stolen kisses • steddie

12.

12.

Steve was still feeling angry after his shift, he didn't understand what the point of Jason coming in and insulting Eddie was. It seemed like he just did it because it was a fun pastime for him. Steve hated to let things affect his mood, but for some reason, couldn't let this go.

"Get out of here, dingus, your shift ended ten minutes ago. And don't let Jason's bullshit upset you," Robin picked up a stack of movies to re-stock and walked away.

Steve glanced at the clock and noticed it was about ten minutes after his shift ended. He was too busy focusing on the insults that Jason spewed out at him and Eddie earlier. He couldn't help but think that maybe Jason was right, in a way.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Robs," he called out to Robin as he left the store, reaching for his car keys in his pocket.

All Steve wanted to do was see Eddie. He wanted to be wrapped up in Eddie's arms, watching a stupid movie on the couch. He felt so angry, and he thought that maybe Eddie could help him calm down. As he pulled up to Eddie's trailer, he saw the curly haired boy sitting on the front steps. As Eddie noticed Steve, he waved.

"What are you doing out here?" Steve questioned, taking a seat next to Eddie.

"It's nice out today. I just needed a few minutes of fresh air," Eddie shrugged, turning to look at Steve and giving him a small smile.

"You seem off. Is everything okay?" Steve spoke softly to Eddie, resting a hand on his lower thigh.

"I think so. I just feel.. sad. Nothing happened, but I've been feeling down for the last couple hours," Eddie talked quietly, and Steve could tell that he wasn't having a good day.

"You seemed okay earlier. Are you sure nothing happened?" Steve rested his other hand on Eddie's lower back, gently rubbing it with his thumb.

"I was putting on a brave face for you, Harrington," Eddie laughed softly. "But since I got home, I just haven't felt like.. myself."

Steve felt bad because he wasn't sure how to help Eddie feel better, especially because Eddie didn't even know what was wrong. Steve just knew that he had to be there for him. He pulled Eddie closer so that Eddie's head was resting on his shoulder, and rested his head on top of Eddie's.

"I'm here for you," Steve said softly, making Eddie smile.

"Thank you," Eddie whispered, wrapping one arm around Steve and resting his hand on Steve's waist.

The pair sat on the front steps of Eddie's trailer in silence, just enjoying each other's company. Eddie really didn't know what was going on, but he knew that Steve being there made him feel a lot better. He wanted to be anywhere that Steve was, and didn't want to be apart from him.

"Do you want to go inside?" Steve broke the silence, and Eddie just nodded. Steve stood up and helped Eddie up, before going inside the trailer, clutching Eddie's hand.

Eddie then lead the way to his bedroom, shutting the door and laying down on his bed. Steve laid next to him and pulled Eddie into his arms. He gently played with the ends of Eddie's hair, and all Eddie did was curl up in Steve's arms, not saying a word.

Eddie had a tendency to shut down when he was feeling upset. Even if he didn't know why he was upset, sad, or angry, he just shut down. He never learned how to appropriately express his emotions to anyone, and he feared that it would hurt his future friendships and relationships. This particular time he was feeling down, he actually didn't know the reason. He just needed someone to be there for him, and that someone was Steve.

Steve wasn't sure why Eddie wasn't talking to him, but didn't want to push him into a conversation. He knew Eddie wasn't in a great mindset, and wanted to do whatever Eddie needed to feel better. He hated seeing Eddie in this state. As he got deeper into his thoughts, Steve realized that he did the same thing when he was upset. He would go non-verbal and keep his feelings bottled up. He had a hard time expressing his feelings, although, Eddie had made that easier for him.

Steve happened to glance at Eddie, who had his eyes closed, and noticed a stray tear streaming down Eddie's face. "Hey, Eds, are you okay?"

"Hm?" Eddie picked his head up, looking at Steve.

"Are you okay?" Steve repeated, wiping away the tear from Eddie's cheek.

"I don't know what's wrong," Eddie mumbled, laying back down, resting his hand on Steve's chest.

"Hey, it's okay. I've just never seen you like this and I'm worried, that's all," Steve pulled Eddie into a tighter hug.

"I'll be okay. I just need you to stay with me," Eddie assured him, and Steve nodded, lightly rubbing Eddie's back.

"I'm not leaving, I promise."

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That night, Steve decided to stay at Eddie's trailer, just because he didn't want to leave Eddie completely alone. Eddie had fallen asleep pretty early on, and Steve sighed as he watched Eddie sleep. He hoped Eddie would feel better in the morning, he hated seeing Eddie in that state. He wasn't his normal, chaotic, outgoing self, and it was weird to see. Of course, Eddie was allowed to have feelings and be vulnerable, but Steve couldn't help but worry about him.

He laid awake that whole night, not able to fully fall asleep. He felt like he had to protect Eddie, and felt like he needed to stay awake to do that. He let out a sigh and closed his eyes, attempting to get some rest.

"Steve? Are you awake?" Steve heard a mumble come from Eddie, and glanced over at him.

"I am," Steve nodded, smiling as Eddie's eyes met his.

"Have you slept at all?" Eddie propped himself up on his arms, his hair draped over half his face.

"Not at all," Steve shook his head, pushing Eddie's hair out of his face.

Eddie frowned at that statement and rubbed his eyes. "I could stay awake with you if you want some company?"

"Only if you want to, if you're tired, you should sleep," Steve shrugged, blushing at Eddie's offer. He really was the absolute best and treated Steve like he should be treated. Steve felt lucky to even have had a chance with Eddie.

"Come here, I'm going to hold you now," Eddie laid down, opening his arms and motioning for Steve to move closer.

Steve let out a laugh and laid closer to Eddie. Eddie pulled him closer and wrapped both arms around him, playing with the ends of Steve's hair. Steve instantly relaxed, sighing contently.

"Thank you for staying, Harrington," Eddie whispered.

"I didn't want to leave you alone," Steve responded, pulling a blanket over the both of them.

"Wow, it's like you like me, or something," Eddie joked, and the both of them laughed.

"Something like that, Munson."

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a/n: a little bit shorter of a chapter but i felt like writing some angst and fluff. almost to 900 reads, that's so insane to me. thank you all for reading and i'm grateful for all the love this fic has gotten!!
- jj