Work Text:
All things considered, once he realises he has a crush on Eddie he doesn’t do much with it, Instead he’s uncharacteristically tame about it. Because it’s one thing to have a crush on Eddie, and it’s another thing to be his friend. Neither are things that Steve thought he would ever have but he knows which one he values the most, knows which one needs to be preserved at all costs.
And not just because thinking about the fallout if he inevitably fucks this all up is not worth considering. He doesn’t want the kids having to pick sides.
Even with all of that on his mind he can’t help but want. He finally has a name that explains the feelings he’s been suppressing for years. Is working through various examples of behaviours with Robin to try and work out that yes dingus, people don’t look at boys like that unless they think they’re hot and want to do something about it.
He doesn’t know where he’d be without her.
(Well, that’s not true. He knows where. Still in the closet, not even realising he’s trapped in there and potentially doomed to be living a half life with an unnamed secret on the tip of his tongue he might never find).
Robin’s pretty great about the whole thing.
Robin is also an absolute menace about it all.
“So what’s the plan then?”
“What plan?”
“The plan for Steve Harrington to get his man.”
“There is no plan.”
“You’re kidding?!”
“No? He’s my friend, Rob. I can’t lose that by being…”
“Why did you just gesture to all of you?”
“You know why.”
“You really think all of that,” she says mimicking his gesture, “Is going to put Eddie off?”
“Yeah? I get migraines and nightmares. The kids that won’t leave me alone or give me a single day of peace. My history of being chronically clingy and falling too fast is just common knowledge that he somehow already knows? Which part of that is meant to be attractive to him?”
“The part where it’s you? Look I know you’re new to this but trust me. He’s not said anything but Eddie’s been crushing on you for years. The only difference is he actually knew what it was where you didn’t. But now you do. I’m telling you, dingus, go for it. So I’ll ask again. What’s the plan to get your man?”