Chapter Text
Eddie
He makes his way toward Rockefeller Plaza, nerves a sharp jangle. He’s in his black sweater and his nicest jeans, hair carefully tamed, and he’s maybe more afraid than he has ever been in his life.
Last night, the kiss, feels like he massively fucked up. His whole plan was to see if they could like each other in real life and then reveal the truth. Eddie didn’t expect—didn’t know why he didn’t expect—his feelings for Steve to be just as strong as those for Shopboy within a week.
It was stupid, dangerous, and then the kiss. He’d meant ever second of it, but—
Will Steve hate him, think Eddie was playing with his feelings all this time? Or, god, what if Steve bailed, what if he realized he liked Eddie more than MetalEd? Which is, like, hilarious but not how he imagined this moment playing out.
From between the buildings, he catches his first glimpse of the tree, huge and bright and, like, just a little bit scraggly. People are packed into the plaza, on the ice rink, speakers playing carols over the tourist din. It’s not really Eddie’s scene, but Steve—he thought Steve would love it.
It’s hard to spot him in the sea of people, and for a second, Eddie thinks he really didn’t show, but then—there he is in a maroon sweater.
Steve looks soft and sweet, his hair flopping over his forehead, and oh, how Eddie loves him.
He crosses to where Steve waits at the rail overlooking the skating rink, says, “hey, stranger.”
Steve turns, brilliant smile on his beautiful face. “Eddie, I—”
“Sweetheart,” he says.
He watches Steve’s mouth wrinkle, his brow furrow. Eddie can see as the puzzle pieces come together, wide-eyes and a quick inhale and gently parted lips. Steve’s eyes fill with tears, even as he starts to smile.
Eddie can’t stop himself, has to reach forward, cup Steve’s cheek. “Don’t cry, Shopboy. Don’t cry,” he murmurs. He dashes away the hot splash of a tear as it trickles down Steve’s perfect cheek. Doesn’t bother with his own over spilling eyes.
“I wanted it to be you.” Steve gasps. “I wanted it to be you so badly.”
Eddie laughs, pulls him close. “Can I?” He whispers, thumb glancing over Steve’s mouth.
“Please, I—please.”
It’s easy, this kiss. Sweet and hot and so perfect. A continuation of the night before, but something different, a true beginning. He puts everything into it, his feelings for Shopboy and for Steve and for the amazing man he knows now, how he thinks this is it for him.
Steve’s lips are warm and soft and it’s home, just like home.
They break apart, but stay close enough their foreheads and noses still touch.
“Um, I hope this means you’ll stay on at the store?”
Steve laughs, “I mean, I guess. What are the benefits again?”
“Well, if you play your cards right, you’ll get to sleep with the boss.”
“Oh, is that right?”
“Uh-huh.” Eddie kisses him again.
“Can I have some time to consider?”
“You asshole,” Eddie snorts. He pulls Steve closer, whispers in his ear, “plus, he’s falling head over heels in love with you, so.”
Steve goes delightfully pink, and affection and desire overwhelm him.
“That’s funny. I’m sort of head over heels for you too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll make sure to include that in your new hire paperwork.”
Steve laughs, kisses him again, doesn’t let go.
There’s no place Eddie would rather be.