a secret worth keeping
@steddiebingo prompt: sneaking around | rating: m | word count: 2319 | tags: secret relationship, rockstar eddie, hockey player steve, modern au | ao3
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“I can't believe I let you two drag me to a hockey game,” Eddie grumbled as they moved through the crowd to get to their seats. “It's too cold in here. And I have to watch sports! This is, like, the exact opposite of how I wanted to spend our off day.”
“Come on, Eddie! It'll be fun!” Gareth said, knocking his shoulder into Eddie’s.
“What about this is fun, Gareth?!” Eddie screeched, drawing a few stares from those around them. “It's hockey! It's cold, and it's sports, and you know I can't stand sports! I am already miserable. What makes you think I’m going to have fun?”
“Christ, Eddie, can't you just try to enjoy something someone else likes for once in your life?” Jeff grumbled with an eye roll. He sat in his seat, decked out in his favorite hockey jersey, which he always takes on the road with him. He claims it's for luck, but Eddie secretly thinks he just doesn't want to leave it at home with his slightly psychotic girlfriend. Eddie never did like her. He still doesn't understand why Jeff doesn't just break up with her, but he'd never say that out loud. He's had his own fair share of bad relationships that the guys graciously don't make fun of him for… anymore.
“It's not my fault you guys picked the one thing you know I can't stand,” Eddie shot back.
“Eddie, man, just shut the fuck up for once,” David snapped. “Hockey isn't really my thing either, but you don't hear me complaining.”
Eddie, clearly outnumbered by his so-called friends, huffed and flopped down into his seat at the end of the row. Curse Gareth and Jeff, and their stupid hockey team. Eddie slouched in his seat, arms crossed, as the teams came to the bench. Their manager, Chrissy, had scored them seats in the front row, right behind Gareth and Jeff’s team’s bench. It didn't take long for Eddie’s friends to be on their feet, cheering and yelling with the rest of the crowd.
Eddie couldn't possibly care less.
-
He loathed to admit it, but hockey was actually… kind of interesting? He had zero clue what was going on, like, at all, but there were some moments that he couldn't help but be intrigued. Particularly when the players landed some hard hits on each other.
What really got his attention, though, was the fight.
They were reaching the tail end of the second period. The game was tied, 3-3. Tension was high. A player from Gareth and Jeff’s team— he didn't catch the number— took a shot at the goal just as an opposing player slammed into him from the side. The guy went straight into the glass, and then he pushed the player back. He got a stick to the side for his troubles. Within seconds, they were shoving each other, sticks left forgotten on the ice. It wasn't long after that the refs broke it up, sending both players to their respective penalty boxes. Eddie watched in fascination as the player from Gareth and Jeff’s team pushed his way into the box, slamming his stick into the wall and ripping his helmet off.
It was like a Greek God was walking among them, playing hockey of all things. The man was gorgeous. Eddie watched in pure wonder as he rubbed a hand over his face, combed his fingers through his hair, and whacked the glass with his stick again. He could see the frustration, but he was too absorbed in his staring to care.
“Who is that?” Eddie asked, barely sparing a glance towards his friends as he continued to stare.
“Who’s who?” Gareth asked, tearing his eyes away from the game for the first time since the period started.
“That.” Eddie nodded toward the box, where the Greek God of a hockey player was shoving his helmet back over his head and talking to the guy standing in front of the door.
“The guy in our box? 23?”
“Yeah. Him. Who is he?”
“Steve Harrington. He's from Indiana too, actually. Second overall pick from Ohio State two years ago. He's good.”
“He's hot.”
Jeff whipped around to give Eddie an incredulous look. “Dude….”
“What? Can’t a guy appreciate a good-looking man?”
“And what about your doctrine, huh? Thought you had a thing against jocks? Or does that not apply to dating?”
Eddie shrugged. “Who said I had to date him?”
Gareth wrinkled his nose. “Gross, dude.”
Eddie’s eyes didn't leave 23 for the rest of the game.
-
This was stupid.
What the hell was he thinking.
Eddie laid in his bunk on the tour bus, staring at his phone screen, stuck in an endless loop of internal turmoil.
He hit the backspace button until the message was gone. His thumbs tapped across the screen. Delete again. Type again.
He set his phone down on his chest and blew out a long breath.
This was so fucking stupid.
He picked it back up and looked at the message again… only to realize he’d accidentally hit send.
Fuck.
Eddie sat up quickly, momentarily forgetting where he was, and whacked his head off the top of the bunk.
“Shit!”
His phone tumbled from his hand and clattered to the floor. A string of curses fell from his lips as he scrambled for his phone. The bus turned, sending his phone sliding across the bus and bumping into Jeff’s bunk down at the end of the row.
“No, no, no, I got it,” Eddie rushed as Jeff reached down to pick it up. Too late.
“What's got your panties in a twist?” Jeff asked as he picked it up. He started to hand it back to Eddie, but obviously caught a glimpse at the screen. He snatched it back before Eddie could grab it from his hand, looking intently at the screen and cackling. “Oh my god, you did not!"
“Shut up,” Eddie hissed, reaching for his phone. “Just give it back!”
Gareth poked his head out from his bunk, eyebrows furrowed and clearly still half asleep. “What's goin’ on?”
Eddie glared at Jeff. “Don't.” Jeff just grinned maliciously right back at him.
“Eddie slid into Harrington’s DMs.”
Gareth perked up, much more awake with the new information. “Oh, no, he didn't.”
“He did!” Eddie hid his face in his hands, already feeling his cheeks burn. “Wait, he's texting back!”
“Give it back, Jeff,” Eddie begged hopelessly, knowing it wasn't going to do him any good. Jeff held his phone out of reach, watching the screen for the message that was going to come through any minute.
“Dude, I can't believe you actually sent him a message,” Gareth commented with a laugh.
“And I can't believe it worked,” Jeff added. “He said, ‘Glad to see I have a fan’. With a winking emoji.”
“This is stupid,” Eddie huffed, snatching his phone from Jeff’s hand. “Y’all suck. I'm going to bed.”
Eddie thought that would be the end of it. He sent a stupid message, got a trained reply, and that was that. Oh boy, was he wrong.
He didn't tell a soul. It was their little secret. And honestly? Eddie thought it was kind of fun. Sneaking around, meeting in hotel rooms on the road, texting every day. It was thrilling. Eddie’s never had a secret that fun before. His friends still poked fun at him for the initial message from time to time, but Eddie always blew off further questioning with a simple, “It didn't work out.” But he would sneak off to meet with Steve every chance he got.
Eddie was playing a dangerous game.
With every secret meeting, with every text sent and night spent together, Eddie fell more and more in love with Steve Harrington. He'd probably be more upset about it if Steve hadn't made it so easy to fall. Steve Harrington also made Eddie take risks he wouldn't normally take. Like sneaking him into the hotel room that his bandmates also had a key for.
“I missed you,” Eddie murmured against Steve’s lips, fingers tangled in his still-damp hair. It was late. Steve had an evening practice and went straight to Eddie’s nearby hotel after. A hotel that Eddie specifically asked for, because he knew it was close to the rink.
“Missed you too,” Steve whispered back before kissing Eddie again, hard and deep. “It's almost playoff season. I'll be done soon, 'til next season. I can come see you more.”
Eddie loved how breathless Steve sounded. Loved that he was the reason.
Their clothes dropped to the floor piece by piece as they migrated to the bed, leaving a trail of wandering hands in their wake. Eddie pushed Steve back onto the bed, taking a moment to admire the way his hair fanned out beneath him and his skin glistened with a thin layer of sweat. He couldn't keep his mouth off of him for long, though. He trailed kisses across his torso, sucking a bruise here and there. He slipped his hand between them, toying with the button on Steve’s pants before finally popping it open and sliding the zipper down. Steve’s eyes were closed, eyelashes brushing across his cheeks, and he was already panting. Eddie watched as he pulled his arms up above his head, stretching his torso more. Eddie couldn't help it. He ran his hand up Steve’s abs, relishing in the shiver he received. His hand trailed back down, fingers scratching against the hair beneath his navel, dipping lower and lower and-
Click.
“Yo, Eddie!”
The door pushed open, and there were his bandmates.
“Oh my fucking god.”
Eddie’s head collapsed onto Steve’s stomach as he groaned. Of course this would happen now. Eddie couldn't even bring himself to look up, to face what was happening. He knew he would have to. He couldn't get out of this one. But now he's dragged Steve into it too. Perfect Steve, who has been so good to him and didn't deserve to be put in the middle of Eddie’s band’s bullshit.
“Eddie, what the actual fuck.” Jeff’s voice broke through after what felt like hours of silence.
Eddie took a deep breath and lifted his head, knowing it was time to face this head on. “Guys, Steve, Steve, the guys.”
“Eddie. Dude. You cannot be serious right now.”
“Yeah, man,” Gareth added. “You owe us an explanation.”
“I don't owe y'all shit,” Eddie muttered, still very much aware that he is still in a compromising position. “What I do in my free time is none of your business.”
Jeff crossed his arms and raised his brow. “Uh huh. Sure. So it was none of your business when you caught Gareth losing his virginity to that model? Or how about when David was on that ecstasy kick a while back?”
“Dude,” Gareth hissed, smacking Jeff in the shoulder. “Do you really have to spill our fucking secrets like that in front of Steve Harrington?”
“That's different,” Eddie argued.
“How is that any different than this, Eddie? Is it because this time it's you? You can butt into our business, but when we catch you with Steve Harrington, it's none of our business?”
Eddie grumbles, knowing deep down Jeff is right. This isn't any different than the other times. They've always shared everything with each other. His business is the band’s business, and vice versa. That's how they've always been. No secrets. Well, not until this. Not until Steve. Which… actually isn't much of a secret anymore.
“How long has this been going on?” Gareth asked. “Because, y'know, we asked. How long were you lying, Eddie?”
Eddie knew they were just joking. He knew they weren't taking it that seriously. But still. Did they have to take digs at him like that?
“It wasn't like that, dickbags,” Eddie snarked. “You're just too nosy. Can't have anything to myself.” Eddie couldn't help the small smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips.
Jeff rolled his eyes, but he was fighting a smile of his own. “Whatever, man. We still expect to hear about it later. Don't do anything stupid, because I am not giving up my hockey team for you.”
With that, the guys left, closing the door with a soft click behind them. Eddie groaned into the duvet. He only looked up when Steve started laughing; a little snort turning into a fit of giggles.
“I'm sorry,” Steve said through his giggles. “It's just- it was just- so funny. I'm sorry.”
Eddie shook his head, a smile on his face. “You, Steve Harrington, are absolutely ridiculous.”
“And you're not?” Steve challenged, still fighting through his giggles.
Eddie shook his head again and leaned up to kiss him. “They're never going to let me live this down.”
“Oh, baby, neither am I,” Steve whispered with a smile against Eddie’s lips.
Eddie leaned back a little to see Steve’s face. “That mean you're gonna stick around? Even after that whole debacle?”
“Well, I think I have to now.” Steve’s smile was soft, filling Eddie with a warmth he's not sure he's ever felt before. “Can't make it awkward for Jeff, can I? With the hockey team and all.”
Eddie chuckled before leaning in and kissing Steve again. The heat of the moment was gone, but that was okay. Eddie was content just to be there, in the moment. They spent their night trading lazy kisses and drawing patterns on their skin with their fingertips. In the morning, Eddie knew he’d have to face his friends. He'd have to explain everything, because Corroded Coffin didn't keep secrets from each other.
Oh well.
Sneaking around was fun while it lasted, sure, but now he gets to annoy the shit out of his friends talking about Steve whenever he wants. It was a win-win for him.
The guys were really about to regret dragging Eddie to that hockey game.