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When Eddie went to gym a few days ago, he expected it to be a normal day. Some sort of physical activity coach thought wasn't that difficult, that the jocks would enjoy, and everyone else would quietly suffer through.
He didn't expect to find a leather bracelet doused in an unfamiliar, yet comforting, scent; and he never would have guessed it was Steve Harrington who slipped it in his gym locker.
"It has to be a joke, right?" He asked his friends.
"I don't know, Harrington doesn't seem like the type to mess around about courting," Jeff said, reassuringly.
"Besides, you have a disgusting crush on him. Might as well see if he means it right?" Bear tacked on.
"Yeah, you should put something in his locker. If he reciprocates then feel it out, if he doesn't then you know he's a dick," Gareth shrugged, like it was so easy.
"And what if he is serious? He thinks I'm a beta. I'd have to tell him the truth, do you think I can trust him?" Eddie asked.
His band mates shared concerned glances. They hadn't thought of that.
"I think you could. He may be kind of a bitch, but he's not a complete tool," Gareth mumbled.
Eddie wasn't nearly as sure as they were, so he decided it was best to ignore him and let whatever crush Harrington had on him die sooner rather than later.
That is, until after lunch the next day. A dozen roses were taped to his locker. In a panic, he ripped them all down and shoved them inside the locker, eyes darting around frantically.
Steve stared at him from across the hall. Of course.
A conversation in the woods, the removal of scent patches, and suddenly Eddie's in false heat. Thankfully, Steve really was a gentleman.
The way he swooped Eddie into his arms and kept him safe until he was back in his nest, had Eddie swooning. When Eddie didn't want to spend the night together, Steve was so understanding that he almost changed his mind.
If he wasn't so nervous about being with an alpha, Eddie probably would have.
Thankfully, the heat hadn't been terrible and was relatively short.
The next morning, he didn't expect Steve to actually show up. Scentmates or not, rolling up to the high school with the freak in your front seat was bound to cause a stir.
Asking said freak to wear your Letterman was sure to set the whole building on fire. Not that Eddie minded.
He'd never admit it to anyone, but the idea that Steve wanted to claim him so publicly made him weak in the knees. Of course, Eddie laid his claim just as obviously.
It should be a federal crime for a preppy jock to look so fucking hot in a metal head's battle jacket.
The stares and whispers were not surprising. Eddie being bothered by them was. Normally he didn't care what anyone thought of him. People were constantly talking behind his back; but these comments were far crueler than the Satanist, freak allegations.
Seriously, Harrington and the freak? Is Steve really that desperate for a fuck?
There's no way this isn't some kind of prank. I actually feel bad for him.
I bet Munson put some kind of spell on him. No way he likes him for real.
Do you think it was a bet or a dare?
I bet Steve's only with him to score free drugs.
And those were some of the nicer ones.
It ate away at him for hours. Notes passed to him, calling him a rebound, a loser, a fool.
Eddie's sure if people knew his real designation, the comments would be worse.
But it's not like the mouth breathing masses didn't have thoughts on that too. The note in his hand proved that. Steve won't ever settle down with a beta.
Can that be true? If Eddie really was a beta, would he and Steve still be scentmates? If they weren't scentmates would Steve have moved on pretty quickly?
There's no way to know for sure. Eddie knew if he asked, Steve would say he wanted to court him anyway and even if they weren't scentmates he would have wanted him.
But in the back of his mind, Eddie worried it was just a phase. Scentmate or no, Steve would get tired of slumming it with the freak.
That is, until lunch rolled around.
Eddie stared at his sandwich, lost in his thoughts when a loud growl echoed through the room. All noise stopped, every head turned to see Steve baring his fangs at his friend.
"That 'loser beta', is my beta. I’m courting him and if you value your life, I suggest you leave him and his friends alone.” Steve glared, turning to the rest of the cafeteria. “That goes for everyone. Keep my beta’s name out of your unworthy mouths or I’ll knock your teeth out.” A snarl followed the declaration.
Eddie's heart skipped a beat as Steve sat at their table.
"You didn't have to do that," Eddie whispered, even as he flushed happily. He pulled a chunk of hair over his face to hide it.
"I know," he shrugged.
The cafeteria returned to its normal volume just for Gareth to open his mouth. "Did you really do a body shot off-" Eddie snagged Jeff's eraser off the table and chucked it at his friend.
It's been a month since then.
The mean notes have stopped, as have the snide comments. He's sure people still gossip in the corners of the hall and behind library books, but now that he knows Steve really likes him, Eddie doesn't care.
The courting gifts haven't stopped either. After the flowers, Steve gave him a set of pastel D&D dice. Something to make him think of the alpha when he plays.
Then, there was the nesting pillow to help give Eddie's nest more structure. It was really only given when an alpha intended to spend many nights with an omega.
When Steve first gave it to him, the implication made Eddie blush from his hair to his toes. Still, they haven't actually spent the night together.
Steve didn't want to rush him which Eddie appreciates; but, they haven't done much of anything, just simple hugs and the occasional kiss. It's starting to annoy him.
If Steve's past relationships are any indication, he loves physical affection. Sure, he has an arm around Eddie when they walk through the halls, but that's nothing compared to the way he'd shove his tongue down Nancy's throat between classes.
Eddie wants some of that.
The problem is Eddie's never been in a relationship before. He's had quick make out sessions in closets, a few exchanged intimate touches in club bathrooms...but never undressed, never all the way, never something serious.
He hasn't even cuddled with someone, other than Wayne, since he presented. Too afraid they'd find out what he really is.
He's not ashamed of being omega, quite the opposite; but he knows his classmates would make his life hell if they found out. They barely keep their distance thinking he's a beta. There would be no protecting his sheep as an omega.
Now that he has Steve, maybe he could stop hiding. Let himself lean into the more omegan traits he's held back. He knows Steve doesn't mind, but he also knows the alpha wants pups. So does Eddie.
He can't hide his nature much longer if he wants to have the big family he dreams about.
All that to say, Eddie's not sure how to tell Steve he wants to move to the next level. Cuddling on the couch or in his nest, kissing, touching. He's not ready to go all the way yet, but some second base action might be nice.
"Eds?" Wayne calls, waving a hand in front of his face. Eddie startles so hard he nearly falls off the couch.
"Jesus, Wayne! When'd you get home?" Eddie exclaims, clutching his chest.
"A few minutes ago. You were a little space cadet," Wayne chuckles lightly and pats Eddie's shoulder. "What were you thinking about?"
"Steve," Eddie sighs. Wayne knows all about the alpha. Eddie's never been able to keep a secret from his uncle; not that he wants to hide his scentmate.
"Mhm, what that boy get you now?" The fondness obvious in the question as Wayne takes a sip of his coffee.
"Nothing actually," Eddie replies. He wants to ask for advice, but he doesn't know how to phrase it. Face burning, Eddie just blurts it out, "What gift should I get that tastefully tells an alpha I want him to feel me up?"
Wayne chokes, spitting coffee all over the table. With a wince, Eddie runs to the kitchen and grabs a hand towel.
"Sorry," he says.
"I don't know why I'm surprised you'd tell me that," Wayne mumbles as he wipes off his face. "Just promise me you'll do that kind of thing where I won't walk in and see it."
"I promise," Eddie nods.
"Thank you," his uncle sighs. "Now, why don't you get him a blanket or something. It's the universal sign for 'let's snuggle' or whatever you kids are saying nowadays."
A blanket! Why didn't he think of that?
Eddie spends hours combing thrift stores for the best throw blanket he can find. It's got to be big enough for the two of them but not so big they have no reason to lay close. It can't be too scratchy or too hot. It has to be a pretty color.
After three stores and over a dozen blankets, Eddie finds it. It's light red, linen, and a little longer than he is tall. Perfect.
He takes it home and gives it a good wash. Then, Eddie puts it in his nest for the time being to get it completely saturated with his scent. Steve's taking him out this weekend, so Eddie needs to have the blanket ready by then.
He spends days rubbing himself all over it, being sure to drag his glands along the edges, marking it thoroughly. By the time Saturday rolls around, the linen smells more like him than Eddie does. With a grin, he folds it up and slides it into a scent proof gift bag.
Steve arrives right on time.
"Hey baby," Steve smiles when Eddie opens the door.
"Hi sweetheart," he replies, holding out the bag. "I got you something."
With an excited smile, Steve takes it and peeks inside. Steve zips open the scent lock and blinks rapidly as Eddie's thick lavender scent wafts from the bag. He takes a big inhale, eyes rolling back into his head a little.
"I figured we could watch a movie at your place and if we get cold..." Eddie trails off. He flutters his eyelashes and bites his lip, aiming for flirtatious.
"That sounds like a great idea," Steve grins. "In fact, I think I'm pretty chilly already. Should we get going?"
Eddie nods, closing the door behind him and skipping down the steps. Steve opens the car door, letting Eddie slide in.
Before he shuts it, Steve rubs his wrist along Eddie's neck, scent marking him. A happy sigh escapes his lips as Steve's pine forest scent surrounds him.
Hopefully when he gets home tonight, Eddie'll smell like he spent hours in the woods. If the frequent glances Steve throws his way are any indication, Eddie's wish will come true.