Work Text:
Ever since Steve and Eddie got together a few months ago, they have been all over each other. They never want to leave the other’s side and they get pissy if they haven’t seen each other in a few days. Robin calls them horribly codependent but they don’t care. They think they deserve to be a little codependent after everything they went through.
After Eddie’s name gets cleared he has a lot more freedom. Even so he mostly keeps to himself, only leaving the house to visit Steve at work, or go to Steve’s house. His friends started coming to visit him at his trailer again not too long ago, but he still hasn’t gone out with them like he used to. He doesn’t go to band practice or run Hellfire Club anymore. Or at least he didn’t.
He took a break from both Hellfire and playing music for a bit. They both hit a little too close to home for him to really enjoy them. But now he’s getting restless and he’s ready to get back into doing the things he loves. He’ll be damned if he lets the Upside Down ruin his two favorite things in the world (not counting Steve).
The only issue is, he’s scared. More like petrified. He couldn’t so much as look at his guitar for an entire month after Vecna. It tore him up inside because music used to be his escape, and then all of a sudden it was the thing he was escaping from. Steve was there with him through it all. He knows better than anyone what Eddie is going through. So of course he goes to Steve for advice when he first starts considering playing with his band again.
“I just, I’m so scared Stevie. I mean, I haven’t played in months, what if I’ve forgotten how to? Or what if they don’t want me to play with them anymore? Or what if it’s just too much and I break down in front of them all?” Eddie worries, biting at the skin around his fingernails as he paces back and forth in his room.
Steve stands up from where he was sitting on Eddie’s bed, walking over to him and stopping his pacing with gentle hands on his waist. Eddie continues chewing at his fingers, looking at Steve with wide worried eyes.
“Hey, it’s okay baby. I know this is hard. You don’t have to do this if you really don’t want to. It’s okay if it’s just too much.” Steve soothes, rubbing his hands up and down Eddie’s sides. Eddie brings his hands away from his mouth, moving them to wrap his arms around Steve’s neck, leaning forward and resting their foreheads together.
“I know, but I really want to. Music is such a huge part of who I am that I don’t think I could stand if I never played again,” Eddie whispers into the space between them, feeling his nerves settle as Steve keeps stroking his sides lovingly.
“Would it help if I came with you?” Steve offers softly. Eddie perks up immediately at the idea, a little upset he hadn’t thought of it first. He stands up straighter, bringing his head back from Steve’s to look in his eyes.
“Would you really do that for me?” Eddie asks excitedly, biting his bottom lip to keep from seeming too eager.
“Of course I would, my love.” Steve replies, smiling gently. Eddie jumps up and down as much as he can in their embrace, almost knocking the two of them to the ground. Steve holds them upright, steadying them on their feet as Eddie stops jumping.
“I would love that!” Eddie says, smiling brightly. Steve is smiling just as wide, his eyes filled with love and admiration for the beautiful boy in his arms. He doesn’t think he’ll ever get used to being allowed to see Eddie like this.
“I love you,” Steve says quietly, his gaze locked on Eddie’s sparkling eyes. Eddie's smile softens into something more intimate but no less bright.
“I love you too, sweetheart,” Eddie whispers back, leaning in and placing a sweet peck to Steve’s lips. Their mouths part for just a moment before they are leaning back in to kiss each other deeply. Eddie winds his arms even tighter around Steve’s neck, pulling him impossibly closer as they kiss.
He loses himself in the feeling, letting his worries melt away as he kisses the love of his life. Steve licks at his bottom lip, Eddie eagerly opening wider to intertwine their tongues. They kiss like that for what could have been minutes or hours, neither of them know. When they pull away they rest their foreheads together, both of them panting a little harshly.
Eddie brings up the idea of practicing with the band again to Gareth a few days later. Gareth is visiting him at his trailer, the two of them smoking and watching movies. He had been nervous to bring it up, worrying the other band members might react poorly, but at the bright grin Gareth gives him his worries are quelled.
They meet up at Gareth’s garage the next day. Eddie’s hands are shaking as he grabs his guitar off his wall. It’s not technically the same one he played in the Upside Down, as that had been the Upside Down version of his regular guitar, but it’s close enough that it makes him nervous. Steve is right there to calm him down, placing soft kisses to the back of his neck as he places the guitar in his case.
The two of them exit the trailer hand in hand, walking to Eddie’s van. Steve insists on driving, giving that Eddie’s hands are still shaking a little. Normally Eddie would put up a fight at anyone else driving his van, but he is too anxious to fight back so he just tosses Steve the keys and gets in the passenger’s seat.
Steve turns on the van, pulling out of the trailer park and starting down the road. Eddie reaches over and grabs Steve’s right hand, intertwining their fingers. His leg is bouncing as he taps his free hand on it anxiously, but the light pressure of Steve’s hand in his is helping to calm his anxiety.
They arrive at Gareth’s, parking a little ways from the garage so the large van isn’t in the way. Steve looks out the windows, making sure no one is looking before turning to Eddie. He reaches his free hand up to his face and places his palm gently on his cheek. Eddie turns to face his, eyes wide and scared.
“Hey, you don’t have to do this, we can turn around and drive home right now.” Steve says, stroking the skin of his cheek with his thumb. Eddie closes his eyes, leaning into the feeling, letting his brain be soothed by the soft motion for a moment.
“No, I want to. I’m just nervous,” Eddie replies, opening his eyes to look up at Steve again. He brings his hand not tangled with Steve’s up to hold the back of the hand on his face. He leans forward over the dashboard and kisses Steve softly. The slow movement of their lips pressed together helps to further calm his worried mind. They pull back after just a short moment, not wanting to risk being caught by anyone.
“Alright, let’s get this show on the road,” Eddie says, his voice far more cheery than he feels at the moment. Steve leans in and places one last quick peck to his lips before they are getting out of the car together. Eddie grabs his guitar case from the back before walking up to Steve’s side. He longs to tangle their fingers together again, but holds himself back, the risk too great.
They walk up to the open door of the garage, side by side. All the other members are already there, each of them setting up. Gareth is the first to notice them walking up, turning around to greet Eddie with a large smile. He walks up and pulls Eddie into a hug in greeting, before pulling away and looking at Steve strangely. Steve feels awkward, shuffling where he stands for a moment before offering his hand to Gareth with a small smile.
“I’m Steve,” he greets, his smile a little too forced. Gareth eyes him up and down, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he tentatively grabs his hand and shakes it.
“Yeah, I know. I’m Gareth,” he replies cautiously. Steve pulls his hand away, shoving them into his pockets, rocking back and forth on his feet nervously. Eddie places a comforting hand on the small of his back, grinning widely at the other members of the band.
“Jeff, Gareth, Gavin, I’m sure you all know Steve. He’s going to be joining us for today, just to watch. I hope that’s okay,” Eddie introduces them, the slightly daring smile on his face indicating that he will not take no for an answer.
“Hey man,” Jeff nods to him, giving him a small wave. Steve nods back, waving awkwardly to him and Gavin. They all stand there for a tense moment before Eddie claps his hands together, breaking the tense silence.
“Okay, who’s ready to rock?” Eddie asks excitedly, his smile wide and cheerful. Even so Steve can see the worry hidden behind his eyes. He gives him an encouraging smile and two thumbs up, moving to stand off to the side. He leans against the wall of the garage, as Eddie moves towards the others, opening his case and plugging his guitar into the amp.
He throws the guitar strap over his shoulder, getting into position. He gives an experimental strum, the notes slightly out of tune. Eddie grimaces at the sound, plucking at each string as he adjusts the tuning pegs, until they are right. He strums the guitar again, the sound much smoother than it was before. A bright smile spreads over Eddie’s face, the sight making Steve melt.
He watches Eddie with a sort of reverence, admiring the familiar way his fingers work as he tunes the guitar. He has never actually gotten to see Eddie play before, and he is very much looking forward to it.
“Okay, so I’m thinking we could start with some Master of Puppets. Eds, I know you have been working on it since it first came out, and the rest of us have been learning it the past few months,” Gareth suggests, settling in behind the drum kit. Steve can see the way Eddie visibly tenses at the suggestion, his face going a little pale.
“Um, could we maybe choose a different song to start with?” Eddie asks nervously, his voice uncharacteristically shy. Gareth gives him a strange look but nods his head in agreement.
“Sure man, what song were you thinking?” Gareth asks kindly, still looking like he’s trying to figure out what’s going on in Eddie’s head.
“Oh uh, whatever. Just, anything but that song please,” Eddie replies, looking down at his guitar self consciously.
“What about Rainbow In The Dark?” Steve suggests. All heads turn to him, Gareth, Jeff, and Gavin giving him weird looks, while Eddie looks proud. He rubs the back of his neck nervously, scuffing his shoe against the ground just to have something to do. “I uh, I just know it’s one of Eddie’s favorites, and that he’s missed playing it a lot,” Steve explains quietly.
“Uhh, okay I guess. Yeah, that works,” Gareth replies, blinking owlishly at him. Eddie is giving him the brightest smile he’s ever seen. He can’t help but return the smile, looking proudly over at his boyfriend. Gareth counts them into the song, the first few notes ringing out in the garage.
It sounds a little different from what Steve remembers of the song, but he also supposes they don’t quite have all the instruments used in the original song, so it makes sense. Even so, Steve thinks it sounds pretty damn good. Especially for a band that plays out of a garage. He taps his foot along to the familiar tune, watching Eddie’s fingers moving over his guitar.
Any fears Eddie had about not remembering how to play seem to have left his brain. His fingers are moving fast and easy across the strings, a small smile playing at his lips as he goes. Steve can barely pay attention to the other members, his gaze laser focused on Eddie. He looks completely in his element in a way Steve has never seen him before. He is completely in awe of him.
“ When there’s lightning, you know it always brings me down, ” Eddie sings out the first few lyrics of the song. The sound feels like a punch to Steve’s gut. He’s heard Eddie sing before, but never like this. Never so confidently. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t find it absolutely breathtakingly sexy.
He licks his lips, his mouth suddenly feeling overly dry as he watches Eddie play and sing. He seems to get more and more confident the longer he plays, starting to move his head along with the beat. Steve is enamored by him. He thinks there must be a stupidly lovesick smile on his face but he doesn’t care. He loves Eddie so much and he looks so beautiful and happy, he will be damned if he doesn’t let himself stare.
Eddie doesn’t miss a single note, playing and singing like it’s second nature, and Steve supposes it might be. They get to the guitar solo in the song and Steve’s breath is taken away as he watches Eddie’s fingers move fast and assured over the strings. He is banging his head, propping his foot up on the amp as he plays, sweat dripping down his forehead.
His hair is wild and frizzy, and his tongue is poking out the side of his mouth as he throws his head back in concentration. The sight is downright pornographic and Steve doesn’t think he could look away if he tried. He can feel the bright red blush heating up his cheeks as he watches him.
He is so caught up in the sight he doesn’t even realize the song is almost over. They don’t so much fade out like the recording of the song does, they more just abruptly stop with the last few notes. It’s a little jarring, but Steve supposes it’s kind of hard to fade out in a live performance. It shocks him out of his trance, his posture straightening up as he tries desperately to look like he wasn’t just drooling over Eddie. The smirk Eddie throws him says he’s failing a little miserably.
“So, what did you think, Steve-o?” Eddie asks teasingly. Steve shakes his head, trying to clear his mind of the rather unholy thoughts he is having at the moment.
“You, uh, you were really good,” Steve says, his voice a little choked off. Eddie’s smirk transforms into a more genuine smile, his entire face lighting up with the praise.
“You really think so?” Eddie asks, his voice bright and excited.
“Of course, Eds,” Steve replies softly, a genuine smile spreading across his face at the excited look his boyfriend gives him. Eddie’s bright smile turns mischievous as he narrows his eyes slightly. Steve knows nothing good can come from that look.
“We should play “Like a Virgin” next, it’s Steve’s favorite song,” Eddie teases, winking at Steve. He rolls his eyes groaning loudly as he crosses his arms against his chest and throws his head back, playing up his annoyance.
“Oh my god! It was one time!” Steve throws back exasperatedly.
“You have the song on tape, sweetheart. It was more than one time,” Eddie replies, his smile widening at the blush that spreads across Steve’s face. He rolls his eyes again, flipping Eddie the bird as he relaxes back against the wall.
“Go fuck yourself, Munson,” Steve says, his words tinged with amused fondness.
“How about you fuck me instead, big boy,” Eddie flirts, not even thinking before saying it. They both freeze where they’re standing as they realize what he just said, the two of them looking anxiously at the other three boys listening in to their conversation. They are all looking confusedly between the two of them, their brains looking like they are working overtime to try and figure out what is going on.
“Holy shit!” Gareth yells suddenly, realization lighting up his eyes. Steve swears he can almost see the light bulb go off above his head. He tenses waiting for the inevitable rejection, feeling terribly confused when Gareth’s face lights up with an amused smile. “Seriously dude? This is the guy you haven’t been able to shut up about for months? Steve goddamn Harrington? Jesus christ.” Gareth laughs loudly. He has to hold himself up with the drum set as he doubles over with his laughter, sounding a little hysterical.
Steve looks over at Eddie, the latter’s face bright red. Steve feels butterflies in his stomach as he realizes Eddie talks about him! To his friends! It makes him more than a little giddy. Of course he knows Eddie loves him, but to know that he has been bragging about him to his friends makes his chest fill with warmth.
“You talk about me?” Steve asks, going for teasing but the words come out far more genuine than he means for them to. Eddie pulls some of his hair in front of his face in the way Steve knows he does when he’s feeling shy.
“Maybe,” Eddie says, shrugging his shoulders like it’s no big deal.
“Dude, he does way more than just talk about you. He doesn’t shut up about you.” Jeff pipes up, rolling his eyes as if he is put upon by Eddie’s rambling, even though he has a small smile on his face. Eddie slaps Jeff’s arms with the back of his hand, frowning at him like he has been betrayed.
“Shut up,” Eddie whispers to him between his teeth, looking properly embarrassed at this point.
“What? It’s true,” Jeff defends, rubbing his arm where Eddie hit him. Eddie hits him again, this time on the shoulder, not being able to reach his arm as Jeff is still rubbing at him. “Hey, what the hell!” Jeff yells, now rubbing at his shoulder.
“Awe, what do you say about me, Eds?” Steve teases, clasping his hands together in front of his chest and batting his eyelashes at him, as if he were swooning. The teasing helps to hide the fact that Steve feels like he really is swooning right now. God, he loves Eddie so much.
“Shut up, Harrington,” Eddie grumps, pouting petulantly as he crosses his arms against his chest.
“I’m only teasing, baby, come here,” Steve says, walking over to where Eddie is standing and pulling his arms away from his chest. He wraps Eddie’s arms around his neck, placing his own hands on Eddie’s waist. “I think it’s really sweet that you talk about me,” Steve says honestly. Eddie rolls his eyes, reaching one hand into his hair to give it a playful tug.
“God, you’re so annoying, I don’t know what I see in you,” Eddie replies, but there is a small smile playing on his face. Steve leans down and places a soft kiss to his lips, no longer having to worry about the other boys that are with them.
“Ahem. Can you maybe flirt with your boyfriend later, Eddie? We’re kinda trying to have practice here,” Gareth complains, startling them apart. Eddie rolls his eyes, leaning in to place one last quick peck to Steve’s lips before pushing him away.
“Yeah, god Steve, you’re such a bad influence,” Eddie says, smirking at him. Steve rolls his eyes right back, flipping him off as he walks back over to his spot against the wall.
The rest of their practice goes smoothly, although the others take every opportunity to rib Eddie about getting distracted by Steve. Steve just leans back against the wall, watching fondly as his boyfriend laughs and jokes with his friends, looking more like himself than Steve has seen him in months.