Chapter Text
SEPTEMBER 23rd
Steve steps out of the cab thanking the driver but trying to keep his head down. He’s got on some light wash ripped jeans a white tee with a denim shirt under his navy blue jacket paired with black Adidas and a black beanie to cover his hair, it makes the back of his wire frame glasses dig into his skin a little but he thinks it’s worth it. Its fall so the chill in New York makes the layers and hat not attention grabbing. He ducks his head as he heads into the hotel desperate for nobody to notice him. He rubs at his sleeve unconsciously.
He’s probably being a little paranoid but ever since his father Richard Harrington decided to put his family and the whole state of Indiana on everyone’s radar with his far right politics while running for senate he can’t afford to be seen here.
He checks his phone and bites back a smile at the screen. He clears his throat to get the attention of the receptionist “I need the room key for room 813, please.” She gives him a look so he gives her the name his nerdy boyfriend put on the list coughing again before quietly saying “Kili. It should be on the list.” He looks to see if anyone is paying attention but of course nobody is. The receptionist just looks bored as she checks the list and then hands him the keycard. He thanks her and heads to the elevator.
The ride is agonizingly slow as the presence of an attendant that’s trying very hard to attempt small talk with him grates his nerves. Of course he tries to be as polite as any Midwestern guy that’s had manners beaten into him can be while trying to not draw any attention to himself. Luckily it hits the eighth floor and he’s free with a small thank you to the attendant. He hears the elevator doors close and takes a second to himself. He lets his head fall back and takes a deep breath before checking which direction to start walking.
His body is practically vibrating by the time he reaches the room and knocks. He barely gets two knocks on the door before it swings open and he’s greeted by his favorite person in the whole world. All wild hair and tattoos and the biggest happiest grin he’s ever seen. He’s wearing Steve’s old high school swim team shirt that he always travels with and black sweats that have been cut into shorts and no shoes. He looks beautiful. “Hi, baby,” Is all Eddie gets out before Steve rushes into the room and straight into his boyfriend.
Eddie instinctually wraps his arms around his waist as Steve wraps his around Eddie’s neck. He breathes him in. The awful 3 in 1 soap/shampoo/conditioner that he always buys even though he’s getting by pretty well with the bands success and could definitely afford fancier, the sweet mint gum he’s been chewing excessively to try to quit smoking, and just the Eddie smell that makes tears well in Steve’s eyes.
It had been weeks since they had seen each other. It had been getting harder and harder with his stupid dad’s shit that he was getting dragged into and Eddie’s tour. He wishes so hard he could just go with him just be his groupie. He thinks he would be really good at that. Since according to his dad he’s not good at much. Before he can get too much in his head Eddie pulls him back and into a kiss. All sweet and chaste until it isn’t. Steve can feel his mouth opening to Eddie’s tongue. And then he’s pushing Eddie backwards towards the bed and straddles him once Eddie’s legs hit the edge and he sits down.
Steve pulls back and cradles Eddie’s face in his hands “I missed you so much.”
Eddie rubs the skin Steve’s sides under all his layers “I missed you too, baby.” He’s got his softest smile on, the one that only Steve gets to see. He kisses Steve again. Long and languid. He slowly reaches up to strip Steve of his jacket and denim shirt so he’s only in his white shirt. Steve only lets one hand off of Eddie’s neck at a time so the shirts take longer than they should. Eddie grips Steve around the waist and stands up his legs automatically wrap around Eddie. He moans into to the kiss; he loves when Eddie picks him up. Eddie gets them turned around and lays Steve down on the bed. He leans over him to kiss him again sweet and slow. He stands and takes Steve’s shoes and socks off before moving onto his jeans. He nuzzles under Steve’s shirt to kiss his tummy while he fumbles with the buttons. Steve can’t help but to run his fingers into Eddie’s wild curls even though his fingers catch in some. Eddie gets the jeans off and makes a show of throwing them as far as he can just to make Steve giggle. Then he’s on top of Steve kissing him for real; grabbing the back of Steve’s neck to angle him better in the kiss. Eddie grinds his hips into Steve’s they’re both already hard. They’ve been apart too long for this to last very much longer. Steve arches into Eddie already whimpering at the contact.
Eddie leans back and gently takes Steve’s glasses from his face and places them on the nightstand before he strips them of their remaining clothes acting like each item personally offends him. Once they’re both fully undressed Eddie looks hungrily at Steve the only thing on him is the chain he wears with a guitar pick Eddie gave him the night they met “So pretty, sugar, with my pick around your neck.” He says grabbing the chain as Steve moans his name over and over begging to be touched. He presses himself fully against Steve. Steve groans loudly when their cocks brush together. Eddie releases his grip on the chain to reach down to stroke them together, they’re both leaking precum which gives a nice slick. Still he stops and drops saliva into his hand then holds his hand up to Steve’s mouth where Steve proceeds to lick the spit up onto his tongue. Practically drooling at the taste he spits the mixture of eddies saliva and his own drool onto Eddie’s waiting hand. “So fucking good, baby,” Eddie whispers into Steve’s ear as he resumes stroking them with his large hand, “such a good boy.”
Steve bucks up and into Eddie’s hand “Eds please” he moans. He can’t take much more between Eddie sucking marks onto Steve chest and collarbones and the sweet calluses of his guitar hand on him and the feel of eddies own cock against his. “I need it.”
Eddie speeds up his strokes. ”What do you need, gorgeous? You know you gotta tell me what you’re needin’.” In response Steve opens his mouth wide and whines but doesn’t speak. “Oh yeah I thought my baby might need another taste.” Eddie leans back just enough and gathers saliva in his mouth before spitting directly into Steve’s mouth. Steve can’t control the volume of his moans at that and his hips stutter as Eddie whispers “It’s okay, gorgeous, you can come for me. Come for me sweetheart.” Before leaning as far back as he can with Steve’s hands gripping his neck to watch as Steve comes between them before his own orgasm takes him. Steve pulls Eddie down by his neck into a deep kiss which is mostly just tongue. They kiss slowly for what feels like hours and seconds all at once. Finally after Steve has become acutely aware and annoyed by the sticky feeling of come on their stomachs he pushes Eddie away and off the bed.
“This hotel better have nicer shampoo than yours Munson.” Steve winks at Eddie as he waves Eddie to follow him into the shower. Once they’re cleaned and dried off and under the sheets together Steve lays his head on Eddies chest while Eddie rubs his hand along his spine and sighs “I can’t believe we only have one night. For our next anniversary we are taking a real trip”
Eddie pauses his ministrations and pulls back to look at Steve’s face “we will. But, it’s okay, baby. Kind of romantic for an anniversary ‘a star cross lovers one night in New York City’.” He smiles softly again, “One day we’ll have forever.”
Steve nods and lays back down into eddies chest. But the anxious thoughts crawl up his spine the ones that make him think he’s not good enough for Eddie, the ones that Eddie will tire of him, and worse the ones where his parents somehow take him away from Eddie.
OCTOBER 16th
Three weeks after New York they were planning on being able to spend time in their own space when Steve’s dad throws a wrench in his plan by making him attend some stupid gala.
Steve had called Eddie the second he found out he was laying across their bed with Eddie on speaker. Eddie was upset but trying to placate Steve over the phone “Baby, I promise its okay. We’re going to be in Chicago for like a week I’m sure you’ll be able to fly out after your dad’s thing.”
“I don’t even want to go I don’t understand why he’s making me go to this one. It’s suspicious.”
“I guess maybe a little. You think he’s going to make you start doing more shit? I know I said I could handle it, Stevie, but I miss you when we’re in the same room sometimes. I don’t know how I can go months or more?”
“You miss me when we’re in the same room?” Steve was smiling so hard it hurt.
“You know I do. I can’t stand being in the same room and not being able to touch you. You’ve got me under a spell, baby.”
Steve rolls his eyes he can see the dramatic motions that accompany eddies confession through the phone. “I love you so much Eds. I’m going to get to Chicago while you’re there I promise.”
“I know, sugar. I love you too.” Eddie starts to let it sink in that he might not see his boyfriend for over a month.
Sensing Eddie’s emotions Steve rolls his eyes and says indulgently “Do you remember when we first met?”
He swears he hears Eddie’s grins as he says “I thought I had wandered into a dream.”
Steve smiles remembering their actual meeting not the Lord of The Rings quote Eddie is obsessed with.
Fresh out of high school and the closet to each other Steve and Robin had moved to Chicago. Nancy practically lived with them in their tiny 2 bedroom apartment but had to keep up appearances at her dorm at Northwestern. It’s September and Robin had talked him and Nancy into going to a gay club with her finally after a few months of them living out of Hawkins. She said there was a band from Hawkins that was playing called Corroded Coffin and she knew of one of the guys from marching band.
She had gotten him to dress a little grungier than he normally would just for the hell of it. He was wearing a white tank with a healthy amount of chest hair peeking out, his chain, with black jeans, and some black loafers he hadn’t worn in years. He felt a little dumb but robin said he looked hot and who was he to argue. She had gone not as simple with light wash 80’s style jeans and a top with a triangle pattern on the neckline paired with a tan collared shirt with a leaf pattern all with her signature docs. Nancy went with a greenish plaid skirt with a white collared shirt tucked in and some chunky white sneakers.
They got to the club as the band was just starting.
“I didn’t know it was like a metal show” Steve had yelled to her over the music as they made their way to the bar.
“The band is called Corroded Coffin,” she scoffed “I didn’t think I needed to spell it out dingus.” They flashed their ID’s and got their drinks; beers for him and Nancy some fruity seltzer for Robin. “I like for my alcohol to taste like juice.”
He didn’t hear if she was still talking because that’s when Steve saw him. The guitarist. He stared and he stared hard. Robin leaned in and said loudly into his ear “that’s Eddie. He’s the one from band he graduated before us but he definitely left an impression on the band kids. Super hot huh?”
Steve turned to her looking shocked but then he remembered where they were and that he was safe with her. He turned his gaze back to Eddie and nodded slowly. He couldn’t believe he didn’t recognize him. Even if Eddie had graduated a year or two before then he should still be able to recognize him. His long curly hair past his shoulders. He was in loose ankle length black jeans and absolutely huge platform docs with a torn to hell shirt that had some kind of demon on it “Hellfire Club?” Steve wondered aloud.
“Yeah that’s that nerdy D&D game club at the high school that Mike’s in.” Nancy told him “I guess he saw it was a thing in the 80’s and started it back up and was the president all through high school. Mikes obsessed with him. They all are.” She seemed like she was gonna say more before Robin was dragging her into the crowd and started dancing.
Steve was content to stand back and watch. Truthfully he was only watching Eddie. But it was still startling when Eddie made eye contact with him. And held it. Steve felt like all the breath had been sucked from his body and from the entire room. Eventually Eddie had to take his eyes away but they did always manage to find their way back to Steve.
After a while Robin and Nancy found Steve again Robin yelled in Steve’s ear “Some guy said they are almost done we can go say hi after I told him we went to school with the band he said he could get us in the back.”
As if on cue Eddie yelled into his mic “We’ve been Corroded Coffin thank you!” as he strummed his guitar one last time he threw a wink at Steve and Robin shook him so hard.
“Are you kidding me I knew he was making googoo eyes at someone of course it was you!” she yelled.
He ducked his head to hide his blush “do you think we can head to the back yet?”
Once they made it to where the band was cooling off the guy robin basically tricked into letting them back there announced them “These guys said they went to school with y’all?”
Eddie looked up finding Steve’s eyes instantly “yeah they did.” He said and the guy scurried out of the room. If Steve thought watching Eddie from across a crowded bar was breathtaking being in the same room was unbearable. He thought he might pass out. But Eddie had walked towards him and then stopped to bend into a deep bow “King Steve, my liege.” Eddie said. How did Eddie know his old dead high school nickname but Steve could not recognize him?
Steve laughed and blushed “it’s just Steve now.”
Eddie stood back up to his full height which was basically eye to eye with Steve since he had shed his massive boots. On stage he had looked huge but now he was just a guy. A very beautiful guy but still. “Is that so?” he glanced at Nancy who was holding Robin’s hand. He pointed at her “I’m guessing that you two,” he said gesturing between Steve and Nancy “didn’t work out?”
Nancy and Steve shared a look before laughing. “No it really didn’t.” Nancy laughed.
“Ouch.” Steve said as he threw his hand over his chest as if he’d been wounded. But he was laughing too. He was getting progressively more frustrated that he didn’t remember Eddie. He feels like someone like Eddie would stand out. He and Nancy had broken up in their junior year after dating through most of high school. They were just better as friends.
Robin reached out for eddies hand “I’m Robin Nancy’s girlfriend and this doofus’s best friend.”
“I am Eddie the Banished and you might know the guys this is Gareth and Jeff and Grant “they each waved as introduced. Apparently Robin actually knew Gareth so she drug Nancy further into the room to talk.
“So Eddie the Banished?” Steve asked.
“Just a dumb nickname that stuck. Apparently all the good nicknames like King Steve were taken.”
“King Steve was a dumb nickname. And that’s not who I am anymore. So it’s just Steve” Steve said he wanted Eddie to know that no matter what Steve he had seen in high school he was better than that Steve. “I hate to say this but I don’t recognize you?”
“I wouldn’t remember me either, Stevie. Last time I saw you my hair was buzzed and I didn’t have these sweet old tatties yet.” Eddie gestured to his almost full sleeve of tattoos.
“You remember the last time you saw me?” Steve tilted his neck and smirked at Eddie.
Eddie blushed “Yeah I do. First day of gym they tried to get us all to play basketball. That was the day I decided to skip gym every day.”
Surprised Steve asks “and why would you skip gym?”
Eddie leans closer to Steve and whispers “Probably because popping a boner in gym class over King Steve- I mean ‘Just Steve’ would have been frowned upon.” Eddie looks up at Steve from where he had leaned over into his space his eyes were even more magnetic than when he was on stage. He straightened up “So how about a drink? My treat? Well actually we drink free when we play here so how about I give you this and then sneak you however many free drinks your heart desires?” Eddie held out his hand to Steve who reached out to catch the guitar pick had used all night.
“Ummm,” Steve looked down at the guitar pick with dark gray and black tie dye pattern and back up to where Robin was in the room but she was deep in a conversation so he took a deep breath and smiled “yeah I would really like that.” he nodded and chanced a look back to Eddie’s dark brown eyes.
That was the first time he got to see the Steve Smile. He knew he would do anything to get that smile again. That was three years ago now. He’d seen every of Eddie’s smile but that one reserved for him was better than any drug.
Dragged into the present by Eddie’s voice edged with concern “Baby? Are you still there?”
“Yeah I’m here. Just thinking about how much I love you.”
“I love you too. I’ll see you soon okay?”
“Yeah okay.”
OCTOBER 27th
The gala as it turns out is for some charity in their hometown. With lots of prospective voters and the upper class of Hawkins, Indiana.
He’d just got done taking photos with his mom and dad. His dad grumbling the whole time about Steve’s stupid suit. “You couldn’t wear a normal fucking suit?” Steve looks down at himself in his teal blue suit with a brown patterned silk shirt and tan dress shoes. He thought it was a pretty nice outfit. He has to stop his hands from scratching at his forearms a nervous tic he has. “And those glasses. Ugh they make you look gay” His dad whispers at him. Steve fights the urge to take them off. His mom is wearing the plainest navy blue dress he’s ever laid eyes it matches the tie his father had worn with his dark gray suit in an effort to appear a united front. Yet another thing Richard resented Steve for; his ultimatum that he would do the appearances but he would wear his own clothes and would not be included in the family dress code.
He figures out why he’s there fairly quickly when his dad drags him to a table with a family he recognizes. The Wheelers. Nancy his high school ex turned friend turned best friend’s girlfriend. They all greet him and his dad basically shoves him into Nancy saying they should go dance. She does look beautiful in her maroon dress with a bow at the collar. It’s covered in dots and stars and he knows Robin loves this dress. He makes it a point to text her about how he got to see Nancy in and she missed out.
Steve takes her hand and guides her onto the dance floor. Once they are swaying to the music far enough from anyone he feels comfortable talking freely with her. He sighs “I’m sorry Nance.”
“Its okay, Steve,” She leans into him and whispers “I don’t think they’ll mind” she gives him a conspiratorial look.
He laughs and says “no I don’t think they will. You wanna head outside and talk.”
“God yes.”
They make their way outside and he pointedly his eyes at his dad’s attempt at a father son moment when he shoots Steve a thumbs up. Once outside they find a spot against the building away from anyone listening. He sheds his suit jacket and drapes it over her shoulders to help her fight the evening chill.
“I was supposed to be home tonight. They’re in town all week.” He sighs and grips his nose with his thumb and fingers he knows not to let anyone see him cry. “I have to try to figure out a way to get to Chicago this week to see him I promised I would.”
“I’m so sorry Steve. I asked my mom if Robin could come and she looked at me like I had three heads. I think she’s starting to suspect we’re more than friends.”
“Not that I don’t enjoy your company but I really wish Robs was here.”
“I can’t believe your parents don’t think you’re dating her. I mean how did you convince them you weren’t after you moved in to the apartment?”
“I think they just don’t want me to date her so they believe me that I’m not. Don’t want anyone too eccentric in the Harrington Christmas photo.”
Nancy literally cackles almost bending in half. Steve can’t help but laugh too even though he’s not sure he’s in on the joke.
She wipes actual tears from her eyes “I’m sorry,” she gasps for breath and pulls Steve’s jacket tighter around her “I just pictured Eddie in your family Christmas card!”
They stare at each other for a second and then both break down in giggles again. Until she suddenly stops. “Wait! My parents know about Eddie! You know Mike still worships him. He has that damn poster you got Eddie to sign for him hanging over his bed in his dorm.”
Steve could literally kiss her right now “That’s genius. Eddie could get us tickets and we can play along with my dad for a few days. You think Mike would go for it?” She shoots him a signature Nancy look like he’s stupid to even ask. “Right. Obsessed.”
Nancy looks at him thoughtfully “I think Robin and I are gonna tell my parents about us.”
Steve nearly chokes on his own breath “You are? What do you think they’re gonna think?”
“I kind of don’t care anymore. We’ve been together for years and I barely come home anymore anyways, you know the paper keeps me so busy on top of school. I mean we live together for Christ’s sake. If they react badly then I guess that’s that. Robins parents are almost overly accepting so I think maybe at Christmas.” She says and he can tell she’s been thinking about it for a while. “We’re gonna sit them down and lay it out. And if my parents don’t want me there then I’ll go to Robin’s.”
“I’m so proud of you Nance.” He’s still shocked his voice shakes “you are so brave.”
She loops her arm through his and drags them to some outdoor chairs “Steve.”
“I know. I don’t know what to do.” He covers his face with his hands and he feels Nancy rub his arm “I can’t keep this up. I’m finishing my stupid business degree early and I know they’re going to start asking me to get into the family business or whatever. But Eddie and I have been talking and I think I want to start nursing school. Is that crazy?” He drops his hands to look at her.
“Crazy?” she whisper-yells with a manic grin “No Steve that is amazing! I think that fits you so well.” She gives him an analyzing once over and nods “So much better than some stuffy business degree. What does Eddie think?”
“He said the same thing,” he tries to hide his smile by ducking his head “He also says he’s gonna take full advantage of the slutty nurse stereotype.”
“Oh god he would,” she says shaking her head “why didn’t you tell Robin?”
“I didn’t want to say until I was sure. But you guys coming out... I think it’s time I make real plans not pretend ones to please my dad.” His voice drops at the end. “I’m going to do it. And I’m definitely going to tell her now. You better keep it shut Wheeler she would be pissed if it came from you!”
She raises her hands in surrender “I promise!” They laugh loudly now not caring if anyone hears. “Why don’t we go find Mike and see if we can talk him and his friends into going to that show? This will probably be the last time we’re gonna pretend to date for your dad.”
“Is it weird that I’m a little sad about that?” he asks quietly
“No,” She reassures him “it’s the end of an era. Our parents constantly pushing us at each other and wondering why we broke up in the first place.”
“And why we’re still dancing around each other” He laughs.
OCTOBER 28th
Son, are you sure you should be seen at this kind of thing?” his mom asks as he’s packing his backpack back up. All he had brought was the backpack and his garment bag for the suit. So he’s going home in some gray sweats and a yellow sweatshirt that had been left at his old house.
“It’s a concert, mom, not a ritual sacrifice.” He rolls his eyes.
“Steven your mother is right to be worried. I have an image to uphold. I don’t need my son being linked to some freakshow” his dad had to chime in right as Steve was almost to the door. Two steps from freedom at least for a while.
“It is not a freakshow. And Nancy’s brother is a big fan that’s why we’re all going. Or is that not what you wanted? Me hanging out with Nancy more?”
His mother sighs “fine, just be careful.”
“I’ll be fine. I promise.” He kisses his moms cheek and heads out towards the uber parked out front. He hears steps following him and turns around to reassure his mom once again when his dad appears instead. He takes a step back.
“Steven we have let you run around Chicago long enough. At the end of the year you are coming back and putting your degree to use. I don’t want to hear some bullshit excuse. I need to be able to keep an eye on you before you fuck up the campaign for me.” He practically spits at Steve his finger poking roughly at Steve’s chest. It forces Steve to back up even further.
Steve stares into his dads eyes. His hands finding his forearms but he just grips them. He wants to tell him to fuck off. To leave him alone. To forget he even exists. But all he can do in the moment is bow his head and say “Yes sir.”
OCTOBER 28th
He gets to Chicago later than expected, but Robin is there with bells on and a beautiful sign saying “Welcome Home from Rehab”. She looks comfy in a white long-sleeve under a Faye Webster tee and sweats. She drops it when she sees him and jumps at him. He spins her a couple times.
“That was the worst rehab I’ve ever been to.” He tells her and she laughs. He’s so glad to be back home.
After they are loaded in Robins Subaru (such a cliché) she starts rambling about all the drama he’s missed even though it wasn’t real drama just made up drama. Since they’ve been working at the university library they make up stories about the students and even professors. “And you won’t even believe what Mike did.” Mike is their favorite patron he has an eidetic memory so they always quiz him on the books he checked out once he checks them back in. Not that they’ve read it they just google things to ask of course. “He told me he’s moving to New York! He got engaged to some hot lawyer guy so he’s finishing school there. How rude!”
“Oh wow.” Steve tries to sound enthused he really does. But he knows he’s failed when she’s pulling off the road into a random parking lot.
She turns to him when she’s parked and turned the radio down “Spill.” He takes a deep breath. And when he tries to take a second one it’s shaky and then the dam breaks.
“My dad wants me to move back to Hawkins. He said I’m gonna manage to fuck up his stupid campaign from Chicago and he wants me to use my degree. And I don’t know what to do.” He is sobbing but she understands him anyway. “I can’t leave Eddie but I’m such a coward. I was so scared of my dad that when he told me all that I just said ‘yes sir’ like a fucking boy scout. And Nancy told me about her telling her parents soon and you guys and Eddie and everyone is so brave but not me. I’m so fucking sick of pretending and I can’t leave Eddie. I can’t. I know that. I’ll never leave him. I love him so much. He’s my whole world. But how can a boy be my whole world when my dad is a homophobic piece of shit? And how can I expect Eddie to be okay with being a secret? I’m fucking terrified.”
“Steve,” She’s rubbing his back exposed from folding in on himself. She reaches to grab Steve’s hands once she notices he’s scratching his arms. “I think you just said it. You know what you need to do. Do you think I came out of the womb this gay?” He gave her an unsure kind of look “I mean obviously I was born gay but you think I didn’t try to not be? I tried to like boys. I tried to like you even. At that stupid ice cream shop before we moved I tried to like you. But then the girls you would epically fail to flirt with would come in and I would be jealous of you even getting their attention. No matter how much you sucked at it.” He managed to laugh at that.
They sat in silence for a while his hands cradled in hers. “I’m going to nursing school.”
She brought one of her hands to his forehead and flicked him “Dingus! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to be sure. And I’m sure. I’m going to tell my parents about going to nursing school. And I have to tell them about Eddie. I can’t keep the love of my life a secret forever. And I’ll be a disappointment but I can’t care what they think anymore.”
“That’s Nancy Wheeler’s influence for sure.”
“Yeah it was.”
“Let’s get you home to your man. He should be done by now and y’all need to talk.”
“Thanks robs, I love you”
“Yeah I know.” They small talk the rest of the way home. Once she’s parked in front of his building she reaches over and hugs him tight. ”Tell him what you told me and it will be fine.”
He nods and grabs his bags and waves as she’s driving off. He walks into the lobby and takes the elevator to their floor. Despite his nerves he’s so excited to see Eddie. It’s been so long. He checks his phone its 2am Eddie had probably been home for a while. He uses his key to open the door as quietly as he can just in case eddies asleep. But he’s assaulted the second he shuts the door. Eddie is all over him hugging him from behind kissing his neck. He finally gets turned around and Eddie goes to kiss him when he takes in his puffy face and and already retearing eyes.
“Oh baby love.” He pulls Steve into his chest “What happened? Or are these good tears?”
“Both.”
“Okay do you want to take a bath?” Eddie tries because he knows how much a bath makes Steve feel better. Steve just nods into his chest. So Eddie moves his suitcase and locks the deadbolt before leading Steve to their bathroom. They got one with a bathtub big enough for both of them.
Eddie takes his time undressing Steve while Steve cries and clutches his arms tight around his own stomach as the water fills the tub. He makes sure to pour some of Steve’s favorite citrus bubble bath. He guides Steve into the tub quickly undressing and sitting behind Steve. He wraps around him kissing his neck and rubbing his hand over Steve’s stomach and shoulders. Steve sighs as his hiccups subside and lays his head back against eddies shoulder. Eddie takes to rubbing his fingers through Steve’s hair. “Are you ready?”
Steve nods but it takes him a minute to start. “My dad told me he wants me to move back to Hawkins.” He can feel Eddie stiffen behind him. “I didn’t want to fight so I didn’t argue. But I’m going to tell him. About everything.” Eddie resumes stroking his hair “I don’t know how. Or when? But I have to. I want to. It’s killing me not being able to be with you the way you deserve.” He shushes Eddies attempt at a protest. “You deserve someone who doesn’t hide under secret names at hotels. Or pretends that they’re dating their best friend just so their parents stop asking questions.”
“I’ve never blamed you for that. I know your dad is-“Eddie starts.
“An asshole” Steve finishes for him. “Yeah, well I’m done with him. I don’t care about him or this stupid campaign and I’m ready. To be yours for real. If- if that’s okay with you?” he slowly turns to face Eddie.
Eddie cups Steve’s face so gently “I’ve never been more okay with anything in my entire life. I want to be yours too.”
A few tears are leaking from Steve’s eyes “You are mine. And I’m yours. Forever”
“Forever, Stevie. One day we’re gonna walk straight into a courthouse and just get hitched.” Eddie whispers. Steve reaches out to touch Eddie’s chest but he catches Steve’s arms. His voice is shaky “Baby?”
Steve fights the urge to snatch his hands back. “I had a bit of a breakdown in Robin’s car I didn’t even know I was doing it.” He gestures with his forearms which have stark white raised lines up and down from the scratching. Eddie must not have noticed when they got in the tub. “I’m sorry.”
Eddie immediately shushes him “don’t apologize, baby. I know you can’t help it sometimes. It’ll be okay. It’s all gonna be okay.” Eddie runs soothing hands over his arms. “Let’s put on that stuff the doctor gave you.”
Steve lets Eddie help him out of the bath and into a towel. He’s sat on the toilet lid now waiting for Eddie to find the cream.
He doesn’t even remember what started the scratching thing it had been over a year ago. But Eddie had noticed it first. “What happened, Sugar?” Eddie had asked as Steve was reaching up into the cabinet for some spices for dinner. Steve just looked at him. Eddie pointed at his arm. Steve flinched when he saw the scratches peeking out of his sleeve. Before he could back up enough Eddie had gently gripped his arms and pulled up both of his sleeves. Both arms red and raw with raised welts Steve had scratched himself. “Baby, if I ask you about this will you tell me the truth?”
Steve had his head bowed tears threatening to escape his eyes. He nodded.
Eddie took Steve’s face in his hands and raised it so they were looking each other in the eye. “Did you do this on purpose?”
Steve didn’t really know how to answer “Sort of. I just-“He sighed “I didn’t notice I was doing it at first. But when I get stressed or my thoughts get away from me I just scratch and it feels like I can think clearly. I scratch so hard until my mind clears except for my arms. The throbbing.” He knows he said the wrong thing when Eddie took a shaky breath and tears welled up in his eyes. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. If you want to lea-“Eddie had grabbed him and wrapped him in his arms so fast and tight he didn’t even know what was happening. But he felt Eddie take a deep shaky breath in his hair.
After a few silent moments Eddie held Steve out by his shoulders. “I am not going anywhere. That’s first okay. I love you and I’m here and I’ll always be here.” He took a breath “But we have to talk about this and you have to see someone. A regular doctor, a psychiatrist, a therapist I don’t care. But this is hurting you and we can’t have that. I need my baby all in one piece okay?”
Eddie had gotten him all set up with a doctor just a regular doctor at first who gave Steve some cream to relieve his arms. And then recommended Steve see a therapist.
Then Steve was seeing Jill and she helped so much. Sometimes Eddie came but it was usually just Steve telling Jill everything he couldn’t tell anyone else. But with everything going on it had been a while since he had seen her. As if reading his mind Eddie said as he softly rubbed the cream on the scratches “It’s been so long since you were able to see Jill maybe we can call her tomorrow?” Eddie always did this; made things easy for Steve when they were hard. Made it so he didn’t have to do something hard on his own. It made him realize how stupid he would be to throw away Eddie for some shitty parents who didn’t even care they had a son until it was important to be seen as a happy nuclear family.
He nods “yeah we’ll call her tomorrow.”
Once Eddie is pleased with his arms he brings Steve a long sleeve shirt and boxers and guides him to bed after throwing on his own boxers. They just lay there looking at each other for a while.
Steve speaks first “thank you. For everything. You’re my whole world, Eddie.”
“You’re my entire galaxy, sweetheart.” Eddie whispers as he gathers Steve in his arms and cuddles him.
The last thing Steve thinks as he drifts off in Eddie’s arms is how much he wants this to be his forever.
NOVEMBER 3rd
The concert goes off without a hitch Friday evening. Nancy, Robin, and Steve lightly supervise the kids who aren’t actually kids anymore but young adults, Steve will always call them ‘the kids’. They got crazy good tickets of course courtesy of Eddie. And backstage passes. The kids know that Steve knows Eddie but they’re fuzzy on the details. Purposefully kept in the dark to avoid any accidental knowledge getting out of the circle. They’re all going nuts at Eddie wearing his old ass Hellfire shirt. Which he did on purpose knowing other members would be in the audience.
As soon as Corroded Coffin signs off the kids are running towards backstage. The band greets them excitedly and they manage to get talking about that dumb dumbs and dipshits game that they are all obsessed with. Robin and Nancy corner Steve as he watches Eddie gesture wildly. “So,” robin starts “what happened?”
He leads them to a corner where they can talk quieter away from anyone “Well we decided after the tour is over in November and finals end the first week of December. I’m going to tell my parents. We’re kind of stealing your idea so Eddie’s gonna go visit Wayne and I’m going to go my parents and just lay it out. That I’m going to nursing school, I have a boyfriend and were living together, and that I don’t want to continue contact for now. I’m gonna call Eddie if anything goes wrong and we will come home.”
Robin and Nancy have a hold of one of his arms each and they’re practically jumping up and down. Robin is barely containing a squeal. Nancy pulls him into a hug which turns into a group hug. Nancy whispers “We are so proud of you.” He smiles widely he can’t believe it’s almost over. Only a matter of weeks until he’ll be free to love Eddie proudly.
He gestures for them to lean in “I think we’re gonna get married after New Year’s. We want to just go to the courthouse and just be married.” Nancy’s, Steve’s, and even Robin’s own hands immediately go to her mouth to cover the scream she is desperately trying to hold in. Steve looks up to see the crew all staring at them. “She saw a spider” he tries to shrug nonchalantly. Eddie raises his eyebrows with doubt but they go back to their conversation. After they’re sure she won’t scream they all release their hands.
“I have to be your witness I will not allow you to get married without me.” She giggles. And then they are all laughing garnering more confused looks. They go back to the group and every time Eddie looks at Steve Robin squeezes his hand.
Eddie manages to sneak Steve away into a side hallway when nobody is paying attention. He pushes Steve against the concrete wall. Getting his hand under Steve’s brightly patterned silk shirt and kissing up his neck. Steve lets his head fall back allowing Eddie more access “I fucking love you in this shirt, babe”
“I wore it because I knew you were going to wear your hellfire shirt” Steve gasps as Eddie licks below his ear. He grabs the hair at the back of eddies head “No visible hickeys.” He says pointedly.
“Only a few more weeks ‘of no visible hickeys’.” Eddie growls into Steve’s mouth “you’re not gonna be able to leave the house for months without a turtleneck after that rule is lifted.”
“Good thing it’ll be winter. And I look fucking good in a turtleneck.”
Eddie groans loudly and then they’re both giggling and shushing each other. They’re so caught up in each other they don’t even notice the kid from the cleanup crew taking their picture.
NOVEMBER 18th
Steve had seen Jill last week and she was very happy that Steve was going to be coming out but was upset to learn Steve had been scratching again. They went over his breathing exercises for when he feels the urge but it had all seemed to be going perfect since then.
Steve woke up alone in their apartment. Eddie would be home in just a few days from the last shows in California. He picks out his favorite Corroded Coffin shirt and neon red running shorts that Eddie always made fun of him for to wear for a day at home. It wasn’t a class day so he would just be studying and finishing his application for nursing school. He’d been sneakily taking the pre-requisite classes he would need to apply for it under his parent’s noses. Only a few out of order classes’ medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry. Nothing his parents noticed. His advisor told him with his grades he’d be a shoe in.
He’s in the kitchen when he notices his music pausing on and off he’d left his phone in the living room to get another cup of coffee. He’s almost to it when there’s a knock on his door. He doesn’t even think twice before answering assuming its Robin. When he comes face to face with his mother both of them wearing probably matching shocked expressions. “Mom?” he starts.
“Is it true?” she interrupts looking behind him into his apartment like it’s going to burst into flames.
He notices his music pausing again with what sounds like Eddie’s ringtone. He knows something is wrong. Very wrong. His voice is barely above a whisper when he asks slowly “Is what true?”
“Steven Richard Harrington. Are you going to lie to me?” his mom asks angrily and gives him a look of disgust as she takes in his clothes.
“Not if I knew what you were talking about.”
“Are you involved with that.” she gets a nasty look on her face before she continues “that freak from that disgusting band?” she gestures at his shirt. He can see the edges of his vision blurring. He shakes his head. “So you’re denying it?” she nearly yells as she shoves a tabloid magazine into his chest. He manages to get a look at the front page the full thing a grainy photo of him and Eddie at the concert when they had managed to sneak away for just a minute.
He drags her in and closes the door behind her though she looks most uncomfortable before he says “No. I’m not denying it. His name is Eddie he is not a freak and I love him. I don’t know what the hell is happening. But I am not going to lie to you anymore. I’ve been dating Eddie for three years.”
She gasps and covers her mouth “you what?”
He takes a steadying breath “I have been dating Eddie Munson for three years in September. I am in love with him and he’s in love with me. I’ve never been happier in my whole life than with him.”
“What about Nancy?”
“What about her? We broke up in high school and continue to be friends but that’s it. Friends.”
“You’ve been lying to us?” she sounds almost hurt.
“Yes I have. What was I going to do? Tell you and dad I’m queer and get the shit beat out of me? Can you blame me? You didn’t even give a shit about me until this year when dad started campaigning. We were going to tell you at the end of the year. I’m not moving back home and I don’t care if we ever talk again.” He’s almost yelling toward the end but his mom’s expression takes the wind out of him. She looks scared. The way she looks when Richard starts to get angry. “Mom, I don’t know why you’re here and dads not. Maybe you thought you could talk some sense into me but this is my life. Eddie is who I love and you are not going to take that from me.”
“I came to see if it was true.” She sighs defeated “and it is. Your father is away and I wanted to speak with you without him. I thought maybe I could talk you into coming with me or deny that this trash is even true. But I see you are going to choose this” she gestures to his objectively nice apartment with a sneer as if they might have been in an alley. “He’s going to be so angry.”
“I don’t care. I meant what I said I don’t care if we never speak again.”
She breathes deeply in and out “Fine if you’re going to throw away your life for that filth then so be it. But don’t think about crawling back to us when it comes crashing down.”
“I’m going to be a nurse. I’m going to nursing school starting in January. I’ve been saving up for it and Eddie’s band is on tour right now and things are looking really good for us. So I don’t think I will be doing any crawling but good to know that you feel the same as dad. I thought maybe you would be different. I thought that maybe we could still have some sort of a relationship but I don’t think I want that. Clearly you don’t.”
“Excuse me for not wanting our family name thrown in the mud.”
Steve sighs and opens the door for his mom “If he’s mud then what does that make you? Both of you are lower than anything he could ever be. Do what you have to do. Delete my number, forget my address, and while you’re at it forget that you ever had a son in the first place. Not like you ever acted like a real mom anyway.”
“You are not my son. You’re a pathetic excuse of a man and you disgust me. I almost wish I let your dad get to you first.” She gives him one last glare before stomping out of his apartment. And most probably his life.
He takes a breath before he falls against the door he just closed on her. He hears Eddie’s ringtone again. He runs to grab his phone and answers “Hello”
“Baby, someone got a picture of us at the concert in Chicago they sold it and it went public today. I’m so sorry. Chrissy is trying to get it shut down but I don’t know if they can. I’m sorry baby. Your parents-“
“My mom already came.” He says as monotone as he can manage “She said my dad hasn’t seen yet but they’re done with me basically. I told her I didn’t care.”
“Baby-“
“I need- I actually- ummm I have to go. I’m okay” Steve says and hangs up the phone before powering it down. He was sure there were hundreds of notifications. He would rather die than look at them.
He falls to the floor against the couch and cries. He grabs the magazine his mom had left. He sees the picture he rubs the little Eddie on the cover. He reads the insert “Indiana’s Golden Boy in bed with ‘Eddie The Freak Munson?” He reads the article which is mostly speculation based on the couple of grainy photos the person managed to sneak. They had been in the hallway alone for all of two minutes. Just enough to send his plan up in flames and probably throw his father into a spiraling rage. He didn’t know what he would do if his dad came to confront him. He’s glad he stood up for himself to his mom but the weight of the words he just spoke to his mother and the words she said at him are crashing in on him. He throws the magazine and slinks further onto the floor
He doesn’t know how long he’s been on the floor he knows has fallen asleep and woken a few times. It’s probably afternoon now judging by the light coming harshly through the windows. He makes his way to the bathroom to shower. He turns it as hot as it goes and climbs in hissing at the burning on his skin through his clothes. He tries to not pass out as he remembers that he hasn’t eaten today. He makes a half ass attempt at getting his wet clothes off but he doesn’t manage it. He lets the burning water run over his back he unconsciously scratches at his arms and when that doesn’t work when he still can’t think he starts scratching his thighs and then his stomach and his chest. He knows he’s scratching the deepest he can. He can feel his whole body throbbing. The water starts to turn cold so he turns it off but he continues to scratch. He knows he should stop. He doesn’t care. He can’t think. He can’t form a single thought in his head except for that this was not how this was supposed to happen. He feels his eyes shut. His nails still digging into his stomach.
He barely registers the front door slamming open. He knows its Robin and probably Nancy. He also knows he’s started sobbing loud enough that they can hear him. “Steve!” he hears Nancy yell. He sees them now through blurred vision he vaguely wonders where his glasses are. Robin is shaking Steve’s head trying to get his attention. Suddenly Eddie is the only thought in his head.
“Eddie, Eddie, Eddie-“he’s chanting his name between sobs he can’t stop he needs Eddie to be here. He’s trying to scratch his stomach again but Robin’s hands stop him.
“Steve. You have to stop. Eddie’s coming he’s almost home. ” Robin is crying.
“Why’re you crying?” Steve asks Robin through hiccups
“Steve you- you’re bleeding. Covered in blood. Oh my god. We have to get these clothes off and-.” She holds Steve’s hands up in front of him to show him and sure enough they are bloody. He didn’t realize how hard he’d scratched.
“I used all the hot water. I think” he says through chattering teeth. He can’t remember how long it’s been since he turned the water off.
“You’re shivering. Your lips are blue. Holy shit Nancy! What do we do?”
“Robin lay him down see if we can get the clothes off that’s making him colder.” Nancy says softly through tears.
As they manage to lay him down and gently remove his wet clothing covering him with a towel he starts rambling “Don’t cry its okay, Robs. I’m free. My parents hate me they don’t want anything to do with me. She said I’m throwing our name in the mud. Robin if he’s the mud then I’m... what likes mud?” Steve lifts his head and tries to think of things that like mud but his brain is too fuzzy all he’s had today was coffee and then his life was torn to shreds. Even though it wasn’t the life he really wanted it still hurt. “Why does it hurt if I didn’t even care about them, Nancy?” Steve cries.
Nancy is still crying “I don’t know. I don’t know why it hurts but we’re gonna make it better.” She reaches for the tap and turns the water on its still on the hottest setting she sobs harder when she realizes. She gets it turned down to a reasonable temperature.
Steve can see the blood rinsing off of him going down the drain. He reaches for the pile of clothes out of the bathroom floor when he sees his arms. The scratches are deep red. He’s never seen them like that before. He looks down at himself at his legs and stomach looking the same. He did this. He made himself bleed. He didn’t even realize. He looks at Robin and Nancy eyes flicking between them. Tears streaming down their faces as try to maneuver Steve back under the spray. Robin’s clothes are getting wet from where she is kneeling on the edge of the shower but she doesn’t seem to notice. Only looking at Steve self-inflicted injuries.
“Eddie?” Steve says quietly
Robin stops staring at his wounds and looks into Steve’s eyes. “He is almost here. He’s gonna be here in a few minutes he caught the first flight he could.”
“I’m sorry” Steve whispers just barely audible over the water.
It was the wrong thing to say. Robin’s face crumples and she starts sobbing again. “No. You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s all going to be okay. We’re going to make it better, okay? Together. Were together now and it’s going to be okay.”
Suddenly the front door is opening again and Steve feels so relieved when he hears his boyfriend “Baby!”
“We’re in here” Nancy calls she looks like she’s preparing herself and tries to get Robin to scooch back.
Eddie comes running in but stops short at the door when he sees the spectacle Steve has made of himself. He doesn’t stay there long and budges in front of Robin and reaches to tug Steve into his arms and tucks them both under the spray.
“What likes mud, Eddie?” Steve asks not quite able to cry anymore
He’s just staring though tears are pouring from his eyes streaking lines down his face “What, Angel?” he asks confused he’s looking to Robin and Nancy for an answer. But they’re both crying harder now.
“My mom said that I’m throwing our name in the mud. That you are mud. But I love you much so I have to be something that loves mud.”
“Baby I don-“Eddie chokes down a sob “I don’t know what likes mud right now, my love, I’m sorry.”
Eddie turns the water off after he deems Steve to be rinsed well enough. He stands them both up. He asks Nancy for towels which she brings and leaves them in the bathroom grabbing more in her hands and guiding Robin out. Eddie gets him wrapped up and undresses himself just to throw on a t shirt and old boxers from the hamper. He gets Steve into the bedroom the girls had a layer of towels laid down for him so that he can lay on the bed without bleeding on their covers.
“Nancy what loves mud.” Steve asks her. She has to know she’s the smartest of all of them.
Nancy sniffles “Pigs, Steve. Pigs love mud.”
“I’m a pig Eddie. You’re the mud and I’m the pig.” He yawns and blearily smiles at Eddie “Don’t cry anymore, Eds, okay?” and then he’s asleep.
He wakes a little when Eddie rubs his cream on him. He’s surprised there’s enough for all the parts he scratched but they do feel much better with the cream. He feels better with the mud. Eddie covers him with a soft blanket and kisses him but Steve is back asleep before he notices Eddie leaving the room.
It’s nearly nine at night by the time Eddie got done with the cream and snuck out of the bedroom.
Nancy and Robin are sitting on the floor by the couch both crouched over the magazine. Robin had gotten changed into some of their clothes and out of her wet ones. He had registered it on the floor when he ran in but did not even want to look at it until he had seen Steve. His boyfriend, the literal light of his life blood all over him. It was something he had never seen before and hoped to never see again. He knew he would have nightmares about this though. He sits on the end of the couch to avoid kicking the girls.
Robin speaks first startling him out of his thoughts “What did Chrissy say?”
He rubs his eyes so hard he can see static “Ummm nothing really. Just that she was able to get most of the sites to take the pictures down but there’s nothing to do about print.” He gestures to the magazine. “The guys cancelled the rest of the shows I figured they would but I said they could still play I just wasn’t going stay another second. There was only two more. I knew when I talked to him it was going to be bad. But I couldn’t believe my eyes when I walked in there.”
Nancy takes a deep breath “It was bad. We’re just sorry we couldn’t get here any faster my phone was off for class and Robin’s was in the cubbies at the library for her shift.”
“Yeah thank fuck this nosy fucking guy recognized Steve. He shoved his phone in my face and was all ‘isn’t that your boyfriend??’ once I finally saw what he was talking about I knew we had to get here. I ran to Nancy’s class and barged in. I guess running across campus isn’t my best look she thought something happened to me.” Robin rolled her eyes trying to joke a little but all they could do was a tight smile.
“I’m just glad we were able to get here relatively quick after that it was probably around three when she found me so we got here at like four? He was so cold, Eddie.” Nancy’s voice started to shake “he had showered in his clothes and then sat there for God knows how long with the water off. His lips wer-“she choked “they were fully blue. It was horrible if he hadn’t been crying I literally would have thought the worst.”
They all cried again. He dropped his head into his hands. “I don’t know what we do now. He has class tomorrow. His job?”
“I told them that we wouldn’t be able to work the rest of the semester due to family issues so he’s excused. Our boss Remus loves us thank God. He for sure did know that I was lying though because he had all the magazines that came in today in his trash can. He even told me to tell Steve he can always talk to him I guess his husband went through something similar.”
“For his classes” Nancy spoke up interrupting what could turn into a long ramble “if you have his schedule I can go tomorrow and let his professors know he will be completing the rest of the semester online. I’ll let you know if any of them are assholes about it.”
“Okay yeah,” he stood up “y’all know you’re always welcome to the spare room. I just gotta go call Wayne and let him know.”
The girls both stood up but Robin came up and hugged him so tight he thought he might never get a breath again before she let him go. She said softy “its okay I think he’ll want it to just be you when he wakes up.” She squeezed his arms “Let me get the information on that prescription cream and I’ll get it filled tomorrow and bring some groceries in the afternoon. I’m sure Nance will be done with his profs by then.” Nancy nodded.
“I just-“he tried to not start sobbing he could barely contain it “I just can’t thank you enough. He’s my life if something happened and I was so far away. I know it could have been worse but I mean what if? What if it had been worse?”
“Eddie, it wasn’t. It was bad but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. And we will always be here. That’s the deal when you fall in love with half of a platonic soulmate pair.” Nancy shrugged. “Just like I know Steve would do anything for her or me. She and I would do anything for him and you. Were here for you too. If you need anything call us okay. No more phones off during class for now. If it’s an emergency we’ll do two rings hang up then call back that way we know. Okay?” Eddie and Robin nodded their understanding. “Okay well we will get going. Tell Wayne Steve is gonna be fine. Because he is. And we’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
They hugged their goodbyes and he was alone with his thoughts while Steve slept.
How could he have been so stupid? They never do anything like that but Eddie loved that shirt and couldn’t help himself. And who suffered from his lack of self-control? The love of his life. He didn’t know if he would ever forgive himself for that. The image of Steve crumpled on the shower floor covered in blood. It was almost too much to handle. But he knew that Steve needed him. And he would always do anything for Steve.
He reached for Steve’s phone he knew it was off so he threw it on a charger in the kitchen so he could clear the notifications for Steve to be able to look at it tomorrow. He knew the amount would be overwhelming. He also needed to see if anyone needed to be blocked. He knew his parents for sure, maybe his old friends? While the phone charged he cleared his way through the apps, privating his accounts, deleting people who had just followed today to see any drama, deleting any hateful messages but left some supportive ones he wanted Steve to see. He was glad to see one text from his boss reiterating what Robin had said that his husband and even his brother-in-law had gone through a very similar situation and would be more than happy to talk to Steve. He blocked his parents, some old high school names that had sent some nasty texts but surprisingly there was one from Tommy that was supportive he knew Steve would appreciate that. Finally once he cleared it from being overwhelming for Steve to get through he reached for his own phone deleting all notifications in one swipe. He gathered the courage to call Wayne.
The phone rang twice before his uncle’s gruff voice was answering “Hey son. How is he?” and Eddie broke down. He couldn’t keep it in he slid to the floor of the kitchen and sobbed listening to Wayne’s watery reassurances. When he could actually keep his breath he glanced at the phone he had been sobbing for almost 30 minutes. “Now Edward. I know you’re goin’ to say somethin’ stupid about keeping me up or some shit but you’re my boy and Steve’s my boy too and this day was shit and I’m gonna listen to you about everything even when it’s just cryin’ on the phone together.”
“Yessir”
“Enough with that sir shit and tell me how my boys are.”
So Eddie told him. He told him about getting the call from Chrissy about trying to reach Steve, about Steve’s moms visit. He told them about not being able to reach Steve again or Robin or Nancy. And he told him about Steve’s incident told them about what he saw when he came home he knew Wayne was crying because he was crying trying to explain what he saw in the bathroom. He told him about Nancy’s plan and Steve’s nice boss. He told Wayne about Steve applying for nursing school and that their plan for telling everyone at Christmas was ruined but now they would only be visiting him and not wasting any time on Steve’s shitty parents. And he told him about the mud. He told him what Steve’s mom had said about him being dirt and Steve running with it and saying that if Eddie was mud Steve was something that loved mud. And they cried together some more.
“Eddie, that boy is good. I can’t stand that his parents can’t or won’t see that but he’s better than either of them combined in his pinkie toe. I love you, son. And I love him. Fuck the Harringtons.” Eddie chucked as Wayne continued “Y’all are my boys and ain’t nothing gonna come between us. Now you go get some rest. Call me tomorrow and let me talk to Steve if he’s ready.”
“Okay” Eddie said through a yawn.
“What happened to sir?” Wayne teased.
“It left with my ability to keep my eyes open.”
“You go on to bed now son, I love you.”
“I love you too, pops. Talk to you tomorrow.”
DECEMBER 14th
Steve was officially finished with his last final of the year. He hit submit and signed off and leaned back in the desk chair. Reaching up to comb his fingers through his air the still sore lines on his arms poked out from pale yellow sweatshirt. He lowers his arms to his lap. Taking deep breaths he tried not to cry. He wondered when Eddie would be back from the store.
As if he summoned him with his thoughts he heard the front door open. He walked out to greet his boyfriend Steve would never get over how his whole mood can shift just seeing him. Steve can feel the smile on his own face. Eddie smiles back at him a little questioningly and walks towards the kitchen with grocery bags but stopped to place a soft kiss on the lips. “How was your test, baby? Everything okay?” he unloaded his arms. Taking his flannel jacket off and throwing it on the couch to unload the bags.
Steve stands against the counter as Eddie opens and hands him the charcuterie box lunch he always gets. “Yeah everything is great. I just love you, and I think it went pretty well. The easiest was last which helped. Finance; so pretty straightforward. So glad to be done with that shit and so ready for next year.” He pops a grape into his mouth.
“I love you too,” Eddie says smirking and wrapping his arms around Steve’s waist “All done with business school. Moving on to bigger and better things. Is that what I’m hearing from my future husband?”
Steve sets his food on the counter to sling his arms around Eddie’s shoulders. “Future husband? Was that your proposal? Very grand Munson.”
“Oh I’m sorry, my liege.” Eddie laughs as he slips out of Steve’s arms and kneels “Wilst thou takest my peasant hand in marriage?”
“Back on the King Steve really?” Steve pushes Eddie so he’s sitting and straddles his hips. “Well I think I have no other choice really. I shall accept your most gracious proposal.” He leans in and kisses Eddie deeply. They haven’t really been doing more than kissing this past month since the incident. But the way Eddie is gripping his neck has him moaning into his mouth.
“Baby,” Eddie sighs and pulls back slightly which Steve takes as an invitation to nuzzle into his neck and suck what will be very visible hickeys “we are no- not having newly engaged sex on our kitchen floor.”
Steve leans his mouth against the shell of Eddie’s ear to say “we are having sex and I’m not getting up so what’s your plan?” He gets his answer when Eddie grunts and grips his ass tightly and stands them both up to walk them into the bedroom and seeks Steve’s mouth with his own. “So strong,” Steve groans into Eddie’s mouth “I love it when you pick me up. So fucking hot.”
“Nothing compared to you, gorgeous.” Eddie lays him softly on the bed and stares greedily. Eddie strips out of his skin tight jeans and tattered Metallica tee. He leans over Steve and picks at the hem of his worn yellow sweater. He gets Steve’s nod of consent to take his shirt off. He slowly pulls it up and the sleeves gingerly down both of his arms. “So beautiful,” He runs his fingers gingerly over his new scars. He kisses his stomach and looks into Steve’s eyes. Steve nods again and Eddie gingerly peels his boxers and gray sweats down over his legs kissing the lines there as well. “I can’t believe I get to keep you.” He whispers as he crawls up Steve’s body.
“Yours, Eddie. Forever.” Steve bucks his hips against Eddie. “Please I need you.”
“Yeah, baby. Tell me what you need.” Eddie says rough as gravel into his ear.
“Need you inside me. Please. Please.”
“Okay, sugar. Why don’t you get my fingers nice and wet for me?” He brings his hands up to Steve’s open eager mouth. Steve moans around them and writhes against Eddie so he uses his other hand to press Steve’s hips into the mattress to keep him still. “God, what did I do to get someone as perfect as you?” He pulls his fingers out and down to Steve’s hole. Teasing around the tight ring before pressing in just a bit. He leans to lick the spit that had spilled down Steve’s chin and kiss him roughly. As he presses his finger into his body and slowly fingers him open.
Steve can only moan as his and Eddie’s tongues tangle in his mouth. “Eds- I- “he tries to form the words but Eddie knows what he needs. He pushes back as he adds another finger. He leans over Steve and waits for him to adjust. And then Steve opens his mouth wide his tongue lolling out of his mouth on an “ahhhh” waiting. Eddie gathers as much saliva as he can before he lets it fall right onto Steve’s tongue. Steve can feel his eyes rolling back and he can vaguely hear his moaning get louder. He lets the spit linger on his tongue while he tastes it mixing with his own. He doesn’t remember when they figured out his odd fixation but Eddie doesn’t seem to mind it he actually seems to quite enjoy it. Maybe not as thoroughly as Steve but he’ll indulge him whatever he asks. “So good, daddy.” That was something they only rarely did but Steve thinks what Eddie has deemed ‘newly engaged sex’ is special enough to warrant it.
“Is my baby gonna be good for daddy today? Gonna take what I give you?” Eddie asks and all Steve can do is nod fervently. He pulls his fingers out of Steve and reaches to the nightstand for the bottle of lube. He warms some on his fingers and pushes three fingers into Steve and scissors them spreading him open.
“Ahhhhh- yes. So good. Thank you.” Steve gets out.
Eddie pauses his hands “Thank you?”
“Daddy- thank you daddy. Oh-“Steve almost yells when Eddie resumes slightly rougher with his fingers.
“That’s my name right, baby?” Eddie questions as he rubs his fingers over that sweet spot for Steve.
“Yes sir, yes daddy- tha- that’s your name.” Steve has his eyes clamped shut and biting his lower lip so hard it’s sure to bruise. “I’m ready I need you.”
“You think you’re ready for me already baby? I don’t want to hurt you.” Eddie tuts at him.
“I promise, daddy. I’m ready I promise, I promise, I promise-“Eddie cuts Steve’s chants off with a harsh kiss as he pulls his fingers from him. He wipes his hand on the sheet and coats his cock with more lube and lines up. “Please, please, please daddy.” Steve is begging but he can’t find it in him to care.
“Don’t worry, baby, daddy’s gonna give you what you need.” Eddie says as he slowly pushes into Steve. He tangles their tongues again as Steve adjusts to his length. He leans back to look at Steve’s face eyes still closed in pleasure. “Look at me, sugar.” He demands.
Steve’s eyes shoot open and immediately finds Eddies own brown eyes staring at him. “I love you.” Steve whispers like a prayer.
“I love you too, baby.” Eddie replies and kisses Steve again but pulls back to start thrusting into him rhythmically. Steve can’t help but thinking that they were meant for this. Meant to be together. In this way and every way. The way their bodies fit together perfectly. Moving and writhing together in time. It goes on and on and Steve loves it. Eddie keeps his pace as steady as he can until Steve needs more.
“Harder.” Steve moans “Daddy!” he amends as Eddie starts to pause to correct Steve. “Daddy, daddy please harder I need it so bad.”
Eddie starts a punishing pace and on every thrust his abdomen brushes against Steve’s own leaking erection. Steve could probably come just from this he thinks. His body was made for this. As if reading his thoughts Eddie says gravel deep “Are you gonna come without me touching you?”
Words are lost to Steve for a moment and he just nods then Eddie uses his free hand to smack at the side of Steve’s thigh. He yelps he can feel the pleasure pooling he’s nearly there “Yes daddy! Harder I want to come from just your cock.”
“Come on, come for daddy, baby.” He slaps the same spot of Steve’s thigh and Steve comes over his own stomach. It only takes a few more hard thrusts before Eddie is spilling into Steve.
Steve will never get tired of that feeling the warmth filling him making him so full that he thinks he’ll never feel empty again. He knows he isn’t thinking clear thoughts but he’s still riding his orgasm high. Eddie falls on top of Steve and Steve wraps his arms around Eddie’s back. They both catch their breath and slowly Eddie pulls out and off of the bed. He walks into the bathroom and comes back with a warm washcloth and cleans Steve before wiping himself off. He lays down and pulls Steve onto him.
Steve’s thoughts clear and he leans up to rest his chin on Eddie’s chest. “I really do love you. I can’t wait to marry you.”
“Why do we have to wait? Let’s go tomorrow.” Eddie raises his head to look into Steve’s eyes.
“Really?” Steve blinks.
Eddie sits up on his elbows making Steve sit up too. “Yeah, baby. We’ve done enough waiting. I want to be married to you and you want to be married to me. So let’s get married.”
DECEMBER 15th
Steve cannot believe he’s going to be married today. If you had asked him a month ago what he’d be doing he would have said ‘worrying to death about telling my parents about my boyfriend’ but that was done. They knew. It had been rough. Very very rough. His dad had tried to get a hold of him and had even tried to come to their apartment but luckily their apartment security had been notified to not let him in under any circumstances. He had watched his dad try to save face in interviews and fail. He was sure it was only a matter of time before his dad dropped out. He felt guilt over his dad even though he knew it wasn’t his fault and was probably a good thing. Nobody needed his asshole dad making policies.
He was able to complete all his classes and finals online thanks to Nancy. He spoke to his boss and his husband which had been so helpful. They told the kids and they were all beyond excited for them. Mostly for the lifetime promise of free Corroded Coffin tickets but still. He had even spoken to Tommy and that had been surprisingly pleasant. There had also been his visits with Jill those had been hard, but he knew he had to get his thoughts out so he could make sense of everything.
Last night they had called Wayne to ask him to drive over to be one of their witnesses. And Robin was currently stowing Steve in her and Nancy’s shared apartment. He had been there since the night before. They called the girls to say that they were going to the courthouse today and Robin had been adamant that they couldn’t see each other until it was time to meet at the courthouse.
She had locked Eddie in the spare room to help Steve pick his outfit for the “wedding”. He had picked his burgundy suit with a black silk shirt and tie. Robin as his “best man” wore a black suit but only threw the jacket over her shoulders over a white corset top. Nancy wore her burgundy dress with stars.
He couldn’t wait to see Eddie it had been a long 15 odd hours. Finally they were pulling up to the courthouse and parking. His eyes searched for Eddie waiting outside but he didn’t find him.
They walked into the lobby of the courthouse past the metal detectors and officers. And he saw him. Eddie was wearing a shiny black suit with a black glitter floral pattern and a matching black silk shirt. It was Steve’s favorite suit jackets that Eddie had. Not that he had a ton but from the few he had it was definitely Steve’s favorite and Eddie knew that. Which was why he picked it. They were definitely overdressed for a courthouse wedding but they didn’t care.
They walked towards each other as if magnetized. Finally reaching out and embracing. Eddie whispered into his ear “I missed you so much, baby.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah” Wayne spoke up from Eddie’s side as they reluctantly released each other. “He’s been going on and on about how much he missed you. I’m about sick of it.” But he was smiling fondly. “It’s about time we’re doin’ this thing.” He reached out and hugged Steve.
Steve felt himself choke with emotion tears rimming his eyes “Thank you, sir.”
“Now Steve, you know you ain’t gotta do that sir shit with me. You’re my boy too remember?”
Steve nodded weakly and wiped at his eyes. “Got it Wayne. Thanks.”
“Okay pops stop making my soon to be husband cry.” Eddie pulled Steves hand to lead them to the line for marriages.
Wayne turns his attention to the girls “Y’all look nice. Makes my old funeral suit look bad.”
“Yeah right you bought that suit two years ago when I told you I wanted to marry Steve. You can literally tell it’s never been worn. I had to take the tags off in the car. They do still look better than you though.” Eddie teases.
After maybe 30 minutes It’s their turn. They hand over their ID’s and other documents to be scanned and fill out the marriage license. The clerk makes sure to tell them to put their names the way they will be if they plan to change them. Eddie gives Steve a look. Steve had decided to change his name to Munson but Eddie didn’t want him to feel pressured. So Steve just nods at him. And signs it with his new signature. He can’t even pretend he hasn’t been practicing signing “Steve Munson” for the past two years. After the clerk notarizes the form she congratulates them.
Steve blinks at her “That’s it?”
She smiles “That’s it. You’re married! Congratulations.”
He and Eddie make surprised eye contact. But they grasp each other’s hand and go to stand out of the way. They hadn’t even needed witnesses. Which Robin makes her grumbles about. Their little group is silent as they all look down at their marriage license. When suddenly Wayne does a double check. Now its his turn for tears “You’re gonna be a Munson?”
“I think it fits me way better than Harrington don’t you?” Steve asks thinking maybe he should have asked if this was okay.
He gets his answer when Wayne wraps him in the tightest hug. “I am so happy that I get to call you my son.” He reaches out for Eddie for a group hug “Both of you. Y’all make me so damn proud.”
“Okay as sweet as this is I told Jonathon that we would meet him outside soon to get pictures!” Nancy exclaims.
“I didn’t know you called him.” Steve says as he looks to Eddie who was clearly surprised as well.
“I know it was a surprise, Dingus. Let’s go we can’t let these nice ass fits go to waste!” Robin elbows Steve in the side.
Once they’re outside they’re ambushed by all the kids dressed to the nines. Jonathon takes all their pictures. The stereotypical wedding pictures and some crazy ones with everyone. They go all around downtown for some cool photo backgrounds. They get some of their rings. Steve had picked a plain gold band and Eddie had gone with white gold. Nancy had gone early with their sizes and picked them up from a jeweler she liked. They would go back to get them engraved with each other’s initials when they had time.
They finally get enough of picture taking and find a restaurant and celebrate their new lives. Everyone says a little speech. Dustin of course says he knew the whole time but didn’t want to pressure them. And everyone is in hysterics. They spend the evening laughing and eating and drinking. They get dared to kiss every time someone tries to bring up something nerdy by Robin which means they spend a lot of the evening kissing. Eventually the kids and Wayne get dropped off at their hotels. Robin and Nancy go home. And Steve and Eddie walk into their apartment for the first time as husbands.
Despite what one might think getting married even at the courthouse is exhausting. Maybe it was just the kids. But they undress and fall into bed together. They lay sharing a pillow Eddie strokes Steve’s face so gently. “I love you, Eddie Munson.” Steve says quietly.
“I love you too, Steve Munson.”
February 5th (four years later)
Steve steps out of the limo thanking the driver but trying to keep his head down. Eddie uses his hand to lift his chin and gives him a small kiss to try to ease his nerves. It’s their first red carpet since they brought home their daughter but it was the band’s first Grammy’s they couldn’t just miss it. They went with coordinating suits. Eddie was in a full orange suit with matching shirt and brown shoes while Steve wore a tan suit with a shirt matching Eddie’s orange one underneath. They looked good. Their wedding rings were their only accessories tonight save for Steve’s guitar pick that he always wears. Eddie had insisted that he wouldn’t wear his usual set instead they only had their wedding rings and the bands they had gotten when Ozzy had been born engraved with her initials.
They do a few interviews on the carpet. Mostly everyone is interested in the baby. Steve can’t help but gush. “She is so good! She’s with her aunts tonight and it’s her first night without us, so we can’t think about it too much. She’s been such an amazing girl and we cannot get enough of her. We’re already missing her tonight I think.” He looks to Eddie who is slightly tearing up but nods.
“Yeah,” Eddie adds gesturing to his own eyes “we are clearly already wrapped around her little finger and she’s only 6 months old.”
“She has Eddie’s curls so I was doomed from the start.” Steve sighs. He knows if he starts crying about his baby now he won’t stop so he holds it in.
They make it through the carpet and most of the ceremony until the band’s award is up. It’s Rock Album of the year so they are all on the edge of their seats.
“And the Grammy goes to… Corroded Coffin!!” The guys all jump up and hug. Eddie bends to give Steve the kiss he promised him. Steve can’t stop the tears even if he wanted to. He watches them scramble to the stage.
They all hand the award to Eddie who speaks first “We want to thank everyone that’s been there for us since the beginning, our label, our amazing manager Chrissy, and of course Hellfire for bringing us together at all. I also want to say thank you to Ozzy, yes Osbourne” he pauses as everyone laughs “but, also my baby girl. And mostly I want to thank my beautiful husband Steve.” Steve is fully crying again when Eddie’s eyes find his from the stage, still as breathtaking as the first time “There are not enough words to tell you how amazing you are. From inspiring every song I’ve ever written, to agreeing to marry me and rolling in the mud, to seeing you with our perfect daughter. You are the light of my life and I love you so much. So thank you.” They nod at each other across the room as the other members each thank their partners. Finally the music plays and they leave the stage.
It’s a while until they all get back to the table. But as soon as Eddie is within reach Steve he drags him down into a deep kiss. He rests his forehead against Eddie’s and whispers just for them “If you’re the mud then I’m the pig.”