Hypotheticals

31-PG-13

Things feel different for Steve. He and Eddie seem fine, even with Eddie distancing himself. Steve was definitely concerned about that, but he's sure Eddie will talk when he's ready. Steve has noticed some other changes in Eddie too. 

Since Saturday, Eddie had stopped wearing a lot of staples of his fashion. Less rings, no more guitar pick necklace. Even his black hankerchief has dissapeared. He's no longer wearing his favourite shirts, and his walkman has vanished. 

--- 

Steve sits at the counter of Family Video with tired eyes. He thinks about what Robin and Eddie might be doing at this time. A glance to the clock tells him that they will be having lunch in half an hour. Mondays are usually slow days, especially when Stve is working. All their prime customers are in school. 

He moves from the counter to the cart covered in films and decides to be productive. He reads the titles of the movies as he puts them on their respective shelves. The Breakfast Club, Escape From New York, Altered States. Steve has only seen one of these movies. He isn't a horror fan, action fan or sci-fi fan. Well, he's known to throw on an action movie or two. 

An older couple walk in. Steve turns and smiles at them. They head to the section beside him. They browse, as he continues to stock the shelves. Browsing and stocking, browsing and stocking. He hums in displeasure at the movie currently in his hand. He shelves it. 

The man that had entered with his wife waves at Steve. "Yes, we would like to check out, and you seem to be the only person avaliable at the moment." Steve looks between them. The man seems calm, the woman cheery. He leads them over to the counter to ring them up. He looks lazily at the computer screen as it loads. 

"Can I get a name, for our system?" He takes the three VHS tapes from the man to scan them. 

"Boyle, Damian Boyle." The man nods as Steve types the name in. A few Boyles pop up on the screen and he clicks the third from the top. 

"And a number, to contact you if your films are overdue?" 

"4782048" Steve nods and fills out the blank section. He slides the tapes back across the counter. 

"Enjoy." He smiles flatly and watch the two walk away. The perfect, happy couple walk to the door smiling. So cheerful, so happy. His eyes trail down to their hands. They are intertwined with one another. He feels jealous. jealous of little old Mr. and Mrs. Boyle for being able to hold hands in public just like that. He finds it insane that he can't hold Eddie's hand like that. Hell he'd be screaming his feelings at the top of his lungs if death threats weren't a thing. If Jason wasn't around. Steve hopes and prays for the generations of queer teenagers ahead of him. He hopes and prays that they will be able to scream their lover's names the way he would for Eddie Munson. 

---

The end of his shift is on the horizon. There are some new, scrawny teenagers that have taken the shift after him, following the end of their school day. All he has to do is sit and wait for them to arrive then he can be out of there. And so, he sits and waits at the counter. He looks out the window, cars passing by. He fiddles with the pen on the counter, doodling on his hand. He feels as if these last ten minutes were passing by slower than ever. 

 Two freshmen walk into the store sporting wrinkly green vests. Steve recognizes them instantly. Steve has never been prone to Troy and Stacey. He's heard the stuff they've said and done to his younger friends in their grade. Everytime they walk into the store-like they own the place, the nerve!- Steve represses a dark glare in their direction. 

He taps the counter, like he's tapping out, and grabs his keys out of his pocket. He heads towards the door, and the two's eyes follow him. Stacey waves and smiles as he passes by. Steve just shakes his head and pulls his sunglasses out and covers his face with them. Troy slaps her shouler lightly, spitting out a small "babe?!" In protest. They aren't going to last, Steve thinks. He reaches his car and puts the keys in his ignition.