Chapter Text
There was this unspoken rule on campus: Do not just do what Edward Artemis Munson proposes.
Steve however didn’t follow rules.
He’d known Eddie for a little over a year now. They both studied acting at Hawkins University. Steve hoped to get himself a job as a drama teacher out of it. Eddie wanted to be on Fallon’s Tonight Show. They weren’t the same, they hardly shared any modules. But they were neighbors. And Eddie was a damn good seller.
The first time they’d met, Steve had stumbled upon a masked lanky person in the middle of the night. He had been drunk and tired but he’d also been offered to share a joint so that was that. He’d learned two things about his classmate that night. One being, that he despised his middle name.
The other one being that that boy knew where to get the good stuff.
And that was it. They never talked again after. That was when Steve had first moved into his dorm that he shared with a guy called Jonathan. He was chill, barely talked, but they didn’t bother each other.
Steve actually never wanted to study in the first place. But Robin had dragged him to it. And who was he to deny his best friend’s wishes. His options however had been slim. There were very few degrees you could master without a minimum grade from high school. So Steve had had to chose between art or acting. And since he could barely even hold a pen, acting it was.
Steve had secretly always liked that. He’d loved his drama classes, the only ones he’d pass first try, no matter what. Even gym hadn’t done that for him. And now it had been two semesters already. Time flew.
Steve had always noticed Eddie Munson. The only module they had shared so far was some basic acting course, since Steve’s degree had started out with mostly pedagogy classes.
Now he sat on his bed, cuddled up with Robin and opening his timetable for the first time. Robin talked. A lot. Steve didn’t really listen, trying to blend it out as he scrolled through the colorful patches that had been scattered across his week. Some more basics classes. Some education. And...
“Hey, did you know that an acting degree includes a module of directing? That’s cool."
Robin shrugged. “Well, yeah, I’d figure it’s important for you, since you’re gonna direct a lot of school’s plays in your life, Mr. Harrington.” She snorted as he rolled his eyes.
“Well, I think it’s cool, don’t you?"
“Uhu, anyways, as I was saying my Dad then slipped on it and everything collapsed and..."
Robin, while being his favorite person, was also quite hard to talk to. Steve didn’t know what her Dad had slipped on or what exactly had collapsed where and when. But if he’d have asked she would’ve started all over again. He sighed.
“Don’t you dare sigh on me, while I’m telling you about the funniest thing that’s ever happened to me!” She shoved him slightly.
“Thought the funniest thing was me getting harassed by a seagull last spring?"
“Oh shut up.” He did not shut up. Instead he gave her his best impression of a seagull he could manage, watching her cackle.
“My name is Daniel”, the prof said. He looked incredibly bored and it didn’t help that he’d just introduced himself by first name and nothing else. Steve was tired, the chairs in this room that he had never been in before were uncomfortable and it was way too early to be dealing with anything. He stared into his to go cup that had already been emptied. And surprisingly it hadn’t been Robin this time.
Daniel leaned against his desk and stared them down. His hair was dark brown except for a strand on the right side of his head that was light grey, opposing the other wisely very well put together form of the man. His glasses sat on the bridge of his seemingly broken before nose, hiding his dark eyes from the world. He’d crossed his arms, as a grin formed on his face. It felt evil, wicked, whatever. Knowing. Daniel knew stuff they didn’t. And that made him powerful without even having to know his full name and title.
“Welcome to your module in directing. I hope y’all are excited?” Before anyone could say anything he lifted his hand. “No, don’t tell me, I really don’t care if you are. All I care about, is that we have fun this semester, okay? That we can be creative and learn something out of the experience.” He cleared his throat.
“Now, before we start with anything, I want everybody to find a partner. Right now, spontaneously, preferably somebody you don’t hang out with on a regular basis! Three, two, one, go."
Daniel was confusing. Steve yawned and looked around. Everyone had started to chatter, throwing themselves at each other, calling names and laughing. Steve didn’t know anyone. Sure he’d seen some people around, but he hadn’t talked to a single person in this room. Well, except for the one that tapped his shoulder in just that moment.
“Harrington, you look lonely. Wanna work with me this semester and get the best score you’ve ever had?” Eddie’s smug grin was wide, showing what had to be all of his teeth. Steve shrugged. “Sure, whatever.” He yawned again.
“There, there, am I boring you already? That’s never happened before. People aren’t bored of me, how dare you!"
“Sorry, just tired”, Steve mumbled. Eddie was too much already. His speech was fast, his British accent popping as he twirled his hair. “Hey, I’m just messing with you, big guy. No need to apologize.” He grinned even wider and it looked like he was about to continue his talking when Daniel interrupted him.
“This semester, I give you the task to create.” He nodded into confused faces. “It’s as simple as it sounds. I want you to construct an acting project. Starring you, preferably. You won’t get any help from anybody but your partner. Could be a sketch, short film, maybe a musical. I don’t care, surprise me, but I want everything you do documented. We’ll end the semester with your presentations. All clear?"
A mumble of “Yes”s and “What”s sounded through the room.
“Great, now let’s start with some directing basics so you dipshits will know what you’re doing."
Steve liked Daniel.
He was sitting on a bench outside of the building, staring down a chicken sandwich he’d have to force down his throat. God he hated being tired. It stole him every little joy in life. One of those being food. His sorrow however was interrupted by a mob of dark wavy hair, dangling in his face from above him. Before he even realized, Eddie stepped over his head and onto the table, bowing, before he sat down next to Steve’s sandwich.
“Harry, do you wanna trust me?"
“My name’s Steve?"
“Yeah, I know, that was supposed to be short for Harrington but it didn’t really work the way I expected. Whatever, answer my question."
“Uh, I guess, why?” Steve yawned again.
“What’s with the yawning, man. Be polite!"
“I am polite."
“You’re being a dick is what you are. I wouldn’t act like that if I were about to hear the best idea anyone’s ever had."
Steve huffed. “Oh am I? What is it then?"
Eddie pressed his hand to his chest in mocking shock. “Oh Darling, are you mental? Not here! People might hear!"
Steve groaned. “Can we just...do this another time? I’m really fucking tired.” Jonathan had been high as a kite last night night and just wouldn’t shut up for the love of god. Needless to say that Steve hadn’t exactly slept well.
“Nope”, Eddie said, popping the p. “You’re coming with me.” And with that he pulled Steve in a stand, jumping onto his back. In reflex Steve gripped tightly around Eddie’s calfs, not to let him slip backwards against the wooden picnic bench.
“The fuck are you doing?”, he hissed but Eddie pointed dramatically in front of him.
“To the salon!"
“What?"
Eddie was quiet for exactly two seconds. “You say that as if you haven’t seen Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse..."
“I’m sorry, what?"
“Just go."
Steve let go. “I’m not carrying you, idiot.” God, he remembered now why the meet up with Eddie hadn’t become a regular thing. He was downright annoying and that so effortlessly it hurt his brain. Grabbing his sandwich he still hurried to follow Eddie, who led the way.
Steve’s form left much to be desired after almost a whole year of not working out. So it wasn’t surprising that he, even as a former jock, was the one to tech the end of the stairs panting. “Why are we on the fucking roof?"
“Because nobody ever comes here”, Eddie shrugged and sat down. “Except for this one caretaker and he’s a real asshole so be ready to run again, but otherwise we’re gonna be fine.” He smiled. Steve slid to the floor next to him.
“Okay, great, now spill your oh so brilliant idea."
Eddie looked around oversuspiciously. “What did you think?"
“Huh?"
“You know, what was your first thought when you heard what the assignment was?"
“Uh...I don’t know, I was thinking...a play? Maybe?”
“Marvellous, Stevie.” Eddie nodded eagerly. “That was what I had in mind too but it’s gonna be the longest play you’ve ever been in."
“How so?"
“It starts in under a week and ends right before we present it."
“That doesn’t make sense."
Eddie smirked. “Oh it does, believe me. It’s gonna be the most impressive act ever and I mean...ever."
“What about Romeo and Juliet?"
“Oh, Romeo can suck my dick, this is better, I guarantee it."
“If it’s so great then why are you using so many words for nothing?”, Steve groaned.
“We’re gonna fool everyone, babe”, Eddie said, while Steve only heard babe and it took him loads of concentration to stay focussed, because what the fuck. “We’re gonna be in love."
Suddenly Steve was awake. Not a single sleepy cell left in his body as his head snapped up. “Excuse me?"
“You heard me. We’re gonna convince everybody of a love story that isn’t real. From hopelessly pining over each other to breaking up dramatically. What do you say?"
“Uh...I’m not...I don’t, uhm..."
“Oh Stevie, you’re an acting student. You can be anything."
“How would that even...I mean...” Steve tried to hide the unbelievably embarrassing blush creeping over his face.
“In my head it’s called “A study in acting love”. See it as an experiment if you want. What dedication does it take to fool an entire campus of a thousand plus students and teachers. It’s the unhinged art of flawless acting. Being natural, in love, in fully control of your own body. People are gonna love it."
“People are pricks."
“That’s why they’re gonna love it."
Steve thought for a moment. “I don’t...know what to say.” And he really didn’t. How would he, nobody had ever asked him to act out an entire relationship.
“How about yes, Eddie that is the absolute best idea ever, I’m in ?"
“Seems like you’ve already got a plan."
“Oh, I absolutely do."
Robin was gay. So maybe people wouldn’t find it hard to believe that he was too. After all he had been single for a while now. But what if he was gonna meet the actual love of his life while being with Eddie. Missed opportunities for a good grade? Being with Eddie. That sounded wrong. Not at all like Steve. But then again, what even was Steve? He caught himself getting lost in thought, as he noticed Eddie staring at him expectantly.
And then Steve said something stupid. Something rash.
“Okay."
“Okay?"
“Yeah okay, got nothing to lose and all. I’m in."
“Wow okay, I’m you’re nothing to lose kinda guy? Seems pretty harsh but whatever.” Eddie sounded hurt but his grin was even wider than before. Steve swallowed.
Eddie had pulled out his tablet within seconds, slamming it on the cold concrete roof of the building beneath them. He tapped his finger against the display. Steve curiously watched the messily scrawled down words.
“Six phases."
“Six phases”, Steve repeated.
“Two brilliant actors."
“So I’ve heard."
“And an absolute genius masterplan."
“Whatever you say.” Eddie’s eyes narrowed in mischief.
“I’m already loving this."
“And I’m already annoyed by your fucking energy. Dude, where do you even take all of that from and can you get me some too?"
Eddie gasped. “Steve! That’s incredibly offensive. I’m trying to get off my ADHD meds and you talk it down and up at the same time. How’s that even possible?” Steve stared at him blankly. Eddie chuckled. “Okay, pretty boy, here’s the plan."
Steve sighed. This was going to be a long semester.
“Okay then, Stevie. Everything clear so far?"
Steve nodded slowly, trying to process the horrendous amount of information just having been dumped onto him.
“Great, do you have any special abilities regarding acting?"
“Uh...” Steve was a little cold by now. He’d missed some of his classes, just sitting on the roof listening to Eddie ramble about his masterplan. “I can make myself blush if I think hard enough about that one time my dad tried to set me up with his colleague who was ten years older than me in front of the whole school.”
Eddie blinked twice.
“I can also cry on command."
“Perfect, me too. Our brake up is gonna be amazing."
They were quiet for a moment.
“Uh, Eddie?"
“Yup?"
“Can we...Like, can we have a safe word? In case one of us gets uncomfortable or...panicky or whatever. If it’s too much, you know?"
“Oh” Eddie seemed considerate. “Yeah, sure, we’ll just remove ourselves from the situation when one of us uses it."
“What’s it gonna be?"
Eddie looked around, gaze landing on Steve’s sandwich. “How about chicken?"
“Chicken”, Steve repeated silently. “That’s good, yeah, okay."
And so it begun. The study in acting love. Although Steve so far was feeling nothing but overload.