The first time they almost kissed had scared Eddie shitless. Imagining something did not mean he was prepared for the reality. Even as he stood there trembling in the aftermath of having Steve Harrington's lips so close to his, he wasn't so sure it had really happened.
After another successful Hellfire meeting, Steve had offered to help carry everything back to Eddie's van and stood talking to him as he packed it all away safely. When Eddie climbed out, he was surprised at how close Steve was and stumbled right into him, fighting not to blush when Steve's arm came up around his waist in support.
This close, he could see the freckles in Steve's eyes and, glancing down, his parted lips. Eddie leaned in without thought, Steve too, but just before their lips could touch, a car horn blared, and they sprang apart. Dustin repeatedly laid on Steve's car horn, glaring at them pointedly. Steve laughed, rubbing the back of his neck with pink cheeks, and said goodbye, leaving Eddie trembling and confused in the middle of the school parking lot.
…
The second time, they were alone and lying on the top of Eddie's trailer, lazily passing a joint back and forth as they stared at the night sky. Wayne had gone to work hours before, and after a couple of beers, Eddie had broken out his stash.
He liked to come up on the roof on warm nights like these and watch the bright stars twinkling. It helped put things in perspective about how small he really was, and in the end, it was all just stardust. But being with Steve, it felt like a lot more than that. Eddie felt very alive with his racing heart and warm fingers from constantly brushing against Steve's.
The quiet between them felt charged with something new, something that had been building since that fateful Hellfire meeting almost two weeks ago. This was the first time they had been alone together since then, and Eddie couldn't think of anything but Steve's lips.
It was even harder to ignore when Steve got up on one elbow and took a long drag from the joint, Eddie's eyes focusing on his lips. He rolled his eyes when Steve laughed, turning away to hide his blush, but was surprised when strong fingers grabbed his chin, forcing him to turn back.
Steve's eyes were dark, dilated by the booze and weed but intense at the same time as he leaned in, giving Eddie plenty of time to pull away if he wanted to. He did not.
They were so close he could feel Steve's shaky breath against his lips as they brushed together, but a sudden blinding light broke them apart. Eddie blinked dazedly in the blindness, shielding his eyes as he looked down to see it was Wayne returning home. Sighing, he stubbed out the joint and helped Steve climb down, trying to ignore the tingling sensation still on his lips.
…
The third time, Eddie was returning videos at Steve's work. It was a slow day, so he decided to stick around and annoy Steve and Robin between customers. It wasn't like he had anything better to do.
Robin soon got sick of his rambling and left them to it, going off to restock the shelves. Steve, however, leaned on the counter and insisted Eddie continue the retelling of his famous attempt at domesticating a raccoon. It didn't end well, and Eddie still had a scar, which he showed Steve, much to his amusement.
Steve's fingers traced the slightly raised skin, sending little shocks up Eddie's arm, goosebumps rising in his wake. Their eyes met, and Eddie leaned across the counter, too, standing on his tiptoes to reach Steve.
Robin knocked over a stack of tapes, the loud clattering noise breaking them apart, and as Eddie slid back to his side of the counter, Steve glared at Robin. She just shrugged innocently.
With more customers appearing, Eddie bid them farewell, eyes lingering on Steve for a moment before he left, feeling his look returned as he walked away.
…
The fourth time, Steve came to see Corroded Coffin in action at The Hideout. Eddie was surprised but pleased to find Steve backstage after their set, glad when the others didn't stick around after greeting him. They already knew about Eddie's embarrassing crush but, thankfully, hadn't ratted him out. They were decent enough to give them privacy, though.
Eddie busied himself, putting his guitar away, basking in the praise Steve was giving out liberally. He laughed at the verbal diatribe because, yeah, as much as Eddie loved the band, they weren't as amazing as Steve was making them out to be.
It stopped Steve in his tracks, though, and he smiled shyly. It was a good look for him.
The music out in the bar seemed to dim, the dusty backstage thrown into sharp relief as their amusement died, bodies drawn together like magnets. Steve reached up to push Eddie's sweaty hair back from his face, palm resting against his burning cheek.
Eddie was going to kiss him this time. He was sure of it. Right up until the moment the door opened and the loud music burst in, breaking their little bubble with an almost audible pop. Steve let him go and stepped back with a wistful smile as they were ushered into the main room by Jeff and Gareth, who had ordered them a round of drinks.
Maybe next time, Eddie thought, following his friends back to the bar.
…
The fifth time, it was definitely going to happen, stumbling upstairs and giggling in Steve's house like a couple of teenagers. God, Eddie felt so much younger when he was around Steve like the Upside Down hadn't stolen the last piece of his innocence.
Maybe it was just Steve, though.
Eddie wanted to know how good those lips felt against his own, crashing through the door into Steve's bedroom, and they both fell on the bed laughing. Every time he calmed down, Eddie would see the stupid framed picture of a car and start laughing again.
When Steve asked what was wrong, he could only shake his head. But when Steve sat up to lean over him, hands bracketing him in, Eddie's laughter finally subsided, joy settling under his skin like a vibration, pulsing in time to the music below. Steve was beautiful, and maybe Eddie had said that out loud because Steve was smiling his beautiful, shy smile again and leaning down, their noses brushing, lips barely touching.
So, of course, the door swung open again to reveal Nancy and Robin several steps ahead of them, already locked in a fierce embrace. Eddie couldn't help it; he started laughing, and a moment later, Steve joined in as the girls sprang apart.
Robin started to apologise but was quickly dragged from the room, and once the door shut, Steve flopped down beside Eddie with a sigh. Their hands found each other in the darkness, and staring at the ceiling, Eddie felt content with just this, soon falling asleep in Steve's bed and embrace.
…
The sixth time, it did happen.
Another Hellfire meeting, another chance.
Steve was helping to clear away the table, too close to Eddie actually to be productive as their hands kept brushing. Taking the leap, Eddie closed his fingers around Steve's, heart beating fast as their fingers entwined and their eyes met. He gave Steve a small smile, which was returned, and they leaned into an almost familiar pull.
And as Eddie expected, they were interrupted by indignant shouts from the kids, breaking them apart.
Steve sighed, glaring at them, which effectively shut them up, and when he looked back at Eddie, he grinned. "Fuck it."
Hands framing Eddie's face, Steve finally kissed him. It was worth the wait, and Eddie smiled into the kiss, ignoring the noises of disgust from all around. When they broke apart, he couldn't help laughing as a joyous feeling overtook him, Steve beaming back. They left the school hand in hand, sharing another kiss before going their separate ways. If only for a little while.
Steve would be coming over to his home later. Eddie couldn't wait.
