"Come on you piece of shit." Eddie turned the key again, listening to the engine turn over a few times before sputtering out. He groaned, head falling back against the headrest. "Fuck."

Just his luck the van would break on a Thursday.

With a heavy sigh, Eddie kicked open the door and got out. It was going to be a long walk to school carrying all the D&D stuff. Almost an hour later he reached the building and gratefully shoved everything in his locker. His arms were aching after carrying all those books across town. He'd have to ask Michael for a ride home after the session.

"Sorry, I can't." Michael shrugged apologetically when Eddie asked at lunch. "Gotta pick up my dad on the way home. He'll be pissed if I'm late for dropping you off."

"Jeff?" Eddie turned to him desperately but he only shook his head. "Shit."

"Better get your van fixed for next week, man."

"Yeah, if I can afford it," Eddie grumbled, sliding down in his seat. He'd stopped selling drugs, trying to keep his promise to Wayne about staying out of trouble. Sure he still had some leftover weed but that was for him and only on weekends now. Being responsible was hard. "I'm gonna need a job at this rate."

"You tried looking around town? Plenty of jobs after the mall went down."

"I'll look over the weekend."

"What are we talking about?" Mike asked as he and Dustin sat down.

"How much being an adult sucks. Where's Sinclair?" Eddie glanced over at the basketball team before either could respond. "Ah, the dark side."

"Is he gracing us with his presence tonight?" Jeff asked the younger teens.

"Yeah, we're having an earlier meeting, right?" Dustin looked at Eddie who nodded. "I'll have to let Steve know so he gets here in time to pick us up."

"Hey, has Harrington got space for one more?"

"I think so, why?"

"I need a ride." Both Dustin and Mike looked vaguely confused. "What, don't think we can get along for one car ride?"

Dustin only shrugged and started to eat but Mike asked, "Don't you guys hate each other?"

"More like... vague dislike." Eddie waved his hand airily. "He's not so bad now he's washed up."

"Hey!" Dustin glared at him, actually startling Eddie with his intensity. "Don't talk shit about Steve! He's a good guy, better than you'd think."

"Oh yeah?" Gareth asked. "What did he do to get you blowing smoke up his ass?"

Dustin and Mike shared a significant look. "Nothing," he finally said, stabbing at his potatoes.

Eddie shared a confused glance with the others but shrugged, letting the subject go. Whatever Steve had done, they weren't going to explain. It made Eddie think of what Steve said when he'd come over the week before about being dragged into their shit. Considering how smart and nosy Dustin was, he wouldn't be surprised if it was something illegal. No wonder they were all tight-lipped about it.

Any thoughts of possible illegal mishaps were quickly driven from his mind when he got to Calculus after lunch. In fact, he didn't have a free thought except for this is bullshit when he was tasked with writing an essay about how the industrial revolution impacted World War Two.

By the time the final bell rang he was exhausted and almost unenthusiastic about the Hellfire meeting. Even more so when he learned Steve wouldn't be crashing their party. Dustin only frowned when he asked why. "He's working and we're starting early. Why do you care anyway?"

"I don't, Henderson. Now, what treats did you bring us this time?"

Cookies with marshmallows baked into them.

In one word, divine.

Eddie almost wanted to propose marriage to Mrs Henderson.

Halfway through the session, it started to rain and Eddie stared at the drops on the window, hoping it would clear up. An hour later it had gotten heavier. Steve was his only hope. When he rocked up as they were finishing for the night, hair flattened and slick with rain, Eddie swore he was only pleased to see his hopeful ride, nothing else.

Squeezing the foam ball that had made a home in his pocket, Eddie grabbed Steve's arm and pulled him away from the group. "Mind giving me a ride, Harrington? My van broke down and I don't fancy my chances in this weather." They both looked out at the rain lashing against the window. "I'll make it worth your while."

"Alright, Munson, no need to get on your knees," Steve murmured and Eddie reared back, surprised and embarrassingly blushing. Steve didn't mention it thankfully, instead, he clapped his hands and raised his voice for the room to hear. "Anyone wanting a ride with me better help pack up or you're getting left behind." He winked at Eddie as the kids scrambled to clean up. "You're welcome."

Everything was packed up in record time and everyone helped with carrying it to the car. Steve made them wait in the doorway so he could get the car as close as possible, much to Eddie's relief. He'd been worrying about the water damage the short walk would cause. Steve reversed right to the doors so it was one less thing on his mind.

"Shotgun!" Dustin called but Steve caught him as he opened the passenger door. "What?"

"Do you think Eddie will fit in the back? Sorry, Henderson, your rights have been revoked for tonight."

"Not cool!"

"Sorry, butthead." Eddie shrugged unapologetically and took his seat. As Steve slid in, Eddie stretched out his legs and grinned. "Thanks, Harringt-"

"Steve."

"Thanks, Steve."

"Can we go?" Lucas leaned between them with a pointed look. "My mom will freak if I'm not home in the next twenty minutes."

"Alright, alright. Seatbelts on."

Eddie spent the ride messing with the foam ball. He stiffened when he caught Steve watching out of the corner of his eye. "Eyes on the road." Steve huffed, lips curving into a smile but he didn't say anything. The others were talking loudly in the back, none of them noticing the exchange.

Mike and Lucas were the first dropped off, sprinting for their houses to take shelter. Dustin filled the silence with chatter about his predictions for the campaign. Eddie was slightly miffed that most of his guesses were true but only hummed vaguely in response. He'd have to try harder in future to surprise this kid.

"Thanks, Steve. See you tomorrow, Eddie!" Dustin slammed the door and waved as he ran off.

Steve winced and muttered, "One day I'm gonna bill him for breaking that door."

"Yeah, good luck." As Steve turned the car around, Eddie popped open the glove box to rummage through his cassette tapes. "You're so predictable; Tears for Fears, Madonna, Phil Collins... Oh, what do we have here?" He grinned and pulled out a worn case from the back but he'd recognise the artwork anywhere. "Kill 'Em All, didn't peg you as a Metallica fan. Is this yours?"

"Yes, it's mine. Put it on." Steve was already humming along to the first song, Hit the Lights.

"You're just full of surprises."

"I aim to please." And without missing a beat he started singing along, voice a little too high for heavy metal but still melodic. "No life 'til leather. Gonna kick some ass tonight..."

Eddie laughed and picked up the next line, "we got the metal madness. When our fans start screaming it's right."

"You've got a nice voice," Steve's smile was all charm and the worst thing was, it worked. Eddie stuttered to a stop and looked out the window, hiding his face behind a sweep of hair. "I wasn't trying to be mean."

"I know. Yours is nice too."

"I don't sing in a band."

"Which makes it worse that your voice is better!"

"Yours is suited for metal!"

"I'm sure you could rock a Tears for Fears song."

"Oh, can I change the tape then?"

"No." Eddie batted his hand away from the console, coming out of his hiding space. "We're gonna listen to this whole album."

"Your house is like, ten minutes away. That's not a lot of time." Steve frowned as the song changed, tapping an irregular beat against the steering wheel. "We could... go back to mine? It's the other side of town, enough time for a couple more songs."

"Wow, I'm being invited to Castle Harrington?"

"Shut up. I can take you home."

"No, no, I wanna see the Manor." Eddie waggled his eyebrows as Steve scoffed. "Do you have a pool too?" When he didn't answer, Eddie knew he'd hit home. "Holy shit, you do!"

"Play your cards right and I'll let you use it."

"Ooh, that a promise?"

"If you duet Whiplash with me, sure."

Eddie found he had a weakness for guys who knew heavy metal. Specifically, Steve Harrington headbanging to Metallica in his BMW. Someone with such perfect hair shouldn't be able to do that without a hair out of place.

"Okay, I have to know, how do you keep your hair like that?" Eddie ran a hand through his own curls, rings getting caught in a tangle. "Because it's fucking ridiculous."

"Trademark secret," Steve replied smugly. "What kinda shampoo do you use?"

"Uh, the two-in-one stuff."

"No!" Steve actually sounded upset. "Not with your curls! Eddie... your hair deserves better."

"Oh, I'm sorry hair doctor, I can't exactly afford proper products."

An awkward silence followed before Steve said quietly, "I'll help you, no excuses. I can't look at your hair now without cringing."

"I don't want your pity."

"It's for my sanity." Steve looked at him pleadingly. "Please?" Christ, how could he say no to that face? Steve grinned as his resistance crumbled. "You won't regret this!"

"I already am."

"I'll have to look into it, get the right products because curly hair is so different to straight hair but... no, let me think about it for a while. I'll let you know when I'm ready." Steve was babbling, voice brimming with enough excitement to make Eddie smile. "Okay, enough about hair."

"Thank god."

Steve smacked his arm half-heartedly. "Don't judge me. So what do you wanna do when we get to mine? I got some movies from work or..."

"I got weed?" Eddie patted his pocket. "You smoke?"

"Used to. Not so much anymore."

"Aww, did daddy catch you?"

Steve scoffed. "No, well yes but that didn't stop me. No, I... had a bad trip. I don't smoke anymore."

"That sucks."

"Tell me about it." He muttered, letting out a long sigh. "So we'll watch a movie, your choice?"

"Sounds like a plan." Eddie agreed as they turned onto a street full of large, fancy houses. He stared as they drove by, wondering how the hell he'd ended up here.

Right, his shitty van. Guess it was good for something after all.

Steve pulled up outside one of the largest, the only car on a spacious driveway and got out. Eddie was too busy staring up at the house to notice until his door opened and jerked back. Steve bent down with a smile. "Wanna come in?"

"Sure." He took Steve's hand and got out. "What a gentleman. You treat all your dates like this?"

"Only the ones I really like." Steve let him go to open the door. "Come on in, I'll grab some drinks. The living room's on the left."

Eddie hesitated in the doorway and kicked off his shoes, running a hand through his damp hair. The hallway gave onto a staircase, with a landing branching to the left and right. The painting hanging on the wall was probably more expensive than his entire trailer. Eddie reached out to touch it but thought better of it, shoving his hand in his pocket instead.

The whole place looked straight from a catalogue.

Somehow it didn't fit Steve who was banging around in the kitchen. A man who went to community college to stay in town for a bunch of kids he cared about. A man who worked a dead-end job and was friends with Robin Buckley over Tommy H and Carol. Eddie could commend him for finally gaining some sense. He wasn't exactly King Steve anymore. So who was he?

A smell distracted him, something familiar that tickled Eddie's brain. He sniffed again and frowned, racking his head for an answer.

Cookies.

Oh, Mrs Henderson's cookies from today. She must've baked extra for Steve. Eddie hoped he'd bring them out because he'd only gotten one and they were fucking delicious. He meandered towards the kitchen in the hopes of finding more.

"This place is kinda..." Eddie trailed off as he spotted a row of photographs. He didn't like the stiff smile on Steve's face in every one and quickly looked away.

"I know," Steve called back. "Trust me, I can't wait to move out."

"Why haven't you?"

"Parents cut me off, I work minimum wage and I've got bills to pay. I have a trust fund but I don't want to rely on it." He joined Eddie in the hallway, handing him a can of pop. "Cheers to being broke."

"Not quite the same."

"No, not really." Still, he clinked their cans together and drank deeply. "So what's wrong with your car?"

"Dunno yet, I'll have a look over the weekend. Hopefully, I can fix it. If I have to take it to a shop it's gonna be expensive." Eddie followed him into the living room and fell on one of the couches with a groan.

"You can fix cars?"

"If it's simple, yeah."

"Huh." Steve sat next to him and smiled. "You should get a job at a garage. Hey, can I call you when my car goes wrong?"

"What do I get in return?"

"Anything you want."

Eddie looked Steve up and down, considering that. "There's a lot of things I want, Harrington. Dunno if you can give them to me though."

"Try me."

Holy fuck. Steve was really flirting with him, wasn't he?

Steve got up suddenly. "So, what about that movie?"

Or... maybe Eddie was projecting. Yep, definitely that.

"Show me what you got." Eddie perused the choices, eyes finally alighting on the only decent option. "The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Best movie ever."

"Never watched it. Max must've left it here last time she was over."

"Max has good taste because you are in for a treat my friend."

"Oh, are we friends now?" Steve asked teasingly as he took the box and inserted the tape. When he settled back on the couch next to Eddie, he raised an eyebrow questioningly. "So are we?"

"Guess so, Harrington. Cheers." Eddie tapped their cans and drank.

"Since we're friends you should really call me Steve."

"Fine, Steve."

"This movie better be good, Eddie. Otherwise, I'm revoking your right to choose next time."

"Next time?" Eddie tried not to sound too excited at the prospect. "Have to warn you, I'm kind of a freak. You hang around with me too much, it'll rub off on you."

"See, what most people don't know is..." Steve leaned in close, voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm kind of a freak myself."

Eddie swallowed thickly and managed to get out, "how so?"

"Oh, Eds, gotta wait until the third date for that."

Eds?

No, he already liked that.

"Is this a first date?"

Steve frowned and pulled back. "Mmm, nah. Seems kinda forced on you if it was. I'll let you know if it's a date."

"You do that." Eddie hid his smile by taking another drink. "Now shut up and enjoy the movie."

Surprisingly, Steve did. He laughed in all the right places and Eddie was sure he focused a little too much whenever Tim Curry was on the screen. Eddie tried not to read into it. Steve was... well he was Steve Harrington. He dated girls, exclusively and he did it well if the rumours were to be believed. Eddie wasn't going down this road, not when he knew how it ended.

This was new, fragile and friendship.

Eddie wasn't going to ruin it.

"Hey, you're doing a lot of thinking for someone watching their favourite movie." Steve poked him in the cheek. "Want another drink?"

"Sure." Eddie watched him get up and walk to the kitchen, eyes definitely not glued to his ass. He groaned and covered his face. "Fucking perfect."

By the time Steve returned he had himself back under control. He could be cool, casual even. Just two guys watching a movie. So what if one of them was gay and the other super attractive? Nope. Eddie cut that thought off immediately. Steve was not attractive. He was a rich douchebag who helped make Eddie's life hell less than a year ago.

The thought sobered him and he sat up, putting the drink down. "Hey, I should get home."

"You sure? There's only fifteen minutes left."

"I need to go. Wayne will be worried about me." Not entirely a lie but Steve looked unconvinced. "Can you give me a ride back, please?"

"Okay." The ride back was quiet, only the sound of Kill 'Em All keeping the silence from being oppressive. Eddie flinched as red and blue lights started flashing behind them and Steve cursed, pulling over. "I'm sure it's nothing," He told Eddie reassuringly when he curled up on the seat.

Eddie's fears were not assuaged when Chief Hopper knocked on Steve's window. He sighed and leaned through as it was opened. "Your tail light's out. Good thing it was me who caught you or you'd be getting a ticket."

"Thanks, Hop. I'll get it fixed first thing tomorrow."

The Chief nodded, eyes sliding over to where Eddie was practically in a ball. "You been smoking?"

"No."

"So if I searched the car I wouldn't find any illegal substances?"

Steve sighed. "Come on, Hop. We're sober, I promise. Eddie just gave me some weed to help after... everything. We haven't smoked, it's to help me sleep."

"Alright..." And to Eddie's relief, the Chief stood up and tapped the hood of the car. "Get home safe. I'm sure I'll see you soon. Stay out of trouble, Munson."

"Yeah," He mumbled quietly as Steve nodded and pulled away. After a few minutes passed, he relaxed. "Thanks. Wayne would kill me if I got arrested for drugs again."

"Don't mention it. I know Hopper's a grouch but he's cool underneath it."

"Guess it helps you've got money to stay out of trouble."

"That's not-" Steve sighed with a frown. "Never mind."

"Hey, I'll fix your car tomorrow. A thank you for saving my ass back there." Eddie offered, trying to lighten the mood and he was relieved to see Steve smile.

"Can I come over after work?"

"Sure, gives me time to check my van."

Steve pulled up outside Eddie's trailer and killed the engine. "Everything okay? You seem kinda... put off. Did I do something?"

"No, I'm fine." Eddie fumbled with his seatbelt and quickly got out. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah."

Eddie nodded and hurried inside before he got soaked. As he closed the door he banged his head back against it and groaned. He needed to get this stupid thing under control if he wanted to remain friends with Steve. Attractive or not, they were friends. His stupid hindbrain would just have to accept that.

Maybe Steve was flirty by nature, that's why he pulled so many girls. It wasn't an Eddie-specific kind of thing just a Steve thing.

And whatever Steve's connection was to the Police Chief - whether or not that included the doubtless illegal activities he did with those kids - was not Eddie's business.

...

A/N: So... The whole flirting thing wasn't supposed to happen for a while but apparently, I can't write these two without them being flirty