Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Steve walks into Family Video, spots Robin behind the counter, and immediately can tell something is off. She gives him a sort of pleading look and as he comes up to the counter, about to turn towards the back room, Robin bows her head, screwing her eyes shut and smacking the palms of her hands together in plight.

“Sorry!” she exclaims.

Steve is a little stunned, not sure what this is about. “What now?” he asks.

She looks up at him apologetically, cracking one eye open. “… I sorta forgot I have this family thing tonight that I really can’t weasel my way out of.”

Steve blinks at her for a second. It’s a little early in the morning.

“The movie?” she says.

“Oh!” They’ve got tickets for Stand By Me at six that night. “You can’t make it? But we already got tickets, dude…”

“I know, and that’s taken care of!” she hurries to add. “My ticket won’t go to waste.”

Steve cocks an eyebrow at her, waiting for her to elaborate.

“… I gave it to Eddie,” she tells him.

“Oh,” is all Steve says. Eddie who fought alongside them against Vecna. Eddie who almost got killed distracting the demo-bats. Eddie who he hasn’t seen in weeks because… he’s not sure why, when he thinks about it.

“If that’s alright.” Robin says, frowning at him.

“Yeah, ‘course. Why wouldn’t it be? I’ll miss you though.”

Steve heads to the back room to get his vest. He’s suddenly nervous about the movies tonight. Robin keeps looking at him when he comes back out to stand at the counter with her, getting ready to open shop.

“What,” Steve says, more a statement than a question.

Robin pauses for a second. “Nothing. Just, it is alright… right? Like, there’s not something weird between you guys that I don’t know about or whatever?”

“No,” Steve says, frowning. “No no, nothing weird. I just haven’t really seen him in a while, is all.”

“Oh,” Robin says, relieved. “Yeah, I think he’s been drawing into himself a little lately, which was kinda why I invited him too. I really don’t think it’s good for anyone to spend too much time alone after what he went through. What we all went through.”

“Yeah, you’re right. That’s not good,” Steve says, as he walks up to the door to flip the sign from Closed to Open.

As he reaches the counter again he hesitates for a second before he asks, “You've been hanging out with him though?”

Robin shrugs. “Occasionally. He’s a really good guy, and I do wish more people would see it. Amazing taste in movies actually.” She smiles, almost privately, as if reliving some memory.

“Really?” Steve finds the smile is contagious. “Has he seen the movie already?”

“No, but he said he wanted to.”

They’re interrupted when the doorbell rings abruptly and the first customers of the day enter — a pair of boys of about 12, wearing matching Jar-Jar Binks tie-dye shirts.

Robin sighs. “Here we go.”

It’s a moderately busy day, being a Saturday in the fall, just as school has started up again. The day actually goes by pretty quickly for a change, and suddenly it’s ten to five and almost closing time.

That’s when Steve remembers he’s meeting Eddie at the theatre in about an hour. His stomach does a weird swoop.

“Hey uh, Robin? Do you mind if I leave when I’m done putting away these?” He gestures to a box of returns he’s working on, the last of the evening. “I wanna have time to head home and like, get ready. Before the movie.”

Robin smiles lopsided at him. “Sure,” she says, amusement in her voice. “Things are more or less taken care of, I’ll just sweep the counter and lock up.”

“Thanks, Robin.” He hurries to put away the last of the returns.

——

Steve parks his car in a lot about a block from the theatre at a quarter to six. He was able to get home to take a quick shower and change into something that didn’t have the smell of work all over it. You don’t go out meeting people smelling all stale, he’d told himself, trying not to think about it too much.

When he reaches the theatre at ten to, he spots Eddie by the entrance, and he stops for a moment. He looks the same as always. Ripped jeans, denim over leather, some faded band t-shirt underneath. Silver rings and, Steve notices, chipped black nail varnish. He’s also wearing a bandana in the same fashion he did in the upside down. Eddie is tapping his foot and bringing a cigarette to his mouth. He looks surprisingly soft, Steve thinks, in the glow of the early evening sun.

He starts walking again and Eddie notices him a second later. A smile spreads across the other boy’s face and he throws the cigarette butt to the asphalt, stomping it out with his foot.

“Harrington!”

“Hey,” Steve says, and finds himself smiling back.

“Hope you’re not too disappointed, Robin said it was a last minute thing.”

“Dude, that’s fine.” They start walking into the theatre. “I see her practically every day at the store. Haven’t seen you in a hot minute though.”

Eddie’s smile drops almost imperceptibly. “Yeah well, I probably haven’t been the most fun to hang out with lately. After everything.”

Steve’s smile drops too. “You know we’re all here for each other, right? If you ever need anyone. Kind of part of the package.”

Eddie gives Steve a lopsided smile. “Yeah, thanks. I’m just not always great at like, asking, I guess.”

Steve can sympathise with that. He nods.

“Anyway!” Eddie claps his hands together. “The movie, right?”

“Right!”

They get popcorn and find a pair of seats almost in the middle of the third row.

“Been a while since I saw a movie in the theatre, man,” Eddie comments as they sit down.

“Yeah? What was the last one?”

Eddie frowns in contemplation. “Back to the Future, last year. Been to a couple of drive-ins though.”

“What was the last drive-in then?”

“Well uh, don’t judge me too harshly, King Steve, but I did go to a showing of Grease a couple weeks before… everything.” Eddie smiles sheepishly.

Steve laughs, “Hey, I’m not judging. Olivia Newton-John in those tights?” He whistles appreciatively.

Eddie looks at him with a strange smile. “Yeah, sure,” he says, a little cryptically, but Steve doesn’t have time to analyse it, because the movie is starting.

At first, Steve finds the presence of Eddie next to him distracting, for reasons he can’t quite pinpoint. Their knees are almost touching. Their hands sometimes brush over the popcorn between them. But it’s a good movie, and it draws him in.

By the end, Steve is blinking furiously, trying to hold back his tears as the narrator talks wistfully about boyhood and friendships lost. He doesn’t quite dare glance over at Eddie, but he’s noticed that the other boy is sitting very still.

Finally, as the credits roll and the lights go back on, Steve glances over at Eddie, who still hasn’t moved. His eyes are glued to the screen, a hand over his mouth, and his eyes are indeed shining with unshed tears. He glances back when he notices Steve and gives a watery smile. “That was fucked up, man.”

Steve breathes a wet laugh. “Yeah. Kinda was. Fuck if it wasn’t a good movie though.”

“Oh yeah,” Eddie nods.

They get up and head for the exit, Steve picking up the empty popcorn cup and throwing it in a trash can by the door. Once outside, Steve isn’t sure what the next move is, and they sort of just stand facing each other for a moment.

Eddie, scratching his chin, breaks the silence. “So uh… this was fun. Never thought the day would come when I’d hang out with Steve Harrington one-on-one, but I guess it’s just the latest in a long string of unbelievable things that’ve come my way lately.” He huffs a laugh, glancing at Steve.

Steve matches his laugh. “Yeah, no, I mean, crazier shit has happened, if you think about it.” He pauses for a second, thinking about his next words. “And I do count you among my friends now. Just in case that wasn’t clear.”

Eddie gives a mock bow. “Truly an honour, King Steve.”

Steve feels his face flush. “No, I didn’t mean, that’s not—“

Eddie’s smile is kind when he interrupts him, “I know, Steve, I’m only teasing you. Sorry, you were being all sincere and shit and I guess I kinda ruined it.”

Steve scratches the back of his neck, still blushing. “That’s alright, man.”

He suddenly feels like he doesn’t quite want to go home yet. He knows what’s waiting for him; a big, empty house, full of ghosts. And he does enjoy Eddie’s company, more than he would’ve thought only a month ago.

“So uh, if you want to,” Steve starts, trying to get the words out before he can think about them too much. “It’s sort of tradition for me and Robin to go to the milkshake place down the road after a movie.” It’s not completely a lie. They’ve done it a couple of times, although calling it a tradition might be a stretch.

Eddie nods, contemplating, fiddling with his hair. “Alright,” he finally says. “Milkshakes with Steve Harrington. Why not?” His tone is teasing but not unkind, and Steve really hopes the heat in his cheeks is not as obvious as it feels.

They get to the milkshake shop, and Steve was expecting it to be busier on a Saturday evening, but the place is not even at half capacity. Then again, it is kind of big for a place that only does milkshakes; diner-style bar counter and tables with comfy seating arrangements.

Steve goes straight for the counter, ordering the same thing he’s had the last few times he’s been here — banana and chocolate chip — while Eddie takes his time looking at all the options, a serious look on his face. Steve chuckles to himself has he’s waiting for his own order. Finally, Eddie goes for a strawberry vanilla shake — “I dare you to mock me, Harrington” — and they sit down at one of the more private tables, sort of tucked in a corner with high seats. As he sits down opposite Steve, Eddie takes off the bandana he’s been wearing, placing it on the table and ruffling out his hair.

“No, why are you taking it off? It looks badass, man.”

Eddie looks up at him, amused. “Was getting a lil hot. But I do agree, it looks pretty badass. Maybe that’s why I wore it today,” Eddie says, glancing down at the milkshake in his hands before taking a sip through the straw.

Steve takes a sip of his own shake, suddenly nervous, and opts for a change of subject.

“Robin told me you’ve got amazing taste in movies.”

Eddie cocks an eyebrow. “Did she now?”

Steve nods. “Seems like the two of you are regular old movie buffs together.”

Eddie chuckles. “Maybe we are. Turns out we have a few more things in common than just having fought evil incarnate together.” There’s an indecipherable glint in his eyes.

“What about yourself? You and Robin seem pretty close. Not sure why, but I wasn’t expecting that,” Eddie continues.

“Oh.” Steve glances down, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah, I mean, she’s awesome.” He looks back up at Eddie. “We’re just friends though,” he says, almost on instinct at this point. “She’s uh… I’m not really her type.”

“Oh yeah, I know,” Eddie says, smiling gently.

Steve’s brain doesn’t compute for a second before it clicks. “You know?”

“I know, Steve.” There’s a laugh in his smile as he says it.

“… Okay, good. I can’t always be sure, you know.” Steve tries to ignore the way his head is spinning right now.

“Of course, I get that,” Eddie says with a nod, then gives Steve a level look. “Small town like Hawkins though, we tend to know about each other.”

Steve blinks at him a few times, brows furrowing. “What do you mean?”

Eddie just looks at him, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Steve…”

“Yeah…?” Steve stares at him for a moment. Turns out we have a few more things in common than just having fought evil incarnate together. His eyebrows shoot up. “Oh.”

Eddie’s smile is definitely amused now.

“So you— you’re, I mean—“ Steve gesticulates as he’s trying to get his point across.

“Yeah, Steve. I’m gay.” There isn’t really anyone in immediate earshot, but Eddie’s voice is lowered nonetheless.

Something definitely feels like it short circuits in Steve’s brain, although he’s not sure why. People being gay isn’t that shocking, especially when he’s been friends with Robin for so long.

“Okay, cool. That’s cool,” he finally manages, hoping his voice doesn’t sound too strained.

Maybe it does, because Eddie looks at him and asks, “You sure?”

And suddenly it’s very important to Steve that Eddie knows he’s cool with it. After all, Eddie’s such a nice guy. He doesn’t want him to feel rejected.

Looking up to face Eddie fully, he says, “Yeah man, it’s fine. I mean, Robin is like, my best friend. I’m not gonna be an asshole about something like this.”

Steve feels very rewarded at the small smile Eddie gives him then. It looks almost shy, but maybe that’s Steve’s imagination.

“Yeah, good. It’s just, it’s different sometimes, between guys. They’ll start looking at you weird, shun you like you’re some disgusting creature, or just straight up commit a hate crime, you know.”

Steve knows of course, especially with a small town like Hawkins, but his heart sinks all the same, hearing Eddie say it.

“Hey man, I’m never gonna think you’re disgusting, okay? You’re like, one of the nicest guys I know.”

Eddie keeps smiling at him and it does weird things to Steve’s insides.

“Good to know,” Eddie says quietly, like it’s something private between just the two of them.

And yeah, Steve can feel the warmth creeping up his face, but he decides not to look at that too deeply right now. He doesn’t want to freak Eddie out or make him think he’s gonna look at him different just because of this. Because he’s not. He’s really not. He’s still the same guy. Nothing’s different. Nothing at all. Steve wills himself to believe it. Because why would it be different?

“Oh and,” Steve says, like he just remembered, “I don’t know if this needs saying, but I’m gonna say it — I’m obviously not gonna go around telling people.” He gives Eddie a serious look.

Eddie practically beams at him. “I know you’re not, Steve Harrington. But thanks.”

It gives Steve this weird, swooping feeling in his chest. Eddie really has this magical effect that makes you feel like you’re the only person in the world. Like he’s always giving you his full and uninterrupted attention. Steve gets why the little twerps are so in awe of him. It’s very difficult not to like the guy, once you know him. He’s just effortlessly charming and charismatic.

Steve finds himself smiling back. “‘Course, man.”

For a moment, they just sit there, and Steve thinks it should feel awkward, but it doesn’t. Then he remembers he’s actually got a milkshake in front of him, and he busies himself taking a long sip. Eddie does the same.

“So,” Eddie says, breaking the silence. “What did you think about the movie?”

“Oh man, it kinda knocked the air out of me a bit, you know? It like, hit close to home.”

“Fuck, it kinda did though, didn’t it? It’s like, we’re about to hit adulthood or whatever, right? And you kinda wanna hang on to that familiarity of childhood but at the same time being small and kinda powerless, it kinda sucks, right? But then, the summers are never as long and adventurous as when you’re 12 years old.”

“Yeah, I mean, I can’t even really say I had friends like that growing up, but there’s something about childhood and the way everything feels endless, right? And that feeling just kinda, becomes locked in time. Like you can’t reach it anymore.”

Eddie nods. “Exactly. It’s totally bittersweet, man.”

“And those kids were amazing. That’s some talent right there.”

“Oh, for sure. That Chris guy? I’m telling you man, that kid is going places.”

Eddie is easy to talk to. He’s genuine and warm and sweet. Steve wonders why he never gave the guy even a second glance before everything with Vecna. Well… he knows why, but it makes him a little sad to think about. How many great people did he miss the chance to meet in high school because he chose to hang out with assholes? Because he chose to be one himself for a long time.

Their conversation flows so naturally and comfortably, Steve hardly even thinks about the time before one of the servers approaches their table with an apologetic look. “We’re closing in ten, boys.”

Eddie checks his wristwatch. “Shit, it’s almost 10:30,” he says, clicking his tongue.

“No shit,” Steve says, surprised. “Have we been here for almost three hours?”

“Looks like,” Eddie says as he rises from his seat, picking up his bandana.

“Where did you park?” Steve asks once they’re outside.

“I didn’t,” Eddie admits, “I kinda just walked here actually.”

“Really?” Steve says, surprised. “I’ll drive you then.”

“It’s no biggie, it’s only about 30 minutes.”

Steve laughs. “30 min— I’m driving. No arguments.” He holds up a finger like he’s scolding a child.

Eddie gives a mock bow, conceding. “If you say so, Harrington.”

“I do say so, Munson.”

They get to the car, and Steve opens the passenger door for Eddie before he gets into the driver seat himself. As Steve starts the car, Eddie wastes no time rifling through the cassettes in Steve’s glovebox.

“Roxette, Buzzcocks, Bonnie Tyler,” Eddie lists the artists, holding up each tape in playful mockery of Steve’s taste in music. He shakes his head. “Be serious, man. Kate Bush… actually, Kate gets a pass,” he concedes, putting in the cassette. An upbeat bass starts playing through the tinny speakers.

“Did the king of rock find some humble tunes to suit his tastes among the rubble of my music tapes?“ Steve drawls as he pulls out of the car park.

Eddie gives him two middle fingers and Steve flips him one right back, eyes on the road and one hand on the wheel. Eddie gives a delighted laugh and Steve smiles, glancing back at the other boy. The short ride back to Eddie’s trailer is mostly spent in a companionable silence, Eddie drumming his fingers on his legs along with the music.

All too quickly, they reach their destination and Steve puts the car in park. They’re both looking out the windshield at the trailer, but neither speak for a moment.

Eddie is the one to break the silence. “Well,” he says, turning to Steve, “this was fun.” He looks sincere about it too.

“Yeah, it was,” Steve says, and he’s sure he didn’t mean for it to come out quite so soft and earnest.

“Let’s uh, let’s do it again sometime,” Eddie continues, his own voice soft.

“For sure,” Steve says, keeping his eyes on Eddie’s.

They sit like this for another moment, neither moving, before Eddie takes a deep breath and opens the passenger door. “Alright. See you around, Steve.”

“Yeah, see you,” Steve answers, a little dazed. When the other boy is out of the car and about to close the door, it’s like something kicks into gear in Steve’s mind and he says, “Eddie.”

Eddie stops immediately, leaning down to look back at Steve, who’s suddenly unsure what he wanted to say. “… Good night,” he finally settles on, looking up at Eddie.

Eddie gives him an amused smile. “Night, Stevie.”

And he closes the door and walks up to the trailer, disappearing in the door without a backward glance. Steve just sits there for a moment, collecting himself, before shaking his head as if to clear it. He puts the car back into gear and peals out of the trailer park a moment later.

——

Monday is another Family Video day. Steve ends up sleeping in. By the time he pulls himself out of his near comatose state and stops hitting snooze, it’s barely 5 minutes before he needs to be at the store.

“Shit,” he groans. ”Shit, shit, shit…”

At least Robin is opening today. She gives him a withering look when he joins her, 20 minutes late, messy and out of breath from running.

“Well, well, look who decided to honour me with his presence today,” she drawls.

“I’m sorry,” Steve says, holding up his hands in defeat and heading to the back room.

“Too much partying this weekend?” she asks sarcastically as he comes back out with his vest.

“Ha, ha, that’s so funny I forgot to laugh,” he deadpans. He hasn’t been to a party since his senior year, and Robin knows it.

She makes him sweep the floor while she prepares the register and sorts out the counter for opening. At 10 on the dot, she flips the sign, and they’re open for business. It’s a slow day, as expected from a school Monday.

Steve is still sweeping, just coming up to the nooks and crannies by the counter when Robin asks, “So how was the movie?”

Steve takes a second to answer. “It was good. Really good,” he says, without looking up from his sweeping. “Totally bittersweet. Kind of a tearjerker, if I’m honest. But really good.”

“Yeah, that’s kinda what I heard,” she says, leaning her elbows on the countertop. “And how was Eddie?”

“Eddie seemed… good, too,” he says.

“Okay… that’s good.”

“Yeah, we kinda uh, we kinda hung out after the movie.”

“Really? What did you guys do?”

“... You know that milkshake place down the road from the theatre?” Steve says, looking up at her.

Robin’s eyebrows shoot up. “You went for milkshakes after the movie? You and Eddie, alone?”

“Yeah,” Steve says, feeling a little defensive all of a sudden. “We did. Like you said, he’s a really nice guy,” he shrugs, “we just hung out, you know.”

“Yeah alright, okay, I get it,” Robin says, throwing her hands up in a peace offering. “What did you guys talk about?”

“Uh… the movie. You know, just… stuff,” he says, looking down at the floor again, mopping at the same spot he’s been working on for the last ten minutes. It’s probably clean enough to eat off of at this point.

“... Right,” Robin says, amused.

Steve stills in his movements, resting his hands on top of the mop handle as he looks up at Robin. “Actually, he,” and Steve knows there’s no one in the shop with them yet, but his eyes instinctively scan the place nonetheless, “he kinda came out to me.”

Robin’s eyebrows shoot up to her hairline again, and suddenly Steve feels ice in his stomach. The way Eddie had said it, it had sounded like Robin already knew, but… “Oh shit, you knew, right?”

She chuckles, “Yeah, I knew, Steve. I was just surprised he told you. I mean, it just didn’t seem like you guys were very close. You said it yourself, that you hadn’t seen him in a while.”

The tension leaves his body, and he sags a little against the mop. “Yeah, no, that’s true. But we were like, talking about you, and he said he knew that you’re a lesbian, or he implied it, because he’d figured out that I knew at that point, and then when I seemed surprised, he was like, ‘small town like Hawkins, we tend to find each other’, or something like that. And I was a bit stupid for a second, but then I kinda got it, you know. And I get why you guys found common ground now.”

“Hm,” Robin says, and she almost looks impressed. “Well, we don’t exactly flock to each other, or anything, Hawkins is still a bit difficult like that, but when you meet people and hang out, it kinda just… clicks sometimes, I guess.”

Steve nods, “Sure.”

Robin gives him a soft smile. “You know he’s in a band, right?”

“Oh, yeah, I heard. Coffin… something?”

“Corroded Coffin. They play the Hideout on Tuesdays. Eddie kinda gave me an open invitation last week. Do you wanna go?” She raises an inquisitive eyebrow at him.

“Uh, so like, tomorrow?” Steve asks.

“Yeah, you’re not working tomorrow, right? I have an early shift. He said they usually get up on stage around 7.”

There’s that swooping feeling in his chest again. “Sure. Yeah. Let’s do that.” Steve goes back to his mopping, making quick work of the area around the counter.

“Sweet,” Robin says, “I’ve been curious to check them out.”

“It’s like, metal or whatever, right?”

“I assume,” she nods. “Not usually my scene, but if what Dustin claims is true, he’s pretty good with that guitar.”

Steve chuckles. “Yeah, Dustin didn’t shut up about that for like, an entire week.”

“That’s putting it mildly. If you ask him about it, I’m sure you’ll still hear no end of it,” Robin says, smirking.

He snorts. “I have no doubt.”

The day trudges ahead, slow as syrup. They have maybe a total of 5 customers in the course of their 7-hour shift, and at the end of it, Steve is ready to go straight back to bed, despite it being just after 5 in the afternoon. He tells Robin as much, but she’s having none of it.

“You can’t seriously go straight home and back to sleep at 5 in the afternoon dude, get it together.” She seems to think of something. “Hey, if you’re not totally opposed to seeing it again so soon, how about we go see if the 6-o’clock showing of Stand By Me is on today?”

Steve considers it for a moment, but can’t really think of a reason why not. Lord knows he doesn’t have anything productive planned for the evening. He shrugs, “Yeah sure, what the hell.”

There is indeed a showing at 6, and they get the tickets. They end up sitting almost in the exact same seats he had been sitting in with Eddie two days before, and by the end, Robin is honest-to-god bawling. It’s no less tear jerking for Steve the second time around either.

“Oh my god,” Robin says as they leave the theatre, wiping at her eyes. “Bittersweet doesn’t cover it by half, dingus.”

He laughs softly. “It sure is something.”

“You know, what really did me in though, was Chris’ breakdown by that tree. That kid is so good. You know, where he’s all like, ‘it’s just the way people look at me in this town’ and shit.” She gives Steve a significant look. “We know someone like that, don’t we?”

Steve’s breath catches in his throat. He hadn’t even thought about that. Eddie was cleared by the police, in the end, but people's minds aren’t swayed so easily. A lot of people still cling to resentment, and Steve knows what his reputation was like even before the allegations.

“Fuck, you’re right,” he says.

Robin smiles. “You didn’t talk about that on Saturday?”

“It didn’t come up, no. I didn’t even see it.” A pause. “We talked for like, hours though.”

“Really?” she says, intrigued.

“Yeah, we just sat in that shop until closing time, I didn’t even notice. You know, it pains me, but I have to admit I get why the kids love him so much. He’s like a natural-born talker. Storyteller. Whatever. I’ve never played D&D, but it doesn’t surprise me that he’s good at it.”

Robin nods, her eyes a little round, “Uh, yeah, for sure.” A small smile plays on her lips.

They reach Steve’s car and he asks Robin if she needs a ride, which she claims she doesn’t, and so they part ways.

“Meet me at the Hideout tomorrow at 6:30?” she asks, confirming their plans before leaving.

“Oh, yeah, that sounds good,” Steve says. “Good night, Robin.”

“See ya, dingus,” she says, waving at him as she goes.

Steve stands and breathes in the quiet evening air for a moment before opening the door to his car and getting in the driver’s seat. Then he drives home to his big, empty house full of ghosts.

——

“Why do I even bother,” Steve asks the universe at large, frowning. His hair is even floppier than usual and impossible to whip into shape. Or that’s what it feels like anyway.

And then there’s his outfit. This isn’t usually a problem for him, but for some reason, just throwing on the first clean polo shirt in his closet doesn’t quite cut it tonight. He takes care to only buy clothes he actually likes, specifically so this doesn’t happen. Still, all the options feel… wrong, somehow.

It’s 5:40 and Steve needs to leave the house in half an hour. Forty minutes if he stretches it.

He leaves the bathroom, coming into his bedroom, and he spots Eddie’s vest on the dresser. He’d carefully hand washed it, folded it, and put it there to give it back the next opportunity he got. And then it’s… kind of just been sitting there since.

Steve looks at himself in the mirror, heaves another sigh, and takes off the dark blue polo he put on ten minutes earlier.

“Fuck it,” he decides, and gets a long sleeved, black T-shirt from his closet. Then he eyes the vest on the dresser like he’s a sheriff in a B-rate western and his arch nemesis just swaggered into town. He bites his lip and makes up his mind.

Steve gets to the Hideout five minutes before 6:30, when he’d agreed to meet Robin. He can’t see her by the door, even as he tries to look around, and he debates with himself if he should go in alone or not. He’s never actually been to this particular bar before. While it doesn’t have a bad reputation, it doesn’t exactly have a cool reputation either, at least not with the people Steve used to hang with in school. Then again, Steve had hung with some pretty shitty people in school.

As he’s standing by the door, looking around and wondering what he should do, he hears a voice behind him.

“Steve?” He turns around. It’s Eddie.

Eddie smiles at him, surprised. His hair is partly tied back in a bun, the rest of it hanging loosely over his shoulders. He’s carrying something heavy-looking in his leather-clad arms, and Steve realises it’s an amplifier. Another guy, looking about the same age as Eddie but heavier-set, walks past him and into the venue, carrying some chords. They must be getting ready for the gig.

He blinks at Steve. “What’re you doing here, man?” Then he looks down and notices, “Is that my vest?” Eddie asks, amused.

Steve suddenly feels incredibly silly, heat creeping into his cheeks. “Uh, yeah.” He looks down at himself. “I washed it and then I meant to give it back…” he trails off.

Eddie looks him up and down, before meeting Steve’s eyes. “Keep it,” he says. “Looks good on you.”

And Steve doesn’t know what to say to that, but before he can think of anything, Eddie continues, “Sorry man, this thing weighs like a tonne, I’m just gonna go in and put it down.”

This spurs Steve into action. “Oh! Right, yeah, do you need any help?”

“Nah, I’m good, but come on in, dude,” he says, motioning with his head toward the door.

Steve follows him into the bar. It’s dimly lit and most of the tables are still unoccupied, but it’s also kind of early in the evening, he thinks. He spots the stage towards one end of the bar. It’s a decent size, and it looks like Eddie’s band mates are indeed in the process of setting things up. He follows Eddie over, not sure what else to do.

“So,” Eddie says, putting down the amplifier with a grunt of effort. “Did you really come here specifically to see the band play tonight?”

“Yeah, it was Robin’s idea, she said you’d invited her last week and suggested I come with,” Steve says, scratching the back of his neck self-consciously.

“So Robin is coming too?”

“We were supposed to meet here at 6:30,” he says, taking a look around the room.

Eddie checks his wristwatch. “She should be here any minute then.” He gives Steve’s arm a friendly pat. “Glad you’re here, man,” he beams at him.

Steve smiles weakly back.

Eddie spots something behind him then, and he says, “Speak of the devil.”

“Hey, dingus. Munson.”

Steve turns around to see Robin in the doorway, waving a lazy hand at them.

“How was work?” Steve asks, smirking.

She gives him a look that says everything. “Unbearable. Let’s get drunk and bang our heads to some loud-ass music.”

“Ha!” Eddie barks a laugh. “I like the spirit, Buckley. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to buy any here without an ID though. They’re surprisingly strict about it. But you’re more than welcome to the after party.” He gives them both a significant look. “You too, Harrington.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” Robin says, hands clasped together in gratitude. “You’ll come, right, Steve?”

“Yeah, sounds fun,” he says, looking at Eddie.

Eddie gives him an approving smile. “Now, my friends, I gotta join the band for the finishing touches. Should be ready in 10.”

He jumps up on the stage to help with the final preparations, and Robin drags Steve over to the bar to get some soft drinks, if nothing else. Then they find a table by the stage, and sit down.

“Wait a minute,” Robin says, narrowing her eyes at him. “That’s Eddie’s vest.”

And the heat is back in his cheeks. He shrugs, hoping he comes across casual. “I tried to give it back to him, but he told me to keep it.”

Robin gets a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Did he now?”

“Yeah,” Steve says, taking a sip of his Coke. “… Claimed it looks good on me,” he continues, because he just can’t keep his mouth shut, apparently.

Robin’s eyebrows climb. “Is that right?”

He brings the bottle to his lips again so he doesn’t have to speak. Glancing up at the stage, it looks like they’re just about getting ready. Someone is testing the mic while Eddie strums his guitar. Robin keeps staring at him.

“Something you wanna get off your chest, Buckley?” Steve asks, meeting her eyes.

“Actually, yeah,” she says, and she leans in close before she asks, quiet and intense, “Is there something going on between you and Eddie?”

“What— no! What do you mean?” Steve splutters.

Robin holds her hands up in a peace offering. “Nothing, I’m just saying—“

But she doesn’t get to finish, because in that moment, a loud guitar riff rips through the air and it seems like the show is starting. Steve takes a look around and thinks Eddie is way underselling his band. At least 20 people have joined in the time they’ve been sitting here, with more coming through the door, and it looks like they’re all here for the band.

“Evening, good people,” Eddie says into the mic, eyes scanning the audience. His hair is loose now and he’s wearing that bandana again. The leather jacket is also discarded, and he’s wearing a loose-fitting Metallica t-shirt with ripped-off sleeves and faded black jeans. “Thank you for your patience. We’re Corroded Coffin and we’re here to show you a good time tonight.”

Hoots and whistles rip through the crowd.

“Are you ready?”

Steve and Robin yell along with everyone, “Yeah!”

Eddie strums his guitar dramatically and then a melody starts forming. They’re a lightning bolt of energy on stage. Eddie shares the mic with one of his band mates while staying on the electric guitar throughout the performance. Steve doesn’t know most of the songs, but he’s heard some of them before. He assumes it’s a good mix of covers and originals, but it all feels coherent, and he can tell they’ve put the set together very carefully.

It’s actually incredible. Steve can tell they’re rough around the edges, but there’s also real, raw talent there. And then there’s Eddie’s stage presence. This isn’t some grand stage, they’re in a small, no-name bar in a small, no-name town, but Eddie commands the whole room like it’s something he was born to do. He shines. This is his element, Steve realises. And he gets sucked right in, right up to the sweaty, breathless end. And he does recognise the last song. It’s Master of Puppets by Metallica. The song he used to lure the demo-bats in the upside down (which Steve knows because of Dustin’s gushing). More people have joined since they started playing, and the room is like a sauna, but a chill runs down Steve’s spine nonetheless.

Once they’re really done, Eddie bows along with his band and then he starts packing up with the rest of the guys. When they're done, Eddie comes over to join Robin and Steve at their table. He’s got a white towel around his neck and is wiping at his face when he sits down heavily, smiling dazzlingly bright.

“Eddie… that was incredible,” Steve says earnestly.

Eddie’s smile gets even wider, if such a thing is possible. “You really think so?”

“Are you kidding me? I got chills, man! You’re like a maniac on that guitar.”

Eddie’s eyes are shining and Steve can’t look away. “If you think so Steve, then it was all worth it.”

He doesn’t know quite how to respond to that, but is saved from replying by Robin clearing her throat to his right. They both turn to her.

“What am I, chopped liver?” she says, but she’s smiling. “Steve’s right, that was really, really good. You’re way underselling this band, Eddie. Look at this crowd.”

“She’s right,” Steve chimes in.

“Aww, shucks,” Eddie says, waving dismissively at their praise. “You guys are just too sweet.”

“It’s the truth, Munson,” Robin says, shrugging. Then she gets right down to business. “So,” she says, leaning in conspiratorially. “You said something about an after party…”

The party, as it turns out, is at one of Eddie’s band mates’ place, Jeff, who was the one sharing the mic with Eddie and who also plays the electric guitar. It also turns out that Robin and Jeff are friends. Or at least jovial acquaintances. Steve assumes she’s met him while hanging out with Eddie. The two of them fall into an easy conversation once they get there, while the rest of Eddie’s friends seem to remain somewhat skeptical of Steve’s presence.

Jeff is gracious enough to welcome him into his house, and is a little less cold than the other two. He puts a record on – Black Sabbath, Steve notices – and gets a six-pack from his fridge, handing out a beer to each of his guests as they gather around the table in his living room. Jeff is on the couch with Robin and Gareth – the drummer – while Eddie has plopped himself into one of the armchairs. The second armchair is occupied by Eddie’s third and last band mate, whose name Steve isn’t actually sure of. He only recognises him as the bassist.

Steve is standing next to Eddie’s armchair, a little unsure of what to do with himself, as all the seats are now occupied.

Eddie notices him and scoots over a little. “Don’t just stand there like a muppet, Steven, there’s enough room for both of us.”

Steve feels a little awkward as he moves to sit down next to Eddie. The chair wasn’t made to fit two people, but neither of them are very big, and they make it work, although it’s… intimate. Their sides are pressed up against each other, shoulders to hips, but Steve finds that he doesn’t mind, exactly.

The conversation flows easily between Eddie, his band mates, and Robin. Steve starts to think that maybe she’s already met all three of them, for how familiar they seem with each other. Or maybe they just don’t harbour the same resentment towards her that they do towards him. Not that he blames them. He knows painfully well what he was like in school. He feels content to just sit there next to Eddie and follow their conversation, happy just to see two of his friends relaxed and content and enjoying each other's company.

He’s ripped out of his reverie, however, when Jeff addresses him, pointing to him with the tip of his beer bottle and commenting, “Hey, isn’t that Eddie’s vest? I could’ve sworn he’s got one just like that.”

Eddie turns to Steve, smirking, and Steve could swear he spots a dusting of pink in the other boy’s cheeks. Maybe it’s just the alcohol. “Not anymore,” Eddie says.

Jeff laughs. “Well, it looks good on you, Steve.”

“That’s what I told him,” Eddie says, winking at him.

And just like that, it seems the general feelings of resentment towards Steve dissipate, at least somewhat. There’s less tension in the room, and they even start addressing Steve directly and including him in their jokes.

When Jeff announces a little while later that he’s going to the pantry for more refreshments, Eddie takes the opportunity to step out on the back porch for a smoke. After taking a second to consider, Steve follows him. He feels Robin’s eyes burning holes into the back of his head all the way.

Steve joins him just as Eddie is lighting his cigarette. The other boy notices him and inclines his head.

“Hey,” Steve says.

“Hey yourself,” Eddie replies.

“So I’m gonna repeat myself here, but you really were great on stage today.”

Eddie’s smile is a little tipsy and incredibly warm. “I’m glad you think so, Steve. It was actually our first performance since everything went down. That’s also why we’re having this little get-together. Premier aftershow type thing. Your timing is impeccable, as always.”

“Well, I’m glad,” Steve says, and he means it. “Your friends are nice. They seemed like they wanted to kill me at first, but…”

“They’re harmless,” Eddie says. “But yeah, they’re pretty great friends. They’re just a little overprotective sometimes.”

“I’m sure. I mean, I can’t blame them, I know what I was like in school,” Steve shrugs.

“Yeah, well… you’re not like that anymore.” Eddie pauses thoughtfully, taking a long drag off his cigarette. “The thing is, they all know I’m gay, and they know what that can mean around a place like Hawkins.”

Steve’s heart sinks. “Yeah, of course,” he nods.

They stand side by side in amicable silence for a moment. Eddie holds out the cigarette to him, offering him a drag with raised eyebrows. Steve takes it, their fingers brushing. He hasn’t smoked in a while, and the tobacco burns a little on its way down. He passes it back to Eddie as he exhales. Eddie takes the last drag, putting out the cigarette against the sole of his shoe and throwing the butt in an ashtray on a small table by the door.

“C’mon, big guy,” Eddie says, giving him a pat on the arm as he heads back inside. Steve follows him.

When they sit back down again, side by side in the same chair, Jeff hands them each a fresh bottle of beer. They all clink their bottles together in cheers over the table.

It may just be Steve’s imagination, or wishful thinking, but it feels like Eddie is relaxing a little more into his side. Like he’s leaning into the unavoidable touch a bit more than before. Steve acutely feels the warmth of his skin against his arm. Eddie’s only wearing the sleeveless t-shirt, his tattooed arms bare where they make contact with Steve’s cotton shirt. Is Eddie always this warm to the touch or is it the alcohol? Steve’s head swims a little. Is that just the alcohol as well, or…? He can’t tell if Eddie is feeling it as well or if it’s all just coincidental. He glances at the side of the other boy’s face. He’s in an animated conversation with Mr Bassist to their right, and it doesn’t seem like he’s thinking as hard about this as Steve is.

As Gareth, across from them, joins the conversation, and Eddie turns in his seat, his hand falls against Steve’s. He thinks only for a second before he intentionally, though softly, brushes his fingers against Eddie’s. His hand twitches almost imperceptibly against Steve’s, and he glances over for a split second. Steve meets his eyes without flinching, but it’s quick enough that he doesn’t think anyone’s noticed. The way their legs are positioned also makes it hard to see their hands from across the table. After a little while, when Eddie doesn’t pull away, Steve feels emboldened enough to make another move, carefully letting their fingers intertwine, the backs of their hands pressed together and knuckles meeting. Eddie doesn’t say anything, doesn’t turn to him, but he reciprocates the movements, thumb brushing against Steve’s.

Steve breathes a deep breath, slowly in and out. He’s feeling heady, but also like he just won at something. What, he’s not sure. But Eddie’s ringed fingers feel incredible against his own. He thinks about the same fingers flying across Eddie’s electric guitar earlier in the evening and it’s like a kick of adrenaline. It’s unlike anything he’s felt in a long while.

He takes a drink from his beer with his free left hand, and notices Robin across the table. She raises her eyebrows and inclines her head at them, shooting him a tiny smirk. Of course Robin notices. She will always notice these things. She seems to be trying not to make it obvious though, and she looks away in the next second.

They sit like this for a while. Exactly how long, Steve can’t be sure, but eventually their drinks run dry again, and this time it’s Gareth who announces he’ll go get another round for those that want it. Steve declines this time around – he wants to be sober enough in a few hours to be able to drive home. Eddie goes for another one, but excuses himself to go to the bathroom, and Steve gets up from the chair as well, stretching a bit. Jeff and the bassist go out for a smoke, which Eddie seems to join them in after his bathroom break, and the seating arrangements end up changing. Steve ends up on the couch with Robin, who gives him a very intense, I-know-what-you’re-doing type look, but she doesn’t say anything in front of everyone, which he’s grateful for.

Steve isn't sure exactly what he was expecting when Eddie had said they were having an after party, but all in all, it’s a pretty chill and orderly thing. No rowdy-ness, not even any dancing. The most chaotic thing that happens is an impromptu game of beer pong in the kitchen around 12AM. There’s a bit of weed-smoking on the porch, which Steve can smell but opts not to join, so as not to ruin his sobriety for driving later on. Nice as everyone here is, he doesn't fancy being stuck overnight.

Quietly as things go by, Eddie does end up drinking quite a lot, and with the weed mixed in, he’s pretty conked out by the time 2AM rolls around and the party starts to break up.

Steve walks up to him, where he’s half falling asleep on the couch. “Eddie, do you need a ride home?” He shakes his shoulder gently.

“Hm?” he says, looking groggily up at Steve.

“You came here in Jeff’s van, right? I have my car and I’m driving Robin. I’ll drive you too. Okay?”

Eddie squints at him for a second. “Right. Yes. Thank you, Steve.”

Steve helps him up, supporting him by holding onto his arm. He thanks Jeff for the hospitality and the beer, and then they walk out to the car, where Robin is already leaning against the passenger door. When she sees them coming, she hops in, and Steve opens the back door, helping Eddie inside. He closes his eyes almost as soon as he sits down, and Steve has to reach around him to fasten the seatbelt. Then he gets in the driver’s seat next to Robin.

By the time they’ve been on the road for about 5 minutes, Eddie is actually snoring softly in the back seat. Steve looks at him through the rearview mirror and chuckles softly. Then he looks over at Robin and meets her eyes, but she’s only smiling gently at him.

Steve sighs. “I know, Robin. I know.” His grip tightens on the steering wheel. “We can talk about it later.”

“It’s fine, Steve. I won’t press you about anything.” She leans her head back against the headrest. “I’m too tired right now anyway,” she says, closing her eyes.

Steve smiles. “Okay. I’ll go to your place first, it’s closer,” he says, and Robin only nods in reply.

“Thanks,” Robin says when they pull up to her house a few minutes later. “I had fun,” she says as she climbs out. “Now get sleeping beauty over there home safe.” She indicates Eddie with her head.

“Will do,” Steve says. “Sleep tight.”

His eyes follow her up the driveway until he can see her unlock the door and walk inside, somewhat unsteady on her feet. Then he sighs, takes a look at Eddie in the mirror, still sleeping. He puts the car back in gear and heads for the trailer park.

When they arrive, Steve puts his car in park a few metres from the front door of the trailer. Then he goes outside and over to the passenger side door where Eddie is. He pokes him gently awake.

“We’re here,” he says quietly.

Eddie jerks a little and looks around.

Steve chuckles, “ You really fell asleep for real, didn’t you?”

“I think I did. Ugh…” he says, rubbing his eyes. Steve helps him up and out of the car, but it seems the ride and the sleep have sobered him up marginally, and he’s a little steadier on his feet.

Still, Steve supports him with a hand on his arm as they walk up to the front door. When he knocks, an older man answers the door. Eddie’s uncle Wayne, Steve recognises.

“Mr. Munson,” Steve says awkwardly. “Hi. I’m Steve. We were at a party and I, uh, I drove Eddie home.”

Eddie detangles himself from Steve’s grip and manages the steps up into the trailer. He turns around and says, with a drunken smile, “Thank you, Stevie.” He puts his hand on his heart dramatically. “What would I do without you?” And then he shambles into the trailer out of sight.

Wayne’s eyes trail after him for a second before he looks back at Steve. “Thank you,” he says, then, “You’re that Harrington boy, right?”

“... Yes, sir,” Steve confirms.

Wayne nods thoughtfully to himself. “Thank you,” he says again, then, “Good night,” and he shuts the door.

When Steve finally gets into his own bed, it’s almost 3AM. He tosses and turns for a bit, his mind racing. He thinks about Eddie’s fingers against his own. The cool metal of his rings contrasting the almost feverish heat of his skin. The cigarette they’d shared on the porch. Eddie’s lips and their fingers brushing as it was passed between them. Eddie’s lips. His fingers flying across the neck of the guitar at the Hideout. Electricity in the air. His lips…

The room is dark and empty and quiet as Steve lies on his side, staring out, blinking slowly.

Oh.

I wanna kiss him.

Chapter Text

Saturday afternoon, Steve is on the sofa in the downstairs living room, head against a throw pillow on one end and feet propped up on the armrest on the other. He’s hugging one of his mom’s decorative pillows to his chest, frowning. Thinking.

The thing is, Steve isn’t completely clueless. He knows that liking men and liking women at the same time is a thing. He even knows it’s called being bisexual (thanks, Robin). It’s just that he never thought it was a thing that might apply to him. It never occurred to him as an option, and he starts to think that if he never met Robin, then maybe he never even would have recognised his attraction to Eddie for what it is. At least not quite so readily.

But the events of the last few days, and especially at the party, have been churning around his mind all week and there’s just no doubt about it. It can’t be anything else. And looking back, he feels like it must have started earlier than when they went to the movies together. He thinks about the way he’d felt strangely nervous at the thought of going alone with Eddie. The swooping feeling in his chest when he saw him that day.

Steve thinks back even further, to a time spent walking through the forest in the upside down.

Henderson told me you were a badass. Insisted on the matter, in fact.

He thinks about the way Eddie leaned in when he said, Still super jealous as hell by the way.

He thinks about Eddie taking off his vest and flinging it at him. For your modesty, dude.

Does Eddie feel the same way? That seems like the million-dollar question. He let Steve intertwine their fingers at the party, but is Steve reading too much into that? He doesn’t want to assume, just because he knows Eddie is gay, that he’s gonna be into him. That’s too presumptuous.

Maybe he should talk to Robin about it. Later though, he decides. There’s no rush. He wants to sit with it by himself for a bit. Feel it out.

Just then, the doorbell rings, and Steve sits up. He’s promised Dustin to drive him to D&D club today. Apparently they’ve been permitted to borrow the room at school even on a Saturday. Something about not being able to keep their regular schedule this week.

“Coming!” Steve shouts, walking to the door.

And there’s Henderson on the other side, smiling toothily at him. “Hey, Steve!”

“Hey, kid. Imma just get my keys, and we’re good to go.”

Once on the road, a thought occurs to Steve.

“Hey, Henderson,” he says, interrupting him mid-tirade about something about a new shop in town that apparently sells D&D stuff, “would it be okay if I like, stayed for a bit today?” He glances over at the boy.

Dustin is frowning. “Uh… sure, I think so. You’d have to get Eddie to agree, I guess, but… why?”

Steve shrugs, one hand on the steering wheel and the other arm propped up against the driver-side door, holding his chin. “I’m curious,” he says simply.

Dustin looks at him like he just sprouted another head. Then he throws his hands up, conceding. “Sure, if you say so.”

The truth is that he’s curious what Eddie is like as a campaign master. Dungeon master? He doesn’t know much about the game, but he does know that it revolves around some type of storytelling, which he’s sure Eddie is good at. It also involves standing in the spotlight, to a degree, which Steve now knows is where Eddie really shines.

“I went to see Eddie’s band this week,” he says, knowing Dustin is a fan.

His face lights up like a Christmas light. “Isn’t he brilliant? Didn’t I tell you he’s brilliant?! Also, why would you do that without inviting me!”

“Sorry, it was kind of a spontaneous thing with Robin. But you’re right, he’s really good. Like, scarily good, almost.”

“Right?? You gotta take me next time, dude! The man is a maniac on that guitar.”

“That’s what I said,” Steve laughs.

Dustin laughs with him and performs an enthusiastic air guitar solo in the passenger seat.

When they arrive, Dustin shows him the way to the room they use for D&D. It turns out to be a props room for the drama club, complete with dramatic draping and lighting. It seems like everyone else is already here, including the members of Corroded Coffin that Steve had met on Tuesday. Dustin greets them from the door and everyone turns to them.

“Hey,” Mike and Lucas say in tandem, Lucas waving his hand.

Jeff gives him a bright smile and a wave, and the other two band mates incline their heads in greeting.

“Henderson!” Eddie exclaims. “The party is complete.”

Then he notices Steve is also standing there behind Dustin, and he blinks in surprise.

“Harrington. To what do we owe the pleasure?”

“Oh, uh, I drove Dustin here. And then I, well, I was actually wondering if I could like… hang out for a bit,” he feels smaller and smaller as he talks and heads turn and now everyone is giving him the same face Dustin was giving him in the car, including Eddie.

“Really?” Mike is the first to break the silence. He looks stunned.

“I know you’re in the middle of a campaign, I don’t need you to include me in the game, I just…” he shrugs helplessly, “I’m kinda curious. If it’s alright, I mean. I understand if you don’t want me here.”

Eddie’s face breaks into a brilliant smile. “Sure, Steve. If it’s okay with everyone else, it’s okay with me.”

Jeff, Gareth and the bassist exchange weird looks but end up conceding. Mike and Lucas look at Eddie and shrug.

“Okay! If there’s no objections to Harrington’s presence, I think we shouldn’t waste any more time.” Eddie grins wickedly, positioning himself behind what looks like a propped-up cardboard box of elaborate design and scribbles. There’s also a game board with little fantasy figures positioned strategically and colourful, many-sided dice.

Steve can see him getting into character as he starts the game. And it turns out he doesn’t just do one character like everyone else — the dungeon master’s role is apparently that of both side characters, townsfolk and various baddies. He’s also the storyteller. And Steve was right, this is Eddie in his element. He breathes life into each character and makes Steve believe all of it, even if he’s thrown right into the middle of a story and a game he’s completely new to. Eddie is good at engaging and including everyone. He’s generous. It looks like a lot of fun, Steve has to admit. Maybe he’ll ask them to join a campaign some time. Although honestly, just sitting here listening to Eddie talk for hours is something he could also get used to.

“… the man flings his heavy burlap sack onto the table with a crack. The patrons gathered around the table hold their breath as he reaches a muddy hand to pull the burlap back to reveal… something black and shiny, with lots of spindly legs sticking out every which way. It’s clearly dead. And clearly unnatural.

“The innkeeper is the first to speak up. ‘That’s no demon,’ he says. ‘That’s… a scrael’,” Eddie whispers the name dramatically and everyone who’d been holding their breath around the game board erupts into a cacophony of “No way” and “ugh, not them again” and “I thought we dealt with those”.

Eddie watches it all from his throne and smirks with satisfaction. “And that, my friends, is where we end today’s fun.”

“Aww, come on man,” Mike says, “I wanna know what the old man was about to say.”

“Sorry, you’ll have to wait until next week,” Eddie says, holding his hands up.

“Aw man,” Dustin says. “Well, good session.”

There’s a murmur of agreement around the table.

“So what’d you think, Steve?” Dustin asks, looking over at him as he rises from his position on a pillow on the floor and stretching. The others turn their heads as well, almost like they forgot he was there.

“That was like… like watching a movie, to be honest. You’re really good at telling stories, dude,” Steve says, the last part directed at Eddie.

Eddie gives a dramatic bow, smiling. “Thank you,” he says. “It’s just a bit of fun.”

Dustin wants to ride with Mike and Lucas in Jeff’s van on the way home, and relieved of babysitting duties, Steve offers to help Eddie clean up while everyone else picks up their things and head out.

“Oh shit,” Eddie says, when everyone is gone, “I forgot I kinda hitched a ride with Jeff myself on my way here.”

Steve looks up at him as he’s putting away one of the plastic chairs in the corner. “I drove here. You can hitch a ride back with me,” he says.

“Thanks, Steve,” Eddie says.

There’s a lull in conversation as they put away chairs and tables, and Eddie picks up all his D&D gear, putting it away in a small bag he brought.

“Alright, that’s it, I think,” Eddie says finally.

“Right, let’s head out,” Steve says.

They get to the car park and into Steve’s car.

“Thanks, man,” Eddie says again as they pull out onto the road.

“No problem, dude. Thanks for letting me sit in on your game today.”

Eddie’s smile is small, but it’s like he’s fighting not to let it overtake his whole face. “It was a pleasure having you. I didn’t know you had an interest in D&D.”

I don’t, I just have an interest in you, Steve doesn’t say. Instead, he shrugs. “I dunno, I guess the little twerps are rubbing off on me. Bad influence, I’m telling you. It’s devil worship next.”

Eddie laughs, and it’s a wonderful sound. “Be careful, man, be careful.”

Steve smiles, glancing at him. “For real though, like I’m not joking. The concert the other day as well? The spotlight suits you. You’re good at pulling people in.”

He can feel Eddie’s eyes on the side of his face, but he keeps his eyes on the road. His ears might be burning a little.

“You really mean that?” His voice is quiet.

“Hell yeah, I mean that. Has nobody ever told you?”

Eddie shrugs. “Not really. Not in so many words at least.”

“Well, they should. Because it’s true.”

Eddie doesn’t say anything more for a while, and the silence is companionable. He gets the Kate Bush cassette out of Steve’s glove box again and puts it in the player.

Steve glances down at his hands as they fiddle with the tape. “So what would I find if I went through your glove box then, Munson? Since you keep going through mine.”

Eddie looks up at him with a mischievous grin. “Are you sure you want to know? You know I’m both a devil worshipper and a sodomist now.”

Steve splutters. “N— I— that’s not what I—“

Eddie laughs, “I’m just messing with you, man. Hmm, let’s see,” he says thoughtfully. “Metallica for sure, some Megadeth probably, Ozzy of course, Ozzy Osbourne. There’s a Journey cassette somewhere in there, but don’t tell anyone. If I’m being honest, there’s some Queen as well, and Sex Pistols.”

“Okay, um,” Steve says, “I know some of those. Or I’ve heard the names. You mentioned the Ozzy guy before, right?”

“Yeah, lead singer of Black Sabbath. Guy who bit the head off a bat on stage.”

“Ugh,” Steve can’t help the grimace.

Eddie laughs again. “Yeah, it’s grizzly. Very metal though.”

“Of course. And I do know Queen.”

“Good, good. You’re not a totally hopeless case.”

“That’s a relief,” Steve says.

When they reach the trailer, Steve stops in the same spot as last time, facing the door. “Right, here we are.”

Eddie is quiet for a moment, fiddling with the rings on his hand as he looks out the windshield at the door. “You wanna, like, um, hang out for a bit?” He turns to look at Steve.

Steve blinks at him. “Oh, um. Sure.”

“If you don’t have anywhere else to be, I mean.”

“I don’t. And I’d like that.”

Eddie looks relieved, some unnamed tension leaving his body. “Okay, cool. You can just leave the car here,” he says, unbuckling the safety belt and opening the passenger-side door.

Eddie apologises for the mess as they enter the trailer. Steve has been here before of course, and it’s true that it’s a little cluttered and messy, but it also feels homely and lived-in in a way that Steve thinks his own house has never felt.

“I’ve seen it worse,” Steve jokes. “Anyway, I like it,” he says honestly.

Eddie smiles at him like he thinks he’s pulling his leg.

“Really, I’d take a small, maybe a little cramped, sure, but cosy place like this over a giant, empty two-story house any day.”

“You’re an only child, right?” Eddie asks.

“Yeah, and my parents are only home maybe 6 months out of the year.” He shrugs. “I guess I shouldn’t really complain. Luxury problems, right?”

Eddie tilts his head, considering. “I don’t think you should belittle your feelings like that. It’s okay to feel lonely and disappointed in your parents when they’re not fulfilling the, like, one obligation they have to you as caregivers. Not that I know what your relationship with them is like,” he finishes, scratching the back of his neck like maybe he overstepped a little.

Steve stares at Eddie. “Um, yeah. I guess,” he says, a little surprised at the sincerity of his comment.

“Anyway uh, please sit down.” Eddie gestures to the couch. It’s dipping a little in the middle and filled with blankets. He sits down. “I’m just gonna pop a pizza in the oven, haven’t had that much to eat today,” Eddie continues.

“Oh, yeah, of course,” Steve says. Now he thinks about it, he’s a little hungry himself.

“Do you want a beer?” Eddie asks from the kitchen area that’s separated from the living room by a half wall. “Or something else, I’ve got some Diet Pepsi and orange juice. And water.”

Steve thinks about it. It’s only 7pm. “I’ll have a beer. Should be fine if I wait a couple hours to drive home.”

“My uncle works the night shift tonight. He won’t be home until the early morning, so there’s no rush,” Eddie informs him as he hands the beer over and sits down next to Steve. He holds the beer up with a grin and says, “Cheers!”

Steve brings his own bottle up and clinks it against Eddie’s. “Cheers, Eddie.”

“Thanks for the other night by the way,” Eddie says after taking a swig and putting the bottle down on the table in front of them. “For getting me home.”

“Of course,” Steve says. “You couldn’t get yourself home. That’s what friends are for.”

“I’ve slept on that couch before, I wouldn’t’ve died.”

“Well, it didn’t seem very comfortable. And I’m sure your uncle was glad to have you home.”

“He was, at that,” Eddie nods. “Seemed kind of impressed actually. Or surprised, maybe. He kept talking about how nice it was of ‘that Harrington boy’ to get me home. I guess this is pretty much on the opposite side of town from where you live, so.”

“I suppose, but Hawkins isn’t all that big anyway.”

“That’s true. Still, it was nice of you,” Eddie insists.

Steve concedes, spreading his hands and inclining his head. “You’re very welcome.”

“So, uh, how are you holding up?” Steve asks after another swig of his beer. Eddie looks questioningly at him. “I mean, after everything. You said that stuff about not being all that fun to hang around and stuff. And that you’re not always good at asking for help.” He feels like he’s starting to ramble a bit, but he also thinks it’s an important thing to ask. “Just, if you wanna talk about it, I’m here, I guess.”

“Thanks, Steve. I’ve been better but, if you can believe it, I’ve also been worse.” Eddie fiddles with the paper label on the bottle in his hands. Steve waits patiently for him to elaborate. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never witnessed anything more fucked up and terrifying than that day Chrissy came to my trailer, but… let’s just say I know a thing or two myself about parents not being great at fulfilling their caregiving roles to their children.” Steve can feel the bitterness in his voice as he says it.

“I’m sorry,” Steve says, and Eddie sends him a small smile.

“Yeah, it sucks, but. It is what it is.” Eddie is quiet for a moment before he continues, “This past week has been pretty good though. I mean, I’ve been getting out more, and then we had that gig at the Hideout, and...” He looks up at Steve. “Yeah, I think I’m pretty good right now, actually,” he says quietly.

Steve smiles at him, matching his tone as he says, “Well, good.”

Eddie looks like he’s about to say something more, but just then, the oven dings to let them know the pizza is ready. “Oh, pizza delivery,” he says, and hurries to get up from the couch.

He leaves the pizza on the stovetop to cool a bit, and then he says, “Hang on, let me just get something,” before disappearing down the hall, presumably to his room. When he comes back he’s holding a record in his hands showing Steve the jacket. Metallica, Master of Puppets.

“Hey,” Steve says, “I know that one! You used that one in the upside down. And you played it at the gig last Tuesday.”

“Right-o, it’s Metallica’s newest, baby.” He spins the record between two fingers before taking out the vinyl and putting it in a record player on a side table.

They listen to the record while they eat, and Eddie will occasionally burst out with a “Here, listen to this,” or “This is my favourite part,” or some anecdote about what happened when he tried to learn a particular part on his guitar. And it’s nice. The way Eddie’s eyes shine when he’s talking is incredibly endearing. The music isn’t bad either, Steve has to admit.

“Alright, Munson, I’m admitting it, that’s some good music. Still not a hundred percent my thing, but I can tell it’s not bad.”

“Oh! Mark your calendars everybody, it’s happening. I’ll lure you to the dark side yet, King Steve!”

“Well,” Steve says, “Keep this up and you might regret what you wish for.”

Eddie laughs.

They go to put away the dishes and Eddie holds up another beer from the fridge, raising his eyebrows in question at Steve.

Steve shrugs, “Yeah sure. This’ll be the last one though.”

“Famous last words,” Eddie says teasingly. “But no pressure, for real. Just say the word if you want something else.”

“Good to know,” Steve smiles. “Thanks,” he says as Eddie hands the bottle to him.

When Eddie goes to put away the Metallica record, Steve follows him down the hall. Eddie is crouching down by a shelf, putting the record away, when he turns around to see Steve behind him.

“So this is the Eddie cave,” Steve says, and immediately feels weird about how that came out.

Eddie just stands up, spreading his hands to indicate the room at large. “In all its glory,” he says.

It’s not a big room, but it’s very Eddie. Band posters all over the wall, music magazines on the nightstand, some clothes in a small heap on a rickety-looking chair in one corner. Generally messy, but somehow nice, lived-in, and that’s… yeah, those are a pair of handcuffs hanging above the bed. Steve quickly looks away, not sure what to make of it. The bed looks very comfy, messy but full of blankets and soft-looking pillows. And he stops that train of thought in its tracks too, just to be safe.

The shelf where he keeps his records, Steve notices now, is one of those old, wooden cart boxes that he’s stood on its side. There’s some books on a low shelf as well, by the bed. He tilts his head to read the spines and recognises two of the titles at least, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Of course.

Eddie follows his eyes and smiles. He crouches down to pick up The Lord of the Rings. “Greatest work of fiction ever written,” he says, holding it out to Steve.

“It’s enormous,” Steve says, his eyebrows climbing.

“It’s glorious,” Eddie counters.

Steve opens the book to a random page. “And the font is tiny.”

Eddie laughs. “That’s the beauty of it, man. When you find a really good book, a compelling universe that you can just lose yourself in, you want that shit to last for as long as possible, right?”

Steve looks up at him. Eddie’s eyes are shining again, the way they did when he was talking about the Metallica record. That’s a universe I could get lost in, Steve thinks, and he doesn’t care how cheesy it sounds. It feels true.

“Show me, then,” he says.

Eddie gives him a confused look. “Show you?”

“Yeah, like… Read me something from it.” Eddie’s eyes widen. “I’m really bad at reading long-winded stuff like this. But when I watched you at the D&D game today, it really felt like I was watching a movie or something. I just don’t think it’s gonna be the same if I just sit down and read it myself.”

Eddie stares at him, a searching look on his face, like he’s not sure if Steve is joking or not.

“I mean, if you want to. We don’t have to. I can—“

“Steve,” Eddie cuts him off, putting a hand on his shoulder and meeting his eyes. “I would fucking love to.”

They sit back down on the couch in the living room, Eddie with the book in hand. Steve angles himself so he’s turned towards Eddie, one leg up on the couch, tucked underneath the other. He props an elbow up on the back of the couch and rests his face in his hand.

“Let’s just start at the beginning. Anything else is just gonna be confusing as hell, I think,” Eddie says as he opens the book and finds the first chapter.

“Okay,” Steve says quietly, watching him get ready.

Eddie props himself against the armrest, sitting cross-legged on the couch, and he frowns down at the page in concentration as he starts reading, “When Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and excitement in Hobbiton…”

As he’d thought, it’s a very involved story, with lots of weird names and made-up words and the type of thing where you have to just expect not to understand anything at first, until you’ve been in that world for a little while. But just like when Eddie had been dungeon master earlier in the evening, he just has this compelling way of telling a story that draws Steve in instantly. It’s the empathy and soul he puts into it. Not to mention he’s got this really fucking soothing voice. It’s just nice.

At some point, Eddie shifts his position on the couch to lean against the back instead of the armrest. He’s suddenly a lot closer to where Steve is sitting, but he keeps his eyes on the book as he reads. Steve lets his eyes rest on the side of Eddie’s face. He thinks about how he’s easily within reach now, if Steve were to decide to stretch his arm out…

A wizard who was attending Bilbo’s birthday party is pestering him about some ring. This wizard is Steve’s favourite character so far, he loves the voice Eddie puts on for him. Old and wise, but with a mischievous streak. He’ll look up occasionally to see that Steve is still listening, or to smile at some particularly weird or funny bit.

Steve’s eyes wander to Eddie’s hair, falling over his shoulder in frizzy curls. He wonders if it would be soft to the touch. He thinks about their sides pressed together and hands intertwining on that chair at Jeff’s, and wonders what Eddie would do if he simply reached out and ran his fingers through his hair.

Steve lets his hand fall down onto the couch seat behind his head, watching for a reaction from the corner of his eye. Eddie just keeps reading. A finger trails a strand of hair where it rests on top of the couch cushion before following it up towards Eddie’s neck. He doesn’t react. Maybe he hasn’t noticed yet. When he gets closer to his nape, Steve lets a couple of fingers comb through the strands, and he just about comes into contact with the skin at the back of Eddie’s neck. Eddie glances up at him, but only for a second, before he gets back to the page he’s on.

Emboldened, Steve cards his hand more fully through Eddie’s hair, letting his fingers trace against his neck. And God help him, Eddie leans into the touch. Steve feels like his insides are on fire. He ends up kind of lazily massaging the base of Eddie’s skull as he keeps reading.

Eventually, Eddie dog-ears the page he’s on, closing the book, and says, “And that’s the first chapter of The Lord of the Rings, by J. R. R. Tolkien.” Steve meets his eyes. “What did you think?”

“Brilliant,” Steve says.

Eddie looks amused. “Really? What was the wizard’s name?”

“Um… Gar… Gan… Gandalf! See? I was paying attention.”

Eddie laughs quietly. “Congrats. What do you want to do now?” he asks.

Steve considers his next move. “Can I be honest?” he asks, hand at Eddie’s nape.

“Please.”

He breathes slowly in and out, taking in Eddie’s expectant face. “… I kinda really wanna kiss you right now.”

An in-drawn breath, almost imperceptible. “Then why don’t you?”

Steve’s hand comes up from Eddie’s neck to cup the side of his face, thumb brushing against his cheekbone. Eddie’s eyes are wide, cheeks dusted pink, as Steve leans in. And Eddie meets him halfway, a hand on Steve’s knee where it rests on the couch.

Eddie’s lips are soft and warm, and they kiss with a sweetness that’s at odds with his rough, metal exterior. It’s unhurried, maybe even a little hesitant. Steve wants to let him know he doesn’t need to hesitate for his sake, and he puts his other hand on the other side of Eddie’s face, so he’s holding him with both hands. A little breath of air like a sigh leaves Eddie’s lips and he moves closer, the hand on Steve’s knee coming up to rest on the side of his stomach. Steve lets one hand slide into Eddie’s hair as he ventures to deepen the kiss, and feels very rewarded when Eddie lets him, with a hitched breath at the back of his throat.

It feels both like an eternity and not long enough when they eventually part.

Eddie breathes out shakily. “Fucking hell, Steve. Is this really happening?”

“Either that,” Steve says, “or I’m having the nicest fucking dream I’ve had in a while.”

Eddie laughs, and it’s a delighted sound. “You’re a fucking sweet-talker, Harrington, you know that?”

“I give it my darnedest,” Steve smiles.

Eddie shakes his head in exasperated amusement.

“You should give yourself more credit though,” Steve continues. “I thought I was gonna pass out when you told me I should keep the vest cause it ‘looks good on me’.”

Eddie raises his eyebrows. “I thought I had already passed out and gone to la la land when I saw you wearing it, dude. That felt like some kind of a move.”

Steve thinks about it. “I guess it kinda was, although I was trying not to think about it too hard at the time.”

Eddie smiles at him, a little incredulous. He bites his lip, like he’s considering something. Then he asks, “Wanna kiss again?”

“I really do.”

——

The following Monday is unusually busy at the Family Video. They’ve only been open for an hour, but they’ve already had 7 customers. Which may not sound like a lot, but if you also left a bunch of stuff over Sunday because you thought Monday was going to be excruciatingly slow, it’s a pain in the ass. Finally, there’s a lull in traffic, and they get onto the huge return cart they haven’t had time to touch all morning.

“Dude,” Robin says, as she picks up a box of VHS tapes to put back on their shelves. “You’ve got to tell me what’s got you in this mood today.”

“Hm?” Steve says, looking up at her, feigning ignorance.

“Don’t play dumb with me, Steven. You’ve been telling customers to ‘Have a nice day’ and ‘Enjoy the movie’ all morning. With a smile on your face.” She cocks a no-bullshit eyebrow at him.

Steve shrugs. “Am I not allowed to have a good day?”

Robin sighs. “I mean, keep your secrets, if you’re so hell-bent on it.” She walks over to the sci-fi shelf, taking the box with her. “I bet it’s got something to do with Munson, though,” she says under her breath.

Steve can’t exactly cover up the way his ears burn at that. He pretends to be busy sorting through the returns.

“Fucking knew it,” Robin says, shaking her head.

Steve lets it hang in the air for a moment, before he says, “I hung out at his D&D session on Saturday, when I drove Dustin.”

“I see. And then?”

“And then I drove him home, and uh, we kinda hung out at his trailer for a while.”

Steve is deliberately not looking at Robin, busying himself with the tapes, although he’s starting to find it hard to concentrate.

Robin looks up at him, intrigued. “Okay. And then?”

“And then, uh… well, we had pizza. And we listened to a Metallica record, and… and we kinda, uh… made out on his couch.” Steve’s voice gets smaller and smaller as he speaks, but Robin still hears the last part clear as a bell.

“You what?” she almost screams.

Steve grips the sides of the box tightly as his shoulders fly up to his ears. He turns around to face her, face beet red. “Relax, dude,” he hisses.

“You kissed him? Already?” Robin is beaming at him.

“Yeah,” Steve reiterates. “What, do you want the play-by-play?”

“That’s okay,” she says, grimacing. “I can’t believe Steve Harrington has kissed a boy before I’ve kissed a girl though. Kinda makes me wanna smash something. But also, that’s awesome, dude.”

“... Thanks, I guess.”

“So what, are you like, boyfriends now?”

Steve takes a second to answer. “I dunno, we just kissed, you know. I mean, it was… very nice. But we haven’t really talked about it yet.”

“Of course, no point in rushing it.”

They get on with their work for a while, until the bell above the door dings again, and Steve can hear Robin heave a sigh. He gets up from crouching on the floor by one of the shelves, ready to greet the new customer, when he sees who it is.

“Eddie. Hey,” Steve says, blood rushing in his ears, all of a sudden.

“Hey, Steve.”

At this, Robin peaks up from behind her shelf, too. She greets Eddie, then grins madly at Steve, before excusing herself, claiming to need the bathroom.

Steve covers his face with his hand. “Sorry man, I kind of ended up telling her. About Saturday.”

Eddie just smiles softly at him when he meets his eyes. “That’s okay, she’s cool.”

“Yeah,” Steve says, returning Eddie’s smile.

“So uh, listen, I was wondering if you’re free tomorrow night. I have the gig at the Hideout again, with the band, but I thought we could maybe hang out together after.”

“Yeah, for sure,” Steve says, excitement bubbling in his chest already.

“Cool,” Eddie says quietly, biting down on his lip. “We should be done by 9.”

“Oh, you think I’m gonna miss the show? Hell no, dude.” They’re standing a couple of feet apart, trying not to be too obvious in case a customer comes in. Steve reaches for Eddie’s hand nonetheless, squeezing his fingers. “I’ll be there at 7.”

Eddie’s smile threatens to split his face in half. Steve wants to kiss him so bad.

“Fuck, Steve, I wanna kiss you so bad right now,” Eddie all but whispers.

“You’re taking the words right out of my mouth, Eddie,” Steve whispers back.

He takes a quick look around before taking Eddie’s other hand in his. “Listen, can I…” he looks down at their joined hands. “Do you want to be boyfriends?” He looks back up to meet Eddie’s wide eyes. “Not like, in front of everyone and their grandma of course, just… between you and me.” Eddie’s eyes get wider still. “Unless you wanna wait or—“

“Yes, Steve. Fuck, yes, I wanna be boyfriends.”

Steve feels relief flood his body, a tension he didn't know he was holding leaving his body. “Okay. Cool.”

“Fuck,” Eddie says, eyes darting around the room as he seems to contemplate something. “Actually, do you wanna just come over tonight? We can hang out tomorrow as well, I just… I can’t stand the thought of having to wait another, like, 36 hours to kiss you.”

Steve nods vigorously. “Yeah, my shift ends at five,” he says. “Actually, do you wanna come over to mine? Nobody’s home.”

“Alright. Meet you here at five?”

Right, Eddie’s never been to his house before. “It’s a date,” Steve says.

Eddie grins at him and gives his hands a squeeze before turning around and leaving again. Steve watches him through the glass door until he can’t see him anymore, heart hammering in his chest. He reluctantly walks back over to the returns cart, hoping maybe he can actually get some work done now.

“Coast is clear,” he announces for Robin’s benefit, so she doesn’t have to feel like she needs to hide in the back room anymore.

She saunters back out, feigning disinterest (Steve can tell), and gets back to her own sorting box.

“So,” Steve says eventually. Robin’s head whips around to face him. “You wanna ask me again if he’s my boyfriend?”

She gapes incredulously at him. “Seriously?! How do you have such game all of a sudden, dingus?”

The goofy grin won’t leave Steve’s face for the rest of his shift. Or the rest of the week, for that matter.