Steve knew it was silly, but he couldn't help holding onto the scooper.
It was like a lucky charm of sorts, despite the darkness attached to it. He didn't like thinking about Starcourt and the Russians, but he couldn't let go of the scooper. It lived in his drawer for the most part, collecting dust, but sometimes he took it out and looked at it, the once shiny metal now dull with age and dust.
Nobody knew, except maybe Robin, because she had a habit of snooping. If she had found it, she never brought it up, for which he was grateful. They had an unspoken agreement about Starcourt not to talk about it, despite it cementing their close friendship.
And then he met Eddie, whose infectious energy helped brighten Steve's days, even if it took almost months for them to become friends. After that, things escalated quickly and now it had been nearly six months of them 'dating'. It was the happiest Steve had been since the whole upside-down shit had started, and even though he couldn't talk to Eddie about it, their relationship was blossoming. He was really starting to think it could last.
"What is this thing?"
Steve's blood ran cold when he saw Eddie holding the scooper. "Nothing, put it back."
Eddie's eyebrows rose in surprise at his sharp tone, but he carefully put the scooper back in the drawer. "O-kay?"
When Eddie opened his mouth to say something else, Steve snapped, "Drop it."
"Right. Totally. Didn't see a thing." Eddie glanced around the room, keenly avoiding Steve. "I'm, uh, gonna head out, I think. Yeah."
"Eddie, wait-" Steve followed him into the hallway, grabbing his arm at the stairs. "I didn't mean to snap; I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine. I shouldn't have been snooping through your shit."
Still, he looked hurt by the rebuttal, and Steve wanted to tell him, but how could he explain? 'Remember when I worked at Scoops Ahoy and the mall burned down? Yeah, it was Russians, and they tortured me and Robin when we snuck into their lair with a couple of kids. They were opening a gate to a different dimension, and a super giant, super gross meat monster attacked us, and we blew up the mall. So yeah, the scoop is kinda a lucky charm?' No way would Eddie believe him. He'd probably laugh in his face or get angry at Steve for telling shitty lies.
"It's complicated."
"Uh-huh." Eddie's expression hardened, and he pulled free. "You don't have to lie, Steve. But don't bullshit me, either."
"You wouldn't believe me!"
"Try me." When Steve said nothing, Eddie sighed. "Whatever, Steve. I'll see you later."
Steve followed Eddie down the stairs, blocking the front door. "Okay, okay. If I tell you… do you promise to take me seriously?"
"Uh, yeah?"
"You better sit down then." Steve guided him to the living room, and they sat together on the couch. Taking a deep breath and holding Eddie's hand for support, Steve began. It took over an hour to explain, and even then, Steve was sure he'd left out details. Eddie's eyes got wider and wider, but he never interrupted or pulled away; he just sat, taking it all in. It was possible he didn't believe a word Steve had said, so when he finished, he asked tentatively, "So..?"
Eddie shook his head slowly, looked down at their hands, and said, "You're serious, aren't you?"
Steve nodded.
"Holy shit. Wow. Um, that's a lot?" He laughed nervously, pulling away to run his hands through his hair. "Oh, that is so fucking much to… take in. And you just- you're still here?"
"Uh, yeah?"
"Why? Why would you stay in Hawkins?"
"This is my home, Eddie. Besides, it's over now. The gates closed, and it can't get out. My friends are here, the kids, my job… you."
Eddie calmed slightly, rejoining Steve, and grabbed both his hands, holding them tight. "You really are something else, Steve." He lifted their hands to kiss Steve's, smiling at him. "It's a good thing I love you."
Steve's heart swelled at hearing the words for the first time, and he choked on a laugh. "Yeah, I love you too."
"Thank you, for trusting me. And I'm gonna have, like, a million questions once I wrap my head around this, by the way." Eddie hesitated, looking away. "And the scooper?"
"It's a good luck charm? I can't really explain it, but it… It reminds me of what happened. What we lived through. I'm still alive. I'm still here. That's gotta mean something, right? How lucky I am to get through all that shit. I know it's stupid, and I should throw it away… but I can't."
Eddie nodded, stroking Steve's knuckles slowly. "I get it. You know that record I have?"
"The burned one?"
"Yeah. It's my mom's. The only thing I could rescue from the fire. I guess that's my lucky charm because I survived all that shit."
Steve felt better, having someone who understood. He felt… lighter. Leaning in, he kissed Eddie and whispered, "Thank you."
"Anytime, Steve. You can tell me anything, y'know?"
"I know." Steve truly believed that. Here was someone he would never have to keep secrets from, and he knew how lucky he was to have that. Maybe the scooper really was a lucky charm after all.
