You'll be the death of me.

Chapter 14

Something inside Eddie told him to talk to Steve, to work things out. To let everything go and return to how they were before. He wanted the simple embraces and the intimate kisses back, the talks they had together, the safe bonded relationship they had some what started to form... but he couldn't. He couldn't bring himself to forgive and forget. He played that night in his head every single day for three months now. He replayed the way Steves eyes were as they looked at eachother that night, the hallowness of them, the emotionless hatred he held for Eddie. It made his stomach turn to remember the way they held eachother as they passed Eddie. The way Steve flirted and flaunted his new found lover at Eddie, smiling as he kissed her, as he walked away from Eddie. As he watched Eddie shatter into a million piece without a care. </p>

<p>It hadn't been easy, making sure he stayed away from Steve. Avoiding everywhere he knew Steve would be, even ignoring the boys and Robin at times just so he didn't chance running into Steve. He knew eventually they would have to face eachother, he just didn't want it to be this soon. He had heard a few things here and there about Steve. Sometimes they boys would mention going to his house, or that he wasn't doing too good lately, always making sure Eddie heard that part loud and clear. He would never say anything, there was no point. He held nothing in the means of wanting to fix things and he told them all that. They all understood, but that doesn't mean they stopped mentioning Steve, looking to Eddie to guage his reaction. </p>

<p>He didn't want this, he didn't want to ignore the only person he had every really wanted anyting with, but it seemed like the best option. Steve wasn't in the right mind set and now after everything that had happened, Eddie didn't know if he had the emotion capability to handle anything with Steve anymore. Trying to have anything with Steve was a complete and utter emotional mind field, one that Eddie couldn't walk threw anymore... The constant fear he had whenever Steve was around, the constant anxiety in his chest everytime he left Steve. Eddie was constantly anticipating Steve to push him away again, it was all to much, it weighed on Eddie, he just didn't realize how much until he and Steve had separated these last few months.</p>

<p>Now he sat with Dustin, Mike and Will and the rest of the Hellfire Club. He watched as Dustin and Jeff played, the sweat forming on Dustins forehead as he tried to antipate whay would happen, Jeff wore a smirk. Eddie smiled into the back of his hand as he watched, knowing that Jeff would ultimately win, but also knew Dustin wasn't going to make it wasy. Mike was whispering things into Dustins ear, Dustin would nod, looking to Eddie with the nervous look he always wore whenever they played. Eddie laughed and started to narrate the nect move, the dramatic way he would stalk past Dustin and they boys. He almost broke character as he saw Dustin bouncing in his seat. </p>

<p>But in the end, Jeff won, mostly due to luck, and Dustin sighed and leaned back in his seat in defeat. Jeff stood and made his way over to Dustin. He outstretched his hand, Dustin smiled and stood, shaking his hand.</p>

<p>"You were a worthy apponent." Jeff says he as looks to Eddie and smiles. Dustin was a very good DND player, he could end up being one of the best if he really tried.</p>

<p>"Yeah, well I'll be one of the best if I'm ever able to beat one of you." Jeff laughs and Eddie does too. Eddie walks over to Dustin and slings his arm over his shoulder, squeezing him lightly.</p>

<p>"You'll get there one day, Henderson." Dustin sighs nods.</p>

<p>"I guess..." He looks over to Mike and Will, they're laughing, sitting close at they continue talking. Eddie smiles to himself as Dustin laughs.</p>

<p>"Man, I wish they would get together already."Dustin says as Eddie laughs, shaking his head as he makes his way to the back. He nods at Jeff and the others as they make their way out, leaving only Dustin, Mike, Will and Eddie. Eddie sits down, resting his head in his hand as he sighs.</p>