A Crack In The Glass (steddie with some Rickie)

•17•

The day went on as Steve and the girls picked out dresses for homecoming and the boys tried on suits. Yes, that's what Steve dragged them out there for. And the reason Jonathan and them had come down from California was because homecoming meant that anyone could attend, even if they didn't live in hawkins.

So that's what was happening. Most of the girls were getting dresses and the guys were getting suits.

Steve noted how Mike stood up when Will walked in, how Will awkwardly chuckled and brought him into a hug before even saying hi. Steve found it odd since he didn't even do that for eleven, who he was dating.

“Hey.” Mike said, as will resting his head on Mike's shoulder.

“Hey, where were you earlier? You weren't with the group?” Mike asks, and will pulled away. His hand lingered on Mike's shoulder as he blushed and looked away.

“I was checking out a shop up the street, that's all.” he explained, as they made awkward eye contact and looked away.

“Alright! Now let's get to shopping, yes?” Steve said, he could see the gay pining in wills eyes that mike didnt seem to completely pick up on.

“Right, yeah.” Steve directed them over to where everyone else was, looking to eddie. 

“Poor will.” Harrington comments, sighing. Eddie's arm wrapped around Steve once again as he placed a soft kiss on his cheek. “Mike is too oblivious.”

“Yeah, I can see that now.” Eddie replies.”I'm gonna try to talk to him later. He needs it.”  Will glanced over to the two, them being the only teens not with the group. He seemed disinterested in the suits, it's not like he had anyone to go with anyways. He watched as Steve left a kiss on Eddie's lips as they spoke across the room. Nancy and vickies talking was too loud along with the busy chatter from the others that will couldn't hear what was being said.

Will felt yet another pressure in his chest as the two approached, empty of happiness and upset that he couldn't have something like Steve and eddie.

Steve had the boys suits made in advance, since they were all gonna be matching. The pants and blazers were a dark to medium brown with pinstripes of tan or creme running up them. The pants on some where flared on special request, others where normal. The shirts to go underneath were a cool blue with a hint of green, and the colors went quite well together. The guys and girls were divided into different rooms to try on their dresses they had picked from racks and to make sure the suits fit.

All the guys admired themselves as the girls complimented each other, but one girl was also wearing a suit.

“Steve, do you think people are gonna say I'm weird?” Robin asked, slipping on a pair of cork heels with matching blue-colored bands that went across the top. Those were the only high-heels she could actually wear without breaking an ankle.

“Well robin, you are weird. But no, I don't.” She looked herself over in the mirror again, and Steve patted her back. “Besides, you look amazing!”

Wills suit was fine, but he still had the gnawing feeling in his stomach as he watched mike from afar compliment and spin el in her dress. Eddie sat next to him, ruffling Will's hair.

“Hope you don't mind me sitting here.” he said, the action and words cutting him out of his staring contest with mikes stupid smile.

“No, it's fine.” He said, a soft smile of politeness. He glanced back up, over to mike.

“I remember my first crush.” Eddie spoke, and will glanced back over.

“Am I that easy to read?” Will asked in response, sighing softly and correcting his posture. He rested his hands on the couch and grabbed the edges. Eddie chuckled.

“Only to some of us, apparently.” He said, referencing how Mike didn't seem to pick up on anything. “But besides that. I know how it feels to just want someone so bad but know they dont want you back. Or if they do they don't show it, they repress it.” Eddie sighs.

“Eleven is such a kind soul. She deserves him more than I ever would.” Will said, the two on the couch staring them down. “And i think the reason i haven't said anything to mike is because if anything did ever happen el would be heartbroken. she deserves so much better than what she's been through.”

Eddie sighed. He remembered what it was like when Steve and Nancy dated. “I felt that way once too. I felt like that one person had something so perfect, a kindled flame. He had a wonderful woman, and she was so deserving of him. She loved him so much. I felt like if I was to ever say anything to him that I could snuff it out in a second, and that perfect flame would be gone.” Eddie said, his eyes diverting to Steve who was clapping for Nancy as she showed off the dress she was wearing. “But it went out in time, as most flames do. And I guess a spark ignited between us.”

“I thought Steve was straight?” Will said, as Steve walked over.

“To be honest, I did too.” Eddie said, and smiled. Steve ran a hand through Eddie's hair and pulled it out of his face, then kissed Eddie's forehead. He knew no one there was gonna say anything, they were all caught up in themselves. “I guess you really can't judge a book by its cover, hm?”

“Will, look. First relationships rarely ever last, and if you ask me..” Steve glanced around to make sure no one was looking. “Mike is definitely not straight. From the way he looks at El, I see no light in his eyes. He is definitely hiding something.”

“You think?” Will replied, and the two nodded. “Oh.”

“It’ll all come in time, yeah?” Steve replies, as Eddie throws an arm over the younger boy's shoulder.

“Right,” He said, smiling. “Thanks eddie.” Eddie smiled as the boy gave him a hug, then got up to go talk to mike.

“I am claiming that boy as my child.” Eddie said, and Steve laughed.