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When Eddie realized he wouldn’t be able to drive his van across the country for Christmas he almost called Wayne to let him know. But then his uncle would put a plane ticket on the emergency credit card and… no. He knew his uncle had too many bills as it was.
He thought about taking a Greyhound, but then he had PTSD flashbacks from that one time during Freshman year when he had done that and someone stole his bag. So here he was eating at the cafeteria with Chrissy and Robin, not paying attention to whatever the conversation was.
“Earth to Eddie,” Robin snapped her fingers in front of his face and Chrissy giggled before munching on one of her carrots.
“Yeah? What?” Eddie blinked and looked at Robin.
“I was saying, well, asking, when you were leaving to go home.”
“Ahhh, right,” Eddie took a sip of his coffee. “Well, I don’t know exactly because the van is out of commission until Trixi can get some parts in so I am trying to figure out a less expensive option than putting a plane ticket on the credit card and a less crowded option than taking a bus.”
Chrissy scrunched her nose up in disgust at the mention of taking the bus, making Eddie chuckle.
“Right? Too bad teleportation isn’t a real thing yet.” Eddie stole a few of Robin’s fries and dipped them in the ranch Chrissy was using for her carrots.
Robin pursed her lips and squinted her eyes at Eddie, thinking, trying to come up with a better idea for her friend.
Something yellow caught her eye and she saw Steve, wearing a yellow sweater, enter the cafeteria with Nancy and Argyle. Jonathan was lagging behind them, looking at something in a book, probably newly developed photos for his photography class.
Robin’s eyes lit up and she couldn’t believe she didn’t think of it sooner. “What about Steve?”
Chrissy furrowed her eyebrows at Robin while Eddie rolled his eyes. “What about Steve?” He droned.
“Steve is from Hawkins. You’re from Hawkins. You’re both going home to Hawkins for Christmas. He’s driving and his car is objectively better than your car due to, well, classist reasons to which we don’t need to get into right now–”
Eddie rolled his eyes again and stuck Chrissy with a look that made her giggle.
“–and you had a crush on him in high school. A crush I don’t think you’ve actually gotten over yet.” She continued. “And he’s got a backseat so if you get annoyed with him as you do with everyone, you could just sit back there and listen to your loser metal punk rock music.” Robin shrugged but smiled.
Eddie looked at Robin, allowing the slip-up about his crush slide since Chrissy already knew about it, too. “Robin, I love you, but that is not happening. I am not subjecting myself to 2 hours of King Steve Harrington. I would rather hitchhike all the way to Hawkins. Also, never use punk and rock to describe metal.”
Robin rolled her eyes at Eddie’s face and crossed her arms under her chest. “Don’t you think you’re being a tad bit overdramatic, Munson?”
Eddie threw a burnt fry end at Robin’s forehead. “Punk rock and metal are two separate genres of music.” He stuck his tongue out at her, to which she returned.
“You’re being a child.”
“Who’s being a child?”
All three of them looked up to see Nancy holding her food tray against her hip, Steve behind her. Argyle and Jonathan were nowhere to be seen.
“Eddie’s being a child.” Chrissy smiled and gave Nancy and Steve a shy wave.
Nancy smiled and sat her tray next to Eddie’s and hung her book bag on the back of his chair before sitting down. “Why is he being a child today?” She looked at Robin.
Steve sat down between Robin and Chrissy, which meant he was sitting directly across from Eddie.
“Well,” Robin smiled wide, her eyes twinkling with menace. Eddie tried to convey the message of don’t with his eyes, but either Robin didn’t see it or she didn’t care. “Eddie here says his van is broken so he has no way to get home for Christmas!”
“Okay, it’s not broken–”
“So, broken!” Robin pouted. “Trixie has to rebuild the engine and everything!” Robin continued on. “And well, he’s thinking about taking the bus, but you know what, I was just thinking about you, Steve.”
Eddie and Steve’s history was probably more of Eddie’s pining than anything. Pining that had turned into something Eddie barely recognized anymore. He had gotten so good at pushing down his feelings for Steve that he could barely believe he ever liked him at all.
Steve, who had just taken a huge bit from his cheeseburger, looked up at Eddie and then at Robin. He looked like a chipmunk with his cheeks all puffed out and Eddie wanted to eat glass at how fucking adorable he looked. And just like that Eddie remembered exactly why he’d been head over heels for the guy since his sophomore year in high school.
“Hoo, meh?” Steve pointed at his own chest with one eyebrow lighted slightly.
“Yeah, you , dingus. I was just thinking how maybe you could bring him along with you because I won’t be able to ride with you this time since my family is meeting in Denver this year.”
Steve finished chewing and swallowed. “Yeah, I mean, sure! The co-pilot seat is free, man,” He looked over to Eddie, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
The table fell silent as Eddie and Steve stared at each other across the table. Eddie wanted to throw up at how earnest Steve looked and how hopeful he felt about the idea.
“Oh, cool guys, are we playing the quiet game?” Argyle sat down with Jonathan.
“I can’t believe you actually agreed to this off-the-hip idea I came up with,” Robin commented as she held her latte close to her mouth as she sat on one of the less snowy benches next to the circle drive.
Eddie took a drag from his cigarette and looked to his right at Robin. She was wearing a green sweater that read ‘Merry Crisis’ across the chest. “Yeah, well, I couldn’t exactly turn down the idea after you told the entire table.” He exhaled. “Couldn’t look like a fucking jerk.”
“Again,”
“What?”
“Couldn’t look like a jerk, again ” Robin smirked and took a sip of her latte.
Eddie pulled his head back like he’d been slapped. “Excuse me, Buckley? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“You know exactly what I mean–you’ve never tried to be friendly with him. He’s been friendly to you for the past year and a half and,” Robin shook her head, gesturing with her hands. “He’s a damn golden retriever and he keeps bringing you his ball for you to play fetch with him and you never do! You never play fetch with Steve!”
Eddie raised a single eyebrow at her sudden outburst and absurdly semi-inappropriate analogy.
Robin glared at him and then rolled her eyes. “Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t have used that analogy, but Steve being a golden retriever still stands!”
Eddie laughed and shook his head. “Alright, alright, sure, yeah he’s a golden retriever.” He snorted another laugh as he placed his cigarette back between his lips and took another drag. There was the sound of a car coming down the street and Eddie knew it was Steve before he even looked.
“Here comes my golden retriever,” Eddie pulled his duffel bag up over his shoulder.
Robin did not comment on the possessive phrasing of his comment and Eddie was thankful for that.
“Just promise me you won’t murder him.” Robin grabbed his other duffel and held it as Steve pulled into a parallel parking spot effortlessly.
“Scouts honor” Eddie saluted her.
“You were never a boy scout.” Robin squinted at him.
Steve got out of his car, hands in his front pockets with an eager smile on his face. God damn golden retriever, Eddie thought.
“See you next year, Buckley.” Eddie turned to Robin and saluted her. “I’ll miss you so much.” He smiled as Robin stood up on the bench and saluted him back before hopping down, tossing her empty latte cup, and wrapping her arms around him.
“I’ll miss you, too, dorkus.” She smiled, squeezing him tight. When she released him she turned to Steve.
Eddie grabbed his bag and went to load it while Robin and Steve said their goodbyes. Digging into the front pocket of his army duffel–Wayne’s–for his lighter and cigarettes he noticed there were at least three bags of laundry in the trunk. He thought about teasing Steve about not knowing how to do his own laundry when he realized he should have probably taken some of his dirty laundry homes, too.
“Ready?” Steve asked, appearing out of nowhere.
Eddie saw Robin walking backward, pointing at Steve and him and making a heart with her hands. “Yeah, ready.” Eddie shook his head and shut the trunk.
They were about fifteen miles outside of Chicago when Steve adjusted the radio station to one playing Christmas Hits. Eddie never really cared for the holiday songs. It felt weird to him that people felt so strongly about a holiday that they would write a song specifically about it, like how people adopted independence day as a whole personality in the middle of summer. It was just weird and Eddie did not understand it.
But apparently, Steve Harrington was one of those people who loved Christmas songs because he was singing along to It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams and even drumming his fingers along to the beat as he drove.
There'll be parties for hosting // Marshmallows for toasting // And caroling out in the snow // There'll be scary ghost stories // And tales of the glories of // Christmases long, long ago
“So, what are your plans for break?” Steve asked, turning the music down a little.
“Not a whole lot.” Eddie sat up more in his seat and tapped his cigarette through his cracked window. “Mainly hanging with my uncle. Probably meet up with the band and play a few shows while we’re all in town.” He shrugged.
“Are you holding one of those Dragon Dungeons nights? Henderson mentioned something about it when I talked to him a few days ago.”
Eddie forgot they shared custody of Dustin Henderson. “Dungeons and Dragons, yes,” He chuckled. “Yeah, I’ve planned a big campaign for the twerps to make up for not making it home for Thanksgiving.”
“You know, I’ve never played,” Steve commented.
“No kidding,” Eddie deadpanned.
Steve huffed a laugh and looked over at him. “No, really, I think it would be fun. Dustin loves it, you seem to love it.” He shrugged. “I dunno might be nice to watch.”
Eddie ignored what his stomach was doing at the idea of Steve Harrington noticing something about him and wanting to be a part of it.
“Well, we are getting together on the 28th, so, uh,” He picked at the thread on his knee. “Dustin’s place, 6 pm sharp. You’re welcome to come.”
Steve grinned and Eddie wanted to scream. “I’ll be there!” He turned to grin at Eddie and now Eddie knew what it felt like to look directly into the fucking sun. It was beautiful.
Steve Harrington was beautiful.
“Uh, great,” Eddie nodded and bit at the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning like a lovesick fool.
Blue Christmas by Elvis began and Eddie rolled his eyes, hating this one especially as Steve turned to him with a smile.
“I love this one!!” He expressed and then held up his half-eaten snickers bar as a microphone and howled the opening bit to Eddie.
I'll have a blue Christmas without you // I'll be so blue just thinking about you // Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree // Won't be the same dear, if you're not here with me
No really. He was singing it to Eddie, looking at Eddie, holding eye contact over his stupid sunglasses. And not looking at the road.
“How bout you keep your eyes on the road.” Eddie nodded to the road.
Steve laughed and looked forward again. “C’mon, don’t tell me you don’t know this one!”
“Oh, I know it,” Eddie lifted his right leg up and on the dash and fiddled with his lighter. “I just don’t feel the need to perform it for strangers in a closed vehicle going 80 miles per hour on a highway.” He joked.
Steve stopped singing and Eddie looked over at him.
“You think of me as a stranger?” Steve said and the way he looked at Eddie and the way his voice sounded so broken made Eddie want to do a tuck and roll right out of the car.
Eddie watched as the sign flew past them that said Lafeyette 10 mi . He was out of cigarettes and feeling hungry. They’d been silent for the past thirty minute
He glanced over at to check their gas and saw the Beemer would need gas soon. “How bout we stop in Lafeyette for food and gas?”
“Uh, yeah, sounds good.” Steve nodded.
Ever since Eddie had made the accident by referring to Steve as a stranger, Steve had been quiet. Eddie hated it a lot more than he thought he would. They had roughly an hour left in their trip and Eddie had gotten used to Steve’s singing to every holiday hit from old classics to new hits. Because Steve didn’t just sing along to each hit, no. He performed each hit from his seat, using anything close by as a microphone, giving his sunglasses their own personality, the steering wheel and dashboard were his drum set. Eddie guessed that made him Steve’s audience.
And Eddie fucking missed it.
“I don’t think of you as a stranger.” Eddie ended the awkward silence.
Steve didn’t look over at him, but his upper lip twitched a little so Eddie knew he heard him.
“We just didn’t really… interact in high school like we do now.” Eddie chewed on the inside of his cheek and stared at the road in front of them. “Not that we hang out a whole lot. Probably my fault.”
“You always look like you’re in pain when we are in the same room together,” Steve said, not looking away from the road.
Eddie looked over at Steve. He knew he was going to have to elaborate more on that if he was going to get Steve looking less like a kicked dog.
Inhaling sharply, Eddie shifted in his seat so he could face Steve better. “Honestly?”
Steve turned to look at Eddie and nodded.
“Well, I liked you,” Eddie said it and then realized he said it and wanted to put the words back in his mouth. “Uh,” He laughed nervously. “I always thought you were cool in Hawkins. I mean, there was that one year you were a total ass.” Steve joined him in soft laughter, nodding in agreement with Eddie. “But you just seemed to give a fuck whereas the people you surrounded yourself with didn’t.” He shrugged. “I thought it was cool, but it also intrigued me.
“Then I graduated–still have no idea how that happened–and I went to school and I didn’t think I would get the chance to tell you that.” Eddie tapped his thigh a few times.
“And then I showed up in Chicago.” Steve finished for him.
“And then you showed up in Chicago.” Eddie nodded. “And my friends became your friends and then we were hanging out together and I didn’t know when was a good time to tell you all that.” Eddie pressed his lips together so he wouldn’t say too much.
Steve was quiet for a bit, too. Eddie became very focused on counting the trees in the bare fields.
“Is your van even broken?”
“What?” Eddie looked over, eyebrows furrowed.
“I mean, it just seems like an elaborate plan just to tell me you think I am cool. Was Robin in on it?” Steve wasn’t looking at Eddie, but there was a hint of a smile, or a smirk, on his lips.
Eddie rolled his eyes. “Fuck off,” He smiled, shaking his head.
Steve turned to look at him, his face softer now. “Thank you, and uh, the feelings mutual.”
Eddie was going to dissect that comment inside his head when he hear Baby, It’s Cold Outside play on the radio.
“This one is so creepy.” Eddie pointed at the radio, hoping this would work as a subject change.
I ought to say, "No, no, no sir" // Mind if I move in closer? // At least I'm gonna say that I tried // What's the sense in hurting my pride? // I really can't stay // Baby, don't hold out // Baby, it's cold outside
Steve’s eyes widened like he was listening to the lyrics for the first time. “Oh my god, you’re right.” He let out a surprised laugh. “How have I not noticed that before?”
Eddie smiled and held his hands up in a shrug. Then they both fell into a fit of laughter as they listened to the rest of the song. Steve vowed to never sing it again as he pulled off the highway to a gas station-roadside diner convenience store.
“Okay, fuel for us, fuel for my Baby, and… the most ridiculous roadside store souvenir,” Steve said, but it was more of a question.
“Okay, yeah,” Eddie grinned and they both got out of the car and walked inside the store.
The combination store smelled like apple pie and bacon. The heat was definitely set on high with no help from the kitchen. Eddie slipped out of his leather jacket and draped it over his arm as he looked around for his crazy souvenir.
He was looking at surfboard keychains and thinking how idiotic it was to have them when Illinois was a mostly landlocked state when something caught his eye. He looked up to see Steve grinning at him holding up the ugliest stuffed animal–a cat. A grumpy cat. The grumpiest cat. Steve had this weightless laugh to his smile and it was fucking contagious.
Eddie rolled his eyes and shook his head, turning around to look at more keychains. He found some anatomical hearts with different names on them. It was kinda creepy, but kind of cool, too. He looked for Steve’s name but they were out of Steves. They weren’t out of Eddie though. He grabbed it and rushed up to the cashier, cutting in front of Steve.
“Hey!” Steve protested, holding his souvenir close to his chest, hiding it away.
“Don’t look!” Eddie stood in front of his purchases, trying to make his lanky shoulders larger than normal. He heard Steve chuckle behind him.
“Ridiculous,” Steve muttered.
Once they were outside by the Beemer, Steve pumping gas, Eddie leaned over the trunk, holding his head up with his hand. “I say we present our purchases at the end of our adventure as a Christmas gift to each other.”
Steve thought about it, turning his head to look at Eddie, the side of his mouth turning up into a lopsided grin. “I like that idea.”
“Cool.” Eddie drummed his hands on the trunk before walking around to the passenger side door and hopping inside.
But I can dream and in my dreams // I'm Christmasing with you // Holidays are joyful // There's always something new // But every day's a holiday // When I'm near to you
Eddie’s right leg was jumping up and down. “Jesus H Christ, do you have every Christmas song memorized?” He blurted out.
Steve looked over at Eddie as he continued singing.
Greeting cards have all been sent // The Christmas rush is through // But I still have one wish to make // A special one for you // Merry Christmas, darling // We're apart, that's true
Eddie shook his head as Steve turned his head back to the road. “This is the most annoying Christmas song.”
“I assure you, there are more annoying Christmas songs than this. This,” Steve pointed to the radio. “Is a classic.”
Eddie scoffed and cracked the window before lighting a cigarette. “Wrong again, Harrington. There are no classic Christmas songs.”
“Eddie Munson, the Grinch,” Steve said, tilting his head. “Suits you, actually.” The grin he gave Eddie made Eddie want to kiss him. Which was stupid.
“Gotta live up to everyone's expectations and all.” Eddie chuckled.
Steve chuckled along with him and let comfortable silence fall around them.
That I wish you Merry Christmas // Happy new year too // I've just one wish on this Christmas Eve // I wish I were with you
Eventually, Steve broke it. “You know, I never believed what people said about you.”
Eddie looked at the rips in his jeans and pulled at the threads.
“I mean, spray painting parking signs and turning all the street signs upside down?” Steve looked over at Eddie, smirking. “Yes, that was 100% you.” He laughed and focused back on the road. “But I never believed any of the other Devil-worshipping shit. And I know I didn’t exactly stand up for you at the time, but after you left Hawkins for school,” He shrugged and shook his head as if he was trying to get rid of the thought quicker. “I just believe you’re a good guy. A cool guy.” He cringed.
Eddie didn’t know how to take that. Steve was a year younger than Eddie in school and even with the grade level difference, their crowds barely overlapped. Eddie might have gone his entire high school career not knowing King Steve had Eddie not held a drug deal behind the bleachers one spring afternoon when the baseball team was practicing. That is when Eddie noticed Steve Harrington in ridiculously tight pants.
And that is when his crush started. It only grew stronger once he got to know him more. Not that he talked to him, no, but once he noticed Steve it was hard not to keep noticing him. The way he spoke to teachers, the way he treated the girls, his goddamn hair, and how he seemed to be good at any sport he played. It was annoying and endearing and cute. Eddie Munson did not describe anything or anyone as cute before or after Steve Harrington.
Hearing that Steve had noticed him, too, and
“Well, thank you for protecting my honor,” Eddie smirked, glad to have him talking again.
Steve rolled his eyes.
Eddie laughed. “No, but really, thank you.”
They were 10 miles out from Indianapolis Indiana where Steve said they would stop for a restroom break and coffee before taking the last 40 minutes to Hawkins.
The two had talked about Christmas plans, traditions, songs, and even desserts. Steve preferred homemade sugar cookies with frosting and multi-colored sprinkles. He was very specific about the sprinkles. Eddie loved any holiday bread loaf, but he preferred pumpkin chocolate chip.
Eddie learned Steve was most likely going home to an empty house and he actually thought about flying to Denver to meet Robin and her family before she asked him to take Eddie with him to Hawkins. Eddie tried to apologize, but he wouldn’t let him. Steve said the drive with him was way better than waiting in the airport.
Eddie invited Steve over for Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Steve smiled and said Cool.
Which… wasn’t exactly an answer, but it wasn’t a no either.
They stopped for gas and both of them went inside to use the restroom and grab a few things; Eddie grabbed a coffee mug for Wayne and another pack of cigarettes; Steve grabbed a slim jim and a red Gatorade.
“So, which is your favorite?” Eddie asked as Steve merged back onto the highway.
“Favorite?” Steve asked as he was bobbing his head along to Last Christmas by Wham!.
Eddie rolled his eyes, smiling. “Christmas songs. Which one is your favorite?”
Steve pursed his lips and motioned toward the radio. “This one, actually.”
Last Christmas I gave you my heart // But the very next day you gave it away // This year, to save me from tears // I'll give it to someone special
Eddie smirked. “Seriously? You’re into Wham? Of course, you’re into Wham.” He slapped his palm to his forehead.
“Hey!” Steve smacked his shoulder. “Wham is great. And this song is going to be a fucking classic even in 10, 20, 30 years!”
Eddie couldn’t help it. He was laughing, no, howling, so hard his stomach hurt. “It’s not even about Christmas!” Eddie said in between gasps of air.
Once bitten and twice shy // I keep my distance, but you still catch my eye // Tell me baby, do you recognize me? // Well, it's been a year, it doesn't surprise me
“I think you’re overthinking the qualifications for a song to be considered a Christmas song for someone who hates them so much.” Steve teased–no, flirted. Steve Harrington was flirting with Eddie. “It has Christmas in the title, so,” He shrugged.
“Its whole vibe is so depressing. Aren’t Christmas songs supposed to be, I don’t know, cheery?” Eddie countered, pulling at some of his hair.
“You go tell Elvis that,” Steve smirked.
Eddie huffed, realizing there was no winning this argument. “Okay, whatever, it's a Christmas song.”
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart (I gave you mine) // A man under cover but you tore him apart // Maybe next year I'll give it to someone // I'll give it to someone special
Steve pulled up to Wayne’s trailer and killed the engine. They sat there in comfortable silence for a few moments. Neither one of them seemed to want their time together to end.
“So, uh, thank you,” Eddie said, his voice soft and low. “I really appreciate this and I had fun. With you.” He looked at Steve.
Steve turned to look back at Eddie, his mouth a kind smile. “Me too, I had a lot of fun.” He nodded.
Eddie swallowed hard as he stared at Steve’s mouth. His lips looked so soft even though the cold weather should have chapped the fuck out of them. Maybe Steve wore chapstick. Had Eddie missed Steve applying chapstick?
“So, you know how I said I thought you were cool back in high school?” Eddie said, staring at Steve’s lips.
“Yeah…” Steve nodded, and unbeknownst to Eddie, he was staring at Eddie’s lips. He was also really focused on his lip ring and wondered how it would feel against his lips.
“I think you’re cool now, too, still, uh,” He swallowed and looked up at Steve’s eyes, which weren’t looking at his own. “I think I like you.”
Eddie wasn’t sure what compelled him to say that. Maybe it was carbon monoxide? Too much caffeine? Hunger?
“You think you like me?” Steve repeated. "You told me you liked me."
"I mean, I really like you." Eddie licked his lips.
"Oh," Steve's breath hitched and his smug grin softened.
Eddie nodded. “Yeah,”
“You think… or you know…” Steve leaned just a little forward, toward Eddie.
Eddie licked his lips, not understanding how this was happening right now. Maybe they got in a wreck back in Lafeyette and this is all just a big medical coma dream. “I know. I’ve known. For a while.”
“How long?” Steve reached over to the console to play with one of his rings, the skull one.
“Since high school.” Eddie looked down at his hand and Steve’s fingers twisting his ring around.
Steve smiled. “Me too.”
“You’ve had a crush on yourself since high school, too?” Eddie blurted–it was a coping mechanism, really. “I mean, with hair like that, it makes sense.”
“Shut up,” Steve huffed and leaned in to kiss Eddie’s mouth.
Eddie turned his hand over, spreading his fingers between Steve’s, and pulled him closer. His other hand went up to the side of Steve’s face, cradling it gently. He ran his fingers through the hair at his temple as he returned the kiss, deepening it.
Eventually, they both needed air and broke the kiss, pressing their foreheads against the other.
“Remind me to get Buckley the most amazing present ever for this,” Eddie whispered.
“No kidding,” Steve played with Eddie’s hair. The fucker was twirling it around a finger, literally, and Eddie once again thought of the adjective cute .
Suddenly there was a knock on Steve’s window and both guys jumped so high they both banged their heads on the roof of the Beemer.
“What the…” Steve turned to look who it was and found an older man in a jean jacket wearing a ball cap and holding a cup of coffee.
“Wayne.” Eddie smiled as Steve reached to his side to roll the window down.
Wayne leaned down to peer inside the window. “Hello,” He greeted, staring at Steve.
“Hi,” Steve smiled nervously. “He-hello…” He waved meekly. He’d never met Wayne before and suddenly he felt the need to impress the man. He was doing a bang-up job so far.
“Hey Wayne,” Eddie smirked at Steve then smiled at Wayne. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Oh since this one started playing with your hair.” Wayne raised his coffee mug up to them and took a sip.
Steve swallowed hard and looked over at Eddie. He looked like a spooked animal. Eddie reached over and patted Steve’s knee. “Has anyone told you it's not nice to watch people make out, uncle Wayne?” Eddie got out of the Beemer and made his way around the front.
“I have eaten yet. Been waiting for you to get in so we could go grab lunch at the diner.” He shrugged as if that answered the question. He then turned back to Steve. “Thank you for getting my nephew back here in one piece.” He smiled and winked at Steve before turning and going back inside the trailer.
Steve watched him close the door and then looked at Eddie who was leaning against his door.
“So, Christmas day…” Eddie tapped his fingers on the open window. Steve reached up and ran the pads of his fingers along Eddie’s nails.
“What time?” Steve asked, opening his door.
Eddie scooted aside so Steve could climb out of the car. “Any time after two.” Eddie took a step towards Steve. He reached out and hooked his index finger on Steve’s hoodie’s pocket and pulled him close.
“Okay,” Steve nodded and pressed his forehead against Eddie’s, then pressed his lips to Eddie’s. “See you then.” Another kiss. “Bye,” One more.
Eddie let him get back in his car, but didn’t let him drive off without giving him another kiss. “Bye,” He said. “Thanks for the ride.” He kissed him again before pulling himself away to grab his bag from the trunk and walking up to the door.
Eddie was almost to the front door when Steve honked at him.
“Wait!” Steve yelled out the window before getting out of his car and running up to Eddie. He slipped on the first step and Eddie grabbed Steve’s arms. “Hi, um, we were going to exchange souvenirs.”
Eddie noticed Steve hiding something puffy underneath his jacket. “Shit! Yeah, okay you go first.”
Steve grinned and pulled out the grumpy looking fugly as hell cat he’d shown Eddie before.
“You bought it?” Eddie laughed, taking it from Steve.
“It reminded me of you.” Steve cackled. He fucking cackled . The son of a bitch was so proud of himself. “But in a sweet kind of way.” He added.
“Well, thank you, I think.” Eddie held the cat against his chest as he dug out the heart keychain. “Here,” He held it up like it was some kind of fine jewelry. “Don’t go giving it away.”
Steve was quiet for what felt like too long and Eddie realized how insanely romantic that was to do. What the fuck, Eddie, what the fuck! He yelled at himself.
“Thank you,” Steve took the keychain and immediately slid it on his keyring. “I love it.” He grinned, cupping Eddie’s cheek before pulling him close for another kiss.
In conclusion, they were idiots. Eddie had let five years slip by without telling Steve how he felt. But he supposed it was a Christmas miracle that they finally came clean. Eddie shook his head, disgusted with himself that he just used the phrase Christmas miracle in a sentence about Steve Harrington.
Eddie completely blamed Christmas and Robin Buckley. And he was totally okay with it.