have we ever discussed how bittersweet and gut wrenching it must have been for shane to drop ilya back off at the ottawa airport after two weeks of connection? after two weeks of expressing ten years worth of emotions and thoughts? of hard sweaty thrusts and tender soft caresses? of hopeful whispers and loud laughter? their eyes would have been full to the brim, tears threatening to fall despite the promise of a future, and shane would have bit the inside of his bottom lip and ilya would have wiped at his nose, and they would maybe intertwine their fingers over the gear shift trying to forget that there were technically other people around them again. eventually, shane would whisper “text me when you board” and ilya would agree “i will” and they would exchange soft “ok”s before separating, collecting themselves as much as possible for the 2hr drive back and the security line. shane would let the tears fall once he got on the highway while ilya makes it through security unrecognized and locks a bathroom stall to collect himself. it’s going to be alright though bc for the first time this ending feels like a beginning 🥹🖤
Heated Rivalry AU where Ilya dips out early from a post-game party with Boston, and someone gets the idea to put on a Hollonov compilation as a joke.
The whole team settles in with rapt attention, ready to roast the shit out of Roz over it via group chat, only to see. Well. It's a series of interview clips over the years. It's made up exclusively of three things. One, clips of Hollander "stealing" linguistically challenging questions that the whole team knows Rozanov hates. Two, clips of Rozanov derailing questions that are about Hollander's "representation of his community," which gossip on the street says makes Hollander uncomfortable. Three, Hollander and Rozanov commenting individually on the rivalry, with vicious comments such as. "He's of course a great player, but he'll find us difficult to beat." Such fire in Rozanov's comments are especially damning, given his whole chirp-king-schtick.
The video editor, with all the obsession and perception of a true fangirl, makes sure to circle every instance where you can see the shadow of Hollander and Rozanov pressing their feet together - and in one instance holding hands - beneath the interview table. (You wouldn't see it unless you're looking for it - or unless someone circles it in red for you.)
The video finishes, and the team sits in a kind of shocked silence as the next video auto-plays. This one is a compilation of Rozanov chirping Hollander on the ice. Here, the editor has helpfully drawn an arrow to Hollander's face whenever he blushes. The editor has also inserted text overlays with comments like. "Look at how fiercely Rozanov insults his rival." And then puts smaller arrows pointing to Roz's body language, with helpful texts like "excited wiggle indicating absolute fury," and "besotted grin indicating deep hatred." The sarcasm is distressingly accurate in its point.
(Listen, the whole team knows what Roz looks like when he's chirping someone. This - this is not it. This is not it at all. This is him when he's being silly with people he really likes. What is going on.)
The video finishes, and this time someone has the presence of mind to stop the auto-play before another mind-breaking thing comes up.
Someone else, trying to lighten the silence with a joke, and maybe dismiss it all as a fever dream, says, "Montreal Jane? More like Montreal Shane, am I right?"
And. Well.
Once it's out there, there's no coming back from it.
Cliff asks aloud, to no one in particular, "Are we just stupid?"
The Centaurs' social media team post one of those "guess the real couple" videos (as a joke, because their captain and alternate captain are very publicly married). There's a series of clips of various players being physically and verbally affectionate with eachother. Then it ends on Shane and Ilya, finishing a one on one drill and then hurling insults at eachother across the ice as they argue about who won. It cuts off as Ilya drops his gloves and starts skating over at top speed.
(It breaks containment and people who know nothing about hockey comment with concerns about a hostile work environment, possible discrimination, crossing boundaries. Shane ends up posting the full video, which ends in him grinning as Ilya pushes him into the boards to kiss him. He captions it "since rookie year". Ilya comments "summer before".)
heart - hollanov - @hollanovmicrofic - word count: 408 - click here for my hollanov microfic archive on ao3
“Hey, Roz?”
Ilya recognized that tone. People had used it with him before–that gentle, almost nervous tone of voice of someone afraid of his reaction, afraid of his emotions. Heart sinking, he turned to see Troy and Harris standing before him, both of their expressions confusingly unreadable. “Yes?” he asked, abandoning the pads he was halfway through adorning.
“Listen…we debated on whether or not to show you this,” Harris said slowly, phone in his hand.
“We weren’t sure if it would distract you more, or less…seeing it now,” Troy added, wrinkling his nose.
“Seeing what?” he demanded, panicking more and reaching for the phone. He’d just spoken to Shane a few hours ago, confirming that he would be at the game today. Had he gotten into an accident? Was he hurt? Or was it maybe Svetlana? Or–shit. He clenched his fists. Was Anya okay?
“We figured you’d hear about it, see it, as soon as the game started. This way, you have a second to…get yourself together,” Troy continues explaining, seemingly completely unaware that Ilya was about to die of terror. “Y’know. Refocus. Because–”
“Because what, Barrett?” Ilya spat, getting irritated. “Who is hurt, who is not well? If you think I will be playing game instead of going to hospital–!”
“Nah, man, everyone is fine! Sorry to scare you, just–look!” Harry said with an apologetic smile, finally showing Ilya his phone screen.
And there, in tiny technicolor, was a picture of Shane, Yuna, and David arriving to the game, all dressed in Ottawa jerseys.
Ilya’s jersey, to be specific.
Which meant Shane Hollander was in the crowd of Ilya’s playoff game, wearing his jersey. On his body. Ilya’s name on his back. In stadium lighting. For the whole fucking world to see.
“Fuck,” Ilya rasped hoarsely, mind going blank, sinking shakily onto the nearest bench, bringing the phone closer to his eyes. Suddenly, he didn’t care at all about the game today. All he cared about was getting Shane in an empty room, and stripping him of all of his clothes…except that jersey. “This is…”
“Yeah,” Harris said with a bright smile and a nod. “We made the right decision. Imagine if he’d seen that for the first time skating out onto the ice?”
“He would’ve been completely useless for the entire first period,” Troy chuckled, rolling his eyes.
Ilya couldn’t even form a proper retort. He was too busy trying to figure out how to breathe.
Jacob, I beg of you, for season two, give me Ilya with a support system outside of Shane's immediate family. Give me Svetlana coming to Ottawa and judging the fuck out of it. Give me Marleau dragging Roz out for drinks after he plays Boston and show me a bond there that goes beyond former teammates. Give me Ilya at Bood's BBQ, surrounded by warmth and joy and laughter. I know I'm going to have to watch my boy go through and, I swear, I will endure it but first give me a glimpse of genuine human connection. Please. I'm on my knees.
the thing about heated rivalry is beyond the actual hockey games it's never shane vs ilya. it's shane vs the shame or ilya vs the horrors but they're always walking towards each other. always together, even when they can't pick up their heads and see it. so yeah shanegirl this ilyagirl that but do not forget that from whence you came (the hollanov combination torture nexus/sex dungeon)
Ilya is such a ragebaiter and he enjoys inflicting tiny tiny amounts of pain that he can immediately soothe just to prove to himself that he can; so there’s a non-zero percent chance of this exchange happening once Hollanov have been married for like 5 years.
Ilya, chopping onions quietly in the kitchen: I want to get a divorce
Shane, spitting out a mouthful of smoothie and looking like Ilya just knifed him in the stomach: what??
and without missing a beat so as not prolong the torture too much, Ilya just says ‘so I can marry you again’ with a shit eating grin on his face.
(Shane wants to give him the cold shoulder so bad- it was a horrible joke. But then Ilya’s looking at Shane like he’d hung the moon, and Shane folds like a rusty lawn chair at a yard sale. But not before calling him a fucking asshole and slapping his bicep)
shane saying ‘holy shit’ when ilya tells him he loves him for the first time is so fucking FUNNY its literally like one step away from ‘bro thats fucking crazy’
He just finished a show around the corner, and maybe it was a risk being out in public so close to so many fans - but he really just needed to blow off some steam. How was he expected to go back to his hotel and settle in for the night after playing for twenty thousand fans? Their biggest show yet! The guys were drained, happy to head back and crash for the night, but not Eddie, he was buzzing.
Eddie felt like they’d finally made it big. Graduating to a real arena tour was a risk. Until they saw the crowd with their own eyes, the band wasn’t sure they could actually sell so many tickets. In the right settings, they were actually starting to get recognized- mostly when they were all together, but still, Eddie couldn’t believe how far they’d come.
So when he ran into his high school crush - golden boy of their small town - Steve Harrington, Eddie felt like the stars had aligned just for him.
Steve glanced over at him, catching Eddie’s look of disbelief. Eddie couldn’t even attempt to act like he wasn’t staring at the man beside him.
“Eddie Munson? Holy shit-” Steve’s eyes went wide.
Was he-… no… Steve Harrington couldn’t be a fan, could he?
Eddie let out a surprised laugh and beamed. “In the flesh.”
Steve turned a little red, grin stretching across his lips. “Wow.”
Steve hadn’t noticed him in high school, but now that he was kinda of famous, it seemed like he was finally on the man’s radar. Eddie could have felt bitter about it- could have turned up his nose at the guy that never wanted him when he was nobody, but he wasn’t so angry with the world these days. Next to him was a beautiful man, and he had the chance to fulfill his younger self’s fantasies.
So what if Steve only saw him as a rockstar, Eddie had survived being known for far worse.
———
Steve ran into Eddie Munson at a bar.
He moved to Indy a year after he graduated with his best friend Robin. After his popularity crashed and burned his senior year, Steve was left pretty aimless for what he wanted for his future, but in that loss, he discovered so much more about himself. Now he was happily working as a teaching aid.
Running into Eddie was a blast from the past. He’d always been frustratingly fascinated by the guy, but it took an enlightening conversation with Robin to realize there was more to it. By the time he realized it, Eddie was already packing up and leaving town as fast as he could. He’d always been Steve’s ‘what if.’
Now, he had a chance to play out his long harbored crush, and Eddie looked good. He had always had a wild confidence, but now he seemed more self assured. Less… defensive.
Maybe Steve threw himself at the guy- but listen, this was the guy that made him realize he was bi in the first place. He deserved to be a little slutty about it.
He followed Eddie back to his hotel room, which was… wow. Strangely impressive. Steve had been a little disappointed to find out Eddie was apparently just passing through Indy. There went his hopes that this could happen again. Though, all his thoughts went out the window when Eddie’s lips made contact with his neck.
They barely made it to the bed, pressing each other against every surface on the way. Steve couldn’t believe how hot Eddie had gotten. He was always eye catching, but the added ink, leather pants, and- shit is that eyeliner? Steve was sure this had to be a dream.
———
Eddie laid in the mess of blankets and pillows, limbs tangled with Steve’s. He was tracing the moles on Steve’s arm, making lazy little constellations.
“God I’ve been thinking about that for way too long,” Steve breathed out with a giddy laugh. “Sorry that’s so weird to say.”
Eddie grinned. “You have no idea.”
Steve turned to face him, playfully urgent. Their faces were maybe an inch apart. Eddie wanted to pull him back in for another round.
“No- really. Is it completely embarrassing to admit you were the one that made me realize I liked guys in the first place?” Steve’s cheeks were red, like this was a humiliating admission and not the most groundbreaking moment of Eddie’s life.
He tried to play to cool, even as he pulled Steve impossibly closer.
“Oh yeah? Possibly the best contribution metal music has made to society,” he mumbled against his skin, pressing kisses down Steve’s neck,
“Metal? Representing the entire genre now? Nice to know you haven’t changed,” Steve hummed in amusement.
Eddie’s brow furrowed. He pulled back to look at Steve. “Haven’t changed?”
Steve rolled his eyes. “Yeah, you were always going on about how metal was the best music in high school. You even had that band with your friends. I saw you guys once. What was the name again?” Steve played with Eddie’s hair, eyes tracing down the curls.
Eddie could hear his heart beat pounding away.
“You remember me from high school?”
Steve blinked, confusion twisting his relaxed expression. “What? Of course? How else would I know you?”
Eddie let out a choked laugh. “Holy shit.”
Steve sat up, releasing himself from their position. “Eddie, what are you talking about?” He looked guarded.
Eddie couldn’t have that. He pulled Steve back down into the mattress, rolling over to bracket him between his arms.
“I made the horrible assumption that you didn’t even notice me back then, my liege. My mistake truly- and rest assured, I’ll be forgoing any further assumptions,” Eddie smiled down at him.
Steve seemed to relax a bit, looking up at him with a soft expression. “Didn’t notice you? Eddie… you were all I could think about.”
Eddie leaned down, pressing his face to Steve’s chest. “Oh sweetheart, you wound me! What could have been…” Eddie teased. “Though, you got to skip some rough years, so maybe it was all for the best.”
“Rough years? What happened?” Steve looked so beautifully concerned. Eddie felt his heart melt in his chest.
“Well, it all worked out in the end- but I still have that band you so graciously remember, and we’ve been on a wild ride the past few years. To be completely honest, it’s why I thought you recognized me elsewhere,” Eddie bashfully admitted.
Steve tilted his head. “Oh? So, you guys are like… getting pretty successful?”
Eddie nodded. “Did you uh… hear about the concert down the street? It was around the corner from the bar. Corroded Coffin?”
He couldn’t help but collapse against Steve in a fit of laughter. Steve wrapped his arms around him, holding Eddie close.
“So, wait, you thought I was… what- some kinda groupie?” Steve scoffed.
Eddie felt his face get warm, hiding against Steve’s chest. “Shut up… it seemed more likely than you being into… me.” He peaked up at Steve.
Steve’s eyes softened.
———
Eddie Munson was apparently some kind of big time rockstar. Steve had heard him play once at the Hideout, and he wasn’t surprised his band made it. They were good- even if it wasn’t Steve’s type of music.
The fancy hotel room made more sense.
Steve had honestly just been too focused on Eddie to notice all the little details. Everything was so intense, even now, he could barely stop himself from running his hands all over Eddie’s body.
Okay- maybe he wasn’t doing much to hold himself back. Especially when he immediately offered to play the role of groupie and blew Eddie until his eyes rolled back.
It was morning now, and Steve couldn’t remember the last time he stayed the night with someone. Unfortunately, he still woke up to an empty bed. Steve knew he shouldn’t be surprised. Eddie was famous now, and he was just some old high school crush. He showered, got dressed in his clothes from the night before, and sighed as he headed for the door.
Eddie blinked back at him, room key pinched between two fingers, a travel cup in each hand, and a paper bag hanging from between his teeth. They stood there in surprise for a moment before Eddie pointedly looking down at the bag and back at Steve. He took the hint, grabbing the bag from him.
“Well, you’re up early. Thought I could maybe sneak back before you got up,” Eddie smiled, brushing past him.
Steve followed him back into the small kitchenette area. “You… wanted me to stay?”
Eddie’s attention snapped to him. “Of course? Shit, were you leaving just now?” He looked hurt.
Steve shook his head quickly. “Nope. I’m not going anywhere.”
Eddie relaxed. “Good. Cause now that I’ve got ya, there’s no way I’m letting you go.”
Robin and Eddie were successful. They managed to convince Steve and Nancy to give things another shot. Those two were the best people they knew, so of course they should be together.
Nancy was nothing like Robin expected. She’d always thought of her as this uptight priss. After that spring break from hell, Robin was in awe of her. Nancy wasn’t just a headstrong genius- she was a total badass.
Jonathan and Nancy were on the rocks anyway. They’d barely spoken in months, both too afraid to face the truth that they’d grown apart.
It just took a nudge in the right direction from Robin and Eddie for the exes to try again.
The two of them basked in their glory from Steve’s back patio, lounging under the umbrella. Steve and Nancy are playfully fighting in the pool. Robin smiled fondly. Steve looked so happy, and Nancy- wow… she was glowing in the midday sun. Her pale skin shined and glistened. She had on a dark blue bikini that had a tiny bow right between her perfect- shit.
Robin’s heart sank.
How could she have been so blind? The entire time she thought she was being convinced Nancy was the perfect girl for her platonic soulmate, she was actually falling for her. She did want Nancy to be happy. With her.
Robin turned to Eddie. Maybe he had a good enough reason Steve needed to be with Nancy to banish this thought from her mind. He’d obviously spent just as much time pushing them together as she did. Maybe the pair really was the perfect couple beyond Robin projecting her own feelings to apparently live vicariously through her best friend.
Eddie looked stricken. He turned to meet her gaze, dread washing over her.
“Oh fuck. You like Steve,” Robin blurted out.
Eddie quickly hushed her, scrambling to his feet and pulling her along with him inside Steve’s house.
“Oh my god! Are you trying to get me killed? You can’t just say that kinda thing in front of Steve Harrington! We’re barely friends as it is,” Eddie panicked.
Robin rolled her eyes. “Eddie, he’d never hurt you for being gay.”
“You don’t know that!” Eddie looked like he was about to pull his hair out, glancing out the back window to make sure they weren’t being followed. “I get that I’m not the most subtle queer, but can you keep it down, please?”
“You don’t have to worry. Not here at least,” Robin’s tone softened. “Eddie, I’m a lesbian, and Steve knows. He’s known for a year now, and he’s like my biggest supporter. He didn’t waver for a second,” Robin assured him.
Eddie stared at her with wide eyes. He sighed, tilting his head back to look at the ceiling, “Fuck.”
“What’s wrong?” Robin’s brows knitted together.
“You’re right. I do like him,” Eddie groaned, “and you just told me he’s even more open minded and kind than I already thought he was. He’s so fucking perfect. I think I might die again.”
Robin frowned. “Not funny.”
Eddie grinned. “A little funny. You can admit it.”
She shook her head and huffed. “What are we going to do? We took the most perfectly available people and pushed them back together without a second thought! Steve was so crushed after their breakup… ugh, I cannot believe I encouraged this!”
Eddie nodded, slumping into one of the chairs at the kitchen table. “I figured a guy like that… he deserved a happily ever after. Wheeler seemed sweet on him. I thought Harrington had changed so much. He probably just needed a little push. But shit… I didn’t expect to fall for the guy myself. Even so, he’d never go for someone like me. Better to just make sure at least one of us was happy.”
Robin deflated. “Honestly- I don’t think I was even considering Steve really. I knew he still had some lingering feelings. I just got so wrapped up in Nancy that I got my own wires crossed. I’m a bad friend.”
Eddie shook his head. “No way. Look at those two.” He gestured out the window.
Nancy was sitting on the edge of the pool, Steve looking up at her from the water with a bright smile. The two were close, talking with a casual ease.
“They belong together,” Eddie finished.
Robin sighed, collapsing into the seat beside Eddie. “This sucks.”
Eddie nodded in agreement.
———
Steve glanced back over at the house. “They’ve been in there a while. Maybe I should check on them.”
Nancy hummed. “Careful, they might be making out.”
Steve couldn’t stop the surprised laughter that forced its way out. He composed himself quickly. “Uh. Yeah. Maybe.”
She looked down at him, inquisitive yet apprehensive. “What? Are you thinking about the rumors about Eddie? We have no idea if those are true. Kids are cruel.”
His eyes widened. “Oh my god no. I mean- shit even if he was, it wouldn’t matter to me. That’s his business. I just… don’t think he’s Robin’s type.” Steve cringed at the awkward phrasing.
Nancy tilted her head. “Yeah? You guys are pretty close. What is her type?” She looked down at him, clearly digging.
Sometimes Steve felt like Nancy was a reporter first. He appreciated her dedication to the truth, but he also knew how it could make her a bit… intense. Something he saw in a much better light ever since they got a chance to talk in the hospital after he was all stitched up.
“Not Eddie,” Steve put simply.
Nancy nodded, obviously still lost in thought.
“He’s interesting, though,” Steve added thoughtfully, eyes drifting back to the house.
“How so?” Nancy studied Steve’s face.
“He’s… different. Not what I expected. I mean- he’s still loud and a total nerd, but he’s also really brave and- have you heard about his band? They’ve been together for like 8 years. I saw them at the Hideout, and they’re actually really good. He’s got dreams of being a rockstar, and he’s an amazing writer. You know, he writes all those campaigns the kids play, and they’re like full stories. He could probably write a book-…” Steve trailed off when he saw an odd expression on Nancy’s face. “What?”
Nancy smiled, biting her cheek a little. “You sound like you’ve got a crush.”
Steve could feel his face heat up. “What? No- I…” the words died on his tongue. He didn’t, right? He wasn’t… was he?
“It’s totally okay if you do. I mean, we’ve been broken up for nearly two years. You could talk to me about that kinda stuff… if you wanted to,” Nancy sounded so sincere.
Steve was glad they could be friends after everything. There had been a moment there, when he thought they might try things again, but after talking it out, it was clear they were better off as friends. Nancy had helped him grow in so many ways. He’d always appreciate her for the person he is today, but he also accepted that they were not meant to be together. Steve had so badly wanted her in his life that he had temporarily convinced himself that maybe he did still have romantic feelings for her. She was the only person he’d ever pictured a future with, and there wasn’t really anyone who had dethroned her since. Briefly, he thought he may like Robin, but obviously that wasn’t going to happen. He was glad too. She was his best friend, and he wouldn’t trad that for anything. Eventually, he’d realized he felt similarly about Nancy. He wasn’t even sure why he’d questioned that. Maybe Eddie just got in his head… telling him how much Nancy cared. Looking at him with those big, brown eyes. Describing how she’d jumped in after him, just like Robin, but how he’d been so terrified since he had no idea what he was getting himself into… yet he jumped in too and saved Steve nonetheless.
“Oh my god. I do. I have a crush on Eddie Munson,” Steve mumbled, eyes widening.
Nancy perked up. “Oh! Okay. Yeah. Well- like I said, that’s totally fine! And you know, I was just kidding about him and Robin.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t really worried about that, but yeah, I uh- I like him. Shit.” He looked at Nancy, panicked. “What do I do?”
She sat up straighter, surprised. “I mean, you guys have been getting along really well for months now? Maybe you should just be honest and talk to him?”
Steve winced. “But how do I know he even… you know.”
Nancy scrunched her nose. “I know I was a bit critical before… but he does have a reputation.”
“Yeah but Robin told me- that… uh…” Steve swallowed. “She’s just really… aware of social issues… and she’s very… empathetic.” His stomach twisted. He fucked up.
He could see the gears in Nancy’s head already turning. Always the reporter.
“Look, Nance-”
“So she is a lesbian,” Nancy pressed her lips together definitively, staring at the house.
“I shouldn’t have-”
“Do you know if she’s interested in me?” Nancy looked down at him suddenly.
“Huh?” Steve managed to choke out. “You-? You like Robin?”
Nancy’s expression softened. “Yeah, is that weird? I just- when we were at the asylum, she was just so quick with this whole fake story. It was amazing to watch. I’ll admit, I thought she was kinda… odd at first, but she’s creative and witty and so smart.” She sighed wistfully.
Steve smiled. It was nice to hear someone loved his soulmate as much as he did.
“Not weird at all, Nance. Honestly, we haven’t talked about dating much recently. Everything’s been so hectic lately. I do know that the only girls I’ve known her to like are currently out of state or very much taken. Pretty certain she’s totally available.” Steve grinned, a little smug. Maybe a few months ago he would have thought the idea of his best friend and his ex girlfriend together would have been a nightmare, but these days, he just wanted the people he loved to be happy.
Nancy looked at him, terrified and hopeful all at once. “So you think I have a chance?”
“Robin would be lucky to have you,” Steve assured her.
Nancy beamed, tucking her chin and laughing. “God, who would have thought this is where we’d end up?”
Steve pressed his palms down to the edge of the pool, hoisting himself out of the water. He heard the door and saw Eddie and Robin shuffle back to their shaded spot. Steve replied in a low voice to make sure they didn’t heard, “I certainly wouldn’t of guessed I’d be hitting on Eddie the freak Munson while my ex girlfriend, and current good friend, made a pass at my other best friend, but nothing from the last couple years would have even crossed my mind as a possibility.”
Nancy nodded solemnly. Steve gave her a pat on the shoulder.
“Go get ‘em,” he grinned and gave a thumbs up, making Nancy blush and roll her eyes.
He walked over to the others, shielding his eyes from the sun as he smiled down at Eddie. The metalhead was staring up at him from the lounge chair, eyes wide and slowly slipping down his torso. Steve felt a rush of confidence- clearly, Eddie liked what he saw. Steve could work with that.
“Eddie, can you give me a hand with something? It’s more of a two person job, and I’d really appreciate the help,” Steve smiled, innocently enough.
He saw Eddie swallow, nodding before throwing a panicked look to Robin. Steve was optimistic that meant he maybe knew what, or who, they’d been talking about while inside.
Eddie followed him across the back patio to the pool shed, hesitating at the doorway behind him. Steve leaned against the shelves, taking in Eddie’s nervous demeanor. It was surprisingly endearing.
“So, uh, what did you need help with?” Eddie glanced around the dim space.
Steve shrugged. “Oh, nothing. I just wanted to give the girls some space.”
Eddie’s brows furrowed. “What? Why?”
“They’ve got some stuff to talk about. I was kinda hoping to bend your ear too,” Steve tried to test the waters. He hadn’t exactly spent a long time being aware he could be into a guy, but he knew just how serious revealing that sort of thing was.
He looked like a deer in headlights. Eddie shifted anxiously. “What about?”
“You mostly. I just wanted to tell you how much I’ve appreciated getting to know you this year. Hanging out just us so often… inviting me to your shows… even taking the time to explain your campaign to me. I’ve really enjoyed it. Enjoyed you.” Steve leaned closer, closing the narrow gap between them.
Eddie stared at him, the red of his cheeks traveling back to his ears and neck, beautifully visible with how Eddie had piled his hair and secured it atop his head with one of Nance’s scrunchies.
“Yeah… I’ve really enjoyed it too,” Eddie said, though he seemed almost sad.
“What’s wrong?” Steve asked quickly.
Eddie let out a cynically amused huff. “Shit Harrington. You’re just…” Eddie pinched his mouth shut, shaking his head.
Steve reached out, touching Eddie’s face gently as he rested his palm to Eddie’s cheek. He looked surprised, flinching slightly.
“Eddie, tell me go stop if you’re not feeling the same way,” Steve spoke softly, pulling him closer until their lips nearly touched.
Eddie seemed to go pliant in his hands, eyes revealing his want, but he grabbed Steve’s arm at the last moment. They breathed each other’s air for a second before Eddie turned away reluctantly.
“Fuck, I’m sorry. I misread this,” Steve fumbled to say, running his hand through his hair.
“No- I…” Eddie looked upset.
Steve’s chest ached at the thought.
“This is real for me,” Eddie admitted, looking at the ceiling with determination. “Maybe if I liked you less… shit, if I liked Nancy less,” he let out a cold laugh. “But I can’t. I can’t be that guy here.”
Steve searched Eddie’s face for answers. “What?”
Eddie’s shoulders sagged. He looked back at Steve, deflating even more. “I can‘t do this. I know it’s like… common practice or whatever, but Steve, if I can’t have all of you, I can’t let myself even go there.”
Something bloomed in Steve’s gut, a nervous thrill.
“I don’t understand. Why can’t you have all of me? Eddie- I want that,” Steve urged.
Eddie looked unexpectedly stricken. “Fuck Steve, you can’t just say that.”
“Why not?” Steve was so confused. It sounded like Eddie did want him, but he couldn’t discern the issue.
“You’re with Nancy!” Eddie shouted, clamping his mouth shut immediately.
Steve blinked. “Huh?”
Eddie looked desperate. “You and Nancy are dating. That’s who gets the future with you. That’s who gets all the real stuff. I can’t just be some guy on the side when you want to get off-”
“Woah woah woah. Hold on,” Steve interjected. “Nance and I broke up. We’re not dating.”
Eddie’s face fell. “Holy shit when?”
Steve scrunched his nose. “Uh, in like ‘84?”
Eddie floundered, “What do you mean? You two got back together back in spring?”
“No, we didn’t? We talked it out and decided we were better off as friends. Why’d you think we were dating? We don’t kiss or hold hands…?” Steve crossed his arms, tilting his head at Eddie.
“I just figured you weren’t big on pda…” Eddie mumbled.
Steve laughed. “No way. If I’m with someone- everyone knows.” He raised a brow, gaze unwavering.
Eddie opened his mouth only to shut it again. His eyes darted around, like he was solving some internal puzzle.
“Oh fuck it-” Eddie closed the distance, grabbing Steve’s collar and yanking him forward.
Steve made a startled sound before relaxing into the feeling of Eddie’s lips on his.
———
Robin watched in pitying horror as Steve dragged Eddie off to the pool shed. She was mid-thought, wondering what Steve could possibly be up to because she always knew when her best friend was scheming, when Nancy dropped into view beside her, taking Eddie’s seat.
She flashed a crooked smile, trying to will her face not to turn incriminatingly crimson.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Robin prompted. Was that too flirty? Keep it in your pants Buckley- this is Steve’s girlfriend.
Nancy lit up, tucking her chin and giving a small shrug. Robin thought Russian torture was easier than this.
“I wanted to see if you’d maybe want to catch a movie some time?” Nancy asked, hands nervously fidgeting against the edge of the chair.
Robin felt like she was missing something.
“Oh? Was there something out you wanted to see?” Robin considered the idea. “I haven’t been to the movies in a while. It always seems like a waste when I’ve got access to free rentals from Family Video. Plus, the movie theater is always filled with people on dates, who are more interested in making out than watching the movie.”
Nancy pressed her lips together.
Robin’s brows furrowed, unsure where she’d messed up. Her attention snapped to the pool shed when she heard Eddie’s muffled shout. Looking back at Nancy, she caught a sympathetic concern being directed at the guys.
“Oh my god. Did you break up with Steve? Again? Is that why he’s being weird? Oh god. Did he drag Eddie in there because he’s too mad at me to tell me? I pushed you guys together and now everything is weird because I couldn’t just stay out of it! Is that why you wanna go to the movies? Are you afraid I won’t wanna be friends anymore if you’re not dating Steve? Well- listen. He’s my platonic soulmate. He is. But we’ve been through hell together, so I’m not just gonna turn tail and run on you. We’ll just have to figure it out because I’m not losing either of you-”
Nancy’s expression had twisted several times through Robin’s rant, but she finally waved her hands out at her. “Hold on. Robin, Steve and I weren’t dating. I mean, we were? But that was back in high school and you knew that.”
Robin sat up straighter. “But… wait… what?”
Nancy hugged her arms around herself, tilting forward a bit. “You thought Steve and I were dating since last spring?”
Robin could practically see her racing thoughts. She nodded sheepishly. How could she have been so wrong?
“Hm,” Nancy nodded to herself, lost in thought. “So. Was that why you weren’t responding to any of my…” Her cheeks turned rosy.
Heartbeat hammering in her ears, Robin blinked.
“Oh my god. You’ve been flirting with me. You were doing it on purpose.” Robin stood suddenly, pacing along the patio.
Nancy watched her, amused albeit a little nervous.
Robins hands were in her hair. “I’m an idiot.”
Nancy shook her head quickly. “No, no. I mean, I wasn’t trying to be too obvious. There was always a chance you didn’t even like… you know.”
She scoffed. “You’re sweet. I know I’ve made it pretty clear. I guess after I told Steve… it’s like I couldn’t go back. So yeah, resident lesbian- Robin Buckley. Rest assured, your deductive skills are sharp as ever, Wheeler.”
Nancy beamed, laughing all bubbly and genuine. Robin melted a little.
Robin’s eyes widened. “Oh my god so you were asking me out.”
“Yeah, I was kinda hoping we could be one of the annoying couples at the theater,” Nancy admitted.
“Yes. Yeah. Absolutely. Let’s do that. God, why haven’t we been doing that this whole time,” Robin sat beside her, expression overwhelmingly fond.
Nancy leaned forward. “It did take you six months longer to walk,” she teased.
Robin laughed, leaning into Nancy’s space. Nancy smiled, pressing forward to kiss her. Robin felt like fireworks were going off in her chest.
A crash made them part, Nancy’s attention to the shed with worry.
Robin felt a little dazed, but she looked over. She shook off the giddy haze for a moment.
“Wait- then what is going on with them?”
Nancy tilted her head with a smile. “Steve will probably wanna tell you himself.”
Robin’s brows knit together, ready to press forward more of an answer when Eddie stepped out of the shed. Steve followed soon after. They both looked completely disheveled, hair a mess, clothes askew… Robin gasped.
“You told Nancy you liked a guy before me?” Robin huffed.
Nancy fell into a fit of giggles behind her, but Robin was not letting him get away with this.
Steve grimaced. “Sorry Robs.”
“I’m not,” Eddie added, collapsing into Robin’s abandoned lounge chair.
“I cannot believe you! But also I just kissed Nancy and we’re gonna need to talk about that soon or I’m gonna die,” Robin grinned at her friend.
Steve gave her a high five. “Hey! Nice! I’m glad you guys figured it out. Nice one Buckley.”
Robin knew it was silly, but she appreciated the specific way Steve showed his support. She glanced back at Eddie who still had a dumb smile plastered across his face.
“I take it your conversation went well too?” Robin had a million questions, but those could come later.
Steve blushed, nodding hesitantly.
She raised a brow at the reaction.
“If by conversation- you mean making out and giving me a-”
“Eddie!” Steve interrupted quickly. He looked back at Robin, face red. “It went well.”
“You’re such a slut,” Robin scrunched her nose.
Eddie laughed. “And thank god for that.”
Nancy let out a surprised laugh. “Wow Steve. I’m suddenly feeling very silly for how long I took to tell Robin how I felt.”
Robin walked over, pressing a kiss to Nancy’s damp curls. “No way. You’re perfect.”
Nancy leaned back against her.
Robin pointed at Steve. “First off- Ew. Secondly, choosing to be happy for you. Love you, dingus,” Robin smiled.
“Wow Buckley. That’s very homophobic of you,” Eddie teased.
Steve laughed at Eddie’s dramatic display. “Love you too, Robs.”
