mortal projections • steddie

VII.

VII.

"How have I not known about this place? I think this is the best burger I've ever had," Steve sat across from Eddie at a small, retro diner, mouth full of the cheeseburger he ordered.

"This is my favorite place to go with my uncle, I love it here. Figured I'd show you too," Eddie shrugged, smiling as he took a bite of his food.

Steve blushed lightly. Eddie showing him his favorite restaurant to go with his uncle? Definitely made him feel like royalty. "Means a lot that you wanted to bring me here."

"All my dates get the best treatment," Eddie winked, which only made Steve blush even more.

"Is this a date?" Steve questioned, trying to cover up the fact that his face was probably bright red. He wasn't going to ask that question, but couldn't hold himself back. He needed to know.

"Was that not clear?" Eddie raised his eyebrows, giving Steve a playful smile.

"It was, I was just making sure I had it right," Steve nodded, mentally screaming because he was on a date with the hot teacher from across the hall. The hot teacher liked him back.

"I'm surprised you flirted back and accepted my date invitation, I could've sworn that you were going to reject me," Eddie sipped on his drink, anxiously awaiting Steve's answer.

"Why's that?" Steve questioned, blissfully unaware that Eddie was talking about his sexuality.

"I didn't think you were the type to like.. well, men," Eddie could not have been more blunt about it, but Steve didn't mind. He wanted Eddie to get to know him, and how he changed for the better after high school.

He wanted someone to appreciate him for who he is now.

"I had a crush on a classmate in college a few years ago, we always flirted but it never went anywhere. He moved away eventually. But he was my bisexual awakening I think. I came back here and figured that I wouldn't be openly accepted for who I was, but then I met you," Steve explained, giving Eddie a soft smile after the last sentence.

"I've got to say, I don't get flustered easily, but you managed to change that, Harrington," Eddie leaned back on to his side of the small booth, and Steve mentally applauded himself for being able to make Eddie Munson blush.

•••

The pair finished dinner and Eddie decided to drive out to Lover's Lake. The night sky was clear, full of stars, and Eddie thought that the lake was the perfect place to observe them. He didn't get to use the convertible part of his car very often, so he took this opportunity to do that.

And maybe show off for Steve as well.

"A convertible too? Damn, Munson," Steve commented as Eddie pressed the lever to put the top down.

"What can I say? I'm full of surprises," Eddie shrugged, a playful grin on his face. "I like to come out here to stargaze, and it's the perfect night for that."

"I agree," Steve nodded, watching as Eddie laid his seat as far back as it would go, so he did the same.

The two looked up at the sky, sitting in comfortable silence. Steve could hear the hoots of the nearby owls in the trees, and the crickets were chirping at almost full volume. Steve glanced over at Eddie, who was staring up at the sky, a small smile on his face.

Steve only could stare at Eddie.

The way his curly hair draped over the tops of his shoulders, the way his big, brown eyes gazed up at the stars, it was a lot for Steve to take in, but he didn't complain. It truly was a beautiful sight.