Chapter Text
The sun shone in rays, entering Eddie’s bedroom. Steve groaned, burring his head into Eddie’s chest. Eddie’s sleeping breaths were always even, so was his snoring (god Eddie was such a deep sleeper). Steve smiled softly, squinting his eyes open ever so slightly. The sudden introduction of light in his vision jolted him awake from his half-asleep state. He listened to the sound of Wayne, who had probably just gotten back from his shift, in the kitchen. Steve knew Wayne didn’t like him, whether it was the judgmental stares or him constantly asking when Steve was going to leave. Wayne had even told him once he wasn’t good enough for Eddie. Of course Steve knew that, but he didn’t want to mention it to Eddie out of fear of being left behind. He knew he wouldn't have Eddie for long and selfishly wanted to make the most out of his time with the older man.
Eddie’s friends didn’t like him either, Steve didn’t blame them. He was an asshole in high school, being King Steve and all. He tried to get them to like him. Brought them snacks during band practice and apologized multiple times for Tommy's actions or to the fact that he was a useless bystander during all of it. Still nothing prevailed, they still gave him the stink eye and didn’t even bother to wait until Steve left to shit talk to him. They’d do it openly when Eddie was there, but it was always small jabs, almost objectification--Eddie either laughed along or stayed silent. Steve didn't expect Eddie to get into an argument with his friends over him, shit he didn't even know if Eddie took the backhanded-ness of their remarks seriously, though it still hurt to see Eddie letting his buddies remarks slide.
It wasn’t any use to get, what was basically Eddie’s family, to like him. He knew deep down that they wouldn't see that he changed, or at least tried to. Even some of the party still didn't realize that. It hurt, it really did, but he couldn’t force people to like him or realize how much he has tried to change. And if he were in their shoes he would have trouble realizing that too. Hell, sometimes he still acted all bitchy; which never really helped his self loathing.
“Baby?” Eddie mumbled his voice heavy with sleep, interrupting Steve’s spiraling thoughts, “Are you awake?” Eddie lazily palmed around the mattress until his right hand met Steve's bed head and tangled into his knotted waves. This was Eddie's favorite time to mess with Steve's hair because he couldn't complain that he was messing up his styling. Steve hummed in response not trusting his voice to sound normal, though he knew it was no use no matter how well he hid his emotions Eddie could always see through him.
“Is something bothering you princess,” Eddie asked his other meeting Steve’s waist, "You're thinking so loudly it woke me up," the older man sighed as he stretched his neck. It was the only part of his body he could stretch as his body was too tangled with Steve's to properly move.
“Y'know I don't think,” Steve said self-disparagingly , "Just sitting here all pretty, waiting for my knight to save me," he teased, guiding the conversation away from his stupid feelings, Eddie didn't need to hear them first thing in the morning. This tactic worked most of the time, anyway.
Eddie chuckled, kissing Steve’s head, “Do you wanna grab breakfast or just wanna lay around?” It wasn't phrased like a question, Steve knew Eddie just wanted to lay in bed for as long as he possibly could.
“Laying around sounds amazing,” Steve said, rolling off of Eddie and on to his side. He just wanted to stretch out slightly, he really just wanted to melt into Eddie's skin (as creepy as that sounds).
“Hey, come on get back here,” Eddie reached out, making a grabbing motion, “If we’re gonna lay around let’s at least cuddle!” he whined as he out stretched his legs, a light pop coming from his back and knees.
Steve, who had started to forget about his little thought spiral earlier, playfully responded, “ You’re gonna have to catch me old man,” he waved his arms dramatically. He lazily squirmed around in an effort to commit to his pervious statement. A dopey smile on his lips
Eddie tackled Steve and pinned him down onto his shitty mattress. His arms made it towards Steve's torso, "Who are you calling old Stevie," he laughed. A malicious grin spread on Eddie’s face as he started to tickle Steve’s sides, he’d figured out Steve was ticklish awhile ago and of course he was going to and had previously exploited that.
Steve laughed and gasped for air, “Eds,” he cried out, embarrassingly writhed underneath Eddie as he tried to get the other man off of him. He wished every morning could start like this. As Eddie relented, Steve lightly shoved him off, “Guess you earned it,” Steve said exasperated, but a lazy grin still made it on his face. When Eddie laid down again Steve rested his head on his chest. Eddie's chest was a lot more firm than it looked, but it had a somewhat plush quality to it which made Steve prefer laying there over a normal pillow
He looked up at Eddie, catching the older man's gaze on himself, "Whatcha looking at," Steve practically cooed. "Your hair," Eddie said, "I think I like it better naturally. It's so wavy and soft, makes you look like actual royalty. I bet you'd look like an elf if you grew it out a bit." Steve looked away from Eddie for a moment all flustered momentarily, before looking back up at his boyfriend
“I think you're really handsome,” Steve complimented back affectionately.“You’re a charmer,” Eddie teased as he stretched out underneath Steve. They looked into each others eyes and started to lean in for a kiss, breath intermingling. Steve could almost feel Eddie's smile against his skin. And then of course, they were interrupted, embarrassingly, by Wayne.
“Eddie, time for breakfast,” Wayne said glaring at Steve who carefully rolled off of Eddie's chest.
“I should go,” Steve mumbled nervously fidgeting with a strand of loose hair. He attempted slid off the bed before Eddie grabbed his waist.“Stay for breakfast,” Eddie offered up with a smile. Wayne looked at Eddie with another glare but it was a softer look than what he gave to Steve, “Please?” Eddie said playfully begging.
Wayne eyed him suspiciously. God Steve hated this look, hated the judgement and animosity that Wayne seemed to have towards him. Steve froze for a minute lost in thought. On one hand he could stay for breakfast with Eddie, but then he would be judged and walking around egg shells due to Wayne. Or, he could go home and eat alone before going off to his noon shift at Melvalds. He felt Eddie shake him slightly as he zoned back in, still feeling Wayne's glare on him.
"I should probably leave, I gotta drive Robin to our shift," Steve said nervously. He knew it was a shitty excuse, but he also was aware that Eddie wouldn't question him on this. Wayne gave him a somewhat approving nod, mostly passive aggressive before stepping out of Eddie's room. "Agh, alright," Eddie complained, "Goodbye darling," he whispered into Steve neck, causing the younger to shiver, he then met Steve's cheek with a kiss. Steve sighed yearning to spend more time with Eddie as he rushed out the Munson Trailer.