Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The first time Steve got high with Eddie it’s the most relaxed he felt in almost a year. And he shouldn’t have give where he was sitting against a rock in the middle of the woods. And now he can’t stop.

It’s almost became an addiction, not to getting high but to Eddie. Steve still eats lunch in the library, not having any friends in the cafeteria (does he even have friends at all?). Everyday he looks for Eddie, some days he isn’t there, some days he is. On the days he’s there, more often than not they skip. It’s been going like this for the last couple of weeks. Getting high in Eddie’s van or at Skull Rock

Though they never leave before their fourth period or hanging out after school, not even on the weekends. Neither of them even dare to ask to go to the other’s house. It’s almost like there’s a barrier neither of them are willing to cross, not ready to consider each other friends yet.

Today’s not any different, rain is poring outside Eddie’s van. They’re sitting across from each other, feet sprawled across the carpeted back of the van. Steve’s half asleep, the rain bouncing off the side lulling him. The weed making him relaxed. At this point Eddie is used to it, realized Steve just gets sleepy when he’s high. (Though honestly it’s just the only time Steve feels relaxed enough to sleep. Not being alone also helps).

Eddie raises his voice, startling Steve. “Are you going to the party this weekend?”

It’s strange, normally they don’t talk about anything from school. Always staying away from the topic. It’s almost like if they tried to, they’d realize how different they are. Instead it’s always music or stuff they saw on tv, even how Billy Hargrove and his posse were assholes Sometimes Steve talks about the kids and stupid stuff they did, that always leads to Eddie talking about DnD and Steve trying to understand.

“Oh uh I don’t know. Didn’t even know there was one. Kinda surprised you do.” Steve slurs, trying to rub the sleep from his eyes.

“I have to keep my ear up, Harrington, good for business. Especially since your running my dry.” A slow grin falls on Eddie’s face and he nudges Steve foot with his elbow.

Steve rolls his eyes and quickly pulls his foot away from Eddie, tucking his leg close to him. “I offered to pay.”

And he really has the first couple of times. Though Eddie would always responds the same.

“I don’t need your money, Harrington.” He says in a sing song voice.

“Exactly, then you can’t pick on me for it.” Steve mimics the tone, pushing Eddie away from him.

Eddie falls to the ground, on top of Steve’s leg. Hand gripping his shirt. “You wound me. Picking on you is my favorite thing.”

Steve scoffs, trying and failing to shove Eddie off before laughter overcomes him.

“No but seriously Harrington, are you going to the party.” Eddie croaks out once the laughing calms down. Steve has finally given up on trying to push Eddie away, letting him lay on top of him.

He collapses against the wall still trying not to laugh. “I don’t know, when is it?”

“Ummm it’s Friday, the day after thanksgiving.”

“Maybe, I might have to chauffeur the kids over the weekend, I don’t think I can deal with them hungover.” They will most definitely want to do something over the weekend and Steve doesn’t know he can deal with them with a pounding headache again.

“You and your children Stevie, you’d think you’re a single mother of four.” Eddie groans and flys forward

Steve scoffs and nudges Eddie. “Five actually,” lately Will has been add to the bunch of kids he has to watch over. “Besides your friends will be there won’t there.”

Eddie snaps his head at Steve, hair flying widely around his head, he’s staring at Steve like he just made a wild accusation. “No they won’t actually, they hate me and have to stay with their family or going out of town.” He falls back down to the ground, though he’s no longer laying on Steve.

“You’re so dramatic, Munson.” He rolls his eyes a lets out a laugh.

“And yet you keep me ‘round, Harrington.”

“That I do, sadly”

Chapter Text

The wind is whipping off the water of lovers lake and it seems to be inclined to hit Eddie right in the face. Of course the party is being hosted at a lake house on the coldest day of the month. Normally Eddie doesn’t even like to go inside at house parties. Makes it a lot harder to run away when he inevitably says the wrong thing and has to make a quick get away (or if the cops show up). But he’s pretty fucking tempted; nothing is keeping his body heat in and he’s practically using his hair as a scarf.

Eddie drags his feet through the back door, doing his best but failing to weave between people. He’s happily greeted by the warm air in the house and nearly melts because of it.

There’s a spot empty of people, away from the dancing in the living room and the people drinking in the kitchen. He quickly moves to snatch it before it’s taken up by teenage bodies. He does take a pit stop though, just to grab a beer in some cooler on the way.

Slowly the numbness in Eddie limbs start to go away, replaced by the lightness of getting a little tipsy. The pop princess music playing becomes a little more bearable now that his sense are fuzzy.

Eddie leans back against the wall, closing his eyes. Although he’s tired, he’s not ready to leave. A couple more baggies are still in his lunch box, thats snuggly tucked underneath his armpit, he was hoping to sell them all before the end of the party.

He can’t help but feel more out of place than usual, maybe it’s the fact that he has no one accompanying him tonight. Normally he can convince one of his friends to tag along. Eddie likes to go to as many parties as he can, it’s the easiest place to sell and if is friends are there he can have some fun. Even surrounded by these stuffy conforming people and their horrible music choices.

Eddies just about to finish the last sip of his beer, bringing the bottle up to his mouth, when someone bumps into him. The last of his beer falling all over his shirt. He’s about to turn around, ready to cuss them out, until he hears who it is.

“Munson, I fooound youuu,” Steve’s words slur together, his own drink spilling over the edge of the red solo cup.

Eddie turns around, pushing Steve off him. He’s honestly surprised to see him, the way Steve was talking earlier this week it seemed like a for sure thing that he wasn’t going to come. He wonders what changed.

“Hey, Harrington… you seem to be having fun.” Eddie raises an eyebrow at Steve’s drunken state, shouting over the music.

“Yeah I got a little distracted while looking for you.” He brings his thumb and pointer together, almost touching, practically pushing it into Eddies face.

The fact that Steve was looking for Eddie (or least he says was is), does something to Eddie, though he not quite sure what. Which is stupid, that’s not what Eddie should be focusing on. Steve probably came here with his friends, most likely getting over whatever drama that happened. Now he ran into Eddie all drunk and is just trying to be nice.

Though Steve really did get distracted. He came here looking for Eddie, but as soon as he walked into the house he was bombarded with bright lights and loud sounds, a headache instantly forming. He couldn’t help but give in when a cup was thrown in his hand and the throbbing weakened.

“I can tell,” Eddie swats Steve hand away, a slight grin on his face. Drunk Steve is very different than high Steve. Eddie can’t help but enjoy this version. The energetic happiness he has compared to the tiredness Steve has when high. Though both of those are better than the anxious edge Steve always carriers with him.

“Whats even ‘n there bud?” Eddie waggles his finger at Steve’s cup, what ever it is it strong. “I’d like one of what ever that is.”

Steve follows Eddies finger with his eyes taking a second to realize what he is talking about. “Oh that, I have no idea. You can have the rest if you want.” He smiles and pushed that cup up to Eddies face.

At this Eddie lets out a startled laugh, quickly grabbing the cup before it can touch his face. “Thanks.”

He’s able to get in exactly two sips of the mysterious liquor before Steve makes an unidentifiable noise (possibly a squeal?) and grabs onto Eddie’s arm just as Dancing Queen starts playing. “I love this song, we should dance.”

Eddie doesn’t even have time to respond before he’s being pulled into the crowd of dancing teenagers. “You like ABBA?” He shouts in bewilderment, the background noise becoming much louder. “Oh wait, actually I’m not that surprised.”

“Uh- What is that supposed to mean.”

Eddie lets out a snicker and gets pushed up against Steve has people bump into them. “I don’t know, you tell me Stevie.”

“Ugh you’re such an asshole!” Steve groans and hits Eddie on the shoulder. Though there isn’t any heat behind it. Eddie just chuckles again.

“What can’t handle a taste of your own medicine?”

“No I can’t, I think this is known information.” Steve practically whines.

They stand there smiling at each other
before laughter over takes them, (Steve’s is more of a giggle, really) people around pushing them closer and closer together.

After a while Dancing Queen blends into some other pop song; neither of them are paying enough attention to know what it is. Too busy smiling at each other.

Without warning Steve pulls away, making some of the people behind him stumble. His hand flying up to cup his mouth, eyes wide, and he sprints to the front door. Eddie follows with out a second thought, barely catching the door as it swings shut behind Steve.

He finds Steve hunched over, spilling his guts off the porch.

“You ok?”

Steve glares up at him, wiping his face with the back of his hand.

“Yeah- um horrible question?” He raises his hands up in surrender. “Do you need
like uh- water.”

Steve groans and try’s to stand up. “ ‘m fine, I have a case in my trunk,” his voice comes out horse, words slurring together. He really doesn’t want Eddie to continue to worry about him. He attempts to take a step forward but his knees buckle and he stumbles on top of Eddie

Fortunately Eddie was able to stop the both of them toppling over. “Christ Harrington, how much have you had to drink.”

“Uh dunno, like three or something.” Steve pushes him self away from Eddie, trying not to fall backwards.

“Sheesh, you really aren’t the king anymore,” he says under his breath and slips an arm under Steve’s shoulder.

And he practically jumps, flinching away from Eddie. “I uh- what are you doing?” Steve looks over at him like Eddie has three heads.

“What do you think, taking you to your car.” Eddie rolls his eyes and squeezes around him, a slight grin on his face. “So where to, your majesty?”

Steve can help but stare at him in disbelief. He still can’t wrap his head around how much Eddie is willing to stick around.

“It’s over there.” He points to where his car sits down the long driveway, right next to some shed. Most likely where they store their rich people connoues

Eddie hauls Steve farther onto him and walks off the porch, through the lawn. He’s careful not to walk too close to any of the kids scattered across the yard. Not at all in the mood to deal with any of them.

They stagger a bit, Steve not at all able to walk straight. He’s barely able to think about one thing to long.

Even at their slow place Steve still stumbles around. Eddie struggles to keep them both from falling down into uneven ground.

Gradually they make their way to the car, Eddie propping Steve against the side door.

Once Steve’s vision stops spinning he looks down to see Eddies palm out in front of him. It takes him a second to realize he’s asking for the keys. Slowly Steve reaches for his back pocket. It feels like he’s moving through jello.

When Steve hands Eddie the keys he quickly opens the trunk, spotting the water easily. He grabs a bottle and move back to Steve.

“Here ya go, you light weight.” Eddie say as he presses the bottle against Steve’s forehead.

Steve just grumbles as he grabs it and rips it open. Quickly gulping down the water.

“Why do you even have these?” Eddie says after a long pause of silence. Grabbing a bottle himself.

“Got them about a week after the kids realized I could drive them where ever. This way I don’t have to get them expensive ass sodas.”

“Ah, smart”

Steve just hums in acknowledgment as he drink more water.

They stand there for a while. Steve trying to find the energy to move. It’s quite peacefully, the distant sound of people parting around them. The two of them enjoying the silence. That is until a group of peppy looking boys make their way over, smirks on their faces.

As they get closer Steve is able to recognize them. Some juniors that were on the basketball team with him. The most annoying one being Jason Carver, their little ring leader.

Immediately Steve stands on edge, knocking Eddie in the shoulder so he notices them too.

He turns around and squints, “Who the fuck are they?”

“A bunch of asshole jocks.” Steve replies bitterly, jaw snapping shut as they get closer.

“Well what they say is true, you’re really hanging out with this freak.” Carver stars, instantly pissing Steve off.
He can’t help but roll his eyes

“What do want, Carver” he drawls, wanting this interaction to end as quickly as possible.

“Just wanted to make sure you were ok. Weren’t be forced of anything.” He’s eyes go over to Eddie. Giving him a once over, a disgusted look on his face. “I’m sure you know what they say about him.” Jason says it like Eddie isn’t standing tight next to him.

At this Steve lurches forward, hands balling into fists beside him. The only thing stopping him from punching Carver square in the jaw is Eddie’s hand on his shoulder.

Jason catches this instantly, eyes glowing. “Unless maybe you’re a freak to.”

And before anyone even knows it Eddie is pouring his bottle of water over Jason’s head.

There’s a collective gasp, everyone stunned for a second. Carver is the first to jump into action, shoving Eddie into the back of the car.

He says something but Steve doesn’t catch it. Too busy throwing his fist at Jason’s face. He stumbles back and Steve knows he only has a second to get the upper hand. There’s no way he can take them if the other guys decide to get involved.

Maybe it’s the alcohol still swirling in his veins. But suddenly Steve is reaching for his nailbat he keeps in the back of his trunk. Easily gripping at the handle, the weight feeling comfortable in his hand.

He throws Eddie a quick, “Get in the car.”

His eyes widen, going back and forth between Steve and Jason. It only takes a second for Eddie to nod, gripping the keys tight as he throws open the driver side door.

The guys eye Steve expectedly, not sure what he’s doing once they see the bat. “What the fuck are you doing, Harrington?” He can he one of the other guys say. But Steve doesn’t care. Vision singled in on Carver.

He takes a step closer, crowding Jason up against the shed behind them. The bat swinging by his feet. The others hover in anticipation.

“What are you gonna-“ Jason is cut off by the bat fly to his head, he closes his eyes waiting for it to hit. The bat lands next to his head, nails splintering the wood beneath it.

Steve can’t help but enjoy the look of fear on Carver’s face. “You stay the fuck away from me and you stay the fuck away from Eddie.” He growls hand griping at Jason’s collar. “Or so help me, the next time this is going through your fucking skull.”

Eddie turns the car on and that finally pulls Steve away, ripping the bat from the wood. He turns to run to the other side of the car, finding that Eddie already opened the door from him, and jumps in. Steve doesn’t even close the door all the way before Eddie is speeding off.

They drive in silence, not daring to say a word as both of them try to get their breathing back to normal.

Eddie eventually looks over to Steve. Seeing him clutching the fucking bat to his chest, like it’s a god dam baby. He finally shrieks

“Why the fuck to you have that!”

“For protection!” It’s not technically a lie. Steve has saved many lives with this bat.

“Oh so you can better beat people the fuck up!”

“What no.”

“Then why is there fucking blood on it!” Eddie’s voice somehow gets even higher.

“It’s not hu-“ he cuts himself off, almost saying it’s not human blood. And won’t that sound just as fucked up. “It’s rust.” He decides on, that is believable, right?

At this Eddie just sighs, dropping the conversation.

“So what are we doing here?” Eddie asks after a while. There is no way he is letting Steve drive, as he just did something only a still drunk person would do. But Eddie would rather not drop Steve off and keep the car, someone would think Eddie stole the car. Maybe he can just walk from Steve’s house.

“I don’t know.” Steve pauses, burying his head in his hands. “I just don’t want to go home.” There is so way Steve is going home like this with his parents there. They’re the whole reason he went to the party in the first place.

“Well uh… you can come back to mine.” Eddie offers, face cringing. It sounds so awkward and unsure.

Steve just sucks in a breath, lifting his head to look over at Eddie. “Uh… yeah ok.” He replies just as awkwardly

And there it is, the line crossed.

Chapter Text

When they finally pull up to Eddie’s trailer it suddenly occurs to him that “The Steve Harrington” is going to be in his house. His sad, rundown trailer. He glances over at Steve, expecting to see a look of disgust, or a bitting remark on his lips. Instead he just looks tired.

Eddie fumbles with the keys a bit, trying to the think if there’s anything to embarrassing in the house before he opens the door. He nervously opens the door.

“Ignore the mess,” Eddie says as he scurries over to the couch. Pushing empty beer cans and clothes off to make room for a place to sit.

Steve continues to stay silent sitting down on the spot Eddie made for him. He so tired of everything, so disappointed in himself. Steve thought he was over fights at parties. That he was over doing dumb shit. He finally breaks out of his wallowing when Eddie starts to speak.

“Do you uh- want to watch a movie or something, I have a bunch on VHS. I can get you something to eat to, if your hungry. Or if you’re tired I can make the couch up for you. What ever you want.” Eddies rambling, he knows he’s rambling. It’s just hard to stand here in his dark house with a probably still drunk, shell shocked, Steve Harrington.

“No i just…” Steve finally speaks, leaning down to rub his forehead as he trails off.

Eddie waits patiently, trying to give Steve his time. Even though the silence is killing him.

“I’m so sorry, man.” Steve says in a broken voice.

At that Eddie takes a mental step back. “I- for what?” Because he genuinely can’t figure out why Steve is apologizing to him. He just scared Jason so bad he’s not going to mess with Eddie for at least a couple weeks.

“For tonight, for everything. That I’m still a fucking asshole after all this time.” Steve finally looks up, meeting Eddie’s eyes.

There are tears in his eyes, that make Eddie want to hug him. But he doesn’t, because that’s really fucking gay. So instead he says: “You don’t have to feel bad for those guys, they fucking deserved it.”

Maybe that’s a fucked up thing to think, but Steve is here crying for people that are unworthy of his tears.

Steve shakes his head, like he’s nit believing a word Eddie says. “I could have made things worse, they could have called my bluff. Or, shit, maybe I wasn’t bluffing at all.”

He’s staring off in the distance. Not bringing himself to look at Eddie after the realization, tears rolling down his face. How can he act like he’s any better than people like Hargrove when he just threatened to kill someone.

“Your not a bad person, Steve”

“But I am though. I treated everyone like shit-“

“But you changed, and that’s all that really matters.”

Maybe Eddie is lying. Maybe in the grand scheme of the universe Steve was and always will be an asshole, but he honestly doesn’t care. Because no one has ever stood up for Eddie like that.

Steve finally folds, shoulders hunched over as he lets out quiet sobs. “I don’t deserve this.” He lets out between sniffles.

“You know no one ever stood up for me like that.” Eddie says softly, try make Steve feel better.

Never in a million years did Eddie think he would be comforting a crying Steve Harrington sitting on his couch, yet here he is. And honestly, Eddie wouldn’t change it for the world.

They finally look at each, real smiles on their faces. Eddie just pats him on the shoulder.

“Lets get you to sleep, ok”

Steve nods

They slowly, mainly Eddie, clean up the couch enough for Steve to sleep on. Giving him a pillow, blanket, and a cup of water. Eddie gives him one last look over, making sure he doesn’t need anything, he’s about go to his own room when Steve whispers a soft:

“Can you stay, just until I fall asleep.” It’s a dumb question and Steve feels like a child asking that. But he really doesn’t want to be alone.

And sweat, kind, wonderful Eddie doesn’t make fun of him or anything like that. He just says ok. Not having any where else to sit, he goes down on the floor. Leaning his head on the couch next to Steve. He stays until Steve stops crying, until he falls asleep.

Eddie knows at this very moment that everything has changed between them.