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ghosttotheparty · 1 year

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somewhere god can't see p.2

also on AO3 somewhere god can't see part three of hideout

Steve has always hated hospitals.

They’re cold, and the fluorescent lights are too bright, reflecting on the white walls and floors and sheets in a way that makes his head hurt. Everything smells sterile in way that almost seems fake, like there’s an alcohol air freshener somewhere.

And yet he hasn’t left in almost two days.

And he doesn’t plan on leaving.

Not until Eddie wakes up.

The doctors have assured Steve that he will, that he just lost too much blood.

The receptionist wanted to turn them away at the door when she recognised Eddie, and Nancy nearly ripped her a new one. Swore to make her life living hell if she had to. (Steve might be a little in love with her.) The doctors also tended to Dustin’s broken leg, and wanted to help Steve before they realised he wasn’t injured, and was just covered in Eddie’s blood.

Nancy brought him fresh clothes from his house, and when she and Robin showed up to visit, Robin was wearing one of his hoodies. It made him cry.

When Dustin was released, he made a beeline to Eddie’s room. He’s barely left since, only to go to Max’s room.

Max is okay. Mostly. Two broken arms, severely impaired vision, and no one knows why except them. She and Lucas have been seen by several doctors about their apparent memory loss, and they’re keeping Max in case any other symptoms show up.

Steve’s gone to see her. Hug her as gently as he can, kiss the top of her head. Dustin told her about Eddie.

He didn’t tell her about Eddie and Steve.

Steve still can’t bring himself to be embarrassed about it, about the way he called Eddie baby and told him he loves him and the way he kissed his hands and face until his lips were covered in blood after he fell unconscious. All in front of Dustin, who watched with tear-filled eyes.

Max can’t see Steve’s face very well, but she teases lightly that she can see the shape of his hair. It makes him smile.

He meets her mom. Max introduces him as the designated babysitter.

Dustin follows him back to Eddie’s room when they leave Max to introduce Lucas and Erica to her mom, and he watches Steve sit next to Eddie’s bed and take his hand.

Their hands are clean now. There isn’t any blood anywhere, and the sheets are perfectly white. So perfectly white it seems unnatural, especially on top of Eddie and his mop of messy curls. Steve took his rings when he was first being treated and scrubbed them clean in the bathroom. He’d ended up falling to the ground, sobbing, clutching the rings to his chest as the water ran. And Robin found him. Shut the water off and just kneeled next to him, took him into her arms and held him, whispered that he’s gonna be okay, babe, he’s gonna be fine.

He’d put the rings back on him when he’d calmed down, when the rings were clean. He remembered what order he wears them, and he stared at their hands for a while.

“So,” Dustin says quietly, sitting next to Steve. Steve doesn’t move his hand, running his thumb over Eddie’s knuckles softly. He isn’t as cold as he was in the upside down. “Are we gonna talk about it?”

Steve doesn’t say anything. Just looks at Eddie’s hand.

“Steve,” Dustin says gently. He’s never said Steve’s name like that. Steve doesn’t know how to feel about it.

“I’m in love with him.”

Dustin is quiet for a moment.

“Yeah,” he says finally. “I got that.”

“What’s there to talk about?” Steve says dryly, refusing to look at him. Dustin sighs.

“You guys started dating before I came along, didn’t you?”

Steve scoffs, finally cracking a smile. He pauses, taking a breath.

“We met… at school. After, uhm. That first year. After Will came back and everything was fine. Relatively.”

“And?”

Steve finally shoots him a look.

“Why do you wanna know so much?”

Dustin makes a face, a sassy, snarky, obviously face that almost makes Steve laugh.

“Because you’re two of my favourite people and I just found out you’ve been in love with each other for years. Of course I wanna know everything.”

Steve looks away with a scoff. He squeezes Eddie’s hand, wondering if he can hear them.

“When did you know?” Dustin prompts. “That you love him?”

Steve takes a breath.

“Early.” He gazes at Eddie’s hand in his. “It didn’t… It didn’t happen like it usually does, where I, like… I don’t know. Fall for someone really quickly, and stuff.” He strokes Eddie’s knuckles. “Everything was slow with him,” he says softly. “And easy. We would just hang out to… listen to music or watch movies or do homework, and then he was my best friend, and then I was just…”

“In love,” Dustin finishes for him. Steve nods and looks at the ceiling, blinking tears back.

“Jesus. Yeah.” He laughs tearfully, shaking his head. “So fucking stupid. The world was about to end and I was falling in love.”

“That’s not stupid, Steve,” Dustin says. Steve looks at him. He looks more serious than Steve’s ever seen him, eyes intense, voice firm. Dustin seems to hesitate for a moment before he says, more gently, “Love isn’t stupid.”

Steve looks away, wiping a tear away harshly even though he knows Dustin’s seen it, even though it doesn’t matter if Dustin sees. Dustin saw him when Eddie was dying. Nothing really matters anymore.

“I’m sorry we didn’t tell you,” Steve says softly after a while. “I— I wanted you to know, I just… Didn’t know how I could have told you.”

“‘S cool,” Dustin says lightly. “I get it.”

There’s another moment of quiet except for the beeping of machines and footsteps in the hallway outside.

“For the record,” Dustin says, breaking the silence. “Every time I mentioned you, Eddie, he… got this look in his eye.”

Steve looks at him curiously.

“He never said anything,” Dustin says. “Never even implied that he knew you, but looking back…” He meets Steve’s eyes. “You make him really happy.”

Steve looks away, half-hiding his smile.

Eddie being in the hospital hasn’t made the news. It’s not until the second day that Steve finds out why. He’s got his head resting on Eddie’s bed, watching his own fingertips trace Eddie’s hand, when the door swings open abruptly.

He sits up, startled, to find Owens, and his shoulder slump as he exhales.

“Ah, Mister Harrington,” Owens says brightly, shutting the door behind himself. “You’ve been well, I trust?”

“You can get his charges dropped, right?” Steve says without greeting him.

“Already in progress,” he says. “Just wanted to stop by and check on Eddie before I go to speak with his uncle.”

Steve blinks.

“To… tell him everything?“

“That’s right.”

Steve watches Owens check Eddie’s vitals before he bursts, “No, I should be the one that tells him.”

Owens just looks at him.

“Why’s that?”

“I… He knows me. He trusts me, if— if a bunch of military…government people show up, he— he won’t like it.”

“Well why don’t you come with? You can tell him everything and we’ll be there for reinforcements.”

He means it as a joke, but Steve just stares at him with a slight not, his hand tightening on Eddie’s, and he realises he’s been holding him the whole time. Owens hasn’t acknowledged it. Steve squeezes his hand one last time before he leaves. There are people in the hallway that look unsuspecting, but maybe Steve’s just been trained to pick on anything out of the ordinary.

There are two men in suits, looking down at clipboards. A woman in a chair reading a magazine that looks down the hallway in a way that isn’t entirely casual.

“Can I stop by Max’s room?” Steve asks Owens. “I— Lucas and Erica are there, I need to tell them I’m going out.”

“Of course.”

Owens waits outside when Steve heads in, stopping the doorway when he sees Mike, El, and Will.

“Oh.”

Everyone turns to face the door, and El’s face lights up. She gets up off the bed where she’s sitting next to Max, releasing her hand, and she crosses the room, hugging him tightly.

“Hey,” he says softly, hugging her back. “Look at you.” He runs a hand over the top of her head when she pulls away. It’s shaved short again, and her cheeks flush as she smiles shyly. “Looks nice.”

She stays back so Will can hug him, and Steve closes his eyes as he does. He hadn’t realised how much he’d missed him.

“You okay?” Will asks as he’s pulling away, and Steve almost laughs.

“I’m fine, man,” he says. “Are you?“

“Yeah,” Will laughs almost tearfully. “I’m okay.”

“Jonathan?”

“Jonathan’s fine, it’s— we’re fine.”

Steve nods, looking past him to find Mike standing awkwardly, watching. Steve just holds an arm out, and Mike’s shoulders fall before he steps forward into an embrace.

“You’re okay?” Steve asks softly as Mike’s arms wrap around him.

“‘M okay.”

“Is Eddie awake?” Lucas asks when Mike stops away.

“Eddie?” Mike says, looking wide-eyed at Lucas, who grimaces.

“Uh,” Steve hesitates. “No, not yet. I’m just… I’m headed with Owens to talk to Eddie’s uncle. Tell him everything.”

“I can stay with him,” Erica says before anyone else can speak. “So he’s not alone if he wakes up.”

Steve nods, and Mike looks at him, confused and horrified, but Steve just looks at Lucas.

“Fill them in?”

Lucas nods.

Steve doesn’t say anything the whole way to Wayne’s temporary residence. It’s some apartment in town, one bedroom. Steve knocks tentatively on the door, a pit in his stomach at the notion of dragging one more person into this mess, even if it is a resolved mess, a mess that’s being tidied up. Even though he knows Wayne. Knows Wayne would want to know what the fuck is going on, even if it’s horrible.

Wayne opens the door quickly, and stares at Steve before looking past him at Owens and two men wearing suits. (Two different men than were in the hospital.)

“Does this have to do with Eddie?” Wayne asks, his voice rough. He looks like he hasn’t been sleeping. Steve wonders if his job is letting him off for a while.

Steve swallows hard, willing his eyes not to burn, and he nods.

Wayne lets him in.

—————————

Eddie almost looks like he’s glowing when the sun goes down. Pale, his hair so dark it looks like it’s absorbing the minimal amount of light that’s coming in from outside. Steve traces his face, sitting on the chair that’s pressed up against the edge of the bed, gazing at him and pretending he’s just asleep, touching him lightly enough that he won’t wake up. His eyebrows, his cheekbones, the bridge of his nose, his lips. His cheek isn’t bandaged anymore.

It’s scabbed over, rough and red and scary looking. It’s going to leave a scar. Steve wants to kiss it.

He pulls his hands away from Eddie’s face and finds his hand. Holds it gently. Lifts it to his lips and kisses across his knuckles, kisses his palm. Whispers that he loves him.

He likes how their hands look together. Eddie’s ring on Steve’s hand glints when he moves.

Wayne saw it when Steve was with him. He smiled at it and asked if Eddie gave it to him. Steve nodded. Wayne hugged him before he left, and murmured a soft, “Thank you.”

Steve sighs, kissing Eddie’s hand one last time before he lowers his head, resting it on Eddie’s lap and pulling Eddie’s hand to his face. He holds it so Eddie’s palm presses to his cheek, and he closes his eyes, nuzzling into his hand as he drifts off.

He dreams of the trailer. Warm sunlight in Eddie’s room, the sound of Wayne making coffee in the kitchen. The smell of stale cigarettes and weed smoke, Eddie’s heavy blanket on top of him. Eddie’s thumb brushing back and forth over his cheek.

Steve sighs, squeezing his eyes shut against the blinding sunlight in the hospital room. His back aches from leaning over all night, but he doesn’t really care. He sighs, his fingers twitching as he gains feeling in his body, his face relaxing as Eddie’s thumb brushes over his cheek, his face warm with sunlight.

Slowly, his eyes open, and he blinks, his fingers tightening. He’s still holding Eddie’s wrist. He closes his eyes again.

He wants to still be in his dream. Half-asleep in Eddie’s bed, feeling Eddie’s eyes on him, touching his face tenderly.

Steve’s eyes open again.

Eddie is touching his face.

Steve looks up, eyes wide despite the bright sunlight, and Eddie is looking down at him, smiling. Steve sits up, staring at him, unsure of what to do with himself, and Eddie just holds his face.

“Hi, Stevie.”

Eddie’s voice is rough, and it breaks Steve out of his trance. He stands from the chair so quickly he might have teleported, wrapping his arms around Eddie’s neck. Eddie laughs lightly, hugging him back, and Steve is crying.

“Oh my god,” he breathes, his face in Eddie’s neck. Eddie’s hands run over his back. “How do you feel?” He pulls away and holds his face, carefully avoiding the wound on his cheek.

“I’m okay.“ Steve almost can’t see because his eyes are filled with tears. “How long was I out?”

“Eight days.”

“Jesus.”

“I’m so mad at you,” Steve says, his voice shaking as a tear falls down his cheek. “I’m so— I’m so mad at you, Eddie.”

Eddie is still smiling weakly.

“Can you put a hold on your anger and give me a kiss?”

Steve melts.

Eddie’s hand finds the back of his head when their mouths crash together, but Steve is crying too hard to really kiss him, so Eddie takes over, his fingers tightening in his hair, sucking on his lip softly.

Steve whimpers Eddie’s name when they part, holding him tightly, and Eddie smiles at him. His eyes are shining too.

“You’re okay?” Steve asks as Eddie wipes his tears away. Eddie hums softly.

“My head hurts a little bit. You could probably kiss it better.”

Steve scoffs, shaking his head, but he presses his lips to his forehead anyway.

“God, I missed you so much,” he murmurs, kissing his forehead again. “You scared the fucking shit out me.”

“‘M sorry, baby,” Eddie says shakily. Steve pulls away to way to look at him, and his chest aches when he finds him crying. He carefully wipes his tears, kisses them away.

“When they were treating you,” he says breathlessly, holding Eddie’s chin gently. “I— I stayed in the waiting room, and I—“ He’s almost hyperventilating, breathing hard, and Eddie presses a hand to his chest, his eyes glistening as he listens. “I was so scared, Eddie, I was so— I was so scared it made me sick.” He gasps for breath, tears falling from his eyes. “And— And maybe that’s not healthy, that just thinking about not having you makes me sick, but I don’t—“ He cuts off with a sob, and Eddie slides his hand up to his neck, hiding him and closing his eyes. His shoulders shake as he suppresses a sob. “I don’t care, Eddie, I really—”

“‘S okay,” Eddie say softly, his voice breaking. “I’m okay, Stevie, look.” He lifts Steve’s chin, makes their eyes meet. “I’m right here.”

“I almost lost you, Eddie,” Steve chokes. Eddie shakes his head.

“I’m alive,” he whispers. He finds one of Steve’s hands and lifts it to his own chest, over his heart. The neckline of his hospital gown has fallen, and Steve’s fingers press to his bare skin. Steve stares, blinking tears out of his eyes, pressing harder until he can feel Eddie’s heartbeat against his hand. “I’m okay.”

Steve swallows thickly, squeezes his eyes shut, shakes his head.

“If you…” He takes a shaky breath. “If you weren’t—”

“Stevie, it’s—“

“If you weren’t,” Steve repeats, firmer, opening his eyes and looking at him, sliding his hand up to his neck. “If— If everything hadn’t just… managed to work out, and you— you didn’t—“

Eddie is shaking his head, and he presses his hand on top of Steve’s, holding it to himself.

“I don’t think I could have handled that, Eddie,” Steve says weakly.

“Don’t say that, Stevie,” Eddie breathes.

“I’m serious, Eddie, you’re…” Steve’s whole body hurts. His hand tightens on Eddie’s neck, still gentle enough that he doesn’t hurt the healing bruise around it. “You’re fucking everything, baby, I can’t…”

Eddie reaches up to hold his face. Leans in so their foreheads press together.

“You’re my everything too, Stevie,” he whispers. Steve exhales, and wraps his arms around his neck again, hiding his face as Eddie presses a hand to the back of his head gently, reassuringly. “I love you so much, Steve, I fucking adore you.”

They stay there for a while. Wrapped around each other tightly, but not too tightly. Steve knows that he must be in pain, but Eddie doesn’t do anything that would suggest it, doesn’t complain or wince or anything at all. He just presses his chapped lips to Steve’s temple and cheek and neck.

“Eight days?” Eddie asks when they part. Steve nods, and he slides his hands down Eddie’s arms slowly, carefully sliding over his skin and the bandages around his bicep until their hands meet between them. “What did I miss?”

His eyes widen, and his hands tighten, and he takes a sharp breath before, “Max?”

“She’s okay,” Steve says softly, nodding, and Eddie exhales, looking back and forth between Steve’s eyes desperately. “Her— Her arms are broken, and she can’t… she can’t see very well. But she’s okay. She went home a few days ago.”

“And Lucas? Erica?”

“Everybody’s okay,” Steve says gently, reaching up to tug a lock of hair behind his ear. “It’s all okay.”

Eddie nods and takes a shaky breath. He squeezes Steve’s hand gently, and his eyebrows furrow for a split second.

“I’m gonna get a doctor,” Steve says, kissing one of Eddie’s hands quickly.

“You don’t— I feel fine,” Eddie says, watching him go.

“They wanted to check you when you woke up anyway. It’ll just be a second, babe.”

He kisses his forehead before he leaves. Owens is just down the hall, talking to someone, but he freezes as soon as he sees Steve, and a smile overtakes his face before Steve can even say anything. Steve just nods, trying not to cry again. (He’s kind of tired of crying.)

Eddie is sitting anxiously when they get back, picking at one of his nails.

“Eddie,” Owens says brightly, and Eddie looks at him, wide-eyed. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine,” Eddie says tightly.

“You sure?”

Eddie hesitates, twisting a ring and looking up at Steve, who pauses by the end of the bed.

“I don’t like doctors.”

Owens just laughs lightly.

“That’s alright, a lot of people don’t.” Owens drags a chair over to Eddie, who watches, his shoulders tight. “I don’t come bearing needles or tongue depressors or any of that scary stuff.”

Eddie cracks a smile, looking up at Steve again, but he looks so scared that Steve goes to sit next to him and takes his hand gently, stopping him from picking his skin off.

“I just need to check over your vitals and everything,” Owens continues, ignoring the silent affection. “And then we need to have a chat about what people in town think they know.”

“This is the guy I told you about,” Steve says, squeezing Eddie’s hand as Owens pulls out a stethoscope. “He’s getting your charges dropped.”

“Oh,” Eddie says.

“Charges have been dropped,” Owens says after listening to Eddie’s heart and breathing for a few moments. “According to the rest of the world, a serial killer inspired by one Victor Creel kidnapped and tried to kill you.”

“Oh,” Eddie says again. He nods. Stares at the wall. Steve squeezes his hand.

“We’re not sure how Hawkins will react to your release,” Owens says. “May I look at your eyes?”

Eddie nods. His hand tightens on Steve’s, and Steve sets his other hand on top of it, rubbing the back of it gently as Owens shines a light into Eddie’s eyes.

“So it may be a good idea to keep a low profile when you leave the hospital in a few days.”

“A few days?” Eddie questions half-heartedly.

“We’d like to keep you here for further observation,” Owens says lightly. “In case any symptoms arise.”

“Okay.”

Owens finishes as quickly as he can, and Eddie holds onto Steve the whole time, looking at his hands, touching the ring.

He tells them both the story:

Chrissy Cunningham went over to Eddie’s to buy drugs from him. (A fact that many people in town still refuse to believe.) He left her in the living room to look for something (also a fact), and while he was gone, the killer snuck inside and killed Chrissy. Violently, viciously. Eddie tried to save her but was knocked out by the killer, who took him to the van and went into hiding with Eddie in a successful attempt to frame him.

The entire time Eddie listens, his hand gets gets tighter and tighter on Steve’s until Steve can feel his nails digging into his skin. He squeezes back, and runs his fingers over Eddie’s knuckles. Eddie looks like he might cry, so when Owens finishes, quietly waiting for Eddie so say something, Steve lifts his hand to his lips and presses a soft kiss to his knuckles. He presses his other hand to Eddie’s back, running across it gently.

“Okay,” is all Eddie says to Owens, who smiles softly in a way Steve’s never seen before. Sympathetic, encouraging.

“I’ll leave you to rest, okay?”

He gives Eddie some pain medication, and Steve squeezes Eddie’s hand.

“I’m gonna call Nancy,” he says. “Everyone’s staying at hers.”

But Eddie grips his hand tightly, pulling it to himself with wide eyes. Owens pauses in the doorway.

“What’s wrong?” Steve asks softly, setting his other hand on top of Eddie’s. Eddie hesitates, looking at him almost desperately, and tugging at his hand in a way that he doesn’t even seem to notice himself going.

“I…” He stammers for a moment, holding Steve tightly. “I don’t wanna be away from you yet.” He blinks, his eyes suddenly shining with tears that are threatening to spill over, and Steve’s chest aches. He sits back down, holding Eddie’s hand.

“That’s okay,” he says softly. He touches Eddie’s cheek, nodding, and Eddie blinks at him, making tears fall. Steve wipes them away tenderly. “I’ll stay here.”

“That’s Nancy Wheeler?” Owens asks from the doorway. Steve looks over at him, having forgotten he was there at all, and nods. “I can give her a call for you.”

“Thanks,” Steve says, and Owens gives Eddie a nod before he leaves.

Steve turns his full attention to Eddie when the door shuts behind Owens, gently pulling his hand away to comb through his hair. Eddie’s eyes close.

“Sorry,” he whispers. Steve shakes his head even though he isn’t looking.

“Don’t apologise,” Steve whispers. “‘S okay, baby.”

“I just… It feels like there’s this pressure in my chest,” Eddie says quietly. “And it gets worse when I— when I think about you going anywhere. Like— Anywhere I can’t see you.”

“Owens said you might have some anxiety after waking up.”

Eddie scoffs dryly, turning his face into Steve’s hand.

“Understatement.”

Steve just smiles and leans into kiss him gently.

“I’ve been here almost the whole time you were under,” he says softly. “I don’t ever wanna be away from you again.”

Eddie lifts his chin, his eyes flicking down to Steve’s lips, and Steve leans in to kiss him again, smiling softly when Eddie’s hands find his face.

His eyes burn when he feels it, when Eddie’s fingers slide behind his ears and his thumbs brush over his cheeks. She gasps when they part, holding Eddie’s shoulders lightly, and their foreheads press together.

“I, uhm.” He pauses to catch his breath. “I told Dustin about us.”

“Yeah?”

“Mhmm.” He closes his eyes. “He kinda figured it out before we got to the hospital, but… He wanted to hear it from me.”

“What did he say?”

“He wanted to know know everything.”

“Everything?” Eddie repeats, laughing lightly.

“I mean, he didn’t ask anything weird. Just… when we got together, when I knew I loved you. He said— He said we’re two of his favourite people.”

Eddie pulls away and looks at him with a smile.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Steve leans in and kisses him again. “He was really happy.”

“You tell anyone else?”

“No,” Steve says softly. “Didn’t wanna tell anyone without asking you.”

Eddie’s smile softens.

“I love you so much.”

“I love you so much too.”

“I don’t care if everyone knows,” Eddie says quietly. “If you wanna tell them, that’s… That’s okay with me.”

“Okay,” Steve breathes.

His chest aches still. He moves to sit on Eddie’s bed, and Eddie leans against him, resting his head on Steve’s chest. Steve presses kisses to his head and plays with his hair as he talks to him, tells him that he’s gone to talk to Wayne, who’s doing okay. He tells him about how Mike and Will and El and Jonathan are back, and Jonathan’s brought a friend from California, who got tangled into the upside down mess because he conveniently had a pizza delivery van, and who seems to be perpetually high. Eddie says he likes him already.

The door flies open as Steve is kissing his head again, and they both look up to find Dustin bursting into the room, his eyes shining as he stares at them.

Eddie lifts his head slowly, and Dustin exhales, and Steve’s whole body aches as a tear falls from Dustin’s eye.

“Hey, Henderson,” Eddie says softly. Dustin breaks.

He’s crying, and within a second he’s all the way across the room, hugging Eddie tightly.

“Gentle,” Steve reminds him, his arm still around Eddie, and Dustin chokes a quiet, “Sorry,” as he hides his face.

“‘S alright,” Eddie says, hugging him back. His face presses to the top of his head. “You missed me this much, man?”

“Screw you, Eddie.”

Eddie laughs tearfully, and Steve runs his hand over his head, leaning over to kiss his temple as he presses his other hand over Dustin’s back, rubbing it reassuringly.

After a few moments the door opens again, Steve lifts his head to find Lucas and Mike and Erica, quickly coming in to join Dustin in hugging Eddie. Robin lingers across the room, holding a paper bag, with Nancy, who’s holding Max’s shoulder, followed by Jonathan, Will, El, and Argyle.

“Damn, they let all of you in here?” Eddie says, running his hand over Lucas’s head as he presses a fond kiss to Erica’s head.

“Owens got us past the receptionist,” Nancy says.

They’re all quiet as the kids hug him, and Steve swallows, praying his eyes don’t start to burn again.

“Red, get over here,” Eddie says when the kids pull away. (Dustin is wiping tears away.) Nancy walks her over, and Max is smiling as she sits carefully on the edge of Eddie’s bed and he hugs her gently, avoiding her casted arms. Nancy’s eyes linger on Steve’s hand, still in Eddie’s hair, and Steve pulls his hand away, avoiding her gaze.

Max buries her face in Eddie’s neck. Steve looks over at Robin, whose eyes are swimming with tears as she clutches at the paper bag.

“What’s in the bag?” Steve asks lightly, and she blinks, wiping a tear away.

“Uh, I’ve been stress baking,” she says, glancing at Nancy, who’s smiling fondly at her. “I thought Eddie might like some muffins.”

“I would love some muffins.” Eddie pulls away, but Max leans close to him, her eyes scanning over his face. Eddie waits patiently, smiling, while she looks at him. She focuses on the wound on his cheek before she looks into his eyes and nods approvingly.

“Badass.”

“Thank, Red.”

Lucas helps Max away from the bed, and then Robin is taking her place, throwing the paper bag as Steve before she’s hugging Eddie tightly, her eyes squeezed shut as she cries. Eddie hugs her back, whispering something softly to her, something Steve can’t hear.

Eddie wipes her tears away when she pulls back, and Steve’s heart swells.

Eddie meets Will and Argyle and El while he eats a muffin (which he descubes as heavenly to Robin, who grins). He tells El her hair is metal. She says his is bitchin’ and he promptly laughs loudly and tells her she’s his favourite, which elicits arguments from around the room. Steve laughs lightly.

As Eddie is talking with everyone, listening as they tell him how everything is going, he subtly leans toward Steve. Steve sets an arm behind him as Max is talking about her mother, and Eddie relaxes against his chest. Steve’s eyes meet Nancy’s as Eddie is laughing softly at Max’s snark, and Steve looks away sharply.

Eddie starts to crash after a little while. He’s yawning and seeming to struggle to follow along with what everyone is saying, so Nancy comments that he needs to rest, and she ushers everyone out after they all say goodbye. The kids all hug Eddie again, including El this time, and Argyle hugs him too, seemingly having decided that they’re now good friends. Robin leans over and kisses both their cheeks before Nancy hugs Eddie gently, giving Steve a look that he can’t quite read.

The room feels weirdly quiet when they’re all gone.

“Think Nancy has us figured out,” Steve says, running his hand over Eddie’s back as Eddie melts against him. Eddie hums quietly.

“Wouldn’t be surprised.”

Eddie sighs when Steve kisses his forehead softly.

“You should go to sleep,” Steve says quietly.

“Will you stay?”

“Of course.”

Eddie sits up and tugs at Steve’s arm, moving back on the bed until Steve is sitting against the headboard, holding his arms up so Eddie can cuddle up against his chest. Steve carefully covers him with the white blanket, and Eddie sighs.

Steve closes his eyes, resting his cheek on Eddie’s head, and he listens to him breathe for a while. He’s not asleep yet. He can tell from the way he’s breathing, and because he’s pushed his hand under Steve’s shirt, his fingers brushing over and squeezing his skin.

“Everything’s gonna be different now,” Eddie says quietly. “Isn’t it?”

Steve turns his face to kiss his head again.

He’s right. Nothing will ever be the same. Eddie will never really escape the absolute horrors of the upside down, even if he survived. Like everyone else, he’ll look up anxiously, paranoid, every time the lights flicker or the television screen is filled with static. He’ll have nightmares like Steve.

They won’t ever be able to go back to what they had before. Their relationship won’t ever be the same, as light and careless and easy. Steve knows that he might days where he won’t be able to look at Eddie without seeing blood, without hearing his voice say weakly, Just say it back, Stevie. Please. He knows Eddie might have days where his scars hurt so much it might be unbearable.

But Steve will be there. Every time Eddie wakes up short of breath, every time his heart beats too fast and he doesn’t remember where he is. And Eddie will be there for Steve every time he dreams that he’s gone, with his scars to prove that he’s alive.

Steve takes a breath before he speaks.

“That’s what I thought when I fell in love with you.”

Eddie is quiet for a moment before he sits up, turning to look at Steve. His looks like he might cry.

“What?” Steve asks quietly.

“You… You’ve never said that.”

Steve blinks, his cheeks flushing with heat.

“Oh.”

“I mean—“ Eddie stammers, shifting anxiously. “You’ve said you love me, which I guess is the same thing, but it just… I don’t know, it feels different. Is it different? I just—“

Steve laughs softly before he interrupts by leaning in to kiss him softly. Eddie shuts up.

“I’m in love with you,” Steve says quietly. “I’m so in love with you it hurts sometimes.”

“Oh,” Eddie breathes. He lifts his hands to Steve’s face, holding him gently, and he leans in until his lips brush Steve’s. “I’m in love with you too,” he murmurs before he finally kisses him again. It’s a desperate kiss, open-mouthed and warm, and Steve kisses him back just as hard, leaning over to push his fingers into his hair and tug gently. He hums when Eddie’s tongue slides into his mouth, tracing over his teeth, and he sucks on it the way he knows Eddie likes. They’re both breathing hard when they part, and Eddie lets out a soft groan, his cheeks flushed, before he lets his head fall to Steve’s shoulder.

Steve hugs him, feeling him relax against him.

“What is it?”

Eddie sighs heavily.

“I wanna fuck.”

Steve laughs lightly, and Eddie shifts so his uninjured cheek presses to his chest.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I know.” He sighs again, nuzzling into Steve’s chest. “Just wanna make you feel good.”

Steve smiles even though he isn’t looking, closing his eyes.

“This makes me feel good.”

“Yeah?”

“Mhmm.”

Eddie quiet for a moment. Steve knows he’s smiling.

“…Okay.”

—————————

Wayne comes by the next day.

He walks into the room as Steve is tucking Eddie’s hair back and kissing his forehead, and he pauses in the doorway, watching the two of them with a soft smile before Steve spots him.

Steve smiles, looks at Eddie, and gestures to Wayne with a tilt on his chin. Eddie turns, and Steve almost has to hold him back from flinging the blanket back and bounding across the room to him. Wayne laughs softly, tearfully, and Steve leans back to watch as they embrace. Wayne is crying.

“God, Eddie, I was so worried ‘bout you.”

“I know,” Eddie says, his voice trembling. “I’m alright, Wayne.”

Steve sits back, holding back his own tears until Wayne lifts his head and hold a hand out to him. Steve looks at it, takes it slowly, and Wayne pulls him into the hug, holding him and Eddie tightly. Steve squeezes his eyes shut and buries his face in Eddie’s neck as Eddie hides between them.

Steve’s never felt anything like this before. Like everything is too tight around him, like he can barely breathe, like every cell in his body is being squeezed to combustion. But it’s nice. He’s trying not to cry, but it’s hard when he can hear Wayne murmuring about his boys, and when he can feel Eddie’s shoulders shaking.

Eddie talks to Wayne when they part, holding Steve’s hand. Tells him about everything with Chrissy, about the lights flickering and the police radio he stole. About Dustin and Max and Robin and Nancy, about Mordor.

“Hey,” Steve says when Wayne is out getting tea from the waiting room. Eddie kisses him lightly before he can say anything else, and Steve smiles.

“Yeah?”

“Is it… Is it okay if I go somewhere quick?” Eddie’s face falls a little bit. “Just to get some stuff from the trailer, some clothes. And to… talk to the others.”

Eddie takes a breath and nods.

“Yeah, that’s— that’s fine.”

“You’re sure?”

Eddie nods again, smiling.

“Don’t take too long.”

“I won’t,” Steve whispers, leaning in to kiss him. “Promise.”

He runs into Wayne as he’s leaving. He’s carrying two cups of tea, and he stops short.

“Goin’ somewhere?”

“Uh, yeah,” Steve says. “I’m headed to get Eddie some clothes and then I’m, uhm, dropping by our friends.” Wayne nods, looking at the tea.

“Guess I’ll have to drink one of these, then.”

“Sorry,” Steve laughs lightly. “Uhm.” He leans over the receptionist’s desk and picks up a pen and a stack of post it notes, asking her wordlessly by raising his eyebrows and lifting the pen. She just gives him a thumbs up as she speaks into the phone.

“If Eddie needs me back,” Steve says, scribbling on a post-it, “you can call Nancy.” He takes the note and holds it to Wayne, who takes it after setting a cup down. “Just tell her to send me back here.”

“Will do.”

The trailer is still taped off, with two security guards outside, but they recognise Steve and let him through. (He assumes Owens must have told them about him.) He finds a bag as quickly as possible as stuffs clothes into it until the zipper almost doesn’t close: a battle jacket, two sweaters, a few t-shirts, some jeans, handfuls of socks and underwear. He finds a hoodie that he tugs over his own head instead of putting into the bag.

He pauses before he leaves Eddie’s room, his eyes catching on the guitar that Eddie cherishes so much. He hesitates, thinking about it, but he can come back later. Have Jonathan and Argyle help him load the amps into Eddie’s van or something.

His stomach is in knots as he heads to the Wheelers’. His heart is beating too fast, and his hands are shaking, and he really just wants to go back to the hospital to help Eddie into a sweater and cuddle up against him, but he has to do this.

Karen opens the door for him, and her face lights up.

“Steve!”

“Hi, Mrs Wheeler,” he says, shoving his hands into the pockets of Eddie’s hoodie as she lets him in.

“Everyone’s down in the basement,” she says, dusting her hands on the colourful apron she’s wearing.

“That’s where they always are,” Ted says dryly from the living room. Steve ignores him.

“Smells good in here,” he says as he’s passing through the kitchen, distracting her from the look she’s sending Ted.

“Oh, thanks,” she says brightly. “I’m trying a new recipe, we’ll see how it goes.”

He laughs before he’s headed down the stairs.

“How’s Eddie?” Nancy asks in greeting.

“Uh.” He scans the room. Nancy is sitting on a sofa with Robin, holding a book in her lap that Robin looks up from. Jonathan is on the sofa too, with Argyle on the floor with his head in his lap.

Max is sitting next to Lucas, Lucas’s arm around her, with El’s head in her lap. Her arm is set on El’s head, the cast squishing her cheek, her fingers playing with El’s short hair. Will and Mike are nearby on the floor, Mike watching as Will talks with Erica about some D&D book or pamphlet they’re looking at. Dustin is talking with them too, but he falls silent when Steve comes down the stairs.

“He’s good.” He takes a breath, swallowing nausea. “Wa— His uncle is visiting, so I’m giving them some, uhm. Time.”

Nancy nods, raising an eyebrow.

“There’s, uhm. Something I wanted to tell you.”

There’s a moment of silence as everyone stares at Steve, whose hands tighten in the pocket. He feels like they can all see right through his skin. He wants to throw up.

“All of us?” Erica asks.

“Yeah,” he exhales. “Uhm.” He takes a deep breath, his eyes finding Robin. She smiles at him when their eyes meet, nodding and lifting a thumbs up. “So. Uhm.”

He stares at the floor, still on the last stair like he’s on a soapbox.

“Did you say it already?” Mike says after a few moment, and Will smacks his shoulder.

“No, sorry, I’m just…” He takes a breath, looking up at Robin again. She nods. “Okay.” He doesn’t look away. “Eddie and I— Eddie and I are, uhm. Together. He’s my boyfriend. And I…” He inhales slowly. “Will answer any, uhm. Questions you may have.”

The room is silent. He finally breaks his gaze away from Robin’s, swallowing thickly, to find everyone staring, wide-eyed. His eyes burn.

Jonathan breaks the silence.

“How long have you been together?”

He says it so lightly, so casually, that it somehow makes Steve want to cry more.

“Uh. About two years.”

Jonathan nods. Smiles.

“How’d you meet?” Argyle asks, his voice too loud. Steve hesitates. Decides to keep a secret.

“Uh, school. We had a class together. We were sat near each other.”

“How’d you get together?” Lucas asks, followed by Max asking, “Who kissed who first?” Steve scoffs.

“We were hanging out one night and he said he liked me. So I said I liked him too. And I, uhm—“ He chokes on his voice, swallowing. “I said I wanted to kiss him and he said I should.”

Max is grinning.

“Cute.”

“Does his uncle know?” Nancy asks.

Steve takes another breath. His blood feels like it’s too hot.

“Yeah, he was the first person we told.”

“Who was the second?” Argyle asks.

“Robin,” Steve says, looking at her. She’s smiling almost proudly, her chin set on her knees. “Eddie came by Scoops way too often for her to not know.”

There’s a light laugh from a few of them.

“So are you…” Mike hesitates, shrugging. “Gay?”

“Bisexual.” Steve clenches his hands in the pocket. “Means I like both.”

Mike blinks and looks at the ground, looking lost. Steve lets him.

“So…” He pauses, looking around. El has sat up, gently holding Max’s hand. “Any, uhm. Other questions?”

There’s a pause.

“Do you love him?” Erica asks finally. Steve’s eyes burn again, and he nods, swallowing.

“Yeah,” he says breathily, trying to hold back tears. “Love is… an understatement.”

Erica stares at him before she says, “Gross,” and a laugh bursts out of him.

“Thanks, Erica.” He pauses, looking at everyone again. Jonathan’s fingers are running through Argyle’s hair. “So… It’s fine?”

“No one has a problem with it, Steve,” Nancy says gently. She’s smiling. “It’s fine.”

“Why would we have a problem with it?” El asks. Everyone turns to look at her. Her eyes are wide, curious in the way that they always are. Genuine.

“Because… we’re both boys,” Steve says weakly. His nails are digging into his own palms.

“So?”

Everyone’s quiet. Steve blinks at her, wondering what it must be like to just… not know. She looks over at Max and Lucas, looking for answers.

“People aren’t very nice to boys that like boys,” Will says quietly. Steve looks at him, realising he hasn’t spoken this whole time. He’s sitting on the floor with his arms around his legs like Robin, almost closed off from everyone else.

“Why not?” El asks, looking shocked. Will just looks at her and swallows, shrugging before Nancy answers.

“Because they think it’s wrong,” she says before she looks at Steve firmly. “But it isn’t.”

He exhales, nodding at her.

“Okay, uhm. I’m gonna head back,” he says, shifting on the stairs. “I just… wanted to let you guys know.”

“Tell Eddie we love him,” Robin says as he’s turning to head back up the stairs. He smiles and nods.

“Oh, Steve,” Karen says brightly as he’s passing back through the kitchen. “Hold on!”

He pauses, pinching his nose because his eyes are burning before he turns to find her spooning food into a Tupperware container.

“Nancy mentioned you have a friend in the hospital right now,” she says, snapping it shut. “I know how awful hospital food is.”

She holds two containers out to him with a bright smile, and the dam breaks.

His eyes well with tears and he swallows hard, thanking her as her smile fosters.

“Are you alright?”

He laughs tearfully, wiping his cheek as he nods.

“I am,” he says. “I really— I’m fine.”

“Oh, honey.” She sets the tupperware down and hugs him gently, softly. He hugs her back, gasping for breath, still laughing softly.

“I think I’m just… Relieved,” he says. “There’s been so much going on, but it’s…”

“It’s alright,” she says, pulling away to wipe a tear on his face tenderly. He sighs, letting her.

She’s treating him so… motherly.

His own mother’s never wipes his tears. She’s never held him as he cried. But Steve drops his shoulders and closes his eyes while she reassures him that it’s okay.

“What happened?” a little voice says from the doorway, and Steve and Karen both turn to find Holly, holding a doll.

“Nothing,” Steve says lightly. Karen turns back to him and pats his cheek. “Just feeling a lot of emotions.”

Holly steps forward and hugs his leg, and he looks up at Karen with wide eyes, mouthing Oh my god as she laughs lightly. He sets his hand on Holly’s head gently.

The food is still warm when he gets back to the hospital. Wayne is still with Eddie, even though Eddie seems to feel falling asleep, holding his hand.

“Hi, Stevie,” Eddie says sleepily when Steve comes closer, setting the food on the bedside table as he sits on Eddie’s bed, and Eddie lifts his chin. Steve leans over and kisses him chastely.

“You okay?”

“Mhm. What’s that?”

Eddie looks at the tupperware.

“Uh, Nancy told Mrs Wheeler you’re in the hospital so she gave me some food for you.”

Eddie pauses.

“That’s… really nice.”

“You falling asleep, sweetheart?” Steve asks softly, and Eddie nods, closing his eyes. Wayne laughs softly.

“I’m gonna let you rest, kid.” He gets up and kisses the top of Eddie’s head, patting Steve’s shoulder. “Love you.”

“I love you too, Uncle Wayne,” Eddie says quietly.

“Brought you some clothes,” Steve says when the door shuts behind Wayne, smiling as Eddie pets his cheeks, his fingers brushing over his skin lightly. “You wanna put on a sweater?”

“Mhm.”

Steve takes off the backpack and fishes a sweater out, helps Eddie put it on, carefully avoiding the IV in his arm.

“There we go,” Steve says lightly. Eddie’s eyes are closed, and Steve leans in to kiss him softly. Eddie smiles.

“Love you so much,” he whispers.

“Love you too.”

“I like seein’ you in my clothes,” Eddie says quietly as Steve shifts to join him on the bed.

“You like that I belong to you,” Steve says, smiling.

“Mhm.” Eddie sighs, laying his head on Steve’s chest and sliding a hand under the hoodie and Steve’s shirt to his skin. His hand is cold. “My beautiful boy.”

Steve kisses his forehead, his cheek flushing.

“How’d it go with everyone?” Eddie asks. His voice is soft. Steve closes his eyes, wrapping his arms around Eddie gently.

“Good,” Steve says after pausing. “It went really good.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, everyone… Everyone was cool with it.”

Eddie sighs again.

“‘S nice.”

“Go to sleep, baby.”

Eddie hums.

“‘Kay.”

Eddie’s fingers continue to knead and press at Steve’s skin until he falls asleep, falling heavy against Steve’s with his fingertips tucked under the waistband of his pants. Steve keeps dragging his fingers through Eddie’s hair until the curls are smooth. He doesn’t think he’s ever been this happy.

—————————

They have a campaign in Eddie’s hospital room. Everything is all laid out on the bed in front of him, Will, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Erica sitting around the bed in chairs Steve collected from the waiting room despite the receptionist’s best efforts to argue with him.

While they play, Steve gets Jonathan and Argyle to help him move the amps and speakers and Eddie’s guitar to Steve’s house. When he comes back, smiling, Eddie gives him a look, his eyes sparkling, before he snaps back into character, all wide eyed and wild. Or, at least, as wild as he can be without being able to move much. (Steve falls a little more in love with him.)

Steve sits in the corner, watching.

Will is beaming, his eyes as wide as Eddie’s, and Mike is groaning in frustration as Dustin and Lucas argue about what to do so loudly Steve worries they might be forced to leave.

Steve can’t follow along with any of it, but he doesn’t mind.

When they leave, Steve helps them clean up, fishing a die out from under the bed, counting pieces and helping them put them in Dustin and Erica’s bags.

Will lingers behind.

“You okay?” Eddie asks when the door shuts behind the others, their bickering still able to be heard from the hallway. He adjusts, shifting and wincing, to look at him.

“Uh, yeah,” Will says anxiously. “Just… I, uhm… wanted to tell you guys something.”

“Alright,” Steve says, looking at him. “Go for it.”

Will’s hands are tucked in the pockets of his shorts, and his eyes are looking back and forth between Steve and Eddie.

“Is everything okay?” Eddie asks gently.

“Yeah, I’m…” Will takes a deep breath. “I’m gay.”

Steve blinks.

And grins.

“Uhm, I haven’t- I haven’t told anyone else,” Will continues anxiously before either of them can say anything. “Except Jonathan, and Argyle knows, I think? Somehow? But, I thought— I mean, so wanted to tell you guys first, because…”

Eddie holds his arms up.

Will exhales in relief and hugs him tightly, squeezing his eyes shut.

“That’s cool, Will,” Eddie says softly, running his head over Will’s head. Steve moves to sit next to Eddie, running his hand over Will’s back and kissing the top of his head fondly. “That’s really cool.”

Will exhales again, sighing heavily when they pull apart.

“I’ve never said it out loud before,” Will says quietly. “I just told Jonathan that I…”

“That you…” Eddie says, lowering his chin to meet Will’s eyes. “…Like… Mike?”

“Hey,” Will snaps, his eyes wide. “What the fuck.”

“What?” Steve exclaims, still grinning. “Seriously?”

Will stares at him and then Eddie before he exhales roughly, huffing as he gets up from Eddie’s bed and stalks across the room, running his hands through his hair.

“I just…” He pauses. His cheeks are pink. “What the hell am I supposed to do? I mean— He’s my best friend, I can’t just… Hey, Mike, by the way, I’m a queer and I’ve been in love with you since we were kids, hope that’s cool, see you at the next campaign!” he mocks, pacing and speaking with his hands. Steve is still reeling from the revelation of Will liking (loving) Mike.

“Steve and I were best friends before we started dating,” Eddie says lightly. Steve nods in agreement. Will looks at him, wide-eyed, freezing.

“Steve’s ex-girlfriend isn’t your sister.”

Eddie inhales through his teeth, looking away, and Steve winces.

“Yeah,” Will scoffs. “I mean— I don’t… I wanna be supportive of them,” he says, continuing to pace across the floor. “I wanted them to be happy, and they broke up a little while ago, but I… Jesus, I don’t fucking know.”

Normally Steve would scold him, or any of the kids, for the language he’s using, but he seems so desperate. Like all of this has been bundled in his chest in a tangled knot for years. (Which, Steve realises as he speaks, is has been.)

“It’s been so hard,” Will says pitifully, his pacing stopping at he looks at Steve and Eddie. Steve’s chest hurts. Will looks like he wants to cry. “Listening to Mike talk about how much he likes El, about how he wanted to win her back when she dumped him, and— and to El talk about how cute Mike is, and how he doesn’t say he loves her, which— what the hell am I supposed to say?” he asks desperately, gesturing to himself with both hands. “It’s okay, El, he doesn’t tell me he loves me either— I mean, even if he did, it wouldn’t mean the same thing as if he said to her, right?”

“Hey, Will,” Steve interrupts gently before he can continue. “Take a deep breath, buddy.”

“Sorry,” Will says, inhaling.

“It’s alright.”

“Come here,” Eddie says, nodding to the bed.

Will sighs and sits down again.

“First of all,” Eddie starts gently. “That fucking sucks.” Will scoffs. “All of it. But, for the record, I don’t think…” He hesitates, wincing and taking a deep breath. “Not to speculate,” he says, raising his hands as if in surrender. “…But I don’t think Mike’s… entirely straight.”

Will’s eyes widen.

“Why would you say that?” he asks, his mouth barely moving.

“Just… General vibes.”

Will stares, his eyes wide.

“I can’t make a move on my best friend based on vibes, Eddie.”

Steve snorts, covering his face, and Will finally cracks a smile, looking at him.

“Okay, well, you don’t have to,” Eddie says, elbows Steve. “I’m just saying I don’t think he’d really mind.”

“And—“ Steve starts, shifting on the bed. “Even if he isn’t queer, I don’t…” Will stares at him as he trails off, and he sighs. “He loves you. Regardless of whether it’s just platonic or not, I mean…” He looks at Will’s shining eyes. “…He looks at you like you’re the sunrise, Will. I mean, even during the campaign today, every time you talk, he fucking gazes at you.”

Will exhales.

“Really?” he asks in a small voice.

“Yeah,” Steve says, smiling. “And, for the record, I don’t think El would mind. Because she loves you too, and she wants you to be happy. And you know how she reacted when I said Eddie and I are together.”

Will sighs.

He’s quiet for a moment, biting his lips deep in thought, before he opens his mouth to speak, but before he can, the door bursts open.

“Where’s W— Oh.” Mike exhales, still holding the doorknob as they all look at him, started. He’s breathing hard, looking at Will. “Jesus, you scared the shit out of me.”

“Sorry,” Will says softly.

Mike’s eyes look at the three of them as he catches his breath.

“What’s going on?”

“Uhm.” Will looks at Eddie and Steve.

“Making plans for the next campaign,” Steve improvises quickly.

“You’rehelping plan the next campaign?” Mike says, wrinkling his nose.

“I’m present,” Steve says sassily. “While they plan the campaign, alright?”

“Whatever,” Mike says, and Steve rolls his eyes. “Will, you ready to go?”

“Yeah,” Will says, standing, running his hands over his legs. “Uhm.” He looks at Eddie and Steve. “Thanks.”

Mike puts his arm around Will’s shoulders as they leave, and Eddie leans against Steve.

“Look at us go.”

“Yeah,” Steve says, laying his head on Eddie’s. “Really growing into queer mentors, aren’t we?”

—————————

The first thing Eddie does when he’s released from the hospital is stand outside for a while, just breathing.

Steve sits on the steps outside with him, gazing at his while Eddie basks in the sun, his eyes closed like a cat.

“Jesus,” Eddie says after a while. “Didn’t realise I’d miss sunlight so much. And this air.” He inhales deeply, obnoxiously, and Steve laughs. “Should I quit smoking?”

“Probably.”

“Nah.” Eddie slaps his legs, looking at Steve. “What’s the plan, sweetheart?”

Steve gazes at him.

“You wanna go home?”

Eddie exhales.

“Yeah,” he says softly. “Let’s go home.”

They go home.

Steve holds Eddie’s hand as he leads him through the threshold, as he flicks on the lights. Eddie holds onto him almost the whole time, smiling as he kicks his shoes off and hangs his jacket by the door.

He freezes when they get to the living room, finding the amps and his guitar.

“Steve.”

Steve smiles, looking at him. He isn’t smiling, but Steve knows he isn’t upset.

“I thought… maybe you’d like her here. If it’s home. I got— I got Jonathan and Argyle to help bring everything over. Argyle said slinging dough gave him great muscles.”

“Did it?” Eddie asks, his voice thick as he looks at Steve.

“I’d say so, yeah.”

Eddie laughs, giggles, and lets go of Steve’s arm to throw his arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

“Thank you, Stevie.”

Steve wraps his arms around him, gentle over his wounds.

“You gonna play for me sometime?”

“If you want a private show.”

Steve laughs softly, pulling his head to look at Eddie, who doesn’t waste a second before he’s kissing him. Steve closes his eyes, pressing a hand into the small of Eddie’s back, as he tilts his head and presses his other hand to his cheek. Eddie’s gasps quietly and Steve sucks on his bottom lip.

Eddie hums, burying his hands in Steve’s hair and pulling when their tongues slide together, and Steve’s breath hitches in his throat. The hand on Eddie’s cheek moves, sliding down to his neck where his bruises have healed.

“Yeah,” Eddie gasps when Steve’s fingers press into his skin.

“Yeah?” Steve whispers. Eddie nods desperately, his eyes still closed, and Steve squeezes gently. A soft noise escapes Eddie’s throat. Steve can feel is against his palm. “Feel good?”

“Shit, Steve, you know it does.”

Steve giggles, squeezing again and watching Eddie’s mouth fall open, and he leans in, licking across his lips. Eddie grins, his chin lifting to prompt Steve to actually kiss him, which he does, as deeply as he can as he squeezes his neck again.

“‘S nice,” Eddie breathes when they part. His lips are shining with their spit, and Steve smiles. He releases his neck, and strokes his cheek instead, over the pink scar that’s covering his cheek. Eddie opens his eyes. Steve leans in and kisses the scar softly.

“Can I use your shower?” Eddie asks softly.

“‘Course.” Steve runs his hand through Eddie’s hair. “Am I coming with?”

“I mean, you should, right? Make sure I don’t pass out or anything?”

“Oh, of course, it only makes sense for me to go.”

Eddie is smiling. There isn’t any blood in his teeth.

Steve helps him undress even though he doesn’t have to; pulls his rings off one by one and sets them on the counter, pulls his shirt over his head gently, his eyes tracing the scars that cover his sides and his left arm, freshly pink and uneven, marking his skin like lightning and angry paintbrush strokes. Similar to Steve’s. Still healing.

He swats Eddie’s hands away and unbuckles his belt for him, sliding it out of the loops of his ripped jeans before setting it in the counter. He unbuttons the jeans, tugs them down Eddie’s hips, and Eddie sets his hands on Steve’s shoulders for balance as he lifts his legs one by one for Steve go pull them off, then he does the same with Eddie’s boxers. After tossing them aside, kneeling on the tile, he carefully takes Eddie’s socks off and tosses them to join his clothes.

He’s pulling his shirt off as he stands, and Eddie leans against the counter by the sink, watching. Steve’s cheeks flush pink as Eddie’s eyes catch on his scars, but he doesn’t stop, pushing his pants and underwear off and toeing his socks off, not nearly as careful as he was with Eddie.

He stands in front Eddie when he kicks his clothes into the pile of laundry in the corner, and Eddie stands up off the counter, stretching a hand out to touch Steve. To trace his scars lightly, watching his own fingertips dance over the tight pink skin that’s almost metallic. Steve lets him, even though it tickles a little bit.

Eddie exhales, his head falling forward to rest on Steve’s shoulder, his hair brushing his skin. Steve touches his back, running a hand up his arm over his scars, then into his hair.

“Look at me,” he says softly, his voice just audible over the spray of the shower that’s warming up. (It’s probably warm by now. But they’re not in a rush.) Eddie lifts his head.

His eyes are glistening, and Steve touches his cheek again, leaning in to kiss him.

“You’re so gorgeous,” Steve says softly. Eddie blinks, tilting his head. His hands slide over Steve’s sides, pulling him closer until their bodies are pressed completely together, skin on skin on skin.

“Still?” he whispers.

Steve’s chest hurts.

He leans back in, kissing him deeply and holding his face between his hands before he pulls away, staying close enough that their lips brush, that he can feel Eddie’s breath warm on his face.

“Always.”

Steve washes him gently. Pushes his soapy fingers through his hair and massages it in for a bit too long just because Eddie’s eyes close blissfully. He carefully wipes the soap away so it doesn’t get in his eyes before he tilts Eddie’s chip up to rinse it away.

They’re both quiet as Steve washes his body, pushes his hair out of the way to wash his back. Kneels on the tile to wash his legs and feet. He doesn’t let Eddie do the same for him, but Eddie wordlessly insists on doing his hair. Steve lets him.

Eddie’s not even really washing it, just pushing shampoo into it and playing with it. Pulling and twisting and scratching until Steve’s are falling shut and he’s sighing with a smile, his hands sliding over Eddie’s waist and hips. He’s half hard by the time Eddie finally tugs his hair so he tilts his head into the spray of the water, but neither of them say anything.

Eddie watches lazily as Steve cleans himself. Steve wants to kiss him, so he does. Their lips slide easily with the water, and Steve thinks he might be in heaven, kissing his favourite person in the world, surrounded by the heat of steam and hot water, the smell of soap.

They separate to dry themselves off and dress (Eddie wears Steve’s HAWKINS SWIM TEAM hoodie. Steve knows he teases Eddie about him liking that Steve belongs to him, but he’s be lying if he said there isn’t a flutter in his stomach when he sees HARRINGTON on Eddie’s back.) Eddie lets him work some product into his hair and blow dry it, scrunching his curls lovingly and showing Eddie how they spring back into place. Eddie doesn’t really seem to care, his eyes trained on Steve in the mirror the whole time.

Eddie watches Steve do his own hair. He’s smiling the whole time.

“Bed?” Steve asks softly when their hair is dry, even though it’s only late afternoon, pressing a soft kiss to Eddie’s neck. Eddie hums quietly. He holds onto Steve the whole way to Steve’s room, pulls him close as they’re settling on the bed.

“Stevie.”

“Yeah, baby.”

“…I know we just got dressed, but—“

Steve interrupts with a laugh.

“Can you take your shirt off?” Eddie finishes, almost pleading. “I wanna touch you.”

“Only if you take yours off too.”

“Deal.”

Steve laughs and sits up to face him, tugging his shirt off and watching Eddie struggle with the hoodie.

“You need help?”

“No.” Eddie struggles some more, getting it caught around his head, unable to lift his arms enough without stretching his sides. Steve knows it’s uncomfortable, stretching the fresh scarring. “…Yes.”

Steve laughs softly and helps him.

“There we go,” he says quietly when it’s off, watching Eddie shake his hair out like a dog fondly as he sets the hoodie aside. Eddie reaches out to him, sliding his hands over Steve’s shoulders. His skin is still warm from the shower.

“Feel so good,” Eddie breathes.

Steve smiles at him, shifting closer so he can kiss him. Eddie whines when their lips meet, his hands sliding to Steve’s waist, pressing into the soft flesh above the waistband of his sweatpants. Steve hums softly. (He likes when Eddie touches him there.)

“Will you get on top of me?” Eddie whispers when they part, breathing hard. “Sit on my lap?”

“Tell me if anything hurts,” Steve says, shifting and swinging a leg over Eddie’s lap so he’s straddling him. Eddie moans softly. “Alright?”

“Jesus,” Eddie breathes. “Yeah. Missed this.”

Steve smiles down at him and kisses him again, wrapping his arms around his neck as he licks into his mouth. Eddie’s hands slide around to the small of his back, then down to squeeze his ass as Steve presses against him, and Steve whines.

“Eddie,” Steve whispers when they part to breathe. “Baby.”

“Mm.” Eddie squeezes again, pulling Steve against himself, and Steve lets him, his eyes drifting shut. “You want my fingers?”

Steve nods pathetically, opening his mouth, and Eddie smiles up at him, reaching up and tracing Steve’s lips. Steve sticks his tongue out, and Eddie pets it with his fingertips, gazing.

Finally, he presses his fingers into Steve’s mouth, and Steve closes his mouth around them, sucking softly and exhaling in content. Eddie smiles at him, leaning up and kissing the corner of his mouth, sliding his other hand under his sweatpants.

“My beautiful boy,” he whispers. “I love you so much.”

Steve takes the fingers deeper silently, swirling his tongue around them, letting spit pool in his mouth.

“Sweetheart,” Eddie breathes, watching Steve open his lips to take a gasp of breath, watching spit fall down his chin. Steve feels filthy. He feels beautiful.

When he finally lets Eddie’s fingers out of his mouth, he pulls them out slowly, letting his spit drip between them, and he smiles, satisfied. Eddie is looking at him like he’s starving for him, like he wants to devour him.

Steve watches, blood hot, as Eddie sucks the fingers into his own mouth, licking Steve’s spit off them.

“Christ,” Steve exhales. “You’re so beautiful, Eddie.”

“Says you,” Eddie says, pulling at his hips again so they press together, searching for friction. Steve groans. “Baby.”

He tilts his chin up, his lips hanging open, and Steve smiles, raising to hover above him, tugging at Eddie’s hair so his head falls further back. Steve hesitates, gazing at Eddie’s half-closed eyes with a small smile as he lets spit collect in his mouth before he open his lips and lets it drip into Eddie’s mouth. Eddie groans hungrily, waiting for it all before he closes his mouth, pausing like he’s savouring it before he swallows.

“You’re disgusting,” Steve murmurs fondly, lowering back down to his lap and petting his hair, stroking his face.

“You like it too,” Eddie says softly, smiling.

“I like you,” Steve whispers. “I like everything that comes with you.”

“Even if it’s gross?”

Steve grins, grinding against him and feeling his stomach flip when Eddie’s lips part and his eyes glaze over as a small noise escapes him.

“What do you think?”

The curtains are open in Steve’s room, letting the afternoon, spring sun in with them, and the smell of steam and soap is still lingering in the air because they left the door to the bathroom open. Eddie is pretty under Steve while they fuck, his fingers knotted in Steve’s hair, pulling with every rock of his hips. Steve likes listening to him, to the punched out noises that seem to come right from his gut, to the whimpers and whines that light Steve’s nerves on fire.

Eddie’s hands hold onto him tightly, gripping his ass and his hips and his hands. They go to hold his waist, and immediately his grip loosens, gentle on his scars. Steve’s eyes burn, and tears join the drool on his skin.

“Stevie, I’m—“

“Yeah,” Steve exhales. “I know, baby, me— me too.”

Eddie’s hands clamber over his back, scratching slightly as he pulls him close enough to slide his tongue over Steve’s neck. The bed is creaking almost obnoxiously, hitting the wall, but a part of Steve loves it. Loves how noisy they are, how loud their love is.

Eddie’s voice is high and whiney and weak when he comes, whimpering Oh, fuck, fuck, Steve, baby— Steve wants to scream. He settles for burying his face in Eddie’s neck and groaning loudly, his voice rough in the back of his throat.

Eddie falls onto his back when they both come back down, taking Steve with him, as Steve giggles, moving so Eddie can pull out with a soft hiss.

“We should probably take another shower,” he says quietly after tying off the condom and throwing it away, wiping down Eddie before Eddie sits up tiredly and takes over, swatting his hands away to clean Steve’s stomach and chest.

“Later.”

“Okay.”

—————————

The kids all come over for a movie night the next week, before school resumes.

Eddie is waiting another week before he’s going to go back. Nancy has already sworn (unprompted by Eddie) to come by and tutor him, and Robin is going to get his homework for him. Steve has made Eddie promise to tell him if anyone gives him any problems.

It’s his year.

Max has gone to the eye doctor and gotten glasses so thick they magnify her eyes. She hates them, even though they’re absolutely adorable, even though El and Lucas assure her that she looks fine with them. Robin insists that even if they didn’t look good (which theydo), it wouldn’t matter because they make her life easier. Max agrees begrudgingly, commenting that she can see even better than she could see pre-Vecna. (Steve complains that she’s never gone to the eye doctor before.)

Joyce and Hopper go on a date during the movie night. Their faces flush with heat when everyone teases when they drop them off. Dustin says expects Joyce back by eight. Hopper tells him to shut up.

Will and Mike hold hands during the movie. At some point, Will falls against him suddenly like he was shoved, and Mike just looks at him and asks if he’s okay, pulling him closer. He doesn’t see the glare Will sends El, or the innocent smile she sends back.

Steve falls asleep during the movie, wrapped in Eddie’s arms, feeling safe and warm.

••••••••••••••••••••

Robin and Nancy and Eddie graduate on June eighteenth. Steve shows up. Of course.

He sits with Wayne. They both cheer louder than anyone else when Eddie’s name is announced, and Steve watches proudly when Eddie looks Principal Higgins dead in the eye and snatches his diploma. But he doesn’t run. He walks calmly to the end of the stage and poses for Jonathan’s camera.

Steve brings him more daisies. He kisses his breath away as soon as he gets the chance.

Robin and Nancy surprise Eddie with a class ring that Mrs Wheeler helped buy. He cries and hugs them both so tightly they tap his arm as they laugh tearfully. (He hugs Mrs Wheeler the next time they’re hanging out in the basement.)

Steve’s parents move on July seventh. He bids them good riddance. Just before they leave, when their boxes and suitcase are in the car, Steve tells them he won’t miss them. They aren’t glad to hear it. His mother tears up. His father calls him ungrateful. He doesn’t care. He watches them leave from the porch. Then Eddie fucks him in what used to be their room.

Within a month there are photos on the walls, drawings on the fridge. Dungeons and Dragons pieces and dice scattered across the dining room table, without a need for be cleaned up because they always eat in the living room anyway.

Robin moves in on August second. She takes what used to be Steve’s parents room because it has an en-suite. (She knows they fucked there. She finds it hilarious. She claims to love rebellion.) She and Eddie take their coffee the same way.

Sometimes, during particularly rough nights, Steve finds himself cuddled between the two of them. Other times Robin somehow makes her way in the middle, Eddie’s arm around her waist so his hand is resting on Steve. A few times, Steve finds them napping on the sofa together. It always makes him want to cry.

She comes with Steve to see Corroded Coffin down at the Hideout. From where they sit they can see the way Eddie’s eyes sparkle the way the blue jewel of his class ring down in the fluorescent lights, and Steve know everything is okay.

Eighty-six, baby.

#ta-da #:)#i have several more ideas (including one that's related to this series) and they might be posted next week or over the holidays #let me know if you ever wanna be tagged in anything!!!#and message me or send asks if you i love talking w you guys <3 #stranger things #stranger things fanfic #steve harrington #steve harrington fanfic #eddie munson #eddie munson fanfic #steddie #steddie fanfic #hideout series

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