It's Called Hopeless, Sweetheart (Steddie) ❗️slow updates ❗️

2. A slight comfort

(TW: panic attack, sensory overload)

'I don't like her, Steve, and keep your voice down!' The science class was always loud, so there was really no need for Steve to lower his voice. Today, however, was particularly bad, since two of the classes had to merge. It was packed full, meaning that the hot smell of sweat was filling the room, and the noise was deafening.

'Uh hu. You really expect me to believe that. I see how you look at her during band, Robin!' Steve chattered away to Robin as they made some putrid concoction of random chemicals.
'Ok, ok, so maybe I like her, but that doesn't change the fact that she's almost definitely straight!'
'Robin. Have you seen the movies that she's rented. She likes boobies!'
'Oh my gosh, stop, don't say that.' Robin rolled her eyes playfully, and gently shoved Steve.
'Boobies, boobies, boobies!' Steve chuckled back at her. They both burst into giggles for two straight minutes, before someone caught Steve's eye.

Eddie Munson was sat in the corner of the classroom, eyes squeezed tight shut, hands clasped, one leg moving up and down repetitively.
'Steve?' Robin said, trying to grab Steve's attention back.
'Huh?' He replied distractedly. He was just turning back around to face Robin, before he heard a chair squeak loudly, and he saw Eddie dash out of the classroom, slam open the door and sprint down the corridor. The whole science class went quiet, before the teacher piped up carelessly,
'Someone go check on him.' Everyone went back to their test tubes and beakers, though, not listening to the teacher.

Steve sighed. It would be the second time in 2 hours that he had actually payed any proper attention to Eddie Munson. But, with an encouraging look from Robin, he got up, slid his stool under his desk, and marched off to find Eddie.

Eddie's POV

Eddie ran down the corridor, mind a blur. He had to get out, he had to get out of that fucking place. It reminded him of his dad's dinner parties, and those were not something that he wanted to be reminded of. He slammed open the door of a bathroom, and ran to the sinks. Trying not to stare into the mirror, he turned on the cold faucet and shoved his wrists under it. The cool water calmed him down a bit. Bringing his dripping hands up to his face, he splashed the liquid onto his forehead.

Then the door banged open.

Fuck.

He brought his eyes up slowly, half expecting Jason or Mr Martin to be standing in the doorway, ready to beat him up or scold him for running out of class. He was wrong, however, as the tall figure of Steve Harrington met his gaze.
'Hey, just wanted to check if you were ok...' Eddie's mind span. This was decidedly worse than Jason. He was ready to be beaten up, not so much to be asked how he was.
'Eddie?'
Yep, this was definitely worse. He felt a familiar sick feeling rising in his stomach. This was not the fucking time for Steve to be here.
'Eddie? I just want to help...'
He felt frozen where he was, petrified. He didn't know what to say. He didn't want to speak to Steve. He physically couldn't speak to Steve.
'Look, I just need know that you're ok so I can go back to class, ok Munson?' He sighed.

Eddie nodded very slightly.

Steve's POV

Steve was about to leave. He could've left, very easily, in fact. He could've just walked out the door. But something stopped him. Maybe it was Eddie's despairing expression. He wasn't even looking at Steve, but he could feel him hurting. He walked a few steps closer to Eddie, trying to put his hand onto his shoulder, but Eddie flinched away.

So, instead of giving up, he sat down on the bathroom floor, and waited.

Eddie's POV

He just sat there. Eddie could only just see him out of the corner of his eye. It was comforting, in a way, to know that someone was there.

After a while he exhaled deeply. Lifting his gaze from the sink, he switched the water off and turned to face Steve.

'I'm sorry.' He muttered hoarsely. Steve looked up at him, shocked,
'Why?'
'For making, you, you know, sit on the grimy floor.'
'Don't sweat it, I got to skip science anyway. You feel any better now?'
'Um, yeah. Thank you.'
'No problem.' Steve smiled, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly. Eddie smirked back,
'Wow, I can't believe princess Steve smiled at me! I'm swooning.' He fake fainted and chuckled.
'Why've you always got to ruin everything, Munson.' Steve joked, his smile widening.
A slight blush spread over Eddie's face, 'I don't know what you're talking about? Anyways, I'll see you around.' With that, he walked out of the door.

When he was out of the bathroom, he leant up against the wall. That was the fastest in a long while that he had recovered from a panic attack.

It wasn't because of... no.

He continued walking, shaking the thought of the short - haired brunette from his mind once more. Because he knew one thing for certain.

He was not going to fall for Steve Harrington.