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

30

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck. How could he possibly know that?

"W-what do you mean?" Steve stammered.

Steve! You already sound guilty! Get it together!

"Well, first of all, Metallica," Lucas gave him a knowing look, "Not exactly a Steve Harrington vibe. But also, Eddie sewed a little red star on the armpit of his Metallica shirt. Which I just saw when you clapped me on the back." He pointed at Steve's armpit. Eddie, who was watching this exchange from the other side of the room, smacked himself on the forehead.

Shit. Jesus Christ. No point in denying it.

"Oh, yeah," Steve said, "I uh—got wasted at Eddie's last night so I had to borrow a shirt this morning." Steve willed with everything in his mind that Lucas would accept this explanation. Lucas slowly nodded. He didn't seem convinced, but he didn't ask any followup questions, either. Eddie leaned down between them from the back of the couch, causing both Lucas and Steve to jump in surprise.

"Sinclair, I see you noticed how annoying it is that Harrington looks better in my clothes than I do," Eddie said, instantly easing the tension. Lucas looked up and Eddie and laughed, shaking this head.

"You're ridiculous, Eddie."

"Just telling it like it is," Eddie shrugged, winking at Steve when Lucas looked back to the TV. Steve exhaled loudly. He hadn't even realized he was holding his breath. He was so grateful at how well Eddie maneuvered through these situations that Steve seemed to land them in all the time. Steve found himself once again swept up in how lucky he was to have Eddie in his life. He badly wanted to lean over and show his affection, but he held back.

Just then, the door to the basement opened and Nancy popped her head in.

"Hey, Steve? Your mom's on the phone."

What could she possibly want?

Steve lumbered up the steps and picked up the receiver.

"Mom?"

"Hey hon, just wanted to let you know your father and I won't be home tonight. We're staying in Indianapolis until Tuesday. There's some cash on the counter and a few meals in the fridge."

This happened at least once a month. Steve wasn't surprised at this information, nor did he have much of a reaction, internally or otherwise.

"Okay."

"Love you!"

"You too."

Steve hung up and made his way back to the basement. Nancy was blocked his way.

"I want to talk to you." She said, hands on her hips. Steve sighed and nodded. She stepped closer and poked Steve on his chest. "Eddie is a nice guy. I know he's a little—" she searched for the appropriate word, "—unique."

"You can say weird, Nance," Steve interjected. She glared at him.

"But he's been a really good friend to Mike and the kids. So whatever this... friendship is you have with him, it better not be some twisted joke you're trying to play."

Steve jerked his head back. "Nancy, I'm not that guy anymore. I thought you knew that." Steve was hurt by the accusation. "I know Eddie. I know he's a good person. I like hanging out with him. It's completely genuine, I promise."

Nancy probed Steve's face with her eyes for a few moments before nodding once.

"Okay. It better be." She reiterated.

"I—yeah." Steve said, wanting to say so much more. Nancy stepped to the side and let Steve descend back into the basement. Steve didn't like that exchange at all. He loved Eddie. Probably more than he'd ever loved anyone. He hated that there was even one person who thought the two of them even being just friends was so unlikely that Steve must have malicious intent. It made Steve sad, and he felt himself falling into the same spiral he always seemed to fall into these days. He wanted the world to know just how much he revered Eddie Munson. He truly wanted the whole world to know, and he couldn't even start with his own friends.

Eddie's eyes were on Steve as soon as he came down.

"Everything cool, Harrington?" Eddie called out. Steve nodded although he was frowning, feeling a sense of guilt despite not having done anything to warrant it thanks to the conversation with Nancy. Eddie clocked this and approached Steve, pulling him aside by the elbow.

"You okay?" He asked softly, eyes so open and kind. Steve melted and an idea struck him.

"Nancy's a big fan of yours. She was making sure our... friendship is real and not some prank I'm pulling."

Eddie couldn't help but laugh at that. "If only she knew," he mused, shaking his head and smiling. His dimple just barely peeked out.

"But actually, I did get some good news." Steve continued, unable to hide the smirk on his face. He bit his lip before looking at Eddie with a charged and intense stare. "My parents are out of town until Tuesday."

Eddie looked at Steve expectantly, not getting the point. Steve leaned in closer. Too close, certainly, but no one was paying any attention to them.

"Do you want to sleepover until then? In my house, just me and you, completely alone? Absolutely zero risk of intrusion? For three nights?"

"Oh, shit." Eddie said under his breath. His expression shifted to match Steve's and he nodded slowly. Steve had to walk away then, and barely let himself exchange a glance with Eddie the rest of the time they were there, because if any more electricity started sparking between the two of them, Steve would surely come completely undone.

The tension was palpable the entire car ride to Steve's house. They had to make a quick stop at Eddie's trailer so he could grab some clothes for the extended stay. Steve waited in the car because he didn't think there was any way he would be able to stop himself from throwing Eddie onto the bed. Then Steve ran into the nearest store on the way to grab what he knew to be necessary supplies for the only activity he planned on doing for the next several days. By the time they pulled up to Steve's house, they weren't even speaking anymore. They were just silently holding hands as the electricity crackled between them and Steve willed his massive boner to go down enough for the walk in to the house. Thankfully Steve's parents were already gone, and the second the door closed behind him, Steve grabbed Eddie's hand and practically ran up the stairs into his room. They crashed onto the bed, hastily removing all of their clothes between sloppy kisses and ragged breaths. In this moment, Steve's entire world was Eddie. And Eddie's entire world was Steve. They were each other's air, and they were both drowning. They needed one another in every way humanly possible. Neither one could wait any longer.