Chapters: 8/?Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016)Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death

Chapters: 8/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Wayne Munson Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Bisexual Eddie Munson Summary:

Forbidden Love Part Five

When Thursday came around Steve started preparing. Making little sandwiches, packing fruit, though he doubted Eddie would eat any of them. He ended up tossing some chips and candy in there as well and some cold beers. He'd planned for it to be later so they could watch the sun set and the stars come out.

He wasn't going to dress overly nice, he wanted it to be about comfort rather than fancy, and Eddie wasn't one to get fancy anyways. After a shower and doing his routine he settled for a comfortable yellow sweater and some jeans. 

Once he had everything ready and packed in the car he set out to Eddie's trailer, arriving right at six. He double checked his appearance before getting out of his car and walking up to the door. Just as he was about to knock, Eddie swung the door open and Steve's breath caught in his throat. Was it ever possible for Eddie to not be gorgeous? He didn't think so.

Eddie was wearing a fresh pair of jeans, no rips this time but still black denim and a Megadeath tshirt. All of his jewelry and his leather jacket. He looked cleaner, nicer, but still completely himself.

"I uh. Tried to dress a little nicer. I don't have much though," Eddie says gazing down at his attire, before back up at Steve. And those big brown eyes had him weak in the knees.

"You look. Wow."

Eddie's lips curved up into a shy smile.

"Good?"

"Definitely," Steve says, nodding.

"Uh, if you want you can. Bring your guitar. I. Like watching you play."

Another smile appeared, Eddie's face lighting up.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"No one's. Ever wanted to watch me play, just for a date."

"Well. I'd like to."

Eddie was nearly bouncing in his spot, his smile widening before darting out of sight to grab his acoustic guitar. When he returned he stepped out of the trailer and put it in the back of the car before they both got settled. They fussed over the music selection because their tastes were so opposite, but the banter felt light and natural.

When they arrived, Eddie grabbed his guitar and Steve grabbed the blanket and cooler, setting everything up in a small clearing by the lake.

"This is a nice spot," Eddie says as he settles with his guitar laid beside him.

"I thought we could watch the sun set. Do a little stargazing, maybe light a fire," Steve says, settling beside Eddie.

"You really are a romantic."

Steve smiled sheepishly.

"Guilty as charged."

There didn't seem to be any nerves this time, as the two dug into the little picnic and eased right into conversation. They talked about music and interests, and even though their interests were different they both put in an effort to understand what the other was interested in. They bickered over the music, but it was filled with laughter. 

Then they watched the sun set, watched the stars begin to appear, Eddie talking lazily about why he loved the night. He loved the moon and the stars and the way the moonlight bathed over everything with an ethereal glow, and the color of blue and silver that wrapped around the nature like a blanket. Then Steve lit a fire and Eddie sat up, pulling his guitar into his lap.

"Any requests?" Eddie asked, gently plucking at the strings to produce a slow and beautiful melody. Steve shook his head.

"Whatever comes to your mind. Whatever feels right in the moment."

Steve was sprawled out on his stomach now, his chin propped up with his hands and intently watching Eddie. Eddie's fingers continued to idly pluck at the strings before settling for I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner. As the song came together, Eddie played beautifully, flawlessly. And he looked so utterly pretty as he played.

His eyes closed, hair falling slightly into his face, fingers dancing across the strings that produced such a beautiful sound and softly humming along, as if the words were on the tip of his tongue. Steve was completely captivated. He watched as Eddie played and he could feel goosebumps dancing across his skin.

In that moment, all Steve saw was Eddie. This was a moment he would commit to memory, like a mental video to be saved so he could always look at it. Eddie's eyelashes were long and beautiful, causing shadows to gently dance across his cheeks, and the glow of the fire and the moonlight bathing over him made him look. Well like an angel. An angel sent from Heaven. As the last notes faded away, Steve was smiling, a look of pure adoration dancing in his eyes.

"That was beautiful."

Eddie's eyes fluttered open, and dear god that did something to Steve. A wave of heat pooling down in his belly, the butterflies swooping and dancing around. And then Eddie's smile, lips soft and full, little dimples in his cheeks.

"You liked it?"

Steve nodded eagerly and Eddie's smile grew. He played a few more songs and Steve watched with rapt attention. And after, a flood of compliments poured out of his mouth that had Eddie blushing as he set his guitar aside and laid back down to watch the sky.

They stayed for a few more hours, idly talking before Steve took Eddie home and walked him up to the door. 

"Tonight was..." 

Steve trailed off, attempting to find the right words.

"Perfect," Eddie finished.

"Yeah. Perfect."

Eddie shuffled on his feet, a lazy smile appearing.

"Do you think. There could be a third date?"

Steve's own smile appeared.

"And a fourth. I'd like there to be."

Eddie smiled again.

"Me too."

A comfortable silence fell over them and Eddie was fidgeting with his rings, gaze cast down to his feet that he was shuffling. Unable to resist the urge, Steve reached out and brushed aside the curls that were partially hiding Eddie's face. Eddie's head snapped up, eyes locking with Steve's and somehow they grew darker, gaze flicking to Steve's lips for a brief moment.

And then Eddie was leaning in, Steve's eyes tracking the movement. It wasn't a full kiss, just a tentative brush of lips, a brief moment. But it left Steve tingling, craving more. Eddie pulled back and Steve's eyes flicked up to meet Eddie's.

"Goodnight Steve."

His voice was soft and it nearly stole Steve's breath.

"Goodnight Eddie."

Steve's voice was just as soft and Eddie smiled, picking up his guitar that had been leaning against the wall and disappeared inside. As Steve got in his car, a wide lovesick smile appeared. That was without a doubt, the best date that Steve had ever been on. And he couldn't wait for the third one.

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Steve Harrington, Eddie Munson, Dustin Henderson, Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Vecna (Stranger Things) Summary:

One of my readers suggested I turn this one shot into a short little fic and I loved the idea, so here it is

Chapter One

1986. The Upside Down. They'd taken down Vecna but the clock had chimed four times. Max had died. The ground had rumbled, the giant gates had opened into Hawkins. Somehow Max had come back and was in a coma, probably blind and had broken legs and broken arms. And Eddie. Steve had found Dustin sobbing and holding Eddie's limp body in his lap, the swarm of bats dead all around them.

That moment had mixed feelings for Steve. He wasn't sure what to think about those feelings. Intense grief that he didn't understand, he'd barely known the guy. He'd felt the world stop spinning, he'd lost all sight of everything except Eddie. He didn't cry, though he wanted to. Instead he let anger flow through his veins.

Yes he had only known Eddie for about a week, but he had been charming and sweet and had been awakening something unknown in Steve. Eddie couldn't hurt a fly, even if he wanted to. So why did Eddie have to die? What made him so unworthy of life? It wasn't fair.

Pulling in a deep breath, he wasn't even aware that his eyes were brimming with tears. He walked over and scooped Eddie up, settling him on his back.

"What are you doing?" Dustin says, sniffing and wiping his eyes.

"Bringing him back to Hawkins. So his Uncle has a body to bury." 

Steve didn't leave any room for argument. He carried Eddie back through the gate. The next few days were a blur. Presenting Eddie's body to his uncle Wayne. Telling him that Eddie had been a hero, that he'd died to save this town. Helping Wayne organize a funeral and paying for everything.

Time began to pass and Steve did cry. He mourned Eddie's loss. He started closing in on himself, hiding himself. He stopped going to work and ended up losing his job. It wasn't that big of a deal, his parents still sent him money and took care of paying for the house. The house that was too empty.

He stopped seeing his friends, not even Robin could bring him out of his shell. The only time he ever saw them around was when he needed to go shopping and he'd cross paths with them, only offering a simple nod. Somehow, Wayne had figured out what Steve was feeling before Steve even figured it out.

Wayne gave him some of Eddie's things, old clothes, his cologne, his stash of drugs, all of his music, some of his jewelry and his acoustic guitar. Metal wasn't really Steve's scene, but it reminded him of Eddie. So he started listening to it. He'd wear Eddie's clothes, spritz them with Eddie's cologne, he'd started teaching himself how to play that acoustic guitar. 

He wore some of Eddie's rings, sometimes on his hands, sometimes on a chain. He would go to Eddie's grave every week and lay down fresh flowers, remove the vandalism and just sit, pretending he could feel Eddie's presence. His friends never stopped trying to pull him out of his shell, to interact with them.

He always turned them down. It took him an entire year to figure out why Eddie's death was hitting him so hard. First, he had a sexuality crisis. Analyzing every interaction he'd ever had with Eddie, how it had made him feel and think. He figured out he was bisexual.

Then he analyzed those moments again, in a different way. Now that he knew he was bisexual, what did those moments mean to him? And he came to the conclusion, that he'd fallen in love. Those feelings he held for Eddie were far more intense than he'd ever had for Nancy.

And all the bullshit about wanting Nancy back, that dream he'd told her about, it hadn't been real. He'd been subconciously deflecting, pretending that he and Eddie were nothing but platonic, even if Eddie was a little touchy and flirty. He'd pretended that's how Eddie was with everyone.

Coming to the conclusions that he did, Eddie's death hit him so much harder, even after a year. An intense wave of grief, like a cloud that loomed over him and he couldn't get rid of it. Not that he wanted to. He wanted to wallow in his grief. Eddie deserved to have someone grieve for him.

Then and there, he vowed that in the next life, in another life, he would find Eddie. No matter what it took, he would find Eddie again. Two years after Eddie's death, in 1989, Steve was sitting at Eddie's grave, laying down fresh flowers and removing the Burn in hell that had been painted onto the headstone.

Things were changing again. Steve could feel it, in his bones, in his soul. It was like he could feel that another fight was coming, that Vecna was coming back and he would be stronger and angrier. He could feel that some of Nancy's visions were going to come true. He could feel the change in the air.

And then it did happen. An army of monsters, pouring into Hawkins. People screaming and running, people dying. He hadn't spoken to or seen much of his friends in the last two years but he still loved them. Still cared about them. Still would die for them.

So he brought out his trusty nail bat and started fighting through the thick of monsters. His only goal was to keep his friends safe, keep them alive. Because they deserved to live. And Steve. Well Steve had a plan for himself. He was at peace with that plan.

He had a goal for that plan. It would be based on belief, luck and hope, but he had to try. Nothing and no one was going to stop him from going through with that plan. Not the kids, not Nancy. Not even Robin.

Chapters: 12/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Wayne Munson Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Bisexual Eddie Munson Summary:

Heavy smut warning

Forbidden Love Part Nine

Steve ended up staying an entire week at Eddie's. Borrowing his clothes, which he very much loved because they smelled like him. He even wore them to work and Robin was ecstatic, happy that Steve had found someone he was truly happy with. For now he still had his car and money, and he assumed it was because his parents were working on a way to make him marry this Marissa girl. Well Steve wouldn't have it. 

It was a Sunday morning and Steve was just starting to wake up. Eddie's arms were wrapped around him from behind, his chest flush against Steve's back and their legs tangled together. He could tell Eddie was awake, because his thumb was tracing lazy circles on Steve's lower belly, and it was sending heat straight to his dick.

Emitting a low groan, he pressed against Eddie, shifting his hips so his ass would grind against Eddie's groin. Eddie's arms tightened around him, dropping kisses to Steve's bare shoulder.

"Baby, if you keep doing that I'm gonna wanna fuck you," Eddie whispered in Steve's ear, his hand now trailing down to the waistband of Steve's boxers, teasing. Not quite sliding in, but playing with the little happy trail. 

Steve groaned again, pressing harder against Eddie, who was rock hard now. Eddie started sucking and nibbling on every inch of Steve's skin that he could find, his throat, his shoulder, his back. And his hand slid further down, finding Steve's erection and wrapping his hand around it, squeezing gently and giving it a few pumps.

"Please Eddie."

Eddie's lips curved into a smirk.

"Please what baby? If you want me to do something, you have to beg for it."

"Please fuck me. I want to feel you, I want you inside me, please."

Steve could hear the desperation in his own voice, but he wanted to feel all of Eddie, he wanted to be brought to the height of pleasure. Eddie pulled his hand away and Steve whined at the loss of touch. A chuckle escaped Eddie's throat. 

"Don't worry baby, I have lots planned for you."

He took Steve's boxers and slid them off, licking his lips at the sight of Steve's perfectly curved ass. He gave each cheek a squeeze and a kiss before he dove right in, working his magical tongue around Steve's hole. 

Steve's body jerked, a moan escaping at the new sensation. He knew the wonders Eddie's mouth could do. Without pulling away from Steve, Eddie reached over and grabbed his bottle of lube, squeezing a generous amount onto his fingers. He worked his tongue, like a man starved until Steve was whimpering and writhing, then pulled away.

"No touching yourself, not yet baby," Eddie instructed. With his lubed up fingers, he gently pressed them into Steve's hole, one finger at a time to ease him open. Steve was clutching the sheets now, groaning and whimpering as Eddie's fingers teased and stroked and played with him.

When he was satisfied, he added a third finger, curling them up to hit that sweet spot that had Steve writhing and gasping his name, and then yet again, begging to be fucked. Pulling his fingers away, Eddie slid his boxers off, put on a condom and shifted Steve so that he was lying on his back. 

He applied a little more lube, wanting this to be as pleasurable as possible for Steve. Then he hooked his hands under Steve's knees, pulling his legs up and around his waist to give him the perfect access, and he lined himself up with Steve's hole.

"You ready baby?"

Steve was already nodding 

"Please. Please Eddie, I need you."

Eddie leaned down and kissed him, hard.

"Fuck, I love it when you beg. When you say my name. I want to see how many sounds I can bring out of you."

Eddie slowly eased inside, groaning at how hot and tight Steve was. When he bottomed out, he waited to let Steve adjust, waited for the nod of confirmation. And then he was moving, a slow pace at first until Steve was urging him to go faster and harder.

He picked up the pace, Steve trying to match Eddie's thrusts, impaling himself on Eddie's cock. A quick change of angle and Eddie was hitting Steve's prostate, his hips snapping against his ass. And Steve was loud. Responsive. Clutching at the sheets, loud moans, Eddie's name falling from his lips.

Eddie continued his thrusts, hitting that same spot again that had Steve nearly screaming from pleasure and Eddie's mouth trailed over every inch of skin, licking, sucking, kissing, biting, leaving marks all over his body. Steve's cock was rock hard, the tip flushed red and leaking precum.

"You can touch yourself now."

Eddie's voice trailed off in a low groan, because Steve didn't even let him finish before he was stroking himself and getting himself off. And with just a few more thrusts, they both came together, a long drawn out moan escaping Eddie and Steve's mouth open in a silent scream, his body convulsing from the sheer pleasure.

They rode out their orgasms together before Eddie slowly pulled out, drawing a whine from Steve that Eddie drank down with a hungry kiss. And then he was praising Steve, telling him how good he was, how much he loved watching Steve come apart. And Steve was glowing at the praise.

Eddie discarded the condom and got up, grabbing a washcloth to clean themselves, before laying back down and wrapping Steve in his arms, stealing kisses until their lips were melded together in slow, languid kisses.

"I love you Eddie. I love you so fucking much."

Steve's fingers were tangled in Eddie's hair, twisting and playing with the curls. And Eddie's heart fluttered, his belly erupted in butterflies. Because those words were everything Eddie wanted to hear. He blinked back his tears and stole a long and deep kiss from Steve.

"I love you too sweetheart."

And together they relaxed and fell back asleep.

Chapters: 18/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Wayne Munson Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Bisexual Eddie Munson Summary:

Soulmate Part Two

Steve couldn't get enough of looking at his soulmate tattoo. It was always strange to see the black ink on his otherwise pale and empty skin. But then he would brush his fingers over it and it would hit him. A soulmate. Someone completely meant for him. And he was completely meant for someone. But not just someone. Eddie Munson.

He'd told Robin the second he'd had a chance and she'd been shocked. No one would've ever seen the two of them being paired together. But in hindsight, they weren't so different. Steve did get to know Eddie. They would spend nights down at the quarry watching the stars while they smoked and talked.

They would spend free afternoons at Eddie's or Steve's, watching movies and ordering pizza and drinking beer. Eddie had opened up about his past. A loving mother who had passed when he was six. A father who was in and out of his life, sometimes gone for years at a time. Only ever coming back to rope Eddie into illegal activities and bail.

The last time Eddie had seen or spoken to his father was when he was 18. He'd had a shot at a record deal in LA and his father had roped him into a robbery. Stealing 20 pounds of weed and selling it to Reefer Rick for $15,000 so he could go to LA. But his father had lied to him, used him, manipulated him. 

The people they'd stolen from had been old coworkers of his father's, having worked for a drug kingpin. They'd figured out who had stolen from them, almost shot Eddie, burned down the Munson house and shot Officer Callahan. And Eddie, ever the sweet boy, had tried to help save Officer Callahan. 

His father knew Eddie would get arrested and tried to convince Eddie to leave, to go to LA. Eddie had refused so his father had bailed. And yes, Eddie had been arrested. For nothing more than being arrested, because nobody knew about the robbery he'd pulled off.

There were more details to the story. He'd had a girlfriend who was a scout for the record label in LA and had gotten Eddie the audition. He was supposed to move in with her in LA. He'd quit his job as a bartender at the Hideout. Principle Higgins had called him a rotten apple infecting others and blackmailed him to drop out.

His girlfriend had called him an asshole, broken up with him while he was in jail when he told her he couldn't make the audition then bailed him out. From there, no one would hire Eddie. He'd moved in with his Uncle Wayne and they were drowning in bills. So he'd turned to the only thing he could do. Selling drugs for Reefer Rick.

He'd blackmailed Principle Higgins into letting him go back to school and keep his Hellfire Club open. No, they weren't so different. Two broken boys with a shitty home life, shitty parents. Because Eddie had raised himself, lived alone from the time he was eight.

Eddie wasn't what people made him out to be. He wasn't a Freak. He wasn't a Satanist or a Devil Worshipper. He was a man with passions. He loved music, even if it was different from Steve's taste. Steve could appreciate Eddie's music because of what it did for him emotionally. He was a nerd, he loved fantasy. And Steve had a new appreciation for those things.

Because everything Eddie did, was beautiful. Steve had started going to Corroded Coffin's shows, he'd started sitting in on Hellfire sessions. And he got to see how truly happy Eddie was during those times. And Eddie got to know Steve. Parents who were never around, had started leaving Steve alone for long periods of time when he was ten.

Parents who would absolutely be homophobic. Parents who expected Steve to be perfect, unrealistic expectations of Steve. Steve loved sports because it helped him clear his head. And while neither of them understood each others passions, both made an effort to learn. Steve loved the kids because he loved helping others.

After years of being told he was useless, he loved feeling useful. The boys balanced each other out beautifully. And they both loved hard. They were perfect for each other and the universe knew that. It was why they were bound as soulmates.

As they grew closer, they fell for each other. Eddie fell first, hard and fast. But Steve fell harder. Their first kiss was on top of Eddie's trailer, looking up at the stars. The first time they made love was when Steve's parents had come home and ridiculed him for his soulmate tattoo. They'd all but announced their homophobia and their views on Eddie. 

And Steve had finally put his foot down, fought back. Defended Eddie and their connection. He'd disowned his parents, packed his bags and moved to the trailer where they made love. The first time they said I love you was on their third official date.

A picnic in the woods by Lover's Lake where they'd cuddled together, had a fire, Eddie had played his acoustic guitar and they'd gone skinny dipping in the water. It was saying I Love You that gave Steve the strength to come out. To no longer hide his sexuality with anyone. Not his friends, not Hawkins. He came out to the whole town and proudly showed off that Eddie was his soulmate.

And Steve and Eddie were the happiest they'd ever been in their lives. Two broken boys who needed love. Two souls intertwined for all of eternity. Two people the universe had deemed worthy of eternal love. Because soulmates were bound together until the end of time.

Their souls would find each other in every life. Their love would withstand any and every storm. They were meant to be. Had been soulmates in their previous lives and were soulmates in this life. The world was finally going to be ready for them. Starting with this life.

Chapters: 7/? Fandom: Stranger Things (TV 2016) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Major Character Death Relationships: Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson Characters: Eddie Munson, Steve Harrington, Dustin Henderson, Nancy Wheeler, Robin Buckley, Wayne Munson Additional Tags: Steve Harrington Has a Crush on Eddie Munson, Canonical Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Bisexual Steve Harrington, Bisexual Eddie Munson Summary:

Forbidden Love Part Four

Now that Steve was home he took a long hot shower and then started getting ready. He spent an hour fussing over what to wear and ultimately decided on a pair of Levi's and a navy blue and white striped polo shirt. Then he spent another hour fussing over his hair to make sure it got it's fluffy swoop and applied some deodorant and cologne.

When he was ready it was time to head to the Hideout. It was a dingy little bar in the part of town that wasn't so nice. Somehow the floor was sticky, though there weren't many people. A few regulars but that was about it. There was an older woman tending the bar and then there was the stage.

It wasn't a big stage but it was occupied. Eddie's band was setting up their equipment. Under the crappy stage lights Eddie looked stunning. He was wearing his black ripped jeans but a pair of black combat boots, a studded belt, a chain and bandana on his jeans. He wore his usual jewelry and an Iron Maiden shirt. His arm tattoos were on display and a red flannel was tied to his waist. His fingernails were painted black and blacl eyeliner was smudged around his eyes, making them pop.

He looked like a rock god and Steve couldn't help but stare. He was mesmerized. When he was caught staring, Eddie's dimpled smile appeared, a cocky grin and Steve's face flushed red. Finally tearing his gaze away after Eddie winked, Steve walked over to the bar and ordered a beer. Even the countertop was sticky and he made a face, pulling his arms away from leaning against it.

Once he had his beer he settled at a table close to the stage to watch Eddie set up. This time he was allowed to look and not feel embarrassed or flustered about it. When the band started playing Steve was surprised to see that Eddie didn't just play guitar. He was the lead vocalist. And his voice was sheer perfection. 

It wasn't too deep, but it was rich and smooth, like a warm velvet blanket wrapping around him. The combination of Eddie's stunning voice and the way his fingers flew across the fretboard with ease had Steve squirming in his seat. Eddie was gorgeous when he played, and although Steve wasn't much into metal, he could very much appreciate what Eddie did. He could watch Eddie play for hours, listen to his voice for hours. 

Eddie knew Steve was watching. Occassionaly his eyes would lock on Steve's and he would smirk, a sexy one and his tongue would dart out to lick his lips. Steve's body felt heated, his stomach swarming and dancing with butterflies. Eddie knew what he was doing. He knew Steve was attracted and he was taking advantage of it.

By the middle of the set Steve's beer was empty but he was far too riveted to get up and get another. And he wanted to be sober tonight. He certainly wasn't ready for anything more than making out but he wanted to remember tonight. He wanted to commit every inch of Eddie to his memory, every movement, every sound. The shape of Eddie's lips as he formed the words, the way his fingers danced and plucked at the strings of his guitar.

The last song of their set was a rendition of Metallica's Fade To Black. The other guitarist kept his electric guitar but Eddie switched to an acoustic one that had the words this machine slays dragons written on it in black ink. Instead of standing he pulled up a bar stool and sat down. Steve had never heard the song before but it was beautiful. And Corroded Coffin's version of the song was absolutely stunning.

It brought out emotion in Steve, he had to blink back tears because of how powerful the lyrics were, power that was amplified by Eddie's voice. This he knew was a song he would commit to memory. Eddie's version. After the show and all the equipment had been taken down and put away, Steve waited anxiously for Eddie.

And there he was, walking over and sliding into the seat across from Steve. His breath caught in his throat at how close Eddie was now.

"Hi."

Eddie's lips curved up, eyes boring into Steve's.

"Hi."

"What did you think? I noticed you couldn't keep your eyes off me."

Steve was at a loss for words. He didn't know how to describe how amazing Eddie's performance was.

"Incredible. How are you not signed to a record label?"

Steve was genuinely curious, because Eddie had talent, and so did the rest of the band. Eddie remained quiet for a moment.

"We had a shot. In 84. Things just. Didn't work out. They ended up wanting me instead of the whole band. And uh. Some shit happened, I couldn't make the audition."

Steve wouldn't push. If Eddie wanted to talk about it, he would.

"I'm sorry it didn't work out."

Eddie shrugged.

"Maybe we'll get another shot someday."

"I think you guys would be. Really fucking amazing. Like I think you guys could go big."

"It's a nice dream. Nice idea. But I have a backup plan. You know if we don't make it, I wanna be a tattoo artist."

Steve sat up straighter.

"That sounds right up your alley. A creative outlet. And. Kinda sounds hot."

Steve hadn't really flirted with a man before, but it couldn't be much different right? For a moment he thought he'd embarassed himself but then Eddie was smiling that adorable dimpled smile, his eyes lit up.

"You ever think about getting a tattoo?"

"Uh, no, not for me. But uh. You really pull them off. They suit you."

Eddie leaned forward in his seat. 

"I think you could pull one off if you wanted to."

"Maybe, but I'm not the one who looks like a literal rock god."

The words had slipped out, his confidence rising. And Eddie laughed. Bright and beautiful. Immediately Steve caught the sound and saved it for later.

"Very smooth Harrington. You're lucky you're pretty, because flattery very much works for me."

Steve's lips curved up.

"I do pride myself in being pretty I suppose."

They were flirting now, comfortably and Steve was enjoying it. Eddie wasn't at all what people thought he was. He was charming, he had an aura that made you feel comfortable and at ease.

"I actually really loved your rendition of Fade To Black. It was. Beautiful. Powerful. I didn't know metal music could be like that."

"Metal can be just as deep as anything. It's. It's a community. A place for people to feel like they belong."

"That sounds. Really nice. Who taught you how to play?"

Eddie tapped the table with his knuckles, eyes drifting away for a moment. 

"My dad. And uh. My mom, she uh. She loved Muddy Waters. She had these records that she would take with her wherever she went. Called them her plane tickets. She would put those records on and. She would dance with me around the living room."

"She sounds lovely."

"Yeah. Yeah, she was."

"What. Happened to her? If you don't mind me asking."

"She got sick. Passed away when I was six."

"I'm sorry."

Steve really did feel bad. He hadn't meant to bring up something sad and ruin the mood. But Eddie smiled, a soft and sweet one.

"It's ok. She's kind of my inspiration. The reason I have so much love for music."

"It's how you keep her alive."

"Yeah. Exactly."

"That's beautiful. And uh. You're beautiful."

Eddie's cheeks flushed pink and he slid down in his seat, pulling a clump of curls in front of his face to hide behind it. It was adorable, and Steve smiled.

"Thanks," Eddie mumbled.

They ended up talking for another hour, sharing childhood stories, laughing and flirting, and then they were heading out.

"I um. I had a really good time tonight. Thanks for inviting me."

"Me too. Thanks for coming."

"Do you wanna. Go out? Sometime. Like. A date?"

Eddie smiled softly. 

"I'd like that."

"How about next week. Maybe a picnic by Lover's Lake?"

"Romantic," Eddie says, smiling softly as he gently bumped Steve's shoulder.

"Well I am a hopeless romantic."

Eddie laughed softly. 

"How about Thursday, around six?"

"I'll pick you up?"

Eddie smiled again.

"Thursday at six."

After solidifying their date, they said their goodbyes and went their seperate ways. And Steve couldn't stop smiling.

Eddie Edit

Edited this myself, it's a pretty sad one but I really love it. Some Eddie for everyone