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After they defeated Vecna, and Eddie didn’t have a real reason to hang out with them anymore, Steve half expected him to turn tail and run. He wouldn’t have blamed him, honestly, it’s what he would have done. But for some reason, he stays. Eddie stays and becomes a part of their weird little family, and Steve couldn’t be happier.
He might be a little oblivious at times, but he’s not an idiot. Steve knows he has feelings for Eddie. Romantic, not just friends type feelings. Honestly, it scares the shit out of him. Robin had explained some different sexualities to him a while back, in hopes to educate him more.
He had really only half understood what she was telling him at the time, but the point is, he knows he can like more than just girls or just boys. That doesn’t mean he’s dealing with the revelation that he likes Eddie any better, though.
Sure, Steve Harrington likes boys, that’s all fine and dandy. A little terrifying, if he’s honest, but he can get behind that idea easily enough. But Steve Harrington liking Eddie Munson? The idea is so fucking strange it makes his head want to explode. It just doesn’t make any damn sense.
Eddie is loud and weird and he likes nerdy shit and he’s punk and he’s everything Steve thought he wasn’t into. Steve likes girls. He likes soft brown hair, and big doe eyes, and pretty lips, and oh no, he is just describing Eddie again.
Okay, so maybe he has a type, sue him! It’s not like it makes a difference anyway. Eddie Munson is straight. And even if he’s not, he is definitely not into Steve. He knows this, but that doesn’t stop him from thinking about him every chance he gets, and maybe being a little too touchy when they’re together.
He shakes his head, attempting to clear his thoughts as he’s been staring off into the distance for god knows how long. He’s leaning up against the counter at Family Video, not even bothering looking like he’s doing any work.
There’s no one in the store right now and he and Robin have already restocked the shelves and rewound all their returns, so it’s not like he has much he can do anyway. He rests his chin on his hand, fiddling with the slinky they keep on the counter for some reason. The bell above the door chimes, and he straightens up, putting on his best customer service face. Once he sees who walked in, his fake smile morphs into a genuine one.
“Eddie!” He calls, waving at the other boy. Eddie gives him a grin, making his way over to the counter, and placing his right hand on the top of it.
“Harrington,” he says in greeting, making Steve roll his eyes. He’s about to make some joke about Eddie coming in just to harass him, when he looks down at the hand on the counter. Eddie is wearing his rings today. He wears them most days, but they still never fail to fascinate Steve whenever he sees them.
He also notices he has a new ring on today. It’s a chunky ring, like the rest of them. It has a silver band with a heart at the center of the ring. The heart is black and looks like it’s breaking in two.
Before Steve can stop himself, he’s grabbing Eddie’s hand and bringing it closer to his face, examining the new ring. It looks good on him. It fits well with his aesthetic, and it works with the other rings he’s wearing. Eddie looks at him confusedly, feeling his face heat up at their proximity. He rubs his free hand over the back of his neck as he clears his throat, but makes no move to take his hand out of Steve’s.
“Whatcha doing there, Stevie Boy?” He asks with a slightly tense laugh. He was trying to sound calm and nonchalant but it comes out a little gruff, betraying how flustered he really is. Steve seems to come back to his senses quickly dropping his hand and looking back up at Eddie’s face.
“Sorry! I just, uh, I noticed you got a new ring, is all,” Steve says, refusing to look him in the eye. Eddie gives him a curious look. Since when did Harrington pay enough attention to him to know which rings are new or not?
“Oh, uh, yeah. Got it at some thrift store for super cheap,” Eddie says, looking down at his hand and fiddling with the new ring a little bit.
“It looks good,” Steve says, swallowing a little harshly. Seeing Eddie play with the rings on his fingers is a sight that never fails to mesmerize him. “So, what brings you here today?” Steve suddenly asks, changing the subject before it can get weird. Well, weirder than it already is. Eddie looks at him for a moment longer, before shrugging a little, a smile lighting up his face.
“I was bored and figured you would love to be graced by my wonderful presence.” He says dramatically, leaning in closer to Steve, his hands held together in front of his chest, as he playfully bats his eyelashes up at him.
Steve feels his breathing catch a little bit, his eyes being drawn down to Eddie’s mouth momentarily before he catches himself, bringing his gaze back up to Eddie’s eyes. He scoffs, pushing him away lightly by the shoulder to put some distance between them, playing it off as friendly banter.
As soon as Eddie is a little further away, he immediately misses how close he was, wishing to pull him in closer again. Eddie leans back against the counter, smirking up at Steve. He reaches out again and grabs Eddie’s hand, starting to fiddle with the rings there as they talk.
They both get a little lost in conversation. They have an ease with each other that neither really expected at first. It’s nice having someone they can talk to without worry. They’ve been talking for about an hour or so when Eddie looks up at the clock they have behind the counter, eyes growing wide.
“Shit. Sorry, I have to go. I have some errands I need to run before my uncle gets home,” Eddie says, not moving away just yet. Steve smiles at him, giving a nod and pulling his hands away from his rings, already missing the feel of the metal under his fingers.
Eddie looks at Steve for a moment, contemplating something, before coming to a decision. He takes off his new ring, grabbing Steve’s hand and placing it on his middle finger. He admires the way it looks on him for a moment, before putting his hand down, and patting the back of it.
“Since you fidget with them so much anyway,” he says in explanation, Steve looking at him a little dumbfounded. Eddie smirks at him, patting the back of his hand one last time before turning and walking out of the store.
Steve watches him go, still staring at the spot he was standing even after he’s left. His brain feels like molasses but also like it’s moving a million miles per hour. What was that? Did Eddie just give him his ring? Oh my god, he totally did! Why does he like the way it looks so much? Why would he give him his ring? Is he flirting? No, he’s just being friendly, Harrington. Oh my god, but what if-
He is thrown from his thoughts as fingers snap in front of his face. He turns and sees Robin standing next to him, looking at him with a slightly annoyed look on her face.
“Hey, Dingus, I’ve been calling your name for like a full minute, what’s going on with you?” She questions, quiet worry evident underneath her annoyed tone. Steve shakes his head, hoping to clear it before speaking.
“Nothing, I’m fine, sorry,” he says, fiddling with the ring on his hand as he says this. The motion seems to bring Robin’s attention to it, as she looks down, examining the ring for a second, brows pulled together in confusion, before shooting up behind her bangs.
“Oh my god! Is that Eddie’s ring?!” She exclaims, grabbing Steve’s hand and pulling it towards her face. His face heats up, as he pulls his hand away from her grip.
“Yeah, he noticed I like to fiddle with his rings so he gave it to me. It’s not a big deal, Robs,” he says, trying to convince himself of his words, just as much as her. Robin stares at him blankly for a long moment, examining him.
“Holy shit. You like him,” she says, mouth hanging open at the revelation. Steve stares back at her a little panicked, as he quickly looks around the store to make sure no one else is there, relaxing when he realizes it’s just them.
“No I don’t!” He shouts back, sounding far more defensive than he meant to. Robin starts laughing, looking at him with a slightly disbelieving look.
“Holy. Fucking. Shit. You , Steve ‘The Hair’ Harrington, totally have a crush on Eddie ‘The Freak’ Munson. Oh my god! I can not believe this!” She is laughing a little hysterically, holding onto the counter for support. Steve glares at her, trying to get her to shut up with just his eyes. As expected, it doesn’t work and she only laughs harder.
“No I don’t! Shut up!” He says, smacking her lightly on the arm, before crossing his arms in front of his chest and huffing slightly. She gives him an unimpressed look, sobering from her laughter as she looks at him.
“Really? You may as well have been twirling your hair around your finger and giggling while you were talking to him earlier. I mean, seriously Steve. It’s a little pathetic.”
Steve groans in response, shoving his head in his hands, elbows resting on the counter in front of him.
“Ugh! Fine! You’re right!” Steve admits, although it’s a little mumbled from his hands.
“I’m sorry, what was that?” Robin teases, having heard him perfectly the first time.
“I said you’re right!” Steve repeats, pulling his head out of his hands to glare at her again. She has a shit eating grin on her face, and it’s in times like these Steve wonders why he is friends with her. “I hate you, you know that?” He says, pointing an accusing finger at her. She rolls her eyes, flipping him the bird.
“Whatever, Harrington. That’s not important right now. What is important is your crush on Eddie,” she says in a sing-songy voice, leaning in closer to Steve. Steve sighs, pushing her away with his hand on her forehead, making her laugh again.
“No. It is not important actually, because there’s no way he feels the same about me anyway, so there’s no point in even talking about it,” he says, suddenly sounding far more upset and defensive than he had meant to. He had meant to be light hearted about it, but his lingering fears and insecurities are making themselves well known at the moment.
Robin stares up at him, one eyebrow raised as she give him her best ‘you’re a fucking idiot’ look. It’s a look Steve is well accustomed to, as he receives it from her at least twice a day.
“Seriously? Please tell me you’re joking.” She says, looking at him expectantly. When his expression doesn’t change she sighs, rolling her eyes again. “Jesus, you really are an idiot, Harrington.”
Steve scans her face, trying to figure out what she could possibly be talking about. At his confused look, Robin seems to get even more exasperated, as she throws her hands up.
“Really!? You really don’t see it?” She asks, squinting her eyes at him, looking like she thinks he might be pulling some long joke and was going to laugh at her at any moment.
“See what!? You’re not making any sense Robin!”
She grabs him by the shoulders, shaking him slightly as she talks, speaking very slowly as if she were speaking to a particularly dumb child.
“Eddie likes you, dumbass. Like, like- like’s you. Dude, he is practically throwing himself at you, how do you not see it? He gave you his ring! His ring!”
Steve studies Robin’s face, trying desperately to see if she is messing with him.
“What? No he doesn’t. Just because he gave me his ring, it doesn’t mean anything. It could have just been a friendly gesture! He gave me his vest in the Upside Down. Maybe it’s just a thing he does, I don’t know!” Steve exclaims, shrugging exaggeratedly, jostling Robin’s hands that are still resting on his shoulders. Robin somehow looks even more unimpressed, which Steve honestly didn’t think was possible.
“You do realize you’re just further proving my point, right?”
“No I’m not! Eddie is probably straight anyway, and even if he’s not, there’s no way he likes someone like me, so can you just drop it please?” Steve practically begs, deflating where he stands. He really doesn’t want to talk about this anymore.
He knows he has no chance with Eddie, he doesn’t need Robin getting his hopes up only for him to get his heart broken, again. Robin’s excited attitude drops some, as she looks at his face. She really hadn’t meant to upset him, she thought it was obvious how into Steve Eddie is, but she guesses Steve’s self loathing goes deeper than she thought.
“Steve. You know you are my best friend and I love you with my entire heart, but you are also the dumbest man I have ever met.” Robin says slowly, voice gentler than before, no malice in her words. Steve rolls his eyes, looking away from her.
“Hey, no. I’m being serious Steve, look at me.” Robin says, moving one of her hands off his shoulder to turn his face back towards her. He reluctantly meets her eyes, really not wanting to continue this conversation. “You don’t have to believe me, but Eddie is totally into you. Shit, he looks at you like the sun shines out of your fucking ass, dingus.”
Steve laughs a little at her words, but it sounds a little too watery for either of their liking. He knows she has good intentions in telling him this, but he really can’t afford to get his hopes up. Not again. He has had so many failed attempts at love, he doesn’t think he can handle another one. Especially not with Eddie.
“Can we drop it now, Robin? I really don’t feel like crying in the middle of Family Video,” Steve says with another small laugh, wiping at his eyes even though no tears have fallen yet. She nods her head, smiling widely at him as she pulls him into a hug.
He gratefully returns it, enjoying the comfort. She pulls away after a minute, giving him another smile before finally changing the subject.
Steve has yet to take off the ring since Eddie gave it to him, other than to shower or wash his hands, not wanting it to get ruined. People have started to notice it, because of course they have. It’s not everyday you see Steve Harrington wearing a chunky, punk looking ring.
Dustin is the first one to bring it up. Steve is driving him and Max to the arcade, some of the other kids meeting them there. Steve had put on the radio before they got in the car, changing it to some heavy metal station.
He can’t say he is a big fan of the music, but Eddie likes it so he is making an effort to learn a little more about it. When Robin had found this out, she called him pathetic, but he can’t really bring himself to care. He knows it’s a little pathetic, but he really likes Eddie and he wants to understand him better. Hence the music.
Dustin gives him a strange look when he gets in the car, some Metallica song Steve does not know the name of playing lowly on the speakers. He doesn’t mention how weird it is for him to be listening to it though, just turning the volume up and nodding along to the song.
It’s one Eddie likes to play, so Dustin knows the lyrics and tune well at this point. Steve pulls out of the driveway, starting towards the trailer park to pick up Max. He is tapping his fingers lightly on the wheel along to the beat. He kinda likes this song, he thinks. Dustin’s gaze is brought to the small movement, his eyes widening a little at the sight of a ring on his finger.
“Holy shit, are you wearing a ring?” Dustin asks, leaning in dangerously close to get a better look. Steve has to push him away with his elbow, not wanting to crash the car because his shit head friend is nosy.
“Yes. What’s it to you?” Steve says, gripping the steering wheel tighter. So far Robin is the only one to know about his feelings for Eddie, and therefore also the only one to know he is bi. It had taken him a little while to figure it out, but once Robin explained some of the different sexualities to him, he could firmly say that yes. He is indeed bisexual.
“Dude. You have never once worn anything like that. And now you’re listening to Metallica? You’ve been spending too much time with Eddie.” Dustin says, eyeing him suspiciously. Steve tenses up a little more, shifting slightly in his seat, suddenly feeling a little too hot.
“Oh like you’re one to talk, Henderson. I saw you wearing a chain on your pants the other day, but I’m the one spending too much time with Eddie?” Steve defends. Very early on he learned there is no good way to get one of the kids off his back. They are stubborn little shits. That being said, the only thing that has ever worked to at least deter the conversation for a while is deflecting, so that’s what he does.
“Whatever man. You’re just jealous that Eddie likes me more than you,” Dustin says, rolling his eyes, a small smirk on his face. It’s a low blow and they both know it, but Dustin has never been one to be above going straight for the throat.
“Henderson, you keep talking about this, I swear to god, I will tell the others that I found out Suzie calls you ‘love muffin,’” Steve says, taking his eyes off the road for just a moment to glare at him, cringing slightly at the memory. Dustin goes bright red, narrowing his eyes at him challengingly.
“You wouldn’t dare,” he accuses, not sounding as sure as Steve thinks he meant to.
“Try me.” Steve says, voice deadly serious. He honestly didn’t expect it to work, but Dustin doesn’t bring up the ring or music for the rest of the ride to Max’s. Of course that isn’t the end of it, because when has life ever been so kind to him?
He pulls into the trailer park, driving towards the back to Max’s place. She is already sitting outside waiting for him, and so is Eddie. Steve freezes. Fuck. Eddie wasn’t supposed to be coming today. Max must have asked him last minute.
Steve panics even more when he takes in Eddie’s appearance. Holy shit, he looks good. His hair is tied up in a messy ponytail, a few strands of curly hair falling out and framing his face. His hands are adorned with his usual amount of rings, that Steve always thinks makes them look sinfully good. He is wearing low waisted ripped black skinny jeans, that can hardly be considered pants with how ripped they are, showing off the pale skin of his thighs and calves. He is also wearing a cut off band tee shirt, that shows off his midriff, and along with it a light trail of hair leading down.
Steve swallows hard, unable to take his eyes off the other man as he and Max walk towards the car. He thinks his face must be bright red but he can’t even bring himself to care, because Eddie just looks so good. He doesn’t even have it in himself to be embarrassed by his music choice when the two get in the back seat, too enamored by the sight of him.
He looks at Eddie through the rearview mirror, not making any move to pull out of the trailer park, despite the fact Eddie and Max are all buckled up. He is thrown from his thoughts by Dustin snapping his fingers in front of his face and calling his name.
It takes a moment for his brain to come back online, but once it does, he turns to Dustin with an annoyed look on his face. What does this kid want now? Can’t he see he’s busy panicking over how earth shatteringly hot Eddie looks?
“Are we going to go, or are you going to just sit there and gawk for the rest of the day?” Dustin asks, impatiently, snapping him further back to reality. Right. He is supposed to be driving them somewhere. He clears his throat, giving Eddie one last glance in the mirror, before putting the car in reverse and pulling out.
The kids and Eddie joke around the whole way to the arcade, but Steve doesn’t join them like he normally would. He has a vice like grip on the steering wheel, and his jaw is clenched tight. It is taking all his will power to keep his eyes on the road and not glance back every two seconds to look at Eddie. It’s a battle he is only half winning.
Dustin keeps throwing him strange looks, but he doesn’t even notice, too distracted by Eddie and his own thoughts. He barely notices when they get to the arcade, blinking suddenly like he has no idea how they got there despite him being the one driving. That’s probably not the safest, he thinks to himself, but shrugs it off. They all got there in one piece after all, so clearly it wasn’t too dangerous.
Dustin and Max scurry out of the car, meeting up with Mike, and Lucas who are already waiting out front. Steve takes a deep breath before hitting his head on the steering wheel in front of him. He lets out a long groan, assuming he is alone in the car.
Eddie places a hand on his shoulder, making him whip around. He didn’t realize Eddie hadn’t gotten out of the car yet. He has a concerned look on his face, as his eyes trail over Steve’s expression, trying to discern what could be wrong.
“Hey, man. You okay?” He asks, his hand feeling like it’s branding Steve’s skin where he’s touching him, even over the fabric of his shirt. He nods, eyes wide as he looks at Eddie. A piece of hair has fallen into Eddie’s eyes, and before he knows what he’s doing, he is reaching up and tucking it behind his ear for him.
Eddie’s face goes red, his mouth opening a little at the action, and Steve immediately regrets it. Fuck, now he made him uncomfortable. He snatches his hand away, Eddie giving him a confused look, a small frown on his face.
“Sorry,” Steve mumbles, fidgeting with the ring on his middle finger, the motion helping calm him some. Eddie continues staring at him, eyes squinted and brows furrowed. He finally takes his hand off Steve’s shoulder and he immediately misses the feeling so much he wants to cry.
The two of them sit there in slightly awkward silence for another minute before they are startled by a knock on the window. They both jump a little at the noise, turning their heads to see an annoyed looking Robin glancing between the two of them.
“Are you two gonna join us, or just sit there all day?” She says, her words a little too similar to Dustin’s from earlier. Shit, he really needs to get his shit together before Eddie notices what’s wrong with him.
Steve gets out of the car first, Eddie still staring after him, still looking bothered by his strange behavior. He joins them after a second, though, rushing over to the kids who are still waiting outside for them. Robin starts walking towards them too, but Steve stops her with a light grip on her wrist, eyes pleading.
“Hey, guys we’ll catch up with you in a minute, don’t wait up!” Robin calls to the others, the kids nodding and heading inside. Eddie stands there for a bit longer, still looking searchingly between the two of them, before shaking his head a little and heading inside as well.
Steve lets out a relieved breath, feeling like he can finally breathe again for the first time since he saw Eddie. Robin hits him lightly on the arm, making him flinch a little, bringing his hand up to hold where she hit him.
“What is wrong with you!?” She yells, making him quickly look around to make sure there was no one listening. There are a few people in the parking lot, they don’t seem to be paying attention to them, but Steve still doesn’t feel comfortable talking about this where they might hear.
He grabs Robin’s wrist again, pulling her to the little alley at the side of the arcade, where he’s sure they won’t be interrupted. Once they get there Robin pulls her hand away from him, leaning up against the brick wall and crossing her arms across her chest, looking at him expectantly.
He sighs, running a hand through his hair as he leans back against the opposite wall. The alley is small enough he could easily reach out and touch her. He closes his eyes, fidgeting with the ring on his finger again as he thinks about what he wants to say.
“Fuck, Robin. I don’t know if I can do this,” he says and he sounds so upset, Robin’s previously annoyed look quickly turns worried.
“Hey, what’s wrong? What happened?” She asks gently, knocking his foot with hers. He opens his eyes, calming down at the reassuring smile she gives him.
“Eddie looks so hot today, and I don’t know what to do with myself!” He whisper yells, voice loud enough to show his exasperation, but not loud enough it will pull the attention of others. Robin stares at him for a moment, before bursting out laughing. He gals at her, as she continues to laugh, holding onto her stomach from the force of it.
“Jesus Christ Steve! I thought something serious happened! You scared me! Don’t do that again, dingus!” She yells, kicking his shin hard enough it hurts.
“Hey! This is serious, Robs!” Steve yells back, crossing his own arms across his chest and huffing.
“Steve. You having a gay panic over Eddie wearing his hair up, a crop top, and ripped jeans is not serious. Another gate opening to the Upside Down? That’s serious.” Robin says, and yeah, fine. Fair enough. He guesses she has a point. But it’s serious to him, and she’s his best friend so it’s supposed to be serious to her as well.
“Hey, how many times have you come to me panicking over Vickie? I think I should be allowed to do the same,” he complains. Robin rolls her eyes but nods her head, motioning to him in a ‘go on’ motion.
“Fuck, Robs. He looks so good today. I mean, he always looks good, but he looks fucking fantastic toady. Those jeans should be fucking illegal! Did you see how low waisted they are!? You can see his hip bones, Robs! His hip bones!” He whines, hitting his head lightly against the wall behind him.
Robin continues to look at him with an amused smirk on her face, but doesn’t say anything yet, letting him get it out of his system.
“And his hair! Jesus, I knew he had a pretty face, but he looks fucking ethereal with his hair up. It frames his face so nicely and makes him look fucking gorgeous. And then some of it fell in his eyes in the car, and I couldn’t help myself! I just brought my hand up and pushed it behind his ear, like some kind of idiot! Why would I do that!? He went so red, and looked so shocked, and I wanted to brain myself on the fucking steering wheel. I clearly made him uncomfortable, and that's the last thing I ever want to do!
Not to mention his fucking rings. Jesus. He wears them everyday, but they drive me fucking crazy. They just look so good, and his fingers are so long and pretty, and I just want him to tangle them in my hair so fucking bad. I feel like I’m losing my goddamn mind. I have never wanted to both fuck and just be held by someone this much before, and it’s killing me.” He breathes out, gesturing wildly with his hands throughout his entire speech.
Robin still looks amused, but she has a slightly pained look on her face as well, eyebrows pinching together on her forehead.
“Shit. You’re in love with him,” she says as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world, but also like she had no idea until just this moment. That’s not right though. He’s not in love with Eddie. He just really likes him and wants to spend every moment with him, and touch him all the time even if it’s just a hand on the back, and grow old with him, and fuck . He’s in love with Eddie.
He buries his head in his hands, groaning loudly at the sudden realization. He can’t be in love with Eddie! The last time he was in love he got his heart fucking shattered, and he can not do that again!
Robin takes two small steps towards him, leaning next to him against the wall instead of opposite of him. She places a comforting hand on his shoulder, giving him a slightly pitying look. Steve never thought he was someone worth pitying, but he supposes this is pretty pathetic.
“Fuck, Robin. What am I going to do? I can’t be in love with him!” He groans, voice quiet and scared. She doesn’t say anything, just pulls him into her arms, letting him bury his head in her shoulder. She wraps her arms around him, rubbing his back soothingly.
“It’s gonna be okay, Steve.” She whispers, and he wants to believe her, he really does, but he can’t. He just can’t. He feels tears welling up in his eyes, and he’s useless to blink them back, letting them fall onto her shirt below him.
They stay like that for a long moment, him silently crying into her shirt while she rubs his back and whispers reassurances to him. He finally calms down, and pulls away, whipping his eyes on the back of his hand, still sniffling a little bit, but no longer crying.
“Steve? What happened? Are you okay?” He hears from the right of him, immediately whipping his head around and meeting Eddie’s worried gaze. He steps closer and Steve feels himself tense up again, but Robin’s comforting hand still rubbing his back helps to ground him some.
She looks at Steve, asking him a silent question. He nods, stepping away from her. She looks him over one last time before nodding as well, and moving to walk out of the alley, leaving the two boys together with a murmur of, “I’ll give you two some time to talk.”
Steve leans back against the wall, taking deep breaths as Eddie walks closer. He takes his face in his hands, looking him over for any injuries. Steve appreciates the concern, he really does, but the contact is doing nothing to help his spiraling thoughts right now.
“Steve, what’s going on? You’re scaring me. Did something happen?”
Steve shakes his head, unable to help but bring his hands up and place them over top of Eddie’s making sure he doesn’t move away. He really didn’t want Eddie to worry, and he hates himself a little for being the cause.
“I’m okay. Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you worry,” he whispers softly, not looking Eddie in the eyes, gaze locked on the neckline of his shirt as he speaks. Eddie ducks down so he is looking him in the eyes. His big brown eyes lock on Steve’s own and he feels all the breath leave his lungs. Fuck, Eddie has the prettiest eyes he’s ever seen.
“You don’t have to apologize, Stevie. I care about you. I don’t like seeing you upset.”
Steve feels like Eddie’s eyes are boring into his soul, and the feeling is both intoxicating and a little unbearable. He doesn’t dare break eye contact first, though, a little worried Eddie might walk away if he does.
“I’m in love with you,” he blurts out and Eddie’s eyes go wide and disbelieving. Fuck. Why did he say that? He didn’t mean to say that. God he is such an idiot. Now Eddie will leave and never speak to him again, and he will have just lost the best thing in his life.
“You, uh, what?” Eddie asks, sounding caught off guard, but not upset. Steve closes his eyes, throwing his head back against the wall behind him.
“Fuck, Eds. Sorry. I don’t know why I said that. Well, I mean, I do know why I said it, it’s true, I just didn’t mean to say it right then, and-” He is cut off by a pair of lips pressing against his own. He throws his eyes open in shock, standing stock still as Eddie kisses him. It’s fast, really just a peck before Eddie is pulling back.
“Sorry, I should have asked first, you just-” This time Steve is the one to cut Eddie off, pulling him into a longer kiss. It takes him a moment to respond, but once he does, he is melting into the kiss and Steve thinks he could cry with relief.
Holy shit, he is kissing Eddie Munson, and Eddie Munson is kissing him back. He smiles into the kiss, laughing a little giddily. He can’t believe it. He pulls away, opening his eyes and looking at Eddie. Eddie looks a little confused why he stopped kissing him, but when he sees the absolutely ecstatic look on his face, he thinks it's okay.
“Sorry, I just needed to be sure you were real,” Steve explains, grinning so wide he thinks his face might split in two.
“I’m real,” Eddie confirms, smiling just as brightly. His eyes suddenly go wide, his smile dropping as he seems to realize something. Steve is filled with a moment of panic, that maybe Eddie didn’t really feel the same way and this is all some cruel joke, but his worries are quickly quieted by Eddie speaking. “I love you too! Sorry, I just realized I never said it back.”
Steve somehow smiles even wider, not realizing it was even possible. His stomach is filled with butterflies, and he feels warm all over, and it’s the best thing he’s ever felt.
“You’re a dork, Eddie Munson,” he says, rolling his eyes, but leaning in and capturing his mouth with his own once again. Eddie smiles into the kiss, breaking away for a second, only to dive back in and pressing a series of smile-filled pecks to Steve’s lips.
Steve leans in, pulling him into a long open mouthed kiss. Eddie groans against his mouth, leaning impossibly closer so their chests are pressed together. Steve moves his hands to Eddie’s waist, holding on tight, as he is kissed within an inch of his life.
Eddie moves his hands up to Steve’s hair, tangling them into the perfectly styled strands and pulling . Steve moans into the kiss. Fuck, that feels good. He feels Eddie grin against his mouth, before pulling again. The sound Steve makes at the feeling is embarrassing and borderline obscene. He pulls away, resting his head back against the wall, panting heavily as he stares at Eddie’s lips with half lidded eyes.
“Fuck, babe. As much as I would love to continue this, and believe me I would love to continue this. This is not exactly the most romantic place for our first time,” Steve says, squeezing Eddie’s hips a little. Eddie smiles, leaning in and pecking his lips once more, before moving back a little.
Steve almost whines at the loss, but catches himself before he can make more of a fool of himself. Eddie looks him over appreciatively, a small smirk on his lips as he takes in the ruffled appearance of him.
“Your hair is a bit of a mess there, sweetheart,” Eddie teases, pulling it one more time just to be an ass, before moving his hands away. Steve glares at him, but there’s no hear behind it, as he moves his hands up to his hair, trying to tame it. It doesn’t do anything to help, but Eddie’s not going to be the one to tell him that. He thinks he looks hot, hair a mess, all disheveled.
“Who’s fault is that?” Steve complains, but Eddie can see the lingering arousal in his gaze. He finally takes mercy on Steve, stepping closer again and pulling his hands away from his hair.
“Let me, baby.” Eddie says, carding his fingers through Steve’s hair, making it look more presentable. He misses the messy look, but he figures he’ll have plenty of time to mess it up again later, so he doesn’t mind too much.
Steve blushes bright red, staring at Eddie’s face as he works to fix his hair. His tongue sticks out a little in concentration and Steve thinks he just might pass out. Eddie finally steps back again, looking at Steve's hair approvingly, and then smirking when he sees the flustered look on his face.
“You’re a menace, you know that?” Steve accuses, pointing a finger at him, and narrowing his eyes. Eddie has the gall to look shocked, pointing at himself with an appalled look on his face, as if Steve must be talking about someone else. “You’re lucky you’re cute,” Steve mumbles, making Eddie smile again.
He leans in, grabbing Steve by the hips and bringing him in for one last lingering kiss. Steve sighs into it, holding onto Eddie’s neck as he lets him lead the kiss. They startle apart from each other when they hear a yell from beside them.
“Hey, dinguses! It’s been like an hour, we’re ready to go home!” Robin says from the entrance of the alley. Her arms are crossed against her chest, and she’s tapping her foot impatiently, but she is also smirking at them both approvingly. Steve rolls his eyes, extracting himself from Eddie’s embrace with remorse, wishing he could stay there all day.
“Yeah, yeah. We’re coming, calm down.” He says as he starts walking towards her, Eddie hot on his heels. They all start towards the car, seeing the kids already leaning up against it, waiting for Steve to return.
“What, am I driving all of you little shit heads home now?” He asks, when he sees Mike and Lucas waiting at the car as well. They all just smile innocently up at him. He rolls his eyes again, not bothering protesting. He really doesn’t mind. He sees Dustin go for the front seat and stops him, pointing at him with an accusing finger.
“I don’t think so, Henderson. Eddie gets shotgun, get your ass to the back,” he says, Dustin whining in protest.
“That’s not fair! Why does Eddie get to sit up front? He wasn’t even supposed to come today!” Dustin complains, sounding like the petulant child Steve knows he is.
“Because I said so. Now get in the back before I lock you out of the car and you have to find another ride home.” Steve threatens. They both know he won’t actually do it, but Dustin moves to the back anyway, grumbling the whole time.
“I’m so honored, Stevie. I can’t believe you like me enough to let me sit up front,” Eddie says, batting his eyelashes at him, as he leans closer holding his hands together in front of his chest. Steve shoves him lightly, but has a large smile plastered on his face.
“Don’t let it go to your head, Munson. I can always still kick you to the back seat too.” He says, pointing at him as he gets into the driver’s side, Eddie quickly getting in as well before Steve can change his mind.
The rest of them pile in, squishing themselves into the definitely too small car. Steve turns around to make sure they are all bucked, before pulling out of the parking lot and heading to each of their houses.
A few minutes into the drive, Eddie reaches across the center console and takes his right hand in his, holding it for the rest of the ride. If the kids notice, they don’t say anything, Robin just giving them a knowing smirk that Steve dutifully ignores.