A Kindling Flame (A Steve Harrington and Eddie Munson Love Story)

To Die or Not to Die

"Harrington, come on! Keep up boy!"

Fuck.

Maybe all the smoking I've been doing, isn't that good for me.

Maybe.

I squeezed my eyes shut and pushed my legs and lungs to work through the burn that practice was gracing me with today. 

Harder. We need to push harder. 
We need to move faster. 
Faster than everyone else. 

My eyes drifted over to the tall, trim man that was standing next to coach. His eyes were trained on me, my every movement, my every show of emotion. That was- until we got home of course, then he had no care in the world that had to do with me. As long as I kept to myself, school, and basketball. 

I slammed my eyes shut this time and pushed harder. Finish strong. 

Stronger. 
Better.

I can feel my lungs burning. Like they're closing up. It's like I can't- I need help. I can't-

The sound of coach's whistle rang in my ears and my feet screeched to a halt on the court line. A hand grabbed my shoulder and shook me, "Harrington, Harrin- Steve! Are you alright? Come on dude." My legs wobbled underneath me as Tommy took me back to the locker room, following the rest of the team. I looked back at where my dad was standing, and his eyes were still locked on to me. 

Watching me. 

We pushed through the locker room doors and Tommy sat me down on a bench, throwing a towel at me. "Dude are you alright, we lost you there for a minute." Sitting there, I noticed that it wasn't just my legs that were shaking, my whole body was. I was sweating from practice, but my body felt- cold. 

I threw my shirt off onto the bench and and ran my hand through my hair. "Yeah man. I think- I think I'm good now. Don't really know what happened there." His eyes wandered around my face, but eventually his lips turned up into a small smile. "Yeah, yeah okay. Go get a shower man, you stink like hell. And you know- I guess it might help you feel better too."  I smiled and laughed through my nose, "yeah whatever man. I'll see you tomorrow?" Tommy's hand slapped the back of my shoulder and he laughed as he walked to his locker.

What the hell happened out there?

After a quick- and very hot- shower, I all but sprinted out of the gym and out to the car. "So much for finishing strong, Steven." My heart skipped and the tips of my fingers went cold, I took a silent breath through my nose. "You're right sir-" 

"I don't need you to tell me I'm right. I was there. What I want, is a reason for that scene you just caused." 

Scene? I thought barely anyone noticed. Only Tommy said something, no one seemed to be that worried about me.

"I'm not sure what  happened sir, I- my lungs, I felt like I couldn't breathe-"

He scoffed and the car sped up. "You get that from your mother's side. You'll get over it, immediately." 

I nodded my head and stared out the windshield, "yes sir."

"And don't ever think of doing something as embarrassing as that in public ever again."

"Yes sir."

He turned towards me and we made eye contact for the first time all night. "Do you understand, Steven?" I swallowed and felt my throat start to close again, "yes sir." 

"Say it."

"I understand, sir." 

"Good, go inside."

I grabbed my bag and gently opened the car door, my throat feeling as if someone was holding a lighter to it. As I walked in my mom called out, "Steven, is that you?" I rolled my eyes and sat my shoes by the door. "No mom, it's just me. Dad's still out in the car." 

She paused for a second and I head some cluttering in the kitchen, "oh well, head on up and take a shower, dinner will be ready shortly." 

I nodded my head at nothing and walked up to my room, tossing my backpack by desk and throwing myself on to my bed.  Soon the sound of our front door opening sounded and my mom called out for him once again, signaling for me to head straight for the shower.

The hot water soothed the tension in my muscles from practice and the car ride, that was until dinner started, of course. Then the tension just returned. Dinner couldn't of lasted longer, or been blander, or more silent. 

But, it'll be worth it. 

I pushed the pedals harder as I raced through the backgrounds of our dirty old town. It wasn't nine yet, but I wasn't going to waste any time I could have with Eddie tonight. Trees flew by, the wind pulling my hair back. Eventually I made it to the familiar area and hopped off the bike, pulling it a little off the road and behind a bush. I grabbed the flashlight out of my back pocket and switched it on, slowly making my way towards the big boulder. 

The baggy in my back pocket crunched every few steps, similar to the leaves and twigs beneath my feet. Slowly, the smell of pot started to invade my senses as I made it closer and closer to the beautiful boy sitting at the bottom of the landmark. A joint sat between his lips as he gazed up at the sky, he seemed so peaceful I wasn't sure if he was aware I was there.

"Come sit sweetheart." 

Without looking at me, he patted the dirt next to him and blew out the smoke that had been resting in his mouth. I walked over and sat down, leaning my head on his shoulder. Sadly, he scoot back, only to soon after take my face in his hands. "You good, Harrington? You seem less peppy than usual." I grunted and rolled my eyes, "yeah I'm fine Munson."

"Don't lie to me now, Princess." He seems happier than usual, wearing a little smile. It's almost like his eyes are sparkling, too. But that's probably just the light from the weed. My heart warmed a bit and I gave him a small smile, "I'm better now, Eds. Promise." 

His eyes searched my face for a few seconds before a hum left his lips, "fine, I'll take you word for it then." A small, tired laugh left my lips and I reached a hand up to move his hair out of his face. Before I could get ahead of myself, I slid back from him and cleared my throat. "So uh- what did you want to meet out here for? Late too?" 

Eddie seemed to also scoot back, clearing his own throat. "Well- I mean. I just thought we could hangout you know, I- well I- I wanted to hangout again I guess. I thought you might too, so-"

A smile broke out on my lips and I scoot forward, "Is Eddie Munson getting flustered?" He scoffed and scoot back towards me, "no, god. Fuck that. I just thought you'd like to hangout and-"

"Well you just said you wanted to hangout with me, so." 

He scowled at me before the twitching in the corner of lips turned into a smile. "Yeah, fine Harrington, you caught me." 

I reached across the space between us and grabbed his hand, "see that wasn't so hard." My hand slid over his arm and to his shoulder, nudging him over to me until our legs were tangled and we sat together. I ran my hand through his hair and kissed his forehead, his cheek, his nose, and nudged ours together before placing a gentle kiss on his lips. 

I could taste the smoke on his lips. 
Definitely worth it.