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The fire continues to crackle in the background as Eddie sips on his cup of hot chocolate. He'd added some cinnamon and nutmeg for an extra festive taste, but forgone the marshmallows. He hates drinks that are way too sweet. The music playing on the radio is Christmas tunes, ones that he's heard all month and wishes he didn't have to hear now. He can't complain too much though as he watches Steve cooking in the kitchen.
Earlier this year, he'd nearly died. The only reason he hadn't was because of the man in front of him carrying his dying body out of the upside down. The months of recovery were difficult and despite the governments interference, some of the towns people still think he's a killer. Things are good now, though. Much better than before. He's graduated finally, got a real job as a mechanic, his band still preforms at The Hideout, and he has a group of people who would fight monsters for him. A group of people who love him, protect him, and accept him.
The nightmares are still awful, the come and go, sometimes nights are unbearable. The only peace on those nights is the thought and knowledge that he has people he can reach out to. People who understand and experienced it too. He isn't alone. The version of himself that hid in Reefer Rick's place, terrified, alone, and going crazy, who thought no one would believe what he just saw, can't believe that things have gone this way.
The nightmares are how Steve and him had gotten closer. One night after a particularly horrible dream about Chrissy, he'd called the other man. He wasn't thinking at the time and hadn't expected him to pick up, but he'd since the way he was with Robin, with the kids, with Nancy even. He needed that comforting presence. Somehow, this led to more calls and then sleepovers. Until, eventually, Eddie spent more time at Steve's than his place with his uncle. When he was home, Steve would be there too. Wayne didn't like it at first, not being a fan of the Harrington's, but he grew to slowly love Steve. No one can hate Steve.
Eddie could wax poetic about the other man for ages. He was Eddie's guiding light in dark tunnels, the warmth that kept Eddie from remembering the cold brink of death, the comfort he always desired, but was too scared to ask for. Steve made him feel safe and loved like no one ever had. This was the first Christmas season in years that was spent with more than just his uncle, who has loved Eddie as best as he could. He'd never be ungrateful for all the man had done for him, but something was always missing. There was a part of Eddie that always felt guilty for Wayne raising him. The man had to work himself to death for them, never married, never had kids of his own. He'd never signed up to take care of Eddie when his father had him and yet he somehow ended up raising the metalhead.
Here he knew he was wanted. There was no guilt and Eddie could exist without that nagging voice in the back of his head making him feel like a burden. Steve loves him and wants him here because of Eddie and no other obligation.
"Babe, dinner's ready." Steve speaks, dragging him from his thoughts. "It's nothing super elaborate because Christmas eve is in 4 days and Henderson is making me throw the party this year." He sighs but Eddie knows he's happy about it. They've talked about their childhood and how many lonely Christmas' they've had. For all Steve pretends to be bothered by the kids, he knows that the younger man has never regretted becoming their babysitter.
As the cuddle up later that night watching the Claymation Rudolph, Eddie feels that warmth in him that's only caused by being loved by Steve Harrington.