We Got A Lovin' Thing - s.h. | e.m.
Summary: Eddie, as it turns out, is the only one with a brain cell among the three of you. (Or: the time you didn't know you were all dating).
Pairing: Steve Harrington x fem!reader x Eddie Munson
Word count: 3.5k
Warnings: fluff, idiocy, jealousy, misunderstandings, me attempting to write the "didn't know they were dating" trope.
dividers by s-tarksintern
"You don't have to."
The tickets had barely entered your hand before Eddie was making excuses. He shoved a handful of curls behind his ear. You tutted, swatting his hand because that was exactly what made them frizz. He hesitantly released the curls, twisting his rings around his fingers instead.
"Of course we'll go," Steve said. "We wanna support you. Right, Y/N?"
You nodded eagerly. "That's right. Dustin's told us all about your sick guitar riffs. Obviously, I need to hear them for myself."
"I mean, you know if Dustin's hyped, it's gonna be bitchin'."
You grinned at Steve. He mirrored you. All of the tension slipped out of Eddie. He lost an inch in height from posturing for rejection. Which didn't make sense. Steve would certainly never reject Eddie like that. Maybe Eddie just really wanted you to go.
"I know it's not really your guys' thing," Eddie said. "Which is why I didn't wanna pressure you. And I know we're taking it slow, so…"
"I don't think you need to take introducing us to your metalheads that slow, Munson," Steve snorted. "We can handle it."
"Steve should wear your vest," you suggested, wiggling your brows.
"Me? No, no, you'd wear it way better than me," insisted Steve.
"How 'bout," Eddie said, shrugging off said vest. "The prince takes the vest and the fair maiden gets my bandana. As a token of gratitude."
Your heart fluttered as Eddie gently wrapped the fabric around your forehead. You helped him tie it in the back, his fingers brushing yours. The bandana was soft and smelled like his cologne, patterned with multicolored skulls.
"Sure we're metal enough for you and your crew?" you asked, trying to push down the butterflies in your belly.
Eddie grinned. "Without a doubt. Better than Ozzy."
"I think Steve should throw it back to eighty-six and show off the sternum bush," you said, playfully poking his chest. "That bare chest was the highlight of my year, Harrington."
"Yeah, yeah," Steve snarked. "Take a picture."
"Oh no, I wouldn't wanna make anybody jealous," you laughed.
"Jealous? Never!" Steve cast dramatically. "Eddie knows my adoring fans mean nothing to me!"
"Imagine my relief," Eddie said, draping an arm over you, then Steve. "Can't have anybody looking at my guy. Or my girl."
You squirmed under his arm, sliding out of his grip as smoothly as possible.
"Um, yeah. Well, I don't think you'll have to worry. You steal the show every time, Eds."
"Sweetheart, you've gotta wait till I actually start playing before you gas me up," Eddie grinned.
You shoved his arm, attempting vainly to mask your nerves.
"No gas! It’ll be great."
You left Eddie’s room, heading out the front door. Steve followed you down the steps.
“Show starts at eight!” Eddie called after you.
“We’ll be there, superstar,” you said, giving a thumbs up. “Dress pretty—Steve’s not easily impressed.”
“Hilarious,” Steve snarked. “Maybe you can follow his act with some of those jokes.”
You stuck out your tongue and got into the passenger side of his 733i.
“Isn’t Eddie giving you a ride?” he asked, getting into the driver’s seat.
“Why would Eddie give me a ride? Doesn’t he have a rehearsal?”
Steve shrugged. “How would I know? He’d tell you before me.”
“What? No way. You’d be the first to know. You’re the one who brought up Corroded Coffin.”
“Yeah, ‘cause I’ve never been to a show,” Steve said, pulling out of the trailer park.
“You haven’t?”
“No. When would I have gone?”
“I mean… anytime, really,” you frowned. “I thought Eddie would’ve invited you by now.”
Steve gave you an incredulous look. “Me?”
“Yes?” you scoffed. “Why are you acting so weird?”
“Why are you?” Steve shot back.
“I’m not…” you trailed off.
He remained quiet, so you dropped the subject. You rested your head against the seat and watched Steve from the corner of your eye. Eddie was lucky. Nancy had been too. You’d always thought so.
The metal infinity ring was on Steve’s right middle finger. You were there when Eddie gave it to him. Eddie had given you a ring too, days before that. For a moment, you’d hoped and wondered. Wondered if maybe Eddie felt the same as you did.
You wore yours on a thin chain around your neck. That was how pathetic you were—if it was a ring from Eddie Munson, you’d wear it close to your heart, even when it was painfully obvious yours meant something different from Steve’s.
“Wanna stop by BK before I drop you?” Steve asked.
“Sure,” you smiled softly. “Thanks, Steve.”
He nodded, mirroring your smile. His veins were stark lines against his skin. You stared unabashedly at how his hands curled around the steering wheel. How could anybody blame Eddie? You’d give Steve pretty rings too.
Steve ordered your regular at the Burger King drive-though. You reclined in the seat.
“Should’ve brought Eddie something,” you said, eyes closed.
“He likes BK?”
“His stomach is a bottomless pit. He’ll literally eat anything.”
“Anything, huh?”
“Gross, Steve!” you scoffed, thwacking his arm. “Don’t be a perv.”
He cackled as he pulled up to the next drive-through window. The girl at the window took the money, then leaned in while waiting for the food.
“Hi,” she said, fluttering her lashes.
“Hey,” Steve nodded. “How are you?”
“Good. Want extra sauce?”
“I do!” you interrupted, sticking your head next to Steve’s.
She shot you a dirty look. You wiggled your fingers in a wave.
“Can I get extra sauce? Or does he only get extra sauce?”
Her face twisted into a mix of jealousy and disgust. She shoved the bag through the window, then slammed the screen closed. You burst into giggles as Steve drove off.
“Was that really necessary?” he sighed, passing you the food.
“What? Not like you’re interested. She’s not your type.”
“I—my type?”
“Yeah?”
You shoveled a few fries in your mouth.
“And what exactly is my type, Y/N?”
“Not her,” you sniffed. Not me, either.
“That’s specific.”
“I know. My mysterious feminine wiles are irresistible.”
“Ah, yes. What drew Eddie to you in the first place,” Steve agreed.
He didn’t mean anything by it. That didn’t stop the ache.
“Yeah,” you mumbled, shoving more fries into your mouth. “Right.”
"So I'll see you tomorrow?" he asked, slowing down in front of your house.
"See you then," you confirmed, closing the door.
"Wear somethin' nice for Eddie," Steve teased.
"You first!"
You watched him drive off, dejectedly chomping down on a chicken strip. Oh God. What were you doing?
The club was loud. You’d tried to dress a little closer to the demographic but you weren’t sure you’d accomplished such a thing. Still, it was better than Steve, who looked like he’d just gotten a callback for Grease.
“Dude, what the hell are you wearing?”
“This is cool!” he insisted.
“Tell me about it, stud.”
“You wore overalls to a metal concert and you wanna make fun of me?”
“I look cute,” you announced. “And there’s no denying you do too, Steve, but jeez. What happened to wearing Eddie’s vest?”
“It’s under the jacket,” he said, unzipping the black leather jacket. “Did you just call me cute?”
“Don’t let it go to your head, T-Bird.”
“How many Grease references are you gonna make?” he huffed.
“How long is the performance?”
“I’m telling Eddie on you,” Steve warned as you found your seats.
“Ooh, I’m really sca—”
A pair of hardcore fans knocked into you. You stumbled, nearly falling over a chair. But Steve was quick to catch you by your arm.
“Whoa, you okay? Assholes!” he fumed, holding your waist.
“It’s fine,” you sighed, hyper aware of Steve’s hands on you. “People are just excited. C’mon, let’s get close to the stage.”
The warmth from Steve’s hands slipped away. You felt dirty for missing it.
The emcee made a brief introduction and got a few claps. You and Steve both cheered when he announced Corroded Coffin.
“Go, Eds!” you whooped, clapping obnoxiously. “C’mon, Steve, show a little enthusiasm. That’s your guy up there.”
Steve sighed, rolling his eyes. Then he stuck his pinkies into his mouth, whistling loudly. You squealed in laughter, nudging his side. Steve grinned back, accepting your head on his shoulder.
“Whoa! Hidden talent, Harrington! That from your jock days?”
“Yes, actually. The pool gets loud and I had to get my team’s attention somehow.”
“Coach Steve, huh? No wonder you’re so bossy with the kids.”
“I’m bossy so none of those jerkwads get eaten by faceless monsters. There’s a difference.”
“Yes, dear,” you said seriously, patting his hand. “And you parent them so well.”
“You know what—”
“Shh!” you hushed. “Show’s starting!”
The lights dimmed. Eddie came out first, then the rest of the band. He stepped up to the mic.
“How’s everybody doing tonight?”
“Wooo!” you cheered in reply.
“Let’s go, Eddie!” added Steve.
Eddie found you immediately, grinning widely.
“Glad you guys are excited,” he continued, eyes never leaving you and Steve. “I see some pretty faces in the crowd. Hope you enjoy.”
The set was energetic, bass vibrating through your body. You and Steve took your cues from the sparse audience, headbanging and air-guitaring through the whole show. He took off the jacket after the first song, leaving him in Eddie’s vest and a white tank. You tried not to stare.
The most important thing was that Eddie had fun. Regardless of your feelings, you and Steve were there to be supportive. Steve and Eddie had never changed how they treated you. There was no reason you couldn’t act the same.
Your chain jumped when you did, jangling against your chest. When you strayed too far from your seat towards the end of the set, Steve took your hand, steering you back so you wouldn’t get lost among the drunks. He didn’t let go until the music finished.
“Thank you! We are Corroded Coffin, good night!”
The band disappeared backstage. You and Steve were the first ones to the stage entrance, which was really just a ragged, faux velvet curtain. Gareth and Jeff chatted among themselves. A few girls had also come in—mostly to fawn over Eddie.
“Hiiii, Eddie!” giggled one, a little tipsy. “You played a great show!”
“Thanks, ladies,” Eddie replied politely, easily slipping through the gaggle of girls.
He made a beeline for you and Steve, guitar still strapped across his back. He pulled you both into a sweaty hug, still on a performance high. Eddie’s freshly shaven cheek slid against yours. Your heart did a swan dive to your shoes.
“You guys made it!”
“Of course we did,” you said. “We wouldn’t miss your show for anything. Steve’s dedicated.”
“So I see,” Eddie grinned, giving Steve a onceover. “Looking good, Greased Lightning.”
“That’s it. I’m never wearing leather again,” Steve huffed, tucking his jacket under his arm.
“No no, it’s hot! Swear it. Tell ‘im, Y/N.”
You rolled your eyes. “His head’s already big enough, Eds.”
“See how mean she is to me?” Steve whined.
“Poor baby,” Eddie cooed, patting Steve’s neck. “What were we thinking, pledging our love to her?”
You turned your head, throat tightening. Neither one seemed to notice.
“You should make it up to me,” decided Steve. “I accept pizza.”
“Pizza it is,” Eddie said, taking off his guitar. “Lemme just pack up my stuff and we’ll head back to the shire. Just us, promise. Sound good?”
Eddie goaded Steve ahead, arm around his back. You hung behind them, that pang in your chest returning.
“Hey,” Eddie said, turning. “Where’d you go? C’mere.”
“Huh?”
“You’re all the way back there,” he laughed. “Here.”
They slowed for a beat so you caught up. Then Eddie tugged you to his other side, arm hanging over your shoulders. You couldn’t even fight him. Eddie was always tactile and once you became friends, all sense of personal space was thrown out the window. It felt good, even if it was temporary.
You rode back in the van. It was rowdy but Eddie thankfully dropped off the rest of his band early in the drive.
“So which pizzeria? Fredo’s or Mikey’s?”
“Fredo’s!” you said.
“Mikey’s!” Steve voted.
You gasped in horror. “Mikey’s? They give you approximately three drops of sauce. It’s like eating cardboard with cheese.”
“Mikey’s way better than Fredo’s. Mikey’s doesn’t have sixteen health violations, for one.”
“Everyone knows that was a story the paper cooked up because Fredo wouldn’t sell to Kline,” you scoffed. “Open your eyes, Steven.”
“Fine, we’ll have Eddie decide.”
You both turned expectantly to Eddie, who glanced at you in the rearview mirror.
“Oh. Uh, well, I really don’t have a preference…”
“No, no. You’ve gotta choose, Eds,” you said. “Steve has apparently decided to go insane.”
“Me? You’re eating rat droppings, Y/N.”
“You are such a freakazoid, Steve, what the hell—”
“Guys! Okay, okay, how ‘bout this: Y/N chooses the pizza and Steve, you can choose what movie we watch. Deal?”
You tilted your head at Steve. He crossed his arms.
“Fine. But I know you’re biased, Munson.”
“Am not! I’m totally impartial.”
“If he was biased, he’d side with you,” you said.
“Uh, no, he’d totally side with you,” Steve scoffed. “But, y’know, I guess if I were in his shoes I’d side with you too.”
Before you could ask what that meant, Steve was sliding open the door to the van and climbing out. After a minute, you did the same, taking Eddie’s proffered hand.
“Hey. You know he’s not really mad, right?” he murmured, squeezing your hand.
“I know,” you smiled. “I wasn’t worried. Were you?”
“No, no. Just don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”
You smiled confusedly. “Um, okay. Don’t worry. I wouldn’t, like, get in between you two or anything.”
Eddie looked appalled by that. “I know you wouldn’t, baby. I love you both, you know that.”
“I—” You swallowed, overwhelmed. “Oh. I l-love you too, Eds.”
Eddie beamed and kissed your knuckles. You felt your face grow hot.
“I’m going inside,” you rushed out, scurrying up the steps.
You slammed the door shut behind you, letting out a slow breath. What was that?! Were you tripping or had Eddie been flirting with you?
“Hey—”
“Ahh!”
You jumped, startled. Steve froze, brows to his hairline.
“Uh,” he began. “You good?”
“Yeah, s-sorry. I’m fine. What’s up?”
“I was gonna order the pizza, what toppings did you—”
“I’ll do it!” you said, snatching the phone and shooing him out of the kitchen. “Go pick a movie. I’ll order.”
“No mushrooms,” Steve reminded as you herded him out. “And Eddie is allergic to—”
“Olives, yeah, I know, Steve. This isn’t the first time we’ve had pizza together.”
“Dunno why you’re so snappy when we have to eat sewer pizza,” he mumbled.
You ignored him, returning to the phone. Wayne had most of the takeout numbers posted near the phone, so it was easy to dial.
“Hello, pickup or delivery?”
“Hi, delivery. Can I get two large pies. One with pepperoni and…”
“Get some mozzarella sticks too,” Eddie said, walking into the kitchen. “My treat.”
“It’s actually my treat,” came Steve’s voice from the living room.
You rolled your eyes. “And one order of mozzarella sticks. On the other pie can we get peppers and white sauce?” You gave the address.
“Twenty minutes,” said the delivery person.
“Okay, thanks,” you replied. “Twenty minutes, guys!”
“‘Kay, I’m gonna shower, baby. Don’t let Steve put on a crappy movie.”
Then, gentle as he could be, Eddie lightly took your chin in hand and kissed the corner of your mouth.
You freaked.
“Hey!” you shouted, slamming the phone back on the receiver. “Hey, what the fuck was that?!”
Eddie’s eyes were wide. “What was what?”
“You kissed me! What the hell, Eddie? Steve is ten feet away from us!”
“I know…” he started weakly. “What does that have to do—”
“You know?” you screeched. “You know? What the fuck does that mean? Oh, fuck this. Steve, come ‘ere!”
“Jesus, what’s with all the yelling, Y/N? Did you get into Eddie’s stash?” Steve groaned, rising from the VCR.
You pointed an accusatory finger at Eddie.
“He kissed me.”
“Okay,” Steve said slowly. “Was it a bad kiss or something?”
“I really don’t think that’s necessary to ask,” Eddie huffed.
“Steve!” you frowned, waving your hands. “Why are you not upset about this?”
“Well, because I figured you guys would’ve kissed a lot by now? You’re together after all.”
“What? Eddie and I aren’t together! That doesn’t even make sense. You’re his boyfriend.”
“Me?” Steve balked. “I—what?”
“Yeah-huh, you guys have been dating since Eddie gave you that ring.”
Steve’s mouth fell open. “We have not.”
“Have too!”
“You guys have been dating since Eddie came back from the Upside Down,” Steve said. “Remember, you had that heartfelt reunion, you cried in his arms, et cetera.”
“You two are so in love with each other it’s not funny,” you argued, stomping your foot. “You’re always flirting and cracking jokes and talking about how handsome you are.”
“Well, yeah, but I flirt with you too!” Steve cried.
That stopped you in your tracks.
“You… what?”
“Wow, okay,” Eddie interrupted, rubbing his face. “Okay, alright. Wow. Uh, so here’s the thing. I actually thought we’ve all been dating for about a month now, but, turns out I’m an even bigger dumbass than I thought.”
Steve looked like you’d just asked him to do calculus. You weren’t faring much better.
“Now, that can’t be right,” said Steve.
Eddie’s hands fluttered. “I gave you guys rings! And I said how I, y’know, really cared about you both.”
“Right, you said you cared about Y/N as more than a friend and that if I was okay with it, you wanted us to spend more time together and get to know each other… oh.”
Steve glanced at you, grimacing.
“Whoops,” you said.
“Big whoops,” he agreed.
Eddie sighed, twisting his rings round and round. “It’s cool. I guess I should’ve said something earlier, made it clear. I understand if you two don’t wanna do that. It was… hasty to assume that from you, especially both—”
“Eds, Eddie,” you cut him off. “Honey, I’m like, really in love with both of you. I was losing my mind with jealousy every time we hung out.”
He brightened. “Really?”
“Okay, you don’t have to sound so excited,” you giggled.
“Sorry,” Eddie said, having the decency to look chastened. “Sorry, sweetheart, I’m just—God, you don’t know how happy that makes me. That is—I mean, Steve?”
“I—” Steve looked shellshocked. “You like me? Both of you?”
“A little more like love, actually,” Eddie grinned.
“Yes, Steve, it would seem that in spite of you dressing like one of The Outsiders, we are both head over heels for you.”
“Well, I’m in love with you too, Y/N. Even after you’ve helped Pa bring in the harvest.”
“Oh, now you’re gonna get it, Harrington. Confessing your love won’t stop me and my overalls from waging war!”
You sprung forward, fully intending to tackle Steve. However, you sorely underestimated his jock phase and ended up landing on the ground instead, Steve hovering over you.
“Get her!” he ordered and then there were two pairs of hands tickling you.
“That’s not f-fair, it’s two against o-one!” you squealed between peals of laughter. “You were supposed to be my a-ally, Eds!”
Eddie relented after a moment, collapsing on the floor and pulling you to the side. He locked you in a deep kiss: a proper one. You slung an arm around his neck, playing with some of his curls. Kissing him was better than you could’ve imagined. Eddie surrounded you, holding your face.
Steve had taken mercy as well, fitted into your other side. And as soon as Eddie let go of you, he swooped in. Steve kissed differently from Eddie, preferring to hold onto your hip instead, thumb drawing circles. He gasped into your mouth, teeth just barely catching your lip. You made a soft noise as he pulled away, drunk on both of them.
Finally, Eddie surged up to meet Steve in a kiss. They were a little rougher with each other, wrestling around as they hummed into each other. But eventually, they settled with Eddie on his back next to you. You watched happily, curling up next to him. Steve let go after a couple seconds, rolling onto Eddie’s other side.
“You know, you wanna talk about healthcode violations, this carpet would not pass any sort of inspection if its life depended on it.”
You cackled as Steve whined, scrambling onto the couch.
“Oh, come on!” he huffed. “That’s disgusting, man.”
“Kidding!” Eddie laughed. “I’m kidding, promise. C’mon, come down. You still have to choose a movie.”
“Yeah, and it has to be a good one ‘cause this is our first movie as a throuple,” you added.
“Great, thanks. No pressure.”
“No, full pressure,” Eddie corrected. “But don’t worry, man. We forgive your taste in movies. The leather is doing it for me.”
“Plus, you have a cute butt,” you said.
“That too,” Eddie nodded solemnly. “The cutest.”
“It’s perky.”
“Firm.”
“A prize-winning rump.”
“Can it, dorks,” Steve shushed. “Movie’s starting.”
Frankie Valli’s voice suddenly filled the room. You and Eddie burst into uncontrollable giggles that only worsened when Steve jumped up and began to sing along.
“Grease is the word, is the word that you heard!” he sang, a little pitchy on the high notes but otherwise very decent. “It’s got groove, it’s got meaning!”
And this time, when Eddie got up to goof along, there were no pangs in your chest. You watched on, feeling nothing but love.
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