Being with Steve felt like a revelation.

After spending literal years convincing himself it would never work, to say Eddie was surprised at how easy it was being Steve's friend was an understatement.

That initial clash, the dislike, and all the prejudice, it all turned out to be bullshit. Steve Harrington was, in fact, not a douchebag. He was kindhearted and passionate despite the sarcasm and bitchy attitude. Once Eddie saw the real Steve, the way his face softened when he spoke to one of the kids, he knew he was a goner.

But still, he didn't think it could work. They were too different. Grew up on opposite sides of the tracks, and had no overlapping interests, and their first real introduction at a Hellfire Meeting was filled with tension and sharp looks. It didn't help that Dustin had painted Steve as this cool, daredevil big brother type that just didn't fit next to the image of King Steve. It certainly didn't help that Eddie treated him like the person he'd been in high school, the old social conformities erected between them like a barrier.

Those had quickly worn down. Steve's charm and somewhat endearing dorkiness disarmed Eddie so fast it left his head spinning.

The charged energy changed, no longer grating and stilted but electric with something new, something dangerous that Eddie thought would burn him. And Steve did burn him, but Eddie revealed in it when they inevitably came together one night, fierce kisses and wandering hands. Waking up the following day in Steve's bed, Eddie felt he was still burning, wrapped up in an embrace.

It didn't hurt.

He grew under Steve's warmth and care, just as he cooled Steve's desire for love. Their opposing qualities helped their relationship flourish. Learning to enjoy Steve's interests, teaching him how to play DnD properly, Sunday dinners watching the game with Wayne on the ancient TV in the trailer. All of it fit together in a way Eddie couldn't describe.

It wasn't destructive like he'd feared. It was love, plain and simple.

It turned out opposites do attract. Eddie had never been more glad for it to be true.