Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was just the start of June, 1986. Everyone had summer plans. That is, everyone except Steve. He hadn't seen his parents in almost three years now. So, here he sat in an empty house, devoid of any sign of life save himself. He'd gotten used to the silence, but silence let his mind wander until he'd hit thoughts and nerves better left untouched. This was one such occasion.
"I just don't get it." He was thinking out loud, trying to sort through his thoughts. "Robin knows exactly what she wants. Why is this so hard?" He drifted back to that night with Nancy, at the party.
"I'm sorry Nance," he muttered to the open air. It was getting close to hour three of wallowing in his own self-pity when someone began pounding on the door.
"STEVE! OPEN THE DOOR I NEED YOUR HELP!" Steve scrambled up and opened the door, staring right into the frazzled face of Dustin Henderson.
"Dustin? What happened?" Without even giving an answer Dustin barged past him, dropping his backpack on the kitchen counter, causing books, papers, and dice of many kinds to spill out. "Why did you bring your Dungeons and Dragons stuff to my house Henderson?"
"My mom, she's banned me from keeping it in the house." Steve raised an eyebrow.
"I thought your mom was okay with it?"
"Well, that was before the rumors of sacrifice and damnation hit our town, Steve." Dustin sat on one of the barstools and went about organizing his stuff. "Can I keep this stuff here?"
"Sure, I guess?" Steve looked over the stuff, then nodded. It wouldn't hurt, and then maybe this house wouldn’t feel so goddamn empty.
“Awesome. Also, can we use your basement?”
“Why?” Steve paused for a moment. “And who is ‘we’?” As if on cue, another knock drew his attention back to the door. “Henderson, who’s at the door?”
“Eddie.” Steve gave Dustin a hard look, trying to judge if he was telling the truth.
“Why is Munson at my door?”
“Because I need his help.” Steve stared at Dustin for a long moment.
“Then why did you come to my house? Why didn’t you just go see him?”
“Because God forbid, I ask for your help too?” Steve glared for a long moment at him, then relented when the knocking started again.
“Coming! God, hold your shit-” He swung the door open, and his brain shut off. There, on his doorstep, was something he could have never expected.
Eddie “The Freak” Munson, in jeans and a plain black t-shirt.
“Are you going to keep staring, Harrington, or can I come in?” Steve shook his head and stepped aside. Once he got his foot out of his mouth, Steve tried to focus. He shut the door and walked back to the kitchen, where Eddie and Dustin were pouring over several opened books and various papers.
“What are you doing?” Both looked up and glared at him, so Steve took the hint and left them alone. Which also meant he was alone with his thoughts.
OH boy.
Why had he reacted like that? Eddie was a friend, nothing more.
Right?
Oh god. Not again I thought this was over. Steve could feel the panic starting to rise like bile in his throat. He tried to remain calm as he went upstairs and locked himself in the bathroom, one hand covering his mouth as the tears started to fall. All he could hear was his father.
“This is just a phase, son. You’ll find the right woman eventually.”
“I don’t want to hear anymore talk of this ‘crush’. You’re a Harrington, not some queer delinquent. Now start acting like it.”
“*crack* This is for your own good. *crack*”
“You either stop entertaining this delusion or we will send you into the military. It’s only for your own good, Steven.”
“FUCK OFF!” Steve punches at the wall, denting it significantly. The pain jolts him from his thoughts, and he remembers where he is. His hands were shaking, and Steve tried desperately to regain control of himself. When he looked in the mirror, all he could see was his father staring back at him.
Banging on the bathroom door tore his attention away, and when he looked again it was his own face he saw.
“Steve? You okay in there?” Oh god it was Eddie. Everything in his mind was screaming to run, hide, get away. But there is nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
All he can do is face this.
“I’m fine.”
“Bullshit, unlock this door, Harrington.” The door shook in its frame, and subconsciously Steve backed away. Everything was getting dark around him. Nothing felt right anymore. Everything was wrong.
“Steve I swear to whatever god you believe in if you don’t unlock this door I’m breaking it down!”
“STEVEN! UNLOCK THIS DOOR THIS INSTANT!”
“Come on man, you’re scaring me!”
“Real men don’t get scared, Steven.”
“Come on Steve, please.”
“I’m coming in whether you like it or not, son. This is for your own good.”
For your own good.
For your own good.
For your own good.

Chapter Text

“Steve!” Someone was shaking him, but his eyes wouldn’t focus. He didn’t want to see that belt again. Didn’t want to see the disappointed face of his father.
Then…
Someone was hugging him.
The shaking stopped.
Someone was crying.
He tried desperately to force his eyes to focus, but all he could hear was the ringing voice of his father.
“You’re a disgrace to this family.”
“Man up, Steven.”
“Forget about this delusion.”
“Come on Steve. Can you hear me?”
That was Eddie's voice.
“Eddie?”
“I’m here man.”
“I-i can’t see.” He felt like he was choking on the panic. He couldn’t breathe. Everything was black. Everything was gone. Nothing was right anymore.
He heard Eddie mutter something, and then his hand was placed against someone’s chest.
“Can you feel that?”
“Heartbeat.”
“Right. Focus on it. Try to calm down.” Steve forced all the thoughts and voices away and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to focus on the rhythm against his palm.
Ba-bump.
Ba-bump.
Ba-bump.
Slowly his breathing began to even out. When he finally opened his eyes, Steve saw the darkened bathroom around them. Crouched in front of him was Eddie, who was holding one of his hands against his chest. His other hand was on Steve’s face, thumb brushing over his cheekbone delicately. His eyes slowly met Eddie’s, and the feeling came back.
A feeling Steve knew very well.
The blessing of a hopeless romantic.
Well, maybe not so hopeless.
“Steve? Are you there man?” Eddie smiled slightly, and Steve would’ve sworn on his own life that something in him melted. He couldn’t stop the soft smile that spread across his face.
“I’m here, Eddie. I’m here.”
"Jesus, you scared me Harrington." Without thinking, Steve pressed their foreheads together, sighing tiredly.
"You and me both, Munson." Steve pulled back slightly and had to stop himself from laughing. Eddie was slack-jawed and bright red. "Are you okay?"
"Huh?" He blinked several times, then nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for me, Munson.” Steve hadn’t even meant to say it, but when push came to shove it had been what he was thinking. What caught him off guard the most was his response.
“You wish, Harrington.” Eddie helped him to his feet, and then proceeded to drag him back downstairs. Dustin looked up from the papers before him as they came into the kitchen.
“Good, you found him. Come on Steve.” Steve sat down on one side of Dustin, Eddie returning to his seat on the other side. “We need your help.”
“Why do you need my help with your Dungeons and Dragons game? I don’t even know how to play.”
“Exactly, that’s why you’re here.” Steve looked first at Dustin, then Eddie who was grinning like a madman.
“What-No. No, you are not looping me into your weird nerdy game Henderson.”
“Aw, King Harrington feels threatened by a fantasy game. I told you Dustin, he’s a lost cause.” Steve wanted to wipe the shit-eating grin off his face, so badly.
“Fine. You teach me how to play, Eddie.” That did it, and for a moment Steve could see Dustin looking between him and Eddie with an odd expression.
“Alright, let’s do this Harrington.”
Steve couldn’t have prepared himself for this.

Chapter Text

Steve felt like digging his thumbs into his eyes. There was so damn much to this game. The filled-in character sheet stared back at him, almost mocking how little he’d actually gotten done.
“Jesus this is complicated.” That got some laughs from Eddie and Dustin, and despite himself Steve smiled.
“It’s all good, Harrington.” Eddie smirked, and Steve tried to fend off the crisis he had been having earlier in the evening.
Evening?
“Oh, damn.” Steve looked up at the clock on the wall. 11:45. “How did it get that late?”
“Oh shit. My mom's going to be pissed.” Dustin grabbed his backpack and ran out the door before Steve could stop him. There was silence for a long moment, then he sighed and put his head down on the table.
“You good Harrington?”
“Yeah. My brain feels overloaded, but other than that I’m just awesome.” Steve glared at Eddie, who burst out laughing.
“Sorry man. It’s a lot to take in, I know.” Steve rolled his eyes and got up.
“It’s all good, Munson. Do you need a ride home or something?”
“I wouldn’t want to inconvenience the great King Steve Harrington.” He smiled, and Steve tilted his head to one side, smirking.
“I dragged your ass out of hell, Munson. Driving you back home isn’t an inconvenience.”
“Touché, Harrington.” Something sat on the edge of Steve’s tongue, and in a moment of courage he let himself just talk.
“I mean, if you want you can stay over. There’s an empty bedroom across from mine that you’re welcome to.” A little bitterly, Steve thought of how when he was in school, he wouldn’t have been caught dead inviting Eddie ‘The Freak’ Munson to his house, let alone for him to stay the night.
What a shallow asshole I was.
“Harrington, are you trying to imply something unholy?” Steve looked at him for a moment, processing what he’d said.
“Wha-OH. No, God no. Seriously dude, if you wanna hang we can hang.” Eddie’s self-satisfied smirk did little to stop the embarrassment Steve already felt.
Although, Steve thought, Getting close to Eddie doesn’t sound that bad.
“Well, I am not one to turn down free entertainment.”
“Right, well there’s not exactly much I can provide in terms of entertainment,” Steve didn’t miss the raised eyebrow, but rather ignored it. “I’ve got movies, though from what I’ve heard they might not be to your taste.” Eddie stood and raised a hand.
“I’ll be the judge of that, Harrington.” Steve relented and led him to the living room where his personal collection of VHS tapes and the television sat rather unused.
Eddie busied himself perusing the tapes, so Steve slipped away to make popcorn. With the bag in the microwave, he popped back into the living room to see Eddie grabbing a VHS.
“No fucking way.”
“Is there a problem?” Steve walked over, trying to see what Eddie was holding.
“Problem? This is great. My only question is why does King Steve 'The Hair' Harrington own a VHS of Rocky Horror Picture Show?” Eddie was looking at him like this was some great miscommunication between them.
“Oh, Rocky Horror? I haven’t watched that in a long time. Sure, throw that in. Popcorn should be done soon.” Steve walked away, but before he was out of earshot, he could hear Eddie mumbling to himself.
“Feeding me and watching one of my favorite movies? I must be dreaming.” This time, Steve let the smile fall into place. It was good to know they at least had something in common. He pulled the popcorn bag out and dumped it into a large bowl. When he went back into the living room, Eddie was on the couch and the opening credits were rolling. To avoid any unintended subtext, Steve sat on the other side, putting the popcorn bowl between them. While the wedding scene played, Steve smirked. He remembered this movie had audience participation, and that was half the fun.
“and now, now she’s Mrs. Ralph Hapshatt.” That was his cue.
“Half-shit! ” They both shouted. Steve looked at Eddie, who was looking back at him just as surprised. They both burst out laughing.
“You know the audience participation?” Steve nodded.
“The first time I saw it, I remember walking in not knowing what I was getting into.” He smiled, reminiscing. “I’d snuck out my bedroom window so my dad wouldn’t lecture me again. That movie was the most fun I’d had in so long, man.”
“Steve the teenage rebel.”
“You say that like it’s some big secret of mine.” When he realized Eddie was gawking at him, Steve raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“You, Steve “Golden Boy of Hawkins” Harrington, were a teenage rebel?” Now it was Steve’s turn to stare.
“You’re joking, right?” When it became clear Eddie was indeed not joking, he laughed. “Dude, I threw parties against my parents’ will all the time. Hell, the first time I got shitfaced drunk was when I was sixteen! Sneaking out to see Rocky Horror is not the worst of my ‘crimes’, Munson.”
“This is insane.” Eddie laughed and looked at the ceiling. “I mean, for years I was told you were this pinnacle of what a person should be. Untempted by sin, pure of heart, popular, handsome. To people like me, you were flawless.”
“Well, sorry to disappoint.” Steve’s gaze lingered on Eddie, who smiled before turning to face him.
“I’m not disappointed, Harrington. It’s comforting to know you and I aren’t so different after all.”

Chapter Text

“DUSTIN! WE NEED TO LEAVE NOW!” Steve could see him, crouched on the ground surrounded by dead and dying demobats. Everything was shaking around them.
“I CAN’T LEAVE HIM!” When he got closer, Steve could see why he refused to leave.
“Eddie…”
“You’re just the decoys.”
“We are not heroes.”
“No, no. Damn it! Robin, get Dustin out of here. I’ll get Munson.”
“I’m not leaving him!” Steve knew that feeling. He knew it well.
True Devotion.
“Dustin, I need you to go with Robin. I’ll get Eddie, okay?” Hesitantly he nodded, and Robin half-led half-carried Dustin back to the portal. Without the main controller of the Upside Down, it was beginning to fall apart around them.
“Munson, come on man can you hear me?”
“Steve? ” Oh, thank fucking god he’s alive. "Hey big boy. You came back for me."
"Shut up and save your strength." It was obvious he couldn't walk, so Steve picked him up bridal style and tried to hurry out of there. The sound of thunderous crashing was right on his heels.
“I tried to be a hero, Steve.”
“I know Eddie. You are a hero. Now live to see the next dawn, okay?”
“Heh, yeah. Right. ” Steve could see the strength fading out of him, and all he could hear was his failing heartbeat.
“No, damn it. Stay alive Munson!”
“Sorry, Stevie. I…” His breathing was shaky as he tried to smile. “I don’t think that’s gonna happen. ”
“No!”
Steve bolted upright, breathing rapid and shallow.
Another nightmare.
His hands were shaking, and he dug his nails into his palms, trying to stop the tremors. He got up, standing there by the side of his bed for a long moment, debating with himself. He didn’t want to invade Eddie’s space, but he needed to know he was okay. Silently, Steve opened his door and looked across the hall.
He’s fine. You talked to him earlier. He’s in there, you saw him go in there.
It didn’t matter.
He could hear something on the other side of the door. It sounded like crying. So, Steve took a deep breath and knocked.
“Eddie? Are you okay there?” It was quiet for a long moment. “I know you’re awake. Can I come in?”
Another long pause, then,
“Okay.”
He eased the door open and walked around until he was standing beside the bed. Eddie was shaking slightly, and carefully Steve placed a hand over his.
“What happened?”
“I-I was back there and, and, the bats-” His breathing was ragged, and Steve slowly laced their fingers together.
“It’s okay now, Edds. You’re here, with me, in the normal world. We made it out of there.”
“But we almost didn’t Steve. I almost died, damnit!” Steve kept a hold of Eddie’s hand and began wiping away his tears with his free hand.
“And I was so scared of losing you. But I didn’t. You are stronger than you know, Eddie.” He smiled, but it hurt to see Eddie cry. “We’ll make it back to normal, okay?”
“Normal, right.” Eddie laughed quietly, and Steve couldn’t help but smile like a fool.
And oh, what a fool he was.
But that didn’t matter.
“Stevie.”
“Huh?” Steve blinked. Had something happened? Eddie was smiling at him, in a way that felt different than before, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
“You were staring again.” He raised an eyebrow and Steve would’ve sworn his heart skipped a beat. “Is something on my face?”
“Oh, no no. Sorry. I kind of, spaced out?” God, he didn’t even convince himself. “That was a terrible excuse.”
“No shit Harrington.” Steve rolled his eyes, trying to ignore the warmth in his face. "So why were you really staring at me?" Steve forced out a laugh.
"Don’t flatter yourself Munson." Steve stood to leave, but Eddie grabbed his wrist.
“Don’t leave.” His voice was softer now, and he wasn’t looking Steve in the eye. "Please."
Steve smiled and gently put a hand over his.
“I’ll come back. Just gonna grab some blankets and pillows.” Eddie looked up at him. confused. “Unless you thought we’d both fit on that tiny bed.” Eddie chuckled, then let him go. Steve did as he said, and he listened quietly as Eddie's breathing evened out and he fell asleep. Steve let his own eyes drift closed and let the darkness behind his eyelids take him into a deep dreamless sleep.

Chapter Text

Steve opened his eyes, yawning slightly as he tried to wake up. He could hear soft snores and looked up to see Eddie, half hanging off the bed, sound asleep. Absently Steve reached up and brushed back his hair.
It's so soft, oh my lord could he be more perfect.
"Hmm." Steve turned his focus back on Eddie's face. He looked so peaceful like this, with no tell of the shit he'd been through. He allowed himself to stare for a moment, and he didn’t suppress the soft smile that followed.
"I will keep you safe." Steve whispered, more to himself than to Eddie. "I promise."
"Aww, you're making me blush, Stevie." Eddie’s eyes opened, and Steve was made acutely aware of just how close their faces were.
"Clearly you can’t be trusted to keep yourself alive, I had to carry you out last time." Eddie shoved him away in retaliation.
"Fuck off Harrington,” Eddie glared, but it was half-hearted, and Steve knew it. He smiled, sleep still working its way out of his system.
“You feel any better?”
“Yeah, actually.” Eddie sat up, stretching his arms above his head. Steve didn’t miss the peak of his midsection from his lifted shirt, and he felt a vague pang in his own scars at the sight of Eddie’s. Subconsciously a hand went to his throat, feeling the line of scarred skin around his neck. He sat up, staring at the floor ahead of him for a long moment.
“Steve?” He looked up, seeing Eddie staring back at him.
“Yeah? What’s up?” There was something dark in his eyes, turning the bright brown Steve had gotten used to into an almost black void.
“Why did you save me?” Steve wasn’t sure he’d heard him right.
“Why did I save you?” The question felt absurd, but nothing in Eddie’s darkened expression told Steve this was a joke. “Eddie, I couldn’t leave you there.”
“Why not? I was basically dead already.”
“But you weren’t.” Steve reached for his hand, and Eddie pulled it away like he’d been burned. Steve stared into his eyes, hand still hovering. “And I didn’t want to lose you too.” He dropped both his gaze and his hand, curling in on himself a little. “I don’t think I could handle losing anyone else at this point.”
Neither spoke for a long moment, but Steve could feel Eddie’s gaze on him. He ignored the stare and picked up his makeshift bed, walking back into his own room. Once the door was between them, Steve threw himself against the soft surface of his mattress, burying his face in the familiar bedspread while he tried to keep from losing it.

“You’re late, Harrington.” Robin was glaring at him, and Steve tried to keep up a brave face.
“Sorry. I had to drop E-” Shit. “A letter off at the post office. Didn’t realize how long it would take.” Steve smiled slightly, hoping she wouldn’t press about it.
“Whatever dingus. Don’t make a habit of it though.” She flipped down the sunshield, using the small mirror to touch up her makeup. When they arrived, she pulled out the keys and opened the front doors.
“Time to get to work.” She rolled her eyes slightly, then flicked the lights on.
It was never very busy this early in the morning, so Steve was left with too much time on his hands. His mind wandered back to the night before. What about Eddie made him feel, different? Why did their banter feel so natural and easy, like he’d been talking to Eddie since forever?
Why had his reaction hurt so much?
Steve shook his head. This was more than he knew how to deal with. He sighed, then noticed Robin glaring at him. “What?”
“You’ve been staring at the wall and sighing for the past fifteen minutes, Steve. What’s wrong?” Fuck.
“I'm just, thinking.” Jesus, he needed to get better at lying.
“About?" She pressed.
“I think I have a crush.” Robin would understand, right? Why wouldn't she understand?
“Really? Tell me about her then.” Steve felt a white-hot shame leech into his skin, but he pressed forward. She of all people would understand.
“She’s, um, a little shorter than me. Curly hair, really soft. Kind of nerdy but in a cute way? Total tough attitude, but really sweet and a little childish when you get to know her. Wears a lot of black, band t-shirts, ripped jeans. Y’know?” Robin looked at him for a long moment.
“That just sounds like a female Eddie.”
“Wow, crazy, I didn’t think about that. Huh, guess you’re right.” Steve tried to appear calm. “Yeah in a lot of ways she’s like him.” Robin raised an eyebrow.
“‘A lot like him,' you say.” Steve tried to relax. Fuck it. Now or never, Steve. Pull yourself together.
“Yeah.”
“What’s her name?”
“..." His tongue felt like a lead weight in his mouth, and Steve gripped the edge of the counter to stabilize himself.
“Steve, what aren’t you telling me?” He sighed and made sure the store was still empty.
“My crush isn't on this girl, Robin.” She looked at him for a moment but said nothing.
He felt like he was choking on the words but forced them out.
"It's not a girl at all."
“I’m sorry, what?” She looked at him, then at the front door, then back. “But you totally dated Nancy in high school. And like, a shit ton of other girls.”
“I know, Robin.” he stared at the ceiling, tapping his fingers against the counter. “I hated myself for it for so long, and everything I'd ever known had told me I was wrong. It took meeting you, and hearing you talk about it, for me to actually start to accept what for so long I'd pushed away."
Robin opened her mouth, closed it, then tried again.
"So is it just guys? Or what?" Steve smiled a little, shaking his head.
"Kind of a guys and girls thing, if that makes any sense." She smiled and nodded.
"Perfect sense." Steve hadn't expected the wave of relief that would come from finally actually saying it out loud with not retaliation. the doorbell went off, and they both turned to face the front of the counter.
“Time to earn our paychecks.” Steve chuckled, and the two of them went back to work, and this weight felt like it was lifted off his shoulders.

Chapter Text

"Steve, stop bouncing your leg, it's making the stool creak like crazy." Robin had been saying this every ten minutes, and Steve apologized yet again. He was a bundle of nervous energy and couldn't find anything to put that energy into. The minutes were ticking by in an agonizingly slow march. When he felt his leg begin to bounce again, Steve stood up and put his hands on the counter, stretching his back to distract himself. He sighed, resting his head on one hand while he gazed out the front windows. The only real customers this early in the morning were the people coming back with returns, so he found his distraction.
"I'm going to put these tapes away." He grabbed the return box and hauled it up on one hip, using his free hand to re-shelve the tapes while he hummed along to the radio music.
"How are you like this?" Robin was following him with her gaze, a mix of confusion and frustration evident in her tone.
"Like what, Robin?"
"How are you so normal?" Steve paused mid-step.
"Normal?"
Why can't you just be normal?
Steve tried to laugh it off.
"Practice makes perfect, I guess." He returned his attention to the tapes, and tried to ignore Robin's stare burning holes in his back.
“Practice, Steve? What do you mean ‘practice’?” Steve put the empty box back under the counter, and finally he looked at her.
“Family issues, Robin. One’s I’m not too fond of talking about, mind you.” He didn’t mean to be so bitter. “Sorry. I’m just used to pretending everything’s okay, so it comes naturally now. That’s why I’m so ‘normal’, I guess.”
“Oh, right, sorry.” Steve wanted to kick himself. You made her uncomfortable, you idiot.
When someone finally came to take over their shifts, Steve was about ready to hightail it out of there. Robin had gotten a call from her parents earlier in the shift, so she already had a ride home. The only thing stopping him was that very same energy he was so desperate to be rid of. He tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, trying to slow his rapidly beating heart. How the fuck was he going to deal with this stupid crush?

Just knock. It’ll be fine. Just relax. Steve took in and released a breath and knocked.
“Yeah, I’m coming. Hold on.” He could hear stumbling and something falling over, followed by “Shit,” and the door opening before him.
“Harrington, fancy seeing you here.” Eddie smiled in a way that Steve couldn’t help but smile back.
“Hey Eddie. I just wanted to see if you maybe wanted to, I don't know,” He paused. “Hang out?”
Eddie stared at him for a long moment, then he laughed.
"You're asking me to hang out? What parallel universe did I wake up in?"
"So, is that a, no?" Steve didn't know why he let himself believe this would work.
"Well, I guess I could make time for you Stevie." Eddie grinned and pushed past him to get in the passenger seat of Steve's car.
“So, Harrington." They were driving back to Steve's house, but Eddie decided conversation was better than, as he called it, Steve's shit taste in music. "Did Henderson pester you into hanging out with me?"
“Dustin? No, nothing like that.” Steve tried to focus on the road, but he could see Eddie’s confused expression out of the corner of his eye. "I just thought, you know, we could just get to know each other better."
“Gross, emotional feelings shit.” Eddie rolled his eyes, laughing quietly.b“Don't tell me you're gonna spill your guts on me, Harrington.”
“Well,” Steve let out a mischievous grin. “getting stoned is more fun with friends.”
Eddie was wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
"What?"
"Does getting high with Steve "The Hair" Harrington scare you, Munson?" Steve laughed a little while Eddie tried to form coherent sentences. After a beat Eddie collected himself and smirked.
"No freebies Steve."
"I don't need your handouts. I've got my own stash back home."
"You really need to tell me these kinds of things, Steve." Eddie looked lost in thought for a moment, then turned to look at him. "Who was your supplier? Because I know for damn sure I never sold to Steve Harrington."
"An old family friend, you might know him."
"Who?"
"Ricky."

Chapter Text

Steve took a long drag on his joint, lying back on his bed. Eddie was sitting on the floor next to him, struggling to get a light.
"Need any help?"
"No, I got it." He most definitely did not have it. Steve propped himself up on his elbows, watching amused as Eddie fussed with the lighter. After about a minute Steve sat up and moved off the bed to sit next to him.
"Here." Steve leaned close to him, lighting Eddie's joint with the burning end of his own.
"T-thanks." Steve stretched his arms out and grinned.
"Not a problem, Edds." That slightly fuzzy feeling was starting to numb his brain, and he felt more relaxed than he’d been in weeks.
“Hey, Steve?”
“Yeah?”
"Thanks, for, you know, saving me."
"You're welcome." He turned slightly to look at him, and even in his clouded mind he couldn't help but smile slightly. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Fuck it, sure."
"Are you scared of me?"
"Fuck no. What made you think that?" Something felt forced in his tone, and Eddie was purposely avoiding eye contact.
"Eddie." Steve leaned closer, forcing Eddie to look at him. "Did I do something wrong?"
“What? No-”
“You’ve been acting weird, man.” Steve leaned back, eyes on his shoes before him. “If I made you uncomfortable just say something.”
There was a long pause of silence, and Steve could feel the awkward unsaid words between them, but his mind was fuzzing over quickly.
“Hey Steve?”
“Mm?”
“Can you keep a secret?”
“Yeah man, what’s up?”
“I think I’ve fallen in love.” Before Steve could stop himself, he laughed. Once he regained control, he forced himself to lean forward, trying to focus on Eddie’s face. Neither was sober enough to be having this conversation, but here they were.
“No shit? Tell me about her?” Steve watched as he threw his head back and let it rest on the bed, laughing quietly to himself. Steve couldn't help it and laughed too, mirroring Eddie's movements while they both tried to keep talking.
"So, this person, right? Super cool, and calm under pressure. Taller than me, but not enough that I couldn't totally pin 'em against a wall." Eddie's grin turned a little twisted and Steve laughed again, feeling his sides already starting to tighten from excessive use.
"Also, a total badass, very very metal. Like, surprisingly caring despite it all. Fucking terrifying when something threatens friends, but that's also super hot."
"Jesus, you adore this person." Steve grinned while he tried to stamp down the little thornbush of bitter jealousy in his heart. Why can't he think of me like that? "So, are you gonna make me guess, or what?"
"Steve." Despite his impaired state, Steve could tell there was a sudden shift in tone. Eddie was looking at him now, making direct eye contact. Steve nodded, trying to show he was listening.
"Yeah?"
"This guy might kill me if I ever tell him."
????
Steve's face pinched in confusion, and he turned his gaze to the ceiling, hoping the stucco would have the answers he was looking for.
This guy might kill me if I ever tell him.
Guy. Him.
!
"Oh."
"Steve?" Eddie's eyes were wide and frantic, searching every inch of his expression when Steve turned to face him again.
"Well, if this guy can't get it through his thick skull that he'd be passing up a badass, creative, and amazing guy like you, then he's not worth your time." Eddie closed his eyes and laughed, the kind that forces you to hold your stomach because you might split a seam if you don't. Steve smiled, only letting himself be a little bitter in the dark corner of his mind. How do I compete with this wonder guy? He sounds perfect.
"Well, he might be in love with someone else." That made Steve's heart ache. He knew that feeling all too well.
"I'm so sorry Edds." Steve gently put his hand over Eddie's and took it as a silent victory when he didn't pull away. "No one deserves to go through that kind of pain, but it might be for the best." He tried to smile.
"What'd you mean?"
"Maybe this guy isn't the right one? I mean, when Nancy started dating Jonathan I was devastated. But, I got over her. We weren't good for each other, and now we work better as friends." Steve smiled; eyes half-lidded as the emotional drain started to catch up with him. He was exhausted.
"But, what about that dream? The one you told her about?" Steve tried to focus on what was being said, but his eyes were already drifting closed.
"Just a stupid dream," he slurred, head bobbing slightly as he lost consciousness.

Chapter Text

Steve could feel someone laying on him, even while his dreams tried to drag him back into unconsciousness. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking to clear the blurriness of sleep from his sight. Eddie was laying perpendicular to him, with his head on Steve’s lap.
“Rise and shine, sleeping beauty.” Steve shook his head and looked down at him, a small smile creeping across his face.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“I’m so deeply offended that the King felt safe enough around me to sleep.”
“I see you made yourself comfortable, Munson.” Steve grinned as he saw the bright red spill across his skin. “Do I make a sufficient pillow?”
“Can it, Harrington.” Eddie sat up and moved so he was sitting next to him again.
“It’s crazy.” Steve shook his head, smiling despite his slightly sour feeling. “I haven’t felt this much like an actual teenager in years.”
“Shit, dude.” Eddie punched him gently in the shoulder. “You’ve gotta loosen up more.”
“Yeah, I know.” He sighed.
“Being that pretty must be tiring, Stevie.”
“You must be exhausted.” He wasn’t even thinking about it, and it took Eddie’s bright red wide-eyed stare for him to pause and think, which caused him to flush too. Steve tried to change the subject, and checked his watch.
“Shit, dude. It’s getting late.” Steve stood up, making sure his keys were still in his pocket. “I’ll drive you back home.”

Steve was alone once again, sitting quietly in his living room. He's just there, lying on the floor with his feet up on the couch behind him. The oppressive silence has his house in a chokehold, and Steve is starting to hear things. Echoes in the walls, creaks in the support beams. The quiet whispers in his own head are getting louder now, and Steve knew if he didn't find a distraction soon he'd be spiraling within the hour. He reached for the small drawer under the coffee table, one only he knew about. Inside was a book, one he'd hidden there several years ago. Its cover was still in good condition, if a little dusty. Carefully Steve opened the book, letting the anxiety start to melt away.
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.
However, he began to grow tired, and no sooner did he mark his place and drag himself upstairs than he fell asleep before even hitting the pillow.
Or rather, he would have, if someone hadn't started pounding in his front door before he even could hit the mattress. Part of him wanted to ignore it. It can probably wait until tomorrow. He wanted nothing more than to sleep, but he relented and went back down, silently muttering to himself as he opened the door.
"What is it-" his words were lost in the chilled night air as he took in the sight on his doorstep.
"What happened?" Robin was shaking slightly, her eyes red and a little puffy. Her makeup was running, and Steve just let her inside without another word.
Once she'd dropped her bags (Steve knew he'd have to ask about them later) and wiped away the majority of her tears, did she finally answer his question. They sat on his couch, turned in towards each other as if to keep out all that could hurt them.
"My parents." She paused, and Steve listened. "They found out."
Oh.
"Oh, Robin." Gently, Steve held her close, letting her cry any remaining tears into his shoulder. Occasionally he whispered soft kind words to comfort her, wishing not for the first time that he could just take away that pain. Nothing broke him up more than seeing her like this, where he can do nothing but be there for her.
"I-I don't know what to do, Steve." She sounded so desperate and, being cursed with an unending well of empathy, Steve could feel his own heart shattering a little.
"They kicked me out, and I don't have enough money for anything. I don't know if I can even keep going to school." She was starting to spiral, and Steve tried to comfort her.
"Robin, it'll be okay." He smiled softly, and she finally looked up at him. "You'll be okay."
"How? Steve, I have nowhere to go. I am homeless. How am I going to be okay?!"
"You can stay here. For as long as you need." For a moment everything was silent.
"Are you serious?"
"Robin, you are my best friend. What's mine I would give to you and more." He smiled a little. "Because I know you'd do the same for me."
She smiled, before something seemed to occur to her.
"What about your parents?" The question almost blind-sided him.
"My parents? What about them?" She looked at him.
"Are they going to be okay with you inviting a 'random girl' to live in their house?" Something bitter bit into his soul, but he stamped it down and didn't let it show.
"Don't worry about them." He tried to smile, but with a mix of his own problems and the heartache of his friend, the gesture was nearly impossible. "They won't care."
He could tell Robin didn't buy it, but it was late and it was obvious neither of them wanted much else than to sleep. So Steve helped her carry her two bags, which were concerningly light by his judgment, into one of the unoccupied rooms. Once he knew she was settled he returned to his own room, barely having the energy to change clothes before falling into a deep slumber of fitful dreams.

Chapter Text

One benefit Steve hadn't considered to Robin staying with him was that he didn't have to leave early to pick her up. The next morning, he silenced his alarm, cursing the pitiful amount of actual sleep he got while he rolled out of bed, getting dressed like normal. The collar of his favorite polo rubbed uncomfortably against his neck, and he glared at the dark bruises of bags growing by the day under his eyes. He debated just saying 'fuck it', but the scar tended to get him odd glances and even more uncomfortable questions. So, he grabbed the small pot of concealer and carefully blended the strikingly pale scarring into the rest of his skin and hid his growing sleep deprivation. When he looked in the mirror, he couldn't help but see himself years ago, before any of this ever happened. Back when he would stare in the mirror and believe himself to be all the words his father called him.
Steve resisted the urge to just punch the mirror, instead distracting himself with his morning hair routine while his thoughts drifted to his plans and what he had to get done today. When eight am rolled around, Steve was downstairs in his kitchen, making breakfast like he did every day. He was so used to this routine; it actually startled him when Robin came downstairs.
"Morning." It took a second for his brain to catch up, recalling the events of the night prior.
"Morning," he echoed, trying to find something to say. "Are you hungry?"
"Starving." She was eyeing the food with clear intent. Steve smiled and split the omelet in half, one of each of them. They ate together in relative, but not uncomfortable, silence before leaving for another day of employment. They clocked in to work, ready for another boring shift.
Oh how wrong they were.
Steve was working the counter while Robin was running inventory. Despite how much she complained, she refused to switch when Steve offered to do it for her. The bell over the door snapped Steve out of his thoughts, and he was surprised to see Nancy approaching the counter.
"Hey Nancy. What brings you in?" She gave him a quick smile and looked around behind him. "You, looking for someone?"
"Robin, actually. Is she here?" Steve tensed slightly, and Nancy being Nancy, she caught it. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She didn't look convinced, but Steve didn't want to talk for Robin. "She's a bit busy right now, Nance. Did you need something?" She looked visibly disappointed, and Steve tried not to take it personally. They were friends now, and she'd moved on.
So why did her disappointment still hit that sore nerve?
"No, no it's okay. Thanks, Steve." He could take a hint. She waved as she left, and he returned the gesture before sighing and resting his forehead on the counter.
"What was that about?" The accusation in her tone gave Steve pause. He turned to face Robin, who looked bitter and betrayed.
"What was what? Nancy came in, I tried to help her, and she left. Like any other customer. What's the big deal?"
"I thought you said you didn't love her anymore." Steve went wide-eyed.
"I, I don't. I told you Robin. I'm over her. We're friends, that's it."
"What did she want?"
"To talk to you, actually." Robin's bitter grimace faltered, replaced by confusion.
"What?"
"I told her you were busy 'cause I know you hate being interrupted while working inventory. She apparently only needed to talk to you so she just, left." Something was off about this. Why was she getting so defensive?
"Oh." She dropped his gaze, then turned away. "Sorry, for accusing you."
"Yeah, no worries." His brow furrowed. "What, were you accusing me of, exactly?"
"Nothing, nothing. It's stupid." She walked away before he could question further, so he dropped it.
The bell rang again as a customer entered, and Steve put on his 'customer service' face, as Robin called it. He smiled and greeted the woman, who smiled and asked where to find comedies. He pointed her in the right direction, and off she went. Steve tried not to deflate then and there. It was so fucking boring to work the morning shift, and the radio music was barely enough to keep his attention on actually doing his job. He couldn't technically leave the counter until Robin came back either, so the only thing he could do was wait. When the bell went off again, Steve had to keep himself from doing a double take. Jason Carver and two of his basketball lackeys were approaching him, and from the number of times he'd had Eddie, Mike, Lucas, or Dustin hide in his house because Carver couldn't accept that Hellfire wasn't a cult, or that Eddie hadn't killed Chrissy, had given Steve all the fuel he'd needed for a strong hatred of the guy. He waved and they ignored him, heading into the action movies and talking noisily to each other. The real tension began when the bell went off again, and in walked Eddie. From Steve's vantage point he could tell Eddie hadn't seen Jason, but Jason sure as hell saw him.
Well fuck.
"Hey Eds." Steve smiled casually, keeping Carver and his lackeys in his peripheral while focusing on Eddie. "How can I help you this, frankly gross Sunday morning?"
"You could say that again, Harrington. If the humidity doesn't kill ya, the bugs will." He laughed, and Steve nodded, noting that Jason was watching them intently.
"Do you need help finding a movie for tonight?" Eddie looked at him, confused. "We're still on for movie night, right?" Being the blessing that she is, Robin came back to the counter.
"We're having a movie night?"
"Yeah Robin, don't tell me you forgot?" He turned to her, then tried to draw her attention to Carver. She followed his indication, then nodded.
"Oh, yeah I forgot that's tonight! Come on Eddie, we'll go pick one out." Eddie raised an eyebrow, but went with her, nonetheless. Steve could see Jason making his move and stepped out from behind the counter to block him.
"Can I help you, Carver?" He didn't try to hide the threat in his voice. He had a little height over Carver and used that to his advantage. He leaned close to him, which caused him to fall back a step. Steve smiled kindly, but the kindness stopped before his eyes, which were cruel and ice cold. "Try anything right now and I'll get your ass banned faster than you could blink. Are we clear?" Carver sneered, but returned to his friends, muttering angrily as he went. Steve smirked and went back behind the counter. Robin returned moments later, a very confused Eddie in tow.
"Did you take care of him?" She glanced Jason's way. "Why are they still here?"
"Who's here?"
"Carver. And he won't be bothering us." Eddie actually flinched, but he didn't turn to look. Steve could see Jason glaring daggers, but when he saw Steve watching him, looked away. "If he knows what's good for him, at least."
"So, there isn't a movie night tonight?" Steve looked at Eddie, confused. That had been a half-baked cover story. He hadn’t intended for it to genuinely happen.
"Do you want to have a movie night, Munson?"
"Hell yeah! Besides, it'll get some life in that stuffy house of yours Harrington." Steve tried and failed to suppress the tensing of his jaw. His teeth started to ache under the strain.
"Yeah, right." He tried to relax. "Hey Robin, how about you call Nance and it'll just be the four of us. Sound good?"
"Uh, sure yeah." She nodded before heading for the employee's only room, simultaneously where the 'personal' phone was because the owners hated when employees used the counter phone for personal calls.
"So, Munson. What do you want to watch?" He didn't miss the death stare he was getting from the basketball team. It was almost 11, and Steve didn’t exactly favor the idea of letting Eddie leave alone. Jason may be a jock, but Steve knew he wasn’t stupid. For all Steve’s threats, he couldn’t always be there to protect anyone.
“You got anything funny, Harrington?” One movie came to mind, and Steve smiled.
“I might know something.”

Chapter Text

It was obvious Carver and his crew weren’t going to leave, and Steve was having progressively more violent thoughts. Robin shoved him lightly, and Steve tore his attention away from the jock crew.
"What's up?"
"You seriously need to get better at hiding your emotions. You've been seething for the past five minutes."
"Sorry." He wasn't, but she was right. It would do no good to stay angry at them. He wouldn't let some self-righteous pricks ruin his day. Eddie was still there, weaving between isles and shelves while sneaking glances back at Steve. Without meaning to Steve could feel the soft smile spread across his face.
"I see you found something nice to look at." Robin was smirking at him in a way Steve didn't appreciate.
"I have no idea what you're implying Robin." He didn't meet her challenging gaze. "Is Nancy coming to our movie night?"
"Oh, yeah." Steve was so glad his diversion tactic actually worked. "She said she'll be there around six. What are we watching again?"
"You’ll see."

Somehow, they got through the shift without having a fight break out in the parking lot. Eddie ended up hanging around most of the day, and Carver seemed to accept defeat before too long and stalked away, bitterness radiating off him as he went. When the door slammed behind them Steve could feel the weight lift off his chest. The store was practically empty again, and for that Steve was grateful.
“So, Steve.” Eddie grinned at him, and Steve had to fight to keep from smiling back. Jesus Christ what have you done to me Eddie? “What are we watching tonight?”
“If I told you, Munson, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
“I hate surprises.”
“I know.” Now it was Steve’s turn to grin. Two can play this game Munson.
“Keeping secrets isn’t a good look for you, Stevie.”
“GAG.” Robin was at the computer, checking if anything was overdue before they closed. “Would you two quit it already?”
“Aww, you’re no fun Buckley. I'm just teasing Harington here, let me have a little fun.” She actually turned to glare at him, and Steve tried to stifle a laugh.
“Not if I have to listen to your gross flirting.” Steve actually did laugh this time, but a little bit of it hurt. He's just teasing you. This isn't real. He's not interested in you.
Eddie rolled his eyes, and Steve tried to look anywhere but at him.
“Well, I’ll drop by later. Six, right?” Steve nodded, and they said their goodbyes.
“Wow.” Robin was looking at him, and Steve raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
“You’ve really got it bad for him.” his face felt like it was on fire.
“What? No, I-I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He crossed his arms, leaning against the counter. “You’re mental.”
“Sure, Stevie.” She smiled mockingly, and Steve glared back. He couldn’t stay mad at her, but that’s what friends did. They made fun of each other without actually doing any damage.
“Okay, okay. Cut it out.”
“Tough, Steven.”
“You know I hate that.”

What the plan had been to go straight back home to get ready for this impromptu movie night, but Robin decided they needed to go to the store to pick up snacks.
“We have popcorn at home, Robin. Why are we here?”
“Because your snack selection is woefully lacking, Steve.” Without meaning to, Steve frowned. He tried to smile, hoping Robin wouldn't notice his hesitation.
“Sorry to disappoint the great Robin Buckley.”
“That still feels so weird from you King Harrington.” He managed to suppress a wince. Only barely.
“I told you not to call me that.” He felt like throwing up. “I’m no king anymore.”
“Sure, Steve.” There was fondness in her voice, and that made the ache a little lighter. She cared about him. In the most platonic way possible, she loved him.
And, in an equally platonic way, he loved her.
And that was enough.
So he smiled, genuinely this time, and they went into the store, laughing and poking fun at each other like normal.
“Oooh, we have to get these!” Robin grabbed a package of cookies off one shelf, thrusting them into Steve’s face.
“No, no way in hell are those monstrosities coming home with us.” The cookies in question were Giggles Cookies, with terrifying smiles cut into their faces. “I am not paying for those.”
“I am an independent woman, Steve. I can pay for my own snacks.” She dropped the nightmare fuel into the basket on Steve’s arm and went further down the aisle to retrieve more snacks, leaving him standing there for a long moment. The moment passed, however, and he caught up to her. Together they loaded up the basket with snacks and went home, chatting excitedly like normal teenagers.
Steve had forgotten how much he liked feeling normal.

Chapter Text

This wasn't the first time Steve had had people over for a party, obviously. He'd done this more often than anyone else for a matter of fact. So why was this specific time stressing him out so much? Was it the people? No, they were all close friends at this point. But this felt so personal, not like any of the parties he’d ever hosted before.
The situation? It was a dumb movie they could all laugh at, so that couldn't be it either. A hand was on his shoulder, and Steve turned to face Robin, who was looking at him with something akin to empathy.
"You nervous dingus?" She smiled, and a little of the stress melted away.
"Me?" He tried to laugh, but the doubt in Robin's gaze was palpable. "Maybe." Do we have enough blankets? There's some upstairs I could bring down. Pillows too. Yeah, I should go get those.
"Steve? Where are you going?"
"Getting blankets, Rob." She followed him upstairs and together they raided almost every bedroom and closet for blankets and pillows. The end result was something closer to a pillow fort than an actual couch and chairs, with snacks of all kinds covering the coffee table, and something about that made Steve smile a little. It had been a while since he'd done something childish and 'stupid’ like this.
It felt good, like part of him was healing.
"You've got that look again."
"What look?"
"You're smiling all soft and dopey again." Steve rolled his eyes, ignoring the playful shove Robin gave him. "You really need to relax more, Harrington."
"Being a full-time babysitter is a tiring job."
"You mean full-time mother." Steve looked at her, betrayed.
"I am not their mother."
"Sure, you aren't." She grinned and all Steve could do was glare. He hated it but looking back he knew she was right. Without meaning to, he'd become a single parent at the age of 20.
God, when did that happen?
Feeling a little too tired for his taste, Steve settled himself into the cocoon-fort thing he and Robin had constructed in his, err, their living room. The thought gave him pause. Something about calling it theirs made it feel a little less cold and empty.
Steve smiled and sighed contentedly, letting his eyes close as his head rested against the couch behind him.
“Jesus.” He looked over at Robin, who had made herself comfortable on one of the chairs.
“What?”
“I can’t remember seeing you this peaceful.”
“Well, it hasn’t exactly been ‘peaceful’ until recently.”
“True.”
The doorbell rang, and before Steve could even get up Robin was at the door, ushering both Nancy and Eddie into the living room. He waved, feeling slightly uncomfortable at finding himself among these soft things in front of people. At least, until Eddie promptly and unceremoniously flopped down next to him, grinning widely when Steve attempted to glare at him.
“Something wrong, Stevie?”
“You’re a prick.”
“Oh, how you wound me Harrington. Keep talking like that and I’d almost begin to think you didn’t like me.” With half of his face hidden from everyone but Steve, Eddie winked. In retaliation Steve shoved him gently, rolling his eyes to counteract the blush covering his face. He noticed Robin and Nancy were chatting to themselves, not paying them any mind. He was glad they were getting along well. Steve grabbed the remote from the coffee table and started the movie, grinning to himself as it began.

Chapter Text

"Is this the fucking Breakfast Club?" Steve laughed while Robin glared daggers at him. "Why the hell did you pick this one?"
"Hey, it’s a good movie." She stared at him. “And the parallels are almost uncanny.”
"You're not implying we're "Breakfast Club" material, right Harrington?" Steve turned his gaze on Eddie, who was working his way through one of the bags of chips. “Please tell me that’s not what you’re implying.”
"I mean, he isn't wrong." Nancy nodded to the screen. "You could argue that all of us fit one of the characters pretty well."
"Yeah, sure." Steve rolled his eyes while Eddie ranted, hands gesturing almost too fast for him to follow. "We've got a jock, a band nerd, a golden girl, and a freak. It’s like this movie was made for us.” Steve ignored Eddie’s continuing rant and tried to watch the movie, which didn’t happen as Eddie promptly backhanded him in the face while ranting about said movie. He felt metal connect with the bridge of his nose, sending a flare of pain through his skin.
Steve lifted a hand to his face, feeling something warm and thick dripping down from the bridge of his nose. His hand came away crimson, and it took him a minute to realize what had happened.
“Holy shit, Steve, are you okay?” Eddie was there, turning his head so he could look at the injury. “I am so fucking sorry man.” Eddie was so close, and Steve had to hold himself back from leaning closer. Jesus Harrington get a hold of yourself!
“Yeah, I’m fine.” Mostly true, but it did hurt like hell.
“You’re bleeding.” Steve bit back on the snide remark No shit Sherlock.
“I think I’ve had worse. Besides, I doubt you did it on purpose.” Eddie rolled his eyes, and Robin threw a towel at Steve.
“I’ll get the bandages.”
“Thanks Robin.” Eddie let go of him, and for a moment Steve hesitated. He gently pressed the towel against his bleeding nose and tried to breathe away the tension in his chest. Robin returned with a tin of bandages and tossed them to Steve, who caught them and tried to open them one-handed. Emphasis on tried, as he was failing miserably.
“Here,” Eddie took the tin and carefully moved the towel. The previously dull yellow was now stained with crimson, but the cut had stopped bleeding. Steve tried to keep still as Eddie applied the bandage, using his thumbs to smooth down the edges, hands cupping Steve's face to keep him from moving. “There ya go. Good as new.”
“Thanks.” He tried to turn his attention back to the movie after Eddie turned away, continuing his argument with Robin about something Steve didn’t catch, but something was nagging at him.
“My god, are we gonna be like our parents? ” He remembered this scene. The five were venting about why they were in detention and other things in high school life. Steve smiled a little, thinking about his own high school disasters, when a moment he’d forgotten came to mind.

“Steve! Look at this freak!” It was the first day of his freshman year, and Steve wanted nothing more than to disappear. But here he was, forcing a laugh with Tommy H. and Carol at his sides. Before him was a guy with buzzed hair and a bandana around his forehead was on the ground before them, staring up at them. The guy was a sophomore, at least Steve thought he was. It didn’t matter. But something in his mind told him “No, not this one. Don’t hurt him”. So, he stopped laughing.
“Steve, what’s up man?”
“Let’s go.” He started to walk away, and Tommy H. grabbed his arm.
“Dude, why?” He nodded towards the guy, who was picking himself up off the floor, cheeks red from embarrassment. “We’re not done here, are we?”
“You wanna fight him, fine. Leave me out of it.” Steve shook him off and kept walking, ignoring Carol who was on his other side, saying something about him getting soft and being a coward. Tommy H. was grumbling about something, but Steve didn’t care. That thought was still nagging at him though. Why had he reacted like that? What was special about this guy anyway?
Why had he stopped Tommy in the first place?
He was the King of this school, he needed to make an example of anyone who challenged him.
Right?
Without meaning to, Steve started looking for the guy in the halls. He’d see him ducking into the band room or leaving his locker between classes. Once, he saw him leaving the band room with a kick-ass guitar slung across his back, and Steve had to force his gaze away.
This guy plays guitar? Something prickly took root in his stomach, and Steve bit down hard on his tongue to stop thinking about him.
Why is he so damn cool annoying? He crossed his arms, glaring at the floor when a pair of beat-up black converse stopped next to him.
“Are you stalking me, Harrington?” Steve brought his gaze up slowly, sizing this guy up. He was taller than him, but lanky without much muscle definition. If he needed to, Steve didn’t think it would be hard to take this guy in a fight.
“What’s it to you, freak?” The word felt bitter in his mouth, and Steve wanted to punch himself just for saying it. How could he claim to be better than his own shitty dad if he did the same damn things?
“I have a name, asshole.” This guy…
“What is it, then?”
“Why should I tell you?” He smirked, looking down at him in a way that made Steve’s skin crawl. Who does this guy think he is?
“Like I care.” Steve pushed off the wall he’d been leaning against, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets. “Just buzz off, whatever your name is.” He laughed, throwing back his head and almost howling.
“Oh, you’re a real treat Harrington.” He grinned, and Steve had to force himself to stay where he was. This guy was weird, beyond a shadow of a doubt. “My name’s Edward, but friends call me Eddie.”

Chapter Text

“Hey, Harrington.” Steve blinked, shaking his head a little. How had he forgotten Eddie like that? “You, okay?”
“Yeah, dude. I'm good. Lost in thought.”
“Whatcha thinking about?”
“Nothing,” Steve sighed and smiled a little. “It didn’t matter.”
“Whatever you say, Stevie.” Eddie grinned and for a moment Steve let his gaze linger there. Eddie had a very expressive face, and he seemed to show his feelings just that much more. Steve envied him a little for it.
“OH, COME ON!” Nancy yelled, causing everyone else to jump. Everyone turned to look at her, before turning to the movie. On the screen, Allison Reynolds had just kissed John Bender. “That is such bullshit.”
Bullshit.
Nancy was still ranting, but Steve couldn't hear what she said as he tried to keep himself there, in the present moment. His breathing was rapid and shallow, but he forced his eyes to stay open, clenching his jaw so tightly his teeth began to ache, and the world around him began to fall into darkness, leaving only the distant light of the TV screen, static filling his ears as every breath burned.
“Bullshit.”
“You’re bullshit.”
“Like, it's great. Like, like we’re in love and we’re partying.”
“Like, like we didn’t kill Barb?”
“Bullshit.”
“You know,” A different voice cut through the memory, and Steve looked around, trying to find the source. He was alone in a dark room, with walls and ceiling too far away to see. In the floor he only saw his reflection, staring back at him unblinkingly. “You’re the one who told her to go to that party.”
“I thought it would help.” The reflection only laughed at him, making Steve feel worse.
“Help? Yeah, that’s exactly what a party would do.”
“Shut up.”
“Oh, why? So you can run back into those fantasies of yours? Pretend everything is still normal? You can’t ignore me Harrington, because I am you.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Then what am I?” His grin was cruel, and Steve could feel his throat closing.
“You’re not me.”
“THEN WHAT AM I?" The voice grated on his mind, and Steve felt like he was bashing his skull against a concrete wall.
“You’re nothing.”
“Oh, you wish it was that easy.” He laughed, a cruel and grating sound that echoed up into the endless void above him.
“You can’t even admit when you have a problem staring you in the face. Pathetic.”
“Shut up.”
“You are broken, Steve. You can’t fix this.”
“I’m fine.”
“Liar.”
“What?”
“You are a cruel, selfish, and disappointing little speck on this earth. No one will remember you. You will die alone. No one will mourn you.”
His ears were ringing and his entire body had gotten pins and needles.
"You haven't changed. You're still that selfish entitled rich kid living off of daddy's money." The voice cackled, throwing its head back and howling with cruel laughter. Tears burned against Steve's face, and he jammed the palms of his hands into his eyes, trying to stop them. He couldn't breathe, couldn't see, couldn't move.
"Leave me alone."
"Why should I? You can't seem to get it through your thick skull. You're nothing, Steve."
"People care about me."
"No, they don't. And you think he's gonna return your feelings?" Steve forced himself to stand, and when he opened his eyes, he was face-to-face with Eddie. He looked disgusted and when Steve tried to approach him, he backed away.
"Eds." It was a plea, a cry for help, for comfort.
"Don't touch me." The words were spat more than said, and Steve felt like he'd been burned.
"Eddie, come on man." Steve tried to smile, hoping Eddie would say something. "What's gotten into you?"
"What's gotten into you?" He chuckled, still keeping some distance between them. "Dude, I thought you liked Nancy."
"What? I mean, I did." Now or never Harrington. "But that was before, and I like you, Eddie."
"So, you're a liar." The whole world seemed to stop, and Steve felt like he'd hit a brick wall face-first.
"What?"
"Look dude. I don't get what's so hard to understand." Eddie wasn't looking him in the eye anymore. "You just have to make up your mind man."
"Wait, Eddie please-"
"You can't just flip sides because you had a bad break-up, Harrington. I'm done talking to you. You need to get your act together."
"No." The tears began to fall again, and Steve could feel his entire being shaking. "No, please. Not you too. I can't lose you too. Please, don't leave me here alone! "
"Goodbye Steve." Eddie walked away, fading into the grey fog and leaving Steve standing there alone.
"I told you. He would hate you, if he knew." His reflection looked up at him, and Steve fell to his knees and screamed until his lungs were sore. He screamed to drown out the thoughts, the voices, and the memories. He screamed until the world around him was pitch-black, devoid of any fog or mirrors. The darkness was almost worse than the voice, and it preyed on him from every side. The floor below him became unstable, and he felt the tar-like substance crawling up his legs, dragging him deeper into the dark sea below. Before he could scream the tar pervaded his mouth, smothering any sound. He reached out with his only free hand, trying to reach for something to pull himself out as the tar closed over his head, bringing him into an eternal darkness.
Is this it? Am I dying?
Then, a pair of hands wrapped around his own, then another, and another. The three sets of hands pulled, and in a moment everything was bright.