Can I ask you something?

#5 The requited love

It wasn't something Steve thought that he'd be doing that day. Considering the man on the other end of the kiss had nearly died about 30 minutes ago.

But the kiss was soft and gentle, like leaves blowing in the wind. Something about it made it so sincere that Steve completely forgot that he was kissing a guy. But, when he realised he was, it only made him thread his fingers through Eddie's hair to bring him closer. When they broke away, Eddie's arms had snaked around Steve's neck and Steve's hand still lay in Eddie's hair. They brought their foreheads together as they tried to remain calm.

"Your a fucking idiot you know that Harrington" Steve chuckled. "Only for you Eddie" "Don't make me kiss you again" Steve smiled at Eddie. "Why shouldn't I?" "Just because- you know what fuck it"

Eddie clashed their lips together again, kissing each other as if they were the only two in the world. Steve's nerves were on fire, but what he was doing just felt so right. It was the same sparks that he felt when he kissed Nancy for the first time. Yet, so much better. Everything about Eddie was better. The man was just... Perfect to Steve.

He was in love with Eddie Munson.

He was certain of that.

Steve accidentally pulled on Eddie's hair gently and he felt the other squirm slightly. Steve parted from Eddie and looked at him and his clouded eyes. "Do you like that love?" Eddie took a second to scowl at Steve and hit him on the arm before they both started to chuckle. "Shut up Harrington" "Still on last name basis are we? I thought you gave that up" "What you like it?" Eddie mocked and this time it was Steve's turn to hit the other on the arm.

If you asked Steve a month ago if he was in love with Eddie, he'd look at you if you were delusional. But really, it was him that was. He was rather embarrassed that it took him that long to figure out that the feeling in him was love.

Or maybe it was the constant years of internalised homophobia from his parents. Or the names that Eddie got called by his father too. Either way, Steve couldn't not be true to himself anymore. He had accepted he was in love with Eddie, so others would just have to get used to that fact as well. No-one was going to hurt Eddie. Not when Steve could help it at least.

It took Steve a minute to realise that the two were in a rapidly growing awkward moment, where neither of them talked. So he spoke up. "Um... Now what?" He asked. Eddie looked at him like he was an idiot. Like the one Dustin gives him when he asks an unnecessary question.

Even still, Steve could recognise the twiddling of Eddie's thumbs, as if he wanted to ask his own question. Steve pondered if it was a good idea to initiate the conversation himself by asking what was wrong...

"Is there something wrong?" Eddie's eyes widened and he looked away sharply. "No- No there's nothing wrong. Promise" "Eddie look at me" When Eddie didn't, Steve moved his hand out to catch his finger on Eddie's chin. But before he could, Eddie whispered a small "Don't..." So Steve retracted his hand and placed it back on the sofa.

"If you don't want to say that's ok Eddie" "I do- I really do... I just don't want you to think I've got the wrong idea..." "You can only find out if you ask" "Alright alright"

"Do you...maybe... Want to be my boyfriend?"

Steve looked at Eddie in awe. It was... Cute that his cheeks flushed red as he asked. "Yes Eddie. I want to be your boyfriend. Now please, look at me" This time Eddie did and found comfort in gazing into Steve's eyes again. Steve could see the little glint in his eyes from the light, making it look like a star.

"So... This means that your not going to just get up and leave right?" "Yes. But you can't stay here Eddie. What if your dad comes back for you?" Eddie chuckled sadly. "He always finds me again"

With a gaze saying "can I?" As Eddie nodded, Steve wrapped his arms around the other and brought him into his lap. Not for any other reason then to bring his boyfriend as close to him as possible. Eddie wrapped his arms around Steve's neck once more so he could rest his head on the others shoulder.

"I'm never leaving you Eddie"

Now Steve didn't think Eddie meant to fall asleep, but he could hear his little snores on his shoulder, felt his chest rise and fall gently against his own. While the decision was difficult, he stood up and carefully carried the other into his bedroom and onto the bed.

The difficulty was to escape from Eddie's grasp around his neck, but he did it with minimal effort and hopefully minimal sound as well. He found some spare paper in a messy notepad on Eddie's desk and wrote a note to say that he'd only gone home to change and that he'd be back soon after some jobs. He left the note on Eddie's bedside table.

Steve pushed his hair out the way and leant down to kiss him on the forehead before smiling. God he was one lucky man. He walked out and shut the trailer door quietly.

As he made his way back to the car, he wondered how much Robin would get a kick out of this tomorrow. Yet he smiled still, because quite frankly he couldn't care.

Now he had to go home and prepare for a very, very big change.