Peanut Butter Without the Crust -

Ch.7 Start of the New

When Steve woke the next morning even in his sleep addled brain he latched onto the scent that seemed to encase him. Leather and fresh guitar strings, molasses as thick as it pours and the ever encompassing scent of safety. Sitting up with a tired groan, letting his surrounding sink in. The band poster plastered walls, the well loved cassette player still playing David Bowie at a low humming volume. The two windows covered in blankets and mismatched top sheets for curtains, the old desk lamp still on, illuminating the desk where Eddie sat silently tapping his pencil to a beat that Steve couldn't figure out. Dark curly hair tied back in a low bun, the chair he sat in turned backwards so his chest pressed against the backrest. 

Hearing the tired sound the Alpha looked back at his bed with a wide smile, tucking the pencil behind his ear. Walking over with a half full glass of water that he handed over as he sat on the edge of the mattress "Hey Stevie, how'd you sleep?" 

"G-g-good, good, no more p-pain" Sipping the warming water he was handed the younger boy pulled his legs up so he was sitting criss cross with the blankets pooling around his waist. Handing back the glass when he had had enough. 

Taking the glass and setting it on the upturned crate he uses as a nightstand Eddie smiled softly "That's good, you gave us both a scare last night. Uncle Wayne would be here but he'd currently at work. Had to make up a shift cause of missing his last night" 

"I-I'm s-s-sorry, sorry" The words stumbled from his lips weakly, legs pulled to his chest so he could seem as small as possible. Hoping the other wouldn't be mad if he disappeared into thin air, or at least was small enough it seemed that way.  

Reaching forward to touch his shoulder Eddie frowned, gently moving his hand from his shoulder to cupping the Omega's face "Hey now, don't apologize sweetheart. He'd do it again in a heartbeat, we're glad to have you here" Before another apology could tumble from his trembling lips the Alpha was cutting in with a gentle nudge and a thumb swiping over his damp cheek. Steve didn't realize he'd even started crying. "Let's not focus on that yeah? Why don't we get to know each other?" 

With a gentle barely noticeable nod, the older boy smiled wide. Moving so he was fully on the bed back to the lamp light Eddie gently guided Steve back into his relaxed position of sitting criss cross. Chewing on his lip the burnette boy looked up at the older with an almost fearful look in his eyes.

"What's that look for Stevie?" Ring clad hands moving from the Omegas knees to the sides of his face, already falling heavily into his touchy feely habits with his new pack mate. 

Gaze following Eddie's larger hands Steve couldn't help but to chew his lip harder stopping only when the older boys thumb tugged his lip free. Focus switching immediately to his words so he wouldn't embarrass himself like he deemed himself to always be doing. "B-Before, before, is b-blurry" 

Nodding in gentle understand the Alpha kept his hands in place, holding the smaller boys face gently as he nuzzled into the touch. Practically unaware of his own actions as the older of the two could do nothing but watch in smiling contentment. "That's fine Pretty Boy, here I think I have a better idea. Do you want to hear it?" 

"Yes, Yes" The word repeated as it fell from Steve's lips. He hated it, would admit it too if he didn't have to hear himself speak to do so. He longed for the fuzzy memories of before, when he didn't stutter and tumble over words like an inadequate gymnast. 

Letting the wide smile split his face again Eddie stood, gently reassuring the other while he retracted his touch to dig through a pile on the floor. "You said before was fuzzy, so let me introduce you to things I'm into. Give you an idea what you like and what not. We can sit in the living room for a change of scenery and I'll even make lunch" 

"Lunch" Singular this time, paused like he was tasting the word itself. "Lunch, C-can we have peanut, peanut butter?" 

Looking up at Eddie with a look the other could only describe as seeking praise the Alpha nodded "Absolutely honey, especially after you asked so well!" Picking up his worn copies of The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings he smiled softly at the other as he grabs a blanket "How about you go to the kitchen while I set these down out there m'kay?" 

The small offer of independence was stated before the Alpha exited the room keeping an eye on the small Omega as he set up the living room. Steve watched the other through the open door as he stood from the bed, unsteady but quickly gaining balance. Stumbling steps proceed, a rest at the door way, down the miniature hallway and into the galley kitchen. Sliding down in a crumpling fashion to the cold floor. 

Letting out a victory shout as he walk over Eddie couldn't help but to smile, praising the other heavily as he pulled the peanut butter and the bread from the cabinets. Rambling on about the type of peanut butter and how if Steve liked something different they could get that too but for today he'd have to deal with it. 

Holding the butter knife as he waves his hands as he talks, only stopping as he cuts the crusts off all four slices of bread. Sitting up more with a tilt of his head the Omega stumbled over his question. "W-why do, do you do that?" 

"Oh this? Uncle Wayne did it for me as a kid and I guess it just never stopped, tastes better this way and lets me feed the birds. Now sweetheart, do you want your pieces of bread folded into two sandwiches or both pieces put together then cut in half?"

"D-different?" Opening his mouth to correct his question into a full sentence only to find himself gently shushed. 

"They are different, see I like mine folded" Holding a slice of bread lathered with peanut butter he folds it in half "See? And my best friend Gareth, he likes it when the two pieces of bread are put together then cut"

Nodding slowly Steve looks on with the curiosity of a child "C-can mine, mine be folded?" 

"Of course Pretty Boy" Smiling and nodding Eddie folded the remaining pieces of bread then rising the knife off in the sink. Placing the sandwiches on a paper plate before holding his hand out to the smaller boy, helping him stand from the floor. 

Praising the small journey to the living room the pair found themselves curled up on the couch in the blanket the older boy had pulled from the bed. Plate between them as the first book was opened and the Alpha began to read. Today wasn't much but it was a start.