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infitsovermisfits · 2 years

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That's Why They Name The Stars - Steve Harrington x Eddie Munson

Info: In which Eddie has a summer job at the Record Store and falls in love with a straight guy. Then gets captured by the Russians with him. But near-death experiences are the best to draw out emotions and bond them for life, right?

AN: HAHAHAA why do ur uni work or work on part 7 of ur other fanfic when STEDDIE exists? I'm sure this AU had already been done before but whatever. Just because you invented the wheel doesn't mean I can't stick my own stickers on it :p enjoy!!!

WARNINGS: season 3 spoilers, Robin and Steve are friends established, don't look into the logic of how this works just pretend ok? ANGST, mention of the word queer as a descriptor, not a slur, homophobia, 80's typical homophobia (allusions to the stigma around AIDS/HIV) Eddie's bad childhood, parental neglect, Steve being a (himbo) oblivious, being drugged, blood, mentions of violence, mentions of vomiting, dissociation/panic attack, let me know if i missed anything?

This summer had been the most eventful Eddie Munson had ever experienced.

Who knew there were real monsters in Hawkins, and his young prodigy Dustin Henderson knew all about them and had been fighting them for a good two or three years? He'd thought it was strange he was friends with Steve Harrington of all people, and connected soon enough that near-death experiences with anyone would undoubtedly bond you for life.

Eddie wasn't entirely sure why he listened to Wayne when he told him to get a job at the mall over the summer- for one, it'd only take time away from plotting the best campaign of his life, and for two, he hated malls. The people, the smells, the fluorescent lights were all too overwhelming. Not to mention all the bad memories from when he got lost in one as a kid, wandering away from his mother to look at the displays and genuinely thinking he'd be stuck there forever. That look of relief on her face when she found him, and the way his tears soaked into the warm fabric of her sweater...

She took him to a music store after, and though the music was blaring loud and the men were tall and scary, his eyes focused on all the posters of rock legends and the multitude of guitars. None of them was like the one his mother had- smooth and classing- they were all sharp-edged and dangerous. And he thought maybe, one day, he'd be able to afford one and play it.

Maybe that's why he got a job at this Record Store in the newly openened Starcourt, not just because of the generous discount he got on any records and new releases- he still thought back to unwrapping the fresh delivery of Dio's 'Sacred Heart' and how his hands shook in excitement all-day in anticipation- but because music was something he knew. He knew how to play, he knew what to listen to- what was good, and bad.

Unfortunately, not everyone shared the same love for music; ironically, he didn't mind. Sure, new album releases would draw small crowds but nothing big. It was easy work too- stacking the records in place was easy and he got good at moving boxes with how much he'd move amps from the back of his van to the bar Corroded Coffin would perform in that night.

Scoops Ahoy was located just opposite. Sometimes he'd get into work around the same time as Harrington- he found it amusing that he'd bring that stupid little sailors outfit in a duffel bag and change in the back when he'd open instead of just coming in uniform like Robin. He'd watch him and Buckley fucking around when things got slow from across the way, and on his breaks, he'd stop by to get some ice cream.

Eddie knew Robin fairly well, being friends with her as a child then slowly drifting apart during middle school, though always keeping civil. Steve? He could never get close to. People like Steve didn't see people like Eddie as 'normal' or worthy of spending their time with. He guessed Steve thought the same, from how quiet he'd get whenever serving Eddie his caramel swirl, eyes not meeting his own and being brief and quiet. How he wouldn't say anything when Eddie would chat with Robin- wouldn't tell them to hurry up if there were customers waiting. He'd just stand quietly and do his job.

How Eddie managed to get roped into finding a secret Russian elevator to a secret Russian base deep below the Mall, along with Dustin, Robin and Steve, and the infamous Erica Sinclair still baffled and confused him.

When they Commie's had found them, thankfully not finding Dustin, Erica or Robin, Steve and Eddie had gotten roughened up. Eddie thought he could take a punch, considering the years of torment for being different had given him thick skin, but getting beat up by grown Russian soldiers was different. His stomach hurt like crazy and he could taste blood in his mouth. But there was something about hearing Steve's cries of pain in the other room that hurt more than any physical wound had. And though they both tried fighting back, telling the truth about not being sent by anyone, they still lost to the Commies. They left the two boys for a moment, tied back to back on chairs, and when they failed to get the scissors left lying on a desk nearby, falling onto their sides, Eddie couldn't find it in himself to break down and cry, only laughing,

"What? What? You think this is funny?" Steve snapped, the disbelief and anger clear in his tone,

"Yeah," Eddie replied, "I mean, Christ, Harrington- being kidnapped and beaten up by fucking Commies, holed up under the Starcourt Mall was not on my summertime bingo card," He says, leaning his head back against Steve's and sighing. Steve could feel Eddie's hands shaking in the restraints, fingertips brushing against his. It took everything in him to not reach out and touch him, offer any sort of comfort,

"I guess when you put it like that..." Steve says quietly. Eddie's slight smile fades at the defeat in Steve's voice. He grimaces, glances upwards and thinks,

"Yeah... And being stuck with Harrington, former King of Hawkins High, of all people..." He says, more softly, "You know I work just opposite you? The Record Store- name's a little on the nose but I'm not the owner," He says,

"You do?" Eddie can feel the warm feeling in his chest turn ice cold, twitching a little in shock. The realisation he wasted his summer pining over yet another oblivious guy piercing his heart and prickling his eyes with tears,

"Yeah," It comes out as a sort of whisper, barely audible. He grits his teeth and huffs at the tears that slip down the side of his face, "I spent the whole summer there alone. No one really comes in there unless they're old. The owner only recently started getting cassettes delivered there." His voice shakes slightly as he fidgets with his fingers, suddenly uncomfortably aware of the presence of his crush tied behind him, "I spent that whole summer... Watching you and Robin together. And I couldn't hear you, and I'm in no way good at reading lips like that so I'd... Make up these conversations you'd have in my head. And I watched.... I watched you flirting with her," Why is was he being so honest? Maybe the realisation he'll likely die down here is giving him this boost of confidence, or rather insight into vulnerability, "I... I guess maybe I wanted to be part of that too," He says softly,

"Aw, man," Steve sighs. Eddie can feel him moving against his back, the way he slinks as he exhales, "Eddie, Robin and I are just friends- I wasn't flirting with her at all," That warms the cold in Eddie's heart, but he's still not convinced, "I mean," Steve laughs to himself, "She's not into guys like me," He says,

"No?"

"No, defiantly not," he states firmly,

"Huh... I wouldn't have known, I mean, you... Flirt with any girl who walks in there," He says, more to remind himself of his predicament. His one sided predicament,

"Yeah, haven't had any luck with that," Steve mutters, "I wish I'd known you worked just opposite, Eddie. We could have, I don't know... Hung out? All three of us," And Eddie scoffs, letting out a small, cold laugh, "Yeah, I know-" He almost doesn't want to fight Steve anymore with how... Defeated he sounds,

"You just admitted you hardly realised I worked in the same building as you Harrington! Fuck, sometimes we'd open at the same times!" Eddie rambles, shaking his head, "You didn't even notice me then,"

"Yeah..." And Steve doesn't fight him, yet again. And it makes Eddie feel stupid for snapping at him, "I'm sorry," He hasn't heard that one in a while. He wants to make a joke out of it, but he can't because he's honestly so shocked by the statement, he can't speak, "For everything. For getting you involved in all this bullshit-" Eddie doesn't correct him that it was actually Henderson who came to Eddie asking if he knew any Russian, "-And for getting you stuck down here with me. You should have ran with Robin, Henderson and Erica..." Eddie shuts his mouth. He licks his split lip, tasting metallic, dried blood, and sighs, relaxing his tense shoulders,

"But then you'd be stuck here alone," Eddie frowns,

"Yeah, but you'd be safe," The mixed feelings in Eddie's chest move to his stomach and he feels sick with fear and excitement all at once. His hands twitch again, skimming Steve's fingers and he sighs,

"We'll get out of this Harrington," Eddie always ran from danger; he couldn't just leave Steve alone, "We're stuck together now, right?" He says,

"Guess we are," He's still defeated,

"Well..." Eddie breathes, "That means we'll get out of here together too," He says, glancing up at the desk with the scissors, "Right Steve?"

There's a pause. A long pause that has Eddie half afraid Steve slipped back into unconsciousness. He moves his fingers so they find Steves, and he wants to repeat himself in case he didn't hear. But he feels Steve's hand move, gripping Eddie's tightly so they're holding hands. The awkward angle doesn't matter because it's enough to make Eddie blush, feeling comforted and afraid all at once, an emotion he didn't know existed. And then they hear the guards coming and Eddie's fingers twitch and Steve notices and squeezes his hands in reassurance,

"Right, Eddie."

Whatever 'truth serum' that Commie Doctor gave to Steve works quickly, his hand going limp in Eddie's when he stops screaming, hyperventilating instead. Eddie turns his head to try and see Steve because he can't feel the gentle press of his head against his, but winces sharply as he's injected in the neck too. He's right- whatever drug this is, it works quick, blurring his vision and making him dizzy in seconds. Then he's giggling to himself and can hear the sweet sound of Steve's own giggling behind him, the vibrations of his laughter coursing through his chest. The Commie's leave and they're alone.

Then it's all a blur of brightly coloured lights and familiar English voices. The world feels more saturated. There's Henderson slapping his cheek and asking what the hell's going on with them- which is bad because Eddie made it a rule that he'd never let Henderson see him like this, or let him near his side-buissness- and there's Robin pushing Steve's head back to it knocks against Eddie's and makes them both hiss in pain and laugh. She studies his blown out pupils and announces that they're high- or drugged, as Eddie corrects. He doesn't feel himself moving his body, or the fact that Erica cuts the binds that hold the boys hands together, but he instinctively holds on to Steve in fear that he might float away if he doesn't. He knows himself- he's clingy when he's high and the closest person to him becomes an anchor.

The deep blue material of the stupid little sailors outfit he's been staring at for the last few summer months is clutched in Eddie's large hands. They're in the back of some car, complaining to 'mom and dad' to not drive the car so recklessly and giggling. Eddie leans his chin on Steve's shoulder and whispers to him that he's always thought the uniform was cute on him, then he burries his nose in the material and lets himself inhale his scent. It's strong, some sort of expensive cologne Eddie doesn't know enough about to identify, and aftershave. Steve's warm, and he just laughs besides Eddie and reaches up a warm hand to pat his cheek, then presses his palm against his face and letts it stay there. Steve's voice is soft beside him, telling him he thinks it's 'stupid', and Eddie's quick to shush him, finding his arms moving around the other mans torso and pulling him in to a strange, sideways hug. He's basically draped himself over Steve and is muttering nonsense to him then giggling, grinning at the way Steve just laughs and listens to him. Normally when he's this far gone, Eddie's nerves act up, though oddly, he finds himself calmed by Steve's level breathing. He almost dozes off a few times, if not for Robin's horrific driving jolting him awake and strengthening his hold on Steve so they don't get hurt more. Then they stop moving and get dragged out of the car and into the same elevator, moving upwards again. Eddie finds himself pinned to the floor and laughing at this strange feeling of being pulled down but moving up simultaneously. He's clutching hands with Steve and laughing loudly while the others look on concerned and try to figure out what to do with them.

They're told to be quiet in the movie theatre, but Eddie can't see what's playing because the screen's moving too much so he whispers to Steve. Then Steve's leaning over and asking him if he wants to 'sneak out of here' and he's grinning like a boy on his first date, grabbing Steve's hand and pulling him after him, clumsily tripping up the stairs and out of the theatre.

They don't get far finding themselves distracted by all the lights in the mall, and the skylight up above,

"You know one's called Orion?" Eddie says, transfixed by all the light,

"Huh?" Steve's speech is gurgled by water from a water fountain,

"Uhuh- it's like... It's a star,"

"Why would you name a star?" He asks. Eddie turns his head from the blury lights- or glass ceiling through which he can see the clear night sky- and looks at Steve's face. He can see it clearly- though he has a black eye, dried blood smeared from cuts on his face, crackling against his bruised skin, Eddie has never wanted to kiss him more,

"Because... I don't know- move," He gestures to the fountain, letting Steve stumble out of the way so he can drink now. The water is soothing and cold,

"Mhh... You know how many there are?" Steve asks, squinting at the ceiling in an attempt to count them, muttering the numbers under his breath,

"Infinity," Eddie says, water dribbling from his lips and back into the basin. He doesn't feel like drinking anymore but he likes the sight and sound of the water running. He sticks his fingers in the water and smiles at the sensation; at the large droplets that fall from his fingertips. It's like he's a cloud, or God, controlling the water,

"Huh..." Steve breathes, "Maybe that's why they name the stars," He says. Eddie looks at Steve, transfixed by the ceiling,

"Why?" He asks, not yet coming to the same revelation,

"Because there's an infinite number right?" Steve says, "Means there's enough for everyone to have a star named after them," Eddie laughs lightly, finally stopping the water and picking himself up off the floor, walking to stand next to Steve. He missed the warmth of his skin and the comfort he brought. He reaches out a hand to hold on to his arm,

"You think there's stars named Steve and Eddie?" He asks, and when Steve turns and gives him this smile, Eddie swears it shines brighter than the sun. Brighter than any damn star up there, than any light shining in the mall,

"Yeah. Those ones," He points blindly, and Eddie's gaze follows his finger. They're both quiet for a moment, staring at the lights that seemingly move on their own. Then, almost in sync, they grow dizzy and sprint to the bathrooms.

Eddie remembers the first time he threw up like this. Wayne found him bent over their sink, coming home at eight in the morning and not saying a word. Though Eddie knew he was exhausted from work, he remembers how he'd gently moved Eddie's hair out of his face. How he'd handed him a glass of water and helped him stumble to bed. Eddie just told him he was 'celebrating a C in English for the first time' but he didn't want to tell him the real reason. It certainly wasn't celebrating, more the 'drink to forget' type of drinking.

He groaned once his stomach was empty, letting himself fall backwards and knocking his head against the wall of the bathroom stall. He caught his breath back, staring up at the tiled ceiling. He was stone cold sober,

"The ceiling's not moving for me anymore," Steve says from the next stall, voice echoing through the empty bathroom, "Is yours still-" He swallows, "Still moving?"

"No," Eddie says with a sigh, "It's not,"

"Mmh... Think we puked it all up?" Steve asks,

"That's not how injectable drugs work... I don't know. Ask me something, Steve," Eddie's smiling. It's a little easier to be casual with Steve when he can't see his face. When he's not intimidated by his eyes, or the freckles on his cheeks, or those damn lips smiling and just inviting him to kiss him,

"Ask you... Okay," Steve whispers to himself, "Okay- uh... Have you ever... Moved houses?" Eddie raises his brows at the question and hums,

"Yeah. I uh... I was born in Illinois-"

"Illinois?"

"Yeah," Eddie laughs softly, "I lived there up until I was seven? Then uh... I moved here to live with my Uncle, Wayne," He hadn't thought about Wayne at all during his Russian-Commie escapades. How long had he been down in there? A few hours? A day? More? Would he think he tried to ran away again?

"Why'd you move?" Steve asks. Eddie sighs softly, studying the colourful wall tiles and thinking about his answer. He could always lie. He'd puked up that 'truth serum', right? But his heart clenched at the idea,

"My uh... Parents lost custody of me," He admits, cheeks burning. His foot bounces slightly and he hangs his head, "My dad went to jail for stealing cars. My mom got drunk a lot. CPS came and took me away to live with my uncle here in Hawkins,"

"Holy shit," Steve breathes, "I'm sorry,"

"I'm happier here," He says softly, "Though I did try and run away one time when I was twelve," Eddie rambles, unable to stop himself now, "Wayne found me just a little way outside Hawkins and drove me back home. Then again, it was my fault. I honestly believed I could walk all the way from Indiana to Illinois," Steve laughs softly at that because it's a humorous thing to say, "Yeah... I mean, the only reason I thought of going back was because I thought that my mom sent me away because she didn't like me, or something like that. I knew my dad wanted nothing to do with me," He says with an exhale, "But her? I knew she still loved me. When I got to Hawkins, Wayne didn't tell me she was having so many problems until that drive home. It put things into perspective for me. That even if I missed her, I was ultimately better off here," He says,

"I'm glad you did stay here," Steve says from the other side of the stall,

"Aww, you like me or something Stevie?" Eddie laughs to himself. Even if it's said in jest, Eddie still bites the inside of his cheek and feels his veins fill with regret. It's a bold ask, it leaves his lips before his brain catches on to it and locks it in his heart. And to avoid the silence that'll tense between them, Eddie shakes his head and clears his throat, "I should ask you something too huh?" He says, "Steve... Have you ever loved anyone?" He's asking to know for sure. He's prepared to have his heart shattered, locked away in the cold, ready to live alone with all the stray cats he can find until the day he dies. He gently rubs his hands over his cold arms, waiting for him to talk, "Steve?" He asks when the silence get's too loud. He can see Steve's hairy legs when he crooks his head and looks beneath the stall, the white socks with specks of blood, sitting uneven on his legs, "Did you OD in there?" He jokes,

"No, I didn't," Steve laughs. He moves one of his legs so it's bent mimicking Eddie's sitting position, and sighs before talking, "I... Thought I was. I mean, I dated Nancy Wheeler a few years ago and I... Loved her. Cared about her. Fought monsters for her and she..." He pauses for a moment, "To be honest, I don't think she loved me... Not like I loved her," Eddie's eyes widen slightly. He doesn't usually get mixed up in the drama of relationships because, to tell the truth, he's never had a serious one. With man, or woman. He wants to tell Steve he can't give him any useful advice, but Steve keeps talking, "Told me everything we had was bullshit at a party so... I had to let go of all that," He says, "It made me feel really shitty. I mean, usually when I'd fuck up, I'd know what I did and I'd try and make it better, but she didn't want to make it better. That hurt more than not even knowing what I fucked up on, you know?" Eddie hums in agreement because he thinks he agrees? "And then I thought I had a crush on Robin," He laughs softly then, "God... Yeah, no," And Eddie frowns,

"Because she's... Not your type?" Eddie asks slowly,

"No- not my type. Well she... Wait-" Steve goes quiet for a moment, "She's not... Uh... I'm not her type- there,"

"How's that?" Eddie frowns softly, "I mean, why're you not her type? I think you're a great guy," Eddie rambles, "What's there not to like?"

"The fact that I'm a boy," Eddie blinks. Then he smiles to himself. Of course Robin would be queer too. He never wanted to ask in fear that he'd get things wrong and make her hate him for assuming. But thinking back on it, maybe it should have been obvious: he remembers watching 'Children of Paradise' with her, and the dreamy look that'd cross her face whenever Garance was on screen. It made him feel a little lighter that he wasn't the only queer one in Hawkins, "Eddie? Did you OD in there?" It's his turn to laugh,

"No, I'm very much alive, Steve," He says. He watches Steve shift under the stall, then grab the bottom and slide under the dividers, "Dude, the floor is gross as hell," He grimaces, drawing his legs up to his chest to create more room,

"Yeah, so what?" Steve shrugs, leaning against the divide opposite Eddie and smiling at him. He then frowns, giving him a serious look, "I uh- I don't think I should have told you that about Robin," He says, glancing away, "I mean, yeah, I should because I know you have a crush on her a-"

"You think I have a crush on her?" Eddie asks amused, laughing softly at Steve's open mouthed expression,

"Well-" He gapes, "You always come in to Scoops and talk to her-!"

"Because we used to be best friends when we were in elementry together," Eddie says with a smile,

"I didn't know that..." Steve says quietly,

"I don't think she told you. That's fine. But yeah. I always kinda knew," He shrugs, smiling, "Or had that idea that she might be. It's kinda funny; her mom kept saying how cute we were together as a couple and she'd scream and yell at her that we were just friends," Eddie smile,

"What?" Steve laughs, "Wow..."

"Yeah... Robin get's very easily fixated on a lot of things. I mean, not many seven year olds have read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy because they're really long and detail heavy books. We bonded a lot over that, and when he mom found out, she kept saying how it was a book for boys and not for girls," Eddie scoffs, "I'd sneak them over and read with her until middle school? Then we just kinda fell apart. Started hanging out with different people," He says,

"Huh..." Steve says softly, "It's... Weird how many things I missed I guess,"

"What do you mean?" Eddie asks,

"Like... If I hadn't hung out with Tommy H, or Carol and hung out with someone like you, or Robin... Maybe I would have been friends with her for longer. Maybe I wouldn't have grown up being such an asshole," he says, "I really like who I am now. I think I'm a good person now. I know I wasn't a good person when I was friends with them and... I regret that so much, everyday," He frowns, "Now that I am friends with you, with her, with Erica and with Henderson? Of all people? It feels like I finally have people who love and care about me and enjoy being around me. I'm... Sorry, Eddie," He sighs, "For being an ass to you before,"

"All's forgiven, Stevie," He says, holding his hand out for the other man to shake, "Forgive and forget right? We can all start fresh. There's still time to make you a nerd too," He smiles when Steve laughs, shaking his hand,

"Sure, whatever," He rolls his eyes. Their hands release, much to Eddie's reluctance and he hugs his knees close to his chest, watching Steve. Their eyes lock for a moment, before Steve glances at the floor. His brows furrow, like he's lost deep in thought,

"Hey, so... You said you were... You watched me and Robin the whole summer," Eddie blinks. He remembers the Russians, being tied with his back to Steves. It was easier to talk when he couldn't see his face. He dips his head to his chin sits on his arms and he looks at the floor, "I just... You sounded jealous, I think? Maybe," Eddie feels his skin warming, "I... If you knew Robin wasn't... Interested..." He trails off. He knows.

Fuck.

"It was you," Eddie mutters into his arms, fingers clenching against his skin in fear they'll shake too much. He's terrified, "I'd come in on my break and want to... Talk to you. Make you laugh, make you... Flirt with me. And not any of those girls you tried and failed with. I wanted you to look at me like you looked at them. I... Wanted to be one of them. If it mean you'd look at me like... Like you liked me, Steve," He speaks slowly and softly, and avoids any eyecontact with Steve. His gaze is focused on the floor. It's clean. His heart is pounding and he wants to sink into the ground and let the Earth swallow him and make him disappear,

"But Eddie, I'm a boy...?" And Eddie finds his obliviousness both so agrevating and so endearing he almost can't take it. He gives a shaky sigh, a breathy laugh, and shakes his head. His eyes fill with tears,

"Steve..." He whispers, pleadingly, desperatly. Willing for him to understand. And when his tear filled brown eyes momentarily meet Steves, he notices the realisation slowly creeping over his features. The way his brows lift and his eyes grow wide. Eddie mentally prepares to be burned, to be punched, for any form of violence because that's what he's used to. He can take it. It won't change him but he'll take anything because it's out in the open now. He can't go back and hide. He said it. And now, Steve can't possibly look at him the same.

There's silence. The air feels electric. If thunderstorms were built on cool and warm air interracting, Eddie imagined this is what it felt like. That whirlwind of hot and cold drenching Eddie in fear and excitement. He might vomit again. His nails pierce the skin of his arms, drawing warm blood and bruising the skin, his tears dousing his pale cheeks. He's never wanted to not exist more than now,

"Hey," It's soft. It feels like there's ocean waves crashing against his head and he's drowning under their currents, getting dragged out to sea, "Hey, Eddie," Steve repeats. His hand makes contact with Eddie's knee and he almost jumps up, jolting at the contact, "Woah- hey, are you okay?" Steve asks, sitting up and shifting closer to Eddie. Instinctively, he tries to move away, back hitting the locked cubicle door and chest heaving, "You're fine, Eds," Steve says, gently patting his knee.

He's not screaming. He's not yelling. He's not looking at him like he's a different person. Steve's eyes only hold worry for him. Eddie's arms relax, held defensively against his head in preparation for violence, gently dropping to his sides as he glances at Steve,

"Are you okay?" He asks, and Eddie slowly nods, not trusting his words to come out as coherent, "Okay," Steve whispers, sitting much closer to Eddie. He's unafraid, unlike Eddie. He doesn't see him as different. He's touching him, leg pressed against his and hand placed on his knee, thumb absentmindedly skimming over the rips in his jeans. He doesn't think he's dirty, or unclean, or sick. It's all so strange it makes his hands shake more. He's never experienced kindness like this, "You like who you like man," he shrugs.

Would King of Hawkins High Steve say the same?

"Yeah," Eddie breathes shakily, nodding. He turns to look at Steve, who smiles with nothing but kindness. Genuine kindness in his eyes. And he nods, that one curl straying from his hair bouncing with the movement of his head. And Eddie suddenly can't take his eyes off of him. Because now he knows he's safe with Steve, and he truthfully never wants to leave his side. Because Steve may be the only person, other than his uncle, who knows and who still likes him and accepts him.

So when Steve leans closer to Eddie, a mix of unreadable emotions crossing over his features and eyes darting to his lips, pressing them against his, it's like the first, distant rumble of thunder. It's all parts exciting, terrifying, and beautiful all at once. Steve's hand gently cups Eddie's cheek, holding him in place and caressing his upper cheekbone with such care, that all Eddie can do is melt. His lips mold to Steve's and he never wants to stop kissing him. This doesn't feel real until Eddie releases the tension in his hands and reaches forward to grasp Steve's stupid little sailors shirt in his hands and pulls him closer, twisting at the strange angle and clambering in his lap, Steve's hands never leaving Eddie's shoulders, arms, waist. He's gentle with his hold, but firm, keeping him close. Then finally, Eddie parts, but just to rest his forehead against Steve's. He's wary of the small hiss as he accidentally brushes a cut on his forehead and pulls back, just to look at him. Their eyes lock, and Eddie can see it. He feels the same fucking way. And he smiles so wide his cheeks hurt and it's his turn to reach out and touch Steve's face, just to anchor himself; just to believe that this is real and that Steve is real and his feelings for him are real,

"It's you, Steve... It's always been you," He breathes. And their lips connect again; this time more like a firework than a lightning strike. And they never want to part. Not anymore now that they've found each other.

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