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"You remind me of my mum." Six simple words were spoken in the silence of the night. So sad and yet so loving. They light up Steve's heart in a way he's never felt before.
He didn't know much about Eddie's mum but from those words, she sounded amazing. 'Was' being the keyword.
"H-how so?" His voice broke from lack of use, and by the emotion, he tried to keep calm as he spoke softly.
Eddie sighs and shrugs. "She was tough but kind. I know you weren't always; I mean, you're still kinda a dick, but the way you are with the kids..." He lets his words trail off.
Steve nods, sort of understanding what the metalhead means. "Was she good with kids?"
Eddie smiles softly. "Yeah, even to the kids who hated me. And she protected me from a lot of shit. There's probably still stuff I don't know about. But it's not just that."
Steve turns to his side to look properly at Eddie, egging him to continue.
"It's the way you look at me and like, also kinda how you look in general." Eddie mumbles.
"Are you saying I look like a woman?" Steve raises an eyebrow.
Eddie chuckles. "Sometimes, when you put your hands on your hips you look like an asperated mother. But that's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean Eddie?" Steve asks softly, with no judgment.
Eddie shrugs again. "You may call me a freak but you don't look at me like I am one. I mean, you did, but after like ten minutes of actually talking to me, you stopped, you actually cared for my safety."
Steve nods. He goes to speak, but they both jump when they hear a noise. Eddie covers Steve's mouth and brings a finger up to his own lips. They both breathe quietly in sync for a moment until they're sure whatever caused the sound is gone.
After a while, Eddie speaks up again. "You look like her too. Soft, natural, curly brown hair. Golden brown eyes. Endearing smile."
"Wow, man. Almost sounds like you're in love with me."
"Almost." Eddie repeats softly with a chuckle.
"You're not like imprinting on me are you? 'Cause like you're older than me. That would be weird." Steve jokes.
Eddie rolls his eyes. "I'm not a duck."
"You sure? You do waddle around and make lots of noise like a duck." Steve receives a punch to the arm for that. "Ow! Okay, not a duck. Got it." He says chuckling. "Then what did you mean by the whole 'you're like my mum' thing if you don't see me in a parental way?"
Eddie blushes. "Nothing. It was just an observation. Like the way to treat the kids."
Steve shifts closer with a smirk. "Are you actually in love with me? They say men are more attracted to people who are like their mothers." He teases.
Eddie grumbles. "Shut up."
"Seriously Eddie, I-"
"No, actually shut up..." Eddie whispers.
"Aw, come on, I-"
"Steve!" Eddie hisses. Steve opens his mouth again but Eddie slams his lips into the lighter brunette man's own.
Through the ringing in his ears due to surprise and embarrassment, Steve can hear the crunching of leaves and someone muttering to themselves. "I swear I heard someone talking over here..."
Eddie knows he shouldn't have done that, let alone actually kiss Steve, lips moving and everything but he couldn't help himself. It was just meant to shut him up, but when was he ever going to get the chance to kiss Harrington again Surprisingly, Steve didn't push him away, but he didn't kiss back either.
Eddie awkwardly pulls back as he hears the footsteps retreat. "Uh... That was close, huh?" He chuckles uncomfortably as he looks away.
"Eddie..."
"Sorry." He says looking down at his lap.
Steve sighs and runs a hand down his face. "Eddie, it's fine."
"No it's not."
Steve cups Eddie's cheek lifting his face to look into his eyes. "Yes, it is." He says softly. "I was talking. I almost got us caught. You did what you had to do. And I didn't mind it."
"You didn't?" Eddie asks in disbelief. "The... The kissing I mean?"
Steve shakes his head, rubbing Eddie's cheek with his thumb. "I was just surprised and trying not to get caught. Although that was much more than just a shut-up kiss." He teases.
Eddie blushes again. "Uh, yeah..."
"I want a chance to react." Steve leans in with a smile.
"There you are!" Robin whispers as she crouches next to them. Steve and Eddie jump back slightly, and Steve's hand falls as she looks between them and smirks. "Pardon the interruption." She chuckles.
Eddie looks at Steve, worried, but Steve sighs. "You could pretend you didn't find us and give us more time alone."
"No can do Steven. Rules are rules." She says, lying next to him. "But you can always pretend I'm not here..."
"The moments ruined anyway..." He mumbles as he grabs Eddie's hand, fingers intertwining. He lies down next to Robin, pulling Eddie with him as they all look up at the stars.
Eddie sighs. "You're gonna be so insufferable about this aren't you?" He asks.
"Obviously!" Both Robin and Steve say at the same time causing them both to chuckle.
"Great..."