From the years 1976 - 1980

(Note: Not all episode titles will have a chapter)

Charades

Chapter 1

That '70s Pilot

Eric was frozen as lay on top of the Vista Cruiser. He didn't know where his life was

taking him, but he didn't like it very much. The gang just got back to their homes in Point

Place, Wisconsin when Donna just had to kiss him. Eric came to the sudden conclusion

that he was going to be in misery for the rest of his damn pathetic life if he kept trying to

be what everyone saw him as. He was either labeled the All-American everyman on one

hand or the standard Red-esque "Dumbass" on the other.

She kissed him and he had to pretend that he liked it.

He had to pretend he wanted to go the Rundgren concert. But after seeing the mechanic who

replaced the Cruiser's battery at the concert made Eric realize that life was too short for

such vagueness.

How could he explain things to Fez? When he couldn't even live the life he wanted? Be

with the person he wanted the most?

"Forman,"

"Hyde! You scared the Hell out of me. I thought you went home."

"I did, but Edna has another "Uncle" over so I thought I'd crash in your basement. Are Red

and Kitty still up?"

"The only light that is on is the porch light, so I don't think so."

Why did he have to come back?

Why?

"So…"

"So what?"

"What happened between you and Donna, man?"

Eric slid off the Vista Cruiser and almost fell, yeah, there was that label too: Eric the

Clumsy. Only when he was nervous. And hey, without anyone else around to partake in

the burn, Hyde didn't make fun of his friend for his awkward landing.

"She kissed me."

"Are you two officially a couple yet?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

They made their way to the basement as Eric fumbled for the light switch. Eric decided to

ignore Hyde and walk up the stairs, but then something internal made him turn around

and go back down the stairs as Hyde sat in his favorite white chair and turned on the TV.

"I'm so sick of lying." He whispered. "You don't have to say it back, and oh god, I want

to puke………I think I love you Steven Hyde…………"

And there was no thinking it, he really did have to throw up, Eric was so embarrassed

that he wished he was dead, he covered up his mouth as he ran up the stairs.

Eric brushed his teeth and decided there was no way he could go back down to the

basement. No way in Hell could face his best friend since grade school ever again.

There's no reason to assume that even he felt the same way. All he wanted to do was

throw himself on his bed and sleep forever. He jumped about five feet in the air when

Hyde was sitting at the foot of his bed. He looked different without his sunglasses on.

More handsome and slightly vulnerable.

"Stop scaring me!"

"Sorry about that. Close the door, man."

"I get it. You don't want to be my friend anymore. I totally get it."

"No, Forman, you don't get it," Hyde walked over to Eric and put his hands on his

shoulders, "Are you okay? Are you done being sick?"

"I'm fine."

"Then let me kiss you, Eric," it was much more satisfying than the kiss from Donna 30

minutes ago, "I've always wanted you…well I didn't know in what way until your 14th

birthday party."

It felt so good to get that revelation off his chest.

Eric slightly pulled away, his cheeks crimson.

"What?"

"Eric, do you think that you are the only one that has to pretend? When Edna started

saying Rachel from the grocery store was a queer lesbian, I knew I couldn't say a word. I

have uncles, real ones, not her boyfriends, that have beat up guys in bars for being gay

because god forbid, they didn't go to their own bar when they went out for the night. And

Kitty and Red, as great as your parents are…do you think they'd be supportive? Your

Mother…maybe. Red? I can see foots going in both our asses and it won't be pretty."

This was a very big speech for Steven Hyde; the only thing Eric could do was sit at his

desk and let him continue, "So you see? It stays here in your room. Not the basement, not

with the guys and Jackie and Donna around. I love you so much, Forman, that I'm going

to say something to you, that you cannot tell another soul, do you promise?"

"Yes…you have me worried, Hyde."

"Don't be. You're going to have to continue the charade with Donna. I'll date my usual

punk chicks, and then we'll meet up here at 2 a.m. It will be our regular time. I'll sneak

out your window and it just has to be that way. The world is a terrible place, Forman."

"Do I get a say in any of this?"

"You don't get it, man. You're too sheltered. You have to understand we can't be a

real couple, and I love you for thinking we could be boyfriends and it would be all

sunshine and flowers. It's not. But right now, we have this bed here, and your folks are

sleeping, and we can just cuddle, if you want."

Eric swallowed as he whispered, "I'd really like that, Steven."

Hyde turned off the light and was amused over the Spider-Man night light that gave the

room a candlelit appearing glow.

"You're all I want, Forman, but outside in the real world it's just not possible. You have

to see Donna tomorrow and move to the next level with her."

"I'll do whatever you want," it felt so good to be in his arms as Eric rested his head on

Hyde's chest, "I love you."

"I love you too, Eric."

5 a.m.

When Eric opened up his eyes and realized the gravity of the situation that he was indeed all alone, he clutched

the pillow that Hyde rested his head on just hours ago as he cried softly into it as to not disturb his sleeping

parents across the hall.