Silent, Like Deep Water || Steddie <3

Chapter Three

It was later that day, Eddie was still snuggled up in his blanket as Steve was sitting up against the wall. He was happy that someone seemed to care about him, even if it seemed to be Steve. Steve had a book in his hand, he was reading White Noise. It was weird to see Steve actually reading something. However he had nothing better to do. Eddie was sitting in silence and didn't want to open up and Steve wasn't going to force him to, but he also didn't want to leave him alone.

With the silence getting louder Eddie couldn't handle it anymore, so he went beside his bed and grabbed his stash box. Lucky for him he still had a few more joints in the box. He grabbed his lighter and lit the joint. "Eddie, what are you doing?" The smell and sound of Eddie lighting his joint caught Steve's attention.

"Smoking?" Eddie said, pointing out the obvious. He inhaled the rough smoke of the joint, letting the nice and calm sensation wash over him.

"You shouldn't be, it's not good for you." Steve came over to him and took the joint from him.

Eddie let out a scoff, "You can't just take my drugs from me." Eddie had a wide smile on his face as he was looking at Steve. It was nice to see that someone cared about his well being. "Come on, it's just one joint." He pleaded. "Also you know how much that was?" Eddie tried to persuade him to hand over his joint.

"I don't care, this is killing you." Steve rolled his eyes at Eddie. It was weird for him to even consider anyones wellbeing other than the kids, Dustin, Mike, Lucas, and Will. So why did he care so much about Eddie? Was Robin right? Did he really like Eddie? No that couldn't be true, Eddie was the freak at school and he was the perfect guy, getting every girl. Plus, he didn't like guys. No. Only girls.

However, no matter how hard he would try to get Eddie out of his mind, he would never leave. He couldn't help but care for him, he couldn't help that he wished the best for him.

"Come on Steve! I promise this is the only one.." Eddie pleaded, he was starting to do the puppy dog look. Trying his best to convince Steve to give him his joint back.

"Fine, whatever." Steve said, handing Eddie back his joint. "But since I gave it back, you can't have another." Steve stated.

Eddie smiled at him, "Of course, babes." With that Eddie took a long puff off of his joint, exhaling the smoke. Eddie loved the feeling that would come over him when he smoked. He loved how he didn't have to feel a thing when he was getting high. He loved how he didn't have a care in the world. He loved just being at peace. And he wished that he could feel like that all the time.

However Steve couldn't get over what Eddie just called him. Babes? Steve had a bright blush come over him. No one has called him that, well besides Robin, but she would always do it in a joking manner. And for Eddie, he didn't think that he was joking.

Now that Eddie was fogged by the drugs that were now in his system, Eddie was more open to Steve with everything. They started to talk about random things such as classes, friends, D&D. All the rundown for basic conversation. That's when it started to get deep.

"I've noticed that you've been coming to school with bruises lately..." Steve spoke softly. "Who has been hurting you?" Steve asked, hoping to get an answer out of Eddie and his clouded mind.

Eddie quickly whipped his head up and looked at Steve. "It's no one... Don't worry about it." Eddie quickly said as he wrapped his blanket further around him. It was a protective thing that he would do, so no one can read him. He also didn't want Steve to see the extent of the damages that have been done on his body.

"Eddie, I'm not here to judge. I just want to help you." Steve spoke to him as if he was scared he was going to shatter him.

"Like I said you don't need to worry, I can handle it myself. I've been doing well so far." Eddie shrugged his shoulders, trying to play off like he didn't care. Like he was the bad boy everyone knew him as.

Steve sighed, he knew that it was going to be hard to get Eddie to open up to him, or to anyone actually. But Steve continued to push him, he knew that if he did he would finally get a straight answer and be able to actually help Eddie. Maybe even take down the people that have hurt him. "I know you think you can, but I can see it slowly taking away your mental health. You've been doing drugs at school and I know you don't normally do that, you try to set a good example for the kids in your group." Steve spoke softly as he inched his way closer to Eddie. "I care and I just want to make sure that you're okay." Steve spoke sadly as he was now right beside Eddie.

Silent tears started to roll down Eddie's face, "Jason... and my Uncle, sometimes." Steve was shocked that Eddie actually told him what was going on. He was also surprised that his uncle was also the reason for his injuries.

"Eddie, I'm so sorry." Steve hugged Eddie tightly. As Steve made contact with Eddie that's when he broke down. Once again, Eddie was in his arms crying into him. He wished that he could do anything to make him feel better. All he could do was rub soft circles on his back and pray that he would be better in the morning.

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It was now the next morning, Steve could see the tears stained on Eddie's face. Steve couldn't help but feel bad for the way Eddie has been living the past couple months. With his uncle and Jason all hurting him, he couldn't even imagine what he was going through.

However they both had school today, and since Eddie didn't show up yesterday he knew that he would need to catch up. He also knew that he shouldn't be left at home alone with his thoughts.

So he shook him so he would wake up. He let out a groan one that showed that he was awake but didn't want to wake up. "We have school Eds." Steve spoke quietly trying not to startle the half asleep man that still seemed to be in his arms.

It was weird that Steve didn't care much that he was in his arms, he just cared that he was safe. And maybe Robin was right, maybe he did like him, but he would never admit it aloud.

With that Eddie got up out of bed and went to grab his clothes that he wanted to wear to school. Steve had to stay in the clothes that he wore the previous day. Not that he minded much, he just cared about Eddie and that he was okay.