Fangs and Claws (Steddie Modern/Monster AU)

men in uniform>>

3:00 PM Thursday October 5th (Eddie's POV)

As Eddie walked out of school, he saw Steve walking just a few feet ahead of him. He walked a bit faster to catch up, and put his arm around him, though Steve didn't jump at all.

"Hey, Stevie! How ya been?"

"Not so good now that you're here Munson."

The two had only been starting to talk more for a little over a week now but they were already comfortable enough to say things like that. Eddie's crush also became way more intense now that he and Steve were actually becoming friends. That meant having conversations that weren't made up in Eddie's head. And being able to mess with him a bit.

"Ouch! Jeez, Harrington, and here I thought you had a heart. It's really cold of you to say that to an innocent man," Eddie said, falling on Steve for dramatic effect, throwing his hand over his face like a swooning maiden.

"I do. I just didn't think you'd mind, since your heart is cold and not beating..." Steve said, shoving the vampire off him.

"It beats when you're around, pretty boy."

Steve froze for a second before an awkward chuckle and a quiet yeah came from him. Like, what was his deal? Was he uncomfortable or did he just not like Eddie back?

"Anyway... can I get a ride home? Ya know, to make up for your cruelty," Eddie said as they got to the parking lot.

"Um... not today, Munson. I have a shift at Scoops Ahoy in the Starcourt Mall today after school and I don't wanna be late. Robin just got us these jobs, so I don't wanna make a bad impression."

"Then I'll come with you to work! You can just drive me home after your shift is over, no problem."

"But my shift ends at like, 8:00 tonight. I don't want you getting home too late."

"That's fine. My uncle doesn't mind if I get home a little late. Plus, he mostly works the late shift anyway, so he won't be home."

"Oh, then, um... I guess I'll drive you. Uh- this is me..." Steve said, gesturing towards his car. It was a pretty impressive BMW, with a deep brown paint job and nice black leather seats.

"Wow, Stevie, how did you afford this beauty?" Eddie said as he got in the passenger side.

"My parents got me a new car for my 16th birthday. The only nice gift they ever got me. Most of the time they're on a business trip or off doing something on my birthday."

"Damn. That's sad. Why would they be away so much?"

"Most of the time it's for work- just forget about it. It's not a big deal," Steve said quickly, starting the car and backing out of the parking lot.

They spent the rest of the car ride in silence, the end of their conversation hanging in the air like a thick fog. Should Eddie not have brought it up? It seemed like a touchy subject now, but he didn't know any better than to ask about it. Oh well, he couldn't change the past, so why bother?

As they pulled into the mall's parking lot, they saw Robin getting out of a car and waving goodbye to whoever was driving. The car drove away after a second, leaving Robin standing there with a canvas bag in her hands.

Steve got out of the car first, walking over to catch up with Robin and leaving Eddie to trail behind him. He caught up with the pair once they got in the mall, catching Steve mid-sentence.

"-nd I keep telling you, she likes boobies!"

"Oh my god, don't say boobies! It's gross. And she does not."

"It's fine! I like boobies, you like boobies... Vickie likes boobies, definitely!"

"Why are we saying the word 'boobies' over and over again in a crowded mall?" Eddie said, startling both Robin and Steve.

"Um... uh- no- um- I-...no reason," Steve said, his cheeks getting redder by the second. Robin and Eddie both chuckled at how embarrassed he seemed, when moments before he seemed so confident.

It was at that moment that Eddie noticed that they both had bags slung across their shoulders, puffy with something stuffed inside. As they were walking, Eddie wanted to ask, but he decided not to. What people carry around is none of his business. His business was the weed he sold on the side. But it probably wasn't as on the side as he made it seem since he didn't have any other job...

Once they got to Scoops Ahoy, Steve let Eddie go in the back, showing him all the ice cream and where they hung out behind the counter. But he had to get out for a reason he didn't know but Robin assured him that he would like it, so he wasn't complaining!

Eddie sat at one of the booths facing the counter, chewing at his nails out of habit. But then he saw Steve and Robin come out in their uniforms. He had never gone in Scoops Ahoy before because he couldn't eat the ice cream and all the normies would definitely stare at him if this weirdly pale kid wearing almost all black was lurking around, but now he wished he did. Eddie burst out laughing, getting a few weird glances from the people around him. He walked up to the counter, still recovering from laughing so much. As expected, Steve was pouting with his arms crossed, staring Eddie down. If looks could kill...

"Wow, Steve! You look..."

"Say another word and I'll rip your fangs from your head."

"Damn, such a violent insult! I was gonna say you look great. You know, I've always loved a man in uniform," Eddie said, adding a wink at the end and leaning over the counter to invade Steve's personal space.

"Well... I didn't take the job for the outfit. You wanna come hang out in the back?"

"Naw I'm good. I wanna get a good view of Stevie The Sailor."

"Shut up, man," Steve said, rustling Eddie's hair and pushing him away. Eddie chuckled in satisfaction as a light blush spread over his cheeks, walking away from the counter. He took a seat in the booth he was in earlier. Eddie did get a good view of the pretty boy from that spot, so he wasn't to mad about it.