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

26

The week flew by, so before he knew it, Steve was towing a car full of children to Eddie's show on Friday. Eddie's uncle came home on Sunday, and Eddie had a long phone conversation with him before reassuring Steve that he felt completely comfortable returning home. They agreed that if Eddie ever went a full weekend without answering the phone like the weekend prior, Steve had full permission to call Max or drive over to the trailer park to ensure that Eddie was okay. Steve still hadn't met Eddie's uncle, but they had plans for Steve to sleepover at Eddie's after the concert, so he was assuming he would meet him the following morning. Even though Eddie's uncle didn't know anything, it felt like if his dad suspected, his uncle might too, and Steve wanted to make a good impression. So, he packed a bag with a few options for clothes the next day and tossed it in the trunk of his car before making his round of pickups. Somehow he got roped into also picking up Lucas and Mike for the show, so his car was literally packed to the brim. He desperately wanted to throw one of the kids in the trunk with his bag, but luckily for them, his excitement overruled his grumpy demeanor.

They were a little bit early to the venue but they went in anyway, getting large black X's marked on each of their hands. They all slowly drifted toward the stage, where Eddie's band, Corroded Coffin, was setting up. Eddie had a particularly shredded to bits black t shirt on tucked into his blue jeans and combat boots. While setting up, he had thrown his hair into a sloppy bun stacked on top of his head. Steve had yet to see this particular hairstyle on Eddie, and he liked it. A lot. Eddie glanced up after plugging in an amp and noticed their little group, immediately beaming and hopping down to greet them, brushing his bangs out of his face.

"Hi!" He said, looking at everyone and landing on Steve last. His lips twisted into a smirk before nodding once. "Harrington."

"Munson." Steve replied in kind, but couldn't help adding, "looking good." Steve very obviously then raked his eyes up and down Eddie's body. Eddie bit his lip and cocked his head to the side.

"Thanks." His lips twitched and his dimple popped out.

"Okay, simmer down!" Robin whispered to Steve, nudging him and pointing at Lucas and Mike who had started chatting with the drummer.

Shit, I already forgot.

Steve shook his head slightly. He mouthed 'sorry' to Eddie, who rolled his eyes.

"Relax, Robin. He's doing great." Eddie said, giving Steve another smile and winking. Steve blushed.

"Do you guys want to see backstage?" Eddie said, grabbing Lucas and Mike's arms and leading the group to a set of black doors next to the stage.

'Backstage' may have been a bit generous of Eddie, but it was still cool. It felt like a real hangout for musicians. There were some snacks and drinks, and the instruments not already on stage were strewn about. Eddie's guitar had its own seat on a squishy armchair.

"Here's our set list, take a look and tell me what you think after we play!" Eddie pointed to some papers on the table in the center of the room.

Everyone shuffled over and Eddie hung back, tugging the back of Steve's jacket. He silently led Steve to another door in the room that opened into a grimy bathroom. Steve followed him inside, locking the door behind him before swiftly walking forward and immediately lifting Eddie up onto the sink counter. He brought a hand behind Eddie's head, tangling his fingers in Eddie's updo and crashing their lips together. They made out for a few heated moments, grabbing and pulling at each other desperately. Steve moved to Eddie's neck as he sighed into Steve's sucking and licking of his skin.

"You look so fucking hot, Munson," Steve muttered against Eddie's soft skin.

"Mmmm," Eddie replied.

"I can't wait to have you all to myself tonight." Steve said, pulling back to look at Eddie with a smoldering gaze. One of the corners of Eddie's mouth turned up into a sly smile.

"Is someone feeling deprived?" Eddie asked, still fighting a smile.

"Very," Steve replied, going back in for another kiss.

"Stevie, I can't go on stage with a boner, you know."

Steve sighed, bringing his forehead down onto Eddie's shoulder. "Stop being so reasonable. Where's my reckless Eddie?"

"This is professional Eddie," Eddie said, gesturing at himself. They both laughed at the irony of his bedraggled appearance. "Well, when your profession is a rockstar, that is."

"I really have the coolest boyfriend ever," Steve said, moving back so Eddie could hop down from the counter.

"That's true."

Steve chuckled, shaking his head. Eddie went to open the door but turned back at the last second to give Steve one last deep kiss. "For good luck," he murmured against Steve's mouth.

"I love you." Steve said.

"I love you, too."

The boys left the bathroom together to find that the others had left the backstage room. Eddie glanced at his watch.

"Shit. We're on in five. Okay, I gotta go!" He squeezed Steve's arm and gave him one last dimple popping grin before grabbing his guitar and rushing out of yet another door in the small room. Steve went back the way they came in and made it back to the floor, which had much more people in it than before. His small group of friends was right in front of the stage so he fought through the crowd to get to them.

"Hey, where'd you and Eddie go?" Mike asked casually.

Play it cool.

"Not sure where Munson went, I went to the bathroom."

Nice.

Robin rolled her eyes behind Mike.

The set started shortly after and Steve fell in love all over again. Eddie was talented as fuck. The whole band was great, but Eddie lit up the stage. His fingers moved so quickly and with such precision they were nearly blurred, and the way he leaned into the microphone to sing the lyrics just lit Steve on fire from the inside out. He cheered and clapped after every single song. Towards the end of the show, Eddie paused between songs to talk to the audience.

"So, we're gonna change things up for this song, and then we'll send you off with a big finale after that. We're gonna take it a little slower, a little more mainstream. But it's for someone really special to me, so I hope you can bear with me and maybe, just maybe sing your little hearts out with me. Because even if you hate it, I know you all know this song." Steve's mouth dropped open. Max, Robin, and Dustin all turned to look at him. His face was beet red.

No fucking way, Munson. No way.

Sure enough, those all too familiar opening notes starting flowing out of the keyboardist's fingers.

"Highway run...into the midnight sun...." Eddie began to sing, eyes shining with joy as he looked directly at Steve. Steve's red face transformed into a huge grin, growing even bigger as he heard the crowd around him reluctantly but enthusiastically joining in with every single word to what was quickly becoming Steve and Eddie's song.

"Right down the line it's been you and me"

"Loving a music man ain't always what it's supposed to be"

"Oh, boy, will you stand by me?"

"I'm forever yours.... faithfully..."

Steve was overcome with love. As Eddie (and the entire venue) sang the second verse, Steve could feel himself tearing up. Robin reached over and grabbed Steve's hand, squeezing tight. She was so happy for him, her eyes were welling over too as she belted out the lyrics. Eddie absolutely slayed the guitar solo and as he played the last notes, Steve led the cheering and support from the crowd. They locked eyes for an eternity. Steve mouthed out "I love you" to Eddie as he held his arms up, accepting the applause from audience. Eddie smiled and nodded, eyes never leaving Steve's as he mouthed "I love you, too".

This was a moment Steve and Eddie would remember for the rest of their lives.