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Steve felt giddy. A bit nervous, but still giddy nonetheless.
He stared out the window of the video store, daydreaming and waiting for customers. It was a slow day, given it was a weekday and most of their customers were either at school or at work, which meant that Steve was free to drift off to dreamland for most of his shift—
Until Robin interrupts it, of course.
“Hey, dingus!” Steve flinches back from the hand waving in front of him and his face scrunches up, batting her arm away. “Whatcha fantasising about this time?”
“I think I’m gonna ask him tonight.”
“What? St- Really?!” Robin grins and grabs onto his shoulders, shaking him as he giggles, shoving her away.
“Well- He’s been flirting a lot lately.. more than usual, so.” Steve brings his hand up to his mouth, chewing his nails in a shy manner as his face flushes.
“You’re so smitten, it’s gross.” Robin rolls her eyes despite the big smile on her face.
Steve huffs, shoving her out the way with a laugh, rounding the counter to flip the sign to closed. “I gotta take some of the shitheads home tonight, so I might get there early so I have time to talk to him before the other parents come.” Steve rounds the counter and flicks a piece of paper into the bin as Robin rushes to follow him.
“Well get a move on, Steve-o! Go find your man!” Robin pushes him into the break room to sign off and goes back to the till to count their cash.
“Alright, alright. Are you sure-“
“Yes! I don’t need a ride, I have my bike. I’m not letting you wait around and waste precious confession time.”
Steve sighs, grabbing his jacket from under the counter and taking his vest off. “I’ll come by yours and tell you how it went! Bye!”
“Bye, idiot!”
-
Steve was eagerly waiting in his car, chewing on his lip as he taps his fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of a song playing.
As nervous as he was, he didn’t think he should be so scared. Eddie had made it very clear he was interested in Steve. And unless he had some secret boyfriend on the sidelines— he had a pretty good shot.
His mind reeled, thinking over all the petnames and soft touches. The sleepless nights they’d stay up together, talking over their walkies so the phone bill wasn’t such a slap to the face. The movie nights where Eddie would pull him into his side and play with his hair and stroke his face. The countless amounts of clothes Eddie would insist on him taking.
Yeah, Steve felt pretty excited. He was kind of hoping they’d kiss tonight. He’s been dreaming about it for weeks on end and he can’t stop staring at Eddie’s lips.
A knock on the window startles him out of his thoughts and he looks up at a grinning Eddie, waving on the other side of the car door.
He smiles, opening the door and getting out. “Hi, Eds.”
“Hey, sweetheart.” Eddie teased, bringing a hand up to cup his face and stroke his cheek. Steve flushed, leaning into it and looking into his eyes. He was quickly brought out of his trance, however, by Dustin Henderson screaming and running away from Lucas and towards the two men.
“Steve! Help! He’s gonna get me!” Dustin’s voice cracks as he wails, hiding behind Steve and crouching down.
“Fend for yourself, you shit. I need a moment.” Steve pushed Dustin away and turned towards Eddie who was watching him with an amused smile. “Can we talk? But- Like… privately?”
“Yeah. Sure thing, darlin’.” And in that moment, Steve wished he had more hair so he could hide behind it because—
Darlin’.
Steve knew he for sure picked that up from his Uncle Wayne. The Appalachian in him, though his accent was mostly tame, the southerner popped out at certain terms. And darling happened to be one of Steve’s favourite petnames from him.
Steve gripped Eddie’s hand and tugged him away, and he couldn’t help but notice the nervous look on Eddie’s face as he passed the rest of the Hellfire Club. Gareth was looking at them with an unreadable expression.
“Hey, it’s- it’s nothing bad, man.” Steve huffed, leaning against the brick wall behind them once they were finally out of reach from any curious eyes and ears.
“Yeah?” Eddie sounded tense, and he pulled a strip of hair infront of his mouth as he waited for Steve to keep speaking.
So.. maybe Steve hadn’t thought it this far through because he had no clue what on earth he was going to say. He thought it’d come to him in the moment but clearly the universe had it out for him because he was standing there wringing his hands together. Silent.
“You gone mute, baby?” Eddie chuckled, nervously scratched his neck as he glanced around. It looked as though he was expecting someone to pop out at any moment.
“I- sorry. I didn’t think this far ahead. I don’t know what to say…” Steve sighed, picking at his nails.
“Well I can’t help you out too much, Stevie. Just let it out and I’ll make sense of it.”
“O-okay, uhm- Well I just wanted to ask- uh-“ Steve looked up and huffed out a breath. This was a lot harder than he thought it’d be. Curse his Disney-esque daydreams for giving him a false sense of security. This sucked.
He sighed, shaking his head to clear out his thoughts. Deciding to just go for it, he looked down and crossed his arms, hoping he looked just a little less insecure than he felt. How was it possible that he was this awkward when he’s asked out countless amounts of girls? This was embarrassing.
“Would- Do…Well- I really like you. So, uh- Do you maybe want to- uhm- to… goonadatewithme?” Steve stuttered out, afraid to look up until he heard a snort.
His head shot up, looking to the side of them, spotting Gareth standing there with a grin on his face. For a second, Steve thought he was just teasing them. Just giggling because he stumbled across Steve’s pathetic little attempt to ask out a boy- but no. No this- Gareth was mocking him.
Steve looked at Eddie with wide eyes, watching as Eddie glared at Gareth motioning his hand in front of his neck, signalling him to cut it out. He looked back at Steve, his eyes softening when he saw the confused, embarrassed look spread across his face.
“Steve-“
“Poor, poor little King Steve.” Gareth snickered, walking closer. Eddie practically growled when he came near. “I’m surprised you didn’t figure it out, but this one is pretty good at acting.” He juts a thumb out at Eddie.
King Steve. That stung.
“Acting? Wh-What do you mean?“ Steve tilts his head in confusion, looking between the two. Eddie just looked scared- worried, even.
“Yeah, we made a bet like a month ago that if Eddie could get you to ask him out he’d win 50 bucks. Guess it wasn’t so impossible after all.” Gareth chuckled, pulling out his wallet as if he hadn’t just shattered Steve’s whole world. He heard a quiet groan from Eddie who clenched his fists, looking up at the sky and whisper shouting “Fuck!”
Steve sucked in a harsh breath, looking at Eddie who was staring back at him with a frown on his face. No. Nonono-
“You’re lying- I…” Steve couldn’t think of what to say, he watched as Gareth went to hand over the $50 note and Eddie shoved his hand away, reaching towards Steve. He flinched away, eyebrows furrowing. “So- so you didn’t… You didn’t mean any of it? Everything you said-“
“No- Steve. I meant everything, of course I did!” He looked panicked as he pleaded, trying to walk closer to Steve.
“I-I was just a bet? I thought- I thought you liked me...” Steve shuffled further away, wiping the stray tears from his face and taking a shaky breath in. His face was hot with embarrassment.
“I do! I do like you! I like you so much, Stevie. C’mon darlin’, talk to me.” Eddie followed him, shoving Gareth out of the way as he watched with wild eyes, brows practically at his hairline.
Eddie reached for Steve’s shoulder, turning him around just before he could turn the corner to the car park. “Please, please listen to me. It wasn’t supposed to go this far.”
“Us? We weren’t supposed to-?”
“No! I mean- yes? I- Steve...” Eddie huffed, face scrunching up in annoyance.
“I hope playing with my feelings was fun, at least.” Steve backed away choking on a sob before taking a deep breath to calm himself down. Dustin and the Sinclairs were standing waiting for him, looking up with concern washing over their faces. Even Erica, surprisingly.
“What. Did. You. Do.” She stomped over to Eddie, poking him in the chest.
“Erica-“ Steve tried to diffuse, getting interrupted.
“No! Why is he crying?” Her little angry face held rage and Steve wanted to diffuse the situation before something bad happened.
“I- uhh…” Eddie’s eyes were wide as he looked down at her and Steve sighed, wiping his hand over face. He gently grabbed Erica’s shoulder, tugging her back to his car.
“Let’s just get you guys home, okay?” The boys didn’t even protest this time, just getting in the car with harsh glances towards their dm.
Erica huffed, getting in the backseat. “We’ll say goodbye to lady applejack because I’m not playing the campaign unless he apologises!”
Dustin and Lucas hummed in agreement, albeit a little sombre but of course they would. It’s their favourite game. Steve felt warm. The fact that his kids were so protective of him despite the campaign being on the line made him feel loved even when he just got his heart ripped out of his chest.
“Hey- no. Don’t stop playing, that’s not fair to you or the rest of the guys. Don’t hold a grudge against Eddie, that’s mean.”
They all groaned, mumbling about it in disdain.
“We could’ve made up our own one-shot and spoiled Eddie’s campaign by not showing!” Dustin huffed, looking over to Lucas and Erica who were agreeing with him.
“Sinclair’s place up first, then Henderson’s.” Steve ignored his protests and pulled out of the car park, not daring to look back at the other members of the club. He just wanted to go home. But he couldn’t, he had to go to Robin. She’d know what to do.
-
“Robbie, hurry up.” Steve whispered, tapping on her window hurriedly. It was cold and Steve didn’t know how long he had until he would break into full on sobbing.
“Steve! How’d it- oh.” Robin’s excitement was short lived when Steve looked up at her with tears in his eyes, threatening to spill over. And that they did.
As soon as Steve saw the pity and sorrow in her eyes as she pulled him through her window, he broke down. He’d been holding himself together in front of the kids, but now that he was alone with Robin he couldn’t hold back. And it was ugly. He was a red-faced, stuttering mess.
“It’s okay, Steve.” Robin mumbled into his hair. Steve didn’t have time to dwell on the fact that he was getting special treatment. They barely touched like this unless it was dire.
“R-Robbie, he-” Steve sucked in a shaky breath, choking on a sob as Robin pulled him onto her bed and tucked his face in her shoulder. “It was a bet. N-None of it was r-real.”
There was a pause. Silence in the air as Steve continued to sniffle and shake in Robin’s hold.
“…What.”
Robin’s voice held pure rage, contained into one measly little syllable. Steve could feel her seething.
“Gareth heard me- he heard me confessing and he said they made a bet.” Steve sniffled, pulling his face out from her shoulder. “$50 if he could get me to ask him out so… guess he won.”
“Steve…” Robin shook her head, heartbroken for her best friend. As much as she joked about with him, she really just wanted him to be happy.
Steve hadn’t been this bad since…
“You’re bullshit.”
“Like we’re in love?”
“Bullshit.”
“M’bullshit…” Steve mumbled, wiping his eyes despite the tears still falling from them. His shoulder shook as he cried, his voice was rough and hoarse.
“Why can’t I be good enough? I-I thought I changed, and- and people would understand that I’m… I’m better now, right?” He looked up at Robin with watery eyes, “Robin, I’m better now?”
“You’ve been better Steve. Always. Since I’ve known you.” Robin cupped his face, looking into his eyes. “You’re not bullshit. And you know what? Eddie is just as bad- if not worse than what you used to be for pulling that.” She tucked him into her shoulder again as he sobbed, shushing him and rubbing his back.
“Hey, why don’t we watch The Goonies? I’ll get you some ice cream and we’ll make sure you feel better before driving home.” Robin pat him on the back and stood up, beckoning him to follow her out to the living room with a grin on her face.
Steve would be fine as long as he had her.
—
Eddie was having it rough. He knew this was a bad idea from the moment his feelings towards Steve turned from resentment to endearment.
Seeing the way Steve’s face crumpled when Gareth spoke made his heart shatter and he wanted— needed to make it up to him but he didn’t know how. How do you make it up to the person who’s heart you’ve just broken?
Eddie felt it was sort of obsessive to go to Steve’s house straight away, so he went home first to confide with Wayne and hopefully get some advice. He should’ve expected the flick on the forehead and the mutters Wayne made under his breath.
“What on earth were ya thinkin’, boy?” Wayne shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“I wasn’t! That’s my problem!” Eddie whined, leaning back into the couch and staring at the ceiling of their trailer.
“You led him on. Y’better be plannin’ an apology of sorts, ya imbecile.”
“I don’t even know how to apologise for something like that— and I wasn’t leading him on! I actually like him!” Eddie flapped his hands around in emphasis before signing and flopping down to lay on the couch properly.
“And y’think he knows that?” Wayne stroked his chin, eyeing the tv.
“…No. He thinks it was all a joke.” Eddie mumbled, covering his face. “God- should I go over there? To his house? I should, right?”
He sprang up, grabbing his jacket and keys and spinning in circles trying to gather everything he needed.
“Don’t act an idiot, Ed. That boy really likes ya. I’d hate for you to mess this up with some immature little prank.” Wayne looks him in the eye before leaning back in his recliner. “And change the channel before ya head out.”
Eddie sighed when he left the trailer, getting into his van and resting head on the wheel, hitting it as he groaned. His fuel bill was gonna be high like a kite after today.
He was stressing the fuck out about this whole thing. He wasn’t prepared for today to be the day that Steve decided to ask him out. He just wished they’d done it differently. That Gareth shut his stupid mouth for once.
“Fuck.”
When Eddie pulled up to Steve’s house he couldn’t help but grimace at the sight. It wasn’t exactly a very pretty house. None of the lights were on, Eddie could only see a casting of warm orange light coming from upstairs out of view. Steve’s bedroom.
“Knock, knock?” Turns out Eddie didn’t even have to anticipate whether Steve would open the door and let him in or not. One of his big red front doors had already been cracked open slightly and it made Eddie’s stomach turn with a sense of unease.
“Steve?” Eddie wandered up the stairs, following the peek of light to the end of the hallway. The floorboards under the carpet creaked as he walked and he bit his lip. It was so silent, Eddie was sure he could hear a pin drop.
“Stevie?” Eddie tiptoed over to Steve’s bedroom door, pushing it open so he could peek in.
“Oh, baby…” Eddie frowned as soon he caught sight of Steve, curled in on himself, leaning against the headboard. His shoulders were shaking as quiet sobs wracked through his body.
Steve seemed to be in his own world, caught up in his thoughts so much that he didn’t even hear Eddie come in. Nor did he hear him calling out his name. Eddie slowly walked over to the bed, careful not to startle him.
“Steve…” Eddie whispered, gently resting his hand on Steve’s shoulder, trying to gently bring him out of whatever kind of trance he was in.
Steve sniffled and mumbled under his breath something that Eddie couldn’t figure out.
“What?”
“Bullshit.” He said a little louder, still quieter than his normal voice.
Eddie was hit with the weight of any and all guilt he could possibly feel in that moment. Hearing Steve mumble out that word. The word Steve had told Eddie he hadn’t thought about since they started talking properly. Eddie had ruined that. He started it and he was the one to ruin it.
“You’re perfect.” Eddie didn’t really know what to say when Steve just shook his head, face still buried in his knees. His arms were wrapped around them like a barrier, shielding himself from the outside world.
“I— Steve. Listen, baby…” Eddie’s mouth opened and closed, hands gesticulating in the air as if it’ll help him form a sentence in his mind.
“You’re okay, yeah? We’re okay. I really do like you, Steve.” Eddie slumped, stroking Steve’s shoulder, moving his hand up to pet his hair.
“You don’t.” The smallest voice broke Steve’s silence. It was an anxious, quivering thing. A barely there whisper.
“I do.” Eddie insisted, frowning even harder. “Ba- Darlin’. I like you so much, I need you to know that.”
He sighs, looking up to the ceiling as it’ll give him answers to some miracle way to dig himself out of this hole. But to no avail.
“Why would you agree to that?” Steve finally looked up from where his face was buried. Just one glance at the look on Steve’s face was enough for Eddie to crumble.
There were tear streaks running down his blushed cheeks and his eyes were glossed over. He just looked so fucking sad. Eddie didn’t know what to say, he was too caught off guard by seeing Steve like this. So vulnerable and weakened by the heartbreak that he caused.
“Okay.” Steve’s breath hiccuped and he sniffled, resting his head back on his knees, but to the side so Eddie could still see the way Steve’s eyes suddenly went distant as he looked off into his room. Eddie didn’t even realise he’d been standing there, not responding.
“I-I…” He desperately fished for something, anything to come to mind but he had nothing. “Steve—”
“I know you didn’t- don’t like me that much, but…” Steve shook his head, wiping his face with the sleeve of his wine coloured crewneck. A wet patch left behind, matching the ones on his knees. “I’ve never thought of someone doing that. So congrats for tricking me, you won.”
Eddie saw the way his fists clenched when he turned his face away. Eddie had a slight feeling that wiping his face was futile, because the waterworks were probably running again. He wishes he could just take it all away, wishes that Gareth never said a damn thing and that he just stayed with everyone else. They should’ve been huddled up on Eddie’s couch right now, watching some shitty thriller that would make Steve curl into his side and bury his face out of view as he complained— but no. The damage had been done and he knew it was his fault. Eddie wouldn’t even be talking to Steve right now if the roles were reversed so he’s not letting himself agonise over the situation anymore.
“I- baby, no! Y-you have it wrong! I…” Eddie sighed out all his nerves and finally decided to just spit it out. “You want me to be honest, and I want to give that to you, so… Honey, I need you to hear me out when I say that yes, I didn’t like you all too well when we first started talking after I agreed to that stupid bet—”
Steve let out a pained noise and Eddie rushed to elaborate.
“But- but that’s all past tense! Sweetie. Baby, I fell for you and I never meant to but I’m so glad I fuckin’ did. You make me happier than I ever thought was possible. I didn’t even know you liked guys! I just honestly thought that I was gonna lose the bet and maybe you’d laugh at me for flirting but… Kinda the opposite happened.” He rubbed the back of his neck with the hand that wasn’t rested on Steve, comforting him, petting his hair and rubbing his back.
A hesitant voice, one that Eddie barely heard. “...You mean it?”
“Yeah, darlin’. Meant every fuckin’ word. I’m so fucking sorry. I wish he didn’t say anything, I’d much rather be cuddling with you, preferably in a situation with less tears.” There was a slight pause, then Eddie spoke again, “Well, sad tears.”
“Eddie.” Steve glared at him from where his head was resting on his arms and he just looked so cute.
“Sorry, sweetheart. You know I can’t resist.” He flashed a small grin that made Steve fight back a smile of his own as he tucked his face back into his knees and hid away. A quiet groan was heard and Eddie paused.
“Stevie—”
“Can I have a hug?” He looked up at Eddie, making eye contact for the first time that night. “Please.”
Eddie sprung into action at his mere word. That small desperate plea made his heart ache and he sat down on the edge of the bed and tentatively wrapped his arms around Steve. Steve who just dived into him as a broken sob wracked through him, not being able to hold back. Eddie had never seen him cry before today, let alone this much.
“It’s okay. You’re alright, Stevie.” Eddie rested his chin on Steve’s head and looked out his window in thought. “We’re okay.”
“We’re okay.” Steve repeated after him, as if to remind himself of the truth. His voice was sleepy and quiet. “You like me.”
“I like you so much. Always will.”
Steve slowly fell limp in his arms and Eddie felt his body untense. A wave of ease washed away some of the guilt now that Steve was feeling better.
“Do you wanna… go back to my place? I know you don’t like it here that much but if you just wanna settle downstairs and watch a movie or something that’s okay too—” Eddie, leaned back a little and looked down at Steve’s face. His eyes were closed and his mouth was open in a little pout where his cheek pressed against Eddie’s shoulder. So fucking cute.
Eddie felt overwhelmed with emotion. The fact that Steve trusted him enough to practically pass out in his hold made him want to cry. He didn’t want to leave Steve here, but he also didn’t really want to stay in this hellish plaid nightmare of a room so he braced himself, nodding and puffing out a breath to hype himself up.
His arms curled under Steve’s knees and around his back and he hoisted him up into a bridal carry. “Let’s fucking go!” He whispered to himself, bouncing up and down a little as he giddily made his way out of the room and carefully downstairs. Difficult, because he could barely see where he was putting his foot down but he managed.
He felt pretty proud of himself for being able to carry his boyfriend like this. Granted, Steve would probably have a heart attack if he woke up and found that he was floating mid air and moving. He hoped he didn’t just jinx himself and he walked out the front door after gathering a pair of Steve’s shoes.
Any excuse to dress Steve up in his clothes like a personal doll and he’d take it.
He gently placed Steve down in the car seat and buckled him in, taking a moment to look at him like this. Fast asleep in Eddie’s van looking more precious than ever and Eddie couldn’t take it. The urge to just wrap Steve up and shield him from the outside world was so strong and he wanted to squeeze this adorable man. Cuteness aggression at its finest.
Eddie stroked Steve’s cheek and sighed, closing the door gently and rounding over to the driver’s side and buckling in, careful to make as little noise as possible.
“Let’s get you home, baby.”