Steve had been sweating over dinner for three hours now. He had spent the better part of two weeks sneaking over to the joint Byers-Hopper household during the day to learn how to make the meal from Joyce. It was supposed to be a surprise and Steve was horrible at keeping secrets.

He hoped Eddie didn't know.

Because Eddie was far too perceptive in Steve's opinion. He always knew when something was wrong or Steve was having a bad day. When he came home from work to find pasta cooking and one of his comfort movies waiting on the table, his heart always seemed to find more room for Eddie.

Steve was busy remembering the warmth of being in Eddie's arms when the front door opened. He spun around and quickly grabbed Eddie before he could get into the kitchen. "You're home early?"

Eddie frowned, allowing himself to be steered away. "Uh, yeah... There was a leak at work, the place got flooded. What're you up to?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Nothing bad," He amended. Eddie looked unconvinced. "You weren't supposed to come home early, it's a surprise."

His eyebrows rose and Steve was pleased to see he looked genuinely surprised. "Okay, how about I go out for a while? How long do you need?"

"An hour?"

"Alright, an hour it is." Eddie kissed him chastely and opened the front door. Then he was back, kissing Steve again who laughed and gave him a small push. "Come on baby, kicking me out?"

"For now, yes." With one last kiss and a push, Eddie was outside. "Don't cause too much trouble."

"When have I ever?"

"Goodbye, Eddie."

"Until later, my beloved." And with a ridiculous bow, Eddie turned and walked away.

Steve watched him around the corner before closing the door and hurrying back to the kitchen. Thankfully nothing had been ruined in his absence.

An hour later Steve had dinner laid out and the candles lit. The weight of the small box in his pocket was getting heavier with each passing minute. At the sound of the front door opening again he almost sighed in relief.

"Is it safe?" Eddie called.

"Yeah!" Steve smiled when he entered the kitchen, eyes going wide. "I made dinner."

"This looks... wow." He looked suitably impressed and touched a hand to Steve's back. "Who made it?"

"I did you ass."

Eddie laughed as Steve swatted at him. "Really? Because you've been known to set fire to pasta. How did you manage all this?"

"Fine, Joyce helped. It's a secret family recipe she made me swear to take to my grave. I've been going over to learn for a couple of weeks."

"Ah, that's what you've been doing!" Eddie smiled and kissed his cheek. "I asked Robin when you were due back from that extra shift last Thursday and she didn't know what I was talking about."

Steve groaned. "Can't get anything past you."

"Sorry, sweetheart. I figured you'd come clean eventually." He tugged on Steve's belt to bring their bodies flush together. "I gotta say, I didn't see this coming. Does it taste as good as it smells?"

"You tell me." Steve held out a chair for Eddie who sat and then hurried around to his own seat.

"You're not trying to poison me?"

"No. As if you have anything of worth to take."

"Hey, those Judas Priest records will be worth something one day!"

"If you say so."

Eddie gave him a half-hearted glare, resting a leg over Steve's lap in punishment. Not that he minded in the slightest. He watched Eddie take the first bite, holding his breath in anticipation.

"Holy shit, Steve," Eddie's eyes flew open to look at him in uninhibited shock. "This is fucking amazing!"

"Oh, good." Steve sighed and relaxed back. "I'll have to thank Joyce."

"Here, try some." Eddie held out a forkful and Steve took it, nodding his agreement. They went back and forth feeding each other until the plates were empty. Eddie sat back and rubbed his stomach with a satisfied groan. "I might let you cook more often now."

"Better not. This was likely a once-off." Eddie hummed lazily, head falling back on his shoulders. His hair fell over one side of his face so Steve brushed it back, thumb tracing tenderly across his cheek. "Eds?"

"Yeah?"

"I actually got another surprise, well, more of a gift really."

Eddie looked up curiously as Steve fumbled for the box in his pocket and placed it on the table. Now with his full attention, Steve opened it to reveal a silver ring inlaid with a red jewel. "Steve... What is this?"

"I just... wanna give you something. You know, proof of our relationship and what you mean to me. I love you, Eds. This is a promise to you that I'll always love you. Maybe one day we can get married and I'll give you a real ring but for now, I got you this."

"Christ, Steve..." Eddie shook his head and picked up the ring. "This is, fuck, this is a lot."

"Is it too much?"

"No, god no, Steve." Eddie grabbed his hand and was suddenly smiling. "It's perfect. Here, you chose." He passed the ring over and held out his hand for Steve.

It took him a moment because his hands were shaking but he got the ring on. Steve kissed his hand and smiled as Eddie grasped his chin and tilted his head up. "Looks good on you."

"I love you."

"I love you too."