Chapter Text
Steve Harrington checked his watch. 2 am. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and unlocked the door. As he entered he heard the sound of music echoing from the living room.
“Is that you Steve?” He heard his father call out to him.
“Yeah. I’m going to sleep, dad.” He replied.
“Wait. Get over here, boy.” Steve reluctantly walked over to where his dad sat, in his armchair. “You hanging out with Munson again?” He asked, looking unamused. Steve wasn’t surprised that he had guessed, over the past few weeks he and Eddie had been spending an awful lot of time together, Eddie had begun working at the family video, and after shifts, they would often go over to one another’s house and just waste time. Steve’s father took a long draw on his cigarette, “You smell like him.”
“Dad.” He said, feeling his face get warm.
“Yeah. Like cheap cologne mixed with weed.”
“Whatever,” Steve mumbled, he turned around and headed upstairs to his room. His dad was an ass, he was used to it, but it especially peeved him when he was an ass about Eddie. The two boys had bonded after their encounter with Vecna, and Steve had never felt this close with another guy. Except maybe Dustin. But there were still major differences between Dustin and Eddie. Dustin was practically the kid’s younger brother. But with Eddie… he found it hard to find the words to describe their relationship. Hell, he found it hard to find words at all when they were together. So he let Eddie do all the talking. It wasn’t a problem. Steve loved to listen to him rant about his music or just whatever the hell was on his mind.
He sat down on his bed, recalling the night. The boys had gotten off a late shift together and gone over to Eddie's trailer to hang out. He had listened to Eddie play his guitar till his fingers felt numb, then the two moved to his living room to watch Star Wars. It was an especially stuffy night, and Munson’s trailer had no cooling system so Eddie had taken off his shirt and thrown it across the room absentmindedly. Steve found his eyes subconsciously drifting over to look at Eddie, his face illuminated by the TV screen. Remembering this, Steve shook his head. A vision of Eddie grinning at Harrington flashed in his mind. He sat in silence for a minute then took a deep breath.
Steve got off the bed and walked over to his desk. He plopped down in the chair and logged onto his computer. The greenish glow illuminated the dark room. Steve was groggy and half-asleep, but he thought it would be good to ask Robin for her advice. Before he lost the balls to do so. He opened up his messaging app, going to his most recent convo. Robin was the only person he actually talked to on here anyways. He had gotten one new message but he didn’t even bother to read it, I’m sure whatever she had to say could wait.
<< Robin. Help. I am having a serious issue that I need some
advice on. So don’t fuck around with me rn. I was hanging out
with Eddie today yeah? And we went to his trailer, and it was normal
and chill and all that, but then he took off his shirt. And yeah I guess
that’s a normal thing you do, I mean I saw plenty of shirtless guys
when I was on the basketball team. But Eddie’s different…
god, this is weird to say but I honestly couldn’t stop looking at him.
<< I mean I never can stop looking at him, I don’t know how I didn’t
realize it before but I cannot, for the life of me, keep my eyes off him.
<< Help. What does this meannnnnn?
He leaned over the back of his chair, waiting for a reply. He heard his computer buzz.
>> Harrington.
<< Yeah?
>> Check who you’re messaging.
Steve's heart sank. He urgently grabbed his mouse, scrolling up to his new message.
>> Hey. It’s really late, so just message me when you
get this. So I know you’re home and not dead in a ditch
somewhere. LOL. (1 hour ago)
Shit. SHit shit shit shit shit. Steve had just word vomited all about Eddie to the man himself. He heard another buzz. Then another, and another.
>> OH NO, I think I killed him.
>> Are the Hawkins Police gonna come hunting for me!!?!?
>> Again…
>> Seriously dude are you ok.
Steve was stunned, he sat there staring at his computer screen. He watched it as three dots appeared on his screen, slowly bouncing one by one. He inhaled a shaky breath.
<< Sorry. I thought you were Robin.
>> Clearly! I can’t believe Steve Harrington, of all
people, “can’t keep his eyes off” Lil ‘ol me.
<< Eddie…
>> Your words!
>> Not mine!
Steve could feel him smirking through the screen.
<< Look I’m sorry man, I know I sound like a total creep,
I didn’t mean it, ok!! I think I'm just SUPER sleep-deprived.
So I’m probably going to head off to bed now.
>> I'm heartbroken. Absolutely shattered.
<< What?
>> You said all those sweet things, yet you
don’t mean them.
<< You’re not weirded out?
>> No!
>> I mean, did I expect this?
>> Not at all.
>> But… I’m honestly glad you accidentally spilled
your true feelings about how you think I’m a total
hottie.
Harrington felt like puking. He knew Eddie was exaggerating. But, he also knew that his friend wasn’t totally wrong. He did think Eddie was hot, and cute, and funny, and fuck he wanted to kiss him. But obviously, he couldn’t say that to him, he wasn’t even sure if he could ever speak to Eddie again.
<< Sorry
>> Hey! Stop apologizing!!!!
>> Seriously, if you were just joking that's okay…
but uhhhhh, if you weren’t you can tell me y’know.
>>I’m not gonna judge you.
<< Eddie...
<< It was
>> Was what Harrington?? I can't roll for
insight on your fucking message!
<< Serious.
>> Steve.
>> You better not be screwing with me, I will NEVER.
Forgive you.
<< No no no Eddie I’m being honest, I just. Don’t know how to say
this. Whenever we hang out I just feel so. Happy?? I don’t know, I guess
I’m trying to say. I think like you.
>> Awww Harringtonnnnn, I like you tooooooo!!
You’re the best shift partner a loser like me could
ask for!
<< Eddie, you know what I mean.
>> Do I?
<< Don't make me say it.
>> :)
Steve felt like dying, he was burning up, exhausted, and his best friend/crush/he-had-no-clue was fucking teasing him. He shut his eyes tight, hoping he was dreaming and he would wake up and never think about this again. But when he opened his eyes the messages were still there. There was no going back. He sent a message, then quickly powered off his computer before he could get a response.
<< I love you.