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

23

"Max Mayfield?" Dustin asked, totally confused.

"Yes."

Steve pulled the phone away from his ear, listening to the voices that were coming from the other room suddenly.

"Hold on a second, Dustin," Steve left the phone hanging to peek around the corner into the living room. Eddie was leaning against the wall next to the stairwell, pulling his unruly hair back into a low ponytail at his neck. He had on his same black jeans from the night before, but he found the darkest shirt Steve owned, a dark red v-neck. He had a slight flush as he introduced himself to Steve's parents.

Oh fucking shit.

"Yeah, um, we have a class together and we started hanging out, um, for a — a project." Eddie was explaining. Steve had to admit it was adorable seeing Eddie this flustered. He waited a few more moments before intervening.

"Well, that's lovely," Steve's mom replied, turning back to the television. She suddenly whipped back around. "Wait, Eddie? Do you know that Robin Buckley Steve is always with?"

Eddie nodded, "Sure, Robin's always around."

Steve's mom pointed at Eddie, "exactly. Now do you think there's something going on there? She's a nice girl. Not like some of the other girls Steve brings around," she wrinkled her nose and waved her hand dismissively. Eddie turned beet red and his nostrils flared.

Are you kidding me?! This is the time she decides to have an investment in my life?!

Steve practically sprinted into the room.

"Okay, that's enough. Mom, Eddie. Eddie, mom" Steve's hands were gesticulating all over the place. "Eddie's going to stay here a few more days. His uncle is out of town," Steve said quickly, reaching over to grab Eddie's arm and pull him into the kitchen.

"Uncle?" His mom asked.

Oh my godddddd.

"I live with my uncle," Eddie said, chin high. Challenging Steve's mom to say make any type of judgement. Thankfully, she didn't.

"Oh. Okay. Well, it was nice to meet you Eddie," she smiled politely.

"You, too," Eddie said, giving her a full dimple smile. She seemed pleasantly surprised and turned back around.

With a final tug, Steve got Eddie around the corner. He smacked his hand against his forehead.

"I am so sorry. I thought you'd still be asleep for awhile."

Eddie laughed and ruffled Steve's hair. "Meeting the parents. Big step for us, Harrington."

"Was she awful before I came in?" Steve asked.

"No, she was... nice." Eddie replied thoughtfully.

"Good. We don't really... know each other that well. I wasn't sure how she would be."

"I gathered that. Do I need to be jealous of Robin?" Eddie laughed, "or 'some of the other girls you bring around'?"

Steve rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Dude, shut the fuck u—oh shit, I forgot I was on the phone with Dustin!"

Steve grabbed the phone.

"Dustin? You still there?"

"Jesus Christ, Steve. My life doesn't revolve around you, you know. I can't just sit here and wait for you to do whatever it is you're do—"

"I know I know I know. I'm sorry. Okay, so we have a bit of a... situation."

"Situation?" Dustin said urgently. "What kind of situation? Demogorgon? Demodogs? Are the Russians involved again?!"

"No, no Russians this time," Steve laughed and glanced at Eddie's confused face, "or... that other stuff. Just like... life stuff."

"What the hell does that mean?" Dustin asked, only sounding slightly disappointed.

Steve sighed, "Okay, so here's the favor. I need you to call Lucas and ask Lucas to call Max and ask Max to call me whenever she notices the car parked in front of Eddie's trailer leaves."

"You've got to be shitting me."

"Dustin, please? It's important. Eddie—" Steve hesitated, looking at Eddie again. Eddie nodded, giving Steve permission to give Dustin more information. "Eddie can't go home right now and he needs some stuff but we can't get it unless that car is gone."

Dustin didn't say anything.

"Please, man? I'll owe you one. A big one." Steve pledged.

Dustin sighed loudly. Steve could practically hear him rolling his eyes.

"What color is the car?"

"What?"

"I said, what color is the car? So Max will know specifically which one to look for?"

Steve let out a breath and smiled. "Thanks, dude. It's dark blue. I really really appreciate it."

Steve hung up the phone and grabbed Eddie's waist, pulling him in close and giving him a quick kiss. "Good morning."

Eddie grabbed Steve's ass and squeezed. "Mmm. Good morning, Steve." Eddie kissed Steve on the cheek and plopped down in a chair at the breakfast bar.

"Soooo... Russians?" Eddie questioned, eyebrows sky high on his head. Steve froze and laughed nervously.

"Ah, now that's a long story. I—I'll tell you. But later."

"Okay, weirdo. You and Dustin never cease to surprise me."

Steve walked over to the fridge and started humming to himself.

"What are you doing?" Eddie asked. Steve looked over his shoulder at Eddie.

"Making you breakfast, dude. Duh."

"Wow. Very domesticated of you, Harrington."

Steve didn't respond, instead turning back to the fridge and pulling ingredients out. He moved over to the stovetop and grabbed a hand towel, tossing it over his shoulder for easy access. He got to work putting together pancakes and eggs, and Eddie watched with his hands under his chin, stealing more than a few glances at Steve's ass as he moved around the kitchen.

"Is this what it's going to be like when we live together next year?" Eddie blurted out. He almost clapped a hand over his mouth, but in true Eddie fashion, quickly decided to own the statement and played it confident and cool when Steve whipped around to stare at Eddie's expectant expression.

"Excuse me?" Steve sputtered.

"Well we all know I can't afford to live without a roommate," Eddie said matter of factly.

A million different images flashed through Steve's eyes in an instant. Waking up next to Eddie everyday. Coming home to Eddie. An actual home with Eddie. The idea hadn't occurred to him, but suddenly it was all he could think about.

Shit. I want that. Bad.

"So—so you're asking me to move in with you next year?"

Eddie shrugged. "I mean, assuming we both end up in Boston—"

"—We will." Steve pointed his spatula at Eddie.

"Okay. So when we're both in Boston. Seems like it would save us a lot of time and effort if we just share a place. Separate rooms if you want. I mean, I'm fine with sharing but I want you to be comfortable of course..." Eddie was losing his grip on the cool facade the longer he rambled. Steve scoffed.

"Oh, please. What am I supposed to do, not cuddle with you knowing you're literally in the same home as me? That's ridiculous."

Eddie rolled his eyes but his lips twitched at the corners. Steve turned back around to the food, finishing everything up before serving Eddie a plate. He came around the bar and sat next to his boyfriend with his own food, before lightly nudging Eddie with his shoulder.

"That's a yes, by the way."

"I know, love." Eddie turned and kissed Steve's shoulder, unable to stop the grin spreading across his face.