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Christmas meant nothing for Eddie.
When he was a child, he would spend the Christmas holidays with his father, who became depressed after his mother had left them when he was four years old, and who couldn't get his head out of whiskey and beer and devoted himself to criminal life to feel alive.
They didn't play board games and give each other gifts. His father would either take a nap on the dirty and cigarette-burned couch on Christmas nights, or do things outside that only he and God knew. Eddie, on the other hand, would try to fall asleep with his teary eyes and snotty nose, just like the little children of every troubled family do.
Traditions had changed after his uncle Wayne took him with him. The man loved to decorate his mobile home, red and green decorating every single corner of the trailer.
On their first Christmas night together, Wayne bought Eddie three pairs of different socks, a sweater that looked ridiculous and too colorful for little Eddie's liking, and a Rubik's cube. Little Eddie couldn't hold back his tears all night. This time, they signaled his joy.
As time progressed and monsters, dark wizards, superpowers, wounds, near deaths and scars from an alternate dimension intervened, Christmas didn't mean much.
Eddie ponders almost every day about how he survived, but at the end of the day, the answers to his questions become meaningless when he realizes that he deserves a peaceful life in his little balloon with his friends.
And the real mind blowing thing started here. Eddie had friends he could actually rely on. Friends who communicate with him simply because they enjoy being with him, rather than for a purpose. As supernatural as it sounded (and had seen a lot of supernatural events in his 21 years of life, perhaps more than he wanted to see), it was a fact.
He has been very happy in his life now, which has been very active lately, but also monotonous at the same time. He was proud of himself for surviving (even if barely), for having friends, for living with the most perfect uncle in the world, and most importantly, for being happy. Eddie wondered what his father would think if he saw his son now.
All that remained was to neatly wrap the gifts he had bought two days before and hand them out to their respective owners at the Byers-Hopper house that evening.
Joyce had finally decided to organize that Christmas party she had been talking about for a long time. Almost everyone he knew would be there with their families. The old town chief had been kind enough to invite Wayne and Eddie as well, but Eddie had decided at the last minute that he didn't want to go out of excitement and decided that it would be a better idea to stay home.
Being in public still bothered him, since he was once known in this town as a psychopath who worshiped the devil and made sacrifices in his name. It was hard to trust people again, despite trying very hard.
After Wayne shook him and said, “Those people care about you, boy. Now get your ass up and wrap those presents,” he had come to his senses.
He just bought gifts for those closest to him. Except for Wayne, that included only five or six people. He couldn't afford the nice and stylish gifts he wanted for them, but the thought was the one thing that counted, so he didn't think too much about it.
As he wrapped all of the presents in cheap, constantly torn gift wrapping paper, and put them all in his large backpack, he realized something at the last moment. He threw all the packages on the bed and started counting. The presents for Dustin, Nancy, Robin, Max, Lucas and Mike were right in front of him. Eddie was pretty sure he had forgotten someone.
He hadn't bought gifts for Will, El, Jonathan and Argyle and the rest of the group because he couldn't afford it and didn't know them very well, so they were out. He had already bought Wayne's gift and even presented it to him. A black and white lumberjack shirt and another brand new mug. To contribute to the collection.
So who the fuck was left?
He thought as he sat on the bed and gnawed at the nail on his thumb. Realizing that overthinking wouldn't do any good, he went into the living room slash kitchen area and looked for Wayne.
“Eddie? You good?” His uncle said, one eyebrow raised, drinking from his Garfield mug.
“I forgot someone.” Eddie paced around the room, thumbnail between his teeth.
“What are you talking about?”
“The gifts! I forgot to buy someone's gift, I'm sure of it.”
Wayne sighed and put his mug on the kitchen counter. “Okay, calm down. It ain’t that hard to guess. Let’s take a look at what you’ve already bought, alright?”
Wayne could always come up with a real solution in a crisis, instead of going crazy like his nephew. “Okay, yeah, let’s.” Eddie said, throwing himself on the couch.
“Count them for me, would ya? I already forgot half of their names.”
“Well, I got Robin’s first, a scarf and gloves because she’s always cold, then I went to the record shop and got some tapes for Mike and Dustin. A walkman for Max and a book for Lucas. Can’t forget about Nancy’s agenda.”
“So, you got gifts for all of these people but left the only one who you have a thing for.” Wayne said, picking up his mug and taking a long sip.
“I do not have a thing for Steve. How many times do I-”
Eddie's mind flashed as Wayne raised his right eyebrow.
“Steve! I forgot about him! What the fuck?”
“Okay, calm down, boy. You still have time.”
As Wayne spoke, Eddie was already wearing his jacket and was starting to slip on his boots. He tucked his wallet and keys in his pocket, grabbed his backpack and wasted no time, rushing out of the trailer.
“Be careful!” Wayne yelled behind him.
Eddie did not neglect to curse himself inwardly.
Dumbass. Who forgets to buy a fucking gift for one of their best friends?
Luckily for Eddie, there was a newly opened gift shop in the city center. There was little time left. Wayne would soon be on his way to the Hopper-Byers house, and Eddie needed to hurry up and grab a present immediately. Whatever he can buy with the twenty dollars in his wallet.
He always drives his truck like a madman, but the adrenaline flowing in his blood because of his stupidity made him stop in front of the shop in no more than 15 minutes. The shop was huge and almost reminiscent of some of the Goodwill stores in Indianapolis. He hadn't had the opportunity to visit this place before, but thanks to his forgetful nature, he was finally able to enter the warm and large shop.
What kind of gifts would Steve even like? He was ridiculously rich and had the power to buy whatever the hell he wanted for himself.
Eddie didn't have much of a choice. Snow globe? Too cliché. Embarrassing Christmas sweater? Steve probably owned dozens already.
He froze as he scanned through the shelves to potential gift candidates.
“Eddie?”
Of fucking course. He would recognize that voice everywhere.
“Steve? What are you doing here?”
“Uh…” Steve paused, averting his eyes. “Just shopping. Guessing the same for you?”
Eddie decided to string along, too, as he couldn't tell that he was here at lightning speed because he forgot to get him a present.
“Yeah, just last minute shopping.”
“Cool.”
“Yup.”
“Can I ask you a question?” Steve said, rubbing his gloves palms together.
“Shoot.”
“Let’s say, hypothetically of course, that you are gonna get something for someone’s birthday. For someone that you don’t really know very well, but you hang out with them from time to time. Like, the person is an enigma and you can’t really figure them out. But you have to get something because it’s a special day, you know?”
Eddie wore his usual grin. “Well, hypothetically, that was pretty specific. But I guess I would just get a book or something, I don’t know.”
“Right,” Steve averted his gaze again. He seemed almost nervous. Which was unlikely because King Steve? Nervous? Not possible. “Also, hypothetically, that person’s birthday is very close so you have to act quick about the hypothetical gift.”
“What is this about, Harrington?” Eddie asked, crossing his arms.
“Just a question.”
“Okay,” Eddie decided to drop the conversation and looked around the store before fixing his gaze on some item that caught his attention.
“No fucking way,” he said before he ran towards the said item. It was one of the first Tolkien action figures, (more specifically, Aragorn and his non-existent pants) made by Knickerbocker way back in ‘78. Eddie had spent years trying to perfect his collection of these figures and he only needed one to complete it. The Aragorn one stood before him in magnificence, the missing piece.
“What is that and why does it have no pants?” Steve asked, standing next to him as he looked at the figure in front of him in confusion.
“That is, my uncultured friend, is the last figure I need to complete my collection.” Eddie said dramatically, pressing his palm on his heart.
“Still didn’t really answer my question.”
“It’s Aragorn, Steve! I was looking for him everywhere but I couldn’t find one because I thought they stopped making these a while ago,” he explained while staring at the figure in awe, “But it’s here, and I’m gonna take it home with me.”
Steve tried to act interested, as Eddie figured, and failed miserably.
But Eddie didn’t really care about him, at least not in this very moment, because the price of the figure made him want to shrivel up and die.
“What’s wrong?” asked Steve, looking a little worried as Eddie’s big smile disappeared.
“Nothing,” lied Eddie, looking at the man next to him. “I’m gonna explore here a little bit more, but I’ll see you in a few hours at the cabin?”
Steve’s worried look did not falter, but he agreed nonetheless without mentioning anything. “Of course.”
Eddie realized that he was distracted after seeing the Aragorn figure, and had to get away from the area to look for the gift he had forgotten to get for Steve.
He didn't have enough money with him to complete his collection, but right now it wasn't even the last thing he wanted to worry about. Even if they weren't on the level of best friends with Steve, he loved seeing him around and just chatting absentmindedly with him and the best thing he could do was buy him a present and make him happy.
Various tin trophies stood at the back of the large shop. Most of them smelled of rust, but the gold-colored ones gleamed beautifully around the back. One of them had “World’s Best Mom” written on its plate, and somehow Eddie knew he had found the best gift one could give to someone.
But apparently the young man's luck was one-time use, as the shop's lights had suddenly turned off, and there was a jarring sound with the shutters being pulled.
“What the fuck is going on?” he whispered to himself, in the brick of pissing himself.
At least the lights didn’t flicker, so that was a good sign of the world not ending again. But as soon as he walked over to the exit and faced himself with the locked door, he knew he was fucked.
“Eddie? What is going on?” Steve rushed to his side, clutching his backpack.
“Looks like they forgot to clear the store and we’re now stuck here,” he tried to remain calm but he could hear his internal screams. Who the hell gets stuck in a gift shop on Christmas Eve night?
Well, he wasn’t the only one this time, at least. Because Steve Harrington is right in front of him, looking like he just saw those monsters again.
“What do you mean we’re stuck?”
“I literally mean we’re stuck, Steve.”
“What the fuck are we gonna do?”
“I don’t know!”
They both paced around a little near the exit, spiraling.
“We should call someone, right now.” Steve suggested.
“Let me try,” Eddie announced, running to the concierge desk and picking up the nearest phone. He dialed a number Steve yelled at him, noting that it was Joyce’s landline.
“It’s not even ringing.”
“Try Hopper’s cabin,” Steve came to him, ordering.
After a few rings, the phone beeped, indicating that no one was home or that they were not answering the phone.
“Fuck.”
“Are we really going to spend Christmas stuck in a fucking store?” Steve said, trying to calm down while rubbing his scalp.
“I can smash the glass door, if you want, but my name just got cleared. I’m not really looking for another ‘hiding in my dealers’ from the crazy people trying to hunt me down’ thing.”
“No, we’re not doing that. We have to find something.”
In about half an hour, after checking all exits (including staff exits), non-existing windows, and even the roof, they sat cross-legged in front of a few racks filled with snow globes and bedside lamps.
“This sucks, huh?” Eddie said while picking at his chipped nail polish on his thumb, trying to make light conversation.
“Well, it could be worse. At least we’re not fighting demo-animals and wizards from an alternate dimension.”
Eddie giggled, “yeah, I guess you have a point.”
Eddie was about to take a step to burst the little bubble that had fallen into awkward silence, but Steve stepped in before him.
“You know, you’re not as weird as I thought you’d be.”
“Really, Harrington? How so?”
Steve took a deep breath, playing with the hem of his sweater. “Well, you definitely have your moments sometimes. But overall, I can see myself being real friends with you.”
Eddie chose not to tease him on his blushed cheeks. “I’m flattered, Stevie, really.”
“Good,” Steve smiled, averting his gaze and looking at the snow globes above him.
“I had a crush on you when we were in high school.” Eddie blurted out, feeling vulnerable in a sweet moment.
Fuck. Why would you say something like that to the guy who just said he tolerates you? Way to ruin a fucking moment, Eddie.
“Really?” Steve surprisingly didn't look angry at all. He already knew Eddie wasn’t straight, from when he came out to him after smoking two and a half joints and literally consuming a six pack like it was plain water. Also Eddie felt ridiculously brave at the moment, so why not elaborate?
It was the holiday season that made him so stupid and romantic. Sue him.
“Yeah. I mean, it wasn’t anything serious. You see someone and you know you're not going to have a chance but still feel a little pleasure in the feeling, that's exactly what it was.” Eddie paused, but Steve seemed on another world while listening to his rambling. “Don’t worry, I’m very much over it by now. I know you still like Nancy and want to be with her, since I literally encouraged you on getting her back,” he continued.
“I’m- no. That ship has sailed.” Steve declared.
“What?”
“I’ve thought about it. Me and Nancy, we’re better off as friends. We tried twice, and I won’t lie, I would like to try a third time but I feel like it isn't worth it anymore? I still love her, she’s great, but that’s it. And she’s with Jonathan, so.”
Eddie tried to suppress the feeling of hope that pounded in the middle of his heart. “Well, if you think that’s better for both of you, cool. I guess.”
“Yeah. Cool,” Steve said, furrowing his eyebrows. “So, let’s talk about that little crush of yours.”
Eddie could feel his neck going tomato red. “Don’t push it, Harrington.”
“No! Please, I wanna hear it!” Steve smiled, crossing his arms and leaning on the rack. He looked extremely smug and Eddie went back and forth between wanting to punch him or kiss him.
“I hate you so much.”
“No, you don’t,” Steve hummed, the green light of the bedside lamp shining on his face. Eddie did hate him for being right.
“So, what was that gift question for? I didn’t know you had friends beside Robin.”
Steve looked around the store, looking nervous. “Uh, since we’re being honest, it was for you.”
“But it’s not my birthday, you doofus.”
“I know. It was- Look, I forgot to get you a present for Christmas. I’m a terrible acquaintance slash friend and I apologize, but I had a shit ton of stuff on my mind, because my parents are coming back and I’ve been freaking out-”
“Harrington, calm down!” Well, here goes nothing. “I forgot about yours too.”
The two burst into laughter after about ten seconds of uninterrupted eye contact.
“What the fuck!”
“Oh well, I feel a lot better now.” Steve said, exhaling deeply.
“Yeah, absolutely. It’s good to know I’m not the only loser here.”
Steve punched his shoulder jokingly, still laughing. “Shut up!”
Eddie looks at him for a little moment, feeling the blush on his cheeks. “Since we’re gonna be stuck here, we can exchange our gifts here, if you want, because I have something for you.”
“Yeah?” Steve asks, a smile on his pretty face.
Eddie took out the 'World's Best Mom' trophy he had stuffed in the bag and handed it to Steve, waiting for his response.
“Didn’t have time to wrap it, obviously.”
“You fucker,” Steve said, chuckling and admiring the gift. “I love it.”
“Knew you would.”
Steve puts the trophy down next to him, reaching for his own shopping bag. “Well, I have something for you too,”
Eddie felt his nasal bone ache when he saw the figure of Aragorn he had just seen and couldn't take in Steve's outstretched hand.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” he whispered, so low that he didn’t think Steve heard him.
“I snatched it after you went away from me. Thank you for saving me from the trouble of trying to find you something, man.”
“No problem, you jackass,” Eddie said, wiping the single tear on his cheek. “I love it, thank you.”
“I’m gonna kiss you now.”
“Wha-?” Before Eddie could finish what he was about to say, Steve's cold, ungloved hands were gripping his face, giving him a long peck.
After Steve pulled back, he realized Eddie's face showed nothing but a weird surprise, and he retreated his hands from his cheeks.
“I’m so fucking sorry, Eddie. You said you had a crush on me and I thought- But you also said that was long ago, I shouldn’t have-”
“Do you ever shut up?” was the last thing Steve heard before he felt the sweet pressure of Eddie’s pink lips and the tip of his cold nose, and the hand on his neck.
Eddie was raging inside, even if he didn't show it much. He should have known Wayne was right, those feelings hadn't gone anywhere and he still had a stupid crush on Steve. The passing years and time had not changed anything.
Steve pulled back, hands on Eddie’s shoulders. His face looked hilariously red. “Have you noticed, we haven’t even paid for those gifts?”
Eddie laughed. “Knew I would go back to my criminal lifestyle sooner or later,”
The glass door of the exit smashing to pieces startled them and made the two get up from their seats as soon as possible.
“Eddie? You there?”
He could recognize the little shit’s voice everywhere.
“Henderson! Why did you do that, man?”
Dustin stepped into the store while rolling his eyes. “You mean why did I save— Steve? What are you doing here?”
“We were stuck here for almost an hour, you little shit.”
Dustin frowned. “Eddie’s uncle said he would be here, but you? Did you want to hang out with him without me? Is that what’s going on here?”
“Can we please get out of here before the cops come and grab us? I don’t want to see my name on the local papers again.” Eddie said, already leaving the store right after grabbing his gift on the ground with Steve and Dustin behind him.
Nancy Wheeler and Robin Buckley were there too, waiting by Nancy’s 1987 Marquis Colony Park.
“The Dingus and the Mega-Dingus; Stuck In a Souvenir Shop, in theaters this Christmas!” Robin said jokingly, making a rectangle with her fingers like a movie director.
“Very funny, can we go now?” Eddie said before plopping on the backseat. Steve took a place next to him, his face as red as it could be.
Eddie felt very fucking embarrassed at that moment, with Dustin next to them, Nancy and Robin on front chatting absentmindedly about some school related stuff.
He did feel a cold hand caressing his own, though. And he absolutely did not miss the little side smile Steve fucking Harrington gave him.
He thanked the Christmas Gods for granting him with the most perfect gift ever.