12. Face to Face With Your Drunken Standards

When Eddie awoke, it was to a hand running slowly up and down his stomach. He blinked the sleep out of his eyes, registering that it was morning, and Steve was in his bed. Which meant everything last night actually happened. A sleepy smile stretched his face, taking in Steve’s unruly hair on his chest.

Steve must’ve noticed he was awake, because he twisted his head to look at Eddie properly. “Morning,” he said simply, voice still scratchy from sleep.

“Morning,” Eddie echoed, moving the hand that was around Steve’s side to play with his hair, lackadaisical. He attempted to clear the gruffness out of his throat before asking, “You been up long?”

Steve shook his head, “A little over half an hour, or something.”

Eddie snorted. “I’d consider that long, but whatever.”

Steve let his head lie back down on Eddie’s chest, inching impossibly closer as Eddie continued running his fingers lazily through his hair. Their legs were entangled, Steve’s hand still exploring Eddie’s torso, dipping dangerously lower. The stiffness jutting into Eddie’s side did not go unnoticed.

“Clearly it’s been an agonizing half hour,” Eddie teased.

“Shut up,” he murmured. “Thought it would go away but it didn’t.”

“Unfortunately for you, it’s gonna have to remain unresolved,” Eddie informed, a bit disappointed himself as he took his hand away from Steve’s hair, letting it fall on his shoulder instead. He looked over to check the clock on the bedside table to confirm his thoughts. “Wayne’s definitely home by now, and I don’t trust you to be able to keep quiet. Last night was proof enough.” And they hadn’t even gone all the way. The thought of what Steve might sound like when they did was one Eddie didn’t let himself linger on, lest he end up with the same problem as Steve.

“Really?” Steve asked, surprise lilting his words. “I haven’t heard anyone inside.”

“Trust me, that man moves silent as hell,” Eddie said with a grimace. “Learned the hard way. Many times.”

“Yikes,” Steve said grimly, before sighing longly. “Guess I should get off of you then.” He was unmoving.

“That would be a start,” Eddie concurred. Steve still didn’t move. “You’re not moving, Steve.” He said flatly, Steve unable to see the amusement on his face.

“Alright, alright,” Steve huffed as he rolled off Eddie. “Jeez, be a little more eager to get rid of me, why don’t ya?”

“Dramatic,” Eddie noted, unable to keep the fond smile hidden.

“Wanna get food at the diner?” Steve asked. “On me,” he reached out to affectionately trace over a spot on Eddie’s neck. This is when he noticed all the very visible hickies on Steve’s neck and… well, pretty much dappled across his entire torso. But the neck ones would be hard to hide.

Eddie cringed a bit as he turned Steve’s head by the chin to inspect further. “Thank god you wore a turtleneck last night. Otherwise your first time meeting Wayne was about to be a lot more awkward.”

“Uh, look in the mirror, Eddie,” Steve said as an almost ‘gotcha’ statement. Eddie expected one, maybe two marks he’d have to own up to, but not six. One of which was a very clear bite mark, though that one might be concealable under a shirt. “Jesus fuckin’ Christ, dude,” Eddie held his hair up to examine them further.

“Don’t even start, you have less than me,” Steve retorted. “And don’t you have makeup, anyway?”

“Not concealer,” Eddie said, dropping his hair and turning back to face him. “I mean, not like Wayne really cares but… I did kinda stress the fact we’re just friends.”

“He can’t prove I gave them to you,” Steve shrugged from the bed. Eddie gave him a pointedly blank look. “Okay, so it’s pretty obvious I gave them to you. I could always sneak out the window?”

“He’s definitely seen your car in the driveway, Steve,” Eddie chuckled genuinely. “It’s cool. He won’t tell anyone. This just might be… unpleasant. Especially since he was asking around about you–”

“What?” Steve’s eyes bulged. He ran his hands over face roughly. “Well, what’d he hear?”

Eddie’s face scrunched in hesitation. “Basically… that you’re kind of a slut,” Mortification washed over Steve’s face, Eddie quickly trying to do damage control. “It’s fine, Steve. Why do you care what he thinks about you anyway? Wayne literally couldn’t care less if you’re into guys.”

“No, it’s not that,” he shook his head. “It’s just– he’s your uncle, and this is the first time meeting him,” Eddie could hear the start of a Steve-Ramble commencing. “And not only has he heard I’m some sort of… some sort of– hussie--”

“Hussie?” Eddie laughed out, eyebrows raising at Steve. This did not deter his spiral.

“--But I’ve clearly just done something nefarious with his nephew–”

Eddie covered his face as his laugh shook him harder, gaping at Steve as he repeated, “Nefarious? Who are you?”

“I know big words, too, okay?” Steve defended.

“Henderson again?” Eddie asked, laughter now gone but leaving behind a large grin in its place.

“No,” He doubled down, only adding to Eddie’s amusement. “Read it on the back of a movie during my last shift… And then I asked Henderson what it meant.”

“There it is,” Eddie teased briefly. “Look, seriously you’re stressing too much. It takes a lot to get Wayne mad. And it’s not like we’re teenagers.” Eddie scoffed. “Remember, he’s already well aware I’m not exactly the virgin Mary.”

Steve gave him a long, debating look before sighing. “Fine,” he stood up, the stress seemingly having helped his problem. He picked up the black turtleneck from the floor, seeming to have a moment of appreciation for the clothing before tugging it on.

“You should… probably wear that to the diner, too,” Eddie said, concern creeping into his tone. “Just in case. Both of us being covered in hickies is… questionable.”

“I’m gonna swing by my place and shower, anyway,” Steve said as he stepped into his pants. He’d never even changed into the sleep clothes he brought, both of them opting to sleep in underwear. “I definitely smell like sex.”

“Good call, I’ll just meet you there,” Eddie pulled on the shirt from last night and some sweatpants nearby, knowing he’d only be wearing them before a shower. He looked at Steve with raised eyebrows. “You ready?” Steve looked reluctant, but gestured for Eddie to lead the way nonetheless.

Wayne was leaning over the counter in the kitchenette, eating scrambled eggs and drinking coffee. They’d slept past noon, so it was likely the man had already gone to bed after his shift, and this was also his morning. “Morning,” Eddie said, Wayne turning to face them fully, instantly inspecting Steve behind Eddie.

Eddie took it upon himself to start the introduction, not allowing the silence to linger. “Uncle Wayne this is Steve, Steve… Wayne.”

Steve stepped forward, stretching out his hand for Wayne to shake. “Uh, hello, Mr. Munson. It’s nice to finally meet you,” Eddie bit back a smile at the formality, hiding it more with a small cough as Wayne shook Steve’s hand.

Wayne was giving him a scrutinizing stare, sizing him up. “Steve… I’m assuming you’re the Steve Harrington who’s always callin’?” He asked, Eddie giving his uncle a look as Steve’s mouth opened and closed for a second.

“Yes, uh– that’s me,” Steve chuckled tightly, clearing his throat uncertainly at the end. “Sorry… about that.”

His eyes flicked from Steve to Eddie, almost immediately zeroing in on his neck. He narrowed his eyes back at Steve, not angrily, but furthering his analysis. “Last I heard, Steve was ‘just a friend’,” Wayne’s eyes fell back on Eddie, raising his eyebrows as he took a long sip of his coffee.

“Uncle Wayne,” Eddie scolded lightly, knowing his uncle was just taking the opportunity to make Steve sweat a little. And it certainly looked like it was working. Steve’s eyes were wide with unease and concern, a look he frankly hadn’t seen since fighting Vecna. “Okay, well, you’ve met. I’m gonna walk him out.”

“It was nice meeting you,” Steve said to Wayne, still clearly on edge. Wayne merely held his mug up, then took another sip. He was watching them walk out when Eddie turned to his uncle with an entertained smile, mouthing a humorous “What’s wrong with you?” before closing the door behind him.

“Great,” Steve said sourly as he walked to his car. He slumped back against the driver’s door, crossing his arms. “He hates me.”

Eddie rolled his eyes lightheartedly. “He doesn’t hate you. That’s just…” He shrugged. “Wayne.”

“Well, I hope you’re right,” Steve sighed, glancing back over at the trailer. His head snapped back to Eddie, eyes wide in mild panic as his posture stiffened. “He’s watching us,” he whispered. When Eddie looked over, the curtain was pulled back and Wayne was standing in the window, watching them unashamed over his coffee.

Eddie waved at him to go away, giving him a disappointed look. Wayne stepped back and the curtain closed. He shook his head, looking back at Steve. “Sorry he’s… nosier than he looks. Meet you at the diner in an hour.”

“Make it two,” Steve said. “Gotta find my other turtleneck.”

“You have two turtlenecks?” Eddie asked, baffled into an open smile.

“Yeah, and ya know, thank god I do,” Steve moved to open his door. “Looks like I’ve been mauled by a bear.”

“Nah, bears don’t seem to be your type,” Eddie joked, though it went completely over Steve’s head, who furrowed his brows. Eddie moved on, deciding it unimportant. “Now hurry up. I’m hungry.”

Steve smiled widely, saying his goodbye as he slid into his seat. Eddie watched him pull out of the driveway, wishing he could’ve kissed him, but one of his elderly neighbors was watering her plants not far away. Plus, it was the middle of the day.

“So,” A voice directly behind Eddie made him jump, spinning around.

He felt his heart return to normal as his eyes settled on a smug Max. Eddie didn’t even hear her approach. “Jesus Christ!” Eddie yelled to expel the panic that had been induced. “I don’t enjoy you sneaking up on me all… Children of the Corn.”

“Thought you and Steve were just friends,” she completely ignored him. Great. Eddie’s lie certainly wasn’t holding up today.

“Yeah, we are,” he and Steve really needed to have that conversation about what to tell the kids. “Friends stay over at each other’s houses. Try it sometime instead of spying on me.”

She raised her eyebrows, her smug smile deepening. “Friends come over at one AM to listen to your sex mixtape?”

Shit. He knew he’d forgotten to do something. “Jesus, Mayfield, it’s a normal mixtape– and I thought I told you to mind your business?”

Max shrugged. “This is more fun to me.”

Eddie sighed, running a palm over his face. Clearly they were busted, and he needed to do some damage control. “Okay, look. Don’t tell any of the others. It’s… new,” sincerity filled his voice more as he said, “Especially for him.”

“Yeah, whatever dude,” she said nonchalantly, sliding her hands into the pockets of her jacket. “I like knowing shit, but I know how to keep a secret.”

Eddie scrutinized her for a moment, a brief thought about how her and Wayne would get along scarily well. “Thanks,” he said genuinely. He knew she was good for it. More than a lot of the kids, Max was able to grasp the severity of situations, even if she tried to make it seem like she took everything as a joke. “And uh… we weren’t… too loud, were we?” He didn’t want to ask the question, but more than that he didn’t want to subject her to it again.

“Gross,” she said with a disgusted face. “But no.”

“Good, good,” Eddie nodded awkwardly, clearing his throat. “I’m just gonna…” he jabbed a thumb over his shoulder, pointing at his trailer.

“Right,” Max smiled wryly, taking a few steps backward to her own trailer. “Wouldn’t wanna keep Steve waiting.”

“Okay,” Eddie said defensively, taking that opportunity to end the conversation before she could rub it in more. Wayne was still drinking his coffee when he came inside, now moved to the couch. “Steve thinks you hate him,” Eddie informed.

“I don’t hate him,” Wayne said simply. “Got my eye on ‘em, though. Do him some good to know that.”

“He’s well aware,” Eddie smirked. “I’m gonna shower and meet him for lunch.”

“Hold on a sec,” Wayne said, halting Eddie’s steps toward his room. He walked curiously back over to his uncle, who had a serious expression on his face. Technically, he always sort of had a serious expression, but this was one Eddie rarely saw. “Obviously, you two are more than friends now, and I know you’re an adult–”

“Oh, Uncle Wayne,” Eddie cut off, cringing. “Don’t tell me you’re having another sex talk with me. We’ve been through this and it was a painful experience for the both of us. Not to mention I’m twenty-one.”

“Yeah, well this one’s a little different because you didn’t have…” Wayne searched for the right words. “Well, somethin’ more consistent than what you’re used to. And I need to know you’re being safe.”

“I told you I get tested and always use a condom–”

“Listen, son,” Wayne cut him off. “I’m serious. Sit down, please. Just hear me out, for my sake if anything.” He patted the empty couch next to him. Wayne’s severity putting him on edge, Eddie hesitantly took a seat, giving him his full attention.

“Things… change when you get into something… more serious. You might think it’s safer to… not be so worried about protection,” he didn’t know where Wayne was going with this, but it was clear the man wouldn’t let this go. Eddie knew what worry looked like well in his uncle. “Ya know, because it’s just you two. You’re not seein’ anyone else, and neither is he. Or that’s what he tells you,” and thus, the point had presented itself.

“Except, if he’s cheating on you and lyin’ about it…” Wayne’s eyes were almost… pleading. “You got a lot more to risk than a broken heart.” Eddie’s jaw clenched as his stomach sunk in the slightest. It was something that scared Eddie too much to think about often, though that didn’t stop him. Of course it would be something Wayne worried about as well.

He didn’t think Steve had anyone else he’d be hooking up with, though technically he had the right to do so. They weren’t official, and while the idea of him being with someone else bothered him for the average reasons, he needed to consider the possibility. Shit happened, people made mistakes, but all it took was one wrong decision to put both of them right into another nightmare.

“Just… please,” Wayne's voice trembled as he spoke again, his eyes glassy and intense as he held Eddie’s stare. His hand came to rest heavily on top of Eddie’s head. “I can’t lose ya, Eddie. Not after I just got ya back. And I know it’s selfish but…” Wayne’s jaw visibly clenched as he swallowed thickly, tears prickling Eddie’s eyes as he watched the pure desperation in his uncle. “I won’t survive outliving you. I just won’t.” Wayne gave a harsh sniff, eyes watery.

Eddie’s throat was sealed shut. All he could do was knock Wayne off balance with a crushing hug, which the man quickly returned. Eddie clutched him as a few silent tears broke free, spilling over his cheeks. “I’ll be careful. I promise,” he finally managed to rasp out.

The embrace lasted a few moments longer before Wayne pulled back, both of them wiping their eyes and clearing their throats awkwardly. “Didn’t mean to dump all that on ya before your plans.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Eddie waved dismissively, standing up. “I, uh… need to have that conversation with him, anyway. He’s probably never had to worry about it until now. Straight people uh, sort of have a habit of thinking they can’t get it.”

“I’ll leave you to it, then,” Wayne brought his mug over to the sink, starting on his dishes. “Oh, and, uh,” he turned over his shoulder to look at Eddie. “We’ll be havin’ Steve over for dinner soon. See if he passes my test.”

Eddie snorted. “You have a test?”

“Oh, yeah,” Wayne said as if it were obvious. “Been waitin’ to use it. This one seems like he might be sticking around, so,” he shrugged, turning back to the dishes.

Eddie shook his head in amused disbelief. “I’ll tell him to start studying, then.” With that, Eddie started to get ready.

+++

The diner wasn’t busy, considering they were eating a couple of hours after most took their lunch. They’d just ordered, Eddie’s mind far from the moment as he thought on what he needed to talk to Steve about. He wasn’t dreading the conversation about the kids, really. Whatever Steve decided he’d be fine with. His worries were on the darker subject.

What if it scared Steve off completely? He wouldn’t blame him, it’s a harsh reality to consider. Eddie would try to settle for Steve as a friend in that scenario, because he cared for the man passed being… whatever they currently were. But what if either of them realized they couldn’t be just friends anymore. What if Steve decided he couldn’t have Eddie in his life?

“Eddie,” Steve tapped their shoes together under the table, snapping Eddie out of his impending spiral. He hadn’t even noticed when he started bouncing his legs, but they were piloting at a rapid speed. “You’re getting all… twitchy again. What’s up?”

He blinked a few times to bring him back to the moment, making an effort to still his legs. Eddie decided to start with the easy topic, keeping his voice low despite being away from the other customers. “So… Max knows about us.”

“How?” He furrowed his brows.

“Well, for one, it’s her. And she’s my neighbor,” Eddie pointed out, Steve wincing.

“She didn’t… hear, did she?”

“No, thank god,” Eddie breathed out, still deeply relieved about this fact. “She has her own annoying fuckin’ ways, though. Couldn’t lie my way out.”

“Okay, so Max knows… Is that why you’re so freaked?”

“No… but we should talk about what we’re… telling them, right?” Eddie took extra care in speaking quietly. “Or start hiding it better. I told Max not to tell any of the others, but who knows if any of them already have their own ideas. So… what do you wanna do?” Eddie flicked his eyes briefly to Steve’s brown turtleneck. He really does have two. “We can’t both suddenly get into a turtleneck phase.”

“Okay, okay,” Steve held up his hands briefly before letting them fall back in his lap. “We got a little… carried away.”

“In general we should be more careful of that… during,” Eddie said, Steve nodding in agreement.

“With the kids…” Steve trailed off in thought for a moment, staring at a spot on the table before shrugging and meeting Eddie’s gaze. “Well, I mean, what do you wanna do? I’m not really the… expert.”

Eddie snorted hardily at this. “I’ve never had to deal with hiding my affairs from the group of snooping teens I’m frequently surrounded by.” Eddie glanced around the diner, whispering as he leaned in. “You’re not a one night stand I just gotta bring around late at night. I see you literally all the time, and most of it we’re not alone,” he sat back, still speaking softly but more casual. “I honestly don’t care what we do. Can’t imagine any of the kids giving a fuck, honestly, but it’s still our business. Your business,” He made sure to fix Steve with an earnest look. “Really. It’s up to you.”

Steve’s eyes were wide in contemplation, speculating over Eddie as he worked through whatever was in his head. He sat forward, leaning his elbows on the table. “How about we… reel it in a little around the kids, but don’t stress about it too much. If one of them asks us outright… we tell them,” Steve shrugged. “And make sure they don’t tell anyone else.”

This seemed like as good a plan as any to Eddie, but there was one thing he was getting hung up on. “And– just so we’re on the same page,” Eddie clarified. “What are we telling them, exactly?”

An amused smile spread across Steve’s face as he looked at Eddie, leaning in further. He was about to answer when he glanced over Eddie’s shoulder, and sat back quickly, his face falling into a blank expression. A few seconds later and the waiter was beside him, lowering their food onto the table. They voiced their thanks, Steve’s eyes following the waiter as he left before continuing the quiet exchange.

“I guess I didn’t really think about that,” Steve said simply. “Uh… what do you wanna tell them?”

“It’s up to you,” Eddie repeated humorously, eating some of his fries.

“You kinda know this better than I do–”

“For fuck’s sake, Steve,” Eddie leaned back with a chuckle, running a hand over his face. He leaned forward again, a tired smile on his face. “I’ve been fighting this,” Eddie gestured circularly to his own torso before flicking his hands at Steve, wiggling his fingers in his direction. “Since Vecna, alright? I’m trying to follow your lead, but I can’t do that if you don’t take it in the first place.” Fondness spread through him as he looked at Steve, even in his mild frustration, because a timid Steve was still incredibly endearing.

Steve stared at him for a moment, then a smirk appeared, and Eddie instantly knew he wasn’t getting a serious answer. “Two things,” Steve held up two fingers before leaning in to quietly say, “One: I got the impression last night that you like taking the lead–” Eddie rolled his eyes, ready to scold him, but Steve continued with a bit more volume. “Two: Really?” His smirk stretched into a smug grin. “Since Vecna?”

“Jesus fuckin’ Christ,” Eddie ran his hands over his face exasperatedly. “I’m not even gonna entertain that. What do you wanna say, Harrington?” The smile on his face surely betrayed the rest of his annoyed demeanor.

The toe of Steve’s sneaker pressed into Eddie’s calf, sliding minutely up his pant leg. It was hidden between their other legs and the wall, one of the few actions they could get away with. “I mean… I don’t plan on seeing anyone else, do you?”

Eddie’s brows creased slightly. “No.”

“I think people call that ‘dating’,” Steve teased, sliding his elbows a bit further across the table. A smile twitched Eddie’s lips at this. “So, if they ask, we tell them that.”

He couldn’t help but beam back at Steve, soon finding it too hard to contain himself if he continued and busied himself by loading ketchup onto his fries. “Is that all you wanted to talk about?” Steve asked, taking a bite of his own burger.

Eddie paused, looking around the diner warily before turning back to Steve. Even being in the back with few other people around them, this was still something Eddie didn’t feel comfortable talking about in public. “We shouldn’t talk about it here. And it’s kind of… heavy.”

A perturbed look crossed Steve’s face, but he nodded. “How do you feel about another night at ball log?”

“Guess we’re not comin’ up with another name, huh?” Eddie joked dryly. “Alright. When do you wanna go?”

“Tonight?” Steve offered before taking another large bite of his food.

“What, the thought of going a night without me is too much to bear?” Eddie teased with an arrogant smirk.

Steve rolled his eyes playfully, removing his shoe from Eddie’s calf, as if in punishment. “God forbid I take you seriously and wanna talk about whatever’s got you so worked up.”

“Tonight works. I’ll come by at eight,” Eddie bit down his own burger hungrily, now that the stress had subsided minimally.

“My parents are home, by the way,” Steve said, the carefree demeanor he had maintained for the majority of the conversation slipping. “Thought I’d… give you a heads up.”

“Should I… stay in the car, or…?” Eddie asked uneasily. He didn’t know how much Steve’s parents knew about him, at least in relation to their son. He was positive they knew who he was, of course. Unavoidable.

“No, no,” Steve brushed off quickly with a dismissive wave of his hadn. “I just thought you might… wanna know. I doubt they’ll even ask who I’m hanging out with.”

Sensing his mild distress, Eddie pressed his own shoe against Steve’s leg, smiling impishly at him. “I could always get all dressed up and meet them. Ya know. Collared shirt, tie, khakis,” They both laughed at this, Steve especially. “Whole nine yards.”

“Please don’t put on khakis,” this furthered their laughter.

Eddie made a show of being offended. “You don’t think I could pull them off?”

“It’s not about looking good, it would just be… weird,” Steve cringed. “Like… Bizarro World.”

“I’m surprised you were able to make that reference,” Eddie commented with a small scoff. “Bit nerdy for you, don’t ya think?”

“Yeah, well. Been hangin’ around you too much,” he smiled, taking another bite out of his burger.

The bell over the entrance to the diner jingled, Steve’s eyes flicking over Eddie’s shoulder. They quickly snapped back to Eddie’s, wide as he whispered, “No fuckin’ way.”

“What?” Eddie asked quietly, concern inching into him and freezing his gaze on Steve. He pulled his shoe away quickly.

Steve held his soda up to his mouth, blocking it from view as he muttered, “Chip Hudson just walked in.” He took a sip, still looking pointedly at Eddie.

Eddie’s eyes bulged, and he couldn’t resist the urge to look over his shoulder. A vaguely familiar blond guy who was very clearly an athletic type scanned the diner for a place to sit. Eddie whipped back around to face Steve with his own dumbfounded look. Steve was right when he said Chip wasn’t attractive.

“Oh my god,” Eddie mouthed silently in distaste.

Steve nodded enthusiastically, mouthing, “I know.”

“Ew,” Eddie mouthed back, brow creasing in concern over the fact that man had apparently been hitting on Eddie. He looked like a frat house birthed him itself.

“Told you,” Steve mouthed once more, holding up his thumb and nodding at it pointedly. “Thumb.”

Eddie looked back once more to see if Chip did indeed look like a thumb, but was immediately met with the man’s gaze. Chip’s off-puttingly blue eyes (unsettling even from a distance) lit up at the sight of Eddie, making his way to the table.

“Oh god, what is he doing?” Eddie whispered as he turned back towards Steve. He was usually elated when people didn’t shrink away from him in repulsion, cross to the other side of the street, or generally look at him in disgust– but he had zero urge to talk to this man.

“Eddie!” Chip beamed as he came up to their table. “Long time no see,” his eyes fell on Steve, greeting him with nowhere near as much enthusiasm. “Harrington.” Steve waggled his fingers in a lazy wave, not doing much to hide the disapproving look on his face.

“Uh, Chip,” Eddie gave a weak smile. “Good to see you.” It was always awkward talking to someone who clearly knew him, meanwhile he had been too blackout to remember much about him. Frankly, everything he knew about Chip Hudson was not only second-hand, but against his will.

“You know,” Chip leaned one hand on the table, angling himself so he was only really addressing Eddie. A glance to the side showed a clearly annoyed Steve, who was glaring at the side of Chip’s face. Up close, Eddie noted that he could really see the thumb-resemblance. Something about how his jaw transitioned into his neck. “I was kinda hoping I’d see you at another one of my parties, but so far you haven’t showed up.”

“I haven’t heard of you throwing any more,” Eddie lied. Robin, Eddie, and Steve had collectively heard of more than a few of Chip’s parties, but never felt the need to go. Thinking back, he realized Steve was always most adamant about how lame it would be. Which was directly contradictory to everything they said about Chip’s birthday party. Honestly, Eddie was surprised he’d never noticed that.

“Guess our invitations got lost in the mail,” Steve said flatly, earning the mildly irritated attention of Chip.

“Consider this a formal one, then,” Chip smiled back over at Eddie confidently. “I’m having one this weekend. Bring whoever you want.”

“Uh…” Eddie looked over at Steve, who seemed to be trying to communicate something telepathically to him. He gave up on deciphering the message quickly, turning back to Chip. “Maybe. We might have plans, but if not we’ll… stop by.”

“It’s gonna be pretty fun,” Chip tried to sweeten the deal. “I can be your personal bartender.”

“We’ll think about it, Chip,” Steve immediately chimed in, narrowing his eyes at the blond. They shared a hostile look.

A tense silence hung around for a few seconds before Chip’s gaze fell back on Eddie, softening as he ignored Steve. “Hope to see you there, Eddie.” With that, he walked away, leaving Eddie to raise his eyebrows at Steve with a devilish smile.

“Easy, boy,” Eddie purred once Chip found a table across the diner, voice low and teasing. “Didn’t know I also got a guard dog.”

“Fuck off,” Steve rolled his eyes, a smile twitching his lips regardless as he turned his attention to his food.

“Ya know, I expected him to be one of those guys who didn’t know yet,” Eddie commented idly. “But I think he knows.”

“You think he knows?” Steve repeated. “Jesus, no wonder you never noticed when I was flirting with you.”

“In my defense, half the people you talk to it looks like you're flirting,” Eddie reminded. “I didn’t know if you knew you were flirting.”

“Point taken,” Steve rescinded. The two of them finished eating over lighthearted conversation, Steve somehow, once again, being able to distract Eddie’s mind from all the worrying it was trying to do. He double downed on paying, which Eddie fought more this time, but eventually let happen. He’d do his share of spoiling Steve in other ways.

Soon, though, all of Steve’s distractions washed away, and Eddie was left alone in his van with only his concerns for company. Even the fact that he’d slowly become more accustomed to not talking himself down, leaving Steve to do damage control, added to the frenzy in his head.

If Steve did end up not… wanting Eddie around… did he even still know how to pick himself up? Not only was it unfair to Steve to constantly push his baggage onto him, it wasn’t sustainable for him to rely so heavily on someone else.

Before everything with Vecna, he only had to worry about Wayne dying, and how he would survive the devastating blow of that. If he even fucking could. But now… there were so many people he couldn’t lose, and it was like he was juggling all of their lives at once. It felt like if he stopped worrying about all the possible outcomes of any given scenario, it would be the one time things go catastrophically wrong.

He often felt that way before Chrissy, but after… he practically never stopped waiting for the final blow. Just another bullet point on the long list of things that had changed about him, he supposed. His confidence, his innocence, all of it was stripped from him. He had to rebuild himself from scratch. Reality simply had different rules than it did before, and it left Eddie with the inability to feel like he knew what he was doing– in any aspect of his life.

For a long time, it didn’t feel like Eddie ever stopped running. Like he wasn’t living, rather simply surviving. But spending time with Robin was what started to bring him out of that. Make him feel like he could breathe a little. And practically nothing reminded him of why he stuck it out more than being with the kids. Watching them laugh, grow up, finally be children.

And Steve… Steve brought the color back. Everything was somehow more… vivid. It all had a shape. He hadn’t realized how small his world had become until Steve opened it up again.

More than anything, Eddie didn’t want to lose that. Any of it.