Eddie Munson is in heaven.
Or as close to heaven as he’ll ever be allowed.
Steve’s sleeping body pressed against his chest, his head tucked underneath Eddie’s chin. His hair slightly tickled Eddie’s nostrils that brings a sleepy smile to his face.
Heaven might as well be a full sized mattress in the trailer and Steve’s his angel. Thank god Eddie finally had the guts to kiss Steve last night or he’d never experience this.
Eddie gently ran his hand up and down Steve’s bare back, allowing himself to drift back to sleep. It’s too early —
“Ed!”
Eddie’s eyes shot open.
“Ed!” Wayne called again, a hard warning knock on his door. Steve stirred awake on his chest. “Wake up, boy!”
“Whutsgoin’on?” Steve murmured, rubbing his face against Eddie’s chest.
The door swung open, jolting both the boys awake.
Wayne leaned against the door frame annoyed.
“Boy we got the pancake feed,” Wayne said. “Told you ‘bout it yesterday. Get dressed we gotta go.”
He pulled the door shut, leaving the two boys in silence.
The door reopened.
“Bring your friend, too,” Wayne nodded towards Steve. “Need all the help we can get.”
“Hi,” Steve said sheepishly. “I’m Steve.”
“Wayne,” Wayne replied as a matter of fact. “Now hurry up, before we have to deal with a bunch of hungry vets ‘nd wives waitin’ for their sausage to cook.”
Wayne shut the door again, leaving the boys once more.
“So — uh — that’s my uncle,” Eddie said breaking the silence.
“Uh-huh.”
“We’re volunteering at the VFW this morning,” Eddie explained. “Pancake feed. The — uh — hungry vets thing isn’t a joke. They get pretty passionate about free breakfasts.”
“Yeah,” Steve nodded, his fingers curled tight around the comforter. “And you’re … okay?”
Eddie furrowed his brow. “Okay?”
“With him knowing,” Steve said. “About me?”
Eddie let out a soft laugh, kissing the top of Steve’s head. “Once he figures who you are, he’s gonna say ‘about damn time’ he’s been hearing me whine about you for weeks.”
Steve pushed himself up, looking down at Eddie with a mischievous grin. “Weeks?”
“Months,” Eddie corrected. “And I hate to leave you, but I really got to go help Wayne.”
Steve’s grin softened into a pout. “You don’t want me to come?”
“You want to come with?” Eddie asked. “We’re just cooking breakfast.”
“I’d love to,” Steve said. “I enjoy spending time with you.”
Eddie grinned, leaning forward to kiss the pout off Steve’s lips. “Then let’s go flip some pancakes.”
A few minutes later, they left the trailer to hop in Wayne’s car. Steve’s wearing yesterday’s clothes and Eddie’s in his least offensive t-shirt and jeans.
Wayne leaned over Eddie in the bench seat to look at Steve. “You the Harrington boy? The one from spring break?”
“Yes sir,” Steve agreed cautiously. He knows his last name carried some weight, but it was a burden to carry. Steve was afraid of what Wayne might associate with his name.
Wayne broke out into a grin, leaning back into his seat. “‘Bout damn time, Eds.”
