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

29

"This was a bad idea," Steve said, pulling at the collar of the Metallica shirt he was now wearing. He was walking up to Mike Wheeler's house alongside Eddie who was wearing a white t shirt and ripped up dark blue jeans. He was getting more nervous with each step.

They're gonna know this is Eddie's shirt.

Eddie gave Steve a sidelong glance and rolled his eyes.

"Chill out, Harrington. You obviously have a much better taste in music since our newfound friendship. It's actually something to be celebrated. I'm sure that's exactly what they'll be thinking." Eddie articulated carelessly.

"I'm gonna make it weird by being here," Steve worried.

"Steve," Eddie stopped and grabbed Steve's arm, "you're not going to make it weird. You've spent plenty of time with them before, right?"

Mostly just fighting monsters or running away from certain death, but yeah.

Steve nodded but his eyebrows were still knitted together with anxiety.

"So relax. Just be yourself." Eddie squeezed Steve's arm lightly. "And try not to do anything too obvious. Like staring at my dick or something." He added, smiling softly. Steve couldn't help laughing.

"Jesus Christ, dude."

"You're obsessed with me, remember?" Eddie reminded.

"Shut the fuck up." Steve shook his head and walked ahead a few steps but he stopped and waited for Eddie to catch up, bumping him affectionately with his shoulder as they continued walking side by side. Steve rang the doorbell and had several memories play out in his mind of doing this same thing to come see Nancy.

What a weird turn of events my life has taken.

Steve chuckled quietly to himself. Eddie turned to ask him what he was laughing at but the door opened at that moment, Nancy herself greeting the two boys.

"Hey Eddie. Steve..?" Nancy looked shocked to see Steve next to Eddie.

"Hey, Nance." Steve nodded and smiled politely.

"What are you doing here? Are you hanging out with my brother and... Eddie?"

"Yup. Broadening my horizons with new friendships." Steve gave a goofy smile.

"By hanging out with fourteen year olds?" Nancy teased.

"Excuse me, I'm eighteen." Eddie piped in, pointing at himself.

"You're not helping my case," Steve said, pushing Eddie's hand down and smiling at him. Eddie stuck his tongue out. Steve looked at Nancy and grimaced, gesturing to Eddie and shrugged. "So yeah, fourteen year olds."

Nancy laughed, but she looked confused. She cocked her head to the side and watched the two boys carefully as she stepped aside and let them in. She continued watching them as they walked toward the basement door, quietly teasing each other and bumping shoulders. They clearly had a very close friendship.

Eddie threw the basement door open as if he owned the place, sauntering down the stairs toward his disciples. Mike and Dustin were sitting at their game table and Lucas was parked in front of the small television playing with the Nintendo. The three younger boys looked toward the stairs upon Steve and Eddie's arrival. Mike and Lucas looked completely perplexed, and Dustin shook his head, looking back down at the papers in front of him.

"Steve? What are you doing here? Are you here to see Nancy?" Mike said. Eddie stiffened for a second before shifting into his relaxed and snarky attitude.

"Dude, chill. He's in the club now. He's here to hang." Mike took Eddie's word as gospel and nodded slowly, shrugging.

"Okay. Well, welcome. I guess."

Steve smiled and brought a hand up through his hair. "Thanks, man."

Steve wandered over to Lucas to check out the video game and Eddie joined Mike and Dustin at the table, immediately putting their heads together to discuss whatever they had going on in the mass of documents splayed out everywhere.

"What's up, dude?" Steve nodded to Lucas and plopped down next to him on the sofa.

"Hey, Steve. How's it going?" Lucas replied politely.

"So what are they doing over there?" Steve asked.

"Mike and Dustin want to collaborate in creating their own campaign for after we finish Eddie's," Lucas explained, "so they've been writing and planning for, like, weeks."

"And you don't want to?"

"Man, I just like to play. I don't have the time or patience to write a whole ass story, never mind think of all the ways that everyone else's decision could change it. It's so complicated. I don't know how Eddie does it. He's really talented."

Steve looked back over at Eddie. He was talking to Mike and Dustin, explaining something that completely captivated the other boys' attentions. Eddie's hands gesticulated wildly and he was deadly serious. Occasionally he would point something out on the papers, or Mike would jot down a note. Every once in awhile, Dustin would cut him off and ask a question, or add a comment. Eddie would always cease talking abruptly, carefully listening and nodding to whatever Dustin was saying before providing further feedback. Lucas cleared his throat awkwardly and Steve whipped his head back around.

"Yeah, I can't imagine doing all of that," he said lamely. Lucas nodded and turned back to the game.

"Want to play?" He held out a controller to Steve.

"Nah, I'll just watch."

A thought had just occurred to Steve that Lucas could be particularly helpful with. He watched Lucas control the little figurine on the screen for awhile before plucking up the courage to start another conversation.

"Hey, Lucas?"

"Hmm?" Lucas was totally focused on the game and didn't even look over at Steve.

"How did Max find out about Eleven and the Upside Down and everything?" Steve said in a rush.

"Max?" Lucas flinched and looked over at Steve.

Shit. I forgot they broke up.

"Sorry, man. You don't have to answer. Forget I said anything." Steve tried to shut it down, feeling guilty.

"No no," Lucas said, waving a hand in an attempt to be casual, "it's cool. Um, well, I tried to tell her everything and she didn't believe me. So you were actually with us when she really found out. When we got attacked by those demodogs at the junkyard." Lucas chuckled darkly. "I guess it's not the kind of thing you can really believe without seeing."

Steve nodded knowingly. "I guess that makes sense."

"Why do you ask? Someone special in your life you think needs to know?" Lucas grinned sheepishly and elbowed Steve. Steve blushed.

"I don't know. Maybe? It just feels like a pretty huge part of my life, you know?"

"Yeah, I do." Lucas nodded. "You should talk to Dustin, then." He added after a beat.

Dustin? Did he tell Suzie?

"Really? Why?" Steve asked.

"He was working on something with Johnathan. For if he ever decides to tell Suzie. He's positive she wouldn't accept any of this without hard evidence. So he might have something you can use."

"Okay. Thanks, man!" Steve clapped Lucas on the back. Lucas looked at Steve again and seemed to get uncomfortable.

"Hey, uh, I have to ask," Lucas started. Steve brought a hand through his hair, trying not to worry.

"Why are you wearing Eddie's shirt?"