Chapter Text
Eddie never liked parties.
Not because he didn’t like celebrating or dancing. Far from it.
But, because he was never invited to any that didn’t involve jocks who wanted to get high and dumb pranks which he was more than once the sole victim..This is why he privileged D&D as his own kind of party, one where he didn’t need to fit in or pretend not to be affected by his “weirdness”.
No jock or brainless cheerleader to make fun of him or humiliate him..
Then, why ?
He glanced up at none other than Steve "The Hair" Harrington.
Why couldn’t he get that one particular ex-jock out of his head ?
Eddie was at his own personal mini bar, flirting with some girl and making it hard on Eddie not to react. He wanted to stand up, gulp down his drink and grab Steve to kiss him straight on his stupid face. However, Eddie stared at Steve’s sleeveless jean jacket instead, the one Eddie had given him when he had been attacked by the demobats..Why was he wearing it ? To flirt nonetheless ? Was he taunting him ? Was it some kind of sick twisted game of his ? Did he know it would put Eddie on edge ?
But then, Steve tugged a loose strand of the girl’s hair behind her ear, which earned him a small elegant giggle from her and Eddie’s eyes became perceptibly darker as his mood soured. He clenched his teeth and looked back at his drink, dark thoughts clouding his mind as he would do anything to be in the lucky girl's place..But, he quickly shook his head.
Eddie hated jocks..Why would that one be any different ?
Eddie knew he shouldn't feel this way. Harrington was his own man and he could take his own decisions. But, it didn't mean he was any less frustrated by the fact that it wasn't him that he was flashing that charming grin at or who he was flirting so shamelessly with. He had almost lost his life in the Upside Down and during his last moments, he had thought he would see his mother and father—waiting for him—but to his utter surprise and confusion..It had been Harrington. Steve Harrington.
Harrington had been his last flash, his last memory, the one he would die with..
Harrington who had more than once mocked him in high school and who had always been mean to him..
Harrington who never even once spared him a friendly glance..
And yet, these last few days, he had had the opportunity to find a new side of Harrington; an unsuspected soft side which was at the origin of the mess he was in; his inner conflict.
Harrington and his terribly attractive smile..
Harrington and his stupidly perfect hair..
Harrington and his will to protect his loved ones..
Perfect and undoubtedly straight Harrington..
It didn't make sense.
What gave Harrington the right to be his last thought before death ?! He didn't have the right to live rent free in his mind while he kept flirting here and there unashamedly with anyone and everyone in front of his face..Eddie knew all of Steve’s flirting techniques by now and he wasn’t an idiot. He knew that the way Steve was slightly tilting his head and laughing diligently at whatever the girl was currently whispering in his ear was all part of his mating ritual..
He knew better than to wish for the impossible, and yet, couldn't bring himself to let go.
“Don’t waste your time..”
Eddie’s attention suddenly snapped at the voice next to him and he relaxed when he realised it was only Robin.
“What are you talking about ?”
Robin sighed before eyeing Steve significantly.
“Steve. Don’t waste your time with him. I know this knuckle head and he is an oblivious moron. If you like him, don’t just stare at him and try to tell him, before someone else does..”
Eddie gulped as Robin could be frighteningly perceptive and accurate sometimes..But, he then looked back at Steve, still talking with the girl and he felt his insides tighten as he replied in resignation with a light shrug, abdicating in front of the obvious.
“Look at him..Does he look like the type that would be interested in a guy like me ?”
Robin arched a skeptical eyebrow at him before looking back at Steve and finally answering enigmatically, in that voice that made Eddie think she knew more than she let on.
“How can you be so sure ?”, she looked back at Eddie and gave him a cheerful smile, “Give yourself some credit, Eddie..You're hot. Besides, Steve is not a bad guy. He wouldn’t mock you for having feelings..”
“Yeah, right.”, he snorted and waved his hand dismissively, “That’s what I’m afraid of..”
Steve wouldn’t make fun of him, but his eyes and whole demeanor would change, as so many "open-minded" men had done before..He wouldn’t have the same attitude around him and little by little, Steve would avoid Eddie and it would end in heartbreak. It would be the end of whatever their current relationship was and Eddie could already imagine himself, sitting on his couch with a big bucket of vanilla ice cream on his lap to heal his little broken heart. What a sorry sight..Eddie shuddered at the sole thought and shook his head. He didn’t want to risk it..He couldn’t handle Steve actually being uncomfortable around—or even disgusted by—him..
Eddie stared at his drink and his eyes followed the slight movement of the liquid in its container..It was almost soothing. It made him think of the sea and gave him something else to think about than his more-than-depressing love life..
Robin understood he needed to be left alone and only sighed before patting his shoulder encouragingly.
“Good luck, Eddie..”
He hummed absentmindedly in response before bringing his glass back to his lips, his eyes glancing around the room for a second.
All of the Hawkins survivors in the group had been invited to Harrington's house for the after-Apocalypse celebration party. Some of them were dancing, most of them were sitting—like Eddie was—with a drink in hand, but talking lively with each other. They were all happy to be alive. However, Eddie didn't feel in the mood for celebrating. He could just stare at Steve and wait patiently for him to finally notice..notice him.
It didn't take long as Steve's hazel eyes finally connected with his and Eddie's smile enlarged significantly. He could never get tired of those eyes on him..Eddie decided. Steve waved at him shyly and it made Eddie’s heart skip a beat..The man was just too cute sometimes. However, he shook his head and looked away, blushing in embarrassment.
Rule number 1 in the Munson book: Don't let your emotions overrule your head..
He knew that he was interested in Steve, but there was zero chance for him to feel the same way. Steve still held onto that tiny hope that Nancy Wheeler would acknowledge him as the man he was, or any chick for that mattered..Steve was looking for a pretty girl who he could settle with and have lots of baby Harringtons with. He wasn’t looking for a freak..Eddie had already figured him all out and—even though it hurt to even admit it—Steve wasn’t and would never be more than a friend.
However, as his head was slowly filled and muddled with alcool, his thoughts lost a little of their rational side, replaced by self-pity and a need to let go of all that pent-up frustration.
What did Nancy have that he didn't ?
Well, besides the fact that she was a chick..
An intelligent woman.
And a hot one at that..
Eddie shook his head to chase the negative thoughts out of his head before twirling his fingers idly around his half-empty glass..And yet, Steve Harrington was still the man who stole Eddie "The Freak" Munson's heart..Who could have predicted that ? 'Not Eddie. That's for sure', he bitterly thought to himself before gulping down the rest of his drink, making sure to focus on the satisfying burn in his throat rather than what was going on around him.
He wanted to forget.
He wanted to forget about the Upside Down.
He wanted to forget about the ugly scars on either side of his waist.
To be honest ?
He simply wanted to forget about giving a shit.
Steve then called everyone's attention on him and Eddie knew he would start a lovely speech about how everything was over and to thank everyone for their "participation/war effort". He would also address Eddie's "sacrifice" and thank him for his "bravery". Bullsh*t. Eddie had risked his life to save them and had almost died in the process..It wasn’t bravery, it was stupidity..
Steve opened his mouth to start, but Eddie had other plans as he decided to steal the show.
He walked on one of the tables and hit it with the heel of his foot to get everyone's attention and he then looked at Steve and winked at him.
"THIS SONG IS DEDICATED TO THE OLD KING OF HAWKINS ! YOU'RE STILL MY KING, MAN ! NOW, LET'S ROCK !"
Eddie then unsheathed his guitar with a dramatic swiftness and threw the guitar cover back on the sofa he was sitting on. He couldn't have Harrington ? Fine. He would drown his sorrow in music and let Harrington hear all of it.
He didn't want to even think about Steve Harrington, but the words came flowing out of his mouth and even though the audience couldn't possibly understand who he was referring to, his eyes were staring straight at Steve who—when the initial shock of being interrupted was gone—stared right back at him with an expression of annoyance. He was pissed. But, Eddie didn't care. He felt pumped up by how intense Steve's gaze was on him as he rocked his head back and forth with the music. He didn't care if his majesty Steve didn't approve..He wanted to steal his thunder and make him pay for..for what ? Eddie didn't know. He was just certain he had to pay for something..
He knew Harrington had invited him just by pity and because he didn't have a choice, not because he particularly liked him..He was just a part of the group now. Eddie didn't mind. He liked Henderson and all the other gremlins..He just didn't like having feelings for the only member of the team that didn't give two shits if he lived or died.
He was actually surprised Harrington hadn't decided to grab him by the back of the neck and throw him out of his house yet ?
He bit down on the tip of his tongue as he focused back on the music and on the movements of his fingers on the instrument, the cheers and fervent shouts becoming only background noises for him as he purposefully played harder and louder. He knew Steve hated his music and he closed his eyes, relishing in the sensation of the strings under his finger pads and the feeling of Steve's burning eyes on him.
At the end, he bowed while everyone was clapping, all except Harrington that had his arms crossed over his chest in silent disapproval. Eddie blew him a playful kiss and before anyone could stop Steve, he grabbed Eddie to lead him upstairs. Eddie knew he should probably be worried, but his intoxicated brain could only focus on the sensation of Steve’s fingers wrapped around his wrist and his other hand on his back, pushing him forward..Eddie giggled drunkenly and whispered teasingly in Steve's ear.
"Is Mommy mad ?"
Steve's hold on him tightened just a little bit at his words as he pushed him forward to make him move up the stairs, not even dignifying him with an answer. Thankfully, the party went on without them, so he didn't feel too guilty about crashing the party. However, Eddie had the vague impression that he would come to regret not being sober for what was going to happen next.
Steve opened his bedroom door and dragged Eddie inside before slamming the door shut behind them.
He was definitely in trouble now..