Chapter Text
Now that Eddie had the time to process it he had to admit;there were some pretty big perks to almost dying in a secret hell dimension. First of all, when you ended up living the shady government entities responsible for almost killing you gave you shit. Yeah, Eddie and Wayne had to sign a fuck ton of NDAs and go through a lot of vague legal threats but they managed to get a house out of it. Like a real house. Maybe not the best in town but it was far above what Wayne and Eddie could ever hope to afford. Plus some money to replace all the shit they lost in the “earthquake”. Eddie just wished that it had been outside of the place where he had almost been murdered. Then again, beggars couldn’t be choosers.
At least his medical expenses were also paid for. Even if it didn’t quite make up for the excruciating pain of your guts getting spilled out all over the place. The attention from everyone else was nice though, it seemed like he never had to go through a step of his recovery alone. He even had a brand new circle of friends. Adult friends, thank fuck. As much as Eddie loved his little group of freshmen it was nice to be around people he could smoke and drink in front of without feeling weird. Especially since the rest of his circle had already moved on. They had gotten the fuck out of the the hell zone known as Hawkins, Indiana. All while Eddie was languishing in a hospital bed. Not that he could blame them when he had been planning on the exact same.
So this new group turned out to be pretty fantastic addition to his life considering that loss. Eddie just hadn’t expected Steve Harrington to be the best part by far. Sure, he had been the one to literally save his life and drag his corpse-like body to the hospital but Eddie had assumed that it would end there. Steve had already done more than enough for him. Why would he stick around?
Eddie still hadn’t gotten an official answer to that but that hadn’t stopped Steve from staying.
It had been the shock of his life when Steve was in his hospital room when he woke up. He had never even expected to wake up, let alone to a room full of people who gave a shit. But surprise surprise, Eddie hadn’t been in the afterlife. He definitely hadn’t expected Steve to cry but that might have had more to do with Dustin and Wayne breaking down then him actually surviving. It was the most logical conclusion his brain could come up with.
Nonetheless, Eddie was grateful that he was still alive even if he ended up confined to a bed for nearly two months. He had expected it all to be pretty boring. Maybe even a bit lonely. His new friends still had to finish out the school year after all. Busy making plans for the future and worrying about the next steps of life. When they weren't doing that, Nancy, Robin, Johnathan were always busy volunteering for other victims. Wayne, despite it all, still had to work considering how their big government settlement was strictly limited to the bare necessities. Even the kids were busy. All of them going through their own bouts of PTSD and navigating life after all the bullshit. No one had the time to pause their lives for him.
No one, but Steve.
Steve, who suddenly had all the time in the world during those first few months when his job was still shut down. Steve, who actually volunteered to help take care of Eddie when Wayne was away. Steve, who was kind in a way that Eddie still had some trouble comprehending.
“I have the least going on. Might as well be of some use to somebody,” Steve had said the first time Eddie asked why he was being so nice, “You almost died trying to make sure we lived, this feels like the least I can do.”
Eddie had accepted the answer at the time, even though it sure felt like more than what Steve was making it out to be. Especially considering all the work he did to keep Eddie functioning. He cooked for him, he helped to walk him back and forth from the bathroom, he made sure that he was taking his meds.
He even helped him bathe for God’s sake like his own personal nurse. Which was a lot to ask for considering they were both guys. But then again, Steve had made a great point convincing Eddie to shut the fuck up about the awkwardness of it.
“Dude, stop being a dipshit. If anything it’s less weird that we’re both guys. I’ve seen a dick before, calm down.”
It had been enough to nearly make Eddie drown in the tub from laughing so hard. Besides, it wasn’t like Steve was doing it for nothing. He had made it pretty clear that he never planned on paying for weed again the first time he had to help drain out the worst of Eddie’s wounds.
"Ever again," Steve had emphasized at the time, his brow furrowed as he bent over the handwritten hospital instructions.
Eddie had to admit, Steve had definitely earned it. He'd done a great job. Covering Steve’s menial drug costs seemed like a pretty good deal to get such an amazing friend.
Because that’s what they became. Good friends, then best friends, in a startlingly short amount of time. But when you were around each other for nearly 12 hours every other day, what else was going to happen? Especially since Steve was a pretty awesome guy, even outside of all the heroic shit he did on a regular basis. He was funny, kind, sweet, and the biggest little bitch Eddie had ever met, never failing to be snarky in a way that Eddie adored.
It helped that Wayne seemed to like him just as much as Eddie did. He was like a part of the family in record time, if anything Steve was quickly becoming Wayne's favorite. Considering all the help around the house, the fact that he finally had someone to talk with about basketball outside of work, and that he was helping Eddie get through the most traumatic shit in his life with a smile on his face. Eddie was surprised Wayne hadn’t offered to adopt him already. A move that Eddie would fully get behind.
He had never had someone in his life like Steve before. He’d had friends before, sure. But it was mostly in a group setting. He always had an issue with one on one shit. Eddie wasn’t great at being vulnerable. He was better at being loud and fun, always pushing the deeper, personal shit back. He was careful to make sure that the world saw him in just the way he wanted. Confident, strange, and in control. It was just… easier that way. He could contain most of his true weird shit in his writing and campaigns.
But with Steve it was so easy to let his walls go down. It wasn’t just because he saw him in the most vulnerable positions possible on a daily basis. Steve was easy to talk to. He was non-judgmental but not pitying. Teasing but not cruel. He gave back as much as Eddie shared and it was… nice. Natural. Like they had been friends for years instead of the handful of weeks it had been.
Even when Eddie didn’t need caretaking anymore, even when Steve went back to work, they stayed close. Never failing to make time for each other.
There was just one thing about him that bothered Eddie to no end.
Steve refused to spend the night at his house despite the fact that they were always at his place. But he never, ever slept there. Which went from normal, to weird, to straight up bizarre in a manner of months.
At first Eddie understood. After spending a whole day playing nursemaid of course he would want to go to his own house for a break from it all. But when they started to get closer without Eddie needing a caretaker it made less and less sense. He always found a reason to leave, no matter what the circumstance. He wouldn’t even sleep on their couch. It didn’t matter how many reasons Eddie could find on why he should just stay.
It could be four a.m. with the two of them high as fuck, pouring down rain outside, and Steve would fucking walk home. He almost gave Eddie a heart attack after he did that little stunt the first time. Only offering some lame excuse about not being able to sleep if it wasn’t in his own bed.
He even went as far as lying to him when Eddie pressed for too long. Promising that he’d stay, agreeing that he was being dumb, but then he’d be gone in the morning. Like clockwork.
It was getting weird. And slightly concerning. Eddie didn’t want to admit it but… he had a feeling he knew what the problem was.
He was well aware of the rumors people had made about him in this shitty town. He just didn’t think that Steve would care about dumb shit like that. At least not anymore. It wasn’t like it was a secret that the whole town thought he was a fag. One more box to tick on the freak sheet despite the fact that it wasn’t true. Eddie wasn’t even gay. He never had been. Despite what his parents always used to say. They were pieces of shit, the both of them, and they never failed to take a chance to knock his interests down a peg by calling them “queer.”
Eddie wasn’t quite sure why they thought having long hair and being into art was so fucking gay but he suspected it had more to do with their drug binges than anything else. Though, when he was finally taken out by CPS, even Wayne thought it had been true. And as sweet as his little speech had been about always loving Eddie no matter what, it still bothered him that people just assumed he didn’t like girls.
He had kind of thought Steve understood that considering he’d almost told him his entire life story. Omitting some of the more unsavory details. Still, he’d thought it had been enough to make things clear. Even if he hadn’t been totally transparent about his dating life. Because the fact was, Eddie didn’t really date. But that didn’t mean he didn’t know how to get laid. If anything he was a bit of a player. There probably were only a handful of girls who would ever willingly admit he got into their pants, but the world would be surprised at how well the bad boy freak thing worked for him.
The only reason he hadn’t told Steve explicitly was because it was... kind of embarrassing. Steve had told him how much sleeping around had sucked for him, how often he missed the comfort of being with someone in a real way. It never seemed appropriate for Eddie to go on and on about his conquests. Or the fact that none of the women he saw even thought of him as a dating option. The best he could get was friends with benefits and a few who weren’t embarrassed to be seen with him. Plus, he didn’t really want Steve to see him like some asshole who didn’t care about who he fucked. He liked the idea of Steve thinking of him as a good guy.
But it was looking like he wasn’t going to have a choice. Because despite the fact that Eddie’s little black book was full of ex-cheerleaders the lies about his sexuality persisted. Which sucked. Eddie had never even kissed a guy before and had no intention of doing so. Why did he have to get marked for it? And sure, It’s not like he never felt anything when he saw a hot guy, but that didn’t really matter. He liked girls, he thought they were attractive, he enjoyed sex, and was great at it in his own humble opinion. What else did you need to be straight?
The point was, he wasn’t gay. But he was 99% sure his new best friend was refusing to share a bed with him because he thought he was. It bothered the fuck out of him. Even if he was gay, he wasn’t stupid. It’s not like he would ever try anything with the literal King of Hawkins High. It was ridiculous for Steve to think otherwise.
It all came to a head one night. Eddie simply couldn't take it anymore. It started as a fun night. The two of them both cross-faded to hell and back, giggling at the tv as they watched one of the corniest horror movies of all time. But then Steve got a look at the clock, his eye’s widening when he realized it was nearly three a.m.
“I should head out,” He said, suddenly straightening up, “Sorry to keep you up so late.”
Eddie rolled his eyes, beyond tired of hearing stupid shit like that come out of his mouth, “Dude, you don’t even work tomorrow and you’re too wasted to drive. Just sleep on the couch. Fuck it. You can even have my bed.”
Steve shook his head, already moving to stand, “It’s fine, really. I can walk home, it’s not that far.”
Maybe it was the beer still running through him or maybe it was the pure feeling of offense that Steve was that uncomfortable with the idea of sleeping near him, but the next thing Eddie knew he was snapping.
“Christ Harrington, are you serious?” He asked, sneering at him, “What, do you think I’m going to attack you in the middle of the night or something? Because if you had ever bothered to ask instead of assuming you know everything, you’d know that those rumors were bullshit.”
Eddie had expected Steve to look guilty when he finally confronted him. Maybe even try to deny it and try to turn it around on him. But instead, he just looked confused.
Steve blinked at him, stopping in his tracks, “Huh?”
“You can stop doing this,” Eddie grunted, waving a hand between them, “You can stop acting like I’m going to jump you the second you're unconscious. I’m getting sick of the homophobe shit, dude.”
Steve stared at him, his brow furrowed, “You think… I don’t want to sleep here because you’re gay?”
“I’m not gay,” Eddie emphasized with a frown. “Thanks. That’s what I’m trying to tell you-”
“But I am,” Steve blurted out. It was enough to stop Eddie mid-rant, his eyes widening as Steve cringed at his own words. He swallowed thickly, stuttering out, “I-I was going to tell you. Really, I just didn’t know how to bring it up and it’s- I only found out last year, honestly. And I- um. I just didn’t want to make you feel weird and I really don’t want to uh, share a bed with you without you knowing because- I-Because then you might think I was coming on to you or…I don’t even know. I don’t know what I’m saying. I’m sorry.”
“You’re gay?” Eddie asked lamely, his heart suddenly beating a little faster.
Steve's cheeks were pink as he rubbed the back of his neck, clearly nervous as he avoided Eddie’s eyes when he nodded, “That about sums it up.”
“But you’ve been with women?” Eddie said, his sentence rising up into a question mark at the end. It wasn’t that he really cared but he was extremely confused. This was King Steve for God’s Sake. It didn’t make any sense.
“I know,” Steve mumbled, clearly uncomfortable at the question, “And it’s not like I hated it or anything but… it was never what I really wanted. Then things with Nancy ended and nothing ever felt right since. Then last year I- um, met someone who taught me a lot about shit like that. And we talked about some stuff. I just… never felt comfortable even thinking about it before and then I magically had someone to work it all out with and… yeah. I’m gay.”
Eddie swallowed, his mind racing at the confession. He had so many questions, important questions. But the first thing out of his mouth was, “Is it your boyfriend? This someone?”
Steve blinked at him, shaking his head quickly, “No, I- no. I don’t have one but that’s-look. That’s not the point. The point is I’m sorry and… and I should probably go now, shouldn’t I?”
But when Steve went up to leave Eddie’s arm shot out, grabbing him by the shirt to pull him right back down. Steve wasn’t going anywhere. Even if Eddie was fucking this whole thing up. He felt awful. And oddly relieved but he didn’t have time to examine that.
All this time he had been so paranoid about what Steve thought of him, when in reality it had nothing to do with him. All that paranoia over a problem that Steve actually had to deal with. And he thought that Eddie would care? Care enough to not give him a place to sleep in the middle of the night? What did that say about him?
Steve had his arms warped around himself as he waited for a response, staring at the floor. He looked so nervous. Like Eddie really was on the edge of kicking him out of here.
“I don’t care, Steve,” Eddie said softly. He reached out for him, giving his shoulder a comforting squeeze, “I really don’t. And there's no reason to run away in the middle of the night. We’re fine.”
Steve looked up at him, his expression hopeful enough to make Eddie’s heart clench, “You really don’t care?”
He was looking at him with wide eyes, vulnerable in a way that gave Eddie the urge to hug him. This was the guy who saved his life. Who nursed him back to health, who he laughed with, who he loved like a brother. How could anything like that matter when it was Steve? Who the fuck cared what his preferences were? Even if Eddie could hear all the vile shit his parents used to say in his head, the same shit they turned on him as an excuse to ditch him for good, it’s not bad. Not when it’s Steve.
“Not even a little,” Eddie said easily, completely sincere, “This literally changes nothing.”
“Really?” Steve asked, voice a little shaky, like he couldn’t believe that Eddie wasn’t being a piece of shit about this. Which he hated. He wanted Steve to trust him. Maybe he had never known a gay man before but God dammit he was going to be the best friend Steve could ask for. So he’d never doubt how much he lov-liked him again.
Eddie let himself scoot a little closer, stopping only when they’re thighs were touching. Just enough to feel how warm he was. Eddie flicked him in the nose with a light laugh, “Yes really! What, you thought I’d disown the guy who saved my life for the crime of thinking Harrison Ford is hot?”
Eddie went with the first hunky actor name he could think of. Mainly because they were still pretty fresh off a Star Wars marathon before he started all this crap.
Plus, it made Steve smile. It was a shy little thing, one that Eddie wasn’t used to seeing on someone who was usually so confident. But at least he was actually looking Eddie in the face now, “Mark Hamill is more of my type actually.”
Eddie laughed at that, “Well now you’re gay and have good taste. Where’s the harm in that?”
Steve laughed right along with him, “I guess there is none, huh?”
“So you’ll stay?” Eddie asked, “And we can share a bed dude. The couch is ass for sleeping anyway. I don’t give a shit.”
But Steve was still hesitating. He was fidgeting a now, playing with a loose thread on his shirt before speaking, “There’s um, one other thing.”
“What is it?” Eddie asked. He couldn’t imagine anything more shocking than what he already said. How many secrets could one guy have?
Steve sighed, running a hand over his flushed face, “I talk in my sleep sometimes. I’ve been told it can get pretty loud. Like… bad loud.”
Eddie barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. That was nothing, “Steve, I think you’ve earned some night terrors. I can live with being woken up every now and then.”
“If you say so…” Steve trailed off, looking a strange mix of pleased and nervous, “But seriously, you can kick me out whenever. If I ever get annoying.”
Eddie highly doubted that Steve was even capable of being that annoying, “So you’ll stay?”
“Yeah,” Steve smiled softly, “I’ll stay.”
Eddie didn’t waste any time dragging him back to his room. Relieved that he wouldn’t have to worry about him wandering away in the middle of the night for once. It ended up being a very anticlimactic night. They slept back to back, just like Eddie had done with any other friend who’d ever spent the night. Steve didn’t make a peep. He was quiet all night long, as good a bed guest as Eddie could possibly ask for. Completely normal.
Everything had turned out fine. Just like Eddie had expected. It was so within the ordinary that Eddie couldn’t help but tease Steve over it, reminding him that he did all that stupid midnight walking for nothing. But it wasn’t just teasing. Eddie wanted him to feel a little guilty for worrying him so much over a non-existent problem. Especially since it was working to get Steve to stay over more and more.
It felt like the whole, awkward thing had brought them even closer. Eddie didn't have to worry about him getting hit by a car in the middle of the night anymore. Now that Steve was always around. Though he had to admit. Their whole talk had Eddie worried about him in an entirely different way. It wasn't easy being gay, especially here. Eddie's protectiveness over him was at an all time high, which was probably silly considering how Steve could kick his ass himself. But he still worried about the future. His safety, if he could be happy or not. There wasn’t much Eddie could do about all but... he could at least be useful in the now. Making sure he knew where Steve was, if he was safe. If he'd eaten, how to make him happy. That he could do.
Maybe it was a little intense but Eddie just assumed it came with the territory of being so close to someone. He had no measure of comparison. He had never felt so comfortable with another person before. Maybe even too comfortable. Because within the span of a few weeks their sleeping arrangement quickly changed. But for good reason!
For one thing, Eddie liked to talk. A lot. Even when they were trying to sleep Steve always got suckered into long conversations with him. It didn't matter if they were both yawning through every word, they could talk for hours. But it didn't really work when you were back to back with someone. So things changed. They started to fall asleep face to face, close enough to hear each giggle and whisper things in the middle of the night.
But it didn't stop there. Because it was quickly getting colder. As much as Eddie enjoyed having a house it was older, and the windows were drafty. His new blankets weren’t as thick as they should have been and… it was just easier to get closer to Steve then to get up to turn on the heater.
It was nothing crazy. Just… sharing pillows. Tangling their legs together. Waking up to Steve curled against him. His face pressed into Eddie’s shoulder as he slept.
It was… nice. Plus, Eddie could tell that Steve likes it. How easily Eddie accepted every little change. Eddie acts like it’s all normal because it is. If anything, it becomes his new normal. The few nights Steve was gone every week were harder than when he wasn’t. It was colder, quieter. He missed him when he was gone, worried about him to. In too many ways for him to count. It felt better when he was back with him, good enough for the nights Steve spent away to get fewer and farther apart.
But despite how much he liked it, Eddie had to admit that it was a massive change from his old life.
It was definitely different. Not weird. Eddie didn’t like that label when it came to Steve, not after what he told him. But it wasn’t what Eddie had expected to happen. It takes Eddie awhile to realize that he hadn’t had sex in months, a reality that a him from six months ago would have never understood. He missed it, yes. But not enough to go seek it out. He just didn't have the time. He and the kids still played DnD, so he spent a good bit of his life planning for their sessions. He had officially given up on getting his degree, but he didn't give up completely. He had started working towards a GED, studying in his off hours when he wasn’t doing deals. He even started looking for a straight job, his mind wandering to the future more and more often. It wouldn’t kill him to get something more stable. And when he wasn’t doing any of that, he wanted to have fun. Easy, comfortable fun. The kind that only Steve could consistently provide.
It was enough for Eddie to be perfectly fine with being sexless for the foreseeable future. It wasn’t a big deal. It wasn’t like he was dying to be with any Hawkins girl in particular. No, he’d find a girlfriend when he officially got out of this dump. Whatever the hell that would be, considering he lost all of his savings in the “quake”.
But for now, Eddie was content. Even if he couldn’t shake a certain thought. More than once, Eddie couldn’t help but wonder what life would have been like if Steve had been born as a girl. He would just be perfect for him then, too perfect. The idea was perfect enough to always remind Eddie just how unfair life really was.
It was a stupid thought, but it persisted. Not that it really mattered. Male Steve would never fall for someone like him, let alone the vision that would be a female version. But still…he thinks about it. Maybe too much.
An uncomfortable amount really.
But Eddie kept that thought to himself. He never wanted to give Steve the wrong impression. They were simply friends. Extremely close friends, but still. Just friends. He wanted to keep their relationship in the awkward free zone. He liked how easily they understood each other, how safe it made him feel. Eddie didn’t want it to ever end, enough for him to start toying with the idea of leaving Hawkins with Steve. If he could ever figure out how to ask.
That was a problem for another day. And until then, he was happy to let life keep going the way it was. Easy and fun, with Steve continuing to be as perfectly silent every night.
Until he wasn’t.
It had started like a normal night. Sharing a pillow, Steve playing with Eddie’s rings as they playfully argued over something stupid. Eddie had just been going into the true differences between black and death metal when Steve fell asleep mid-lecture. Eddie didn’t mind though. He kind of liked watching Steve sleep. How peaceful he looked. But that didn’t mean he could do it all night.
Eddie sighed when he sat up, flicking on the bedside light as he fumbled for a book. He was still wide-awake, probably hours away from sleep yet. Getting lost in a Tolkien book was the best remedy he could come up with.
He started reading, glancing down at Steve here and there as he went. He always shifted in his sleep when Eddie moved, nearly like he was unconsciously seeking him out. He ended up curled around him, his forehead pressed against Eddie’s hip. One arm thrown over Eddie’s lap, the other draped behind his back, nearly like he was hugging him. Not that Eddie minded. It felt nice, warm. A pleasant weight that made Eddie feel good in a way he couldn’t quite articulate.
Though… if Eddie was being honest with himself he’d have to admit that it was a bit much. It was too domestic. On the cusp of a weirdness that Eddie shouldn’t ignore.
But he did.
“Eddie.”
Eddie hummed at the sound, not looking up from his book, “Yeah?”
It wasn’t exactly out of the ordinary for Steve to sleepily mumble out his name. It was usually to be a little shithead and pout at him until Eddie got him water. But Steve didn’t answer him, he just made a small noise before rubbing his head against Eddie’s side, still fast asleep.
Eddie didn’t think much of it, besides a passing thought that he was too cute for his own good. God, whatever guy did end up with him was going to be one lucky son of a bitch. The second he got out of this town, Eddie was sure guys would be all over him. He just hoped he picked one that deserved him.
Eddie went back to reading, fully expecting Steve to stay quiet for the rest of the night.
But around half an hour later Steve was mumbling something again, something that Eddie couldn’t quite make out. Though he knew he’d heard it.
Eddie glanced down at him, vaguely amused. If this was the famous “talking in his sleep” thing then Eddie was going to give him so much shit for being a drama queen. He set his book back on the nightstand, shutting off the light as he settled back into bed, draping an arm around Steve’s waist as he waited for more.
It was dark in the room, with just the barest sliver of street lights peeking through his closed window. But it was enough for Eddie to get a good look at him. Steve's brow was furrowed, his eyes moving underneath the lids as he slept.
It looked like an intense dream, one that Eddie could sympathize with. He reached out, brushing a bit of Steve’s hair back, smiling to himself when Steve’s face started to relax. He always looked so calm when he was asleep, nearly sweet. Eddie just hoped he wasn’t having a nightmare-
“Mm, Eddie, m-more.”
The hand Eddie had in his hair stilled, his mind not quite catching up to what he heard.
What did he just say?
Steve sighed as Eddie stared at him, his lips parting just enough to murmur, “T-There. Right there.”
Eddie’s eyes widened as Steve started to get louder, too loud for him to mistake what was happening for anything else.
“Mmph, Eddie,” Steve whined, so clear it was almost startling, “Want it. Want you.”
Eddie stared at him, shocked as Steve started to squirm against him, “I’m-yes. Please. Fuck. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Eddie's mouth went dry as he listened, tuned into every sound that fell out of Steve’s mouth. He could feel his own dick twitch at the sweet mantra, entranced by the way that Steve was moaning it out, completely shameless.
But just as soon as it started, it stopped. His moans tapered down, trailing off into a pleased sigh. Then silence, nothing but the quiet sounds of their breathing.
Eddie was left laying there, dumbfounded as he stared at a peaceful Steve. He didn’t know what to do. How to feel, anything. But he did know he could barely fucking sleep that night, on high-alert as he waited for it to happen again.
By six a.m. Eddie gave up on trying, slipping out of bed to pace in the kitchen. He didn’t know what the fuck to do here. He knew he was going to have to tell Steve, of course he had to tell Steve. Even if it was a dream, it still meant something that Steve was even thinking of Eddie like that. Or at least it could.
Couldn’t it?
Eddie wasn’t sure. He had no idea how to even go about telling him. He spent an hour thinking of the best possible ways. How he could reassure him that it was fine, that dreams didn’t have to mean anything. But Eddie knew that wouldn’t be enough. Steve would freak out. Or at least assume Eddie was freaking out. Which he wasn’t. Well… he was, but not just because of the dream.
Because telling Steve could mean that he got weird again. That he reverted back to his bullshit about being too queer to share a bed or something. Which didn’t seem worth it. What even really happened? His friend said his name and made a few noises? Was that really alarm bell worthy?
Eddie didn’t know. He still didn’t know when Steve rushed into his kitchen a few hours later, his hair a mess and his eyes wide. Eddie stopped his pacing, staring at him as he caught his breath.
Eddie could tell by the expression on his face that Steve definitely remembered his own dream. He looked panicked, maybe even a little scared as he cautiously walked towards him, stopping a few feet away. It was far for them, too far.
Eddie didn’t like it.
“I-um, Hey,” Steve stumbled out, looking at a spot over Eddie’s shoulder. He had his arms crossed, his hands nearly shaking when he asked, “S-Sorry if this sounds weird but, did I say anything last night?”
“No,” Eddie said simply, so automatic it was jarring. But he didn't regret it, if anything he was relieved at the fact his mouth worked quicker then his brain. He could see Steve visibly relax, even if he was still too tense for Eddie’s liking. At least he was stepping a little closer.
Steve bit his lip, looking intently at Eddie’s face when he asked, “Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure,” Eddie said simply, careful to keep his face neutral; ignoring the loud pounding of his own heart beat, “You were dead asleep man. I didn’t hear a thing.”
Eddie had to give it to himself. Despite not using it for months, he apparently hadn’t lost his knack for lying straight to someone’s face. He didn’t even feel bad, not when Steve was breathing out a sigh of relief, finally stepping close enough to bump against Eddie’s shoulder.
“Good. Sorry about that. I thought… I don’t know what I thought.”
Eddie cocked his head at him, “Why? Did you have a bad dream?”
Steve shook his head, a light flush climbing up his neck, “More like a vivid dream. The more real it feels the more likely I talk but… sounds like that wasn’t the case.”
“What’d you dream about?” Eddie asked, doing his damndest to keep his voice as even as possible, “Upside down stuff?”
“Y-Yeah,” Steve agreed, readily taking Eddie’s manufactured out, “Exactly. Just weird shit I’m already forgetting.”
“Well at least you're forgetting,” Eddie said with a soft smile. He walked past him to stick his head in the fridge, nonchalant when he asked, “You hungry? I can make something.”
“Sure, yeah,” Steve said as he settled at their table, “Thanks. And um. If I ever wake you up with stupid shit you’ll tell me right?”
“Of course,” Eddie lied, “Now, what are you in the mood for?”
Eddie moved the conversation along, more than happy to change the subject away from the bizarre mix of weird shit he was feeling. He decided to shove all of it right the fuck down. Because it didn’t really mean anything. No one could control their own dreams and Eddie saw no reason to embarrass Steve for nothing. It was better just to forget it all.
They went on to have a completely average day, so normal that Eddie couldn’t help but wonder if he was the one who dreamt the whole thing up. Neither of them hesitated getting into bed together that night, Steve none the wiser to what Eddie heard. But when it was actually time to sleep, Eddie couldn’t.
He was wide awake, only opening his eyes when he was sure Steve was still fast asleep. He stared at him, waiting.
He didn’t have to wait long.
“Eddie,” Steve moaned softly, “Good, that’s g-good.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck, it was happening again. And Eddie wasn’t doing anything about it. He wasn’t moving. He wasn’t shaking Steve awake, he wasn’t turning away. If anything, he was leaning in closer, hungry to hear every word that came out of Steve’s mouth.
“Anything,” Steve panted quietly, “Anything you want.”
Jesus, his voice was something else. He had never heard him sound like that. Deep but sweet, near memorizing.
“Touch me.”
Eddie bit his lip as he listened, ignoring how his cock was filling with blood. It didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to do anything about it, it wasn’t even his fault it was happening. Random erections were perfectly normal. If anything, he was just appreciating the noise. L-Like people who sang, how easy it was to recognize the beauty in it.
That’s what was happening here. It had to be. Because Steve’s voice did sound beautiful, low and raw as he begged. Desperate. Eddie couldn’t help but have the delusional thought that he really could release a hit single if he could get that voice on tape, how easily it would mix in with music, right at home.
Eddie stayed wide awake that night, catching every word that escape those pink lips. He made up for it by sleeping through Steve’s shift the next day, exhausted and confused beyond belief.
But he doesn’t tell him. Despite the fact that he has ample opportunity to do so.
Because it keeps happening. Not every night, but often enough to completely destroy Eddie’s sleeping schedule. He was… struggling. Struggling with what to do next, always ready to push a true answer off over and over again. But he was surviving. Steve still didn’t know what he was doing at night and Eddie was only listening. That’s all he was doing. He wasn’t doing anything wrong, not really. If anything, he was keeping quiet for Steve’s sake.
It was all under control.
Until it got wasn't.