, but because of how they reacted. Wayne looks up in shock, looking over Steve’s beaten face again.
“And they did this?” He asks. His voice is even but Eddie can hear the rage buried underneath.
“His dad did. You should have seen Stevie though, pretty sure he broke his old man’s nose and made sure he can never have kids again,” Eddie says, looking at his boyfriend with pride. Wayne looks a little impressed at this, looking to Steve for confirmation. He gives him a shy smile and a shrug, Wayne nodding his head in response.
“Well, you can stay here long as you’d like. If your dad ever comes lookin for ya, I’ll be sure to give him a piece of my mind. No one hurts my boys,” Wayne says, giving Steve a pat on his knee. Steve looks up at him a little teary eyed, before surging forward and hugging Wayne. He hugs back, patting his back a little.
“Thank you. I can pay rent and everything,” Steve says, holding on to Wayne’s shirt tight. Wayne just laughs a little, stroking a hand up and down Steve’s back soothingly.
“No need, son. You’re welcome here anytime.” Wayne says, Steve pulling back after a minute, wiping his eyes on the back of his hand, smiling a little. Wayne gives his boys a big smile, patting them both on the knee before standing up. “You boys should get some rest, you’ve gotta be exhausted.”
Eddie and Steve look at each other, nodding in agreement. Eddie helps Steve to bed, laying down and gently wrapping his arms around his waist, letting him bury his head in his chest as they both drift off together.
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The next day Eddie and Steve wake up still tangled in each other’s embrace. Steve buries his head further into Eddie’s embrace, not really warning to get up just yet. They are supposed to hang out all together later today, but for now Steve is enjoying just being in his boyfriend’s arms.
“You know, we can cancel later today if you want. I’m sure the kids would understand,” Eddie says quietly, stroking Steve’s back. He shakes his head, pulling back a little to look up at Eddie.
“Nah, I wanna see the kids today. It’ll be nice to take my mind off things.” He says, leaning up and placing a small kiss to Eddie’s lips. Eddie smiles into the kiss, nodding his head, and stroking the hand not on his back through his hair.
He leans down and places another kiss to Steve’s lips, both of them melting into it. They pull back after a couple minutes of soft kisses, both of them smiling at each other.
“Okay, but if you change your mind at any point, just tell me and we can cancel, got it?” Eddie says, looking down at him with a serious look. Steve nods his head, smile growing even wider. It hurts his split lip a little, but he doesn’t really mind. It’s worth it, to get to smile up at the love of his life first thing in the morning.
“I love you,” Steve says, bringing one of his hands up to stroke Eddie’s cheek lovingly. Eddie looks down at him, smiling goofily as he leans in and presses a light kiss to his lips.
“I love you too.”
The two of them lay together for a long while before finally getting up. Eddie gives Steve his hellfire shirt to wear. It’s always Steve’s favorite to steal anyway, so he supposes it works out well. They get dressed together, before heading to the kitchen for some late morning breakfast.
Eddie makes them eggs and toast, nothing too complicated, and the two of them eat together in content silence. After they eat, they get ready to go, Steve handing Eddie his keys without any protest this time. Eddie places a sweet kiss to Steve’s lips, before leading them out of the trailer with a hand on his back.
They walk the short distance to Max’s trailer, knocking on the door. She comes out only a moment later, already ready to go. She goes to sprint to the car like usual before she sees the sight of Steve. She looks up at him concerned, eyebrows furrowing worriedly.
“What happened to your face?” She asks, still staring up at him.
“Well good morning to you too, Max.” Steve says, laughing a little. She gives him an unimpressed look, as they all start walking to the car together. They get in the car, Eddie starting to drive off once they’re all seated.
“Seriously, though. Are you okay?” Max asks, leaning forward in her seat to talk to Steve. He turns around, wincing slightly at the strain it puts on his ribs, giving her a soft smile.
“I’m okay, just my piece of shit dad, he found out about me and Eddie. It did not go well,” he says as explanation, Max’s face hardening at his words.
“I’ll kill him.” She says, sounding deadly serious. Steve laughs, reaching back to pat her knee in thanks.
“I appreciate it, kid, but there’s no need. Hopper took care of him.”
Max’s eyes widen as her mouth drops open a little. “Hopper killed your dad!?” She asks, sounding a little impressed. Both Eddie and Steve laugh at this, as Steve shakes his head.
“No, just arrested him,” he explains, still laughing a little. Max relaxes back into her seat, a soft smile spreading across her own face.
“Well I hope you got a few licks in at least,” she says, still looking at him.
“Oh don’t worry, I did. Pretty sure I broke his nose.”
Max nods approvingly, going silent for the rest of the ride to the Byer’s house. Steve gets out of the car once they get there, going to the door to knock. Eddie had told him he would do it, but Steve had insisted.
Joyce throws open the door, immediately pulling Steve into a bone crushing hug.
“Oh Steve, I’m so so sorry. Hopper told me what happened.” She cries, holding onto him even tighter. Steve hugs her back, a smile spreading across his face. She may be tiny, but she is strong. She pulls back from the hug, grabbing his face to look him over, fussing over him slightly.
“I’m okay Joyce, I promise,” Steve says, still smiling while batting her hands away. “Wayne and Eddie took care of me last night. Patched me up good as new,” he says with a smile. It’s a little ridiculous given his left eye is still almost completely swollen shut, but it seems to put Joyce at ease some.
“Okay, but if you ever need a place to stay, you can always come here, got it?” She says, giving him a look that says she won’t take no for an answer. Steve nods, a smile still on his face as he does. She pulls him into one last hug, before letting him go.
El and Will rush out to the car with him. They don’t ask any questions about his face, so he assumes Joyce or Hopper had already filled them in. They all pile into the car, Eddie pulling out and starting to head to the Wheeler’s house.
Normally they would pick up Dustin and Robin as well, but the two of them already had rides today so they didn’t have to. They arrive at the Wheelers, the kids all piling out of the car, excitedly rushing up to the house while talking amongst themselves.
Eddie and Steve follow behind them a little slower, but just as excited. Nancy is the one who answers the door, ushering the kids inside, telling them to head to the basement. Eddie and Steve come up behind them, Nancy looking at Steve with wide eyes.
“What happened?” She asks, running over to him and taking his face in her hands, much like Joyce had. Eddie was jealous of Nancy at first, but now that they have all gotten closer he knows he has nothing to worry about, so he doesn’t feel even a slight pang of jealousy as Nancy worriedly looks Steve over.
Steve bats her hands away, walking them all inside with the promise that he’ll explain when they get down to the basement. They all walk down together, everyone else already there and conversing. At the sound of the door opening they all turn their attention up to them.
Dustin quickly rushes over once they are at the bottom of the stairs, pulling Steve into a big hug, demanding to know what happened. Robin is next to him asking similar questions in a somehow more demanding tone. Even Chrissy has gathered towards him, looking worriedly at his face.
“Okay, okay, I know you’re all worried, but let’s give the man some space,” Eddie says, stepping between Steve and the crowd. Steve is grateful he does so. He is glad everyone is worried about him, but they were getting a little suffocating.
Eddie leads everyone over to the couches in the basement, sitting them all down. Once they are all seated, Steve pressed close to Eddie, they all look up at Steve expectantly. He sighs, reaching out and grabbing Eddie’s hand for reassurance.
“My dad found out about me and Eddie, and let’s just say he didn't react well.” Steve says, looking down at his and Eddie’s intertwined hands. Nancy, who is also sitting next to him, places a comforting hand on his back. He looks up to her gratefully, before continuing.
“I’m okay. Wayne and Eddie took good care of me. Maybe a little shaken up, but it knew this would happen at some point, just a matter of time.” Steve says sadly, giving a small smile to the group.
“What happened to your dad?” Lucas asks, looking angry on Steve’s behalf.
“Hopper arrested him.” Steve says, Eddie perking up beside him.
“Not before Steve beat the shit out of him though. It was awesome! He broke his nose and everything!” Eddie says proudly to the group. Steve smiles at his boyfriend, rolling his eyes a little at his proud tone, secretly enjoying how proud his boyfriend seems to be that he beat the shit out of his dad.
“Holy shit, Steve! You won another fight!” Dustin exclaims, leaning forward to give him a high five. Steve puts his hand up and allows it, feeling significantly brighter at the group’s reaction.
“God, I would pay to see you beat the shit out of that asshole. That sounds fucking awesome,” Robin says, smiling at Steve. He smiles back, he never fails to appreciate how Robin seems to know exactly what he needs at times like this.
“It was awesome. It was really hot.” Eddie says, making the others groan with mutters of “ew” here and there. “Oh grow up! I’m allowed to say my boyfriend is hot.”
The group laughs, slowly breaking off into smaller conversations as the day goes on. Eddie has gone upstairs to grab him and Steve a drink, leaving Steve on the couch alone for the moment. Chrissy comes over and sits next to him, where Eddie had previously been. He looks at her with a small smile, feeling a little confused. They are friends, but they aren’t super close.
“I didn’t know you and Eddie were together,” she says plainly. Steve tenses up slightly. He forgot she didn’t know. He doesn’t think she’d react badly, or more accurately he hopes she won’t react badly. He doesn’t think he can handle that kind of rejection two days in a row.
“Uh, yeah. We have been for a while now,” he says, rubbing his slightly sweaty hand on his jeans. She gives him a bright smile and he feels himself relax at the sight.
“You’re very cute together.” She says cheerfully. Steve relaxes completely, smiling brightly back at her. He doesn’t know why he was so nervous, Chrissy is like the nicest person he’s ever met.
“Thanks. I, uh, I really love him, a lot.” He admits, Chrissy smiling even brighter.
“I’m glad. Although, as his best friend, I am legally required to tell you that if you hurt him, I will hunt you down and kill you,” she says, her bright smile not faltering for a second. Steve swallows a little harshly. He did not think Chrissy could be intimidating in the slightest, but while looking in her eyes right now, he has no doubt that she actually would kill him if he dared hurt Eddie.
Eddie walks back down to the basement, Chrissy giving Steve one last bright smile before standing up and rejoining Robin and Nancy on the other side of the room. Eddie sits back down next to him, handing him his drink, which he gratefully accepts.
“What was that about?” Eddie asks, leaning into Steve’s side. He brings his arm up, wrapping it around Eddie’s shoulders, pulling him even closer.
“Chrissy wanted to make sure I knew she would kill me if I hurt you,” he says with a small smile, shivering a little at how scary Chrissy looked while telling him that. Eddie laughs loudly, patting Steve placatingly on his knee.
“Don’t worry, big boy. Chrissy wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Eddie says, still laughing a little. Steve glances over to Chrissy’s brightly smiling face across the room, not feeling so sure. Thankfully he has no intention of ever hurting Eddie, so he supposes he should be okay.
He leans down, pressing a soft kiss to Eddie's head as the two of them get lost in easy conversation, feeling safe and happy while surrounded by their friends.