Parties weren't Steve's thing, not since the disaster that was Barbara's disappearance and everything that had unfolded after. Steve's house had been closed ever since, and everyone had relocated to Tommy's, except this latest one, which Tommy and Carol were trying their hardest to get Steve to attend.

"C'mon, Steve, it'll be fun!"

"Yeah, after you and Princess Wheeler broke up, you could do with a little cheering up!"

Steve sighed, shutting his locker, and turned to face his friends. Whatever excuse he had died on his tongue at their hopeful faces. Besides, he could do with some fun. "Okay," He conceded, smiling when they both grinned. "So where is it again?"

"The Quarry, Friday night," Tommy told him as he was dragged away by Carol. Probably to skip class and make out under the bleachers. Steve was glad not to be invited along. "At nine!"

"Right, nine," Steve told himself, walking the opposite way towards class.

Friday came around fast and Steve was already regretting agreeing to the party as he drove to the quarry. It, too, had been tainted by the upside down, though not as badly as his house. He could get through one night, right?

The party was already in full swing by the time he got there, which was a good thing because most people were too wasted to notice him. A bonfire was blazing in the middle of the stony beach, warming the cool air. Steve found a spot close enough to the fire to keep warm but away from the main party. He'd already spotted Tommy and Carol nearer the center but didn't want to interrupt since they were practically glued to each other.

At some point, a beer was pushed into his hands, so Steve drank quietly, wondering if he could get seen by enough people to just leave when someone sat beside him with a heavy groan. It was Eddie Munson, Someone Steve wasn't exactly friends with but knew through his little side hustle, which explained his presence at the party.

"I'm not buying tonight, Munson."

"Good because I'm sold out." He stretched out with another groan, kicking Steve's foot with a dirty sneaker. "Haven't seen you at one of these in a while, Harrington."

"What, you missed me?"

"My best buyer? Of course."

Steve rolled his eyes, sipping his drink.

"Okay, not a talker. Noted." They sat in silence for so long that Steve had almost forgotten Eddie was there and jumped when he spoke. "It's kind of nice, isn't it? The bonfire. Shame about all the noise, though. Wanna get out of here and make our own?"

"Our own… what?"

But Eddie didn't answer. He jumped to his feet and offered Steve his hand, eyes alight with mischief and dancing in the bonfire. Surprisingly, Steve found himself grasping Eddie's hand in his own, allowing himself to pulled up and followed him away from the party and back to the cars.

Steve wasn't sure what he was doing, following Eddie Munson's van down the quiet streets of Hawkins. He had no idea where they were going, and no one knew where he had gone or who he was with. It was insanity. But he felt a spark of excitement for the first time in forever.

They left Hawkins behind, driving into the surrounding forest. By this point, Steve had a vague idea of where they were headed. It was confirmed when Eddie pulled up by Lover's Lake and Steve parked beside him. "Skull Rock?"

"C'mon, Harrington, don't spoil it." Eddie grinned and produced a flashlight. "May I?"

"Lead the way."

It didn't take long to reach Skull Rock, and although it had been a while since Steve had visited, it looked almost the same except for a random chair and a small fire pit. Eddie seemed right at home, though, fixing up the fire before sprawling next to it. He patted the spot beside him, so Steve joined him. It wasn't as big as the bonfire at the quarry, but it was quieter.

Soon enough, Steve found himself relaxed enough to talk. "How often do you do this?"

"What?"

"Come out here and just… sit."

"What makes you think I do this a lot?"

"There's a chair."

Eddie glanced at it and shrugged. "The floor gets cold. Besides, I deal here sometimes; it's not so close to school, and the cops rarely come out here. Not everyone I sell to is in high school. Ideal for business."

"Got it all figured out, huh?"

"It pays to be smart."

Steve snorted. Of all the words he could use to describe Eddie Munson, smart wasn't one of them. But maybe it should be, he reconsidered. Eddie had known how uncomfortable Steve was at the party and had come up with an ideal solution. Besides, he barely knew the guy. How was he supposed to know how smart Eddie was? Having his life turned upside down (hah) had definitely changed his worldview.

"It's nice. Thanks for showing me."

"Anytime."

They fell back into silence but it was comfortable now. After a while, Eddie pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered him one, which Steve gladly accepted. The fire kept off most of the chill, but Steve couldn't help but shiver when the breeze picked up. He was surprised - but secretly glad - when Eddie's leather jacket was thrown into his lap. It smelled like weed and cigarettes and something that must be Eddie, but it was warm, and the leather was soft. Steve put it on gratefully.

"So what happened?"

"What do you mean?"

Eddie fixed Steve with a curious look. "You changed. Or maybe you were never an asshole, I don't know. But something's different about you. Doubt you would've followed me here a few months ago."

"Oh, um… life?" Even Steve had to smile when Eddie snorted. "Sorry, it's kinda hard to talk about. I sighed an NDA."

"Wow. So you're not Hawkins Golden Boy after all." Eddie looked mildly impressed. "C'mon, not even a hint?"

"Nope. Sorry, Munson, my lips are sealed."

"How about a little quid pro quo." Eddie shifted closer, voice dropping to a whisper. "I tell you something, and you fess up."

It was Steve's turn to snort. "I don't want to know about the soccer mom's smoking weed."

"That's not much of a secret." Eddie's conspiratorial tone made Steve curious, and he found himself leaning in. The way Eddie's eyes flickered down and lingered on his lips made Steve sure he knew what was coming. Maybe the rumors about Eddie Munson weren't all bullshit after all.

"Fine, you got a deal."

"Alright." Eddie sat back, making Steve blink in confusion at the sudden withdrawal. "Y'know the shit on the bathroom walls about me sucking dick and shit? It's not entirely wrong. I like guys."

Steve stared at Eddie, who looked wholly unconcerned, if not for the slight shake of his hand as he finished his cigarette. "Why would you tell me that?"

Eddie shrugged, searching Steve's face. "I kinda get the feeling you understand. Something about you, Harrington. Like I said, I don't think you're an asshole."

"What do you think of me then?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

Confidence growing, Steve stubbed out his cigarette and leaned back in. "Maybe you're all talk. I don't think you've ever sucked a dick in your life."

The surprised laughter Eddie let out seemed punched out of him because a second later, he was coughing. When he finally composed himself, he was still chuckling. "You got me. Not for lack of wanting, though. Not a lot of choice around here."

"True," Steve conceded. He wondered if there was some sort of secret gay club in Hawkins, but probably not. "Have you tried Indianapolis?"

Eddie looked surprised, but his eyes narrowed. "You're weird. I tell you I'm gay, and you're trying to give me hookup advice?"

"Hey, everyone deserved to get their dick sucked! Or, well, blow one if they want. Trust me, I'm not judging you for wanting to get laid. There are a lot worse things in the world." Like monsters. Steve shivered, drawing the jacket tighter around himself. "Something I saw… it wasn't human. I don't think you're a bad person because you like guys."

"You're serious, aren't you?" Eddie watched him closely, and he didn't sound like he thought Steve was crazy. "Something not human?"

Steve shook his head.

"Well, shit. No wonder you're not supposed to talk about it. It's not, uh, still around, is it?" Eddie looked around nervously, which made Steve laugh.

"No. It's gone."

"Well, if I get eaten, I'm coming back to haunt your ass."

"Because you're pissed or because you like my ass."

Eddie stared at him in surprise before bursting into laughter again. "You are hard to read. Anyone ever tell you that?"

"Nope." All his life, Steve had tried to play it safe. Now, though, he felt like doing something daring, something he shouldn't do, but he wanted to. The more he looked, the more he noticed how pretty Eddie was with his freckles and dark eyes, pale skin glowing in the firelight. Steve wanted to kiss him, and this time, it was him who was looking down as he leaned in. "Tell me if I'm reading this wrong, but…"

"So, not reading it wrong," Eddie murmured.

Their lips met in a soft, explorative kiss. It was clear Eddie hadn't kissed anyone before, but he mirrored Steve, learning quickly, and it sent little shocks through Steve, warming him far more effectively than the fire. He hadn't felt this kind of connection, this flush of attraction, since he first started dating Nancy before everything went to shit.

When they broke apart, Eddie smiled shyly and ducked behind a sweep of his hair. It was so endearing that Steve's heart ached, and he reached out to brush Eddie's hair away, rubbing his thumb tenderly over his flushed cheek. "Not bad, Munson. For a first timer."

Eddie rolled his eyes, coming back to himself quickly, and he deadpanned, "Wow. No wonder the girls like you, Steve. You're such a charmer."

"I could always try again?"

"Are you sure you can handle my expertise?"

"I can handle anything you throw at me, Munson."

Spending the night making out with Eddie Munson was not how Steve saw the evening going, but he'd enjoyed it far more than if he'd stayed at the party. By the time they got back to the parking lot, Steve was already planning their first date. Not that he asked Eddie just then; he decided to wait until Monday to give them both time to think about it. But when Eddie kissed him goodbye and hopped into his van, Steve was sure the fluttering in his stomach wouldn't have faded. He hoped Eddie's wouldn't either.