𝗨𝗚𝗟𝗬 // 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻

049

THIRD PERSON POV

Steve and Eddie have been walking in awkward silence for what feels like an hour.
Every now and again, the metal head tries to speak to the king, quoting nerdy references to ease the tension or proclaiming, "so, this place is like Hawkins but with monsters and nasty shit?"

The king of Hawkins isn't too talkative it turns out. He'd even thrown him his shirt once they started the journey to get Nancys guns, which was the apparent best plan they could think of and one that still stunned the metal head. Eddie had proclaimed it was for Steve's modesty, but really he knew he just hated watching Ruby stare at him in awe.

Eventually, Steve sighed defeated and spoke, "Eddie I uh.. owe you a thank you. You really saved my ass back there with those bats."

The long haired boy quirked his brows, "you saved your own ass dude! Real ozzy move you pulled."

"Ozzy?" Eddie cringed internally, how could he not know?

"Black sabbath, you took a bite out of a bat man, just like Ozzy osbourne. It was very metal what you did- Nevermind- I- Ruby would've gotten it," he waves the reference away dismissively and Steve's jaw clenches yet again as he lets out a strained, "mhmm."

Eddie feels awkward again, he knows why there's tension between them, but it's hard to address it.
"Henderson told me.. you were a bad ass, insisted on it, said that's why Ruby liked you."

Steve didn't speak again, just walked ahead silent and let Eddie ramble, "I couldn't accept it. At first."
This made the popular boys ears perk up, "I didn't want to accept the fact that Steve Harrington could be a nice guy." He looks Steve directly in the eyes, "I'm sorry for that."

The brunette in front of him chuckles and places a friendly hand on Eddie's shoulder, a big step for both of them, "admitting your mistakes, that's pretty metal."

Eddie appreciated the sentiment but, "is it?"

"I have no idea, thought it sounded inspiring though."

The pair laughed and in front of them Ruby turned around, spotting the two and smiling to herself. Steve noticed and stared at her fondly, like he always did, like Eddie knew he always did.

"Can I be honest with you Steve?" Eddie had this awkward, weird confidence about him that the other guy actually admired, not that he'd say that out loud. But Eddie Munson, in the best way, never knew when to shut up.

"Under any normal circumstances I wouldn't have jumped in here to save you." Steve chuckled, "gee thanks."

"No. Steve." He shoves a hand in front of Steve's chest, stopping him from walking. "Look, the only reason I came in here, is because they did." He points to the girls with one finger, slowly moving it to point just at Ruby, "because she did."

His eyes were filled with so much ease when he looked at her, so much calm that he felt flood his veins, it could make Eddie gag.

He stared out at the dark haired girl who continued to walk beside Nancy and Robin.

"When I was in middle school I fell hopelessly in love with Chrissy Cunningham." The confession was random and shocking, but Steve already kind of knew from Ruby's inability to keep a secret.