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

9

The next morning Steve woke up to the feeling of Eddie rubbing small circles on his arm. Eddie was still curled into Steve's side, head on his chest and with Steve's arm resting along the length of Eddie's bare torso. Eddie didn't know Steve was awake yet, but he planted a soft kiss on Steve's stomach. Steve nearly melted and felt delirious with joy in his still half-asleep state of mind. He sighed deeply and Eddie lifted his head to look up at Steve.

"Oh, you are scrumptious in the morning," Eddie said, his mouth twitching at the corners. Steve rolled his eyes and closed them again, pretending to snore loudly.

"Please don't ever try to act. You're actually terrible." Eddie stated.

"That's rude," Steve said, eyes still closed.

"You like my honesty," Eddie pointed out.

He's got me there.

"Maybe. But that doesn't mean it won't get you in trouble," Steve opened his eyes again and smirked. Eddie pursed his lips, trying hard not to smile.

"Do you worst, Harrington."

"Come here, punk." Steve pulled Eddie up next to him so they were spooning and gave him a sweet kiss on his ear.

"Did you sleep okay?" Steve asked.

"I can conclusively say I slept better than 'okay'." Eddie smiled up at Steve. His expression shifted into something much more sly before he continued speaking. "Do you always wake up in this...condition?"

Eddie shifted his hips back ever so slightly, drawing attention to Steve's boner. Steve laughed and blushed deeply.

"I mean, it's called 'morning wood', Munson. It has nothing to do with you," Steve lied. In fact, he had been in the middle of a highly inappropriate dream directly involving Eddie when he awoke that morning. The feeling of Eddie's ass pressed up against him did nothing to help it go away, either.

"Nothing to do with me!? I mean I know I have crazy bed head but I thought you were a little bit attracted to me." Eddie pouted and Steve couldn't help but indulge his obvious grab for attention. He nibbled on Eddie's ear and collected Eddie's mane of wild hair at the nape of his neck, exposing Eddie's throat. Steve brought his lips to Eddie's soft skin and kissed and sucked, leaving a mark to match the one Steve had.

"Okay, now it's all you," Steve mumbled into Eddie's skin while pressing his erection against Eddie, forever hoping to catch Eddie by surprise.

"Mmmm," Eddie replied, rolling over and embracing Steve around the waist and pressing their lips together for several long seconds.

Steve pulled back. "And for the record, I like your hair. Even when it's crazy bed head."

Eddie beamed and shook his hair so it stuck out at every angle.

"Perfect. You should wear it like that to school tomorrow." Steve said, and then went quiet. What would school be like tomorrow? He would have a hard time not gravitating toward Eddie going forward. But maybe most people wouldn't notice. He knew Robin would do what she could to help, too. Surely Dustin or one of the other kids would notice a change in their normally cordial at best behavior. Did Eddie expect him to just pretend like nothing had happened?

"It's going to be fine. It's not that weird if we start hanging out. We have mutual friends," Eddie could see that Steve was worrying. "Besides, no one would dare beat you up, man. You're Steve Harrington."

"Well what about you?" Steve said, sitting up.

"I tend to run away from conflict," Eddie shrugged.

"If anyone lays a hand on you," Steve growled.

"Yeah, yeah, you'll kill them I'm sure." Eddie waved him off, but he was smiling despite himself.

"What do we do if and when Dustin notices something is different?" Steve asked, playing the scenario out in his head. He didn't think his younger friend would react poorly, but it was such a taboo and foreign concept he really couldn't say for sure. The only thing he was certain of was that Dustin would surely pick up on something right away.

"I really don't know. It's not exactly something I've done before. I think we'll just have to...wing it."

"Wing it?" Steve said, mouth agape.

"Do you have a better suggestion?" Eddie shrugged, smirking slightly. "That's how I operate on a daily basis. Got me here," he winked and gestured around him, "in Steve Harrington's bed."

Steve laughed and pulled Eddie close again, kissing his bare shoulder.

"I guess whatever happens we'll figure it out... together?" Steve said, feeling suddenly shy.

"Together." Eddie said, full of confidence. He grabbed Steve's hand and squeezed it, bringing the palm of Steve's hand up to his lips. He stood up and slowly started getting dressed.

"I should really head home now. My uncle is going to be wondering where I am."

"And what are you going to tell him?"

"I said he'd be wondering, not that he'd ask me any questions about it," Eddie chuckled. "As long as I show up at least every few days he doesn't get too worried. Mostly I'm just trying not to seem too clingy." He stuck his tongue out in Steve's direction.

"Are you kidding! If anything, I'm the clinger. I called you, remember?" Steve pointed.

"That's only because I didn't have your phone number." Eddie said, trying not to smile and failing. His dimple popped out.

"Munson, I am so over these butterflies when you fucking smile! Like, you have to stop," Steve groaned.

Eddie shook his head and turned his head away to hide his grin from ear to ear.

"Okay, I'm leaving now. What should I say to your parents if I see them?" He asked, opening Steve's bedroom door.

Steve jumped up and threw on a pair of shorts.

"They're probably not here. I'll walk you down."

They walked downstairs and Eddie couldn't stop himself from pausing at the shelf of vinyls in the living room.

"There's a lot of Journey here." He commented.

"Stop judging," Steve grabbed his hand and pulled him to the door.

Eddie laughed and grabbed the doorknob. Steve put a hand on the door and brought his other up and behind Eddie's ear, leaning in for one last tender kiss. Eddie melted into Steve's touch and eagerly returned the kiss. Steve pulled away far too soon and winked.

See, Munson? I can be confident and flirty, too.

"See you tomorrow," Steve said as Eddie walked outside. He turned back once and they shared a final glance full of the chaotic and beautiful churning feelings of first love.