Heart Strings (Steddie)

Awkward Situations

Eddie's hands continue to hold Steve's over the tabs. They have been playing for a little while now, not that either one of them is paying attention to the time. Eddie and Steve are both trying to focus on the tabs, but their minds are on tangents. Eddie likes having his arms around Steve. Steve likes the cold touch of Eddie's rings on his hands. "You are a pretty good teacher. I'm a master already," Steve pushes out, attempting to break their silence.

"Are you saying you want to take a second, Harrington?"

"My fingers hurt." Steve looks back at Eddie and pouts.

"We only got, like, twelve cords," he laughs and rolls out from behind Steve, taking the guitar from him, "What did you think?"

"We should continue lessons," Steve says, "That is, if you would want to, of course." Eddie puts the guitar away in the closet and sits back down next to the other, "Not to flatter you too much, but I honestly enjoyed that. Watching you struggle with the tabs and all, I mean."

"I'm extremely flattered, actually," Steve replies sarcastically.

Eddie changes the subject, "I still cannot believe you have the ring on. Did you ever take it off or are you that in love with me, Harrington?"

Steve blushes and playfully shoves Eddie's arm, "Oh, shut up. You told me to hold on to it, I'm holding on to it."

Eddie shoves him back and laughs, "Yeah, but you can take it off."

Another shove. "Maybe I don't want to."

And another shove. "Stop pushing me!"

"Why? Is it because you're soft? I didn't mean to hurt you, your majesty," Steve laughs out, teasing the other a little.

"Soft?! Harrington, I'll have you know, I am pretty hardcore," Eddie smirks and lunges at Steve, knocking both boys onto the bed. Eddie stays above Steve, his ponytail hanging around the other's face, "And you have got to stop calling me 'your majesty." Steve stares up at him, flustered and dumbfounded. There's a short silence he uses to still his heart and thinks of something smart to say.

"Don't call me princess, anymore. It's only fair."

"That's not fair at all, princess," Eddie cocks his head at Steve, smiling big.

They stare at each other for a second and Steve becomes more nervous, suddenly looking away. Eddie takes that as his cue to climb off of him, "S-Sorry man, I got carried away." Steve sits up, "N-No, it's alright. I shoved you first."

"I took it too far though," Eddie plays with a piece of his hair.

"You didn't."

"I didn't?" He looks at him now, searching his eyes for what that meant.

"I- uhm," Steve stumbles over his words, "I-I don't think so." He isn't sure if he should talk to Eddie about how he's been feeling recently, so he decides to keep it to himself for a little longer, scared to ruin something that's just started. "We're just messing around, Eddie," he assures.

"O-Okay. Yeah. As long as I didn't make you uncomfortable."

"You didn't. I'm good. You're good."

"Okay, uhm. Do you... want to go watch a movie or something?" Eddie rubs the back of his neck as he tries to dissolve the awkward situation they are in.

"You're gonna make me watch another horror movie, aren't you?"

Eddie laughs and doesn't answer, walking out of the room and down the hallway. Steve groans as he follows behind him. Eddie is sitting on the floor looking through his collection of horror movies and he goes to join him. "What movie are you gonna pick to watch my oh-so hilarious reactions," Steve says with sarcasm.

"I was thinking 'The Poltergeist'. Have you seen it?"

"No."

"Perfect." Eddie puts in the movie and moves over to the couch. Steve pauses, wondering if he should sit next to him or on the other side of the couch.

"I don't bite, Harrington," the boy says, patting the cushion next to him. Steve goes to sit next to Eddie, feeling a little awkward.

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The movie is halfway through and Steve hasn't had a single scare yet. "You're being very brave, Harrington," Eddie teases without taking his eyes off the screen.

"You didn't pick a very scary m-," Steve starts, suddenly being scared by a jumpscare. "Damnit!" He shouts, knowing Eddie will make fun of him, "What was that again? I didn't pick a scary what?" Steve looks over at him to retort but he's staring down at his forearm... which, Steve is holding onto. He lets go quickly, "Sorry."

"It's okay, princess, you got scared," Eddie winks at him. Steve rolls his eyes, trying to ignore the blush beginning to highlight his cheeks, "Jumpscares are so cheap."

There's another silence.

"Sorry for grabbing your arm again."

"Why are you sorry, man? I told you it was alright," Eddie smiles.

"I don't know, I don't want to make anything awkward, I guess?" Steve replies, looking down at his knees.

"Why would it be awkward?"

"I'm being awkward right now. I'm going through something in my personal life and I think it's stressing me out and making me act weird," Steve dances around the truth.

"I understand what you mean, Harrington. Even though we've only started talking to each other recently, you can trust me and talk to me about anything. I won't judge you. I can't. That would be so hypocritical," Eddie chuckles at that last bit. Steve starts to feel a little bit more comfortable. "Thank you. I honestly think I might just need some time man."

Eddie smiles and they both resume watching the movie.

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It's the last scene in the movie and Eddie suddenly feels something hit his shoulder. The confused boy looks over to see a resting Steve whose head has accidentally slumped over onto him. Eddie's heart can't take how cute he looks sleeping with hair that's wildly imperfect. He sits there, staring at the other for a few more minutes, knowing he should wake Steve so he could go home, but he decides against it.

Guess I'm sleeping upright tonight, Eddie smiles at the thought.

-----end chapter seven-----

getting somewhere, gettinggggg somewhereeeeee.