we need more Rockstar Eddie braining himself trying to do a crowd surf and Paramedic Steve having to endure a very embarrassing drive to the hospital where said rockstar keeps asking him if heaven sent him.
*trips and 2K words fall out - hope I did right by you @piratefishmama *
Steve Harrington didn’t get flustered.
Like, ever.
Call it dedication to his work, call it “a sign of growth” (Nancy’s words), call it “being-a-reformed-manwhore” (Robin’s words), but Steve knew how to keep his head and stay calm even in the tensest of situations.
He hadn’t always been this way; the Steve of old, i.e. the Steve from Hawkins High School, had been a notorious ass-kisser, using his wiles and charms to get whatever he wanted from whomever he wanted. (A coping mechanism ingrained in him at a young age due to ill-attentive parents and stemming from his own feelings of self-hatred and lack of worth, according to his therapist Cindy. She was brutal but man, she always hit the nail on the head.) But somewhere along the line – falling in love with Nancy, being dumped by Nancy, and then meeting a clumsy redhead named Robin during his second week of paramedic training – he’d learned that he didn’t have to put on a façade to make people care or love him; being Steve was enough, and when he realized that? Game changer. Ten years removed from high school and he really, truly loved his life in a way that he’d never imagined he would as a douchey-seventeen-year-old.
Did he still turn on the charm with people? Of course. But it was never because he was using someone else. It was because he wanted to make them smile, or show that he cared, or help them remain calm in the midst of a high-stress event. And, not to brag or anything, but he knew how to flirt when he met someone he wanted to try dating. He knew all the tricks in the bag, he knew how to play the game, and he always came out on top.
Had he been on any dates in the last few years? No, not really, but he wasn’t looking for hook-ups anymore Robin, and no, it wasn’t because his skills were falling out of use or whatever. He just hadn’t met the right person, but when he did? Please, his future boyfriend/girlfriend/partner would have had no idea what hit them.
At least, that was Steve’s rationale up until this morning. That was before he and Robin were called out to Lollapalooza to get some guy who’d tried crowd-surfing shipped off to the hospital.
That was before he’d laid eyes on Steve and started flirting like his goddamn life depended on it.
/////
“Good afternoon, sir. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”
The guy is laid out on the ground, surrounded by empty beer cans and cigarette butts. His security team has managed to get everybody out of the way, which is a miracle in and of itself because good god, the festival grounds are absolutely jam-packed with all kinds of intoxicated people. (He must be really famous to have a security that large and that good to get that done.)
The guy blinks up at him, making a questioning sound. “Whuh?”
Steve shoots a look at Robin, who nods before motioning for Dan and Sarah to grab the gurney. This guy was definitely going to need the hospital. “Okay, sir, what is your name?”
“Ed – don’t you know it? You should know it,” the man slurs out, his eyes slowly focusing in on Steve.
“Um,” Steve shoots another look at Robin, “I’m sorry, sir, but I’m going to need you to give us your name.”
“It should be on your list, right?” The man waves his hand. “Ya know, your list at the pearly gates.”
A loud sigh issues from above him and Steve glanced up to see another guy with short, curly hair sighing down at the prone man. “You’re not dead, man.”
(Steve glances between the two quickly; they’re both dressed in leather pants, although standing guy is wearing a black tee that has the sleeves ripped off while his patient is shirtless. And covered in tattoos. And wearing eyeliner. And whose hair was long and luscious looking and fuck, he’s hot, he’s really, really hot.
Shit.)
The man on the ground shakes his head and then winces at the movement. “Nuh uh, no way man, I’m gone,” he sighed out. “I’m seeing angels, Gare.”
“You’re seeing – oh, you’ve got to be kidding me,” the standing man – Gare? – lets out a loud groan. “Seriously, Eddie?”
“Your name is Eddie, then?” Steve jumps in, and the lying man – Eddie’s – eyes lazily fall back on Steve. Their eyes are locked now and Eddie starts to smile, and his smile is wide and bright and oh fuck, keep it together Steve.
“O, speak again, bright angel, for thou art as glorious to this night, being o'er my head, as is a winged messenger of heaven, unto the white-upturned wond'ring eyes of mortals fall back to gaze on him,” Eddie says, gesturing wildly at Steve, his hand reaching for Steve’s cheek. Steve darts out of the way and Eddie frowns (adorably), his hand falling back onto the ground.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Huh,” Robin pops up to his right. “Well, he’s definitely concussed, but he can still recite Shakespeare, so that seems like a good sign. I still think we should take him in.”
“I - ” Steve is going to say something, he really is, but in the minute he looks away from Robin, a hand covered in rings grabs onto his and yanks and he falls forward, barely managing from landing on top of Eddie.
“Did you fall just for me, angel?” Eddie smirks at him and shoots him another wink.
“God, please take him in,” he hears Gare speak above him, and Steve barely manages to extract his hand from Eddie’s and push himself up and away.
(It’s just some flirting, Harrington. You’re, like, the King of Flirting. You can handle this.)
/////
Steve, actually, cannot handle this.
Getting Eddie onto the gurney was a process, mainly because Eddie kept trying to grab Steve’s hand and would make crying sounds every time he missed. And not only that, he kept up a steady stream of lines – like, man, Steve thought he had lines, but these were ridiculous.
Hey, can you take off your clothes for me? I want to see how an angel hides its wings.
Is that a ladder in your pants or are you a stairway to heaven?
Hey Gare, how do I ask God’s permission to marry one of his angels?
His friend Gare – Gareth, he’d clarified – just stood around and apologized as they loaded Eddie up into the ambulance. He at least had a modicum of professionalism; Robin couldn’t stop snickering at Steve’s plight and more than that, she egged Eddie on, telling him all kinds of personal information about Steve.
“The only wings he has are the butterfly wings of his tramp stamp, bud,” Robin says when Eddie asks about Steve’s wings again.
Eddie gasps and reaches for Steve (who is trying and failing to get an IV drip going). “Fuck, angel, it’s like you were made for me. My angel,” he murmurs out, and when Steve shifts out of his reach, the guy has the audacity to actually start tearing up.
“Dingus, hold his hand,” Robin hisses from the other side of the ambulance.
“I’m trying to get his IV hooked up, Rob,” Steve hisses back. He barely suppresses a yelp when one of Eddie’s hands slides up his thighs towards his waist.
“Here, let me,” Robin says as she slaps the window to the driver’s seat. She darts over and takes the IV away from Steve.
Sighing, Steve reaches down and grabs Eddie’s hand before it can cup him in his pants. Eddie somehow manages to look simultaneously happy and sad that Steve is holding his hand (and that he’s not holding something else.) “Aww.”
“Sorry, buddy, he doesn’t put out before the first date,” Robin laughs again.
Eddie gasps, like he’s offended she would suggest such a thing. “I’m offended you would suggest such a thing! You – you don’t treat a priceless jewel like some common rock! You cherish it and take it out to dinner and then make love to it and have its babies!”
Steve’s beet red. He knows his face is beet red. And judging by the look at Robin’s face as she gets buckled in across from him, she’s enjoying this way, way too much.
“You’re enjoying this way, way too much.”
“What can I say? It’s not every day I see Steve Harrington blush.”
“I’m not blushing,” Steve hisses at her, but he’s prevented from saying more by Eddie yanking him towards his face.
Eddie smiles, his eyes running all over Steve’s face. “Are you an angel?”
“Oh my God,” Robin snort-laughs into her shoulder. Steve looks up and shoots her a glare.
“Traitor.”
“But if you’re an angel,” Eddie says, drawing Steve’s attention back down to him, “does – does that mean I’m dead?”
“What? No, no, no,” Steve rushes out, trying to comfort him but now Eddie is in tears, and fuck he’s even pretty when he cries, shit shit shit –
Steve squeezes his hand. “Hey, hey, it’s okay, you’re okay, it’s going to be okay – ”
“Dear Lord,” Eddie starts out, and okay, he’s praying now?
“When I get to Heaven,” Eddie takes a deep breath, opens his eyes and beams up at Steve, “please LET ME TAKE MY MANNNNNNNN - ”
Jesus Christ, he’s singing Lana del Ray.
“WHEN HE COMES, TELL ME THAT YOU’LL LET HIM IN, FATHER TELL ME IF YOU CAN - ”
Eddie’s really giving it his all with this performance and honestly, Steve would be a bit more impressed if he wasn’t bleeding from his head in the back of his ambulance. (Although in a way that does make it even more impressive.) It’s just – look, Steve’s been subjected to a lot of people flirting and hitting on him in his tenure as a paramedic and he’s never crumbled, not once. But for whatever fucking reason, this stupidly hot metalhead somehow has his heart by the balls (or whatever. Look, he’s a paramedic, not a wordsmith, he doesn’t need to be the words guy in this relationship.
Not that this is a relationship.
Fuck.)
“OH THAT FACE, OH THAT BODY - ”
Steve tears his eyes away from Eddie to look at Robin who is – yep, she’s filming this on her phone.
“Seriously? That’s a HIPAA violation waiting to happen!”
“Please, when you guys get married three years from now, you’ll be thanking me,” Robin’s grin is shark-like. “Besides, it’s not every day your best friend gets serenaded by a Grammy-winning artist.”
So this guy is super famous then. “Huh?” Is all Steve manages to say.
Thankfully (or unthankfully) he’s interrupted by Eddie. “HE MAKES ME SHINE LIKE DIAMONDSSSSS!”
One second of silence.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
“WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME WHEN - ”
For fuck’s sake.
Sarah slides open the window to the front. “We’re pulling in now,” she grins, shooting a look at Steve and Eddie, who’s still singing his heart out and has a death grip on Steve’s hand.
“I KNOW THAT YOU WILLLLLLLLL - ”
“Yep, yes, okay, thank you,” Steve says, pulling his hand out of Eddie’s grasp. Eddie immediately starts pouting again and makes grabby hands. “No, nope, it’s time to see the doctor.”
“But, but, angel baby,” Eddie whimpers and god, it feels like he’s actually tugging on Steve’s heartstrings, “I just found you. You’ll stay with me, right? Please please please please please - ”
“Of course he will,” Robin hops in, to which Eddie cheers. “Besides,” she winks at Steve, “Suzie’s the one on shift today. Don’t you think it’s time for Eddie to meet the family, Stevie?”
Steve can feel the blood rushing to his face while Eddie gasps happily. “Yes, please! Don’t worry, baby, I’ll make a good first impression,” he says, patting Steve’s hand like Steve’s the one in trouble right now.
(Which he definitely is.)
Robin and Dan get Eddie (and his gurney) out of the ambulance and onto the ground, and it’s only when Eddie starts loudly yelling – nay, screaming – for his angel of music that Sarah pokes him in the shoulder and Steve gets moving.
He hops out of the ambulance and Eddie stops yelling. “Hi baby,” Eddie giggles and holds out his hand. “Are you with me, angel?”
(He shouldn’t entertain this; Steve Harrington is calm, cool, collected. He’s a goddamn professional.)
Steve sighs, walks over, and wraps Eddie’s hand in his. “Yeah, you demon, I’m with you.”
Eddie beams, and Steve can’t stop himself from smiling back at him.
(Yeah, this guy might be the one that broke his streak, but something tells him that when Eddie is finally in his right frame of mind, Steve will certainly be giving him a run for his money.)
OH MY GOD! This is PERFECT!!!! I can just imagine Eddie when he gets better just trying to burst into flames from embarrassment! Between the video and Gareth and Robin, he knows every excruciating detail about how he harassed the poor paramedic for HOURS.
Eddie wasn’t exactly shy about flirting, it’s basically a second language. But this guy was HOT and WORKING!!! He feels like absolute shit for like 30 seconds before Steve smirks at him and hits him with his own line.
He’s lying back, trying to think of Middle Earth instead of Steve Harrington on his lap, grinding against him or his stupid mouth against his neck. But uh, Middle Earth really isn’t working for him right now. Eddie places his hands on Steve’s ass (Jesus Christ), and get him closer, get him to move more. His brain is fried, glitching on the word almost, almost almost– he gasps, shudders, and then promptly hides his face in Steve’s hair. The wet spot in his jeans feels more damning than any mob, monster, or math teacher.
Steve pauses, and he knows. Fuck, of course he knows. It’s not like this is Steve’s first time. Eddie wishes he could tease and call him a slut but that’s not exactly going to land at the moment. At least he still has his hands on Steve’s wonderful, shapely butt. Steve pulls back and tries to catch Eddie’s gaze, which is just not going to happen, no way. This time, he hides in the crook of Steve’s neck.
“Did you just–?”
“NOPE.” It’s an absolutely undignified squeak of a denial, certainly not helping his case at all.
“You’re lying, you just…” He hears the delight in Steve’s voice. “I mean I’m good, but I’m not that good.”
“You should have left me to die, Steve. Really, you should have left me in the Upside Down so I wouldn’t have to deal with this!” Truly, there is no god. “An unjust and cruel punishment: to live with this humiliation.”
“Oh, my god. It’s not a big deal.” Steve gently pushes him back, then takes his face in his hands. Trapping him. “Are you a virgin?”
“Have I not suffered enough?” He asks the universe more than Steve. “Yes, okay? Yes. Shocking, I know, that the president of the Hellfire club, super duper senior in high school, and satanic cultist don’t pull a lot of babes!”
“Eddie Munson! I didn’t think you’d show up!” Tommy H exclaimed, looking shocked as he came over to shake Eddie’s hand like they were old friends instead of old enemies.
“How could I miss the twenty year reunion?” He asked.
“You didn’t seem to have any trouble missing the ten year reunion,” Tommy pointed out.
“Yeah, well, ten years isn’t enough time for people to lose their egos. Last time I set foot in Hawkins, people were still hunting me for sport.”
“Uh. Yeah. Listen, man, I’m actually really glad you’re here. I want to apologize for the way we treated you back then. Not just with Chrissy’s death, but in general. We were just dumbass kids.”
“Yeah, appreciate that,” Eddie recited for the seventh time this night. Whatever. Eddie’s life was amazing and all these fuckers looked rough as hell and pretty pathetic, so let them have their little breakthrough moment or whatever this was for them. Eddie didn’t lose anything by letting these folks think they had become better people. Maybe they had, who knows, Eddie couldn’t care less.
“No, really, I feel so- holy shit, is that Steve Harrington?”
“Oh, yeah, he’s with me.”
“He’s with you? Like, as in…”
“Hmm? Oh, no, we aren’t actually gay, we just got stuck playing a really long game of gay chicken. I thought he’d give up by now, it’s been twenty years.”
“Ha ha, that’s a good one. I can’t believe Steve Harrington is gay.”
“Like I said, he’s not. We are both just really competitive. We have three kids and two cats and a really nice house together, he’s a great roommate but I know he’ll crack first.”
Tommy’s smile wavered.
“If you don’t believe me, you can ask him yourself.”
“No, I, uh…”
“Anyways,” Eddie said, patting him on the shoulder and taking his leave, “I’d love to stay and chat about how great my life is so you don’t feel so bad about your past self, but I see other knuckleheads waiting to apologize to me and I’d rather get it over with quickly so I can go fuck my roommate in the school bathroom in the hopes that he finally admits I win.”
Tommy stood staring after Eddie, completely baffled. Then he hurried over to his former friends along the wall.
“Babe, why is everyone looking at us weird?”
Eddie glanced around as if he hadn’t noticed everyone watching them and shrugged.
“Standard homophobia, probably.”
Steve sighed.
“No, I know what homophobia looks like. You did something. What did you do?”
“Hmm? Oh, uh, I might have… told them we were playing gay chicken.”
Steve groaned. “Eddie, you didn’t! Ugh, this is the elementary school all over again! You know I still have to see those teachers every day at pick up, right? No matter how much I explain you were joking I can tell they don’t completely believe me and it’s been three years!”
“Yeah, but you don’t ever have to see any of these folks again after tonight,” Eddie pointed out, face full of mischievous glee.
Steve sighed and rolled his eyes. Any attempt at true anger was pointless in the face of Eddie’s playful charm.
“Fine. Let’s go grab each other’s butts while we slow dance to confuse them more, I guess.”
“Love your tuches,” Eddie said when Steve got up to get a soda from the fridge.
“Gosh, that tuches of yours,” Eddie whispered when Steve sat on top of his lap.
“The most beautiful tuches on earth,” Eddie declared when Steve left his trailer to go to work.
It’s been happening for a while, Eddie using this unfamiliar word to compliment him, he thinks? Steve was wondering about it during his solo shift on Saturday afternoon. Robin was away with her family and the store was empty and quiet.
“Hello to the greatest tuches owner in Hawkins!” Eddie announced, walking loudly into Family Video.
“Hi, Eddie,” Steve smiled. Eddie leaned across the front desk to plant a quick peck on Steve’s lips, and then pulled himself over it and landed between Steve’s arms, stumbling a little.
“How are you hanging, abandoned by your other half?” Eddie asked, sat on the staff’s chair and started swaying from left to right.
“She didn’t abandon me,” Steve stopped Eddie’s repetitive motion and placed himself between his legs, “and I’m fine, thanks.” He pushed Eddie’s hair behind his ear and stroked his cheek softly.
“Of course you are, now that I’m here,” Eddie said with a teasing smile, Steve rolled his eyes and squeezed Eddie’s cheeks, and then kissed him on his nose. Eddie moved his face up to meet Steve’s lips when the doorbell rang. Steve immediately pulled back and turned towards the door. It was Dustin.
“Steve, Eddie! Great to see you both,” he greeted and leaned on the counter. Steve and Eddie both rolled their eyes, and Steve sat back in Eddie’s lap.
“What do you want, Henderson?” Steve asked impatiently, his hands crossed on his chest.
“I have to rent a movie,” he said, his eyes wide and begging.
“Okay..? That’s the point of this store. What movie do you want?” Steve got up and went out from behind the desk towards Dustin, whose eyes lit up. Steve knew that look.
“No.” He said firmly.
“Please?” Dustin put his hands together and started going down, Eddie chuckled.
“You two are adorable,” he said and grabbed his jacket, “but I’m not staying for this fight, tell me who won, Stevie.” He kissed Steve on the cheek on his way out and disappeared into his van.
Dustin was on his knees now. “Please??” Steve shook his head, and Dustin stood up again. “Steve, come on! you know Suzie is coming and I promised her we’ll watch a movie!”
Steve blew air out of his nose, and started tapping his foot, “Yes, I know she’s coming, you can take any other movie! I legally can’t rent you anything from that section. Choose something else.”
“But Steve! I told her my friends work at the video store and can give me any movie I want!” He stomped his feet, “Robin would’ve let me.” He crossed his arms, upset.
“No she wouldn’t?? Robin is a lot more strict than me,” Steve threw his hands, “Have you ever spoken to her?? She’s like a police offic- Wait.” Steve stopped and fixed his hair, trying to think. “Robin isn’t here… Aha!” He exclaimed, and ran back behind the counter, “I have an idea, but you have to keep it between us two, Dustin, do you promise??”
Dustin giggled and put his hand on his chest, “I swear, no one will know of this encounter.”
Steve rolled his eyes again, only pretending not to like Dustin’s endearing dramatisation of mundane situations, something that always reminds him of his boyfriend.
“Listen, I’m gonna make a deal with you,” Steve opened, leaning towards Dustin and lowering his voice, “I will let you rent any movie you want, only!” He emphasized, “If you never tell Robin,” he counted on his fingers, “and if you help me solve a mystery.”
Dustin’s smile grew, “Deal! already promised I won’t tell anyone, and you know I love mysteries,” he clapped and ran behind the counter before Steve could stop him, “what are we solving?”
“Okay,” Steve put his palms together and pointed towards Dustin, who placed himself comfortably on the chair, “So Eddie’s been using that word recently, and I have to figure out what it means,” He said, and started pacing around.
“Okay? what’s the word?” Dustin asked, curious.
“That’s the thing, I’ve been trying to pronounce it but I can’t make that sound… I think he uses it as a compliment? maybe it’s from your fantasy game?” He wondered out loud, avoiding Dustin’s question.
“Steve, if you don’t tell me the word I won’t be able to answer all your great questions,” Dustin said and received a warning look for Steve, causing him to raise his hands, like proving his innocence.
Steve pinched his nose bridge, “I think it’s like… too… toohes?” He eventually said, and sighed in frustration, “That’s not what it sounds like!” He stomped.
Dustin started laughing, “Say that again!” Steve just looked at him, his eyes burning, and he stopped laughing at once. “Never heard it in my life,” Dustin said, shrugging, “Definitely not from DnD, or anything I know Eddie’s interested in. maybe it’s from a song?”
“No…” Steve shook his head, “I heard his metal enough and I never heard that word before he randomly started using it…” Steve buried his face in his hands, “So you have no idea?” He peeked through his fingers.
“Nope,” Dustin said and jumped off the chair, “Now give me that movie.”
Steve stood there, defeated, while Dustin picked his movie. He rented it on his own name and Dustin had to rip it out of Steve’s hands. He almost fell when he succeeded pulling it.
“Why aren’t you asking Robin?” Dustin asked then, hugging the VHS like his life depended on it, “She always brags about how her ears are geniuses or something, I bet she’d know.”
Steve looked at him, and almost jumped across the counter to strangle him. “Go away! before I take that tape and burn it.” He couldn’t believe he didn’t think of it himself. He watched Dustin shove the tape in his bag, run out of the store onto his bike, and disappear into the sunset.
—
“Robin!” Steve barged into the Buckley’s house approximately 24 hours after Dustin left Family Video. Robin was spread on the couch and stared at the TV, letting the game show run while she was dozing off after a nice and heavy lunch. She jumped when she heard Steve, her heart pounding.
“Steve?! what the fuck, you scared me,” she stood up with her hand on her chest.
“Sorry, listen, I really need your ears- I mean help,” Steve smiled and walked closer to her, robin’s curiosity was awakened.
“My ears, you say?” She raised an eyebrow, “What is this about?”
Steve gestured with his head towards the stairs and started walking upstairs, Robin behind him, “What is this about, dingus??”
Steve entered Robin’s bedroom and crashed on the bed, Robin stood above him, “What’s wrong with you today? you’re acting weird.”
“Robbie,” Steve raised himself, resting on his elbows, “it’s Eddie…” He opened, releasing a sigh. Robin sat next to him.
“What happened?” she asked softly, “Did you fight?”
“What??” Steve chuckled, “Of course not! You’d know if we did. We’re madly in love, don’t worry,” he said with dreamy eyes and Robin pretended to barf, Steve flicked her calf. “It’s just… He’s been saying that word, I think it’s a compliment, and I’m trying to find out what it means, and Henderson,” he said through clenched teeth, “after being absolutely no help, suggested I’d ask you, since you have genius ears, or something.” He smiled sweetly and Robin giggled.
“I’m flattered, even though you didn’t come straight to me,” she hit his shoulder, “and I’d love to help, but why don’t you just ask him?”
Steve gasped dramatically, “and give him the upper hand?? Absolutely not. I will figure it out. He can’t win here.”
robin squinted at him, “You do realise it’s ridiculous, right?”
“Don’t care,” Steve sealed his lips and looked away, with a hurt ego and too much pride.
“Gosh, fine!” Robin swallowed another giggle, “I’ll help you, what’s that word?”
Steve sat up, placing himself in front of robin and held her knees, “Okay, it’s definitely in a different language, I can’t fully pronounce it but I’ll try, okay? And don’t laugh,” he raised a warning finger, “it’s like, toohes? toohhes?” He tried to emphasize the middle sound, Robin had to try really hard not to laugh, “The H sound sounds more like-” He then proceeded to make a sound like he was violently clearing his throat and Robin lost it, bursting into uncontrollable laughter and ran away from Steve’s flying hands.
“Please! you need to hear yourself!”, she squealed and copied him, making throat-cleaning sounds back at him, Steve pouted.
“You promised you’ll help!” He threw a pillow at her and she dodged it, and then sat back next to him, calming down.
“I will, you diva,” she smiled, “that terrible sound,” she opened and Steve huffed, “sounds like something European, like Dutch, or German,” she said, her mind running, “yeah, maybe even Russian?” she asked and they both had chills running down both of their spines, “Do you know if Eddie speaks any of those languages?” She asked and Steve shook his head, “Nope, not that he told me… This is so frustrating!” He dropped his head on her shoulder and sighed, she caressed his head, running her fingers through his hair, “Hey, we’ll figure it out,” She laid her cheek on his head, “Why don’t you ask Wayne? He’d probably know if Eddie speaks more languages.”
Steve looked up, a smile growing on his face, “Oh, Robbie,” he planted a wet kiss on her cheek, “You really are a genius.”
Robin smiled back and wiped her cheek, “I know. Wanna drink something?” She stood up, “Also, you really didn’t think of it yourself?”
Steve shot himself off the bed and started chasing her downstairs, his hands stretched forward, but she was too fast, running away in rolling laughter.
—
Steve knocked on the trailer’s door three times, and then heard heavy steps coming towards him. Wayne opened, and his eyes seemed confused.
“Steve? good to see you, son,” He smiled, “Eddie isn’t here, he’s with his band.”
“Oh, I know,” Steve smiled back, “I wanted to talk to you, actually, may I?” He pointed inside the trailer.
“Sure, come in,” Wayne moved and let Steve walk into the trailer, “Beer?” Steve nodded and sat on the small couch, Wayne sat next to him a few seconds later with two opened, cold beers in his hands, and gave one to Steve.
“So, what did you want to talk about?” Wayne asked and sipped from his beer, and Steve did the same, postponing the, in his opinion, silly question.
“Well,” he finally opened, “Does Eddie speak… another language?” He asked carefully.
Wayne lowered his beer bottle, “Why are you asking?”
“Um, he’s been saying a word recently, and after some investigation I found out it’s probably in a European language, but I can’t tell which one…” He fixed his hair nervously and took another sip of his beer.
“Look,” Wayne smiled, “I can assure you he isn’t fluent in any language other than English, but the boy sure has a wild imagination and a lot of curiosity, so he knows several words in several languages,” He released a short laugh, “What’s the word he says?”
Steve blushed, “Please don’t make me say it,” he said, his voice low, “I can’t pronounce it… It has that sound in the middle,” and did the throat-cleaning sound again, this time softly and quietly. Wayne laughed again.
“Oh, yeah, I know what you’re talking about,” He put his hand on Steve’s shoulder, “You know that Eddie’s mother was Jewish, right?”
Steve’s eyebrows jumped up, “No, I didn’t actually,” He placed his beer on the small table.
“Yeah,” Wayne smiled, “She was, and there were many Yiddish words she used when Eddie was little, I guess some stuck with him. I hear him going around making those unfamiliar noises, it’s Yiddish.”
Steve’s tapped his fingers on his knees, “Yiddish, you say?” His eyes scanned the room, “and you know the meaning of that word?” He asked carefully.
“Probably not, son,” He took off his hand and put his beer next to Steve’s, “Eddie never agreed to translate the words to me, I think it’s funny to him that he has a secret language he can use behind my back,” He chuckled, “I let go of it pretty quickly, it’s probably all curse words.”
“Well, I hope this one isn’t,” Steve’s smile was bitter, “I truly think it’s a compliment, I just don’t know what kind of compliment,” He laughed shortly and got up, “Thank you, Wayne.” He shook his hand and walked towards the trailer’s door.
“Sure son, anytime,” He smiled and followed Steve, “What are you gonna do now?”
Steve stood in front of the open door, “Don’t know,” he shrugged, “find a Yiddish-English dictionary?”
Wayne barked in laughter, “Doubt you’ll find that in the Hawkins public library,” He stopped for a second, thinking, “You know Joyce Byers?”
Steve froze in place, “Yeah..?”
“She’s Jewish too, I bet she’ll know,” He said with certainty.
“She is??” Steve ran his fingers through his hair, “How didn’t I know that? How do you know that?”
Wayne smiled softly, “Was with her in school, she was Joyce Horowitz. Trust me, she has the answer for you.”
Steve nodded and shook Wayne’s hand again, “Thank you!” he ran to his car, “Thank you!” He waved through the window as he drove off, leaving Wayne shaking his head in a soft laugh.
“Really couldn’t think of anyone more fitting for Ed,” He said to himself and backed into the trailer, shutting the door behind him.
—
Steve knocked quickly on the Byers’ door the next morning, Jonathan opened.
“Steve?” He looked behind him, “What are you doing here?”
“Hi, Jonathan,” he smiled politely, “Great to see you. Is your mom home?”
Jonathan was a lot more confused now, “Yeah, she is… Mom!” He yelled into the house and let Steve in, closing the door behind him.
“Jonathan, I can hear perfectly without you yelling,” She entered the kitchen, “Steve! Hi sweetheart!” she hugged him tightly and took a step back, examining his face, “You look good.” She determined, “Do you want something to eat? drink?” He didn’t have time to answer and she pulled a cake out of the oven. It smelled like cinnamon. Before he noticed he had a piece in his hand. “Are you here to visit Jonathan?”
Steve shook his head while taking a bite, “This is so good, Joyce, wow,” He took another one, “I’m actually here to see you,” he said with his mouth full.
“Oh, okay,” she smiled, “do you need anything?”
Steve nodded and finished his cake, “This is amazing, what is that?” He pointed at the cake.
“It’s my Bubbe’s cinnamon cake, felt like making it,” she shrugged, “Glad you like it, dear,” she smiled again, “So, what do you need?”
Steve sat on one of the kitchen chairs and sighed, looking around to make sure they were alone, Joyce noticed his distress and sat next to him, putting a hand on his leg, “Hey, it’s okay, whatever it is, you know you can talk to me,” Her eyes were warm and Steve felt like he might cry.
“Um,” he opened, “Do you… Do you speak Yiddish?” He managed to ask, his voice quiet and unsure, Joyce’s smile grew.
“Can’t say I speak,” she air-quoted the word, “But I do know a few words. Why are you asking?”
“Well,” he laughed softly, relieved to have found the person who might know the answer, “Eddie’s been saying that word, and I was going around trying to figure out what it means, and Wayne told me it’s in Yiddish. He didn’t know what it means, but he told me you might…” His eyes were hopeful and Joyce was beaming.
“Aw, sweet Wayne, I bet he remembers me as Horowitz a lot more than Byers,” She reminisced, “He’s probably right, what’s the word?”
Steve’s tongue froze. He knew this is it, this is the moment he’ll get the answer, the secret is about to be revealed, he just needs to pronounce it right. He just has to say it correctly and Joyce will unveil the truth, so why can’t his mouth move?
“I…” he stuttered, “I can’t pronounce it…”
Joyce rubbed his hand, “It’s okay, sweetheart, say it, I’ll understand. It’s America, not Poland, I don’t expect you to get all the sounds right.” She smiled warmly and Steve calmed down.
“It’s… it’s like, tuhhes?” He said, really trying to express the sound right, and Joyce started laughing so hard, Steve wanted the ground to open up and swallow him alive.
“Oh, Steve!” she wiped her tears, “In what way was he using it?”
“I don’t even know!” He threw his hands, blush covering his cheeks, “I couldn’t find any context.” He said, frustrated, “What does it mean?”
Joyce’s eyes sparkled, “Well, the word is tuches, right? Is that the way he says it?” Steve nodded frantically, finally hearing the word from someone who wasn’t Eddie was refreshing and surprising.
“Tuches, Steve, is the Yiddish word for,” she hid the side of her mouth and lowered her voice, “Ass.”
Steve sat there quietly, his eyes as wide as plates, running in his head all the times Eddie said the word and blush was climbing up his neck, cheeks and earlobes again.
“What??!” he eventually succeeded saying, “You wanna tell me that Eddie has been talking about my butt this whole time??”
Joyce nodded, “And I think he enjoyed it, how often has he been using it?”
“Oh, a lot.” Steve assured and got up quickly. “Too much.” He walked fast towards the door, “Thank you, Joyce! for everything!”
“Sure! come over more dear!” She shouted after him and smiled to herself.
“Mom? What was that about?” Jonathan entered the kitchen and took a piece of cake.
“Oh, nothing.” She waved her hands, “Did you know Eddie Munson is Jewish? We should invite him over for Shabbos.”
—
Steve has been spending the past week mastering the impossible sound. He’s been saying it over and over again to himself, driving Robin nuts during their shifts. It was entertaining, sure, and she was glad he solved his mystery, but it was annoyingly endless. He did stop immediately every time Eddie walked in, and didn’t react every time Eddie came up with a new sentence to weave in his tuches. He was waiting for the perfect opportunity, and it was just about to come.
It was a hot day, and Steve and Eddie were chilling inside the house. Steve lay on the couch and Eddie was right on top of him, planting small pecks all over Steve’s face.
“Hey,” Steve said after Eddie broke away from his lips, “Wanna get in the pool?”
Eddie raised himself and looked at Steve, “I don’t have a swimsuit here.”
“It’s fine,” Steve started to get up, Eddie slowly slipping off, “We’ll swim in our boxers.”
Eddie shrugged and let himself spill on the floor, and then got up in a jump and started stripping down, throwing his clothes at the amused Steve who was still sitting on the couch.
“The last to jump is a rotten egg!” Eddie shouted while running outside, Steve heard a big splash and laughed to himself, took off his clothes and joined Eddie in the pool.
“Hi Stevie,” Eddie clung onto him and kissed him wetly, his hair was dragged down and he looked like a wet poodle, Steve laughed.
“Hi Eddie, love your hair,” he smiled with a teasing look, Eddie pushed him away, dove into the pool and swam right underneath Steve, kicking him on his way up, and then flicked his hair and sprayed water all over.
“How about now?” He did a little toss and fell back into the water, Steve shook his head and pulled Eddie up.
“You’re lucky I’m a trained lifeguard,” He said, holding him tight.
“I sure am, I would’ve drowned if you weren’t here,” He smiled sweetly and kissed Steve again.
“You really would’ve, maybe you should get a time-out,” Steve said with a serious voice, “You’ve been swimming very dangerously, go get us some sodas.” He ordered and Eddie chuckled and pulled himself out of the pool, “Yes Sir!” He saluted.
Steve watched him walking away, dripping water, and then shouted, “Nice tuches, you got there!”
Eddie froze in place, small puddles forming around him, he turned around slowly. “What did you just say..?”
Steve got out of the pool and sat on the edge, his body twisted towards Eddie, who still hasn’t moved, “I said you have a nice tuches, you disagree?”
“I- what??! You know what this word means??” he now rushed towards Steve and stood over him, hiding him from the sun, “For how long??”
Steve stood up now, “Uh, a week or so,” He smiled and held Eddie’s buttcheeks, pulling him closer, “I like that word, tuches,” He kissed Eddie’s nose, “Practiced the sound a lot for you.”
Eddie was speechless, breathless, he let Steve hold him there until he succeeded saying, “How..?”
Steve’s smile was cheeky, “Well, some investigations, talked to your uncle, but Joyce was the one who gave it away, did you know she’s Jewish?” Eddie shook his head, “Yeah, didn’t know either, Wayne told me. I also didn’t know you are,” Eddie raised an eyebrow, “Not that it matters, just nice to know some more things about you.” He smiled and pulled Eddie even closer, into a hug.
“If you were so curious what it means,” Eddie broke the hug after a few seconds, “Why didn’t you just ask me?” Steve’s look revealed everything, “Don’t tell me you were too proud to admit you don’t know!” Eddie laughed and squeezed Steve’s cheeks, kissing him shortly on his lips. “I’m glad you know now, and just so you know, I always meant it in the best way possible. I love your juicy tuches.” he grabbed Steve’s ass with his free hand and Steve giggled.
“Do you know any more cool words in Yiddish?” Steve asked curiously, and Eddie’s eyes lit.
“Oh sweetheart, we’re gonna have fun today,” Eddie said confidently and jumped back into the pool, leaving Steve confused all over again.
Steve wearing panties for a few months already - being very normal about it, Eddie finding out - being very not normal about it
It all started when Steve found panties under his bed. He knew who they belonged to - haven’t really scored that much since working at scoops ahoy - so he washed them with the intention to return them.
But then he held them in his hands, clean and dry and so smooth and he got curious. Thought ‘trying them on wouldn’t hurt anyone, right?’
The thing was Steve loved pretty things. Liked vibrant colours, floral prints, laces, and smooth fabrics.
So it wasn’t really a suprise that it was so easy for him to slip them on smooth fabric caressing his tights. The panties were small on him, the black silk stretching over his hips, the lace cutting into the meat of his ass.
But he liked how he looked in it. Loved the contrast of his muscular body and the pretty lace.Loved the contrast between the silk and his rough hair covering his body. He felt pretty
But then he turns too quickly and feels the lace on the hips rip. And he thinks,'Well, it can’t be helped ’ and shoves the panties to the bottom of his drawer.He forgets about them for a few weeks until he sees a similar pair in a shop at the Star Court.
He stands in front of the shop for a few minutes. Almost feels the silk on his hips. Thinks how it would feel to wear them the whole day.He ends up buying them. Buys another two before the Star Court burns down. Buys another three - with Robins assistance (her face beet red the whole time)- before Vecna strikes.
The thing is, Steve doesn’t think it’s weird at all. For him, it’s just underwear.Which is something Eddie couldn’t disagree with more. He doesn’t think it’s weird. He just doesn’t think it’s just underwear.
The first time he catches a glimpse of it is on the boat above the water gate. He thinks that he just sees things. That the small line of lace above the waistband of steve’s pants is just a trick of light.
But then he sees it properly. Nancy is patching Steve up, and there it is - black silk and lace peeking out of Steves trousers.Eddie gasps, and when everyone turns towards him he quickly takes off his vest.
'For your modesty dude’ he says as if it wasn’t him who was staring.
He can’t get the sight out of his head, but then he almost dies, almost ends up in prison, has to sign shit ton of papers so there is no time to think about soft silk and golden skin. How would both things feel under his fingers.
It’s a few months after they defeat Vecna, him and Steve are in the new government funded trailer. They are sprawled on Eddies bed, with second blunt in Eddies hand.
Steve is drinking beer when the bottle slips from his fingers, spilling the beer into his lap.
He curses, quickly getting up.
'Shit, dude, could I borrow some trousers?'Eddie gets up trying to find some clean ones in the pile of clothes on the floor. He finds some and turns back to Steve.
And there he is. In his stupid polo shirt and red lace panties. Eddie can almost see everything underneath them.He feels heat spreading on his face.
'You good?’ Steve asks with innocent look on his face.
Eddie was definitely not good. He threw the pants at Steve, his face red as the panties.
'I-ehm-I need to-’ he points towards the door 'bathroom’.
He gets back after a /really/ long time.And if Steves starts to take his pants off around Eddie more often who’s going to stop him?
I love fandoms, cute things, and random crap! :)
(Warning: I sometimes reblog mature content and/or NSFW, men and women, gay and straight.)
Possible Trigger warnings....just be careful! :) I sometimes post things about depression, social anxiety, horror, creepy and disturbing things.
I still like Harry Potter, but I don't in any way support J.K. Rowling or her views on Trans People.
