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

7

The weekend had arrived and Steve was feeling antsy. He wanted to call Eddie but his nerves had gotten the best of him thus far. So he settled for pacing around his room. Occasionally he fiddled with the antenna on his small television, just to keep his hands busy. He slowly made lunch for himself, ignoring the strange looks from his parents. They mostly left him alone as they had never been close. Finally Steve couldn't take the staring much longer.

"I might have a friend over." Steve had his back to his parents so he didn't see the curious look they exchanged.

"Okay, sweetie. Is there anything you need from us?"

"No. Just letting you know."

"...Okay."

Steve turned to leave the room and gave them an awkward smile. He was halfway to the stairs up to his room when his mom called back to him.

"Were you going to call your friend, hon?" Steve stopped in his tracks and slowly backtracked to the kitchen.

"Right. Yes."

Why did I say something to them? Now I have to call someone.

Because you wanted to be obligated to call him, asshole.

He walked over to the phone and slowly dialed the number he had since memorized despite having never used it. His heart was pounding as the line rang twice, three times.

"Hello?" Eddie's voice sounded bored.

"H—hey Eddie"

"Who is this?" Eddie sounded annoyed now.

Jesus I'm a moron.

Steve ran his hand through his hair.

"Sorry, it's Steve," he tried to chuckle and sound nonchalant. There was a loud scraping and scuffling sound on the other end, as if the phone had been dropped suddenly.

"Steve! Hi." Eddie was a little breathless.

"Um," Steve coughed.

"What's up, man?"

"I uh— I still have your jacket." Steve said.

"I know. I've been pretty chilly." Eddie was playing with Steve now.

"Well, um— did you— did you want to come get it? And like, hang out. Maybe. If you wanted..."

"Sure. I'll be over in a few."

"Great! I—I mean cool. Okay. Bye."

"See you soon, Harrington."

Steve could practically hear him winking through the phone. With a stupid grin on his face, Steve ran upstairs, taking two steps at a time. He hopped in the shower and then stood in front of his bathroom mirror for a good ten minutes trying to make his hair look somewhat presentable. He had fully washed out the gel for the third time when a knock sounded from the front door downstairs.

"Fuck!"

Steve threw on some shorts and ran back downstairs, throwing open the door looking in complete shambles.

Eddie stood there, same patched denim vest over his black t shirt and black ripped jeans, hair cascading down just past his shoulders in a wavy mess. His hands were in his pockets and he was looking at Steve trying very hard to fight a smile.

"Informal today, huh?" Eddie gestured to Steve's bare chest. His eyes lingered on Steve's defined abs and the light dusting of hair across his front.

Steve turned bright red and ran a hand through his sopping wet hair.

"I was in a rush," he said sheepishly.

Eddie stepped forward, voice low. "I am not complaining, Harrington."

Steve bit his lip hard and looked around, making sure no one was walking by on the street.

"Come inside. I have your jacket in my room." Steve opened the door wider and gestured for Eddie to enter, but he didn't move from his position in the doorway. Eddie was forced to brush his body up against Steve as he passed through into the home. Chuckling, Eddie looked around at the floral decorations and family photos lining the walls and shelves. He grabbed a picture of Steve as a toddler and turned around, holding it out to Steve with a look of complete adoration.

"Oh my god. Please do not look at anything in here," he snatched it out of Eddie's hands and put it back on the bookshelf. "As a matter of fact, let's just close your eyes until we get to my room."

Eddie promptly closed his eyes and started feeling along the wall looking for the stairs. Steve laughed loudly and rolled his eyes.

"So fucking literal..." he grabbed one of Eddie's hands and guided him up the stairs. Their fingers intertwined naturally and Steve couldn't help his heart leaping out of his chest. He came to a stop in his room and released Eddie's hand.

"So, this is my room." Steve raised his hands as if displaying his room and then let them fall to his sides awkwardly. Eddie opened his eyes and started circling the room silently, looking at Steve's posters and bookshelves lined with trophies and a select few books.

"Wow. You're a complete jock." Eddie laughed. "I have the hots for a jock." He pretended to gag and Steve smacked his shoulder.

"Half of those are at least five years old. I'm not a jock." Steve tried to feel less awkward and walked over to his bed which had the leather jacket laying across it. Eddie was still chuckling when Steve held it out to him. "Anyway, here's your jacket."

"Thanks. I've been cold as fuck."

"Sorry."

"I don't mind. It looked good on you." Eddies lips twitched.

How is he so calm and flirty?

Steve took a deep breath and sat on the bed in a huff. Eddie came over and sat next to him.

"I'm trying to chill the fuck out." Steve admitted.

"We're just hanging out, dude. Relax. Maybe it would help if you put a shirt on?" Eddie suggested, only slightly teasing.

No labels. Just enjoy the moment. Do what you feel like doing right now.

"Maybe it would help if you took yours off." Steve said.