Chapter Text
They are getting ready to head into the Upside Down.
Steve’s head is reeling, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. His body is pumped full of adrenaline, itching and thrumming just under his skin. It’s good in a way because he can’t feel the pain from his demobat injuries anymore.
He is pacing the hallway, waiting for someone to leave the bathroom so he can relieve himself one more time and splash some water on his face.
The jiggle of the knob sounds and the door is pulled open with a little more force than necessary. Like the person behind the door overestimated how hard it might be to open.
Steve glances up and catches Eddie’s eye. Eddie’s face is paler than usual, which Steve wasn’t even sure was possible. The curls not tamed under the bandana atop his head are damp and sticking to his face, telling Steve that he had the same idea.
“You okay, man?” Steve asks.
Eddie chokes out a laugh and shakes his head, the hint of a smile on his lips as he leans against the wood-paneled wall behind him.
They’re standing inches apart due to the narrowness of the hallway and Steve is almost overly aware of it after the weird flirting in the camper.
“How long have you guys been doing this shit?” Eddie’s eyes sparkle in the dim light and Steve ignores the way his stomach flips when he notices.
“Too long,” he says with a breathy chuckle. “But we always figure out a way to pull out a win. This time won’t be any different,” he adds with confidence he doesn’t feel.
“I hope so Harrington, I hope so.”
Eddie pauses for a moment, breaking eye contact to pick at a loose thread on his jacket.
“Although I’m not sure it matters. Not much to come back to.” A pause. “I thought this was going to be my year.”
Steve’s heart sinks at the words as he considers them. He wants to deny it right away but he knows Eddie is sort of right. His already rocky reputation has been destroyed. He has been branded as a murderer/satanic cult leader in Hawkins. This is really too bad because Steve has learned Eddie is actually pretty cool. Especially after their mutual understanding talk during the first trip to the Upside Down.
“Hey man, don’t talk like that,” Steve hears himself say. Eddie glances back up at him through his eyelashes, his head still turned down from picking at his jacket.
“We’ll come up with something. Will came back from the dead after all.”
“You think that will matter? The damage is already done, even with a story,” Eddie mumbles dejectedly.
“Well if anyone gives you shit, you come to find me. I’ll take care of them. You’re alright Munson, and you’re one of us now. We take care of each other.”
“Well thanks, I’ll take being alright,” Eddie smiles at that, his features softening. His lips curl into a more teasing grin after a moment. “You trying to be my knight in shining armor, Harrington?”
Steve barks out a laugh and lifts a middle finger in response.
“Fuck you. I just mean I’ve got your back, alright?”
“I know, big boy. I just like making you blush.”
Big boy, there it is again.
On cue, Steve feels the heat flood his face. Eddie’s grin widens and Steve hates that he looks so pleased with himself.
“Are you two going to flirt all day or are we doing this thing?” He hears Robin yell from the living room. Steve tears his gaze from Eddie at the interruption and they both laugh harder.
“Hold your horses, Rob, just heading to the little boy's room, and then we’re coming!” He shouts back, finally pushing himself off the wall to head toward the bathroom.
“I mean it though man, we got this and I got your back. Watch out for Henderson for me,” He reaches out for Eddie’s hand, Eddie grabs it and they lean into each other for a shoulder tap. Eddie claps his back and his hand lingers there for a moment too long.
“I will. Thanks, Harrington, see you out there,” he says in almost a whisper, his breath hot against Steve’s neck.
The scent of weed, cigarettes and some hair care product Steve is unfamiliar with lingers in the air as Eddie passes and heads down the hall. Steve realizes he hasn’t moved for a moment too long and quickly crosses the space to shut himself in the bathroom.
The cold water on his face brings a sense of relief after all the blushing.
He feels like he did as a school kid with a crush, butterflies in his stomach, and all.
He chalks it up to nerves.