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The bell rings when the door opens and Steve is surprised to see Will Byers walk into Family Video, hunched shoulders and head down.
“Baby Byers? What are you doing here? You should be at school!” he reproaches him, trying to catch his eyes to make the scolding more effective.
Robin emerges from behind a shelf and strolls toward the counter, “Hi, Will.” she greets.
Will barely acknowledge her, just grunts a greet, head still down.
Steve and Robin exchange a look, Robin mutters a "Do something", Steve retorts with "What?" and Robin just punches him on the shoulder. Steve curses under his breath and after flipping Robin over - and receiving another punch - he gives his attention to Will who seems uncaring of their shenanigans and just lost in his head.
“Baby Byers, is everything okay?” he asks, quietly as to not startle him.
Will shakes his head.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Steve tries, and after another shake of the head, he sighs, “Go in the back, we'll find an excuse for your mother later, when I drive you home.”
Will just nods and goes in the staff room without a word.
As soon as he's inside, Robin turns to Steve like knows more than her, “So, what happened?”
Steve raise an eyebrow, “I don't know. I know just as much as you do.”
Robin looks at him unimpressed, “You should know more. They are your children, you have to know more.” she scolds him.
“Okay, this thing has to stop, I am not their father.” Steve complaints, fixing his arms on his hips.
Robin scans him up and down and scoffs, “No, in fact, you are their mother.” she states, like it's obvious.
Before Steve can say anything, the bell rings and Eddie makes his entrance in the shop. Any protest Steve had in the tip of his tongue disappears and is replaced by a big smile.
“Hello, my fellow warriors,” Eddie greets, approaching the counter and putting his elbow on it to hold his head, “Hi, handsome.” he whispers to Steve then.
If Steve wasn't already so head over heels for Eddie, he would fall for the smile he is giving him now, so soft and loving that it twists his heart.
“Hi, Eds.” he manages to say, with the most lovesick smile.
Robin makes gag noises in the background but Steve ignores her. He would love to be able to kiss his boyfriend, but they are in public and even if there isn't anyone right now there are cameras everywhere. He just takes his hand and squeezes it. Eddie smiles at him even bigger.
“So, what's new in the land of videotapes?” he asks, now facing Robin.
She shrugs, “Will Byers seems to be having a crisis. He's in our staff room. Steve doesn't know what is happening, what a little attentive mother he is.” she mutters, shaking her head.
Steve puffs outraged and crosses his arms in front of his chest.
Eddie laughs, “I never expected that from you, Stevie.”
“Not you too.” Steve retorts, half a warning and half a whine.
“Let's see if we can help Baby Byers, what do you think?” Eddie offers, squeezing his forearm.
Steve nods and together go in the staff room. Will is on the couch, face between his hands and shaken by little sobs. Steve and Eddie sit each at his side and give him time to adapt to their presence.
Will sniffles, “Why is to hard?” he whispers, voice thick with sorrow.
Eddie takes a breath and shrugs, “The question for the ages. It's not easy for anyone, but for people like us it's fucking terrible,” he indulges, “But, you know, when you find the right person, is the most beautiful thing in the whole world.” he explains, and he says the last part looking directly at Steve.
Steve who catches up on what they are saying and feels shivers down his spine because it is difficult for people like them, they can barely touch in public, they are a secret for the world. But Eddie is so right, because since he found out his sexuality and he then found Eddie his life is so full like never before; full of happiness and love and strength to face the horrible world they live in - sometimes even more horrible than the Upside Down.
Steve smiles at Eddie, “Eddie is right,” he begins gently, “It's a constant fight, but is so worthy. You will find that person that loves you for who you are and that is ready to face the world with you.” he tells, honest and encouraging.
“Any world for that matter.” Eddie adds, proudly.
Steve chuckles, “Yeah. And it's going to be amazing.”
Will shakes his head, “What if you fall for the wrong person?” he whispers.
Steve exchange a look with Eddie and both know to whom he is referring to.
“It hurts,” Eddie starts, “But you'll learn how to live with it until it becomes a background noise as soon as you find the right one.”
Steve nods, “I fell for Nancy once,” he points out, “But she wasn't the right love for me. Our relationship was wrong, even if it seemed perfect on paper. And then I met Eddie and I found out how love is supposed to be. Love is supposed to lift you up, is supposed to make you happy for the silliest things. Love is building a life together despite anything. And even if Eddie is a man, I can't think of a love more perfect for me.” he finishes, and he is out of breath.
Eddie is smiling so big at him that it must hurt, and Steve loves him so much.
“So is not impossible to find the right person, even if it's hard?” Will asks, a little bit more hopeful than before.
Steve nods enthusiastic, “It sure is. And you'll be the happiest you've ever been.” he ensures, giving him a smile.
Will seems to reflect about it and then takes a breath, “Okay.” he says. He dries the tears from his cheeks and smile grateful at them, “Thank you, guys.” he adds, standing up.
“Where are you going?” Steve asks, confused.
“School. I may be on time for the second hour.” Will explains and all his pain seems to have become determination.
“Do you need a ride? I can leave Robin alone for some time.” Steve offers, standing up.
Will shakes his head, “No, it's fine,” he replies, “Thank you. For everything.”
Steve smiles at him, proudly, “Any time, Baby Byers.”
Will gives them one last smile and then leaves the room.
Steve sits again and turns to look at Eddie whom is already looking at him with the most adoring gaze Steve has ever seen. “What?”
Eddie takes one of his hand and leaves a feather kiss on his knuckles, “What you said to him...”
“It's just the truth.” Steve interjects, feeling his cheeks blush.
Eddie gets closer to him, puts an arm around his waist and one hand on his cheek. “I love you, you know that? And you are the perfect love for me, too.” he whispers, so softly and adoring that Steve has to swallow a lump of emotions.
“I love you, too.” he confirms, and it's the truest thing he's ever said.
He leans until their lips meet and they kiss slowly, pouring all their love in that touch.
“Hey, you two, no sex in the staff room, you know the rules.” comes Robin's severe voice.
Eddie puffs, annoyed, “You are no fun, Buckley.” he yells at her.
Steve chuckles, “She could burst inside and cuts our dicks if she finds us doing anything remotely sexual.” he warns, half serious.
Eddie smirks and straddle him, “That would be a pity, because I really love your dick.”
“Shut up.” Steve tries to hide is arousal and goes for another kiss, much more deep and heated than the other one.
When they part, they are a bit out of breath; Eddie keeps caressing Steve's nape and Steve slips his hands under Eddie's t-shirt, touching the base of his back.
“You know, you forgot to talk to Baby Byers about the amazing gay sex he will have.” Eddie notices, a mischievous smile in his kissable lips.
Steve scoffs, “I'm not going to talk about sex with one of my kid.” he states, disgusted.
Eddie chuckles, “So no talk about the birds and the bees?”
“Absolutely not.”
“You should be their responsible mother, Stevie.” Eddie berates him, playfully.
Steve pouts, “I hate you.”
“You just praised your love for me, I don't believe you for a second.” Eddie says, leaning in to give him a kiss on the nose.
Steve scrunches it and bite his lip to hide a smile. Eddie catches his lips in yet another kiss.
“You have exactly two seconds to come out from there!” Robin's voice interrupts them again.
Eddie grunts but stands up, he offers a hand to Steve, who takes it and stands up too. Before they walk outside, Eddie circle Steve's waist and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
“I'll talk to you about the birds and the bees tonight at your house.” he whispers in his ear.
Steve shivers, “Can't wait.”
When they go outside, Robin just grunts, annoyed.