hating racists is good ! but if youre only hating the oppressor and not uplifting the oppressed all you are doing is using a performative method to direct your anger at. being angry is good, but its not enough. you have to love too. uplift the ones that should be uplifted. celebrate black art and culture and people. celebrate blackness for the beauty it is
Eddie overhears his three new hellfire club members mention the words 'party' and 'Steve' in quick succession and takes it upon himself to listen in because if his lost sheep are going to a Harrington party he might have to go too. He's been before and seen how wild they get. It has nothing to do with the weed he has yet to sell this month that's burning a hole in his pocket, he's simply concerned for his young friends who still know barely anything about high school social dynamics.
So imagine his surprise when he turns up to the Harrington abode on a Saturday night to find it's just Steve there. He thinks maybe no one has arrived yet, so he rings the doorbell.
Steve answers in his pyjamas, his hair not styled like it typically is and gives Eddie a confused look. The overall effect is actually really cute and makes Steve look like a human and not some perfect, meticulously crafted robot for once and Eddie doesn't really know what to do with that thought so he parks it for now.
"Munson?" Steve questions. "What are you doing here man?" Something more like frustration clouds over his features. "Did Henderson put you up to this because if he's harrassing you to spend time with me like he's been harrassing me to hang out with you then I'm sorry about him. He gets really bullheaded when he thinks he's right about something. I'll have a word with him."
"No. No, Henderson did not put me up to this. Although you are right the kid can be... a lot." Eddie laughs. "I just overheard him mentioning something about you and a party and I thought I'd come check it out for old time's sake. But now I'm thinking the little shit was pranking me. Sorry to bother you."
"Oh." Realisation dawns on Steve's face. "No. It's totally cool. Henderson and the others call their group 'the party' sometimes. I can see where that misunderstanding would come from if they mentioned me in the same sentence."
"Right," Eddie nods, then a small teasing smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. "You know, I still find it so hard to believe that King Steve Harrington hangs out with a group of kids who are nerds. Did you get bored of your jock friends and decide to become a full time babysitter or something?"
Steve lets out a surprised laugh. "You'd be surprised how close that is to the truth." He relaxes into a casual lean against the door frame and crosses his arms. "So, you came prepared for a party," he says, mirth lighting up his eyes. "Does that mean you brought-"
"The goods?" Eddie finished. "Yep. Guilty as charged."
He lifts up a familiar black lunchbox and rattles it a little.
"Hmm," Steve responds. "I feel kind of bad you won't be making any sales now."
Eddie is oddly touched by the sentiment. "Don't sweat it, someone in this town is bound to want to get high soon enough. And I'll be ready to swoop in like their night in shining armour."
"Heroic," Steve grins. He looks deep in thought for a few moments then says, "How about this; I'll buy some weed and you can come in and smoke it with me? That way you didn't come all the way out here for nothing and I get to smoke. My best friend Robin, I love her like a sister, but if she saw me with a joint she'd probably snatch it out of my hand and throw it into the neighbour's yard."
"I'm a bit overdressed," Eddie points out.
"That's fine, you can borrow some stuff. I'm assuming you wont be driving home high, so just stay over."
Steve says it like it's simple, and he's so confident Eddie will agree that he's already walking back into his house and leaving the door open for Eddie to follow.
Eddie hesitates for under a minute before saying, "Fuck it, I've had weirder Saturday nights."
As he shuts the door behind him and starts taking his boots off, the smell of home cooking reaches his nose.
"I just finished making lasgna but I always make too much," Steve shouts from the direction of the kitchen. "You want some?"
Eddie appears in the doorway in time to see Steve take the most appetising lasagna his ever seen out of the oven.
"Uh yeah, of course I would. Are you kidding me? That smells amazing. All I've had today is coffee and the shitty gas station sandwiches. You're a lifesaver, Harrington."
Steve gives him a concerned look. "Eddie you need to eat properly. Please tell me that's not what you usually have in a day."
"Ok then I won't tell you."
Steve puts his hands on his hips and Eddie is reeling because Steve is a mom friend and that is just too sweet. He doesn't get how he could've been so wrong about him.
When the hellfire club shows up to their next session they're surprised to see Eddie eating home made sandwiches from a perfectly presented packed lunch. Then he shocks them even more when he puts it away and looks up at Dustin.
"Before I start, Henderson, Steve says if you want a lift to the arcade tomorrow you need to let him know where from and when by tonight or he's not doing it."
Dustin is stunned into silence for the first time since Eddie's met him but he can tell from the journey Dustin's facial expression is going through that it won't last long. It somehow settles on a strange mix of both excited and annoyed.
When Steve got out of the shower, the first thing he saw was Eddie sitting on his bed, looking sorry for himself.
âYouâre still here?â, he barely spared a glance before going into his closet for clothes.
âI wasnât just gonna leave the second I got the money.â
"Why not? Nothing's keeping you here anymore." Steve had his back turned as he let the towel drop.
"I could think of two good reasons", Eddie was completely helpless to ogle his ass.
Steve was confused as he started to pull on some briefs, turning and realizing Eddie was staring. His cheeks pinkened and he put on a shirt and some sweatpants.
"If that's all..."
"No!", Eddie stood, hands up. "No, that's not all. I...I mad you some cocoa", he pointed to the two mugs on the dresser.
Steve thought he'd smelled something sweet. He grabbed on, eyeing it with suspicion before taking it and sitting on his bed. Steve sipped the cocoa and as much as that lightened Eddie, he didnât take it as a victory. Not yet. Steve even said as much after licking his lips.
âThis doesnât mean anything. You used my kitchen to make it.â
âItâs a peace offering nonetheless.â Eddie came to sit next to him. âShould weâŠtalk? About what happened? Or what almost happened?â
Steve looked down into his mug. ââŠ..What do you think he was planning?â
"Something bad...The kind of thing that you don't come back from", Eddie said, already thinking of a way to report Creel to the police without revealing how he knew what he did.
"Are you just staying tonight? Or are you...?" Steve didn't even know what he was asking, so it made sense when Eddie looked just as confused.
"I don't-Are you inviting me to move in? 'Cause I think your parents might have a problem with that."
âWhat do you want from me?â, Steve asked point blank, finally putting it out there.
And isnât it crazy how quickly everything had changed between them? Just days ago, Eddie wouldâve said nothing. Just let this man walk out of his life. But nowâŠ.
âYou got a dictionary?â, Eddie asked suddenly. He got up to his feet just as abruptly.
â..A what?â
"A dictionary", Eddie turned to look at the bookshelf on the wall. It didn't have many books, but it did in fact contain a dictionary. He picked it up and place it in Steve's lap. "That's what I want."
"My dictionary?"
"No! It-it's got everything! That's what I want from you, everything, all of it, all of you."
Steve flipped through the pages. "Everything, huh? Is that all?" He sounded unconvinced.
"You want me to beg?" Eddie dropped to his knees, only wincing a little. "I'll do it. I thought I was the cock of the walk, a tough guy, but you shrugged off a hit and run and turned a hostage situation around in a way I never could've imagined. Steve Harrington is a badass and I'd be honored, nay blessed, nay it would be the greatest Christmas miracle if you became mine."
Steve had girls clinging to him, doing all they could to entice him to a date. But this was new. And he kind of liked it. He put his mug down with a sigh.
âCome hereâ, Steve said, hands open and grabbing towards him.
âWha? Me?â, Eddie said dumbly.
Steveâs response was to making opening and closing motions with his hands until Eddie was in his arms and their lips upon each other. Eddie couldnât wept, honestly.
âSweetness, baby, angelâ, he sighed between kisses.
His kiss tasted like delicious, delicious chocolate but honestly, Eddie wouldâve kissed him even if it didnât. Because most of all, his kiss tasted like forgiveness. For good measure though, he put on the puppy dog eyes.
Steve groaned when he pulled back and saw them. âPut those away, dude. Begging only gets you so far."
Eddie did as he was told. Following orders seemed to be easy when they came from Steve. "Begging snagged me a a hot guy, so I'd say it got me very far."
Steve rolled his eyes but grabbed Eddie by the front and pulled them to lay down on the bed anyway. "You're lucky you're cute."
Eddie was about to take all the dice he had and put them up on a shelf because there was no way he'd ever get as good of a roll as this. Then there was a knock on the bedroom door and Gareth was yelling at them to be decent and come downstairs.
"What's happening downstairs?", Steve asked.
"Whatever it is, it better be good." Eddie felt like they'd spent all of five minutes on their quest.
He and Steve came downstairs and there in the living room was three different kind of six packs, some eggnog, and a ton of gas station snacks. Eddie rubbed at his temples.
âMerry Christmas?â
Steveâs eyes were wide âWhat did you guys-wait, did you spend the Creel money on this?â
Eddie shrugged. âWe only got that money because of you.â
âIt was cheap anywayâ, Gareth supplied. "Barely put a dent in what Eddie gave us." He hissed when Doug elbowed him. Clearly they'd been planning on pocketing the rest and doing whatever the hell with the rest of it.
"Consider this our apology. For everything." Jeff handed Steve the first beer.
"Yeah, weâre sorry, I guessâ, Gareth shrugged. âProbably shouldâve taken you to the hospital or something. Howâre your ribs?â
Steve raised a brow. âDo you actually care?â
âIâmâŠ.tryyyyyingâ, Gareth said through grit teeth. ââCause it looks like Eddieâs crushing on you big time. Sorry if thatâs news.â
Steve grinned as Eddie put an arm around his shoulders. âNot really news.â
All of their eyes ping-ponged between Steve and Eddie, catching on one by one.
"Wait are you two....actually a thing?", Doug pointed at them.
Eddie beamed at Steve. "If he'll have me."
"I will", Steve confirmed.
Eddie then turned his eyes on his friends. "Anyone got a problem with that?"
Jeff and Doug both shook their heads while of course, Gareth couldn't keep from making some kind of comment. "At least he's not Carver."
Steve cracked open the beer. "I'll drink to that."
Soon they were all sitting around, drinking, a random Christmas movie on, and a bunch of snacks in between the beers and nog.
âBelieve it or not, this is only the third worst Christmas Iâve ever had.â
Eddie winced. Heâd had his share of bad holidays, sure. But what the hell had happened to Steve that this only took third place?
âIâm almost afraid to askâŠâ Eddie was already thinking of the puppy he was going to buy to make Steve happy again. They sat hip to hip, Eddie's arm around his shoulders as some kind tried to save Santa or something.
"We've gotta put a few more of these in me before I get that loose", Steve shook his half empty can.
"I'm gonna make next year better", Eddie promised.
âAs fun as all of thisâ, Steve gestured vaguely. â-was, can next Christmas be normal?â
Eddie set his eggnog down. âYou think kidnapping someone is what I do every year? What am I? The Grinch?â
Steve shrugged. âHe was also a thief, soâŠâ
"I can't believe you just compared me to the Grinch."
"Actually the Grinch got away with it. So you're a step below. Maybe he's the one I should be dating." Steve felt triumphant when Eddie scoffed dramatically and stood up, interrupting the movie with a rant about the Grinch of all things. He moved about the room and got so animated, he might as well be a cartoon.
Steve was smiling all the while. It had been a crazy ride, sure. But honestly, not as crazy as he thought when he'd originally been jumped outside the gym. And he got a boyfriend out of the deal. After minute ten of the rant, the other three looked at Steve imploringly, who stood up and grabbed Eddie's gesturing hand.
"We get it, Eddie. You're nothing like the Grinch." He pulled him back over to the couch.
"You're damn right I'm not."
The movie ended and they put on something else instead. This one had zombies and honestly Steve didn't mind the mood shift. Christmas was supposed to be about spending time with people who cared about you. Eddie certainly did. And so did the others, in their own way. They considered the drinks and snacks a gift. But they were the real present.
Steve wouldn't tell them that though. He wanted to see what they'd do to apologize on New Year's. And how much Eddie would spoil him on Valentine's. Time for a ransom of his own.
Eddie's head perks up at that. Walking through this godforsaken place, danger at every turn, and somehow, as usual, Steve's got his full attention.
"What?"
"Well, yunno, you said you justâI mean you're upset, at yourself, for running away." Steve's words are jumbled, and his brow furrows like he's trying to figure out where he's going with this as they spill out. "I've run away from so much of my life, it's kind of insane."
Eddie bites back a scoff, settling for crossing his arms instead. "What, you ran away from some interdimensional monster breaking your friend's body, too? Whole town on a manhunt for you?"
"No, not that, dude, Jesus," Steve shakes his head. Eddie feels a little bad, hoping Steve picked up on the bitter ends of a self deprecating joke and not a half-assed insult. He wouldn't blame him though, with the reputation he's had all these years. Steve shrugs towards the older boy, seemingly unfazed. Or maybe just used to it. "JustâŠwith life, you know. I mean, I ran away from everything."
There's an unpacked sack of regret sitting heavy on his words that Eddie picks up on instantly, and his own closed off shoulders drop. He sounds, admittedly, small. The way each and every member of Hellfire did before they found a place to belong for keeps.
"What, um," Eddie purses his lips, "What kind of stuff?"
Steve sucks in a breath. "School. My parents. My dad, mainly. My shitty friends, justâŠeverything. Even Nance." There's a silence, but Eddie doesn't speak. He sees the rest of the thought on the tip of the boy's tongue and doesn't dare take it away from him. "I guess mostly myself? Maybe that sounds dumb."
"It's not dumb." His tone is firm.
Steve looks over at Eddie curiously. Eddie's eyes meet his, as if to say keep going. So he does.
"I dunno. I just. I was always so focused on what everybody else saw me as. Of this made-up royalty I'm supposed to be, the prom king who's got everything he wants in the palm of his hand, and if I didn't keep that up, then what was I?"
It's just them and the fucked up trees. Yeah, these trees are definitely fucking listening.
"And then that was toast, because it's all bullshit that doesn't matter. So I stopped caring about it, which I should have done a long time ago, and then justâŠI dunno, there's not much left besides that. And that's depressing as shit, so," His chuckle is humorless, "Easier to just pretend it's not happening than to look at yourself in the mirror sometimes, I guess."
And that, Eddie decides, is the moment that the entire facade of this bullshit King Steve routine fully disappeared. The moment he realized that Steve was exactly like everyone else. Like him, even.
There was no royalty or freakazoid here. No Harrington or Munson. There was Steve, and there was Eddie.
And Steve was more than bullshit by his standards.
Eddie stops, abruptly, prompting Steve to nearly trip over a branch and do the same. His eyebrow raises as he watches the metalhead search the ground for something. "What're you doing, man?"
Without looking up, he responds, "Looking for a stick. Like a normal one?"
"UhâŠ"
"Ah! This'll do." Eddie grabs himself a broken branch with the least amount of disgusting sludge on it. He starts walking towards Steve, who takes a step back.
"Whoa, what are youâ"
"Kneel."
Steve coughs, "I'm sorry?"
"I said, your royal nothingness, to kneel," There's a grin on his lips. It's wild, and looks much better on him than the trembling lips and fear stuck in his eyes these past couple days. It'sâŠcute. So as weird as it is, Steve does as he says. The small squish under his knees is a sound he hopes to one day forget with a large amount of therapy.
"Steve Harrington," Eddie starts, holding the stick outright, "King of Hawkins High. I bequeath you this opportunityânay, this demand."
"Demand?"
"Yes, this demand, of your humble, devoted subjects"âhe bows, dramatically, flipping his hair down then back up and of course smacking Steve in the face with it (and it is strangely very soft)â "to rid yourself of your birthright."
"What is happening."
Eddie lowers the branch over his left shoulder. "Rescind your crown."
Steve blinks, trying to recall if he's ever even heard someone use that word, and then realizes what the hell he's getting at. "How do IâŠdo that, exactly?"
"Simply say it, and it will be done." Eddie grins and waggles the rotting wood around for good measure. "Power of the stick, dude."
"Okay. I, um, rescind my crown?"
Eddie throws his whole body upwards, "With conviction!"
"I rescind my crown!" Steve all but shouts. He's smiling now, laughing at the absurdity, and how it actually makes him feel better. Eddie is too, and the boy returns the grotesque stick beside Steve's head.
"And you denounce your status as perpetuator of bullshit?"
Steve snorts, "God, please."
Eddie nods. The stick moves to just above the other shoulder. "Then I hereby absolve thyself of your royal nature. With it, all avenues of douchebaggery are sealed. You are nowâŠ"
Eddie drops the so-called magic stick and reaches out a hand towards him. It's such a simple gesture. Literally just a handshake waiting for him. But Steve looks at his hand, then up at Eddie and his unforgiving grin, and a warmth like no other bubbles up behind his ribs. He takes Eddie's hand and gets slowly pulled up to his feet.
"One of us. The freaks."
Steve doesn't think he's ever seen any eyes as deeply brown as Eddie's. They're eye-level once more, and it's like everything's changed in the span of a few minutes. He doesn't even register that he's staring until Eddie's tilting his head towards him, once again intruding his personal space.
"Earth to Harrington, you still with me?"
Steve smiles, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm with you."
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