"You're late dingus." Robin scolded as soon as he walked into the store. Her eyes scanned over him for a bit, making him squirm under their scrutiny. "Did you stay over at Eddie's?"

He cleared his throat, praying that his face was not completely flushed because that would give Robin the wrong idea. "I did. But we didn't do anything... Other than kissing. We definitely kissed."

Robin jumped up and down, squealing like a child in a candy store while clapping her hands, "you guys kissed? What was it like? Is he a good kisser?"

Steve slipped into his stupid Family Video vest and shrugged, "yeah he is a good kisser." He tried to be modest about it but just the mention of it took him right back to Eddie's trailer.

Right back to when Jonathan and Argyle left and Eddie led him to his bedroom. It was a mess, but a manageable mess. It felt lived in. There was band posters all over and tons of knick-knacks lying around on his desk in the corner. The shelves on one of the walls were covered with books that Steve had never read and there was a few tiny figurines that Steve was sure Eddie made for the fantasy game he played with the kids.

Eddie's room was filled with things that screamed Eddie Munson belongs here. Something Steve's own room didn't have. There was no personal touches, other than one sports poster above his bed. The soccer ball Mr Denley had gifted him with was in netted ball bin next to his desk, it was filled with a few other balls including the basket ball Mr Denley gifted him with when he went to visit the man a three years ago.

His room felt empty, much like the rest of his house. No personality, no proof of life. Everything was clean and white and in place. There was no random books scattered around, all of them were set in a specific order in their book shelves. No random pictures littered the wall, just one baby picture of Steve and a few pictures of his parents - their wedding photo, a picture of them at some fancy event and a picture of them on holiday - and two pictures of Steve from when he had won his first basketball match and when he graduated. That was it. His mother's stupid painting hung on the walls but even those were bland compared to stuff that hung on Eddie's wall.

Every inch of his room had life, personality in it. It was all perfectly Eddie.

Steve could only wish to have a room like this. Although even if he could redecorate, he wasn't sure what he would put up. He couldn't put up pictures of hot babes -his parents were disappointed enough- nor could he put up musical posters because he didn't exactly have any favourite artists. Other than Tears For Fears. Sure he liked Queen too, Bowie, Wham and a few other things. But he wasn't as passionate about it as Eddie was about his music.

He wasn't even sure if he had any hobbies at this point, other than basket ball which he still now and then. Movie nights with the gang was also a bit of hobby -more of a tradition- and then hanging out with Eddie. Did that count as a hobby? He wasn't entirely sure but it's not like he could paste pictures of Eddie all over his room. Unless he wanted his parents to kill him.

They hated him enough and treated him like shit, so him having pictures of Hawkins freak pasted all over his walls was not going to help him in that regard. While he didn't care for his parent's affection anymore, he still didn't want anyone bad mouthing Eddie. Especially not because of him.

So yeah. Eddie's room was lived in. It was cool. Everything that Steve's wasn't. It didn't come as a surprise when Eddie asked him to stay over, spouting some shit about it being too late for Steve to drive when they both knew that wasn't the case. He was just looking for an excuse to keep Steve over, even if he didn't need an excuse.

He pushed Steve into the mattress and leaned over him, crowding into his space. "Can I kiss you?"

Steve nodded, not trusting his voice to carry him. He was a mess already and they hadn't even done yet.

Eddie reached up with his free hand and cupped Steve's chin, making him look Eddie directly in the eye. "Come on, let me hear you. Use your voice baby."

Within an instant, Steve was putty in his hands. His breathing was labored already and his skin was on fire, "please - Eddie please."

Eddie chuckled, a low rumble in his chest that Steve felt more than heard. "Okay baby. Let me take care of you." he leaned closer, his lips gently brushing against Steve's. "but first. Promise you'll tell me to stop if it gets too overwhelming."

"It won't get too-" he started.

"Promise me Stevie" Eddie cut him off. The sharp nip of Eddie's teeth just beneath his jaw made him gasp. "If anything feels uncomfortable you can stop me. I won't get mad and more importantly I won't judge you. Ever."

Steve felt like he could cry at that. Eddie was so fucking amazing and sweet. He was so patient with him and Steve wanted to sob because he never knew that he could have that. Have someone who like him for him. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Okay" Steve whispered. "I promise. I'll let you know if I want to stop."

"Good boy." Steve felt goosebumps race across his skin and he couldn't stop himself from whimpering softly as soon as the words left Eddie's lips. Then Eddie kissed him, slow and sweet. Steve reached up to wrap his hands around Eddie's shoulders and leaned into the pressure, leaned into Eddie. They parted too soon for Steve's tastes, but before he could protest he was silenced with another deep kiss.

Eddie pressed himself against Steve with the right pressure in the right places. Pulling soft whimpered moans out of him, all of them swallowed up as Eddie's tongue explored his mouth.

Soon their soft kisses became more fervent. Steve pulled him closer again for a bruising kiss, sucking Eddie's tongue into his mouth with a soft sigh. It didn't take long to turn dirty, Eddie licking filthily at his bottom lip before tugging on it with his teeth hard enough to make Steve whimper.

"Hey dingus!" Robin slapped his cheek, startling him out of his reverie. "What the fuck was that?"

"Huh?" he blinked looking around. Then it dawned on him, he and Robin had been talking about last night and he got so caught up that he completely forgot where he was. "Shit. Sorry. What were you saying?"

She scoffed, a teasing smirk on her lips. "Well you were telling me about Eddie being a good kisser but now I'm not sure I want you to finish the story. I mean if you're blushing from just the thought of it then I don't want the details."

Steve shoved her lightly. "shut up."

She let out a cackle, "you're getting awfully defensive there Harrington. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you two fucked last night."

He broke out into a coughing fit at that, choking on his own spit. He took a minute to catch his breath before giving her a wide eyed stare. "What the fuck Robin? No! We did NOT have sex."

She frowned. "I know it's soon but usually you fuck girls on the first night."

"Yeah but this is different..." He sighed, pursing his lips. "I really like him Robbie. I don't think I've ever liked someone this much before. Not even Nance."

This time it was Robin who broke out into a coughing fit. "Really? I knew you liked him but Nancy was your be all and end all."

He nodded, "I know. That's why it's so scary. I don't want to lose him."

"You won't. He really likes you too." She stopped for a moment before giving him a questioning glance. "Steve. Is this- this insecurity- is it because you're scared of how he's going to react when he finds out you're transgender?"

His entire face fell immediately. His lip trembling again and his eyes instantly got glassy. "Yeah. Last night he made a comment about my d-" he let out a huff. "He's gay Robin! He likes dick and I don't have one!"

Robin pulled him into a tight hug, she rubbed comforting circles on his back as he sobbed. "Steve. You're right. Eddie is gay. He likes men, and you ARE a man. You don't need a dick to be a man."

"What if he hates me? What if he doesn't want me?" His entire body was shaking now.

She pulled away and cupped his cheeks, wiping his tears with her thumbs. "He is not like that. You know this-" she gave him a small smile. "But if he doesn't want you then it's his loss. You're amazing. All of you is amazing Steve and- and Eddie is so lucky to have you in his life. Don't you ever forget that."

He nodded and pulled her back in for another hug. "You're the best. Thank you. I needed that."

She laughed lightly, "no need to thank me. I'll always be here for you. If we could stick together while the Russians tried to kill us, we can stick together through anything."

"You're right." He smirked, wiping away the last few tears and sniffling lightly.

"I'm always right dingus" she teased. He smiled and she smirked, "Now. Tell me all about your date."

He laughed, "I would say that it wasn't a date but.. We're boyfriends now, so it must have been."

She gasped, shoving him lightly. "YOU'RE DATING!"

"Jeez Robin, shut up!" He shushed her.

Both of them looked around at the empty store. "There's nobody here. So spill!"

"It just happened. We were both so fucking nervous and it came bubbling out that we both liked each other." He was smiling now, a bright blush on his cheeks, "and then he asked me to be his boyfriend and I obviously said yes. It wasn't completely romantic - like what I'd usually do to get girls. You know the fancy restaurants and all that shit. But it- it was perfect."

Robin smirked. "Can you even picture Eddie in one of those fancy restaurants. I'm sure he'd hate it."

"No. Those people would probably spend the entire night staring at him and judging him."

"Plus you two can't just be all romantic out in the open, especially here. Hawkins is not exactly a great place for people like us." She added, a sad look on her face.

He nodded, "yeah. There's that too."

They stayed quiet for a bit as they restocked some of the candy shelves. After a while Steve turned to Robin. "How are things going with you and Vickie?"

"We're good. Her parents are going away for the weekend so she wants me to come by and stay over. I said yes. I'm not sure about it though." She played with her fingers and bit her lip nervously.

"Why not? Are you not ready to take things further? Because I'm sure she'd be okay with waiting. You should speak to her about it." He offered.

She pursed her lips. "It's not that I don't want to go. It's just that... I'm scared. What if I screw up?"

Steve laughed lightly. "You sound so much like me right now. You won't screw up Rob. Just be yourself and take your time with it. There's no need to rush things."

Robin nodded before rolling her eyes, "I hate it when you say shit that makes sense."

"That's funny because I feel the same way about you." He retorted.

"Maybe it's because I'm the other half of your brain! I'm your confidante! Your bosom companion! Your plucky sidekick! Your platonic soulmate! Your token gay frie-"

"You're a pain in my ass. That's what you are." Steve cut her off.

She scoffed, "that's more Eddie's department than mine."

"Shut up!" His face was covered in a bright blush, "I hate that I love you."

"No you don't." She stated.

"No I don't." He agreed.

We needed a bit of our favorite platonic besties, so here you go.

This chapter is a bit short, because writers block has been beating my ass.