Work Text:
Eddie took a deep breath and walked out of the building.
He was at Steve’s office party.
Steve had won some sort of award for being the most committed man who sits behind a desk all day typing and typing and typing….
Eddie didn’t ask.
There really was no reason for him to be so bothered by the concept.
His boyfriend is achieving something. That’s good. Great, even.
But Eddie just felt so…detached from the narrative.
Like English class in high school.
Eddie sat down on a bench, not too far from the party and just…began to try and recollect himself.
He grabbed a pack of cigarettes and lit one the best he could with how bad his hands were shaking.
God, I mean what reason is there to even feel so stressed out about this? This has nothing to do with him! It’s Steve. Steve’s accomplishment, Steve’s office, Steve’s friends.
Eddie has his job.
Eddie makes even more money than Steve does.
Eddie is the dom.
Eddie is the top.
Eddie provides, Eddie works full time, Eddie…
Not that it matters.
So why does he care so much?
Eddie heard footsteps approaching from behind him, gazing up at walnut brown hair that could only belong to one person and one person only.
Steve sat down next to him, stared at him with those shimmering eyes.
“Ed’s?”
“Yeah, sweetheart. I’m sorry. I just needed a bit of fresh air.” Eddie said as he brought the cigarette back up to his lips.
Steve gave him a puzzled sort of look.
“I-it’s okay. Is there something wrong?”
Eddie took a deep, centering breath before turning to his partner, plastering on the best smile he could.
“Everything is absolutely fine, darlin’. Let’s head back to your party.” Eddie began to rise up from his seat on the bench before he felt a hand gripping his wrist, stopping him from getting up.
“Please don’t do that to me.”
Eddie sat back down slowly, had the urge to ask Steve what he meant, but he already knew the answer.
“Let me help you. Eddie, I want to know. I want to help, let me.” Steve pleaded, looking at Eddie with those big, puppy eyes that he could never resist.
“I’m okay.” Eddie attempted to assure the younger boy, putting out the cigarette that still lay between his shaking fingers.
“I know you’re okay. But you don’t need to pretend with me Ed’s. I can take care of you too, you know. This isn’t a one way street.” Steve carefully placed a hand on Eddie’s shoulder.
Eddie covered Steve’s hand with his own and gave him the sincerest smile he could muster.
“I know that.”
Steve let out a disbelieving scoff.
“I do!” Eddie chuckled softly, bringing their hands intertwined hands down onto his lap.
Steve’s lip twitched with the beginning of a smile as he watched Eddie’s thumb rub against his knuckles.
“I’m proud of you, you know. I don’t ever want you to think I’m not.” Eddie said quietly, willing the lump in his throat to go away.
“I know, Ed’s.”
Eddie grinned at Steve, truly felt it this time.
“C’mon babydoll, I bet your friends are missing you right about now.” Eddie said decisively, feeling much better about going back inside.
“Ed’s… I think I’d rather go somewhere else. To do…you know…other things.” Steve said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Eddie threw Steve over his shoulder and drove them somewhere else to do other things.
And yeah, maybe sex wasn’t the best way to solve things. And maybe they had to talk. But that could wait.