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Speed dating. Steve had never done this before, but hey, he didn’t have much choice. He had no clue what happened after highschool, but suddenly it was like he couldn’t flirt to save his life.
So here he was. Entering a hall for the undateable. They’d have five minutes with each person from what he understood, and judging by the weirdos he could see, that was more than enough time.
“No, no,” he thought to himself. “I’m being judgmental. I’m sure they’ll be perfectly friendly.”
After all, he couldn't talk. He’d barely made an effort, if he was honest. Grayish-blue jeans tucked up at the cuff, a fading yellow sweater. He hadn’t even made the effort to style his hair properly. The only reason he was doing this was to get Dustin off his back about seeming “lonely”.
Bah. He wasn’t lonely.
“I have many options, thank you very much.” Steve had said in reply to Dustin’s comment.
“Oh really?” Dustin retorted. “Who’re the options?”
“Well.. There’s… Robin?”
“You really think she’d go on a date with you?”
“Fine, you’ve made your point.” And so it was decided Steve Harrington would speed date.
“This is so unfair.” Steve thought to himself as he sat down.
“How is it that Henderson, of all people, can get a girlfriend, but not me? King Steve?” He smiled to himself. “If this 'Suzie' is real, that is.”
He looked around. Everyone here dressed so… Eccentrically; Handkerchiefs, leather jackets, ripped jeans…
Then he remembered the rainbow flag on the door.
Could it be that-
“Oh no. They’re all gay.”
That crafty Henderson.
Recently he’d been thinking whether his attraction was just girls. When he was younger he remembered looking at magazines in corner stores of pretty guys. He could never tell if he wanted to be them, or if he liked them. He sort’ve reckoned it was a bit of both.
He'd voiced these thoughts to Dustin a couple of times, and, clearly the kid thought it meant something.
So now here he was, the former pinnacle of toxic masculinity, strong deodorant and heterosexuality, at a gay speed dating event.
He was officially done for.
Well, he decided, Robin was covering for him at Scoops Ahoy, and he had nothing better to do, so, what did have to lose?
That’s when he sat at the table.
Eddie “The Freak” Munson.
He hadn’t even noticed that the event had started, but now he was jolted back into reality.
“Well, well, well, wasn’t expecting to see you here, Harrington.” Munson smirked.
Great, a whole five minutes of getting teased and annoyed by a dork.
“Yeah, well… I wanted to… expand my options...” Steve replied as casually as he could, eyes drifting to Munson’s arms, uncovered by his usual leather jacket and denim vest.
He was surprisingly muscular, Steve noted.
Munson's smirk grew bigger when he noticed Steve staring, but then disappeared as he noticed how unkempt Steve was.
"My, my, King Steve, you have let yourself get scruffy." Munson's smirk returned.
"Didn't think this was worth dressing up for," Steve grumbled. "Why're you here then, Mr. I'm-So-Cool-That-I-Can't-Even-Pass-Highschool?"
Munson looked slightly offended and quickly retaliated. "You need to work on your derogatory nicknames, they need to be shorter and snappier. Like for you, I'd say… Hair Gel Enthusiast."
Steve rolled his eyes. "Just answer the question, why're you here?"
Eddie hesitated for a second before responding in a less nonchalant tone "Had nothing better to do."
Steve, just from looking at Eddie the Freak, knew this was a lie. While Steve had barely made an effort to wear deodorant, Eddie clearly had dressed more dapper than usual. He raised an eyebrow.
The bell rung, signaling for them to switch places.
And off Eddie went.
Now Steve was talking to a person with a giant pink mohawk and a neon coloured patchwork jacket. They seemed nice; a bit pretentious, but nevertheless, kind. They looked absolutely appalled when Steve had said he'd never watched Star Wars, but luckily the bell had rung by that point and they were moving away.
Steve chatted to a couple more people and they were... fine. He had some nice chats, but never really connected with anyone. And all the while, he couldn't stop his eyes from wandering to glance at Eddie.
He was so charismatic, so charming, his cadence was so chaotic yet mesmerising. As more people came and went, he found himself glancing at Eddie more and more.
For a while, he thought Eddie wasn't noticing him at all, but then he caught Eddie glancing at him. Eddie Munson, staring at Steve Harrington. He looked so flustered when Steve saw as well, his cheeks flushing and eyes going wide.
Eventually, it was over. They left the room but Steve felt a tug on his sweater as he was going.
It was, of course, Eddie.
"Hey."
Steve quirked an eyebrow. "Hi?"
Eddie looked slightly nervous.
"Wanna have a smoke in my van with me?" Eddie anxiously asked, fidgeting and fiddling with his rings.
Was- was Eddie Munson going to try and ask him out?
Steve looked surprised, Eddie seemed to take that as rejection, his face falling.
"Sorry- uh.. I shouldn't've asked." Eddie mumbled, eyes falling to the ground as he started walking away.
"No, no, I-" Steve took a deep breath. "No, yeah sure- I'd love that."
"Love's a strong word…" Steve thought. "Seems. Right... though..."
Eddie couldn't contain his bright smile. "Cool, cool..." And the pair walked to Eddie's van.
Into the van they hopped, Eddie already getting out a pack of cigarettes.
Steve couldn't help but notice how nervous Eddie seemed as he sat down, resting his head against the van wall.
Eddie handed him a lit cigarette, and lit his own.
There they sat, smoking in comfortable silence, the only noises being the cars outside, the chattering of passers by, and the sounds of Eddie and Steve's breathing, both in sync with each other.
Every so often, the pair made eye contact, occasionally open their mouths to say something, but the words catch in their throat, not wanting to spoil the peace.
And so they sat, Freak and Rich Kid, Weirdo and People Pleaser, Two Boys in silence, together.