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Steve and Eddie have both just recently stumbled upon the revelation that they have feelings for one another, and admitted it to themselves (as well as a few close friends and trusted confidants). Naturally, when “the family” gets together for the holidays, they have no choice but to exist in the same room with all their friends, those friends’ parents, and the awkward but exciting charge between the two of them. Eddie is too focused on acting “normal” to notice anything out of the ordinary about Steve, but luckily the kids keep them occupied for most of the night talking about everything and nothing all at once. Eddie hasn’t spoken a word to Steve all night, but there were more than a few glances exchanged at the dinner table. It might just be wishful thinking, but Eddie swears he’s not crazy. There was something there.
In the spirit of the season, Jane and Will thought it would be funny to put mistletoe up at the front door for unsuspecting visitors (victims, more like). They quickly realised their mistake when, for the last two weeks since decorating, Hop and Joyce put it to good use every morning as they leave for work. However, now that everyone they know is under the same roof, things have become more exciting.
Like right at this moment, when Eddie puts on his coat and gloves and prepares to face the cold outside, all the while smiling after a night of amazing food made by Mrs Byers and Chief, and the warmth of being surrounded by all the ridiculous adolescent nerds he calls friends. Nancy, Robin, Steve, and Jon were also in attendance, and for that he was especially grateful. Spending too much time around the kids has him acting their age, and it’s nice to be brought back to reality.
“Hey, leaving already?”
Speak of the Devil. Honestly, Steve was more of an angel, the way he saved Eddie’s life almost a year ago. How things have changed.
“It’s ten o clock, man.” Eddie laughs. “Those kids may be getting older, but they’ve still got bedtimes. I’m not sure this party will go much longer, and either way, social functions have never been my scene.”
Steve nods, not having much to say on the matter. Eddie could tell what he was thinking, though, because he thought the same. They had been polar opposites in high school, and neither one has changed that much after those four years as sworn enemies to not consider this present predicament something like a fever dream.
“What about you?” Eddie spoke, something to break the silence. “Sticking around?”
“Who else is gonna drive all those kids home?” Steve sighed, smiling a bit. He could act annoyed all he wanted, until he was blue in the face, but everyone knew Steve loved those kids and they returned that feeling a thousand times over. After all, who could ask for a babysitter turned older brother who could also fight monsters?
Geez, it’s no wonder Eddie was crazy about this guy. How did he come up with this stuff, this much adoration pouring out of his brain? He’s just thankful that he’s not saying such stupid stuff out loud.
“I still don’t know how you swing that. Or why you volunteer.” Eddie stuffed his hands in his pockets, leaning against the doorframe.
“It’s just how it’s always been, I guess.” Steve shrugs, mirroring Eddie on the opposite wall. “First it was Dustin, then his friends needed rides, and I didn’t mind. I had a date every now and then and couldn’t be there at their beck and call, but funnily enough, knowing about all this really weighed on me. No one wanted to be around me anymore, not when I was haunted and beat up. I didn’t have as many friends, I dropped out of sports, and suddenly I blinked and I wasn’t popular anymore. Then I graduated, worked dumb jobs, and granted myself even more humiliation. And here I am.”
“Well, I like this new Steve, if I haven’t said it before.”
“You have.” Steve smirked, crossing his arms. “I’m ‘metal’ now, remember?”
Eddie grinned. He still couldn’t believe he compared the Steve Harrington to Ozzy. The two didn’t exist in the same world, unless that world was the Upside Down, he supposed.
“Yeah, man. The most metal.”
Eddie avoided Steve’s gaze for fear of what he might do if he lingered a little too long, eyes glancing around the foyer, at the floor and the photos on the walls and the ceiling- including the mistletoe hanging above his head.
Steve follows Eddie’s train of thought, and when they meet eyes again, it seems like the obvious answer to the question they’ve been asking themselves all night. What if?
At some point, without even realizing, they had moved closer, and now it seemed inescapable. Steve had all the experience and charisma to make this first kiss between them something straight out of a teeny-bopper movie, but something about Eddie had him all spun around and dizzy. His brain wasn’t sending the usual signals, what to do just right, but luckily Eddie was more impatient than him.
Hands threaded into Steve’s hair, and warm lips pressed against his. Steve hummed in surprise, but responded quickly, wrapping an arm around Eddie. The two of them froze for just a second, coming to terms with the startling reality hanging in the balance, but instinct soon rendered their minds blissfully blank.
Holding him close, Steve’s hands ran over Eddie’s shoulders, finding the warmth under his hair and in the crook of his neck. Eddie’s breaths come quick, still in disbelief, like he might be dreaming. The seconds seemed to last forever-
There was a creak behind them, and both boys spun around. Max stood there, frozen like a deer caught in headlights, one foot paused just above the floor. Immediately, justifications and protests erupted from the pair caught red-handed (red-lipped?).
“It’s not what you think-”
“The mistletoe, we can’t just-”
Max holds up her hands in surrender, although the nauseated look on her face said she’d rather be covering her eyes. “I didn’t see anything.”
Fleeing back to the living room, Max was gone, and Steve and Eddie let out a sigh in unison.
“She’s going to tell everyone.” Eddie laughed.
“Oh, absolutely.” Steve drops his eyes to the floor, nervously. Eddie covers a smile, pulling a strand of hair across his face, toying with it between his fingers.
“But then again, it’s not exactly a secret.” Steve clears his throat, mumbling. “Right?”
Eddie’s heart skipped a beat. That gave him hope for this – whatever it was – to grow into something more between them. Gently, he leaned back in to place a quick kiss on Steve’s cheek.
“See you around, Harrington.” He flashed a smile before slipping out the door. The cold air cooled the blush on his cheeks, though it quickly returned as he grinned the whole way home.
It was the best and worst thing that could have happened. Now, Eddie didn’t have to fear Steve’s rejection or avoid his own feelings, but at the same time, he’d never stop thinking about him.
Right about now, Steve would be arriving back home after an hour-long car ride of chattering teenagers, changing the radio station too many times and complaining even more often, until he could find the silence in his empty house and get some sleep. Eddie hoped he might appear in Steve’s dreams that night, if by some Christmas miracle.