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Steve Harrington and Eddie Munson aren't exactly the type of guys that you would look at and think, yeah, they look like they could be friends. Even Steve wouldn't have believed you if you were to tell him that a couple years ago, but he also wouldn't have believed there was demobats that were going to eat Eddie alive but apparently couldn't get the job done, because the fucker was alive and well now, and Eddie and him are friends.
Eddie was actually a genuinely cool dude, believe it or not, high school Steve. He was hilarious, a huge dork, and a goddamn hero, no matter what he had to say about it. He was also great with the kids, which was a huge plus for Steve, even if he had been jealous at first. Now he just views it as something they can bond over between them and with his little shits that he calls family.
They had started hanging out a lot more since the whole back from the dead situation and defeating Vecna, and Steve liked to think that Eddie considered him a good friend. They had movie nights all the time and Eddie crashed at his place more often than not, even arriving unannounced sometimes for comfort after everything they'd all been through, and Steve would never turn him away.
What got him worrying now though, was finding a note on his fridge after waking up to his bed empty even though Eddie had stayed over. Steve had thought he may have just woken up already and come downstairs, but then he found the little slip of paper. It read Steve, I need to tell you something important. I'll be back tonight. Steve stared at it like if he kept his eyes on it long enough it might reveal whatever Eddie needed to say, to no avail of course.
Steve didn't know what Eddie possibly needed to say, but for some reason he was feeling anxious about it. Had he done something wrong, made Eddie uncomfortable? God, was it because he had been asking Eddie to hang out alone more lately? Because that wasn't his fault! Everyone else was busy with school, Nancy was busy with her new job, and Robin had been completely booked lately going on dates with Vicky. Sometimes he could get them to come, but it was way less often than before and Steve was lonely.
He just enjoyed Eddie's company a lot and he was actually… glad he had so many opportunities to be alone with him. Eddie and him just clicked, they always knew what the other needed and when, and he made Steve feel happy and normalーsomething that could be very rare for him. He didn't have much more time to overthink it as his watch beeped at him, letting him know he should get ready for work. At least he'd be able to spend some time with Robin today and it would get his mind off of whatever Eddie would have to say.
ー
"I'm sure it's nothing bad," Robin says through the Twizzler in her mouth, then taking it out to point it at Steve, "The guy clings to you like a magnet every time you're together, I highly doubt he's suddenly changed his mind about you." Steve's rewinding tapes as he listens to her response and he sighs, "I don't know Rob, he's never just left like that after staying over. I'm just worried that I did something that upset or hurt him."
Robin rolls her eyes at that, "Steve, be realistic with me right now. What could you have possibly done to hurt him? Let him cuddle you to sleep? Cook for him and hang around? You're overthinking this, just wait until he meets you tonight and you'll know for sure what he wants to say." Steve can't exactly argue when she puts it like that so he just pouts as he continues rewinding tapes. It helps him clear his mind and gives him something else to focus on.
It ends up being a really slow day at the store, barely any customers coming in through the long hours. Steve loves and hates it because it gives him more time to talk to Robin but it also makes him more and more anxious to finally go home and wait for Eddie. Would he already be there when Steve got there? It was all so nerve-wracking to think about and he was trying not to, but his mind kept returning there, even on the drive home. When he parked his car though, there was no sign of Eddie being there yet, so he rushed inside to freshen up.
The house is always dark and silent when he gets home, but today it feels more eerie for some reason. Probably because his nerves are already out of control, he decides, jumping into the shower. He doesn't know when Eddie is going to arrive so he moves fast and finishes quickly. He wraps a towel around himself after and strides over to his room to get some clothes on, but when he opens the door he nearly jumps out of his skin when he sees Eddie sitting there on his bed.
"Jesus Christ man, how long have you been here? Give a guy a warning," Steve trails off, suddenly feeling self conscious standing with only a towel covering him while Eddie looks back at him. He quickly walks to his closet to start putting on some clothes while Eddie sits on the bed, silent. It kills Steve inside a little, the curiosity intensifying now that Eddie's here in his house, probably snuck in through his window. He wonders how long he had been there waiting, maybe even before he got in the shower or got home.
"So, you needed to tell me something? What's up, Eddie?" Steve calls from his closet, finally pulling on a shirt when he hears a mumble of, "Something bad, Steve. I might need to stay away for a while orーI don't know." Steve freezes in his spot at his answer. What is that supposed to mean? Steve's brain starts running faster than he can process as thoughts and questions are thrown around. I knew I did something wrong. Is it about the murders? Is somebody hurting him? I hurt him, I fucked up again.
"Steve? Are you listening?" Eddie interrupts, and Steve finally has the sense to join him on the bed now that he's dressed. "What do you mean by 'something bad'? Tell me what's wrong, Eddie, I can't help if you don't," Steve says slowly, trying to keep his voice level while his heart races. Eddie meets his eyes and frowns, "You can't help, Steve. In fact, you're making it worse! That's why I need to stay away and I need you to not come looking for me, okay?"
Steve stares back in shock, not really knowing what to do in the situation. His thoughts were no help as the only things they supplied were questions about how he could have messed up. Even Robin had pointed out that he had been nothing but nice to Eddie, nothing even a little bit awkward had happened between the two. He threw his head back in frustration as he tried to clear his head and Eddie sucked in a harsh breath through his nose and he stood up and walked back to the window.
"I'm… gonna go now. Bye, Steve," he says, starting to stick a leg out of the window. Steve couldn't bring himself to let Eddie just leave without an explanation, though, so he grabs onto his arm and starts pulling him back in. "Let go of me, I need to go home." Steve keeps pulling, ignoring Eddie until he has him back inside. "You need to tell me what's happening, because right now I'm at a complete loss and I don't want to… I can't deal with seeing you slip away from me again."
Eddie sighs at those words, guilt making him loosen up and comply. "Stevie, please don't freak out or laugh at me when I say this because I am being one hundred percent honest when I tell you. I sort ofーafter the bats and all, became a vampire?" It comes out more like a question, but Steve can see that it's genuine because Eddie is hesitant in his words. It's also a sentence Steve would never have expected to hear out of Eddie's mouth, so he knows he's not saying it for fun.
"A vampire. Burns in the sun, can't eat garlic?" Steve questions slowly. Eddie groans, "No, no. That stuff is all exaggerated, man. I can go in the sun, I just have to wear a lot of sunscreen when I do and garlic makes my stomach hurt a little. It's worth it though, I am not giving it up." Steve laughs at that, seeing the Eddie he knows shine through even in this moment. "What is true then? You sleep in a coffin? Or do you turn into a bat?"
Steve's mind sidetracks imagining that. Eddie being able to just turn into a tiny bat whenever he wants to and flying around, probably making those little high pitched noises. It's almost terrifying to picture, yet somehow so fitting that Steve finds himself smiling as Eddie gives his answer, "No, neither. I sleep fine in a bed and stay how I look now, I just… have these fangs andーplease don't freak outーhave started feeling this thirst for blood. Morespecificallyyourblood."
Steve needs a moment to take that in, hands stretching out on their own to Eddie's mouth, pulling his mouth open to look at said fangs. They stand out, sharp and almost shining, and Steve wonders how he hasn't noticed them before. Eddie playfully grazes his thumb with one of them, allowing him to feel just how pointed they are. Steve pulls his hands away then, realizing that he hadn't even asked to touch him, bashful. Eddie doesn't seem to mind, though, letting Steve sit with the information as long as he needs. He'd probably had to do the same thing when he discovered it himself.
Then he processes the last part andーoh. "Why my blood? Shouldn't any work?" Steve inquires, genuinely unsure of how this all works. Eddie mumbles out, "I… honestly couldn't tell you. When I'm around you, I can smell it and I almost can't help myself. It takes all of me lately to not just bite into you." Oh. Steve shudders at the sound of that. Eddie barely being in control of himself because he wants Steve's blood that badly. He shouldn't react like thatーEddie just has a new diet he needs to meet but he does.
"Well, what are you waiting for, then?" Eddie stares at him like he's just spoken a different language, maybe one that even he didn't understand himself. He looks like he's ready to question him on it, so Steve bares his neck to him and Eddie squeezes his eyes shut as he turns his head away. "Steve, stop that and think for a second. Do you know how much this would hurt? And your blood, aren't you even scared that you'll lose too much? You can't do thisー"
"You need blood, right? I trust you, besides it's not like I haven't dealt with some blood loss before," Steve jokes, and Eddie lets his fingers trace over the scar across his neck. Steve can see guilt seeping into his features and he won't let it happen, so he gives his best smile and mouths those words again, I trust you. Eddie is hesitant, but he agrees in the end, and so starts their agreement.
ー
Deep shit. Steve has gotten himself into deep shit and he is letting himself slip further into it every day. Steve didn't really know why he had so eagerly agreed to let Eddie drink his blood. Of course, he would do anything to help Eddie survive, without a doubt, but he knows that there's another reason behind it. He just doesn't want to admit it to himself or anyone else, so he doesn't say a thing and tries to shake it off when the question inevitably returns to his thoughts.
Unfortunately, Robin doesn't give him that option. Eddie had told all of them about his little predicament except for the kids (thinking of seeing Mike Wheeler's reaction to that information made everyone shiver), and Robin saw Steve far too often between work and hanging out to not notice the fang-sized holes on Steve. So she asks him the question that his mind has been taunting him with ever since that first night.
"So, why do you let Eddie drink your blood? Is that even safe? What if he turns you into a vampire, too, by biting you? Or, do you guys even have the same blood type to be sharing? All of this seems pretty risky and well, stupid." Steve groans as he shelves some tapes, letting his head rest against one, "I'm not a vampire, Rob, and I don't think vampires need to worry about blood transfusion problems. We've been doing this for like a month already and nothing has gone wrong." Robin rolls her eyes, "Then may I suggest that we take turns giving blood to Eddie before you have no more left?"
Steve gives it right back before going back to his shelving and pretending that her idea is completely ridiculous. It's not, it's actually really smart to distribute between more of them because Eddie could probably have more to sustain himself with and that way they could all have time to regain their strength and blood, but Steve still isn't for it. Eddie had said it was his blood in particular, and Steve selfishly wants to be the only one Eddie relies on for this. For totally logical reasons, of course.
"Steve, I have never seen you so pathetic over someone, and I have seen you be so pathetic. I worked with you at Scoops Ahoy in summer and even that wasn't this bad," Robin scoffs, hands on her hips just like how Steve always finds himself. He almost laughs at her picking up that habit of his before he focuses on the topic at hand. "I am not pathetic over Eddie! Is it so wrong to want a friend to live? If that means letting him have some blood, then that's what I'll do, no questions asked."
It's a lie and there's no use in it when Robin can clearly see the truth already, but he says it anyway, trying to shield himself from facing his feelings. "You know it's okay to like Eddie, right? Steve, you're a catch, okay? You don't have to be pathetic over Eddie, you should just tell him how you feel. I don't see any chance of you getting rejected." Steve returns to the counter and leans his back against it as he looks at Robin, incredulous. Robin holds firm on her words, arms crossed over her chest with confidence.
"Don't you dare start doubting yourself now, dingus. I watched you throw yourself at dozens of girls who laughed in your face and you still kept trying. You should at least give yourself a chance," she says, eyes softening a little. He can't help but loosen up, giving her a lopsided smile. He appreciates her more than he can put into words, so he ruffles her hair instead to annoy her as she swats his hand away. Steve doesn't think he has a chance with Eddie like Robin said, but he guesses he could try a little flirting.
So the next night when Eddie comes over, Steve tries his best to really 'woo' him. He sets a movie up to watch, cleans his room up until he's satisfied and then sits in wait. It doesn't take long until Eddie arrives and Steve leads him up to his room. He plays the movie once they get in and he tilts his head so Eddie can bite straight in when he's ready. The impact comes almost immediately today, so he knows Eddie is hungry. Steve can't help but hum at the feeling, moving his hand to cup Eddie's jaw as he absolutely ravishes his neck. He can feel his blood dripping down from the bite, warm and thick, messy as it gets on his shirt.
Eddie groans at that. He hates it when even a drop of Steve's blood goes to waste. He begins to lap at all of the blood escaping the wound, tongue going down the length of Steve's throat. The feeling overpowers everything else, his brain feels like it turns to mush and it takes everything in him to hold back any noises threatening to escape his mouth. He feels wrong for it, Eddie needs this and he's indulging himself too much, but he can't control it. The torture finally comes to an end though, Eddie licking over his bite marks before he bandages it up like he does every time, so gentle and sweet.
It stings afterwards, like always, and Steve's getting a little tired now, but Eddie takes care of him, stroking his hair and making sure he eats some snacks and drinks more water afterwards. The movie finally gets some attention after everything has calmed down and Eddie is laughing as soon as he sees it. "God, is this some kind of reference to me being a bloodsucker? How could you, Stevie?" It's Little Shop of Horrors. Steve joins in with his laughter, "How could I not? We always watch cheesy movies, this one just so happens to somewhat relate to the situation we have in our messed up lives."
Eddie can't deny that sentiment, reaching over Steve for a beer and settling against the headboard of the bed, Steve on the other side. Steve mentally prepares himself for his attempts at flirting. Slowly, he lets his head fall until it rests on Eddie's shoulder, and he feels Eddie tense up beneath him. It makes Steve doubt himself right from the start, even though Eddie doesn't make any move to reject the contact. "Tired," he offers, an excuse so Eddie won't freak out on his display. Eddie glances down at him and frowns, petting his hair softly. "Did I overdo it a little, Stevie? I'm sorry," he whispers, and he lets his head rest on Steve's own.
Steve's heart threatens to jump out of his chest at his actions and words as he quickly denies that, telling Eddie he's just had a long day, which isn't even a lie. Eddie only hums in response, keeping his fingers moving through Steve's soft waves of hair. If Steve was a cat, he's sure he'd be purring right now as his body goes limp, letting his weight rest against the other who kindly lets him. The movie plays on and they keep talking and laughing over it, but all Steve can think about is Eddie. He can't deny his feelings for him any longer as he stares up from his shoulder, the film lighting up his face.
Eddie meets his eyes and quirks an eyebrow, smiling down at Steve lopsided before leans down and plants the lightest of kisses atop his head. God, if Steve's heart didn't stop before, it was definitely going to now. A flush rises to his face and he feels too many emotions at once to even say or do anything, his expression melting into a wobbly grin. He wants to consider tonight's attempt a success before he rationalizes with himself that Eddie is only doing that because he's worried about his state after having blood taken. Eddie is always sweet to him after that happens, this is no different.
Nonetheless, Steve can't stop smiling for the rest of the night as he replays that moment in his head, even when he lays down to go to sleep, Eddie right next to him, still stroking his hair until they both fall asleep.
ー
Steve likes Eddie biting into his neck a little too much. Way too much, in fact, if the blush he has to fight off every single time has anything to say about it (or the rest of the blood in him that starts to rush down between his legs). He can't decide if he's happy or angry about the fact that every time, Eddie thinks the blush is just because his blood is rushing to the surface because Eddie is bringing it up, which is true but not in the way the other thinks. He's losing his mind a little bit more with each puncture through his skin and Eddie doesn't have any idea.
That's not the only thing he's started to like now seemingly out of nowhere that Eddie does, because Steve is now obsessed with the bite marks that Eddie leaves on him. When Eddie's out of the house he stares at them for far too long than can be considered normal and he can't get enough. He knows it's just because Eddie needs blood to survive but Steve lets himself think of very different ideas about them that have to do with belonging to him and letting everyone know it.
And don't even get him started on how Eddie looks with Steve's blood all over his mouth, dripping down to his chin and his jawーgod, Steve doesn't know what's gotten into him. The way Eddie smiles all euphoric as he licks it all up when he's done, like Steve's blood is his favorite thing to have, and not just because he needs it to survive, because he likes the taste of him. Steve knows it can't be true, he's tasted his own blood enough times to know it's metallic and bitter, yet Eddie makes him wonder if that's changed with how eager he gets.
All of it is getting to be too much for him to handle and he kind of wants to scream about it, but he's pretty sure that Robin doesn't want to hear about his newfound kinks related to Eddie being an actual fucking vampire, especially considering she can barely stand his pathetic pining. So he bottles it all up and keeps it between him and his shower. He goes to work and comes home every day like usual, acting like he isn't counting down to the next time he gets to have Eddie in his bed using him as a meal. Sadly, Steve finds that he likes being used by Eddie, another one to add to the ever-growing list.
Eddie usually stays the night after they do their little… whatever it is they're doing. He monitors Steve to make sure he's okay while they watch a movie or go to sleep depending on the time and how Steve feels afterwards. The movies are always corny ones that they can just laugh about together before they climb into Steve's bed and fall asleep next to one another. Every morning when Steve wakes up, he lets himself take some time to admire Eddie lying there sleeping, face relaxed and oh so pretty, hair fluffed out on the pillow behind his head.
Eddie's not a morning person, so Steve looks unashamedly and only stops when his brain reminds him without fail that he needs to stop because his crush on Eddie is getting out of control and he needs to get over it before he does something he will regret and ruins this thing they have. After that, he'll go downstairs and make something for breakfast that Eddie likes and clean up anything that's gotten noticeably dirty. Eddie always jokes that he's like a little housewife and Steve will pretend to be offended, but he finds himself blushing at the thought of being a housewife for Eddie.
Eddie makes him blush often, he finds. He's absolutely head over heels for him at this point, and it tests his willpower every day that they continue to be friends. He calls and complains to Robin about it so often nowadays that she gets sick of him and just sighs as she listens to him drone on about his feelings. She always responds by telling him to just tell Eddie already, like a lunatic. Steve knows Eddie likes guys, but it's Eddie liking him that makes the advice absolutely ridiculous to even think of going through with. When he says that though, Robin just sighs again before they move on.
The only other person who knows about his feelings for Eddie is Max, sadly. She had overheard him talking about it with Robin one day at Family Video and he had to bribe her with free candy with her movie to keep it quiet (she wouldn't have said a word but it never hurts to get something for free). Steve isn't about to talk to Max about his crush like a high schooler, so he's left with no options. Eddie's coming over later tonight again, and Steve's thoughts are already less than pure when he remembers. He's honestly not sure if he's going to get through it tonight without popping a boner and embarrassing himself, then even worse, creeping Eddie out because he can't keep it in his pants.
Steve tries to calm himself by cooking dinner before Eddie arrives. It will help with his energy later anyway so he gets right to work, making something he knows Eddie will like. Eddie still eats food like the rest of them, he just doesn't actually have to; blood is what he really needs. Steve makes way too much in the end and puts all the extras into a tupperware to give Eddie before he leaves tomorrow. He cleans the dishes right away and while he's washing the last one, Eddie knocks. He takes a deep breath before opening the door, willing his mind to focus on things that won't make him want to jump his friend.
"Hey, Stevie! Something smells good," Eddie exclaims as he slips in the door. Steve's already losing his mind. How is he so cute? Steve leads him to the table rather than giving a response, and Eddie's eyes sparkle as they see the plate in front of him. They both start eating right away, eager for the meal. "It's so delicious, did you make this just for me? You're too sweet," Eddie says after he swallows a mouthful of food. Steve gulps hard, watching Eddie eat his food happily. His chest swells with pride for being the reason Eddie is happy, for being able to make a meal that Eddie likes and thinks is good.
Then Steve's choking because Eddie smirks at him while swiping his tongue over a fang and says, "Now it's time for the real meal." He breaks out in laughter immediately afterwards and starts slapping Steve's back until he stops coughing. "Whoops, sorry about that, big boy. Didn't mean to scare you," Eddie giggles out. It's too adorable and too drastic of a change from what he had just said and done seconds ago and Steve is blushing like crazy. Totally from the choking and nothing else. Too embarrassed to address what happened, he gets up to put their dishes in the sink before he sits on the couch to let Eddie bite into him.
Eddie is more gentle than usual tonight, as much as he can be when he's literally breaking Steve's skin and sucking his blood. He takes his time, and Steve curses him in his head for it. His tongue against Steve's skin is all too much, too hot and wet, his saliva mixing with blood. Eddie drinks it all up and doesn't let any go where his mouth can't follow; Steve almost screams when Eddie laps at his collarbone at some that had gathered there. His jaw clenches and only loosens up when Eddie has finally bandaged him. Eddie smiles at him, teeth still coated with his blood, eyes sparkling like nothing Steve has ever seen before.
Steve turns on a movie as fast as he can, desperate to calm himself down and put something on that Eddie can focus on so he can put himself together. He slides in a tape he doesn't even look at before he throws himself back on the couch. Eddie doesn't watch it like he's supposed to though, he keeps watching Steve with a sweet little grin that makes Steve feel warm inside. Steve feels like he should say something, feels too exposed under Eddie's stare like the other might be able to read his mindーor just see how obviously flustered he is. Instead, he looks away, feeling like his whole face might catch fire if Eddie doesn't follow his lead. He can feel Eddie's eyes still on him and seriously considers that it might be part of his whole vampire thing.
"Stevie~ Are you suddenly getting shy? What's wrong, sweetheart?" Eddie taunts playfully, moving to sit so close to him that their skin is touching. It's electric for Steve, already so overwhelmed with the feeling of Eddie all over his neck. "You cooked me dinner, let me suck on your neck and put on a movie. Some people might call this a date." Steve stops breathing. He's frozen in place and panicking internally, not knowing what Eddie's intentions are with that statement. A date. Is it because he can see how Steve feels and he's teasing him? Does he think Steve is gross, or even worseー
"For god's sake, Stevie. You know what, just," Eddie cuts himself off and wraps his arms around Steve's middle and the next thing he knows he's been turned around and Eddie's looking down at him, his hair curtaining his face. Eddie's always been pretty, but this angle is new and he looks too stunning for it to be real. Eddie leans down until their noses are touching, letting that grin make its way back to his lips. "Steve, I'm going to kiss you right now if you don't say something or pull away." Steve stares up at him like he's crazy, and he is if he thinks Steve's going to reject a kiss from him. So he stays still and closes his eyes as he moves up to meet him instead.
It's not perfect. Steve's neck hurts from reaching up so he keeps almost detaching from Eddie who keeps having to lean down and keep them together. Eddie's hair is tickling Steve's face but they pull apart laughing, too happy to care about any of it before they're kissing again, and again. Eddie lets his fangs graze Steve's lips as a tease and Steve shivers at the little poke of pain. Eddie ends up crashing down on top of Steve when they let go, snuggling into Steve's neck. He kisses there too, blows on it just to make Steve shudder and whine at him to stop.
"How did you even lift me? Last time I checked you struggle to drag that big throne of yours when you play DnD with the kids," Steve says a while later. Eddie laughs, "Just another thing that becoming a vampire got me. I think a boyfriend was definitely the best one, though."