Work Text:
“Hot chocolate isn’t hot chocolate without whipped cream,” Steve says, dumping spoon after spoon with it into his cup.
Robin looks at him and takes the chocolate chip cookie out of her mouth. “What sorta place doesn’t serve whipped cream with their hot chocolate?” She puts it back in and walks to the table with the box of cookies. Everything is in boxes when carried or they won’t be carried for long and instead decorate the floor.
“Mister Cake. I was there with Eddie last Sunday and she said they didn’t have whipped cream.” At least the caramel cake slice had tasted so good it sent him on cloud nine. It was such a big slice that he’d split it with Eddie. They split a lot when they go out; it’s nice because then he can taste more pastries without paying for all of them.
“A-huh…” She glances at the bathroom door. Closed and locked still. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with Eddie. Just the two of you.”
He turns his gaze to her, two wrinkles on his forehead. “Is that bad?”
“No, Steve, absolutely not. Eddie is a good friend and I’m happy you get along.” She walks back into the kitchen for her soda and squeezes his shoulder on the way.
The door unlocks and opens. “What movie did you pick out then?” he asks, directing the question at Robin without looking at her as he heads for the bowl of chips.
“Love, Simon. Don’t give me that look! It’s a cute story about teen romance.” She walks over to put her soda on the table and leans closer. “It’s also Steve’s comfort movie, so be nice,” she whispers.
He clears his throat. “Romcom it is, then. Amazing. Can’t wait.” A lie, but he knows better than to insult someone’s comfort movie. “What’s it about?” He watches as Steve walks to the table, clutching his cup of hot chocolate that's overflowing with whipped cream.
Not a single drop hits the floor when he finally makes it and puts the cup on the table. “Teenage romance. Simon is in the closet.”
“Ah.” Eddie nods. “Can’t wait!” His enthusiasm isn’t all fake; he enjoys the movie nights with his friends even when they pick lousy movies. They have a few rules, and he knew about Robin’s preference before, but Steve brought on a whole new challenge. Preferably action but no horror, romance is only allowed if it’s comedies, and if they’re over two hours they’re a big no unless it’s a musical.
With the table set, Steve takes his seat in the corner of the sofa. Robin stretches out on the futon, and Eddie takes his seat next to Steve. They make it through about seven minutes of it before Robin starts her first conversation for the night.
“How old were you when you had your first kiss? I was in college.”
“In college?” Eddie repeats and stares at her.
“Small towns have small pickings, okay? How old were you then?” She gives him a look, challenging him. “C’mon, share with the class. How old were you? Mister cool? Mister got-his-first-kiss-before-“
“Sixteen,” he interrupts her before she can keep going. “I was sixteen. What about you?” He glances at Steve, who hasn’t looked away from the movie. If their talking annoys him, he’s never said so.
“Steve hasn’t had his first kiss.”
Eddie frowns. “But you’ve talked about exes, I’m sure, you haven’t-“
“Steve hasn’t had his first kiss,” she repeats and looks at him with wide eyes waiting for him to get what she not so subtly implied with her words.
“Oh…” Eddie looks at Steve again. “Why not? Wait, shit, sorry, if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine.” Maybe he doesn’t want to be kissed. They’ve never talked about relationships. Eddie has tried to ask him out (multiple times), but if he doesn’t want a relationship that would explain why he refuses to understand what Eddie means when he asks him to hang out just the two of them.
“Physical affection such as kissing is seen as a big part of dating for many. I don’t like to have expectations on me when it concerns what I do with my body or who is allowed to touch it just because we are involved.”
Eddie leans back and stares at the TV without taking in the movie. Eyes narrowing, brows knotting together, he tries to make sense of it. “Do you not want to kiss anyone then?”
“I don’t want to be expected to allow physical affection.”
“Right, but do you want to kiss a guy?” Eddie tries again.
Robin glances at them. “Are you volunteering?” she asks, slurping her soda. She’d pulled the rope and Eddie had been caught under the box. Splendid.
He can’t even get a word out for fear he’ll only imitate the sound of a dying whale should he attempts to speak. Why? Just why would she do this?
“Tell you what,” she says, and sits up, “I need a toilet break so why don’t you guys discuss that while I’m gone?” she suggests and grabs her phone, winking at Eddie with a grin as wide as the snare she caught them both in.
Steve turns around, legs shifting so he can sit comfortably. His knee nudges Eddie’s arm. “Sorry…”
“It’s fine.” Eddie crosses his arms over his chest. “You know, we don’t have to discuss anything, okay? She’s just being a goober.” A real, real, silly goober.
It’s quiet between them with a silence so heavy it weighs both of them down with words they want to say but can’t get out. Anxiety fills the air around them and Eddie is sure he’s only got one chance to save their friendship and this is it, but before he thinks of what to say Steve breaks the silence.
“I have to be comfortable with someone before… anything happens, if it should, if…” He shifts, as much as he can on a sofa. He stares at the coffee table and the ring that’s formed on it where he always puts his water glass. “I need more time than most people are willing to give, and I get that, but I like you a lot and I don’t want to ruin our friendship over it.” His voice is low in a tone so quiet it’s inaudible to most people.
Most people aren’t Eddie Munson, though. “How about… I kiss you, and you decide if you want to again. No strings on your part.”
He glances up at Eddie. “Okay, yeah… okay.” Are his lips chapped and dry? He sure hopes not. Being kissed isn’t new to him but when Eddie puts a hand on his face and caresses his cheek it feels new. His eyes are closed so he can’t see Eddie move closer but he feels strands of hair brush against his face—just before soft lips land on his. A scent he can’t place burrows up his nose. He smiles. It’s not that he can’t help it but he feels happy so he knows he should show Eddie that he’s happy. Because then, maybe, they can kiss again without Robin in the bathroom to give them privacy.