STRANGEST THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU || steddie

chapter three: amends

Steve's palms start to sweat, his head full of ways he could reply to the curly-head in front of him. However, his first instinct is to joke, so without even realising it, he says, 'Yeah, it's me. Don't cream your pants.' Steve sounds so casual it surprises even him.

Eddie, on the other hand, is a bit harder to read. His eyebrows are scrunched, dark brown eyes piercing Harrington, almost as if he's trying to read the blonde. A lough erupts, Eddie almost falling off the picnic table. Anyone would think he's crazy, but Eddie Munson just stands out, and Steve has realised from observing him all those years that the boy enjoys it. When people see him and laugh at him, it encourages Munson to keep behaving this way.

'Oh my. Are you flirting with me?.' Eddie wipes tears from the corners of his eyes, a suggestive look appearing on his face immediately after. Steve can feel his face heat up, a light shade of pink brushing his cheeks. He's not sure if the boy is mocking him or if he's actually entertained, but none of these options sees to appeal to him.

'I- I am not. The words just came out. Sorry if that made you uncomfortable.' Steve stutters, not meeting the dark brown of Eddie's eyes. He doesn't see the shock in Eddie's eyes, and the way his lips are slightly parted.

Eddie has always seen Steve as an overly confident, spoiled bratHe gound that strangely appealing, attractive even. He stood out from the rest. But now, he's seeing a version of Steve Harrington he has never imagined to exist. This Steve is vulnerable, self-conscious. Still a brat, but not like the other privileged jerks he calls friends. So the sight of Steve Harrington, fidgeting and looking anywhere but at him feels unfamiliar and out of place. But he's not going to butt into Steve's business, he doesn't care enough to.

'What brought you to my kingdom.'

Steve is astounded by the friendliness Eddie shows towards him, he expected the punk to be more hostile after all he's done to him.

'I was actually looking for someone.' Steve scratches his neck in an awkward manner, not sure how to phrase his thoughts. Munson is making him feel very embarrassed and he's not sure why. 'Well, looking for you, to be honest.'

'Me?' Eddie asks, running his hand through his hair. A little laugh escapes him. 'Why would you look for me?' He couldn't hide the slightly bitter tone that he tries so hard to cover with jokes.

'Are you doing anything this Friday?' Steve asks out of nowhere, completely changing his demeanour, which causes Eddie to become conscious of the boy. Eddie closes his eyes, scrunching his nose deep in thought.

'Am I hearing your voice in my head now?' Eddie suggests, not believing what he's hearing.

'C'mon. I'm being serious. Are you doing anything Friday?' Steve insists. Even he's surprised with how confident he sounds.

However, Eddie's even more confused by the sudden interest from the blonde. He can't lie, he's flattered considering he had the biggest crush on the guy, but something doesn't feel right.

Eddie decides to ignore his gut, possibly for the first time in his life. And all that for Steve Harrington. 'Nothing really' he replies.

'Cool, cool.' Steve, not sure what to say, just stands there, rocking on his heels. 'Would you, maybe, like to, I don't know... hang out?' he asks, his voice slightly peaking at the end.

Eddie laughs, 'Hang out?' That's when Eddie realises, they don't really have anything in common. They're from two completely different worlds. His face drops, and his voice grows cold. 'What would we do? Go see a basketball match? No thanks, not my vibe.' He gets off the picnic table, and brushes leaves, and dirt off his ripped jeans.

'What would you want to do?' Steve breaks the short silence that has come between them.

After short consideration, Eddie comes to the conclusion that it's safest to test the waters and see what Harrington could want from him. 'There's a bar I frequent. Had a shit day, would kill for a drink to be honest.' He smiles.

Steve's nonplussed with how easy it was to get Eddie to agree to his request. Incredibly easy. Steve smiles back at the boy, his smile so sincere.

'Great. I'll pick you-'

Eddie interrupts him. 'No. I'll pick you up. You don't even know where to drive.' This is his way of checking how far the boy will go.

Eddie has a feeling there is something, some sort of bad intent behind his actions. Is it a bet? A deal? It is his objective to find why Harrington took interest in him, so he decides to go along with him. Eddie just hopes it won't bite him in the ass later.