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Eddie woke to the smell of pancakes, meaning it was Uncle Wayne's day off. He loved his pancakes. Slowly Eddie got up, trying not to wake Steve and let him sleep a bit longer. The other man didn't have work till ten; he had the closing shift. Silently as he could, Eddie dressed in comfy clothes; he brought in a duffle bag for him and Steve.
“Morin," Eddie greeted his uncle with a yawn.
“Mornin," Wayne echoed.
Eddie leaned on the peninsula. Wayne handed him a cup of coffee he gratefully took.
“So, ummm, I'm going to bring the rest of my stuff over to Steve’s," Eddie said nervously, staring into his coffee. Eddie whipped his head up. “That does not mean I am abounding you. Steve or I will help you whenever you need it. We will come over and have a family dinner every week like we did last night. Every Saturday. Might not stay the night, but we will come.” Eddie rambled and tripped over his words gripping the coffee cup hard enough to shatter. Wayne delicately put his hand on Eddie’s wrist, softening his hold on the cup.
“I would like that," Wayne said simply. Eddie breathed out a sigh of relief.
“I'm thinking of bringing the mattress set over. It would fit our new bed Steve got us. Better than sitting on the ground here. I can bring Steve’s old full over here and put it in my– err– old room– other room for when we crash here.” Eddie informed him.
Wayne nodded as he flipped the last pancake. “You best not be taking advantage of that rich boy. Try and find someone who will hire you.” Wayne grumbled.
“I'm not rich,” came a sleepy voice behind them. Both men turned to look at Steve with matching quizzical looks.
Steve stole a sip of Eddie’s coffee. “I'm not rich. My parents are. They left me the house and only a quarter of my inheritance. Said it was more than I deserved considering I didn't want to leave Hawkins, I never went to college, never made something of myself, I am a fre… I am an embarrassment. Can't live off what they left me plus the government payout for the rest of my life, so I work to keep the lights on.” Steve said dryly. His throat burned and felt acrid, remembering the day they left, taking all the things they deemed valuable. He was never really considered valuable to them. Steve took another sip of coffee to chase away the taste in his mouth.
Eddie knew the word Steve was going to say. Also, he could bet his dad through in paying for his surgery into the mix of insults. It broke his heart; that is how his parents treated him.
“That is no way to treat your kid," Wayne slammed the plates down on the counter. Both Eddie and Steve jumped a bit. “Good riddance if ya ask me. Don't deserve you. That silver spoon man would not know good hard, honest work if it bit him in the ass. I see how hard you work and care for others. He doesn't want you; Eddie and I will take you. Your our family now, got it?” Wayne said aggressively, dishing out pancakes.
Eddie had never really heard the mild-mannered man get that upset or angry or say that much. Only a handful of times when he was defending Eddie or when Eddie needed to hear something important. He was happy at how much Wayne accepted him as one of his own.
Steve was shaking his head yes and crying. “Thank you, thank you, thank you," Steve blubbered. All Steve ever wanted was to be part of a family that wanted and loved him.
“Grab your pancakes, and let's have a family breakfast," Eddie chirped, a smile splitting his face wide.
Their pancake breakfast was perfect. They lightly chatted about the changes Steve and Eddie planned for the house. Wayne offered insight on some things they could do to the house.
Eddie dropped Steve off at work. He thought he would be moving his stuff alone but bless his uncle. He spent his day off helping Eddie move over. Wayne loved the D&D room slash library.
“I was wondering where your book collection had gone off to. I was worried you got rid of it.” Wayne reverently pets the spines of the book.
“It's my only connection to my mother. I could never get rid of them.” Eddie hugged himself tight, eyes getting all misty.
“I wish you had more of your father’s stuff," Wayne said bitterly.
“I have the most important thing," Eddie held up his bats for Wayne to see.
“As do I," Wayne thumped his chest.