Full Summary:
Steve Harrington loved his job.
He loved his life in Chicago, living with his best friend Robin, until he found himself agreeing to a sex-only relationship with a man who called himself Kas. It was great, the best sex of his life with none of the hangups. Then, when his new batch of students started, one parent began leaving him notes.
Caught between lust and love, Steve has to figure out who he wants. Mysterious Kas, who won't talk about his life or endearing Mr Munson, who would have Steve risking everything?
Eddie Munson just wanted to get laid, no strings attached.
He had a good life he'd worked hard for that he didn't want to disrupt until he met a beautiful stranger who was everything Eddie had ever wanted.
Except he has a secret, his real life, his daughter, Charlie. Eddie had built up walls to protect her. He didn't date, and he didn't fuck around anymore. It was just him and his daughter against the world. But then Charlie starts school, and her teacher gets into the cracks around Eddie's heart. Flirting with danger and sleeping with fire, Eddie tries his best to keep the two worlds apart until he can't.
...
Relevent Tages/Info:
Alternate Universe - No Upside Down
Alternate Universe - Modern Setting
Alternating POV
Teacher Steve Harrington
Musician Eddie Munson
Minor Robin Buckley/Chrissy Cunningham
Robin Buckley and Steve Harrington are best friends
Eddie Munson and Chrissy Cunningham are cousins
Eddie Munson has a daughter
Eddie Munson has a crush on Steve Harrington
Steve Harrington has a crush on Eddie Munson
Dom/sub
Dom Eddie Munson
Sub Steve Harrington
Explicit Sex
Phone Sex
Anonymous Sex
Falling in Love
Pet Names
Fake Names
Idiots in Love
...
Chapter 1: The Teacher
Steve Harrington loved his job.
There was something rewarding about helping young children learn and grow in their first school environment. Steve loved when their eyes lit up in understanding; it made him incredibly proud. Nurturing that curiosity gave Steve a purpose, something he'd lacked most of his life. From parents he could never satisfy, to many failed relationships, Steve had accepted he might be single for the rest of his life, but he could make a difference in those young, impressionable minds.
Summer was ending, and Steve was gearing up for the start of another school year with a fresh batch of kids. He knew how nervous they would all be, starting school and being away from their parents for the first time like this. Steve wanted them to feel welcome in his classroom, a home away from home.
Robin was watching him pace about their two-bedroom apartment, going through his checklist for the hundredth time that week. "Steve," She started, forcing him to stop when he got close. "Chill out. You always get so worried! This is what, your fifth year?"
"But it's their first! You know they need to feel comfortable, or I'll never gain their trust." Steve tapped his list again. "So, there's definitely fifteen welcome packs?"
"Yes, I've triple-checked."
He looked at the thick, clear folders filled to the brim with the new curriculum for the kids to take home and share with their parents. Steve liked to give them an idea of what they were going to learn and found kids loved checking things off. Little victories. "Good, good. All that's left to do is bake the cookies, I think."
"Can I help?" Robin bounced to her feet, looking like a small child herself. "I love baking!"
"Fine, but don't eat the dough."
"You take all the fun out of things." She pouted.
"Just shut up and grab an apron." Steve had put on his pink frilly one, a Christmas present from Robin. "I'll bake extra for us?"
"Okay, I'm in!"
An hour later, they had over three dozen cookies ready to go. Steve packed most away before Robin could get her hands on them but still lost at least four. "You're a menace."
"You still love me, though."
"Unfortunately." He grinned as she swatted at him. "I did move to Chicago for you."
"Ugh, don't say that in front of my parents. They're still asking when you're going to propose."
Steve laughed as she gagged. "Still haven't told them?"
"Oh yeah, that'll go down well. Hey Mom, hey Dad, I know you've been asking about Steve and me for years now. I just wanted to let you know that we're both gay." She grabbed another cookie and spoke through a mouthful, "I think they'd take it hard."
"Can't be worse than my parents." Steve worked up the courage to tell his parents about his sexuality as soon as he'd gotten confirmation about the apartment. His mother had burst into tears, asking where they had gone wrong and his father... Steve could still feel the sting on his face.
"Steve..." Robin's expression softened, and she reached up to cover the hand he'd instinctively pressed to his cheek. "You're better off without them."
"Don't have to tell me twice." His voice was thick with grief. He'd burned a few bridges when he came out, and his parents still hurt to think about. It was easier now. People were more accepting in the city compared to his small-town upbringing. "I got you, though."
"Yeah, we've got each other."
He didn't know what he would've done if he hadn't had Robin. "Okay, enough of this sappiness. You'll make me cry."
"Such a sweetheart." She pinched his cheek with a laugh. "When you finally get a boyfriend, he'll be a lucky guy."
Steve groaned. "I've told you, Robs. I don't want or have time for that right now." But there was a light in her eyes he didn't like. "Whatever you're thinking, no."
"I found out about a club, sorta underground thing. We should go. It's friendly... for people like us."
"I've got work-"
"One drink, please?" How could he say no to her pleading look? She saw his resistance crumble and punched the air victoriously. "You won't regret this!"
"I already am."
Still, he found himself in a tiny club several hours later, wishing he'd brought earplugs because he was going to be half-deaf in the morning. His one beer, courtesy of Robin, was half empty and warm. Robin had disappeared into the sweaty crowd a while ago with a pretty girl, and he occasionally caught glimpses of the two of them laughing and dancing.
It was nice to see them both be so open and carefree without worrying about what other people thought. Steve hoped one day he'd feel the same way. For now, though, he wasn't looking for love. After his last relationship crashed and burned, Steve was a little leary of relationships.
Not that he wouldn't say no to getting laid. He was starting to feel it had been too long.
Steve snorted at the thought. Maybe he did need another drink. So he got up and pushed his way to the bar to get another beer. He was jostled from the side, hip colliding painfully with the bar before a strong hand caught his arm. "Sorry!"
"It's fine." He glanced up at his rescuer, a similarly aged man with a big smile and a lot of hair. Steve was momentarily surprised by the mass of brown curls, then realised he was staring. "Just a bump. It's crowded."
"Sunday night. Nobody wants to go to work tomorrow."
"You included?"
The man raised his half-empty glass. Steve was surprised to see it was coke. "Me included. Customer service is a drag."
"I wouldn't know." Steve was distracted by the appearance of the barman and ordered another drink. He promptly sat beside his new friend before someone could shove him again. "You here alone? Sorry-" he added hastily when he got a raised eyebrow. "-It wasn't a pick-up line."
"Shame."
Steve could feel his cheeks burning. He was grateful for the fast service and hid his face as he sipped his beer. He should leave a tip.
"But to answer your question, yes, I'm alone." The man's eyes strayed to the dance floor, lingering on something so Steve looked too. A man, younger than both of them, was grinding against someone twice their age. "I would say I'm looking, but there isn't much here."
For some reason, that stung. Steve glanced at the man only to find he was looking at him again, smirking. "What?"
"Sometimes it's nice to let loose, though. We've all got urges, right, Princess?"
Fuck. He'd hit the nail on the head with that one. Steve tried to look more annoyed than flustered. "You're fishing."
"You know the game." Their gaze held as he sipped his drink. "So, are you here alone?"
Robin appeared at Steve's side as if summoned by the question. She draped herself over his shoulder, sweaty and panting. "I thought you'd ditched me!"
"Just getting a drink." She snatched it from his hand and downed half of it. "Rude!"
"You're only supposed to have one," She scolded. Then she noticed he wasn't alone and smirked. "Who is this?"
Steve wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole. He could feel his blush returning as he shoved her away. "Shut up!"
Robin only rolled her eyes. "Listen, I'm sorry for interrupting, but we gotta go. Early start, remember?"
"Shit." Steve had completely forgotten, lured in by the attractive stranger. He hesitated as he stood, glancing at Robin.
She got the hint. "I've gotta say goodbye. Meet you outside?"
"Sure." As soon as she was out of earshot, Steve took his chance. He turned, putting both hands on the man's shoulders and leaned in to kiss him. "I'm sorry, but I've got to go, apparently," He whispered against his lips. "Maybe next time?"
"Definitely next time." He was pulled back for another kiss, gasping when his ass was squeezed through his jeans. "Wear something pretty. It should be a crime to make you cover up."
"When?"
"Next month." He got up, hands framing Steve's face gently as their lips met again. "Same date, okay?"
"Okay." Steve pulled away and, with a shy smile, left his potential friend at the bar.
The cool night air was a relief after the humidity of the club. Steve breathed it in, relishing in the mind-clearing effect. Robin was waiting for him outside, and her smirk made him groan. Preempting the question, he held up his hands and said, "Nothing happened, so no questions, please. Save them for next time."
"Next time?" She asked gleefully.
Steve only shrugged and motioned at the sidewalk. "Not a word."
Robin slotted her arm through his as they strolled away from the club. To anyone else, they might look like a couple which was fine by Steve. He hated people calling them out or trying to get aggressive.
"So, who was the girl?" Steve asked before she could start in about the man again. He'd only just realised he hadn't asked for his name, but it was definitely on top of the list of questions for next time.
"Oh! I... Don't know? Jamie, maybe?" she poked Steve hard in the arm when he laughed. "Shut up. At least I got some action."
"Touche."
"I'm sorry for ruining your conversation." She patted his arm. "He was cute."
"Yeah," Steve admitted with a sigh. "He was."
"So… next time?"
"Next month." He couldn't help grinning when she shook him with a delighted laugh. "He asked me to wear something pretty."
"Can't blame him."
"What's wrong with my clothes?" Steve looked at his simple jeans and polo combination in surprise. It was a classic staple of his.
"Underground gay club, and you dress like a preppy high schooler?"
"Don't hate on what works. Besides, I'm a teacher. I can't walk about in booty shorts and a crop top. What if a parent saw?"
"You could be their gay awakening!"
"I like my job, thank you."
"I know. It's not like you go on and on about all those kids as if they're your own or anything."
"Hopefully, tomorrow goes well."
"It will." Robin nudged him with her hip. "They'll love you, Steve. They always do."
The next morning dawned bright and early for Steve. He was in his classroom by half seven, ensuring everything was ready and clean for the newcomers. The first children started arriving just after eight, and within forty minutes, he had all fifteen children seated nervously on the floor.
"How about we start by introducing ourselves?" Steve opened the first container of cookies. "I'm Mr Steve," and he shoved a cookie in his mouth, earning a few giggles. He gave it to the child on his left, Millie, then to Bobby and so on.
Slowly they began to relax, no doubt happy to get a treat so early on. By midday, they had all chosen desks and started going through their welcome packs. The rest would have to wait, though, because the parents were arriving to take them home. Steve watched them off one by one, making sure everyone was accounted for until it was just him and one girl left.
She smiled at him nervously from her desk, pulling on her sleeve. "Auntie Chris is coming. She promised."
Steve glanced at the name tag stuck to her desk. Charlie Munson. "What about your parents?"
Charlie shrugged. "Daddy's working. I don't have a mom."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"She didn't die," she said shrewdly, fixing him with such an intense stare that Steve felt nervous. She had big, brown, expressive eyes, her face framed by dark brown curls. "She didn't want me."
Steve was going to apologise again because who the fuck abandons their kid and lets them know so young? He still struggled with his own parents and couldn't imagine dealing with their disdain at five years old. "Well..." he started slowly, sitting in the small chair beside her. She giggled as he had to practically bend in half to fit, knees coming up to his chest. "...my mom doesn't want me either. So I found people who love me instead, made my own family."
"Daddy loves me. So does Auntie Chris."
"Good." He got up again before his legs started to cramp. On his desk, there were still a few cookies, so he gave Charlie one. What Robin didn't know couldn't hurt her. "Auntie Chris is coming?"
"Uh-huh," she mumbled around the cookie. "She's always late. Daddy says she's... skittered?"
"Scattered?"
"Yeah!"
Steve nodded, filling a cup of water for her. "So's my best friend. We're always late because she forgets things."
As if on cue, a blonde-haired woman burst into the room, looking frazzled. Charlie giggled and jumped up. "Auntie Chris!"
"Hey, Charlie." she ruffled the girl's hair and smiled nervously at Steve. "I'm so sorry. I had it in my head that she finished at half one, not one. Don't worry, I'll remember for tomorrow."
"It's not a problem," he reassured her, winking at Charlie. "We just ate more cookies. Charlie was fine."
"Oh, good."
"I'm hungry." Charlie tugged on her hand and pouted. "Can we go eat?"
"Sure thing. We can even go see Daddy. He said to bring you by the shop afterwards."
Steve smiled as Charlie's face lit up, and she rushed off to grab her coat. Chris looked up at him and smiled back, holding out her hand. "I'm Chrissy, by the way. Charlie calls me Chris because it was easier when she was younger. Eddie adopted the nickname."
He shook her hand. "Steve. The kids call me Mr Steve because it's easier to say than Harrington."
"Ah, you understand all too well then. I'll apologise in advance for Eddie. He likes nicknames, so you'll be Mr Steve to him too."
"Eddie?"
Chrissy nodded to Charlie. "Charlie's dad. He wanted to come but had to work. Thankfully, my boss is more lenient. I'm sure she thinks Charlie is my daughter." She laughed, making Charlie giggle as she rejoined them and slipped a hand into Chrissy's. "Ready to go, sweetpea?"
"Yep. Can we get burgers?"
"Sure thing."
Charlie tugged Chrissy to the door and called, "Bye, Mr Steve!"
"Bye, Steve!"
"See you girls tomorrow." Steve sighed as they left, looking around the empty classroom. It was a mess, but one he didn't mind cleaning up. Messy kids were happy kids in his experience.
Over an hour later, the classroom looked just as it had that morning, except for the new name tags and lack of cookies. He paused in front of Charlie's desk and tapped her name. He hoped this Eddie didn't mind that he'd filled his daughter with cookies.