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Fishnets were a bitch to get on, and Eddie resolved to pay his respects to women and drag queens everywhere who managed them daily.

He hadn’t struggled so much with the makeup part of his costume, or even the hair, but for some reason, he could not, for the life of him, figure out the fishnets. His weirdly large feet had somehow mangled the three other pairs and he was down to his fourth and final set.

He prayed out loud for God or Tim Curry – anyone – to help him get into this pair without ripping them.

“Eddie, you almost ready, man? We’re supposed to leave in like, five minutes,” Gareth said as he burst into the room.

Luckily for Gareth, Eddie was hidden behind his closet door so he didn’t come face to face with a full view of Eddie’s bare ass.

“Jesus H. Christ! I’m trying! It’s these stupid goddamn fishnets giving me issues,” Eddie said through gritted teeth as he got the first leg in successfully.

“Okay, okay! You could always go without them?” Gareth asked in an attempt to placate Eddie.

Eddie silently squeezed his eyes shut to prevent himself from saying something rude to Gareth. None of the other guys in the band had seen Rocky Horror, so it wasn’t Gareth’s fault he didn’t understand how essential fishnets were to becoming Frank.

All the stores he’d visited back home (home?) in Indianapolis had been nearly sold out, but he supposed that’s what he got for waiting until the morning of Halloween to buy all his supplies.

He’d been in a rush to get out of town and on the road to Hawkins that morning, and had barely managed to find the final four pairs of fishnets in the very last store he visited. He’d bought them all in his paranoia about just this issue, wallet be damned.

“Sorry man, but the fishnets are kind of a package deal. No fishnets, no costume,” Eddie muttered as he got the second leg in.

Good!

Now to just shimmy them up the rest of his legs and over his ass and he’d be set. All of this was made more difficult by his junk since he couldn’t put on the underwear until after the fishnets were on, but he’d managed to gently tuck his dick away as best as possible.

Didn’t need to add ‘castration by fishnets’ to his 1986 bingo card.

The year had already been disastrous enough without genital mutilation thrown into the mix.

He'd somehow managed to get accused of murder, wound up in a different plane of existence, played his first-ever inter-dimensional rock concert, help defeat some sort of god-like being, and even graduated high school – all in the first half of the year.

Once he and the rest of the Party had returned from the Upside Down, Eddie had resolved to keep the second half of the year much more laid back.

Spent the summer running around with the kids, playing shows with the guys, building up his savings, and getting clumsy hand jobs every other weekend when he visited the clubs in Indianapolis.

Marked the weeks with new callouses and a string of hickies.

But when August rolled around and, for the first time in six years, he hadn’t returned to Hawkins High, Eddie found that he didn’t quite know what to do with himself.

Practiced songs on his guitar, planned new Hellfire campaigns – mostly spent a lot of time bored and alone in his room. He’d stuck around all summer because he needed the break, and Wayne had seemed like he needed to keep Eddie close for a while.

In Hawkins, he’d had to keep a low profile even after his name had been cleared. Felt the weight of suspicious eyes on him every time he went to the gas station, or took the kids swimming.

Eddie had done his level best to ignore it, but the fear of what new, passive-aggressive comment he’d hear from the grocery store clerk or the waitress at the diner weighed heavy on him.

Obviously, it was totally unjustified, and at first, he’d managed to keep a stiff upper lip about the whole situation. He’d (sort of) helped to save the world, and Eddie didn’t really care what they thought about his loud music, or the length of his hair, or his attitude.

But as time wore on and the divide between his freedom away from Hawkins and the confines of being in Hawkins grew larger, Eddie couldn’t help but fantasize about what it might be like to leave.

Not run away – he’d done enough of that. Just… allowing himself to be free.

Letting himself have the life he’d been dreaming of before all that shit with the Upside Down.

He kept thinking about the last time he’d gone up to the city – about all the good food, and great bands he could see every night if he wanted. How normal it felt there – to be able to hide himself a little less.

He could go to the clubs and didn’t have to be afraid that he’d get recognized back home. There were regulars there, people who went and danced there every weekend.

Eddie could hook up with a new guy every weekend, and there would still be new guys to choose from the next. Guys who weren’t afraid to signal openly that they’d very much like to accompany him into the bathroom.

It was all very flattering, and honestly, his ego kind of needed the boost.

By the first week of September, after he’d come home from his latest trip to the city and had been morosely pacing the house in his moon-eyed daydreams about what living there might be like, Wayne had put his foot down.

“Kid, you’re drivin’ me up a wall,” he’d said when Eddie had sighed for the third time in his retelling of the show he’d been to over their dinner-breakfast.

“Oh, sorry,” Eddie said, swallowing his mouthful of scrambled eggs in surprise.

“I can stop if the story’s boring –”

“No, that’s not the issue. The issue is you mopin’ around here all day. I can tell you’re miserable here,” Wayne said, setting his fork down and pushing his half-finished meal aside.

Wayne Munson was many things, but he was not the kind of man that left a good meal unfinished. Eddie knew with that one gesture that Wayne was being serious.

“I’m not miserable here, don’t make me sound so melodramatic,” Eddie said sullenly.

“But you’re not happy, either. I know I might be old, but I’ve got working eyes and ears – I know what people say about you, even now,” Wayne said sternly.

And Eddie, for once, didn’t know what to say to that. Eddie figured Wayne might have some idea of the kind of grief people in town had been giving him, but figured he was letting him deal with it in his own way. Mostly by staying home and riding out the storm.

“I know how much you love drivin’ up to the city and goin’ to see your little shows. Think you’d be a lot happier if you just moved there, once and for all,” Wayne said.

“Is this your way of saying I’ve outstayed my welcome?” Eddie asked, quirking an eyebrow at Wayne, trying to mask the guilt he already felt for taking so long to graduate, for taking up space in Wayne’s life at all.

He’d never had kids of his own and definitely hadn’t asked to raise his sister’s kid.

But he’d done it and had never once batted an eye at Eddie’s antics – not when he’d been suspended, or when started selling drugs, or when he’d been arrested for stealing those cars. Not even when he’d found Eddie’s porno mags under the bed looking for his wallet and there had been no further questions about whose team he played for.

Wayne had been there through it all; gruff and patient and warm when Eddie needed him to be.

“Kid, I don’t know how many goddamn times I have to say this, but you’re always welcome at my table. Damn idiot for thinkin’ otherwise,” Wayne muttered, and the tone soothed Eddie more than it should have.

Eddie sighed, lifting his eyes to the ceiling in silent prayer.

“Wayne, it’s really fine. I like being here – I’ve got you and the kids here. Indy’s fine to visit, and I do have a nice time, but you guys are a good reason to stick around. It’s too far, and –”

“Oh, don’t give me that horsecrap,” Wayne said, cutting him off with a glare.

“Sure, we’re here. But it doesn’t make up for the fact that what you need isn’t. You’re a man now, you don’t need to use us as an excuse to stay,” Wayne said in a condescending tone.

“Go. Be free. Let yourself be a little hellion in some other town if that’s what’s going to make you happiest,” Wayne said, his tone softening slightly as he held Eddie’s gaze.

Almost made Eddie want to cry. He had been given the permission to leave that he hadn’t known he needed so badly.

“God, I’ll be such a menace to them. They’ll send another mob after me,” Eddie swore, his voice coming out thick with emotion.

“I’d be disappointed if they didn’t. And don’t worry about us, we’ll still be here. City’s not that far away,” Wayne said with a small smile.

And so, Eddie had. He packed up most of his room, gave the Byers kid all of his Hellfire notes, called his friends in the music scene up there, and secured an apartment with a couple of okay dudes.

The rest had been history.

Recollections aside, Eddie really was proud of himself for getting the fishnets on.

As he looked over himself in the mirror, not quite ready to cover it all up with the lab coat, he felt he’d done Frank an honor – he really looked the part.

A costume like this is wasted in a place like Hawkins, he thought a little bitterly as he inspected the binding of the corset with one hand.

He’d planned on wearing it for Halloween back home (home? sure, home) in Indy, but plans had changed and there he was, standing in his old bedroom in fishnets and a corset. He hadn’t really wanted to come back home so soon; it had barely been a month and a half since he’d said his farewells.

But when Gareth and the rest of the guys announced they’d booked a slot on Halloween – the most coveted of all gigs – Eddie couldn’t say no. And Halloween was on a Friday, so the turnout probably wouldn’t be half-bad.

As much as he’d been thriving on the steady income at his job in the music shop, living on his own in the big city – even with the two roommates – was fucking expensive. He could really use the extra cash from the gig (and from the couple of sales he’d already lined up).

Eddie called Gareth back into the bedroom, who looked white as a sheet when he took Eddie’s appearance in but didn’t comment on it since Eddie had promised to help him with his zombie makeup for assisting him. Just helped him tie the back of the lab coat up and then they were finally ready to go.

Seeing the Hideout again felt like reacquainting himself with a long-lost friend. Eddie loved the drab appearance of the smoke-stained beer posters and neon lights that had long since burned out. Loved the absolutely appalling state of their bathrooms. Had a love-hate relationship with the owner, Lou (Eddie kind of loved the gruff old guy, and Lou tolerated him – enough to let him keep coming back, anyway).

Almost kissed the old stage where the four of them had performed so many shows to dismal crowds of four or five regulars. But then he remembered that time Jeff had puked his guts out on it, and he wasn’t sure Lou ever cleaned it up so he stopped himself.

There were definitely more than the four or five regulars Eddie was used to seeing there that night – probably more like forty to fifty if his remedial math skills were functioning properly. Made him kind of nervous, dressed the way he was in front of all these bikers and thrash-metal kids.

But no one batted an eye at him as they unloaded the van and got started on the arduous setup process. Felt grateful the other guys had gone for more practical costumes – ones that didn’t require heels – to help pick up Eddie’s slack. It was hard to carry an amp in heels, so it definitely made more sense for zombie-Gareth to do it, alright?

They were the first band on the docket for the night, which meant he’d be able to relax, enjoy the crowd, and have a beer or five with his friends once they were done.

From his vantage on the stage, he scanned the crowd for any sign of recognizable faces. If Eddie made a few more sales that night, he could probably cover rent for the next month, and wouldn’t that be a relief to his wallet?

Of course the first faces he’d recognize in the crowd would be the absolute last ones he’d expected to see.

Robin Buckley and Steve fucking Harrington.

At the Hideout.

What, in the name of all that was unholy, were they doing there?

Hadn’t seen either of them since his last week in town, when he’d gone into Family Video to (finally) pay his outstanding late fees.

Steve and Robin had exchanged a look, and then Steve had wiped Eddie’s account of all charges. The little smirk he’d given Eddie after doing this (call it a going away present, Munson) had made Eddie’s stomach do weird summersaults.

They’d been pleasant enough during the summer whenever Eddie had run into them during kid exchanges or at random parties, but Eddie had been quick to put some distance between himself and the older kids.

Wanted to put all those terrifying moments and loaded looks (seriously, why was a straight boy like Harrington staring at his fucking mouth so much – really gave Eddie some mixed signals) behind him.

But they were a part of the past, and Eddie was trying to live in the present.

Robin was dressed in what suspiciously looked like David Bowie’s Goblin King outfit, and Steve was (unsurprisingly) kitted out in the full Tom Cruise Top Gun look, complete with those stupid Aviators and the bomber jacket. He would probably be kind of hot wearing that in the middle of a crowded bar.

Probably kind of hot, in general.

Feeling suddenly parched and a little irritated, Eddie shook his head and looked away from them. Wasn’t fair that a guy that tragically straight could look so devastatingly good-looking. Really wasn’t fair.

Eddie sighed, resigning himself to the comforting reminder that tonight wasn’t about hookups, or fawning over Steve (whom he found annoyingly attractive). It was about their show.

Hopefully, he could just play his gig, make a few deals, and hide in the corner of the bar with his friends until Steve and Robin left. Worst case, it’d just be a quick hello.

Eddie turned to Jeff and Gareth and Grant, who were still busy assembling the drum kit.

“I’m gonna go grab us some beers,” Eddie said as he hopped off the stage and back onto the ground.

They called back a series of mumbled thanks, and Eddie made a beeline to the bar, weaving his way through the growing crowd. He found the bartender, who nodded at Eddie, recognizing him even through the makeup, knowing what he was there for without even having to ask.

Definitely prefer this kind of infamy to the other.

He was beginning to feel antsy – though whether it was from the intimidating size of the crowd, or from being thrown off by Robin and Steve, he couldn’t be sure.

The bartender set down the four beers in front of Eddie while he was still lost in thought, and Eddie immediately reached for his, signaling for another one even as he had the bottle pressed to his lips. The bartender rolled his eyes but complied with his request, setting another one before him.

He finished the beer in one powerful stand, squeezing his eyes shut with the effort, before setting it down and taking a deep breath. Eddie could feel someone standing near him, probably wanting to place their own order with the bartender.

“One sec,” he said, trying to keep down the insane amount of liquid he’d just chugged on an empty stomach.

When he was sure he wouldn’t throw up (or burp in the dude’s face) Eddie opened his eyes to see Robin standing directly in front of him with a grin on her face like she was happy to see him. No one, outside of his small collection of friends and maybe Wayne, had ever been happy to see Eddie.

Fuck. I am not prepared for small talk with Robin Buckley.

Which Eddie immediately knew wasn’t fair to Robin. She’d never been anything other than incredibly nice to him. Eddie didn’t really know what to do with nice. Sarcasm or outright hatred, sure. He could work with that.

But Eddie had moved away to get away from the old, uncomfortable feelings all tied up in Hawkins, not mingle with them and reacquaint over a beer. And he didn’t know what to do with nice girls chatting him up in a bar.

Not really his area of expertise.

Guessed he would give it a shot, and hopefully, it wouldn’t end with her dumping a beer over his head.

“Hi, Munson,” she said over the noise of the crowd and the dull thrum of the ambient music.

Her eyes widened as he turned to her, raking in his makeup and hair.

“Wait, oh my god. No way. Are you dressed as –”

“Holy shit, you are. You’re Frank?” Robin asked, taking a step back to inspect him better.

Eddie laughed, one hand automatically going to his hair to fuss with it, when he caught sight of Steve standing behind Robin, watching their exchange.

His discomfort grew tenfold at the sight of Steve up close, wearing that stupid jacket and too-tight pants, his glasses pushed back on his forehead to see in the dim light of the bar. He could probably manage a halfway decent conversation with Robin, but Harrington too? He hadn’t come prepared for an impromptu World Saver’s reunion.

Steve gave him a short nod and wiggled his fingers at him in greeting, so much like that time back in Reefer Rick’s boathouse. Eddie returned the nod brusquely, looking back to Robin.

“In the flesh,” he said in a sing-song voice, spreading his arms out as much as he could in the crowded space near the bar.

“That’s amazing! I’ve never seen anyone dress up like him. Well, apart from pictures of fan showings, but that doesn’t count. You look incredible,” she said with an admiration in her voice that made him blush under the makeup.

Eddie had never been great with compliments – only knew how to turn them into self-deprecating remarks or sour retorts back at the person giving them to him.

“Honestly didn’t think anyone here would get the reference,” Eddie said with a bashful smile.

Robin rolled her eyes at him, giving him a knowing smirk.

“Of course I get the reference. It’s a classic!” she said emphatically.

“Yeah, among certain circles,” Eddie said with a cynical chuckle before he could stop himself.

Ah, fuck.

He hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

There was a pause in the conversation where Robin glanced at Steve with a loaded look that had Eddie wondering if the two really were telepathic. There was something heavy that passed in the wordless exchange that told Eddie maybe he should learn to keep his mouth shut.

Because he knew the certain circles that held the film in esteem – and it was a telling circle to be in.

“Yeah… Among certain circles,” she agreed softly, the edge of her hand brushing against his on the counter in what he was sure was meant to be a comforting gesture.

Ah, shit.

If he and Robin had been slightly closer (or slightly further apart), maybe the idea of opening up and finding a fellow queer kid in Hawkins would have made him feel better.

If it had happened earlier that summer – right after all the shit with Vecna and almost getting killed when they were still healing – maybe it would have been a different story. One where they felt reassured and found solace in the loneliness of being the only two queer kids in Hawkins.

But Eddie had already gone through the entire healing process, had moved on, and didn’t want to rehash old memories (or start any new ones) that he’d have to take back with him to Indianapolis in the morning.

Felt bad that he couldn’t give her that comfort because he’d leave, and she’d still be stuck here and what good did it do her to have that moment together if it was going to be so fleeting? The guilt was doing all sorts of weird things to his head that he honestly hadn’t been prepared for.

“Your costume is great, too, by the way. Huge Bowie fan,” Eddie said, trying to switch gears, giving her an appraising look. 

Eddie felt relieved when Robin smiled back at him brightly, reveling in his praise. Like they’d acknowledged their shared moment but didn’t need to dwell on it.

Made him feel better that he couldn’t give her more.  

“What are you guys even doing here? I wouldn’t think this was your scene,” Eddie asked, leaning one elbow on the counter.

Robin opened her mouth to respond, but Steve broke in before she could manage to get anything out.

“No, it’s not our normal scene,” Steve said, glancing from Eddie around to the group of bikers nearest them.

“Definitely not our scene,” he muttered.

Eddie held in a laugh, because, in truth, it was kind of funny to see jock legend Steve Harrington brushing elbows with the salt-of-the-earth regulars that frequented the Hideout. Like taking the queen of England to one of Uncle Wayne’s trailer park barbeques and expecting her to eat off a paper plate on her lap with the rest of them.

“But we heard you’d be playing and,” Steve shrugged, “thought we should, I don’t know, support the cause?”

Like that wasn’t a big deal to them. Made Eddie’s heart go all funny.

“Looks like we didn’t need to worry though – this is a pretty impressive turnout,” Robin said, glancing at the crowd around them.

Eddie saw the exasperated look that passed over Steve’s face that told him Robin had said too much.

“So, you came because you thought no one would come to the show? Thought we’d have a meager turnout?" he asked in a teasing voice, lifting one eyebrow at them skeptically.

Steve and Robin shared another look, having a conversation of their own in the flash of their eyes meeting, before answering Eddie at the same time.

“No, of course not –”

“Kinda –”

There was a pause where no one else said anything, and Steve broke the tension with a swig of his beer.

Eddie followed the movement of Steve’s hand as he wiped at the little trail of beer that had spilled down his chin, and had an insane moment where he wanted to lick it clean for him.

“Ye of little faith,” Eddie said slowly, shaking his head and taking another sip of his own beer.

“We also weren’t sure how long you’d be in town –” Steve said, trying to smooth the moment over.

“–and wanted to see if you wanted to maybe hang out –?”

In a different life, maybe that’d be nice.

But not this one, unfortunately for us.

“I’m actually just in town for the night. I leave pretty early tomorrow, gotta work at five,” Eddie said apologetically, grateful he had a decent excuse to turn him down with.

“Didn’t know drug dealers had a set schedule,” Steve said with a sarcastic chuckle into his drink.

“I’m not a drug dealer anymore,” Eddie said flatly.

Not exclusively, at least.

Steve raised his eyebrows, his eyes lighting up with amusement in a way that shouldn’t have been so fucking attractive.

“Eddie Munson got an honest job? Well, pinch me, I must be dreaming,” Steve said with a laugh.

Robin and Eddie glanced at each other in wordless agreement as they reached over and pinched either of Steve’s arms, making Steve cough on the drink he’d been swallowing.

“Not literally, you dicks,” Steve mumbled, a slightly irritated blush creeping up his cheeks that made them laugh.

Could have just been from wearing that jacket in the bar.

Jesus, it really was sweltering in there. Eddie felt himself sweating, and he was barely wearing any clothes under the lab coat.

“How’d that happen? Thought for sure you’d expand the business up there,” Robin said, flashing Eddie a grateful grin and ignoring Steve altogether.

“A, uh, a friend hooked me up with a nice gig at a music store,” Eddie said, returning her smile.

Tried not to think of the guy he’d hooked up with who thought a good apology for shooting a load in his hair was to set him up with a job.

Worked out in his favor, but man, it had not been worth the trouble at the time.

“Eddie!”

Eddie whipped around to see Gareth calling his name from across the bar, gesturing to his wrist and indicating that it was nearly time for them to play. He turned back around and smiled apologetically at Robin and Steve.

“Looks like that’s my cue,” Eddie said, gathering the other beers in-between his fingers so he could carry the lot back to the stage.

“Oh, totally, we’ll let you get going. It was great to see you – and, honestly, you look amazing. Love the costume,” Robin said again, giving him one last glance over.

“Thanks, Robin,” Eddie said, hoping he could somehow convey his earnestness.

Really was too bad they hadn’t gotten closer sooner. They probably could have been thick as thieves last summer, tormenting Hawkins and Harrington alike with gay-counter culture.

Robin made some articulate gesture to Steve that somehow conveyed she was going to find the bathroom, leaving Steve and Eddie alone together at the bar.

Eddie turned slightly, about to take his leave, watching as Steve looked him up and down, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He paused, quirking an eyebrow expectantly at Steve when he looked back up at Eddie.

“Something on your mind, Harrington?” Eddie asked.

“It’s stupid,” Steve said, sounding embarrassed to have been caught looking.

“Just spit it out, man. Not like I’m one to get offended easily,” Eddie said, his lips twitching into a half-smile.

“Can I ask…?” Steve said awkwardly, and Eddie’s eyebrow only raised higher.

“Where’s your, uh –” Steve gestured vaguely at his crotch (which wasn’t a sight at all in those sinfully tight jeans).

“Where does it go?” Steve asked in a low whisper, another blush spreading over his cheeks.

And oh, wasn’t that a sight? Steve Harrington, blushing at Eddie, eyes alight with curiosity. Made Eddie pause to consider Steve; consider his options.

Fuck it.

He could mess with the guy a little.

No harm in it. Not like it’d go anywhere.

Eddie was aware of the way his whole body shifted as he smirked at Steve, letting his eyes rake over him suggestively.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Eddie said in a low tone, leaning in so the words didn’t carry past the two of them.

Steve didn’t immediately respond, but Eddie didn’t miss the way his eyes flickered back down to his crotch. Like he really would like to know.

And wasn’t that interesting.

Call Eddie many things, but he was never one to balk at an opportunity like that.

“Could show you, if you’d like,” Eddie said slowly, drawing Steve’s eyes back up to his face.

From that close, he could see the heavy way Steve swallowed at the words, watching as his eyes widened and his pupils dilated.

So very interesting.

He had just been about to take a step closer, a quippy flirtation on the tip of his tongue, just to mess with Steve further, when a voice calling his name halted the advance.

“Eddie, c’mon man!” Jeff shouted from across the bar, effectively ruining the moment.

Eddie took a step back, very aware of the way Steve’s eyes followed him as he moved, ready to head back toward the stage.

“Guess I’ll see you around, Harrington,” Eddie purred with a dip of his head, leaving Steve before he could pull himself together enough to respond.

When Eddie returned to the stage, heart still racing from the adrenaline his flirting had given him, he had to move quickly because, shit, they really were about to play. He distributed the beers to the rest of the guys before hopping up onto the stage.

Eddie took a moment to chug the rest of his beer, looking over the sea of people milling about the Hideout. He’d never seen this many people in the place before, even at Halloween shows in the past when he’d been just another face in the crowd. It made him feel a little dizzy, to have all of those eyes on him.

Kind of powerful, too. Like he really was a rockstar and not some nerdy kid practicing his guitar alone in his room for years on end, dreaming of a moment such as this. Couldn’t make up for the loneliness of those years, of course, but it was definitely a welcome start.

Once he’d finished the rest of his beer, he walked over to his baby – shining in all her glory under the muted stage lights. Eddie took hold of her reverently, knowing how long they’d both waited for this moment and how they needed to cherish it.

He pressed a lipstick-coated kiss near the fretboard, smoothing his hands over the strings before dawning the strap.

They were ready.

He had his copy of the setlist down by his peddle board and used the toe of his heel to adjust it so he could look it over one last time.

Since Gareth had called and asked if he could show up for the gig, they’d all spent countless hours fine-tuning the lineup, wanting to meticulously squeeze their twenty-five minutes of fame for all its worth.

Eddie already knew their set by heart, but he was feeling nervous and wanted to make sure he had his head set straight.

Gareth called his name, and he walked over to where he was sitting behind the drums. The four of them all gathered around him, all turning to Eddie as he cleared his throat to get their attention.

“Alright, boys. This is it. What we’ve been waiting for. Our moment in the sun,” Eddie began striding along the stage, feeling calm as he shifted into his Dungeon Master persona.

He always loved when he could move into the performer version of himself, the one that didn’t hold his guitar with sweating palms, who wasn’t anxious about playing half-naked in a place like Hawkins. The part of him that was bold and unafraid. The side of himself that could flirt with boys like Steve Harrington and get away with it.

“If we do well tonight, you can expect adoring fans, free beers, and a lot of girls. But don’t let it go to your head,” he said with a wink, and they laughed because they all knew that probably wasn’t the case.

But it was fun to pretend.

“And, just to reiterate, this is probably our one chance to play in front of a crowd this big, so please, for the love of Ozzie, don’t fuck this up. ‘Kay?” he said, tilting his head to the side and shooting them all a grin.

The others laughed more earnestly at this and his grin turned bashful as he pivoted to face the crowd.

Jeff stood center stage, ready to take his position behind the mic, Grant stood thrumming his bass stage right, and Eddie took his spot stage left in front of the backup mic.

He cracked his neck and let the muscle memory take over as he positioned his hands over his guitar. Eddie looked back to the others, who nodded at him.

It was show time.

“Greetings, on this, the fine night of Samhain,” Eddie said into the mic, letting his voice go languid as he scanned the crowd.

“I would like to introduce you to our band – Corroded Coffin,” Eddie said, sweeping his arm out for dramatic effect as Gareth banged out a quick beat on his kick drum to emphasize Eddie’s words.

“It is our absolute pleasure to be able to bring you a few songs tonight,” Eddie said, his fingers already beginning to strum along the strings as the others began playing their own instruments, slowly building in volume and tempo leading into the opening of their first song.

“Some of these might be familiar to you. Others are of our own creation. All of them are guaranteed to rock your fucking world,” Eddie said as they reached the crescendo of their little opening riff that bled into the first notes of Die with Your Boots On.

Eddie took a step back from the mic and allowed his hands to speak for him, shredding through the first few chords as the rest of the band fell in sync. The hum of the amp filled his bones in reverberation, and he felt alive with the steady pulse of his own guitar.

Jeff took hold of the mic with one hand to steady it as the first few lyrics came pouring out of his mouth. Eddie and Gareth were on backups, weaving their words together in harmony with Jeff when he told the crowd if you’re gonna die, die with your boots on.

When the first song ended, Eddie accepted a beer that was handed to him by one of the regulars. Panting, trying to catch his breath, Eddie listened to Jeff as he introduced the second song, an original. He had a moment to breathe, his part didn’t start until just before the bridge, and he looked over the crowd again, wondering (despite himself) where Robin and Steve might be.

Eddie assumed they’d be off at one of the tables near the back of the bar, and started there, scanning the tables for any sight of them. When he didn’t spot them, he began working his way through the crowd, furrowing his brow when he still couldn’t find them.

Maybe they’d left after all, put off by Eddie’s awkward small talk and half-hearted attempts at riling Steve up.

But as his eyes made it to the edge of the stage, he spotted them.

Of fucking course they’d be in the front row. Like over-eager parents, showing up for their kid’s first show just to fill space.

How very mother hen of Harrington, Eddie thought wryly.

Dustin and the other kids were lucky they didn’t play. Steve would probably be at all of their shows.

And every practice.

Would probably even pay for their guitar lessons.

And, fuck, that was kind of endearing.

Robin was grinning and saying something to Steve, but he wasn’t focused on the conversation. He was staring back at Eddie with a strange look on his face. Eddie quickly looked away, his face heating from the brief glance they’d exchanged.

Perhaps he’d overdone it with the flirting earlier.

Hadn’t really thought it would get a genuine response out of the guy, but the look on Steve’s face told him that the gears were turning, and Eddie wasn’t sure he wanted to know where Steve’s mind was headed.

Because Eddie recognized that look. The one that told him he’d captured Steve’s attention.

In the past, Eddie hadn’t been too picky with the guys he’d tried to pull – as long as they were interested in him, a blow job was a blow job, and Eddie wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth – especially since his usual hookups had been so far and few between.

But now that he’d been around the block a few times (and could get laid more than once every six months) Eddie knew the dangers of flirting with straight boys who were a little too receptive to his efforts.

They’d always start off eager and willing, but as soon as they were asked to participate in the action, it was all excuses and hurried exits that left him (and his blue balls) feeling like they’d wasted their time.

And he hadn’t really thought Harrington was the type, anyway. Just thought it’d be fun to push his buttons a little.

Eddie thought Steve’s reputation as a ladies’ man preceded him enough to create a reliable buffer against being remotely receptive to anything Eddie might have to offer, but the look in his eyes when their gazes met had been intrigued. Thoughtful. Considering.

Like Steve was just then realizing that maybe he was receptive.

Eddie shook his head, trying to clear his mind.

He wasn’t in town to make eyes at, or experiment with, Steve Harrington. He was there to play the gig, make some sales, and get the fuck back to Indianapolis.

Eddie turned away from the crowd (away from Steve), heading back toward the center of the stage to meet Jeff there, turning so they were back-to-back as they played. He could already feel the heat of the lights and the humidity of the room around them hanging thick and listless in the air, skin damp with perspiration.

With his back pressed up against Jeff’s, he leaned into his friend, fingers flying along the neck of his guitar. Felt alive like that, like the whole world was comprised entirely of sweat and sound and the weight of his guitar in his hands.

They played through the next couple of songs in their set, and Eddie was having the time of his life. Felt like his face would be sore for days from smiling so hard.

Eddie loved the feeling of thrashing around the stage, sidling up to Jeff or Grant as they played their parts, laughing and making gestures at the crowd.

He felt larger than life up there, floating on wings made of adrenaline and shitty bar sound systems.

Throughout the show, he kept scanning the crowd, gauging their interest, and using it to fuel his own energy. Unintentionally (unwillingly), his eyes kept landing on Robin and Steve, like he needed to reassure himself that they were still there.

Each time they were, though, and half the time Steve was staring right back at him.

The spark when their eyes met never ceased to make Eddie shiver, wondering what was going on in the guy’s head, what thoughts could have Steve Harrington looking at Eddie that way? Just some light flirting?

Was Harrington really that easy to rile up?

He was dying to know, even though he knew he shouldn’t be wondering at all.

But he’d always tear his eyes away, resolutely reminding himself that he wasn’t there for that, that he had a job to do… even though somewhere, deep in the back of his mind, Eddie knew he was about three more lingering stares away from caving altogether.

Eddie was panting when stepped up to his amp for their next song, all his muscles aching from the antics earlier in the performance.

He had a solid minute where he wouldn’t need to play, but his body still moved in rhythm with the song, thumping his foot in time with the bass, hips swaying slightly.

Propelled by the song, Eddie propped his leg up on the amp, forgetting momentarily he was in basically a fucking dress and not much else – the hem of the lab coat riding high over his thigh.

He was about to pull his leg down, thinking maybe he’d just lean against Jeff or Grant until he could catch his breath, when he looked back over at Steve. His eyes were locked on Eddie’s leg where it rested on the amp, eyes following the path of the lab coat as it slipped higher on Eddie’s thigh.

Didn’t even notice that Eddie had caught him staring. He liked the way Steve’s eyes tracked the motion of his body, something hungry in his expression.

And, just to be a dick, or maybe just to see how far he could rile Steve Harrington up and get away with it, Eddie decided he could fuck with him.

Just a bit.

He’d always been just a bit too precocious for his own good, and when Steve looked at him like that Eddie really couldn’t help himself.

Can you blame me?

Eddie took his hand and, very purposefully, let it slide up his shin, over his knee, and up the length of his thigh – letting his fingers catch in the netting as he dragged them up, up, up. Steve’s eyes flickered up to Eddie’s face for a moment, wide with surprise, like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Like he’d never seen another guy’s thigh decked out in fishnets.

Like he’d never thought he could look.

Eddie held Steve’s gaze as he lifted the hem of the lab coat over his hip bone, running his hand down the juncture where his thigh met the seam of his underwear, feeling a spark of something deep in his gut knowing he had Steve’s attention like this – all previous warnings to himself about Steve and experimenting quickly flying out the window.

Couldn’t possibly turn down an opportunity like this.

Steve’s eyes darted to Eddie’s hands like he couldn’t help himself; like he needed to know exactly what Eddie would do next.

Ever the tease, he let his hand fall away from his thigh so he could wipe away a stray strand of hair that had stuck to his makeup.

Eddie watched Steve’s head tilt as he waited for Eddie’s next move, his eyes flicking back up to his for the briefest of moments. Eddie quirked an eyebrow at him, smirking as he decided, fuck it, he could take this further.

He watched as Steve swallowed heavily, glancing back over to where Robin was dancing in time with the music, her eyes diverted from the private show Steve was being given. His gaze returned to Eddie’s just as he lifted his hand in front of his face, silently questioning if Steve was ready to continue.

Something in the heavy way he tilted forward, like he was being drawn toward him, told Eddie that, yeah, he was ready.

Steve’s eyes followed his hand patiently – loyally – as Eddie slowly ran his tongue over the palm of his hand, the gesture lewd and, honestly, kind of gross.

Eddie found that he didn’t mind it so much when he saw the responding look on Steve’s face. Steve watched Eddie, transfixed, as he slide his hand down his neck, letting it slide back down the length of his torso, his hand jerkily inching across his body in time with the music.

Steve’s mouth was slightly agape, still following the motion of Eddie’s hand as he crept over his stomach, fingers splayed over the area just above the base of his dick.

Eddie’s hand was just about to slip over himself fully when he saw Steve’s eyes flash back up to Eddie’s, a frantic question in his eyes that seemed to say, are you really about to do what I think you’re going to do?

Or maybe, if Eddie was reading him right, please don’t stop whatever you’re about to do.

Never one to disappoint, Eddie watched Steve’s face closely as he took himself in his fist and roughly squeezed himself one time, really milking the brief moment for all it was worth.

The look on Steve’s face when Eddie touched himself like that would surely make a regular appearance in Eddie’s later fantasies – his eyes blown wide, mouth open in awe, cheeks flushed a perfect shade of pink.

The way Steve looked at him then, in complete adoration, was probably seared into Eddie’s vision permanently.

 But then his hand flew away from his dick and back to his guitar, fingers sliding along the strings and back down to the fretboard as he began to play. He lifted his leg off the amp, turning his body away so he wouldn’t have to see whatever look was on Steve’s face after leaving him hanging with that move.

Because what harm was a little edging between acquaintances? Eddie certainly didn’t mind.

Eddie pivoted so he could go back to his mic, singing harmony with Gareth and Jeff through the climactic end of the song. He could feel the way his heart hammered in his chest, because, whoops, he’d accidentally riled himself up a little too much while taunting Steve.

The song peaked with a crescendo of their voices, the sound sailing above the noise of the other instruments as they finished their penultimate song. The night was nearly over, and though it had been fun, Eddie felt relieved as he stepped up to the mic to introduce the last song – he was eager to get out of those fucking heels.

“And now, for our final song of the evening, it’s time to sloooow thiiinngs down,” Eddie said, still slightly out of breath, his voice sounding raspy and sensual as he pressed his lips to the mic.

 His gaze returned (inevitably, like a magnet, like the sun) to where Steve and Robin stood, their mouths open in cheers lost to his ears.

“This one’s ladies’ choice – grab a partner and start dancing. Boys – play nice,” Eddie said with a wink to the crowd, turning away from the mic and stepping up the stage toward his amp.

The song began in earnest, Jeff began singing, and Eddie felt suddenly shy about their final song for the set – Crimson and Clover, made metal.

He’d just been fucking around on his guitar one day, waiting for Jeff to arrive at practice and playing the song mindlessly. Gareth and Grant had joined, forming an unspoken jam session that escalated into a full-on cover once Jeff arrived and threw his touch into the mix.

It had just been some song he liked as a kid, before he discovered Maiden and the rest had been history.

Kid Eddie had liked the way the song panned, the ethereal feel of the guitar. Liked the tremolo, though he hadn’t known what that was at the time.

Secretly, he thought it was sort of romantic, but – gun to his head – he’d never admit it.

Robin evidently knew the song, because when he looked up, she had grabbed Steve’s hands and was singing along wordlessly with Jeff, twirling Steve around.

Steve was singing along too, albeit less animated than Robin’s over-the-top expressions, his lips barely mouthing along to the words as they danced together. Something about that made Eddie’s stomach twist up in knots. Who knew Harrington would have taste?

Seemed he was full of surprises tonight.

Eddie watched them dance for a few seconds, smiling privately at their shared moment dancing and singing along to Eddie’s performance, before another familiar face appeared next to them from out of the crowd – Nancy Wheeler, making her grand appearance.

She tapped on Robin’s shoulder to get her attention, and Eddie noted the way their greeting lingered with gentle touches and warm smiles. Held each other’s hands as Nancy replaced Steve in Robin’s dance, twirling her around and holding her close.

And – oh holy shit – this all made so much more sense. 

They were dating. Nancy Wheeler was dating Robin fucking Buckley. Or, at the very least, were more than the casual friends he’d thought them to be.

Props to Buckley. Or Nancy, Eddie didn’t know whom he should congratulate.

Certain circles indeed.

This left Steve standing alone, eyes moving away from his two friends dancing next to him and back up to Eddie on stage, still mouthing along to the words that Eddie knew by heart.

Their eyes met, both of them singing along though their words were lost in the sound of Jeff’s voice singing over them. Eddie felt that pull again, something deep in the pit of his stomach when their eyes locked.

Felt the room narrow to a pinprick of stupid hair and that ridiculous bomber jacket.

To Steve’s lips as they barely formed the words, to his eyes as they searched Eddie’s face.

Like it was just the two of them in the room – each of them serenading the other.

Something stirred in Eddie’s gut at this, some unfamiliar emotion making him dizzy as his fingers trailed along the strings of his guitar, lost in the moment.

What a beautiful feeling.

Steve was the first to look away, but Eddie noted the way his already flushed face deepened in color.

Fucking hell.

Eddie hadn’t meant for things to end up this way – had just wanted to flirt a little and fuck with the guy. But seeing Steve blush like that; the way he’d responded to Eddie? He just had to know.

Wanted to taste him, to feel him. Wanted to know what he sounds he could pluck from him, self-assured promises of no more straight guys be damned.

Eddie felt sure, deep in his bones (in his balls), that if he signaled to Steve after the show, Steve would follow.

And Eddie would signal.

Eddie’s brain was still buzzing as they finished the song and he listened to Jeff as he thanked their audience.

The cheers that erupted in response were surprising, but welcome, filling Eddie’s heart with pride. For just a moment, as he basked in their praise, he really thought he understood what it meant to be a true rockstar. Could get used to the feeling.

But the moment was short-lived, the next band was due to perform in fifteen minutes, which meant he and the guys needed to pack their gear up and get the hell out of there, or Lou would start throwing their shit off the stage in an effort to ‘help’.

Eddie placed his baby back in her case, silently thanking her for her services that night. Promised himself he’d buy her new strings as a reward as soon as they were back home.

He helped Gareth dismantle the drum kit, placing each component into his Matryoshka doll mish-mash of bags and cases. He was glad Gareth was good at instructing him because he couldn’t ever make heads or tails of that shit.

Only once they had everything packed up and ready to take back to the van did Eddie let himself look back into the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of Steve or the others. Mostly Steve, if he was honest with himself.

Eddie noted with some disappointment that they were no longer standing at their spots near the stage. He wondered to himself if maybe he’d been reading into Steve’s expressions too much, and the interest he thought he’d seen hadn’t actually been real.

Or maybe he just had better things to do with the rest of his night than wait around for you to flirt with him more.

It was still Halloween, after all.

He tried not to let himself feel too disheartened by this, trying to remind himself that he still had work to do that night.

Once they’d packed everything back securely in Eddie and Jeff’s cars, the four of them smoked one celebratory cigarette, laughing as they went over the highlights of the night.

Felt like old times, just him and his friends alone outside the Hideout. Felt good. Right.

Wanted to hold the moment in his mind for when he was without them, back home in Indy. 

Afterward, when Lou had paid them out – a hundred and fifty bucks each – Eddie celebrated (and thanked the boys for picking up his heel-related gear-slack) by buying them each a couple of beers before skulking around to the side of the bar to wrap up all of his sales so he could get to celebrating too.

When he’d finally finished all of his errands, he went back outside to smoke a joint and count his earnings for the night.

All in all, he’d wound up with nearly three hundred dollars, which more than made up for the cost of gas to get down to Hawkins – that was just about his part of the rent for next month. Eddie was willing to consider that a successful night.

Eddie took a twenty from the stack of bills and tucked it into the front of his corset before squirreling the rest away in the case of his guitar, deciding that he and his friends deserved to get good and wasted.

But when he made his way back to his friends’ table, he noted, with no small amount of pride, that Eddie’s speech before the show had been somewhat prophetic.

They had a table in the far corner of the bar, and there were three girls sitting around them, one for each of them.

Gareth was showing them a card trick from that deck he carried around with him, the one he’d always sworn would impress a girl someday.

By the look of things, he hadn’t been lying – the girl to his right was looking at Gareth with wonder in her eyes, and one hand resting on his shoulder.

Good for them, Eddie thought with a wry shake of his head, already turning back toward the bar.

He could have a couple of drinks, watch the next band, and maybe make a few impromptu sales before he silently slid out for the night, not wanting to disrupt his friends.

But as Eddie stood at the bar, waiting his turn in line, he felt the heat of another body as it sidled up next to him.

Jesus, yeah, it’s crowded in here, but you’d think these people could understand basic principles like personal space –

“Hi, Munson,” Steve said, so close to Eddie’s ear he could feel the way his breath made his hair flutter.

It took an extraordinary amount of willpower for Eddie not to jump in surprise.

Holy shit, he’s still here.

Act cool, Munson. Maybe he’s just here for a drink, eye-fucking aside.

Eddie slowly turned to face Steve, keeping his face as neutral as he could manage while his heart went about a million miles an hour.

“Harrington,” Eddie said in greeting, looking around Steve for any sign of the others.

“Where’d Buckley and Wheeler run off to?”

Steve rolled his eyes, looking away from Eddie as he inspected a sticky spot on the bar counter where he’d been formerly resting his hand.

“They had to go, Nancy’s only in town for the night and they had some costume party to get to. Told them I’d meet them there later,” Steve said before taking a sip of his beer.

“She left right after classes got out, but it’s still a long drive from Chicago – said she was sorry she only heard one song,” Steve said apologetically.

“Nah, it’s cool, I get it,” Eddie said slowly, watching as Steve looked up from the counter before dramatically clutching his heart and falling forward onto the counter like he’d been shot.

Steve’s hands flew to Eddie’s shoulders, turning him over in a panic and inspecting him before Eddie laughed and nudged him away. Once he realized that Eddie was just being a melodramatic ass, Steve let out a surprised laugh.

“Jesus, you scared me, man,” Steve said in a breathy laugh, running a hand through his hair.

“Just wanted to make sure you were still a reputable babysitter, that’s all,” Eddie said with a chuckle.

Steve rolled his eyes, but Eddie could see the way his mouth quirked up in amusement.

“They wanted me to tell you it was an amazing show, and that they want to come to the next one you guys have,” Steve said, his eyes raking over Eddie’s face.

“I’m glad they had a good time, despite, y’know, all the metal and screaming,” Eddie said waving his hand around in the air for emphasis.

“You’d be surprised, Robin’s got a weirdly wide musical palette,” Steve chuckled, taking a swig of his beer.

“Really means a lot that they’d come out at all,” Eddie said with a small smile.

Because it did mean a lot to him, even if he still wasn’t sure what to do with that information.

There was a moment of comfortable silence shared between the two of them that made Eddie feel more confident about what he planned on doing next. Still wanted to try his luck.

“But you haven’t told me your thoughts yet,” Eddie said to Steve as he was mid-drink.

“Hmm?” Steve asked, swallowing his drink and setting his beer back on the sticky counter.

Eddie lowered his eyelids, letting his eyes flick to Steve’s lips for just a moment before shooting back up to his eyes.

“What’d you think of the performance?”

He’d intentionally made the words vague, needing to steer their conversation in a very specific direction.

Hadn’t forgotten about the way they’d looked at one another when Eddie had been on stage and certainly hadn’t forgotten that he’d very much like to take Steve into a dark part of the bar and learn what all the girls had been raving about.

Eddie watched as Steve swallowed again, though there couldn’t have been any beer left to swallow.

“It was… interesting,” Steve said slowly like he wasn’t exactly sure how to respond, or he didn’t quite get the question.

Eddie was just beginning to wonder if maybe he’d misread the desire he’d seen in Steve’s face before, when Steve suddenly mirrored Eddie’s earlier glance – letting his eyes flit from Eddie’s lips and back to his face.

It was Eddie’s turn to swallow dryly. Really wished the bartender would come back with his drink, because, holy shit, Steve Harrington was making eyes at him.

“Illuminating, even,” Steve said in a low voice, and Eddie’s eyebrows raised slightly in genuine surprise.

“Was it, now? In what way?” Eddie asked quietly as the bartender finally returned with an unopened beer for Eddie.

Steve hesitated for a moment, his eyes really searching Eddie’s face for confirmation that they were on the same wavelength.

We really are, Steve. Cross my heart.

Whatever Steve saw in Eddie’s expression seemed to relieve him, and he shot Eddie a self-conscious smirk before continuing.

“Think it made me realize I could be open to… broadening my horizons,” Steve said, taking the bottle from Eddie and popping the bottle on the counter with one hand, catching the cap as it flew off with the other.

If Eddie hadn’t already been so fucking dead set on getting his hands on the guy, he would have laughed at the cheesiness of the gesture.

Instead, the smug way Steve set the beer back in front of Eddie – the little twinkle in his eye as though he could read Eddie’s mind – was like some reverse psychology bullshit, and Eddie was more than happy to fall for it.

Hook, line, and sinker.

Eddie accepted the beer with a nodded thanks, leaning both forearms on the counter as he took a couple of swigs to give himself time to come up with a response to Steve.

“Well… the offer still stands, Harrington,” Eddie said slowly, letting the bottle dangle from his fingertips as he spun it in a circle.

“Offer?” Steve asked, scrunching his eyebrows up in confusion.

Eddie smirked at Steve, leaning away from the counter so he could face Steve fully, taking the opportunity to let his eyes rake over Steve openly.

“You asked how everything was arranged,” Eddie said, letting his eyes linger on the front of Steve’s jeans.

“And I said I could show you. If you’d like,” Eddie said, meeting Steve’s gaze again and quirking one eyebrow up at him.

And Steve didn’t look half as nervous as he had before, which really was a shame because he looked so damn cute when he blushed.

“I… I think I’d like that,” Steve said after a brief consideration.

Eddie nodded numbly a few times in an attempt to keep himself calm because, holy shit (holy shit), Eddie had just propositioned Steve, and he had said yes.

Kind of wished Robin was still there to pinch him because he must be dreaming.

But also, thank God Robin wasn’t there, because there was no way in hell she’d let Eddie defile her best friend in a place like the Hideout.

And Eddie had every intention of doing so.

“Think I need to take a piss,” Eddie said, seemingly apropos of nothing.

Steve looked at Eddie with some confusion again, awkwardly tilting his head at Eddie.

“Oh, uh… alright. I can wait here with your drink until you get back,” Steve said stiffly.

Right. Probably isn’t familiar with signaling.

“No, I think we both need to go,” Eddie said, smiling to himself at Steve’s inexperience.

Steve’s eyebrows furrowed again as he shot a skeptical look at Eddie like he really didn’t get this sudden shift in conversation.

“I’m fine, Eddie. I’ll still be here if that’s what you’re so worried about –”

“Harrington, I’m trying to get you into the bathroom so I can suck your dick,” Eddie said, cutting Steve off with a quiet voice, not wanting to be overheard by the other patrons.

Steve’s mouth fell open in surprise at the bluntness of Eddie’s words, but they’d long since moved past coy, and Eddie was pretty sure he could have told Steve he wanted him in the bathroom so Steve could suck his dick, and Steve would still come along.

Not that Eddie expected that much from Harrington, but he’d take what he could get.

“Oh –”

“Now?” Steve asked, equal parts eager and surprised as he unintentionally cut himself off.

Eddie shook his head. He needed to make sure the coast was clear before they could both waltz into the bathroom.

“Finish your beer, then come meet me,” Eddie said, knocking the rest of his own back as if to demonstrate.

When he set the bottle back down, he couldn’t help but notice the trepidation in Steve’s expression.

“Only if you want,” Eddie said, trying to keep his tone neutral for Steve’s sake.

“I want,” Steve said quickly.

Eddie flashed him a relieved grin, thumping his shoulder a couple of times before turning away.

“Then I’ll see you in a bit,” Eddie said with a smirk, feeling Steve’s gaze trail after him as he headed toward the bathroom.

Eddie noted, with some relief, that the bathroom was blessedly empty when he arrived.

Not that they’d be taking any chances – Eddie knew better than to have two pairs of feet hidden behind the relative privacy of the singular stall.

Luckily, Eddie had a bobby pin lodged somewhere in his mess of hair and knew how easy it was to pick the lock on the bathroom storage closet.

It’d be a tight squeeze, and he knew (from personal experience) that the room wasn’t sound-proofed at all but they could make it work.

And, wow, okay, they were about to make it work. As in, Eddie was about to touch Steve fucking Harrington’s dick.

Whatever expectations he’d had for the night paled in comparison to this very pleasant and very unexpected surprise.

He didn’t even have time to downward spiral into those what if’s of Steve’s questionable sexual orientation because Eddie knew one thing for sure, above all else – they both wanted this.

Kind of made sense, in retrospect. The less-than-subtle way Steve had always interacted with him, his eyes lingering on Eddie’s lips even when he’d been trying to convince him to go get the girl back.

Eddie thought about all this as he pried the lock to the storage closet open, taking a peek inside to see just how bad the damage was. The bathrooms at the Hideout really were appalling, and it honestly didn’t look like anyone had been in there to grab cleaning supplies in a while.

Maybe since before the last time Eddie had, uh, utilized the space.

Eddie’s thoughts were interrupted as he heard the bathroom door creak open. He remained in the doorway of the closet and kept quiet as the person walked into the room, letting the door slam shut behind them. Eddie leaned either hand against the frame of the closet door to steady himself, feeling the weight of their footsteps like a drum in his head.

“Munson?” Steve asked in a quiet voice, breaking the silence.

Eddie breathed a silent sigh of relief, grateful that Steve had followed him, all that tension washing away when he heard the tone of Steve’s voice. Eager. Hopeful.

“Over here,” Eddie said from the doorway of the closet, hidden from Steve’s view.

He listened as Steve’s feet approached him, slowly stepping up behind Eddie until they were less than a foot apart.

Felt the heat of Steve’s body against his back where the lab coat was slightly undone, leaving some of his back exposed where it wasn’t covered by the corset or his briefs.

Eddie supposed he shouldn’t have been surprised when he felt Steve’s hand reach out, one finger tentatively trailing across his spine through the open seam of the lab coat, but he couldn’t help but shiver at the touch.

He felt goosebumps rise along the bare skin of his legs, waiting silently for Steve to make the next move.

He’d been the one to flirt, to show Steve that he was interested first. Was willing to show him a lot more, once he was ready, but wanted to see what Steve would do without his guidance first.

Steve’s hand paused for a moment once he reached Eddie’s tailbone, as if unsure how to proceed.

Eddie heard him swallow dryly, before starting the path back up Eddie’s spine again, fingers moving impossibly slower that time around.

Eddie waited patiently as Steve followed the route of Eddie’s spine a few times, as though he was easing himself into the situation, letting himself come to grips with the reality that he was about to do this with him, with another man.

He still wasn’t sure if Steve had been aware of his attraction to Eddie prior to that night – Eddie had certainly felt the lingering stares and strange responses back when they’d been forced to interact when he’d been on the run back in March, but that didn’t mean that Steve was aware of himself.

Didn’t really matter, he supposed, as long as Steve was aware of it at that moment. They didn’t need to acknowledge anything if Steve didn’t want to.

He was fine (and familiar) with meaningless sex, where the most he’d say to his partner was yes or no when they asked each other for permission to touch.

But as Steve’s other hand slowly came to curve around Eddie’s hip, drawing him back half an inch until he was nearly touching Steve, he knew Steve was probably weighing the risks in his mind.

He’d seen firsthand just how ‘in his head’ Steve could get (definitely wasn’t going to ask how that whole Nancy/Robin/Steve/Jonathan thing had gone down, he’d seen the tension building from a mile away).

Eddie wanted to say something, to coax Steve into saying what was on his mind, to let him know that they really didn’t have to go through with this whole thing if Steve was feeling hesitant, but Steve spoke first – just a whisper in the dark corner of the bathroom.

“You’ve done this before?” Steve asked, the hand on his hip digging in tighter as his other hand caught on one of the ties of the lab coat.

“Are you asking if I’m a virgin or something?”

“No, I didn’t assume you were,” Steve said slowly, circling his initial question, trying to get Eddie to say it without having to say what he was really asking him.

“You mean with another guy?” Eddie asked, worrying the inside of his cheek as he waited for a long moment for Steve’s response.

“Yeah,” Steve asked, voice barely coming out in anything more that a breathy huff at the back of Eddie’s neck.

He cleared his throat uncomfortably.

“You’ve done this before,” he said, no question in his tone as gripped Eddie’s hip harder and laid his free hand flat against Eddie’s spine for emphasis.

“Once or twice,” Eddie said casually, trying not to let his reaction to Steve’s grip on him affect his voice.

“More times than you have, I’m guessing,” Eddie said when Steve didn’t respond.

“I’ve… yeah. Think I’ve known I wanted... for a while, though,” Steve said disjointedly, and Eddie could feel the heat of his palm against his back where it remained motionless.

“Suppose there’s always a first time for everything,” Eddie said, aiming for a reassuring tone but wasn’t sure it made it out that way.

Wasn’t so great with things like reassurance or comfort. Had never really had to deal with that in the past.

Never had more than one or two nights with a guy, and if they were on the fence about experimenting, he let them sort that out on their own. Wasn’t any of his business.

But Eddie had sort of known it might be a little bit different than he was used to with Steve. He knew him, kind of. Enough to know ahead of time that he might need to tread lightly should Steve agree to go that far. Had known in that moment when they made eyes during Crimson and Clover.

Because they were maybe – kind of – friends.

So this was a new experience for them both.

“Yeah,” Steve agreed eventually, finally lifting his palm away from Eddie’s back and continuing his path, up and down, along his spine – using his knuckles instead of his fingertips that time.

“You still want to do this?” Eddie asked quietly.

Because he felt like that was the only thing he could say to Steve in that moment.

Steve was silent for a long moment, his knuckles still moving up and down, up and down. Caught on one of the ties on the back of the lab coat again, but instead of brushing past it as he had before, Eddie felt Steve grab hold of the tie and pull at the strings there until it unfastened.

Eddie’s heart began to beat faster, fully grasping his decision before Steve could even speak the confirmation out loud.

He remained silent, working his way up to saying the words, as his knuckles moved past the first tie and down toward the second.

Steve repeated the action, wordlessly untying each of the strings until he reached the final one – the one just above Eddie’s tailbone – holding the string taught in the crook of his finger for a long moment.

“Yeah,” Steve said as he released the final tie, letting the lab coat fall open before him.

“Cool,” Eddie said with a shiver, following Steve’s pattern of monosyllabic responses and feeling decidedly uncool that that was his response.

There was another pause where neither of them spoke, just Steve’s hand on Eddie’s hip and his breath on the back of his neck.

“I don’t know what to do,” Steve admitted, taking his hand away from Eddie’s hip momentarily, before sliding it under the newly open lab coat and placing it back on his hip.

He let his other hand work at the top of the lab coat, letting it slip off Eddie’s shoulder until the fabric pooled at Eddie’s elbow, held up where Eddie’s arm still remained propped up in the door to the closet.

Eddie knew they should really get moving, should get into the closet before someone walked into the bathroom and spotted them, but he kind of felt like any sudden movements – if he rushed Steve – would make Steve withdraw entirely.

And Steve had captured him in a spell of slow movements and barely spoken sentences. He wanted to revel in it, the feeling of him standing behind him.

When Eddie hadn’t responded to Steve’s admission, Steve leaned forward until his mouth hovered at the base of Eddie’s neck, brushing away the stray hairs there until he had an opening.

Steve slowly moved his head until his lips gently touched the back of Eddie’s neck, mouthing at him lightly before he stilled, wordlessly requesting some response from Eddie other than silence.

“Feels like you know what you’re doing,” Eddie said honestly, tipping his head to the side in an invitation to Steve.

Steve accepted Eddie’s offer, moving his lips up the length of Eddie’s neck in a trail of kisses as the hand on his hip curled around Eddie’s chest, pulling him flush against Steve’s front.

Where his skin was bare, Eddie could feel the fabric of Steve’s sweater – soft under his skin. Eddie was still wearing his heels, so he was a couple of inches taller than Steve, the top of his hips lining up perfectly with the base of his ass.

Eddie’s whole body felt like it was vibrating with anticipation, each nerve twitching in time with his heart in a cacophony of Steve, Steve, Steve.

He continued the path back down Eddie’s neck, replicating the way his fingers had trailed along his spine earlier, before pressing one last kiss to the crook of Eddie’s neck and pulling away.

“Want me to show you?” Eddie asked, panting slightly, already feeling the dull knot of tension building deep within him, his dick stirring to life and straining against the fabric of his underwear.

“You did offer,” Steve said coyly, pressing his hips against Eddie briefly.

“Seems I did. I am a man of my word, after all,” Eddie said, his words turning half-groan as he felt Steve’s dick press warmly against the curve of his ass.

Eddie removed his hands from the doorframe and Steve released his hold on him so Eddie could turn to face him.

He thought Steve might be ready to look him in the eye and get things going – might be ready to engage, even.

What Eddie hadn’t expected was for Steve to immediately take Eddie back in his arms, eyes half-lidded as his face grew closer because –

Holy fucking shit.

– Steve was kissing Eddie.

And he wasn’t being shy or tentative about it at all.

Steve’s mouth met Eddie’s in a flood of warmth, plush lips pressed against him in a searing kiss that almost made Eddie’s knees go out from under him.

Eddie let out a surprised sound into Steve’s mouth as his tongue pried his lips open, and had just felt the first wet slide of Steve’s tongue against his own before Eddie’s hands flew up to Steve’s shoulders, gently (but firmly) pushing him away.

“Whoa there, sweetheart. Thought I was supposed to be showing you how this works,” Eddie said, his eyes flitting down to look at the smear of lipstick that now covered Steve’s lips.

Eddie took one hand off of Steve, licking his thumb and rubbing away a little smudge just above Steve’s cupid’s bow.

The look of genuine admiration on Steve’s face, whether from the pet name or from the kind of gross way Eddie had smeared his spit on Steve, was enough to make Eddie’s dick twitch.

“Show me, then,” Steve said, still slightly out of breath from their kiss.

Eddie knew they really needed to get into the closet and out of the open area of the bathroom, so he gently separated himself from Steve and nudged him back into the closet, shutting the door behind them.

As Eddie steered Steve further into the closet, lit only by one mostly burned-out neon light, he wondered why Steve’s kiss had thrown him off balance so much.

He honestly didn’t have much experience with kissing (guys that wanted to do that with him were sort of far and few between) and he’d been genuinely surprised by how good it had been.

Of course he’s a good kisser. How else did he gain that reputation of his?

But it had been more than good.

The kiss had struck Eddie down to his core, knocked him off his game, made him want to do it more.

And that kind of scared him.

Eddie backed Steve up into the corner of the closet, where he knew there was a shelf just the right height and stable enough for a, uh, variety of different activities. He carefully guided Steve until his ass was flush with the shelf, pushing him down until he was seated on it.

Eddie, eager to prevent Steve from subverting his actions again, knew just how to set the mood. He brought himself up to Steve’s neck, peppering him with a trail of kisses that alternated from small nips and soothing flashes of tongue.

The responding grunt of surprise from Steve due to the speed in which Eddie had taken control of the situation sent another thrill through Eddie, feeling more confident as he sucked at a particularly tender spot on Steve’s neck.

All the while, Eddie used his hands to free that stupid fucking jacket from off his shoulders, one arm at a time.

At first, Steve was too distracted by Eddie’s mouth on his neck, his mouth panting and wanton.

But as Eddie struggled to get Steve’s arm freed from the elbow down, Steve got the picture and shucked the jacket off, tossing it to the floor without further fanfare.

Now he could really get his hands on him.

“Weren’t you a million fucking degrees in that jacket? Why the hell did you wear it all night?” Eddie mumbled into Steve’s neck as he ran his hands along his chest and around the curve of his ribs.

“I didn’t – fuck, I didn’t think it’d be so hot in the bar. It’s nearly November,” Steve said in a voice that was half irritation, half moan.

It was November already since the clock had slipped past midnight, case and point, but Eddie didn’t feel the need to correct him when his mouth was plucking such sweet sounds out of Harrington.

“Are you seriously wearing a sweater too?” Eddie asked, pulling his head away from Steve’s neck to better look at him.

“Yes?” Steve asked, like he couldn’t believe this was Eddie’s hold-up.

“Take it off,” Eddie said, stepping back to give Steve room to do as he requested.

Steve rolled his eyes, but complied, grabbing the edges of the dark sweater and pulling it up over his shoulders. It caused his white undershirt to slip up Steve’s stomach, exposing his happy trail and the waistline of his boxers.

Eddie felt his mouth go dry, remembering the last time he’d seen Steve shirtless.

Hadn’t given much thought to when his attraction to Steve had started, but it might have had something to do with that night – seeing his hairy, wet chest heaving as he bit the demobat. Certainly hadn’t dreamt he’d ever be in a situation like this with him at the time.

“It’s your turn to take something off,” Steve said as he tossed the sweater to the side and looked up at Eddie expectantly.

“Mine’s a bit more of an involved process,” Eddie said as he let the lab coat fall away, exposing Steve to the corset and briefs.

Hadn’t known I’d need to get it off in a hurry.

Then Eddie was just standing before Steve, watching his expression as he took Eddie’s full costume in – as his eyes raked over his body.

He was beginning to feel a little ridiculous, watching as Steve’s eyes trailed up his fishnet-covered legs and up his torso, until he caught the look on Steve’s face in the dim light – full of reverence, like he couldn’t believe he could look at Eddie in that state.

It reminded Eddie of the look Steve had given him when he first teased him on stage when he’d stared him down and let his hand run down his body.

As if reminded of this too, Steve shook his head, breaking himself out of his trance, and shot Eddie a mischievous look. Eddie wasn’t sure he could stop whatever Steve had planned, but the look still sent a spark of fear and excitement down his spine.

Steve’s hand slowly, purposefully reached out until it rested on Eddie’s nearly bare thigh, just above the knee. Let Steve lift his leg up until it was propped on the edge of the shelf next to Steve’s own thigh like he had with the amp earlier that night.

Stood there with one leg planted on the ground between Steve’s legs, the other propped up next to him, Steve’s hand running along the length of his calf and squeezing. Felt overexposed in comparison, with his crotch at eye-level with Steve’s face, but he didn’t mind so much as long as Steve kept looking at him like that.

Like he wanted to devour him.

“Why’d you even ask me to show you how this was done if you’re just going to take the reins entirely?” Eddie asked in a quiet voice, unable to tear his gaze from Steve’s hand on his leg.

“You seriously fucked me up when you did that whole performance on stage. You were being such a tease,” Steve said squeezing Eddie’s calf again for emphasis before shrugging and looking back up at Eddie’s face.

“Just want to return the favor a bit,” Steve said with a shrug.

“Then you can show me all you want,” Steve said, maintaining eye contact as his hand slipped higher up Eddie’s leg until his hand rested just above his knee as if asking for permission to continue.

“Alright,” Eddie said slowly, swallowing a nervous lump in his throat.

“But I’m not used to… Usually, I’m the one in charge,” Eddie said, letting his eyes flit back down to Steve’s hand as it went down to rest on his ankle.

Steve didn’t seem to have a response for that, just began smoothing his hand over the length of Eddie’s shin, letting his fingers catch and drag in the netting, mimicking the way Eddie had run his hand up his own leg for Steve earlier that night.

Felt like a million years ago, and Eddie felt like a million more passed in the time it took Steve to drag his hand up over his knee. His hand followed Eddie’s earlier course, palm-side down as he worked his way up Eddie’s inner thigh, inching toward Eddie’s crotch.

He could feel the way his dick strained against the underwear, leaving no question as to what Steve was about to get himself into, but it didn’t seem to bother him much as he used his hand to gently push Eddie’s leg open wider, exposing himself more to Steve.

Steve’s fingertips trailed along the juncture of Eddie’s thigh, along the seam of the underwear, Eddie’s dick twitching eagerly as he felt the warmth of his hand so close to where he wanted him.

Had to close his eyes against the feel of Steve’s index finger as it brushed gently against the line of his dick.

Eddie felt Steve pull away suddenly, and he wondered for a wild moment if it had been too much for Steve, being that close to another guy’s dick, when he felt Steve’s arm reach out and go to Eddie’s face.

He opened his eyes just as Steve brushed a lock of Eddie’s hair behind his ear that had fallen out of the mess of curls on his head.

Their eyes met again, but this time Eddie wasn’t prepared for the expression on Steve’s face – still full of hunger, but his eyes had softened into something almost affectionate and Eddie didn’t know how he should respond to that.

Didn’t know what to do with the swell of emotions bubbling up from his stomach into his chest.

Soft. So gentle with me.

Steve took his hand away and moved it so his palm was facing Eddie, only an inch or two away from his mouth, fingers splayed wide.

Still caught off guard from the strangely tender moment they’d just shared, Eddie momentarily forgot what he’d done next when he’d been on stage, but Steve’s palm in front of his mouth quickly reminded him.

Eddie grabbed Steve’s wrist, pulling it down slightly so he could look at him, maintaining eye contact as he moved Steve’s hand toward his mouth.

Steve swallowed audibly as Eddie stuck his tongue out, wiping his tongue experimentally in a flat swipe across the heel of his palm.

Eddie could taste the salt of Steve’s skin there, could feel the roughness of his hand under his tongue.

Steve shuddered at the sensation but didn’t take his eyes off of Eddie’s as the ran his tongue across the full expanse of his palm, making his tongue as flat as possible against Steve’s hand.

He didn’t stop the motion when he reached Steve’s fingers, letting his tongue curl slightly around Steve’s middle finger as he licked across the length of him.

Popped the tip of his finger up to the first knuckle between his lips, sucking him down and biting him gently before releasing him.

Still a tease.

Steve, undeterred by Eddie’s attempts to distract him, used his free hand to gently tip Eddie’s head back so his neck was fully exposed to Steve.

Had to strain his eyes to keep watching Steve as he put his hand flat against the column of Eddie’s neck, wiping the quickly drying spit across him as his hand slid over his Adam’s apple and down over the edge of his collarbone.

Eddie was a panting mess as he tilted his neck back down so he could watch the path of Steve’s hand, inching jerkily down his sternum, over his abs.

Couldn’t believe his eyes as Steve’s hand moved over the edge of the underwear, hand turning so he could properly take Eddie in his hand. Steve didn’t even hesitate, just grabbed Eddie’s clothed dick, gently squeezing him just like Eddie had done to himself for Steve on stage.

Eddie let out a moan at the sensation, Steve’s hand hot and warm as it forced the underwear and fishnets to move against his dick.

Fuck –

But then Steve was releasing him, leaning back with a smug expression on his face.

Then Eddie was just standing there with his leg propped up, still reeling from the fact that Steve had touched him like that. Couldn’t believe that Steve had touched Eddie first.

Supposed he’d eventually have to stop being so surprised about it all, since Steve had just shown him how willing he was to participate.

When he’d finally caught his breath, Eddie removed his leg from the shelf shakily, needing both legs firmly planted on the ground or he’d probably keel over.

“Wanna get my mouth on you,” Eddie panted, looking back up at Steve, who looked about as wrecked as Eddie felt.

"Okay," Steve said eagerly, glancing up and down at Eddie before scrunching his eyebrows up.

“You have to take the shoes off though, you’re too tall with them on,” he said in an assessing tone.

Eddie rolled his eyes but complied with Steve’s request, kicking each heel off carelessly.

“I’ll have you know that it’s not easy to find size eleven heels, even in a city as large as Indy. Really need to milk them for all they’re worth,” Eddie said.

“I wear bigger shoes than you,” Steve said with a smirk.

Eddie was just about to come back with a snide remark, some joke on the tip of his tongue about size not really being important, when Steve’s hands were on him again, one hand guiding his hip, the other in the back of Eddie’s hair as he pulled him down basically into his lap for another kiss.

Steve must have misinterpreted Eddie’s request to get his mouth on him, Eddie realized, because he’d definitely meant something other than kissing.

But he wasn’t about to start complaining; Steve really was a great kisser. Maybe the best Eddie had ever had.

And besides, he knew the night would end with his mouth on Steve anyway.

Steve’s lips were moving against Eddie’s less gently this time, but still unhurried, lazy as he worked Eddie’s mouth open, letting his tongue graze the back of Eddie’s teeth.

While Steve kissed him, his hands had moved to work at the binding on the front of Eddie’s corset, fumbling with the complicated binding there. Eddie could feel Steve’s frustration with them building as his hands went from playful to jerky, trying to manhandle the ties.

Eddie laughed into Steve’s mouth and pulled away slightly, Steve sighing in frustration.

“Why is it so difficult to undo?” he complained.

“Let me,” Eddie said lightly, resting his knees between Steve’s spread legs and letting his hands work at the ties, leaning back slightly so he could see what he was doing.

While Eddie worked at the corset, Steve rested his hands on either side of Eddie’s hips, running his hands down his legs and back up again – Eddie’s mouth too far away to kiss.

Steve looked back up at Eddie, a look of impatience on his face, his hands roaming over the swell of Eddie’s ass and squeezing once. Eddie quirked an eyebrow, silently questioning Steve’s lack of patience as his hands continued unraveling the corset, but Steve frowned and pulled Eddie’s hips closer, his hands still roaming over Eddie’s body.

Once he had the top mostly undone, Eddie complied with Steve’s incessant tugging, leaning forward until Steve’s mouth could reach Eddie’s neck again.

Eddie, distracted from his task as Steve bit down on his neck, let out a groan when Steve’s thumbs slipped beneath the edge of Eddie’s underwear, pulling at them slightly in a silent request.

Eddie didn’t have time to respond, because he’d finally managed to get the rest of the corset undone and Steve was quick to slide one of his hands across Eddie’s newly exposed sternum, leaving the other hand partially buried under the elastic of Eddie’s briefs.

Felt a chill shiver through his body as one of Steve’s fingers brushed across his nipple, hips unintentionally thrusting forward a little at the sensation. Eddie leaned away from Steve, hoping to catch his breath a little.

Their eyes met again as Steve pulled the elastic away from Eddie’s hip and let it snap back against the skin. Eddie let one eyebrow raise as if to say you sure about this?

Steve’s nod was quick to follow the silent question, his hand already tugging Eddie’s briefs down low on his hip. Eddie took over for Steve, using both of his hands to pull the underwear down the rest of the way, kicking them off in the same direction he’d chucked the heels earlier.

His dick was awkwardly (and kind of painfully) straining against the netting of the fishnets, and Eddie’s hands were already moving to detangle himself from the mess – still keen on avoiding that whole castration by fishnets thing – when Steve’s hands reached for his wrists, stopping him.

“How attached are you to these fishnets?” Steve asked, a glint of something mischievous in his eyes as he looked up at Eddie.

“Uh, not very. Why –?” Eddie began to ask, but then Steve’s hands were moving Eddie’s away from the fishnets.

Steve maintained eye contact as he lowered his face towards Eddie’s dick, and Eddie’s heart began to race.

He had to steady himself with one hand on Steve’s shoulder as Steve used his hand to pull the fishnets away from where it strained against Eddie, and bit down on the netting, tearing at it with his teeth until Eddie’s dick was freed.

The way Steve looked up at Eddie after, proud of his work, made Eddie’s dick throb.

Steve’s face was so close to him, mouth only a couple of inches away, that he couldn’t help but imagine what it’d be like to get Steve on his knees before him, instead of the other way around as he’d intended.

For a second, it seemed like Steve might have been considering the same thing – like he wanted to get his mouth on Eddie – but that was all a little too much for Eddie to wrap his mind around, so instead he grabbed Steve by the shoulders until they were standing face to face again.

“You too,” Eddie said once they had steadied themselves, reaching his hand down to Steve’s belt and unfastening it with incredible efficiency.

Steve got the hint, quickly adjusting his legs so Eddie had better access to unbutton his pants, helping Eddie pull his boxers and pants down enough for his own dick to spring out.

Eddie placed one hand on Steve’s shoulder, letting the fingers of his other hand rake through the coarse hair just above his dick.

And then Eddie finally had his hand on Steve, letting himself test the weight of his cock in his hand before giving him a couple of experimental strokes.

“Ah,” Steve huffed, his whole body curving forward with Eddie’s touch.

When Steve recovered from those first couple of touches, he looked up at Eddie, lips parted and eyebrows furrowed in concentration, and held his hand before Eddie’s mouth again.

Eddie understood Steve’s silent request, taking his own hand away from Steve long enough to spit into his palm and wipe the excess saliva across Steve’s, before returning to Steve’s dick, letting the rings on his fingers work into his strokes.

Steve’s hand slid against Eddie, fingers adjusting awkwardly around the unfamiliar position of holding another guy’s dick in his hand for the first time.

But Steve was a quick study, and soon had Eddie panting openly into the air between their bodies.

Steve took an unsteady step forward, craning his neck until his mouth met Eddie’s halfway, lips eager against him.

Eddie moaned into Steve’s mouth as they both found their rhythm, reveling in the way Steve experimented with position and pressure as he tried to coax more noise from Eddie. Eddie was more than happy to let him.

The spit on their hands had long since dried up, so Eddie slid his thumb into the slit of Steve’s head, wiping the dampness over him until his hand was lubed enough to move against him again. Felt Steve’s breath hitch as he did this, keening a soft whine into Eddie’s mouth.

Steve’s free hand reached out until it grazed Eddie’s hip, fingers pulling them closer together until their hands almost knocked together where they were reaching across to the other person. Unhappy just having Eddie stand a little closer, Steve’s hand moved blindly over Eddie’s hip until he was cupping his ass again, licking up into the roof of Eddie’s mouth as he did so.

Jesus H. Christ.                                  

One of Steve’s fingers brushed the tender bundle of nerves on the underside of Eddie’s dick, and he felt his balls tighten like he was about to come.

Which (honestly) wouldn’t have been all that bad of a way to spend an evening – it was better than he’d ever expected – five minutes in a storage closet with Steve’s hand on his cock. He really thought he could come from that alone.

But Eddie still had plans for their night, since they were already there, and he didn’t want to come just yet. He still hadn’t tasted Steve, and still had every intention of doing so.

Eddie used the hand still resting on Steve’s shoulder to shove him away, forcing him to release Eddie as he took a step backward. Steve looked dismayed to have stopped so abruptly, mouth already open to protest, when Eddie brought his mouth up against Steve’s neck, sucking at the spot that had made him whine earlier.

“How do you want to do this?” Eddie panted into Steve’s neck, using the moment apart to catch his breath, to give his dick a much-needed reprieve.

He couldn’t see the look on Steve’s face as he considered Eddie’s question but he could feel Steve’s hand as it curled around the back of his neck, trailing into the base of his scalp as he tugged lightly on the hairs there.

Steve swallowed as Eddie’s lips wrapped around Steve’s earlobe, gently biting down and giving him a little tug, prompting him to respond.

“How do you like it?” Steve asked finally, feeling Eddie’s dick nudge his thigh.

“Want you to show me how you want me,” Steve said, tugging at Eddie’s hair until his head was pulled back enough to look at him.

That’s a dangerous request, Eddie thought to himself, not sure he wants to know all the ways I’d like him.

But Eddie knew the way he wanted Steve that night since they were without a bed (or condoms, or handcuffs, or even lube). Knew exactly how he was about to have Steve.

Steve let Eddie push him back to the shelf, leading him to perch at the edge with his knees spread before Eddie. Watched Eddie with curious eyes as one hand trailed down the front of Steve’s undershirt, gasping when Eddie brushed against his painfully hard nipple.

Eddie took the hem of Steve’s shirt and balled it into his fist, using his other hand to gently grab Steve’s jaw. Steve took the hint and let it fall open for Eddie, who lifted Steve’s shirt and used two fingers to shove it between Steve’s teeth.

“Hold it up for me,” Eddie instructed, his voice low and calm.

Steve nodded numbly, his eyes glazed slightly, even as Eddie had to squeeze himself at the sight of Steve so obedient for him.

With his mouth full and chest bared to Eddie, Steve’s eyes silently followed Eddie’s hand as he ran his fingers through the hair there. Eddie knelt down until his face could follow the path his hand had just traveled, kissing Steve’s chest and stomach, licking at the skin there, and listening to Steve’s muffled moan.

Eddie’s lips danced feather-light over one of Steve’s nipples, whose shoulders jerked in surprise at the sensation. He wondered, as he took the bud of Steve’s pert nipple into his mouth and gently rolled it between his lips, if anyone had ever bothered to touch him like this.

If anyone else knew just how deliciously sensitive Steve Harrington was.

He guessed he did.

Steve’s mouth fell open with another, louder moan when Eddie nipped at him, dropping the shirt from out of his mouth. Eddie moved his head away from his chest, ignoring the fact that he’d released the shirt, leaning further down Steve’s torso until his knees almost touched the ground.

“You’re sure this is how you want it?” Steve asked breathlessly, his chest still heaving from the shock of having his nipple bitten.

Eddie looked up at him and smiled, hand already running through Steve’s pubic hair and slowly closing in on the base of his cock.

“Yeah. Exactly how I want you,” Eddie said, tilting his face forward and mouthing alongside his hand, running his nose through the hair there.

“Want you to come in my mouth,” Eddie hummed as he pressed a kiss to the base of Steve’s dick.

Steve’s hand flew up to Eddie’s shoulder to halt him, and for half a second Eddie was worried he wanted to stop. But when he glanced back up at Steve, he was holding up one finger to Eddie and leaning over the side of the shelf to grab something off the ground.

When he found whatever he’d been reaching for, Steve handed Eddie the sweater he’d taken off earlier. Eddie looked up at him skeptically, wondering what the hell the sweater was for, when Steve answered his silent question.

“For your knees,” Steve shrugged self-consciously.

And wasn’t that sweet of Steve? Very considerate of him, to think of Eddie’s comfort before his own pleasure.

Really too sweet – made Eddie’s heart do all sorts of funny things again.

But Eddie was still on a mission, Steve’s compassion aside, so he mumbled a quick thanks and spread the sweater beneath him before resting his knees down on it.

Eddie helped Steve spread his legs a little wider to accommodate him as he returned his attention to Steve’s dick, licking up his palm before giving him a few strokes. He kissed up the length of Steve’s inner thigh as his hand worked him, letting his fingers gently catch on Steve’s head.

Eddie let his tongue tease against the inside seam of Steve’s leg, gently lapping at the skin at the base of his dick, listening closely to all the sounds Steve made as he tried to gauge what he liked best.

He normally wouldn’t take so much time with another guy – usually, it was a few quick pumps just to get the guy ready and then they’d be fucking his face with glee (or vice versa) – but things had been a little unusual from the get-go with Steve. And they were having fun playing with each other, teasing each other.

Making the most of their one night together.

Because he’d be back home in Indianapolis the next day, and he probably wouldn’t ever have another chance to have Steve like this.

Which was really a shame.

When Eddie was finally ready, he took his hand away from Steve’s dick, letting it smack against his thigh as Eddie adjusted his own cock. Would need to start touching himself soon, the wait had been long enough.

Steve, sensing that something good might be about to happen, craned his neck forward to get a better view of Eddie beneath him.

Eddie maintained eye contact with Steve as he grabbed the base of his dick and positioned himself, flattening his tongue and running up the vein on the underside of his dick.

He tasted a little sweaty and a little musky, but Eddie had never minded the taste, and he certainly didn’t mind when the motion made Steve’s eyes flutter into the back of his skull. Slid his tongue into the slit to lick at a drop of precome that had formed there.

Eddie waited until Steve’s eyes had refocused before wrapping his lips around his head, lolling his tongue around it in one quick circle, popping him out of his mouth for just a moment.

He watched Steve’s eyes flick up into his, silently begging him to continue, and then opened his mouth and swallowed him down in one smooth motion, letting his tongue press him against the roof of his mouth.

Steve’s accompanying moan was lost in the rush of blood in Eddie’s ears, the sound of his throat working as he let the tip of his dick touch the back of his throat.

Eddie pulled back, beginning his motions in earnest, letting his fist wrap around the base of Steve’s dick, pumping him where his mouth couldn’t reach. Eddie was good at giving head, but he’d always had a strong gag reflex and the initial move had sort of been a one-time-only thing.

His tongue pressed against that vein again, curling up under the frenulum when his lips moved past it.

Eddie hollowed his cheeks when he moved up him and hummed lightly when he went down, all the while gripping Steve’s thigh like it was a lifeline, the only thing stopping him from grabbing his own painfully hard cock and coming right there.

Probably wouldn’t take much at all.

Steve’s hands moved slightly, could feel the shift in his body as one hand went to Eddie’s shoulder and the other to gently rest next to Eddie’s on his thigh, their fingers brushing where they overlapped.

Eddie wasn’t sure if Steve was trying to signal something to him, some silent request he wasn’t picking up on, distracted as he was, so he removed Steve from his mouth. He looked up into Steve’s eyes as his tongue dipped under his dick, sucking first one ball, then both into his mouth and rolling them lightly with his tongue.

But Steve didn’t say anything – couldn’t really – because the only things coming out of his mouth were a string of curses and praises aimed at Eddie’s mouth.

Eddie released Steve’s balls, taking him into his mouth once again, flexing his tongue and throat around him. He could feel Steve twitching inside him, feel the pulse of his heart pumping blood into him as he worked him up and down.

Eddie slid his hand out from under Steve’s, reaching out until he was pulling Steve’s hips forward and off the bench, trying to get him into a position where he could thrust forward. Steve made a questioning sound and Eddie’s eyes flew to his face, using his hands on his hips to pull him deeper inside his mouth to demonstrate what he wanted.

But Steve seemed to understand Eddie’s request and made a few tentative thrusts in time with Eddie’s mouth. Eddie pulled Steve’s hips forward just a bit further so he could sit back on his heels, letting Steve fuck into his mouth.

Once Steve had found a rhythm he liked, Eddie took his hands off of Steve’s hips and used one to work at his balls, rolling and squeezing him gently, kneading one finger back behind them into his taint.

“Oh, f-fuck, Eddie. Jesus,” Steve cried, his eyes wide with alarm.

But Eddie was over the moon, listening to his moans, to the way Steve’s dick sounded as hit the back of his throat, letting his eyes water as he breathed through his nose and tried not to gag on him.

He used his free hand to splay his fingers across the line of Steve’s happy trail, feeling the way the muscles there tensed.

Satisfied, knowing just how close Steve was, Eddie’s hand left his stomach and went to his own cock, leaking a wet trail of precum across his stomach. He shut his eyes against the overwhelming sensations – of his hand on his dick, of Steve thrusting into his throat.

The sounds they were both making.

He’d only managed a few strokes before Steve’s hips were slowing, one hand going to Eddie’s shoulder to get his attention back on Steve.

“Wanna touch you,” Steve murmured, hips slower but still moving in shallow little thrusts into the back of Eddie’s throat.

Eddie hummed around him, enjoying the low tenor of Steve’s voice and the feel of his hand digging into Eddie’s shoulder.

“Wanna make you come all over yourself,” Steve said, encouraged by Eddie’s reaction, eyes half-lidded as he alternated watching his dick slide in and out of Eddie’s mouth and watching Eddie’s hand stroking himself.

“Come on those rings so I can lick them clean for you,” Steve was babbling, his voice straining with the effort.

Steve’s thrusts were getting deeper, his legs shaking as he grew closer to orgasming, fingers biting into Eddie’s shoulders as Eddie swallowed around him.

He let out another string of half-nonsense curses and was well on his way to continuing when Eddie pulled back, letting him fall out of his mouth as he sucked in a breath.

“Steve, sweetheart,” Eddie panted, thrilled by the wrecked way Steve was looking at him.

“Shut up and come in my mouth already,” Eddie said, taking him back into his mouth without another word.

He listened to Steve’s responding moan, feeling the way his dick pulsed in his mouth, along his tongue, against his throat. They made eye contact as Eddie worked his tongue against the underside of his dick, watching Steve’s lips fall open in pleasure.

Two more thrusts and he was done for, hips grinding to a stop as he spilled into the back of Eddie’s throat, moaning something that sounded suspiciously like Eddie’s name.

Eddie lifted his hand to the base of Steve’s dick, his tongue gently lapping at him as he milked him through his orgasm, swallowing him down as much as he could. He couldn’t manage all of it, and some of the cum spilled out over Eddie’s lips, down the edge of his chin, and onto his chest.

Overstimulated, Steve gently removed his dick from Eddie’s mouth, chest still heaving from his orgasm. He fell to his knees beside Eddie on the ground, watching Eddie’s hand where it was still pumping his dick.

Now that he’d gotten Steve off, Eddie was eager to follow his lead, shutting his eyes against the still-recovering Steve and working his way to his own orgasm.

He was surprised when he felt Steve touch his shoulder, hand creeping around to the back of his head in an attempt to get Eddie’s attention. When Eddie opened his eyes, their gazes locked, and Steve held out his other hand to hover above Eddie’s chest.

Eddie watched, half dazed, as Steve slowly – curiously – wiped his fingers across the cum that had spilled there, smearing it into the fine hairs that dusted Eddie’s chest.

When Steve looked back up at Eddie, his eyes were full of admiration as he pulled his face closer so he could give him a boneless, sloppy kiss. Wondered if Steve could taste himself in Eddie’s mouth as his tongue circled his and licked into his mouth.

Steve’s hand brushed Eddie’s fist aside, taking him in his hand as he began to stroke him, using the wet slide of Steve’s own cum to pump him, trying his best to match Eddie’s rhythm.

Eddie pulled his head away from the kiss to watch, fascinated (entranced) as Steve’s hand worked against him, feeling the familiar signs that his own orgasm was close.

“How do you want to –?” Steve asked, his words coming out in an uneven wobble.

“Huh?” Eddie mumbled, glancing away from Steve’s hand on his dick and back up to his face.

“On my hand? My chest? On my face?” Steve supplied when Eddie didn’t understand the question.

Felt his balls tighten at the mere suggestion, surprised that Steve would offer him such an array of choices.

“In my mouth?” Steve murmured as he leaned forward and captured Eddie’s lips with his own in a disjointed slide of tongue and teeth.

And just the idea of it, of coming down Steve’s throat after he asked Eddie to do so, was enough to make him come.

Eddie saw stars dancing under his eyelids as Steve worked him through his orgasm, pumping him long after the final rush of cum had spilled over his chest and Steve’s fist.

Eddie let out a belated moan into Steve’s mouth, feeling too sensitive suddenly, and pulled his face away so he could lean his head bonelessly against Steve’s shoulder.

Steve extricated himself slowly, wiping his hand across the front of his undershirt as they sat there trying to catch their breath.

He lifted Eddie’s head from off his shoulder with the clean hand, eyes searching Eddie’s glazed-over ones as he went in for another kiss, but Eddie turned his head away after a quick brush of their lips.

“Need a second, man,” Eddie panted, mumbling something under his breath about blowing his load all over Steve fucking Harrington and a 1986 bingo card.

“Okay,” Steve said softly, leaning back and pulling his undershirt off so he could start cleaning them both up.

Eddie let Steve clean him first, leaning back further on his numb legs so Steve could wipe away the mess, before taking care of his own chest and crotch. Steve tossed the shirt into the corner of the room when he was done with it, and then leaned his head back against Eddie’s shoulder to rest.

“What time is it?” Eddie asked when he’d recovered enough to start thinking about life outside the closet.

Steve glanced at his watch and sat upright in alarm, bare stomach tensing with the movement.

“Shit, it’s nearly one. I was supposed to meet Robin and Nancy at that party almost an hour ago,” Steve said, glancing back up at Eddie as he began to get up.

Eddie’s legs felt like jello as he made his way unsteadily onto his feet. Couldn’t help but feel a little gross, standing there in fishnets with the crotch torn out with their leftover cum and saliva drying on his skin, so he quickly reached for his briefs, still strewn over the floor.

Steve followed Eddie’s lead, grabbing for the discarded bomber jacket and tossing it over his naked shoulders, zipping it up until just a tuft of chest hair was visible. They both scrambled for the rest of their clothes, chuckling as they stumbled around in the dark room on wobbly legs.

Eddie decided to leave his corset be, too tired to deal with the maze of ties, and instead opted to just throw the lab coat on over his naked chest, shivering as his dick brushed against the coarse material.

“Hey, uh… Could you –?” Eddie said, remembering suddenly that Gareth had helped him with the ties earlier that night.

Steve, spotting Eddie’s dilemma, stepped up behind him and wordlessly began tying the loose strings back together, fingers brushing against Eddie’s back as he worked. Felt a weird rush of emotion with Steve standing in that position again, just before they’d gone through with the whole thing.

“So,” Steve said, breaking the silence.

“That was… good,” he said, clearing his throat.

“Like, really good,” Steve said when Eddie hadn’t responded.

“I had a nice time too, Harrington,” Eddie said with a soft chuckle.

There was a pause where neither of them said anything, Steve’s fingers working up the last few remaining ties.

He felt awkward, unused to having semi-familiar small talk with his past hookups. Usually, it was just a murmured thanks and they would head on their way, if he was lucky. A lot of times, neither of them would say a word – they’d just go.

“Listen, I, uh –”

Eddie felt Steve’s hands pause, and Eddie stiffened slightly, prepared for some hurried words of gentle dismissal. Was glad he couldn’t see his face because he didn’t know if he could stand to look at him – to see discomfort or regret in his eyes.

He felt Steve put his hand on his shoulder, turning Eddie around so they were facing each other.

But Steve didn’t look uncomfortable when reached one hand up and rested it against Eddie’s cheek, his eyes soft as they searched Eddie’s.

Eddie didn’t want to think about how ruined his makeup must be, or what a mess he felt like. Didn’t want to think about the tender Steve was looking at him then.

Couldn’t wrap his head around the way it made him feel.

Like he could burst out of his skin with how good it felt to have Steve’s hand against his cheek and look at him with such open adoration.

Eddie was the first to look away, feeling a blush rise up his cheeks.

“Listen, I know we just did… all this together, but you could totally tag along to the party. If you wanted to, no pressure,” Steve said, letting his hand fall from Eddie’s face.

Eddie took the opportunity to lean down and gather his heels, his face still burning with some unknown emotion.

“I’m sure Robin and Nancy would love to hang out with you for a bit. Catch up a little,” Steve said when Eddie didn’t immediately respond.

And man, if Eddie hadn’t known how to react to Steve’s searching eyes and gentle touches, he definitely didn’t know what to do with him asking him to go to a party together.

“Nah, I’ve really got to get going. Have to get some shut-eye before I hit the road in the morning,” Eddie said feeling better that it was sort of the truth.

He stood back up to face Steve, noting the look of disappointment as it washed over Steve’s face.

“Oh, right. Long drive to Indianapolis. Maybe I’ll see you next time you’re in town?” Steve asked tentatively, like he was unsure he should.

“Sure, okay. I’ll be back for Thanksgiving,” Eddie said, aiming for an amicable tone but feeling a little lost himself.

Steve smiled at him, and Eddie couldn’t help the shy upward curve of his own lips in response.

“Alright, well, you’ve probably got to get going or Buckley will skin you alive,” Eddie said, scratching at the back of his head, trying to give Steve the easy out.

“Oh, right. Yeah,” Steve said stiffly, looking around the room before glancing back up at Eddie, ready to say his goodbye.

He paused like there was something else he wanted to say (should say) but couldn’t figure out what it was. And Eddie thought he might know exactly how Steve felt in that moment.

Fuck it.

Eddie took a step forward, placing his hand on Steve’s cheek and searching his eyes for a moment, mirroring the way Steve had done so just a few moments before. Gave him a soft smile when Steve looked pleasantly surprised to have him there again.

Eddie leaned toward Steve until they were only a centimeter apart, his breath a whisper on his lips as he paused. Steve’s hand came up to rest along Eddie’s back, bringing their chests together and holding him there.

Eddie tilted his chin forward that last bit, his lips brushing against Steve’s tentatively – tenderly, even.

Let his lips part when he felt Steve’s tongue gently request entry into his mouth, their mouths moving against one another in an unhurried sort of way. Like they had all the time in the world instead of just that night.

Just that last kiss.

Steve pressed one final chaste kiss to Eddie’s lips before pulling away from him, letting his hand slide across Eddie’s ribs and fall away. There was something gentle in the way Steve looked at him when he took a step away from Eddie, one hand reaching for the door behind him. Felt sure it was a mirror to his own expression.

“See you around, Steve,” Eddie said softly.

Steve smiled warmly at Eddie, nodding his head once before opening the door, pausing halfway through it.

“Thanksgiving?” Steve asked, quirking an eyebrow up at Eddie.

“Thanksgiving,” Eddie agreed.