"Remind me again why we agreed to come?" Gareth asked Eddie as he pulled up at the quarry's entrance.

"Because we can't say no to Dustin when he brings us chocolate muffins?" Not at all because I had my hand down Steve's pants and he refused to let me go until I agreed to come today.

"They were awesome," Jeff recalled longingly.

"Well, yeah," Gareth conceded. "But Steve Harrington? I know he sits in on the Hellfire meetings but he doesn't talk then. Now I gotta have a conversation with him?"

"He's not the only one there." Eddie rolled his eyes and got out of the van. "Nancy and Robin are coming too."

"Ooh, Nancy and Robin," Michael mock cooed and the others sniggered. "We're getting replaced, boys. Eddie's found out about girls."

"And I'd still get the same amount of action as you if I went for it. Which is to say, zero." Eddie grabbed his bag and threw out the others before locking up his van. He eyed the trail up to the quarry, ducking under a fence warning against trespassers. "Let's get up there before all the best spots are taken."

The quarry was owned by the Sattler Company and technically off-limits but it hadn't stopped the hundreds of people before them and it certainly wouldn't stop them now.

"Hey, remember when that Byers kid was supposedly killed here?" Jeff laughed, a little breathless due to the incline. "Zombie Boy!"

"Dude, don't mention that in front of the buttheads," Eddie warned him. "Will's their friend."

"Oh, shit. Seriously?"

"Yeah. Will the Wise? It's Will Byers."

"Damn, guess I'll keep my mouth shut then."

"Or you could ask what really happened." Michael waggled his eyebrows. "Bet they know."

"Or we could not drag up old possible traumatic shit and actually enjoy today." Eddie turned to glare at his friends as they reached the top of the slope. "So no Zombie Boy talk. Got it?"

"Gah, you're such a buzz kill." Gareth shoved at his face and ducked under Eddie's replying swat with a laugh. "We promise to be good and not traumatise the kiddos. God, you act like their dad sometimes."

"I'm the oldest! Someone has to be responsible."

"I'd rather it be Nancy," Robin spoke from behind their group, making everyone jump. She laughed and breezed past them, nudging Eddie's hip as she went. "Better hurry up! I'm taking the best piece of grass!"

"She's strange," Michael muttered.

"Yeah but she's cute." Jeff frowned at Eddie when he laughed. "What?"

"You're not her type."

"And how would you know?"

"Just trust me on this one. You'd have more of a chance with Nancy. But I wouldn't recommend that either." Eddie followed after Robin, calling over his shoulder, "You coming or what?"

Robin beamed as he settled down next to her. "Glad you could make it."

"It seems I can't say no to Steve."

She hummed and nodded back at the entrance where Steve was just coming into view carrying several bags as Lucas and Mike ran around him in circles. By the look on his face, he was trying to reprimand them.

"He certainly knows when to turn the charm on."

"I never said he charmed me." Eddie's hand tingled at the memory and he quickly busied himself rolling a cigarette. "What?" He asked when he caught sight of Robin scrunching up her nose.

"Gross, don't smoke that next to me."

"Alright." He propped it behind his ear and spread his hands. "Gone."

Gareth sprawled out beside him with a groan, Jeff and Michael quick to follow. "Dude, have you seen Nancy? She's looking fine."

Eddie glanced over to see her wearing a swimsuit, shorts and one of those oversized sun hats. He supposed that yes, she was quite beautiful. What he was more surprised about was Robin's expression when he turned to her, all wide eyes and frozen. When Nancy joined them he almost sniggered as Robin jumped and quickly fiddled with her bag.

Nancy looked around at them all and smiled warmly. "Hi, I'm Nancy. I guess we've never really spoken at school before but the boys wanted to invite you. The more the merrier, right?"

Gareth seemed quite smitten too because he was looking a little red and staring just a tad too much. Eddie elbowed him and he jerked back to reality, wincing as he rubbed his side. "This is Gareth, Michael and Jeff." Eddie indicated each of his friends. "And you already know me and Robin, of course."

"Of course. How did Kraminski's test go?" Nancy winked.

"I wouldn't say I aced it but he left a note saying 'marked improvement - well done Mr Munson'."

"That's great!" Nancy leaned over to hug him.

Eddie patted her back awkwardly and then avoided everyone's eye. Instead, he watched Steve putting down the bags a good distance away from them and talking to the group of four kids, hands on hips. He didn't recognise the girl at first but her red hair did look familiar. After a few seconds, he realised it was Maxine, or Max as she was apparently called.

The kids all started yelling and racing to the water. Steve watched them, shaking his head before walking towards them. Eddie quickly refocused on the group as Jeff recounted again how good the muffins Dustin brought were. He certainly didn't notice Robin scoot away so Steve could sit next to him.

He got a lungful of Steve's cologne, something expensive no doubt but he couldn't argue it didn't work. The taste of it in his throat wasn't bad and that annoyed Eddie because it should have been. If it was anyone but Steve he might have pretended to gag. Since it was Steve though he said nothing and tried not to react.

"Are you done mothering them?" Robin teased.

"All I said was no drowning each other or diving off the cliffs!" Steve shot back defensively. "Excuse me for not wanting dead kids on our hands."

Jeff snickered. "He sounds like you," He told Eddie before speaking to the group at large. "Eddie acts like their dad."

Robin's eyes widened and she laughed. "And Steve's their mom!"

Eddie caught Steve's eye and shrugged. He smiled back and something warm settled in Eddie's stomach. "So much for joint custody. You only have them one night a week."

"And that's enough for me, darling. You're the mom so you get full custody. I only want visitation rights."

"Oh my God, please stop!" Robin groaned. "Besides, if you guys were married I doubt you'd get divorced."

"Sorry?" Eddie asked blankly.

"Steve is clingy."

"No, I'm not!"

"So you're saying if you got married you would inevitably get divorced?"

"The whole point of marriage is to be together for the rest of your lives!"

"Case in point," Robin said smugly. Steve only sighed in exasperation and got up. "Where are you going?"

"For a swim." And he pulled off his shirt, tossing it to Eddie who reflexively caught it. "That's why we came here, right?" His trousers soon followed and there was something worse than basketball shorts - swim trunks. "Anyone else?"

When Steve's eyes fell on Eddie he said, "I told you I wouldn't swim."

"Your loss."

Eddie certainly didn't watch Steve as he swam out to the kids and dunked Dustin under the water. Robin snorted and he realised she was watching him watch Steve and hurriedly turned his back to the water. Then it was his turn to laugh because Gareth was still watching Nancy with an avid expression as she talked to Michael about the school newsletter.

The day warmed up as the afternoon set in. Nearly everyone was in the water now except for him and Robin. She claimed she couldn't swim well and Eddie wasn't a fan either. They sat together watching the others. Eddie had stolen Nancy's sunglasses so he could watch Steve without being caught staring.

He'd known vaguely that Steve had chest hair. The old scoops uniform had shown a tantalising sliver of his chest that Eddie found almost irresistible. Now seeing Steve shirtless, he realised that not only was he hairy but well built too. It was unfair how one person could look so perfect.

Robin - who had remained quiet for the last half an hour or so as she watched the group with Eddie - nudged his leg. "Chest hair, huh?"

"W-what?" Eddie's head snapped to the side to look at her so fast it hurt. Rubbing the spot he glared as she laughed.

"Don't look so worried! I won't tell him."

"Is it really that obvious?" He groaned.

"No." Robin's eyes flickered back to the water as Nancy shouted something, splashing Max and Lucas.

Eddie understood the pained expression that flitted across her face and grabbed two beers, cracking them open. He handed her one and touched them together. "One to another?"

She sighed and nodded, drinking deeply. "Sucks doesn't it."

"Yep. I mean, that's rough. The best friend's ex?" Eddie clicked his tongue sympathetically. "Does Steve know?"

"No," She snorted. "I don't think he'd be mad but there's no point in telling him. Nothing will happen."

"Does he know about you?" Eddie asked in surprise. When she nodded, he asked, "and he's cool with it?"

"Yeah. He's actually amazing about it, very supportive. I couldn't ask for a better friend." Now Eddie knew how the two were close and yet so clearly platonic. "He'd try to convince me to go for it but... she's straight."

"Maybe he knows differently? They were dating for like a year."

"What about you?" Robin switched tracks and turned to look at him expectantly. "Are you gonna tell Steve?"

"Are you kidding? He may be cool with you but I'm a whole different story. He'd beat the shit outta me!" Eddie quietened down as everyone joined them to eat. "And he's like, the straightest guy in Hawkins."

Robin's eyes widened meaningfully. Whatever she was trying to tell him though he wasn't getting so he shook his head. She looked around and leaned closer to whisper, "go for it."

She was pointing at Steve who was overseeing the kids again, his back to them. Eddie burst out laughing which unfortunately gained the other's attention. Instead of answering their questioning looks, he finished his beer.

"It's a harder thing to do than to say," He whispered to Robin as Steve sat down and started talking about bringing a barbeque next time.

"Yeah." She smiled sadly, eyes on Nancy telling Steve they'd end up starting a forest fire.

"Put some clothes on." Eddie threw Steve's shirt back at him in annoyance. He still smelled like that stupid cologne which should have been impossible. It didn't help that he sat there shirtless and wet. "My sandwich is getting soggy looking at you."

"Sorry." He grabbed the food right from Eddie's hand and took a bite. After swallowing he shrugged. "Tastes fine to me."

"Get your own." Eddie snatched it back with a glare. "Bread isn't cheap you know."

"I'll take your word for it." Steve started to eat but his attention was drawn to Gareth who was laughing at something Nancy said. Something like a grimace passed over his face before being swiftly replaced with a smile when Robin leaned across Eddie to hand him a chocolate bar.

Eddie looked between Gareth and Nancy then back to Steve. "Jealous?"

He choked and Eddie had to bang on his back to dislodge the food. "What?"

"You still got a little thing for Nancy?" He asked lowly.

"I already told you, no."

"Then what-" He stopped as Steve's eyes flickered to Robin. "Oh."

Steve suddenly looked panicked. "No that's not what I-"

"Chill, I already knew." Eddie patted his knee and then realised Steve was still in his swim shorts and hastily withdrew.

They couldn't have a proper conversation about it considering how many people were sitting around them. So Steve smiled at him and returned to his food. There was something sweet about him getting upset for Robin. Eddie had never seen that side of Steve before, protective and caring. Except when talking about the kids but that was different.

It made him wonder if Steve would be cool with him too. Not that Eddie was planning on telling him anytime soon.

"Steve!" Dustin yelled as the other kids ran back into the water. "You coming or what?"

"Later!" Steve went back to eating and shrugged at Nancy. "You wanna take over for a bit? They're bound to get cramps now."

"Sure." She got up and gave Robin her hat. She blushed and quickly jammed it on to hide her face. "Anyone else coming?"

Gareth quickly scrambled to his feet and shared a meaningful look with Jeff who sighed and stood too. "What about you, Eddie?" Michael asked.

"Nah, I'm good here."

"Robs," Steve spoke softly, lifting the hat to look at her. "Go join Nance and the others. She'll be more comfortable with you there too."

Robin glanced between Steve and Eddie, a sly smile spreading across her face as she nodded. "Don't miss me too much."

"I already do!" Steve called after her before turning his attention to Eddie. "You know, Nancy's shades look good on you."

Eddie whipped them off with a glare. "Now you're being mean."

"No, that would be if I picked you up and threw you in the water."

"You couldn't." Eddie eyed his arms doubtfully.

"Wanna bet?"

"No." He flinched when Steve shook his head violently, splattering him with water droplets. "What was that for?!"

"Now you're wet. Might as well hop in."

"Make me," Eddie hissed. He realised his mistake when Steve grinned and got to his knees. "Back off, I will kick you!"

Steve was fast, pinning Eddie to the ground in a matter of seconds. It knocked the breath out of him and he stared up at Steve dumbfounded. He was smiling and his hair was a mess after shaking it, still dripping but now onto Eddie's face. There was something rather attractive about seeing Steve dishevelled. Eddie hoped he wasn't blushing.

"You gonna try and kick me?"

"Maybe." Eddie forced himself to relax. As soon as Steve's grip on his wrists loosened he pulled free and shoved him back. Steve fell with a grunt, his turn to look surprised as Eddie straddled him and forced him down. "Now what're you going to do?" He asked smugly.

In a flash, Steve matched him, smiling lazily. "Nothing."

Eddie frowned and sat up, releasing Steve's arms but he didn't move.

"Gotta say, Eds. Didn't think you'd try manhandling me."

"You started it." Impulsively he reached out to brush Steve's hair away from his face. "You're a mess."

"Shouldn't touch my hair." Steve grabbed his wrist. "There's very few people I allow to do that."

"What do I have to do to get on that list?"

Steve considered him carefully. "Let me sort out your hair. I got all the stuff and I'm confident I can do it properly."

Eddie groaned. He'd been hoping Steve had forgotten after a few weeks. "If, if I let you do this... I want unrestricted access to your hair."

"Deal," Steve agreed quickly, face lighting up with excitement. "When are you free?"

"Never. Did you forget my schedule is fully booked?"

"Wednesday then. I'll tell the girls to cancel this week. We'll do your hair and I'll help with your homework, get you by until the following week." Steve sat up and almost head-butted Eddie. "Sorry!" He laughed, grabbing both his arms to steady him.

"Alright, let me get up then." Eddie grinned and ruffled Steve's hair with both hands. It had the desired effect and Steve let him go to shove at his hands. Eddie got up and admired his handiwork. "Very sexy."

Steve tried to fix the damage but gave up with a huff. "Still worth it."

"Just you wait I'm a terrible customer." Eddie's eyes widened as Steve got up and started advancing on him. "What are you doing?"

"Making good on my promise!" Steve pounced, grabbing Eddie around the middle and in an impressive show of strength got him over his shoulder. There was a horrible moment he overbalanced and Eddie thought he was going to fall but Steve steadied them and sighed in relief. "Can't believe that worked."

"You didn't think it would?!"

"Never done it before."

Eddie hit his back. "Put me down!"

"Well, if you insist."

"No, no, Steve, no!" Eddie yelled as he walked towards the water. "Don't you dare!"

Everyone had stopped to watch as Steve waded out to waist height, Eddie struggling on his shoulder. The kids were openly laughing and Robin wolf-whistled.

"Okay, okay, you win." Eddie gripped the back of Steve's shirt tightly. "Please don't drop me."

"Are you afraid of the water?"

"Yes! So don't you fucking let me go!"

"Shit, uh, hold on."

"What do you think I'm doing?!" Eddie didn't release his death grip on Steve's shirt until they were back on dry land. Steve helped him to his feet and he breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"Sorry, Eds, I didn't know."

"Yeah, well, it's not something I go around bragging about." Steve looked so apologetic that Eddie shoved him playfully. "It's fine, Steve. No harm, no foul. Don't do it again."

"I won't," He promised.

Eddie sat down and pulled out the foam ball from his bag to occupy his shaking hands. It would die down after a few minutes but for now, he needed to distract himself.

Steve joined him and watched quietly for a minute before asking softly, "Why?"

"When I was four my mom took me to the beach. I was playing in the water and she passed out, high on something. It was ebb tide and I got caught in the current. I'm sure you can imagine what happened next." Eddie paused, fingers digging into the ball as he took a steadying breath. "Some stranger saved me. My mom didn't wake up until the paramedics arrived."

"Jesus, Eds..."

"I know. So yeah... I don't like the water."

Steve covered his shaking hands with one of his own and squeezed. "I'm so sorry. I wouldn't have- If I'd known..."

"Don't beat yourself up over it. You didn't know." Eddie managed a smile. "You don't have to sit with me. If you wanna join the others that's fine."

"No, I'd rather stay with you." Steve linked their fingers together and lay down at Eddie's side. "So you like the stress ball?"

"Stress ball?" He looked at the ball in his hand and frowned. "Is that what it is?"

"Yeah. Robin got it for me a couple of months ago."

"What are you stressed about?"

Steve shrugged, tapping Eddie's hand. "Nothing. It helps keep my hands occupied. Sometimes I grip things too hard."

"Do you want it back?"

"No, I've got another one." Steve smiled shyly. "It's called Curt, you've got Roland."

"Sorry?" Eddie asked in disbelief. "What kind of names are those?"

"Tears for Fears."

"That is so wrong." Eddie looked at his ball in disgust. "Roland?"

"Robin said it would be better to name them!" Steve glared at him. "I'll take it back."

"I deserve this ball after what you just did. Besides, it prefers being with me because I'll give it a better name."

"Oh yeah and what's that?"

"Ronnie."

"Not Dio!"

Eddie was genuinely impressed Steve got the reference and looked at him stunned before smiling. "You're full of surprises."

They were interrupted as Dustin dropped between them, forcing Steve to let go of Eddie's hand. He'd forgotten they were even holding hands and now he felt cold without the contact. "You okay, Eddie? Looked like you freaked out back there."

"I'm a good actor. Didn't want to get wet so I pretended to freak. Steve's an easy sucker." Eddie winked.

"Next time I'll just drop you in even if you cry," Steve muttered.

"You wish you could make me cry."

Dustin looked between them and frowned. "What the hell is this?"

"What?"

"This." He pointed at them both. "I dunno, I thought it'd be cool getting you two together but you're giving off the weirdest vibes."

Robin thankfully saved them by wrapping an arm around Dustin's neck and pulling him away. "Come on, doofus, leave the boys alone. You're gonna help me pack up." As they walked away, she called back. "We better get moving, it's gonna rain!"

Eddie glanced up and was surprised to see how dark it had gotten. "Shit, she's right."

Even as they scrambled up to grab their stuff the first raindrops began to fall. By the time everything was back in the cars it was pouring and everyone was soaked to the bone.

Eddie spotted Max hurrying to Steve's car and grabbed her arm. "Hey, want a ride?"

She eyed him dubiously and looked at the van.

"It'll be quicker. You can even ride shotgun."

"Okay but if I'm not home in an hour Lucas will call the cops." She went to find Lucas as Eddie stared after her. Christ the girl was sharp-tongued.

"Gareth, you're in the back!"

"What," He groaned. "Why?"

"I'm taking Red home, she lives next to me."

"Alright." He climbed in beside Jeff and Michael. "You better drop me off first because it stinks back here!"

"And whose fault is that?" Eddie got situated and a moment later Max hopped in. There was a knock at his window and he rolled it down so Steve could talk to him. "Yeah?"

"You get her home safely."

"Will do. You don't trust her with dad?"

"Gross," Max muttered, putting her headphones on.

Steve chuckled, hitting Eddie with rain as he shook his head. "Have fun."

"Better hurry before you get a cold."

"Didn't realise you cared, Munson."

"Eddie, let's go!" Jeff smacked the back of his head and Steve laughed as he jolted forward.

"I'll get her to call you."

Steve nodded and ran to his car as Eddie pulled away.

...

A/N: Not me just casually writing some Steddie and being told my car's been smashed up 😅 Like, let me chill and not have to adult for a few hours, please.

Now, originally I was going to keep Nancy and Jonathan together but the story had other ideas and now Ronance is included.

At the rate this thing is going, it's going to be close to 150,000 words so I hope you're all ready for that. It's sitting at 39 chapters and I'm on number 20 with 80,000. Someone send help.