Peanut Butter Without the Crust -

Ch.13 Diner Dilemas

The drive to the diner was silent, filled only by the radio which blared quietly on whatever rock station was coming through from Indianapolis. Tired yawns left them all periodically, all tired and on their ways to being scent drunk. 

Parking not far from the door Eddie couldn't help but to smile. The diner was a hole in the wall, probably as old as Hawkins since it seemed to be around even when the tired old police chief was a pup. Eddie climbed out first, jostling the passenger door so it would unstick so the duo sitting so comfortably pressed together could slide from the van. 

Standing in the cracked uneven parking lot that was clearly in need of repaving, Steve reached for both Eddie. Scared to admit that the uneven terrain made him nervous about walking alone, holding onto the older boys outstretched arm.  Wrapping his own arms around it in a hold that could only be described as arm candy. 

Opening the diner door Gareth smiled a goofy sort of smile that reached his eyes and freckled cheeks. Inside was warm, even for the on coming winter, still decorated like it was the sixties though it caused a sense of nostalgia even for those not born in the time to experience. Sat in a booth, Eddie and Steve on one side and Gareth on the other. 

"I am so fucking excited for this milkshake, you should try one Steve these things are amazing" Seeing him nod the auburn haired teen smiled brightly, laughing softly in joy. "This is going to be so sick man!" 

"You are too excited for a simple milkshake" Chuckling Eddie shook his head, graciously taking the menus that the waitress set down with a smile. Thanking her for them before he opening one and browsing it. 

The diner was a particular favorite for all of Corroded Coffin since they were so welcoming, never shunning them for their metal exterior like other places did. Smiles always genuine not false customer service smiles. 

Peering over the older boys shoulder Steve glanced at the menu, unwanted tears bubbling up as the pained nostalgia of what was before. The high school years he never got to experience because of it all, the freshman year he did have he spent being the worst person alive. King Steve would have never set foot in a place like this with the two people he instantly considered pack, a feeling he didn't know at all until he met Eddie. 

"Hey, hey sweetheart what's going on?" Turning so he was facing him, hand coming up to cup the trembling Omega's face. Thumb rubbing at the tears that continued to flow, Gareth reaching over the table trying to help as well. "Stevie? Come on talk to us about those tears" 

"I-i'm, i'm sorry!" The apologies where blubbered out on repeat. Tumbling out before the first was finished, jumbling over each other. 

"Shh, baby, it's ok to cry but I need you to tell me what's wrong so I can help sweet one" Pet names laid on thick, Eddie held the smaller boy close running a hand through his hair as the other stays cupping his cheek. Catching the ever falling tears. 

"I-I, I r-remember...remember the, the before"  Sobs racked his chest, trembling and shaking he cried into the Alpha's chest. Clinging to him in fear and panic. "P-please, please, please don't h-h-hate me" 

Frowning Gareth reached forward, holding the small Omega's hand. Rubbing his thumb over his knuckles trying to soothe. "We could never hate you, babe, tell us what's going on?" 

"I r-remember, remember, being King Steve, r-remember being, being an asshole. I was so mean, so, so a-awful awful. T-that house, that house should have killed m-me, I'm a horrible person" Retracting himself from the hold of both Alphas he squirmed away, crying as hard as his body would allow. 

"Gareth, go make sure the bathroom is empty. We need to get him calmed down and I don't think out here is the right place." Watching as his band member left the booth, he held his hands up in surrender as he spoke to the younger boy in front of him. "Stevie, I need you to know that's no true, but right here isn't the place to discuss this. I'd rather do it at home but if you wont allow me to then at least come to the bathroom. Away from prying ears, I need you to believe me when I tell you that this isn't true. That that house shouldn't have killed you" 

Backing his way out of the booth to standing Eddie kept his hands up so that the other could see them. Watching closely for any sign of further distress as he stands, stumbling over his own feet as he's gently lead to the bathroom. Careful steps into the empty bathroom where Gareth stood chewing on his nails anxiously. Heard jerking up when he heard the door open. 

"Steve, Stevie" Unable to anything but repeat the Omega's name as he faces the trembling boy, wanting nothing more than to touch him but unwilling to do such incase it makes the situation worse. 

Crumpling to the floor Steve wails as if he's being struck, hyperventilation taking hold as rocks himself, hands fisted in his hair to the point of pain. Unable to breath or talk anymore as he's over wrought with fear.  Dropping to their knees in fear the metalheads reach for him, Eddie wraps his arms around him to keep his hands to his side. While Gareth holds down his kicking feet. 

"Shh, hey hey now, Stevie, Pretty Boy? It's Eddie and Gareth we need ya to stop fightin' okay? You're hurting yourself and us, we need you to calm down. We're not mad at you, not upset in the slightest. But Darlin' please, let us talk m'kay?" Voice dripping in his Appalachian accent Eddie spoke slowly and quietly as he rocked with Steve, keeping him moving yet not letting him harm himself like he was before. "We need you to breathe first Pretty Boy, can you do that?" 

"Stevie, it's Gare. You need to breathe baby, I get panic attacks too so I know how bad it can be but you need to breathe so you don't pass out" Gently placing his hand on Steve chest and placing his hand on his, Gareth speaks softly. "Breath with me, when I breathe you do okay?" 

Taking in a deep breath, watching as Steve's hand moved with it. Waiting for his own hand to move when the other boy took his own breath, repeating this over and over again till the Omega's breathing had calmed enough for both the boys to agree he was calm enough to talk. 

Still shaking but breathing at least half normally Steve looked between Gareth and Eddie, teary eyed but not again crying. "I-I'm sorry" 

"Shh none of that now, we ain't mad sweetheart. But we do need to talk" Hauling the younger boy into his lap Eddie held him tightly, Gareth pressing into their side. Wrapping his arms around the Omega as well. 

"I-I s-should, should be dead" He curled into the Alpha, ready to sob and cry but unable to. Dehydrated from all his tears already. "I was, was so m-mean, mean and awful. S-so bad" 

"Honey, what you did before that house is bullshit. So what? King Steve doesn't exist anymore, you are not King Steve you are Stevie. You are our pack, and you are our Omega" Gareth looked the trembling boy in the eyes as he spoke, voice holding sern softness. Alpha chords in affect even if just slightly. 

Nodding in agreement Eddie spoke, pulling forth his own Alpha chords so he knew the Omega would listen to him even if he didn't agree. Voice a rumble timbre close to the deepness of his purr. "He's right Stevie, It doesn't matter who or what King Steve did you are not him anymore. So what if we have to rebuild who you are, that's fine by us. You can be whoever you wanna be, this is a fresh start. So if you want to act like King Steve but without being an asshole so what, if you want to act like us so what, all we care about is that you are who you want to be and not who you're told to be." 

If he had the hydration to cry Steve would be bawling. Curling in the arms of the two metalheads, of his pack he found comfort he had never known. Soft and sweet moment drenched in tears and pain. There in this moment full of melancholy yet serendipity honey and earl grey mixed in the most extraordinary way with that of worn out denim.