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Eddie doesn’t know why the fuck he’s here. He’s not some sort of white knight, far from a savior, and advises against hero complexes. But Robin had called and said that Steve got too drunk, couldn’t drive himself home and definitely couldn’t stay at her place since her mom would be back early tomorrow morning… so Eddie had just said I’ll be there. Like it was nothing. Like it made all the sense in the world for Robin to call him and not someone else. As if he and Steve were close friends and not the mere acquaintances they considered each other to be.
Yet Eddie’s curiosity was too strong, and his possessiveness was following closely behind. He wanted to be the one there for Steve. Imagining someone else coming to his aid - like Nancy and/or Jonathan - made Eddie grit his teeth and dig his nails into his palm. Okay, maybe his possessiveness is what won out over his curiosity. But he still wants to know what Steve’s like drunk, and he wants to know why Steve got drunk (if there was a reason), and he wants to know what silly things Steve rants about when he’s tipsy-
Eddie would have driven under any other circumstances, but Robin made it very clear that Steve’s car couldn’t be left at her place otherwise her mom would start asking questions. So Eddie had to walk and try not to fret too much about having to drive Steve’s nice BMW. His car was worth more money than Eddie has seen in his lifetime… probably. He would feel much more comfortable behind the wheel of his beaten up van handed down to him by his uncle, but he had to work with what he could.
Eddie finally made it to Robin’s a little before eleven, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he ignored the sidewalk leading up to her house and walked right through the grass. Her mom wasn’t home yet anyway. No one would know if he took a shortcut. And there was no Mrs. Buckley home to yell at him. So Eddie walked up to the front door, taking in a deep breath to appear confident, and knocked.
The door opened seconds later, whooshing from the speed at which Robin pulls it. Her eyes are relatively glossy and, judging by the way she was slurring her words on the phone, she’s pretty drunk too. She’s better at hiding it though. Steve doesn’t have the same talent. Not by a long shot. He’s hanging off of Robin’s right side, arm thrown over her shoulders and his eyes scrunched up from the pretty smile he’s adorning.
“Eddie!” Steve boasts happily. His eyes widen in surprise, turning down to look at Robin. “Did you know he was coming?”
“Yes, Steve,” Robin says irritably but keeps an arm around Steve’s waist to keep him standing. Despite her annoyance, she still cares about his well being. Which is why Eddie’s still confused as to why she called him. “He’s going to take you home so my mom doesn’t walk in on you passed out on the couch in the morning.”
Steve scoffs as if he finds the idea offensive, then contemplates the thought. “Yeah,” he agrees, “that would be pretty bad.”
Robin nods in agreement before taking a step towards the door. “Hi,” she grins at Eddie, relief in her eyes. She begins to unglue Steve from her side, keeping her grip on him firm before she releases him towards Eddie’s general direction. Steve stumbles into him before curling his arms around Eddie’s neck, pressing his chest to Eddie’s. He stumbles back just a step before planting his heel in the cement to prevent him and Steve crashing down. The action is so sudden and unexpected that all Eddie can do is blink down at him, speechless.
“It's my fault,” Robin explains as Steve and Eddie continue to stare at each other. Eddie’s face remains impassive but Steve is beginning to smile at him in a way that makes Eddie’s stomach twist in knots. “Steve’s a bit of a lightweight and I knew this but I made him keep up with me. I know now that that was the wrong choice.”
“Yeah,” Eddie says dryly, eyes flicking over Steve’s head at Robin. He looks at her scoldingly, mostly because he’s annoyed he has to deal with a drunk Steve Harrington. Or at least that’s what he lets her see. Sure, it’s a little annoying to deal with anyone drunk… but Eddie’s grossly invested in seeing where this night is going to end up. “He’s absolutely shit-faced, Buckley.”
Robin runs a hand through her hair, looking more apologetic as the seconds pass. “I know!” She whines. “But it’s not like I was forcing the alcohol down his throat. And this would be no problem if my mom hadn’t called me thirty minutes ago telling me her flight is coming in early tomorrow. Otherwise I’d help him through the morning hangover-”
“I’m only taking him home,” Eddie cuts her off, his voice stern. Steve has shifted in his arms, pressing his cheek flat to Eddie’s shoulder as he keeps his arms curled around Eddie’s neck. He’s even playing with the hair at Eddie’s nape, twirling his fingers through the waves. It feels damn good, but Eddie’s never going to let Robin know that. “I’m not holding his hair back when he inevitably pukes.”
“Sure,” Robin says as if she sees right through Eddie. She crosses her arms over her chest, wearing a barely-there smile that annoys Eddie to no end. “Look, please just make sure he gets home okay. That’s all I ask. Maybe put a bucket next to his bed and some water. Can you do that at least?”
Eddie, despite having just made it very clear he has no intentions of taking care of Steve, scoffs like he’s offended. “Jesus Christ, Buckley. Do you think I’m some kind of monster?”
Robin throws her hands up in the air, exasperated with Eddie’s conflicting responses, and Eddie just smiles that shit-eating grin they’ve all gotten used to.
“Okay, Harrington,” Eddie says tiredly, but his voice is soft and fond. It’s not like he planned on going to bed any time soon. His bedtime is more like three in the morning, so he’s perfectly suited for taking care of Steve for the next few hours. Or until the old king of Hawkins High falls asleep at least. He pats Steve’s waist reassuringly. “You ready?”
Steve nods against Eddie’s shoulder, having shut his eyes at some point during his and Robin’s bickering. Steve looks tired and is starting to feel like dead weight in Eddie’s hands so he wants to get him home as soon as he can.
“Yeah,” Steve mumbles lazily. “Can I lay in the back?”
“I didn’t bring the van, Harrington. I’m driving your car back to your place.”
Steve frowns, disappointed by the turn of events. “I wanted to ride in your van,” he grumbles sadly.
Eddie sighs. He casts one last look over at Robin, brows knitting together briefly. “Are going to be okay?”
“Yeah,” Robin says surely but seems appreciative of Eddie’s thoughtfulness. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m feeling it too. I’m just not as much of a lightweight as Steve is.”
“Hey,” Steve whines, but doesn’t fight much further. He’s clearly tired so Eddie won’t make him wait any longer. He’ll get him home and in bed, with a glass of water just like Robin suggested, before heading back to his trailer.
Eddie huffs out a gentle laugh before he leads Steve to his own car, keeping one arm securely around the jock’s waist while the other pulls the side door open. Steve makes a disappointed sound at having to sit in the passenger seat of his own car.
Steve, for whatever reason, really likes Eddie’s van, so the metalhead really believes this disappointment Steve’s showing. There were a few instances where the two would hang out but couldn’t find a place - either Eddie’s uncle was home or Steve’s parents were - so they’d drive somewhere as serene as they could find in Hawkins and sit in the back of Eddie’s van. Steve always seemed to like the comfort of the old ugly vehicle, but Eddie was always surprised by how content Steve was when they hung out in the damned thing.
Steve’s a rich kid, that fact has never gone over Eddie’s head, but Steve doesn’t always act like the spoiled only child he is. Eddie used to be embarrassed about the old man van his uncle gave him as a present for his sixteenth birthday - and Eddie felt guilt every day about his embarrassment since he knew his uncle worked hard to save up for Eddie’s big surprise - but having seen how Steve sprawls out in the back and relaxes makes Eddie more comfortable with his lowly social status. He really wishes he had brought the van now, even though that never would have been possible for Robin’s sake.
“Okay, hang tight,” Eddie tells Steve after he’s seated in the passenger seat. The jock curls up as much as he can, tucking his hands under his cheek as he nestles against his uncomfortable seat. “Don’t fall asleep in here, Steve. I’m not carrying your ass inside when we get to yours.”
Steve groans petulantly. “Why not? You’re strong. You could do it.” Steve argues.
Eddie opens his mouth, a retort on the tip of his tongue, when his brain catches up. Steve Harrington thinks he’s strong. Eddie might be a little puffed up hearing that, but he tries to hide it by rolling his shoulders back to relax them and briefly clearing his throat.
“How about you listen to me just this once?” Eddie rolls his eyes with his exasperated comment, prepared to swing the door shut when he hears Steve giggle.
“Okay,” Steve says so gently that Eddie’s heart constricts in his chest. “Tell Robin I said bye.”
“I will,” Eddie promises before shutting the door gently. He’s not sure why he did that. Harrington doesn’t need to be coddled. He shakes his head at himself while he fishes the keys out of his front pocket. Once he’s on the driver’s side, he turns in Robin’s direction. “He said bye!” He calls out. He smirks when he hears Robin’s answering laugh. Her laugh sounds like Steve’s, oddly enough. They might be spending too much time together, but he’s not going to be the one to tell them that. He can tell when two people need each other, and Robin and Steve have helped each other in more ways than Eddie could ever count.
Eddie hops into the driver’s seat, not surprised to see Steve’s keys sitting in the cupholder. Robin either put them in there for Eddie, or Steve’s begging for someone to steal his car. Maybe Eddie will ask him later, then chastise Steve for whatever his answer is. Steve Harrington could do with a bit of scolding. He can’t imagine all the things Steve has gotten away with solely for being himself.
Eddie turns the key into the ignition, listening to how silent Steve’s car is compared to his when it starts up. He shakes his head in minor amazement. What a little bit of money can buy… After he has the car in reverse, he turns around, placing his hand on the headrest of Steve’s seat as he backs down Robin’s driveway. He can feel Steve watching him out of the corner of his eye, but he focuses on the road, making sure no cars are coming before pulling out onto the street. Once he has them pointed in the direction of Steve’s house, Eddie turns around, stealing a glimpse at Steve before he stares down at the gear shift. Steve was smiling and Eddie’s breath caught in his throat, making it a bit hard to focus. Either way, he gets the car into drive and starts on down the road.
Steve giggles right before they reach their first stop sign, so Eddie slows the car down, glancing at Steve curiously. He’s not sure what’s so funny and he’s not so sure he wants to ask.
“Hi Eddie,” Steve says when their eyes connect. His glassy eyes are barely visible since his eyelids have drooped from the alcohol, and his smile makes his cheeks soft and squishable, aiding in hiding his eyes. Eddie finds it all terribly cute, so he tears his eyes away and faces forward.
“Hi Steve,” Eddie says flatly. He glances in each side mirror to keep casual, but there’s not a chance of anyone being on this road this late at night in Hawkins. Eddie and Steve remain silent as he presses his foot on the accelerator, moving on to the next street.
“The-the room is spinning,” Steve mumbles sleepily.
Eddie’s eyes flit over to Steve’s immediately, checking his face to see if he looks anywhere close to throwing up. Other than his eyes being scrunched shut, Steve looks fine… and cute. With flushed cheeks and long eyelashes, and his hair hanging over his forehead in a way that makes Eddie want to reach over and brush his hair out of his face.
“Need me to pull over?” Eddie asks, glancing back to the road. He can hear the concern in his own voice and wonders if Steve hears it too. Hears how much Eddie cares about him.
“No,” Steve says so surely that Eddie believes him. “Can I just… hold your hand? I feel like I’m going to float away if I don’t hold onto something.”
The question alone stuns Eddie enough that he’s not sure he can move, but somehow his brain works well enough that Eddie releases his grip on the steering wheel so that he can offer Steve his hand, resting it on the center console between their seats with his palm up towards the sky. Steve reaches for him, his fingers light and ticklish as they dance against Eddie’s palm before stretching out and lacing their fingers together. This is already more than Eddie expected. He thought Steve would simply clasp their hands together, close his eyes, and breathe through the rest of the ride, but Steve pulls Eddie’s hand over into his lap, resting their conjoined hands on his thighs. Only then does Steve take a deep breath, his expression softening into contentment.
Eddie finds it incredibly hard to focus on the road when he has Steve dozing off beside him. It’s unfair how gorgeous he is. Truly, it annoys Eddie that Steve Harrington holds this power over him. Eddie was able to deal with his attraction to the smartass jock he knew in high school. Back when Steve was in a grade below him, before Eddie was held back twice… But then he got to know Steve and Eddie’s stupid crush furrowed into infatuaion.
Never would he have thought he’d end up driving Steve back home, holding his hand under a full moon and glittering stars. Eddie hates how romantic it is, and hates that this is only happening because Steve is drunk. It’s a good sobering thought nonetheless. Steve’s drunk and suffering from a horrible dizzy spell. Otherwise there’d be no chance of this happening in any other universe.
Eddie lets out a suffering sigh as he takes a left down the long road Steve lives on. He’s all the way at the end of the street too. It’s because these rich folk have nice big yards that other kids could only dream about. Eddie pretends that he’s thinking about how much these people must suck and not about how Steve’s touching him. He has Eddie’s hand clasped in one of his while the fingers of Steve’s free hand glides along his knuckles, over his rings, over his calluses. As if he’s curiously exploring Eddie.
“Eddie?”
Eddie tears his eyes off of some awful lawn gnomes they’re passing by to glance over at Steve. Eddie expects Steve to say something since he’s looking better now. Still flushed but his eyes look a little clearer. But Steve doesn’t. He seems to forget whatever it was he was going to say when Eddie’s eyes meet his. The determination in his gaze melts into a smile, one so charming that Eddie’s chest constricts like a vice. Especially when Steve looks away sheepishly, shaking his head like he finds something amusing.
“Yes, your highness?” Eddie asks, too curious to know what Steve was going to say to let it go. He keeps his tone light so Steve knows he’s joking. He knows Steve hates the moniker of King Steve that he’d been given in school, but Eddie keeps it around because he’s dramatic like that. After all, Steve teases him back just as hard for being Eddie the Banished.
“I think you’re funny,” Steve speaks so gently that his voice can barely be heard, even in the soft silence of Steve’s car. He looks shy too with his admission, staring down at their conjoined hands instead of meeting Eddie’s gaze.
Eddie’s heart skips a beat. Damn him and his stupid crush on Stever Harrington. It wasn’t enough for Steve to prove Eddie wrong about being a douche - he’s far from it. Steve is kind and caring and a bit of a smartass, but nowhere near douche level. And now he’s showing Eddie how cute he is, how soft and gentle he truly is. Worst of all, Eddie can see Steve laying himself bare, being so open and vulnerable that Eddie just wants to protect him from all things bad.
“What did I do that was so funny?” Eddie asks, wearing a crooked smile. His heart is beating so loudly he can hear it in his ears. Like how he can still hear the base drum pounding in his ears after a particularly passionate show.
“Nothing… just in general.” Steve’s still playing with Eddie’s fingers as he talks, a feeling so soothing that Eddie has to fight off the urge to let his eyes fall shut and just focus on Steve’s warm touch. “You’re really funny. And nice. I’m sorry you had to come get me.”
“What are you sorry for?” Eddie brushes off the apology with an easy smile and carefully crafted look of curiosity. He knows why Steve would be apologizing, most people would, but Eddie doesn’t want to hear Steve ever sound so apologetic. “You and Robin had fun, right?”
Steve’s smile reappears and his shyness even disappears once Eddie changes the topic. He beams up at Eddie, shining so bright that Eddie’s having a hard time breathing. It’s truly unfair for Steve to have such an effect on him. It infuriates Eddie, but only with himself. He should know better than to crush on Steve. And he likes the boy’s friendship so much that Eddie only ever feels guilty about liking Steve like that.
“Yeah,” Steve breathes out, sounding more and more tired by the second. “We had a ton of fun, Eddie. So much fun.”
Eddie takes a left, pulling into Steve’s driveway. A driveway so long it’s about half as long as the pavement in the trailer park. Eddie bites back a sigh, wondering why the hell Steve even bothers hanging out with Eddie when they come from two different worlds.
“Oh, hey,” Steve says, sounding disappointed. “We’re home.”
Eddie has the car in park and the keys in his hand as he begins to unbuckle himself. He sees that Steve is making no effort to do so for himself, so Eddie reaches over and undoes his belt. He even goes as far as to help Steve out of it since somehow the jock gets tangled up inside. Eddie can’t help but chuckle after Steve’s free and is sporting a petulant pout.
“You’re tired, right, Harrington?” Eddie tries for suggestion, hoping that he’ll be able to convince Steve to go right on up to bed. That’ll make Eddie’s life a bit easier. Then he’ll stay for a little bit to make sure Steve’s safe and sound in bed before heading out.
“Mhm,” Steve blinks blearily and Eddie’s reminded that he can’t let Steve fall asleep in the car. Unless he wants to carry him in.
“Good,” Eddie clips, “I’ll get you inside and in bed and then you can pretend like this never happened.”
Steve looks unhappy with Eddie’s words, brows knitting together. “Why would I want to do that?”
Eddie sighs, giving Steve one last lingering look before he opens his door. “Let’s get inside. It’s cold.” He says, mostly to fill the silence before he shuts Steve in the car. He hurries around to the passenger side, rolling his eyes when he sees Steve already clambering out of the vehicle, pouting again.
Eddie reaches out to help him but Steve moves just in time to prevent Eddie from grabbing his elbow. He ends up moving too fast though and nearly falls, but he grabs the door fast enough to hold himself up. Eddie watches in confusion, wondering what could have possibly happened in those last few seconds to make Steve so frustrated. Then again, with as much alcohol he has in his system, he probably doesn’t need much of a reason.
It still stings though, getting the cold shoulder after having such a nice car ride.
“Steve, let me help-” Eddie begins, irritation shining through in his own voice, but Steve moves out of his way again.
“No~,” Steve mocks, rolling his eyes in such a dramatic fashion that Eddie can’t help but smirk. He bites the inside of his cheek though to stop Steve from seeing him smile. Who knows if that would make Steve more grumpy? “I got it, Eddie. Why don’t you go home and forget this ever happened?”
Eddie’s aware that Steve’s attempting to parrot his own words back at him, but he’s a bit too drunk to get it correct. Eddie finds it horribly endearing, and frankly he wants to see more of this temper tantrum, so he steps back and lets Steve proceed with throwing a fit. He steps away from the car, far enough that he can shut his door, which he fails to do because he didn’t swing it hard enough. He doesn’t care though, even if that means a possible dead car battery in the morning, and stomps his way to his house.
Eddie watches him go, eyes shining with amusement and adoration for this stupid jock. He doesn’t want the car battery to die though so he shuts the door correctly before hurrying after Steve. He’s moving alarmingly fast, but he does reach a dead end when he realizes his front door is locked and he doesn’t have his keys.
Eddie stands behind him, tongue pressed to the inside of his cheek and his arms crossed over his chest. Waiting.
Steve tries to wait him out, mostly because he’s stubborn and drunk, but he’s also impatient and drunk. So he only lasts a minute before he turns on his heel and mirrors Eddie’s pose, arms crossed over his chest defensively.
“I need my keys,” Steve says, holding his ground.
Eddie grins widely, “That’s good because I have them.”
Steve rolls his eyes, pursing his lips together and just looking that much cuter under the moonlight. “You drove me home,” he slurs, “You can tell Robin you successfully babysat me. So just… give me my keys and go back home.”
“That would make me a liar,” Eddie clicks his tongue disapprovingly. “And you shouldn’t be encouraging that type of behavior, Steve. I’m disappointed in you.”
Steve’s face flushes red at Eddie’s words. He opens his mouth, prepared with a retort that fades away after hesitating just a second too long. Damn him and his alcohol tolerance. He’s sure that whatever he was going to say was going to be good too - smart and witty and just mean enough to make Eddie laugh. But Steve settles for scrunching his mouth together in frustration as his face heats up.
Eddie walks slowly up to Steve’s side, surprised when Steve doesn’t back down. He’s in the way and Eddie’s definitely not going to give Steve his keys back in case he decides to do something stupid, like drive. Not that Steve has ever attempted to do something like that before, to Eddie’s knowledge. But it’s better to be safe than sorry… and it gives him an excuse to stick around.
Eddie lifts a challenging eyebrow when Steve stays planted, and Steve stares back, his head moving in a way that can only be described as expectant. So Eddie brazenly accepts Steve’s wordless dare and takes another step forward, leaving only a few inches of space between them. Steve seems surprised that Eddie continued so boldly, and a bit embarrassed that he didn’t see this coming, so he ducks his head once Eddie’s so close. It’s a bit overwhelming, being able to feel Steve’s heat and smell his cologne. Yet Eddie moves his left arm around Steve, slipping the key into the lock as Steve squirms underneath him. Eddie can’t help but stare, which is probably the reason why Steve can’t meet his eyes right now. Eddie has been told he can be pretty intense.
Then Steve hears the click of the lock behind him, back going straight and stiff. He was startled, Eddie realizes, and that makes him smirk. Eddie’s arm brushes against Steve’s waist when he brings his hand back to himself, Steve’s keys glinting in the moonlight before Eddie tucks them into his front pocket.
“Are you going to let me come in?” Eddie asks lowly. “Or are you going to keep being mean to me?”
“I am not!” Steve gasps at the accusation. He turns around, twisting the knob before he pushes into his own home. He leaves the door open behind him, which might be as much of an invitation as Eddie’s going to get. Steve stands in the hall, for some reason refusing to flick on the hallway light. He begins to kick his shoes off as he continues. “You’re being mean to me.”
Eddie enters the house, stepping over the threshold into Harrington’s home cautiously. They’re only in the foyer and Eddie can tell how expensive this house must be. After all, they have a foyer. Eddie’s trailer is about as big as their main hallway.
“Nice place, Harrington,” Eddie appraises as he shuts the door gently behind him.
Steve has already kicked his shoes off and is working his jacket off while simultaneously walking away from Eddie. Eddie hurriedly kicks his dirtied white shoes off, making no move to tidy them in the hall, and takes three large steps to catch up with Steve. He’s only a foot ahead when he stumbles over nothing, an attribute of the alcohol no doubt, and is about face plant. Luckily Eddie catches him around the waist, but unluckily pulls Steve back with a little too much force. Steve’s ass connects with Eddie’s groin in all the right ways, but worst of all is when Steve straightens up and throws his head back on Eddie’s shoulder before laying his hands over Eddie’s, the ones that are still gripping Steve’s hips with a bruising force.
What confuses Eddie the most is the way that Steve sags against him, letting out a breath of relief. Eddie had been expecting the opposite effect - perhaps boiling hot anger before shoving Eddie away and telling him to never touch him like that again. Maybe that’s why Eddie’s still holding on. Because he’s so damned confused. Or maybe it’s because he’s been dreaming of having Steve Harrington pressed against him from head to toe just like they are now for the last few months. Those are some of Eddie’s guiltier thoughts he indulges in every now and then. Thinking about Steve in ways he shouldn’t.
“Nice catch, Munson,” Steve compliments breathlessly.
Eddie can feel every inhale and exhale, which only overwhelms his brain with dirty and lustful thoughts. Perhaps Eddie should change his moniker to Eddie the Guilty. Absently, Eddie wonders what Steve would think if he knew half the thoughts Eddie has about him.
Eddie found out about Robin’s little secret, only because she and Steve had gotten into one of their mind-numbing arguments they so often have when Eddie was loitering around Family Video. Eddie found their bickering entertaining, especially as it grew more heated. But Robin was blinded by the heat and accidentally let her feelings for Vickie slip into conversation. Eddie still remembers how Steve tried to correct her - tried to make it seem like she meant that Steve was the one who had feelings for Vickie, even though Vickie was nowhere near the type of woman Eddie knows Steve would usually go after. Eddie’s crush had only furrowed after seeing Steve try so desperately to protect Robin. Either way, Eddie knows that Steve’s not homophobic, which is a plus, but Eddie also knows that most men fetishize lesbians and tend to be more accepting of them due to that fact. These shameful men don’t find the same perverted enjoyment out of men loving men, so the hatred starts from there. Then again, Eddie can’t fathom Steve being like that. Maybe it’s his crush talking, but Steve might be the nicest guy he’s ever met. He’s actually fucking nice, which was one of the biggest surprises for Eddie to come to terms with, but he’s also funny, and sassy in a way that makes Eddie want to tease him every chance he can just to get a bitey Harrington retort, and he cares so deeply about his friends and especially the kids, and-
“Eddie?” Steve asks, his voice breaking the silence in the room and Eddie’s reverie.
“Just now learning to walk?” Eddie jokes, but his voice falls flat. Steve doesn’t seem to notice though since he groans - which is also not helping Eddie in lieu of his guilty thoughts. Steve’s hair tickles Eddie’s cheek, and Eddie realizes all he would have to do is turn his head for his lips to brush Steve’s.
“You can let go now,” Steve whispers.
Eddie brings his hands back to himself as if he was burned, even going as far as to take a step back to put distance between him and Steve. It’s a good thing Steve doesn’t look back at him right now because Eddie’s face probably shows just how afraid he is of Steve calling him out on crossing a line he never should have crossed. Steve doesn’t though - he just runs one hand through his hair and exhales, filling his cheeks with air cutely as he does so.
“Still spinning a bit,” Steve comments tiredly.
“I’ll get you some water,” Eddie tells him, eager to find a task that doesn’t involve touching Steve.
“Okay. I’m going… I’m going to go up to my room. It’s upstairs.” Steve yawns through his words, looking like he could fall asleep standing up.
“Okay,” Eddie smiles lightly. He can see the kitchen to his left, so he risks one last look at Steve before he goes. “You can handle those stairs, right?”
“Bite me, Eddie,” Steve grumbles before he walks off towards the stairs.
Eddie chuckles lowly behind him, shaking his head at Steve’s choice of words. If only he knew how down Eddie would be for that…
Eddie does as he promised, filling not one but two glasses of water before he heads up stairs. He could go on and on about the complexities of Steve Harrington’s rich ass house, but he’d rather not think about it any more than he has to. Any time that he and Steve have hung out they’ve never gone to his house. Eddie can’t comprehend why that would be…
He finds Steve’s room simply by listening to the sound of sheets rustling. Curiously, Eddie walks to the end of the hall, entering through the open door, and stops. Steve’s got his covers thrown back and his pillows thrown around messily. Eddie half wonders if the bed was even made before Steve came upstairs.
“Bed,” Steve mumbles, motioning towards a giant mattress. He then steps back so that he can start to undress, and Eddie’s in even more trouble than he was before. He wonders if he should look away for modesty’s sake - truly, is he being a perv by letting Steve do these things in front of him? Is he taking advantage of Steve?-
In his whirlwind of thoughts, Steve has shed his jacket and is now pulling his t-shirt up and over his head. He’s half naked and his hair is disheveled and maybe Eddie should leave the room- It’s too late. Steve has flicked the button loose on his jeans and has kicked them off of his legs. He’s in nothing but his boxer shorts and Eddie’s brain might be short-circuiting.
Steve glances towards Eddie as he swipes a hand through his hair to get his long locks out of his face. He brightens when he sees the water Eddie holds in his hands, stepping forward to take one of the glasses.
“Water,” Steve sighs contentedly before he lifts the sweating glass to his lips. Eddie’s relieved to see Steve take three big gulps before pulling back, letting out a satisfied ‘ah.’
“When was the last time you peed?” Eddie asks as Steve hands him the glass back.
A look of confusion crosses Steve’s face, his iridescent brown eyes glittering. “I don’t know. Why?”
“Go pee,” Eddie orders, walking past Steve and over to his nightstand so he can sit the waters down.
“Okay~.” Steve agrees petulantly, padding out of the room and down the hall. Eddie can hear a light flick on, followed by a door creaking as Steve makes a poor attempt at shutting it. Eddie can’t help but glance towards the hall, unsurprised to see a sliver of light peeking out from the bathroom.
Jesus Christ, Eddie needs to get a grip. He wipes his sweaty palms off on the thighs of his jeans as the sink begins to run. Eddie’s done all he can do, right? Steve is home. Eddie will put his keys downstairs where sober Steve will be able to find them - maybe write a note too just in case. He’ll give Robin a call tomorrow to let her know Steve was tucked into bed and safe just as Eddie left him.
“You’re staying, right?”
Eddie glances over his shoulder to find Steve in the doorway, leaning one shoulder against it. He’s got his arms crossed over himself again, but this time he looks small. Worried even. He’s curling in himself, and that only makes Eddie realize how hopeful Steve’s tone had been when he asked.
Fuck.
“Do you want me to stay?” Eddie asks for some reason. Some stupid, dumb reason. He supposes his brain thought that’d be an easy out. Steve wouldn’t say yes.
“Yeah,” Steve answers, eyes glued to the floor. “I hate being alone here.”
“Okay,” Eddie tells him. God damn it, if he won’t promise Steve Harrington the world… “I’ll stay. I’ll-I’ll sleep on the couch.” Eddie’s voice grows tense, his throat closing in on itself. He has to swallow halfway between his sentence, sounding outright pathetic. Steve doesn’t seem to think so since he walks in and closes his bedroom door behind him.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Munson,” Steve says sleepily, walking right past Eddie and to the bed. He clambers on top, starting at the foot of the bed and making his way to the other end. Eddie stands, frozen still and watching with wide eyes as Steve makes himself comfortable on the left right side of the bed. “We’ll both fit in the bed.”
Eddie wants to tell Steve that that wasn’t the point - Eddie wasn’t worried about fitting in Steve’s ridiculously large bed. He’s worried that crossing this boundary will send Eddie’s crush into deeper waters when he’s barely keeping his head above the surface as is. He’s going to drown in his feelings for Steve Harrington and it’s going to ruin him.
“Steve-” Eddie begins, but he doesn’t have a clue on what he could say that won’t sound suspicious. I can’t share your bed because you might hear my heart beating too loudly and know how gone I am for you - I’ll learn the smell of you from your pillow and it’ll drive me crazy when I can’t forget it - I might do something impulsive and stupid, like run my fingers through your hair to get it off your beautiful face-
“I have pajamas if you want to borrow them,” Steve suggests as he gets under the covers cutely. He sits back on his butt, lifting his knees and holding his feet together so he can dive them underneath his thick comforter. He’s smiling contentedly as he nestles into the comfort of his own bed, hiding himself from the neck down under the blanket. After he’s done that he stares up at Eddie, waiting.
Eddie opens his mouth, risking one last glimpse towards the already shut door. Steve has already decided his fate, dooming Eddie to one long night of suffering. He wishes this was as easy for him as it is for Steve, but Eddie had to go and get feelings for the most unattainable man in the entire world. Steve Harrington, Hawkins royalty, Hawkins most handsome bachelor, Hawkins basketball star, Hawkins savior…
“My parents aren’t here,” Steve explains. As if that was what was running through Eddie’s mind… “They never are.”
Eddie can hear the sad note in Steve’s voice. He rolls his eyes up to the ceiling, praying to every deity he can think of to help him through the night. After one last plea up to the heavens, Eddie grabs at the edge of his denim vest and leather jacket to shuck them both off in one move. Something about the action must amuse Steve since he laughs when the garments fall to the ground in a frumpy pile.
“Something funny, Harrington?” Eddie teases, quirking a brow at Steve as he takes his rings off. One by one. Steve watches carefully, half of his face hidden in his pillow. Flushed and smirking and reminding Eddie of how fucked he is.
“Just you,” Steve answers gently.
Eddie doesn’t reply. He just puts his rings on the nightstand, next to Steve’s water, and adds his chain bracelet to the pile while he’s at it. Eddie likes seeing his things on Steve’s nightstand, overcome by a breathtaking wave of possessiveness. He shakes his head to get rid of the feeling and turns towards Steve now that he’s only dressed in his shirt, pants, and socks.
“Scoot over,” Eddie says as he grabs the blanket on his side of the bed. He attempts to throw it back but Steve’s arm over the covers is stopping him. He looks up curiously, eyeing Steve under his wavy fringe.
“You’re not sleeping in jeans,” Steve argues, giving Eddie a tired but incredulous look. “Take those off. Socks too. I can’t even stand to see you sleep in socks.”
Eddie stares at him for longer than necessary, but it’s only because his mind is reeling from the fact that Steve Harrington is telling him to take his pants off. Eddie stands straight, his eyes on the door as he scrubs a hand down his face. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, goes off like a mantra in his head. Any extra barrier between him and Steve was a welcomed addition, but Steve’s taking him down one peg at a time.
“Okay,” Eddie sighs heavily, a ragged sound in the back of his throat. He turns his back to Steve as he flicks the button on his pants loose, gritting his teeth at the sound of his chain rattling as he lets his pants fall to his ankles. Eddie refuses to think too hard about this otherwise his head might explode, so he steps out of his jeans and toes his socks off before turning back to Steve.
“Am I allowed to enter your bed now, your majesty?” Eddie snarks as he grabs the edge of the blanket, lifting his brows at Steve to test the waters. Steve’s grip grows loose, hiding his cheeky smile in the corner of his pillow. Eddie can’t help but smirk back as he lays on his side before pulling the covers up under his arm, all while Steve watches him with a twinkle in his eye.
Eddie was right. He’s going to go crazy when he has to leave Seve’s room. Like an addict suddenly devoid of their addiction. Steve’s bed smells amazing, like a hint of sweet fruit and fresh mint - Eddie bets that’s Steve’s shampoo - and then there’s something earthy, it’s barely there but it’s like the smell Eddie’s greeted with when he treks through Hawkins’ forests. And then there’s Steve’s smile, given to him in the low light of Steve’s bedroom, with only the moonlight filtering in through the slats of Steve’s blinds. Eddie never wants to give this up.
“I was hoping you were going to take your shirt off too,” Steve half-mumbles into his pillow. He scrunches up his nose after his admission, snickering so cute and nasally that Eddie’s coming to terms with the fact that he’s fallen in love with Steve.
“Excuse me?” Eddie deadpans, his voice low with disbelief.
“I wanted to see your tattoos,” Steve says innocently before he props himself up on one elbow. He looks down at Eddie’s body, staring at the tattoo Eddie has on his forearm. It’s peeking out from underneath his sleeve that he has pushed up to the crease of his elbow. Steve tilts his head, brow furrowing and his lips pursing together in an endearing pout. “For someone who has cool tattoos, you don’t show them off.”
Eddie stares with his lips parted, unsure what to say. Steve has somehow convinced Eddie to stay, and then convinced Eddie to sleep in his bed, and then take his clothes off… and now he’s only trying to get Eddie more naked. This has to be a sick joke. This is a long, drawn-out prank by Robin and Steve and Eddie gave them too much credit thinking they’d never do such a thing.
“They’re not all good,” Eddie deflects, watching Steve’s brown eyes flit up to his face.
Steve grins at him, slow like honey and just as sweet. The look in his eyes and the redness to his cheeks reminds Eddie that Steve’s still drunk, even if he’s calmer and articulating a bit clearer than he was when he picked Steve up at Robin’s. Who knows if Steve will even remember this in the morning?
“You don’t want me to see?” Steve challenges.
Eddie holds his gaze, trying to decipher what Steve’s getting at. He doesn’t think Steve even knows.
“Are you going to make me say please?” Steve jokes, tilting his head in a way that makes his hair lay over his face, curling around his ears and laying so delicately on his cheek.
Eddie glances up at the ceiling, having to avoid eye contact as he says, “Why don’t you lay down and behave, Steve? You need sleep.”
Steve rolls his eyes - Eddie’s able to catch that when he glimpses back to the younger - but isn’t surprised to find Steve still smirking despite Eddie’s minor scolding.
“Let’s make a deal,” he proposes. Eddie knows he’s going to say yes because it’s Steve and it’s already been established that Eddie has a hard time saying no to Steve. “I’ll lay down and close my eyes if you show me your tattoos.”
Eddie’s chest rises with the slow breath he takes, watching Steve carefully. Any resolve Eddie had, which wasn’t much, crumbles the second Steve looks at him as if he knows something Eddie doesn’t. He wiggles his head cutely as he says, “Please.”
Eddie’s jaw clenches when he feels heat between his legs. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he knew that this interaction would end up here. It was one of his worst fears, yet at the same time he told himself be realistic. As if Eddie had any strength against Steve in the first place. As if he hasn’t been touching himself to dirty thoughts of Steve for the last few months.
Eddie decides that he’l give in because surely that will make this nightmare end faster. Steve will uphold his end of the bargain. Eddie just has to strip himself down to his boxers, suffer under Steve’s gaze for a few minutes, and then insist Steve go to bed as he promised. That’s it.
“Fine,” Eddie bites out as he sits up. He grabs the edge of his shirt, pulling the fabric up and over his head before tossing it on top of his growing pile of clothes. He’s so heated, in fact, that he turns to Steve with frustration in his eyes and a warning on his tongue. “And then you’re going to sleep.”
Steve’s eyes fall to Eddie’s chest the moment he’s turned in his direction, soft wonderment on his face. His eyes are distant and glittering, with pink lips parted in curiosity. He’s looking at the one tattoo Eddie has on his left pectoral, tracing the black ink with his gaze. Eddie can feel it like hot iron on his skin, branding him.
“Yeah,” Steve breathes, “Then sleep.”
Eddie keeps his on Steve’s face, watching the other study his body. Eddie hasn’t a clue how he’s survived this long, or how he’ll survive tomorrow morning when he sees Steve basked in warm morning sunlight. There’s no way Eddie is going to make it, and then his poor uncle will have to etch on Eddie’s tombstone: Death by Steve Harrington.
“Lay back,” Steve gently orders. He lays a hand on Eddie’s bicep, giving it what Eddie would describe as an unnecessary squeeze before guiding the metalhead back against the pillows. Eddie listens without a word of protest because he’s too afraid how his body and/or mind will react if he tries to do anything right now.
Steve’s eyes shift from the tattoo on Eddie’s chest downwards, seemingly admiring Eddie’s torso that is rather devoid of tattoos. He looks at Eddie’s stomach, taking in the few freckles Eddie earned over his childhood summers, and continues down until he sees a trail of dark hair leading into Eddie’s boxers. The rest of which is hidden under the blanket that Eddie’s so thankful for.
“Steve.” Eddie croaks in a deep, crackly voice.
Steve’s eyes flit back up to his face, cheeks darkening into a pretty shade of red. Eddie saw Steve’s alcohol induced flush - so he’s aware that Steve’s blushing for some unknown reason.
“You’ve got ten more seconds,” Eddie says strictly.
Steve rolls his eyes before readjusting his position in the bed, scooting closer so that there’s only an inch between himself and Eddie. He’s on his side, his stomach brushing against Eddie’s elbow each time he breathes, and Eddie’s flat on his back, staring up at the textured ceiling of Steve’s bedroom. It’s then that Steve reaches across Eddie’s body so that he can grab Eddie’s right arm, tracing the tattoos on his forearm.
“It’s painful, right?” Steve asks, cheek smushed against the pillow as he ventures into his curiosity. “Getting one?”
“Doesn’t feel good,” Eddie exhales. This is all types of embarrassing. He bites the inside of his cheek to will away his growing arousal.
“You’re really strong,” Steve says as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. He draws his hand back, tucking both under his cheek.
“And you’re still drunk,” Eddie retorts, earning a nerdy snort from Steve. “Are you going to lay down and close your eyes now, like you promised?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Steve sasses, but when Eddie turns his head he finds Steve with his eyes closed. He yawns not a second later, making a god-awful face that has Eddie grinning fondly. “‘Night, Eddie.”
Eddie blinks at Steve, really taking in the glow of his presence. Steve emanates a light that Eddie selfishly wants to keep near. A light he always wants to be basked in. He swallows, throat still tense, as he nods. “Goodnight, Steve,” he says, but it sounds like Steve’s breathing has already evened out.
“Jesus Christ,” Eddie groans out as he lets his head fall to the pillow. He shakes his head up at the ceiling, briefly wondering how the hell one small choice led him all the way to here. Sharing a bed with Steve, both of them next to naked. With one last sigh, Eddie closes his eyes and allows himself to fall asleep to the sound of Steve’s even breaths.
-
Eddie wakes first, warmed by a strip of light coming in from Steve’s window. It lays across his chest at an angle, starting from his heart and striking across Steve like a bolt of lightning. He blinks blearily against the glow in the bedroom, slowly remembering the previous night’s events. It takes every ounce of Eddie’s power not to groan as he scrubs a hand down his face, feeling the beginnings of scruff growing on his jaw.
He’s still on his back so he’s feeling a bit stiff, but he also realizes that Steve’s laying on him. He has his cheek pressed to Eddie’s shoulder, hair cast over his eyes, and arms wrapped around the one Eddie had between their bodies the night before. Eddie thought a moment like this would only send him into complete elation, but he’s only panicked since now this prevents him from being able to sneak out before Steve wakes up.
And just as Eddie thought the night before, Steve is breathtaking in the morning. His lashes are long and splayed out against his cheek, and his skin looks so soft that Eddie has to bite back to the urge to cup Steve’s check and stroke his thumb along the height of his cheekbone just to touch him. His heart flutters in a way that makes him feel giddy. He got to take Steve home last night, and he got to sleep in his bed, and he gets to wake up next to him. No one else in Hawkins was graced with such a night, and Eddie feels ridiculously proud.
Eddie is brought out of his thoughts when Steve’s eyes open languidly, catching Eddie in the act of staring. He blinks a few more times, narrowing his eyes against the light in the room. This is the moment that Steve realizes what he’s doing and separates himself in disgust. Or the moment he asks Eddie why the hell he’s in his bed after forgetting all about last night-
“You stayed,” Steve says, sounding happy as he keeps his cheek pressed to Eddie, smiling up at him.
“How could I not?” Eddie teases. “You practically begged me.”
Steve’s smile doesn’t diminish as he rolls his eyes.
“You know, you’re really clingy when you’re drunk,” Eddie continues his ribbing, only to see Steve’s smile stay where it’s rooted.
“Clingy in the morning too,” Steve jests back, voice low and rough from sleep. He tightens his hold on Eddie’s arm.
Eddie smirks at him. Eddie Munson has Steve Harrington glued to him. Who could have ever seen this day coming…
Something in Steve’s gaze changes, turning soft as his smile melts away. Eddie’s about to ask him what’s wrong when Steve lifts his head, leans in, and presses the most tender kiss Eddie’s ever received square to his mouth. Eddie pushes back, head spinning at the feeling of Steve’s bottom lip pressed to his- And then he’s gone, pulling back with wide, brown eyes.
“I’ve wanted to do that for a while now,” Steve says breathlessly. His brown eyes flit between Eddie’s, trying to glean any information from Eddie’s expression. The problem is that he’s only staring blankly, completely stunned. “I wasn’t sure if you did too… but after last night I thought… maybe there was a chance you did-”
Eddie lunges forward, one hand cupping Steve’s face while the other pushes himself up from the mattress. He’s kissing Steve with a passion that might frighten the other, and uses that strength that Steve had so much to say about last night by guiding Steve effortlessly onto his back. Eddie’s on top of him in a second, one leg between Steve’s.
“Oh,” Steve gasps when Eddie pulls back. His eyes fly open, finding Eddie staring down at him with an intensity that brings a warm tingle down his spine. Steve has his hands on Eddie’s sides, resting on his ribs and holding him close.
“You put me through hell last night,” Eddie accuses, but Steve only laughs. His head tilts back against the silk pillowcase, neck on display as his warm giggles fill the room. Eddie tugs on a lock of Steve’s hair to retaliate, but Steve only leans into Eddie’s palm, nuzzling his cheek against it tenderly.
“I didn’t mean to…” Steve says apologetically. As apologetically as he can while still smirking like an evil little devil. “But I thought to myself,” Steve trails his hands up and down Eddie’s sides before gliding them back to run his fingertips along the expanse of his back. “ ‘What would Eddie Munson do?’ And I thought you’d probably flirt. Because you flirt. A lot. I mean, now I know it’s flirting but I wasn’t always so sure because you’re not the best at it-”
Eddie leans in to press his forehead to Steve’s, grinning at the boy who’s so insistent on teasing him right now.
“Hell,” Eddie repeats, his voice barely above a whisper. “I laid here wondering how much God must hate me to put me in Steve Harrington’s bed and not be able to touch him.”
“You made me do all the hard work,” Steve jokes, his tongue poking the corner of his mouth as he wraps his arms around Eddie’s waist and squeezes him.
“You had some liquid courage,” Eddie shoots back, brushing his nose against Steve’s.
“What about now?” Steve stares down his nose at Eddie, his gorgeous eyes iridescent in the morning sun. He’s grinning mirthfully at Eddie, lifting his brows to his hairline as he daringly asks, “Still going to make me do all the work?”
Eddie claims Steve’s mouth so fast that Steve barely has a chance to finish his sentence. But Eddie’s content in never letting Steve lift a finger ever again. He’ll make sure Steve knows every day just how much Eddie wants him, because Steve deserves every ounce of love Eddie has to give.