Hypotheticals

12-Eddie, Eddie, Eddie.

Steve's head is pounding as he opens his eyes. Where is he? He does not recognize the smell of the room, or the room. That is until he turns his head and is met with Eddie. Oh right. Eddie is still fast asleep. Steve props himself on the bed, and just observes. Steve likes observing Eddie. Eddie had not moved one inch since Steve fell asleep the night prior. 

With a glance at the clock, Steve notices that they have a little under 30 minutes to get ready. He gets up and out of bed, dressing fast. This must have woken Eddie, as his voice comes out from behind Steve. 

"Awe leaving so soon?" He says with a pout. Steve freezes. He turns his head and smiles, Steve smiles a lot at Eddie. "Eddie we have to be at work in like, half an hour. Get dressed." Eddie threw his head back in distaste. 

"I hate working, already." He rolls his eyes and stands up. Steve, already having a shirt on, just needed to slip his pants and sweater on. Eddie on the other hand, needed to change completely. While Steve was finishing up, Eddie put a pair of jeans on. Steve turns around to face Eddie, with no shirt on.

It felt like there was a blowtorch, scorching his insides. Eddie is skinnier that Steve imagined. he also had more tattoos than he imagined.  Eddie is hot. He is so beautiful. Steve doesn't believe anything is more beautiful than this right here. 

Eddie looks over at Steve, and realizes he's shirtless, and being noticed. He grows red as he fumbles into his shirt. He quickly grabs a handful of rings, and his guitar pick necklace. He remembers to grab his black hankerchief and stuffs it in his pocket, as he ushers Steve out of the room.

---

When they walk up to the front door, Eddie notices something on Steve. His walkman. Steve had nicked it from the dresser that morning when Eddie wasn't looking. He really wanted to listen to Eddie's music. 

They are greeted by Robin, pleased that they are not late. She looks between the two of them. Steve, wearing the same clothes as the day before, sporting Eddie's walkman. She smiles. 

"How are you guys here, together? Since when do you carpool?"

"Since Harrington decides to raid my house, apparently."

"I did not raid your house! You let me in." Steve got defensive. Eddie laughs at him and Robin continues to smile. She gets back to stocking shelves and greeting their first customers. The two guys sit on opposite sides of the counter. They become involved in a converastion about wheter or not they should make a sequel for Back to the Future. 

"Steve there needs to be a second movie they can't just end it like that." Eddie shakes his head. Steve insists that if they make another movie it will ruin the franchise. "Next thing you know, they're gonna make a Back to the Future three, and a Back to the Future four, then five and six and nobody with watch them." 

"Steve you dingus." They hear float from over a shelf. Across the store, Robin has been listening to them. The way they talk to each other. She had noticed in the past couple of days how Steve was warming up to Eddie. She felt like a proud mother, for some reason. This moment in time was short lived as the shrill rings of the door brought out a miserable voice. Jason, and a few other basketball guys walk in. Eddie freezes on the spot. He and Jason didn't necesarily have a good record. 

Eddie reaches across the counter at Steve, and takes his Walkman back. He puts on whatever tape was in it arleady and presses play. He tries to drown out the thoughts of Jason but no use. hiding his face did no use, as well. Jason spotted him right away. He walks over to the counter, sneering. 

"Harrington I had no clue you worked here, with these freaks." He was looking at Eddie and Robin. Steve also looked at Eddie. He has a look of dread on his face. "Yeah, I work here." Steve says firmly. Jason laughs. "I guess you need some way to afford that piece of shit you call a car out there." He points at Steve's BMW, parked in it's usual spot. 

"Jason fuck off." Eddie says, with a more confidence than he shows on his face. Steve smiles at the fact that Eddie is standing up for him. The bully raises his eyebrows at him. He scoffs. He puts his hands on his hips and starts walking closer to where Eddie is at the counter. 

"I wasn't fucking talking to you, faggot." Eddie blinks, heart cracking open. Jason waits, the room going quiet. "What no comeback for me today? Too polite to shit on me today?" Jason pouts, and slaps Eddie's shoulder and turns to his buddies. They walk towards the door and converse. 

"hey but we were gonna rent a movie, dude."

"Nah I'm not giving money to a pansy ass like him." The voices fade out as they leave the building. Steve examines Eddie's face. He was staring straight ahead, fighting tears. Steve could see him shaking slightly. He looks over to Robin, looking very concerned for the man at the counter. Steve nods to her, I can take care of it. She smiles back, thank you. 

Steve steps over to Eddie's side of the counter. He puts a hand on his shoulder. "Eddie.." Eddie collapses onto the floor, bursting into tears. His breathing was unsteady and rickety. Steve sat down on the floor with him, rubbing circles onto his back. When Eddie didn't stop crying, Steve gave him a hug. He  hugs him hard. Eddie drops his head onto Steve's shoulder. "Talk to me, Eddie."

"I- Normally this kind of stuff doesn't bother me. Normally I hear rumors of what they call me. I don't really care about it. But that one, that word. It's like a kill switch that powers off my body. Completely. Steve I don't- I hate that word." Steve squeezes harder, and nods. 

"I know, Eddie. Nobody likes that word. It's harsh and rude and insensitive. Jason is an asshole, and he knows it. Don't let him get in your head." He taps the Walkman, reminding Eddie. He puts the headphones on and presses play. "You're gonna be okay, Eddie." With that he stands up and offers a hand to Eddie. Eddie shakes his head. 

"Can I stay here for a bit?" Steve shakes is head and gets back to work. 

--- 

Steve drove home that afternoon, after driving Eddie home of course.  He thought over what happened. It must be awful, he thinks, having to hear that. Hear those words said about you. Eddie is a strong person, if it took this long for him to snap. He realizes that those words should affect him. After all, he was, in fact- gay. Steve's mind spun with the idea. Steve Harrington is gay. Eddie Munson. Steve and Eddie. Steve plus Eddie. Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. 

His worry and concern was quickly replaced with a smile. 

Eddie, Eddie, Eddie.