"Do you ever feel like you're losing your mind?" Robin asked, dropping a stack of movies onto the counter. She shook her head as she picked up the top one and began typing on the computer. "I mean, I feel like I woke up in an alternate dimension or something this morning. Kieth asked me out!"

Eddie glanced up from the movies he was holding. He was in charge of picking their evening entertainment and he had the perfect idea, remembering Steve's excitement at Christmas. But that was put on the back burner at Robin's statement. "I'm sorry, can you repeat that?"

"Keith asked me out."

"And what did you say?"

"That I'm dating Steve." She grimaced. "I panicked. Now Keith's frosty with Steve and I'm supposed to explain why?"

"It's your own fault."

"Well, I couldn't exactly say I'm dating Nancy, could I?

"Maybe. You should go off on one about her, really lay it on thick. Keith will be too freaked out to bother you again. Come on, give me your best love sick diatribe." Eddie boosted himself onto the counter and clapped expectantly. "Time's a-wasting, Buckley! Surely you've got something cooking in that brain over your girlfriend?"

After shooting him a dirty look, Robin obliged.

"You think I ever stop thinking about her? You of all people know what I mean!" She sighed in frustration, looking up imploringly. "We were both single gaybees less than six months ago and now look at us. I've got Nancy brain rot! I literally can't get her out of my head. I'm not complaining, not at all but like... what am I supposed to do with all these feelings? I-I think I'm obsessed! She's literally perfect!"

Eddie snorted, ignoring her glare. "Nancy is not perfect. You know she perms her hair, right? Trust me, those curls are not natural, I would know."

"Fine, aside from the artificial curls, she's perfect."

"And..." Eddie held up a finger, paused and then shrugged. "Nah, you know what, she is pretty perfect. Shit, it's a good thing I'm gay."

"She snores," Steve chuckled when Eddie jumped - because he'd appeared from nowhere - and stole the cases from him. "Little snuffling things. Know what I mean, Robs?"

"Yeah, it's cute."

Eddie rolled his eyes, trying and failing not to feel a little jealous. "Do you two sit around comparing notes about her all day or something?"

"No. Steve likes to tell me all about your hands." Robin wiggled her fingers, darting away when Steve tried to grab her. She proceeded to put on a deep voice, mimicking Steve. "Oh my god, Robin, if I have to watch Eddie make another figurine before he touches me I'm going to literally implode from blue balls. I swear he does it on purpose. Have you seen him play guitar? I have to sit at the bar like a loser when they play because it makes me-"

"Shut up!" Steve finally grabbed her and put a hand over her mouth, muffling her laughter. He was bright red and keenly avoiding looking at Eddie. "That's it, I'm telling Nancy that you stole her cardigan because you can't sleep without her so you use it as a placeholder! And that you doodle Robin Wheeler on literally everything!"

Robin bit his hand, making him let go and glared at him. "You wouldn't!"

"Watch me."

"Hey, Eddie, did you know Steve thinks your eyes are-"

Steve's hand was over her mouth again before she could finish. "No, Robin, not that! Please, stop talking. Best friends don't tell secrets!"

She nodded, keeping her mouth shut when he let go.

Eddie leaned across the counter and asked lowly, "So what about my eyes?"

"Nothing."

They glanced around as the bell jingled and to Eddie's delight, it was Nancy. "Oh, here she is. Miss snuffler herself!"

"Snuffler?"

"Apparently you snore and it's cute."

Nancy's frown changed to surprise and then she glared at the two behind the counter. "What's he talking about?"

"N-Nothing!" It was amazing how quickly Steve and Robin made up. Eddie could practically see them drawing comfort from being so close together in the face of Nancy's steely gaze.

"Something about my eyes too," he informed her, waggling his eyebrows. "Do you know about that one?"

"No but you do have pretty eyes."

"Aww, thank you." He put a hand over his heart and bowed slightly. "And I have to say, if I was so inclined that way, you would have definitely been my biggest crush. Even so, I can admit, you're beautiful." And he took her hand, kissing the back of it. "Straight out of a fairytale, if you will."

Nancy blushed but rolled her eyes and took her hand back. "Thank you, Eddie but I have a girlfriend."

"You wound me, princess. I won't come between true love though." He bowed, extending his arm towards Robin. "As you were, fair ladies."

Steve looked most unimpressed as he straightened up. "Since when could you flirt with girls?"

"I am a man of many talents, Steve, as you should know. And I did it to sell weed. If the girl's more comfortable around me, she's more likely to buy something. Good for business."

"Uh-huh." He grabbed the movies that Eddie had been looking at and frowned. "Star Wars?"

"Yep. Figured it was time to get you caught up, again." Eddie leaned close and took them back, hands lingering over Steve's. "And if you're good maybe I'll show you exactly what my hands can do. Ring me up, sweetheart?"

Steve blinked at him dazedly and then color rushed to his cheeks as he snapped into action. Nancy and Robin were too busy talking about Chicago to notice.

Once he was done, Eddie risked leaning over the counter to kiss him. "See you tonight. I've gotta get home and get ready for Hellfire."

"Okay." Steve leaned in for another kiss, flipping Robin off when she gagged loudly. "Don't miss me too much, Munson."

"Right back at ya, pretty boy." At the door he turned and called, "Nance, I hope you can keep things in order!"

"Don't worry, Eddie, I know exactly how to handle these two."

"Good luck," he mouthed to Steve, laughing as the door shut behind him.

Hellfire passed in a blur of battling sahagins, vodyanoi and seawolves and gearing up for their encounter against the Archomental, Olhydra. Eddie was saving her for the following week, much to everyone's disappointment.

"Now, now, if I threw everything at you at once we'd be done in a month! Gotta make sure it's perfect." Eddie snapped his campaign book shut as Dustin peered around his binder. "No spoilers."

"But Steve gets to see!"

"Steve doesn't play and he won't tell anyone." Eddie glanced over at Steve who was nodding, still engrossed in his coursework. "See, butthead? You'll find out next week."

The older members knew better than to argue with Eddie and began packing away. Steve however remained seated and Eddie jumped a moment later when he felt a foot against the back of his thigh. No one could see Steve's legs and he was taking advantage of that. He tried not to react and continued packing away.

He pressed against his ass, foot warm and soft and Eddie closed his eyes, wishing he didn't know that Steve had taken off his shoe just to do this. It was fucking insane and he loved it. He reached back to grab Steve's ankle and squeezed it, thumbing at the soft skin.

"I um, shit, don't forget the thing for tomorrow," he fumbled to Gareth who gave him a funny look. "The, uh- the thing, man..."

"The notes for our presentation?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"O-kay?" Swinging his bag over his shoulder, Gareth smiled and headed for the door. "Try and sleep, Eddie, you seem tired. Later, guys."

Jeff was next to leave with Michael and hell, Eddie was getting hard by this point as Steve continued rubbing against his leg. He sagged into his chair with relief when Steve let him go to find his keys for the kids. "I'll be out in a sec," he promised, tossing the keys to Lucas.

Once they were alone, Eddie groaned and banged his head on the table. "You're an asshole."

"You love it." Steve was smug as he got up, kissed Eddie on the head and started packing up the table. "Are you coming over later?"

"I dunno, I might go home, jerk off and go to bed." Eddie leaned back and pointed to his crotch. "Look at what you did."

Steve did and only grew more smug. "So easy to tease."

"Fuck you."

"Go for it." He laughed when Eddie stood and crowded him against the table. His smile faded when he leaned in, eyes lowering to his mouth. "Come over. I'll make it up to you."

"Yeah? I don't know if I can wait that long, pretty boy."

"Anything you want." How could Eddie say no? He grinned and closed the gap between them, kissing Steve gently. Steve huffed, kissing back insistently and getting Eddie between his legs. "You can do better than that."

"Sweetheart, we're still at school."

"Don't care." Steve stood up, tangling his fingers in Eddie's hair as the kisses deepened, murmuring between each press, "If I didn't have to take the kids home I'd get on my knees right now and-"

"Oh!" They jerked apart so fast that Eddie stumbled and hit the table. Rubbing his sure-to-be bruised side, the pain was completely forgotten when he saw Michael standing in the doorway, looking at them with wide eyes. "Sorry, I uh, forgot my notebook," he said lamely, grabbing it. "I didn't mean to... interrupt."

Eddie looked at Steve, seeing his own panic reflected back at him. Without thinking he got between Michael and the door and blurted out, "I kissed Steve!" Michael blinked at him and Steve's face screwed up in confusion. Laughing nervously, Eddie straightened up and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm so sorry, Steve. I got carried away and well, um, I shouldn't have done that. It won't happen again, I swear." He looked at Michael, lowering his voice. "Thanks, you probably just saved me getting my ass beat."

"Eddie, I don't-"

"We're dating," Steve cut across him firmly. "We've been dating since the beginning of the year!"

"Shut up, Steve!"

"No, you shut up! I'm not letting you throw yourself under the bus like this!"

"Guys, I'm not-"

"Everyone already thinks it anyway. Is it really that surprising that I would try and kiss you? Just fucking punch me already and get it over with!" Eddie glared at Steve who glared right back. "Nobody will think you wanted it."

"I'm not gonna tell anyone!" Michael blurted into the momentary silence. They both looked at him in surprise and he shrugged. "Honestly, I won't. I mean, who would believe me? Besides, Eddie, you've been my friend for years. I wouldn't condemn you like that. And Steve, I don't really know you but you're Eddie's friend or boyfriend or whatever so I'm not gonna out you either. Chill out, guys, you're safe."

"You won't... tell anyone?" Eddie repeated haltingly. When Michael nodded he finally relaxed and blew out a long breath. "Thanks, man." He went to hug him but hesitated. "Is this cool?"

Michael laughed. "Dude, I really don't care that you like guys. Now that I think about it, it's obvious. I can't believe we all think you have a girlfriend." He gave Eddie a quick hug, smiled at Steve and left with a wave over his shoulder. "See you later!"

In the silence that followed their accidental outing, Eddie caught Steve's eye and they both broke into laughter. "Shit," Eddie gasped out, leaning against the table as he caught his breath. "I really thought that was it then. Bye-bye, anonymity. I mean, don't get me wrong I don't mind being an outcast but being outed? Nah, I'd rather flunk high school entirely."

"I can't believe you tried to protect me," Steve said, slightly awed. "You'd really do that?"

"Yeah." Eddie shrugged, picking at a piece of tape on the table. "Like I said, nobody would be surprised about me. So I can take the blame and nobody would even look at you."

He was surprised when Steve cupped his face and kissed him. "You don't have to do that, Eds. I knew what I was getting into long before we got together. If it happens, we face it together. No sacrificing yourself."

"Steve..."

"I love you, Eddie. I'm not gonna abandon you like that," Steve told him firmly and Eddie nodded, gripping his wrists tight as he was overcome with emotion. "Come on, let's finish packing up." Steve kissed him once more and then let go to collect their stuff.

After a moment of composure, Eddie followed suit. "So about that getting to your knees thing?"

"Let my heart calm down first." With everything back in his van, Steve glanced at his car and sighed. "I'll see you later?"

"I'll bring the movies." Eddie squeezed his wrist, not wanting to risk more after being caught out once. They were lucky and he wasn't willing to push it. "Later, pretty boy."

"Later," Steve agreed softly, backing away and rolling his eyes as someone honked his horn. "I'm coming!" Eddie smiled and climbed into his van, following Steve out of the parking lot.

When he got home and put everything away, he paused to ring Michael.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Michael, I just wanted to say thanks... again. It means a lot to me."

"Come on, Eddie. You think I'd do that to you?"

He didn't know. Sure, they were friends but this kind of thing often ruined friendships. Eddie had seen it happen before to some kid who'd graduated last year. Everybody had turned on him, even his supposed friends. He'd like to think his friends wouldn't do that but he wasn't willing to risk it either. At least he knew Michael had his back.

His silence prompted Michael to continue. "I'm serious, I won't tell anyone. We're good."

"Thank you."

"Does anyone else... know?"

"Only my uncle." He wasn't going to mention Robin or Nancy, just in case. "And Steve obviously."

"Have you guys seriously been dating for over two months?"

"Yeah."

"Shit, man. Way to keep a secret."

"It's not exactly something I can tell anyone. You remember Dave last year."

"Oh yeah, I remember." He paused and then said softly, "I won't do that to you. But I do have one condition."

Eddie's heart dropped. "What?"

"Put some lady dwarves in the campaign! Dude, I've been asking for months!"

He laughed, relieved and found himself agreeing. He didn't normally do requests but he could make an exception this once. "Sure thing and if you roll high enough I might even give them bonus actions."

"Oh, that'd be awesome. Next week?"

"You'll have to wait and see. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Eddie."

He hung the phone back up and sighed, feeling the last ebbs of dread melt away. He really did have some good friends and maybe... he could tell the others one day too. Then he remembered he was supposed to be going over to Steve's and hurried to find his jacket and keys.

Steve opened the door with a big smile and swept Eddie into his arms as soon as the door was closed. "I was starting to get worried you wouldn't show."

"I called Michael, got distracted." Eddie kissed him in greeting, laughing when Steve chased him for more. "We're lucky, Steve. It could've gone so differently."

"I know. Your friends are amazing."

"Hey, I was thinking on the way over here about... telling the others?" Eddie fiddled with a button on Steve's polo and shrugged. "Not yet but soon. I do want to tell them. I think they'd be cool with it, like Michael."

"Yeah?"

"They're my friends, Steve. I trust them." And Eddie did. He wanted to think about it some more but he did trust them. He was starting to believe they would be fine with this too. "It sucks having to lie all the time about my girlfriend."

"If you're sure." He smiled when Eddie looked up at him. "They're your friends, Eds. If you trust them, I trust them too."

"Thanks." Eddie kissed him once more and then pulled free to get out the Star Wars tapes. "Are you ready for your re-education?

Steve groaned halfheartedly.

"I'll make out with you when it gets boring?"

"Deal." He snatched the first tape and hurried to the player. "Do you wanna grab us something to drink?"

"Sure." Eddie meandered into the kitchen, shrugging off his jacket and putting it over one of the chairs. He grabbed a couple of beers and some chips to share. Steve was already settled on the couch when he returned and put everything on the table before falling next to him. "You put the right one in?"

"Eds, I've watched them before." He cursed and hurried to change the tape when Return of the Jedi started to play. "Not a word."

"If you wanted to see Princess Leia in her slave costume, all you had to do was say."

Steve scowled at him as he shoved the correct tape into the player. "I've always preferred Han."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Something about those pants and the cocky attitude." He shrugged and rejoined Eddie, slinging an arm over his shoulders to pull him closer. Eddie went quite willingly, kissing his cheek when he was close enough. "What about you?"

"Hmm, I was always more into Luke. I think it was the hair."

"Of course it was." He slapped away Eddie's hand when he reached up to touch his. "Hands off, Munson."

"So cagey."

"I'm protecting my assets." Eddie bit his lip, muffling his laughter into Steve's chest. "What?"

"Nothing, sweetheart. Let's watch the movie."

Steve actually made it through the whole film. Eddie was surprised but glad because he did enjoy watching them. In fact, he was the one to start causing distractions long before the Death Star was destroyed.

During the attempt to save Princess Leia, he started trailing his fingers over Steve's thigh, tracing the seam of his jeans. After initially stiffening, Steve relaxed with a curious hum but otherwise ignored the touch. When Biggs was killed - which normally got more of a reaction out of Eddie but he was too distracted - he went higher, continuing along the seam.

"Eddie, I thought you wanted to watch the movie?" He didn't make a move to stop him though, only shifted his gaze to watch the slow movement of Eddie's hand.

"Luke uses the force and blows up the Death Star." He fisted Steve's shirt and yanked him in close but stopped just shy of kissing him. "Sorry for spoiling the end sweetheart. Can we make out now?"

"God I thought you'd never ask." Steve pushed him down, bracing himself as Eddie's back hit the couch. "I've been half hard since Kenobi died."

"I've barely touched you."

"Was thinking about getting my hands on you." He did, sliding his hands under Eddie's shirt to thumb his nipple and sucked a mark into his neck.

Eddie groaned, managing to get his arms around Steve and flip their positions. Hands on his chest, he sat up and grinned down at Steve's surprised expression. "Yeah, I've learned a few things from you. Now sit there looking pretty for me, would you?" He brushed his hair back, pulling a strand from his mouth with a frown. "Hold on, let me..." he trailed off as he checked his wrists. "Shit, uh, one sec, Steve. I gotta find a hair tie. Where's my jacket?"

"Come here." Steve pulled him back in and to Eddie's surprise, he bunched up his hair and clumsily tied it back. "There, now keep kissing me."

"Where did you get a hair tie?" He asked between each kiss.

"Figured it would come in handy eventually." Steve had been busy in Eddie's distraction, getting his pants undone and sliding his hands underneath to grab his ass, pulling him down to grind together. "You're just as bad as me," he said smugly as their erections pressed together.

"Shut up."

"Make me." Steve's laughter cut off abruptly when Eddie gave him a bruising kiss and then sat up again to pull off his shirt. He blinked up at him adorably for a second before breaking into a smile. "Isn't that a pretty sight?"

Rolling his eyes, Eddie tugged Steve's belt free and got to work on his pants. "Only you, Stevie."

"I know, I know. No one finds Eddie Munson attractive." He groaned as Eddie finally got the damn zipper down and shoved a hand in his pants to wrap around his cock. "That girl at the bar did."

"Girl?"

"Jessica. Wanted to know how talented your fingers were." Steve looked at him again, eyes flashing. "She wanted you, right there and then."

Eddie finally remembered. "Oh! Don't tell me you're still jealous? I've got my hand around your dick and you're upset about some girl flirting with me months ago?" He squeezed Steve's cock for emphasis, making his head fall back against the cushions with a hiss. "I forgot all about her. How could I want her when you were sitting right there? I only had eyes for you, sweetheart."

"Fuck, get your pants off already." He yanked Eddie's jeans and underwear down to his thighs, hand immediately wrapping around him.

Sighing in relief, Eddie rocked lazily into his warm hand and hummed. "We should go upstairs. Don't wanna stain your nice new couch."

"Don't make a mess then."

Eddie leaned down, bracing his weight on his free hand so they could kiss. "It's a little dry, sweetheart."

"Check the cushions."

Curious, Eddie did and pulled out a small bottle of lube. "You had this all planned out, didn't you?" He laughed and uncapped the bottle. "Such a horndog."

"Are you complaining?"

"Not at all, here, let's try something." Settling between Steve's legs so they were closer together, he wrapped a lubed hand around both of them and inhaled sharply. "Fuck, that's better than I thought."

Seeing both their cocks pressed together in his hand was almost too much for him.

"Eds?"

"I'm good, gimme a sec." He exhaled slowly, the heat in his belly dying down after a moment.

"That's so hot."

"Steve..." Eddie warned when he bumped his hand out of the way to take over. It was even better and he felt himself teetering on the edge again only moments later. "You gotta stop."

"Why?" Steve's free hand wrapped around his shoulders, pulling him down into a kiss. Coupled with the slick slide of their erections in Steve's hand it was enough to make him come, orgasm hitting him hard and leaving him shaking and panting against Steve's cheek. "I love that, I love you."

"Steve," he groaned, hips jerking at the sudden sharp overstimulation. "Let me go."

"No."

"Goddamn it." Eddie grabbed his wrists and pinned them to the couch, getting to his knees. Steve looked at him with wide eyes, face suddenly flushing red. "Huh, you like that, sweetheart?"

"Eds..."

Eddie bore down on him, pinning his thighs down too and grinned when he felt Steve's cock twitch between them. "Oh, we're gonna have to explore that one." Steve whined, hips lifting to rub his neglected erection against Eddie's stomach. "Later?"

"Please."

"It's a good thing I like you, pretty boy. Keep your hands there." He got a hand around both of Steve's wrists above his head, using his free hand to wrap back around his cock and stroke him firmly. Steve's breathing hitched in response, hips lifting again to try and match his pace but Eddie's weight kept him down. "Nuh-uh, you stay nice and still. Let me take care of you."

"It feels so good, Eds."

"Yeah? You gonna come?" He leaned down to bite at Steve's exposed neck, returning the favour for the marks on his. When he bit down hard on his shoulder, Steve let out the most gorgeous choked sound and spilled over his hand. Eddie pulled back to watch, feeling smug over the blissed-out expression on Steve's face. "Good?"

He only nodded in response, chest still heaving.

Eddie let him go after a moment and stood, tucking himself away. "Gonna grab something to clean you up," he told Steve when he frowned and opened his eyes. Squeezing his hand briefly, Eddie went into the kitchen and grabbed a clean washcloth to wet. When he returned, Steve was still sprawled across the sofa but he did open his eyes when Eddie sat down. "Want some help?"

"Okay."

He worked in silence, carefully cleaning up their mess from Steve's stomach and sorting him out. Once he was done he leaned in to give him a chaste kiss and then left to throw the cloth in the washing machine. It was way too filthy to be left on the side and discovered by anyone else.

The front door opened as Eddie was in the hallway and Robin walked in, looked up at him and froze. Her eyes initially went wide and then she slapped a hand over them quickly. "Gross!"

"What?"

"Put a shirt on!"

Eddie looked down in surprise, having forgotten he was shirtless. "Oh, sorry."

Steve came to his rescue and handed him the discarded T-shirt. As he pulled it over his head, Steve said, "it's fine, Robs. He's dressed again."

"Good. Has he done up his pants too?"

Eddie blushed and hurriedly did up his zipper and button. "Yeah, I'm decent."

She finally uncovered her eyes and looked at them both. "Please tell me there's nothing gross on the couch. If there are stains I'm never sitting there again."

"It's fine, Robs." Steve rolled his eyes but then smirked. "I was the one who got messed up."

Robin gagged and shoved past them. "Excuse me whilst I go throw up."

"Are you staying the night?"

"Yes so please don't be loud!"

Eddie groaned, slapping Steve's shoulder when he laughed. "It's not funny! For someone who owns his own house, we barely get any privacy."

"We got through a whole movie. Almost." Steve switched off the end credits and sat back down with a sigh. "Dunno if I can sit through the next one though."

"Save it for tomorrow." Eddie smiled when Steve's arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him close. He gently ran a hand through his hair as he pressed his face into his stomach. "Okay, sweetheart?"

"More than okay. Your hands are amazing."

"Mmm, I'm sorry I've been giving you blue balls for months."

"Shut up." His voice was muffled against Eddie's shirt. "Robin's a bitch for telling you that."

"What about my eyes? Will you tell me that now?" Eddie caught his chin and lifted his head so they could look at each other. Steve still looked blissed out as he smiled. "Please?"

"I said you've got chocolate button eyes. They're perfect. I've already told you I like brown eyes. First thing I noticed about you."

"Back at Hellfire?"

His cheeks turned pink as he shook his head. "No, long before that."

"Scoops?" Eddie had visited several times, lured in by that uniform and the chance to tease Robin. Steve shook his head again, much to Eddie's surprise. "High school?"

"You don't remember when we first met?"

Eddie had to think hard, moving to sit next to Steve on the couch. "Um... was it middle school? No, I already sort of knew who you were then. Shit, I- I don't know. When did we meet?"

"Macie Bryan's birthday party." Steve looked a little disappointed. "It was the first birthday party I got invited to during first grade, even though she was in second grade. Our parents knew each other so I got invited. You were there, back when your hair was buzzed. I think your mom was too? You came and sat next to me, gave me a rice cake and asked me to play tag with you guys."

"I did?" Eddie didn't remember much of his childhood, especially back when his mom was still around. It was mostly a blur of absent parents, police visits and being bullied at school. He didn't like thinking about his life before living with Wayne. "I'm sorry Steve, I don't remember."

"Hang on, I might have a photo." Steve shot up and started rummaging in a set of drawers. He pulled out a thick photo album and began flicking through it. "It's pictures from when I was a kid, back when my mother was still around. Took these too because I'd like to show people when I'm older, my own kids or something. Here, look."

Eddie came and sat with him, looking at the photo he was pointing to. It was a group of children and there, off to one side, they were sat together. Steve with a wide grin and missing a front tooth, Eddie with his buzzed hair and a dirty face. "Shit, look at that." His eyes caught on some of the adults in the background and instantly felt tears fill his eyes as he pointed to one woman with curly black hair. "My mom."

There weren't any photos of her anymore. Wayne had told him it was one of the things he regretted most, not being able to give Eddie anything like that to hold on to. Yet here she was in one of Steve's old photos from a party he couldn't remember.

"Eds?" Steve brushed away his tears gently.

"Sorry, I um, don't have any photos of her. I kinda forgot what she looked like." He was surprised when Steve pulled it out of the protective film and held it out. "I can't-"

"Please, take it. I have loads of photos. You deserve at least one."

"Thank you." Eddie took it gently, staring down at his mother's face. "I wonder if she's still alive. I mean, it's been like fourteen years or something. I wonder if she ever thinks about me too... misses me."

"Hey, it's okay, Eds." Steve hugged him tight, rubbing his back when he began crying steadily. "We could try and find her if you want. I don't know where to start... maybe Wayne? Your dad?"

"I don't know. I don't know if I even want to. If she cared she would've tried to see me by now surely? I can't handle that kind of rejection twice." He chuckled wetly, gripping the back of Steve's shirt as he rubbed his face dry on his shoulder. "What kind of mom abandons their kid?"

"A pretty shitty one, not gonna lie." Steve pulled back to hold his face, searching his eyes. "I get it."

"What happened with your mom?"

"She was... well she was my mom and she loved me, she was with me all the time, my best friend. Then my dad cheated on a business trip. After that, she always went with him. I must've been about six? Not long after this party. She didn't trust him and I got left with babysitters." Steve shrugged like it wasn't a big deal even though his expression was downcast. "It's not the same, I know. She was still there but... not really. Nobody gave a damn about me as long as I behaved."

Was that worse? Eddie tried to imagine a life where his mother had stayed. There but absent, high on drugs all the time, unresponsive to the world and her son. He didn't know. Maybe he was better off. No, he knew he was because he had Wayne. Someone who cared about him. Steve had never got that.

"I care, Steve," he said softly, leaning in so their lips could meet. "And I'm not going anywhere."

"Me neither."

Eddie set the photo down on the table to hug Steve properly. Eventually, he moved to sit on his lap because he needed to be closer, needed to feel Steve as much as possible. They broke apart as Robin came downstairs. She took one look at them and hurried over, wrapping herself around Steve too without a word. He laughed, bumping their heads together and smiled at Eddie.

"I don't need my mom," Steve said softly as they broke apart a minute later. "I've got you guys, my real family. Now, who wants to order pizza? I'm starving."

Eddie caught his hand as Robin went to grab the phone. "Me and you."

Steve nodded back, squeezing hard. "Me and you."