Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Eddie was pretty certain he was going to freeze to death in the woods. He called his friends names but heard nothing in return. He was lost, there was snow on the ground, and nobody could hear him. He was a dead man. He was going to die before he even got to graduate from high school.

Then Eddie spotted a light and his hopes rose. If it was a flashlight maybe it was one of the others and they still knew how to get back, if it was a street light, he could figure it out by the street and find his way back from there, if it was a house he’s be able to find a street to find his way back with. He ruled out the flashlight as he noticed it wasn’t moving, at all, and kept walking.

As he got closer he came to the conclusion it was a porch light. Unfortunately it was a porch light to a two story house, which probably meant rich people. Thankfully all the inside lights looked like they were off. He got a little closer and noticed the fence on the sides but not the back. Which he thought was kinda stupid but when were rich people smart?

He got up to the spot before he stopped to think about how he was getting out of there without alerting any rich assholes to his presence. Maybe he could just walk down backyard to backyard till the road ended? Unfortunately he didn’t know which side the road ended sooner on and he was slowly freezing to death. This was a stupid idea. Let’s play real life DND in the woods, at night, in February. What was he thinking!?

But as he stood there he noticed the tarped over pool, and the little bit of steam poking out from the edges of the trap. How many people in fucking Hawkins had heated pools!? At least one apparently. He stepped over to it, considering dipping his hand in to warm them up. But as he crouched beside the pool he thought better of it, it might work at first but then his hands would be wet in the cold air and he didn’t have a towel and shouldn’t use his jeans unless he wanted frost bitten thighs. He sighed.

Then he heard a noise and spun his head to watch the slider door slam open. Shit. His presence was perceived. Fuck. He jumped up to run back into the woods but slipped. He fell backwards onto the trap, pulling it down into the pool with him. He kicked and struggled to swim to the surface but he was probably just tangling himself up even more in the tarp. Stupid him for never learning how to fucking swim.

It was kinda fitting that he’d die in some rich asshole's heated pool. Except he felt a tug on his jacket and then his face was above the water. An arm around his waist dragged him over to the side of the pool and pulled him out. He wasn’t dying, not yet anyway. Maybe his savior would even give him a towel before calling the cops for him trespassing.

“Shit, are you okay?” A voice asked. He knew that voice. He slowly looked over at the face of Steve fucking Harrington and took a deep breath.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He replied as he tried to stand back up, but he stumbled and almost ended up back in the pool if it weren’t for Steve grabbing him.

“Come on, I’ll get you a towel and some dry clothes.” Steve guided him over to the still open back door, Eddie’s shoes squeaking on the tile. He really ran straight for him? Steve had him sit on one of the stools at his counter, leaving the door wide open as he ran out of the room. He came back with a towel, and once he had it draped over Eddie’s shoulders he finally shut his backdoor, as if Eddie had been his main concern. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you, I thought you were an animal when I first saw you.” Steve explained.

“Oh.” Eddie forced out a laugh. Why was he apologizing to the guy who was trespassing in his yard? And more specifically Eddie the freak Munson. Did he seriously not recognize him at all? Was that it?

“Sorry, I’ll go get you some dry clothes now.” Steve quickly left the room, and by the sound it ran upstairs. He came back down carrying dry clothes on his arms, careful to not have them too close to his own, still soaked, clothes. When he handed them to him Eddie took them with the same amount of carefulness.

“Uh, where’s your bathroom?” He asked.

“Out there, it’s the first door on the left.” Steve pointed to the archway leaving the kitchen. Eddie nodded and followed his instructions. The sweatpants Steve had lent him were a little big on him but he tightened the strings and they stayed up so it was good enough. Once he had changed he stumped back into the kitchen and spotted Steve, still in his soaking wet clothes, pacing back and forth between the counter against the wall and the island counter, socks squeaking on the floor.

“Hey.” Eddie raised his hand in a half assed wave.

“Hey.” Steve stopped pacing to smile at him. “That any better?” He asked.

“Um, yeah? I guess.”

“Okay.” Steve nodded. “I’m gonna take you to the hospital now.”

“What!?” Eddie spat back, exasperated. He didn’t need to go to the hospital, he was fine, he even had dry clothes now. And he couldn’t afford a hospital visit even if he wasn’t fine.

“It’s just, a precaution.”

“Why?”

“Have you ever heard of secondary drowning?”

“No?”

“Well you could think your fine, but have water in your lungs that makes it so you can’t breath hours later and then-”

“Wow, just another reason to hate water.” Eddie sighed. “But I’m not going to the hospital, I’m probably fine.” Plus he certainly couldn’t afford a visit for literally nothing. He left that bit out, knowing Mr. Rich Guy wouldn’t get it, and would probably make fun of him too. Steve sighed.

“Fine, is there at least someone back at your house that can keep an eye on you, in case you’re not fine?”

“Nah, my Uncle works nights, but I’m fine, I swear. Besides I really have to get back to my van, my friends are probably there, waiting for a ride.” Eddie explained. But Steve was looking back at him with scrunched up eyebrows “We were playing in the woods, and I got lost.” Eddie added. It sounded childish but he was too tired to care.

“Where’s your van?”

“It’s parked about the end of Cornwallis.”

“Alright.” Steve sighed. “I’ll take you down there, do you think you could stay the night with one of your friends though?”

“Jesus Harrington, why do you care so much?”

“Because you could die!? Why would I not care?”

“Oh, it’s ‘cause I fell in your pool. Pretty sure there wouldn’t be a lawsuit about that, I was trespassing and all.” Eddie waved his hand around in dismissal. Steve’s eyes widened.

“No, dude, I don’t want you to die, period. It has nothing to do with that stupid pool!” Steve yelled back. “Sorry, sorry, that- sorry.”

“You, King Steve, don’t want me, The Freak, to die?” Eddie repeated. Ignoring the flinch Steve had when he said the word ‘king.’

“Exactly.” Steve grunted. “And, for the record, I don’t want anybody to die. I don’t think that’s a normal thought anybody has.”

“Whatever. Can you just give me a ride to my van?”

“Yeah.” Steve sighed. “But if one of your friends doesn't agree to have you stay with them you’re coming back here.”

“That won’t, like, totally freak out your parents?” Eddie asked.

“I mean, it would, if they were here.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, they went to Europe for a month, I don’t know if it’s a vacation or if they’re trying to globalize my father’s company, but they won’t be back till the 20th.” That was kinda depressing.

“Oh. Let’s- let’s just go.”

“Alright.” Steve nodded before he started walking toward his front door.

“You know you're still in your soaking wet clothes, right?” Eddie asked.

“Shit, yeah, just give me a minute.” Steve replied, spinning around to head up the stairs. Eddie stood by the door holding his soaked shoes. They certainly weren’t going to be comfortable. Steve came flying back down the stairs, dressed in dry clothes, a jacket, and shoes. He also was carrying an extra pair of shoes and a jacket in his hands. “I hope these fit.”

“Thanks.” Eddie replied, taking them. The jacket fit just about the same as the yellow sweater Steve had lent him, a little loose but not as bad as the sweatpants. The shoes however, were a little tight, he got them on, but they were a bit uncomfortable.

The ride to his van was silent, other than the pop music playing on the radio, but since the volume was almost all the way down he didn’t really want to count it as noise. Steve pulled up behind Eddie’s van and they both got out. Gareth was leaning against the side of the van and ran up to Eddie.

“Holy shit! Where were you!?” He yelled. “Why are you-” He looked over at Steve, then back to Eddie, “What are you wearing?”

“I- I got lost, stumbled into his backyard,” He pointed at Steve, “Then fell into his pool-”

“Shit.”

“Yeah, so, I have his clothes, and he gave me a ride back here. Where’s Jeff and Joey?”

“Well, when we tried to call you and you weren’t around we went looking for you, but we were unsuccessful so we headed back to the van thinking maybe you went back there, but you weren’t there and then we thought maybe we should just wait here for you to come back, but it was getting late so they headed home. We were gonna call tomorrow morning, and if you didn’t pick up we were gonna call the cops and report you missing.” Gareth explained.

“They… walked home?” Eddie asked. It was quite the walk, for both of them, and in the cold, what were they thinking?

“Well, that or to the nearest payphone to call their parents, I don’t know. Can you just drive me home already? It's freezing.”

“Yeah.” Eddie sighed.

“About that,” Steve interrupted, “Since he fell into my pool and nearly drowned, can he stay at your house tonight? He refused to go to the hospital and there’s such a thing as secondary drowning, I just need to know that someone’s around if he stops breathing.”

“No, I’m not allowed to guests over for another week, I think she mostly meant no band practice but I don’t want to take that chance.” Gareth replied. He’d gotten himself grounded for not doing his chores before practice a week ago. He was still allowed to leave the house though so it was more like half grounded, Eddie really didn’t get it. He nodded though.

“You’re coming back to my house after you drop him off.” Steve ordered.

“You can’t make me.” Eddie teased. He received a glare in response.

“Eddie, please, you can’t die on us man.” Gareth pleaded.

“Fine, whatever, I’ll go to Harrington's house.” Eddie rolled his eyes, flinging his arms into the air. He was definitely not doing that, but he needed to leave already, Gareth was probably going to get hypothermia if they stood out there any longer.

“See you later.” Steve waved to Eddie as he and Gareth climbed into his van.

“Yeah, yeah, see you later.” Eddie waved in dismal before slamming his door shut and driving off. “Can you believe that guy!?” He yelled to Gareth.

“It seemed like he was trying to help.” Gareth muttered.

“I know.” Eddie groaned. “That's the problem. When did Steve Harrington become a nice person who helps people?”

“I don’t know.”

“I mean, seriously, he pulled me out of his pool, brought me inside his house, gave me dry clothes, and now doesn’t want me out of his sight so I don’t drown on dry land.”

“Yeah.”

“What happened to the asshole jock who’s friend threw gum in my hair during math?”

“I don’t know.” Gareth muttered, again. “People change in moments of crisis. Also he stopped talking to Hagen though, didn’t he?”

“I guess, they had some falling out when he started dating Wheeler, but they broke up so I thought maybe they were talking again?”

“I haven’t seen anything.”

“Yeah, me neither.” Eddie sighed. “You really think he changed, completely, because of Nancy Wheeler?”

“Well, no, because if she was fully behind it, he probably would’ve gone back to his old self when she dumped him, but, he didn’t.”

“So, what inspired the change then.”

“I don’t know, why don’t you ask him, you’re spending the night at his house.”

“As fucking if, I am not going back there.”

“Eddie!”

“I said it to shut you both up so I could take you back to your house so you don’t get hypothermia.”

“Eddie, please, I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Gareth begged.

“I am not-”

“Please.”

“Arg, fine.”

“You better.”

“I will, geez.” Eddie rolled his eyes. “Now will you drop it.”

“Promise you’ll go.”

“Okay, I promise.”

“Thank you.”

“Yeah, whatever.” Eddie grunted. “You’re gonna look really dumb though when literally nothing happens.”

“I’d rather look dumb than find out you died.”

“Whatever.”

“Hey, maybe, by the end of the night, you won’t even hate him anymore.”

“Don’t push your luck.” Eddie replied, as he pulled into Gareth’s driveway.

“Technically, that’s your luck, not mine.” Gareth shrugged. “So, I wish you luck.” He opened the door.

“I don’t need luck.”

“That better be just because you’re dead set on hating the guy and not because you’re not going back to his house.”

“I’m going, Jesus.” Eddie rolled his eyes. “Now go inside before you get sick.”

“Okay.” Gareth sighed, but he listened. Eddie watched him close the front door behind him before backing out of his driveway. Eddie did, unfortunately, drive back to Harrington’s house, on the off chance he wasn’t fine, Gareth didn’t deserve that. Did Eddie deserve a sleepover with King Steve? Probably not. But not dying unfortunately came first. He was probably going to wake up in the morning completely fine and regret the whole thing, but he couldn’t take the chance. The second Eddie pulled into the Harrington’s driveway Steve opened the front door. Was he standing by a window waiting to see Eddie’s van?

“I was really worried you weren’t going to come back here and you just said that so I’d shut the fuck up.” Steve told him as Eddie walked twords the door.

“Well, that’s kinda a valid worry cause I almost did that.” Eddie smiled at him, before stepping inside. “It was kinda the plan but Gareth gave me shit about it.”

“Good.”

“Yeah, except when I wake up tomorrow, completely fine, you’re both gonna seem really stupid.”

“I can live with that.” Steve shrugged. “I’m usually pretty stupid. And I’d prefer you to be fine, by the way, it’s just a precaution.”

“Right. So, speaking of waking up, where am I sleeping? Like are you gonna make me sleep on the couch or do you have a guest room or som-”

“No.” Steve interrupted. “You’re here so I can keep an eye on you and make sure you’re still breathing. You’re sleeping in my room.” Shit. That was way worse than a couch.

“Uh, doesn’t that kinda cancel out the second you go to sleep anyway? So what’s the point?” Eddie argued.

“Yeah, I won’t be sleeping.”

“You have to sleep.” Eddie crossed his arms. “That’s ridiculous.”

“No, I have to make sure you don’t die.”

“Bullshit.” Eddie shot back. “You just don’t want to get sued or whatever.” He added, ignoring Steve’s flinch.

“I already told you it has nothing to do with that.”

“Well, I don’t believe you.”

“Whatever, just come upstairs.” Steve turned for the staircase and waved Eddie to follow. He sighed, but followed him up the stairs anyway. He was kinda tired.

“You aren’t going to stay up all night.” Eddie declared, as a fact, because it was. But Steve just sighed, opening a door, and gesturing Eddie inside. The walls were probably the hideous thing Eddie had ever seen in his life. It looked like graph paper. He was going to have math nightmares if he slept within a mile radius of those walls. And the curtains matched too, it was so ugly. Also who frames a picture of a car and hangs it on the wall? Even if it was, like, a dream car, a poster works fine. “Dude, this is the ugliest room I’ve ever seen.”

“That’s fair.” Steve just shrugged in response. There was definitely something wrong with him. Eddie just wanted to piss the guy off so he’d kick him out and then it wasn’t technically his fault if he died, and he didn’t have to feel bad about Gareth. But Steve apparently didn’t know what an insult was.

“You know, if you’d told me we were sleeping together I would’ve invited you to my trailer instead so I don’t have to stare at your math walls.”

“If you really hate the walls that much, I have two guest rooms. We could stay in whichever one insults your eyes less.”

“We- Goddamnit Harrington.”

“What?”

“You were supposed to get pissy over my poor word choice and kick me out.”

“Oh. Sorry, but that’s not happening. I mean, you could keep trying if you want but there really isn’t anything you could say that I’m going to get mad enough to kick you out over. Do you still want to look at the guestrooms or..?”

“No.” Eddie flopped over onto Steve’s bed.

“Okay.”

“Are you sure there’s nothing I could say?” Eddie asked. He wasn’t sure he’d actually go through with it because telling Steve probably meant telling the whole damn town, but it would definitely get him kicked out.

“Yes.” Steve answered, sitting down on the edge of his bed.

“Okay what if, and I’m not saying I am, ‘cause I’m not, this is just definitely kicking out territory-” Yeah, that was totally believable. Eddie coughed. “What if I said I was gay?” He glanced over at Steve, who, shockingly, didn’t look angry. “Again, I’m not, just saying there are definitely things I could say to get kicked out.”

“No.”

“What?”

“No. I still wouldn’t take the chance of you fucking dying just because you told me you’re gay.”

“Even if I hadn’t said I was lying? Like, if you totally believed I was, you’d still let me be in your house, and even worse, share a fucking bed with me?” Eddie asked and Steve nodded. “Okay, you’re crazy.”

“I am not.” Steve argued. “Somebody being gay isn’t worth their fucking life.”

“Firstly, I’m fine. Secondly, guest rooms, you aren’t going to stay up staring at me all night anyway. And thirdly, what? You, Steve Harrington, aren’t homophobic? Are you sure your pool isn’t a fucking portal to another dimension or something.”

“No.” Steve replied but he had a kinda far off look on his face, like he was somewhere else.

“Okay, so, you wouldn’t kick me out but would you, I don’t know, tell anybody?”

“What? No.”

“Oh, come on,” Eddie flopped back down, facing the ceiling as he kept talking. “I heard you called Jonathan Byers gay.”

“I- Yeah, I guess. I said I thought he was, before I saw him in Nancy’s room, but I only said that because then I knew he wasn’t. I never would have said anything if he actually was.”

“Right.” Eddie sighed. “Okay, I’m totally gonna regret this but, uh, I am actually gay.”

“Oh.”

“Yup.” Eddie popped the p. He let there be silence for a few seconds before continuing. “You gonna kick me out now?”

“No.”

“Damn.”

“You should use a blanket though. You were running around in the woods in the cold and then fell in my goddamn pool, you could get hypothermia even if you don’t drown.”

“Yeah, okay.” Eddie sighed, sitting up. He pulled one of the blankets aside and climbed under it. “You jumped in that pool too by the way, and you don’t have a blanket, in fact you’re even wearing a t-shirt right now you psycho.”

“I’m fine.” Steve laughed, Eddie glared at him. Of course he got to say he was fine but Eddie couldn’t. “Okay.” Steve sighed, picking up the other end of the blanket and climbing under. “Happy?” He asked, lying next to Eddie. What the hell had he done?

“Mhm.” Eddie turned away from Steve. Facing the empty space of his room, and those ugly walls, instead. Technically he’d still be facing the ugly walls if he looked at Steve too, but Steve would kind of subtract from the ugliness. The guy had a super power of some kind. Pretty Boy Superpower: make everything look pretty, even those stupid polos. Yeah, Eddie really shouldn’t be sharing a bed with the guy. Then the bed shifted. “Did you just move closer to me?”

“Yeah.” Steve sighed. “To better hear your breathing.”

“I’m good.” Eddie rolled back onto his back.

“Sorry.”

“You’re just a bundle of anxiety, aren’t you?”

“I guess.” Steve sighed. “I just- I’m really sick of people dying, okay?”

“You know, technically, and I know this probably isn’t what you meant, but I think we kinda have to. It’s the whole being mortal thing. You get old and you die.”

“Yeah, but Barb wasn’t old.”

“Yeah. Not what you meant.” Eddie nodded. “You didn’t really even know her though, right?”

“No, I didn’t.” Steve sighed. “I tried, and I like to think I would’ve, she was Nancy’s best friend after all, but then she died in my backyard.”

“Oh shit. She- I didn’t know it was your yard.”

“Yeah, I can barely stand to go out there anymore.” Steve chuckled.

“And then I fall into your pool and bring up all those bad memories.”

“You make it sound like it’s your fault.” Steve replied with a slight teasing tone and a poke to the ribs.

“Of course it is, I should’ve just stayed out of your yard. I should’ve just walked one direction from backyard to backyard until I was finally at a road, but no, I had to step into your yard.”

“Honestly I’m glad you didn’t do that. Remember that point about hypothermia? At least you got out of the cold.”

“Right.” Eddie scoffed.

“I’m worried about your friends.”

“Yeah, me too.” Eddie sighed. “I don’t even know for sure if Jeff and Joey got rides or if they just fucking walked, in the cold, all the way home. And Gareth just stood there, outside the van, I taught that kid his pick locks he should’ve broken in. But he just stood there in the cold, waiting for me.” Eddie buried his face in his hands. “This was all just a stupid idea. Let’s pretend to be our D&D charters and run around the woods in the dark in fucking February.” Eddie mocked himself.

“Was it fun? Before you got lost.”

“What? Yeah. Of course it was.”

“Then don’t beat yourself up so much. How were you supposed to predict getting lost?”

“I guess.” Eddie sighed. “Good night, Harrington.”

“Goodnight.” Steve replied. Eddie shut his eyes, trying to fall asleep, but he could still feel Steve’s eyes in him. He sighed, opening his eyes, and glancing over at Steve, who was indeed staring.

“Okay, you know that’s creepy, right? How am I ever supposed to fall asleep with you staring at me?”

“Sorry.” Steve finally darted his eyes off him, looking at the ceiling. Eddie shut his eyes again. It was only a few more seconds before he felt like he was being watched again. Who knew Steve Harrington was such an anxious person? Despite the starring Eddie did, eventually, doze off.

Chapter Text

Steve was laying on his bed staring at the ceiling. Eddie had rolled onto him in his sleep so Steve could feel his breathing and therefore had no reason to stare. He still kinda wanted to but Eddie didn’t like the staring. As long as he could feel his breathing he could bear to look away from him. It would be extra comforting if he could do both, but he’d respect Eddie’s boundaries.

It all started with a nightmare. Steve had woken up with a shout after watching a demadog eat Dustin. He headed into the kitchen and leaned against the counter, to get a glass of water. His backyard had been a source of comfort until Barb died, but afterwards he hated it as much as the rest of his stupid house. He also really hated how real dreams felt, it’d be so much easier if he just knew he was dreaming. He took a deep breath as he looked out the slider door at his pool. Something about the water used to make him feel better, but not anymore. And even less so when he noticed something walking into his backyard.

El closed the gate. El closed the gate. He repeated over and over in his head but grabbed a kitchen knife anyway and swung the door open. But as he heard a mumbled ‘shit’ and watched the crouched over creature try to stand he finally realized it was human and not a monster. Why couldn’t he have just thought that first? But then the human fell into his pool. He dropped the knife and ran for him, diving in to pull him out.

After he pulled him out and really got to look at him he knew the guy went to his school, he even had a couple classes with him. He looked really cold though, how long had he been out there? Steve tried to ask him if he was alright but got his answer when he tried to stand and stumbled, almost winding up back in the pool. So Steve took him inside, kicking the knife aside, deciding to deal with it later, and tried his best to help.

Eddie stirred a little, tightening his grip around Steve. Steve rubbed his back. He still had a feeling Eddie didn’t like him much, especially after all the ‘King Steve’ comments he had made. And asking him if the only reason he cared was because of a potential lawsuit. But it didn’t really matter, Eddie could hate him forever, at least he was alive. Eddie’s grip frightened again, really tight that time, was he having a bad dream?

“Hey.” Steve stated, calmly, trying his best to be comforting as he rubbed Eddie’s back again.

“Hmm.” Eddie hummed. Before moving his head slightly and then jumping up. “Oh my god!” He shouted, scooting back on the bed. It probably wasn’t a bad dream, he was just waking up. Steve liked that better. “Holy shi-” Eddie fell off the bed. Steve did not like that. “Ow.”

“Are you okay!?” Steve asked. Sitting up himself and crawling over to the edge to look at Eddie.

“Yup. I’m good.” Eddie replied as he stood up. “Good morning.”

“Good morning?” Steve replied. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I- Yeah. H-how long was I, um, there?”

“What? Oh.” Steve nodded. “Um, I don’t know, a couple hours?”

“Oh.” Eddie’s eyes widened as he sat back down on the floor.

“What are you doing?”

“I live here now.” Eddie laid down. “I belong on the ground and I am never moving ever again.”

“Uh… O-okay? I guess there’s worse places to belong.” Steve nodded, staring at him. Eddie really was dramatic.

“You’re right.” Eddie sat back up. “I should go find a trash can.” He added as he stood up and spun around for Steve’s door.

“Eddie, wait!” Steve jumped off his bed to go make sure Eddie didn’t actually crawl into a fucking trash can. “You cannot be serious.” He followed Eddie down the stairs and into his kitchen.

“Where the hell is your trash can?” When Steve’s parents decided they wanted to have their trash can in the cabinets they probably did not think one of the perks of a hidden trash can is that their future son’s weird friend couldn’t jump in it on a wim. Steve sighed.

“Yeah, I’m not telling you that.”

“You’ve got a stupid cabinet one, don’t you?” Eddie started opening all of Steve’s cabinets.

“Eddie, seriously, stop it. You do not belong in the trash.” Steve tried to reason but Eddie kept opening more cabinets.

“I found it!” He shouted and Steve wrapped his arms around Eddie’s waist pulling him away from the trash can. “Oh.”

“Stay out of the trash.” Steve ordered.

“Yeah.” Eddie nodded. “Okay. Y-you can let go of me now.”

“Sorry.” So much for respecting his boundaries. Steve let go and took a couple steps to the left, considering the counter was right behind him. Eddie stepped forward and closed the island cabinet where the trash can was. Then he turned around to face Steve.

“Well, this was interesting.” Eddie sighed, leaning against the counter. Was that a goodbye? Steve just stared back at him. He couldn’t ask Eddie to stay any longer, he was definitely not going to drown anymore, but he didn’t really want him to leave either. It was nice to have company. “Anyway, I’m gonna go get my clothes and get out of your hair.” Damn it.

“Oh, I already took your clothes to the basement,” Steve informed him when he started walking toward the bathroom, “I was gonna wash them for you and give them back at school.”

“Oh, uh, you don’t need to do that.” Eddie pulled his hair in front of his face.

“I really don’t mind. Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay.” Eddie nodded. “I guess I’ll just leave them.” Eddie took a couple steps towards the door.

“Actually, um, do you want to stay for breakfast? I could make pancakes and scrambled eggs or just, like, coffee, or something.”

“You can cook?” Eddie spun around to squint at him. Steve nodded.

“Yeah? What was I supposed to do, eat exclusively cereal?”

“Are your parents really gone that much?” Eddie had a concerned look on his face that Stece didn’t like very much.

“Well, yeah.” Steve shrugged, making sure to throw a smile on his face as well. “My dad’s got business to do and my mom doesn’t trust him so…” A joke plus another shrug and a long lasting smile had to throw off Eddie’s misplaced worry. But Eddie just frowned at him. Damn it. “So, do you want anything?”

“I-” Eddie glanced back toward the door, then to Steve and sighed. “Sure, why not.”

“Well you gotta be specific, do you want pancakes, muffins, eggs, or… shit.” Steve stepped over to his fridge and checked it, and the freezer, for any meat. “I don’t have bacon or sausage, or anything. ‘Cause I don’t cook meat anymore unless my parents are home and I guess I don’t have any leftovers from before they left.”

“You don’t eat meat?”

“No, not really.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck, closing the fridge and walking back over to Eddie. “If you want any meat I can run to the store real quick though.”

“Uh, no, that’s fine. Whatever you want to make is cool.”

“I’d really rather make something you actually want, considering you’re the guest, but there is a recipe I wanted to try.” Steve ran over to the pantry to get the cookbook he flipped through a few days ago. He opened it to the page he had bookmarked as he walked back over to Eddie, then set the book down on the counter between the two of them. It was an English Muffin Migas Casserole. “Any chance that sounds good to you too?”

“Sure.” Eddie shrugged. “Do you put that much effort into breakfast all the time? I usually just have toast or wait till lunch.”

“No.” Steve laughed. “If I put this much effort into breakfast everyday I would’ve made this already. “I used to make bagels most days but I don’t really eat breakfast much anymore.”

“Yay! Somebody else who gets it.” Eddie shot his arms up in victory as Steve rounded the counter to start gathering ingredients. “My Uncle Wayne brought up that I rarely eat breakfast one time around Jeff and now he never shuts up about how breakfast is the ‘most important meal of the day.’” Eddie rolled his eyes and Steve chuckled. “He doesn’t get it though, his mom makes him breakfast every morning. I eat whenever Wayne makes something, but I’m not really hungry enough to make something extravagant for myself every morning. He’d probably shut up about it if he had to make his own breakfast.”

“Yeah, I had a couple of middle schoolers give me an entire speech about how important breakfast is once.” Steve replied as he started chopping up the English muffins.

“What?”

“Yeah, so these four boys I babysit sometimes showed up at my door at eight in the morning on a Saturday and then got upset that I didn’t have any breakfast foods for them to steal. Which was ridiculous because I told them at the start I didn’t mind making something for them but they just kept going on and on about how I should’ve already made something for myself.”

“Okay that’s really weird. Why did they even come to your house? Like just eat at home.”

“They wanted to play D&D and I guess Mike got grounded-”

“Wait a minute, you babysit nerds?”

“Yeah?”

“Sorry, go on.” He waved his hand for Steve to continue.

“Yeah, so, Mike wasn’t allowed to have friends over until he cleaned up the basement and rather than cleaning he showed up at my door to use my dining room.” Steve explained as he added some vegetable oil to one frying pan and olive oil to the other. “They didn’t even call first, they just barged in because I made the mistake of telling Dustin where the spare key is.”

“And then they had the audacity to lecture you about not eating a proper breakfast, come on.”

“Yeah.” Steve sighed. As he started frying the english muffin quarters. Before turning back to the vegetables on the island counter to cut them up.

“Did you wind up actually making them food?”

“Of course I did.” Steve replied and Eddie groaned, dropping his head onto the counter.

“How are they supposed to learn to act less spoiled if you let them get away with everything?” Steve just shrugged. They saved the world, twice, they deserved to be spoiled. “You’re weak, they would’ve survived one day without breakfast.” Eddie glared at him, resting his chin on his folded arms on the counter.

“Will and Lucas didn’t do anything to warrant that it was just Mike and Dustin having a tirade.”

“So just feed those two.”

“If I did that Will would’ve just given them his food.” Steve explained. “He’s a tough kid but just a little too caring.”

“Alright.” Eddie sighed. “I still think you’re soft though.”

“Fine.” Steve shrugged.

“Dude, seriously, what do I have to say to piss you off.”

“What?” Steve glanced over at him. “Are you still trying to do that?” Eddie shrugged and Steve turned back to his frying pan to scoop the vegetables in. “Uh, you don’t… have to stay anymore.” Steve sighed. “If you don’t want to be here you can leave, you shouldn’t be in danger anymore, I just- I don’t know, felt like I- I mean- Fuck.” Steve sighed again.

“No, I’m fine with staying, your story is kinda fun and I’d really like to try your cooking, I just- that was a mean thing to say and after I said it I thought ‘oh shit, well that’s the end of that’ and then you just, didn’t care.”

“Oh. I wish you would’ve interrupted me with that one.”

“Yeah, sorry.”

“You know,” Steve turned back to the inland counter. “I really have absolutely no idea if you hate me or not.” Steve started cracking eggs into a bowl.

“Oh.”

“You’re not even gonna give me an answer?”

“Uh, I- I don’t really know either. Sorry.”

“That’s fair, actually.”

“I mean, you’ve been pretty nice but, I don’t know, I just keep thinking about Hagen.”

“If it helps any, I haven’t talked to him for a year.”

“I know, Gareth mentioned that while I was driving him home last night.”

“Oh.” Steve nodded, adding a quarter cup of milk to the eggs.

“I want to hate you.” Eddie pulled his hair back over his face. “I really do, but you pulled me out of your pool, gave me dry clothes, made sure I kept breathing all night, are currently making me breakfast, and plan on washing my clothes for me. It’s just hard to keep hating you. Oh shit, did you get any sleep?”

“Well, technically yes.” Steve replied, stirring the eggs, milk, and half tablespoon of salt. “Before you fell in my pool.”

“Yeah, and how much was that?”

“Two, maybe three, hours?” Steve shrugged.

“Okay.” Eddie nodded. Steve turned around and placed the bowl next to the stove before shutting the heat off for the english muffin quarters. “I really can’t believe you actually stayed up all night just watching me breathe.”

“Yeah, sorry for creeping you out with that, I just, really wanted to be sure you were okay.”

“I know.” Eddie sighed.

“I actually, um, had a nightmare, which is why I was down here, so I might’ve been a little extra on edge, as childish as that sounds.” Steve laughed.

“Everybody gets nightmares. And I thought you were on edge because of Barb.”

“Yeah, there were a lot of things on my mind last night.”

“Yeah.” Eddie sighed. Steve moved some of the vegetables in the frying pan around with a spatula. “And, was I really laying on you for, like, two hours? Or did you exaggerate that?”

“If anything I downgraded it, you were there for a while.”

“Fuck.” Eddie responded and Steve spun around when he heard a thud. Eddie had slammed his head onto the counter.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know that would bother you.”

“It should’ve bothered you.”

“What?” Steve laughed, as he started putting the already used ingredients back where they belonged.

“You did hear me when I said I was gay, right?”

“Yeah?”

“You seriously don’t mind cuddling with a gay guy?”

“Nope.” Steve replied, as he stepped back over to the stove and turned the heat down for the vegetables before folding in the eggs.

“Well what if I liked you?”

“Firstly, you clearly don’t, secondly, whatever?”

“What?”

“Okay, so I could feel your breathing and that’s really all I was thinking about and really helped so that was nice. Also I don’t get a lot of hugs anymore, I kinda missed stuff like that I guess.” Steve shrugged. “And neither of those things change whether or not you like me.”

“I guess.”

“It’d be a little weird if you kissed me, but cuddling is fine.” Steve laughed. And he was shocked to hear Eddie laugh too. Finally a successfully landed joke.

“Yeah, you don’t have to worry about that.”

“I wasn’t. Firstly because you hate me, and secondly you seem like the kinda person that asks first.”

“I don’t hate you.”

“You just want to?” Steve glanced back at him and Eddie lowered his head, pulling hair in front of his face again. “Uh, that’s fine, really, I was definitely worth hating a year ago.” Steve turned back to the frying pan and stirred its contents.

“No, that was also a mean thing to say, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, really.”

“Steve.”

“I’m serious, it’s fine.”

“Okay.” Eddie sighed. Steve heard him hop off the stool and walk over to him. “So, you know when you pulled me away from the trash can?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I do that? Just without the pulling part, you kinda need to stay there.”

“Um, yeah?” Steve replied and Eddie wrapped his arms around Steve’s waist. It was a little different with him being awake. Mostly because Eddie seemed a lot less comfortable. “Uh, Eddie?”

“Hm?”

“Do you… even want to be here?”

“What?”

“You just seem really tense.”

“Oh. No, I’m good.” Eddie sighed. Relaxing a little bit. “I just- I don’t know, I’m still a little shocked you’re okay with this.”

“Oh.” Steve nodded. There were a few quiet moments as he continued to stir the casserole.

“Is that almost done?”

“Almost.” Steve laughed. “You in a hurry to leave?”

“No, I’m in a hurry to taste your cooking.”

“Okay.” Steve smiled.

“You should’ve been playing music this whole time, it would make the time feel a little faster.”

“Doesn’t talking do that same thing?”

“I guess.” Eddie sighed, leaning his forehead into Steve’s shoulder. “But Metallica would’ve done it better.” Steve stayed quiet because he didn’t want to admit he had no idea who that was to a guy he knew had such a strong passion for music. “What, you don’t think so?” Eddie asked, and maybe staying quiet was the incorrect choice. Steve sighed.

“You’re probably right.” He started. Maybe that would soften the blow? “But you’d have to supply the cassette because I definitely don’t have one.”

“Yeah, I know.” Eddie sighed. “King Steve could never listen to metal.”

“I- Sorry.”

“I’m just teasing.” Eddie pulled an arm back to poke Steve in the side. “Don’t worry, if you don’t decide to never speak to me again after this, I will definitely introduce you to good music.”

“You know what, just for that, I’m gonna play an ABBA album while we eat.”

“Ooo, finally, I hit a nerve.” Eddie poked his side again. “About time. But also please don’t, I’m sorry.” Steve laughed.

“No, I’m definitely playing it, just because I think it’d be kinda funny to hear all your complaints.”

“If I didn’t think you’d actually believe it I’d tell you I hate you right now.” Eddie wrapped his arm back around Steve.

“You know, if you hadn’t clarified that, I totally would’ve backed out of playing it.”

“I know.”

“Thanks.” Steve shut the heat off, picked up the pan with the fried english muffin bits, and slid the pan with the rest of the casserole over to where it was so the heat really was gone before sliding the muffin bits into the casserole pan and stirring them in. “I need the cheese on the counter behind you.”

“Damn.” Eddie sighed, slinking his arms back to his sides and stepping away from Steve. Steve turned around just as Eddie grabbed the bag of grated cheese.

“Thanks.” He smiled as Eddie passed him the bag. He poured two cups on top of the casserole before adding some chopped jalapeños and a cup of salsa on top. He scoped out a chunk for Eddie and passed him the plate before putting the rest of the ingredients away. “I’m going to get a radio and a cassette, be right back.” Steve smiled at Eddie, who rolled his eyes. He ran into the living room for the radio, which luckily for him already had an ABBA album in it, The Visiters. He ran back to the kitchen to find Eddie hadn’t taken a bite yet. “You haven’t tried it? I thought you were in a rush.” Steve placed the radio on the counter.

“I’m not gonna try it while you’re out of the room.” Eddie argued.

“Aww, that’s sweet.” Steve teased as he plugged the radio in.

“Shut up.” Eddie rolled his eyes, finally picking up his fork. Steve stopped to stare at him as he took that first bite, and he was glad he did as he watched Eddie’s eyes light up. “Holy shit.” Eddie smiled. “That is fantastic.”

“Yes!” Steve shot his arms up in victory before turning back to the radio and pressing play. The unfortunate part of the cassette already being in the radio was that it was also halfway through the album, on Like An Angel Passing Through My Room, but Steve didn’t really care. He made his own plate and sat down next to Eddie.

“Next time I get to pick the music, but I’d totally come back here again just to eat your food.” Steve couldn’t help the smile that engulfed his whole face. Eddie wanted to come back. He had one age appropriate friend again. Steve pulled Eddie into another hug. “Geez, Harrington, has nobody ever complimented your food before.”

“The kids did, but that’s not what that was for.” Steve replied, as he pulled back and turned his attention back to his breakfast. “That’s because you said next time.” Steve grinned at his plate. He was actually ridiculous, and he knew it, but he was so damn happy.

Chapter Text

Eddie was sitting on one of the Harrington’s bar stools eating Steve’s fantastic cooking while Steve sat beside him with a smile bright enough to rival the sun just because Eddie said he might come back. How long has he been alone? Shockingly that wasn’t even the saddest thing Steve had done or said that morning. He had confessed while he was cooking that the reason he learned was because his parents were home so infrequently. And Eddie was pretty sure the guy’s only friends were four middle school boys he babysat sometimes that apparently also broke into his house occasionally to play D&D.

“Oh.”

“What?” Steve glanced over at him, still looking unable to tame that smile of his. If the reason behind it wasn’t so damn depressing it would be adorable. Oh who was Eddie kidding, it was still adorable.

“Have you ever played D&D?”

“Uh, no.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck but he was still smiling like a dork.

“Oh, come on, not even once with those kids?”

“No, Dustin tried, but, I wouldn’t be any good at it.” Steve laughed. His smile was officially starting to tame itself, which might just be even sadder. Eddie blinked.

“What? Sure you would.” He knocked his elbow into Steve’s arm. Steve laughed again, still smiling widely, but the brightness was definitely fading. Damn.

“No, really, I’d suck, and they’d all make fun of me. Even Will, I’d be that bad.”

“Okay, what exactly are you worried about?”

“Uh, all of it?” Steve replied before taking a bite of his food. Which, did Eddie mention, was delicious? Like the best thing ever.

“You seem like you’d get a hang of the acting part pretty quickly, it’s all just improv you just try to stay in character. And I think you’ve got that. If it’s strategy, you have a whole team to work with, somebody will come up with something.” Eddie shrugged. “And if it’s character building I can totally help with that.”

“What about the math?”

“Oh, no, that’s all basic stuff.” Eddie waved him off. “You don’t have to worry about it, it’s just like seventeen plus four.” Eddie watched Steve pause, his fork lifted above the plate. The smile was gone. “Twenty-”

“One. I know.” Steve grunted back before shoving his fork in his mouth. Shit. Had Eddie managed to actually piss him off? He knew the music thing was a joke because Steve had a teasing tone the whole time, but that wasn’t teasing. Fuck.

“So, would you play?”

“No.” Steve answered, and not only was his smile gone but he looked a little annoyed. Eddie should’ve just given him time to answer. He really didn’t want to anger Steve anymore.

“Did it really have to be ABBA?” Eddie asked, teasingly, trying to fix the mood. He’d bring up D&D again some other time.

“Yes.” Steve answered shortly. He still didn’t sound happy.

“This song is like the blandest thing ever, how do you listen to it?”

“Oh my god.” Steve groaned, hopping off his stool. Eddie fucked up. Teasing him while he was already pissed off was not Eddie's brightest decision. Then Steve was in front of the radio, the music had stopped and he was messing with the buttons. He was probably rewinding it, because Eddie deserved to suffer. Eddie sighed, at least it was better than getting kicked out. But then a different song started playing.

“Is this beat any better for you?” Steve asked after he had hit play. He spun around as he waited for Eddie to respond, leaning against the counter. Eddie shrugged, it had started off just as painfully slow and quiet as the last song, but he didn’t really want to say no. Steve sighed. “Fine.” He grumbled as he made his way out of the kitchen.

Shit. A terrible feeling settled in Eddie’s stomach. He wasn’t really sure what he’d done, but he knew it definitely wasn’t going to be good. The music picked up a bit while Steve was gone, but not enough to be likeable. Eventually Steve came back with an armful of cassettes and dropped them on the counter, spreading them out behind their plates.

“What about Tears for Fears?” Steve asked, holding up an album called The Hurting. Eddie would be lying if he didn’t admit that was an interesting title, but it was still pop music. Steve apparently took his silence as a no and put the tape down, picking up another one instead, Glass Houses by, “Billy Joel?” Eddie shook his head. “Uh, Jonathan gave me this one.” Steve picked up another cassette, Combat Rock by The Clash.

“Jonathan, as in the guy your ex-girlfriend cheated on you with?” Eddie asked.

“Well that’s not exactly what happened.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. Eddie raised an eyebrow at him and Steve sighed, sitting back down on his stool and placing the cassette on the counter. “How about this one? Max gave it to me.”

“Who’s Max?”

“Another kid I babysit. The car rules are that whoever’s in the front seat get to pick the music. At first they all teased me about it and ranted about how they’d always play what they like if they had cars and if their passengers didn’t like it they could jump out, which is a little aggressive but,” Steve shrugged, “I don’t know. But I told them I just really don’t care so they started giving me cassettes for some reason.”

“Because that’s sad Steve. Get a music taste and be passionate about it.”

“I actually really like some of the songs on here.” Steve waved the cassette he was still holding in front of Eddie’s face. The Raincoats by The Raincoats.

“What is it?”

“Punk, I think?”

“Alright,” Eddie sighed. “Go ahead.” He waved to the radio still playing ABBA, anything would be better honestly. He shoved some more food in his mouth while Steve messed with the radio. Steve’s cooking skills were god-like, and Eddie would be a fool to get himself kicked out now. The second the music started it got points for starting off with an actual beat and not barely audible piano. Thanks Max, whoever they are.

“Does Max play D&D too?” Maybe if Eddie woke up one morning hating himself enough he’d host a D&D session for Steve’s kids.

“No.”

“Damn. You should’ve stuck to nerds.” Eddie teased and Steve laughed, finally. Mood officially fixed. “Any other non nerds?”

“Yeah, Jane.” Steve answered with a fond smile. He really did seem to care about the kids, which made a little more sense to Eddie then Steve fucking Harrington needing a few extra bunks but was still definitely mind blowing. Steve was just full of surprises. Take his cooking for example.

“Did you ever make anything for Wheeler?”

“What?”

“I just don’t think I’ll ever understand how she could’ve possibly given up this.” Eddie waved at his almost empty plate and Steve laughed. “I’m serious, man, this is fantastic. She’s crazy.”

“I made her cookies a few times, but I never cooked her breakfast.”

“Ooooo, can you make me cookies?” Maybe Eddie was testing his luck.

“Sure.” Steve laughed. Or maybe not. “Next time you come over. I could have them made for you when you get here if you call ahead of time.”

“Unlike your children?” Eddie asked, taking his last bite.

“Well they aren’t my children, but yeah.”

“Maybe I should host a D&D game for them sometime.” He definitely hated himself. “And maybe, if you change your mind, you’d join?” And that was definitely pushing his luck.

“I’m not joining, but the kiddos would love that idea.” Steve replied and Eddie nodded.

“I can at least use your house for this though, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool. I’d use the drama room like I do for Hellfire but I don’t think it counts as a school club if I bring in a bunch of children.”

“Probably not.”

“Are you gonna eat the rest of your breakfast?” Eddie pointed to Steve’s half eaten food. Steve shook his head. “Can I?”

“Knock yourself out.” Steve laughed and Eddie slid Steve’s plate in front of himself.

“So, is this music any good?”

“I guess.” Eddie shrugged. Steve sighed. “Don’t worry, I’ll bring good music next time.” Eddie winked at Steve which shockingly earned him a laugh and not a punch to the face or angry ‘get out!’ Steve really was full of surprises.

Once he finished Steve’s plate he really had to leave. He wasn’t sure if Wayne would’ve noticed his absence before going to sleep or not, Eddie wasn’t much of a morning person and would only be up to say hi to Wayne before he went to bed if it was school day, but maybe he snored and Wayne would notice the silence, or maybe Wayne checked on him when he got back, and maybe Wayne had spend the past three hours driving around Hawkins looking for him rather than sleeping because Eddie never bothered to call.

However, Steve had the same expression on his face as when he told Eddie his laundry was in the basement, like he was trying to think of another reason for Eddie to stay. Was he really that lonely? Eddie sighed. He had to leave at some point anyway. Steve had to know that. Besides, he said he’d be back. Maybe Steve didn’t believe him though. Maybe that was why he agreed to make him cookies, just to make sure Eddie did come back. Maybe Steve was trying to bribe him with food to increase his chances of returning.

“Well,” Eddie began, hopping off Steve’s bar stool, “It’s probably time for me to go.” Steve’s eyebrows scrunched up further just like they did right before he asked if Eddie wanted breakfast.

“Maybe I could make those cookies now, actually.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly. Fucking damn it.

“No, I really should leave, my Uncle’s probably worried, I never called.”

“You could call now?”

“I don’t wake him up on the off chance he didn’t notice and is sleeping right now.”

“Oh.”

“How about I come back next Saturday?” Eddie asked. “You know, for cookies.” He added with a shrug.

“What if you came back tomorrow?”

“You are so needy.” Eddie laughed.

“Yeah. Sorry. That was a stupid question.”

“I’m busy tomorrow, but you can sit at my table at lunch on Monday, if you want?”

“Okay.” Steve nodded, smiling. He really was that lonely. Eddie rounded the counter to give Steve a hug. He probably shouldn’t get used to being so touchy with Steve Harrington, but if Steve was going to allow it then so be it. Steve hugged him back because he was an oblivious idiot who still probably thought Eddie hated him and would continue to think until hell freezes over because apparently Tommy Hagen and Nancy Wheeler both stripped him of his confidence when they left his life and now the poor guy was in the negatives.

“See you around.” Eddie patted Steve’s back, once, before pulling away.

“See you around.” Steve repeated as Eddie walked out of his kitchen. Eddie really hoped he actually took him up on the offer to sit at their table, he was actually a really sweet guy and did not deserve to be alone.

When Eddie got back to his house he spotted Wayne’s truck in the driveway, at least he wasn’t driving around Hawkins all morning looking for him. Eddie sighed before he opened the door. Maybe everything was fine and he could just sneak into his room without ever worrying Wayne. However, when he opened the door he saw Wayne, sitting on one of the bar stools, looking exhausted, staring right back at him.

“I know you’re an adult, and you don’t have to ask me if you can do anything, but can you please let me know when you plan to be out of the house at night. I was worried something happened to you.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry, I was planning on being back by midnight but then I got lost in the woods.”

“What? Are you okay?” Wayne asked, jumping off the stool and stepping over to him, grabbing his shoulders and looking him over.

“Yeah.” Eddie sighed. Wayne put a hand on his forehead.

“You weren’t out there all night, right?”

“No, I stumbled into the Harrington’s backyard.”

“Did they call the cops on you? Did you call the plant? Who let you out?”

“No, I actually fell in their pool and-”

“What!?”

“I’m okay! I fell in ‘cause I got startled by the door opening but then Steve just jumped right in and pulled me out.”

“Okay.” Wayne sighed.

“And, uh, he went on some tangent about secondary drowning or something and wouldn’t let me go home because I told him you weren’t there and he wanted someone around I guess.”

“Yeah, symptoms can take up to 48 hours to show up.”

“What?”

“Yeah, if you have any difficulty breathing, chest pain, or coughing we’re taking you to the hospital.”

“Okay.” Eddie nodded. They definitely could not afford that. Eddie better be fine.

“But he wasn’t mean, right?”

“No. He even made me breakfast.”

“That’s good.”

“He’s actually a fantastic cook.”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah he also invited me back for cookies next weekend.”

“Oh? He’s way better than his father then. You should let me meet him sometime.”

“Sometime.” Eddie nodded. “Now go to bed, you look exhausted.”

Chapter Text

Steve wasn’t sure if he should take Eddie up on his offer to sit with his friends at lunch. For the rest of the Saturday after he said it and all of Sunday Steve thought for sure he was going to. Sitting at the table with the rest of the basketball team wasn’t any fun because Billy made fun of him the whole time, and he didn’t have any other friends to sit with. He only bothered Nancy and Jonathan if they waved him over first, which was pretty rare. But standing in the cafeteria, staring at Eddie’s table he wasn’t sure he could. Eddie’s friends all had the right to hate him after all.

But while Steve was standing in the middle of the cafeteria, debating it, Eddie caught his eye and waved at him. Steve smiled back. Maybe he could. Maybe Eddie had already told his friends that he had invited Steve and they got all their protests out before he even stepped through the doors. Steve took a deep breath before walking over. Although, judging by the weird looks he received as he sat down Steve was pretty sure Eddie did not inform his friends that Steve might join them for lunch.

“Hi.” Steve smiled at them all.

“Hi.” The kid that Steve saw last night, Gareth, smiled back.

“Uh, hello?” Another boy replied, lacking a smile.

“Steve, this is Jeff, Joey, Kim, and you met Gareth. Guys, this is Steve.” Eddie introduced them. Jeff was the guy who said hello.

“No shit.” Kim replied.

“What? I can’t be a proper gentleman and introduce you all?”

“You, a proper gentleman?” Jeff raised an eyebrow at Eddie, who scoffed in response.

“Always.”

“Bullshit, you throw almonds at us.” Joey argued.

“If I’m throwing almonds you deserve it.” Eddie replied before throwing an almond at Joey, who rolled his eyes.

“What did he do to deserve that one?” Steve asked.

“He implied that I’m not a proper gentleman.”

“Because you aren’t.” Kim got an almond thrown at her as well.

“You are kinda proving their point though.” Steve added before getting hit with his own almond. It bounced off his forehead and onto the table. Steve just stared at it. That was weird.

“So, can I ask why you're here?” Steve looked up from the almond to meet Jeff’s eyes.

“Eddie invited me.” He replied and watched Jeff turn his head towards Eddie.

“Why?”

“Cause he saved my life Friday night.” Eddie tossed an almond at Jeff. “I’m wasting so many almonds today.” Eddie sighed.

“Maybe stop throwing them then?” Kim suggested.

“Thanks, Kimberley, that’s very helpful, I never thought of that.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Kim rolled her eyes before turning her attention over to Steve. “Are you going to eat lunch?”

“What?” Steve asked as the rest of the table looked over at him. He had not gotten a tray before sitting down. In his defense the cafeteria was serving steak and he was not interested. Steve picked the almond up off the table and stuck it in his mouth.

“That does not count.” Jeff crossed his arms.

“I don’t like what the school’s serving today.”

“Why didn’t you pack something then?” Gareth asked.

“I don’t know, I didn’t think of it.” Steve shrugged.

“Do you want some of mine?” Eddie held up his sandwich. “I could tear this in half.

“No, that’s okay, I don’t wanna take your food.”

“Okay fuck that. You do not get to cook me breakfast and then refuse half my sandwich on the basis of stealing. You’re eating the whole thing now.” Eddie held out his entire sandwich to Steve.

“Okay, hold on, he made you breakfast?” Kim interrupted. “When? Why? Is that why he’s here?”

“Uh, so you know that in real life DND thing-”

“It’s called larping.” She corrected.

“Yeah, whatever.” Eddie waved his sandwich free hand around in dismissal. “Well I got lost.” Kim laughed. “And uh, then I fell in his pool.” She stopped laughing and Jeff and Joey’s eyes widened. “And he went on some rant about secondary drowning after pulling me out and was very opposed to me going back to my house alone.”

“Shit. Gareth only told us that you came back to the van and were fine.” Joey

“Yeah, uh, Steve drove me back to the van after giving me some of his clothes to borrow- that are still at my house, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Steve shrugged. “I did bring your clothes though, they’re in my locker. Except for your leather jacket I was kinda scared I’d ruin it so I sent it to the dry cleaners.”

“You- okay.” Eddie nodded.

“Well that explains why you’re not wearing it.” Jeff exclaimed. “I thought that was weird.”

“Yeah, well, anyway, I drove Gareth home, and then went back to Steve’s house, where I spent the night because he’s a paranoid little shit and didn’t want to take his eye off me.” Eddie rolled his eyes. “And then in the morning he made me breakfast which was totally worth almost drowning for because it was the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my life.” Steve could feel his face burning. Eddie had to be exaggerating.

“Geez, what did you make him?” Kim asked.

“Uh, an English Muffin Migas Casserole.”

“You know, I would not have ever guessed that you knew how to cook.” Jeff laughed.

“Mm, Steve’s full of surprises. Now take the sandwich.” Eddie demanded, shoving the sandwich even closer to his face.

“But-”

“Nope. Take it.” Eddie ordered. Steve sighed and took the sandwich. Thankfully it was peanut butter and jelly and not ham and cheese or something.

“So, what do you mean by full of surprises?” Kim asked as Steve took a bite of Eddie’s sandwich.

“Uh, yeah, that was a poor choice of words.” Eddie slowly nodded as he picked up another almond. “Well uh, for starters, we shared his bed. I meant it when I said he didn’t want to take his eyes off me.”

“Damn.”

“Also he apparently listens to punk music and he wouldn’t let me climb inside his trash can.”

“What?” Gareth blinked a couple times. “Why did you want to climb inside a trash can?”

“‘Cause I belong there.”

“You absolutely do not.” Steve argued, around Eddie’s sandwich. Eddie rolled his eyes.

“So, apparently, at some point in my sleep I rolled over, and was like on top of Steve and this fucking bafoon was just like ‘oh, okay, guess this is happening now’ as if that isn’t fucking weird, like, thats weird, right?” He asked the group, glancing over all their faces but not actually giving them time to respond. “Anyway, uh, he didn’t shove me off, obviously, so I woke up cuddling with him, and yeah, trash can.”

“I really don’t think it’s that weird.” Steve tore off a corner of the sandwich. “And even if it was, you still don’t belong in a trash can.” When he finished talking he stuffed the corner piece in his mouth.

“I’m sorry, you cuddle with other guys often?” Eddie pressed. He definitely did when he was high. He was very touchy while high, so much so he got banned from smoking at parties. He could still drink though so it was fine. And even outside parties Steve liked the comfort of knowing other people were there and definitely flug his arm over the shoulders of everyone on both the basketball and swim team, except Billy of course. Maybe Steve was the weird one. But that didn’t necessarily count as cuddling, did it? He glanced up at Eddie who was staring at him expectantly.

“Define often?”

“Oh you do.” Kim replied, probably for everyone else too. They were all staring at him with wide eyes. Eddie’s mouth was even hanging open a little, like a cartoon character except not that dramatically.

“I don’t know, cuddling might be a stretch, but-” Steve paused. He probably would have cuddled with every friend he’s ever had if they didn’t think he was weird and tell him to chill out. “Yeah, actually I’m the weird one.”

“No way, you’re Steve Harrington, you get to set the standard.” Gareth argued.

“Oh really?” Steve raised an eyebrow at him. Gareth nodded. “Cool.” Steve flug his arm over Gareth’s shoulders. “That definitely means you aren’t weird then.” Steve winked at Eddie. Steve didn’t think his eyes could get any wider, he looked like Bambi.

“I might regret my decisions.” Gareth mumbled and Steve pulled his arm off the kid’s shoulders.

“Told you I was the weird one.” Steve took another bite of Eddie’s sandwich like the thief he was. The bell rang. Steve had probably entirely ruined all of their lunches. Gareth was uncomfortable because Steve was a touchy guy that loved to know other people were real and he could touch them and he was indeed still alive. Eddie lost a sandwich. And the other three just ate lunch with a bully and were probably trying their absolute hardest to keep pleasant looking expressions on their faces.

“Well this was interesting.” Jeff sighed as he stood up. “See you around.”

“Eddie’s creepy when he puts an arm around any of our shoulders, it’s like a scare tactic.” Gareth explained as he picked up his bag from under the table. “I don’t need two people doing that.”

“I wasn’t trying to scare you.” Steve tried to assure him. Eddie laughed, packing up his own stuff.

“Okay.” Eddie stepped over to Steve and Gareth. “This was fun.” He flug an arm over each of their shoulders. “You definitely need to come back sometime.” He told Steve before turning back over to Gareth. “And you need to stop sharing my battle tactics, you little shit.” Gareth nodded and Steve attempted, but failed, to stifle his laugh so Eddie turned his attention back to him. Eddie took his arm off Gareth’s shoulders turning around and spinning Steve with him. “Where’s your class?”

“Uh, do you know Mr. Mundy?” They weren’t gonna walk like that the whole way, were they? Not that Steve would particularly mind, because he absolutely wouldn’t, but other people were definitely going to find that weird. Eddie didn’t really seem to care what other people thought though. Besides, it was nice.

“Yeah. Okay.” Eddie nodded. “That’s close enough to my class, I’m walking with you. And you’re eating the rest of that sandwich on the way, no trash cans, got it?”

“Yeah, okay.” Steve replied, with a little bit of a chuckle. Eddie started pulling him towards the cafeteria doors. Maybe they were going to walk like that the whole way. Steve could definitely get used to that. He didn’t entirely understand why Eddie had such an issue cuddling with Steve while he was sleeping but had no qualms wrapping an arm around him in public but he’d take what he could get. Unfortunately, just after they left the cafeteria, Eddie dropped his arm from his position on Steve’s shoulders. Damn it.

“So, how’d you like my table?”

“It was nice.” Steve answered, with a smile. “You guys are a fun group.”

“But…?” Eddie questioned. Damn it. Of course he could tell something was off, like he had super powers or something. Steve sighed.

“I just think they all hate me.”

“Nah, they’d tell you to your face if they did.”

“Okay.” Steve nodded. “We should stop by my locker too, so you can get your stuff.”

“That’s fair.” Eddie nodded and let Steve guide them both through the halls over to his locker. “Thank you, kind sir.” Eddie bowed before taking the clothes and shoving them into his bag, except his vest, he slid that over his shoulders.

“I hope I put the pins back in the right places.”

“Don’t worry about it Stevie.” Eddie patted his shoulder a couple times before tugging him forward and they started walking again toward Steve’s class. Steve could also get used to that nickname. Sure it was a little girly but it also made their names sort of match and that was cute. Yeah, Steve was definitely the weird one; normal people don’t want matching names with their friends. If he and Eddie were even friends yet. Steve needed to chill before he scared the guy off. Especially because thinking it was cute was kind of couple-y.

Chapter Text

Steve was an absolute blast to have been added to Eddie’s group. Especially because he brought food with him on Tuesday, after he got scolded by the entire table for not eating on Monday, and proceeded to share his lunch with the whole table. Did that technically mean there were now four other people who wanted to eat more of Steve’s godly cooking? Yes. However, Eddie was here first so he still got first dibs and he totally wasn’t worried about it. Steve better like him the best. He needs to be given more food than everyone else or he’ll cry. At least, for the time being, Eddie was getting cookies and they weren’t. That was nice.

Speaking of nice things though Eddie could apparently flirt with Steve? He wasn’t entirely sure if Steve was entirely not noticing or if he just didn’t mind but he hadn’t told him to stop yet. Eddie was throwing around nicknames for the guy like it was the air he breathed and sometimes he even thought Steve blushed, but that was crazy. Maybe his face had gone red in anger? He didn’t get why he wouldn’t tell him off about it though if he was mad. But, for the time being, he was getting away with it and he was going to bask in that for as long as he could.

Gareth came around to liking Steve first, probably because he actually saw Steve drop him off at his van and look all worried. (And maybe also because he was the youngest and hadn’t seen as much of Steve’s old douchery as the others.) Jeff was second, Eddie saw the way his expression softened after Eddie told the story of Steve saving his life. Jeff was also the only one of them Eddie had confessed being gay too and smirked at him after the whole cuddling in Steve’s bed thing, fucking traitor. Kimberly was third because she’s got a soft spot for those in pain and Steve almost didn’t eat lunch. And Joey was last, he was the most skeptical of the group, until Steve showed up with food on Tuesday and gave him some of course. How can anyone hate someone who makes and gifts them the most delicious food on the planet?

Eddie almost invited the guy to one of his Corroded Coffin shows at The Hideout. But that definitely wasn’t Steve’s style and he didn’t want to scare him off before he got his cookies. Maybe some other time when they were better friends, or maybe never. Eddie definitely hoped he got that chance with Steve, to be better friends. He had no idea what drugs the guy was on to keep hanging out with him but it sure was nice. Actually he knew exactly what it was, that was what made it worse, Steve was just lonely. Eventually everyone in Hawkins would wake up and go back to being friends with him because Steve was the sweetest guy in the world and then Steve would never talk to him again because everyone else is definitely more Steve’s style than Eddie will ever be.

On Wednesday Steve brought in an entire tupperware container of Mac and cheese with his own paper plates to hand off to each person at the table. Eddie was going to spontaneously combust or something. Life is definitely not fair. Who gave Harrington the right to be such a sweetheart? At least it meant Steve was eating too. Eddie also got his plate first which was both amazing and awful simultaneously. At least he was still the favorite? But also holy fuck if Steve kept making him food and smiling at him like that he was going to fall in love.

“As amazing as always.” Eddie smirked at Steve after taking his first bite. It was one of those times Eddie would swear Steve was blushing if he wasn’t Steve. “Thanks for sharing, sweetheart.”

“Yeah, where have you been all through school? Why have I been eating school lunch?” Joey asked and Steve laughed.

“Seriously, this is delicious, and worth the stomach ache I’m going to have later.” Gareth chimed in.

“What? Why?” Steve turned to Gareth with concern etched into his eyebrows. He was too sweet for this world. Eddie did not remember asking for an Angel but damn did he get one.

“I’m lactose intolerant.”

“Oh shit. I’m sorry!”

“Nah, you’re good, I eat cheese all the time anyway. It’s delicious.”

“Oh.” Steve nodded.

“Yeah, Gareth’s a bit of a dumbass.” Kim added before taking another bite of her portion of Mac and Cheese.

“Okay, so for future reference, any other allergies, preferences, or anything?” Steve asked and the rest of the table shook their heads.

“Please don’t stop making things with cheese, I’m fine.” Gareth gave Steve his best puppy dog eyes which Eddie always felt were lacking but Steve caved anyway.

On Thursday Steve brought in a boring ass salad for himself, which Eddie kept glaring at. He didn’t even add croutons. There were eggs though so it wasn’t too bad. Plus he brought some peanut brittle to share so it wasn’t like he was only eating salad. Except for the fact that he hadn’t actually eaten any of the peanut brittle yet. The others had, there were only three pieces left in the bag Steve brought when Eddie took it off the table, holding it out of Kimberley's reach.

“Steve hasn’t had any yet.” He told her and she gave up on trying to take it and sat back down.

“It’s okay, I don’t need any.” Steve tried to tell him but Eddie did not care. He dropped the bag directly onto Steve’s salad before sitting back down.

“You made it, you are at least eating one piece.” Eddie argued. Steve sighed but took a piece out and did eat it, point to Eddie. Why is he getting points? He has no fucking clue, don’t ask. “You know, one of my Uncle’s favorite desserts is actually peanut brittle. You should bring some over the next time you make it.”

“You could bring the last two home.” Steve smiled at him, offering the bag back.

“Or you could eat them.” Eddie replied and Steve rolled his eyes.

“No, that’s alright, he can have them.” Steve assured him and Eddie, begrudgingly, took the bag, zipped it back up, and placed it in his lunch box.

The good news was that Wayne adored it and wanted to meet Steve even more because of it. The bad news was Eddie lost whatever point he had randomly given himself for Steve eating a piece of his own baking. Do people even bake peanut brittle? Not the point. Eddie was losing his own game he made up and Steve didn’t know about. Which was made worse by the fact that Eddie didn’t even know the rules.

“Thank him for me?” Wayne asked, halfway through the second piece.

“Of course.” Eddie bowed.

Eddie also got his leather jacket back that day, which was nice. On Friday Steve brought some chow mein cookies for the group. Which, firstly, had no right to be so fucking good. And secondly, Eddie was supposed to be the first one to get cookies. However, Eddie got a little too caught up in the whole cookies thing at first to realize Steve didn’t have an actual meal for himself. Kimberly started pestering him about it before Eddie got the chance because she was more observant than him. Damn it.

“Why don’t you have a lunch?”

“I was going to eat the school lunch.” Steve answered and Kimberly gave him an unimpressed look the rest of the table soon mirrored. “I really was. Pizza sounded good.” Steve shrugged.

“So then why didn’t you get a school lunch?” Jeff asked.

“I almost did, I was in the line for a bit.”

“And then what happened?” Jeff pressed and Steve just shrugged. Eddie put a hand on his shoulder, trying to be comforting. Steve sighed and dropped his head down to stare at the table.

“Tommy was behind me and he started being annoying so I just left the line.”

“Yeah, that’s fair.” Eddie nodded. But as he glanced over at the kitchen it looked like they were already starting to pack up.

“Do you want to split half my pizza?” Jeff asked.

“Oh. You don’t have to do that.”

“And you don’t have to keep bringing all of us food, you’re eating half my pizza.” Jeff argued, tearing his pizza in half and passing one half to Steve.

“Thanks.”

“You can have my green beans too, if you want.” Gareth offered. “I don’t like them.”

“Okay.” Steve laughed. And he did actually eat Gareth's green beans, after he finished his pizza. Eddie wouldn’t have. But Steve was apparently vegetarian so of course he liked his vegetables like a weirdo. Maybe that was also why he had salad the day before. Eddie still didn’t like that though, it looked too much like he was avoiding calories or something, especially without the croutons. Steve also used Gareth’s fork to eat said green beans like he didn’t give a shit about the fact that Gareth had used that same fork to eat his fruit cocktail. How Steve wasn’t constantly sick pulling stunts like that Eddie was never going to understand.

Chapter Text

Steve bought a new cookbook after school on Friday. It didn’t take much to notice Eddie’s sweet tooth and he needed more ideas to serve that sweet tooth with. He picked the Suanberry Centennial 1879-1979 Cookbook, because while he was flipping through the pages of random cookbooks he came across an ‘Easter Marshmallow Bark’ in that one and it just sounded perfect for Eddie. It wasn’t exactly packed completely with desserts like Steve had set out for, but it was good enough so Steve didn’t care.

He still made cookies that night to have for Eddie whenever he showed up on Saturday. They still didn’t have a set time so Steve wanted to be prepared as early as possible. Eddie could have shown up at six in the morning. He didn’t, but he could’ve. But making him Marshmallow Bark was a good way to spend the morning while he waited. Besides, Eddie would probably appreciate an extra dessert. Maybe Steve should make something for lunch too. They couldn’t just eat sugar after all. But Steve didn’t even know if Eddie was going to be there for lunch. He might just wait till, like, four of something. He really wished he asked. Waiting sucked more than usual when he didn’t even know how long he was going to be waiting for.

When Steve placed the marshmallow bark in the fringe to harden he was officially out of ideas on ways to distract himself. Eddie did not need three snacks. As much of a sweet tooth as the guy had, Steve could not just keep making him things or he was going to make the poor guy sick. Steve forced himself to step out of the kitchen. He could find something else to do. He made it to the living room before running back to the kitchen to shut the radio off. He had been listening to Back in Black by AC/DC while he was ‘baking’ (if he could even call it that).

Back in the living room he sat in front of the TV switching through the channels. Nothing good was on. Steve laid down on the floor. It was barely ten of course Eddie wasn’t going to be at his house already. Eddie did not want to spend his entire Saturday hanging out with Steve. He took a deep breath. He really needed to get his shit together. Their friendship was not going to last very long if Steve tried to strangle the guy with his neediness. Nobody liked how clingy he was and he needed to stop it.

Steve sighed, sitting up. Maybe he could make something special for lunch and just not let Eddie see it if he showed up later. Steve went back to the kitchen, pressed play on the radio, and then headed to the panty to flip through his cookbooks for a while. He wished he knew more about what Eddie liked other than just sugar. He definitely seemed like a cheese fan at least, maybe he could make something with cheese.

About a quarter past eleven Steve had finally found the perfect recipe. Or rather two perfect recipes. He was going to need to run to the store though. Hopefully Eddie didn’t show up while he was gone. Maybe he could leave him a note. Just in case. Steve ran upstairs to his room to get a notebook and a pen, wrote down Eddie’s message, and then stole some tape from his fathers office to tape it to the door.

Dear Eddie,
I had to run to the store to pick up some ingredients for lunch, please don’t leave I’ll be back really soon I promise!
- Steve

When he got back from the grocery store Eddie’s van still wasn’t there and the note was still taped to the door. He took it off and brought it to the kitchen with him. He placed his shopping bag on the counter before crumpling up the note and tossing it in the trash can. With the AC/DC album long over he switched it out for his brand new Simple Minds Cassette ‘Once Upon A Time’. And then it was back to cooking.

It was honestly a 50/50 on the cornbread but if it turned out good Eddie was going to line it. Besides, if it didn’t he still had a perfectly good stew he’d had before and knew didn’t suck. There was a knock on the door just after Steve pulled the corn bread out of the oven. Perfect timing. He let himself smile ridiculously as he flipped the corn beard out of the pan and onto a cooling rack on the counter, and then headed for the door. But he replaced that smile with a more appropriate and smaller one as he actually opened the door.

“Hi Eddie.”

“Hi, I hope I’m not too early.”

“No, that's okay.” Steve laughed. He could’ve shown up at three in the morning and Steve would’ve only been mildly annoyed. Steve stepped aside letting Eddie in.

“And I know I didn’t call so if the cookies aren’t ready yet, I understand.”

“Actually I made them last night.” Steve informed him as he shut the door. “Just in case you got here early and wanted cookies for breakfast like a weirdo.”

“Well if you’d told me that maybe I would’ve actually gotten out of bed before ten.”

“Oh?”

“I am not a morning person. The only reason I got out of your bed last weekend is because I thought I should’ve moved before you woke up and killed me-”

“I-”

“But then turns out you were awake the whole time and just didn’t care.” Eddie shrugged. “I still think you’re insane by the way.” He poked Steve’s chest and Steve laughed. “So, you said the cookies are ready?”

“Yeah, I also made lunch if you’re interested?”

“Well aren’t you just the sweetest?” Eddie knocked their shoulders together before stepping into the kitchen. “Smells awesome, by the way.”

“Thanks.”

“Music however could be better, but that’s what I brought this for.” Eddie took a cassette out of his pocket and waved it around for Steve to see as he walked over the radio. He placed his cassette on the counter before taking Steve’s out of the radio. “Were you listening to AC/DC earlier?” Eddie picked up the cassette beside the radio.

“Yeah, while I was making a second dessert for you this morning.” Steve replied, rubbing the back of his neck. Now that Eddie was actually in his house he was starting to realize how fucking weird that was. He had made way too much food for two people.

“Really? Damn I wish I fell in your pool sooner.”

“That’s not- I wish you didn’t almost drown, like at all, and we met in, like, a normal way where your life was not in danger.”

“Semantics.” Eddie shrugged, pressing play on the radio. “Point is I’m, like, the luckiest person alive right now standing in your kitchen getting spoiled.” Steve rolled his eyes.

“Believe me, it could’ve been worse. You aren’t spoiled yet.” Steve explained as he got two bowls out and started scooping some stew into them for the both of them.

“Really? Cause you made my whole table snacks basically all week, and have, what, four things prepared for me right now? I think I’m pretty spoiled.” Eddie sat down on the same barstool as the last time he was in Steve’s house. Steve passed him his bowl before he started cutting up the cornbread.

“Okay, maybe you are a little spoiled.” Steve admitted. “Also, this cornbread might be awful, I’ve never made it before and the ingredients are a little weird.” Steve warned Eddie before passing him the corner piece. Eddie nodded.

“I guess even the best cook can’t make bad recipes good.” He shrugged, accepting the piece. “I still can’t imagine it being bad though.” He added before taking a bite. His eyes widened. “Holy shit. That’s fantastic. What is in it?”

“An entire jar of cheese wiz.”

“What!? No way.”

“Yeah, I had to go to the store to get it. That’s also box mix cornbread by the way. I totally cheated.”

“Meh.” Eddie shrugged. “After making three other things you get to cheat a bit.”

“Okay.” Steve nodded, taking his own cornbread piece and rounding the counter to sit next to Eddie. Then, Steve took a bite, it actually was good. He wasn’t sure if Eddie would lie to him or not if he made something bad, he definitely didn’t have any reason to, but it could happen.

“So, what do you think of the music?”

“It’s okay.” Steve reported. And he knew Eddie was going to hate that answer but he didn’t know what else to say.

“Aww.” Eddie pouted at him.

“I’m sorry.”

“Nah, I didn’t really expect you to like it.” Eddie waved him off, taking another bite of his stew. Steve missed his expression from the first bite because he was trying his own cornbread but the smile on Eddie’s face was promising, especially since it definitely wasn’t about Steve’s response to the music.

“No, I mean it’s not bad.”

“It’s just not good either?”

“I think I made that worse, that is definitely not what I meant.”

“So it is good?” Eddie asked, slowly.

“Yes?”

“Stevie, it’s okay if you don’t like it. I don’t like yours. What was that?”

“Simple Minds.” Steve answered. “It’s pop-rock.”

“Gross. You should try just rock.”

“Like AC/DC?”

“Yeah, and Queen, and then at some point I could fix it and turn you into a metal fan.”

“Yeah, okay.” Steve laughed. “The guitar solo was good.” He added and Eddie smiled.

“Yes!” He shot his arms up in the air. “See, I can work with that. Anything else?”

“I don’t know.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck with the hand that wasn’t holding a spoon.

“You could tell me something you don’t like too.”

“So far it’s fine.”

“Okay.” Eddie nodded. “But as much as I’d prefer to hear the stuff you like, I can still work with the bad feedback and find you something you do like. It’s a process.”

“Kinda fits you though.” Steve shrugged.

“Hm?”

“Stand up and shout? It reminds me of your table top speeches.”

“Oh.” Eddie nodded. “Right.”

“Why don’t you give those anymore?”

“Because Billy’s around now. When you were in charge of things I didn’t have to worry all that much because you never let your crew throw the first punch, but Billy totally would.”

“Right.” Steve nodded. “I’m sorry.”

“For what? Not punching me?”

“What!? No! I- I’m sorry he’s such a dick. And I’m sorry for being a dick.”

“Eh.” Eddie shrugged. “I actually, now that I’m thinking about it, can’t remember a damn thing you did. I mean sometimes you laughed when Tommy said something shitty but the guy didn’t start tripping me in the halls until Billy beat the crap out of you. Like he still thought you were going to intervene until somebody tougher took the top spot.”

“Well, I’m still sorry.”

“I literally just established that you didn’t do anything and you don’t need to apologize for their actions, they aren’t you.”

“Okay.” Steve sighed. “Well, I thought your speeches were fun.”

“Really?” Eddie raised an eyebrow at him and Steve looked back at his bowl. “Is that why you never responded? I thought you just thought you were too cool for me or something and that’s why you had Tommy do it.”

“No.” Steve chuckled. “You were kinda…” Steve paused, looking for the right word. “Stereotypical? Like, you’d say something about nonconformity but also talk about it like it fits in its own box which is… I don’t know.”

“Hypocritical.”

“Yeah. But it was still fun to listen to.”

“Yeah, turns out I know nothing about the world.” Eddie sighed. “I mean, look at us. If somebody told me two weeks ago that you were going to not only save me from drowning but also be all friendly and shit I would’ve told them they were on drugs.”

“Well they’re on something if they’re seeing the future.” Steve replied and then laughed when Eddie slapped his arm.

“You know what I meant.”

“I know.” Steve chuckled. “I’m sorry.”

“Stop that.” Eddie shoved him lightly.

“Okay, okay.” Steve laughed before taking another bite of his stew. Eddie took a bite of his too and they were quiet for a moment, just eating. Until they both glanced over at each other at the same time and burst into laughter. Steve wasn’t sure what exactly he’d found funny but at least Eddie was laughing too.

Eventually they finished they’re lunch and Steve brought out the entire reason Eddie was even there, the cookies. One day Eddie was going to notice all the effort Steve put into trying to keep him hostage in his home and call him out on it. But until that day Steve could pretend like they were actually friends. Like Eddie actually gave a shit about him. It felt nice to lie to himself.

“And, in the fridge, is your second dessert.” Steve announced as he opened it up and took out the mashbellow back. When he turned around, placing the pan on the counter Eddie had already taken a cookie out. Steve was just in time to watch him take the first bite.

“Holy shit. Dude, you have got to be secretly a grandma or something.”

“Ouch. Do I really look that old?” Steve touched his face. He was a terrible actor though and broke out in laughter the second Eddie rolled his eyes. Steve pulled the marshmallow bark out of the pan with the ends of the parchment paper he left sticking out and then set it down on the counter, turning around to get a knife to cut it with. However, that was apparently not needed as by the time he turned back around Eddie was already eating. He’d picked up the whole thing and just took a bite out of the corner.

“Sorry.”

“No, that’s okay, it’s for you anyway.”

“You have to eat some too.”

“I don’t know.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck.

“You made it, it’s delicious, and you are trying it.” Eddie ordered, reaching his arm out toward Steve. Steve sighed, taking the marshmallow bark. He definitely was not as much of a sugar fan as Eddie and did not think he was going to like it but Eddie’s puppy dog eyes were fucking master peices. Steve took a bite. It was way too sugary for him.

“Yeah.” Steve shook his head, passing the desert back to Eddie. “I’ll stick with cookies, that’s a lot.” Eddie pouted at him. “I’m sorry! I have nowhere near as much of a sweet tooth as you do.”

“I mean, I wished you liked your own cooking, but also, more for me?”

“Definitely more for you.” Steve laughed, taking a cookie out of the tin on the counter. “I’ll make you another sometime.”

“You’re even sweeter than the… what is this?”

“The recipe called it ‘marshmallow bark’ it’s marshmallows and white chocolate. The recipe also claimed it’s for Easter.”

“Fuck that.” Eddie replied and they both laughed. “This is for everything, actually.”

“Yeah?” Steve asked just as the song changed. Eddie nodded, taking another bite. “I like this one.”

“Oh?” Eddie asked, through a stuffed mouth. Steve laughed.

“Uh, yeah, the uh… What is that a flute? No.” Steve focused back on the music but the instrument he was talking about was gone. It was also the same moment the lyrics started. “I don’t know. I like it though. It's more… fun?”

“Awesome.” Eddie smiled. “And uh…” Eddie shook his head, “I’m pretty sure they did that on guitar.”

“No way, really?”

“Mhm.” Eddie nodded.

“Wow.” Steve turned around, facing the radio, and leaned against the counter. Eddie ate quietly behind him, letting Steve listen. He was probably pretty excited Steve actually liked one of his songs. Steve definitely found it more fun than the others. Not in a sense that they were boring, they just felt more serious. Steve was probably delusional. He wasn’t mentioning that to Eddie though. “The guitar solos are seriously awesome though. Like, all of them.” Steve said instead, as the song came to an end.

“I could play that song for you sometime?”

“Really?” Steve spun around to face Eddie. And maybe he moved a bit too fast, his eyes were a bit too wide, and his smile a little too big and overall he just seemed a little too eager, but it was too late to take it back. Eddie nodded. “Awesome.” Steve’s already too big smile widened. He needed to chill. “Uh…” Steve blinked a couple times, trying to clear his head. But Eddie looked so pleased with his reaction. “Yeah, awesome.” Steve repeated, just toning the smile back a little, he could keep the word even if it was still too much.

“Alright.” Eddie sighed. “Well, I should probably stop eating before I explode.”

“Yeah.” Steve nodded. “Probably.” And that was also probably his ‘I’m about to leave’ signal. Fuck. Maybe he’d at least stick around to finish the album? Steve put the lid back on the tin can he had the cookies in. He’d better think of a reason for Eddie to stay pretty soon. Maybe they could play some board games? Or watch a movie? Steve probably didn’t have many movies Eddie would like. “Uh… Do you, maybe, um… Fuck.” Steve groaned, pressing the palms of his hands into his eyes.

“Geez, Stevie, what’s got you so nervous?”

“Sorry.”

“That is not an answer.” Eddie wrapped an arm over Steve’s shoulders, pulling him into a weird side hug. Steve leaned into it. He’d take what he could get.

“Do you wanna play some board games or something?” Steve asked. Like a normal person. Why was he so nervous? The worst thing Eddue could do was say no.

“What are the or something options?” Eddie asked, raising an eyebrow. Steve buried his face back in his hands. Eddie laughed. “Yeah, we can play some board games. What do you have?”

“I’ll show you in a minute.” Steve replied, pulling his hands away from his face and leaning his head into Eddie’s shoulder.

“Okay.” Eddie chuckled, squeezing Steve into his side. Steve could definitely get used to that. Even if someday he was going to be too much for Eddie, just like he was too much for everybody else, he could soak up all the affection like a sponge until then. Maybe the comforting feeling would linger for a bit after Eddie left. “You know, as long as we don’t play battleship or a card game we can cuddle while we play.”

“Yeah, imagine Uno but everyone can see everybody’s cards.”

“That would be so hard to win.”

“Until everybody gets so bored and just lets someone win.”

“Or they’re all really stubborn and think that either they should be the one handed victory on a silver platter or the game goes on to find the true victor. And then they’re still playing a week later.”

“You remember the kids I babysit? They might do that. Especifically Max, Dustin, and Mike, the other three might be okay with losing.”

“Making them the only hope of finding an end to the game.”

“Yeah.” Steve laughed. The song had started quieting down and then they were left in silence. Guess that was the end. Good thing he’d already asked about the board games.

“You ready to go play now?”

“Yeah.” Steve sighed, removing himself from Eddie’s side. “I guess.”

Chapter Text

Eddie was doomed. Steve Harrington had taken a liking to him and it was going to be the death of him. He would never recover. He was about to die on the Harrington’s couch. And he wasn’t even being dramatic. Being dramatic was what got him there, but the aftermath, being his soon demise, was the opposite of dramatic.

Steve had tugged Eddie into his living room by the hand. They held hands. And then only let go to make jazz hands at the closet showing off his board game collection, like a dork. Steve was an adorable dork and Eddie was going to die. When Steve had asked him what Eddie wanted to play he’d stumbled over to the couch and collapsed onto it holding the back of his left hand to his forehead.

“It’s too many options, I think I’m gonna be sick.” Steve had laughed at first before stepping over to the couch. Eddie made a mistake looking at him. Steve squinted at him, something mischievous in his eye, for a very brief moment. Before Eddie could even try to guess what he was thinking Steve climbed onto the couch with him. Laying on top of him. What the fuck?

“Steve, what the fuck?” Eddie asked because seriously, what the fuck? Did he want to kill him?

“Evens out the playing field, right?” Steve answered, nuzzling his face into Eddie’s shoulder. He definitely wanted to kill him. He had to know what he was doing. Eddie must’ve blushed at something earlier and given himself away. “So now you can stop saying you belong in the trash.”

“I- Well, no, you haven’t been here for two hours. It’s- It’s not the same.”

“I could stay for two hours. If it would help?”

“It would not.”

“Come on.” Steve groaned. “I really need you to stop saying you belong in the trash. You’re an amazing person and you deserve to view yourself as such.”

“Geez, Harrington, fine, I’ll stop saying I belong in the trash if you get off of me.”

“Okay.” Steve lifted himself up, pausing briefly to smile down at Eddie before climbing off of him. He had to know. Eddie must’ve done something to piss him off. Then, Steve’s face fell. “Oh.”

“Oh what?” Eddie asked, afraid his face was bright red and Steve really was noticing and about to kick him out of his house and never speak to him again. His cheeks were definitely warm.

“Was that actually uncomfortable?” Steve asked instead, a hand jumping to the back of his neck. “I- I thought you were teasing at first. I didn’t mean to-”

“No, you’re fine.” Eddie interrupted, slowly sitting up. He couldn’t let Steve panic when he was the one causing problems. “I guess I’m just still waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

“What?” Steve stared back at him brows furrowed, mouth open, and eyes somehow wide and squinting at the same time.

“For you to realize what an absolute mess I am and kick me out of your house.” And the very gay crush he had too. Steve’s confusion only seemed to grow.

“That’s ridiculous.” Steve scoffed, but in disbelief rather than the anger Eddie was still waiting for. “You’re gonna leave me long before I even think about leaving you.”

“What?” Eddie asked, tilting his head to the side a bit. Something that reminded him of a confused puppy so he tilted his head back upright.

“I don’t know why you think I wouldn’t want to stick around, but I know I’ve been too much for everyone in my life since the second I was born. Even my parents didn’t want to stick around.”

“Whoa, hey, that is not your fault.” Eddie butt in. It was something Wayne used to have to tell him. “Your parents chose to have you and they owe you the world for it, but you don’t owe them shit. It’s nice if things work out and you want to, like, take care of them in their old age or whatever, but if your parents fuck up that’s on them and you don’t ever have to see them again.” He’d probably mixed up the worlds a bit, it had been a while. Steve was staring back at him with wide sparkling eyes. “Come here.” Eddie held his arms out.

He expected Steve to sit on the couch next to him and lean his head into his shoulder but he should’ve known better, after everything. Steve climbed right into his lap, wrapping his arms around him, and burying his face in Eddie’s neck. Eddie was probably never going to get used to how touchy Steve was. He was going to give him a fucking heart attack one day. Then Eddie felt the first of Steve’s tears hit his neck.

“I’m sorry.” Steve mumbled, as he started to pull away. Eddie tugged him back, and began rubbing circles into his back. Steve slowly relaxed, back into Eddie’s shoulder as more tears escaped his eyes. “I’m sorry.” Steve mumbled, again, he just didn’t try to pull away that time. “This is what I was talking about though. You shouldn’t have to deal with this and someday-”

“I’m not leaving you.” Eddie spoke as softly as he could. “And this is what friends do, sweetheart. I’ve cried on Jeff's shoulder, not quite like this, but the same sentiment. It was the first time I’d gone to his house and I guess I just wasn’t prepared to see how caring his parents were.”

“Woohoo for shitty parents.” Steve muttered, barely audible.

“Yeah, well, I’ve got Wayne now.” Eddie shrugged. “You should come meet him sometime?”

“How about tomorrow?” Steve asked, pulling back just enough to look Eddie in the eyes. His face was way too close.

“I have band practice tomorrow.” Eddie replied. Steve nodded, slowly, before burying his face back into Eddie’s shoulder. His tears had stopped but Eddie let him stay there for a little while longer anyway. Steve clearly needed a hug. Eddie didn’t even want to know how long he’d gone without one before he fell into his pool.

“I’m sorry.” Steve pulled back again, rubbing his face. “We were supposed to play a board game.”

“Don’t worry about it, sweetheart.” Eddie replied, still rubbing circling into Steve’s back. Also trying his absolute hardest not to think about how fucking close Steve’s face was to his. It didn’t help that Steve wasn’t moving. He was just staring back at Eddie. Eddie winked at him. He thought that would break Steve out of his trance and compel him to, at least lean back a bit, if not get off his lap. But Steve just blinked at him. To be fair his eyes widened a bit, but that really was it. Unless Eddie wanted to be delusional and claim that Steve was blushing, but he wasn’t stupid and knew his face was just red from recently crying.

“Uh… okay.” Steve smiled at him. “Do you… Do you just want to stay like this for a bit?” Fucking damnit. He wasn’t even breaking eye contact either. When did Steve fucking Harrington get so comfortable around gay people? Especially one that kinda obviously had a crush on him. Eddie could feel his own checks burning, Steve had to see it. “Eds?” Steve interrupted his thoughts, he looked a little less sure of himself then before but Eddie had a feeling that was because he was hesitating and Steve probably thought he wanted him off and not the fact that he was blushing.

“We can stay like this as long as you want, sweetheart.” He was saying that too much. Steve was definitely going to notice soon and hate him forever. At least he probably won’t out him, just never speak to him again. But Steve was smiling back at him. He was way too sweet for his own good. And maybe a bit naive.

“If you tell me that neither of us are going to move ever again. We’ll die on this couch.”

“You sure about that?” Eddie raised an eyebrow. Steve just nodded. “Okay, well, maybe now's as good a time as ever then.” Eddie sighed. “You can get off my lap, I’ll pick a board game, and then we can cuddle on the floor, okay?”

“Okay.” Steve finally climbed off of Eddie’s lap. He thought ‘finally” but the rest of him betrayed that thought and already missed the feeling. Eddie really needed to get his shit together before Steve noticed. He sighed, as he stood up. He took Connect Four out of the closet before settling down on the floor next to Steve. Before he even had the box open Steve was leaning his head on his shoulder. “This is okay, right?”

“It was the plan, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, but I thought… maybe you just said that to get me to move. Which I would’ve either way., I promise. You can tell me to stop being so clingy anytime, really. I get it, I’m-”

“You’re not too much.” Eddie interrupted. “Your parents are asholes and Wheeler has no idea what she’s missing out on. In fact, I would like to punch them all in the face.”

“Please don’t do that.”

“I know.” Eddie sighed, pushing all the yellow pieces over to Steve. He just seemed like he liked yellow. And definitely Eddie liked red. It worked out. “I won’t punch anyone for you.” Plus it wasn’t like his parents were around to punch anyway.

“Thank you.”

“As much as I want to.” Eddie added, dropping a red token into the middle of the board. Steve let out a breathy laugh as he picked up one of the yellow ones. They continued to play in comfortable silence, only breaking it to tease each other occasionally.

Eddie was even starting to get sad that he eventually had to leave. But if he brought that up to Steve, Steve would no doubt let him stay the night again and Eddie shouldn’t let that happen. He can cuddle with Steve while they’re both awake and he can overthink every tiny movement Steve makes and keep asking if he’s actually comfortable, but he refused to cuddle with Steve while either of them were asleep ever again. Maybe he could just plan their next hang out instead.

“Hey, Stevie?”

“Hm?”

“Do you maybe…” He paused. He was about to ask Steve Harrington if he wanted to watch a metal band practice. Stupid. “You could, uh, come to my place next Saturday, if you want.” Much better. Great save. “You know, to meet my Uncle.”

“Okay. I’ll bring peanut brittle.”

“He’ll love you.” Eddie squeezed Steve’s shoulder.

“That’s the point.”

“Yeah.” Eddie laughed, lightly. Time to ruin the mood. “Well, I should probably head out, it’s about time you get started on your dinner anyway.”

“You could stay, eat here.”

“I think I’ve eaten enough of your food.”

“I thought you liked it?” Steve asked, a teasing glint to his voice as he tilted his head up to look at Eddie.

“I do.” Eddie squeezed his shoulder again. He was pretty sure Steve was just teasing but it was worth it to reassure him, just in case. “I just mean I’m wasting your resources.” Steve pouted at him. He really made leaving difficult.

“Who else is gonna eat it? I don’t see my parents around.” And, okay, ouch. How was he supposed to say no to that? Fuck.

“Uh, I- Fuck your parents.” Great start. Really sensitive. “But my Uncle is probably already making dinner and-”

“It would be rude to not eat it. Yeah, I get it. I’m sorry.”

“Woah, hey, no apologies.” Eddie poked Steve’s chest. “You were only being hospitable. I’ll uh, see you at school, on Monday?”

“Yeah.” Steve slowly lifted his head off Eddie's shoulder. “See you Monday.”

Chapter Text

Steve was at this point physically incapable of not missing Eddie. It was kind of pathetic if he was honest with himself. He was used to being a lot to deal with, and he definitely missed most of his friends growing up more than they did him, but it wasn’t typically as bad as whatever was going on with Eddie. The only feeling he could really compare it to was when he was dating people, especially Nancy. It used to feel like every second without her was a wasted second and now he felt that way about Eddie.

The issue with that being that Eddie was a guy. It wasn’t the first time he’d experienced crush-like feelings towards a guy. It wasn’t even the first time a guy had given him butterflies, or he thought a dude was attractive. Steve had eyes after all. And yes, he thought Eddie was attractive. But like, objectively, and how could anyone not think that? Especially his dimples, they were the cutest thing Steve had ever seen in his entire life.

And Steve had, admittedly, considered the possibility of him, maybe, liking men. But even if he did he still liked girls so it was fine. He could just ignore it and stick to girls. Live a normal life. Have kids. He was lucky to not be fully gay and he should take advantage of that. He could ignore his crushes on guys because he still liked women. And he would be happy about it.

But, as the days went on, he was finding it a little more difficult to picture his future without Eddie. He still had kids, which didn’t make any logical sense. And they still went on camping trips, which Steve had a feeling Eddie would actually hate. He’d like camping, probably, if they used tents. But having a camper, just like the one Eddie grew up in, felt like Steve was slapping him in the face. He wasn’t opposed to tents though. They could make it work. The point was family bonding not campers after all.

Damn it. There was no making it work. Steve had to get his shit together and get over the stupid crush. Eddie would never like him back anyway. No point dwelling on it. Yet, there he was, dwelling on it. All the fucking time. He’d space out in class thinking about what a future with Eddie could look like despite having zero chance of ever happening. He laid on his living room floor in the afternoons wishing it wasn’t annoying to call Eddie and ask to hang out. And then he’d lay down in bed for the night and scream into his pillow because he couldn’t get Eddie out of his fucking head. Steve was screwed.

How was he ever supposed to meet Eddie’s Uncle and act normal when he was already practically in love despite him and Eddie barely even being friends. Fuck. He used the L word. Why did he think that? It’s not love. It’s just a stupid little crush that he will get over soon enough. Because, for starters, they’re friendship was important and Steve wasn’t willing to risk it over his stupid feelings. And secondly, being gay was fucking hard. He had the option to not do it and he should be fucking greatful. People didn’t usually get a choice.

“Hey, man, you alright?” Jeff tapped his shoulder. Steve nodded. “Okay, well, the bell rang.”

“Yeah. Thanks.” Steve sighed, standing up. Jeff was still looking at him with concern. “I’m okay, I promise, I just spaced out.” Steve tried to assure him. He wouldn’t have had to have that conversation if he hadn’t been lazy in his junior year and pushed his final science credit into his senior year to earn himself an extra study hall. Although, maybe he would if he failed the class because he was overwhelmed or whatever. That still sounded pretty pathetic.

“What were you thinking about?”

“Um…” Fuck. He couldn’t tell Jeff he was thinking about Eddie. That was weird. Then again, they were used to him being weird by now, right? “Eddie?” Jeff’s eyebrows raised. Honesty was stupid. He was stupid. What was wrong with him? He even knew it would be weird before he said it.

“What about Eddie?” Jeff pressed.

“Uh…” How does one explain to their crush’s friend, who may or may not like him (leaning towards not), that they have a crush on their friend. They don’t. That was stupid. Don’t be stupid. Steve took a deep breath. He started packing his stuff up as a distraction and to look busy as he racked his brain for an acceptable response. But all that came to mind was, “Um…”

“Huh.” Jeff nodded, slowly. What did that mean? He was so screwed if Jeff had actually figured it out. Maybe he could still save it?

“Actually it’s probably more like Wayne. Eddie invited me over Saturday and I just want to make a good impression, you know.” Jeff squinted at him. If that didn’t work he definitely couldn’t save it.

“Yeah, I get that.” He nodded. Saved. “You’ll be fine though. But if you really want to get on his good side you could make him some peanut brittle.”

“I already did, there’s a bag of it sitting on my kitchen counter.”

“See, you’re a natural.” Jeff clapped his shoulder. “You’re gonna be fine.” He assured as he pulled Steve toward the door. It was a surprising interaction. Jeff had started sitting next to him in class halfway through the first week Steve sat at their lunch table, but they hadn’t actually talked outside the cafeteria yet. And to go from not talking to a hand on his shoulder while he reassured him he was a likable person was strange. Especially since Steve was still pretty sure Jeff didn’t even like him. He just wasn’t complaining because Steve kept bringing food in. Which of course made last Friday feel really shitty when Jeff split his pizza with him. Jeff squeezed his shoulder. “Lost in thought again?”

“I- I guess.” Steve stuttered back. Jeff sighed, pulling his hand off Steve’s shoulder. Great. He ruined it. “Sorry.”

“What?” Jeff squinted back at him, stopping. They were in the middle of the hallway. Why did he stop?

“I- You’re right, just bring food.” Steve swayed on his feet a little. People were walking around them but they also seemed kinda annoyed. Jeff was still squinting at him. Eddie’s group was always picking him apart with their eyes.

“Uh, you know I added that as, like, a bonus. You’d be fine without it. You’re a good person, Steve.” And if that didn’t shake his entire view on reality. Steve stopped caring about the other people in the hallway, he barely even registered the fact that they were there. Jeff thought he was a good person. Maybe Eddie was right and they didn’t all secretly hate him.

“What?” Steve asked, with a bit of an embarrassing squeak to his voice. Jeff grabbed both his shoulders that time.

“Do you not believe that?”

“No. I-I’m not a good person. I’m a terrible person. I mean, I’m trying, but I’m not there yet.” Steve laughed. Why would Jeff think he was a good person? Steve was a jerk. A bully. He stood by and fucking laughed as Tommy made fun of Jeff. Did he forget that? But Jeff was looking back at him with sorrow etched into his entire face.

“Steve.” Jeff squeezed his shoulders. “You are a good person. You made mistakes in the past, sure, but I mean, haven’t we all?”

“But-”

“Nope.” Jeff took his hands back as he started walking again, finally. “You saved Eddie’s life-”

“Technically it’s my fault he fell in in the first place, I scared him when I opened the door.”

“It’s nobody’s fault.” Jeff shook his head. “Also you bring in snacks or a whole meal for our entire table everyday. You don’t have to do that. Thirdly you caught Gareth’s head when he tried to slamb in on the table yesterday, and-”

“Yeah, does he do that a lot? You guys were acting like it was normal.”

“He does.” Jeff shrugged. ”Anyway, you also stood up to Eddie’s completely unfair throwing almonds habit.” Steve laughed at that.

“And that makes me a good person?”

“Uh, yeah, you don’t stand for injustice.” Jeff, lightly, shoved Steve’s shoulder. “Look, you're a good guy, and I don’t really care what you used to be like because we’d all have to be crazy not to like you now. Also, you clearly feel bad about it, and have already apologized. We moved on, we forgive you, and you should too.”

“I’ll try.” Steve sighed. He pushed the front door to the school open and stepped outside, holding the door open for Jeff as well.

“Good.” Jeff smiled at him as he stepped outside. “And that’s another thing, you hold doors open for people, very polite and good person behavior.” Steve rolled his eyes. “It is!”

“Okay, okay.”

“Look, we can even ask Eddie about it!”

“What?” Steve asked but Jeff had already grabbed his wrist and started pulling him through the parking lot, towards Eddie’s van. Just what he needed, Eddie to be aware of yet another insecurity of his. Fantastic. “We really don’t have to do that, I get it.” Steve forced out a laugh but Jeff wasn’t listening. Besides, Eddie had already spotted them and gave a small wave so they’d have to talk to him anyway. He was leaning against his van talking to Gareth.

“Hey Eddie!” Jeff greeted once they had stopped, but he didn’t let go of Steve’s wrist. “Gareth.”

“Hey?” Eddie glanced down at the hands. Of course that would also be weird. Steve could not be normal for one fucking day.

“Steve has a question for you.”

“I do not.” Steve argued, as he yanked his arm out of Jeff’s grip. Jeff sighed.

“Alright, fine, I have a question for you.” He corrected and Steve groaned. Eddie glanced between them a couple times. So did Gareth. Damnit. Why couldn’t Eddie have been alone? “Is Steve a good person?”

“What?” Eddie squinted at Jeff. “Yes. Obviously.” But then he glanced between them a couple more times. “Are you guys having a problem?”

“No.” Jeff answered. “Steve just apparently doesn’t believe he’s a good person.” Steve looked away. He was not going to meet Eddie’s eyes as he picked him apart just like Jeff did barely five minutes beforehand. He also crossed his arms, for good measure. A little protective wall to maybe save him from Eddie’s scrutiny.

“Oh, sweatie, of course you’re a good person.” Eddie wrapped his arms around Steve, pulling him into a hug. The new nickname didn’t help either. Steve sighed and wrapped his own arms around Eddie’s back as well. After a moment Eddie pulled back just enough to look Steve in the eyes, he let him that time. “You saved my life.”

“It was my fault you fell in, I scared you.”

“It most certainly was not.” Eddie shot back. “You can’t blame yourself for that, man.” Eddie pulled Steve back into their barely interrupted hug.

“That’s what I said.” Jeff chimed back in.

“Why would you think you're not a good person?” Gareth asked.

“It doesn’t matter.” Steve muttered into Eddie’s shoulder.

“Because he used to be a bully as if ‘used to’ isn’t the operative phrase there.”

“Steve, people change, you’re not a bad person just because you did a couple not so great things literally over a year ago.” Gareth argued.

“Yeah, you’ve more than made up for it.” Eddie agreed. Then he pulled back slightly again to look Steve in the eyes. “You’re practically an angel now.” Steve scoffed, burying his face back in Eddie’s shoulder.

“I am not.”

“Whatever you say Stevie.”

“Okay, I really hate to ruin this but you guys have been hugging in a parking lot for way too long and are going to get beat up for it.” Jeff warned them and Eddie let go of Steve.

“Yeah, that’s fair.” Eddie pulled some of his hair in front of his face as he took a couple steps back.

“What?” Steve asked.

“Stevie, Steveington, Steverino, that looked gay as hell.”

“Oh.” Steve let out a breathy laugh. “Yeah. I guess.” He rubbed the back of his neck. But then the names hit him and he squinted back at Eddie. “Steverino?” He repeated, scrunching up his nose a bit, Eddie just shrugged.

“Hey, you know what.” Jeff smiled, brightly at the group. “What if I drove Eddie’s van and you guys cuddled in the back?”

“Firstly, Steve has his own car.” Eddie answered. “Secondly, you only have your permit, not a license. Thirdly, I don’t think Steve wants to do that.”

“By ‘that’ do you mean ride in your van while someone without a license drives or cuddle? Because I definitely want to cuddle but I will literally run away if Jeff gets in the driver's seat.”

“Rude.” Jeff smacked his arm and Steve laughed.

“What if I drove?” Gareth asked.

“You don’t even have your permit!” Jeff argued.

“Yeah, no, definitely running away. I’ve already been in a car with a middle schooler driving before and I am never, ever, doing that again.”

“What?” Eddie questioned and the other two stared at him with wide eyes.

“I was unconscious for most of it.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck. Somehow all of their eyes got wider. “It was… um, after that fight I had with Billy? The kids were… uh, taking me to the hospital.”

“Shit.” Jeff whispered.

“Shit is right. Jesus Christ!” Eddie yelled. “What the hell? He fought you in front of your children?”

“They’re not my children, but yeah, I guess.” Steve shrugged.

“Steve has children?” Gareth asked

“No. I babysit a small group, sometimes. But, yeah, uh, Billy showed up one night and threatened Lucas so I punched him. And then lost, miserably.”

“Hold on, I know Hargrove’s an asshole but what the fuck is doing going around threatening children? What?” Jeff questioned.

“I don’t know.” Steve sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I don’t think he threatens every kid he sees if that was what you're picturing. He just didn’t like that Max and Lucas were hanging out.”

“Since when does he get to dictate the socialization of middle schoolers?” Jeff continued.

“He doesn’t.” Steve answered. “He just thinks he gets to control Max 'cause she’s his stepsister.”

“Oh.” Jeff nodded.

“Poor kid.” Gareth added.

“Yeah.” Eddie agreed. “How did you wind up babysitting Hargroves sister?”

“She made friends with the others.” Steve shrugged.

“Who are the others?” Gareth asked.

“Well, Lucas, obviously, and Dustin, Will, Mike, and Jane.” Steve still hadn’t asked her if she preferred Jane or El but he couldn’t imagine wanting to be called a lab number after escaping. Jane seemed the safer bet, even if all the others still called her El. They probably didn’t ask either. He should really ask sometime.

“Okay.” Jeff nodded. “Please tell me Max is the only one with a shitty older sibling.”

“She is.”

“And You’re not just saying that ‘cause he said please?” Gareth questioned.,

“No.” Steve laughed. “Dustin and Jane are only children, Lucas has a younger sibling who I’m pretty sure is the normal amount of annoying, Jonathan’s a great brother, and Mike finds his siblings to be the normal amount of annoying but personally I think Holly’s and angel and Nancy-”

“Wait a minute.” Eddie interrupted. “Not only are you getting tapes from your ex’s new boyfriend but you’re also babysitting both their siblings?”

“Well-“

“Wait Jonathan and Will Byers? Like, zombie boy?” Gareth questioned and Steve grimaced.

“Don’t call him that.”

“Sorry.”

“Jesus, Harrington.” Eddie groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Do you hate yourself?”

“Uh… No? I don’t have a problem with Nance and Jonathan, okay?”

“Whatever you say, man.” Eddie held his hands up in mock surrender. “Anyway, I should take these two home. See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” Steve smiled. “Uh, what time is good?”

“Any, really.” Eddie shrugged.

“Dude, if you don’t give me a time I’m showing up at your door as soon as I wake up.”

“And what time is that?”

“Probably between six and eight?”

“Ouch. Alright, um, how’s eleven?”

“Cool.” Steve nodded. “See you then!” He winked, before turning around and walking off.

Chapter Text

Eddie woke up to the sound of knocking. Of course when he told Steve eleven would work and then had to go and sleep till eleven. It was Jeff’s fault, really, once he’d dropped off Gareth the day before he’d asked how long Eddie and Steve had been dating. Eddie almost had a heart attack, which would result in crashing and killing them both. And then after explaining that they were not he couldn’t get it out of head. Did other people think that? So he didn’t fall asleep till four.

When Eddie managed to finally crawl out of bed and leave his room he spotted his Uncle letting Steve into the trailer looking exhausted. Eddie had meant to get out of bed closer to nine, maybe ten, get ready for the day and then sit out on the porch once it got close to eleven. Steve was never meant to knock on the door. Eddie should’ve known he’d never achieve that. Things always seemed to go horribly wrong for him. Like how real life D&D turned into almost drowning. At least he got Steve out of that though.

“I’m so sorry Mr. Munson.” Steve beat Eddie to the apology, which wasn’t fair because it was undoubtedly Eddie’s fault. “Eddie told me you worked the night shift, I should’ve known better than to knock. I didn’t mean to wake you. I uh… I brought you some peanut brittle though.” Steve held up the bag. “Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it kid.” Wayne took the bag with his right hand and patted Steve’s shoulder with his left. “And you can call me Wayne.”

“I’m sorry too. I planned on sitting on the porch at like, ten fifty, but I didn’t wake up I guess.” Eddie pulled on his hair.

“I woke you both up?” Steve glanced over at him with mortification. Nice going Eddie. “I’m sorry.”

“No, that’s fine. I said eleven.” Eddie shrugged. “Come on.” He nodded his head towards his room before turning around and walking back himself. Steve followed. Eddie held the door open for him as Steve walked into the absolute disaster that was his bedroom. Steve’s entire house was spotless so Eddie expected Steve to mock him over his room, but he just kinda stood there awkwardly as Eddie shut the door and then danced around the mess to go sit on his bed. Eddie patted the spot next to him. Steve’s eyes widened.

“Oh. Right.” He cleared his throat before joining Eddie on the bed, careful not to step on anything on his way over. “Sorry.”

“For what?”

“I- Spaced out, I guess.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck. Eddie sighed. Steve was going to be a blubbering mess of apologies all day for waking them up and Eddie was an idiot for not telling him to come later. Maybe it would've been okay for him to show up at six, Wayne would’ve just been getting home, and then the only one he’d have to wake up was Eddie. Maybe he wouldn’t feel so bad if it was just Eddie. Eddie patted Steve’s shoulder.

“You’re good, man, I promise.”

“Mmm.”

“I mean it.” Eddie poked Steve’s chest. That got a small smile out of him but Eddie still didn’t think he believed him. “Wayne’s not upset, okay? And even if he was, it would be at me, not you, I’m the one who told you eleven.”

“I don’t want him to be upset with you. I- I should’ve known better.”

“Stevie, he’s not, okay?” Eddie rubbed Steve’s shoulder and Steve nodded. “And you didn’t do anything wrong either.”

“Okay.” Steve nodded. “Um, how was… your night?”

“You were about to ask about my morning, weren’t you.” Eddie teased, poking Steve in the chest again.

“Yeah.” Steve sighed, flopping backward on Eddie’s bed. “Sorry.”

“Quit it.” Eddie poked Steve’s shoulder. “I’m gonna have to start an apology jar for you, like instead of a swear jar.”

“Sor- Yeah.” Steve sighed.

“You’re a mess.” Eddie kept poking him and Steve giggled. Finally. Mood officially fixed. “And my night was okay.”

“Just okay?” Steve propped himself up on one of his elbows and looked up at him. Eddie shrugged.

“Uh…” Eddie looked back at him. Steve already knew he was gay, and they’d already joked about Eddie having a crush on Steve. How bad could it be? “Yeah, Jeff made a weird comment while I was driving him home, it kept me up pretty late.”

“Oh? Is it okay if I know what the comment was?”

“Well, it was partially about you, so I guess.” Eddie shrugged.

“Even if it's about me you still don’t have to tell me what it is.” Steve rolled his eyes. “You guys can have private conversations.”

“Okay.” Eddie nodded. “It was um… He asked how long we’ve been dating?” Steve's eyes widened. “I told him we weren’t. And that that’s crazy. I don’t know where he got the idea from or if other people think that too and it just kept me up worrying about it. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to, like, scare you too. I’m sure Jeff’s the only one. Like you’re obviously straight, I don’t know how he didn’t get that.”

“Uh, right.” Steve laid back down. “Are you worried people are going to bother you about it?”

“I mean, yeah.” Eddie shrugged. “Basically the whole school already thinks I’m gay, if they also think I’m flirting with their king they’ll kill me.” Eddie knew that was a stupid thing to say, Steve was looking back at him horrified, but it was also probably true. He sighed. “Don’t worry about it, okay? I can handle myself.”

“I don’t ever want to leave your side, ever again. We might as well superglue ourselves to each other. The only one who might mess with you while I’m there is Hargrove. Otherwise we should be fine.”

“Okay, that’s sweet, but I don’t need a bodyguard, okay sweetheart?” Eddie rubbed Steve’s shoulder for a second before it hit him. “Oh, that’s probably it. I should stop calling you pet names.”

“No!” Steve shot back into an upright position. “Please don’t.” He put his hands on both Eddie's shoulders. “I like them.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.” Eddie nodded. “Alright. They’ll stay then, sweetheart.” Eddie winked. He expected Steve to smack his arm and roll his eyes as he laid back down. Maybe say that wasn’t how he meant it. But Steve just giggled. “Are you high, or something?”

“No.” Steve rolled his eyes that time. Then he let go of Eddie’s shoulders and laid back down. “Why?”

“I don’t know, you’re just giggly today.”

“Maybe you’re just funny?”

“I’ll accept that.” Eddie nodded. More to himself than Steve. He liked being funny. Or maybe he just liked to hear Steve laugh. Steve was cute when he laughed.

“Oh.” Steve sat up.

“What?” Eddie asked. Was he blushing thinking about Steve’s laugh? Shit. It was probably about time he noticed though.

“That um… that song, the one about rainbows, you said you could play it for me, sometime?”

“Oh.” Eddie let out a breathy laugh. “Yeah, I can, and I will, but maybe after Wayne wakes up, again, I hope he fell back asleep anyway.”

“Yeah.” Steve nodded. “That’s probably for the best.”

“We could listen to some more metal though, just with low volume, unfortunately.”

“It’s only unfortunate to you.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Eddie waved him off as he climbed off the bed. He grabbed a Black Sabbath cassette from his collection and placed it in the radio. “Someday I’ll have you blasting metal music in your own car.”

“You could do that pretty easily, actually.” Steve laid back down, folding his arms behind his head. “Just sit in the front seat.”

“That’s so sad.” Eddie complained as he flopped over, back onto his bed. He meant for his head to land above Steve’s stomach and then to gently let it rest there, but instead his shoulder did and his head wound up on his chest. Steve winced. “Sorry! That really wasn’t what I was trying to do, I promise.” Eddie started to sit up but Steve grabbed his shoulder and he froze.

“It’s fine. I mean I wish you hadn’t jumped on me, but you can lay there.”

“I didn’t mean to.” Eddie repeated as he laid back down, his head on Steve’s chest but both his shoulders off of him. “I was supposed to land next to you and then lay my head down on your stomach, gently. I just failed at it.” Eddie explained and Steve laughed. “I’m sorry!”

“You’re good. Seriously. Accidents happen.”

“But I could’ve accidentally broken your ribs or something.”

“I assure you, you did not.”

“But I could’ve. That was a stupid thing to do.”

“Eddie, it’s okay. Oh.”

“What?”

“I like that, like, pause? Between the music. I don’t know. Never mind.”

“No, no, that’s good. I can work with that.”

“What is this anyway?”

“War Pigs by Black Sabbath. And the ‘one about rainbows’ is Rainbow in the Dark by Dio.”

“Oh.” Steve let out a breathy laugh. “Okay. Thanks.”

“No problem.”

They spent an hour just cuddling on Eddie’s bed, music in the background. Steve was going to be so mad when he found out Eddie had a crush on him that whole time. They were friends now, unlike that first night, so he had to know Eddie didn’t hate him. So how come the idea didn’t come back up? Especially because Steve was Steve. He had the right to assume everyone had a crush on him. Steve was everybody’s type. Still, they laid there, cuddling, until the album ended. After a few seconds of silence Eddie sighed.

“It’s probably lunch time, right?” He asked, as he started sitting up.

“Mmm, probably.” Steve grunted back. “Or, we could just stay here and play another album?”

“Aww, Stevie, you really do like my music.” Eddie teased.

“Shut up.” Steve smacked his arm but was grinning right back at him.

“You have to eat something, but we’ll also definitely listen to more music, don’t worry.”

“And go back to cuddling?”

“Yeah, of course we will.” Eddie patted Steve’s shoulder. “We have no choice actually, we’re like magnets.”

“Good.” Steve sat up. “Everybody else I’ve ever met has been that other type of magnet where you push away from each other.”

“I really hate to inform you that that is called repulsion.”

“That’s probably accurate to how they’re feeling too.” Steve replied with a smile, as he stood up. Eddie hated it. Not the smile, just that Steve could say something that depressing with smile. Like he was used to it. He hated that Steve was used to feeling inadequate. He did love the smile though, it was cute.

“Stevie, I’m gonna get my ass kicked going around punching all your old friends in the face.” Eddie admitted as he stood up as well.

“Please don’t do that.” Steve laughed, albeit a little awkwardly. “It’s in the past, alright? I’m fine. And even if I wasn't, I can fight my own battles.”

“I know you can.” Eddie flug an arm over Steve’s shoulders. “But I’m also your friend, and I care about you, and therefore will be inserting myself into your battles regardless.” He added as he guided Steve out of the room. “So, what do you want to eat?”

“Anything’s fine.” Steve whispered back. Probably trying his best not to wake up Wayne again. Eddie probably should’ve whispered too.

“Okay, well, we could have sandwiches, which is easy, or I could try to not burn some box mac and cheese.” Eddie explained, whispering as well.

“I could make the mac and cheese, if you want.”

“Nuh-uh.” Eddie waved a finger in front of Steve’s face, finally pulling his arm off Steve’s shoulders. “You’re the guest, it’s my turn to spoil you.” Steve stared back at him, wide eyed.

“I- Oh.”

“Please tell me I’m not the first person to say that to you.” Eddie grabbed Steve’s shoulders, again. They probably were magnets. “Or something similar at least?”

“I- Sorry.”

“Oh my god.” Eddie dropped his face down, pressing his forehead into Steve’s chest. “Okay. Okay.” Eddie stood upright and locked eyes with Steve. “You deserve to be taken care of. You give too much to receive nothing in return.” Eddie moved his hands to hold Steve’s cheeks instead. “I am going to spoil you. Now what do you want?”

“Uh- S-sandwiches are fine.”

“Okay.” Eddie nodded, letting go of Steve’s face to rummage around in his cabinets. If he didn’t know better he’d say Steve was blushing. Unfortunately he did know better. Steve was probably just embarrassed, he never seemed to like admitting how emotionally neglected he’d been his entire life. That or he was mad. He could be mad. Eddie probably shouldn’t have held his face like that. Sure, they’d been touchy ever since Eddie had fallen into Steve’s pool but holding Steve’s face in his hands while staring into his eyes just felt different, a little more intimate. Steve was probably mad at him. Damn it. “I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I probably shouldn’t have held your face like that. It was a bit much.” Eddie explained as focused his eyes on spreading the peanut butter on their sandwiches. He didn’t want to see more of Steve’s red face.

“Oh. No, you’re okay. I didn’t mind.”

“Really?” Eddie glanced over at him. He searched his face for any evidence of that being a lie. He didn’t find it.

“Promise.” Steve smiled. And it was a pretty honest smile. Just embarrassed then.

“Oh.” Eddie nodded and turned back to their sandwiches. “Okay. Good.”

“Why’d you think I was mad?” Steve asked, wrapping his arms around Eddie’s stomach and resting his chin on Eddie’s left shoulder. Steve was going to be the death of him.

“I just um… I don’t know. I thought that was too much.” He was absolutely not pointing out Steve’s red face; doing that would probably just actually make Steve mad.

“It’s not.” Steve mumbled, his chin still resting on Eddie’s shoulder. “I don’t think there’s such a thing with me anyway.”

“No, there’s definitely a line.” Eddie argued, holding up a sandwich for Steve. He unwrapped himself from Eddie to take it.

“Mm.” Steve shrugged, before taking a bite.

“Come on, Steve, everybody has boundaries.” Eddie continued, as he started putting things away. Steve didn’t respond. “Okay.” Eddie clapped his hands together when he was done putting everything away. It was probably a bad move, but somehow Wayne didn’t wake up. “Sweetheart, I need you to tell me one thing that isn’t okay.”

“I don’t know.” Steve mumbled around his sandwich. Eddie wrapped one arm around Steve’s waist and pulled him toward his bedroom.

“Steve, sweetie, if you can’t tell me one thing that’s uncomfortable I’m going to have to assume that everything is and only touch you when you directly ask me to.”

“Don’t do that.”

“Then you have to tell me something that isn’t okay. I just don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“I don’t know.” Steve twisted his right foot around on the floor. “Probably just don’t kiss me or something.” Steve mumbled. He was staring at the floor and his voice was just a tiny bit higher than usual. Steve was lying. But about what?

“Thank you.” Eddie replied. He wasn’t calling a lie he didn’t even understand. “I’ll put in another album.” Eddie scanned over his collection again and pulled out an Iron Maiden album. He placed it in the radio before he sat down on his bed to finally take the first bite of his sandwich. He patted the spot next to him with his free hand and Steve blinked a couple times before joining him. Eddie didn’t know what to make of that.

They ate their sandwiches on Eddie’s bed as they shifted back into cuddling. Another hour passed by as they listened to Iron Maiden. They were quiet for the most part, only occasionally talking about the music. Steve liked The Prisoner because of the opening. Eddie was going to make him a mixtape someday. As Eddie went to swap the music over, Wayne called out to inform them he was awake. Eddie grabbed his guitar instead.

“I’m not gonna sing, but I can play Rainbow in the Dark now, if you want?”

“Yes.” Steve shot his arms into the air. “Sorry. That was probably a bit much.”

“No, that was adorable.” Eddie laughed, as he sat back down next to Steve with his guitar. “Please, never change.” Steve giggled and then Eddie started to play. Steve stared at his fingers, nodding his head along, for the whole song. It was adorable. Maybe Steve would like to go to one of Eddie’s shows? “Uh, my band plays at the Hideout on Tuesdays, if you ever want to come.”

“Yes! Of course I’d want to go. I’d lo- Thank you!”

“Geez, I should’ve invited you last week.”

“I’ll never miss a show from now till whenever you want to stop seeing my face.”

“You’re so mean to yourself.” Eddie slapped Steve’s shoulder. “I like your face. And I’ll continue to like it until we die.”

“That’s sweet.” Steve smiled at him. “Can I hug you or would you murder me for touching your guitar?”

“I would not murder you.” Eddie rolled his eyes. “But I am going to hang her back up, then you can hug me.” Eddie answered, Steve nodded, and then he got up to put his guitar back on the wall. He jumped back onto the bed with Steve and they went back to cuddling, but without music that time.

The unfortunate thing about Steve being at the trailer and not Eddie being at Steve’s house was that Eddie no longer had an excuse to bail out for dinner with Wayne. In fact Steve stayed for dinner, the three of them sat at the counter and talked. Mostly about school, but a little bit about Steve saving Eddie from drowning. When Eddie invited Steve over he didn’t think through the fact that Steve would sooner gauche his eyes out then leave Eddie’s side. Eddie still didn’t really understand why that was, but he did notice it.

After they ate Steve wanted to play board games, including Wayne until he had to leave for work. The whole thing made Eddie want to kick his parents. But Wayne was the best surrogate father. He even brought up baseball over a game of Janga. It was good for the both of them because Eddie didn’t give a shit about sports which left Wayne to his own devices, and Steve’s parents jumped off the face of the earth.

Steve and Eddie played Janga for a couple more rounds after Wayne left. They stopped because Eddie lost both times and Steve took pity on him. Eddie could tell that Steve was searching for something else to do while they packed up the game. He had the same look on his face as every time Eddie tried to leave his house. Except this time Eddie wasn’t going anywhere. Steve could have been trying to keep him busy so he didn’t ask when he planned on leaving. It made Eddie’s heart ache. He had band practice in the ‘morning’ but maybe it wouldn’t be the end of the world if Steve stayed the night. Steve deserved the company.

“Could you play me another song?” Steve asked as he put Janga back in the game box.

“Yeah.” Eddie smiled. “Got one in mind or do I get to pick?” Eddie started waking toward his room. Steve followed.

“You can pick.”

Eddie played Seek and Destroy by Metallica. Steve seemed to like it so he put on the album when he was done. They were back on Eddie’s bed, cuddling. It felt perfect except for Eddie’s guilty conscience. If Steve knew he had a crush on him he’d leave the trailer immediately and never speak to Eddie again. Or at the very least stop cuddling with him. How Steve hadn’t noticed yet was beyond Eddie’s comprehension, he was pretty sure he was quite obvious about it.

By the end of the album Steve looked pretty tired. His eyes kept drifting shut and then he’d open them again probably just because he didn’t want to fall asleep on Eddie’s shoulder. Smart move. Eddie could imagine kissing Steve’s forehead if he fell asleep on his shoulder. And not only will Steve not appreciate that but Eddie would have to then pull all his hair out for being a shitty friend that doesn’t respect people’s boundaries.

“Tired, Stevie?”

“Mmm.”

“Okay.” Eddie patted Steve’s shoulder.

“Can I sleep here?”

“Yeah. I had a feeling that was your goal.”

“Sorry.”

“No. No, it’s okay. Do you want to lay down or are you going to sleep on my shoulder?” Eddie teased because he actually could not handle Steve sleeping on his shoulder. Steve pulled himself away from Eddie and laid down on the bed. Eddie laid next to him. “Goodnight Sweetheart.” Steve opened his eyes and gave him an unimpressed look. Was he sick of the pet names now?

“Cuddle.” Steve grunted, grabbing Eddie’s side and pulling him closer. Or not. Eddie draped one of his arms over Steve’s stomach and rested his head on Steve’s chest. “Goodnight Eds.” Steve’s voice was extra cute when he’s tired. Eddie wasn’t going to make it till morning. He was going to have a heart attack instead because Steve was touch starved and didn’t realize that Eddie had a big gay crush on him and therefore wanted to cuddle all night. Although, to be fair, Steve’s eyes not boring into his skull like the last time they shared a bed did admittedly make it a little easier to sleep. After Eddie calmed himself down about the whole cuddling thing.

Chapter Text

Steve almost told Eddie he loved him. Multiple fucking times. They were barely even friends and he almost used the L word. He was an idiot. He was spreading way too much time with Eddie. He needed to chill. He should probably step back. Clearly he wasn’t getting over his stupid crush while Eddie was within arms length. Or sleeping in his bed for that matter. That was an insane thing to do. Something was very wrong with him. He should know better.

Then again, Jeff thought Steve and Eddie were dating. And while Steve was pretty sure that was his fault for daydreaming about Eddie in class Eddie was worried other people might think similar things. Steve didn’t want to back away from Eddie on the same day some asshole decided it was their business to start throwing punches at a suspected queer kid. Steve probably should use that word. Point being he had self appointed himself as Eddie’s body guard and couldn’t back out just because of a silly little crush.

Steve had no idea what to do. He had to look out for Eddie. That was just what he did. Whether it was monsters or people Steve always had to be prepared to step in the way. He was good at taking a punch. And it was worth it to keep the people he cared about safe. But he also was fucking terrified he was going to slip up soon and say or do something stupid and then Eddie was going to hate him forever.

Steve had also told Eddie not to kiss him but the entire day all he wanted Eddie to do was kiss his forehead. It seemed sweet and romantic and wasn’t a real kiss because that still terrified him. He’d never kissed a guy before. And he knew wanting to was weird and so he suspected he might like guys. But what if when he missed Eddie he didn’t feel anything and he turned out was just weird in a completely straight way. When. Steve groaned.

“G’morning.” Eddie mumbled into Steve’s chest. Because Steve was an idiot and slept over and so they were cuddling in Eddie’s bed. Maybe this was the panic Eddie was feeling that first night. Except Steve was worried Eddie was going to find out about his crush and hate him forever and Eddie was worried Steve was going to kill him for being gay. Shit. How had he not gotten that sooner? Of course Eddie was scared.

“Good morning.” Steve replied, rubbing Eddie’s back. Fuck his life. What the hell was he doing? How did he get here? Eddie should’ve kicked him out last night. Steve should admit he had a crush on him and get punched in the face and told to never speak to him again. Steve should stop being so goddamn cuddly. His actions are not okay. Just because Eddie doesn’t know he has a crush yet does not mean he gets to get away with being so fucking physical. He should move. “W-we should eat breakfast. Or something.”

“Probably.” Eddie mumbled, nuzzling his face into Steve’s chest instead of moving. The poor guy didn’t have a clue. He shouldn’t feel that comfortable. He should hate Steve. The last time Eddie woke up to them cuddling he jumped off the bed, and while that wasn’t needed then it was probably the correct decision for the current predicament. Steve sighed. Eddie had said he wasn’t a morning person. Steve should let him be. He’d get over the crush soon enough. Maybe they could even laugh about it some day.

Steve rubbed Eddie’s back. Should he do that? Probably not. But he was anyway. Besides, Eddie relaxed into it. That made it okay, right? No. Because Eddie still didn’t know Steve had a crush on him. Steve pulled his hand away. Fuck breakfast he should run out of the trailer and never come back. And probably write Eddie a letter or something, he didn’t need to think it was his fault, Steve was the only one in the wrong. He was an idiot to believe he could get over his crush and he only ever makes bad choices.

“Is something wrong?”

“What? No.”

“You moved your arm.”

“I- Yeah.” How the hell was he supposed to explain that? Bad choices. Even the choices that are supposed to correct the bad ones are still bad. Fuck his life. He should seriously just run. But Eddie was still laying on him and it would be rude to shove him off. “Sorry.” Steve put his arm back around Eddie. He was a bad friend. He should just tell him. But Steve was selfish, and he knew if he told Eddie he’d lose him and he didn’t want to lose him.

“No, uh, you don’t have to do that.” Eddie started sitting up and Steve moved his arm away again. “I’m sorry. Look who’s greedy now, right?” Eddie joked, smiling down at Steve. Little did he know it was still Steve who was greedy. And selfish, he cannot forget selfish. Plus just a plain old asshole because he was absolutely about to let Eddie make that joke and believe it just so he could keep him as a friend. Steve forced out a laugh. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah.” Steve nodded, pushing himself up into a sitting position as well. “All good.” He was fine, he was just a jerk. And the world's worst friend award goes out to Steve Harrington. Fuck him. “What do you have for breakfast?” Smooth. Totally not suspicious at all. Eddie just squinted back at him because he could always see right through him unless it was about the obvious crush he had.

“Um, I could make you toast? Or we have cereal.”

“Whatever’s easier.” Steve replied with a smile because he had to do something right. He could not fuck up everything he did that morning. He was a bad enough friend as it was and did not reserve the right to be picky. Eddie grabbed his hand. Fuck.

“Stevie, Sweetheart, whatever’s going through your head right now, it’s not true. You’re not a burden for having preferences, you’re not too clingy, and you haven’t been here too long. I like spending time with and and I like cuddling with you. So, what do you want for breakfast?”

Eddie really could see everything but the crush. And he was still holding his hand. Steve took a deep breath. He needed to get his shit together. He could figure out what to do later. He just had to continue to act normal long enough to eat breakfast.

“Do you know how to make French toast or just plopping bread in a toaster?” Steve asked, trying to add a teasing tilt to his voice. He didn’t think it came out very well.

“Just a toaster.”

“Do you want to learn how to make French toast?” Steve squeezed Eddie's hand. He could panic about that later.

“The next time I sleep at your house, absolutely.” Eddie winked. Maybe he did know about the crush and was just purposely messing with him. At least in that reality they’d stay friends.

“Okay. Regular toast is fine.” Steve finally answered the question and let go of Eddie’s hand. “Do you have cinnamon?” He added as he climbed off the bed.

“Probably?” Eddie replied, following Steve out of the room.

“Awesome.”

“Oh, did you want coffee too?”

“Yes. Definitely.”

“Cool.” Eddie nodded. Steve sat down on one of the bar stools as Eddie grabbed a couple mugs. “Oh, and I didn’t get to make any jokes about… a particular something last time we had a sleepover because I still thought you might kill me, but we’re friends now, so…” Eddie leaned onto the counter, locking eyes with Steve. “I guess you're Steve the beadhead Harrington now.” Eddie poked Steve’s forehead. Steve groaned as Eddie laughed and turned back around to continue working on their breakfast.

“Yeah, well, you’re one to talk.” Steve argued.

“Hey nobody calls me ’the hair’ I do not have a reputation for looking good, okay? It’s totally expected for me to have bad hair days. And of course I look like shit in the morning. You however, have a reputation of always looking perfect.”

“That is not true.”

“No it definitely is. What sucks though is you even pull off the bed head.” Eddie turned to face him after setting the toast in the toaster. “It’s cute.” He added as he ruffled Steve’s hair. Steve could feel his cheeks burning. How Eddie didn’t notice before turning back around is beyond him. “I’m surprised nobody’s talked about it before.”

“They probably just have better things to talk about.” Steve started trying to fix his hair, but without hairspray or a mirror he didn’t have high hopes for it going well.

“I disagree. You’re the subject of way too many conversations for your adorable bed head to never be mentioned.”

“I don’t have that many sleepovers.” Steve shrugged.

“You have, like, sex.” Eddie flapped one of his hands around and Steve dropped his head on the counter. “That’s a sleepover.”

“Yeah, well, they definitely have better things to talk about then.” Steve mumbled. Why was this his life?

“I guess.” Eddie grumbled. “I don’t know, I’d want to talk about that bedhead.”

“Yeah well you also wouldn’t want to have sex with me.” Steve shot back. Eddie took a few seconds to reply and Steve left his face on the counter in fear that Eddie was looking at him. He could feel his cheeks burning and Eddie did not need to see that.

“Right. Well, still, it’s a cute bedhead.” Eddie sighed. “What do you like in your coffee?”

“I don’t care.” Steve mumbled.

“I could just make it like mine then.”

“Wait.” Steve slowly lifted his head up to glance at Eddie. He was smiling mischievously back at him. “Yeah definitely not. You’re ‘coffee’ is probably more like milk with sugar and might even have, like, sprinkles in it, I’ll pass.” Eddie doubled over with laughter.

“You know what?” Eddie giggled. “Sprinkles is a great idea. Thank you.”

“Oh my god.” Steve dropped his head back on the counter. “What is wrong with you?”

“My brain was replaced with a mound of sugar on my fifth birthday.” Eddie replied, voice completely level. Steve looked back up at him. He was doing his best to keep a straight face and his best was pretty damn good for about four seconds before they both burst into laughter. Once they’d calmed down Eddie slid Steve’s coffee in front of him. “You still haven’t told me what to put in this.”

“Eh.” Steve shrugged, grabbing the mug. “It’s fine.” He took a sip and Eddie gasped.

“Gross! What’s wrong you!?”

“I usually put a little milk in it but it’s still fine without it.”

“It’s so bitter.”

“Well, yeah, it’s coffee, it’s supposed to be bitter.”

“You’re insane.” Eddie shook his head. “Like, clinically.” He added as the toaster popped.

“I love that this is the thing that makes me weird. Like out of everything, this is it.”

“What do you mean ‘out of everything’ you’re perfect, except for this.” Eddie replied, passing Steve a plate with his toast.

“Oh shit, I lost my perfection?”

“Mmm.” Eddie grumbled as he passed Steve butter, cinnamon, and a knife. “No.” He sighed. “I wish you did, that’s fucking gross, but no.”

“Sweet.” Steve winked at Eddie. Because he was fucking stupid and didn’t know when to quit. Eddie spun back around to put his own toast in the toaster. That was probably for the best. Steve sighed as he spread butter on his toast. Way to make things awkward. He sprinkled the cinnamon on top of the butter.

“You know, maybe you could come to practice? I don’t think the others would mind.”

“Really? That’d be fantastic. Thank you!”

“Yeah.” Eddie nodded, but he was still staring at the toaster. Steve started eating his breakfast. Steve didn’t need to keep talking, he’d only make things more awkward. He was lucky enough that Eddie invited him to his band practice, he was not ruining that. Soon, Eddie joined Steve at the counter with his own toast and coffee (which thankfully did not contain sprinkles). Steve made a face when Eddie added sugar to his toast but he kept his mouth shut. “What? You have cinnamon on yours.”

“Cinnamon and sugar are not the same thing.” Steve mumbled. Eddie shrugged before taking a bite of his sugary bread.

“It’s okay,” Eddie started, mouth still full of sugar toast, “You can call me crazy, I know I am.”

“Maybe just a little bit.” Steve smiled, tapping his foot into Eddie’s.

“Blasphemy, I am way more than a little bit.”

“Okay.” Steve laughed before taking another bite of his food. “What time is your band practice?”

“Noon. We have,” Eddie glanced over to the clock on the wall, “About 3 hours. Curse you and your morning person bullshit.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m joking.”

“You know,” Steve placed his toast down on the plate, “I think it’s my turn to play music.”

“Do you have any?”

“Yeah, the kids leave cassettes in my glove box.”

“Does that count as your music?”

“It does now if it’ll mess with you.” Steve poked Eddie’s shoulder before hopping off the bar stool and heading out to his car. He brought one of Dustin’s cassettes back into the trailer. “Do you have a radio out here or should I get the one from your room?”

“We can just move our food into my room.”

“Even the coffee?”

“Sure, why not?” Eddie shrugged. Steve shoved the cassette in his pocket and grabbed his plate and mug. Eddie sat down on his bed with his toast and coffee without a care in the world about spilling it on his sheets.

Steve’s parents would kill him if they found out he brought food or water into his room let alone any other liquid with the ability to stain. If he brought coffee into his own bedroom his parents might as well put his head on a pike and parade it around town. Steve was really glad Eddie had Wayne. Wayne was fantastic. Steve wished he could pull off whatever Dustin did with him with Wayne. Parental adoption or whatever. But hopefully there were no more monsters, so Steve didn’t really know how to do that.

Instead of continuing to ponder how to steal his best friend’s uncle he put the cassette in Eddie’s radio, after placing his coffee on the nightstand. It was Weird Al’s first album, and it was definitely weird, but so were Steve and Eddie so it worked. It also fit Dustin perfectly, he was a strange little dude, and Steve liked it when music reminded him about people he cared about.

“Steve, what the fuck is this?” Eddie laughed.

“Weird Al. Dustin’s obsessed.” Steve shrugged. He sat down on the bed gently in an attempt to not jostle Eddie’s coffee. “It’s kinda funny.”

“Kinda? This is hilarious.” Eddie responded before shoving more toast in his mouth. “I have got to meet your kids someday.” Eddie added through his full mouth. Steve laughed.

“You did volunteer to host a D&D session for them sometime.”

“Shit. I did.”

“How long do those take to plan?”

“I think I could put together a one shot for next week?”

“Awesome. I’ll call the kids and let them know after your band practice.” Steve replied before taking a bite of his own toast. They ate the rest of their breakfast quitely appreciating Dustin’s weird music. Steve especially appreciated ‘My Bologna’ and Eddie ‘I love Rocky Road.’ Dustin’s favorite was ‘I’ll Be Mellow When I’m Dead’ which Eddie said was definitely his second favorite. Steve could see it.

Eventually it was time to leave for band practice and they had to separate into their own cars. It was probably for the best but Steve still found it excruciating. If he rode with Eddie though and then came back to the trailer with him he wouldn’t be leaving, he’d have no idea what he’d wear to school, and it just wouldn’t be a great idea. He was already wearing the same clothes as yesterday. He was barely even able to fix his hair because he didn’t bring hair spray with him. It was flatter than usual as a result but he got it to look relatively nice. He should’ve packed for a sleepover but he was trying to force himself not to overstay his welcome. He failed.

Steve followed Eddie’s van to Gareth’s house, speeding to keep up with Eddie because otherwise he didn’t know the way. He’d have to talk to Eddie about that sometime. He did not pull him out of his pool just for Eddie to die in a car crash. Jeff and Gareth were already inside the garage when they pulled into the driveway. They walked out towards them and Steve and Eddie opened their respective doors.

“Hey, Steve.” Jeff greeted. “Did you guys have a sleepover?”

“Yeah.” Steve answered.

“How’d meeting Wayne go?”

“I woke him up, but other than that it went well.”

“Oh.” Jeff nodded. “Anything else you want to talk about?”

“No?” Steve glanced over at Eddie and then back to Jeff. And then Steve remembered the conversation he had with Eddie when he first got to the trailer. Jeff definitely knew about Steve’s crush. Steve didn’t know where he got the idea Eddie liked him back though, that was crazy. Jeff nodded, slowly.

“You guys want drinks?” Gareth asked, clapping his hands together.

“I do.” Eddie answered, “Come on, Garebear, let’s go raid your fridge.” Eddie started pushing Gareth back into the garage.

“I hate that name.” Gareth whined before they both disappeared into the house.

“Are you sure there’s nothing you want to talk about?” Jeff asked and Steve buried his face in his hands.

“How long have you known?”

“Like, for sure? Just now, technically. But I was pretty convinced when you admitted to daydreaming about him during class.” Jeff answered and Steve groaned. “As for just general suspicion, the first day you sat down at our table.”

“That’s not fair, I didn’t know then.”

“How long have you known?”

“Since Wednesday, I guess.” Steve lifted his head back out of his hands. “I’ve been kinda in denial over it all week.” Steve continued and Jeff nodded, again. “Are you not gonna, like, give me a shovel talk or something?”

“No.” Jeff laughed. “You probably let mosquitoes drink your blood or some shit, I know you’d never hurt him.”

“I kill mosquitoes.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck. He also fought inter dimensional monsters with a bat full of nails that he still kept in his trunk. He was definitely capable of hurting things. And people, he fought Jonathan and Billy. “Hey, I also got into fist fights with two people, that’s not fair.”

“I mean, yeah, but they were both because you were defending other people? It’s different.”

“Well- I- I also used to bully people.”

“We talked about this.”

“Okay.” Steve scuffed his right shoe on the ground. “Okay. Yeah.”

“Do you want me to threaten you?”

“I don’t know.” Steve groaned, dropping his face back into his hands. “That’s just, like, normal.”

“Yeah, we aren’t normal, Steve.” Jeff replied. Which was fair. “And Joey’s here.” Jeff shouted. Steve turned around to watch him climb out of a vehicle parked on the road. Whoever dropped him off drove off the second he closed the door.

“Hey.” Joey waved as he made his way over to the two of them. “I see we have a cheerleader today.”

“No, I'm here to boo at you.” Steve replied, trying his very hardest to keep his expression neutral. He got the words out, and then stared at Joey for about three seconds before all three of them burst out laughing.

“You should totally do that.” Joey encouraged. “I think Eddie would cry.”

“No! I am not doing that.”

“He couldn’t possibly hurt Eddie.” Jeff added and Steve smacked his shoulder.

“Yeah.” Joey nodded. “Steve couldn’t hurt a fly.”

“I can.” Steve argued.

“Uh-huh.” Joey nodded.

“Joey!” Eddie called from the door between the house and the garage. “You’ve arrived.”

“Eddie, can Steve hurt a fly?”

“Absolutely not, he’s literally a vegetarian.” Eddie responded, instantly. Joey nodded and Jeff made an ‘I told you so’ face.

“I did not know that, definitely proves my point though.” Joey clapped Steve on the shoulder before he walked off to the garage. The only issue being Steve wasn’t vegetarian in a not killing animals way, it was just that he couldn’t stand to look at raw meat after that trap for Dart. He couldn’t really say that though. Instead he resolved himself to the image they had of him and joined them in the garage.

“What do you have there?” Steve pointed at the can in Eddie’s hand.

“Apple soda.”

“Huh.” Steve nodded. That was a weird flavor for soda. “Can I try some?”

“Yeah, there’s a couple more cans in the fridge.” Eddie pointed to the door into the house. Steve shook his head.

“I don’t want to waste a whole can if I don’t like it.” Steve rolled his eyes. “I meant can I try a sip of yours.”

“Oh. Uh, okay?” Eddie passed the can to Steve. Steve took a sip. It was like bubbly apple juice and it was weird but not necessarily bad.

“Eh, it’s okay. I don’t want my own though.”

“Mm.” Eddie nodded, taking the can back. “Did you like sharing my spit though?” He asked, smirking at Steve who rolled his eyes again. “What if I had a cold? Or the flu? Or mono? Or something?”

“You don’t look sick.” Steve argued. “People would think we’re gay though if you gave me mono.”

“Yeah and I’d have to go around telling people ‘no I didn’t actually get to make out with Steve Harrington he just stole my drink like an asshole.”

“Hey! I asked! There is no thievery here.”

“There is gayness though.” Jeff butted in, placing a hand on both their shoulders and keeping his voice low. Steve glared at him. Even if the others didn’t hear it Eddie certainly did. “Geez.” He put his hands up in mock surrender.

“Damn, their expressions are almost exactly the same.” Joey laughed. Steve glanced over at Eddie at the same time he glanced at him, their glares were gone facing each other but apparently he had been glaring too. “What did you say?”

“Nothing important.” Jeff shrugged.

“Uh, we should get started.” Eddie passed Steve his can again before exiting the garage. He left his guitar in his van. Steve took another sip of the soda, he still wasn’t a fan.

They sounded fantastic. Or better than fantastic. Eddie was fantastic on his own but adding the rest of the instruments, plus Eddie singing, was beyond words. Although, after two concussions Steve wasn’t big in loud noises so after a few songs he could feel a headache starting. Not that that stopped him from listening; it just made the experience slightly less fun. He just might bring Tylenol with him when he went to their show on Tuesday.

Unfortunately at the end of Corroded Coffin’s practice Steve and Eddie still had to go their separate ways. It was for the best, Steve’s hair still wasn’t perfect, he needed clean clothes for Monday, he hadn’t brushed his teeth, and he needed tylenol. It was time for him to go back to his house. He did hug Eddie though, and maybe for a bit too long because Jeff was wiggling his eyebrows at him when they pulled away. When he got back into his car he realized he left Dustin’s cassette in Eddie’s room, at least it was a good excuse to go back, maybe after Eddie’s show. Or next weekend. Probably the weekend.

Steve’s fathers car is in the driveway. Steve never understood why the first thing he did when he got home was take his car out of the garage but Steve didn’t understand a lot of things. He took a deep breath as he pulled into the driveway next to his fathers car. Steve had forgotten they were due back, he was so distracted with everything else. And by that he meant Eddie. Soley Eddie. Eddie was on his mind so much he barely knew what day it was. Steve opened and closed the first door as quietly as he could, hoping he could go unnoticed.

“Where have you been?” His father yelled from the living room. He could never do anything right.

“A friends.” Steve replied, walking toward the living room and being careful not to be too loud, his father hated when Steve yelled back.

“Your parents aren’t important to you?” His father asked. He was sitting in his chair with his arms crossed.

Sometimes Steve would catch himself thinking his parents forget he exists. They leave for weeks on end after all, and even when they’re home they don’t actually spend a lot of time together. Plus they fight like he’s not there. Or maybe they just think the walls are soundproof. They’ll dismiss him whenever they start arguing, maybe that’s a sign they care, like they don’t want him to hear it, but they don’t spend any energy on actually being quiet. But heaven forbid he return the favor and forget about them for once. Which, to be fair, now that Steve thought about it they were actually three days late. How was that his fault? They didn’t call to give him a new date.

“I didn’t know when you’d be back.” Steve replied, keeping his tone as level as possible. His father rolled his eyes.

“Maybe, you could have asked.” He grunted before picking up the newspaper on the coffee table. Steve nodded. That probably meant he was dismissed. He took a step back, then thought better of it and took a step forward. Sometimes it was really hard to tell what his dad wanted.

“Uh, where’s mom?” He asked. That was probably a good enough way of asking if he could leave it not.

“Upstairs. Unpacking.” He could leave. Steve turned around and finally left the room. He quietly climbed the stairs and considered actually bothering his mother but decided against it and headed for his own room.

Sitting alone in his room, thinking about how awesome the previous twenty seven hours had been, something Eddie said came back to him. The line ‘No I didn’t actually get to make out with Steve Harrington’ was stuck on replay in his head. Get to. Was it possible Eddie wanted to kiss him? Maybe just as a high school right of passenger kind of thing, there were plenty of girls that just wanted to kiss or fuck him but not actually date. He had a reputation for that kind of thing. Maybe Eddie wasn’t actually as far off from it as he thought. He didn’t like that thought.

He’d rather have Eddie not be into him at all then just want one kiss or a one night stand or something along those lines. It’d be awesome if he liked him back but Steve wasn’t stupid enough to actually think that was possible. He was lucky enough Eddie wanted to be his friend. Extra lucky Eddie put up with his clinginess. There was no way in hell he also retired Steve’s stupid crush. He just hoped Eddie never asked him for one, right of passage, kiss.

Chapter Text

Jeff wanted to kill Eddie. Or something like that. He kept hinting that there was something going on with him and Steve and eventually Steve was going to realize. Apparently it would take forever because Steve was either blind or really hated jumping to conclusions, but it would happen, someday, and it would be Jeff’s fault. And Jeff was trying to make that day as soon as possible. He could barely even wait twenty four hours.

“You know, Steve coming to band practice made me think that we should have more group hangouts. Like outside of school.” Was the first thing Jeff said once they all sat down at their lunch table. “Kim might even come.”

“Are you volunteering me?” Kim asked. Jeff just shrugged.

“There’s no way my mom would let all six of us hang out in the house.” Gareth responded. “We might be able to get away with the garage but there’s not actually that much sitting space in there.”

“That’s fair. I don’t think my parents would appreciate that much either.” Joey agreed.

“Yeah, my dad would probably have a heart attack if I asked him if all of you guys could come over.” Kim laughed. “Not that I’m agreeing.”

“And we can’t all go to Eddie’s, Wayne would probably let us but that would be seven people in one trailer.” Gareth pointed out.

“You guys are making this way harder than it needs to be.” Eddie butted in. Jeff might be out to get him but he did like hanging out with his friends. “Steve’s parents are literally never home, we can go there.”

“No, they’re back.” Steve replied, twisting his fork around on his tray. He didn’t bring in a group snack or a lunch for himself. Edie should’ve known something was up. “They got home yesterday afternoon.”

“Oh.” Eddie nodded. Steve looked tired. Eddie thought the abandonment was the worst thing his parents did to him but he seemed happier when they were gone.

“It’s why I wasn’t able to make you guys a snack. My dad doesn’t like it when I spend too much time in the kitchen.” Steve rolled his eyes. “Sorry.”

“Oh, no, that’s okay.” Gareth smiled at Steve.

“Yeah, don’t worry about it man.” Jeff added.

“We’ll survive a few days without cookies or whatever.” Eddie patted Steve’s shoulder. Steve smiled back at him. “I lied, I’ll actually explode if I don’t get a pound of sugar everyday.”

“I could see that happening.” Kim nodded.

“Yeah, totally.” Jeff gave her a high five.

“And that’s why you drink the worst coffee ever.” Steve laughed.

“How rude.” Eddie picked up an almond. “I’m gonna start throwing these again.”

“So, my garage?” Gareth asked, completely ignoring Eddie’s antics. Eddie tossed the almond at him. “What? What did I do? That’s not fair!”

“Next to speak, probably.” Joey shrugged.

“I mean, I could ask my parents if I can have five friends over but they’ll probably say no and then we’re back to your garage, so yeah, probably.” Jeff answered Gareth’s original question.

“I still have not said yes to this.”

“Aw, come on Kim, you never hang out with us outside of school.” Jeff pleaded.

“Yeah, don’t be such a buzzkill Berley.” Eddie joined, and Kim glared at him, like she always did when he called her that.

“We’ll see.” Kim shrugged. She always said that when she meant ‘no way in hell’ too.

“Your dad would have a heart attack, right?” Steve asked. Kim’s eyes widened as she looked at him but she nodded.

“What? I thought that was just if you asked to have us all over?” Eddie questioned.

“Yeah, cause we’re all dudes.” Steve smacked his arm, lightly.

“Oh.” Eddie nodded.

“Do you think it’d be easier to convince him to let us go to your house?” Steve asked. “He could keep an eye on us that way. I could write you an essay with all the pros that you could present to him if you want.”

“Yeah, just make sure you leave the,” Jeff did the limp wrist thing. “Stuff out of the list.” Jeff laughed. Eddie glared at him.

“I don’t think Steve knows what that means.” Kim replied. And to be fair Steve didn’t look like he got it either. Which was funny because it started off as an insult.

“And I didn’t know you knew what that meant.” Jeff stabbed his chicken a couple times.

“Oh.” Kim nodded. “Well I do. And don’t worry, we’re cool, me too.” She patted Jeff’s shoulder. Funnily enough Jeff wasn’t actually the gay one. Or at least if he was he didn’t tell Eddie which was totally unfair because Eddie told him.

“I have no idea what’s going on anymore.” Steve admitted. Kim laughed.

“Yeah, it’s probably best that way, don’t worry about it.”

“No.” Eddie butt in, because he was not about to let Kim think Steve was homophobic. “He knows about me.”

“Oh?” Kim raised an eyebrow at him. Eddie smiled and nodded.

“I still don’t know what I know though?” Steve glanced over at Eddie.

“Um, yeah, I don’t really know how to- Oh. So, you know what I told you after almost drowning, to try and get kicked out so I could go home and Gareth would have to be mad at you and not me if I die.”

“What the fuck Eddie!?” Gareth yelled. “That is a terrible reason to tell anybody anything.”

“Yeah he also insulted my walls for the same reason.”

“Your walls are actually horrible though.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Steve brushed him off.

“But, regardless, Steve was all ‘that’s not worth dying over’ and then proceeded to share his bed with me, so it doesn’t matter that I tried to get kicked out. Also I literally did not drown. You can’t yell at me!” Eddie tossed another almond at Gareth who just gaped at him and waved his arms around.

“That is extra hilarious with more context.” Kim laughed. “On a more serious note, Eddie needs to get his priorities straight. But at least it worked out, I guess.”

“My priorities are as straight as they’re gonna get.” Eddie argued and Steve laughed. “He gets it.” Eddie pointed at Steve and Jeff snorted.

“You do not get to joke your way out of that, you could have died.” Kim crossed her arms.

“But I didn’t. See.” Eddie waved his hands over himself. “Still breathing.”

“Okay, whatever.” Kim shook her head. “I’ll talk to my dad. No guarantees though.”

“Awesome!” Steve smiled at her. “Let me know if you need any help.”

“Thanks, but you should worry about your own parents.”

“Nah, I’m good. They probably won’t ask where I’m going.”

“That’s nice.” Kim sighed. Steve smiled back at her but Eddie didn’t really think that was good at all. They couldn’t even be bothered to care while they were in town.

“Wait, hold on, I still don't know what we were talking about.” Gareth brought the conversation back to the gay stuff. Damn it. Fuck Jeff.,

“Same.” Joey agreed.

“Um, yeah.” Eddie nodded. “Thank you, Jeff.” He tossed an almond at him as well.

“Yeah, sorry, that might’ve been too much.”

“Might’ve.” Kim scoffed.

“We’ll talk about this later, okay?” Eddie suggested and the two of them nodded. “Cool.”

“Can you give me a ride home and we talk about it in the car?” Joey asked.

“Sure.” Eddie sighed.

—————————————————————

“So?” Gareth questioned as they pulled out of the school's parking lot.

“Okay, I know you guys pretty well, and I trust you, so don’t, like, destroy that, okay?”

“Okay.” Joey answered and they both nodded.

“I’m gay.”

“Ohh.” Gareth nodded. “Yeah, we knew that. Or I knew that. Did you know that?”

“Of course I knew that, I’m not blind.” Joey answered. “He has a handkerchief in his pocket.”

“You know the hanky code?” Eddie asked.

“Well not exactly, I don’t have all the colors memorized.”

“The what?” Gareth asked.

“Wait, how did you know then?”

“Because him and Steve are dating, obviously.” Gareth replied and Jeff burst into laughter.

“We are not!” Eddie yelled. Why does everybody think that? “Jesus Christ. Steve’s straight! Like, the straightest.”

“Bullshit.” Gareth shot back. “You both stare at each other with, like, hearts in your eyes.”

“We do not.”

“You so do.” Jeff poked his arm.

“Whatever, you’re not dating but you still obviously have a crush on him though. I mean in my garage yesterday and you said ‘and I’d have to tell people I didn’t actually get to make out with Steve Harrington, he just stole my drink’ after talking about getting him sick. That’s pretty gay.”

“Shit! I said get to!?”

“Uh, yeah?” Jeff laughed.

“How did he not call me out on that?”

“He got too distracted by you calling him a thief I guess.” Jeff shrugged.

“Point being, we knew.” Gareth added.

“Wait a minute, Steve still slept with you?” Joey asked.

“Shut the fuck up! You can’t say it like that.”

“That is more hilarious with context.”

“Oh my god! Jeff, Kim totally thinks you’re gay.” Eddie laughed.

“Eh.” Jeff shrugged. “It’s not like I’m ever gonna date girls anyway.”

“What?”

“I’m asexual. I don’t like anybody.”

“Oh.” Eddie nodded. “Okay.”

“Well, since we’re doing this, I’m bisexual.” Gareth added.

“Wow, we just found each other like magnets, damn.” Eddie laughed.

“Which is why you should ask out Steve.” Jeff teased and Eddie smacked his shoulder.

“You really should though.” Gareth insisted.

“Absolutely not. I will hear no more of this. The next person to mention Steve gets out and walks home.”

“Damn. That’s aggressive.” Joey laughed.

They shut up about Steve until Eddie got close to each of their driveways and then they chanted Gunnar over and over as Eddie hit the brakes and demanded they left his van. He hit Jeff on his turn to chant, because he sat in the passenger seat and he could reach him. The other two left unscaved.

—————————————————————

“So, I think I messed up somewhere.” Kim announced as she arrived at the table.

“Did he say no?” Jeff asked.

“No, he said maybe. He just wants to meet Steve first?”

“What?” Eddie asked.

“I don’t know. He said it was a trial run.”

“When?” Steve asked.

“Tonight. He invited you to dinner.”

“Oh, you totally did mess up, he thinks you're dating.” Eddie laughed. “And this for you.” Eddie passed a sandwich to Steve.

“What? I got a tray.”

“You got a tray yesterday and only ate the green beans.” Eddie pointed out. “Look, I have my own.” He held up his own sandwich. “I just made you one too ‘cause I looked at the meal schedule for the week and I know you’re not gonna eat any meat.”

“Okay.” Steve sighed, but he accepted the sandwich. “Thanks.”

“Steve’s a vegetarian?” Kim asked.

“Yeah.” Eddie nodded.

“That explains so much actually. Uh, anyway you can come over at, like, five.”

“But Eddie’s playing at the hideout.”

“Steve, it’s fine, go to the dinner, we play again next week.”

“Okay.” Steve nodded, pouting a little.

“You know, if you don’t mind.” Kim added.

“I don’t. Other than missing Eddie’s performance. I love getting out of that house.”

“Did something happen?” Eddie asked.

“Uh- No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” Steve brushed him off before taking a bite of his sandwich. Eddie was definitely worried about it.

“Well, we’re here if you ever want to talk.” Jeff informed.

“I appreciate that, but I’m fine, I promise.”

“Oh no.” Eddie blurted out.

“What?” Steve asked.

“Fuck your parents, now I can’t play D&D with your kiddos.”

“Yeah. When they leave I’ll call and we’ll play that weekend. It does give you more time to set up though, right?”

“Are you expecting them to leave again?” Jeff asked.

“Yeah, they don’t usually stick around long.” Steve shrugged.

“That’s terrible parenting.” Jeff replied.

“Yeah.” Gareth agreed. “How long have they been doing that?”

“Uh… Well I mean, my dad’s always gone on trips, and my mom sometimes tagged along if she liked the place he was going to, but she started going basically every time two years ago.”

“Oh? Why?” Joey asked.

“Um, I don’t know.” Steve scratched the back of neck and avoided eye contact. Lie. It was obviously okay for him to not want to tell them everything though, so Eddie wasn’t calling it.

“Right, well, have fun at Kim’s.” He said instead, just to make sure the others didn’t pressure him either.

“Fuck you.” Kim spat back. “I don’t know if he’s doing a trial run with everyone before he lets you all come over or if he just liked Steve best or what.”

“Or he hates me the most.” Steve suggested.

“Definitely not.” Kim shook her head. “Either way he likes you, I just don’t know how much of a pain in the ass setting this up is going to be yet.

“Oh. Should I bring anything?”

“No.” Kim shook her head.

“Yes.” Eddie protested. “Absolutely. One hundred percent. You totally should. In fact, bring flowers.”

“What?”

“Oh my god, do not bring flowers, I will kill you if you bring flowers.” Kim threatened and Jeff snorted.

“I won’t bring flowers.” Steve assured her. Eddie rolled his eyes.

“Come on, why not, he totally already thinks you're dating, mess with him a little.”

“Eddie, you crave too much chaos.” Gareth argued. “Tone it down. If he thinks they’re dating he probably won’t let us over.”

“I don’t care, it’s somebody else’s turn to be accused of dating Steve.” Eddie shot back. “Bring flowers.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Jeff butt in. “Steve has a reputation of being a great boyfriend, you’d be lucky.”

“Jeff, I will kill your character on Friday if you don’t shut the fuck up.”

“Geez.” Steve whispered.

“Yeah, Eddie, think about Steve’s feelings here.” Joey teased. “You’re being really rude.”

“I’m fine.” Steve laughed. But it was a bit awkward and he was rubbing the back of his neck. Eddie sighed.

“Oh for fucks sake. Fine, fine, I’m sorry. I’m sure you’re a fantastic boyfriend, to girls. Can we be done with this conversation now?” Eddie asked and as if the universe was on his side, for once in his life, the bell rang. “Great.” Eddie nodded, packing up his things.

Chapter Text

Steve knocked on Kim’s door at exactly five o’clock. His father was mad at him again for not wanting to spend time with them but he didn’t ask to do anything while Steve was home either so Steve didn’t think he actually cared. Besides, his mother was accusing him of cheating again so it was nice to eat dinner with all that tension. Steve knew his mom was right, and wished she’d just divorce him, but she apparently didn’t have enough evidence for the church so she wasn’t divorcing him yet.

“Good evening, sir.” Steve smiled and held his hand out when Kim’s father answered the door.

“Good evening.” The man replied, shaking Steve’s hand. “Come in.” He stepped aside, letting Steve into the house. “Kimberley’s told me a lot about you.” He added as he shut the door behind Steve.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, apparently you cook?” Kim’s father raised an eyebrow at him. Shit. It was going to be his father all over again.

“Yeah. A little bit.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck.

“A little bit.” Kim scoffed, joining them. “Eddie says his food is the best thing he’s ever eaten, but Eddie has never had Grandma’s chicken pot pie.”

“I’m pretty sure he’s exaggerating anyway.” Steve admitted. Eddie clearly liked his food, but Steve couldn’t believe it was actually that good.

“And he’s modest too.” Kim’s dad glanced over at her with a smile. “Come on, we just finished setting up the table.” Steve followed the two of them into their kitchen and sat down with them at their small table. Steve was shocked to find no meat on the table, Kim must have said something. “So, Steve, where do you see yourself in five years?” Her father asked once they’d all sat down. Steve wanted to kick himself for not knowing their last name.

“My father wants me to go to business school and then join his company, so probably there.” Steve answered.

“Gross.” Kim pretended to gag. “You should open your own bakery instead. Or go to culinary school and become some master chef and cook for the president or something.” Steve laughed.

“I like the bakery idea. But I don’t know about cooking for the president, that’s pretty far away.”

“True.” Kim nodded.

“If I’m getting a job that takes me far away I’ll be Corroded Coffin’s personal chef because at least I’d get to travel with friends.” Which was another thing that made Steve’s life plans and goals not match up with Eddie’s, they’d never work even if Eddie liked him back, and that was a huge fucking if.

“That’s your friend's band, right?” Kim’s father asked her, she nodded.

“Yeah, I still haven’t seen any of their shows. Have you Steve?”

“I watched them practice on Sunday, but I haven’t gone to an official show. They have one tonight.”

“That’s for the best. They play at a bar, and you kids don’t belong in a bar.” Kim rolled her eyes at her father. Maybe her dad was just a bit of a worry wart and not actually as bad as Steve was imagining, because he sure as hell would not roll his eyes in front of his parents. His dad would probably slap him for that. “And, I hear you babysit?”

“Oh, yeah.” Steve replied, not able to conceal his smile. Hopefully Kim’s dad didn’t find that weird.

“Do their parents pay you?”

“Not really.” Steve shrugged. “Mrs. Henderson feeds me dinner sometimes, but I mostly do it for free. They’re all good kids, and I get an allowance so…” Steve shrugged as if that finished the sentence.

“You like kids?”

“Yeah.” Steve nodded.

“Do you want to have kids of your own someday?”

“Definitely. I’ve always had this idea in my head of having a really big family, and we’d go camping trips in the summer and just spend time together.” Steve knew he had a dopey smile on his face but he couldn’t erase it if he tried so he didn’t care. Too bad that dream wasn’t going to work out because he’d never get over Eddie and refused to date new people if he still had feelings for someone else. That got rid of the smile.

“What?” Kim asked.

“Hm?”

“You look sad all of a sudden.”

“I just think Eddie would hate that, if I ever told him. Since the plan would be to take a camper and he lives in a camper. Maybe it’d be less insensitive with, like, tents? I could do tents.”

“I don’t think he cares, Steve.” Kim replied, a bored expression on her face. It would’ve been nice to get a second opinion on whether or not tents would work. Maybe he could ask Jeff.

“I just don’t want to be a jerk.” Steve put his fork around on his plate.

“Trust me, you’re not.” Kim replied before she took a bite if her food.

“Yeah, Kim said you saved that boy’s life.”

“I guess, but he never would have fallen in if I hadn’t opened the back door and scared him.”

“It was night and there was someone moving around in your yard, he’s lucky you didn’t call the cops.” Kim laughed.

“I thought he was an animal until he screamed and fell in the water.” More specifically he thought he was a demodog. “And I should’ve taken him to a hospital, but I didn’t so I’m really not a saint here, okay? Anybody would have dragged him out of that pool.”

“Okay, Steve, I have a question.” Kim's father premised.

“Yes, sir?”

“Would you do Eddie’s homework for him?”

“Is he struggling?” Steve glanced over at Kim who facepalmed. “He could’ve asked for help anytime.”

“Damn.” Kim’s dad whispered.

“I don’t believe you.” Kim mocked. Steve was officially confused.

“So, Steve, are you part of… what’s it called? Hellfire?” He looked like he knew exactly what it was called and was just unhappy about it. Which was confirmed by Kim rolling her eyes. Steve was glad he could say no without lying.

“No. Eddie tried though.”

“You said no to Eddie? Bravo.” Kim remarked. She even slow clapped for him until her dad smacked her arm.

“Yeah, it was the day after he fell in my pool, I was making us breakfast and we were talking about the kids I babysit, four of which play D&D, so Eddie asked if I did and when I said no he started encouraging me to.” Steve chuckled, lightly. “I wouldn’t be any good at it though.”

“Bull.” Kim declared. She received a glare from her father but he didn’t scold her. “Give it a shot before you sike yourself out.”

“Yeah the kids have tried explaining it to me, I would definitely suck at it. Not to mention the rules are a literal book.”

“Yeah, but you can always flip through it, you don’t have to memorize the whole thing. Plus Eddie probably has memorized the whole thing, so you can always ask him questions.”

“Yeah, I know, but that would probably get annoying pretty quickly.” Steve rubbed the back of his neck. Not even addressing how slow he’d be at all the math. Playing with him just wouldn’t be any fun for everybody else. “Eddie is going to host a game for the kids though, after my parents leave again.”

“When’s that?” Kim’s dad asked. Steve shrugged.

“I don’t know yet, but they rarely stay past three weeks.”

“So they’re home just as often as they’re away?”

“Pretty much.” Steve replied. They actually were probably away more often than they were home but saying that just sounded ungrateful. Shit talking his parents would definitely have a bad effect on the group's plans. It was never seen as a good sign if somebody didn’t like their parents, even if they’re parents did actually suck. And Steve’s parents weren’t even that bad. Eddie’s father was apparently in prison after all.

“Well, in that case, you’re welcome to crash on the couch if you ever need it.” Kim’s fatter suggested and Kim’s jaw dropped.

“Oh, no sir, I can handle being on my own, you don’t have to worry about me.” Steve gave Kim’s father his best smile. The one he practiced specifically for adults. He did not look impressed.

“I’m sure you manage, but you are still just a kid.”

“I’m okay, really, I was thirteen the first time they left me alone, I’ve got the hang of it.”

“That’s awful.” Kim’s father replied despite Steve’s attempts at remedying the situation.

“It wasn’t, like, frequent back then it just-”

“Steve,” Kim interrupted, “Please stop trying to rationalize for your shitty parents.”

“Kimberley.” Her father scolded. “She’s right though, you don’t have to make excuses for their shortcomings.” Steve lowered his head.

“You know, it’s funny, Eddie said the same thing.” Steve muttered at his food. “Or, similar, I guess. He said ‘your parents chose to have you and they owe you the world for it, but you don’t owe them…’” Steve trailed off because that quote ended with a swear word.

“Shit?” Kim finished. “You don’t owe them shi-”

“Kimberley.” Her father hissed.

“Sorry sir.” Steve replied. It was kinda his fault, it would’ve made sense to just confidently end with ‘them’ but instead he probably made a puzzled expression debating whether swearing was worth it or not.

“You see that?” Kim asked. Steve looked up to find her pointing at him. “He apologizes for other people’s decisions.”

“Well I-”

“Steve,” Kim interrupted, “I swear to god, if you start explaining to me how that’s your fault I’m calling Eddie.”

“What? Why would- Please don’t.”

“Why would I do that? Because he could rant for literal hours about it.”

“I know.” Steve sighed, slumping down in his chair. “He said he was going to start a sorry jar for me, like instead of a swear jar.”

“That’d be hilarious. I am definitely encouraging him to do that.”

“Of course.”

“You seem awfully fond of Eddie.” Kim’s father pointed out. Steve was fucking screwed. If he could tell that from one conversation Eddie wasn’t even around for Wayne probably saw it too. And to think, besides the shit about his parents, Steve thought the dinner was actually going well. They might’ve actually been able to come over if only he wasn’t so fucking obvious about his crush on Eddie.

“Well, he is my best friend.” Steve replied with a smile. He could save this. It was fine. Everything was fine. Except Wayne. Wayne was going to hate him forever, maybe even bury him in the woods somewhere. But the dinner and his friends' plans were still salvageable. “Uh, no offense?” He offered to Kim, who shrugged.

“All good, Maya's my best friend.”

“Maya?”

“She graduated last year.”

“Oh.” Steve nodded.

“Who comes after Eddie?”

“We should not do this.”

“Come on, second favorite.”

“No way.” Steve shook his head.

“If you don’t pick anyone I’ll tell Eddie he's second.”

“Oh yeah? To who? Cause I don’t think he’s gonna believe you.”

“That’s a fair point.” Kim nodded. “If you don’t pick someone I’ll paint your nails.”

“Mm.” Steve thought about it. Maybe he’d get a couple harsh comments, from Billy and Tommy, but he could really do anything and the school still thought he was manly or whatever. He probably spent an equal amount of time on his hair as most of the girls in the school, and he wore lip gloss on a few occasions, nobody seemed to care. Carol even painted his nails blue once, albeit in the summer. “Do you have yellow?”

“Damn.” Kim muttered. “Why do you get to have so much confidence in the face of fragile masculinity while at the same time thinking nobody likes you? That doesn’t match up.”

“Sorry?”

“Would you actually let her paint your nails?” Kim’s dad re-entered the conversation.

“Sure. Why not?” Steve shrugged before taking the last bite of his food. Kim’s father looked back at his daughter before slowly raising a finger to point at Steve.

“Marry him.” He declared. Maybe he didn’t notice Steve’s crush on Eddie.

“Um, no?” Kim laughed.

“Eddie’s gonna get a kick out of that.”

“Oh my god, you cannot tell him that.”

“I can.” Kim’s dad offered.

“No.” Kim buried her face in her hands. “Why are you both doing this to me?”

“Wait, if you tell Eddie you’d have to meet him. Does that mean we can all come over?”

“I suppose.”

“Yes!” Steve shot his arms in the air. “Thank you so much sir!”

“Charles will do just fine.”

“Oh. Okay.” Steve nodded. He was never going to get used to adults wanting him to use their first names.

“There are a few conditions though.”

“Okay.” Steve nodded, again.

“If you guys are over early or late enough to need food you have to cook it, I’m not cooking for seven people.”

“Understood, I can do that.”

“And you stay in the living room and kitchen, nobody goes to Kim’s room.” Charles added and Steve kept nodding. “And Eddie can tone the swearing down.” Steve did his best to stifle his laugh but Kim erupted with laughter.

“I’ll let him know.” Steve replied.

“Good.” Charles set his fork down on his empty plate. “Well, with that settled, and the food gone, I suppose you can go home.”

“Uh, yeah, okay?” Steve stood up. That sounded more like an offer than being told to leave but he wasn’t pushing his luck right after getting the okay to hang out over the weekend. “It was nice meeting you si- Charles.” Steve held out his hand with a smile. Charles shook it.

“I’ll walk him out.” Kim offered before grabbing his arm and tugging him out of the kitchen. “Do you have a crush on Eddie?” She whispered, halfway to the door.

“What?”

“It sounded like you have a crush on Eddie.” She continued, opening the door for him.

“I- That’s- No.” Steve scoffed.

“You’re a horrible liar.”

“Okay.” Steve groaned. “Yeah. I do.”

“Oh my god.”

“You cannot tell him. Hanging out with him is the best I’ve felt in, like, ever, okay? I can’t lose him over something so stupid. I’ll get over it, I just need time.”

“Why do you assume he doesn’t like you back?”

“Seriously? We have, like, nothing in common, the only reason we’re friends is because I ‘saved his life’ or whatever, and the second he realizes he doesn’t owe me for that he might stop talking to me, I don’t know, but the absolute last thing I’m going to do is speed that up.”

“Opposites attract.” Kim shrugged. Steve groaned. “Okay, I won’t say anything, I promise.”

“Thank you. You’re a lifesaver, seriously.” Steve gave her a quick hug. “See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Chapter Text

Hellfire (which totally includes Steve even if he still hasn’t played with them yet) arrived at Kim’s house around noon. Steve, third to arrive, immediately resigned himself to the kitchen to prepare lunch. He tried to push the others off and tell them to go have fun and he’d join them after the food but none of them were having any of it. Jeff and Kim were actively arguing with him when Eddie (and Gareth since he mooched a ride) arrived, Joey had to answer the door because of it. Kim’s father was sitting on the couch shaking his head apparently above getting involved. Eddie joined the others in the kitchen to join Kim and Jeff’s side, Gareth followed but Joey stayed in the doorway.

“I can’t cook and play board games or whatever at the same time.” Steve insisted.

“That’s true, however, who said anything about playing board games?” Jeff argued back. “We could just sit in here and talk while you cook.”

“But that’s boring for you guys. I don’t want to get in the way of you having fun.”

“Steve, sweetheart-” Eddie was momentarily distracted by Joey face-palming. “Um, you are not getting in the way of us having fun, we like to talk to you.”

“Yeah, you’re our friend, why wouldn’t we want to spend time with you?” Gareth added.

“I-” Steve tried but he paused barely a word in, shutting his mouth. Had they actually won that easily. Probably just cause it was five versus one. Sort of. What the fuck was Joey doing?

“It’s your old ‘friends’, isn’t it?” Joey asked. Maybe he was on their side then. Eddie didn’t get why he didn’t just join them fully in the kitchen then. “You know Tommy and Carol just weren’t good people, real friends would want to spend time with you.”

“Yeah, uh, okay?” Steve muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay.” He nodded.

“Good, glad that’s settled.” Kim hopped up into the counter, leaning forward so she didn’t hit her head off one of the upper cabinets.

“Ooooh, can I sit on the counter?” Gareth asked.

“No. Sit in a chair. I get the counter cause this is my house.” Kim argued.

“Get off the counter!” Her father called from the living room. Eddie snickered. Kim rolled her eyes but she jumped down to go sit at the kitchen table anyway. It only had four chairs so Eddie stood by Steve. Giving Joey the option to sit if he felt like moving out of the doorframe. Eddie started talking about their D&D campaign because someday he was going to get Steve to join and Steve did seem at least mildly interested in the story. The others chimed in and soon enough Steve finished their food and started asking Kim where the plates were.

“We can eat in the living room, there isn’t enough room at the table for us all anyway.” Kim explained as she placed a stack of plates next to Steve and he started scooping out their portions.

“If you stain the furniture your friends aren’t coming back.” Her father called.

“Uh oh, Eddie’s going to have to stay in the kitchen like it’s the thanksgiving kids table.” Jeff teased.

“Fu-” Eddie started to argue back but Steve clamped a hand over his mouth. He had told him to keep the swearing to a minimum but he didn’t say not at all. Maybe that was the only swear Eddie planned to use the whole day. It probably wasn’t but Steve didn’t know that. “Mhmmhmhmhn.” He wasn’t even trying to say words, just noise. It didn’t really matter. Steve shook his head but pulled his hand away to continue fishing out everyone’s food. Once they were each holding a plate, and Steve two, they headed into the living room.

“Here you go sir.” Steve passed Kim’s father a plate.

“Charles.” He corrected as he accepted the plate. Eddie stifled a laugh.

“Sorry, yeah.” Steve nodded before joining the circle on the floor the others had started. Joey sat the closest to Kim’s dad, or Charles. “How’s the pasta.”

“Delicious.” Gareth replied.

“Mmhm.” Jeff nodded, his mouth still full.

“You think I’d try it while you were distracted?” Eddie asked before taking his first bite. It was fantastic. Everything Steve cooked was fantastic. It made Eddie want to propose despite their fact that gay marriage was illegal and Steve was straight. And they weren’t dating. People tended to date before they got engaged. “It’s lovely. You’re the best cook in the world.” Eddie replied, food still in his mouth. Jeff shook his head at him but Steve smiled. “I am a little upset you managed to get me to try kale though. How dare you.”

“It really is. Wow.” Charles added.

“Thank you. I’m glad you all like it.”

“You’re gonna put my mother out of a job on thanksgiving.” Charles chuckled.

“W-what?” Steve stuttered, picking at one of his fingers.

“Did you just invite him to Thanksgiving dinner?” Kim asked. “It’s March.”

“I’m sorry, he’s already coming to my house for thanksgiving, Wayne met him first.” Eddie argued.

“What?” Steve repeated. Glancing at Eddie with wide, sparkly, eyes. The other boys laughed.

“You’re meeting my parents next.” Jeff declared. “Maybe if we get all the adults involved we can have a huge thanksgiving together with all our families.”

“Oh, next band practice you should bring cookies or something and share them with my mom, maybe she’ll let us all hang out inside the house if you keep bridging her with food.”

“Hold on. Today has to go well, you guys might not be allowed back at all.” Charles killed their fun.

“Would we be able to come back if we were girls?” Eddie asked.

“Oh, yeah, we could get wigs, except Eddie. I’ll be… Je… Jasmine.” Jeff snapped his fingers. “Joey could be Jo… sephine! Steve would be Stephanie, obviously. Eddie could be Ed- Ev- Edina. And Gareth… oh Gabby!”

“Gabby the Gare-bear.” Eddie added.

“I will strangle you.” Gareth shot back and Steve slapped his knee. Darting his eyes over to the adult in the room. Actually, Eddie was an adult. Damn. The other adult in the room. Fucking Charles. He could swear in his head all he wanted.

“Yeah, I’m not sure the rest of my family, or any of your families would find that very funny.”

“The strangling or the wigs and girl names?” Gareth asked.

“Either, but I was talking about the wigs and girl names.”

“My Uncle would find that hilarious.” Eddie argued. It was true. Wayne would laugh his ass off at something like that.

“My family would think it’s a bit odd but they’d probably roll with it.” Jeff shrugged.

“I think my parents are getting used to expecting things to be weird but my grandma might have a heart attack.” Gareth laughed. Steve went back to picking at his finger.

“I think mine would kill me.” He fixed out a laugh. “But they usually spend Thanksgiving away with my dads colleagues so what they don’t know can’t hurt me.” Steve shrugged, still fidgeting with his pointer finger.

“I’m gonna throw rocks at your parents.” Eddie stated. Steve’s eyes widened, he glanced back at Charles and then Eddie again.

“No.” He shoved Eddie’s shoulder, lightly.

“I’d like to second that motion.” Jeff held up his right hand. “Any other votes for throwing rocks at Steve’s parents?”

“I.” Joey, Gareth, and Kim all raised their hands as well.

“What?” Steve let out a breathy laugh. “No.”

“This is democracy Steve. Do you have something against democracy?” Jeff questioned.

“Well, he is King Steve, so,” Gareth shrugged.

“Oh shit.”

“Eddie.” Steve hissed.

“We have to overthrow the monarchy. I’m so sorry Stevie, it’s for your own good.”

“I’m pretty sure Billy already did that. I even got a nice concussion.” Steve tapped the side of his head and then winced.

“We’re throwing rocks at Billy as well.” Gareth repled.

“Absolutely not, he’ll kill you, that guy does not fight fair.”

“It’s five vs one.” Kim shrugged.

“No one is throwing rocks at anyone. You can joke about it, but I don’t want any phone calls, okay?” Charles butted in for another buzzkill.

“But dad.” Kim whined. “They deserve it.”

“I don’t doubt that, but you don’t need to get expelled or thrown in jail so close to graduating.”

“That’s fair, you don’t want to be like me, do you Kimmy?” Eddie teased.

“True, true.” Kim nodded. “It would suck to drop to Eddie’s level.”

“You could’ve stopped at true.” Eddie argued. Kim stuck her tongue out at him.

“We should paint our nails when we’re done eating.” Kim suggested.

“Oh my god.” Jeff groaned.

“I’m okay with that, mine are pretty chipped.” Eddie held up his hands for Kim to look at. “As long as you have back nail polish.”

“Of course I do.”

“I could probably do black.” Gareth looked at his own fingers.

“Come on.” Jeff groaned again, laying down on the floor. “Steve, you’re on my side, right?” He asked. Steve looked at his hands for a moment before looking back at Jeff and then glancing over to Kim.

“Do you have yellow?”

“Fuck it.” Jeff sat back up. “You’re painting my nails hot pink or not at all, if I’m getting bullied for this it better be fucking worth it.”

“Jeff.” Steve hissed. “I wasn’t even worried about you.” Eddie laughed.

“Sucker.” It was Eddie’s turn to stick his own tongue out. Unfortunately at Jeff and not Kim.

“Yeah yeah.” Jeff waved him off.

“Black or red for me.” Joey returned them to their previous topic.

“Cool.” Kim nodded.

“Oh, and, Eddie?” Charles asked.

“Yes, Charles?”

“Kim would like me to not tell you that I told her to marry Steve.”

“Holy shi-.” Eddie began but Steve clapped a hand over mouth, again. Eddie licked his hand and he yanked it away.

“Gross!”

“You steal enough of my drinks, I thought my spit was fine.”

“I don’t pour your drinks on my hand, do I?” Steve argued, wiping his hand off on Eddie’s sleeve. He kinda wished he’d left his jacket on because Steve might not have touched that if taking it to the dry cleaners was any indication. Eddie shrugged.

“Fair. Anyway, I was right. Can we appreciate that for a second? You know, Charles, I told Steve he should bring flowers to dinner.”

“What is wrong with you?” Steve smacked Eddie’s shoulder a couple times. Eddie just laughed.

“One I appreciate nothing.” Kim started. “Two, fuck your flowers.”

“Kimberley.”

“Three, I’m seconding Steve, what is wrong with you?”

“I don’t know, the doctors can’t figure it out.” Eddie joked. Steve leaned his head into his shoulder. “You good?” Eddie asked, leaning his head into Steve’s.

“Yeah.” Steve replied.

“Okay.” His plate was empty so Eddie just left it at that. “Also fuck you fucking his flowers.”

“Excuse me.” Kim laughed. “What does that even mean?”

“Their your flowers.” Steve argued.

“Nuh-uh. You’d be bringing them.” Eddie flicked Steve’s forehead.

“Mm.” Eddie felt Steve’s face scrunch up on his shoulder. “But I didn’t. They’re just your suggestion and therefore you’re imaginary flowers.”

“Whatever. Kimberley, you should appreciate the flowers Steve didn’t bring you.”

“What?” Kim fell over, laughing. “The audacity. I appreciate Steve not bringing flowers. I do not appreciate your suggestion for him to bring flowers.”

“I would appreciate flowers.” Eddie crossed his arms and Steve slowly lifted his head back up. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to jostle you.”

“No, that’s okay.” Steve stood up. “I’m actually um- I’ll be right back.” Steve headed out the front door.

“What the fuck is he doing?” Eddie asked and Charles sighed. Eddie was definitely not toning back the swearing.

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Jeff shrugged. Eddie looked over at the door.

“Is he mad at me about the flowers?”

“I highly doubt it.” Kim responded.

“Yeah, there’s no way.” Jeff agreed. “He’s probably physically incapable of being mad at you. He can fake it, like hissing at you to stop swearing, but he can’t really do it.”

“Maybe not over normal things but what if I- I don’t know, pushed too hard? Was that too much? I mean, everybody has boundaries.”

“I think you’re good, kid.” Charles replied. Eddie squinted at him. He wouldn’t be saying that if he knew Eddie was gay. He wasn’t even looking at him, he was just staring out the window. Eddie kinda wanted to tell him he had no idea what he was talking about but he also didn’t want to get kicked out, or banned from ever speaking to Kim again. Plus the door opened and Eddie snapped his eyes right to Steve. Honestly he might’ve said something if it weren’t for Steve’s perfect timing abilities. Steve closed the door and walked up to Eddie with a Dandelion in one hand.

“It was growing in the sidewalk, and I know it’s not technically a flower but…” Steve held out the flower to Eddie after he sat down. And it was definitely a flower to him. Probably even his favorite flower because it was outcast against the others. A weed. Eddie smiled at Steve and took the flower from him.

“Thank you.”

“You’re not supposed to pick the first dandelions, they’re for the bees.” Kim argued.

“Yeah, I know.” Steve mumbled, dropping his forehead into Eddie’s shoulder. Usually he rested the side of his head on Eddie's shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Eddie asked.

“Mmhm.” Steve grunted back. Eddie didn’t believe it for a second. “Shoot plates.” Steve lifted his head back up and started stacking all their empty plates together.

“Oh, no, I’ve got that.” Charles got up off the couch and held his hands out to take the stack from Steve.

“It’s okay. I dirtied them, I can wash them for you.” Steve insisted, standing up and heading for the kitchen. Charles shook his head.

“He’s always like that.” Eddie sighed, staring at the flower again. “You should probably get used to it, if you want to keep him around. He was really shocked when he came to my house and I said I’d make him food, because he was the guest, it’s like nobody’s ever cared about him before. Which is extra shitty because anytime I bring it up he tried to tell me Nancy was a great girlfriend. I don’t think she ever gave a shit about him, just what he could do for her. She was crazy to leave him.”

“Well that’s quite the ramble.” Kim laughed. Clearly forced though. “Careful there, Eddie.” He definitely sounded like he had a crush on Steve. Though, to be fair, he did have a crush on Steve. A massive one. Hell, he was probably in love with Steve. Definitely in love with Steve. Who wouldn’t be. Nancy fucking Wheeler appearently. Steve was too sweet for their world.

“I know.” Eddie eventually replied.

“Shit.” Joey mumbled, glancing between Eddie and Charles a couple times. Charles didn’t sigh that time, he was perfectly quiet. How come Joey got to swear? Shit. Joey’s playing bodyguard. Fuck. Eddie was being obvious and going to get himself kicked out or beat up and Joey thought he could stop it by being a barrier/human shield or whatever. They were all doomed.

“Alright, he’s probably washed half of them.” Charles started walking towards the kitchen. But Steve started walking toward the door as well.

“The plates are clean.” Steve announced as he re-entered the living room. Eddie didn’t miss the wince at the end though. What was up with him?

“Thank you, Steve, but never do that again.” Charles stated.

“What?”

“You’re a guest, kid. Enjoy yourself.” Charles waved his hand towards the others, still on the floor and Steve nodded, going back to his spot.

“Oh, I’ll get the nail polish!” Kim shot into a standing position and ran to her room.

“Okay.” Charles sighed, disappearing into the kitchen. Eddie was a little confused by that, he was under the impression they were going to be supervised the whole visit. Maybe he’d come back when Kim did. The group sat in silence for a little bit before Kim came rubbing back into the room, holding a small bag. Her father did not follow. Eddie didn’t know what to think about that. Maybe they were trusted now?

“Okay. I got the nail polish.” Kim placed a bag in the middle of the circle. Steve unzipped the pouch for her and started taking out the colors everyone had talked about. “And, for you.” Kim passed Eddie a bottle and some cotton pads. Eddie just raised an eyebrow at her. “To take the old nail polish off. So it’s not bumpy.”

“It’s fine.” Eddie waved a hand at her and reached for the black nail polish. Jeff smacked his hand away.

“We’re looking out best here. This is a group makeover and you are not dragging us down.” Jeff argued and Steve stifled a laugh.

“Fine. Fine.” Eddie started screwing the cap off the bottle. He put on one of the cotton pads over the top and then quickly flipped the bottle over and then back upright. He started wiping his old nail polish off as the others started on their nails. Steve was painting his own which he was unfairly good at. Kim was doing Jeff’s and Gareth was painting his fingertips as much as his nails while Joey laughed at him.

“Gareth, stop, just stop.” Jeff ordered. “Kim can do yours too.”

“Wow. How about you do his nails?”

“I’ve never painted nails before, I’d be just as bad as him.” Jeff argued. “That’s why you’re doing mine, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. Kim sighed. “I expected to have to do everybody but Eddie’s, but that doesn’t mean you get to volunteer me.”

“Steve’s managing his just fine over there.” Gareth pointed out.

“I used to paint Carol's nails for her if she was having a bad day.”

“Damn, you always were sweet.” Eddie cooed. He needed to get his shit together. Thankfully Charles was still gone at least. “Steve, why couldn’t you have just picked better friends from the start?”

“Tommy didn’t start getting so mean until fifth grade, and I didn’t necessarily pick Carol, she picked Tommy.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“I should’ve left sooner though.” Steve sighed. He scrunched his eyes closed after putting the cap back on the yellow nail polish. With another sigh he opened them. Something was definitely wrong.

“You okay, sweetheart?”

“Yeah.” Steve nodded. “I’ll help Gareth with his nails while I wait for this hand to dry.” Steve held up his left hand before scooting across the circle to sit in front of Gareth. Eddie had finished wiping off his old nail polish but still had to wait for Gareth’s nails to be done in order to get the black.

“Have you decided between black and red?” He asked Joey.

“Probably red.”

“Okay.” Eddie nodded, grabbing the red nail polish for him. Charles came back just as Eddie started on Joey’s nails. He sat down on the couch and opened the book he brought with him. Eddie finished Joey’s nails just after Steve finished Gareth’s. Steve passed Eddie the black nail polish before scooting back to his original spot. Eddie backed up as well. Kim had already started on her own nails, she was painting them dark purple, probably just didn’t want to wait for the black. Eddie glanced over at Steve as he unscrewed the cap to the black nail polish. Steve was staring at his hands. “You alright there?” Eddie bumped their shoulders together. Steve whined. “Whoa, hey, seriously, what’s wrong.”

“Nothing.” Steve hissed. “I’ve never painted with this hand before.” Steve held up his left hand and wiggled his fingers.

“I could do that one.” Eddie smiled at him. Closing the cap again and setting it aside. Eddie scooted over so he was in front of Steve and opened the yellow nail polish.

“Thanks.” Steve smiled, holding out his hand for him. Eddie took Steve’s hand in his own and started painting his nails. Did it count as hand holding? Probably not. But Eddie was never going to stop thinking about it anyway. Steve should slap him for being so fucking touchy. He was definitely going overboard. He needed to chill.

After Eddie painted Steve’s nails he finally got around to painting his own, his being the last done. They all started debating around him what they wanted to do next, except Steve who was suspiciously quiet and kept taking extra long blinks. Maybe it was weird that he noticed that. Too bad. It let him know something was wrong and that was the important bit. Eddie leaned into Steve’s space.

“Steve, seriously, are you okay?” He whispered. Maybe Steve just didn’t want the others to know.

“I’m fine.” Steve snapped back, it had way more bite than such and quiet and small voice should.

“You don’t look it.” Eddie replied. Steve sighed. He looked down at his hands and gently tapped his finger tips onto his nails, probably checking if they had dried. “Steve?” Eddie tried again.

“You worry too much.” Steve brought his hands up to the sides of his head and started rubbing his temples. Shit. He had a headache.

“Kim, could you get Steve some tylenol?” Eddie asked and Steve sighed. “How long have you had that headache?” Steve shrugged. “Stevie.”

“It started during the thanksgiving conversation.” Steve mumbled.

“Say something next time.” Eddie rubbed Steve’s shoulder, trying to get him to relax but Steve stayed tense and continued to frown at the floor. “Sweetheart, it’s not a bad thing to tell us you’re in pain, we could have been more quiet, gotten you pain meds way sooner, whatever’s help, because that’s what friends are for.” Steve leaned over, dropping his head on Eddie's shoulder again, but he was still pretty tense. Eddie took the small win and just kept rubbing Steve’s shoulder.

“Here.” Kim whispered, handing Steve a glass of water and two tylenol tablets. Steve had to sit upright to take them but leaned back into Eddie the second he swallowed them.

“Thanks.” Steve replied.

“So, what’s a quiet-ish game you guys would like to play?” Kim asked after she’d sat back to her place in their circle.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Nonsense.” Jeff argued.

“I had a headache for, like, half of your band practice last week, and I felt with it, pretty sure you guys aren’t getting any louder than that.”

“Steve, you’ve got to tell us this stuff.” Eddie rubbed Steve’s shoulder, again. “Please?”

“Okay.” Steve mumbled.

“Eddie, you should come raid the games closet with me.” Kim suggested. Eddie pouted at her and squeezed Steve’s shoulder.

“Please? Jeff will pick monopoly and we’ll all be screaming in like three seconds.”

“Wow, rude. I would not.” Jeff crossed his arms.

“Okay.” Eddie sighed. “Fine.” He let go of Steve and stood up to follow Kim to her kitchen pantry where all the games were. He poked his head in to survey what they had.

“Eddie, do you have a crush on Steve?” Kim asked.

“Jesus Christ.” Eddie dropped his face into his hands. “Okay, yes, but who doesn’t?” Eddie exclaimed, dropping his hands from his face. “You can’t blame me!” Eddie jabbed a finger at her chest.

“I’m- I’m not blaming you, chill out. It was just a question. You are so defensive.” She smacked his hand away.

“Sorry.”

“You should ask him out.”

“Absolutely not! Are you fucking crazy!?” Eddie whisperer shouted. “No way. Nuh-uh. Not happening. Over my cold dead body.”

“Jesus Christ, Eddie, calm down.”

“You just told me to ask Steve out. I am not calm. Fuck you. Steve would never speak to me again, that would be the end of our friendship. I can’t do that.”

“What? You do not know that.”

“Yes I do. He might be okay with me being gay but there’s no way in hell he’d be okay with me having a crush on him. Honestly I’m a little shocked he hasn’t caught on or asked about it, but I’m definitely not pushing my luck there and bringing it up myself.”

“Oh my god.” Kim mumbled. “I hate you.” She sighed, running her hands down her face before looking up into the pantry. “Let’s just play some games.”

Chapter Text

Steve is always shocked whenever somebody shows him any form of care. He tries to hide it, obviously, because he can see how much his shock hurts his friends. Although, no matter how good an actor he considers himself Eddie always seems to see right through him. It’s not fair.

Tommy and Carol used to pester him into going to parties while he actively had a headache. They wanted to have fun and he was being a buzzkill because he was letting his pain control him or whatever. But Eddie got him Tylenol and cuddled with him, and told the others to be quiet while they played board games. Steve was never going to get it. His parents could never even tell if he had a headache (if they were home of course, he wouldn’t expect them to instinctively know from the other side of the county). But Eddie could see it, and wanted to help.

When the group was done hanging out at Kim’s Steve went home and cried in his bed. He should be happy. He knew he should be happy. But he felt literally everything else. He was mad at Tommy, Carol, and his parents for not ever caring like his new friends did. He was mad at himself for not talking to any of them sooner. He was sad they had separated. He was sad that his life played out the way it did. Maybe if he been born into some other family he would’ve always been an outcast and he would’ve talked to them all way sooner. And he was disgusting with himself for crying in his bed over the fact that he finally had real friends his own age.

But mostly he was mad. At everything. Why did have to have his parents? How the hell did he even get popular? He had money, a big empty house, and didn’t look half bad? Was the whole world taht fucking shallow? Would he have been an outcast if any variable of that changed. He watched Star Wars, he hung out with middle schoolers, he cooked, he liked men to some degree, he was weird. Would people have noticed that and picked on him if he didn’t throw them parties? Would basketball save him from bullies even without the big house? Why were people so fucking mean anyway?

Steve punched his pillow. It made him feel worse. He curled up more on his bed as the tears kept falling out of his eyes. He was pathetic. He had a good day. What the fuck was he crying about? Steve forced himself to sit up and wiped his eyes. He took a deep breath. He was fine. He had a good day. He had nothing to cry about. He took another deep breath. The only thing left he had to do that day was eat dinner with his parents, and he wasn’t walking down the stairs looking like he’d been crying. He needed to pull himself together.

Steve dragged himself off his bed and stumbled into the bathroom. He washed his face over the sink. He was fine. He was more than fine. He was going to go make a stupid decision. Because why not? His dad was never going to like him either way. He was never going to convince his parents to give a shit about him and he should stop trying. He was going to make dinner. At least if he did that he looked rebellious and strong and not like a fucking baby who cried in his room about missed opportunities.

Steve took another coupon of deep breaths as he made his way down the stairs. He checked the kitchen first to make sure his mother hadn’t already started making something. He wasn’t disruptive, he just needed something to do, and cooking usually helped him feel better. Then, after knowing the kitchen was clear he stepped into the living room. His mother was lying on the lovers seat with her back up against the armrest reading a book. And across from her with his father, in his usual chair, with a few papers in hand, and a few more scattered on the coffee tables. It looked like work.

“I’m making dinner tonight.” Steve announced. It was not a question. His father scowled at him but his mother beat him to speaking.

“Oh, thanks dear.” She replied. She did not like cooking. She also wasn’t very good at it. Which was kind of surprising because his grandma, on her side, was an amazing cook, and teacher in Steve’s opinion. Maybe his mother was just a bad student. It was too late to ask though. Steve smiled at his mother, and left the room, giving his father no time to start an argument with him. He could yell at him after Steve was done cooking if he really wanted to.

Cooking did help, a little bit. Maybe it was something he had control over. Maybe he just liked being busy. Maybe it was the smell. Maybe it was because he made one of his grandma’s old recipes, since it would’ve been her birthday. But whatever it was it did its job and he felt slightly less angry. Only slightly. He still had a terrifying feeling rumbling around in his stomach that he might yell back at his father if a fight did come up. That was probably how he’d get hiseif kicked out, he’d been eighteen in only a few short weeks after all. ’Hey son, look what I got you for your birthday, homelessness.’

Steve sighed as he scooped out proportions for his father, mother, and self. He brought their plate to the dining rooms. His fathers plate went on the far left end and his mothers on the far right and Steve set his own down in the middle. Once the table was set he walked back into the living room, since his father hated when anyone other than him yelled inside the house.

“Dinners ready.” Steve announced with a well practiced smile. His father grumbled something he didn’t hear as he placed the rest of his work papers on the coffee table. Steve spun around and headed back for the dining room. He sat down in his chair but didn’t dare start eating without them. His mother would want to say grace and even though Steve didn’t believe in god anymore he wasn’t going to argue. Plus his father thought he was the most important and should get the first bite, Steve cared less about that but it did contribute.

Sure enough when his parents took their seats his mother clasped her hands together and shut her eyes in silent prayer. Steve mimicked the position because the fight wasn’t worth it, but nothing passed through his mind. Other than the anger at his parents he was trying to drown before his father started putting up a fight. Steve knew better than to argue and he already got what he wanted, there was no reason for him to let his anger boil over and yell back at his father.

“So, Steven,” His father began, of course using the long form of his name because he must enjoy the grimace it gives Steve every fucking time. “How’s school going?” At least he wasn’t about to start a rant over Steve cooking dinner.

“Fine.” Steve answered.

“Have you heard back from any colleges yet?”

“No.” Steve shook his head. March had only just started. He’d probably get the letters back around the end of the month. His father just nodded.

“Too bad.” His mother added, with a little pout Steve was almost certain was just for show. Why, he had no idea, maybe she just liked acting. The rest of dinner was relatively quiet, with only the sound of forks scraping plates.

Steve knew he should be glad he dodged an argument. Especially since he got what he wanted too. He also knew that yelling at his father would not solve any of his problems or make him feel better. In fact it would probably make him feel worse. But a small, traitorous, part of him still craved that fight. Maybe his life had gotten too boring recently now that he had friends that cared about him. Maybe he just needed life threatening situations to convince himself he was still alive. Maybe that was the upside downs fault.

Whatever the reasoning, it kept Steve up that night. It was definitely unhealthy. And Eddie probably would tell him that. Although Eddie might agree with fighting with his parents, he just wouldn’t appreciate the reasoning behind it. If Steve had guessed right anyway. Then again, Steve couldn’t tell Eddie about the upside down, which might make trying to explain his reasoning much harder. Not that he was actually going to talk to Eddie about wanting to yell at his parents. He was just going to think about telling Eddie and imagine his reactions, but never actually do it.

And maybe it was a problem that Steve was thinking about Eddie in the middle of the night. Another classic crush symptom he needed to stomp on. He could not lose all his new friends over a stupid crush. And not even just for himself, but for the kids. Eddie was planning a D&D session for them that they’d never get to play if Eddie realized Steve had a crush on him. So, technically, he wasn’t even being selfish.

Plus, being gay is hard, and Steve had the option to not do that and should take it. And curse every part of him that thought maybe it would be worth the struggle as long as he had Eddie. Eddie would never like him back anyway, and it definitely wasn’t worth losing him. Or Jeff, Kim, Gareth, and Joey, because as much as any of them have grown to like him they definitely liked Eddie more, so if Eddie decided he didn’t want to be around Steve they’d leave right with him. No matter how convinced Jeff was that he should ask him out.

Except, Jeff did seem pretty convinced. And he and Eddie had been friends for a long time. He probably knew Eddie very well. And if he thought Eddie liked him back then maybe- Nope. Absolutely not. He was not going there. Not worth the risk. He had good friends for the first time in his life and he was not fucking it up. Steve groaned and rolled over. It was going to be a long night.

The next morning Steve caught sight of his father’s wide open office door as he made his way downstairs for breakfast. His father very rarely left the door open, and on the few occasions he did he was always inside it. And if he was in his office on a Sunday morning it was going to be a fun day. His father would travel the world for work no problem but he did not work on Sundays. Sunday was the lord’s day and it was for rest.

And it was extra fun because his mom was already about to be mad at him for telling her he didn’t want to go to church. He hadn’t gone since he was fifteen and he’d appreciate being able to keep it that way. Then again, one angry parent was better than two, wasn’t it? He definitely didn’t miss church though. Steve sighed and dropped his head on the kitchen table, next to his plate.

“Something wrong, dear?” It was just his luck that that would be the moment his mother walked into the room. Steve lifted his head back up.

“No.” He answered.

“Okay.” She drew out the ‘a’ as she walked past him. “I think your father’s going to miss church this morning. But you’ll come with me, right?” Called it.

“Actually, I’ve got a lot of homework to work on.”

“Well maybe you should have done that yesterday instead of… What were you doing?”

“Hanging out with friends.” Steve mumbled back.

“And when did that become more important than your homework?”

“When did church become more important than my homework?” Steve shot back, immediately, zero hesitation. Which was a mistake, obviously, but it was too late to take it back.

“When did your friends become more important than church?”

“Since ever. Have you never had friends?” And wha the fuck was it, foot in your mouth day? He wanted to argue with his dad, not his mom. Steve took a deep breath. “Sorry.”

“Go to your room.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Steve nodded, stood, and promptly left the kitchen. Was he leaving half a plate of food on the table for her to clean up? Yes. But the anger over that was better than the anger that would have occurred if he’d stuck around. He made it to his room without incident and actually did start on his homework.

Probably an hour later (Steve wasn’t the greatest at telling time) he heard the front door shut. With his mom gone maybe he could head back downstairs to get breakfast? Then again, he’d rather not piss his dad off while he was already working on a Sunday. So Steve stayed in his room. After another half an hour or so he ran out of homework to do. He groaned, dropping his head into the completed homework sheets on his desk. He really didn’t know what else to do.

Steve sighed as he stood up. He spun in a circle looking around his room. Maybe he could use music as a cure for boredom. He grabbed his Walkman and a The Cure cassette Will had given him. He said it was also from Mike, since he would never give Steve anything of his own accord. Steve laid down on his floor in the middle of the room (it reminded him of Eddie) and put the headphones on.

Surprisingly, it did help. Whether that was just the music, just the floor, or both Steve would probably never know. But at least he was starting to feel a little better by the end of the album. Even if he also kinda wanted to just go hug Will. It was the ‘I Want to be Old’ song that swam around his stomach in a new kind of worry. At least he wasn’t bored anymore? Still thinking about Will listening to that song ached. He had his childhood robbed from him, and then could just listen to a song about wanting to be old hoping he makes it there and doesn’t die young as a result of all the shit he’s gotten wrapped up in. Or maybe even something else. He was only thirteen and people were already calling him slurs.

The phone rang, dragging Steve out of his thoughts. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to run downstairs and answer it or just let it ring till his dad answered. He decided on waiting, if he got yelled at for it so be it. He’d definitely get yelled at for answering the phone when he’s not supposed to after all.

“Steven! It’s for you!” His dad called. And that was weird. He didn’t get a lot of phone calls, and he was pretty sure he told everyone that might call him that his parents were home so they absolutely should not call him. Unless it was an emergency. Steve ran down the stairs. His father glared at him as he handed him the receiver. Steve held it up to his ear.

“Hello?” He asked.

“Steve!” Dustin screeched into the phone. Steve yanked it back away from his ear with a wince. Which sucked extra because his dad was watching him. And Steve definitely said only to call for an emergency. “I need a ride.” Dustin demanded. That did not sound like an emergency.

“Explain.” Steve brought the phone back to his ear now that Dustin had calmed down slightly.

“Well, I guess we need a ride. We’re at the arcade, and some douchebag slashed all our tires.” Okay, Steve can give him that. He didn’t really want all of them walking home either. And Joyce certainly wouldn’t want Will walking home.

“Alright.” He sighed. “I’ll be there in twenty.” And he hung up the phone.

“Since when do you hang out with children?” His dad asked, leaning against the kitchen island with his arms crossed.

“It started off as just babysitting my ex-girlfriend's little siblings, and then turned into all her brother's friends.” He replied. “I have to go now, he’s stranded at the arcade.” Steve spun around before his father could argue and promptly left the house.

As he pulled out of the driveway he caught the front door opening out of the corner of his eyes, but he was already in the road, and he had somewhere to be so he did not stop. Whatever his dad had to say could wait till he got home.

The kids weren’t outside already when he pulled up to the arcade. He parked in front of the building, and opened his door just as Dustin came running out of the building, shouting.

“Steve! We’re not leaving now, we just got here before I called!”

“What? Then why’d you tell me to come?” Steve asked as the other three boys stepped out of the arcade.

“I asked if you could, I didn’t say now! But then you hung up! I tried calling back.” Dustin crossed his arms.

“My dad came to the door.” Steve smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand.

“Dumbass.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Steve waved him off.

“Well, since you’re here,” Mike began, “You could at least give us some mon-”

“Absolutely not.” Steve placed his hands on his hips. “You have your own money.”

“No he doesn’t.” Lucas replied. “He has Nancy’s money.”

“Of course he does.” Steve sighed. “How much did you steal from her?”

“Uhhh… See you later.” Mike smiled and spun back around towards the doors. Steve shook his head.

“So, when should I pick you up?”

“In a couple hours.” Dustin replied. “See you then.” He waved before joining Mike inside the arcade, the other two quickly turning to join him.

“Wait, what are- Oh, come on.” Steve pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

“What?” Will asked. Steve dropped his hand from his face.

“What are we doing about the bikes?”

“I don’t know.” Will shrugged. “They won’t fit in your car.”

“Yeah…” Steve chewed on his tongue slightly as he thought, “I might have an idea.”

“Oh?”

“I have a friend.” Steve answered before scurrying off to the telephone booth. He called Eddie.