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After high school, Steve and Robin moved out to New Hampshire together, mostly because of SNHU, but also because of the gay-friendly environment. It was nice for Robin, and Steve as well. Steve had gone on a journey of self-discovery that summer after high school graduation and labeled himself as bisexual.
Robin was proud of him, as a Platonic soulmate would be for their own — newly LGBTQ+ — Platonic soulmate. It was comfortable for both of them, not to have to hide their own sexualities. They had attended two or three gay bars in the scene, two of which were not too shabby, but one was absolutely awful . For lack of better words, at least.
The shitty bar was the one Steve had just returned home from. Robin was swamped with studying for an upcoming test, so she told Steve to go without her, and maybe try and find somebody to have fun with. He agreed to do so, and oh, did he regret it.
When he got there, he noticed right away, the place smelled. Like shit and BO, that is. Obviously, he wouldn’t expect the place to smell like rose petals and expensive wine, but he didn’t expect the stench of barf . Which did become literal, as soon as he went to use the bathroom and he smelled it before he saw it.
Somehow, he managed to look past that, hoping that maybe he’d find a decent hook-up, just to have fun with for a night. But no, he did not. He thought he did, but the guy’s mouth, frankly, tasted like piss and shit, and he only wanted a blow job from Steve. Didn’t ever intend to get Steve off, no, just himself. So Steve ditched the guy, and the place, leaving with two times the amount of stress he had before he entered the place.
He drove home, and once he passed the threshold, he toed off his shoes, threw his bag on the floor, and trudged over to the couch where Robin was sitting before falling ungracefully onto the cushions, his head laid in Robin’s lap.
“That bad?” She threads her fingers through his hair. “God, it was so bad.” Robin hums, “What happened? Was the guy’s dick small?” Steve sputters and flips over onto his back to look at Robin, who was grinning smugly. “ No, he just sucked. The whole place sucked. It smelled like how our bathroom smells after you eat cheese.” Robin gasps, “No way it was that bad. What was wrong with the guy?” Steve sighs, “The asshole didn’t even plan on being fair, all he wanted was a blow job, no intention of helping me out, the prick.” She winces and nods.
“How do you have such bad luck with guys? Well, you have bad luck with girls too, but damn, you just can’t catch a break, huh?” He rolls his eyes. “ Wow, thank you so much, Robbie, I feel so much better.” The girl groans dramatically, “Ugh, I’m just being honest here, like, you haven’t had an actual genuinely good date since, uh… I’m sorry but wasn’t it, like, your senior year?” Steve covers his face with his hands, digging his palms into his eyes. “Don’t remind me, I’m already devastated. I just want a hot, nice guy to come in and sweep me off my feet, is that so hard to ask? I can never even find anyone ever that’s just somewhat my type. It’s so annoying.” Robin pats his head.
“Wait, what even is your type in guys? We’ve never discussed this, Steve. How have we never talked about this, oh, my God.” Steve sits up and faces her, crisscrossing his legs on the pillowy cushions. “Uh, I don't really know. I've never genuinely liked a guy. But I think I'd like a guy that's a little taller than me. And stronger than me. Not, like, buff-buff, but someone kinda tall and lanky, but he’s still got the arms that make me giggle and twirl a strand of hair around my finger.” He and Robin stifle their laughs at his wording. “Go on, Stevie.”
Robin seemed strangely invested in learning about his taste, but he brushed it off as her just wanting to tease him. “Okay, I kinda like the idea of opposites attract. Like, a nerd. I’d definitely date a nerd. But like, I definitely would not go for a dude with a bowl cut and thick frame glasses, just someone who’s cool. Oh! Like that nerdy Dungeons & Dragons game that the kids like, it seems cool. That kinda nerd, y’know?” Robin nods. “If he liked reading, that’d be cool too. Especially if he likes similar books that I do. Maybe a Stephen King or a Lovecraft enthusiast or something.”
He looks back at Robin’s face, and she looks like she’s deep in thought, squinting her eyes before grinning in a way that Steve did not like. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?” Robin’s grin grows wider, “Well, Steve, I have an amazing idea.” Steve frowns, “What is it?” She places a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently, “I may have a suitor in mind for you. And! Before you say no! Just let me explain. Let me talk about him a little, please? ” She draws out the ‘please’ and he folds, “Fine. But! Just because I love you.”
Robin lights up, “Aww, I love you too, Stevie. Moving on! Okay, so. This guy I know. From school, that is. His name’s Eddie, and he’s like, quite literally exactly what you just described.” Steve grabs her arm from where it’s extended to his shoulder. “No shit, really? Talk to me.” She grins toothily.
“Woo! Continuing now, so, what do you wanna know?” Steve ponders for a second, then turns to her with a shy expression. “What does he look like? Just so that I can get an idea of his looks!” Robin nods with a falsely serious expression on her face. “Mm, he has long hair. It’s nice, actually. It’s curly, and dark brown, it goes to his shoulders, kinda, and he sometimes pulls it back into a bun or occasionally a braid.” Steve nods, indicating for her to continue. “He has some real doe eyes, Steve, his face is more sharp and angular, but he’s got soft eyes. They’re also brown.”
“He has a super cool style, too. Just think ‘metalhead’ and you’ve got it. A bunch of T-shirts, leather and denim, big boots, rings, chains, and stuff like that. I’ve seen him wear some eyeliner under his eyes, but he doesn’t do it too often. He is also — as you described —tall and lanky, but he’s still got some well-sculpted muscles in there. And I think that’s mostly all about his appearance. What else do you wanna hear?”
“What’s he like? Like, personality, interests, that kinda stuff.” She thinks for just a moment, continuing after a short moment. “He’s a nerd! And, he plays D&D! Total book nerd, too. He plays guitar, and I’m pretty sure he used to be in a band, but now he flies solo. I know he likes The Lord of the Rings, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he liked Stephen King and all that jazz. He’s a metalhead, I know that. Like, Metallica and stuff. But I have heard him listen to Tears for Fears, specifically Head Over Heels, and When in Rome, which is a total green flag.” Steve grins wide. He adores Tears for Fears, and he’s got a couple of When in Rome songs on his playlist.
“He’s super kind. And based on how good of a friend he is, I’d assume he’s pretty loyal. He likes kids, and like me, he’s also studying forensic psychology. We have a bunch of classes together. He’s loud, I’m not gonna lie, but in a sort of charming way? Also, he listens to you. Like, he’s not the type of person to talk to you and then continue to space out during your dialogue, he really pays attention. He is quite the talker, he loves to ramble, he’s kinda like me in that way, really. He’s a little awkward, at first though. But after a little while he relaxes and opens up. Honestly, Steve, he’s a really great guy. If you guys met, I think it could be fun for you. And Eddie too.”
Steve nods with a small smile. “Do you wanna meet him? I can ask him tomorrow, we’re supposed to hang out tomorrow after all our classes are over.” Steve pretends to think harder than he really is, before he continues with a nod, “If he wants to, then sure. He sounds like a hottie. But! May I add something that makes it a little more fun for me?” He says with a grin and a wink. “Oh, God, what?” Steve’s grin widens.
“If I go on this date with Mr. Hottie, you have to ask out that girl you have a crush on.” Robin’s smile fades as her jaw goes slack. “No way! Nancy? I can’t! She’s so out of my league! Steve, please. ”
He shakes his head. “Except you’re not out of her league! You’re amazing, Robbie, and her loss if she can’t see that.” Robin whines and flops her head on the back of the couch. “Ugh, fine! I’ll ask her on, um, Friday!” They laugh together and Robin shifts topics, talking about her day, and how the studying went. He nods along, listening intently as she rants. Eventually, Steve yawns and she tells him to go to bed, sending him off to his room with a spank to the butt, laughing when he looks back at her with a flushed and shocked expression.
Steve falls asleep fast, wondering what this Eddie guy would say to the prospect of meeting him.
✩ ♡ ✩
The next morning Steve wakes up, bright and early at 7 AM, to get himself ready for his morning video call classes, and to make Robin breakfast. As he gets himself to the kitchen, pulling out some eggs and bread from the fridge, a sleepy Robin pads out of her room, sits down on a stool, folds her arms on the counter, then rests her chin on her soft shirt sleeves.
“Good morning, babe.” Robin grumbles in response, which he takes as a returned ‘good morning’. He plates some sunny-side-up eggs, then pulls the softly toasted bread out of the toaster and places them on the plate, then places it in front of Robin, handing her a fork and knife and some jam and butter. She mumbles a small ‘thank you’ and proceeds to eat her food, humming as she chewed. Steve nods and then continues to make his own food, sitting next to Robin once he’s finished.
“What time do all your classes end?” He speaks up as he swallows his last bite of toast smothered in strawberry jam. “2:00, but I’ll probably get home at around 3:00 or 4:00, I’m meeting Eddie, remember?” Steve nods, “Yeah, I remember. What do you wanna have for dinner? I need to go get some groceries today since we’re running kinda low on some stuff.” Robin thinks, staring at the ceiling, “Spaghetti?” Steve smiles. “Alrighty.” A grin spreads onto Robin’s face.
“You’re like a mom.” Steve laughs, “How?” Robin pushes her plate away from her slightly so she can rest her elbows on the counter. “You literally shop at Costco, Steve. Plus, you have that like, mama bear instinct with literally everyone.” Steve rolls his eyes. “I am taking that as a compliment. And, Costco is amazing! It’s like my second home.” Robin laughs, “Literally a mom. You do that one pose that every mother does, too.” Steve’s brows furrow. “What pose?”
She stands, stepping to the side, and then widens her stance, placing her hands on her hips and frowns. Steve’s jaw drops as he lets out a laugh, “Oh my God, that isn’t a mom stance! Is it?” Robin nods, placing a hand on his shoulder. “It is indeed, Stevie.”
Steve rolls his eyes once more. “Go get ready, stinker.” Robin runs off to her room, “Will do, mama!” Steve calls out to her, “Shut up!” He hears a laugh from her room, and he takes the dishes to the sink, dropping them in, swearing to himself that he’ll wash his own later, then he’ll force Robin to wash hers. With love, of course.
Robin soon leaves for her 9 AM class, yelling out a ‘Bye, Stevie, love you!’ He responds with a ‘Love you too, Robbie!’ and he hears the front door shut and lock a few seconds later.
He sighs and joins his first class, trying his best to focus.
✩ ♡ ✩
After Eddie and Robin’s last class for the day was over, they went down to the campus cafeteria, thoroughly starved. When they finally sit down with their trays of food, they sigh heavily.
“ God , that class is exhausting.” Robin groans as she takes a bite of her sandwich. “Right? I can barely even take notes correctly with how fast Mr. Davidson talks.” Eddie rests his chin in his palm, sipping on his icy water. Robin nods, and they fall into a comfortable silence.
Then, suddenly, Robin straightens up, “Oh! I forgot!” Eddie raises a brow, and she continues. “Okay, so. You’re single, right?” Robin points a finger at him. “Why, Buckley? Wanna ask me out on a date? I’m sorry to say, but that’s not the pool I swim in.”
She rolls her eyes as he grins toothily. “No, stupid, I just wanna know because… I have a friend. Who I think you would like to meet.” Eddie twists his mouth to one side, “I don’t know, who is it?” She nods and smiles before speaking, “Well, he’s actually my best friend. His name’s Steve. I already told him all about you, and he said he’d be cool with meeting you as long as you want to as well. Please , Eddie, his dating life is so miserable, and I really think you’d both get along.”
“Um, maybe. What’s he like?” He sets down his water and picks up his sandwich, taking a big bite. “You have to ask me about the specifics, I can’t keep up, dude.” Eddie nods, swallowing his mouthful. “Okay, okay. Mm, what’s his personality like?”
“Well, He’s like, super loyal, first of all. We’ve been friends since my junior year and his senior year. Steve’s got this nurturing instinct in him, he cares so much about the people he loves, and he’s super attentive. He’s bi, by the way, and he’s super funny. I love spending time with him purely because he’s just fun to be around. His energy is always so happy, and it’s hella contagious. He also just strives to make other people laugh or smile. He cooks too! An amazing cook, he is.”
Eddie smiles, he sounds nice. “What does he look like? Not that I really care, but just so that I can get an idea.” Robin laughs, “He said the exact same thing. He has brown hair, and it’s a little wavy. It’s grown out a little, he normally has it pulled back into a bun or a ponytail, and his bangs are kinda like mine too. He has brown eyes, and they always crinkle at the edges when he smiles. He does have a nice smile, too. He’s got a sort of downtown boy style, he loves sweaters, rings, collars, that kind of stuff. He’s a little taller than me, so maybe two or three inches shorter than you, and he’s a little chubby. Not in a bad way! I think it’s super cute, in the most platonic way ever. Quite a catch, huh? Oh! I forgot, he also likes Stephen King, and I’m pretty sure Lovecraft too. I know his favorite book right now is Frankenstein, he’s been obsessing over the 1818 print he got last month.”
If Eddie’s being honest, Steve sounds like he’s — quite literally — exactly his type. “So, are you interested?” Eddie thinks for a second. Should he give it a chance? Steve had already agreed to the idea, so if he just said the word, he could have a hot date later this week. He’ll say yes. “Yeah, why not! He sounds like a hottie.” He says with a wink and a grin. “You’ve got that right. Hey, wait, he said that too. Are you two already telepathically connected? Am I that good?” Robin and Eddie laugh as she pulls out her phone.
“I’ll text him right now.” Eddie nods. After a few moments of conversation, Steve responds to her text, and she reads it aloud to Eddie. “‘OMG! Aaahhh!!! Wait, what day, though?’” Eddie laughs and looks over his schedule in his mind, “I’m free on Fridays after 10:00, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.” Robin nods and types that out, sending it off to Steve.
“He says he’s free on Saturdays and Sundays. When do you wanna meet him?” He blows a raspberry from his lips. “This Saturday? Is that okay?” Robin again types something, then waits for a message to pop up, “He can do this Saturday.” She looks back at her screen when it buzzes again. “How about 6:00, at that one Starbucks, the one that’s right around the corner and a couple of blocks down?” Eddie nods enthusiastically and gives her a thumbs-up. “I’m cool with that.”
She smiles and sends off a final text, then puts her phone down on the table. “You are set for this Saturday at 6:00! You better treat him right, Eddie, I’ll never forgive you if you break my soulmate’s heart.” Eddie laughs warmly, “You’ve got it, soldier. I’ll give him the best coffee shop date he’ll ever have.”
Soon though, her phone goes off once more. “Oh! What do you want from there? Like, what drink? Steve’s asking.” Eddie’s brows furrow. “Is he paying?” She types in a short text then looks back up at Eddie, nodding. “I can pay though, he doesn’t have to.” Robin laughs, “He’s super stubborn, he won’t let you pay this time, but maybe next time if he’s feeling less like a living wallet.” He laughs and nods, “Then, I forgot what it’s called. That one frappuccino, it’s like, ‘cookie crumble’ or something? I don’t know, it’s fucking good though.” She grins and nods, sending that to Steve. “Alrighty, now you’re all set. You better woo him, Eddie, he wants to be swept off his feet. He’s a little romantic boy.” Eddie gives a toothy grin. “You bet. I’ll woo him so well he’ll be drooling within ten minutes.”
They laugh together for a moment before they talk about anything and everything, eventually landing on Robin’s current crush, Nancy, a girl in their Criminal Justice class. Robin flails her hands around as she rambles about how Steve’s making her ask Nancy out because he’s agreed to the date. Eddie laughs maniacally and encourages her to do it. Robin groans, and rambles even more about how pretty Nancy is, or how soft her voice sounds. Eddie teases her relentlessly, laughing as she flushes a light pink.
After a while, and after a long, enthusiastic conversation about the movie Love, Simon, Robin peeks at her phone and stretches. “Eddie, I’ve gotta get going, I told Steve I’d be home by 4:00, and I don’t wanna worry the mama bear.” They both laugh, and Eddie nods, “Got it, I’m supposed to be planning for another campaign that’s coming up anyway. Say “hi” to your mother for me.” He winks and gives her a two-finger salute, tossing the trash on his tray, then giving her one last wave as he leaves the cafeteria.
Robin smiles and rolls her eyes as she gathers her trash, slings her messenger bag over her head, then disposes of her food waste, and leaves through a separate door that’s closer to the path she takes home.
Once she finally enters the apartment, she smells the heavenly scent of garlic bread. Steve’s garlic bread. She loves garlic bread, all garlic bread, but there’s just something about Steve’s that’s so much better. Whenever she asks he just replies with an ‘I make it with love.’ in a sing-songy tone with a grin on his face. She smiles as she sets her bag down on the couch and steps into the kitchen, seeing Steve with a light yellow apron tied around his neck and waist, as he delicately cuts into fresh-out-of-the-oven garlic bread.
Grinning, she sneaks behind him, then snatches a piece. He whirls around, eyes wide. “Jesus, Robin! I have a knife here! I could’ve cut you, shit!” He says, with no real anger, just some slight jitters. “I’m sorry! You know your garlic bread is irresistible.” Steve grins and bumps her hip with his, “I know it, you tell me constantly.” Slinging an arm around his shoulder, she takes another bite. “Because it’s true!”
Steve laughs as he continues slicing the bread, and once he’s finished he takes a peek at the bubbling sauce on the stove. “Soooo, your hot date on Saturday!” She says, waggling her finger at him. “Yes, what about it? Oh, wait, what did he say about me?” Robin grins, “He says you sound like a hottie. As he should have. You guys are near opposites. You’d be so cute together.” Steve laughs.
“Hey, slow your roll, I haven’t even seen the guy yet. Speaking of, can’t I see a pic of him?” Robin shakes her head. “ Nope ! That’s what makes it fun. You already know what he kind of looks like, so now you know the gist of what you’re looking for at the cafe!” Steve stirs the sauce with a wooden spoon. “I guess, but, ugh, I don’t wanna wait.” She walks over and hugs him from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist and propping her chin on his shoulder. “All in due time, babe. You can do this! However, if there’s someone who can’t wait in here, it’s me, this shit looks so good.”
Steve grins, “All in due time, babe.” He says in a mocking tone. She gasps and smacks his ass and doubles over cackling at the yelp he gives.
✩ ♡ ✩
Saturday couldn’t have come any slower. For both Steve and Eddie.
For Steve, he would wake up every morning just a little before Robin, make her breakfast, and wave goodbye to her as she left for the day, then he would get on his computer and attend his classes. After his classes ended, he would then study, and then he’d eat lunch, and go to work, returning home anytime between 4:00-5:00. Then he’d eat dinner with Robin, they’d ramble to each other about their days, how bitchy their teachers were, the normal stuff.
After that, he’d sleep, then repeat it all the next day. It did get a bit repetitive, but he kept himself busy with Robin on the weekends enough for him to not get too sick of his routine.
Eddie would have classes every day except for the weekends, obviously, and he only had two classes on Fridays. He had quite a few classes with Robin, but that didn’t mean they weren’t torture. The teachers sucked most days, and Eddie found himself pulling his phone out and recording the lesson so he could take notes later because of how fast the teachers spoke.
After his classes end, he goes to his job at the record store that’s about three blocks away from campus, and he gets off at 6:00 PM.
Then he fiddles around on his guitar for an hour or two, reads a dozen or so pages of a book, then finally pops his melatonin in his mouth and throws himself onto his mattress.
With the way how they were anticipating that Saturday evening, the week seemed to pass by slower, and on Friday, they were both excited, and nervous. Steve was more-so nervous than excited, yes, he was excited, obviously, but considering the fact that he hasn’t had an actually good and real date since high school, he was a little nervous.
Eddie was excited. A little nervous, because he thought Steve sounded lovely, and he wanted to leave a good impression. But for the most part, he was excited. He picks out his outfit the night before, hanging all the clothes on individual hangers and placing them in the center of his closet, and proceeding to go to bed.
Funnily enough, Steve had also chosen his outfit just before he went to bed. He pulls out multiple sweaters and tees, and once he’s finally finished choosing everything, he places the folded-up clothes on his desk, then curls up under the covers and goes to sleep.
✩ ♡ ✩
Steve doesn’t really have anything to do all day. He’s off today, and he doesn’t have classes. So he and Robin sleep in, and Steve wakes up at around 10:00 AM, and for about half an hour he reads some more pages of Frankenstein, grabbing his pens and tabs to underline and write in the margins.
Soon though, Robin knocks on the door. “What’s up?” The door opens and Robin shuffles in and crawls under Steve’s covers. “Can we watch a movie? I’ve got the worst headache, I just wanna relax.” Steve sets his books and supplies on his nightstand, getting comfortable as Robin wiggles underneath his arm to wrap her own arm around her waist, resting her head on his chest. “What do you wanna watch?” Robin grunts and he takes it as an ‘I don’t know’, so he offers, “Love, Simon?” She nods against his pajama shirt, and he reaches to grab his laptop, placing it on his lap as he pulls up the movie.
They get through the movie with Steve combing his fingers through Robin’s hair, and they both occasionally make small comments here and there whenever something happens in the movie. They shed a couple of tears, too.
Once the movie’s over, Steve asks if she’s hungry, and offers to order takeout, to which she enthusiastically agrees. They go throughout the rest of the day eating takeout, and watching gay movie after gay movie, taking no breaks.
Well, except for bathroom breaks, but that doesn’t count.
Before they know it, 3:00 comes around, and Robin jumps up from Steve’s bed and looks at him with a grin. “Steve! Two hours till your date!” Steve stands and stretches, yawning. “So? I have plenty of time.” Robin nods, “What are you gonna wear? You have to captivate his eyes with your hot bod!” Steve laughs as he lays out the outfit he chose on the bed in front of her. She nods approvingly.
“This’ll do. Good choice, babe.” He hums, “Thank you, Robbie.”
She leaves the room as he changes into his clothes. He’s wearing a brown patterned sweater, and he has his sand-colored pants on, paired with regular ankle socks and his favorite sage green high-top Converse.
He decorates his fingers with some simple rings, and he has his favorite ring, a dainty one with a small piece of rose quartz in the center, on his middle finger. He grabs a jacket from his closet, then leaves his room.
Robin claps and whoops as he gives a little twirl. “What do you think? Too much?” Robin’s eyebrows furrow as she smiles. “Definitely not, Steve, you look great. Eddie’s gonna pass out when he sees you.” He rolls his eyes. “What should I do with my hair?” Robin perks up and begins walking to her room, gesturing for him to follow her.
She motions for him to turn around, so he does, and he feels her pull his hair back into a short ponytail at the nape of his neck. “Looking good, Stevie.” He grins wide. “Really? Do you think I should add anything?” Robin shakes her head. “Nope. You look amazing. He’ll be drooling as soon as his ass hits the chair.” He laughs and nods. “Wanna watch some more Love, Victor, until I need to leave?” She nods vigorously, and they both laugh together as they sit down on the couch and Steve grabs the remote.
✩ ♡ ✩
As soon as the alarm on his phone goes off, he shoots up and pecks Robin’s cheek, and runs out the door shouting his goodbye.
Entering his car, he twists the key in the ignition and turns on his favorite radio before backing out of his parking spot and driving over to the familiar Starbucks building.
He taps his fingers on the wheel to the beat of the song and tries to calm his nerves. When he pulls up on a red light, he flips down the overhead mirror and combs through his bangs with his fingers a few times, stopping when he’s satisfied with how they sit on his forehead. When the light finally turns green, he continues the drive while humming his favorite songs.
He soon arrives at the building, at 5:43. Once he’s entered, he goes up to the counter and he orders his and Eddie’s drinks. A mocha cookie crumble frappuccino and a vanilla sweet cream cold foam for himself.
Considering how he was a little early, he pulls out his book, Frankenstein, and opens the small pocket containing his pens, then begins reading. After a couple of pages, he picks up his drink and takes a sip, while he looks up at the door, and when he sees no curly-haired gentleman, he looks back at his book, continuing his reading as he underlines a new word.
After a few minutes, though, the sunlight that once shone upon his frame disappeared, and he lifts his head to witness what he believes is the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen, shading him from the beams. Robin was right, his features are sharp and defined, but his eyes are soft and round. He was wearing a quite tight-fitted T-shirt, one that squeezed around his arms and torso in the most amazing way possible. Under his right arm, he had a leather jacket, the collar adorned with pins. The shirt was tucked into ripped, black jeans, which had multiple chains hanging from the belt loops, and while Steve was scanning over the man in front of him, he heard a deep voice ask, “Um, Steve, right? Sorry, I’m a little late.” He sits, and his eyes look over Steve’s outfit while he folds his jacket onto his lap.
“Yeah, and you’re Eddie?” Eddie nods and points at the drink in front of him. “‘S this mine?” Nodding, Steve pushes the drink towards Eddie before he slots his bookmark between the pages and stows away his pens in his bag. “Frankenstein?” Eddie asked. “Yeah, how’d you know?” A smile breaks out on his face when Eddie grins wide. “Robin told me you were really into it, so I assumed. Great taste, by the way.” Tucking a strand of hair behind his ear, Steve places a hand on the table as he thanks him. “So, why’d you agree to meet me?” Eddie hums as he swallows his sip, bringing a hand up to fidget with the ends of his curls. “Well, with the way that Robin described you, you seemed like, basically exactly my type.”
Steve’s grin widens. “Yeah? Ever since I started labeling as bi, I always asked myself what my type in guys was, and I could never really figure it out, but you may have given me my answer.” Eddie pulls a strand of hair in front of his mouth, covering his smile, and Steve swoons at how his dimples bloom on his cheeks, and how his eyes crinkle at the edges. This guy was insanely cute.
“I am honored to be your perfect type, Steve.” Now it was Steve’s turn to be shy. He rubs his palm on his cheek as he grins wide. After the grins and giggles died down, they sat there sipping on their drinks, and the atmosphere changed from pink and flowery to awkward. Their smiles may have been genuine but they were so very awkward.
“Sorry, um, I’m not very good with long conversations,” Steve places his arms on the table and leans forward. Eddie shakes his head. “Nah, don’t worry, I’m not the greatest at talking, either.” They chuckle and simultaneously take another long sip of their coffee.
“So, Robin tells me you like Stephen King. And Lovecraft, of course.” Steve’s grin returns, “Yes, I do indeed. She also informed me that you do, as well.” Another breathtaking grin settles on Eddie’s face. “She may have been correct. What’s your favorite book from the two?” Steve hums as he thinks. If I’m being honest, The Shining is top-tier for me.” Eddie’s face lights up at this, and Steve has heart eyes for the guy already. “Can’t really explain why, though, but I think it might be because it was the first ever horror book I read.”
“The Shining’s my favorite too. I love other books of King’s, but The Shining just hits hard, y’know?” Steve nods as he smiles. “What kind of music are you into? Robin told me you like metal, but what else?” Eddie sets his drink down, then grabs his leather jacket from his lap. “Do you mind if I scoot right there for a sec?” He gestures to the side of the table next to Steve, who nods.
Eddie scooches his chair over, and when he leans close to Steve, he can smell his cologne. He smelled like some cheap, but nice cologne, and there was a hint of that cigarette smell. Steve nearly drooled, but can you blame the guy? So far, this date was going well, which he couldn’t say about any of his dates in the past three years, and he’s never seen a guy so hot in his life .
“Okay, so, this one here, Metallica. I’m sure you know them, right?” Steve nods. “Cool,” He grins, and Steve wants to kiss that grin off his pretty face. A little fast there, Steve, chill out. A voice tells him, but he ignores it. He’ll let himself imagine whatever he wants, just for today. “Then, there’s Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, The Sisters of Mercy, Deep Purple, uhh, Slayer, Korn, I dabble a bit with some songs by Foo Fighters,” Steve pipes up, “I like some songs by Foo Fighters.” Eddie looks up from his pins to make eye contact with him. “Yeah? Which ones?” Steve thinks for a second, trying to remember. “Well, there’s Everlong, obviously, call me a poser, but that one’s my favorite. I like Best of You, Monkey Wrench, and All My Life. I like the acoustic version of Everlong, too.” Eddie’s expression has him fidgeting with the hem of his sweater. His expression is so soft and kind, yet so intense and intoxicating. It’s hot if he’s being honest.
“Wow, alrighty then. You’ve got some taste, Stevie boy.” They laugh at the name. “Might be a shot in the dark, but do you listen to Deftones, by chance?” Steve asks and cheers a victory in his brain when Eddie nods enthusiastically. “Hell, yeah! My favorites are Rats!Rats!Rats!, and Around the Fur. I do enjoy Rosemary and Cherry Waves, all that stuff too, though.” Steve nods as he names all the songs. “I absolutely love Be Quiet and Drive. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think they have a single bad song, I’d listen to them all with no complaints, but there’s something about their more chill songs that I really love.” Eddie grins softly at him, before he gestures to his jacket, asking to continue, to which Steve nods.
Eddie proceeds to name all of the bands that adorn the leather as Steve shakes his head or nods when Eddie asks if he’s heard of any of them.
Soon, though, Eddie’s gone through all of the bands that he adores, and they have nothing to talk about. However, a memory pops into Steve’s head. “Hey, do you wanna tell me about Dungeons & Dragons? Robbie told me you play, and I have some kids that I used to babysit that are obsessed with the game. It sounds interesting.” Eddie’s hands flap around as he nods and sets his jacket on the table next to him. “Yes! Okay, okay, so. I don’t play much, I’m actually a DM. Or, a Dungeon Master. I, like, make all the campaigns, and I tell the story and all that stuff. It’s super fun, I’ve been doing it for years since I think my freshman year. Do you wanna hear about the campaign I’m writing right now?” Steve nods with a soft smile. Eddie continues rambling on, talking about how right now, the party has gotten themselves stuck in a cave, and they have no idea how to get out. He says he’s thinking about introducing mega-sized spiders, the size of a bulldog, he says. Steve rests his chin in his palm as he smiles while listening to Eddie’s ideas.
And, near the end of his dialogue, an employee comes up to them, “Um, I’m sorry, but we’re closing in just a sec.” Steve nods, “Yeah, sorry, we’ll get outta here.” The lady smiles and walks back behind the counter. “Shit, it’s already 8:00?” Steve peeks at his own watch and is surprised to see the time as 7:46. “Damn, yeah.” They look back at each other and laugh. “I’m sorry, I feel like I’ve been talking about myself for two literal hours.” Steve shakes his head. “No, it’s okay. I’m more of a listener than a talker, in all honesty.” Eddie smiles at that.
A moment of silence. But then, “Um, let me know if I’m coming on too strong, I kinda tend to do that sometimes, but do you wanna come over to my place? I totally get it if you don’t, y’know, first date and all that stuff, but I’m kinda desperate, and I’m having a lot of fun with you. You can definitely say no, though!” There’s a pause as Steve stares at him, sort of surprised. Eddie’s right, normally, people don’t ask a person to come over on the first date. Maybe on the third, or fourth.
“Y’know what, no, sorry that was a bad idea, um, I could, just, like, give you my number, if you want it?” Steve smiles and shakes his head. “I will give you my number, but I’m cool with coming over. I’m a desperate guy myself, so, don’t worry.” Eddie grins wide, and nods, standing up. “Well then, Stevie, shall we go?” He holds out a hand, and Steve takes it, and after they dispose of their trash, they leave the cafe and slide into Steve’s car.
Eddie begins giving directions to his place as soon as Steve pulls out of the parking lot, and Steve begins driving, still holding Eddie’s hand over the console as they grin at each other.