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Steve Harrington wasn’t one to ditch classes.
Tommy would always suggest it, but he’d never follow along with him because he knew he needed some type of attendance to be allowed on the basketball team.
Yet, here he was, ironically enough, ditching his study hall to get away from Tommy.
He wanted him to host some party and kept nagging at him and he was honestly over their conjoined personality once they hit junior year. So really, all he wanted was to just get away from the reputation he had built up to that point. Tommy and him had been friends since middle school, but it wasn’t until high school that he realized how much of a douchebag he looked and acted when he was around him.
As it turns out, Steve Harrington isn’t the womanizer who parties every weekend and who only cares about being popular. Dare he say it, but he was slowly starting his journey on self discovery.
He hadn’t ever really ditched so he didn’t know where exactly to go and sitting inside a dirty bathroom stall didn’t seem appealing. There really weren’t many options on where he could go. The library would be a dead give away and the cafeteria was just widely open. The only option he had was the gym which would be open and he had figured out by now that during periods they’d pull out only one set of bleachers whilst the rest remained tucked in.
So that’s where he headed in hopes of hiding out until it was time for his next period.
Quickly he slips through the gym doors and does his best in avoiding the gym teachers gaze as he walks to the other side of the room. He swings his backpack to his front as it hangs off his shoulder and he runs towards the back of the bleachers, his eyes never leaving the gym teacher through the open bleachers. As he finally turns to look forward once he reaches the pulled in bleachers, he trips on something and falls forward on to his bag.
“Fuck.” He breathes out as his textbook inside his book bag catch his fall. He turns to look at what he’s tripped over and sees Eddie Munson with his legs extended as he holds a book up to his chest. His eyes are wide as they look to Steve.
What Steve hadn’t figured was that someone would've already called dibs on his desired hideout.
Steve sighs before looking to the floor that he’s practically kissing. He lets his forehead fall forward on to the cool surface for a second before he moves to sit up and take his backpack off. “Sorry, dude. Didn’t see you there.” He says as he dusts himself off.
“No shit, man.” Eddie says as he looks at him in confusion, “You good?” he asks after an awkward beat.
“Think so.” Steve says as he avoids his gaze choosing to instead take his backpack off and slide it on the floor so that it hits the wall next to Eddie.
After realizing Steve isn't going to pay him any mind, Eddie opens his book back up and brings his legs up to his chest just as Steve pass to the other side. Steve steals a glance at him before sitting down beside him, his backpack between them keeping each other at a distance.
Steve and Eddie weren’t anywhere near being in the same friend group. The full four years of being in the same high school, the pair never spoke a word to each other, let alone acknowledged each other's existence.
“I’m uh, just trying to hideout here for a bit.” Steve says as he tries to explain himself.
Eddie continues to read as he nods his head, he turns the page on the book and responds passively with a, “‘S cool.”
Steve nods his head and looks around. The center of the back of the bleachers, never did he think he’d make his way back here again unless he was going to make out with someone. He lets out a sigh and leans his head against the wall before bringing his wrist up to look at the time, still forty minutes to kill.
They fall into a silence, the only sound of the gym class running around in the distance and the sound of Eddie turning the pages on his book every once in a while.
After a few boring minutes he decides to look back over at him, “You’re Eddie, right?” he asks, though he already knows the answer.
"So he speaks." Eddie says in a monotone as he continues to read. Steve rolls his eyes just as the other continues, “You’re Tommy's best friend, right?”
Steve scowls at the question before turning to stare back at the back of the bleachers. So much for talking.
Eddie looks up from his book and turns to him after not garnering a response. “So, just Steve it is then?” He says playfully with a smile.
Steve tilts his head at him, he feels his shoulders relax before nodding. “Just Steve.” He says making Eddie nod in acknowledgment before going back to reading. Steve looks at him briefly before glancing down at the book in his hands. He hesitates before speaking up. “You’ve got some sort of secret book club back here nobody knows about or something?” He asks as if he were really uninterested at his response.
Eddie simply continues reading, “Why, you tryna sign up or some shit?”
Steve huffs out a laugh. “No, it’s just. I mean- I’m not that big on reading. Guess this seems like a great spot for someone who likes to read?” He says as he finishes the sentence with confusion not really knowing where it was going and why he was even trying to make small talk.
The words make Eddie stop reading and turn his attention to Steve, a glint of mischief in his eyes. Their gazes meet and Steve feels shy, cornered even.
Eddie lets out a snort, “Yeah, no it’s such a great spot, especially when some jock comes around and eats shit right in front of your face.”
Steve scoffs and nods his head before looking away. Of course, now he gets why Tommy didn't like him.
Eddie grins at the reaction, “I’m kidding, Harrington.” He closes his book as he continues, “You know I will say though, it’s not as great as the bleachers outside. I can actually smoke out there.”
The words catch Steve's attention again and he tilts his head in thought as he looks back at Eddie. “Makes sense.” He says casually as they make eye contact once more.
Eddie nods his head as he takes Steve in, his eyes wandering all over him. He gestures to him after a second, “So, tell me, why is Steve Harrington suddenly skipping behind the gym bleachers, thought only losers did that, not Hawkin’s King.” He says sarcastically as he opens his book up again.
Steve keeps his eyes on him, looks at his profile now that the other wasn't looking.
Sure, Eddie seemed cunning and he could see how he could get under someone's skin, but Steve had to admit, he was intrigued. He seemed to like whatever it was Eddie had going on.
His eyes fall down to Eddie’s lips briefly before he looks away. “I’m just uh—I’m literally just here to get away from Tommy. He’s been an irritating asshole all day.” He says with a sigh.
“Oh, so you’re just now realizing your friends a dick?” Eddie asks as he turns the page on his book.
“Sadly.” Steve says as he stares in front of him with discontent.
“So, why do you hang out with him?” Eddie asks as he stays focused on his book.
Steve thinks to himself. It was a good question. Why did he continue to hang out with someone who repulsed him so much?
They used to be great friends, but then they grew up. Their innocence was lost and all Tommy cared about now was having to one up Steve while at the same time worshipping every single thing he did. It felt like he was stuck being someone he didn’t want to be anymore, but he couldn’t escape because it was the only thing he knew.
Eddie glances over at him. “I’ve hit a nerve.” He says as he looks back to his book. “It’s cool, you don’t have to answer, I didn’t mean to—,”
Steve looks over to him as he interrupts, “You know, I don’t know why I still hang out with him.” His eyebrows furrow as he continues, his eyes focus behind Eddie as his thoughts continue, “He’s actually, sort of, a fucking dick.” He finishes.
Eddie looks at him with raised eyebrows and closes his book. “Well shit, man, welcome to the bleachers book club, the place where you eat shit and realizations on shitty friends are made.” Eddie says with a smile.
Steve’s lip twitches, a smile threatening to spill. He leans his head back against the wall and closes his eyes as he listens to the sound of basketballs bouncing and feet squeaking on the gym floor. They stay in silence the rest of the period and when the bell rings, Steve stands with Eddie following his lead as he shoves his book into his backpack. Steve starts to walk down the narrow path to the door but gets pulled back by Eddie.
“Wait until they leave, gym coach usually stands by the door until they all walk out.” Steve mouths an ‘oh’ and nods his head. He puts his back against the wall and crosses his arms as he looks at Eddie. The other is turned as he looks through the small cracks in the bleachers.
Steve takes him in again.
He seemed about the same height as him. Steve can’t remember ever being this close to him before. His eyes trail down his body, over his hair, down his shoulders to his hands where some rings are bigger than his fingers. Eddie turns back and nods his head to the end of their little tunnel. Steve pushes off the wall with a simple, “See you around.” over his shoulder before walking out the back of the bleachers.
Eddie waits before walking out behind him, both of them going separate ways once they reach the main hall.
It wasn’t until a few days later that Eddie runs into Steve again.
He was sat in his usual spot behind the bleachers, preoccupied with writing and drawing. He hadn’t heard Steve walk his way, this gym class was learning how to dribble the ball so it echoed all around. It wasn’t until a backpack landed right next to him causing him to flinch that he looked up to see Steve. Eddie didn’t think this would turn into a thing, he personally didn’t see him and Steve being friends, all these years and now senior year seemed like it was the year for friendship?
Yeah, right.
Steve slides down the wall and sits next to the backpack which was a lot closer than last time. “Hey.” He says as he reaches into his bag and pulls out a paper. He pushes his backpack further into Eddie’s space as he makes room to put his paper on the floor.
Eddie looks at him confused before speaking, “Harrington.” He says as he glances down at the others paper.
It was a graded Calculus worksheet. The top reads fifty-eight percent with a red pen.
Steve pulls out a pencil and starts to erase all the numbers on the paper.
“Shit, man. Don’t you have to have passing grades to be on the basketball team?” Eddie asks before turning back to his binder to continue with his drawing.
“Yep.” Steve says curtly as he continues to erase. They fall back into a silence for a couple minutes. Steve clears his paper of the eraser shavings and leans over it as he reads over the questions.
Eddie can see him frozen in place. “You’re thinking too loud, Harrington.” He says teasingly as he looks back to Steve who sighs in frustration.
He puts the pencil down as he leans back against the wall and closes his eyes.
Eddie’s eyes drift over his features. His hair looked soft, but when does it not. His lips are a glossy pink though, that’s something he hadn’t noticed before. He looks away quickly before the other opens his eyes.
“I think my brain is fried." Steve says as he runs a hand through his hair, "That and I also fucking suck at math.” He turns his head over at him.
Eddie grins before looking down to his paper where he shades in a character he is drawing. “What are you working on?” Steve asks curiously whilst leaning in slightly.
Eddie gulps, the pen in his hand freezing in place, he turns to look at him briefly. “It’s uh, some campaign for my game.” he looks back down to his paper, “It’s dumb, I know. Your best friend has made it clear by trashing our club meetups plenty of times.” He says as he continues to shade in his drawing.
Steve watches him, his eyebrows furrow. He didn’t know Tommy had crashed their games. He thinks back to Mike, Nancy’s younger brother who he’s heard has meetups in school to play some fantasy game. He shakes his head in disagreement with Eddie’s comment. “Dude, no, not even. It sounds interesting. I think my ex’s brother plays that. What’s it called? Some dungeon game right?” He asks as he looks down to Eddie’s paper.
It looks like a man with a sword fighting off a dragon. It’s actually really good.
Eddie nods, his shoulders relaxing. “Yeah, dungeons and dragons.”
Steve hums in acknowledgment. “Dungeons and Dragons, that’s right.”
They fall back into a silence, Steve’s eyes still on Eddie's paper. “That’s really fucked up." Steve says suddenly, "What Tommy did, I mean. I didn’t know he did that.”
Eddie shrugs, “Yeah, well, comes with being the schools punching bags, yeah?”
Steve shakes his head. “It’s not fair.”
Eddie pauses and looks to Steve. “Life’s not fair, Harrington.” He looks down to his math worksheet, “And clearly not for you either, calculus?” He asks as he nods to the paper.
Steve brings his hands up to his face as he pushes his hair back in frustration again. He nods and looks down at the paper. “I absolutely suck at math.” He says as he puts his hand on the paper. “Mrs. Graham is letting me correct it for a higher grade, but in all honesty it ain’t getting any better than this.”
Eddie hums. He was pretty good at math. He could see Steve had used the wrong formulas. A couple questions seemed like easy fixes.
Steve reaches for the paper getting ready to put it up as he unzips his backpack. Just then Eddie decides to speak up. “Okay well, get ready to call me a nerd and shit, but, you used the wrong formulas.” He says hastily before the other puts it away.
Steve looks over at him as he holds on to the paper. Their eyes meet again but this time Eddie breaks the contact as he looks to Steve’s paper.
“Mind showing me which ones?” Steve asks as he brings the paper back to the floor.
Eddie nods and puts his binder on the floor next to him as he leans across Steve’s backpack, putting a hand on the floor to steady himself. Steve leans into him as they look down at the paper together.
“This one’s just asking for the tangent identity.” Eddie says as he points to the first question. Steve nods even though he's got no clue what he's talking about. “Do you have a pencil?” Eddie asks as he looks around the floor for it. He spots it under the backpack and reaches for it just as Steve does. Their fingers meet as they both grab for it. “Sorry.” He says letting go as Steve hands him the pencil.
“It’s okay.” Steve says as he looks back down to the paper. He leans closer into Eddie, he could feel his shoulder rub against his own. Their hairs practically touching.
Eddie clears his throat. “So, basically, this one asks for difference identity, you just plug in the numbers into the formula, this one right here,” he scribbles something down to the side of the paper quickly before putting numbers into their spot. “And you go from there.” He jots the numbers down as he works the problem out explaining each step.
Steve’s eyebrows furrow at the calculations before finally Eddie draws a box around what he assumes to be the answer. “Um, yeah, that made like zero fucking sense to me, dude.” Steve says with a laugh as he pulls back and turns to look at Eddie.
Eddie smiles, his eyes still on the paper. “Yeah, it can be, kinda confusing. Mrs. Graham also fucking sucks at teaching, so.” He says with a laugh.
Steve smiles along as he he takes note of the others smile lines, his eyes falling to his spit slicked lips. “Definitely.” He says as his eyes lingers on his lips before looking back up. The other is still preoccupied looking at the worksheet. Steve turns back down to the paper reaching for it. “So, are all of these the same as the first question?” He asks confused, leaning back in putting his hand on the paper directly next to Eddie’s.
Their pinkies touch briefly before Eddie pulls away with a nod.
“Well, I’m fucked.” Steve announces with a sigh while pulling away.
“You weren’t given a formula sheet?” Eddie asks curiously.
Steve looks up and thinks. “I’m pretty sure Tommy took my copy and lost it.” He says as he shakes his head.
Eddie thinks about it. “Well, here, I have mine,” he reaches for his backpack and pulls out a folded paper, “I pretty much have it memorized so, you know.” He shrugs and hands it over to Steve.
Steve reaches for it with a smile. “Thanks, man.” He opens it and looks down at it. “So which ones do I use for this worksheet?” He asks as he stares down at it confused. Eddie leans forward and puts a star next to a set of formulas before handing the pencil back to Steve. “Thanks.” Eddie looks at him before nodding
“Yeah, sure.” He turns away and starts to pack his things, Steve following his lead. The bell rings shortly after.
“Thanks for the help, by the way.” Steve says as he puts his backpack on.
“It’s cool.” Eddie replies casually as he twirls the ring on his finger with his thumb. They wait until everyone else leaves before Steve turns around and smiles at Eddie, “See you around.” Eddie nods his head and gives a small smile before looking down watching Steve’s feet as he walks out first.
Eddie hadn’t mentioned to his bandmates his two encounters with Steve. He figured it meant nothing and probably wouldn’t happen again so he kept it to himself.
It was when him and his group were sitting in the library trying to finish their history project that they asked about it.
Eddie was tasked with writing everything down whilst the rest were spread out in the library collecting sources. Steve had walked into the library and headed straight to the back where the copiers were at. By chance he ends up walking past Eddie’s table, the other too busy writing to notice him walk back to his table after noticing it was him. “Eddie.” He says as he sits on the edge of the table casually calling for his attention.
Eddie looks up confused, “Uh, Harrington, what’s up?” He says to the other as he brings his paper closer to him on the table, his eyes quickly wandering around them.
Steve smiles down at him. “Your formula sheet saved me, dude. I used it on my last test and managed to get a passing grade.” He says while holding on to a sheet of paper.
Eddie’s lip twitches. “That’s great, but I would of wanted to see you get kicked off the team for failing calculus.” He teases as he looks up at him.
Steve grins at the response, “Alright, alright.” He says as he looks down at Eddie, his tongue darting across his lips. He reaches into his jacket, “I hope you don’t mind, but I made a copy of it for myself. Here’s yours, thanks.” He pulls a folded paper out.
Eddie reaches for it. “Yeah, no worries.” He puts it on the table and glances across the surface as he sees Gareth walk back to the table.
Steve’s eyes remain on Eddie unaware of the other's friend approaching. “What you working on?” He asks casually as he looks down at his paper.
Eddie bites his lip as he meets eyes with Gareth, he looks away and turns to his paper. “It’s uh, a project for history class. We’re focusing on Greek Mythology.” He says as he looks back up at Steve.
Steve nods along, “Cool, I think we’re going to have to write a paper for literature class on some greek tragedy.” He adds as he reaches down for a sticky note that seems to have fallen. He picks it up and hands it to Eddie who looks at it and grabs it, it was one of their bullet point lists.
“Thanks.” He sticks it back on to another paper. He looks up to Gareth who’s looking at Steve’s back, he raises an eyebrow at Eddie questioning him. Eddie clears his throat, “Um, this is,” he gestures towards Gareth, “my bandmate Gareth. Gareth this is Steve, which I know you know of.” Eddie says as he nearly whispers the end.
Of course they knew who Steve was. Steve “the King” Harrington. Who doesn’t know who he and his douchebag friends are?
Steve turns and nods his head at him with a smile. Gareth gives him a tight smile hesitantly before reaching for one of the books he brought.
Steve turns his attention back to Eddie after the interaction. “Bandmate? You guys have a band together?” he asks curiously.
Eddie tilts his head at him. “Yeah, since like freshman year? Corroded Coffin. Catch up, Harrington, it seems like you’re living under a rock, first no formula sheet now this?” He tsks as he grins up at him.
Steve smiles as he crosses his arms getting comfortable. “Oh, so I’m just supposed to know what you’ve been doing since freshman year?” He asks as Eddie nods in surely.
Steve breathes out a laugh, “What about you then? Tell me what I was doing freshman year.” He challenges as he kicks at Eddie’s chair playfully.
Eddie hums, “Well clearly not being aware of Corroded Coffin.” He says teasingly.
“Yeah, okay because I’m just supposed to just know your entire biography?” Steve asks with a smile. He opens his mouth to speak again but is interrupted by someone who passes by him and hits him on the shoulder.
“Harrington, meeting in five with coach.” Some jock with a varsity jacket says. Steve turns to look at him and nods, “Yeah, okay I’ll be there.” But even after the response the jock stays by the table. Eddie glances over at him before looking back at Steve.
Steve looks at him and nods his head now annoyed, “Heard you, man. I’ll be there right now.” The jock looks at Gareth then at Eddie. “Walk with me.” He says arrogantly. Steve sucks in a breathe, his jaw tightening.
“Walk with him, Harrington.” Eddie says teasingly as he jerks his head towards the jock who is now glaring at him. Steve turns to him and gives him a tight smile.
“See you around, man.” He says as he pushes off the table. Eddie turns back to his writing as he continues where he left off. He looks back up when he's sure Steve has walked away and watches him as he walks out the library doors. He turns to look at Gareth who’s giving at him a knowing look, “Yeah, yeah, whatever I’ll tell you all about it.” He says with a sigh.
They end up seeing each other a lot more than expected behind the bleachers.
It’s an unspoken hangout spot by that point. Sometimes Eddie reads and tells Steve to shut up so he can concentrate but most times Steve brings his Calculus homework so Eddie can help. They fall into a teasing nature, Eddie doing most of the teasing as he backtracks and says he’s kidding.
Steve starts to look forward to study hall just so he can meet up with Eddie. During the day they rarely bump into each other. The only times they do see one another is during lunch and each time Steve would be sure to walk past Eddie and give his elbow a quick squeeze in passing. The lunchroom was always crowded so nobody ever noticed the quick touch. Other times, Eddie would slip doodles into Steve’s locker as he passes by it on bathroom breaks. They would laugh at them when they met up again behind the bleachers.
One day Steve shows up but Eddie isn’t there.
He waits for him thinking maybe he got caught up with something but he never shows. Steve sulks as he sits out the period bored by himself. The next day he goes back, this time he is there.
“Hey, where were you yesterday?” He tugs his backpack off and slides down the wall directly next to Eddie and turns to look at him.
Eddie pulls out his binder and grins. “Taking attendance, Harrington?”
Steve looks away shyly. “No, it’s just. Stopped by yesterday and didn’t see you.” He says as he adjusts his watch on his wrist.
Eddie pulls out a pen and opens his binder to his drawing. “I was helping the art teacher put up some lanterns the freshman made on the ceiling.” He says as he turns to look at Steve.
“Still working on the drawing?” Steve asks, already changing the subject.
Eddie nods and looks to it. “It’s our club's anniversary so I wanted to do something special since this will be our last year.” He says as he tilts the binder for Steve to look at. It was a lot more detailed than the last time.
Steve looks at it in awe. “You’re like, really good at drawing.” He says as his eyes go over every detail.
Eddie smiles, “Thanks.” Steve leans forward to point at something, his shoulder nudging against Eddie’s. “Is this you?” He asks.
Eddie nods with a smile, “What gave it away?” He turns to look at Steve, their faces inches away.
Steve smiles as he turns. “Well, the jean vest with patches gives some hint.” He says as his eyes meet with Eddie.
Eddie gulps before looking away and creating some space between them, Steve decides on pulling away as well.
“I um, probably won’t be here the next couple of days. So, just a heads up.” Eddie says as he looks back down to his paper continuing to draw.
Steve furrows his eyebrows. “How come?”
Eddie smiles to himself. “Well, I thought you already knew, but some shitty Hawkins basketball team is going to start their training for the new season.” Eddie says as Steve mouths an “oh” in realization.
“Right, I totally forgot, we start training soon.”
Eddie nods, “Yeah, they usually move the bleachers around so,” he stops and looks at Steve. “I know you’ve been having fun at this little book club, but for starters you don’t even read a book, you’ve made me tutor you,” Steve grins at him, “and secondly, I don’t want to be in a lions den.”
Before Steve can even think, his mouth opens to speak, “Well I can start reading a book.”
Eddie squints at him in disbelief. “Oh, but how could I force literature on to Steve Harrington?” He asks sarcastically making Steve grin. “I don’t know. I don’t think you can read a book and dribble a ball at the same time.” Eddie says teasingly as he looks back down to his drawing.
Steve wasn’t sure why he wanted to keep hanging out with Eddie, but he did know there was something about him that was different. All he could think about was all the time he wasted not befriending people outside his friend group.
Would Eddie even consider them friends? or better yet did Eddie even want to be his friend?
“So we’ll meetup at a different time with a new spot.” Steve suggests.
Eddie furrows his eyebrows not believing the words he’s hearing, “Are you seeking me out, Harrington?” He asks teasingly, his focus on shading minor details.
Steve looks to him as he starts to speak. “I mean, yeah. You’re pretty cool—" Eddie snorts, “Contrary to popular belief.” He adds in as Steve smiles, “and I don’t know, I think we make a good pair of friends? I’d still want to hang out with you even if it weren’t behind the bleachers.”
Eddie continues to draw as he speaks, his heart rate picking up, “Careful, Harrington. Don’t tell me you’re ditching your best friend for some loser who plays fantasy games?”
Steve looks down to his paper watching him draw. “I might be, yeah.”
Eddie gasps dramatically, “In your day and age? That’s a bold move.”
Steve points to a spot Eddie forgot to shade and he goes back to it as Steve pulls away. “Maybe," He says with a shrug, then a pause. "But what about you, you don’t consider us friends?” Steve asks hesitantly.
Eddie continues to shade in before pulls the pen away to look at Steve. “No.” He says simply with a head shake.
Steve looks up at him surprised and…was that hurt Eddie could see?
“Oh.” Steve says as he looks back down to Eddie’s drawing.
Eddie grins before he nudges Steve’s shoulder with his own. “I’m kidding. How could I pass up the opportunity to being Mr. Popular’s friend? People dream about this shit, of course I consider you a friend. I was thinking maybe we even do a blood pact.” He says teasingly as he goes back to drawing.
Steve looks at him. “Very funny.”
“Indeed.” Eddie says as he starts drawing something new to the corner of the paper. “So what, where do you think would be a good spot? You know where all your little jock friends hang out so, where should we go?” Eddie asks in attempt to keep the conversation going.
Steve sighs as he thinks, “Well, they’re kind of everywhere so, I’d have to think on that.” He says sincerely.
A thought pops in his head.
“Or, maybe you could just come over?” He suggests nervously.
Eddie continues to draw distractedly. “Come over to where? Your game practice?” Eddie asks with a face of disgust.
Steve shakes his head and gulps. “No, I meant like. Come over to my house?” Eddie’s hand freezes as it stops moving on the paper.
"Oh.” He stares at the paper as he thinks.
“You don’t have to. Sorry, it was just a thought, I mean we could maybe just go to the library I mean I think we could find a—" Steve starts in a ramble but gets interrupted.
“Okay.” Eddie says with a shrug.
Steve turns to him as he continues to draw. “Okay, to the library?” Steve asks, unsure.
“No, I mean. Okay to coming over.” Eddie says simply.
Steve breathes out and nods along, “Okay, cool yeah. How about today?”
Eddie looks over at him in surprise, “You want to see me again, today?” He asks skeptically.
Steve nods hesitantly, “Well, yeah, friends see each other more than once a day?” He says as he looks over to Eddie.
Eddie looks to him with consideration. “That’s true.” He says casually before turning back to his paper.
Eddie comes over that day after school and he comes over a lot more after that too.
Steve was genuinely happy to have him come over. It had been too long since he’s felt good about a friendship. And as it turns out, when you aren’t limited to the back of school bleachers, there is a lot more stuff to do besides homework. Steve keeps his promise of starting a book. Eddie lends him one of his copies (of course he has more than one) of the Lord of the Rings and they sit in Steve’s living room as they read it together.
It becomes an after school activity for them.
One day Steve casually observes his sitting options and without thinking about it he lays on the floor, his head on Eddie’s lap as he opens up to where they left off. Eddie tenses at first, but relaxes when Steve gets right into it. He smiles to himself and covers it with the book as he brings it up to cover himself from Steve’s face.
When they take a break from reading, Steve sits up and sits next to Eddie as the tv plays some random movie. “You know, I’ve only ever been behind the bleachers like twice with someone else.”
Eddie looks at the tv preoccupied with whatever plot is going on. “Oh really, who with?” He asks mindlessly.
“Cassidy Charter and Danny Rogers. Respectively of course.” Eddie furrows his eyebrows at the response, still his eyes stay glued to the tv. “What the fuck?” he breathes out a laugh, “That’s like so random, what the hell were you doing back there with Danny Rogers, isn't he on the swim team?” He asks as he reaches for his coke beside him.
Steve clears his throat and hesitates, his shoulders tense as he decides on answering. “We were uh, making out.”
Eddie snorts and turns to him. “Gross so you were swapping spit at the same spot I was just chilling.”
Steve feels himself relaxe, he huffs a relieved laugh as he nods his head. “Yeah, we were. Sorry for disgracing your sacred place.”
Eddie smiles at him before looking back to the tv. “Danny Rogers, huh? Wasn’t he on the team with you in sophomore year?” He asks as his eyes follow the character on tv.
Steve nods, it didn't seem that Eddie was bothered by him mentioning he kissed a boy and if he did he surely didn't show it. He was thankful for it, he knew Tommy would of never wanted to see him again if he knew he kissed a boy.
“He was. He joined the swim team the following year but recently moved away after his dad got a new job outside of Hawkins.”
Eddie nods following along. “So was he a good kisser?” He asks nonchalantly.
Steve thinks about it as his fingers fiddle with his tee shirt hem. “He was alright, I think he was worried we’d get caught.”
Eddie hums in acknowledgment. “Well now I feel left out.” he says.
Steve’s eyebrows furrow, he looks to the tv. “Left out?”
Eddie nods with a shrug. “Yeah, I mean we spent hours behind the bleachers and not once did you kiss me.”
Steve freezes at the words. He feels himself blush. “Um, well...I didn’t know, I mean...” he looks to Eddie and shakes his head confused, “I didn’t think you’d want a kiss?” He finishes shyly.
Eddie turns to him and grins. “Oh, you think I wouldn’t want a kiss from the Steve Harrington?”
Steve looks to him wide eyed. “Uh, well no? Or?” He looks at Eddie confused.
“The tutoring’s gotta pay off somehow, doesn’t it?” Eddie says jokingly as he turns back to the tv.
Steve stares at him still confused as to whether Eddie is being serious. “Are you being serious or?”
Eddie smiles and looks to him. “Dead serious.” His eyes fall down to Steve’s lips.
Steve’s tongue swipes out unconsciously to lick his lips. “So like, now?” Steve asks eagerly making Eddie’s smile grows as he starts to lean in. Steve moves the slightest inch as he starts to close his eyes.
Eddie is centimeters away before he stops. “Just kidding.” He says as he looks to Steve’s lips then up to his eyes that open. He grins as he pulls away leaving Steve dumbfounded at the interaction. “I’m starting to think you just want a free kiss from me, Harrington. Think this was some sort of plan of yours, crash my hiding spot, eat shit, make me tutor you then convince me to come over just so you can tell me all about your bleachers kisses.” Eddie shakes his head. “Classic jock, what did I expect? You're all the same.” He says jokingly as he looks to Steve.
The other looks at him wide eyed and shakes his head quickly trying to deny Eddie’s thoughts. “No, no of course not, Eddie I would never—,”
Eddie laughs as he turns back to the tv. He reaches a hand out to Steve’s shoulder and jostles him a bit. “Relax, Harrington. I’m joking.”
They continue to hang out everyday after school.
Eddie goes to a couple of Steve’s games and Steve looks into the bleachers and searches for Eddie every time him and his team walks out to the court. Eddie always tells him he’ll think about it when he asks if he’ll go. “I could care less whether we win or lose.” He says. Still, Eddie sends a wink his way every time their eyes meet, of course he goes.
Eddie teases him about the length of the basketball shorts. He pinches the back of Steve’s thigh once when he snuck up behind him in the parking lot after a practice. Steve flushed at the touch, but blames it on the running around and practice.
Steve hangs out with Eddie and his friend group on Fridays after their DnD game’s, they go out for pizza and walk down to the arcade down the street.
It’s before spring break that him and Eddie end up back to their original meeting place behind the bleachers.
Steve forgot his jacket in the gym lockers and Eddie tagged along for the hell of it. They grab Steve’s letterman jacket and head out the locker room doors. Eddie smiles to himself before grabbing Steve by the wrist. He tugs him along to the back of the bleachers. Steve quirks an eyebrow at him when they just stand behind them facing each other.
“Um, what’s up?” Steve asks confused.
Eddie looks down to his lips before leaning forward, hastily cupping Steve’s face before placing a quick peck to Steve’s lips. He pulls away nervously afterwards. “Sorry, just had to do it.” He says as he shifts in place meanwhile Steve licks his lips as he watches him. “I’ve been wanting to do that for like, a while now actually. Sorry, if I made things weird or, for not being Danny Rogers.” He admits as he looks down to his hand twirling his ring on his finger with his thumb.
“You definitely made things weird, Munson.” Steve says seriously.
Eddie looks up with a scared expression, but a playful smile tugs at the corner of Steve’s lips. “Kidding.” He repeats back like all those times Eddie did.
Eddie sighs in relief.
“My turn to be the dick.” Steve says jokingly as he follows Eddie with his eyes.
“Even Steven.” Eddie says with a bashful smile.
Steve leans forward and grips Eddie’s chin as he kisses him back. He pulls back after a couple seconds and Eddie looks to him surprised.
Steve shrugs, “Been wanting to do that since the first book club meeting.”
“As if.” Eddie says with an eyeroll not believing him.
Steve feigns indignation. “What? Only you are allowed to have had the urge for a kiss?” he asks as he steps into Eddie’s space.
“Yeah, actually. And besides, I’ve been in line for a kiss from you since freshman year. The kiss was overdue.” Eddie admits.
Steve looks at him earnestly. “I should've crashed this place years ago then.”
“Should of.” Eddie says as he steps forward.
The bell rings and snaps them out of their bubble, they flinch and jump back.
“Come over after school?” Steve asks as he tilts his head.
Eddie thinks about it. “How many living room kisses have you had?” He asks.
Steve smiles. “None with you.”
Eddie smiles back as he circles around Steve. “What a coincidence. I don’t have any with you either.” He starts to walk backwards as he he speaks, “Guess we’ll have to fix that then, yeah?”
Steve follows along. “Guess we will.” He grabs at his waist and gives a squeeze. “See you then, Munson.” He walks past Eddie and heads into the hallway.
Eddie stands frozen in place.
All it took was a hideout spot behind school bleacher, he smiles to himself.