The Devil of Hawkins || Stranger Things

Chapter 9: The Date

Steve's eyes fluttered open, his hand on the cool skin of Eddie's chest. As he got his bearings, he realized he was lying on his shoulder, their legs tangled together and Eddie's hand loosely gripping his waist. Steve slowly moved his head, trying not to wake him up. He looked at Eddie's face, he was peacefully asleep. His vein-woven lips looked inviting, but he stopped himself and carefully got out of bed. Once on his feet, he looked back at Eddie sprawled out on his bed. Daylight was pouring in and the scars across his body were shockingly noticeable. Steve worried that the heat of the sunlight would hurt him, so he drew the curtains closed.

He sighed, trying not to think too hard about what Eddie had become. After throwing on some gym shorts and a tank top, he grabbed a comb and ran it through his hair as he made his way downstairs. He got a drink of water and stole a slice of the leftover pizza before putting the boxes in the fridge. With a sigh, he sat on a backed stool at the kitchen island. He was still lost on what to do about Eddie. Maybe I should talk to him about it. He leaned his head over the stool back, lifting it onto its back legs as he thought. He rocked the chair absentmindedly. Should I tell him about my dream?

His phone rang. The shock made him choke on his pizza and almost fall backward. He set the slice down on the island, took a quick drink of water, and got up to answer the phone.

"Hello?"

"Steve!" It was Robin on the other end.

"What's up?"

"What are you doing? I thought you were coming in today?"

He scratched his head and looked at the clock. It was past noon. "Oh, shit. I didn't notice the time, I just woke up."

"Just woke up?" Robin sounded surprised. "That's not like you."

"I know, I think I'll just stay home today, though."

"You feeling okay?" She sounded worried.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," he yawned. "Think of it as a me day."

"Can you do that some other day?"

"Why? What's up?"

"It's Vickie, she asked if I wanted to go out to get something to eat after we get done."

"That's great!"

"No, it's not!" Robin strained, trying to keep her voice down. "I need you here."

"Why? You don't need a wingman or anything."

"No, but I don't trust myself alone with her yet," she paused and sighed. "I don't want to do anything stupid, please," she begged.

Steve sighed.

"Steve?" Eddie called groggily as he walked around the corner.

Steve spun around in shock, tangling himself in the phone cord. Eddie was wearing the clothes Steve set aside, a pair of dark blue sweatpants and a plain gray tee shirt. His hair was a tangled mess. Eddie noticed Steve was on the phone and mouthed 'oh shit'.

"Who was that?" Robin asked.

"No one!" Steve said quickly.

There was a brief moment of silence on the line before Robin gasped. "He came back!?" she said, far louder than Steve would have liked.

Eddie shot him a confused look.

He gave Eddie a pleading expression and nodded for him to leave.

Eddie gave him a stronger side glance and instead walked up to him, untangled him from the cord, and rested his chin on Steve's shoulder, wrapping his arms around his waist. He rolled his hand, telling Steve to continue.