The eyeliner felt like overkill, but Robin had been insistent. Steve spent the drive to The Hideout constantly checking his reflection in the small mirror, checking it hadn't smudged. "Are you sure about this?"
"Positive. If he doesn't kiss you by the end of tonight, it's a lost cause," Robin told him smugly as they pulled up outside the dingy-looking bar.
As they got out, Steve spotted Eddie's van by the back entrance and took a deep breath to calm his nerves. He felt so out of place, not just because of the eyeliner. He'd raided Robin's closet for the black crop top he was wearing, and the only pair of black jeans he owned had been sacrificed for the night, artfully ripped at the knees. Paired with Jonathan's combat boots, he felt ready to take on the world. And slightly nauseous.
"Come on then, big boy," Robin teased, linking their arms together to lead the way inside. "Let's find you a spot nice and close to the stage. I'll get the drinks."
That's how Steve found himself clutching a beer and stood alone by the stage. It wasn't crowded inside. A few groups of older men sat around the small circular tables, talking quietly. No one paid him any attention or Robin, who was seated close by. She gave him a thumbs up as Jeff appeared from behind the red curtain to set up a mic.
Jeff paused when he glanced up and saw Steve, his mouth stretching into a smirk. "Fancy seeing you here, Harrington."
"Robin told you I was coming?"
"She sure did." He finished with the mic and sat down so they were face-to-face. "Eddie's none the wiser, though. Gotta tell you, he's gonna flip when he sees you."
"In a good way."
"Definitely good." They both looked towards backstage when someone whistled. With a groan, Jeff got to his feet again. "That's my cue. I'll see you after the show?"
"Sure."
Steve didn't have long to wait until the band came out, smiling when one group of men cheered drunkenly.
It wasn't the first show he'd attended, far from it, but every time, he was struck by how good Eddie looked on stage like he was made to perform in the spotlights of dingy bars. A star from the grime. It always took Steve's breath away, and tonight was no different. His chest felt tight as his eyes landed on Eddie with his big smile, bright eyes, and wild hair.
Eddie's eyes flickered down to meet his, and they widened in disbelief, mouth opening slightly. Steve smiled back, full of confidence now as Eddie's eyes dragged over him appreciatively. And then he laughed when Michael elbowed Eddie for missing his cue.
He retired to the table with Robin so Eddie could concentrate when it became apparent he was a distraction. Content to watch and drink his beer, and the band played. It wasn't his type of music, but Steve could get used to it. He had a feeling he needed to if he was going to pursue this thing with Eddie. And yeah, the whole rockstar vibe was hot, not that he'd ever admit it out loud.
"So?" Robin asked.
"I'm gonna suck his dick after this." Okay, he could tell Robin. But no one else.
"Gross. So not what I meant."
"Oh. Yeah, it worked." Steve told her confidently as he caught Eddie's eyes again, laughing when his guitar screeched a moment later.
Robin winced, getting up to buy another drink. Not her music either, and she had no reason to suffer through it sober, unlike Steve, who wanted to be sober for his first kiss with Eddie, which was imminent.
As the last song ended and the band took their bows amidst drunken whooping and applause, Steve slipped backstage. Gareth just had time to wink at him before Eddie was bounding over and dragging him out the back door. Steve had barely registered the freezing night air when lips crashed against his, warmth flooding his body instead.
When they broke apart, his feelings came out in a wondrous laugh. "It worked?"
"Yeah, it worked," Eddie replied, sounding just as breathless as Steve. "God, you're such an asshole." Before Steve could ask if that was a compliment, Eddie kissed him again, and he mumbled against his lips, "You're never wearing eyeliner around me again."
