Mar 28, 2023
promise?
the inspo, they did it first
seen from Portugal
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promise?
the inspo, they did it first
pink for steve bc el insisted and he can't deny that face red for eddie bc his first promise was to take care of max
reference
the stranger things brainrot got me to write something. it's been plaguing my mind, the worms demanded to be fed, and here we are. anyway, this is mostly for me but i figure might as well share the brainrot with anyone who'd be interested. no beta, a no-upside down au, inspired by that fanart of teacher!steve with some tweaks here and there
Extended Hours are Open
these fragile eggs will likely crack unless you pick another track
"Wheeler, Byers! For the last time- no no no no!"
All Steve could do was pinch the bridge of his nose as the now full blown headache officially bloomed behind his eyes. The crash of his now obliterated mug of coffee rang throughout the classroom, small gasps and ooo's filling every corner.
Steve's shoulders rise as he takes a deep breath in, counting to five before blowing out a raspberry and settling his hands on his hips. Head falling back, his eyes scan the ceiling in an attempt to find his last shred of patience– surely it was somewhere within the water stains.
"Guys how many times do I have to tell you, no lightsaber battles during quiet time ." He mutters before a long sigh escapes him. He surveys the mess on the floor before finally looking at the guilty parties. Mike and Will were standing stock still in the positions they froze in when the mug went tumbling down. The markers, which were capped and stacked together to make their sabers, are now scattered and still rolling around the floor and through the spilled drink.
Steve straightens his back, eyes wandering over to the rest of the kids who at least understood and respected direction. They quickly avert their eyes and return to their after-school work, not wanting to be under Steve’s scrutinizing gaze that sweeps the room. At one of the tables, Lucas and Dustin had their heads together, snickering amongst themselves with fingers pointed back at the no-do-gooders.
Mike and Will lower their hands, releasing themselves from battle stance. Will’s hand comes up to brush his hair back before settling on the back of his neck while Mike sheepishly hides his hands and the culprit markers behind himself as his lips pull together into a tight line.
“Seriously guys, all we ask is that you take the first thirty minutes here to make sure your homework is done, make sure that you’re prepared for any tests or upcoming assignments, like-” Steve shakes his head, eyes searching for something to start cleaning up the mess. “It's the same rules as last year.”
Mike rolls his eyes, a scowl spreading across his face. “Steve, it’s only the second week of school. We’re still going over syllabus notes. And we’re seventh graders now ! We don’t even have that much-”
“And today is the first day of Extended Hours, Wheeler. We don't have that many rules but right now, all we asked for was thirty minutes of silence for the kids who do have some work to do, to be able to complete it without distractions. There’s twelve of you rugrats in here, not just you two-”
"We can clean this up," Will interrupts, eyes wandering over to the small supply closet in the corner of the room. “We’re sorry.” He throws his arm out, back of his hand tapping Mike’s chest to get them in motion.
Steve was starting to wish he had just applied to Family Video after graduating. He had just made it, the skin of his knees dragging across the finish line towards that diploma. He doesn’t remember the night of the graduation party, only the morning after when he had to stealthily escape the grasps of Taila the morning after. “I’m like a ninja,” he had exclaimed to Robin during lunch at the local diner that afternoon. A fry immediately hit him square in the face, her face scrunched in disgust.
But no, instead of getting to relax and kick back, peddle films for folks to rent, he agreed to take on Extended Hours, again. Robin really wanted to give it a go for another year. Steve couldn’t say no, even if the only reason she could give him was “for reasons!”
They had developed a completely (un)healthy codependency ever since they found that confiscated bag of gummies from Miss Lowers desk last year. Honestly though, how were they supposed to know it was infused?
That afternoon, Robin and Steve purged themselves of their deepest secrets. How Robin looked at Tammy, how she watched Fast Time over and over again but not because of the plot. How Vicki made her stomach writhe with butterflies just because she looked at her and would smile at her in band. How she doesn’t see that white picket fence with some guy by her side, but instead with someone that looked like Tammy or Vicki.
Steve talked about his empty home, his absent parents, how the girls he tried to date were all duds. How he stopped trying to find “the one” with every single age-appropriate babe in town and just let his body do what it wanted. How his eyes started to wander and suddenly he wasn’t only looking at girls like that. How he used to be jealous of the relationship Tommy and Carol had, except, it wasn't because they were happy together, but because Steve wanted Tommy to look at him the way he looked at Carol sometimes….
It didn’t need to be said, but it was understood as they slowly came down that they would never divulge what the other said, but most importantly, that they would be there for each other, always. They stayed together, eyes locked on each other, weary of the other until their understanding finally clicked and eventually Steve asked if she noticed that when Tammy sang she sounded like a Muppet, and that was that.
They have been attached at the hip ever since. They ignored the rumors but dispelled them any time they came up. It was difficult for folks to stomach, to fathom that they were simply platonic– nothing more.
The door to the classroom that had been partially open with a rubber stopper bustles open, Robin charging in. "Steve, I found the- what the heck happened here?" Her smile melted as her eyes wandered between Steve, the boys now scurrying over to the corner, and the coffee that continued to creep across the floor. She eyes the scattered markers, eyebrows knitting together as an annoyed whine escapes her lips. "Guys, what did we say about-"
"We know, we know! We're on it, alright, we're sorry.” Mike exasperates, head tilted all the way back as he follows Will who’s now rushing over to the supply closet, swinging the door open to find anything to clean the mess.
Robin approaches the small desk that Steve is leaning against, arms crossed against his chest. Tip-toeing as she nears the spill, she drops the box of books and card games with a small smile. She’d gone out looking for some stuff that the kids requested to have in the class, things to keep themselves occupied after quiet time.
The requests that had left Steve to fend for himself.
“Can we please please please get some more books in.” Suzie had pleaded, hands together in prayer at her chest. She turned to poor unsuspecting Jamie, grabbing their arm and roping them in for a request they didn't ask for. “Some medieval adventure story, maybe. Or how about an alien space adventure! Or, or, how about something to do with forbidden romance-”
“Ooo, can we get some Uno cards? Will and I had so much fun playing in Dad’s cabin with Jonathan and Argyle this summer,” Jane interrupted as she scooted close to the end of her seat, eyes wide and hopeful.
“HOLD ON!” Dustin rushed forward, had his arms out wide as his eyebrows tried to escape into his hairline behind his ball cap. “There’s a new campaign that was just published. Mr. Clarke found it and said he would print it out so that we could take a look but we haven’t had the chance to visit his class since to get the copy!” Dustin was adamant that it had to be picked up today, right now– not later, not tomorrow, now! by the way.
A few more requests from the rest of the kids and Steve’s eyes were starting to glaze over, brows together as he tried keeping up with the growing list. Robin nodded along with every request until they finally stopped coming in. She had tapped her chin with her pointer finger, deep in thought before saying okay. She had turned to leave without consulting Steve.
“Rob,” he scoffed as he grabbed her elbow before she made her escape. “There’s, like, that five-to-one rule! You can’t leave me alone with these kids, I’m outnumbered here.” Steve was watching the class wearily as they settled into their seats to start quiet time.
“It’ll be fine Harrington, I won’t even be gone two minutes. And I’m pretty sure Principle Murray said the rule is seven-to-one, Dingus. I’ll be right back.” As she spun on her heels, she yelled back “and no lightsaber marker battles!” before marching right out on her quest.
“Right back” was 14 minutes ago. Steve knows because he was counting down the seconds.
Four minutes after I’ll be right back, Erica had asked Steve for some help with an assignment for English. He crouched beside her as she squirmed in her seat to get a closer look. Across the top of the page in bold print was My Summer Vacation in 100 words or More. He was helping her choose which summer adventure to write about when his eyes caught movement outside the window. He ignored it and gave Erica his full attention.
Seven minutes after I’ll be right back , he had convinced Erica to write about the trip she and the rest of the Sinclairs went on– that pop-up carnival that wandered through Hawkins some time in mid-June.
It was alright. He personally had gone there with Robin and it would have been a more enjoyable experience if it weren’t for all the creepy clowns at every single stand. They ended up finding Nancy, Jonathan, and Argyle at some point and enjoyed the rest of that night together as a group of friends.
Nine minutes after I’ll be right back and Steve let curiosity of the movement from the window win him over as he wandered over to take a peak. A scoff had escaped his lips as he parted the hanging louvers to get a clearer look at the figures he had spotted across the courtyard.
Ten minutes after I’ll be right back and there she stood.
Robin was in the courtyard talking to Nancy, the box of requests settled casually against her hip as they laughed amongst themselves over some unheard joke. Nancy had stepped forward, hand settled against Robin’s arm that carried Steve’s reprieve as she threw her head back and laughed harder, Robin hiding her smile behind the hand that wasn't occupied.
Okay, first of all, Robin isn’t even that funny, okay. Steve had thought to himself as he leaned closer to the window, breath fogging the glass. Alright, and wait.. is Nancy making a move… I know Robin developed a crush after the carnival and those two were inseparable all summer when we weren’t together and- wait, who cares right now, Robin! There are kids waiting for you here, man! Me, I’m waiting !
Steve had dropped his head, eyes closed and despair hidden behind his fallen hair as he stepped away from the window, resolved to the fact it was going to be a while before Robin got back.
It was at minute eleven when Steve had made his first warning to Mike and Will. Stop stacking those markers and keep quiet please. He went over to the coffee machine (thank you Ms. Byers, by the way) and started to make a batch as the inkling of a headache started at his temples.
A few minutes later, a few more ignored warnings, the crashing of the coffee mug– bing bang boom, we’re all caught up.
Will retreated from the supply closet, a bundle of towels in hand while Mike carried a small bucket over to the sink to fill with water. As they start cleaning up the mess, Steve elbows Robin, her eyes blinking as she shakes her head to clear her daze and turns to him.
“Two minutes, huh,” he accuses as he unfolds his arms, turning to inspect the box of goods. Just about every request he could remember, up to the forbidden romance . “How’s Nance doing with the school newspaper by the way.”
Eyes wide and a smile wide enough to crack anyone else’s face spreads across her own, and Robin starts. “Oh she’s so excited, she was telling me about this story she was going to cover with Fred about those dumb satanic rumors the country is trying to associate with DnD. She’s got interviews lined up, she mentioned someone named Eddie. Do you know him? Munson, he’s older and was supposed to graduate with you, something about dyslexia and attendance or whatever keeping him back a year. No, two. He’s still enrolled, just has to take a few elective courses to finish out the year. Apparently he’s covering most of it at home, just shows up to take tests every once in a while. He’s actually pretty smart- just not good with school. He’s, what do they say? That’s it! Street smart, he’s street smart, not book smart. Oh, and did you know he sometimes makes campaign outlines for the boys? That he ran that Hellfire Club the kids are a part of here in school? Anyways, since Mike and them are all absolute dorks, she wants to get a message across the school about how it’s absolutely not true and to get their heads out of their asses. You know, she gets this passionate look on her face every time she–” Robin suddenly stops rambling, the smile slipping off her face as a flush rises up her neck all the way up to the tips of her ears.
A nervous laugh bubbles from her lips. “Nancy is fine,” she mutters as she scratches at a spot on her neck, red slowly creeping across her cheeks.
Before she could start to overthink, Steve breaks into a wide smile, playfully shoving his best friend to get her attention before grabbing her into a sideways hug. “Rob, it’s fine. She and I– we talked about it and we both agreed that we would be better as friends. You were literally there that night. You know, the night of the carnival? Don’t sweat it,” he whispers so only she can hear, pulling her in to give a reassuring squeeze before letting her go.
She shakes her head, eyebrows pulling close together. “But Steve, there are, like, codes we follow. You’re my best friend. How did you even know- wait, how long have you known?” Another rough shake of her head. “That’s not important- well, it is, but still, you don’t have to say that just to-”
“ Shh! Buckley! I said it’s fine.” He waves her off with a laugh. Did she just stop breathing? “Besides, we shouldn’t talk about this here. Just hear me when I say this.” He turns her so they’re fully facing each other, lowering his head so that they’re at eye level. “It. Is. Fine. Now, please breathe.”
Robin inhales the breathe she had refused to take and stands there, nose scrunching as a wince takes over her whole face, “But-”
Steve takes a peak at the clock hanging above the door of the classroom. Seven minutes left until quiet time is over.
Good enough .
He claps his hands together loudly to get her to stop before she even starts rambling again, getting the class’s attention before spinning around to look at the startled eyes.
“Alright! I say we call it early, we grab all of our belongings, and take Extended Hours outside! Come on, let’s get some sun.” He waves his arms to signal everyone to start moving, ignoring Robin’s attempts to catch his attention by grabbing the box of requests and making his way to the classroom door, propping it open with his shoulder while the kids gather their belongings and get themselves ready to move. Will and Mike scramble to get the bucket and towels rung out and the markers put away to follow everyone outside.
Robin points at Steve, gives him a we’re going to talk about this later look before rolling her eyes and using the finger she had pointed at him to start counting the kids.
“One! Two.. five, eight,” Steve taps Jane’s head as he says “Eleven, and twelve,” he exclaims, holding the door for Robin to follow the line of kids outside to the courtyard. She runs ahead, the lead of the train to keep the kids in order while Steve keeps an eye from the back, letting the classroom door swing shut behind him.
Steve is snooping through the box to get a better look at the contents at the bottom as they’re rounding a corner when he runs into a body. No, when he runs into two bodies.
“Oh shi- I’m so sorry, I should have been paying attention,” Steve apologizes while he re-centers himself, settles the box to his side and brushes his hair back before he looks up at the offended parties who stood side by side, pinkies interlocked. He recognizes them both but is only familiar with–
“Holy shit, is that Max.”
“ Lucas! ” Robin spins at the curse. “What did we say about language!”
“Sorry! It’s just, we haven’t seen Max since last year and she had been out all of last week. We just didn’t think we’d see her again.”
“Yeah, we thought she went back to California or something.” Dustin mutters. Lucas sheepishly smiles at Max before cutting his eyes to Dustin and then immediately to the floor. Jane waves excitedly in the line to Max, who half smiles from where she stands.
The line is no longer moving, at a stand still in the middle of the hall as the sudden interaction takes place.
Max was part of Extended Hours the year before when she and Billy were both enrolled at Hawkins Middle and High. He would often leave without her, blue Camaro roaring away with whoever Billy was fooling around with that week and, without a ride, she stuck around and was a part of the party.
Things got rocky towards the end of the year. From what Steve understood, their parents were going through the process of divorce and it was really hard for the both of them. Billy ended up dropping out in the middle of the semester, got his GED, went straight back to Cali and, from what they all understood, he never looked back.
After Billy left, things got worse for Max. The smallest things would set her off and she slowly pushed everyone away, Walkman blocking out the noise as she kept to herself more and more. Robin, Steve, Nancy- they tried to do what they could but she was a brick wall that refused to crumble. She stopped showing up to Extended Hours and would just skate home after school. She finished up the school year and, as Lucas said, hadn’t been seen or heard of since.
“Hey, Eddie. Max.” Mike looks between everyone, a small wave of his hand from where it hangs at his hips before he takes a small step back, a bit behind Will. Eddie smiles and nods in recognition as he winks at the kids who he’s helped campaign for.
Steve clears his throat, extends his hand in apology and exhales as Eddie takes his hand with a smile, other hand still interlocked at the pinkies with Max’s. “Sorry, again. Munson, Max- what brings you two to school after hours?” Steve stares between the two because, well, it’s an odd pairing to be running into if he’s honest. How did she know Eddie? How did Eddie know her and why were they here together?
Weird pairing. Not that Eddie was weird. Well, okay, he was “the freak” Munson, but Steve “the king” knew better than to listen to rumors, especially the outlandish ones.
The man before Steve didn’t exactly meet those rumored expectations. Eddie’s usually wild mane was currently up in a do, in a loose low hanging bun with wisps framing his face. He wore a white long-sleeve shirt that read “Skylar’s Vibe,” which Steve recognized as the music shop in town. He had on a sleeveless jean jacket that was covered in pins and patches, with one larger patch proudly present on his front left pocket– Hellfire Club.
Steve’s eyes traveled back down to the interlocked pinkies. His nails are painted with black nail polish, chipped, and a digital watch on one wrist and an assortment of black wrist bands on the other. Tight, ripped black jeans hugged his legs. He’s pale between the slits, he notes.
He looked back at Eddie’s face, smiling between the two again. No way this dude bit off a bat’s head. Might have sold some kids some weed, but definitely has never been to prison for murder. Soft doe eyes like that? This guy was innocent in Steve’s books.
Although that mouth, lips pursed in a smirk before a tongue sneaks out to wet his lips– that mouth surely has its secrets. Maybe that one rumor about-
“I’m just dropping Max off for Extended Hours. I know she didn’t make it for classes all week and wasn’t in today but we figured better late than never.” Eddie interrupted Steve’s train of thought and, thank god because where exactly was the destination?
“Oh, that’s nice of you Munson,” Robin exclaims from the front of the line as she extends a hand out for Max. “We were just going to go outside, get some sun. Just got done with Quiet Time, about to go through that box,” she tips her chin in Steve’s direction. “Now that Max is here, we could all catch up! I know we’ve all missed you.” She directs that last part to Max, who sheepishly bows her head as a smile threatens to break her cool composure.
Max looks at the hand that’s interlocked with Eddie’s, gives his pinky a squeeze as she looks up at him. He gives her an encouraging nod, pulling their interlocked arms forward so she can take steps towards Robin’s extended hand, breaking their connection.
A deep breath fills her small body as Max takes a step forward and takes Robin's hand, nodding at everyone as she passes them. “I guess I’ve missed being here with you guys, too.” She nods, as if to herself, seemingly trying to convince herself as Robin begins moving the group of kids past the double doors that lead to the courtyard.
Steve doesn’t move with them, just watches the group go outside, sees the way Lucas and Jane have a sudden extra pep in their step as they follow Robin and Max with the others.
“Anyways, I’ll be back to pick her up– is the pick up time still five?” Eddie taps Steve’s arm with the back of his hand before using that same hand to point behind him. “I just, I gotta get back to work, finish out my shift.” Eddie starts to walk backwards, eyes on Steve as he slowly makes his way back down the hallway to get to the parking lot, waiting for a response.
“Huh- Oh, yeah, the pick up time is at five or anytime before, but I sometimes take the kids home if parents call me ahead of time for the favor. They usually compensate me for the gas-” Steve shakes his head. “But, wait, before you go! How do you know Max? Where’s her mom?” Steve re-adjusts the box, the weight finally getting to him as he’s been holding it for so long. He rests it against his hip, his other hand going to the back of his neck to scratch an itch that had suddenly festered deep under his skin.
Why was it suddenly so warm? Also, were there ants crawling up his arms? His neck? Into his hair?
Eddie grimaces in a way that tells Steve it’s not his place to explain. Hm . “Her mom moved into the trailer park I live in. They’re right across from the one I live in with my uncle Wayne.” He nods as he decides what’s enough to say without saying too much or too little. A few more hairs fall from his up-do before he decides to take out the black tie that was holding it up and shakes out his hair with his hand, an exasperated sigh escaping him.
“Let’s just say my family has gotten close with her’s and… she’s the little sister I wish I had.” He nods again, a smile on the cusp of his lips. “I’m just trying to help her and her mom out right now. That’s it.” He clasps his hands together, smiling as he playfully salutes to Steve before turning on his heel. “Thanks for watching Little Red, Harrington. Give my thanks to Buckley and tell the little DnD shits I’ll talk to them soon! I’ll see you when I pick her up later.”
He rounds a corner and he’s gone.
Steve can hear the door that leads to the parking lot open and close. He stands there for a moment, runs a hand down his arms to shake off the imaginary ants before making his way to the courtyard.
So. Max and Eddie are a sudden brotherly-sister duo. Huh.
“Dude, give us the box!” Dustin just about rips the box from Steve's grasp. “Where the hell is it,” he mutters while he rummages through it. Slowly the rest of the kids gather around to take turns taking out their requests.
Steve slowly makes his way towards Robin who’s seated in one of the benches that line the edge of the open field of grass where the kids slowly spread out into their own respective groups. He spies Max and Jane, hand in hand and settling down to sit across the way to watch the rest of the kids. Steve assumes they’re catching up for the time that was lost during the summer.
He watches as Max’s face lights up, animated with whatever conversation she’s having with Jane. They set up the cards to start playing their game of Uno. Suzie slowly approaches, seems to ask a question before taking a seat in the circle with them to play, the book she requested forgotten beside her.
“Wipe that smile off your face Steve, it was me who made that happen. I’m the one who went out on the quest of Children’s Demands. Just look at the fruits of my labor. Happy children! Happy children everywhere.” She smirks as she shakes her head. She takes a moment to look around, mentally counting the number of kids before them, smiling wide as she whispers “thirteen,” and tips her head back to soak in the sun.
“We were only twelve not even five minutes ago. Now we’re for sure outnumbered here, Robs.”
“It’s seven-to-one, Mr. Airhead-ington. We’d need 2 more kids before we’re officially outnumbered in Murray’s books.” She sways from her seat, eyes still closed as she sighs contently.
Steve hums, eyes still on Max in the distance, occasionally making sweeps to account for the rest of the kids. “Did she mention anything to you?”
“Max? No. Asked what she wanted to do, if she was okay but then Jane had her arm and was pulling her away from me before I could get an answer. I won’t pry, not yet. There’s a smile on her face that I want to stay there a while longer before we try to pry.” Robin’s head snaps up, eyes squinting against the sun. “What about Eddie, did he mention anything after you gawked at him in the hallway before he left?”
“Nah, he didn’t seem comfortable sharin– wait- excuse me, I wasn’t gawking , I was-”
“Drooling.”
“Robin.”
“Fine! Admiring, then,” Robin laughs, hiding her smile behind her hands before she playfully shoves Steve.
“I was- fine, I was staring ,” he enunciates the word, hands moving dramatically before him as he continues. “It was kinda weird to see them come in together like that, is all. I was, what’s that SAT word- dumbfounded .”
“That’s not an SAT word.”
Quick roll of his eyes. “Anyway, he didn’t say anything. Just that he’s been helping her and her mom out this summer and that he’ll be back to pick her up before five.” Steve rakes a hand through his hair. His eyes wander back to Max, Jane, and Suzie. “Glad to see she’s okay at least.”
“Yeah… we’ll just have to wait and see if she decides to open up to us. At least she found Eddie.”
“At least she found Eddie.”
part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8
pt 10! fic can also be found on ao3, user is the same over there. part 1 of Extended Hours can be found here.
bury me in the bedroom where i can sing you to sleep all night
Steve doesn’t know Chrissy all that well. Sure, they ran with the same circle of popular jocks, have been to how many parties and are well enough acquainted. He doesn’t know her all that well but he doesn’t need to know her to know that look . And he’d be worried, scared even, if that look was directed at him, and it sure as hell feels like it is, except he knows it’s actually being directed to the man who’s currently cowering behind him.
Cowering? No, jeering, the idiot is jeering .
“Ohh, she’s gonna fuckin’ kill me,” Eddie grumbles, his grip on Steve’s shoulders tightening. Steve turns his head in time to watch Eddie stick his tongue out when Chrissy shoots another fiery glare in their direction. Eddie leans over into a sideways lunge, placing his hands on either side of his face with his palms facing forward and wiggles his fingers, opening his mouth to stick his tongue out at her.
Steve’s pretty sure if she could Chrissy would conjure a hole to open up beneath them and swallow them down.
In an instant her usually darling bubbly personality is back when her attention is pulled to someone else, eyes sparkling and her fingers tugging on the ends of her jacket sleeves. Eddie chuckles, the wiggling of his fingers ticking up in pace when she gets a tug by a freckled arm towards the sunroom, Vicky’s voice booming throughout the house over the music (Nancy’s this time).
“ How the hell did I end up getting invited to a party hosted by Steve ‘the hair’ Harrington? This place is huge. And oh wow, the pool is massive! Lis, let’s get in, he has a diving board and– oh my god, Robin? ”
Steve snorts as he watches Chrissy get hauled away and out into the sunroom, disappearing around the corner. He can hear Robin’s nervous laughter from here, doesn’t need to see her to know what look she has on her face.
“Munson, I think you have more to worry about than Cunningham.”
Eddie’s straightens, starts chewing on his thumb nail as his face scrunches in consideration. “Chris and Bobby I think I could handle on my own. If anything I think I’d start to get a little worried if Drew got involved.”
Steve starts before he can stop. “Nance does own guns, so if there was someone to watch out for–”
“I’m sorry, but did you just say Nancy Wheeler owns guns? Plural ?” If Eddie’s eyes got any wider they’d be in danger of rolling out of their sockets.
Shit . Steve hums with a small shake of his head, using his finger and thumb to mime zipping and locking his lips shut.
Eddie scoffs, crossing his arms over his chest offendly when Steve steps closer to hug him, arms circling low around his middle. When Eddie doesn't reciprocate Steve sighs into his hair. "It's kind of a long story, one that revolves around Will's kidnapping… it's really hers and Jonathan's to tell."
Eddie stiffens in his arms, familiar with the story but not all of the details. "Well shit, didn't know it got that bad," he mutters, and Steve just hugs him closer. Eddie uncoils after a moment, arms snaking their way around and falling into the embrace, chin resting on Steve's shoulder.
"It's honestly pretty insane, but yeah. Nance, she's… prepared to take care of herself and those she cares for."
"Your ex sounds like a badass."
Steve hums in agreement, burying his nose in the curls that start to tickle his nose. "Speaking of bad asses," he mumbles, hands slipping down Eddie's back, but they don't get very far.
“That was so goddamn lame, you keep those hands above the waist. I know I said I was an easy man to please, but I’m not easy ,” he tsks, leaning away at the waist and clutching at the nonexistent pearls at chest. Steve laughs and Eddie allows Steve to lean in, their noses brushing together.
“I don’t know, I think I can be pretty easy enough for the both of us,” Steve quips, lips brushing against Eddie's with each word. Eddie pulls away but only enough to get their eyes to focus on each other.
"I'm well aware of the reputation that earned you that crowned status, Harrington. Don't think you're aware of mine though," he says, and it peaks Steve's curiosity enough to pull away because–
"Are you saying being a metalhead and a ragingly proud– wait, what’s that word Rob used– non conformist who plays DnD with the other nerds of Hawkins High isn't the reason for your freak status? Which, by the way, I still don't think you are."
Eddie's smile shifts into something that makes Steve's insides flutter. "Sweetheart,the places and kind of folks you get acquaintanced with when you're out and about trying to get these babies." Eddie tips his chin, gesturing to the tattoos scattering his arm. "I've got stories that would make you blush a lot harder than you are now."
"Really?"
"Tattooing is illegal in the great ole' state of Indiana. I've got my own kit, been giving myself and letting some of the guys give a few small ones here and there, but I've had to get most of these from some… I'll call them interesting people."
"So, what I'm hearing is that you are both a badass and have a bad ass?"
Eddie glares at Steve with a tightlipped smile, trying to hold back his laugh. He fails, utters " you're so fuckin' lame " so silently between them that if Steve wasn't hooked onto every little thing that is Eddie he would have missed it. Steve laughs with him as he wraps a finger around one of Eddie’s belt loops, ready to haul him back towards the party.
Or at least he tries. Always trying but Eddie, of course, doesn’t come along easily.
Instead he takes Steve's hand in his, freeing the hold of his loop and opting to tangle their fingers together as he gently pulls him towards the stairs. He takes a step before turning back to look at Steve, making himself a head taller in this position. He takes Steve's face in his hands, thumb sweeping lightly over his cheeks.
“So are these a whole body type deal or were the angels polite enough to just give you a kiss goodbye?”
Steve brows pinch together. “Angels?”
“Mhm." Eddie sinks forward, right arm going around Steve's shoulder while his left hand slips towards the back of his neck, fingers kneading into the muscles there. “There’s that saying that freckles are a kiss from angels. That or you’re a bearer of the witch’s mark.” Eddie pulls his hand back to wiggle his fingers in Steve’s face.
“Robin calls them beauty marks. Also, wouldn’t that make me a warlock?” Steve mumbles, eyes trained on Eddie’s fingers that suddenly freeze, taking the opportunity to nip at the closest digit.
Eddie pulls his hand away with a hiss, a chuckle bubbling past his lips. “I mean, yeah, but how do you–”
“I pay attention to the kids and their dorky interests. Your Hellfire Club really brings out their full nerd.” Eddie scoffs dramatically and tries to pull away but Steve grabs at his waist, crowds in until they’re sharing the same step and Eddie throws his arms around Steve’s shoulders with a yelp, has to arch his back to keep his balance as Steve buries his face into his neck. “It’s cute! I’ve seen the way you and the kids get when you’re talking about your separate, what is it– campaigns, right? It’s cool that you give them the space to do their thing while you host your own.” Steve pulls his face back, chaste kiss to his lips. “It’s cute .”
“ Cute , he says.” Eddie takes another backwards step as he narrows his eyes. He’d look annoyed if that dimple didn’t give him away. “As I was saying, Ye Who Interrupts .” Eddie relaxes into Steve’s space again, his grin sending warmth to Steve’s chest. “Your freckles– beauty marks, moles, whatever you wanna call them– they can be the mark of a warlock , sure. But they also say they could be marks from where angels have kissed you.
“ So .” Eddie takes Steve’s face in his hand again as he leans forward. “They would have kissed you here.” He kisses Steve's left cheek twice, pulls back with a smirk.
"Here." Eddie grabs Steve's chin, tilts it to the right and kisses his other cheek once, then another one just below his eye before dragging his lips towards Steve's. They share the same breath and Steve's leaning into it, following Eddie as he takes another step back, his hands reaching. His grip on Eddie's waist borders on too tight when he chases his lips but the hold on his neck slips into his hair and Eddie uses it to angle Steve's neck before ducking down so he can press another kiss there, “ here ,” sending a trail of want down through Steve's body.
With a contented sigh Steve's hands are slipping under Eddie's shirt, taking another step along as Eddie slowly clambers backwards up the steps, pressing another kiss to his neck before switching over and working through the ones on Steve’s left.
Steve has no idea how they made it to the top, having nearly lost his balance about half way up. He was mid-step when it happened– Eddie had bit down on his neck before pressing his tongue against the spot, the sensation going straight to Steve's groin when Eddie began to suck a deeper mark into his skin. It had him attempting to press forward to find friction but Eddie just hummed into it, licking up Steve's neck only to start marking up the other side and continuing their slow moving trek up the stairs.
On the final step Steve is nearly panting, desperate to make his own marks, to take. When they get on the same level he uses his grip on Eddie’s hips to pull them together, the motion sending a shudder down his spine until it reaches his toes and all he can do is keep moving forward, ushering Eddie towards his room as tactfully as he can.
They reach the door and Steve moves one hand to the back of Eddie’s neck, gentle roll of his hips eliciting a moan from the two. Eddie sighs as he unlatches, his breath against the wet patch of skin on Steve’s neck sending another chill through him as he leans back against the door, eyes trained on the bruises he’s left.
He looks up, eye’s immediately scanning Steve’s face. He tugs on the hem of Steve’s shirt gently, his teasing grin pulling Steve’s attention to that bright white smile and momentarily away from the fluttering in his chest or the heaviness between his legs. “I still know a way to get this stain out by the way. Should let me take care of that sometime.”
Steve takes the bait and reels.
“Is this your not subtle way of trying to get me out of my clothes? Munson, all you have to do is ask. I run pretty hot, this sweater isn’t really doing me any favors. Unless,” Steve murmurs, his voice low, like he's sharing a secret.
And maybe he is, because there's really no one else this is for, hasn't been for weeks. It's his and Eddie's and he wants to speak it, write it directly on his skin like his lips are a pen and Eddie's skin is a blank page calling out to be written on, engraved– to be branded.
His hands are moving, fingers digging into the muscles of Eddie's back as he rakes his hands down, Eddie’s back arching away from his hands, but it just gets them even closer, the space between them leaving their want for one another unavoidable. Steve doesn't reach for what he wants to get a handful of, not yet. He hears the way Eddie exhales forcefully out of his nose, eyes slipping shut as Steve leans in even closer and allows the tip of his nose to ghost over Eddie's cheek, doesn't stop until his lips are at his ears.
Steve doesn't realize just how much of an effect this man has over him. He doesn't realize just how far gone he is all because he's in his space, finally allowed in. There's only so much his right hand and the images of tattooed arms and well calloused ringed fingers can do, and if he’s honest with himself it's been some time.
He doesn't realize it until he hears his own voice, surprised by how deep and this shy out of breath it is even to his own ears as he murmurs his guess into Eddie’s ear.
"Unless you want me to get you out of yours first?"
Being this close he's able to hear the way Eddie's breath stutters, feeling the hot exhale of his breath float across his own cheek. He leans in and they kiss, Steve using his hand on his neck to change the angle, deepening it as he reaches for the door knob.
If it takes him a few tries to successfully turn the knob he’ll blame it on the redirection of blood flow.
“Light or no light?” Steve stutterers, licking his way into Eddie’s mouth before he can respond. Eddie shoves, the door clambering shut with a bang as he leads them into it, hips first. Another pass of Steve’s tongue in his mouth and Eddie captures it, giving a tentative suck that has Steve groaning as he grabs at Eddie’s ass, fingers digging in deep enough to the plushness that he’s sure they’d be bruised if not for the layer of clothes over him.
Eddie releases his tongue, a wet uncoordinated kiss of his lips as Steve uses his hold to pace another languid press. “ Fuck , no– no light. What was that thing you said? Feel me, don’t watch me, right?”
Another roll of their hips, another moan, and Steve’s pulling away from the door.
Eddie’s hands had been in Steve’s hair but when the back of his knees hit the edge of the bed he drops them to Steve’s hips, switching their positions and he lightly pushes Steve, only pulling away from their kiss so Steve can take a seat on the edge and Eddie follows, knees on either side of his hips. Steve’s about to lay them down, his hands hot on Eddie’s thighs but Eddie breaks away.
“Steve, wait.” Eddie pulls away, eyes still shut as he presses his forehead to Steve’s and they share the same air. Steve brushes his hands up to Eddie’s hips, fingers dipping past the band of Eddie’s jeans for a second before he’s pulling them up to run a soothing pass up his spine, giving a hum of acknowledgement, taking a deep slow inhale through his nose to recenter. “Do you get tested? Like, regularly after you’ve…”
Steve nods, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Rob, she–” Steve chuckles, pulling back to look at Eddie. “–we were sharing a sundae and I accidently gave her mono, once , and she wouldn’t let me hear the end of it. I got tested regularly and I’m clear. Haven’t been with anyone since the last one.” He lifts a hand to cup Eddie’s check, thumb sweeping lightly over his bottom lip.
"Okay, good, that's good. And me too, by the way." Eddie nods, placing the tip of Steve’s thumb between his lips, looks like he’s about to talk around it but stops short. He nips the pad of it. “You get tested, that’s good. But have you…” he squints, seems to be asking something but Steve can’t read him.
“What, have I what?” He pulls his hand away, leans back with his hands on the bed at his hips, trying to give Eddie as much space to ask what he needs to, voice soft and face relaxed.
Eddie chews at the corner of his lips, hesitation filtering across his face, but only for a second, relaxing as he starts moving his hands. He places them low on Steve’s stomach, lifts the hem so he has his palms on skin, gently pushing Steve to lay back as he runs his hands up his torso, the hem bundling up his chest until Steve lifts his arms so it can be pulled off.
“So they are a whole body type deal… noted.” Eddie tosses the sweater behind him, sinking heavily against Steve’s thighs, ignoring the harsh tenting that Steve’s jeans barely allow as he runs his hands up Steve’s chest. He pulls his hands away, fingers working the clip out of his hair before he shakes out his hair. Steve has to resist the urge to sit up, to tell him how beautiful he looks like this. Doesn’t want to rush it, possibly ruin this because he has before, has a feeling he will again if he opens his mouth.
Still, he can’t help the gasp that escapes him when Eddie cups him through his jeans, Eddie's fingers squeezing as he ruts up into the pressure. He starts to work on his belt, the sound of the metal clinking loudly in the quiet room, the music and laughter of the party reverberating subtly through the walls of the room.
Once the belt is off he pops off the single button at the top and stops there. He leans over Steve, hair cascading down with his hands on either side of Steve’s head and sinking into the mattress, his smirk intoxicating, the smell of apples overwhelming.
Beautiful .
Steve asks the question before he can blurt out the affections. “What did you want to ask me?”
Eddie hums, leans down to kiss Steve once, twice before he moves, kisses the corner of his mouth and starts to work his way down Steve’s neck, fingers back to his jeans and undoing the zipper. Steve squeezes his eyes shut, chest heaving as his hands find Eddie’s face and pulls him up, fingers brushing the hairs he can capture to tuck behind his ears. “Eds, your question.”
Eddie leans in, lips ghosting over Steve’s lips. Steve stops breathing, fingers grasping at the strands in his hands. "How many guys have you been with?"
It’s now Steve’s turn to hesitate. Eyes still closed, he shakes his head, lips brushing against Eddie’s with the movement.
“Uhh, not… any?” He doesn’t know why his voice turns the statement into a question, because the answer is definitively zero, zilch, nada.
Eddie pulls away, brows knitting together in doubt. "Not even a casual handy amongst the guys? Like, ever ?"
"Munson, why the fuck would I bullshit about this?"
"I'm just asking! You were always 'the hair' but also Steve 'the straightest man to have ever' Harrington for years! You're, like, extremely into this and I just wanted to know how far, if ever, you've gotten with another guy because I have some experience and I just want to know where you’re at.”
"I haven't had the opportunity, okay, this is bumfuck Hawkins Indiana. I had no idea this was an option for me a week ago, alright, what do you want from me," Steve says around a chuckle, leaning up to press an open mouth kiss to Eddie’s lips. "But right now I'm really into you , so can you just let me into your pants?"
Eddie nods and licks his lips, but this close he ends up licking at Steve's too and Steve parts them like a man starved, rushing forward to chase after them. Eddie lets him, settling his weight until he’s flush against Steve, shifts so his thigh is pressed against Steve’s harden line, his own arousal pushing down against his hip.
When Eddie’s tongue plunges deep Steve takes the opportunity to return that good feeling, earning him a pretty moan as Eddie rolls his hip, their dicks pressing together harshly against the clothes still between them as they rut against one another, shy of too much of the wrong type of pressure yet still not enough. Steve lets go of Eddie’s hair, hands finding the hem of Eddie’s shirt, sitting up and gathering Eddie into his lap before tearing his shirt over his head, immediately reaching to lock their lips together again.
Steve works through Eddie’s belt, fingers fumbling as he pulls them away from the loops, wincing when he hears the fabric of one of the belt loops tear with the motion, but Eddie only starts to work his hands back down to Steve’s own open fly to work him out of his jeans.
He hisses, the air harsh as he’s freed, Eddie’s fingers cold against the head of his dick when he gives a loose stroke, lifting his hips when Eddie directs him to. Steve screws his eyes shut tight over the barely there touch. Eddie slips off the bed before Steve can even start to try to get them equally undressed, and Steve suddenly feels over-exposed in the low lit room as Eddie settles on his knees in between his legs.
Steve’s been here before, has had countless others (namely only women) on their knees before him but he’s never felt more exposed than he does right here with his pants around his thighs. Eddie works the rest of Steve’s jeans down, humming contently with the final pull of the cuff from around his ankle, rubbing his hands up his legs, straightening up to reach and find Steve’s lips again.
Eddie’s hands try to reach for Steve, but Steve hums into the kiss and directs Eddie to stand in front of him. Steve spreads his legs and crowds the other man close, ignoring his own needs begging for attention, batting away Eddie’s searching hands so he can focus on him. Eddie’s hands find purchase on Steve’s shoulder and the top of his head, breath catching in his throat as he gets worked out of the rest of his clothes, his own dick springing forward. Steve freezes, eyes catching on the leaking tip.
He leaves Eddie’s pants around his knees, mouth parted in awe because– can dicks be pretty ? He’s never really cared for the look of his own, wasn’t all that impressed by what he’d seen on occasion from his peripherals in the locker rooms, but looking at Eddie’s, tip glistening in the low light, the tip red and weeping because of him. Eyes surveying what he can of the tattoos that had been otherwise hidden all this time, the moonlight cascading in through the window, making Eddie’s pale skin seem like it’s glowing, the grey and black tattoos a stark contrast.
He’s so fucking pretty , Steve thinks to himself as he moves to slide the rest of Eddie’s clothes off.
“You did not just call my dick pretty.”
Steve blinks, blush creeping onto his cheeks as he looks up to find Eddie hiding behind his hair, hadn’t noticed when he’d pulled his hands away. Steve winces, goes back to slipping the fabric down the rest of Eddie’s legs. “Shit, I– I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to keep my mouth shut. Just ignore me.”
Eddie steps out of his clothes at the words, kicking frantically away at the cuffs that catch on his ankle as he pushes at Steve’s shoulders, a silent oof escaping Steve as he falls back.
“Harrington, are you a talker ?” Eddie lilts, and Steve’s heart rate is kicking back up as they slowly move towards the center of the bed. Eddie settles against him, hands going back into his hair, lips clashing against Steve’s before he can answer.
“I don’t think I’ve ever talked more trying to get laid than I have with you tonight, actually,” Steve mumbles between breaths, hands pushing so they lay on their sides. Eddie makes an annoyed sound in the back of his throat and Steve smirks behind another kiss, using his left hand to pillow Eddie's head while his right hand skirts between them.
“Fuck off, you know what I mean – oh . Oh god, you’re so warm, how are you so fucking warm?” Eddie’s chokes on the words, Steve’s hands finally on him, thumb sweeping over the slit to spread the slickness that’s collected on the tip.
Eddie tugs on the strands in between his fingers, a gasp racking through him as Steve's thumb rubs lightly over the head, running his fingers down where the hairs brush against his fingers, giving a gentle squeeze at the base before slowly stroking back up to the head with a loose grip.
“I could say the same, your hands are freezing." Steve murmurs, doing what he knows feels good on him and using every sound that comes from Eddie to piece together what makes him keen. Eddie's lips crash back into Steve's, right hand clutching at the back of Steve’s neck while his left hand drops to take Steve in his hand, coaxing Steve tongue back into his mouth to start sucking on it again, pacing it to the same slow moving strokes of their hands on each other, rings searingly cold against the heat of Steve's body.
Eddie pulls away if only to get the buzzing of their lips to subside. When his eyes focus he finds Steve’s chewing on his bottom lip, eyes screwed shut.
“Steve, you can talk to me,” Eddie breathes, slowing the pace of his hand, stroking the pad of his thumb along Steve’s length, hand going slack. Steve has to focus on his breathing, eyes slipping open at Eddie’s words. He shakes his head, tries to close the gap but Eddie turns his cheek so Steve can only bury his face into the crook of his neck.
“It’s just, I just start– fuck, your hand –I just start babbling, and it’s super annoying, I don’t–” Steve shudders at another pass, using his hold on Eddie’s neck to reach and latch on to start making his own marks, using the distraction to keep the words from tumbling out and stave off the budding release, his own hand resuming their languid strokes on Eddie’s dick.
Eddie hums, doesn’t say what he wants, decides next time he’ll push it. Instead he bats Steve’s hand away from him, earning him an annoyed whine and a harsh bite. He laughs, pulling his neck away from Steve’s insistent lips. He leans in, can’t help but smirk at the bitchy pout that is Steve’s mouth. Eddie shuffles closer, pressing a chaste kiss to those lips, running his tongue along the seam of Steve’s lips to deepen it.
He takes them both in one hand and Steve gasps at the new feeling, can only try to keep his breathing steady as Eddie starts to jerk them off together, his hands slowly increasing the pace with each passing moment. Steve can’t even coordinate his lips, their kiss having turned sloppy and this side of too wet, leaving them panting into each other’s open mouths.
His brain finally catches up and he’s moving his hand that isn’t in a vice grip on Eddie's shoulder, grasping at what Eddie’s hand can’t between them and starts to jerk them together, focusing on chasing the feeling that’s growing, that’s nestled deep at the base of his spine, doesn't think he's ever been this close so fast. His breath catching over a particularly tight stroke, his own hand stuttering in uncoordinated movements on Eddie’s dick– no his , theirs, together.
“Fuck, –” Steve moans, his hips rolling into their joined fists and suddenly Eddie doesn’t have to wait until next time to push it because Steve can’t stop the words he’d been trying to hold back. “Eddie, I– your hands, your rings . I couldn’t stop thinking about your hands on my dick and–” Steve shudders, he’s so close. “You’re so– oh god ."
“Keep talking.” Steve whines in protest. “ Keep talking , I don't mind,” Eddie breathes, his grip tightening. He quirks his wrists, shifting in closer so that their hands are rubbing easily against their abdomens, legs tangling together. Steve groans into the new rhythm, hand sliding past Eddie's neck to take hold of Eddie’s hair, damp with sweat, an involuntary tug earning him a satisfied groan deep in Eddie’s chest.
“And your hair–” another tug, another moan, “– god, I just wanted to get my hands in there while you– you.” Steve moves his hand that’s between them, slipping his fingers to interlock between Eddie’s, forearm burning as they continue to jerk each other, his toes curling as that pressure builds deep at the base of his spine.
“My rings, my hair, what else have you been thinkin’ ‘bout Stevie.” Eddie’s voice is clipped, rolling just as desperately into their fists. “Come on, baby, you’re so close, I’m so close .”
“Your mouth .” Steve is gasping, thinks he might actually scream. “ God, I want your mouth– my hands in your hair– you’re so fucking beautiful, Eddie I– fuck, fuck– ”
Luckily for him Steve doesn’t scream because Eddie’s lips are on his again, their hands no longer on each other. Steve grabs at Eddie’s hip, pushing Eddie onto his back as he rolls his hips, their dicks trapped and sliding smoothly together between their sweat slicked abdomens. He presses forward once, twice, and Steve’s seeing white, feels static, fingers tugging the fist full of hair in one hand, his other grabbing at Eddie’s waist. Eddie’s back arches to press against him as Steve paints the space between them in his release.
Steve’s hips start to stutter and Eddie is swallowing Steve’s cries as he continues to roll their hips together. Steve shivers through another wave, face crumpling in pleasure as he continues to work himself through until it's falling into too much , his grip on Eddie going slack, but not before he reaches a hand down to take Eddie’s length in his, moaning obscenely at the weight of it in his hands.
“My mouth, god, but your mouth." Eddie thinks he might die. Another gasp from Steve, a few tugs, and it’s enough to send Eddie over after him, adding to the mess between as Steve’s moans continue to play in his ears, the room quiet except for their heavy breathing and the sound of Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy blaring from downstairs.
After a minute Eddie tries to gently roll out from underneath but Steve's arms are suddenly snaking their way around his middle, holding him close and Eddie chuckles, nosing along the sweat damp edge of Steve’s hair.
“This is about to feel real gross in, like, two minutes but I think I just shot my brain out of my dick. We can clean up in a bit, let me just…” Steve sighs, doesn’t finish, just sinks deeper against Eddie, hooking one of his ankles around Eddie’s and waits for the ringing in his ears and the racing of his heart to subside.
Eddie relaxes into the mattress, fingers tracing absentmindedly along Steve’s spine, the fingers of his other hand drumming along to the song that’s playing downstairs. Eddie is the first to break the silence.
“So… Steve Harrington is both a talker and a post-coitional cuddler. Noted .”
“The fuck is coitional ,” Steve mutters as he pinches at his waist, earning him a yelp which gets them laughing as he starts rolling away to sit at the edge of the bed. Without looking behind him Steve reaches for Eddie’s ankle, giving it a slight tug. “Shower with me?”
Eddie hums in consideration, moving to crawl up behind Steve and pressing a kiss behind his ear, chin resting on his shoulder for a moment before he arms are falling heavy around Steve’s shoulders. “Mmm. Depends.”
Steve turns his head, eyebrows knitting in curiosity as he tangles their fingers together, bringing the back of Eddie’s hand to press a kiss there. “On?”
“Do you think you can get it up again so I can suck you off?”
part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10
pt 6 finally!! can also be found on ao3, user is the same over there. part 1 of Extended Hours can be found here.
because i want but don't receive, quarantine me and teach me what you mean
Robin is sitting in the center of the kitchen island with her legs crossed, muttering annoyingly to no one in particular as she inspects the tape in her hand. She cranks her finger in one of the slots before an exasperated sigh escapes her.
“Ya know, there’s literally a sticker right there. It's kinda hard to miss since it’s in big, bold, bright red letters smack dab in the center of the box. Why is it so hard to be kind and rewind?” She sets the tape down beside her with a clatter before laying back and throwing her legs out, socked heels thudding against the island's wall where her feet bounce before settling, hands low on her stomach.
Nancy lets the ladle sink down into the spiked bowl of lemonade she had been stirring, wandering over until she's right beside Robin. She rests her elbows on the counter, leaning into Robin's leg as she scoops the tape into her own hands.
"It looks like it’s only about half way through, it won’t take too long for the player to rewind it. But hey, can you check to see if I put in enough of, well, everything?" She glances back at the mix of different bottles that Steve had pulled from the liquor cabinet that surrounded the punch bowl.
Robin doesn't move, instead turning her head to look at Nancy, arm reaching out. "How does Steve not own one of those automatic rewinder thingies? How do I own one but Mr. Moneybags here has to subject us to possibly spoiling the movie like heathens. What if the frame it’s stuck on is a major plot point and bam, it’s all just ruined?"
"Bite me, Buckely," Steve mutters, arms crossing over his chest as he leans against the archway leading into the kitchen. He'd disappeared for a moment to show Eddie where the bathroom was.
It's the door right on the left, just down that hallway. Left! Yea, that one, right there.
Stevie, there are like, a bajillion doors down this one hallway and you just said left and right. Can you just–
"Remind me, Robs, who broke the last one? Also, you could've checked it and had Keith rewind it back at the store. How is this my fault?"
Nancy shakes her head between them as her lips quirk to stifle a smile, already used to their bickering. She sets the tape down and reaches out to take Robin's outstretched hand into her own. She pulls at her fingers then gently massages at the palm. Robin continues, surprisingly unfazed by the contact, her unoccupied hand pointing accusingly in Steve's direction.
"It’s always somehow your fault. And honestly how was I supposed to know that the kids put an Eggo in the damn thing? They're not five! By the way, if we were working at Family Video, this tape would have been set and ready for our viewing pleasure. Just sayin'."
Before Steve can make a retort the front door opens with a bang and all three heads swivel at the sound. Argyle’s voice carries throughout the entire house, the smell of sweet fresh pizza wafting in with him.
"How's it hanging brochachos y brochachas. I come bearing the fruit of gods." Argyle rounds the corner with two boxes of pizza held high above his head, the smile on his lips full of pride.
"Pizza isn't a fruit," Robin deadpans as she pulls herself up to rest back on her elbows, hand slipping out of Nancy's grasp. She eyes the unmarked pizza boxes warily as he sets them down on the only remaining free space on the counter.
There's the sound of the front door shutting and soon after Jonathan is shuffling in with a pack of Coronas in one hand, the other hand passing a joint over to Argyle. He throws his head back and blows smoke up into the space of the kitchen's skylight before heading over to the fridge.
“Tomatoes are a fruit, Robby. There's probably more fruit in this pizza than veggies, now that I’m thinking about it." Argyle takes a long pull, the cloud of smoke thickening in the skylight before he reaches over to let Jonathan finish it off, Jonathan's arm bends awkwardly behind him to get a hold of it as he continues to search the fridge.
"Roach is yours, bro. Anyways, I made these babies from scratch right at home. D'you know they sell empty pizza boxes? Kinda wild. Still tryin' to convince the old boss man to expand. Hawkins is in need of their own Surfer Boy, pronto."
Jonathan closes the fridge empty handed, searching the kitchen with a pout. Steve chuckles as he points towards the living room.
"I got you Twizzlers, Byers, they're in ther–"
Jonathan doesn't wait for Steve to finish, just grabs Steve's face between his hands before pulling Steve's head down to plant a kiss on the top of his head, red eyes as wide as he can make them. "You're great, ya know that?" He disappears into the living room, the sound of him settling into the couch with a loud satisfied sigh following shortly after.
"Aye man, did ya want a slice?" Argyle calls out after him. He opens a box with raised eyebrows, presenting it to the other three.
Nancy shrugs a shoulder before taking a slice. "It smells good. Need to eat something since we're going to be drinking. Especially if we have to follow that list you two came up with. It screams alcohol poisoning."
"Nance, you made the punch," Steve scoffs as he grabs a slice, folding it down the middle to take a bite. "If you end up with a splitting headache in the morning, point that finger directly to a mirror."
"Ew, Steve! You're allowed to chew and swallow your food before speaking. You know that, right?" Robin takes a slice, eyes still skeptical and her nose scrunched in distaste. She shakes her head to herself, muttering fruit should not be hot before pulling all the pieces of pineapple off and eating the slice with just the ham and cheese.
Argyle picks up every piece Robin abandons, popping them into his own mouth. "Keep 'em comin' Robby."
"Wait, does that mean you don't like pies?" Nancy's voice is incredulous as she takes another bite of her slice, fingers picking at Robin's abandoned pineapple pieces along with Argyle.
Robin takes a bite, taking a moment to mull over Nancy's question before answering. "Depends. Do unbaked pies count?"
"Robin."
"Nancy?"
Eddie sneaks up behind Steve, on his tiptoes to peak over his shoulder at the slice Steve is about to take another bite from. "My brain is telling me that this isn't right but my stomach is telling me to devour it."
Steve stiffens, surprised by the sudden closeness. Eddie's chin lowers until it sits on Steve's shoulder, their bodies with just a shadow of space between them. His hair tickles Steve's neck and before he can stop himself Steve sways back until half of Eddie's body is pressed against his back.
He makes the mistake of turning his head slightly towards him because suddenly Steve's senses are overloaded by everything Eddie. He feels the warmth of Eddie's body on the half of his that he's pressed up against, can feel him from his neck all the way down to the back of his knee. The only thing that Steve is able to process in this moment is how he wants to be buried, to be covered up beneath him completely.
And then there's that overwhelming smell of mahogany and apples, with that subtle hint of cigarette smoke in his hair. He has to fight the urge to move, to slide somehow even closer. He wants to turn his head and bury himself nose first into those curls, or to that pulse point where it will definitely be that much stronger. He’s getting dizzy.
Mistake. Definitely a mistake.
Eddie's arm reaches over until it comes around Steve's other shoulder. He takes the slice from him and takes a bite, his jaw brushing against Steve's. He hums contently before unraveling himself from around him, the half eaten slice officially stolen. He settles against the opposite side of the archway, mirroring Steve who leans back against his own side.
Steve stands there frozen, staring at his suddenly empty hands. He looks up and makes eye contact with Robin. That look is back again except this time as they lock eyes with each other it finally clicks and he suddenly understands it.
He feels like he just got out of a fight and just barely came out swinging. The air is no longer in his lungs, the ants are revved up and he can't bring himself to shake them off. He's having to rewire his brain, reconnecting all those moments before, those moments where he thought he was going to be eaten alive by those ants, the ants that only started up when–
Oh.
Oh shit.
"Are you responsible for this absolute monstrous creation? I thought the kids were imaginative, that I was, but this?" Eddie pushes away from the archway, walking towards Argyle to introduce himself just as Robin hops off the counter, making a beeline straight for Steve. “Is this a Cali thing?”
"Yeah man, sup sup, I'm Argyle." He tips his head in Eddie's direction, loose hair that isn't held back from his backwards upside down neon orange visor slipping forward over his shoulders before straightening back up. "Eddie, right? I like your style bro, it screams hot goth. Think you and Eden would get along great."
Steve doesn't get to hear Eddie's reaction to that because he's being pulled away by Robin, her arm locked to his by the elbow. The yelp that escapes him as he almost trips over her feet that ram right into his as she forces him to move backwards makes everyone look back at them, eyes confused and concerned.
“Nance, can you get the movie set up? Steve and I just need to get some pillows and blankets from the guest room. Oh, and can you get my chips for me? Think I left ‘em in the car. Be right back!” Robin tugs again and Steve can’t do anything other than follow.
Once they get to the guest room Robin all but shoves Steve through the door before backing up to shut it behind her, voice a panicked whisper. “You looked like you were gonna be sick–” rough shake of her head. “We don’t have a lot of time here for you to panic over this so I need you to relax and–”
“Relax? Buckley, you knew. This whole time you knew and you didn’t tell me.” Steve pinches his nose and huffs a ragged breath. “I’ve been drowning and I had no idea why and you knew! Robs, I’ve been in your corner and pushed for you to take a chance on Nance all week and you–” He points accusingly in Robin’s direction before raking a hand through his hair as he spins in place, throwing himself face first into the bed.
“That’s not fair! No, that’s not even remotely the same thing and you know it, so don’t you even try it, bucko.” Steve can’t see her but he can hear her patter over to the drawer and pull it open harshly. “I had an inkling, I will admit to that, but honestly? The way you were acting around him I thought you knew and were just being– oh I don’t know, I thought you were just being Steve! Hot and cold, ya know, confident flirt to sudden flustered, dumb idiot.”
Robin continues to shuffle around the room, opening cabinets and the closet door. A pillow thuds onto his head and soon he’s buried beneath comforters and throws.
A beat of silence.
“Rob, what’s wrong with me?”
He mutters it into the bed, so when Robin doesn’t respond right away he thinks she didn’t hear him. But when he pulls his face away from the mattress she’s right there in front of him. She’s looking down at him, hands at her hips with eyebrows drawn together. He sighs, folding his arms underneath himself before resting his chin on his arms.
She lowers herself to a squat, mirroring his position so that they’re almost nose to nose. “What do you mean, what’s wrong with me? I can list a number of things that are wrong with you, Steve Harrington.”
Steve chuckles at that, turning his head to rest his cheek on his arms. “I just… didn’t realize it, ya know? Why didn’t I realize it? I’ve never felt this way over…"
“A guy?”
“Yes. Wait, no. I mean– yes and no? I’ve definitely felt things before. Tommy wasn’t even the first dude to make me realize I liked guys, if I’m being completely honest. But before, it was more of… a physical type attraction–”
“Okay okay, no need to elaborate. I get it,” Robin throws a hand out, eyes squeezing shut as a chuckle bubbles out of her. Her eyes flutter open and she looks as confused as Steve feels. “But then… what do you mean? What's so different about Eddie?”
Steve honest to god whines like a petulant child before shoving his face into the mattress again. “I would like to fucking know Robs, because all I feel when I'm around him is physical. Except with him it’s so goddamn different, it’s not the usual bullshit. It doesn’t compare to anything else, not even Nancy.”
Robin jumps because suddenly Steve is moving to rest on his elbows and he’s reaching out to grab her hands in his. All she does is nod for him to continue.
“There’s been this feeling– it’s like I’m drowning except multiplied by a hundred. And then there were these… ants? I don’t even know how to describe it but I felt this, like, incessant tingly and floaty feeling at the tips of my fingers. It would crawl all the way up to my chest until I felt like I would suffocate from it. It feels like that all the time when I’m around him.”
Robin doesn’t know how to respond but from the look on her face she’s coming to some conclusion, a conclusion Steve is struggling so hard to find. She doesn’t know how to tell him so she just squeezes his hands in hers and let’s him barrel on.
“It’s so god damn different with him, so fucking different. Like, just last night after I got off the phone with you I called him while he was still at the Vibe. I was supposed to wait for him to get home but I couldn’t. I needed to call him because I swear to god I was on the verge of losing my fucking mind. And when he finally picked up the phone….” Steve is shaking his head, eyes unfocused as he remembers that moment of utter relief.
“When I heard his voice it just… went away. I felt like I could breathe again.”
Robin tugs at his hands. “Steve–”
“Guys, the movie’s ready!” Her eyes cut away from his when Nancy's voice comes muffled through the shut door.
“Oh, we gotta get back out there,” Robin mumbles, moving to grab some of the stuff off of Steve.
“Fuck. Fuck!” Steve mutters, dropping his head to the bed one final time before struggling to dig himself out of the pile Robin buried him under. “Robin, what do I do? What the hell am I supposed to do? Shit, does Eddie even like guys?”
“Shit shit shit, Steve wait, just–” Robin scrambles to gather the pillows and comforters as Steve crawls backwards and grabs the ones she didn't pull off. He leaves a yellow throw over his head and bundles himself in it. "I’m pretty sure that Eddie’s–”
"Did you guys need help?"
They both freeze, eyes wide. Eddie's voice is loud behind the door and Steve can feel that bubbling in his chest again. Robin's face scrunches and Steve huffs a laugh and his anxiety makes his chest pang as he's able to read her. He shakes his head at her in response.
No, we won't ever have a moment's peace.
Steve grabs at a pillow from the head of the bed to hug it tightly to his chest, pulling the throw back around himself. He turns to face the door, fingertips shocked by the coldness of the doorknob. After a deep breath that does nothing to calm his nerves Steve nods to himself determinedly and opens the door.
He regrets exhaling his breath before opening it because as he breathes in again the door wafts in that scent of mahogany and apples.
Steve thinks he might die.
“Stevie. Bobby. I don’t know how to tell you guys this but you two are terrible hosts.” Eddie tsks, leaning against the door with an elbow braced by his head against the frame.
A scoff comes from behind Steve. He’s being pushed to the side as Robin moves to stand in front of him, shoving some of the blankets and pillows in her arms into Eddie’s chest.
“Robs, Robby, Bobby– can you all agree on one nickname, for christ sake.” She pokes Eddie’s arm that now holds some of the pillows and throws, mutters “be nice,” before skirting around him and towards the living room. But not before giving Steve a wide eyed glance once she’s out of Eddie’s line of sight, exaggeratingly tipping her head towards Eddie.
Steve only telepathically begs for her to stop it and doesn’t move to follow her. He can’t move because Eddie is right in front of him.
Can’t move, doesn’t want to move because he now knows that the reason he feels like his heart is going to fall out of his ass is because he likes Eddie Munson.
And he doesn’t know if he could like him back.
Eddie’s eyes were following Robin as she made her way towards the living room, a half smirk exposing one of his dimples. Eddie turns back, giving Steve a full smile that makes Steve swallow hard to avoid saying something stupid, like, I adore your smile, can I please kiss it.
“Ya know, yellow really is your color, by the way.” Eddie tips his head, considering Steve for a moment. “Yup. Your color,” he mutters before turning and heading straight to the living room, hitching the throws and pillows up in his grasp.
Steve pulls his lips into a thin line and follows him. He’s feeling deja vu as he holds his breath. He thought apricots were going to make him melt but no, the apples were going to straight up kill him.
When he finally rounds the corner of the hallway into the living room, Steve stops short.
Jonathan and Argyle are taking up one of the couches, legs tangled into each other as their heads rest on opposite ends of the arm rests. They’re tossing Skittles at each other’s faces, trying to catch the rainbow sweets into their mouths and giggling whenever one misses and they have to go searching into their hair or behind their necks to find it.
Robin and Nancy are on the recliner, which is luckily wide enough for the two of them to sit side-by-side comfortably. They’re under a large purple and pink throw, bowl of pretzels on a pillow that they have on top of their legs, their spiked lemonades in either hand.
Robin smiles nervously at Steve when their eyes meet. She glances down at the floor apologetically but honestly it looked comfortable enough. There were multiple layers of throws and comforters for padding with various pillows thrown about.
Steve doesn't care that he has to be on the floor. Hell, some nights he'll throw a pillow down in his own room because the floor just makes sense for the night.
No, the thing that makes him stop is realizing that the only space left is the floor for Steve and Eddie to share. Steve seems to be the only one fazed because Eddie collapses almost immediately into a pile of pillows, using the blanket to burrito himself by rolling around on the floor.
"Stevie, can you grab my drink before you start the movie? I left it in the kitchen." Eddie is now inching himself like a worm to a stack of pillows to lay back and watch the movie, still cocooned in his throw wrap.
Steve turns towards the kitchen and makes his way over to the bowl. He ladles two spoonfuls into a solo cup and takes a sip, nose wrinkling. Nancy has always been heavy handed with the alcohol, even for Steve's taste, but surprisingly tonight she kept it reasonable.
Which is not what Steve wants, no needs, right now. He shakes his head and grabs the half empty bottle of vodka and pours himself a generous shot and immediately knocks it back. He exhales a burning breath, completely unfazed and considers taking a second when Eddie's voice directly behind him makes him jump. Steve turns his head to look at Eddie as he leans his hip against the counter beside him.
"Shots already Harrington? What, is your tolerance so high you need to get ahead?" Eddie is bundled in a gray throw, hair a frizzled mess where it can’t be kept in that loose low hanging knot.
Steve glances towards the living room, eyes narrowing and his heart hammering. “Didn’t you just ask me to grab you your drink, you worm.”
Eddie scratches at his cheek, a smile fighting its way onto his lips before pointing into the living room. “Bobby said Drew forgot her bag of chips on the counter.” Eddie reaches across Steve and past the bowl, bag crinkling loudly in the quiet kitchen as he picks it up with the tips of his fingers.
He slides closer towards Steve. The smell of the spiked lemonade, apples, and alcohol is overwhelming. Eddie takes the shot glass from Steve, fingers brushing along his. He tips his head towards the bottle of tequila.
"I'll try to keep up." The murmur sends a chill down Steve's spine. He's sure the blush on his cheeks isn't from the alcohol but hopes it's what Eddie will believe. Steve doesn't break their gaze as he grabs the bottle and pours a shot. If a few droplets fall onto Eddie's fingers, neither one mentions it.
He doesn't look away when Eddie grabs the shaker of salt. Doesn't look away when his hand is taken and brought closer to the other man's face.
And now he most definitely can't look away because Eddie is tipping his head, the back of Steve's hand brought close to his lips. He licks the back of Steve's hand before shaking the salt over the wet strip, making Steve's breath catch in his throat.
Eddie licks his lips before raising the shot glass with a small intake of breath. “Cheers.” He licks at Steve’s hand again, tongue wide, taking up every grain of salt with him before knocking back the shot. His eyebrows come together as he brings the glass down. “That was actually really smooth, Harrington. Didn't even need the lime. Is this daddy’s good stuff?”
He takes his own cup of spiked lemonade by the lip between his pinky and ring finger that still holds the bag of chips before using his other hand to pick up the bottle to inspect it, corners of his mouth turning down in approval as he makes his way towards the living room.
Steve doesn’t respond, only nods his head even though Eddie can’t see him. He’s stuck looking at the wet strip. but he wipes it away before he can do something abhorrent about it. He takes his own cup and follows Eddie, stops to double back and grab a few different bottles of liquor into his arm and fingering a few shot glasses.
Eddie is already back on the floor but is seated up against the couch Argyle and Jonathan are on, the bottle of tequila between his outstretched legs. He's turned at the waist and he's got two joints in his hands, seems to be asking Argyle about his strain of Purple Palm Tree Delight and comparing it to what Steve assumes to be from Eddie's own stache.
"Uhhh, Steve?" Robin watches him warily as he places the bottles and glasses on the coffee table they moved over by the fireplace. He pulls the throw that slipped down back over his head and turns to her.
Steve takes a sip from his cup, flinches and decidedly pours more vodka in. He takes another sip and smacks his lips approvingly. He clears his throat, mutters "What's up?" and moves over to the VCR to hit play, then shuffles to the wall and turns off all the lights.
"Dudes and dudettes, it's time to get spooky-ooky" Argyle whispers, moaning like a ghost before almost falling off the couch in a fit of giggles because Jonathan dug his heel into his thigh.
The VHS is rolling and the trailers start playing. Steve considers skipping through them but decides to let them roll, giving everyone a last minute chance to get or do anything before the movie actually starts. He's about to go and settle (a safe distance) on Eddie’s right when Nancy snaps her fingers at him.
"Hold up, bring me that bottle of Morgan." Nancy reaches her hand out and when Steve doesn't immediately move back to the coffee table she rolls her eyes and motions again. "If you and Eddie are going to go overboard then I want to be a part of it."
"Wait, what are those two gonna drink," Robin asks, pointing back to Argyle and Jonathan, voice lofty. "And do I have to-"
"No no, you don't have to do anything you don't want to. If you wanted to drink water that'd be alright, too," Nancy places a hand to Robin's shoulder, rubbing circles with her thumb, other arm still outstretched expectantly towards Steve.
Argyle reaches behind the armrest to grab the bucket filled with ice and the beers from the floor. "We got the 'Ronas here, Robby. Don't wanna get too wishy-washy, yanno." He digs a bottle opener out from somewhere between the couch cushions and pops two bottles open, handing one to Jonathan and wedging his own between his thighs.
"Where'd you even get that," Steve mutters, slipping Nancy her requested bottle. When he finally settles down with the throw over his legs he realizes he's a lot closer to Eddie than he initially wanted to set himself up to be. He'll just blame it on the room being too dark, sinking deep against the couch.
"I think the last time we tried hard liquor after a sesh we kinda slept for, like, thirteen hours straight," Jonathan mumbles before laughing and flicking a Skittle at Argyle's chest. "Bro, remember that night."
"I can't forget that night, man." Argyle's laugh and the way he pats Jonathan's ankle before letting his hand rest there indicates there's a memory there that everyone else isn't privy to. He pulls at one of Jonathan's legs to settle further into the couch, further tangling themselves.
Eddie is watching the interaction, humming softly and slowly nodding to himself before looking over to watch Nancy and Robin. Steve follows Eddie's gaze.
"I'm not saying I don't want to also drink, I'm just– I think someone should be sober enough to make sure the rest of the group doesn't do or, ya know, say something stupid or embarrassing." Robin chews on her thumb nail before shaking her hand out and grabbing her drink. Her eyes flitter towards Steve and it’s only a millisecond, but both Nancy and Eddie start to swivel their heads back and forth between the two.
Eddie smirks, points a finger gun to Robin, rings bright in the dark room. “Wait, are you worried you’re gonna have to go another round with the Russian spies?”
Robin chokes and starts coughing around her drink. Nancy lowers her hand that had remained on Robin’s shoulder and starts patting her on the back. She leans forward, muttering around an amused smile, “the Russian what now?”
“You told him?!” Robin sputters between coughs, opting to take a long pull from her cup to soothe her throat. She groans in annoyance after a sizable swallow. She turns to Nancy and throws her hands up, her cup of lemonade swishing dangerously. She shakes her head at Nancy, mumbles out a quick “it happened once and it was an accident,” before staring daggers at the boys on the floor. “Steve-”
“No, don’t you worry yourself Bobby, he didn’t get into specifics. Stevie here isn’t one to kiss and tell. Nah, he just told me about, oh who was it,” Eddie’s eyes shine as he turns back to Steve, the current trailer playing on the screen painting his face purple. Steve can’t help but smile with him. Eddie snaps his finger guns and redirects them to him. “Bonnie Wriggly’s gummies. I sold her those gummies, by the way. You’re welcome.”
At that Steve chuckles, taking the bottle of tequila from between Eddie’s knees. “Damn Munson, what kinda drugs are you dealing to the kids of Hawkin’s High?” He takes a swing directly from the bottle and Eddie pulls it away from him, an endearing snort escaping him.
"First of all, you weren't supposed to eat them all in one sitting, alright. And I only get the good stuff worth buyin’, sellin', and usin'.” Eddie uses two fingers to pull his hair back to show off the joint he has tucked behind his ear before shaking his hair out to cover it up again. “I trust Ricky to keep the kids happy and safe.” Eddie winks at Steve, tipping the bottle to take a sip.
“Whatever, pour some more here Munson,” Robin grumbles, red solo outstretched. Eddie pulls himself forward, hips first and shuffles on his knees before bending across Steve to pour some into her cup.
Steve’s eyes almost flutter completely shut, that scent of apples clouding him. In this position Eddie’s cut off shirt rides up higher, exposing more of his torso, the battle vest long since abandoned when they’d all first arrived. He can see a tattoo of vines and leaves peaking out from his hips before it disappears back into his black jeans. Oh what he would do to be able to catalog each and every single one of Eddie’s piercings and tattoos.
He exhales slowly, eyes shutting completely as the scenario of being able to get himself into a position to be allowed to catalog Eddie takes over. He shifts uncomfortably, shaking his head to will the images away.
Eddie rocks back, sitting on his heels, free hand thrumming to some unheard beat against his thigh. He tips the bottle towards Steve. “They were smokin’ in here earlier. Do your parents not notice the smell?”
Steve clears his throat with a shrug. “They’re never around anyways. Right now they’re in a conference down south, gonna be gone a few days. I’ll just crack the windows open to air the place out ‘til then, it’s whatever."
It’s not really whatever but Steve doesn’t really give a shit. If his father comments on it he’ll just shrug and play dumb. It works every other time.
Eddie moves back and settles beside Steve against the couch, making Steve's heart threaten to beat out of his chest because now he's closer, much closer than what he had designated to be 'safe.'
The room goes pitch dark, and then suddenly everything is bathed in a bright red as the movie begins. The music is shrill and is accompanied by heavy breathing with the sound of metal sliding against metal, and it rings loudly throughout the room. Eddie leans over, the tip of his nose skimming against Steve's ear, making him shiver. He pulls the comforter up so that it bundles up at his hips, tightly crossing his arms over his chest.
"S'wondering, is it cool if we smoke in here after the movie?" Eddie's voice is low, and Steve knows it’s because he's trying to keep quiet but it makes Steve want to evaporate. "I mean, only if you're up for it."
Steve turns his head as Eddie leans back but it’s not as far as Steve anticipated him to. They're only a few inches away, and Steve holds his breath because if he gets another wave of that scent–
So instead he just nods his head, eyes glancing down to watch Eddie lick his lips. His throat clicks around a hard swallow, barely breathes out a yeah, that's fine, I'd be down before forcing his attention back in time to watch the blonde in a white nightgown trot down the dingy school hallway on the screen. From his peripheral he can see Eddie smile. He almost regrets looking away too soon because he wants to see that dimple.
No, better to have looked away. Smart, definitely smartest decision of the night because if he didn't he's sure he would have tried to close that gap.
The room is bathed in the blue hue as Tina explores the school’s boiler room and everyone gets quiet and they just watch the movie. They take their first drink at about the four minute mark. Steve raises his cup to the screen once the kids start singing Freddy’s nursery rhyme. “Creepy kids, everybody drink,” and they all do.
It doesn't take long before everyone is in a fit of giggles, but only because they can’t take the movie all too seriously. Once Freddy comes on screen they can’t help it, the guy is utterly goofy and comically gross. But everyone gets quiet once they realize Tina is dead.
But it’s only for a beat of silence.
"Oh shit, Tina’s fuckin’ dead, man." Jonathan mumbles.
"Murder!" Eddie cheers, raising his solo up and everyone else follows.
Salud! Here, here! Cheers!
And the night continues on like that. Debauchery? Drink. Someone starts screaming bloody murder? Drink. The dumb teens investigate a suspicious sound or wander off on their own? Drink.
When they had first realized the main girl's name was Nancy they collectively decided to add to their list to drink to every time she did something their Nancy would probably do, which luckily wasn’t too often.
When Glenn and Nancy are introduced, Steve can feel the girl’s eyes on him. He ignores it at first and lets their mumbling go unnoticed, but when Nancy and Robin start to kick their feet and Robin outright cackles, he can’t take it anymore.
“What?!”
Robin waves her hand out in front of her, head falling back against the recliner. “I’m sorry, but does Glenn remind you guys of someone in this room, or is it just us?” Robin giggles, finger pointing at the screen as Glenn is trying to sneak his way into Nancy’s bedroom on screen.
Nancy and Robin are leaning into each other, howling when the guy complains about climbing barefoot on a rose covered trellis to climb into on-screen Nancy's window. Steve narrows his eyes at Robin, miming himself reeling up a fish on a line, except the fish is his middle finger.
When the movie ends everyone is feeling their drinks in some capacity. Or, at least the ones who remained awake were feeling it because Argyle and Jonathan are properly passed out.
Steve blinks at them because he hadn’t realized when they had moved. Argyle has his face buried in the crook of Jonathan's neck, half of his hair covering most of his face and the rest cascading towards the floor. Jonathan’s arm that pillows Argyle’s head hangs slack at the edge of the couch and his other arm is over his eyes. From the way he’s breathing he’s definitely asleep.
Steve locks eyes with Eddie first, gauging his reaction. But Eddie just smiles fondly at them before putting a finger to his lips with a slight shake of his head. He reaches into his pocket to pull out a lighter before pulling the neatly rolled up paper from behind his ear. He raises his eyebrows in question, to which Steve sighs a breath of relief before nodding.
Steve chances a glance back at Nancy and Robin while Eddie lights up the joint. He waggles his pointer finger between the two girls, tipping his head to the other two on the couch. “Did either of you know about this,” he whispers. They both shrug, unraveling themselves from the blanket they were underneath, the bowl of pretzels long since empty and abandoned on the floor.
When Eddie takes a pull he offers it to them but they both shake their heads as they get settled onto the bed of throws and comforters, pulling pillows underneath their chest and resting on their elbows. A cloud of smoke billows up as he blows out and hands it over to Steve.
Robin's cheeks are flushed, her eyelids low. She rests her chin into her palm and watches as Steve fills his mouth with the smoke and then inhales deeply. He swivels at the hips and leans over towards the stand that's beside the couch to grab an ashtray. He puts it out and lets it sit on the edge and thickens the cloud in the air with an exhale.
"D'ya know that those gummies were the first time I got high," Robin mumbles. The other three all turn to look at her, surprised but also not entirely because it's, well, Robin. "What? I'm in marching band, okay. They don't–."
Eddie shakes and bows his head, trying to stifle his laugh. A hand reaches out to pat the space in front of him. "Oh Bobby. The band kids are one of, if not the biggest host of Hawkins High's delinquent degenerates. My customers range from all social clicks but the band kids, drama kids, and the preps are my top three."
He lifts his hand to wiggle three fingers before dramatically putting up one finger. "And I would bet my life– no, my dear, bright red Sweetheart, that those band kids are my number one."
Robin looks dazed. "Who–" she blinks slowly and tries to picture her bandmates, because seriously? Then suddenly she looks over at Nancy. "Wait, have you ever?"
Somehow Nancy's already blushed cheeks get a few shades deeper. The tips of her ears are bright red as she opens her mouth but no sound comes out. She rolls her eyes and points an accusing finger.
"Only because it was one of Steve's stupid moves, okay. I did it once and all it did was make my mouth go dry and I ended up getting an A minus on one of Kaminsky’s exams because I was too tired to study after." Nancy narrows her eyes at him and tries to taper her annoyed smile.
Steve chuckles at that and shrugs a shoulder. "I mean, it worked, didn't it?"
Nancy mutters idiot, swaying into Robin’s shoulder. She plays with the charms on her bracelet, tangling one of her ankles with Robin's behind them.
"Move, what move?" Robin's mutters, obviously lost. Subconsciously she traps Nancy's ankle with her own before she directs her question to Eddie. "What move could this doorknob have pulled by smoking some pot? Ya know, other than lowering Nance's inhibitions?"
“Okay, now hold on,” Steve huffs incredulously. He moves closer to the girls, keeping his voice low to avoid disturbing the two on the couch and Eddie follows suit.
He leans back, his palms to the floor beside his hips with elbows locked and his ankles crossing in front of him. “I don’t need to lower anyone’s inhibitions to make a move work, alright. It just so happens that one of them involves a toke.”
“Really, Stevie? Shotgunning is one of your moves?” Eddie says it with a monotone voice but the hint of a smile gives him away. He rolls his eyes before mirroring Steve and answers Robin with the same bored tone, but not before that smirk takes over. “It’s a way to help someone take a hit. If someone doesn’t know what they’re doin’ they can start coughing. It hurts and it’s just a waste of the hit.
“So,” Eddie takes the joint from the ashtray and holds it up in front of him. “To help avoid all of that, you can try shotgunning. One person inhales the smoke and blows it into the other person’s mouth and they inhale that. It’s weaker that way and less intense, so it’s softer on the throat and lungs.”
“Ew?” Robin's face crumples in disgust, shaking her head at the idea. “How is blowing out someone's hot weed breath into someone else's mouth a move?"
"Well when you put it like that," Nancy mutters, taking a sip directly from her bottle of Morgan. She quirks her lips, turning onto her side to rest her head in her hand. She cards her fingers into her own hair, ankle still trapped between Robin's. "It's not so much… it's the intimacy of it."
"I still don't…" Robin looks between Steve and Eddie, still not able to picture it. But then she gets that glint in her eyes and Steve's stomach whirls and not in a good way all of a sudden because he can see it, even in this very tipsy (is he drunk?) stupor, that she's plotting.
"Can you show me?"
A beat.
"Robs, I'm not doing that with you."
"I don't think that's a smart idea, Bobby."
Steve and Eddie respond at the same time. They lock eyes but then immediately avert them. Eddie starts to pick at his already chipped nail polish and Steve is suddenly very interested in the texture of the comforters.
Robin scoffs. "I didn't mean with me." She flops onto her back and sighs. "Nance, they don't want to show me the move." She pouts, and Nancy chuckles as she reaches a hand out to cup Robin's face, thumb hovering over her lips.
"Robs, it's just how Munson described it, there’s nothing more to it." Steve hopes his voice is coming off as nonchalant. Robin taps a finger to her chin and Steve knows she isn’t done. His stomach is in knots because he knows what she's doing and it's making him dizzy, the kind of dizzy he can't blame on the booze.
"Okay, but, like, what if I'm… I don’t know, what if I’m with someone and they try to do the move on me? What if I don't see it coming? I feel like I should know. Don't you think I should know? Seems like everyone at school already knows. You three know, those two probably also know. Like–"
"Think you’d be fine, Bobby." Eddie lolls his head to the side and rests it on his own shoulder. "'Sides, it would be hard to miss. Pretty sure you'd see it coming if someone tried to pull that on you. Also, you could just say no, considering your initial reaction to it was ‘ew’."
"Why don't you two just show her."
Silence.
"She learns from seeing and doing. Help her get through the– oh what does Dustin call it?" Nancy rocks forward once and removes her hand from Robin's face to snap her fingers. "The curiosity door. You two swung it wide open and now she’s locked out. Just– walk her through it so her curiosity doesn't kill her."
"Why are you two so hung up on this?"
"It's really not that big of a deal."
“Did you just insinuate I’m like a cat?”
They all speak over each other but Robin continues to question Nancy in a hushed tone and ignores the other two because “I feel like I give off more puppy vibes.”
The two lock eyes again but don't look away this time. Steve feels as if he’s in a bubble, Robin and Nancy are suddenly so far away. Eddie thrums his fingers and considers Steve for a moment. Steve doesn’t move, doesn’t want to burst this thin veil of absurdity because are they about to…?
He feels as if he’s going crazy, like he’s on fire.
Eddie is the first to speak.
"Who'd receive?"
Steve is officially ablaze. His breath stutters, he tries to respond but chokes on the words. He clears his throat. “I’ve never been on the receiving end of a shotgun, so I don’t…” He hopes Eddie heard him because he can’t get himself to speak any louder.
Eddie hums that low note that makes Steve’s heart skip a beat and then suddenly starts to move. Steve doesn’t understand how there isn’t smoke coming out of his own ears because he’s burning up.
Eddie picks up the ashtray with the tips of his fingers to clear the space between them. He shuffles closer to Steve until he’s close, too close but still not close enough. He mirrors Steve again except now they’re shoulder to shoulder, hips barely touching. He settles his hand beside Steve’s, just the tips of his fingers blanketing his.
Steve’s body is on high alert because Eddie is way beyond the designated safety line. Except that line doesn’t even exist anymore, it had been absolutely decimated the moment they didn't look away the second time they locked eyes.
Eddie lights the rolled up paper, takes a pull and then inhales. He doesn’t move towards Steve, instead blows it down between them so the smoke shrouds them. He flips the joint.
“Here, you can–”
“Can you–” Steve’s voice is barely above a whisper as he interrupts him, yet he doesn’t finish saying it. He just stares at the damp end that faces him and waits. But when Eddie doesn’t move, he lets his eyes travel up. His gaze trails up his arm, to his neck and then his jaw. When he gets to Eddie’s lips he forces himself to look at his eyes and hopes, begs without saying anything more that Eddie understands that he wants him to be the one to do it.
Eddie’s face is unreadable as he searches his face. Steve starts to doubt himself and the entire situation, thinks he might have messed this up. He parts his lips to just say never mind, forget it, to fix this before the bubble outright bursts but then Eddie nods.
If they weren’t so close Steve is sure he would have missed it. It’s so subtle but he nods and Steve might actually combust with relief.
Suddenly the fire is in his gut and his fingers that touch Eddie’s twitch. He’s lightheaded and it has nothing to do with the booze. A breathy chuckle escapes him and he finds his words again, feeling a bit confident. “You wait any longer to do this and that thing’s gonna go out, Munson.”
He nods again but it’s impossible to miss this time. “I gotcha Harrington.” Eddie says it low, low enough for only Steve to hear. He pulls away with a smirk and brings the joint towards his lips and takes another pull. He inhales slowly as he leans away to put it out on the ashtray again. He holds his breath and moves back.
Steve shifts, sliding his right foot up and extending his arm to rest it on his knee, his other hand moving just a bit until his hand is almost completely blanketed by Eddie’s. Eddie raises his other hand to the side of Steve’s face. His fingertips ghost over Steve’s skin and Steve can’t help the shiver that sends a chill down his spine.
His body is screaming for him to move, to get back to safety, no to move closer but, fuck, he can’t fucking think. He can’t think because the apples, oh god those apples. His mouth is watering and all he’s able to process in this moment is Eddie Eddie Eddie.
Eddie’s thumb is at Steve’s chin. He pulls at him, his hand no longer a ghosting touch but a searing brand. He gently applies pressure with his thumb to get Steve’s lips to part, bringing Steve’s face closer to his.
Steve’s gaze is fixed for as long as he can onto those chocolate brown eyes until he can’t fight it and they slip down to Eddie’s lips. They get closer and there’s nothing left for him to do but huff out the final short breath he had in his lungs.
There are no ants, there is no anxiety, there is no doubt.
Steve’s eyes have already slipped closed but he can feel it when Eddie is right where he needs to be. He sways forward, lips so close that if he opened his mouth anymore–
When Eddie finally exhales Steve has to fight every single impulse to reach forward and get directly to the source. When the smoke passes his lips and into his lungs he stifles the moan that wants to escape him, but barely. Instead he bends his arm, tries hugging it to his knee in a last ditch attempt to keep himself from reaching out to touch, to grab, to feel him, but he fails.
His hand wraps around Eddie’s bicep and squeezes so tight that Eddie’s arm shifts and his hand slips farther into Steve’s hair, thumb now resting high on his cheek. There’s a flitter of hesitation, his fingers twitching but then Eddie reaches farther, seizes a fistful of his hair and pulls.
Steve’s breath hitches and he can’t take anymore in. His lungs are on fire, not because of the smoke but because the air in his lungs was just in Eddie’s and Steve can’t get enough. Steve’s hand that’s encapsulated under Eddie’s hand balls into a fist and Eddie can only just capture his wrist to steady himself, but not before he slips forward, his bottom lip bumping against Steve’s top lip.
His grip on Steve’s wrist tightens and a gasp escapes him. Steve tries to swallow the sound but there’s no more room in his lungs. He doesn’t exhale just yet, because if he does then this moment ends. No he can’t just yet, he needs a minute, needs an eternity to collect himself before he does something stupid like let himself melt forward.
When Eddie’s grip in his hair loosens Steve exhales slowly, smoke diluted and adding to the current billow. Steve pulls back slightly, eyes slipping open and–
He realizes he's fucked up. Royally, completely, and utterly fucked up because Eddie is so fucking beautiful. Cheeks red, lips parted, pupils completely blown, and damn it. His face is framed by those strands that he can’t pull back into that low hanging knot, eyes dazed, bottom lip being pulled in to bite on and–
Steve is so fucked.
“I missed it.”
“What happened?”
The bubble pops.
Steve’s head snaps back at Robin and Nancy’s voices, eyes blinking away the fog. Eddie blinks with him, eyebrows coming together as he just continues to stare back at Steve. He’s searching his face again and it makes Steve's stomach flutter, makes the ants tick up again because he can’t read him, doesn’t know if what he’s finding is good or bad.
The room is completely silent. Robin inhales, about to continue when suddenly there’s a knock on the front door and everyone’s head snaps towards it because who the hell is knocking at this hour?
The voice that comes through the front door is muffled but unmistakably panicked and familiar. “Eddie?”
“Chrissy?” Eddie mutters, sobering up almost immediately as he pulls away entirely and makes his way over to the door.
Steve looks over to Robin and Nancy and their faces reflect his same confusion. He shakes himself, completely over the moment and follows suit, a few steps behind Eddie who’s already opening the door.
“Babe, what are– did you walk all the way over here?” Eddie steps out, hands on Chrissy’s shoulders. He whips his head left and right, doesn’t seem to find anything in the night before ushering her in and shutting the door behind him. “The hell, Chris are you okay? What happened, I thought you were having dinner with your family?”
Steve hears the sob that escapes her and he’s suddenly wide awake, brain fog completely cleared. Her face crumples when she sees him. “I’m so-sorry I didn’t mean to crash you’re– but I just– I-I remembered where your place was because of the p-parties you threw and I, just, I didn’t know where else to go. I can’t go home. I can’t.”
“Stop, stop, don’t apologize.” Steve’s tries to hide his concern and just tries his best to keep his voice soft as he crosses his arms over his chest. He looks up at Eddie and Steve is taken aback for a moment because he’s never seen him upset before, let alone angry. When Chrissy hiccups on a sob, his face softens and he turns her, holding her tiny body close to his.
Steve can hear Nancy and Robin shuffling up behind him. He turns and blocks Eddie and Chrissy from their line of sight as much as he can. Robin’s eyes are saucers and she stumbles as she gets close, the throw around her shoulders. “Did he just call her babe?”
Steve shakes his head at her because now really isn’t the time. “You and Nance take my room tonight, okay? Parties over.” When Robin opens her mouth to say something, Steve raises a hand to gently lift her chin. “Not now, Robs. I’ll make pancakes in the morning.” He flicks her shoulder and points towards the stairs.
Nancy tips her head to peak past Steve’s shoulder before putting her arm around Robin and leading her upstairs. Before they disappear completely Robin spins and leans over the banister. “Steve, come up when you’re done with, well, when you’re ready for bed. Okay?”
She doesn’t move until Steve nods. She smiles tightly down at him before turning back, arm around Nancy’s shoulder. “I shouldn’t have spun so fast, I think I’m gonna be sick.” He shakes his head at her, rolling his eyes endearingly before turning back to Eddie and Chrissy.
He doesn’t know what to do or say, so he just watches them for a moment. Eddie is having a silent conversation with her, muttering into her hair as she sniffles into his shoulder. Steve waves a hand to catch Eddie’s attention.
When he does he points back to the kitchen, motioning for them to follow. Eddie nods, giving Steve an apologetic smile but he waves him off. Eddie takes a step forward, making Chrissy have to stumble along backwards with him. His lips quirk as he takes another step and she yelps, and soon they’re both giggling as he drags her towards the kitchen, her feet dragging between his legs.
Steve pulls out three water bottles from the fridge, clearing out some of the mess on the kitchen’s island for Chrissy and Eddie in case they want to take a moment to calm themselves before he offers them his guest bedroom.
He sets two bottles down in front of them, and Chrissy mumbles a shy thank you before taking a few sips. “I’m really sorry–”
“Please, don’t. It’s… I’m just glad you felt safe enough to come here. That Munson was here for you, ya know?”
“It’s just,” Chrissy huffs and rolls her eyes, annoyed but seemingly with herself.
Steve rests his elbows on the counter, leaning forward. “It’s not Jason, is it? He didn’t–”
An annoyed scoff escapes Eddie. “No, it’s not that meathead asswipe. This one came to her senses after her date with him last week and broke things off, finally.”
Chrissy shoves at him playfully, her laugh still heavy with the residual pain. “Shut up. No, no, it’s just my mom. I had a fitting for this year’s new cheerleading uniforms, then we went out to dinner and she just…” Chrissy’s eyes roll up and she stares up at the ceiling. Her eyes well up with tears, and she pulls her lips into a tight line. She inhales slowly before blowing out a shaky breath, fat tears rolling down her cheeks. “My mom fucking sucks, sometimes, ya know.”
“Yea, moms can suck sometimes,” Steve mumbles. He knows well enough how much mom’s can suck. He takes a few sips from his own bottle of water.
Eddie slings an arm over her shoulder, pulling her in. She hugs his side, wiping away her tears with her shoulder. “I’m-”
“You apologize one more time and I’m going to make you sit through an entire DnD session and you will have to participate. You’ll have to make a character sheet, pick out which dice set of mine you’ll want to use, dress up, talk in-character the whole time– I mean, everything.” Eddie deadpans. When she laughs, Steve and Eddie chuckles along with her.
She sniffles a few times, before using her sleeve to wipe at her nose. She leans back and bumps her shoulder against his. “I love you.”
Eddie rolls his eyes leaning close to kiss the top of her head. “Yeah, you too.”
And that’s Steve’s cue–
He claps his hands once before remembering the other two are still on the couch. He winces and looks over, but thankfully they're still dead asleep. “You two can take the guest bedroom.”
“Oh, that’s not–” Chrissy starts but Steve waves her off again.
“Chrissy, I don’t know you all that well and I know women are very capable of making their own decisions, but I can be pretty persuasive. Well… unless you’re Robin. Or Nance. Or even Max, actually, now that I think about it.” Steve laughs dryly, running a hand through his hair and taking another sip of his water. “No, no– jokes aside, I insist. Please, it’s this way” He motions for the both of them to follow.
“Come on, Chris. I can’t drive right now, anyway, none of us can. I’ll take you back to mine after we pick up Max from Byer’s place. I won’t take you home until you’re ready to go. Yeah?” He reaches out a hand and she takes it with a small nod.
Steve leads them down to the same room where he and Robin got the blankets and pillows, standing clear to let them through.
Chrissy stops short. “Where’s your bathroom?”
Steve’s lips quirk. “Eddie can show you, he knows where it is.” Eddie chuckles at that before leading her towards it. When he returns he stops at the door and leans against, facing Steve. He crosses his arms and stares down at the floor before looking up and Steve has to avert his eyes.
“I’ll let you two, uh.” Steve clears his throat, pinching his nose as that prickling sensation starts behind his eyes. He blinks once and clears his throat again. “I’m makin’ pancakes in the morning, if you two are still here when we all get up.” He raps his knuckles on the doorframe and turns.
“Wait, Steve?” Eddie reaches out, fingers wrapping gingerly around Steve’s wrist. Steve bites his lip and wills himself to stay calm because Eddie’s touch burns.
He doesn’t fully turn to face him, just barely turns his head towards his shoulder to respond. “Yeah, Munson?” When Eddie gently tugs on his arm Steve can’t help but move with it. He holds his breath as Eddies pulls away from the door frame and lets his grasp loosen so that he can drop his hand lower and tangle his fingers with Steve’s.
“I just wanted to say thanks for tonight.” Eddie gets close and Steve shutters a breath. “And that I had fun.” Steve wants to avert his eyes but in his attempts to avoid looking into those eyes, he’s now watching their hands, fingers entwined together and it makes his heart ache.
So, so fucked.
He looks up and wills himself to play it cool. “I’ll be sure to invite you to the next one, then.” Steve’s smile is small but it’s all he can muster. Eddie's grip on his fingers tighten and he shifts, like he’s about to step closer but a door shuts behind them and Steve jumps and pulls away.
“Good night, you two.” Steve doesn’t look back, swings by the kitchen to grab two more bottles from the fridge before taking the steps two at a time to get to his room.
When he shuts it he closes his eyes and rests his head against the door. He doesn’t move or acknowledge the squeaking of the floorboard as someone gets off his bed. And when arms wrap around his middle and he’s hugged from behind he just lets his head fall back to rest on top of Robin’s.
“I’m fucked.”
It’s all he says but he feels Robin nod her head against his back in agreement. “I know.”
Steve sighs, pulling her arms away from him to turn and look at her and Nancy who sits on the edge of his bed, her eyes sad. “You really like him.” It’s not a question, because of course Nancy knows. Steve swallows hard, eyes slipping shut and can only nod once. He covers his face with one hand.
“I don’t wanna talk about it. Can I just…” He points back to the door and peaks at them through one eye but both Robin and Nancy shake their heads at him. Nancy pats the space on the bed and Robin pulls on his arm, dragging him towards the bed. “Guys, I’m so exhausted I just want to go to sleep already.”
“Come on dingdong, be our little spoon for tonight.” Robin pulls harder when Steve starts to resist, but he doesn’t for long. Nancy crawls back to the right side of the bed, pulling back the covers and shutting off the lamp. Robin pushes Steve towards the left side and directs him to sit.
She crawls up onto the bed until she’s behind him, settling in comfortably with Nancy before she pulls on the back of his shirt to guide him down, and he lets her. They don’t throw the cover over him, knowing he doesn’t like to share one. Nancy settles underneath it while Robin adjusts the throw to cover her and Steve below the waist.
A sigh escapes him as he shuts his eyes. “Rob. Nance. This is so weird.”
“It’s only weird if you make it weird,” Robin mutters, looping her arm under his, settling against his back. Shortly after another arm is reaching around and it’s only far enough to reach Steve’s waist, but it’s enough.
Some time passes by and Nancy’s grasp on him goes slack. The room is silent long enough for Steve to think they’re both asleep, but when he shifts Robin’s arm tightens around him. He pats her arm, exhaustion just about to take him under. “M’not going anywhere,” he mutters, but she doesn’t loosen her grasp.
“Steve.” Sleepy grunt. “If I would have known about Chrissy, I would have said something sooner.” No response. “I just, I honestly thought that he…” Her voice trails off, unable to put it into words. Whatever it was, Steve doesn’t know, can’t care right now. He’s exhausted, too exhausted to want to analyze the hurt right now and all he wants is to sleep it off.
“I don’t know what I thought, but Steve, that feeling? In your gut, or, maybe in your chest?”
His eyes slip open and he stares into the dark room. Small sigh. “What about it?”
“Just… don’t let that kill the before feelings. Before you realized that he’s not…” Another squeeze before she lets her arm go loose around him. “Don’t let that slip away, okay?”
“Yeah… yeah, okay.”
part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8
part 3 is here! can also be found on ao3, user is the same over there. part 1 of Extended Hours can be found here.
all of eden's vices running through my veins, oxytocin running in the ether
"So– you think Robin is pretty?"
Steve can't see their reactions, but he definitely feels it the way his hair gets pulled between their tiny fingers as the girls behind him agree adamantly with the statement.
"Mhmm, she's really pretty. Muy, muy bonita." Riley hums. Her fingers have stopped moving, which allows Steve to turn his head just enough to get a look at Riley, Jane, and Max behind him. Riley seems to be contemplating something. "Son sus ojos. Her eyes-"
"Robin does have nice eyes." Max agrees, her lips downturned at the corners in a way of agreement.
"I like her freckles," Jane mutters, pulling at a strand of Steve's hair before placing a bright yellow clip to keep it in place.
"Ugh, I hate my freckles."
"Ow! Okay, well you don't have to take it out on me," Steve's hand reflexively goes up to soothe at the sudden tug when a quick hand slaps his out of the way. " Hey -"
"Okay okay, sorry. But don't touch, we're not done playing with your hair." Max says in a hushed voice, taking another strand and beginning to twist it into a braid. They can't see the way Steve rolls his eyes.
"Well. If it's any consolation, I like your freckles." He glances down at his nails, which were an abhorrent mess of blue, green, and purple, picking at his cuticles to pull at the polish that overflowed his nail-beds and onto his skin.
He doesn't remember agreeing to this sudden makeover. Most of the kids had gone home pretty early for a Thursday, for whatever reason, so he and Robin decided to get the kids to eat their snacks a bit earlier than usual and wait out the last hour and a half in the cafeteria.
Right now the only ones left were these three who had Steve at their mercy and Darren and Alex. Robin was with the other two, helping them out with some math homework a couple tables down– something about going over their division and multiplications. Steve had been over their shoulder, watching Robin help them out for a while before the girls asked if he could "come over here really quick," and "just sit here," and "can you tilt your head back- yeah, like that! Now don't move."
Was it possible to be manhandled by a bunch of pre-teen girls?
"Where did you kids even get this stuff anyway?" He pulls the small bag of torturous devices and barely has the chance to rummage through the contents before Max yanks it from his grasp, fishing out a small band to tie off her finished braid before immediately starting a new one.
"From Chrissy. Eddie took me with him to her house yesterday. After he finished up with the Hellfire meeting, we went over to her place to have dinner with her and watch Poltergeist II . She said she didn't use these anymore and that I could have 'em."
" Poltergeist ," Steve huffs, "are you even old enough to watch that?" Wait . Back up . "Hold on, Chrissy? As in, Chrissy Cunningham?"
Max bobs her head, tongue between her lips as she gets towards the end of a strand and struggles to get the final stragglers together before putting on another tie. Jane had stopped participating in Steve's demise for the moment, had abandoned him and his impromptu makeover for one of her comics while Riley went through the bag and practiced naming the colors of different products in Spanish.
Eddie's circle continues to confuse Steve. A part of him remembers that the duo had already mentioned Chrissy casually in passing, something about giving her a ride home. But at the time Steve had thought nothing of it. He was always giving out rides, happy to help if he could. A long car ride was always appreciated to clear his own head.
And, sure, Max made sense after the whole moving across the street from him and… other developments. But what circumstances would bring Eddie together with Chrissy?
"Have you changed your mind about the make-up yet?" Max interrupts Steve's stream of thoughts as she reaches out to readjust the clip Jane had put in, gently setting it into a spot she deems appropriate. "I think you'd look really good with some color. Can I please put some blush-"
"Absolutely not. I've let you gremlins get away with enough for one afternoon," Steve remarks, a finger going up in warning.
Jane and Riley's attentions are officially back as they drop their distractions. They move in front of him while Max continues to move strands around his head behind him. The three girls tower over him in his current position on the floor, inspecting their work as they move his head in different positions, seemingly impressed with themselves.
God, what did they do to me?
"Steve, stop frowning . We're trying to make you pretty."
A scoff escapes him as he dramatically places a hand to his chest, feigning offense and tugging his eyebrows even further together. He pulls his head away from their reach, earning him exasperated sighs as he spins in place from his criss-crossed position to fully face Max.
"Maxine Mayfield, are you saying I'm not pretty?"
She opens her mouth to respond, except the reply doesn’t come from her, it comes from behind him– and it is definitively not the voice he expected, wanted , to hear right now. Not when he looked like this .
"I mean, I don't think we'd call you Steve 'the hair' Harrington if the world didn't think you were oh, so pretty."
Steve slowly shuts his eyes as he exhales forcefully from his nose. Heat was already rushing up his neck, to his ears until he's quite sure his cheeks were the shade of cherries. He's starting to wonder when he can start billing Eddie for his medical expenses– the constant sudden onset of palpitations could not be healthy.
When he opens his eyes, he barely suppresses a surprised gasp. Eddie was crouched in front of him, a ghost of a smile on his lips. He had his hair half up today, curls draped over his shoulders while the top sits in a small, loose knot. The tattoos were in full display as he wore a black sleeveless shirt, some band Steve doesn’t recognize across the chest.
Steve watches as Eddie raises his hand towards Steve's face to gently grasp his chin between his thumb and forefinger. Turns to the left. Turns to the right. Eddie then adjusts his hand so that his rings, ice cold against Steve’s burning face, are under his chin and gently tilts his face up.
“Today I’d say you look pretty charming .” Eddie’s eyes make a final sweep across Steve’s face before standing up, hand outstretched in offering. “Ladies. Brava .” After helping Steve to his feet he makes a show of kissing his fingers like some Italian chef as he tilts his head to the girls. They giggle and play along with his antics, making exaggerated curtsies.
“Whatever Munson, wait until one of these days these girls decide to get their hands on you. Hair like yours? Count your days.” Steve playfully hits Eddie’s arm with the back of his hand once he’s up. He then makes an attempt to brush his hair back, out of habit, but stops as his fingers hit against a few clips. He rolls his eyes as he starts to remove the first one his fingers find.
“Take a seat, Harrington. I’ll get your scalp free, seeing as it was my dear Red here's doing.” Eddie directs an accusing look in Max’s direction before winking at her. He is fighting a bubbling laugh as he pulls on Steve’s arm, directing him towards the head of one of the cafeteria tables before motioning for him to sit. Eddie kicks lightly at Steve’s feet to get him to spread them enough so Eddie can stand between his knees and get started.
Except it’s not soon enough because just as Steve and Eddie settle into a comfortable position is when Darren, Alex, and Riley’s parents decide it’s time to pick up their kids.
“Hey kiddo! Are we ready to go- oh my goodness Steve! What have these girls done to you? Were you a part of this, too?” Mrs. Rider hides the laugh behind one hand as the other reaches out to Alex who approaches her, whose shoulders are shaking with laughter as she shakes her head in response. Alex turns back towards Steve and Eddie once she’s in her mother’s arms, her smile wide enough to expose the fact she’s missing one of her canines.
Steve acknowledges them all awkwardly from his position, lips in a tight line of embarrassment. He says his good-byes, wishing Darren and Alex good luck on their math quizzes for tomorrow, a quick “te veo mañana,” (he learned that one earlier today, thank you very much) to Riley who waves excitedly to him as her mother ushers her towards the doors.
“I think you look great.” Robin chirps from Steve’s left, already jotting down the pick up times and names on the sign-out sheet as the three families make their way towards the parking lot– but not without a few questioning glances from Mr. Win and Mrs. Corewell before they make their way outside, children in tow. Steve doesn’t notice, too busy glaring at Robin who says something about needing a drink before disappearing into the kitchen as Eddie makes work of his hair.
“Don’t you worry, my liege. Face like yours, it’s nearly impossible to ruin your image. Your crown will be back to normal soon. Promise,” Eddie murmurs, running his fingers through a section of hair that’s finally free.
There’s a knot. Except it isn’t in Steve’s hair because Eddie is gentle and methodically. He made sure to get the braids undone, clips freed, ties unwrapped before running his fingers through.
No, the knot isn’t in his hair– it’s in his gut. It jumps up into his chest, burrowing its way deep behind his ribs when Eddie’s nails rake through. They run through again, past his ears and towards the back of his neck. The knot is in his throat when Eddie tucks Steve’s hair behind his ear before he starts to undo another section.
If Eddie notices the way Steve's breath stutters, he doesn't comment on it.
The way they’re positioned has Steve about a head lower than Eddie, so at first his eyes had settled on the collar of Eddie’s shirt and the silver chain that hangs around his neck. But then his curiosity of Eddie’s tattoos took over, figuring he won’t get another opportunity to take a look. He remembers the bats on the forearm, but at this angle he’s able to see that he has a black cat on his bicep, mouth open in a hiss.
He tries to get a clearer look of what’s on Eddie’s forearm when Eddie runs his nails through his scalp again which makes Steve struggle to suppress a shudder. He has to close his eyes and bite the inside of his cheek as a tingling sensation trails down his spine. He gives up on trying to look at Eddie’s tattoos and focuses on keeping his breathing even.
It goes on like that until Steve’s hair is free. He only opens his eyes once he's sure he can stand up straight without keeling over. Eddie rests his hands on his own hips, leaning back to look over his handiwork, lips quirked in a lopsided smile. Max and Jane move to stand at either side of Eddie, mirroring his stance.
"Okay so maybe all the braids and clips killed some of your usual zhuzh, but "the king" shall reign." Eddie raises both hands as he takes a few steps back, fingers forming L's to frame Steve's face. He winks as he clicks one of his fingers to snap a shot.
Steve rolls his eyes. "Please Munson, enough with the 'king' bullshit, I'm just Steve. Not 'the hair,' or 'your highness,' alright?"
Eddie drops his arms, a bit deflated before extending out his hands, soft smile on his lip. "Okay, just Steve, first off– I don't think I've referred to you as your highness before, but… I hear you. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm just Eddie. Although I take pride in being 'the freak,' so-"
"I don't think you're a freak, Munson," Steve huffs as he takes Eddie's extended hand and gives it a quick shake. "But, thank you." As Eddie pulls his hand away, his fingers trail from Steve’s wrist to the very tips of his fingers, catching for a moment before pulling away entirely.
Steve can’t bring himself to look away first. Eddie is the first to break their gaze as Max slips her pinkie into his before gently tugging at him.
“Mom is probably home right about now. We should go now so you can drop me off and you can make your shift.” Max seems to note the confused look on Steve’s face. If she’s home why isn’t she the one picking up Max? She answers the question in Steve’s frown in a near whisper as she averts her eyes. “Her car got repo'd.” She doesn’t explain further, but it’s enough for Steve to share a look with Eddie.
“You’re right.” Eddie clears his throat, bending his knees to pick up Max’s bag before shooting Steve a final smile. “Until next time, just Steve.” He shoulders her belongings as they make their way towards the doors.
“Eddie is pretty.” Jane mutters, mostly to herself right beside Steve as she waves at their retreating forms. He nods in agreement subconsciously.
“Bye Eleven. Call me when you get home.” Max shouts over her shoulder before disappearing with Eddie into the waning afternoon.
Steve turns his head to look down at Jane. “Eleven?”
She shrugs. “She noticed I’m always eleventh in line when you do the head counts.” She bends over to grab her belongings. She’s getting a ride to the station from Steve today. Hopper had called, something about a meeting with the Mayor. “You’d think after two years this dumbass would understand the concept of permits .”
“Robin, let’s go!” Steve has the clipboard in hand, filling out the rest of the sign-out sheet before grabbing his things. Robin burst through the swing-doors of the kitchen, 3 pouches of apple juice in hand and a glint in her eyes.
“I could go for some ice cream right now.”
—----------------------
Steve doesn’t know when he decided to make this right turn down this road. Just that it was an absolute last second decision as he swerved hard into the street, barely avoiding the curb. He currently finds himself parallel parked a few store fronts away from Skylar’s Vibe, his knuckles white on the steering wheel as he contemplates entering the store.
He had already dropped off Eleven at the station and had just dropped off Robin who had been rambling on and on about Madonna and her new album and wanting to pick it up but not having a chance to.
“Robin, do you want to swing by the Vibe and pick up a copy? We can go right now.”
“Ohhh, but Steve, do you think you could get it for me? I can’t go with you tonight. I have so much homework I need to get done and Nance is expecting me to call her at some point tonight so she can help me go over some of our chemistry notes. And Mr. Vargas is having us play for our Chairs tomorrow and I’m sure if I can get this last part of the chorus right I can just land Second Chair, so I need to get some practice in before bed. Before you start, no it can’t wait and yes I need this album yesterday! And you should definitely do this thing for me right now after dropping me off because you’re my best friend and you love me and you know I love you and will totally owe you one and- OH ! I’m so sorry.”
Steve couldn’t tell if what he felt for Robin was truly love in that moment as a few droplets of her strawberry ice cream flew directly onto his arm and shoulder, properly staining the sleeve of his lite-green polo.
“Robin, this is why I never want to get ice cream with you. You never finish it before it starts melting and you make such a mess when you start moving your arms like that. God , you’re lucky that I do in fact love you. I’ll get your damn album.”
“ Yay !”
Steve groans as he bows his head, forehead to steering wheel as he removes the keys from the ignition before stepping out. He inspects himself in the reflection of his driver side window. He’s back in the yellow sweater that he had in his bag, green polo definitively out of commission. He pinches at the faded purple stain that refused to come out at the hem with a small huff. Brushing his hair back as he stands up straight, Steve shakes out his hand to get the ants off his finger tips before making his way towards the store.
The ding of the bell above the door announces his arrival. “What’s up, welcome to- Harrington? What are you doing here?”
Eddie is dressed the same as he had been when he picked up Max from Extended Hours, except now he sports his patch and pin adorned vest. He’s behind the counter with a magazine of some shirtless guy in too tight leather pants on the cover with hair longer than Eddie’s. The guy has his head thrown back as their hips push suggestively against a bright red electric guitar. Eddie slowly shuts it as Steve makes his way over.
“No hi , hello, welcome to the Vibe– how can I help you, sir?” Steve leans onto the counter, finger interlocking as he stares at Eddie accusingly. “Where’s that customer service, Munson? What’s Skylar thinkin’, having you man the counter like this?”
Eddie stares back at Steve with pursed lips and a glint in his eyes before leaning onto the counter, arm grazing Steve’s as he leans far enough until he’s close, too close. Steve takes a sudden intake of breath, which was a mistake because all he smells is Eddie’s shampoo and it makes his head go foggy. Apricots?
He doesn’t stop leaning, doesn’t hesitate when his nose brushes Steve cheek. Doesn’t stop until his lips are so close to his ear Steve thinks he might actually melt right there. Apricots .
“I think Skylar is pretty ecstatic to have access to this po-dunk town's best stash of weed, thanks for askin'.” The heat of Eddie’s breath against his neck makes Steve's brain short circuit, wires flayed and Steve is unable to form words in response.
Eddie pulls away enough until his face is in front of Steve, his smile wild. “What do you want, Harrington?”
"You- I mean, do you, the store- does this place have that new… shit." Steve leans back, bracing himself against the edge of the counter with his elbows locked and the tips of his fingers white from his grip to get away from that scent . Eddie watches with an amused smirk. Steve swallows hard before clearing his throat. "Sorry, um, Robin really wants that new Madonna album and I'm just being a great friend and getting it for her."
"Hmm, new Madonna album…" Eddie bites his bottom lip, eyes boring into the tapestries that hangs low from the ceiling as he searches for an answer in the pattern. "Oh, that album." He snorts as his head drops, face hidden behind his hair before he flips it back up. "It's over here." Eddie uses two fingers to beckon Steve to follow him.
Steve is resolved to taking shallow breaths as he trails behind Eddie. They walk past the milk crates and beaten up cardboard boxes of vinyl, magazines, and different how-to instrument books until they get to the pop section.
“Personally, this isn’t my genre of music,” Eddie starts as he pulls a vinyl from a bin before also picking up a cassette case from the bin adjacent. He turns to Steve with the cover of the vinyl pressed against his chest while the cassette is held up between his pointer and middle finger. “But this actually makes a lot of sense for Buckley.” He presents them to Steve.
“Robs-” Steve fights a smile as he takes the vinyl and cassette of ‘Like a Virgin’, flipping the vinyl to get a look at the song list before flipping it back. Steve turns his head and squints until he sees Nancy staring back at him. He stops fighting and allows the smile to take over his face. “Oh, this is perfect. I’ll take the cassette– Buckley doesn't have a vinyl player at her place. Do you guys have any posters of Madonna? Doesn’t have to be for this album in particular.”
They never did talk about the whole Robin crushing on Nancy thing, haven’t really had the time since it came up. Maybe he can broach the conversation tomorrow after Extended Hours when he gives her these.
“The things we do for the girls we love, huh?” Eddie moves past Steve and heads towards their section of posters.
“Yeah… think I’d die for that brat, ya know?” Steve mutters, mostly to himself, still going over the song list on the back of the cassette.
“I’ll be completely honest with you Steve. When I first saw you and Buckley working together the last few times I came to pick up Max, I was genuinely surprised to see that the two of you were actually so… close?” Eddie returns with a rolled up poster before stopping in front of Steve and using the tip of the poster to poke Steve’s chest. “Can I ask how that even happened?”
“Oh, well, first off she and I aren’t together -”
“I didn’t say you were,” Eddie interrupts, voice soft as his lips pull into a smirk. His eyes roam over Steve’s face.
Steve swallows, hand going up to scratch away at the ants. “Oh. Sorry, it’s just what everyone assumes and we’re always having to-” Steve shakes his head. “Anyway, we first met when we worked at Scoops Ahoy, for a bit. That ice cream shop that opened up at Star Court. You know the one?”
Eddie’s eyes widened in recognition. “Wait, the one with the sailor hats and the blue uniforms?”
Steve nods solemnly before huffing out a breath. “Those shorts and that hat were a nightmare.”
“I bet.” Eddie’s eyes are looking past Steve, eyes glazed over for just a second before his eyes snap back to Steve, tips of his ears turning red before he leans back against one of the shelves and crosses his arms tightly against his chest, poster against his arm. “Sorry, you were saying?”
Steve squints at Eddie before continuing. “It was during the summer before my senior year and her junior– before the whole mall basically went up in financial flames and the whole thing shut down. We didn’t really get close until we ended up working Extended Hours. Murray had those sign up sheets for anyone interested and she and I were the first ones to sign up, fresh out of our summer jobs. Figured we worked well enough at Scoops, that maybe we could handle the kids since I was around most of them when I was dating Nancy.
“We were snooping one day while watching them in Miss Lowers classroom. She let us use her room while the janitors were cleaning up some mess in the classroom we usually use. And there were these…” Steve almost hesitates to continue before remembering who he’s speaking to and giggles through it. “There were these laced gummies we found in the desk that Miss Lowers had confiscated from Bonnie Wr-”
Eddie blinks a few times as if processing this information as he throws a hand out. “Hold on. You mean to tell me Robin Buckley and Steve Harrington are joined at the hip because they got high together on school property ?”
“Dude, first off, we didn’t know they were drug gummies. And, B, we didn’t end up eating them until way later when I was giving her a ride to her place. No kids were harmed or left improperly supervised.” Steve’s finger goes up, eyebrow arched. Eddie’s hands go up as if in surrender before beckoning for Steve to continue.
He looks up, eyes lost in the memory of the moments leading up to. It was so vivid until it wasn’t. “We ended up at her place just before it started to kick in. I was walking her to her door one second, and the next I was on my ass in the middle of her driveway and I swear to you, I thought I was fighting for my life against some Russian spies who wanted the secret ingredients to Scoops ice cream.”
Eddie’s hand slaps up to his mouth that’s in a straight line, fighting a laugh before muttering a silent “Oh, no.”
“It’s okay, you can laugh but– Munson, I genuinely thought we were going to die if I didn’t give this guy what he wanted.” Steve is in a fit of giggles, which sets Eddie off whose head goes back, arms at his stomach as a silent laugh racks his body. He exhales as he rights himself, wiping at his eyes before he looks back at Steve.
Eddie shakes his head. “So, did the Russian spies get the secret ingredient?”
Steve gets stoic before he huffs at his nails, buffing them against his shoulder. “Can’t break me. The secret dies with me and Buckley.” Steve breaks immediately, cringing at himself. “But no, we… had a moment. That ‘we’re going to die so here are all my life’s secrets,’ kinda moment. She’s my best friend and I love that rambling band nerd.” He smiles at the memory one final time before rolling his eyes. “Even if she doesn’t know how to eat her ice cream. But speaking of friends, how did-”
Steve stops talking because Eddie’s eyebrows come together as his eyes catch onto something. He points to that something as he approaches Steve, who’s hands go up because why is Eddie pointing towards-
“Was this Buckley?” He grabs at the hem of Steve’s sweater, the fabric between his fingers as he pulls at Steve’s shirt slightly to get a better look.
Eddie’s rings barely graze against Steve’s abdomen, sending a chill up Steve’s spine. “No. No, that was me. Was making the kids PB&Js the other day. You make fifteen of those things and you're kinda doomed to make a mess.” He says it barely above a whisper, doesn’t need to be any louder because Eddie is that close. His throat clicks as he swallows. “Tried getting it out, but….”
“Hmm. Think I know a way to get that out. This is a nice sweater.” Eddie hums as he glances up at Steve. “You look good in it.”
They don’t move. Eddie continues to pinch the hem of Steve’s shirt while Steve’s hands are clenched at his sides so tight that he’s surprised the cassette doesn’t crack. He's sure to have half moon crescents on the palm of his hand that doesn’t hold the tape. He wills his body to stay put, doesn’t even try to breathe because if he does his lungs will fill, and if his lungs fill– no, he can’t because he’s sure to go insane.
What’s wrong with me?
Eddie’s lips part, about to say something when the sound of the front door’s bell chimes throughout the store.
“Hey man, let me know if you need help with anything.” Eddie doesn’t avert his eyes. There’s a moment of hesitation, a flicker across his face but it’s gone just as quickly as it appeared. “I can check you out Steve.” Eddie just barely pulls at the sweater, but it’s enough to sway Steve forward. And he’s grateful because he’s sure he wouldn’t have been able to take the first step to follow Eddie towards the counter without it.
With anyone else, at any other moment Steve would have had a come back, made a joke about the ‘checking him out’ comment but no, his tongue stays firm against the roof of his mouth. Can’t figure out why, can’t put it together, the same way he can’t figure out where those damn ants keep coming from.
He’s silent the entire way over, lost in his own head. He sets the cassette on the counter where Eddie takes it before grabbing a Thank You bag from behind the counter, tying the ends of the bag gently around the poster before setting it down and gives Steve his total.
He pays for it on autopilot, feels as if his head is under water as the guy who came in asks Eddie a question from somewhere far behind him. Steve doesn’t hear the response, just pulls out his wallet, pulls out some bills and waits for Eddie to give him his change. And when Steve holds his hand out, palm up he can’t help but feel… something because of the way Eddie’s hands hovered too high, just barely avoids touching his hand as the change cascades down.
Steve pockets it, barely hears Eddie as he continues to hold a conversation with the guy. The guy who interrupted them. Interrupted something . Was it something? It must be, because it was enough to leave this feeling in Steve’s chest.
Eddie is moving, still talking, but not to Steve. He comes around the counter and pats Steve on the back. His hand lingers and it’s like that touch that shocks him, what brings him back to the surface.
Suddenly Steve is spinning in place, arms out, searching until they find him. Steve grabs his arm, the bag of goods swaying dangerously in his other as he asks–
“Are you doing anything tomorrow?”
part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8
pt 5! fic can also be found on ao3, user is the same over there. part 1 of Extended Hours can be found here.
i'm not caught up like all the others guys but i'm still caught up on something
When Eddie announces that he has to go so that he can close up the Vibe, Steve honest to god almost pulls something as he whips his head to the side to get a look at the time.
"Damn, I didn't realize how late it was. That's my bad." Steve sits up right, grabbing the phone to place on his lap as he swings his legs out over the edge of his bed. A deep sigh escapes him as he straightens up. "Well Munson, you've got the address, the time, so..."
"Yea, I've got it all here. And, hey, don't sweat it. Never woulda thought I'd utter these words but you, Steve Harrington, might not actually be the douchebag I thought you were in highschool.”
Steve perks up at that, corners of his mouth pulling down considering Eddie’s words as his spine somehow goes even straighter. "Oh. Well, then I'm not sorry and you're welcome. I think."
A scoff followed by an incredulous laugh escapes Eddie. "I take it back. Henderson and all those kids don’t know shit, man. I’ll see you tomorrow"
Steve starts at that. "I'm sorry, can we go back to that bit? Are you saying you talk about me with the kids during your Hellfire meetings? It's good things, right? Awe, come on-" Steve is laughing as Eddie hums at him to stop before he himself starts laughing along with him.
" Nuh-uh. Nope! Buh-bye."
"Alright alright, fine. I'll see you tomorrow, Munson."
" Tomorrow ."
Click .
Steve lets the weight of the phone carry his hand down, slipping the receiver into its cradle before getting up to place it in its home at his desk.
He makes his way to the bathroom, brushes his teeth and starts on his nightly routine of hair care. When he's done he then makes his routine sweep of the house before getting ready for bed.
As he settles in he can suddenly feel just how exhausted he truly was. The last hour on the phone with Eddie went by in a blur. As he shuts off the lamp on his night stand before sinking into his mattress, he decides that he won't tack on those extra exercises to his workout in the morning after all.
He's got tomorrow night to look forward to.
—-------------
Robin is fidgeting with Steve's radio to get her cassette tape going, making sure to skip over the first track per Steve's sideways glance at the kids in the back seat. Last thing he needs is to hear the constant chorus of Like a Virgin for the next coming weeks.
It’s after Extended Hours and he has Erica, Lucas, and Dustin in the back of his car who are arguing in hushed voices amongst themselves. Steve can barely make out what they're saying but it must be about their DnD game he's dropping the boys off to or whatever because he catches a lot of nerds and losers from Erica.
When Steve looks back in the rearview mirror for a quick glance he watches as Lucas flicks at one of Erica's beads that hangs in her hair before muttering for her to shut up. Steve's lips form a tight line as his eyes revert back to the road. Here we go-
"I'll shut up when you bozos shut up about your stupid little nerd game first. Nobody wants to hear about– okay, you touch my hair again and I'm telling everyone in this car what I found hidden at the bottom of your sock drawer."
“ You wouldn’t. ”
Another glance in the rearview mirror and Lucas’ eyes are saucers. Robin swivels at that, hands on the shoulders of the seat as she faces the kids. Steve reaches out to tug at Robin’s sleeve, forcing his gaze to stay on the road. "Robin, don’t start with them. And guys, don't you start at all, alright! We're almost there. Buckley would you please sit back-”
“No nono, I want to know what Erica found at the bottom of Lucas’ sock drawer. I need to know. Like, right now. We all do, Steve. What’s at the bottom of his sock drawer? Dustybun and I are listening. Steve, you can close your ears.”
“What the hell do you have at the bottom of your sock drawer?!” Steve feels Dustin kick at his seat as he flails around in the back and his jaw clicks, the line of his mouth somehow cutting thinner.
Steve huffs a breath. “We don’t need to talk about this, like, at all.” He throws a hand up, his other hand tapping along to the beat of Material Girl on the steering wheel. He has to fight the urge to slowly roll through the stop sign, instead making the car jerk a bit as he mindfully hits the brake. Just gotta make this right turn and we’ll be there. “Whatever the hell Lucas has in his-”
“Nothing! There’s nothing in my sock drawer!”
Another glance. Steve never wants to be on Erica’s bad side if that smirk was anything to go by. “I was in his room looking for my barbies because someone -”
“Erica!”
“Someone! Likes to use them for his stupid little battle line ups. Anyway, so I went looking under the bed first– under the bed! There was something under his bed!”
Robin’s voice is a sing-song whisper. “Erica, what was under the bed.”
“There was this–”
“Oh, wow would you kids look at that! We’re here!” Steve is barely at a complete stop before putting the car in park, the car stopping abruptly. Robin clutches at the headrest with a surprised gasp, disgruntled heys coming from the back. “Perfect timing,” Steve mutters to himself, somehow out of breath.
“Get me the hell out of this damn car. You guys suck.” Lucas rushes out, doesn’t even bother waiting for Dustin or his sister before he’s at the front door. He knocks and slips in the moment it opens, barreling past poor unsuspecting Nancy who has to jump out of his way.
Robin contorts her body to squeeze between the seat and the passenger door to yell out of the open back door. “Lucas, I was only joking! I’m sorry but there’s no need to be rude to Nancy!” Robin’s hand comes up to wave at her through her own closed window. “Sorry, Nance.”
Steve’s hand is rubbing at his chest as he turns to look at Robin. “You do know you have your own door you could have opened, right, Mr. Fantastic? Better yet, there’s a window!” Steve can’t see her face as she unravels herself but knows her eyes are rolling.
“Erica, I actually really don’t want to know.” Dustin pats Steve’s headrest before he steps out, backpack in tow. “Thanks for the ride, Steve. See ya, Robin!” He shuffles through the door that Nance has left propped open. She smiles as she turns to look at the car, points back into the house with her thumb before using her pointer to signal she would be right back before disappearing entirely.
“I honestly don’t know what I found,” Erica mumbles. “He came in just before I could get a good look. I just know I wasn’t supposed to find it.” She doesn’t move from her spot. She’s staring into the house with a look of disgust. “What the hell am I supposed to do here while they play their dumb little game?”
Steve unbuckles his seatbelt to properly turn and look back at her. “Dumb? Debatable. But there's nothing little about their game. I remember the one that went on for seventeen hours and the chaos that ensued from the aftermath." Steve shutters before refocusing on her. "I dunno. You could play with Holly?”
The way Erica rolls her eyes, Steve starts to wonder who would be the first to ever get their eyes stuck– her, Max, or Robin. “I know I’m Lucas’s younger sister but I’m not a baby.” She’s gathering her things before she starts to shimmy her way out the door Lucas left open.
“I mean. Have you considered just watching them play?” Erica stops moving, her head turning slowly to look back at Steve, eyes asking if he’s possibly hit his head or something. “What? I mean, I don’t get the game myself. I literally have zero freaking idea what’s going on the few times I’ve caught them in the middle of their, what is it, their campaign or whatever but when I’ve seen them play they’re… having fun. I don’t know. Or you could just watch some TV.”
Erica scoffs before jumping out. “Whatever. I hate date night.” Steve winces as the door slams shut but doesn't comment on it.
Robin watches her tiny form disappear into the house. “I never realized how much… tangible annoyance could be bundled into such a small body." She shrugs her shoulders before turning back to fiddle with Steve's radio. "Kids are gone, time for virgins."
"Oh, before I forget." Steve holds up a finger as he opens his door, winking at Robin who scrunches her eyebrows at him before going to his trunk. He pulls out the Madonna poster he got her, having wanted to wait for a moment when the two of them were finally alone to bring up the crush on Nancy. He unravels it to get a final look, eyes squinting as he turns his head to see if Nancy is still staring back, and sure enough, she is.
He rolls it back up before slinking back into his seat and handing the poster over to Robin who quirks an eyebrow in question.
"Open it. And then I need you to squint a little and tell me what you see. Don't ask, just do."
Robin rolls her eyes, taking the poster into her own hands and opening it as much as she could within the car without wrinkling it. A small smile breaks her confused expression. "Steve you dork, you didn't have to-"
"Squint."
She side-eyes him before doing as he asks. She turns her head, elbows locking as she pushes the poster away. She's tilting her head left and right, mouth parting until a breath huffs out of her. "Huh. Ya know, she kind of looks like Nancy in this– wait." She loosens her elbows as the poster drops and it settles into her lap, eyes staring past the windshield.
Steve chances a glance back at the house. He sees Nancy's shadow at her bedroom window and thinks they might have time. "So, about that moment I saw you have with Nance earlier this week in the courtyard– no, throughout the entire week. Actually? Now that I think about it-"
"Steve, please please please just drop it. I know I said we'd talk about it later but ya know what? We actually don't have to. She and I are friends and it took a while for us to get there but we did it somehow. I don't know what you think you saw but there is absolutely no way Nance sees me that way, okay? We have already established that yes, I'm a horrible friend who crushes on her best friend's very straight, very much not gay ex, okay. And other than having a teeny tiny, no big deal crush, that's all it's ever going to be so just let it go ."
"Robin, as your best friend, I am the one who gets to decide if you're a horrible friend, alright." Steve reaches out to her and she flinches at his touch before glaring at him. "Which you aren't. Okay, and as Nancy's ex I'm the perfect person, the one to know, to see that from the way she's been when she's around you that Nancy definitely isn't one hundred percent straight."
Robin starts at that, the poster abandoned on her lap as she raises her hand to pluck Steve's hand away from her shoulder, the skin on the back of his hand taunt where she's pinched him. "What do you mean, 'isn't one hundred percent straight,' she's literally only ever dated you and Jonathan. When has she ever even looked at another girl like, well, the way I look at other girls."
"You! She looks at you that way, Robs! So she's only been with me and Byers. Yeah okay, and? I've only ever screwed about every girl on the cheerleading squad, swim team, soccer team, an-"
"Ew." Robin's hand comes up between them, palm directed at Steve's face before she flips it and her middle finger is the only finger left standing. Steve chuckles as he hooks his middle finger to hers and brings it down onto the center console, finger squeezing tightly as she squirms to try to release his hold.
" And. You know about the whole… guy thing. Just because I've only been with girls, it doesn't mean anything." Steve moves his head to stay in her line of sight because Robin is shaking hers and he needs her to hear this. To get it. He snaps a finger with the hand that doesn't have hers in a vise grip. They lock eyes and there's doubt in her eyes but also….
He shudders a breath before continuing. "I know I'm not all that great at math, alright, but I can put two and two together and so can you. So, just because I've only been with chicks, and just because Nancy has only been with guys..." Steve doesn't finish it, doesn't outright say it but what he does say is just above a whisper.
Because yes, of course she knows about the guy thing and can also put two and two together, can even put four and four together. But they haven't spoken about it since the gummies induced Russian spy hallucination.
They talk openly about Robin being a lesbian, albeit only amongst themselves and in hushed whispers when in public, but they don't talk about the guy thing. They don’t talk about Steve Harrington, the crowned “King” for his hot streak the summer just before sophomore year where it started with Haley Anderson and went down the alphabet until he got to Sierra Zelman.
They don’t talk about Steve who is actually bisexual and still has a whole other side of the field to discover and conquer. Which, by the way, is hard to do in bumfuck Hawkins so thanks for noticing Robin and Steve’s struggles.
She finally stops fighting his grasp and instead holds on even tighter, their fingers going numb between them. Robin has only ever teased about the guy thing every once in a while because getting to bully your best friend is a biblical, predetermined, absolute right. But they haven't talked about it. Steve is bringing it up, is using it to feed into the fantasy, into the hope that Nancy could possibly-
"I'm so sorry, guys, I didn't mean to take so long but right when I was about to step out my mom– are you two okay?"
The sound of the door opening and Nancy's suddenly loud voice in the quiet car makes Steve and Robin jump, hard. Steve can only mutter a silent jesus while Robin's free hand goes up to her shoulder because she genuinely thinks she might have just pulled something.
Steve and Robin lock eyes for one final moment before bursting out in a fit of giggles, their middle fingers still attached between them as Robin folds over the center console towards Steve whose hand covers his eyes while he tilts his head back against his headrest.
Robin gasps before she uncurls herself, finally freeing her finger as she leans back against her door. "Peachy, we're keen and peachy." She looks between the other two from her position. She's smiling shyly when she looks back at Nancy before resettling into her seat and adjusting the seat belt around herself, head down.
Steve watches Robin unfurl the poster, smirking to himself as she pulls in the corner of her bottom lip before setting it on the floor against her leg next to her trumpet case. She turns back again. "Ready for a spooky movie night with friends?"
Nancy looks right back, lips a playful smirk as she drops her head, hiding her eyes behind her bangs before glancing back up and looking through her lashes. "Yeah, spooky movie night with friends."
Steve is careful to not break the moment as he slowly clicks his seatbeat back on and focuses his attention into putting the car in drive, fingers tapping along to Angel against the steering wheel as he starts the drive into town.
Eventually Steve flicks the turn signal as he finds a spot in front of Family Video and sets the car in park. "Say hello to Keith for me," Steve sighs, settling into the seat after putting the car in park and shutting off the ignition.
"Wha- you're not coming in?" Robin's hand is on the door handle, head snapping towards him.
Nancy has already slipped out from the back and is knocking on Robin’s window. Robin pulls the handle which unlocks the door and Nancy doesn't waste any time. She opens the door all the way and extends her hand out to Robin, palm up.
"Us ladies will stick together." She grabs Robin's slow reaching hand and gently tugs her out.
Steve steps out, turning towards the other two after shutting the door, his elbows resting on the hood. "I have to get some things for tonight so you two can handle the VHS. I'll be right back. It’ll be just two minutes, right Buckley?"
Robin's eyes are daggers. If looks could kill. He has to fight the smile that wants to worm its way onto his face so he bites the inside of cheek.
Robin has always been awkward and when there’s a girl she likes she has trouble shutting up (her words, okay). She hears the voice in her head that tells her to shut it but her mouth continues to run until she has to stop because she didn’t take a breath.
But, you see, it didn’t really matter all that much if she embarrassed herself or made things excruciatingly awkward because she really can’t tell. What are social cues and why do they matter when you’re in front of a cute girl and you know it won’t lead to anything?
Talking to Nancy and being alone with her was possible before because it was just an unreciprocated crush. Who gives a shit if Robin got a little awkward, she can pine from the safety of her queer walls. She’s used to always falling for the straight girl who will only ever look at her as a friend, if at all, or as that girl who talked a little too much in band. But now that Steve’s put the notion that Nancy could actually reciprocate those feelings out into the world, she’s a panicked mess.
Steve watches them, has to pull his lips into a straight line to keep from laughing when Robin almost trips on the curb. Nancy puts her hand low on Robin’s back so she doesn’t lose her balance completely. Nancy waits for Robin to settle before letting her hand fall. She says something that Steve can’t hear and then takes Robin’s hand loosely in hers, pulling her towards Family Video.
They step into the store still hand and hand with just the tips of their fingers clutching at each other as Nancy leads with Robin in tow. Steve turns once the door shuts behind them and starts to walk further down and across the street to Melvald's General Store. He keeps his eyes to the sidewalk while whistling the tune of Old Time Rock and Roll to himself.
The ding of the door rings over his head and he makes his way to the section where he knows the red solo cups and napkins will be waiting for him. He grabs a pack of each before he wanders into the next aisle to see what snacks they have on the shelves.
After grabbing a bag of salt and vinegar chips for Robin, a packet of Skittles for Argyle, Twizzlers for Jonathan, and pretzels for Nancy, he realizes two things. First one being that he probably should have gotten a shopping basket. Second being that he has no idea what Eddie would like. He stands in the aisle thinking it over for too long before settling on a safe bag of plain salted chips.
He’s trying to remember if he has salt and limes back home. He really doesn’t want to have to swing by Bradley's Big Buy, is lost in the thought when he rounds the corner of the aisle and stumbles into someone. He drops a few items and his mouth hangs open as they settle around him. He looks up and is about to apologize for not paying attention when a hand adorned with rings comes up to his chin, shutting his mouth.
“Harrington, we really need to stop running into each other like this,” Eddie tsks, his hair flowing with the movement as he shakes his head, eyes on all the things on the floor.
He’s in the usual black attire, pin adorned battle vest and all, except this time the holes on his jeans are considerably more prominent, hanging rather low on his hips. His shirt is jaggedly cut just below his belly button, exposing more of his skin.
Steve can see that he has a tattoo on his knee and another that peeks out on his left hip. He's trying to get a clearer look of what it could be when Eddie squats down, obscuring the view.
Eddie has an empty basket on his arm that he starts to place the dropped items into before standing again. He extends the basket and Steve dumps the rest of his haul in, body on autopilot. His lips part because he wants to say something but can’t find words, is always struggling to find them when Eddie is right in front of him.
It doesn’t matter because Eddie continues on. “Don’t think you have enough here, by the way. Definitely need to add some Nerds and a few packets of Pop Rocks.”
Steve chuckles at that, words finally coming to him. “Ya know, I was just over in that aisle trying to figure out what to get for you. I grabbed something for everyone and couldn’t figure out if you were more of a candy or chocolates kinda guy. Or if you would have wanted something savory. I will not admit to how long I stood over there agonizing over it.”
Eddie’s mouth pops open, hand going up to his face to grab at a free strand of hair to twirl around his finger. “You mean to tell me that Steve Harrington was agonizing over what to get me? Oh, Stevie, you really didn’t have to.” Eddie bats his eye lashes, doe-eyes dramatically wide before a snort escapes him, using the hand that was in his hair to shove at Steve’s shoulder. “No, like, actually you really didn’t have to.
“I just dropped Max off at the Byers place. She’s having a ‘girls night’ with El and Joyce since Hopper’s working overnight. Just dropped her off and was planning to swing by to get these when I noticed your car. Checked Family Video and Buckley said you were over here. ” He shrugs as he holds his arm out, revealing the sweets he had in hand.
Steve is still reeling at Stevie, mind stuttering momentarily and his stomach in knots.
Ants ants ants .
All he can do is reach out to grab at the items in Eddie’s hand. Eddie pulls his arm back a little, eyebrows pulling together and about to say something but Steve shakes his own head. He reaches out to grab the handle of the basket, moving his other hand over Eddie’s wrist before capturing it entirely until his thumb and middle finger meet.
“Let me buy the candy I was agonizing to pick out for you, please.” Steve’s grip tightens slightly as he pulls Eddie’s hand over the basket that he also tries to tug out of his grasp. He stares at the rings on Eddie’s fingers expectantly waiting for the items to drop.
“That’s really not neces-”
When they remain in his grasp Steve looks up and quirks his eyebrow, squeezing just a bit tighter. “Munson, would you please.”
Eddie doesn’t let go. He narrows his eyes at Steve as he tries to rotate his wrist out of his grasp to no avail. Steve only tightens his grasp before stepping closer, the basket the only thing between them.
“Munson.” Steve’s voice is low as he leans forward, moving the basket so that he can take another step closer. “Let me buy the damn convenience store candy.” Eddie tries to pull away again, the smirk on his lips exposing a dimple as he shuffles back a bit but it doesn’t matter because Steve just moves with him.
Steve mirrors the smirk. He takes another step, grip somehow going even tighter. “Let. Go.”
A scoff escapes Eddie, blush spreading across his face as his hands finally let go. “Fine, whatever,” he mutters. When he lets go a satisfied smile spreads across Steve’s face. Eddie rolls his eyes at him, sticking his tongue out and– was that a tongue ring?
Before Steve can register it, Eddie spins on the spot, mutters something else that Steve can't hear as he makes his way over to the registers.
Steve shakes himself before calling after him. "Sorry, what was that, Eds, I didn’t catch it?" He trails behind him, placing the basket in front of Donald who's at the register.
Eddie turns to Steve the moment the nickname comes out. He cocks an eyebrow. Oh, so we’re doing this?
Steve leans against the counter, feigning confusion with raised eyebrows and wide eyes. Eddie can only shake his head at him before rolling his eyes again.
"It's nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about, Stevie. Besides, I've got what we really need for tonight in my van, so you and the others can have at it with your movie snacks." Eddie waggles his eyebrows, arms crossing over his chest. The movement makes Eddie's shirt hitch higher, revealing yet another tattoo that seems to be coming down from the center of his chest, the point of something reaching towards his naval.
Steve has to squeeze his eyes shut and turn his full body to face the register to keep from staring. He digs his wallet out of his pocket when Donald gives him the total. Eddie grabs one of the paper bags and hands the other to Steve before motioning for him to go ahead towards the exit.
Just as he nears the door, Steve turns to look back at him, backing into the door to open it before propping it open with his foot for Eddie to step through. “What does Eddie Munson have in his van that would make tonight better? Ya know, other than his company.” Steve leans into Eddie as he passes by him, bumping his shoulder with his own.
Eddie doesn’t answer right away, only winks at Steve as they make their way back to their cars by Family Video. Steve squints against the sun but can see Robin and Nancy by his beemer, waiting. “Just follow me to mine, yeah? I'll drive slow.”
Eddie only hums in acknowledgement.
They continue to walk like that, almost shoulder to shoulder as they get close to Eddie’s van which is a few store fronts away from the girls.
Eddie hums to Steve again as he pulls a cigarette that was apparently hidden in all his hair from behind his ear, slipping a lighter out from his front pocket to light it. Smoke billows out as Eddie tips his head towards Steve.
He clears his throat and leans against the front of his van, arm out to give Steve his things. “I’ve got something that will hopefully not induce a total mood killing Russian spy hallucination. What do ya think?” He takes a long drag before blowing the smoke out of the corner of his mouth, walking around Steve to get into his van.
Steve’s eyebrows shoot up, clicking his teeth as he continues to make his way towards the other two. He calls over his shoulder, voice somber. “Munson, I don’t know how to tell ya this but you might have some competition for having this po-dunk town's best stash.”
Eddie barely has the door to his van open, turning at that. He lifts his chin, back going straight as his eyes narrow at Steve’s retreating body, cigarette hanging low between his lips. He pulls from it again before pointing an accusing finger in Steve’s direction. “What kind of comp- is that a challenge, Harrington?”
Steve spins, walking backwards to call back. “Oh, Munson, I really really need to introduce you to Jonathan’s friend, Argyle. You like pineapple on pizza, right?” Steve doesn’t wait for a reply, only salutes to Eddie the way he’s done to him so many times before– with two fingers before turning again and heading towards the Family Video store front, a smile wide across his face.
“Sorry for keepin’ you guys– what?” Steve stops short because Nancy and Robin both have their heads cocked to the side and are just… watching him. Well, Robin is watching him, Nancy has her eyes set on something past Steve’s shoulder.
Nancy only laughs quietly to herself. “You’re an idiot, Steve Harrington. That’s all I’ve got to say.” She gives him a shy smile, reaching a hand out to squeeze his forearm before turning and getting into the back seat.
Steve looks between Nancy and Robin and is absolutely lost. “What?”
Robin takes the bags from Steve, eyes boring into his. There’s that look in her eyes again but Steve doesn’t bother to ask what it is, what it all means because he knows he won’t get any clear answer. She just shakes her head at him, voice adoringly annoyed.
“Nothing, you absolute dillweed. Let’s go watch a scary movie.”
part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8
pt 4! fic can also be found on ao3, user is the same over there. part 1 of Extended Hours can be found here.
i feel it creeping up my neck when it's real late, let it cover me up
“So, are you? Doing anything tomorrow?”
Eddie didn’t respond right away. He was frozen in place, eyes glued to Steve’s hand where it had latched onto his arm. Eddie’s lips then slowly turned upward in a half smirk as his eyes finally trailed up to meet Steve’s gaze head on.
“Seems like I might be. Not sure yet, though. Think some guy I went to high school with might have some ideas.”
A smile broke out across Steve’s face as he let go of Eddie’s arm to brush his hair back. He began to invite Eddie to the plans he had with Robin and the others.
Except– there was no plan with Robin and the others and Steve was lying out of his ass. But before he could dig himself deeper into the lie, he was cut off mid-invite when the customer had cleared his throat loudly behind them. Steve smiled sheepishly at him. He spun around and ripped out a small piece of the magazine Eddie had been reading when he first entered the store.
“If you give me your number I can call you later, give you the rundown of the plans. When does your shift end?”
Eddie bit his bottom lip as he pulled a pen from his pocket, and Steve wondered where it came from because those pants were tight . “I get off at ten, so you can call any time twenty minutes after. If my uncle Wayne picks up, just let him know you’re calling for me.” Eddie writes down his number before folding the piece of paper in half, mutters a low “I'll catch ya later, big boy,” before giving Steve a playful salute with two fingers and turning to help out the customer.
Again, Steve is left standing there, jaw slack as his brain shorts as he tries to process everything that is Eddie. He's usually good with the comeback, has gotten better at it since Robin entered his life but when it comes to Eddie….
He doesn't remember walking out of the store but Steve was walking to his car, the piece of paper burning through his jeans where it sat in his front pocket. He settled into the driver’s side, a small smile across his face as he gently set Robin’s things in the passenger seat. It wasn’t until his car roared to life that he remembered.
“Ah fuck, I need to call Robin.”
—-----------
“What’s up, Dorkus.” Robin’s voice sounded bored over the line, having just gotten off the phone with Nancy. And she knew who was on the other end because no one else would be calling this late into the evening.
Steve can hear the sound of rustling papers in the background. He’d just gotten home himself, the bag of his haul from Skylar’s Vibe barely touching the kitchen counter before his fingers were dialing the number he knew by heart.
“Robs, please tell me you’re not doing anything tomorrow night.”
“My plans were to do absolutely nothing, actually, thanks for asking.” Robin sighs, the squeaking of her bed springs sounding through the receiver. Steve can picture her settling into bed, in an oversized t-shirt and her fuzzy calf-length socks crossed at the ankles as she leans against her headboard. He’d snuck over and spent enough nights to watch movies, listen to music, or just to talk to know her routine and habits. “Why, what’s going on with you tomorrow night? Wait, tomorrow night is a Friday night- does Steve Harrington have a date -”
“No, it’s not a date . It’s a hangout amongst friends, hopefully. Just need to get everyone on board.” Steve rushed to get her to stop because– no . “Look, I just got home from the Vibe and before I left I asked Eddie if he was doing anything tomorrow night. I might have told him that you and I had plans to watch a movie at my place and asked if he wanted to join us.”
“Hold. I’m sorry, but did you just say that you asked Eddie to watch a movie with you at your place?” Robin’s voice is low, her question holding a million other questions within the one.
An exasperated sigh escapes Steve as he shuts his eyes, tapping the phone to his forehead a few times before putting the receiver back to his ear. “I’m inviting a group of friends to catch up after a long week to watch a movie together, okay? I kinda told him we already planned the whole thing and that he’d just have to meet up with us at my place after Extended Hours. So, what I need you to do for me is say yes and then immediately call Nance while I try to convince Jonathan and maybe Argyle to come with.”
“Right…” Robin clicks her tongue before continuing. “So it’s just a small little hang out amongst friends?”
Steve’s eyes are wide, hands going up in question as if she could see him. “Yeah, what else would it be?” Steve spins in place, tangling himself in the cord of the phone before he leans back against the counter. “I’m just trying to get to know the guy who’s really close to a bunch of our Extended Hours kids, okay? Expand our friend group a little. Maybe get some insight on his relationship with Max and find out what happened between them this summer. Just say yes and ask no more questions, please.”
“I have one question.”
Steve inhales slowly through his nose. “What’s your question?”
“What movie are we watching?”
Steve has no idea how the stars aligned, what gods were looking down upon him for everything to come together but he thanked them regardless.
He had called Jonathan after his call with Robin who agreed to call back Nancy and invite her, although it wasn’t without a hint of anxiety in her tone. He hadn’t expected Jonathan to agree so readily when he asked if he wanted to catch up and watch a movie with them, but he did and asked if Argyle could tag along before Steve could ask to invite the guy himself.
Once he’s got it all planned out with the group Steve tries to relax a little as he starts to make his way upstairs. As he enters his room he tosses his wallet onto his nightstand after he’s kicked the door shut behind himself, out of habit even though no one's home. His parents are at some conference in Georgia. He didn't ask when they'd be back because it could change, like it almost always did.
His mother had called Tuesday night to let him know they were flying further south, so he knew that they had left Texas that following morning. He assumes they'll probably get back sometime next week, but he can't be bothered to care. Not like they did.
Ever since Steve told his father he was going to take a gap year to "figure it out," it's been pretty much radio silence from the man. When Steve came down the stairs ready for work in his Scoops Ahoy uniform for the first time, the only remark Steve got was a scoff from his father before he buried his face behind the newspaper. His mother had been standing at the kitchen island, her fresh mug of coffee barely hiding the straight line of her mouth.
And when he got the job for Extended Hours he didn't tell them. Didn't want to feel the eyes of disappointment staring back, because it was pointless. Being a part of it all, getting to take care of the party and all those kids was good for him. Sure, it wasn't "the dream," but right now it felt right. Having his best friend at his side made it a hell of a lot more enjoyable.
It didn't bother Steve because he quite frankly couldn't care less what the man thought about him. Steve didn't want to follow in his lead, what with the loveless marriage, the constant pressure of keeping up with appearances, or maintaining some backwards hierarchy of bullshit.
That's probably the only thing worth thanking his father for, which was setting the example of what Steve didn't want for himself. It took a while, but it helped him realize how Tommy and Carol truly were a bunch of assholes, regardless of those confused feelings he had for Tommy at the time.
Helped him realize that Nancy was right when she decided to end things with him. That they just weren't meant to be together as a couple and instead were better off as friends. And when she started dating Jonathan (albeit for only a short while), it didn’t sting. And for that Steve is immensely grateful, because without Jonathan he wouldn’t have met Argyle, the man responsible for introducing Steve to California’s best– Purple Palm Tree Delight.
It helped him find his soulmate, platonic with a capital P best friend Robin Buckley who helped him realize how much of a douchebag Steve himself used to be. She helped him change for the better, to become more comfortable doing things for himself, to be himself without feeling like he was wrong for wanting to try and feel comfortable in his own skin. Was he perfect? Fuck no , but he was better than he was and he's thankful for it.
No, Steve can't be bothered to care what his father thinks but for that? Yeah, he can thank him for that.
He shucks off his jeans, kicking it towards the open closet door where the pile of the rest of his laundry sat. He pulls his sweater off over his head and tosses it on top of the abandoned jeans before making his way over to the bathroom door that connects to his room. He needs to shower, hoping the steam will help get rid of that lingering scent of apricots that still clouded his mind.
Steve doesn’t usually set the water so hot, but he thinks it’s the only way for the tingling to stop, to get that gnawing feeling in his gut to melt away. He can’t describe it, he can’t make sense of it and it’s driving him up the wall. He’s suddenly so tense and the searing water isn’t helping to relieve the sudden ache he feels in every muscle of his body.
He goes through the motions and is in the shower long enough for the hot water to start to run cold. He doesn’t step out just yet, thinks maybe the cooling cascade will help relieve whatever the hot water couldn’t.
It doesn’t.
He can’t help the unsatisfied sigh that escapes him as he steps out, toweling the dripping water off his body before wrapping it low at his waist. He uses an old faded t-shirt to dry his hair, a trick Robin taught him that’s become part of his tedious routine.
One thing the shower did accomplish was removing that faded memory of apricots, except now that Steve is surrounded in the steam and the smell of eucalyptus, he wishes the smell were back.
His skin is an angry shade of red, splotches across his chest, shoulders, and even on his knees and elbows. Steve runs a rough hand through his face as he makes his way over to his dresser, opts out of putting on a shirt and just grabs a pair of old gray sweatpants, a pair from his days as a co-captain of Hawkin’s swim team. The fit has become a bit snug, but they’re one of the more comfortable pieces of his wardrobe that he likes to sleep in.
Steve’s bulked up a bit since graduating, using exercise to get his mind blank when a long drive isn’t enough. He’s honestly tempted to start up a workout now even though he’s just showered but talks himself out of it and instead decides he’ll just commit to an extra thirty minutes to his usual morning run tomorrow. Maybe tack on an extra few reps to his usual list of exercises afterward.
The past week, he’d start his usual run at seven and wouldn’t find himself home until way past eight with the sun properly set above the horizon. Then he’d start his routine of push-ups, pull-ups from the door frame, squats, and just about every type of crunch abdominal exercise until his body was screaming, begging for him to stop.
He doesn’t know why he’s upped the intensity of his workout this past week, just knows it has barely helped stop that feeling of numbness that crawls up his fingertips before the ants start making their way up.
It’s nothing new. It’s an ongoing thing that’s gone on throughout his whole life but the ants– those were a new development. He shakes an arm out, hand going up to his chest as he presses a palm against his sternum, counting with each shallow breath the way Nancy taught him to do when he felt this bubbling start in his chest.
Steve checks the time before his eyes wander to the jeans he had abandoned. He makes his way over and pulls out the folded up piece of paper he had tucked in the front pocket. He unravels it to reveal the seven digits scratched onto the surface with a small dash and the letter ‘E’ with a smiley face tacked on the end of it.
He stares at the broken off piece of paper with Eddie’s number on it, hand still applying pressure to his chest. He wants to call Eddie to update him on the (now official) plans but it's barely past nine. Would still need to wait another hour before he can call him at his place.
Except… he can't wait. Steve sighs as the ants start making their way up his arms. He shakes out his fingers again, hoping to get them to stop crawling as he makes his way back down stairs to his living room where he knows the newspaper will be waiting for him on the coffee table. And he does find it, right where he had set it after collecting it from the porch after his morning run.
He opens it up, flips through the pages, eyes scanning each page as he searches for it. He's about to give up and start going through the Yellow Pages when he finds it. Just below Moe's Laundry Service and above Ty’s BBQ was Skylar's Vibe. And right below that, the store's number. Steve snaps his fingers, mutters a silent yes into the empty living room as he takes the newspaper with him up the stairs and back to his bedroom.
He makes his way over to the desk that sits next to his bed, careful to pull on the line as he carries the dial phone over to his bed before he places it on his lap. Steve puts the receiver to his ear as he starts to input the number.
The line rings and the ants decide to ramp up in intensity, threatening to get under Steve’s skin. The line rings a few more times and Steve is about to hang up when the ringing stops and–
“ Thanks for calling the Vibe- sorry, Skylar’s Vibe, what can I do for ya ?”
The moment Eddie’s voice comes through the phone it all stops. That heavy pressure in his chest, the incessant ants. They’re gone. And Steve can suddenly breathe again.
Which was weird because it usually got worse whenever Steve interacted with Eddie. Except right now when Eddie’s voice came through, a shuddering breath racked Steve’s body as he finally relaxed, tension releasing until he just felt… nothing. But nothing in the best way possible.
“Uhhh, hello ?”
“Sorry, Munson, it’s me, I just...” Steve trails off, unable to finish his train of thought, too preoccupied with trying to understand what the hell was up with him and why Eddie had such an effect on him.
“... Harrington ?” Eddie’s voice is confused before barreling on with a teasing tone, his smile clear through the phone. “ What’s going on, man? Couldn’t wait for me to get home to call me? Did you miss the sound of my voice that bad? I’ve been told I have quite the captivating voice. Sexy, at times brooding. Great for storytelling and world building. ”
Steve chuckles at that, coming back to himself as he sets the phone down beside himself on the bed before leaning back with the receiver at his ear, stack of pillows low against his back as he leans against the headboard. “Fuck off, Munson,” he mutters as he settles himself down even further. Steve loops his finger around the cord of the phone that laid across his stomach before he continued. “No I just… really wanted to talk to you. To, ya know, update you on the plans for tomorrow night. But only if that’s okay? I don’t want to, like, keep you from doing your job or–”
“Nah, dude it’s fine. This late into my shift I only get a few stragglers so I’m usually shooting the shit until I have to close up .” Steve can hear the low hum of music in the background, some fast thrumming beat that Steve can’t recognize. “ So… what’s up ? What’s going through that pretty little head of yours. ”
Steve rolls his eyes at that, smile ghosting his lips. “I just wanted to see what movie you wanted to watch. Was talking to Buckley about it and we figured, since it’ll be your first time with the group, that maybe you should have the pick.” Robin had suggested it before she hung up to call Nance. It’ll be his first time hanging out with us, ya know? Get him involved , to feel like he’s one of us. “And…”
Eddie doesn’t respond right away, seems to be giving Steve a chance to continue but the silence hangs in the air for too long. “ And ?”
Steve’s biting at his lower lip as his brows pull together because he can’t bring himself to continue past that. To say it.
And you were right, I just really wanted to hear the sound of your voice right now .
So he doesn’t say it at all.
“And uhh, I don’t know man, we’re just fully expecting you to pick something good so– lay it on me. What movie am I picking up from Family Video for tomorrow night?”
Eddie hums, contemplating his options before continuing, voice low. “ Well… depends, I guess. I mean if I’m picking out the movie, I’m down to watch a horror flick. Max and Chrissy have been in a mood for scares lately so it’s all we’ve been watching. But- I don’t know, it’s your group. What are you guys into? ”
“I’m into whatever you’re into,” Steve mutters before squeezing his eyes shut as a chuckle escapes him. “Well, actually if I’m being honest I’m not the biggest fan of horror movies but I don’t know. It could be fun if it’s all of us. Could make it into a drinking game, maybe.”
“Drinking game? To a horror movie? Harrington, you really know your way to a man’s heart.”
Steve clicks his teeth as he slides himself down further. ”Man, if I would have known it were that easy I’d have suggested it sooner.”
“ I’m an easy man to please, what can I say?” Eddie’s laugh makes Steve’s chest ache all of a sudden. He unravels his finger from the phone’s cord and places his hand to his chest, expecting that sinking feeling to creep up that he’ll have to fight through, but it doesn’t come.
Hm.
Steve clears his throat. “Anyways, do you have any ideas for the movie I should pick up?”
“ Ooo, actually– I’ve been meaning to catch that new one that came out– the one with that burnt up guy who has the knives for fingers. Do you know it? It’s called Nightmare on Elm Street. Jeff and Gareth caught it in theaters during the summer when it first came out and said it was alright. Could be fun?”
“Nightmare on Elm Street– noted. Alright, so we’ve got the movie settled, now we need to come up with the list.”
“ List? ”
“List, Munson, list of things to drink to!”
“ Of course, the list!”
part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8