Chapter Text
Steve didn’t think too hard about what it meant to buy weed for Tommy H. He always bought the man things, after all, he was the rich kid. However, as he walks into the woods, he sees Eddie Munson sitting at the picnic table he has to pause. Eddie Munson was the self-proclaimed freak of Hawkins’s High. Always being himself and standing up for his little club.
But there’s always been something about him that interested Steve. Maybe it was the long curly hair or maybe the style of black ripped skinny jeans with his leather jacket and a jean vest. Whatever it was, Steve always avoided the feelings by avoiding the man in general. Now standing here, ready to buy his friend weed, his stomach flipped.
“Well, if it isn’t the King himself.” Eddie grinned, his chin resting on his palm as he looked up at Steve from where he sat. Steve didn’t know why seeing Eddie look up at him made him blush, but he quickly sat and ducked his head away for a second to calm himself. “Was Tommy too scared to deal with me himself or did you just want me alone?” Eddie teases and Steve doesn’t understand why he’s blushing.
He chuckles nervously, “Because your sooo scary. Yeah right, let’s just get this over with. What do I owe you for his shit?”
“Cool,” Eddie rolled his eyes and Steve’s stomach dropped. He didn’t mean to- what was he kidding, he meant to piss the man off. It’s what Steve does to avoid his own nerves. “$40.”
Steve pulls out his wallet, easily getting out the cash, and tossing it on the table. Eddie tosses him the baggie and Steve quickly goes to leave, “thanks, man.”
“Harrington,” Eddie calls out and Steve turns back around. Briefly wondered if he looked annoyed or relieved that Eddie continued to talk to him. “Party Hard,” Eddie winked and Steve left out a surprised bark of laughter. He tilted his head towards Eddie as the man stuck out his tongue.
Without thinking Steve replied. “Not a party without you, Munson.” Then he was walking out of the forest, not looking back at the man.
●●●●●
After doing a drug deal with Steve Harrington, Eddie seemed to run into the man everywhere. He was always grinning and talking with those around him. Acting like the King, people treat him. However, as soon as he’d look over at Eddie, his smile would warm up. As if he liked Eddie. Which was impossible, Eddie was just looking too far into it. After all, everyone had a crush on Steve Harrington, and Eddie wasn’t an exception. Even if he wasn’t the usual gender Steve went after.
So, as time passed, Eddie started paying him more attention. Watching him in the classes they shared or at lunch. And he started noticing the small things, things that proved that Steve wasn’t the asshole Eddie thought he was. Like how Steve would apologize whenever he bumped into someone. Or how he once talked with Nancy Wheeler and Barbra Holland kindly as they waited to get lunch. Even though they were the shy, perfect, smart girls he never dated. However, Eddie watched him charm them. Because Steve Harrington was charming. Eddie had to give him that.
But there were other things Eddie noticed as well. Like how when people talked about how rich he was or his parents, he’d tense up but joke about it until he was able to change the topic of conversation. Or how in class he’d just stare at his paper as if it would hurt him. Before giving up on it and messing around. Yet when the teacher was talking, Steve would listen and he looked like he understood what was going on. Even if he couldn’t show it on paper. Or how when some of his friends would tease a person he'd stay behind, not getting in the middle of it. Not unless it was directly connected with him. Or sometimes, not usually, he’d stay back just for a moment and give them compliments, trying to cheer them back up. It showed Eddie how much he liked taking care of others, even if it was in small ways. Or the days when Steve had a bruised face or a slight limp. Everyone gossiped about who he fought with but Steve would just smile and let Tommy H talk about how it was probably an upset boyfriend of the girls Steve messed around with.
About a few weeks after the drug deal, they were in chemistry when they got new partners. Eddie always hated Chemistry. Believing that Kaminsky was trying to break the resolve of all those students who weren’t naturally smart.
They all went and stood up front waiting for their name to be called. As time went on and people started dwindling, Eddie realized that Steve was still standing. And as the last corner table was called, he realized that he was partnering with Steve Harrington. It was a shock to his system as he sat down next to the “King” himself.
Steve sent him a small smile before leaning back in his chair and simply just listening to the teacher. Eddie didn’t bother taking notes either, however, he also didn’t pay attention to Kaminsky. Choosing to watch Steve out of the corner of his eye. Watched as Steve’s eyes lit up with entertainment from the course. Who knew that Steve Harrington found entertainment in Chemistry?
●●●●●
Steve watched in amusement as Eddie teased Carol. The metal head danced around her, using his normal flamboyant jabs. It was hilarious to watch, so Steve subtly blocked Tommy H from going to her rescue. However, as Eddie looked over, Steve erased his grin from his face and rolled his eyes. Eddie did the cute little devil horns, making a face at Steve which made it harder to keep the smile from his face.
Eddie Munson always made Steve feel this way; amused, giddy, and jealous. So, so jealous. The way Eddie commanded a room made Steve's stomach swoop. The man distracted him whenever they were in the same room. But Steve did his best to ignore his bisexual awaking. Ignore how Eddie Munson's hands were covered in rings and the necklaces that dangled from his neck. Or his leather jacket with a jean vest covering his band shirts and dorky d&d shirts. It wasn't what Steve thought he would've found attractive yet here he was grinning dopey at the self-proclaimed freak of Hawkins High.
"Alright everyone, settle down." The teacher, Kaminsky, snapped when the bell rang and Carol came over huffing.
"Thanks for having my back," She whispered shouted and Steve tried his best not to roll his eyes.
"Everyone knows Eddie Munson doesn't take any crap from anyone," Steve said in a bored tone as Tommy apologized without actually apologizing. He was great at that. Steve moved and sat down next to his partner.
As Kaminsky started talking Steve twiddled his pencil pretending to ignore them, but secretly hanging onto every word. He shifted so he was mostly turned away from Eddie but the man wasn't paying him any attention either. "Now, everyone, grab out your books," Kaminsky ordered and Tommy sent a look of annoyance Steve's way. As if saying, can you believe this, to Steve.
"Just to warn ya, I didn't listen to a single word Kaminsky just said," Eddie spoke under his breath once they were let go to start on the project. Steve wondered if Eddie would judge him for listening. After all, he was Steve Harrington, the idiot who didn't try because his rich dad would just give him a job. If only people knew the truth.
"Don't worry man, I did," Steve muttered under his breath.
●●●●●
Eddie watched Steve throughout the week as they went through assignments. As the time went by Eddie couldn’t help but notice a few things about Steve. 1- Steve actually paid attention to what Kaminsky said and actually looked to be interested in what they were being taught. Even though he hid behind a mask of boredom. 2- Eddie didn’t think that Steve could read very well.
That’s how Eddie found himself breaking the silence between the two of them. “Dude,” he whispered. So close to Steve that he was overwhelmed by his smell. It was almost feminine. He watched Steve go completely still, stiffer than a board. “Do you think Kaminsky would let us do tomorrow's work outside of class?” Steve finally looked at him and Eddie ignored how close they were. What he couldn’t ignore was the confused look on Steve’s face. “I can’t concentrate high,” he somewhat lied and Steve looked almost disappointed. “Help a man out?”
Steve gave Eddie a small nod before looking back to Kaminsky. “I’ll ask,” Steve murmured under his breath and Eddie smiled.
Once they got a moment, Steve was up talking to Kaminsky and they got a pass to the library. Eddie bounced after Steve who walked with purpose out of the room. As soon as the door shut Eddie let out a cackle. “God, I hate Kaminsky. His stare literally kills my brain cells.” He jokes and Steve actually smiles at him. “I can’t focus without reading aloud. Figured that my partner shouldn’t be forced to do all the work.” Eddie somewhat lied once again. Maybe that's all Eddie could do around Steve. Only tell half-truths because the rest is bullshit.
As they reached the library and claimed a corner table Eddie set to work. Reading the paper out loud, just loud enough for both of them to hear. Steve just watched him and Eddie tried not to flush at Steve’s full attention. During the breaks of words, they worked together and by the end of the hour, they were done. Steve looked a little nervous but Eddie was so fucking proud of himself. Mainly for getting Steve Harrington to finish his work, his own work was a plus.
They dropped off their work and Steve hesitated, “uh. You know if you ever want to, we could work on this outside of class. We- err, we work well together.” Steve said, ducking his head and Eddie felt a part of him melt. God, this man was going to be the death of him. Eddie nodded and watched as Steve started walking away.
“It’s a date,” he teased and Steve went tense. For a split second, Eddie was worried he messed everything up.
Then Steve looked back, a smile on his face. “In your dreams Munson,” He teased and Eddie smiled back.