𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐬

EIGHT: opening up.

AFTER TWO JOINTS and two cigarettes, the two were now relaxing back in their seats as music played quietly in the background. Music by Queen. "You know, I own the album of this song just because it's nice to listen to while high." James suddenly says as he glanced over at Steve who just nods softly, smiling faintly. "Me too. I listen to it on repeat when I'm drunk or stoned..." He giggled.

"Queen is seriously so amazing..." He whispered and Steve couldn't help but agree. "Yeah, I know right." He turns his head to see James is already staring at him so he just smiled faintly and glanced away. "Why were you a jerk in high school?" Steve asked suddenly and James' brows furrow instantly.

"If I'm not mistaken, you were the jerk!" He says and Steve looks over. "What?" He says, taken back and James quickly nods. "You were constantly ditching Jon for a lame ass hangout with your friends, or--or leaving him drunk by himself at parties, or even... forgetting his birthday somedays. Someone use to have to literally remind you!" James said and suddenly, Steve's whole high school experience was different, he saw it as himself being chill, laidback and having fun.

But he was actually a jerk. "And you use to bully Eddie, like all the time." James glanced away, sighing. "I heard you call him the f-slur before... he cried to me after and it was the first time I've seen him so upset. Because it was about who he is as a person. So please, Steve, enlighten me a time I ever made someone cry because I was a jerk to them." He turned to look at the Harrington again, seeing him stare out the front windshield with a blank stare. "You know, you're kinda lucky you've changed, become different or whatever... because Eddie would've forgiven you either way. So did Jonathan. Even when you haven't even said sorry." He said and Steve just sighs quietly.

"I was in a very bad mental state those years... I don't even remember doing half of those, I was always either too high or too drunk." He said as he looked over and James frowns. "Doesn't mean it didn't hurt them." He says and Steve looks at him. "You're right..." He murmured and James stared at him. "My dad use to be an alcoholic..." He said suddenly and sighed. "It's hard on people, also on the loved ones around them." He added quietly.

"Yeah..." Steve glanced away and fidgeted with his fingers, playing with the hem of his shirt. "What did your... dad do? To--to make things right?" He asked quietly and James just smiled softly. "That's the thing, Stevie boy... he never did. He only said sorry and that he was attending AA meetings." He said quietly before looking away, sighing softly.

"I guess in a way, everyone has their faults. Right? Just gotta accept everyone with their flaws, what people say, warts and all or whatever." He shrugs absentmindedly. He hated being high, being high always meant opening up, he doesn't even know why he suggested it. Then he sees those puppy dog eyes again staring back at him and understands completely why he even suggested it in the first place.

"Do you really think I'm hot?" Steve tilted his head to the side and James just smirked. "I thought you were hot even back in high school." He says and Steve just grins widely at that, looking away bashfully. "But like I said, you were a major dick. And dating my step-brother at the time, so..." James trails off and Steve looks at him with a small frown. "Cheer up," he reached up and softly nudged Steve's cheek. "I still think you were and are hot." He says, grinning and Steve just rolled his eyes.

"James..." The Harrington puts his hand onto his chin, his elbow on the compartment in the middle and James follows his actions, "Stevie..." He says and Steve just squinted his eyes. "Be serious, why did you apply this summer to Scoops? I mean, you'll be working your ass off with annoying ungrateful little shits at some high school once school begins, right?" He says and James tilted his head a bit.

"I mean... yeah, but what if I don't do well? Or like... they fire me right away? And what if the kids don't like me? And what if it's not gonna keep me happy? What id something far better would've kept me happier than a 8 to 5 o'clock job?" He says quietly and Steve leans closer. "Like being a best-selling author?" He whispers and James quickly glanced up. "Maybe..." He murmured in response.

"But my dad says there's better stuff for me." He said, shrugging softly. "Doesn't believe in you." Steve corrects him and then James looks at him with a flash of hurt, because that's basically what it was, when Jim Hopper laughed at James' dream future of being a best selling novelist. He didn't believe in him. James swallowed the lump in his throat and Steve frowned. "Just because some parents think they know what's best for you... doesn't mean they're always right, Jamie." He murmured and James basically melts into a puddle. Jamie. So many people call him that.

But not Steve Harrington. "You--you're right." James whispered and Steve reached out, touching his arm gently. "I think the best way an author sells well, is when they write from the heart and not for the fame or money... maybe you could do it if you believe in yourself too. Can I read something of yours? It's basically what my job will be." He smiles and James just scrunched up his nose.

"I don't know... you'll think it's weird. Or dorky." He giggled quietly and Steve shakes his head. "No, I won't." He promised and held out a pinky which James latched with his, smirking. "I solemnly swear I will not find it dorky. Or weird." He says and James chuckled, staring at their hands before looking away, pulling away completely from Steve. Because he can't get tempted. No. Not when whatever the night before was with Eddie happened, he can't screw him over with a guy that was quite exactly the reason they ended their relationship in the first place. It wouldn't be right.

So he gets rid of whatever lingering thoughts were in his head the whole time he was leaning that close to Steve and talking. Just talking about real stuff. "Do you wanna head home now?" James asked snd Steve nods, also turning away, a small smile on his face as he too had been having lingering thoughts the whole entire time as well that he had to shove deep down in his mind before he did something stupid to potentially ruin whatever it was James and Eddie had coming back.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

  

authors note
me: jeddie <3 but platonically
my mind: no you mean romantically and you know it. Everyone knows it. 🤨🤨