"Good job today, Eddie." Steve said, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms.
"Yeah, you definitely made it more bearable." Eddie stated, looking out the glass windows to see evening sunlight flooding in through the window. He could tell that the light would fail soon as the sun began to set.
"Wow, it's already been 7 hours?" Eddie examined, standing up from where he was slouching on the wall and walking over to Steve.
"Yeah, time flies when you're having fun," Steve pondered, fixating his eyes on the wall just past Eddie. "Robin and Keith should be here any moment and I already closed the register, so we're good to go."
The bell above the door to the store jingled as Robin walked in, catching both Steve and Eddie's attention. She walked over to the counter and stood across from Eddie. "So, how was your first day?" She provoked with a giddy smile on her face.
"Steve isn't as bad as I thought." Eddie quickly glanced over at Steve and then re-fixed his gaze on Robin. "Yeah, Munson's a pretty fast learner." He replied with a smile.
"Wow, for two people who couldn't stand each other less than a year ago, you sure have made amends." Robin had a surprised look on her face. "I guess I underestimated the power of friendship." She teased, letting out a short laugh and walking behind the counter.
"Oh shut up, Robin." They both said in unison, walking out from behind the counter. Eddie grabbed his jean jacket vest from the coat rack as Steve held open the door for Eddie. Steve shivered as he walked out of the store behind Eddie.
"Do you want my jacket?" Eddie offered, fixing his eyes onto Steve.
"That'll barely help." Steve said, eyeing the jacket.
"Do you want it or not?" Eddie said as he held it out to Steve. Steve quickly grabbed it and shoved it over his work vest and walked over to the car.
He pulled out his keys from the front pocket of his blue jeans and unlocked the door. He got in and reached over the transmission to unlock Eddie's side as Eddie walked over to the right side of the car.
Eddie got into the car and shot a glance at Steve. "Wow, you really pull off the jean-jacket look." He looked over at Eddie as he reversed out of the driveway, putting his arm behind Eddie's headrest to look behind the car as he backed out.
"Oh yeah?" Steve chuckled. "What does that mean, exactly?"
"I don't know, it just looks right on you." Eddie supplied, running his fingers through his hair while looking in the side mirror. "Thanks I guess." Steve murmured, confused by Eddie's compliments.
Once again, they rode in silence as Steve focused on driving and Eddie closed his eyes, leaning his head against the seat.
After a few minutes, Eddie broke the delicate silence. "Do you have any plans tomorrow?"
"Nope, the store is closed so we'll both be off and it's not like I have any friends that aren't sophomores to hang out with. Well, except Robin, but she said that she's going to visit her grandma. Sounds like the day will be spent sitting in front of the TV."
"Well, we could always do something." Eddie suggested, slightly turning to the left to examine how Steve would react to that.
"Like what? We're barely even friends." Steve said, dismissing Eddie's idea.
"I don't know, I thought we could go see a movie or something." Eddie looked away from Steve.
"Yeah, but don't you think it would be a little awkward?" Steve kept his gaze fixed on the road.
"What do you mean?"
"It's just that I barely know you."
"You're right, forget I even suggested it." Eddie murmured, closing his eyes again.
About 5 minutes later Eddie opened his eyes as Steve began to slow down as he parked in Eddie's apartment's parking lot.
"Here we are." Steve said, putting the car in park and stepping out with Eddie. "Here's your jacket back." Steve carefully removed the jacket from his body and held it out to Eddie.
"No it's fine, I have another one just like that upstairs."
"If you insist, Munson." Steve chuckled, putting the jacket back around his shoulders. "See you later." Steve spoke as he got into the car.
"See you." Eddie stood on the concrete in front of Steve's car, waving as he backed out and went home.
Shit he thought as he slowly walked towards the staircase up to his apartment.
I think I might have feelings for him, but he's obviously as clueless as a straight guy can be. I guess that's a good thing, because he won't be able to notice and take suspicion. At least he took my jacket.
Eddie made it up the stairs and unlocked his door. Once he got inside, he slipped off his shoes, put his work vest off to the side, and crashed on the bed. He stared up at the ceiling, with his hands resting on his chest, lost in thought. He hadn't realized how tired he was from work as he felt himself slowly get drowsier and drowsier.
•••
Eddie suddenly awoke once again, but this time it was to his phone ringing. His stomach ached with hunger. He looked down and saw that he was still in his black long sleeve t-shirt and jeans from yesterday.
I must've fallen asleep without changing last night since I was so tired. He thought as he walked over to the phone. He picked it up, leaning his head against the gray wall as he held it up to his head.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Eddie." Steve had a thoughtful tone to his voice.
"Steve?" What could he be calling for?
"Yeah, I'm calling because I gave it some thought and decided that I would like to take you up on your offer for the movies. What do you say?"
"Sure, but what do you want to watch?" Eddie questioned.
"I don't know, we'll figure it out when we get there. Can I pick you up tonight at 7?"
"Yeah, I'll see you later Steve."
"See you." Eddie smiled as he hung up the phone and flopped onto his bed, letting out a long sigh. He couldn't believe that he was going to get to spend his evening alone with Steve.
•••
Eddie stood up as he finished buttoning his denim vest over a light colored band tee, walking over to the door from which three knocks came.
"Hey, you ready to go?" Steve said, looking at Eddie's outfit. He had an array of chains attached to his black ripped jeans. While they were functionally useless, they did strangely make him look...decent.
Steve was wearing his signature jacket and a light blue pair of jeans. "Wow, look who dressed up." Eddie teased with a nod, walking out of his apartment to stand next to Steve.
"I'm already starting to regret this." Steve said, which made Eddie smile.
They both got into his car, which was starting to feel familiar to Eddie. As they backed out, Eddie noticed the leaves blowing through the streets as they were disturbed by the wind. Fall was always his favorite season, because of the colors that the trees turned, before their leaves would gracefully fall off in time for Winter.
"So, do you have any ideas for what to watch on this fine evening?" Eddie looked at Steve. "I don't know, what's new?"
"You're the one who's worked at the movie store for like, ever. Shouldn't you know?" Eddie implored.
Steve raised his eyebrows and glanced at Eddie. "There's no need for attitude, is there, Munson?"
"Come on, you have to know something that we could watch," he pleaded.
"I remember seeing something about a new superman movie coming out, how does that sound?" Steve had to drive past his house in order to get to the movie theater, which was on his side of town.
"I'm always up for a little superman." Eddie chuckled.
It was dark out as they pulled into the movie theater parking lot. Steve switched off his headlights and they both got out of the car. Eddie walked over to meet Steve and they continued to the ticket counter together.
"How can I help you today, sir?"
"Yeah, uh could we get two tickets for superman?"
"Sure, that'll be $5." Steve slid over a five dollar bill and got back two tickets. As they were walking in, Eddie said "Thanks for paying for me, dude."
Steve shot a glance at Eddie. "Don't worry about it, it's the least I could do for you since I was the one who invited you."
They both stopped once they got inside of the theater as Steve glanced down at his ticket. "Okay, it says that we're in theater 6, and the movie starts at 7:20. We're right on time." They walked down the dimly illuminated carpeted hall until they reached the 6th theater, which was on the left.
Eddie quickly looked around the dark theater. Surprisingly, most of the seats were empty, with the only people being near the bottom. "Do you want to go up there?" Eddie gestured to the top left corner of the theater. Steve nodded his head and led the way to the top row of seats, walking all the way to the end and sat down, putting his feet up against the seat in front of him. Eddie took a seat to the left of him and put his arm behind Steve's chair and leaned his head against his seat, looking up at the ceiling.
"I never would've imagined that I would be going to the movies with the Steve Harrington," Eddie sighed. "You know, I used to be so jealous of you. But after high school, I don't know, I just seemed to move on. I remember envying all of the people that you got to spend so much time with, like Robin and Nancy, wondering what it would be like to get to know someone as popular as you."
Steve sighed as he looked over at Eddie. "To be fair, I never thought that I would be hanging out with you either, considering that our entire town went on a witch hunt for you last year and you were basically a social outcast."
Eddie looked over, chuckling, "Yeah, I basically still am a social outcast."
Steve broke eye contact as he saw a flash of light on the screen, indicating that the movie was starting. Eddie put his hand down on his lap, propping up his legs against the seat in front of him, just as Steve did. He placed his arms behind his head and got ready for the movie.
About an hour in, Eddie began to feel drowsy and eventually leaned his head on Steve's shoulder. Eddie felt Steve's shoulder tense up but was too tired to care.
•••
Steve felt a light tapping on his shoulder. "Excuse me sir? The movie's over and we have to clean the theater."
Steve lifted his head with a sore neck and looked down to find Eddie on his shoulder. He lightly shook Eddie awake. "Oh shit bro, sorry. I need to fix my sleep schedule."
"It's all good dude," Steve said, chuckling. "Come on, let's get going before it gets too late." Steve helped Eddie up from his seat and the pair walked out of the theater. Steve couldn't process whatever just happened, but kept a fake face on so that Eddie wouldn't ask questions.
He couldn't believe that he had let Eddie sleep on him like that, and reciprocated it as well. Worst of all, he didn't completely mind it. It was a strangely comforting feeling to have another guy asleep on his shoulder.
As they approached the doors to the movie theater, Eddie turned to make eye contact with Steve. "Did you enjoy the movie?"
"Yeah, it was actually pretty good. I never thought I would have this much fun out with you."
"Yeah, I know that you just love me." Eddie teased.
"You know, I can leave you here." Steve walked outside, laughing.
Eddie followed him, flashing a quick grin.
They both got into the car and Steve promptly began to drive Eddie home. Eddie searched his pockets for his keys but realized that they were nowhere to be found. "Shit, I think I left my keys at the theater, and it's closed by now."
"Are you serious?" Steve sighed, putting his left hand on his head. "I guess you can just spend the night at my place and we can go back to the theater tomorrow to see if they have them."
"Thanks dude, I'll find a way to repay you."
"Nah, don't worry about it. What am I gonna do, let you sleep outside? Plus, it saves on gas." Steve smiled, looking over at Eddie.
"Well, there's nothing stopping you from doing that." said Eddie, grinning ear to ear.
They pulled into Steve's driveway, which was illuminated by the moonlight. Eddie looked up at his two-story house in awe.
I guess that explains his car he curiously examined.
"My mom's out of town so I have the house to myself." Steve said, turning off the car engine. They both walked up to the wood porch and Steve unlocked the door, opening it with a light creak.
He walked in and flipped on a lightswitch, which quickly illuminated the stairs to the second floor.
"Come on, Munson." Steve pointed to the top of the stairs, beginning to slowly ascend to the top, with Eddie following behind him. There were picture frames hung up on the wall which Eddie noticed as he climbed up the stairs. Many of them appeared to be from Steve's childhood. "Do you have any siblings?" Steve turned around to make eye contact with Eddie. "Uh no, I'm an only child. Why?"
"Just curious." Eddie replied.
Steve continued to his room, which was quite spacious and surprisingly clean.
"Make yourself at home." Steve went and sat on the right side of his bed, which could easily fit two people. "You want me to sleep with you in your bed?" Eddie marveled.
Steve looked at him with a relaxed face. "Yeah of course. Would you rather sleep on the floor?"
"Oh, all right," Eddie groaned, sitting on the bed, opposite from Steve.
"Do you need anything before I go to sleep?" Steve slipped off his shoes and stood up, taking off his shirt, revealing his pale body. Eddie looked up at him, stuttering, "Uhhh, I think I'm gonna go out for a smoke first."
"I don't smoke," Steve chuckled. "But I'll come out for some fresh air."
Steve walked to his sliding glass door and slid it open, leading him and Eddie out to the balcony. Eddie pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and cupped his hands as he lit one, holding it between his index and middle finger. He slowly inhaled, then exhaled as he felt all of his worries melt away.
"You know, for someone who smokes, I haven't smelled it on you before." Steve said, leaning against the balcony railing.
"I don't really smoke cigarettes because they make everything smell, but sometimes I just need to take a load off, you know?" Eddie leaned against the wall, noticing Steve's back glowing under the moonlight. "Have you seriously never smoked before?"
"No, it never seemed appealing to me." Steve said, standing up and leaning on the wall across from Eddie. He crossed his legs and leaned his head against the wall, making eye contact with Eddie as his hair rustled in the evening wind.
"Well it doesn't hurt to try," Eddie went over and stood next to Steve, offering his cigarette. "Alright, fine." Steve sighed, taking it between his fingers and attempting to inhale, however ended up wheezing as he exhaled too quickly. "Dude, Munson, how do you smoke this shit?" Steve said, loudly coughing.
"Goddamn, I would've expected that you could at least smoke a cigarette," Eddie replied, laughing at Steve as his coughing subsided. "Watch me do it, and try to replicate my breathing." Eddie took the cigarette from Steve's fingers, and took a breath from it as he kept eye contact with Steve, slowly blowing out smoke to the side. He handed it back. "Here, try it again." Eddie softly spoke. This time, Steve breathed much more naturally and kept his gaze fixed on Eddie's dark brown eyes. He blew out the smoke and leaned back against the wall, tilting his head up to look at the sky. "That felt oddly relaxing," Steve chuckled, closing his eyes with a smile.
They continued to pass it between each other until the cherry-colored glow died down, prompting Eddie to throw the cigarette butt on the floor and stomp on it to put out any last flame. Eddie made his way inside with Steve following.
Eddie unbuttoned his denim vest as Steve made his way over to his bed. Steve laid down beneath the covers and put his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling. Eddie got into the bed as well, laying on his right side which faced towards Steve. His lightly colored t-shirt loosely hung on his body as he began to close his eyes, slowly drifting off to sleep.
Steve couldn't believe what had just happened to him. He had befriended Eddie Munson, the freak of Hawkins, and is now sleeping in the same bed as him. He glanced over at Eddie, who was already fast asleep. Steve didn't know why he enjoyed hanging out with Eddie so much, because it felt different than from his other guy friends. Steve didn't think much of it, he just assumed that Eddie was just a good friend. He turned on his side, facing Eddie as he closed his eyes and dozed off to sleep.