1986
Steve was spending his day off at Creed's Auto Garage.
He wore a plain white T-shirt and jeans, already stained with sweat and grease. He was wheeled underneath what remained of Billy's car. He had bought it from the junkyard after Billy's father took off, leaving Max and her mother. Everything that happened on the 4th seemed like some awful bad dream in which Steve couldn't forget.
The mall burned down, and the government covered everything up as an accidental fire. That explained all the deaths, in which all of their bodies were unable to be recovered by how awful the fire had been.
There had been one body that was recovered.
That was Billy.
Steve refused to let go of him, until Jonthan, Robin, and Nancy helped carry Billy's lifeless body out with him. Afterwards, Steve watched a special government paramedic load Billy's body into a black rubber bodybag, and that's when the reality of it all came crashing down. Billy was dead. Steve stood there for a second, watching the madness unfold as the mall burned down behind them. The choppers, the tanks, the flashing lights...everything started to blur together. He felt numb all over, before his stomach twisted into knots. Turning away suddenly, he violently vomited onto the pavement, his stomach lurching, and he strained himself. Tasting the sour acid still in his mouth, he felt another bunch start coming up, before hands pressed up against his back, gently rubbing it.
"Shhhh..."
When finally he knew he was done, he spit, and turned. Robin was there. She put her arm around him, her eyes heartbroken for him.
"Come on...let's go get your face checked out."
A week later was Billy's funeral. Steve figured that the government had taken Billy's body, most likely tested it, then had their own men do an autopsy, before handing it over to the funeral home. Steve had heard that they were saying Billy was killed inside the mall, when the roof collapsed. Robin had gone with him to the funeral, and honestly, he didn't know how he could have made it through all of this without her. All of his old friends had graduated, or had drifted away from him. Dustin was just a kid like the others and didn't understand, yet didn't ask one single question about Billy and him. Steve figured maybe they had been talked to, and settled on just leaving it alone. Sure, there was Nancy and Jonthan, but ever since the breakup things had been awkward, and he was certain after she watched him lose it over Billy's body, she put two and two together.
He didn't care, in fact he didn't care if the whole town knew. All that meant was that Billy was gone...and he was alone.
His parents had been away when all of this happened so, they never knew he had been missing, or even involved. His mother called on the 5th, worried, telling him they had seen on the news what had happened with the mall, and asked if they needed to come home early? Steve's whose face was still swollen and badly bruised, said that since it was the 4th he hadn't been working, and was totally okay. He held back tears, so badly wanting to break down. That night, he fell asleep in Billy's shirt he kept in his bedroom, sobbing. Robin came over the next day and had been his support the whole time. They arrived at the funeral and hung back. Steve saw the kids, all looking uncomfortable in dress shirts, or suits. Dustin smiled at him and nodded, and Steve forced a small sad one back at him. Steve saw Billy's father, stepmother, and Max. Max was in a simple black dress, her hair tied back, her eyes puffy from crying. Steve stared at the simple coffin, covered in flowers, and knew Billy was inside there. They were planning on leaving this place together...where they could be happy.
Instead, all of those hopes and dreams were being buried in that coffin. It took a few weeks, but finally a headstone was put there, and almost every evening Steve stopped by, walked over, and just stared. It took awhile, but Steve was able to pretend everything was okay. His mother instantly liked Robin, and even hinted that she seemed like a nice girl. Steve knew what she was getting at, and made sure she knew they were just friends. His father must have sensed he was depressed, and seemed to ease up a bit on him. That fall both Robin and him applied to the Family Video store together, and Steve ended up having enough saved that he bought Billy's car after figuring out where it went. He spent all of his free time working on it. His parents just seemed happy he was working, and had found a hobby. Yet every night he kept dreaming of Billy screaming as that monster killed him. Blood dripping out of his mouth, never knowing that Steve hadn't abandoned him, that he was right there, watching horrified from above. November came, and that's when Steve heard about Billy's father leaving Max's mother, and heading back to the West Coast.
He knew Max had originally tried to be happy, but the few times he saw her around, he saw her becoming more and more distant.
Steve finally knew he had to do something...for Billy.
He arrived on a chilly windy day, wearing his blue Member's Only jacket. Hands stuffed in his pockets, he pulled his car up behind Billy's father's truck, packed full of stuff. He parked, and saw Neil coming out carrying a box. Glaring, Steve climbed out, but first popped his trunk. Getting out, he stood there, and stared at him. Neil raised an eyebrow confused, before Steve strolled over.
"Mr. Hargrove?"
Neil stopped, and put the box into the back of the truck before turning, and looking at him confused.
"Yeah?"
Steve took a second, before looking down and shaking his head.
"You probably don't know me...but I knew Billy."
Neil made a face.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, we went to school together."
Neil's eyes seemed to tear up slightly as he shook his head.
"Godamn sin what happened to him. Just a kid. I tried getting a lawyer to sue that fucking Starcourt but they said there wasn't any chance. My boy dies along with how many others, all burnt up...and we're all left picking up the pieces."
Steve stared at him, feeling his hands turn into fists inside his pockets.
"Yeah...well, I guess I just wanted to tell you I know."
Neil looked even more confused.
"Know what?"
Steve took a step closer.
"About the abuse. About all the times you kicked the shit out of him just so you could feel like a man. I know everything, and I know you're a coward who's abandoning his wife and stepdaughter, putting on a performance that you're actually sad that your only son is dead. Let me tell you something Mr. Hargrove, your son died a hero...something you'll never be."
Neil glared at him.
"What the fuck did you just say?"
Steve took a step closer, eyes wide and wild.
"You heard me. Oh...by the way. I'm Steve Harrington...your son's boyfriend."
Steve smirked, before turning and walking towards his car. He heard footsteps behind him, and luckily reached his trunk which was open. A rough hand grabbed the shoulder of his jacket, roughly trying to pull him backwards. Steve reached into the trunk, and spun in the opposite direction. Neil jumped back, instantly letting go when he saw Steve's bat with the nails in it. Steve held it up, like a baseball player stepping up to plate. His eyes were like an animal ready to pounce, and instantly Neil actually looked scared. He stood back, his face flushed, and surprised. Steve glared at him, bat still lifted up against his shoulder ready to swing. He took a step forward, resulting in Neil tripping backwards on his own feet, and landing on his ass hard. Suddenly the big tough Mr. Hargrove was no more. He looked up like a frightened animal as Steve stared down at him, bat still up high. Steve continued to glare.
"Now you got a taste of what it felt like for him. Not so great is it?"
Neil continued to stare up, before Steve spit down in his direction.
"Hope you rot in Hell for what you did to him."
Neil's face twitched, before he shot him a look.
"Should have known he was a fucking fairy..."
Steve sighed shaking his head for just a brief moment. He tightened his grip around the handle of the bat, still glaring down at him, before Neil's eyes widened in panic again. Steve continued to look down at him, before he shook his head, and stood up straight, his eyes never leaving Neil, but this time they were disgusted.
"You know what? You're not worth it."
Steve then watched as Neil slowly struggled to get to his feet. The fight was compltely gone from him. He stood there for a second, shot Steve a dirty look and showed what a coward he was. He lipped another slur to Steve, and with that turned, and headed back to the house, yanking the door open, and slamming the screen door hard enough to nearly break it. Steve stood there for a second, chest heaving, before finally his muscles relaxed, and he slowly lowered the bat, heart pounding.
"Steve?"
Steve quickly turned, taken by surprise, when he saw Max walk up the driveway, skateboard under her arm. She eyed the bat, and Steve sighed, embarrassed.
"Can we talk?"
Steve nodded.
"Sure..."
Later...
Steve and Max both sat together at the park.
"I broke up with Lucas. I just...can't keep pretending everything is alright after what happened. With Neil leaving, my mom said we have to move out in a few weeks and go to the trailer park. Neil is barely leaving her anything, and she's freaking out. I know I should be worried...but at least the constant fighting will stop."
"Neil hasn't...hit you has he?"
"No, of course not. It's just...I know how he was to Billy, and I just wish once I spoke up and said something."
"Yeah...me too."
Max turned towards him, tears in her eyes.
"You loved him, didn't you?"
Steve at first was at a loss of words, before Max spoke again.
"I saw you climb out of his bedroom window one night. I figured it out...but I knew it wasn't my business."
Steve stared down at his hands, before Max sighed.
"I heard you bought his car and are trying to fix it up. I think that's really cool. Maybe when you finish I can take a ride in it someday?"
Steve looked over at him and smirked.
"Sure, I would like that."
Max smiled sadly and stared forward at some kids playing across the way on the swings.
"He wasn't always an asshole. I think after that night he kicked your ass...he softened up a bit. There were times he was actually really cool. I remember one night he asked if I wanted to get ice cream after he gave me a driving lesson...we stopped by Scoops. You remember that?"
Steve smirked.
"Yeah..."
"The way back he had us stop at Wheels, the skate shop, and offered to buy me the wheels I have on my board now. My old ones were pretty worn out, but I didn't have enough money. It was so out of character for him, but he just shrugged it off...trying not to make a big deal of it, and bought them for me. When we were in the parking-lot heading back to the car, it was so weird...but there were a lot of cars, and he held my hand when we crossed. I at first wanted to yank away, but I saw he wasn't even thinking when he did it. When we drove back, we listened to the radio and even sung along a little...and he seemed really happy. He even laughed a little...which was so strange. I keep thinking about that night...I think the reason why he was in such a good mood, and being so nice...was because we went and saw you."
Steve's eyes started to blur a little with tears as he listened. Max stared at him, before she sighed.
"Can I ask you something Steve?"
Steve looked at her. Max was crying now.
"Was he happy when he was with you?"
Steve blinked his own tears, as they slipped down his face before he slowly nodded.
"Yeah. I think so."
Max took a deep breath, wiping her eyes, before she leaned over and together they hugged.
Now it was months later, early March of the next year, and nothing much had changed.
He was still working at the video store with Robin, and she had really helped him get through these last nine months. Some days were better than others, but Steve was working through it. Today he was working underneath the Camaro. He had learned a lot from reading up, since he hadn't taken shop in highschool. Lately he felt he was getting the hang of it, and was currently in the middle of repairing the exhaust. He had spent a good amount of time sending it to a body shop two towns over, that had done most of the outside work. It still needed a paint job, and front grill, but he was getting there. When he worked on the car, he ignored the other guys in the bays they were renting. He simply used the tools he paid for, or rented, opening boxes of spare parts he either got from the junkyard, or sent away for. He listened to them play music, laugh, and even on Fridays play cards, or darts. He had been invited plenty of times, but he always politely declined. He liked keeping to himself, and just zoning out completely.
When he worked on the car, he would think back on his memories with Billy, and sometimes as funny as it sounded...it almost felt like he was with him.
It was a late Thursday night. Only a few guys were still there, and Steve simply laid beneath the car on the wooden roller board, and used the wrench to tighten up some bolts. That's when he heard someone call his name.
"Hey Harrington?"
Steve raised an eyebrow, lowering his arm, before looking and seeing a pair of black biker boots. Using his own foot, he rolled out, and stared up, suddenly confused. Eddie Munson stood there, in his jean jacket, smirking and staring down at her. Steve knew who Eddie was, since he had been two years behind him, yet was still in highschool. He was an outsider, hung with a super weird crowd, and for the last few months Steve had only heard more about him since he was the leader of the stupid Hellfire Club where Dustin and the others played D&D. Lately Eddie was all Dustin could talk about. Steve had passed Eddie in the halls before, and had maybe seen him in town a couple of times, but he had never spoken to him. For the last month, he had been three bays away from him working on his busted up van, doing a brake job. Eddie said hi before, and Steve just would smile, nod, and continue on whatever he was doing. Looking up, Eddie wiped his bangs away from his eyes.
"Hey..."
He said, still sounding confused. Eddie smiled looking down at him.
"Hey man, so we're starting a game of darts, and Larry had to leave early. Twenty bucks on who wins. I need a partner."
Steve eyed down the garage and saw Jake, and Tim, two older guys, one a carpenter, the other a truck driver both drinking beers and standing in front of the dart board. Rock music was playing from the boombox. Steve instantly was ready to say no, that he needed to finish this up, and head out. Instead, he took a deep breath and looked up at Eddie's dark brown eyes. He had been getting a little annoyed by how much Dustin was talking Eddie up, and was actually curious to see if he was this God like creature those little shits had been talking about. Sighing, he put down his wrench, and sighed.
"Alright, but I can't stay long."
Eddie grinned, before leaning down and offering his hand which had one of those rock stud bracelets on it. Steve was a little thrown off by this, before taking his hand, feeling his strong grip, as he stood on both feet, and looked down at the guys. Letting go of Eddie's hand, he wiped his own on his jeans, getting the grease off them. Sighing, he eyed Eddie.
"Twenty bucks huh?"
Eddie chuckled.
"We'll beat these old assholes trust me."
He clapped Steve on the back, and started walking towards Jake and Tim. Steve eyed the clock, before sighing and figuring it couldn't hurt.
Later...
Eddie shouted with joy, as he jumped up and down nearly an hour later. They had played six rounds, and Steve got a bullseye, resulting in them winning. Jake and Tim rolled their eyes, as Steve stood back actually grinning for once. Eddie raised his hand, giving Steve a hard high five before Jake and Tim shook their heads, dug into their wallets, and paid up.
Later...
Steve walked out to his own car in the dark parking-lot. Eddie walked beside him.
"Great game man."
Steve smiled and nodded. Over the course of the game they had shared a few beers, and between the company, and music Steve for just a mere hour had actually forgotten how badly he felt, and had a good time. Steve nodded.
"Yeah, thanks man. I actually had a good time."
Eddie smiled, before he dug out a pack of cigarettes, and fished one out, offering Steve one. For one brief moment he thought of Billy, constantly smoking. Steve always told him it was a nasty habit, but in reality he kinda liked the smell of them, and how sexy he looked whenever he did it. Sadly smiling, he shook his head when Eddie offered him one. Eddie took out a lighter, lit up, and took a long drag. Blowing out the smoke, he smirked and stared at him. Steve couldn't believe how dark his eyes looked. They almost looked black.
"That Camaro...1979?"
Steve nodded.
"Yeah."
"Notice you've been working your ass off on that thing. That was Hargrove's car right?"
Steve felt his chest tighten, before he nodded.
"Yeah."
"Sorry to hear that happened to him in that fire at Starcourt. I mean I'm sorry he was kinda an asshole but that car was mint."
Steve at first wanted to get angry at Eddie for saying that about Billy. Yet, he had to understand that was the personality that Billy hid behind. Nobody knew the sweet, gentle, wonderful guy he had fallen in love with. Nobody knew that he had saved a girl's life, and died a hero. Standing there, Steve just nodded, wanting just to go home.
"Yeah, she's getting there..."
"Man I have to ask, you drive a nice enough car, and I've taken shop...how many times at school? I never thought you of all people actually could fix a car up yourself. Are you planning on selling it?"
"Naw man, guess I figured that's what Billy would have wante..."
He didn't finish, before Eddie looked at him with curious eyes. Steve felt color rise in his cheeks and his stomach twist in knots.
"Billy...uh...we hung out sometimes and I always really liked the car..."
He stumbled over his words before Eddie eyed him. He took another drag, blowing smoke out.
"Hey man...it's okay. I get it. If my fucking boyfriend died I don't even care if the car had blown up...I would still find it right to try and save it. Something like that doesn't belong in a junkyard."
Steve's eyes widened, as he turned his head, and glared at Eddie.
"What the fuck did you just say?"
Eddie looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
"What?"
Steve took a step closer.
"What did you say about Billy and me?"
Eddie flicked his smoke away.
"You guys were a thing right? Just for obvious reasons nobody knew. I saw you guys out at the quarry a few times. I was there with my ex. Also you guys used to go to the Hideout to watch some shows last Spring right?"
Steve blinked, unable to believe it. He was actually speechless. Eddie held his hands up in defense.
"Hey man I get it. As a fellow queer in Hawkins you gotta be careful."
Steve just stood there frozen, before Eddie lowered his hands and sighed.
"Listen man, I mean it. I'm sorry about what happened."
Steve just stood there, before Eddie took a step closer.
"Listen man, I was gonna hoof it, but could you give me a ride to the trailer park?"
Steve blinked, as if he was shaken from a complete frozen state and couldn't believe it. He heard himself say sure, before Eddie patted him on the arm, and circled around to the passenger side of his car.
Later...
Eddie was fumbling with the radio, switching stations as Steve drove through the darkness towards the trailer park. He had been stiff as a board, ever since Eddie openly admitted to him that he was gay, and had known all about Billy and him.
"It's the next right. Thanks again man."
Steve just nodded, looking straight ahead. Finally, he pulled into the trailer park, before Eddie pointed out which trailer. Steve slowed down, parking it, before Eddie motioned to it.
"My uncle is working the night shift. You wanna have a beer and celebrate our victory?"
Steve wanted more than anything to say no, but instead, he stared ahead at the trailer, and shrugged.
"Yeah sure."
Eddie smiled, before climbing out.
Later...
Steve sat at the small kitchen counter in the trailer, which was covered in junk. Eddie had put on a rock station on his radio, and they were currently on their third beer, and Steve was starting to feel a slight buzz. He never thought in a million years that he would be talking about Billy to someone else like he did with Robin, yet here he was, practically pouring his heart out to a kid he used to view as some loud annoying freak. Eddie was chain smoking, and had openly talked about how his mother died giving birth to him, and they had also lost his twin sister when that happened. His dad took off when he was only three, and his uncle had been raising him. He talked about how he had reliazed he was gay when he was about ten. He had crushes on all the male movie stars, and just felt different. He loved his uncle, but was afraid of what could happen if he ever admitted it. He had been with girls, and found them attractive enough, but his first time with a guy was after a show a few years back, and he had casually slept around a little, all the while being careful since he knew how shady things could go. Steve found himself admitting what had happened last year. For obvious reasons he left major details out, but told Eddie about how Nancy left him for Jonathan, and how broken up he was about it. He skimmed over details to him about how Billy had been busting his balls since Halloween after he became the new Keg King, and they had P.E together. He talked about the night of the Snow Ball Dance, and how he went to the quarry, and that's where they kissed. He talked about the confusion, mixed feelings, fear, and emotions that overcame him. Eddie listened closely, and nodded, agreeing about it all. He talked about the first few times they hung-out. Then...how he fell in love with him. He explained that he got to know the real Billy. What an asshole his father was, and how they had plans on leaving this place together. He talked about how they had an argument, and he admitted over what Billy had been planning on doing to Mrs. Wheeler, and how angry Billy was the last saw each other.
Eddie sighed, his eyes full of actual sympathy.
"I'm so sorry Steve. Can I ask? What was he doing at the mall? How did his car get all busted?"
Steve used the same story, he sighed and sat back on the stool.
"I guess he got into an accident in the parking-lot. Some asshole in a Caddy from out of town smashed into him accidentally. The police think the guy fled the scene or something, and Billy was a little banged up and went into the mall either to find me thinking I was working after hours or needed to use a phone outside the movies since they always do that late night showing. That's when the fire happened and the roof collapsed and he was killed."
Eddie sighed, shaking his head.
"That's fucked man. I'm sorry."
Steve felt tears well up in his eyes, as he leaned back, and played with the tab to his can of beer. Eddie crossed his arms, looking at him, before he jumped up and snapped his fingers.
"Listen, I know something that might wash those worries away. I don't have much, but it will for sure make you feel better."
Steve looked confused, before Eddie quickly went down the hall for a second. Sitting there alone in this messy dim trailer, Steve sat back and sipped his beer. He felt better actually opening up. Eddie was a stranger, and he wasn't sure if he could trust him, but so wasn't Robin. They all had the same thing in common, and somehow he didn't feel so alone at this exact moment.
Eddie walked back, and waved a tiny little baggy, a dime bag right in front of Steve's face. Putting it down on the cluttered counter, he smirked.
"Now listen, a buddy of mine gave me some after I sold him some extra weed. I've done it twice before. Don't want you thinking I'm some junkie. God knows I couldn't afford this shit even if I tried. I mostly stuck with weed...just figured you might wanna feel better after tonight."
Steve leaned forward, picking the tiny bag full of white powder. Right away, he gave a look up at Eddie.
"Is this coke?"
Eddie laughed, and shrugged his shoulders. Steve looked down at it nervously. He had smoked weed plenty of times, but had never done blow. As far as he knew Billy hadn't even touched this shit. He knew Eddie wasn't some junkie, and this really threw him off guard, yet the chance to actually maybe feel good or numb. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, before looking up at him.
"Fuck it, let's do it."
Eddie smiled, and leaned down, opening up the tiny baggy, and making tiny little piles. Steve watched closely, before Eddie dug into his back pocket, took his wallet out, and produced his license and a one dollar bill. He made two fat lines with it, before closing the baggy, putting it in his pocket, and put his license away. He then went to the sink, and filled up a coffee mug with faded lettering on it. He placed it down, before taking the dollar, and rolling it up. He aimed it down towards the line and motioned to Steve.
"Guests first."
Steve suddenly became nervous. He looked up with wide brown eyes.
"I won't OD will I?"
Eddie chuckled, and shook his head.
"I promise you won't."
Steve stood up straight, pushing his chair back, and looking down at the lines. His heart was pounding, before he looked at Eddie.
"What do I do?"
"You snort using the bill, block whatever nostril you don't use, then dip your fingers into the mug, and snort the little bit of water on your fingers."
Steve took a deep breath, and leaned down, taking the bill. Suddenly the powder blew around. Steve sighed.
"Shit..."
Eddie laughed, and took his license out again, and fixed the powder into a new line again. Steve now sorta knew what to do, sighed, and leaned down. With that, he snorted, and felt the burning come down his throat. It was cold, and ran up his nose and right down his throat. He instantly gave him a head rush. He snapped up, sniffling, before Eddie laughed, and clapped him on the shoulder. Steve hated the coldness, and did the water trick which helped. He coughed, and made a face. "Ugh that was awful." Eddie took the bill from him, and leaned down snorting the other line. He snapped himself back up same as Steve and did the water thing as well. Steve started feeling a strange giddy feeling inside of him, making him feel a wave of euphoria, and at that exact moment he wasn't thinking that he was working at a video store, or that the love of his life had been killed by a monster.
No, at that exact moment he felt good. Actually really good. Both sniffled, before they looked at each other.
"Hargrove was a lucky guy. God, I had the biggest crush on you when we were in school together. You're typically not my type but...you got a cute butt."
Steve couldn't believe how forward Eddie was being and burst out laughing. Eddie joined him, and both hung over each other, laughing, the coke clearly hitting them. Their laughter settled down finally, both with tears in their eyes. They looked at each other, and Steve smiled.
"You had a crush on me?"
"Oh yeah big time."
"Do you still feel that way? Or do you see me as the loser that I am?"
Eddie stared at Steve, before answering his question as he leaned forward, and plunged his mouth against Steve's. Steve's eyes widened, before suddenly everything felt right. He closed his eyes, and for a brief second, Eddie's plump lips actually reminded him of Billy's. Moving his mouth and moaning, both grabbed onto each other, before they stumbled back. The kiss broke, and both were flushed and breathless.
They looked at each other, and Eddie smiled.
"Wow..."
Steve stared at him, feeling giddy from the drugs, before he locked eyes with his dark ones. With that, Steve stepped forward, grabbing onto him, before surprising Eddie as he stepped forward and kissed him even harder. With that, both stumbled backwards, holding onto each other, and stumbling back towards Eddie's bedroom. Steve closed his eyes, feeling Eddie's plump lips against his, tasting the cigarettes and beer, almost the same exact taste as Billy. Eddie's lips were very similar to Billy's as well, but he wasn't nearly as muscular, or as strong as Billy felt whenever they did this. Billy stood roughly around the same height as Steve. Eddie seemed a tad taller than him, and was lanky, but his arms were tightly wrapped around Steve, and it hit him right then and there He missed being held. He missed his boyfriend, and he had been so lonely swimming in this dark abyss of grief. Maybe it was the drugs? Maybe pure exasution? Or maybe, just maybe it was the fact that Eddie 'the freak' Munson was actually a pretty cool dude. He had openly came out to him without any hesitation.
He trusted him, even though he was already an outsider. He actually seemed sorry to hear about Billy, and now their mouths opening and closing, groaning between them, Billy felt them slam against the narrow walls of the hallway, before they stumbled back into his bedroom. They let go of each other for just a moment, where Steve was able to look around Eddie's room. It was a typical teenager's room, mostly for a metal head like Eddie. Rock posters littered the walls, and that's when Steve saw the hanging guitar. He smirked.
"You play?"
Eddie grinned.
"Oh yeah, that's my baby. You'll have to see my band Corroded Coffin at the Hangout one night."
Steve laughed.
"Nice name. Your idea?"
Eddie smiled, his dark brown eyes looking down into Steve's.
"Of course."
Both laughed, before Eddie put his arms tighter around Steve, bringing him closer, where their noses nearly touched. Steve nervously smiled, the coke still doing it's magic. He stared into Eddie's dark glassy eyes, and for a mere moment he forgot how much he missed Billy's greenish blue ones. They smiled, before Steve tilted his head, and kissed Eddie again. He felt his tongue slip into his mouth, gently, tasting him, before a sucking noise killed the room, as Steve moaned against Eddie's mouth, causing him to squeeze him tighter, their crotches of their jeans lightly rubbing against each other. Steve felt Eddie's belt buckle, and continued deeply kissing him before his hands slowly went up, and dove into Eddie's thick wild hair. Eddie seemed to really like that, since his kisses became harder, and more intense. Slowly Eddie walked Steve backwards, until his legs hit the back of Eddie's bed. Slowly, he leaned down, and both lowered onto the messy comforter, before Eddie crawled on top of Eddie, his kisses now slowly working down Steve's neck, where the skin felt sensitive. Steve felt warm and tingly all over, and laid there, eyes closed, enjoying this feeling when he cracked his eyes open and froze.
Billy laid there, staring down at him, his messy blond hair hanging down.
His eyes narrowed, and furious. Steve laid there, eyes widened in shock. Billy glared at him, wearing his bloody undershirt and jeans.
"So I'm not even dead a year and you're screwing this freak?"
"Steve?"
Steve snapped his eyes open and saw Eddie staring down at him, his eyes worried. Steve looked around scared, shaken by whatever the Hell that was. Blinking, he rubbed his face, before shaking his head. Before he could say anything, Eddie smirked.
"Say, as wonderful as this is...why don't we have a few more beers. Sound good?"
Steve was relieved to hear that, before he nodded. Somehow Eddie knew something had happened. Steve knew coke couldn't make you see things, but he figured he felt guilty about what he was doing, and had just been thinking about Billy. The nightmares about the night he died, or the ones he had right before everything happened last summer where he was being rushed to the hospital had been bothering him again. This one though, had seemed a little too real. Eddie scooted off him, standing up, before offering him his hand. Steve took a second, before slowly taking his hand and standing himself back up. The two looked straight into each other's eyes, before Eddie smirked, patted Steve's shoulder, and motioned down the hall with his head. "Come on, I'll buy you a drink." Steve nervously smirked, and followed him, all the while unable to stop thinking about what he just saw.
Later...
Steve had sobered up enough to leave. It was two hours later, and after two more beers, and one of Eddie's cigarettes, he actually felt better. He figured after he saw, no more drugs for him. Eddie said there was a little extra coke left, but Steve poilety refused, before they sat back down, drank some more beers, and mostly talked about school. Eddie talked about how his uncle was actually pretty cool. He was his mother's brother, and after his dad split, he really stepped up. That he sold weed on the side to help out, and that thankfully his uncle didn't seem to care that he kept repeating senior year. Steve tried to keep his mind off what he saw earlier, and talked about how as of lately his parents were easing up on him, and that as cool as it was to work at the video store with Robin, he really wanted to leave Hawkins. Eddie laughed, telling him he couldn't agree anymore. That he wanted to leave, head out West, try to make it with a band, and if that didn't work maybe open a record shop or something. What he really couldn't wait was to be a dad. This surprised Steve.
"Really?"
Eddie nodded as he crushed another beer with his hand and burped lightly and wiped his mouth.
"Oh Hell yeah. I want at least five little rugrats running around before I hit thirty."
Steve smirked across at him.
"So what? Next year?"
Eddie laughed flipping him off, before Steve took a sip of his beer and gave Eddie a look.
"How are you gonna do that? I mean...if you're..."
"A fairy?"
Steve blushed, before Eddie waved his hand.
"Befriend a girl, make a deal, have some kids and raise them myself. Either that or try to act straight long enough to get some kiddos then sue for custody."
Steve made a face smiling.
"Sounds like a brilliant plan."
Eddie smiled, and again Eddie actually felt alright. Somehow whenever he looked into his dark eyes, he stopped thinking about what he saw earlier, and the guilt he was carrying. They talked for a little bit longer, before Steve saw the time and knew it was getting late. Eddie walked him out to his car, before shoving his hands into his pockets, and nudging Steve.
"Had fun Harrington. We'll have to do this again."
Steve was tempted to say no, but instead he just smiled and nodded.
"Yeah sure. It was fun."
They looked at each other, when Eddie's smile seemed to look a little sad, before he sighed.
"I know you miss him."
Steve blinked again.
"Huh?"
"Billy. Don't feel guilty just because you had a good time tonight. There's no doubting that you loved him. Like I said, he was lucky to have you."
Steve fought back tears, before he sighed and fumbled for his keys.
"Yeah well, maybe we were lucky to have each other. Just wish I knew how lucky I was while he was still here."
Eddie sadly nodded, before he kicked a small pebble with his sneaker.
"Hey...could I maybe get your number or something?"
Steve stood there for a second, before Eddie stared at him, and that same shy playful smile spread across his face, causing Steve to find himself getting completely won over. Deciding to play a little hard to get, Steve unlocked his door, and before he climbed in, he looked at Eddie and gave him a wink.
"Look me up, I'm in the book."
Eddie looked highly amused, and started to laugh before Steve winked at him, and got behind the wheel. Starting the engine after closing his door, Steve couldn't believe the strange fluttering he was feeling in his stomach. It was pleasant, and he knew it wasn't coming from the drugs anymore. Looking through the windshield, he watched as Eddie stood back, grinning. Smiling back, he gave a half salute, before putting the car in reverse, and started making his way out of the trailer park.
All the while, eyeing his rearview mirror, and watching Eddie.