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Exhaustion itched at Steve’s eyes as he stared at his watch, urging the numbers towards midnight and the end of his shift. Then, he could start the hour-long commute home to turn around for another sixteen hour shift for three more days.
Three more shifts.
The reminder sent a sick shiver through him.
Could he make it three more shifts?
The smell of burned electric cables and grease, and the dull roaring of the generators made his head buzz with an oncoming migraine.
Steve forced in a controlled breath and then exhaled slowly. It was 11:58. So close. He guided his thoughts to the image of Eddie that morning waking enough to kiss him goodbye before rolling over. Eddie was asleep again in seconds, the blankets hugging him the way Steve wished he could.
The memory replayed in his head like a GIF, keeping him grounded and sane.
His watch beeped a tinny alarm for the end of his shift and Steve stood up slowly, feeling weak down to his bone marrow. He started to walk to his car as he convinced himself that he could survive the drive home to Eddie.
Which is why the sight of Eddie, leaning easily against his car, still in his school clothes and lanyard, made Steve stop in his tracks.
“What are you doing here?” Steve asked. He blinked, worried he was hallucinating.
“Get in, I’ve got a surprise, but…” Eddie trailed off, stroking Steve’s cheek. “You look exhausted.”
“I feel it,” Steve sighed. He climbed heavily into the passenger seat. The simple act loosened something in him in a way he couldn’t explain. It’d been weeks since he’d been a passenger. Eddie’s car smelled like home.
Eddie’s hand stayed on Steve’s knee during the ten minute drive and they pulled up to a house off a quiet street. It was only when Eddie punched in a code to the door and opened it that Steve realized what was happening.
“Welcome home,” Eddie smiled. “Well, for a few days, at least.” He gave Steve a sheepish look. “Figured it was my turn to commute to work.”
Steve could only stare around at the high ceilings, the cozy blankets over the couch, and the two bags of Chipotle on the counter.
“Didn’t know if you’d eaten…” Eddie went on.
“W-We’re staying here?” Steve searched for the words as he struggled to understand. He was now ten minutes away from the office. No more hour-long drives done dangerously half-asleep. “But you’ve got class at eight.”
“Bribed Mr. Hylan,” Eddie smiled. “First period’s free this semester, so I don’t have to be there until ten. Technically.” Eddie nudged him. “And I’ve got the alarm set for seven. So you can sleep in.”
Steve thought of the way Eddie had rolled over that morning and now Steve could join him. “Eddie, this is…” Words were too hard to find so Steve pulled Eddie in to kiss him softly.
“Come on,” Eddie guided. “Let’s get you cozy.”