Christmas was usually something Steve looked forward to, an excuse to be cheerful and celebrate. Not to mention all the extra baking he could do. And boy, was Steve baking a lot at the moment.
After his 'breakup' with Kas, Steve had tried to keep himself busy in an effort to ignore the gnawing hole that had developed in his chest. It ached so much he was having trouble sleeping. Robin had noticed, of course, and knew what had happened. But she also knew him well enough to know it was still too raw to talk about.
Instead, she tried to offer him an alternative to cheer him up. "You should come with me and spend Christmas with Chris and Charlie, you can meet Eddie!"
But the last thing Steve wanted was to meet someone who, by all accounts, was perfect for him, especially when he was feeling so shitty about himself. And because he couldn't have Eddie either.
"Come on, Steve. It'd beat moping about on your own."
"Maybe." He wasn't going to go. Robin was meeting the rest of Chrissy's family, and he didn't want to be the odd one out or take away from her moment. He was happy for her, truly, but he didn't want to intrude on her becoming part of someone else's family.
Just thinking about the day she would move in with Chrissy made him sick with worry. At least he could keep the apartment. Chrissy had already told him in confidence when the time came; Robin would move in with her since she lived above Charlie and Eddie, so she didn't want to leave.
Robin was persistent, though, day after day wearing down his resistance. He was about to give in and go when he received a phone call from his parents. The first one in years. To say he was surprised when he answered the phone to his mother's voice was an understatement.
"Stephen?" She asked when he didn't respond. "Are you there, honey?"
"Y-yeah, sorry. I'm here." Steve sat down on the couch, glad Robin wasn't there to see his face, which was surely pale. He felt like he was going to pass out from the shock.
"Oh, good. I wanted to tell you we're in Chicago for Christmas, surprise!"
Steve laughed, somewhat awkwardly. "That's… great Mom. But, why?"
"Your dad has some business with a company there. I figured it would be a good time to catch up. Honestly, Stephen, it's been years. Why haven't you called?"
Because his father had smacked him so hard, there was a small scar on his cheek. Steve held his tongue and replied, "I've been busy. I'm a teacher, so there's lots to do."
"Honey, you shouldn't have to work so hard to live such a boring life. You're wasting your talents. But that's a conversation for later with your father. We've booked dinner at Alinea, and we'd love for you to join us. It's at seven, alright?"
"But, mom-"
"Wonderful! We'll see you soon, Stephen!" And she hung up.
Steve groaned, head falling back on the cushions. Well, at least he had an excuse not to join Robin now. Dinner with his parents, though… it was going to be a disaster.
Robin seemed to agree as a horrified look came over her face when he told her. "You're not going?!"
"I don't think I have a choice, Rob."
"Sure you do. Don't go, and if they call again, tell them to fuck off."
Tempting offer. Steve knew, though, that if he didn't turn up for dinner, his parents would be at the door. The last thing he wanted to do was invite them into his home. So dinner it was. "I have to. You know that."
Robin sighed after a moment and nodded. "We better find you a nice suit then."
His parent's imminent arrival did one good thing. It helped keep his mind off Kas.
Steve had one good suit left, the one he'd been wearing when he'd left home with nothing but his wallet, Robin, and a bruised face. They looked at the suit in distaste when Steve laid it out on his bed. He wasn't sure why he'd kept it, but at least he'd finally get some use out of it.
Just looking at the thing reminded him of that awful night when his father had pulled him aside at a business dinner, pressed a velvet box into his hands, and asked him to propose to his business partner's daughter. Steve had known her for a few years by that point, and they were in a sort of forced relationship, neither of them happy about it. Steve had still been sleeping with Tommy, always in secret, always away from prying eyes, but he'd been in love. How foolish, Steve thought when he looked back at his past self. Deprived of any meaningful relationships, he'd clung to the only thing he'd had, Tommy.
His job, his family, his home… Steve had thrown it all away when he'd tossed the box back in his father's face, receiving a far less kind reciprocation. And Tommy had laughed when Steve had turned up bloody and alone on his doorstep, shutting the door in his face.
Which left Robin, his old coworker and slowly fading friend. They hadn't talked in months; Steve had been too busy with his new job at his father's company, and his disapproval of their friendship had soured things between them. But Robin took one look at him on her doorstep and invited him in. She cleaned him up, helped him break into his apartment to grab a few things, and left Indianapolis without hesitation. Settling in Chicago had been impulsive, but, ultimately, the right choice.
Without Robin, Steve was sure he would have been unhappily married off by now. Probably still sneaking around with Tommy, too. At least he hadn't been ashamed to be with Kas. That hadn't been their undoing. Steve's drunken blunder asking for more had ended things plain and simple.
As if he'd been capable of a casual relationship. Now, he was paying the price.
"You don't have to do this," Robin told him again as he tried on the suit. Surprisingly, it still fit.
Empty words. Steve raised his eyebrows at her in the mirror, and she shrugged. They both knew how his parents could be. It was surprising how long they had gone without interference. "I do."
Robin hugged him from behind, cheek pressed into his shoulder. "We could always run again."
Steve laughed. "You'd leave Chrissy?"
"For you? Yes."
"Thanks, but let's make sure it doesn't come to that." Still, he appreciated the gesture, and he knew Robin meant it. They were family in all the ways that mattered. "Now get out of here. I need to iron this thing."
"Good luck." Robin kissed his cheek before leaving him with the suit.
With it washed and ironed, Steve returned it to the closet. It would need another iron on the day, but at least it wouldn't take so long. The last thing he needed was his mother commenting on creases in his outfit. He was sure there would be enough criticism going around anyway. He wished fleetingly he could call Kas up to give him some obvious hickeys but quickly squashed the thought, ignoring the fresh ache it caused. Maybe Robin would do it, anything to annoy his parents.
It was still a week until Christmas, and he had other things to distract himself with in the meantime. Mainly, he needed a gift for the Munson's since he wasn't going to the dinner. Preferably something Charlie would like - and Eddie, hopefully - which led him to baking, remembering Eddie's note about a cookbook. So he made a fresh batch of gingerbread men and gave them iced outfits before carefully packing them up for Robin to take over, and he taped a note to the Tupperware.
'Sorry I can't be there for Christmas. I hope these make up for it. I left the recipe inside as well, in case Charlie wants more. Consider it the first page of a very delayed cookbook.
Have a good Christmas
Steve x'
They were a hit, and Robin returned with a homemade thank-you card from Charlie and an old notebook from Eddie. The card got stuck to the fridge, never failing to make Steve smile when he saw it. The book, he quickly discovered, was full of songs, ones Steve didn't recognize but all to do with learning to read and talk. Eddie had left him a note, too.
'Chris told me you were impressed with Charlie's reading levels. This is how she learned. Maybe it will be useful for you too. Don't mind the stories, she likes Dungeon and Dragons, and they're based on my old campaigns. I'm sure you can change them to something more suitable.
The gingerbread was divine. Charlie is trying to make more even as I write this.
It's a shame you can't make it, but there's always next year. Whatever plans you have, I hope they're good. You can always change your mind. We don't mind latecomers. Charlie would be over the moon if you stopped by.
Merry Christmas,
Eddie x
p.s. Charlie is bringing you her own creations on her first day back. Don't be afraid to lay the praise on thick. I think she wants to be a baker.'
Steve's heart swelled at the thought, and he began flicking through the notebook. It was indeed full of adventures about a little fairy slaying dragons and rescuing princesses. No wonder Charlie was such a good reader if Eddie had taught her this stuff for years. It reminded him of Will's campaigns. Maybe he could convince Eddie to go along to one of their meetings, sure the two of them would get along.
Just like he'd been planning to take Kas.
Swallowing thickly, Steve set the book on the side and willed himself not to cry.
He needed to prepare himself for the meeting with his parents, not cry over the loss of a fuck buddy. And, as Robin said, he could always get another. Steve was still feeling too raw to go out and flirt with anyone, though, let alone sleep with someone.
Either way, he had more pressing matters, and Christmas Day arrived far too quickly. He hugged Robin goodbye, giving her a box of homemade chocolates for good luck. Once he was alone, his shoulders slumped with the weight of the upcoming meeting, and he reluctantly got ready. Suit on and hair styled, Steve felt like he was looking into the past as he stared at his reflection. He'd put on weight since then and looked a hell of a lot healthier for it, and the dark circles under his eyes were gone, but it was the first time he'd felt like Stephen Harrington in years.
The walk to Alinea was cold, and Steve was grateful to reach the warm lobby. His parents had already arrived, and he was led to the table where his parents sat waiting. It was in the back of the restaurant in one of the booths, and the privacy did not comfort Steve. Sliding into the comfy seats opposite his parents, Steve managed a tight smile. "Hello."
Patricia looked close to tears, but she managed a shaky smile. His father, George, was as impassive as always. Like this wasn't the first time he had seen his son in years.
"You look well, Stephen," His mother said softly. "How have you been?"
"Good. I got a job teaching kindergarten. The kids are amazing."
"Teaching? That's… different."
"Yeah?" Steve was glad to be interrupted by the waiter and ordered the first thing he looked at, not interested in the fancy food. Once they had placed their orders, it was to find his father fixing him with an intense stare. "So, how was your business? That's why you're in Chicago, right?"
"Yes. We're opening a new firm here, and I was hoping you would head it."
Steve blinked at his father in surprise, barely noticing his wine glass being filled. "Me? But I don't know anything about running a company."
Patricia laughed airily, forcing the glass into his hands, and he drank automatically. Whatever it was tasted rich and expensive, going straight to his head. "Don't be silly, Stephen! You worked for your father for years before leaving on your… adventures."
"It's not an adventure. This is my life, and I don't want to change it."
"This isn't your life. You are a Harrington, and it's time you started acting like one," George said firmly.
Steve glared back at him, drinking more wine, and when he set the empty glass down, his mother instantly refilled it. He hated that she waited on his hand and foot, trying to keep him happy, just like his father. Steve didn't need a butler. He needed his mother.
Again, they were forced to stop as the food arrived. Fast service, or maybe because they knew who their patrons were, Steve wasn't sure. Either way, Steve was glad for the distraction because his hands started shaking. How could his father think he would return, just like that, to a life he'd barely escaped from?
But his father continued on, giving Steve no time for a rebuttal. "You are part of this family, Stephen. We need you to come back and take what belongs to you. This frivolous life you've been living it stops now. It's time to come back to reality."
"I told you I won't marry her. I won't marry anyone I don't like."
George's jaw clenched, and when he spoke, it was like each word caused him pain. "Your relationship with Tommy… we can make it work in our favor. His father is a particular friend of ours."
Steve wanted to throw up. Instead, he forced down another mouthful of wine.
"Stephen," Patricia started imploringly, reaching across the table to take the glass from his stiff fingers. She set it down with precision as if she thought Steve wasn't capable of such delicacy. Maybe not because of his shaking, and he clenched his hands into fists on his lap to hide it. "It's for the best, really. Can't you see we're making sacrifices too? Come home, honey. We can work this out, and everyone can be happy, I'm sure of it."
"Sacrifices?" Steve choked out, barely controlling his anger at the thought. "You have no idea, do you? How hard I've worked to get here?"
"Oh, yes, I'm sure it's very challenging teaching a bunch of children," His father said scornfully.
"Don't you dare-"
"Be quiet."
Steve hated himself for falling silent and glared at his father unflinchingly.
"I know exactly what you've been doing, where you've been going, and who you've been seeing. That… man isn't worth the dirt on your shoes, Stephen, and I'm surprised you would stoop so low. Addicts are poison, and he will drag you down with him."
Steve blinked at his father in surprise, momentarily forgetting his anger. "Addicts?"
A flash of smugness crossed George's face. "You don't even know? Maybe you don't know anything about that man. After all, you've been meeting up in secret, haven't you? Old habits, after Tommy, I suppose."
It was like a slap to the face, and Steve actually flinched. "It wasn't a secret. And Kas isn't an addict. It doesn't matter anyway. We're finished, so leave him out of this."
"Are you? I'm not surprised."
Patricia grabbed Steve's arm as he made to rise. "Your father is right, Stephen. Forget about this silliness with this man and come home. We don't mind that you want to be with Tommy; even his father agrees it's a good match."
"Well, I don't!" The chatter around them fell away as people looked around at him. Steve was too angry to care, and he snatched up the unopened bottle of wine, finally getting to his feet. "I'm not coming back. Thanks for dinner, I guess."
His parents exchanged a look, and after a pregnant pause, Patricia rose too and, smiling, cupped Steve's face between her heavily ringed fingers. "We're leaving in the morning. Sleep on it and let us know. I hope you make the right choice, dear. This life isn't for you."
"Right." Steve managed a grimace, turning to flee when he was released.
Walking down the street in the bitter cold, Steve drank the wine. It was strong, and already having two glasses at dinner, he wasn't very steady. Weaving more than walking now, he gave an old couple walking by the finger as they watched him with judgmental eyes. If he was going to have a breakdown, he would do it properly, and he shouted a laugh, spinning around to throw the bottle across the street where it shattered loudly, just missing a car that pulled up. When the window rolled down, Steve was sure the driver was going to yell at him but instead heard a very familiar voice.
"Princess?"
