Archive of Our Own

“You’re all fucking uneven,” Carol bitched, trying her best to spread more sunscreen over Steve’s back. “God, buy better products. Your parents are loaded, dude.”

Steve sent Carol a glare over his shoulder, finally turning to snatch the bottle of sunscreen out of her hands.

“Maybe you’re just bad at applying it,” He said with a heavy roll of his eyes.

Carol mocked him right back as they sat on the loungers in his expansive backyard, the sun beating down on them. The pool looked crisp but Steve didn’t plan on swimming today. Carol would probably try to talk him into it.

Such was the life of a rich inheritance baby.

But Steve preferred being at his moms place.

He dad was okay and all. Just. He was sort of distant and the only time he wanted to talk, it was usually about what Steve’s future plans would be. Or to talk Steve out of his fine arts degree. To belittle him for still taking dance classes after all this time.

He was super subtle about it.

So, Steve preferred his mom.

Cindy Harrington was a godsend of a woman, only heightened by her divorce. It had been amicable enough, as far as Steve knew. He was pretty sure his dad kept cheating and his mom grew tired of the back and forth. She asked for a divorce very calmly and Steve’s dad didn’t try to fight it.

The whole thing was weird and stilted but hey, at least it hadn’t been worse.

Now Steve got to go where he wanted. No more weekends between his dads practically empty mansion and his moms cottage. He got to choose.

And the cottage was so much more welcoming. The gardens were gorgeous, the rooms were lived in. Eclectic just like his mom.

She was a different type of rich.

The kind that usually got in trouble at all his school board meetings.

Steve loved his mom a lot. She always supported him even when his father did not. She was the one who noticed how much he loved dance and enrolled him into his first ever ballet class. So he was eternally grateful.

Why wouldn’t he want to spend the summer with her?

Sometimes he’d even hang out with her and her friends. His mom was so incredibly social, Steve was pretty sure she was the reason he didn’t get stage fright. He’d aced his last speech class, no nerves in sight. Probably because he used to put on little plays for his mom, right in their old living room. Walking all over the coffee table and chairs, reciting Romeo and Juliet as she cheered him on.

She was almost overly supportive when he came out to her at only fourteen. She took him to his first concert, was there when he got his belly button pierced.

So yeah. There was really no competition.

Steve saw his father during the holidays and that was about it. Besides, he had some new girlfriend now and Steve wasn’t about to deal with that drama.

He’d brought Carol home with him for part of his summer vacation. She was….Carol. Catty to the highest degree but still somehow funny and loyal. They met in a dance class and became bitchy little friends nearly instantly.

They spent most of their last semester partying together, cramming for tests, checking out men at clubs but chickening out last second.

Sometimes.

Carol did like to call him a slut.

It was nice to have her around, even if she was rude.

“You’re gonna get the most uneven tan imaginable,” She said with a sigh. Steve pushed his sunglasses back on and went to lay on his stomach again, flipping Carol off casually all the whole.

“Am not,” He said, the Sun making him grow lethargic. “I tan like a god.”

It was true. She couldn’t deny it.

But Carol wasn’t responding as the back door opened noisily and noise spilled into the backyard.

Ah.

His mom was home. With company.

He could hear them chattering away but he chose to ignore it, shutting his eyes and resting his head on his arms.

“Holy fuck,” Carol hissed into his precious silence, nudging Steve rudely with one pointy nail. “Steve. Steven. Steeeeeve.”

He finally gave in, looking over at Carol with a glare she couldn’t quite see.

“What?”

She was staring wide eyed at the other side of their yard. Right where the noise was coming from, near the garden.

“It’s- who the hell is that?” She asked. In the tone of voice that Carol only reserved for attractive men she wanted to sink her claws into.

Steve sighed heavily and turned back around.

“My moms friend,” Steve said, already bored. “His name’s Eddie. He’s old and gay, so. Maybe don’t try that.”

Carol made a wounded noise and Steve could just about what his mom explaining something to Eddie. Something about the new veggies she’d planted last week.

“Eddie? Why- why didn’t you tell me?”

Huh?

“Tell you what?” Steve asked in confusion.

He dared to look at Carol again.

“That your moms best friend is a fucking silver fox,” She hissed, reaching out to smack Steve on the leg. “I mean, Jesus Christ. He looks like some kind of ex rockstar.”

“He is,” Steve said, sort of enjoying riling Carol up now. “Used to be in a band that toured a lot. Now he just produces music, boring fuck that he is.”

Carol looked like she wanted to respond but her eyes widened and her cheeks went bright red.

“Who’s a boring fuck?” A voice asked from the other side of Steve. Great.

He didn’t hate Eddie, Eddie was just-

Steve let out a huff of air as his seat shifted, the weight of another person sitting down at the end.

“Jesus Christ-“

“Hi, I’m Eddie,” He said, already holding his hand out for a startled Carol to shake. Where was his mom? “Friend of Steve’s, hi. You must be Carol, Cindy told me so much about you. She really likes you, which is rare for Steve’s friends. He kind of has a history of-“

Steve rolled over, kicking Eddie in the thigh in the process, before finally giving in and sitting up on his chair. He straddled the width of it and glared at Eddie, perched just on the edge.

“Where’s my mom?” He asked with no small amount of annoyance.

Eddie gave him the same amused look he usually gave Steve.

“Inside,” He said, lacking details as usual. “We were making cookies but the kitchen got too hot.”

“Yeah, probably because you’re using the oven in a cottage. During the summer,” Steve said, watching as Eddie only grinned more. “When it’s hot.”

Carol was literally stock still with hearts in her eyes.

Steve couldn’t see it.

Eddie was- he was just Eddie.

In his baggy band tees and ripped jeans, long hair greying at the temples. He didn’t even look all that old, just a few laugh likes here and there. It was annoying.

He probably had a skincare routine, the rich fuck.

As if Steve didn’t also have one, right.

Anyway.

“Is it hot?” Eddie asked with a fake frown. “I couldn’t tell. You look like a ghost, by the way. Are you sure all this tanning is worth it? I imagine it’s probably gonna give you spots when you get older and you have all those moles already. Have you gotten them checked recently or are you-“

Steve slapped a hand over Eddie’s mouth and ignored the cackle beneath.

“It’s too early to deal with you.”

Eddie licked his palm before he even got the last word out.

“Oh god,” Steve groused, wiping his hand over the fabric of his very small “hoochie” shorts, as Carol called them. Carol sure wasn’t making jokes now. “You’re so immature.”

“I’m immature?” Eddie asked incredulously. “You wouldn’t even let me introduce myself to your very charming friend. And you insulted our cookies.”

“I didn’t insult-“ Steve scrubbed a hand over his face, pulling his sunglasses off a moment later. “Why are you out here?”

Eddie held a wounded hand to his chest, looking at Carol for support.

“Has he gotten ruder over the last few years? I think college changed him,” Oh my god. “Then again, he’s still just as baby faced as before, isn’t he? Won’t be for long, gonna end up looking like a piece of tanned leather-“

“Mom!” Steve called, causing both Carol and Eddie to cover their ears at his volume. “Please come get your friend!”

Not Steve’s friend, no.

No matter what Eddie said.

Steve’s mom stuck her head outside, her cheeks flushed and hair a mess.

“Stop harassing the youngins,” She said in a put upon accent. “Come help me roll out some more balls.”

“Oh, balls!” Eddie cheered. “My favorite!”

Steve’s face was unbearably hot as Eddie finally retreated, nearly tripping over his own feet as he got up. Fucking dork.

“He didn’t say that, you didn’t hear him say that,” Steve mumbled to Carol, rubbing his face in secondhand embarrassment.

Carol fucking giggled.

Full on giggled.

“I think he’s funny,” She said as soon as the backdoor shut again. “You can’t tell me you’ve never thought about it.”

Steve slowly started to relax again, laying back on his chair and frowning over at Carol.

“Thought about what?”

Carol gave him a deadpan look.

“Fucking around with him,” She said. As if that entire sentence didn’t make Steve want to crawl into a hole and die. He made a disgusted face in response, his nose scrunching like he smelt something terrible. “Seriously? Are you kidding me?”

“Carol,” Steve said with a sickeningly sweet smile. “Just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I latch onto every single gay man in existence. Why would you even-“

“That is not what I meant,” She cut in. “You’re so obtuse. The guy has like, the nicest hands. Does he play guitar? Piano? Drums? I bet he does. Bet he could do a lot with his fin-“

“I’m begging you to stop,” Steve groaned. “He plays all of them, okay? That’s not- that has nothing to do with sexual prowess. You should know that based off of all the duds you sleep with.”

Carol gave him a sarcastic smile and the middle finger.

“I’m just saying,” She shrugged casually. “Look at his hands the next time you’re alone with him,” An unseemly waggle of her brows. “Might be shocked at what you find.”

“Hands,” Steve reiterated dully. “I’d find hands.”

Carol picked his sunscreen up and threw it right at his head.

—

Night time in the cottage was always pleasant.

Steve and Carol went to bed a while after a quiet dinner. His mom and Eddie had gone out again. Steve would have been worried about his mothers virtue if Eddie wasn’t incredibly queer.

Besides, he was pretty sure they never got up to anything particularly wild.

Just old people stuff.

God. Carol had so much audacity. How could she look at Eddie and find him attractive? Not that he was ugly or anything. He was just….Eddie. He’d been around for awhile and Steve was used to seeing him in bits and pieces.

At first, he’d genuinely thought Eddie was dating his mom. And that had been a weird spiral for Steve.

But his mom was quick to explain that Eddie couldn’t have an interest in her even if he wanted to. She always pointedly said Eddie would never be her type in a million years, so maybe that’s where Steve got his bitchiness from.

But now. Now, he was always around. Always visiting, staying the night. Sleeping in one of their guest rooms. Walking around like he owned the place.

Steve didn’t hate Eddie or anything. He was just….vaguely immature. Goofy and outlandish in a way that Steve wasn’t used to. Sure, his mom could be a lot. But she was nowhere near Eddie Munson level of weird.

He couldn’t stop thinking about it, about the sheer audacity, even as he fell asleep.

—

Steve was on a cloud, floating on the surface of their pool. Rippling over the water but feeling none of the wet from it.

The pool was massive, stretching out endlessly around him. Bigger than usual, he noticed. But that was fine. It was nice and cool against his skin, soft like cotton candy.

And silent, just the noise of a few distant birds chirping.

Where was he? Why was the sky so clear?

Why was there so many birds sitting around? Surely that wasn’t normal. He’d never seen so many birds in the backyard before. Was that a flamingo? What the-

Why was-

His head snapped forward at the sound of the backdoor opening. The glass glittered back at him, sparkling in sunlight that should have burnt his eyes.

It was so bright out here. Carol was right, his tan was gonna be so uneven.

Out walked….Eddie?

Eddie, clad in swim shorts with a big grin on his face. Carrying a bowl. Why a bowl? What was in it?

Steve floated along, grinning up at Eddie with no qualms.

“What’s in the bowl?” He asked, voice coming out much nicer than it normally did. The words drifted along like a gentle breeze.

Eddie showed teeth, his grin widening. Had it always looked this charming? No, surely not.

“Watermelon,” He said, sliding down to sit at the edge of the pool. He let his long legs dangle into the water, kicking back and forth as Steve swam closer. His eyes were so dark this close up, just a foot away. Why couldn’t he feel any heat coming off of Eddie? No heat, no smell, nothing. “Do you want some?”

Steve nodded, the movement natural despite his racing brain? Why? Why was Eddie here?

He was swimming and having a great time alone. Why was Eddie here?

“Open up, sweetheart,” Eddie cooed in a low voice, fingers plucking one piece of watermelon out of the bowl and holding it out toward Steve.

He didn’t hesitate.

He leaned toward Eddie, mouth open. Tongue out. Eyes trained on the older man as he placed the piece of fruit on his tongue.

Steve chewed on it immediately after, the flavor not quite bursting on his tongue like he wanted it to.

Eddie just kept watching. Eyes big and round and hooded. Hands strong and tattooed and well-veined as he sat the bowl aside. As he reaches for Steve, one hand wrapping around the back of his neck.

As he reached for Steve and pulled him in to-

Steve gasped himself awake, body sweating and heart hammering hard in his chest as he sat bolt upright.

What- what the fuck-

That wasn’t- that hadn’t just happened. This wasn’t a thing. It wasn’t. He’d never had- it wasn’t even that type of dream, no. They hadn’t even done anything.

Oh god. This was all Carol’s fault.

—

Steve was pretty sure people were more prone to have sex dreams about people they spent time with. Or maybe it was that you had sex dreams by power of suggestion alone. And Carol had suggested a lot, the little bitch.

Steve hadn’t been able to go back to sleep.

No because what if he had another pure nightmare? That’s what it was. An actual, real life nightmare. No no. Not real life. Dream life nightmare, yeah. It wasn’t real.

He just-

Okay, now he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

For one reason alone.

He’d woken up hard.

It wasn’t that big of a deal, not really. He usually woke up sort of hard, blood flow and all that. But this was-

This wasn’t sort of hard.

So there was that.

He’d ignored it, of course. Had even gotten up and immediately taken the most shame faced shower possible.

Everyone would know, wouldn’t they? They’d be able to see it all over his face. He was a dirty, disgusting little whore. But he wasn’t. No no no. Eddie wasn’t even on the radar for Steve. He wasn’t some random celeb Steve could safely dream about. He was Eddie.

Naturally, Steve wanted to appear to be the least suspicious possible.

His version of this was covering himself head to toe, despite the heat creeping up outside.

He wandered into the kitchen on instinct, the house still quiet. He could make some coffee to calm down, to recenter himself.

But no, of course not.

Because as soon as he walked in, there he was.

Cooking eggs, standing in front of the stove. Shirtless. With more tattoos than Dream-Eddie ever had, what the fuck?

Steve stopped short, frozen in the doorway. He could still run away if he needed to. Eddie hadn’t noticed him yet-

“Are you okay?” Eddie asked, turning to stare at Steve like he’d grown a third head. “You’re not sleep walking are you?”

His voice sounded like gravel, the hair framing his face messy from sleep.

He had a five o’clock shadow.

“Huh?”

Eddie kept staring at Steve, his bemused smile growing. He leaned forward and turned the burner off, pulling his pan from the heat.

“Stevie? What’s up? You look-“ And then Eddie stared right at Steve’s outfit. “Are you wearing a sweater? Are those flannel?”

Yes. His pajama pants were flannel.

“I got cold,” Steve croaked, keeping his eyes level with Eddie’s. Why did he feel so fucking nervous out of nowhere? Why wasn’t Eddie wearing a shirt? Did he always traipse around without one?

“You got cold?” Eddie asked incredulously, moving toward the cabinet and pulling a plate out. He hesitated and pulled out a second one. “Are you- you’re not sick, are you?”

Steve barely had any time to react as Eddie sat the two plates down on the counter and stepped much too close to Steve. A few quick strides before he had his hand placed on Steve’s forehead.

Uh.

Steve felt wide eyed and dizzy. Eddie smelled like coffee and bodywash.

“Not hot,” Eddie murmured, brushing some of Steve’s messy hair back. “You sure you’re fully awake?”

Yes. He was absolutely sure. He was also absolutely sure that Eddie needed to back the fuck up.

“I am,” Steve said. “Just still sleepy. Guess my room is kind of drafty,” It definitely wasn’t. “Feel a little too- a little stuffy now.”

Eddie hummed, reaching down to pluck at the fabric of Steve’s sweater.

“You should probably take this off,” Eddie said helpfully. What the fuck what the fuck oh god. “You’re gonna have a heatstroke. Sit down, I’ll make you some eggs.”

Why would Steve just listen? Like? Why would he do that?

He moved with stiff legs, eyes so wide he thought they might just pop out of his skull. Eddie was being weirdly nice. Wait. No, Eddie was usually pretty nice, wasn’t he? He was always kind. He was just, you know. Usually kind of weird too. And the combo never helped.

But. Okay, maybe Steve was being a dick. Not Steve. Not present Steve. Present Steve couldn’t think about anything but the wing tattoos stretched across Eddie’s shoulder blades. They’d never looked less dumb to him.

They were so intricate, lines of black that extended over bone and muscle. Eddie had a nice back, how had he never noticed? It was just- it was right there. Staring at him. Taunting him.

Making him remember his stupid dream.

“What would you like to drink?” Eddie asked as he cracked two eggs and stepped back from the stove.

“Oh,” Steve stuttered. “Just water. I can get it my-“

Eddie sent him a look that had Steve sitting back down in seconds.

Why was he sweating so much?

Probably the sweater. Because it makes you sweaty. Hot. Flushed.

“You can have water,” Eddie said decisively, leaning into the open fridge. Exposing more of his tattoo. “But you have to have some juice too. Orange okay?”

Yeah.

“Yep,” Steve squeaked, hugging his arms close to his chest. “Sounds great.”

Who knew Steve would be this frantic over Eddie pouring orange juice in his kitchen?

It was…

It was a bit much.

“There you go,” Eddie said with a smile, sliding the drink over to Steve and immediately frowning. “Steve. Take the fucking sweater off. You’re being weird, dude. You’re like, actually kind of red. Did you burn yesterday? I keep telling you to wear enough sunscreen. Is your back okay? I’ve got some aloe, if you need help apply-“

Oh god no.

“Nope!” Steve said, reaching for the hemline of his sweater and whipping it off quickly. Eddie didn’t even flinch. Which was- okay, fine. Not like Steve had been particularly sexy about it. Not like he had wanted to be sexy about it or anything. “I’m perfect. No sunburn. Nothing- nothing wrong.”

Eddie frowned again but turned away nonetheless.

Just to make breakfast for Steve.

“Toast? And don’t argue with me,” Eddie said, stern enough that Steve felt something erupt in his belly. What the fuck was that? “You have the metabolism of a college student, you can eat bread.”

“Okay,” Steve said without thought. “I can, yeah.”

Eddie looked at him again, even stranger than before. Like he was trying to figure out why Steve was acting so fucking weird.

Eddie turned away and kept himself busy with the toaster, unaware of Steve’s rabid staring.

Why exactly was he even staring?

He’d seen Eddie shirtless before, hadn’t he? Surely he had.

“How’s school going?”

It was small talk. The worlds most awkward attempt at small talk. Jesus Christ.

“It’s….okay,” Steve said, wincing at his own voice. “Don’t love living on campus but it’s not all bad.”

Eddie smiled over his shoulder.

Since when did he have dimples?

“I live pretty close,” Eddie said nonchalantly. “Closer than your mom. If you ever need a place to stay, just let me know.”

Steve was not going to be able to get through breakfast, was he? Not when everything out of Eddie’s mouth was just sending him into one tailspin after another.

“Will do,” Steve said, almost slamming his face into the counter at how incredibly stupid he sounded. “Thank you for, uh-“

Eddie was sliding Steve’s eggs onto a plate, the toast following immediately after.

“Making a growing boy breakfast?”

Why would he say it like that?

Why was Steve still on fire?

“I- uh, thank- thank you-“

Steve was pretty sure he had at least half of a boner and that had never ever happened around Eddie before. No, that was unrelated. Surely.

“No problem,” Eddie said, already turning back around.

Steve needed to eat and get the fuck out of this kitchen. Immediately.

—

“You’re acting weird,” Carol said as soon as she sat down beside Steve. Maybe it was his stance, sat upright on his lounge chair. Back straight and eyes wide like a spooked deer. “You look weird too.”

Rude.

He couldn’t seem to shake it, this strange and sudden…thing with Eddie. He never felt like this before, so why now? It had to be that stupid dream. That was the only explanation.

“I’m fine,” He lied with a shrill little shriek to his voice. He definitely didn’t sound fine. “Just had a long night, that’s all.”

Carol gave him a look of disdain, rolling her eyes toward the sky.

“You went to bed early,” She said indignantly. “You seemed fine last night. Did something happen?”

Steve didn’t have a chance to answer, as the back door opened and his mom came spilling out in a rushed manner.

Steve welcomed the distraction, not particularly wanting to explain himself to Carol at the moment.

“Hi, sweetie,” His mom called as she made her way over. “I have some bad news.”

That could mean anything coming from his mom, to be completely honest. Steve just figured-

“I’ve gotta make my way out to France for a couple of weeks,” She said, as if her constant travel was anywhere near shocking. “One if my girlfriends is getting married. Angelica, you remember? The seamstress. She’s stressed out to the sun and back.”

Carol looked confused. She definitely wasn’t used to his mom yet.

“You just found out about the wedding?”

His mom laughed a little and leaned down toward them.

“Between you and me, I suspect it’s a shotgun wedding,” She said, eyes wider than usual. “I can’t just not go, what if something exciting happens? And she wants us to wear fun hats.”

“Love a fun hat,” Steve said, grinning at his mother fondly.

“So you see,” She nodded toward Steve. “I need to know you won’t go out and party constantly.”

Ugh.

“Mom, I’m an adult.”

They’d had this discussion before.

“I know that,” She chastised him. “I just worry about you. Remember there are condoms in the upstairs bathroom-“

Carol snorted, Steve groaned.

“And Eddie will be in and out to make sure you’re nice and alive, since I know you hate answering the phone for your dear old mother.”

What?

No. No no no. Anything but that, for the love of God.

His mom must have sensed the panic. Or maybe she could just see it painted all over his face.

“You won’t even notice him,” She sighed heavily. “I told him not to cramp your style and ignore if you….bring anyone home. As per usual.” Jesus fucking Christ, mom. “So don’t worry about it. Just relax and have fun, my little spider.”

Carol’s brow rose high and Steve’s face flamed. No. He wasn’t explaining that one. Never.

His mom said her goodbyes and Steve tried to figure out if he could feasibly get away with renting a hotel room for two weeks without his mom finding out.

Unlikely.

Not when he would be using one of her cards.

“That was….” Carol petered off as his mom disappeared back inside, turning to him with a flabbergasted expression. His mom tended to do that. “Odd. Little spider?”

“Nope,” Steve said shortly, already moving to lay down and ignore Carol for the foreseeable future. “I’m not gonna-“

“Also,” Carol cut in slyly. Fuck. “I noticed how weird you acted when she mentioned Eddie. You can’t hide shit from me. What happened? Did something happen?

Why would something happen? What was she even implying?

Steve slipped his shades on and hoped they covered the blush on his face well enough.

“Something did happen!” She crowed. “What was it? Did you get hot and heavy in the kitchen? Did you finally wake up and realize he’s probably packing? Come on, I know-“

Not thinking about that, no. No. He was not going to think about that.

“I had a dream about him!” Steve hissed in a rushed whisper.

Carol fell silent immediately.

Followed by the worlds loudest cackle.

“Oh is that all?” She asked through a torrent of giggles, head thrown back like some sort of banshee. Steve reached out to pinch her but she dodged it. “You’re so fucking dramatic. Was it a sex dream? Are you finally seeing the light?”

“No,” He blurted out. “I’m not- there is no light to see. Nothing. Zilch. It’s all dark, Carol. There’s nothing there.”

She gave him a no bullshit stare, arms crossed over her chest.

“Fine!” He snapped, breaking immediately. “You just had to- you had to say all that shit yesterday and then I had this- this dream and it was- it was bad, okay? And then I wake up and go to the kitchen and he’s there and he’s shirtless and he-“

“In real life, right? Not the dream?”

Steve was so red he felt like maybe he really was burning.

“Not the dream!” He said, rubbing his face and sliding his sunglasses back off. “It was so awkward. World endingly awkward. All I could do was stare at his stupid back tat.”

“Ooooo,” Carol said, grinning at him again. “Back tat? What is it? Is it big? The tattoo, not-“

Steve really wished Eddie hadn’t walked out right then.

At least he didn’t seem to hear their conversation.

But nothing could stop Carol from interfering in Steve’s life.

“Eddie!” She called, not even deterred by his frantic hushing and head shaking. Of course she wasn’t, when was she ever? “Can you come here for a moment?”

Thank fuck he had a shirt on this time.

“Yeah?” He asked, approaching them with a book in hand. How odd. Steve wouldn’t figure him for the lounge in the sun and read a book type. “Nice to see the youngins roasting in the sun again.”

“That’s precisely why I called you over,” She said, snake smile on her face. “I’m about to leave pretty soon, got a hot date.” She definitely didn’t. Steve wouldn’t put it past her to find one as quick as possible. “And Stevie here is horrible at reaching the middle of his back. He keeps saying it doesn’t matter but I know he’ll burn out here if I don’t-“

“I will not-“

It was no use, she was full steam ahead.

What had Steve’s life turned into?

She was up quicker than Steve could fathom, tossing the bottle of sunscreen to a fumbling Eddie.

“Help him out,” She said with her most menacing smile, already on her way to the back door. “He really needs it.”

Steve sat with his heart in his throat, betrayal ripe in his veins. He couldn’t even yell at Carol or move or run or-

And then Eddie sighed and dropped down next to him on the lounge chair. Just sat right down.

“Alright, kid. Turn around.”

Steve was going to hell. He was seriously going to hell.

Why would he even listen? Why would he turn where he sat and twist himself and expose his bare back to Eddie?

Why?

“Didn’t realize you had dimples,” Eddie said nonchalantly. As if it wasn’t a big deal, as if he had just noticed. “And so many moles. Look at you, like a constellation.”

Eddie was joking around, trying to make Steve more comfortable.

It was doing the opposite as the bottle clicked open loudly and Steve stared wide eyed at the brick side of the house.

“S-sorry,” Steve stuttered, mind going blank at the first touch of warm hands. Calloused from years of guitar and bass and drums. “I’m-“

“Why should you be sorry?” Eddie asked, quieter than he usually was as he swept gentle hands over the broadness of Steve’s shoulders. Steve could definitely reach that part. He could reach all of his back, really. “It’s probably genetics. Little worrying though.”

Right. What was he talking about?

“Huh?”

Intelligent, Steve. Really smart.

“You have so many moles,” Eddie said, hands sweeping over his shoulder blades. Pausing to uncap the bottle again and get more sunscreen. Steve was not going to get hard from this. How stupid would that be? How weird would that be? “Might wanna get them checked out as you get older, you know.”

Right. Yeah.

Steve could only focus on how warm Eddie’s hands were. How they made their way even lower, thumbs pressing into the aforementioned dimples.

Steve felt the breath stall in his chest, his tongue tied for real this time.

Jesus fucking-

“Okay!” Steve called, turning around with too much speed and almost toppling himself sideways. “Thank you, that was very nice of you and I appreciate it. I’m all good now. Very protected from the sun, thank you.”

Eddie sat there with his palms up, mouth open as he stared at Steve like he’d grown a second head.

“Are you sure?”

Was he- was he sure? Since when had Eddie ever been this polite? It made zero sense.

“I’m absolutely sure,” Steve smiled closed lip, fidgeting awkwardly as Eddie stared at him some more.

“Oh-Kay” Eddie said, long and drawn out. He stood then. Brushing his hands down his pants like he was dusting himself off. He was a dork. Friendly reminder, Steve. He’s a dork. An old one at that. With countless tattoos and curly hair and nice biceps and- “I’m gonna make something for dinner tonight, you wanna join me?”

Oh. Oh god no.

Steve shook his head profusely, feeling an odd pang of regret at the look of confusion on Eddie’s face. It was fine, he wasn’t being that mean. Not at all.

—

Steve couldn’t stop thinking about it.

He’d been squirmy and full of butterflies as Eddie rubbed his stupid palms over his shoulders and back. He’d practically vibrated out of his skin.

But Eddie acted like it was just another day. Just another thing for him to do. For a friends son.

Was Steve not hot enough? Was that it?

Did he need to try harder?

The prospect of attempting to seduce Eddie just to prove a point was….kind of daunting. He was like an immovable force. Steve had never heard or seen Eddie do anything sexual ever. He collected old Pokémon cards. He spent most of his time recording songs in his upstairs studio.

He wasn’t exactly the purveyor of sex appeal.

But Carol had acted like he was.

Was Steve just completely missing something? He lay in his bed, eyes focused on the ceiling. Definitely not pouting, not even a little bit.

It made no sense. Eddie wasn’t supposed to pop up in his dreams. He was the sort of guy who came to your birthday party and left an unfamiliar gift. He was the sort of guy who would drive you to the airport if you needed it but wouldn’t pick you up because you weren’t that close.

Why the fuck had Steve had that dream? Why did he feel so weird now?

He had to test it. He had to see why Eddie hadn’t even- it was insulting, frankly. Steve was attractive, he knew that. People told him so all the time. And all Eddie could do was comment on his moles.

Steve had to find out what the fuck was going on. He had to figure Eddie out.

—

He contemplated his outfit for far longer than he wanted to contemplate anything involving Eddie. Carol was off somewhere, probably getting laid, so she was no help.

Steve wanted to look good. Better than good. Irresistible. Just to see if Eddie would look, if he would notice.

It wasn’t- he didn’t want anything to happen. Not at all. But he was kind of offended and that stupid dream and-

He chose a pair of tight denim jeans and a black shirt that was so baggy, it nearly fell off one shoulder. Not his usual but it would do.

He wanted to look cute but not too young. God forbid he creep Eddie out. Steve had a well known baby face.

Entering the kitchen was nerve wracking, watching as Eddie cooked. Being in the same room alone with him again, something that had never bothered Steve before.

It didn’t take long for him to turn and find Steve, a pan in his hand as he made what looked like chicken fajitas.

“Oh,” Eddie greeted him, smile entirely too wide. Friendly. Hmph. “I thought you didn’t want to have dinner with me.”

“I don’t, uh-“ Steve, be sexy. You can do it. He leaned against the kitchen doorway, misjudging the distance and almost falling sideways. Eddie gave him a funny look and Steve felt his face flush. “I decided I would. Have dinner with you, that is.”

Eddie didn’t look disturbed, just happy.

“Why don’t you set some plates and silverware out? Will your friend be joining us?”

Fuck no. That would be a disaster.

“No,” Steve said, making his way to the cabinets. He felt a bit silly. Eddie was just a normal guy. Steve didn’t have to worry about any of this, not really. “She’ll be going home soon and-“

Just as Steve reached for a set of plates, he felt a presence at his back. A warm chest pressed to his back as Eddie reached over him to-

To grab a different plate.

“Sorry, gotta get something to put all the veggies on,” Eddie apologized, already stepping back. Just like that. So casual. Like he had zero clue what he’d just done to Steve.

Steve felt unbelievably sweaty again.

How was he able to just-

To just do that and move on?

Steve placed the plates down on the table, trying his best to not watch Eddie cook. It’d never been attractive to him before, so why now? Why?

It was a fluke. It had to be.

By the time Eddie was finished, Steve had calmed down. Moderately, as he went through the fridge and found a couple of beers for the two of them. He was calm, he really was.

Eddie gave him a look when he popped the caps on the kitchen counter.

“What?” Steve asked, sipping his beer innocently. “Mom doesn’t care if I crack it on the counter.”

She probably would care but oh well.

“That’s not the look I’m giving you,” Eddie raised a brow and grabbed his own bottle, making his way to the table. God, it was set for two. Just the two of them. What had Steve gotten himself into? “Little weirded out that you’re drinking, to be honest.”

“Are you gonna rat me out?” Steve asked unsteadily. He didn’t truly care but- but something about Eddie’s very serious gaze… “I promise I’m allowed to. I wouldn’t lie.”

He winked at Eddie for good measure.

No reaction. Just a snort as he sat down.

Fucking great.

Steve sat too, disheartened as he realized that fajitas weren’t exactly a sexy food. And now he had to make small talk with Eddie. And Eddie loved-

“How’s school going?”

Eddie loved small talk.

“It’s uh…” No, reminding Eddie of his age was a horrible idea. “It’s fine. Kind of boring, not much to do.”

“Staying away from all the parties?” At least Eddie was polite enough to cover his mouth when he chewed and talked.

“I go to a few,” Steve admitted, despite the fact that he rarely did anymore. Why was he even lying? Steve could frequent a few clubs but his visits were short at best. “I like to meet new people. New guys.”

Great. What a way to put that out there.

Eddie’s brows rose in some sort of thinly veiled amusement. He sipped his beer and stared across the table at Steve. The silence was tense.

“Meet anyone recently?” Eddie asked, waving his hand around. “I know college is kind of the place for…you know, getting to know people and all-“

“You can say hookup,” Steve interrupted, cheeks turning red when Eddie sat his beer down. “That’s- I mean, that’s usually what people are up to, isn’t it? Not much actual dating going on.”

Why did he want Eddie to ask about it? Ask him how often that happened for him, if anyone was taking care of him. What is was like for Steve. He suddenly wanted to vastly overshare.

“I wouldn’t know,” Eddie admitted with a wry grin. “I never went, just started peddling my music and somewhere it worked.”

Again. Not hot. Success wasn’t hot, it wasn’t.

“I never see you dating anyone,” Steve manages to say in one long slur, like he was just trying to get the words out before he forgot them or something. He blushed red as Eddie stared at him all startled. “I mean, I haven’t. I never- I don’t think I’ve ever seen-“

“Ah,” Eddie sounded uneasy about the topic at hand. Speaking of hands, his moved a lot. Too much. It was distracting in the worst possible way. Steve tried to focus on eating but he couldn’t, not really. “I’m not really into….dating.”

Oh.

Steve gulped and reached for his drink. His throat was horribly dry.

“So, you just hit it and quit it then?” Steve asked, not even thinking about how fucking invasive and awful and stupid he sounded. It just sort of came out.

Eddie looked stunned.

“Well…um, I don’t know if-“

“You do seem like the type.”

Why would he say that?

Oh god, Eddie looked even more shocked. Steve barely talked to him and now he was interrogating the guy about his sex life.

“Are- is that your way of calling me a slut?” Eddie asked, almost laughing.

Steve was going to die from embarrassment.

“No!” He said, a touch too adamant. “I- I would never- if anything, I’m the slut. I’m a huge slut. That’s the rumor back at school, anyway. Or it- it has been for years now. I’m not, uh- I guess-“

“The rumor?” Eddie asked, all humor sliding right off his face as he sat his fork down. What? “What rumor?”

Steve felt as thrown off as he possibly could be.

“Oh, uh. Well, I kind of figured you knew,” Steve admitted, looking down at his plate. Anything to not make eye contact. “I’ve had some pretty bad rumors for years now. About- about what I’ll do, what I’ve gotten up to, who I’ve gotten on top of. Under, most of the time, actually. You didn’t need to know that. Why am I even- why did I tell you that, oh my god.”

Eddie looked like Steve could knock him over with a soft push.

“Um-“ Eddie mumbled, obviously unsure what to say. “I don’t think we run in the same circles. Haven’t met many college students in recent years, so I’ve- I’ve never heard a rumor about you.”

Steve had never felt younger and dumber in his life. Holy shit.

“Right,” Steve smiled closed lip. He kind of wanted to run out of the room. So much for seduction. He tried to shimmy his shirt down his shoulder just a little. Just to show some more skin. “What’s your type?”

Again. When was his mouth going to stop?

Some sort of comprehension formed on Eddie’s face. Like a light bulb going off. Steve had no clue what it meant but he didn’t like how calm Eddie suddenly looked.

“Someone with a 401k,” He said, sipping his beer and chewing on his tongue like he was trying not to laugh.

“I thought you said you don’t date,” Steve said, words rushing out again. Please, please stop saying everything in your head. “I mean, that doesn’t- why would that matter if you don’t date?”

Why did he care? Why was he asking?

“Besides, there are like, plenty of people who are independently wealthy and might not ever have to work a day in their life because of generational wealth,” Steve was going full steam ahead, unable to stop as Eddie sat his drink down and rested his chin on one fist. He was smiling politely at Steve, waiting for him to be done. “Is that- is that on the table then, if that’s your type?”

“I was joking,” Eddie said softly. Fondly. “Are you okay? You’re being a little odd tonight.”

“Am I?” Steve asked, biting his lip and trying to appear more….more sexy? He wasn’t even sure. He wasn’t very good at it. He was normally so good at flirting and being charming but apparently not with Eddie. “How so?”

Eddie sighed and smiled at Steve.

“I think I’ve had a handful of real conversations with you over the years,” Eddie admitted. “And none of them were about my sex life, Steve.”

He gave Steve the most intentional look imaginable.

No. Nope. Steve was not- he was not getting caught like this. Eddie had no clue what was on his mind, what exactly was going on with him. He didn’t.

“Maybe I’m just more mature now,” Steve said, going for haughty. As if he wasn’t being even more obvious. “I’ve grown a lot, you know.”

Eddie really looked at him. Steve felt a lot like he was being xrayed. Judged.

Why was it so hot in the dining room?

“Sure,” Eddie said slowly. “But you’ll always be your moms son to me. Just a little boy.”

No. No, there was no way that Steve was getting simultaneously turned on and annoyed. Those two things should not go together. It was impossible.

Steve felt-

He felt petulant and righteous and insulted.

He felt like doing something stupid.

So he did. He pushed his chair back, heart hammering in his chest. Eddie didn’t move much, watching Steve with a trained eye. Like he just expected Steve to do something, to act out. Fuck him, he didn’t know Steve like that. Eddie hadn’t even been around that long. Why should he get to talk down to Steve?

He walked around the table and stood right to the side of Eddie. Eddie, in turn, scooted his seat back like he was going to get up. Facial expression dead serious, turning to the side-

Steve dropped down onto the floor. Onto his knees, right there in front of Eddie.

He didn’t even think, he just put his hands on Eddie’s spread thighs. They were much stronger than Steve realized, this close up. And his jeans were tight. Steve could see-

He could see the soft line of Eddie inside them.

“I could be your boy,” Steve said in a rush, his face burning bright as Eddie stared down at him. Stunned, eyebrows climbing his forehead. Mouth open in the most worrisome moment of mid-panic. “I know your my moms-“

“Best friend,” Eddie interrupted, unsure where to look. “Why- uh, this isn’t- what are you doing?”

He was so confused. Steve hadn’t-

Was it not clear?

“Isn’t it obvious?” Steve asked, nearly deflating. He wanted to reach his hands up further. Touch Eddie more. “I’m seducing you.”

Eddie’s eyes shut in the next second, a huge sigh leaving his body. Weary and tired as he rubbed at his face.

Great. The perfect reaction.

“No, you are not,” Eddie said tiredly, taking his hand off his face and frowning at Steve. Disapproval. Steve felt something itch at the back of his brain. “Steve, get up. This is ridiculous. You’re being ridiculous.”

No, he wasn’t. He didn’t want to get up.

“Are you saying you’ve never ever thought about-“ Eddie sighed loudly enough this time that it interrupted a now disgruntled Steve. “About me? You put sunscreen on my back, you felt me up.”

Eddie shook his head fast, eyebrows scrunching even further.

“What? No, I didn’t. I was being nice!” He defended himself, reaching for Steve’s hands and- and wrapping his fingers all the way around Steve’s wrists. Oh. “This isn’t- you do not want to hit on me, Steve. I promise. I’m old enough to be-“

“You’re not even,” Steve cut in, unsure why he was arguing when he’d been so against this hours ago. Why did he care? Why were Eddie’s hands so big? “And you have no idea what I want to do. You don’t know me.”

Eddie gave him such a scathing look, Steve felt his gulp before he’d realized he’d swallowed.

“I know that you’re not in your right mind,” He said, pushing Steve’s hands off him and letting them fall. Steve pouted at the lack of touch, only wanting to do it again. Just to see if Eddie might hold his wrists again. “I’m- I’m confused. Why are you doing this? You literally never talk to me. I was under the impression that you hated me. What’s going on? Is school too stressful? Did someone hurt you?”

The concern on Eddie’s face was equal parts sweet and infuriating.

Steve let out a huff and fell back on his ankles, arms crossing defensively over his chest. He looked away from Eddie, too embarrassed to admit it while maintaining eye contact.

“I had a dream,” Steve mumbled, sure that he was being engulfed in flames.

“Sorry, what?” Eddie asked, thighs still spread. God, could he sit different?

“I had a dream,” Steve said with more emphasis. “About you. It’s- it’s so dumb-“

“That’s not dumb-“

“It was Carol’s fault,” Steve steamrolled ahead. “She just- she said some stuff about-“ He was definitely blushing now, staring at a spot on the floor. “About you being attractive and I told her I’d never thought of you that way before but then I had a stupid dream-“

“What kind of dream?” Eddie asked, as if he was genuinely trying to help Steve out. It was annoyingly kind. Steve hated it.

“A sex dream,” Steve said bluntly, wrinkling his nose. “Well. It didn’t get to the sex part but that’s definitely where it was leading.”

Eddie sat back in his seat with a sound of relief.

“Oh,” He said, shrugging easily. “That’s not so bad, right? Plenty of people-“

“Have those types of dreams about each other, yeah,” Steve said, monotone and humiliated. Why did he care if Eddie wasn’t attracted to him? Why did it even matter? “I get that, thank you.”

The silence was even more embarrassing.

“Steve,” Eddie said, voice slow and intentional. “Look at me,” Ugh, no. Steve did it anyway, his bottom lip pouting as Eddie gave him the absolute worst rejection face of all time. “You’re young. You’re a very attractive young man. Dreams like that are completely normal, especially for someone your age-“

“Oh my god,” Steve said with a roll of his eyes. “You aren’t about to give me a sex talk. I’ve had sex, Eddie. I’ve been fucked before, it’s not-“

“Steve,” Eddie interrupted, much more severe this time. Steve fell silent automatically. “Stop snapping at me. You’re the one who got on your knees in your moms kitchen for a man you just admitted you aren’t attracted to. You’re better than this, right?”

No. He definitely wasn’t.

“You don’t even-“ God, why did he actually feel like crying? Maybe it was the way Eddie was looking at him. Something about the angry set to his brow. How quiet he was being, his tense shoulders. “I’m not even attractive to you? Not even a little?”

Eddie sagged like Steve had just cut his strings. He scrubbed his palm over his face again.

“I just said you were-“ He cut himself off and started again. “You’re lovely. That’s- I’m pretty sure that’s kind of- it’s obvious. I’m sure you get a lot of compliments. You’ve said so yourself, which is- it’s fine, you’re very- I’m way too old for this.”

Huh.

That was a lot of stuttering.

Eddie looked kind of nervous.

Steve narrowed his eyes and then it hit him. What if…?

He changed gears, tilting his head to the side. Pouting his lips, letting his eyes fill with tears. They were at the ready anyway, the rejection still stinging fresh.

“You think I’m pretty?”

Eddie stared at Steve with the most deadpan set of eyes imaginable.

“Obviously a lot of people think you’re pretty,” Eddie said, dodging the question entirely.

Hm.

“But do you think I’m pretty?” Steve asked, all put upon and new. He wasn’t used to the whole innocent act, playing it up with big blinking eyes and lip bites. “Maybe I value your opinion.”

Steve wasn’t ready for this look.

The way Eddie leaned down only slightly and raised an eyebrow at Steve. So much more serious than he ever was. Eddie was goofy and funny and loud. This wasn’t like any Eddie he’d ever seen.

“I’m sure you value my opinion very much,” Eddie said, point blank. “Which is why you should know I respect your mom too much to be doing this right now. You should get up off the ground and go to your room and maybe think about why you think it’s okay to try and sleep with someone who is entirely too old for you. Okay?”

Steve kind of wanted to melt and he wasn’t even sure why.

“Fine,” Steve said, shrugging like he didn’t care. He did. Suddenly he cared very much. “But just know, I’m not as dumb as you think I am.”

Steve stood up, brushing invisible dirt off his pants. Ignoring the exasperated look Eddie was giving him.

“I’ll see you later, Ed.”

And then he made his way upstairs to have a proper freak out.

—

“So it didn’t work?” Carol asked over the phone, words broken up by obnoxious chewing. Apparently she really liked the guy she’d went to meet. Which. Insulting. She was supposed to be visiting Steve.

Then again, did he really care when he saw her plenty during the semester? Not particularly.

“No,” Steve whined, smushing his face into his pillow. “I wasn’t even- I tried really hard, okay? And then he got kind of….kind of teacher-y.”

Carol swallowed loudly. Ew.

“What the fuck does teacher-y mean?” She asked.

Steve would love to elaborate.

“Like annoyed with me,” Steve sighed, recalling the sudden heat he’d felt when Eddie glared at him. “All strict and authoritarian. He’s never like that, he’s kind of-“

“Like if a muppet became a human, yeah. I got that vibe,” Carol said, making Steve frown. Suddenly the description made him feel….bad? Off? “But you’re telling me there’s some steel beneath all that marshmallow?”

Steve thought about how solid Eddie’s thighs had been.

“Yeah, there’s plenty of steel.”

Carol cackled loudly, “You just gotta break him,” She said. Like it was so simple. “Tease him. Be the little slut that I know you are. And then let me know how big it is once you finally hop on it.”

Dear god.

“Not happening,” Steve said in disgust, as if he wouldn’t do exactly that.

—

Steve had zero clue how to seduce someone that didn’t want him. Seemingly didn’t want him.

But- but he needed to be sure, didn’t he? Eddie had seemed sort of nervous and off kilter during their interaction. He’d seemed…

Maybe Steve was overthinking all of this, bound to make a huge fool of himself. Then again, maybe he was right and Eddie did find him at least a little bit attractive. He’d mentioned Steve’s mom a lot and it made sense that the relationship would hold him off from-

From what, exactly? Ravaging Steve?

Jesus. He was too obsessed at this point. As if he wasn’t in denial the day before. Fucking Carol. She caused all of this. Steve would have been going merrily along his way had it not been for her unwanted comments. Now he couldn’t stop thinking about it. And Steve loved a challenge.

So he was going to make it one.

Starting with skimpier outfits.

Which Carol had scoffed at, “You spend your entire day in swim shorts, how can it get worse than that.”

“Stop doubting me, I have my ways.”

His ways being tinier shorts. These were white, made of cotton. They exposed a frankly indecent amount of his thighs, the downy hair contrasting nicely with the light color.

His ass also looked amazing in them.

Surely if Eddie had even an ounce of gay in him, he’d look. Then Steve could assess what type of look it was.

Eddie was still in the house, Steve knew that.

So he had to be subtle, so as to not run him off today. Steve didn’t know if he had the guts to do all this once his mom was back home. Probably not.

Then again, Carol did like to call Steve a massive slut with zero fear.

He made his way out of his bedroom under the guise of searching for food. It was later at night, way past their unfortunate dinner. Steve didn’t think it was unusual for him to be wandering around the house half dressed.

Especially when he stepped into the living room and found Eddie lounging on their couch, feet up on the coffee table.

Why did Steve find this man attractive suddenly? It made no sense at all. Maybe he was just slowly losing his mind.

“Oh,” Steve said from the doorway. Leaning casually against it, stretching his body out. “Didn’t expect you to still be here.”

Eddie didn’t look up from his phone.

“I’m supposed to be here,” He said somewhat dully. “You’re mom wanted someone to….watch…”

He trailed off as he looked up, mouth open.

Steve saw it then. A confirmation he’d needed earlier on in the night.

“What are you doing up?” Eddie asked, moving smoothly past his random fumble. That was fine, Steve had seen it.

“Just thought I’d come in here and….” Steve sighed and trailed off. “Apologize. You know, for being inappropriate.”

Eddie looked at Steve again, a wry look on his face. Fuck. There was no way he’d already sussed Steve out.

“And you thought the best way to do that was half dressed?” Eddie asked, squinting sarcastically at Steve. But Eddie couldn’t fool him, Steve could see his eyes darting down to the shorts. Ha!

“I’m always half dressed,” Steve smiled cheekily and then pivoted the conversation. “You’re gonna be here for a bit, right? On and off?”

Eddie did that thing where he chewed on his tongue like he wanted to say something but was stopping himself.

“Yes,” Eddie said. “Why do you ask?”

Steve shrugged and pushed off the doorframe, making his way into the room. He flopped down on the other end of the couch, his head on the arm rest, his legs splayed out next to Eddie. One bent, the other on the floor.

It looked like Eddie was refraining from rolling his eyes.

Steve really didn’t need to get hard.

“Do you think you could take me to get my bellybutton pierced?” Steve asked, thinking on the fly. He placed his hand intentionally over his stomach, right above the waist band. Eddie looked.

He actually looked, his eyes dragging back up to Steve’s face. One eyebrow raised.

Steve’s throat was dry.

“Absolutely not,” Eddie said, simple and conversation ending. He looked back at his phone and Steve pouted. No, he wanted Eddie to look at him more.

“What about a tattoo?” Steve asked, nudging Eddie with one foot until he looked up again. Flabbergasted and disgruntled. “I could get something cute. You’ve got a lot of tattoos. Do they hurt on your hipbone? Or maybe right here on my thigh?”

Steve spread his leg further out, exposing the soft pale inside of his thigh.

Eddie clenched his jaw and gave Steve the dirtiest look imaginable.

“You know,” Eddie said, leaning forward to set his phone on the table. Dropping his legs to sit normal on the couch. “I’m pretty sure your mom has a therapist on call. I don’t think it’s a child therapist or anything-“ Okay, fuck you. “But I’m sure you could talk to them about-“

“About having a perfectly normal conversation with a family friend?” Steve asked, smiling sweetly at Eddie. “About sitting in my living room like I would any other day of the week?”

Eddie smiled sardonically, wrinkling his nose like he thought Steve was cute. God, Steve hoped so.

“You’re not funny,” Eddie said, despite the fact that Steve was in fact incredibly funny. If he couldn’t be subtle, he could be annoying. “I’m pretty sure walking around half naked doesn’t constitute as normal.”

“You walk around shirtless,” Steve pouted. “Am I just not allowed to do it?”

Eddie laughed then, far too casual for Steve. How was it fair for him to be so calm about this? When Steve was half hard, obvious through his shorts.

“You’re allowed to,” Eddie said, as if he needed to give Steve permission. “It just isn’t doing what you think it’s doing. Also, I tend to wear actual shorts. Not underwear.”

Steve huffed and crossed his arms.

“These aren’t underwear,” Steve said haughtily. “In fact, I had to forgo the underwear entirely. Thought about wearing a jockstrap though. You want me to go upstairs to put that on?”

Steve went to get up but Eddie stopped him, one hand wrapped around his ankle.

“I want you to maybe think about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it,” Eddie said with more sympathy then he’d had at dinner. Okay, Steve didn’t like that one. He didn’t like being pitied. “I really don’t want to hurt your feelings, Steve.”

Oh. Okay.

Steve swallowed sort of roughly and pulled his foot away, annoyed that he’d even tried a second time. In the same day.

“Noted,” Steve said. “Wasn’t- you weren’t going to hurt my feelings anyway.”

Eddie looked like he wanted to say more as Steve got back up, intent on leaving as soon as possible. He had to. This was actually worse than the kitchen, far more humiliating.

“I’m just gonna-“ But as Steve got up, Eddie caught him by the hand again. Why did he have to keep touching Steve with his calloused fingers?

“Steve,” Eddie said, waiting until Steve looked at him again. He didn’t want to but he forced himself to do it. “For what it’s worth, you’re incredibly beautiful. It’s actually kind of-“ Eddie broke off and cleared his throat. His leg was shaking as he sat and stared up at Steve. “Anyway, it’s nothing to do with you. Okay? Are we good?”

Interesting.

Steve felt something in chest squeeze.

“Yeah, we’re good,” Steve said gently. “I’m sorry for being so….” He wasn’t sorry at all.

Eddie let go of his wrist and sat back again.

“It’s alright,” Eddie said, somewhat awkward as Steve finally began to walk away.

He turned just as he got toward the stairs.

Eddie wasn’t looking at him. Or…he was.

But his eyes darted up suddenly, looking a lot like a kid with their hand caught in the cookie jar.

Bingo. Carol was right.

—

“You gotta make him mad,” Carol said, like it was just that simple. Like Steve had the capability to actually annoy an apparently unflappable Eddie. “The clothes didn’t work-“

“They kind of did,” Steve interjected, voice muffled as he brushed his teeth. It was the next morning and he was determined to do something today. Anything. “But also, like. He obviously has the self control of a monk.”

It wasn’t hot, it wasn’t hot. Steve was so used to young college guys who tried to grope him in bar bathrooms. Unable to refrain themselves from saying the dumbest shit in his ear on the dance floor. He wasn’t used to older men who could look at him and look away without-

Maybe Steve just had a rejection kink, Jesus.

“You could….” Carol trailed off in thought. “See what he’s like with jealousy? But you’ve gotta be subtle. He’ll figure you out again if you’re not.

Subtle?

“How exactly does seduction work if you’re trying to be subtle?” Steve asked, spitting into his sink and rinsing his brush. “He’s just gonna get annoyed in the not fun way.”

“You gotta wear more clothing,” Carol said, the complete opposite to her advice yesterday. “Maybe….lounge around and talk on the phone? Find some guy to talk to or- or you could even just pretend. Just pretend! Act like it’s some guy you’re going to school with, get flirty. Mention going out. If Eddie is even half jealous, he’ll get annoyed.”

Hm.

“It could work,” Steve said, staring at his reflection. “Maybe I’ll give it a try.”

He would definitely give it a try.

—

Steve knew he probably couldn’t get away with dressing all skimpy again, he would just drive Eddie right out of the room. No, Steve could be subtle.

Sort of.

He stayed in his pajamas all day. Something tasteful and not at all slutty. Shocking.

He just had to get downstairs and position himself on the couch again. And wait.

Steve knew that Eddie had been staying at the house on his moms orders. It was a bit odd but his mom did tend to worry about him more than she let on, so. Steve wasn’t surprised.

But he was surprised when Eddie finally came downstairs, hair a mess and eyes tired.

That was his cue.

“Oh yeah,” Steve said, already pretending to be on his phone. It was on silent, just in case Carol decided she really needed to call him at this exact moment. Could Steve have called an actual real life living man? Maybe. But this was easier. “It’s been great. I really like my room.”

Eddie barely looked at Steve as he passed him on his way to the kitchen. That was okay, his voice would carry just fine.

“You want to see it?” Steve giggled as naturally as possible. He felt incredibly ridiculous, flirting with an invisible person just to prove a point. “I guess you could come over. I don’t know if I should just let you in though.”

He paused as if to let the other person speak, peering up to see what Eddie was up to. Pouring himself coffee Steve had already started. Good.

“What if I let you in my room and you do something bad?” Steve asked, biting his lip and waiting to see if Eddie would come out again. Please, please come back out. “I dunno, there are lots of things you could do.”

It was then that Eddie finally emerged, stepping into the doorway with a mug and a tired expression.

There was something else there though.

“I don’t know if I can trust you,” Steve said, letting his eyes get all heavy as he lay back on the couch. As he made eye contact with Eddie. “You might be up to something. Oh, it’s like that?”

Steve giggled and watched Eddie clench his jaw. Just like yesterday.

“Do you have to take phone-calls in the living room?” Eddie asked, only making Steve feel dizzier. He looked so….god, the teacher thing again. He looked annoyed.

“Just a second, Mike,” Steve rattled off a random name and held the phone to his chest. “Sorry? What did you say?”

Eddie’s eye might have twitched.

“Nothing,” He sighed. “I’ll let you have some alone time with-“

“With Mike,” Steve said, refraining from smiling as Eddie turned. “And- and it’s fine, just let me-“

He picked his phone back up.

“Hey, yeah. Yeah, I gotta go. Shut up, oh my god,” Steve giggled again for good measure. “I’ll talk to you later, bye.”

The silence was deadly once Steve pretended to hang up. Clearly Eddie wasn’t very observant in the morning.

Eddie turned right back into the kitchen and walked away. Which. That was confusing. So maybe Steve should- he should get up and apologize. Yeah, that sounded good. That made sense.

Eddie was at the counter when Steve entered, hands braced on the surface. Shoulders tense.

“Hey, I just thought I would-“

“I’d kind of like to be left alone right now,” Eddie said, looking up at Steve with the blankest of gazes. It was odd. It struck Steve uncomfortably. “If that’s alright with you.”

Oh.

“Right,” Steve said, feeling like he’d severely misstepped somewhere. Fuck. “I’ll just-“

He turned to go, stepping away from the counter. But just like yesterday, something caught him by the wrist and then-

And then Steve was being pulled back around, pushed backward onto the counter. Lifted up onto it with strong hands to his thighs as-

As Eddie held him there. As Eddie pushed between Steve’s thighs and held him there.

“What- what are you-?” Steve asked hoarsely.

Eddie looked drunk. Eyes hooded and teeth planted in his bottom lip.

“This is stupid,” Eddie murmured, coming closer. Closer and closer, too close. Steve didn’t dare move. “This is so stupid. Fuck it.”

He kissed Steve.

He pushed forward and planted his lips on Steve’s and kissed him. It wasn’t even- it was so unlike any kiss Steve had ever experienced. This was a real kiss. Eddie, holding Steve in place with one hand on his hip and the other on the back of his neck. Sure and confident and steady, licking at Steve’s upper lip with a clever tongue.

Steve moaned in the back of his throat, needy and low pitched as he all but wrapped himself around Eddie. Arms over those broad shoulders, thighs squeezing his hips.

It was slick and deep, Eddie fucking his tongue into Steve’s mouth without a second thought. He felt his body shake against Eddie, nails digging into his shoulders as Steve arched his back and pressed forward. Closer, closer. He just wanted to be closer.

But of course, Eddie had to stop.

Had to pull away and pry Steve’s arms off of him.

He was pink cheeked, flushed. Eyes dilated, lips already a little swollen from Steve trying to bite.

“We- we can’t-“ Eddie said, stepping back and letting Steve’s hands fall limp to the counter.

“Seriously?” Steve asked, numb with whiplash. “Are you- really? You’re just gonna kiss me like that and-“

“I shouldn’t have done that,” Eddie said, wiping at his mouth with the back of his hand. He looked deeply regretful. “Fuck. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“You’re attracted to me,” Steve cut in, chest lifting and falling. “I didn’t think you were but- oh my god, you are.”

“Steve,” Eddie sighed, his favorite thing to do around Steve. His eyes closed and his fists clenched. “I tried to tell you we shouldn’t- do you ever listen?”

“You’re the one who kissed me,” Steve said, feeling both smug and somehow torn apart. This wasn’t fair, not at all. But at least he had solid proof now. “Lifted me up on the counter and everything. You been fantasizing about that?”

Eddie let out a strained laugh, the heels of his hands pressed to his eyes.

“I’m not answering that,” He said in a strained voice. “Now you know, so. Maybe we can stop this weird back and forth. Is that- can we do that?”

Now you know.

Steve smiled, just a touch evil.

What the fuck did that mean?

“Now I know?” Steve asked, tilting his head once Eddie resurfaced. He gave Steve the most suspicious look known to man. “Like, it’s a thing? It’s been a thing? You’ve wanted to fuck me this entire-“

“No,” Eddie was adamant. “I never said anything about fucking. Jesus Christ, you have a one track mind.”

Steve was more turned on than he’d ever been in his life. Just absolutely losing it on the inside.

“You could,” Steve tried to remain nonchalant. “You could fuck me, if you wanted to. Anyway you want. I’d even let you do it here in the kitchen.”

Eddie’s eyes closed again.

“Oh my god,” He whispered, opening his eyes again a second later. Trained on Steve with a new intensity. “I already told you how bad of an idea this is. You got me to slip up, congrats. I’m not talking about it anymore and I’m going home. That’s it.”

Well. Steve didn’t like that.

“Not gonna tell me to go to my room and behave?” Steve asked, spreading his thighs enough that Eddie had no choice but to look.

He expected Eddie to scoff at him.

Not for him to push back into Steve’s space, to stand between his legs and grab him by his chin.

“I want you to fucking try to not ruin my relationship with your mom,” Eddie said, more serious than he usually was. “So go to your room, do whatever it is you need to do, and calm the fuck down. Are you capable of doing that?”

Steve wanted to nod, he did. He just ended up whining instead.

“I don’t want to,” Steve protested, only for Eddie to step away from him again. Cutting his strings, leaving him limp. “This isn’t fair.”

“Life’s not fair,” Eddie said, shaking his head like he needed to clear it. Steve could just drop to his knees again, he highly doubted Eddie would be able to resist. But there was something about the chase….something fun. “I’m gonna go now.”

“Do you want any pictures? I have your number,” Steve said, watching as Eddie walked slowly away from him. Almost like he didn’t want to. “I’m really good at taking them-“

“I’ll block your number,” Eddie said, giving Steve the finger as he finally left the kitchen.

—

Another game plan change.

Jealousy worked on Eddie. Who would have thought? He didn’t seem like the type who would truly get worked up by such a thing. But Carol had been right. Again.

So of course, Steve consulted her for a third and hopefully final time. She was starting to get smug. Maybe she just knew more about the art of seducing old men.

And Steve very suddenly wanted to fuck an old man.

Her advice was simple this time: escalation.

Go out, find a guy you don’t intend on fucking, bring him home while Eddie is over.

Easy.

Steve had cut off conquests plenty of times for varying reasons. Some guy was being too weird, he wore too many obvious designer brands and Steve found it tacky, he wasn’t as cute in natural light, etc.

See? Plenty of reasons.

He could very easily swindle a guy into coming home with him, just to dump him at the doorstep.

All he had to do was make sure he hooked Eddie in place. It was two days after the last fiasco and Eddie had conveniently chosen to come back after Steve had conveniently told his mom that he planned on going out for the night. He just knew she couldn’t resist tailing him.

And apparently Eddie was easy to convince.

Steve even got Carol to help choose his outfit. He wasn’t a heavily ostentatious club goer.

But he could get a little skimpy sometimes.

Just a white mesh shirt with holes tiny enough that it almost didn’t look see through until you got close. On top of pants that weren’t actual leather but were ridiculous enough to catch anyone’s eye. And boots, of course. Steve rarely wore boots but they were comfy and made him look like he was mean.

The white just balanced it, helped with the angelic angle.

All he had to was take a deep breath and make his way downstairs.

—

Eddie was in the living room, pacing as he talked on the phone. It was very obviously a business call, as he caught Steve’s eye on the way down the stairs.

He froze behind the couch.

Stared at Steve as he agreed with whatever the other person was saying. Nodded his head as his eyes went flaming hot down Steve’s body.

“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea,” Eddie said, looking disapproving and annoyed. Just how Steve liked him these days. “No, I can definitely be there. Give me a few days, I’ve been held up. Yeah, no problem. Talk to you later, bye.”

He hung up and left Steve waiting.

“What’s this?” Eddie gestured to the outfit, so sarcastic that Steve was actually afraid he might get hard. Goofy, silly Eddie being kind of a dick? God, who knew? “Where are you going?”

Wherever you want. Just say the word.

“Out,” Steve smiled, moving fluidly toward the door to grab his wallet where he’d left it. Not that he needed to leave it there but it was all part of his plan. “Shoot. These pants are so tight, I can barely fit my-“

Eddie rolled his eyes skyward and pocketed his phone as Steve finally got his wallet into his admittedly tight front pocket. Never the back.

“Seriously? This is what you’re doing? It’s a Thursday and you’re trying to- trying to-“ Eddie gestured his hand up and down at Steve.

“Trying to what?” Steve asked innocently.

Eddie gave him a deadpan stare.

“Trying to prove a point, apparently,” Eddie crossed his arms. He looked particularly good tonight, clad in soft jeans and a grey tshirt with some band Steve had never heard of on it. His smile lines were prominent and Steve wanted to bend over the back of the couch and let him- “You just can’t let it go, can you?”

Steve gave him a confused look.

“What do you mean? I’m a full grown adult,” He said the word with some amount of malice. “I can go out if I want. Did my mom say I’m not allowed to?”

She’d never outright try to stop Steve. She just wanted him to be careful.

“No,” Eddie responded with annoyance. “But you and I both know that doesn’t-“

“So my dad isn’t here to say no either,” Steve noted with a nod of his head. “And I’m an adult. What, are you gonna take his place now, Eddie?”

It was kind of a terrible thing to say.

“I’m gay,” Eddie said with a snort. “I think the last thing you need to worry about is me trying to be your pseudo father-“

“So what about my daddy?” Steve asked, watching as Eddie fell silent behind the couch. Steve stalked forward, leaning both hands against one arm and smiling at Eddie. “Is that it? Can’t stand to watch someone as young and dumb as me do stupid things, so you gotta protect me. Daddy just needs to make sure I don’t do anything I might regret, right?”

He’d never seen Eddie look so tightly wound in his life. It was hotter than anyone Steve could find at a club, that was for sure.

“You’re possessed,” Eddie said simply, empathetically. “I have no clue what horny demon-“ Steve giggled loudly at that, standing up straight again. “Has taken control of you but this is- are you serious right now? This is how you’re gonna act? Forever? Every time I come over here?”

Steve shrugged and smiled, all cherubic and sweet.

“I dunno,” He replied. “Let’s see how long I make it last.”

And then he turned to leave, his heart beating excitedly.

—

Steve found a guy within twenty minutes.

He was okay. His name was maybe Chad or Charlie or something with a C. Possibly?

He had coke. Which was an immediate red flag for Steve but he wasn’t high yet or anything, so. That was fine. Steve wasn’t planning on doing anything with him or his little baggy of drugs.

But he was easily convinced and Steve didn’t have to even try very hard to get him into an Uber.

He would have felt worse if the guy was drunk.

He was just going to send him away in five minutes.

Steve was as noisy as possible once they made their way past the front lawn and into the house, opening the door as loudly as possible. Finding Eddie still there. Sitting tensely in an armchair, back straight and arms crossed.

God. He really was pissed off.

They were giggling once they made their way inside, Chad or Charlie’s hand in Steve’s like a couple of teenagers coming home from a school dance.

The poor guy hadn’t even gotten to kiss Steve.

“What- uh, what’s this?” Chad or Charlie asked, squinting at the sudden light from inside, a contrary to the dark they’d just been in.

He was referring to Eddie.

“Oh,” Steve said, all mock serious. “I didn’t know you’d still be up.”

Eddie clenched his jaw and stared at Steve.

“Am I- what’s going on here?” Chad or Charlie asked, dropping Steve’s hand and looking uncomfortably between the two of them. Steve felt pleased, Eddie looked murderous. He got out of his chair finally and- “Whoa, I don’t uh- I don’t want any problems.”

“There’s not a problem,” Steve smiled at Charlie-Chad.

“There is actually,” Eddie cut in. “Your mom would be so disappointed in you for bringing a man back to-“

“Oh my god,” Steve rolled his eyes. “I’m an adult, Eddie. I’m allowed to sleep with people. Stop trying to-“

“Is this your dad?” The guy asked out of pure confusion and a hint of fear.

“No,” Steve said, just as Eddie said, “Something like that.”

Well fuck.

Steve fell silent, his brain going haywire.

“You should go,” Eddie smiled at Charlie-Chad. It was actually kind of menacing, poor guy. “Like now.”

He was out of the house in seconds.

Steve was hard in seconds, barely flinching when the door slammed.

“Do you always choose pussies?” Eddie asked with a glance toward the shut door.

Steve shrugged nonchalantly, like he wasn’t actually shaking. He’d never been reprimanded much as a child, so.

“I choose men who want me,” Steve said, grinning cruelly. “Not really into repetitive rejection.”

Eddie frowned at that, all put on and fake.

“Aw but you keep coming back,” He said, absolutely flooring Steve. Fuck fuck fuck. What was he supposed to do with this side of Eddie? What was he- “Sit down. On the couch, please.”

Steve wanted to die, kind of. Or maybe just melt through the floor.

He listened faster than he ever did, shuffling to the couch and sitting down like some kind of trained animal.

Eddie locked the front door and turned the outdoor lights off, making his way back over to Steve. He didn’t sit down. Just stood in the middle of the room.

“I’ve tried to be nice to you for days now,” Eddie said, breaking the tense silence. “Literally days. Because I thought oh, this is a phase. He’ll get over it and move on. But you’re not moving on, are you?”

“I tried to,” Steve cut in, gesturing to the door. “But you wouldn’t let me find someone to move on with.”

Eddie outright laughed at him.

“You’re weren’t gonna sleep with that poor boy,” Eddie said, shaking his head. “Stand up, empty your pockets.”

How the fuck did he even know?

“I don’t want to.”

Eddie just keep staring at him. Steve really was starting to feel young and stupid.

“Just do it,” Eddie said, voice dull and devoid of emotion. “I already know he gave you something, Steve. I know a douchebag when I see one.”

That was probably true.

Steve stood, hands shaking as he reluctantly pulled the tiny bag out of his pocket and tossed it on the table.

“There, are you happy? I wasn’t even gonna do it,” Steve sighed, flipping uncaringly back into the couch. It was all an act, he cared very much. “I’m not into it. And don’t act like you’ve never done anything bad in your life.”

“I sure have,” Eddie said, grabbing the baggie off the table and pocketing it. “Which is why I’m flushing this. I don’t do coke anymore and neither should you. Definitely not off some club prick, you never know what it’s laced with.”

Ugh. This was not at all the interrogation Steve had hoped for.

“Why do you even care?” Steve asked, deflating at once. He felt so dumb for even trying. Again and again. Maybe Eddie was right.

“Because,” Eddie said, something softer in his gaze. “You’re worth a lot more than someone using your body for fun, Steve. I know you know that.”

That was-

“Stupid,” Steve murmured. “Did you ever think I can make my own choices? If I wanted to fuck some club guy, I- it would be easy and it would be none of your business, so maybe-“

“We’re not talking about the club guy,” Eddie sighed uneasily. “We’re talking about me and your new obsession with me. Which you’ll get over, by the way. I’m shiny and new now that you’ve noticed me and- and yeah, maybe that’s thrilling but you don’t actually know me.”

That wasn’t fair. Steve knew Eddie. And more than that-

“You don’t know me,” Steve said plainly. “And you find me attractive too. So how does that work?”

Eddie looked kind of sad.

“You’re kind of a distant want,” Eddie admitted. “I’m older now and I know what I can and can’t have, what I shouldn’t want. It doesn’t matter how beautiful you are, I refuse to take advantage of-“

“I want you to take advantage of me!” Steve snapped suddenly, about ready to pull his hair out. “Oh my god, can you stop-“ He jumped up from his seat and rounded on Eddie. Closer and closer til they were chest to chest. Eddie didn’t even flinch. “Can you stop being sanctimonious? I’m a human being, I’m an adult. I know what I want. Can you just accept that and stop acting like I’ve fucked everything up by thinking you’re hot? I have a crush on you. It’s stupid and dumb and makes me look like a child, I get that. But stop acting like it’s not mutual.”

Eddie snapped, grabbing Steve by the jaw just like last time.

“You’re insufferable,” Eddie snapped. “Every time I try to put a barrier between us, you have to try and break it. Are you just not used to not getting what you want, is that it? Spoiled brat who can’t keep his hands to himself?”

Steve wasn’t going to start mewling and whining like a whore. He wasn’t.

“You didn’t deny it,” Steve swayed forward, putting his hands on Eddie’s biceps. “You’re not denying that it’s mutual.”

“It’s fucking mutual,” Eddie hissed. “It’s been mutual for a year now, Steve. Before you even woke up and noticed. I’ve been thinking about you and jerking off to you for ages now, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear? That I’ve been dreaming about fucking my best friends slutty son? Does that make you feel better?”

Steve whimpered, nodding fast.

“It does,” He admitted. “Just let me- let me touch you. Something, anything.”

He was just about ready to cry. Ready to beg.

When Eddie cut his strings again.

He let go, he stepped back, he breathed deep to calm himself.

“I can’t do that,” Steve went to protest but Eddie held his hand up to silence him. “I don’t- I don’t know how sober you are and look, I might be kind of a piece of shit but I’m not that kind. I’m not gonna- I won’t do anything with you tonight. We can discuss it tomorrow. Okay? Does that sound okay?”

No. No, it didn’t sound okay.

Steve was so close to getting what he wanted.

“Why not?” Steve pouted. “It wouldn’t be the first time-“

“I’m not doing that to you,” Eddie said, some sort of bare truth in his eyes. “Please? I don’t want to do that to you.”

It struck Steve then that maybe he had severely misstepped.

“Okay,” Steve said, breathing deep to calm down. “I can- I can go upstairs and- I won’t. I’ll leave you alone. I’ll talk to you-“

“Tomorrow,” Eddie said, fists clenched at his sides. “And I really have no right to ask or request or whatever but- but can you please not invite that guy back?”

There was something so vulnerable about Eddie, something scratching to the surface of Steve’s brain.

“I won’t,” Steve stepped forward just for Eddie to step back. “Pinky promise.”

Eddie sighed in relief, shoulders dropping as he eyed Steve’s hand, held high with his pinky out.

“Okay,” Eddie said, crossing his finger over Steve’s. Just the touch sent electricity down Steve’s spine. “Okay, thank you.”

His relief was highly suspect.

Steve had no idea.

—

Eddie was gone when Steve woke up.

Which was utter bullshit but he was trying his best to remain calm. Because the idiot had left him a note. An honest to god post it note, left on his door.

‘Gotta go to the studio, won’t be back til late’

Steve had no clue if he meant the one in his house or the one he rented out. Again, success was not hot.

But he was stupid to assume that Steve would just sit and wait for him like a good boy. Sure, he’d been well behaved last night. That was before Eddie decided to tuck tail and run.

Steve didn’t even have time make himself look presentable. He didn’t really care. He just wanted to wring Eddie’s neck. Or kiss him.

So much for Eddie acting like a fucking adult.

—

Steve had to schmooze the front desk girl to even get inside. It was actually shockingly easy, even if Steve wasn’t used to flirting with women these days. He convinced her pretty quickly that he knew Eddie. Which, he did. He just didn’t mention that Eddie might not want to see Steve right now.

Again. That was Eddie’s problem, not Steve’s.

He couldn’t hear much as he went down the long hallway, already directed to the right room. Sound proofing.

Steve took a deep breath and waited it out, hand to the doorknob. He probably shouldn’t be doing this, invading Eddie’s privacy. There were probably people with him, probably things he needed to get done.

No. Steve wasn’t doing this anymore, this weird back and forth as Eddie had pointedly called it.

Steve pushed the door open and-

It was just Eddie.

Sat behind the glass partition, drumming away with headphones on. Eyes closed. Shirtless.

Steve shut the door with a silent click and stared.

Holy fuck.

Eddie was sweating, solely focused on whatever he was recording. Steve knew he recorded various instruments for people where it was needed. Or sometimes for himself.

Steve suddenly felt bad for not having more of an interest in Eddie’s music.

There was a couch. He could just- he could sit down and wait. So that he didn’t completely scare Eddie.

Yeah. That would- that could work. And then he could….watch.

Steve was a confused mix of annoyed and horny.

It didn’t take long for Eddie to finish, his hands slowing and finally coming to a stop. He laid the drumsticks to the side, standing with a stretch. Steve watched him pick a towel up and wipe at the sweat on his face.

Steve wanted to lick him. God, he really wanted to. His hair was up. Steve could see all his tattoos. All the visible ones.

He wanted to see more.

Just then, Eddie finally looked past the glass and into the other room.

He froze, not really jumping but coming quite close. And then Steve didn’t have to wait any longer as Eddie opened the door and came out.

He was calmer than Steve expected.

“You really couldn’t wait?” Eddie asked with a sigh, throwing the towel into his chair and leaning down toward the mini fridge. He got a water out and uncapped it. “I was gonna come back.”

Steve was a little distracted watching Eddie’s throat bob.

“I kind of doubted that,” Steve admitted, feeling silly now that he’d come all the way here. “I wanted- I don’t know what I wanted. I wanted to check and make sure you weren’t just-“

“Running away from you?” Eddie asked, setting the bottle aside and leaning against the far wall. He was still breathing kind of hard, clearly having been playing for a while. “No, I just needed to let off some steam.”

Steve bit his tongue, kept what he wanted to say inside.

Eddie smiled anyway, the slightest amused quirk to his lips.

“And no, I didn’t think morning sex was an appropriate way to let off steam,” Eddie said, all warm and sweet. Steve was literally frozen in place on the couch, too dizzy to really think. Hearing Eddie say something like that….the concept, the idea, the possibility. “Did you expect me to barge into your room and demand you get on your knees?”

Steve licked his lips.

“Wouldn’t have been opposed,” Steve shrugged, fiddling with his hands nervously. “But I don’t wanna upset you or push or- I’m sorry I did that.”

He was, actually. Eddie looked stressed still ad that was definitely Steve’s fault.

“It’s alright,” Eddie sighed, looking away. “It’s- look, I wasn’t lying. You’ve been on my mind for a bit. But I’m your moms friend and I’m also objectively a bad idea. I’ve never been into dating, I’m kind of a terrible boyfriend. I’m also entirely too old for you.”

God. That again.

“Do you really think I care about that?” Steve asked, finally lifting himself from the couch. He walked close but not too close. “As if that isn’t- do you know how hot that is?”

“Hot until I throw my back out trying to fuck you,” Eddie scoffed but he looked amused.

“You’re fit,” Steve rolled his eyes, gesturing at Eddie. “Fuck off. I know you could do some damage in the bedroom, stop- stop acting like-“

“Oh could I?” Eddie asked, his grin only growing. “I thought I was just some old dork, huh? Now I’m suddenly a sex god?”

Steve wanted to pinch him.

“That’s what makes it worse,” Steve groaned. “That you’re this bubblegum happy person who- who probably plays with legos on his time off and yet there’s an undercurrent of- of fuck, some guy who would spank me or gag me and I can’t really cope when I think about it too hard because anytime you’re even a little strict with me, I feel like I’m dying.”

It was dramatic, it was true.

“I do play with legos,” Eddie smiled, looking down. “I wouldn’t gag you though. Kind of like hearing you talk.”

God.

Steve was going to faint.

“Yeah?”

He couldn’t even really talk, he was too- too fucked up. Too high on Eddie’s presence? How had he gotten here in just a few short days?

“Yeah, you’re kind of a bitch,” Eddie noted, still just as calm. “Kind of like when you’re a bitch too, makes me want to- it makes me want to do a lot of things.”

Steve really wished he’d elaborate.

“You know you I don’t have to be a gentleman with me, right?” Steve asked, clearing his throat when Eddie only smiled and tilted his head. Like he was reading Steve’s mind. “That’s kind of my- that’s kind of what I’m into, you know. I wasn’t joking when I said I’d let you do whatever.”

“Do you always say that?” Eddie asked, looking doubtful. “Or am I special?”

Steve was going to send Carol a bouquet of flowers for waking him up to the man in front of him.

“You’re- look, I wouldn’t run to a music studio for anyone else,” Steve admitted, feeling embarrassingly vulnerable. “I don’t run after guys, they usually come to me.”

It was cocky enough to make Eddie laugh. But he stepped forward into Steve’s space finally, smelling of sweat and cologne and bodywash.

“You just wanted me to chase you a little bit, didn’t you?” Eddie whispered, mouth so close to Steve’s. It was all he could focus on, all he could stare at. Those lips he’d kissed just days ago. “Wanted me to want you just as bad.”

He did. That was all Steve wanted now.

Eddie reached for him, got Steve’s wrist again. He seemed to like doing that.

Steve didn’t expect for Eddie to take his hand and place it over the hard line of his cock, straining unexpectedly against the fabric of his jeans.

“Does it feel like I don’t want you?” Eddie asked, just as quiet. It was absurd that they were doing this in such a public place. It only thrilled Steve more.

Steve squeezed around Eddie, got a gasp out of him.

He was big, Steve could tell. Thicker than Steve but near the same size.

“N-no,” Steve stuttered, too turned on to form words. “Feels- you feel like-“

“Like I’ve been thinking about your back dimples for a year? Like I’ve been dreaming about pinning you down and cumming on your lower back and licking it off of you?”

Fuck. Who even was this?

This wasn’t Eddie, it couldn’t be. Steve had never been harder in his life, a sentiment he kept coming back to.

“You could do that,” Steve whined, hand restricted when he tried to squeeze again and Eddie stopped him.

“I’d rather-“ Eddie cut himself off with a glance toward the couch. He pushed Steve back. “I’d rather you get naked, come sit in my lap. You think you can do that?”

Steve gazed at the door.

“Lock it.”

Eddie’s words were final. This room was soundproof. Steve turned and locked the door, watching as Eddie sat down on the couch, arms spread wide on the back.

Again. Where the fuck had this person come from?

Steve stopped just by the sound table and stared at it, giving Eddie another glance.

What if…

“Would it, uh- would it catch us? The booth? If I….” He trailed off and Eddie laughed in delight, his teeth shining white.

“You’re fucking amazing,” Eddie noted. “Press that button, right next to the green- yeah, that one. It should pick up plenty.”

Fucking hell.

Steve gulped and awkwardly started the process of taking off his shoes, slipping them off and sliding them beneath the sound table.

Then came his shirt.

He’d never been so thoroughly watched before. Gazed upon, eaten up with eyes alone. And that was exactly what Eddie was doing. He was- he was touching himself, rubbing himself through his jeans.

Steve got his hands on his own fly and paused.

Only for Eddie to tilt his head and say, “Are you gonna take those off for daddy?”

Steve almost fell face first onto the floor.

He tripped out of his jeans faster than he thought necessary. He wasn’t even sure what they were going to do but he’d been so prepared last night. A little too prepared.

His boxers were last, quickly stripped down his legs before he lost confidence.

When he looked back up, Eddie was stroking his cock. His actual bare cock that Steve was now faced with. As thick as it had felt, veiny. Heavy balls and an uncut tip.

He was salivating for it.

“Look at you,” Eddie commented, jeans not even fully off. But he looked like something out of a fucking dirty magazine. His hair curled by his ears, little touches of grey. His tattoos gleamed in the lower light as Steve made his way over. Nervous and near virginal, despite the fact that he had definitely done this before. “Do you wanna sit in my lap?”

Yes.

“You sound like a dirty old man,” Steve said, just to be funny. He could inject some sexiness into this, despite his nerves. He kneeled onto Eddie’s lap, biting back a gasp as he pressed their cocks together.

“Isn’t that what I am?” Eddie asked, full of humor as he let Steve settle in. Like he was just resting atop Eddie. Anyone could come in at anytime if they had a key. Steve didn’t really care.

“No,” Steve shook his head, tilting it to lean in. “You’re daddy.”

Eddie laughed all low at that, pulling Steve in for a kiss. A press of his lips, biting at Steve’s bottom lip until he moaned.

“You did like that,” Eddie noted, mouth skimming down to Steve’s neck. Like he had all the time in the world. Like he could just pet at Steve’s back, fingers tracing over his dimples. Hands gripping him by the ass and pulling him closer. “You think you have a complex? Some daddy issues you need to resolve?”

“Mm,” Steve gasped as Eddie bit down on the side of his neck, just beneath his jaw. Worrying the skin with his teeth and sucking hard. “How do you suggest I- I resolve it? Think you could spank it out of me?”

Eddie laughed, breaking off to press a smile to Steve’s neck.

His hands trailed over Steve’s trim waist, smoothing over his stomach, bypassing his dick. Steve had always had sensitive nipples, so he couldn’t be blamed for the guttural groan Eddie got out of him when he pinched each nipple and twisted.

“Something like that,” Eddie whispered. “Maybe it won’t be that hard. Maybe I don’t want you to resolve them.”

What were they talking about? Oh yeah.

“Yeah? Wanna be my daddy?” Steve asked somewhat redundantly, dick jerking as Eddie licked over one nipple and sucked it into the hot cavern of his mouth. “Fuck, oh fuck. You’re killing me.”

Eddie’s mouth was busy but that didn’t mean that Steve couldn’t talk his ear off.

“Wanted this, wanted to know what it was like,” Steve gasped, writhing in Eddie’s lap as he bit lightly at the same nipple. “How good it would feel to just let you- let you use me.”

Eddie popped off, his mouth red as he held Steve close.

“Is that what you want?” He asked. “Because if you want me to be rough, I have some stipulations.”

Now was not the time to be a brat, Steve knew that.

“Like what?” He asked warily, too distracted by Eddie’s hands.

“Like a safeword,” Eddie said, kissing Steve on his sternum. “Checking in on you, making sure you’re okay. Taking care of you after, no running off. No hiding. No acting out.”

Steve whined loudly and squirmed against Eddie. He felt fucking crazy, like he was losing it. Wanting and naked and waiting in Eddie’s lap, waiting for him to get on with it.

“Okay, okay,” Steve said, trying to touch Eddie but only being stopped again. “Safeword. Fine, okay. I want- just like, wrist. It can be wrist.”

Because Eddie kept holding his wrists.

He smiled wryly at Steve like he knew why.

He even squeezed harder around said wrists.

“Since you’re so obsessed with them,” Steve breathed out, weak and turned on. He just wanted something more, anything to take care of this urge.

“I am,” Eddie said, pulling one wrist up and pressing his lips against the veins on the inside. Licking over them with hot eyes trained on Steve. “Always wanted to tie you to a bed frame, get some use out of you.”

Steve was going to fucking bite him.

“Yeah, please,” Steve moaned, rutting against Eddie. Until he dropped Steve’s wrist and stopped that too. “Please, oh my god. Stop teasing me, I need-“

“I know,” Eddie soothed, reaching one arm down beside the couch. Huh? Steve watched in pure fascination as Eddie fumbled for a few seconds before producing a bottle of- a bottle of lube. And then a condom. “It’s not what it looks like.”

A flare of jealousy hit Steve like a fucking missile.

“Do you fuck people in here?” Steve asked petulantly.

“No,” Eddie laughed, setting both items to the side and holding Steve by the back of his neck. “Embarrassingly enough, I had them in my bag for you. Uh, for when I came to your place. Didn’t know if you’d have what we wanted, didn’t want to assume.”

Oh.

Oh wow.

“Just for me?” Steve asked, eyes widened. Playing it up. “You wanted to have me all prepped and ready? Were you so sure you’d get to have me?”

As if Steve would say no at this point.

“I figured my chances were pretty high,” Eddie noted with a cheeky grin. “You’re here, aren’t you? Couldn’t even wait for me, had to run here like a desperate-“

“Because I’ve been mooning over you for a year, yeah,” Steve snarked, not ready for the smack Eddie landed on his ass. It sent Steve jumping forward, planting his hands on broad shoulders and gasping loudly. “Fuck me, do that again.”

Eddie laughed lowly, his palm smoothing over the burning area. Before picking his hand back up and bringing it down again, twice in a row. Steve whined horribly, his entire body shaking as he leaked all over Eddie’s bare stomach.

“This?” Eddie asked innocently, smacking Steve on the ass again. The same side. It had to be pink now. “You take that so well, don’t you? Good little boy, just want me to take care of you.”

Fuck. No wonder Eddie had been on the fence, he was filthier than Steve.

“Yeah, daddy,” Steve whined, rubbing his cock against Eddie as much as he could. “Want you to do whatever. Want you to-“

Steve dissolved into a whimper as Eddie slapped him again. He felt feverish with want, like he was being lit on fire.

And then Eddie kept his hand there and spread Steve open and-

“Mmm-ff,” Steve gasped behind a bitten lip as Eddie rubbed over his hole. Dry and purposeful, watching every twitch of Steve’s expression. “Oh oh oh, please.”

Eddie smiled at Steve and let go, reaching for the bottle nearby.

Steve had never wanted someone to hurry up more.

“I don’t need- I don’t need much,” He confessed, eyes nearly crossing once Eddie put his hand back, fingers slicker as he rubbed the tips over Steve. The angle was rough but neither of them cared. “I- I may have done some stuff last night.”

Eddie tsked at him, pulling back to smack him again. Steve whined and pitched forward, face planting in Eddie’s neck and choosing to hide there.

“You couldn’t just wait?” Eddie asked, rubbing over his hole again. Sinking just the tip of his finger in and working it back out, again and again until he could work a full knuckle in. “Couldn’t be a good boy and wait for me to come to your place-“ Steve writhed as Eddie pressed his full finger inside and paused. Let him feel it. “And fuck you into your comfy bed, fuck you as a good morning present.”

Steve shook his head and worked his hips back, begging for more already.

“Didn’t think you’d show up,” Steve gasped. “Thought you’d ditch me. Didn’t wanna let you get away with it.”

Eddie laughed at that.

“You’re so spiteful,” He said, pressing just the tip of his second finger to Steve’s hole. Pulling at the edges and testing it out. “How could I actually resist you?”

“Resisted me for a whole week,” Steve mumbled, rubbing his face against Eddie’s neck as he worked the second finger in. “Practically ignored me.”

“I resisted you for an entire year,” Eddie confessed, lips pressed to Steve’s ear. “Saw you, wanted you, pretended I didn’t want you. And you wanna know why?”

That second finger was a stretch but like Steve had said, he’d already fingered himself the night before. He’d wanted to be ready.

“Why?”

“Because I knew once I had you, I wouldn’t want to let you go,” Eddie said, his worst confession yet. “Knew I’d hate whoever got to fuck you after me, whoever got to see and hear you like this.”

He empathized his point by curling his fingers, lighting Steve up from the inside. He shook against Eddie, his thighs squeezing slim hips as he tried his best to push back onto Eddie’s hand. More, he wanted more of that magical feeling, that buzz up his spine.

“Yeah? Like Mike?”

Horrible question to ask. Because Eddie did have a second hand.

He spanked Steve with that one, causing him to tighten up around the fingers inside him.

“F-fuck, okay,” Steve whimpered. “He wasn’t even real. I wasn’t, I wasn’t talking to anyone that day.”

Eddie didn’t laugh this time.

“See? I was right, you’re such a manipulative little brat,” Steve wasn’t sure how many more spanks he could take before he came all over himself. “Is this okay? You doing good?”

“Mhm,” Steve murmured, eyes slightly wet as he rocked his hips back. “Would be better if you’d just fuck me already.”

Eddie laughed and pulled his fingers out. Steve regretted the loss despite the fact that he’d just asked for it.

“Getting to that, baby,” Eddie said, melting Steve unintentionally as he made Steve sit back up. Just to grab the condom and- fuck, Steve wished they didn’t have to but he knew they did. “Stop pouting, I’ll fuck you raw someday.”

Steve wiggled happily at that, only making Eddie laugh as he tried to put the condom on. Rolling it down obscenely, putting more lube on himself.

He helped Steve lift up, gentle as ever. Such a contrast to his slaps earlier. Steve wanted to see what all Eddie to offer.

The first touch of his cock head was a lot, blunt and big. Almost too big as Steve started to sink down. Eddie distracted him from the stretch by pulling him down and into a kiss, tongues touching as he devoured Steve. He really was amazing at kissing, which only made Steve want to bite him more. Of course he was, he’d had plenty of experience past college guys.

Steve let himself sink further, body adjusting slowly. Whimpering against Eddie, letting him swallow his noises down.

He felt the stretch more keenly than ever, spreading him open by the inch.

“Want it,” Steve sighed, resting fully on Eddie. Getting him all the way in and staying still, not moving too much. “You feel amazing, oh my god. See? I was right, we should have been doing this days ago.”

“Hush,” Eddie laughed, shutting his eyes. “Let me focus, you’re gonna make me cum if you- fuck, if you don’t stop squeezing me.”

Well, that was just tempting Steve to be a brat.

“Like this?” Steve asked, circling Eddie’s neck with his arms and circling his hips. Eddie cursed and grabbed Steve’s ass, nails digging in.

“You’re impossible,” Eddie said. “What am I gonna do with you?”

God. Steve had so many ideas. Too many ideas.

“Anything you want,” Steve said, lifting himself up the tiniest bit just to fall back down with a groan. Eddie guided him through it, hands guiding his body in a smooth rhythm. “Anything, daddy. I don’t care, you can have it.”

“Making promises you can’t keep,” Eddie hissed, snapping up to meet Steve. Again and again, faster until he could hear their bodies slapping together. Steve could feel him so deep, nudging at the most sensitive parts of him, driving him wild. “But that’s okay, I won’t be mean to you. Not unless- not unless you want me to be.”

“Mm, fuck- I- oh god,” Steve could barely talk, should have assumed Eddie was a bedroom talker. He was a loudmouth everywhere else. “Just tell me I’m pretty, tell me you like me.”

Eddie pulled Steve into another kiss, barely able to keep it up as they met in the middle, as Eddie drove slow into Steve.

“You’re gorgeous,” Eddie gasped, as honest as he’d been before. As if he just needed to get it all out and let Steve know. “God, you’re so gorgeous. Even more than those- those idiots you fuck tell you. You have no idea.”

Steve wanted to hide but- but no, he quite liked the way Eddie was looking at him. Resting his forehead against Steve’s.

“You’re gorgeous too,” Steve said, butterflies in his belly. “I’m sorry it too me so long to notice. I get it now, I really do. I’m sorry, daddy.”

The title was nonchalant and simple and maybe a little silly. Steve didn’t really care. It felt good, it made sense. It made him feel warm.

“Love when you call me that,” Eddie sighed, rubbing his lips over Steve’s. “Been waiting for you, been- been avoiding you.”

Steve clenched up around Eddie again, harder this time.

“Never again,” Steve shook his head back and forth, lost to the sounds their bodies made. “Don’t ignore me again. Please? Please.”

He had to get all his begging out because he knew how rough this would be for him. Steve knew he’d grow attached after this and Eddie had already said he didn’t like to date.

Steve was going to keep him no matter what.

He had to now.

“Not going to,” Eddie groaned, head finally falling back on the couch. “I’m not gonna last much longer if you- if you keep doing that, fuck.”

Steve wanted to cum with him so he started touching himself, startled when Eddie knocked his hand aside and took over.

They came just like that, Steve spilling out over Eddie’s fist in mere seconds. Cumming all over his tattoos, permanently fixating the image into his brain. Probably forever.

It was nothing compared to the pulse inside him, the way his hole ached from Eddie’s thrusting. He came deep and Steve wished once again that the condom wasn’t even there.

“Oh my god,” Steve gasped, coming down slow as he rested against Eddie. He wasn’t ready to move, not yet. He rested against Eddie, his hands playing with errant sweaty curls. “So you’re my boyfriend now.”

Eddie snorted, the noise turning into a full body laugh as he wrapped his arms around Steve and hugged him tight. It felt right, it felt bette Ethan right. Who knew this part could be just as good? Coming down from such a high, feeling dizzy form it.

“Gonna be hard to explain,” Eddie murmured, still laughing breathlessly. “Don’t think your mom-“

“Please don’t talk about her while you’re still inside me,” Steve smacked Eddie on the shoulder. “Just- just say you’re my boyfriend and stop being difficult. I want a first date. Somewhere nice, I know you can afford it.”

Eddie smiled at Steve as he pulled back.

“Yeah? Already demanding things out of me?”

“Sure,” Steve shrugged. “If you can get it up again in the next hour, I’ll suck you off while we listen to that audio. How’s that sound?”

Apparently that sounded perfect to Eddie.