The first time Eddie meets Steve's parents, they don't know he's in their son's room. Hearing a car pull up outside the house and the front door opening, Steve had begged Eddie to hide. Panicked, he did as he was told and was now stuck in Steve's closet as they greeted their son.
Maybe met wasn't the right word.
Listening to them berate Steve for what felt like hours, from the state of the kitchen countertops to the empty pool to the bruises on his neck - the last one being Eddie's fault - it was endless.
"We've heard all about your new friends," his father said mockingly. "Children and drug addicts. Honestly, Steven, if you don't clean up your act, we're going to have to send you on a retreat so you can learn how to act like a proper man. We tolerated this when you were in school, but you're in the real world now. Act like it." And with that, his father had left the room, slamming the door shut as the scathing words hung in the air.
It took Eddie a further five minutes to inch his way out of the closet, terrified to make a sound as he crept over to Steve's hunched form, face buried in his hands. Steve jumped at his touch, head snapping up and eyes going wide in surprise, like he had forgotten Eddie was there at all. Eddie said nothing, only wrapped his arms around Steve, and that's when the tears started to fall, thick and fast and silent.
"I love you," Eddie whispered into Steve's hair as he shook in his arms. "You're perfect, Steve. Don't let them take that away from you. You don't have to be what he wants. You're your own person."
When Steve calmed down, Eddie knew he couldn't stay. It was too risky.
"I'll see you in the morning," Eddie promised, kissing Steve long and hard until they both ran out of breath.
Steve managed a small smile, squeezing his hand. "Okay. I love you."
"I love you more." Eddie kissed him once more before sneaking out of the window. Thank god they had the foresight to have him park down the street. If his van had been in the driveway, who knew what would have happened?
Eddie did not get to see Steve the following day, or the one after that. In fact, it was a week before he got to see his boyfriend again, a knock at the door in the middle of the night. He opened the door to find it was Steve, pale and tired, swaying on the doorstep. Eddie didn't ask questions, only guided him to sit on the couch.
Steve rested his head in Eddie's lap, eyes fluttering shut as he combed his fingers through his hair. Within moments, he was asleep.
A burning rage Eddie had never felt was coursing through his veins. How could anyone treat their own son like this, let alone someone as good and kind as Steve? He deserved so much better. He deserved to be shown how good of a person he truly was.
After that, Eddie showered Steve in affection, endless kisses and praises that left him embarrassed and blushing a beautiful shade of pink. He bought his favorite candies and listened to his music without complaint, even if it wasn't his type and they spent more and more time at the trailer, rather than Steve's house where his parents were still firmly encamped.
Slowly, the light returned to Steve's eyes and he began to laugh again, poking fun at Eddie for all the sappiness. Eddie didn't mind being teased. It was all worth it to see Steve's smile again.
"I'm leaving Hawkins," Steve told him one night as they lay in the darkness together in Eddie's room.
For a horrible moment, Eddie's stomach twisted with anxiety and he thought he might be sick. "Yeah?" He managed to force out.
Not convincing because Steve rolled over to look at him in surprise. "You think I'd go without you? I want you to come. It doesn't matter where I am or what I have, as long as I have you, I know it'll be okay."
Eddie wanted to cry. Instead he pulled Steve in for a kiss and nodded against his lips. "Let's run away then. You deserve better than this."
"I know. I don't want to live under my parents' rules anymore. I want to be free. I want to be with you. I deserve you." Steve sealed the words with another kiss and the next day, he packed up the few belongings he wanted to keep and left home.
Within weeks, they left Hawkins. Not moving far because Steve wanted to be near the kids and Robin so Eddie obliged but they were free. And Steve flourished under his own terms, happier and lighter than Eddie had ever seen him. It was like falling in love all over again.
Eddie swore he would never spend a night away from Steve. And he never did.
