Steddie Hands, Steddie Heart

Chapter 13 - The Do-over

Author's Note: Here's the Thursday update as promised! This one is very sweet :) I needed to give you guys a break from the angst in the last chapter haha.

Steve was so comfortable in Eddie's arms and so exhausted from his panic attack that he could have fallen asleep right then and there. This was not a common experience for Steve. So when Eddie tried to pull away after a long while, Steve couldn't help the whine that escaped his lips. Steve was aware enough of his actions to know that he should've been embarrassed for whining and clinging on to Eddie like his life depended on it, but frankly, he didn't care.

Clearly, Eddie didn't care either, because he just chuckled and pulled Steve closer to him.

"It's okay Stevie, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

Steve could feel Eddie's ring-clad fingers stroking through his short hair and Steve felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes, threatening to escape down his cheeks. He mumbled a muffled apology into Eddie's neck.

"What was that, Stevie?" Eddie asked, frowning

"I'm sorry," Steve croaked.

Eddie pulled away just enough to look at Steve's face, this time ignoring Steve's protests. Steve refused to meet his gaze, but Eddie could see the glint of tears in the boy's warm brown eyes.

"Steve? Why are you sorry, baby?"

Steve held back a sob, determined to stop his tears before they started. He hated appearing weak.

"I'm sorry for ruining our date," Steve choked out.

Not being able to hold back anymore, wet tears stream down his cheeks. He feels so terribly embarrassed. He'd never felt this way for anyone other than Nancy and here he was again screwing everything up.

Eddie placed a hand to Steve's jaw and tilted his chin up to face him.

"Steve. Look at me."

Steve hesitantly brought his gaze up to meet Eddie's. Eddie's expression was so soft and loving that Steve couldn't help but let a few tears stream down his face. Eddie reached up and wiped the tears from Steve's cheeks with his thumbs. Steve leaned into the touch.

"You don't have to apologize and you didn't ruin our date, okay? I'm just happy to be around you, I was more worried about you because you didn't seem to be having fun." Eddie sighed and closed his eyes. "I thought... I thought maybe you'd changed your mind. About liking guys. About liking me. And that we'd go back to being friends and we'd have to pretend that nothing ever happened between us. And I'd have to watch you date girls and I just... I don't think I could do it. I think it would break me."

Steve frowned at the boy in front of him.

"Eds that is so not what happened. I wouldn't do that to you. I just..I got into my own head and I freaked out. I wasn't really mentally prepared for this to be a date."

Eddie raised an eyebrow at Steve's statement.

"What did you think this was? Us just hanging out as dudes or something?" Eddie asked jokingly.

Steve could feel his face flush.

"No fucking way. Steve!" Eddie yelled before letting out a loud cackle of laughter.

"It's not funny! I'm new to this, okay?" Steve retorted before dropping his voice to a whisper, as if relaying something dangerous and taboo. "This 'liking guys' thing."

Eddie gave Steve a soft smile. He knew exactly what it felt like to feel ashamed of your sexuality.

"Well, pretty boy, lucky for you, I am totally not new to this," he said.

Steve smiled back gratefully at Eddie.

"Now, how about this, Stevie. Why don't we have a do-over date?"

"A do-over?" Steve asked.

"Yeah. It's still early. Let's just start our date over from the beginning. We can go to my place and have a very laid-back night. No expectations. No pressure. How does that sound?"

Steve grinned so broadly at Eddie's words that his cheeks hurt. Eddie felt like his heart might just burst. He made Steve Harrington smile like that. Steve Harrington was smiling like that at him.

"I'd like that."

At this, Eddie pulled away from Steve completely before bowing deeply and sticking a hand out for Steve to take.

"My liege," he greeted, as if the events of the past hour or so hadn't happened.

Steve placed a hand gingerly in Eddie's, a shy grin on his face, and let Eddie lead him to the passenger side of his car. Eddie closed the door behind Steve as he entered the vehicle before making his way to the driver's side, starting the car, and pulling out of the car lot.

This time, the car ride was filled with pleasant chatter and stolen glances. Steve seemed to have finally relaxed enough to talk to Eddie like he normally would on a date and Eddie was eating it up. He totally understood why girls fell for Harrington so easily. He really was smooth when it came to flirting.

Eddie parked the car in its usual spot next to his trailer. Luckily, Uncle Wayne was working a graveyard shift and wouldn't be home to bother them.

Eddie quickly exited his side of the car to open the door for Steve who only chuckled at the chivalrous gesture. Eddie could swear that he saw Steve's ears tinged red, but he figured he wouldn't mention it. He didn't want to make the poor boy nervous again.

The pair entered the trailer and Eddie turned on the lights before taking his sneakers off. Steve followed suit, removing his shoes as well.

"What do you want to do?" Eddie asked.

"Do you wanna listen to music?"

Eddie blinked at him. Steve looked genuinely interested in the idea of them listening to music together.

"You know I don't have the type of stuff you listen to, right? Like, no Tears for Fears. No Duran Duran." Eddie said.

Steve nodded. "I know. I'm, um, I'm curious to know what type of music you listen to. You know, since music is kinda your thing."

Steve's face flushed and Eddie found it incredibly endearing.

"Okay Stevie, follow me."

Eddie led Steve to his bedroom, where he popped in a nearby cassette as Steve took a seat on Eddie's bed. Eddie sat down next to him, leaning back on his hands. He watched as Steve gently bobbed his head to the music that filled the room.

"What's this one called?" Steve asked.

"War Pigs," Eddie replied.

"I like it a lot."

Eddie's head whipped around to face Steve.

"You like Black Sabbath?" he asked.

"Um, if this is Black Sabbath, then yeah. I guess so."

Eddie eyed Steve. He did genuinely seem to be enjoying the song that was playing. It warmed Eddie's heart that Steve at least had an open enough mind to try to appreciate Eddie's music taste. Feeling suddenly emboldened, Eddie shifted his hand a little towards where Steve is sitting to his right. Steve must have noticed the shift because Eddie could sense Steve's left hand inching towards his right and before they knew it the gap between their hands closed, their pinkies linking.

Eddie closed his eyes at the sensation not knowing if he could be more content than in that very moment. That is, until Steve leaned in and lands a passionate kiss to his lips. Eddie, caught by surprise, takes a second before kissing back fervently. Steve tastes like chapstick and root beer and Eddie can't get enough.

When Steve pulled away, and leaned into Eddie's neck, Eddie couldn't help but plant a kiss on the boy's head.

"Thank you," Steve mumbled.

"What for?" Eddie asked.

"For the do-over."