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

20

Steve's head was a hurricane of thoughts. Of course he was overjoyed that Eddie didn't want to break up with him. That the feelings they both had were real and very much intact. But there was an epic battle raging inside of him between the urge to spring into action to get Eddie as far away from his father as he could, and driving his car right through to the fucking trailer park to put him in the ground for laying a hand on Eddie. Multiple times. All week long. While Steve just stood there and 'gave Eddie time'. Eddie was watching Steve through his tears, willing him to say anything to acknowledge and hopefully accept his apology. He watched Steve's breathing hitch and his hands slowly curl into tight fists, knuckles turning white with the tension.

"Steve, please," Eddie said, resting a hand on Steve's leg, "just tell me what I need to do to start earning your trust back." Eddie's eyes were so sad, and Steve looked back at him like he was crazy.

"What are you talking about?"

"I just—I want to fix this. I understand if you can't, but I just want to know if there's anything I can do to help you accept my apology."

Steve was so surprised by this that he actually laughed, momentarily distracted from the anger coursing through his veins.

"Wh—" Eddie started, but Steve caught the rest of the word coming out of Eddie's mouth with his own lips, pressing them against Eddie's and knotting a hand into Eddie's wild hair. The kiss was short but sweet and Steve pulled back to rest his forehead against Eddie's.

"I accept your apology." Steve said, giving a small smile.

"You seem so upset still...?" Eddie questioned, still slightly confused.

"Eds, I'm trying to decide whether I need to take care of you or run your fucking dad out of town first," Steve spat, disgusted all over again. Eddie's eyes went wide and he seemed to melt in relief.

"Of course, now that I say it out loud," Steve continued, "obviously I need to take care of you first. No brainer. You're going to stay at my house until your uncle comes home and we'll have him take care of your dad. That feels responsible, and it means I don't have to let you out of my sight until I know you're safe." Steve nodded to himself.

Eddie stared at Steve in awe for half a second.

"Steve, I love you."

Steve's heart fully stopped beating and then picked back up in double time.

The fucker beat me to it.

"I love you too, Munson."

Eddie laughed out loud, giving Steve a full view of his dimple for the first time in a week.

"Really?! You go with 'Munson' when you're telling me you love me for the first time?!"

Steve shrugged and laughed with Eddie. "Sorry, it just felt natural. Would you have preferred 'Edward'?"

Eddie looked at Steve in horror. "Absolutely never speak that name again. Ever. In your life. I don't care if you meet someone else with that name. You can't say it. They will be 'hey you' to you. Understand??" Eddie poked Steve's chest, face deadly serious.

God you're so charming. This is it for me.

Steve brought his hand up to Eddie's face, gently tracing the bruise along his cheekbone.

"I love you, Eds."

"Much fucking better."

Steve chuckled and stood up, swaying a little on the spot. Eddie joined him with only slightly more grace.

"Whoa. Okay, I need to sober up more before we leave," Steve rolled his eyes, "for some reason, I was super upset when I got here and drank too much too fast."

Eddie frowned. "Sorry, love."

Steve grabbed Eddie's hand for the last few moments before they were back in public view and murmured soothingly, "stop, Eddie. It's over now. We're going to get through it together from here on out, okay?"

Eddie looked into Steve's eyes for a few charged moments before giving a half smile and nodding. "Okay." They squeezed their hands together one last time before releasing them and stepping back in to the party. It didn't take long for Robin to find them in the backyard, shoving two fresh cups of beer into their hands.

"Did you guys kiss and make up?" Robin said, slurring slightly. Steve blinked several times.

"First of all, oh my god could you be any louder? And also, how long were we gone? How are you already so drunk?"

"You abandoned me so I had to do something to look like I belong here." She explained, laughing. Eddie joined her and took a sip of his drink. Steve raised his eyebrows.

"What?! We can't let a girl drink alone!" Eddie was falling back into his normal self. A warm bubbly feeling rose up inside Steve.

"You're right," Steve said, "we can deal with the bullshit tomorrow. Let's have fun tonight."

They held each others gaze for a beat too long, and heat started to build between them. Steve bit his lip and Eddie licked his. Robin swung her head back and forth between them and brought her hand up, snapping her fingers between their faces.

"You guys need to stop eye fucking each other. Come on, drink up! Let's go dance!"

Eddie laughed and grabbed Robin's hand, pulling her toward the music. Steve saw Eddie lean down to her ear. "We gotta get you a fucking girlfriend, Robin." Robin laughed and shook her head. Steve watched the two of them banter back and forth as he followed behind and couldn't believe how this evening had turned around.

After a few songs and a few beers, the trio was feeling good. The mass of sweaty bodies gyrating to the loud beats and lyrics blasting around them was hypnotic. Steve felt every song in his soul. There were a few times where he absolutely could not stop himself from grabbing Eddie's waist or hand in the heat of the moment. The music and alcohol made Steve lose most, if not all, of his inhibitions. Every part of him wanted to be with Eddie at this party the way he could be with any girl. Eddie saw the longing etched in Steve's face and got an idea. He whispered something in Robin's ear and she slowly started nodding. She smiled and whispered something back to him and he smiled back, dimple and all. Robin grabbed Steve's hand and Eddie melted away in the crowd.