A Crack In The Glass (steddie with some Rickie)

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Steve's fingers slid along the edge of the paper envelope, crisp and off-white as if it was untouched by a human before him. He tore apart the crappy glue and saw a wad of cash, and a note. The same as every month, the only difference was the slow descent in actual emotion in the letters his mom wrote. He only bothered to read the first line, before flicking through and counting the money inside the envelope.

“10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 170, 270, 370, 420, 520,..” He continued counting for a while longer, praying there was at least a little more money Steve could save for him and Eddie's suits he'd be paying for for homecoming. In no way was he gonna make Eddie pay, since eddies already done so much for him and Steve's better off than him. 

But sadly, there was nothing to save. In fact, it was less than usual. Most of what lay in that wad of money was merely enough to pay electricity, water, gas and other bills plus buy food and other things he'd need throughout the week. He sighed, running his hand through his hair, throwing the cash down and deciding to call the only person not busy.

Or at least, not busy enough to answer him.

Steve leaned against his kitchen wall as the phone began to dial, the monotonous noise would become dissociating if he listened to it for too long.

After a few rings, he finally heard it pick up.

“H’yeah?” a voice called. It was undeniably wayne.

“Hey uh, Eddie home?” Steve asked. He heard a rustling as Wayne muted himself shouting for eddie. 

“Hello?” Eddie asked, as if had been expecting someone to call.

“Hey!” Steve called, smiling when he heard his boyfriend's voice. “Where were you? You didn't come by the family video store?”

“Sorry, yeah. I got couch-locked and then passed out. What's up?” He asked, smiling although Steve couldn't see it.

“Hm, nothin much. Just kinda.. bored.“ Steve replied, twirling the phone cord between his fingers. He bit his lip as he realized how cheesy it must look, the way he was giggling and smiling like he was talking to his school boy fantasy. But honestly, he pretty much was.

“You wanna come ‘round here? I mean all I can really offer is an empty house by 9, rocky horror, beer and weed, but that's something, right?” Steve felt an idea float in his brain a moment, hesitating before finally blurting out what he was thinking.

“Hey, uh.. Weird question.” Steve said.

“All ears, dear.” Eddie replied, getting onto a cabinet and grabbing a box of cheez-its. Steve felt a rush with the nickname which had caught him off guard.

“Right uh, how- how long do you think i could stay at  your house for?” Eddie's eyebrows quivered as he glanced at his uncle who was smoking a cigarette next to him while staring out the window. He stepped through the doorway to the living room, stretching the phone cord before continuing the conversation.

“Whaddaya mean, harrington? What are you getting at exactly?” he asked, shoveling cheez-its down his throat.

“i- i can explain later, i mean like… how long could i stay at your place without your uncle caring?” Steve asked, anxiously biting his lip and crossing his fingers it would be over 2 weeks, though it was unrealistic.

“Shit, steve. As my rightful boyfriend, my trailer is yours.” Eddie replied, glancing to his uncle who was softly smiling while overhearing the conversation between the teens.

“So like- he doesn't care?” Steve asked, which created a new hope within steve.

“Uh, no.” Eddie replied, leaning against the wall.

“Do you care?” Steve asked next, shoving the money in his pocket and getting up from his wall.

“Obviously not. Why?”

“Eddie, I know how I can pay for the suits. I'll be over in 10, ‘kay?” Eddie checked his watch, seeing that it was just turning 8:47 pm.

“Uh- ok.” Steve hung up with a simple ‘bye!’ leaving Eddie with many things to say, including reminding Steve that he could easily pay for the suits instead. But before he could say any of it, he had to wait for Steve to get there.