It was bitterly cold outside as Steve knocked on Eddie's door, pulling up his collar against the wind. Eddie's eyes widened in surprise as he opened the door and he quickly pulled Steve into the mercifully warm trailer. "Steve, it's snowing outside! What are you doing?"

"Needed to see you."

"Christ, you're freezing. Let's get you into something warm." Eddie guided him to the sofa and dropped several blankets on him before rushing off. "So, you wanna tell me what's so important?" He asked when he returned with new clothes and a thick jumper for Steve to change into.

"My parents are home." Eddie just nodded and got up to give him some privacy. As if he wasn't just feet away in the same room but still. Steve changed as he heard the kettle boiling and Eddie searching through the cupboards. "I had to get out of there, snuck out my window."

Eddie turned to look at him incredulously. "Tell me you didn't walk here?" Steve shrugged. "I'm on the other side of town! No wonder you're frozen!"

"I don't care."

"Sit," Eddie ordered, pushing him back onto the sofa. "I'll bring you something warm to drink, your lips are turning blue. Absolute maniac."

Steve huffed in frustration and followed Eddie into the small kitchen area. "They were talking shit about you, Eds! Calling you trailer trash and... worse! We got into a big fight about it and they're pissed big surprise. Point is, I wanted to see you."

"Well, thank you for defending my honour." Eddie handed him a mug and sat down so Steve copied him, wrapping the blanket firmly around his shoulders. The shivering had started to slow down now and he could hold the drink without spilling it everywhere. "But you didn't need to. Everybody says and thinks the same thing in this shitty town."

"I don't." Steve busied himself drinking, blaming the heated steam for making his cheeks flush when Eddie smiled at him. "Hot chocolate?"

"You're too keyed up for caffeine. Besides, hot chocolate is perfect for snow!"

"Thank you." They drank quietly and Steve soon warmed up, shedding the blanket. "Seriously, Eds, fuck my parents and fuck this town for thinking shit about you. You're more real than any of them."

"Aww, Stevie, you're gonna make me blush."

"I'm serious, you're amazing. I wish everyone else could see that too."

"I don't care what other people think, Steve. I've got friends and family. If the rest of the world thinks I'm a freak, I can live with that." Eddie smiled over his mug and nudged Steve with his foot. "You're my best friend and I've got you backing my corner. What else do I need?"

"I don't want to be your friend, Eds." Steve looked at his drink so he didn't have to watch Eddie. "There's a reason I came to you instead of the others. Why I can't stand my parents talking shit about you. It drives me insane that people don't see how kind and caring you really are, how-"

He stuttered to a stop as Eddie stood and looked up apprehensively. "Oh, you can keep going if you want." Eddie was still smiling as he moved around the table to Steve's side.

"You're amazing, Eds. I've never wanted someone this badly," Steve whispered and even though his fingers were starting to hurt he clutched his hot mug tighter. "You just let me in and gave me clothes, made me hot chocolate. No one's ever cared for me like this before."

"Steve," Eddie crouched down next to him and gently took the mug, putting it on the table. "Your lips are still blue, I could help?"

"Yeah?"

He smiled, leaning closer and Steve instinctively closed his eyes as their lips met. The contact made his face burn as blood rushed to his cheeks. Eddie hummed as he pulled away. "That's better."

"Do it again?" Steve asked without thought before realising his desperate he sounded but Eddie only smiled and kissed him. When they finally broke apart, Steve never wanted to leave. "Can I stay?"

"Always."