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It wasn’t like they were together.
They danced around each other a lot, flirted here and there, but Steve always thought he wasn’t Eddie’s type.
They weren't together.
So, really, Steve shouldn’t be feeling any sort of jealousy. If anything, Steve was always the first to remind Eddie that he wasn’t his type because he deserved someone who liked the same cool stuff he did.
It was more like self sabotage at that point, but there was just something about the way some guy was leaning against the bar whispering into Eddie’s ear that really made something crawl underneath his skin.
They guy didn’t look their age either, his white stubble beard giving it away. He's got a leather jacket on that even Steve can tell is probably more expensive than anything he's ever owned and his wallet sits thick in his back pocket. He had slid up next to Eddie once he stepped away to go to the bathroom. When he came back he saw Eddie with his body turned towards the guy, an amused smile on his face as he looked down to the drink the other was handing out to him.
It had a cherry in it.
Eddie hated cherries.
Steve made his way back to the bar with a glance to the pair, he could see the man ghosting a hand over Eddie’s hip as he spoke to him. Then finally he watched as the hand roamed up his side before his fingers toyed with Eddie’s curls on his shoulder.
Eddie laughs and nods along to whatever the man was saying before reaching back for the cherry drink he placed on the bar to take a sip of it. Steve can see him swallow it down quickly, his head tilting questionably with a laugh as he looks to the drink before placing it back on the bar.
He obviously didn’t like the taste of it.
Steve thinks about it. The rest of the group had split up and were spread out on the dance floor and he really didn’t feel like dancing with a stranger tonight, so he opts for staying just in case Eddie needs a way out.
And no, it definitely wasn’t just so he could cockblock him if needed. Though it definitely was because there was no way he was letting this fifty something looking year old drag Eddie out the bar.
He stands next to the man as he looks for the bartender on his left but doesn’t spot them. Instead, he gets a whiff of the cologne the man is wearing. It floods his senses, a strong musk with a wooden scent. He hates to admit that it actually smells insanely good.
The music is loud, but Steve still tries to decipher Eddie’s loud and buzzed responses for every question the man makes.
“Looking for the ones with daddy issues, then, huh?” Eddie asks with a teasing tone as he pulls away from the man to take another sip of the abominable cherry drink.
Steve dares to look to the right where the pair stand, surely the bartender is on that side. He leans across the bar, the blue lights underneath illuminating his face. He can see the cherry in Eddie’s drink has sinked down to the bottom.
That must've been a big gulp to get rid of it.
He avoids Eddie’s eyes as the other glances over to him. Steve plays it off as he averts his gaze and looks to the bartender at the end of the bar behind him and raises a hand calling him over.
He can hear Eddie laugh obnoxiously loud, he rolls his eyes at the sound.
What made it worse for Steve was that it looked like Eddie was entertaining the idea of whatever bullshit the guy was trying to pull. It was obvious he was trying to get into his pants at this point.
With the bartender in front of him, Steve orders his drink.
Two four horsemen, please.
He leans back off the bar as he waits, his fingers impatiently drumming on the surface.
“Don’t know, never been with a guy your age. Don’t knock it till you try it though, right?”
Steve’s jaw tightens at Eddie’s response. What even is the guy asking to have Eddie respond like that?
Steve shakes his head as he forces himself to continue to look straight ahead as he waits for his drinks. He can hear the man start to insist on buying him another drink, starts naming some as if Eddie would ever like drinks that aren’t straight whiskey.
Eddie declines, his hand coming up to lightly touch the man's shoulder as to not seem rude at the shutdown. But then the man suggests heading somewhere else. Somewhere more quiet.
“No, no seriously, thank you. You’re a charmer, who I’m sure knows how to have a good time” his words slur slightly as he tilts his head at the man seeking an ernest expression but failing, “But, I didn’t come alone so I can’t leave alone. You know, friend pact thing.”
Steve’s lip twitches at the response. He dares to look to the side and sees the man reach a hand out to Eddie’s hip again. This time it isn’t ghosting over, its curled and is playing with the hem of Eddie’s shirt.
Steve’s attention gets snapped back to the bar as his shots get brought over. He reaches forward for his drink and “accidentally” bumps his elbow into the man’s back. The guy turns around, his hand still on Eddie’s hip.
Eddie looks over at him, with curiosity.
“Sorry, man.” Steve says without sincerity as he turns to him bringing the shot up to his lips. He pours it down his throat with a burn.
Steve ignores Eddie’s gaze and instead keeps his eyes on the man before him, he brings his glass back down to the bar.
“Careful there.” The man says as he shoots Steve a wink.
Steve smiles, he looks over at Eddie now, finally meeting his gaze. He nods his head to the side at the remaining shot before sliding over the four horsemen across the bar to him.
“Ditch the cherry and come drink with me again.” He says with such confidence that it makes him look arrogant.
A smirk tugs on Eddie’s lips.
Steve smiles at him, an eyebrow raising in challenge. They were in a bubble now. Just the two of them, just like Steve liked it. The blue bar lights make Eddie’s eye’s shimmer with amusement. Their gaze doesn’t break as Eddie reaches for the shot and downs it.
The man is now looking over to Eddie, “What, you prefer him over me?” He spits the words out as if he couldn’t believe it.
Steve acts quick. He reaches behind the man for Eddie’s hand, he raises it up above the man’s hold on his hip, their fingers interlocking as Steve makes a show of trying to pull Eddie over to him.
“Come drink with me, Eds.” Steve coaxes with a smile.
Eddie looks down with a smile to the man’s hand that’s still persistent on his hip. He looks up at the guy, but he won’t budge.
Eddie licks his lips then and Steve’s eyes fall down to them as they glisten with spit. He gulps at the thought of tasting it against his own lips.
“What can I say? I was meant to be charmed.” Eddie says with a shrug and a teasing tone.
The man laughs as he tries to pull Eddie back in, ignoring Steve’s tugs. “C’mon sweetheart, it’s not like he’s your boyfriend or some shit.”
Now Steve moves over to them, his hold on Eddie loosening. Eddie turns to him as the other breaks their interlocked hold.
“No, not a boyfriend.” Steve says as he reaches between them for the Cherry in Eddie’s drink. He tilts his head back and opens his mouth as he puts the cherry on his tongue. He closes his mouth and pulls the stem out before tilting his head forward again. “More like an admirer who knows he hates the fruity shit,” He says as he chews and looks the man dead in the eyes. “But also,” he pretends to think about his words before nodding his head, “I’d say I charmed him first and could probably show him a better time.”
The corner of Eddie’s lips twitch at the response, his eyes locked on Steve as he holds his stance in front of the man.
Harrington? Charming him? Eddie smiles to himself.
The man looks at Eddie then back at Steve before scoffing, “Whatever, man. He ain’t the finest piece of ass in here anyways.” His hold drops from his hip as he utters the words.
Steve steps to the side to let him get through as he smirks to himself.
Eddie shakes his head as he huffs out a laugh at the defeated insult. He thinks about what the man just said before questioning it, “Ouch, I guess?” He says amusingly.
Steve leans against the bar as he licks his lips whilst looking at Eddie’s. “Guy was a total creep.” He says, before looking back up to meet Eddie’s eyes. The other is now following his lead and leans an arm against the bar calling the bartender behind him with a finger in the air.
“Total creep.” Eddie confirms with a smirk, his gaze breaking from Steve's to order them another round of shots.
Steve looks down as he reaches for Eddie’s hand. He twirls a ring on his finger before pulling his arm up, his fingers curl around his open palm. Eddie turns back confused.
“I got my eyes on you first, Munson.” Steve tilts his head and brings Eddie’s wrist up to his lips.
He can smell Eddie’s cologne. Heavy and mesmerizing. He presses a soft kiss to his warm skin.
Eddie smiles at him and leans forward to speak into his ear. “After this shot, me and you, Harrington. Show me that better time.” He pulls away with a teasing smile.
Steve follows him forward like if he were tugged by a string, his eyes back on the others lips. He stops only a few centimeters away from Eddie’s lips. A pause. He bites his lip before opening his mouth to speak, his eyes go back to Eddie’s. He closes his mouth deciding on a nod instead.
“Me and you.” He says after a beat.
Eddie looks down at Steve’s lips.
“Me and you.” He repeats.