Thursday evening rolled around quickly and Eddie was painstakingly setting up the classroom ready for the first Hellfire meeting of the year. He's spent the better part of three months planning this campaign and wanted it to start smoothly, especially with three new additions. Jeff was the first to arrive and he took his normal seat, then spent the next ten minutes trying to wheedle information from Eddie who kept his book firmly closed and at his side. Michael was quick to join as he arrived but Gareth looked worried as he sat down.

"What's wrong?" Eddie asked, cutting over Michael asking if there were any pretty dwarf ladies included.

"Harrington's car is outside."

That shut them up and they exchanged nervous looks. "You think he's got backup?"

"Maybe, who knows? It was just his car when I got here."

"Can't those thick-headed grunts go five minutes without ruining our fun?" Jeff complained. "They run around with a ball and that's fine but this isn't?"

"Alright, alright, I hear you," Eddie said placatingly. "But we don't know why Harrington is here yet. Let's just take it down a notch. I doubt he even knows we're here." Not much went on in his pretty head as far as Eddie was concerned.

They were interrupted as Mike and Lucas walked in. "Hey," Lucas said nervously, looking at their tense circle. "Is something wrong?"

"Just deciding if we're about to be beaten up by a bunch of jocks," Gareth told them cheerily. "Did you see any cars in the parking lot, other than Harrington's BMW?"

"Hold up, you think Steve is here to crash the party?" Mike snickered.

"Steve? You two twerps know him?" Eddie asked incredulously. Somehow three fourteen-year-old boys were more unbelievable than just one. Both were too busy laughing to answer so when Dustin walked in Eddie was quick to point at him. "Hey, Henderson, what's the deal with Harrington outside? Is he here to kill us or not?"

"Uh, no." Dustin dropped a large plastic container on the table and sighed, meeting Eddie's questioning gaze. "Steve dropped us off. He's not a bad guy, you know."

"Right," Gareth drew out the word. "You weren't here during his reign."

"Alright I know he was an asshole but yeah, he's cool now."

Eddie, keen to get things back on track, pointed at the container. "What's that?"

"Snacks." Dustin took off the lid to reveal several muffins. They smelled amazing.

"Save them for break," Eddie instructed him and clapped his hands together. "Alright, let's get this party started! Did you all bring your character sheets?"

They had barely started playing by finishing time. All the set-up, world-building and fine tuning had taken hours but everyone was happy and looking forward to next week when the action would finally start. The highlight of Eddie's night - not that he'd ever admit it out loud - was the muffins. Presumably, Dustin's mom had baked them or something but they were mouth-wateringly good and he'd made Dustin promise to bring more next week.

The janitor ushered them from the building soon after and Eddie had to enlist help to get everything into his van. He only drove on Thursdays because he couldn't walk to school with all the D&D stuff. Dustin was quick to help and trailed after him, holding several books and boards as they crossed the parking lot. "You sure know a lot about D&D."

"Of course. How else could I make campaigns worth playing?" Eddie helped him put everything in the back securely. As he locked the doors he noticed it was getting dark. "Do you need a ride home?"

"Nah, Steve's here." And he pointed to the maroon BMW parked a few spaces over. Mike and Lucas were already talking to Steve in fast voices and he looked confused but was smiling and nodding. "I better go, bye, Eddie!"

"See ya tomorrow, Henderson."

Steve's smile became more genuine as Dustin reached him and he ruffled the kid's hair. He was soon frowning again but this time Eddie could hear Dustin talking about the session and realised he was confused. Suddenly he looked up at caught Eddie watching who fumbled with his keys, embarrassed at being caught. Steve only gave him a helpless shrug before herding the kids into his car and Eddie got in his van.

Following Steve's car onto the road, Eddie turned right as he went left and couldn't help glancing in the mirror as his rear lights faded into the distance. Switching on the radio to fill the silence, Eddie tapped to the beat and mentally reorganised some plot points for the campaign.

It was only when he got home and made his way to his room that he finally allowed himself to think about Steve. Why on earth was he driving three teenagers around? Eddie couldn't imagine it was because he had nothing better to do. He'd have thought Steve would be busy living up the bachelor lifestyle at this point but apparently not. Maybe they weren't so different after all. He snorted at the thought and rummaged through the books on his desk to find the textbook he was supposed to be reading for Literature.

They had nothing in common.

So when the next Hellfire meeting rolled around he was more than a little surprised to see Steve walking through the door. "Don't get used to it, Munson," He answered before Eddie could ask. "I'm only crashing this one session. I promise to stay out of your hair."

"If you say so, Harrington. Why don't you sit down and keep that pretty mouth shut whilst we play?" Eddie asked sweetly, biting his lip to not laugh when Steve's cheeks turned pink.

He did as he was asked though and sat down in the corner, not speaking the entire time. Instead, he spent the next few hours reading. Eddie was very curious to know what since he couldn't remember Steve ever glancing at a book before but was preoccupied keeping the session going. By the time it finished, he forgot to ask.

Steve came back the next week and the following one after that. He stopped making promises it was a one-time thing and took what was now his seat, bringing out another textbook whilst they played. The kids had no problem with him being there but it took the rest of them the first couple of sessions to relax around Steve. He wasn't particularly threatening but old habits die hard. They were all waiting for King Steve to make an appearance but he never did.

Curiosity finally won after the third week of this and Eddie pulled the book from Steve's hands as they stopped for a break. "What's this, Enterprising Young Minds?"

"Hey!"

Eddie stepped back as Steve made a grab for the book. "Chill out, Harrington. I'm only asking a question, I won't steal your book. Though I'm surprised to see you reading this. It's thicker than any of the school textbooks." Eddie flipped through it casually to see it was page after page of text. "No pictures?"

"Contrary to what you may think, I can read." Steve got up and held out his hand. Eddie also made another important discovery and he couldn't believe it had taken three weeks to notice. Steve was wearing glasses.

"Dude, since when do you need glasses?" Distracted, Steve managed to steal his book back. "I mean, it's not a bad look but-"

"I hit my head." Steve cut him off thankfully before he could say anything else embarrassing. "Can't see well out of my left eye. So I need them to read."

"Huh."

"And I'm studying, at community college."

"No ivy scholar league school for you?"

"No." Steve took off the glasses and looked at Eddie curiously. "Why the interrogation? Actually, don't answer that. I want to ask some questions. It's only fair since you've asked me, like, three."

"Alright, shoot." Eddie leaned against the table, trying to maintain some form of casualness. It was the most they'd ever spoken to each other without throwing insults. He found the conversation quite enlightening.

Steve, however, moved to the door and checked outside. Satisfied he hopped onto the table and leaned closer to Eddie. "I don't have a question really, more of a request."

"What can this humble Dungeon Master do for you on this fine evening?" He picked up one of the tarts on the table and poked a finger in the jam curiously.

"It's raspberry." Eddie nodded and started eating. "Can you teach me to play?"

"Play?" He asked suspiciously. "What, D&D?"

"No basketball obviously."

"Hilarious." Eddie took another bite of the tasty pastry, considering Steve. "Didn't think this was your scene."

"It's not but the kids talk about it constantly and it's hard to understand a word of what they're saying. I don't want to play, I just want to know enough to keep up." Steve shrugged. "It's cool if you don't, only a suggestion."

"Sure," Eddie agreed quickly without thought. He cleared his throat and finished the tart before continuing, "Come round mine after you drop the gremlins off tonight. I've got all the stuff out so it'll be easier."

"Thanks." The others were filing back into the room so Steve gave him a small smile before returning to his seat. Eddie watched as he put his glasses back on and started reading, then realised he was staring and hurried to his chair before the others noticed. The rest of the session passed quickly and Eddie was filled with nervous anticipation as Steve murmured, "See you in an hour," when they left.

At home, Eddie spent most of the hour cleaning. Since Wayne was always working or sleeping during the day it fell to him to do most of the housework. Which of course, he didn't. Not without provocation anyway. The impending arrival of Steve Harrington provided sufficient motivation. He'd just finished clearing up the empty beer cans littering the main room when there was a quiet knock at the door.

Steve looked out of place as he stood in the doorway, looking back at the trailer park nervously. He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked backwards. Eddie had the impulse to grab his sweater before he could fall off the rickety steps. Of course, Steve didn't, he just smiled and seemed a little dazed. "Planning to come in or stay out there all night?" Eddie joked and stepped back to let him in.

"Sorry, I've never seen your tattoos before."

Eddie had shed his vest and jacket, leaving him in just his Hellfire shirt and jeans. He glanced down at Steve's words to the tattoos on his arm. "Well, you should see me shirtless." He shut the door with a wince, wishing his automatic reaction wasn't to flirt with Steve.

"Maybe next time." Was he flirting back?

Eddie squashed the thought immediately. He wasn't going down that road, especially not with Steve. Despite the obvious fact that Steve was straight, they didn't run in the same circles. The jock and the freak did not work together. So instead he walked to the fridge and opened it, hoping the coolness would make his blush go away. "Want a beer?"

"Sure, only one though. I've gotta drive."

He handed one over and indicated the couch. "Sit."

Steve did and looked around at the books and papers littering the small coffee table. "Uh, where do we start?"

"Character sheets." Eddie slapped a blank one in front of him and Steve frowned.

"I told you I don't want to play."

"Best way to learn is to play. I won't tell the others. This'll be our secret." He leaned in close as he spoke and held out a pencil. "I'll hide the sheet."

"Okay," Steve replied hesitantly as he took the pencil. Eddie almost jerked back at the spark of warmth when their fingers brushed together. Steve didn't notice or chose not to comment as he put his glasses on and frowned at the sheet. "What's alignment?"

"How about we start with a name?"

"Right, makes sense."

It should have been annoying having to explain everything like Steve was a toddler. Eddie enjoyed it though and after encouraging a second beer into them they both began to relax. "Of course, you chose Lawful Good," Eddie groaned as Steve circled the alignment.

"What's that mean?"

"You're too much of a pretty boy. Have you ever done anything risky at all?"

"A few things." His smile didn't quite hide the darkness in his eyes but before Eddie could ask he was talking again. "You know, I didn't understand it at first, the whole Dungeon Master thing. I thought you'd be ordering them around or something. You're real good at guiding them without being overbearing. Maybe I can pick up a few tips from you. Max always says I'm too much of a mom to them."

"Max?"

"Oh, um, Maxine Mayfield? She lives here too." Steve gestured vaguely towards the door and Eddie nodded. "She's friends with the kids."

"Funny, I always thought they were talking about a dude."

"Nope. Haven't you met her? I mean, you practically live next door."

"I don't go around knocking on fourteen-year-old girls' doors, Steve." Eddie rolled his eyes and sat up. "People already think I'm a freak. No need to add pedo to the list."

"That's not-" Steve broke off and started laughing. Eddie couldn't help cracking a smile. "Never mind."

"Speaking of creeps… Why are you friends with so many kids?"

"I used to date Nancy Wheeler, Mike's older sister? Anyway, I ended up babysitting them one time and got dragged into all their shit and now I guess I'm their friend?"

"Free babysitter more like."

"I don't mind." There was something in his voice beyond fondness but Eddie knew he shouldn't pry so let it go. Roped into babysitting kids or not, Steve is a good friend to them.

Instead, he goes straight into another awkward topic. "So do you still like Nancy then?"

"W-what?" Steve looked genuinely startled by the question. "No of course not. That ship has most definitely sailed." He didn't sound too upset about it either. "I'm looking for someone a little better for me. I don't want to have to pretend to be someone I'm not."

"Fair enough. Got anyone in mind?"

"No. Robin thinks I should try beings friends with people first. Apparently, friends turned lovers are more likely to stay together." Steve sighed and leaned back, running a careful hand through his hair. Eddie watched, fascinated as it held its perfect form. He wondered what kind of magic Steve used on it and had to fight the impulse to touch. As it was his hand had risen from the table and he quickly scratched the back of his neck for an excuse. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Um, no." Eddie did not want to get into that conversation. Steve might not be such a douche anymore but he highly doubted he'd be cool hanging out with a gay dude alone. Eddie liked his face the way it was, thank you. "I'm more of a loner."

"Yeah, I can see that." Steve's eyes travelled around the trailer and settled on the pile of haphazardly folded laundry. In Eddie's defence, he only had about ten minutes to fold it all. "Where are your parents?"

"Dad's in jail and not a clue about my mom. I live with my uncle."

"Oh?"

"Yeah," Eddie replied defensively. He hated people talking shit about Wayne, who had taken him in even though he could barely support himself. "He's working. Not all of us can afford fancy houses, Harrington. We can barely afford my stupid textbooks but hey, not a problem when I've needed the same set three years running."

An awkward silence fell between them. Eddie knew his face was flushed and got to his feet, turning away from Steve. "I think it's cool- Your house I mean! Not the shitty parents thing. This place feels lived in. Your uncle must be a good dude, love you a lot."

"He does." Despite Eddie being a constant failure with no future. He turned and leaned again at the counter to watch Steve pick up the first edition guide to D&D and absently flip through it. "What about your parents? Bet they'd be thrilled to know you were here."

"If they cared they would probably throw a fit." Steve gently put the book down and fell back against the couch. He tilted his head back to look at Eddie with a wry smile. "Spoiler, they don't give a shit. I'm just one big disappointment to them. They've given up."

"Wow, that… sucks."

"Eh, could be worse. They could be around more to complain. I've got a pretty sweet deal all things considered." Steve frowned, eyes wandering to the fridge and got up to move closer, carefully picking up a photo. It was a couple of years old now, a picture of Eddie and Wayne at the Fourth of July celebrations in town. "Your hair's shorter."

"Used to be buzzed in middle school."

"I remember," Steve said softly and he stuck the photo back to the fridge. "I think it looks better like this."

Eddie absently pulled his hair across his face to hide his smile, then realised what he was doing and brushed it back. "Thanks." He cast about for something to say and his eyes landed on a stack of VHS tapes. "Wanna watch a movie?"

"Sure."

He grabbed one at random and shoved it into the player.

They sat on opposite ends of the couch again but Eddie soon got up to grab some snacks. Something about Steve set him on edge and he couldn't sit still. As he passed he dropped the bag of chips into Steve's lap and fell next to him. He was surprised when he was offered some but shoved his hand in anyway. They ended up sitting closer to share the snacks and the warm press of Steve's thigh against his was highly distracting.

"Do you always move so much?" Eddie hummed, engrossed in the action of a bloody battle on screen. His attention was immediately diverted as Steve pressed a firm hand to his leg to stop it from bouncing. "Fidgety."

"Sorry, I'll move away." He tried to scoot back but Steve's grip tightened around his thigh to hold him in place. It send a shock up Eddie's spine that he decidedly ignored.

"I wasn't complaining, just observing."

Eddie stared into Steve's eyes in surprise for a long moment before realising he'd asked a question. "Oh, yeah, I'm not good at being still. Gotta be doing something."

"Uh..." Steve patted his pockets and then with a grin produced a small ball. "Here," And he tossed it to Eddie who flinched and awkwardly caught it in his chest. He was surprised to find it was soft. "Squeeze it."

So he did and the foam gave under his grip before swelled back into shape. "Whoa, that's cool."

"There you go," Steve said happily before turning back to the TV.

Eddie absently played with the ball as they watched, squeezing and poking at the foam. More than once he caught Steve watching and would go rigid, staring at the TV determinedly but then he'd find himself messing with it again. By the time the credits rolled his fingers were starting to ache.

"I should get going. I'm opening the store tomorrow." Steve stood and stretched, his shirt riding up to expose his midsection. Suddenly an old stain on the carpet looked very interesting and Eddie was definitely not memorising the trail of hair from his belly button leading down to- "This was fun." Steve's voice interrupted his thoughts and Eddie glanced up, sure his guilty face would be obvious. But Steve only smiled. "Everyone always said you were weird but you're not."

"You sound surprised."

"Pleasantly surprised."

"Thanks, I think." Eddie rolled his eyes and kicked Steve, albeit gently. "You're not too bad yourself King Steve."

He pulled a sour face. "Don't call me that."

"Why not?"

"That's not me anymore. I'm just Steve now."

Eddie got up to escort him to the door. Steve paused at the bottom of the steps outside and laughed softly. "What?"

"I still don't know anything about your game."

Eddie grinned and leaned out. "Well, just Steve, you'll have to keep coming back until it sticks. Think you can handle that?"

"I can handle anything you throw at me, Munson." He shot back before turning and walking to his car, throwing a wave over his shoulder. "Later."

"Later," He murmured back, too quiet for Steve to hear. He listened to Steve's car drive away and let his head fall back against the closed door with a thud. When he opened his eyes it was to see the foam ball sitting innocently on the counter. "I'm so fucking screwed."

...

A/N: The Hellfire club will also be more involved, we need more Gareth!

And the stupid little foam ball? Just appeared of it's own volition. It's Eddie's problem now.