Chapter 7

Eddie couldn't breathe. His words hung in the air, waiting to get shot down with a word from Steve. He didn't really know where he'd finally dug up the courage to say those words. It was like they just popped out without his permission to do so. His heart constricted and he felt panic grab him. His mind started racing with ways to backtrack. 'Chill man it's just a joke' or 'man are you always this serious?' passed through his thoughts as Steve's face turned to a look of shock.

"What?" Steve uttered in a breathy whisper, freezing on the spot with wide unbelieving eyes.

'Yep time to backtrack' Eddie thought. He panicked and the words came spilling out just a little too fast. "Hey dude I'm just teasing." He tried to brush it off as a weird joke unconvincingly. "Just a joke," he finished, trailing off.

Steve walked around the counter and met Eddie's gaze as they stood there, face to face. Eddie could smell his breath as it wafted across his face. His heart was ready to jump out of his chest. 'Fuck fuck FUCK!' Eddie thought to himself, frantically thinking of anything he could possibly do to stop his impending doom.

"You're a shit liar." Steve whispered, his body mere inches away.

Eddie wasn't sure what his tone ment, was he pissed? He sounded pissed. Eddie readied himself to take a punch to the jaw. Readied himself for the rejection that was bound to come in mere seconds as Steve sized him up. But it didn't come. Steve just sat there, staring into Eddie's eyes, searching for something.

Steve knew what it would mean if he played along. He could completely disregard the jokes and go on as if nothing had happened, but something about Eddie's tone when he said he'd thought about it too was far too sincere, and Steve couldn't stand to go back to the secret pining bullshit that had been going on for nearly as long as he'd known Eddie. He had to make the decision now. Go for what you want, or risk losing your chance to ever tell him again.

Steve finally exhaled the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and decided to take the plunge. He slowly lifted his hand towards Eddie's face.

Eddie flinched as Steve moved, but no hit came. Instead, a soft calloused hand cupped his face tenderly. His eyes met Steve's as he leaned in, glancing down at Eddie's lips then back up at his eyes. Eddie gulped nervously, unable to move. He was paralized by the sheer unlikelihood of what was happening. He licked his lips and Steve closed the gap between them, closing his eyes and brushing his lips gently against the other boys, before pulling away.

Eddie looked at Steve's face in bewilderment before what had just happened hit him like a ton of bricks. He felt a sudden need to reach out and touch the other boy.

Steve's eyes looked at him, searching for any clues as to how Eddie felt about the kiss they'd shared. Eddie's breath hitched and his eyes flashed down to Steve's lips then back to his eyes. His hand flew up in a flash to cup the back of Steve's head with an urgency, before crushing his lips against Steve's with a fervor even he hadn't expected.

A surprised moan escaped Steve as his lips were suddenly assaulted and he wrapped his arms around Eddie.

Eddie's kiss was full of a need he hadn't expected. He'd expected Eddie to freak out, maybe say he'd gone too far with the joke. Punch him maybe? He certainly hadn't expected the sudden lust in Eddie's eyes and the passion that lived in that kiss.

Eddie's fingers tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck and pulled Steve deeper in. It felt like drowning in the best way, their breath mingling, hot and heavy.

Steve's body pushed Eddie against the countertop and Steve's hands slipped down to the small off his back, his hands pulling Eddie's hips forward.

Eddie could feel Steve's pulse, like a racehorse. He wasn't being nice and humoring him. He wanted this just as bad as Eddie had. The idea drove him crazy and he let out a moan.

Steve broke the kiss to allow them both to breathe as he pepper kissed Eddie's neck, sucking lightly at the crux between his shoulder and neck. Eddie sucked in a breath and threw his head back, letting out a whimper.

Steve smirked into the kisses he was leaving on Eddie's skin. There was no doubt in his mind that this had been building up for both of them. Eddie's teasing remarks, his flirting. He had been testing the waters to see if Steve had wanted him too. He mentally kicked himself for being so clueless.

Eddie's hands explored down Steve's back, feeling the puckers of the pink scars, till he reached the Hem of Harrington's pajama pants. He hooked his thumbs under the elastic and rested his hands there, just above Steve's ass as Steve expertly niped and sucked his skin, making warmth pool in his abdomen. His hands fisted, and Steve's bottoms bunched in his fists.

He was getting far too hot and bothered. This was about to get serious and he wasn't sure he was quite ready for that yet. He released his grip on Steve's pants and raised his hands ro Steve's chest. He pushed gently on Steve's shoulders and Steve stepped back, looking slightly confused, hurt even.

"What's wrong?" Steve asked, mild panic reaching his voice.

"Nothing… I just… I haven't really done this sort of thing before… you know… with a guy." Eddie stumbled over his words and he nervously played with his hair, looking down at where Steve had been.

Realizing he hadn't hurt Eddie or done anything wrong he reached out and gently grasped Eddie's chin bringing the other boy's face level with his. "Hey, it's cool. Neither have I." Steve said in a soothing voice. "We can take it slow if you want. I don't want to rush this."

Eddie let out a shaky breath, his heartbeat slowing.

"I didn't expect…well, any of that" Eddie said with a small chuckle, his dimple popping up and he smiled.

"Neither did I." Steve said, giving a lopsided grin. "I've been so scared of saying anything. I've never… even felt like this about a guy before." Steve sighed as he slowly shook his head. "I didn't want to tell you and risk you freaking out. You know? I needed you around, and I was scared if I told you I'd lose you." He let go of Eddie's chin and wrapped his arms around Eddie in a loose hug.

"Why do you think it took me so long?" Eddie posited. "I was worried you'd beat the shit outta me if you found out. Or at least kick me out. I didn't want to fuck up our freindship." Eddie said, biting the corner of his lip nervously. He had built up all these anxieties over the past weeks and it had been for nothing. Actually keeping him from the things he wanted most.

Steve laughed and placed his forehead against Eddie's softly, nuzzling his nose against the other boy's. "I would never hit you Eddie. Not for anything." Steve closed his eyes and breathed in through his nose, taking in Eddie's weed and spice smell.

Eddie just smiled to himself, taking that moment to let his insecurities melt away and just enjoy in Steve's embrace.

"I need to sleep." Steve finally said regretfully after a few minutes of just hugging Eddie and memorizing his scent.

Eddie sighed and pulled his head away. "Yeah, sorry everything got so exciting," He said, giving a small chuckle.

"I'm not." Steve replied, meeting Eddie's eyes through his lashes and slowly caressing Eddie's hand. "I mean the whole vampire thing complicates shit a bit, but I'm glad this happened." He intertwined his fingers with Eddie's and brought the other boy's hand to his lips. "I don't think I ever would have had the courage to tell you if it hadn't," he admitted, smiling into the other boy's hand and giving it a small peck before letting it go.

Eddie gave an awkward little smile, biting the inside of his lip, and looking up at Steve. He couldn't remember a time where he'd been this happy. His chest felt light for once. No impending doom or guilt to be seen.

"Come on. Let's go upstairs." Steve nodded his head towards the bedrooms above.

Eddie just nodded and followed as Steve made his way up, their hands brushing slightly as they climbed the stairs.