Written for the @steddieholidaydrabbles December challenge.
You Know Why
Prompt Day 7: Hanukkah | Word Count: 1000 | Rating: T | CW: None | Tags: Canon Divergence Post-Season 4, Eddie Munson Lives, Gift Giving, Mutual Attraction, Flirting and Wooing
Eddie comes home from work, tired, and ready to wash the whole day off him. Working at the plant isn't for him, he knows it, Wayne knows it, everybody else that works there, knows it. But Eddie keeps going, keeps working, just so he has a way to help Wayne keep the lights on.
When he stumbles into the kitchen, there's a small package wrapped on the counter. That's odd. It is the first night of Hanukkah, but Wayne's never really been one to leave gifts. Not like this. Eddie picks it up and shakes it.
It's wrapped in blue paper, but not terribly well. Eddie checks the tag and it is for him, so he opens it, carefully.
It's a watch, similar to the one he destroyed in the lake. But this one has a calculator on it. Little buttons for each number, and that's pretty cool. He's seen these before, but they cost about twice as much as the standard version, so he figured he could definitely do without all the bells and whistles.
He hadn't replaced his watch, not yet, and this one is nice. Thoughtful. Maybe Wayne did buy him a new watch, tired of him always asking what time it is, and just didn't want to make a fuss about it.
But Dustin has been wearing one like this recently, and Eddie wonders if that's exactly where this came from. Dustin would be into Hanukkah, way more than Wayne.
Eddie takes it out of the box, off the little stand it's displayed on, and lays it across his wrist, fastening the strap. Eddie looks down. This is great. He wishes he'd had this in school, maybe he'd have done better on his math tests with a little help from a calculator on his wrist.
The next night, there's another box. It doesn't weigh anything, but when he unwraps it, it's a new bandana. With a big dragon in the middle. He loves it, and immediately stuffs it in his back pocket.
These are great presents. Thoughtful. From someone that knows him pretty well.
On the third night, there's a package of guitar strings, the exact kind he uses on Sweetheart. While it could be Jeff or Gareth, he's pretty confident that it isn't.
This stuff is from Steve. He's sure of it. They've been dancing around each other for weeks, months. Testing the waters.
So, on night four, Eddie waits, sitting in the trailer in the dark. And sure enough, he hears the crunch of gravel, footsteps on the unsteady porch before the door opens, and Steve steps inside. Eddie watches as he sits the newest gift on the counter, before turning to leave, not even noticing him on the couch.
"Whatcha got there?" Eddie asks, and Steve jumps so high it's hilarious.
"Nothing," Steve says, defensive.
"Is it for me?" Eddie asks, singsonging.
"Maybe," Steve says, putting his hands on his hips, "I thought you were supposed to be at work."
"Huh, I said that, didn't I?" Eddie questions, teasing him.
"You're an asshole," Steve says, but there's no heat there.
"I just wanted to see if it was you, and surprise! It was."
"Very funny. I just wanted to do something nice for you without making a fuss, is that a crime now?" Steve asks, hands still on his hips, looking very annoyed by this entire situation.
"No, of course not," Eddie says, walking over and picking up the package, "can I open this?"
"After I leave you can," Steve says, a little haughtily. Eddie loves that bitchy tone. Steve's definitely bitchy at heart, and it is more attractive than you'd imagine.
Eddie doesn't listen, and just starts unwrapping the present. Pulling off the paper, and popping the tape on the box.
It's a set of DnD dice. Metal, beautiful. He's never seen anything like them. He turns them over in his hand.
"Wow, where did you get these?" Eddie asks, looking up to meet Steve's eyes.
Steve crosses his arms across his chest, defensively. It's a weirdly hostile reaction.
"A hobby shop. In Indianapolis. I special ordered them," he says.
"You special ordered them. For me?" Eddie asks, though the answer to that is fucking obvious. Of course he did.
"No, for Mike. Yes, for you."
"Why?" Eddie asks.
Steve rolls his eyes, "You know why."
"Do I?" Eddie asks, genuinely a little confused right now.
Steve looks exasperated.
"The other four boxes are in my car. If you just want them now," Steve says, wilting, just a little.
Eddie shakes his head. He doesn't want them now. He wants them for the next four days. He wishes he could go back and not do this. Not ruin this nice thing Steve was doing for him.
"I'm sorry I lied. I'm sorry I was here when you showed up. Thank you for thinking of me. For thinking of Hanukkah," Eddie rambles.
Steve just nods, and turns to leave.
"Steve?" Eddie says, trying to get him to stop.
Steve stops, but doesn't turn to look at him.
"I do know why. I do," he says.
Steve sort of hangs his head forward, like he's gotten bad news. This isn't bad news, Eddie thinks. This is great news.
"And?" Steve says, so quietly he barely hears him.
"And, I want that. Too. If you do," Eddie says, taking a step towards him, putting his hand on Steve's shoulder.
Steve does turn then, but still looks cautious. Embarrassed. Maybe even a little ashamed, and Eddie feels guilty. For putting him on the spot. For making him feel so uncomfortable.
"I wasn't sure," Steve finally says, "if it was, you know, mutual."
"It is," Eddie says, quickly. Too quickly, but it makes Steve smile.
"Okay. Okay, good," Steve says, shoving his hands in his coat pockets.
Is this seriously Steve Harrington trying to woo someone? It's hilariously bad, Eddie thinks.
But Eddie's impulsive, so he says, "Well, are you gonna kiss me or not, Big Boy?"
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Okay, here's a gift-giving idea for you!
If you are stumped on what to get someone for the holidays, just do what we have been doing for several years now: get a nice box or fancy bag, and then go ahead and fill it up with non-perishable food and drinks!
Just get all kinds! Start with a few things that you know the recipient loves, then put in a whole bunch of stuff that they've never had!
Go ahead, get them that bag of cappuccino-flavored potato chips, or the habanero chocolate bar, or the Mayochup. Ever see those pickle-juice freezer pops? Throw some in! Ginger peach turmeric tea bags? Why not? TMNT cereal? Red Velvet Oreos? Tapatio Birria Ramen? Go for it!
Go walking through your local international market to find items that you didn't even know were sold in your area. It's a great place to get different curries and canned drinks and snacks!
It works well for people on restricted diets, too. Know someone who is gluten-free or diabetic or lactose intolerant or has a peanut allergy? Get them all kinds of snacks that they can eat without worry!
If it sounds like it might get expensive, it doesn't have to! Get a smaller box or bag so you don't feel obligated to fill a big one, or get larger items that take up a lot of space (like chips or cereal) and put in a selection of smaller ones to fill in the gaps. Plus, it is food, so what you buy may very well take the place of snacks you would have had to purchase anyway… just with more variety!
Like I said, we have been doing this for my kids for quite a while, and it is what they look forward to the most every year. We always open the food boxes last because once they are into those, there's no pulling them away! There's guaranteed to be a lot of "I'm eating this one first!" and "What the heck is this?" and "This one is… interesting." and "Yes! I was hoping for that!" about the different things in the box.
If a particular item in their package doesn't appeal to them, they often trade it out with each other, and any snacks left after a month officially become household property (fair game for anyone to eat!).
In fact, last year my two oldest kids made a box for me and their dad, so they are carrying on the (relatively new) tradition!
Happy gift-giving, everyone!
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