Not Eddie leaping head first- THUD- that Steve was into Gareth.
He’d seen them hanging out afterschool, Gareth helping Steve with D&D. All laughs and giggles and shit, like two best of’s, oh how it irked Munson.
“I mean, shit! I’m the Dungeon Master! If anyone could teach em anything it’d be me!” In a gruff, kicking some dirt like a damn child throwing a tantrum.
Then the antics picked up, catching them hanging off school grounds, like say- at Family Video!
“This is some warped shit!” With a scowl as he pulled the door open, the jingle snapping the two boys out of their -face to face giggle fest- the two suddenly got quiet as Eddie waved by also flipping them off.
“What’s his malfunction? He’s gone mental or something?” Steve asked Gareth, the younger curly haired drummer whom sat into of the counter waved his own dismissive had towards Ed.
“He’s being Eddie, gets like that sometimes. He’ll get over it, eventually.” Gareth assured Steve, once more they began talking. Eddie was so peeved he stormed out.
“Ed! Wait!” Steve yelled, stopped by Gareth who motioned not to follow em.
“He came to see you perform?”
“Yup, pretty rad don’tcha think?”
“What ever man, just hope your boyfriend doesn’t bitch about how LOUD our music is!” Eddie knew he was being unnecessarily bitchy, rude and just a dumbass.
“He’s not my boyfriend! He’s a boy, who’s.. a friend!” Gareth corrected while setting up his drum set. Munson couldn’t put his finger on why he was so damn annoyed at the sight of the two. He’s wanted them to get along since, well he and Harrington began hanging out.
Gareth wasn’t the type to make friends easily, so to see him and Steve.. hit it off, getting close, well. He should be happy for his friends, not behaving like a jealous.. wait! Jealous?
Before the show, the metal head took a moment for himself, regroup himself, his thoughts, a beer dangled between his fingers while the other held his smoke. He’s NOT jealous, reaffirming himself.
“Pffft.. I’m not! That’s.. just, stupid.”
“JESUS HARRINGTON! Do I gotta put a bell around your neck like they do cats!” The idea of collaring Steve had Eddie twitch in his jeans. What the..
Steve halted his steps, lowered his head, averted eye sight. Eddie himself tilted his then went about taking another swig after which.
“The Greats not here! He’s inside!”
“The.. Great?! Oh Gare! I know, I came out here to talk to you.”
“Bout what?” Alternating taking a swig to puffing away on his nicotine stick, then blowing the smoke towards Steve’s direction.
“Umm.. wanted to ask if you’re mad at me? Seems you’ve been avoiding me or some shit?”
“Avoiding you? I’m not a child Steve! If I have an issue with you,.. you’ll know it.”
“Oh, ok. Umm well that leads me to my second question.”
“Ask away little boy blue.” Eddie flailed his bottle then brought it to his lips, puckering the glass and taking a final long swig. He’s eyes catching a glimpse of Steve’s as he seemed jittery, anxious even.
“You know, you and I .. umm.. -pause- what.. does Gareth like, look for in a person? Like, is he a looks kinda guy or does he like brains? Does he only dig guys that like what he likes?”
“Huh?” Eddie almost choked, coughing and spitting some of the beer. Wiping his lips, he glanced over. Steve was still red, of course. Once more, Eddie felt that sensation.. NOT jealousy! It’s not!
“Why’re you asking me? Aren’t y’all close? Shouldn’t you like.. know this by now?”
“True, just.. thought.. maybe you had more, insight?”
“Look Steve, I’m not gonna play some god damn matchmaker! You wanna ask Gareth out then ASK HIM! Leave me out of it!” before Steve could ask anything else, Eddie flicked his bud to the ground.
“Gotta go! Have a show! Oh wait! You know I’m in this band right?!” The metal head added when he lightly shoulder checked Steve out of his way.
“Ed..” Steve spoke out, a hint of remorse in his tone. Ugh, stupid voice- Eddie pulled the door to the back open, made his way to the small stage.
“Where were you?” Eddie wasn’t sure why he responded like he did, but he did. And he felt like such a prick after he did so, instead of apologizing he strapped his warlock and began tuning her up.
“With your .. boyfriend! You sure got that one smitten I tell ya!” Eddie’s tone was full of mock, envy, bitterness.
Gareth let it go, he knew better than to get into it and ruin a gig. He’ll confront his best friend after the show.
“Can we talk?” Gareth asked panting, the show was a success, they had a whole ass 15 people there for them! Plus the usual drunks and regulars.
“Nah man, got my eye on a piece by the bar! Enjoy your evening The Great.”
“Don’t be stupid! Don’t fuck this up Eddie!”
“I’m sorry, how am I going to.. fuck this up for you?”
“What? Not me dumbass! You!”
Me? You mean you! Don’t you?”
“Huh? Yeah.. YOU! Like he’s into you! He went outside to ask you out! Did he? He’s been nervous, cuz well you’re.. YOU! So, he asked me for advice. He’s a cool guy, pretty rad! So don’t fuck this up for yourself Munson.”
Eddie felt like he got kicked in the sack, felt a combination of baffled, lost, like he’d stumbled into the Twilight Zone!
“Wait.. hold up, Harrington likes.. me?” Hell no, Steve has never given Eddie any remote hint of being.. into him or for that matter, being into guys! Sure Eddie came out to Steve one night while they had one of their many honest, soul baring conversations. The ones where Steve would confess of how lonely he felt u til the kids, until Rob.. then… him
“Jesus man, what have I told you about that overthinking of yours! It’s ruined many a possible relationships for you!”
“Has not! Well, none that I cared enough to attempt to explain myself!”
Whatever you need to tell yourself banished! Steve, he’s, not some typical guy, piece of ass to have one night and adios.. he’s.. the ones you keep, because you know, like him, there’s no other! Put it this way! If I ever wanted to see if I liked men, he’d be who I wou..”
“Shut up!” Eddie snapped, looking around, left to right. Right to left. His hair bouncing about at his theatrics, All Gareth could do was cross his arms, offering a shit eating grin.
“Well.. well, look who cares. Wait! You thought me and Harrington?” Gareth felt a glint of pride, thus explaining Eddie’s damn bitchy behavior.
“Third table by the bar.” without hesitation, no further words required or thinking he jumped off the stage, his sneakers making that loud- SQUUUUEAK- once they greet the floor. Making his way towards the back, once the freckled male came into view Eddie understood why he’d been acting like such a .. twat waffle, why he couldn’t stand the sight of them together. Hanging out, talking, laughing, spending time together.
“It wasn’t me.” Yeah, it wasn’t him. He was jealous, down right, foot stomping, pouting like a little bitch jealous. He was fully aware he’d have to make this up to The Great somehow, some way.
He worked up the courage to close the distance between him and Harrington, who was sporting a gloomy face that almost rivaled Ed’s own.
“Band sucked that much sweet cheeks?” God could he be anymore lame? Steve lifted his head, as he did. Eddie locked eyes with those god damn gorgeous ones, he was done for. He finally admitted to himself why he was being such a..
“Sorry.. I was such a dick lately.. been.. not myself.”
“It’s ok man, don’t worry about it.”
“Nah.. don’t, do that! Don’t do that god damn Harrington thing you do!”
Steve was literally perplexed, with a tilt of his head, he leaned back into his chair, arms crossed. But being Steve, everything he did was without reaction yet got a reaction because he’s STEVE GOD DAMN HARRINGTON
This was it, his way in. Eddie would salvage this or.. die trying.
“That obnoxiously cute flustered face that’s followed by poking your tongue into your cheek, it.. drives me crazy..”
Steve caught on quick, you could see the doubt just, melt away. The tension, any hesitation these two dinguses had built in themselves had.. drifted away. The preppy male flashed a smile, it made Eddie’s tummy flip. God if he didn’t ruin this, he would spend the rest of what time he has left making damn sure to always have Steve smiling like that. And if he’s lucky, being the reason to said smile.
“Drive you crazy in what way? Me, doing that, what.. does it make you, wanna do.. to me?”
Eddie lost it, almost forgetting he was in a crowded bar with drunks and spectators. It felt as though it was just the two of them, he wanted to walk up to Steve, sit on his lap, claim those lips, make out with him right then and there. He wouldn’t dare share a moment of theirs or Steve with anyone else, instead he walked over. Offered his hand dramatically.
“If I may..” Steve sat up, shook his head, already used to Eddie’s theatrics, it’s something he found so endearing of him. Extending his hand to take Eddie’s, they linked fingers. BOTH instantaneously knew, without hesitation nor doubt. Their eyes bore into the others, Steve on the other hand already knew he loved Eddie, the moment just further strengthened his feelings.
The moment Eddie omitted to Steve that he was gay, that he’d been burned, used, degraded, un-cared for. Steve knew he wanted to be the ONLY being that would show him love. Steve knew from the instant he accidentally made contact with Eddies hand when they were cooking for the kids in the cramped trailer, once when Eddie took his shirt off in front of Steve, assuming he wasn’t looking at him, but was he .. Steve gazed at the beautiful alabaster skin and knew.. that he loved all of Eddie Munson.
They made their way out towards the back, all while never releasing their hold of the other. Once they reached Eddie’s van he turned, only letting go to clasp Steve’s cheeks in his hands.
“I’m sorry I was jealous! I .. assumed you and Gareth. I didn’t think of it until you came out and I said the dumb shit I said then left and .. Gareth and you .. together, the idea just.. and if you did it’s ok cuz I want you happy man, but fuck if it’s me and you let me, I ..shit! I fuck things up! .. I’m sorry, I.. Jesus I know what I wanna say, but when I speak it’s all jumbled and .. shit ok.. loo”
“Ed..” Steve spoke softly, his own hands now placed over Eddie’s own, fingertips grazing over that alabaster skin he so admired from afar, now, he actually got to touch Eddie exactly the way he dreamt of so many times.
“I got scared, wasn’t sure how-you’d.. but I’m- confident now to say this..” he searched for Eddie’s eyes, once they locked, offering that smile the metal head pledged to always ensure Steve would have.
“Wha..” Eddie closed his eyes, feeling tears prick his eyes. No way did he just hear, he imagined it. How could Steve.. Eddie wasn’t worth lov..
“I’m imaging shit, I thought you sai..”
“I love you Eddie, I’ve known for sometime now. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship if you.. didn’t feel the same, didn’t want to put that pressure on you as a friend if.. it wasn’t, mutual. So, I opened up to Gareth because, he’s your best friend, has-insight on the madness that is Eddie Munson! He couldn’t have made it more clear, he said... He said I had to make the first move because.. you wouldn’t, couldn’t. Because.. you wouldn’t allow yourself to think anyone could… He was right, you’re so oblivious at how kind, caring and beautiful inside and out you are. You haven’t the slightest clue how we’re all allowed to see you be.. you, were so lucky. So, here I am telling you, Eddie Munson that I Steve Harrington love you.”
There was peaceful silence between the two before Ed broke it with a rather cute cry, one that had Steve clasping Eddie’s features, holding him steady.
“Baby, why’re you crying? Please don’t cry.”
“You.. called me baby? You..” -sniffles- “said you, love me? You, can’t say shit like that to me Steve, you.. can’t take it back once, once I let you in. I’m ALL yours! An’ once you see the fucking mess I am, realize.. an’ leave. I .. you can’t say stuff like that cuz..”
“Eddie, listen to me. Hear my words, allow them to resonate into your flesh and bones. I’m not going anywhere, I’m in it for the long haul, till we’re both old, till we’re ghost! I choose to love you and only you! I have fears and doubts, but when I think of sharing my life with you, all that shit just drifts away. Let me show you that all those doubts and fears you feel will drift away. Allow me to love you the way you deserve baby, please.”
“Till we’re ghost? Shit Stevie, that’s morbid.” Clearing his throat, he opened his eyes to be met with the ones that true to his word, were melting away the doubts.
“Can I kiss you now please..” Steve pleaded, ached for Eddie’s lips, the taste, his essence. He offered his reply in a form of a nod, with that Steve leaned forward pressing his flesh to Eddies, connecting. BLISS
It was beyond what either perceived, more so. Their lips mold together, each tilt, each whimper they feed the other only strengthens their commitment to the other. Sure they’d have their ups and downs, like Eddie promising to always see that smile on Steve’s face. Steve made his own vow, to cherish every single kiss, every touch, every inch of Eddie. He’d treasure him because, he was now his to value. With some hesitation they part, foreheads resting to the other.
After helping Eddie lug his gear into the van, he let Gareth take his Beamer with the promise of having it back at his house by midnight. The two jumped into Eddie’s van, before driving off Eddie took a deep breath. Cleared his throat, looked over at Harrington whom was already looking at him goofy and awe struck with that smile.
“I.. heart you.” Steve knew that took a lot for Ed to say, baby steps for his metal head. He leaned over, planting a kiss on his temple.
“Can’t believe you said till we’re ghost!” Eddie laughed as they drove off.. Steve nudged his shoulder, the two bantered and talked the whole way back. Like they would every time they drove back from one of Eddie’s gigs the years onward.
