I Can't, Eddie... (Steddie)

3

Steve had been dreading this day since it was announced. A big research paper had been assigned in his English class, and they were taking a trip to the local college to visit the library. They were to spend all day there and would be paired off with one other student in the class. Steve had this class with Robin, so there was a chance it would be a fun day hanging out with his best friend. However, he also shared the class with Eddie. And Steve was absolutely petrified at the thought out being alone with Eddie for an entire day.

It had been two months since Steve left Eddie alone on that brick wall, and Steve was utterly miserable every day since. Robin tried to ask questions but Steve was impenetrable. Leading up to this trip, his mood had taken an even deeper dive.

Steve felt like he was going crazy. The upside down had nothing on this. All he could think about was the millisecond of feeling his lips pressed against Eddie's. He was waiting for the feelings it stirred up within him to fade, but they hadn't even a little bit. His nightmares every night were now accompanied by fantasies entirely revolving around Eddie. The yearning was evident every night when he woke up in a cold sweat, sheets tented between his legs. Steve was in an epic battle with himself, day in and day out. And in all that time, he hadn't uttered a single word to Eddie.

Eddie, on the other hand, seemed downright cheerful the morning of the school trip. His Walkman was blasting music into his ears and he had a good feeling about the day. He had no interest in the library, but he was certain he would get a chance to finally talk to Steve. At first he was angry. Really angry and hurt. But the longer he thought about it, the more pity he felt. Even if Steve didn't like Eddie, he clearly had some confusion over his sexuality. Eddie understood that and wanted to be a friend to Steve at the very least. So he would hang back after class to try and catch Steve, only to barely get a glimpse of his backpack as he rushed out the door. He greeted him every morning with a smirk and a "hey, Harrington" in the hopes that Steve would feel that they could go back to the way they were before, but the most he ever got was a nod as Steve stared at a spot on the wall behind Eddie.

Now, if Eddie was being honest with himself, he would have to admit that he absolutely, without a doubt, had a huge crush on Steve. To be fair, who wouldn't? He was obviously gorgeous, but he was also so kind and caring to the younger kids. Eddie had a front row seat to that all year long, and he really had no control over the affection that had started to grow for the popular preppy guy. So, although he had no hopes or expectations for anything beyond a conversation, it was because he cared for Steve that he felt an excitement bubbling inside as the bus pulled away from the school, carting them off to the college.

The students huddled in a group around their teacher, waiting to be assigned their partners. It was a chilly morning and Steve forgot his jacket again, so he was rubbing the arms of his sweater while muttering grumpily to himself under his breath. Their teacher paired Robin with another student and she walked off, looking back apologetically at Steve.

Damn it.

"Okay, next I have Steve Harrington," Steve held his breath.

Pleasepleaseplease anyone but Eddie. Anyone but Eddie.

"And Eddie Munson. Off you go."

Steve's stomach dropped a thousand feet into the ground and simultaneously burst into a thousand butterflies. He wrenched his gaze from the ground and found Eddie standing just a few feet away, examining Steve with his typical sarcastic expression. But his eyes were guarded and careful.

"Hey, Harrington." Eddie raised a hand in greeting. Steve forced his feet to move forward and spoke to Eddie for the first time in two months.

"H-hey Eddie," Steve's voice broke and he cleared his through, already completely red in the face.

Eddie's heart just about melted right out of his body.

"Hey man, are you going to be okay with this?" Eddie leaned forward, speaking low so that only Steve could hear him.

Steve felt the warmth coming off of Eddie as he shortened the distance between them. He sighed and blinked a few times.

Just try and be normal, you idiot. Like nothing happened.

"Yeah dude, I'm cool." Steve said, his voice almost back to normal. There was still a flush in his face, but he swallowed his fears and looked at Eddie a few inches below him with confidence and stuck his hand out. "We're cool." He gave Eddie a tentative smile.

Eddie's eyes widened for just a moment before he snapped back to his usual demeanor.

"I know that. I've been waiting for you to catch on." Eddie's playfulness felt almost normal to Steve and he felt a small weight lift off his shoulders. And then Eddie smiled and the dimple popped out in his cheek. Steve's stomach swooped and he felt a blush creep across his face yet again.

Like. Nothing. Happened. Like you didn't wake up with a boner dreaming about him for the hundredth time this morning.

Steve shook his head to shut himself up and led the way up to the large cement building looming ahead of them.

"So, what's your research topic?" Steve asked, wanting to fill the silence with literally anything as they walked down a random aisle of books.

"Ah, nothing you'd be interested in." Eddie said with a smirk. Steve rolled his eyes. "What?" Eddie probed, jabbing Steve in the side with a finger. Steve laughed and shook his head.

"You don't know anything about me. How would you know what I'm interested in?"

Eddie relented, "fine. I'm researching how computers are supposed to change the world in the next decade."

Steve stared at him blankly. "Okay, you're right. That sounds super boring."

Eddie laughed, fully flashing his bright teeth. Steve abruptly turned and started examining the bookshelf in front of him. He had no idea what the books said but he was suddenly acutely aware of the very small space they were occupying. Eddie took the queue and stepped back a few feet.

"Do you want to get some air outside? I don't really need any books from here anyway." Eddie asked.

Steve exhaled in relief. "Yes, definitely. Let's go." He immediately turned and walked to the nearest exit, Eddie close behind him.