Eddie and Steve are touch-starved attention-seekers, but in completely opposite ways.
Steve “I didn’t know how much I needed this, please don’t pull away, just a little longer, I can breathe again" Harrington? He has no idea what to do with Eddie “I’ve gone this long without it, I’m not going to fall apart now, don’t touch me" Munson.
Eddie is so avoidant, shuts down when someone gets too close. His armor is forged from rejection, instability. He keeps his voice loud like a shield, tells himself that he doesn't need anyone, is comfortable with everyone being just a little bit afraid of him. Even if it's ultimately a pretty shitty defense mechanism because he's really quite transparent. Years of being treated like an outcast teach a person to stop expecting comfort. He craves connection but flinches from vulnerability. Physical touch isn't safe. Because it scares him to want it so much.
Steve sees through him immediately. Eddie cares deeply, violently; he just doesn’t always know how to handle being cared for. Eddie's convinced himself that physical affection isn't for people like him. He’s all bark to protect the softest, loneliest heart.
But Steve? Steve grew up in a house where affection was never free. And then popularity had appeared and never offered him safe comfort either. So now, he's not overtly needy, but once you give him affection? He blooms.
By the time he understands Eddie, Steve knows himself well enough to realize he thrives on being close. Once he feels safe, Steve is all in. He’ll go out of his way to show up for someone. He overextends, overgives, and aches when he’s left hanging. He never quite stops hoping someone will hold him and mean it.
And when Eddie finally does? When he just lets himself need midnight cuddles, or joined hands in the movie theatre, or a gentle guiding hand on the small of his back at the party? Steve instantly turns into the warmest, softest, most loyal version of himself.
It's all: “I’m not asking for much, right? Just... stay close. I’ll take care of you. You don’t even have to say anything. Just be here."
Versus
“I don’t need anyone. I’m fine. I’ve always been fine. Don’t—don’t look at me like that. Shit. Okay. Maybe I do want that hug. But if you give it to me, I might fall apart.”
And neither of them are ever the same again.
