Pretty Boy - Steddie

- 1

A/N: this will mostly be 3rd person POV with a little bit of Eddie's or Steve's POV.

STEVE'S POV:
I sat at the counter with Robin. Family Video never really got many customers nowadays, since the placed opened in 1980, and now everyone just has Netflix, Hulu, or some other streaming service. Robin and I usually spend our time talking and messing around on the work computer, every once in a while getting a few customers. Today was one of the odd days we actually got a customer.

"Buckley!" the persons voice was very  familiar.

"Eddie!" Robin replied, giving the man a big smile.

"Munson." I said, trying not to be mean since Robin seemed to like him.

"Harrington." he replied, matching my tone.

I'll never forget the things that happened between us.

"Anything I can help you find today? I mean, I know that you pretty much know where everything's at but I thought I'd ask anyway." Robin asked him.

"No, I'll be fine. Thank you though!" he said, walking off to the horror movies.

"Hey, uh, I've gotta use the bathroom so you've got him if he needs help right?" Robin asked.

"I guess." I replied, sighing.

"Oh c'mon Steve, he's not that bad." she said before giving me a pat on the shoulder and heading into the back of the store.

I messed around with the random clutter sitting on the counter for a bit until I heard Eddie walk up.

"Guess you'll have to help me, Harrington." He said.

"Didn't you just tell Rob you didn't need help?"

"Well, it turns out I do. You gonna help me out or not?"

I sighed and walked around the counter, following him to wherever he needed my help.

"Can you help me find the old 80's and 90's horror movies?"

I quickly started scanning my eyes over the shelves, looking for any of the big movies from back then. I pointed to them and he quickly grabbed a few movies and headed back to the counter. By then, Robin had gotten back from the bathroom and helped him check out the movies. In a matter of seconds, he's done and gone.

"See, now was that so bad?" Robin asked as I approached the counter.

"Yeah, actually it was, Thanks for that Rob." I said, giving her a sarcastic smile.

"Why do you hate him so much? You don't even know him Steve!"

"Long story."

Robin looked at me, "Well, Stevie Boy, we've got all day."

Do I trust her with my life? Absolutely. Would I tell her anything and everything? Also yes. But do I really wanna bring up our past and everything I went through right now? Nope.

"Listen, Robin. It's a story for another day, Alright?" I gave her a look that said 'I promise'.

"Fine, but your telling me one day."

I was relieved that she let go of the topic, but I knew eventually she'd ask again and I'd have to tell her.

3RD PERSON POV:
The rest of the day went by fast. Family Video didn't get any more customers so Steve and Robin did what they usually would, played around on the computer and scrolled on their phones.

After dropping Robin off at her place, Steve drove home and decided to just go straight to sleep. Though the day had been pretty uneventful, he felt mentally drained. Eddie is one of the few reoccurring customers, so why was today so different? Maybe it was the fact he was left to deal with him alone, something he hadn't had to do in years. That, or the fact that deep, deep down, he really missed Eddie. The things he did and said. The things Steve ran from. He couldn't get him out of his head. Just when he was about to try and clear his mind, his phone started buzzing.

"Yeah man?" Steve said picking up his phone.

"Hey! I didn't think you'd actually answer. Uh, can I ask a favor of you?" Dustin asked from the other end of the call.

"Depends on what the favor is, Henderson." Steve replied, sitting back up on his bed.

"So you see... My mom had to go into work early. So I'm stuck without a ride to go play D&D... Could you maybe drive me?" Dustin asked, "And! You won't have to pick me up because i'm going to Lucas' afterwards."

Steve sighed, "What time do you want me to pick you up?"

"7:00."

"If you're not outside by 7 I'm not giving you a ride."

"Thank you so much dude. You don't know how much this means to me, I really owe you one!" Dustin said excitedly before hanging up.

Seeing as it was only 6:30, Steve had some time to kill. He decided on scrolling through his TikTok for a bit, sending Robin a few of the ones he thought were funny. The time passed pretty quickly though, and soon enough he was on his way to pick up Dustin.

"Where to?"

"Just head to the trailer park, I'll be fine from there." Dustin answered.

Steve's stomach turned at the thought of that old trailer park. All the nights he and Eddie spent getting high, watching stupid movies, or messing around outside in the dead of night. It brings back all of what he lost, all because of himself. Because he didn't want to come to terms with his feelings. Because his feelings scared him.

Steve prayed to god that Dustin wasn't going to Eddie's to play D&D. He mentioned once that he enjoyed the game. Max, he thought. He's probably heading to Max's trailer. Or at least he hoped that's where Dustin was headed.

Eventually, he made it to the trailer park. He took a deep breath as they got closer to Eddie's trailer, remembering his was right across from Max's.

"This one here!" Dustin said, pointing.

Fuck. He wasn't pointing to Max's trailer like Steve hoped, he was pointing to Eddie's.

Steve parked in front of his trailer and got out. It took him a bit but he pulled himself together and walked with Dustin to the door. Did he feel like throwing up at the sight of the trailer? Yes. But his overprotective instincts kicked in and that overpowered how sick he felt.

"Henderson! You're finally here!" Eddie said excitedly, giving the boy a big, genuine smile. A smile Steve knew all too well.

"Steve, you should stay and watch! I'm sure Eddie won't mind. Maybe you can even learn to play!" Dustin said, looking at Steve, then Eddie who gave him a careless shrug.

Steve genuinely contemplated the offer for a moment, "It's alright. I don't want to be a burden."

"Oh come on Harrington. You got anything better to do?" Eddie asked.

"Sit in my room on my phone." he replied.

"Please, that's so boring. I don't bite y'know, even though I may look scary." Eddie gestured for him to come in and Dustin did the same after.

Steve stood there for a few seconds before giving in and going inside.

HEY! YOU! yeah, the person reading this. 👹 I LOVE YOU 👹 you're amazing and don't let anyone tell you you're not! <3

dont worry, you gremlins will get more content tomorrow

(also i hope you're enjoying this story!!)