“Oh!” The girl exclaimed her eyes landing on Robin almost like she'd just noticed that she was there, “I'm uh looking for someone...Steve Harrington?”
Robin felt like her heart dropped, shattering on the ground when the girl asked for her co-worker. “He's in the back...I can go grab him...”She mumbled dejectedly, pushing the door open, “Hey Dingus, there's someone here to see you!”
The girl stood there waiting patiently, anxiously winding one of her curls around her finger when Steve stumbled out of the back. Her eyes widened a little and she had to stifle a giggle in the back of her hand when she caught sight of him.
Robin didn't blame her, Steve looked ridiculous.
He had a thick wool beanie pulled so far down on his head that it nearly cover his eyes, despite it still being fairly warm out. A crisp white mask covered his mouth and nose.
All he was missing was a pair of shades to complete the look.
“Julie?” Steve exclaimed his head tilted slightly like a confused dog blinking at her, “I though you weren’t supposed to be in town til Friday…”
“It is Friday...” Julie gave Steve a dumbfounded look as he stared blankly at her before an embarrassed flush crawled up his face all the way to his ears.
”Is there somewhere we could talk in private?” She asked pointedly her eyes never leaving Steve, the man shrinking underneath his gaze.
”Break rooms free,” Robin intervened, “just don't spend too long making out because some of us actually have work to do...” Robin felt a little bad watching Julie's face turn beet red, trying to fumble out a response before glaring pointedly at Steve.
“You. Break room. NOW.” Julie hissed through gritted teeth. ”Julie!” Steve yelped as the smaller woman pushed him through the door.
~
”Are you insane!?” Julie hissed at him in hushed tones once they were safely behind the closed door, “Do you have any idea what day it is!!?”
”October first?” Steve answered with a sheepish little shrug, holding his hands up to protect himself when Julie grabbed a rag swatting him with it.
”Don't be a smart ass, Steven,” Julie ground out through gritted teeth, “it's a full moon, a blood moon! Christ, aren't you supposed to be the werewolf!!?
”Little hard to forget with the fangs, Jules!!” He told her, pulling back the mask so he could show off his pearly whites.
”Your eyes are yellow too, dumbass,” Julie snorted watching as Steve fumbled with his phone so he could look, “and I'm sure the beanie isn't just a bold new fashion choice...fuck I thought you called out of work?”
”There wasn't anyone to cover me...”Steve sighed, squinting at the phone screen examining his iris', “shit they really are yellow.”
”Yeah they are...do you have a pair of shades on you?” Julie ran her hand down her face exasperated.
”Couldn't find them this morning...figured it'd be fine...”Steve grumbled sliding his phone back into his pocket.
“What gives you're normally more careful than this...” She shoved him lightheartedly with a huff, “I think I might have a pair in my truck you can borrow...how much longer is your shift?”
“I get off before it gets dark if that’s what you’re asking,” Steve told her, leaning back against the wall, “no closing shifts for this guy.”
They nearly jumped out of their skin when someone started banging on the door, Steve fumbling to pull his mask back on his face hastily.
“Hey lovebirds,” Robin called out, “times up, come out.” Julie looked at Steve feigning a gag at the mention of lovebirds.
“Get the sunglasses first,” She tossed Steve her keys, “don’t let anyone see your eyes got it.” Watching Steve fumble to catch the keys before nodding to her. They left the break room so quickly that Julie almost ran directly into a familiar dark head of hair, and stumbled backward a hand catching her before she fell on her ass.
“Whoa there,” Eddie said, a cheeky little grin on his face that showed off his dimples nicely, “was he that bad?”
”Eddie Munson, you bastard,” Julie grinned, throwing her arms around the older man, burying her face in his chest taking in the scent of leather and cheap cologne, “I haven't seen you since...middle school, not rocking the buzz cut anymore?”
”Nah, got me a full lion's mane now!” Eddie pulled away slightly so he could shake his head showing on his long curly hair, “Birdie told me about you and Harrington...you know you can do better right?”
”Not happening, Eds,” Julie wrinkled her nose, sticking her tongue out, “Stevie and I are strictly friends.” The little bell over the door dinged announcing Steve's return, and Robin snorted.
”You know I didn't get it before but I really think the pink heart sunglasses tie the look together.” She poked fun at him, while Eddie doubled over cackling. Julie shot him an apologetic, feeling a little bad but they were the only ones she had on hand.
”Starting a new trend or just trying to win a fashion contest, Harrington?” Eddie jabbed at Steve joining in the ribbing, and Steve's face flooded with hot shame. Turning a lovely shade of pink that matched the glasses.
”Laugh it up, Munson, at least I have fashion.” Steve jabbed back, rolling his eyes behind the rose-colored lenses.
”Oh yeah because your collection of polo shirts just screams fashion, sorry I think I'll stick with my battle vest,” Eddie sniffed, thumbing at his nose, “you look like a gap model.”
”You think I could be a model?” Steve flashed a charming smile, smoothly bringing his hand to his chest feigning as if he'd received a genuine compliment from the older man.
”My mistake, Gap is too sophisticated, I heard baby gap is hiring.” Eddie looked up at Steve with a devilish grin on his face. Steve felt like his face was on fire as he opened his mouth to retaliate.
”Enough, with the pissing contest, I'm drowning over here, ”Robin call out from where she was making drinks, “you're supposed to be on the register, Steve.”
Steve's mouth snapped shut. It didn't matter anyway since Eddie's attention wasn't on their conversation anymore. He was using his wrist to scrub at his nose now turning it a lovely irritated shade of pink.
”You good, Eds?” Julie asked, but Eddie only held up a finger pausing for a moment. His mouth hung open slightly, eyelids at half mast as his chest swelled slightly with hitching breaths.
”Hhih'! Ih'GXSHht!”
He sneezed off to the side, pinching his nose between his fingers so that he could rub at it with a little squish. “Gh...sorry about that...probably allergic to Harrington's shitty cologne.” Eddie nodded in Steve's direction.
”I don't wear cologne, asshole.” Steve grumbled, passing off an order to Robin before going back to the counter to take another order.
“Can't be much else...sndf,” Eddie knuckled as his flushed nostrils, “I'm only all-heh allergic to pollen, your shitty colo-hhh-cologne...and dogs.”
”Oh, I forgot you were allergic to dogs...”Julie started covering her mouth with her hand, as Steve's head snapped towards her nearly dropping the drink in his hand.
”Yeah, wha-hah...what does that have to do with anything?” Eddie snuffled thickly into the back of his wrist. Swiping at his nose.
”My old roommate in Cali had a dog, and I haven't gotten a chance to wash the fur off my clothes!” Julie answered a little too quickly, “It's probably what's setting you off...is what I'm saying?”
Eddie gave her an odd look which quickly turned hazy with the need to sneeze.
“Hih’IH’GSShxt! ‘GXXSHht! ‘XSHhtiew! HIh’GSHIEW!!!”
He pulled his bandanna out of his pocket pressing it to his leaky nose. “gh…shit sorry I gotta get out of here, later.” He gave a little wave while taking his coffee before dipping out of the coffee shop.
