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Steve Harrington, retired king of Hawkins, has invited Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Nancy Wheeler, Chrissy Cunningham, and Vickie Dunne to hang out at his place. They’re going to watch a movie, specifically the movie ‘Halloween’. Sure, Eddie has had a crush on this guy for years, but today will not be the day he confesses. He’s discussed that with Chrissy and Vickie for what feels like hours.
“But, Eddie! You’re both so obviously in love with each other!” Chrissy exclaims from where she’s in an unusual position on Eddie’s bed. Her legs propped up against the wall and her back on the bed, making her head fall back and her ponytail to hang from her scalp.
“Yeah! You both definitely have some heated tension!” Vickie adds from where she’s sat next to Chrissy, tracing shapes on her shoulder as her own legs dangle from Eddie’s bed.
“Shut upppp!” Eddie drags, sitting on his chair with wheels he bought from a yard sale, spinning around in circles at a nice pace.
“Eddie and Steve, sitting in a tr-“ Chrissy doesn’t end up finishing her song, as Eddie covers her mouth with his hand. She licks Eddie’s palm, causing him to flinch away like he’s been burned.
“Chrissy Victoria Cunningham. If you do not stop behaving like an impolite five-year-old right this instant. I will have no choice but to make you go off with your head.” Eddie voices.
“That’s not even how you say it, dumbass.” Vickie insults, giggling with Chrissy.
“Well, it’s not my fault I’m not a bisexual medieval girl.” Eddie mumbles. Making the duo laugh.
“What are you even saying?!” Chrissy chuckles.
“You sound so stupid right now.” Vickie blurts.
“Ugh! None of you are both help! You just come over to my house to eat my snacks, don’t you.” Eddie accuses, making Chrissy sit up and criss-cross her legs, holding Vickie’s knees.
“Guilty as charged.” Chrissy says smugly.
“I wear that title as a crown.” Vickie giggles, her voice slightly muffled from the chips she’s eating.
“Also, don’t you guys have a date?” Eddie reminds.
“Yeah, our date is here in your house.” Chrissy points out like Eddie’s dumb.
“Duh.” Vickie mumbles.
“Back to the topic. I hereby announce that me, Eddie Munson, will not propose my deep feelings for retired king of Hawkins, Steve Harrington.”
“Alright, nerd.” Vickie teases. “Whatever you say!”
“Shut up!!” Eddie yells. Hiding his reddening face behind his hands.
**
Nancy, Steve, and Robin are scattered across Steve’s living room couch, blankets and snack wrappers littered around the room. The trio basking in the fresh sunlight beginning to seep through the windows of the house.
“Steve. This is your fault. I feel so bloated and fat right now.” Robin accuses.
“You already are, dingus.” Steve teases.
“Hey! That’s my line!” Robin exclaims, waving her hand around in an attempt to smack Steve with it, not even bothering to see if she’s even hitting anything.
“Not anymore.” Steve whispers.
“Can both of you shut up. I’m tired as fuck, my throat is dry, Robin’s right, I feel fat, I can barely stand up, and I need to use the restroom.” Nancy groans.
“Hangovers suck.”
“Especially if you eat a truck load’s worth of Halloween candy.” Robin adds.
“Steve, are you actually going to make an attempt at getting along with Eddie, if you aren’t, we might as well get a huge shirt and make you two wear it.” Robin suggests.
“Good idea, Robs.” Nancy compliments. The duo sharing a fist bump from where they’re sitting lazily on Steve’s couch.
“Can you two stop flirting. I said I might try getting along with him. Plus, his girlfriend Chrissy is coming. That leaves no time for me to say anything to him.” Steve reminds.
“Oh, Stevie. Chrissy isn’t his girlfriend, y’know? Chrissy and Vickie are dating. They came out to you like, a week ago, dumbass.” Robin insults.
Steve rolls his eyes in annoyance, the two adults sitting next to him beginning to drive him crazy.
“I think I might throw up.. The sky is spinning.” Nancy groans.
“I feel you.” Robin agrees.
“Do you guys think we shouldn’t have done this?” Steve asks.
“Definitely shouldn’t have.”
“I regret everything.”
The trio all groan at the same time, a mutual agreement to never do this again.
“Ugh, fine. Maybe I will try to catch up with Munson.”
*
It’s the day of the sleepover, Robin and Nancy were the first to ‘arrive’ having already been there and their stuff stashed away in Steve’s room.
“Me and Nancy will go get our stuff.” Robin informs as the duo walk up the stairs, hand-in-hand.
“Okay!” Steve yells from where he’s setting up some blankets and makeshift beds. Considering they’ll all sleep in the big living room.
The doorbell rings. Steve walks over to the front door and opens it, Eddie Munson standing before him. Steve quickly looks him up and down, unintentionally, of course.
The metalhead is wearing eyeliner, some chains around his neck, a faded Metallica T-shirt, his usual leather jacket+denim vest combo, a pair of black, skinny jeans with a chain dangling from them, and some white shoes.
“Hey, Harrington.” Eddie greets with a grin, holding a duffel bag close to his side.
“Hey, Munson. Come in.” Steve replies, holding the door open for Eddie.
“Thanks. Where are Nancy and Robin?” Eddie asks, looking around the living room.
“They’re getting their stuff together. Also, why the big bag?” Steve asks.
“Oh, this is Chrissy and Vickie’s stuff. My bag is in the van.” Eddie answers.
“Let me guess, you have an entire suitcase, don’t you?” Steve jokes.
“Nope! It’s actually just a pretty small bag, but of course, the lovebirds practically begged me to bring a six-pack of beer, so I have that in the van as well.”
“Then where are Chrissy and Vickie?”
“Bringing my stuff in, I don’t know, we just grabbed a bag and are decided to take it inside.” Eddie responds.
“Oh.” Steve mumbles.
“Yeah, they take forever to get out of the car, they’re probably still doing their makeup.” Eddie chuckles.
“Same with Nancy and Robin, I don’t know why they’re taking so long. I’ll go check on them. I’ll be right back.” Steve excuses himself.
“Alright.” Eddie acknowledges. Chrissy and Vickie entering the house shortly after.
“Where are the other three?” Vickie asks, holding the six-pack of beer as Chrissy holds Eddie’s bag.
“In Harrington’s room. He went to go check on ‘em but I bet they’re just making out or something.” Eddie shrugs.
“Okay!” Chrissy replies, ecstatically. “We’re going to have so much fun!”
“Oh, woo-hoo, I bet we are.” Eddie says blankly.
“Oh come on, Eds. Cheer up a bit!” Vickie encourages. “You don’t usually act like this.”
“It’s just that my ugly-as-fuck Demo-Bat scars are tugging stubbornly, today.”
“That’s not an excuse, Eds!” Chrissy sing-songs, grabbing Eddie by the arm and forcing him to raise his arms in the air like he’s on a rollercoaster.
“Ah-fuck! Chris, that’s exactly how my scars rip open!” Eddie yells.
“Oh! Sorry.” Chrissy apologizes.
“It’s alright. I’ll go ask Harrington if he has gauze.” Eddie forgives.
“Okay! We’ll set your stuff up!” Vickie calls after him.
Eddie walks up the stairs, he sees Steve at the end of the hall, knocking on the door of the room where Nancy and Robin are at.
“Hey, Harrington? Do you have gauze?” Eddie asks. Steve turns towards him and nods.
“Yeah, of course. Why? Did your scars rip open? If they did, I can help you with the bandages.” Steve offers.
“Um, sure.”
“Okay, so the first aid kit is below the sink in this restroom if you need to use it for other reasons. I can help you remove and replace the gauze is you want.” Steve rambles, leading Eddie to the bathroom with the first aid kit.
“Yes please. I.. don’t really know how to take if off or add it..” Eddie mentions, his face turning slightly red.
“That’s okay, I can teach you.” Steve waves off.
“Thank you.” Eddie thanks.
“No problem, now take off your shirt.” Steve orders.
Eddie takes off his shirt, lifting his arms only if strictly necessary.
Steve observes Eddie’s bandaids, looking to see if there’s blood leaking through. Eddie’s face is turning red with the close proximity, the other man basically brushing against Eddie.
“Hm, it seems okay, but I’ll switch them out either way.”
“Okay.”
Steve begins to take off the gauze, trying to be as careful as he can. The white lacing peeling off slowly.
Eddie whimpers when Steve tugs significantly rougher at a certain piece.
“Sorry! Sorry!” Steve repeatedly apologizes.
“It’s okay.” Eddie forgives.
When Steve is finished taking off most of the gauze, Nancy, Chrissy, Robin, and Vickie all appear at the door of the bathroom. Steve had forgotten to close the door and the position Eddie and Steve are in is… compromising.
Steve is leaning over Eddie, trying to get the last piece of gauze out, while Eddie is pushing against Steve, allowing him an easier way to remove the last piece.
“Were you two making out?!” Chrissy exclaims.
“No?!”
“Nononono!” Eddie shouts, “He was just helping me with my gauze!”
“So you were..” Robin mumbles.
“NO!” Steve and Eddie both yell at the same time.
“Dang, okay.. cranky pants.” Vickie whispers, causing the other three to giggle.
“Just- get out!” Steve demands. His voice cracking slightly. Eddie’s face heats up, turning a deeper shade of red by the second.
Once the girls leave, Steve continues nursing Eddie’s bites. Unrolling the gauze and wrapping it around Eddie’s waist tightly.
“Munson, that looks painful, but remind me to check you out more, oh my god..” Steve teases. Tracing Eddie’s slim waist. Eddie’s face reddens even further than before. “I’m joking, don’t worry.” Steve adds with a chuckle.
Eddie lets out a sigh of relief. Not wanting to make the tension feel weird if he doesn’t react.
***
Eddie, and Chrissy decide to combine their mattresses together with the help of Vickie. Then they begin draping blankets over it, creating a makeshift fort.
“—And done!” Eddie confirms, adding the last pillow to the fort.
“I’m actually impressed by how you guys managed to do this.” Steve admits.
“The last 2 people who say ‘not it’ last has to sleep in the fort!” Chrissy giggles.
“3… 2… 1!”
“Not it!” Chrissy claims first.
“Not it!” Nancy yells.
“Nor it!” Robin squeaks.
“Not it!!” Vickie screeches.
“Not it!” Eddie shouts.
“Not it!” Steve says.
“Haha! Guess Steve and Eddie have to share the fort!” Robin laughs.
“They were already making out earlier, I see no problem in them sharing a bed.” Chrissy shrugs.
“We weren’t making out!” Eddie defends. “And there’s no way I’m sharing a mattress with Steve Harrington.”
“Yeah. You guys can’t keep me from using my own bed!”
“Watch us.” Nancy bets. That gets both of the whiny men to shut up.
“Ugh, fine. But, I call dibs on the blankets.” Eddie exclaims, jumping into the fort and snatching all of the blankets.
“Hey! That’s not fair! I should get at least one!” Steve protests, hitting Eddie with his pillow.
“What the f- hey!” Eddie yells, hitting Steve back.
“Uh oh..” Nancy mutters.
“PILLOW FIGHT!!” Chrissy, Robin, and Vickie shout excitedly.
“Oh god.” Eddie mumbles.
The group all break out into a fight. Hitting each other with the soft pillows and wrestling to stop each other.
Eddie hits Steve atop the head with his pillow, causing Steve to retaliate and hit Eddie back. The duo both begin to fight with their pillows as the girls all commence chaos around the living room.
Steve tackles Eddie to the ground, causing him to practically pin Eddie to the floor.
Eddie tries to fight back, punching and kicking Steve. But Steve takes the upper-hand by grabbing Eddie’s slim wrists in one of his hands and pinning them above Eddie’s head. Using his free hand to hold his legs together.
Eddie freezes once he realizes what position they’re in. His face heats up.
Steve picks Eddie up by the limbs and launches him onto the couch, causing Eddie to land with a thud and chuckle.
“Harrington!” Eddie yells.
Steve then begins to join the fight with the other girls, hitting and tripping them when he gets the chance.
Eddie stays to the side, already getting a little tired. He informs that he’ll go order pizza. Eddie walks over to Steve’s phone and dials the pizzeria.
“What pizzas do you guys want?!”
“Hawaiian!”
“Pepperoni!”
“Vegetable!
“Any!”
Eddie decides to just order all of the options the group asked for.
“Yes, can I get one Hawaiian pizza, one pepperoni, and one vegetable? Thank you, have a wonderful night.” Eddie orders.
“I ordered the pizzas, they’re coming in 15 minutes, so we should probably change and play a game.” Eddie announces. The group all quiet down and go change.
Steve wears a pair of plaid pajama pants and a white T-shirt. Eddie wears a Black Sabbath shirt and a pair of shorts. Chrissy wears her light-pink nightgown. Robin wears a pair of light orange pants and a grey-ish teal shirt. Nancy wears a pink shirt and pink pants. Vickie wears a pair of grey pants and a green shirt.
“Let’s play spin the bottle!” Chrissy says excitedly.
“Sure.”
“Why not?”
“That seems fun!”
“Alright.”
“I don’t see a reason not to.”
“Okay, here are the rules. You have to either slap or spend 7 minutes in heaven with each other. You’ll pull one of these two pieces of paper and whatever it says, you have to do. Every time someone finishes drawing and reading what to do. You put the paper back in and shake the cup around.” Chrissy explains.
The other five make sounds of approval.
“We can use one of Steve’s empty beer bottles. By the way, how are you not drunk yet? You’ve drank like, 4 bottles.” Robin asks.
“I don’t even know if I am or not, I can barely tell.” Steve replies.
Robin places the beer bottle on the rug.
“Who wants to go first?”
“I will!” Vickie volunteers, she grabs a pice of paper and read it out loud. “Me and the person chosen will have to slap each other.”
Vickie spins the bottle, it lands on Steve. He makes a shocked but amused face.
First, Vickie slaps Steve.
“Wait, are we sure this is okay?” He asks, cautious to not hurt her.
“We were literally pillow fighting earlier, we’re fine.” Vickie shrugs.
“Alright.”
Steve slaps Vickie, not hard enough to hurt her, but hard enough for her to feel it.
Then Robin spins the bottle, she gets 7 minutes in heaven and the bottle lands on Nancy. The duo both redden, but they comply and go to Steve’s guest room.
“Alright, who’s going next?” Vickie asks.
“I guess I will.” Eddie mutters after no one volunteers.
He draws the paper, and gets 7 minutes in heaven. His face heats up slightly. Eddie spins the bottle… it lands on Steve. Eddie begins to blush furiously as Chrissy pushes them toward Steve’s room.
*
When Steve and Eddie make it to his room, the tension is awkward. None of them knowing what to do.
“Have you done this before?” Eddie asks.
“Yeah, but with girls.” Steve replies.
“What are we supposed to do?”
“Well, we’re supposed to, y’know, make out.” Steve explains.
Eddie freaks out internally when Steve walks over to him. Steve looks at him, then looks away.
Eddie wonders if Steve will actually go by the rules and kiss Eddie. Eddie gets his hopes up a bit too high when suddenly,
“But um.. I’m straight, Munson.” Steve awkwardly mentions.
“Oh.” Eddie mutters, his whole world feels like it’s falling apart. His heart aching like it was just ripped apart, like Steve Harrington just ripped out Eddie’s heart and is holding it right in front of him.
Eddie was such a fool, he fell for the straightest guy in Hawkins. Steve Harrington. Steve—goddamn—Harrington.
Eddie’s so stupid. Steve was so obviously straight. Eddie never had a chance with him. Steve is out of his league. I mean, he’s the golden boy of Hawkins and Eddie’s… well, the freak of Hawkins. They don’t go together. And even if they did, Steve would never date someone like Eddie. Steve is gorgeous, his skin is perfectly tanned. Eyes holding the stars. Meanwhile Eddie’s eyes always look tired and his skin is impossibly pale. Steve is popular, Eddie technically is, too, but Steve wouldn’t be caught dead kissing a ‘devil worshiper, freak, satanic cult leader’, now would he?
Eddie feels like he can just hurl right then and there, he feels nauseous.
Eddie never knew unrequited love could be so terrifying. That is, until he actually knew how it felt. Eddie never really got to know how it felt until now. Most of his life people ran away or thought he was too loud, expressive, and weird. They were freaked out by Eddie. And yet, he wore the ‘freak’ title like it was a crown. But secretly, Eddie hated himself for it. The facade was just an act, hiding the way words like ‘fag’, or ‘freak’ actually got to Eddie.
People just don’t love Eddie Munson.