Again

Chapter 14

Steve takes the decanter tray downstairs, placing it next to the large hi-fi system. He pours two glasses and sits crossed-legged in front of the old box of records. His eyes move over it, and it is devoid of stickers, scratches, and scuffs. Not even his name was on it. It could have belonged to anyone.

When he brought it down from the attic, the only thing wrong with it was the thick layer of dust it had collected. He guesses that's what happens when you must keep any shred of non-curated personality hidden. Lest your father finds out you had one. Steve shakes his head in an attempt to swipe away at the negativity that had no place here tonight and smiles at the secrets carefully hidden by Eddie between the album covers and etched vinyl. Steve wonders if this was something, especially for him, or if Eddie is just the kind of guy to leave cute things like notes around for everyone. He doesn't mean to, but he hopes it is. He hopes to the heavens it's something just for him.

He pulls out The Breakfast Club LP and carefully reaches inside, but this time can't find any paper. He takes the record out, carefully placing it on the record player before inspecting the inside of the album cover again, but there is no note. Maybe it was too much to expect that Eddie had left Steve something in all of them. Admitting defeat, he lifts the arm of the turntable and places it on the record as it crackles into life. The drums hit, and Steve quickly turns it down instinctively with a wince like anyone else was here to disturb with it. He laughs, turns it back up, quietly sings along, and, fuelled by his earlier success, allows himself to have a secret celebratory dance to the music.

Won't you come see about me?

I'll be alone, dancing, you know it baby.

As he spins around, a fully recovered, cleaner, comfier Eddie is smiling happily, leaning in the doorway and looking at him. Steve waves him over and picks up a drink to hand to him. He accepts it with a nod, his other hand draped across his chest, as he sways a little to the music. Maybe he shouldn't read too much into that small line of defence, but he'd be lying to himself if he said it wasn't bothering him.

"Has the great Eddie Munson had a change of heart about music that isn't the heaviest of metal" Steve chuckles into his drink, taking another sip.

Eddie puts his hands up, "Ok, ok, maybe I grew to appreciate other music over time. Anyway, I didn't hate anything that wasn't metal. I just liked metal best."

"I have a confession," Steve says, knocking back his drink with a spin and a grimace at the taste, "I didn't get your notes until today."

"My notes?" Eddie's puzzled eyes follow Steve's as he picks up the Fame album and hands it to him, so he can see for himself, "Oh yeah!" He chuckles, "I remember these." his gentle eyes scan over the retrieved paper before placing it carefully inside the album and turning his attention back to Steve.

"I might have never found them if Zee hadn't mentioned it" Steve smiles and picks up The Breakfast Club sleeve, "Disappointed to find there wasn't one in this one though", and Eddie starts laughing as he trades records with Steve. "How many times did we watch this?"

"Too many times. You're right. There is no note in this one because it's on this one" Eddie stands next to him and shows him next to the track listing is a conversation using the track titles, except there are two sets of handwriting here. Eddie's and Steve's .

Don't You (Forget About Me) Never!!

Too much shared trauma couldn't if I tried!

Waiting For Eddie to stop hogging the fucking joint

Fire In The Twilight A.K.A Steve gets hot rocked.. looking holier than the Virgin Mary. Jokes on you. This is your shirt.