Steve stared at Eddie's unconscious form, panic and worry storming in his stomach. What had happened? He knew something had been eating at Eddie for a while now, that his writing had been growing more indistinct. But this? Steve swallowed thickly and pulled the covers over Eddie. He didn't stir.

Terrified Eddie would choke to death or something in his sleep, Steve took vigil by his bedside, sleeping in fitful bouts, feeling guilty every time he jerked awake. It was a relief when the sun rose, and Eddie was still breathing. During the long hours, Steve had been thinking, and he knew he had to get Charlie out of the house for a few hours, at least long enough for Eddie to sober up.

So he sent Ronnie a quick text, asking if she could take Charlie out for the day and got to work making pancakes, ensuring Charlie would come downstairs rather than to their bedroom. Sure enough, she came bounding down before he had finished the first stack and was excited when Ronnie responded, saying she would love to.

He sat beside Charlie and plaited her hair, the action oddly soothing until she asked about Eddie, of course.

"Where's daddy? I didn't wake up for my kiss."

"Sleeping." His fingers faltered, and he had to undo a part that was too loose. "He came home real late last night. You were dead to the world when he kissed you goodnight. Even snoring."

"I don't snore!"

Steve laughed when she turned to give him an indignant look. "Must've been the wind then."

"Maybe it was you."

"Or your dad." Charlie laughed, too, settling down to let Steve finish her hair. He thought he was improving because her hair looked good, with no loose strands. Tying it off, he nudged her forward just in time to hear the doorbell ring. "Must be Ronnie. You want to answer it?"

"Uh-huh." Charlie slid off the seat and ran to answer the door, leaving Steve to clean up as he listened to Ronnie being greeted and dragged inside.

Ronnie sniffed appreciatively as she was led into the kitchen. "Smells good in here."

"We had pancakes for breakfast. Steve makes the best pancakes." Charlie hopped back onto her seat to finish breakfast, beaming at Steve.

"We have spares?" Steve offered, laughing when Ronnie banged on the table loudly. A moment later, Charlie joined in. "Okay! Okay! Give me a minute." He had some leftover batter, so he quickly made up some pancakes for Ronnie, too, sliding the plate over to her waiting grin. "Dig in."

She did, eyes fluttering shut with an approving moan at the first taste. "So good."

Charlie laughed but pouted a moment later when her creeping hand was playfully slapped away from Ronnie's plate. Steve rolled his eyes and slid the last pancake onto her empty plate, pleased to get another beaming smile. He could always make toast once the girls were gone.

"So," Ronnie mumbled around a bulging mouth, grinning when Charlie giggled. "Where's Eddie? Is he hiding from me? I promise not to punch him too hard for being an ass."

Steve looked pointedly at Charlie, but she didn't seem to have heard, too busy pouring syrup on her pancake in a delicate spiral, tongue poking out in concentration just like Eddie did when he was writing. It pulled at Steve's heart, and he forgot about Ronnie's question until she cleared her throat pointedly. "Oh, um, he's sleeping. Late night."

"Writing?"

"Something like that." He winked, playing it up a little at the look of disgust on Ronnie's face. "Which is why I'm glad you could spend some time with Charlie today. Eddie needs the… rest."

"I bet he does." Pushing away her empty plate, she got up with a groan and ruffled Charlie's hair. "Come on then, kiddo. The giraffes won't wait forever."

Ignoring the slight on her hair, Charlie rushed to the front door to grab her coat. "Will there be lions too?"

"Let's find out." Ronnie winked at Steve and slipped outside, leaving him to help Charlie with her shoes as she started the car.

"Is Daddy okay?"

Steve crouched down beside her with a sigh, making sure her coat was fastened up and her laces done properly. "He will be. He's just a little tired, that's all."

Charlie searched his face, unconvinced. "Will he be awake later?"

"Yes, and I'll make sure he reads to you tonight. Have fun with Ronnie, and make sure to do what she says."

"Okay. Bye, Steve!" She hugged him tight and then skipped down the steps to join Ronnie at the car.

Steve stood to watch them get in. He had made his decision. If Eddie continued down this path, Steve would safeword him. He didn't know where that would lead them or what Eddie would do afterward, but shocking him out of this downward spiral might be the only thing Steve could do.

Even without Charlie in mind, he would fight for this relationship. He loved Eddie, and he knew that, despite their current positions, Eddie loved him too.

Forcing himself to smile and wave goodbye, Steve quickly shut the door and hurried upstairs as Ronnie's car disappeared from view. Panicked when he found the bed empty, it took Steve a moment to hear the shower running, and he sighed in relief, walking to the door. After hesitating for a moment, he knocked. "Eddie?"

No response.

Cracking the door open, Steve peeked inside and was alarmed to see Eddie sitting on the shower floor. "Eddie?!"

Heedless of getting wet, Steve yanked open the shower door and knelt beside Eddie. He tried to touch him but stopped when Eddie shied away, face hidden in his hugged knees. Instead, Steve got up to turn off the freezing water, slipping as he grabbed a towel. He wrapped it around Eddie, careful not to touch him before sitting back again, at a loss for words. What do you say to someone who has relapsed?

"Hey, Eddie, it's okay," Steve said soothingly, laying a hand on his shaking shoulder. "You're gonna be okay. Let me see you, please?"

Eddie shook his head ever so slightly.

"Do you want me to leave?"

Slowly, Eddie shook his head again.

"Okay. We can stay like this." Steve held him tighter, tucking Eddie's head against his neck. The cold water trickling under his collar was uncomfortable, but he couldn't bear the thought of moving away. "When you're ready, we can talk."

It felt like forever before Eddie moved, turning his head slightly to whisper, "Charlie?"

"I called Ronnie. She's taken Charlie to the zoo, so we got the place to ourselves for a few hours."

Eddie nodded. "She okay?"

"Yeah. I told her you were tired."

"I'm not tired, Steve. I'm hungover."

"I know." Steve kissed the top of his head, the self-loathing in Eddie's voice pulling at his heart.

Silence fell between them, Eddie unmoving in Steve's arms. It was uncomfortable and cold on the tiled floor, but Steve only worked up the courage to try and move them when Eddie started trembling. Surprisingly, he allowed Steve to help him up and into the bedroom to get dried and changed, even if he didn't speak nor look at Steve's face.

Swaddled in blankets and back in bed, Eddie looked better, if a little pale. Steve left him momentarily to grab water and painkillers, forcing him to take them. The toast he brought was left untouched.

"I'm sorry," Eddie whispered, and Steve's arms tightened around him.

"Don't apologize. Nobody's perfect, Eddie."

He didn't respond, and Steve let the silence stretch on, unsure what to say. But Eddie's following words broke his heart.

"When are you leaving?"

"Leaving?"

"Me."

That one word hurt Steve more than anything Eddie had ever said to him, far worse than their breakups or arguments. "I'm not."

"But I-"

"It doesn't matter. I'm not leaving."

Eddie started to shake again. At first, Steve thought he was cold, but then a shuddering gasp broke the silence, and he realized Eddie was crying. Deep, lurching, awful sobs that made Steve's heart ache. He pulled Eddie impossibly closer, and it felt like he was holding him together as he shook violently, fingers bruising around Steve's waist. The first bruises he would leave on Steve's skin that he didn't want.

And then Eddie was whispering something, pressing words into Steve's neck. After a minute, Steve realized it was the same two words repeated over and over.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Steve's heart broke. How could he have ever thought Eddie wouldn't regret this and consider safe wording him? It would have broken Eddie.

"It's gonna be okay, Eddie. I promise. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." Steve continued to murmur reassuring words to Eddie didn't stop until the tears subsided. When they did, Steve lifted his face to wipe away the wetness, kissing under his eyes softly, the tangy taste of salt making him wince. "I know you made a mistake. But you're here now, and I know how much you regret it. We'll get through this, Eddie. Together."

"Together?"

"In sickness and in health."

Eddie laughed, a small, croaky thing, but a laugh all the same. "Don't think I'm up to walking down the aisle today, Princess."

"Maybe tomorrow. Drink some water." Steve helped him sit and finish off the glass. He felt Eddie's forehead and was relieved to find it wasn't burning hot. "Feeling better?"

"A little," Eddie admitted sheepishly, eyes still downcast. "I'm really sorry, Steve. I don't know what I was thinking. I don't think I was. I fucked up, like, really fucked up. And I-" he cut off with a wavering gasp, more tears rolling down his cheeks. Steve quickly wiped them away. "-I almost lost you. I almost lost Charlie. What the fuck was I thinking?"

When he grabbed at his hair, Steve gently pried his hands away and held on tight. "It's just a blip. Just a moment of madness. You're not going to do it again, right?"

"No!" Eddie finally looked up at him, shocked. But then his expression crumpled into anguished sadness again as he whispered, "No, never."

"Then we clean you up, we take a few days to recover, and we move on."

"You say it like it's so easy. What happens when the others find out?"

"Who says they will?" Steve squeezed Eddie's hands when he looked up in surprise. "I told Ronnie we're taking today for ourselves. Why change that? They don't have to know, Eddie. If you promise me this won't happen again, swear it, and we can move on."

"I- I-" His lower lip trembled, but no more tears fell. Taking a deep breath, Eddie nodded. "I swear. I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die." His lips twitched ever so slightly into a smile, making Steve laugh. "Steve Harrington, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. Expect for Charlie."

"I can accept that." Steve leaned in slowly, giving Eddie the chance to pull away, but he didn't. Their lips met softly, almost hesitantly, before Eddie sighed, leaning in to kiss him properly. A slow, gentle press of lips that held no heat, only reassurances and safety. "I love you, Eddie Munson. One mistake isn't going to change that."

Eddie shuddered, holding onto Steve's wrists tight. When he opened his eyes, it was like something had cleared in his head because it was his Eddie looking back at him for the first time in days. "Steve."

"Hi, baby." Eddie smiled, face almost radiant and so beautiful up close. Steve couldn't help kissing him again, peppering them across Eddie's cheeks and nose. "You're gonna be okay."

"I know. I have you."

The simplicity of that had Steve close to tears, too. He hugged Eddie closer, knowing it wasn't enough and wishing he could reach into Eddie's brain and take away the darkness causing him so much pain. The best he could do was help pick up the pieces and get Eddie through the next few days. It wasn't going to be easy; Steve knew that. But he was willing to do it if it meant getting Eddie back.

It took a long time to coax Eddie from the bed to go downstairs. He sat at the kitchen island, looking a little diminished but better than he had that morning, and watched Steve prepare dinner. Cradling a mug of coffee, he began singing along to the radio, and Steve couldn't keep the smile from his face, joining in after a moment. Steve laughed when Eddie caught him, pulling him onto his lap. Holding and kissing him, Steve felt it was the most normal they had been in weeks.

When they broke apart, Eddie smiled, pushing Steve's hair behind his ear. "You're so beautiful, Steve. Don't ever let me treat you like that again. I was such an asshole to you, and I'm so-"

Steve kissed him before he could finish the apology. "Stop saying you're sorry." And he felt rather than saw Eddie's answering smile. Giving him a slight shake, Steve told him seriously, "But if you do it again, I'm leaving."

"Understood."

When Eddie leaned in to kiss him again, Steve quickly pressed a finger to his lips, grinning at the frown he received. "Dinner will burn."

Eddie's grip tightened around his waist, keeping him there. "Just one more thing."

"Yeah?"

He hesitated, leaning in to press his face into Steve's chest, which really shouldn't have been surprising. Running his fingers through Eddie's curls to detangle them, Steve waited patiently until finally, Eddie whispered the question, "Who am I to you?"

It felt like a trick question because the obvious answer was Eddie. Steve knew that wasn't what he meant, though, so he took the time to think, pressing a kiss to Eddie's head to let him know he wasn't being ignored. Eventually, he said, "You're just... Eddie. I mean, I've never thought of you as the Eddie Munson. You were Kas, the person who understood my needs the most. You took care of me in a way no one has before, and I fell in love with you. That's when you became more real because you became Eddie, the man I'm in love with, the man I trust with everything I am. You let me in and trust me with the most precious thing in the world: your daughter. I'm fighting for you, Eddie. I could've left last night and walked away. I could've safe-worded you this morning. But I stayed, and I don't want to force your hand. I want to build a future with you, the person I want to spend the rest of my life with."

Eddie must have known all this already, even though Steve had never spoken the words aloud. But still, Eddie looked surprised. Maybe he should have been more open with his feelings. What was obvious to Steve might not be so to Eddie. Clearly not, because Eddie's face was wet with tears again, and Steve hurried to rub them away.

"Hey, hey, it's okay, Eddie. I thought you knew?"

"Knew?" He croaked out, half amused, half exasperated. "Knew that you want to spend the rest of your life with me? Knew you loved me like that? The depths of your heart never cease to amaze me, Steve."

Cheeks burning with embarrassment and pleasure, it was Steve's turn to hide his face, ducking to press it against Eddie's neck. There, he could feel Eddie's quiet laughter and pinched his stomach to make him stop.

"Ouch! Okay, okay, I'm sorry."

"Good, because next time it'll be your nipple." Eddie quickly grabbed Steve's wandering hand, pressing it to his chest over his heart. The feeling of Eddie's steady heartbeat was soothing, and Steve relaxed, nosing at his neck. "How're you feeling?"

"Better. You?"

"Better," Steve agreed. "But you need to let me go before dinner burns."

"The horror." But Eddie did as he was told, releasing Steve.

He, too, was reluctant to leave the embrace, but the smell of singed tomatoes got him moving, hurrying to stir the spitting sauce before it could make a mess. Aware of the eyes watching him, Steve tried to act naturally but couldn't help the extra sway to his hips, not going unnoticed because Eddie laughed. "Stop staring."

"Never."

Glancing over his shoulder, Steve narrowed his eyes and pointed the stirrer at Eddie. "Behave." There was no threat to his voice. He was too pleased to have Eddie back and interested in him again. Maybe that was selfish, but Steve had never pretended to dislike attention.

Eddie simply folded his hands under his chin, leaning forward to watch Steve intently, a challenge in his eyes. Ignoring it, Steve turned back to the food. They may be on the mend, but Steve wasn't ready to play that game yet.

He only looked up at a knock on the door. Raising his eyebrows at Eddie, only to get a shrug in return, Steve took that as his cue to answer. He threw the stirrer to Eddie, threatened him with death if the food burned, and left the kitchen.

It was a man Steve didn't know, yet recognized anyway. He'd never seen a picture of Eddie's father, but who else could it be? They had the same eyes, the same wide smile, and hell, even the dimples. But Steve could see the smile didn't reach his eyes, maybe because he was used to Eddie's smiles, or maybe because he knew how to see through bullshit. Forcing his body to relax, Steve asked, "Yes?"

"You must be Steve." Eddie's father held out his hand. "I'm Al Munson, Eddie's dad?"

Steve stared down at his hand like it was a dead fish, an old trick his father had taught him. After a moment, Al dropped it, but his megawatt smile only widened. Did people really find that charming? "What do you want?"

"To see Eddie."

"No." Steve didn't know what had happened, but this sudden appearance couldn't be a coincidence. Every instinct he had was screaming at him not to let this man anywhere near Eddie.

"No?" A dangerous silkiness had crept into Al's voice, something Steve recognized from his own father. Rage disguised as charm. He stood his ground as Al stepped closer, on the bottom step now. "I haven't seen Eddie in years, and you'd deny him the chance to reconnect? He's my son."

"He's my partner." Steve got closer, too, channeling his inner Harrington to get his point across. "And you're not fooling me. Get the fuck off my property before I make you leave."

Al laughed, and Steve knew he was dangerous. Most people backed off when he used that commanding tone. But most people weren't narcissistic assholes. It was like his father incarnate. If words didn't work, force would.

Steve grabbed the baseball bat Jeff had left them just inside the front door and leveled it at Al. "Leave. Now. And if I hear you've been around Eddie again, I'll make sure nobody finds your body."

Something in his voice must have rang true because Al sobered up, eyes on the bat. After a tense pause, he shrugged, an easy smile falling back into place. "Let Eddie know I called, yeah? I'll wait for him at Rick's."

Not bothering to respond, Steve watched him out of sight, only relaxing when he stepped back inside. Setting the bat down, he jumped when Eddie asked, "What was that?" And realized he was in the kitchen doorway, frowning.

"Your dad." No point lying about it. The way Eddie cringed and shrank away from Steve confirmed it. Al had something to do with Eddie's relapse. Sighing, Steve cautiously approached Eddie, aware of his flighty tendencies, but managed to grasp his arms. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to explain, I understand."

"How could you?" Eddie asked bitterly, tense as he stared over Steve's shoulder at the front door. "I grew up in his shadow, Steve. Munson Junior. I'll never be able to escape those insinuations, that all I amount to is a crook's son heading down the same path. That I'm no better than him, no matter how hard I try."

"You are better," Steve told him fiercely. "You'd never abandon Charlie."

"I did last night!" All of their progress was unraveling at their feet, and Eddie was shaking again, pulling away and tearing at his hair. Steve couldn't imagine how bad it would be if Al had entered the house. "I threw everything away and risked my daughter's happiness! How can I call myself a good father for that? For drinking myself stupid and coming home, only to pass out without even saying goodnight? But that's probably for the best, so she doesn't have to see how much of a mess I am."

"Eddie-"

"You're covering for me, lying to Charlie and Ronnie and everybody else. And for what? So they don't know how much of a fuckup I am? Or maybe they already know, and it was just a matter of time."

"Stop it!" Steve yelled, making Eddie jump, and the shock had him go still, hands falling limply to his sides. Not wasting a second, Steve hurried over to grab his hands and squeezed fiercely, ignoring Eddie's wince. "Stop beating yourself up over one mistake. You know it was a fuckup. You've accepted that. Now, you've got to put it behind you and move on. Don't let this tear you apart, Eddie. Don't let it tear us apart."

"But-"

"You are not your father. You don't have to be like him, and I've never doubted for a second that you love your babygirl more than anything. I know you'd never hurt her the way you've been hurt, no matter how much you doubt yourself."

"I'm-"

"Don't apologize." Steve sighed as Eddie smiled sheepishly. "We're not bound by our father's ideologies. Fuck them. They can't make us do anything. They can't change who we are."

"Sounds like you understand a little too well."

Nodding, Steve leaned in to press their foreheads together. "I'm just as much of a fuckup in my father's eyes as you think you are. I don't care what he thinks anymore. I'm happy with who I am and what I want. This is what I want. Don't let your dad tear you down. You're not him."

Letting out a shuddering sigh, Eddie nodded, making their noses bump together. "You're right," he whispered against Steve's lips. "I need- fuck, I don't know. I need something normal, something like…" His eyes went wide, focusing on Steve with such startling intensity. And there was his beaming smile, a real one that Steve knew so well. "Give me five minutes?"

"Okay."

Eddie kissed him quickly before darting into the kitchen. Praying their food wasn't beyond saving, Steve waited out the timer before cautiously following. Everything looked fine; the heat turned low on the stove, so nothing had burned, but Eddie wasn't in the kitchen or the dining room. The patio door was slightly ajar, and when Steve walked over, he spotted Eddie outside, sitting out a blanket with the leftover strudels sat in front of him. He smiled, patting the spot beside him, and Steve obeyed, coming to sit, their knees pressed together, the plate between them.

"Normal?" Steve asked.

"Mhm. Not the first time I've eaten your day-old strudels, and I bet these taste better, not having spent the night with my bike." He picked one up to try, nodding in apparent bliss as he swallowed. "Perfect. Reminds me of shitty motels and pancakes."

Steve laughed, accepting the pastry when Eddie offered him a bite. "Reminds me of pink leggings and vibrators. Robin still hasn't forgiven me for ruining them."

"They did look amazing on you," Eddie sighed wistfully. He leaned in to wipe some crumbs from Steve's face, pushing on his bottom lip slightly. "You were so pretty, all worked up and frustrated, trying to ask questions."

Steve felt himself slip a notch, the world fading away as he focused on Eddie's dark eyes and the pressure on his lip. Leaning in, he whispered, "You were such an asshole."

"I was cautious; there's a difference. Still, I'm glad you were persistent."

He wanted to fall into the blissful haze of Eddie's control, let him take over for a while. But he couldn't. Reeling it in, Steve gave himself a mental shake and sat up. His disengagement from the moment hadn't gone unnoticed because a flash of surprise and then hurt flickered across Eddie's face, only to disappear behind a smile a second later. So fast, Steve wasn't sure it had been there at all, even as his stomach twisted with guilt. But Eddie was recovering from a knockdown, and Steve didn't want to burden him with more responsibility, to force his well-being onto Eddie's conscience. That side of their relationship could wait until things were better, stronger between them again.

"I'm glad you opened up," Steve offered softly, trying to steer them back into the moment. "I'm glad you waited for me and pushed me to understand you loved me."

"I do love you, Steve. Nothing's changed."

"Nothing?"

"No?" Eddie looked confused.

Leaning in close, Steve whispered. "Good. Because as soon as your head stops hurting, I want you to rail me so hard I can't walk the next day."

Color flooded Eddie's face as he choked on his strudel. When he finally cleared his throat, he glared at Steve. "Fuck you."

"Isn't that the point?" Steve asked innocently, batting his eyes.

Skating over the sticky moment, it was easy to relax with Eddie in the sun and finish the strudels, recounting all those times they had somehow failed to recognize each other. It all sounded so stupid in hindsight, but it made a good story.

That was how Charlie and Ronnie found them, sun dazed and laughing over an hour later, not hearing them return until Charlie ran over yelling, "Daddy!" And launched herself into Eddie's arms so hard they almost fell into the pool.

"Oof! Hey, babygirl."

"Steve said I was snoring last night. I wasn't, was I?"

"Uh, no, of course not."

"Ha!" She stuck her tongue out at Steve, squealing with laughter when Eddie tickled her. "Stop it!"

"Don't be mean to Steve. He was only teasing you."

Ronnie stood in the doorway, watching them with a faint crease between her eyebrows, marring her smile. Leaving Eddie with Charlie so they could have a moment, Steve joined her in the kitchen. "How was it?"

"Eh, she enjoyed the animals, and we got ice cream. How was your day?" She waggled her eyebrows, and Steve laughed. "That good, huh?"

"Something like that."

"Eddie looks better." Her frown deepened, and she glanced outside, probably to check they were busy because she lowered her voice and asked, "Is he okay? The last time he came to the studio was… tense."

That was one word to describe Eddie's attitude. But seeing him outside, laughing with Charlie as she imitated some animal - maybe a tiger? - it was hard to believe they were the same person. "Just needed a break."

"He's lucky to have you." Ronnie punched his arm, laughed at his wince, and then pulled open the patio door to call, "I'm going. Come kiss me goodbye!"

Charlie jumped up and ran over, launching herself into Ronnie's arms for a fierce hug. With less agility, Eddie joined them, but he kept out of Ronnie's reach, and Steve rubbed his arm ruefully. "Do you have to go?" Charlie asked sadly.

"Yes. I have my own family to feed."

"They're cats."

"And they can't open the tins." Ronnie wiggled her fingers in Charlie's face, making her giggle. "So I have to go feed them before they trash my place. But you eat my dessert, okay?"

"Okay. Did you hear Steve? I get extra dessert."

"I heard," He sighed in exasperation. Good thing he'd made extra. He took Charlie from Ronnie because she was starting to look strained and carried her into the kitchen. "You can help me set the table."

Leaving the other two to talk, Steve kept Charlie distracted until they heard the front door open and close, Ronnie calling goodbye. A moment later, Eddie rejoined them, looking a little worn down, but he smiled nonetheless. "Okay, let's eat!"

Not that Eddie ate much, shrugging at Steve and whispering "Queasy" when Charlie was distracted.

After dessert, Charlie started to nod off at the table but insisted Eddie read to her when he suggested an early night. Steve leveled them both with a glare so they only got to sneak off after cleaning up. Which left Steve some time alone, and he spent it relaxing in the pool, hearing the soft murmur of Eddie's voice and occasionally Charlie's from the open window above.

It was warm in the evening air, and floating on his back, Steve could feel sleep pulling at him. He must have dozed off because the next thing he knew, Eddie was calling, "Steve?!" And he flailed, swallowing a large amount of water to resurface, spluttering, to Eddie stood at the edge of the pool, worry, and amusement waring on his face. Seeing Steve was alright, he began to laugh.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up asshole." Scowling, Steve pulled himself out of the pool and, ignoring Eddie, grabbed his towel to go back inside. He could hear Eddie following after him, still chuckling as he stomped upstairs to shower. If Eddie followed him into the bathroom, Steve would have probably told him to fuck off, but he didn't. He was sitting patiently in bed when he was done, straight-faced. "Done?"

Despite a little wobble, Eddie managed not to smile.

"How's Charlie?"

"Fast asleep." He scooted over to make room so Steve could sit down. "She asked me to say goodnight from her and give you a kiss." He leaned in and kissed Steve's cheek. "There you go."

Steve smiled, pressing his forehead to Eddie's cheek as he whispered, "She told me she loved me last night."

"What?" Eddie looked at Steve in surprise. When he nodded, a soft smile crept onto Eddie's face. "Well, look at that. She likes you after all."

"Shut up," Steve mumbled, feeling his face burn, and he couldn't help smiling.

"How could she not love you?" Eddie cooed. "How couldn't anyone not love you? You're like a golden retriever."

"Thanks?"

"What I mean is, you're so easily lovable that it's pretty much impossible not to fall under your spell." Steve rolled his eyes, trying, and probably failing, to hide his pleasure at the praise. Sure enough, Eddie grinned and closed the distance between them to kiss him softly, whispering after, "I'm sorry about everything."

"I'm sorry, too. For pushing you." Steve had been thinking about it all day and had realized that even though they loved each other, some things were very different about them. When Steve was stressed, he liked to bake and wanted comfort, usually from Robin. But Eddie? Eddie wanted space. Steve hadn't given him that. A break to him meant time together. A break for Eddie was quiet time to think without distraction. "I shouldn't have pushed you so hard to stay home with me. I should have given you space."

Eddie looked surprised but still shook his head. "Doesn't excuse what I did."

"But it didn't help either."

"It wasn't your fault, Steve." He cupped Steve's face, expression earnest. "Thank you for believing in me. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," Steve promised, holding on tight long after they turned off the lights and Eddie fell asleep. It was so different from twenty-four hours ago. A chasm so wide it had seemed insurmountable was now fading fast. Despite what had happened to bring them together, Steve was grateful to have Eddie back. He would do whatever it took to keep Eddie present this time, not let him slip into the darkness of his mind again. With that promise, Steve found sleep quickly and soundly with Eddie safe in his arms.