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Steve and Eddie, who are both in a city for some music awards the next day, who both decide to go out for a couple of drinks the night before, who entirely thanks to destiny sit next to each other at the bar, who hit it off quickly and start talking and go on and on and on and on...
Steve knows that he recognizes Eddie from somewhere, but he is not entirely sure where from until a guy approaches them asking for a picture with him, that Steve takes very amused, and he realises he's the metal guy Dustin had asked him to take a picture with if he saw him at the awards.
Eddie, on the other hand, doesn't recognise Steve at all, even though he is objectively way more famous than him. It's just that Steve always wears a wig and sunglasses, a moustache that is sometimes fake. It's not like his identity is a secret, he does some interviews without the costume. It's what robin has called his 'drag persona' and not his hannah montana. Gives him some peace in the way that only dedicated fans recognise him when he's out.
The night is coming to an end and Eddie gets a brilliant idea to see Steve again. He asks him to be his date to the award show, like a full date, stand at his side at the red carpet and pose with him and everything, he thinks it will be fun and a very amused Steve agrees.
Eddie is very confused and surprised when the photographers ask to take pictures of his date alone at the red carpet, when some interviewers call out to him and he goes to them easily, but he is too caught up on his own interviews with his band to really pay attention to whatever shenanigans his very hot "anonymous" date has decided to pull.
Eddie is absolutely shocked when his hot "anonymous" date wins artist of the year and kisses him before going on the stage.
As soon as Steve hears the phone ring, he sighs.
Robin is away visiting her family in Kentucky for the holidays, and the only other person to ever call would be...
"Dustin," Steve says, his free hand coming up to rest on his hip, "why are you calling?"
There's a pause on the other line before Dustin whines, "How do you always know when it's me."
"Because your irritating energy bleeds through the phone."
Another pause. "You got that from Robin, didn't you?"
Yes. He did. Sue him for wanting to be witty and taking a few notes from Robin. "What do you want?"
"Okay, so..." Oh boy. "I've been meaning to talk to Suzie for a while now, and we made plans not to talk on Christmas because she would be with her family all day, and I knew my mom wouldn't want me to be away for too long so-"
"The point, Dustin."
Dustin mumbles something that sounds suspiciously like multiple curse words before continuing, "The point is that I'm taking Cerebro to that hill, but I'm going to need a ride."
Steve frowns, walking toward the nearest window until the phone cord is fully stretched so he can pull a curtain open. He winces a bit at the bright light. "Dustin, it's freezing out, and the hill will be covered in snow."
"You would've done the same for Nancy!"
Steve's eyebrows raise. "Not the best approach if you want a ride, dude."
"I'm not trying to approach the whole you and Nancy thing. I'm trying to make a point," Dustin emphasizes a little too loudly into the phone. "You would do anything if you were in love! Even sit out in the snow for a few hours just so you can talk to the person you love."
"Have you ever heard of the phone?"
"Have you heard the number of siblings she has that would jump at the opportunity to listen in on our call? Plus, Cerebro is our thing."
Steve really wishes Dustin were in front of him, so he could see the way his cheeks are flushing during this exact moment. "You just like using your Cebro thing because it makes it feel like your love is forbidden."
"I do not!"
"Alright, Romeo," Steve says with a laugh, "I'll give you a ride. If you promise to only be there for an hour."
"Not including the time it takes to get there, set it up, and leave."
Steve sighs and knocks the phone against his head for a second before reluctantly agreeing, "Yes, but you better be bundled up so much that you're sweating out there. I don't want to hear you complain." He also secretly worries about the kid getting frostbite or something, but he'd never admit to it.
"Fine I'll see you in an hour?"
"Yeah, I'll see you then," Steve says as Dustin hangs up. "A thank you would've been nice..."
He really hopes he doesn't regret this.
-:-:-:-:-:-
When Dustin climbs in the car, he's bundled from head to toe but still manages to laugh at Steve who is wearing the same amount of layers as him. "Look in the mirror," Steve comments dryly before driving off.
The drive there isn't too long, and although Steve saw Dustin a few days ago - after Claudia insisted he spend Christmas with them instead of home alone - he's kind of glad to hang out with Dustin again. It's not often he gets a lot of one-on-one time with the kid anymore.
Which is why Steve is particularly bitchy when he pulls up to the familar area below the hill and find a familar van there.
"Dustin..."
"I didn't think you would agree to take me here and stay! So, I asked Eddie to give me a ride back this morning-"
"This morning?"
"And he said he was already going to be in the area and wanted to briefly meet Suzie and my Cerebro, so he's here now! And if you want, you can just drop me off. Think of it as a late Christmas gift."
Steve shakes his head. "And leave you in Munson's capable hands only to find out you two froze to death? No thanks." He gets out of the car with thoughts of a mourning Claudia Henderson on his mind.
"We wouldn't freeze to death!" Dustin practically shouts as he climbs out.
At that same moment, Eddie exits from his van, wearing his usual attire, only with maybe an extra added layer - a leather jacket.
Steve turns to Dustin, raising his eyebrows and gesturing toward Munson. Dustin sighs before going to the trunk to dig out all the different Cerebro parts.
Before Steve can join him, Eddie approaches him with a big smile. "Steve Harrington. Looking awfully toasty."
Steve rolls his eyes in response before openning his car door and reaching toward the back, grabbing the spare pair of gloves and a hat that he keeps whenever Robin forgets the extra layers - which is often. He hands them to Eddie without a word then helps Dustin grab his things before heading to their snow covered destination.
Eddie only lasts a few minutes up the hill before he manages to push into Steve's space while Dustin hurries ahead of them. "So, you look happy to see me."
"Just peachy, Munson."
Eddie snorts. "I'm guessing Dustin didn't tell you I would be tagging along when you got here?"
"And I'm guessing Dustin didn't tell you I was planning on staying."
"Actually," Eddie says, nudging Steve's shoulder, "I told him you would jump at the opportunity to hang out with him, and there was no way you would drop him off to freeze to death."
Steve narrows his eyes as he looks at Eddie.
Eddie shifts things around in his arms to grab his shirt and jacket and lift them up enough to show off some of his scarred skin. "Our matching battle scars will forever bound us, Steve. I wonder if the bats gave us telepathic abilities," he says, way too cheery for Steve's liking.
"If it did, then I would teleport up to the top of the hill right now."
"Telepathic means the ability to read each other's minds. The word you're thinking of is 'teleportation.'" Eddie corrects him without judgement - something Steve's always found surprising.
"Oh. Then guess what I'm thinking about right now."
Eddie hums before leaning in to mumble in his ear. "You're thinking about getting a piece of this."
Steve laughs and shoves him away. He's glad it's cold out so he blame his blush on the cold. For some reason, he's still not entirely immune to Eddie's flirting. "Definitely not what I was thinking about."
"You are now," Eddie teases.
Steve swallows heavily, pressing down those thoughts and many... many.... images. "I think you're confusing my thoughts for your own thoughts."
"Tell me about it," Eddie sighs dramatically.
Steve is relieved when he sees they've reached the top of the hill. He's even more relieved when Dustin doesn't ask for his help to put Cerebro together, but Eddie is all too happy to help while calling Dustin a genius - in various annoying, dramatic ways.
It's not long before Dustin is awaiting Suzie's response while Eddie bounces on his feet. Steve's not sure if it's from excitement or being cold - probably both.
"Dusty bun?"
Dustin's face lights up in a way that is entirely too endearing for Steve's heart to handle. The jedi has learned the art of love from the master - or something like that. "Suzie poo! I'm here with Steve and Eddie for the next few moments. Eddie wants to say hello."
Steve frowns and raises his voice, "I want to say hello, too! Eddie just wants to be dramatic about it."
"Because I haven't had the pleasure of meeting the lady," Eddie argues before turning up the charm. "Suzie, it's a pleasure. I'm sure you've heard nothing but wonderful things about me just like I've heard nothing but wonderful things about you. Unlike Steve over here who you've probably never heard a good thing about."
"Hi, Eddie, it's nice to meet you," Suzie replies, giggling. "And hi Steve!"
"Hey, Suze. Don't let Eddie win you over with his charm just yet. It's bad for his ego."
"You think I'm charming?" Eddie asks, batting his eyelashes.
Steve makes a see? gesture before realizing Suzie can't see him.
"Alright," Dustin says, "Now they're going to leave us alone for the next hour."
"Hour? It's already been at least five minutes," Steve complains.
Eddie grabs him by the shoulders and steers him away. "Don't worry, Suzie! I'll make sure you get the fulll hour!"
Steve lets Eddie guide him a little down the hill, ignoring when Suzie asks, "Do they always bicker like an old married couple?"
When they get a comfortable distance away, where they're out of earshot but Steve can still see Dustin to make sure he doesn't freeze to death, Steve sits on the ground. He glances up after he gets as comfortable as he can get on the side of a hill, only to find Eddie frowning down at him.
"What?" Steve asks.
Eddie shrugs. "Doesn't seem fair that you get to sit on the ground, and I can't."
Steve's eyes scan over Eddie's body. "Not my fault that you didn't wear a long enough jacket to cover your ass when you sit."
"Not my fault that I wasn't born into a wealthy family that can afford those jackets."
Steve's stomach flips, but he knows Eddie isn't looking for an apology. "Why don't you sit in your van then?"
"Wouldn't want to miss my chance to hang out alone with Steve Harrington," Eddie says with a wink.
Steve nearly scoffs and gives him a snarky reply, but his thoughts go out the window when he notices Eddie's teeth chattering. "Shit," he mutters.
"What was that?"
Steve groans and stands up before unzipping his large jacket.
"Am I in a dream?" Eddie jokes, but his voice shakes a bit.
"You're about to be living one," Steve says dryly as he stands in front of Eddie and opens his coat. Eddie just stares at him. Steve huffs out a breath that becomes visible in the cold air between them. "Come here."
"What?"
Steve raises his eyebrows at Eddie before tugging at his coat. But Eddie continues to stare at him with wide wandering eyes. "I'm not letting you freeze to death up here, so come here before I tell Dustin to pack it up because you're cold."
Eddie crosses his arms a little tighter. "I'm f-fine." A shiver visibly runs through Eddie's body.
Steve rolls his eyes for what feels like the hundreth time this day and wraps Eddie in his jacket before he can protest.
He's stiff for a moment, then Eddie relaxes enough to wrap his arms around Steve who is able to close the jacket around them. They linger in each other's arms long enough that Eddie stops shivering and Steve wonders how much time Dustin has left with Suzie.
"Better?" Steve asks to break the silence.
He feels Eddie nod over his shoulder before he pulls back enough to look him in the eye, nose brushing against Steve's as he whispers, "I know something we could do to keep ourselves warm."
Steve's heart beats a little faster in his chest.
Eddie laughs and tucks his head into Steve neck, his lips far away enough from Steve's that it's no longer the only thing on Steve's mind. With the new brain space, he can feel Eddie drum a nervous rhythm onto his back and bounce a little on his face. He wonders if maybe Eddie was onto the whole scars making them read each other's minds thing because he swears he knows the first part of what Eddie's about to say before he says it.
"Sorry if that was too much. No guy has ever let me flirt at them the way you do."
Steve gets stuck on flirt at and, "No guy?"
Eddie lets out a short humorless laugh. "No guy."
And for some reason, Steve has to ask, "Has any guy let you kiss them before?"
Eddie pulls back to look at him with a frown tugging at the corners of his lips. "What are you getting at, Steve?"
Steve glances at Eddie's lips, slightly chapped but they've never looked more inviting. Maybe it's time to listen to Robin's knowing looks whenever Eddie is around and Steve finds himself simultaneously drawn to him while also wanting to run to the bathroom with Robin to have another floor talk. "What if one guy let you kiss them?"
"Steve..." Eddie whispers, his eyes flicking over his shoulder.
Steve turns to find Dustin, facing away from them. Still he loosens his hold on Eddie and says, "Wrap your arms around my neck instead of my back."
Eddie does as he's told, and Steve gives him no warning before saying, "Hopefully this goes alright." Then, he slightly picks up Eddie before falling back, letting the snow break their fall as he lays back with Eddie on top of him.
"That went better than I thought it would," Steve says with a big smile then asks, "Can Dustin see us?"
Eddie glances up and shakes his head.
"Perfect," Steve says, heart practically beating out of his chest when Eddie looks down at him. When he doesn't make a move, Steve can't help but tease, "So you really are all bark, no bite."
"Shut up, Harrington," Eddie says before finally kissing him.
For only a moment, Steve nearly laughs at the fact that Eddie Munson told him to shut up. But then his brain goes nearly haywire yet completely silent when Eddie's lips meet his in what he thinks might be the single most transformative kiss of his life.
His arms tighten around Eddie's back, and Eddie's hands move to cup the back of his head as they deepen the kiss. Somehow, laying in snow, Steve has never felt warmer.
They eventually break the first kiss reluctantly, both of them going back to steal more as they catch their breath, which turns into laughter and giggles between more kisses. Then, Eddie breaks away long enough to say, "You know, the van is seeming like a really great option at the moment."
"And Dustin's a smart kid. He knows how to not freeze to death," Steve says, kissing Eddie every chance he gets.
"You're right. No need to stay here in the snow," Eddie replies.
"Right."
Neither of them make a move to get up, but they both move to kiss again.
It's only a little while later before they hear Dustin yell out, "Guys?" And that's when they finally break away.
Eddie pops up first and calls out, "Yeah?"
"Let's pack up! It's been over an hour! Come on!"
Steve pulls Eddie back down into the snow one more time for a kiss before stomping up the hill. "Alright, alright. We thought you'd be happier that we gave you more time and that we both waited for you."
"it's cold," Dustin complains.
Steve nods, but he still feels warm.
Eddie joins a few moments later, stealing glances at Steve before asking Dustin what they're doing next.
"I'm thinking we change out of our snow clothes and get food somewhere maybe..." Dustin trails off and frowns at Eddie. "Why are you covered in snow?"
"We were making a snow angel?" Eddie hurriedly says.
Steve tries not to laugh.
"One?" Dustin asks.
Eddie nods. "You'll see it on the way down."
Sure enough, on the way down, they all see one horribly disfigured snow angel.
While Steve laughs and Eddie smiles proudly, Dustin shakes his head and mutters something like more curses to himself. In a volume that's able to be picked up by the other boys, he asks, "Eddie, you'll drop me off at my house, and we'll meet back up in an hour at my house?"
"Hour and a half," Steve says. When Dustin opens his mouth to complain, Steve explains, "I need to take a shower so I don't get pnemonia. Plus, I'm not letting my hair freeze on my way to your house."
"Fine," Dustin sighs. "See you then."
"See you then," Eddie echoes to Steve, winking at him once.
Soon after Steve gets home, he hears a knock on the front door, and when it's Eddie on the other side, Steve pulls him in and says, "Maybe you were right about the telek- tele-"
"Telekentic abilities?"
Steve nods as he closes the door behind Eddie and traps him against it. "I definitely know what you're thinking about now."
Eddie cocks his head to the side and wraps his arms around Steve's neck. "Yeah? What am I thinking about?"
"Kissing me again," Steve says, leaning in.
"Actually," Eddie says turning his head away, "I was thinking about a lemon."
"Crazy. I happen to have lemon scented body wash," Steve comments as he grabs Eddie's hands and tugs him up the stairs.
They're both a little late to Dustin's house. And maybe their hair freezes a bit.
But Dustin was right. There's a lot of things Steve would do for love.
Steve didn’t know how he ended up in this position.
On his knees in a high school parking lot.
In front of Eddie ‘the freak’ Munson.
“I said beg.”
That’s how.
It was all Dustin’s fault.
He just had to have their stupid game at Steve’s house for his birthday.
- 10 min earlier-
“Please Steve! Pleaaaasse!!!!!” Dustin stomped after him. The rest of the kids following behind him.
“Fine. Ok. Just quit it.”
“YES! You’re the best! I can’t wait to tell Eddie! Look there he is! EDDIE! EDDIE! ED-“
“What is it Henderson?”
“Steve said we can have my birthday campaign at his house! Isn’t that awesome!”
“Pshh,” Eddie grumbled. “I’m not going to King Steve’s mansion. Ever.”
“What!?”
“Sorry kid thems the rules. It goes completely against everything I stand for. I refuse to desecrate my beloved campaign by exposing it to jock headquarters.”
“That’s ridiculous Munson. Stop being a baby and just do it.”
“Sure,” he paused. “If you beg.”
“What?”
“I said beg.”
Steve dropped to his knees on the spot. He was instantly confused. Why did that have such an effect on him? He felt…comfortable.
Eddies face was beet red. Steve could almost see the smoke coming out of his ears.
“Steve?” He heard Robin somewhere behind him coming from the band room. “Dustin why is he on the ground?”
“Shhh!” He thrust a finger in Robins direction and gave a nod to Steve.
Steve cleared his throat and looked at Eddie giving him his best puppy dog eyes.
“Please Eddie,” he pleaded. “Come over to my house and perform for the kids?” He pushed his bottom lip out.
Eddie stared at him for another couple of seconds before surging forward and hauling him up into his arms and-
Kissing him.
“WHAT!” Robin yelled.
“WHAT!” Eddie yelled back. “He looks like that and I’m NOT supposed to kiss him?!”
Steve felt lightheaded his body turning boneless and into dead weight. He looked around at Robin and the kids wearing matching expressions of shock. He looked back up at Eddie and shrugged his shoulders, giving him the ok.
Eddie pulled him back in for a second kiss more passionate than the first.
“WHAT THE FUCK” Robin yelled.
“God Robin, relax, people are gay, don’t be homophobic.” Dustin snarked at her.
——-
Comment 🫵
Modern AU.
Steve is a bit clueless about social media. He had been on it for a few years but realized it was detrimental for his mental health and went on a much needed cleanse. And besides, he would get anything truly important from Robin, and anything not so important from Dustin.
And really, Dustin is the one blamed for this whole mess. It started with a clock sounding app that Steve kind of brushed off until it was everywhere. TikTok.
He didn’t download it because he heard several rants from Robin about how she swore she was going to spend ten minutes on it before suddenly realizing hours had passed. And Steve felt glad that that wasn’t him.
But soon enough, TikTok would get a little too involved in Steve’s life.
See, unbeknownst to him, Steve was getting a little famous on the app because of Dustin Henderson. The kid had posted some video of Steve giving him a lecture about the importance of calling and texting when he gets home that had gone a bit viral.
And it wasn’t because people were agreeing with what Steve was saying. They just thought he was hot.
And Dustin thought it wouldn’t hurt if Steve just… didn’t really know about the small fame he was racking up. He worked from home anyways, and he didn’t go out in public too much to be recognized. So Dustin kept up with the videos until Steve noticed one day that his phone was pointed at him.
“I’m just saying… Dude, are you filming me?”
In the video, the phone is put down and the screen goes black before some muffled arguing is heard in the background and the phone is picked up, showing Dustin shrieking while being held back. The camera flips to reveal Steve staring at it confused. “What the hell? Is this that Tiktok app you’re talking about?”
The video cuts itself off after reaching the time limit Dustin had set. But Steve is still confused and presses on a bit about it until Dustin confesses he has a bit of a fan following. Steve is now way more than confused until Dustin shows him all the videos and comments.
Of course, that leads to another lecture that has Dustin willingly admitting to being in the wrong. But Steve, as always, gives in a little and tells the kid that if he wants to keep filming then it’s fine, “But don’t post that video.”
“I won’t. I won’t. Jeez,” Dustin promises before going to his drafts and uploading the video.
And Steve thinks that maybe that’ll be the end to it. Maybe the people won’t like him now that he’s noticed the camera.
And that is definitely not the case.
The video goes very viral because not only does it show Steve closer up, but Eddie Munson, the up and coming artist, comments on it “👀”.
And fans kind of blow up over the comment, and they beg Dustin to ask him what he thinks of Eddie and his music. Of course, Dustin is more than willingly to comply.
He goes over to Steve’s and starts filming as Steve is putting the finishing touches on a homemade pizza, so he’s a bit distracted to notice. Dustin asks Alexa to play one of Eddie’s older song that’s been climbing the charts as Eddie’s name has become more well known. Steve kind of smiles and sings the words under his breath.
“So, Steve, you like this song?”
Steve rolls his eyes as he slides the pizza into the oven replying, “You know it’s my favorite.” Then he turns to Dustin and gives him a look before saying, “I told you, if you’re filming you have to tell me-”
The video cuts off and is posted with the caption @ eddiethefreakmunson this is for you.
And Steve goes on with his life without knowing anything about the way the internet is blowing up when Eddie comments, “Please tell me he’s single.”
And Dustin, being as sneaky and subtle as he can, brings up Eddie Munson that night after seeing the comment that is posted quickly after the post - he even follows Dustin, and it takes all his willpower not to freak out in front of Steve. But Steve just shakes his head and says he has no idea who Eddie is which doesn’t surprise Dustin much. Steve was never one to really look into bands.
Dustin calmly suggests, “So, I was wondering… there’s this like thing on TikTok where people are asking their parents and grandparents to rank celebrities that they don’t know. And I thought it would maybe be cool if we made a video of that.”
Steve looks at him for a few moments and thinks about it. It’s not like anything will happen if he voices his opinions about random famous people, right?
Wrong.
He just kind of shrugs, and Dustin asks to use his phone. Steve hands it over, and Dustin quickly unlocks it.
He sets up his camera and starts recording.
“Hey, you guys know Steve here. He’s agreed to rate some celebrities today, and we’re going to start with Eddie Munson. Steve, did you know that he sings one of your favorite songs?”
Steve eyes the camera uneasily and replies, “No?”
Dustin smiles. “The one I played earlier. Your favorite.”
“Oh,” Steve replies and just shrugs. “I just know it’s by Corroded Coffin or something.”
Dustin grin gets wider. “And have you ever seen a picture of the lead singer from the band?”
Steve looks at the camera again and back at Dustin. “No? But you know this. I’m not really too big on social media.”
“Alright, so can you close your eyes while I pull up a picture of Eddie Munson?”
Steve’s eyes narrow at Dustin. “I really don’t trust you but sure.” He sighs and puts his hands over his eyes not sure how he got here.
He assumes Dustin is talking to the camera as he says, “So, this is the picture I’m going to… Focus. Come on. Damn it-”
“Language,” Steve lectures with his hands still over his eyes.
“See what I have to put up with?” Dustin asks and Steve scoffs. “Oh, finally it’s focused. It’s this picture if you’re wondering.” There’s a bit of a clatter on the table below Steve before Dustin continues, “Now, Steve, you can open your eyes.”
Steve’s hands fall down dramatically as he glares at Dustin. He can see his phone is laying on the table in front of him. “Now was that really neces…” he trails off as he looks down and slowly finishes, “sary… Woah.”
On his phone is a picture of a guy with longer hair, holding a guitar, and grinning at the camera in a genuine way that tugs at Steve’s heart. He realizes Dustin typed the name into Google and just went to images, so he swipes to look at more. He smiles and even laughs at the more ridiculous images with him sticking out his tongue and making little horns with his fingers and even one where he’s completely mid air wiping out on a small stage.
“Steve’s scrolling through all the pictures you find when you search for ‘Eddie Munson’ on Google if you were wondering what he’s looking at.”
The voice snaps Steve back to reality and he slightly startles as he looks at the camera. He feels a blush rise on his face as he asks, “Is it still recording?”
“Yes it is,” Dustin says sounding a little too proud of himself. “And Steve, what would you rate this man on a scale of one to ten?”
Steve glances back down at the picture and smiles. “This is the one who sings my favorite song?”
“Yep!”
Steve looks at the camera and says, “He deserves way more than a scale from one to ten but even then he’s always going to be off the charts.”
“So a ten out of ten.”
Steve scoffs, “An eleven at least.”
“And Steve, one last question.”
He hums in response slightly confused.
“Are you single?”
“Dude, you know I’m single. Why are you asking?”
Dustin smiles. “And that’ll do for this video!” He giggles as he ends it and types up something before posting it.
Steve feels like he’s out of the loop about something, but he’s not sure what. He decides it’s better not to ask. “No more TikTok for the rest of your visit, okay?”
“More than okay,” Dustin says with a smile before launching into the latest drama in his life. Steve settles in and listens while the pizza cooks.
Eddie has already commented, “Marry me?”
-:-:-:-:-:-
The next day, Steve wakes up to his phone blowing up with notifications, but what worries him the most is the twelve missed calls from Robin. He calls her and she immediately answers, “Why didn’t you tell me you were dating Eddie Munson?!”
“I’m what?” Steve says groan and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
“Your name is everywhere, dingus, talking about how you’re Eddie’s TikTok boyfriend!” Robin yells.
“I thought you offloaded TikTok,” Steve replies confused.
“Oh my gosh, that is not what you should be worried about right now. Stop dodging my question!”
Steve grunts as he gets out of bed and makes his way to his coffeemaker. “Robin, don’t you think if I were dating some famous dude that I would’ve told you, my best friend?”
There’s a huff on the other line. “Well when you put it like that…”
Steve can’t help but laugh.
“Just, these sources are really convincing! Especially with all his comments on Dustin’s TikToks about you.”
Steve freezes. “He’s commented on those?”
“Yeah, dude. It’s all over how he recently commented on all videos that Dustin posted in the past few weeks saying stuff like ‘mine.’ and ‘Gareth is about to steal my phone because I can’t stop gushing over Steve.’ And blah blah blah Steve this Steve that.”
“Who’s Gareth?” Steve can’t help but ask as a bit of jealousy twists in his stomach.
“Oh my god! You cannot be jealous because of a stranger!”
“He’s a hot stranger who sings my favorite song!”
Robin laughs hard on the other line, “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“I can’t either,” Steve says with a laugh, fully in disbelief about it all. He almost expects Robin to tell him it’s a joke, but he puts her on speaker so he can scroll through his notifications all about Eddie Munson. He takes a deep breath and decides to Google Eddie again except this time one of the top search results is “Eddie Munson and TikTok Steve.” He clicks on it and feels his heart pound at the stupid articles that claim they’ve been dating for years and his “Marry me” comment was an actual marriage proposal.
“Oh, that is not a flattering picture of me,” Steve groans and keeps scrolls. “Shit! Robin, there’s a picture of you and me here!”
“No shit!” Robin shrieks.
Steve looks at the article and laughs, “They think that I’m straight and you’re my girlfriend.”
“No way!” Robin yells laughing. “Life cannot be real right now.”
Steve keeps scrolling until he suddenly closes out of the tab. Life really can’t be real. He takes a moment to settle in it. He’s probably going to be recognized a bit now until this whole thing dies down, and shit, they might try to dig into his personal life. Will this effect his job? His reputation? What are people going to find? Are they going to make crazy shit up about him?
Steve lets out a deep breath and runs his hands over his face. Some of the internet thinks he’s dating Eddie Munson. He scoffs at the idea but thinks about how Eddie has somehow commented on all these videos about him. But maybe he was drunk or something. Robin’s right. He doesn’t know the man.
“I’m in some deep shit, aren’t I?” Steve asks.
“We’re in this together, you know,” Robin replies. Then there’s a clattering sound and some freaking out on the other line.
“Robin?! Are you okay??” Steve yells into the phone.
“Yes! Yes! Sorry. Yes. It’s just…” she takes a deep breath. “Eddie Munson followed me on Instagram. And he messaged me. Oh my god.”
“What does it say?” Steve asks, stomach fluttering with butterflies.
“Holy shit, he wants to know if he can get your number and understands if not, but he can’t find your social media anywhere and now he’s freaking out about asking if you’re straight but then taking it back saying he doesn’t want to out you or anything. And this is actually really funny he just keeps sending stuff, but holy shit Steve! What do I say?”
Steve takes a moment to think about it. If he says no, the whole buzz will kind of die down, and his life might return back to normal. He could get Dustin to delete the videos, and maybe it would bruise Eddie’s ego but maybe the sources would just assume Steve was straight, it was some publicity stunt, or thing just didn’t work out. Everything would go back to normal, and he wouldn’t have to think about Eddie and the way some of his songs have gotten him through shit, or how his smile is easily the most gorgeous thing he’s ever seen.
He takes a deep breath and replies, “Okay. Uh, give him my number.” His eyes widen. This is happening.
Robin replies, “Sent! Oh my god. This is the coolest moment of my entire life.”
There’s a notification from a new number that appears on Steve’s phone soon after that says, hi uh this is Eddie :P
“He texted me,” Steve breathes out and shakily types out Hello, I’m Steve :). “And I replied.”
There’s already the bubbles that appear as Eddie types something else before they disappear and reappear and disappear again before reappearing. A message finally appears.
How do you feel about FaceTime?
Steve stares at the message and says, “Robin, I’m going to have to call you back. I’m about to FaceTime Eddie Munson.”
Life is not real.
“Good evening everyone! I’m your host Ann Romano joined tonight by two of the biggest names in music….please give it up for Corroded Coffin frontman Eddie Munson and Grammy winner Steve Harrington!”
The crowd goes wild.
This is a big deal, two of the biggest names in history with a giant rivalry.
Everyone knew the story. They grew up in a small town together and were on different levels of popularity ultimately ruining what could’ve been a fantastic friendship. Even now ten years since high school they can’t get over it. They hate each other always trying to one up each other.
Eddie trying to make a point that even the freaks can become famous. Stating, “I didn’t need money like Steve Harrington to win a Grammy I have my talent to thank for that.”
The two walk out onto the stage and sit on the couch making sure to leave some distance between them.
“Thank you both for coming out tonight! I know it’s a big trip from LA to New York. It probably helps that you live here huh Steve?”
“Actually I moved to LA.”
Eddie turns to look at him shocked.
“You moved? When did you move? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Would it have mattered? It’s not like we see each other anyway. You can barely look at me and you’re sitting two inches from me.”
Eddie huffs in his seat and turns towards Ann, trying to remember what little of his media training he had.
“I only care because I’m a good neighborly fellow of course.”
Ann laughs flicks her hand at him.
“Oh you guys are just too funny. I knew you secretly cared for each other which brings me to my next segment, a game I like to call, “Wrapped Up!” You see gentleman, both of your agents gave me access to your Spotify wrapped and now we’re gonna let the audience in as well!”
The two turn white.
“Is that necessary?” Eddie asks through gritted teeth.
“Why not?” Steve adds in. “I have nothing to hide.” He narrows his eyes at Eddie.
Eddie rolls his eyes at him.
Ann laughs nervously. “Fantastic! Let’s jump to it!”
She gestures behind her where a giant screen shows Steve’s wrapped.
“Alight fellas, Eddie gets three points for every artist he guesses on the first try. He gets three tries, one point if he gets the artist by the third try.”
“Easy.” Eddie smirks.
Steve raises an eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah. You always were easy.”
“Alright guys let’s focus on the game here!” Ann jumps in.
“Alright number 5….Wham.”
*a bell rings*
“Fantastic start Eddie!”
“What’d I say, easy,” he smirks.
“4. Tears for Fears.”
“3. ABBA.”
“2. Queen.”
“1. Toto.”
*incorrect buzzer sound*
“Ok…Madonna.”
*incorrect*
“Alright Eddie this is your last chance. You’ve done fantastic so far so I think you’re going to win no matter what. Sorry Steve.” Ann says.
“Hey none taken. I definitely didn’t even think he’d do this well.” Steve smirks at him.
“Alright big boy hold onto your pants. I got this.”
Eddie takes a deep inhale.
“Brittney Spears!”
*louder more incorrect buzzer*
“Ugh!”
“Sorry Eddie! But I don’t think even you could’ve guessed this one. Are you ready folks let’s see what it is-”
The crowd goes wild.
Steve’s smirks goes crazy.
Eddie is pale.
Up on the screen in big obnoxious letters is “CORRODED COFFIN”
“That’s right folks! Since Eddie did so well let’s let him play a similar game for Steve’s top songs. Are you ready Eddie!”
Eddie is not breathing.
“Um-”
“Great let’s start!”
“5….Girls just wanna have fun?”
*DING*
“4.Dancing Queen”
*incorrect buzzer*
“Material Girl”
*incorrect buzzer*
Eddie sighs.
“Crown of Thorns.”
*DING*
“That’s right Eddie! Your very own song Crown of Thorns was his number 4? Wanna take a guess at the rest?”
Eddie grits his teeth. “I’m not sure I have a choice.”
“Haha of course you don’t! Now! Number three!”
“3. Heavy is the Head.”
“2. Reign.”
“1….”
He looks nervous.
“Kneel Before the King.”
*DING*
“You got them! Fantastic work Eddie! Were you surprised that four of his five were songs written by you? How could you possibly guess them?”
“At first I was surprised…you know we have this rivalry thing going on but…I’ve been watching Steve since I was fourteen. I know him well. As soon as I saw his top artist I knew his top songs would be the ones I wrote about him.”
The crowd gasps.
“Don’t get me wrong I wrote a lot more about him but these in particular…”
“They’re about forbidden love.” Steve chimes in. His eyes are watering.
“Yeah.”
“That’s why they were my favorite.”
Eddie gives him a sad smile.
“You wrote them about me?”
Eddies smile turns into a frown. “About you, for you, it was always for you, all of them.”
“All of them?”
“Everything. My entire discography. Every performance. Every press tour. Every photo shoot. You just had to worm your way into my life Harrington…my heart.” He whispers that last part but they’re so close together Steve can hear it.
Well barely hear it…his heartbeat is so loud in his ears.
“Anyways Ann what’s next.”
Ann is staring at him in open mouthed shock.
“Wow. This so perfect.” She turns to Steve. “Ready for your turn?”
“Nah.” Eddie says. “Skip to my number one artist.”
Behind them a video starts playing on the screen.
“Hey it’s Steve! Thanks so much for being my number one fan! I mean top .01 percent is a tough spot to get! It means so much to me that I’m your number one artist-”
Steve can’t take his eyes off of Eddie, when could he ever?
“I’m your number one artist?” he asks so softly Eddie can barely hear it.
“Of course…I like the sound of your voice.” He shrugs his shoulder like it’s no big deal.
“Can we talk? I mean after the show?”
Eddie smiles at him.
“Of course Stevie, I’d like that.”
“I would also like to know!” Ann cuts in.
They forgot this was being streamed to millions of people and filmed in front of a live studio audience.
—————
Later Backstage:
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’RE MY NEW NEIGHBOR HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS!!!????”
“Honestly Eddie I don’t know. For someone who claims to be obsessed with me-”
“I didn’t-“”
“Obsessed.” Steve puts a finger to Eddie’s lips to shut him up. “You didn’t notice I’d moved in next door.”
“Hell just move in with me.”
“…alright.”
Eddie is trying to make it big in the music scene but people don’t get ‘discovered’ nowadays, even with a manager, it’s all about who you know. And Eddie gets the chance to mingle after subbing for small band who were one member short. He scores an invitation to tag along to a party. A high profile party.
And Eddie’s manager gives him a tip: the son of C. Harrington, owner of huge record label GNH, will be there and he so happens to bat for the both teams.
Nothing is said directly but it’s heavily implied that if Eddie can manage to shake this guy’s hand and flirt his way into a few dates… that can be his in.
So, okay, stringing along some rich entitled asshole born with a silver spoon in his mouth? Eddie’s game. Doesn’t hurt that the guy is easy on the eyes, even if a little too on the preppy side for his tastes.
And he does it. He gets his few dates, but no word has reached Harrington senior about his music so it looks like this might turn into the long game.
Except that Steve is sweet.
Eddie didn’t count on Steve being so sweet.
Eddie didn’t count on Steve showing active emotional interest. To spill his heart out to Eddie and reach with such lonely hands practically begging to be loved.
Eddie didn’t count on falling in love either.
Maybe Eddie can have his cake and eat it too, right?
But then, well,
Steve finds out about his original intentions.
Steve Harrington has OCD. There are days when he can barely hear his own thoughts. Days when he can't focus on anything else but whatever is triggering him. Days when he just wants to crawl out of his own skin.
No one around him gets it. Like, really gets it. He loves having everyone over at his place, loves filling the empty house with joy and laughter he never experienced as a child. But over and over again, he feels like he can't really be present in the moment. Because he gets stuck in a never-ending loop of mental checklists, pinpointing every single item that will need to be cleaned or put back in its place after they leave. Crumbs all over the couch. Henderson touching everything in his general vicinity with greasy, pizza-stained fingers. People walking straight into the house after swimming in the pool. Rug on the bathroom floor always wrinkled and askew. Tiny specs all over the kitchen that only he seems to notice. He knows they're little things. Unimportant, right? A little mess can't hurt you? He knows... He just wishes his brain would get it, too.
And it doesn't just impact him, either. His incessant bitching sets others around him on edge. That's probably the worst part of it all. Nancy used to get so annoyed with him whenever he'd ask her to not sit on his bed in her 'outside clothes'. He's pretty sure Robin hates cooking with him because of all the rules he has in the kitchen, but she usually just sighs and rolls her eyes. Dustin deliberately misunderstands his requests or, better yet, pretends he doesn't hear him at all.
Not Eddie, though. Because Eddie notices. The way Steve seems unfocused at times, like he's somewhere far away. The way his eyes tend to dart around the room. The way his posture changes when someone unknowingly does something that triggers him. He makes little mental notes of all the triggers and makes sure to remember them. So he starts taking off his shoes at the door, placing them on the rack. He cleans up after the kids, quickly wiping the kitchen counter and floor as Steve's busy walking everyone out of the house. He straightens the bathroom rugs. He wipes the floor after taking a shower at Steve's, so that there isn't a single droplet of water to be found anywhere outside the shower cabin. He changes his clothes before lounging around on Steve's bed. It takes Steve some time to notice everything Eddie's been doing to help out with his triggers.
It's a little after midnight, and Steve has finally managed to kick the little dipshits out of the house. He walks back into the kitchen where he is met with the sight of Eddie crouched down, a whisk broom and dustpan in hand. Something clicks then, stopping him in his tracks.
"Wait... How long have you been doing this?"
Eddie freezes then and glances up quickly, looking every bit like a deer caught in the headlights.
"Oh, sorry, it's just- I noticed the stuff on the kitchen floor makes you kinda uncomfortable, so I thought I'd help out a bit," Eddie says softly, like he's scared he's done something wrong. Steve feels something warm spread around in his chest, followed by a familiar burning sensation behind his eyes.
"And the rugs? Was that also you?" Steve's voice is shaking now. But he can no longer prevent it. He's about to have a full-on breakdown in front of Eddie Munson.
Of course, Eddie, the perceptive bastard that he is, has already picked up on what's about to happen. He quickly sets the tools aside and straightens up, taking a few strides towards Steve, ducking his head to catch Steve's downcast gaze. To make sure he's okay.
"Hey, Steve, look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I shouldn't have overstepped. I'm so sorry," says Eddie, gently placing his hands on Steve's shoulders to offer a reassuring touch. There are now silent tears rolling down Steve's cheeks, but he brings himself to meet Eddie's gaze nevertheless.
"No, no, Eddie, you didn't. It's just- How did you know?" Steve asks, somewhat hesitantly.
"Because," Eddie moves his hands up to cup Steve's face, looking at Steve like he's trying to see straight into his soul, "because I see you, Steve Harrington."
The truth is that Steve has a lot of fun at the concerts he attends with Eddie even though most of the time he didn't understand anything of what some of the metal singers were singing. But it was fun, he wasn't a metal fan but going to concerts with Eddie were those times when they could go outside as a couple and date without people noticing.
Tonight Metallica was playing, it was the first time they would see them now that they moved to Chicago and well Eddie is pretty excited and Steve does his best to keep up with him, he even recognizes some songs.
When they play Master of Puppets a shiver runs down his spine, and even though he can't touch Eddie like he would like to because they are in public, just looking at him is enough to make him feel better, because his Eddie is alive and he is right where he belongs.
As the concert is about to end, the band starts playing a song that Steve immediately recognizes....
"That's our song!" Steve exclaimed with excitement.
"What are you talking about?"
The song was soft, different from the ones Metallica usually played, the stadium was less noisy than before because the audience was concentrated on the opening notes. Steve approached Eddie with a bright smile and whispered:
"That was the song we were listening to when you kissed me for the first time."
Eddie looks at him with complete love, desire and affection. They are so close to each other and yet they can't get any closer, it hurts but it comforts him to know that he will go home with that boy.
"I'm going to spend a lifetime kissing you Steve Harrington, until we are allowed to kiss throughout the entire setlist of a concert"
Eddie whispers in his ear and kisses his cheek, his lips barely graze his cheek but with that he seals the promise. Immediately he pulls back and instead wraps his arm around Steve's shoulders, Steve smiles without taking his eyes off the stage and places his hand on Eddie's, as the song plays he discreetly intertwines their fingers.
----
The song is Fade to Black btw. Metallica played in Chicago on November 17, 1988, that is the concert attended by these two lovebirds. ✨️